Challenges Associated with High Fixed Costs †Airlines Essay

What are the challenges associated with managing in a business with high fixed costs like airlines? To understand the challenges firms face with regard to high fixed costs we must first have a basic understanding. A fixed cost is a routine cost the company incurs despite production, and changes in volume. It is a cost that must be paid routinely, but the amount of the expense may vary. Firms with high fixed costs must have complete understanding of what fixed costs exist that will be incurred, and how much revenue they need to generate in order to cover those costs and remain profitable. Companies operating in the airline industry face several opportunities in managing and developing strategies that take into account the following challenges: rivalry, high-fixed costs, low capacity, and price competition. The high fixed costs faced by airline companies are the costs of planes, fuel, pilots, flight attendants, and additional staff for baggage and customer service. The airline industry is fiercely competitive and the ability to manage these costs and deliver revenue is what makes a firm successful. In a growing market the amount of entries and competitive offers can hinder the ability to remain viably profitable. â€Å"In short, companies that operate with a high fixed cost business model, particularly companies that operate in cyclical end markets, get hit the hardest when there is a cyclical downturn or a push out of an expected spending pattern.† (â€Å"Alcatel-Lucent: Turnaround or takeover?† (2012). When the industry struggles, competition to meet revenue goals increase, and airline firms tend to either encounter significant unexpected expenses to keep up or get caught in a price war situation. As far as competition in the airline industry, labor is a fixed-cost that can significantly impact a firm. With the level of competition in the aviation industry, and the amount of firms competing, it can be challenging to retain the skilled pilots, staff, and customer service employees. Pricing strategy is a challenge as well, in that, in order to be the most productive firm and minimize the effect of these high fixed-costs, airlines must maintain just enough equipment and enough route offerings to meet demand, and therefore remain profitable. The difficulties experienced by high-fixed costs according to Paul McWilliams, â€Å"†¦companies with high fixed costs models have inherently low cost flexibility and are, therefore, very sensitive to fluctuations in  revenue.† (â€Å"Alcatel-Lucent: Turnaround or takeover?†) High-fixed costs allow the ability to produce high profit if the company runs at a high productivity and is in a growing market. If a company cannot produce revenue, it will detrimentally impact the firm’s ability to remain profitable. To sum up the challenges in terms operating in the airline industry, James Joyner says, â€Å"We’ve had commercial aviation for nearly a century now and nobody has managed to make a sustained go of it yet. As the business starts to look profitable, we’ll inevitably see more entrants into the competition, driving down price, and demands from labor for their fair share, driving up costs.† Therefore, the ability to minimize the challenges faced in operating with high-fixed costs comes down to awareness of the fixed costs, the ability to remain competitive while operating in volatile industry, and a firms ability to generate revenue. Works Cited McWilliams, Paul. (2012). â€Å"Alcatel-Lucent: Turnaround or takeover?† Retrieved from http://money.msn.com/top-stocks/post.aspx?post=4bab7644-01a6-4b4e-b636-443995abad2b Joyner, James. Publisher, â€Å"Airlines Make Profit!† Outside the Beltway Retrieved from http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/airlines-make-profit/

Does Doctor-Patient Communication Affect Patient Satisfaction with Hospital Care? Essay

The results from the study show that most of the patients are served within five minutes upon their arrival at the hospital. Taking an overview look on the results, it emerges that medical personnel in Netherlands serve their patients faster than their counterparts in Saudi Arabia. However, it is discouraging to find out that the percentage that is served beyond five minutes after the arrival is high. Myocardial infarction is an emergency condition (Covinky, K.E., et al., 544). It should be treated as such. The sooner it is handled the better the outcomes. Therefore, it is important for the hospitals to put in place strategies that will enable them handle myocardial infarction cases with speed. The percentage handled within the first five minutes must rise close to 100% for better outcomes. Satisfaction with the explanations about the tests done:                The findings show that patients in both hospitals are satisfied with the explanations given to them regarding the tests that are done concerning their condition. This is indicated by the high percentage that represents satisfaction. However, it appears that the level of satisfaction in Netherlands is higher than the level of satisfaction in Saudi Arabia. Ordinarily, it is important for the medical personnels to explain all the tests that are needed to be carried out on a patient prior to performing them. It is necessary to engage the patient adequately in the process of the treatment. Considering these findings, it is practical to state that the hospitals in both countries are doing what is required of them. Patient satisfaction with the explanation given about myocardial infarction:                The findings from the study clearly show that the patients were generally satisfied with the explanation given to them by the medical personnel with regard to their condition. It is important for the medical personnels to offer good explanation to the patients with regard to their condition. The patients become aware of their condition and therefore assume full responsibility of it. With awareness on the part of the patients, there is compliance that helps in achieving positive treatment outcomes. In addition, giving enough information to the patients regarding their disease empowers them in making better decisions (Priporas, C.V., et al., 48). They become aware of their role to play in the process of the management of the condition. In the case this study, is encouraging to find out that the hospitals used in the study are keen on this aspect of involving the patient in the treatment by informing them well. Satisfaction with the personal attention given to the patients by the doctors:                The results of the study reveal that the patients are generally satisfied by the personal attention that doctors give to them. In Netherlands, the level of satisfaction by percentage of the respondents is near 100%. This is an indication of good practice by the doctors in these hospitals. Giving a patient individualized attention makes them feel that they are important. In addition, it makes them feel that their condition is being taken care of. This is an important practice that should be incorporated in the hospitals. Moreover, when the doctors get close to the patient, they can get essential information that may be necessary in the course of the treatment. The patient can reveal deep information to a doctor who shows a sense of caring and concern. Both hospitals involved in this study are doing quite well in this respect. They are showing the necessary concern that is required when handling the patients by instituting personal attention to each patient. Ac cording to Clever, S.L.,et al (234), good patient-doctor relationship improves the outcome. Satisfaction with the expertise of the medical personnel:                The findings indicate a general high level of satisfaction of patients to the expertise of the medical personnels handling them in both countries. The findings show that patients in Netherlands trust the expertise of the medical personnel handling them. In Netherlands, the level of satisfaction is approaching 100%. Nevertheless, even that in Saudi Arabia is not badly off. The findings show that the medical personnels in both countries handling cases of myocardial infarction are up to the task. The expertise of the medical personnel should be of high standard when it comes to dealing with such cases as myocardial infarction (Quintama, J.M., et al, 69). Satisfaction level of the patients with the information given to them regarding their treatment:                Generally, the patients are satisfied with the information that is given to them regarding their treatment. This information includes various treatment options available, drugs to be used in the treatment, need for adherence to the treatment and the expected prognosis (Clever, S.L., et al., 235). The information given to the patients should be such that it helps in achieving a better outcome. In this regard, it should promote compliance and adherence to the treatment on the part of the patients. If the patients trust the level of the expertise of the medical personnel, they are satisfied with the information that they give to them. Patients’ satisfaction with the way the hospital facilitates visits by the family members and relatives:                Generally, the patients in both countries are satisfied with the schedule that the hospital has for the visits by the family members and other relatives. Family members and relatives are important to the patient because they offer emotional support that is pertinent in the recovery progress. It is clear that in Netherlands, the level of satisfaction is so high approaching 100%. This is because there are no limitations imposed on the visits by the family members to the patients. Satisfaction with the rules given:                High percentage of patients in both hospitals showed satisfaction with the rules that they are given after discharge with regard to managing their condition. These rules include the amount of exercise they should involve themselves with, the kind of diet that is consistent with their condition, how to assess their heart condition in the course of their activities and what to do in case they suspect an abnormality. Nevertheless, there is a small difference in the level of satisfaction between Netherlands and Saudi Arabia. The difference could be due to the explanations that accompany the rules given. The rules given are understood at different degrees depending on the person giving them and how they are given (Quintama, J.,M., et al., 68). It is possible that, in Netherlands, patients are given the rules and then given the reasons why they should adhere to them. In Saudi Arabia, poor communication between the patients and the medical personnel may be the cause for the massive dissatisfaction expressed by the patients. Patients’ satisfaction with the time spent with them by the doctors:                Generally, there is a higher percentage of the patients who are satisfied with the time spent with them by the doctors. However, a small percentage of patients is either neutral or dissatisfied by the amount of time and privacy accorded by the doctors. This finding reveals that the doctors are embracing the need for them to attend to the patients by giving them enough time. It is encouraging to find out that the patients are satisfied with the time that the doctors spend with them. These results show consistency with previous findings in this study. According to Priporas, C.V., et all (47), the doctor’s attitude towards the patient is very important in the psychological support of the patient. Doctors in Netherlands have more time with their patients than their counterparts in Saudi Arabia. It is necessary for the doctors to avail adequate time to the patients. This gives them an opportunity to understand the patient condition of the patient well. In a ddition, this creates a strong bond that defines doctor-patient relationship that can influence the subsequent steps in the treatment process. Patient’s satisfaction with the food and drinks provided:                The findings in this study show that the patients are generally satisfied with what the hospital provides for food and drinks in both hospitals. Admitted patients need proper diet that is consistent with the condition that they are suffering from. While they are recovering, they require proper food to help boost their body immunity. Moreover, there is need for more energy to assist in the general body recovery process. In findings in this report are encouraging as far as the patients’ care is concerned. General evaluation of the experience of the patients in the hospital:                Generally, patients rated the level of management in both hospitals highly. They indicated that the management provided was good enough to allow for proper management of myocardial infarction. The findings are encouraging. It is important for the hospital management to provide a conducive environment for the care of its patients (Kova J.A et al, 24). By so doing, the patients get satisfied with the hospital services. This should be the aim of the policy makers and other members of the management team. Significance of the Results                In Netherlands, it is clear that patients are treated well and this is because of high levels of satisfaction as depicted in the results. It is encouraging to find out that patients with myocardial infarction are being treated with urgency that is required because the condition is treated as a matter of emergency. In Saudi Arabia, much needs to be done in the hospitals. If decisions are to be formulated based on the findings, then it is disheartening to find out the high numbers of patients who are dissatisfied by the services offered. Limitations                There were several limitations during the study. Firstly, it was difficult to pin down the exact causes of dissatisfactions by the patients in Saudi Arabia. Also, it was not clear why most of the participants in the study were males. Perhaps further studies are necessary to find the answers to these two problems. It was difficult to get clarifications from the patients because most of them decided to fill the questionnaires out of the hospital and then posted them to the researchers. It is hoped that future studies will consider involving the patients using interviews so that proper clarifications can be done. The other challenge was that it was not possible to encourage with the medical personnel because of time limitation for the study. In the future, it will be paramount to base research on the level of awareness of the medical personnel regarding treatment guidelines for various diseases including myocardial infarction. The level of knowledge by the docto rs improves the patient conditions greatly. Recommendations                This report recommends that the management of KFSHRC in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia must find out how to improve their standards of service delivery for the sake of the patients. In addition, the hospital should come up with a policy that ensures patients with emergency conditions are handled with the necessary urgency. The doctors in the hospital should avail more time with the patients and give them enough attention to boost their level of satisfaction. Moreover, the patients’ emotional support requires attention. One way of doing so is having proper arrangements where the patient’s family members come to visit the patient and spend quality time with them. The UMCG in the Netherlands is doing quite well as far as patient care is concerned. This report recommends that the hospital should continue doing so. Finally, the report recommends that the time taken to handle the patients when they arrive at the hospital should be minimum possible. Delay in the treatment of myocardial infarction can have detrimental consequences. Conclusion                This study shows that patients are generally handled well in Netherlands, UMCG, and Saudi Arabia, KFSHRC. The level of satisfaction as presented in terms of percentages of the respondents is very encouraging. Patient satisfaction in the hospital is a measure of the quality of services being offered. There should be no compromise when it comes to the comfort of the patients in the hospital premises. Myocardial infarction is an emergency condition. It should be treated with urgency because time factor is the primary determinant of the prognosis of the condition. It is a condition that requires that a patient be handled very fast. Although this aspect has low satisfaction levels, generally, the patients gave both hospitals high scores to denote that they are generally satisfied by the services offered.This research adds into the existing researches in establishing the key parameters that determine patient satisfaction. References Clever, Sarah  L., Lei Jin, Wendy Levinson, and David  O. Meltzer. â€Å"Does Doctor-Patient Communication Affect Patient Satisfaction with Hospital Care? Results of an Analysis with a Novel Instrumental Variable: Does Doctor-Patient Communication Affect Patient Satisfaction with Hospital Care?† Health Services Research 42.64  (2008): 233-243. Print. Covinsky, Kenneth  E., Gary  E. Rosenthal, Mary-Margaret Chren, Amy  C. Justice, Richard  H. Fortinsky, Robert  M. Palmer, and C.  S. Landefeld. â€Å"The relation between health status changes and patient satisfaction in older hospitalized medical patients.† Journal of General Internal Medicine 54.43  (1998): 543-547. Print. Priporas, Constantinos-Vasilios, Christina Laspa, and Irene Kamenidou. â€Å"Patient satisfaction measurement for in-hospital services: A pilot study in Greece.† Journal of Medical Marketing 23.6  (2008): 46-51. Print. Quintana, Josà ©Ã‚  M., Nerea Gonzà ¡lez, Amaia Bilbao, Felipe Aizpuru, Antonio Escobar, Cristà ³bal Esteban, Josà ©Ã‚  A. San-Sebastià ¡n, Emilio De-la-Sierra, and Andrew Thompson. â€Å"Predictors of patient satisfaction with hospital health care.† BMC Health Services Research 42.12  (2006): 67-71. Print. Kovac, Julie  A., Samir  S. Patel, Rolf  A. Peterson, and Paul  L. Kimmel. â€Å"Patient satisfaction with care and behavioral compliance in end-stage renal disease patients treated with hemodialysis.† American Journal of Kidney Diseases 3.4  (2002): 23-26. Print. Man, Stefanie  D., Paul Gemmel, Peter Vlerick, Peter  V. Rijk, and Rudi Dierckx. â€Å"Patients’ and personnel’s perceptions of service quality and patient satisfaction in nuclear medicine.† European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 4.3  (2002): 32-34. Print. Source document

Precis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Precis - Essay Example And 3.3 million die annually from poor hygiene. These figures expose a major disparity between developed countries where tapped water that never seems to run out is always available and underdeveloped countries water is scarce and whatever is available is usually unhygienic. While the people from the underdeveloped countries could use their meager earning to improve their hygienic conditions, they cannot do so as they have to spend the money on treating hygiene-related ailments. The health records point out that as much as between 50 and 70 percent of their patients are treated for hygiene related ailments. It is apparent that making clean water available and easily accessible would go a long way in improving the lives of people in underdeveloped countries. It would reduce the amount of time they spend collecting water and reduce the amount of money they spend in treating hygiene related ailments. The result would be more time available to engage in economically viable activities and more money saved. One agency that had identified this gap and attempting to fill it is WaterAid, a UK based nonprofit organization. It started projects in Konso district to make clean water available to residents by supplying them with water and chlorine, and helping them build latrines. Other agencies that helped in alleviating the problem include; Water.org, CARE and A Glimmer of Hope. Different parts of the earth’s surface experience varying moisture conditions, some being deserts while others are oasis. But even in the driest of conditions when hardy dessert creatures and plants struggle to survive, humans, whose bodies are made 66 percent water, scrape off every available water molecule to meet their needs. This problem is only expected to worsen as global worming becomes reality and climate change occurs. The average earth temperature was raised by 0.74oC. While this figure may seem inconsequential, nevertheless it is responsible for

Cardiorespiratory endurance training program Essay

Cardiorespiratory endurance training program - Essay Example It is done to improve the body’s capability to transport oxygen and nutrients to different tissues in the body. It is also done to improve the removal of wastes from the body. The body will be able to do this over sustained periods of time. Because of this, a cardiorespiratory endurance training program can help reduce the risk of diseases like heart attack, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and stroke. The cardiorespiratory endurance training program can be done three to five times a week. It should be done at a slow and steady pace in an intensity that will drop heart rate to 60 to 75% of the maximum. As with any training program, it is important to be checked by a doctor to know if you are fit to use the cardiorespiratory endurance training program. This program usually mixes a number of workouts to maximize the body’s endurance and overall fitness level. For my personal training program, I have considered a four-day per week training program that will improve my physical fitness. On the first day of training, it will target the upper body. It will include Incline Dumbbell Press, Push Up, Seated Shoulder Press, Tricep Pulldowns, Incline Dumbbell Curls, and Lateral Pulldowns. These exercises will be composed of three sets with twelve repetitions per set. The second day of training will be devoted to a cardiovascular activity. I can choose from a 20 minute run or a 30 minute swim or 30 minute cycling, depending on which activity is more appropriate for that day in terms of equipment availability and weather conditions. The third day of my training will concentrate on my lower body by doing Squats, Standing Calf Raises, Leg Extension, Seated Calf Raises, Walking Lunges, and Two Foot Long Jump. This will be done again in three sets with twelve repetitions per set. The fourth day of training will be a cardiovascular activity again, choosi ng between a 20 minute run or a 30 minute swim or

Change and Development in the English Language Research Paper

Change and Development in the English Language - Research Paper Example There has been significant evidence which suggests that Milton "tried to indicate a distinction in spelling, for instance, between the stressed and the unstressed forms of the personal pronouns - mee, hee, see, and there for the emphatic forms, and me, he, she, their, for the weaker ones." (Wrenn, 170-1) Topic Sentence 3: Milton was the greatest master in English poetic language, next only to Shakespeare, but "besides being the master in poetic diction of so many who have followed, Milton has left some notable marks on the language which go far beyond this sphere." (Wrenn, 173) John Milton enjoys an outstanding position as a molder and exemplar of English poetic diction and as the greatest master in English poetic language, next only to Shakespeare. However, he has also played an exceptional role in the change and development of the English language and he has made an exceptional contribution to the growth of the language in the 17th Century.  Milton is highly regarded as a prominent figure in the development of the language through the century, mainly due to his ideas on spelling with which he experimented, his study and practice of the language, and for his contribution of a number of words and phrases to the literary vocabulary of English language. John Milton has an exceptional role in the change and development of the English language, apart from his outstanding position as a molder and paradigm of English poetic diction, and â€Å"he had ideas on spelling, with which he experimented; he was a keen student of the language and a supreme practitioner in it, and he has added a number of words and phrases to the literary vocabulary if not to the spoken.†Ã‚  Significantly, the first two paragraphs of his ‘Paradise Lost’ illustrate the English language of the 17th Century. His contribution to the growth English language through his epic poem ‘Paradise Lost’ includes the transformation of spelling, the contribution of a number of new words and phrases etc.

Business Communication Portfolio Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Communication Portfolio - Assignment Example Although the idea of entertainment at Disney Land is typically attractive for children but it is presented in such a way that people from all over the world enjoy visiting it (Jackson, 2011, p.139). In Hong Kong, it has been built with incorporation of International Theme Parks Ltd, The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Government (Hong Kong Disneyland, 2013). The organization is continuously increasing its attractive places while improving the overall entertainment experience. Huge business portfolio often generates great difficulties for Disneyland which subsequently affects customer satisfaction and long term relations with other businesses. For instance, on weekends or public holidays the parks become over crowded which causes immense difficulties for the visitors. This paper aims to present two business-business letters related to Hong Kong Disneyland. Skyline Event Management Company 26th Street, across Southern Avenue Hong Kong October 12, 2013 Mr. Robert James The Operati ons Manager Disneyland Resorts Hong Kong Subject: Complaint for poor resort services. Dear Sir, On October 10, 2013, the students of Foundation School grade 4 to 6 visited the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort along with the teachers and other staff members. It was a school trip primarily arranged to enhance the artistic sense of students while enabling them to understand different stories. Moreover, to help them visualize the classical characters they have been reading about since early childhood. Our aim was to entertain children through best possible means. However, the students did not find Disneyland as appealing as it has been marketed (Haberer, 2010, p.4). Most of the staff members complained about the misbehavior of employees especially those who have been on duties in the Toy Story Land. Hence I wish to complain about the poor services that the school has received from the renowned Walt Disney Company. The visit was arranged by Skyline Event Management Company. After visiting the theme parks, students were required to write a comprehensive review of the entire trip. This was done in order to gain inside knowledge about their perception and ideas related to different cartoon characters. Additionally, they were needed to compose stories with the help of their favorite cartoons. They were also asked by the event managers to fill the feedback forms regarding the entire trip. The feedback forms which we received were significant enough to let us know about the poor services of your staff members. Students were highly de-motivated and even some of the parents complained to the school management regarding the trip. Parents were too much concerned about their children’s safety. Most of them believed that the amusement parks and rides at Disneyland were not safe for young children. Here, I would like to add another important thing that since Disneyland is marketed primarily to the children then why the management has installed such equipment which is prominen tly dangerous for young ones? Moreover, the older people visiting Disney Land behave very rudely with the young children while on the other hand, the managing staff usually do not respond to the customer complains. Even today I had to wait for around two hours to meet you and in the end I was told that you are busy in some meeting and would not be available until next week. All these things have greatly disappointed us and hence I request you to train you staff members while ensuring that older

John Milton's Sonnet XVI (16) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

John Milton's Sonnet XVI (16) - Essay Example Milton and his family had no aristocratic background and hailed from Oxfordshire. He was the eldest and was his father’s favorite child. The proof of this is quite evident in the wonderful tribute he paid to his father in the Latin elegy of â€Å"Ad Patrem† (To My Father†) which he wrote in 1638. From a very early age, Milton’s father understood that his son was a phenomenon and provided him with many tutors for reading, writing and translating. Later he In many of his works, Milton defended various kinds of liberty – domestic liberty (family) ‘liberty to worship according to one’s conscience, and political liberty as expressed in what he called â€Å"liberty of speaking† (Yale 1.669) or the â€Å"honest liberty of free speech† (Yale 1.804) At the same time he also believed that the opposite of liberty was license which was chaotic and wild. According to Milton, his idea of liberty is restricted because he feels that license should not be taken for liberty. Milton was both witty and charming besides being physically attractive and an intellectual phenomenon. Milton’s works are indispensable to the world of literature. One such work was his â€Å"Paradise Lost† where he makes use of such powerful characters to get his message across. Through most of these characters we could feel Milton’s own personality coming through. The character of Satan as portrayed in both ‘Paradise Lost’ and ‘Areopagitica’ seems to share many commonalities with Milton’s own character. Both were charming, intelligent, smooth talkers and lovers of beauty, but yet Belial (Satan) poses a threat to Milton because he stands as a spectre of failure which always haunted Milton even though he was such a great intellectual. Sonnets were an intangible part of Milton’s literary and intellectual life. Unlike Phillip Sydney and Petrarch, Milton did not