Apple Computers Walmart Essay Example

Apple Computers Walmart Essay Example Apple Computers Walmart Paper Apple Computers Walmart Paper Introduction What is competitive advantage, and what is â€Å"core competence? For a company seeking competitive advantages, what are the generic competitive strategy choices it can use? What are the four building blocks through which it can establish its competitive advantages? Based on power point definition, competitive advantage is when firm implements a strategy that creates superior value for customers and competitors are unable to duplicate it or find too costly to imitate it. Core competencies are â€Å"crown jewels of a company†, the activities the firm performs especially well compared to rivals and through which the firm adds unique value to its goods or services over a long period of time. It can also be called as Strategic Assets, Strategic Capabilities, and Critical Capabilities. For a company seeking competitive advantages, the elements of Low cost, differentiation, and focus are the generic competitive strategy choices it can use. Specifically, firm is using four building blocks like Quality, Efficiency, innovation, and customer responsiveness to establish its competitive advantages. Superior quality includes quality design, reliability, durability, and image. When people think of a product or services, they think in these terms. For example, when people are on the market for a cell phone, many of them would pick an iphone (or Blackberry) over another brand like Motorola. Apple and other brand like Blackberry typically have a reputation of a high quality, clean design, secured systems, and consumers associate these cell phones with a high-quality image. Superior efficiency refers to the cost to the market via materials, production, logistics, and overhead. Wal-Mart will be a good example to showcase because not only its advanced logistic systems but also the integration of its supply chain. Another interesting fact about Wal-Mart is its slogan â€Å"every day low price.† In order to achieve that, Wal-Mart is actually manufacturing product themselves in order to reduce wholesaler and retailer cost for customers. In this way, the customer will get the cheapest price from Wal-Mart. Superior customer responsiveness is the importance of anticipating and meeting customer needs. Apple Computers is a great example of customer responsiveness. When you order a product from Apple no matter whether it is on-line or in store, you can always reach their customer center with a friendly well-trained representative. The order process is very easy, taking only a few minutes. For example, when you go to apple store to buy its products, the system will email your receipt automatically after your purchase. Another thing need to highlight is that apple’s delivery is quick and accurate and there is a good amount of call centers that customers can call to get assistance after the sale or, they can use the Internet to find a solution. Furthermore, I want to talk about the app platform that apple created. Apple’s product is not only about a simple functional mp3 or cell phone. They integrate programmers, suppliers, customers, and merchants into one platform so that they are able to communicate each other. Their sales representatives and marketing representatives visit customers on a regular basis to assess the needs of the market. By figuring out what their customers want and need to function efficiently and effectively, Apple is able to be creatively innovative. The company is constantly creating new products such as the new Mighty Mouse and the, now legendary, iPod series. To state this differently, apple created a dynamic system that maximized the customer responsiveness and to differentiate themselves with other competitors. Apple is a very focused company that doing personal computer and related phones and mp3. The Apple cooperates with IBM, Google, Microsoft, and other companies to make its unique products. But at the same time, apple is also fiercely with Microsoft, Google, and other companies. They have a certain customer type and niche that Microsoft and Google does not. They have realized that companies should not try to be all things to all people as this is a very challenging role to fill and usually does not move the company in the desired direction of competitive advantage (Porter). By updating often and ensuring that their products are tuned into the needs and wants of consumers, Apple has been able to become a leading differentiation competitor. They are focusing on personal computer, mp3, and cellphones. The focus strategy and their leading differentiation strategy are the new frontier of corporate competitive advantage. Middle It involves the integration of strategies, employees of all levels, and corporate management with creativity, innovation, and a variety of tools, including Apples main driver, technology innovation to generate more revenue and reduce their cost. The combination of these core competencies enables companies such as Apple or Wal-Mart to get ahead of competition within their industry, as well as, successfully progress into other industries if that is a goal. Leading differentiation are those who continuously generate new competitive advantages that destroy, make obsolete, or neutralize the industry leaders advantages, leaving the industry in disequilibrium and disarray. What is innovation? What does it comprise? What can you recommend concerning how to effectively execute innovation to generate better returns for the company? Based on power point definition, Innovation meaning the use of new knowledge to transform organizational processes or create commercially viable products and services. In detail, we have divided innovation into three levels, such as invention level, innovation level, and imitation level. From invention level, we know that Invention is the act of creating or developing a new product or process. It can Brings something new into being. And the important fact is that Technical criteria determine the success of an invention. Another level is Innovation. This level of innovation is a little bit different from what we have mentioned earlier about the general definition of innovation. In this level, Process of creating a commercial product from an invention, it brings something new into use. And Commercial criteria determine the success of an innovation. The last level of innovation is about Imitation. Imitation is consisted of adoption of an innovation by similar firms. Usually it leads to product or process standardization. What’s more, products based on imitation often are offered at lower prices and without as many features. However, the last level of innovation is not always enough for a firm from good to great. We have three things of imitation need to keep in mind; the first one is that product or process standardization. Secondly, products made with fewer features. Last but not least, products must offer at lower prices. What can you recommend concerning how to effectively execute innovation to generate better returns for the company? In the video of how to execute innovation, I learnt innovation itself is not about a simple point of time but a process or a culture. The most frequent question from that video was â€Å"Why are some companies able to create and sustain a high innovation premium while others don’t?† While I was still simply thinking innovation is about create something new or valuable to customer. This class taught me how to analysis or develop further about innovation. According to my research and also class notes, it shows at least three key things that the innovative companies do to create and sustain an innovation premium and to effectively execute innovation to generate better returns for the company, such as leverage people, process, and philosophies. Firstly, I think the most important thing about innovation is people. As long as the company is organized by people, I believe a good way to implement innovation is to activate innovation from the person on the top. During the video, Karmazin mentioned that Failure is an unacceptable option; Innovating is about winning. In his philosophy, he thinks when you conduct an innovation, pretty good means very bad. The tone of top has clearly addressed that their company is passion about to win and they want to detect zero defects of their products. To some extent, with this strong command from the top CEO, employees will influenced by the environment. Because employees are elements of company’s culture and the CEO is the vision builder. Ginny Wiedower commented, Without a corporate strategy to reach defined corporate goals, innovation will be misdirected and unguided. But D. R. Elliott pointed out that innovations and inefficiencies are persistent anomalies in organizations. Actions of top managers, according to Marc Sniukas, should set the context; guide the process †¦; clearly communicate reasons †¦; shield creative teams †¦; appreciate distinctiveness in people and their thinking; and welcome change. as Dan Hoch put it. Finally, these behaviors trigger new associations which let them to connect the unconnected, thereby producing disruptive ideas. On the people front, the behavior of leaders matters. To effectively execute innovation, we should treat innovation as a process. Karmazin also spoke about how he measures winning. In his company, the top executives are working on how to convert fear to motivations. Conclusion They believe Innovation is about process. Whatever the result is, you as an innovator have to give it a try. In this case, there is no losing or win. Joe Violette, who reminded us that innovation is most often carried out in teams, suggested that leaderships role is also to provide a work environment of openness built on trust where every member of the team feels free to express their views/opinions without fear of ridicule or reprisal. As long as innovation is a risk taking process, there is no a one hundred percent correct result. During the video, we know that LG. believes innovative technologies takes time. It requires you to listen to customer. Learning from failure is also a lesson that all companies have to take. Lastly is to sharp things up to generate revenue at low cost. For example, LG believes in innovative technologies because they have a passion and commitment to create new and convenient experiences for individual and their families. Its electronic department like fridge center states that whether its time or energy savings, beautiful options for your kitchen or the latest technologies, LGs home appliances are designed to enhance your overall experience by creating great everyday moments. Therefore, the tone of top should also not only gradually deliver its vision to employees, but also need to be patient about innovation process. It is important for us to fully understand customer’s needs to increase the probability of a valuable innovation.

How to Write a Book Step by Step Essentials for a Good Book [Video]

How to Write a Book Step by Step Essentials for a Good Book [Video] How to Write a Book Step by Step: Essentials for a Good Book [Video] Writing a book is hard without the right help. Without someone whos done it before, you can end up making crucial mistakes.Anyone who says learning how to write a book is easy has neveractually tried. If they did, theyd know writing a book takesa lotmore than a helpful piece of grammar software.It takes help from someone whos done it before.If you’ve ever tried to write a book, you know how it goesYou stare at a blank page for 5 minutes, but it feels like hours. To combat the boredom, you stand, stretch, and brew yet another pot of coffee.Anda week later someone asks how your book is coming, and you think, â€Å"Book? What book? I havent even come up with a book idea yet!†But now youre ready to start writing a book- and were going to help make sure you do.Heres how to write a book step by step:Prevent procrastination when writing a bookAdopt the Mentality of a WriterPreparing to Write a BookSchedule writing timeGet book writing toolsWriting Your BookAvoid Book Writing M istakesLaunching After Writing Your BookReady to get started as a serious writer right now? Check out your free training below before reading the rest of this post! How to Write a Book Despite ProcrastinationThere are plenty of reasons why writing a book, whether youre writing a fiction novel or nonfiction, puts most writers directly into procrastination mode.These are some common reasons you procrastinate when writing a book:Youre not sure how to get startedIts terrifying to spill your guts to the world in a bookYoure insecure about your writing and have writers block before youve even startedYoure afraid of getting negative book reviews when you do eventually publishYoure worried that even if you do write your book, nobody will buy it and youll end up with low book sales for lifeYoure not sure how to take your idea and turn it into an actual bookTake a deep breath (but no more coffee, you’ve had enough). Remember that all authors have been exactly where you are right now. E very successful writer- from William Shakespeare to Walt Whitman to Stephen King- began by staring at a blank page.You’re in illustrious company!Ready to learn how to write your first book and go from blank page to published author in just 90 days? Then let’s get started!Do you have what it takes to become a published author?How to Write a Book Step 1:Think Like a WriterBefore you sit down and type a single word, it will pay off if you take some time to address a few attitude questions and adopt the right mindset.This is one of the most frequently overlooked steps in becoming a published author, which is a big reason why so many people fail to finish their book.Take it from me- it’s worth your time to complete these steps. They will make the rest of your book-writing experience much, much easier and more satisfying.#1 Find Your â€Å"Why† for Writing a BookBefore you open your laptop and start daydreaming about which photographer should take your best-se lling author headshot, or about getting interviewed on Oprah, you need to answer one question:Whats your reason for writing a book? It’s not enough to have an inspiring book idea. Before you put pen to paper, you need to know your purpose.I won’t lie. Writing a book is rewarding, but it requires hard work. It requires emotional labor, long nights (or early mornings), extended weekends, and facing a constant self-critical process that is unlike anything you’ve experienced before.Solidifying the purpose fueling your book will carry you through this difficult process.Ok, you’re thinking- â€Å"Don’t worry, I know why I want to write a book. I want to write to feel important!† That’s an interesting thought, and feeling important may be a byproduct of becoming a self-published author.However, feeling important isn’t the same as your purpose- your WHY. Feelings are fleeting, whereas a purpose is a deeper, intrinsic motivator which wi ll keep you burning the midnight oil to power through Chapter 23 when the rush of feelings have long dissipated.These are some popular reasons for authors to write a book:Authority: To build credibility.Money: For financial gain, business success, or to make a living writing.Grow a network: To meet and connect with others in the industry.Passion project: To share an empowering story for the greater good.To have an escape: A mental escape can help you deal with real-world problems.To give others an escape: If you write fiction, you might want to give others struggling a safe place to go.To change lives: Books change lives and your message could empower others to make a change in their life.There are no wrong or right purposes for writing a book.Your WHY will be unique to you.Once you’ve honed in on your WHY, let that purpose help focus your writing. By keeping your purpose at theforefront of your creative process, you’ll make the writing process quicker and smoother tha n you thought possible.#2 Get Rid of Your Excuses for Not Writing the BookYou’ve figured out your WHY and articulated your unique purpose for writing a book. And right on cue, something is going to try to derail your progress already: your writing excuses.When there’s nothing standing in your way, it’s sadly typical to start letting excuses for not writing your book become the obstacle to your success.But you can overcome it.It’s worthwhile to spend a little time addressing some common excuses many of us make to prevent us from writing.Once you’ve cleared out the cobwebs and smashed those mental roadblocks, you’ll be better prepared for the writing process ahead. Getting your mind ready is one of the first steps to producing valuable work, whether than a publishing an ebook, the next great American novel, or a passion project.Excuse #1 You don’t know what to write.You may not realize it, but you have a story worth telling.In fact, y ou may be pleasantly surprised to find as you write that you have more than one story and you’re having a tough time narrowing down the content.The easiest way to start writing your first book is to choose a topic you’re comfortable with. You can literally write a book about anything, so go with what you know.Heres how you can figure out what to write about:Look at a list of writing prompts or story ideas and choose an ideaWrite a list of all the things youre most passionate aboutWrite down a list of everything youre very knowledgeable aboutWrite a list of areas you want to be seen as credible inCompile all of these lists and rank your ideas in order of what youre most passionate aboutImagine which idea youd be most proud to have your name onChoose the idea you know the most about and are the most passionate aboutOnce you have an idea narrowed down, you can go ahead and start your mindmap and outline.Excuse #2 You don’t have enough time.Today, we’re all busy. I get it.Plus, how long does writing a book take in the first place?But I have some good news: Writing a book takes less time than you think. Find an hour a day you devote to something mindless- social media, video games, internet, or TV- and start writing instead.And if you don’t have an hour, try 30 minutes. Even 5 minutes 3 times a day can be a source of massive writing productivity. Think about it.The average person can type 60 words a minute. 60 words x 5 minutes = 300 words. Do that 3 times a day and you’ll produce close to 1,000 words a day.You’ll amaze yourself at how an hour per day adds up to something productive! Excuse #3 Good writers spend all their free time reading.Think you need to read all day long to be a writer? Think again.In fact, many prolific writers cut down on their reading- at least temporarily- in order to give themselves enough time to write.Besides, you don’t need to be a literary connoisseur to write a great book. Your writing style and voice is your own.And the best way to discover your own natural writing voice is by sitting down and writing (not reading what others have written).Here are some tips to use reading to help you write a book while reading less:Only read a chapter or two at nightRead in a genre different than your own (this helps avoid being influenced too heavily by another book)Be intentional about what you readHave designated reading time that doesnt interfere with writing timeStop reading for a while if you have very little spare timeExcuse #4 You’re â€Å"not an expert.†A lot of people get tripped up on this. They think, â€Å"Oh, I’m not really an expert on ___. I can’t write about that.†The truth is that the whole concept of â€Å"expert† is very subjective. An amateur astronomer wouldn’t seem like an expert to Stephen Hawkingbut to 99% of the rest of the world, they would be an expert.You don’t need to know everything about your topic. As long as there’s a knowledge gap between you and the reader- and as long as you’re helping to fill that gap by teaching them the things they don’t know- then you’re expert enough to write a book.So stop worrying about â€Å"not being an expert!† If you’re passionate and knowledgeable about a topic, then you are 100% qualified to write a book about it.Excuse #5 Your first draft must be flawless.A draft is a work-in-progress, and the goal is simply to get it on paper. A draft will have mistakes and that’s okay- that’s what the self-editing process is for.Even experienced professional writers who finished a book that ended up covered in the red pen of an editor or numerous red changes in a document, just like the one pictured below.As Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg said, â€Å"Done is better than perfect.†If it works for a multi-billion-dollar company, it should work for your first self-published book.Don ’t get me wrong, as I’ve already said, writing is hard work. But shedding these excuses should help get you into a positive frame of mind for the writing process.#3 Realize You Don’t Need to Be PerfectThe thought of writing a book causes many people to think, â€Å"I’m not a good enough writer. I need to do _____ before I start writing.†Well, I’m here to tell you that:You don’t need a creative writing class.You don’t need a writing mentor or coach (though it does help).You don’t need to read thousands of good books.You only need one thing: a system for finishing your book.There’s no such thing as a perfect book or a perfect writer. When you get down to it, the most important distinction is between authors who finish their books and authors who don’t.Don’t worry about being perfect. Just focus on your book, and your writing will get better and better over time.As with anything we learn, writing is a skill. It requires practice to hone over time. So let go of the idea that you’re not good enough and work to improve by reading expert writing tips and practicing daily.This will help you make the mindset switch from â€Å"I can’t† to â€Å"Let’s get this done!†How to Write a Book Step 2: Pepare to Write a BookNow it’s time to start your prep work. Before you start putting any words onto the page, you need to focus on a few important preparations.Take the time to complete these steps and you’ll be setting yourself- and your new book- up for success.#1 Schedule Your Book Writing TimeHere are 3 things you can do to create your own customized book writing plan.Without a plan, it’s too easy to let your book writing goals get pushed to the background, eventually fading into the soft mist of â€Å"someday.† Step 1 Develop a writing habit and plan it outDon’t let your book end up in the graveyard of dreams. In order to realize your end goal, you need actionable steps to follow.Assess what’s going on in your life in the next 30 days, then block out when you can write, and when you can’t. It’s common for new writers to set unrealistic time goals, which in turn generates stress when it’s impossible to meet those arbitrary deadlines.Avoid this and stay realistic, since developing a writing habit is most important at this stage in learning how to write a book.Thirty minutes (or even 5 minutes) spent writing is better than nothing, so resolve to make it happen and find the time.Look at Laura Bennett, a Self-Publishing School student. She was working full-time, running a business, and working on her Master’s degree- busier than most people- yet she found the time to write her book Live Your Dream: How to Cut the Crap and Prioritize Your Purpose in 2 months!If Laura could make it happen, then writing your book is certainly an attainable dream.Step 2 Choose the time of day you plan to writeYou might decide to get up early and write before the obligations of your day crowd out your writing time. But if you’d win the gold medal in the Olympic sport of snooze-button slapping, then choose a different time or make sure you get to bed earlier so you’re fresh in the morning.If your evenings are free, but your brain is mush and you’re only good for sinking deep into the couch cushions, then choose a different time or rearrange your schedule so you aren’t so burnt out in the evenings.Alternatively, you can grab some time on your lunch break, or sneak small blocks of time into your workday, such as when you’re transitioning between activities, or waiting for a meeting to start.Whatever time of day is convenient for you, stick with it so that it becomes a predictable part of your day. This will establish a writing habit.Step 3 Set a deadline for writing your bookSetting an end date forces you to stay on schedule and keeps the forward momentum going. So consider giving yourself a deadline for your book.You may be wondering: How do you choose a deadline when you have no idea how long the book-writing process will take?One month is a good benchmark to start with. Self-Publishing School recommends writing until you hit a daily word count of 500-1,000 words, but this ultimately depends on how many words are in your book. If you can commit to an hour a day, you should be able to reach that goal. After 30 days of daily writing sessions, you will have completed a 30,000-word draft.Consistency is key. Small, consistent actions toward writing your book is how it comes to life.If that schedule doesn’t work, then commit to a time period and a daily word count that does. It’s okay if that’s 15 minutes per day.The ultimate goal is your rear end in the writing seat for that allocated period of time each day.Share the end date of your first completed draft with others so you have extrinsic motiv ation to keep moving toward that finish line.It’s a good idea to choose an editor for your book (before you finish your first draft) and schedule when you’ll have the completed first draft of the manuscript in that person’s hands.That way, if you’re tempted to flake out and put off a writing session, that looming deadline can help keep you going.#2 Create Your Writing SpaceThe physical space where you write your book is important. If you try to write in an environment that’s too loud, too busy, or too cluttered, and you’ll find yourself getting frequently distracted.True, some authors can write in a disheveled environmentbut I suspect that most of these authors would become even more focused and productive if they cleaned up their writing space to make it easier to focus on their writing.However, that’s just my opinion. The truth is that the â€Å"best† writing environment is going to be personal to you. We all work well in di fferent settings, so with that in mind, consider these general guidelines to boost your productivity:How to Start Writing TipExecutionMinimize Distractions- isolate yourself from family/friends/even the family dog - remind everyone it's YOUR time - Turn your phone off - Close ALL web browsers - Close your emailGet Comfortable- invest in a GOOD chair - or resort to using a stand-up desk for more energy - fill the area with motivational quotes - make sure you're physically comfortable for the next 30 minutes or an hourChoose Beneficial Background Noise- turn off all sounds if it distracts you - turn on lyric-less music to help you concentrate - choose energizing music to help you focus(To get the sound of a cafe from the comfort of home, check out Coffitivity.)You might need to experiment to find the writing environment that allows you to focus and write freely.Bottom line: Find the writing environment that makes you comfortable and go with it. Once you find the best creative process for you, you’ll even look forward to writing!#3 Equip Yourself with the Right Writing ToolsWould you try to construct a piece of furniture without a hammer, nails, or wood?Of course not! You need the right tools for the job.Well, the same principle applies whenwriting a book. And when it comes to writing, your most important tool is your choice of writing software. Unfortunately, most people don’t really put much thought into which program they use to write their book. They just use whatever word processor they’re most familiar with.But doing this can cause you to really miss out- especially if there’s another program out there that would work much better for you.There are countless options out there, but most people end up using one of the â€Å"big 3† word processors:Microsoft WordScrivenerGoogle DocsWell cover all of them for you below.Microsoft WordIf you just want a time-tested program that works, Word might be the program for you. It’ s the most widely used word processor in the world, which means it’s highly reliable and consistent. It also provides a lot of formatting options and even has a navigation pane you can use to easily find the chapter you’re looking for.One of the biggest downsides to Word is that it’s fairly expensive as far as word processors go.ScrivenerIf you like advanced features, definitely check out Scrivener. It was created specifically for authors, and it contains all sorts of tools that are really helpful for both fiction and nonfiction authors.For example, you can use the corkboard view to organize how youll write your book using virtual notecards:The biggest downside to Scrivener? Because of all the advanced features, it has a steeper learning curve than other word processors.If you do decide to go with Scrivener, heres a Scrivener tutorial for you to learn how to use it best: Google DocsYou can think of Google Docs as sort of a â€Å"Word Lite† program that yo u can access online, for free. While it doesn’t boast as many features as Word or Scrivener, it’s the hands-down most convenient program out there for sharing and collaboration.Because everything is stored online, you can access your work from anywhere. And it’s easy to share your work with others and collaborate by leaving comments in the margins:The big downside to Google Docs? It lacks the more sophisticated features of Word and Scrivener.Of course, these are only 3 options- there are many more great writing tools out there.How to Write a Book Step 3: Actually Write Your BookOK, we’ve got the preliminary stuff out of the way- time to sit down and actually write this thing!This is an exciting part of the processunfortunately, it’s also the part where many people get overwhelmed and give up.But there’s good news: actually writing a book can be a lot easier than you think- if you have the right system. A system that guides you from your idea through your outline and all the way up to your final, polished, publication-ready draft.Here are the most important things you need to do when writing your book.#1 Come Up With Your Book IdeaBefore you can start typing, you need to have a topic. That might seem obvious, but it can still be a stumbling block if you don’t know what to write about.Fortunately, there are countless book ideas that could turn into bestselling books.I recommend brainstorming a long list of book ideas. This way you’ll have a lot of options- giving you the freedom to choose the best possible book topic.You can even utilize lists of writing prompts to get your mind moving in the right direction. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Self-Publishing School (@self_pub_school) on Feb 25, 2019 at 4:29am PSTHere are a few questions to ask yourself tocomeupwithabookidea:What are you passionate about?What’s your favorite hobby?What do you get paid for? What’s your expertise?What are people coming to you for advice on?What’s a topic you know a lot about or can’t stop talking about?These are all great ways to come up with bestselling book ideas. In a nutshell, you’re trying to find topics that you’re knowledgeable or passionate about. Because these are the topics that you’re going to do a great job writing about!Notice that I highlighted the question, â€Å"What do you get paid for? What’s your expertise?†That’s because this is a particularly useful question for coming up with book ideas. A lot of people seem to forget that there is usually at least one topic on which they are a bona fide expert- and that’s their job!It might not seem that exciting or special to you, because you’re so used to it, but to someone else who’s trying to learn what you already knowyour job-related knowledge can seem very valuable indeed.#2 Don’t Censor YourselfWhen you’re brainstorming idea s, don’t censor yourself. Just let the ideas flow. Realize that there is no such thing as a crazy idea. Anything can make a great book topic.So don’t ever let yourself feel silly or start to judge yourself- doing so is a surefire way to stop your creativity in its tracks.On the other hand, don’t feel bad if your topic sounds too commonplace either. Even if you’re writing about an age-old topic- like a weight loss book or a romance novel- that’s OK!The truth is that there are no â€Å"new† ideas. Everything has been written about before.But it hasn’t been written from your unique perspective. And that’s what really matters.Realize that a writer’s job isn’t to come up with never-before-seen ideas. Doing that is pretty much impossible in this day and age.Instead, a writer’s job is to explore topics from their own point of view. To lend their unique spin on them.#3 Take a Reader-Centric PerspectiveWhile thinki ng of your book topic, here’s a piece of advice that I strongly recommend you follow:Think from your reader’s perspective (not your own).Many people are too self-centered when they write. When I say â€Å"self-centered,† I mean that they’re thinking only of themselves: their interests, their hobbies, their passions.Yes, it’s true that those are great topics to explore when coming up with your book topic. But during this process, you’ll need to switch from a self-centered perspective to a reader-centered perspective.Ask yourself questions like:What would my reader be most interested in?What would my reader most like to learn?What are my reader’s biggest problems?Whats the biggest question my readers are asking?When you start to think this way, it becomes much easier to write your book in a way that provides immense value for the people who matter most- your readers.#4 Figure Out Which Book You Should Write FirstBy now you should have a long list of book topics. And you might be wondering, which topic should I write about first?Here are a few tips to help you choose the best starting project:Which one can you finish the fastest? Usually, this is the topic where you have the most experience. This is a good thing to keep in mind because the faster you can finish your book, the faster you can get it out in the world where it can earn you money and help people. (And the faster you can get started on your second book!)Which one are you most likely to finish? Usually, these are the topics you are more passionate about. For your first book, I highly recommend choosing a topic that you’re really passionate about to help make sure that you’ll remain interested throughout the entire process.Which one is going to make you happy? This is a little harder to define, but it might be something that strikes a chord with you. Maybe there’s a certain book topic that stands out for one reason or another. If that ’s the case, then go for it! Remember, writing should make youNow with these tips in mind, choose the topic for your very first book before proceeding to the next step.#5 Come Up With a TitleThe most important words of your book are the ones that appear on the outside cover:Your book title.You don’t have to decide on your final title at this point, but your title is so important that it’s worth thinking about up-front. But knowing how to write a book title can be tricky. Here are a few tips on creating standout, marketable titles.For a nonfiction book, your title should†¦Include the solution to the reader’s problemUse a subtitle for clarityBe unforgettableAnd for a fiction book, your title shouldBe appropriate to your genrePique the reader’s interestTake its inspiration from your charactersIt always helps to do a little research on Amazon. To do that, just head here and select your book genre on the left-hand side of the page:Then you can tak e a look at some of the best-selling titles in your genre. You can even sub-niche down several times: â€Å"History Ancient Civilizations Mesopotamia.† Now pay attention to the titles and look for common themes or trends to use for your own book.Remember that you’re just starting, so you can always change the title later. But for the time being it can help to have a â€Å"working title† (a temporary title that you may change before publication).#6 Fill Out The BookMapThe BookMap is a free downloadable book outlining template you can use to quickly gather all the important information you’ll need for your book - fiction or nonfiction.Essentially, the way it works is you’ll create a mind map- sort of a brain dump with a line connecting related ideas together- on your book’s topic.Start your BookMap by writing your intended topic in the center. From there, answer the questions and add as many related ideas as you can think of. (Again, conne ct related ideas with a line.) The BookMap gives you the benefits of writing in free-form and creating structure from all the connections you make.Click here to learn more about the BookMap and download a free PDF template.#7 Turn Your BookMap Into an OutlineOnce you’ve completely filled out your BookMap, the next step is to group all the related ideas into categories. There’s no hard and fast rule for how to do this; just combine your ideas in the way that makes the most sense to you.One way to do this is to rewrite each idea on a fresh piece of paper, this time grouped together in related topics. Or, you could simply use different-colored highlighters to categorize your ideas with different colors.Either way, the result is the same: when you’re done grouping your ideas, those categories will form the outline for your book- each category is a new chapter. So now you know exactly which topics to write about, and you know which points to cover in every chapter o f your book. #8 Capture More Notes with The Sticky Note MethodYou can use this method instead of the BookMap, or as a supplement to it.For about a week, carry around sticky notes and write down anything and everything that crosses your mind regarding your possible book topics.When the week is up, organize all your sticky notes into sections and themes. Then, organize these themes into the patterns that would make sense in the context of chapters of your book. You can then elaborate in areas where you notice missing pieces to the puzzle, and use all of the material you’ve gathered and organized to create an outline.This method may be helpful if you’re struggling with the notion of committing to writing a whole book since it lets you break down the process into manageable pieces. The ultimate outcome of using this method is deeper thinking, clarity, and concise organization of thoughts and patterns.#9 Now Write Your BookOne Chapter at a TimeYou now have a chapter-by-ch apter outline for your book. The only thing left to dois to actually sit down and write it!There’s not necessarily a right or wrong way to write your book. But there are some ways that are easier, faster, and more successful than others.And in my experience, there’s one writing method that works better than any other. Here’s how it works:Complete a mini-BookMap for that chapter, brainstorming everything you know about this topic. (10 minutes.)Organize your ideas and turn that BookMap into an outline. (10 minutes.)Write or speak the chapter by following the outline you just created. (45-60 minutes.)Repeat this process, chapter by chapter, until your book is completed.Steps 1 2 should be familiar by now- they’re the same steps you followed to create your overall book outline. You just repeat those steps on a smaller scale for each chapter.Then in step 3, you have a choice: you can type out your chapter on a computer, or you can use a recording device tran scription service to dictate your chapter.If you like the idea of dictating your book, rather than typing it out, here’s how to do it.#10 Speak Your BookThis method works well if you’re a strong speaker and you prefer speaking to writing. The ultimate outcome is that you can create your book draft as quickly as possible, with no actual â€Å"writing† on your part. Cool, huh?Once your chapter outline is complete, the next steps are:Speak your first draft aloud into a recording app or device such as Voice Memos or Audacity.Get that audio file transcribed using a transcription service like Rev.Read through the transcription and revise/polish it up.As I mentioned, one of the benefits of this method is its speed. Just how fast can you write a first draft using speech dictation?If youre writing a nonfiction book specifically, this method will work great for you.Well, if the average book is 15,000-25,000 words long, and if the average person speaks at about 150 words/ minute, then you can easily speak your entire book in approximately 2-3 hours.Of course, your spoken transcribed book will need some polishing and revision to get it publication-ready. But it’s still the fastest way of writing a book I’ve ever come across.#11 Speed Up Your WritingWriting faster means getting to publication- and to profits- that much sooner.Try these pro tips to maximize your daily word count:Flex your writing muscles each day. The more you work, the more efficient you’ll get. Create your writing routine and stick to it.If you get stuck on a particular section and stop making progress, find a different part of the book that appeals to you today and write that section instead.Planning and research can be necessary- or a method of procrastination. Limit your prep work to a reasonable timeframe so it won’t stop you from writing. Use a timer if it helps you stay on track.An accountability partner can keep you on track. Set up weekly meetings to review work and cheer each other on.Spots are limited!Click Here to Save Your SpotHow to Write a Book Step 4: Avoid Potholes Along the WayIf you’ve been following along with steps 1-3, then you’re in the process of writing your book. You’re working from a solid outline, which means you know exactly what to write in every single chapter.So nothing could possibly go wrongright?Unfortunately, no. Even when you have a solid plan, a proven system, and a detailed outline, you can still get tripped up by some of these sneaky book writing roadblocks.Luckily, I’ve got some tips to help you overcome the most common book writing problems.#1 Beat Writer’s BlockWriter’s block can rear its ugly head in many ways. For some, being blocked means no words at all, while for others, it means trying to nail down a functional draft in the midst of a tornado of swirling ideas.Most of the time, writer’s block is a symptom of a paralyzing fear of othersà ¢â‚¬â„¢ opinions. The harsh reality is, if you write, at some point you’ll be on a first-name basis with a bout of the block. The only way to deal with it is to beat it.Here are 8 methods I’ve found personally useful when fighting writer’s block:Circle back to your BookMap or outline and see if there’s useful info that sparks fresh inspiration. Sometimes it just takes looking back at the bigger picture to remind you where you’re going with your draft.Change up the physical way you’re writing; sometimes a simple shift can boost creativity. If you use a laptop, put pen to pad. Try some new music, a new location, or new beverage to sip at your desk.If you find you start writing slowly and warm up as time goes on, allow adequate time during your writing sessions to get the creative juices flowing.Review what you wrote yesterday to refresh your memory.Talk it out. Sometimes a quick conversation with yourself is enough to work through writerâ€⠄¢s block. Or call a friend and bounce some ideas off them if you’re truly stuck.Remember that what you’re writing doesn’t need to be perfect- you’re writing a first draft. If you have a case of perfectionist syndrome, tell yourself it’s okay to write something you’ll think is terrible. Making something good is what second drafts and the editing process is for. Always remember: Done is better than perfect.Go for a walk. You might be surprised at how a walk outside, or a brief bit of exercise, helps refresh and recharge your creative juices.Read another author who has a style you like. Read their book for 10 minutes and then start typing, holding their voice in your head.#2 Don’t Edit While You WriteTell me if this sounds familiar:You sit down to write and you bang out a page or two. Then you stop and reread what you just wrote. And instead of continuing, you go back and start editing those first few pages of writing.In your mind, you ’re just fixing up your work. You want everything to be just right before you continue on ahead.But in reality, you’ve just stopped all your forward progress. You spend the next hour trying to make those pages PERFECTand when perfect doesn’t happen, you get frustrated and stop writing.Usually, when this sort of thing happens, it becomes very difficult to do any more writing. Why? Because writing and editing use different parts of your brains- and when you allow yourself to slip into a more critical/judgmental frame of mind, it becomes almost impossible to start creating again.That’s why, even though editing is an important skill, you need to resist the urge to edit your work while you’re still writing.Dont start editing your book until AFTER you’ve already created the entire first draft.#3 Format Your Book ProperlyFew things are more irritating than having to go back through your entire book to fix the formatting.The take-home lesson? Think about how you want to format your book before you write it, and then be consistent. It’ll save you a lot of time in the long run.And take the time to figure out how to format your book for publication. For example, did you realize that fiction and nonfiction books typically use different indentation styles?Nonfiction books tend to use block paragraphs, like this:Whereas fiction books, like TheSaviorsChampion by Jenna Moreci below, use indentation instead:Here are a few more book formatting tips:Avoid using hard indents. (Don’t hit â€Å"tab† at the beginning of a new paragraph; instead, change the paragraph settings to automatically give each paragraph the indentation you want.)Only use one space after a period. (Using 2 spaces was necessary with typewriters, but not with computers.)If you want to create a page break, do not hit â€Å"Enter† repeatedly until you reach the next page. Instead, use the â€Å"Page break† function. This is the only way to ensure that your page break will work even after people resize your book on their Kindle.#4 Keep Going, Don’t Stop- You’re Almost There!Now you know not only how to get started writing your book, but how to complete your book project in a mere 90 days!Remember to keep your WHY at the forefront of your mind, and you’ll be able to crush any and all obstacles that get in your way. If any of the common challenges or obstacles we’ve mentioned rear their ugly head, you’ll know how to deal with them.With just a little bit of time and a lot of determination, you are on your way to officially calling yourself an author.How to Write a Book Step 5: Launch Your Book SuccessfullyBy this point,your book is completed- congratulations! You’ve done something that most people will never do.You’ve written a book.But you’re not done yet. Not quite. Because you still need to launch your book in a way that sets it up for success; in a way that maximizes your readers, your income, and your influence.Unfortunately, most people who succeed in writing a book never get this whole â€Å"launch† thing figured out. They throw their book up on Amazon without really having a plan, and as a result, they get very few sales, make almost no money, and are frustrated at the lack of response to their work.It’s true that self-publishing your book on Amazon is a great way to go. But you can’t simply publish your book and expect people to find it. Instead, you need to dedicate some time to mastering the publishing and marketing processes on Amazon to sell more books. This is the only way to make sure that your book makes its way into the hands of the people who will benefit from reading your words.If you follow this simple launch plan, you can rest assured that your book will come out with a bang and will generate steady sales right out of the gate and for years to come.#1 Get a Good CoverWe all know you shouldnâ€⠄¢t judge a book by its cover. But in reality, people do exactly that- all the time. And that’s why, if you want your book to sell, having a powerful book cover design is important.Really, really important.And a good book cover does 2 things:It grabs people’s attention.It instantly tells people what the book is about.Here are a few examples from some of my own books:Notice a couple things. First of all, it’s orange- which helps it to stand out and grab attention. Second, it’s super-clear what the book is about. The title is in the upper third of the book in large print, so you can read it even in a thumbnail.Both covers were designed using the same basic principles. They’re simple, bold covers that stand out. They also have subtitles that clarify exactly what the book is about.Now this style of cover works great for my niche, but it won’t necessarily work for every type of book. For example, it would make a terrible cover for a romance novel !Why? Well, in short, it doesn’t look like a romance novel. Remember that part of a cover’s job is to tell people what the book is about. And in many genres of fiction and nonfiction, readers have come to expect a certain type of book cover.In order to clearly communicate what your book is about to your ideal readers, you need it to fit in with their expectations- while also standing out enough to grab their attention. This is another reason why it pays to head over to the Amazon bestselling books list and study some of the most successful books in your genre.What do those covers look like? Do they share a similar layout? Color scheme? Font style?For example, if you were writing a romance novel, you would want to study these covers:Find out what the most successful books in your genre look like, then imitate that look- but change it up just enough so that it stands out and grabs your readers’ attention.#2 Build a Launch TeamOnce youve chosen whether to go with self-publishing versus traditional publishing, the real key to a successful book launch is building and leveraging a launch team.So what is a launch team? In a nutshell, your launch team is a small team of people who are supporting your book. They could be friends, family, associates, online affiliates- anyone.At first, your launch team might be limited to your immediate friends family. That’s OK! Launch your book with their help, and work on continually building your launch team every chance you get.When you build a launch team, you need to make 2 things clear for everyone:What are they agreeing to do for you?What are they getting in return?Step 1 is pretty simple: you want them to read your book, leave a review, and share it with their own friends and family.This is how you spread the word about a brand-new book when you don’t have an email list or a social media following.Step 2 can vary from person to person. What do your friends family get in return for helping you? In many cases, they get things like:A free copy of your bookTheir name mentioned in the â€Å"Acknowledgements† part of your bookThe chance to be part of something inspiringThe personal satisfaction of helping to create something meaningfulAs your launch team grows bigger, you might need to offer more than that. For example, maybe another person in your niche agrees to promote your new book to their email list- but in exchange, they want a percentage of your profit.(This is called affiliate marketing, and it’s a great way to grow your audience and your revenue while letting somebody else do the marketing for you.)But don’t worry about that for now. Just reach out to anyone you know who would be willing to support your first book launch and ask for their help.#3 Get Ongoing ReviewsIf there’s one thing we know about the Amazon algorithm, it’s this:It loves reviews.One of the biggest indicators of success with self-publishing is getting Amazon r eviews.If you want your book to show up in search results and as a â€Å"Recommended† book when people are looking at similar products, you need to continue generating ongoing reviews to keep the algorithm happy.When you do, your book will start to show up at the top of Amazon results:Reviews are a fantastic form of social proof. They’re a credibility sign that lots of people have read your book and loved it- and that makes other people more likely to want to read it, too.But you have to be careful about how you go about trying to get Amazon reviews. For example, you can get in big trouble if you try to pay for reviews, swap reviews with other authors, or offer free gifts in exchange for reviews.You can solicit reviews, but they cannot be â€Å"incentivized† reviews.So how can you generate more reviews without offering people something in return? Well, I’ve discovered a few tips that work incredibly well. Click here to learn my 8-step process for generati ng more Amazon reviews. #4 Get Help From a Mentor Who’s Done It BeforeI’d like to leave you with one final message:The best way to learn how to write a bestselling book is to get help from somebody who’s been there before.People often ask me how I was able to make so much money and sell so many copies of my very first book. And I always tell them the same thing:Because I sought out a mentor. Someone to teach me a proven book-writing process that had been tried and tested. A book-writing system that was almost guaranteed to work, as long as I followed it properly.Well, that’s the real secret to my success as an author. I sought out the help I needed to give my very first book a major head-start.My Final TipforLearningHowtoWriteaBookAnd now I’m sharing the opportunity to learn from someone whos mastered writing and self-publishing books with you. To learn from a mentor who can help you achieve your dream of writing and publishing your very first boo k.

Biomedicine pre study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Biomedicine pre study - Essay Example The remaining portion of the cell except the nucleus or the knuckled region is the cytoplasm and consists of cytosol and various organelles essential for the functioning of the cell. Ribosomes are simple organelles in which protein synthesis occurs (Kent, 2000). The cell wall of plant cell is made up of cellulose while that of animal cell is made up of phospholipids. Such a cell wall allows the plant to take in large amounts of water through osmosis without being destroyed. Plant cells synthesise energy by means of photosynthesis during which sunlight is converted to energy. For this purpose, plant cells have chloroplasts which have their own DNA and which direct the work of chloroplasts, These organelles are absent in animal cells and animal cells synthesise energy through metabolism of the food they take. Another major difference is the presence single large vacuole in the plant cells. Animal cells have small multiple vacuoles. Also, plant cells have a regular shape and the shape of animal cells varies greatly (Kent, 2000). DNA and RNA are the structures in the cell which carry inherited traits. Inheritance mainly occurs due to meiosis. In this type of cell division, the genome of the diploid germ cell which has long segments of DNA organized in chromosomes undergoes two rounds of cell division resulting in four haploid cells. During division, replication of DNA occurs. Each of the four haploid cells contains one complete set of chromosomes which is half of the genetic content of the original cell. The haploid cells act as gametes and fuse with gametes of the partner. One gamete fuses with only one gamete of the partner . This is known as fertilization and this leads to a new diploid cell or zygote. Thus chromosomes of each parent undergo recombination in a homologous manner during the process of meiosis and thus each zygote inherits DNA from both parents (Kent, 2000). The four most

The High Middle Ages Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

The High Middle Ages - Research Paper Example Since Latin was the language of the Catholic Church, which dominated Western and Central Europe, and since the Church was virtually the only source of education, Latin was a common language for Medieval writings, even in some parts of Europe that were never Romanized. However, in Eastern Europe, the influence of the Eastern Roman Empire and the Orthodox Church made Greek and Old Church Slavonic the dominant written languages. The common people continued to use their respective vernaculars. A few examples, such as the Old English Beowulf, the Middle High German Nibelungenlied, the Medieval Greek Digenis Acritas and the Old French Chanson de Roland, are well known to this day. Although the extant versions of these epics are generally considered the works of individual (but anonymous) poets, there is no doubt that they are based on their peoples' older oral traditions. Celtic traditions have survived in the lais of Marie de France, the Mabinogion, and the Arthurian cycles. A notable amount of medieval literature is anonymous. This is not only due to the lack of documents from a period, but also due to an interpretation of the author's role that differs considerably from the romantic interpretation of the term in use today. Medieval authors were often overawed by the classical writers and the Church Fathers and tended to retell and embellish stories they had heard or read rather than invent new stories. And even when they did, they often claimed to be handing down something from an actor instead.

Job Satisfaction Ratings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Job Satisfaction Ratings - Essay Example His innovative ideas have shaped the music and film-making industries (The trouble, 2008). As an innovative leader, he reportedly co-invented 103 inventions (e.g. Ipod interface) patented by Apple (The trouble, 2008). Steve Jobs has a vision and goals for the company and pursues them until they are realized. He applies a hands-on approach to management (The trouble, 2008). He has such a magnetic influence in the business circle that his presence in Apple affects the market value of the company. As a person, he can be viewed as persistent and determined on his goals that despite his previous unpleasant experience with Apple (removed from the company), he did not allow that experience affect him but instead, upon his return to Apple, he transformed it into a billion dollar venture with new product line-up. His leadership approach of working with more than a hundred employees (out of 25,000) from the cross-section of the organization for key ideas (Steve Jobs speaks, 2008) is a manifestation of a democratic or participative leadership (Leadership styles, 2009). These ideas are passed around for their comments and inputs wherein all angles of the ideas are explored and debated upon (Steve Jobs speaks, 2008). He can also be classified as a transformational leader that inspires his team to share his vision and sought out initiatives that can add a new value or input (Leadership styles, 2009). His infectious vision for innovation is shown with iPhone wherein he told his team to throw away what it was doing the previous year, start all over and work harder that caused his subordinates to rally behind him and sign them up for the new project (Steve Jobs speaks, 2008). Taylor (2009) characterizes him to belong to the Great Man Theory of Leadership because of his â€Å"CEO-centric model of ex ecutive power† which is archaic and inapplicable in the current state of business (para.

Its Improving Home Energy Efficiency Construction Essay

Its Improving Home Energy Efficiency Construction Essay Introduction The typical home today has an unquenchable thirst for energy and there are many steps homeowners can take to help lower their demand for energy. The main source for todays energy is fossil fuels. The burning of these fossil fuels releases CO2 and CO2 is a major contributor to global warming. It is important that we take a more sustainable approach towards our energy usage. Sustainable energy usage benefits the environment and results in lower energy costs to the consumer. Building Shell The exterior surfaces of a building are called the building shell; this may include the roof, walls, doors, and windows. It is the effectiveness or ineffectiveness rather, of this shell that determines the level of energy demand a building will have. It is the heat exchange through the buildings shell that places the largest demands on energy consumption of the home. Lets take a minute to focus on the walls and structure with respects towards the building shell. A common trend in architecture today is to have many extrusions and intrusions in the walls of a home. This is more aesthetically pleasing to todays homeowner. However, these extrusions require extra framing which results in decreased insulation in corners and potential air leakage. Most single family residential homes are wood framed and any irregularities in the building shell are weak points when it comes to heat loss. Mobile homes are framed with metal studs, generally speaking. The increased metal presence combined with thinner walls and joints between modular sections all create potential weak spots that allow greater thermal conductivity. Multi-family housing units suffer from some of the same design flaws; much of their structural support comes from metal components, larger air handling units, and elevator shafts create weak points, thermally speaking. However from an energy usage point it is better to have an apartment that is surrounded by other apartments, the temperature change from one side of your wall/ceiling will be almost zero, this equates to lower heating and cooling costs. Later I will discuss air leakage and insulation more in-depth, for now just knows that when it comes to the exterior design of a building, simpler is better. Air Leakage What represents 5-40% of building conditioning costs also known as energy consumption, air leakage does. Air leakage is the exchange of air from the exterior to interior, or vice versa, of a building. Air leakage control can increase comfort, reduce damage to intra-wall components, prevent pest infestation, and save energy. While ventilation is needed for the building and human health, the goal is to control that ventilation and have it happen when we deem it necessary. Ultimately this exchange in air is a result of pressure difference from the inside to outside of a structure. The pressure difference is caused by the density difference in warm and cold air. This concept is also known as the second law of thermodynamics that is that warm will always move to cooler areas (when unassisted) until equilibrium is met. Unchecked airflow will seek equilibrium inside and outside by the most direct path. Examples of this process at work during winter months would be warm air exiting the struc ture through leaks in the upper regions of the building and cool air entering through the lower regions, thus creating a cycle that seeks equilibrium. Residents can prevent/reduce air leakage by ensuring that the building shell is properly sealed, air tight. This task can be accomplished by using spray foam around window and door frames as well as checking that the weather-stripping is in proper condition, not worn out. Also, windows and doors must be latched in order to be air tight, it is not uncommon for a window to closed but not latched. Other building practices that should be avoided include duct work, electrical fixtures, and plumbing components being placed in exterior surfaces. This could cause air leakage as well as reduced insulation where these components are present. Insulation Insulation prevents heat transmission through the building shell. In some winter months heat transmission poses a greater threat than air leakage. Insulation is placed in voids/cavities in the building structure to reduce heat transmission. Insulation accomplishes this goal by two means. It forces heat to transfer in the form of a gas, gasses are naturally poor conductors. Second its presence reduces heat convection and radiation. Insulation comes in many forms; it could be foam, fiberglass, wool, cellulose (shredded newspapers), and even straw bales in some construction. Every type of insulation has its own pros and cons. Foam is by far the most effective, it has very high R-values and if sprayed will expand to fill air leaks, on the down side it can be expensive, is not very fire resistant, and does not break down quickly in a land fill (eventually this is where it will end up). Fiber glass is probably the most prevalent form of insulation; it has good R-values, but until the wall is sealed can release particles into the air that are harmful if consumed. Wool/cotton is probably a more sustainable way to insulate a structure, generally it is made out of recycled jeans, can achieve comparable R-values, but due to its unpopularity can be significantly more expensive than more common insulations. Cellulose ranks about the same as wool, it is recycled content, but is blown in place and often will settle over time; this leaves a small section of the cavity insulated once it settles. Straw-bale insulation is a controversial issue, its density makes it a good insulator, and however there is much debate about how long it will last. Each insulation is designated a specific R-value and is labeled as such. The R-value is a measure of how well the material resists heat transmission. The important thing to know about R-values is the higher the better, less heat transfer equals less energy consumption. The inverse of the R-value is the U-value. U-values are used to rate win dows and doors for their efficiency. Windows Doors Windows and doors are the complete opposite of insulation. So much so, that we do not rate them by their ability to resist thermal conductivity, but by their ability to conduct thermal heat transfer. The way we identify windows and doors also known as fenestration is with a U-value. The National Fenestration Rating Council is the private/public group tasked with testing and assigning a U rating to fenestrations. Windows are made up of four basic parts; the glass, sash, frame, and the rough opening, all of these contribute to a windows inefficiency regarding energy. Windows can have several different types of glass including; Low-e, tinted bronze, reflective bronze, and clear glass. The best option for energy savings is to install an insulated, Low-e window. The insulative property is provided by a gas, usually co2 and argon. The gas is injected between the window panes and sealed in place; the use of a gas reduces the rate of convection between panes. The low-e is a coating placed on one pane of glass, usually inside the window, that reflects radiation. This coating is installed on the interior pane for cooler climates and on the exterior pane for warmer climates. The sash/frame is typically made of similar material, being; plastic, metal, or wood. With relation to energy consumption the plastic construction is the way to go. When made of plastic the sash/frame is extruded through a mold and often can be filled with foam insulation. The rough opening refers to the space between the window frame and the structural frame of the opening in the rough framing (the actual opening in the wall). The rough opening is often larger than the frame of the window to allow the builder to make adjustments during installation. Once installed, this space should be filled with insulation; the best to use for this situation is minimal expanding foam spray. Door construction is very similar. Doors can have glazing/fenestration within the door. They too, are given a U-value. When di scussing the U-value of doors/windows the most important for a consumer to know is that the lower the U-value, the better. Lower U-values result in greater energy savings when heating and cooling a building. Heating In North America the heating demands of our homes require a huge amount of energy. This energy comes from mostly from fossil fuels that have been refined, mined, and converted to meet our needs. The residential heating fuels that are used today can be broken down into four major categories; natural gas 53%, electricity 29%, oil 9%, and other types make up the remaining 9%. Huge natural gas reserves have been found in North America and it is considered to be the most environmentally friendly of the fossil fuels. It is the increased availability and societies concern for the environment that has led to exponential growth most recently in the natural gas industry. Electricity is considered to be 100% efficient once harvested. It is the methods by which we harvest electricity that cause environmental damage. The most environmentally degrading method of harvesting electricity is by coal power plants; however more sustainable methods such as harnessing wind and solar power production are b eing developed and implemented. Some electrical providers allow their customers to select the source/means of their power. Oil, once a major source of energy used to heat our homes is becoming quickly outdated as consumers become aware of more efficient and environmentally friendly ways to heat their homes. The other category refers to heat sources such as wood and coal, aside from the environmental impacts these sources are unpopular because they require more work by the consumer. A heating system should be designed to provide the home with heat at approximately the same rate that it is being lost in worst case scenarios. Each fuel type has a distribution system. These systems are given an efficiency rating. This rating measures how well the system operates and can be expressed as; Efficiency = Output Input. The resultant will be a percentage ranging from 35-95% efficient. The efficiency of a system is directly proportionate to the amount of fuel the system consumes. Therefore, the more efficient a system is, the less energy it will consume. High efficiency systems are considered to be any system with an 80-97% efficiency rating. Cooling Second to heating demands are the cooling demands, generally speaking, of a building. There are passive and active methods of cooling a structure. Depending on the designers knowledge and foresight of these methods energy required to cool the structure could vary greatly. Passive methods require no mechanical operations; the result is zero energy consumption. Active methods require the assistance of mechanical operations, although the level of energy consumption is defendant upon the system that is installed. Often it is a combination of these methods that provides the most comfort to the inhabitants of the home. One common passive method of cooling a structure is through the use of landscaping. The use of trees to shade a home is the most cost effective method of cooling. The trees must be deciduous so that they allow the sun to warm the building during winter months. Another passive method is ventilation through windows and other openings. A proper building design can create a chim ney affect, pulling cooler air in at lower portions of the home and releasing warm air in upper portions of the home. Often this chimney affect can be assisted by proper placement of ceiling fans, an example of a combination of passive and active systems. The use of fans to ventilate a home is the most energy efficient way to cool the building. Moving air is more comfortable to the inhabitants and can give the perception of a 4-8 degree temperature change. Window/Room air conditioners are the least energy efficient. The constant start up and shut down process consumes large amounts of energy. They are subject to significant accumulations of dirt, unchecked over time, this causes greater inefficiency and eventual failure of the unit. The use of central air conditioning is another active method to cool a residence. Central air conditioning can provide the most comfort; higher efficiency models reduce energy consumption. Central air conditioning systems are run by a thermostat and slow ly cool a building. This prevents the constant start up and shut down process that occurs with a window unit. Regardless of the system and methods used to cool a building the inhabitants have control over how much energy is used. The warmer the environment the residents can willingly tolerate the less energy will be consumed to cool the structure. Due to the fact that most people do are not present during the construction and design process of their home perhaps the most applicable way to save energy is to perform regular maintenance and select the proper lighting and appliances. Lighting Lighting has a huge effect on a homes energy consumption. There are many different light fixtures and bulbs a one could install in a home. Just as anything else thus far they vary in efficiency. The consumer must read labels to ensure they are actually purchasing the most sustainable, energy efficient light. Often more lighting than what is required is used, different activities require different levels of illumination, be sure to size fixtures adequately. Consumers must monitor their energy use by controlling when lights are on or off. If an area is not being utilized for a period of time the lights should be turned off to conserve energy. Also, residents should clean the globes or covers around the light bulbs, clean fixtures provide more optimal lighting. When purchasing new appliances consumers should purchase energy star rated appliances. Energy Star guidelines are set by the EPA and provide the consumer with a means of determining the efficiency of appliances such as dish washe rs, TVs, clothes washers, and dryers. To help with the cost of these more efficient options some state governments offer a tax rebate to those who purchase high efficiency appliances. Conclusion In conclusion, even with the unquenchable thirst for energy, the consumer has more power than they realize to reduce the energy consumption of the buildings they reside in. With reference to the buildings shell basic is better; irregularities tend to be thermal weak spots. Air leakage can happen anywhere the building shell is penetrated, stopping the unregulated air flow through a buildings shell will result in increased energy savings. The proper insulation is key, to providing comfort and energy efficiency. Windows and doors also known as fenestration create weak points in a buildings shell and must be sealed and properly installed to promote energy efficiency. Heating systems are produced by a wide variety of manufactures, it is crucial that the consumer is well informed with the potential energy consumption of the system before purchasing and installing. Cooling can be accomplished through passive and active means, often the most effective is a combination of both. Lighting fixtu res must be sized and installed properly to promote energy efficiency. Consumers should purchase high efficiency Energy Star appliances to conserve and reduce their homes energy consumption.

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Ben Dischert February 22 2014 Research paper J.C. Watts is having a very interesting life. He won the Orange bowl as child his uncle was state president of NAACP. J.C. played in the Canadian Football League [CFL]. Won the Orange bowl and had a in the Congress. He was even a Baptist minister. Here’s the life of Julius Caesar Watts Watts was born in Oklahoma on November 9, 1957. He grew up with 5 other siblings: Melvin, Lawrence, Mildred, Gwen and Darlene. J.C. was the second oldest. His parents were Helen and Buddy Watts. When Watts was little, his uncle Wade was state NAACP president of Oklahoma. When Watts started grade school, he was one of the first black kids to go to that school. After making it into high school, he told a story of when â€Å"he made it on the varsity football team as a quarterback but he was the second string. He got so mad about this. He quit the team and went home to tell his dad. But after talking to his dad .J.C. went back to his coach and asked if he could rejoin the team, the coach said â€Å"yes†. Once the coach put him in a game t...