Hey Google! Theres Life Outside New York

Hey Google! Theres Life Outside New York About a week ago, Google rolled out a new search feature: in-depth articles. At the bottom of a given search page Google will now show a block of new results with longer articles or content related to the topic piece that are relevant for a longer time after they’re originally published. At the suggestion of fellow Rioters, I decided to take this new search feature out for a spin. Writing about Google searches is a little tricky, in part because we know that Google adapts search results separately for every user you may get slightly different results that I did, depending on your search history and interests. If you didn’t know that Google tweaks search results, go pick up a copy of The Filter Bubble by Eli Pariser and read it before you go on the Internet again. Searching for some favorite authors or specific people Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, J.K. Rowling, Oprah Winfrey,  and Jeff Bezos doesn’t seem to offer many long reads. You do get some nice links to biographical information and their bibliography off to the side of the more standard web results, but nothing more interesting than that. In contrast, a search for Jonathan Franzen pulls up a couple of pieces he’s written an adaptation of a 2011 commencement address and an essay on David Foster Wallace and a 2010 profile from Time magazine. A search for Zadie Smith pulls up similar results: a New York Review of Books essay, a review of NW in the New York Times and a piece in the New Yorker. Jeffrey Eugenides has a few long reads attached to him as does Philip Roth, but there are no long reads for authors listed as similar searches like Michael Chabon, Ayelet Waldman, Dave Eggers, or Junot Díaz. Given those results, it appears that Google is favoring contemporary writers with active bylines or attention in New York-centric publications, if they even bother to offer results for a specific author or person. It’s probably not surprising, then, that you don’t get any long reads results for women’s fiction writers like Jennifer Weiner or Sarah Pekkanen or for any versions of “gender gap in literature.” Frankly, it’s a little boring. Theres good writing at publications based outside the East Coast. The results are much better when you get away from people and start to play around with terms Amazon, independent bookstores, reading, writing or just books. The sources become more wide-ranging and the conversation gets a little bit of variety, although it still seems pulled towards the debates that get written about the most rather than the ones that are most relevant. However flawed, I’m still excited about this new Google development. There are many writers and publications doing long-form writing that deserves to been by a wider audience. By curating that content and pushing it forward well after a publication date, this new feature will give great content more life. I can only hope that Google will continue to expand the results going forward to get a bigger variety of publications represented. _________________________ Sign up for our newsletter to have the best of Book Riot delivered straight to your inbox every two weeks. No spam. We promise. To keep up with Book Riot on a daily basis, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, , and subscribe to the Book Riot podcast in iTunes or via RSS. So much bookish goodnessall day, every day. Sign up to Today In Books to receive  daily news and miscellany from the world of books. Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox.

My Most Popular Kid At School - 1304 Words

I felt a rush,I don t want to but I have to â€Å"You ready, trust me it will be fun†. â€Å"I am ready†. I jumped and then my life flashed before my eyes. I remembered everything,getting bullied kids telling me I hope you die o want you will.Then my face turns red,my teeth are chattering,then I felt something on my face was I crying because of what they said to me.I remember one time they drew on my head because I have no hair.Well it is not my fault that I have Leukemia. I also remember my doctor telling me that I only have six months to live,and I should make the best of it.what am I going to do in six months. My only wish is to be popular in my school and date Luke.Luke is the most popular kid in school he is the nicest,sweetest kid in my grade.Sometimes I hear him laughing in the hallway he looks at me and winks. I felt my heart racing when ever he talks to me I feel like I am frozen,I don t say anything I just stare at him. Then he stares at me it is like he likes me to. â€Å"I felt like my head was going to blow up after the first bounce†. â€Å"Well I am glad you had fun honey,I got it all on video†. â€Å"Thanks Mom†. On the way home I edited the video that my took.I was nervous to post the video, what if kids thought it was fake.But I posted it anyway.then I head a tunk tunk sound. My Mom pulled the car over. â€Å"It’s a flat tire, good thing I have a spare†. In 10 minutes my mom had the popped car tire off and the new tire on. I saw a whale on the way home with my binoculars,itShow MoreRelatedMy Most Popular Kid Of School1305 Words   |  6 Pagesready, trust me it will be fun†. â€Å"I am ready†. I jumped and then my life flashed before my eyes. I remembered everything,getting bullied kids telling me i hope you die o want you will.then my face turns red,my teeth are chattering,then i felt something on my face was i crying because of what they said to me.i remember one time they drew on my head because i have no hair.well it is not my fault that i have Leukemia. I also remember my doctor telling me that i only have six months to live,and i shouldRead MoreArticle Analysis: Why It’s Important That My Sons Are Popular1575 Words   |  7 Pages As I have made my journey to complete middle school and start high school I have grown drastically as a person. In sixth and seventh grade all I wanted to do was fit in and be part of the popular group. I tried so hard to like popular bands and wear trendy clothes but I was always missing something. Still, I was persistent to become a junior celebrity. During the summer after seventh grade I had a rude awakening. I took summer school so I could be in honors math in eighth grade. That summerRead MorePersuasion Is Something That Affects Us Just As People Who Live1212 Words   |  5 Pagesand authority are the most fascinating to me, so I am going to tell you exactly how they work. Reciprocation is a persuasion principle that is very popular in sales and marketing. This is because, when someone does something for us, we feel like we have to pay them back. This process of giving and receiving is called reciprocation. I have an example from my own experience that will help to explain this even further. My most recent job was at a privately owned swim school for young children, whereRead MoreMy First Day - Original Writing1532 Words   |  7 Pagescar, the ice wind hit me in the face. The wind stung my face. I walked towards the school nervously, not knowing what my fate was. I opened the glass and steel door to school. It was my first day that the school knew I was gay. I was in the seventh grade at the time when everyone is going threw that weird stage in life when you don’t know your place is in life. I was more lost and confused then ever. At the beginning of the year I was still in my homophobic stage, and . I was hating myself more thanRead MoreMy First Day Of School1635 Words   |  7 PagesI was sweating bullets. My face was red hot and I was shaking I was so nervous. It was my first day of school at my brand new school. We had recently bought a home in Michigan where as we used to live in Florida. I was a straight A student, but was very shy. I just couldn t stand the thought of walking into a school full of kids I did not know. As I walked into class, the adrenaline started to rush. I was calm at first, and then I freaked out and started to sprint to my first class. I was lost;Read MoreA Nasty Guy : A Kid Who Got Left Behind980 Words   |  4 Pages you still had to be the popular one in school to not be left behind. That’s what I was before; the kid who got left behind. No one really knows why kids have to pick on one person to be harsh to. They just do what they feel is natural. It all started back in 2004, during my years as a junior high student in the town of Sweeny, TX. I was just another kid who woke up early, took a shower, got on the bus, and rode to school to learn (the usual routine). However, during my junior high years I was targetedRead MoreMacomb County Essay932 Words   |  4 PagesTownship is a friendly suburban area with many neighborhoods. My community stands out for their big annual events and parks. The Fall Fun Fest is a popular event held at a park that is used for baseball games, soccer games, and to host events. The park consists of baseball diamonds, soccer fields, a walking trail, a couple sand volleyball courts, and even an inline skating rink. The Fall Fun Fest increases Macomb’s population with this popular, fun, family event. Macomb Township was first discovered inRead MoreThe Three Main Types of Bullying890 Words   |  4 PagesBullying is defined as any unwanted aggressive behavior among students. Over the past couple of decades bullying has been on the rise amongst middle school and high school students and still remains a prevalent issue. Unfortunately it is very hard to try to pinpoint and even accuse bullies because of the various types. The three main types of bulling are: overt bullying, indirect/relational bullying and cyber bullying (Bauman 2008). In this paper I plan on addressing all three types of bullying andRead MoreMiddle Childhood. Middle Childhood Is Where My Passion1009 Words   |  5 Pageschildhood is where my passion for students is. Middle childhood ranges from 6-11 years old kids. A brief description of what middle childhood is, â€Å"The school years are marked by improved athletic abilities; more logical thought processes; mastery of basic literacy skills; advances in self-und erstanding, morality, and friendship; and the beginnings of peer-group membership† (Berk, 2017, p. 6). I find this age group relevant to my future because I want to pursue a career in elementary school teaching or counselingRead MoreMy Children s Books Taught Me By Daniel Hade1327 Words   |  6 Pagesshort essay, Lies My Children’s Books Taught Me, it primarily focuses on The Pleasant Company and the ways they advertise, market, and sell their American girl merchandise. Lies My Children s Books Taught Me, is written by Daniel Hade, who is a professor of language and literacy at Penn State College. In Eric Schlosser’s essay, Kid Kustomers, he explains the injustice of marketing, and the idea of â€Å"cradle to grave† advertizing. This idea of advertizing is basically to get a kid so attached or devoted

Taking a Look at Local Produce - 1678 Words

My topic is local produce. I chose this topic because I am really interested in the different types of food people consume and how it affects their health. The big question I will be answering is whether or not to buy local or non-local foods. I will go over which is safer for the economy, the environment, and people. After I research this, I will then find which one is better to buy. This is a question that each person should ponder before deciding which type of food to buy. My hypothesis is that eating locally will be better and safer for everyone. Do you often find that the foods in your fridge are nonlocal? There are many negative things to contemplate when deciding what type of foods to buy. Issues upon this topic include foodborne illnesses, also known as food poisoning, incorrect processing and handling and preparation of meats, and bacteria. Many multi-state waves in which have infected many hundreds of people have lately been traced back to specific farms, food processors, and specific food handlers. (As stated by sustainabletable.org) Some major issues with buying non local foods that have an effect of the earth are pesticides and steroids. They can be put into these foods and can seriously harm the consumer. Pesticides are made to kill pests to the plant, but they often hurt humans instead. By buying local food, your chances of eating foods that contain pesticides become less likely. When foods are grown locally, they are generally in season because they do notShow MoreRelatedThe At The Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market From 101024 Words   |  5 Pagesfrom 10:00am until 1:00pm. This event is open to the public from April to November every Saturday from 9:30am-12:30pm beside the Bulloch County Courthouse and Sea Island Bank. Here you will find many local vendors selling their own produce. This event is not limited to produce as you will also find locals selling jewelry, baked goods, crafts, and my personal favorite, coffee. Some locally owned stores other than farmers bring their business to the market such as Three Tree Coffee Roasters, Sugar MagnoliaRead MoreON BUYIGN LOCAL SUMMARY Essay1167 Words   |  5 PagesPaper World Benefits When Buying Local Global warming, pollution, and dwindling fossil fuels will always be the conservational problems if nobody starts to buy local grown foods. Katherine Spriggs, author of the essay, â€Å"On Buying Local,† explains how having a large variety of foods at all times of the year is not worth the negative effects in the communities and their economies (Spriggs 92). As a community, many environmental challenges are being faced; Buying local will help bring advantages to notRead MoreA Brief Note On The National Resources Defense Council Essay1731 Words   |  7 Pagesrevenue and they incur additional production costs for products they cannot commercialize. Reduced Income for Farmers The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concluded that the retail industry rejects up to 20 to 40% of fresh produce from the market as they do not comply the cosmetic standards required by the market. Even if sometimes farmers can sell those to processors making jam or other processed products, due to mechanization this became increasingly more difficult as requiresRead MoreEssay on Persuasion Speech / Eating Local Ann Arbor1140 Words   |  5 Pages Persuasive Speech – December 1, 2010 Introduction: Specific Purpose: To persuade our audience to buy and eat organic local meats and produce not only for their health and protection from chemically and genetically enhanced foods but also to sustain and help our local community and economy. Attention Grabber: Today I would like to speak on a topic that is very close to all of our hearts,..That being our pockets and our stomachs, you mayRead MoreAPHG Chapter 4 Questions1419 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ Emily Drennan APHG Chapter 4 Questions and Vocab What are local and popular cultures? 1. We define culture as the way of life of a particular people, it is what defines us as people, language, religion, food, and sports are all aspects of culture. 2. The difference between folk culture and popular culture is folk culture is the practice of a custom by a relatively small group of people in a focused area, popular culture is the practice of customs that span several different cultures and may evenRead MoreMini Case 15.1 Mcgrew Company1324 Words   |  6 Pageswithin the country of Brazil. This would enable manufacturing to continue to in its current location while also cutting mark-up costs from the local distributors. Employees within the current manufacturing location may handle the documentation such as billing, shipping, and other activities while a team in Brazil will work in a local parent-type company. This local Brazilian company will perform as a distributor however it will be owned and operated by the manufacture directly. By working this optionRead MoreClimate Change On The Oceans1581 Words   |  7 Pagescould have the greatest warming, it cannot be ruled out that warming is also taking place at greater depths (Rhe in et al. 2013). Warming may not be consistent across all oceans or all areas of oceans. A figure by Trujillo and Thurman (2011) shows that warming is most significant around the poles. There are also several other areas around the globe that show significant warming but there are large concentrations of warming taking place at and near the poles. Salinity of part of the ocean may be affectedRead MorePhotographing Children And Babies : Photography865 Words   |  4 Pagesit? If you are a photographer it can! Photographing children and babies presents different challenges than photographing adults or taking other pictures, so it has to be approached differently. Using different techniques such as camera settings, establishing an emotional connection, understanding the difference between taking portraits of adults and kids, and taking the needs of the younger photo subjects into consideration can make things go more smoothly. Different camera settings will helpRead MoreGenetically Modified Foods952 Words   |  4 Pagesmakes a DNA sequence in an organism favorable and improved. GMFs impact the world in a plethora of ways including socioeconomic and cultural ways in our local community and the individual opinions of many people. These mutated foods have not only caused numerous advantages, but additionally have caused many disadvantages that can hurt not only the local community but the global community as a whole. While dealing with genetically engineering, scientists must be tentative by its utilization since manyRead MoreReflection Paper On High Socioeconomic Students Essay1350 Words   |  6 PagesLeast of the Brethren is a local food pantry in Pinckneyville, the organization I choose to plunge for my assignment. I am choosing this culture because of the high number of low socioeconomic students who attend schools in our district. I believe it is important to understand the needs in my area in order to connect with future students and their families. There is a need for support in my area to assist these families in feeding their families. I was able to substantiate my assumptions regarding

Medical Billing and Coding Free Essays

Medical Billing and Coding Medical billing and coding is one of today’s high paying careers. The definition for Medical – code is descriptions that physicians and the heath care providers, and facilities use to describe healthcare procedures and diagnosis into numeric or alphanumeric designations. Coding is the descriptions of diseases, injuries and procedures into numeric or alphanumeric codes, there are three basic steps in locating codes. We will write a custom essay sample on Medical Billing and Coding or any similar topic only for you Order Now First we locate the term in the Alphabetic Index, then verify the code number in the Tabular list, finally assign the code when it has been verified by the physician and the coder. We must locate the term in the Alphabetic Index. In coding the correct codes and to be paid by the insurance company the coder must code accurately and precisely so the first step in coding it to locate the main tern in the Alphabetic Index of the coding book. If a main term cannot be located, then try searching for sub terms, notes, or cross- reference. A coder can refer to any notes in the Alphabetic Index. When the code is located it must be verify in the Tabular list coder then will review the title of the chapter, section, and category to make sure that the correct code has been identified. The coder will read and follow instructional notes and refer to any other codes as instructed if the coder is unsure it is then discuss with the physician. Once the main term is verified the coder then will assign the code to be used for several different reasons: reporting medical necessity for services performed, identifying conditions to alert the healthcare provider, and to supply date for clinical care, research and education purposes. â€Å"The importance of consistent, complete documentation in the medical record cannot be overemphasized. Without documentation accurate coding cannot be achieved. † How to cite Medical Billing and Coding, Papers

Marketing Plan for Day Care Operations the Making of CareMax Childrens Center, Hazel Green, Alabama

Background Summary CareMax children’s center is a limited liability company (LLC) located in Hazel Green, Alabama, and operated by the George Williamson family. CareMax has largely concentrated its activities in the provision of daycare services for the Hazel Green community of an estimated 4,200 residents and 1,340 households as of July 2007 (City-Data.Com, 2010).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Marketing Plan for Day Care Operations: the Making of CareMax Children’s Center, Hazel Green, Alabama specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The center was carefully designed and developed after the realization that professional childcare is a necessity in every civilization, from small towns to large cities. From its inception, the center has been received warmly by the community especially due to its multifaceted nature and capacity to offer timely, flexible, and individualized day care services to the minors in different age categories. CareMax Center officially opened for business in 2003, with a license to provide daycare services for thirty-five children. Presently, CareMax is licensed for seventy children aged six weeks to six years. 62 children are currently enrolled at the center, representing 88.6 percent enrollment level. The center appreciates the fact that children need to be treated with warmth and respect. Its mission statement is to provide high quality childcare services with a bias on developmentally appropriate activities for the minors under our care. The key rudiments of CareMax’s business concern are as follows: Diversified services — the center has increasingly diversified its services to maintain competitive advantage while ensuring that parents of children with specialized needs benefit from our exceptional services. Convenient location — the center is located at the heart of Hazel Green community, and is easily accessible from all directions. Its magnificent buildings and stupendous age-appropriate play stations reveals the center’s dedication to the wellbeing and comfort of children, and also serves to instill a permanent unique image on the mindsets of parents about the center’s capacity to offer splendid services and care to their children Investment in employees — Given the labor-intensive nature prevalent in the industry, CareMax has invested heavily in the number and quality of its employees to keep in line with its tradition and mission of offering high quality childcare with a view of assisting the child attain the fullest potential during the formative years of development. The center has 10 full-time members of staff and 2 CPR certified supervisors. CareMax has also engaged the services of a nursing officer to cater for the health needs of children under our care. All our staff members have contributed individually and collectively to the success of CareMax. Quality services — CareM ax is extremely aware that parents are increasingly relying on independent rating services or recommendations from friends about the quality of services offered by daycare operators (Lownes-Jackson, 2004). As such, the center has invested heavily in developing superior capacity to ensure daycare services are delivered in a highly efficient environment that ensure core values and procedures are stringently followed by caregivers in the process of satisfying customers’ needs. Quality services have enabled the center to retain its competitive advantage as the preferred daycare services provider in the wider Hazel Green’s area, Alabama. Strong financial muscle — CareMax has been able to maintain a strong financial might despite low levels in the industry occasioned by high operating costs. This has been primarily achieved by maintaining steady growth through aggressive advertisement and the admirable reputation the center has been able to create for itself. The stro ng financial background has enabled the center to continue offering quality services to preschoolers despite the high overhead costs. Customers The George Williamson family first initiated the child development center with a view of giving quality childcare to low-income families living within Hazel Green’s community, Alabama. The racial makeup within the community is predominantly white, with blacks accounting for less than 3 percent of the population in the area (City-Data.Com, 2010). The original mission was to offer children from low-income families a stable, inspiring, and loving environment during their formative years of development. The perception that lower income parents could not afford to pay for quality childcare while they worked greatly influenced the philosophy and value system under which the center operated during its early years. CareMax center has greatly evolved in its customer portfolio to serve all kinds of working parents with preschool children. Howe ver, the center still retains special fees structure for low-income families that may require its services. This has served to endear the center to the community, making it to become part-and-parcel of Hazel Green’s community.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Its major customers include parents working in organizations, hospitals, local and regional schools, government agencies, and other service-oriented firms. Some of the needs these customers have in requesting the services of the center include: Need to continue working while still nurturing a preschool child — statistics reveal that 65 percent of all mothers in the US with children under the age of five years are actively engaged in the workforce. These children require specialized services and attention, and CareMax center offers both. Security concerns — some parents are apprehensive about leavin g their children under the care of nannies and relatives. At CareMax, the security of children is of paramount importance, and no incidence of inappropriate handling has been reported to the authorities for the eight years the facility has been in operation. Individual development of children — parents need their children to encounter experiences that will advance their physical, social, emotional, spiritual and cognitive development. Not only does the environment at CareMax guarantees all the above, but it also promotes independence, enhanced self-esteem, constructive problem solving, and positive feelings of self-worth among the preschoolers. Products CareMax center mainly concerns itself with offering products in terms of providing daycare services for children in the wider Hazel Green’s region, Alabama. The center offers unique and diversified services to children in three broad age categories, namely 6 weeks to 1 year; 1 year to 3 years; and 3 years to 6 years. T he services offered at CareMax includes not only the particular services presented for sale to parents with preschool children, but also the reputation, image, and other innovative services offered by the institution such as puzzle and coloring areas (Lownes-Jackson, 2004). The main services of catering for the children’s individual development are tailored to meet the specific requirements of each age category and any other specialized requirements that may be dictated by the parents or guardians of children with special needs. The center provides entertainment and quality food to the children while they are in attendance. In addition to its core function of offering quality childcare, the center offers the following services to reinforce its earnings: Transportation services to and from the center for the children Specialized pre-arranged elderly care Operates an elementary school Pre-college counseling through its College Mentorship Programme Matching the Products with t he needs of Customers CareMax center exercises an open-door business policy whereby all parents and guardians with children at the school are invited after every two months to give their views on how childcare should be offered. Little children have very specialized needs, and thus the center benefits immensely from the frequent interactions between the parents and the administration, not mentioning the fact that such meetings offer a platform for the parents to expressively state their needs, and for the management to act decisively in developing products that will match up to the stated needs. Such an interaction has greatly assisted the child development center to remain ever conscious of the ever changing business environment. The center is always prepared to alter its operations and change direction when the needs of its major clients – the parents – demands so.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Marketing Plan for Day Care Operations: the Mak ing of CareMax Children’s Center, Hazel Green, Alabama specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Product Development The center takes cognizance of the fact that it must continually develop new products and services if it is to remain relevant in modern-day competitive environment (Lownes-Jackson, 2004). Towards this objective, the parents are involved in the development of new services for their children, and are adequately informed about the advantages and disadvantages of the new services in terms of assisting the children to develop healthily in all critical facets of life. CareMax takes extraordinary measures to ensure that new services are safe and of relevance to the children’s learning capabilities according to regulations stated by the authorities. CareMax center is particularly keen to involve parents in the process of concept development since they form the center’s target market. The center is always keen to in corporate productive views presented by the parents and guardians especially in the features to be incorporated in the service (Ulrich Eppinger, 1999). This way, the new service is able to benefit the children in a more productive manner. In equal measure, the new product or service is expected to affect the parents in terms of pricing. The child development center therefore feels obliged to consult them so that their views and worries may be taken into account. Pricing CareMax children’s center realizes that the prices charged to its major clients, the parents, directly affect the performance and success of the institution (Entrepreneur Media, 2010). As such, the center is at the forefront in attempting to maintain a pricing policy that is fair and commensurate to the services offered while ensuring that major operations, processes, and profitability of the enterprise are not put into jeopardy. The center constantly reviews the prices offered, adjusting them appropriately t o satisfy the target market. This equilibrium in the business context is realized through the employment of the following procedures: Pricing Strategy CareMax center employs penetration pricing strategy to market its services to its customers. When new services are developed at the center, the introductory prices are always offered at a lower price than what is offered by other industry players for the same or similar service to attract more customers while allowing the existing customers to enjoy the entire promotional package (Lownes-Jackson, 2004). The prices may be adjusted later to reflect actual market trends.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is within the mandate of the management of CareMax center to determine the specific prices for each of the products and services on offer. To determine the prices, the center always employs the following principles: All prices must have the capacity to cover costs and profits The most efficient way to lower prices is to lower operational costs Prices of products and services must be reviewed regularly to ensure they offer a true reflection of the dynamics of cost, competition, target market demand and profit objectives (Entrepreneur Media, 2010). After objective considerations are made regarding the above factors, the child development center utilizes both competitive and markup pricing strategies for purposes of offering authentic pricing schedule, which is both age and needs specific. Competitive pricing is basically used to charge general accommodation charges for the children in line with the current prices at the market (Entrepreneur Media, 2010). For example, last year, t he center was charging $25 per hour for taking care of toddlers from 6 weeks old to 1 year. A market research initiated by the center for purposes of price appraisal revealed that all the other centers in Hazel Green were charging the same. As such, the center could not raise its fees. CareMax center utilizes markup pricing strategy to price some of its value-added services. The center calculates its markup price by adding a set amount of money to the cost of the service. For example, the center offers specialized meals to children depending on the ability of parents to pay for the specialized services. When charging for the special meals, the center adds a fixed amount of money to the actual cost of the meals to be charged to customers as the official price of the meals (Entrepreneur Media, 2010). In general, however, the center always reviews its prices: When a new service is introduced in the market When costs of operation changes When competitors adjust their prices When the st ate of economy experience either slump or inflation Price position At CareMax center, we greatly take cognizance of the fact that market demands and issues of supply and demand of our services institute real pressure on how we position our prices. As a small business, the center very much rely on issues of profitability, market value of services offered, and competitions to position prices according to the requirements of its target customers (Brand Positioning – price, 2006). Some of the objectives evaluated by the center while making decision on price position include: Profit maximization – Economic conditions (elasticity, competition) Market share – Government regulations and actions Leadership – Social concerns (seasonality) Service quality – Survival CareMax center is always keen to maintain a perfect equilibrium between the price ceiling and the price floor of its major services to keep its customers under lock-and-key while at the same time guaranteeing the competitive advantage of the center. The equilibrium is achieved by undertaking extensive market research to shed light on industry patterns and current prices offered by competitors for similar services. The center is vehemently aware that the demand of its services will decline if the price position stupendously moves towards the price ceiling (Diamantopoulos, 2003). At the same time, the center may fail to realize enough profits to boost its operations if the price balance plummets towards the price floor. As such, a perfect balance must be maintained to safeguard the interests of both the parents and the center. The figure below reveals a five-year average price position for toddlers under one year old. Price Sensitivity CareMax center is not often affected by issues relating to price sensitivity since its primary concern is the provision of affordable quality care to children in relatively dissimilar age categories. The prices are flexible depending on the pa rent’s ability to pay, and in line with the center’s traditional philosophy of catering for low-income bracket in the community. In this perspective, while price is viewed as an important factor by parents in making decisions on whether to use its services, the center has resoundingly responded by making the prices and modes of payment as flexible as possible. In this industry, parents have diverse reservation prices they are prepared to pay for services rendered (Diamantopoulos 2003). However, the center is purposing to standardize prices in the long-term to match particular age categories, leaving the flexibility clause to parents that are in need of services but are unable to pay using current market rates due to their social economic standing. Place/Distribution For a business offering childcare services such as CareMax, location is a major factor in any place considerations (Lownes-Jackson, 2004). CareMax center is located at the heart of Hazel Green Community, an d is easily accessible any time of the day from all directions. Parents from the surrounding suburbs can easily access the facility for convenience, while a perimeter fence has been elected to ensure the safety of children. Further, the center was purposely built in its present location, which is away from major traffic routes, to ensure the safety of children. This way, the parents, while undertaking the daily work-related activities, can be assured that their children are in one of the safest locations in Hazel Green. The playing areas are magnificently designed, and buildings uniquely decorated with pictures of animals, plants, and maps that not only serve as major attractions for children, but also assist in the general learning process. In addition, these designs leaves a permanent image on the minds of its target market – parents and guardians – that CareMax is indeed the place where their children can be assisted to gain maximum potential in this very critical p hase of development. The location and design strategies are working perfectly well, and no major changes are intended in the near future. Promotion The child development center is fully aware that to break even in this industry, it has to continue persuading the parents, its target market, about existing and new services on offer for their children. Towards the realization of this noteworthy objective, CareMax utilizes both direct and indirect methods of promotion (Lownes-Jackson, 2004). In direct promotion, the center utilizes the following: Advertising Publicity Special events sales in thank giving days and open days. The company also utilizes the following strategies in its indirect promotion programs: Public relations Customer relations Customer/client services Service packaging Advertising The center takes cognizance of the fact that advertising is particularly important if the promotional strategies are to achieve their intended objective – that of attracting new cu stomers while ensuring that existing clients are not poached by competitors (Lownes-Jackson, 2004). New and exiting customers must be made aware of new services whenever they hit the market. In this perspective, CareMax center utilizes the following advertising mediums: Local newspaper Local and regional magazines Community radio Fliers and brochures Specialty items such as calendars Market Research From time to time, CareMax center undertakes market research with a view of evaluating and identifying key areas that need adjustments, specifically in marketing of services, target markets, and competitions (Lownes-Jackson, 2004). This information is fundamentally important as it assists the managements to identify: Groups to be included in the target market Demographic characteristics of new and potential clients Customer spending habits Presently, the center is undertaking a primary market research to ascertain the reception and viability of a service package introduced last summe r. The package, known as ‘the CareMax All Rounder’ was intended to make the parents pay for all the services rendered at a premium instead of paying differently as if there are two centers offering different services under one name. The package has not been received warmly by the parents, and the telephone survey has been instituted to establish the reasons why this is so. Conclusion The future of CareMax looks bright if recent projections and market trends are anything to go by. The child development center has been able to create a brand name that is synonymous to the quality and flexibility of services offered. The heavy investments made by the institution in terms of staff members, children’s learning and playing areas, diversification of services to include transportation of the minors to and from school, and assiduous and conscientious management of the center has gone a long way in winning the hearts of many parents and guardians of children within Hazel G reen’s community, Alabama. The center has remained profitable despite huge overhead costs associated with the industry. Undeniably, catering for young children is a labor-intensive undertaking; but the center has continued raking considerable profits due to sound management principles. At CareMax center, we always shine†¦and shine above the rest. Reference List Brand positioning – price. (2006). Web. City-Data.Com. (2010). Hazel Green, Alabama. Retrieved from http://www.city-data.com/city/Hazel-Green-Alabama.html Diamantopoulos, A. (2003). Pricing. In: M.J. Baker (Eds). The marketing book. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN: 0750655364 Entrepreneur Media, Inc. (2010). Pricing a product. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/pricing-a-product Lownes-Jackson, M.G. (2004). Starting a child care center. London: A business of your Own. ISBN: 094326717X Ulrich, K., Eppinger, S. (1999). Product design and development, 2nd Ed. McGraw-Hill/Irwin. ISBN: 007229647X This report on Marketing Plan for Day Care Operations: the Making of CareMax Children’s Center, Hazel Green, Alabama was written and submitted by user Esmeralda Mcgowan to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Obamacare Penalty and Minimum Insurance Requirements

Obamacare Penalty and Minimum Insurance Requirements The federal tax penalty for not being enrolled in an Affordable Care Act (ACA)-qualified health insurance plan was eliminated by the Donald Trump administration in 2019. However, persons who received a penalty for not having health insurance in 2018 will still have to pay the penalty on their 2019 tax returns. According to U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the 2018 tax penalty for not having health insurance is $695 for adults and $347.50 for children or 2% of your yearly income, whichever amount is more. While there will no longer be a federal tax penalty for going uninsured or choosing a plan that is not ACA-compliant after the 2019 tax filing season, several states, including New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, and the District of Columbia, have their own health insurance penalties that are assessed when people do not have insurance that complies with that state’s laws. The Now Phased-out Obamacare Tax Penalty By March 31, 2014, almost all Americans who could afford it were required by Obamacare - the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to have a health insurance plan or pay an annual tax penalty. Here is what you need to know about the Obamacare tax penalty and what kind of insurance coverage you need to avoid paying it. Obamacare is complicated. A wrong decision can cost you money. As a result, it is critical that all questions regarding Obamacare be directed to your health care provider, your health insurance plan or to your states Obamacare Health Insurance Marketplace.Questions can also be submitted by calling Healthcare.gov at toll-free 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.During the great Obamacare bill debate, Obamacare supporter Senator Nancy Pelosi (D-California) infamously said lawmakers needed to pass the bill so we can find out whats in it. She was right. Nearly five years after it became law, Obamacare continues to confuse Americans in great numbers. [ Yes, Obamacare Does Apply to Members of Congress ]Â   So complicated is the law, that each of the state Health Insurance Marketplaces will employ Obamacare Navigators to help uninsured people meet their Obamacare obligation by enrolling in the qualified health insurance plan that best meets their medical needs at an affordable cost. Minimum Insurance Coverage Required Whether you have health insurance now or buy it through one of the Obamacare state Insurance Marketplaces, your insurance plan must cover 10 minimum essential health care services. These are: outpatient services; emergency services; hospitalization; maternity/newborn care; mental health and substance abuse services; prescription drugs; rehabilitation (for injuries, disabilities or chronic conditions); lab services; preventive/wellness programs and chronic disease management; and pediatric services.If you have or buy a health plan that does not pay for those minimum essential services it may not qualify as coverage under Obamacare and you may have to pay the penalty.In general, the following types of health care plans will qualify as coverage: Any plan purchased through one of the state Insurance Marketplace and employer-provided insurance plans, including plans for retirees;Medicare and Medicaid;Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP);Military TRICARE;Veterans health care programs; andPeace Corps volunteer plans Other plans may also qualify and all questions regarding minimum coverage and plan qualification should be directed to your states insurance Marketplace Exchange. The Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Plans Health insurance plans available through all Obamacare state Insurance Marketplace offer four levels of coverage: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. While bronze and silver level plans will have the lowest monthly premium payments, out-of-pocked co-pay costs for things like doctor visits and prescriptions will be higher. Bronze and silver level plans will pay for about 60% to 70% of your medical costs.Gold and platinum plans will have higher monthly premiums, but lower co-pay costs, and will pay for about 80% to 90% of your medical costs.Under Obamacare, you cannot be turned down for health insurance or forced to pay more for it because you have an existing medical condition. In addition, once you have insurance, the plan cannot refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing conditions. Coverage for pre-existing conditions begins immediately.Once again, it is the job of the Obamacare Navigators to help you select a plan offering the best coverage at a price you can afford.Very Important - Open Enrollment: Each year, there will be an annual open enrollment period after which you will not be able to purchase insurance through the state Insurance Marketplaces until the next annual open enrollment period, unless you have a qualifying life event. For 2014, the open enrollment period is October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. For 2015 and later years, the open enrollment period will be October 15 to December 7 of the previous year. Who Does Not Have to Have Insurance? Some people are exempt from the requirement to have health insurance. These are: prison inmates, undocumented immigrants, members of federally-recognized American Indian tribes, persons with religious objections, and low-income persons not required to file federal income tax returns.Religious exemptions include members of health care sharing ministries and members of federally-recognized religious sect with religion-based objections to health insurance. The Penalty: Resistance is Futile and Expensive Attention health insurance procrastinators and resistors: As time goes by, the Obamacare penalty goes up.In 2014, the penalty for not having a qualified health insurance plan is 1% of your annual income or $95 per adult, whichever is higher. Have kids? The penalty for uninsured children in 2014 is $47.50 per child, with a maximum per-family penalty of $285.In 2015, the penalty increases to the higher of 2% of your annual income or $325 per adult.By 2016, the penalty goes up to 2.5% of income or $695 per adult, with a maximum penalty of $2,085 per family.After 2016, the amount of the penalty will be adjusted for inflation.The amount of the annual penalty is based on the number if days or months you go without health insurance after March 31. If you have insurance for part of the year, the penalty will be prorated and if you are covered for at least 9 months during the year, you will not pay a penalty.Along with paying the Obamacare penalty, uninsured persons will continue to be financ ially responsible for 100% of their health care costs. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that even in 2016, more than 6 million people will pay the government a combined $7 billion in Obamacare fines. Of course, revenue from these fines is essential to paying for many of the free health care services provided for under Obamacare. If You Need Financial Help To help make mandatory health insurance more affordable to people who cant afford it in the first place, the federal government is providing two subsides for qualifying low-income individuals and families. The two subsides are: tax credits, to help pay monthly premiums and cost-sharing to help out-of-pocket expenses. Individuals and families can qualify of either or both subsidies. Some people with very low incomes may wind up paying very small premiums or even no premiums at all.Qualifications for insurance subsidies are based on annual income and vary from state to state. The only way to apply for a subsidy is through one of the state insurance Marketplaces. When you apply for insurance, the Marketplace will help you calculate your modified adjusted gross income and determine of you qualify for a subsidy. The Exchange will also determine if you qualify for Medicare, Medicaid or a state-based health assistance plan.

Top 9 Stress Relieving Activities at Work That’ll Keep You Happy

Top 9 Stress Relieving Activities at Work That’ll Keep You Happy Ever wish a stress superhero could save you from chaotic meetings, fast approaching deadlines, never ending projects or traffic jams? Well, you can become your own stress-busting superhero. Here are some quick and easy stress relieving activities at work that will keep you happy and productive! Feel free to share this with your friends and coworkers. Who knows? You might be helping that friend from a rough time.1. Go WalkingDid you know walking for even 10 minutes after 3 hours at your desk can lift your mood by 40%?!   If the weather is nice outside, you can just step outside and walk around the block or to the nearest park. Walking will not only make you live longer, but also give you more energy throughout the day. I highly recommend going out for a walk after lunch, and then once in the afternoon to break up the day.via [imgur.com]2. Listen to MusicThe best part about music is that when you listen to it, you will start relating yourself to the lyrics of the song, and make you f eel on â€Å"top of the world†. The beats of music will help enhancing your mood and relaxing your muscles. So put on a headphone and start listening to your favorite beats.via [wallpaper]3. Healthy SnacksEating delicious and healthy snacks will keep your stress level low. It will have exceptional positive change in you and even people around you. Your good mood will send positive vibes at your workplace. So start packing healthy snacks and you will be happy all day.While eating don’t stuff your mouth.document.createElement('video');https://www.thejobnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/BaX1BSU.webmvia [imgur.com]4. Stretch Your Body Regularly5.  Put Loved Ones’ Pictures On Your DeskSpending time with your family is a great stress buster. Having a picture of your loved ones on your desk will remind all the great times you had with your family and it will automatically bring a smile to your face. It will boost your productivity throughout the day.via [imgur.c om]6. Browse the InternetTake a break from your usual work, and just head over to a stock photography site to look at pleasant photos of nature. Google has a Art Project site that features the best art collection. My personal favorites are these sites: Cuteoverload, The Thoughts Room.7. YogaYoga and breathing exercise are the best technique to de-stress. Check out this video to learn how you can change your mood for good.8. Quick napWhat do Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison all have in common? They all made important contributions to the advancement of mankind, and they were all avid power nappers. A power nap of 15 – 20 minutes can do wonder to your health and helps you to focus on your work. It recharges your body and mind to a more successful and productive day.9. SmileJust smile and you will feel the difference!  Feel free to share this with your friends and coworkers by simply retweeting this. Who knows? You might be helping that friend from a rough time.Sometimes you just need to go for a walk – 9 stress relieving activities at work http://t.co/NqMXWyxpMV #TJNTips pic.twitter.com/8IK32h1Z2c- TheJobNetwork (@TheJobNetwork) October 5, 2015