Strategic Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Strategic Management - Research Paper Example Internal Analysis X 5.1 SWOT Analysis X 5.1.1 Strength X 5.1.2 Weakness X 5.1.3 Opportunity X 5.1.4 Threat X 5.2 Value Chain Analysis X 6. Problem Definition X 6.1 Primary Problem - Unable to Respond to the Dynamic Market Trends X 6.2 Secondary Problems X 6.2.1 Emerging Preference for Sports Apparel Materials X 6.2.2 Intense Rivalry Among Competitors X 7. Recommendations X 7.1 Develop Alliance with Competitors X 7.2 Participating in Sports Events X 7.3 Expand the Research and Development Function X 8. Selected Recommendation X 9. Implementation X 10. Evaluation and Control X 10. Appendices X 11. Reference List X 1. Executive Summary In this report, the authors have critically analysed Bossini International Holdings Limited’s (BIHL)’s external and internal environment of Hong Kong’s apparel industry. The external analysis highlights the key current environmental factors through PEST Analysis and Porter’s 5 Forces Analysis. Such external analysis are aimed t o assist the company in remaining relevant and sustainable within the the dynamic external environment. An internal analysis of BIHL’s internal environment is then performed through SWOT analysis and Value-chain Analysis. The capabilities and shortcomings of BIHL are surfaced consequently. This allows for tailored strategies to suit BIHL in facing challenges within the industry. Subsequently, the key problems are highlighted from the external environment analysis. Through the internal environment analysis, relevant strategies are proposed and selected to counter the problems. The report concludes with the implementation of the selected strategy, featuring issue involved in evaluation and control. 2. Introduction The apparel industry in Hong Kong has flourished during recent times wherein the residents are not only inclined to buy more clothes but more ready spend on more expensive ones. The apparel industry in Hong Kong offers fashion wear, sportswear, casual, kids as well as footwear and footwear accessories. The list of consumers is not limited to the locals; it also includes international buyers and tourists. International brands have also entered into the Asian market by making first entry into the Hong Kong(HK) market. This suggests that HK presents a reliable and stable market to sell both locally and regionally (Euromonitor International 2011b). The overall size of the industry is over HK$53 Billion as of 2011 with more than 12,200 retail stores offering different apparels targeted at market segments. With growth of almost 22% per year, the Apparel industry in Hong Kong is one of the significant and growing industries in the economy (Yi Li & Jones 2001). Bossini International Holdings Limited (BIHL) is one of the leading apparel firms in HK. Established in 1987, BIHL has been an important player for the casual wear market for low and mid ranged consumers. Listed on the HK Stock Exchange in 1993, the firm has been able to achieve dynamic growth an d opened new stores around the world with major presence in regions like Asia, Europe and Middle East. Having near 1400 stores in 36 countries, BIHL has developed into a recognizable international brand. The   global presence outlines its drive towards becoming a global brand in the apparel industry (Bossini Enterprises Limited 2012). The overall market appeal of BIHL is based upon its recognizable casual wear that is not only colorful, but also soft in texture. Based on the motto of â€Å"

Retail Market Environment in the Republic of Ireland Assignment

Retail Market Environment in the Republic of Ireland - Assignment Example The political and economic stability provided by Irish government policies brought inflation and budget deficits under control after two years of overheating, resulting in increased labour force skills, employment, and foreign investments. Ireland's population of 4.1 million, growing at 1.2% yearly, is the youngest in the EU with more than 53% below the age of 35. Literacy is high, poverty is low, and government forecasts private consumption to grow at 5.6% and GDP ($222 bn in 2005) to grow steadily at 4.7% in 2006. The economic boom triggered substantial changes in the Irish retail landscape and transformed what was once a collection of small shops offering specialised services, small general stores offering various dry goods and fresh foods, and department stores selling clothes and household items. Rapid growth increased mobility, improving the access to information and altering the tastes and shopping habits of consumers, who are more discriminating in getting the highest possible quality at the lowest possible price. The retail sector is adapting to these changes through continuous entrepreneurial innovation and business consolidation. There are currently eleven categories of retail marketing channels in Ireland, ranging from small boutiques to large hypermarkets (Forfs, 2006). The average consumer in Ireland is young, affluent, well educated, employed, and with a high disposable income. The second part of the paper will be devoted to an analysis of Ireland's consumer profile. Environmental Assessment of Ireland's Retail Sector Probably the most important development in Ireland has been the lifting in January 2006, according to plan, of the Groceries Order, a 20-year old law designed to minimise cutthroat price competition among retailers by prohibiting below invoice selling (CSG, 2005). We made a LoNGPEST analysis to assess the political, economic, social, and technological effects of the recent lifting of the Groceries Order that may have widespread local, national, and global consequences. Overview of the Retail Market Sector Table 1 contains an overview of the top competitors in Ireland's retail market

Pizza Delivery and Domino Essay Example for Free

Pizza Delivery and Domino Essay Dominos Pizza, Inc. (NYSE: DPZ) is an international pizza delivery corporation headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1960, Dominos is the second-largest pizza chain in the United States. [1] Dominos currently has nearly 9,000 corporate and franchised stores[2] in 60 international markets[3] and all 50 U. S. states. Dominos Pizza was sold to Bain Capital in 1998 and went public in 2004. Dominos menu features pizza, pasta, oven-baked sandwiches, wings, boneless chicken, salads, breadsticks, cheesesticks, and a variety of dessert items. Management positions at Dominos Pizza distribution centers offer you the opportunity to join a world-class company with: * A competitive salary. * An excellent benefits package. * Opportunity for career growth. Our team leaders are involved in all facets of our business. The work is a combination of administrative and operational responsibilities performed throughout the distribution center. The best candidates are strong yet thoughtful leaders who have the ability to respect their team members and mentor them onto greater career development. If you care about the people who work for you and have the desire to encourage and assist in their career growth, youre the type of leader we look for. What Types of Management Positions Are Available? Our General Manager Development Program is an excellent start to acquiring skills and learning the fundamentals of business operations. In addition to several requirements, it is necessary to work successfully in a team leader position (minimum of six months) to apply for the program. The program is customized for each individual and focuses on the following areas. Food Production Preparing and mixing fresh pizza dough is the responsibility of a production team member. The production team is the secret behind the great-tasting Domino’s Pizza consumers turn to when they’re hungry. If you have the desire to create a top-quality food product every day, then our production department is for you. Commercial Delivery and Service Drivers We look for team members with a commitment to safety and excellent customer service to be part of our Delivery Service team. Delivery Service drivers will drive a truck over an established route to deliver products to Domino’s Pizza stores. When you take the wheel for Domino’s Pizza Distribution, you are the face of our company to our customers. You’re interaction with the stores is crucial to our success. Many drivers build lasting relationships with customers in the fun and supportive family environment of Domino’s Pizza. Warehouse Our warehouse team members ensure that our customers receive each and every product they order, every time they order it. As a warehouse team member, your main responsibility will be to load, unload and move materials within or near the distribution center. You’re the one who makes it happen for us every day and you are an important piece of who we are. n early 2000, Pawan Bhatia (Bhatia), the CEO of Dominos Pizza India (Dominos) was a man in a hurry. Ever since Bhatia took over as the CEO of Dominos in November 1999, he had been frantically reworking the pizza chains India strategy. Bhatia was planning to open 150 new outlets by the end of 2002 covering 23 cities,1 including Bhubaneshwar (Orissa) and Jamshedpur (Bihar). In late 1999, Indocean Chase, the private equity fund bought a 25% stake in Dominos operations in India from the Delhi-based industrial family, the Bhartias, who held Dominos franchise in India. Dominos told investment bankers at the fund that it planned to go in for an initial public offering (IPO) in the next two years. Indocean Chase advised Dominos to go beyond its 16 outlets in Delhi to exploit the potential in the pizza delivery business. Unless a well-thought-out expansion plan was put into place, the IPO was unlikely to find too many takers. As part of its expansion plans Dominos revamped its entire supply chain operations, from sourcing raw materials to shipping them for processing at a central location to delivering it to the customers. Initially, Dominos had a simple model. It had three self-contained commissaries in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore which bought their own wheat, tomatoes and other ingredients, processed them, then delivered them in refrigerated trucks to each outlet. However, volumes were expected to increase when Dominos planned to open new outlets. Therefore, the existing model had to be revamped. Bhatia said, Its crucial for us to build a low-cost supply chain operation which takes costs out of the system and in turn gives us greater pricing flexibility in the marketplace. Analysts felt that Dominos had to rethink its supply chain operation because it was the biggest area of costs. Since 75% of Dominos customers ordered either from office or home, it did not have to lease large plots of land in prime locations to attract traffic. Instead, it needed an efficiently managed call centre to bring better returns. In the late 1950s, Dominick De Varti (Varti) owned a small pizza store named DomiNicks Pizza on the Eastern Michigan University campus in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In 1960, two brothers who were students of the University of Michigan – Thomas S. Monaghan (Thomas) and James S. Monaghan (James) – bought the store for US$900. In 1961, James sold his share of business to Thomas. The pizza business did well and by 1965, Thomas was able to open two more stores in the town – Pizza King and Pizza from the Prop. Within a year, Varti opened a pizza store in a neighborhood town with the same name, DomiNicks Pizza. Thomas decided to change the name of his first store, DomiNicks Pizza, and one of his employees suggested the name Dominos Pizza (Dominos). The advantage of this name Thomas felt was that it would be listed after DomiNick in the directory. Dominos philosophy rested on two principles – limited menu and delivering hot and fresh pizzas within half-an-hour. In 1967, it opened the first franchise store in Ypsilanti, and in 1968, a franchise store in Burlington, Vermont. However, the company ran into problems when its headquarters (the first store) and commissary were destroyed by fire. In the early 1970s, the company faced problems again when it was sued by Amstar, the parent company of Domino Sugar for trademark infringement. Thomas started looking for a new name and came up with Red Dominos and Pizzas Dispatch. However, there wasnt any need for it because Dominos won the lawsuit in 1980. In 1982, Dominos Pizza established Dominos Pizza International (DPI) that was made responsible for opening Dominos stores internationally. The first store was opened in Winnipeg, Canada. Within a year, DPI spread to more than 50 countries and in 1983, it inaugurated its 1000th store (Refer Exhibit II for worldwide revenues). Around the same time, new pizza chains like Pizza Hut and Little Caesar established themselves in the US. Dominos Pizza faced intense competition because it had not changed its menu of traditional hand-tossed pizza. The other pizza chains offered low-priced breadsticks, salads and other fast food apart from pizzas.. Analysts felt that Dominos took a cue from McDonalds supply chain model (Refer Box and Exhibit III for McDonalds model). However, they opined that the level of complexity in McDonalds system in India was not as high as that of Dominos. Commented Bhatia, McDonalds operations are not as spread out as ours. They are in four cities while we are in 16. Centralizing wouldnt work on such a geographical scale. Thus in early 2000, Dominos came out with its own logistics model. It began at the point Dominos purchased wheat for making the pizza dough. Dominos first decided the procurement strategy for its key raw materials: wheat, baby corn, tomatoes and spices. For instance, wheat was cheapest in Jalandhars (Punjab) wholesale markets. Dominos refrigerated trucks got the wheat back to the commissary in Delhi. Commissary processed the wheat and prepared the pizza dough. The pizza dough and other items prepared in commissaries were then sent to the retail outlets again in refrigerated trucks. The temperature inside the truck was fixed based on the distance between the retail outlets and the commissaries. This was to set the dough at a particular level when it reached the outlets. The retail outlets had to use up the processed dough within three days of delivery. If they failed to do so for some reason the entire quantity was discarded. To get to Jalandhar, the trucks had to pass Chandigarh. Chandigarh with a cosmopolitan population, was a potential market for Dominos products. Therefore, Dominos opened an outlet there. The cost of entry was low because there was no additional costs incurred on transportation of products

Visiting Nice †Jewel of the French Riviera

Visiting Nice – Jewel of the French Riviera Nice – Jewel of the French Riviera Salut! (Hello in French) As the jewel of the French Riviera (Cote d’Azure), the appeal of Nice is universal. A glamorous city with blue-green beaches, year-round sunshine, fashionable boutiques, splendid museums and galleries, a vibrant and energetic nightlife – Nice is a city that truly has it all! A major tourist attraction because of its splendid beaches and spectacular landscapes nearby, Nice casts a spell on visitors with its charm and energy. A perfect destination for everyone, from backpackers to wealthy businessmen, from partygoers to art aficionados and from honeymooners to families, you could spend a fortnight here and still be left craving for more! Best Season to Visit Nice With year-round sunshine and cool sea breezes, there is actually no bad time to visit Nice. Summer (June to August) is the most crowded season with a horde of tourists visiting. Parties run late into the night and the Jazz Festival is held during this time. Autumn (September to November) is a great time to visit with lesser tourist activity and milder temperatures. Winter (November to March) is mild and while one cannot venture into the sea during this season, it is perfect for sightseeing with minimal clouds and pleasant weather. The Carnival is held in February and is generally acknowledged to be the best in Europe. Spring (March to May) is pretty much the perfect time to visit, with the flowers in bloom, temperate weather and fewer tourists. Highlights (Special Things to Do in Nice) Visit the Port – Drink in the sight of all the glamorous yachts and the colorful fishing boats arrayed together while sipping on champagne in one of the many restaurants that line the port side. Climb up to Castle Hill (Colline du Chateau) and be rewarded with a beautiful view of the beachside and the sea. For a glimpse of St. Petersburg in France, pay a visit to the Cathedrale Saint Nicolas. Colorful and spectacular, it holds the distinction of being the first church to be designated a Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia! Be enthralled by the fragrance and riot of colors at the Cours Saleya Flower Market – famous in all of Europe for the sheer variety of well-known and unusual flowers that are on display here for sale. Take a day-trip to the nearby Principality of Monaco. Everything about this small country screams luxury – Palaces, casinos, spectacular beaches, luxury cruise ships and yachts and even a Formula One Grand Prix if you visit in May. Try the famous beer sorbet at Fenocchio, considered the best ice cream parlor in Nice. Visit in July to get a chance to listen to â€Å"All that Jazz† – The annual Nice Jazz Festival is held at this time and features some of the best musicians performing from around the world. Sail to St. Tropez, the undisputed glamour capital of Europe – from celebrities to royalty, everybody who’s anybody holidays in this glitzy, resort town of azure beaches, luxury yachts and elegant villas! Experience the quiet life of the French countryside by visiting the charming village of Eze, perched atop a rocky mountain, with its ruined castle and beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea. Be sure to feast on the Nicoise cuisine, especially the Socca (chickpea pancake) and the mouth-watering Pissaladiere (thick crust Pizza with a topping of caramelized onions and anchovies). Go celebrity spotting on a day-trip to Cannes during the annual Cannes Film Festival, that attracts the who’s who of filmdom from all around the world. Step out into the night and be entertained. Dancing to the beats all night at a disco, the thrill of gambling at casinos or quietly sipping a drink at a lounge bar – the nightlife of Nice offers you all this and more! Attractions in Nice Old Town (Vieux Nice) Vieux Nice (Old Town): The Old Town in Nice is a maze of narrow streets and winding alleys that are lined with beautiful Baroque churches, elegant cafes, trendy shops and vibrant public squaresBe sure to include the Cathedrale de Sainte Reparte and the Eglise du Jesu churches, and the Palais Lascaris, once an elegant home that has been transformed into an art museum now. Place Massena: The city’s main square, it is centrally located with the seaside to the south, the prime shopping street of Avenue Jean Medicin leading off to the north and beautiful gardens surrounding it. It retains an old world charm with many roadside cafes that one can hang out in. Place Garibaldi: One of the larger public squares bordering the Old Town, and along the way to the Port, this square is bordered by charming cafes and elegant shops. Every third Saturday of the month, a market is setup at the square that sells all manner of treasures from antique furniture to designer handbags and even old magazines! The Promenade Baie des Anges: The bay that is adjacent to the city of Nice on the Mediterranean is popular for swimming. The beach is pebbly and offers a contrast from the normal sandy beaches along the Mediterranean. Swim in the waters, or relax by lying on the beachside while waiting for the famed, epic sunsets of the Cote d’Azure. Promenade des Anglais: The runs adjacent to the bay and is a 4 kilometer long walkway that offers a leisurely stroll by the light blue Mediterranean sea. The road that runs parallel to this promenade houses many elegant cafes, hotels and shops. Colline du Chateau: The Castle Hill is situated at one end of the Promenade des Anglais and overlooks the city. One can take an elevator or climb the 200 steps to the top, to be rewarded with panoramic views of the Old Town and the seaside. Port Lympia: Beautiful Venetian-colored buildings line the quayside while multi-million pound yachts are parked in the sea at the port. Visit one of the many roadside cafes and restaurants and feast your eyes on the lovely yachts, home to the rich and famous tourists on their visit to Nice. Cimiez Musee Chagall: The Chagall Museum is a museum that is dedicated to the artwork of Marc Chagall. It houses the largest collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings by Chagall. Musee Archeologique de Nice: The museum lies at the site of the Roman ruins and displays artefacts and sculptures from the days of the Roman Empire. The ruins of Nice are a reminder of its days as an outpost of the Roman Empire. The amphitheater here is still used to this day during the annual Jazz festival. Gare de Nice Ville Cathedrale Saint Nicolas: A striking Russian Orthodox Church with onion bulb domes and beautiful sculptures, this is one cathedral you wouldn’t want to miss visiting! A strict dress code is enforced that excludes short skirts, shorts and T-shirts. Shopping in Nice There are many shopping streets that are worth exploring in Nice. Nice boasts of high street designer brands, open air markets with a typical French character as well as large supermarkets that sell everything that you would ever think of buying. Be sure to explore the shopping delights of Nice at leisure and fill your shopping bags with the choicest of items from the markets of Nice. Bear in mind that most shops are closed on Sundays. Avenue Jean Medicin is the undisputed main shopping street of Nice. Home to designer boutiques, high street brands and large department stores, the avenue is choc-a-bloc with some of the best stores vying for shopper’s attention. The main pedestrian shopping street of Nice is the Rue de France that is famed for exclusive clothing boutiques. A large number of cafes and restaurants also line the street that provides a welcome option for refreshments while shopping. The open markets of Nice are famous throughout Europe. The Cours Saleya in the heart of Old Nice is worth visiting for its famed flower market, in addition to the food, spices and fish markets nearby. Every Monday, the market is transformed into a flea market selling antiques and secondhand clothes. How to reach Nice Nice is a major holiday destination of Europe and well connected by various modes. Nice Airport is one of the busiest in France and has frequent daily flights to Paris as well as direct flights to almost all major European cities, as well as destinations in North Africa, Middle East and Canada. Nice is also well connected on the railway network with trains to Paris, many Italian cities and even a weekly long distance train arriving from Moscow via Warsaw and Vienna. Long distance buses connect Nice with major European cities and the motorways are a great way to reach the city from either east or the west, with spectacular drives by the coastline. Being along the coastline, Nice is extremely well connected by the sea, and all holiday cruise liners have Nice among their destinations. Ferries connect it directly to many other nearby ports. How to get around in Nice Nice has its own local bus network which forms the primary mode of public transport within the city. Train services are available connecting it to the other nearby tourist attractions along the Riviera. Taxis, scooters and bikes are the other ways of getting around the city. The local bus network, known as the Lignes d’Azur is the main urban transport option for locals to get to work or school. Of greater importance to tourists is the inter-urban network called the TAM, which connects Nice with other towns on the Riviera, such as Cannes, Menton and villages like Vence. The Tram line links the main bus station, train station, downtown and the university. It is of value to tourists other than getting them to the city center. Regional trains operated by the SCNF link all the eastern coastal towns and are a good way to travel between the towns along the French Riviera. Taxis are expensive and it is not always easy to find one. It is better to hire one from your hotel or from a designated taxi rank. Cycling enthusiasts can rent cycles to explore the city and its outskirts. Nice has a public bicycle rental system and the first 30 minutes of usage is free. While Nice is a large and sprawling city, most of the tourist and historic attractions are concentrated within the city center, around a twenty minute walking radius. Walking is a great way of getting around for tourists and exploring the attractions of foot allows visitors to drink in the sights of this glamorous city! Top Areas of Nice Gare de Nice Ville: The main railway station of Nice was originally built away from the city center, but the modern city has grown around the station, making it the city center. The station building is a beautiful piece of architecture. Most of the Nice hotels are concentrated around the railway station. Promenade des Anglais: The area of Nice that began to e [populated the foremost thanks to its spectacular location by the sea, the Promenade is flanked by the Bay of Angels on one side and many hotels and restaurants on the other side. Vieux Nice: The Old Town of Nice is a maze of alleys with many beautiful churches, cafes and shops. It is the central part of the historic town of Nice. Cimiez: Home to the ancient Roman Ruins and the Musee Matisse, this is an elegant neighborhood of Nice that played host to Queen Victoria, who stayed at the Hotel Regina during her trips to the French Riviera. Vieux Port: The port of Nice is a beautiful locality with Venetian style buildings and yachts and ferries crowding the quay. Yachts can also be rented from here for taking trips along the French Riviera and the Mediterranean Sea. Palais Des Congres: This locality gets its name from the Palais Des Congres Acroplois, which is a convention center that hosts various events. Merci! (Thank you in French)

A Comparison of The Chrysalids and 1984 :: comparison compare contrast essays

   A comparison of life in London, Air Strip One (or Great Britain) in the George Orwell novel '1984' and Waknuk, Canada in the John Wyndham novel 'The Chrysalids.' Waknuk is a society living after a nuclear attack. The people of Air Strip One (or Britain) in 1984 live in a dictatorship controlled by "The Party".      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Waknuck is an enclosed society similar to Victorian Britain. As people spend all their lives in the town or city they are born they can't experience different cultures and therefore have a lack of tolerance and understanding for differences in the lifestyles of these cultures. The lack of experience of different cultures is not the reason for a lack of a true understanding of these cultures in 1984. The people of London are effectively poisoned against such cultures by the Party and so have no reason to want to experience them.  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Waknuck is also based largely on Religion - it is a Christian society. Most of the prejudices are formed from the Bible. Any creature that is against "the true image of God" (or a mutant) is called a Blasphemy. The Christian religion (and indeed other religions) have been the source of numerous prejudices in modern society in Britain (for example sexism and homophobia) and indeed conflicts (for example the conflicts between the Republic and Northern Ireland). In the novel '1984' no-one follows a religion as such, as far as the people of Britain in 1984 are concerned there is no God, the complete opposite of the radical religious views of the people of Waknuk. Most people in Waknuk have been 'brainwashed' by Christianity in the same way many people in Great Britain in 1984 have been 'brainwashed' by the party and Big Brother. Each use repetitive slogans, in 1984 such slogans as: "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength." are used and more subtly in Christianity in the form of prays and commandments. The Party and Christians each worship a figure, Big Brother and God respectively, neither people can be completely sure of   there presence but convince themselves that they exist nevertheless. The power lies with the Party in 1984 but lies with the church in Waknuk.         Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The people of Waknuk are unable to comprehend theories such as the Evolution Theory dispute finding fossils and other evidence that would conflict with Genesis.

Lyme Disease Lyme Arthritis :: Health Medicine

Lyme Disease Lyme Arthritis Lyme disease is a tick-transmitted inflammatory disorder characterized by an early focal skin lesion, and subsequently a growing red area on the skin (erythema chronicum migrans or ECM). The disorder may be followed weeks later by neurological, heart or joint abnormalities. Symptomatology The first symptom of Lyme disease is a skin lesion. Known as erythema chronicum migrans, or ECM, this usually begins as a red discoloration (macule) or as an elevated round spot (papule). The skin lesion usually appears on an extremity or on the trunk, especially the thigh, buttock or the under arm. This spot expands, often with central clearing, to a diameter as large as 50 cm (c. 12 in.). Approximately 25% of patients with Lyme disease report having been bitten at that site by a tiny tick 3 to 32 days before onset of ECM. The lesion may be warm to touch. Soon after onset nearly half the patients develop multiple smaller lesions without hardened centers. ECM generally lasts for a few weeks. Other types of lesions may subsequently appear during resolution. Former skin lesions may reappear faintly, sometimes before recurrent attacks of arthritis. Lesions of the mucous membranes do not occur in Lyme disease. The most common symptoms accompanying ECM, or preceding it by a few days, may include malaise, fatigue, chills, fever, headache and stiff neck. Less commonly, backache, muscle aches (myalgias), nausea, vomiting, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, and an enlarged spleen may also be present. Most symptoms are characteristically intermittent and changing, but malaise and fatigue may linger for weeks. Arthritis is present in about half of the patients with ECM, occurring within weeks to months following onset and lasting as long as 2 years. Early in the illness, migratory inflammation of many joints (polyarthritis) without joint swelling may occur. Later, longer attacks of swelling and pain in several large joints, especially the knees, typically recur for several years. The knees commonly are much more swollen than painful; they are often hot, but rarely red. Baker's cysts (a cyst in the knee) may form and rupture. Those symptoms accompanying ECM, especially malaise, fatigue and low- grade fever, may also precede or accompany recurrent attacks of arthritis. About 10% of patients develop chronic knee involvement (i.e. unremittent for 6 months or longer). Neurological abnormalities may develop in about 15% of patients with

Duke Players in NBA :: essays research papers

Mike Krzyzweski has sent the most players to the NBA in the past 15 years. As a matter of fact he has 15 ex-Blue Devils in the NBA. Danny Ferry was the first his players to graduate to the NBA. In 1989 he was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers, and in 2003 helped the San Antonio Spurs win a NBA title. Christian Laettner was second in line, he was drafted 3rd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1992, and recently retired in 2005 with the Miami Heat. Laettner wasn?t the only player from the 1992 championship team to branch off into the NBA Grant Hill came right behind him in 1994, when he became the 3rd overall pick in the NBA draft, after being drafted by the Detroit Pistons he was traded to the Orlando Magic, and still plays with them. In 1999 Coach K sent out his 1st, number one overall pick, when Elton Brand was drafted by the Chicago Bulls. Brand was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2001, and is considered one of the NBA?s best players. In 2001 Shane Battier won the C ollege Player of the Year award, he also earned the 6th overall pick in the draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, he now plays for the Houston Rockets. Carlos Boozer is the first 2nd round selection of Coach K?s 15 NBA players. He was chosen 35th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, he now plays for the Utah Jazz, and is one of the leagues top international players. Mike Dunleavy is one of three players from Duke to be chosen 3rd overall. In 2002 the Golden State Warriors selected, he currently plays with the Indiana Pacers. Dunleavy wasn?t the only player to depart from Duke in 2002, Jay Williams was his partner, going right before Dunleavy, and being the 2nd overall pick, for the Chicago Bulls. Chris Duhon became the second player to join Boozer in being a 2nd round selection in 2004 by the Chicago Bulls. Dahntay Jones is the only player who made it to the NBA that didn?t play his entire collegiate career with Duke. His childhood friend Jay Williams encouraged him to join the team after he had already been playing at Rutgers University. He was selected 20th overall in 2003 by the Boston Celtics, he presently plays with the Memphis Grizzlies. Along with teammate Elton Brand, Corey Maggette is also notable as one of the first Duke players under Coach K to leave before the end of his athletic eligibility.