Profiling Of Flight Patterns, By Sherman Alexie - 1518 Words

The Profiling of â€Å"Flight Patterns† Profiling people can cause a brick wall to be built between one another, a wall that cannot be easily knocked down. The bricks come down as the person doing the profiling sees beyond physical appearance. When the wall comes down a transparent window forms with a beautiful view. There is more to a person than their exterior, just like there is more to a room than walls. When profiling someone, people do not see past the brick wall; they build it higher and higher. When someone takes the time to get to know someone else, the wall comes down; at that point, people get a clear view of who people are, which could be beautiful. Profiling causes people to become engulfed by other people s perceptions of who they are, and it becomes a conflict between racial heritage and common humanity. Through the characters, setting, and tone of â€Å"Flight Patterns,† Sherman Alexie shows that profiling can lead to the misinterpretation of who someone is. Alexie shows a vivid picture of William, who is the main character of the story. He is a loving father, husband, and business person who cares about his appearance, which means he cares about what people think of him, and he knows people profile him based on his looks. His wife is a loving, carefree woman, which is entirely the opposite of William. She does not care what people think of her. In addition, William is Native Indian; he has dark skin and has long hair that he keeps in a lovely braid, which is aShow MoreRelatedProfiling By Sherman Alexie s Flight Patterns1458 Words   |  6 PagesProfiling people can cause a brick wall to be built between one another; a wall that cannot easily be knocked down. The person that is doing the profiling has to take the bricks down one-by-one as if each brick reveals information, beyond physical appearance. Once the wall is down a transparent window forms with a beautiful view. There is more to a person than their exterior and class, just like there is more to room then walls. When profiling someone, people do not look past the brick wall; theyRead MoreIn-Depth Study and Comparison: Sherman Alexie’s Flight Pattern and Breaking and Entering864 Words   |  4 PagesIn-Depth Study and Comparison: Sherman Alexie’s â€Å"Flight Pattern† and â€Å"Breaking and Entering† Sherman Alexie is very well known for his takes on Native Americans in modern American society. His books and stories most often are inside thoughts of situations that are occurring or have already occurred. Two of his shorter stories highlight two very different situations but in a sense connect with another. â€Å"Flight Plan† and â€Å"Breaking and Entering,† although confronting Native American characters, revealRead MoreFlight Patterns By Sherman Alexie1527 Words   |  7 PagesIn the short story Flight Patterns, Sherman Alexie describes how the protagonist, William, a Spokane Indian, struggles every day to escape the all too common stereotypes society places him under. This story takes place in Washington D.C. during the year after 9/11, which most likely justifies why racial profiling and stereotyping was extremely commonplace in the story around this time. It can be seen that Americans were brought closer together by this tragedy because they were banded by a commonRead MoreFlight Patterns By Sherman Alexie858 Words   |  4 PagesThe story â€Å"Flight Patterns† is a short story in which Sherman Alexie, the author, presents Native American literature which is new around this time in age. William Cline, the main character represents your stereotype native American. This story takes place post 9/11; therefore, the level of security has been increased greatly along with the amount of hostility towards darker skinned people. William describes how he feels out of place because he has all the traits of a native American but he feels

The Study of Personality and Time Perception Essay example

There have been many studies in the past which have investigated the effect of personality on our mental abilities. For instance Hannon et al. (1995) conducted research into the effect of extraversion and introversion on long term and short term forthcoming memory. Results show extroverts came up with less errors in comparison to introverts in regards to short and long term memory. In this present study we aim to investigate the effects of extraversion and introversion on time perception. With the directional hypothesis suggesting there will be a negative correlation between extraversion and time perception, it is later noted that this isnt the case, resulting in the hypothesis being rejected. It would be safe to say that further research†¦show more content†¦On the other hand he regards an introvert as someone who is quiet, introspective, to themself, and reflective (Pervin, Cervone, John, 2005). Eysenck (1990) he believes there is a biological basis for personality (cited in Burger, 2000). To support this claim Eysenck argued the consistency of extraversion and introversion over a long period of time, implying your environment doesnt affect our biological make up. Studies have supported this point, in which he found that persons level of individual difference remains around the same level over a period of time. Conley (1984, 1985) found that participants showed a consistent level of extraversion - introversion over a period of 45 years (cited in Burger, 2000), however this does not say whether extraversion- introversion is determined by biology, as our environment does play a part in our development. During his career, Eysenck came up with different questionnaires to assess the traits in ones personality. He came up with the Maudsley Personality Inventory, the Eysenck Personality Inventory, and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire - abbreviated as EPQ (Pervin, Cervone, John, 2005). With his work being a great contribution to Psychology, it comes as no surprise that one of his questionnaires (EPQ) is commonly used today to assess personality. This famous personality assessment questionnaire is concerned with 4Show MoreRelatedBody Modifications Are An Example Of External Cues1533 Words   |  7 Pagesday and every time they see some one, typically regarding a person’s traits, moods, personality, and psychological states. People typically base these judgments off of stereotypes, scripts, and other person-relevant information, which generally leads to the judgments being somewhat inaccurate. Despite this, people continue to intentionally and unintentionally use external cues to establish first impressions and opinions within the first few seconds of seeing someone for the first time, and then makeRead MoreAttitude, Personality, Perception965 Words   |  4 Pagesso as to assign jobs to the right people, adjust people to the suitable environment, and appoint people to the positions which can stretch people’s capability. As such, it must take studies of people’s behavior and characteristics as reference to develop organizational activities. Personality, attitude, and perception of people, there is no doubt, can be principally viewed as the determinants of which understand people’s behavior and create effective and efficient work groups. Individual refers toRead MoreGot to Get You Into My Life: Do Brand Personalities Rub Off on Consumers? Jcr Report1440 Words   |  6 PagesTitle: â€Å"Got to Get You into My Life: Do Brand Personalities Rub off on Consumers?† Authors: Ji Kyung Park, Deborah Roedder John This report is a study of brand personalities and how they can â€Å"rub off† on their consumers. This is how the consumer perceives themselves after they use that brand. This article is important because it shows how a brand can affect the consumer. If a brand can capture a personality of a certain person, the more likely that person will stick with that brand. BrandRead MoreOrganizational Behavior : An Organization1054 Words   |  5 Pagesthat assistance in achieving the needed performance include understanding the meaning of organizational behavior; individual differences; values, attitudes, and moods and emotions; perception and attribution, and the management of diversity. Organizational Behavior (OB) Defining organizational behavior to be a study of behavior in an organization reveals nothing. An organization is known to be a collection of people who work and manage their actions to achieve a wide variety of goals. These goalsRead MoreThe Effects Of Language On Personality Perception1452 Words   |  6 Pagespersonal perceptions when they switch their own different languages? According to massive recent studies and the theory of linguistic relativity, also known as Whorf-Sapir hypothesis, it does. The effects of language use on personality perception, dialogical expression and even attitudes may come to be associated with a shift in a large array of bilinguals’ personality. To begin with, â€Å"personality is a set of individual differences that are affected by the development of personal perception, wordsRead MorePsy230 Final1203 Words   |  5 Pagesthat the answers do not come quite so easily. Really, forget the answer; the question is what the meaning of life is. Man has asked this question for millennia, and we still search for it today. We have learned a lot in the last nine weeks about personality and how it develops within a person. We have analyzed those we love and ourselves as well. All of this research has led us to nothing but more questions. I believe it is up to the individual to find the purpose and meaning to their own lives. TheRead MorePersonalit Overview1126 Words   |  5 PagesPersonality Overview Nina M Cleary PSY/405 November 5, 2011 Nanda Mendieta, M.S Personality Overview Personality’s definition can be sorted out in many defining terms depending on who may be providing the definition and on whom. Inclusive of consistent emotions, thoughts and behavior patterns in a person is more than what is needed to help us truly understand the concept and define personality. Each one of us should have a clear perception of our personality that wouldRead MoreRetrospective Analysis Of Personality And Personality1120 Words   |  5 Pages Retrospective Analysis of Personality Alberto Villa PSY105: Into To Psychology Professor Dr. Colette Jacquot 9/5/16 â€Æ' Retrospective Analysis of Personality Personality is a blend of genetics, upbringings, and life experiences that makes a person unique. This essay will take a look at my life experiences and describe the changes and constants of my personality. I will also discuss how nurture and nature has an impact on personality traits. Also, there will be identification of biases and comparingRead MoreAdolescent Psychology Essay 31067 Words   |  5 PagesWilhelm Wundt Question: What Is Psychology? One of the most common questions asked by students new to the study of psychology is What is psychology? Misperceptions created by popular media as well as the diverse careers paths of those holding psychology degrees have contributed this confusion. Psychology is both an applied and academic field that studies the human mind and behavior. Research in psychology seeks to understand and explain thought, emotion, and behavior. Applications of psychologyRead MorePsychology Is The Scientific Study Of The Mind And Behavior986 Words   |  4 PagesPsychology is known to be the scientific study of the human’s mind and behavior. Psychology is not the study of extraordinary mind activity like paranormal, extrasensory perception (ESP), astrology, nor phrenology. Psychology is theoretically constructed and uses a standard scientific process to discover evidences of that human’s behavior. Psychology also allows an individual to give special assistance to a specific group of children who could have a difficult time in school by determining their IQ. In

Blood Pressure Free Essays

Hypertension AP 1 Assignment 1 Amanda G. Smith ITT Tech Hypertension: Abnormal blood pressure above 120/80, Prehypertension systolic pressure ranging from 120 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure ranging from 90 to 99 mm Hg. Sage 1 Hypertension: Systolic pressure ranging from 140 to 159 mm Hg, diastolic pressure ranging from 90 to 99 mm Hg. We will write a custom essay sample on Blood Pressure or any similar topic only for you Order Now Stage 2 Hypertension: Systolic pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher a diastolic pressure of 100mm Hg or higher. (WWW. Mayclinic. om/health/high-blood-pressure ) Blood pressure is the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries, the more your heart pumps and the narrower the arteries the higher the blood pressure. It is measured by two numbers Systolic (top number: when the first heart beat is heard after releasing the pressure on the blood pressure cuff), and Diastolic (bottom number: the last heart beat heard when releasing the pressure on the blood pressure cuff. ) Hypertension is classified as a negative feedback system. (see figure on Pg. 728 7th edition AP copy wright 2007 Elane N. Marieb Katja Hoehn) Influence of selected hormones on Variables affecting blood pressure (see table 19. 2 Pg. 129 7th edition AP copy wright 2007 Elane N. Marieb Katja Hoehn) Organ systems involved Cardiovascular system Circulatory System Renal System Respiratory System With Hypertension the body is unable to maintain homeostasis because the heart is unable to maintain a proper heart rate. This may be due to a multitude of diagnoses the Pt. may have. Some Factors of Hypertension include: (Pg. 733, 7th edition AP copy wright 2007 Elane N. Marieb Katja Hoehn) Smoking: Nicotine enhances the sympathetic nervous system’s vasoconstrictor effects, thus narrowing blood vessels, and causing high blood pressure. Diet: Dietary factors that contribute to Hypertension, high intake of sodium: Causes the body to retain fluid, thus increasing blood pressure, saturated fats, cholesterol and deficiencies in certain ions (potassium, calcium, and magnesium. ) To little potassium: Potassium helps balance the amount of sodium in the cells, thus retaining to much sodium, thus retaining fluid and increasing blood pressure. Too little vitamin D: may affect an enzyme produced by the kidneys (renin) affecting blood pressure regulation. Obesity: being overweight can cause high blood pressure. Diabetes Mellitus Stress: Particularly Pts. whose pressure rises during a stressful event. Increase in your heart rate causing the heart to work harder and putting the Pt. at risk for a heart attack. Age: Clinically signs of hypertension usually show after age 40. Women are more likely to develop Hypertension after menopause. Medications: Birth control pills, illegal drugs, cold medications, decongestants. Chronic Hypertension is a common and dangerous disease that warns of increased peripheral resistance. An estimated 30% of people over the age of 50 are hypertensive. Although this â€Å"silent killer† is usually asymptomatic for the first 10 to 20 yrs. , it slowly but surely strains the heart and damages the arteries. Prolonged hypertension is the major cause of heart failure, vascular disease, renal failure and stroke. Because the heart is forced to pump against greater resistance, it larges. When finally strained beyond its capacity to respond, the heart weakens and its walls become flabby. Hypertension also ravages the blood vessels, accelerating the progress of atherosclerosis. As the vessels become increasingly blocked, blood flow to the tissues becomes inadequate and vascular complications appear in the brain, heart, kidneys, and retinas of the eyes. Hypertension is defined physiologically as a condition of sustained arterial pressure of 140/90 or higher, the higher the pressure, greater the risk for serious cardiovascular problems. As a rule, elevated diastolic pressures are more significant medically, because they always indicate progressive occlusion and/ or hardening of the atrial tree. (Pg. 733 7th edition AP copy wright 2007 Elane N. Marieb Katja Hoehn) Education to the PT. The Dr. has diagnosed you with Hypertension. I am going to explain what that means to you. I am also going to send you with some educational materials you can look over when you get home. Blood pressure is the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in yo ur arteries, the more your heart pumps and the narrower the arteries the higher the blood pressure. It is measured by two numbers Systolic (top number: when the first heart beat is heard after releasing the pressure on the blood pressure cuff), and Diastolic (bottom number: the last heart beat heard when releasing the pressure on the blood pressure cuff. ) You should pick up a small blood pressure monitor and take your blood pressure three (3) times a day. In the morning when you wake up, in the afternoon (lunch time) and in the evening before you go to bed. Also anytime in between when you feel your blood pressure to be abnormal. Take a note book and take down all the recordings with date and time. This you will bring back to the Dr. o he/she can proceed with your plan of care. This will also give you a good idea of what your blood pressure ranges. If the Dr. has prescribed any medications, be sure to follow the directions carefully. If you take too much it could result in your blood pressure dropping to rapidly. This will cause you to feel faint and dizzy. Please if you skip a do se contact the Dr. and again do not double up on the medication. Usually you can just take your next dose without any issues. If you are experiencing chest pain call 911 or go to the ER. Make sure you have a healthy diet, keep track of your sodium intake and if you smoke STOP. Make sure you exorcise regularly. Blood pressure runs differently for every person. Normal is 115/75 or 120/80,If it ranges 160 or higher diastolic or 90 or higher systolic contact the Dr. or go to the ER for a BP check. Complications if you do not follow your Dr. ’s orders. (WWW. Mayoclinic. com/health/high-blood-pressure) Heart attack or stroke: High blood pressure can cause hardening and thickening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attack, stroke or other complications. Aneurysm: increased blood pressure can cause your blood vessels to weaken and bulge, forming an aneurysm. If the aneurysm ruptures it can be life threatening. Heart failure: To pump blood against the higher pressure in your vessels, your heart muscle thickens. Eventually, the thickened muscle may have a hard time pumping enough blood to meet your body’s needs, which can lead to heart failure. Thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes: this can lead to vision loss. Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys: this can prevent these organs from functioning normally and can lead to kidney failure. Sources used 7th edition AP copy wright 2007 Elane N. Marieb Katja Hoehn WWW. Mayoclinic. com/health/high-blood-pressure How to cite Blood Pressure, Papers

Understanding the Presidency free essay sample

An analysis of varying models of presidency leadership. This paper details political time, secular time and the modern presidency theory in attempts to understand power and authority in executive leadership. The paper shows that a combination of the political time and secular time models is the best means to measure presidential leadership and provides a nuanced understanding of executive power structures. It explains that this method focuses on political relationships and cycles of political change in American history, utilizing contrast and comparison of smaller groupings to underline political achievement. The President of the United States of America is a position rendering vast and enduring debate regarding the leadership structure of the office and the service capabilities of the person who inhabits the office. The mission of this individual is to faithfully execute and uphold the laws defined by the Constitution and Congress, yet interpretation of this undertaking yields varying leadership in providing for the continuance of the executive office. We will write a custom essay sample on Understanding the Presidency or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page A constant theme in all presidencies to date is the mandate of power and authority each president utilizes in office. Power is an automatic function the executive receives upon entering office. The resources available to the president, and the formal and informal actions the president undertakes define power. Authority is based in how this power is applied; the warrant presidents create to use power. The challenge in this executive authority can be changed by agenda and time period, and is the underlying current in presidential leadership. Scholars use different models to understand this premise, including political time, secular time, and the modern presidency theory. Comprehension of each of these models is the best analysis in understanding presidential leadership.

International Political Economy and Finance

QUIZ What grade you should teach based on your personality

QUIZ What grade you should teach based on your personality Becoming a teacher is such a rewarding fulfilling career. Teachers have the ability to make learning fun with creative spins on new concepts, constantly learning, and being able to still enjoy having summers off. As a teacher, you inspire and impact the lives of many children. Thinking about becoming a teacher but not quite sure what grade you should teach? This quiz is perfect to help you decide what grade you should teach based on your personality.Source [ Playbuzz ]

As a person who has experienced both your own and American culture Essay

As a person who has experienced both your own and American culture - Essay Example On the other hand, other scholars disagree that American fast food brands are that good for China if they increase health problems and promote conformist and materialistic values (O’Connor 162; Zhang, der Lans, and Dagevos 88). The positive effects of the American fast food industry on Chinese society are the promotion of aspirations for success, freedom, equality, and humanity in general and a successful global business model for Chinese businesses in specific, although the American fast food industry also poses the negative effects of poor health and the spreading potentially harmful cultural practices of conformity and superficiality. One of the positive effects of American fast food brands on Chinese culture is the promotion of positive ideals of success. Many Chinese go to Western fast food outlets to experience the American lifestyle, which is largely connected to material success. Chinese consumers want the â€Å"slice of America† that Dan Roberts writes about (168). Lynn Guenette agrees with Roberts because of examples of Chinese consumers do not want to eat rice and congee in McDonald’s because they want to taste American brands and feel emotionally connected to the success of these brands (8). She cites China Daily, where Jeffrey Schwartz, McDonald’s China CEO explains that, in their focus group studies of Chinese consumers, many of them say that they come to McDonald’s â€Å"because [it is] a Western brand, if [they] want to eat rice or congee [they] can eat it at home†¦[they] want to sample the Western brand† (Guenette 8). Guenette says that the Chinese see America n brands and American success as one: â€Å"Being  Ã¢â‚¬Ëœwestern’  is  a  prerequisite  for  success† (4).   The Chinese want American brands because America stands for success and those who consume its brands access status symbols of success. Roberts notes that, though some groups are falling out of love of American brands because of U.S. foreign

Legalization Of Prostitution Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Legalization Of Prostitution - Research Paper Example Nothing in the form of research on prostitution had been done before the nineteenth century, when a flurry of studies, the most famous of which by Dr. William Sanger, were published. Sanger was mainly concerned with who the average prostitute was and why she had chosen or was driven to the lifestyle. The profile showed a woman in her late teens or early twenties, usually illiterate, poor and/or from broken families (Bullough 243). Pre-dating Women’s Liberation, women of the day did not have very many options between being supported by a husband or family, or life on the streets. If one fell into poverty and had little or no education, prospects were bleak. Should a woman fall into social disgrace it seemed little difference if she took to prostitution or not; her reputation was destroyed anyway. â€Å"In his novel, Tess of the DUrbervilles, Hardy paints a different picture of a ruined maid where Tess, seduced and betrayed by an aristocratic libertine, is inevitably driven tow ards her ultimate destruction† (Bartley 1). Many families on the lower economic strata saw nothing wrong with forcing a daughter into prostitution, and many domestics, immigrants, with no money or seduced and abandoned by their rich lovers, saw no other option. (Bullough 243). On the question of should prostitution be legal, and despite Sanger’s rather dire findings, he remained a pro-legalization advocate. â€Å"...if history proves that prostitution can not be suppressed, it also demonstrates that it can be regulated, and directed into channels where its most injurious results can be encountered, and its dangerous tendencies either entirely arrested or materially weakened† (Sanger quoted on ProCon.org, para 2). To legalize or not to legalize continues to be a question that perplexes society. And those who would abolish it, as well as those

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in action Article

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in action - Article Example Kellogg has had a rich history of corporate social responsibility which is designed to address the challenges posed by the dynamic external environment. The company has been involved in a wide range of activities and initiatives which are aimed at enhancing the quality of life both within and beyond the organization. In terms of activities internal to the organization, Kellogg encourages employee volunteerism, promotes diversity at work place and ensures a healthy and safe workplace. It ensures provision and sale of nutritious product in a bid to promote healthy living for all its customers. As a part of its CSR initiatives Kellogg contributes to various institutions which promote healthy living and food consumption among its customers. This includes contribution of funds to YMCAs Activate America campaign, Action for Healthy Kids initiative which is involved in reducing obesity among kids; the Kelloggs Swim Active program which provides swimming facilities to youngsters in the UK, as part of its mission to promote healthy lifestyles; the Global FoodBanking Network which is actively involved in providing hunger-relief to various countries across the world etc., among many others. The motto of the company indicates a strong social commitment as an inherent aspect of its trade, a tradition which the management has followed since over a hundred years. Its dedicated efforts to ensure a safe and healthy environment for its workforce, promotion of equality and diversity at workplace, a dedicated commitment to conserve and protect natural resources for promoting sustainable growth; and a broad social goal of ensuring well being of the community at large, as a part of its corporate social responsibility strategy, helped the company gain widespread acclaim and support. It helped the company in creating a positive reputation in the market, and in generating goodwill among its investors. The company

Bruce Lee And His Martial Arts

Bruce Lee And His Martial Arts Martial arts became known to the world in the 1960s. This is largely due to Bruce Lee and is what he is known for. Still others are ignorant to this and only know that he is a movie star who fights his way to victory. But none of this would be relevant if it were not for the Chinese Americans before him. Malcolm Gladwell would argue that Lees success was handed down to [him] by the history of the community he lived in (Gladwell 204). People that Lee never knew and never had contact with would lead directly to his success. These men and women suffered horrible racist treatment and had no contact with their families overseas, but were the cause for change in American Chinese relations that is of such fundamental importance to the success of Bruce Lee. It was not only the direct men and women in Lees life that allowed him to succeed in America but the lives of an entire ethnic group. Without their suffering and hardships Lee would not have had success in his trials and painful experiences. Chinese Americans status in the United States began changing for the better at the start of WWII and Bruce Lees martial arts influence was the final indication that Asian Americans had successfully been accepted into the national culture. He became a hero to Chinese Americans for making the final advance towards social equality and accomplishing this through the medium of martial arts film. To understand Bruce Lees impact, one must realize the difficulties of times past. Chinese Americans in the late 19th and early 20th century had such a low status and are shunned and disliked by the great majority of [their] countrymen who live in California and are even called names such as sheepeye (Blonde Chinese 475). The Chinese Americans were treated unfairly such as having to pay a 4 dollar tax each month to fish in California and being required to pay for a foreign miners license in order to work in the mines of California while whites did not have to pay for any of these charges. White labor workers even attacked Chinese homes in an attempt to scare off their competition during economic crises and unemployment periods such as in the Panic of 1873. Eventually the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was passed and prohibited Chinese labor immigration. Up through the 1920s this exclusion act was reinforced by congressional acts and the Supreme Court such as the Geary Act of 1892 and i n the case of Fong Yue Ting v. United States (1893) (Tung 19). Justice Field stated that these Chinese laborers are not citizens of the United States; they are aliens (Fong v. US). This case, along with others, made it clear that the general views of Chinese Americans were of aliens that are just here temporarily even if they were born here. There were also continued attempts at preventing Chinese wives from entering the United States such as the 1924 Immigration act and the case of Chang Chan et al. v. John D. Nagle in 1924. Justice McReynolds decided to mandatorily exclude the wives of United States citizens of the Chinese race if such wives are of a race or persons ineligible to citizenship (Chan v. Nagle). This law made it difficult for Chinese Americans to start families and feel at home in the United States. This all soon changed during WWII when several anti immigration laws were created. These policy changes were not the result of public majority but of politicians who wanted to show the China that America cared about Chinas people. The U.S foresaw an alliance with them because China had been at war with Japan since 1937. The United States knew that Japan joining the Axis powers during WWII would lead to an alliance with China who now shared a common enemy and this is why the U.S. wanted to politically befriend the Chinese by changing policy. The first policy passed was the Nationality Act of 1940 that allowed for the naturalization of Chinese Americans and allowed those born in America to become citizens (Bleeker 14). Bruce Lee happened to be born on November 27 in America a month after the passage of the Nationality Act, allowing him to become an American citizen. Lees parents arrived to San Francisco on a tour with the Cantonese Opera Company and they had to return to Hong Kong shortly after Bruce Lee was born due to their visas expiring. Bruce Lees birth supports Gladwells argument of demographic luck playing a factor in deciding a persons opportunity and success. Gladwell states that the sense of possibility so necessary for success comesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦from our time: from the particular opportunities that our particular place in history presents us with (Gladwell 137). Lee came into the world at just the right time to become an American citizen and have martial arts success in this country. It was the perfect time to accomplish this success that acted as the medium for solidifying Chinese Americans identity. Bruce Lee was raised in Hong Kong. Coming from a humble upbringing, Lee was born into a relatively poor family and came into the world a fragile baby. He had cryptorchidism which is when the testicles fail to drop before the child is born. Bruce suffered from the consequences of this well into his college years. But he worked hard and was determined to excel in what he loved, martial arts. This disease impeded the growth of his bones, muscles, and psychological maturity. Overcoming this disease was a real show of his incredible hard work. Bruce was praised for his unbelievable body conditioning, speed, and definition but it was not a natural genetic possibility for Lee to have this body; he had to have an unmatched work ethic (Bleeker 15). But it would be quite some time before he finds his calling of martial arts. Bruce Lee first gained his heart for martial arts in a time of turmoil. It was 1941 and the British, who controlled the city, had surrendered Hong Kong to the Japanese during WWII; with no police power to keep control, the Triads grew exponentially. The postwar world was in one way or another influenced by these organized gangs. Bruce Lee had trouble adapting to a violent world and found no success in school. The hardships of the war left a mental scar on Bruce Lee which caused him to have somewhat of a temper. He would frequently get in trouble at school for acting up in class and fighting he would get suspended for it (Bleeker 16). Lee lost interest in school and by his teen years, he had gotten involved with gangs and soon got into street fights. He wanted to be the best fighter and became involved with martial arts. He went to different masters and no style satisfied him until his father introduced him to master Yip Man and the Wing Chun style. Lee searched for a style that was truly effective in combat and found it with Yip Man; at least until Lee became more knowledgeable about fighting. Lee became obsessed with fighting and was feared locally by his second year of intensive training. He made many Triad enemies and by 1958, his mother decided it would be best if he used his birthright privilege and move to America. When Lee arrived in America, the civil rights movement was in motion and Chinese Americans were beginning to find cultural acceptance. It brought on a new wave of activism by Chinese Americans who began to organize in multi-ethnic groups such as the Asian American Political Alliance and Orientals Concerned from the UCLA campus. Chinese Americans wanted to be socially integrated into America and sought to gain their identity as Americans. Bruce Lee adventurously arrived in Washington happy to be in a new place because for the first time in his adolescent-adult years he was not living the life of a street gang member in Hong Kong (Bleeker 23). Lee became engaged in the Chinese cultural acceptance movement, at least unintentially, by teaching martial arts to local students. He did this to make money and attend the University of Washington as a philosophy major but had to drop out in 1964 because he ran out of funds. This short college life proved to be useful because it allowed him to g ain enough students to open an official teaching location in Seattle which he would name the Jun Fan Kung-Fu Institution and it is where he found his wife-to-be, Linda Emery. He was among the first in the nation to openly teach non-Asians the way of Kung-Fu. This was good for competition for he had a larger customer base, but it was also bad because he became hated within the martial arts circle for allowing non-Asians to learn their ways; however, this helped him gain national recognition. Once Lee was starting to get established, he could now experiment with the martial arts style he was creating called Jeet Kune Do. This is where Bruce Lee blended his philosophy with martial arts. He sought to create a martial art thats sole purpose was efficiency and combat effectiveness that does away with the distinction of branches,[and is] an art that rejects formality, andà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦is liberated fromà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦tradition[s] established by ancient martial art styles (Little, Jeet Kune Do 47). He was frustrated with the current state of martial arts and hated how most solely focused on traditions and unnecessary movements that resembled dance. He argued that these fighting styles were once created by men who experimented to find effective means to fight. Lee is disappointed how society fails to see this and blindly follows abstraction and mystery [until their movements] resemble anything from acrobatics to modern dancing but [never] the actual reality of combat (qtd. in In osanto, Jeet Kune Do 48). Throughout his life Lee tried to spread his passion of rebellion from the traditional styles and was discovered by peers in America and soon the world. To show his commitment to his ideology, he never competed in a martial arts bout because it was limited by rules and restrictions. Lee would only fight if there were absolutely no rules; he was a true street fighter. Bruce Lee first gained national recognition at the first International Karate Championships held in 1964. He attended and showed off his new style and incredible abilities that lead to his discovery by a film producer. And the film career was soon launched and he first played Kato in the Batman TV series and then on the Green Hornet Series in 1966. This was the first time an Asian man was given a significant role in an American TV series (Fu, 29). It also provided a weekly awareness to Americans about martial arts. Up to this point, Kung FU was relatively unknown to the western work, at least to the general public. But his most famous work came from the films titled Fists Of Fury (1972) and Enter the Dragon (1973) (Little 17). These two films immortalized Bruce Lee as a pop cultural icon. But he would not live to see this through; he died suddenly on July 20, 1973 by a cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) caused by a pain killer given to him by Betty Ting, who he was working with a t the time. He started a rebellion against tradition that could not have come in no other time then the 60s and could not have occurred anywhere else except in America. It was a time when people did not want to follow the rules of a system that were created long ago and this was reflected in his martial arts style of Jeet Kune Do and in turn reflected by his short-lived success in the film industry. He brought an Asian cultural impact to America that effectively introduced Chinese culture to the broad society using the medium of film. This was done by combining Western techniques with Eastern motifs [that are] easily understandable [by] non-Asian audiences (Dresser 138). His work was somewhat of a soft-opener for the American people to witness and accept Asian culture and ultimately it proved effective. The word martial art is a general term that does not indicate a specific quantitative achievement of Lee. He went beyond simply introducing this large subject to the West; he started revolutions within the field. America proved to be Lees decisive point of origin for Jeet Kune Do, the popularization of cross-training, a scientific approach to martial arts, American freestyle karate, the widespread move towards mixed- or no-holds-barred-martial arts, and much in the way of self-help ideology (Bowman 179).

Origins of Prehistoric People in North and South America Essay

Introduction Researches on the beginnings of coastal adaptation and exploitation of maritime adaptations have been carried out by John Erlandson and colleagues. There are existing anthropological theories which are over 10, 000 BP but Erlandson believes that the societies of hunter-gather used aquatic resources and among them were popular terrestrial hunter-gatherers (Slaymaker, 2007). This has been challenging since it is difficult to define exactly constitutes of fully maritime culture. There is also the change in environment in which there are rise and fall of sea levels and erosion of coastal environments. This paper discusses different theories that have emerged on the origin of early Americans. It looks at the Clovis first model, coastal migration theory which is based on Kelp Highway Hypothesis. Further it describes the Laurentide and Cordilleran ice sheets that might have facilitated the migration of early Americans. Finally it explains the scientific method and the reason why this metho d cannot be applied in determining the origin of the first Americans. The origin of the North and South America has raised concerns for many years. Archaeologists in 1927, who was working near Folsom, New Mexico found a stone spear point embedded in the rib cage of an extinct bison. This gave a hint of the existence of mammals and that humans had arrived in North America in the late Pleistocene. This was about 11000 years ago. Years later, a long spear was also discovered near Clovis in New Mexico that was believed to have existed 11200 years ago (Straus, 1996). Clovis first theory At this time of the discovery of Clovis and Folsom, Clovis first theory with little evidence developed and was accepted as fact. The theory claimed... ... References Grandson, J. (1994). Early hunter-gatherers of the California coast. New York: Plenum Press. Erlandson, J., Rick, T. C., & Vellanoweth, R. L. (2008). A canyon through time: Archaeology, history, and ecology of the Tecolote Canyon area, Santa Barbara County, California. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press. Goudie, A., & Parker, A. (2013). Global environments through the Quaternary: Exploring environmental change. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Lucassen, J., Lucassen, L., & Manning, P. (2010). Migration history in world history: Multidisciplinary approaches. Leiden: Brill. Slaymaker, O., & Kelly, R. E. J. (2007). The cryosphere and global environmental change. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub. Straus, L. G. (1996). Humans at the end of the Ice Age: The archaeology of the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. New York [u.a.: Plenum Press.

A Golden Age: 1960s

The 1960s era, commonly referred to as the â€Å"Golden Age†, represents a fascinating turning point for economic and post war policies world over. It was a decade stretch that lasted soon after the Second World War to initial oil crisis that began in 1973.Recognized economists, politicians and senior government officials have deliberated upon the socio-economic policies and their consequences during that period.There has been much speculation concerning whether there were errors in the 1960s economic policies that could have contributed to the great inflation of the 1970s. Key players’ roles in that era’s major economic decisions are scrutinized to establish their positive and negative contributions to the great economic boom and the negatively perceived inflation.Some of these figures included Lord O’Brien who was the Bank of England’s Governor between 1966 and 1973. The considerations were both from an official or a political position held by the individuals.However, even with the inflation, the 1960s decade seem to be an economic golden age as viewed from the 1990s perspective due to the major economic reformations and inventions that took place during the period. It is in this respect regarded as an economic apogee whose high/crest preceded the tribulations decent that followed. National income’s growth rate was faster than ever in history (Jason, 2001, p.45).The unemployment level in Britain for example remained below 2.5% of the total labour. In many instances, it remained below 2%, far much below the proceeding two decades. For most of this golden decade, the inflation averaged below 4% even though it was a reason for major concern especially as it rose to between 5-6% in and within the last 2 years of the decade.The 1967 balance of payments devaluation particularly led to surplus that was very healthy after it was affected to abide to post war years problems.Generally, 1960s is regarded as a social and economic policy experimental period where major innovations took place and resulted to admirably noteworthy economic revolutions. In Britain for example the endless departures successions in the countries fiscal policies including gains in capital tax, regulatory tax, selective employment and corporation tax were major economic factors on the one side of the ledger whereas grants on investments and regional employment premiums comprised the other (Diller, 1995, p.23).The National Plan and the National Economic Development Council were the major economic organs of the government that attempted to accelerate the economic growth rate especially through the use of long successive experimentation of income policies to control inflation.Industrial restructuring was done through the industrial reconstruction corporation as a concerted effort to have an overhaul of the industrial. The 25% premium surrender on investment currency on temporary surcharged imports played a vital role in the balance of payments operations as efforts were made to join the European Community.Other methods included opening of new universities as well as relaxation of procedures of Open University Learning system. This was facilitated by relaxations in the â€Å"permissiveness† law.However, the golden age survivors usually do not see back to it with any particular individual resounding success. Most of them don’t have the feeling that they had singularly been carried or blessed for the successes but are sometimes retrospective on the fact that this period was also characterized by crises especially the balance of payments crisis.Notably, the long uncertainties of currency, the 1968 catastrophic prediction of the following years and the long deferred 1967 devaluation to reduce difficulties in the balance of payments were some of these crises. And several years later, a number of the 1960s experiments were abandoned (Caircross, 1992, p.13).Furthermore, the 1990s reappearances of difficulti es in the balance of payments may perhaps revive the experiments and crises of the 1960s.Considering for example the narrowly fixed exchange rate limits within the European monetary system, and the external deficit that is enormously increasing, the temptation to revert to the golden age policies and innovations is quite strong. Britain’s dilemma comes from an inclination of great magnitude of restoring her competitive power.Other countries of the world have also experienced these difficulties as well although different world industrial economies experience substantiated differential effects.This is especially considering the fact that continental countries had a faster growth rate as compared to the UK but in the 1950s they grew less fast than the UK did. All countries therefore had their unique problems.Paris experienced riots and a strike that almost brought the government down early in 1968, between 1969-70 Germany suffered a great inflation than at any other time after t he war whereas French franc devalued within one year after the sterling pound and again towards the end of the golden decade (Stuart, 1999, p.32).

British Airways- Case Study Essay Essay Example

British Airways British Airways- Case Study Essay Paper British Airways- Case Study Essay Paper The scenario upon which this paper is based relates to the British Airways Swipe Card Debacle instance survey from the text edition. Managing Organizational Change: A Multiple Perspective Approach ( Akin. Dunford. A ; Palmer. 2009 ) . The intent of this paper is to analyse and discourse the organisational alteration associated to the execution of a new swipe card system that led to strike of over 250 British Airways check-in staff. losing 40 million lbs and negatively set uping the company’s repute. Additionally. this paper will associate the instance survey to several alteration attacks ( organisational development. sense-making. alteration direction. eventuality. and processual ) and place cardinal issues. Additionally. this paper will analyze the instance survey from my position. as if I were a hired alteration adviser for British Airways responsible for supplying advise and recommendations on how to avoid this type of state of affairs. Additionally. as a alteration advise r. I provide my recommendation as to what possible alteration attack or combinations of a alteration attack would hold been best to utilize for the swipe card alteration enterprise. Change Perspective and Key Issues Prior to traveling into being able to efficaciously supply advise and recommendations on this instance survey. it is first of import to discourse facets of different alteration attacks. Additionally. associate cardinal issues of the swipe card fiasco to these alteration attacks. With that. this subdivision paper will concentrate on identify specific facets of the undermentioned alteration attacks and how these facets relate to the instance survey: organisational development. sense-making. alteration direction. eventuality. and processual. Organizational Development Approach The organisational development alteration attack is a good thought through and exhaustively planned alteration attack that focuses on staff development. Additionally. one of the cardinal facets to the organisational development attack is the importance placed on the demand to organize groups and squads. which work together to organize the cardinal focal point for alteration ( Akin. Dunford. A ; Palmer. 2009 ) . Unfortunately. this really of import feature of organisational development attack was genuinely non used as portion of the alteration attack for the swipe card execution. For case. if groups and squads were created to organize the cardinal focal point for the alteration. none of the 250 check-in staff were invited to take part. Sense-making Approach The sense-making attack is really similar to Kurt Lewin’s organisational alteration theoretical account. At a high-level. this theoretical account has three primary phases known as Unfreeze ( placing where the company is at. in relation to environmental alteration and organisational construction ) . Change ( period of clip where the alteration is being made ) . and Refreeze ( alteration is complete and the organisation has embedded the alteration within its civilization ) ( Levasseur. 2001 ) . However. there is one rebuff difference with the sense-making attack. in that the 2nd phase is more the about rebalance where the organisation balances the external environment with its internal environment. An illustration of a cardinal issue associated to this from the instance survey is the fact that it appears those responsible for the Future Size and Shape recovery plan. did non take the first phase into consideration. More specifically. the group did non factor in how the company w as still retrieving from environmental alterations such as. 9/11. Iraqi war. and SARS. Additionally. did non see if this was the right clip for this type of alteration. Change Management ApproachThere are several different alteration direction attacks but the one focused on within this paper is the alteration direction attack Ten Commandments attack. developed by Rosabeth Moss Kanter. Barry A. Stein. and Todd D. Jick. In the book. The Challenges of Organizational Change. Kanter. Stein. and Jick elaborate on what they believe to be the necessary stairss to efficaciously implement alteration within an organisation. One of these stairss. which is something that was non executed in the swipe card fiasco. is the measure to make a shared vision. While the Future Size and Shape project squad may hold had a shared vision of the swipe card alteration. this same vision was decidedly non shared by the 250 check-in staff. Contingency Approach Similar to the alteration direction attack. the eventuality attack has many different fluctuations. For case. one of these attacks is categorized into the undermentioned four ideal types: commanding ( alteration intercession. directed by leading and is typically driven by the demand to implement rapidly and suddenly ) . technology ( change agent. who besides acts as an analyst implements the alteration along with those who planing the alteration to procedure and systems ) . learning ( 3rd party advisers work with internal staff to help with identify new ways of operation and is change intercession that is a long-run program ) . and socialising ( democratic attack that is a gradual alteration procedure attack ) ( Huy. 2001 ) . Each of these attacks are acceptable but may non all work in every type of state of affairs. For case. within the British Airways instance survey. it seems as though the undertaking squad chose to use the dominating attack for the execution of the swipe cards. T he check-in staff were wholly immune to non merely the swipe card alteration but were besides immune to the existent attack taken to implement that alteration. Processual Approach Similar to the sense-making attack. the processual attack besides looks at the relationship of external and internal environments. However. with the processual attack. it focuses on the restraints and chances of both environments. Within the instance survey. the undertaking squad did non take into consideration how the external environment impacts the internal environment and how the internal environment besides effects the staff. For case. the staff being on border and untrusting of alteration was a consequence state of affairss and alterations both internally ( one Forth decrease in staff ) and externally ( environmental jars like inroads on its markets from budget rivals ) . The combination of these state of affairss. led to the staff being fearful and overreacting to the possibility that the new swipe card procedure could take to another decrease in staff. Change Consultant As a alteration adviser for British Airways. I would supply the undermentioned list of lessons learned from the swipe card fiasco: deficiency in including those straight affected by alteration can take to staff being uncomfortable and unsure about a alteration ; deficiency of taking internal and external environments into consideration is non to the full understanding the cumulative consequence that these have on the staff ; taking a dominating attack to implement alteration can take to staff differing with the manner a alteration is being managed ; and deficiency of communicating and deriving buy-in on alteration can take staff to believe that the alteration could hold negative downstream impact. In order to forestall this in the hereafter. I would rede them to take a different attack by holding staff be more involved with undertakings and include them as portion of the undertaking squads. Additionally. leting the staff clip to absorb the fact that there will be alterations in the hereafter and giving them a platform to be able to inquire inquiries. In add-on to supplying the staff a platform. leading besides needs to promote the staff to inquire inquiries and guarantee them that there will non be any recoil for those who do hold inquiries about the alteration. Last. as a alteration adviser. I would emphasis the importance sing the organisation from a birds-eye position ( intending that leading the context of the state of affairs from an internal and external position ) . If they would hold stepped back and looked all the external and internal factors prior to implementing the swipe card alteration. they may hold seen that implementing alteration over a holiday weekend might non be the best clip. they might hold identify staff moral being low due to internal decrease in force. and the fact that the company was fighting to retrieve from other external environmental jars. While there are many alteration attacks that may be suited for this type of alteration enterprise. it is my sentiment that the best attack for this alteration would hold been to utilize the Ten Commandments alter direction procedure. The ground for this is that it would hold resolved and perchance prevented the reaction that staff had towards the execution of swipe card because this alteration attack includes making a shared vision. affecting staff. holding the support of leading and political sponsorship. and developing an execution program ( Barry. Kanter. A ; Jick. 1992 ) . Decision Based on the information provided in the instance survey about the swipe card fiasco at British Airways and comparing cardinal issues to assorted alteration attacks. it can be seen that there are many countries where direction taken a different attack to the alteration. If a different attack was taken. it could hold easy lead to a successful swipe card execution versus the result that lead to the 250-check in staff. losing 40 million lbs and negatively set uping the company’s repute. MentionsAkin. G. . Dunford. R. . A ; Palmer. I. ( 2009 ) . Pull offing organisational alteration: a multiple position attack ( 2nd. Ed ) . New York. New york: McGraw-Hill Huy. Q. N. 2001. Time. temporal capableness. and planned alteration. Academy of Management Review 26 ( 4 ) :601–23 Kanter. R. M. . Stein. B. A. . A ; Jick. T. D. ( 1992 ) . The challenge of organisational alteration. New York. New york: Free Press. Levasseur. R. E. ( 2001 ) . People Skills: Change Management Tools–Lewin’s Change Model. Interfaces. 31 ( 4 ) . 71.

Ben Franklin BiographyCritique essays

Ben Franklin BiographyCritique essays In his many careers as a printer, moralist, essayist, civic leader, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, and philosopher, for later generations of Americans he became both a spokesman and a model for the national character. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on Jan. 17, 1706, into a religious Puritan household. His father, Josiah, was a candlemaker and a skillful mechanic. His mother, Abiah Bens parents raised thirteen childrenthe survivors of Josiahs seventeen children by two wives (#1). Franklin left school at ten years old when he was pressed into his father's trade. At twelve Ben was apprenticed to his half brother James, a printer of The New England Courant. He generally absorbed the values and philosophy of the English Enlightenment. At the age of 16, Franklin wrote some pieces for the Courant signed "Silence Dogood," in which he parodied the Boston authorities and society (#3). At one point James Franklin was imprisoned for his liberal statements, and Benjamin carried on the paper himself. Having thus learned to resist oppression, Benjamin refused to suffer his brother's own domineering qualities and in 1723 ran away to Philadelphia (#1). Soon Franklin found a job as a printer. After a year he went to England, where he became a master printer, sowed some wild oats, amazed the locals with his swimming feats, and lived among inspiring writers of London. By 1726 Franklin was tiring of London (#1). He considered becoming an itinerant teacher of swimming, but when a Quaker merchant by the name of Thomas Denham offered him a clerkship in his store in Philadelphia, he decided to return home (#5). Returning to Philadelphia in 1726, he soon owned a newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, and began to print Poor Richard's Almanac. In the Pennsylvania Gazette, a citizen asked editor Franklin the following question: "If A found out that his neighbor B was sleeping with his wife, was he justified in telling B's w...

Globilzation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Globilzation - Essay Example Thus economic forces enabled international marketing to get energized and, which in turn, set in the challenging assignment of making commercial sense out of cultures to which wares were marketed. Devetak and Higgott explain how globalization has brought about a weakening of an intra national social bond. They further posit that ongoing process of globalization causes constant disruption in existing social bond. It is their view that "under conditions of globalization, assumptions made about the social bond are changing; .... the article concludes that the prospects for a satisfactory synthesis of a liberal economic theory of globalization, a normative political theory of the global public domain, and a new social bond are remote"(Devetak & Higgott 1999). Again, in a slightly different context, Phillip W.Jones makes a statement which is extremely relevant to the definition of globalization in present context. Jones states that," The logic of globalization contrasts markedly with that of internationalism. The latter, with its intrinsically democratic foundation, looks to a world ordered by structures supportive of that functionalism which is embedded in accountability. Globalization, by contrast, implies few logical imperatives in favor of accountability, but rather looks to the pursuit of interest on the global level through the operation of unfettered capitalism"(Jones,1998).According to Jones view international marketing efforts in new cultural milieu would fall in the category of 'globalization' as defined by him. However multinational corporations take a broader view of their international marketing efforts and venture in new international markets only after completing a thorough study of local cultures. New technological develop ments, improvements in communication, growth in transnational infrastructure and liberalizing of trade and capital flows have enabled entrepreneurs the globe over to deploy and run their capitals chasing markets the globe over. The globalization aligned attitudes of IMF and World Bank are exemplified with clarity by Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank, when he says that," The key aim of today's policy makers has not changed compared to those at the Bretton Woods times - it has been, and still is, global prosperity and stability - but the environment in which we are acting has changed profoundly......Today we are striving for stability of the international financial system in a world of free capital flows with a growing importance of private flows and increasing trade and financial integration"(Trichet, 2004).As Roby says," world-wide output and trade have grown apace with market openings and the rise of efficient global business networks these past 15 years. An entrepreneurial class is energizing once-stagnant command economies" (Roby, 2005). It is at once apparent that this 'entrepreneurial class' is essentially limited in number the globe over and its population effectively determines the contours of globalization. Washington Consensus John Williamson, the person responsible for the phrase Washington Consens

Company risk management analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Company risk management analysis - Assignment Example A year later in 1988 Vodafone was listed on the stock exchange. After three years in 1991, Vodafone separated from Racal Electronics and since that time, it was quoted as Vodafone in the stock exchange. In 1999, Vodafone merged with AirTouch Communication producing one company known as Vodafone Airtouch plc. The dawn of the twenty-first century saw greater developments for Vodafone Plc as it introduced Vodafone Live! in 2002 and went on to commercially launch its 3G services in Europe. A year later in 2005 the company launched a fixed mobile convergence product in Germany called Zuhause and acquired controlling interests on Hutchison Essar Limited in India. Since 2007, the company has been involved in a number of acquisitions and partnerships in Europe, Asia and Africa. Currently, Vodafone holds a market leadership position as the largest mobile carrier in terms of subscriber base. Vodafone’s Business Model Business models are very important for the existence of every business enterprise (Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon, and Ricart 2011). Models give a business a sense of direction and purpose (Chesbrough 2010) and basically define what the business is all about, what it seeks to achieve and the steps it will take to achieve the outcomes (Osterwalder and Pigneur 2010). The business model of Vodafone Plc is quite simple; it consists of five steps with the shareholder in between. The first element in the model consists of Assets; these include networks, supplier relationships, distribution, people, and brand (Vodafone 2013). Vodafone aims to have a great mobile network in all of the markets in which it operates. This mainly involves providing their customers with far-reaching coverage, reliable mobile connections, and increasing speeds and data capacity. Figure 1: Vodafone’s Business Model (Source: Vodafone 2013) Vodafone plc indicates in its annual report (2013) that it combines ongoing high level of network investment with a commitment to securing the b est possible portfolio of the spectrum. The next asset for Vodafone is people; the company has a highly skilled, motivated and diverse workforce. Vodafone expects its employees to be key in advocating for its products and services. Distribution is the other asset owned by Vodafone; the company reaches its customers through the over 15 thousand stores it owns as well as through a broad network of exclusive distribution partners and third-party retailers. According to Vodafone (2013), the Internet is becoming an increasingly important channel for distribution. The fourth item is the brand; Vodafone is ranked as one of the first most valuable telecoms brands in the world being worth over US$27 billion. This brand strength is one of the major drivers of purchasing decisions for consumers and enterprise customers. The final asset listed by Vodafone is its supplier relationships, the company has a large-scale global reach and is a key strategic partner with a large number of suppliers wit h whom it works together to develop innovative services and offer many new innovations. The next element in Vodafone’s business model is it its customers. According to Vodafone (2013), the company boasts over 404 million customers globally making it one of the biggest mobile operators in the world. The ranges of its customer

Is OIL a Resource Curse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Is OIL a Resource Curse - Essay Example This is because the citizens are unable to account on the spending of the money derived from exporting oil. Additionally, the resource leads to unprecedented rate of conflict. In fact, the wealth of resources in any country appears to correlate with conflict. This is because government relies on resources and delinks itself from people. This arises due to lack of accountability that could have been achieved by taxing. However, such governments do not need to tax its people as oil generates enough resources to run the government. This makes the government unaccountable to its people. However, there are ways in which some of the government are solving the resource curse. This involves use of some of the resources generated to offer incentives to the citizens. Moreover, the money is also channelled to social welfare to cater for the aged and less privileged in the society. In addition, some governments have focused on ensuring there is accountability in the sector. This takes place through offering information about the nation revenue and expenditure (Stapleton n.d). Additionally, other governments are in the process of developing legislation to address transparency in the oil sector. All these initiatives are believed to offer solutions to resource curse

Importance of Education Essay Example for Free

Importance of Education Essay The Importance of Education: What is the right way to educate? Our society has forgotten that the reason schools exist is to create minds not careers. Education plays a critical role in the development of our humanity. What is the appropriate approach to educate our students in order for them to succeed? Motivation is their key to success quite simply. A teacher humiliating a student in front of their classmates can lead to a negative impact in the student’s lifetime such as: becoming unsocial and causing them a mental discomfort in which in turn could lead to something far more sinister. In the article The Differences Between us: French and American Classrooms mentions a French film The Class, in which a teacher makes fun of his students after they respond incorrectly to a question. â€Å"When they too fail, he in turn ridicules them. Later, losing his temper at two students, he labels them what roughly translates as bitches† (Gillard). This teacher is unaware of the impact his remarks may have on the students being insulted. The students are being emotionally and verbally abused. The first five minutes on her first day she was mortified to tears by a teacher outraged that she had rushed in after the bell while her peers waited beside their desks† (Gillard). Some of the various effects emotional abuse may cause are bringing the students’ self-esteem level down, making them insecure, and therefore developing severe depression. Statistics show that last year’s students have been victims of verbal abuse. â€Å"36. 5 % of youth grades nine through twelve have attempted suicide. 20. % of those attempts resulted in medical care† (compassionpower. com). In the United States we believe in equality among all students. Providing accommodations for those with learning disabilities, this subject is clearly what differentiates the U. S education system from that of other countries. â€Å"Educators rolled their eyes when I asked about in-class accommodations for learning disabilities and individualized education plans† (Gillard). When other countries compare their students to those of the U.  S they should keep in mind they are competing against those with learning disabilities as well. â€Å"I was present for the dictation, given in a first grade class that had three little boys in a state of collapse† (Gillard). Education in France and other nations start children so early in their development and harsh education plan that at such an early stage they to become insecure. The U. S knows there is a need in reforming education. They already have reforms taking place such as the five pillars mentioned by President Obama. Investing in early childhood initiatives like Head Start; encouraging better standards and assessments, by focusing on testing itineraries that better fit our kids and the world they live in; recruiting, preparing, and rewarding outstanding teachers, by giving incentives for a new generation of teachers and for new levels of excellence from all of our teachers. Promoting innovation and excellence in America’s schools by supporting charter schools, reforming the school calendar and the structure of the school day. Providing every American with a quality higher educationwhether its college or technical training (whitehouse. gov). â€Å"Statistics show the percentage of high school dropouts among 16-24 year olds declined from 11. 8 percent in 1998 to 8. 1 percent in 2009† (afterschoolstars. org). Being sociable is fundamental in a career furthermore, in opening greater job opportunities. After school activities have been proven to help reduce the use of drugs, smoking, drinking and engaging in sexual activity. Last but not least, activities help decrease the chances of been overweight. The school ran from 8am to 5pm with a two hour long gaps scattered throughout the schedule. This structure precluded school-wide socializing as well as sponsored afternoon sports or drama activities† (Gillard). The French education plan is misleading their students from their road to success, by engaging them in being unsociable. Countries such as France are already verbally abusing children and making them have issues such as been unsociable that preventing them from taking part of after school activities is just crossing the line. In the book Me Talk Pretty One Day David an American student is studying French in France. He came into class confident in the several words he had learned, until he heard his teacher’s remarks to his classmate’s answers. â€Å"More to the point, how often is one asked and then publicly ridiculed for his answer? † (Sedaris). This French teacher now has not only scared them away but limited the chance of them asking questions in regards to the subject been studied. Asking questions helps a student understand the subject at a greater extend. â€Å"Our daughter described the terror she felt and er peers showed when making presentations in a philosophy class, stuttering in the face of the teachers frequent interruptions of â€Å" unimpressive,† or, â€Å"really? † (Gillard). Making these comments the students learn to feel unconfident in their work and themselves. Other countries should definitely consider reforming the way their teachers educate their students. â€Å"A positive learning climate in a school for young children is a composite of many things. It is an attitude that respects children. It is a place where children receive guidance and encouragement from the responsible adults around them. It is an environment where children can experiment and try out new ideas without fear of failure. It is an atmosphere that builds children self-confidence so that they dare to take risks. It is an environment that nurtures the love of learning,† (quotes. dictionary. com). Teachers should only bring in positive feedback to their students and point out their mistakes to show them where they went wrong. Our society is under so much pressure to succeed. Students need to realize it is ok to be wrong, practice makes perfect. Teachers in other countries need to become more educated to be aware that they are emotionally and verbally scarring students. The U. S equality among students is a subject that should be mimicked by other countries. As our population increases more and more students are becoming victims of this unprofessional â€Å"teachers†. These countries need to stop competing for top scores and focus on the way teachers are applying education to students. The consequences can be life changing. Education should be considered a sacred privilege that all children must have to excel.

Garlic And Abate As Larvicide Against Mosquito Larvae Biology Essay

Garlic And Abate As Larvicide Against Mosquito Larvae Biology Essay This experiment was designed to investigate and compare the effectiveness of garlic as the natural larvicide and Abate as the chemical larvicide against mosquito larvae. The effectiveness of the larvicides was determined by the time taken for all the mosquito larvae to be killed. The mosquito larvae were placed in separate plastic cups containing garlic extract and Abate respectively. They were monitored at fixed time intervals and the time taken for all the mosquito larvae to die was recorded. The experiment was repeated with different concentrations of garlic extract and Abate. A two-way ANOVA statistical test showed that Abate is more effective against mosquito larvae at 5% significance level compared to garlic, corresponding to the experimental hypothesis. Research and Rationale Mosquitoes originate from the family Culicidae.13 Like many other insects, they go through a life cycle from egg to larva, pupa and finally adult. They are generally well-known as blood-sucking insects to human and they are responsible for many fatal diseases such as dengue, malaria and yellow fever. Some commonly known genera are Aedes, Culex and Anopheles. Usually, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water like ponds, marshes and swamps and they thrive in warm climates.9 (210 words) In order to control mosquitoes, chemical larvicides are used. One commonly used larvicide, Abate is applied to stagnant water to kill larvae of a wide range of pathogen-carrying vectors (mosquitoes) to hinder their development into adult mosquitoes.2 Consequently, this prevents disease-carrying mosquitoes from hatching and transmitting the pathogens to human via bites. Although the active ingredient of Abate, temephos is said to be effective against mosquito larvae (affects the nervous system by inhibiting cholinesterase enzyme), it has its downsides. Research has shown that certain mosquito species (Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti) have developed resistance for Abate.4 In addition, rats exposed to temephus showed organic phosphorus poisoning while some fish are vulnerable to temephus. Temephus also harm inverterbates such as shrimps and crabs. Accumulation of temephus may also cause drastic impacts on cholinesterase activity involved in nerve signal transmission.6 Plant extracts such as those of garlic are potential alternatives to Abate. Crushing garlic releases thiosulfinates which convert into diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide if mixed with water.10 These two products formed are effective against mosquito larvae. Trials conducted in Bombay have shown that several species of mosquito larvae are susceptible to garlic extracts. Allicin helps to curb malaria by preventing the formation of circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium sporozoites to infect host cells.10 They are effective, safe, environmental-friendly and economical. The objective of this experiment was to investigate and compare the effectiveness of garlic as the natural larvicide and Abate as the chemical larvicide against mosquito larvae. The results from this experiment indicate that the spread of pathogen-causing diseases by mosquitoes can be curbed by using natural substances such as garlic as well as chemical larvicide like Abate. Garlic is a potential alternative to Abate as it is effective, easily available and eco-friendly. Although it might not be as fast-acting as chemical larvicides, garlic has none of the downsides of Abate such as accumulating in the environment and killing other invertebrates. Thus, more research is being conducted to investigate the efficiency of garlic as a larvicide. (545 words) Experimental hypothesis There is a significant difference between the effectiveness of garlic and Abate as larvicide. Abate is more effective larvicide compared to garlic. Null hypothesis There is no significant difference between the effectiveness of garlic and Abate as larvicide. Variables Manipulated variable : Types of substances Responding variable : Time taken for all the larvae to die Fixed variables : Number of mosquito larvae, volume of distilled water, room temperature Apparatus 100mL measuring cylinder, electronic balance, plastic cups, label stickers, pestle and mortar, disposable droppers, glass rod Materials Mosquito larvae, garlic cloves, cinnamon powder, fennel powder, Abate 1.1G, distilled water Planning A trial experiment was conducted to determine which natural substance has the most significant effect on mosquito larvae. The three natural substances used were cinnamon powder, fennel power and garlic cloves. Three labelled plastic cups were used. About 1% of each respective natural substance extracts were made by either dissolving 1g of the powder in 100mL of distilled water or pounding 1g of garlic and then mix with 100mL distilled water. Using a disposable dropper, 5 mosquito larvae were inserted into each cup and they were allowed to sit for 24 hours. The number of mosquito larvae left after 24 hours was counted. (750 words) Types of natural substances Number of mosquito larvae left after 24 hours Cinnamon 3 Fennel 5 Garlic 0 Table 1: Number of mosquito larvae left after 24 hours with respect to natural substances The results imply that garlic showed the most significant effect on mosquito larvae since none of the mosquito larvae was left after 24 hours. A second trial was carried out to determine the method to measure the effectiveness of garlic and Abate. The first method was to count the number of mosquito larvae left after 24 hours while the second was to measure the time taken for all larvae to die. Three concentrations were used for each substance and method. Substance Number of mosquito larvae left after 24 hours for each concentration 1% 2% 3% Garlic 0 0 0 Abate 0 0 0 Table 2: Calculating the number of mosquito larvae left after 24 hours Substance Time taken for all larvae to die for each concentration (minutes) 1% 2% 3% Garlic 420 360 120 Abate 90 75 55 Table 3: Measuring the time taken for all larvae to die The results showed that method 1 was not practical to use since no mosquito larvae is left after 24 hours for both garlic and Abate. Therefore, method 2, which is to measure the time taken for all larvae to die, was used to compare the effectiveness of both substances as larvicides. (983 words) Real Experimental Procedures 1g of garlic clove was weighed using an electronic balance. The garlic clove was placed in a mortar and it was pounded lightly using the pestle to obtain garlic extract. 100mL distilled water was measured using a measuring cylinder and it was poured into the mortar to form an extract solution of concentration 1%. The solution was then transferred into a labelled plastic cup. Using a disposable dropper, five mosquito larvae were transferred into the beaker. At 5-minutes interval, the number of dead mosquito larvae in the beaker was counted and recorded to measure the time taken for all larvae to die. Dead larvae are those that cannot be induced to move when they are touched with the tip of the dropper. Steps 1 to 6 are repeated twice to obtain an average time taken. Steps 1 to 7 are repeated for garlic cloves of 2g, 3g 4g and 5g. The time taken for all larvae to die for each respective garlic concentration was tabulated. Steps 1 to 9 were repeated using 1g, 2g, 3g, 4g and 5g of Abate 1.1. A graph of mean time taken for all larvae to die against concentration of larvicides was plotted. A two-way ANOVA test was used to analyse the data statistically. Risk Assessment The experimental procedure is ranked low-risk. The risk of accidental introduction of mosquito into the environment had been considered and precautions were taken to ensure that pupae which had developed into mosquitoes were not released, but killed in the water. The container containing larvae were closed at all time. Gloves were worn to avoid direct contact with Abate which is toxic. Hands were washed before and after handling garlic extract, Abate and mosquito larvae. After using droppers, they were disposed properly. When the experiment had completed, the solution containing dead mosquito larvae were drained into the laboratory sink. (1307 words) Results Concentrations (%) Time taken for all mosquito larvae to die (minutes) Garlic Abate1.1G 1 2 3 Mean 1 2 3 Mean 1 360 345 370 358.3 90 85 90 88.3 2 300 310 300 303.3 75 75 70 73.3 3 120 115 120 118.3 55 50 60 55.0 4 100 90 110 100.0 45 40 40 41.7 5 80 80 70 76.7 30 35 35 33.3 Table 4: Time taken for all larvae to die for different concentrations of garlic and Abate Figure 1: Graph of mean time taken for mosquito larvae to die with respect to concentrations of larvicides (1409 words) Statistical Analysis Two-way ANOVA test was used to analyse the data to show whether there is a significant difference between the two larvicides. The Columns P-Value (8.58E-24) is less than the significance level (ÃŽ ± = 0.05). There is a significance difference between the larvicidal properties of Abate and garlic. Abate is a stronger larvicide than garlic. Therefore, the experimental hypothesis is accepted and the null hypothesis is rejected. From the analysis also, the calculated Sample P-value (3.62E-22) is less than the significance level tested as well (ÃŽ ± = 0.05). This shows that there are statistically significant differences between different concentrations of garlic and Abate. The Interaction P-Value (3.01E-19) indicates that there was a statistical significant interaction between the larvicides and the concentrations used. Higher concentrations of both larvicides are more effective against the mosquito larvae compared to lower concentrations. (1548 words) Substances Garlic Abate Total 0.01 Count 3 3 6 Sum 1075 265 1340 Average 358.3333 88.33333 223.3333 Variance 158.3333 8.333333 21936.67 0.02 Count 3 3 6 Sum 910 220 1130 Average 303.3333 73.33333 188.3333 Variance 33.33333 8.333333 15886.67 0.03 Count 3 3 6 Sum 355 165 520 Average 118.3333 55 86.66667 Variance 8.333333 25 1216.667 0.04 Count 3 3 6 Sum 300 125 425 Average 100 41.66667 70.83333 Variance 100 8.333333 1064.167 0.05 Count 3 3 6 Sum 230 100 330 Average 76.66667 33.33333 55 Variance 33.33333 8.333333 580 Total Count 15 15 Sum 2870 875 Average 191.3333 58.33333 Variance 14458.81 445.2381 Table 5: Summary of the data (1656 words) Source of Variation SS df MS F P-value F crit Sample 137903.3 4 34475.83 880.234 3.62E-22 2.866081 Columns 132667.5 1 132667.5 3387.255 8.58E-24 4.351243 Interaction 69970 4 17492.5 446.617 3.01E-19 2.866081 Within 783.3333 20 39.16667 Total 341324.2 29 Table 6: Calculations for two-way Anova test (1701 words) Data Analysis The two-way ANOVA test revealed that Abate is a stronger larvicide than garlic. The Columns P-value is less than the significance value (ÃŽ ± = 0.05), which indicated that Abate and garlic are significantly different in terms of larvicidal properties. This supports the experimental hypothesis that the effectiveness of Abate is greater than that of garlic. Table 4 shows that for all Abate concentrations, the mean time taken for all the mosquito larvae to die are shorter compared to that of garlic. For both larvicides, as their concentrations increased, the mean time decreased. From the data in Table 4, it can be evaluated that there is a bigger percentage difference in the mean time taken between garlic and Abate for the first two concentrations (about 75%). For 3%, 4% and 5% concentrations, the percentage differences in mean time range from 54% to 58%. This is illustrated in Figure 1. It clearly suggested that Abate is much more effective than garlic. Abate is a chemical larvicide while garlic is a natural larvicide. Both contain the active substances which are capable to kill mosquito larvae. Within 24 hours, all mosquito larvae would have died in Abate as well as garlic solutions. It was therefore not practical to calculate the number of live mosquito larvae after 24 hours. Hence, the time taken for the mosquito larvae to die was used as a measure of the substances effectiveness. The shorter the time taken, the more effective the compound is. Dead larvae can be identified by touching them with the tip of a rod or dropper. They cannot be induced to move. Abate contains temephos which is an organophosphate compound.11 It is able to inhibit acetylcholinesterase enzyme which is required to stop a nerve impulse after it has crossed the synapse. As a result, there is a continuous stimulation of the nerve, resulting in tremors and uncoordinated movement.11 Garlic, when crushed and mixed with water, will convert thiosulfinates to diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide,10 both which are organosulfur compounds. They are effective against mosquito larvae. (2043 words) The experiment showed that Abate is a more effective larvicide compared to garlic. Both organophosphorus and organosulfur compounds worked against mosquito larvae. This explains that during the trial experiment, after allowing both solutions to sit for 24 hours, all mosquito larvae died. Nevertheless, the experimental results showed that Abate which contains organophosphorus compounds took a shorter time to kill all the mosquito larvae compared to garlic (organosulfur compound), implying that organophosphorus compounds are more effective against mosquito larvae. However, this may also be due to the purity of the active substances. The industrially-produced Abate contain pure temephos, whereas allicin found in garlic is impure. For an active ingredient to work effectively, it has to be extracted and processed to give optimum results. Although results showed that Abate is a more effective larvicide, it should be noted that Abate is harmful to certain animals such as mice and fish, as well as to some invertebrates. Abate is also liable to accumulate within the natural environment, posing risks to human health. Garlic is an option to replace Abate as it is easily obtainable, cheap and does not pose harm to the environment. Nevertheless, garlic takes a longer time to kill mosquito larvae compared to Abate. Time is a crucial factor when dealing with disease-carrying mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti. Therefore, although garlic might be effective against mosquito larvae, it may not be practical to use such a time-consuming substance to alleviate the problem with mosquito larvae. (2287 words) Evaluation To increase the accuracy, the base of the garlic, together with its skin was removed before the garlic cloves were weighed using an electronic balance. The garlic cloves were pounded lightly using a mortar and pestle to prevent heat from destroying the chemical contents of garlic, which might decrease the effectiveness of garlic. Disposable droppers were used to avoid contamination of substances being tested and in the container used to collect mosquito larvae. Besides, plastic cups were used instead of laboratory glassware in order to prevent contamination as well. Each cup was closed with a perforated cover to ensure that air flows into the cup. The cup was covered as a precaution to prevent the introduction of any mosquito into the environment in case any larvae managed to complete its life cycle. Results from the trials showed that all mosquito larvae were killed by the larvicides within 24 hours. Therefore, if the number of live mosquito larvae were noted after 24 hours, there would not be any significant differences. As an alternative, the time taken for the mosquito larvae to be killed was measured. It was also impossible to run a stopwatch to measure the time as it would be difficult to estimate when to stop it. Instead, the mosquito larvae were observed every five minutes and any dead larva was noted. Hence, the time measured was estimation as it would be hard to check on the larvae every minute for hours. To increase the precision of results, the experiment was repeated twice to obtain an average time. It was also impossible to differentiate the types of mosquito larvae. Different larvae species might have different response towards larvicide. However, in this experiment, they were assumed to be of the same species. The larvae were also of different days old. Larvicides might have different effects on larvae of different days old. Besides, the solutions might not contain the exact concentration which was supposed to be tested. This is because garlic juice might not be able to be extracted and dissolve in distilled water completely. Abate granules also did not dissolve completely in distilled water. (2641 words) An ethical issue that may be questioned is the accidental introduction of mosquitoes into the environment. In this experiment, mosquito larvae are collected from ponds, which are mosquito breeding grounds. These mosquito larvae are actually prevented from turning into adult mosquitoes, which may transmit certain diseases. Larvae collected are placed in a covered container and are monitored to prevent accidental introduction of mosquitoes in case any larva managed to complete its life cycle. This investigation could be modified by grinding the garlic cloves and dissolve it in ethanol to form garlic solution of a particular concentration. This would increase the reliability of the results. Besides, mosquito larvae of the same species could be used to ensure that the effects of larvicides on that particular type of mosquito larvae only are determined. This reduces the probability of results occurring by chance. Mosquito larvae of a specific species could be cultured rather than collecting them from a pond. The number of mosquito larvae could also have been increased to obtain a more reliable result. Conclusion Chemical larvicide, Abate is significantly more effective than garlic in killing mosquito larvae. This was determined by the notably shorter time taken by Abate to kill all the mosquito larvae than shown by garlic. (2848 words) Source Evaluation Source 2 contains information on agricultural products such as vector control by BASF, the worlds leading chemical company and a corporate group. Hence, it is trustable and reliable. Source 4 is a journal, so contains sound scientific information. It contains a research note written by authors from several research universities. Therefore, it should be trustable and reliable. Source 6 is a data sheet on temephos, the active ingredient in Abate. The data sheet is provided by IPCS INCHEM, cooperation between International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCHOS). IPCS INCHEM compiles information regarding management of chemicals and their risks based on data from World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Therefore, this source is reliable and not biased. Sources 8 and 13 are published books. Therefore, they are credible sources with reliable contents written by notable experts in the respective fields. Source 10 is a trustable review as it is written by credible experts in the particular area. Source 12 is a reliable and credible governmental website by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in regulating pesticides; therefore, all facts and information provided are updated. Source 14 is guidelines for laboratory and field testing of mosquito larvicides by World Health Organization, so should contain sound scientific information.

The Life of St. Ignatius Loyola (in first person) :: essays research papers

St. Ignatius Loyola   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I am St. Ignatius Loyola the man who found the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits. My original name is Inigo de Loyola and I was born in 1491 in a place called Azpeitia in the Basque province of Guipuzoa in northern Spain. I was the youngest of thirteen children. At the age of sixteen I became a servant for Juan Velazquez, the treasurer of the kingdom of Castile. I was considered a member of the Velazquez family so when ever Juan went to court I would go with him. In doing this I began to like court and any thing to deal with court, but I gained the biggest interest in the woman. I also began to like gambling; I liked it so much I became addicted to it. I was also very completive and was open to competing in anything-even sword fighting.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For the next decade or so I didn’t really do much my life didn’t progress at all till 1521 when I turned 30 and I was defending the fortress of the town of Pamplona against the French. We were starting to lose the battle we were out numbered and my head commander wanted to throw in the towel but I said â€Å"no† and convinced him to stay in the battle and fight. I wanted to fight for the honor of Spain, and not for the win. I was in the thick of the battle and â€Å"Wham† I got blasted by cannon ball breaking my leg and wounding the other. Because I was such a courageous leader the French soldiers carried me back to my home rather that prison so I could get better. They set my leg after it broke but it was not healing right so the doctors said they had to break it again with out any use of painkillers. I was told to prepare for my death but instead one day my health took a turn for the better. My leg did heal good but it was shorter th an the other one so for the rest of my life I had to walk with a limp.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During the many, many, many weeks of recuperation I thought I was going to lose my mind out of boredom. So I asked for some romance novels to help my pass the time. There were no romance novels of any sort in the castle of Loyola; with my luck I did find a book called the Life of Christ.

Marketing Strategy Study Guide

MKT 850 Study Guide Chapter 5 * SWOT Analysis: * One of the most useful tools in analyzing marketing data and information * Links company’s situation analysis and development of marketing plan * Uses structured information to uncover competitive advantages and guide selection of the strategic focus of the marketing strategy. * Broken down into: * Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats * Productive SWOT (manager should†¦) : * Use a series of SWOT analyses focusing on specific product/market combinations * Search for competitors both present and future Collaborate with other functional areas by sharing information and perspectives * Examine issues from the customers perspective by asking employees: * What do customers believe about us as a company? * Which of our weaknesses translate into a decreased ability to serve customers? * Looks for causes not characteristics considering the firms resources for each part * Separate internal and external issues using this key test: * Would this issue exist if the firm did not exist? * If yes, issue classified as external * Strengths & Weaknesses: Exist because of resources by the firm, or due to the nature of key relationships between the firm and its customers/employees/outside organizations * May be leveraged into capabilities (strengths) or overcome (weaknesses) * Meaningful only when they assist or hinder the firm in satisfying customer needs * Opportunities & Threats: * Not potential marketing actions. Issues/situations that occur in the firm’s external environments. * Not ignored as the firm gets caught up in developing strengths and capabilities for fear of creating an efficient, but ineffective organization. Stem from changes in the competitive, customer, economic, political/legal, technological, and sociocultural environments. * SWOT Matrix: * Allows marketing manager to visualize the analysis * Serves as a catalyst to guide the creation of marketing strategies that will produce desired r esults. * Allows manager to see how strengths and opportunities might be connected to create capabilities that are key to meeting customer needs * Assesses the magnitude and importance of each strength/weak/opp/threat. * Competitive Advantage: Capabilities in relations to those held by the competition * Based on both internal and external factors * Based on reality and customer perception * Based on the basic strategies of operational excellence, product leadership, and customer intimacy. * Strategic Focus Establishment * Based on developing an overall concept or model that guides the firm as it weaves various marketing elements together into a coherent strategy * Tied to firm’s competitive advantage * Use results of SWOT as firm considers four directions of strategic efforts: * Aggressiveness Diversification * Turnaround * Defensiveness * Ensures the firm does not step beyond core strengths to consider opportunities outside its capabilities * Visualized through the use of a strategy canvas where the goal is to develop a value curve that is distinct from the competition * Downplay traditional industry competitive factors in favor of new approaches * Lays groundwork for development of marketing goals and objective, connects SWOT outcomes to the rest of the marketing plan. * Marketing Goals: Broad, desired accomplishments started in general terms. * Indicate the direction the firm attempts to move in, as well as the set of priorities will use in evaluating alternative and making decisions. * Should be attainable, realistic, internally consistent, comprehensive, and clarify the roles of all parties in the organization. * Involves some degree of intangibility * Marketing Objectives: * Specific and quantitative benchmarks that can be used to gauge progress toward the achievement of the marketing goals * Should be attainable with reasonable effort Continuous or discontinuous depending on the degree to which they depart from present objectives * Assigned to sp ecific areas, departments, or individuals who have the responsibility to accomplish them Chapter Six * Buyer Behavior in Consumer Markets: * Often irrational and unpredictable as consumers say one thing and do another * Progress through five stages: * Need Recognition * Information Search * Evaluation of Alternatives * Purchase Decision * Post Purchase Evaluation Don’t always follow these stages in order or may skip stages * May be characterized by loyalty where consumers simply purchase the same product that they bought last time * Involves parallel sequencing of activities with finding the most suitable merchant. * Consider what product they want, and where to buy it * Can occur if a consumer is fiercely loyal to a merchant * Can be affected by: * Complexity of the purchase and decision making process * Demographics, Psychographics, and Sociocultural factors * Social influences: culture, social class, family, opinion leaders, reference groups. Situational influences: physic al and spatial influences, social and personal influences, time, purchase task/usage, consumer disposition * Consumers Wants & Needs: * Shouldn’t define needs as necessities because everyone has a different perspective on what constitutes a need * Needs occur when a consumers current level of satisfaction doesn’t equal their desired level * Wants are consumers desire for a specific product that will satisfy a specific need * Firm must understand basic needs fulfilled by its products. Allows firm to segment markets and create marketing programs that show needs into wants for their product * Most products are marketed on the basis of wants not need fulfillment * Wants are not the same as demand * Demand: occurs when the consumers ability and willingness to pay backs up a want for a specific product * Information Search: * Passive and Active: * Passive- consumer become more attentive and receptive to information * Active- consumer engages more aggressive seeking informati on search * Depends on several issues: Degree of risk * Level of expertise * Actual cost of search (time and money) * Culminates in an evoked set of suitable buying alternatives * Evaluation of Alternatives: * Translates needs into wants for specific products or brands * Evaluate products as bundles of attributes that have varying abilities to satisfy their needs * Priority of each consumers choice criteria can change * Want the product to be in the evoked set of potential alternatives * Constantly remind them of their company and products * Purchase Stage: Intent to purchase and the actual act of buying are distinct concepts * Key issues: * product availability: how easy is it to get the product where the consumer is * possession utility: how easy is it to transfer ownership * Postpurchase Evaluation: * Outcome of buying process is linked to the development of long-term customer relationships. Closely follow customers’ responses to monitor performance and ability to meet cus tomers’ expectations * Will experience one potential outcomes: Delight, satisfaction, dissatisfaction, or cognitive dissonance * Business Markets: * Purchase products for their use in their operations, like buying raw materials, buying office supplies, or leasing cars * Consists of four types of buyers: * Commercial markets * Reseller markets * Government markets * Institutional markets * Four unique characteristics not found in consumer markets: * The buyer center: economic buyers, technical buyers, and users * Hard and soft costs are equally important Hard- monetary price or purchase costs * Soft- downtime, opportunity costs, HR costs * Reciprocity: business buyers and sellers often buy products from each other * Mutual dependence: sole-source or limited-source buying makes both buying and selling firms mutually dependent * Business Buying Process: * Sequence of Stages: * Problem Recognition * Development of product specifications * Vendor identification and qualification * Solicitation of proposals and bids * Vendor selection Order processing * Vendor performance review * Can be affected by several factors including: environmental conditions, organizational factors, and interpersonal/individual factors * Market Segmentation: process of dividing the total market for a particular product or product category into relatively homogeneous segments or groups * Groups should have similar members, but groups must be dissimilar from each other * Fundamental decision of whether to segment at all Allows firms to be more successful due to the fact that they can tailor products to meet the needs of a particular market segment * Traditional market segmentation approach: * Used successfully for decades, not out of date, and are used by many of today’s most successful firms * Can be used in combination with newer approaches by the firm, depending on the brand/product or market in question * Successful segmentation: Must be identifiable and measureable * Substa ntial * Accessible * Responsive * Viable and sustainable * Avoid ethical/legally sensitive segments * Avoid viable segments that don’t match firm’s mission * Mass Marketing: no segmentation and is aimed at the total market for a product * Undifferentiated approach assumes all customers have similar needs/wants * Works best when needs are relatively homogeneous Advantage- production efficiency and lower marketing costs * Disadvantage- risky because a standardized product is vulnerable to competitors that offer specialized products that better match customers’ needs * Differentiated Marketing: divides the total market into groups of customers having relatively homogenous needs, attempting to develop a marketing program that appeals to one or more of these groups * Necessary when customer needs are similar within a single group, but the needs differ across groups * Two options: * Multi-segment approach * Market concentration approach Niche Marketing: focusing effor ts on one small, well defined market segment or niche that has a unique, specific set of needs * Requires that firms understand and meet needs of target customers. Although small in size, firms substantial share makes the segment highly profitable * Individualized Segmentation Approaches: * Viable due to advances in technology especially in communication and the internet * Organizations can now track customer with a high degree of specificity * Allows firms to combine demographic data with past/current purchasing behavior. Tweak marketing programs in ways that allow them to precisely match customers’ needs, wants, and preferences * Become more important in the future because their focus on individual customers makes them critical to the development and maintenance of long-term relationships * Expensive to deliver * Two important considerations: * Automated delivery of the marketing program * Personalization One-to-one Marketing: involves the creation of an entire unique produ ct or marketing program for each customer in the target segment * Common in business markets where unique programs and systems are designed for each customer * Growing rapidly in consumer markets, in luxury or custom made products or services * Mass customization: providing unique products and solutions to individual customers on a mass scale * Cost-effective and practical due to advances in supply-chain management. real time inventory control) * Used frequently in business markets, especially electronic procurement systems * Permission Marketing: different from one-to-one marketing because customers choose to become a member of the firm’s target market * Commonly executed via opt in email lists * Advantage: customers already interested in firms offerings * Allows precise target of individuals, eliminating the problem of wasted marketing effort and expense * Identify Market Segments: selecting most relevant variables to identify and define the target market, many of which com e from the situation analysis of the marketing plan. Isolation of individual characteristics that distinguish one or more segments from the total market (must have homogeneous needs) * Consumer markets involved examination of factors of one of these categories: * Behavioral segmentation: most powerful approach because it uses actual consumer behavior or product usage helps to make distinctions among market segments Demographic segmentation: divides markets using factors such as gender, age, income, and education * Psychographic segmentation: state-of-mind issues such as motives, attitudes, opinions, values, lifestyles, interests, and personality * Geographic segmentation: most useful when combined with other segmentation variables, geodemographic segmentation or geoclustering. * Business markets are based on types of market or on things such as: organization, characteristics, benefits sought/buying process, personal/psych characteristics, or relationship intensity. Top Marketing Str ategies: * Based on evaluation of the attractiveness of each segment and whether each offers opportunities that match firms capabilities and resources * Single segment targeting, selective targeting, mass market targeting, product specialization, and market specialization. * Also consider issues related to noncustomers, like why they do not buy and finding ways to remove obstacles to purchase. Chapter 7 Product Strategy: at the heart of every organization and it defines what the organization does and why it exists * Creating a productive offering that is a bundle of physical (tangible), service (intangible), and symbolic (perceptual) attributes designed to satisfy customer wants/needs. * Strives to overcome commoditization by differentiating product offerings via the service and symbolic elements of the offering * Product Portfolio: * Used in both consumer (convenience, shopping, specialty, etc. and business markets (raw materials, process materials, installations, etc. ) * Used in most firms due to the advantages of selling a variety of products * Consists of a group of closely related product items (product lines) and the total group of products offered by a firm (product mix) * Involves strategic decisions such as variety and assortment of offerings * Can create benefits including: economies of scale, package uniformity, standardization, sales and distribution efficiency, etc. Service Products Challenges: stem from the intangibility of services. Other characteristics include simultaneous production/consumption, and perish ability/client based relationships * Other issues: * Experience problems in balancing supply and demand * Time and place dependent because customers must be present for delivery * Customers have a difficult time evaluating quality of service before it is purchased * Quality of service is often inconsistent and hard to standardize * Need for some services are not always apparent to customers.Service marketers often have trouble tying offeri ngs to needs * New Product Development: vital part of a firm’s efforts to sustain growth and profits * Six strategic options related to newness of products: * New-to-world products (discontinuous innovations)- which involve a pioneering effort by a firm that leads to the creation of an entirely new market * New product lines- represent new offerings by the firm, but they become introduced into established markets * Product line extensions- supplement an existing product line with new styles, models, features, or flavors * Improvements/Revisions of existing products- offer customers improved performance or greater perceived value * Repositioning- targeting existing products at new markets or segments * Cost reductions- modifying products to offer performance similar to competing products at a lower price * Depends on firms ability to create differential advantage for the new product * Proceeds through five stages: * Idea generation * Screening and evaluation * Development * Te st marketing * Commercialization * Branding Strategy: selecting the right combination of name, symbol, term, and design that identifies a specific product * Two parts: * Brand name: words, letters, and numbers * Brand mark: symbols, figures, or a design * Critical to product identification and factor used by marketers to differentiate a product from its competition * Successful- capture product offering in a way that answers a question in consumers mind *Involves many attributes that make up the way customers think about brands: * People (employees and endorsers) * Places (country of origin) * Things (events, causes, third party endorsements) * Other brands (alliances, the company, extensions) * Advantage- make it easier for customers to find and buy products * Four key issues: * Manufacturer vs. private-label brands- private label brands are more profitable than manufacturer brands for the retailers that carry them. Manufactured brands have built-in demand, recognition, and product loyalty. * Brand loyalty- positive attitude toward a brand that causes customers to have a consistent preference for that brand over all competing brands in a product category. Three levels: brand recognition, brand preference, and brand insistence * Brand equity- the value of a brand or the marketing and financial value associated with a brand’s position in the marketplace. * Brand alliances- branding strategies, such as co branding that involve developing close relationships with other firms. * Packaging and labeling: * Part of developing a product, its benefits, its differentiation, and its image * Issues such as color, shape, size, convenience of the package or container * Are often used in product modifications/co branding to reposition the product or give it new features. * Vital in helping customers make proper product selections * Important environmental and legal consequences * Differentiation and Positioning: Creating differences in the firm’s product offeri ng that set it apart from competing offerings (product differentiation) and the development and maintenance of a relative position for a product in the minds of the target market (product positioning) * Can be monitored through perceptual mapping- a visual, spatial display of customer perceptions on two or more key dimensions * Based on the brand, but also product descriptors, customer support services and image * Includes positioning strategies to strengthen current position, reposition, or reposition the competition * Managing Products and Brands over time: * Traditional product life cycle five stages: Development: a time of no sale revenue, negative cash flow and high risk * Introduction: time of rising customer awareness, extensive marketing expenditures, and rapidly increasing sales revenue * Growth: time of rapidly increasing sales revenue, rising profits, market expansion, and increasing numbers of competitors * Maturity: time of sales and profit plateaus, a shift from custom er acquisition to customer retention, and strategies aimed at holding or stealing market share * Decline: time of persistent sales and profit decreases, attempts to postpone the decline, or strategies aimed at harvesting or divesting the product * Influence by shifts in the market, or actions of the firms within the industry as they constantly reinvent themselves. Chapter 8 * Pricing: * Key factor in producing revenue for a firm * Easiest of all marketing variables to change * Important consideration in competitive intelligence * Only real means of differentiation in mature markets that are commoditized * Among most complex decisions to be made in developing a marketing plan * Sellers Actions regarding Price: Tend to inflate prices to receive as much as possible in exchange * Consider four issues in pricing strategy: * Costs * Demand * Customer value * Competitors’ prices * Have increased power over buyers when products are in short supply, high demand, or good economic times . * Buyers Actions regarding Price: * See prices as being lower than the market reality dictates * Two issues: * perceived value * price sensitivity * Considered value to be the ratio of benefits to costs. â€Å"More bang for the buck† * Increased power over sellers when large number of sellers, economy is weak, product information easy to obtain, or price comparisons are easy to make * Cutting prices: Viable means of increasing sales, moving excess inventory, or generating short-term cash flow * Based on two general pricing myths: * When business is good, a price cut will capture greater market share * When business is bad, a price cute will stimulate sales * Risky because a price cut must be offset by an increase in sales volume to maintain the same level of gross margin * Not always best strategy, maybe build value into the product instead. * Pricing strategy issues: * Pricing objectives * Nature of supply and demand in the market * Firms cost structure * Nature of competi tion and the structure of the industry * Stage of the product life cycle * Firms cost structure: Typically associated with pricing through breakeven analysis or cost-plus pricing * Not be the driving force behind pricing strategy because different firms have different structures * Used to establish a floor below which prices cannot be set for an extended period of time * Pricing Strategy in Services: * Critical as price may be the only cue to quality in advance of the purchase experience * Becomes important and more difficult when: * Service quality hard to detect prior to purchase * Costs associated with providing the service are difficult to determine * Customers are unfamiliar with the service process * Brand names are not well established * Customers can perform the service themselves * Service has poorly defined units of consumption Advertising within a service category is limited * Total price of the service experience is difficult to state beforehand * Often based on yield ma nagement systems allowing a firm to both control capacity and demand in order to maximize revenue and capacity utilization * Yield management: knowing when and where to raise prices to increase revenue or to lower prices to increase sales volume. * Implemented by limiting the available capacity at certain prices, controlling demand through price changes, and overbooking capacity * Common in services characterized by high fixed costs and low variable costs, like airlines, hotels, rental cars, cruises, etc. Allows firm to offer same basic product to different market segments at different prices * Price elasticity of demand: * Customers’ responsiveness or sensitivity to changes in price * Inelastic: quantity demanded does not respond to price changes * Elastic: quantity demanded is sensitive to price changes * Unitary: changes in price and demand offset, keeping total revenue the same * Not uniform over time and place because demand is not uniform * Price Sensitivity Increases: * Substitute products are widely available * Total expenditure is high * Changes in price are noticeable to customers * Price comparison among competing products is easy Price Sensitivity Decreases: * Substitute products are not available * Products are highly differentiated from the competition * Customers perceive products as being necessities * Prices of complementary products go down * Customers believe the product is worth the price * Time pressures or purchase risk are involved for consumers * Major base pricing strategies include: * Market introduction pricing: used of price skimming or penetration pricing when products are first launched into the market * Prestige pricing: intentionally setting prices at the top end of all competing products in order to promote an image of exclusivity and superior quality Value-based pricing (EDLP)- setting reasonably low prices, but still offering high quality products and adequate customer service * Competitive matching- charging what is c onsidered to be the â€Å"going rate† for the industry * Nonprice strategies- building a marketing program around factors other than price * Strategies for adjusting prices in consumer markets: * Promotional discounting: putting products on sale * Reference pricing: comparing the actual selling price to an internal or external reference price * Odd-even pricing: setting prices in odd numbers, rather than in whole, round numbers * Price bundling: bringing together two or more complementary products for a single price * Strategies for adjusting prices in business markets: Trade discounts: reducing prices for certain intermediaries in the supply chain based on the functions that they perform * Discounts and allowances: giving buyers price breaks, including discounts for cash, quantity or bulk discounts, seasonal discounts, or trade allowances for participation in advertising or sales support programs * Geographic pricing: quotes prices based on transportation costs (distance) * Transfer pricing: pricing when one unit in an organization sells products to another unit * Barter and countertrade: full or partial payments in goods/services/buying agreements rather than in cash * Price discrimination: charging different prices to different customers * Dynamic Pricing: * Started to replace fixed pricing in many product categories * Growing in importance and popularity due to the growth of online auction firms * Three pricing levels: * Opening position * Aspiration price Price limit * Long process, but is most logical and systematic way for two parties that don’t initially agree to reach agreement * Legal & Ethical Issues of Pricing: * Price discrimination: different prices to different customers. Illegal unless its basis is the actual cost differences in selling products to one customer relative to another. * Price fixing: when two or more competitors collaborate to set prices at an artificial level * Predatory pricing: firm sets prices for a product below the variable cost to drive out competitors or out of the market * Deceptive pricing: firm intentionally mislead customers with price promotions.