Culinarian Cookware: Pondering Price Promotion Essay

As a market leading brand primarily focusing in designing, manufacturing, distributing and marketing premium cookware, Culinarian Cookware takes pride in its outstanding product quality, advanced performance technology and the strong dealership with retail stores established throughout the years, which Donald Janus, the VP of Marketing believes makes Culinarian stands strong in its competitive industry. In regardless of Culinarian’s usual practice of avoiding price discounting, an official price promotion program was launched in 2004, which was later concluded by a consultant firm that these promotions had a negative impact on profits. There are different views toward the price promotion strategies and the corresponding report in the senior management: Janus felt price promotions were unnecessary, potentially damaging to the brand image, and possibly encouraged retailer hoarding; Brown believed the promotions strengthened trade support, improved brand awareness, and stimulated sales from both new and existing customers. While Janus trusted the report results, Brown believed the study assumptions were flawed and required further analysis, suspected the promotions had actually produced positive results. In November of 2006, debates among the senior management team had been going on regarding the pros and cons of price promotions for the company’s premium cookware products. A decision is needed to be made in terms of how price promotion can be utilized in Culinarian’s marketing strategy. Key Issue The urgent and key question is whether to run a price promotion in 2007 and, if so, to determine what merchandise to promote and on what terms. The broader issue is what strategy Culinarian should pursue to achieve its sales growth objective, and what role, if any, price promotion should play. Clearly there are attractive advantages and draw-backs with significant consequences for a price promotion program. The final recommendation will need to be in line with the four strategic objectives of the company: (1) Widen its distribution network; (2) Increase its market share of the premium cookware segment; (3) Preserve its prestigious image; (4) Capture its  revenue growth of at least 15% while maintaining pre-tax earnings margins of 12%. Possible Alternatives (1) No Price Promotion This alternative would means there will be no official price promotion, only occasional free gifts would be given out with purchase of items at regular price. There are least risks associated with this option but the company will need to seek other ways to maintain their competitiveness. (2) Discount on Slow Growing Items The second option would be to apply a 30% discounted price to the slow growing items like what the company did in 2006. (3) Price Promotion Campaign (Discount on selected premium items) To invest in a comprehensive price promotion campaign. Discount price will be applied not only to the cheapest and slow growing items but to selected items from all lines. The campaign will be assist with edgy advertising methods to create a â€Å"hype† to the price cutting. The Recommendation Alternative 3: Price Promotion Campaign The recommendation to pursue the third alternative was made based on a decision matrix with the following set of criteria: risk; ability to widen distribution network; positive impact on brand image; ease of implementation and financial return. The Rationale Price promotion is superior to a gift incentive in the following ways. As Culinarian is heavily relied on retailers for distribution, their opinions carry a certain weight of important. Many of the retailers expressed that a free gift approach often confuse them as to how many gifts to order. These 0 value-carrying gifts also occupy valuable inventory spaces and thus are generally not welcomed by these distribution channels. When looking at the company strategies, one should realize that the current very low brand awareness among the target groups (HHI $75,000+) is a big issue (Exhibit 4). Discounting merchandize can effectively attract attention and raise awareness, broaden its customer base and stimulate excitement for the brand among the customers. When looking at the analysis of Culinarian’s target group – the households with income over $75,000, 30% cited price as the most important criterion in selecting cookware; 30% of these consumers would be motivated to buy new cookware because of a price discount versus 20% being motivated by a free gift; 20% would intentionally wait for a sale and â€Å"Price† is ranked top 3 in the criteria of choosing a cookware. These study result show that the customers value a price promotion and even actively seek these promotion out. Clearly a cut in price will generate increased sale volume. Indeed it is true that there are uncertainties in whether the price promotion in 2004 was profitable or not. A report by a consultant firm concluded that the promotion program was not profitable. However, one group in the management team including Brown believes there are significant flaws exist in the analysis due to the following errors: the normal sales figures being too high; variable costs including overhead cost incorrectly; the cannibalization costs and inventory savings which, instead of being left out of calculations, were included and estimated inaccurately. Another argument being that when you look at the figures provided in the case exhibit, one could see that sales volume drop right after the price promotion in both 2004 and 2005, thus easily hurry to conclude that a price promotion does not benefit the company. However it is possible that the failure of these programs is due to other factors affecting the profitability including the level of discount rate, the ordering size allowances etc. execution considerations. Thus, these calculations cannot serve as a proof against a price promotion. Because of the above rationale, a price promotion would be appropriate to be run in 2007. Janus’s worries of the disadvantage of a price promotion could  be counteracted by the recommendation of the second alternative, which were recommended with two major objectives in mind: raise brand awareness (while maintaining a leading prestige image) and widen distribution network (which potentially serve as a gateway to increase market share and profit). The major concern of Janus was the potential negative impact to the brand’s premium image especially when the two direct competing premium cookware brands do not use price promotion. However this generally happen only when discounted items was focused on the cheapest line or the slow growing ones (which exactly was what happened in 2004 and 2005). In the new price promotion campaign, a limited number of premium items will needed to be selected for a discount to maintain the prestige and premium image of the brand while specific communication campaign will be employed to increase customer satisfaction on buying the premium product with a discount price. Expanding the discount to more expensive line could also The next question would be how the promotion will be executed. The Implementation Again a limited number of premium items (eg. PROX1) combine with cheaper lines (eg. CX1) will be selected for a discount. In fact, the selection will cover specific items of all 4 lines. A communication campaign will be employed to call out the message to the public: â€Å"Here is the premium brand, and we are selling it for a lower price so that YOU can also try out these high-quality cookware† (â€Å"Quality† remains the top motivator for choosing cookware). The discount period will still be around April and May to avoid direct competition with the other big cookware brands. In terms of the problem of retailers placing over-size trade orders and eating up the difference, Culinarian can counteract this by pre-print or attaching a discount notification on the product packaging and limiting each order size during the pre-discount period. In conclusion, Culinarian should implement a price promotion campaign in reaction to the demand of customers. Discount price will be applied to items based on the direction of boosting relationship between the company and retailers, and raise consumer awareness to the prestige brand name. With the appropriate calculation of discount rate and promotion tactics, market share is likely to increase and the profit margins will be brought to the new height.

Art Deco

Art Deco BY grandparents ‘Art Deco' was an art movement that flourished through the sass's and sass's. The decade opened up an extensive variety of original and distinctive styles and still remains to be the foundation of ‘an era so rich and so remote that at times it seems to belong to the unfathomable domain of dreams (Coated, n. D). ‘ Art Deco was a necessity at the time, due to the economic crisis and war. Society needed pop color and creative, eccentric designs to brighten up the dull life they were living. People deed to Escape reality and drown in a world completely unlike their own.Freethinking and creativeness was embraced, not frowned upon. It was revolutionary, the start of something new. The Art Deco movement was a time marked by Fashion Illustrator Paul Ripe as he revived the fashion plate in a modernist style, in order to produce a streamlined natural yet fashionable silhouette. A designer so great, utilizing simplicity as well as developing the aesthe tics of modernism, in order to rename himself in the elite and exclusive world of art. It is exemplified that this erred has helped develop and shape art in general, through merging naturalism and realism as one. Antonio Lopez Garcia' is not only acknowledged as one of the most revered contemporary artists to the Spanish, but to the world. The extreme sense of realism or his so-called hyper realistic illustrations convey his visual sensitivity to the elements of color, space and light. Lopez Garlic's style may be deemed as inquisitive and surreal although highlights irony through the way in which he uses his illustrations to capture the commonplace spaces that instill life in is eyes, to enable the tranquility that allows for the encroachments of everyday life (Lopez Garcia & Serially, 2010). Paul Ripe acknowledged artist, Journalist, fashion illustrator and designer deemed as a pioneer of the Art Deco movement. It was through his originality he was able to gain an international rep utation, which was through designing the layout El Robes De Paul Poorer in 1908. Director and producer Cecil B. Domicile brought Ripe to Hollywood in 1920, where he was a well-recognized designer of fabrics, wallpaper, furniture and several costume designs of Demise's dramas.Ripe was recognized for his clean graphic line, Jeweled-tone palette and his ability to produce exotic silhouettes through the main utilization of line, giving it a sense of naturalism. His designs portrayed naturalistic yet modernistic fashion illustration figures, which enjoyed life in relaxed arrangements. Thus represented elegance, functionality, glamour and modernity. Lopez Garcia, a well-known artist of this present day explores the classical themes of still life, landscape and figure; this was done through the depth insight of his immediate ambiance.Furthermore this ‘created a faithful representation of his simple motifs (Boston Museum, 2008). Lopez Garlic's work comprises of particular combinations of illustrations of backdrops and people, while many of his illustrations resulted in a mysterious yet pragmatic composition. Lopez Garcia deciphered his personal view into ‘poetic canvases, drawings, and sculpture (Boston Museum, 2008). ‘ He is accredited for his astonishing patience which allowed him to create authentic masterpieces, ‘Lopper's work is its timelessness; he is an old master in the contemporary world (Brutal, 2008).Lopez Garlic's relationship with Madrid developed through the extensive periods of observation he put in, in order to complete his work, this resulted in repeatedly visiting the chosen landscapes whether it was days or years. This exemplified his passion and determination for producing precocious works of fine art. The exquisiteness of Lopez Garlic's work begins with the appreciation he has for his personal technique. He believed that every ‘artist [should] work out for [themselves] what technique [they] need for [their] work (Lope z Garcia, 2009).He is perceived as a Versatile realist', who is proficient in the media's of oil painting on board, carved wood sculpture, charcoal, pencil drawing or water colors, pen, ink, Polaroid film and bas relief in plaster. The watercolors seen in an array of Lopez Garlic's work insinuates the transparency and how it allows the light to reflect from the direct surface of the paper, giving it that incandescent look. He uses stick of charcoal or thin pastel to blend and soften his original drawing strokes; this helps furnish his work a bona fide touch.The world comes to life with he stunning pragmatism of Antonio Lopez Garcia, through his depiction of buildings, plants and ‘cluttered interiors (Kaufman, 2009). ‘ His meticulousness can be insinuated as quite invigorating, in which he paints the commonplace with its lingering beauty as it ‘pervades [the simplicity in] life (Kaufman, 2009). ‘LÂ ¶peg Garcia illustrates every aspect and every angle depictin g ‘stains, grime and shadows with a verisimilitude that goes beyond bibliographic realism toward an absolute faith (Daily News, 2010). He is recognized as one of Spain's most revered artists, where his heartsickness of his work, were deemed as the translation of the everyday. You could say Lopez Garcia was an observer, as he painted with an astonished precision of a man perceiving the world for the very first time. He captured the visual and ‘his extraordinary deftness prolongs our attention to these quotidian prospects, disrupting our perceptual complacency and directing us to reexamine forms, often leading us to experience their beauty (Kaufman, 2009). You work until the whole surface has an expressive intensity equivalent to what you eve before you, converted into a pictorial reality (Lopez, n. D). Lopez Garlic's depictions enable him to stand out from other illustrators, as he understands the use of regular proportion in which he uses to pinpoint certain emotions fro m an individual. The proportion he seems to master can be linked with harmony as his art creates specific feelings through the color, lighting and space he uses.The composition combines those elements of color and space to give simplicity to his work. Lopez Garcia is deemed to form composition in methods he uses to create a ensue of delusion, through the ‘planes of color from a monochromatic and subdued palette, a precursor to minimalist aesthetics (Boston Museum, 2008). ‘ ‘He has an uncanny ability to understand light and translate it into color (Brutal, 2009). The techniques which helped Lopez Garcia in producing astounding work, and assisted him with the proportions of creating precise form [and] space and measuring distance between angles was simply ‘a ruler to his cheekbone, and the other end with his hand also holding a compass upright (FAA News, 2009). ‘ To comprehend the effect f light as it touches an object or landscape, he limited his time pa inting in the same spot at the exact time each day, so that he could adapt his work to the weather, which was done without the use of photographs or camera's, giving it a sense of naturalism.The composition of his work can be associated with unity in the way in which it gives his works wholeness, giving his piece the realistic perfection he intended. Subsequently Lopez Garlic's main technique to perfection ‘at a length, is patience, eyes wide open (FAA News, 2009). ‘ In stark contrast to Garcia, Paul Ribbed technique offered as his key method of design was by utilizing the biochip technique in which colors were brushed onto paper through thin copper or even zinc and were cut out stencils were an important boost for the art of fashion illustration.Ripe used this to depict the fashion at the time. Ribbed technique was based on simplicity with the use of simple lines creating flat, broad and abstract expanses of brighter colors in order to capture the Empire dresses, which gave him his creditability and name as a designer. Ribbed designs can be executed as simple yet sophisticated. The way in which he plays with contrast and color and captures the essence of a women's beauty through the simplicity of lines Work brilliantly together. Although Antonio Lopez Garcia and Paul ‘ribbed remain to be designers in stark contrast, you can consider the following designs and they ways in which both the artists translates the fashion realm into something a little less ordinary. The perception of realism is dependent on the time, exemplified through the Art Deco movement simplicity was as real as it got, however because times are changing, so is he art, which is why Antonio Lopez Garcia was able to modernize and evolve through his art.Both their styles remain as limitless and crafts of perfection. The aura of not only fashion is evident through Ribbed art, but life in the self-portraits of Garlic's. Fashion and Life were seen as an art form and both their illu strations capture the idea of what their idea is on life/fashion. ‘For there is beauty in placement and detail as well as skill in the application of color in all the elements of a work of art as there is in fashion. ‘

Emily the Criminal Mastermind Essay

In the story A Rose for Emily, Emily murders her lover  using poison. The readers are led on to think that she kills him  because she does not want him to leave her, which is what he intends  to do. Her relationship with Homer Barron, her lover, is a normal  relationship; nothing indicates that their relationship is in any kind  of trouble. Having examined her relationship and characters, Emily  can be seen as a master criminal. As opposite as they are of each other, they are attracted to one  another. Although the relationship between Emily and her father is  dysfunctional, her relationship between her and Homer is a healthy  one. Homer works with a construction company, and he is in the  leadership position in his workplace. He can be seen as a joker as he  makes everyone laugh wherever he goes. He is a popular person because  he makes himself well known to everyone in town. Wherever he goes,  little boys would follow him to hear him talk and tell jokes. She, on  the other hand, is always quiet. She doesn’t talk to anyone in town. There are gossips of her but she would never confront them; instead,  she just ignores them. As opposite as Emily’s personalities are to  that of Homer’s, they get along with each other. This shows that she  can be sociable. After all, she can get along with the most popular  guy in town.  She is very calm, cool and collective. After her father  dies, some people visit her to offer sympathy, yet she is â€Å"dressed as  usual with no trace of grief on her face.† Even though she has killed  Homer, when the people in the town visit her because she doesn’t pay  her property tax, she speaks to them as though there isn’t anything  wrong. When she goes to buy the poison to kill Homer, she speaks with  certainty that she wants to buy the poison. â€Å"I want arsenic,† she  says. This indicates that she has contemplated to kill Homer. When  the druggist insists that she tells him what she is going to use it  for, she silen ces him with her look. She knows what she is doing. She can be seen as controlling and manipulative by the  silence of the Negro, her house keeper. The Negro goes out to the  store every now and then to buy food from the market, he doesn’t talk  to anyone. Though the author does not indicate whether the Negro  knows about Homer’s dead corpse in the bedroom, it’s hard to imagine  that he doesn’t know about it. The neighbors complain of the smell,  which they do not know that it’s from a dead body. For the duration  that the body has been in the house, it’s impossible to imagine that  the Negro has no knowledge of it. Assuming that he knows, yet he  doesn’t talk to anyone about it shows that she has control over him. Ruling out that she’s suffering from insanity, one can  only conclude that she’s criminal mastermind. Even though her father  is abusive, she is able to have meaningful relationship. Her  relationship with Homer shows that she can be sociable. After her  father’s death, she shows no grief. While having Homer’s body in the  bedroom upstairs, she attends to her guests as though nothing is  wrong. At the same time, she is able to keep the butler from talking  to anyone about anything. Planning to kill Homer, she buys the poison  without any hesitation even though the druggist asks her many  questions. Using the control that she has over the person under her  and her environment, she gets away with murder.

PATRIOT Act Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

PATRIOT Act - Essay Example This is because he explains that there is a need of submitting a leader who is not accountable to the people. The Patriot act on the other hand is a law enacted in 2001, aimed at fighting and preventing terrorism within the country. Thomas Hobbes in his book, the Leviathan, sets out to outline the best principles of government that can lead to prosperity, stability and peace. Thomas Hobbes begins his explanation of the role of the government, by explaining how life would be, without the government(Kitanov, 2011). Under this situation, life would be difficult and anarchic, because people would be engaged in carrying out anything that they want. They can kill, steal, or engage in activities aimed at frustrating their neighbors, just because they are strong. This is a condition that Thomas Hobbes refers to as, â€Å"The State of Nature†. For purposes of creating order within the society, there is a need of creating a social contract, and establishing a civil society (Hobbes and Schuhmann, 2003). This civil society should be governed by a sovereign authority who is not answerable to them (Kitanov, 2011). Furthermore, people within the society should cede some of their basic rights, for purposes of acquiring protection from the sovereign authority. Based on these facts, Thomas Hobbes believes that the doctrine of separation of powers does not exists, and this is because the sovereign must control the judiciary, the civil society, the military, and he must have the ecclesiastical powers (Hobbes and Schuhmann, 2003). Hobbes therefore explains that it is only through an absolute monarchy, that the society can be protected from the state of nature. By closely looking at these principles established by Thomas Hobbes, it is possible to explain that Hobbes was advocating for a dictatorship (Kitanov, 2011). This is a form of governance, where its citizens have very limited rights, and they cannot play a role in the governance

Power and Office Politics Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Power and Office Politics - Case Study Example The paper also seeks to outline the possible underlying agendas that the superiors of Green may have in relation to the case. As finality, the paper seeks to provide recommendations to use in the resolution of the dilemma through means that benefit all parties. The research focused on the two conflicting professionals and how their differences have affected their relationship. Key words: personality, work style, conflict, superior Introduction Thomas Green was a Senior Market Specialist of the Eastern region in the North America branch of the Travel and Hospitality Division of Dynamic Displays who held the office after his promotion that became effective as of September 10, 2007 at the age of 28. Prior to this, Thomas was an account executive in the company’s Banking Division, where he sold ATMs to Southeast regional banks (Beckham and Sasser, 2013). He held the same post in the Travel and Hospitality Division when he first joined Dynamic Displays in 2007. Thomas Green holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Georgia class of 2001 as his qualification. At the same time, Frank Davis held the position of Marketing Director for the organization’s Travel and Hospitality Division, which was senior to the position held by Thomas Green. At the time, he was a 17-year veteran of the organization at the age of 45 having risen through the ranks from the position of an accountant executive. A bachelor’s degree in history from the New York University in 1986 and a Sawyer Business School, Suffolk University Executive MBA in 2002 served as his qualifications for the job (Beckham and Sasser, 2013). Thomas Green is answerable to Frank Davis who in the situation is his boss. After undergoing rapid promotions through the ranks, Green is criticized by Davis. The criticism arises from the differences that the two have in terms of their work styles and personalities that results in the two having differing views on the best methods to use to attain the ends of the required work (Beckham and Sasser, 2013). The situation results in a silent conflict that threatens the success of the division. The conflict threatens to destroy the working relationship of the two, which would impede the attainment of the goals of the company (Pfe?eri and Falcone et al., 2013). The methods incorporated by the two are both convenient for attaining company goals and the conflict is resolvable if only the two take steps to mend the relationship. Work styles and personalities of Thomas Green and Frank Davis The work styles that Davis and Green incorporate in their approaches to achieve the required ends are different. The personality traits of the two professionals also tend to differ. Davis applies the use of facts and hard data in the form of charts, memos, and proposals as well as a strategy in the presentation of proposals in an attempt to sway clients (Beckham and Sasser, 2013). He believes this will assure clients’ confidenc e in their investments. Green on the other hand is a practical person favoring face-to-face meetings with clients to sell the ideas to them in a manner that sways them into trusting his ideas  (Hbr.org, 2013). The idea of using charts, memos, and proposals as the core strategy does not augur very well with Green. Davis also believes in the following of procedure as a style of working requiring Green to

The competition between 2 fungi in same sugar (food) source can lead Assignment

The competition between 2 fungi in same sugar (food) source can lead to change PH and color - Assignment Example 1. Firstly inoculate the wood samples in wood agar petri dishes as mention be Robinson etal in International Wood Products Journal, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 103–107.After proper extraction of Scytalidium Ganodermopthorum fungi species from wood, petri dishes of the culture are prepared. 2. The second step involves liquid culture growth, the fungus is grown on malt media amended with white rotted maple prepared in half-pint Mason jars with plastic screw lids. The petri dishes are sterilized via autoclaving before use. 3. After sterilization fill the dishes with 50 mL of autoclaved liquid media (2% malt in deionised water) according to Robinson etal,â€Å"Ability of three yellow pigment producing fungi to colour wood under controlled conditions,†Ã‚  International Wood Products Journal, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 103–107, 2014. 5. Incubate the liquid cultures on an open shelf at room temperature for the next twenty two weeks. Over this period the colour measurements were recorded on a Konica Minolta CR-5 chroma meter for each flask of media before use, with output in the CIE L*a*b* colour space. 6. Filter 3 plate of the media using a Whatman Cat. No. 1002150 filter sheet after every 7 days. The pigments collected after filtrations are then solubilised in dichloromethane and standardized based upon their colours using the colour reading machine for distinguished and precise results every 7 days. For the green colour obtained from the readings in the machine S. ganodermophthorum L* = 87.04, a* = −0.54, b* = 22.21.This is a perfect pitch green colour and any pigmentation close to this will be olive green as shown by the media from the 100 plates. Those from the 10 negative plates will retain their colour. Under natural conditions once the growth of a fungal colony is established, or when supplies of vital nutrients become depleted, parts of the

Multicultural Awareness Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Multicultural Awareness - Assignment Example One must analyze himself in order to lead the life in a more peaceful manner. Lack of self awareness leads to various problems and self awareness will certainly help a person to improve himself. This in turn will improve his life and the development will be at a faster pace. Cultural and communal awareness and beliefs play a vital role in the development of one’s life. Since it is considered to be an important part, each and every person must have the basic knowledge about his/ her own cultural practices. (Cox & Richlin, 2004). As a counselor, I must also take note of the client’s socio-cultural background. To accomplish this, I must go through a process of self assessment that would help me in dealing with the clients in a better way. The self assessment helped in a great way since it made me a better person as I had an opportunity to know about myself. The self assessment helped me to realize the biases and beliefs of my culture and molded me into a better person. In a multi cultural environment, I had an opportunity to get along with people from different culture and community. (Erford, 2009) This made me gain more knowledge about their socio-cultural practices and the way in which they deal with people from other culture. The first time when I was realized as other, the situation was completely different.

Orientalism Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Orientalism - Movie Review Example In â€Å"Orientalism,† Edward Said, wanted to explain to the western world, especially the United States, some of the cultural and ideological differences between the â€Å"orient,† by which he means the Middle East, and the United States. Said’s â€Å"Orientalism† is divided into six sections, and in each section, he tackles one of the significant aspects of the relationship between the Middle East, representing the East, and the United States, representing the West. The five sections of â€Å"Orientalism† are designed under the titles: â€Å"The Repertory of orientalism,† â€Å"Orietalism and Empire,† â€Å"American orientalism,† â€Å"Orientalism Today : The Demonization of lslam in the News and Popular Culture,† â€Å"Oklahoma city Bombing,† and â€Å"Orientalism and Palestinian Question.† The dominating theme in the six sections is the notion that Orientalism constitutes a package of thoughts , beliefs, cultures, and traditions that are unique to the orient, and have to be adequately absorbed and understood by the East. According to Said, Orientalism does not connote a political or a social aspect alone. Rather, to understand the concept of Orientalis m according to Said, one has to develop deep understanding of many aspects that are unique to the orient. This idea is clearly expressed by Said when he introduces Orientalism as â€Å"a distribution of geopolitical awareness into aesthetic scholarly, economic, sociological, historical, and philological texts.† (Chapter 4) So, by using this set of â€Å"aspects,† Said approaches Orientalism as â€Å"a whole series of ‘interests’,† not a single entity. Among the various aspects of Orientalism, the cultural aspect remains the most distinguished and unique to the orient. The diversity of the cultures of the orient is stressed by Said, who believes that â€Å"cultural strength is not something we can discuss very easily.† Said declared that New York "plays an important role in the kind of

Performance Management Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Performance Management Paper - Essay Example Coaching can be very effective in eliminating workplace conflicts, cementing relationships and having teams focus on their core work hence achieve the set objectives. To effectively coach my team, I will focus a lot on developing interpersonal skills and improving interactions instead of developing individuals. This is because the way individuals act and communicate with each other are crucial factors that drive effective performance in the team. One guiding principle in my team training therefore has to be team work, learning to work with colleagues and understanding to relate with others. To begin off, I must understand team dynamics; it is obvious that all of us have our own ways of working and communicating hence one can really be frustrated if not understood by colleagues. The objective is to have team members come together, discuss their personal profiles and assist them devise means to work together. Once managers understand this then they definitely do the same even with the junior most employees. Another guiding point in team training is establishing behaviour expectations; understanding the perspectives of others can greatly improve performance and relationships. But there must be some ground rules guiding the team members as they work to accomplish set goals. Having a very clear behaviour code and communication expectation is thus very important. Another key point of training is evaluating rewards and recognitions systems. It is very common for values held by different individuals to compete and hinder effective performance in teams. As the manager, it will be my role to determine any sources of competition in values and devise ways to fix the same. Supporting individual performance is another essential point in team coaching as some members may require to be supported in learning new skills so as to meet team expectations. Readiness for

Balance lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Balance - Lab Report Example Record the reading The Centigram Balance, which gives a reading of 2.3 on weighing the copper slug directly, has a sensitivity of 0.1 grams, whereas the Electronic Balance which gives a reading of 2.999 for the same slug has a much higher sensitivity of 0.001g. It is important to use the same slug for both instruments to make sure that any disparity in the readings is due to the instrument being used and not because of a difference in the mass of the copper slug being measured. The Electronic Balance has a higher accuracy. This is further proved by the value obtained for average mass of a copper slug using an Electronic Balance. This value, 2.980, is very close to the reading 2.989 which was obtained when a copper slug was measured on the Electronic Balance using weight difference method. The Electronic Balance, due to its high sensitivity and accuracy is more reliable for measurement of small masses. The Centigram on the other hand has a much lower accuracy and sensitivity and is thus unsuitable for small masses. Weighing by difference is different from weighing directly because it involves taking two readings and then subtracting the two to get a value for the mass that has to be measured. Weighing by difference gives more accurate results because when the readings are subtracted then any zero error due to wrong calibration of the instrument will be removed from the final reading. In case of weighing a mass directly if the instrument contains a zero error it will show up in the reading obtained which will then be inaccurate. Conclusion: This experiment establishes that the use of an Electronic Balance as opposed to a Centigram Balance and the use of weighing by difference technique as opposed to weighing directly produce more accurate

Further Financial Analysis Of Easton Town, Massachusetts Essay Example for Free

Further Financial Analysis Of Easton Town, Massachusetts Essay 1. Financial Analysis of Easton Town, Massachusetts In this assignment we will further examine the financial health of Easton Town, Massachusetts by computing a number of accounting rations on the financial figures portrayed in the annual report of 2006.   A horizontal analysis will also be conducted on certain key financial variables of the town, by considering the increase or decrease occurring from 2005 to 2006.   This financial analysis will be classified on three main factors, being profitability, liquidity and stability. 1.1 Financial Performance of Easton Town, Massachusetts A weak financial performance of Easton Town Massachusetts is noted from the profitability ratios performed in latter section of this assignment.    The interperiod equity figure of 0.98 times reveals that the total revenue of the town is not capable to cover by one time the operating expenses incurred.   In this respect, a deficiency of revenue over expenditure is taking place.   This point is further substantiated by the net income margin of –2.16%.   This implies that a loss of $2.16 is made up from every $100 of sales.   This is a substantially high loss for Easton Town. A loss is normally either the result of lack of revenue or excessive costs incurred in the day-to-day operations of the town.   The revenue dispersion ratio performed in section 1.4 shows that the two main revenue-generating activities of the town are Property Taxes and Intergovernmental State Revenue.   Both of them account for 84.99% of the total revenue of Easton Town.   If one considers the property taxes per capita, as we did in the latter section of this assignment, a ratio of 136.64% is attained.   This high ratio implies that substantial revenue is generated from property taxes in line with the population of Easton Town.   In this respect, the preposition of lack of revenue leading to losses diminishes on such facet. Expenditure is considerably high for Easton Town.   Cutting down costs is not an easy task especially for a non-profit making entity like Easton Town.   Personnel reductions could be performed in order to limit costs.   However, severe disadvantages would be derived from such policy, such as increased crime, deteriorating infrastructure of roads and decline in the standard of living.   Such factors would infringe the main objective of the Town, which entails providing a good overall service to the town and enhance their standard of living.   In this respect concessions should be placed on such profitability aspect. A solution that could be adopted for this expenditure issue is to try to improve the efficiency of the utilization of the town’s resources.   Presently such efficiency stands at 29.76%.   Through the adoption of scientific management, such efficiency can be improved by optimally changing the present operational procedures. 1.2 Financial Position of Easton Town, Massachusetts A sound liquidity position is noted for Easton Town from the ratios determined.   The ability of the current assets of the town to cover its outstanding short-term debts is by one and a half.   This is a good working capital feature.   Further more, the capability of cash and cash equivalents to handle the current liabilities is significantly material standing at 70.87%.   This further sheds light on a good management of working. In spite of such positive factors, through the horizontal analysis conducted, a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $124,336 was noted.   This particularly stems from a reduction in trust funds and scholarship funds.   For instance, the high conservative funds payments, which are drastically exceeding the annual receipts is contributing to such decrease in trust funds.   Attention should be thus placed on such facet to ensure that cash flow problems are prevented. 1.3 Financial Stability of Easton Town, Massachusetts The gearing ratio computed in the proceeding section reveals that Easton Town is a high-geared company.   High gearing means that debt is in a higher proportion than equity capital.   The greater the debt, the more the financial commitments necessary to meet such debt obligations, like interest payments.   The horizontal analysis conducted revealed that the long-term debt diminished from 2005 to 2006 by $2,128,480 and thus further reduced such financial commitments.   The payments of long-term debts are another factor that contributed to the decline in cash and cash equivalents.   However, the short-term debt increased by $2,411,000, which is higher than the decrease in long-term debt.   Such movement also corresponds with the significant debt to total assets determined.   This increasing figure is yet mitigated by the good current ratio noted in the previous section. 1.4 Concluding Remark – Financial Health of Easton Town, Massachusetts Even though there is a deteriorating profitability, the sound liquidity is mitigating such factor.   The increasing total debt portion is also being stabilized by decreasing long-term debts and increasing short-term debts.   As already noted, the good financial position can sustain an increase in current liabilities. We can therefore conclude that a good financial health is portrayed for Easton Town, Massachusetts for the financial year ended 2006.

Discuss symbolism and its effectiveness in the Iliad Essay Example for Free

Discuss symbolism and its effectiveness in the Iliad Essay Symbolism plays a crucial role in The Iliad. Take for instance when Achilles already knows why Apollo is angry, but decides the fact should be stated by someone other than himself. He knows that Agamemnon will become angry once the truth is revealed. I believe that in this instance he is trying to keep his rage in check by avoiding a direct confrontation with Agamemnon so although the symbolism of anger is present it is kept under wraps. Calchas also fears for his life because he also knows Agamemnons fury is unyielding at times. However, with a great deal of encouragement from Achilles, Calchas spoke out, bravely: Beware-The gods enraged because Agamemnon spurned his priest' (106). When the truth is exposed, Agamemnon becomes extremely angry and he and Achilles argue. The argument becomes so heated that Achilles is tempted to kill Agamemnon. Achilles questions himself, Should he draw the long sharp sword slung at his hip, thrust through the ranks and kill Agamemnon nowor check his rage and beat his fury down (108). Here, Hera has Athena intervene to keep Achilles from killing Agamemnon, which shows how the gods control Achilles destiny. The argument between Achilles and Agamemnon clearly shows that the two men have different opinions about the power of the gods, what is holy or unholy, and what is proper treatment of other men. These differences are one source of Achilles rages likewise the issues pertaining to power and gods are being symbolised. Achilles is also angry at having to fight another mans battle. The Trojan War is being fought because Paris stole Helen, Agamemnons sister-in-law. In his argument with Agamemnon, Achilles points out It wasnt Trojan spearmen who brought me here to fight. The Trojans never did me damage, not in the least (107). Achilles rage heightens in the argument and he declares No, you colossal, shamelesswe all followed you, to please you, to fight for you, to win your honor back from the TrojansMenelaus and you, you dog-face! (108). Achilles is also angry because even though he and many other soldiers are there risking their lives for Agamemnon and Menelaus, Agamemnon is sly enough to avoid personal injury. Achilles says to Agamemnon, Never once did you arm with the troops and go to battle or risk an ambush packed with Achaeas picked menyou lack the courage, you can see death coming (109). The Trojan War is being fought for personal reasons. Achilles rage at this point stems from the injustice that he is risking his life for someone elses cause and also for the fact that Agamemnon is a coward. The argument between Achilles and Agamemnon has deep-seeded roots of jealousy, another and symbol emotion that stirs anger. Agamemnon knows that Achilles has the respect of the soldiers and the gods; therefore, Agamemnon is always striving to prove his superiority and powerfulness to Achilles. Agamemnon agrees to give Chryseis back to the priest, but then takes Brisies from Achilles. Achilles allows Agamemnons men to take Brisies without a fight in order to maintain the respect of the gods; however, after Brisies is taken, Achilles becomes so enraged and heartbroken that he reaffirms his declaration not to fight anymore. Achilles declares that Agamemnon is to blame for the doom of the Achaean army if the day should come when the armies need me to save their ranks from ignominious, stark defeat (112). Jealousy, then, can be viewed as another source of Achilles rage. The issues being symbolised here are emotional and touching. Achilles is heartbroken and calls on his mother, the goddess Thetis. She is sorrowful when she hears Achilles prayers and weeping. Achilles knows that he is going live a short life and now feels that his life has no honor. He feels that the gods have forsaken him by allowing Agamemnon to humiliate him. Achilles wants his mother to collect on an old debt from Zeus. Thetis is saddened by Achilles heartbreak and confirms his destiny, Doomed to a short life, you have so little time. And not only short, now, but filled with heartbreak too' (114). She leaves Achilles to go ask Zeus to let the Trojan army win as long as Achilles is not fighting. Achilles is left alone, his heart inflamed for the sashed and lovely girl theyd wrenched from him against his will (115). Achilles lost love and broken heart are another source of his rage. The effect is symbolism is tangible. Rage is being symbolised through love and the impact leads to a broken heart. Achilles heart remains rigid against Agamemnon even when three of his dearest friends come and ask him to fight again. Phoenix, Ajax, and Odysseus plead with Achilles to join the battle again, but he refuses. The three make the argument that even if Achilles is angry with Agamemnon, he should still come back to the fighting to help his friends whose lives will be lost if he does not. Achilles dearest friend, Patroclus, decides to take Achilles armor and join the fighting. Patroclus is wounded in battle and then is killed when Hector waiting, watching the great-hearted Patroclus trying to stagger free, came rushing into him right across the lines and rammed his spearshaft home. (159). It is Patroclus death that brings Achilles back to the war. Now his rage is aroused by his desire to obtain revenge against the Trojan army and, more specifically, Hector. Achilles armor is lost because Hector and the Trojans take it from Patroclus dead body. This action inspires Achilles to seek Thetis help again. She has Hephaestus make new armor for Achilles. The new armor is magnificent. It is a great and massive shield, blazoning well-wrought emblems all across its surface (173). Thetis and other gods encourage Achilles to fight now. Apollo taunts Achilles while Hector holds fast outside the city gates. It is King Priam who first sees Achilles coming and is filled with fear for Hector. Achilles appears blazing like the star that rears at harvest, flaming up in its brilliance far outshining the countless stars in the night sky (177). Hector is filled with fear as Achilles approaches the city. Achilles then chases Hector around the city three times. It is divine intervention by Athena that causes Hector to finally stop and face Achilles. Zeus decides who will die in the fight as he held out his sacred golden scales: in them he placed two fates of death that lays men low (181). The scales are tipped in Achilles favor and Hector looses his life. It is very clear that the gods control Achilles destiny and influence the factors that create his rage. Why is Achilles enraged? His rage is a personal choice. He decides to confront Agamemnon. He decides to withdraw from the war. He decides to join the war after Patroclus death. However, the gods do their parts in making sure that his destiny is carried out. Thetis has new armor made for him and encourages him to fight. Apollo taunts him. Athena intervenes, first to make sure he does not kill Agamemnon and then later to make sure that he does kill Hector. Zeus weighs his fate. Rage is the spawn of many emotions. Injustice, jealousy, un-holiness, revenge, and heartbreak are emotions that sparked Achilles rage. Homers tale, the Iliad, shows how Achilles rage is his destiny. Symbolism is very effective throughout the novel. It is linked to emotions, love and rage. Works Cited Homer. The Iliad. The Norton Anthology World Masterpieces. Ed. Sarah Lawall. 7th ed. Vol. 1. W. W. Norton Company. New York, London, 1999. 104-209. Spark Notes the Iliad by Homer Spark Notes edition January 10, 2002 The Norton Anthology of Western Literature, Volume 1 by Sarah Lawall Norton; 8 edition August 15, 2005 Making Literature Matter: An Anthology for Readers and Writers by John Schilb Bedford/St. Martin; 3 edition October 25, 2005.

Colonialism in Ireland and Australia

Colonialism in Ireland and Australia A CRITICAL COMPARISON OF THE HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHIES OF COLONIALISM IN IRELAND AND AUSTRALIA Table of Contents (Jump to) Introduction Background Historical Geography Colonialism Post-Colonialism and Said’s ‘Orientalism’ Similarities between Australia and Ireland Differences between Australia and Ireland The notion of ‘discovery’ Conclusion Works Cited Introduction This essay will compare the historical geographies of colonialism in Ireland and Australia. First, it defines what we mean by ‘historical geography’ as this is fundamental to how this analysis will be made. Second, it discusses what we mean by colonization and why it plays such a central role in historical geography. Third, it discusses the work of Edward Said, and in particular Orientalism. It compares and contrasts the colonial experiences of Australia and Ireland within this context. Fourth, it explores the notions of ‘exploration’ and ‘conquering’ using early maps of Australia and Ireland. Ireland and Australia are both post-colonial nations and there is a multitude of similarities in their historical geographies. Yet Ireland and Australia were fundamentally different places in the pre-colonialism era and remain so in the era of post-colonialism. This essay will compare and contrast the similarities and differences of their colonial histories. Background Historical Geography For the purposes of this essay, ‘historical geography’ is defined as a division of geography that concerns itself with â€Å"how cultural features of the multifarious societies across the planet evolved and came into being† (Wikipedia, 2006b). The discipline has traditionally considered the â€Å"spatial- and place- focused orientation of geography, contrasting and combining the spatial interests of geography with the temporal interests of history, creating a field concerned with changing spatial patterns and landscapes† (Guelke, 1997: 191). As Donald Meinig, one of the most influential American historical geographers once stated: â€Å"I have long insisted that by their very nature geography and history are analogous and interdependent fields† (1989: 79). Colonialism Any discussion of colonialism also requires a definition of what we mean by the term. Colonialism is one of the most important features of ‘modern’ history and, some might argue, the undertaking that led to the birth of ‘geography’ in the first place. To define colonialism we must first define two other key terms in history: empire and imperialism. The historian Michael Doyle defines empire as â€Å"a relationship, formal or informal, in which one state controls the effective political sovereignty of another political society. It can be achieved by force, by political collaboration, economic, social, or cultural dependence† (in Said, 1993). Imperialism is broadly the practice, the theory and the way of thinking of a dominating centre that controls a far-off land (Said, 1993); as Doyle states, â€Å"imperialism is simply the process or policy of establishing or maintaining empire† (in Said, 1993). Within this context, colonialism can be defined as the â€Å"implanting of settlements on distant territory† and is virtually always a result of imperialism (Said, 1993). To analyse and contrast colonial experience, as well as to understand why colonialism figures so prominently in the discourse of historical geography, one must try to understand the sheer scale of colonial expansion. As Said (1993: 1) explains: Western power allowed the imperial and metropolitan centres at the end of the nineteenth century to acquire and accumulate territory and subjects on a truly astonishing scale. Consider that in 1800, Western powers claimed fifty-five percent, but actually held approximately thirty-five percent, of the earth’s surface. But by 1878, the percentage was sixty-seven percent of the world held by Western powers, which is a rate of increase of 83,000 square miles per year. By 1914, the annual rate by which the Western empires acquired territory has risen to an astonishing 247,000 square miles per year. And Europe held a grand total of roughly eighty-five percent of the earth as colonies, protectorates, dependencies, dominions and Commonwealth †¦ No other associated set of colonies in history were as large, none so totally dominated, none so unequal in power to the Western metropolis†¦ The scale of British colonialism in 1897 is visible in Map 1, marked in pink. Map 1. The British Empire Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire Map 2 shows all territories ruled by the British Empire (1762-1984) and England (1066-1707) – Ireland and Australia are coloured orange to signify that they were ‘Dominions’ of the British Empire. Map 2. All territories ruled by England and the British Empire Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire Post-Colonialism and Said’s ‘Orientalism’ One of the most influential texts on post-colonialism discourse is undoubtedly Edward Said’s book Orientalism, originally published in 1978. ‘Orientalism’ is, in essence, the ‘study of Near and Far Eastern societies and cultures by Westerners’ (Wikipedia, 2006c). Since the publication of Said’s book, the term became (rightly) laden with negative connotations; Said’s book was at heart a critique of Orientalism as â€Å"fundamentally a political doctrine that willed over the Orient because the Orient was weaker than the West, which elided the Orient’s difference with its weakness†¦As a cultural apparatus Orientalism is all aggression, activity, judgment, will-to-truth, and knowledge†. The book serves as the basis for one of the primary dichotomies in the study of human geography: ‘us’ and ‘other’ (or the ‘Orient’/‘Occident’ distinction). Similarities between Australia and Ireland It is in this context that we can identify the primary similarity between the historical geographies of Ireland and Australia. If within this context we are meant to define the ‘colonisers’ as ‘us’ (i.e., those involved in Western geographical discourse) and the ‘colonised’ as ‘them’ or ‘other’, we reach a crucial problematic area with regards to the two nations at hand. Ireland and Australia are both nations left out of the post-colonial dialogue even though they are undeniably post-colonial. However, discussing these two nations within the dialogue of post-colonialism would ignore the fact that they are both relatively wealthy nations, members of the First World, with few similarities to the nations that are generally being discussed within the sphere. Yet, within the framework of ‘other’, they do share many similarities mainly because they are both peripheral from a Euro-centric viewpoint (Litvack, 2006: 2) – though this, economically at least, is increasingly untrue concerning Ireland. Macintyre (1999: 24) writes with regard to Australia: The Orient came to stand for a whole way of life that was inferior to that of the West: indolent, irrational, despotic, and decayed. Such typification of the alien and other, which the critic Edward Said characterizes as Orientalism, had a peculiar meaning in colonial Australia where geography contradicted history. Fascination and fear mingled in the colonists’ apprehension of the zone that lay between them and the metropole. As a British dependency, Australia adopted the terminology that referred to the Near, Middle and Far East until, under threat of Japanese invasion in 1940, its prime minister suddenly recognized that â€Å"What Great Britain call the Far East is to us the Near North†. Slemon has argued for a discussion within post-colonial discourse of a â€Å"Second World† to accommodate those nations that cannot place themselves â€Å"neatly on one side or the other of the ‘colonizer/colonized’ binary† (Kroeker, 2001: 11). After all, both nations could be considered not just ‘victim’ but also ‘accomplice’ and ‘beneficiary’ of colonialism (Litvack, 2006). Slemon’s idea is helpful in creating an alternative for the â€Å"difficult examples of post-colonial, white, settler cultures† like that of Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Though Ireland is different, one could easily argue that the ‘Second World’ is a better fit than the ‘Third’. In short, Ireland and Australia’s position in between these two very separate worlds of ‘colonizer’ and ‘colonized’ is an underlying similarity in their historical geographies of colonialism. Differences between Australia and Ireland There is an important discrepancy within the context of ‘Orientalism’ between Australia and Ireland. Abiding by the rules of historical geography, just as humans make their cultures and ethnic identities we also make our own histories. More often than not, memory is matched to history but as Collingwood (1970 in McCarthy, no date: 13) states â€Å"memory is not history, because history is a certain kind of organized or inferential knowledge, and memory is not organized, not inferential at all†. Though undoubtedly ‘memory’ impinges on Irish history the same as any other, Irish history at least seems to have some type of consensus. On the other hand, there are two distinct versions of Australian history: one that begins when the British landed in Botany Bay in 1788, and one that begins at least 40,000 (and possibly 120,000) years before that. Conventional Australian history to this day remains the version that begins with the arrival of the British â₠¬â€œ as the old African proverb goes: only when lions have historians will the hunters cease to be heroes. Key to the differences between Australia and Ireland in this context are issues of ‘domination’ and ‘race’. The underlying argument here is that whilst the Irish were undoubtedly oppressed by British rule, it was a fundamentally different kind of oppression than that faced by Australia’s Aboriginals. The domination and repression of the Irish during British colonial rule was done in the context of engagement. The ‘native’ Irish were certainly disadvantaged by the British, and this was a typical feature of colonialism – Meinig has long drawn attention, within his geographical analysis of imperial expansion, to the employment of supreme political authority by the invaders over the invaded (Meinig, 1989). The relationship between the British and the Irish fits very neatly into Meinig’s theories of subjugation. One of his arguments is that the goal of imperial expansion was to extract wealth and in doing so to forge new economic relationships to reach these ends. The political authority of the British (invaders) over the Irish (invaded) is illustrated by the manipulation of ethnic and religious identities that occurred â€Å"in order to keep the subject population from uniting against the occupying power† (Wikipedia, 2006a). Economic exploitation und er British rule had an â€Å"ethnic (and latently nationalist) dimension because it was expressed through religious discrimination† (Komito, 1985: 3). The legacy of this ‘divide and rule’ strategy (as well as the link between religion and nationalism) remains in Ireland today. The Great Irish Famine remains, to this day, â€Å"the defining moment in Irish†¦history† (Kenny, 2001). Between 1840 and 1850, the Irish population was reduced from 8.2 million to 4.1 million – including out-migration as well as deaths from starvation (Guinnane, 1998). Irish land was by and large owned by English landlords and worked by Irish tenants; at the time of the famine, these peasants had to choose between paying the rent for the land with their other crops (and possibly starving), or eating their rent and being liable to eviction. The British government first ignored the famine and when relief effort was made it was erratic and unreliable. â€Å"Many had died from starvation; those who emigrated, and those who survived in Ireland, remembered the inadequate and uncaring response of Britain. More than any other single event in history, the Famine came to epitomize, for many Irish people, the quintessential example of British attitudes to its neighbour† (Komito, 2006: 3). On the other hand, the policy of the British towards the Aboriginals in Australia was not one of subjugation but extermination. Whereas most of the Irish in Ireland (as well as the estimated 80 million Irish that live abroad) proudly claim Celtic ancestry, the natives in Australia suffered a dramatic decline with European settlement, brought on by the â€Å"impact of new diseases, repressive and often brutal treatment, dispossession, and social and cultural disruption and disintegration† (Year Book Australia, 1994). Conservative estimates of the Aboriginal population pre-1788 place the figure at somewhere around 300,000, though many anthropologists now believe there were probably closer to one million Aboriginals in 1788. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that in 1966 (approaching the ‘bicentennial’ of the ‘founding’ of Australia that was so widely – and rightly – protested by the Aboriginal population) there were onl y 80,207 ‘indigenous’ members of the population. Even if one assumes (or accepts) a figure of zero population growth, this figure is still only about 26 percent of the original population. Whilst the Aboriginal population continued to expand at the end of the 20th century – an ‘estimated resident Indigenous population’ of 469,000 is projected for this year – it is clear to see that it came close to being exterminated. This increasing number of indigenous people still represents only about 2.4 percent of the total Australian population (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006). And so comes the issue of race. Much of Said’s work, for example, deals with the ‘white’ man’s oppression of the ‘brown’. Whereas the Irish were certainly subjugated, they were viewed simply as inferior. The Aboriginals, in contrast, were viewed as subhuman, â€Å"and as animals they possessed no rights, nor any claim to morality† (Pilger, 1989: 27). Australia, here, seems to have more in common with the ‘Dark Continent’ than with any imperialism within Europe. Some colonial nations, often referred to as ‘settler countries’, had the same attitude towards the natives as that in Australia. In Canada, New Zealand, and even Latin American settler countries’ Argentina and Uruguay, little effort was made by the colonist to maintain the existing order, to establish commercial (or other) relations with the inhabitants, or even to recruit them as labour. Instead of involving themselves with the native populations, these lands were simply cleared and settled as â€Å"fresh field of European endeavour† (Macintyre, 1999: 20). Again, this is not to argue that the Irish were not oppressed during English dominion but simply to state that they were at least acknowledged in a way that the Aboriginals were not. One might even venture to argue that the treatment of the Aboriginals in Australia was so horrific that it has led to their virtual writing out of traditional Australian memory and consequently history. In The Fatal Shore, Robert Hughes’ describes what he calls ‘a national pact of silence (Pilger, 1989) over the Aboriginal issue. There is no topic more sensitive in Australia than that of the Aboriginals. This aspect of the British colonial legacy has certainly constructed a version of history that, as many Australians say, is â€Å"missing something† (Pilger, 1989). Burgmann and Lee make clear at the beginning of their book, A People’s History of Australia, th at their aim is ‘not merely to compensate for past neglect, but to assert that we can only understand Australia’s history by analysing the lives of the oppressed’ (in Pilger, 1989: 3). After all, â€Å"a nation founded on bloodshed and suffering of others eventually must make peace with that one historical truth† (Pilger, 1989: 3). In short, the history of the colonizer and the colonized in Australia and Ireland is enormously different. Australia has, for the last few decades, seemingly been coming to terms with their national past and incorporating the near total-destruction of Aboriginal life and culture into their accepted version of history. Ireland, of course, maintains a history as ‘constructed’ as any other nation’s – theirs, unlike that of the Australians, does not seem to be ‘silencing’ any important truths. The notion of ‘discovery’ In the early nineteenth century, the primary aims and concerns of Geography were: to collect and publish new facts and discoveries, to develop instruments of use to travellers, and to accumulate geographical texts, in particular maps. Geography was, in many ways, an instrument of the empire, an impression that is illustrated well by the number of military men that were members of the Royal Geographic Society in the early nineteenth century. Topography and mapping by and large went hand in hand with notions of colonialism and expansion. Wood wrote that maps ‘work’ because they â€Å"give us reality, a reality that exceeds our vision, our reach, the span of our days, a reality we achieve no other way† (1993: 4-5). In short, maps â€Å"manage to pass off for evident truth what is hard won, culturally acquired knowledge about the world we inhabit; a reality unverifiable by the naked eye† (Klein, 1998: 1). This section will argue that early colonial maps of both Ireland and Australia used cartography to meet their colonial desires. The key difference was that early maps of Australia displayed a land ‘unconquered’ and ‘uninhabited’ whereas colonial maps of Ireland represented a land very much ‘conquered’. Early maps of colonial Australia and Ireland also illustrate another key difference: the British believed they had discovered Australia, whilst they never assumed to have discovered the Emerald Isle. In reality, they had not ‘discovered’ Australia either – â€Å"the very fact that Cook discovered Australia strikes many today as false as the British claim to sovereignty over it† (Macintyre, 1999: 25). After all, â€Å"how can you find something that is already known?† (Macintyre, 1999: 25). The conception of ‘unconquered’ and ‘vacant’ land figures very prominently in the geography of discovery and colonialism. The sheer size of Australia allowed its settlers to believe they had found a previously unconquered, uninhabited landmass. Clearly, there is an element of sheer size. The Australian continent has an astronomical area of 7,682,300 square kilometres, compared to Ireland’s 70,300. Early maps of Australia often displ ay an indeterminate continent, and â€Å"decorated it with lush vegetation and barbarous splendour† (Macintyre, 1999: 25). Other maps often neglected the south coast entirely, and left a vacant (or unexplored and therefore non-existent?) centre, as seen in Map 3, which is believed to date from the 1800s. Part and parcel of colonial imagination has been to make out no territorial limits in its desire for the unknown and the unconquered. Map 3. Early Map of Australia Source: MSN Encarta. Map 4. Early Map of Australia Source: http://www.chr.org.au/earlymapsofaustralia/Images/Map%20before%20captain%20cook%201753%20Jacques%20Nicolas.jpg Map 4 further emphasizes the unconquered aspect – by leaving great tracts of the continent blank on maps it was easier to believe that those very tracts were untouched and uninhabited. The vast emptiness of early Australian maps can also be viewed as a reactionary defensive mechanism. Numerically, the colonizers in Australia were (initially) a minority. In colonial theory in general, this was problematic because minorities were established as ‘outsiders’ in society. It was doubly problematic in Australia because of its role as the ‘dumping-ground for convicts’ (Macintyre, 1999: 18) in its early English settlement. To conceptualise and construct a large vacant space allowed for the idea of an uninhabited continent to flourish, and allowed the early colonizers to reject the idea of being a minority. In contrast, early maps of Ireland try to conceptualise a country that is controlled and conquered. In a study of the English construction of Irish space in a series of Elizabethan and Jacobean maps, Klein (1998: 4) found that most â€Å"do little to hide their involvement in the colonial politics of their historical moment. In gradually redefining the ‘savage’ Irish wasteland as a territorial extension of the national sphere, they are quite openly engaged in negotiating the political accommodation of Irish cultural difference into a British framework†. Baptista Boazio’s Irlande (Map 5) is believed to be the first map of Ireland, dating from 1559. Today, this map does not meet with much approval – â€Å"the lavish ornamental flourish, the purely fictional character of some of the map’s topographical details and †¦ the extravagant use of colour are all features that suggest that precise geographical information was not the map’s principal objective† (Klein, 1998: 15). Map 5. Boazio’s Irlande Source: Klein, 1998. The Kingdome of Ireland (Map 6) was the standard representation of Ireland for the first half of the 17th century. This map portrays a â€Å"neat and perfectly controlled area; a peaceful and quiet expanse†. The â€Å"pictorial surface of the map achieves both homogeneity and balance, suggesting a spatial harmony devoid of conflict† (Klein, 1998: 17). Moreover, the ‘wild men and women’ of Ireland depicted on the map seem to register a cartographic â€Å"transfer of political authority in Ireland from native Irish to English colonizers† (Klein, 1998: 17). Map 6. Speed’s Kingdome of Ireland Source: Klein, 1998. In short, early maps of Ireland and Australia made great attempts to represent (and reaffirm) colonial ‘truths’. As Klein (1998: 1) states, â€Å"it should be noted that some eyes are as blind as others are observant, and contemporaries also recognized that the abstraction of geometric scale may quietly conceal rather than openly disclose geographical information†. Representation of these two nations were different in that Australia was represented as unconquered and ready for the taking, whereas Ireland was represented very much as ‘conquered’. This had to do with both the differences in size of the two nations at hand, as well as with their proximity to England. Conclusion This essay has attempted to analyse the historical geographies of colonialism in Australia and Ireland. It has shown that though the two nations share some overriding similarities (many simply attributed to being post-colonial), there are also a multitude of differences in their historical geographies. The comparison was made in two basic contexts. First, the analysis was made within Said’s Orientalism. It argued that both Ireland and Australia were stuck between the binary of ‘us’ and ‘other’, between the First and Third Worlds. However, it argued that due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, race, proximity, and area, their experience of ‘Orientalism’ was fundamentally different. The second sections analysed the representation of colonialism in early maps of Australia and Ireland. Here the countries again displayed significant difference: Australia was depicted as a land waiting to be conquered, and Ireland as ‘neat’ and ‘controlled’. A further general note can be made in that this essay demonstrated the power of memory and history on geography, and vice versa. Having analysed the historical geographies of Australia and Ireland, one would certainly agree that geography and history are â€Å"analogous and interdependent fields†. Works Cited Australian Bureau of Statistics (2004) Yearbook Australia: Population – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population, available from: www.abs.gov.au Guelke, L. (1997) ‘The Relations Between Geography and History Reconsidered’, History and Theory, 36 (2), pp. 191-234. Hughes, R. (1986) The Fatal Shore: The epic of Australia’s founding, New York: Vintage Books. Klein, B. (1998) ‘Partial Views: Shakespeare and the Map of Ireland’, Early Modern Literary Studies, Special Issue 3, 1-20. Kroeker, A. â€Å"Separation from the World: Post-colonial aspects of Mennonite/s wiring in Western Canada†, Winnipeg, Manitoba: University of Manitoba. Litvack, L. (2006) Theories of Post-Coloniality: Edward W. Said and W.B. Yeats, available from: www.qub.ac.uk/en/imperial/ireland/saidyeat.htm Macintyre, S. (1999) A Concise History of Australia, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. McCarthy, M. (no date) ‘Historico-Geographical Explorations of Ireland’s Heritages: Toward a Critical Understanding of the Nature of Memory and Identity’, available from: http://www.ashgate.com/subject_area/downloads/sample_chapters/IrelandsHeritagesCh1.pdf McCarthy, M. (2003), ‘Historical geographies of a colonized world: the renegotiation of New English colonialism in early modern urban Ireland, c. 1600-10, Irish Geography, 36(1), 59-76. Meinig, D. W. (1982) ‘Geographical analysis of imperial expansion’, in Baker, A. R. H. and Billinge, M. (eds.) Period and place: Research methods in historical geography, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Meinig, D. W. (1989) ‘The Historical Geography of Imperative’, Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 79, 79-87. Pilger, J. (1989) A Secret Country, Sydney: Random House. Said, E. (1979) Orientalism, New York: Vintage Books. Said, E. (1993) Culture and Imperialism, lecture given at York University, Toronto, Canada, 10 February 1993. Wikipedia (2006a) British Empire, available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire Wikipedia (2006b) Geography, available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography Wikipedia (2006c) Orientalism, available from: http://en.wikipedia/org/wiki/Orientalism Wood, D. (1993) The Power of Maps, London: Routledge

Symbolism In Macbeth Essay -- William Shakespeare

In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, symbolism plays a prominent role to emphasize the theme of corruption of power. Throughout the play there are several main symbols repeatedly used to emphasize this theme. The contrast of light and dark representing good and evil, blood representing guilt, murder, and pain, and the archetypal pattern of purification by using water represents removal of guilt, cleansing and peace. Symbolism is used repeatedly to emphasize the theme of corruption of power. The image of blood plays an important role throughout Macbeth. Blood represents the murders that Macbeth had committed, the guilt that went along with the murders and the pain that it brought on him during his downfall. The soldier describes the violence and bloodshed, in the war between Scotland and Norway, "Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds." (I. ii. 43) foreshadows the violent nature of the play filled with murder, guilt and pain. Blood in the murder of King Duncan also plays a major role because it represents Macbeth's guilt as well as his shame for slaying King Duncan. Macbeth observes his blood stained hands and remarks "As they had seen me with these hangman's hands." (II. ii. 28) This reveals his guilt and shame because he is comparing his hands to those of an executioner's. After the murder, Macbeth refuses to return back to the bed chamber of Kind Duncan to smear the blood on the sleeping guards, because he is afraid that the blood will incriminate him further. Lady Macbeth smearing the blood onto the guards represents them trying to rub their guilt off onto the guard. "I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal, for it must seem their guilt" (II. ii. 73) but this proves to be ineffective because Macbeth ends up murdering t... ... a dark setting used which involved supernatural events, while the light setting was used for last battle, when Macbeth was slain at the end to show the restoration of peace and honesty. Thus the symbolism of light and darkness representing good and evil in the play emphasizes the theme of corruption of power. In conclusion, symbolism is used to emphasize a theme through repetition and imagery. It is used to emphasize the theme of the corruption of power due to Macbeth's actions. Blood representing guilt, blood murder, and pain, the contrast of light and dark representing good and evil and the archetypal pattern of purification by using water representing removal of guilt, cleansing and peace are the main symbols used repeatedly to emphasize this theme. These symbols portray the theme effectively to allow the audience to grasp and involve themselves into the play.

AI :: essays research papers

AI: Artificial Intelligence: The branch of computer science that deals with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively; AI is used so computers can solve problems, learn and gain knowledge. AI is an attempt for computers to simulate human qualities. Areas of AI research: Learning, game theoretic methods, Reasoning, speech Intelligent agents, physical modeling Knowledge representation  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  natural language Logic programming  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  planning AI: Classification: AI can be classified into three different areas: Natural Language Processing which involves computers that can read, speak and understand natural language. Robotics which involves the development of intelligent robots. Expert Systems which is the simulation of the knowledge of human experts. Intelligence: The ability to use knowledge for our own purposes is called thinking and is the basis of intelligence. Ability to think and reason, To learn, To acquire knowledge, To adapt to new situations A person is intelligent when they can solve difficult problems using logical reasoning. Interactionism: States the mind is non-material, the body is material, and each can act on each other. Parallelism: Mind is spirit, body is material, and neither can act on each other. Materialism: Mind is, or a state of, part of the material body. The relevant part of the physical body is usually considered to be the central nervous system that is the brain and spinal cord. Idealism: The body, along with everything else, is just an idea of the mind. Natural Language Processing: Computers are able to perform natural language processing at the syntax level. (syntax refers to the way in which words are put together to form phrases and sentences) Style checkers are able to detect punctuation errors, double word usage, typographical errors, sexist language and more. A Machine Intelligence Test: A simple test which determines whether or not a machine is behaving intelligently: Would this behaviour be considered intelligent if a human was observed behaving in the same way? The difficulty experience by artificial intelligence researchers is translating this massive amount of knowledge into a form that can be used by computers is called the Feigenbaum bottleneck: Identification and analysis of the chunks of knowledge. Chunk is used for an item of knowledge to indicate that knowledge does not appear in precisely defined units. The translation of that knowledge into a form that can be processed by a machine.

Fast Breeder Reactors Essay -- Nuclear Power Energy

Fast Breeder Reactors Abstract In this report I will investigate how different breeder reactors operate, the many problems addressed by the Fast Breeder Reactor, including efficiency and cost, the disadvantages of Fast Breeder Reactors, and working examples that have been constructed throughout the world. Introduction There is another type of modern nuclear energy, an interesting idea that will grow on you, so to speak. If one were to think of an â€Å"alternative† nuclear energy source, a pebble bed fission reactor or namely fusion reactors come to mind. The Liquid Metal Fast Breeder reactor (FBR) is the alternate â€Å"alternative† reactor. FBRs first went critical (became operational) in 1951 with the American experimental EBR-1 in Idaho. FBRs, in principle, produce more fissile material than they produce. Although they still need a blend of stable fertile material with fissile fuel, the fact that they convert this mix to a unified fissile material while generating electricity at the same time is the primary reason these reactors are appealing. The technology used for FBRs has been consistently researched in the US, USSR, France, UK, Germany, Japan, China, and India at different points in time beginning in 1949 with initial design work performed on the EBR-I in the US (Encarta-200 5). Asian countries currently lead the world in the effort being invested in this type of reactor. We could see a significant number of FBRs being built within the next 25 to 50 years, as the demand for fossil fuels increases with pollution and the constant and inefficient consumption of fossil fuel supplies by all nations. Are FBRs a viable energy source for California or the US? I will discuss the atomic process that FBRs use to operate, the problems the... ...Foundation. Retrieved July 28, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monju Nuclear Power Reactors. (2005). Nuclear Energy. In Encarta Reference Library 2005 [CD-ROM].Microsoft Corporation. Nuclear reactor. (2006). In Wikipedia [Web]. Wikimedia Foundation. Retrieved July 28, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_reactor Fast Breeder Reactors: Do They Have the Juice? Breeder Reactors 11 Nuclear Waste and Breeder Reactors - Myth and Promise. Retrieved July 28, 2006, from agree.net Web site: http://www.agree.net/DefenseWatch/Nuclear%20Waste%20and%20Breeder%reactors.htm Shi, R. R. Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor. Retrieved July 20, 2006, Web site: http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/thyd/ne161/shir/project5.html Superphenix. (2006). Superphenix. In Wikipedia [Web]. Wikimedia Foundation. Retrieved July 28, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superph%C3%A9nix

Final Exam Essay

INTRODUCTION 1.1 Title of the project Access Control Proposal Project 1.2 Project schedule summary The project will be a multi-year phased approach to have all sites (except JV and SA) on the same hardware and software platforms. 1.3 Project deliverables †¢ Solutions to the issues that the specifies location of IDI is facing †¢ Plans to implement corporate-wide information access methods to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability †¢ Assessment of strengths and weaknesses in current IDI systems †¢ Address remote user and Web site user’s secure access requirements †¢ Proposed budget for the project—Hardware only †¢ Prepare detailed network and configuration diagrams outlining the proposed change †¢ Prepare a 5 to 10 minute PowerPoint assisted presentation on important access control infrastructure, and management aspects from each location. 1.4 Project Guides Course Project Access Control Proposal Guide Juniper Networks Campus LAN Reference Architecture 1.5 Project Members Members of the Technology Staff: Phil Kurutz, IT Architect and IT Security Specialist Nathan Gleed, Chief Information Officer (CIO) 1.6 Purpose This project is done as a part of fulfillment of the course IS404 (Access Control, Authentication, and Public Key Infrastructure). It is a proposal for improving IDI’s computer network infrastructure. This project is intended to be used by IDI’s information security team to developing a plan to improve IDI’s computer network infrastructure at multiple locations. 1.7 Goals and Objectives †¢ 1st Objective To assess the aging infrastructure and then develop a multi-year phased approach to have all sites (except for JV and SA) on the same hardware and software platforms. †¢ 2nd Objective The core infrastructure (switches, routers, firewalls, servers and etc.) must capable of withstanding 10 – 15% growth every year for the next seven years with a three-to-four year phased technology refresh cycle. †¢ 3rd Objective Solutions to the issues that the specifies location of IDI is facing †¢ 4th Objective Assessment of strengths and weaknesses in current IDI systems †¢ 5th Objective Address remote user and Web site user’s secure access requirements †¢ 6th Objective Prepare detailed network and configuration diagrams outlining the proposed change †¢ 7th Objective Prepare a 5 to 10 minute PowerPoint assisted presentation on important access control infrastructure, and management aspects from each location. †¢ 8th Objective A comprehensive network design that will incorporate all submitted requirements and allow for projected growth. †¢ 9th Objective: Final testing of all installed hardware, software, and network connectivity. †¢ 10th (Final) Objective: Initialization of the entire network and any last minute configuration adjustments to have the network up and operating within all specified ranges. 2 Risks and Vulnerabilities 2.1 Overall: There is a hodgepodge of servers, switches, routers, and internal hardware firewalls. Each of the organization’s locations is operating with different information technologies and infrastructure—IT systems, applications, and databases. Various levels of IT security and access management have been implemented and embedded within their respective locations. The information technology infrastructure is aging and many locations are running on outdated hardware and software. Also, the infrastructure is woefully out-of-dated in terms of patches and upgrades which greatly increase the risk to the network in terms of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. 2.2 Billings, Montana:   Logisuite 4.2.2 has not been upgraded in almost 10 years. Also, over 350 modifications have been made to the core engine and the license agreement has expired. Progressive upgrading to the current version will be required. As a result, renewing this product will be extremely cost and time-prohibitive. RouteSim is a destination delivery program used to simulate routes, costs, and profits. It is not integrated into Logisuite or Oracle financials to take advantage of the databases for real-time currency valuation and profit or loss projections.   IDI’s office automation hardware and software has not been standardized. Managers have too much liberty to buy what they want according to personal preferences. Other software problems include early versions of MS Office 5, WordPerfect  7.0, and PC-Write that are not compatible. Telecommunications has not been since the company moved its current headquarters 15 years ago. This has left many  of the new features for telecommunic ations lacking and not integrated with the customer service database to improve call management efficiency. The generic system was acquired from a service provider who is now out of business.   Policies for personal devices are being ignored by many of the executives who have local administrators install the clients on their unsupported, non-standard personal laptop computers and workstations that interface with the internet. These devices   The original WAN was designed by in the early 2000’s and has not been upgraded. During peak periods, usually between September and March, the capacity is insufficient for the organization resulting in lost internet customers which further reduces growth and revenue.   Telecommunications works through a limited Mitel SX-2000 private automatic branch exchange (PABX) that only provides voice mail and call forwarding. 2.3 Warsaw, Poland This is the largest office based on number of employees, strategically located to assist IDI for major growth in the Middle East and Asia, and the home portal for expansion and geographical client development, yet there is insufficient computing power to stay afloat on a day-to-day basis.   The primary freight forwarding application is almost 10 years old and does not interface with the McCormack dodge accounting and finance system   There are 6 Web servers (4 are primary and 2 fail during clustered load balancing) The cafeteria sponsors a public wireless network running WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) with no password protection.   Telecommunications is an 8 year old Siemens Saturn series PBX, some of whose features have become faulty. The desktop phones have not been replaced or upgraded during this time. There is a lack of separation of duties between the network operations and the accounts receivable department and there is evidence of nepotism and embezzlement. 3 Proposed Budget 4 IDI Proposed Solutions 4.1 Billings, Montana Consolidate 14 Hewitt-Packard (HP) UNIX servers to 1 UNIX server Upgrade 75 Microsoft (MS) Windows servers to Windows server 2008 R2 Upgrade MS exchange e-mail to latest version Find another software vendor to replace Oracle financials for accounting  and financial systems, Logisuite 4.2.2, RouteSim Hire developers to standardize the office automation hardware and software. Convert telecommunications system to a VOIP system Design and implement a new Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) Upgrade WAN to a T1 MPLS to increase bandwidth 4.2 Warsaw, Poland Find a new proxy server to replace the IBM Infinity hardened served Hire a new in-house application developer Convert the Siemens Saturn series PBX telecommunications system with desktop phones to a VOIP system Enforce the current Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

Universalism vs. Particularism

Universalism vs. Particularism is a concept forwarded by Fons Trompenaars, a Dutch author. Basically, this dimension asks if which is more important to you, rules or relationships. The Universalist, or rule-based, approach is roughly: â€Å"What is good and right can be defined and ALWAYS applies. † In particularistic cultures, far greater attention is given to the obligations of relationships and unique circumstances. Universalism vs. Particularism indicates how a society applies rules of morals and ethics. In a Universal society such as the U. S. , rules and contracts are developed which can apply in any situation. For example, take the case of trying to cross the street at the red light. In a very rule-based society like the U. S. , you will still be frowned at even if there is no traffic. It tends to imply equality in the sense that all persons, or citizens, falling under the rule should be treated the same. On the contrary, in Asian societies like Taiwan, where particularist judgments focus on the exceptional nature of circumstances, it is likely to be OK with one if it is his/her brothers or friends that violate the traffic rule. These people are not â€Å"citizens†, but their â€Å"friends† or â€Å"brothers†. This difference probably explains why there have been difficulties in implementing a judicial system that is credible in our country. Strong universalist cultures use the court to mediate conflicts. The more universal a country is the greater is the need to protect the truth. International operating businesses think more likely in an universalistic way. When universalistic business people agree to a contract relating to a high value deal there are always lawyers involved to assure that every detail is correctly mentioned and protected by a paragraph. In case one party would break a part of the committed deal it is possible to draw the consequences and sue the counterpart. In particularisticic cultures legal contracts don’t only keep their promises something is written down on paper. More than that they trust, rely and believe in the business relationship which was build up in the time before the contract was discussed. Chinese business people trust very much on relationships between the partners and strict regulations/formulations would probably offend/insult the partner because they would get the idea that they aren’t trustful and are cheater. The importance of relationships again solidity be carefully considered and taken into account especially from universalistic cultures when dealing with particularistic cultures. Chinese try to keep the contracts vague and not too tied. It might happen that Chinese business people will still try to negotiate afterwards even the contract was already signed/closed and agreed from all sites. In negotiations Chinese will spend a lot of time in building up a relationship with their business partners so the actual negotiation will be at the end of the meeting time. While Americans dealing with Chinese, Americans often try to close deals as fast as possible. But as a result of the Chinese way to make deals the Americans might commit more advantages than first thought just to rush forward and close a deal. This can be an advantage for particularistic cultures. Universalist cultures focus normally more on rules than on relationships. For instance American employees compete hard for better job positions and to climb up in the hierarchy and earn more money. They do this without caring for colleagues and the relationship with them. In comparison, particularistic cultures like China focus heavily on relationships. When working with/managing particularistic, universalists should build informal networks and create private understandings as well as they should try to look for fairness in doing business by treating and looking on cases each as a specific one. Particularistic cultures avoid rigid or standardized systems to manage across cultures. They rather prefer to leave some room for changes which might occur in the future process. Some stereotypes say that Germans are talented to build infrastructure and Americans are excellent to develop and invent new products/ideas. When markets became more individual and specific the USA came into trouble with their way of mass production and mass marketing. Especially in competition with particularistic countries likes France who is orientated on individual and customized products.

Schools Should Ask Students to Evaluate Their Teachers

Nowadays, education is at the top of people’s concern. Most of schools consider the interaction between students and teachers as an important role in the teaching process. Therefore, it leads to a policy that students can evaluate their teachers. In my opinion, I support that idea for several reasons.First of all, students are the very people who receive knowledge and lessons from their professors directly thus their evaluations must be exact and appropriate. In fact, it is very difficult to ask people to evaluate something that they never experience by themselves. As an example, customers are always the accurate measuring device of products’ quality because customers often try to find the best product among a lot of ones in the market to use. Similarly, students will express true opinions about their teachers and those opinions are very helpful for schools to know their teachers better. In this way, schools can have right methods to improve their staff.Furthermore, eva luations from students will make teachers perform their tasks better. As teachers know that their students always consider their teaching methods and their profession in every lecture or discussion, they will be stimulated to do well at the class. Besides, students’view will help teachers to find out their most effective teaching way and thus, their skills and experience can be boosted to a higher level.Finally, asking studentd to evaluate their teachers is also a way of showing concern to students. By that way, the schools indicate that they really appriciate their students’opinions and feeling. Hence, students may feel more comfortable and free. Also, when evaluating teachers, students have to pay attention to their lessons and they may realize their attitude of studying as well.To sum up, I strongly believe that schools should ask students to evaluate their teachers. That idea will help both of students and teachers to do better in their tasks. Schools Should Ask Students to Evaluate Their Teachers Nowadays, education is at the top of people’s concern. Most of schools consider the interaction between students and teachers as an important role in the teaching process. Therefore, it leads to a policy that students can evaluate their teachers. In my opinion, I support that idea for several reasons.First of all, students are the very people who receive knowledge and lessons from their professors directly thus their evaluations must be exact and appropriate. In fact, it is very difficult to ask people to evaluate something that they never experience by themselves. As an example, customers are always the accurate measuring device of products’ quality because customers often try to find the best product among a lot of ones in the market to use. Similarly, students will express true opinions about their teachers and those opinions are very helpful for schools to know their teachers better. In this way, schools can have right methods to improve their staff.Furthermore, eva luations from students will make teachers perform their tasks better. As teachers know that their students always consider their teaching methods and their profession in every lecture or discussion, they will be stimulated to do well at the class. Besides, students’view will help teachers to find out their most effective teaching way and thus, their skills and experience can be boosted to a higher level.Finally, asking studentd to evaluate their teachers is also a way of showing concern to students. By that way, the schools indicate that they really appriciate their students’opinions and feeling. Hence, students may feel more comfortable and free. Also, when evaluating teachers, students have to pay attention to their lessons and they may realize their attitude of studying as well.To sum up, I strongly believe that schools should ask students to evaluate their teachers. That idea will help both of students and teachers to do better in their tasks.