Taking a Look at the Space Race - 622 Words

The Space Race was a 20th century competition between the former Soviet Union and United States for dominion in spaceflight capability and is still an event that generates controversy. Historians and contemporary analysts who claim the United States won the space race frequently cite â€Å"the landing of Apollo 11 on the moon† as the sole reason why the nation won. However, while this event was indeed a triumph, it was stimulated by a series of consecutive feats by the former Soviet Union. The U.S.S.R. was the victor of the space race because it successfully launched the world’s first artificial satellite, the Sputnik 1, leading directly to the launch of the first living creature into space with the Sputnik 2. Later, the U.S.S.R launched the first human into orbit inducing future endeavors like the launch of the first woman in space and the first-ever spacewalk. The U.S.S.R. then â€Å"kicked off the era of manned space stations with its Salyut series of orbital outpos ts† as the series fostered the development of the Mir space station. In essence, although these events were paralleled with the prompted creations and developments from the United States, the former Soviet Union’s space accomplishments paved the way for future innovations in space. As a result of the successful launch of the world’s first artificial satellite (the Sputnik 1) that led directly to the launch of the first living creature into space (with the Sputnik 2), the U.S.S.R. was the winner of the space race. PriorShow MoreRelatedTaking a Look at the Space Race850 Words   |  3 Pagestook a more subtle route of impact on Soviet society and culture. Space exploration in the Soviet Union and across the world took a huge leap forward toward the end of the 20th century. Namely, the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States of America lasted from the 1950’s to the 1970’s and engaged the country in an intense competition to the moon. While the Space Race did focus on achieving greatness in space, a deeper analysis showed that it revolved around the desire to obtainRead MorePros And Cons Of The Space Race1669 Words   |  7 Pages o | Course Title | Date Contents: o Introduction to the Space race P, 2 o what is the space race and who was involved? P, 3 o Nasa p. 4 o when did it occur p. 5 o COLD WAR p. 6 o pro’s and con’s p.Read MoreSpace Exploration : The Space Program Essay1659 Words   |  7 Pages The Space Race sparked an era of ingenuity and technological advancement that no one had seen before the Cold War. Once Russia launched Sputnik (â€Å"traveler† in Russian), the world’s first man made satellite, on October 4th, 1957 the race was on. The race also lead to several advancements in technology and education because of increased funding to make sure America got ahead of Russia. Many of these technologies are used today and many don’t know they are a result of the space program. From LEDs toRead MoreWe Chose the Moon983 Words   |  4 PagesJuly 21st, 1969 the whole world stopped to watch as Neil Armstrong took his first steps, making man’s first footprints on the surface of the Moon. Meanwhile, tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union were growing and the heat of the arms race was smoldering. Upon the conclusion of the mission, Apollo 11’s crew of three was successfully recovered along with the photographs taken on the lun ar surface; many of which are quite iconic to this day. However, one in particular stood out with respectsRead MoreThe National Aeronautics And Space Administration1405 Words   |  6 Pagesthis statement about the future of the human race isn’t absolutely terrifying then a reevaluation of your major concerns is necessary because you are missing the ingrained human instinct of survival. While the impending doom of Earth and everyone on it should be an issue of the utmost importance, the voting population and Congress of the United States seem to disagree. This opinion is apparent when looking at the funding of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, more commonly known as NASARead MoreWorld War II : A Watershed Event1690 Words   |  7 Pagesimportant events that occurred were the arms race and the space race. â€Å"An arms race denotes a rapid increase in the quantity or quality of instruments of military power by rival states in peacetime. A close examination of the historical evidence reveals a different picture. Political purposes almost always drive and govern arms races. It is common for a major race to be initiated by a state interested in changing the political status quo† (Arms Race). The arms race was a major rearmament between the USSRRead MoreThe Evolution Of The Spacecraft1279 Words   |  6 Pageson the moon in February 1971 (8). Space travel had humble beginnings with the first object reaching space orbit in the late 1950s. Technology improved such that a rocket could be sent to the moon. Studying space teaches us about our universe and our own planet. The space craft that scientist predict in the future will travel further into the unknowns of space. In this research paper I will outline the history, the benefits, the present state, and the future of space travel. The construction of theRead MorePublic Space, Race Street Pier1509 Words   |  7 PagesObservation For the final Philadelphia Experience report, I decided to observe a public space, Race Street Pier. To get to the pier you can either walk or drive a car there. Since I don’t live in the city, I had to drive. Once there, I approached a big black gate that was wide open with the name of the pier on it. Walking from the busy street behind me, I wandered into a tree covered garden with two possible paths to pick from. I chose the one on the left. This path was lined with trees and lightsRead MoreMoon Landing Hoax1034 Words   |  4 PagesS. Government was desperate to beat the Russians in the space race, faked the lunar landings by having NASA. Stage the whole thing. There has been a number of people who believe the moon landings never actually happened, faked right before our eyes maybe by our own government and other organizations.Our Government merely could have cheated public people out of billions of tax dollars just so they could beat the soviet union in the space race. N ASA could have easily tampered with the photos tapes andRead MoreJust Walk On By Brent Staples Analysis740 Words   |  3 Pagespeople, certain types of individuals are treated like outcasts because of their race. In â€Å"Just Walk On By,† Brent Staples explains how his presence makes others scared and uncomfortable because of the assumptions put on black men. Staples tries various tactics, such as whistling and walking faster, in order to deal the way others act towards him. Staples isnt the only one to experience the power of altering public spaces. At the beach last spring break, I realized that I also had an ugly affect on

Case Study Hard Core Cartel Free Essays

CASE STUDY: HARD CORE CARTELS Cartel refers to a group of firms producing substitute goods that collude or conspire to increase prices and its own profits, by lowering production and/or sharing markets or customers. Figure 1 below shows examples of recent price fixing cases from various countries. (Figure 1) These industries either have a market structure in which a small number of inter-dependent firms dominating the industry, that of a oligopoly, or are firms that is the only seller of a good or service that does not have a close substitute, characteristics of a monopoly. We will write a custom essay sample on Case Study Hard Core Cartel or any similar topic only for you Order Now Oligopoly and/or monopoly arise for four main reasons: government restriction to the entry of more than one firm into a market, an individual firm commands control over a key resource essential to produce a good, there are externalities in supplying the good and economies of scale are so large that one firm has a natural monopoly. A monopoly and/or oligopoly can produce lesser of the goods and charge at a higher price as compared to a competitive market industry producing the same good, due to the need to stay competitive. This usually leads to lower costs, lower prices, and consumer demanded goods. However, due a market structure like that these industries, price conditions are such that competition is likely to lead to higher prices. Furthermore, governments intervene by regulating these industries and externalities, provide public goods, control the use of common resources and reduce income inequality. It is uncommon for monopolies to be fined with the exception, such as Microsoft, for illegal monopolistic practices. However, fines for companies operating in oligopoly markets that abuse market power through collusive agreements are more common. Traditionally, the power cable industries in the European Union have been state-owned monopolies. During the 1990s, countries such as Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom, privatized these industries and imposed price regulation to restrict market power. Power cable industries in Germany are highly competitive market and over the past decades, dramatic changes are observed in the way the government regulated the European economies. Cartel members engaged in market sharing, price setting, bid rigging, coordinated predation and delaying of innovation. Hard core cartels can reduce the economic welfare and consumers’ surplus because of the manipulation of market prices and/or quantity of goods. Consumer surplus is the difference between the highest price a consumer is willing to pay for a good and the price the consumer actually pays. (Figure 2) Depicted by Figure 2, consumer surplus is measured by the area below demand curve and above the market price, P1. Therefore, the higher the market price, the smaller the consumer surplus. By increasing price and reducing the quantity produced, the monopolist reduces economic surplus. This reduction in economic surplus is called deadweight loss, which is a result from a market not being in competitive equilibrium. As indicated in the earlier section, cartels arise in market structures characterized by a small number of inter-dependent firms competing against each other. Factoring in this inter-dependence, the firms can enter a collusive agreement to manipulate market prices in a bid to achieve monopoly prices. While this may be the case, high prices may also be an incentive for the cartelists to breach the agreement by undercutting their rival firms and/or increasing production output, to attract consumers. Cartels can have significant adverse effects on global economy. As with the case of Spain’s domestic sugar cartel, the firms had detailed price-fixing and collusive agreements (e. g. import and export) that restricted the supply of sugar, in order to achieve maximum monopoly profits. As a result, for many years, Spanish sugar prices were 5 to 9 per cent higher than the rest of Europe. This illustrates how cartels can manipulate market prices and exploit the buyers of their products. Since sugar is considered a basic staple, this indirectly constitutes to greater economic loss. How to cite Case Study Hard Core Cartel, Free Case study samples

Marketing Communication for Integrated Advertising and Promotion

Question: Discuss about theMarketing Communication for Integrated Advertising and Promotion. Answer: Introduction Woolworths Limited is one of the largest Supermarket retail supermarkets of Australia, which uses various effective modes of marketing in order to communicate with target group of customers. The purpose of this report is to analyse a piece of advertising of Woolworths supermarket which was published in one of the popular newspaper in Australia, The Telegraph on 1st February 2013. This piece of advertising is mainly in print media as it uses attractive graphics and pictorial representation of product description. This piece of advertisement has also been published in online. The report will highlight upon the communication technique processes used in the chosen piece of advertisement. It will also critically analyse the market segmentation and branding strategies used by Woolworths. The process of integrated communication marketing techniques will be described in detail in context of the chosen advertisement piece. Marketing Communication Process Marketing communication process consists of various types of integrated activities, which is aimed to send message to the target group of audience. Well-coordinated promotional program can also be developed with the help of effective Marketing Communication which can help to rise the and among the target group of customers (Chitty et al. 2015). It is important to mention that in the context of the recent times, marketing communication is one of the Essential elements that are used by all large scale company in order to build a healthy relationship with the customers. In the given piece of advertisement, of Woolworths, this is about the Fresh fruits and vegetables that are available in their Store, is aimed for all group of people. There are various element related to the marketing communication process, which includes all groups of people and the stakeholders (Moriaty et al. 2014). In the given case, of the chosen advertisement the target group of audience includes all the people of Australia, who are cautious about their health and likes to have Fresh fruits and vegetables at much lower rates. One of the important aspects of the messages that have been used in this piece of advertisement is that the company has described the price of each product. Along with that the company has also Delhi got a strong corporate social responsible message, which aims to raise the awareness among the people about providing donation, to help the socially backward classes in Australia. The message also contains detailed description of the total amount that has been collected by Woolworths for recovering the social situation of various backward class communities, who has suffered disaster. With the help of this effective communication process, it is possible for the company to reach out to the target group of customers and raise their awareness level above corporate social responsibility. It is also increasing the customer to buy products from their stores in order to contribute the backward classes of the society. Integrated marketing Communication In Integrated Marketing Communication techniques, business organisations use various types of messages that are linked together. This help to promote the image of the organisation and raise the level of brand awareness (Clow and Baack 2014). It is also possible to optimise marketing strategies with the help of Integrated Marketing Communication techniques. In the context of the chosen advertisement piece of Woolworths, it can be said that the prices of various fruits and vegetables have been mentioned along with their nutritional value. This message has been integrated with an important message related to the corporate social responsibility of the company, which includes contributing to the socially backward class. The integrated message of social responsibility encourages the customers of Woolworths to make donation to the local store that will be used for helping the community at various backward sections of Australian society. The integrated communication process also helps the co mpany to build a strong relationship with people of various section of the Australian society, which even includes the Australian farmers. Hence, with the help of integrated communication technique, it is possible for the company to reach out to a wider group of audience and increase the level of their awareness related to the branding and corporate social responsibility. Critical Analysis of Market Segmentation and Brand Positioning The help of brand positioning techniques, it is possible for business organisation to build a sustainable position within the market and raise the level of awareness and when consciousness within the target group of customers (OGuinn et al. 2015). In the given piece of advertisement, the company seeking return level of brand affinity by delivering the message of fresh fruits and vegetables that are available in the Woolworths stores. This technique will help to elevate the brand image, due to the fact that the company is offering fresh fruits and vegetables at low cost. Advertisement can also be compared with various rival brands of Woolworths as they are using aggressive pricing techniques in order to gain competitive advantage. The message that is used in the piece of advertisementis also in for a definite segment of the market. The advertisement is mainly aimed for the people, who are conscious about the pricing and quality of food products they are purchasing. With the help of the corporate social responsibility, which is also a part of this advertisement, the company can target a certain group of people who are concerned about improving the social condition of backward Class Section. Hence, it can be said that, with the help of effective message and graphical representation and attractive font writing, it is possible for Woolworths to elevate the level of brand awareness among the target group of customers. Moreover it is important to mention that the advertisement is name for a larger segment of the Australian consumer, as fruits and vegetables are basic requirements for all groups of people. Conclusion Overall it can be concluded that, in the chosen piece of advertisement of Woolworths that is published in print media it is possible for them to deliver and effective integrated message. This message can ultimately help to deliver effectiveness and raise the level of brand consciousness among the target group of customers. Reference Chitty, W, Luck, E, Barker, N, Valos, M and Shimp, TA 2015, Integrated marketing communications, 4th ed, Cengage Learning, Melbourne. Clow, K and Baack, D 2014, Integrated advertising, promotion, and marketing communications, 6th ed, Pearson Education, London. Moriaty, S, Mitchell, N, Wells, W and Brennan, L, 2014, Advertising: Principles and Practice, Australasian 3rd ed, Pearson Education, Sydney. OGuinn, T, Allen, C, Semenik, R and Scheinbaum, A, 2015, Advertising and integrated brand promotion, 7th ed, South Western Cengage, Mason, OH.

Nation and Empire

The history of ancient England is embedded in numerous political, cultural, economic and social movements that were common occurrences. One such auspicious incidence was the movement that agitated for reduced working period to maximum of ten hours without any lowering of wages. The Ten Hour Act of 1947 has had significant historical implication bearing in mind that its benefits have left indelible footprints in present day labor laws worldwide.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nation and Empire specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, it is imperative to note that the journey towards its success was not pleasant since it raised mixed reactions from different quarters. For instance, it encountered serious opposition from personalities like Sir Richard Peel while others like Lord Macaulay gave it support. It is against this backdrop that this bill was introduced, withdrawn and later reintroduced into the House of C ommons several times before it could pass. In addition to opposition from Sir Robert Peel, the laissez faire doctrine was also another hurdle. This was being practiced in England and was the greatest setback towards the passage of Ten Hour Bill, as most opponents like Sir Robert Peel considered state intervention in social reforms as capable of inhibiting and discouraging free trade and reforms that were desperately needed at that time. The Ten Hour Act, as it is commonly known, was initiated by John Fielden who fought tirelessly until the bill was finally passed as Factory Act in 1847(Mathias 180). Although Fielden’s proposal was regarded as impractical by opponents, it was crucial at that time due to the fact that children and women were being subjected to long working hours. Moreover, they were working under intolerable conditions following the emergence of industrial revolution (Mathias 181). Therefore, the reform sought to reduce working hours for children and female wor kers to a maximum of ten hours. There was also an educational clause which called for children to continue attending classes besides working. Implementing the clause would have been quite impossible especially if they continued to working for long hours (Mathias 181). In offering his support for the Act, Lord Macaulay strongly argued that there was no correlation between free trade concept and the Ten Hour Act. His argument could be directly linked to the doctrine of laissez faire which had emerged in the 18th century as an attempt to promote competitiveness among factories (More 69). During that time, the government had adopted a hands-off attitude towards state intervention on private property rights. As aforementioned, laissez faire was the greatest setback at that time towards factory reform as traders believed that the proposed reduction of working hours was likely to ruin productivity (More 72). On the same note, the fact that the Corn Laws debate was also in progress during t hat time hindered success of Ten Hour Act as most traders argued for a repeal of Corn Laws before the Ten Hour Act could be discussed (Mathias, 185).Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More From his speech, it is without doubt that Lord Macaulay was a key supporter of free-trade doctrine though with great reservations. He argued that in spite of non-intervention principle that was deemed necessary as part and parcel of promoting economic prosperity, some sort of restrictions from the government was inevitable (Mathias 184). As a matter of fact, the issue of maximum hours of labor touched on the very realm of public health and public morality which the government had no alternative but to intervene (Mathias 186). Furthermore, he argued that the issue of children working for long hours was to be addressed from the moral perspective rather than from a political or radical view. As such, he called for his colleagues to consider the twelve-hour day for kids below thirteen years as harmful to their health. He pointed out that the problem of working hours deserved government intervention and restrictions (Mathias 186). At this point, it is imperative to note that during that time in England there was a common philosophy about morality and human actions (More 79). Moreover, there was an established perception that the actions of man should not by any chance be harmful to others or self. From this perspective, Lord Macaulay argued that even though the young people in the society were willing to work for long hours to increase their household income, the end-result would be detrimental to their health. Therefore, he felt that it there was need for it to be restricted on morality grounds (Mathias 189). Needless to say, he upheld education as the ultimate strategy for achieving virtue and happiness in a human life, and that acquiring education was of moral importance. On the contrary , Sir Robert Peel refuted Lord Macaulay moral reasoning by arguing that economic benefits overrode any moral principle (More 82). Nevertheless, Sir Robert Peel was not against social reform. Rather, he was particularly opposed to government intervention in solving social problems (More 86). As exemplified above, the issue of free markets was deeply rooted in government ideologies and since Peel was the Prime Minister, he argued that his opposition to Ten Hour Act was in the best interest of the majority of workers who were going through difficult times. In response to Lord Macaulay’s argument, Peel admitted that although the government was not supposed to abandon all forms of social responsibility, it was expected to come in handy especially as the last resort. In addition, any form of intervention was supposed to be thought carefully in terms of cost effectiveness (More, 75).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nation and Empire specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More From his speech, it is obvious that Sir Robert Peel was not willing to loose his grip on free-market’s ideology. As such, his resilience persisted to the very end even when the bill was unanimously passed in 1847 (Mathias 185). To revisit Lord Macaulay’s speech, it is imperative to note that he demonstrated his support to the debate by calling on his colleagues to consider the move to abolish long working hours as the noblest role of any civilized society. He also argued that, in any civilized society, the state was responsible for upholding the rights of the underage against any form of oppression (Mathias 186). On the same breath, he explained that the same way the state intervened to prevent children from well to do families from disposing off their assets before they are of age, it should adapt the same principle to prevent unfortunate children from signing employment contracts that were likely to affect their health negatively (Mathias 186). In addition, he argued that though the government ought not to interfere with liberal interaction between two people, there was exception when one individual was underage. He cited the fact that children’s judgment was likely to be impaired and that they were not in vantage position to assess looming consequences arising from long working hours. Needless to say, by failing to act as a good guardian, the state would have failed in its duties of protecting and promoting matters of public health and public morality (Mathias 185). At this point, it is imperative to note that the economic atmosphere during laissez faire period was tense and any bill seeking to limit working hours for an adult was doomed to fail (More 82). Therefore, the proponents of the Ten Hour Bill hoped that restrictions on hours that children between the ages of 10-13 worked would somehow have spill-over effects to adjust working hours for adults (More 81). One of the most imp ortant things to note is that the bill was not purely against child labor but it also sought to limit the number of hours that they worked (More 74). On the contrary, Lord Macaulay admitted that the bill was likely to regulate working hours for adults. However, this would have happened indirectly. The fact that this could not be established led him to urge his fellow house members to support the bill (Mathias 182). In a nutshell, it is imperative to underscore the fact that the emergence of industrial revolution generated a myriad of economic benefits. Besides, it brought about considerable suffering among laborers. Children were the worst hit group in the entire labor force. As already mentioned, this prompted debate on reduction of working hours particularly among women and children.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Following several withdrawals and repeals of the Ten Hour Act by the House of Commons, the bill was finally endorsed in 1847. Subsequently, it later paved way for various similar bills. The generated effects are still exceedingly evident in contemporary labor laws. Works Cited Mathias, Peter. The First Industrial Nation: an Economic History of Britain 1700-1914. London: Methuen. 1983. More, Charles. Understanding the Industrial Revolution. London: Routledge. 2001. This essay on Nation and Empire was written and submitted by user Gracelynn Tyson to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

bad science essays

bad science essays I have a cousin who's little girl, Christina was born mentally impaired; she, at the age of 7 has no mental functions despite those of a very basic nature. She has total congenital hearing failure; she cannot speak. It is incredibly frustrating to communicate to this unfortunate waif of a child. To supplement the ever increasing costs of care for her, my cousin and her husband have agreed to, on alternate weekends provide a medical lab with a fascinating research subject; a real live little girl. Last weekend, they inserted a tube into her throat via an incision, and fed her with poisonous chemicals until she convulsed. One summer afternoon, she was restrained to a surgical table, and had her skull split open and vital nerves disconnected-just out of curiosity. She was temporarily blinded from this experiment. They like to starve her half to death to see how she will react; one time they locked her in a cage that was electrically wired to shock her when she moved- behavior modification they called it. She now is suffering from a deadly virus she has been injected with. Well, they reason, she can't speak to us, she can't understand us when we speak to her, she'll certainly never go to college, give us beautiful, normal grandchildren....who's really being hurt here? If she were in pain, she'd tell us. Well, obviously, this is a gross exaggeration. This will never happen to a human child. We are sacred. This is life you may not touch with a surgical instrument for no reason. This is life that may not be poisoned to death, slowly, or tortured in a sadistic laboratory ritual. World-renowned lecturer and author Peter Singer refers to this as "speciesism". Inflicting pain on a living creature, and then justifying it because it is not a human being. These atrocities happen hourly. Household names, protectors of our hardwood furniture and patrons of our tartar-free smiles inflict this agony with our consent to puppi...

A Horrifying Story of Rape in the Military

A Horrifying Story of Rape in the Military Brigid Harry (not her real name) is a wife, mother, and co-owner of a small marketing communications company she runs with her husband. She earned her MBA after completing her military service and now lives in New York. After years of silence, shes decided to share her story. I was 20, had already worked for 3 years as a secretary at a major corporation in my hometown, and was impatient to grow. Id come into the company all starry-eyed and within months had absorbed the tasks of two co-workers whod been laid off, folks with years at the company and most with two-year degrees. I didnt get far, because I was 20...and a girl. Perhaps an immature, impatient girl as I look back on it, but I knew that a high school diploma was going to get me nowhere - unless I was happy staying a secretary, and I wasnt. A Decision to Enlist A few years earlier Id considered the military as an alternative to a career in the business world. The recruiters all focused on education in their pitches, so I took some tests which revealed I was very qualified for a program that the Marines had - a photojournalist. They offered a special one-year program: candidates would live as civilians and attend one of the countrys top journalism schools as part of their education. All I had to do was sign. A few months later I did. Boot camp was rough (9 weeks for the gals), and other than some minor back issues that developed from the daily PT (physical training), I did just fine. During this time, I took additional testing and earned a perfect score for Morse Code Intercept and languages, which meant they really wanted me to learn Morse Code, and then Russian. Even though Id passed all the tests for a photojournalist, I caved to their daily badgering and signed away my first option. Normal Conversations I was sent to my first duty station at the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, FL, where all 5 services were sent to learn Morse Code. A few months into service, my back problems got worse, and I developed daily headaches and migraines. The base doctor, a youngish Navy captain from Puerto Rico, assigned some physical therapy and then had me follow-up with him. In our meetings, wed chat - and I knew I had to be appropriate in my conversations because he was an officer and I was enlisted. However, I believed that he was reaching out to me, glad to have a normal conversation with someone who had interests outside of the base and the bars that ringed the base. He invited me out to dinner one evening as a  friend. Nothing romantic was implied, he assured me, and I mentioned that I did have a boyfriend back home, a young man Id met just before I left. He said that he enjoyed our talks about old movies and old music​ because everyone else on the base wanted to talk about getting drunk or war. Dinner and Movies He also assured me that it would be after hours, off the base, and that the officer/enlisted thing wouldnt be an issue. I hesitated, but I found him pleasant and believed what he said. We agreed to go to an old movie festival (I actually think it was Bogart films) that was running that evening nearby, and he arranged to pick me up. I dressed casually, which back then (and with my lack of fashion sense) was jeans, a jean vest, and some sort of shiny blue polyester shirt - a bit on the boyish side, as I think back, but as we were to grab a burger and then watch old movies in a darkened theater, fashion was the least of my concerns. Why Dont We Eat Here First? He was prompt. He drove a black Trans-Am Firebird. The car actually surprised me because he hadnt struck me as one of those kinds of guys. Nevertheless, I climbed in and we left to go to dinner. But then he stopped at his off-base apartment, saying he needed to pick something up, and I could certainly join him for a few minutes. Okay, I thought - naively. As I noticed a package of chicken on the counter, and spices, and potatoes, he casually suggested, Why dont we eat here first? We had a few hours before the movies started, and besides, they ran continuously through the night. I agreed, but with hesitation. He poured me a drink (the legal drinking age was at 18 at the time) and I consumed it, too quickly, which has always been my style. As he prepared dinner, I had another drink, and then a third. They were strong, and I hadnt eaten anything since lunch 6 hours earlier. The chicken went into the oven, and we sat on the couch to chat. I remember asking why he joined the service, as hed indicated he wasnt like the other military types on base. He said he just that he wanted to get out of Puerto Rico. An Officer, Not a Gentleman He poured me another drink and I hesitated, feeling buzzed and growing uncomfortable. I asked when dinner would be ready, and could we get to the movie festival in time. Thats when he leaned over to kiss me. I recoiled. I mean, he was an officer, I was enlisted, and I had a boyfriend. My mind raced. I didnt know what to do. I said I had to use the bathroom and he pointed to a door in the hallway. I headed in that direction, my face red, feeling really uncomfortable. When I opened the bathroom door to exit he was standing there with his pants off. He grabbed me in a huge bear hug and pushed me into the adjacent bedroom. I stiffened and said I wasnt interested - that I had a boyfriend, that I really felt sick to my stomach, that I didnt know about sex (all true). Please, I thought we were going to see old movies. Please let me go, I feel nauseous. Please stop. Please dont do this. Please, please, please. Please. He was stronger than me. He twisted my arms behind me and started pawing at my clothes - my boyish, unattractive clothes. He pulled until he created a burn between the denim and my thighs. He pulled at my underpants until they tore. He jumped on top of me as I pulled to turn sideways. His voice was angry now. Frozen It was over in a few moments - he was quick to come to completion. I was frozen in a curled position, with my clothes draped over me. He grunted, Get up, Ill take you back to the base. I didnt know what to do. Should I go with him? Should I get a cab? I said Id go with him. I pulled my clothes back around me and stood there trembling. He drove me to the base, and I jumped out of the car. My room was in a dorm-like setting, and I shared a bunk with an Army gal, African American, who outranked me. She wasnt home as she was on a date. I jumped into the shower and probably stood there for over an hour. I didnt cry. I tried, and couldnt. But I scrubbed and grew angry at myself, at him, at my life choices. Admitting I Had Been Raped Monday - three days later - I went to class. At noon, I went to the base chaplain, a Catholic priest, a Navy officer, and told him what happened. It wasnt easy, and I never looked up from my hands in my lap. Did I lose my virginity, he asked, or was that something I had already done prior to Friday evening? Well, I admitted, I dont think this did that because†¦oh, God – I remembered something - this man had a child-size penis. I knew what they looked like - I had two younger brothers and changed my share of diapers. No, I hadnt bled. Was there any chance I was pregnant, the Navy priest then asked. I finally looked up, still red from having stated aloud the miniscule size of the doctors penis. What? Could I be pregnant? He continued that if there was any chance of pregnancy, I could never consider an abortion. What? Pregnant? That was the least of my concerns, I mumbled. I was...yes, admit it†¦I had been raped. I mean, yes, I went in his car. Yes, I had drinks. Yes, I knew he was an officer and I was enlisted. But we were going to go watch old movies. But†¦ but†¦ Discouraging Guidance I waited a week, and my period came. One thing to NOT worry about, I suppose. Then I called my mom, who had a house full of little kids still. I told her what happened - and thats when I finally cried. She was audibly upset and asked what would happen. I had no clue, I told her. I promised I would go back to the chaplain Monday and seek guidance. Monday, I visited the chaplain - and told him I wasnt pregnant. He seemed relieved and then asked what next. I told him, I think the man should be punished. Would he help me through that process? He squirmed and said that since I hadnt filed a police report immediately - that since Id showered immediately after the incident - it would be a difficult case. A case of he said, she said. I said I was angry and that what he did was wrong – and I wanted to pursue it. He made an appointment with my commanding officer, and I met with the man Tuesday, who spoke a lot of legalese to me and said hed get back to me. There was a woman secretary, a high ranking enlisted Navy woman, taking notes. I couldnt tell if she was sympathetic or not to my story, as she was absolutely stone-faced. Perhaps shed heard it all before. Didnt Want the Mess Wednesday after class I was walking to my bunk to unwind, grab a bite, and try to do homework when I saw a black Trans Am approaching me. It slowed to a crawl, I stopped, and then it raced past me, spewing pebbles and dust. Obviously, the driver was pissed at me, and I felt afraid. Someone must have said something to him. I spoke to my mom again that weekend. She was crying and told me to drop charges - that I would be the one on trial, that my father had spoken to an attorney and they decided that they didnt want the mess dragged through the local papers back home, that Id have to find a way to move on. I met with the commanding officer and made him an offer; if theyd let me go into photojournalism, as Id originally signed up for, Id not pursue anything against the doctor. Within 48 hours, I had new orders: a week medical leave at home, and then Id join the next military journalism program starting in Indianapolis at an Army base. I had made no real friends at the base, and other than my roommate who was kind and considerate during my time of stress, the few folks I knew from boot camp didnt know how to treat me. I was happy to leave. Where the Men Were in Charge Of course, then there were more problems at home. My dads attorney suggested that I talk to a shrink, as my dad said - a profession my father had very little use for. I went, and the mental health professional wrote up a report and sent to my former commanding officer, and one to my upcoming commanding officer, that I was immature and really wasnt a good candidate for a life in the military. I joined the journalism program, came in second in my class, made friends, maintained a long-distance pen-pal relationship with the boy back home, but started struggling as I got to my new duty station in North Carolina. Back in a world where the men were in charge, despite the obvious women of rank around, I started getting angry and upset and lonely. I refused to work one day, and the shrink back home - per my dads attorneys advice - sent along his report. A higher ranking woman suggested that it would be a rough few weeks, but if I wanted to get out, that boycotting work was one way to do it. Honorable Discharge I met with the bases commanding officer, who had all my files - my episode in Florida, my decision not to press charges, my letters from doctors back home, and my test scores. He expressed concern that I chose not to honor my contract with the Marines, but as a dad to young daughters, he wished me well. He asked me to promise him that I would go back to school, even part-time, and try to contribute something positive. I received an honorable discharge a year and a day after I started boot camp. To this day, I cant remember the Navy doctors name - or his face, thank God. Im thankful that one man, my final commanding officer, treated me with some respect. Homecoming My boyfriend, whod stuck by me when I was away, proposed as soon as I returned home, but then started acting uncomfortable in my presence, and as I assumed he started seeing other girls, we broke up. I went back to my job, making up excuses for why I was home so soon. My cousins got wind of my seeing a psychologist and just last year I had to correct one of them as they were joking that I couldnt handle the service so my dad had to get me out. I finally looked one in the eye and said, Do you know that I was raped by an officer when I was there? That shut them up, but Ive lost interest in family gatherings. (Of course, these are the cousins who are right-of-center pro-military, never having served themselves). Questions Without Answers Ive never written this down, ever. Id told the story - to the chaplain, to my CO and his secretary, to the psychologist back home, a version to my bunkmate. As I type this right now my temples are throbbing, and my face and ears are burning and red. Ive looked back over the years and asked myself, Why did I say Id go to the film festival with him? Ive questioned my posture, my wardrobe, my jokes, my drinks. Of course, Ive questioned my timidity at the exact moment I shouldve turned into she-woman or something. I was a 20-year-old, non-sexually active moron. I was cornered, I got trapped, by a bigger man with a tiny penis. The priest could only care about abortion. My mom could only care about the local papers (although, as a mom now myself, I can imagine the pain she personally went through, trying to keep her anxiety from my younger siblings - but shes decided now, after all these years, that I made it up just to get out of the service - and I cant convince her otherwise. Ive decided not to bring it up again). No Knives, No Fists...But Still Rape I read stories of women who may or may not have been in relationships that got out of hand in the military, and I sometimes read about the young woman, beaten or worse, as she was raped. Me? Just bear-hugged overpowered and bruised – no knives, no fists. But I cant shake the sudden stomach pains I have this moment - that, and the reddened face.

Federal Support Programs- Contract administration and management Essay

Federal Support Programs- Contract administration and management - Essay Example In this sense, Government loan guarantee gives assurance of paying back part of a loan if the business owner fails (Stanberry, 2012). The General Service Administration would be the most beneficial to a small business in my community because it opens up ways for the business to get government contracts and offers awareness to the owners on the opportunities. Business Development Program would be the least beneficial because it may be difficult to recognize disadvantaged businesses, meaning that the program may not be of any help. These programs are behind the success of small businesses, thus setting a critical component to building a healthy and robust as well as creating jobs for the citizens. Most importantly, they support investment in and lending to small businesses. The two additional elements to support small businesses include fast loan closings and credit decisions for the reason that interest rates are a basis of confirming any good deal in a contract (Stanberry,

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

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

High School Prophecy Essay Example for Free

High School Prophecy Essay Life is an exciting, mystical, powerful and romantic adventure in the modern WORD. As we face life, how would we imagine the success of ourselves? We should prepare to face another chapter of our life in the future. Ten years from now I can imagine myself being an administrator of a famous school waiting for my promotion as a division superintendent staying in my own beautiful mansion living in a comfortable life. As I traveled along the shores of the Philippines I couldn’t shut my ears off listening to a beautiful voice inside araneta coliseum oh! It is the nightingale of our school way back when I was in high school, Beverly Rose Mangubat. I couldn’t believe she is now one the most popular singers in the Philippines. Then when I went back to the cruise ship where I am riding I saw a beautiful woman, my eyes sparkled as I saw Ann Maurice Branzuela now a very successful maritime officer. Then I departed the ship and preparing myself to drive off the road with my beautiful BMW. I went on a conference with the different school administrators in the province; I couldn’t help but laugh watching the one and only guy during our high school days who is now an administrator of the newest university in the province Jhon Oneal Collamat, so called to be one the most eligible bachelor in the Country. As I traveled the road way back home, I suddenly stopped and glanced at a huge skyscraper; which is also a bank, and my heart was jumping when I found out that it was Carlyn Mae Tamayo who owns it the math wizard during our time. As I opened my computer at home a new webpage was found, I couldn’t get my eyes staring on the screen as I read the name Jesha Mae Roflo— she was the founder. Don’t even think about it when she even made a virus to hack computers herself. Wow! Life is really amazing. We need to imagine our success to have an excellent future!

Epic of Beowulf Essay - Qualities of a Hero :: Epic of Beowulf Essay

Beowulf:   Qualities of a Hero A hero is someone that helps others no matter what the situation. There are many qualities that a hero must posses such as bravery, courage, strength, intelligence and honor. These qualities alone are not enough to make a hero. They must also be pure at heart, fight for the good of mankind and only fight when it is to protect the people and not out of revenge. Beowulf is everything a hero should be, but contains a few qualities that a hero should not posses. When Beowulf sailed with his men to Herot he had one goal, to rid the hall of Grendal. Beowulf was under no obligation to destroy Grendal and never asked for anything in return for his services. A true hero would never ask for money or anything of value. He put his life at risk to save the people of Herot, who he didn’t even know, out of his own good nature Great strength has been a trait that has been identified with heroes in many stories and legends. Than he saw hanging on the wall, a heavy Sword, hammered by giants, st rong And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons But so massive that no ordinary man could lift... (II. 1557-1560) Beowulf possessed great strength that separated him from other men. Being able to use a sword that no ordinary man was able to carry gives the feeling that Beowulf is something more than a human being. It makes him special and causes him to stand out from all other men. Fame is something that makes a hero more noted. Beowulfs popularity had spread all over the world. He never let this go to his head and he never thought that he was better than everyone else because of it. â€Å"Your fame is everywhere, my friend,/Reaches to the ends of the earth, and you hold it in your heart wisely...† (II.1704-1706). A hero should not be foolish or full of himself. Unferth said: You’re Beowulf, are you- the same Boastful fool who fought a swimming Match with Brecca, both of you daring and young and proud,exploring the deepest Seas, risking your lives for no rea son But the danger? (II. 506-511) A hero should not have to prove to himself or to anyone else that he is brave, fearless or courageous. If he is pure a heart and his intentions are good then he can be considered a true hero.

Learning log

This Viking shield has 4 mirror lines and 4 but It has only two unique mirror lines. (mm) What was the most surprising or interesting fact you learnt from Week 1 lectures (20 – 30 words) (2 marks) The interesting parts are the unique mirror lines and the number rotation angles correspond to which type of shape.It can be expressed in a notation like mm. Complete at the end of Week 2 Image 2 Describe the symmetrical elements you see in this Japanese embroidery. (20 – 30 words) (2 marks)This image has an asymmetric unit. It is a threefold rotation and there is no mirror line in this picture. Hence, there is no point of symmetry. Can you add anything to your Week 1 description of the Flung shield? Creates the remaining parts of the picture. PART II – Plane (AD) and Space (AD) Symmetry You can't criticize geometry. It's never wrong. Paul Rand Period Complete at the end of Week 3Image 3 Use the formal descriptors of plane symmetry to describe this bathroom tile tessell ation. (up to 40 words) (2 marks) This image has a glide line located at any point of the pattern because it has horizontal and vertical mirror line with translation. It has 4 fold tetras which rotates 90 degree. Hence, This image is a poem. How are you now more observant of symmetry in your surroundings? Use examples. (up to 20 words) (2 marks) My perspective about shape has change. For an example when I am look at fancy design, I will analyses what type of plane symmetry and etc.Complete at the end of Week 4 Image 4 The triangle in Image 4 is weird. Was Paul Rand correct – geometry is never wrong? (30 – 40 words) (2 marks) Yes. People have been using geometry to solve various problems such as engineering problems. People may interpret picture differently and give opinion. In my conclusion, it is important how the shape is drawn by the artists. Do you believe the world around us is completely described in AD and AD? (up to 20 words) (2 marks) No. We may encounter more than Just AD and AD in the future as life around the world keeps changing. Learning log This Viking shield has 4 mirror lines and 4 but It has only two unique mirror lines. (mm) What was the most surprising or interesting fact you learnt from Week 1 lectures (20 – 30 words) (2 marks) The interesting parts are the unique mirror lines and the number rotation angles correspond to which type of shape.It can be expressed in a notation like mm. Complete at the end of Week 2 Image 2 Describe the symmetrical elements you see in this Japanese embroidery. (20 – 30 words) (2 marks)This image has an asymmetric unit. It is a threefold rotation and there is no mirror line in this picture. Hence, there is no point of symmetry. Can you add anything to your Week 1 description of the Flung shield? Creates the remaining parts of the picture. PART II – Plane (AD) and Space (AD) Symmetry You can't criticize geometry. It's never wrong. Paul Rand Period Complete at the end of Week 3Image 3 Use the formal descriptors of plane symmetry to describe this bathroom tile tessell ation. (up to 40 words) (2 marks) This image has a glide line located at any point of the pattern because it has horizontal and vertical mirror line with translation. It has 4 fold tetras which rotates 90 degree. Hence, This image is a poem. How are you now more observant of symmetry in your surroundings? Use examples. (up to 20 words) (2 marks) My perspective about shape has change. For an example when I am look at fancy design, I will analyses what type of plane symmetry and etc.Complete at the end of Week 4 Image 4 The triangle in Image 4 is weird. Was Paul Rand correct – geometry is never wrong? (30 – 40 words) (2 marks) Yes. People have been using geometry to solve various problems such as engineering problems. People may interpret picture differently and give opinion. In my conclusion, it is important how the shape is drawn by the artists. Do you believe the world around us is completely described in AD and AD? (up to 20 words) (2 marks) No. We may encounter more than Just AD and AD in the future as life around the world keeps changing.

New guideline explores professionalism in nursing Essay

Professionalism in nursing is an essential ingredient in achieving a healthy work environment and is enabled by the context of practice ( Registered Nurse Association of Ontario 2007) In nursing profession recognition by the global and society as the professional group is important due to the higher standard of expectation from the society to the nursing career as a caregiver And being a professional in a nursing career is a key to achieve the target and good quality in services provided to society. Why the professionalism is required to the nursing career this is due to demanding of high quality and standard skill ,knowledge and altruism that putting the patient as the first interest, self sacrifice and the right attitude while dealing with the society or patient as a caregiver., showing and proven of the excellence commitment in lifelong learning to improved their skill and development as during in duty nurses should showing their commitment beyond others and should committed to th e community service and the professional organization. The public has the right to get the professional competence from the nurses who are giving the service to them. from the American Nurses Association 2017 (ANA) believe that it is the nursing profession responsibilities to shape and guided any process for assuring nurses competency. Through the quality measurement, research and learning to become professional nurses need to be skillful in their job scope knowledgeable continue to have continued learning education, providing mentoring to guide and monitoring the work done and following by the code and conduct as a key for safeguarding the health and wellbeing to the public.There are few elements of professionalism listed for the nurses as the nursing career is expected growing faster than the average rate of 19 through 2022 according to Bereu Labor Of Statistic.There are 5 critical professional skills to be adapted (Kristina Ericson 2015)the strong and effective communication between physician and nurses is compulsory to convey the right information to relatives regarding patient condition ,medication and others medical concern.paying intention on report and details of patient which is if mislead will became fatal to the patient, an also being flexible to working schedule also part of professional integrity in nu rsing profession as patient to comes first ,another element is critical thinking ,nurses are able to make crucial decision during the critical time by analyzing and determined the best solution for patient. Nurses are required to update the skill and have the desire to improve knowledge and develop skills continues will bring them to the professionalism in a nursing career.the one and important to develop professionalism in the nursing career is mentoring system Mentoring is a crucial part of the nursing organization as there are many nurses need help and guidance from the skillful and knowledgeable staff. This can contribute to career satisfaction and improvement .majority has reported that nurses are participating in mentorship relation.( Bette Marianni 2012) mentoring is something that both mentor and mentee are willing to share knowledge,emotion and feedback after the carried out duties done,this will give impact in professional management and skills among nurses.Studies done by Bette Mariani 2012 stated that nurses who have the willingness and sense of satisfaction in career will contribute to the growth of the profession. Mentor is define as the person who give a younger or less experienced person help and advice over a period of time. ( Cambridge Advance Learner dictionary and Thesaurus).while Riverside Websters ii New Collage Dictionary1995 define mentor as a wise and trusted teacher or counselor. The mentees describe by Merriam Webster is the one who is being monitored by mentor.Mentoring will give benefit to nurses in term and career success and advancement in personal and pr ofessional satisfaction and develop self-esteem and confidence. (Van Olsen 2002) The professional and personal satisfaction develop while in sharing stories, referencing of the problem and finding the solution by the experienced nurses to the mentees will be become a role modeling to the nursing profession and enhance the quality in leadership ( Vance And Olsen 2002). I believed mentoring one of the best way of achievement in nursing professional skills . . Y, did(x(I_TS1EZBmU/xYy5g/GMGeD3Vqq8K)fw9 xrxwrTZaGy8IjbRcXI u3KGnD1NIBs RuKV.ELM2fiVvlu8zH (W )6-rCSj id DAIqbJx6kASht(QpmcaSlXP1Mh9MVdDAaVBfJP8AVf 6Q

Hopi Indians and their pottery essays

Hopi Indians and their pottery essays Hopi Indians lived in the western part of America (Arizona). Their civilization is about 3000 years old and they usually farmed for living. The Hopi reservation is a remote area, comprising approximately 650,000 acres, and is surrounded on all sides by the Navajo Reservation. The Hopi people have lived in this area for over a thousand years, with one of its native villages on Old Oraibi, having the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited village in the United States. Hopi brought a lot of influences to many people. Hopi people were famous for their pots they make. Hopi pottery is assumed to have been made by women, there are few early historic references to men making pottery. Pottery varied from village to village so all the neighboring villages showed different blending of style. Hopi pottery are made very similar today as the olden days just that now days, it is much expensive. Modern Hopi potters make their pottery in the traditional manner. The clay is hand dug on the Hopi mesas and hand processed. The pots are carefully hand constructed using the coil and scrape techniques their ancestors taught them. The paints used are from naturally occurring materials. For example, boiling Beeweed for a long time until it becomes very dark and thick makes black paint. Before making a pottery, they found clay near the ocean or by inland streams and pond. They would wedge the clay to help remove air bubbles from the clay. If air is not removed from the clay pottery may break or crack when dried and fired. They tasted the clay to choose which clay is better. They picked sweet clay because it would be smoother than the bitter clay. After choosing which clay they were going to use, they started to make the pot, known as the coil pot method. They would roll a piece of clay into a thin line. After, they would add the thin line and built it up step by step placing the rolled up clay on top of each other. ...

Chapter 8 : A Single Man With A Dog Essay -- Dog, Pet, A Great Way to Ca

THESE MOMENTS WHERE HE ACTUALLY LOOKS RELAXED People wear masks most of the time, meaning that they would rather play pretend or have a straight face in front of the world, instead of being themselves. So, you can agree with us, that it is most of the time difficult to give an honest judgment about these people. On the other hand, for dog owners (again), their dogs make them look like the â€Å"Kings of cool†, because, well, a dog doesn’t need to impress anyone, and by being his loyal companion, this kind of attitude will contaminate his owner. So, dog owners are more relaxed. And why shouldn’t they be? When you walk a dog, you are going to end up running, petting him, talking to him etc. Now, who has a straight face while doing all that? Nobody. And as said, most of the time, pet owners look so relaxed that it’s easy to approach them and talk to them. Another thing that you should remember is that a dog is his owner’s pride (just like a son or a daughter can be), so for the sake of this special bonding this owner has no choices but to look relaxed. We’ve explained why dog owners are so relaxed, contrary to others, we will now focus on what we see when they are around their dogs. So, how are these single guys behaving, when they are around their pets in public, or around the house. The first words that come to mind are â€Å"silly† and â€Å"happy†. Pet lovers play, cheer, burst into laughter when they are around their dogs. It’s almost like seeing a little boy playing with his best friend. And it’s not surprising, dogs are amazing and they do amazing things. They can wake you up in the morning when you are late (considering that they know your routine), they can pick up your mail at the door or the nes on his head and of course a big smile. Most people who have been dog owners for a long time would tell you that expressions are important in your day to day life for dogs. They feel your pain, joys, moodiness, but still, they remain loyal. So, not only does the dog’s attitude puts them in a good mood instantly (so they smile more often). Dogs are almost like mood meters, one look at them and they remind you that life is more than these silly arguments with your peers. Don’t they say that smiling is a great way to fight depression, and in turn, live a happier life? Knowing that you have a better attitude outside of your home thanks to your dog, you will attract more people, like friends and of course people who would love to go on a date with you. And like most people say, smiles and great moods are contagious, so single men along with their dogs, win it again.

Comparing Sources in Ethnomusicology Research Paper

Comparing Sources in Ethnomusicology - Research Paper Example In 1948, a Dutch, Jaap Kunst coined the term â€Å"ethnomusicology† which would emphasize the role of culture in the study of world music (Frishkopf, 13). Ethnomusicology referred to the study of any music outside the European art tradition and all varieties of music found in one locale.Ethnomusicology is a highly inter-disciplinary field yet all ethnomusicologists share a common foundation in approaches and methods, namely; understanding music as a social practice, taking a global approach to music, engaging in ethnographic fieldwork(Frishkopf, 16). This research paper provides a description of three articles from the journal for ethnomusicology, its subject and characterizes the ethnological approaches that each author demonstrates. The field of ethnomusicology has expanded rapidly that it now includes almost any type of human activity that can be related in some manner to what may be termed as music. Michael Frishkopf approaches the issue of ethnomusicology using a compilation of essays by various ethnomusicologist that concentrate on many of the contemporary concerns. This includes nine topical sections discussed herein. The essays offer approaches to theoretical frameworks, insights and research that connect with current methods in diverse disciplines. Works from developing areas of focus have been â€Å"consulted and fully integrated in research methodologies especially gender issues, cultural studies, history, linguistics, religion and political science† (Frishkopf, 31). Tourism studies are relatively new in ethnomusicology. The concept of cultural tourism has become a major force in the contemporary music scenes. Some researchers identify cultural tourism as vital to the continuation of traditional practices and renewal of traditional musical styles and forms. He explores how families use festivals to create, preserve and represent their unique identity (Frishkopf, 50). The concept of commodification and consumption applied to music involves the

Challenges of Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Challenges of Globalization - Essay Example Summary The article by Faizal Yahya â€Å"Challenges of Globalization: Malaysia and India Engagement† deals with international relations establishment between India and Malaysia in the context of globalization process. The coming challenges were facilitated in case bilateral and regional linkages would be intensified. The main emphasis in the article is made on ASEAN region as the main intensifier of inter-regional relations, business and trade. Malaysia is considered as the largest India’s coordinator and a facilitator of India’s integration into the ASEAN region. Moreover, it is interesting to consider international relations establishment between these two countries, as they are historically and culturally linked. Position of the author During the post-Cold War period, India made numerous attempts to increase economic linkages with economies of different countries. Nevertheless, its participation in SAARC has been stalled by complexities of India’s trad e. Therefore, the author of the article makes an attempt to assess the challenges caused by globalization and their impact on India and Malaysia relations. It is evident, that the author considers India to be a perfect alternative trade area for the international business. ... Therefore, the author intrigues us by his dramatic background chosen for the discussion of international relations between India and Malaysia. Therefore, the author of the article makes an attempt to consider establishment of relations between Malaysia and India on a diversified cultural and historical background of the countries’ development. Though this article contributes to the field of international business, the main issues are highlighted in the culturally-marked context. Analysis of the issue The main interest of this issue can be explained by deep-rooted historical background of Malaysia’s history and culture. Nevertheless, starting from 60s this country did not make an attempt to preserve its national identity in spite of taking a chance to participate in the international trade. The main focus of Malaysia’s first Prime Minister was to place international relations above all other considerations. Another Prime Minister Mahathir made an attempt to introd uce â€Å"Look East† policy. A need for Islamic unity was integral for Malaysia at that time. Therefore, it can be claimed that a twofold direction of Malaysia’s relation at the international arena have been historically chosen: to establish international business relations with Asian and foreign partners and preserve Islamic identity of the country at the same time. Concerning India, it should be noted that controversies with Pakistan occurred mainly because of Islamic traditions of the latter country. SAARC lacked economical progress because of controversies between India and Pakistan and at the same time India made attempts to foster relations with partners from ASEAN region. This strategy is supported

Who Wrote the Bible Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Who Wrote the Bible - Dissertation Example For instance, because it was during his lifetime that King James had the Bible translated into English, many have long believed that William Shakespeare actually wrote the book itself. There have many television programs on that subject and believers point to the 46th Psalm as their evidence. â€Å"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD , what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.† Their â€Å"evidence† consists of the fact is the word â€Å"shakes† is forty-six words from the beginning of the verse and â€Å"spear† is forty-six words from the end. Because Shakespeare was forty-six when this passage was printed, that is proof! Therefore, a book was first published in 1987 by Richard Elliott Friedman (updated in 1997) entitled Who Wrote the Bible? Many consider Friedman, a professor of Jewish studies at the University of Georgia, somewhat of an expert on Jewish history and culture and he has studied extensively in Israel, with excerpts of his works published in the Jerusalem Post. He is also a prolific author, for along with Who Wrote the Bible?, Friedman has also published such works as The Disappearance of God and The Bible Now (Friedman). Authors such as Dan Brown and Richard Leigh have concentrated on the New Testament for hidden authorship and meaning (such as Brown’s claim in the Da Vinci Code that Jesus Christ married Mary Magdalene and fathered a child). Interestingly enough, it appears that Friedman has concentrated most of his writings on what Christians call the Old Testament, especially in the first few books of the Bible, what the Jewish people refer to as the Tanakh. As the author himself said in the 1997 preface, he wrote Who Wrote the Bible? as a scholarly work to set his research apart from what he calls the â€Å"popular† works, a thinly veiled references to such authors as Brown. Indeed, he revealed in the decade since he published the original book, many professors and students alike had communicated with him to reveal they h ad used the book in their studies. Friedman humbly dismisses those who compare his findings to that of the rediscovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls or Darwin’s conclusions. However, he does admit that the book should be looked on as a something of a puzzle whose conclusions are somewhat irrefutable (Friedman II, 15). He begins his introduction to Who Wrote the Bible? by asking that very question, concentrating on three areas, the Five Books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) was supposedly written by Moses himself and Lamentations is considered authored by Jeremiah. The third area is considered indisputable by Jews and Christians alike, whether King David wrote most of Psalms. He also mentions that the Bible is such a sacred book in most parts of the

Differences Between Virtual and Real Worlds

Differences Between Virtual and Real Worlds The nearer the virtual world comes to replicating the real world the more we will have to question what, if any, the difference continues to be. Discuss. Introduction The concept of the virtual has been around for much longer than the technology which now makes the virtual part of our lives. In various forms, such as that put forward by Descartes, the concept of the virtual has long permeated the thoughts of scholars. However, it is only in very recent times that the concept of the virtual has really taken flight. For now, with emerging technologies and a world which is more unstable than ever, the world of the virtual has grown rapidly. Now, the virtual is getting closer and closer to reality, and soon we may not be able to distinguish these worlds from each other. Whilst it is clear that right now we have some idea of the difference between the real world and the virtual world, the differences between the two are much less than before. Traditionally, the difference between the virtual and the real worlds was the concept of identity or body – that in the virtual world your mind was separated from your body and therefore the difference between the virtual and the real was the physical form. However, this view is slowly being eroded away and there are many who now believe the virtual cannot be separated from the real in terms of body or physicality. This is a view that the researcher shares, and this concept shall be one of the main points of focus in the essay. Another area which could measure the distinction between the virtual and the real is the concept of risk. Risk is still one of the few concepts which seems to differ in the virtual and the real worlds, at least in a number of cases. Although this difference is being reduced, currently it seems possible to distinguish the virtual and real worlds using the concept of risk. The first part of this essay will look at the way in which the virtual has superseded many aspects of the real world in our lives, and how these areas can no longer be easily distinguished. These normal, everyday events are now both real and virtual simultaneously, and there is no discernible distinction. The second part of the essay will deal with the concept of physicality in the virtual world, and how the evidence now suggests that the virtual and real worlds cannot be distinguished through the identity of the physical body. The final part of the essay will show that despite this convergence between the virtual and the real, there are some distinctions to be made. The way in which the virtual can be distinguished from the real comes down to the concept of risk, although this distinction is also being reduced and perhaps with the introduction of future technologies this distinguishing feature will also be completely eroded. Information, branding and the virtual One area of our lives that has seen a dramatic shift from the real to the virtual over the last ten years is information and branding. Information used to be stored predominantly in ‘real’ forms such as paper books. However, most information is now accessed in virtual form, through computers, radio and television and other digital media. Books and music are now accessed as digital facsimiles of the original, and our world in terms of information has shifted from real to virtual (Argyle and Shields, 1996). This process has come so far that there can be no real distinction between the real and virtual worlds of information. We see books and music in paper form in the same way we do digital e-books and mp3 music. They are perceptually very similar and contain the same information that we require. Our world has shifted from the real and local to the virtual and the global. The shift from real to virtual has also occurred in terms of branding. Brand concepts for many real objects are now so strong that we no longer think of the real object itself but in fact associate the virtual brand as the key identity. For example, vacuum cleaners being called ‘Hoovers’, tissues being called ‘Kleenex’ and digital music players being called ‘Ipods’(Shields, 2003). The brand stands as a virtual representation of the actual real objects, but is virtually indistinguishable, particularly in linguistic terms. The virtual, as Shields puts it, has moved from being something simply transformative and vague to something banal and common. The virtual has permeated or even superseded the real in some aspects of life, and the virtual is now for all intents and purposes indistinguishable from the real. Whilst it could be argued that these virtual forms differ from their real counterparts by way of physical form (i.e. the virtual item has no physical tangible form, whereas the real form does), in the cases of information and branding this distinction of physicality is too small to be clear. For example, the virtual or digital form of a book does have physical form, in that the information can be printed out or used in a physical way just like the real paper book can. This is the same for branding, where the virtual brand names are so synonymous with the real physical objects that they cannot be separated. In these cases ,the virtual has superseded the real, and completely destroyed the boundaries between them. Therefore, this is an area where there cannot be said to be any real distinction between the virtual world and the real world. Physical form, identity within the virtual world The most commonly argued distinction between the real and virtual worlds is the concept of physical form and identity. It is argued by many that in the virtual world you do not have a complete physical identity and that your mind being removed from the physical body is the distinction between the real and virtual. In other words, in the virtual world you have no real identity or physical interaction, whereas in the real world you do. Although it seems clear that the physical characteristics that identify our physical are not obviously visible in the virtual world, the physical self is not completely left behind and we do in fact experience physical manifestations within the virtual world. As pointed out by Katie Argyle and Rob Shields (1996), who point out that ‘presence’ doesn’t simply vanish in the virtual world, and that the technology simply mediates our physical presence. With technology the way it is today, and the fact it is sure to improve in the future, we can now act holistically through our bodies within the virtual world. Although it might seem that our bodies are not part of the virtual, in truth we cannot actually escape our bodies. In other words, we do not lose our body within the virtual world, but rather experience and interact in the virtual world through our bodies. Argyle points out that the emotions we feel whilst interacting in the virtual world are in fact real and are physical. She gives the example of her online presence ‘Kitty’, (Argyle and Shields, 1996, in Kolko, p66) where she says that the interactions she has with people, although in a virtual world the emotions and feeling are real and felt in her body. Argyle’s online interaction shows no separation from the body, and therefore is a suggestion that the physical body cannot be used as a distinguishing feature between real and virtual. This view is supported by Ellen Ullman, who says how she fell in love via email. She only knew this person via the virtual world of email, and not through physical interaction, yet the virtual world elicited real and physical feelings within her. Ullman does differentiate her online body from her ‘real’ one by saying that the love she felt was through her ‘virtual’ body, but she does not separate these two bodies, and the physical form is still linked to the online body or persona (Ullman, 1996) It seems that when interacting online, it is extremely difficult or nearly impossible to completely separate your online persona from your real and physical persona. For instance, in online games where people can send messages to each other within character, they may also ask about the person in ‘real life’, such as how old they are and where they have come from. People often get confused about which ‘life’ the other person is talking about, and so acronyms have been created to stop the confusion such as IC (in character) and IRL (in real life). This confusion is down to the fact that there will always be a part of our persona within the virtual that cannot be separated, and therefore the body cannot be a distinguishing feature between the virtual and the real. Not only does the physical form remain within the virtual world by virtue of its interaction and emotions experienced in the virtual, but many of the laws and rights that govern the real are now also governing the virtual. Even if you want to make a distinction between the virtual body, such as an avatar or image, and the real physical body, many of the outcomes are the same. The laws and rights of the virtual are now mirroring the real, and blurring the lines further between the two worlds. For instance, take the rights of avatars in the virtual world. Whilst avatars cannot have the same basic right as real bodies, namely the right to life (they are not alive after all), they may feel many of the hazards and wish to have the same rights as their real counterparts. For instance, take the example of sexual harassment within the virtual world. Whilst the legal definitions for sexual assault and rape are generally not met by virtual encounters, much of the feelings of intrusion, fear or disgust can be the same. Take the example of Julien Dibbell’s account of Mr Bungle’s rape on the characters Legba and Starsinger in LambdaMOO (Dibbell, 1996). The ‘rape’ was virtual and involved an avatar seizing two other female avatars and graphically describing the actions performed. Whilst this may not constitute ‘real’ rape, the trauma for the two controllers of the female avatars was indeed real. This is because the body cannot be separated compl etely when in the virtual world, and even if the exact actions are not the same it cannot really be said that physicality is a distinguishing factor between the real and the virtual as the body affected similarly in both worlds. The lack of risk within the virtual world Whilst the traditionally held view of being able to distinguish the real and the virtual by the separation of the mind and the body has been shown to be flawed, there is definite promise in the concept of risk as a distinguishing feature. The reasons for this are that risk is something which can only truly be experienced through the physical without the mediating virtual world. Of course, certain risks such as financial risk and emotional risk are possible in the virtual world as these risks will have similar, if slightly dulled, consequences in the virtual world. However, the notion of risk to the physical body or fear is a feature that separates the virtual and the real. For instance, creating virtual business that has real financial consequences may seem to have the same features as real business, but there are differences. Using the virtual world all products can be tested, mapped and made 100% safe before they are sold on. Experiments can be conducted without the potential risks to human life or to property. The concept of risk is in many ways eliminated from the design process, aside from some of the same financial concerns of design costs. Identities and properties can be re-used, re-hashed or completely changed in the virtual world, meaning there is less risk of catastrophic failure. However, perhaps the biggest issue in terms of risk is the fact that fear of physical harm is almost completely removed in the virtual world. Emotions are still prevalent and part of our physicality remains in the virtual. However, the risks associated with physical damage or damage to property cannot be properly appreciated within the virtual world. There are no risks in this sense in the virtual world, whereas there are in the real world. For instance, take the example of realistic computer games such as Forza Motorsport (Lockergnome, 2005). Developed as one of the most advanced driving games for console play, an experiment was conducted to see the difference in performance and reactions between the virtual and real worlds. Six performance cars were driven round the same Atlanta circuit by drivers on the game and on the real life circuit. The results were startling in that the performances between virtual and real worlds were extremely similar. The braking and turning points were extremely similar and the performances in each car were almost the same whether in virtual or real world (Lockergnome, 2005). However, the times in the real world were slower than on the game – much of this attributed to the risk involved in driving the car in the real world. In the game, the drivers could push their cars to the limit in the knowledge that if they crashed there would be no damage to the car. This removed the risk facto r and allowed them to get better times. However, on the real track they had to be more careful, for crashing at 150mph in a high-powered car would be far too risky. This slowed them down, and showed despite all other factors being seemingly indistinguishable, the major difference between the real and the virtual was the risk factor. It can also be seen in the prevalence of online dating and sexual play from people who would not normally engage in such activities in the real world. In the rapidly growing virtual world called Second Life (Linden Research Inc, 2007), there are many groups of various role-players who act out fantasies that they would not do in real life. This is not because it is impossible for them to do in real life (although perhaps some are), but because of the risk factors involved in real life. The feelings they receive from these interactions may be almost identical to the ones they would get in real life interaction, but the crucial difference is risk. Whilst for some interactions this will not affect the sensation, it does for others, such as those involved in fantasies of pain or domination. The risk factor is the one which can distinguish the virtual from the real world. Conclusion Whilst we are still living in a world where the real and the virtual seem in most cases to be separate, this is perhaps less true than we think. The real world of information has become indistinguishable from the virtual, and with new technologies the virtual world has become far more expansive and convincing. This change has meant that it is now impossible to separate all of our real physical identity from the virtual representation of ourselves in the virtual world. However, one factor that still lets us distinguish the virtual from the real is the concept of risk, which is not yet fully realised within the virtual world. However, if in future the technology of the virtual increases to the point where physical sensations can be experienced fully in the virtual world, then physical risk to the body and other items of value will be possible. If risk can be fully replicated in the virtual world, then it seems the two worlds would be very close to being completely indistinguishable. Bibliography Argyle, K., and Shields, R. (1996) Is there a body in the net?, Living Bodies Chapter 4, SAGE publications Ltd, London. Dibbell, J. (1996) ( My Dinner With Catharine MacKinnon and Other Hazards of Theorizing Virtual Rape, available online at http://www.juliandibbell.com/texts/mydinner.html Kolko, B.E. We Are Not Just (Electronic) Words: Learning the Literacies of Culture, Body, and Politics. http://bethkolko.com/includes/pdfs/wearenotjustelectronicwords.pdf Là ©vy, P. (2002) Cyberculture. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Shapiro, M.A., and McDonald, D.G. (1992) Im Not a Real Doctor, but I Play One in Virtual Reality: Implications of Virtual Reality for Judgments about Reality Journal of Communication 42 (4), 94–114. Shields, R. (2003) The Virtual, Cultures of internet, Virtual Spaces, Real Histories Chapter 2, Routledge, London. Ullman, E. (1996) Come in, CQ: The Body on the Wire. Wired-Women: Gender and  New Realities in Cyberspace. Ed. Lynn Cherny and Elizabeth Reba Wiese. Seattle: Seal,  1996. 3-23.  

Narrative Techniques in Faulkner’s The Unvanquished and Barn Burning Es

Narrative Techniques in Faulkner’s The Unvanquished and Barn Burning The Unvanquished is composed of a series of stories during which Bayard Sartoris, the narrator, grows up from a twelve-year-old boy to a young man of twenty-four years. The narrative style makes it obvious that events are being related by an adult who is looking back at his past. There are several indications of this: in the very first story â€Å"Ambuscade†, the narrator, while describing his war games with his coloured friend, Ringo, states: â€Å"We were just twelve then†. (5) He tells the readers how they fantasized about the military exploits of John Sartoris, Bayard’s father, seeing them as heroic and exciting adventures. The narrator describes himself and Ringo at this stage of the novel as â€Å"the two supreme undefeated like two moths, two feathers riding above a hurricane† (7), drawing attention to the fact that while the two boys are positioned in the midst of war with all its attendant destruction and insanity, they have no understanding of it s horror. When his father first appears on the scene, the Bayard says: â€Å"He was not big, it was just the things he did†¦ that made him seem big to us† (9). Swept up in the romance of war, with the dust of battle clinging to him, John Sartoris seems to assume a larger than life persona but even as the narrator delineates his father before us, he attaches a caveat that in actuality, the Colonel was different from how he saw him as a young boy. This statement presages the mature understanding of his father’s character that Bayard develops as the novel progresses. In â€Å"The Odor of Verbena†, he has reached such clarity of vision that he can say without much difficulty that his father was a difficult man to get along with, he ac... ...an adult, his articulation of this southern code of morality is coherent and well thought out while Sarty’s reaction to his father’s incendiary behaviour is instinctive and not intellectualized. The image of the violent Southern man is evident in both stories, both boys have fathers who have participated in violence-Abner Snopes has a seething rage which finds satisfaction only through burning the property of people he hates and John Sartoris has been directly involved in the war, has a belligerent disposition and resorts to bloodshed frequently in the novel. But the difference lies in the ultimate response of the central character of each story to the southern ideals of masculinity - Bayard initially abides by but ultimately distances himself from Southern codes of honour while Sarty, being a child, is still far from finding himself at the end of â€Å"Barn Burning†.

Complex and Dynamic Business World

â€Å"The business world has become more complex and more dynamic. Planning tools are designed for stable environments. Therefore, planning should be abandoned. Please, comment on this statement. † 1035 Words 2 I. Introduction In today’s increasingly dynamic and complex business world, it is important to decide whether to use and trust in planning tools or if one should abandon them because they are made for more stable environments. This essay will give an overview of the planning tools and techniques that exist for assessing the environment. It will discuss the use of planning tools in a complex and dynamic business world.The statement that planning should be abandoned in a complex and dynamic business world will be discussed in the following. II. Main Body â€Å"A plan describes the chosen solution to a problem and lists what has to be done to achieve the goal† (Landau, 2012). We can categorize planning into three parts. During the first part goals have to be defined. In the second part the corresponding strategies have to be established. The third part focuses on finalising the plans. â€Å"Managers use planning tools and techniques to help their organizations be more efficient and effective. (Robbins & Coulter, 2009) In a volatile and dynamic environment managers should not rely on planning. They should use planning as an indicator of what could potentially happen in the future and consequently try to restructure their organization in order to cope with market uncertainty. To do so, the managerial establishment has developed several techniques. One technique to assess the business environment is environmental scanning, which fundamentally consists of competitor intelligence and global scanning. Environmental scanning helps to foresee and decode changes in the environment via screening a lot of information.By applying this technique organizations are more likely to predict issues and concerns that could affect their current or planned activities right. Research results show that organizations that use this technique have a higher performance (according to Robbins & Coulter, 2011, pp. 276f. ). One part of the environmental scanning is competitor intelligence. In this process organizations gather information concerning their competitors. The information will be compiled by asking questions about their competitors such as â€Å"Who are they? †, â€Å"What are they doing? and â€Å"How will what they are doing affect us? †. 3 â€Å"Competitor intelligence experts suggest that 80 percent of what managers need to know about competitors can be found out from their own employees, suppliers, and customers. † (Robbins & Coulter, 2011, p. 277) Although this statistic indicates that collecting competitor intelligence can be achieved through the utilization of an organisation’s extended network, competitor intelligence can be seen as a problematic subject as it often features a fine line between e thical and unethical.Another part of environmental scanning is global scanning, which is important for organizations with global activities. In a complex and dynamic environment managers broaden their view to gather global information. â€Å"For instance, they can subscribe to information clipping services that review world newspapers and business periodicals and provide summaries of desired information (Robbins & Coulter, 2011, p. 277). One can say that this technique is very suitable for an unstable and dynamic environment, because it helps to foresee the environment and consequentially helps to realign, if necessary, the organizational goals and plans.On the other hand, gathered information can be interpreted wrongly, which can trigger a chain-reaction from wrong forcasting to wrong goals and plans. A second technique to evaluate the environment is forecasting. Forecasting is a prediction of outcomes, which will help to identify events that will happen in the future. The common consent about this method is that is effective and time efficient. The ultimate goal of forecasting is to facilitate decision making through gathering information. There are two different forecasting techniques.One is quantitative forecasting, which is preferred when sufficient and hard data is given. It is based on historical data and tries to predict outcomes. The other one is qualitative forecasting, which uses personal judgment and knowledge to predict outcomes. This technique is used when hard data is limited or hard to gather. â€Å"First, it’s important to understand that forecasting techniques are most accurate when the environment is not rapidly changing. The more dynamic the environment, the more likely managers are to forecast ineffectively. † (Robbins & Coulter, 2011, p. 79) 4 However, forecasting lacks the ability to effectively predict events like recessions or the actions of competitors. That leads to the assumption that organizations shouldn’t re ly on a single forecasting method, but should use several models to be on the safer side. But the challenge for managers is to interpret and then implement the information into the planning decisions. Finally organizations must remember that forecasting, as a marginal skill, can be trained and improved. A third technique to assess the environment is benchmarking.Benchmarking is a tool to improve an organizations performance by adapting outstanding practices from the top organizations within the environment. Studies verify the statement, â€Å"that users have achieved 69 percent faster growth and 45 percent greater productivity† (Robbins & Coulter, 2011, p. 279) when using benchmarking. Benchmarking can be seen as a four step approach. It starts with the forming of a benchmarking planning team. The second step continues with the gathering of information and external data. Thirdly, when all data is gathered the analysis to identify performance gaps takes place.The last step is the preparing and implementing of an action plan. (Based on Y. K. Shetty, â€Å"Aiming high: Competitive Benchmarking for Superior Performance,† Long Range Planning, February 1993, p. 42) Managers use benchmarking as a tool to approach the leading position of their competitors without overtaking them. And if all organizations work inefficiently it won’t be revealed. So this technique should not be followed in a dynamic environment, because it increases the likelihood that a manager will ‘copy’ the mistakes others make.So one can say â€Å"Plans serve as a road map, although the destination may change due to dynamic market conditions† (Robbins & Coulter, 2009, p. 170). III. Conclusion To sum up, one can say that planning is very helpful and necessary but it can be misleading. No matter how many planning tools managers use, they can only plan effectively if they understand how planning in dynamic environment works. They have to keep in mind that plann ing should only be used as an indicator of what could potentially happen in the future.I believe that planning should not be abandoned, but improved. 5 IV. References Robbins & Coulter, S. P. R. & M. C. , (2009). ‘Planning'. In: Pearson International Edition (ed), Management. 10th ed. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.. pp. (133-174). Robbins & Coulter, S. P. R. & M. C. , (2011). ‘Planning'. In: Pearson Global Edition (ed), Management. 11th ed. : Pearson Education, Inc.. pp. (204-276). Prof. Dr. Christian Landau, Principles of Management, 24. Sep. 2012 (Session 2), EBS Universitat fur Wirtschaft und Recht, Oestrich-Winkel Complex and Dynamic Business World â€Å"The business world has become more complex and more dynamic. Planning tools are designed for stable environments. Therefore, planning should be abandoned. Please, comment on this statement. † 1035 Words 2 I. Introduction In today’s increasingly dynamic and complex business world, it is important to decide whether to use and trust in planning tools or if one should abandon them because they are made for more stable environments. This essay will give an overview of the planning tools and techniques that exist for assessing the environment. It will discuss the use of planning tools in a complex and dynamic business world.The statement that planning should be abandoned in a complex and dynamic business world will be discussed in the following. II. Main Body â€Å"A plan describes the chosen solution to a problem and lists what has to be done to achieve the goal† (Landau, 2012). We can categorize planning into three parts. During the first part goals have to be defined. In the second part the corresponding strategies have to be established. The third part focuses on finalising the plans. â€Å"Managers use planning tools and techniques to help their organizations be more efficient and effective. (Robbins & Coulter, 2009) In a volatile and dynamic environment managers should not rely on planning. They should use planning as an indicator of what could potentially happen in the future and consequently try to restructure their organization in order to cope with market uncertainty. To do so, the managerial establishment has developed several techniques. One technique to assess the business environment is environmental scanning, which fundamentally consists of competitor intelligence and global scanning. Environmental scanning helps to foresee and decode changes in the environment via screening a lot of information.By applying this technique organizations are more likely to predict issues and concerns that could affect their current or planned activities right. Research results show that organizations that use this technique have a higher performance (according to Robbins & Coulter, 2011, pp. 276f. ). One part of the environmental scanning is competitor intelligence. In this process organizations gather information concerning their competitors. The information will be compiled by asking questions about their competitors such as â€Å"Who are they? †, â€Å"What are they doing? and â€Å"How will what they are doing affect us? †. 3 â€Å"Competitor intelligence experts suggest that 80 percent of what managers need to know about competitors can be found out from their own employees, suppliers, and customers. † (Robbins & Coulter, 2011, p. 277) Although this statistic indicates that collecting competitor intelligence can be achieved through the utilization of an organisation’s extended network, competitor intelligence can be seen as a problematic subject as it often features a fine line between e thical and unethical.Another part of environmental scanning is global scanning, which is important for organizations with global activities. In a complex and dynamic environment managers broaden their view to gather global information. â€Å"For instance, they can subscribe to information clipping services that review world newspapers and business periodicals and provide summaries of desired information (Robbins & Coulter, 2011, p. 277). One can say that this technique is very suitable for an unstable and dynamic environment, because it helps to foresee the environment and consequentially helps to realign, if necessary, the organizational goals and plans.On the other hand, gathered information can be interpreted wrongly, which can trigger a chain-reaction from wrong forcasting to wrong goals and plans. A second technique to evaluate the environment is forecasting. Forecasting is a prediction of outcomes, which will help to identify events that will happen in the future. The common consent about this method is that is effective and time efficient. The ultimate goal of forecasting is to facilitate decision making through gathering information. There are two different forecasting techniques.One is quantitative forecasting, which is preferred when sufficient and hard data is given. It is based on historical data and tries to predict outcomes. The other one is qualitative forecasting, which uses personal judgment and knowledge to predict outcomes. This technique is used when hard data is limited or hard to gather. â€Å"First, it’s important to understand that forecasting techniques are most accurate when the environment is not rapidly changing. The more dynamic the environment, the more likely managers are to forecast ineffectively. † (Robbins & Coulter, 2011, p. 79) 4 However, forecasting lacks the ability to effectively predict events like recessions or the actions of competitors. That leads to the assumption that organizations shouldn’t re ly on a single forecasting method, but should use several models to be on the safer side. But the challenge for managers is to interpret and then implement the information into the planning decisions. Finally organizations must remember that forecasting, as a marginal skill, can be trained and improved. A third technique to assess the environment is benchmarking.Benchmarking is a tool to improve an organizations performance by adapting outstanding practices from the top organizations within the environment. Studies verify the statement, â€Å"that users have achieved 69 percent faster growth and 45 percent greater productivity† (Robbins & Coulter, 2011, p. 279) when using benchmarking. Benchmarking can be seen as a four step approach. It starts with the forming of a benchmarking planning team. The second step continues with the gathering of information and external data. Thirdly, when all data is gathered the analysis to identify performance gaps takes place.The last step is the preparing and implementing of an action plan. (Based on Y. K. Shetty, â€Å"Aiming high: Competitive Benchmarking for Superior Performance,† Long Range Planning, February 1993, p. 42) Managers use benchmarking as a tool to approach the leading position of their competitors without overtaking them. And if all organizations work inefficiently it won’t be revealed. So this technique should not be followed in a dynamic environment, because it increases the likelihood that a manager will ‘copy’ the mistakes others make.So one can say â€Å"Plans serve as a road map, although the destination may change due to dynamic market conditions† (Robbins & Coulter, 2009, p. 170). III. Conclusion To sum up, one can say that planning is very helpful and necessary but it can be misleading. No matter how many planning tools managers use, they can only plan effectively if they understand how planning in dynamic environment works. They have to keep in mind that plann ing should only be used as an indicator of what could potentially happen in the future.I believe that planning should not be abandoned, but improved. 5 IV. References Robbins & Coulter, S. P. R. & M. C. , (2009). ‘Planning'. In: Pearson International Edition (ed), Management. 10th ed. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.. pp. (133-174). Robbins & Coulter, S. P. R. & M. C. , (2011). ‘Planning'. In: Pearson Global Edition (ed), Management. 11th ed. : Pearson Education, Inc.. pp. (204-276). Prof. Dr. Christian Landau, Principles of Management, 24. Sep. 2012 (Session 2), EBS Universitat fur Wirtschaft und Recht, Oestrich-Winkel