Reflect and evaluate Brand Starbucks marketing principles Essay

Reflect and evaluate Brand Starbucks marketing principles - Essay Example Brands absorb everything around them like Imelda Marcos in the shoe department at Nordstrom† (quoted in Kalin, 2001). By this definition, customer service and the quality of the products are actually considered part of the brand. Strong brands help companies establish a place within the international and local marketplace (Aaker, 1996). They also help the company develop a strong consumer base through brand recognition. However, brands don't become strong without offering quality products and excellent customer service. This is because brands only become strong when they have a high number of loyal consumers. Loyal consumers are made by giving them products that they enjoy and appreciate and taking care of customers when they have complaints or problems. According to Childers, satisfied customers exponentially increase in number, resulting in greater profitability for the company (2005). To see how this works, it's helpful to apply these ideas to a company like Starbucks. Starb ucks is a well-known coffee company that specializes in serving ready-to-drink single-serve coffee and other drinks to a mostly middle and upper class clientele. This company now has a very strong brand which it has gained by focusing on quality products and excellent customer service. ... Each customer was treated as a regular, whether they were or not, with their name written on their cup and plenty of customization of their order available. Now that the company has cultivated a very strong consumer base, it relies more and more on its strong brand to continue driving growth. As part of this brand, it offers customized menus for each region based upon local and national favorites. All of these different menus are brought together under the one brand identified by a simple and universal logo. Even if the menu isn't the same as the menu back home, travelers to new places can feel at home as soon as they walk into a Starbucks store because of that logo and a relatively similar approach to decor. Examining this company and assuming I have correctly identified the marketing principles it considers to be most important, I believe Starbucks is doing a good job of following these principles. Having a strong global brand is important to success in the commercial world today, but Starbucks has not forgotten that it developed that brand by offering quality products and excellent customer service. It proves this by maintaining a focus on what the local market enjoys and expects. â€Å"Experience has shown that companies need not always create one-size-fits-all global brands just because the world appears to be shrinking. Indeed, firms should recognize that adapting brands to local conditions will on many occasions be the best approach, and at times the only approach, because local conditions will leave them no other choice† (Managing Brands, 2005). By adapting their brand to local conditions but insisting that everything sold in the similarly decorated coffee houses carries the

Summarize the teaching and work on application from the Bible, book 1 Research Paper

Summarize the teaching and work on application from the Bible, book 1 Timothy (only chapter 1) - Research Paper Example At issue are the men who are straying from the gospel of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus. Paul’s treatment of doctrinal issues related to the law are more fully expounded in Romans and Galatians (and assuming he is the author, the book of Hebrews), but he uses a short discussion of the Law as a springboard to shift the discussion to its proper place, salvation by faith. â€Å"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.† (1 Tim 1:15-16) In other words, if Paul can find salvation in Christ, he who persecuted and killed believers, anyone can. Starting in verse 4, Paul explains the goal of pastoral care: â€Å"†¦furthering the administration of God which is by faith.

Four Fundamental Freedoms Of The Eu Economics Essay

Four Fundamental Freedoms Of The Eu Economics Essay The establishment of a Single Market is a key stage in the integration process of the European Community. The basis of the Single Market is the common market, which is the aim of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (1957). It should be achieved through eliminating the barriers for the trade among the countries (duties and quotes); establishment of Customs Union; removing the barriers to the free movement of goods, services, capital and persons; sustaining of a system guaranteeing the conditions for free competition and applying a common trade policy (in their relations with third countries) Very good . The process of creation of a common market according to the contract is defined for the period of 12 years, planned as a sequence of 3 stages, which consist of 4 years each source ?. The Single Market is based on the four fundamental freedoms of the EU: Free Movement of Goods it requires establishment of Customs Union, including removing the duties among the EU states, adoption of a common customs tariff in their relations with third countries and removing quantitative restrictions between Member States (quotes). In the beginning the duties are fixed (it is prohibited to increase them) and it is planned to remove them step by step by 1970. The decrease by the end of first stage should be 25%, by the end of the second stage 50%. During the transition period the quantitative restrictions should be removed. Source ? Special attention is given to the agricultural products due to their high sensitivity. The Treaty provides that the regulations of the common market are also valid for these products. However, a common agricultural policy is applied for the development of the sector. good The Free Movement of Persons After the end of the transition period the Treaty provides the EU citizens to have the right to accept job proposals, to move freely on the territory of the EU and in this connection to stay and live on the territory of another Member State in order to work in conformity with the national legislation. The residential right is of crucial importance and it is related to the opportunity of EU citizens to found and manage own enterprises in other Member States under the conditions of the local citizens. yes A common transport policy is applied in order to achieve the free movement of persons and goods. This will guarantee common regulations and administrative procedures that will make easier the transport connections between the Member States. The Free Movement of Services During the transition period the Member States should remove the obstacles for offering services in the industrial or trade sector, craft industry, as well as the free professions. More precisely, by the end of first stage the existing obstacles should be identified and a plan for removing restrictions should be accepted. For each service category this plan should define concrete steps for liberalization. Sources? The Free Movement of Capital It is related to the removal of all obstacles to payments and transfers of capital by residents of a Member State during the transitional period. yes However, the achievement of the aims of the Single Market is very difficult. Despite the removal of tariff restrictions on trade (duties and quotas), the experience shows that in some cases, markets are completely closed or partially limiting freedom of movement. This is the main cause for some important cases in the Court of Justice (now the European Court of Justice), related to the restriction of the free movement of goods. The case under the name of The Cassis de Dijon became significant example (Atkinson and Oleson, 1994: 984).very well. It is raised by Rewe Zentral AG against the Federal Office of West Germany in the monopoly of alcohol drinks that refuse the import of French liqueur, since it does not fit into any existing categories of alcohol used in the country and hence the inability to have an appropriate excise. The decision of the Court (case court à Ã‚ ¡-120/78) is that the refusal to license is a measure having equivalent effect to quantitative restrictions. Very we ll ! The case sets a precedent for the principle of mutual recognition of the conditions for access to the internal market of the Member States. Good ! There are other obstacles to the single market, such as problems with taxes and charges having equivalent effect to customs duties. The free movement of workers is also difficult. For example, the Kingdom of Belgium was forced to reconsider the requirement to have Belgian citizenship in order to occupy certain positions (C-149/79). Yes ! good example The integration process in the second half of the 70s and mid 80s of the 20th century is generally smooth. The main problems for the functioning of the Single Market are non-tariff in nature, stemming from differences in national legislation (Atkinson and Oleson, 1994: 984). In 1985 the Commission provided the EU Council with the White Paper Completing the Internal Market. The document recommends the elimination of physical barriers (border control at internal borders); the removal of technical barriers (requiring substantial harmonization, including industry standards, document exchange), as well as removal of fiscal barriers (taxes and government fees, which have the effect of duty, indirect taxes in particular VAT). All this requires considerable coordination and implementation of common policies in the field of police cooperation (due to the increased risk and free movement of criminals, terrorists, etc.); introduction of common rules regarding state aid and competition, public p rocurement and more. Very well ! The report sets a new stage of enhanced removal of technical, legal and other obstacles. A number of directives and regulations have been adopted; the most important one is the signing and entry into force of the Treaty on European Union (1992) and practical creation of Single Market. The process continues after that and becomes the basis for the eastward enlargement after putting behind the fear of socialism. Good ! According to the Eur-Lex current regulations in the field of Internal market regarding harmonization of legislation are 1053, and in the field of Internal market: policy related to enterprises 48. Source? Despite these achievements, nowadays the Single Market continues to face some obstacles and problems (non tariff barriers), that are intensified in the conditions of a crisis. A new strategy for the Single Market (Monti, 2010) is published in 2010 in order to overcome the new challenges (especially the growing nationalism and weak political activity for improving the Single Market in terms of continuing crisis) in 2010 published report A new strategy for the Single Market (Monti, 2010). The report concludes that in many areas the Single Market is not yet sufficiently developed. Yes ! It remains fragmented which hampers the innovations and suppresses the growth potential of the European economy. Free movement of persons, goods, services and capital is not always smooth yes !, which is often a result of administrative barriers and weak enforcement of EU regulations. Among the main recommendations is the building of a stronger Single Market (including through the development of digital Single Market and providing green growth). This requires the achievement of political consensus and continuing efforts to deepen integration and improvement of the Single Market. Existing barriers can be summarized for each of the four freedoms. Movement of goods is hampered by problems such as licensing regimes (lack of a European patent), counterfeiting and piracy good ; national fiscal policies (in particular VAT) etc. The Free Movement of Services faces more important barriers, including lack of standardization (reflecting on the difficulty to assess their quality and effectiveness), insufficient transparency in some sectors (e.g. banks in relation to taxes and commissions) etc. good Free movement of persons is hampered by barriers to the recognition of professional qualifications, the availability of physical control of borders (airports, delaying the accession of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area) etc yes . Free movement of capital is hindered mainly by fiscal and other barriers (an important issue is offshore zones, allowing evasion of tax systems Eden and Kudrle, 2005) yes. The efforts of the Commission to overcome the problems continue. Commission makes 50 proposals in its Single Market Act (COM/2010/0608), which after public consultation have been reduced to 12 instruments (COM/2011/0206). Whether their practical implementation will lead to real development in the Single Market depends to a high extent on the desire for political cooperation and practical efforts towards change. Very good ! References Atkinson, G. and Oleson, T. (1994) Europe 1992: From Customs Union to Economic Community. Journal of Economic Issues, 28(4), pp. 977-995 Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (1957). [Online]. Available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/index.htm#founding [Accessed 9 July 2012] à Ã‚ ¡-120/78, Judgment of the Court of 20 February 1979. Quantative restrictions measures having equivalent effect [Online]. Available at: http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2009-05/tra-doc-bg-arret-c-0120-1978-200802154-05_02.pdf [Accessed 10 July 2012] C-149/79, Judgment of the Court of 17 December 1980. Commission of the European Communities v Kingdom of Belgium. Free movement of workers.  [Online]. Available at: http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2009-05/tra-doc-bg-arret-c-0149-1979-200802156-05_00.pdf [Accessed 11 July 2012] Commission Of The European Communities, Completing the Internal Market. White Paper from the Commission to the European Council (Milan, 28-29 June 1985), COM(85) 310 final, Brussels, 14 June 1985. [Online]. Available at: http://europa.eu/documents/comm/white_papers/pdf/com1985_0310_f_en.pdf [Accessed 11 July 2012] Treaty on European Union, Official Journal C 191, 29 July 1992. [Online]. Available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/11992M/htm/11992M.html [Accessed 11 July 2012] Eur-Lex, 13 Industrial policy and internal market. [Online]. Available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/bg/legis/latest/chap13.htm [Accessed 11 July 2012] Monti, Mario (2010) A new strategy for the Single Market. At the service of Europes economy and society. Report to the President of the European Commission Josà © Manuel Barroso. [Online]. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/strategy/docs/monti_report_final_10_05_2010_en.pdf [Accessed 11 July 2012] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Single Market Act Twelve levers to boost growth and strengthen confidence Working together to create new growth, COM/2011/0206 final. [Online]. Available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2011:0206:FIN:EN:HTML [Accessed 11 July 2012] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Towards a Single Market Act For a highly competitive social market economy 50 proposals for improving our work, business and exchanges with one another, COM/2010/0608. [Online]. Available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:52010DC0608:EN:NOT [Accessed 11 July 2012] Eden, Lorraine; Kudrle, Robert T., Tax Havens: Renegade States in the International Tax Regime? Law Policy, Jan2005, Vol. 27 Issue 1, p100-127 2) Corporate social responsibility (CSR) The interest of the public attention to CSR should be viewed in the context of contemporary culture and in particular global interest in the protection of human rights and freedoms and the understanding of responsibility in various aspects. Yes . The promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Universal Declarations of Human Rights (1948) (no doubt influenced by Christian ethics) is the result of realizing the value of human life and equality of persons before the law. The constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens in developed societies is the basis for developing various initiatives for their actual implementation in society. Therefore, serious violations of these rights are a factor which attracts attention to CSR. Very well. Some violations of multinational corporations (MNC) are: Injuring local community in the process of exploitation of natural resources. An important example is the activities of Shell in Nigeria. During the military regime the government did not return any or very little of the oil revenue to the local population. In this reason Ogoni people started a political fight to defend their rights. The attention of the international community is drawn to the problem after the execution of representatives of the Movement for Ogoni Rights (Holzer, 2007). Good example exploitation of workers, including children. This category includes issues such as disregard for labour rights, long working hours, rest in work time, working under hazardous conditions without protective equipment etc. In many cases this is caused by imperfect legislation or lack of it in developing countries, but also it depends on cultural differences. For example, there is considerable opposition to introduce a ban on children working in the footwear sector in Brazil (Zwolinski, 2007). Good example Another factor directing public attention to CSR is associated with the use of environmentally harmful practices. In the late 70s some MNC (especially in oil and automobile industries) are accused of serious pollution of air, ocean, soils (Eells, 1975). The activities of Shell in Nigeria have significant environmental damage to areas in the delta of the River of Niger (Holzer, 2007). The ocean oil spills also caused a significant damage to nature. Among the worst spills in the history are those in the Gulf of Mexico after the explosion on the platform Deepwater Horizon (about 4.4 million barrels Griggs, 2011) and spills from tanker Exxon Valdez (240 thousands barrels poured into the Gulf of Alaska in 1989 Bowen and Power, 1993). yes Unchanging principle of the responsibility is that the one caused some damage is obliged to restore it or compensate proportionately it. This is one of the fundamental principles underlying the CSR. Moreover, in todays world not correction (after the damage) is increasingly important but to make efforts to prevent and reduce the negative practices good point. This promotes the use of CSR as a good practice. In opposition to the socio-economic approach of CSR is the purely economic approach to business. The most outspoken supporter of the economic approach is the monetarist Milton Friedman (1970). He sees business as an activity whose main task is to maximize wealth of shareholders. In the free-enterprise system business can not have any purpose other than profit which implies reducing unnecessary costs including those for CSR. Yes indeed. In this sense, the implementation of extraneous social work is a kind of tax on company activity which reduces economic efficiency and competitiven ess. Moreover, according to Friedman (1970) the imposition of public opinion to corporations for providing CSR violates the foundations of liberal society (democracy) which values are replaced à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹by values of socialism. An additional argument of Friedman (1970) is that the company itself is an artificial product of man, it cannot be liable only people can have responsibilities. Yes ! Another theory in opposition to the CSR concept is the theory of Henderson (2009) who considers the continued spread of CSR in practice as a threat. According to Henderson (2009:11) The doctrine rests on mistaken presumptions about recent economic developments and their implications for the role and conduct of enterprises, while putting it into effect would make the world poorer and more over-regulated. According to Henderson (2009) the true role of business consists of four propositions. First of all, the economic progress is driven by innovative activities related to profit. Secondly, the competition should be the only tool that contributes to development and thus improve welfare. Thirdly, the role of business units should be the engine of progress through private ownership and profit-directed activity (capitalism). Fourthly, in market economy conditions and intense competition, companies make their profits by attracting customers with various offers in an innovative way. Interesti ng point ! Very good answer ! References Bowen, Michael G. and Power, F. Clark (1993) The moral manager: communicative ethics and the exxon valdez disaster. Business Ethics Quarterly. 3 (2), p.97-115 Eells, Richard (1975) Multinational corporations under fire. Management Review, 64 (2), p.43-45 Friedman, Milton (1970) The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits. The New York Times Magazine, September 13. [Online]. Available at: http://www.colorado.edu/studentgroups/libertarians/issues/friedman-soc-resp-business.html [Accessed 12 July 2012] Griggs, John Wyeth (2011) BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill. Energy Law Journal, 32 (1), p.57-79 Henderson, David (2009) Misguided corporate virtue: the case against csr, and the true role of business today. Economic Affairs. 29 (4), p.11-15. Holzer, Boris (2007) Framing the Corporation: Royal Dutch/Shell and Human Rights Woes in Nigeria. Journal of Consumer Policy, 30 (3), p.281-301. International Bill of Human Rights. A Universal Declarations of Human Rights, 1948. [Online]. Available at: http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/043/88/IMG/NR004388.pdf?OpenElement [Accessed 12 July 2012] Welles, John C. (1973) Multinationals Need New Environmental Strategies. Columbia Journal of World Business. 8 (2), p11-18 Zwolinski, Matt (2007) Sweatshops, choice, and exploitation. Business Ethics Quarterly. 17 (4), p.689-727. 3) Internationalization of the business The company has the opportunity to expand its operations by penetration of the foreign market. Several reasons support the decision to internationalize company operations. The first factor is the successful business development in the local market (Thai and Chong, 2011). The internationalization of business is facilitated by resources, ensuring local competitiveness, such as knowledge and experience in manufacturing and marketing (to know the characteristics of demand and market segmentation which can be successfully applied in other markets particularly when demand has a similar characteristics), known brands, ability to learn and utilization of knowledge and others (Wright et al, 2007). good Another internal factor facilitating internationalization is the availability of adequate human resources, including international experience of managers and entrepreneurs, managerial competence (international business skills and management know-how) (Ruzzier et al, 2007), leadership skills, etc. The interpersonal business skills include cognitive capabilities and personal aptitudes, cross-cultural competence and communication skills, knowledge integration and applications, disciplinary knowledgebase and methodologies (Mughan and Kyvik, 2010). good Other factors that influence decision for international expansion are the expectations for growth and other positive effects of the internationalization of business. The company should have adequate organizational capability securing growth in order to achieve these benefits (Thai and Chong, 2011). Some of the positive effects of internationalization are increased volume, revenue and profits. In addition, the company can expect so-called learning by exporting effect (Sicoli, 2012). As a result of the internationalization of business companies could improve knowledge which leads to increased productivity (including effects due to economies of scale). Very good ! Some external factors also influence the internationalization of corporate activities such as processes of globalization and integration, liberalization of international trade and removing trade barriers (Sicoli, 2012). Other factor is price differences of manufactured products between domestic emerging market and developed foreign markets (due to existing cost differences) (Vasilchenko and Morrish, 2011). yes There are few possible strategies for entering the foreign market. The strategy of direct export has the lowest risk and lower costs but it gives a more limited ability to control business activity yes !(Wright et al, 2007). Exports of foreign market are achieved through a sales network agents, distributors, retailers which are generally independent business units. The relationships in the network are based on contractual agreements (Philippe and Là ©o, 2011) yes !. Strategic alliances with suppliers or customers (even though it carries risks such as choosing the wrong partner or excessive dependent on them) allow the realization of cost benefits and service benefits, including taking advantage of technological advance or prior knowledge (Vanpoucke and Vereecke, 2010) yes !. The creation of a joint venture is characterized by high risk and significant investments. However, it allows far greater control over the activity and can bring all the benefits of strategic alliances yes !. C reation of subsidiaries (with the highest risk) or franchise network (with relatively low risk but here the success requires effort for standardization and control) provides the highest level of control (Wright et al, 2007) yes. In theory there is an common view that firms should enter the foreign market incrementally, first through direct export and subsequently by partly controlled network (join venture, strategic alliance) or fully controlled network (subsidiaries, franchises) taking into account the current circumstances and firms competitive advantages (Philippe and Là ©o, 2011) very good !. No matter which strategy will be chosen in order to internationalize the business, the firm needs to create a network. The relationship, trust and relationship commitment decisions predetermine future success because what happens, happens in relationships. So success depends on the available knowledge and ability to learn; opportunities and creativity; capabilities and trust building (Schw eizer et al, 2010). Good In order to achieve successful penetration of foreign markets Wen and Arokiasamy (2011) propose firm to implement integrated business strategies in foreign market, which is separated by three groups of strategies. The first group is the international marketing strategies, which include Market entry strategies, Diversification and Marketing mix. The second group is The International Operation Strategies, which includes Logistic Management, Oversea Subsidiaries, Oversea Production and Headquarters. The third group of strategies is International Business Strategy, which include Standardization, Differentiation, Localization and Level of Commitment. Very good ! However, to enter a foreign market successfully the company has to learn quickly (which will contribute to reduction of the risk) and keep cultural differences into account (Thai and Chong, 2011). Many cultural differences can affect the operational efficiency (increase costs or reduce revenues) such as using language, religion, behaviour standard, body language and greetings, power distance, etc. The main problem is when after the internationalization firm faces to cultural shock (stress caused by cultural change). Cultural shock can significantly worsen the working environment; negatively affect the organizational culture and performance very good !(Grundey, 2008).

Body Language :: essays research papers

What is Body Language?Definition: Body Language is communication through gestures or attitudes. (<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=pcZ8g7DjAzA&offerid=6424&type=2&subid=0&url=http%253A//search.borders.com/fcgi-bin/db2www/search/search.d2w/Details%253F%2526mediaType%253DBook%2526prodID%253D3805147" >Webster's Dictionary<IMG border=0 alt=icon width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=pcZ8g7DjAzA&bids=6424&type=2&subid=0" >, 1997)Why is it important for teachers to know and use?Most people remember more of what they see than what they hear. We retain vivid images of facial expressions and body behavior.Body language usually dose not lie. We can build trust with our students by showing them that our actions will be in sync with our words.Alert teachers watch their students' movements, actions, and emotions and use what they see to adjust their teaching methods to be effective with their l essons.By being alert to student behaviors, teachers can more easily predict and deter inappropriate behavior before it becomes a problem. Teachers need to be able to control their own body language so they can be in charge of the message they want to portray to the students. They can send out positive body language messages to promote positive interaction between her/himself and the students and between students and other students.Modeling positive body language is important because body language can be very contagious.Issues that contribute to one's use of body language:culture physical size gender mood past experiences age position Examples for the classroom:</bAlways observe the students' body language and be able to detect boredom. By being alert to students' body language messages you are more likely to meet their needs and interests even if they may not verbalize them. Use direct eye contact with your students. This is one of the most important nonverbal teaching skills. L ook directly at the student (not at their hair, shoulder, what they are wearing). Looking any place else is too distracting for them. Do not make it a habit to stay behind or around your desk all of the time. Whether they realize it or not, some teachers use their desk as a wall of protection or symbol of authority in the classroom.

How Women Authors in History Lived Essay

Oppression has never been a word I have thought of when I thinking of the treatment of women. I have recently discovered women authors in history that have lived a double life that only women can. In the 1800s when Constance Fenimore Woolson and Mary E. Wilkings Freeman lived, they fought for equality with their words and the way they lived. They were women who were expected to be just pretty but silent, and they have been paving the way for women in the future to speak their minds . Though Woolson and Freeman lead different lifestyles, they both represent the female intelligence, strength, and independence. Woolson was born to a family of five in 1840. A few weeks after her birth, however, her three older siblings died of influenza. Freeman was born in 1852, as the second child to her parents, and she lost her sibling to the same influenza virus a few months after her birth. Like many families in the 1800’s, colds and flues were more likely to become deadly than they are today, and both women were effected by it early on in their lives. Spoiled by her parents, and being the only child, Woolson had the opportunity to travel with her father on business ventures. Freeman, on the other hand, was raised a puritan girl. She learned to be obedient, godlike, pious, and honest. She was a smart girl and a good student, so they sent her to her to Mount Holyoke Female Seminary where she lasted but a year. In â€Å"Jury of Her Peers†, she is quoted to have said, â€Å"I was very young. . . and went home at the end of the year a nervous wreck. † A student at a university, Lesa Z. Myrick, went further to illustrate that Freeman came home quite confused. She was, however, sure â€Å"that I ate so much beef in different forms and so many baked apples that I have never wanted much since. † Freeman misbehaved frequently in the school, attributing it to the boring diet and strenuous â€Å"goading of conscience† (Reuben). Woolson was also given an education at a school in New York. She visited Mackinac Island, Cooperstown, and New England when she was not being educated. In her travels, she developed interest in cultural diversity and enjoyed a variety of scenery. Writing came as a natural talent to Woolson, and she was successful with it almost immediately. Many of her earliest writings were on the Civil war. It claims in â€Å"Jury of Her Peers† that she wrote to a friend saying, â€Å"The war was the heart and spirit of my life. † Freeman’s inspirational experience was not nearly as bloody, but equally as tragic. At the age of 24, Freeman’s 17-year-old sister died, leaving her in a traumatized state. It was the death of her sister that set the theme to most all of Freeman’s ghost stories. Her other inspirations came from the bizarre experience of living in a house forty yards from an insane asylum, where the inmates were free to walk about the town. This experience would make anyone weary of who was in their company, and caused Freeman to later claims she did not care to be around people. Woolson began to think about herself as a serious writer a year after the death of her father. She began contributing regularly to bookish magazines and was an immediate success. She was a woman writer who saw her writing as an art form rather than writing out of necessity. It is said that the knowledge of her relational connection to the author, James Fenimore Cooper, helped a great deal with this attitude. After her father died, Woolson’s mother was recommended by a doctor to move to a warmer area, and Woolson moved wither her mother to Florida. Freeman did not make any money from her writing until a year after her mother’s death, when she and her father were evicted from their home. In 1881, she wrote â€Å"The Beggar King† for a children’s magazine and was paid ten dollars for the piece. Freeman was nearly forty when she finally began to be paid she for her work. She continued writing children’s pieces and religious stories for magazines well into the 1890s. Woolson’s mother died in 1879, and Woolson left Florida to tour Europe. She traveled to London, France, Italy, and Germany. In Italy, she met a man who went by the name Henry James. They formed a friendship that was long lasting and closely knit. They had similar taste in literature and admired each other. For a stretch of time, they shared a house together. Freeman took it a step further than sharing a house with a man. She married Charles Freeman in 1902, which was a match made in heaven, but was doomed to hell. Charles was a severe alcoholic and was so infatuated with Freeman’s writing that he forced her to write more, making her keep up the pace of her writing along with her daily tasks. Several years later Freeman had, Charles committed to a hospital and they became legally separated. Freeman gave up on writing in her seventies, and she died of heart failure in 1930. Woolson was never married. She continued wondering from place to place, writing about what she would see and experience. She did suffer health conditions, and as the years passed, they continually got worst. It was 1894 when she plummeted to her death from a second story window. Some people think it was suicide. Some think she fell because of her suffering from influenza. The truth is unknown. It is amazing to me that these two women have nothing in common. They were born twelve years apart, one was religious, the other was a vagabond (hippy), and one was married while the other never did. Their writing styles had nothing in common either; while Freeman wrote an array of gothic, ghost, love, and religious tales, Woolson used cultural diversity and places she had visited to create her tales. These women were similar in their morals and virtuous life-styles. It did not matter if they were traveling the world by themselves, or being forced to go beyond expectation, they did what women today still do. They helped lay a foundation of dedication and strength, saying that they would do whatever it took to do what they loved. Woolson and Freeman both have been an inspiration to me by letting me know that I can be as flighty as Woolson, or as steadfast as Freeman can. These women have done it before me, so why can’t I? ? McEntee, Grace. â€Å"Constance Fenimore Woolson† http://www. lehigh. edu. Appalachian State University, n. d. Web. 5/8/2013 Reuben, Paul P. â€Å"Chapter 6: Mary Wilkins Freeman. † PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. URL:http://www. csustan. edu/english/reuben/pal/chap6/freeman. html (5/8/2013). Showalter, Elaine. A Jury of Her Peers: American Woman Writers from Anne Bradstreet to Annie Proulx. New York: Vintage Books, 2009. Print.

Wirk

In the previous seminar that I wasn't able to attend on time, I learned some helpful Information that will be beneficial throughout my semester in this class. All the basics were broken down so clearly by my professor. Such as, what to do when you have a question private and not as private. If the question is private you can just simply e-mail the professor and he will get back to you within a twenty-four time period. Also, for the questions that aren't as private you can Just simply post It In the discussion board, therefore your fellow classmates can help you with your problems.As stated by my professor we are all In this together. Furthermore, I was taught how to maneuver my way around the online page. For Instance, how to submit work In the drop. You Just have to go to the drop tab and go to submit assignment and then browse. After browsing for your assignment you will attach and send. This way your work will be there In time for grading. In Dalton, It Is stated to never delete y our saved assignment due to a disruption while It Is being graded. If you don't save it and it is told to you it's not submitted then you will have to do the assignment all ever.Moreover, I learned the many different ways getting to know my classmates. The discussion board is a very good source of that because, you can have discussions of different facts and opinions. Also, sometimes even provide more details from what you have studied or researched on. Another way to connect with your peers is to just e-mail them to get information correctly, get to know them better and even meet. Even though I never e-mailed anyone I am still comfortable in knowing their views on certain things.All in all I believe the seminar is a good way to know what you are up against for that following week. An hour a week on a specific day is not bad at all. Also, you can be active while being a part of it. Asking several questions and who knows your classmates can sometimes answer the question as well as th e professor can. It is actually a good way to do this class instead of being in class bored and with little or no input at all. Wire By Momentarily 7 information that will be beneficial throughout my semester in this class. All the have a question private and not as private.If the question is private you can Just period. Also, for the questions that aren't as private you can Just simply post it in the As stated by my professor we are all in this together. Furthermore, I was taught how to maneuver my way around the online page. For instance, how to submit work in the your work will be there in time for grading. In addition, it is stated to never delete your saved assignment due to a disruption while it is being graded.

An Examination of Minimum Wage and Its Economical Impact

An Examination of Minimum Wage and Its Economical Impact The concept of minimum wage is a complex economic program pitting an employee's benefit of a living wage against an employer's hardship of forced policy. In this critical analysis of the minimum wage, each side presents an argument for or against the program. This examination provides an insight into whether minimum wage serves as a social and economic safety net or a welfare crutch with crippling effects for those affected. The presentation of facts and figures explores wage requirements for employment of adults versus minors, as well as, displacement of workers based on rising wages. An increasing deficit between the minimum wage and the national poverty level will also be covered with a final conclusion of the team's stance on the subject of minimum wage.ContentsAbstract2Contents3An Examination of Minimum Wage and Its Economical Impact4Introduction4History of Minimum Wage4The Pro Minimum Wage Argument6The Anti Minimum Wage Argument9Summary11Conclusion12Reference page14An Examinati on of Minimum Wage and Its Economical Impact TitleIntroductionThe United States economy and workforce faces a tough and challenging dilemma dealing with the minimum wage issue.Map of U.S. Minimum Wage lawsMinimum wage has been, and will continue to be, a topic of discussion amongst America's workforce. Should Congress be held responsible to pass an act raising minimum wage throughout the United States? Should a minimum wage be a state-led initiative? Should minimum wage be abolished and never raised? This paper will answer the questions stated above and critically analyze the pros and cons of the minimum wage structure in the United States. This paper will allow the reader to establish a clear and precise picture of the "pro minimum wage stance", by providing facts and opinions concerning the economic and social benefits of maintaining and raising minimum wage. This paper will also identify facts and opinions concerning the "con minimum wage stance", focusing on the negative impact on...

the effect of europeans on ame essays

the effect of europeans on ame essays The Europeans that settled in America changed the lives of the Indians, slowly robbing them of their culture. The future of the Indians was changed drastically as their children, their income off the land and their spiritual bonds with the land were interfered by the Europeans. The Europeans, in trying to create a white society out of the Indians, stole from them what made them unique as a civilization. The Indians children were affected more than any other generation by the coming of the Europeans. Their whole family structure changed in the short period while the Europeans took over, and gradually the children lost all they ever knew. Indian children were brought up learning the skills they would need as adults. A great importance was placed in training boys to become warriors and teaching them skills such as running, swimming, jumping, building stamina and strength and archery. Girls would stay with their mothers until they were eight and then live with their grandmother, who was considered their most dignified protector. She would take over and teach the girl skills such as weaving, molding clay and domestic skills Indian children were as free as the animals that roamed the forest around them. Young boys were encouraged by elders to engage in sports... Girls busied themselves imitating their mothers. Life of a Shawnee, W.C.Mundell With the arrival of the Europeans, Indian children lost their upbringing, their culture and gradually, their self-esteem. The government attempted to civilise the Indian children and many were sent or forcibly taken to boarding schools, often not situated on the reservations. The children were separated from their families, their mentors. Their clothing was missionary style dresses for the girls, knickers and trousers for the boys. The children werent allowed to speak their native tongue. The family structure collapsed as the fathers died and many women were w...

The Technology and History of the Atlatl Spear Thrower

The Technology and History of the Atlatl Spear Thrower An atlatl (pronounced atul-atul or aht-LAH-tul) is the name used primarily by American scholars for a spear thrower, a hunting tool that was invented at least as long ago as the Upper Paleolithic period in Europe. It may be much older. Spear throwers are a significant technological improvement on simply throwing or thrusting a spear, in terms of safety, speed, distance, and accuracy. Fast Facts: Atlatl The atlatl or spearthrower is a hunting technology which was invented at least 17,000 years ago by Upper Paleolithic humans in Europe.  Atlatls give additional velocity and thrust compared to spear-throwing, and they allow the hunter to stand farther away from the prey.  They are called atlatls, because thats what the Aztecs were calling them when the Spanish arrived. Unfortunately for the Spanish, the Europeans had forgotten how to use them. The American scientific name for the spearthrower is from the Aztec language, Nahuatl. The atlatl was recorded by Spanish conquistadors when they arrived in Mexico and discovered that the Aztec people had a stone weapon that could pierce metal armor. The term was first noted by the American anthropologist Zelia Nuttall [1857–1933], who wrote about Mesoamerican atlatls in 1891, based on drawn images and three surviving examples. Other terms in use around the globe include spear thrower, woomera (in Australia), and propulseur (in French). What is a Spearthrower? Atlatl Display, Gold Museum of Bogota, Colombia. Carl Ann Purcell / Getty Images An atlatl is a slightly curved piece of wood, ivory, or bone, measuring between 5 and 24 inches (13–61 centimeters) long and between 1–3 in (2–7 cm) wide. One end is hooked, and the hook fits into the nock end of a separate spear shaft, itself between 3 to 8 feet (1–2.5 meters) in length. The working end of the shaft may simply be sharpened  or be modified to include a pointed projectile point. Atlatls are often decorated or painted- the oldest ones we have are elaborately carved. In some American cases, banner stones, rocks carved into a bow-tie shape with a hole in the middle, were used on the spear shaft. Scholars have been unable to find that adding the weight of a banner stone does anything to the velocity or thrust of the operation. They have theorized that banner stones may have been thought to act as a flywheel, stabilizing the motion of the spear throwing, or that it was not used during the throw at all, but rather to balance the spear when the atlatl was at rest. How To... The motion used by the thrower is similar to that of an overhand baseball pitcher. The thrower holds the atlatl handle in the palm of her hand and pinches the dart shaft with her fingers. Balancing both behind her ear, she pauses, pointing with her opposite hand toward the target; and then, with a movement as if she were pitching a ball, she flings the shaft forward allowing it to slip out of her fingers as it flies towards the target. The atlatl stays level and the dart on target throughout the motion. As with baseball, the snap of the wrist at the end imparts much of the velocity, and the longer the atlatl, the longer the distance (although there is an upper limit). The speed of a properly flung 5 ft (1.5 m) spear equipped with a 1 ft (30 cm) atlatl is about 60 miles (80 kilometers) per hour; one researcher reported that he put an atlatl dart through his garage door on his first attempt. The maximum speed achieved by an experienced atlatlist is 35 meters per second or 78 mph. The technology of an atlatl is that of a lever, or rather a system of levers, which together combine and increase the force of the human overhand throw. The flipping motion of the throwers elbow and shoulder in effect adds a joint to the thrower’s arm. The proper use of the atlatl makes spear-assisted hunting an efficiently targeted and deadly experience. Earliest Atlatls The earliest secure information concerning atlatls comes from several caves in France dated to the Upper Paleolithic. Early atlatls in France are works of art, such as the fabulous example known as le faon aux oiseaux (Fawn with Birds), a 20 in (52 cm) long carved piece of reindeer bone decorated with a carved ibex and birds. This atlatl was recovered from the cave site of La Mas d’Azil, and was made between 15,300 and 13,300 years ago. Atlatl Spear Thrower, Carved as a Bison, La Madeleine, Dordogne Valley, France, ca 15,000 BP. Print Collector/Getty Images / Getty Images A 19 in (50 cm) long atlatl, found in the La Madeleine site in the Dordogne valley of France, has a handle carved as a hyena effigy; it was made about 13,000 years ago. The Canecaude cave site deposits dated to about 14,200 years ago contained a small atlatl (8 cm, or 3 in) carved in the shape of a mammoth. The very earliest atlatl found to date is a simple antler hook dated to the Solutrean period (about 17,500 years ago), recovered from the site of Combe Sauniere. Atlatls are necessarily carved from organic material, wood or bone, and so the technology may be much older than 17,000 years ago. The stone points used on a thrust or hand-thrown spear are larger and heavier than those used on an atlatl, but thats a relative measure and a sharpened end will work as well. Simply put, archaeologists do not know how old the technology is. Modern Atlatl Use The atlatl has lots of fans today. The World Atlatl Association sponsors the International Standard Accuracy Contest (ISAC), a competition of atlatl skill held in small venues all over the world; they hold workshops so if youd like to learn how to throw with an atlatl, thats where to start. The WAA keeps a list of world champions and ranking master atlatl throwers. The competitions have also been used along with controlled experiments to gather field data concerning the effect of the different elements of the atlatl process, such as the weight and shape of the projectile point used, the length of the shaft and the atlatl. A lively discussion can be found in the archives of the journal American Antiquity about whether you can safely identify whether a particular point was used in bow and arrow versus atlatl: the results are inconclusive. If you are a dog owner, you may have even used a modern spearthrower known as the â€Å"Chuckit. Study History Archaeologists began to recognize atlatls in the late 19th century. The anthropologist and adventurer Frank Cushing [1857–1900] made replicas and may have experimented with the technology; Zelia Nuttall wrote about Mesoamerican atlatls in 1891, and anthropologist Otis T. Mason [1838–1908] looked at Arctic spear throwers and noticed that they were similar to those described by Nuttall. More recently, studies by scholars such as John Whittaker and Brigid Grund have focused on the physics of atlatl throwing, and trying to parse out why people eventually adopted the bow and arrow. Sources Angelbeck, Bill, and Ian Cameron. The Faustian Bargain of Technological Change: Evaluating the Socioeconomic Effects of the Bow and Arrow Transition in the Coast Salish Past. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 36 (2014): 93–109. Print.Bingham, Paul M., Joanne Souza, and John H. Blitz. Introduction: Social Complexity and the Bow in the Prehistoric North American Record. Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews 22.3 (2013): 81–88. Print.Cain, David I., and Elizabeth A. Sobel. Sticks with Stones: An Experimental Test of the Effects of the Atlatl Weight on Atlatl Mechanics. Ethnoarchaeology 7.2 (2015): 114–40. Print.Erlandson, Jon, Jack Watts, and Nicholas Jew. Darts, Arrows, and Archaeologists: Distinguishing Dart and Arrow Points in the Archaeological Record. American Antiquity 79.1 (2014): 162–69. Print.Grund, Brigid Sky. Behavioral Ecology, Technology, and the Organization of Labor: How a Shift from Spear Thrower to Self Bow Exacerbates Soc ial Disparities. American Anthropologist 119.1 (2017): 104–19. Print. Pettigrew, Devin B., et al. How Atlatl Darts Behave: Beveled Points and the Relevance of Controlled Experiments. American Antiquity 80.3 (2015): 590–601. Print.Walde, Dale. Concerning the Atlatl and the Bow: Further Observations Regarding Arrow and Dart Points in the Archaeological Record. American Antiquity 79.1 (2014): 156–61. Print.Whittaker, John C. Levers, Not Springs: How a Spearthrower Works and Why It Matters. Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Stone Age Weaponry. Eds. Iovita, Radu and Katsuhiro Sano. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 2016. 65–74. Print.Whittaker, John C., Devin B. Pettigrew, and Ryan J. Grohsmeyer. Atlatl Dart Velocity: Accurate Measurements and Implications for Paleoindian and Archaic Archaeology. PaleoAmerica 3.2 (2017): 161–81. Print.

LAW OF INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE CONTRACT Coursework

LAW OF INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE CONTRACT - Coursework Example The insurance also covers some liabilities that arise in cases where there is a collision with another ship and also the liability for colliding with other objects (FFO-Fixed and Floating Objects). Typically, claims under Hull and Machinery insurance include, total loss of the ship; damage to ship, engines and equipments; explosions and fires; groundings; collisions; and striking other objects. The scope of the type of damages covered by Hull and Machinery Insurance has been defined by International Hull Clauses (IHC). In clause 2.1.6, it states that HM & I covers the losses caused to the ship due to â€Å"contact with land conveyance, dock or harbor equipment or Installation.†1 There are certain risks and liabilities that are not covered under Hull and Machinery insurance. A prudent ship-owner may look to get insurance cover for liabilities to third parties. Such liabilities might arise due to a third party’s legal or contractual claim against the ship. P & I insurance is arranged by entering the ship into a mutual insurance association which is usually referred to as a â€Å"club†. All the members of this club are ship-owners. Therefore, the P & I club is only answerable to its members. A Marine Insurance company, on the other hand, is answerable to its shareholders. P & I clubs provide insurance covers for much broader risks than the Hull and Machinery insurance schemes. When a ship has an accident due to the perils of the sea, Hull & Machinery insurance provides cover for the loss that has occurred to the ship. There are many other things that are connected with the ship. The crew of the ship, the employees, may also get hurt and claim compensation for their injuries. Also, the owner of the cargo that may have been carried in the ship would also claim for his loss against the ship-owner. Hull & Machinery insurance does not provide cover for such liabilities to third parties. However, the ship-owner can get protection from such claims by pursuing P & I insurance. As far as the liability to the owner of the cargo is concerned, the cargo owner has a first claim against the carrier. The cargo owner may not succeed in his claim because either the ship-owner was not responsible for the loss or he is protected under Hague-Visby2 rules. In such cases, the cargo owner claims compensation from his insurer under Cargo Insurance. By the right of subrogation, the insurer, after compensating his client, would be able to pursue the claim in his own right against the carrier. To avoid this claim against him, the carrier seeks the services of P & I club. This means that the same cargo can be insured twice. P & I clubs also settle the claims against the ship-owner when the crew is injured. There can be other â€Å"Third† parties that can have legal or contractual claims against the ship-owner. P & I insurance addresses all of those claims. There are risks that are not covered by P & I insurance because they are covered by an other form of insurance. In relation to Hull & Machinery Insurance, P & I insurance is able to cover almost all the risks that H & M leaves out. Even for the claims that are not fully covered by H & M insurance, the portion of the claim that is left out can be covered under P & I insurance. Therefore, P & I insurance complements Hull and Machinery insurance as the risks that are not covered by one are covered by the other. When both forms of marine insurance are

Basseri of Iran Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Basseri of Iran - Research Paper Example As the study of the social structure of the Basseri tribe by Barth (1961) is one of the classical examples of the research in the field of ethnography of nomadic peoples of Iran, it is instructive to closely analyze the modern state of the Basseri people. In this essay, I will deal with the various aspects of social life of the Basseri, focusing on their subsistence patterns, but paying appropriate attention to their kinship practices, social and political organization. Accordingly, the essay will be divided into four sections in which the relevant aspects will be analyzed. My basic argument with regard to the Basseri is that they represent a stage of development transitional between the primitive lineage form and more developed chiefdom organization, which is itself a necessary prerequisite to the fully stratified society, and the organization of the essay will reflect that argument.

Is China shape up to be the next nation of innovation, moving away Essay

Is China shape up to be the next nation of innovation, moving away from the reputation of world's factory - Essay Example It is not just the emerging economies that need to be innovative; the developed countries have to step-up the rate of innovation to drive faster productivity growth that will help sustain healthy economic growth rates. Innovation leads to increased productivity and prosperity of a nation which in turn means world economic growth. Innovation addresses the most pressing social and human challenges. The social and human challenges can be met through education which brings about lifestyle changes in the people. Overall, the national environment matters to attain success in innovative activity. According to a recent survey conducted by the research firm the Economic Intelligence Unit Japan has been declared as the most innovative country, ahead of the US, Switzerland and Sweden. Innovation according to this study is â€Å"the application of knowledge in a novel way, primarily for economic benefit† (Blackcoat, 2007)2. The study has also indicated that China will see great progress for innovation while the US will remain the most â€Å"suitable place for innovation†. The study further suggests that there is no substitute for good education or for policies that encourage investment in IT communication infrastructure (Finfacts, 2007)3. Businesses consider innovation as a way to beat their competitors. For the economy to prosper the governments see the need for an innovative environment. Hence, innovation, government and businesses are linked together (Valery & Kekic, 2007)4. Firms collaborate with customers to product innovative products and personalize it; process innovation becomes important to design and improvise on the existing product and enhance productivity. Talents from different economies interact with each other to strengthen the links among personalization, collaboration and innovation. This has far-reaching implications for global business and for the nation

Electoral College Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Electoral College - Essay Example This system of giving a voice to the smaller states was a system designed by the Founding Fathers at the beginning of America’s history, when only a few states stood in existence (Hardaway 76). Just like many decisions of the federal government today, the Electoral College system was built from a compromise that gave greater strength to the union. The attempt to disassemble the Electoral College system undermines the ability of the country to provide effective leadership to elected officials, which in turn would make the country weaker in the end. Although the United States is commonly described as a democracy, it is in fact not a pure popular democracy like Ancient Greece, in which each citizen was invited to make decisions in the legislature (Diamond 7). Rather, the Constitution of the United States strictly limits power between individual citizens and the federal government. The Electoral College is one such limitation placed on the power of the people, and it must be under stood properly within this historical (or Constitutional) context. Namely, while the United States is a democracy, the interests of the people are upheld by the representatives that take on that power. The electoral vote shares this power between the people and the government in a way that incorporates the interests of states, the people, and the federal government. With respect to the states, the Electoral College provides protection to the interests of smaller states, just as the Founding Fathers originally intended. At that time, the critical issue on everyone’s mind could not be avoided—namely, how the small and large states would share power in both the legislative and executive branches† (Hardaway 76). That is because the current system provides for the protection of all states’ rights. Remembering that the United States is a federation of states, and not one single state, each state is deserving of its own individual say in the election of the presi dent to preside over that union. A popular vote undermines the concept of a federal system of states, causing candidates to focus only on the most populous, urban areas of the country. â€Å"Elections are as freely and democratically contested as elections can be—but in the states†¦ Democracy thus is not the question regarding the electoral college; federalism is† (Gregg 7). There also appears to be a practical problem with changing the electoral vote system to a system of popular vote, which is its primary competitor. Fears surrounding the Electoral College deal with the possibility that the popular vote does not match the electoral vote. However, this is a nonexistent problem, considering â€Å"the fact that the electoral and popular vote winners have been the same in every presidential election conducted in the past 100 years† (Hardaway 11). In fact, because inconsistency between the two methods of measuring vote legitimacy is so rare in history, it seem s practically irrelevant to implement the changes need to switch to a popular vote. Changing the electoral system would require an Amendment to the Constitution, which also poses a practical problem for Congressmen. Members of the House and Senate from large states, like California and Texas, will be unlikely to surrender their power over smaller states in return for a system that

Portfolio assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Portfolio assignment - Essay Example An economic analysis will also be carried out to determine the factors that have influenced greatly the share performance and as a result the value of the portfolio. The companies in the portfolio include Apple, MasterCard, Target Group, Eli Lilly & Company and Tesla Motors Inc. the share performance from 20th September 2012 to 19th November 2012 is on a weekly basis for all five companies. Appendix 1 shows a table showing the weekly share prices for the companies. Appendix 2 shows the value of the portfolio as at 19th November 2012. The initial value of the portfolio as at 20th September 2012 was at $25,000 and as at 19th November 2012, the value is $25,485.6 as shows in appendix 2. This is increase of approximately 2 percent. Apple, Eli Lilly and Target have their closing share prices at a price lower than the initial prices. Master card and Tesla have shown a higher closing price than their initial prices. Share prices performances are influenced by the internal activities of the company. Tesla anticipated increasing its revenue in the fourth quarter by 25 % since it was to introduce the S model in the market. This might be the reason why its share prices went up. Apple is facing competition from other companies such as Nokia. Nokia has partnered with Chinese company and it has grabbed most markets in china. MasterCard’s 3rd quarter report shows that it had 7.8% increase in operating earnings compared to the previous quarter. It also had introduced a share repurchase program in June and proved to be ef fective in the 3rd quarter. This might have triggered the increase in prices. GDP experiences periods of boom, recession or depression and so does share prices undergo through the same cyclical period. The correlation between GDP and share prices is very low (Reilly and Brown 2011). Investors are influenced by the returns they get from each dollar they invest in the company. If the GDP increases in the 4th quarter by

Management and leadership styles and issues including the effect these Essay

Management and leadership styles and issues including the effect these have on staff within clinical areas - Essay Example It leads group hard work towards accomplishment of pre-determined goals. By describing objectives of organization visibly, there would be no waste of time, effort and money. Management alters disorganized resources of human factor, machinery, money etc. into valuable enterprise. These resources are synchronized, focused and organized in such a manner that initiative work towards accomplishment of goals. Moreover, it inspires the optimal application of resources - Management employs all the physical & human resources effectively. This leads to effectiveness in management. Management allows us to achieve maximum utilization of limited resources by choosing its finest possible alternate use in business from out of a range of uses. It employs professionals and these services result in the proper use of their abilities, knowledge, and proper utilization and evade wastage. If employees and machines are manufacturing at their maximum, there will be no under employment of any resources. Mana gement also diminishes costs as it gets maximum results through minimum input by proper planning and by using minimum input and getting maximum output. Management uses physical, financial and human resources in a manner that leads to the best combination. This aids in the reduction of costs. In addition to that, management creates rigorous organizations as there is no overlying of energies through well-defined and synchronised roles. To establish a sound organizational arrangement is one of the objectives of management which is in sync with the organizational objectives and for execution of this, it launches effective authority & responsibility. Effective management creates equilibrium as it allows the organization to endure varying environment. It stays in collaboration with this changing environment. It is also accountable for growth as well as the survival of a business (Hesketh & Laidlaw, 2010). As far as leadership is concerned, it can be categorised as one of the most signific ant function of management which supports to maximize efficiency and attain organizational objectives. Leadership is basically influencing the thoughts, emotions and behaviours of people. Without leadership arguments and conflicts break out. Leadership plays a crucial role in maintaining unity. However it is necessary for leaders to be visionary. Leadership is very necessary in an administering the organization. According to Steve Jobs, ‘We can’t make everybody happy. It’s beyond our capability. But we can give them the opportunity to be happy.’ Leadership is vital within an organization for the staff in a variety of ways. Firstly, leadership helps in initiating action. A leader is an entity who initiates the work by sharing the plans and policies to the juniors from where the effort actually begins (Kotter & Cohen, 2002). Motivation is also an advantage as a leader validates to be playing an incentive part in the workings of the organization. They inspire the employees with economic as well as non-economic recompenses and thereby prosper in getting the work done from the subordinates. A leader has to not only accomplish and manage but also play a managerial role for the juniors. Guidance here means training the subordinates the way they have to achieve their

Portfolio assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Portfolio assignment - Essay Example An economic analysis will also be carried out to determine the factors that have influenced greatly the share performance and as a result the value of the portfolio. The companies in the portfolio include Apple, MasterCard, Target Group, Eli Lilly & Company and Tesla Motors Inc. the share performance from 20th September 2012 to 19th November 2012 is on a weekly basis for all five companies. Appendix 1 shows a table showing the weekly share prices for the companies. Appendix 2 shows the value of the portfolio as at 19th November 2012. The initial value of the portfolio as at 20th September 2012 was at $25,000 and as at 19th November 2012, the value is $25,485.6 as shows in appendix 2. This is increase of approximately 2 percent. Apple, Eli Lilly and Target have their closing share prices at a price lower than the initial prices. Master card and Tesla have shown a higher closing price than their initial prices. Share prices performances are influenced by the internal activities of the company. Tesla anticipated increasing its revenue in the fourth quarter by 25 % since it was to introduce the S model in the market. This might be the reason why its share prices went up. Apple is facing competition from other companies such as Nokia. Nokia has partnered with Chinese company and it has grabbed most markets in china. MasterCard’s 3rd quarter report shows that it had 7.8% increase in operating earnings compared to the previous quarter. It also had introduced a share repurchase program in June and proved to be ef fective in the 3rd quarter. This might have triggered the increase in prices. GDP experiences periods of boom, recession or depression and so does share prices undergo through the same cyclical period. The correlation between GDP and share prices is very low (Reilly and Brown 2011). Investors are influenced by the returns they get from each dollar they invest in the company. If the GDP increases in the 4th quarter by

Why Is Water Important in Living Organisms Essay Example for Free

Why Is Water Important in Living Organisms Essay Water is very important in all living organisms, it is vital for many different things. Around 70% of our body weight is due to water. The quantity is high in organs such as lungs and brain and fluids such as blood, lymph, saliva and secretions by the organs of the digestive system. First of all water is vital in the regulation of body temperature to depending on the temperature mammals will alter the amount they sweat. If they are to warm the amount of seat will increase. Sweat reduces the body temperature because as it evaporates off the skin it cools the surface. If body temperature rises above 37 then enzymes will begin to not function properly and reactions will slow. This is because the enzymes are becoming denatured as their hydrogen bonds break and shape change. This is also relevant in plants. When water is evaporated of leaves of the plant it cools it in the same way. This is also important as plants need to be a certain temperatures so that. Plants need to be at the correct temperature so reactions take place at the fastest rate and so they grow as much as possible. This is especially important in crops and agriculture Also for plants to grow at the fastest possible rate they have to have the correct amount of water. Water is also important because without osmosis wouldn’t occur, so many important particles and nutrients wouldn’t be moved around the organism. An example of this is in the root hair cell. In the soil outside the root hair cell is a higher water potential than in the root. This is because the root hair cell has amino acids, minerals and sugars inside them. So water moves down the concentration gradient into the roots. The uptake of water in plant cells creates pressures against the rigid walls. This can also help non-woody plants stay upright. Water is pulled up the stem by transpiration pull which creates a negative pressure this causes the water molecules to stick together. Which is called cohesion tension theory. The water is transported up to the leaves and into the chlorophyll where it is used in photosynthesis. Other nutrients and molecules are transported by the water and used in different parts of the plant. Water is also used in the light dependent reaction of photosynthesis. Electrons are lost from the chlorophyll as they get excited and move done carriers. These electrons need to be replaced; this is done by the photolysis of water. The replacement of these electrons are provided from water molecules which are split using light energy. Water → protons + electrons + oxygen  As well as in plants water is important in the body. Water is the medium in which various enzyme and chemical reactions take place. It moves nutrients, hormones, antibodies and oxygen through the blood stream and lymphatic system. Also inside the body many larger molecules need to be broken down, water is used to do this. Polysaccharides are joined by glycosidic bonds. These can be broken by the process of hydrolysis, the addition of water. This splits the polysaccharides into monosaccharides. One reason this is done is so polysaccharides can be hydrolysied into soluble sugars. An example is Cellulose is first hydrolyzed to cellobiose by cellulase and then cellobiose is further hydrolyzed to glucose. Hydrolysis is an exothermic reaction. It gives off heat as it breaks the glycosidic bonds. This can be used to regulate body temperature, which is very important for the survival of mammals. If it is cold the amount of metabolic reactions will increase. Hydrolysis occurs in the early stage of respiration. Hydrolysis occurs in glycolysis. Energy is needed to activate glucose and energy comes from the hydrolysis of ATP to ADP. Water is vital for metabolic reactions. And if the body is kept at the correct temperature then many processes and reaction will not be carried out correctly. For example body temperature is 37. This is the optimum temperature for enzymes in the body. If that temperature drops the rate at which the reactions involving theses enzymes take place will drop as well.

Fashion industry

Fashion industry INTRODUCTION The fashion industry today is a very complex network. We have the marketing research people, who research the needs of the consumers, then we have the designers who design the garments, we also have the manufacturers who produce the garments and we have the distributors and retailers who sell the products to the consumers. The end consumer behavior is always changing and it getting very hard to determine what the consumer wants. To be able to deliver the right product, at right place, right quantity, and right quality to the right customers is becoming more and more challenging. Eventually all the finished products have to reach the ultimate consumers and here the role and responsibility of the retailers has become more vital [1]. Retailing is the process of buying and selling goods to the ultimate consumers. Over the last couple of decades the retailing has undergone drastic changes. Especially in the 1980s the departmental stores faced difficulties with the merger mania. During thi s period we have seen the emergence of different kinds of retailers such as discounters, chain organizations and hypermarkets. With the changes of trends and the shopping experience of the consumers, the trends in retailing have been changes after all the retail business is itself built on change [2]. Today the retailing process has moved from the traditional ways to more and more modern ways. The present retailers can be classified into the following ways: Retail branch companies Voluntary multiple chains Integrated wholesalers Franchise Department stores Mail orders/Internet Outlets Independent shops Boutiques / Concept stores. Each of the above listed retailers has their own uniqueness. In particular the boutique concept has got a very long history. Boutique is a term originated from French which means little shop[1]. It all started with the Paris couture houses which allowed the customers to buy perfumes and accessories. The Boutique has emerged on the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany etc. with different themes. Over the time the boutique concept has moved to a highly individualized and specialized merchandise intended to a well defined and a narrow range of customers. In the late 1990s some of the European retailers expanded the boutique concept to a life style theme. These boutiques were termed as ‘concept stores and were specialized in cross-selling of different products under one roof without the use of separate departments [3]. These concept stores featured products ranging from very high prices to moderate prices dealing in only designer clothes and/or hand crafted fashions and/or trendy accessories and/or antique clothing [1]. The concept stores mostly carry products of different mix of brands and products [4]. These stores are facilitating partnerships to enable the concept, thereby securing in terms of total buying. Intention is to approach edges with the aim of creating â€Å"concept stores†. Concept stores idea would rather be the operation related to elite and highly specialized class. Below is the image of the Kisan concept store in the New York City [5]. But now a day this concept has been applied to the normally mass market highly expensive items which are intentionally made at small number to keep the uniqueness of the product. Today the concept stores run with a specific consumer in mind and having the different brands product in it which could be apparel ranges, books collections, jewelry, fragrances, furniture etc. The concept is exclusively (but not primarily) while it urges to the relationship between the customers and products quality. One of the first concept stores to open was ‘10 Corso Como in Milan, Italy. This was followed by ‘Colette in Paris, ‘Quartier 206 in Berlin. The concept of ‘concept store has not only confined to the fashion industry but has also moved to electronics with brands such as Apple, Dell, Microsoft etc. opening their concept store to showcase their latest innovative products. The concept of a concept store is very complicated and as mentioned above has been changing over time. The concept of these stores is also quite different in different locations. Hence there is always a discussion about the future trends of the concept stores. This paper is an attempt to discuss the solutions to such questions which are listed below: What is the concept of a concept store? What are the products and services offered in a concept store? How will be the customer experience in such concept stores? 1. METHODOLOGY The purpose of this report is to study the concept of a concept store. This can be possible only when a practical case has been studied. The aim here is present a practical case which can be well supported with theoretical studies from various literatures and sources. Hence Storm Fashion, a concept store in Copenhagen, Denmark was selected and a thorough study was carried out. The information about Storm Fashion was collected from various electronic sources. In addition to this the Storm store was visited and the owner Mr. Rasmus Storm was interviewed. Further, the customers of Storm Fashion were asked for their opinion and share their experiences. 2. STORM FASHION: Copenhagen city has lot to offer for fashion industry, though it is not considered to be among biggies such as Paris, Milan, London or New York. Copenhagen has got a lot of potential and this has been proved by the fact that several Danish designers have been employed permanently by international fashion houses [6]. Seeing the potential for the luxurious market several brands such as Prada, Max Mara, Chanel, Hermà ©s and Louis Vuitton, Gucci etc have opened their stores in the posh localities of Copenhagen. Today Copenhagen has established itself as a fashion metropolis of the northern Europe with several internal brands and concept store. This potential for luxurious and unique products was discovered by Mr. Rasmus Storm and with this boost he opened the Storm concept store in the year 1994 at Elmegade, the North Bridge, Copenhagen. In the year 2001 the store was shifted to St. Regnegade in the central of the Copenhagen city. The aim of Mr. Rasmus Storm was to provide world class unique products to his customers. Soon the Storm store was one of the most recognized and trend setting concept stores. It was one of the first stores to accommodate world class brands such as Thom Browne, Dries van Noten, Ralph Lauren, Comme des Garcons, Raf Simons, Chloà ©, Ann Demeulemeester og Haider Ackermann. He not only confined his store for only fashion products but also extended it wide selection of products such as beauty products, photography, DVD movies, music and books on art and fashion [7]. The storm store hold the products ranging from leading Danish and international designer brands, like several of them on often found in Copenhagen. Due to its uniqueness and its popularity Storm store has received the Danish Fashion Award for best retail space was given to Storm in spring 2008. Most of the products displayed in the Storm store are handpicked by Mr. Rasmus Storm who travels all over the world for the best and unique products [8]. The most important thing for the selection of products is networking where different designers and artists are met for inspiration. Below the products offered in the Storm store have be briefly described. 3.1 Mens clothes The clothing line has the designer touch of a classic, archetypal school quality in a simple and marked by seriousness, gravity, solemnity. The Store has leading brands such as Dior Homme, Burberry Prorsum, Dries van Noten, Gitman vintage, Junya Watanabes, Visvim etc. The collection is seasonal and also contains selected shoes and boots of brands such as Ring Wing, The original boat boots etc. Some of the products are show below 3.2 Womens clothes We can see the delicious classic touch like French Chloà © in the Womens clothing. The collection includes the delicate and special things belong to the exciting Belgian designer Haider Ackermann Colombian, Ann Demeulemeester Parisian misc/fashion duo Kitsunà ©, Swedish Burglar etc. Some of the products are shown below [7]: 3.4 Skincare and Magazines: Storm has and is always in touch with the latest updates from fashion and design world. Storm has books and magazines of Fantastic Man, Knick Knight, Nils Stà ¦rk, Stephen Sprouse, Albert Watson, Camouflage etc. Storm also offers pure skincare, hair care products from Bumble Bumble, Dover Street market, Mayday Mayday etc [7]. 3.5 Accessories: Storm also offers wide range of product for both men and women in the form of fragrances, eye wear, bags, lighters, sneakers, candles, watches etc. Storm offers very unique products such as Zippo X Ambush lighter (available in only 2 retailers in Europe), Mismo X Storm, Fat Cat Stuff X Storm etc [7]. 3.6 Store Appearance: The Storm store was designed by Leif Jà ¸rgensen from LLLP and he tried to combine the feminine and the masculine themes combined with the use of materials like glass and wood prominence. The central focus was to keep the store very clean with simple colors such as white, wood and black so the focus is on the clothing, other products and not the store itself. The interiors of the storm store can be seen below 3. ANALYSIS A SWOT analysis was done to analyze different factors that influence the performance of the Storm concept store. 4.1 Strengths One of the main strengths of Storm stores is its ability to showcase products which are unique and very diverse. With this uniqueness and diversity, the Storm store has earned an image which has earned its own individuality. Storm store does not seem to be like any other store but has its own unique identity and reputation. Another important strength of the Storm store is its leadership in the form of Mr. Rasmus Storm who has a great passion and vision. Mr. Storm is always travelling all over the world in search of new designers, artists and products [8]. The best example is the Zippo X Ambush lighter which Mr. Storm brought from Japan. Another strength of Storm store is products that are amalgam of soft and elegance touch. The store presence is also one of the driving forces for the customers to come in. Especially the interiors which are very clean and do not steal the focus from the products displayed. Another strength of the Storm store is the customer experience with a good rece ption. The stores personal is very warm and are always helpful in finding the right products for the customers [10]. 4.2 Weakness One of the main weaknesses of the Storm store is its webpage which is very limited with the information, products classification etc unlike the French concept store Colette which has got a very good webpage. A lot more can be done with the webpage as most of the customers today are tending towards the web experience of anything. The webpage also does not have the web shopping which is very unusual for a store like Storm. The webpage does not even keep the database of the customers and the customer choices which need to be addressed. Another weakness which was inferred from the customers is that the products sold are way too expensive [10]. Although Storm was established in the year 1994, it still has only one store. Keeping in mind its popularity and uniqueness, the Store can be expanded to other locations. The Storm store does not carry products from leading brands like Chanel, Prada, Gucci etc which it used carry a few years ago. 4.3 Opportunities Storm fashion has got a very good reputation not only in Denmark but also in Sweden, Norway, Germany etc. Even though it was established 15 years ago it has its presence in Copenhagen city only and has got a great potential to expand into other cities. Hence the store may be expanded into other locations such as Stockholm, Paris, Berlin etc. The webpage can be modified to accommodate feature such a product classification, virtual wardrobe, web shopping etc. Although the products offered at the Storm store are much diversified but there is still room for more diversification. This can be further explored. Storm Fashion is very high-end targeteting people with quite a lot of money, it would be nice if they had some less expensive stuff but still kept their profile as being exclusive and nice [10]. The Storm store can also focus on a few customers catering their choices and tastes and offer some very exclusive products accordingly. 4.4 Threats One of the main threats for the Storm store is the emergence of new concept stores in the Copenhagen city which tend to maintain the same exclusivity. A best example is Wood Wood store which is in the near proximity of the Storm store. Another common weakness is the counterfeit products. Although Storm offers very exclusive products, getting a counterfeit product is becoming very easy these days. The Economic crisis has also played its part in the Storms growth rate. Especially the fluctuating currency exchange rate of the Danish-Swedish kronor has decrease the customer buying from Sweden. Due to this Storm has been lost almost 15% of its revenues for the past couple of years [8]. 4.5 Key Success Factors Some of the key success factors of Storm have been listed in the table below: Key Success Factors LOW HIGH 1 2 3 4 5 Brand Value Product Range Advertisement Consumer Experience Web experience Leadership Price Range Growth rate In most of the cases the well designed strategic plan has the potential to integrate the performance of company. But low thoughts are given to implementing, accountability and executing for the success of business, while there are many factors which can be present as the key success factors for any business or for products. Based on the above discussion we can simply sum up the idea that the Storm store has a very good brand identity as compare to the other concept stores in Denmark. This is due to the product range they offer to their valuable customers, they have very reliable products which are decorated according to the consumers taste. Also Mr. Rasmus Storm kept this in such a great leadership that his store is now one of the famous concept store in Scandinavia and it has also won the best concept stores award in Denmark in the year 2008.The factor behind this victory is the uniqueness and product range but although they have unique stuff but with very high price that could be t he one the point which could go in the opposite way. Another portal where they are lacking is their web experience for their customers and same shadow covers the advertisement media. They must go for the new web features and easy customers interface portals to remain on the hype in this recession time. 4. CONCLUSIONS RECOMMENDATIONS: The Storm store has been very successful and there is still a lot more room for growth both in terms of sales and presence. To do so, there are some issues that have to be dealt with. 5.1 Web Experience: The webpage of Storm store is not very exciting when compared to its counterparts. Hence a lot more can be done to improve it. The first and the foremost things that should be done is the inclusion of the product catalogue which could classify the products into different categories. This will make the customer to search for the product he is looking directly without wasting lot of time. The other thing that can be done is the introduction of web shopping. Web Shopping is a process where the customer can log on to the web page and select his products and do the payment online, and then the products will be delivery to the location mentioned by the customer [11]. The web shopping business is growing very rapidly, a very good example for this the www.youheshe.com which is doing very good business. The web shopping can not only make people buy the products from their homes but also will allow the sale of products to the customers who cannot access the Storm store (Demographic advantage). The web shopping will also allow the customers to buy the products at whatever time they like irrespective of the store opening or closing times. Another significant thing that can be done is maintain the customer database. The success of business can be measured by the relationship with the customers, therefore the information technology systems have designed the online plate through with customers feedback and demands can be observed by day to day basis on growing in popularity. (CRM) Customer relationship management is not just a web application developed, but its an approach to know about the customers behaviors and their needs in term of creating the stronger relationships with them [12]. In other means we can use this CRM to interact with customers in effectively and efficiently manner. Nevertheless, successful CRM relies on the use of adequate technology. If this is considered for the Storm store, it can be implemented in the webpage which will allow tracking the customers choices and feedback. We will get the details regarding the customers choices, taste, mood and their buying capability so we can merge the collected data and get the better results. Once the customer login to the website and search for their products, it will enable the store to offer the customers with their preferred choices based upon their previous online behavior. This will obviously save the customers precious time and they dont have to search for whole products ranges while on the other hand customer will not get irritate by not struggling for the products they need. Using the internet and the CRM application we can also introduce a concept that has the potential of being the next big thing. Its called the ‘virtual wardrobe and if this works out it can very well be the competitive advantage over the internet for fashion brands seeking to increase their market base while at the same time keeping the exclusivity factor real [13]. This virtual wardrobe perfectly fits into the concept of the Storm store. The virtual wardrobe shall include the concept of keeping an online wardrobe of all the items that a customer has bought over the internet so that when a customer goes to buy a new product he/she goes into their online wardrobe and sorts through the items there to see which ones they have already bought so that they can choose another product that is according to their choice after seeing their wardrobe [14]. This way a customer online profile is made based on the choices that they have made of their clothes which can then be interpreted by pro filers of the brand to assess the characteristic of their client. This concept has a lot of potential in that it can seek to identify the personality of the customer based on their choices and from there the brands. This can also be used as a tool for gauging the loyalty of a customer according to the number of items that are present in the wardrobe. Customer satisfaction surveys can relate to the experience that the customer had when using this web application. The possibilities are endless. Its just a matter of using ones imagination. 5.2 Expansion Diversification: The Storm store has a great potential for expansion geographically. Given the required financial assistance, the Storm store can be expanded to other markets such as Stockholm, Paris, Berlin, and New York etc. The product line can also be diversified by collaborations with different artists and designers. It can collaborate with designers and artists from countries like India which is home for various culture, world class craftsmanship, music, literature etc. 5.3 Marketing: Marketing as a science requires a number of qualities that are an essential and integral to the success of the organization. Although marketing nowadays is a very broad term yet there are some aspects of marketing that are not taking a more interactive role with the consumer. Marketing does not mean spending a huge amount of money on advertising. There are many cost efficient ways of marketing. One of such way of marketing is the viral marketing. Viral marketing, as the name implies is word of mouth marketing where a group of people are told about a certain product, service, store etc and those people spread those words to different people there by creating a chain reaction. This will allow that product, services, store to become more popular. Viral marketing can be done in many ways and is influenced by many factors. The best way of spreading the good will is by shear customer experience. Once the customers come to a store and finds what they is looking for, then obviously they woul d recommend the store to their friends. This would make others interested in the store there by increasing the customer flow and sales. Other easy way of marketing the Storm store is with the help of Social Networking Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Orkut etc. A profile of the Storm store can be created in these sites and information regarding the new arrivals, discounts etc can be updated regularly. This will also allow the customers to write about their experiences, suggestions, feedbacks etc. This medium can also be used to meet the customers and know about their opinions. The Storm can even create a customer club where it can arrange different activities such as exhibitions, parties etc. This will keep the customers more loyal builds up a good trust towards the store. The Storm store which started off as a small store is now very popular among its customers because of its unique identity. This identity has helped it to become one of the well noted stores in the northern Europe. The leadership of Mr. Rasmus Storm has played a major role in the transformation of the store into a world class one. By implementing the above suggestion, the store and its identity can reach a larger customers and locations there by increasing the revenue and the brand identity.

Geography’s Impact on Culture and Society Essay -- Geography

Geography’s Impact on Culture and Society When studying ancient civilizations and the beginning societies in the world, the geography has shaped its story significantly. Depending on the location of the civilization society, whether or not water was nearby was crucial for its survival. With trade networks, metals, foods, and languages were spread. Weapons were able to be formed from these metals which led to a stronger military. Mountain ranges formed the boundaries of civilizations. Geography greatly impacted Asia, Africa and Europe. Asia Asia is â€Å"the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres†. Its land mass covers almost 9% of the Earth's surface area, 30% of its land area and it holds nearly 60% of the world's current human population . Most of central Asia is covered by cold steppes. Dictionary.com describes a steppe as â€Å"an extensive plain, especially one without trees† , consisting mainly of grasslands and considered to be a land that is â€Å"too dry to support a forest, but not dry enough to be a desert† . The coastal border of Asia was inhabited by some of the world's earliest known civilizations that developed around fertile river valleys. These people â€Å"may well have exchanged technologies and ideas such as mathematics and the wheel with one another†1. The central steppe region had long been inhabited by nomads who could reach all areas of Asia from the steppes on horseback. The northernmost part of Asia, which includes much of Siberia, was largely inaccessible to these steppe nomads, due to the dense forests, climate and tundra. These areas remained very sparsely populated due to the geography of the land that made living conditions difficult.1 The center a... ... other surrounding Mediterranean lands, helping conquer new territories and further developing trade routes. â€Æ' Works Cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/steppe?s=t http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steppes Traditions and Encounters 26 Traditions and Encounters 33 Traditions and Encounters 88 Traditions and Encounters 89 Traditions and Encounters 102,103 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Traditions and Encounters 310 Traditions and Encounters 310 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa Traditions and Encounters 52 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile Traditions and Encounters 58 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Greece http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparta http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athens Traditions and Encounters 193

Comparing Waste Land with Other Myths :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

The Waste Land: Parallels with Other Myths The Waste Land summarizes the Grail legend, not precisely in the usual order, but retaining the principal incidents and adapting them to a modern setting. Eliot's indebtedness both to Sir James Frazer and to Jessie L. Weston's From Ritual to Romance (in which book he failed to cut pages 138-39 and 142-43 of his copy) is acknowledged in his notes. Jessie L. Weston's thesis is that the Grail legend was the surviving record of an initiation ritual. Later writers have reaffirmed the psychological validity of the link between such ritual, phallic religion, and the spiritual content of the Greek Mysteries. Identification of the Grail story with the common myth of the hero assailing a devil-dragon underground or in the depths of the sea completes the unifying idea behind The Waste Land. The Grail legend corresponds to the great hero epics, it dramatizes initiation into maturity, and it bespeaks a quest for sexual, cultural, and spiritual healing. Through all these attributed functions, it i nfluenced Eliot's symbolism. Parallels with yet other myths and with literary treatments of the "quest" theme reinforce Eliot's pattern of death and rebirth. Though The Tempest, one of Eliot's minor sources, scarcely depicts an initiation "mystery," Colin Still, in a book of which Eliot has since written favorably (Shakespeare's Mystery Play), had already advanced the theory in 1921 that it implies such a subject." And Tiresias is not simply the Grail knight and the Fisher King but Ferdinand and Prospero, as well as Tristan and Mark, Siegfried and Wotan. In his feminine role he is not simply the Grail-maiden and the wise Kundry but the sibyl, Dido, Miranda, Brà ¼nnhilde. Each of these represents one of the three main characters in the Grail legend and in the mystery cults--the wounded god, the sage woman (transformed in some versions of the Grail legend into a beautiful maiden), and the resurrected god, successful quester, or initiate. Counterparts to them figure elsewhere; Eliot must have been conscious that t he "Ancient Mariner" and "Childe Roland" had analogues to his own symbolism. In adopting fertility symbolism, Eliot was probably influenced by Stravinsky's ballet Le Sacre du printemps. The summer before writing The Waste Land he saw the London production, and on reviewing it in September he criticized the disparity between Massine's choreography and the music. He might almost have been sketching his own plans for a work applying a primitive idea to contemporary life: