Marketing theory and concepts Essay

Every business wither it’s small or big, aim to meet the needs of their actual and potential customers. In order for them to do this, they need to follow some sort of theory and concept. This assignment will be looking at the marketing theory and marketing concepts which are portrayed in the traditional marketing literature, and how they have limited application in guiding small business marketing practice. Marketing plays a vital role not only in developing, producing, and selling products or services, but also in guiding recruiting labors and raising capital. Although it can be said that successful entrepreneurs undertake marketing in unusual ways. They mainly rely on interactive marketing methods, which is often communicated through word-of-mouth rather than a more traditional marketing mix. Entrepreneurs monitor the marketplace through informal networks rather than formalised market research, and generally adopt more entrepreneurial approaches to marketing activities. However, depending on the business model, a complex and formalised initial market research can be crucial for a successful market entry. There are many marketing theories that are used in traditional marketing literature such as Schumpeter (1934) who said that entrepreneurs proactively ‘created’ opportunity, using ‘innovative combinations’ which often included ‘creative destruction’ of passive or lethargic economic markets. According to Schumpeter the role of an entrepreneur is to innovate, and by doing this, you move the economy from one equilibrium to another. This kind of innovation could come about from one or more introduction of a new product; a new method of production; the development of a new market; the use of new sources of raw material, and the reorganisation of a new industry or its processes. He also distinguished between the entrepreneur and the capitalist. Schumpeter agreed with the fact, that in practice an innovator could also actually be a capitalist. Another well-known theorist next to Schumpeter is Kirzner (1973) who said that entrepreneurs should have a sense of ‘alertness’ to identify the opportunities in the market and exploit them accordingly . He states ‘The  pure entrepreneur, on the other hand, proceeds by his alertness to discover and exploit situations in which he is able to sell for high prices that which he can buy for low prices. Pure entrepreneur profit is the difference between the two sets of prices. The discovery of a profit opportunity means the discovery of something obtainable for nothing at all. No investment at all is required; the free ten-dollar bill is discovered to be already within one is grasps’ (Kirzner, 1973, 48). The marketing concept has changed significantly over time. In today’s business world the customer is at the forefront, not all businesses in the past followed this concept, as they placed other factors first rather than their customers this is shown as follows:Production Oriented was the focus of the actual business and not the customer needs, as where this has now changed and we can see that it is more focused on customer needs. Production Orientation is when the company believe that they have a superior product, based on quality and features. Due to this thinking the company assume the customers will like it to. In today’s market the customers decide as to what product they like. Sales Orientation is the focus where the company makes a product or provides a service, and then sells or offers it to the target market. This causes problems, as consumers may not like what is being offered to them, which is why companies are making sure that they test their services out, to a small group of the target audience. Market Orientation concept has not actually changed over time, it puts the customers first, as the companies try to understand the needs of the customers by using appropriate research methods. These methods are then developed to make sure information from customers, are fed back to the company for them to see what the target audience are interested in . SMEs who may adapt the marketing concept or 4Ps do so fully rather than explicitly (Carson and Gilmore, 2000). Jaworski and Kohli, (1990) also commented on the limitations of the marketing concept (p15). Therefore, the  SME approach is characterized by networking with stakeholder’s awareness to customer needs (Gilmore, Carson and Grant, 2001; &Hill and Wright, 2001). Which is characterized by the size of these firms and their closeness to customers, (Gilmore, Carson, O’Donnell and Cummins, 1999) as well as inexpensive forms of marketing such as word of mouth (Gilmore 1999). It is vital for SMEs to set the 4Ps, target a market and position themselves, but how this is done and planned is an important issue as it helps guiding a small business to success. Differences between traditional market literature and variants produced during the 1960’s were mainly attributable to the addition of concepts popularized during that decade. For example, Cundiff and Still covered an analysis of the 4 P’s of marketing with the concept that marketing is a subsystem of business. (Cundiff, E.W., Still, R.R. 1976)The basic principles of marketing are generally applicable to large and small businesses. Marketing in SMEs has been recognized as a problematic area for researchers for over 20 years (Chaston and Mangles, 2002; Siu and Kirby, 1998). SME marketing in practice is considered to be mainly done though networking (Gilmore 2001) or a combination of transaction, relationship, interaction and network marketing (Brodie 1997). Recently the use of Internet marketing (Chaffey 2000) or e-commerce (Rayport and Jaworski, 2001) has become popular in all types of businesses including SMEs. Marketing in practice in small firms seem to rely mainly on personal contact networks (Hill and Wright, 2001; Gilmore 2001; Brodie 1997) and is often driven by the particular way a manager does business. According to Gilmore (2001) marketing in SMEs is likely to be chaotic, informal, loose, unstructured, spontaneous, and reactive and conform to industry norms. Gilmore (2001) showed that as a result of networking there was a high level of communication between the SME manager and their competitors then what is usually reported in the marketing literature as well as competing firms may be quite supportive of each other. Similarly, networking with customers usually involves building a relationship with one or two key individuals in those companies. If these individuals were to leave then the relationship the company would break (Gilmore 2001). SME owners must recognize that  building relationships are vital to a company’s success and they invest a considerable amount of time and effort in maintaining good relations with regular clients (Gilmore 2001). The foundation and existence of an effective networking is concerned with maximizing marketing opportunities and ensuring the enterprise’s survival and development (Gilmore 2001). Something, which is more important, in today’s world, is having a foot in the business market, which is constantly changing to meet customer needs. The tables have been turned on the fortunes of many long-established firms. It’s believed that a majority of firms that are in trouble, and those that have failed recently, have done so because they have been let down by their own marketing. Traditional marketing is now being turned. The ideas of marketing and branding strategy that passed for conventional wisdom before do not hold true today. A small but growing number of innovative firms have adopted completely new and differentiate approaches in marketing, reflecting a clear and unmistakable change in the global culture. In this era of globalisation and the Internet the consumer is behaving in a radically different way and is no longer vulnerable to the overworked ploys of marketing. The present times call for a new competition one that strays from the prescriptions that traditional marketing theory holds, that sometimes works in a way that it is counter to it and that lays focus on network-building and â€Å"pulling the customer† above all else. Many experienced hands in corporate boardrooms are oblivious to these shifting sands and evolving trends, and are paying the price as a result. In general the basic principles and concepts of marketing are as relevant to SMEs as it is to larger firms, but some theories, tools and techniques of marketing are not as relevant or useful to SMEs. The nature of SME marketing is the concept, which is mainly dominated by the inherent characteristics of the entrepreneur and the SME itself. Although not all small business may take the marketing theories and concepts in to consideration, while carrying out some sort of market research they will have come a across them. They may have limited application in today’s marketing world but they do provide the basis for which a business can start their research on which helps guiding them in to the marketing practice. Therefore marketing theories and Concepts  portrayed in the traditional marketing literature has limited application in guiding small business marketing practice although they give the business a rough base to start their market practice. Competition and Entrepreneurship, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago and LondonCarson, D. and A. Gilmore, (2000), â€Å"Marketing at the Interface: Not ‘What’ But ‘How'†, Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, Vol. 8Kohli, A. K. and B. J. Jaworski, (1990), â€Å"The Construct, Research Propositions, and Managerial Implications†, Journal of Marketing,(Gilmore, Carson and Grant, 2001; &Hill and Wright, 2001). Gilmore, A., D. Carson and K. Grant (2001), â€Å"SME Marketing in Practice†, MarketingIntelligence and Planning, Vol. 19(Gilmore, Carson, O’Donnell and Cummins, 1999) â€Å"Added value: A QualitativeAssessment of SME Marketing†, Irish Marketing Review(Cundiff, E.W., Still, R.R. 1976), Fundamentals of Modern Marketing, 2nd ed.)Chaston, I and Mangles, T. (2002) â€Å"Small Business Marketing Management.†Siu, W. and Kirby, D.A. (1998) â€Å"Approaches to small firm marketing: A Critique.† European Journal o f Marketing, vol. 32, no. Brodie, R.J., Coviello, N.E., Brookes, R.W. and Little, V. (1997) â€Å"Towards a Paradigm Shiftin Marketing? An Examination of Current Marketing Practices.† Journal of Marketing Management,Chaffey, D., Mayer, R., Johnston, K. and Ellis-Chadwick, F. (2000) â€Å"Internet Marketing.† Prentice Hall, Harlow, EnglandRayport, J. F. and Jaworski, B. J. (2001) â€Å"e-Commerce.† McGraw-Hill, Boston, USA. Hill, J. and Wright, L. T. (2001) â€Å"A Qualitative Research Agenda for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises.† Marketing Intelligence and Planning,http://www.druid.dk/uploads/tx_picturedb/ds1998-9.pdfhttps://www.mises.org/journals/scholar/wood.pdfhttp://knight.fcu.edu.tw/~gunning/subjecti/workpape/kirz_ent.pdfBooksHandbook of Entrepreneurship Research and Interdisciplinary Survey and Introduction By: Zoltan J Acs, David B

Diaspora and Health?

Traditional Medicine and Culture in a Mexican Migrant Community in 2008. â€Å"As members of the Mexican Diaspora acculturate/ assimilate to life in the united States they gain skills that help them improve their socioeconomic status† (Walden, 2008), but their health deteriorates as their culture is lost. The importance of cultural competence in nursing includes recognition of how the deterioration occurs and practice the principles of healthcare ethics through autonomy, beneficence, malefaction, and justice while practicing healthcare for this population (Demonic, 2015). Summary of ArticleThe journal article being reviewed for this paper is a doctoral dissertation that studies the changes in overall health of the Mexican Diaspora after migrating to the United States. The writer presents a specific study group of migrant Mexican women in Georgia, as well as some general Mexican immigrant information from other sources, including California. The objective seems to be to educate the healthcare providers on the overall health of the migrants related to their choices of lifestyles. The two choices being to remain in a low- income but migrant population, or to assimilate and acculturate into theAmerican populations. The primary research site for this study is in Athens, Georgia and takes place in a Spanish-speaking low-income neighborhood named â€Å"Los Duplex† and it focuses on women. The economy in Athens depends on the University students and much of the employment is with the service industry. The neighborhoods, or barrios, are small and isolated on the outskirts of town. Los Duplex has a community center that is nick named La Cellulite or Little School. The community center offers classes in English, parenting, nutrition, as well as after-school activities and homework help for kids.The community center has â€Å"†¦ Eloped cultivate a sense of community among the residents, who come from many different parts of Mexico† (Wieldiest, 200 8). After describing how the study group was chosen and what all the details of the study were, Wieldiest continues on with the explanation of the difference in health the Mexican migrants face by either staying true to their culture or assimilating to their host culture. So many migrants come to America with the intention to work and return to their country and family, but when they start working and acculturating many of them choose to stay.Wieldiest explains that Mexican women are well-educated as part of their up- ringing, about the natural medicines. The native plants are used for all purposes of health. The two most popular medicinal plants are chamomile and peppermint. Not only the indigenous plants, but the whole foods that the Mexican woman prepare are fresh and have more protein, vitamin A, C, folic acid, and calcium than what the American born Mexican women and the women of European descent prepare. Wieldiest explains that this is because Mexican women's definition of a g ood diet includes fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water.The women pointed out that mindful eating is important, only eating what the body needs, and eating outside of the home, â€Å"especially in the street' leads to poor habits and sickness. Mexican women that were used in this study pointed out that staying calm, avoiding anger, staying active, caring for oneself and others, and getting enough sleep were also important, along with healthy eating. The migrants that came to America, but sought out their one culture to live amongst stayed active physically and socially.The types of employment available were manual labor jobs, agriculture, factory, restaurant work; all of which are active jobs where the errors had less chance to become sedentary and obese. By sticking to their own neighborhoods and social groups they stayed happy and active. Medicine and medical care is taken care of in the homes by the Mexican woman using natural remedies and herbs. Wieldiest learned that Mexican families expect the women to learn about the medicine and how to use them.The fresh herbs are preferred over the dry herbs that are purchased in the stores in America, but the plants don't grow well in the America due to the weather changes. A most popular herb is chamomile to be used as a tea infusion. This is useful for Castro-intestinal problems because it has anti- spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. The women shared 42 different herbal remedies during the interviews. Two popular over-the-counter products the women used were Ethylene for headaches and Vic's Vapor Rub for congestion.The most common prescription medications include anti- fungal, high blood pressure, diabetes, and antibiotic medications. Application to Practice The Mexican Diaspora who remain the healthiest tend to stick to their own culture when they migrate, however the women of this study recognize the deed for professional medical treatment. Going to the doctor is reserved for the most serious sickness es that do not respond to home remedies. For this reason the migrants interviewed for this study told about the free clinics, women's clinics, and public hospitals in Los Duplex area.Some Of the immigrants have insurance and some participate in low-income assistance programs. The hospitals in Athens have a well-funded low-income assistance program that even covers UN-documented immigrants. The hospitals and clinics used for this study had interpreters and bi-lingual healthcare revisers. The hospitals employ social workers to help enroll the children in programs like Medicaid, Women Infants and Children (WICK), and a local program in Georgia called â€Å"Peachier. † Healthcare barriers cited by Wieldiest that were reported by the Mexican women of Los Duplex include those that most healthcare workers.High cost of healthcare, no health insurance, poor English skills, and lack of transportation are the main barriers. In chapter 25 of Advanced Practice Nursing there is a definitio n for Principles of Healthcare Ethics: Ethical principles are universal rules of induct that identify which kinds of actions, intentions and motives are valued (peg 554). This is only a fraction of the definition, yet it is so profound. The women of this study value community, love, family, and healthy living. They are raised and taught as children to take care, nurture, grow, and heal themselves and their families and friends.Mexican women are autonomous, they choose for themselves how to live healthy. They are beneficent by demonstrating kindness and helping others. The health care system in place in the Los Duplex area should stay maleficent, avoid causing patients arm. If the women have exhausted the home remedies prior to taking their friends or family to the hospital they expect to be cared for, not harmed. â€Å"Justice is the obligation to be fair†¦ † And this is another expectation when people go to a healthcare facility (Barker, 2013. Peg 554-556). Nursing inte rventions should be in put in place for each barrier presented by a patient.An example of a nursing intervention for a family in the Los Duplex would be to have all forms in Spanish and English along with some type of interpreter offered. While admitting a Mexican migrant patient into a hospital r clinic, attention should be given to the culturally common home remedies. Fifth intake nurse is educated in the culture and now the patient has hypertension, then what other natural herbs or fruits and vegetables is the patient taking in that could be contra-indicated with a medication, and therefore rendering the high blood pressure medication that was previously prescribed, as useless.Nurses hold the power when it comes to connecting with patients, they are the driving force of the care continuum. The more the nurses know about the community culture and the patient culture, the better are can be offered and healthy outcomes achieved. Conclusion The study that was used for this dissertati on touched on key concepts of cultural sensitivity in communicating with Mexican Diaspora, especially the women who care for their families and friends.As a migrant culture, the Mexicans are healthier if left to take care of themselves with their home remedies of healthy herbs, healthy diets, healthy mental status, and healthy social groups. As health care providers, it is important to maintain an ethical health care environment and respect the autonomy of the Mexican women ascribed in this paper. They treat their families and friends with beneficence and the health care providers need to remain maleficent when assisting the patients with their illnesses.Meanwhile, the organization of healthcare systems need to treat every patient justly, address the language barriers, the financial barriers, and insurance barriers with fairness and equality. The study of Los Duplex was a small group of Mexican migrants, and like other world cultures, there are many more cultural differences. The mo st important point is to respect the patient, listen and do the best job possible to et the needs of the mother or father or child sitting in the chair in need of medical attention, no matter what culture they are from.

Diversity and Tension in Collectives and the Opportunities for Essay

Diversity and Tension in Collectives and the Opportunities for Solutions that can Strengthen a Brand Community - Essay Example A brand community will include consciousness of kind in which connections within the community define them in contrast to those outside of the community, rituals and traditions which will support the history, culture, and consciousness of the community, and a sense of duty or obligation in which both the needs of the community and the needs of the individual are integrated (Cova, Kozinets, & Shankar, 2007). In understanding the differences and tensions within a collective, a business can find ways to create integrated solutions that will expand the experience of a consumer as they are making their choices so that individual needs are fulfilled, as well as collective goals. Package Solutions In the search for ways in which to connect to consumers, often times it is best to approach the needs through provisions of solutions that can create many outcomes. This concept, as suggested by Epp and Price (2011) develops an experience through mass product and service production for the individ ual that can be integrated to fit a group of needs. Each need is addressed in order to make the whole experience satisfactory. As an example, Epp and Price (2011) quote from Sawhney (2006) for the way in which Kodak has approached the changing market and the needs of their customers. Instead of focusing on just providing digital camera solutions, they have approached a spectrum of needs through image software, photo printing at home, and the need to utilize the photographs for keeping memories. Through the concept of collectivity, the goods and services that a company provides being diverse enough that a customer can examine what they want from their product and put together a package of items that is unique and suits all of their needs. Epp and Price (2011) suggest that a company should â€Å"account not only for individual goals but also for relational and collective goals† (p. 36). In order to do this, integration is the format that will give a great deal of success for a company. Epp and Price (2011) state that â€Å" The term ‘integration’ refers to the processes of bringing together potentially diverse products and services in a way that creates value† (p. 36). In other words, in order to serve customers, Kodak would not seek out a way to combine their digital cameras with a good frozen fish product. The purpose of integration is to take related concepts and put them together so that a personalized ‘package’ can be created. Integration is the key to providing value to a customer in promoting new products from the point of associations that have been made to a brand. In creating the ‘package’ of products for a consumer, brand loyalty often follows, assuring that the consumer uses the products that fit together in a meaningful way that adds value to their experience. This type of affective commitment serves the interests of a firm in that the consumer will not feel satisfaction when a substitute product is used, bringing them back towards the brand where they have placed loyalty. The connection that is made between the emotional and the cognitive process when making choices towards a ’package’ of goods and services

GANGS AND GANG SUBCULTURES CJM 330 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

GANGS AND GANG SUBCULTURES CJM 330 - Essay Example Among the various areas of the US, the region of Los Angeles is deemed to be crowded with considerable number of ganging activities. Contextually, in the present day scenario, there are various gangs operating in the city, out of which, the street gangs are seen to be quite notorious and dangerous (Howell, 2011). Among the major gangs active in Los Angeles today, the Mexican Mafia is regarded as one of the most dangerous gangs. The gang is one of the oldest in the US and work in parallel with other traditional gangs of the country. The gang is quite organized and operates following specific rules made by them. Its major rivals include Black Guerrilla Family and Hispanic gang among others. The gang is primarily formed on grounds of ethnic issues as they claim to protect the integrity and wellbeing of their races thorough their activities. To be noted, the gang has been involved in numerous criminal activities in several decades but in the recent times it became quite active in Los Ang eles. The leader of the group was arrested in the 2012 for involving in activities of drug dealing in the northern area of Los Angeles. Reports also suggest that the gang was also involved in harassing and torturing the black people in southern regions (Inside Prison, n.d.). Conclusively, it can be affirmed that the gang is quite active in Los Angeles with their continuous criminal activities over the last decade. As a matter of concern, the police declared Mexican Mafia, active in Los Angeles, as one of the most dangerous and notorious gangs in comparison to other smaller groups within the community. The primary intention of this particular assignment is to depict the emergence and the growth of traditional gangs in the US over the past decades. Contextually, it has been noted that gangs started to emerge in this particular region of the world during the 1920s and is continually flourishing in the modern day era. The reasons of gang formation

Instrumental analysis and testing of counterfeit Viagra suspected to Essay

Instrumental analysis and testing of counterfeit Viagra suspected to contain amphetamine - Essay Example phRMA has requested China, Mexico, Indonesia, Lebanon and many countries in the Central America to have a close watch on the drugs used in their countries. They have also warned those countries that the illegal drugs were found to get originated from Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland. (Oslen et al., 2002).The Drug manufacturer take many necessary steps to prevent counterfeiting of the drugs but their efforts are getting veined off because of the different methods that they adopt in trade and their distribution systems are very complex for tracing off. The illegal drug manufacturers are very smart enough to steal the name, basic formula, holograms and are able to prepare the counterfeit drug very smartly as the real drug. This has become a head ache for all the drug manufacturers. The only possibility for them is to develop analytical methods that can easily identify the authentic and fake products through simple testing methods. Sildenafil Citrate is a drug that is used to treat the pulmonary arterial hypertension and erectile dysfunction. Its Brand Name is Viagra, developed and marketed by Pfizer.the chemical composition of Sildenafil citrate is 1-( [3- ( 6, 7- dihydromethyl -7- oxo -3- propyl -1H – pyrazolo [4,3 - d] pyrimidin – 5 – yl ) - 4- ethoxy – phenyl ] sulfonyl ])- 4 – methyl piperazine. Viagra is used as a novel oral medicine for penile erectile dysfunction, the inability to keep hard erect penis for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Sildenafil citrate inhibits the cyclic guanosine monophosphate- specific phosphodiesterase present at the penis and making the cGMP to get accumulated at the corpus cavemonsum. This pill when taken inside, starts its effect after the twenty minutes of inhalation and lasts up to three hals lifes ( 18 hours ). Viagra came in to the market by 1998 after the US Food and Drug Administration approved it. Viagra was recommended for Erectile dysfunction as the over the counter drug. By the year 2002, Viagra sales accounted for about 92% of the global market for the pill to treat erectile dysfunction. The safety of this medicine was established in many pre- and post- approval studies. Phosphodiesterase family type five classes.(PDE). The PDE - 5 class receptors are found in corpus cavernoscum, platelets, skeletal muscle, vascular and visceral muscles. Of these at penis there are larger amount of PDE-5 than any other region. PDE-5 breaks down cGMP which causes the contraction of the penile arteries and smooth muscles. As the chemical structure of sildenafil is similar to the cGMP, the binding of sildenafil inhibits the cGMP from binding to the PDE-5 through the competitive inhibition mechanism. (McCullough, 2002). Amphetamine is a phenlyethylamine class drug that acts as a psycho stimulant drug. This drug is generally used as a performance enhancer. Amphetamine is found to increase the energy level, wakefulness and they are able to make the body work even at appetite an d fatigue conditions. Because of these characteristics Amphetamine is chosen as a counterifeit drug for Viagra by the illegal drug manufacturers. In the counterfeit Viagra’s, Sildenafil was present at lower concentration and the other drugs such as amphetamine, methamphetamine and ring substituted analogs. A rapid screening technique is essential for the quick identification of the counterfeit drug from the real ones. Various

Israeli-palestinian conflict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Israeli-palestinian conflict - Essay Example This movement spread in many spheres of Jewish life such as culture, religion, secularism, politics, labor and revisionism. The spread of this kind of nationalism came to the world as a surprised and shock the foundations of several other religious forces such as Islam and Christianity which considered Israelis to be a thing of the past. The arrival of the Zionist forces in the mainstream politics and religion gave way to businessmen especially in the field of agriculture and farming (Beinin & Stein 2006). This was the start of the Jewish settlement in their ancient regions or what they called their homeland. Israeli-Palestinian conflict has its roots both in politics and in religion. Ever since the war of 1948, the Israelis have outnumbered the Palestinians in Jerusalem leading to an intrusion of the Zionists in the Palestinian politics which caused a severe damage to the established structure. Both Palestinian Muslims and Christians were affected by this invasion which came to them as a shock. It is Zionism which is keeping the Israelis to fight for their entire life. One wonders whether the Israeli Zionism had taken an extremist approach towards attaining the land or had the opposing force, that is, the Palestinian Nationalist Movement become ineffective (Caplan 2010). The places of exile were perfect for the Israeli’s to settle. Babylon and Egypt are regions full of resources and riches. But it was religion which drove the Jews towards the Holy Land of Jerusalem. It goes without saying that the means adopted by the Israeli forces to date are highly illegal although the Arab neighboring nations are not reciprocating the way they should be doing politically (Dowty 2004). Unfortunately countless number of people are killed ruthlessly every passing day. Many billions have already died in the past but the issue of Palestine remains until the followers of all the main religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam come together to put some sense into each othe r. It is also observed that when the solutions are presented for the conflict between the two nations there is a one sided image portrayed greatly depending upon the opinions of the UN, British, American or Israeli government. The conflict worsened as the Israeli forces pushed them next to the Arab state so that it could meet a larger end. The agreement to join hands with the opposing party meant a great deal of chaos. This was however overlooked because Israel’s demand for the partition depended upon the initial behavior of the Palestinians when they first offered some joint endeavor. The above mentioned issues still remain among the two nations. Palestinians were conveniently swept away from politics especially those who had a business approach to politics. Since the regions of occupation are of interest for all the three religions there is no reason why the people should be callously treated. With the end of World War II there were more than sixty thousand Jews who entered the land and started taking over the farmers and Bedouins who induced fear among the Jews for causing disturbance in the hierarchy the Muslims (ProCon.org 2004). Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Jordan came to the rescue of Palestine. The war of 1948 was fought bravely and with complexity. Israel must recognize one critical point that whatever maybe the solution of these problems, any decade long period of war can bring peace in one of the

Tv program evaluation (modern family) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tv program evaluation (modern family) - Essay Example Among the three families, Claire’s family may seem to be the most traditional, but twists in the plot makes it more complex than usual. Modern Family depicts the possible mixture of modern families in America. It tackle issues that was once in a life time considered taboo, such as inter-racial marriages, same sex unions, and age gap differences. The sitcom introduces a break on the prejudice created by tradition and creates more complex characters, defying proper convention. It is realistic in a way, as it involves problems usually taken by modern families and effective ways to cope with them. An example is the bias depicted against Gloria, a Columbian native with his son Manny who have entered into the lives of the Pritchett by marrying Jay, a man twice his age. Another example is the same sex union between Mitch and Cameron, and their attempt to create a normal family by adopting a child, to which their father Jay, at first did not approve of. The show also breaks stereotype s in gender roles. This is best shown in how Mitch and Cameron, despite being both a man, creates a sort of roles of father and mother. Mitch being a lawyer, is the provider of the family, while Cameron, a former music teacher chose to quit his job to take care of the household and their adopted child, Lily. It shows that even in an unconventional gay family, stereotypes and roles are made.

Human Trafficking Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Human Trafficking - Research Paper Example Human trafficking is an important issue to discuss since most governments have not been serious with the vice. There are many arguments that have been put forward to attempt to explain how human trafficking started. There are some sources that claim that slave trade started when Africans were being captured by slave traders and would be shipped across Atlantic Ocean to America. Some consider the forced labor of children in 1700s was the true commencement of human trafficking. There was also white slavery that some individuals consider it to be the first legally recognized form of human trafficking. Complexities of the phenomenon, as well as opposing views about prostitution, have resulted in many controversial debates on human trafficking. The origin of human trafficking debates started towards the end of the nineteenth century during that time â€Å"white slavery† resulted in public outrage and was a key priority for international organizations. â€Å"White slavery† is the abduction as well as transportation of white women for purposes of prostitution (Masika 22, and Pliley 18 1). White slaves were women and girls who were unsuspectingly ensnared into prostitution through being seduced or raped when drunk or drugged, whence they were â€Å"enslaved† in whore houses. This problem was addressed through the formulation of regulations that stopped human trafficking. Human trafficking is a concern that plagues our society. Human trafficking is a great threat to state security and source of insecurity to the vulnerable and affected communities and individuals (Beeks and Amir xv, and Quayson and Arhin 5). For states, human trafficking is a key challenge to their legitimacy, authority, as well as control over sovereign territory as well as state borders. Human trafficking thrives profligately on corruption since human traffickers use links with state officials,

American History I Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

American History I - Essay Example It is through religion that the blacks found a tool of enduring enslavement with their dignity still intact. Religion strengthened their belief that they will get their freedom. Other worshippers, however, felt that the whites became sent by God, to deliver them from their bondage. Through this, they became more loyal to the slave masters. Family was significant to the enslaved people. Family allowed the male slaves is more than a working beast. It gave him the opportunity of being a father, and also a husband. Women became allowed to be mothers and wives, and to take on responsibilities different from their slave duties (Stanley, 2000). Even though, on one hand the masters wanted these families since they wanted slaves to reproduce, they allowed for a whole new generation, to develop. Families weakened slavery because it is out of families that communities’ grew these turned out to be a world that the slave master never knew about, leading to easy riots and ganging up against slavery (Stanley, 2000). While region did both weaken and strengthened the institution of slavery, family weakened the institution completely. Families became able to plot on how to gang up against the masters without their knowledge. Slave leaders found it easier to pass information through families rather than holding public gatherings (Stanley,

Critical Thinking and Ethics Essay Example for Free

Critical Thinking and Ethics Essay Critical thinking entails the ability to think clearly and rationally. The reason is that even though the conclusion may seem logical every individual has different ethics. For instance, if an individual needs a job in order to acquire money quickly, then it makes sense to do is needed to make the most money the quickest. Let us say the logical job would be to obtain and sell scrap copper because the one can make a large amount of money in a little amount of time. While another individual may say this is a logical way to make money quickly, ethically it is wrong. Critical thinking is one’s form of judgment that has a particular purpose and reflective judgment. When individuals use critical thinking, one reaches a decision or solves an issue. Reaching this conclusion and judging what to believe or what to do in a thoughtful way. Critical thinking is a tool that individuals can use to evaluate incoming information. Critical thinking is being able to learn new material with an open mind and having a heightened level of self-awareness of our biases and how our biases impact the analysis of information. Business ethics are very important when solving moral problems in a business is concerned. I do believe critical thinking can be at odds with moral decision making. One should be good simply because only what is good is to be done. Being good often brings a reward in a way or the other but it is not always the case. This is why sets of rules known as ethics have been created. Critical thinking entails the ability to think clearly and rationally.

Development of Radio in African Countries

Development of Radio in African Countries Chris Cazalet Essay: The Development of radio in African countries, including South Africa Radio is the most important medium in Africa. Its Flexibility, low costs, and oral character meet Africa’s situation very well. It remains the top medium in terms of the number of people that it reaches (Mytton). Radio is the fundamental mass-medium in Africa as it holds the widest reach and the highest audience numbers compared to television (TV), newspapers and other information and communication technologies (ICTs). Over the last 20 years radio has experiences a regeneration, due to democratisation and more affordable technology, today radio has proved to be far more hands-on and a straightforward type of communication then it possibly was in older times. Adding to the development is the welcoming of new technologies that have become available – this has evolved radio into more of a two-way medium, assisting in the bridge of the digital divide by providing information tools for access to all audiences (Mytton). Radio as a source of news and entertainment is completely unrestricted by the internet. One of the main developmental content encounters on African Radio is the need to produce programmes on a tight budget. The dominant principles of African radio is live broadcast, rather than arranged programmes (Myers, 2008). Future technologic trends seem to be enhancing rather than replacing radio. It is unlikely that TV will challenge radio as it is developing at a lower process then expected. â€Å"At the level of international donor support, radio, which at one time was regarded at the ‘poor cousin’ of the newer ICTs, has been brought back into the ICT family, there is renewed interest at the policy level.† (Myers, 2008). There are four classes that radio stations can be divided into today, state-controlled public radio; privately owned commercial radio; community-controlled radio and international radio. Because a country’s media may be loosened does not mean that there are not huge stresses on press freedom and countless economic challenges met by broadcasters. Technology seems to be enhancing rather than replacing radio. Radio is uniquely matched to the African context, being an aural and portable medium in a continent that is primarily non-literate (Myers, 2008). The history of radio development emerged from three separate stages, beginning in 1924 when they first South African broadcasts took place. There was the colonial period, radio was the main medium which was brought in to serve the settlers and the welfares of the colonial powers. Later on the ruling classes introduced radio services presented by and for the indigenous people. The domestic broadcasting system of all European authorities such as the British independent public service model of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) or the French government radio stations were not government monopolies (Mytton). The earliest broadcasting that appeared on the continent was in in South Africa. In Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, three organizations – an advertising group, a private dub, and a local authority; these organisations were granted licenses to broadcast. They all soon were taken over by an entrepreneur who, through difficulty, moved the stations toward commercial practicality. The government did not see this commercial practicality as a service they sought after – after inviting John Reith, the BBC’s first director-general, to come to South Africa in 1934 to help them develop a national public service form of broadcasting thus the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) was created in 1936. SABC drifted from BBC’s working mannerisms soon after its establishment. It was never far from the political influence and control which grew during the years of apartheid. For a large period the SABC programmes were dictated by white audiences until 1943, it only broadcasted in English and Africans, leaving the African audiences ignored. In the 1960’s broadcasting for Africans extended when Radio Bantu was developed during apartheid to emphasise the apartheid ideology of the separation of the races (Mytton). After World War 2 broadcasting expanded in most of the African colonies and became one of the official British policies, radio services would be developed to educate and inform the African listeners. Torn Chalmers, a successful BBC radio producer who was involved in developing of the radio is Nigeria, Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania, along with others tried to separate broadcasting from government. In spite of the establishment of public corporation in several British regions, stations were closely managed by their corresponding governments and had little independence (Mytton). The French developed a different policy, nearly all broadcasting in French regions were in the French language. Radio broadcasting to a large extent, originated in France through the Societe de Radio-diffusion de la France d’Outre-Mer (Society for Radio Transmission to French Overseas Territories – SORAFOM). It was not until the 1960’s the decade when African colonies were granted independence and allowed to establish national radio broadcasters (Mytton). In most countries the national and regional radio represent the voice of the government. The main difference between state radios and independent radios are that state radios reach nation-wide and independent radio stations are confined to urban areas. Independent radios also have almost all been FM stations where as state radio stations are of various stations (Mytton). Community Radio has becoming a growing importance to the accessability of information and a tool of empowerment for local communities across Africa, they face several challenges with regard to sustainability. There is no certainty to the long-term future of this sector – despite it its growth in numerous countries. (MCgregor, 2006) Independent radios stations can be catorgorised into five types. Fully commercial stations that seek to make a profit, religious radio stations – these stations are mostly supported by sponsors, the growth of commercial radio could change the weakness of many states that support the talented artist that have had to stop working because of inadequate payments – these artists find that they do better by marketing their own music at street venders. Community radion stations which could be seen as the fastest growing sector – these stations are often staffed by volunteer helpers, run at low cost and sponsored from the outside. By 2000 there were over 70 radio stations in South Africa and more then 100 in West Africa. Community radio stations contribute to the national edication and development which is of major importance – there are many developmental agencies strongly favour the use of radio campaigns for better health, in the past these campaigns and advert isments were very dull however in recent years there has been a growth in the imaginative and entertaining use of the radio to encourage the development of these areas. The fourth and fifth categories each emerged as the result of ethnic or other struggles. Factional radio stations were used to promote a specific section in a struggle. This category was also referred to as the hate radio station. The fifth category, humanitarian radio stations, was a standing power to factional radio. Radio power in Africa led numerous aid agencies, including the United Nations, in support of the establishment of humanitarian radio stations that encourage peace, harmony and democracy. (Myers, 2008) In the 21st century there have been many technological advances that have boosted broadcasting to new invisions of direct satellite broadcasting. Digital shortwave is the future of radio tansmissions and if Africa can employ this new technology it will revolutionize radio broadcasting over the whole African continent. References MCgregor, S. (2006). Reserach Summary Report Africa Media Development Initiative. Rhodes University. London: BBC World Service Trust. Retrieved from http://africanmediainitiative.org/content/2013/07/22/AMDI-BBC-summary-report.pdf Myers, M. (2008). Radio and Development in Africa Concept Paper. Canada: International Development Research Centre of Canada. Retrieved from http://www.amarc.org/documents/manuals/12481943581Radio_and_Development_in_Africa,_a_concept_paper.pdf Mytton, G. (n.d.). A Brief History of Radio Broadcasting in Africa. Retrieved from http://www.transculturalwriting.com/radiophonics/contents/usr/downloads/radiophonics/A_Brief_History.pdf

David Foster Wallace’s essay Consider the Lobster -- Wallace Animal Ri

Consider the Audience The gluttonous lords of the land capture those who are unable to defend themselves, boil the captives alive, and then feast on their flesh. Could this be the plot of some new summer blockbuster? It could be, in fact, but for now we will focus on how this depiction of events compares to David Foster Wallace’s essay, â€Å"Consider the Lobster,† which starts as a review of the Maine Lobster Festival, but soon morphs into an indictment of not only the conventions of lobster preparation, but also the entire idea of having an animal killed for one’s own consumption. Wallace shows great skill in establishing ethos. In the essay, he succeeds in snaring a receptive audience by laying out a well-baited trap for an audience who was looking for something else altogether, but he ultimately fails to keep hold of much of his catch. The piece in question was written for and published in Gourmet magazine. Presumably, the readers of that publication have already made up their minds about what they like to eat. A philosophical treatise on animal rights is probably not high on their reading list. In order to suck these readers in, Wallace hides his disdain for the subject matter inside cynical and ironic language. In his opening sentence, Wallace refers to the Maine Lobster Festival as â€Å"enormous, pungent, and extremely well-marketed† (252). This is an effective turn of phrase in that each reader assigns his or her own values to those adjectives. While an optimist sees in his mind’s eye a large, aromatic party filled with revelers from all over the continent, a pessimist pictures a crowded, stinky mess which has sold out for the money. Wallace draws them both in with his careful use of language. The words â€Å"optimi... ...lace’s inability to set up enough ethos to bring the reluctant portion of his audience along on his exploration of animal-rights issues causes this to be an ineffective piece. The only readers who are interested in its points are those who already agree with them. The vast majority of readers will either tune him out once he starts using more negative and eventually desperate language, or they will get through the piece and then go have some dead animal prepared for their supper without a second thought. He skillfully guides the audience into his net through his early use of neutral language, but when he tries to draw in his catch he ends up opening a giant hole in his netting, allowing many to follow their peers back into the murky sea from whence they came. Sources Cited David Foster Wallace’s essay, â€Å"Consider the Lobster,† in Gourmet Magazine. June 2008.

austins theory of law :: essays research papers

Laws in the most general sense are rules made by one intelligent being for the guidance of another intelligent being, the former having power over the latter. - All laws are a species of command, a command being an expression of a wish or desire that some other person do something. Commands can only be issued by one who has the power and intention to inflict a sanction in the event of disobedience. - A legal duty is a liability to a sanction for refusal to comply with a command. Hence, commands and duties are correlative; there can’t be one without the other. Commands are said to bind or oblige the person to whom they are directed. Sanctions are always intended to be evils, never goods. Rewards (bribes) cannot be sanctions. - Conclusion regarding the basic definition of law: a command that obliges a person to observe a general course of conduct, issued by a superior (in power) to an inferior. - Special problems: Customary laws and rules of common morality which may appear to oblige independently of any superior power are not really laws until recognized by a court. Common laws (judge-made law) likewise may appear not to stem from a superior power. Austin argues such laws are tacitly commanded by the state. Legal rights are creatures of law, but they are not exercised by following orders; the option to exercise a right is up to the owner of the right. Austin: no law creates a right without also creating a correlative duty, hence the link with commands. - Positive Law is a set of commands issued by a sovereign to his subjects. The sovereign is a determinate person or group (a) who receives habitual obedience from the bulk of society (he is the superior power within his society) and (b) is not in a habit of obedience to a like superior group (independent of any other

African American Life Before and After Emancipation Essay -- American

African American Life Before and After Emancipation Slavery was an intrinsic part of North American history from the founding of the Jamestown colony in 1607 to the legal abolition of servitude in 1865. But our nation continues to grapple with the economic, political, social, and cultural impact of that peculiar institution to this day. Over seventy years after the end of the Civil War, the WPA Federal Writer’s Project sought to understand the impact which slavery had on the lives of African Americans who once lived under its yoke. In 1936-38, the Writer’s Project sent out-of-work writers to seventeen states to record the personal narratives of former slaves; the result was an outpouring of nearly 3,000 stories from men and women who were born into bondage and released into uncertain freedom early in their lives. The relatively small collection of 26 narratives gathered in Mississippi in these years reveals the complexities of African American life before and after emancipation. While this sample should not be read as indicative of the memory and experience of former slaves at large, it does raise important questions about the meaning of freedom, the failures of Reconstruction, and the perceived quality of life for blacks during and after slavery. A careful reading of the Mississippi narratives reveals nostalgia for the security and stability of slavery and an overwhelming dissatisfaction with the failed promises of freedom: â€Å"turned †¦ loose, †¦ lak a passel o’ cattle,† former slaves struggled to realize the concrete benefits of an abstract freedom and longed for better days;[1] This weary nostalgia must be recognized not as a rejection of freedom, but as a denunciation of the powers, which declared them fr... ... [30] Sam McCallum, 4. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [31] Foner, 159. [32] Charlie Davenport, 8. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [33] Foner, 246. [34] James Lucas, 7-8. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [35] Foner, 376. [36] James Lucas, 7. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [37] Foner, 54-56. [38] Foner, 107. [39] James Cornelius, 3. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [40] Foner, 82. [41] Foner, 78. [42] Anna Baker, 5. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [43] Nettie Henry, 1-2. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [44] Jane Sutton, 5. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [45] Foner, 96; 366. [46] Wayne Holiday, 2. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [47] Isaac Stier, 5. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [48] Henri Necaise, 4. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [49] Dora Franks, 3. American Memory: Born in Slavery. African American Life Before and After Emancipation Essay -- American African American Life Before and After Emancipation Slavery was an intrinsic part of North American history from the founding of the Jamestown colony in 1607 to the legal abolition of servitude in 1865. But our nation continues to grapple with the economic, political, social, and cultural impact of that peculiar institution to this day. Over seventy years after the end of the Civil War, the WPA Federal Writer’s Project sought to understand the impact which slavery had on the lives of African Americans who once lived under its yoke. In 1936-38, the Writer’s Project sent out-of-work writers to seventeen states to record the personal narratives of former slaves; the result was an outpouring of nearly 3,000 stories from men and women who were born into bondage and released into uncertain freedom early in their lives. The relatively small collection of 26 narratives gathered in Mississippi in these years reveals the complexities of African American life before and after emancipation. While this sample should not be read as indicative of the memory and experience of former slaves at large, it does raise important questions about the meaning of freedom, the failures of Reconstruction, and the perceived quality of life for blacks during and after slavery. A careful reading of the Mississippi narratives reveals nostalgia for the security and stability of slavery and an overwhelming dissatisfaction with the failed promises of freedom: â€Å"turned †¦ loose, †¦ lak a passel o’ cattle,† former slaves struggled to realize the concrete benefits of an abstract freedom and longed for better days;[1] This weary nostalgia must be recognized not as a rejection of freedom, but as a denunciation of the powers, which declared them fr... ... [30] Sam McCallum, 4. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [31] Foner, 159. [32] Charlie Davenport, 8. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [33] Foner, 246. [34] James Lucas, 7-8. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [35] Foner, 376. [36] James Lucas, 7. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [37] Foner, 54-56. [38] Foner, 107. [39] James Cornelius, 3. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [40] Foner, 82. [41] Foner, 78. [42] Anna Baker, 5. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [43] Nettie Henry, 1-2. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [44] Jane Sutton, 5. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [45] Foner, 96; 366. [46] Wayne Holiday, 2. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [47] Isaac Stier, 5. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [48] Henri Necaise, 4. American Memory: Born in Slavery. [49] Dora Franks, 3. American Memory: Born in Slavery.

Levi’s Swot Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—————————————————————- 2. CURRENT SITUATION—————————————————————— 2-1-Strategic Posture 2. 2. Current Performance 3. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE——————————————————– 3-1-Board of Directors 3-2-Top Management 4. EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS—————————————— 4-1-Societal Environment 4-2-Task Environment 5. INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS————————————— — 5-1-Corporate Structure -2-Corporate Culture 5-3-Corporate Resources 6. ANALYSIS OF STRATEGIC FACTORS —————————————— 7. STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES AND RECOMMENDED STRATEGY — 7-1-Review of Mission and Objective 7-2-Strategic Alternatives and Recommended Strategy 8. CONCLUSION—————————————————————————- BIBLIOGRAPHY————————————————————————- 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2. CURRENT SITUATION Levi Strauss & Co. s a privately held American clothing company known worldwide for its Levi's brand of denim jeans. The core Levi's was founded in 1873 in San Fr ancisco, specializing in riveted denim jeans and different lines of casual and street fashion. Levi Strauss received a U. S. Patent to make the first riveted men's work pants out of denim: the first blue jeans. The company briefly experimented (in the 1970s) with a public stock listing, but remains owned and controlled by descendants and relatives of Levi Strauss' four nephews. Levi Strauss & Co. s a worldwide corporation organized into three geographic divisions: Levi Strauss Americas (LSA), based in the San Francisco headquarters; Levi Strauss Europe, Middle East and Africa, based in Brussels; and Asia Pacific Division, based in Singapore. The company employs a staff of approximately 11. 400 people worldwide. 2. 1 STRATEGIC POSTURE Vision and Core Values Levi’s believes that business can drive profits through principles, and that core values as a company and as individuals give the company a competitive advantage. Empathy — walking in other people’s shoes Empathy begins with paying close attention to the world around. Levi’s listens and responds to the needs of customers, employees and other stakeholders. Originality — being authentic and innovative The pioneering spirit that started in 1873 with the very first pair of blue jeans still permeates all aspects of the business. Through innovative products and practices, the company breaks the mold. Integrity — doing the right thing Integrity means doing right by the employees, brands, company and society as a whole. Ethical conduct and social responsibility characterize company’s way of doing business. Courage — standing up for believes It takes courage to be great. Courage is the willingness to tell the truth and to challenge hierarchy, accepted practice and conventional wisdom. It means standing by Levi’s convictions and acting on beliefs. Levi’s is the embodiment of the energy and events of time, inspiring people from all walks of life with a pioneering spirit. Generations have worn Levi’s jeans, turning them into a symbol of freedom and self-expression in he face of adversity, challenge and social change. Customers forged a new territory called the American West. They fought in wars for peace. They instigated counterculture revolutions. They tore down the Berlin Wall. Reverent, irreverent — they took a stand. 2. 2. CURRENT PERFORMANCE For its first 100 years, Levi Strauss & Company was a private company. Relatives of founder Levi Strauss owned nearly all the stock, and company employees owned most of the remaining shares. In 1971, the company went public to finance growth and diversification. However, in 1985, the company again went private, which it remains today. In September 2004, Levi Strauss announced plans to sell its Dockers casual-clothing brand to Vestar Capital Partners (a private equity fund) and an apparel industry executive for about $800 million. Selling the Dockers brand would have allowed the company to reduce its heavy debt and refocus attention on turning around the Levi brand. However, the company soon changed its mind and chose instead to reinvest in and revitalize the popular Dockers brand. Recently the company produces only for men under Dockers brand. Its products are sold in more than 110 countries worldwide through a combination of chain retailers, department stores, online sites, and franchised and company-owned stores. As of August 28, 2011, the company operated 499 stores within 31 countries. Levi Strauss & Co. ’s reported fiscal 2010 net revenues were $4. 4 billion. Regional net revenues for the quarter were as follows: The reported net revenues increase in Europe was due to currency; net revenues were down on a constant-currency basis. Gains from the expansion of the company-operated retail network and the continued success of the Levi’s Curve ID collection for women were more than offset by declines in the wholesale business. Revenue growth in Asia Pacific, primarily driven by the Levi’s brand and continued expansion of the company’s brand-dedicated retail network in China and India, offset the revenue decline in Japan. Cash Flow and Balance Sheet As of August 28, 2011, cash and cash equivalents were approximately $231 million, and $337 million was available under the company’s revolving credit facility. Cash provided by operating activities during the nine-month period in 2011 was $17 million, compared with $96 million for the same period in 2010; the decline reflected higher inventories, due primarily to the increased cost of cotton, increased selling, general and administration expenses and increased pension plan contributions. Net debt was $1. 75 billion as compared to $1. 6 billion at the end of 2010. 3. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 3. 1Board of Directors Fernando Aguirre, a director since July 2010, is currently Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. a position he has held since 2004. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Aguirre served as President, Special Projects for The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), a manufacturer and distributor of consumer products. From 1980 to 2002, he served P&G in various capacities, including in an executive capacity with P&G's Global Snacks and U. S. Food Products business. Mr. Aguirre is also a director of C oca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. Chip Bergh, a director since September 2011, is the President and Chief Executive Officer. He joined the company in September 2011. Prior to joining Levi Strauss & Co. , Mr. Bergh was Group President, Global Male Grooming, for The Proctor & Gamble Company (P), a manufacturer and distributor of consumer products. During his 28-year career at P, he served in a number of leadership positions. Mr. Bergh previously served on the Board of Directors for VF Corporation and on the Economic Board, Singapore, and was a member or the US-ASEAN Business Council, Singapore. Vanessa J. Castagna, a director since 2007, led Mervyns LLC department stores as its executive chairwoman of the board from 2005 until early 2007. Prior to Mervyns LLC, Ms. Castagna served as chairman and hief executive officer of JC Penney Stores, Catalog and Internet from 2002 through 2004. She joined JC Penney in 1999 as chief operating officer, and was both president and Chief Operating Officer of JC Penney Stores, Catalog and Internet in 2001. Ms. Castagna is currently a director of SpeedFC and Carter’s Inc. Robert A. Eckert, a director since May 2010, is currently Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Mattel, Inc. , a position he has held since May 2000. He previously worked for Kraft Foods, Inc. for 23 years, most recently as President and Chief Executive Officer from October 1997 until May 2000. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Eckert was Group Vice President of Kraft Foods, Inc. and from 1993 to 1995, Mr. Eckert was President of the Oscar Mayer foods division of Kraft Foods, Inc. Robert D. Haas, a director since 1980, was named Chairman Emeritus in February 2008. He served as Chairman of the Board from 1989 until February 2008. Mr. Haas joined Levi’s in 1973 and served in a variety of marketing, planning and operating positions including serving as our Chief Executive Officer from 1984 to 1999. Peter E. Haas Jr. , a director since 1985, is a director or trustee of each of the Levi Strauss Foundation, Red Tab Foundation, Joanne and Peter Haas Jr. Fund, Walter and Elise Haas Fund and the Novato Youth Center Honorary Board. Mr. Haas was one of the managers from 1972 to 1989. He was Director of Product Integrity of The Jeans Company, one of the former operating units, from 1984 to 1989. He served as Director of Materials Management for Levi Strauss USA in 1982 and Vice President and General Manager in the Menswear Division in 1980. Leon J. Level, a director since 2005, is a former Chief Financial Officer and director of Computer Sciences Corporation, a leading global information technology services company. Mr. Level held ascending and varied financial management and executive positions at Computer Sciences Corporation from 1989 to 2006 and previously at Unisys Corporation (Corporate Vice President, Treasurer and Chairman of Unisys Finance Corporation), Burroughs Corporation (Vice President, Treasurer), The Bendix Corporation (Executive Director and Assistant Corporate Controller) and Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte & Touche). Mr. Level is also currently a director of UTi Worldwide Inc. Stephen C. Neal, a director since 2007, became Chairman of the Board in September 2011. Mr. Neal is currently the chairman of the law firm Cooley LLP. He was also chief executive officer of the firm until January 1, 2008. In addition to his extensive experience as a trial lawyer on a broad range of corporate issues, Mr. Neal has represented and advised numerous boards of directors, special committees of boards and individual directors on corporate governance and other legal matters. Prior to joining Cooley LLP in 1995 and becoming CEO in 2001, Mr. Neal was a partner of the law firm Kirkland & Ellis. Patricia Salas Pineda, a director since 1991, is currently Group Vice President, National Philanthropy and the Toyota USA Foundation for Toyota Motor North America, Inc. an affiliate of one of the world’s largest automotive firms. Ms. Pineda joined Toyota Motor North America, Inc. in September 2004 as Group Vice President of Corporate Communications and General Counsel. Prior to that, Ms. Pineda was Vice President of Legal, Human Resources and Government Relations and Corporate Secretary of New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. wi th which she was associated since 1984. She is currently a director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and a mem ber of the board of advisors of Catalyst. 3. 2 Top Management in Turkey Hakan Atalay is the general manager of Levi’s Turkey since 2008. He graduated from Textile Engineering Department from Istanbul Technical University and he also has a graduate degree from the Management Department of Marmara University. He has a 16 years of experience in retail, sales and product management in local and multinational companies like Mexx Turkey, Network and Unitim. Lately he was the country sales director of Nike Turkey. He is now responsible for the management of Levi’s and Dockers brand operations and for the development of strategic vision of those brands in Turkey. Kayhan Ongun is the sales director of Levi’s Turkey since 2010. He graduated from Management Engineering Department from Istanbul Technical University and he has a Management of Business Administration degree from Rowan University. He worked at various sales positions in Michelin and Nike Turkey. Lately he was Football Sales Manager in Nike Turkey. Korhan Oz is the finance manager of Levi’s Turkey. Korhan Oz is a graduate of Istanbul University Department of Economics. He has in particular substantial experience in finance. He worked as Country Financial Controller at Ernst Audit, Intergen and Nokia and then worked as Executive Vice President for Financial Affairs at Krea Group. Orhan Ors is the Information Technology Director of Levi’s Turkey. He has been working for Levi’s for 22 years. Ozan Duman is the Human Resources Director of Levi’s Turkey since 2011. Lately, he was HR Manager of Kimberly Clark Turkey. Ipek Bekiroglu is the Marketing Manager of Levi’s Turkey since 2006. Lately, she was working as a Brand Manager in Carslberg Turkey. 4. EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS: OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS 4. SOCIETAL ENVIRONMENT Socio-cultural Turkey has the youngest population in Europe with 31M under 25 and the population growth rate is 1. 35%. Life style changes heavily affect trends in casual apparel design and market. Being thin and skinny creates a trend in the market where skinny and tight jeans dominate the market. Economic There is a shortage in cotton supply in the world combined with high cotton prices due to several important factors: First, global stocks of cotton were drawn down sharply as less cotton was grown and shipped through the global supply chain due to competition from other crops. Second, climate changes and bad weather undermined global cotton production. Thirdly, government actions further aggravated the situation where India, one of the world’s largest cotton producers, slapped export quotas on raw cotton. And finally, demand for textiles and apparel rose. Retail landscape is evolving with the opening of many new malls and locations. In addition street store rents are increasing, so brands are investing on shopping malls in primary and secondary cities. In line with this development, traditional outlet stores on the highway breakpoints have been converted to outlet malls. Extended seasonal sale months, attractive promotions are offered throughout the year. There is high investment cost on one hand; as the average shop size is growing, rents are getting higher. On the other hand however, shopping malls have made significant discounts in their rents or currency rates have been fixed due to global crisis. Technological E-commerce is getting more popular with private shopping concept. (Trend-Yol, Markafoni and Limango are the main players in Turkish Market. ) Social media has a narrow effect right now but it is increasingly becoming a part of ompanies’ marketing strategies. Political legal There is continuous financial instability in Turkey that strongly affects the spending power of Turkish people. Income difference between regions is dramatic in Turkey which affects the spending power. However, lower income classes’ and regions’ spending is increasing. Environmental standards and regulations against hazardous jeans production are in creasingly applied by many countries and companies (The blue dust that stems while sanding jeans is a heavy irritant to the lungs). In the European Union, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations enacted 1 June 2007 require clothing manufacturers and importers to identify and quantify the chemicals used in their products. These regulations may even require manufacturers to inform consumers about potentially hazardous chemicals that may be present in their products. Actual end products are governed by stipulations of the European Equipment and Product Safety Act, which regulates the use of heavy metals, carcinogenic dyes, and other toxics used in textile manufacture. Additional consumer protection is offered by the European Union’s Oko-Tex Standard 100, a testing and certification program established in 1992. The standard gives the textile and clothing industry uniform guidance for the potential harm of substances in raw materials as well as finished products, and every stage in between—these include regulated substances as well as substances that are believed to be harmful to health but are not yet regulated (such as pesticides). The standard also governs elements such as colorfastness and pH value. Along with these standards, Levi Strauss and Co. Turkey does not produce jeans with sanding. 4. 2TASK ENVIRONMENT Rivalry among existing firms There is a heavy weight of local players in Turkish casual apparel market. Local retailers like Mavi, LC Waikiki, Colin’s, LTB (Little Big) have their own denim production facilities so that they can sell with reasonable prices. This fact that the competitors have low entry prices makes â€Å"price† the main differentiator. International and local brands are investing in key cities and key locations. (Zara, Mango, Adidas, Nike, Mavi, Colin’s). In addition, local competition is investing on O stores which are bigger than 200 sqm. Mavi was acquired by Turkven (private equity fund) with 35% share in 2008. The company has aggressive revenue targets and invests heavily in ATL communication. The company is focusing on head to toe look and as a result of this approach, their women and tops share increased. Colin’s is re-vamping the brand identity launched a new logo. The company focuses on O (owner and operator) model. In accordance with this approach, they re-fit O stores in major shopping malls. Lee is losing ground, they have no presence in stand alone stores, and they focus on department stores. LTB is re-fitting their O stores in premium shopping malls. Diesel has not been aggressive in communication for a long period. Jack & Jones is entering department stores. Grey market is an important factor that has a huge impact in the competition. The high number of grey market producers impacts the competition between the existing firms as especially the local denim producers try to differentiate themselves by price. Threat of new entrance New brands entered the market (H- 5 stores in 5 months) whereas local brands have elevated their retail environment to attract the young consumer. A will be opening their first store in Turkey in 2012. EFAS TABLE External FactorsWeightRatingWeighted ScoreComment SROpportunities O1Turkey’s young population 0. 103. 00. 3 O2E-commerce and social media; new distribution channel0. 053. 00. 15 O3Malls; increasing number of shopping malls0. 105. 00. 5 O4Seasonal sale months extension, attractive promotions0. 04. 00. 4 O5Life style changes; new products0. 104. 00. 4 O6Environmental standards and regulations0. 052. 00. 1 Threats T1Financial instability0. 105. 00. 5 T2Grey market0. 103. 00. 3 T3High operational costs (O)0. 104. 00. 4 T4Marketing investments of the local brands0. 054. 00. 2 T5Increasing number of new competitors0. 053. 00. 15 T6Low cotton supply and high cotton prices0. 105. 00. 5 Total1. 003. 9 5. INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS: STRENGTHS AND WEAKN ESSES 5. 1CORPORATE STRUCTURE The worldwide leadership team, which includes the CEO and ten executives, sets the company’s overall direction and is responsible for all major strategic, financial and operational decisions. Many of the senior-most leaders have risen through the company ranks over the past two or three decades. But to maintain the lead in the fast-changing fashion industry Levi’s leadership team also includes executives who bring leading-edge expertise and new ideas from other consumer companies and other industries. Levi Strauss Co. as a corporation has operations divided under three main regions: Asia Pacific, Europe and America. The company has headquarters in Singapore, Brussels and San Francisco. Every region is under the management of a Vice President. Country General Managers are directly reporting to their respective Regional Vice Presidents. In Turkey, human resources, information technology and finance departments are directly reporting to their respective region and they are indirectly reporting to Turkish General Manager. However, sales and marketing departments are directly reporting to Turkish General Manager and they are indirectly reporting to their respective region. Retail Operations and Sales Manager and Wholesale Sales Manager are directly reporting to Sales Director. Retail Operations and Sales Manager manages four District Managers and Wholesale Sales Manager manages three Account Managers in Turkey. 5. 2CORPORATE CULTURE Levi Strauss & Company as a multinational company embodies its vision that has four main values at the core: empathy – walking in other’s shoes; originality – being authentic and innovative; integrity – doing the right thing; and courage – standing up for what they believe. In addition to guiding the strategic decisions and actions, the company’s values also guide its social responsibility in various ways – through the grants provided by the Levi Strauss Foundation, through the support provided to communities in which it has a business presence, through its employee community-involvement program, and through its ethical code of conduct for its business partners. The company’s strategic move to outsourcing has presented its own challenges because of Levi Strauss’ strong commitment to socially responsible business practices. In 1991, Levi Strauss became the first multinational company to establish a comprehensive ethical code of conduct for its alliance partners in manufacturing and finishing. This code, titled the Global Sourcing and Operating Guidelines, establishes business practices such as fair employment, worker health and safety, and environmental standards. The company remains committed to ensuring compliance with its â€Å"Code of Conduct† at all facilities and works onsite with its contractors to develop responsible business practices and continuous improvement. Trained inspectors closely audit and monitor the contractors and if it is determined that a business partner is not complying with the terms, Levi Strauss requires that the partner implements a corrective action plan within a specified time period. If a contractor fails to take corrective actions, the business relationship is terminated. By nature, the company is externally focused and determined to stay that way. This means constantly scanning developments that affect the business, and acting on that information to surprise their customers. The above are part of Levi Strauss’ global corporate citizenship culture. To make these to also diffuse to Turkish Levis’ employees working environment, the top management team is making radical moves. 5. 3CORPORATE RESOURCES STRENGTHS Levi Strauss and Co. is a member of Better Cotton Initiative. Better Cotton is a different way to grow cotton that decreases the negative environmental impacts and has the potential to improve the livelihood of the 300 million people involved in cotton farming worldwide. At its heart, the Better Cotton Initiative aims to make all cotton grown around the world more sustainable by reducing water and chemical use (including pesticides and fertilizers), protecting the health of the soil and promoting important labor standards including bans on child labor. The Better Cotton Initiative also focuses on training and empowering farmers to improve their long term financial profitability. This is a conscious effort made by all partners of the Better Cotton Initiative to help prevent prices for Better Cotton from rising dramatically in the short term. This is an advantage on behalf of Levi? s Turkey as the competitors in Turkish market are not involved in this initiative. Levi’s always had been described as a fashion innovator, as the company created the jeans market. The company continues to recognize the importance of the right products to its future success. One of Levi Strauss’s critical strategic goals is to â€Å"innovate and lead from the core,† and it continues to introduce product innovations. For instance, since 2001, the Advanced Innovation Team for the Dockers line has introduced several groundbreaking product innovations. For instance, in 2004 and 2005, the team developed three new and exclusive product innovations. The first was the Never-Iron Cotton that dramatically minimizes wrinkling. Another was the Thermal Adapt Khaki pants that adjust to body temperature. And the third was Dockers Shirts with Perspiration Guard, a special finish that wicks away moisture from the body and eliminates the appearance of perspiration marks. This is a strength that differentiates Levi? s from its competitors. In addition to this, the company recently decided to make a tradeoff and it stopped producing for women under Dockers brand. This is another wise strategic move on behalf of the company. And furthermore- in line with the above tradeoff- Levi’s was one of the first companies to tap into the mass customization trend by offering made-to-order jeans. In 1999, the company announced that it would begin offering customized versions of its classic denims to fit every woman’s body type, but this move was not successful at that time. In 2011, the company re-launched the same project under the name of â€Å"Curve ID† for women and now it proved to be a great success to regenerate growth on women? s product line. This is another important advantage that makes the brand stronger than the other brands. Youth panel- as a method of consumer-driven brand innovation- is a qualitative consumer panel focused on the consumer typologies that the company believes exercise greatest influence on the dynamics of change within the casual apparel market. The panel has been built up in most fashion significant European cities and comprises between 50 and 100 of the most fashion-forward youth. It is convened twice a year to fit into the line development calendar. This tool is strength for Levi? as it provides the best indication the business has of how much momentum a particular trend has in it, and so serves to guide both general businesses forecasting as well as specific product life cycle management. Every second quarter the brand and design teams dedicate a day to working with the insights coming out of the panel. It helps set the strategic agenda and also enables some very effective and immediate trouble- shooting. WEAKNESSES One of the company’s most valuable assets is its Levi’s brand. However, that venerable Levi’s brand had lost much of its popularity. Although Levi Strauss has one of the best-known names in the world, its market power has declined. An annual ranking of global brands with the most impact showed Levi’s ranked at number 32 in 2001, number 34 in 2002, and number 56 in 2003, and rebounding to number 44 in 2004. The products that baby boomers in the 1960s defined as hip and anti-establishment were now perceived as non-trendy and dull. In the brutally competitive apparel market, that type of image, particularly with younger consumers, has proven to be a disadvantage. As a way to span the consumer market, the company launched several new brands in USA and several other countries. But the same product strategy is not applied in Turkey and the product range is not diversified to cover all customer segments as far as price competition is considered. The company chose to stick with low-tech, in-store posters and other promotions; rather than mass media coverage – television and print ads which the biggest competitors in Turkey extensively use. The company doesn’t invest on brand image and use localized advertisement. But the competitors are using constant brand communications strategy including celebrities, outdoor events. IFAS TABLE Internal FactorsWeightRatingWeighted ScoreComment SRStrengths S1High brand awareness 0. 155. 00. 75 S2Member of Better Cotton Initiative0. 053. 00. 15 S3Advance innovation competence0. 154. 00. 60 S4Profit growth0. 103. 00. 30 S5Product category fragmentation (Curve id-women; Dockers- men)0. 104. 00. 40 Weaknesses W1Inflexible pricing strategy 0. 155. 00. 75 W2Misuse of marketing communications budget0. 154. 00. 60 W3Brand image deterioration 0. 155. 00. 75 Total1. 004. 30 6. ANALYSIS of STRATEGIC FACTORS A. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS SWOT- SFAS TABLE SRInternal FactorsWeightRatingWeighted ScoreComment S1High brand awareness (global reach and scale)0. 05. 00. 50 S3Advance innovation competence0. 105. 00. 50 S5Product category fragmentation (Curve id-women; Dockers- men)0. 053. 00. 15 S6Financial strength0. 054. 00. 20 W1Inflexible pricing strategy 0. 054. 00. 20 W2Misuse of marketing communications budget0. 053. 00. 15 W3Brand image deterioration 0. 105. 00. 50 O1Turkey’s young population 0. 055. 00. 25 O3Malls; increasing number o f shopping malls0. 104. 00. 40 O4Seasonal sale months extension, attractive promotions0. 054. 00. 20 O5Life style changes; new products0. 053. 00. 15 T2Financial instability0. 055. 00. 25 T3Grey market0. 053. 00. 5 T4High operational costs (O)0. 104. 00. 40 T5Marketing investments of the local brands0. 054. 00. 20 T6Increasing number of new competitors0. 053. 00. 15 Total1. 03. 70 7. STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES and RECOMMENDED STRATEGY 7. 1 Review of Mission and Objective 7. 2 Strategic Alternatives and Recommended Strategy TOWS MATRIX Internal FactorsStrengths S1. High brand awareness (global reach and scale) S2. Member of Better Cotton Initiative S3. Advance innovation competence S4. Profit growth S6. Financial strengthWeaknesses W1. Inflexible pricing strategy W2. Misuse of marketing communications budget W3. Brand image deterioration External Factors Opportunities O2. E-commerce and social media; new distribution channel O3. Malls; increasing number of shopping malls O4. Seasonal sale months extension, attractive promotions O5. Life style changes; new products1. Levis can continue to growth with new openings in different malls 2. Through high brand awareness, easy to take place in social media and cooperate with e-commerce websites as new distribution channels 3. Levis can adapt its products for different preferences1. New online campaigns to improve the brand image Threats T2. Grey market T5. Increasing number of new competitors T6. Low cotton supply and high cotton prices1. Developing new production technologies in order to use the raw materials effectively 2. Support social responsibility initiatives worldwide 1. Assessment of local competitors in order to redesign the marketing campaigns Recommended Strategy Functional strategy, marketing strategy; positioning should be made according to the target audience. Through social media and online campaigns Levis can improve its brand image and can reach Turkey’s young population. After several researches, it has been found out that the potential age group for both men and women is 14-25 in Turkish casual apparel market. However, it must also be taken into consideration that it is the 18-35 age group that consumes more and that women are the ones who increase the overall sales in general. The private shopping companies are growing very fast in Turkey. Levis can use e-commerce websites as new distribution channels to improve the brand penetration among 24-35 years old, worker segment. Levis is using its global marketing communications campaigns in Turkey, as they are. The company does not try to assess its competitor’s strategies or to adapt the tone of the messages according to local needs and preferences. However the local competitors are really aggressive in communication. Levis has to redesign its communication campaigns and reallocate its marketing budget. 8. CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY 1)http://www. levistrauss. com/ 2)Company’s 2012 plan 3)Company’s distribution strategy 4)Inspiring the organization to act: a business in denial, International Journal of Market Research Vol. 44 Quarter 2, 2002, the Market Research Society 5)Denim Pazar? nda Marka Konumland? rmalar? n? n Karsilastirilmasi,

Song Essay

The artist achieves this in the song by telling a story. Jason Michael Carroll, son of a preacher, grew up in a strict North Carolina family environment (Ortega). His father ruled with an iron thumb. Although his father r was strict, it never got to the point of Alyssa. But as a preacher, his father dealt with many families and cases of child abuse. Growing up, Jason had experience knowing what goes on in the SSE situations and how people deal with it. â€Å"Jason bore witness to realize tragedies that will take the kid right out of a child† (â€Å"Alyssa Lies by Jason†).Also as a husband and a father of four, Jaws knows what it's like to have to deal with a child on an everyday basis (â€Å"Jason Michael Carry II Biography†). It took two years for Jason to write Alyssa Lies. It was a song inspired by a poem a friend had wrote about child abuse. After reading the poem and seeing a story on the en was about child abuse he decided to finally wrote the song (Ortega) . â€Å"It's his philosophy that s ones are waiting in the ether for someone to call them forth† (â€Å"Alyssa Lies by Jason†).Hesitant to write such a powerful song, Jason would write part of the song then put it down then pick I t back up two weeks later (Ortega). Contrary to what people believe, Alyssa was not a real girl but just a name Jason came up with. Also Jason never abused as a child and the song was not a way for Jaw son to finally tell his story. â€Å"Alyssa Lies† is a fictional song about a little girl Alyssa who is constant .NET abused at home. When she meets another girl at school, she tells her what has been ha opening.Then this girl goes home to her father in tears wondering why Alyssa lies to everyone. B y this she means Alyssa makes up excuses to explain the bruises in school. When Alyssa tells her friend what had happened it affects her in a big way. Her friend goes home to her father in tears. The chorus â€Å"Alyssa lies/ To the classroo m/ Alyssa lies/ Everyday at school/ Alyssa lies/ To the teachers/ As she tries to cover every bruise† (â€Å"JASON MICHAEL CARROLL LYRICS†), shows that her new friend notices what has been going on and that Alyssa doesn't do anything to stop it.Then, when the little girl goes to bed, SSH e prays to God saying â€Å"God bless my mom and my dad/ And my new friend Alyssa/ know she needs you bad† (â€Å"JASON MICHAEL CARROLL LYRICS†). This shows that she cares about her en w friend and wants to help even though she knows what is going on. Children are ion .NET and do not know prejudice. For adults this is not always true. In the song, after the narrator's daughter tees him what happened, he said he just brushed it off at first.But when he got to school on Monday it was too late. Alyssa has been killed as a result of her injuries. In an attempt to tell his daughter who at happened, he did so in a way that she might understand, She doesn't lie/ In the classroom/ She doesn't lie/ Anymore at school/ Alyssa lies/ With Jesus/ Because there's nothing anyone would do (â€Å"JASON MICHAEL CARROLL LYRICS†). In the song he describes how he felt when his dad gutter asked him why everybody looks so sad.He said the lump in his throat grew bigger w tit every question that she asked. He knew that someone should have done something sooner b t no one did and now he has to explain it to his child. This is how adults are. They all say child a buses is something terrible and something should be done but they never want to be the one to do that something. If they ignore it or hide the fact they know they think it will go away. But cometh inning like that beer truly goes away. This is how it is in the official video for ‘Alyssa Lies†.In the video, a teacher at what seems to be a high school shows the video if ‘Alyssa Lies† and tells his students to war tie about it in their journals ( â€Å"ALYSSA LIES† The Original Throug hout the music video, the students have lank expressions and there is a girls crying at her desk trying to hide her tear s. She Was wearing a black turtle neck sweater and a few times during the video she pulls her sleep eves down more or pulls up her turtle neck as if trying to cover the bruises she has herself just like e Alyssa in the video tries to cover her bruises.Towards the end of the video the young womb an grabs her stuff and runs out into the hallway in tears. This shows that at some point in her life e she was abused or is still being abused. At the end of the video, it Shasta many student came of award, one was moved from her situation and others found help and a slide saying â€Å"Help is out there waiting to hear from you† came up (â€Å"ALYSSA LIES† The Original).This shows that by shoo wing this video, even to older children, it can bring about string emotions, enough to m aka people come forward with their situation and could even save them. ‘Al yssa Lies† is not only a song used for entertainment but for real life situ actions as well. Like in the video, other schools have used this song to evoke emotions from c hillier and even college students. Universities and medical schools use the song â€Å"Alyssa Lies†

Culture and cultural differences Essay

â€Å"Motivation is an incentive, inducement, or motive, especially for an act† (Morris 1970) There are many ways which influence the motivation levels of an adult person to do a particular task. One of the most important factors is Culture, which is an intrinsic part of a human being. The term culture is best understood when cross-cultural people join to due to some reason, to form a group. While interacting with such a group for motivation, the main idea is to create a sense of belonging. People, who find their niche place in a group, are much more eager to perform tasks to the best of their abilities. The second most important idea for motivation is to create an environment to do work. The reasons for working vary for people from country to country – In China the work motivation is moral obligation, while in Japan it is trust and in Western societies it is incentives. All these factors should be taken care while motivating a cross-cultural group for working. One should always remember that, in the end all these people are doing the same for albeit for different reasons. What do you believe should be your primary concern when trying to motivate across cultural boundaries? Remember to justify your response. People from various cultures take incentives in a different way. People belonging to Asian countries like Japan, lay more stress on the acknowledgement of the work done, than on any material perks they might be able to earn. In contrast, people from many of the service based western countries like US think of incentives, as something which is to be won. And finally there are some people who might be from poor countries like Vietnam, where the perks mean additional money, the more they work the more they earn. Making all these people motivated with an inspirational talk, no matter how good the perks might be, is the most important factor of all. This is because, dissatisfied people might easily think on the lines of regional bias and try to de-motivate other people. A balanced talk which is aimed to effectively motivate the set of people, by seemingly addressing to the individual cultural sects of the group, hence requires the maximum talent and guile on the part of the motivating person. References LaMonica L, â€Å"The Relationship Between Culture and Learner Motivation and Implications for Trainingâ€Å", 17th July 2001, http://www. geocities. com/llamonica/culture. html

Compare and Contrast the Literary Essay

Atonement follows the story of Briony Tallis, who witnesses events between her older sister Cecilia and Robbie Turner the son of her father’s housemaid. Briony’s innocence gives way to a misinterpretation of what she sees, triggering her imagination to run wild and leads to an unspeakable crime that changes all of their lives. Jane Austen’s first novel Northanger abbey tells the story of Catherine Morland, who is a nice girl, who has an overactive imagination, fuelled by her obsession with gothic novels. When Catherine meets Henry Tinley, she’s instantly smitten. But when she’s invited to his home, the sinister Northanger Abbey, she learns not to interpret the world through the pages of the vivid thrillers that she reads. There are various themes that both books have in common such as; love, guilt, shame, forgiveness, war, social class, identity, and loss of innocence. There are also similarities between characters despite the time difference between the novels. The Characters of Briony and Catherine, the two heroines, will be compared as well as John Thorpe and Paul Marshall who are cast in the role of the villains. In this essay I will explore and compare the style and language used for both novels and effects of the styles of writing used and their impressions on the reader will be analysed. In Northanger Abbey the main character is Catherine, a 17 year old who is very naive, impressionable and a bit of a fantasist who has to learn the differences between fiction and reality, false and true friends. Catherine is a fairly unremarkable young lady, living at home with her nine siblings and her parents. The Allen’s are a wealthy childless couple living next door. Before going to Bath with the Allen’s, Catherine has never been away from her family home in Fullerton for an extended period of time. Catherine’s main occupation is reading Gothic novels, particularly Anne Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho. This leads her to imagine herself as the heroine of a Gothic murder mystery when she visits the Tinley’s at Northanger Abbey. Catherine believes what she imagines will come true, swept up in a world of birds singing, a beautiful world, however reality is different. Catherine’s views of life are tinted by the romantic Gothic ovels she often loses herself in, coupled with her inexperience and naivete within her nature, it leads to some misfortunes during her time in Bath. Catherine eventually realizes her mistake and repents her accusations of General Tilney, whom she believed played a part in his wife’s death. Catherine matures over the course of the novel and becomes more independent and proficient at assessing the true characters of those around her. Her infatuation with Henry deepens into a genuine affection, and her patience is rewarded by their marriage. Northanger Abbey is set over a season of which Catherine over time develops from being a naive impressionable young girl into a mature realistic woman. From the beginning of the novel Catherine believes that everyone is good, kind and honest like she is. This is because of the sheltered life she has lead and her willingness to see the good in people. Having learnt the ways of the world, knowing that all that glitters is not gold, people are not always what they make out to be. She learns to read people and works out that real life is very different from that in her books. While in Bath, Catherine meets and befriends two families: the scheming Thorpe’s and the wealthy, educated Tinley’s. She meets the charming, witty Henry Tinley at the ball and has growing feelings for him, she also meets, Isabella Thorpe, who is a two faced, self-centred girl, out to get what she wants at any cost. However the girls become friends and read novels, gossip and attend balls together. Briony is the main character of the book atonement. In essence, she is the author and the story is told through her eyes. Briony is the thirteen-year-old youngest daughter of three, who aspires to be a writer, like Catherine she is a heroine, fantasist, a bit of a loner, a day dreamer and she idolises older people in her life, putting them on a pedestal. Innocent Briony lives in a pleasant world, with her sister Cecilia, brother Leon, and her parents. However, her parents are often absent with her mother being ill and her father working in London. Briony is from a privileged background. The narrator refers to Briony as a little girl whose effective status is of an only child. She seeks praise and approval and looks for attention and is the baby of the family. Briony has led a sheltered life ‘bubble life’ as she is always looked after. When we meet her, she has written a play called â€Å"The Trials of Arabella† which she also attempts to star in and direct. It is clear to the reader that Briony is a girl with an extended and vivid imagination. Her reality compared to her high-demand vision of life is called nothing but â€Å"dreams and frustrations. † She entertains a high amount of self-pity when she doesn’t get what she wants and expects too much from the people and the world around her. Briony is losing her innocence from the moment â€Å"Atonement† begins. She misinterprets the motives and intentions of adult behaviour. This causes her to trigger a series of events that will have long-lasting and incredibly damaging results for the parties involved. Briony grows up to serve as a nurse in London during World War Two. She also begins to write while in London and by the end of the book we meet Briony as a 77 year old who has just learned of a terminal illness (vascular dementia). She is being celebrated by her family for her successes as a writer. It is during this final chapter that we learn Briony to be the author of our tale. Ian McEwan’s Atonement opens up with a quote (a letter) from Jane Austen’s 1818 Northanger Abbey, â€Å"Dear Miss Morland, consider the dreadful nature of the suspicions you have entertained. What have you been judging from? Remember the country and the age in which we live. Remember that we are English: that we are Christians. Consult your own understanding, your own sense of the probable, your own observation of what is passing around you. Does our education prepare us for such atrocities? Do our laws connive at them? Could they be perpetrated without being known in a country like this, where social and literary intercourse is on such a footing, where every man is surrounded by a neighbourhood of voluntary spies, and where roads and newspapers lay everything open? Dearest Miss Morland, what ideas have you been admitting? They had reached the end of the gallery; and with tears of shame, she ran off to her own room. This long quote that begins the novel is a letter to the young Catherine Morland, the heroine of Austen’s tale who is a girl that is in love with Gothic fiction that she sends the lives of people around her into a downward spiral by imagining a perfectly innocent man to be capable of doing terrible things. Catherine basically creates a Gothic tale to suit her own life. McEwan takes Austen’s theme of the process of the dangers of transferring fiction to real life. When Catherine reads the letter, she has â€Å"tears of shame. † Just like Briony, she becomes aware of her crime. Briony’s atonement for her crime is to spend a lifetime writing her novel, convicted to write it over and over and over again. Once she discovers she is dying, she is finally able to complete the book, but in a different way that she ever had before. As she sees it, she fails to have the courage of pessimism, and rewrites a fictional fairy tale in which the lovers survive. But in contrast to Northanger Abbey Atonement ends in a very vague way, In that the lovers survive but as we are made aware that Briony is in fact the author, Cecilia and Robbie are absent from her birthday celebration and the reader is left questioning whether they really survived or not. Perception, misunderstanding, and a vast imagination are characteristics that both Catherine and Brioney have in common. Catherine’s imagination is shaped by her experience reading the Gothic novels of Anne Radcliffe. Being caught up in her fantasies, Catherine still expects to encounter the same scary objects she has read about such as bloody daggers and ghostly shrouds of which may be hidden in secret places throughout the house. Even when she finds only ordinary objects such as a quilt, in place of their imagined counterparts, Catherine refuses to abandon her vision of Northanger’s mysterious history until reality imposes her to in the form of Henry’s talking-to. Austen hereby suggests in order for Catherine to see clearly things for what they are she must divorce herself from such fiction because only then can Catherine truly grow, and not mix her reality with that of the one she imagines in her head. Whereas Briony is too young to fully grasp the adult world yet old enough to presume she understands her social environment, what happens in Atonement is all created by the capability to misinterpret observation. Briony is still a child; her obsession with order, her fantasizing about playwriting and fencing, and the seriousness with which she takes her play all represent her at a point where she is too young to see the world beyond her own existence. This flaw is not her fault. It is a part of the maturing process. Most of the action that is misinterpreted in atonement takes place where some senses are obstructed or absent while others are available, such as Briony can see the incident between Cecilia and Robbie at the fountain, but she can’t hear it. Briony reads the words in the letter, but she doesn’t know what it means nor does she understand it. Briony sees Cecilia and Robbie in the library, but nobody speaks of it and finally, Briony hears Lola being raped, but can’t completely see what/who it is because it is dark. Part One of atonement is based on perception and misperception. Even the narration of the novel plays on this idea. McEwan continuously has to repeat the same episode through different perspectives so that the reader can get the whole picture to show Briony’s misconception of events as a young girl. By doing this McEwan showcases Brionys guilt and how she is trying her best to make up for what she did not understand as a child and what she struggles with as an author by presenting the story from every angle, and not just the writer’s point of view. Many of the characters in Northanger Abbey define themselves on the basis of their material wealth, they are obsessed with the acquisition and upkeep of material objects. Mrs Allen, for instance, is always worried about tearing her latest ball gown. Upon arriving in Bath, Catherine and Isabella spend a portion of each day walking around town, viewing the window displays, and Isabella is constantly comparing her attire with other women’s. General Tinley is the novel’s most materialistic character. He has devoted his life to outdoing his wealthy peers through the size, scale, and expense of his estate. Catherine is constantly asked to compare and judge the General’s possessions against Mr Allen’s upon her arrival to Northanger Abbey. Austen’s writing seems covertly critical of these attitudes, but as illustrated especially in her more famous novels – she is a satirist; this is to say her humour is always gentle, mixed with real affection for her characters and their shortcomings. They may fret about their possessions in excess, but they do so in well-meaning ways. This contrasts heavily to McEwan’s novel though inequities and injustices of social class appear throughout the novel, the most obvious example is the relationship between Robbie Turner and Cecilia Tallis. Because Briony thinks her older sister is in grave danger of falling beneath her class that she sets out to protect her. Placing social distinction above love is common sense for Briony, and her disapproval of Robbie proves this faculty to hold up in the courts. As for Cecilia, she is the only character in the story to deal with these issues head on. After realizing her unfair behaviour towards Robbie while at Cambridge together, Cecilia has the courage to announce her love for him when she defends the letter being passed around the living room for all to read as evidence of Robbie’s sex-maniac ways. Even when he is arrested, she stands by him, and soon thereafter disowns her family to become a nurse living in a terrible flat in north London. The only other person accused of the rape is the other servant, Danny Hardman. And even when his father provides a perfectly suitable alibi, it is not presented without question and doubt. Paul Marshall on the other hand, the filthy rich guest to the home who is actually responsible for the crime, is never even considered or questioned. As part of Briony’s self-administered punishment, she joins the nurses in the lower class where she sees herself as a slave. This may have been an act of repentance and nobility during the war, but its motives are questionable because by the end of the novel, Briony is admitted back up the ranks of class, having a chauffeur and a lovely flat in Regent’s park. The reader is left wondering how much has really changed in the 65 years the novel has taken place The styles of writing are different; Austen in Northanger Abbey uses formal, structured language and the sentences are longer and more complex. However this writing style makes it easier to pick up on what Austen does best which is satire. In her writing she makes fun of the upper class lifestyle, by making her heroine an ordinary girl. In Atonement, McEwan writes using informal, language, everyday conversational language and Robbie is the commoner, living with the Tallis, who have took him in and looked after him. Northanger Abbey is pre 1900 and Atonement is post 1900. The books are linked by class, love, the diversities of family life, imagination, misunderstanding and the touching life experiences that the characters have gone through. There are various themes that both novels share such as relationships and conflicts including love and romance. Letters are a primary form of communication in Austen’s novel and characters wait readily for the mail coach to arrive, for instance when Isabella waits for James to write to tell her of his father’s approval for their marriage. It provides the characters of Northanger Abbey with realistic visions of other worlds, where exaggerated occurrences happen on a daily basis. For a young woman like Catherine, reading allows her to access the kind of dramatic conflict that her own life lacks, at least until she arrives at Northanger Abbey. Similarly to this form of communication, in McEwan novel we learn the story was told through letters between Cecilia and Robbie, and even correspondence between Corporal Nettles and Briony. It leaves the question very open: Whose story is this? But McEwan plays with a layered-tradition: a story being told by one of the characters in the bhthird person, that shifts to the first person in the final section of the book when the reader realizes who the narrator is. To conclude with though both novel are excellent in their own right, I question whether the story of Atonement is real or not, It leaves the reader wondering whether or not Briony in the end sought her atonement and forgiveness for her misunderstanding as a child and the guilt that she carried for all those years and whether she was really successful in her quest. It also gets you to question whether Briony is the only guilty party or whether it should be shared to others such as Lola, for not speaking up about the alleged rape. Paul Marshall for raping an innocent girl and not admitting his wrong doings etc†¦ As the novel comes to the end many questions are still unanswered and the reader though gaining insight that Briony is the narrator it is still questionable as to who the actual author is Briony or McEwan and who is capable of telling the complete story as to what really happened? All authors are subject to their own interpretation of events. There are numerous references made to literature in McEwan’s novel, such as Robbie being a literature major that reads and understand all the classic English novels and poets. Robbie is also the innocent victim in the book. And the most obvious, Briony admits to making up the happy ending of love in her story. When Briony admits to us that it has taken her sixty-four years and countless drafts to complete her book, we have to ask ourselves: â€Å"Which is the ‘real’ one? Whereas Austen writes directly, this calls our attention to the novel’s fictional qualities: she wants us to know that we are reading a work of art For example; Austen lets us know from the very beginning of the novel that we are meant to compare Catherine with the eroines of earlier novels. Austen directly challenges the cliches of the emerging genre in order to solidify her own voice as a writer. As a reader you question what role does Austen’s memory have in the book, how does the reader differentiate between what is real and imagined. Just as Briony has told the story based on what is left of her memory towards the end of her life. But this influences our ju dgement on whether the story is accurately recited, and how much has her illness affected her memory and whether it is reliable or not. Both books have the love of literature illustrated within them. Before Atonement even starts, the reader is given a Romantic novel quote something out of Jane Austen’s â€Å"Northanger Abbey. † This sets the tone for a book that will be packed with literary allegory. Even the form of the book walks the reader through some of English literature’s historical periods such as Austen’esque Romanticism in Part One; Historical Fiction War Story in part two; Victorian or Modern Memoir in part three; and Post Modern speculation and theory in part four. Just as Austen’s description of Catherine’s overeager fantasy is clearly a mockery of many Gothic conventions, ranging from the existence of a long-suffering female victim to the overpowering of a family’s history in hidden rooms and locked chests. It can be said that with a great novel, the reader learns much about the truth. That is indeed the case with Ian McEwan and his artful masterpiece, Atonement. In due course, it is fair to say as a reader you come away from the experience having learned a great deal more about the truth. Whereas Austen’s novel the reader is able to learn that we as humans cannot escape reality by envisioning the world through how we would like to see it in our heads. We need to embrace the shortcoming that life throws at us and see things for what they truly are. Also both novels teach us that a simple misunderstanding could have a ripple effect that impacts those around us if we chose to live within a box and not try to broaden our perspectives.