Sunday, December 29, 2019

Non Violent Protest  Dr. Martin Luther Kings Moral...

Varsha Chawdhary Prof. Hughes Eng 101 Section 811 13th October 2005 Non violent protest Ââ€" Dr. Martin Luther Kings moral disobedience! Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the issue of non-violence in his letter from Birmingham Jail. He states that any law, which is unjust and inhuman, is not a moral law. Dr. Kings argument for non-violent protest against the authorities is just and moral; because any action taken for the greater good of human beings may be called disobedience by the authorities, but as Erich Fromm states in his essay Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem -- any act of disobedience against any inhuman law of the state is morally correct and is for the betterment of the human kind. King advocates nonviolence as the†¦show more content†¦King and Fromm both have the same ideology that someone who breaks the law because their conscience tells them it is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of punishment in order to get the attention of the community over the injustice is in reality showing his highest respect for the law. Dr. King believes and advocates non-violent protest as the best way to get the message across to the authorities on the issues of segregation, unequal treatment of African-American people, from the white people in the country. His argument states the reason very clearly in his statement that Non-violent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. King placates fellow civil rights leaders by explaining his actions, and why they were necessary for the overall good of the cause. King emphasizes the stubbornness of the local government, and their unwillingness to grant rights and liberties to African Americans despite the fact they are specifically enumerated in the Constitution. King writes, We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God-given rights. He reasons that the non-violent way of protest wasShow MoreRelatedWorld Religious Traditions By Jo hn Martin Luther King Jr.1392 Words   |  6 Pages Sydney Smith October 15, 2015 World Religious Traditions Professor Wilson Essay #2 According to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there is a distinct difference between â€Å"just† and â€Å"unjust laws†. King writes, â€Å"A just law is a man made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law† (Michaelvdg 2010). This concept dates back to a philosophy developed by the Romans. The Roman’s code was between these two conceptsRead MoreCivil Disobedience in America1044 Words   |  4 Pagesincludes: religious beliefs, background, and work ethics. Civil disobedience played a large role in America. Creating protests, riots, and sit-ins, America had many examples of disobedience. In America, we value our rights as citizens and individuals. We have the right to protest as stated in the first amendment of the United States Constitution, which is called Freedom of Speech. According to the Webster Dictionary, civil disobedience is said to be â€Å"the refusal to obey government demands or commandsRead More The Life And Times Of Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay1714 Words   |  7 Pages nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the eldest of Martin Luther King, Sr., a Baptist minister, and Alberta Williams King. His Father served as a pastor of a large Atlanta church, Ebenezer Baptist, which had been founded by Martin Luther King, Jr.s maternal grandfather. King, Jr., was ordainded as a Baptist minister at age 18. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;King attended local segrated public school, where he excelled. He entered a nearbyRead MoreAnalysis Of Martin Luther King Jr s Letter From Birmingham Jail986 Words   |  4 PagesInstitutions, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Letter from Birmingham Jail are two important pieces of history. In Lincoln’s speech he speaks about the dangers of slavery in the United States and warned everybody that people who disrespected American laws could destroy the United States. On the other hand, Martin Luther King Jr. defended the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism, and argued that people have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws. Based on these facts, Martin Luther King Jr doesRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr And Antigone1358 Words   |  6 PagesMartin Luther King Jr and Antigone were two people who used a nonviolent resistance technique to stand up for a cause they believed in. The technique they used is called Civil disobedience which is the refusal to comply with certain laws in a peaceful, non-aggressive protest. Both Martin Luther King Jr and Antigone were seeking justice for a cause without having to become physically violent with the opposing party. It took strength to go against their oppressors but they were willing to make self-lessRead MoreCivil Disobedience: Cost of Change1469 Words   |  6 PagesAila Pena Dr. Schuetze-Coburn Contemporary Composition, Period 5 March 4, 2013 Civil Disobedience: The cost of change More than 40,000 strong activists from the Sierra Club protested at the White House to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline proposal. They protested because they the extraction of tar sand oil and moving it from Canada to Texas will pollute the groundwater in the surface (Hammel). Civil disobedience is â€Å"the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a governmentRead More The Rhetoric of Pathos in the Writings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.1141 Words   |  5 PagesThe Rhetoric of Pathos in the Writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I have a dream, says Dr. Samuel Proctor, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor Emeritus of Rutgers University. All the little children--you hear everywhere you go: I have a dream. All the little children repeating that speech. Its become like the Star Spangled Banner or the Pledge of Allegiance. Its entered our culture. And so it has: I have a dream has become one of the most memorable phrases of the twentieth centuryRead MoreEssay Philosophies and Tactics of Dr. King and Malcolm X1492 Words   |  6 Pagesother minorities. Among them, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X had an everlasting effect on the treatment of minorities in the United States. Although their philosophies and tactics differed greatly, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X helped shape the Civil Rights Movement and make the United States a better place for people regardless of their race. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had different beliefs and goals for the Civil Rights Movement. While Martin Luther King Jr. took a more peacefulRead MoreCivil Disobedience By Martin Luther King1077 Words   |  5 Pages In the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, civil disobedience is defined as â€Å"a public nonviolence and conscientious breach of law undertaken with the aim of bringing about a change in laws or government policies†. Martin Luther King sought to end the unjust law of segregation in a nonviolent campaign. He outlines the four basic steps: â€Å"collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action† behind the beauty of a nonviolent campaignRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s Fight Essay1059 Words   |  5 PagesDr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s Fight Throughout history there have been times when citizens have had the need, as well as the responsibility, to violate certain societal rules/laws in order to protest against unjust treatment and bring about social or political change. It began as early as Socrates, who disobeyed an unjust decree against teaching his ideas, which led to his being condemned to death; Mahatma Gandhi’s fight against British rule over India; and Rosa Parks refusal to give up her seat

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Comparison Of Southern Strategy And The Tea Party Strategy

Comparison between the Southern strategy and the Tea party strategy The southern strategy was an electoral strategy introduced by the Republican Party to optimize support in the south by white voters through the application of racism, especially towards African Americans. Consequently, racial tensions deepened in much of the Southern part of The United States in the year 1950s and 1960s as a result of the effort of the civil rights movement and destruction the laws of Jim Crow. Republican politicians had to develop successful strategies that would later lead to the political migration of many white southerners to the Republican Party who previously supported activities of the Democratic Party. Politicians like Richard Nixon and Senator†¦show more content†¦African Americans’ right to vote became a reality when the voting rights act of 1965 was passed enabling them to choose candidates who had their best interests in mind. However, this change of events made Racists W hite politicians change their game plans because their grip on power was being threatened thus the birth of the southern strategy which was instituted to gunner votes of racist white southerners. Events in 2009 after Obama s first presidential inauguration led to establishment The Tea Party which had a central intention of thwarting Obama, s agenda. However, 24% of Americans were in support of the Tea Party as recorded by Gallup.com. Moreover, Trump is not the first republican president to base his politics upon racist fears but the term, â€Å"Southern strategy.† was instead popularized by political strategists like Richard Nixon and Kevin Philips in the 1960s. With the enforcement of The Voting Rights Act, many Negroes were registering as Democrats in the South as the majority of whites who were Negrophobe started quitting the Democrats and realigning with the republicans. In this case scenario, the Whites are seen moving to Republican Party because of the blacks’ registration as democrats otherwise without this change of events the whites would be very comfortable with their old comfortable arrangement with the local democrats. Revelation by Philips that racism resulted in political profits led to politicians likeShow MoreRelatedStarbucks Is An American Global Coffee Company6909 Words   |  28 PagesJapan, 793 in the United Kingdom, 732 in China, 473 in South Korea, 363 in Mexico, 282 in Taiwan , 204 in the Philippines, and 164 in Thailand. Starbucks locations serve hot and cold beverages, whole-bean coffee, micro ground instant coffee, full-leaf teas, pastries, and snacks. Most stores also sell packaged food items, hot and cold sandwiches, and items such as mugs and tumblers. Starbucks Evenings locations also offer a variety of beers, wines, and small bites after 4pm. Through the Starbucks EntertainmentRead MoreAnalysis of Marketing Strategy of Coca Cola and Pepsico12414 Words   |  50 PagesANALYSIS OF MARKETING STRATEGY OF COCA COLA AND PEPSICO PROJECT REPORT ON â€Å"ANALYSIS OF MARKETING STRATEGY OF COCA COLA AND PEPSICO† UNDER GUIDANCE OF: MR. ASHISH SAIHJPAL (FACULTY, MARKETING) SUBMITTED BY: AKHILESH MITTAL ARVIND JAIN BIPIN SINGH KARAMJEET SINGH PAWAN KUMAR (MBA II SEMESTER, 2008-2010) UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL, LUDHIANA 1 ANALYSIS OF MARKETING STRATEGY OF COCA COLA AND PEPSICO CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO BEVERAGE INDUSTRY 1.1 BEVERAGE Any type of liquid specificallyRead MoreCoffee Bean And Tea Leaf2504 Words   |  11 PagesCoffee Bean Tea Leaf, the oldest and largest coffee and tea distributor in Southern California, was established in 1963. Because of the focus on the quality of products and the handpick raw materials, today, this company has developed more than 1000 stores in global market. Coffee Bean Tea Leaf possesses or franchises stores not only in California, Arizona, and some American locations, but also in Singapore, Malaysia and other 23 international countries. Meanwhile, this franchisee mode is becomingRead MoreBoost Juice Marketing Plan5727 Words   |  23 Pagesdrink is India is tea which |Low - There are not many substitute products that are convenient, healthy and | |Products |available that is as healthy, fresh and convenient as |encompasses a large variety. The aroma of freshly brewed tea is what|tasty like Boost Juice drinks. For example, water is inexpensive and readily | | |fruit juices, coffee has become a type of culture in |attracts the population. Furthermore, tea is sold in almostRead MoreAnalysis Of Wendell Phillip s Speech Murder Of Lovejoy Essay1945 Words   |  8 Pageslevel. (Bennett, 2005) Opposing the abolitionists were the proponents of slavery. Some of them believed that slavery was a god given right, citing the bible and its mentioning of the owning of men. Others believed that slavery was a necessity for the southern economy, and better than the North’s way of capitalism. (McPherson, 2003) In 1836, Lovejoy moved his printing press to Illinois, starting the Alton Observer. During his original attempt at starting the abolitionist newspaper, his office was vandalizedRead MoreUnderstanding The Appalachian People s Kinship And Family Life1928 Words   |  8 Pages media’s portrayal of how families are supposed to be and drug use has influenced the mountaineers and their families in regards to gender roles ,social life, marriage, divorce ,courtship and so on. In addition to that it will also look at the comparison between modern American households and family life to see what differences and similarities they have between each other. Being known as the region synonymous with destitution and home to some of the pauperized counties in the country, AppalachiaRead MoreHotel Feasibility Study Report5891 Words   |  24 Pagespurchase in is accommodation Dockland hotel is most, other competitor has the similar occupancy around 60% to 75%. So it easy get conclusion accommodation Dockland hotel is our great competitive for RD hotel. In the competitive market, the most strategy used for gaining the marketplace is to first enter a market where there is less competitors, then to get a cost advantage, lastly to obtain the product differentiation. Apparently, out hotel is staging at the third step---obtaining the product differentiationRead MoreCoca-Cola: International Business Strategy for Globalization10128 Words   |  41 PagesInternational Business Strategy for Globalization Michael Ba Banutu-Gomez William G. Rohrer College of Business, Rowan University, USA Key Words International Differentiation Strategy, Global Strategy, International Marketing Strategy, Culture in International Marketing Strategy, Coca-Cola Strategy, International Distribution Strategy, Choosing Distributors and Channels, The Challenge of Distribution, Hidden Costs And Gains In Distribution, International Collaborative Strategy, International LaborRead MoreEffects of British Colonial Rule in India4318 Words   |  18 Pagesstructures prior to the Europeans’ arrival. British Colonial Strategy in the Subcontinent Imperial powers followed two basic strategies when colonizing. They either allowed a large number of Europeans to settle overseas (known as Settler Colonies) or sent a much smaller number – usually less than 1 percent of the population -- to serve as administrators and tax collectors (known as Peasant Colonies). Britain followed the latter strategy in regards to India. The percentage of English people in IndiaRead MorePepsi Marketing Plan.13402 Words   |  54 Pagesthousand billion dollars in annual sales, up significantly from its first year when sales were projected employees rather than 4000000 thousand of employees around the world. The company has achieved this level of growth despite pursuing marketing strategies which have been applied somewhat sporadically owing to startup and operational pressures. Many ideas abound within the organization as to what should be done, by whom and by when but typical of many small businesses, little is done in an integrated

Friday, December 13, 2019

A Portrait of Mona Lisa Free Essays

Art is a traditional work that is painted in many different pattern of objects. Many people create portraits of art as an expression of how they feel. In the modern world, art is shown in different cities, subways, parks and etc. We will write a custom essay sample on A Portrait of Mona Lisa or any similar topic only for you Order Now The greatest art was created in the early century and was called a masterpiece. This portrait was known as the greatest masterpiece ever to be painted. It was painted in the ass’s. The way Leonardo Dad Vinci used the lines in the painting was extraordinary. The lines is one f the most important elements of art that abstracted into a great piece of work. The lines did not illustrate any pattern of moving. The lines were mostly a combination of vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and contour lines. Many lines were cured and straight. The lines also varied in thickness. The painting had a variety of color, texture, and continuity. While viewing the picture, I did not notice any gesture lines in which would indicate action of movement of the woman. The artist did a good Job of outlining and use contour lines to make the painting a more 3 dimensional. The lady in the portrait had a mystifying gaze. Dad Vinci used a shadowing technique at the corners of her lips and eyes that made her look like a real human. This was a new trend in art at this time period. The landscape faded to create depth in the background. The landscape was uneven on both sides of the lady in the center of the portrait. The painting is meaningful because Leonardo Dad Vinci created a new pose that still exist until this day. At that time period artist only used full length or side view portrait unlike the â€Å"Mona Lisa. † This emphasized evolution in art and inspired other great art forms to be created. Leonardo truly captured the beauty of the lady e painted. Her posture magnetite the viewer’s eyes to her face. The way her hands cross with her shoulders. This is what made the portrait a masterpiece. This masterpiece is very unique and stands out a piece of art that changed art for many years to come. In conclusion, Dad Vinci created an ordinary picture that became a beautiful masterpiece. The Mona Lisa was a well- known piece of artwork all over the world. He created many other drawings that he was recognized for. Dad Vinci was a great painter but what made him famous was his drawings. Reference 1 . Www. Tautologically. Com/Mona-Lisa By mysterious How to cite A Portrait of Mona Lisa, Papers

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Necessity of Prenuptial agreements within Australi Essay Example For Students

Necessity of Prenuptial agreements within Australi Essay aLegislation recognising pre-nuptial agreements has been well overdue and this recognition will significantly improve the social and economic impact of divorce. Pre-nuptial agreements, however controversial, are nothing more than a commonsense idea which not only eases the burden that the financial division of divorce has of the courts, but makes the whole divorce proceedings emotionally and financially easier for everyone involved. Something as simple as a contract which states the financial situation of each party before marriage is not giving up before youve even started, but an effective marriage contract which allows the partners to discuss their financial situation in a committing, fair and stable environment. Since the 27th December 2000, pre-nuptial agreements have been legally binding by official legislation within Australia as an effective way to reduce post-marital disputes. (Queensland Broker Feb.2001) Pre-nuptial agreements are basically a financial agreement which are m ade before marriage. It can be signed by anyone who requires a different property division than that set out by the Family Law Act, and it conveniently deals with difficult issues such as the financial situation of each party before marriage, including share of property and debts and obligations of each party before marraige. It outlines possible future investments and what is to happen to them, such as subsequently discovered property, planned business division, and spousal maintainenece. For a pre-nuptial agreement to be valid, supporting documentation on each pre-nuptial term is required. Most importantly, it endeavours to do so in a way which is justly equal and fair to both parties, taking not only the financial situation of each party, but the effort each party is putting into the marriage- explain for example, who is raising the children and looking after the home. It also deals with, to a small extent , the extra finance given to whoever would have custody of the children po st-divorce, though this is mostly in the hands of the divorce courts. (www.pre-nuptialagreements.com.au) All of these factors can only help the social and economic impact of divorce, as it is making it easier for everyone involved. Before December 2000, pre-nuptial agreements were not held legally binding by legal courts couples could form their own agreement before marriage but the courts did not have to stick by them. This created a problem within the marriage where certain circumstances called for the division of property to be different from that as stated by the Family Law Act. Some of these special circumstances might include if you want to keep premarital assets seperate, if you are blending families (both partners already have children), you want to ensure that the family wealth stays within the family, or if you simply just want certainty as to property rights and maintenance payments upon a potential divorce. (www.pre-nuptialagreements.com.au) A newspaper article written on the day that prenuptial agreements became financially binding writes:Pre-Nuptial agreements became legally enforcable today in an effort to reduce the amount of time taken resolving disputes in the Family Court. Sydney family law specialist Bill Karras said the legislation was definately overdue. (M.Denny, B.Crawford, The Australian p.3)It goes on to explain the benefits of having pre-nuptial agreements as opposed to not having them legally binding, with a spokesperson from the federal government, Daryl Williams, claiming that the legislation was overdue and would cut down the costly Family Court process for couples who are splitting up. Considering that 46% of marriages fail and this costs the Australian taxpayer an estimated three billion dollars per year, this can only be of significant economical advantage to the greater public. It is particularly convenient if partners with very different financial situations enter a contract of marriage for example, the common money-grabbi ng stereotype of poorer people marrying richer people through a want of money, not love. Though this particular situation is not an everyday occurance, it does happen and it helps to be prepared, should anything happen to disadvantage the economically stronger party. (Eekelaar 1998: 470) Understandably, there are some arguments against pre-nuptial agreements, but these are outweighed by the advantages. Pre-nuptial Agreements Australia is a company which was established in June 2000 to help Australians tie the financial knot. They state that:We understand that a pre-nuptial agreement does not induce images of romantic interludes or marital bliss before marriage. But pre-nuptial agreements house the capacity to promote greater love, communication and happiness during marriage. (www.pre-nuptialagreements.com.au)Queensland Law Broker February 2001 states that some couples are refusing to take part in this simple and inexpensive procedure due to moral beleifs that it welcomes instability into a marriage, that the party who welcomes the legislature has a lack of trust in the other party. .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2 , .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2 .postImageUrl , .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2 , .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2:hover , .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2:visited , .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2:active { border:0!important; } .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2:active , .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2 .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u1b51f04172ac85228606cc6b0f5e9fc2:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Human Rights In China Essay Taking an entirely different viewpoint to that which states that signing a pre-nuptial agreement indicates a lack of trust in the other party, is the view that the loving nature of couples pre-marriage will result in a fair and equal agreement which understands and makes room for each partners goals and plans in an optimistic setting. If a person is not capable of discussing financial issues before marriage then they are unlikely to be able to handle the day to day financial stresses of marriage. Disagreements over finance are the number one cause for divorce, and having the peace of mind early in the relationship only leaves an open avenue for a good marriage and good times together, definately contributing to a better social outcome. (www.pre-nuptialagreements.com.au)There is the doubt that if there is one dominant party who controls all the family assets, they can conceal hidden assets to the Courts (for example, if they have invested in properties overseas the courts have no way of clarifying this short of a treaty with every country in the world) so that this asset does not have to be divided. So subsequently one party will end up better than the other. Similarily, if there is one dominant party from the beginning of the relationship, the submissive party could agree to a less than fair agreement on their behalf. (www.austlii.edu.au) However there are safeguards created for this situation, whereby a pre-nuptial agreement will not be deemed valid until both parties have obtained individual financial advice from industry professionals. (www.democrats.org.au/campaigns/prenup/)More obvious benefits of prenuptial agreements include the fact that they make it simpler and more user friendly to sign into a contract with the other party, so, in the case of a divorce, the proceedings are much more pleasant, quicker and less traumatizing for everyone involved. Divorce can tear especially children apart and seeing their parents go through less stress can surely only b e of good value for their own future- children whos parents divorce actually have a less chance of having a successful marriage themselves. A perfect way to sum up the need for individual couples to obtain pre-nuptial agreements is expressed in the quote Nobody plans to fail- but a lot of people fail to plan. While marriage is traditionally seen as a life-long commitment, with our changing society it is becoming more Until Divorce do Us Part. There is an unwavering need for pre-nuptial agreements, and this change of legislature whereby pre-nuptial agreements become binding has been well overdue for a long time. Pre-nuptial agreements are useful, provide peace of mind and are an outlet for the greater community as a whole to contribute together to making a more economically stable system. Bibliography:

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Three Main Points to Help You Through High School free essay sample

Dear Ninth Graders, When you enter ninth grade, push yourself as hard as you can. Don’t take any year of high school for granted. I know you’ve been told that all before, but it really does pay off when you’re a senior and going off to college. I’m in eleventh grade now, and my past two years of high school have flown by now I feel like there’s not enough time to have all the classes I would like to take that would help me in college. When you push yourself as hard as you can, you feel accomplished whenever you get your report card, and that’s a great feeling. Also, colleges will want you to attend their school because they will be able to tell you want reach your goals. When you get older and think about your high school years, you dont want to say to yourself Gosh, I know I could have done so much better my freshmen and sophomore year if I took it more seriously. We will write a custom essay sample on Three Main Points to Help You Through High School or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Looking back on my own experience, I wish I did. I know I could have tried harder and done much better. Oh, and one more thing. Dont procrastinate in your school work. Its a bad habit of mine, but in the end, you just put more stress on yourself. You also fall behind in class, and thats never good. My freshmen and sophomore year, I didn’t push myself that hard. I made sure I had passing grades, and I was fine. By the end of my sophomore year, I realized I needed to get better grades if I wanted to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor and go to college. Luckily at the end of my sophomore year I got to pick all my classes I wanted to take for my junior year. I signed up for classes I thought would be interesting to take to help me pursue my dreams. It was easier for me to push to push myself my junior year because the classes I am now taking are interesting to me and I enjoy them. It’s my junior year, and I wish I had pushed myself as hard as I’m doing now, because I know it would have helped so much. Don’t procrastinate. It’s one thing that won’t help you with your grades, and puts more stress on you. Another piece of information I would like to share with you coming into ninth grade would be to not focus on popularity or who you hang out with. It will only last for four years, and all the energy you put into impressing the cool kids because at the end of your four years of high school you may never see them again. Soon after that you will be in college, with new people. Depending on what you choose to do, you could be trying to impress your peers all over again, or trying to find people who will help you succeed. ? Don’t lose yourself in crowd of the cool kids, or the druggies because if you get involved with them, they’ll just pull you down. You won’t reach your goals. When you want to do your homework, study, or something that will help you succeed in your dreams, they’ll just make you feel bad about yourself, exposing you to drugs or drama. It’s not worth trying to be cool by doing drugs, or fitting in with rude and fake people. Your real friends, the people who will help you succeed, won’t make you do drugs. They will accept you for who you are and always be there when you need them to be. They will form the friendships you will want to carry on forever.?

Sunday, November 24, 2019

How to Decide if You Should Dropout of College

How to Decide if You Should Dropout of College Have you been considering whether or not you should dropout of college? If so, then you certainly are not alone there are millions of students each year who make the decision to quit college and many of them go on to lead happy and successful lives. However, it is certainly a big decision to make and it is not one that should be taken lightly. It is important to think about why you are considering dropping out and what you will do once you do. With that in mind, let’s take some time to explore a few of the advantages and disadvantages that come along with making the choice to dropout of college. When It Is a Good Idea to Dropout of College It is often the case that choosing to quit educational affiliation has a stigma attached to it that can make you feel like a failure. However, the reality is that studying at higher education institutions just isn’t right for everyone. Some people just don’t settle into student life and others are perhaps not ready and could benefit from taking a year or two out! There are certainly plenty of times when choosing to dropout can be the best option. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the advantages that come with choosing to dropout of college: No Student Debt – For some people, education just is not a good fit, and this usually becomes apparent early on. You could choose to stick it out and spend a few years being miserable, or you can accept the fact that student life isn’t for you and dropout. If you make this decision early enough, then you should be able to get out of your course before you have a chance to rack up any student debt! Make Money Instead of Spending It – Following on from the previous point, if you choose to dropout, thus avoiding student debt then you will have the opportunity to start earning money rather than spending it! Studying is expensive with the average undergraduate accumulating over $30,000 of debt! This means most young people find themselves held back when it comes to getting on the property ladder or even getting a car, because they have to pay off the student debts first! College Can Wait – One of the advantages to quitting college when you are just not feeling it is that the ability to get a degree will always be there. While it may be expected that you go to college right out of high school, there is no rule that says you have to stick to that schedule. It is becoming increasingly popular for people to return to education later in life so there is no reason to rush. Take Time to Find Your Niche – Choosing a major at an early age can be overwhelming. Many students leave high school with only a vague idea of the kind of career they wish to pursue. Often this can lead to people feeling like they made bad choice. If you feel like this, then dropping out is going to give you time to find your niche. Try out different jobs and explore your interests in order to gain a clearer picture of how your future should play out! When Dropping Out of College is a Bad Idea As with any decision in life, choosing to dropout of college has its downsides. As much as there can be advantages to dropping out, there are just as many disadvantages and it is important to take these into consideration before making a decision. Some of the most common cons of dropping out include: Some Industries Require Recognized Qualifications – In certain careers, it is going to be almost impossible to get your foot in the door never mind progress to a higher level if you do not have the appropriate qualifications. Practical experience can only take you so far before you need to back it up with a degree. If you do intend to drop out then be sure to find out if your chosen career is likely to be hampered by a lack of qualifications. You Will Have to Explain Your Decision – While this next disadvantage is not necessarily one which will have a big impact on your future career path, it is still an important one to consider. Dropping out of college is very much bucking the trend and many of your peers and family will not be pleased about your choice. You may find yourself having to constantly explain to people why you made this decision. Even potential employers will be curious to know why you did not complete your studies. Make sure you are clear about your reasons and this will make it easier to explain to others. You May Not Have Money at First – When you are in college it is likely that you will have some form of material help. However, once you drop out that stops and you will need to find a job. That could take some time, and you may need to start on the bottom of the ladder on little more than minimum wage. It is important to remember that you may well be short on cash so try to have a plan in place for what you will live on when you drop out. The last thing you want to do is get into debt when you have just avoided student loans! In Conclusion, there are lots of things to consider before you decide to officially dropout of college. One thing is clear, it is a decision that will be a very personal one and it is important not to get too bogged down in what is expected of you. Try not to think of dropping out as a shameful thing. There are as many advantages as there are disadvantages. In the end, all that really matters is coming to decision that is that makes you feel better. If that means you dropout of college than that’s perfectly fine, as long as your choice is reasonable.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Strategic Management-Case study Nike Research Paper

Strategic Management-Case study Nike - Research Paper Example The other factors entail the customers who are capable enough to compel firms to bring down its prices by triggering competition between the particular firm and its respective competitor. Suppliers can also restrict the profits of the firms by way of demanding higher prices. Fresh participants or competitors with new facilities and zeal to capture the market can escalate the investments for a firm in order to stay in the competition and compete with the fresh force. Lastly, alternate choices also negatively manipulate the profit of the firms as it can facilitate in taking away the customers of a particular firm by luring them with the alternate choices. Therefore, all these factors need to be evaluated while designing an effectual strategy of a firm. The evaluation would provide a complete understanding of the ways by which the profit can get affected in an industry (Porter, 2011). Firms should get a complete understanding of the mentioned forces and structure plans particularly to cut down on the profits that are being taken away by the other market contestants or competitors. Firms require taking heed of those forces and planning accordingly so as to continue its sustained existence. Firms should take steps to counterbalance the power of the suppliers by setting specifications for the procured materials so that it becomes easy for the firm to change vendors without affecting the operations as well as increasing the related costs. In order to reduce the effect of the powers of the customers, firms need to develop and spread out their services as well as products so that it can hold on to the customers from losing to its opponents. It is a common phenomenon for the opponents to alter its prices in order to capture the market. Owing to this reason firms need to manufacture products which should vary notably from the products of its competitors. Therefore, firms need to design strong

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Communication skills Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Communication skills - Assignment Example Providing suggestions and providing encouragement during the conversations help to keep the conversation alive according to Jonathan. According to Decker communications blog, Kelly Decker, argues that humor plays a big role in keeping communication alive. She gives an example of the just concluded Russian Winter Olympics 2014. Despite concerns about Russian security, they managed to overcome the pressure by use of humor. These made them feel light and created a connection between them. Similarly Kelly suggest that when it comes to embarrassing situation, there is no need to fear but instead laugh or make a joke and it will certainly col down the tension (Decker). Kelly believes that making light of the situation and taking advantage of unplanned humor helps in connecting and redirecting attention where it belongs. Creating unexpected moments while communicating helps in surprising people and sticking them where you want them to

Monday, November 18, 2019

FINANICAL MANAGEMENT IN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION Term Paper

FINANICAL MANAGEMENT IN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION - Term Paper Example The report is prepared with the sole intent to study the various financial management practices in a non-profit organization. The author of the study will highlight the various financial management practices that ensure smooth operations of the business. It also highlights the difference in the financial management practices between profit and nonprofit organizations. The author of the study will also provide certain inputs which will help in the betterment of the nonprofit organization and help in achievement of goals and objectives. It was essential to conduct this study to understand the impact of financial management practices on the organizational performance of NPO. Introduction: Financial Management in Non-Profit Organization Nonprofit organizations form an essential part of the society and exist to provide certain benefits for the members of the society. They actually vary in size from large to small clubs and the operations are based on receipt of grants, donations, fundrais ing or receipt from members as the principal source of income. In certain instances nonprofit organizations (NPO) supplement income with the trading activities. Although, NPO operate on a nonprofit basis suitable practice of financial management ensures that there are sufficient resources and cash meant for operations of NPO. Attaining profitability is not the main objective of NPO it is necessary to ensure that it is sustainable, capitalized and funded. It should be ensured that the NPOs should have an adequate cash flow to support their technical operations over the duration of the lives and help in contribution to the achievement of goals and objectives. Sound practice of financial management is needed to ensure that the human resource of NPO utilize the resources effectively. The operations and activities of NPO vary and organizations where trading activities are not present stock management practice will not be relevant. Implementation of effective management practices will ena ble in attainment of strategic goals of the organization easily. Implementation of sound financial management practices would require understanding the current financial position of the NPO which is important for the provision of NPO services. Sources of Funds in NPO Gifts and Donations: The donations in NPO usually come from companies, charitable trust, foundations after a fundraising appeal. Gifts and donations are regarded as an important source of income and also attract tax reliefs (Green, 2013). Fund raising activities are time consuming and expensive. Grants: The grants are made by charitable trust and public sector. The donated money is not returned and is usually exempted from tax (KnowHow Non Profit, 2013). Loan financing & equity capital: Loan is the sum of money borrowed to be repaid back with interest and loan financing is potentially used widely in NPO. Equity capital is provided by external investors in return for a stake in the organization (KnowHow Non Profit, 2013) . Contracts: A form of trading activity which involves agreement between two parties and each party has to abide by the terms and conditions failing which will attract penalty or fine (KnowHow Non Profit, 2013). Trading: Many NPO generate income by selling goods and services to the members of the organization (KnowHow Non Profit, 2013). Financial Management Practice in NPO Analyzing the financial position of the organizations will enable the smooth operations of NPO and also help in providing excellent services. Firstly, sound

Friday, November 15, 2019

Tesco Business Analysis

Tesco Business Analysis Introduction: Tesco Plc is a British based company, and is the largest food retailer in the UK. It is one of the largest British sellers and holds third rank in retail industry after USA based company Wal-Mart and France based company Carrefour. It sells around 4000 food products (Euromonitor, 2010). Tesco started with the business in grocery retailing, but now it also sell stationary, health and beauty, utensils, clothing, home entertainment, electrical goods, kitchen utensils and seasonal goods like barbeques and garden furniture in the summer. Annual profits of Tesco in year 2005 was announced as  £2 billion and in 2006 it announced that it was going to open foreign stores very soon. Tesco operates in 13 countries with 3275 stores of which 2115 operates in UK; its largest geographical market (Euromonitor, 2010). It operates through different store formats which include Extra, Express, metro, hypermarket and superstore. Tesco has its own products ranging from value, normal and finest for diff erent income group of consumers. Tesco was founded by jack Cohen 1919. It gets its name from the combination of the founder of Tesco, Sir Jack Cohen and a partner in a firm of tea suppliers who Cohen worked with, T.E. Stockwell (Marketing (00253650)). One of the biggest investment of Tesco was in the 1980s, when Tesco invested  £145m for a superstore development program and invested  £500m in building 30 new stores (BSC). The company floated on the stock exchange in December 1947 with an initial share price of 25p (LSE). Beyond the food, Tesco also sells non-food products including electrical goods, home entertainment, stationary, clothing, beauty and health, kitchen stuff, soft furnishing and season products as barbecues and garden furniture in the summer. The company has become as one of the UK’s biggest independent petrol retailer (Datamonitor, 2010). Moreover, the group provides financial services (Tesco Personal Finance) which was set in joint-venture with Royal Bank of Scotland and became one of the successful projects of the group. Tesco’s Core Purpose, as stated on their website is â€Å"to create value for customers and to earn their lifetime loyalty†. Competition in Retail Market: The market in which Tesco operates is a highly competitive field, where Tesco holds a disproportionate amount of power. Tesco has three major competitors – Sainsbury, Asda and Morrison. These giants of retail have many chains and a collective mass that can influence the food market as a whole. The figures below shows that Tesco holds over a third of the UK market share, and even double the amount of Asda’s market share which is the second largest supermarket chain. Following is a breakdown of the market share data published by TNS for the 12 weeks to June 15, 2008 (Reuters News, 2008): However, the recent financial crisis put Tesco under the pressure when its customers by seeking reduce its expenses switched to cheaper alternative supermarkets as Lidl, Asda and Aldi. According to the latest TNS data Tesco, Sainsburys and Waitrose are losing share of the UK grocery market. Tesco’s sales increased by 5.5%, Sainsburys sales went up by 5.6% , sales of Waitrose just climbed by 1.6% while such hard discount retailers as Aldi saw its sales jump 22.1% over the 12-week period and Lidl posted sales growth of 9.8% (Just Food, 2008). . To maintain its market share, the company has tackled the problem by releasing 400 low -cost new ranges of food and products on their shelves. Today Tesco has 273028 employees and it is the largest British retailer with profit exceeding  £2bn, including global sales and domestic market share. In 2008, Tesco became the 4th largest retailer in the world. STEEPLE+E Analysis: There are rules and regulations which are set by the government so that there should be no monopolies and healthy competition in the market. Consumer law emphasis on protecting the consumer rights and make sure that the entrepreneurs have the chance to compete in the market. According to the EU law there is assumption that the companies with large market share are dominant, the problem with this is there may be compromise on the quality of the product and costumer may end up paying higher prices for the products. As Tesco has a large market share, it has not been assessed till now but Tesco should bear this in mind. Planning consent is highly regulated in UK therefore Tesco should take care of this regulation as expansion is one of the strategies which Tesco follows. Therefore, before setting up a new store Tesco should check all the planning permissions and look if there are any resistances on law grounds or local people’s opposition. In the recent downturn of economy many r etailers were affected badly but Tesco was fortunate as it was not affected that much like others because it makes product for all, it offers a wide range of products from value to finest so it helped people to switch to value products in recession. Increase in tax or stock market fluctuation or change in currency can also affect Tesco. In the sociological aspect Tesco has focused on launching the products like meal for one and microwavable products to make life easy for the people migrate from the other parts of the world and are young professional. Tesco has made use of the technology fully by launching the site tesco.com which makes the life of people easy by order the products from their home and it also gives Tesco a competitive advantage. Tesco has supported the carbon reduction process and have raised 100 million pounds for sustainable technology fund; Tesco also encourages its customers to help in reducing the carbon emission by using the same plastic bag many times, another challenge for Tesco may the reducing the use of fossil fuel which is used in its transportation. SWOT Analysis: It has strong brand image and market leadership. Tesco is the largest retail group in the UK, which has about 30% of the UK grocery market as of June 2008, at the same time; it has successful business which operates in 14 worldwide markets beyond the UK. The company built up a good reputation enables the group to launch new products and services, and makes easier entering in new markets. One of the best examples was entering into financial services market with Tesco Personal Finance project (Datamonitor, 2010). The group has a stronger market presence in South Korea as compared its main rivals as Wal-Mart and Carrefour. These two Tesco’s competitors sold all of its stores and divest its operation in 2006 in South Korean, due to inability to meet consumer’s demand (Datamonitor, 2010). This success encourages the company on making investments in order to sustain market leadership and generate more profit. As the result, company is spending 958million pounds on expanding and acquisition new stores in South Korea (FT, 2008a). ‘Tesco.com is the largest online grocery shopping service in the world; it is the fourth biggest online retailer in the UK, behind Amazon, Dell and Argos.’ (Datamonitor, 2010). In 2008 Tesco.com sales continue to growth constantly. Sales from Tesco.com grew by 20% in the first half of 2008, reaching 902million pounds (Tesco, 2010). Taking into consideration the online sales are forecasted to increase from 10.9 billion pounds in 2006 to 28 billion pounds in 2011 (Datamonitor, 2010), Tesco can get considerable benefits from strong foothold in online services. Notwithstanding on company’s big plans to extent or open new stores in the UK, it becomes difficult to realize as not all expand projects satisfy local community’s requirements and finally have been frozen in waiting for government’s decision. There are some negative event influences, patent infringement claims, for example, in 2007, â€Å"Franks International filed suit against the company in US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marsheall Division alleging that Tesco’s CDS infringes two patents held by Franks† (Datamonitor, 2010). Tesco do not have the small convenience store to service customer who the small areas, while the Sainsbury has the small store in the local small town , it is convenience for customer, they do not want by a lot of things, maybe just some daily consumable. There are lots of opportunities in other international markets for Tesco; the Euro zone retailing sales has shown a growth of 33% as of August 2008 to compare as of August 2007, which comprised 4,732mllion pounds and 3,558million pounds respectively. While sales in Asia increased by 11% at the same period from 2, 862million pounds of as August 2007 to 3,151million pounds of August 2008, despite of a small loss in the first half as a result of establishing operations and supply hubs in China (Tesco, 2010). About 80% of group’s capital is being invested in international growth (FT, 2008b). For instance, investment in markets of rapidly growing economy such as India with planned investment around $114 m to set up the business, in China where Tesco has spent 180million pounds in 2007 to increase its stake in its local partner (FT, 2008b). This provides a good opportunity to cover consumer’s demand of these markets which can add value to the Group’s assets and signif icantly contribute to maintain its strong international performance. Notwithstanding on only 9 month of running business in the US, the Group has obtained sales result ($11 per square per foot per week) which is also encouraging. Successful experience of operation on international markets enables the company’s to embody its plans of further overseas expands. Tesco has opportunities in non-food and services markets also, total UK non-food sales increased to 4.1billion pounds and 1.7billion pounds from international market as of August 2008, which in total led to 7.3% sales grew (Tesco, 2010). However, Tesco has poor results in this market segment, while with skills in sourcing and supply chain management the company has opportunity to improve its position. Tesco Personal Finance made profit 71million pounds, where Tesco’s share was 35.5million pounds, up 34% compared to 2007 (Tesco, 2010). The Company completed the acquisition of 50% of TPF from the Royal Bank of Scotland by the end of 2008 (Tesco, 2010). Threat to Tesco is high competition as the result of financial crisis and consumer’s budget tightness such discount competitor as Alsi and Lidlrs are eaten away Tesco’s sales by offering high quality goods for the lowest price. The group faced risk of losing its customers who switched to the other retails in order to reduce its living costs and had to revise its strategy in order to remain its customers. McKenzie’s 7s Analysis: McKenzie 7 S’ includes shared values, Strategy, Structure, System, Staff, Style, Skill. Accordingly Tesco applied the 7 S’ of McKenzie as well to increase its market share and profits which are described as follows: Shared Value: Shared Value of the company states the objectives of the company and it’s believes. Tesco believes in increasing its sophisticated management techniques from simple manufacturing companies to the value of higher standards and marched northward on their value chain. Strategy: Strategy describes about the methods adopted by the company to achieve its goals. Tesco applied various strategies usually using Balanced Scoreboard (BSC) method. Structure: It depends on the companies infra structure like top to down management. Tesco CEO thinks that they don’t need of one leader, they a whole group of employees from top to down to work on strategies. System: System is based on how to finish a work like how important is the wok and how smartly it has to been done. Tesco used a steering wheel to achieve its pre determined strategies smartly simply used to help the employees in future. Staff: Staff states about the number of staff in the organization. All over the world Tesco recruited more than 400,000 employees. Style: It the style of the organization in which it works to achieve its objectives. Tesco used steering wheel to achieve its objectives. It has 90 degree arcs, in which four main areas are considered which are, financial, customers, operations and employee performance. Skill: It describes the capabilities of the organization or the employees to a particular task. Tesco provides full knowledge to its employees to work effectively and efficiently within the organization. It provides skills to the employees to work according to the standards of Tesco (Kaplan R. and Norton D., 2008). Micro Environment analysis and Marketing Strategy: Position of offering the best value for the most competitive prices contributed to be Tesco number one retail in the UK. Smart Supply Chain Management and Development strategy, constantly research, seeking in order to meet customers’ needs, introducing new innovation, product quality and price, offering huge product range, store facilities and services, working closely with suppliers, developing and motivating its staff, participating in the formulation of national food industry and environment protection makes possible to keep strong competitive position within market even through time. Terry Leahy, CEO of Tesco plc states â€Å"there are many opportunities for business like Tesco as long as you stay close to customer and adapt to the changing circumstance† (ICSC Research Review, 2008). The group provides online services through its subsidiary Tesco.com, broadband internet connection (Tesco Broadband) and telecommunications services (Tesco Mobile and Home Phone). â€Å"Tesco.com is the largest online grocery shopping service in the world; it is the fourth biggest online retailer in the UK, behind Amazon, Dell and Argos. Tesco.com serves 850,000 regular customers in the UK and gets more than 250,000 orders every week† (Datamonitor, 2010). Significant advantages of buying online, such as comparatively low price, large product range and the ability to shop around the clock — enable retailers to draw shoppers’ interest (Gladding, 2005). â€Å"Tesco, the United Kingdoms biggest grocer, has attracted considerable attention because of its ambitious overseas strategy and its successful on-line home delivery service† (Child, 2002). â€Å"Since establishing an MVNO with 02 in 2003, Tesco has built up 1.5m mobile subscribers and 250,000 of these v isits the mobile portal every month† (New Media Age, 2008). Hence, Tesco makes possible to carry into effect purchasing by using mobile phones and brings new life in m-commerce shopping (New Media Age, 2008). According to company’s recent press release information Tesco.com sales up 20.5%, profit up 21.4%, including Tesco Direct (Tesco, 2010). Datamonitor (2010) in its â€Å"Tesco, PLC SWOT Analysis† states that â€Å"With a strong foothold in online services, Tesco is well placed to benefit from growing online spending. A strong online presence enables the group to serve new customer segments, avoid investments in physical infrastructure and earn better margins†. The company has an impressive brand image, which is associated with high quality goods and services, huge range of assortments and at the time the best prices. Credible brand name enables the company to launch more new products and new market lines; to go through new markets much easier and quickly, and become successful in this field as well, as it was its entry into the Personal Finance market (Datamonitor, 2010). Through the diversification process, Tesco has increased the range of its operation by entering to new markets of distribution and service supply, such as petrol distribution, banking and insurance, real estate and communications. Such changes and strategy improvements have further reinforced company’s market power above its main competitors. Since the mid-90s, Tesco has been investing in overseas markets, by looking for new opportunities to expand and opening new ways of generating long term growth of shareholders value. Today the Group operates in 12 markets outside the UK, in Europe, Asia and North America. The half of the retail shops are represented beyond the UK (Tesco.com). As a part of international expansion, now Tesco is planning to open wholesale grocery store in India by investing up to $114 million over two years. â€Å"It complements our entries into China and the United States, giving us access to another important economy in the world† commented this decision the company’s chief executed (World Trade, 2008). At the same time, Tesco announced that it has set up a South China headquarters office in Guangzhou in order to maintain its’ presence in this country, where the company already has 47 stores and has been running the business over three years long (World Trade, 2008). As a part of supporting its global expansion programme, the company plans to centralise all its overseas business after signing a 100million pounds network and voice contract. Through this network upgrade, Nick Folkes, Tesco’s IT director, commented, that the company will be able to standardise key finance, human resources, data warehouse and sales applications across the whole worldwide operations. The Cable Wireless network will connect 1,800 Tesco sites in the UK, stores in more than 14 countries and 440,000 employees worldwide, hence, significantly contribute expenditure reduction from reducing call costs to savings on staff travel expenses. He remarked â€Å"Our aim is to have a common technology platform in tandem with common business processes so that we remain competitive as we continue our expansion abroad† (Kamath, J. 2008). Smart human resource management is also important key of Tesco’s business performance. The company has selected Red Prairie’s workforce management solution to manage its global store staff, which will enable Tesco to improve customer service by aligning customer traffic with employee schedule. â€Å"Ultimately, it will improve our business by increasing store productivity, and supporting revenue growth† said Dave Briggs, programme manager for Tesco (Apparel Magazine, 2008). Tesco has been proved a very good innovator as bachelor’s placement’s in Tesco yet further proved its innovation temperament which has seen in Tesco as they have the ability to mold according to the trend whatever are the market need as it become the first who protect the convenience outlets in UK, it’s one of the biggest innovation of all is the Clubcard Loyalty Program, Another great innovation done by Tesco was in supply chain management in which it partitioned the loaders according to the delivery like 1 chamber of frozen foods, another ambient products in only one truck, another innovation is the collection of data from customers on every purchase to use this information to offer the draw on product range, Voucher mailing to the customers according to the purchasing behavior of the consumer so that it can return to Tesco. Continuous analysis on the data gathered from the market it innovates its products like once Tesco got to know that nappies does not have market share so they researched on it and introduced the club offering baby advice on pregnancy and motherhood. With this around one fourth mother and baby market was captured by the company (Strategic Direction, 2008). Company has that much strength that it wanted to collaborate with the US grocery market where other European companies fear to stand. US market is known as typical market as it produces very luxury products at one end and cheaper products on the other end, but Tesco is the only one who can stand with this giant market as it is UK’s biggest market which ability to attract customers of all social groups. Normally, people in US live near a big supermarket but Tesco bet that it will provide small stores with all needful products which are preferred by the people of US. Tesco look forward to launch Tesco Fresh and Easy Stores in US. These stores will be much spacious to provide all the necessary products under one roof, not like US outlets which does not provide alcohol, pizza’s, snacks etc. Healthy eating is also one of the major fields where Tesco thought to capitalize its money. One of the biggest hurdles is to persuade the US people to behave likewise of the Tesco trend in UK where transportation facility and easy convenience helps people to buy more products especially in the case of perishable goods. Tesco has one more worry in front of it as its credit rating in respect of measuring quality of goods and services has been slumped where rivals were resurgent in this process (Strategic Direction, 2008). So Tesco is proved to be a good innovator which makes it in building strong reputation and brand name in the UK market providing all the necessary products under one roof. Tesco strategies makes it possible to compete it in the market like its brand strategy, price strategy and its thorough analysis of the market like Product life cycle analysis etc. making Tesco a competitive brand. According to the Product Life Cycle when a new product is launched or old product is launched in new market generally there is no competition expected at this stage and a high expenditure is needed in market research, launch cost and market test so the product may incu r financial losses in early stage. The same situation was there when Fresh Easy chain of Tesco incur a loss of $106.8 million. It is clear that there were very low sales of these products so the weakness of the sales raises questions about the expandability of this format, what Tesco is into these days. So Tesco should limit the expandability at such a large scale in new market. Balance Scorecard: In 1998 Tesco’s balanced scorecard was introduced and now it is known as Steering Wheel and it is the main driving tool for the business. It has helped Tesco to achieve a lot and it is followed from the board room to the shop floor. The steering wheel is annually reviewed and it ensures that Tesco is achieving its goal and also it ensures that Tesco meet the demands of organizational strategy. Although customers are not much aware of the balanced scorecard but the staff follows it strictly on the data which is collected weekly. Store level scorecard is given to the manager of the stores in which contains the quarterly corporate scorecard. However a strong link is there between the corporate level scorecard and the corporate level scorecard because of this whole data is collected by various systems and mechanism. Top management monitor the performance and look for the problem areas, after identifying the problems local management are asked to resolve and seek the improvement. Referencing: Apparel Magazine (2008) IN BRIEF, Vol. 50 Issue 2, p16-20, 4p, (On-line), Retrieved on March 2 2010 from EBSCOhost database http://web.ebscohost.com Child, P. N., (2002), Taking Tesco global, McKinsey Quarterly; 2002 Issue 3, p134-144, Retrieved on 26 February 2010 from EBSCOhost database http://web.ebscohost.com Datamonitor (2010) ‘Online Retail in the United Kingdom’ Datamonitor (2010) â€Å"Tesco, PLC SWOT Analysis† Euromonitor (2010) Gladding, N., (2005), Analyst comment, Marketing; 5/25/2005, p39, (On-line). Retrieved on February 26 2010 from EBSCOhost database http://web.ebscohost.com Just-Food (2008), ‘Tesco, Sainsbury’s losing share TNS’, Retrieved on March 4 2010 from http://www.just-food.com/article.aspx?id=104077 Kaplan R. and Norton D. (2008), Tescos Approach to Strategy Communication, retrieved on March 3, 2010 from: http://blogs.hbr.org/hbr/kaplan-norton/2008/09/tescos-approach-to-strategy-co.html Marketing (00253650), (2002). Tesco, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed March 1, 2010). Reuters News, (2008), ‘Tesco, Sainsbury market shares down slightly – TNS’, (Online) Retrieved on 2 March 2010. Accessed at: http://in.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idINL2456038620080624 Tescos American dream: Doing it differently (2008) Strategic Direction, 24(2), 11-15. Retrieved on March 5, 2010 from: Business Source Complete database. Tesco Personal Finance, retrieved on 28 February 2010 from: http://www.tescoplc.com/plc/about_us/strategy/services/ Tesco (2010), Tesco plc web-site retrieved on the 1 March 2010 from: http://www.tescoplc.com/plc/about_us/strategy/international/ The Financial Times (2008a), ‘Tesco in Korean expansion’ The Financial Times (2008b), ‘Tesco in new drive on China World Trade (2008), ‘Britains Largest Retailer to Open Shop in India’,Oct, Vol. 21 Issue 10, p14-14, (On-line). Retrieved on February 28 2010 from EBSCOhost database http://web.ebscohost.com Woodley, P.M. (2007), ‘CULTURE MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE BALANCED SCORECARD: A CASE STUDY Other Essays on Tesco Other essays available on the Tesco organisations are: Tesco Changing Business Environment Tesco is one of the leading supermarkets Tesco Strategy analysis Tesco SWOT analysis Tesco Fresh Veg Supply Chain Management

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The Essential Role Of Stereotype In Propaganda Essay -- Media Stereoty

The Essential Role Of Stereotype In Propaganda People encounter propaganda and stereotypes in their daily lifestyle from social interaction with peers to family and the media. Propaganda and stereotype are correlative; however their conceptual fundaments are different. Propaganda is a systematic manipulation of public opinion that is consciously disseminated to promote a doctrine or cause. Contemporary propaganda deliberately attempts to alter peoples’ opinion and influence human behaviour through common broadcasters such as â€Å"politicians, advertisers, journalists, and radio personalities† (Delwiche 2002). Stereotype is defined as â€Å"a conventional, formulaic and over simplified conception, opinion or image† (Dictionary.com 2004). These generalizations influence peoples’ attitudes, values, beliefs and habits, as it conveys a biased perception towards an individual or a specific group. Stereotypes include, people conforming to a fixed image of an individual’s characteristics, based on race , age, gender, religion, and any other basis of subjectivity. Stereotype plays an active role in propaganda as it is publicly broadcasted to persuade the majority of people that encounter the misleading information. The tactics executed by the government in campaigns and regarding ethical dilemmas tends to be based on unsubstantiated evidence, which slanders an ethnic reputation and creates unnecessary criticisms of sexual orientation. Propaganda and stereotypes work well simultaneously, taking into account propaganda tactics are incorporated in politicians’ strategy of deceiving people. Propagandists eminently use compelling arguments as a method to persuade and sway individuals opinions; contrarily, the information is misleading because it ... ...ed on March 31, 2004. Thorpe, David (2004). The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine: The Advocate Spotlighting AIDS p.4. Online at: , consulted on March 29, 2004 Zogby, James J. The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs: The Bombings of U.S. Embassies and U.S. Rocket Attacks on Afghanistan and Sudan: Arab Americans Must Condemn All Purveyors of Hatred. Washington: Nov 1998. Vol. XVII, Iss. 7; pg 12. Online at: , consulted on March 30, 2004.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Micromax †The Indian consumer electronics MNC

Micromax is a rather big name today – in fact, it is the largest Indian mobile phone company. It is interesting to note that it took birth as a software company called Micromax Informatics Limited in the year 2000 by a group of four friends. – Rajesh Agarwal, Sumeet Arora, Rahul Sharma and Vikas Jain. In 2008, Micromax entered the mobile phone market and just about managed to get a foot hold, with a 0. 59% market share during the first half year of its existence. By the end of March 2010, its share was 6. 24%. Now it has 23 domestic offices across the country and international offices in Hong Kong, USA and Dubai. Presently, the company has about 1400 employees. It is one of the leading mobile phone manufacturer in India as well as in the world . According to industry analysts, as of 2012, Micromax leads the Indian tablet market with a share of 18. 4%, ahead of Samsung and Apple, and is the third largest mobile phone vendor in terms of volume. Also it is the 12th largest handset manufacturer in the world, according to global handset vendor market share report from strategy analytics. SWOT Analysis Strengths: Innovative products and features- Marathon battery mobile phones with a 30-day battery life, phone which is programmable as a universal remote control, gravity phones are some of the features which have increased the popularity of the product. Low cost of production – With its plants located in China, Micromax bears a low cost in production due to availability of labour at cheaper rates. Effective promotion campaigns- Micromax has been promoting its products through famous celebrities and has also had tie ups with MTV. Weaknesses: Weak brand image in urban areas- Micromax has still not been able to establish itself well in the urban market as its main concentration had been on the rural population. Perception of low-quality Chinese brand- Micromax has a manufacturing unit set up in china which has strengthened this perception among people. Opportunities: Increase penetration in urban market- Since Micromax has not yet entered this market; it has a very huge opportunity to establish itself in this market. Entry into international markets- Micromax has the potential to make its presence felt on global scale eventually as it establishes itself in the domestic market. Threats: Increasing competition from local and international players- With well-established players like Nokia, Samsung, etc. Micromax faces a tough competition from these players. Replication of business model by competitors- Micromax`s business model has been replicated by many new players which again pose a threat to Micromax. IPO offerings On July 28, 2011, Micromax withdrew its 4. 66 billion rupees (about $106 million) initial public offering (IPO) due to volatile market conditions. The withdrawal was recommended by its board in order to allow the company to focus on new product launches and product development. Micromax Informatics Limited has announced its foray into Maldivian telecom space through an exclusive partnership with Sense Wood Maldives (Pvt) Ltd. Objectives Objectives Present objectives: 1. Focus on urban market at large: On capturing major share of urban youth market, for next two years Micromax needs to focus on urban market at large like seiner citizens, physically handicapped etc. 2. Focus on smart phones as well as tablets: Micromax needs to continue focus on smart phones and launch more products and also it needs to focus on tablet market. For 2014: 1. To start new plant and reach market share of 20%: To increase market share, it is essential to increase production capacity. Micromax has plans to start a new plant in Tamil Nadu. With the help of this new plant, it will be able to reach a market share of 20%. 2. Focus on international markets: On making strong focus on rural market and urban market in India, Micromax needs to expand to international markets and enter into neighbouring Indian countries, south African countries etc. So we see that Micromax has established its place as a market leader in phones and tablets, not only in India but internationally as well.

Friday, November 8, 2019

College Application Essay Writing Service

College Application Essay Writing Service There is no doubt that the quality of your college application essay can play a deciding role in whether you are accepted to the university you want most to attend. With that in mind, many students spend weeks and sometime months preparing their papers. And while I agree that it is important for students to work hard on their compositions, I also believe in making things as easy as possible. Creating a Versatile College Application Essay One of the most difficult hurdles that many students face when submitting for college admissions is having to write a different college application essay for every university to which they are applying. I am here to tell you, however, that you do not necessarily need to write several different college application essays. With just a little extra work, you can make one college application essay work for all the schools to which you are applying. In most cases, colleges arent specific in their requirements for application essays. Often, students are requested to submit a composition outlining their scholastic goals and/or personal statements regarding their chosen field. That is why many students choose to use the same college application composition for all of the schools to which they are applying. With just a few minor alterations here and there, it is often quite simple to save yourself the hassle of having to write several different essays for a variety of universities. The intention of the above suggestion is not to encourage anyone to cut corners, but simply to make the college application process as stress-free as possible. If you would like additional information on how you can write a compelling and versatile college application composition, please dont hesitate to access the adjacent link. For additional assistance, I also recommend contacting a reputable admissions essay writing service.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

In 1972, Marvel launched a series focused on its f Essays - Fiction

In 1972, Marvel launched a series focused on its f Essays - Fiction In 1972, Marvel launched a series focused on its first African American superhero Black Panther. As years progressed there started to be more African American superheroes, such as Storm, Blade, Falcon, Spider-man, and many more in marvel comics. However, there is a lack of African Americans actors portraying these roles on the big screen. The only Marvel movies that have casted an African American in a main role are Blade and the recent remake of Fantastic Four. That is only 2 out of 22 Marvel films. Michael B. Jordan an African American actor, who recently played the role of the Human Torch in Fantastic Four. They're some audience who didn't like the idea of Jordan playing the Human Torch since the comic book character is white. There are African American Super heroes in comic books, such as Spiderman, although white in films. So shouldn't African Africans feel some way when they aren't seen in films, but are seen in Comic books? A parent named Leah Red was interviewed walking into Big Planet Comics in Washington D.C. She has a 12 year old son who is African American and enjoys reading comic books." My son has asked me before why can't Super-man be black in films just like he is in Comic Books? And I told him just because he isn't black in films doesn't mean that he isn't just as good of a superhero," Red said. With having a young audience and having them lookup to these superheroes this does affect some children. Some African American children feel as if they can' t be a superhero because they barely see African American superheroes, but some may think otherwise. There are some children who question why the main superheroes in films are not African American. The older audience had some thoughts about the issue as well. A college student by the name Billy Battle an African American male who was spotted in the Fantom Comics in Washington D.C had some thoughts on the issue. Billy says, "I am very into comic books and have noticed that there is a difference between films and comics. People who read comics and have spoken on the issue about not giving them what they see in comic books in films. I have a little brother who questions me about this issue, and I don't really know what to say." An Employee who works at Fandom Comics in Washington, DC by the name Jake Shapiro was asked, "Do you get customers who ask you why there aren't as many black superhero's represented in films, as there is in comics?" Jake says," We don't get asked that maybe because people already know that superheroes movies are created by white creators. If there were black creators then it would be more diversity." Hollywood films rarely cast people of color including superheroes, and there are people who have spoken upon the issue especially on social media. So will there be a change with more African Americans playing main roles in superhero movies? There are rumors on websites such as Cinemablend that an African American man by the name Donald Glover is going to be playing the new spider-man in the next film. If this happens, hopefully they will continue casting African American superheroes in films.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Law Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Law Society - Essay Example Then the new role which the Law Society has to play is discussed with the initiatives of government. The study concludes stating the roles taken by the Society in implementing the regulatory changes. The Society was first founded on June 2nd 1825. The Society acquired it's royal charter in 1831, and commenced its operations from a new building in Chancery Lane, in 1832. "A new Charter in 1845 set the Law Society as an independent, private body servicing the affairs of the legal profession like other professional, literary and scientific bodies". (Formation of the Law Society, 2004: para 2) The former title of the society was 'The Society of Attorneys, Solicitors, Proctors and others not being Barristers, practicing in the Courts of Law and Equity of the United Kingdom' which later became colloquially renowned as "The Law Society". It changed its name officially in 1903. (Formation of the Law Society, 2004: para 4) The current legal regulatory system is biased with no clear objectives or principles and functions with minimal interests towards the consumers. There exists a confusion regarding the current system supervising bodies' viz., Law Society and Bar Council. (Reform of legal services, 2006) The areas of regulations for legal services suffer from various regulatory gaps, functional overlaps and irregularities. For instance, in cases of service providers like solicitors who provide legal advice as well as non-incidental financial advice, they are regulated simultaneously by the Law Society and the Financial Services Authority. (Regulatory Gaps, 2004) A consultation paper published in May 2003 depicts Government's conclusions on the issues analyzed on matters as raised in the document "In the public interest". (Government Conclusions, 2003) The Department for Constitutional Affairs in its report published in July 2003, arrived at a conclusion that the framework of regulations regarding lega l services in England and Wales was highly inefficient and outdated in handling current legal requirements of the consumers. (Legal Services Review, 2004, Para 1) Consequently, Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer ordered a review into regulation of the legal services. The Chancellor described the current frame work of the Law Society as "outdated, inflexible, over-complex and insufficiently accountable or transparent". (Lawyer regulation 'needs change', 2004: para 11) On this behalf, an inquiry, headed by former deputy governor of the Bank of England, Sir David Clementi, came forward with his suggested recommendations including the establishment of a new regulatory society, the Legal Services Board. (Lawyer regulation 'needs change', 2004) Proposed changes in the regulation of legal services Sir David Clementi, in December 2004, published a report suggesting important changes on the regulation of legal services which also won the support from the Government. Clementi, through his report suggested many reforms for the efficiency of legal service including the removal of disparity of business structures, the references, how the new structure would benefit the legal service, the clear distinction that has to be made between

Friday, November 1, 2019

Grid connected solar electronics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Grid connected solar electronics - Essay Example Most of energy on earth that sustains life is the energy from the sun, which is sunlight. It is through this energy that photosynthesis occurs, that is food for the plants. The plant is after its maturity food for the human beings mostly and some animals that are not carnivorous (Chitode, 50). We have very many electronics at home all that use power and most of them cannot operate without power except for those which can store power for some time to be used when there is no power. It is therefore very important to ensure that those electronics are safe, not from thugs but from too much power fluctuation that can shot circuit them (Chitode, 208). The power system is therefore can be controlled so as to avoid such damages. The electricians use what we call circuit breakers. This controls the amount of power that can be used and when it exceeds the power goes off. This way the electronics will not be at risk (Chitode, 40). A power factor correction can also be installed, since it the connection between the running power and the actual amount of power being used, the power factor correction will show whether there is too much power being used and therefore correct it. It minimizes the chances of power fluctuation. Green building is therefore as it is being encouraged, using as less energy as possible. This is where solar energy comes in (Chitode, 50). A source of power that is natural and free. The only thing one needs is solar panels that are used to convert sunlight energy into electricity power. The solar panel contains the solar cells and solar photovoltaic. The solar cells and the solar photovoltaic convert sunlight energy into electricity energy for usage since one cannot use it directly. The energy is renewable, and that is the most advantageous use of it (Chitode, 96). There are very many types of materials that contain the solar photovoltaic found in the solar cells. This makes it even cheaper and can almost be

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

The Use and Abuse of Power in Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

The Use and Abuse of Power in Management - Essay Example Hence, power is an inherent characteristic of organisational action. Leaders and organisational management find â€Å"continued opportunity to sharpen their power-use skills in every contact they make in the group and with relevant stakeholders† (Fairholm 1993: 37). Power is an essential part of the organisational decision making undertaken by managers, and forms the medium of leadership. It plays a critical role in the selection of key staff, in resource allocation, in promotion actions, reorganisation decisions, and in the development, flow, and use of information. Power is also considered in motivational terms to be the critical difference â€Å"between the person who seeks to control the conduct of the individual and the group, and the leader who exercises control over the results they achieve† (Fairholm 1993: 46). In contemporary organisations, effective leadership depends on the use of power for success; therefore skilled use of power forms the core accomplishment in organisations. Contrasting with the use of power is the other side of the corporate coin in the form of abuse of power by organisational leadership. Increasingly, large corporation engage in corruption, and misuse of the immense power they have built up. The corporate world is overreaching the power it has amassed, similar to power in other domains such as in politics, which also exceed their limit when permitted. Due to its excessively predatory practices, the atmosphere in today’s corporate world has been termed as ‘piratical’. Abuse of power reveals itself in several ways. The most disturbing occurrences pertain to â€Å"the efforts of corporations to conscript the political process for their own benefit through their large financial contributions, both legal and illegal† (Clinard 1990: 6). Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significance of power in organisations. The dynamics of power will include the theoretical back ground on the use and abuse of power by leaders, examination of a case study and illustrations through organisational examples. THE DYNAMICS OF POWER IN ORGANISATIONS According to Pfeffer (1992), besides organisational leaders, the members of an organisation vie with each other for dominance. They compete for the power to get their own way, while confronting competitive action by others in their intimate work group. This situation takes five aspects into consideration. Organisational participants interact continually with people in an interdependent relationship with them. The participants are in a competitive situation regarding who among them will achieve the desired goals. Scarcity forms a part of the situation to some extent. â€Å"The participants attach enough importance to the situation, goals, or approach that they are willing to engage their energy in this relationship† (Fairholm 1993: 30). These five dimensions of the power relationship also defines typical organisa tional life. Employees’ understanding of a situation increases by viewing the relationship in political power terms. Theoretical Background: Use and Abuse of Power in Organisations Leadership is a relational term, it identifies a relationship in which â€Å"some people are able to persuade others to adopt new values, attitudes and goals, and to exert effort on behalf of those values and goals† (Hogg 2005: 53). The relationship is almost always defined within the

Monday, October 28, 2019

The Farmers Almanac Essay Example for Free

The Farmers Almanac Essay Since the earliest memories in my grandparent’s farm in rural West Virginia, I have had a fascination for nature and our place in it. I remember with crystal clarity, the trip to the barn with my grandmother. She picked out a chicken, marched behind the barn and unceremoniously, without a warning, chopped off its head right before my eyes. As I screamed in terror watching the creature run headless and bleeding, my grandmother simply asked me to â€Å"hush and get some potatoes out of the basket from inside the barn. † As I moved toward the doorway, the chicken appeared to be running after me until it suddenly dropped dead in its last convulsion. That day on my grandparent’s farm was the first event of awareness I had of the harsh realities of life. I was three years old and inquisitive about everything on the farm. Although it was just a few miles from my own home, it felt as though one-stepped back in time when we visited, which we did frequently. With no running water, no indoor plumbing, no telephone and almost entire sustenance from the farm itself, it was a fantasyland. Although I had grown up in the 60’s and 70’s, it could have been the 30s due to our location in rural West Virginia. Life moved at a snail’s pace there. We were in greater touch with nature and the affinity with the earth was innate. Life was about learning to survive in a natural way. We never discussed politics, literature or history, at least not in a global sense. In my life, I have seen my father read just a single book The Farmers Almanac. As I was developing my own interest in literature, I recall asking him why The Almanac was the only book he read, and his response was simple and to the point, which was always his style. â€Å"Everything you need to know about everything important is in this book Kelly Lea†, he exclaimed with a gentle urgency. This has been a constant in my relationship with my father. â€Å"You think too much, it’s not that complicated. † Certainly, as I watch my children, I find myself thinking the same. I have learnt to utilize my hands and gain a sense of accomplishment from manual labor, from my father. Summers were spent building tree houses and working in the garden. Although I preferred working outdoors, my mother felt it was imperative that I learn to cook and develop my skills in home economics. My childhood could be taken right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. We actually had a swimming hole and caught lightning bugs in a Kerr canning jar with holes punched through the top with a nail. Impromptu kickball games in the parking lot of the local lumberyard were infamous for heated debates followed by slow walks home along the railroad tracks for supper. Some of the enlightening lessons of life I learnt as a child were from my father. There were several years on and off when we suffered financial hardship. It was during one of those years that our county had record rains and flooding. We had little money to spend for unavoidable home improvements to secure us from the elements. My parents were worried about the integrity of our roof. In the neighborhood, some homes were being constructed on property that had belonged to my grandparents. As they grew older, the taxes had absentmindedly not been paid. It was auctioned off for a bargain price without prior notification, while my father was gathering the funds to pay off the debt. The workers had hastily left the building supplies outside, covered by a mere sheet of construction plastic. Several of my father’s acquaintances at work had â€Å"helped themselves† to the supplies and encouraged my father to do the same. Trying to even the score, his fellow factory workers felt the developer was only getting what was coming to him. One evening we drove by the site and my father parked the family truck and stared at the sight. My mother was frightened. She thought he was contemplating stealing from there. My father looked at her and said, â€Å"You know better, that’s not something I would do. I just wanted to see the land again before they chopped it up and got rid of our trees. † We got by without the supplies in a very leaky house but I remember feeling a sense of pride and comfort, with the knowledge that my father was a good and righteous man who would never compromise his values. Another defining moment transpired when I was a pre-teen. That incident has greatly affected my outlook on life, as I navigate my children through their natural world. I come from a family of hunters. All of the men as well as a few of the women, myself included, have had the experience of tracking wildlife on a blistery cold winter day. This is a ritual of passage for boys in particular. My brother had been hunting for several years and my father thought he had instilled in him a respect for the wildlife, the woods and his weapon. My brother was obsessed with hunting and shot a rabbit one day purely for the thrill of it. This was absolutely forbidden in our house. My father was a strong believer of living a needs-based life. He shot only what we would eat and this never included rabbits. After watching my brother skin the animal, my father boiled the carcass and forced my brother to consume every bite. To the best of my knowledge, my brother has never hunted for the sport of it, again. Whenever I hear a person protesting against hunting, I draw their attention to the ghastly practice of factory farming as opposed to hunting in the wilderness. My father’s philosophy of respect for nature as well as his intolerance of nature-abuse has remained a corner stone in my own life and hopefully, that of my children as well. Our neighbors were from Greece and Italy as well as Eastern Europe. They had come to work in the mines and factories as young men and women. My friends were often embarrassed by their cultural differences as compared to Americanized families. As a child I would listen to their grandparents speak their native tongue and delight in their sustained holiday traditions. I imagined what these distant countries would be like as I leafed through the family atlas that my mother had purchased at the grocery store with her philately books. As a young teen, I had begun asking questions regarding my family. An aunt and uncle had raised my mother and her siblings after they were abandoned by their father following their mother’s death. My mother has never recovered from the desertion. My father was raised by his violent, abusive, alcoholic parent. My victimized mother has never had a taste of alcohol out of fear of the addiction that claimed an older brother’s life. My parents were teenagers when they had met. After a brief period of courtship, they had married. They had vowed to become each other’s family and committed to not letting the ghosts of their past haunt their future. Unfortunately, this is not something one can absolutely control. My mother has suffered from depression for years, yet she refuses to seek help. She has spent so much of her life reflecting on her past. Both my parents had stopped growing as individuals when they found one another. Their knowledge is limited to what is necessary to sustain them as they have for decades. Fortunately, I knew my grandparents as different people and I adored my now sober, ‘Born Again’ Christian grandfather. I â€Å"grew up† in the church, with him by my side. Mine was an idyllic childhood, completely ignorant of the fact that we were poor. I had everything I wanted and was gifted with a vivid imagination, a true blessing for a child of limited means. It was not until high school that life changed. I have found in my many years of self-discovery, that at the age of 17 my life had taken a major turn. The fallout of which, I am still recovering from. I was smart, pretty and outgoing, the Trifecta for small town teenage girls. With a blue-collar worker father and a housewife mother, I suddenly realized this too would be my fate. My college counselor told me that I really didn’t need to go to college; cute girls usually wasted their time in higher education because we normally just got married. It was at this time that I began an intimate relationship with a teacher and coach in my high school. After several months, it ended and I was sent into a downward spin that, I believe, had drastically changed my life. I now understood my mother’s abandonment issues. I nearly failed out of school, unable to cope with the pressure. I realize now that I was suffering from major depression for years without any sort of treatment. I spent my twenties trying to duplicate my relationship. I had outgrown my parents by now and felt the only way to continue living was to stop trying to duplicate what I envisioned to be my life story and start another one. I moved to Europe after being spotted by a modeling scout and started a career in the most glamorous and destructive environment a young woman could be exposed to in the 1980’s. Finally, I stopped thinking about my lover of five years past. Determined to change my attitude, I delved into the glamorous world of travel and adventure. I seldom stayed anywhere longer than a few months. My calendar was booked with exciting trips to some of the worlds most exotic and intoxicating locations. However, my world came to a crashing halt when I was brutally attacked on a first date by a man I had just met in Italy. My experience of the world had not prepared me for such an assault to my psyche. The physical wounds were quick to heal but I became fearful and uncomfortable in a world that I had previously relished. I now know that I had become clinically depressed following the attack. Although I continued to work and travel, my focus had changed. I wanted a family, my own family, very badly. Perhaps it is because I had been â€Å"groomed† and expected to follow that path for my entire life or perhaps I was trying to find love that would heal my wounds of abandonment and assault. Whatever may be the case, I met the man that would most influence my life, in 1987. A year later, we got married. Sometimes change is slow and passive, while at other times it is aggressive and shocking. My move to California and into the world of my new husband and his family was cold and judgmental. By then, I was expecting our first child. As previously mentioned, I was raised as a Protestant and although I had not attended services regularly, my faith was still very much a part of my identity. Soon I was expected to convert to Judaism, and raise our family in a culture which I had no experience or identification with. My husband’s domineering nature and narcissism alienated my old friends and soon we were socializing only with those of the Jewish faith and in a certain economic bracket. My previous life was eclectic, colorful and inclusive. As the years passed, I felt my authentic self diminish and take on the role of a Jewish doctor’s wife from Beverly Hills. My soul felt suffocated and isolated. I had all of the material wealth and yet, I felt deprived. I compared my husband to a middle schooler wanting to sit at the popular table and willing to compromise principles and values for any glimpse into the world of the Hollywood elite. The people we called friends were ruthless and shallow and I isolated myself more as the years passed. Occasionally, there was a bankruptcy or divorce and the vultures would descend on the poor soul that was unlucky enough to ________. My husband would ridicule me saying I only had children so I would have someone to play with. Children are honest and open and show unconditional love. Something I was starving for from my husband. Few things are more delicate than society. The West Los Angeles elite were accustomed to disposing off people like a previous year’s handbag and the choice was easy. To whom they shall be loyal depends directly on who they could most likely benefit from. My decision to finally divorce was excruciating because I was now the mother of three. I was really the only parent my children knew. My husband’s work and social calendar spared him little time to be a hands-on parent. My older son, 11 years old at the time, suffers from learning disabilities and raising him as his mother, teacher, and therapist, among other things, required my full attention. I knew the children would suffer as a consequence of what my husband considered a betrayal. The truth is that, for the first time in over 12 years, I was not betraying myself. The price I have paid is high. Due to a pre-nuptial agreement, I was nearly bankrupt after paying the attorney fees and have watched my children traverse from a life of wealth and privilege with their father to a modest lifestyle when with me in a shared custody arrangement. His, my ex-husband’s, vow to drive me to the streets had nearly materialized. A consistently litigious divorce had buried me underneath a wall of debt. Every person I knew through my husband has turned his/ her back on me, which has proved to be a gift. I have rekindled old relationships that have enriched and fortified me. Over the several years since my divorce, I have watched with pride and exuberance, as my children have met and conquered their own challenges. Divorce is ugly and very painful but I have forced myself and my children to not let it define their identity. I have gained tremendous perspective and wisdom as a result of my relationships and parenting three children, particularly my special-needs son. I have emotionally and physically returned to that place I loved as a child. To feed my curiosity of nature and travel, I spend my time diving, kayaking, traveling†¦ and discovering new adventures with my new husband who shares these same traits.