Financial Performance Analysis Essay

This project work has not formed the basis for the award of any degree/ diploma by Bangalore University or any other university. Name of the Guide: Mr. Jagdish Designation: Place: Bangalore Date: Guide’s Signature. This is to certify that this project work title â€Å"A study on the financial performance of the A&S Inc. † is based on an original project study conducted by Monisha Tirkey (07JJC08051) of BBM under the guidance of Mr. Jagadish K. K. This project work is based on original and has not formed the basis for the award of any degree / diploma by Bangalore University or any other university. Monisha Tirkey hereby declare that this project work titled â€Å"A study on the financial performance of the A&S Inc. † is based on the original project conducted by me under the guidance of Mr. Jagadish K. K. This has not been submitted earlier for the award of the award of any other degree / diploma from Bangalore University or any other university. Student Name: Monisha Tirkey Registration Number: 07JJC08051 Place: Bangalore Date: The successful completion of this project would not have been possible without the guidance, help and timely assistance from a number of people. I should at the very outset express my gratitude to the almighty God for his wonderful plan that brought me into this institution for my studies and for helping me throughout the project. I also thank HOD, Mr. Surendranath Reddy, who encouraged me to undertake this project. I express my sincere thanks to Mr. Jagdish, my guide, for the valuable help he extended in carrying out this project.

Research Proposal on Banking Essay

Introduction Over thirty-five years have passed since academics began speculating on the impact that information technology (IT) would have on organizational structure. The debate is still on-going, and both researchers and managers continue to explore the relationship between IT and organizational structure. As organizations need to process more information under these uncertain conditions, IT is one possible way for organizations to increase their information processing capability. We are conducting a research in HBL bank that, how bank increase the number of account holders using Internet banking among its Current Account holders. IT has a dramatic effect on both people’s personal and professional lives. IT is also changing the nature of organizations by providing opportunities to make fundamental changes in the way they do business. The technology is changing rapidly, with computing speeds and the numbers of transistor equivalents available in a given area of a microprocessor chip both doubling in very short time. Organizations are acquiring more and more technology systems to assist in everything from manufacturing to the management of information to the provision and improvement of customer service. Harnessing and coordinating this computing power is the challenge. New tools and innovative perspectives with which to examine, interpret, and comprehend these rapidly evolving environments are always needed and sought. Background / Literature View: IT is transforming the way that business is conducted. Computers prepare invoices, issue checks, keep track of the movement of stock, and store personnel and payroll records. Word processing and personal computers are changing the patterns of office work, and the spread of information technology is affecting the efficiency and competitiveness of business, the structure of the work force, and the overall growth of economic output. Many people believe that the primary driving force behind this information revolution is progress in microelectronic technology, particularly in the development of integrated circuits or chips. Thus, the reason that computing power that used to fill a room and cost $1 million now stands on a desk and costs $500 or that pocket calculators that used to cost $1000 now cost $10 is that society happens to have benefited from a series of spectacularly successful inventions in the field of electronics. But fewer people understand why the introduction of information technology occurred when it did or took the path that it did, why data processing came before word processing or why computers transformed the office environment before they transformed the factory environment. Because this technology oriented view of the causes of the information revolution offers little guidance to the direction that technological developments have taken thus far, it offers little insight into the direction that they will take in the future. Electronic banking is one of the first things that come to mind when one thinks about the future of banking. It is generally assumed that electronic banking is new and that it will replace or supplement many channels of delivery of retail banking services. The term electronic banking as used here refers to any banking activity accessed by electronic means. It includes Online Banking, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Automated Call Centers, Digital Cash, Internet Banking, Screen Telephones, E-Utility Bills and so on. These channels of delivery can be used for presenting and paying bills, buying and selling securities, transferring funds, and providing other financial products and services. Electronic banking can be used for retail banking and business-to-business (B2B) transactions, as well as for facilitating large-amount transfers. Equally important, electronic banking is a worldwide phenomenon. As the term is used here, it involves transactions. Web sites that are transactional are considered electronic banking. Electronic banking and the Internet in general are forcing a shift in the way banks and other businesses organize and the way they think of themselves. A shift is taking place from vertical integration to virtual integration. Banks and other financial intermediaries must realize that they are in the financial information industry. The Internet makes it possible to bring both customers and suppliers together to share critical business information. E-banking helps banks relay and show to their clients how good their services are, how many services we are providing and that the services they offer are of better standards. Through E-banking the company can show the clients that they are better than competitors and can give them satisfaction guaranteed. Statement of the problem The internet and the different things it can do to uplift business procedures, products and services is a current necessity for business. One of internet’s products is Electronic banking. Electronic banking is a faster way for clients to transact with the banks personnel. Clients can still transact with banks while on the comfort and safety of their homes and Offices. The main purpose of this proposed research is to determine, how we will increase Internet Banking Users among their present Account holders. Theoretical Framework: Increase Internet Banking Users Quality Products (websites) A Bank Manager observed that, if he provides the better Quality Products (Websites) and Low Bank Charges on Internet-Banking to his Account holders. This will increase the number of Customer of Internet Banking. But it will not affect on those Account holders with less qualification and do not use internet. Qualification of account holder and use of internet Low Bank Charges on Internet Banking Research Objectives: This Research intends to find out, If Bank updates its website and gives quality products, easy use and as well as reduce its transaction charges on Internet banking will increase the number of users using Internet Banking among its Account holders. However, according to the literature review, the qualification of account holder is plays an important part in this relationship. Our objective is if we increase quality products and reduce its transaction charges on Internet banking will increase the Internet Banking users. Research Question: * If we increase quality products and reduce its transaction charges on Internet banking will increase the Internet Banking users or not? * Qualification of customer and use of internet is effect on internet banking users or not? Research Design/Methodology: Type of research This research will use the descriptive type of research. Descriptive method of research is to gather information about the present existing condition and solving the problem. The descriptive approach is quick and more practical financially. Moreover, this method will allow for a flexible approach, thus, when important new issues and questions arise during the duration of the study, a further investigation may be allowed. The study opted to use this kind of research considering the goal of the study to obtain first hand data so as to formulate rational and sound conclusions and recommendations for the study. Research Strategy For this research data will be gathered through collating published studies from different books, articles from different related journals and studies, and other literary instruments. Afterwards make a content analysis of the collected documentary and verbal material. The study will then summarize all the necessary information. The study will then make a conclusion based on the said information and provide insightful recommendations on how to solve the said problem. Sample and Sampling Technique The respondents of the research came from the different branches of bank mentioned from Karachi. Due to time constraint and also, for the convenience of the researcher, only hundred (100) respondents were considered for the study. The convenience sampling technique was imposed in the study to pick up the hundred respondents, mainly because the availability of the respondents from the different branches was considered. This part of the study is important because the most important data needed to fulfill the objectives and aims of this study will only be supplied by the respondents from the Branches of HBL bank Karachi. Primary and secondary data collection The primary source of data will come from a survey using questionnaire and interviews that will be conducted by the researcher. The primary data frequently gives the detailed definitions of terms and statistical units used in the survey. These are usually broken down into finer classifications. The secondary source of data will come from research through the internet; books, journals, related studies and other sources of information. Acquiring secondary data are more convenient to use because they are already condensed and organized. Moreover, analysis and interpretation are done more easily. Validation of the instrument For validation purposes, the researcher pre-tested a sample of the set survey questionnaires. This was done by conducting an initial survey to at least five respondents from the different banks from Karachi. After the respondents answered, the researchers then asked them to cite the parts of the questionnaire that needs improvement. The researcher even asked for suggestions and corrections from the respondents to ensure that the survey-questionnaire is effective. Automatically, these five respondents were not included as respondents for the study. Data analysis Data gathered will be analyzed through frequency distributions. These will give way to reviewing the data categories and the number of referrals in each category. The data acquired will be analyzed according to the different categories and importance. The information that will be gathered and analyzed will be important to achieve the objectives desired by the study.

Is the World Flat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Is the World Flat - Essay Example Friedman further enunciated that flattening of world took place just at the dawn of twenty first century. Globalization is an imperative feature of political and economic discourse as it has paved the way to spread thoughts as wild fire, leaping borders and now information is not confined to industrial world. According to Friedman (2005), globalization has its success and discontents and thus improvise one think that The World Is Flat! However, such views find little support from authors like Ghemawat (2007), Florida (2005, October) and Christopherson et al. (2008). The World Isn’t Flat! According to Ghemawat, one cannot consider the world to be flat, in fact, only 10-25 percent of all economic activities is international or global while remaining are regional, further he affirms the failure of globalization theories in terms of geographical and cultural factors, if there is 1 percent raise in geographic distance the trade between the two locations will diminish by 1 percent. Further, Ghemawat enunciated that countries with a common language share42 percent more trade compared to dissimilar culture while common currency potentially enhances the trade by 114 percent (Shermer, 2011; Ghemawat, 2007). Considering the views of Ghemawat, it is true in real sense if an analysis is carried out the globalization has actually created peaks and valleys in every aspect of life, not only globalization is confined to peaks as depicted by Florida (2005), but the work force, facilities, infrastructure, development, access to fast track of development it is all confined to peaks while the valleys are still deprived of all the latest avenues (Fox, 2014). Migration of mass is towards developed and better prospects which resulted in clustering of resources, progress, amenities and opportunities at particular provinces. Florida (2005) has categorized these peaks in terms of population (the talent or skill), light emission (the economic activity), patents (the innovations) and

Strategic perspectives of Book publishing houses in Germany in light Outline

Strategic perspectives of Book publishing houses in Germany in light of the current sector structure and prospective trends - Outline Example Conclusion and Recommendations 20 References 22 Bibliography 25 1. Introduction One of the most significant and remarkable industries stimulating the economic growth is the publishing industry. In the current day context, Germany counts on more than a hundred different industries related to manufacturing, producing and service and technology sectors. Undoubtedly, these industries participating in the economic growth including the publishing industry have a great significance on the German economy. The German Publishing Industry, in a wider perspective involves several sub-divisions such as the news publishing and the book publishing sectors. Elaborating on the milieu that concentrated on the Book Publishing sector, it was witnessed to contribute a total of 9.6 billion euro to the economy in the fiscal year 2007. Therefore, the growing impact of the industry, i.e. the book publishing industry in the German economy is invariable (Magazine Dutchesland, 2008). Recognising the strengtheni ng impact and the future prospects of book publishing industry in German economy, the paper shall be aimed at the industry analysis implying various marketing approaches and models such as Porter’s Five Forces model and the value chain approach. ... For instance, the German Book Industry was recently alleged to hamper the rainforests and in turn affect the environmental balance of Asia. This evidently influenced the market growth and the industry at large affecting the production of papers from pulps. The affect was termed as strongly impulsive due to the fact that the industry in 2008 was ranked as one of the largest industries of Europe printing more than 1 billion books annually (Space Mart, 2009). Hence, it is quite evident that the book market similar to any other industry is influenced by various factors active in the macro and micro environment of the industry. These factors, henceforth, shall be discussed further in the paper with the assistance of Porter’s Five Forces and Value Chain approaches. 2.1. Porter’s Five Forces Model Figure 1: Diagram of Porter’s Five Forces Model. Source: (Smart KPIS, 2010). Relating the concept to the context of German book industry, these five influencing factors, as ca n be revealed from the above represented image, shall have a great impact on its growth trends which in turn shall also affect the major players of the book market. Moreover, the implication of the model shall be helpful in identifying the current and future trends of the industry. 2.1.1. Potential Entrants An industry in the related context attracts potential entrants due to the advantages or opportunities rendered by the industry and vice-versa. Therefore, analysing the opportunities and the challenges of the industry can provide an unambiguous outlook to identify the possibility of increase in the total numbers of potential entrants. The opportunities of the industry therefore are: It is termed to be quite successful in holding its position even

STRATEGIES ON HOW TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES IN AUTOMATING THE Essay

STRATEGIES ON HOW TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES IN AUTOMATING THE OPERATION OF GOVERNMENT PROCESSES - Essay Example In support of this overall objective it is the aim of the proposed thesis to determine the challenges that automation projects face in the course of its implementations. Another aim is to determine the most effective strategies that can be used to resolve the challenges listed. The final aim that supports the overall objective is to determine the possibility of success of the strategies listed. Finally in order to determine the relevance of this thesis, the proposed thesis shall determine the resulting success or failure of automation the processes of governments. Background Investment in e-government initiative is considers a significant investment by many governments worldwide (Hunter&Tan, 2006). It is unfortunate that many of these investments have been unsuccessful (Heeks, 2001). E-government simply is an electronic version of traditional governmental transaction and communication processes. As mentioned in the literature, many governments around the world attracted to adopt and implement e-government in order to improve their performance. Improve performance is a broad term that includes provide faster and better services at lower cost with a high level of confidentiality and quality. Also, such e-government investment creates many promising economical and innovative opportunities. Governments around the world provide their service to a large number of their citizens governmental bodies, and another public and private sectors (Alshehry, 2008). Thus, the traditional ways of managing government interrelated relationship with parties mentioned above have became a complex and exhausted process that need to be improved. Here, emerged the importance to adopt and implement e-government. Providing e-government services to citizens associated positively with citizen’s satisfaction by saving time, money, and effort (Kumar & Best, 2006). Also, e-government provides high level of transparency to all involved parties and increases the level of effectiveness and efficiency. Development of Research Problem E-government has been associated in positively building trust in the government through providing transparency and interactivity to people ( Welch, 2005). Also, e-government is associated with building and managing relationships (Layne& Lee, 2001) with citizens, public and private sector, and more which could create many of business opportunities. On another hand, an e-government initiative is still unmanageable and in its infant stage as mentioned by Layne& Lee (2001) including infrastructure, policy, interoperability. Successful initiative of e-government does not necessarily ensure the success of subsequent stages (Kumar & Best, 2006). Also, the failure rate in most of e-government projects relatively high (Lessa, Belachew, & Anteneh, 2011, Heeks, 2001). There are many challenges that hinder successful e-government projects. Thus, theses challenges need to be investigated. The focus need to be placed on understanding the factors that hi nder the success and delay its implementation. As mentioned in the literature, the full advantages of e-government implementation have not been reaped yet; the

QuickBooks Online Payroll, Invoicing, and Payments Essay

QuickBooks Online Payroll, Invoicing, and Payments - Essay Example functions which include dealing with the purchasing orders, receiving inventory and subsequently making entering bills and making payments with regard to the purchased goods. It also deals with the accounts payable and ensures the appropriate payments are made to the creditors when they become due (Buteh, 2014). Customers belong to the next functionality and it comes after the vendors. This mainly deals with the accounts receivables and all the transactions related to the customers are recorded in this section. The functionality deals with the invoicing role and therefore all the transactions made with respect to the accounts receivable are recorded here. It also has an option that records the receipts from the debtors as well as those from the cash sales. It also records all the receipts that are associated with the sales made by the business. The employees functionality fall under the payroll function. A list of employees is made in this area and the relevant details in relation to all the employees are made. The details relating to their pay is also recorded as well as other benefits that accrue to them. All the employees who receive their pay in form of pay check should be categorized as employees. Another functionality of QuickBooks is the company. The main function of the company is t he chart of accounts and these are required every month when the company closes its books. Items and services are required in this area and are also important in the customers functionality since they allow the creation of bills. The chart of accounts helps to trace all the transactions to their relevant accounts and ensures that the final books of accounts are prepared with accuracy (Gilbert, 2005). There is also the banking functionality that is used to write checks, confirm the check register to track the transactions relating to the bank account and to print checks for clearance of the outstanding bills. It also ensures that the accountant is able to make the relevant

Censorship of Textbooks in Public Schools Essay

Censorship of Textbooks in Public Schools - Essay Example Indeed, while it is perhaps a precaution to protect a child from violent images, it becomes counterproductive to protect students from educational facts that exist only to enhance their learning experiences. The greatest argument for book censorship is the fact that children should not be subjected to certain topics. Some people even go as far as to say that there are some topics that a person of any age should not be aware of (Edwards 29). School and public libraries, and even many bookstores and distributors do not carry certain books, or else put them in a section that warns potential buyers that the books contain material that is considered censor-worthy. Books ranging from The Catcher in the Rye to the beloved Harry Potter series have found themselves victims of censorship; J.D. Salinger’s acclaimed novel for its adult subject matter, and J.K. Rowling’s masterpiece due to its magical, imaginative content. In response to this argument, those against censorship feel that it should be up to a parent to decide what their children should or should not be reading. For older children and teenagers, the choice should be their own. People on the outside of a family, like school teachers or librarians, should not be influencing a child’s taste in reading because it prevents them from exploring the world through books. In regard to the censoring of textbooks, parents find it ridiculous that facts should be considered horrid enough that others have found a need to censor them at all (Sherrow 15). Information provided to students in a school setting, controlled by a teacher and a textbook, can hardly be considered dangerous to the students. When a subject is being taught in schools, it is due to the fact that the subject serves a purpose, whether as simply knowledge or to help further a child’s education. If certain information is being censored, children are being denied vital intelligence; in many cases, children are given false informatio n to make up for the lack of truth (Kravitz 147). This causes students to be misinformed, which can bring about negative impacts years down the road, like when the students are preparing for higher education. If the information they learned during their time in public schools is incorrect or else missing, these students risk falling further behind in their later studies. It should not be up to a teacher or school administration if a topic should not be covered by the school. Textbooks are written based on grade and age level, providing information that specific age groups should be taught (Brown 82). If these books pass approval as textbooks for public schools, then, upon being bought, they should be entirely implemented in the classroom. Unless the information presented in the textbook is inaccurate, there is no reason that the textbooks should be censored. They are not providing students with dangerous information or ideas, nor are they presenting students with lies or false facts . They serve the purpose of teaching children vital information. Censoring school textbooks have more negative effects than positive. In fact, many textbook writers and teachers alike are unable to find any positive effects of censoring textbooks.

Planned Change Programs May be Harmful to Organizations Essay

Planned Change Programs May be Harmful to Organizations - Essay Example It is common for every organization that is interested in maximizing its profit to have well-structured organizational plans. Nevertheless, not all planned change works for the best interest of the organization in question. In fact many planned changes are considered to be of great harm to many organizations (Marion 2011). Nevertheless, research shows that there are available alternatives to planned changes.Planned changes are essential to better position the extension organization and focus on client needs and moving forward in sustainability programs (Marion, 2011).. Reorganization provides a framework for longer-term commitment to organizations and sub units are being encouraged to put work teams in place to ensure that each sector integrates staff and services into a cohesive, focused business unit (Cheremisin and Davletshin, 2010). Consultation and participation are believed to be essential for the successful development and implementation of organizational goals and objectives. Each work team is asked to develop an effective process for discussion of major challenges and opportunities facing the organization, if possible, over the next decade. Updated strategic plans are then developed.In addition to this, these plans form a framework for focusing organizational resources on the most strategic fields by using a well laid out approach. Updated strategies are implemented by workers at all levels of management in many organizations, 90 percent of the work force is provided by the human beings.

Scholarship application Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Scholarship application - Essay Example I was brought up in a small village in Kenya where I was inspired by my grandmother’s ability to offer herbal medicines to many villagers who could not afford or access medical services. Having moved to Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, where I pursued a degree in mass communication, I witnessed how difficult it is for people to access basic services, including healthcare and sanitation. I also worked as a relief worker with Kenya Red Cross and Red Crescent at the Kakuma Refugee Camp where I learnt the basics of nursing and report writing. These experiences while in Kenya made me realize the importance of having nurses in our societies, and this fueled my desire to become one. I hold an excellent academic record that makes me best suited for this scholarship. Currently, I hold a masters degree in Public Health from Michigan State University. I graduated with a GPA of 3.76 from the Michigan State University. While at this university, I actively participated in workshops on gender, women and sexuality. I also hold a Bachelors Degree in Nursing from the York University in Toronto, Canada. I not only graduated as a Deans Honor Roll member but also took extra classes in culture and gender. Among these extra classes were Ghanaian percussion, and intermediate, North Africa and Middle East Dance. Finally, have a degree in Mass Communication from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, Nairobi, Kenya. While studying in Kenya, I was involved in a number of projects, including environmental health projects, girl child education and women empowerment. My academic background has helped me interact with people from various backgrounds and enhanced my understanding o f the various issues affecting humanity, including healthcare services. I have also been involved in various volunteer activities that have further helped enhance my practical knowledge and experiences. I currently volunteer at the Suburu

Seeing Through the Illusions of the Sports Hero Essay

Seeing Through the Illusions of the Sports Hero - Essay Example The researcher states that many young children idolize professional athletes; that’s why they are easily influenced by these athletes whom they regard as their heroes. If, for instance, they see their hero athlete using steroids, they may think that using steroids is just okay. An athlete should really project an impeccable image to the society. However, parents should take the responsibility to teach their children and be their role models. Parents should be there for their children and guide them about which sports figures should be held in high esteem. But athletes, as public figures, should mind what they are showing to the public especially the athletes who are always followed by media. High profile athletes, by virtue of their celebrity, should act like paragons of virtue, even if they weren’t. According to the article â€Å"Seeing through the Illusions of the Sports Hero,† the author pointed out that these sports heroes are actually being just manipulated and most of them are not that perfect as role models. People like Martin Luther King Jr., who paid the ultimate cost for his devotion to justice with his life; Mother Theresa, who selflessly devoted herself to bring hope to others; and Muhammad Ali, who was willing to give up his title and risked being imprisoned for his religious objections to the Vietnam War. These are the people who should be considered as role models. The phrase â€Å"role model† should be a special title for people who exemplify the essence of civic responsibility.

Belonging Speech Essay Example for Free

Belonging Speech Essay To me belonging is a sense of enlightenment felt when an individual gains an understanding of themselves in relation to others and the wider world. To actually feel as if we belong, we must first accept ourselves and be accepted by others. A real sense of belonging can be determined by self-acceptance and acceptance by a group. However, when difficult situations are experienced, an individual may gain a sense of belonging through self-acceptance alone. This is clearly represented in the novel, ‘The Passage’, written by Justin Cronin, the poem, ‘St. Patricks College’, composed by Peter Skrzynecki and the film, ‘The Perks Of Being A Wallflower’ directed by Stephen Chbosky. These three texts clearly reflect how one would belong through self-acceptance. ‘The Passage’ is a post-apocalyptic thriller about an ancient vampiric disease that destroys society and leaves only a handful of people alive including Amy, the protagonist, who incidentally holds the key to the survival of the human race. The main protagonist, Amy, with specific reference to chapter 23, is travelling the apocalyptic landscape of America where she gains a certain self-acceptance due to the difficult situation that she is dealing with. The difficult situation being that Amy is scientifically immortal and has kept to living on her own and ultimately, surviving on her own. Cronin reveals â€Å"It was summer again and she was alone. Alone with no one but the voices she heard, everywhere and all around. † To us, it reveals how alone Amy really is and ultimately how she has come to accept herself for what she is. This revelation of Amy’s has come from the situation she has had to deal with and in a way, grown up with. The situation being that the world has ended, she is immortal and she has no one to belong with. Due to the difficult situation that Amy is in she has had to draw her own sense of belonging from herself as opposed to feeling as if she belongs with other people. For Skrzynecki in ‘St. Patricks College’ he has had to accept himself, like Amy, though a difficult situation is faced he has still been able to feel a sense of belonging with himself. Skrzynecki feels â€Å"Like a foreign tourist,† whenever he attends St. Patricks College or whenever he is among others who attend St. Patricks College. This highlights the feelings of Skrzynecki and how he as an individual feels as though he does not belong with them. Skrzynecki even reveals that he is â€Å"Uncertain of† his â€Å"destination†. This yet again implies how much Skrzynecki does not belong at St. Patricks College or in that case with any other student who attends St. Patricks College. Obviously, this situation has forced Skrzynecki to adapt to his surroundings of the College and learn to accept himself to feel the sense of belonging that isn’t really expressed within the text. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower’ is a film set in the early 1990’s and addresses the problems that Charlie, the main character, faces while attending high school after his best friend from middle school had committed suicide only months before hand. For anybody, being a semi-depressed teenager is a difficult situation to be in; Char lie faces this during the entire film all the way up to the very last moments. At the beginning of the film while we hear Charlie’s voice over of him writing his first letter to his â€Å"friend† he talks of alienation from his ex-middle school friends such as Susan. Charlie writes â€Å"I thought maybe my old friend Susan would want to have lunch with me† but because of Charlie’s extremely difficult situation that he is dealing with Susan â€Å"doesn’t like to say hi† to Charlie anymore. The use of voice over in this scene creates a connection between the audience and Charlie and provides sufficient evidence of how alienated Charlie is among his peers. Charlie even admits â€Å"If my English teacher is the only friend I make today, that would be sort of depressing. † This emphasises how alienated Charlie is and how much he doesn’t fit in. Due to this being a difficult circumstance for Charlie he has learnt to belong with himself even though he feels he does not belong with anyone else. In ‘The Passage’, Amy faces her situation head on which in Chapter 23 reveals that, in a way, Amy has been forced to see belonging as an unimportant aspect of her life. This has pushed Amy to accept herself and disregard the need for others. We learn this when Amy is thinking to herself when she thinks â€Å"Are we the all? For I have seen no one, no man or woman, in all the years and years. Is there no I but I? During this moment Amy is feeling a negative connection with the Virals, the vampires, she concludes her thoughts where Cronin writes â€Å"Go now, she thought, and closed her eyes; and when she opened them again she found she was alone. † Cronin pieces together Chapter 23 with finesse and understanding of Amy. He was able to show us two things: the first is that Amy did not want to belong with anyone as she feared for their safety and the second was that even though we must be accepted by others to belong, we are able to belong if we are to accept ourselves if we are involved with a difficult situation. For Skrzynecki in ‘St. Patricks College’ he also finds belonging an unimportant aspect of his life while he attends the College. This might not be as bad as Amy’s situation but to Skrzynecki it is still daunting. Skrzynecki â€Å"†¦ stuck pine needles Into the motto On my breast. † This shows the lack of caring for the motto and in turn the College. As Skrzynecki doesn’t really care for the College belonging obviously does not matter as much as Charlie from ‘The Perks Of Being A Wallflower’ wants to belong. For Skrzynecki saying, â€Å"The Lord’s Prayer In Latin, all in one breath† was a feat clearly showing his disregard for the significance of The Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is clearly connected to the College for religious reasons and because Skrzynecki misses the significance of the prayer it proves that Skrzynecki didn’t want to necessarily belong. Due to Skrzynecki being alone and feeling excluded from the college he has had to rely on his own self-acceptance to feel his own sense of belonging. ‘The Perks Of Being A Wallflower’ is a film where the main theme is belonging. Charlie reflects just that and begins to accept the fact that he is a â€Å"wallflower† and feels a sense of belonging with himself. Aside from this, Charlie wants to feel included, he wants to belong and eventually he feels that with Sam and Patrick. At Charlie’s first party Patrick makes a toast to Charlie of which Charlie questions with â€Å"what did I do? † where Patrick responds â€Å"you didn’t do anything, we just wanted to toast our new friend† this conveys a sense of belonging among the audience as well as Charlie and the other characters. This is different from Amy in ‘The Passage’ and Skrzynecki in ‘St. Patricks College’ because they do not want to belong or don’t feel the need to whereas Charlie wants to belong and wants to fit in. Accompanying this is the use of camera angles. When the camera is facing Charlie it is in a high angle position showing Charlies vulnerability and when it points at Patrick it’s a low angle position demonstrating the importance of Patrick. This is a clear representation of how one would feel a sense of belonging when they are accepted by others as well as how one would feel a sense of belonging when they accept themselves. To feel as if you belong, you must accept yourself and be accepted by others but when dealing with difficult situations you can rely on self-acceptance to feel as if you belong. This is without a doubt clearly represented in ‘The Passage’, ‘St. Patricks College’ and ‘The Perks Of Being A Wallflower’. These three very similar texts all show how a sense of belonging can be determined by self-acceptance and acceptance by a group. However, when difficult situations are experienced, an individual may gain a sense of belonging through self-acceptance alone.

Influence Of Hard Rock Music Media Essay

Influence Of Hard Rock Music Media Essay Hard rock music is a type of music that is characterized by heavy use of drums, bass and electric guitar. The music is observed to have its origin in the United States and United Kingdom in 1960s. Susan (2001), and Andrew (2007), indicate that the music has borrowed its style from the other music such as rock music, rock and roll and blues rock music. The music is characterized to be so loud and aggressive. It was sometimes called cock rock because historically, it has been played by the male species to emphasize masculinity. Its crowd is usually made of the adolescent whites who are of working class. In the late 1096s, hard rock was also referred to as heavy metal but the term did not last long as bands came up with distinctions between the two types of rock music. It was noted that heavy metal was played at higher volume, pitch and intensity than the hard rock music. In the early 1970s the heavy metal took the darker side and developed some minor genres such as hard core punk and extreme metal, and this characteristics differentiated the two types of music. In the mid 1960s, the American British Bands made the efforts to make some modifications in the rock and roll music. They introduced heavier guitar use, more loud and bombastic drumming and hard sounds on the standard music and this made it different from soft blues. Examples of the hard rock music that were developed include (I cant get no) satisfaction which was sang by the Rolling Stones in 1965, You really got me bad sang by the Kinks in the year 1964 and My who sang by Who in the year 1965. From the above discoveries, it was now possible to differentiate the music as either hard or soft music. Soft music involved more emphasis on the harmony of the song and its melody but hard music had more emphasis put on the instruments that accompanied the music and melody (Mick and Gianni, 2003). Some of the bands that emerged to sing this type of music includes; Blue Cheer, Iron Butterfly, Vanilla Fudge and MC5. As time passed on, more bands were developed and other even mixed the two types of music (mixed early rock bands music and hard blue rocks). Examples of such bands included the Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath. In the year 1972, Alice Cooper received credit on producing top ten hard rock albums in the United States. In the year 1974 onwards to 1975, some bands from Canada came up with distinctively hard rock music and released albums (with songs such as fly by night, caress of steel and rush) that were played in Britain and United States. Glen et al (2006) noted that the music continued to be modified by more bands that emerged afterwards until there was a differentiation between heavy metal music and hard rock music. In the 1990s, the hard rock music became so dominant in the United States charts. In the year 2000s, Peter (2003), observed that very few bands from 1970s and 1990s had managed to survive recording hard music. Some of the existing bands that survived into the 2000 era and onwards include; Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, The Who and The Black Sabbath. The era has also seen the emergence of more rock genres such as post punk, metal genres and the garage rock music and bands like Wolfmother. Influence of hard rock music According to Smith and Boyson (2002), music has been seen to be one of a factor that has consequential effects to the one listening. Majorly, it is assumed that those who listen to rock music are harsh, aggressive and arrogant in real life. Masling (2002) indicates that most parents and society norms warn their adolescents against listening to rock music. However, this is not always the case as is to be seen. Although hard rock music is observed to initiate violence in individuals, Masling (2002), noted that most of the rock music melodies contained a message that could change someones lifestyle. He noted that most of rock music feature on love and peace as its main themes. Rock musicians have been known to talk about social issues that affect a nation or its citizens. Some of inspiring songs were heard during the Vietnam War and the songs were sang musicians such as Bob Dylan and John Lennon. Susan (2001) noted that most of the songs had protests message against violence and encoura ged people to kip the environment clean. Some of them have even undertaken the responsibility to perform charity services and at the same time preaching the message using their songs (Glen, 2006). Glen (2006), has also noted that some rock music have been developed and they posses strong Christian values. However, a few Christians are still against the music claiming that the beats and styles used are immoral, satanic and are too sensual to be listened in the church. Thus, according to them, any song that is in the Rock, Reggae or Hip-hop genre is satanic regardless of the lyrics in the music. It has been estimated that violence acts and aggression are can be found in almost 70% of rock music and raps (Barongan and Nagayama, 2005). There were also evidence that most people who listened to these types of music displayed violent behaviors to their spouses (women especially). According to Nicholas and Dibben (2001), a brief exposure to a violent music video or listening to the music for just 10 minutes would change the emotions of an individual. Most of the percentage have been said to change the person negatively. An archival research performed by Atkin et al (2002), indicated that listening and watching to rock music attributed to more violence, aggressiveness and use of explicit language. Emotionally, Nicholas and Dibben (2001), depicts that soft music invokes a positive thought in an individual while listening to a hard rock music invokes negative emotions. According to Atkin et al (2002), some rock singers confuse its singers by the lyrics they compose. He noted that some famous musicians contradicted themselves when they released a song that illustrated non-existence of God, meaning they are atheist in nature. This can be influential to their fans that may end up believing in what they sing about. An example is John Lennon who sang the song Imagin (the song described that the world would be a better place without religion). American Psychological Association (2002) observed that most rock musicians love being identified as unique and standing out. Most of them isolate themselves and even use drugs to make their life different from a normal individual. Most of the musicians depict a lifestyle that is characterized by drugs and sex. They were known to attract attention of young girls groupies who later developed to become prostitutes as a result. They were also characterized by a hard drinking habits and lack of order in what they do. Masling (2002) depicts that the bands were influential to the young youths who still were naÃÆ'Â ¯ve and they followed everything they saw and heard. Some bands used satanic imageries and this influenced the viewers too. As they appreciate their stars, they also appreciate the images they use in their music. To conclude, music is defined by the type of message and comfort one derives after listening to it. Todays society is not happy with the hard rock music and its effects. From above explanations, it is noted that hard rock music has more harm than good to our society. It is the responsibility of parents and the community to educate their children on the need to watch out on the type of music they listen to as it may have permanent effects in their lives.

Concepts and Research into Green Networking

Concepts and Research into Green Networking Green Networking Abstract: Saving of excessive energy consumption is becoming a key concern in networking, because of theprobable economical benefits. These concerns, usually argued to as â€Å"green networking†, relate to inserting energy-awareness in the strategy, in the devicesand in the protocols of networks. In this work, I first formulate a more precise definition of the â€Å"green† attribute. I further more classify a few standards that are key enablers of energy-aware networking research. I then overview the up-to-date state of the art and offer a catalog of the relevant work, with a superior focus on networking. Introduction: Recent studies shows that Information Technology and communication advances are responsible for significant amount of world electric power consumptions which ranges from 2% to 10%, that is one of the contributing factor for global warming, via gases release from greenhouse and from the growth of demand of internet applications and services. Therefore, for these reasons energy efficient and sustainable networking often called â€Å"Green Networking†, has become a hot issue in the last few years. Definition: Green Networking is the practice of selecting energy-efficient networking technologies and products, and minimizing resources use whenever possible. [1] All facets of Information Technology and Communication are under supervision, from energy-saving design of all networking devices, to strategies which reflect the entire network’s energy depletion in the planning, design, implementation and management points, to new approach for long-run sustainability of the networking which covers reformed attitudes of users’ as well as smart energy mowing techniques.This special concern on Green Networking intentions at providing revolutionary influences to the research and development of energy-efficient networking solutions and approaches for network sustainability. Motivation for research and review: There are many complexities in network, unnecessary traffic congestion, and more power wastages due to unnecessary idling of node at the current situation of networking.Therefore, I have used one research paper published on the subject and examining the viewpoints to the matter.To the paper, I have added an analysis section where I reflect on the paper value, and discuss important points listed in the paper on the subject. Green Networking With Packet Processing Engines: Modeling and Optimization Published on:14th February, 2013. IEEE Computer Society Authors: Raffaele Bolla, RobertoBruschi, Alessandro Carrega, and Franco Davoli With the goal of monitoring power consumption in metro/transport and main networks, the paper reflects energy-aware devices capable to shrink their energy chucks by adjusting their performance. In specific, the paper focuses on state-of-the-art packet processing engines, which normally characterize the most energy-consuming apparatuses of network devices, and that are often collected of a number of parallel pipelines to â€Å"divide and conquer† the received traffic load. The paper talk about goal to control both the power structure of pipelines and the way to issue traffic flows among them. The authors proposed an analytical model to precisely represent the impact of green network technologies (i.e., low power idle and adaptive rate) on network-aware and energy-aware performance indexes. The model has been confirmed with experimental consequences, accomplished by using energy-aware software routers loaded by real-world traffic traces. The attained outcomes determine how the p rojected model can successfully epitomize energy-aware and network-aware presentation indexes. The method goals at dynamically adjusting the energy-aware device structure to lessen energy consumption whereas handling with received traffic signals and gathering network performance limitations. In order to genuinely comprehend the impact of such policy, a number of experiments have been executed by using experimental data from software router designs and real-world traffic traces. Analysis: In this paper, the authors considered energy-aware network devices (e.g., routers, switches, etc.) able to trade their energy consumption for packet forwarding performance by means of both low power idle and adaptive rate schemes. The proposed analytical model is able to capture the impact of power management capabilities on network performance metrics. The analytical framework considers stochastic incoming traffic at the packet level with Long Range Dependency (LRD) properties. On the basis of the analytical model, authors have chosen the parameters characterizing the joint usage of Adaptive Rate(AR) and Low Power Idle(LPI) energy-aware capabilities by optimizing the desired tradeoff between energy consumption and Quality of Service(QoS) while at the same time enforcing the satisfaction of given upper bounds on both. Since the performance and cost indicators used in the optimization depend on incoming traffic volumes and statistical features (notably, burst inter-arrival time and av erage burst length), researchers repeat the optimization periodically under updated estimations of these quantities. The modeling and control framework has been validated experimentally by using a Linux-based open software router with AR and LPI primitives under traffic generated by real-world traces; the results demonstrate how the proposed model can effectively represent energy-aware and network-aware performance indexes. Therefore proposed model, is efficient and addressing green networking maintaining the Quality of Service (QoS) in the network. Green Strategies Traditionally, networking systems are designed and dimensioned according to principles that are inherently in opposition with green networking objectives: namely, over-provisioning and redundancy. On the other hand, due to the lack of Quality of Service (QoS) provision from the Internet architecture, over-provisioning is a common practice: networks are dimensioned to sustain peak hour traffic, with extra capacity to allow for unexpected happenings. As a result, through low traffic periods, over-provisioned networks are also over-energy-consuming. Furthermore, on behalf of resiliency and fault-tolerance, networks are also deliberate in a redundant manner. Devices are added to the structure with the sole purpose of taking over the duty when another device fails, which further adds to the overall energy ingesting. These objectives, drastically divergent to the environmental ones, make green networking an interesting, and technically challenging, research arena. A major change is indeed needed in networking research and development to introduce energy-awareness in the network design, deprived of compromising either the Quality of Service (QoS) or the network consistency. This section illustrates a few key paradigms that the network infrastructure can exploit to reach the green objectives formalized above. We individuate three classes of solution, namely resource consolidation, virtualization and  selective connectedness  [2]. These three categories represent three research directions, which may find further detailed applications in device and protocol design. Resource consolidation regroups all the dimensioning strategies to reduce the global consumption due to devices underutilized at a given time. Given that the traffic level in a given network approximately follows a well-known daily and weekly behavior [3], there is an opportunity to â€Å"adapt† the level of active over-provisioning to the current network conditions. In other words, the required level of performance will still be guaranteed, but using an amount of resources that is dimensioned for current network traffic demand rather than for the peak demand. This can, for example, be achieved by shutting down some lightly loaded routers and rerouting the traffic on a smaller number of active network equipment. Resource consolidation is already a popular approach in other fields, in particular data centers and CPU. Virtualization regroups a set of mechanisms allowing more than one service to operate on the same section of hardware, hence refining the hardware operation. It results in a lowered energy consumption, as long as a single machine under high load consumes less than several lightly loaded ones, which is generally the case. Virtualization can be applied to multiple kinds of resources, comprising network links, storage hardware, software resources, etc. A typical example of virtualization consists in sharing servers in data centers, thus reducing hardware costs, improving energy management and reducing energy and cooling costs, ultimately reducing data center carbon footprint. In the current context, virtualization has already been deployed with success: e.g., the US Postal Service has virtualized 791 of its 895 physical servers [4]. As virtualization is a more mature research field, we refer the interested reader to [5] for a detailed survey of virtualization techniques from a computer architecture perspective, and to [6] for a networking perspective. At the same time, it should be noted that a virtualization solution designed explicitly to reduce network energy consumption has yet to appear. Applying the same base concept, selective connectedness of devices, as outlined in [7], [8], consists in distributed mechanisms allowing single pieces of equipment to go idle for some time, as clearly as probable for the rest of the networked devices. If the consolidation principle relates to resources that are shared within the network infrastructure, selective connectedness allows instead to turn off unused resources at the edge of the network. For instance, edge nodes can go idle in order to avoid supporting network connectivity tasks (e.g., periodically sending heartbeats, receiving unnecessary broadcast traffic, etc.). These tasks may have to be taken over by other nodes, such as proxies, momentarily faking identity of sluggish devices, so that no essentialmodification is required in network protocols Conclusion: This article surveyed the efforts that the research community has been spending in the attempt to reduce the energy waste in fixed networks, which are usually denoted as â€Å"green networking†. I presented the importance of the issue, its definition and mainstream paradigms, and proposed a taxonomy of the relevant related work. Examining the state of the art, we observe that a few techniques are emerging, which can be roughly categorized as (i) resource consolidation, (ii) virtualization (iii) selective connectedness. It also emerges from my analysis that despite the relative youth of the green networking field, research in some of the above areas is already mature, with advanced standardization efforts and prototyping results. Finally, as the ultimate goal of networking is to provide services to end-users, the quality of such services and of the user experience is a topic that spans over all the previous branches. Indeed, while energy efficiency is becoming a primary issue, it shall never be neglected that the energy gain must not come at the price of a network performance loss. This delicate tradeoff arises from opposite principles: indeed, while networked systems have traditionally be designed and dimensioned according to principles such as overprovisioning and redundancy, green networking approaches praise opposite practices such as resource-consolidation and selective-connectedness. The challenge lays in this case in applying the latter principles in a way that is as transparent as possible to the user – in other words, avoiding that resource consolidation translates into congestion, or that selective connectedness translates into unreachability. While the first wave of green studies focused mor e on the achievable energy gain, we believe that a systematic evaluation of networking performance from the user-perspective should be undertaken as well. Indeed, in all branches interesting questions remain, which deserve precise quantitative answers: Finally, we believe that while, for the time being, techniques of different branches have been studied in isolation, future research should address the combined impact of different techniques as well. Indeed, even though each of the above techniques alone do not constitute serious threats for the QoS perceived by the end-user, however it is not guaranteed that the joint use of several technique will not raise unexpected behaviour. Due to the current rise in green networking research and attention, it cannot be excluded that, in a near future, users will run Energy Aware Applications, in a home equipped with a green set-top-box implementing Interface Proxying functionalities, and will access the Internet through an Internet Service Pro vider implementing Energy Aware Routing in devices interconnected by Adaptive Link Rate lines – which opens a number of interesting questions that are so far all unexplored. References: [1] â€Å"Discussion Definition of green networking,†http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/green-networking [2] â€Å"International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering,†http://ijarcsse.com/docs/papers/Volume_4/9_September2014/V4I9-0353.pdf [3] A. Qureshi, R. Weber, H. Balakrishnan, J. Guttag, and B. Maggs, â€Å"Cutting the Electric Bill for Internet-Scale Systems,† in Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Applications, Technologies, Architectures, and Protocols for Computer Communications (SIGCOMM 2009), (Barcelona, Spain), Aug. 2009. [4] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Energy Star Program, â€Å"Report to Congress on Server and Data Center Energy Efficiency Public Law 109-431,† Tech. Rep. , U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Aug. 2007. [5] S. Nanda and T.-C. Chiueh, â€Å"A Survey on Virtualization Technologies,† Tech. Rep. TR179, Department of Computer Science, SUNY at Stony Brook, 2005. [6] N. M. Kabir Chowdhury and R. Boutaba, â€Å"A Survey of Network Virtualization,† Tech. Rep. CS-2008-25, University of Waterloo, Oct.2008. [7] K. Christensen, C. Gunaratne, B. Nordman, and A. D. George, â€Å"The Next Frontier for Communications Networks: Power Management,†Computer Communications, vol. 27, pp. 1758–1770, Dec. 2004. [8] M. Allman, K. Christensen, B. Nordman, and V. Paxson, â€Å"Enabling an Energy-Efficient Future Internet Through Selectively Connected End Systems,† in Proceedings of the Sixth ACM Workshop on Hot Topics in Networks (HotNets-VI), (Atlanta, Georgia, USA), Nov. 2007.

Imagery and Metaphor in Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum Est :: Dulce et Decorum Est Essays

Imagery and Metaphor in Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum Est  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The poem is one of the most powerful ways to convey an idea or opinion.   Through vivid imagery and compelling metaphors, the poem gives the reader the exact feeling the author wanted.   The poem "Dulce et Decorum Est," an anti-war poem by Wilfred Owen, makes great use of these devices.   This poem is very effective because of its excellent manipulation of the mechanical and emotional parts of poetry.   Owen's use of exact diction and vivid figurative language emphasizes his point, showing that war is terrible and devastating. Furthermore, the utilization of extremely graphic imagery adds even more to his argument.   Through the effective use of all three of these tools, this poem conveys a strong meaning and persuasive argument.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The poem's use of excellent diction helps to more clearly define what the author is saying.   Words like "guttering", "choking", and "drowning" not only show how the man is suffering, but that he is in terrible pain that no human being should endure.   Other words like writhing and froth-corrupted say precisely how the man is being tormented.   Moreover, the phrase "blood shod" shows how the troops have been on their feet for days, never resting.   Also, the fact that the gassed man was "flung" into the wagon reveals the urgency and occupation with fighting. The only thing they can do is toss him into a wagon.   The fact one word   can add to the meaning so much shows how the diction of this poem adds greatly to its effectiveness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Likewise, the use of figurative language in this poem also helps to emphasize the points that are being made.   As Perrine says, people use metaphors because they say "...what   we want to say more vividly and forcefully..."   Owen capitalizes greatly on this by using strong metaphors and similes.   Right off in the first line, he describes the troops as being "like old beggars under sacks."   This not only says that they are tired, but that they are so tired they have been brought down to the level of beggars who have not slept in a bed for weeks on end.   Owen also compares the victim's face to the devil, seeming corrupted and baneful.   A metaphor even more effective is one that compares "...vile, incurable sores..." with the memories of the troops.   It not only tells the reader how the troops will never forget the experience, but also how they are frightening tales, ones that will the troops will never be able to tell without remember ing the extremely painful experience.

Memorable Day Essay -- Personal Narrative Tourism Traveling Essays

Memorable Day Drip, drop, drip, drop; it’s the sound of light rain on the window of my small, cramped hotel room in New York City. I pray that the sound will just drift away to nothingness and bring back the heavy sounds of the city. I wait patiently in the early morning darkness, which the rain has brought to my window waiting for some kind of sign of a hot New York day. Of all the days to rain, why did it have to be this day? The one full day I have to spend in New York and get to know the city. The plans of walking, sightseeing, and browsing the many stores have come to an end due to the loud sounds of big fat rain drops hitting the pavement. The rain, which only moments before was small with a promise of stopping soon, was now coming down hard and fast, drenching everything in its path. As my husband and I walk towards the entrance of the hotel, all we saw was a wave of umbrellas blocking out the site of the streets, but leaving an intricate pattern of color in its place. After purchasing a couple of umbrellas, Todd and I decided to try and brave the rain and continue our plans to tour the big Apple, but one step outside of the hotel had us hailing a cab and heading off to do what most people do on a rainy day. Todd and I asked the cab driver to head over to the Metropolitan Museum. Now, everyone goes to a museum once or twice every few months, because people can’t seem to get enough of old dinosaur’s bones and other naturalistic pieces behind plated glass. I have been told by many that a typical museum visit is fine, but a visit to the Metropolitan is a site to behold. After being dropped off in front of an old classic building I knew in that moment that the rain gave me a precious gift. After all, when it c... ...ll say there are some very unusual paintings we saw at the Met. I sometimes wonder what an artist is seeing when they are painting. Our day had to come to an end because there are only so many hours in a day. As my husband and I step out of history and back into reality we see that the rain has subsided just long enough to begin a nice stroll through central park. As my husband and I begin walking back to our hotel we start to share what parts of the museum we liked the best. The exhibit we liked the best was the medieval time period, because there is just so much interesting history behind this period. I can’t believe it has been almost a year since that trip to New York, but I can still remember my experiences at the Metropolitan Museum. I was able for just one day to travel from time period to time period viewing wonderful pieces from all over the world. Memorable Day Essay -- Personal Narrative Tourism Traveling Essays Memorable Day Drip, drop, drip, drop; it’s the sound of light rain on the window of my small, cramped hotel room in New York City. I pray that the sound will just drift away to nothingness and bring back the heavy sounds of the city. I wait patiently in the early morning darkness, which the rain has brought to my window waiting for some kind of sign of a hot New York day. Of all the days to rain, why did it have to be this day? The one full day I have to spend in New York and get to know the city. The plans of walking, sightseeing, and browsing the many stores have come to an end due to the loud sounds of big fat rain drops hitting the pavement. The rain, which only moments before was small with a promise of stopping soon, was now coming down hard and fast, drenching everything in its path. As my husband and I walk towards the entrance of the hotel, all we saw was a wave of umbrellas blocking out the site of the streets, but leaving an intricate pattern of color in its place. After purchasing a couple of umbrellas, Todd and I decided to try and brave the rain and continue our plans to tour the big Apple, but one step outside of the hotel had us hailing a cab and heading off to do what most people do on a rainy day. Todd and I asked the cab driver to head over to the Metropolitan Museum. Now, everyone goes to a museum once or twice every few months, because people can’t seem to get enough of old dinosaur’s bones and other naturalistic pieces behind plated glass. I have been told by many that a typical museum visit is fine, but a visit to the Metropolitan is a site to behold. After being dropped off in front of an old classic building I knew in that moment that the rain gave me a precious gift. After all, when it c... ...ll say there are some very unusual paintings we saw at the Met. I sometimes wonder what an artist is seeing when they are painting. Our day had to come to an end because there are only so many hours in a day. As my husband and I step out of history and back into reality we see that the rain has subsided just long enough to begin a nice stroll through central park. As my husband and I begin walking back to our hotel we start to share what parts of the museum we liked the best. The exhibit we liked the best was the medieval time period, because there is just so much interesting history behind this period. I can’t believe it has been almost a year since that trip to New York, but I can still remember my experiences at the Metropolitan Museum. I was able for just one day to travel from time period to time period viewing wonderful pieces from all over the world.

funeral :: essays research papers

I was sitting in the church, the fourth or fifth row back, and the seventh seat in, next to my mom, with her arm around me. She hugged me close to her warm body, letting me silently know everything is going to be all right. I rested my head on her shoulder, as if to tell her thank-you, and looked at the microphone on the left side of the front stage. Then I looked at the center of the stage; the pastor was walking toward the podium from his seat. He leaned over and spoke briefly, telling us who the next speaker would be. "Next we have a poem from a close friend of the family, Sarah, and Scott's daughter, Arielle." then he was back to his seat in the front row. Sarah who was considered the third daughter of both my separated parents, and Arielle, my sister, walked up to the microphone on the left. Sarah pulled out a folded -piece of paper, and opened it. She began to read with confidence in her voice, and determination in her heart. Wow, I recall thinking, This is really good. I hope I can get a copy of it. As Sarah went on, the room was silent. There were over a hundred people there and the calmness of her voice kept us all quiet, as if she were singing a lullaby. After a few minutes, her breathing became irregular, and I could hear her voice start to crack. She was going to start crying. Arielle put a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. You could hear a deep breath in the microphone that echoed in the tall building. I heard her whisper "Okay" and then she went on. Her words came out clear and smooth as if nothing would stop her. Then she finished. No one moved. She made her way back to her seat, followed by Arielle.

Industrial Relations Essay

Industrial relations has three faces: science building, problem solving, and ethical. [9] In the science building phase, industrial relations is part of the social sciences, and it seeks to understand the employment relationship and its institutions through high-quality, rigorous research. In this vein, industrial relations scholarship intersects with scholarship in labor economics, industrial sociology, labor and social history, human resource management, political science, law, and other areas. Industrial relations scholarship assumes that labor markets are not perfectly competitive and thus, in contrast to mainstream economic theory, employers typically have greater bargaining power than employees. Industrial relations scholarship also assumes that there are at least some inherent conflicts of interest between employers and employees (for example, higher wages versus higher profits) and thus, in contrast to scholarship in human resource management and organizational behavior, conflict is seen as a natural part of the employment relationship. Industrial relations scholars therefore frequently study the diverse institutional arrangements that characterize and shape the employment relationship—from norms and power structures on the shop floor, to employee voice mechanisms in the workplace, to collective bargaining arrangements at company, regional, or national level, to various levels of public policy and labor law regimes, to â€Å"varieties of capitalism† (such as corporatism, social democracy, and neoliberalism). When labor markets are seen as imperfect, and when the employment relationship includes conflicts of interest, then one cannot rely on markets or managers to always serve workers’ interests, and in extreme cases to prevent worker exploitation. Industrial relations scholars and practitioners therefore support institutional interventions to improve the workings of the employment relationship and to protect workers’ rights. The nature of these institutional interventions, however, differ between two camps within industrial relations. 10] The pluralist camp sees the employment relationship as a mixture of shared interests and conflicts of interests that are largely limited to the employment relationship. In the workplace, pluralists therefore champion grievance procedures, employee voice mechanisms such as works councils and labor unions, collective bargaining, and labor-management partnerships. In the policy arena, pluralists advocate for minimum wage laws, occupational health and safety standards, international labor standards, and other employment and labor laws and public policies. 11] These institutional interventions are all seen as methods for balancing the employment relationship to generate not only economic efficiency, but also employee equity and voice. [12] In contrast, the Marxist-inspired critical camp sees employer-employee conflicts of interest as sharply antagonistic and deeply embedded in the socio-political-economic system. From this perspective, the pursuit of a balanced employment relationship gives too much weight to employers’ interests, and instead deep-seated structural reforms are needed to change the sharply antagonistic employment relationship that is inherent within capitalism. Militant trade unions are thus frequently supported. History Industrial relations has its roots in the industrial revolution which created the modern employment relationship by spawning free labor markets and large-scale industrial organizations with thousands of wage workers. [9] As society wrestled with these massive economic and social changes, labor problems arose. Low wages, long working hours, monotonous and dangerous work, and abusive supervisory practices led to high employee turnover, violent strikes, and the threat of social instability. Intellectually, industrial relations was formed at the end of the 19th century as a middle ground between classical economics and Marxism, with Sidney Webb and Beatrice Webb’s Industrial Democracy (1897) being the key intellectual work. Industrial relations thus rejected the classical econ. Institutionally, industrial relations was founded by John R. Commons when he created the first academic industrial relations program at the University of Wisconsin in 1920. Early financial support for the field came from John D. Rockefeller, Jr. ho supported progressive labor-management relations in the aftermath of the bloody strike at a Rockefeller-owned coal mine in Colorado. In Britain, another progressive industrialist, Montague Burton, endowed chairs in industrial relations at Leeds, Cardiff and Cambridge in 1930, and the discipline was formalized in the 1950s with the formation of the Oxford School by Allan Flanders and Hugh Clegg. [13] Industrial relations was formed with a strong p roblem-solving orientation that rejected both the classical economists’ laissez faire solutions to labor problems and the Marxist solution of class revolution. It is this approach that underlies the New Deal legislation in the United States, such as the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Industrial relations scholars have described three major theoretical perspectives or frameworks, that contrast in their understanding and analysis of workplace relations. The three views are generally known as unitarism, pluralist and radical. Each offers a particular perception of workplace relations and will therefore interpret such events as workplace conflict, the role of unions and job regulation differently. The radical perspective is sometimes referred to as the â€Å"conflict model†, although this is somewhat ambiguous, as pluralism also tends to see conflict as inherent in workplaces. Radical theories are strongly identified with Marxist theories, although they are not limited to these. Pluralist perspective In pluralism, the organization is perceived as being made up of powerful and divergent sub-groups, each with its own legitimate loyalties and with their own set of objectives and leaders. In particular, the two predominant sub-groups in the pluralist perspective are the management and trade unions. Consequently, the role of management would lean less towards enforcing and controlling and more toward persuasion and co-ordination. Trade unions are deemed as legitimate representatives of employees, conflict is dealt by collective bargaining and is viewed not necessarily as a bad thing and, if managed, could in fact be channeled towards evolution and positive change. Unitarist perspective In unitarism, the organization is perceived as an integrated and harmonious whole with the ideal of â€Å"one happy family†, where management and other members of the staff all share a common purpose, emphasizing mutual cooperation. Furthermore, unitarism has a paternalistic approach where it demands loyalty of all employees, being predominantly managerial in its emphasis and application. Consequently, trade unions are deemed as unnecessary since the loyalty between employees and organizations are considered mutually exclusive, where there can’t be two sides of industry. Conflict is perceived as disruptive and the pathological result of agitators, interpersonal friction and communication breakdown. Marxist/Radical perspective This view of industrial relations looks at the nature of the capitalist society, where there is a fundamental division of interest between capital and labour, and sees workplace relations against this background. This perspective sees inequalities of power and economic wealth as having their roots in the nature of the capitalist economic system. Conflict is therefore seen as inevitable and trade unions are a natural response of workers to their exploitation by capital. Whilst there may be periods of acquiescence, the Marxist view would be that institutions of joint regulation would enhance rather than limit management’s position as they presume the continuation of capitalism rather than challenge it†¦ Industrial relations today By many accounts, industrial relations today is in crisis. 14][15][16] In academia, its traditional positions are threatened on one side by the dominance of mainstream economics and organizational behavior, and on the other by postmodernism. In policy-making circles, the industrial relations emphasis on institutional intervention is trumped by a neoliberal emphasis on the laissez faire promotion of free markets. In practice, labor unions are declining and fewer companies have industrial relations functions. The number of academic programs in industrial relations is therefore shrinking, and scholars are leaving the field for other areas, especially human resource management and organizational behavior. The importance of work, however, is stronger than ever, and the lessons of industrial relations remain vital. The challenge for industrial relations is to re-establish these connections with the broader academic, policy, and business worlds.

The Harmonious Multi-Racial Country

Community members who live in our country live in peace and harmony. The relationship between multi-racial society like the Malays, Chinese and Indians are so closely intertwined and form a close-knit community. The idea of the establishment of Datuk Seri Najib B. Tun Abd. Razak about the slogan â€Å"1 Malaysia† has brought our country towards a paradigm shift and change the way of life of a society of living in Malaysia. However, the initiative, the initiative must be implemented by all parties to maintain peace and harmony in our country? Prakasa premier harmonious multi-racial society in Malaysia is the attitude of the individual.This is so because, generally be safe a community depends on the individual. Each individual should adopt less ansurdan mutual love love each other. Every citizen should always practice 17 moral values in their daily lives. With the availability of pure practitioner attitudes within society in Malaysia, live every society people of all races wil l always be peace and harmony. For example, our house open house in conjunction with a festival like Hari Raya, we should not prevent our neighbors even if they are not the same religion as us from our visit together to celebrate with us.If every citizen to practice tolerance and love love each other, it would be a multi-racial society harmony can be maintained, because the house because sasaknya robust, resilient as the integrity of the nation state . Strictly speaking, the attitude of the individual plays the most important role to maintain the harmony and prosperity of a plural society in Malaysia today. In addition, the school also has acted as a multiracial society living in our country in order to live in peace and harmony.The school must provide activities that involve community NATURE various social and ethnic groups. Next, the school also should encourage the application of the traditional dress of their own race while sambuatan-like celebration of Independence Day celebrat ions, festivals and so on, so multi-ethnic society in our country will be able to feel the blessings of harmony and prosperity live in a plural society of Malaysia. For example, for the Malays to wear shirts baju Melayu and Chinese while wearing a cheongsam and wear saris for Indians.This attitude was successfully instill in students a sense of unity will continue next flourish when they enter adulthood. Indeed, the school plays an important role in maintaining the harmony and prosperity of a plural society in Malaysia country, says a proverb, if not broken ruyung can sagunya cuisine. Community of practice is also one of the measures to maintain harmony among the various races in Malaysia. Practice good society can safeguard plural society in Malaysia. Of peace can be maintained with the participation of all races and all activities are conducted in a community.For example, the adoption of the annual community sports tradition with the involvement of all different ethnic groups acco mpanied by the adoption of attitudes in traditionally done commendable. If the traditional practices of a community with the involvement of various races not practiced, of course, will not sustain social harmony. In short, the traditional practices of community involvement plural society to maintain peace and prosperity of the community living in multi-ethnic communities, as explained under the proverb to the same groove descendants, the same mountain to climb.In addition, the mass media also play an important role in maintaining peace and harmony among the various races in the country. This is so because, the mass media is a mechanism or means of mass media that delivers information and news to the public quickly and in a short time. Attitudes are easily influenced by mass media such as radio or television is a common scenario that we see today. With the publication of advertisements or stories on the theme of unity and harmony, the spirit of love for peace will continue to be embe dded in the chest of all people in Malaysia.For example, stories, and advertisements as the movie â€Å"Papadom† and TM advertisement featuring the friendship between races like the Malays, Chinese and Indians. In the event, the mass media do not play their role as the fastest means of mass media, surely harmony and prosperity of the community is difficult to maintain in the community in our country. It is clear that the mass media is the link between the community mechanism in maintaining a harmonious multi-racial society in Malaysia. Government also plays an important role in maintaining a harmonious ulti-racial society in our country. This is so because our country practicing democracy and ruled by a government that is fair and equitable. Notion of â€Å"1 Malaysia† is constantly changing depending on an important event has led to a drastic transformation in maintaining national harmony. Every citizen should be willing to fight and sacrifice their lives to defend th e sovereignty of a price, security and way of life regardless of race. For example during the 54th Independence Day in 2011, the founder of the slogan â€Å"1 Malaysia†, the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Mohd Najib B.Abdul Razak has made the theme â€Å"1 Malaysia† on the theme of ‘transformation successful, prosperous people. † Should the government play a role properly, honest and trustworthy is certainly well-being in a multi-ethnic society can be maintained. Tegaslah that the government is a party that plays an important role in maintaining a harmonious multi-racial society. conclusion, all parties should work together to maintain peace and harmony among human societies, races in our country.In this context, civil society must work together and compromise as well as the practice of traditional practices and collaboration between the school, the mass media and the government to maintain the harmony of the society in Malaysia. Therefore, in conjunction with the 54th Merdeka Day and the month of the formation of Malaysia, let us strive to be more patriotic, pledge to give full contribution to the community mediators, more united and willing to sacrifice for the country as indeed ‘ Round the bamboo water , round man for reconciliation ‘.

United States Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. The Society is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with state Divisions and more than 3,400 local Units. The Society is the largest source of private, nonprofit cancer research funds in the United States. The Society's prevention programs focus on tobacco control, sun protection, diet and nutrition, comprehensive school health education, early detection, and treatment. A variety of service and rehabilitation programs are available to patients and their families. Through its advocacy program, the Society educates policy makers about cancer and how it affects the individuals and families they represent. For more information contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. The American Cancer Society's international mission concentrates on capacity building in developing cancer societies and on collaboration with other cancer-related organizations throughout the world in carrying out the strategic directions of the American Cancer Society In 1947 the American Cancer Society also began its public education campaign about the signs and symptoms of cancer. They were termed â€Å"Cancer's Danger Signals†. The original 7 danger signals were: 2. A lump or thickening in the breast or elsewhere. 5. Persistent indigestion or difficult swallowing. 7. Any change in normal bowel habits. Ten years later, the order was rearranged putting the â€Å"unusual bleeding or discharge† in the first place. The signals were retitled and reworded slightly through the years, until the wording was changed in 1969 to the acronym CAUTION. The first letter of each sentence was lined up to spell CAUTION. Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing. The warning signals remained as above until their use was discontinued in the early 1980's. Some of the Society's patient service programs include: Transportation: Trained volunteers drive patients to and from treatment. This program is called Road to Recovery in some areas. Reach to Recovery: Trained volunteers who are breast cancer survivors visit women who have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The volunteers serve as positive role models, talk with women about their feelings and concerns, and provide written materials about breast cancer and related subjects. â€Å"TLC† is a â€Å"magalog† designed to provide information and special products, such as wigs, swimwear, turbans, hats, bras, and breast prostheses. Look Good†¦Feel Better: In partnership with the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Foundation and the National Cosmetology Association, this free public service program is designed to teach women with cancer beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Man to Man: This group program provides information about prostate cancer and related issues to men with prostate cancer and, in some areas, their spouse or significant other. Children's Camps: In some areas, the Society sponsors camps for children who have, or have had, cancer. These camps are equipped to handle the special needs of children undergoing treatment. Hope Lodge: Temporary accommodations are provided in some areas to cancer patients during their treatment. I Can Cope: This patient and family cancer education program consists of a series of classes. Doctors, nurses, social workers, and community representatives provide information about cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as assistance in coping with the physical and emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis.

Knowledge Brings Sorrow

Knowledge Brings Sorrow; Fate vs. Free Will The themes of â€Å"fate versus free will† and â€Å"knowledge brings sorrow† are present throughout the play Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles. Fate and free will are antitheses of each other, just as knowledge and sorrow are. Many years before Oedipus began his journey to Thebes, his father, King Laius, heard a prophecy saying that his son would kill him (65). In order to prevent this from happening, Laius had the baby abandoned, and had his feet bound together with a nail for extra precaution. Since prophecies usually turned out to be true, this is an example of how Laius tried to escape his fate. However, he didn’t know that Oedipus survived. On his way to Thebes, Oedipus ran into Laius on the road, not knowing he was his father. He ended up killing him, just as the prophecy said. The prophecy also said that Oedipus would marry his mother. You can infer that fate yet again fulfills its role, and the prophecy becomes true after Oedipus kills his father and continues to Thebes. Just as Oedipus didn’t know that Laius was his father, he didn’t know that Jocasta was his mother. He became the new king of Thebes because he married Jocasta (65). Throughout the play, Oedipus believes that all of his actions are based on free will, not fate. He doesn’t find out that he killed his father and married his mother until awhile after it happened. Everything that happens to Oedipus is really his fate. Once Jocasta and Oedipus Strineka 2 realize they are mother and son, Jocasta kills herself. Here, fate plays another role. Free will really isn’t present in this play. Everything that happens is due to fate. As Amit Sodha said, â€Å"All events are fated in some way. † This is also where â€Å"knowledge brings sorrow† comes into play. Because Jocasta and Oedipus found out that they were mother and son, Jocasta kills herself and Oedipus gouges out his eyes. They do not want to accept the fact that they were mother and son and married. Sodha also said â€Å"The trouble with fate is that it can leave you with a feeling of helplessness. † It’s obvious that Oedipus and Jocasta definitely felt helpless in their situation. Although the prophecy said nothing about Oedipus killing himself, it said hat he would kill his parents. He didn’t kill Jocasta himself, but the reason she killed herself in the first place was because of Oedipus and their marriage. This is a good example of how some things are better off left unknown. In this situation, knowing everything was obviously not such a good idea. People wouldn’t want to know every single detail if things w ere said clearly, and not in such an ambiguous manner. When things are said so that they could possibly have multiple meanings, people become curious to figure out what is actually meant. The outcome of figuring out meanings could be good or bad. Just like the saying â€Å"curiosity killed the cat,† curiosity killed Laius, Jocasta, and Oedipus, and placed a curse on their whole family. In the play, fate triumphs over free will, and knowledge definitely brings sorrow. It’s ironic that fate triumphs over free will and knowledge brings sorrow because most people do things without thinking that it’s part of their fate, and you would think that knowing more would enlighten you rather than bringing you grief and sorrow. In reality, people who are generally â€Å"smarter† and have more knowledge are usually the ones who are most successful in life, and being successful is usually associated with having a good life and being happy. Strineka 3 However, it makes more sense that people who are more aware of life and their surroundings are the ones who feel sorrow and grief. They’re the ones who know what life is really like. They see the flaws of the world and how careless and ignorant people can be. It is possible for knowledge to limit the lives of people, because those who know what is going on often try to change things so the outcome will hopefully be different. For example, if someone had a serious illness but didn’t know about it, they would go on living their life normally without any worry. But if this person knew about the illness, they would probably live their life worrying about what’s going to happen to them. In Oedipus, Laius worries about whether or not the prophecy that his son would kill him will come true. He takes ridiculous actions just to prevent it from happening, but he ends up being killed by his son anyways due to his fate.

Starbucks Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Starbucks - Essay Example The aim of Starbucks includes providing fresh, high quality teas and coffee products, as well as creating a unique experience in our store by encouraging a positive, safe environment for all. The global customer base of the company provides the opportunities of global expansion for the company wherein Starbucks can pursue the opportunities with it beyond the traditional store experiences for offering its customers new coffee products. Some of the examples of functional tactics of the company include ongoing expansion in the foreign markets, increase in product categories and growth in the distribution channels of the company which has helped Starbucks leverage its strong brand and build a retail store base. The strength of Starbucks is that over time it has continued being a cash cow, generating high operating cash flows with consistent growth rates (Starbucks Annual Report). Due to the recession of the U.S. economy, customers in US have become price sensitive due to their income ran ge, especially students. Therefore, Starbucks utilize making our product quality better. It makes its products, atmosphere, and employees better than its surrounding competitors so that it can meet the needs and ensure that it draws in multiple and diverse group of customers (Starbucks Annual Report).

Diversity in the Work Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Diversity in the Work Environment - Essay Example Diversity is the guide for innovative thinking, entrepreneurial spirit and new methods of building the communities. According to Abbasi, & Hollman (1991) that Diversity as a concept is one that welcomes numerous ways of thinking and expression as important business resources for the reason that those differences can create new and innovative product and service ideas and methods of problem solving. Carr-Ruffino, (1996) said that managing diversity is considered as planning and implementing business systems and practices to direct people so that the probable advantages of diversity are maximized while its probable disadvantages are minimized. Managing diversity well presents a unique advantage in a time when flexibility and creativity are keys to competitiveness. A business needs to be flexible and adjustable to attain new customer desires. We live in time where understanding diversity is becoming more vital than ever. The word diversity has assumed new significance all throughout the past few years. Diversity has turn out to be related with positive action programs and cultural or gender-based sensitivity training. Yet diverse does exactly explain these days a usual firm's workers, independent contractors and customers. In this situation, it merely describes reality. The diversity issues are now considered important and are projected to turn into even more essential in the future due to growing differences in the population. Businesses' need to focus on diversity and look for ways to develop into totally inclusive organizations for the reason that diversity has the potential of yielding greater productivity and competitive advantages. Diversity is an important competitive asset that cannot afford to overlook. Managing and valuing diversity is a key component of effective people management, which can develop workplace productivity. Demographic changes will necessitate organizations to review the management practices and extend new and creative approaches to mana ging people. Changes will enhance work performance and customer service. Operating in a global economy presents vital challenges to businesses. On the human resources side of the equation, assembling a diverse workforce can be component of an effective overall strategy to stay competitive and create more employee and customer loyalty. The diversity of workforce is a through reflection of the organization and the appreciation of the benefits a diverse workforce has to offer. Diversity recruiting is becoming more and more significant as the world turned into more global. At first, legal compliance was the main driver behind most diversity recruiting. It's essential to recruit diverse individuals not merely for the reason that numerous corporations must operate facilities at multiple locations around the globe, but also for the reason that they need diverse-thinking individuals to design products that will be in high demand in every major country. In a global economy, having a diverse workforce is no longer an alternative. It has developed into an absolute r equirement for victory in a global economy. Various organizations have established processes and procedures for