Sworn Virgin free essay sample

This essay is about one of the third gender roles. â€Å"Sworn Virgins† While researching I came across very interesting sites that talked about these woman that became men in their society. These Albanian women were from the northern and southern parts of Balkans. This essay will talk about their lives living as a man, the process of it and the reasoning for their choice. Here are the sites I gathered my facts from: www. slate. The common reasons were; at her birth if the family has no male heir and knows they never will, at the death of the familys only male, or at her refusal to marry the man her family wish her to accept as a husband. Often when these women take on this role it will transform who they are instead of being a woman with no rights or powers. She will become a â€Å"Sworn Virgin† a man. We will write a custom essay sample on Sworn Virgin or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page And with this status she will be granted all the rights of a man and also the responsibility of a male role as well. Such as being head of household and working. In the process of becoming a â€Å"Sworn Virgin† The Albanian woman will take a celibacy vow to remain chaste for life. In order to complete this transition she will cut off her hair, wear male clothing, and sometimes might even change her name. Traditionally she will do this in front of twelve witnesses. They also pledge to remain virgins and absolutely no sexual interaction of any kind. While doing this research I came across this NY Times article titled Albanian Custom Fades: Woman as Family Man where a woman who was a sworn virgin had been interviewed. When she was sworn in she had done it because there had been no male heir after her father passed away. So it was her duty to become a sworn virgin and live as a male, and even avenge her father’s death. She said that now in today’s world she would not make that same choice. Here is what she said verbatim She says she would not do it today, now that sexual equality and modernity have come even to Albania, with Internet dating and MTV invading after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Girls here do not want to be boys anymore. With only Ms. Keqi and some 40 others remaining, the sworn virgin is dying off.

The Necklace Essays

The Necklace Essays The Necklace Essay The Necklace Essay Many people, more often than not, are obsessed with riches and obtaining the material items they come to believe they deserve. When one examines this, it takes but a moment to realize that most people strive to live above and beyond their meaner. For instance, that shiny new vehicle that came with payments that can barely be scraped together every month, was viewed as a necessity when it was purchased rather than the luxury it really is. Another point of fact is the extremely nice and prominent new home that thousands of people build each year has payments so enormously high that it takes nearly all of their monthly income to make the monthly aments. Many times people have misunderstood what is real and what is not real in life, thereby creating a false sense of security that eventually has destructive consequences. But the lure of having the best of the best for all to observe, in reality, clouds the Judgment and thereby causes much personal distress and financial destruction. In modern times, this is often referred to as keeping up with the Joneses. For most people being known in ones community as beautiful, charismatic, interesting, and wealthy is often ingrained very deep in the recesses of he human mind and the character, Nathalie, in the short story, The Necklace written by Guy De Unpleasant, is certainly no exception. In The Necklace, the author has very quickly painted the character of Madame Nathalie as a very unhappy woman because of her position in society, her desire to be above the common people, accepted and admired among the titled, and her love and lack of riches. The author tells a story of a woman born into a family of clerks, with no dowry to offer and therefore no meaner of ever being wed to a rich and distinguished gentleman, and she let herself to be married too little clerk (68). Mr De Unpleasant also states that Madame Nathalie suffers ceaselessly from the poverty of her dwelling; she is depicted as tortured and angry because she feels that she was born for all the delicacies and luxuries (68). He further describes Madame Mediated as having no dresses nor Jewels and that she loved nothing but that. He tells us that Madame Mediated would so have liked to please, to be envied, to be charming, and to be sought after (68). We also learn that Madame Mediated had a friend that was rich, and whom she did not like to go see anymore because she suffered so much when she came back (68). Madame Nathalie is so preoccupied with who she wants to be and the life style of the rich and titled among her that she has come to love nothing and no one. Her life has seized to exist in any normal fashion as she is totally fixated on what she does not have that she has failed to see how blessed she truly is. Madame Mediated has become so lost in her own world of have-onto that she rejects her friend and has stopped visiting her because Madame Jeanne is wealthy. Madame Mediated has actually quit visiting her friend because she feels the stark truth of her reality upon returning to her own home. It appears that Madame Mediated is Jealous f her friends wealth to the point that she actually dislikes her. In any event, one would have to assume that Madame Mediated is most certainly allowing her love for wealth direct her heart in the matter of her friendship with Madame Jeanne. Madame Matisses husband appears to be content with what he has in life as he is dinner. Mr Eloise uncovered the soup tureen and declared with an enchanted air, ah, the good pot-AU-fee! I dont know anything better than that (68). Mediated cant keep herself from dreaming of riches, not even at the dinner table, the author tells us that she thought of dainty dinners, of shining silverware (68). She thought of delicate dishes served on marvelous plates, and of the whispered gallantries which you listen to with a sphinxes smile, while you are eating the pink flesh of a trout or the wings of a quail (68). Mediated is portrayed as a person who obviously has a deep-rooted love of money and all the material things that accompanies it, to the point that it has consumed her thoughts and actions from within. While Madame Matisses husband is so proud of the stew that he is served, Madame Mediated feels she should be served rich and fancy meals on a silver platter with real silver adorning the table while tinting among the aristocrats and lords. Madame Mediated has engulfed herself in a non-existent world and feels slighted because she was born into a family of commoners. It is very likely that Madame Mediated will destroy herself and her husband with her deep seated dreams of being rich. Madam Mediated seems to have lost her grip on reality because she seems to hate her life to the point that she is suffering severe unhappiness due to the lack of wealth. Madame Matisses husband attempts to bring her happiness when he secures a highly sought after invitation to a party at the palace of the Ministry. The Invitations were issued to very few clerks and all the upper class was to attend this party. But instead of Mediated being delighted, as her husband had hoped, she threw the invitation on the table with disdain (69). Even as her husband gives up his planned purchase of a gun and his savings to buy her a new dress she still isnt happy. She begins to become uneasy and anxious because she is annoyed that she doesnt have a single Jewel, not a single stone, nothing to put on. I shall look like distress. I should almost rather not go at all (69). Whereas Matisses husband suggests she wear flowers, however, she was not invoiced. No; theres nothing more humiliating than to look poor among other women who are rich, at which time her husband suggests she ask her friend Madame Jeanne Forrester, to lend her some Jewels (70). At this point Madame Mediated is more concerned about how the wealthy party attendees would view her above all else. It is very important to Madame Mediated to appear to be wealthy to others at the party. Money cannot buy happiness and neither can anything one purch ases with money add one iota to who you are on the inside. She never appeared to give any thought to spending a lovely and fun filled night at the party with her husband. Her thoughts were totally consumed and controlled by her desire for riches. One of Madame Matisses worst fears is to appear poor. It never occurred to her that she is her own worst enemy and she will be the cause of her own poverty. It obviously never occurs to her to question why she feels the way she does when it comes to money and power. Had she analyzed or stopped to think about why she is so attracted to wealth, she may have avoided the awful existence that soon came. Madame Mediated has decided that she cannot attend the ball with no Jewels to wear, her husband then suggests she ask Madame Jeanne to lend her some. So taking her husband suggestion, Mediated visits her friend Madame Jeanne Forrester and explains her distress at not having any Jewels and asks her to lend her some Jewels. Madame her heart began to beat with an immoderate desire. Her hands trembled as she took it. She fastened it around her throat, outside of her high-necked dress, and remained lost in ecstasy at the sight of herself (70). The day of the ball arrived and Madame Mediated Eloise made a great success, she was prettier than them all, elegant, smiling, gracious, and crazy with Joy. All the men looked at her, asked her name, endeavored to be introduced. All the attaches of the Cabinet wanted to waltz with her. She was remarked by the Minister himself. She danced with intoxication, with passion, made drunk with pleasure, forgetting all, in the triumph of her beauty, in the glory of her success (70) Madame Mediated was living her ultimate dream and the despairing fragments of true reality was nothing more than a distant memory lost long ago in another world. As reality always does, it came sweeping in at about four oclock in the morning when it was time to leave (70). Her husband threw over her shoulders the wraps which he had bought, modest wraps of common life, whose poverty entreated with the elegance of the ball dress. She felt this and wanted to escape so as not to be remarked by the other women, who were enveloping themselves in costly furs (70) Once again as she hastily left her dream life, she instantly became sad and unhappy. All was ended, for her (71). Madame Mediated fears being looked upon as poor so much that she immediately begins to worry about what people will think of her if they observe her wearing common clothing. She has not a worry for neither her own nor her husbands health as she rushes into the freezing cold morning without a warm taxi awaiting them. Madame Mediated was willing to risk both of their well-being to keep up her well laid appearances of the previous night. She is unwilling that anyone see her clothed in anything less than what she considered perfect, after all, appearances of wealth is all that Madame Mediated loves. Appearances is very important in her world. Madame Mediated immediately became unhappy as she was leaving the ball because she was leaving her coveted dream world. For once in her young life, she has lived the way she has dreamed of all her life. Just the thought of leaving that life, no matter how brief it was, became so overwhelming to her that she t once hated her old life with a passion so deep that it caused immediate sadness. In her sadness Madame Mediated momentarily lost sight of how beautiful she looks in her new ball gown and how sophisticated she looks wearing the diamond necklace. The necklace is soon to take control of her life in a way that she nor her husband would have never dreamed possible. Upon arriving home she discovers that she has lost Madame Foresters necklace. Madame Mediated is so stunned over losing the necklace that she Just sits there without doing anything for several hours. She is now ginning to realize that what she had loved more than anything else in her life was becoming a living nightmare. After searching extensively for a week to locate the lost necklace, Mr Eloise goes about borrowing money to purchase a replacement necklace to return to Madame Forrester. The replacement necklace cost 36000 francs; Mr Eloise used all of his inheritance and borrowed from loan sharks and illegal lenders to secure the funds to replace the necklace. At which point he and Mediated began working extremely long hours and very difficult Jobs to pay the loans back. Madame Mediated Eloise now knew the horrible existence of the needy. She took her part, moreover, all of a sudden, with heroism. They dismissed their servant, they took them ten long years to repay all the debts, at which time Madame Mediated appearance had drastically changed, she looked old now. Gone was the beauty of ten years ago and in its place she had become a woman of impoverished households, strong and hard and rough (72). Ironic that poverty had taken its toll on her due to her own love of the riches and Jewels that she so coveted. Madame Mediated vowed to help repay that debt incurred because of her love of riches. One can assume by Madame Matisses actions that she has realized the folly of her prior actions and thoughts. Her days are now spent with long hours of heavy labor. The deep lines etched upon her face and calloused on the palms of her hands tells the story of the toil and depressing poverty that had become her life during the years of repayment. She gave up her preoccupation with what she didnt have and day dreaming of what might have been and replaced them with the reality of the commoner. The author now tells us that Madame Mediated has a chance meeting with Madame Forrester hill taking a walk one day. Madame Mediated decides on the spot to tell Madame Forrester about the lost necklace and the replacement that both she and Mr Eloise worked ten long hard years to pay off, only to be told in the end that the necklace wasnt real at all! It was fake, Just Paste, not worth more than 500 francs (73). At times people learn the hard way that appearances are deceiving and very little is actually what it appears to be. It is perfectly acceptable and honorable to want a better life and obtain wealth, nevertheless, it is not smart to live ones life in anger ND unhappiness, nor to allow Jealousy and greed to control ones life. Madame Mediated learns that she has worked her whole life in a fake world made real only by her thoughts which turned her beliefs toward Jealousy, envy, and discontent with what she had before she lost the necklace. The Lesson that Madame Mediated has learned as she stands there in front of Madame Forrester is that she has caused them serious and real poverty for what she deemed to be real and admirable, was in fact fake and Just an illusion, not all things are what they appear to be. One decision can change ones whole life.

Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 6

Business - Essay Example In the context of the above statement, the firm’s operational activities have been aligned, as possible, with the principles of the Global Compact (U.N. Global Compact, The Ten Principles). Particular emphasis has been given on the 8th and 9th principles of the Global Compact, i.e. the development of initiatives to promote environmental responsibility, 8th principle, and the encouragement of the development of technologies that are environmentally friendly, 9th principle (U.N. Global Compact, The Ten Principles). ... ing units that use CO2 as a refrigerant’ (PepsiCo, Climate Change) and b2) the firm has promoted green building in all its facilities internationally (PepsiCo, Climate Change). 1. Lessons Learnt The application of the above practices has helped towards the promotion of the 8th and 9th principles of the Global Compact. An indication of the success of the firm’s efforts in the specific field is the following fact: in 2009 the firm was given a series of awards from ‘the U.S. Green Building Council’ (PepsiCo, Climate Change) for its facilities – built in accordance with the green building standards, as set by the above Council. On the other hand, the use of rocks in India for advertising reasons, an initiative, which set the local ecosystem in risk, proved that not all the firm’s practices are aligned with sustainability (The Peninsula 2002). However, the firm’s major competitor, Coke, which also used a similar practice, has also failed in fully aligning its practices with the principles of sustainability (The Peninsula 2002). It should be noted though that the practices of Coke in the area of sustainability, have resulted to important environmental benefits: for example, in 2009 the carbon footprint of the firm was reduced at 11.5% compared to 2007; also, the promotion of green building policies in the firm’s facilities worldwide (Environmental Leader 2010). 2. Recommendations The firm’s current policies in regard to sustainability (referring especially to the promotion of the 8th and 9th principles of the Global Compact) would be further improved through the following practices: a) development of sustainable-related programmes which will be supported by the locals (Ritchie 2000, 51) ; reference is made to community-based sustainable initiatives

New Media and Consumer Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

New Media and Consumer Behaviour - Essay Example This paper provides a critical discussion of how the presence of social media influences or shapes consumer behaviour with real-world examples of social media as a contemporary marketing and relationship-building tool. The dynamics of social media and consumer psychology Smith (2009) identifies that blogging, video-sharing and social networks are entering mainstream and are no longer a niche market activity in multiple demographic groups. User-generated content materials have improving the ability of consumers to publish their opinions about products and services and also improve the relationships with the global and local communities. Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter allow for instant publication of thoughts and ideas whilst also providing consumers with a new visibility, especially related to video-sharing, that fulfils their needs for affiliation. Bainbridge (2009) informs that consumers are also demanding portability with their electronic devices, thus advance ments in smart phone development and similar devices give portable access to social networking to serve as a form of diary for their current thoughts and impressions on a variety of different subjects and social commentaries. This contemporary access to new media is effective in satisfying consumers of many different socio-cultural and socio-economic backgrounds due to inherent needs and motivations that are shared by virtually all consumers globally. â€Å"A whole range of psychogenic drives stems from our social environment, culture and social group interactions† (Evans, Jamal & Foxall, 2009, p.5). These psychogenic drives are status-related needs or simply finding a sense of serenity regarding one’s place in the social stratification system. According to psychologists, one of the basic motivational drivers is the establishment of a sense of belonging, believing that one must be recognized by peers and general society through group affiliation. Under most models, est ablishment of higher-order psychology cannot be established without this affiliation. â€Å"The satisfaction of the need for esteem produces self-confidence, prestige, power and control† (Gambrel & Cianci, 2003, p.146). People in global society also need to feel as though they are having an impact on their environment as it relates to power and control (Gambrel & Cianci). These inherent needs for recognition from society and peers are also present in youth consumer markets. According to Berten & van Rossem (2008) adolescents are especially influenced by peer relationships and feedback with whom they have strong interpersonal connections as well as their desired reference group. This is important to understand as it relates to youth markets since they are considered to be â€Å"one of the most cynical, fast-moving and fragmented markets brand owners can hope to crack† (Forsey, 2009, p.21). Usually trend conscious, the youth market is a concentrated user of social media and thus understanding their psychological make-up is important to critically assess the role of social media for modern marketing practices. Therefore, it should be said that social media is not just a recreational past-time anymore for youths and older target markets, but represents a lifestyle activity that is mainstream and a conventional social outlet. Through the use of

Literature review on competitive advantage Essay

Literature review on competitive advantage - Essay Example The concept of competitive advantage has evolved over the past few decades and has now become an integral part of strategic management of any organization. Much research has been conducted on the attainment of competitive advantage and effective ways to sustain it. This literature review aims to explain the concept of competitive advantage in the light of different authors, along with their proposals of effective strategies to sustain it. Few examples have been chosen from the available literature to highlight the practical implementation of the concepts of competitive advantage. 2. Literature Review The concept of competitive advantage was introduced in the study of strategic management by Ansoff (1965). His ideas and propositions are known to form the basis of vital aspects of the development of growth strategy of any organization. Lowy and Hood (2004) quoted Ansoff (1965) and stated that his extensive experience and research in the field of diversification planning, highlighted re levant aspects and issues that should be considered for an effective growth strategy. Hindle (2008) also discussed the contributions of Ansoff and stated that some of the valuable contributions of Ansoff’s work in the field of strategic management are related to the attainment of competitive advantage and core competencies. Priemand and Butler (2001) pointed out that Ansoff’s work seemed to stress on the relevance of industry-based factors (threats and opportunities) more than the resource-based ones (weaknesses and strengths). Dix and Mathews (2002) provided a basis of strategy formulation and explained the attainment of competitive advantage; he stated that the development of strategic decisions involve the analysis of the core competencies and resources of the company. Prahalad and Hamel (2003) also considered the identification of core competencies as an important aspect of competitive advantage. The core competencies, that are unique and distinguishing from the co mpetitors, can serve to become the competitive advantage if they are availed in the presence of good opportunities in the market. The concept of competitive advantage was further researched upon by Porter (1998). Porter explained the formulation of a competitive strategy as the broad plan of how businesses should compete in the market (in the presence of various environmental factors) to meet their goals. It also involves the policies according to which goals and objectives of the organization can be met. Porter also stated that competitive advantage can be explained as the combination of having low expenses, differentiation value for the company and a strategy that enables the company to focus on their main objectives. Porter (1998) accumulated all the aspects that might be related to the attainment of competitive advantage onto a single page. He described it as the ‘Wheel of Competitive Strategy’. The underlying bases of the strategy are the basic goals that are aspir ed to be achieved by the company and the vision which is set as the main direction of the company. Various aspects on the rim of the wheel, like marketing, product line, finance and control etc have to be considered to attain competitive advantage in the market, while being influenced by the main vision of the company.

Strategic Management Crafting And Executing Strategy

Strategic Management Crafting And Executing Strategy You are required to perform strategic planning for your organisation or one you are familiar with in your country or region and: Develop a vision statement, mission statement and statement of values, and explain their appropriateness Undertake and internal analysis of the organisation and analysis of its external environment, using several appropriate models like an industry five forces analysis. Craft strategies and explain their appropriateness You do not need to develop implementation processes. But you should mention the critical importance of implementation, execution and evaluation of strategies you come up with for this assignment. Word count Executive summary Strategic Management has come to be recognized as an inherent part of management in all organisations. This paper surrounds the development of a vision statement, mission statement and statement of values, and the explanation of their appropriateness while taking into consideration the SWOT analysis and the crafting of strategies for the AP Fishing Company which can lay a solid foundation for sustainable future business growth. Explanations will be surrounding the critical importance of implementation, execution and evaluation of strategies. Table of Contents Introduction 6 Background 7 Vision statement 8 Mission Statement 8 Statement of Values 9 Appropriateness Vision, Mission and Statement of values 10 SWOT ANALYSIS 10-11 Porter Five forces analysis 12 Pestel Analysis 13-14 Craft strategies and explain their appropriateness 14-16 Importance of implementation and execution strategies 16 Importance evaluation of strategies 17 Conclusion 17 References 18 1. Introduction The aim of this paper is to craft strategies for the AP Fishing Company which I have understudied, develop a vision statement, mission statement and statement of values, and explain their appropriateness while taking into consideration the SWOT analysis. Firstly I will explain and develop a vision statement, mission statement and statement of values. Secondly, I will undertake an internal analysis of AP Fishing Company and analysis of its external environment, using several appropriate models like PESTEL analysis and Porters five forces. Finally, I will explain the critical importance of implementation, execution and evaluation of strategies. In addition, meaningful conclusions will be drawn from the discussions arising from Strategic Management issues. The relevant information and content for this paper were gathered from books, lectures and internet research. I wish to acknowledge the assistance of my wife and colleagues for their valuable contributions toward this paper. 2. Background Located on the East Bank of the Demerara, in Guyana, AP Fishing Company is Guyanas pioneering fishing industry in Snapper, for both local and export market. The company has eleven trawlers which are equipped with cold storage facilities for deep water fishing and turtle excluding devices (TEDs) to avoid entrapment of turtles in the trawler nets. All trawlers are registered and are licensed by type; these trawlers would go fishing in pairs and they would spend approximately twenty one days and then return with their catch. The superior quality catch would be packaged and sold to the international market, while the remaining catch would be sold to the local wholesale markets. 3. What is a vision statement? According to (Arthur A.Thompson, 2010) A strategic Vision Statement points an organization in a particular direction, charts a strategic path and moulds the organizations identity. In other words, a Vision Statement defines where the organisation wants to be in the future and how it will achieve it and what kinds of human resources it needs to achieve this. A P Fishing does not currently have an established Vision Statement. An ideal Vision Statement would read as follows: We are concerned with providing superior quality Snapper fish for local and export market without significantly sacrificing natural resources. Our business is always focused on long term viability of this industry through safe, responsible and sustainable practices. 4. What is a Mission Statement? A Mission Statement defines the goals and objectives the organisation wishes to achieve presently. According to (Arthur A.Thompson, 2010), a Mission Statement identifies who we are, what we do and why we are here. Present Mission Statement reads as follows: To satisfy our customers needs by providing the best snapper An ideal Mission Statement would read as follows To acquire, process and market quality Snapper at competitive prices in the local market and to establish A P Fishing as the leading exporter in the country. To implement and maintain more environmentally friendly processes by the utilization of bio degradable packaging components without sacrificing company brand and competitive advantage. 5. A Statement of values According to (Arthur A.Thompson, 2010), A Statement of Values consists of the beliefs, traits and ways of doing things that management has determined should guide the pursuit of its vision and strategy AP Fishing Company has the following values of which the employer and employees have recognised, reiterated from time to time and implemented throughout the company since its inception. Core Values Accountability: We must be held accountable for our actions. We make and support business decisions through experience and good judgment. Customer Service Excellence: We are dedicated to satisfying customer needs and honoring commitments that we have made to them, both locally and internationally Teamwork: Our team is supportive of each others efforts, loyal to one another, and care for each other both personally and professionally. Balance: We are flexible, helping team members strike a healthy work and life balance. Community and environment: We strive to help and improve the communities where we work and live. We are concerned about the environment and promote the use of recyclable products and renewable energy. Integrity: We act with honesty and integrity, not compromising the truth. Respect: We treat our team members, customers, partners and suppliers with mutual respect and sensitivity, recognizing the importance of diversity. We respect all individuals and value their contributions. Open Door Communication: All team members are encouraged to openly share their opinions and views. 6. Appropriateness of Vision, Mission and Statement of values The vision, mission and values statement of company are very important, since the vision defines the companys future, where the mission defines the present goals and objectives of the company which are measurable and values are the core values, which the company has built its reputation on, so it is very essential to have these statements established early in any company to have a competitive advantage. 7. What is SWOT ANALYSIS? SWOT means Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Strengths and Weaknesses are considered to be internal factors over which the company has some measure of control. Opportunities and Threats are considered to be external factors over which the company may have essentially little or no control. 7.1. Internal 7.1.1. Strengths The internal strengths of A P Fishing Co. are as follows: It provides opportunities for employee professional growth and personal achievement. It provides training in all diversified areas of the fishing profession so that employees are versatile and multi-skilled and are equipped to effectively handle any job on the trawlers out at sea. Highly skilled and experienced employees in the fishing profession. Markets: to penetrate or create new markets. The fishing industry is a thriving industry. The possibility for market growth is high and A P Fishing Company has the ability to increase its market share. This type of industry is obviously an industry with a long life cycle and will not become obsolete unlike other technologically advanced products with relatively short life cycles. In addition, A P has opportunities to diversify into production and packaging of other types of fishes in order to establish versatility, higher profitability and competitive advantage. 7.1.2 Weaknesses The internal weaknesses of A P Fishing Co. are as follows: Managers and staff are not competent in other functions of the company such as accounting and human resource management. Employees are somewhat affected by seasonal unemployment when the trawlers are grounded and fishing season is closed. Key employees in management positions are nearing retirement. 7.2 External 7.2.1Opportunity Good market demand both locally and internationally. Growth in demand for more organic and healthy food . The noticeable change in food preferences of people can only boost the fishing industry. The growing preference of fish over chicken as a major source of protein and as a healthy combination of any diet has tremendously contributed to the immense growth in demand for fish. 7.2.2. Threats There is always threat of new entrants to the snapper fishing industry which threatens the availability of this resource to all relevant stakeholders. There is always the threat that snapper, albeit a renewable resource, will not replenish itself as fast as it is utilized by current fishing industries. There is no regulation that currently seeks to promote sustainable development in these industries. There also exists the threat of poaching by foreign vessels in the snapper areas due to the lack of adequate and experienced coast guards to protect and prevent alien invasion in local waters. 8. Porter Five forces analysis 8.1 Rivalry among sellers Fish wholesalers are competing assiduously for business. When fish wholesalers are similar in size and capability, they can usually compete on a fairly even footing. When fish is scarce, it usually results in increase in the fish prices. When competitors see opportunities to satisfy customer in a unique way or are under pressure to improve performance, they will compete tirelessly to win customers confidence. 8.2 Threat of new entrants Despite the absence of stringent regulations restricting the number of companies in the fishing business, the threat of new entrants may still be relatively low because of the high initial capital investment, know how, fishing and export licence requirement and the relative large sizes of existing fishing businesses which benefit tremendously from economies of scale. 8.3 Threat of Substitute products There are many alternatives to Fishsuch as chicken, pork, beef etc and these alternatives are exploited when fish is scarce. However, the growing emphasis on healthy eating may mean that some customers may be willing to pay premium prices when the product is scarce and some may revert to substitutes which are more affordable. 8.4 Bargaining power of Suppliers In the fishing industry, the supply of fish is not dependent on human intervention so much but on various forces out at sea. Therefore, water pollution through oil spillages, pouching by foreign vessels are some things which may affect the bargaining power of suppliers. In the fishing industry there are many alliances and partnerships which are focused on protecting and improving the fishing industry. 8.5 Bargaining power of customers Wholesalers are one of the important competitive forces in the fish industry; they can often dictate prices by buying in bulk. The wholesalers benefit from economies of scale and as such fishing companies make very small margins on such sales. The wholesalers, however, can demand premium prices from retail customers who are health conscious and not price sensitive. 9. Pestel Analysis 9.1Political The Guyana Government is encouraging deep-sea fishing activity and is supporting this development by way of granting small loans, grants, adequate incentives, infrastructure and training programmes. Future development is expected to focus on further expansion of fresh and processed fish products and related manufacturing activities, catering for both domestic and export market needs. 9.2 Economical According to (Anon., 2008) The fisheries sector is a significant contributor to Guyanas economy, with 3% of total GDP accruing from the sector. The fishing industry employs around 6,500 people in harvesting and a further 6,000 people in processing, with many more benefiting indirectly through fishing related industries such as boat building and gear supply and repair. 9.3 Social AP Fishing Company has created many jobs for the locals and also increase their spending power by paying these persons a relatively good salary and also bonuses on every trip depending on the catch. AP Fishing Company has taken a personal interest in developing the community and keeping it clean. 9.4 Technological Technological advancement has tremendously affected A P Fishing Industry inclusive of innovative improvements in fishing processes, packaging and the development of products. It has also improved administrative functions such as the dissemination of information, receipt of orders, and delivery of products or services. 9.5 Environmental The increasing emphasis on environmental protection and waste disposal has led A P Fishing to change its current packaging to more bio degradable components. It is also foreseeable that A P Fishing will continue to make its processes more environmentally friendly in the future. 9.6 Legal The Government does not have the capacity to set sustainable Total Allowable Catches because of insufficient human and technical capacity. Commercial fishing is a regulated business and must be licensed to operate. In addition, the company must have an export license before it can enter the international market. Present Strategy The present strategy of the company has worked well over the years, but this research has found that this strategy does not have any long term viability for the company and thus would be not able to give AP Fishing Company the competitive advantage it needs for long term viability and profitability. Craft strategies and explain their appropriateness AP Fishing Company strategizes to target both the local and international markets with its focused differentiation strategy on quality snapper. Operational Strategy AP Fishing can improve its order taking process by use of bespoke software, internet ordering and an efficient switchboard system. This would reduce costs and bureaucracy. Marketing Strategy Because of its international presence, web marketing is imperative. Internet marketing goes beyond geographical boundaries and can be personalized and interactive. Export market is a major part of the business, and where more of AP Fishing Company revenue is generated. The World Wide Web: AP Fishing Company should launch an interactive website to target the export market, where potential customers can ask various questions and feed back given. Customers can place new orders online and can even track the current status of their orders. Other options include Brochure: AP Fishing Company has advertised in the country tourism brochure, this is to target mostly visitors and the international market so they know what kind of product the company offers. Newspaper advertising when feasible: this is appropriate for the local market: both wholesalers and retailers. Sales Strategy The objective of proposed sales strategy is simply to sell quality and well packaged snapper fish to wholesalers at affordable prices, and to maximize the free trade agreement in Caricom market. . To help realize our goal, we will implement the following: The customer is the king. We make sure we connect professionally and personally both with our local and international customers to ensure their wants and needs are satisfied. Ensure staffs are well trained and knowledgeable in the companys products. Discounts are offered to new wholesalers based on referrals system. Importance of implementation and execution of strategies According to (Arthur A.Thompson, 2010)implementation and execution of strategies are primary operational-driven activity revolving around the management of people and business purposes. Strategy implementation is the process of translation of strategies and policies into action through the development of programs, budgets and procedures. It is typically conducted by the middle and lower level management but is reviewed by the top management. Unless the corporation is appropriately organized, programs are adequately staffed and activities are properly directed, these operational plans fail to deliver the goods. To be effective, a strategy must be implemented through the right organizational structure and appropriate management practices. In addition, management must also ensure that there is progress towards, objectives according to plan by instituting a rigorous process of control over important activities. It is critical that Executing strategy is done successfully so that the companys performance targets can be met. It is a job for the whole management team, and the process typically affects every part of the company. 11. Importance evaluation of strategies Strategy Evaluation is as significant as strategy formulation because it throws light on the efficiency and effectiveness of the comprehensive plans in achieving the desired results. The managers can also assess the appropriateness of the current strategy in todays dynamic world with socio-economic, political and technological innovations. Strategic Evaluation is the final phase of strategic management. The significance of strategy evaluation lies in its capacity to co-ordinate the task performed by managers, groups, departments etc, through control of performance. Strategic Evaluation is significant because of various factors such as developing inputs for new strategic planning, the urge for feedback, appraisal and reward, development of the strategic management process, judging the validity of strategic choice etc. 13. Conclusion In conclusion, it is appropriate to say that AP Fishing Company needs to revolutionize its present strategy to be able to enjoy competitive advantage in the fishing industry by utilising technology to gain more access to customers globally. The company needs to address its weaknesses urgently to avoid any major decline in profit. A P Fishing Co. is undoubtedly equipped with human resources in its core competencies; however, other peripheral aspects of management such as accounting, marketing and even recruitment can be outsourced to specialist entities. It is already established that one of the weaknesses of A P Fishing is its inability to manage other functions of the company. Outsourcing will benefit the company in many ways such as decreased overheads and fixed costs (salary costs), access to specialized services, increased focus on core competence. In addition, A P Fishing should consider the option of diversifying into other categories of seafood such as prawns and shark. If and when snapper becomes an exhausted resource due to bad sustainable development strategies, A P Fishing should be able to maintain its customers and current market by offering suitable alternatives to its customers. Focused diversification is necessary for continued survival if a cost leadership strategy is unfeasible.

Animal Testing is Animal Cruelty :: Animal Testing

Animal Testing is Animal Cruelty We, as humans, have made numerous advancements in the world. We have firmly established the scientific evolution, but in doing so, it seems that our ethics and morals have failed to progress as well. The knowledge we have acquired is remarkable, but with it comes responsibility to use it wisely and ethically. We torture and heartlessly kill creatures that we arrogantly consider lesser beings simply at our disposal. For something as simple as eye makeup animals are tortured and blinded by tests performed at the laboratory. Where they are hardly fed, often forced to live in filth, and sometimes have their vocal cords removed to keep them quiet (CAAT). We are systematically cutting down the last forest that provides their shelter to farm cattle; we dump toxic chemicals and sewage into the waters in which they live; we wear and display the tusks of the last few of their species in our homes, and we pour cosmetic products into their eyes and body parts to determine the harmful effects the y might cause on humans, even though the physiological differentiation between humans and the animals they use is drastic. On a daily basis most people do not see their own degree of unintentional support towards this global dilemma, but when compiled on paper one must question how mankind can, with conscience, commit these acts which shame us as human beings. Animals possess the same kinds of feelings and emotions as human beings, and without anesthesia, they are subjected to the pain as well. Mankind often fails to give animals the respect and rights they deserve, they are treated as lifeless, unfeeling scientific specimens and items that we may manipulate at our own convenience and for vanity’s sake. The Facts of Animal Tests - Laboratory research involving animals is cruel and merciless treatment of helpless creatures. No law requires that cosmetics and household products be tested on animals. Nevertheless, every day hundreds of animals will have had their eyes, skin or g astrointestinal systems unnecessarily burned or destroyed (PETA). Two of the most common animal tests are the Draize, or eye irritancy test and the LD50 (Lethal Dose 50). The Draize test is performed almost exclusively on albino rabbits, such as the Forida White, because they are cheap, docile, and are not â€Å"equipped† with tear ducts to wash away the chemicals. During the test the rabbits are immobilized in a stock with only their head protruding and a solid or liquid is placed in the lower lid of one eye of the rabbit; substances vary from mascara to aftershave and even oven cleaner.

Tree of Knowledge

The Tree of Knowledge It is important for society to find a reliable source of knowledge, as it is a powerful factor which helps society to attain success. As a good example of the significance of knowledge for society, the Tree of Knowledge from the Garden of Eden represents, not just a source of absolute knowledge, but how desperately human nature seeks that perfect source. However, the Tree of Knowledge does not exist in the real world.Thus, society is facing a problem of finding the most effective way to produce accurate knowledge because mistaken knowledge has no value. In his essay â€Å"The Hive,† historian and writer Marshall Poe points out two sources for knowledge: social consensus and experts. In the past, it was hard to gather knowledge efficiently due to equivocation, and experts were considered to be the most reliable source of knowledge. But today, the Internet has provided society with the convenient environment for finding and storing information.In his essay, Poe discusses the phenomenon of the web-site Wikipedia as an example of a successful effort in collaborative knowledge, which is produced during the process of communication and negotiation by society and experts concerning the information regarding an object of study. A professor at Harvard University and author of â€Å"Reporting Live from Tomorrow,† Daniel Gilbert suggests relying on the experiences of others, whom he calls â€Å"surrogates,† in order to obtain more reliable knowledge. Collaborative knowledge is based on society’s collective experiences.It is meant to accumulate and constantly update information from society. On the other hand, experts are a key for progress in society as they perform deeper research about a subject. Therefore, in order to produce reliable knowledge, society must consult with experts, while experts should consider the experiences of other people when conducting their research. It might seem at the first sight that the only r eliable source of knowledge are experts, as they have more intense and prolonged experiences through practice and education in a particular field.Therefore, it is a common belief that in order to obtain true knowledge, society has to rely on the competence of experts. In his essay, Poe says that one of the criticisms of Wikipedia in its early stage was the point that â€Å"unless experts were writing and vetting the material, the articles were inevitably going to be inaccurate† (Poe 275). However, human history provides evidence that refutes this statement by proving that what once was considered as absolute knowledge was later questioned.For example, in the 18th century, Isaac Newton’s laws of motion became a revolution in a scientific world and for the next 200 years they remained incontestable until Albert Einstein introduced his ideas that revealed shortcomings of Newton’s theory. Thus, society cannot blindly rely on the conclusions of experts because, at th eir core, they are like all other people who â€Å"pass along [their] beliefs in an effort to create people whose minds think like [theirs]† (Gilbert 171).According to Gilbert, â€Å"almost any time we tell anyone anything, we are attempting to change the way their brains operate – attempting to change the way they see the world so that their view of it more closely resembles our own† (Gilbert 171). Experts attempt to do same thing, but their reputation in society gives their ideas an advantage to be successfully transmitted and accepted as knowledge. Still, accuracy of this knowledge might be questionable in the future. In order to understand how society decides if a certain idea or belief can become knowledge, it is important to look at the process of producing knowledge.Individuals generate personal beliefs from their own views. However, these views are based on already existing socio-cultural knowledge. Afterwards, using shared language, individuals bring th eir ideas and beliefs to society by making public statements. Further, these beliefs may become knowledge through social interaction, communication, discussion, clarification, and negotiation. According to Gilbert, â€Å"any belief †¦ that increases communication has a good chance of being transmitted over and over again† (Gilbert 173). Therefore, social interaction is a medium that allows ideas to become a part of collaborative knowledge.However, in his essay, Gilbert points out that while â€Å"accurate beliefs give [society] power, which makes it easier to understand why they are so readily transmitted from one mind to another,† false beliefs have a great chance to be propagated if they â€Å"happen to promote stable societies †¦ because people who hold these beliefs tend to live in stable societies, which provide the means by which false beliefs propagate† (Gilbert 173). Thus, even false ideas may become knowledge if society decides so. Such decisi ons might lead to absurd conclusions that have no value for society.According to Poe, â€Å"the community decides that two plus two equals four the same way it decides what apple is: by consensus †¦ [but] if the community changes its mind and decides that two plus two equals five, then two plus two does equal five† (Poe 275). In other words, society has an ability to make judgments of truth and falsehood, and knowledge produced by social consensus can be misleading and inaccurate. Nevertheless, inaccurate knowledge, sooner or later, will be revealed and questioned by society because the primary purpose of knowledge is to serve the needs of society and help it to improve and grow.Individuals, as well as the whole society, can only attain success and progress if they have a reliable source of knowledge. It is a strong incentive that makes people search for truth. In his essay, Poe points out that people who contribute into Wikipedia have â€Å"no interest other then truth in doing all this work† (Poe 277). Today, the vast interconnectedness of the Internet makes it possible for individuals from all over the world to share their experiences and ideas on the global level.Thereby, collaborative knowledge can be constantly negotiated, updated, and renegotiated, and its quality may improve just like â€Å"the quality on articles [in Wikipedia] generally increases with the number of eyeballs† (Poe 276). As the process of producing collaborative knowledge improves its reliability, efficiency, and fecundity with the new era of Internet technologies, it creates a very valuable database for experts, who can use collaborative knowledge as a resource of information and experiences collected by society for expertise.According to Gilbert, â€Å"humanity is a living library of information about what it feels like to do just about anything† (Gilbert 171). Every individual possesses a great deal of unique accumulative knowledge that he or she gai ned throughout life. That is why experiences of other individuals should be taken into account by experts in order to produce more accurate and objective knowledge. Today, in the Internet environment, it has become much easier to find surrogates with particular experiences.Experts should consider these experiences during their research and constantly update their data and information based on collaborative knowledge. On the other hand, the fact that the Internet has gained so much popularity in society might make people neglect the role of experts in the process of producing knowledge. Since it has become relatively easy to find surrogates in the virtual environment and ask them directly about their experiences, collaborative knowledge might be sufficient enough to fulfill society’s needs as a dependable source of knowledge. In his essay, Poe points out that given the right technology, large groups of self-interested individuals will unite to create something they could not p roduce by themselves† (Poe 267). Wikipedia is a good example of this phenomenon. â€Å"Instead of relying on experts to write articles according to their expertise, Wikipedia lets anyone write about anything† (Poe 264). Based on a large number of individuals who are constantly working on improving articles and people’s tendencies to strive for truth, Wikipedia could become the end of the search for a reliable source of knowledge. However, it is important not to underestimate the role of experts in society.In his essay, Gilbert noticed that, if you ask a child what to do when an individual is hesitating about making some decision, the child will say that â€Å"[he or she] should ask the teacher† (Gilbert 170). Throughout all human history, experts were called in for advice on their respective subject because of their extensive knowledge or ability based on research, experience, or occupation in a particular area of study. Their knowledge and experiences are already unique, simply because experts spend more time studying the subject than an average person. It explains the fact that most innovations in human society were made by experts.Moreover, by collecting and systematizing experiences of other individuals, experts serve as surrogates for society as well. Overtime, results of their research projects accepted as knowledge become a part of social consensus. Thereby, expertise is still very important and must be taken into consideration by society as a source of knowledge. In order to be completely reliable, knowledge requires absolute certainty, as opposite to belief or opinion about which there is more doubt. However, as a process of social communication, knowledge is never absolute.Although its character is to be taken as final truth, knowledge remains as a subject of possible future questioning, reinterpretation, and negotiation. The Tree of Knowledge, as a source of true knowledge, is an unattainable aim for society. Neither exper tise nor collaborative knowledge alone can be considered as the best way to produce knowledge. Only their collaboration can bring the most reliable results. Today, the Internet helps to speed up the processes of communication, storage, and negotiation of information that play a significant role in producing collaborative knowledge and positively affecting its quality.Thus, referring to society’s collaborative experience, experts can produce more objective and reliable knowledge. Works Cited Gilbert, Daniel. â€Å"Reporting Live from Tomorrow. † Emerging: Contemporary Readings for Writers. Ed. Barclay Barrios. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010. 169-189. Print. Poe, Marshall. â€Å"The Hive. † Emerging: Contemporary Readings for Writers. Ed. Barclay Barrios. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010. 264-277. Print.

Free Essays on A Worn Path

Life’s Journey Every person, living and dead, has a story to be told. Phoenix Jackson is no exception. Some may perceive the story on Phoenix’s journey to town in a sad light. Each journey however, must have some trials and tribulations just as Phoenix does during her trip. Phoenix’s difficult journey to town seems to indicate that the struggles she has endured throughout her life enable her to possess the wisdom to overcome many obstacles. Throughout her journey Phoenix endures a number of problems not allowing any of them distract her from her goal. Before she gets very far she finds herself entangled in a thorn bush that with some persistence she frees herself from. This seems to indicate the difficulty of the impending travel ahead. The path soon comes to a small creek only to be crossed by walking the log that makes the path. This is obviously no easy feat for an old woman walking unsteadily with a cane. Yet Phoenix makes it across safely. Through barred wire and after a tumble into a ditch she finally makes it safely and unharmed into town. Even the younger more capable hunter exclaims â€Å"Why, that’s too far† when he hears of her destination (McMahan 292). Phoenix does make it to town despite the difficulty of the journey and proves she has the persistence and wisdom of her years to enable her to survive. Three times during her trip Phoenix shows her wisdom by obtaining things from various people along her way. She shows her abilities first by managing to obtain money from a hunter who claims â€Å"Id give you dime if I had any money with me† (McMahan 294). To accomplish this she must distract the hunter from realizing he lost this valuable commodity. She pretends to be interested in watching his dog chase a cur and he subsequently goes off to do just that. She then quickly assumes possession of the fallen nickel. Secondly, she comes across a woman who obviously look down at Phoenix. T... Free Essays on A Worn Path Free Essays on A Worn Path You Can’t Trick Me Death is always lurking around us. Nobody really knows when death will come knocking at his or her door. In her short story, â€Å"A Worn Path,† Eudora Welty uses many different symbols that convey an underlying meaning that death is lurking around every corner and around every bend in the road. Some of these symbols include the title itself, â€Å"A Worn Path,† the rustling in the bushes, Phoenix Jackson’s dress catching in the bush, and the scarecrow and the black dog. All of these symbols represent death in one way or another. The first symbol is the title of the story and how it brings Phoenix Jackson to her journey of â€Å"A Worn Path.† This path is familiar to Phoenix, for she has traveled down it her entire life. As Phoenix starts her long journey through the deep ominous woods, she knows anything could happen if she is not careful. With her ears and senses alert, she makes slow but steady steps into the woods. Phoenix hears rustling in the bushes as she makes her way along the path. Phoenix does not see anything, but she thinks the wild animals might try to get her, so she says â€Å"Out of my way all you foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits, coons and wild animals!† (87). The path Phoenix takes is the path of her life. She knows death lurks behind every shadow and can take on any form or shape. The rustling in the bushes represents the evil that could cross her path and interrupt her way of life. People can sense when their time of existence is near the end. They will take painstaking care to look presentable when entering Heaven. Phoenix’s â€Å"long dark striped dress† gets caught on a bush, and to her this is not acceptable. She says, â€Å"Thorns, you doing your appointed work. Never want to let folks pass† (87). Phoenix finally frees herself from the bush. Death plays many games, and this is one more that Phoenix has endured and overcome. At times people feel like the devil has a hold on them. The ... Free Essays on A Worn Path A Vital Path Life is full of purposeful journeys. These journeys are often taken to overcome, to succeed, or to protect. In Eudora Welty’s short story â€Å"A Worn Path,† the elderly Phoenix Jackson sets out on one of these voyages. Her trip down the path is a vital part of her life and essential to the survival of her grandson and herself. Beginning her perilous trip to town, Phoenix confidently exclaims, â€Å"’Out of my way all you foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits, coons, and wild animals!†¦I got a long way.’† Phoenix knows what trials she must face, and she is determined to overcome them. When her eyesight fails her and she is caught in brambles, she works intently to remove them from her tangled skirts and continues along her way. Phoenix encounters even more challenge when the initially amiable hunter becomes unpleasant and disrespectful and tries to frighten her into going home. Needless to say, Phoenix is not deterred; she says, â€Å"’I bound to go on my way, mister,’† and continues down the path. Surmounting these challenges keeps Phoenix determined to complete her journey. Phoenix’s trip down the path is crucial to her sick grandson. Her love for him runs deep and she knows that she must make this journey for him. Without Phoenix’s resolve to repeatedly travel to town for medicine, her grandson’s illness may take his life. If that were to occur, because of Phoenix’s old age, she may no longer have the will to keep living. Phoenix also makes the journey for herself. The old woman’s name alludes to the fabled Egyptian phoenix that, after five hundred years of life, consumes itself in flames and is resurrected from its ashes. Like the bird, Phoenix Jackson periodically makes her journey and is, in a sense, reborn from her experience. When she skillfully crosses a log over a creek and says, â€Å"’I wasn’t as old as I thought,’† it is clear that the trials Phoenix faces on the path g... Free Essays on A Worn Path Life’s Journey Every person, living and dead, has a story to be told. Phoenix Jackson is no exception. Some may perceive the story on Phoenix’s journey to town in a sad light. Each journey however, must have some trials and tribulations just as Phoenix does during her trip. Phoenix’s difficult journey to town seems to indicate that the struggles she has endured throughout her life enable her to possess the wisdom to overcome many obstacles. Throughout her journey Phoenix endures a number of problems not allowing any of them distract her from her goal. Before she gets very far she finds herself entangled in a thorn bush that with some persistence she frees herself from. This seems to indicate the difficulty of the impending travel ahead. The path soon comes to a small creek only to be crossed by walking the log that makes the path. This is obviously no easy feat for an old woman walking unsteadily with a cane. Yet Phoenix makes it across safely. Through barred wire and after a tumble into a ditch she finally makes it safely and unharmed into town. Even the younger more capable hunter exclaims â€Å"Why, that’s too far† when he hears of her destination (McMahan 292). Phoenix does make it to town despite the difficulty of the journey and proves she has the persistence and wisdom of her years to enable her to survive. Three times during her trip Phoenix shows her wisdom by obtaining things from various people along her way. She shows her abilities first by managing to obtain money from a hunter who claims â€Å"Id give you dime if I had any money with me† (McMahan 294). To accomplish this she must distract the hunter from realizing he lost this valuable commodity. She pretends to be interested in watching his dog chase a cur and he subsequently goes off to do just that. She then quickly assumes possession of the fallen nickel. Secondly, she comes across a woman who obviously look down at Phoenix. T... Free Essays on A Worn Path In Eudora Welty’s "A Worn Path" the conflict was not apparent at the very beginning. What was a poor, elderly sick woman doing gallivanting in the forest during the dead of winter? The reason became clear towards the conclusion of the story as the action revealed that the conflict was obtaining the necessary medicine for her grandson. When this conflict became obvious, another question came to mind. What kind of society did this woman live in that she had to go all the way from her home in the countryside to the city by herself to get the medicine? The conflict being illustrated is that of an individual versus society and the four problems that Phoenix faces as a result of this was her old age, her health, her grandson’s health and her state of poverty. "Her eyes were blue with age. Her skin had a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles†¦" (paragraph 2). This quotation was one of many indications of Phoenix Jackson’s old age. Normally, in society there are benefits for the elderly and those of the golden age. There are various organizations that help people who are over the age of sixty-five. They also provide various services towards them such as meals on wheels. Was there not someone who could have delivered the medicine to this woman of nearly 100 years of age? Perhaps Phoenix Jackson was too shy or had too much pride to ask for a service of that nature. The doctors from the medical building knew about the condition of Phoenix’s grandson and did nothing to try and help. This showed the lack of respect that was present in the society. In today’s society, someone of that age commands and deserves the proper respect. The next conflict that plagued her is that of her health. "She carried a thin, small cane made from an umbrella, and with this she kept tapping the frozen earth in front of her," (paragraph 1). In the preceding quotation, there was one important note that readers should take into consideration... Free Essays on A Worn Path I need a Summary of the Worn Path:A Worn Path by Eudora Welty It was December- a bright frozen day in the early morning. Far out in the country there was an old Negro woman with her head tied in a red rag, coming along a path through the pinewoods. Her name was Phoenix Jackson. She was very old and small and she walked slowly in the dark pine shadows, moving a little from side to side in her steps, with the balanced heaviness and lightness of a pendulum in a grandfather clock. She carried a thin, small cane made from an umbrella, and with this she kept tapping the frozen earth in front of her. This made a grave and persistent noise in the still air that seemed meditative, like the chirping of a solitary little bird. She wore a dark striped dress reaching down to her shoe tops, and an equally long apron of bleached sugar sacks, with a full pocket: all neat and tidy, but every time she took a step she might have fallen over her shoelaces, which dragged from her unlaced shoes. She looked straight ahead. Her eyes were blue with age. Her skin had a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles and as though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead, but a golden color ran underneath, and the two knobs of her cheeks were illumined by a yellow burning under the dark. Under the red rag her hair came down on her neck in the frailest of ringlets, still black, and with an odor like copper. ...

A Lesson Plan on Rational Number Lines

A Lesson Plan on Rational Number Lines Students will use a large number line to understand rational numbers and to position positive and negative numbers correctly. Class: Sixth Grade Duration: 1 class period, ~45-50 minutes Materials: Long strips of paper (adding machine tape works well)Display model of a number lineRulers Key Vocabulary: positive, negative, number line, rational numbers Objectives: Students will construct and use a large number line to develop an understanding of rational numbers. Standards Met: 6.NS.6a. Understand a rational number as a point on the number line. Extend number line diagrams and coordinate axes familiar from previous grades to represent points on the line and in the plane with negative number coordinates. Recognize opposite signs of numbers as indicating locations on opposite sides of 0 on the number line. Lesson Introduction Discuss the lesson target with students. Today, they will be learning about rational numbers. Rational numbers are numbers that can be used as fractions or ratios. Ask students to list any examples of those numbers that they can think of. Step-by-Step Procedure Lay out the long strips of paper on tables, with small groups; have your own strip at the board to model what students should be doing.Have students measure two-inch markings all the way to both ends of the paper strip.Somewhere in the middle, model for students that this is zero. If this is their first experience with rational numbers below zero, they’ll be confused that the zero isn’t located on the far left end.Have them mark the positive numbers to the right of zero. Every marking should be one whole number - 1, 2, 3, etc.Paste your number strip on the board, or have a number line started on the overhead machine.If this is your students’ first attempt at understanding negative numbers, you’ll want to begin slowly by explaining the concept in general. One good way, especially with this age group, is by discussing money owed. For example, you owe me $1. You don’t have any money, so your money status can’t be anywhere along the right (positi ve) side of zero. You need to get a dollar in order to pay me back and be right at zero again. So you could be said to have -$1. Depending on your location, the temperature is also a frequently discussed negative number. If it needs to warm up considerably in order to be 0 degrees, we are in the negative temperatures. Once students have the beginning understanding of this, have them begin marking their number lines. Again, it will be hard for them to understand that they are writing their negative numbers -1, -2, -3, -4 from right to left, as opposed to left to right. Model this carefully for them, and if necessary, use examples such as the ones described in Step 6 to increase their understanding.Once students have their number lines created, see if some of them can create their own stories to go along with their rational numbers. For example, Sandy owes Joe 5 dollars. She only has 2 dollars. If she gives him her $2, she could be said to have how much money? (-$3.00) Most students may not be ready for problems like this, but for those that are, they can keep a record of them and they could become a classroom learning center. Homework/Assessment Let students take their number lines home and have them practice some simple addition problems with the number strip. This isn’t an assignment to be graded, but one that will give you an idea of your students understanding of negative numbers. You can also use these number lines to assist you as students learn about negative fractions and decimals. -3 8-1 5-4 4 Evaluation Take notes during the class discussion and the individual and group work on the number lines. Don’t assign any grades during this lesson, but keep track of who is seriously struggling, and who is ready to move on.

Analysis of Federal Taxation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analysis of Federal Taxation - Assignment Example   With other deductions totaling $55,960, and real estate taxes being deducted separately at $2,200, their total deductions were $57,960. This led to Dan and Cheryl having a taxable income of $118,790 because the total deductions were deducted from their AGI. This meant that their total tax for 2010 would be $22,060. Payments and credits would equal $159. The tax estimated that Dan and Cheryl would actually have to pay would be $21,901, which would be 12.03% of the total income of $182,050. This puts Dan and Cheryl in the 25% tax bracket. Some detailed calculations had to be done before all of these figures were made. First of all, every wage and compensation of any kind was annotated, as well as federal tax withholding, OASDI, Medicare, and state taxes if they applied. For federal taxes, Cheryl only had $500 of withholding taken out of her $45,000-dollar salary, so it is natural that a majority of Dan and Cheryl’s taxes would probably come from her not having had federal withholding taken away from her salary. Additionally, Dan only had $20,000 dollars’ worth of federal withholding taken away from his salary, so he was probably due for paying at least some more federal tax that was not taken out in withholding. Dan was reimbursed for all but $20 worth of travel expenses, excluding the $9,600 dollars that were used for gas mileage, which was calculated by multiplying 30 cents per mile times the 32,000 miles used for business out of a total of 38,000 miles. Certain expenses of Dan’s couldn’t be reimbursed—for example, entertainment of customers. But all of Cheryl’s costs associated with her nursing profession were legitimate expenses—for professional dues, uniforms, and nursing journals related to her profession. Some other expenses that were tacked on to Dan’s business expense account could not be added on, such as utilities for the whole entire house.

Strategy and Positioning Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Strategy and Positioning Paper - Essay Example The all-new Samsung Galaxy Edge is a very interesting product that will allows users to enjoy quick accessibility to their favorite applications and icons. It is a mobile phone with the latest technology of curved screen that has not yet been used by the company’s biggest competitor i.e. Apple Inc. The users of this new model of Samsung will be able to watch videos and other media on their screens and at the same time received notifications on their curved screens without any interruptions. The phone is android based and will come with the latest version of the operating system. It is powered by high-speed processor and has all features those other models of Samsung offer. It is also compatible with Samsung Gear (Samsung, 2014). The geographic reach of Samsung remains huge in terms of sales. The Samsung Galaxy Edge has been designed with the efficiency that allows everyone to use regardless of the region where it is marketed. The software demand of the gadget is global. It is due to this reason that the approach to sell the product will be diversified in terms of region. It should be noted that two-third of the US population remains male. Therefore, the product can easily be marketed to cater that segment by persuading goals concerning practical usage of the device for men. In addition, it can be said that the average buyer of Samsung products remains youth. IT is for this reason that this product will be marketed to the people within the age bracket of 25 to 35. The Samsung Galaxy Edge can easily be marketed to a diversified consumer range because it caters the needs of almost all consumers. Be it, older population or young users, Galaxy Edge will provide a way to detach from everything else and use the device to experience mobile media like never before. The demand of lifestyle is the major onset for Galaxy Edge in the market. The Samsung Galaxy Edge can be marketed