Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury - 1544 Words

Ray Bradbury, the author of Fahrenheit 451, expresses his perspective on life in an interview. His interview contains a common theme: Do what you love, and love what you do (Bradbury). Bradbury sends a message in his interview that people should love life, and live to the fullest because he believes life is a beautiful thing. Although Bradbury no longer can demonstrate his love for life his message still lives in the pages of Fahrenheit 451. The Government of the society in the novel has told their citizens that thinking is as useless as a broken power tool. The citizens are told that books are meaningless, and have no value to anything except those who want to create chaos. The Government replaced all the meaningful things in society with seashells that can play music and television sets fit to fill a wall. For some, the TV s have become so important that they replace family interaction. The Government has corrupted society. The protagonist, Guy Montag s profession is to burn books, but he does not know that the government requires him to do this in order for them to restrict knowledge. Clarisse, Montag s neighbor, lives in a home where socializing and thinking are essential. On the contrary, these elements are highly unusual in society. Montag has always been curious, but Clarisse sets Montag on a journey that involves being rebellious, curious, and persistent by asking him a strange question. These characteristics set Montag apart from society. Montag has beenShow MoreRelatedFahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury719 Words   |  3 PagesThe flash point of paper, or the temperature at which paper will burst in flames, is 451 degrees Fahrenheit. In Fahrenheit 451, written by Ray Bradbury, the main character, Guy Montag, is a â€Å"fireman† in a futuristic society where he and his coworkers start fires, rather than put them out. Books are banned and burned, along with the owner of the book’s house and sometimes even the owner of the book, upon discovery . Technology has taken over in a sense that social interaction between the average personRead MoreFahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury1952 Words   |  8 Pagesis clearly displayed in the plight of Ray Bradbury’s novel about a dystopian American society, Fahrenheit 451, which contains many ideas and bits of content that some people believed should be censored. In fact, one of the reasons that this novel was censored for displaying the dangers of censorship, which is both extremely ironic, and telling as to where this society is going. Thanks to several distributors and oversensitive parents and teachers, Fahrenheit 451 has been banned in many schools overRead MoreFahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury954 Words   |  4 Pages In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, the author uses allegory (often misinterpreted by readers) to show the dangers of mass media consumption and the decline of reading traditional media. Many readers draw incorrect conclusions (lessons learned) from the book due to h ow generally the book applies its theme. Government censorship, though an important topic, is not the intended focus of the novel Fahrenheit 451. Finally, Bradbury’s original message of the book shows the beauty of traditional media andRead MoreFahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury1592 Words   |  7 PagesWhen writing the introduction to Fahrenheit 451, author Neil Gaiman stated that â€Å"ideas--written ideas--are special. They are the way we transmit our stories and our thoughts from one generation to the next. If we lose them, we lose our shared history†. Gaiman is absolutely correct; especially because what he is saying heavily applies to books. Books are a critical aspect in shaping humanity as a whole, they create and share a network of creative ideas, history, and overall entertainment; to loseRead MoreFahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury918 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Fahrenheit 451,† written by Ray Bradbury, is a futuristic, dystopian novel based upon a society se cluded by technology and ignorance. In this future society, books are outlawed and firemen are presented with the task of burning books that are found in people’s homes. Montag, a fireman, finds himself intrigued with the books, and begins to take them home and read them. As the story progresses, Montag learns the truth behind why books are outlawed and flees his city to join the last remnants of age-oldRead MoreFahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury847 Words   |  4 PagesSet Knowledge On Fire The book Fahrenheit 451 is a postmodern work by Ray Bradbury first published in 1951. In Bradbury’s story, all books are illegal and are subject to be burned by firemen. Furthermore, the two predominant themes of Fahrenheit 451 are censorship and ignorance. The censorship implemented over the years removes all information from society that is necessary to learn, which accomplishes to prevent people from questioning anything. The ignorance of society has been fostered and theRead MoreFahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury1661 Words   |  7 Pages1.) In the novel, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Montag’s view on life reverses. Two characters the influence the main character Guy Montag are the old lady whose house and books were burnt down and Mildred. The old lady was caught preserving books in her home. Firemen including Montag were ordered to burn the books. The old lady refused to leave her books, so she too was burned. She bravely gave an allusion as her last words, â€Å"Play the man,’ she said, ‘Master Ridley.’ Something, somethingRead MoreFahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury818 Words   |  4 PagesFAHRENHEIT 451 BY RAY BRADBURY Important People in Montag’s Life In Partical Fulfillment Of English 2 Ms Irina Abramov By Helen Hernandez November 9, 2012 â€Å"There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them† -Ray Bradbury. In the past there were events that affected book writers. People will get together to burn books because they thought it was inappropriate or they were against their literature. Montag is a fireman in a futuristic society who would startRead MoreFahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury863 Words   |  4 PagesThe novel, Fahrenheit 451 was written by Ray Bradbury and it took place in the dystopian future. Throughout each novel, we are able to see a major theme, which is censorship. In this essay, I will explain how this theme are explored in the story by using the literary devices. To begin with, in this novel, censorship is not given a straight description, but we can see how the author shows it through many literary elements, such as using the setting, tone and symbolisms even foreshadowing. This novelRead MoreFahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury904 Words   |  4 PagesLiving in a world with no free thought would be bland as cardboard. But, if that cardboard illuminated with fire, would it have more meaning than it did before? The answer is yes. In the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, the main character, Montag, finds much meaning behind the simple element of fire. The symbol of fire is used to represent how Montag changes himself and his ideas and thoughts about fire throughout the novel. At first, Montag views fire as destructive, but enjoys burning because

Life And Death Of A Broiler Chicken Essay - 1403 Words

The Life and Death of a Broiler Chicken Autumn Baucom What comes to mind when you think of animal abuse? Many will say dogs, cats, and many other common household pets when in reality it is not only the animals we cuddle but the ones we eat too. When you are considering animal abuse you generally don’t think of chickens, but it is a bigger problem then you would imaging.Chicken meat is one of the most populare meat but, countless chickens around the world endure pain, and suffering in their daily life to be your food. Broiler chickens are chickens specifically raised for there meat. nine-billion chickens a year are raised for their meat and 305 million for their eggs. All of these chickens live in horrendous conditions throughout their life. Most Broiler chickens only live 42 through 45 days, while chickens that do not go through the factory farms will a little less than eight years. In the broiler chicken short life they go through so much pain and suffering it is unbelievable. In today s world we want bigger chickens thighs, breast, wings, so the companies make sure we get that. Before a chicken is born it is specifically crossbreeded to make it grow at rapid rates. Making sure it reaches maturity within a few short weeks. It is said that broiler chickens now grow two times faster than they did in the 1950s. When the new chicks hatch out of their shells they are born into one of many large incubators, When the new chicks hatch out of their shells they are bornShow MoreRelatedThe Current State Of Americas Meat Industry1569 Words   |  7 Pagesmeat. In his effort to find the right way, when working on Polyface farm, Pollan dreaded being a part of processing the chickens. Yet, he knew that because he ate meat, he needed an education in the reality of killing animals. He could not go on as a meat eater if he was not willing to be fully acquainted with what having meat on a dinner plate entails. By killing a chicken and coming to terms with how that made him feel, he could develop a personal insight into the ethics of eating animals. PollanRead MoreBiology: What are Mycotoxins823 Words   |  3 Pagescaused wide-ranging disease and death in turkeys [75]. As illustrated in the case, mycotoxin-containing feed can have serious effects on the health of animals after ingestion. The remaining question for this risk assessment is however whether mycotoxins may end up in the meat of animals, meant for human consumption, and have an effect on human health after ingestion in this way. Observations of aflatoxin- and ochratoxin residues in edible tissues of chicken broilers show that these mycotoxins areRead MoreAmericas Meat Industry Hides From The Consumer1201 Words   |  5 PagesPollan dreaded processing chickens. Yet, he knew he needed an education in the reality of killing animals if he was to go on as a meat eater. Pollan killed several chickens and in taking that responsibility, he developed a personal insight into the ethics of eating animals. As Pollan threw the chicken guts into the compost, he saw first-hand that there is no escape from the death of animals as a meat eater. Observing how the owner of Polyface farm slaughtered chickens, Joel, Pollan was able toRead MoreDeoxyribonucleic Acid, Or Dna Is A Genetic Code That Determines1279 Words   |  6 Pagesmalfunction. Mutations can affect a single base pair, or a large segment of multiple genes. Gene mutations can be classified into two major groups; hereditary and acquired. Hereditary mutations are inherited from a parent and are throughout a person’s life, like downs syndrome and sickle cell anemia. Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is caused by an extra copy of a genetic material on the 21st chromosome. This causes the child to have upwardly slanted eyes, flat nasal bridges, and a protrudingRead MoreFactory Farms Is Not An Authentic Life At All1670 Words   |  7 PagesA life lived in confinement could be considered not an authentic life at all. Although being fed and watered may keep someone or something alive, being restricted from fresh air, sunlight, freedom and living in one’s own feces can be detrimental. Poultry, pigs, and cattle all go through one of these things if not all on factory farms. Factory farms, or Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations as well as Intensive Livestock Operations, are industrial farms primarily managed and owned by large corporationsRead MoreWhat s The Matter With Meat?1752 Words   |  8 Pagesreporter for the Associated Press states in his new book about the meat industry called The Meat Racket â€Å"’Even if Tyson did not produce a given piece of meat, the consumer is really only picking between different versions of the same commoditized beef, chicken, and pork that is produced through a system Tyson pioneered’†(Kristof, 1). This causes the American consumer to lose the power to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families in the super market. American rural farmers are being forcedRead More Factory Farms and Animal Cruelty Essay3698 Words   |  15 PagesChrist were coming over today for lunch, you would probably dust, vacuum, adjust the pictures on the walls, pick your best outfit, comb your hair, jot down a few questions about heaven. But what would the two of you eat? Would you serve Christ fried chicken? How would you feel about setting a plate of steaming, sizzling pork chops in front of your savior? A few hard-boiled eggs wouldnt hurt, right? Maybe a glass of milk to wash it all down? For many Christians, faith has little to do with whatsRead MorePhi 103 Informal Logic Essay2186 Words   |  9 Pagespigs, cattle and chicken began in the 1920’s as a way to increase efficiencies by capturing the processes used by the industrial factories. Fogelson states, â€Å"during the 1920’s, industrial farming concepts found their way onto real farms in America â€Å", (2003). This practice, also known as intensive livestock production, forces animals to be subjected to harsh living conditions while they are indoors and confined to crowded spaces and less sanitary environments. For instance, chickens are normally confinedRead MoreLiving Without Eating Chicken Or Cheese? Essay1542 Words   |  7 PagesAre you a vegan? It seems like an odd question. How can you live without eating chicken or cheese? Vegans would reply to that question by saying that â€Å"chicken†, what you regard as food, was a body of an sentient being who wanted to live. That â€Å"ch eese† that you regard as food was from a recently pregnant heifer’s milk, a nutritious sustenance meant for a mother to give her newborn calf. If the baby calf was male, he was taken from his mother within hours of birth, confined to a small crate, deprivedRead MoreGenetically Modified Organisms Into The Environment2305 Words   |  10 Pagesfirst genetically modified maize contained Bt Cry protein. The protein works by forming a toxin in the gut of insects thus paralyzing the insects digestive system forming holes in the gut which prevents the insect from eating causing it to starve to death. As you can see by the graphs above, within the past twenty years the use of genetically modified corn skyrocketed. This can explain why you are able to consume fresh ears of corn all year long. Because it can be grown in areas much hotter than it

Gourmet Manufacturing Plant Manager Interview free essay sample

Meanwhile, Mr. Nassir and his team make sure the work is done according to plan. The equipment’s that are used in the plant are manufactured by ‘Crones’ company, having the production capacity of water 25000/hour and juice 15000/ hour. Later he answered the questions of the students, which are as follows: WHY DID GOURMET LAUNCH ITSELF IN FAISALABAD AFTER THEIR SUCCESS IN LAHORE? Mr. Nassir Mahmoud answered that it was like a test to check what the response is if gourmet is brought out of Lahore and launched in another city. For this Faisalabad was decided because of the ease of access for all type of support for example motorway access, material can be brought within 2 hours of time and the other good reason is the culture of food taste of Lahore and Faisalabad is quiet similar. Currently 100% of products are manufactured here in Faisalabad. WHY DID GOURMET CHOOSE FAISALABAD FOR THEIR PLANT? It would give huge benefits to gourmet in the future like when the Multan motorway will be constructed it will benefit gourmet in reducing its expense if they plan to launch in gourmet there too. One reason to choose fsd is that in future benefits are here, because of the ease in access to motorway. ARE THE GOURMET DRINKS DISTRIBUTED IN OTHER CITIES OF PAKISTAN? The gourmet Drinks are distributed allover Pakistan except not in Baluchistan etc. In Punjab almost all main cities are covered. Distribution is mostly given to the one who has more market exposure. FUTURE PRODUCTS OF GOURMET? Upcoming product of gourmet is juice. Moreover the glass bottles for gourmet cola would be introduced within 2 months. Juices would be in PET bottle, PET bottle is chosen as it has minimum chances of bacteria to be born in it and Cola will be in glass water, when the consumer returns the bottle back, gourmet will be able to save up to 17/18rs per bottle. GOURMET FUTURE PLANS FOR BRANCHES IN FAISALABAD? Production is a huge hassle reasonable branches would be there in any city gourmet shifts to. Gourmet would shift to longer shelf life. In Lahore it has 104 branches but the branches wouldnt be as many as in Lahore, currently Gourmet has 9 branches in Faisalabad and 10 or 12 more branches would be launched. So the total number of branches would probably be 20 or might exceed 20. IS THERE ANY NEED OF HOME DELIVERY SERVICE OF GOURMET PRODUCTS IN FAISALABAD? Gourmet doesn’t Emphasis on it. Branches are near to you, they bring branches to your home. Gourmet produces too many products, probably 1700, they are factory produced are kept in the branch, home delivery service suits more on restaurants or fast good places like pizza, kfc etc. , HOW DO YOU SEE DAUSAY AS A COMPETITOR OF GOURMET IN LAHORE? Competition is always positive for consumer owner. For consumer in a sense that theyll have better quality in future. Dausay would have affected the sales of gourmet in Lahore. It increases the competition and now gourmet will focus to make improve its products and reduce price and make even better presentation. Gourmet rates are still better. We make quality products, and it’s 100% sure says Mr. Nassir. One should have trust in Allah, even if 100 companies come for competition in the market, rizk is written, we will have it anyway. NIRALA HAS ORDERING ONLINE DELIVERY, WHY NOT GOURMET? Nirala has less branches, we have many, the branches are at your home, delivery is not really required, for that packaging must be different, and many other things, a new industry would have to be developed in order to make such a packaging that could be taken out of country. WHY DOESNT GOURMET ADVERTISE AS MUCH AS PEPSI COKE? Gourmet doesnt want to spend on advertisement. Gourmet cola is the reason why Pepsi brought its price down; Gourmet still sells its cola in bare minimum margin this doesnt allow them to spend on advertisement. They leave the advertise expense to the consumer and don’t waste it on advertisement i. e. spending on the dancers and the other models for the advertisement. Gourmet has direct link to the customer, Pepsi coke doesnt have the link direct to its consumers, there is a number on every gourmet bottle any customer can call and contact gourmet. WHY COKE IS SOLD ON GOURMET? Gourmet is the biggest seller of coca cola. They have a preferential trade agreement with coca cola, reason why gourmet didn’t choose Pepsi is because they believe coca cola has better quality and Pepsi is produced in Pak. TURNOVER IS TOO MUCH? Basic salesmen have such turnover anywhere in the world. Basic salesman is not a profession, any person who doesnt get a good job works as a basic salesman. Any of them who get a better job somewhere else he quickly shifts. This is not a long-term profession. Gourmet is highlighted this much because they have a huge setup, this is happening everywhere but they aren’t highlighted as they have small setup. Mr. Nassir believes the retention has been reduced after the introducing the software. DOUSAY HAS GOURMET EMPLOYEEs, WHY? Fact is that half of them come back to gourmet. Dousay has 100% our ex-employees. Because they need experienced trained employees. INCENTIVES FOR MOTIVATION OF EMPLOYEES: Work has no link to cash. Work is linked to commitment. Gourmet gives 3 time food to its employees other than his salary. They are sure that each and every rack is safe right now; it is because if racks inventory is reduced the amount is deducted from his pay if he keeps it safe hes given 50rs as reward, this concept is introduced by Mr. Nassir it has reduced the theft in the branches. Moreover when employee puts right inventory, hes given a share of profit, i. e. 100rs/day. HOW DO THE OWNERS STAY IN TOUCH WITH ALL KIND OF NECESSARY INFORMATION? Gourmet has their own software designers, within few months the ERP software would be developed. This is for the ease of the owners they can access the data anywhere. In Faisalabad, every gourmet branch is linked to the main. Data flows all the time to the head office. All reporting regarding expense, purchases, salaries, sales etc. re reported live. This live reporting is done only is Faisalabad because in Lahore the owners themselves sit and run. THE GOOD ADVICE TO STUDENTS: Keep money on your back not in front of you, if you do this money will come behind you, if you keep it in front of yourself you will never catch it, if you keep it behind you, it will come running behind you. Mr. Nassir gives an open challenge to anyone, offer any managerial employees to leave gourmet and shift to some other bakery, the employee won’t!

Research Paper on Nitro Shock Absorbers Essay Example

Research Paper on Nitro Shock Absorbers Essay All shock absorbers are usually divided into hydraulic, gas (nitro) and blow (low-pressure gas). This division is conventional because in all three cases, the â€Å"central† part is the valve, which remains essentially unchanged in all three cases, the compensatory element is a gas. Those who want to write a good research proposal on nitro shock absorbers have to remember that central valve moves in the central cylinder and the differences begin from this point on. Hydraulic and blow shock absorbers have another outer cylinder, where the oil flows through the bottom valve. Gas shock absorber does not have outer cylinder and all its design is packed in one. Thus, we could logically divide nitro shock absorbers into double-tube and monotube. When working, any shock absorbers, by definition, produce a large amount of heat, so the oil used in them requires not only corrosive, but also thermal stability – the ability to withstand temperatures up to 160 degrees without changing its structure and properties. Simultaneously, the actual problem of heat removal. Double-tube hydraulic shock absorbers dissipate heat worse than high pressure monotube, because in the former â€Å"heat generator† – the central cylinder – is covered at the top by another coaxial cylinder filled with oil and compensation gas. We will write a custom essay sample on Research Paper on Nitro Shock Absorbers specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Research Paper on Nitro Shock Absorbers specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Research Paper on Nitro Shock Absorbers specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Why do there is need in a compensation gas? Fluid, as it is known, cannot be not compressed. Therefore, if it were not for the compensation gas, the piston inside the cylinder would hit a â€Å"oil wall,† which by virtue of its large inertia has not yet begun to flow through a calibrated valve openings. That compensation volume of gas is compressed first and takes all the hit to itself and only then the oil begins to flow through the calibrated valve openings of the central rod. Moreover, the oil is often heated to substantial temperatures. Its volume Increases and when it is necessary to compensate it, this small portion of the gas makes it. Hydraulic shock absorbers dampen softer because they have two of the valve system, in contrast to the monotube, having only one which is located on the stem, plus the gas there is at lower pressure. Along with this, they are really inert and react slowly to movement of the wheel, especially to low-frequency vibrations of small amplitudes. The higher the gas pressure, propped up oil, the higher the â€Å"quick response† of a shock absorber. In the high pressure shock absorbers gas and oil are one after another in the same cylinder and are separated by the valve. Gas (usually nitrogen) is at a pressure of about 25 atmospheres. Thus, the rod valve all the time is in tension, in â€Å"spring-loaded† condition and thus nitro shock absorber has much quicker response to potholes and bumps of the road. To find more relevant data on the topic, you may use free sample research papers on nitro shock absorbers which may be a wonderful source of information. Are you looking for a top-notch custom research paper about Nitro Shock Absorbers? Is confidentiality as important to you as the high quality of the product? Try our writing service at EssayLib.com! We can offer you professional assistance at affordable rates. Our experienced PhD and Master’s writers are ready to take into account your smallest demands. We guarantee you 100% authenticity of your paper and assure you of dead on time delivery. Proceed with the order form:

Asian Economic History Essays - Economy Of South Korea, Free Essays

Asian Economic History Essays - Economy Of South Korea, Free Essays Asian Economic History Brief Economic History and Government Policy Korea was one of the poorest countries in world after experiencing two wars. World War II and Korean war (1950 1953). The country even experienced a food shortage so that it had to heavily rely on the foreign aid. Yearly per capita consumption was a mere $88 as late as 1965. However, since 1965, Korea has been transformed from its underdeveloped agricultural economy to a leading Newly Industrializing Country. Between 1965 and 1981, its gross national product GNP multiplied twenty times from $3 billion to $63 billion and per capita GNP increased sixteen times from $88 to $1,554. There have been many explanations for Koreas successful story. Among those, the strong role of government would be probably the most important one. At the same time, this would be also responsible for current recession. After Koran war, the government in fact had no sense of direction and also due to the unstable political situation, the country didnt have specific economic policy until 1961 when military government came to power and established the major institution guiding its economic planning called Economic Planing Board (EPB). This government set economic development as the top national priority and recognized the financial system in support of economic development plan. To achieve this purpose, it focused its policies mainly on export expansion moving its emphasis from import substitution. The result was considered quite successful for economic growth. Between 1965 and 1973, exports grew at average annual rate of 45%, from $175 million to $3,271 million. The success of the expansion was due primary to three factors (Kwack, 72). The first was a favorable international economic environment, which saw total world imports expand from $175 billion in 1965 to $536 billion by 1973. This boom in impo rts of the world reflected the fact that the industrialized had not yet erected import barriers against exports from developing countries and were, on the contrary, quite active importers of cheaper goods from Newly Industrializing Countries such as Korea. A second significant factor was the Korean governments policy of promoting exports, which was set in motion in 1965. Initially, the government introduced a number of fiscal and financial incentives, which I will discuss more later. A third factor was Koreas abundant and highly productive labor force. This gave Korea a strong comparative advantage in producing labor intensive products and provided the impetus for the notable expansion for exports. In order to expand total exports over time periods, however, Korea turned to new export industries that were expected to have a comparative advantage with abundant labor, but skilled labor at this time, such as shipbuilding, electronics, and steel industries. This attempt was viewed as a manufacturing shifting of its emphasis from light industries to heavy industries which later started to produce intermediary goods as substitutes for imports (Kwack, 77). However, this governments promotion of heavy industries for large-scale economies led to under-investment in light manufacturing industries causing productive gap between small and large firms. Actually, the large firm that runs heavy industries has been given priorities, and small and medium firms relatively disregarded in governments allocation of loanable funds and other administrative preference. As a result, conglomerates later known as chaebol (family owned conglomerate) have been formed through this expansion of heavy industries. Governments Policy Before 1961 As seen above, the Korean government has been focused on import substitution for economic growth during 1953 65 period and followed by export expansion policy after 1965. However, to progress its policy efficiently, the government had to face to one of serious problem, poverty. After two major wars, the country even with a food shortage experienced lack of capital. There was no source for savings and investment to finance economic growth domestically, so it depended heavily on foreign capital which inflow in a form of mostly aid and loan in the early stage of economic growth. The proportion of foreign capital to total capital formation in 1965 was approximately 40 percent. In addition to inflow of foreign capital, the government faced allocation of capital with using its financial system. Before the military government in 1961, the loan decisions of commercial banks were heavily influenced by political interference (Haggard, 26). Well, in fact the loan decisions

Leadership and Supervising Influence in Human Services

Leadership and Supervising Influence in Human Services Introduction Leadership is the ability to steer people toward achieving goals. Leadership is a strategic position, and according to advanced leadership models, leaders can perform different roles. Leaders can perform the functions of management, mediation and even mentorship roles.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership and Supervising Influence in Human Services specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These roles are clearly visible when leaders are managing programs or projects in the organization. Supervisory and leadership are critical in building healthy working relationships (Lewis, Packard Lewis, 2007). Roles of Leadership Model The manager quality in leadership is particularly valuable. A leader is required posses administrative skills. Implementation of programs, like human service programs involve the allocation of resources. These resources have to be well employed and utilized in meeting the goals or object ives of programs. Therefore, as a manager, a leader must know how to deploy resources and organize work so that the goals are attained at the end of the program. As a mediator, a leader should have the ability to moderate work by listening to differing proposals and opinions, and crafting a lee way of working. Leaders should know how to broker mutual agreements between opposing forces in the team. As a mentor, the leader has to be exemplary to the team. He has to show that he or she is committed to the course or program. He must encourage the team and ensure that they remain focused (Lewis, Packard Lewis, 2007). Elements of the supervisory process Supervision is a process, and its elements are brought out in the model which was developed by Schulman. These elements are in phases. The first phase, which is the preliminary phase, comes before the supervisor is assigned to a specific. In this phase, the feelings, personal fears and emotions of employees are assessed. It is followed by the beginning phase. The role of the supervisor is clarified. The supervisor is given direction and approach of facilitation. The ideas of the team are listened to by the supervisor so as to come up with a proper framework on which to work with the team in accomplishing the set goals.Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There is also the middle phase, where facilitation takes place. A number of skills are employed here; for instance, skills of problem solving so that common grounds can be reached with the entire team. Lastly, is the transition phase. This may entail the assignment of a new task, promotion or even resignation of the supervisor (Lewis, Packard Lewis, 2007). Supervisory Challenges An employee may be promoted from his position to a supervisor. This takes time, and it is transitional. This requires highly developed skills as well as knowledge. Also, thi s calls for greater exercise of authority and responsibility. As the employee assumes the supervisory role, he or she will need to shift and focus on assessment and evaluation of employees. The first hurdle will be in choosing the most favorable leadership style to use. Maintaining a balance between the employees and the clients is another hard task to enforce and which must be enforced (Lewis, Thomas Lewis, 2007). The supervisor must motivate the employees. The supervisor must strike a balance between the extrinsic and intrinsic reward systems. Winning the attention of staffs through rewarding is a complicated issue all together yet if well enforced, the output of staffs will often grow. The problem of low performance of employees must be addressed by the supervisor. Reprimand and disciplinary procedures have to be used. The supervisor must ensure that he has exploited all channels of improving the outcome of underperforming employees before reprimanding and using other disciplina ry options (Lewis, Thomas Lewis, 2007). Influencing factors Job design is vital in attaining quality at the work and output of employees. It involves integrating various roles to be done employees to accomplish the organizational mission. A systematic process is used in specifying the duties to be performed at each position. The natures of jobs to be performed are described by the job design. Hiring consists of selecting people, who are best qualified. Skills, education, past employment and experience are key considerations in the recruitment process. The employer must evaluate the job applicants, and even link their experience and skills to the organizational mission and objectives (Lewis, Packard Lewis, 2007).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership and Supervising Influence in Human Services specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Training follows recruitment. This deals with the provision of information to employe es concerning the programs of the organization. In addition, the services and products of the organization are described during training. It also enhances the knowledge level of the new staffs, which in turn enhances resilience to organizational problems. The delivery of service is enhanced by training. The manner in which the employees are managed will be the determinant factor of their achievement (Lewis, Packard Lewis, 2007). Challenges of Managing Team Members The management of individuals and groups in a firm entails the use of effective communication. The challenges commonly experienced in supervision of employees are stress related to ineffective management, training problems, which results in low quality work and results and lack of intensive motivation from the supervisors. Others are low level of supervisor education and incompetent supervisors – in leadership skills and professionalism (Austin Hopkins, 2004). Conclusion Leaders play several roles, among them mana gement, mediatory and mentorship. These roles are essential in human service organization. Training of supervisors is also crucial. It aids in smoothening the supervisory process. Problems are inherent in the supervisory process hence supervisors have to take time to learn them and address them effectively. References Austin, M. J., Hopkins, K. M. (2004). Supervision as collaboration in the human services: Building a learning culture. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage. Lewis, J. A., Packard, T., Lewis, M. D. (2007). Developing and Managing Human Resources (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Learning. Cengage.Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Lewis, J.A., Thomas, T.R., Lewis, M. D. (2007). Management of human service programs.- Wadsworth: Cengage.

Mortgage loans in Italy and a residential financial analysis Essay

Mortgage loans in Italy and a residential financial analysis - Essay Example One of the main strengths of the Italian housing market is, according to a 2001 census, a very high rate of ownership which sits around 71% and the residences where people live account for about 60% of Italians net wealth.3 One of the advantages of getting a mortgage loan in Italy is the fact that the Euro, at the moment, is a very strong currency as this offsets the facts that the mortgage rate in Italy is a little higher than in the United States or England.4 There are legal issues that must be dealt with in securing a mortgage loan and owning property in Italy. A reservation must be signed once you have found a property that you would like to purchase which is a legally binding agreement that obliges both parties to complete the purchase of real estate by a specific date in an office of an Notary Republic.5 After the reservation is signed there is a mandatory deposit that must be put down which ranges from 10 - 30% which you do not return if you pull out of the deal but conversely if the vendor pulls out of the deal they must pay two times the amount that was agreed upon as the deposit. 6 When the real estate deal is completed the deposit is counted toward a down payment. The buyer must state that the purchase of the property is conditional on the buyer receiving a mortgage, a satisfactory survey, and that the property in question is in compliance with building regulations free from all charges as the buyer must check what legal fees and local government taxes might be associated with the purchase before re-mortgaging or purchasing. 8 The real estate deal is complete once this process is formalized by a sale deed written by a local notary who then registers the deed with the land registry as well as pays all the taxes incurred on behalf of the buyer.9 There are Italian solicitors that are available for much of this legal work as they generally charge 2% of the purchase price of the property as some of their duties include drawing up of contracts, contacting the relevant notary for such documents, payment of taxes and registering the property. 10 Notary fees differ on the price as they generally charge a higher percentage on less expensive properties as the average fee will be around 4% of the declared price of the property.11 Foreign citizens must also receive a tax identification number codice fiscale through any Italian financial office or an Italian Embassy.12 This document is important for: Signing the preliminary purchase agreementRequesting bank financingOpening bank accountsConcluding the final purchase agreement with notaryPurchasing an automobile Arranging public utilities contractsPresenting declarations to public offices , whether communal, regional or state13 The time value of money is used as the base for all ideas in finance as it has a direct impact in business, consumer, and government finance as the time value of money derives for the concept of interest. In the terms of the time value of money one dollar today is the same value as a dollar in three years time but where it differs is the money that could be made by investment and gaining interest over a period of time from when you first receive the money. If you receive 10,000 dollars today you

Argument Essay Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Argument Assignment - Essay Example Speaking of the latter, there are campuses today that are experiencing problems brought about by crows. One of which would be that it serves as a distraction for students from class as crows bring fear to some while curiosity to others. Instead of listening in class, students tend to talk about crows and some just want to leave the room into a safer place. Second problem of which would be that some crows get into the food of the students and eat them. They also get into the cafeteria which may pose a threat to the cleanliness of the food being served. Third, some crows have the tendency of attacking kids when they think their actions are provoking or harming them. Lastly, the overall hygiene of the campus is being sacrificed because of the fecal matter that the crows drop along the hallways. This can again result to the increase of viruses that may result to sickness. With all these said, there is indeed a need to provide a solution for these very valid problems, that when not immediately acted upon would cause bigger problems for the school and its students. A good way to start solving this problem would be to set aside a fund that would allow the depopulation of crows. One of which would be to set up scare crows which will repel them from staying in the campuses. There is also a more practical way of visually repelling them such as by setting up mirrors in the area that when hit by the sun will reflect a light that will make it hard for crows to see. Indeed, though crow depopulation is not really a common problem that we would be familiarly spending money on, I strongly believe that funding a solution to it is a must. This is because the presence of crows in the campus has a lot of repercussions. First, it could affect the credibility and the effectiveness of the school towards the learning of students because they get distracted by them. If this happens, it would cost the school more to have these students transfer to

Sigmund Freud Essay Example for Free

Sigmund Freud Essay Consequently, Watson proposed that psychologist should confine themselves to studying behaviour, since only this was measurable by more than one person. For Watson the only way psychology could be taken seriously was to emulate the natural sciences and become objective. Watsons form of psychology was known as behaviourism. In 1913, Watson was working in the field of animal psychology and thought that the term animals could include humans. Watson was not interested in the mental processes. He saw no role for the mind and consciousness. Watson thought behaviour was observable and therefore scientific. The mind and its thought processes were abstract and unobservable and therefore unscientific. Behaviourism was defined by Watson as the study of the association between a stimulus and a response. Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) was a Russian physiologist studying the digestion of dogs, when he found that the laboratory dogs could be conditioned to salivate without food. This learnt behaviour was called classical conditioning. Behaviourism began with the study of animals and experiments were taking over from simply watching them in their natural environment. Thorndike (1911) was interested in human behaviour although he used animals for his experiments for ethical reasons. Thorndike used a puzzle box with a complicated set of pegs and pulleys and watched as the animals attempted to escape. Eventually though trial and error, the animal would manage to open the door and it was rewarded with food. So escaping from the box had become desirable. The animal would then be placed in the box again and after several repetitions the animal preformed the necessary response to open the door more quickly. Thorndike argued that the animal had learnt how to escape because of the reward. Thorndike called this the law of effect. If we like the consequences of our actions then the actions are likely to be repeated. This kind of learning was known as operant conditioning and was studied in more detail by B. F Skinner (1874-1949) Skinner reiterated Thorndikes law of effect in his experiments with rats. Skinners approach to psychology was scientific. His views came from Darwins theories of evolution. Skinner focused on the environment as a cause for human behaviour. He did not think people acted for moral reasons; he thought they reacted in response to their environment. A person might do a good thing not for moral reasons, but for the rewards received for the act. For Skinner the mental process is irrelevant. There is a key difference between classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning involves involuntary or innate behaviour such as salivating and fear responses. They can be elicited, which means you can do something that produces an involuntary response. Operant conditioning involves voluntary behaviours. Voluntary behaviours are those behaviours that cannot be made to happen. This means that you cannot get these behaviours until someone carries them out. Watson did a study in 1920 and it is a widely used example of how we learn. Albert was conditioned to show a fear response to rats that he initially liked and showed no fear. Watson used a hammer struck on a metal bar to make a loud noise. Albert showed a natural fear response to the loud noise. (Unconditional response) The bar was struck while Albert petted the rat. Eventually, Albert associated the loud noise with the rat and showed the fear response upon seeing the rat. (Conditional response) Watson claimed that emotional responses are learnt through conditioning. He concluded that environment shapes our personality and genetics play no part in our behaviour characteristics. There are ethical criticisms of the little Albert study, however the main criticism seem to be that when the data was examined it showed that it was quite difficult to condition Albert and the fear did not last long. They had to repeat the pairing often to strengthen the association between the loud noise and the rat. Although, the study suggests that it was easy to condition Albert, the data suggest that it was not that easy and not that clear cut. Social learning theory assumes that personality differences result from differences in the learning experiences. This includes learning from observing others in addition to operant and classical conditioning. For example in language acquisition, a child learns to talk by imitating the adults. For social learning to occur, one individual must acquire a new behaviour from another individual (the model) with no reinforcement required. For example, monkeys in the wild are afraid of snakes and display this fear with screeching and jumping up and down. Captive monkeys reared in a laboratory do not have this fear. Mineka and Cook (1988) studied how rhesus monkeys can learn this response. When lab reared monkeys observed the agitated behaviour of wild monkeys in response to a snake, they modified their behaviour to match the model. The monkeys seem to have learnt to display fear by watching the behaviour of other individuals. Bandura, Ross and Ross, (1961) set out to investigate whether children learnt, through observation to display aggression. Children aged between 3 and 6 years of age were split into two groups. One group were exposed to a non-aggressive adult model. The other group were exposed to an adult model behaving aggressively, both physically and verbally to a blow up Bobo doll. The model punched, kicked and hit the doll with a mallet while the children observed this behaviour. The children were then taken to a room containing non-aggressive toys such as crayons, cars, a farm set and aggressive toys such as a dart gun a mallet and a Bobo doll. The children imitated the model with verbal and physical aggressive behaviour towards the Bobo doll. The findings demonstrated that observation and imitation could account for the learning of specific acts without reinforcement. Classical conditioning can explain some of the aspects of human behaviour, especially natural fear responses. Taste aversion, phobias and Gulf War Syndrome can be explained this way. Classical conditioning has a wide range of applications in behaviour therapy and has been successful in treating phobias. However, it cannot explain the attainment of entirely new behaviours and it cannot explain all of human learning especially the diversity of human personality and characteristics. It does not take into account that humans are capable of insight learning and the results are achieved through reasoning, with no trial and error are present. Operant Conditioning can explain how children learn the sounds of words from adults. Nevertheless, it does not explain how children correct grammar, as parents do not reinforce grammar (Slobin 1975) Bibliography Brain C. (2000) Approaches and Methods. Nelson and Thornes Ltd. UK Jarvis M. (et el) (2000) Angles on Psychology. Stanley and Thornes Ltd. UK Atkinson R.L. (et el) An Introduction to Psychology. (1981) Harcourt Brace College Publishers. USA (Word count 2052) Beverley Fielden Access Psychology

The Industrial Revolution :: European Europe History

The Industrial Revolution Examine in detail the History of the Industrial Revolution. Discuss why Britain led the way in the Industrial Revolution and also explain in detail the effects of industrialization on society. Had it not been for the industrial revolution, I would doubt very much that we would enjoy the technology we have in the year 2000. The reason we have this technology is that between the years 1750 and 1914 a great change in the world's history was made. People started to discover faster methods of producing goods, which increased their economy. These people were mainly British and French, but after a few years the French were distracted by their revolution, and the British continued to industrialize. However you must not think this industrialization had no effects on society because it did. So in this essay I am going to talk about the history of the industrial revolution, discuss why Britain led the way in the industrial revolution and also I am going to explain to you in detail the effects of industrialization on society. In the midevel ages people were living in total darkness, and they did not know what was going on in the world around them. Happily the medieval ages were followed by the renaissance. Then came the year 1750, the year of the agricultural revolution in Britain which led away to a revolution in industry. Charles Townshend for example was one of the people who made the agricultural revolution possible. He suggested rotating the crops every year or two, to help the soil get enriched with vitamins and nutrition's. The America's then introduced potatoes to Great Britain. New farm machines were invented, for example Jethro Tull developed a seed drill which planted seeds in straight rows and farmers began using new iron plows in place of inofitiant wooden plows. In addition to that, the enclosure movement brought wealthy people to farm larger amounts of land, which was very good for the agricultural revolution. This revolution improved peoples diet and health leading to an increased populati on, which demanded healthy food, clothing and employment. Since many farmers were seeking jobs, they found it now in the textile industry, which created a new demand for laborers. You shall notice now that the mechanical inventions were so rapid and each one triggered another new one. A few examples of these inventions are the flying shuttle by John Kay, the spinning jenny by James Hargraves, the water frame by Richard Akriwght, the power loom by Edward Cartwight, Samuel Cromptons spinning mule, and Eli Whitney's cotton gin.

Review Case Study Dogfight over Europe: RyanAir Essay

1. Overview of RyanAir RyanAir was founded in 1985 by Tony Ryan who former has been worked in Aer Lingus. It established to provide schedule passanger airline services between Ireland and UK as an alternative flight to the state monopoly carrier, Aer Lingus. Initially, RyanAir was a full-service conventional airline, with two classes of seating and leasing three different types of aircraft. RyanAir’s objective was to maintain its position as Europe’s leading low-fare airline, operating frequently point to point flights on short-haul flights, mainly out of regional and secondary airports. Its strategy was based on providing a no-frills service with low fare designed to stimulate demand, particularly from budget-conscious leisure and business travelers who might not have travelled at all. Mission Ryanair aims to offer low fares that generate increased passenger traffic while maintaining a continuous focus on cost commitment and operating efficiencies. Vision To firmly establish itself as Europe’s leading low-fares scheduled passenger airline through continued improvements and expanded offerings of its low-fares service. Values Ryanair is committed to bring customers the lowest fares and most on-time flights out in comparison to all competitors. Most importantly are safety issues, punctuality, near-perfect baggage handling, and the green policy. Goals Ryanair plans to increase efficiency and lower costs even further in comparison to industry rivals. The company wants to become the 2nd largest international airline. 2. Internal Analysis Ryanair’s success was based on a skilful adaptation of the Southwest Airline model focusing on the cost leadership. It benefits from the first mover advantage as it has implemented the budget model first in the European market by negotiating best rates possible with secondary airports. Ryanair has established a single type aircraft fleet that saves on training costs, point-to-point flights that enable fast turn-around times and flights to secondary airports that save airport fee costs. All of them enable Ryanair to keep its operations extremely efficient. Furthermore, Ryanair sub contracts employees on temporary basis, which again saves the company huge expenses making it flexible and adaptable to environmental changes. Figure A2 illustrates all the key points as a summary. Further savings are generated through Ryanair’s website where no advertisement is necessary. Through ancillary revenues as e.g. on-board gaming and car renting Ryanair manages to generate highly satisfying 20% of its revenues. The low-cost business strategy has been successfully integrated into the Porter’s Value Chain. The Resource Based View Model shows the internal analysis as a summary. 3. External Analysis PESTLE Analysis is a suitable tool in order to analyse the external environment. It summarises all the external factors, which might create opportunities or cause significant threat to Ryanair’s operations. Political The political institution European Union affects Ryanair’s strategy and operations by establishing regulations and restrictions in the airline industry. For example, the regulation setting a ceiling on flying hours in order to prevent pilot’s fatigue forces Ryanair to hire more employees. In addition, the EU demands to refund air passengers in case of delays or cancelled flights. Also, the EU might increase the emission fees. All those  EU regulations must be considered and Ryanair’s strategy has to be accordingly adjusted in order to avoid a negative impact on the business. In addition, Ryanair should be aware of regional distinctions as the Irish tourist tax and national government laws acting in favour of national airlines that increase Ryanair’s costs, e.g. national employees contracts in other countries have different terms and conditions that must be applied and are more expensive. Economical Ryanair saves costs by operating over secondary airports. In that way they avoid primary airport charges and extra costs. The economics downturn in 2009 has shown that Ryanair as the leading budget airline can offer the cheapest flights attracting customers and still generate returns. As long as the low fares are guaranteed Ryanair will do well in comparison to its competitors. But if fuel price fluctuations occur, an increase in price will lead to an increase of Ryanair’s operating costs causing problems to guarantee low fares, which stand for the core competence of Ryanair. Failures in hedging, as it happened in year 2008, should be avoided. Also exchange rates should be observed as they might lead to supply chain disruptions. Social Customers perceive Ryanair’s customer service as poor, as the passengers expect to be compensated for cancelled and delayed flights. The poor working conditions cause legal and safety issues that can scare established and potential new customers away. Additionally, the provoking and misleading advertisements lead to a bad image of Ryanair from customer perspective. Those social factors should not be ignored, as customers are key for further growth and market expansion. Technological Ryanair has successfully demonstrated how to make use of modern technology in order to save costs. Ryanair’s online check-in policy and marketing on Ryanair’s website demonstrates how to make use of the Internet technology avoiding expenses of travel agents and excessive advertising. Besides, if  technology such as on-board Internet connection and television are offered for a fee they can generate additional revenue on board. Legal Ryanair is involved in a few legal battles with Stansted and Dublin airport that raise their departure duties. Besides, Ryanair’s misleading and provoking advertisement assault media law and civil law resulting in high penalty fees. The poor working conditions and insufficient training might be an issue of labour law. Additionally, the poor working conditions lead to safety issues and can cause a bad image. All those legal issues are causing handling-, penalty fees and court expenses that should be limited. 4. Porter’s 5 Forces Analysis The Porter’s Five Forces Framework helps to identify the attractiveness of an industry in terms of five competitive forces. In Ryanair’s case it determines if the European budget airline industry is an attractive one. (see: Figure A6) 1) The Threat of Entry The low fares industry, especially, with established leading players as Ryanair, is really hard to enter. The entrants need high capital requirements in order togenerate high economies of scale to compete in the European market. Besides, access to distribution channels is required. That means that the factor threat of new entrants is pretty low. 2) The Threat of Substitutes A service that creates equivalent value to the customers as the airline industry does is the railway networks, sea transports and car rental firms. The only significant threat is the train service because the other options are too expensive. Even though Europe has a good train network like EuRail, the disadvantage of trains is the journey time. It takes much longer to reach a destination by train than by plane, which results in a higher opportunity & transaction costs. To conclude, the threat of substitute is low. 3) The bargaining power of buyers Customers have a high bargaining power because switching to another airline is simple and there are no additional expenses required (e.g. EasyJet and Virgin Express). Especially, in a strategy of cost leadership each customer becomes important. Besides, an increasing problem is that more and more competitors start to offer cheap prices, as well. 4) The bargaining power of suppliers The bargaining power of suppliers is high, as there are only two manufacturers competing in the aircraft industry. Supplier switching costs are high, as the pilots will need to be retrained and high capital investments must be made. Ryanair’s main supplier has traditionally been Boeing. But Ryanair can allow itself to change suppliers because of its healthy cash flow and because it has already tried to purchase Airbus aircrafts after the purchase of 200 jets from Boeing got cancelled. 5) The extent of Rivalry between competitors The number of competitors that are trying to imitate Ryanair’s cost leadership is increasing. As the market share of the budget airline is only 30% of the whole airline industry the market contains the potential to grow. This might also be the problem for Ryanair and its expansion strategy. As the threat of entry is high the extent of rivalry stays as middle. 5. SWOT Analysis a) Strength 1) Point-to-Point flights. 2) Low Fare 3) Low Operating Cost (Outsourced) b) Weakness 1) Less customer service 2) Poor working conditions c) Opportunity 1) Market share expansion 2) Establish good relationships with labour unions as BALPA 3) Ryanair’s website presence and modern technology 4) Competition Committee who control harm competitors d) Threatness 1) EU regulation 2) Oil price 3) Legal Issues 4) Substitute Transportation 6. Evaluation of Michael O’Leary’s Leadership Michael O’Leary is an extraordinary figure and key personality in Ryanair’s management. He owns an aggressive and innovative leadership style. His statements are provoking and direct. Even though he has a deep financial understanding and became a wealthy person by selling 5 billion of Ryanair’s shares, he still lives the life of a middle-class person. Strong Leadership style O’Leary has an energetic, motivating leadership style. Former employees are praising his leadership style and he received a the European Businessman Award from the magazine Fortune. Innovation abilities O’Leary persuades Ryanair to adopt the strategy model of Southwest Airlines even though the majority of the management team was not willing to do so. He was the inventor of charges for online check-in. Skilful Promoter O’Leary was able to bring Ryanair to the customers by doing provoking stunts and curious advertisement. He always managed to attract the attention of the media and was able to put the company Ryanair on the first page in the news. Maintaining Core Competencies and effective Organizational Culture Over the years, O’Leary managed to build a low-cost culture amongst Ryanair workforce. The corporate culture determines how Ryanair operates and conducts its business. Developing Human and Social Capital Social capabilities are O’Leary’s disadvantage. As he is totally focussed to squeeze out everything out of the available resource, e.g. the employees, to lower costs and offer the lowest price, he forgets about the social component. If he and the company want to survive they need to start developing closer relationships without exploiting all the resources. Ryanair has to manage to move away from an autocratic leadership style and transfer to a democratic one. 7. Recommendation SO strategy Ryanair should definitely proceed with its plan to open up 146 routes in year 2010 according to its five years plan. Expanding further in the market pursue the goal to achieve economies of scale that provide a guarantee to offer the lowest price in the airline industry. Moreover, Ryanair should make use of the strengths as its young, commonality aircraft fleet and start to promote a Greening-image. Besides, more revenue can be generated by increasing cross-selling over the website. ST strategy Ryanair should keep buying the newest aircraft models from Boing as supplier. That will allow Ryanair to minimise its emission costs that will lead to competitive prices. Especially, in time of increased competition Ryanair should promote the greening image. In times of an economics downturn Ryanair can even allow to raise the prices as the competition is forced to do the same and Ryanair possesses a wide price difference of 89% compared to its competitors. WO strategy In order to counteract against the bad public image because of controversial advertisement and poor customer service Ryanair should try to look for a dialogue with labour unions and its customers. The successful dialogues with the labour unions should be promoted in marketing channels. Furthermore, Ryanair’s website should be equipped with a feedback area for customers  complaints. The complaints must be constantly reviewed and responded. WT Strategy Ryanair should definitely pay attention to its public image. The poor customer service and safety issues can scare away customers. All problems concerning safety must be eliminated. In order to decrease the pressure from employees more staff should be hired.

Are Violent Video Games Bad for the Youth

In recent discussions of violent video games, a controversial issue has been whether violent video games are bad for youth or not. On one hand, some argue that video games do not affect the youth at all. On the other hand, however, others argue that violent video games affect the youth tremendously. According to media violence researcher Craig Anderson, Chair of Iowa State University’s Department of Psychology, â€Å"in a violent video game, you rehearse the entire aggression sequence from beginning to end† (Hoerrner & Hoerrner 2). According to [his] view, he is saying that â€Å"you have to be vigilant, looking for enemies, looking for potential threats; you have to decide how to deal with the threat, what weapon to use, and how to use it; and then you take physical action to behave aggressively within the game† (Hoerrner & Hoerrner 4). The issue is whether violent video games are bad for eight, nine, or even ten year olds. My own view is that violent video games are indeed bad for young children. Though I concede that whether a child’s parents choose to allow their children to play these violent games is up to them, I still maintain my view that violent games are bad. A perfect example reassuring a parent that their child is not participating in playing these violent games is to check the ratings on the video games to make sure there is no violence in them. Although it might be objected that parents do not have time to check the ratings on their kid’s games, I reply that it is, once again, an option guaranteeing their children are not being exposed to violence. All in all, the issue is important because these violent video games are affecting children’s behavior, making them more aggressive, as well as more violent. Allowing kids to play violent video games changes the way they act towards their peers by causing them to become more aggressive. They no longer seem to have compassion towards one another, but instead coldness towards each other. This was proven when the American Psychological Association concluded that â€Å"playing a lot of violent video games is related to having more aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Furthermore, playing violent games is also related to children being less willing to be caring and helpful toward their peers† (Junior Scholastic 1). Therefore, when children experience more aggression, they are going to feel that their aggressive manner is fine. This age group is not going to take a second look at their negative actions since they see it as â€Å"just fun and games† (Junior Scholastic 1). In essence, by allowing kids to play what they want and not setting boundaries for the kids, parents are not doing any justice to their offspring; instead, parents are saying that it is alright to treat others in an aggressive manner as long as it is just in fun and games. Another perfect example of how violent video games cause children to become more aggressive towards their peers would be the afterschool program I work for — LA’s Best. There I see how these games affect the kids due to how they act towards each other. They are always play-fighting with each other and having fun in their eyes, that is, until someone comes to me or my other staff members crying. When we ask them why they were play-fighting to begin with, they all have the same similar respond-‘that’s how they fight in Mortal Kombat. ’ Mortal Kombat is a popular series of fighting games that contain high levels of blood and gore. So to see our kids reenact what they see on their video games is upsetting because it shows us, the staff, that our kids version of playing together is hitting and tumbling around with each other until someone gets hurt. The eight to ten year olds no longer see playing together as participating in a friendly game of soccer, but instead, a vicious way to kick those who they despise. Therefore, by allowing our kids to involve themselves in these vicious games, changes their definition of the meaning of ‘fun’. They now see fun as hitting and kicking each other until someone is down in pain since they see this type of act of violence in their video game. Lastly, not only do kids experience aggressive behavior through video games, but also criminal violent behavior. This is due to the high rating of violence in the kid’s games. These games make it seem okay to shoot and kill people because the young children can always restart the game and play again. However, in reality, the only thing that these games do for children is actively train them to kill. Take for instance, Retired Lt. Col. Dave Grossman who â€Å"argues that children learn to use weapons and become sharp shooters through simulated games the same way soldiers use simulations to improve their shooting precision. Just as children can improve their phonics with Learn to Read with Winnie the Pooh, they can learn to shoot with deadly accuracy, playing Doom, Splinter Cell, Hitman, and other first-person shooter games† (Hoerrner & Hoerrner 2). Although many would question what Grossman is saying, it actually was proven to be accurate â€Å"in [the] 1997's high school shootings [in] Paducah, Kentucky, [when] the 14-year-old who opened fire on a before school prayer group landed eight out of eight shots on eight different targets. Five of those were headshots† (Hoerrner & Hoerrner 2). Keep in mind the â€Å"teenage shooter had never held a real gun before his shooting rampage†¦ however, spent long hours playing first-person shooter games that simulated killing with the same weapon he used that morning† (Hoerrner & Hoerrner 2). To sum it up, the violence in video games does lead to violent behavior. Video game interaction leads kids to think that using violence is acceptable, causing them to choose their fist over rationality. In conclusion, violent games do indeed lead to aggressive and violent behavior. Not only do these games cause children to be aggressive towards one another, but they also lead to the physical pain of others due to the high content of violence. This is due to children having the entire aggression sequence from beginning to end imprinted in their mind. This therefore, leads them having to seek potential threats while having to figure out which physical action will have the best outcome. This is why every parent should watch the levels of violence in video games as well as set boundaries to what their children can and cannot play.

How to Get an Interview 5 Essential Cover Letter Tips

How to Get an Interview 5 Essential Cover Letter Tips I absolutely love the process of crafting great cover letters.   You may have heard that some recruiters don’t read cover letters, but I would emphasize â€Å"some.†Ã‚   For the ones who do (and you don’t know who they will be), and for smaller employers, an impressive cover letter can make a huge difference. Your cover letter can show recruiters and hiring managers a little bit about how you would show up in an interview. Here are 5 cover letter tips that will get you in the door! 1) Tailor the cover letter to the job posting. I get a lot of requests from clients to write them a generic cover letter that they can use for any application. Every time, I refuse. My advice: NEVER write a generic cover letter. It will hurt you not help you. A company can smell it when you’ve used the same letter for multiple other job applications, and they don’t like it. Instead, read the job description. Research the company. And in your cover letter, tell the company why you want to work for them specifically. What interests you about their mission and vision? What’s your connection to that brand? Writing that kind of letter will get the attention of the decision-maker. 2) Impress your reader quickly. In the first paragraph, after you say what job you’re applying to, list briefly the major reasons you are the right candidate for the job. This task can be done in just a few words. Yes, really, it can! For example: My experience as senior project manager at Blue Shoes, combined with my extensive coursework in business management at Green Vest University, give me the requisite skills for the Project Manager position at Purple Fashion Inc. Note:  The reader doesn’t have to wonder whether you’ve got the training and experience for the position.   He or she has a reason to read further. 3) Give them what they need. Say not what the company can do for you, but what you can do for the company (they couldnt care less how great a match they are for your interests!) Do NOT say:  I have always been interested in fashion and the position at Purple Fashion Inc. will give me the experience I seek. Aaargh!!  Companies are not in the business of giving you the experience you seek.  They hire people who will make a contribution, not suck the life out of them! Instead, say something like:  I have been studying business and working in the fashion industry for the entirety of my academic and professional career, and I look forward to contributing my skills and passion to Purple Fashion Inc. 4) Tell a good, brief story. This tip applies more to smaller organizations who take time to read your cover letter. The person reading your cover letter is a human being, and human beings like stories. If you do a good job with your cover letter, the reader will be enthralled and left wanting more. Thats the effect you want! Here’s a sample story:  In 2008, I worked with our product design and marketing teams to implement a new product campaign, and  it became clear that certain production costs would have to be reduced.  Through my leadership, our team cut those costs by 30% without any labor reduction, and the campaign became profitable in the sixth month of operation.  I will bring this capability for incisive and effective decision making to Purple Fashion Inc. 5) Match your points to the skills sought by the company. Include bullet points in your cover letter that speak exactly to the skill set listed in the job description. This can be different for every job you apply to. Make sure you address the top requirements of this company, vs. some generic company that might be a match for what you’ve done. My clients have great success getting interviews, and I know at least part of that success is due to their effective cover letters. Use the above cover letter tips to create an engaging document that will win interviews. Don’t forget the resume of course, which must be tailored to the job and packed with your accomplishments! For assistance with writing cover letters and resumes that will get you interviews, contact The Essay Expert.

Special Education Assessments of Functional Abilities

Special Education Assessments of Functional Abilities Functional Tests For children with significantly disabling conditions, they need to have their functional abilities addressed before addressing other skills, such as language, literacy and math.   In order to master these subjects, students need to be able first to independently take care of their own needs: feeding, dressing, toileting and bathing or showering themselves (all known as self care.)   These skills are of great importance for the future independence and quality of life for these students with disabilities.   In order to decide which skills need to be addressed, a special educator needs to assess their skills. There are several tests of life and functional skills. One of the best known is the ABLLS (pronounced A-bels) or Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills. Designed as an instrument for assessing students specifically for Applied Behavioral Analysis and discrete trial training, it is an observational instrument that can be completed through interview, indirect observation or direct observation. You can purchase a kit with many of the items required for certain items, such as naming 3 of 4 letters on letter cards. A time consuming instrument, it is also meant to be cumulative, so a test book goes with a child from year to year as they acquire skills.   Some teachers of children with significantly disabling conditions will design programs, especially in early intervention programs, to specifically address deficits in their assessment. Another well known and reputable assessment is the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition. The Vineland is normed against a large population across ages. Its weakness is that it is comprised of parents and teachers surveys. These are indirect observations, which are really susceptible to subjective judgement (Mommys little boy can do no wrong.) Still, when comparing language, social interaction and function at home with typically developing same aged peers, the Vineland provides the special educator with a view of the students social, functional and pre-academic needs.   In the end the parent or caregiver is the expert in that childs strengths and needs.   The Callier Asuza Scale was designed to assess the function of blind-deaf students, but is also a good tool for assessing the function of children with multiple handicaps, or children on the Autistic Spectrum with lower function. The G Scale is the best for this cohort, and is easy to use based on a teachers observation of a childs function. A much quicker tool than the ABBLs or Vineland, it provides a quick snapshot of a childs function, but doesnt provide as much descriptive or diagnostic information.   Still, in the present levels of an IEP, your purpose is to describe the students abilities in order to assess what needs to be mastered.

Change Management Process Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Change Management Process - Research Paper Example The change is beneficial in a number of ways, which aid businesses in realizing increased outputs, customer relations, and profits (Benjamin, & Levinson, 1993). The proposed change in this case is the adoption of IT and web based technologies in the operations of business, in a generalized capacity. Transition is a concept by which businesses have to encompass in operations. It is an obligation for proprietors to meet the customers’ expectations in the manner by which operations are conducted. The market in which businesses operate set the standards by which operators in the setting must uphold. Advances in technology, particularly in the IT department, such as the introduction of ecommerce in the business environment, have led to changes in how business and its management are conducted (Benjamin, & Levinson, 1993). With more consumers relying on IT and web technology in sales, marketing and advertising, incorporating IT into businesses is a change management process that is beneficial to the businesses. The management has the opportunity to learn the customers’ needs and wants, while the customers are provided with the opportunity to learn more about the enterprise, such as the products and services offered (Mento, Jones, & Dirndorfer, 2002). Adoption of IT in the business environment incorporates three major phases. The first step of the process involves preparation for the change. In this case, the preparation involves defining the change management strategy, making preparations revolving about the management team and developing the model to follow (Kettinger, Teng, & Guha, 1997). The second phase is change management, which incorporates defining the change management plans and taking the proper action to implement the plans. The final phase of the process is based on strengthening the change. The phase involves collection and analysis of feedback based on the plans implemented (Benjamin, & Levinson, 1993). Diagnosis and management of pitfalls and

The Improving Economy of Middle East Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Improving Economy of Middle East - Essay Example Publications of the web and science database indicate the standard economic growth of Middle East to be almost faster than that of the world by four times (specifically Turkey and Iran). His name is XX. His area of interest in global studies is the economics and how regional integration affects it. Over the years, we have witnessed the adverse effects of a nation that is divided. States that work in collaboration with others benefit from a broad base of knowledge as well as subsidized trade duties. They also enjoy the benefit of foreign aid and trade from the other states with whom they are partnering with. It also promotes a peaceful co-existence among the nations that are integrated. Most of all, they advance their economies of scale and advice one another on the best ways to make their individual state economies to grow. Of particular interest to this member is the economic growth pattern of the Middle East over the years. He believes though the economy was quite influential sometime back, it experienced some setbacks and stumbled a little. Besides the issue of national and economic integration, his argument is that a states organization of its political economy is very key if the state is to realize sustainable economic growth (Alan & John). This member by the name YY believes a state’s economy is dependent on a number of factors. He is particularly interested in studying the demographic trends of states in order to unveil the linkages between demographic change, food, water, urban life, and regional economic integration and the state’s economy. In demographics, he focuses on the literacy levels of the natives, income per capita, population growth rates, and employment opportunities among others. These issues he argues that, are of prime importance as they are directly linked to the economy of the state.

Causal Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Causal Analysis - Essay Example Thus, economic freedom characterized by an individual's increased autonomy in making decisions regarding his income and an increase in wealth-creating opportunities made available to him; is an important means to achieving political freedom because of its dispersing effect in the concentration of power (Freidman 9). Friedman illustrates this through historical evidence where capitalism, an economic arrangement focused on free markets and economic freedoms, effectively restricted centralized power from abusing its control on the political and civil liberties of citizens (10). Hence, individuals who experience economic freedom through controlling the means of production and owning private property are given a share in the political power of that society, taking power away from the central government. This shift in power structure creates incentives for governments to give in to demands for civil and political liberties, creating the necessary conditions to achieve political freedoms an d democracy (Friedman 11). Economic freedom is therefore a necessary cause of political freedom and democracy.

Significance of soliloquies and asides in Richard III Essay Example for Free

Significance of soliloquies and asides in Richard III Essay In Richard III, Shakespeare uses soliloquies and asides as a mode of expressing the otherwise internal thought process of a character. They represent dialogues between the mind of the character and the audience and create a sense of intimacy between them as the audience is given access to the internal world of the characters and are able to keep track of and understand the series of events in the play. As a result, soliloquies and asides play a very significant role as they provide the audience with information such as vital background information, straightforward declarations of intent and future plans. They also help to convey a theme, or heighten the tragedy of the play. Asides are particularly used by villains such as Richard to reveal both their schemes and their fraudulence to the audience. As such, it plays a key role in Richards character development throughout the play, revealing to us his evil nature and deceitful plots. Act 1 Scene 1 opens with Richards most important, first soliloquy. He starts by taking up the role of a narrator and filling us in on some background information relevant to the story-line of the play so that we will be able to better understand the plot and the cause of his actions. He speaks of his familys victory in the fight against Henry VI and tells us that his brother Edward, who has recently ascended the throne, is now living the high life He capers nimbly in a ladys chamber/ To the lascivious pleasing of a lute (I.i). In addition, he shows us the contrast in his mood and explains to us his inability to be merry due to his physical deformities saying, But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks/ Nor made to court an amorous looking glass/ Have no delight to pass away the time (I.i.14,15,25).Thus, to relieve the boredom and to serve his own ambition, he determines to prove a villain, subtle, false and treacherous. This shows us his low self-esteem and dissatisfaction with himself which is evident from his tone of bitterness, anger and disgust as he feels that he is very ugly and unloved such that even dogs bark at him. It also reveals to us his evil and jealous nature as he decides to pass away his time by plotting to overthrow his brother from the throne and cause unrest and unhappiness. Hence, the first soliloquy helps us understand the context of the play better, introduces us to Richards true, evil nature as well as keeps us in anticipation as we are also let in on how he plans to attain the throne, with the phrase plots have I laid To set my brother Clarence and the king/ In deadly hate (I.i.32-35), which also acts as a tool for foreshadowing. The following soliloquies in Act 1 further characterizes Richard and shows us that he would do anything, even murder, to fulfil his goal and get his way. His sarcasm and lack of love towards his own brother Clarence as well as his cruel and violent nature is seen here as he shows no hesitance in getting his brother killed, Simple, plain Clarence, I do love thee so/That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven (I.i.119-120). His wicked, and depraved nature is also brought out through his soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 2 as he ridicules Lady Anne for having fallen for his tricks and lies and talks about his heartless plan of using her simply to gain the throne saying, Was ever woman in this humor won?/Ill have her, but I will not keep her long (I.ii.235-236). His attitude here marks a shift in his perception of himself as he had mentioned that he was not meant for sportive tricks in his opening soliloquy. However, now he has had a confidence boost due to the success with Lady Anne and says Ill be at charges for a looking glass/And entertain a score or two of tailor (I.ii.262-263). Hence this soliloquy plays a role in his character development as we can see the change in his self-image and character. In his soliloquies, Richard also secretly associates himself with the devil as seen in Act 1 Scene 3 where he says And seem a saint, when most I play the devil. This also brings out Richards duplicity and ability to deceive as he manages to fool others into thinking that he is noble and sincere. This heightens the tragedy, as Richard conquers every character from Lady Anne to his own brother Clarence through his eloquence and proficiency in pretence. Other than soliloquies, asides are also used by several characters such as Richard himself as well as Queen Margaret to reveal their true thoughts and feelings. In Act 3 Scene 1, Richard uses asides to show us what he really thins of the young prince and how he deceives him with the use of double meanings in his words. For example, [Aside] Thus like the formal Vice, Iniquity, I moralize two meanings in one word. (III.i.79-83) Over here, his comparison of himself to Vice, is apt as he does play Vice, a comic role, when he is speaking with the audience. However, he always also has two meanings, which is what allows him to also be the machiavel. Also, Margaret uses asides in Act 1 Scene 3 to inform us of Richards treacheries and prevent us from being deceived like the other characters present. For example, she says (aside) Out, devil! I do remember them too well:/Thou killedst my husband Henry in the Tower,/And Edward, my poor son, at Tewkesbury. Her reference to him as a devil is nothing new to us, but simply confirms his evil nature. As such, the asides used have played a part in keeping us informed of the characters innermost thoughts as well as developing Richards character in the play.

Free Catch-22 Essays: Insanity :: Catch-22

Insanity in Catch 22 In all of history, no war seems to have touched the minds of people everywhere as much as World War II. This war brought about some of the worst violations of human rights ever seen. The German military created a system for the public to follow, and if the individual opposed, he was oppressed. This kind of mentality is presented in the novel, Catch-22 (1955). Joseph Heller uses the insane situations of the setting and his characters to show a unique perspective on World War II. A small Army Air Corps base serves as the setting for Catch-22. It is set on a fictitious island called Pianosa. The island is described as very small and is located in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Elba, Italy. It is set in the time of World War II. The island almost serves as a microcosm of the war taking place around it. This setting accommodates nearly all of the hardships being faced by the victims of WWII. The Air Corps dominates this island and its soldier inhabitants. A system is established and it must be obeyed by all the soldiers. This system is kepy alive through a "catch-22". Basically the catch-22 is a trap set up by the military bureaucracy to keep all of the soldiers flying in battle. It is best summed up in a piece of dialogue from the novel. It is shared between the main character, Yossarian, and the base's doctor, Daneeka: "Yossarian looked at him soberly and tried another approach. 'Is Orr crazy?' 'He sure is,' Doc Daneeka said. 'Can you ground him?' 'I sure can. But first he has to ask me to. That's part of the rule.' 'Then why doesn't he ask you to?' 'Because he's crazy,' Doc Daneeka said. 'He has to be crazy to keep flying combat missions after all the close calls he's had. Sure I can ground him. But first he has to ask me to.' 'And then you can ground him?' Yossarian asked. 'No. Then I can't ground him.' 'You mean there's a catch?' 'Sure there's a catch,' Doc Daneeka replied. 'Catch-22. Anyone who wants to get out of combat duty isn't really crazy.' "( Heller, 46) This bureaucratic trap is accepted by most of the naive soldiers. This is why the military is able to make the soldiers do whatever they want them to do.

Business Strategy Simulation Analysis

The actions build into my strategic plan to achieve competitive success with my strategy were to: 1. Offer a wide variety of products in order to give consumers more choices and appeal to the diverse preferences of a larger consumer base. This was to be accomplished by increasing the number of models produced at both the North American (NA) and Asia-Pacific (AP) plants for sale in the internet and wholesale segments in all four regions. 2. Offer attractive, high-quality products that will hold up to wear and tear in order to provide consumers with increased value.This was to be achieved by using a higher percentage of superior materials versus standard materials for production, incorporating more enhanced styling features into the products, and investing heavily in Six Sigma/TQM programs to improve the quality of the workmanship that went into the products and to reduce the number of defects. 3. Offer products at a price that is reasonable and considerably lower than that of rivals o ffering shoes of similar style and quality.This was to be accomplished by managing production costs and  setting a lower profit margin. To manage production costs, the majority of the products were to be produced at the AP plant and shipped to the other regions. Due to the lower production costs at the AP plant, the company would still be able to achieve the target profit margin even with the additional costs of shipping the products to the other regions. Since the costs of production in the NA plant were significantly higher, the additional costs of shipping to the other regions would not allow the company to offer the products at the lower cost. Therefore, most of the product from the NA plant were to be sold in that region to avoid the additional shipping costs.Additionally, production costs were to be managed by increasing the number of products produced per employee and reducing the number of rejects through investment in best practices training, higher base wages, and increa sed incentive pay to the employees for improved and increased production. The selling price for each product was to be kept the same and increase only slightly each year in order to increase and maintain a loyal customer base through consistently reasonable pricing.The actions built into my strategic plan to achieve financial success with my strategy were to: 1. Reduce production costs through improved efficiency of operations. This would be accomplished by investing heavily in Six Sigma/TQM programs in order to improve the quality of workmanship that went into every product. Better quality production reduces the likelihood that customers will end up with defective, low-quality products that could severely damage the company's image.Additionally, by investing in best practices training for the employees and offering higher base wages and incentive pay, the plan was to increase the number of products produced per employee and reduce the number of units ultimately rejected. Increasing employee production allows the company to create more product with the same amount of resources and improving the quality of their work reduces the amount of resources wasted on rejected units. 2. Take a conservative approach in financing operations. This was to be achieved by reducing the amount of debt and not taking any unnecessary financial risks.To reduce the amount of debt, the plan was to have the company pay off loans early in order to save monthly interest expenses. To avoid taking financial risks, the company was to use financial resources to improve the capacity and performance of the existing NA and AP  plants rather than invest in new plants in other regions. The other objective of these action plans was to increase the company's financial rating so that future financing could be obtained at reduced interest rates should the need arise to finance the construction of a new plant.†¢ Why you selected the strategy you usedThe reason I selected the Best-Cost Provider Strategy for Kix Footwear was two-fold. First, the competitive strategy of offering a wide variety of attractive, high-quality shoes was based on what consumers, such as myself, would like to see from a shoe manufacturer. As a middle-income consumer, I work hard to earn the money I have and my disposable income is limited. When I shop for shoes I want to have a variety of shoes to choose from that are well-made and will last without sacrificing style or having to secure a loan to purchase them.The large majority of consumers are also middle-income and I wanted to target the largest market. Therefore, I decided that my strategy would be to provide consumers more value for their money. I planned to achieve this by producing and offering a large number of models to satisfy the need for more choices and to incorporate more enhanced styling features into each model, use higher quality materials, and invest in Six Sigma/TQM programs in order to improve the attractiveness and quality of t he shoes produced.My strategy to maintain reasonable prices was to invest in best practices training and offer higher base wages and incentive pay to employees in order to increase the number of pairs produced per employee and reduce the number of rejected pairs, thereby reducing the production costs per pair.Secondly, the financial strategy of reducing production costs and taking a conservative approach to financing operations was based on improving profit margins and managing risks. Therefore, my strategy to reduce production costs and improve profit margins was to invest in best practices training and offer higher base wages and incentive pay to employees in order to increase the number of pairs produced per employee and reduce the number of rejected pairs, thereby reducing the production costs per pair.With lower production costs per pair, the company would be able to retain more of the  revenue generated from sales resulting in an increased profit margin. My strategy to manag e risks was to reduce the company's debt obligations by repaying loans early and not incurring any further debt unless absolutely necessary. To avoid further debt, the strategy was to maintain a cash flow sufficient to pay expenses as they came due without having to obtain short-term financing and to increase production capacity by improving or expanding existing production facilities rather than by constructing new facilities in other regions.1. Evaluate the effectiveness of your strategy.The effectiveness of my Best-Cost Provider Strategy to provide consumers with a wide variety of attractive, high-quality products at an affordable price by using better materials, improving efficiency, and taking a conservative approach to financing operations was fairly successful. With the exception of the first and final years, Kix Footwear was one of the top three companies in the industry.As the game began, Kix started out in 5th place overall with slight increases in Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $0.02, Return on Equity (ROE) of 1.3%, and Stock Price of $0.42/share. By the end of the second year (Year 12), the company had more moderate increases of $2.33 in EPS, 8.3% in ROE, and $56.15/share in Stock Price, putting me 3rd place overall with a +13 point change from Year 11.Kix maintained its standing in 3rd place throughout the game until the final year, occasionally sharing it with Company E. The final EPS for Kix Footwear at the end of the game (Year 18) was $9.08, an increase of $6.39 overall; ROE increased 4.2% to a final score of 19.2%; and the Stock Price in the final year was $172.67/share which was an increase of $140.67/share.While my strategy for Kix Footwear was fairly successful, I believe that the company’s performance could have been better if I had been more willing to take financial risks. My attempts to increase production capacity were not as effective as I had hoped, causing my company to lose many sales to my competitors with the foresight to bu ild additional capacity at the onset of  the game.Additionally, I underestimated the competition's aggressiveness in obtaining celebrity endorsements and was too risk-averse to bid high, which resulted in my initial bids to be incredibly low compared to those of my competitors. Ultimately, I was not able to obtain celebrity endorsements immediately due to my low bids, which hurt my image and cost me sales.Due to my setbacks in failing to adequately increase capacity and obtain celebrity endorsements, I lost focus on my original deliberate strategy and began implementing a reactive strategy based on mimicking the actions of the 1st and 2nd place competitors. I reduced the number of models I offered and raised my prices substantially, both of which are directly in conflict with my initial strategy. Mimicking the strategy of a rival is rarely successful and did not prove to be so in this situation.As a result of this change in strategy, the company slipped slightly in Year 14, with E PS falling from $5.08 to $4.57, ROE decreasing from 20.4% to 16.0%, and Stock Prices slipping from $96.87/share to $83.20/share. I immediately realized my error and returned to my original strategy by offering more models at lower prices. The outcome was that I was able to regain my competitive advantage the following year (Year 15) and my scores reflected this as EPS rose to $6.03, ROE to 18.7%, and Stock Prices to $105.63.C. Evaluate your ability to identify competitors’ strengths, weaknesses, and strategies during the simulation.My ability to identify my competitors' strengths, weaknesses, and strategies during the simulation were at first not as good as I had hoped they would be. My focus at the beginning of the game remained only on those companies that were ahead of me or directly below me. The other companies did not factor into my strategic decision-making and, as a result, I lost out on a vital purchase of additional capacity at the beginning of the game which set me back slightly.Additionally, because of my failure to monitor my external environment, I was taken by surprise when Company E gained ground in Year 13, coming from 6th place to being tied for 3rd place with me. I realized at that point, that it was necessary to watch all of my competitors, not just the ones that I wanted to surpass. An ambitious company can make significant  changes to their strategy and overcome rivals quickly. For a company to maintain a competitive edge, it is important to closely monitor the external environment in order to identify competitors with the ambition, capabilities, and resources necessary to pose a real threat and prepare a strategy to protect against that threat.As the game continued my ability to identify competitor strengths, weaknesses, and strategies improved. I watched the behaviors of all of the companies, not just the most successful ones, and made strategic decisions based on taking advantage of weaknesses in my competitors in order to gai n their market shares and adjusting my strategy to take advantage of consumer preference trends. For example, I noted that there were a lot of sales in the wholesale segment were lost in all of the four regions by companies that were offering products for the private-label segment. I decided to avoid the private-label segment because the profit margin was less than in the internet and wholesale segments and to provide as much product as I could to those segments in order to gain the market shares of those companies supplying the private label segment.Additionally, there was more production capacity available than there was demand and this continued to be more pronounced each year. Therefore, rather than create more capacity through new construction, I decided to increase my capacity by purchasing it from other companies. With this increased capacity, I was able to better meet the demands of the wholesale and internet segments in all four regions without the monthly interest expense of a construction loan. The results were that I had fewer lost sales in the wholesale segment than those companies offering product for the private-label segment, achieved higher levels of sales revenue, and received an A+ credit rating.1. Discuss how successful you were in predicting your competitors’ next moves.My success in predicting my competitors' next moves was initially very good and then began to lag as the game continued. I believe that my initial success was due to the fact that every company was starting out in exactly the same position and faced with identical market conditions. Therefore, I simply predicted that my competitors, in reviewing and analyzing the same market conditions as I, would come to the same or similar conclusions and react in much the same way as I would. Regardless of the strategy each company wanted to execute, the fact remained that production costs were less in the AP plants than in the NA plants.So I predicted that most of the companies w ould concentrate their production in the AP region and ship to the other regions. I also assumed that most of the companies would raise their prices, a few would keep them the same, and that none were likely to lower prices. My predictions were accurate enough during the first two years that I received bonus points for being so close.As the game progressed, I was not as successful in predicting the moves of my competitors. I believe the first cause for this outcome was the fact that I was focusing only on the actions of the companies that were ahead of me of just below me rather than monitoring the entire external environment. I failed to recognize the importance of watching all of my rivals in order to identify potential threats to my market share.My predictions, therefore, were essentially my predictions for only those 3 or 4 successful competitors as a group, not the entire industry as a whole. Additionally, as the game continued, I found it difficult to find enough time to analy ze each company properly given the time constraints. There was very little time between years for analysis and decision-making and, coupled with working full-time and family obligations, I only had enough time to perform a cursory review and analysis before entering my decisions in order to meet the deadlines. I believe that given more time, I would have been able to more accurately predict my competitors' moves within the game. D. Discuss how sustainable the most dominant competitive advantage achieved by any company within your industry was.I believe that the most dominant competitive advantage achieved by any company within the industry was very sustainable. The top company within the industry, Company B, achieved competitive advantage by building capacity within the first two years and continuing to build throughout the game in all four regions; winning and maintaining celebrity endorsements year after year; and by investing significantly in advertising.This strategy was about  taking significant risks and it resulted in increased buyer demand, product differentiation, and perceived value. Company B had the capability of producing more product in all four regions than any of the other companies in the industry and enabled them to better meet the increasing demand for their product due to their successful advertising campaigns and celebrity endorsements. They were also able to eliminate all costs associated with shipping product from one region to another, which the other companies were not able to do. This company was able to maintain a 1st place standing overall throughout the game, with the exception of Year 13.By immediately increasing capacity and doing so in all four regions, Company B was able to increase production to meet increasing demand and eliminate the additional operating costs of shipping product from one region to another, keeping production costs down and increasing profit margins. The company also managed to successfully win bids for ce lebrity endorsements by the second year and maintain a high level of celebrity contracts throughout the game by bidding high. These celebrity endorsements, along with significant investments in advertising campaigns, allowed the company to boost consumer demand, increase product differentiation, enhance consumer perceived value, and command a higher price for their product.This company shot to the top of the industry immediately by taking advantage of market conditions through aggressive strategy and risk-taking. Once at the top, the company was able to sustain their competitive advantage by building on their strengths of increased capacity and demand. Increased capacity allowed the company to gain market shares from those companies unable to meet demand and demand for their product was created through numerous celebrity endorsements and considerable advertising.E. Compare the selected strategy to three following tests of a winning strategy:The generic competitive strategy that I se lected for Kix Footwear was to provide consumers with a wide variety of attractive, high-quality products at an affordable price by using better materials, improving efficiency, and taking a conservative approach to financing operations. A winning strategy can be determined by applying three tests; The Fit Test, The Competitive Advantage Test, and The Performance Test.The Fit TestTo pass The Fit Test, a company's strategy must fit the current situation, both internally and externally. Internally, the company must be able to execute the strategy with their available resources and current capabilities. For a good external fit, the strategy must be aligned with the current market conditions.I believe that my strategy passed The Fit Test because it was a good fit internally and an adequate fit externally. Internally, my strategy was based on improving the resources available to me and building on our capabilities, such as existing facilities and current employees. My strategy consisted of investing in improvements to existing facilities in order to increase capacity and investing in enhancements to my labor force through best practices training and higher base wages and incentive pay in order to retain their valuable knowledge and experience.My strategy from an external standpoint was only adequate. As it turned out, industry demand rose much higher than I expected and my strategy to increase capacity through improving existing facilities was not enough to keep up or get ahead. As a result I lost sales to those competitors with enough courage to take risks and build additional capacity.The loss of sales due to being out of stock damaged my company's image and affected future sales. My reactive strategy to loss of sales due to insufficient capacity was to purchase capacity from other competitors in the industry. This allowed my company the ability to better meet demand and lose fewer sales due to being out of stock. As a result, my company was able to regain the 3r d place position in the industry and remain there until the final year. †¢ The Competitive Advantage TestFor a strategy to pass The Competitive Advantage Test it must be capable of  helping the company achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. To be considered sustainable, a company's competitive advantage over rivals must be long-lasting and not just a brief period of exceptional performance. My company's strategy throughout the game was to provide a wide variety of high quality shoes for a reasonable price, which was followed each year with the exception of Year 14. During this year, I lost focus and changed my strategy to mimic those of the companies ahead of me, resulting in considerable losses.I returned to my original strategy in Year 15 and saw significant increases, returning my company to its former position in 3rd place where it remained until the final year. The ability to remain within the top 3 companies in the industry for the bulk of the game and have steadi ly increasing sales revenues each year speaks to the sustainability of my company's competitive advantage and, therefore, I believe that my strategy passed The Competitive Advantage Test.  The Performance TestThe Performance Test requires that a winning strategy result in strong company performance. Indications of strong company performance are profitability and market standing. I believe my company's strategy passed The Performance Test because it resulted in excellent profitability and good market standing. In terms of profitability, my company experienced consistent increases in net revenue each year and, with the exception of Year 14, showed a steady increase in EPS. Additionally, ROE met or exceeded investor expectations every year and unit sales in both the internet and wholesale markets increased steadily each year with the exception of the final year. In terms of market standing, my company maintained a global market share of between 8% to 10% throughout the game, met or e xceeded investor expectations for image rating every year starting in Year 14, and remained one of the top 3 companies in the industry until the final year.F. Explain how effectively you applied value chain analysis during the simulation.My effectiveness in applying value chain analysis during the simulation was fairly good, but I failed to recognize the reasons for my competitor’s success in the beginning and it cost my company image points, resulting in less market share.As the game began, I analyzed what my competitors were doing to add value for their consumers and my conclusion was that they were increasing capacity so that they could provide more product in each region without the additional costs of shipping from one region to another. What I failed to realize is that, in addition to building capacity, they were also building demand for their shoes through product differentiation and increasing consumer perceived value. This was accomplished by investing heavily in adv ertising and placing high bids for and winning celebrity endorsement contracts.Since I was unable to secure any celebrity endorsement contracts immediately and my competitors were offering the same number of models with the same S/Q rating as my company, I tried to create more value for my customers by increasing the number of models I produced, increasing the amount of enhanced styling, and raising my product’s S/Q rating.My analysis of my competition also revealed that they had an advantage in that they were able to provide better value to consumers by producing locally in order to avoid shipping charges and costs lower. To create more value for my consumers in this activity, I purchased more capacity in the AP region because the production costs there were much lower than those in the NA region and, even with the additional costs of shipping product to the EA and LA region, I would still be able to provide my customers with high quality shoes at a reasonable price as well as achieve a healthy profit margin.G. Evaluate how effectively you addressed three important issues in order to achieve competitive and financial success for your simulation company.Model availability My effectiveness in addressing model availability in order to achieve competitive and financial success for Kix Footwear was very good. I initially kept the number of models consistent the first year (Year 10), but quickly realized that without the advantages of having celebrity endorsements I needed to offer something to consumers that would differentiate my product, provide more value to my customers, and give me a competitive edge. To achieve these objectives, I increased the number of models I produced and offered for sale as well as increased the style and quality above that of my competitors. As a result, despite not being able to obtain very many celebrity endorsements, consumer demand and sales rose enabling Kix Footwear to come from 5th place in Year 11 to 3rd place in Year 12 , remaining there until the final year, and showed steady increases in sales revenue throughout the simulation. Corporate CitizenshipMy effectiveness in addressing corporate citizenship in order to achieve competitive and financial success for Kix Footwear was dismal at first and improving only slightly by the end of the simulation. When I began the simulation I did not pay much attention to the corporate citizenship aspects of decision –making, but due to my falling image rating and inability to obtain celebrity endorsements, I turned my attention to corporate citizenship.I invested in using recycled materials throughout the simulation, then began making small charitable donations, increasing it slightly each year. Towards the end of the simulation, in an attempt to further boost my image rating I began investing in ethics training and enforcement. While the efforts did boost my company’s image slightly, I believe I could have demonstrated better corporate citizenship and realized better competitive and financial success by increasing my attention to this area.Fiscal responsibility My effectiveness in addressing fiscal responsibility was very good during the simulation, but not excellent. I was very focused on eliminating all outstanding debt to avoid the monthly interest expenses and achieve an A+ credit rating in preparation for the possibility of needing capital in the future at a lower interest rate. While this aspect of my strategy was quite effective and I believe that my credit rating helped boost the company’s attractiveness to investors in that the credit risk was very low, my company  should have been putting the available capital to use to increase investment earnings. Rather than simply sitting on the available capital, the company should have invested it in order to increase investor’s return on equity. In that respect, I feel that I was not effective in addressing fiscal responsibility.