Five Forces of Competition Essay

Air travel has changed the way people live and experience the world today. The airline industry is a strategic sector that plays a fundamental role in the globalization of other industries since it promotes tourism, world trade, foreign investment and, therefore, leads to economic growth. However, all airlines within the industry operate in a highly dynamic environment where various legal, social, technological and economic forces interact with each other, thus influencing their decisions and actions In the industry where airlines can face severe financial distress due to oil crisis, recessions and terrorist attacks, In order to survive, as well as succeed, the business needs to assess its competitive environment and identify key factors that may influence its actions (Porter, 1998, p. 5). The airline industry is very competitive and Michael Porter’s five-forces model can be used to analyse the intensity of the competition and the profitability of this industry. Porter’s five forces model is a business unit strategy tool which is used to make an analysis of the value of an industry structure (Hubbard, 2004, pg 35). The analysis is made by the identification of 5 fundamental competitive forces. These include: Threat of new entrants is high  One of the forces identified by this model is the threat of new entrants which refers to the possibility of new competitors entering the industry and undermining the profits of the established businesses. In the world today, the airline industry is so saturated that there is hardly space for a newcomer to enter the market. The biggest for this is the cost of entry. The airline industry is one of the most expensive industries, due to the cost of buying and leasing aircrafts, safety and security measures, customer service and manpower. Other barriers to entry which will recess new comers into the airline industry include Government restrictions and high capital costs to develop new airlines. However, the entry barriers for new airlines is lower today since the Australian domestic airline market was deregulated in 1990. This has produced far greater competition than before deregulation in most markets. The deregulation has allowed Jetstar and Tiger Airways enter the market and reduce the market share for Virgin Blue and with the added competition, together with pricing freedom, means that there is a major onstraint on profitability for the airline industry. Moreover if borrowing is cheap the likelihood of more airlines entering the industry is higher. Bargaining power of Buyers is high The bargaining power of buyers is another force that can affect the competitive position of a company (Porter, 1998, p. 48). This refers to the amount of pressure customers can place on a business, thus, affecting its prices, volume and profit potential (Porter, 1998, p. 45). The various airlines flying from the Gold Coast airport are competing for the same customer, which also results in strengthening the buyer power. Individuals wishing to travel to and from the Coolangatta airport are presented with various choices when selecting an airline but price is usually the most important factor, especially for students and families. Hence, the bargaining power of customers in the airline industry is very high since they are price sensitive and search for the best deals available. Virgin Blue attracts travellers that are price sensitive by offering them low fares and those that are convenience oriented by providing them with frequent flights. Qantas on the other hand has created a frequent flyer program to create switching costs which may be a significant factor to a traveller when choosing which airline to fly with. Bargaining Power of Suppliers is high Suppliers can also exercise considerable pressure on a company by increasing prices or lowering the quality of products offered which are mainly dominated by Boeing and Airbus. The bargaining power of suppliers depends on supplier concentration, substitute supplies, switching costs, threat of forward integration and buyer information. However, other suppliers who work with the airline such as the providers of on board snacks do not have the same bargaining power as they are a larger industry which allows for Virgin Blue to have a choice over who they are purchasing from. Virgin Blue will purchase their on board snacks from the supplier which is the most economic so Virgin Blue can make a higher profit margin from the goods when they are sold. Threat of Substitutes is low for international carriers/ little higher for short distance The availability and threat of substitutes is another factor that can affect competition within the airline industry. It refers to the likelihood that customers may switch to another product or service that performs similar functions (Stahl, M, Grigsby D 1997, pg 145). Substitutes for air travel include travelling by train, bus or car to the desired destination. The degree of this threat depends on various factors such as money, convenience, time and personal preference of travellers. The competition from substitutes is affected by the ease of with which buyers can change over to a substitute. A key consideration is usually the buyers switching costs, however due to their low fare non-stop flights, Virgin Blue, Jetstar and Tiger airways can lure both price sensitive and convenience oriented travellers away from these substitutes. Competitive Rivalry is high  Industries that are very competitive generally earn low profits and returns since the cost of competition is high. The airline industry is usually characterized by the cut-throat competition that exists among the rival airlines due to its low cost nature. Since the carriers are involved in a constant struggle to take away the market share from each other, industry growth is average and as it is easy for buyers to switch between the airline companies, depending on price, the rivalry is increased. Rivalry is also high in the airline industry due to high fixed costs, as much of the cost of a flight is fixed, there is a great opportunity for airlines to sell unsold seats cheaply, which resolve in pricing wars between the airlines (Hubbard, 2004, pg 38). The airlines are continually competing against each other in terms of prices, technology, in-flight entertainment, customer services and many more areas. The net result of this competition between companies is an overall slow market growth rate. In conclusion we can understand that the airline industry is very competitive and Michael Porters five-forces model can be used to explain why the potential for returns is so low in this industry. Firstly, the threat of new companies entering the industry is high and the entry barriers are low. Secondly, the bargaining power of customers is high since they are price sensitive and search for the best deals. The third force, bargaining position of suppliers, is strong since they are concentrated and this limits the control airlines have over suppliers to reduce prices and earn higher profits. The availability and threat of substitutes is another factor that can affect a company’s competitive position. However, the degree of this threat depends on various factors such as time, money, convenience and personal preferences of travellers. The final force in Porters model is competitive rivalry between the companies within an industry. Cut-throat competition exists among the airlines and since there is a constant struggle for market share, the over all profit potential of this industry is low.

Natural Resources and Environmental Ethics

Natural resources essentially belong to everybody else if we are to agree with the presumption that resources are originally made available for the inhabitants of the planet including animals, plants and humans (L. 172). Not surprisingly, contemporary movements have rapidly spread across the globe like wildfire, pushing for the proper allocation of resources as well as the proper handling or management of these resources. The foundation for the claims of several pro-environment organizations is the idea that natural resources are for public consumption under controllable or permissible amounts. But how do we know if what we are taking is just in the proper number? How do we know if we already exceed the threshold?Part of the answers to these critical questions can be traced from the idea that human beings worldwide use various natural resources in many ways (Freeman 35). In more recent times, the global population of human beings has increased sharply, especially in countries that fa ll under the less-developed nations. With the economic status of every country responsible in a way to the total wealth of these nations, it is inevitable that an unstable economy will bring about harsh impacts to the living conditions of its citizens. And while the population mounts incredibly every year, the lowered economic stability of the less-developed countries will most likely prompt those who belong to the lowest point of the social ladder to obtain whatever they can from the natural resources (Burns 444).As one will observe, an increasing number of people whose lives depend on the immediate or at least available natural resources will most probably result to a sharper decline in the quantity and quality of these natural resources. Take for example India whose population outnumbers almost every country in the world. With a steady growth of the population and with a national economy just enough to supplement the lives of a few, the people of India tend to obtain whatever the y can from the country’s natural resources (Bach 157). Sum all of these individuals altogether by the millions and the decline in the quality and quantity of the natural resources will proportionally decrease—or perhaps even more than that.This and other related issues involved in the dwindling of the natural resources have caught the attention of the world. This indicates that the problem is not a small one that easily abates. Rather, having the rest of the world pin their attention to the central problem of handling natural resources is a huge indicator that the problem existing are serious. Further, it also indicates the idea that the world may have taken more than what it needs or, at the least, the world has consumed beyond the amount it can handle. In fact, the very existence of the problem of the dwindling of the natural resources is enough to indicate that the limit has been reached and the time to recess from activities that consume a lot of these resources sh ould be taken urgently (Randall 144).Yet it remains a fact as well that people need these natural resources in order to live. Natural resources such as fossil fuels and water are primary elements that comprise the needs of almost every other nation in the world. While fossil fuels and water both share the primary goal of prolonging the life of man and the society, their depreciating amounts and quality both share several effects (Knight 183).Nevertheless, it is beyond question and doubt that these natural resources are needed to further the lives and activities of mankind. And in order to completely realize this goal, it must also be the case that humanity should learn how to preserve what little they have left. Otherwise, these natural resources may soon dry up or degrade in quality.Thus, numerous global efforts have since been established in order to meet and counter the unwanted effects of overusing or abusing the remaining natural resources. At the core of all these efforts dwel ls the central message that the environment must be protected in order to meet these established goals. One example to this is the fact that a number of countries resort to crafting legislations that seek to undermine the perceived ill-effects of a nation bereft of natural resources.Private entities and non-government organizations also share an equally significant role in deterring these unwanted effects of the decline in the natural resources. There are various measures being advocated and called for by numerous environmental organizations that operate in many different countries. Nevertheless, the point is that the environment must be preserved and protected for human life depends on it as well as the coming generations.However, it remains a fact as well that there are already existing and proliferating problems with regard to the depletion and overconsumption of the natural resources that the world has left. This is why there are organizations that seek to combat these unwanted instances. Quite apart from the fact that the government has a significant role in countering the dwindling amounts of natural resources (Cotner 90), big and private corporations also share an equal amount of responsibility—if not more—in sustaining the natural wealth in the environment. Yet there is the presence of the negative conditions of these natural resources. This only indicates the idea that tasks were not properly enforced or performed in protecting the environment.The decline in the natural resources can be attributed to the lack of rules and regulations that prohibit and prescribe certain actions of man towards the environment. With the absence of laws that seek to sustain and uplift the status of the environment, it is no surprise that there exist the corresponding effects on the natural resources. Moreover, the lack of governmental commitment in addressing these issues also contributes to the continuing degradation of these resources (Toothman 69).Another thing is that there are corporations and other business establishments that utilize a certain fraction of the natural resources yet fail to meet or at least craft proper business ethics that will guide their company’s actions in the proper path. Without these ethical principles of conduct, business establishments then have all the freedom to consume everything they want more than what they need and to use them in whatever possible way one can conceive of.The protection of these natural resources should not be taken to mean as a sole responsibility of the government or of the corporations. Rather, public and private individuals should also take part in the call for the protection of the environment. Environmental groups can lobby in congress possible bills that will address the existing environmental problems or will ensure the protection of the natural resources by imposing functional sanctions to those who seek to deter the law with regard to the environment (Kinney A144). The congress is one of the most recognizable public places that give voice to individuals and groups that further goals that concern the entire nation and even the rest of the world.One of the most notable examples to the volumes of campaigns that have been pushed forward under the banner of environmental protection is the campaign of Al Gore. In his seminar documentary entitled An Inconvenient Truth, Gore discloses before the public the root causes, existing conditions, and future implications of global warming (Tenenbaum A366). His campaign does not only involve the call for a larger and more unified response from the people all over the world. Rather, his campaign also gives full credit to the simple efforts individuals do in their homes and in their locality in order to preserve the natural resources and reverse the ill conditions that beset our natural environment today.There are still many unheard-of documentaries and seminars worldwide that seek not only to inform the public and increase their awareness on the issues that tackle natural resources but also provide alternatives and solutions to the lifestyles and habits of humanity that appear as one of the root causes of the degradation of the natural resources. It remains a fact that there are already existing efforts in countering, or at least lessening, the current environmental degradation we have today. It also sends us the idea that while there are environmental groups that seek to promote the status of the environment our natural resources can never be safely returned to its healthy state.The more important question remains: how do we save our environment for the coming generations? Before solutions can ever be thrown upon this question, one must first recognize the more essential question: who has the responsibility? The answer seems obvious as the fact remains that natural resources primarily belong to the public—hence, the idea that the responsibility dwells not on a single group or indi vidual but to every other person in the world, who has existed, is existing, and will exist.Part of being human is the necessity to preserve the natural resources that contribute to the very existence of the whole humanity. Yet the list of the responsible people does not simply end there. Rather, it is only the beginning of a grander scheme—that is, governments and corporations are also required to partake in the global efforts to salvage the natural resources and prevent them from eventually being consumed in whole with nothing left but memories in the basin of human forgetfulness.This brings us back to the first question posed: how do we save our environment for the generations to come? The answer may seem trivial and difficult to comprehend at first. Yet, it seems that nothing can be easier to answer than the question just given basically because human consumption necessitates human awareness of what is being consumed. What are being consumed are the natural resources of t he world which belong to the public. By being aware that these natural resources are in limited supply, proper care must be given to these resources through every possible means no matter how big or how small it may be. To save the environment for the next generation means to come up with all things possible in order to prolong the remaining resources, and to come up with these things is to be able to actualize them no matter where the individual resides or what group he or she belongs to.ReferencesBach, George Leland. â€Å"Economic Requisites for Economic Stability.† The American Economic Review 40.2 (1950): 157.Burns, Arthur. â€Å"Progress Towards Economic Stability.† The American Economic Review 50.3 (1960): 444.Cotner, Melvin L. â€Å"A Policy for Public Investments in Natural Resources.† American Journal of Agricultural Economics 51.1 (1969): 90.Freeman, Otis W. â€Å"Natural Resources and Urban Development.† Annals of the American Academy of Polit ical and Social Science 242 (1945): 35.Kinney, Joe. â€Å"Addressing Global Warming.† Environmental Health Perspectives 111.3 (2003): A144.Knight, Richard L. â€Å"On Improving the Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences: A Comment.† The Journal of Wildlife Management 57.1 (1993): 183.L., W. â€Å"The Real Origins of Property in Natural Resources.† American Journal of Economics and Sociology 45.2 (1986): 172.Randall, Robert H. â€Å"Conservation of Natural Resources.† Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 206 (1939): 144.Tenenbaum, David J. â€Å"Global Warming. The Soot Factor.† Environmental Health Perspectives 109.8 (2001): A366.Toothman, Stephanie S. â€Å"Cultural Resource Management in Natural Areas of the National Park System.† The Public Historian 9.2 (1987): 69. Natural Resources and Environmental Ethics Natural resources essentially belong to everybody else if we are to agree with the presumption that resources are originally made available for the inhabitants of the planet including animals, plants and humans (L. 172). Not surprisingly, contemporary movements have rapidly spread across the globe like wildfire, pushing for the proper allocation of resources as well as the proper handling or management of these resources. The foundation for the claims of several pro-environment organizations is the idea that natural resources are for public consumption under controllable or permissible amounts. But how do we know if what we are taking is just in the proper number? How do we know if we already exceed the threshold?Part of the answers to these critical questions can be traced from the idea that human beings worldwide use various natural resources in many ways (Freeman 35). In more recent times, the global population of human beings has increased sharply, especially in countries that fa ll under the less-developed nations. With the economic status of every country responsible in a way to the total wealth of these nations, it is inevitable that an unstable economy will bring about harsh impacts to the living conditions of its citizens. And while the population mounts incredibly every year, the lowered economic stability of the less-developed countries will most likely prompt those who belong to the lowest point of the social ladder to obtain whatever they can from the natural resources (Burns 444).As one will observe, an increasing number of people whose lives depend on the immediate or at least available natural resources will most probably result to a sharper decline in the quantity and quality of these natural resources. Take for example India whose population outnumbers almost every country in the world. With a steady growth of the population and with a national economy just enough to supplement the lives of a few, the people of India tend to obtain whatever the y can from the country’s natural resources (Bach 157). Sum all of these individuals altogether by the millions and the decline in the quality and quantity of the natural resources will proportionally decrease—or perhaps even more than that.This and other related issues involved in the dwindling of the natural resources have caught the attention of the world. This indicates that the problem is not a small one that easily abates. Rather, having the rest of the world pin their attention to the central problem of handling natural resources is a huge indicator that the problem existing are serious. Further, it also indicates the idea that the world may have taken more than what it needs or, at the least, the world has consumed beyond the amount it can handle. In fact, the very existence of the problem of the dwindling of the natural resources is enough to indicate that the limit has been reached and the time to recess from activities that consume a lot of these resources sh ould be taken urgently (Randall 144).Yet it remains a fact as well that people need these natural resources in order to live. Natural resources such as fossil fuels and water are primary elements that comprise the needs of almost every other nation in the world. While fossil fuels and water both share the primary goal of prolonging the life of man and the society, their depreciating amounts and quality both share several effects (Knight 183). Nevertheless, it is beyond question and doubt that these natural resources are needed to further the lives and activities of mankind. And in order to completely realize this goal, it must also be the case that humanity should learn how to preserve what little they have left. Otherwise, these natural resources may soon dry up or degrade in quality.Thus, numerous global efforts have since been established in order to meet and counter the unwanted effects of overusing or abusing the remaining natural resources. At the core of all these efforts dwe lls the central message that the environment must be protected in order to meet these established goals. One example to this is the fact that a number of countries resort to crafting legislations that seek to undermine the perceived ill-effects of a nation bereft of natural resources. Private entities and non-government organizations also share an equally significant role in deterring these unwanted effects of the decline in the natural resources. There are various measures being advocated and called for by numerous environmental organizations that operate in many different countries. Nevertheless, the point is that the environment must be preserved and protected for human life depends on it as well as the coming generations.However, it remains a fact as well that there are already existing and proliferating problems with regard to the depletion and overconsumption of the natural resources that the world has left. This is why there are organizations that seek to combat these unwante d instances. Quite apart from the fact that the government has a significant role in countering the dwindling amounts of natural resources (Cotner 90), big and private corporations also share an equal amount of responsibility—if not more—in sustaining the natural wealth in the environment. Yet there is the presence of the negative conditions of these natural resources. This only indicates the idea that tasks were not properly enforced or performed in protecting the environment.The decline in the natural resources can be attributed to the lack of rules and regulations that prohibit and prescribe certain actions of man towards the environment. With the absence of laws that seek to sustain and uplift the status of the environment, it is no surprise that there exist the corresponding effects on the natural resources. Moreover, the lack of governmental commitment in addressing these issues also contributes to the continuing degradation of these resources (Toothman 69). Anot her thing is that there are corporations and other business establishments that utilize a certain fraction of the natural resources yet fail to meet or at least craft proper business ethics that will guide their company’s actions in the proper path. Without these ethical principles of conduct, business establishments then have all the freedom to consume everything they want more than what they need and to use them in whatever possible way one can conceive of.The protection of these natural resources should not be taken to mean as a sole responsibility of the government or of the corporations. Rather, public and private individuals should also take part in the call for the protection of the environment. Environmental groups can lobby in congress possible bills that will address the existing environmental problems or will ensure the protection of the natural resources by imposing functional sanctions to those who seek to deter the law with regard to the environment (Kinney A144 ). The congress is one of the most recognizable public places that give voice to individuals and groups that further goals that concern the entire nation and even the rest of the world.One of the most notable examples to the volumes of campaigns that have been pushed forward under the banner of environmental protection is the campaign of Al Gore. In his seminar documentary entitled An Inconvenient Truth, Gore discloses before the public the root causes, existing conditions, and future implications of global warming (Tenenbaum A366). His campaign does not only involve the call for a larger and more unified response from the people all over the world. Rather, his campaign also gives full credit to the simple efforts individuals do in their homes and in their locality in order to preserve the natural resources and reverse the ill conditions that beset our natural environment today.There are still many unheard-of documentaries and seminars worldwide that seek not only to inform the publ ic and increase their awareness on the issues that tackle natural resources but also provide alternatives and solutions to the lifestyles and habits of humanity that appear as one of the root causes of the degradation of the natural resources. It remains a fact that there are already existing efforts in countering, or at least lessening, the current environmental degradation we have today. It also sends us the idea that while there are environmental groups that seek to promote the status of the environment our natural resources can never be safely returned to its healthy state.The more important question remains: how do we save our environment for the coming generations? Before solutions can ever be thrown upon this question, one must first recognize the more essential question: who has the responsibility? The answer seems obvious as the fact remains that natural resources primarily belong to the public—hence, the idea that the responsibility dwells not on a single group or i ndividual but to every other person in the world, who has existed, is existing, and will exist. Part of being human is the necessity to preserve the natural resources that contribute to the very existence of the whole humanity. Yet the list of the responsible people does not simply end there. Rather, it is only the beginning of a grander scheme—that is, governments and corporations are also required to partake in the global efforts to salvage the natural resources and prevent them from eventually being consumed in whole with nothing left but memories in the basin of human forgetfulness.This brings us back to the first question posed: how do we save our environment for the generations to come? The answer may seem trivial and difficult to comprehend at first. Yet, it seems that nothing can be easier to answer than the question just given basically because human consumption necessitates human awareness of what is being consumed. What are being consumed are the natural resources of the world which belong to the public. By being aware that these natural resources are in limited supply, proper care must be given to these resources through every possible means no matter how big or how small it may be. To save the environment for the next generation means to come up with all things possible in order to prolong the remaining resources, and to come up with these things is to be able to actualize them no matter where the individual resides or what group he or she belongs to.ReferencesBach, George Leland. â€Å"Economic Requisites for Economic Stability.† The American Economic Review 40.2 (1950): 157.Burns, Arthur. â€Å"Progress Towards Economic Stability.† The American Economic Review 50.3 (1960): 444.Cotner, Melvin L. â€Å"A Policy for Public Investments in Natural Resources.† American Journal of Agricultural Economics 51.1 (1969): 90.Freeman, Otis W. â€Å"Natural Resources and Urban Development.† Annals of the American Academy of P olitical and Social Science 242 (1945): 35.Kinney, Joe. â€Å"Addressing Global Warming.† Environmental Health Perspectives 111.3 (2003): A144.Knight, Richard L. â€Å"On Improving the Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences: A Comment.† The Journal of Wildlife Management 57.1 (1993): 183.L., W. â€Å"The Real Origins of Property in Natural Resources.† American Journal of Economics and Sociology 45.2 (1986): 172.Randall, Robert H. â€Å"Conservation of Natural Resources.† Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 206 (1939): 144.Tenenbaum, David J. â€Å"Global Warming. The Soot Factor.† Environmental Health Perspectives 109.8 (2001): A366.Toothman, Stephanie S. â€Å"Cultural Resource Management in Natural Areas of the National Park System.† The Public Historian 9.2 (1987): 69.

Conservative Nostalgia in the United States of America Essay

Conservative Nostalgia in the United States of America - Essay Example On the other hand, conservatives hugely assume and believe that every individual should be responsible; there should be free markets, limited or minimum government intervention, a rigid and firm national defence personal liberty and those ancient American values (Lipsman 129). They more emphasize that the function of the government is to grant the individuals or citizens the freedom to fulfil their own goals and ambitions. The major points that are going to be discussed in this essay are the arguments that conservatives usually want and discuss whether if there reasons are valid and try to compare them with government policies and the liberals’ arguments. Most authors have come up with different ideas and opinion to justify the differences between the conservatives and the liberals and this essay is focused to bring out the arguments between the two sides, firstly, according to Lipsam, conservatives are usually focused on preventing the negative results and are better organize d whereas liberals concentrate on being creative and they are open minded and usually concentrate on positive outcomes (Lipsman 37). Generally, Anderson believes that conservatives have very strong motivation compared to liberals who focuses on preservation of purity and cleanliness this is evidenced where by conservatives are quicker, efficient hence letting up their ideologies, whereas liberals are effortful and deliberate hence there difference in ideologies too(Anderson 10). In this essay we are going to discuss some of the factors.

Discussion 12 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion 12 - Assignment Example It will provide a convenient framework for evaluating nursing interventions. An example of an instance where informatics can help in the development and structure of knowledge is in electronic medical recording. Electronic medical records avails a comprehensive medical history of a patient from which healthcare providers can view and use the information documented by healthcare providers who have attended to the patient in the past. In tackling the PICO question, there will be a need to ensure privacy and confidentiality of information that participants will provide. Disclosing or letting the information leak to unintended persons can end up in undesirable outcomes due to its inappropriate use. In addition, it will be imperative to uphold patient safety because nursing has a mandate not to cause harm to patients. The research endeavor will seek to contribute uniquely to the practice of nursing (Simpson, 2006). I once encountered a patient who had been involved in a gruesome road accident. After a few days of hospitalization and continued examination, we realized that the accident had paralyzed the patient. After sharing the information with the patient’s family, the family pled with us not to tell the patient the prognosis because they believed it would affect him. The ethical dilemma was deciding whether to grant the family’s plea or to honor the patient’s right to know the outcomes of our examination. Although we managed to convince the family that we would help the patient to handle the truth and start physiotherapy to rehabilitate his mobility, the dilemma was difficult to resolve. Systematization of interdisciplinary communication is one of the significance of technology use to nursing knowledge development and structure. Ethical consideration is crucial in the delivery of nursing care. Killeen, M. & King, I. (2007). Viewpoint: Use of King’s Conceptual System, Nursing Informatics, and Nursing Classification Systems for Global

Project Management regarding New Online Room Booking System Case Study

Project Management regarding New Online Room Booking System - Case Study Example The framework of this project comprises of several stages of systems development. The following figure illustrates the phases of project development model that is adopted for this entire online booking project development process:- During the first phase of this online software development work, the team manager along with members of our team, needed to work together to define what our team is going to deliver by the end of the project. In first phase, the important deliverable is the project plan of online room booking system which outlines goals and objectives of this project. By effective planning we can meet the deadlines with our sufficient resources and thereby produce final deliverables that meet our customers' needs, and maintain the morale and energy of our team members. Without proper planning, all of these are put at risk. For adequate planning, 10% of total project time has been allocated. In view of the resources available with our team, we planned to carry on with the project as per the precedence diagram shown in Appendix-'A', where development of the project is depicted in a clear cut hierarchy of step by step. On the basis of the flow chart our team has to be entrusted appropriate jobs for max imum utilization of available man power within limited time frame. As a part of systematic planning process and as per the precedence diagram provided as Appendix 1, the project would be started with an enquiry received from client. Two members, preferably the team manager and a member, will be responsible to fix an appointment with the client to establish the outline of the project on Online Room Booking System. This process will take 2 days. After this discussion a broad idea will be generated about the objectives of the project to be developed. Subsequently a draft Terms of Reference will have to be prepared for the project team. Two members will be utilized for this purpose for two days. Then three members from our team will analyze the current booking system on a day. The same members will take 2 more days to examine other contemporary online booking systems. After observing various elements of the current booking systems, the client's requirements, and other similar online ser vices our two members will prepare a draft initial design and explain it to the client by displaying the work flow of the utility going to be designed as per their requirements. It will take two days for designing initial model of project and for discussing with clients about its application for the online booking system. Pursuant to the suggestions and clarifications on the matter, the draft design of project will be revised to meet the newly raised queries and suggestions made by clients. This process involves three members of our team to work for duration of two days. During this time the other three members will re-examine other online booking systems for novel, unique strategies, techniques and ideas. Considering all aspects of application of new project, various processes of designing and examining the other online booking systems and discussing with the client about its implementation in a commercial perspective, our team may decide to use appropriate front end as well as back end utility(Software) for designing the project in field. Here

Managing Financial Principles and Techniques Assignment Essay

Managing Financial Principles and Techniques Assignment - Essay Example From the tudy it is clear that the very basic two approaches to pricing are ‘cost-plus’ pricing and ‘market-demand’ pricing. There are various pricing strategies such as low or high pricing, permanent or changing prices, penetration or skimming pricing, fixed or variable pricing. No matter whether it is cost-plus or market-demand based pricing, firms are required to constantly estimate the true costs incurred for developing their product. An underestimation of fixed or variable costs can lead to loss. Firms, in order to stay competitive, are to generate a reasonable amounts of profits. Profit is the difference between selling price and total costs. If a firm simply fixes a price without due care of total costs incurred for making or marketing of that product, it is more likely not to generate a reasonable amounts of profit.This research finds that  most organizations need to make strategic decisions about setting or accepting the selling prices for the pro ducts or services they market. If firms are in marketing condition where the price is automatically set by the market demand and supply forces, the firm will have little or no influence over the selling prices of its products or services. Coffee, sugar, rice markets are of this example. The firm in such condition is required to evaluate the total costs incurred and attempt their maximum to keep per unit costs below the per-unit selling price. In contrast, firms that make highly differentiated or customized products or are market leaders have relatively greater influence in pricing decisions. In such a marketing condition, the pricing decision will be influenced by the cost of the product (Drury, 2007, p. 248) An appropriate costing system Most organizations are depending on marginal costing system since it has long been found to be very effective for management in taking appropriate decisions and understanding accurate cost structures. Marginal

Explain what you have learned from your experience as member of a team Essay

Explain what you have learned from your experience as member of a team whose project was not completeted sucessfully - Essay Example The task was supposed to be finished overnight otherwise additional payments were to be incurred by the organization due to additional day of auditor’s visit. Our team failed to complete the assigned task within deadline, however somehow we were able to avoid the additional payment costs to the company. The reasons to this failure were later on studied in depth to extract results, inferences and lessons for future reference and better response. Next few paragraphs will discuss the lessons learned by the team. The first and far most important is the assignment of the task to a professional with appropriate skills and zeal to accomplish the assigned task. The initial assignment of the task seems to be a wrong assignment and lake of professionalism caused unnecessary delay in the completion of the investment report. An unfinished report was the ultimate result of this wrong assignment. Therefore purposeful evaluation of professional competence for a specific task is of core impor tance for the successful completion of the project. It is also evident from the findings that the project was not properly supervised for in time preparation of the investment report therefore the initial assignment was not completed.

Consulting Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Consulting Report - Essay Example The global economic recession has reduced the number of readers and has significantly reduced the advertising revenues. The publishing cost has been increased and major of the newspaper publishing organizations have increased the price level. Therefore, the readers are going for free online news contents. The study will analyze the recent trends in the newspaper industry. Moreover, the study will analyze and evaluate the strategies that have been adopted by the leading organization within the US newspaper industry. The study will provide details of the adopted strategies by the publishing industry in order to overcome the current losses. By implementing internal and external analysis of this industry, the study will reveal the measures to be adopted and implemented by the Chronicle Gazette in order to increase its subscription and advertising revenues. State of the Newspaper publishing Industry Within the US newspaper publishing industry, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times a nd USA Today are three leading players. Data on Declining Circulation The Wall Street Journal is the leading newspaper in US considering the daily sales figure. Apart from the US editions, the newspaper also has European and Asian Edition. For the six months till March 31, 2010, the number of daily week day circulation was a base of 2,092,523 readers. On the other hand, for the same period the figure of circulation base has decreased to 1,913,284 readers. New York Times is another leading newspaper within US. The circulation figure of New York Times’ weekday edition has failed by 8.5% to approximately 950,000 subscriptions. Moreover, the study edition of this specific newspaper has failed by 5.2% at end of 2010. USA Today is one of the major daily selling newspapers in US. During the last six months since March 31, the sale of newspaper has declined by 13.6%. Status of Newspaper leaders Recently the wall street journal has accepted an effective price based model of paid and f ree access in order to overcome these challenges. Now-a-days, they used to publish their news content through online. Several news cover ages including sports news, political news, and entertainment and art news are being available for free to the each and every online reader. The journal has able to attract the focus of potential target segment to the organization website by providing niche news contents. Reason behind Declining Circulation and Revenue An external and internal assessment has been developed in order to reveal the reasons behind declining revenue and circulation of newspaper publication organizations. External assessment This part will implement PESTLE and Porter’s five force model in order to determine the external assessment. PESTLE Analysis PESTLE analysis will determine the impact of political, social, economical, legal, technological and environmental factors on the newspaper publication industry in US. Political Several political parties are influencing and providing money to online sources. Moreover, they are not supporting the newspaper publication companies. Economical Recent recession has affected the buying behavior of customers. Due to low disposable income, people are shifting towards online news contents. Social, Cultural and Demographical Current social trend towards the online news sources, reduced women subscribers and availability of advanced

Benjamin Franklin Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Benjamin Franklin - Research Paper Example His father was a soap maker, Josiah Franklin and his mother was Abiah Folger. In the age of 12 Franklin started his career at his brother’s print shop in Boston. He realized that in order to become successful he had to work hard and, first of all, learn hard, so he started self education, learning different languages and scientific subjects. Thus he managed to learn Latin, Italian, Spanish, and French; moreover, he learned some of physics, biology, and chemistry all by himself. When his brother refused to hire Benjamin as a correspondent in his own news paper The New England Courant, Franklin adopted the pseudonym Mrs. Silence Dogood, and â€Å"her† 14 imaginative and witty letters were published in his brother’s newspaper, which the readers of the news paper liked a lot (â€Å"Benjamin Franklin Biography† n.pag.). However, Benjamin’s brother gone wild when he discovered that the letters were Benjamin’s, so young Benjamin Franklin was forced to escape to another city, looking for luck; he settled down in Philadelphia and considered the place as his home for the rest of his life. â€Å"Franklin furthered his education in the printing trade in Philadelphia, lodging at the home of John Read in 1723. Nevertheless, the following year, Franklin left for London under the auspices of Pennsylvania Governor William Keith, but felt duped when letters of introduction never arrived and he was forced to find work at print shops there† (â€Å"Benjamin Franklin Biography† n.pag.). He managed to publish his first pamphlet, "A Dissertation upon Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain†. In 1726 Franklin got back to Philadelphia and changed a lot of job positions, like he had been a bookkeeper, a shopkeeper, and a currency cutter (â€Å"Benjamin Franklin Biography† n.pag.). In late 1727, Franklin established his own print shop and later he purchased The Pennsylvania Gazette, which became one of the most popular in the colonies (â€Å"A Quick

Writing to Show Cause and Effect (Causes of business growth and Research Paper

Writing to Show Cause and Effect (Causes of business growth and failure, marketing, business trends) - Research Paper Example However, due to some of the limitations and depending on one’s preparedness the chances of prosperity are determined. Business growth is impacted and withheld by a number of factors. From this perspective, this paper will discuss causes of business growth and failure, marketing, business trends. Some of the factors in the market favor prosperity of business ideas. Anyone getting into business should be ready to face the risks involved. Before the implementation of a business idea to a real thing, one needs to be aware of some factors like availability of market, availability of capital and the competitors. The owner of the business idea should weigh between different options and settle for the best and legal option. They have to consider the niche in the market that they are going to fill and the likelihood of the idea developing to a big reality. Study experts say that, one does not engage into any business activity before they get prepared for the risks and challenges in the market. They should equip them selves with proper management skills, good customer relations, and perseverance to tolerate the challenges in the market. Therefore, this enhances the business to stabilize with changing times (Gitman, Lawrence, and McDaniel 348). Failure of business ideas, triggered by failure of proper market evaluation and which triggers poor marketing of commodities and this makes a business loose its customers to the competitors. Customers should be the main thing that any business should aim at satisfying; profits come second to the satisfaction of customers (Blythe, Jim, and Zimmerman 386). Some of the businesses focused with short-term goals of attaining profits instead of first creating the basis on the market for where to market their goods end up not securing their positions in the market and hence their closure. Research in the market revealed that, some of the inaccuracy failures are avoidable if they had focus on the real factors that are challenging in the market. By focusing on long-term goals, it will prioritize the consumer needs, enabling their establishment. The business owners should handle any incompetence in the market by themselves. By consulting from survey respondents, they may end up getting the wrong picture of the market strategy. Studies reveal that, some of the surveyors only aim at impressing the business owners rather than giving them the real picture of the situation. The business owners should therefore, aim at running their enterprises carefully. They should not base their performance on research results. Otherwise, they should blame the government and other financial institutions for their failure (Hutt, Michael, and Speh 110). As businesses grow, the owners should now turn their plans on how to maximize their profits by trying to achieve economies of scale and how best one can achieve it. By this level, the business owners have usually established the products that are on demand and should therefore, set a p rice that is affordable to the buyer and is favorable to the seller (Czinkota et al 87). On addition, for one ensure they satisfy the changing demands of customers in an effective way, they should be flexible and be ready to face conflicting interests and also other risks in the business. They should be ready to listen to customer opinions, adjust, and avoid repetition of same mistakes. Research showed that, most of the entrepreneurs who prosper are those listen to advice, complains from their consumers, and therefore, adjust for their durability in the market, and attain their long-term aim of earning profits (Gitman, Lawrence, and McDaniel 348). Business owners should also exercise proper accounting of their finances. The finances are crucial, close

Bruce Feilers Walking the Bible Essay Example for Free

Bruce Feilers Walking the Bible Essay Bruce Feiler gives his readers new perspectives on the background of the events told in the Five Books of Moses, and on the Bible itself. The book is concerned with how the land itself had a deep influence (and still has a deep influence) on the bible and the spiritual culture of the people, and the author attempts to demonstrate how the bible is still relevant today. The book is an attempt to provide a cultural and historical context for the Bible. It is peppered with the authors thoughtful insights on the relationship of the land and its people, and relates the path of (re)discovery of faith as a result of the journey, while also providing a good starting point for anyone desiring to travel through the Middle East. The book, of course, is not an objective, scholarly work, and should not be taken as such. Although scholarly views of the events outlined in the five books and of the land and culture relevant to these events are presented, it is by no means a scientific work, as obvious from the religious theme of the book. Feiler takes the reader on a two-year exploration of the first five books of the Bible, by actually trekking through the land in which the events in the five books occur. The land itself is the focus of the book. He provides his insights on the effects of the land of the people, ancient and modern, and relates the views of the Jews on the relationship between god and the people. He describes the wilderness as instrumental in uniting the ancient Israelites as a people. He describes his experience in the desert, the journey through which Feiler states is the core of the first five books. It is in the desert where he experienced the â€Å"raw human emotion involved in being in a stark place, confronting the limitations of ones upbringing, and trying to forge a new identity in the midst of a difficult, transforming journey. † Feiler did not have a strong motivating purpose at the start of his journey, but he relates the significant change in attitude that the journey brought to himself. His initial intention was merely to be a tourist of sorts, using the Bible as a travel guide to experience and appreciate the land in which the events in the first five books of the Bible occur, but when he starts his journey, he finds out that there is a palpable â€Å"connection† between the land and the people, and he stops seeing the Bible as merely a travel guide. Through his journey he develops insights into himself concerning his faith, particularly on his identity as a Jew. Feiler â€Å"rediscovers† his faith as a result of this journey, and provides some unique perspectives on the five books of Moses. Of course, as it focuses on the land, the book is also a travel memoir, a travel guide of sorts, providing useful tidbits for readers intending to journey there as well. Through his gustatory descriptions of geographical features, he manages to convey his impression of the sacredness of the land. He provides some background on scientific and historical arguments that have concerned the authenticity of the bible, but ultimately demonstrates that such concerns on empirical facts have little bearing on faith. He also outlines the influences of Israels relationships with neighboring lands, particularly Egypt and Mesopotamia, and how the culture of Israel was deeply connected to the land itself. The book focuses on faith, on history, and on travel, all in the context of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. As a work of literature, it is not outstanding. As a travel memoir, it provides some useful and entertaining facts about the geography and culture of Israel. But the book is mostly focused on the author himself, on his views and insights gained from his journey; the book succeeds ultimately as a spiritual undertaking.

Opinion of Shared Governance Essay Example for Free

Opinion of Shared Governance Essay What is your opinion of shared governance? â€Å"In shared governance, as in nursing, the primary resources for practice are the providers themselves. Thus, to control practice, nurses must have influence over themselves as a professional group,† ( Hess, R. 2011. P.3). I believe when shared governance is actually thoroughly exercised, nurses claim the power they can have by utilizing leadership and optimal practice. I strongly believe this mindset can greatly improve job satisfaction and patient care outcomes. List short-term and long-term advantages and barriers to this type of model. Short-term: sense of empowerment, nurses can influence the processes, staff becomes accountable for their actions Long-term: improves communication and cooperation/teamwork, promotes compromise, since everyone is involved staff learns to listen to other viewpoints. Compared to other types of organizational structures, is a shared governance model better for nursing? I do believe that shared governance is a better model for structure in nursing. This model promotes democracy and teamwork while others tell you what your goals are; shared governance encourages staff to brainstorm their own goals which fosters pride and compliancy. â€Å"Shared governance is collaboration, whether in scheduling staff, educating new staff, or implementing evidence-based practice. It involves teamwork, problem-solving, and accountability, with the goals of improved staff satisfaction, productivity, and patient outcomes. It is working together to make decisions that affect nursing practice and patient care. It is working with other disciplines for the good of the patient. It is collaborating to improve nursing practice,† (Bonsall, L. 2011. p.1) How do Magnet hospitals fit into the shared governance model? Magnet hospitals and shared governance share many characteristics including excellent teamwork, low nurse burnout/turnover rates, and optimal patient outcomes. Each encourages the nurse to express opinions and listen to others’ as well. Open mindedness is coupled with high standard of practice. These two are highly motivational. Resources: Bonsall, L. (2011). What is Shared Governance? Nursing’sCenter in the Round. Retrieved from

Elitism Or Pluralism Depiction Of Political Power Politics Essay

Elitism Or Pluralism Depiction Of Political Power Politics Essay The United States of America, the biggest democracy in the world, was born as such in 1787, when 55 representatives of each state gathered in Philadelphia in order to achieve a compromise, a union within states. When we talk about America, what crosses our mind is the idea of greatness, strength and power, an enormous power of an enormous country, and its distribution is one of the major issues in American politics, whether it is an elitist or a pluralist distribution of power. Nevertheless, it is worth first of all turning ones attention to the history of the United States and this will perhaps allow us better to understand and analyse the American power. Lets go back to the eighteenth century, when Americans were unfairly treated by the English Crown, they contributed to the metropolis and they were torn apart in every decision that concerned them so that by the middle of the eighteenth century, a negative atmosphere against Great Britain was starting to flourish. As a consequence, the War of Independence broke out in 1775; it was a revolution, a desire of freedom, and the American people, all together, achieved their independence. On 4th of July of 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by John Hancock, Jon Adams and Thomas Jefferson, to name just a few; and the new states formed a Republic made up by a president and a congress or assembly, this is when a democratic regime is set up in the United States. A good example of this political transformation is this quote of John Adams: Let it be known, that the so called elitists liberties are not the grants of princes or parliaments. That many of our rights are inherent and essential. Agreed on as maxims and established as preliminaries even before government existed. We have a right to them, derived from our maker. Our forefathers have earned liberty at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasures, and their blood. Liberty is not built on the doctrine that a few nobles have the right to inherit the earth. It stands on this principal that the meanest and the lowest of people are by the unalterable, indefeasible laws of God and nature as well entitled to the benefit of the air to breath, light to see, food to eat, or clothes to wear as the nobles, or even a king. That is liberty, and liberty will reign in America! (Speech by John Adams, HBOs John Adams Series) Moreover, the Constitution of 1787 reflects for the first time the principles of political liberalism, inspired by ideals of freedom and equality against the elitist political power of Great Britain at the time. Therefore, a federal government was created, formed by a president of the Republic, the Congress with two legislatives chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the Supreme Court. However, each state had its own government with competences in internal policy. Nevertheless, this separation of power first came from Montesquieu who suggested three different functions for the government: legislative, executive and judicial. He finds liberty in the distribution of power into several hands; if two functions were held in the same person, it could lead to tyranny. That being said, it is worth now analysing briefly the three branches of the American government. As for the Legislature (Congress) split into House of Representatives and the Senate, its main feature is to make law. According to the Founding Fathers, the Congress was supposed to be the centre of the governmental power; just to name a few competences, the Congress can declare war, confirm treaties or impeach the president. Today, because it is considerate as the symbol of the nation, the centre of government lies in the Executive (President) who represents the enforcement of law, having the power of veto, the grant of pardons or the nomination of judges to the Supreme Court. And finally, the Judiciary (Supreme Court) whose main feature is the interpretation of law. In the Federalist No.51, the fourth president of the United States and the Father of the Constitution, James Madison, wrote about the American power and its distribution. He said: If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. Therefore, a government is needed to maintain freedom and equality in the Hobbes state of nature in which the stronger oppresses the weaker and as a result, the interests of the individuals are reduced. But James Madison designed a federalist government in order to get privet rights and public happiness. He planned a double security, that way, the power surrendered by the people would be first divided between two distinct governments. These two governments are the State and the Federal government; then, the civil rights of the people will be preserved. Madison made sure of that by establishing a system of checks and balances in order to keep any institution from becoming more powerful. Some of these checks and balances are the nomination of judged to the Supreme Court made by the President which are confirmed by the Congress or the judiciary reviews made by the Supreme Court. That fear of power is also reflected in the Bill of Rights, which controlled the federal power by providing each state with federal representation. So, going back to the question proposed, is the American distribution of power elitist or pluralist? As I may have mentioned briefly at the beginning of this essay, and referring again to the past, American people wanted freedom and equality, but where these ideas came from? The European ideals and values of the eighteenth century got to the American society, lets remember that some years after the War of Independence, in 1789 the French Revolution shook the French Crown and also European governments; in 1802, the Spanish War of Independence and the posterior European Revolutions in 1820, 1830 and 1840. With the purpose of suggesting America as a pluralist country let me analyse the political thought of the most influential authors of the time who were Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, the figures who brought new values to the New World. In Hobbes State of Nature, all that reigned was chaos, anarchy and insecurity. Men were dangerous to themselves. The only way to get through that situation of insecurity was by given up peoples authority in order to lay their power on the government, so there could be order and peoples rights could be preserved. Here, is when the Lockes Social Contract comes, people devote their power to governors who have the duty to protect their rights, nevertheless, if governors stopped doing this, people would have the right to rise up against the power. As we have seen in the last few years, the American society power has forced some presidents to resign; the Watergate case in which the republican president Richard Nixon got involved, led him to his resignation. With the Social Contract, the government is created and its legitimacy is based on the protection of the rights of the people, who form the government, and it takes decision in a democratic manner, being the popular sovereignty one of the main principles of the State. Locke considered that the human being had some rights derived from the Maker, derived from God, and those were survival, liberty and the right of property. This can be reflected on the previous quote of John Adams. In short, American society has been forged in those values, the Constitutional principles, its individualism and natural liberty characterize it, because each person is the owner of oneself and every citizen makes the decision of participating and collaborating in the political life, because he or she is free to do it. In the end, the smallest state in political terms that we could think of is the individual, who is mobilized and organized by political parties; they play a very important role in American political life as well. Basically, political parties take part in the puzzle of the American policy in a complex manner. That is to say that, for instance, when there are presidential elections in the United States, the political parties get involve a lot more than in the Congress elections. The President, as I may have mention before, has become the nations sense of identity (Carl N. Degler, History Counts: The Burden of American Politics), people see in him the role of the leader who can only be Democratic or Republican. On the other hand, in Congress, there could be two parties, the Democratic and Republican leading the legislation together, in a higher or lower percentage of members but still, that is another argument for the pluralism of the United States. All in all, the United States of America conform the biggest democracy in the world, and as such, people have an important role in American political life, therefore, I would add a new branch in the American distribution of power: The Congress, the President, the Supreme Court and the people, because after all, the American Constitution of 1787 says We the People; and if Congress plays the legislative role, the President the executive and the Supreme Court the judicial, people are responsible of supporting them, because they are the base of the American political system. Even though it is not possible for them to reach the elite that leads the Congress, the Presidential figure or the Supreme Court, by accepting their authority and leadership, they make every political mechanism work. One example of what I have said before is the speech of the President Harry S. Truman in 1947 directed to Congress: At the present moment in world history nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life. The choice is too often not a free one. Our way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression. The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression I believe it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures The free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms. If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world -and we shall surely endanger the welfare of this Nation. Great responsibilities have been placed upon us of this Nation by the swift movement of events. (Quote taken from the R. J. Johnstons The American Ce ntury) Also, the John Kennedys quote Ask not what you country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country or the Obamas Yes, we can show that, as Pablo Gonzà ¡lez Casanova asserts, America is made of many Americans; and if in the past, the government could be of the people and for the people, now, despite of the enormous influence of the minority upon the majority, the majoritys interest still prevails. In conclusion, after this brief analysis of the American distribution of power through the history of the United States in which the War of Independence, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were incredibly important and also the influence of some philosophers of that time like Hobbes, Locke or Montesquieu who brought new values and principles to the American society, it would be possible to consider the United States distribution of power as pluralist. Indeed, the facts that characterize Western democracies, according to Darryl Baskin in his critique about American Pluralist Democracy are: social diversity and balance, subsystem autonomy and separation of powers. I would like to finish off this essay with another quote, this time of Carl N. Degler (History Counts: the Burden of American Politics): What I am talking about here are not politicians and parties but the character, the historical nature, if you will, of the American people. For it is they who have created and sustained the politics of this country from the beginning right down to the present.

Foreshadowing in Kate Chopins The Storm Essay -- Chopin Storm Essays

Foreshadowing in The Storm Effectively using foreshadowing in a piece of literature enhances the reader's curiosity. One clear example of such usage is seen in Kate Chopin's writing. Her use of foreshadowing in the short story "The Storm" adds an element of intrigue, holding the reader's interest throughout. In this story a father and son, Bobinôt and Bibi, are forced to remain in the store where they were shopping, waiting for an approaching storm to pass. Meanwhile, the wife and mother, Calixta, remaining at home, receives an unexpected visit from a former lover of hers, Alcée. The two lovers ultimately consummate their relationship. Alcée then departs once the storm subsides, at which time the father and son return home. No repercussions of the extramarital affair take place within the story. Perhaps the clearest examples of foreshadowing in "The Storm" are the made when Chopin introduces the storm, writes that Calixta and Alcée had never been alone together since her marriage, calls attention to Calixta unbuttoning her garment because of the heat, mentions the distance separating Calixta from her husband and son and describes Calixta's physical appearance. These areas of foreshadowing maintain the reader's interest in the story and prepare the readers for the turn of events. The first such signal given to the reader is found in the opening paragraph of the story. The atmosphere and the approaching storm are described and contrasted. The opening atmosphere's tranquility is apparent because "[t]he leaves were so still that even Bibi thought it was going to rain" (665). This stillness prior to the storm ... ...anate seed. Her white neck and a glimpse of her full, firm bosom disturbed him powerfully" (667). This passion leads to physical touching, congering up past passionate feelings towards one another, ultimately leading to their intercourse. As seen in "The Storm," Chopin makes good use of foreshadowing throughout the short story. Had Chopin omitted her foreshadowing, the story would have lost much of its believability. It also would create an irrational storyline in which the extramarital affair occurs without any explanation or rationale. This would more than likely cause the reader to discount the story as unrealistic. Therefore, it is crucial that one notices the vital role foreshadowing plays in literature. Chopin did an excellent job in convincingly describing the turn of events in "The Storm" by using foreshadowing to do so.

A womans choice :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The abortion debate in America has been framed by something known as â€Å"A Women’s Right To Choose!† But of just what does the Women’s Right To Choose consist of ? It is premised, we are told, on a â€Å"right to privacy.† But exactly what is included in that right to privacy, and what excluded? I hold my own opinion to this subject as being Pro-Choice (Pro-Choice is defined as having the ability to choose).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Opponents of choice have been using inflammatory rhetoric about â€Å"infanticide† and â€Å"partial-birth† abortion in a nationwide strategy to further their goal of eroding women’s reproductive options. However, bans on abortion procedures are unconstitutional in at least three ways. First, the definition of what methods of abortion would be banned is vague and overboard – it would ban a variety of safe and common abortion procedures, not just the unsafe procedures. Second, by banning a variety of safe abortion procedures, the bans impose an undue burden on women seeking access to abortions by forcing them to rely upon less safe medical options, or even non-medical options. Finally, these bans are unconstitutional because they do not allow a women to obtain a banned procedure when it would preserve her health. The Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v.s. Wade is often misrepresented by those who oppose safe, legal abortion. It is o ften portrayed as giving women the right to terminate their pregnancy for any reason through all nine months of pregnancy. But contrary to the arguments of many abortion opponents, Roe does not provide for â€Å"abortion on demand.† The court held that a woman has the right to choose abortion until fetal viability – the time at which it first becomes realistically possible for a fetus to live outside the woman’s body – but that the states interest outweighs the woman’s right after that point. So what happened to our â€Å"right to privacy†?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Except in the story of the Emperor’s New Cloths, I cannot think of a more startling example of mass refusal to see the obvious than is presented by the current attitudes toward the population problem on the one hand and abortion on the other. The government continues to maintain strict antiabortion laws on the books of at least four fifths of our states, denying freedom of choice to women and physicians and compelling the â€Å"unwilling to bear the unwanted.† Yet as Dr. Christopher Tietze and Sarah Lewit point out in the Scientific American (January 1969), â€Å"Abortion is still the most widespread method of fertility control in the modern world.

The War At Gettysburg :: essays research papers

The War at Gettysburg Getting There On the way to Gettysburg was tough. It was a long hard and tough journey getting there because there was no other way to get there for the army besides walking. It was so hard that some people died, and some got sick. The trip there was very long. Only about half all the people going there survived. The most of all people that died were Confederate men. The Population There was a lot of people involved in The War at Gettysburg. Major Joseph Hooker had 115,000 men in his army. Major Robert E. Lee had only 70,000 Confederate men in his army. Brig. General John Buford had opnly 4,000 men in his section of the confederate army. 9,000 of the Union died, 5,000 of the men scattered, and some 40,000 of the men held the ridge. Their Life The sodliers had a horrible life. Almost all of the soldiers worked night and day.They all risked their life to defend their armys and Union. Most of them got scared. Most died because they either got shot or the war was to hard for them. Some ran away, because they got scared, Their goal was to defend their Union. What Happened The Confederate went to war with the union in a small town called Gettysburg. The Union majorally beat the Confederate. 28,000 were wounded, captured, and killed from the Confederate. Major General George Meade some 23,000 Union Men, that was nearly a quater of his men. The war was over on July 3, 1863. The Union had won the war. Supplies The men nedded alot and I mean alot of supplies. Most men needed Clothes, Blankets,food, medicine, gun supplies, horses, wagons, cattle,and scores. They needed sauerkraut, thought to be remedy for diarrhea that plagued thousands of soldiers. They basically needed everything. Important People There was alot of people in The War at Gettysburg. Her are all of the names of the army people. Union: The Army of the potomac Major General George Meade; Commanding

Stresemann Exam Question Answers

Describe the key features of the Stresemann foreign policy in the years 1923-1929 (6 marks). In 1924 Stresemann and Charles G. Dawes created the Dawes Plan. The Dawes Plan reduced annual reparation payments to an affordable amount. It was also agreed that American Banks would invest in German industry. This also improved the trust the allies had in Germany, as they were reassured that they would get their reparation payments. In 1925 Stresemann signed the Locarno Pact. This was a treaty between Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Belgium.The Pact consisted of Germany agreeing to keep its border with France and Belgium if Allied troops left the Rhineland and France promised peace. This opened talks about Germany joining the League of Nations, as the Allied troops began to see Germany as a friend instead of an enemy. In 1929 Stresemann signed the Young Plan. This reduced the total reparations debt to ? 2 billion. Also Germany was given a further 59 years to pay. This helped Germanyâ₠¬â„¢s debt problems, as they didn’t have the worry of not being able to afford the annual reparation payments.Describe the key features of the Dawes plan (6 marks). In 1924 The Dawes Plan was created between Stresemann and Charles G. Dawes, an American Banker. One feature of The Dawes Plan was that annual reparation payments that Germany had to pay were reduced to an affordable amount. This meant that there would be less chance of an incident, like the occupation of the Ruhr, would happen again; as the annual payments were much more realistic to Germany’s financial state. Another feature of The Dawes Plan was that American banks would invest in German industry.This meant that Germany could rebuild their industry, therefore increasing employments, which lead to increased profits. One bad feature of The Dawes Plan was that it relied heavily on American banks. This would prove to be a bad idea after the Wall Street Crash; as America called in all their foreign loans, deva stating Germany’s economy once again. Explain the effects of the Great Depression in Germany (8 marks). The Great Depression led to mass unemployment in Germany. In 1928 fewer than one million people were unemployed; by 1932 over six million people were unemployed.This meant that an increasing number of people were living in poverty. Because people were unemployed, they had less money to spend on products made in Germany. This further damaged Germany’s industry, leading to mass debt and further unemployment. The Great Depression also led to people voting for extreme political parties, in hope that they could drag Germany out of the state that they were in. Most of these people were unemployed citizens, as they were the most desperate. This later led to Hitler’s rise into power. Was inflation the worst problem that the Weimar Republic faced in the years 1919-1928?Explain your answers. You may use this information to help you (16 marks). * Weaknesses in the consti tution. * Uprising against the Government. * Hyperinflation. * The effects of WW1. One problem the Weimar Republic faced was the high reparation payments they had to make. These reparation payments send Germany into massive debt, leading to mass poverty and unemployment. I think this is one of the worst problems Weimar faced, as not only was it bad in itself, but it also lead to many other problems, such as hyperinflation and industrial problems.The Treaty of Versailles also meant that Germany lost lots of land- leading to further debt. This lead to further debt in Germany as they lost many resources which made them money. They had lost 50% of their iron resources and 15% of their coal resources- which were their main means of earning money. I think this was important as it contributed to all the other problems they faced, such as debt and hyperinflation. Another problem the Weimar Republic faced was that extreme political parties were attempting uprisings against the government.In 1919 the Spartacist League attempted to overthrow the government and have a communist government instead, by: taking over key buildings such as newspaper offices, set up workers and soldiers soviets and demonstrated with 100,000 supporters in Berlin. In 1920the Kapp Putsch took place. They also wanted to overthrow the current German government, but they wanted to bring back Germany’s previous leader, the Kaiser. They attempted an uprising by taking over Berlin. They were successful, but the German government ordered a general strike.The gas, electricity, water and transport in Berlin were stopped, as no-body was producing them, so they fled Berlin. The constant threat of uprisings led to an unstable government, which the public didn’t trust. Because the public didn’t trust the government, they started to vote for extremist parties, in hope that they would be able to improve the state of Germany. This was a large issue, as it showed, not only to the public, but a lso other countries that Germany was unstable and untrustworthy. Hyperinflation was also a massive problem Weimar faced.When Weimar failed to pay the reparation payment in January 1923, French and Belgian troops marched into the Ruhr, an industrial area with lots of coal, iron, steel and factories. France and Belgium began to take what was owed to them in coal, steel and iron. The German government ordered its workers in the Ruhr to go on strike and not to help the soldiers remove the goods from the country (passive resistance). But because the government ordered the workers to go on strike they had to pay them, but they had no money!So they printed more money, reducing the worth of money. As the worth of money went down, the price of goods went up. This cycle continued until people were being paid daily by the wheelbarrow full, and spending their money in their lunch breaks, before the prices rose again! This was a massive problem in Weimar as the country was already in poverty, du e to the reparation payments they had to pay, but prices were still rising. This meant people couldn’t even afford essential goods- leading to further poverty.I don’t agree that hyperinflation was the worst problem that the Weimar Republic faced. Although it was a huge problem, I think that debt- due to reparation payments- was the worst problem; as it lead to all the other problems they faced. Draw designs and then final designs Draw chosen design, with a 1. 5cm seam allowance, on spot and cross paper and cut out. Include grain line and how many need to be cut for 1 pillow Draw half of the design, with 1. 5cm seam allowance, on A3 paper. Add on 5cm for fold over and 2cm for seam. Cut out.Include grain line and how many need to be cut for 1 pillow. Cut material using guides. Sew front material together with wadding in between, for quilting. Cut wings, feathers and eyes out of different materials. Sew on feathers made out of polar fleece, with a straight stitch. Appliqu e on wings using bond-a-web. Applique on eyes using bond-a-web. Sew buttons on for eyes Sew on nose with a straight stitch. Sew 2cm seam on straight edge of the two back pieces. Sew the back pieces onto the front piece, so that they overlap by 5cm.

Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 4

November 5, 1864It tints akin so long ago, nevertheless in reality short(p) time has passed since my transformation, since my lessen killed me. It was b atomic number 18ly a calendar month preceding(a) that Damon and I tried to save Katherines intent, and her crease saved ours. B arly a month since I was a aliment, warm-blooded human, who keep up himself on meals of meat and vegetables, cheese and wine-coloured and who slept in a feather bed, with sweep linen sheets.Yet it feels give care a lifetime, and by legion(predicate) definitions, I cipher it is.But ripe as apace as my fortunes cancelled afterwardwardwards sensitive Orleans, loss me to live as a vagrant in a approximate hollow in the set, hither I am at a right-hand(a) desk under a leaded window, a fat rug at my feet. How chop-chop I am slueping choke dispatch into human waysThe Sutherlands seem commonplaceised a kind family. I portraying tempestuous duot and her long-suffering older sis ter as mirror versions of Damon and myself. I never appreciated how harmless Damons and my fathers fights were cover when they were unspoiled ab off horses and girls. I was always terrify wiz of them would presuppose or do some amour that would end forever what semblance of a family we had left.Now that my father is dead and my fellow and I are . . . what we are, I cognise how such(prenominal) more serious things brook get, and how simple and easy life was onward.I shouldnt conceive down stay here, raze to darkness. I should sneak out the window and run to my place of exile. Being enfolded in the warm, living embrace of the Sutherland family for each amount of time, no progeny how short, is dangerous and deceptive. It sheds me feel interchangeable I could almost belong to the humanity of humans again. They dont realize they perk up wel humpd a predator into their midst. All that would need to follow is for me to lose control once, to slip from my populate righ t now and take my look at of one of them, and their lives would be filled with cataclysm adept as mine became when Katherine arrived on our doorstep.Family has always been the most important thing to me, and I would be lying if I didnt admit how comforting it is to be among batch who love one another, if only for one borrowed iniquity. . . .For the origin time since Id left bare-assed Orleans, I rose with the sun, intent to slip out of the mansion and disappear into the forenoon mists before anyone came to wake me. But it was unuttered to resist the pull of crisp linen sheets, the soft mattress, the shelves of books, and the painted ceiling of my manner. afterwards admiring the fresco of winged cherubs above me, I pushed off the soft covers and forced myself out of bed. Every muscle in my automobile trunk rippled under my pale skin, all-embracing of strength and Power, serene every organize in my rib cage showed. The Sutherlands had taken my clothes to be washed only when hadnt given me a nightshirt. I enjoyed the tonus of morning sunlight on my flesh, the freshness warmth fighting with the chill in the room. Though Id never forgive Katherine for unsloped turn me into a monster, I was grateful at least for her lapis lazuli ring that saved me from the suns otherwise fatal rays.The window was pass the push asideest bit, ushering a cool breeze into the room and setting the diaphanous curtains aflutter. Though temperature no longer affected me, I boot out the window, locking the latch with some puzzlement. I could take a leak sworn all the windows had been shut tight last night. Before I had time to further consider the matter, the tell-tale pose of a heartbeat sounded close by, and after a light knock, the door amiss(p) open. Lydia stuck her head in, then immediately blushed and looked external from my virtually naked form.Father was panicked you might try to leave without say good-bye. I was sent to make certain(a) you didnt ch arm a maid into fate you.Im knottyly in a produce to sneak away, I said, covering my breast with my arms. I provide need my drawers to do that.Henry will be up shortly with your trousers, freshly pressed, she said, retention her eye on the ground. In the meantime, there is a bathing room effective down the hall to the right. Please feel free to refresh yourself, and then come down to breakfast.I n quainted, feeling trapped.And, Stefan. Lydia looked up briefly and met my eye. I do swear youll be able to locate a shirt as nearly. because she smiled and slipped away.When I finally came downst institutionalises for breakfast, the entire Sutherland company was waiting for me even Bridget, who was alive and medical dressing toast into her lawsuit like she hadnt eaten in a fortnight. Except for a slight paleness to her complexion, it was impossible to tell that shed nearly died the night before.Everyone turned and gasped as I approached. Apparently, I cut a disparate figur e from the hero in shirtsleeves the night before. With freshly polished fine Italian shoes, neat pants, a new dandy shirt, and a borrowed jacket Winfield had sent up for me, I was every inch the gentleman. Id even washed my face and combed my sensory hair fundament.Cook made you some grits, if you like, Mrs. Sutherland said, indicating a bowl of gloppy white halt. We dont usually indulge, but sight our Southern guest might. give thanks you, maam, I said, taking the empty hobo next to Bridget and eyeing the spread on the heavy(a) wooden table. After my mother passed away, Damon, my father, and I made it a habit to eat casually with the men who we employed on the plantation. Breakfast was often the simple stuff of workers, hominy and biscuits, bread and syrup, rashers of bacon. What was laid out at the Winfield residence put to shame the finest restaurants in Virginia. English-style toast in delicate wire holders, five different types of jam, two kinds of bacon, johnnycakes, syrup, even freshly squeezed orange juice. The delicate plates had good-for-nothing Dutch patterns, and there was more silverware than I was accustomed to seeing at a formal dinner.Wishing I still had a human appetite and ignoring the onset in my veins that thirsted for blood I pret cease to dig in.Much obliged, I said.So this is my little sisters savior, said the one fair sex in the room I didnt know. capture me to introduce the eldest of my daughters, Winfield said. This is Margaret. First married. And first with grandchildren, were hoping.Papa, Margaret admonished, before turning her attention back to me. Pleased to meet you. Where Bridget was full of life and the plumpness of youth and Lydia was the elegant, cultivated one, Margaret had something of a practical and inquisitive good sense, an earthiness that showed in questioning blue eyes. Her hair was disconsolate and inclined to straightness.We were just discussing what prompted my childs rash actions, Winfield said, bring the conversation back to the previous night.I dont know why I ran off, Bridget burboted, order of payment deeply from a cup of orange juice. The older sisters gave each other looks, but their father leaned closer, worry lines marring his forehead. I just felt that I absolutely had to leave. So I did.It was foolish and dangerous, her mother reprimanded, trembling her napkin. You could have diedI am corpus sternum to see you are doing so well today, I said courteously. Bridget grinned, displaying teeth that had little bits of orange pulp stuck in them.Yes. almost that. Margaret spoke up, tapping her egg spoon on the side of her plate. You say you found her cover in blood in the park?Yes, maam, I answered warily, taking the smallest piece of bacon on my plate. This sister sounded more astute than the others and wasnt unnerved to ask uncomfortable questions.There was a lot of blood, and Bridgets dress was torn. Margaret pressed, Did you find it odd that there was no actual t rauma?Uh, I stammered. My mind raced. What could I say? The blood was someone elses?I thought there was a knife violate last night, Mrs. Sutherland said, pursing her lips and presupposeing. But it was just clot blood, and wiping it down cleared it away.Margaret pierced me with her eyes.mayhap she was afflicted with a nosebleed . . . ? I mumbled lamely.So youre saying that you didnt see any attacker when you came upon my sister? Margaret asked.Oh, Meggie, you and your interrogations, Winfield said. Its a miracle that Bridge is all right. Thank goodness Stefan here found her when he did.Yes. Of course. Thank goodness, Margaret said. And what were you doing in the park last night by yourself? she continued smoothly.Walking, I said, same as I had answered her father the night before.In the bright light of morning, it struck me as odd that Winfield had asked me nothing more than my pick up and why Id been in the park. In quantify like these, and after his daughter had just suffered a great blow, it was hardly dissentard to accept a stranger into ones home. Then again, my father had offered refuge to Katherine when shed arrived in recondite Falls, playing the part of an orphan.A kvetch piece of me wondered if our story could have ended differently, if the entire Salvatore brood would still be alive, if only wed pressed Katherine for answers round her past, sort of than tiptoeing around the tragedy shed cl come ined had taken her parents lives. Of course, Katherine had Damon and me so deeply in her thrall, perhaps it would have made no difference.Margaret leaned forward, not politely giving up the way Winfield had the night before. Youre not from around here, I take it? Im from Virginia, I answered as she opened her express to form the next, obvious question. In a strange way, it made me feel transgress to offer this family something real. Besides, soon enough I would be out of this house, out of their lives, and it wouldnt matter what they knew about me .Whereabouts? she pressed.Mystic Falls.Ive never comprehend of it.Its fairly small. Just one master(prenominal) street and some plantations.There was some shuffling movement under the table, and I could only assume that either Bridget or Lydia was trying to give Margaret a good kick. If the blow was successful, Margaret gave no sign.Are you an educated man? she continued.No, maam. I planned to interpret at the University of Virginia. The war put a stop to that.War is good for no one, Winfield said as he stabbed a piece of bacon with his privates.The war put a stop to much casual actuate back and forth between the states, Margaret added.Whats that to do with anything? Bridget demanded.Your sister is suggesting that its an odd time for me to come north, I explained. But my father late died. . . .From the war? Bridget demanded breathlessly. Lydia and Mrs. Sutherland glared at her.Indirectly, I answered. A war had claimed my fathers life, a war against vampires against me. My t own . . . it burned, and there was nothing left for me anymore.So you came north, Lydia said.To try your hand at business, perchance? Winfield suggested try forfully.Here was a man with tierce daughters, three beautiful daughters, but no sons. No one to share cigars and brandy with, no one to push and encourage and struggle with in the human race of business. I was both worried and amused by the reflect in his eye when he looked at me. Surely there were families with sons in Manhattan who would make for more auspicious marital alliances. whatsoever I can do, I aim to make my way in the world on my own, I replied, taking a sip of coffee. I would have to, without Lexi or Katherine to guide me. And if I ever precept Damon again, the only thing he would guide me toward was a saucily sharpened stake.Where are you living? Margaret continued. Do you have family here?I cleared my throat, but before I had to tell my first real lie, Bridget groaned.Meggie, Im bored of this interrogatio nA tactual sensation of a smile bloomed on Lydias lips, and she quick hid it behind her napkin. What would you prefer to talk about?Yourself? Margaret said with an arched brow.Yes, in truth Bridget said, face around the table. Her eyes glowed as parking lot as Callies, but with her petulance on full display, she no longer reminded me of my deep in thought(p) love. I still dont know why I ran out on the party.Margaret involute her eyes. Lydia shook her head.I mean, you should have seen the looks I got she started up, waving her knife in the air for emphasis. Floras dress was the worst, especially considering shes a newly married woman. And my new sash oh no, was it undone last night? I would hatred to have it ruined Mama Was it on me when Stefan brought me home? We have to go back to the park and look for itHow about we go back to the park and look for the mortal who tried to kill you, Margaret suggested.Weve already had a discussion with Inspector Warren about it. He promi ses a thorough investigation, Mrs. Sutherland said. But, Bridget, you essential promise not to run off from the Chesters ball this evening or I will be forced to stand watch over you in your bedroom.Bridget cross her arms over her chest with a huff.And neither shall you run off, Mrs. Sutherland said more pointedly to Lydia. The middle sister blushed.Lydia has locomote in love with an Italian count, Bridget confided, her pout evaporating as she indulged in gossip. We all hope he asks her hand in brotherhood wouldnt that be splendid? Then wed all be like royalty, sort of, and not just rich merchants. Imagine, Lydia a countessWinfield laughed nervously. Bridget . . .Bridget fluttered her thick eyelashes. Its so wonderful that Lydia has a suitor, much less a count. After Meggie was wed, I was afraid Mother and Papa would plow traditional and not let me attach until Lydia did and who knew how long that was going to take.Lydia is . . . particular, Mrs. Sutherland said.Oh really, Ma ma, Bridget rolled her eyes. As if anyone even had an interest before. And now she has a count. Its really . . . its really not fair, you know, if you think about it . . . if I had a suitable coming out . . .I shifted in my seat, at once embarrassed for everyone, and just glad to be involved in something as ordinary as a family squabble. This was the first time Id been among company since leaving Lexi in New Orleans.So many handsome, strange men in our lives these days, Margaret said, somewhere between whimsy and warning. What an odd coincidence, Mr. Salvatore. possibly I neednt make the grand tour, after all.Hush now, Margaret, Winfield said.And actually I have no one to go to the Chesters with anyhow, Mama, Bridget was continuing, actually growing red in the face as if she was trying quite hard to cry. She looked at me sidelong the entire time. I am sure as shooting Milash wont escort me after last night. . . . I am in dire need of rescue. . . .Bridget widened her green eyes a t her father. Winfield frowned and stroked his muttonchops thoughtfully. In that moment, Bridget seemed as sizable as a vampire, able to bind her father to her every wish. Margaret put a hand to her head as if it ached.Mr. Salvatore will take you, Winfield said, gesturing at me with a fork full of biscuit. Hes rescued you once Im sure hes a gentleman who wouldnt leave you in distress again.All eyes were turned on me. Bridget perked up, smiling at me like a kitten just offered a bowl of cream.I balked.Im afraid I havent the proper attire . . . I began.Oh, that is work out easily enough, Mrs. Sutherland said with a cognise smile.Once again, Lydia murmured, too low for anyone else to hear, we are holding poor Mr. Salvatore at our mercy. With pants.