Home Depot Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Home Depot - Essay Example ided in the case study, both the stores have developed their own unique selling propositions and the degree of differentiation between the two largely depends upon the non-pricing factors. Lowe’s cater more to the women and those who are involved in providing finishing decorative touch to their homes. Home Depot however aims to capture the market of men and contractors and serious DIY individuals. It is also important to note that the number of stores and wider product choices are also the important factors which have resulted into the differentiation between the two stores. Lowe’s has better competitive image because of the better customer services and the product choice which it offers to its customers. Though most of the factors on which competition can be done are similar however, what distinguish Lowe from Home Depot is its ability to offer superior customer services which is making it one of the distinctive stores in the market thus holding better competitive image in the eyes of its

A Summary Of Online Bookstore Information Technology Essay

A Summary Of Online Bookstore Information Technology Essay 1. Introduction Operators now have well-developed network almost everywhere can be very smooth online, online shopping has to be rather mature late, looking ahead, more people in Taiwan use the Yahoo auction weighing is the case. With online shopping related to the topic as a theme, and then with PHP, MYSQL, and the future of software DataBase, etc. implement this project, coming to understand how to use and a complete framework for real on the network can allow buyers to secure online shopping platform. Because almost all hand touching computer-related products, so we mainly computer peripherals by auction, if other items to the auction is also possible. Keywords: online shopping, yahoo auction, computer products. Introduction topic This project is an online shopping site. Site content for online textbook system that allows ordinary users to conveniently at home, use the Internet features, easy to find books you want. Apply for membership of the way through, so shoppers can use the web site functionality. The background management system, using MYSQL as a database system to provide managers with a convenient and fast interface, so that managers use the Internet to Zhu, anywhere can easily handle all the information. Shoppers can also manage all the information. Make management more convenient and personalized. We use PHP as a basis for website design, writing not only to facilitate, together with the beautification of CSS syntax correction, showing a more convenient web browser interface consistent with human nature. And to the only transaction mode soft bookstore, information flow, logistics as the base to simulate the process of information out and sharing out the process. Below will have a system implementati on process, the design process to do some narrative. Motivation Recent, the internet boom, has become a hot topic of emerging business patterns have shine, such as: online auctions, electronic marketplace, online store, online information providers and enterprises of the electronic information exchange and so on. We see all kinds of e-commerce web shopping sites, selling various goods. As long as members join, they can search to find products they want and so on. Environmental development is maturing even easier than ever before we can establish their own e-commerce system for small. In order to clarify the issue of this study hope that the customer purchase process from the basic value and technology perspective followed to managers logistics, money flow, information flow and so on, to create a shop site, simulated electronic commerce online shop process and gain valuable experience from Thematic Objectives Learn how to make a more complete e-commerce. A back-end management system with online shopping site. Subdivided into: A. Users, the known members of areas: Customers connected to the Internet shopping site, log in as a member after the goods on the site the next one. B. Shops area, also known as the management of: The department responsible for online sales orders from customers under. Books of the add and the shelf. Member information changes. 2. A Summary of online bookstore 2.1 Introduction Bookstore definition of nothing more than display, retail point of sale of published material, in addition to sale of specific commodities, no different from other sales channels, from this point of view, the basic functions of Internet bookstores as well, but online bookstore is another type of publication publicity or sales channels, or even complementary traditional stores. The so-called Internet bookstores In addition to the general e-commerce functions, should also include several of the following services: A. Collection of the best Feng Because the traditional bookstore outlets, whether or storage space is limited, often under pressure to cost only the best-selling book called for the sale of the main, for the special needs of readers or a more popular books are unable to take into account. But digital technology has brought the solution to this troubled approach to current technology, only very little space to store large amounts of data and be able to quickly find the information they need, but also long-term preservation, changes also very easy, of course, books can provide readers with a variety of consulting needs. B. Facilitate the retrieval ÂÂ  In traditional bookstores to find a book, in addition to the store to see whether the proper classification of furnishings, the staff sometimes had to humbly trouble to help, even worse is that often or can not find. And this is what you know to find the book when it is occurring, if you only want to find some information in accordance with, Zhu will be lost in the vast sea of books in the. However, digital information is different. Unlike traditional methods, the book is the biggest advantage of the information it can use indexed files, to facilitate the inquiry. If you do not need to know the complete information, just enter keywords or part of the message, you can quickly find the information they need. Online bookstores and book sales are not confined to best-selling book, even if the physical channel has shelves of books, but also sales space. Many office workers do not have time to buy books through online bookstores to save time not only costs, but also through accura te bibliographic management, to find books on derivatives, which is when the person to physical bookstores, never fun and experience. C. Book presentation and reading test Books is not necessarily an impulse purchase of goods, people, for most of the books, unless the original request that had come to buy a particular book, most of the time to buy books to keep it afloat as a leisure activity , in the first reading in the bookstore, and then, as the case to buy, therefore, provide a complete online bookstore is part of the book describes the trial and read, is very important for the reader, and is the best each book, rather than only for specific marketing books. Since the July 1995 establishment of the Amazon bookstore, Zhu stated on the page on the Internet to establish an additional customer-oriented bookstore, customers roam online, and to provide the most diverse Select Since then, the business can be online bookstore and other online retailers, like, gradually enter the stage of development of electronic commerce. Development since 1995, some gone through four stages: The first stage: 1995 to 1997, during the networks new focus on stress and facilitate The second stage: 1998 ~ 1999, Internet commerce is becoming intense competition, consumers and businesses are turning their attention to pricing competition; but since late 1999, feeling faint and sensitive industry alone has enough affordable to convince consumers The third stage: 2000 to 2004, the price is still considered one of the factors, but emphasizes the scope of consumer goods like color extended to cover the provision of quality assurance, online trading conditions, and other service delivery so that the full range of shopping experiences. The Four stage: 2004 to the present, to network security, payment convenience, variety and complete articles, the online bookstore branched out into 3C, beauty, variety of cultural activities as an extension of the portal has grown into a trend of transformation. If the above criteria to measure the online bookstore in Taiwans development can be said to have entered the fourth stage. 2.2 Web publishing and publishing entities Why e-books will become a stepping stone to sell? First, consumers demand, followed by the unit price is low, reducing the consumer for the first time the threshold in online shopping. Book delivery is almost afraid of collision fragments, and not a date. Indeed for these early network environment. As the physical book sales in the network always have delivery problems, and network contrary to the virtual properties. Zhu did not book profits high, profits are a large number of logistics costs by erosion, the operators are trying to come up measures 3. Happy Publishing Limited overview 3.1 Introduction Happy Computer Books Square began in Jan. 1990. At that time the information industry has grown to considerable size, access hardware industry is very developed, in contrast, introduces all kinds of computer related software and knowledge of books Zhu was the more difficult to obtain; computer and information rapidly and to a wide range of consumers is the lack of computer know professionals to recommend around enough to meet their needs of the tool. Happy bookstore founder, originally set up in the regional fiber optic network project has reached ten years, not only proficient in computer experts in the field, while work experience is also deeply appreciate the difficulties of information transfer with the computer industry is how much pain . Then choose a younger consumer group is full of Feng Chia shopping district, the creation of a wide area of 150 square feet large computer book store. 20 employees in the up and down the concerted efforts of the industry for the computer, near the students, and consumers, provides a computer information paradise. Computer and information with each passing day, up with the times than the consumers needs, but also to understand what kind of information books is the consumers want. Relatively speaking, a general comprehensive book focuses on the extensive degree of commodity demand, but also can not put the focus on specific types of books, causing the consumer only in the vast sea of books, alone Ru needle in a haystack looking like they want to to information. The happy bookstore chosen to meet the markets pulse at any time to provide the fastest, latest and greatest computer professional books. ÂÂ  Happy bookstore in accordance with product attributes, the different uses of the books were classified in a specific area, including a computer professional books, peripheral consumption only, game software, import text books, early childhood CDs, commercial package, original software, magazines, periodicals, etc. projects, and consumers enter the gate, to know immediately where to find products they want. Staff also stands ready to provide customers with advice to help them find their own needs. At the same time also equipped with computers check store bibliographic system is one of the major consumers find the necessary tool. Happy Computer Books bookstore in Providence Square, a large school district now has a home of small stores, mainly services, mainly teachers and students. Again this year to set up a wide area of up to more than 30,000 feet, twice as big as the computer shop book store,. The next seven years is expected to integrate logistics happy bookstore, open to join, while setting up branches in the province. Later, with the popularization of computer technology concepts and implementation of intellectual property, as well as other Chinese mainland market demand for professional computer books is certainly very impressive, fun book will be set up office in Hong Kong, formally tentacles extend beyond Hong Kong. 3.2 Organizational Chart Fig 1 Organizational Chart 3.3 The responsibilities of various departments Into (sales), (management) two large systems, a number of departments under it has broken down. Sales department: is divided into campus stores and general stores, and online sales 1. Campus outlets: Currently in the Providence campus of the only soft Books store 2. The general store: the way of the main store Fuxing Campus stores and general stores was no significant difference between the business, are responsible for the following services: (1) the sale of books and stationery. (2) single or more or a lot of the books ordered. (3) selling and ordering a variety of business software (4) daily turnover of goods with the United States and Japan sell the variety, quantity to facilitate the management, control accounting information. 3. Online Sales: (1) Member of the orders dealing with the daily (2) and the accounting department recorded check orders (3) Contact the logistics industry, will be expected to send the shipment of goods. Management: into administration, Information Division, joined the department. 1. Administration Department: Subdivision for the Ministry of Personnel and the Department of Accounting and Warehousing (1) Ministry of Personnel: management departments of personnel information, including salary, incentive. (2) Department of Accounting and Storage: a. daily and monthly profit and loss statistics. b. Admission records of all departmental expenditure. c. payment of salaries. d. pay the vendor. e. goods warehouse management. Section 2 : Analysis Design Doc Section 3 Implementation Testing Doc 3.1 Member subsystem 1. Merits (1) with a different login interface can also determine a member or administrator (2) The registered member can enjoy different from the visitors permission (3) members clearly understand the interface easy click, more comfortable to use (4) After registration, then you fill in the data backup of a registered mail sent to you in order for members to check 2. Drawback (1) interface is not enough human (2) Member of the functional mechanism of a number of further increased 3.2 shopping cart system 1. Merits (1) to provide customers with online orders, so no need to store customer orders and provide customers can ATM transfers, bank transfer, cash on delivery with the number of options, there are shopping records for customers who know what items to buy 2. Drawback (2) can not buy things from a customer in that customers preferences 3.3 The message board system 1. Merits (1) interface simplicity, convenience or general visitors member (2) the name and E-mial crawl directly from the database, can not be forged identity 2. Drawback (1) can not withstand malicious wash version 3.4 Books Subsystem 1. Merits (1) books category allows the user to clearly see the kinds of books they want, where you can easily click the check book. (2) Book About a glance, no doubt. (3) new book area also allows users to see what new books this month in New to the store to buy. (3) search system is simple and neat, easy to use. 2. Drawback (1) can not let administrators add categories, if not can only be grouped within the category of other. 3.5 Subsystem Manager 1. Merits (1) Notice system is simple, does not require redundant operation. (2) function administrators use the form to separate clear and understandable. 2. Drawback (1) too easy to change the membership of the password should be more limited. 3.6 Storage Subsystem 1. Merits (1) search using ISBN code, enabling administrators to reduce the importation of the time and cost. (2) the original data will first appear on the screen, the administrator can clearly understand their need to edit the information. (3) basic information on books in the list, just press a button and you can clearly see the details of the book. (4) Customers can easily fill in the information, managers can also be easy to view or delete the record. 2. Drawback (1) some projects were not paged, it could lead to difficulties in view. (2) net income on the inquiry ISBN system, and not all of the books and there, some need manual Key in, somewhat inconvenient for 3.7 Future Prospects In the future, perhaps it can be applied to different areas, electronic stores, renting web . But security is the need to strengthen it! Also hopes its flaws can be reinforced up to build a very good system for the community do use. While speaking of a site has been completed, but think about it there are still places to improve, to strengthen and make The perfect amount to do in the test part of art, although speaking is the art of rendering wise to see jen see, but Most still want to accept the recommendations of future improvement as an access to a site and immediately face the future is as Feel the impact, if one looks so causes inconvenience to people to attract, Order people want to imagine what motivation is, that this site Already in the hearts of visitors to occupy a certain position, make him want to continue to watch; there is the site of Paul Care, to be speaking to hundred percent safety, it is very difficult, but the security of a website can do more than complete The protection of the best, if members who have joined the site we do not protect data being stolen while people Is a site license would become disturbed. Visual part of the goods, there is on course to multimedia integration, teachers ha ve talked about both the future network will 3D display is in the form of the future, as now we have only one auction items to the angle you view the pictures Look, if it is 3D graphics, using some browsers and software to meet so that goods can be rotated. Have some people buy a lot of importance both appearance and function, and now we auction a NB to him, if there is order Feature is not appearance, and now he saw the direction we have a single picture is not accurate, if our image can to function with 3D graphics can be rotated to match members to select shopping, I would want to buy more! More discussions with the Bank whether to open a write-off for our account, as long as I can find members of remittances into our web site management can learn, so our work can also be more convenient good. FLASH middle part, not necessarily to be placed in our introduction, you can put some vendors FLASH, such as this could put the future of advertising companies, they can promote, we can charge.

Essay --

Christopher Zamora Mckenzie shults Biology December 12, 2013 Book Reflection The thing that I enjoy the most about this book was that it open my eye to the science world. In a view that I never considered an that explained to me new think that I never heard or even think about in the field of science. The amazing thing about this is that I found out new stuff by just reading the first pages of the book. The book was okay, but what enjoy the most of was the stile of the author because he liked to live what he writes. Another thing that I like was about history in the world and not just about united states, now we are talking about the Soviet Union and some other places, I also like that it gave us facts and mixed them with craft. I also like that they make the supercomputer in a apartment and no one new that they had it it was a secret and the other thing I like is that they build from scratch by just buying the part from internet. I think is funny how the author combined the biology and math in one book and the thing is that he did it very well because I det ected that is not about biology all the book is has it mathematical parts too. The wording in the book was really complex and they had so much information that I had to read it over and over again. Even if a read it two time it wasn't enough because I missed some importants information and thats why I probably didn't understand lots of things in the book. I think my description of the author's style of writing is creative nonfiction because is has facts about this world and it combines craft. In the beginning, When he was thirty-six, Gregory Volfovich Chudnovsky began building a supercomputer in his apartment from mail-order parts. Gregory Chudnovsky was a number theorist, a... ...ere because they don’t put thing like this in the new hide it most of the time. I’ll give this book like a a 3 maybe a 4. It was good and is kind of hard to follow but it is possible just if you put attention to it and you give it its time because at the same time there is a lot of think probably you never heard about or even think about so your brain needs some time to process them. By me saying this this was a good it was well written and I like how the mixed the fact of the past and how he bring it to the present and how he connected them I enjoy most the time I spend reading this book. I can't say all the time because there were some part that they were like hideous of reading but if you keep reading it ill think you will enjoy it. In the end everyone has different tasted in book for me this was an okay book to read im glad I read this book and not another one.

Role of Education

Undoubtedly, education plays a significant role in every aspect of people's lives. In other words, all through history, education and psychology have powerful methods for learning pieces of information. Also, these two efficient ways are vital for those who are eager to improve their behavior and knowledge. As a matter of fact, learning has been defined in several methods by a number of different theories. Theories of learning can help instructors to decide and select the suitable ways for their educational structure. Many scholars have commented on how behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism have influenced the research in the field of educational technology. Behaviorism is a psychological approach which describes all behavior in terms of learning. This theory focuses on behavior. In addition, in this approach, cognition like thoughts is totally ignored. Also, it is a theory of animal and human learning that only focuses on objectively observable behaviors and discounts mental activities. Without a doubt, this approach has a numerous ascendency, such as providing a number of practical applications and techniques to shape conduct. As far as I concerned, giving a prize to those whose behavior is appropriate is the best deed, and also it can cause others especially children to shape and enhance not only their behavior, but also their activities. However, besides all these positive features, it has some disadvantages, but two of which are more significant. For instance, based on this theory, learning can be defined as â€Å"the relatively permanent change in behavior brought about as a result of experience or practice.† Obviously, this approach has had a long lasting impact on language teaching, but it has some negative points. To illustrate, people can change their conduct when they are either exposure to new environment or get new information, even if they have previously established a different behavior through reinforcement. In addition, behaviorists claim, â€Å"Human has passive learners.†, but, psychologists are appose to this assertion. They believe human are active agnates, and they are able to think and determine. In my opinion, this theory is really useful and practical in elementary schools, because children in this grade cannot distinguish between right and wrong, so they need a person who monitor them. In other words, they need a leadership. On the other hand, behaviorism is not essential for higher grades, because these kind of people are active, and they already have learned and known what the best method is. Cognitivism, like behaviorism, emphasizes the role that environmental conditions play in facilitating learning. Cognitive psychologies tend to think of the brain as an active participating component in the learning process. . This theory focused on the inner mental activities of human beings to understand how people learn. In fact, behaviorists saw humans as programmed animals, but cognitivists viewed them as rational beings. The best feature in this theory is that cognitivism assists people who really wants to shape their behavior and tries to develop their conduct for the better. Due to the fact that, this approach focuses on brain's function, it is really beneficial and helpful. On the other hand, cognitive approach denies other factor which influences behavior, such as, genes and individual experiences. Owning to assuming all human conduct are equal, it is the biggest weakness that this theory has. I think that, this theory can be more practical than behaviorism. Due to the fact that, it is able to combine to other approaches can be effective and helpful method in all schools especially Iranian students. Also, because it does not focuses on just one thing and analyze human in other perspective, Iranian student are more successful when educational system applies this approach in schools. Therefore, according to all things that it was mentioned-above, cognitivism has abundant positive results in Iranian educational system. Constructivism considers the learning to be an active. Even though constructivism is considered to be a branch of cognitivism (both conceive of learning as a mental activity), it distinguishes itself from traditional cognitive theories in a number of ways. One of the superb factors in this approach can be pointed out is that students are active, and all of them participate in every activities, such as discussion and practicing. It is believed that group working is one the best effective ways to progress in every field. Also, this action is tough provoking, and it is kind of a challenge for students to try hard to achieve their goals. However, this way is only suitable for those who are genius, and they can analyze their problems individually. In other words, it can be practical for people who can deal with every problem without any assistance, so they are really successful with this approach. Furthermore, this method is not handy for students or other people whose knowledge are lees, and they are not in favor of group activities. Hence, they might fail at their courses or they may just imitate what others do, so they do not learn anything. In this case, constructivism has negative results. Consequently, constructive approach depends on people's characteristic. In my point of view, this approach is the best theory in contrast with other theories. Although it has some negative points, advantages outweigh disadvantages. However, constructivist approach is not appropriate for Iranian educational system. Unfortunately, Iranian are intrapersonal, and they prefer to do their activities individually. On the other hand, Iranian student are in favor of teacher-centered. Owning to focusing student-center in this way, our society disagrees with it. In addition, due to lack of capacity of some of Iranian student, this theory is not successful in our education. In short, it is not deniable that these three approaches are beneficial and try to help students improve their education and behavior. Obviously, each of these theories works for each student, and they have different ways and attitudes to how these theories accelerate learning. As it was above mentioned, all these three schools of thought has their own strengths and weaknesses, but I think constructivism is like a new invention in education. As far as I concerned, if I were a teacher, I would definitely choose the constructivism theory because it is crucial that students be more active in their lesson and become independent. Also, this way causes increase students' motivation to study well.

Mun Unoosa – Topic: Space Junk – Country: Sweden

Jasmin Fashami 14 November 2012 United Nations Office on Outer Space Affairs Sweden Space Junk UNOOSA – Sweden A. Background of Topic 1. Space junk, also known  space debris and  space waste, is the collection of objects in  orbit  around  Earth  that were created by humans but no longer serve any useful purpose, which can consist of everything from old dead  satellites to explosion and collision fragments. These objects often overlap the trajectory of new space shuttles or satellites, which can cause a potential collision risk, damaging the equipment.Space junk presents a threat not only to space affairs, but also to matters here on earth; although most debris will burn up in the atmosphere, larger objects can reach the ground intact and present a risk. The ISS has had to repair numerous satellites and spaceships orbiting the earth due to the damage caused by space junk, causing them millions. Though the UNOOSA has published guidelines for nations to follow in h opes to reduce the amount of space junk, the UN still has many issues that need to be discussed and covered due to this growing problem. . Nations that are directly involved and affected by this issue include the USA, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the UK, and others. 3. According to the U. S. military's Space Surveillance Network, there are roughly  22,000 pieces of orbital debris  larger than 4 inches currently in the outlying atmosphere, which include broken satellite parts and depleted rocket bodies. As these fragments travel through space, they pose collision risks to the ISS and the roughly 1,000 working satellites in orbit.Many incidents have already occurred, such as in February 2009, a U. S satellite was struck by a non-operational Russian satellite. The impact destroyed the two spacecraft and created large clouds of dust and debris. â€Å"If we continue, as we have, to use these very popular orbits in near-Earth space, th e density of debris and collision events will surely increase,† Marshall Kaplan, an orbital debris expert within the Space Department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, told SPACE. com. Operational satellites will be destroyed at an alarming rate, and they cannot be replaced. We must prepare for this seemingly inevitable event,† Kaplan said. B. United Nations Involvement 1. Analysts first became aware of an emerging space debris problem in the early 1960s. However, February 2009 was when the UN first really got involved with this issue. The UNOOSA â€Å"called all Member States and international organizations to fully implement measures to curb space debris following the collision of an inactive Russian satellite with an operational one from the USA. This was the first major problem between countries regarding this issue. 2. Some organizations, committees, agencies, and NGOs that are involved with the growing issue include the United N ations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs, the European Space Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the  Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee. 3.Every year, the  COPUOS  invites Member States to submit reports on national research regarding space junk and problems of collisions with space junk. Though there is no international treaty mandating countries to minimize space debris,  in 2007, the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space published voluntary guidelines for nations to follow. The UNOOSA needs to continue to pass more guidelines and rules regarding space junk, and agencies like NASA to be more aware of the debris and the issues they are emitting.Many methods have been proposed to solve this problem, but in the end, the international community needs to step up and put forth more action before the issu e gets worse. C. Country Policy 1. Sweden has set up a wide-ranging space company that has 40 years' experience in helping space organizations, companies and research organizations gain access to space, called the SSC, or the Swedish Space Corporation. This company has researched and developed numerous resolutions to many space problems, such as space debris. . Sweden believes that space junk in Earth’s atmosphere is a growing problem and is working to stop the damage it is causing. 3. On March 19th, 2012, Sweden, through the SSC, launched the REDEMPTION Experiment at the REXUS/BEXUS Esa Educational Programme, which is realized under a mutual agreement between the German Aeroscope Center and the Swedish National Space Board. REDEMPTION stands for â€Å"Removal of Debris using Material with Phase Transition IONospherical tests;† it is currently a work in progress.In order to combat space debris and a possible, upcoming tragic event known as Kessler Syndrome, many resear ch groups are developing technologies able to shift space junk into a safety orbit using a newly redesigned foam. Unfortunately, at the moment, a realistic system has not yet been found. 4. Sweden is still continuing to work towards the REDEMPTION experiment, whose main goal is to propose a new system based on a spray foam that solidifies.This can be used as a link between satellites and debris and will have to work in space conditions – this will avoid future collision between debris and space equipment. Works Cited http://esa. int/SPECIALS/Space_Debris/SEMQHL05VQF_0. html http://redemptionteam. blogspot. com/p/about-redemption. html http://space. com/16289-space-junk-international-response. html http://sscspace. com/rexus-12 http://un. org/apps/news/story. asp? NewsID=29908&Cr=outer+space&Cr1#. ULGS8Ie7OSp

Death in One Hundred Years of Solitude and The House of the Spirits Essay Example

Death in One Hundred Years of Solitude and The House of the Spirits Essay Example Death in One Hundred Years of Solitude and The House of the Spirits Essay Death in One Hundred Years of Solitude and The House of the Spirits Essay Attitudes toward death tend to differ between cultures. The Latin American novels One Hundred Years of Solitude and The House of the Spirits show us an attitude toward mortality that stems from many of the attitudes towards life itself. Death in the novels serves as a commentary on life, society, the characters and their spirituality. Each death and the way in which it is received, mourned and celebrated by the other characters is unique but each as significant as the life that preceded it. Consciousness transcends death and is inborn in the next generations ensuring that physical death is not the end. In other cases however a person dies in a spiritual or emotional sense well before their actual physical mortality. The deaths are not incidental, rather the timing and manner of each is crafted and developed by the author for a distinct reason often reflecting the life, relationships and spiritual standing of the individual character.The reactions to death are unusual and often less d ramatic than expected. This arises from the characters belief that death isnt a permanent separation but instead, the creation of a more spiritual relationship. As Clara nears death, in The House of the Spirits, she reflects on the way she wishes her grandaughter to receive her passing. She hoped that Alba would be calm, because in her case death would not be separation, but a way of being more united.1 Ursula is the character in One Hundred Years of Solitude who, due to her longevity, witnesses the most deaths.She mourns the loss of her family and friends but with a certain manner of acquiescence, understanding that death happens to all. Her religion and belief in the afterlife allows her to be calm following the loss of her family, accepting that the spirits of the deceased will live on, along with all their characteristics and memories.Throughout both novels, the physical death of each character does not necessarily entail the end of their spiritual existence or their influence o n the still-living characters. Likewise, several characters experience a spiritual or emotional death well before their last breath. Social and religious constructs such as the possibility of an afterlife, and a universal, inherited consciousness make the re-appearance of characters after their death an acceptable and logical phenomenon. Each re-appearance seems to serve a purpose, as those who return continue to advise and guide the living. In The House of the Spirits, Clara continues to act as the familys spiritual guardian long after she dies.This is important to her family, Fortunately Clara returned, or perhaps she never left.2 At the time of her physical death, she calmly accepts that her purpose on earth has been fulfilled, and seems to simply leave her life rather than have it taken from her. She returns to the family home often, sometimes to observe, and other times with advice. Similarly, in One Hundred Years of Solitude the gypsy Melquà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ades returns to Macondo i n a metaphysical form to converse with and guide Aureliano Segundo. Although Melquà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ades refuses to translate his old, seemingly senseless notations, he spends almost every afternoon in his old room talking with Aureliano Segundo, trying to infuse him with his old wisdom3 and giving clues to the meaning of his manuscripts. He is a man full of scientific wisdom and it seems understandable that he should continue to share his knowledge with the family beyond his death.As well as through a spiritual after-life, the consciousness transcends death and is reborn in other people of succeeding generations. The concept of a universal collective consciousness being passed from generation to generation is evident. In the instance where Melquà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ades appears in the old room Aureliano Segundo recognised him at once, because hereditary memory had been transmitted from generation to generation and had come to him through the memory of his grandfather4. Similarly, in One Hundred Y ears of Solitude, the names given to the children assign a propensity for certain characteristics and behaviours. Subsequently the characters have many similar experiences and relationships, affecting the world and others in much that same way as their predecessors.The names of both the novels imply a continuity of consciousness regardless of physical death, time or change. The House of the Spirits is a title that doesnt refer to any particular person or event, but rather uses the house as a constant figure that holds the spirits, souls and consciousnesss from previous generations. Likewise, One Hundred Years of Solitude indicates a continuity of a feature, in this case solitude, over the entire novel. The very first character of the novel in a sense creates the solitude that remains with the subsequent generations in both a geographical and spiritual sense.Some characters cease to exist within the social and emotional world before the time of their actually physical passing. This o ften occurs due to a dramatic or emotionally scarring incident in their life. Colonel Aureliano Buendia and Colonel Gerineldo Marquez suffer the tragedies of war and withdraw into their own minds, neglecting their family, friends and social obligations. This is a social death that in many ways retracts a person from life to the same or greater extent as a physical death. Both these characters lose all capability of loving, and become emotionless and oblivious to the world revolving around them. Their families learn that they are beyond normal relationships, however Ursula tries to find any last remaining compassion and nostalgia within her son Colonel Aureliano Buendia, asking him to at least remember them all if he goes away again. The Colonel replies in a way that shows he knows that the war has killed him, if only in his soul. Im sorryIts just that the war has done away with everything.5Rebecca, the widow of Josà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ Arcadio, also confines her self to her house, breaking a ny connections with the ever changing outside world, and with her family. Many years later Ursula is shocked that Rebecca is still living because through years of living as a hermit Rebecca had rendered herself dead in the minds of everyone. In her first social contact for many years, Rebecca sends the Buendias some money to pay for the renovations that were done on her house. However the coins she sends were withdrawn from circulation many years before. It was then that they saw to what a fantastic point her separation from the world had arrived and they understood that it would be impossible to rescue her from her stubborn enclosure while she still had a breath of life in her.6On the other hand, this form of spiritual and social death does not occur in the characters in The House of the Spirits. These people are very insistent on life and struggle to survive, not only physically but spiritually. When Alba is on deaths door, Clara appears, advising that the point was not to die, be cause death came anyway, but to live which would be a miracle.7The death of many of the characters is often used quite deliberately in order to convey a message or further the plot. The death of Prudencio Aquilar is the first in One Hundred Years of Solitude. It is the catalyst for all the ensuing events in the lives of Ursula and Josà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ Arcadio. Likewise, the accidental death of Rosa the Beauty, in The House of the Spirits, causes Esteban, her fiancee, to flee town and become the patron of Tres Marà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½as. This death instigates the events that result due to Estebans bereavement.The calmness and reconciliation that Esteban finds at the end of his life, allows Alba to culminate the cycle of hate caused by Esteban and indirectly by Rosas death. Some characters die for their cause in life, sacrificing themselves for what they believe in. Specific incidences of martyrdom can be seen in the death of the members of the armies and political parties in both novels, who lay d own their lives for their passionate beliefs. In a similar way, those men who are captivated by their love for Remedios either kill themselves or die from ..her powers of death.8 They feel so affected and intoxicated by their love, feeling that if death will bring them any resolution they are prepared to forgo the remainder of their lives.In these novels, death comes in many forms, for many reasons, each deliberate and specific to the individual character. The family sagas of The House of the Spirits and One Hundred Years of Solitude are not just the histories of the lives of the characters, but also the history of their deaths. The deaths are not incidental; the authors have employed them to convey messages.These messages are different and purposeful, some commenting on the importance of maintaining strong relationships and existence in the social world whilst still living, others implying the insignificance of physical death in spiritualistic lives. Whatever the individual meaning , in each novel, spirituality ensures an appreciation that death is not necessarily the end of being, it is just another stage. As Clara says Just as when we come into the world, when we die we are afraid of the unknown.dying is like being born; just a change.9

Skeletal Muscle essays

Skeletal Muscle essays The three types of muscle in the human body are cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is responsible for around 40 percent of the bodys mass. Skeletal muscle however, is the only type of muscle that is voluntary. This means you must first send a message to your brain and tell it to do something, then you brain tells your body what to do (Kimball). The structure of skeletal muscle is not common to many other cells in the body. For one, muscle cells are multinucleated. This means that they have more than one nuclei. When speaking of muscle cells, the terms fiber and cell are used interchangeably. Because muscle fibers are not single cells, the parts are given different names. Muscle cells as seen from a microscope have a very unique shape. They appear to be elongated and striated in appearance (Kimball). The outermost layer of a muscle is the epimysium. According to the NDI Foundation s definition, this is a fibrous sheath around the entire muscle. Moving in from the epimysium is the perimysium. This connective tissue surrounds bundles of muscle fibers or cells. The bundles that the perimysium surrounds are called fasciculus. From there each of the individual muscle fibers are surrounded by a connective tissue called the endomysium. Each of the individual muscle fibers is a thin and elongated cylinder that in most cases exten ds as long as the muscle itself. The cell membrane of the muscle cell is called the sarcolemma. Below the sarcolemma is the sarcoplasm. The sarcoplasm is simply the cytoplasm of a muscle cell. In the sarcoplasm there are cellular proteins, various organelles and myofibrils. Myofibrils are many thread-like structures that contain contractile proteins. The myofibrils are composed of either myosin or actin protein filaments. The way that the myosin and actin are arranged gives the muscle its striated appearance. Within the actin molecule there are the filaments troponin...

College Freshman Survival Kit

College Freshman Survival Kit Going off to college is an exciting time. Youre looking forward to your freedom and beginning your life as an adult. However, inside, you may secretly be dreading this major change. And thats okay! Without parental guidance, youll have many hurdles to navigate on your own. Nobody wants to come home for winter break with several extra pounds, an unfortunate injury from a hazing prank gone wrong, or a report card full of Fs. Our tips will help keep you on track. Here’s what to pack in your college freshman survival kit. 1. Freshman 15 Fighters All-nighters, parties, and unlimited access to food can take their toll on your health - and your waistline. Dont go off to school with a tote full of candy and soda. Pack healthful, nonperishable snacks instead, such as pretzels, crackers, nuts, dried fruit, and protein bars. Have a refillable water bottle on hand, too. Take advantage of your dorm kitchen’s refrigerator, or purchase a mini version for your room. You will find more helpful tips in our ultimate guide - Â  How to Avoid Freshman 15. 2. Sleep Aids The likelihood of being woken up by someone in your room or hall (or a maintenance worker) is about 100 percent on a daily basis. If you want to maintain your own regular sleep schedule, youll no doubt want to pack some highly rated earplugs and a sleep mask. A fan will keep you comfortable and provide white noise for better sleep. A stuffed animal or favorite pillow will make bedtime more familiar and relaxing. 3. Doctor’s Bag Aside from good nutrition and sleep, basic health care should be a focus when packing for college. You’ll surely have access to a campus health center, but many ailments don’t warrant official medical treatment. Always pack a mini first aid kit: Pain Reliever Alka-Seltzer Cough Drops Tissues Bandages Hydrogen Peroxide or Rubbing Alcohol Cotton Swabs or Squares Tweezers You might consider taking a daily multivitamin if you don’t already. 4. Laundry Loot Good old Mom won’t be around to wash your clothes anymore, so be prepared. Of course, detergent is a must, as is fabric softener if you use it. The most fun college activities often lead to stains, so be sure to take a stain treatment of some type. You’ll also want a travel-size sewing kit to take care of missing buttons and other minor wardrobe malfunctions. And, of course, hangers and a laundry basket or bag. If you have room for it, a drying rack saves money and the environment. 5. Office Supplies In today’s digital world, it’s easy to forget good old-fashioned stationery supplies. Things go wrong, and devices fail. You’ll still want some notebooks or paper, pens and pencils, highlighters, sticky notes, and a stapler. Take a journal with you, too. Write in it whenever you’re stressed or homesick. A journal is a great portable and low-budget therapist. (Just be sure to keep it safe from your nosy roommate!) 6. Organizational Basics You’ll need a few basics to keep everything neat: a power strip or two, a shower tote, Command hooks, duct tape, and Super Glue. You should also pack a few basic cleaning supplies. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are awesome. Cut up an old T-shirt so you’ll have a few rags for dusting and wiping up spills. And you’ll certainly want some type of air freshener! Just be sure your roommate doesn’t have allergies or hate the scent. 7. Party Picks We know that partying is a part of the college experience. Therefore, you shouldnt leave home without a few fun extras. Playing cards, dice, Ping-Pong balls, a shot glass, Mad Libs, and other small items should be readily available whenever an impromptu party occurs. Surviving is only one side of life of the first-year student. To get tips on other aspects of student life, such as studying and networking, check out this awesome infographics with useful tips for freshmen students. If you missed anything or have limited room for transporting your personal belongings, you can always pick up what you need locally once you arrive at school. But taking care of as much as you can up front leaves you free to focus on more important things.

The Importance of I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Essay

The Importance of I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - Essay Example Angelou at first made a decision to create the autobiography because very few had been published for young African American girls in America. She aimed to show to her fellow people that in spite of the hindrances and the miseries they suffered, there was an overflowing wit and love to be felt and experienced in the African American society (Elliot 1989). Certainly, the narrative has a quite definite importance for young African American girls. This essay will attempt to provide an account of the importance of Maya Angelou’s highly celebrated autobiography. Oprah Winfrey, in her interview with Angelou in 1993, explained how significant the story was to her because she was able to see her own experience in the narrative (Megna-Wallace 1998). However, in spite of her novel objectives, Angelou discovered that when she started writing the narrative her audience and thoughts transformed (Megna-Wallace 1998): â€Å"I saw it was not just for black girls but for young Jewish boys and old Chinese women† (p. xii). The fame of the autobiography survives not merely because it keeps on being instructive on subjects of gender and race, but also due to its complete story of survival. This importance of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings deals with the general and specific components of the autobiography of Angelou. It starts with an emphasis on the literary components of the narrative: its main themes, setting, plot, genre, perspective, and others. This literary importance sketches the journey of Angelou from a timid, anxious, and lonely girl to an adolescent who endures countless frustrations and pains and becomes known as a self-sufficient and confident young woman. The importance of the narrative involves particular topics raised by the story and the specific historical event it depicts. An importance such as this presupposes that a literary piece like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a vibrant tale of not only a single

Strategic Management of publically lisied company Essay

Strategic Management of publically lisied company - Essay Example The objective of the study is to measure Apple Inc’s current challenges and their strategies to cope up with them. Strategic analysis is the method of conducting research on a company’s internal and external business environment in which it operates, in order to formulate a suitable strategy (Rigby, 2001). There are a number of tools of strategic analysis such as PEST analysis, SWOT analysis, Porters five forces, Value chain analysis which will be described in details in context of Apple Corporation. Additionally, strategic planning involves defining the company’s mission, goals and objectives which initiates effective strategy formulation (Luo, 2008). Also, the viability of Apple Inc’s current strategy and recommended strategies depending on its business environment will be evaluated in details through this study. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities and provides a view of a company’s current and could-be position. SWOT analysis is conducted to evaluate Apple Inc’s current position and strategies with respect to its internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external (opportunities and threats) environment (Cravens, Piercy & Baldauf, 2009). PEST stands for political, economic, social and technological factors which are macro-environmental factors that affect the decision making and strategy formulation of an organization (Cravens, Piercy & Baldauf, 2009). In case of Apple Inc., this analysis will help to analyze the current and projected position of the company. Political factors- In the recent years, 52% of Apples sales were outside America and it also manufactures many of its goods outside the country (Barney, 2001). Political conflicts in any of the countries such as China, Korea and Ireland in which it operates will have terrible effects on the business of Apple Inc. Economic factors- The economic depression can result to a wide

Kamehameha I versus Kamehameha V Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Kamehameha I versus Kamehameha V - Essay Example The first war he waged was in Hana area of Maui, to fight with Kalanikupule’s army under the leadership of Kapakilili. With the war evenly leveled out and with no definite winner, Kamehameha used the British acquired cannons to his advantage, and completely massacred Kapililis army. 3 Kamehemeha’s greatest enemy was Keaua in Hile; who at that time was dividing land among his chiefs, and declared war on the reign of Kamehamela I. With the fierce rivalry between them, Kamehameha I sought for trickery and invited Keaua to come for a peace sacrifice to the god of war, Heiau. Keaua attended the sacrifice ignoring advice from his generals of Kamehameha intentions, and his canoe was attacked and he was eventually killed.. In 1795, Kemehameha’s war party went to Maui, then Molakai, and he later sailed to Oahu where he conquered these lands. Kalanikupule’s forces were routed at Naauanu, and his chiefs and warriors were all killed. Kalanikupules escaped and hid for two years, and was later captured by Kamehameha and killed. This signified the end of war and the entire island of Hawaii were unified and enjoyed peace under the reign of Kamehameha. Kamehameha used the rule of law based on the traditional religion to control the island, and one of the majo r laws in place was the rule of the splintering paddle.4 The rule stated that punishment for robbery and murder was death by the paddle in public. Not new to treachery, Kamehameha kept his chiefs near his court as he closely observed them. 5 George Vancouver, a British emissary to North West coast became a great friend to Kamehameha and eventually Kamehameha ceded Hawaii to British rule. Kamehameha had to restructure his government to be in accordance to the British Empire demands; on the agreement, the British Empire was not to interfere with the running of the islands. Kamehameha had to seek advice from two of the British counsels in

Personal Statement for Graduate School Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

For Graduate School - Personal Statement Example The opportunity to assist in the birth process has always been appealing to me. Recently, I have had opportunity to attend the deliveries of three close friends. This experience has reinforced my desire to become a midwife. Perhaps the most personal reason I want to study midwifery stems from the fact that I am currently pregnant and am seeking a midwife. I want to provide competent services to other women as they prepare to deliver their babies. I am hoping to find this for myself. Most of all, I want to continue to have positive clinical experiences as a nurse. My most satisfying clinical experience was caring for a patient that had been in a motorcycle accident. He came in with a serous pelvic fracture that was causing profuse rectal bleeding. I was able to assist this patient throughout the CT scan and several procedures required to keep his blood pressure up. When we took him to interventional radiology as requested, the doors were locked and no one was there to help. At that point, the patient’s life was in my hands. I made the decision to take him directly to his room in the Critical Care center. By the time we were able to get him there, he was just clinging to life. We worked to get him stabilized and he was admitted for the night. This was a satisfying experience because it shoed me that I could make difficult decisions in high-pressure situations. I was commended for making the decision to take him directly to his room instead of waiting at the interventional radiology department. I was actually there for that patient so he could tell me to speak with his wife when she arrived. He said, â€Å"Tell my wife I love her.† I felt great about my performance that day, but was extremely upset to discover the next day that he did not live through the night. Seeing people come into the hospital walking and talking but then never leaving is

Comparison of Philosophers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Comparison of Philosophers - Essay Example At the closing stages of the series, he said, the objects present no longer relative, but absolute. Aristotle believed philosophy to have an "ennobling effect on the philosopher, such that he or she is brought as close as possible to divine state." As you know, the common belief now days are that philosophy will provide contentment, or some kind of consolation because of a particular broadening of the mind. For a start too many philosophers' personalities are so different, yet they have fundamentally the same knowledge, which clearly means philosophical knowledge does not make for a particular reaction. A lot of those who do have the stereotypical personality trait associated with being a philosopher have had it ever before they started philosophy, which is equally well known. You often hear people saying it is particular Note in Book 1 chapter 1 how Aristotle carefully distinguishes between the man of experience and the man of wisdom. Wisdom for Aristotle, aims at knowledge for its own sake, not for the sake of producing anything (e.g. health, material goods, etc.). And since Metaphysics is the science, which seeks after knowledge for its own sake, metaphysics is often referred to as the "first philosophy." "Clearly then, Wisdom is k... . of existence And for no other reason than knowledge, wisdom, and therefore Metaphysics, is the sort of knowledge that deals with causes and principles of things. Knowledge becomes the one of the primary basic human goods that they pursue. What do you think of 'choice' as being that which first comes to play in a life We make choices and 'prioritize' which goods we wish to pursue. Aristotle states that the philosopher's subject (which is existing things qua existing) must have a principle which is not a theory or hypothesis. And it is the philosopher's job to know what it is. The principle is commonly known today as: The Principle of Non-Contradiction. Indeed, Aristotle calls this principle the most certain of all principles (i.e. of any knowledge whatsoever). Namely, "the same attribute cannot at the same time belong and not belong to the same subject and the same respect.' And this principle Aristotle believes is the point of departure for all further knowledge. This principle, of course, has been debated over since then. Aristotle's Book IV demonstrating this "most certain of all the principles." Expressed in Aristotle's language, the law reads: "It is impossible for the same attribute at once to belong and not to belong to the same thing in the same relation." This means two things. 1) It is impossible for something to be and not to be at the same time, and in respect to the same thing. For example, a man is either alive or dead. He cannot be halfway between life and death, and he cannot be both dead and alive at the same time. 2) It is impossible for a substance to be a particular something and to be its opposite at the same time and

Jean Piaget Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Jean Piaget - Essay Example noted that all children develop through all these stages with a childs understanding of the world changing as a child moves from one stage to another. In his study, Piaget was able to prove that choices that people make in life are dependent on the developmental stage that a person has reached (Pressley and McCormick, 2007). This is after the psychologist proved that because children and adults think differently, the choices that people make depend on whether an individual is still a child or an adult. Certainly, Piagets theory of human development has significantly influenced the choices I have made in life. I have particularly used Piagets child intelligence and thought process to guide for pursuance of education as the ultimate means of succeeding in life. For instance, I did not take education seriously during my childhood days. To me, everything was normal because I used to think mostly in an abstract manner. In fact, I used to find it difficult going to school since I did not view education as something important in life. Such thought process continued until middle adolescent when I began to learn of the importance of education in the present day society. Piagets findings can explain the sudden change in my thought process. In this case, Piaget demonstrated that, once an individual has reached the formal operational stage, the individuals moral decision-making process is refined (Van Blerkom, 2008). Similarly, I began to realize the importance of education upon reaching at adolescent stage. Nevertheless, as much as I was aware of the importance of education, the fact that I still had childhood thinking prevented me from studying hard. However, as soon as I approached 16 years old, I realized that, for me to succeed in life I have to study hard and obtain good grades. Otherwise, my life will be a misery. My understanding of the importance of studying hard to perform well in class can be explained by Piagets developmental stage theory. In this regard, Piaget

Comparison of Philosophers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Comparison of Philosophers - Essay Example At the closing stages of the series, he said, the objects present no longer relative, but absolute. Aristotle believed philosophy to have an "ennobling effect on the philosopher, such that he or she is brought as close as possible to divine state." As you know, the common belief now days are that philosophy will provide contentment, or some kind of consolation because of a particular broadening of the mind. For a start too many philosophers' personalities are so different, yet they have fundamentally the same knowledge, which clearly means philosophical knowledge does not make for a particular reaction. A lot of those who do have the stereotypical personality trait associated with being a philosopher have had it ever before they started philosophy, which is equally well known. You often hear people saying it is particular Note in Book 1 chapter 1 how Aristotle carefully distinguishes between the man of experience and the man of wisdom. Wisdom for Aristotle, aims at knowledge for its own sake, not for the sake of producing anything (e.g. health, material goods, etc.). And since Metaphysics is the science, which seeks after knowledge for its own sake, metaphysics is often referred to as the "first philosophy." "Clearly then, Wisdom is k... . of existence And for no other reason than knowledge, wisdom, and therefore Metaphysics, is the sort of knowledge that deals with causes and principles of things. Knowledge becomes the one of the primary basic human goods that they pursue. What do you think of 'choice' as being that which first comes to play in a life We make choices and 'prioritize' which goods we wish to pursue. Aristotle states that the philosopher's subject (which is existing things qua existing) must have a principle which is not a theory or hypothesis. And it is the philosopher's job to know what it is. The principle is commonly known today as: The Principle of Non-Contradiction. Indeed, Aristotle calls this principle the most certain of all principles (i.e. of any knowledge whatsoever). Namely, "the same attribute cannot at the same time belong and not belong to the same subject and the same respect.' And this principle Aristotle believes is the point of departure for all further knowledge. This principle, of course, has been debated over since then. Aristotle's Book IV demonstrating this "most certain of all the principles." Expressed in Aristotle's language, the law reads: "It is impossible for the same attribute at once to belong and not to belong to the same thing in the same relation." This means two things. 1) It is impossible for something to be and not to be at the same time, and in respect to the same thing. For example, a man is either alive or dead. He cannot be halfway between life and death, and he cannot be both dead and alive at the same time. 2) It is impossible for a substance to be a particular something and to be its opposite at the same time and

Standard Costs for Product Costing Research Paper

Standard Costs for Product Costing - Research Paper Example It is a cost accounting method that is designed to determine appropriate cost of a product under current production circumstances. The definition of ‘standard cost’ given by Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) UK is that, it is â€Å"a predetermined cost which is calculated from management’s standards of efficient operations and the relevant necessary expenditure.† More simply, a standard cost is a planned cost for a unit of product or service produced under certain circumstances. The final phase of the standard costing method involves comparison of the predetermined/standard costs to the actual costs (which can only be established after the production) and a variance between the two costs enables the management to take required corrective action as suited regarding the manufacturing process. Thereby standard costing presents many obvious advantages to a manufacturing business like of Johnstown Division. Listed below are some of the most prominent advantages that have been identified in the past literature. 2. Finding of variance: The variance determined by comparison of actual verses standard costs indicates areas in the business process e.g. production-line with inefficiencies. It promotes corrective measures at the earliest and thereby systematic checks on various expenditures (Dosch & Wilson, 2010). 5. Right decisions: It enables and generates useful information for the management in taking important decisions. E.g. regarding purchase price inflations, employee incentive schemes, product pricing, etc. (Michael, 2011) Despite of these benefits, literature claims that shorter life cycles of products, new advanced manufacturing technologies, lesser importance of labor in the manufacturing process, and globalized competition has potential to cause expiration of standard costing (Sulaiman et al., 2005). A significant addition to the debate whether to encourage the use of standard costing is the research by Zoysa et al, in 2007. It

Learning Foreign Language Are Brain Benefits English Language Essay

Learning Foreign Language Are Brain Benefits English Language Essay Based on my research on this topic, I found that learning a secondary language or foreign language does not cause language confusing, language delay, and cognitive deficit. Other than that, last updated by Susan Lang on 12th May 2009 on the webpage of Learning a second language is good childhood mind medicine stated that, in a study at Cornell Language Acquisition Lab (CLAL), children who learn a secondary language can maintain attention despite outside stimuli better than children who know only one language. Thesis/ Preview: The goal of my speech today is persuade you to learn foreign language because learning foreign language will bring a lot of benefits. The benefits of learning foreign language are brain benefits, make your work easier and make travelling more enjoyable. Transition: Now that we have clear understanding on what is foreign language, let me share with you how learning foreign language can bring along brain benefits to you. Body Main Point 1: First of all, learning foreign language can bring along brain benefits to the learner. According to a webpage of The benefits of learning a foreign language last updated by Alice Langholt, stated that the brain will form new neural connections and pathways to assimilate new information when we are learning a foreign language. The new symbols, new sounds and nuances of meaning have intellectual activities for the brain. Both right side and left side of the brain are stimulated while learning a foreign language. Train our brain to increase the learning capacity. The more part of our brain is involved in learning, the longer the learning is retained and the more the brain is taught to use the new information. It will enhance the ability of students in learning academic subjects. Transition: Lets say, your work requires you to communicate with the client of diverse nationalities and from the overseas. But, you are not able to communicate with your client effectively due to the language gap and it may make you to lose the client. Next, I will discuss with you that learning foreign language can make your work easier. Main Point 2:Â   The benefits of learning foreign language can make your work easier. According to the webpage of The advantages of learning a foreign language, last updated by James Dunn on 18th July 2007 stated that the boss will see you as a valuable employee if you are able to speak in different languages. You will get the chance to work in other countries and you may even get promoted to higher position. You can easily communicate with your client as you will not feel awkward while talking to others. According to the webpage of Advantages of learning a foreign language at an early age, last updated by Turgay Dincay on 25th November 2011 stated that learning more than one language can increase the opportunities for careers. Secondary or tertiary language that adds a new dimension to your resume will make you having advantage to be hired by the company. According to the webpage of The important and advantages of learning a second language, last updated by Rita Putatunda stated that the secondary language can become a valuable asset in your work. This contributes to your overall achievement of professional and personal career goals. Transition: Imagine that you are in beautiful foreign country, in which everything is new for you and you are walking along the street. The only thing that bothers you is you cannot understand what local people are talking about. Hence, I will share with you the benefits of learning foreign language during your travelling. Main Point 3: Learning foreign language can make your travelling more enjoyable. According to the webpage of The advantages of learning a foreign language, last updated by James Dunn on 18th July 2007 stated that you will enjoy the trip in which you are able to understand the language of the country you are visiting. You can communicate with the local residents and make new acquaintances. You will be able to read the sign board and menus in restaurants. You are able to understand the movies and culture of the country you are visiting. Conclusion Brakelight/Summary: In a nutshell, I would like to conclude that learning foreign language will bring a lot of benefits, which are the brain benefits, make your work easier and make travelling more enjoyable. Tie Back to Audience: A lot people think they may go everywhere by using English language alone and some people even think learning a foreign language has no advantage for their life. This perception is totally wrong because as the economy becomes more globalized, English will only become less and less of an option. Concluding Memorable Remarks: I would like to end my speech with a quotation, as Frank Smith said, One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.

The Effects of Global Warming On Coral Reefs Essay -- Environment Glob

The Effects of Global Warming On Coral Reefs Graphs Missing Introduction: The effects of global warming touch every human, animal, plant, ocean, landmass, and atmosphere level on this planet. The numerous effects of global warming are mixes of "good" and "bad" results, depending on how your definition of "good" results and "bad" results are. A "good" effect, a person could say, would be for regions with normally cold temperatures to receive warmer temperatures for their normal. Yet, there are more "bad" effects that seem to out weight the "good" effects. Some of the effects would include increases of flooding, severe storm systems, and rising sea-levels. One major consequence would be an increase of temperature globally. This would give a chain reaction that would change temperatures and precipitation within many ecosystems. Which could cause a possible alteration in migration routes of various animals or produce permanent damage to creatures and their habitats, or worse, result in extinction for sensitive organisms that cannot handle the change. An exampl e of a sensitive organism is the coral reef. This vital creature serves as a home, feeding area, and shelter for many fish, plants, and animals living in the shallow water domain. The degradation by global warming of this essential species is discussed more in-depth below. Bleaching of Coral Reefs When coral reefs are thought of, warm images of vibrant multi-colored creatures and corals emerge from our imaginations. Mental pictures of a bustling biodiversity of animals, invertebrates, and plants congregate around the coral reef that acts as a glue holding together the shallow waters of the underwater realm. Yet, many of the worlds most beautiful and important coral re... ...blic about the bleaching of corals. Its our problem, we need to create a solution or the colors of the ocean may be fading away as we speak. Works Cited Australia Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). "What is coral bleaching?" 2002. http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/coral-bleaching/coral-bleaching.html (3 Feb. 2003). Dennis, Carina. "Reef under threat from 'bleaching' outbreak." Nature, 415. 28 February 2002: 947. January 25, 2003. http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v415/n6875/full/ 415947a_fs.html. Houghton, John. 1994. Global Warming The Complete Briefing. Elgin, Illinois: Lion Publishing. Wilkinson, Clive. "The 1997-1998 mass bleaching event around the world." Status of coral reefs of the world: 1998. 1998: Chapter 1. February 4, 2003. http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/coral-bleaching/scr1998/scr-00.html.

Metaphors We Live By :: George Lakoff Mark Johnson Language Essays

Metaphors We Live By In the book Metaphors We Live By, authors George Lakoff and Mark Johnson address the traditional philosophic view denouncing metaphor's influence on our world and our selves (ix). Using linguistic and sociological evidence, Lakoff and Johnson claim that figurative language performs essential functions beyond those found in poetry, clichà ©, and elaborate turns of phrase. Metaphor permeates our daily experiences - not only through systems of language, but also in terms of the way we think and act. The key to understanding a metaphor's effect on behavior, relationships, and how we make sense of our environment, can be found in the way humans use metaphorical language. To appreciate the affects of figurative language over even the most mundane details of our daily activity, it is necessary to define the term, "metaphor" and explain its role in defining the thoughts and actions that structure our conceptual system. According to Lakoff and Johnson, "the essence of metaphor is understanding and experiencing one kind of thing in terms of another" (5). This definition extends to any symbolic type of expressions, like the concept of hate, the spatial direction "up", or the experience of inflation. When our most important life experiences are often too abstract for basic understanding, we attempt to capture the nature of the experience by placing it in a relevant and more easily recognizable context. Three basic types of metaphor are used to, "conceptualize the less clearly delineated in terms of the more clearly delineated"(59). These are: the orientational metaphor, the ontological metaphor, and the structural metaphor. Orientational metaphor organizes concepts by giving them a spatial orientation. These metaphoric representations are not random; they are based on the structure of our bodies, and how we physically interact in a specific culture or environment. Metaphors like "I'm falling asleep," "he dropped dead," and, "You are under my control" provide a spatial relationship between the human subject and something found in the world. The authors explain that, while directional oppositions (up-down, in-out, front-back, etc.) are physical in nature, they aren't always the same for every culture. For example, while some cultures may see the future as ahead of us, others view it as behind us (14). Ontological metaphors involve ways of viewing intangible concepts, such as feelings, activities, and ideas as entities. When we identify these experiences as substances, we can "refer to them, categorize them, group them, and quantify them - and, by this means, reason about them" (25).

Streptpcoccus Faecalis

Gram Positive Enterics: Streptococcus faecalis Streptococcus faecalis also known as strep D, is now known as Enterococcus faecalis. Enterococcus faecalis is part of the Enterococcaceae family. This organism is a gram positive and usually occurs in pairs called diplococci. It is facultative anaerobic, and is nonmotile. This organism is a lactose fermenter and can be grown in 6. 5% NaCL. Enterococcus faecalis is considered non-hemolytic, meaning it does not break down blood cells. Enterococcus faecalis is part of normal flora in the intestines of humans, but can be found in water, soil and plants.If Enterococcus faecalis is found in others places of the body, other than the intestines, it becomes opportunistic and can cause major problems for an individual. This is commonly known as a nosocomial infection, because it becomes a concern for immunosuppressed individuals. Also Enterococcus faecalis infections can develop when a nurse neglects to clean an intravenous catheter or rectal ther mometer, and if the nurse neglected to clean those most likely its being spread to other patients.Enterococcus faecalis can cause endocarditis, bacteremia, urinary tract infections, meningitis and other hospital related infections. Unfortunately, Enterococcus faecalis is resistant to most commonly used antibiotics like cephalosporins and aminoglycosides, and a new study suggests that its becoming more resistant to vancomysin. Treatment for an infection by Enterococcus faecalis would be amoxicillin if the organism is susteptible. Treatment for Enterococcus faecalis that is resistant would consist of taking linezolid and daptomycin.The results from the gram positive enterics included: Taxo P (optichin) Resistant to Optichin Bile Esculin Positive for Group D Strep 6. 5% NaCL Positive for Growth Works Cited Bergey, D. H. , J. G. Holt, et al, et al. Berge'ys Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. 9. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams ; Wilkins, 1994. 528-549. Print. Bergey, D. H. , and D. R. Boone. Berge'ys Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. 2nd ed. 3. New York: Springer Verlag, 2010. 594-601, 608. Print.

The Hunters: Moonsong Chapter Thirty-Five

Initiation night for the newest members of the Vitale Society had arrived at last. The cavernous room was lit only by golden candlelight from long tapers placed around the space and by the fire of high-flaming torches against the wal s. In the flickering light, the animals carved in the wood of the pil ars and arches almost seemed to be moving. Matt, dressed in a dark hooded robe like the other initiates, gazed around proudly. They'd worked hard, and the room looked amazing. At the front of the room, beneath the highest arch, a long table had been placed, draped in a heavy red satin cloth and looking like some kind of altar. In the center of the table sat a huge deep stone bowl, almost like a baptismal font, and around it roses and orchids were set. More flowers had been scattered on the floor, and the scent of the crushed blossoms underfoot was so strong that it was dizzying. The pledges were lined up, evenly spaced, before the altar. As if she'd picked up on his pride at how everything had turned out, Chloe pushed her dark hood back a bit and leaned toward him to mutter, â€Å"Pretty fabulous, huh?† Matt smiled at her. So what if she was dating someone else? He stil liked her. He wanted to stay friends, even if that was al there could be between them. He tugged at his robe self-consciously; the fabric was heavy, and he didn't like the way it blocked his peripheral vision. The current masked members of the Vitale Society wove silently among the pledges, handing out goblets ful of some kind of liquid. Matt sniffed his and smel ed ginger and chamomile as Wellas less familiar scents: so this was where the herbs had been used. He smiled at the girl who gave it to him, but got no response. Her eyes behind the mask slid over him neutral y, and she moved on. Once he was a ful member of the Vitale Society, he would know who these current members were, would see them without their masks. He sipped from his goblet and grimaced: it tasted strange and bitter. The soft rustlings of cloaked figures moving across the floor were silenced as the last of the goblets was handed out and the masked Vitales quietly retreated under the arch behind the altar to watch. Ethan stepped forward, up to the altar, and pushed back his hood. â€Å"Welcome,† he said, holding out his hands to the assembled pledges. â€Å"Welcome to true power at last.† The candlelight flickered over his face, twisting it into something unfamiliar and almost sinister. Matt twitched nervously and took another swal ow of the bitter herbal mixture. â€Å"A toast!† Ethan cal ed. He raised his own goblet, and before him, the pledges raised theirs. He hesitated for a moment, then said, â€Å"To moving beyond the veil and discovering the truth.† Matt raised his goblet and drained it with the other pledges. The mixture left a gritty feeling on his tongue, and he scraped it absently against his teeth. Ethan looked around at the pledges and smiled, locking gazes with one after another. â€Å"You've al worked so hard,† he said affectionately. â€Å"Each of you has reached his or her personal peak of intel igence, strength, and leadership ability now. Together, you are a force to be reckoned with. You have been perfected.† Matt managed to politely restrain himself from rol ing his eyes. It was nice to be praised, of course, but sometimes Ethan was a little too over the top: perfected? Matt doubted it was even possible. It seemed to him that you could always strive to be a little more, or a little less, something. You could always wish to be better. But even if he could, after al , be perfected, he suspected that it would take more than a few obstacle courses and group problem-solving exercises to do it. â€Å"And now it is time to at last discover your purpose,† Ethan continued. â€Å"Time to complete the final stage in your transformation from ordinary students into true avatars of power.† He took a clean and shining silver cup from the altar and dipped it into the deep stone bowl in front of him. â€Å"With every step forward in evolution, there must be some sacrifice. I regret any pain this wil cause you. Be comforted by the knowledge that al suffering is temporary. Anna, step forward.† There was a slight uneasy stirring among the pledges. This talk of suffering and sacrifice was different than Ethan's usual emphasis on honor and power. Matt frowned. Something was wrong here. But Anna, looking tiny in her long robe, walked without hesitation up to the altar and pushed back her hood. â€Å"Drink of me,† Ethan said, handing her the silver cup. Anna blinked uncertainly and then, her eyes on Ethan, tipped back her head and drained the cup. As she handed it back to Ethan, she licked her lips automatical y, and Matt tried to peer more closely at her. In the flickering candlelight, her lips looked unnatural y red and slick. Then Ethan led her around the side of the altar and into his arms. He smiled, and his face twisted, his eyes dilating and his lips pul ing back in a snarl. His teeth looked so long, so sharp. Matt tried to shout a warning but realized with horror that he couldn't move his lips, couldn't draw the breath to cal out. He knew, suddenly, that he had been a fool. Ethan sank his fangs deep into Anna's neck. Matt strained, trying to run toward them, to attack Ethan and throw him away from Anna. But he couldn't move at al . He must be under some kind of compulsion. Or perhaps something in the drink, some magic ingredient, had made them al docile and stil . He watched helplessly as Anna struggled for a few moments, then went limp, her eyes rol ing back in her head. Unceremoniously, Ethan let her body drop to the ground. â€Å"Don't be afraid,† he said kindly, gazing around at the horrified, frozen pledges. â€Å"Al of us† – he gestured toward the silent, masked Vitale behind him – â€Å"went through this initiation recently. You must brace yourself to suffer what is only a smal , temporary death, and then you wil be one of us, a true Vitale. Never growing old, never dying. Powerful forever.† Sharp white teeth and golden eyes shining in the candlelight, Ethan reached out toward the next pledge as Matt struggled again to shout, to fight. Ethan continued, â€Å"Stuart, step forward.† Elena smel ed so good, rich and sweet like an exotic ripe fruit. Damon wanted to simply bury his head in the soft skin at the crook of her neck and just inhale her for a decade or two. Snaking his arm through hers, he pul ed her closer. â€Å"You can't come in with me,† she told him for the second time. â€Å"I might be able to get James to talk to me because it's a question about my parents, but I don't think he'l tel me anything if someone else is there. Whatever the truth is about the Vitale Society and my parents, I think he's embarrassed about it. Or afraid, or †¦ something.† Without paying attention to what she was doing, Elena shifted her grip and held on to Damon's arm more firmly. â€Å"Fine,† Damon said stubbornly. â€Å"I'l wait outside. I won't let him see me. But you're not to walk across campus at night by yourself. It's not safe.† â€Å"Yes, Damon,† Elena said in a convincing imitation of meekness, and rested her head on his shoulder. The lemony scent of her shampoo mixed with the more essential Elena smel of her. Damon sighed with contentment. She cared for him, he knew that, and Stefan had taken himself out of the picture. She was stil young, his princess, and a human heart could heal. Maybe, with Stefan gone, she would final y see how much closer she was, mind and soul, to Damon, how perfectly they fit together. In any case, she was his for now. He lifted his free hand and stroked her head, her silky hair pliant beneath his fingers, and smiled. The professor's house was barely off campus, just across the street from the gilded entrance gates. They'd almost reached the edge of campus when a familiar presence that had been lurking nearby at last came very close. Damon wheeled to scan the shadows, pul ing Elena with him. â€Å"What is it?† Elena said, alarmed. Come out, Damon thought with exasperation, sending his silent message toward the thickest shadows at the base of a crowd of oak trees. You know you can't hide from me. One dark shadow detached itself from the rest, stepping forward on the path. Stefan simply gazed at the ground, shoulders slumped, his hands loose and open by his sides. Elena gasped, a smal hurt sound. Stefan looked terrible, Damon thought, not without sympathy. His face seemed hol ow and strained, his cheekbones more prominent than usual, and Damon would have bet that he wasn't feeding properly. Damon felt a twinge of disquiet. He didn't take pleasure in causing his brother pain. Not anymore. â€Å"Well?† Damon said, raising his eyebrows. Stefan glanced up at him. I don't want to fight with you, Damon, he said silently. So don't, Damon shot back at him, and Stefan's mouth twitched in a half smile of acknowledgment. â€Å"Stefan,† Elena said suddenly, sounding like the word had been jerked out of her. â€Å"Please, Stefan.† Stefan stared down at the path under his feet, not meeting her eyes. â€Å"I sensed you were nearby, Elena, and I felt your anxiety,† he said wearily. â€Å"I thought you might have been in trouble. I'm sorry, I was mistaken. I shouldn't have come.† Elena stiffened, and her long dark lashes fel over her eyes, hiding, Damon was almost sure, the beginnings of tears. A long silence stretched between them. Final y, irritated by the tension, Damon made an effort to ease it. â€Å"So,† he said casual y, â€Å"we broke into the campus security office last night.† Stefan looked up with a flicker of interest. â€Å"Oh? Did you find anything useful?† â€Å"Crime scene photos, but they weren't very helpful,† Damon said, shrugging. â€Å"The folders were marked with black Vs, so we're trying to figure out what that means. Elena's going to talk to her professor about the Vitale Society, see if it could have anything to do with them.† â€Å"The†¦ Vitale Society?† Stefan said hesitantly. Damon waved a hand dismissively. â€Å"A secret society from back in the day when Elena's parents were here,† he said. â€Å"Who knows? It may be nothing.† Drawing a hand across his face, Stefan seemed to be thinking hard. â€Å"Oh, no,† he muttered. Then, looking at Elena for the first time, he asked, â€Å"Where's Matt?† â€Å"Matt?† Elena echoed, startled out of her wistful contemplation of Stefan. â€Å"Um, I think he had some kind of meeting tonight. Footbal stuff, maybe?† â€Å"I have to go,† Stefan said tightly, and was immediately gone. With his enhanced abilities, Damon could hear Stefan's light footsteps racing away. But to Elena, he knew, Stefan had been nothing but a silently vanishing blur. Elena turned to Damon, her face crumpling in what he recognized as a prelude to more tears. â€Å"Why would he fol ow me if he doesn't want to talk to me?† she said, her voice hoarse with sorrow. Damon gritted his teeth. He was trying hard to be patient, to wait for Elena to give him her heart, but she kept thinking of Stefan. â€Å"He told you,† he said, keeping his voice even. â€Å"He wants to make sure you're safe, but he doesn't want to be with you. But I do.† Firmly recapturing her arm with his, he tugged her lightly forward. â€Å"Shal we?†

Organizational Analysis: Apple Inc. Essay

Apple Inc. is an iconic United States technological company based in Cupertino, California. Apple is engaged in the development of World changing consumer electronic products such a mobile phones, music media devices, tablets, and personal computers. The company also sells and creates operating system software, peripherals and delivery of third-party digital content (iTunes) to consumers. Apple sells its products and services via it 250 U.S. and 140 international retail stores worldwide (Europe, Japan and Asia-Pacific), online stores and third-party wholesalers, retailers and resellers. As of September 29, 2012 Apple has 72,800 full-time employees and 3,300 temporary employees and contractors. Apple is one of the largest and most innovative companies in the world with increased net sales from $65 billion in 2010, $108 billion in 2011 and $156 billion in 2012. (Apple 10K) Two young entrepreneurs; Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded the company in 1997. They relied on each other different strengths to propel the business forward. Wozniak was the technical know person and Jobs was the visionary who knew how to conceptualize the product. One of their early computer products was called Apple II. The next big product that brought Apple to the forefront of the computer industry was the introduction of the first Macintosh computer reveled to the world in 1984. Apple spent over 30 million dollars on the advertising of the product, which also launched the famous and iconic television ad that ran during the Super Bowl. Over the years the company has survived management conflicts were Steve Jobs left the company for many years, but was brought back 1997 to help revive Apple from dismal stock prices and competitors. In short, under Steve Jobs leadership the company shifted its focus towards making the best innovative and uniquely designed products Worldwide for consumers. (WPost) Structure: Organizational structure that keeps Apple â€Å"alive† is uniquely different than other multinational companies, but they still follow distinct rules of a well-function organization. To help understand Apple’s structure, we first need to look what is the company’s purpose. Apple wants to be number one at creating some of the best and innovative products for consumers that brings life changing user experience to customers. Formalization – Apple is derived from the create quadrant of the CVF were they pay close attention innovation and envision the future, but at the same they also have a very formal structure that is running in full start-up mode at all times and they can still take part in spontaneous actions without the politics and red tape of normal large companies Centralization – One of the key drives of Apple’s corporation is that they are a highly collaborative company that works really well together in the decision making process, but I would also say they are combination of a highly centralized and decentralized type of business. Hierarchy – Consisted of Steve Jobs being the visionary and visible leader of the company till his recent death. The person now steering the ship is Tim Cook, who is a veteran Apple employee and has been appointed several times as stand-in CEO in the past. Apple has what would be considered a tall organizational structure, but still unique because of how they foster collaboration. Complexity – Like any large multinational company Apple has an array of 10 Top Executives, Board of Directors and a CEO Tim Cook (Apple bios). Integration – Apple is a highly integrated organization, but once again due to how collaborative the company is, different organizational units and sub-units work very well together to meet the core objectives and goals of the company. Leader-Follower Relationships: Apple is probably one of the best in the tech industry, even though Steve Jobs has passed away. â€Å"Entrepreneurial leaders leave a lasting imprint on the structures on the organizations they found,† which is the case with Apple being led by Tim Cook now. The management styles are a little bit different between the two men, but the revenue numbers speak for themself in this situation. Apple’s structure allows the current CEO to carry on with business as it did in the past with the exception of trying figure out what would Steve Jobs do in this scenario of keeping Apple a vibrant company. Steve Jobs watched companies like Walt Disney be non-productive after their CEO passed away and did not want that for Apple, so he explained to Tim Cook â€Å"don’t ever try to figure out what would I have done in a certain situation, just do what is right for the company† (MSNBC). I think this type of leader-follower relationship transcends throughout the Apple organiza tion very well. Stakeholder relationships on the surface seem to be in very good standings. Apple is a leader in so many ways with making superior products; they are number one, who doesn’t want to be a part of the Apple machine? For example, the recently opened Apple store in Grand Central Station, all forms of stakeholders are benefiting from that deal; consumers, employees, Grand Central, New York City etc. Multiply that by various locations around the world and we have a majority of happy stakeholders ready to follow with open arms all because of the structure of how Apple operates its company. Productivity and performance due the company’s organizational structure allows Apple to be number one. For example, when netbooks were all the rage and Apple was introducing the first iPad and started coining the phrase we are now entering into â€Å"post-pc era,† some people or industries did not take that statement serious, but look at the numbers now. 95% of all web traffic from tablets are from iPads and it is only increasing every year (AllthingsD). The benefit and cost of the current structure is very evident all over the world, especially when Apple has a new product launch. It’s like a cult following (in a good way). For example, people start lining up all over the world; to get their hands on whatever product is being released; online sales via Apples website will start to have a 3 to 4 weeks backorder on products because they are in such high demand. Basically the current structure allows Apple to achieve high net sales on all products being sold and keeps their position as number one consumer product seller in the world. Culture At Apple, the work culture was driven by a passion for new products with no end to challenges and opportunities. Apple became the pioneer of the â€Å"Work Hard Play Hard† ethic. The corporate culture at Apple was exemplified by its intense work ethics. Al though it’s work environment was relaxed and casual, there was a very strong commitment to company deadlines. Apple was based on an idea that self-motivated individuals will work harder if they do not have a boss micromanaging every action. This unique structure of Apple had allowed it to grow and react more quickly to changes than its competitors like IBM and Microsoft. The reason Apple took action to a quick responsiveness, is that it was much easier to get a project started if there are only a few people to obtain approval from. One view of Apple’s leader follower relationship can be explained by how quickly Apple initially grew. Due to the ability to have employees make decisions at the lowest possible level. Corporate headquarters made policy and oversaw all activities, but the local employees made the day-to-day decisions in countries all over the world. This type of top-down philosophy allowed for quick responsiveness and resolutions to situations without involving the corporate headquarters, thus avoiding corporate red tape. Analysts have been known to summarize the work culture at Apple as fun, yet demanding. â€Å"Culture helps focus individual effort directly on achieving the organization’s objectives.† (Greenwald, P207) The Apple experience as a stakeholder has always been about the user experience not just the technology, even though the majority of the market didn’t care about that Apple wanted to be different. Apple is a company that is in the business of making markets vs. addressing markets. The Apple ego is a belief that it is the best company in the world and it should carry itself that way, all its lenders, employees, software designers and customers understand its ego and for those who don’t like it found out it has become a call to arms for all of the company’s stakeholders. Another way to view Apple is that it doesn’t ask people what they need but gives them products they decide they want. Think about a simple question, does anyone need an iPhone or iPad? Not really, but a lot of people seem to want them. Apple’s culture is based on some basic facts that really drive its productivity performance. It is a vertical integration company where most of technology is developed in house for its key products and it will have key advantages over other less vertically integrated companies and Apple makes â€Å"cool† products. Attention to design and detail, fit and finish really distinguishes Apple’s products from competitors. The iPod was not the first digital music player and the iPhone was not the first smart phone and the iPad is not the first portable computing device. But having differentiated business models where Apple develops and innovates products with key features like the iPod+iTunes and iPhone+App Store provides a strong competitive advantage, where this process makes it difficult for competitors to match what Apple is producing in a timely fashion. Apples culture produces and offers very clear and simple set of products. It’s easy to understand the differences between their products, product families and the various configurations where many other companies complicate things unnecessarily. Apple’s employees had to run their own show and work in a challenging and creative environment. Apple adopted a style that was not too formal or hierarchical and a more results-driven approach, which worked best for them. Apple fostered a culture of secrecy. The demand for absolute secrecy and insistence on control were infused into the company culture right from the beginning. â€Å"My job is to not be easy on people. My job is to make them better.†(Steve Jobs, 2010) Human behavior The understanding of the human behavior at the Apple organization has truly shaped its design, structure, function and culture by the following points. * Apple employees understand that a key internal emphasis at the company is that it cares about the design of its products more than any other firm in the market, unlike Microsoft who has done a poor job of creating aesthetically pleasing products. Apple’s focus on design shows it understands what consumers want and how to meet those needs and desires, and it sets out to beat any and all expectations. The pressure falls onto an employee who doesn’t help the company meet those needs they may end up with another company sooner than later. * Apple is known to do everything differently; therefore employees need to forget what they ever knew about the technology world. Whether it’s the design of products, system for developing ideas for new products or the way it handles data everything is different at Apple. Employees who function similar to a past employer is a mistake that could cause trouble within the rank and file. * Apple takes it flaws to heart and listens when it hears people criticize its products. They respond with firm tone and harsh statements in ways that other companies in the industry would not dare to replicate. Apple doesn’t like being told that it’s wrong. * Apple will never admit defeat no matter how badly its products are getting beaten. The company seems to find ways of turning itself around and out of the hole with an right strategies business action that saves the day. Nowhere is that more evident than in the computing market. With the results that Apple is setting record profits. * Apple understands attention to detail is key strategy that will pay off in the long run. Apple goes that extra mile which has become a staple of the company’s vision and it’s something that it expects from its employees. * Apple’s focus on technology domination worldwide is everything that the late Steve Jobs aspired to be. It was his ultimate goal to not only compete with his competitors in the all the markets his company competes in but rather destroy them. He wanted to make it clear to the world that his company was the best and would beat them all. At apple he established a culture that would help him achieve his legacy. Communication and decision making styles We know that the form of communication within an organization is directly reflective of its structure. Information is transmitted through diverse methods such as speech, writing, symbols, and body language. (Greenwald, Organizations; Management without controls, 2008) At Apple, communication is what they sell and what they welcome. â€Å"Whether or not you as an Apple employee choose to create or participate in a blog, wiki, online social network or any other form of online publishing or discussion is your own choice. In general, what you do on your own time is your business. However, activities that affect your job performance, the performance of other Apple employees, or Apple’s business interests are still covered by company policies and guidelines. This applies whether you engage in these activities in or outside of work, and whether or not you identify yourself as an Apple employee.† (Heath, Alex, 2012) It is clear that Apple knows that it is to protect itself from the very creative minds it cultivates. This policy leaves no room for unnecessary overlap. Business is business and that is what matters. â€Å"Apple runs an extremely tight ship, with tiny product groups; just two engineers were given the task of writing the code to convert the Safari browser to run on the iPad, a task that on its face seems like a huge undertaking that other companies such as Microsoft or Google might have devoted dozens of people to.† (The Dictatorship, 12) Apple, as a formal organization has had a long history of capturing informal leaders. The previous excerpt is from an article, which also describes the gathering of 100 exclusive employees. They were not all at same pay grade and or security clearances but they could be trusted to keep dates and products a secret as well as to give their honest opinions. â€Å"Every executive action, product or project has a â€Å"DRI† – directly responsible individual – who carries the can (or laurels) for its outcome.† (Heath, Alex, 2012) â€Å"The creative process at Apple is one of constantly preparing someone – be it one’s boss, boss’s boss, or oneself – for a presentation to Jobs,† writes Adam Lashinsky, who calls him â€Å"a corporate dictator who makes every critical decision – and oddles of seemingly noncritical calls too†. (Heath, Alex, 2012) While Apple does subscribe to what may be considered a ‘normal’ type of policy and set of norms, we often learn of the overlapping, dictator-ran, bully-driven ship that shines through in their product releases and market bravado. Observations: Our observations of Apple employees are limited to Apple Store ® employees. Although we have included various reports and accounts of encounters between Steve Jobs and other executives, we find it necessary to compare the culture levels on the outer bands of this grand organization. Passing by the Apple Store in any mall, it is apparent how different the selling atmosphere is. The products are all sprawled out for customers to play with and engage in. There is nearly a 1:1 staff/customer ratio. They have a â€Å"genius bar† where any consumer holding a MAC product can bring their device to for assistance. The environment is alive and vibrant. These geniuses are the face of the company to the everyday employee and they are raised and bread by Apple. They are taught communication styles, they are integrated into the norms and values of the Apple brand and they execute a marketing and sales strategy that benefits the customers and the company. This is done through verbal communication, non-verbal communication and symbolic communication. The entire store is a symbol of Apple. The training manual for the Apple Genius explicitly trains the employees on nonverbal queues and communications to control each interaction (Biddle, 2012). Apple Inc. executives could teach a PhD level course in human behavior and how to influence. It. Just as with any other product or organization, saturation levels are pushed if we don’t pay special attention to how we grow our business. In the early stages, Apple was more of a novelty and so could afford to hire ‘like’ minds to mind their storefronts. Having to expand its numbers in an effort to combat other retailers for sales, Apple has had to let in a second tier of mildly interested individuals who would be just as happy working for Geek squad ® at BestBuy ® or any other tech driven retail outlet. The promise of â€Å"first dib’s† and other benefits are now comparable to family discounts received throughout the malls. This is not only acceptable but it is a welcomed change in personnel type for Apple ®. The dictatorship can freely set plans for stores without worrying about everyone trying to become the next ‘Steve Jobs’. Part 2 – Team Analysis Team Formation: The team assignment was posted to the module 3 team assignment, but did not clearly state who the teams were comprised of. In an effort to be proactive and to get started on creating a team, Jim reached out to the entire class to try and obtain volunteers to work as a team to complete the assignment. Team member volunteers emailed Jim expressing their interest. Thirty minutes after his initial email, our team was formed. Initially the team consisted of Jim Fiorino, Amber Winters, Jason Shanks, Khari Clarendon, Kevin Connolly, and Michael Keys. Shortly after we formed this team, Dr. Kymn clarified team assignments and sent out communication to the class helping to bring clarity to the assignment. Dr. Kymn honored our volunteer formed team, minus Kevin who had previously left our class. The team formed is a formal organization, working and communicating with each other according to standardized patterns recognizable by everyone (Greenwald, 2008) as students under the larger group we all belong to, the Empire State MBA program. The team selection process reflected our coursework in our Human Systems and Behavior class, as well as earlier class work specifically Competing Values Framework (CVF). Our team has charged itself with finding the perfect balance to the 4 quadrants of the CVF, COLLABORATE, CREATE, COMPETE and CONTROL. The entire team is a group of independent and busy individuals who are all focused on completing the assignment on time, and making sure that we all contribute equally to the assignment given. Team members agreed to be flexible and focused in this process with the ultimate goal in site, a successful organizational analysis. Organization Selection Process: A list of companies was suggested via course email by Michael Keys and was sent to the team for consideration. The list included The Apple Store, Home Depot, Target, Macy’s, and Gap stores. Through email discussions, it was decided by consensus that the group would analyze Apple stores. Mike in the role of team liaison, texted Dr. Kymn with our result, and our selection was approved. Self managing teams are defined as groups of workers assigned the responsibility for making decisions over the manner in which work will be carried out, setting schedules, assigning individuals to perform specific functions, and evaluating members’ performance (Greenwald, Organizations. Management Without Control, 2008). This is a true example of our team, we all need to manage our own time and make decisions that are going to support the timelines discussed on our conference call and complete the specific assignments (specific functions) described earlier. Team Roles and Tasks Roles naturally defined themselves as our team members learned more about each other. Jim’s initial outreach to the entire class identified him as our team’s natural LEADER and PROJECT MANAGER. He was charged with keeping the team on task, on time and on topic. He also promoted positive and timely communication, key to the success of any organization. Our group by nature, is limited to strictly verbal/written communication in our virtual learning environment. This communication mode is characterized by use of words and numbers. Verbal communication has clear advantages over other modes for the exchange of deliberate messages. Transmission of data is always a verbal process (Greenwald, 2008). Amber took on the role of EDITOR and PROOFREADER. A major challenge of the approach our team took to writing this paper was creating it in five voices. The role of editor is important to put the paper in one voice. She also is responsible for reviewing the paper of grammar and typos. The team members shared a few common roles. We all played the role of TEAM MEMBER, RESEARCHER and WRITER. By assigning sections to each team member, we were individually responsible for researching our portion. Following the compilation of our research, we were each independently responsible for writing our 2 page section. Team Responsibilities: After agreeing on the organization to analyze, Jim reached out to the team and we agreed to have a conference call on Sunday December 9th to discuss next steps and to assign the work. Prior to the call Mike had sent out an email stating that he had already completed sections A & B of part 2, which was a great way to get everyone motivated on getting this assignment completed early. During the conference call, the work was split up among the team. Mike already completed A & B, Jason was assigned C & D, Khari was assigned E & F, and Amber was assigned G. Jim volunteered to take all of part two, the team analysis. During this meeting it was agreed that all team members would try and write two pages on their sections to meet the minimum assignment target of ten pages if the content. We agreed that each of our sections were to be completed by Wednesday night and emailed to Jim all of our work can be consolidate and sent over to Amber to allow her time to complete her part of the assignment. During this conference call we all agreed that we will regroup on Wednesday December 12th, to make sure that we are all complete with our sections and to seek assistance if needed. Team Outcomes: Our successful organization, role structure and communication allowed our team to be productive and successful. There were no disagreements or conflict and we all agreed that we want to complete the assignment early, but be successful in doing so. The entire team worked collaboratively with good discussions through positive verbal communication. . All of us shared in ideas and agreed on a time commitment and schedule. People who are collaborative share the same objectives, mutual and equal contributions, and a sense of collectivity among the group, producing a work environment that is free of conflict and tension (Cameron, Quinn, Degraff, & Thakor, 2006). Our two page sections were all emailed to our TEAM LEADER on time. He combined them and sent them to Amber for review and editing and for the summary to be completed. All team members met their obligations as agreed. Team Assessment: Our team can be defined as a high performance team. A high-performance team can be defined as a group of people with specific roles and complementary talents and skills, aligned with and committed to a common purpose, which consistently show high levels of collaboration and innovation that produce superior results. (Hanlan, 2004). The high-performance team has individuals who are highly skilled and are able to interchange their roles and are flexible. Our team operated in this exact manner and had positive outcomes. By definition, this is a good description of our team. Teams that are successful translate their common purpose into specific, measurable, and realistic performance goals. Specific goals facilitate clear communication and help teams maintain their focus on obtaining results (Robbins & Judge, 2009). Our time lines that we discussed on the conference call set clear goals and challenged the group to make sure that we left enough time for Amber to review the work and complete her section. Difficult goals have been found to raise the performance of team members especially to avoid letting down another member of the team (Robbins & Judge, 2009). Forming teams is almost always more productive than having people work by themselves (Cameron, Quinn, Degraff, & Thakor, 2006). This is very true when you have a team like ours that was very collaborative throughout the entire process. Because we were able to work independently, we are able to bring our own ideas to our assigned sections. Many new ideas come from individuals being given the time and resources and allowed to work apart from the normal activities of the organization (Cameron, Quinn, Degraff, & Thakor, 2006) Team Grade: As a team, we have agreed that our work qualifies for a minimum of an A-. We completed the project as assigned. It is our belief we met the challenge of this project by applying the tools of this class successfully. Through organization, structure, communication, role defining and proactivity, we were able to avoid conflict and complete this project on time and in good quality. Our established set of norms that exist within the graduate structure of this class set a good base for the team members to start from. Our team led the class in team creation before the professor was able to clarify the approach. We consider ourselves leaders. We are sure the paper isn’t perfect, no product from any working team is. But what it IS, is a successful compilation of teamwork. SUMMARY: Apple Inc. is a perfect company to analyze through the human behavior lens because their founders understood and structured their company with human behavior in mind. They considered their people and the behaviors that were desired, but they also pay close attention to the consumers and their behaviors. Jobs maintained a company by building a structure, culture, set of norms and values that fostered creativity. He was a genius of people and technology. Jobs did this at apple under 7 rules of success (his norms/values). Rule one is passion, because most people fail because they don’t love what they do. Rule number two is build a team of great people, success hinges on the ability to identify talent and the know how of building successful teams. Rule number three is vision. One must never lose sight of the big picture. Rule number four is creativity; you have to think outside of the box in business and in practice. Rule number five is to learn to say no more often. It’s all about the power of focus. Rule number six is help customers reach their dreams. If you don’t solve a problem, if you don’t accomplish a dream, you don’t have a business. Finally, work on your marketing message (communication externally). Trumpet your success and deliver it in a way people want to hear about it. Don’t be the norm or fill the status quo. (Gallo, 14 O) Steve Jobs says â€Å"Apple is an incredible collaborative company.† Did you know that? Do you by chance know how many committees they have at Apple? ZERO! Teamwork is key to Apple. Teamwork, in terms of trusting that people that will deliver what they committed to without watching them all the time. Jobs set up a training environment that taught his people about people and how to interact with them and get them to achieve the desired result (sales). There is a cult like following not only because of the quality of product, but because of the great care the leaders at Apple took to create and maintain their company in a way that considers (and possibly manipulates) human behavior. Recommendations for Apple Inc. are a bit more complex. With Jobs passing, Tim Cook is just starting to get his feet wet in running and driving the company. Consumers and employees have a high expectation for apple. In terms of structure and communication, roles and culture, it seems Apple is a leader. It will continue to be important for Apple to define that fine line between taking advantage of their knowledge of human behavior and manipulating it for strictly gain. Their technology has also been a leader in the industry. However they have many competitors who are catching up and arguably, surpassing them. The question will be how so they stay ahead and keep their creative people happy. It may require a new out of the box thinking. With new leadership in Cook, it is likely that there will be changes. He will have to establish himself with his people and his consumers who so loved his predecessor. References Cameron, K. S., Quinn, R. E., Degraff, J., & Thakor, A. V. (2006). Competing Values Leadership. Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing. Greenwald, H. P. (2008). Organizations. Management Without Control. Thousand Oaks: Sage. Hanlan, M. (2004). High Performance Teams. Westport: Praeger Publishers. Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2009). Organizational Behavior. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall. All Things D. (2012, May 25). Mobile devices now make up about 20 percent of U.S. web traffice. 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Retrieved from Washingtonpost.com: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/apple-a-history-of-one-of-the-worlds-most-valuable-companies/2012/02/29/gIQA1VFVmR_gallery.html#photo=1 Don Reisinger (2010) Apple’s Corporate Culture: 10 Lessons for Staying in Steve Good Graces, Enterprise IT Technology News, retrieved from: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/IT-Infrastructure/Apples-Corporate-Culture-10-Lessons-for-Staying-in-Steve-Jobs-Good-Graces-825505/