Monday, September 30, 2019

Grandmas Treats

Advertising has taken a toll towards being more interactive & hence more productive. Various strategies are being practiced to improve the business of any organization. Business to Business or com/marketing-200-chapter-7-quiz/">B2B strategy is basically electronic trade transactions between two or more businesses. It is comprised of applications intended to augment relationships within two or more organizations for example using internet to administer the logistics of demand & supply, explore for product catalogues, interacting with traders, receiving & sending statements & electronic imbursement.(E-business Definitions (B2C, B2B etc)) This practice enables the company to gain profit & save money in large deals by having a good interactive communications. The company can buy supplies for a bargain able price through negotiable contracts, hence saving money. The B2C strategy or Business to consumer marketing; it is a much novel sphere & basically associates to electronic retailing over the internet. Mostly it lets the public access the products on internet. Online shopping, games, product information all helps to increase the sale graph of the enterprise.It is quite a successful strategy, since it allows the consumer to interact with the company directly & purchase the desired product with great ease. Travel tickets, books, music & various other items are available to the consumer on the World Wide Web. Often the company imposes a sale offer therefore resulting in a greater percentage of sale & thus increased capital. A number of agencies have come up to guide companies for designing their B2B or B2C strategies promising the paramount way & achieve a greater collaboration with the supplier agencies & the customers to gain a competitive advantage through the extension of business.References Carl Lehmann, â€Å"B2B Strategies that Put the Customer Back in CRM† [May, 2005], eSeminars CNET Networks, Inc. [Accessed 9 th January 2008] <http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_zdesn/is_200505/ai_n13639015> Paul T. Kidd, â€Å"E-business Definitions (B2C, B2B etc. )† [November 2001] Cheshire Hen bury, [Accessed 9th January 2008] <http://www. cheshirehenbury. com/ebusiness/ebdefinitions. html> Paula Jones, â€Å"B2B† [21 Jul 2001] TechTarget [Accessed 9th January 2008] <http://searchcio. techtarget. com/sDefinition/0,,sid182_gci214411,00. html>

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Self Reflection on Decision Making

Problem Solving and Decision Making Workshop: A Self Reflection I found the workshop on Problem Solving and Decision Making not just useful but also interesting. When we graduate and find work in organizations as Human Resource (HR) managers, we will be faced with many situations on a daily basis that will require us to make sensible, accurate and fair decisions. It could deciding which person to hire, which supplier to use, or which strategy to pursue, but the ability to make a good decision with available information is vital.To be able to do this we need to understand the processes of decision-making and how one can try to eliminate bias while doing so. Over the course of the day, I learnt that in order to make good decisions, the ability to reason logically and sift the accurate information from the corporate jargon is very important. When we were taught the various steps involved in decision-making process I realized that sometimes I arrive at a decision without considering some of the options. Being creative was another skill I picked up during one of the exercises. Some of the best solutions come from thinking innovatively.We were asked to be part of thought showers and come up with different uses of screwdriver, it was amusing to see what a group of 7 girls could come up with. It also showed me how insightful some of these events could be as we came up with ideas I couldn’t possibly think of by myself. Many organizational decisions we will be required to make will never have clear-cut solutions and it is important we think out of the box sometimes. I also picked up different techniques to solve problems like drawing up a matrix to simplify complicated information, fishbone analysis as well as using decision trees that we later applied to the group case study.The session on ethical decision-making struck a cord with me, as it is probably one of the most challenging tasks of managers today. Ethics can have a different meaning for everybody hence it is even more important to follow some universally acceptable ethical practices while making decisions. As it is rooted in context, there needs to be a good match between personal ethics and organizational ethics for an employee to be satisfied with the job. This principle will definitely help me understand and evaluate the type of companies I want to work with in the future. When I considered what I value most, it is self-respect.No job can be satisfying if you do not believe in yourself and your abilities. Being ethical and giving the task at hand my best is what constitutes self-respect for me. This is a virtue I would not want to give up and I hope to maintain that even while working in the corporate world. As an area for development, I need to talk less and listen more so I understand the whole situation before I offer an opinion. I recognized that during the case study on ethical decision-making I was quick to judge the solution and that half-baked information can be quite dan gerous.Until Carol handed us the lawyer’s advice none of us had thought of other possible scenarios and we had to revise our plan taking that into consideration. Decision-making is a key skill in the workplace, and is particularly important if you want to be an effective leader . HR managers have a great task of simplifying complex information and deducing facts especially while interviewing and selecting candidates. Even though HR does not take too many strategic decisions, they do have the task of laying out all the information so that people in charge can make better-informed choices.Sometimes these choices relate to the jobs of people, for example, redundancy decisions or new market expansions. Adair (1999) suggests 5 steps for effective decision making which include defining the objective, collecting relevant information, generating feasible options, making the decisions and also evaluating it (so we know if it was a good or a bad decision). It is therefore very importan t that decisions are not made intuitively but follow a logical and rational approach like the one mentioned above. According to Jackson (1975) the first step to making decision is problem detection.Once this is done, identifying the facts and relevant information is crucial to make this process a success. When we reach the stage of selecting the appropriate option, we have another vague problem of rationality. What is â€Å"best† to one person may not be to another individual. Rationality also takes into account ethics in decision-making. Not everyone follows the same ethical principles. According to Robbins (2010), there are three ethical decision criteria namely utilitarianism, focus on rights and focus on justice.These can help solve some of the vagueness associated with the decision making process. In a large organization with multiple stakeholders, assuming that everyone will have the same viewpoint on the issue at hand is unrealistic to expect. David Jennings & Stuart W attam suggest a soft systems methodology, which stresses on the need to recognize the diversity of values and viewpoints that may occur in a problem situation. In most organization decisions are not made independently, but in groups/teams hence it is very important to follow the above methodology.Hartnett's Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making Model is another useful tool when group decisions need to be made based on complex and unclear material. By using the model, everyone gets involved in developing a solution, so that each person feels ownership of the final decision. This can also help build a more productive and committed team. Sometimes group decision making is subject to groupthink and risky shift, which is where groups make more risky decisions than individuals. Being aware of these limitations of group decision making can help HR managers.As a final point, I understood that most decisions come with a set of organizational constraints and we take shortcuts to reach a conclusi on within the set time frame. We usually are biased evaluators and let our perceptions get the better of us. Some common ones Robbins (2010) points out are anchoring bias, overconfidence bias and hindsight bias. As HR people, we are also responsible for many other people in the company and sometimes what we say/decide or forecast can affect the business and the people in many ways.Hence, it is important to be careful in the decision making process. Personal Developmental Plan * Over these next 10 months, I would want to improve my decision making skills by analysing all possible options before I make a decision. I have a tendency to go with the first solution that arises but after this workshop I realised that the best ideas come after considering all possible opportunities. I think this will really help me once I graduate and start looking for a job. I need to decide what I need from the job and if the organization culture fits with my personality.For this I need to be more geared to make sensible decisions than just look at the location and pay level. * Apart from the learning’s I take from this workshop, I plan to be part of thought showers with my course mates to understand how different people think and arrive at a conclusion. This will help me not just in the decision making process but will also help me recognize individual difference among cultures, ideas and thought processes. Being in an HR department it is essential to get a feel of what people think and how they evaluate the same information. Watching the TED talks online and listening to the way some companies have used the art of problem solving and decision making to come out of turbulent times is another way I plan to get a more practical insight into these areas. * Attending CIPD member group meeting and reading the website for updates in these fields is something I plan to do on an ongoing bases to keep myself abreast with its implications in the workplace. * For my coursework and case studies, I plan to use the techniques of problem solving that were taught in the workshop.I believe this will help me analyse questions more accurately and respond in a more logical sequence considering all the information presented. References: Adair, J. (1999). Decision Making and Problem Solving. London: CIPD Bazerman, M. (1998). Judgment in Managerial Decision Making. 4th Edition. Chichester: John Wiley ; Sons. Jennings, D. ; Wattam, S. (1998). Decision Making: An Integrated Approach. 2nd Edition. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall. MindTools (1996) Hartnett's Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making Model. Available at: http://www. mindtools. com/pages/article/codm. htm (Accessed on: 14th November 2012).

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Evaluation of the project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Evaluation of the project - Essay Example For example, if I would get a chance to redo the project, I would use different models to enhance uniqueness and variety and eliminate boredom. Additionally, I would increase the number of decorations and colors to the pictures, which would probably make them more attractive to female clientele. The LED lighting used within the studio helped a great deal in bringing out the best in the pictures. If I were to redo the pictures, I would definitely maintain the lighting because it helps in accentuating the color of the clothing and make up on the models. The lighting also made the pictures clearer, brighter and appealing. I would also like to take the pictures in an outdoor setting so as to make them more appealing by capturing outdoor scenery as a way to enhance aesthetic appeal. The project took a short time to accomplish, but if I were to redo it, I would opt to increase the project timeframe so that careful consideration can be given to every detail in the picture. This would offer sufficient time for consideration of details such as clothing, make up, accessories and lighting-just to mention, but a

Friday, September 27, 2019

Germany and the Germans Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Germany and the Germans - Essay Example This course was filled with a lot of interesting and new information about Germany and the Germans, which changed and enlarged my knowledge about Germany. However, there were no real surprises for me, instead, it felt as if my view on Germany and the Germany has finally been completed. There are a couple of themes and subjects that I think I might pursue in my future. For instance, we have learnt a lot about German culture, German poets and German thinkers, and I would like to explore this area further. It was interesting to learn about Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and his impact on German culture, however, I would like to explore the current culture in Germany, especially the popular culture. Therefore, I decided to listen to some online German radio stations and to look up German songs on youtube. Finally, I want to pursue German history and culture even further, and the best way of doing so is probably to travel to Germany. The most important thing that I have learnt from taking thi s class is that I should never rely on stereotypes. It is absolutely important to always stay open minded for additional information. Although there is some truth to stereotypes, simply because they reflect, to some extent, a certain general characteristic, it is important to not be held back by those stereotypes. In addition, it is not only vital to look beyond existing stereotypes but to also look beyond and even question additional information and knowledge one might think to have.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

London Millennium Footbridge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

London Millennium Footbridge - Essay Example The bridge is a natural expression of structural engineering and architecture but a city center footbridge is equally about people and the environment; in short, a piece of public architecture. The bridge gives the pedestrians unique views of London, free from traffic and high above the Thames. In September 1996, a competition was organized by a London-based newspaper the Financial Times and London Borough of Southwark to design a new Footbridge across the River Thames. The idea behind the competition was to get the best design in every aspect, therefore, the teams participating in the design were structured to have an engineer, an architect, and an artist. More than 200 teams participated and the competition was won by Arup (engineer), Foster (architect) and Sir Anthony Caro (Sculptor). The height restrictions and the view of the bridge required an innovative design which was provided in the form of a design which included some unusual practices; the suspension design had supporting cables below the deck level. This innovative design was given the name ‘blade of light’ by its designers. A modular design in which several structural members and components can be repeated in the structure, thus reducing the fabrication costs. This can also simplify the maintenance after the construction and allows easy execution of the construction phase. A major issue was the provision of planning advice for gaining the necessary approvals to construct a new river crossing in the heart of London. Moreover, ways of generating the finances for the bridge were also to be considered while designing the bridge. The bridge design is a shallow suspension bridge in which the view behind the bridge is facilitated by keeping the suspension cables below the bridge deck. The bridge is supported on two river piers through two groups of four 120mm diameter locked coil cables which span from one bank to the other.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

The OJ Simpson Trial Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The OJ Simpson Trial - Research Paper Example Simpson was a retired football player and a resident of California. Simpson is one of the black Americans who surpassed racism and proved success together with Oprah, Wesley, and Spike during the 90’s. Nicole and Ronald who were the victims of double murder were both belong to the white race while Simpson who was the main suspect belongs to the black race. Some of the questions raised in the minds of the Americans and the rest of the people in the world is whether he would be found guilty or not, is he responsible of the crime, is there a manipulation on the part of the cops who has the access on the crime scene, and the last but not least is whether he’s status of being a celebrity would affect the verdict? On the other hand, the verdict about Simpson seem to ignite issues whether Simpson was judge based on evidence, popularity, and race for those who believe that he was guilty and for those who believe that he is not. The DNA evidence against Simpson was weak accordin g to those who stick beside him and was just a product of the discrepancy that the LAPD sponsored because of racism. Who is O.J. Simpson Orenthal James Simpsom was born on July 9, 1947 in San Francisco California. He is a member of the American Black with straight hair. He is an actor and a football player and one of the most important personalities that the America has. Simpson was the son of Jimmie Lee Simpson and Eunice Durden. His first wife was Marguerite Whitly whom he had the son Jason and daughter Arnelle and Aaren. He had a second wife, Nicole Brown Simpson who was murdered. They had a son Justin and a daughter named Paula. Investigation of the incident On June 12, 1994, at Nicole Brown Simpson’s condominium, her neck was slashed and a friend who accidentally dropped by was stabbed around thirty times. It was said that the suspects, male, used the back entrance of the said condominium along with the popular Brentwood area of Los Angeles. The body of the two victims w ere discovered by the neighbour who led to the investigation of the Brown-Simpson and Goldman investigation. Police informed Simpson about the death of his ex-wife and gave no reaction about the details of the death and later claims that he reacted through smashing a glass that made his left hand cut. The investigations about the incidents focused on Simpson, equating the wound on his left hand to the incidents. The series of interviews and investigations done by the officers were incompetent claim by the police. Eventually, after the police accumulated enough evidence that would indicate Simpson’s guilt in the murders, he was issued a warrant of arrest. Simpson Promised to submit himself at the police station but instead, he disappears until he had been hunted down. The prosecution filed the case in the Downtown district and not in the town where the crimes happened. However, the filing of the case is considered a mistake because the case should be filed in the district wher e the crime happened. It was said that one of the reasons why the litigation of the case was continued at the downtown was through the believed that the case against Simpson was strong and the jury of the downtown would have no choice but to convict Simpson. During Simpson arraignment on July 22, 1994, Simpson answered the question â€Å"How do you plead†, and his answer was â€Å"

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Inflation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Inflation - Essay Example increasing reliability on the use of technology to estimate future plans, widespread awareness of the economic decision making processes, readily available literature on risk management in business and much advanced, organized and computerized methodologies to ensure solid business-monitoring, projects today are incurring heavy financial losses. And the situation is same throughout the world. If we draw an analysis of the trends of the past and present, it would apparently seem that the modern-world businessmen are far immature and less educated in business as compared to so called â€Å"experts† of the past. It appears that development in the science and technology has generated an awareness that has adversely affected the practical world. Things are happening in an unexpected way. This proves that something bigger, not much considered / studied, is controlling business in the international scenario, and that is â€Å"inflation†. Inflation is majorly responsible for th e jammed projects, lessened GDPs, suppressed business, increased loans and this has resulted in aggravating poverty, famine and various other evils in the educationally rich and knowledgeable societies of the modern world. It is the byproduct of inflation that we see people possessing bigger sums than what their forefathers had possessed in their times, still modern-age people are poorer than their forefathers. Inflation as the name suggests, means to expand in volume and decrease in density / value, just like a balloon would expand when air is pumped in it. Apparently it seems bigger when inflated than the size it had been originally, but it becomes light enough to float in the air as compared to the uninflated balloon-material. Likewise, money has increased in amount manifolds, yet it has lost its worth. In other words, the â€Å"purchasing power† of money is lost. According to Park (2007), p-544, inflation means a rise in the price of an object with the passage of time or in other words the amount

Monday, September 23, 2019

Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 4

Management - Essay Example The bank offers a wide range of banking services responding to the needs of individuals, businesses and corporations. The bank is going to enter the Brazilian market. A branch of the firm will open in Brazil. The relevant project will be completed by the end of the year. The employees will be mainly nationals who will be appropriately trained by Australians on the bank’s services and products. The aim of the organization is to continuously develop its customer relationships and its employee relationships (Westpac 2011). Moreover, the bank aims to ‘be a leader in the community’ (Westpac 2011). Current report aims to present the issues that managers in Westpac should take into consideration before the bank enters the Brazilian market. The Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions model and a SWOT analysis have been employed for presenting the characteristics of the environment in which the specific initiative will be attempted. 2.0 Political Environment 2.1 Government s tability The current president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, has been the first woman president in Brazil ever. The last elections were held in October 2010. The country is characterized by political stability. During the presidency of the country’s previous president, President Lula, the quality of life of people in Brazil was improved (BBC News 2011). 2.2 Government and contribution The country’s government tries to keep good relations with other states; recently an agreement was developed between Brazil and Germany for the promotion of bilateral partnership and innovation (Federative Republic of Brazil 2011). The last years the Brazilian government tries to improve the quality of life of people and the limitation of poverty (BBC News 2011). 2.3 Analysis Local authorities will provide to Westpac the necessary support, a fact critical for the successful entrance of the bank in the Brazilian market. 3.0 Legal Environment 3.1 Regulatory framework The most important legisla tive text of the country is the Constitution. At the next level, supplementary laws have the power to regulate important issues; ordinary and delegated laws follow these laws. At the bottom of the hierarchy of laws in Brazil are the legislative decrees (Brazil Government 2011). 3.2 Business laws The Constitution of the country is used, along with the Taxation law, as described above, for regulating business activities across Brazil. The new Civil Code Law 10.406 is the main legislative text regulating the activities of businesses in Brazil (Nogueira 2004). The Law No. 9279/ 1996 is also used in cases that conflicts appear on Industrial property (Brazil Government 2011). 3.3 Labour laws The key legal texts regulating the labor in Brazil is the Federal Constitution of 1988 along with the Consolidation of Labor Laws (C.L.T.) (Brazil Government 2011). 3.4 Taxation laws Taxation in Brazil is regulated by the Federal Constitution (Title VI); additionally, the Law 5.172 (National Tax Code) is applied for any potential issue, which is not regulated by the Constitution (Brazil Governmen

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Siddharta Essay Essay Example for Free

Siddharta Essay Essay Teachers are important figures in everyone’s life: they prepare for future events teaching lessons and giving suggestions. The book Siddhartha, written by the German author Herman Hesse, shows a perfect example of education and understanding given by different types of instructors. The protagonist, Siddhartha, is the son of a Brahmin, and he has an assured future as a religious figure. He is unhappy and unsatisfied in the beginning of the novel: he can’t find the right answer to his questions. He distrusts teachers, because they didn’t teach him the life lessons he wanted. He doesn’t think his actual life can lead him to nirvana, the maximum status of joy and understanding of the self. The following quote proves this statement: Siddhartha had started to nurse discontent in himself; he had started to feel that the love of his father and the love of his mother, and also the love of his friend, Govinda, would not bring him joy for ever and ever, would not nurse him, feed him, satisfy him. (Hesse 5). He decides to embark in a journey to reach enlightenment, and during this spiritual path he learns some life lessons through persons considered nontraditional teachers, people who influenced his life, and taught him indirectly, such as Govinda, Kamala and Kamaswami. The first instructor that Siddhartha acquires knowledge from is Govinda, one of the most influential characters in the novel: Siddhartha’s best friend, companion and disciple. He is unlikely to be a teacher, mostly because of his follower behavior, but despite the reader’s opinion of him in the beginning, he reveals himself as one of the most important nontraditional teachers. The main feature of Govinda is the fact that he doesn’t choose his own path, he always is a follower. Hesse emphasizes Govinda’s status by defining him as a shadow: â€Å"Govinda wanted to follow him as a friend, his companion, his servant, his lance bearer, his shadow† (4-5). Initially he assists Siddhartha in his quest for enlightenment, but when he encounters another master, Buddha (an enlightened person with a group of followers), he decides to apply his philosophy and to become one of his disciples. This character is really important for Siddhartha, because, in the moment of his friend’s worst depression, the climax of his journey, he saves him. A clear evidence of this fact is the  following quote: â€Å"I saw you lying and sleeping in a place where is dangerous to sleep. Therefore I sought to wake you up oh sir† (67). This shows how Govinda cares about his friend and takes the role of a nontraditional teacher. Another quote that proves the fact that Govinda has a savior role is the following one: â€Å"Once, O worthy one, many years ago, you came to this river and found a man sleeping there. You sat beside him to guard him while he slept, but you did not recognize the sleeping man, Govinda† (95). The main teaching he taught to Siddhartha is that he has to find his own path; he has to embark on his own journey to reach the understanding of the self. This character will remain important even in the end of the story, because the novel finishes with his word s, meaning that Siddhartha has become a teacher, the figure he distrusted. The second influent person in the protagonist’s is Kamala: she is an attractive courtesan that makes the protagonist fall in love with her. Before Siddhartha met Kamala all he knew was thinking, waiting, and fasting(46). The main character meets her during a period on his life where he tries to focus on material things; he tries to find a different way to understand the self. Kamala represents Siddhartha’s entering into the world of greed and lust. She is considered a teacher because she teaches him some important life lessons; she shows him the best of what the material world has to offer. This quote proves her status as a teacher: â€Å"If it doesn’t displease you, Kamala, I would like to ask you to be my friend and teacher, for I know nothing yet of that art which you have mastered in the highest degree† (50). Kamala makes Siddhartha realize that the material world isn’t enough to satisfy him, it isn’t the right choice for his path and the right way to reach nirvana. He learned from her that he could not expect to receive love unless he gave it first. She taught him the the value and the meaning of the life in which he was living and the moments he had spent with her are considered good. She instructs Siddhartha in the art of physical love: In addition to being Siddhartha’s lover, Kamala helps him to leave his ascetic life as a Samana behind. When he met her, he had some ideas and principles of his previous ascetic group, in fact he was a simple Samana from the forest(45). Siddhartha, thanks to the beautiful courtesan, understands what love is, and after some time they give birth to a son. Her teachings include also exterior aspect and clothes: â€Å"I am beginning to learn from you. I already  learned something yesterday. Already got rid of my beard, I have combed and oiled my hair. There is not much more that is lacking, most excellent lady: fine clothes, fine shoes and money in my purse† (54). Her goal is to educate him about sex and human passions. Although Siddhartha becomes disillusioned in the end, because of the emptiness of his life in the material world, he cites Kamala as one of his primary teachers on his journey to find nirvana. The third important teacher is Siddhartha’s journey is Kamaswami, an older businessman who represents an instructive figure mainly because he teaches him the art of business. The protagonist, referred by Kamala, puts himself in the old man’s hands. Under his guidance, Siddhartha successfully enters into the society of city-dwellers: â€Å"When Kamaswami came to him to complain about his troubles or to take him to task over some business deal, he would listen with good humor and interest, marveling over him, trying to understand him. He would allow him to think he was right to the extent that he seemed to require and then would move on to the next person who sought his attention† (75). Kamaswami tries to teach Siddhartha about business life. He shows him the accounts, the goods and warehouses (65). While Siddhartha is working for him, he realizes that business doesn’t satisfy him, it doesn’t create any interest; more particularly, it does not stir his heart (66). Another quote that proves the statement is His heart was not indeed in business (69). Material things do not interest Siddhartha, in fact he hears a voice inside him, telling him that business and money are a game: Kamaswami conducted his business with care and often with passion, but Siddhartha regarded it all as a game (66). The old man, as a wealthy merchant, has qualities that Siddhartha refuses as a Samana. The businessman is obsessed with wealth, so there is a noticeable contrast between them. The life lesson he learns from Kamaswami is that material things create unhappiness. He realizes that money and business are not important: they are just temporary things. During his journey, Siddhartha learns some life lessons from different teachers like Govinda, Kamala and Kamaswami. All these instructive figures contribute to his accomplishment, contribute to the achievement of enlightenment and were indispensable to his spiritual mutation. Throughout  Siddhartha condemns and left his teachers, in the end he becomes one. For his whole journey he is the one who learns, and all his past experience leads him to become the one who teaches. Thanks to those teachers, he finally finds what he has been looking for, after all the sacrifices he did and all the difficulties he has been through.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Hdl and Ldl Essay Example for Free

Hdl and Ldl Essay HDL means high density lipoproteins, Lipoproteins are a combination of lipid and proteins. They are very essential for the body to restore tissues and cell membranes. High density lipoproteins move very easily throughout the blood, they do not get stuck in it. HDLs are produced by the combination of unsaturated fats, cholesterol and protein. These tend to carry cholesterol from the tissues to the liver to be broken down. LDL or low density lipoprotein is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. When a person has too much LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood, it can slowly build up within the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. The formation of a clot in the region of this plaque can block the flow of blood to part of the heart muscle and cause a heart attack. If a clot blocks the flow of blood to part of the brain, the result is a stroke. A high level of LDL cholesterol reflects an increased risk of heart disease. That is why LDL cholesterol is often called bad cholesterol. LDL are made up from saturated fats, cholesterol and proteins, these take cholesterol from the liver to the tissues where it is stored. Effects of the diet on levels of HDL and LDL The diet has a massive effect on the lipoprotein in the blood. It is best to keep a low fat diet which ensures a low lipoprotein content. A higher concentration of HDL is preferable as that lipoprotein breaks down cholesterol instead of storing it inside arteries. Why is flora heart healthy even though it is a high fat spread? Flora is heart healthy as it contains plant sterols which actively remove cholesterol from the body by partly blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Cholesterol that isn’t absorbed is then removed from the body, resulting in a lowering of LDL cholesterol levels.

Friday, September 20, 2019

A Study On Dialogue And Learning Education Essay

A Study On Dialogue And Learning Education Essay Dialogue has been recognized as the most notable example of Western literature by Plato since 428/427 BC 348/347 BC;. In Greek and Indian literature, particularly the ancient art of rhetoric, it is historically origins as narrative, philosophical or educational device. The dialogue has been used to teach a range of subjects, including philosophy, logic, rhetoric, and mathematics. Dialogue (the Greek DIA for through and logos for word) can be defined to include numerous communicative acts includes conversation, talk, communication, interchange, discourse, argument, chat, gossip, colloquy, as well as discussion, debate, exchange of views, head-to-head, consultation, conference, meeting, interview, question and answer session, and negotiations (New Oxford Thesaurus of English 2000). Dialogic learning can occur in any educational situation and contains an important potential for social transformation.  [2]  Various contributions to Dialogic learning has been developed on many perspectives and disciplines such as, P. Freire, 1970 on the theory of Dialogic action, G. Wells, 1999 looking for the Dialogic inquiry approach, J. Habermas, 1984 with the theory of communicative action, M. Bakhtin, 1981, the notion of Dialogic imagination, and Soler, 2004, the dialogical self. Among those, there are many more contemporary authors on Dialogic conceptions, J. Mezirow, 1990, 1991, 2000 transformative learning theory, M. Fielding 2001, students as radical agents of change, T. Koschmann, 1999 emphasizes the potential advantages of adopting dialogicality as the basis of education, Anne C. Hargrave, 2000 shows that children in Dialogic-learning in vocabulary. Specifically, the concept of Dialogic learning (Flecha, 2000)  [3]  evolved from the investigation and observation of how people learn both outside and inside of schools, when acting and learning freely is allowed. The theory The concept of Dialogic learning is not new. In the book Mind and Society, 1962, Vygotsky argued that children learn how to use planning function of their language effectively and their psychological field changes fundamentally. He argued that a child begins to master his surroundings with the help of speech prior to mastering his own behavior. He claimed that the creation of these unique human forms of behavior which eventually produced the intellectual productive work with the use of tools. This was described in his observations of children in an experimental situation showed that children not only act in attempting to achieve a goal but also speak. This speech arose spontaneously and continued almost without interruption throughout the experiment. He claimed that it seems that both natural and necessary for children to speak while they act. Respectively, Vygotsky drew the same kind of distinction between the spontaneous concept of everyday learning and the scientific concept of th e classroom.  [4]  Vygotsky, 1962 argues that the inception of a spontaneous concept can usually be traced to a face-to-face meeting with a concrete situation, while a scientific concept involves from the first a mediated attitude towards it object. Paulo Reglus Neves Freire (1921-1997), 1970 theory of Dialogic action 1921 -1997 was a Brazilian educator and influential theorist of critical pedagogy.  [5]  He was an educationist known for developing popular education; he puts dialogue as a type of pedagogy.  [6]  Freire argued that dialogue as a means of democratizing education (Freire 1972, 1999). Dialogue communication allowed students and teachers to learn from one another in an environment characterized by respect and equality. He advocates himself to support suppressed people with their performance or application of skills that is informed and linked to their values, by performing and applying their skills in order to make pedagogy for a more deepening understanding and making positive changes to them. He states that human nature is Dialogic, and he believes that communication has a leading role in peoples life. Dialogue is a claim in favor of the democratic choice of educators and learners. The goal of the Dialogic action is always to reveal the truth interacting with others and the world. He claimed that we are continually in dialogue with others and it is in that process that we create and recreate ourselves. Besides, in order to promote free and critical learning, he insists that we should create the conditions for dialogue that encourages the epistemological curiosity of the learner. The Russian philosopher, literary critic, semiotician and scholar who worked on literary theory, ethics, and the philosophy of language, Mikhail M. Bakhtin, 1981, distinguishes the notion of Dialogic imagination. He has theorized dialogue in emphasizing the power of discourse to increase understanding of multiple perspectives and create myriad possibilities.  [7]  Bakhtin argued that dialogue creates a new understanding of a situation that demands change as relationships and connections exist among all living beings.  [8]  His concept of dialogism states a relation between language, interaction, and social transformation. Holquist, 1990 described Bakhtins writings on dialogicality are profound and represent a substantive shift from prevailing views on the nature of language and knowledge  [9]  . Bakhtin established that there is a need of creating meanings in a Dialogic way with other people.  [10]  He believed that individual does not exist outside dialogue. The conc ept of dialogue itself establishes the existence of the other person. It is through dialogue that the other cannot be silenced or excluded. Bakhtin claimed that meanings are created in the processes of reflection between people. He describes, we use the same meanings later in conversations with others, where those meanings get better and even change as we obtain new meanings. Therefore, when we talk, we learn something. In this sense, every time that we talk about something that we have read about, seen or felt; we are actually reflecting the dialogues we have had with others, showing the meanings that we have created in the previous dialogues with others. That said, dialogue cannot be separated from the perspectives of others: learning derives from here with the individual speech and the collective one is deeply related to ones life. Bakhtin asserts that talks is a chain of dialogues, he points that every dialogue results from a previous one and, at the same time, every new dialogu e are going to be presented in future ones. Fitz Simons, G. (1994)  [11]  the learning communities, an educational project which seeks social and cultural transformation of educational centers and their surroundings through Dialogic learning, emphasizing egalitarian dialogue among all community members, including teaching staff, students, families, entities, and volunteers. Fitz Simons points out: The need to establish an atmosphere of mutual respect and a feeling of community in which adult learners are encouraged to be independent learners and to share their expertise (p. 24-25, 1994) Dialogic Learning Fletcher, 2000 looks at the concept of Dialogic learning evolved from the investigation and observation of how people learn both outside and inside of schools, when learning and acting freely is allowed. She describes open dialogue which derived from the perspective of Freire, 1997 involvement of all members of the community the learning communities as research shows that learning process take place in different spaces of the learners life regardless of the learners age, and including the teaching staff, depend more on the coordination among all the interactions and activities. The recognition and respect of different types of knowledge raise the awareness that each person has something to share, something different and equally important. Therefore, the wider the diversity of voices engaged in open dialogue, the better the knowledge that can be dialogically constructed. Fletcha puts as [Dialogic learning] lead to the transformation of education centers into learning communities where all the people and groups involved enter into relationships with each other. In this way, the environment is transformed, creating new cognitive development and greater social and educational equality. (p. 24) Edward and Mercer, 1987 emphasize that the dialogue concept is ground rules of conversation because it operates as implicit sets of rules for behaving in particular kinds of situation which participants usually take for granted  [12]  . (Edward and Mercer, 1987) In 2007, Mercer and Littletons argues that talk is not just the mediating means for supporting individual development, but rather that ways of thinking are embedded in ways of using language. This talk is more emphasized on as a valuable, social mode of thinking, not just learning. They argue that learners engage and interact with others may have a profound and enduring impact on their skill and intellectual development.  [13]  They further argue that learning and development are two terms that related and have both been used in a great deal. Learning is often in the company of teaching. These two words are required to call upon the kinds of cognitive and intellectual changes in childrens learning. He asserts that lea rning is normally associated with the gaining of knowledge and the acquisition of some fact or skill. It invokes ideas of some sort of growth, the emergence of a new entity and the arrival of a new state of affairs. A contributor to Mercer and Littleton, Chris Watkins, 2003 (A scholar in education and learning) has distinguished three influential conceptions of learning: Learning is being taught, learning is the individual sense making, learning is building knowledge with others.  [14]   Harry Daniel 2001 claims that classroom talk or dialogue mediates not just teaching and learning but also the wider culture.  [15]  He claims that humans are seen as creatures who have a unique capacity for communication and whose lives are normally led within groups, communities and societies based on shared ways of using language, ways of thinking, social practices and tools for getting things done. Daniels emphasizes that such talk, must not be regarded as simple interaction, but narrowly regarded and bounded by the immediacy of the learning task in hand. Similarly, the Dialogic inquiry approach by Gordon Wells, 1999  [16]  , Wells argues that classroom dialogue has been proposed as a method of introducing critical education (Wells 1999, Alrà ¸ Skovsmose 2002) Dialogic inquiry is an educational approach that acknowledges the dialectic relationship between the individual and the society, and an attitude for acquiring knowledge through communicative interactions. Wells points out that the predisposition for Dialogic inquiry depends on the characteristics of the learning environments, and that is why it is important to reorganize them into contexts for collaborative action and interaction. Wells defines inquiry not as a method but as a predisposition for questioning, trying to understand situations collaborating with others with the objective of finding answers. Wells further argues that Dialogic inquiry not only enriches individuals knowledge but also transforms it, ensuring the survival of different cultures and their capacity to transform themselves according to the requirements of every social moment. Wells claims that Dialogic inquiry not only enriches individuals knowledge but also transforms it, ensuring the survival of different cultures and their capacity to transform themselves according to the requirements of every social moment. Education is seen as a Dialogic process, with students and teachers working together within settings that reflect the values and social practices of schools as cultural institutions. Alrà ¸ Skovsmose, 2002 relate dialogue to the learning process by attribute three essential properties to the notion of dialogue; making an inquiry, running a risk and maintaining equality.  [17]  These essential properties must be characteristic of the scene of interaction in order for a learning dialogue to occur. Making an inquiry means learner exploring what he does not yet know and sharing the desire to gain new experiences. For an inquiry to be Dialogic it must be open to participants bringing their own perspectives rooted in their backgrounds into the inquiry. Learners must also be willing to suspend their own perspectives in order to consider the perspectives of others and in articulating these perspectives new and more insightful perspectives might come into view. For that reason, Dialogic is running a risk in the ambiguity and uncertainty of the dialogue process. Learners to a dialogue propose other peoples perspectives, however navigating in a landscape of investigation means that there are no pre-established answers to up-and-coming questions. Therefore dialogue includes risk-taking both in an epistemological and an emotional sense. In other words learners to a dialogue will be challenged on their knowledge as well as their emotions. In order for participants to remain in the Dialogic process it must be ensured that the uncertainty never appears too uncomfortable. They claim that dialogue could then maintain equality by suggesting that learners are engaged at a level of parity. Parity in this sense does not equal sameness but rather fairness. Learners may enter the dialogue in different capacities and being equal thus comes to depend on the ability of learners to embrace and accept diversity (Alrà ¸ Skovsmose, 2002). After years of research conducted in several countries; India, USA, France, Italy and England with a team of researchers, Robin Alexander 2004  [18]  has put talk as the prominent element for effective thinking and learning requirement for children. He has distinguished talk for a distinctive pedagogical approach called Dialogic teaching. He argues that language and thought are intimately related, and the extent and manner of childrens cognitive development depend to a considerable degree on the forms and contexts of language which they have encountered and used. This new approach demands both pupil engagement and teacher intervention by which pupils actively engage and teachers constructively intervene is through talk. Dialogue and Higher level of Education For higher educational level, Diana Laurillard, 2002 puts a Dialogic learning framework as Conversational Framework. This framework supports various media forms such as narrative, interactive, adaptive, communicative and productive. The idea of a conversational framework, is used to define the learning process for higher education and then to interpret the extent to which new technology can support and enhance high level conceptual learning. She describes that learning must be discursive and the teacher should be associating teaching and learning process with the world. Laurillard asserts that learning technologies must achieve their full potential for transforming learning experience. Laurillard argues that the academics; Universities, Institutions, colleges, schools etc. Should begin with an understanding of how students learn, and they should design and use the Conversational Framework and the learning technologies from this standpoint to familiarize a better learning strategy for university teaching. Laurillards idea is hardly new as she quoted Paul Ramsdens statement that teaching is a sort of conversation. Respectively, Kolbs learning cycle (Kolb, 1984) states that learning occurs through an iterative cycle of experience followed by feedback, then reflected on to be used as revised action  [19]  . Gordon Pask, 1976 formalized the idea of learning as a conversation in conversation theory. This theory lays out the separation of description and model-building behaviors, and the definition of understanding as determined by two levels of agreement (Ibid. 22)  [20]  . This describes the characteristic of the teaching learning process is iterative conversation. Besides classroom education, dialogue education is described as an approach to adult education by educator, Jane Vella in the 1980s. This approach to education draws on various adult learning theories, including those of Paulo Freire, Kurt Lewin, Malcolm Knowles and Benjamin Bloom (Global Learning Partners, 2006b; Vella, 2004). It is a synthesis of these abstract theories into principles and practices that can be applied in a concrete way to learning design and facilitation. Dialogue education is a form of Constructivism and can be a means for Transformative learning, (Vella, 2004). Dialogue education shifts the focus of education from what the teacher says to what the learner does, from learner passivity to learners as active participants in the dialogue that leads to learning (Global Learning Partners, 2006c). A dialogue approach to education views learners as subjects in their own learning and honors central principles such as mutual respect and open communication (Vella, 2002). L earners are invited to actively engage with the content being learned rather than being dependent on the educator for learning. Ideas are presented to learners as open questions to be reflected on and integrated into the learners own context (Vella, 2004). The intent is that this will result in more meaningful learning. Conclusion Significantly dialogue and learning are two terms that cant stand by its own without the others presence. It is now that the responsibility of this study to examine dialogue and learning to a further course of current new media mobile technology. How does children making use of mobile devices in the world of mobile technology in this transformation age of environment? How does learning then develop from these technologies? Why does a child today communicate so much with technology? That said my hypothesis that the new media mobile technology has potential in facilitating the process of childrens learning development. Do these technologies provide learning tools which are able to provide significant knowledge development? Besides, Vygotsky and Vygotskian theory claimed that the learning tools are some kind of childrens higher psychological functions of making his or her interactions to their social and moral development. As we all knew, these dialogues are being created, learned and u sed by our children tremendously without our awareness day to day in their world of communications in interactive mobile technologies. These dialogues and learning are integrated with their handheld gadgets, computers and software, learning materials, playing the games in the virtual world. With the existence of other features; design, audio and video, photography, colors, fonts, information, and programming language navigating them throughout the lessons and programs. Our children or learners and members jointly produce Dialogic knowledge and participate in the definition of actions that lead to social and educational change. Therefore, this research sees dialogue and learning associates to the notion of Bakhtin dialogicality as dialogue represents this senses where it mediates the new media that our children to listen and watch. These dialogues can take numerous other forms such as: less structured, more informal and more participatory than interviews or discussion groups, e.g. By encouraging participants to set the agenda for discussion and for the researcher to take an active role in the discussion rather than only the role as a listener. This approach will grant participants to the dialogue a sense of equality and the freedom to bring into the dialogue whichever topic they deem relevant. Inviting research participants in the interpretation process simultaneously embrace a Dialogic epistemology recognizing the value of negotiating, reflecting and interpreting with the goal of mutual understanding and relationship building. Therefore, in this study we need to narrow our understanding of dialogue and address the question of the contribution of dialogue in the interactive mobile technologies in the childrens psychological learning development. In the learning communities, it is fundamentally the involvement o f all members of the community because, as research shows, learning processes, regardless of the learners age, and including the teaching staff, depend more on the coordination among all the interactions and activities that take place in different spaces of the learners life, like school, home, and workplace, then only on interactions and activities developed in spaces of formal learning, such as classrooms. Along these lines, the learning communities project aims at multiplying learning contexts and interactions with the objective of all participants reaching higher levels of development (Vygotsky, 1978)  [21]  .

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Concert Report Essay -- essays research papers

CONCERT REPORT #1   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I chose to do my first concert report on Pearl Jam. The concert took place at Deer Creek the weekend after class started, so it was perfect timing to do this assignment. This was the first time I have seen Pearl, and I thought it was worthy of writing a report on.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If one has ever been a fan of Pearl Jam, they of course know that Eddie Vedder is the lead singer, and right beside him with his wicked lead guitar playing, Stone Gossard. The other guys on the strings are, Mike McCready on guitar, and Jeff Ament on bass. My favorite band player of any band is the drummer, and for Pearl Jam, this guy is Matt Cameron. He is the only unoriginal band member when they formed in 1991 and produced their first album, Ten. FYI, the original drummer for Pearl Jam was Dave Krusen. I have always liked Pearl Jam, but was not expecting much of the show. I was not impressed by their last two albums, especially their most recent one, Binaural. But, I had always wanted to see them live, and I was still a big fan of their first four albums, so off I went to see Pearl Jam. Their opening song was â€Å"Corduroy†, a song from their third album, Vitology. This is one of my personal favorites, because of simple reasons. I just like the words and the drums of the song. But I was not prepared for what I was about to hear. The beat of the drum bass was so deep, and the clash of the symbols was incredibly high. Every time I play th...

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Collegiate Gladiator in the Gauntlet of Education :: Personal Narrative Papers

Collegiate Gladiator in the Gauntlet of Education I felt the presence of early morning dew against my skin as I marched through a grass field on a brisk October day. My classmates exuded enthusiasm; this excursion was reason to escape the confines of our bleak high school. There was abundant conversation with the occasional youthful act of animation, like sprinting downfield or throwing a rock. The world seems just a bit different when a student is taken from a classroom setting into a non-academic one. Opportunity and freedom appear to be ever so present. Perhaps, that was reason for our class being outside during my regularly scheduled English period. In all honesty I was quite skeptical. I have never been a morning person and can be a silent cynic when it comes to group events. I staggered behind the group, hands in pocket, submerged in totally unrelated thought. My teacher led the way stammering uphill and clenching his worn black book, almost appearing as if he was Moses carrying the Ten Commandments up Mount Sinai. After trekking through the endless barren of soccer and lacrosse fields, we came upon the overgrown pathway that led into the woods. Many of us were familiar to this area, coaches often made their teams run through these wild trails. Others seemed puzzled. Stepping into the wild that day we crossed the threshold on many levels: not just escaping into nature but escaping from ordinary thinking. For me, the change in location would also mark a change in philosophy. Some distance I have covered. The start of my journey seems like a lifetime ago. Blinded by innocence and burdened with little responsibility, being eight years old had its perks. Sure I had to attend school, but what exactly was school at that echelon? A day spent singing songs, playing dodge ball, paper macheing cardboard figurines, with the occasional napping and recess break. Almost like summer camp. To my surprise, second grade was far from what I imagined. My year revolved daily lessons on reading and writing... in hopes of achieving basic literacy. With the occasional dip into the kiddy pool of arithmetic, second grade was a year of hard work. I was lucky to have an incredible teacher like Mrs. Perdiz. She pushed me so hard, so hard that at times I disliked her. Music, math, and art took a definite backseat to reading.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

“Grandfather” and Gandalf

The well-known adventure novel The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien and the historical fiction novel Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson both exemplify the use of the â€Å"wise old man† archetype through the characters Gandalf and â€Å"Grandfather. † Although the former is a powerful sorcerer and the latter is a vulnerable slave, both act as sagacious advisors for the stories’ main protagonists—Bilbo and Isabel. At one point in the Chains text, when Isabel (a slave girl) goes to the town’s pump to get her water, Grandfather says to Isabel, â€Å"A scar is a sign of strength†¦ Look hard for your river Jordan, my child. You’ll find it. † Grandfather shows his wisdom by encouraging Isabel to search for her own freedom beyond the River Jordan, which, in this case, symbolizes the final obstacle she must face before reaching liberty. In the first part of the quote, Grandfather implies that Isabel will encounter a huge obstacle that might hinder her way to freedom, but he says that she must use her perseverance in order to endure it. Similarly, in The Hobbit, Gandalf frequently gives advice to, and encourages, the easily depressed Bilbo in order to persist even though he (Bilbo) may run into dangers along the journey. While both Gandalf and Grandfather are wise, they differ in many ways, including the aspect that Gandalf possesses powerful abilities that make him as near as invincible. When Gandalf uses undefeatable powers to rescue Bilbo and the dwarves from a goblin stronghold, the narrator of the story describes, â€Å"Just at that moment all the lights in the cavern went out, and the great fire went off poof! nto a tower of blue glowing smoke, right up to the roof, that scattered piercing white sparks all among the goblins. † In fact, Gandalf proves to be so powerful that he even has the capacity to electrocute hundreds of goblins in a matter of seconds. On the other hand, Grandfather, a helpless slave, does not possess any of the apparent physical capabilities that Gandalf possesses; Grandfatherâ€⠄¢s only conspicuous characteristic seems to be his judiciousness, a quality formerly referenced as a similarity between Grandfather and Gandalf. Although the two characters, Gandalf and Grandfather, come from completely different backgrounds—one has a significant physical advantage over the other—both still share the same intellectual qualities as wise men who dedicate to the success of their fellow colleagues and eventually help them achieve their goals. To apply this comparison to a global truth, a person may be born with more abilities or a better status than another, but there is ultimately nothing that prevents the person from having as equally successful results as the other.

Monday, September 16, 2019

An Artistic Story of New York City in 1932

November 17, 2012 Essay II, Word Count: 2268 An Artistic Story of New York in 1932 The purpose of this essay is to discuss the ways Stuart Davis uses the elements of art and principals of design in his painting, New York Mural, 1932. In the beginning of this essay, there is a description of Davis’ biological information and what was happening in New York during the years preceding the painting. It will discuss three elements of art to include: line, shape and color. The principals of design that will be discussed are unity, balance, and variety.It will close with my personal reflection and experience that was gained from the analysis and research of the painting. Davis was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1892 to parents that were artists. His father was a newspaper art director and his mother was a sculptor. His family moved to East Orange, New Jersey when he was nine years old. He attended school in New Jersey and left high school in 1909 before graduating to attend Hen ri’s School of Art in New York City. He became acquainted and formed friendships with mentors, John Sloan and George Luks. These men were all part of â€Å"The Eight†.These men were all part of the Realist Art Movement and focused on poverty and the realities of urban life for real people. He began exhibiting his art in 1910 and had his first exhibit in New York City. In 1912, he was employed by a left leaning journal that under the direction of Sloan. While he was there, participating in the groundbreaking Armory Show. His work still was in the realist mode until 1916 when he went on his own to become more of an abstract artist. He was drafted and stayed in United States as a cartographer creating maps for the US Army Intelligence Department.Fortunately, that was short-lived and he began using a Cubist style on his work. He made a series with this Cubist style of works based on a tobacco series. He began an eggbeater series while having Edith Halpert of New Yorkâ€⠄¢s Downtown Gallery of Art. This series began his journey away from European influenced Cubism to his own development of his own abstractive modernist style without human presence in his works. He went to Paris in 1928 and upon returning in 1929, he became fascinated and intrigued with the industrialism and post war architecture in New York City.His words were quoted by Karen Wilkin, â€Å"On my arrival I New York I was appalled and depressed by its gigantism. Everything in Paris was human size, here everything was inhuman. It was difficult to think either of art or oneself as having any significance whatever in the face of this frenetic commercial engine. † (Wilkin, 127). At this time, the Great Depression he created relatively few works, but he constantly changed scale, medium and method, making easel paintings, ink drawings, murals and lithographs (Wilkin, 127). His art reflected social issues and his works were pictures that tell a larger story.New York Mural was his mos t ambitious treatment of the city in which he touched upon the issues of prohibition, government corruption and the affairs of Al Smith (Weber, 10). His journals and historical data during these few years in the New York City political scene are confirmation of the journalistic story he told through New York Mural. It was an outrage that many foreign artists were commissioned to do work in the United States. The Museum of Modern Art in New York organized an exhibit of contemporary murals. This show is why Davis created the New York Mural.It stirred much controversy because of the story it told about New York’s economic, social and political climate. Davis wrote in his personal papers, now in collection at Harvard University: Modern art is a reflection of the advanced modern technology. Modern Art in turn has changed to industrial design (Weber, 10). In 1932, Davis painted the piece that is the topic of this essay, New York Mural. He used oil which did not dry quickly and gave him the ability to change and modify colors and lines days later. Oil paint is flexible and it was easy for him to achieve a rich luminosity while having smooth effects with a high level of detail. DeWitte, Larmann, and Shields, 186). His paintings were now made up of modern industry images with free association and with a decorative pattern that created an optical vibration (Weber, 13). The most dominant principle of design used in this piece is variety because of the artist’s use of various elements of art to include: line, shape, color, form and space. Each element has many purposes to hold the views attention. As you look at the picture, these elements are effective in bringing your attention to every detail as you look around the work of art.Variety makes this picture of the skyline diverse and like no other picture of New York City. The use of lines is complimented by the variety of color used in the painting. The oil provides a shiny surface that allows the lines to b e hard and well defined. Within each line are many colors hues of color. The solid primary colors give the lines true definition. Many of the colors are complementary which seems to help contract the objects while achieving depth, especially between the buildings. Some areas of the picture have both crossed-hatching and hatching and neutral solid spaces and shapes.This helps create darkness and lightness in the details of many of the objects. Along with solid black and white areas, the hatchings create shadows and make the picture appear three-dimensional. The buildings appear in the background and random objects in the foreground because of the black surrounding the bottom images in the picture. When you are standing back from the picture you know it’s a building facade but cannot see the defined shapes of the building. The cross hatching and neutrals colors help this happen as if you were in the city looking at distant buildings.The colors are all basic colors of the spectr um with the exception of black and white in the foreground and background to create a dramatic sense of depth and value. These hues are in different shades and saturations. For example the yellow in the banana and tigers’ head is close to its highest level of saturation. The yellow building is a lower saturated yellow because it is mustard in color by having brown mixed into the paint. The black used in the background, lines and inside the buildings help show the defined shapes of the objects in the piece.The white achieves many of the same things while this absence of color is used to show brightness and the feeling of daylight where it is in the background. There is an obvious contrast by the black and white that creates the symbolism of night and day. With these neutral colors there is no need for implied lines as your eyes wonder around the picture. The directional lines are used to bring your eyes upward in the painting to the tallest building in the center which could b e considered the main focal point. It is almost in the centerline of the piece which helps to achieve symmetry and balance.This building is recognizable as the Empire State Building, the newest and tallest building in New York in 1932. Horizontal Lines bring your eyes up into the skyline while the vertical and diagonal lines create depth and dimensions. The curved lines with both thin and thickness to them help you to notice various symbols that explain the story Davis is trying to tell of that time. The foreground has many shapes utilizing volume and space that take time to identify. These contour shaped images create volume and space in the foreground.While the yellow banana is recognizable, it has a an organic shape that makes you look closely to make sure that is what he is showing the viewer. The green banana is not as recognizable because of its dark hue of green even though it is analogous to yellow. There are mostly geometric shapes in the city’s skyline. The only cur ved line and shape is in the shape of a funny face with a hat at the top of the purple building to the right where the three orange circles look two eyes and a nose. Symmetry is achieved through a well balanced picture.Both sides are equally filled with positive shapes and vary with and same amount of negative space. There are concentric geometric shapes for the windows in the buildings, this creates contrast between the different buildings heights and widths. It also gives symmetry to each individual building. The six large rectangles behind the gas pump make it recognizable as a gas station with the garage door in front. The use of colors and lines help the entire picture to appear balanced. The principle of design, proportion, is used throughout this piece of art. The tiger’s head and tail are recognizable in a cartoon like image.If you did not have the research and narrative of what was going on in this time period of the artist’s life, you would not understand why it is randomly placed to the right bottom of the closest building in the foreground of the buildings. The entire painting has the cartoon like feel to it. Especially with the exaggerated proportions of the hats, bananas and what looks like a butterfly on the right side boarder. These things are not to scale with the rest of the parts. The scale is in different proportions and it is mostly dramatic between the foreground and the skyline which appears father away.The best example in the foreground is the proportion of the bananas, tire and hat. It would be a very small tire and hat or a very large banana in realistic. Davis uses scale to exaggerate some of the messages that he is trying to tell about the many things that were taking place during this time. Many of these images are defined further through many of Davis’ later paintings that are enlarged and elaborated versions of this original painting. In a genius way, Davis achieves unity through this picture when you view it as a whole.There is a direct message that the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts (DeWitte, Larmann, and Shields, 121). He splatters various colorful shapes and organic images to tell the story. Upon first glance, the draw to this picture was because the noticeably recognizable skyline of New York City. I love New York City more than any other place that I have ever lived, worked or played. After gazing around it for a few moments, I could see many random objects beautifully tied and linked together through symbols made of shapes, space, lines and many bright, shiny colors.It was puzzling because I did not know specific facts of history. It was obvious to me that each thing placed in the painting was deliberate and told a story. I was very interested to hear why these random objects surrounding the geometric shaped skyline were of significance to the artist at that moment in time. It is very busy, but also balanced achieving unity and balance. After reading about the artist and his other works, I was fascinated by his ability to not only tell a story but to practically expose the negative and positive events and achievements of that time.His ego and boldness was obvious to me when I realized the offending nature of some of the references he was making representing specific people he knew and was around in New York City. I feel as though I have read a book about New York City’s growth and struggles after the crash of the stock market in 1929 through the early 1930’s. I am also grateful, to the authors of books and articles that explain what was happening and researches what the artist meant with different aspects of their pieces of art. I am a new fan of Davis because I love his bright shiny pictures depicting the city I love and am interested in.He loved New York and enjoyed it while noticing some of the growth and change making the city less intimate and large and filled with the potential and realities for corruption. I belie ve he admired and was impressed with the new buildings and infrastructure in the city while acknowledging that it had to come at a price of greed and a degree of coldness rather than prosperity and warmth. This essay makes me more interested in the stories behind the pieces of art and the artists that created them. The thoughts, history and personal situations are fascinating and give me a different appreciation for New York Mural.I am going to stay mindful and open to enjoy a piece of artwork just for its beauty and the talent that it took to create rather than the book of truth and theoretical information behind it. Works Cited Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larrman, and M. Kathryn Shields, Gateways to Art, 2012, Tharmes & Hudson Weber, Bruce. Stuart Davis’ New York, 1985. Norton Gallery of Art, West Palm Beach Wilkins, Karen. Stuart Davis, 1987. Cross River Press, ltd. Davis, Stuart. New York Mural. 1932. Oil on Canvas. Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach. 84 inches x 84 inc hes, signed and dated Date viewed: November 4, 2012

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Guest Lecture

Distinguished Guests Students and Participants Ladies and Gentlemen Good morning. I am really privileged to have the pleasant task of welcoming the distinguished gathering for today’s guest lecture {on ‘HUMAN RESOURCE APPLICATION IN ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY’}. On behalf of ———– and on my own behalf, I warmly and respectfully welcome the Chief Guest, Hon’ble ——————. We are indeed grateful to him for graciously and readily accepting our invitation.Nevertheless,we are highly honoured that our Hon’ble DEAN(HRD) ———– Sir is amongst us today. As you all know, our DEAN(HRD) Sir , wants to have a vibrant academicatmosphere in the college by conducting various seminars, paper presentations, group discussions and guest lectures. Guest lectures are part and parcel of having such vibrant academic atmosphere. In today's environment, hoarding knowledge ultimately er odes your power.If you know something very important, the way to get power is by actually sharing it. Thus, Guest Lecture is a way of enriching you students with the latest updates of the Industries and Technicalities. The Students are bestowed with knowledge about Industry needs, latest technical updates, Avenues for Higher studies etc. Todays guest lectures would certainly help us to dwell deep into the subject rather than having a superficial understanding of the subject.I suggest you all to be interactive through out the seminar rather than being passive listeners. The more interest you show the more benefit you gain from this lecture . I don’t want to take much time as I know that you are eagerly waiting to listen to his lecture. Before I conclude, I once again thank the management, DEAN(HRD) sir and the whole team of ——- for setting up a right platform for us to brain storm on this topic. Thank you.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Policy of Containment Essay

Americans believe that if Franklin D. Roosevelt would have lived longer, that he would have been able to stem the tide of tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States. His successor lacked greatly the Talent of FDR. The new president, who was more comfortable with machine politicians than with polished New Dealers, liked to talk tough and act defiantly. Truman complained that the U.S. Negotiations had been a â€Å"one way street† just ten days after he took office. He then vowed to not â€Å"baby† the Soviet no longer. A crisis in the Mediterranean prompted President Truman to show his colors. On February 21, 1947, amid a civil war in Greece, Great Britain informed the U.S. State Department that it could no longer afford to prop up the anti-Communist government there and announced it’s intention to withdraw all aid. Truman concluded, Greece, Turkey, and perhaps the entire oil-rich Middle East would fall under Soviet control, without U.S. Intervention. On March 12, 1947, the President made his argument before Congress in bold terms: â€Å"At the present moment in world history, nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life†¦ One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished be free institutions†¦and freedom from political oppression. The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed on the majority†¦ And the suppression of personal freedoms.† Never mentioning the Soviet Union by name, he appealed for all-out resistance to a â€Å"certain ideology† wherever it appeared in the world. The preservation of peace and the freedom of all Americans depended, the president insisted, on containing communism. Congress approved a $400 million appropriation in aid for Greece and Turkey, which helped the monarchy and right-wing military crush the rebel movement. Truman’s victory buoyed his popularity for the upcoming 1948 election. It also helped to generate popular support for a campaign against communism, both at home and abroad. The significance of what became known as the Truman Doctrine far outlasted  the events in the Mediterranean: the United States had declared it’s right to intervene to save other nations from communism. As early as February 1946, foreign-policy adviser George F. Kennan had sent an 8,000-word â€Å"long telegram† to the State Department insisting that Soviet fanaticism made cooperation impossible. The USSR intended to extend it’s realm not by military means alone, he explained, but by â€Å"subversion† within â€Å"free† nations. The Truman Doctrine described the differences between the United States and the Soviet Union as absolute and irreconcilable, as an ideological breach that resonated far beyond foreign policy. It was now the responsibility of the United States, Truman insisted to safeguard the â€Å"Free World† by diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military means. He had, in sum, fused anti communism and internationalism into an aggressive foreign policy. The Truman Doctrine complemented the European Recovery Program, commonly known as the Marshall Plan. On June 5, 1947 the plan was introduced in a commencement speech at Harvard University by secretary of state and former army chief of staff George C. Marshall. The plan sought to reduce â€Å"hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos† and to restore â€Å"the confidence of the European people in the economic future of their own countries and of Europe as a whole.† Although Marshall added that â€Å"our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine,† the plan that bore his name additionally aimed to turn back both socialist and Communist electoral bids for power in northern and western Europe while promoting democracy through an economic renewal. The most successful postwar U.S. Diplomatic venture, the Marshall Plan supplemented the Bretton Woods agreements by further improving the climate for a viable capitalist economy, in western Europe and in effect bringing recipients of aid into a bilateral agreement with the United States. Western Europe nations, seventeen in all, ratified the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which reduced commercial barriers among member nations and opened all to U.S. Trade and investment. The plan was costly to Americans, in it’s initial year taking 12 percent of the federal budget, but effective. Industrial production in the European nations covered by the plan rose by  200 percent between 1947 and 1952. Although deflationary programs cut wages and increased unemployment, profits soared and the standard of living improved. Supplemented by a multimedia propaganda campaign, the Marshall Plan introduced many Europeans to American consumer goods and lifestyles. The Marshall Plan drove a deeper wedge between the United States and the Soviet Union. Stalin was invited to participate but he denounced the plan for what it was, an American scheme to rebuild Germany and to incorporate it into and anti-Soviet bloc that encompassed all western Europe. The president readily acknowledged that the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine were â€Å"two halves of the same walnut.† The policy of containment depended on the ability of the United States to back up it’s commitments through military means, and Truman invested his faith in the U.S. Monopoly of atomic weapons. The U.S began to build atomic stockpiles and to conduct tests on the Bikini Islands in the Pacific. By 1950, as a scientific adviser observed, the U.S. â€Å"Has a stockpile capable of somewhat more than reproducing World War II in a single day.† The U.S. Military analysts estimated it would take the Soviet Union three to ten years to produce an atomic bomb. In August 1949, the Soviet Union proved them wrong by testing it’s own atomic bomb. â€Å"There is only one thing worse than one nation having the atomic bomb,† Noble prize-winning scientist Harold C. Urey said, â€Å"that’s two nation’s having it.† The United States and Soviet Union were now firmly locked into the Cold War. The nuclear arms race imperiled their futures, diverted their economies, and fostered fears of impending doom. Prospects for global peace had dissipated, and despite the Allied victory in World War II, the world had again divided into hostile camps.

Business Culture Of Russia English Language Essay

Business Culture Of Russia English Language Essay Imagine that you work for a multinational IT company and have been transferred to Japan for five years on a project. You want to adjust yourself culturally to the new environment so that you do not have cross-cultural problems. Which aspects of the local culture would you wish to observe and understand in order to avoid problems of cross-cultural communication? Hello!! My name is Agnes. I am from Russia. I work in a multi-national company there as Sr. Manager in Marketing Department. For the completion of a project, I have been transferred to Japan for five years. Being two different countries, there are a lot of differences between the business cultures of them. Business Culture of Russia Russia, being one of the fastest growing economies of the world, is an inspiration for international business relations. People who are looking forward to break into a new business or attempting to grow their European presence enjoy their success by the development of new Russian clients and partn ers. Meeting Etiquettes Russians value patience and appreciate time for discussion, consideration and digesting negotiations. Never try to impose a decision through high-pressure talk. It will only make you look impatient, rude and incapable of professional business communications. Although it is acceptable for your Russian colleagues to be late to the business meetings, but, as a foreigner, you are expected to be punctual. Also, do not let your late Russian colleagues to apologize, as their behavior is considered to be a test of your patience level. If your business meeting is based on a technical topic, be sure that you bring technical experts and a Russian interpreter along with you. Your Russian colleagues will expect a thorough presentation associated with your topic. Bringing experts establishes your credibility, foresight and general expertise. Although most Russians speak English, be sure that you have a Russian translation of your business card on the other side, as this in dicates your enthusiasm for doing business with your Russian colleagues. Greeting Etiquettes Initial greetings may come across coolly. Do not expect friendly smiles. A handshake is always required when greeting or leaving, regardless of the relationship. Remove your gloves before shaking hands. Dress Codes Business dress is formal and conservative. Wearing very light or very bright colors may make you appear lazy or unreliable to a Russian person. MEN: They should wear business suits. WOMEN: They should wear subdued colored business suits with skirts that cover the knees. Body Language Russians are very demonstrative people, and public physical contact is common. Hugs, backslapping, kisses on the cheeks and other expansive gestures are common among friends or acquaintances. Russians stand close while they are talking. Making an â€Å"OK† sign in Russia is considered to be very rude gesture. Corporate Culture Russians appreciate punctuality. Business meetings generally begin o n time in Russia. Business cards, in Russia, are always exchanged at business meetings. The ceremony of presenting and receiving business cards is very important. Do not treat it lightly. Hand your business card in a way that the Russian side is readable to the recipient.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Natural Selection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Natural Selection - Essay Example "Birds that survived in arid environment, the ones that had beaks were best suited for that particular environment and they got more food than the others, the same affected their mating process also, the ones that got more food had better mating conditions than the ones who got less food. Similarly the birds who had beak shaped beaks conjured up the resources from the environment like nectar from flowers etc and they were also in a very good position. Natural selection refers to being in a very good position and being able to reproduce. This whole process is referred to as Natural selection." (Darwin and Natural Selection, 17 April 2009). "Charles Darwin is believed to be the founder of this theory and he conducted a research in the 19th century on an island where he found that organisms that suit better to the environment are more likely to survive than the organisms that don't suit the environment." (Theory of Natural Selection, 17 April 2009). The above diagram shows the evolution of beaks of these birds; their beaks are instrumental in determining how much food they get. Their beaks enable them to survive in different ecological conditions, the birds that eat grubs have a thin and an extended beak and the same enables them to poke into various holes and get the grubs. Finches that eat fruits and similar items would be less successful in doing so because their beaks don't allow them to do so. Peppered Moth is a classic example of Natural selection; Industrial melanism is a process that occurs in these species. This process has become very common since the beginning of the industrial age. The pollution let out by industries and vehicles would collect on the sides of several buildings and the same changes the color of the buildings making the buildings darker. The Peppered Moth is usually light in color and the predators that eat Peppered Moth can easily catch and feed upon the moth because of its evident visibility against the dark background caused by pollution. After a point in time the process of mutation took place in these species of Peppered Moths and these days, they have become darker in color when compared to the white Peppered Moths, this means they have again become very difficult to trace and hunt for predators that feed upon them. In this particular case, the process of Natural Selection

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Sector Matrix for Ford Motor Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Sector Matrix for Ford Motor Company - Essay Example Literature review and discussions will be centered on the Ford Motor Company which is, apart from being one of the Detroit Three (Sperling & Gordon, 2009, P. 55), also a significant player in the global automotive industry. The essay will also try to discuss the significance of the said tools at firm level as well as a sectoral level by taking into consideration the changes in organizational activities at the firm level and their impacts on the intermediate as well as the macro levels. Propounded by Michael E. Porter (1985), the Value Chain model is centered on organizational processes. Generally, the manufacturing facility is categorized into subsystems – each having its own inputs, throughputs, and outputs. The efficiency of activities aligned through value chain determines the cost of production and hence influences the profitability of the organization. The activities are grouped into primary activities and secondary/support activities (Needle, 2010, P. 275). The five main primary activities are inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, marketing and sales, and after-sales service, while the secondary activities comprise procurement, human resource management, technological development, and infrastructure. It has been observed that Ford Motor Company (Ford) being a foremost player in the global automobile industry, its business activities have extensive influence on almost all aspects of its environment. The figure appended above represents the interconnectivity of the main phases of Ford’s value chain. The management of Ford has recognized the fact that â€Å"these issues are interconnected at each stage and that positive and negative effects in one part of the chain can reverberate in the other parts† (Ford-website-a, n.d.), and hence, is trying to infuse the different phases with sustainability issues. Ford is aiming at improving its manufacturing efficiency and simultaneously reducing emissions. Moreover, the company is also using recycled materials and is trying to enhance the reusability of its vehicles as part of its environment-friendly operations.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Creativity and Innovation in the Development of a Product Assignment

Creativity and Innovation in the Development of a Product - Assignment Example The movement of consumers from chips consumption, to other products with minor fat content, saw a decrease in sales of McCain oven chips. People started associating chips and other non-fresh foods with cancer. This posed a formidable challenge to McCain’s company. They had to devise ways to increase their product front to consumers. At this instance, they needed creativity and innovations of the highest order, to facilitate improved their products. With the phenomenal pressure on the fast food industry, where the media keenly focused on obesity and other health scares that faced the world population, McCain oven chips had to come up with new ways of preparing their chips. Through innovation, McCain oven chips producers came up with a strategy to carry out an extensive campaign. The company linked up with design consultancy Elmwood and advertising agency Beattie, to access methods that it could choose to strengthen its brand value. As a result of this collaboration, the company was able to come up with unique designs for its products. They were successfully able to repackage their products, in a way that indicated their products had less fat content. They used more muted colors that clearly shown that their products were made of unprocessed organic potatoes (Barron, 2009, P.332). By doing this, they successfully eliminated the idea that their products contained high-fat content’s a result; consumers gained the trust on their products. This led to increased sales and product penetration in the UK. Through creativity and innovation, B and Q have been able to gain market dominance in the home improvement sector. It has successfully been able to provide value for money. Immediately B, Q Company identified that the older people were not getting adequate services. They engaged in a fruitful research with Hamlyn Research Centre. Together, they were able to come up with ways  of creating more comprehensive products (I, 2009, P.412).

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Letter Of Application to Honors Marketing Program Essay - 1

Letter Of Application to Honors Marketing Program - Essay Example During my years as a student at I have taken part in several extra-curricular programs. I have been the Marketing Coordinator for the University Radio Station, a charter member of the University Marketing Association, and I am the founder and President of the University Consulting Group. I have also put considerable effort into gaining hands-on experience through work. I have completed internships with the Illinois Attorney General’s Officer as a Law Clerk, with Morgan Stanley as a Marketing Assistant, and most recently with the Illinois State Senator’s Officer as an Assistant to the Senator. In addition to this I am the President of Press Play Promotions, an entertainment promotions company which plans and promotes events at venues throughout the Chicago area. I have acquired valuable skills from these activities, not the least of which is the ability to prioritize my work and manage my time effectively. My particular aim with my extra-curricular activities was to work on my leadership skills, and I feel I have accomplished that effectively. Leading Press Play Promotions has allowed me to further refine these skills, as I direct a staff of fifteen in this company. In addition, Press Play Promotions has been invaluable to me in honing my entrepreneurial and promotional skills. Working at Morgan Stanley was also a very valuable experience, as at this firm I worked in a cohesive team that recruited new clients via presentations which utilized several different media. I have attained many skills which will be of use to me in my chosen field of work, and feel that my combination of skills is highly suitable for helping me attain my career goals. After graduation I will take up a Marketing Business Development position with in Chicago. I am hoping to be able to attend the part time Honors Program in conjunction with my work at the firm. Ultimately I intend to draw on my experience with Press Play

Monday, September 9, 2019

IBM's Global Business Services Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

IBM's Global Business Services - Case Study Example The comparisons contained here are, however, solely based on information published in the respective company's website and there were no exhaustive evaluation on their actual operations. TD Securities have campus recruitment systems wherein recruiting representatives go directly to campuses just like IBM, but it has a wider University coverage than IBM. Its commitment includes hiring employees with diverse backgrounds to reflect the global environment in which they operate (TD Bank, 2008). "The George S. May International Company recruits and hires people with the goal of having employees positioned as close as possible to the general parts of the country where they are assigned to work. This makes business travel easier and faster. It also allows our people to enjoy the benefits of families and friends as much as possible." This opening statements is somewhat a good come-on for career persons who are not willing to sacrifice family affairs. Bain and Company offer several simple web contents that are useful to guide interested applicants including the customized application procedures for different applicants with different levels of qualification. It also have helpful tools for interview preparations. Their site is not cramped with information which makes it faster to load even for lower speed connections (Bain and Company, 2008). Is like the other firms.

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Spyware and Implementing Network Security to Prevent it Essay

Spyware and Implementing Network Security to Prevent it - Essay Example Spyware may collect different types of information. Some variants attempt to track the websites a user visits and then send this information to an advertising agency. More malicious variants attempt to intercept passwords or credit card numbers as a user enters them into a web form or other application. The scourge of spyware is going to be here for quite a while, simply because the attacker make so much money from it. An attacker can make a dollar or more per month per infected system by using spyware to inject pop-up ads, Spam and other annoyances. Therefore, attackers have a vested interest to constantly adapt their software and make it ever more stealthy and sticky. Additionally, the stakes are even higher if the attacker can steal credit card or bank account information. What weve seen in the past three years is the growth of a spyware industry that spins off millions of dollars. That money is often folded back into research and development for more malicious attacks. This R&D funding makes their software even more powerful and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. As spyware continues to threaten the stability of corporate infrastructures, its crucial to understand how this malicious software works and how to defend against it. This assignment is a compilation of resources that explain what spyware is, how it attacks and most importantly what you can to do to win the war on spyware. Spyware is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. On the Internet where it is sometimes called a spybot or tracking software, spyware is programming that is put in someones computer to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties. Spyware can get in a computer as a software virus or as the result of installing a new program. Some common examples of spyware are CoolWebSearch (CWS), Gator

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Strategic Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Strategic Management - Assignment Example The core competencies of an organisation are focused on satisfying customer needs and demands to achieve more than average returns (Thompson, 2001). The Business-level strategies help the organisation to achieve its targets. The actions of Business level strategies provide value to customers and help the organisation to gain a competitive advantage (Kaplan and Norton, 2001). The Business-level strategies are also concerned with the position of the firm in an industry, with respect to competitors and to the five forces of competition (Hill, Jones and Schilling, 2014). A competitive advantage is a benefit which is gained over its rivals by a company by offering customers value for the products, through lower prices or by providing additional benefits and service that can justify similar or higher prices (Ansoff and McDonnell, 1990). Manufacturers or producers who are involved in niche marketing, exploring a competitive advantage, to them it means increased profit and a sustainable business and its success over the long term (Pearce and Robinson, 2000). The following categorisation defines competitive advantage better and discusses several strategies which help in building a competitive advantage of a company. Cost Leadership is a strategy by which the company makes continuous efforts to cut costs relative to its competitors (Goldman and Nieuwenhuizen, 2006). Here the company aims to compete for a wide range of customers based on price. Differentiation is a strategy by which a unique feature in the product provides value to the customers. It is created by lowering buyer’s cost, sustainability and raising buyer’s performance (Stevenson and Hojati, 2007). In Focused low cost strategy, the company selects a small segment of market to sell its products or services at a competitive price (Thompson, et al., 2008). In