Mobile Phone Simulation Essay

Introduction As advancement in technology becomes more and more rapid in development that many technological electronic devices will becomes obsolete before it is sold. As the average lifecycle of the many new products in the world today becomes shorter and shorter. This is the leading cause of obsolete inventory for manufacturers and retailers, where their inventory will not sell without being mark down. The other problem is that popular products will sell as soon as they hit the shelves and cause a stock out. As retailers learned to become leaner and work with manufacturers so they can continuously replenish stock when needed. That way it will help reduce the risk for both manufacturers and retailers. The people managing the supply chain must make accurate market prediction and allocate their resource to match the prediction. For the two lines of mobile phones that will be release in to the market, we will do everything described above. We will design the phone, take advice from forecasting tea m and then order production. After the production are the sales and the adjustments made in reaction to the market condition. The yearend sales result will tell us how much we made and board room meeting will give us feedback on how well we did. Design In designing the phone for year one, we decided to use basic model with no options added, just to test how it will do and to save on the cost of adding an option. That came to the cost of $130 for model A and $150 for model B. In year two, we decided to add the option of extra battery because we believed that extra battery life will result in greater demand for the phones. That came to the cost of $150 for model A and $170 for model B. In year three, we decided to add two options, the anti-theft and the speaker options. The reason we pick anti-theft is that we believe that anti-theft would be important to anyone who relies on their phone to perform day to day task and would not like to lose their phone. The speaker option was added the extra function on the phone, which we believe could boost sales. That came to the cost of $180 for model A and $200 for model B. In year four, we decided to go with a sleek design, the super-slim. The reason we pick this option was because we did not t hink the other options were viable except for this one. Two of the other options the anti-theft and the speakers did not get a good response from the year before so we exclude those options. The mini-DVD option was excluded because we did not think anyone would want to watch a movie on a tiny screen. In this design only the super-slim option was added and that came to the cost of $155 for model A and $175 for model B. Forecasting After finishing the design for the two phones the next part to do was Forecasting. For year 1the average for model A is 60k, and for model B its 30K. We decided to put the demand estimate for model A 60k, and for model B 26k.For year 2 the average for model A is 54k, and the average for Model B 31k. We decided to put the demand for model A 50k, and for model B 30K. For year 3 the average for model A is 63k and 27 for model B. we decided to put the demand estimate at 60k for model A, and 25k for model B. for year four the average for model A was 61k, and 24k for model B. we put the demand for model at 58k, and 20k. In year 1 we made record profit 40,986k, and made 29,146k in year 2, thus in year 3 we made record low 28,873k, in year four the company finish with 40,008k. In conclusion the information in the game helped a little. The game should give more insight information based on the customers. Besides the amount of forecast provided, little information was given in order to make a professional decision on sales. Productions For year one, as a team we choose to go conservative with the production approach. The things we choose to go with were Far Far Away supplier just because we really didn’t want to spend 2 million dollars extra just for a month shorter. Also with the Far Far Away supplier we decided to start with the month January just because the phones came out in May, and the shipping deliver was 4 month out. Also we went with Pretty Close supplier just because they delivered on time and was a lot cheaper with the price than the other supplier. For year two we went conservative again and went with the same suppliers. With this year we ran out of supplies so we were forced to rework the shipment so we could get more phones and of course that cost 2 million dollars but in the end it was worth it. For year three we changed things up and went with the Far away Supplier and that had change things up. We basically had to change which month to start production and how much we need. We also stayed w ith the pretty close supplier because they were always on point. Once again with this year we had to change things around because we were over stocking the shelves, so we spent the 2 million to send fewer phones from both suppliers. For the last year we went back to the original suppliers and things went well for us. The only problem we had was that we ran out of phones half way through the year and when we notice it was too late to change the amount of shipment we needed. Board of Director’s Feedback For the majority of the simulation, the responses from the board of directors were positive. In the first year, we received three votes from the board, but not without any constructive criticism. First time around, the board suggested that we think more about uncertainty of demand, the differences in the two products and when to over produce and when to under-produce. In the second year, we had once again received three votes from the board. This time, they suggested that we further consider the concepts of capacity allocation and production flexibility, internal dynamics and the use of overseas vs. domestic suppliers. As the third year came to an end, we again received three votes from the board. They then suggested that we consider the concepts of markdown costs as well as the correlation between the predictions from our analysts and their personalities, because their personalities may sometimes prevent them from making an accurate prediction. Finally, in the fourth year we receive d one less vote than the previous three years. As final pieces of advice, the board of directors stated that we need to better account for risk in making decisions, as well as to think about the differences in the two different models we were producing, and the concepts of stocking, holding and markdown costs. Recommendations Some recommendations to our competitors are to focus on what our company is producing, differentiate their products from ours, and new features on the devices to the changing market. Other companies must focus on our devices that we are producing. They must see what our company is producing and produce it better at a lower cost. They must also focus on our product so that they can differentiate their products from ours. If other companies can differentiate their product enough from ours and can make it a popular device then consumers will no longer want our style of phone and they’ll be attracted to their devices. Finally our competitors must give their devices new innovative features and functions so that the public eye is focused on these new changes and everyone is willing to pay for these new functions in their phones. Other companies must also view who our company is marketing our devices to. Our competitors can decide if they want to market to the same target market as u s or if they are willing to pick a different target market from ours. This is a big decision which can make or break their company. If our competitors decide to pick the same target market as us it will most likely result in higher marketing cost within each of our companies and both of our marketing budgets will have to go up. If our competitors decide to pick a different target market then they will have to make a decision on which market they wish to pick as their target market and our company will have to decide if we want to try to take this market from them or not. Conclusion In conclusion our simulation went very well; our company made good profit each year and our production line was consistent. Each year our product was obsolete so we would need to produce a new phone to keep up with changes in technology. This caused forecasting to be a major factor in our business we had to make sure we knew the right amount of each Model to be produced by our consumers. If we made any errors in forecasting we made sure to send the proper adjustments to our suppliers so that we were not left with too much surplus that would have to be marked down. It also seemed that the years that we had a shortage of a model ended up making us the most revenue. Overall the board of directors gave us positive reviews, each year we received multiple votes by the board and they had positive feedback to tell us. The simulation went very well and if we had more years we feel confident that we learned enough to maximize profits even more than we already have.

Angostura Aromatic Bitters’ marketing plan Essay

1. Executive Summary 1.1 Synopsis of the Situation The history of Angostura aromatic bitters approaches the year of 1822, when a cholera epidemic whipped the population of Angostura in Venezuela, when the young doctor Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert created a somewhat bitter medicine, quite unusual taste, but of proven volatilities effectively relieve the stomach of his many patients. This potion was composed of over 25 botanicals in abundant natural reserves of these tropical lands, including fruits, roots, herbs seeds, bark, and a  good amount of ingredients whose name and proportion remain, even today, in the strictest secrecy. In 1830 a distillery installed and did not take long to become famous on the continent, winning the gold medal at the World Exhibition in Vienna in 1873. After the death of Siegert in 1870, the family moved in 1875 to Trinidad and Tobago where there continues today making the Angostura aromatic bitters, preserving their behalf to keep the Venezuelan source most of their inputs to date, as well as also the peculiar label in four languages and signature of its inventor, who since then characterizes it. Its initial use was to relieve some stomach ailments. But some additional benefits subsequently discovered is that the strengthened the taste of certain foods and cocktails preparations, which made time disappear from kits home and hospital to become a common ingredient in bars and kitchens around the world . Today is a precious ingredient in the preparation of cocktails and is also used as a seasoning for soups and sauces. Drops of Angostura aromatic bitters is sold in small bottles of 100 cc and 200 cc, the most famous and popular brand Angostura aromatic bitters. Usually drops in drinks (G & T, Mojito, Cuba Libre, Pisco sour), classic cocktails like the Manhattan, Champagne Cocktail, etc. used and refreshments as LLB – (Lemon Lime & Bitters) or â€Å"Fantasia† Rock Shandy, The Chapman, The Gunner. Currently in the Colombian market there is not drop bitters, there are national essences bitter which are manufactured by CONDICOM and Productos El Bosque, which make the basic condiments for cooking. These national essences bitter have an alcohol content of 3 degrees, which makes you need to use a larger amount of product per cocktail or preparation, unlike drops Angostura aromatic bitters which have an alcohol content of 44.7 degrees making them stronger and with 2 or 3 drops per cocktail is enough to make the mixture,  not only because of its alcohol content but the strong flavor of the merged its ingredients. The category of biters brings sustainable growth in the global market of 4.7% in the last 5 years (Source: International Wine & Spirit Research). Angostura is still the leader in this category of bitter. 1.2 Key aspects of the marketing plan We want to be the exclusive distributor of Angostura aromatic bitters in Colombia. For this reason, we have to import the product, market and build brand image of â€Å"Drops of Angostura aromatic bitters† in the country. Also, position the product as a reference category. The key factors of this marketing plan are: Comply with the requirements of law, such as trademark registration and authorization. The trademark registration protects the producer (trademark owner) against any misuse of it by a third; this register is valid for 10 years. The health record is the guarantee that emits a government institution, which certifies that a product is fit for human consumption. Segment drops Angostura aromatic bitters into two distribution channels, which would be the ON-PREMISE (hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and bars) and OFF-PREMISE big retail channel. Define the cities in which the product and the strategic trade partners (sub-distributors) through which will be sell. Define the selling price to the various distribution channels which through which we will reach the consumer. Develop activities that generate image and brand recall, such as trainings, competitions of cocktails, sponsor cocktails menu, accompanied by free-press training in each activity. 2. Environmental analysis Colombia is a country with a population of 48,321,405 people (2013 estimates, source: DANE), it is in the 28th position in the table of population composed of 183 countries and has a moderate population density of 42 inhabitants per km2. At 2013 the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Colombia recorded an increase of  4.9%, according to data provided by the DANE. Investment and consumption showed a great performance. The sectors driving growth in 2013 were: mining and quarrying (4.9%); electricity, gas and water city (4.9%); financial institutions, insurance, real estate and business services (4.6%); trade, repair services, restaurants and hotels (4.3%); Transport, storage and communication (3.1%). Source: http://es.tradingeconomics.com/colombia/gdp Colombia is the fastest growing economy in Latin America, surpassing the Pacific Alliance (Colombia, Chile, Peru and Mexico). In turn, the country ranked 15th in growth in a sample of 75 nations. Source: world bank The unemployment rate in Colombia in 2013 on an urban scale, in the 13 largest cities is 8.7 percent, the lowest since 1995. The investment rate, the percentage of GDP that the country reinvests, reached 28.4%, the highest in half a century and the second in the region. Another important fact is that the force that is moving the economy is internal. Government consumption is growing at rates of 5.7% and 4% households. Within the household consumption stand purchases of durable goods, which accelerated during the third quarter of this has to do with the better performance of income and a higher level of confidence. As for imported spirits market figures in Colombia by categories to December 2013 in boxes of 12 bottles 9 liters each one, are: Alcoholic beverage Number boxes Whisky 403,189 Vodka 66,195 Gin 20,578 Brandy and cognac 1,532 Ron 205,518 Tequila 58,413 Wine 1,178,758 2.1 Strengths and weaknesses Strengths: Recognized as #1 in the world (large gap vs. competition). High concentration and high level of alcohol, making the product more efficient. Strong price position (inelastic). Rich in heritage and legacy (royal warrant). The product is nonperishable. Angostura will continue to make a consistently high quality product that will make people’s food and drink recipes come alive. Angostura train people in the classics, as well, as the cutting edge to make them better bartenders and cooks. Angostura will no longer see itself as traditional and old-fashioned, Angostura will exhibit flare, passion and attitude, and inject a little more irreverence. In ten years from now Angostura aromatic bitters will revolutionize the cocktail industry again and Angostura will be as popular a food ingredient as Lee & Perrin’s. Angostura is one of the most iconic brands in the world. The rich, dark and mysterious liquid adds a distinguishable color and taste to all its creations (adding color and flavor to life). Weaknesses: Low visibility at point of sale (especially ON-PREMISE channel). Consumption tax payable by the category, increasing the price. 2.2 Opportunities and threats Opportunities: Currently in Colombia the food industry (food and drink) is booming, a growth in recent years and still considered one of the 4 most important gastronomic destinations in Latin America. There is no category of bitter in Colombia and would be the first brand in this category, entering with the most recognized brand in the world. Partnerships with other major spirit brands. Partnership with Pernod Ricard and Monin. Improvements made into accessing new markets. Partnership with Bartender Guilds and Associations (The Golden Service, BAR) and schools of mixology. Slow food to capitalize on opportunity.   Currently the non-alcohol cocktails are booming. Threats: In Colombia the regulation of alcohol consumption is very strong. Financial monopoly, departments control the marketing of alcoholic beverages within its territory, to authorize or prohibit the entry of such products. Changing landscape of tax structure. Parallel Trade. Currently in Colombia there are two national brands of â€Å"essences† of bitter, which are CONDICOM and Productos el Bosque. In the future when the category of bitter â€Å"drops† will be develop; international brands reach (Fees Brothers, Bitter truth, Peychaud’s, Bitter Cube, Bittermen’s). This kind product does not enough known in the Colombian market. 2.3 Current objectives and performance The current objectives are: Enter the brand in Colombia. Develop nonexistent bitters category. Create image and brand awareness to achieve the referent category in Colombia. The performance of the marketing plan will be described in the following sections. 2.4 Five forces’ Porter analysis Threat of New Entrants: Capital, economic muscle, expertise, brand, regulation, taxes. Power of Suppliers: The Angostura aromatic bitters’ business in Colombia has only one supplier who is the company who made the product. For this reason, the supplier is extremely susceptible to the demands and requirements of the market and hold very high power. Power of Buyers: The consumers of cocktails and food in Colombia are very price sensitive, but they want to taste new flavors and they are very susceptible to trends. Availability of Substitutes: The bitters drops have no substitutes, as a unique flavor enhancer with the ability to marry flavors in the preparation of all food dishes. Competitive Rivalry: the market of bitters in Colombia has two local brand competitors, but they are not concentrated bitters (drops), they are essences. 3. Marketing Strategy 3.1 Segmentation As we mentioned above, Angostura Aromatic Bitters are used to be added to the cocktails and food to create new possibilities of flavor and a whole range of new and exclusive beverages and dishes. Due to the Angostura Aromatic Bitters’ conditions as an alcoholic beverage for the Colombian market (according with the requirements from INVIMA), Angostura Aromatic Bitters has to pay a special tax. For that reason, the price is higher than the Colombian competitors. Angostura Aromatic Bitters’ segmentation is defined in the two next tables related with the consumer and business markets: Segmentation variables for Angostura Aromatic Bitters’ consumer markets Geographic region South, north, and central Colombian areas City Bogotà ¡, Cali, Medellà ­n, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Pereira, Manizales, Bucaramanga Density Urban Demographic age Above 18 Gender Male and female Religion All. The product has a kosher certification Social class Middle, upper middle and upper classes Behavioral occasions Regular and special occasions Segmentation variables for Angostura Aromatic Bitters’ business markets Demographic Hotels, restaurants, bars, coffee shops It does not matter the size Located in major cities in Colombia Operating variables Customer who use to drink cocktails and gastronomy Purchasing approaches Hotels, restaurants, bars and coffee shops who wants to be different, to supply a different and new cocktails age, to offer to their customers a high quality alcohol and non-alcohol beverages. Situational factors We focus either on large or small orders Personal characteristics We want to serve whatever hotels, restaurants, bars and coffee shops (ON PREMISE) and big retailers (OFF-PREMISE) 3.2 Target Market According with the segmentation, the Angostura Aromatic Bitters ´ targets are  the main and representative hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and bars, from the main Colombian cities, who serves the middle, upper middle and upper classes of the population who are above 18 years (the minimum Colombian age to be permitted to a people to drink an alcohol beverage). 3.3 Positioning (Value Proposition) Angostura Aromatic Bitters will position itself as the premier and unique enhanced flavor to non-alcohol and alcohol cocktail and food. This positioning will be achieved by leveraging Angostura Aromatic Bitters’ competitive edge: industry experience, innovation possibility and high quality. Angostura Aromatic Bitters is a high quality product produced for people who wants to have a new flavor experience related with a non-alcohol and alcohol beverages (new cocktails age) and food. The Angostura Aromatic Bitters’ company is able to use its vast experience and personal passion to create a high quality product to develop innovative and new flavored food and cocktails, for the whole cocktails drinkers and people who want to live a new experience about their food. 4. Marketing Programs 4.1 Product Respected and recognized as the leader in aromatic bitters worldwide; no bar or kitchen is complete without it. Angostura Aromatic Bitters is a high quality product produced from alcohol and many others aromatic plants. Unique flavor enhancer (seasoning) for the preparation of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as, any savory or sweet food dishes. Sodium and Gluten-Free. Exported to 150 countries worldwide. Kosher Certified. Tempers the acidity of citrus ingredients for individuals who are acid sensitive (also explains why Angostura aromatic bitters can settle the stomach). Classified as a food ingredient in many countries (in Colombia is  classified as an alcohol beverage). Although the product contains 44.7% alcohol by volume, each drop contains an insignificant amount of alcohol and therefore remains non-alcoholic. 100% Vegan. Because is more concentrated than the competition product, Angostura aromatic bitters yields more and their cost – benefit relationship is higher. Through these features, we want to develop and add value to the Angostura Aromatic Bitters’ consumers and the brand, in order to be successful in Colombia as the product has had successfully in the world. The price of the Angostura Aromatic Bitters make possible to generate revenues to all the different actors involved in the production and distribution chain. 4.2 Pricing Although the price of the Angostura Aromatic Bitters is higher than the Colombian competence, because of the taxes and importation costs, their cost – benefit relationship is higher: Product Volume per bottle Alcohol by volume Drops per bottle Drops per cocktail Cocktails per bottle USD per botle USD per cocktail Angostura aromatic bitters 100 cm3 44.7% 180 2 90 11.4 0.13 Colombian essences bitters 148 cm3 3% 266.4 15 18 5 0.28 The product price is favorable for the dealers allowing them to have a very attractive profit margin: 100 cm3 bottle USD Revenues % of price Selling Price from producer to distributor 3.6 Distributor final price after import and taxes 4.5 0.9 25% Selling price distributor to allied distributors 8.2 3.7 82% Selling price allied distributors to final consumer 11.4 3.2 39% 4.3 Promotion Use the original Angostura aromatic bitters’ webpage to show what the product is and several recipes. Create a viral marketing using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest to show the product. Using the mixologist’s network to develop the brand and product’s uses. Create Youtube videos in order to massify the recipes that used the Angostura aromatic bitters. Create  cellular phones applications (android and iphone) to widespread the access to the people to the product and its uses. Make a cross marketing between hotels, bars, coffee shops and restaurants and all the places where the product will sell, in order to the people knows the benefits and they can learn how they can use the Angostura aromatic bitters. Create contests in each city to involve consumers highlighting their creativity to make new cocktails using Angostura aromatic bitters. The bars, hotels, coffee shops and restaurants would make the winner’s cocktail available, on drinks menu for duration of contest, the winners will be adjudged via customer sales for cocktail. The winners will participate in a national contest to be the Colombian winner and take the chance to go to the â€Å"Legends of the Cocktail† World Tour. Create learning and e-learning courses to teach people the uses of the product. Involve the use of the product in TV specialized food and beverage shows (free-press). Make free samples to the launch time, in order to distribute it across the main restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and bars in each main city of Colombia, to create product recognition. Through these ways of promoting the Angostura aromatic bitters, we want to get consumers massively to become familiar with the product and its uses. 4.4 Distribution The Angostura aromatic bitters will have the next logistics to make the distribution: 1. The company sells us the product directly from their manufacturing plant located at Trinidad and Tobago. 2. We import the product to our warehouse located in Cali – Colombia. 3. We will have one distributor for each main city in Colombia. 4. The selling will be doing by internet, by phone and by visit directly to the client. The dispatching will be centralized from our main warehouse and with the application system help, the product will be send to each regional distributor in order to be dispatched to each client. 5. The main clients will be the restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and bars located in middle and high income areas of each mains Colombian cities. 6. We will sell the product in selected big retail chains and in wine and spirits specialized stores. 5. Evaluation and control 5.1 Performance measures Our strategic objectives are: Expand the distribution by placing products in: 50 retail stores (OFF-PREMISE) 15 wine and spirits specialized stores (OFF-PREMISE) 1,400 on the ON-PREMISE nationwide. Sale of 80% of first import at year 2015 (4,896 bottles during the year). We will evaluate our marketing plan according with this metrics, also external and internal: External metrics Metric Measure Market share per volume Angostura aromatic bitter volume of bottles sold versus total bottles of essences bitters sold Market share per value Angostura aromatic bitter total USD sold versus total USD of essences bitters sold Market share per customers Angostura aromatic bitter total customers versus total bitters’ customers Consumer satisfaction Surveys results from 90% of total Angostura aromatic bitter’ customer (hotels, restaurants, bars) Loyalty Percentage of customers who changed to the competitors Distribution Percentage of customers who received on time and full the deliver Learning Number of courses dictated Internal metrics Metric Measure Financial goals Percentage of financial goals accomplish by period Employee satisfaction Internal survey results Skill levels Knowledge about the product and its uses Learning Number of new learning and e-learning course created. Recipes Number of new recipes created. 5.2 Evaluation procedures The evaluation procedures we will do to do the performance measures are: Surveys Direct customer and channels control visits Statistical beverages consumer Statistical sells Statistics presence of the product in customers.

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Business Research - Essay Example The commercial success of giant multinational companies such as Apple and Samsung creates significant spill over effects in the international economic system. These effects are created in the form of increased employability, augmented consumers utility, greater innovation and better standard of living (New Page Publishers, 2010). This business research primarily aims to analyze the most important factors determining the consumers purchasing intensions in the global electronics industry (Georgi and Mink, 2012). It should be noted that positive purchasing perceptions of the buyers within an industry is directly proportional to the efficiency of the marketing activities conducted by each company (Bray, 2010). It is highly rational to conduct this research because it aims to first implicitly analyze the marketing strategies and business performances of Apple and Samsung. The research work will also conduct an empirical survey analysis about the consumer’s perceptions regarding the products and services of the two companies. At the end by combining the two research results, the paper will enumerate certain recommendations through which the two companies would be able to enhance its business perforce in the long run. Long run growth of such giant multinational companies would imply progress of the global economy. Apple Inc. is a popular multinational company founded in 1976. The headquarters of the organization is located in Cupertino, California but it conducts business in almost all the prominent economies of the world (Apple Inc., 2012). Computer hardware, computer electronics, digital distribution and computer software are some popular products and services traded by Apple Inc. It is believed by the researchers that Apple Inc. has achieved multiplicative growth in business since its inception with the active contribution of its

Key Word in Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Key Word in Marketing - Essay Example into different clusters is widely known as customer segmentation. By the help of customer segmentation organizations can put more focus on their customers and use all the resources for the benefit of those targeted customers. As per Jill Griffins, Cisco Systems, Demographic, psychographic are the main factor of segmentation. Other type of customer segmentation is called value based segmentation. Here customer is been categorized as per the revenue they created to the organization. That also include the cost of services and maintenance and cost of maintain relationship with those customers. Procedure of customer segmentation is given below. a. What data needs to be collected and how to collect the same. b. Collection of data and representation of data. c. Analysis of data. d. Proper coordination between several departments of marketing and customer relationship management is necessary. e. Conclusion and recommendation from the data collected from sources and effective development of t hose recommendations is done here. Explanation of the procedure has to be done in the form of word combination or phrases but it should not be mixed.(Rashidi, 2013) In modern marketing it is one of the main factors of market. In this process, the customers get the most priority and it also helps the organization to maximize its resources to compete in the market. Many researchers claimed that segmentation is a good way to market a product or a service since it does involve a head to head competition with the rivals. Only customer’s satisfaction is the main criteria, so customers get benefitted more out of it. That is one reason why the popularity and acceptance of this method of marketing is increasing widely throughout the globe. Effect of market segmentation is a long term result and organizations get benefited out of it. Market can be divided into four different segments which have been shown in the diagram below: As shown above, the market in divided in four segments, Geo graphic, Demographic, Behavioral and Psychographic (Weinstein, 2013). A. Geographic: In this type of segmentation market is divided geographically, like continents, countries, states, districts, cities and neighborhoods. The geographical difference has a huge effect on the culture of the society. The consumer’s choice, behavior, attitude and characteristic differ as per the changes in the culture of the society. No organization which has business worldwide can treat the whole world market as a single market. For example, let us take Europe and Africa. There is a vast difference in the lifestyle and the economy in both the continents. The choices and the behaviour also changes accordingly. Another situation that can be considered would be the people residing in regions like Greenland or Alaska versus the population in tropical regions like Brazil or Malaysia. The climate is the major difference here. From a marketer’s point of view, Greenland or Alaska is the best place to sell warm clothes, whereas promotion of cotton garments can be advised in the case of Brazil or Malaysia (Burkard, 2011). B. Demographic: The commonly used Demographics in market segmentation include age, sex, education, income, marital status and number of family members. Age: Any person’s age hugely influence their buying behavior. There are several products where strictly age is described and if restricted age customers try to buy, sellers are strictly instructed not to sale them those product. Products like alcohol, certain drugs, several movies which are only for adults etc. Products like toys, where age group is mentioned. In a toy store it is been mentioned like toys for 1 to 2 years old children, 3 to 5 years old children and 6 to 10 years old children. Parents search for the toys as per their

The Princess Bride Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

The Princess Bride Film - Essay Example ployed in the film; it is expected that the selected scenes from the movie will provide useful insights to learners regarding the various camera shots, movements, sound effects, music and dialogues as shown in the movie. The students need to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding of film through an analysis of selected scenes from the movie and the assessment tasks are carefully planned to meet the language needs of the learners too. 1. Students are asked to submit a portfolio at the end of the unit for teacher feedback and the portfolio should comprise of their understanding of the various themes of the movie and how the character sketch of each of the major characters are revealed in the movie from the scenes shown to them. 2. The class task asks the students to make a write up of the importance of dialogues and sound effects in the movie. For this, students are shown certain scenes in the movie without any sounds. Students need to construct appropriate dialogues based on the actions and later they can be shown the same scenes with all the dialogues and sound effects. a) Pre-viewing Activities that will provide the students with an understanding of the basic factors associated with the genre of film, the various categories of films and the major actors/actresses of the movie. 1. Discussion: The teacher organizes an open discussion in the class. Initially, the teacher asks each one what they know about films in general. Each one contributes to the discussion by adding a different point. The students are asked to take notes whenever a new idea is being discussed. Students can also ask for clarifications, examples and substantiation on what others have pointed out. The activity goes on until the students have shared all their previous understanding of the genre of films. The teacher can then intervene to divert their attention to new information on films and can carefully elicit their responses. This would pave way for another creative discussion

Ethnography. Patrons Flock the Supermarket Research Paper

Ethnography. Patrons Flock the Supermarket - Research Paper Example Key Observations and Findings 9 6. Validation 11 Application of Ethnography: When Patrons Flock the Supermarket 1. Introduction 1.1. Research Question Through personal observation it was found that when customers walk into a supermarket, the only things they set their eyes on are products that are displayed. On the other hand product producers have their eyes set on wallets of customers that walk in, to gain as much profit as possible. But both groups of the customers and suppliers play an important role in affecting each other directly and indirectly. In addition the entire set up of the supermarket, its environment and customary changes that are brought also influence customers. With reference to the current subject matter i.e. ethnographic study of clientele in the supermarket, following are the research questions that have been framed: What specified factors influence a customer’s behaviors towards the sales process?’ ‘How the associations of culture of such a clientele modify their routine product consumption?’ ‘Whether the cultural affiliation of people affect their communicational procedures or not?’ Maguire and Ball (1994) presented alarming results regarding various ethnographical studies conducted in the United Kingdom. This study brought forth that the contemporary setting had a large amount of strain, which still continues to exist. The reasons behind these strains are numerous (2006: pp.269-285). As per my perspective, a less participant observational method application in ethnographical researches has been found to be a major contributing factor and reason behind a less number of these researches. It has also been found out that the persons involved in the researches were unable to understand the circumstances on personal experience which caused this deficiency in previous researches (Maguire, 1994). So in order for an ethnographic research to be a successful a personal involvement of the researcher is indis pensible. 1.2. Purpose and Rationale This research paper has been conducted to bring in light the various sides of the state of affairs, and the course of action when various customers congregate in the supermarket. Other than the above provided motive, this paper aims at; a) understanding and a close observation of the people from many different backgrounds, b) Understanding the effects of the environment of the shopping are on the shoppers, c) the effects of the principles of certain people surrounding a populace. Thus a guidebook or some specific guidelines can be established by the marketing companies so that they could be able to understand the need of the customers. It is obtainable from Boddy’s research that 17% of the research organizations in the United Kingdom used the ethnographic research method to gain the results for better development of customer-supplier relationship (2009: pp.49). 2. Context of Research The field work of this research procedure was carried ou t in many markets which include Tesco Supermarket, in the West End area of Central London for two weeks. This specific supermarket was selected due to the reason that it was a simple superstore with a wide range of food items, clothing and accessories, DVDs, items of technical use, home-ware accessories, bakery items, available opticians, fresh meat, fish and items for kids such as toys etc. Though this store was uncomplicated with reference to the alignment of aisles and item availability, yet, a lot of attention was given to the atmospheric set-up and development of the ambiance. In accordance to Atkinson and Hamersley’s verification, the research procedure which I carried out mainly, or at least partially, (1994: pp.248). This meant that I had to be an active participant and it was necessary for me to gain access to the insights of

Article review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 13

Article review - Essay Example For example, whereas prize vases from the 4th century are engraved with Athena Polias, while the headings of alliances and treaties done on marble were engraved with Athena Parthenos. Athena personifies Athens not as a goddess but as a symbol of the city’s power (Murray, 1890). However, the Parthenos was not only symbolic if the city was partaking in an act of peace, such as the Parthenos holding the acrostolion. Usually, the Parthenos as used to personify Athens was a likeness of Pheidas’ earlier creation, in which she is taking the hand of an allied state. The author considers the likeness of the Parthenos as found on an engraved gem in Cyprus created during the 4th century. She represents Athens, standing in an aegis and helmet, while she has a spear and shield to her left, as well as a serpent to her left (Murray, 1890). However, this particular Athena digresses from the usual Parthenos as created by Pheidas, as she holds an acrostolion in her right hand, rather than a victory figure, such as that on the stern of a naval ship. The acrostolion was known as being symbolic of a naval victory. While there were other symbols of naval victories, such as the bronze mast with three gold stars at the corner or at an angle, the author contends that, the Athena gem from Cyprus symbolized a naval victory because the acrostolion was a well-known emblem for the same purpose (Murray, 1890). The writer also uses the example of a silver coin from Cyprus that also showed the Athena Parthenos used as a symbol of naval victory. In this case, the Athena is quite similar to that from the earlier example but sits on a ship’s prow as she holds the acrostolion in her right hand (Murray, 1890). The coin, he argues, is commemorative of a battle victory for a town in Cyprus aided by Athens. As he stated earlier, this coin could have been used to symbolize an alliance with the town, thus the use of Athena Parthenos. He also argues against the

Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare Essay Example for Free

Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare Essay This poem is called let me not to the marriage of true minds and its written by William Shakespeare. It was first published in 1609. This sonnet is one of Shakespeares most famous love sonnets. William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright. He is often called Englands national poet and the Bard of Avon. His surviving work consists of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, 2 long narrative poems and several other poems, but he is most known for his plays, such as Hamlet, Othello and Macbeth, and for his sonnets. He lived from 1564 until 1616. He was born and brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon, but he later moved to London with his wife Anne Hathaway, who was 8 years older than Shakespeare and pregnant when they married. They had three children; Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Between 1585 and 1592 he began a successful career as an actor, writer and part owner of a playing company. He produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were mainly comedies and histories, but he then started to write tragedies, including plays like Othello and Macbeth, which are considered some of the finest work in English language. In his last phase, he wrote tragicomedies (romances) and collaborated with other playwrights. Although he was a respected poet and playwright in his own day, his reputation didnt rise to its present heights until the 19th century. His work remains highly popular today and he is considered to be the greatest writer in the English language. His plays are translated into every language and are constantly studied and performed. This sonnet is about love in its most ideal form; never ending, fading or faltering. It attemps to define love, by telling both what it is and what its not. In the first line it speaks about marriage of true minds, which refers to the love between two people who are like-minded rather than to an actual ceremonial marriage. The first quatrain says that true love is unchanging, strong and that is doesnt change even when though people and circumstances may change. In the second quatrain love is compared to the North Star, which never moves in the sky and guides lost ships home, meaning that true love will survive any crisis. This metaphorical star is mysterious and incomprehensible, even though we can chart its location. This means that loves actual worth cant be known and that even though we may be able to measure love to some degree, well never be able to fully understand it. The third quatrain tells that love isnt susceptible to time and mortality, even when youth and beauty disappear. It doesnt change as the days go by, it remains strong until the lovers death. In the last couplet the poet stakes his own reputation on this definition, declaring that if his idea of true love can be proven wrong, he must take back all of his writings. Furthermore, he adds that if he has in fact jugded love inappropiately, than nobody, as far as the poet is concerned, has ever loved at all. I think the meaning of this poem is that love cannot be true if it can be changed by any reasons. Its supposed to be constant and not susceptible to time. It doesnt fade but instead lasts forever. Personally I really like this poem. He praises lovers who enter a relationship based on understanding and trust between them. I totally agree with this, I think understanding and trusting each other are really one of the most important things in a relationship. Since I havent had that much life experience yet, I obviously cant judge his idea about love, but if I ever truly fall in love, I hope that itll be like the way Shakespeare describes it in this sonnet. Also, I think the tone of this sonnet is very honest and passionate, which makes it more relatable. Its not very complex, but in my opinion a poem doesnt have to be complex to be good. This sonnet is particular for the time it was written in. In Elizabethan England—the era during which Shakespeare’s sonnets were written—the sonnet was the form of choice for lyric poets, particularly lyric poets seeking to engage with traditional themes of love and romance. The Shakespearean sonnet, the form of sonnet utilized throughout Shakespeare’s sequence, is divided into four parts. The first three parts are each four lines long, and are known as quatrains, rhymed ABAB; the fourth part is called the couplet, and is rhymed CC. The Shakespearean sonnet is often used to develop a sequence of metaphors or ideas, one in each quatrain, while the couplet offers either a summary or a new take on the preceding images or ideas.

Exploring Cultural Competencies Essay Example for Free

Exploring Cultural Competencies Essay Being culturally competent of a student’s culture is essential for school counselors within a diverse population. In order for a school counselor to be culturally competent, it is essential for them to be aware of three major ideas: know yourself, know the student, and know the technique. Within these three competencies there are common themes that are utilized throughout each. Beliefs and attitudes, knowledge, and skills are all indispensable within the context of school counseling. Throughout the evolution of school counseling, these concepts have been consistent with multicultural counseling. However, based on recent research counselors are developing reason to believe that it is also imperative to explore spirituality as one of the competencies. These multicultural counseling competencies as well as spirituality will all be explored within this paper in regards to how school counselors (and myself, as a school counselor in training) can best counsel and work through the diverse issues of their students. The competencies being addressed can be further explored in Operationalization of the Multicultural Counseling Competencies (Arredondo, et al., 1996). Counselor Awareness of Own Cultural Values and Biases In order for a school counselor to be effective within this role, they must know their own cultural values and biases that they will be carrying with them throughout their professional journey. By self reflecting on their own attitudes and beliefs, knowledge, and skills a school counselor will help a school counselor to become more self aware of what these values and biases are within their life. Self-awareness is crucial when working with a diverse culture of students as a school counselor. Attitudes and beliefs are consistent across all cultures and generations, regardless of where they are at in their life-span development. Therefore, school counselors also carry their own attitudes and beliefs. Since many school counselors work with diverse student populations, they should learn more about their own attitudes and beliefs and how they are expressed in their life. This is an important standard because students’ ethics, thinking, and perspectives are influenced by their own attitudes and beliefs (Wolf, 2004). It’s common for a school counselor to not be bothered when they are working with students who have similar cultural backgrounds of their own. However, a potential challenge presents itself when school counselors assist students from different cultures, ethnicities, and/or spiritualties (Wolf, 2004). A school counselor must be able to acknowledge their own limits of their own multicultural competencies and expertise, as well as understand when they are beginning to feel discomfort with the differences that will come out between themselves and their students. Along with attitudes and beliefs comes the need for a school counselor to retain knowledge about their own culture. There is specific information within the school counselor’s culture and heritage that can both personally and professionally affect their ability and effectiveness throughout the counseling process. A significant challenge is for school counselors to acquire an understanding and knowledge of racial/ethnic identity development with their own cultural history and then apply that knowledge to students issues and concerns (Holcomb-McCoy, 2004). This allows counselors to acknowledge how their own culture has suffered or maybe even benefited from the cultural racisms throughout history. In order for school counselors to continue to practice cultural competency in counseling, they must maintain the skills and education as this multi-cultural world continues to change. It is essential for school counselors to continue to seek consultation, further training and education, as well as refer students to other mental health counselors (outside of the school system) that could better work with their culture. According to the ethical standards for the school counseling profession (ASCA, 2004) counselors need to be proficient in working with students from diverse backgrounds and within a multicultural framework that supports the cultural contexts in which today’s students develop (Moore-Thomas Day-Vines, 2008). Ethically it is essential for counselors to maintain these skills in order to better serve their students. Counselor Awareness of Client’s Worldview School counselors must be aware of negative and positive emotional reactions that are put off towards students, because this is significant towards the counseling relationship with the student. If a counselor chooses to share their own attitudes and beliefs with a student, it is important for the counselor to remember that they are willing to share those beliefs in a non-judgmental and pushy fashion (Wolf, 2004). Culturally skilled counselors must be aware of their own biases and stereotypes that they hold towards other racial and ethnic minority groups. These preconceived notions need to be addressed so that they are not being outwardly communicated (verbally or nonverbally) to a student that could potentially hinder the counselor-student relationship (Curry, 2010). How the client receives a counselors nonverbal social queues can seriously affect the relationship. In order for school counselors to continue to maintain a positive relationship with a student of a different cultural background than their own, they must obtain the knowledge necessary to do so. Part of that knowledge involves possessing specific knowledge that is strongly linked to understanding the minority identity development that is available from different pieces of literature. School counselors need to be prepared to do additional research regarding different cultures in order to better understand the students they are working with. Along with knowledge, school counselors must also have the skills necessary that will enrich the counseling experience for the student. The following question must always be asked, how can counselors become more actively involved outside of the school system within the minority cultures that they are working with? School counselors can play a major role in the empowerment of ethnic minority families and communities by taking a leadership role in developing school-family-community partnerships (Holcomb-McCoy, 2004). School counselors are not only advocates for mental health and education within the school system, but they are also advocates within the community as well, and their community involvement with diverse cultures is a practical way of obtaining the knowledge needed to work with those students. Culturally Appropriate Intervention Strategies While keeping the other two competencies in mind counselors must consider how they can apply those to the different intervention strategies needed within the context of school counseling. Attitudes and beliefs that a school counselor must have in order to be culturally skilled must reflect a level of value and respect for the student. In some situations, when working with clients from a different culture, there might be a language barrier; therefore counselors must value the ability to reach the student with their language needs. If there is a language barrier within a counseling setting, a counselor must be open to either offering a translator (while maintaining confidentiality) or referring the student to a different counselor or mental health practice that can better serve their needs (Holcomb-McCoy, 2004). Culturally competent counselors have a clear and unambiguous understanding of the generic characteristics of counseling and therapy and how they may clash with the diverse values of various backgrounds. School counselors must consider if there are any institutional barriers that might prevent a student from coming to them for help. If there are any circumstance that would hinder a student from seeing a school counselor, then that needs to be addressed by the administration and see that counseling can still be offered within the school system for the student (Ponterotto, Alexander, Grieger, 1995). It is essential that a counselor have the knowledge of the interventions strategies and techniques to use in order to best work with the multicultural students of the school. School counselors must be able to not only have the attitude and knowledge to work with a diverse population, but they also must have the skills. Skilled school counselors are not above seeking the needed additional trainings, education, and guidance that will enable them to better utilize their skills and techniques when working with diverse clients. The use of theories and techniques within school counseling is essential because of how diverse the students may be, and because of the development stage the students will be in (Ponterotto, et al., 1995). Competencies Applied to an African American Adolescent Appropriate counseling for African American adolescents requires the professional school counselor to carefully consider the discussed competencies. While incorporating many of these, the following case study was conducted when working with an 11-year-old African American student; child’s name in this assessment will be Jane Doe (Moore-Thomas Day-Vines, 2008). Jane Doe is in the sixth grade, and has experienced many behavioral difficulties, however she is not considered a special needs student. Throughout the years, all of Jane’s teachers have reported their concerns of her disruptive behavior. Jane’s mother was concerned about her daughter’s behavior and decided to see the school counselor about what the next step might be, so that it won’t begin to interfere with her academic performance. Jane’s mother reported to the counselor that Jane never had disruptive behavior at home or even at any of their church functions, and so she was surprised that this behavior was occurring within the school day. After meeting with Jane’s mother, the counselor reflected on meeting and decided to explore more information about the community that Jane was living in, as well as the church community that her and her mother were involved in. The counselor was not familiar with their church because it was a different cu lture and religious belief than her own. She began her research online, checking out the church website, and then on her way home from school that afternoon she drove through Jane’s neighborhood. The counselor found that the neighborhood was a lower to middle class neighborhood, and the church a protestant-Baptist church that was only about two blocks from Jane’s address. After the counselor’s research, it was decided that the best behavior plan to start with Jane would be to develop a school-home-community intervention plan that recognized the family’s values, and allowed Jane to express those values not only at home and at church but also throughout the school day. Rather than ignoring Jane’s spiritual and cultural identity, the counselor allowed Jane to embrace it as part of her cultural identity as a central key to her cognitive and academic development. In this case study, the counselor illustrates a professional example of how to best incorporate the multicultural counseling competencies within the school system. First the counselor understands the importance of knowing her own culture and how it is different than Jane’s and therefore, she needs to be sure to not reflect her own biases onto Jane or her mother. The counselor utilized her skills to find a technique that would work best for Jane and Jane’s mother in order to develop change within Jane’s behavior at school. Finally, the counselor worked to conduct research and learned more about Jane’s home, the community she lives in, and specifically her spirituality. Spirituality Spirituality is not a consideration of the multicultural counseling competencies that were addressed in this paper; however after the previous case study and further research it may be culturally incompetent if a counselor does not include a student’s spirituality. In some cultures spirituality plays a vital role in an individual’s culture, values, and beliefs, so to not consider it within counseling could potentially be detrimental to the student’s counseling experience. When considering a student’s spirituality it is essential for a counselor to be aware of not only their own spirituality but also the ethical and legal implications of talking about spirituality within the school system. Ethically, the American School Counselors Association writes in the preamble of the Code of Ethics that school counselors are willing and able to talk to all students regardless of the student’s spiritual beliefs (ASCA, 2010). However, legally the counselor must abide by the First Amendment of the Constitution, the separation of church and state. So, how are school counselors supposed to ethically work with the client’s spiritual needs, but also legal abide by the law that was written to protect the citizens’ freedoms? Very carefully. Spirituality is already a taboo subject within the school system because the first amendment, therefore it is suggested that a school counselor only brings up spirituality if the student approaches the topic first (Wolf, 2004). Working with diverse cultures, spirituality will inevitably come up, either directly or indirectly. However, when they do present themselves within the school counseling setting it is unethical for the school counselor to advocate for their own personal spiritual beliefs. This is not only a constitutional issue, but also a professional and ethical issue (Wolf, 2004). Spirituality is a new found essential when maintaining cultural competencies within counseling. Incorporating spirituality into therapy and interactions with the student will help the student to better focus their own emotional human needs on the spiritual side of their culture. And when this is practiced appropriately, it may help enhance the student-counselor relationship with a foundation built on trust, because of how personal spirituality can be to some cultures. The Importance of Self awareness Self-awareness is the most important aspect that a school counselor (or even mental health counselor, for that matter) can have before entering into the world of counseling, especially within the school system. Without a counselor’s self-awareness of their own cultural background then they will not be able to know when their own personal biases are being expounded upon the student. A counselor needs to know what cultures or groups of people they would have the most difficult time counseling, and why they would have a difficult time counseling those individuals. If there is a specific group of people that the counselor is not comfortable working with, then it would be encouraged that the counselor takes action to work through those biases and develop more competencies with that culture. However, if a counselor is unable to do this, then the counselor should consider referring those students to a different school counselor or even an outside mental health professional. If at any point a student walks through the door of a school counselors office, and the counselor is aware that they are not able to hold their own biases back about the student’s culture, then the counselor needs refer the student to another professional. Otherwise the emotional security and stability of the student’s well-being could potentially be at stake if the counselor helping them is not willing to budge from their own biases. Exploring a Personal Touch in Cultural Competencies Throughout the semester, in this class specifically, I have been able to grasp a better understanding of what cultures I may have a difficult time working with as a school counselor. I did not realize it before, however my self-awareness has helped me to acknowledge that I would have an incredibly difficult time working with the Muslim population. I realize that I feel this way because of some different personal experiences that my family has experienced with this culture, as well as how some Muslim cultures (or countries specifically in the Middle East) treat women. I do not think it’s fair for a woman to be forced into wearing a super black, super thick, and super huge garment that covers their entire body, with the exception of her eyes. I do not think that it’s fair for a woman to be forced into a marriage with a man she doesn’t love, and then lose all of her rights, making her ability to leave the marriage not an option at all. In some Muslim countries woman have been forced into oppression. My mother’s sister (Aunt Julie) was a missionary for several years in different countries of the Middle East. At one point in her mission she was placed in Bahrain for a six-month commitment. While she was there it was Bahrain law for all woman to dress in garments and cloth that would cover their entire body, with the exception of their eyes. At one point in Aunt Julie’s mission, a body part (that wasn’t her eyes) was exposed in public accidently, and she was taken into custody for what would be considered indecent exposure here in the United States. She was in prison for several months, and eventually the United States Embassy of Bahrain was able to rescue her from the persecution, and she came home. That experience really shook up my family, and I believe that it’s because of that situation that I am not completely comfortable about Muslim men in particular. Therefore, I think I would have a really difficult time counseling with that population, because I would not be able to completely apply all of the cultural competencies. Out of all the competencies, I believe that my strength would certainly fall into the realm of knowledge, and desire to learn more about specific cultures that I will be working with. I have a strong passion and desire to learn, especially when it comes to how I can better communicate and relate to people. However, a weakness that I would be forced to work through amongst all of the competencies would be techniques to use. At this time, I feel this way because I don’t feel like I have enough practice and experience using the techniques I have already learned. I also think that I consider this a weakness, because I’m not sure what techniques work best with different cultures. With time and experience I hope to have a better understanding of how different techniques work better with some cultures than others. I think that the most important thing I have learned beyond the facts in the text and theoretical research would certainly be what I have learned through class discussion this semester, the importance of self-awareness. Self-awareness for a counselor is not something you can read about in a book or a journal. You can’t discover your self-awareness by visiting the library or getting on EBSCO-host. You have to learn it through getting to know yourself. Self-awareness can be discovered through talking to classmates about their beliefs, your beliefs, what culture says about the different things in this world, and searching our hearts to see what we believe. The only way we can become completely competent for who we can counsel is by allowing ourselves to discover the self-awareness we have inside of us; by not avoiding any issues or biases we may have, but instead working through those, and allowing our hearts to be transformed to accept and work with all people, however diverse t hey may be. References American School Counselor Association. (2010). Ethical standards for school counselors. Retrieved November 19, 2011, from http://www.schoolcounselor.org/files/ethical Arrendondo, P., Toporek, M. S., Brown, S., Jones, J., Locke, D. C., Sanchez, J., Stadler, H. (1996). Operationalization of the Multicultural Counseling Competencies. AMCD: Alexandria, Virginia. Curry, J.R. (2010). Addressing the spiritual needs of african american students: Implications for school counselors. The Journal of Negro Education, 79 (3), 405-415. Holcomb-McCoy, C. (2004). Assessing the multicultural competence of school counselors: A checklist. Professional School Counseling, 7(3), 178-183. Moore-Thomas, C., Day-Vines, N.L. (2008). Culturally competent counseling for religious and spiritual african american adolescents. Professional School Counseling, 11, 159-165. Ponterotto, J. G., Alexander, C. M., Grieger, I. (1995). A multicultural competency checklist for counseling training programs. Journal of Multi cultural Counseling Development, 23(1), 11-20. Wolf, J.T. (2004). Teach, but don’t preach: Practical guidelines for addressing spiritual concerns of students. Professional School Counseling, 7 (5), 363-366.

What Is A Total Institution

What Is A Total Institution This paper will argue that the model of the total institution can offer insight into the workings of the Caribbean sugar plantation under slavery. In attempting to make this connection, it is essentially looking at the model in the light of the history of the sugar plantation, as well as looking at the history through the lens of the theory. And so it will argue that the model offers some insight, but that there are clear limits to its applicability. The theory of the total institution is a theory of relationships, not of the institution that contains them. Also the point is not to argue that the plantations were designed as total institutions, but that the total institution model contains widely applicable truths about the nature of human social organisations, and the place that individuals find in them, that explain particular aspects of the plantation. The one great difference between the plantation and the total institutions that inspired the development of the concept is that the purpose of plantations is profit, through the production of a commodity, while this is seldom the case with asylums and prisons; even if they are run for profit, their aim is to achieve control, not to produce anything by means of this control. What is a total institution? Total institution is a concept introduced by the sociologist Erving Goffman in his book Asylums: Essays on the Condition of the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates (1961) to describe an institution that functions by monopolising the reality of those inmates it seeks to control. There are two aspects of the concept that relate to the institution of the sugar plantation. The first concerns the way in which power is exercised to a degree that makes all those involved as inmates and supervisors bound to follow its dictates. The total institution is one which encompasses every aspect of its inmates relationship with the world, and controls them by controlling their understanding and their motivations. The other aspect of the total institution concerns the inmates themselves they internalise the rules and perspectives of the institution, and define themselves by their standards; essentially investing their identity in the role they are taught to play. Goffman argued that this was true of those with authority in the institution, as well as those whose behaviour and consciousness it was designed to shape. Perhaps the most important thing about this model, with respect to the sugar plantations, is that Goffman did not see the total institution as a narrowly defined tool, invented to control inmates, on the lines of Jeremy Benthams Panopticon (Smith, 2008). Rather, it is a natural outcome of the evolution of universal human and social realities within institutions which pursue their ends through a close control over the circumstances and behaviour of their inmates, because this control is effective. The power of the total institution The most powerful argument for the usefulness of the total institution model with respect to the sugar plantation is the way in which the plantation could function with such minimal physical control. Murrell (2000, 14) suggests that religion played a central role in achieving the domination that allowed slavery to persist. The complex and ambiguous role of religion in the culture of the plantation economies cannot be pursued here in any detail, but it seems fair to suggest that religion played the role that the therapeutic and normative discourse of psychology plays in Goffmans account of the asylum. A measure of the power of the slave plantation as a total institution, one which shaped the behaviour and understanding of its inmates, would be the longevity of the social relations it defined between people. The extent that plantation economies, along with the racial domination and colonial power that enabled them, survived after the abolition of slavery suggests the degree to which the social relations and identities defined during slavery had shaped the word-view of former slaves and their descendants. And slavery, in exercising virtually unlimited domination over people seen as naturally subordinate, imposed a model of family structure and gender relations on slaves which served the economic interests of their masters,(Wiltshire-Brodber, 2002) without respect for the innate desire which all people have for the closeness and security of a family. According to the total institution model, this would result in slaves embracing the roles defined for them, and internalising the identities that these roles define. And there is evidence of this effect in the way that gender relations in Caribbean societies, especially among the poorest sectors of society, continue to reflect patterns and identities that have their roots in the logic of the plantation. Matrilocal patterns of family structure and a strong belief in the value of female autonomy are combined with a strong patriarchal ideology (Momsen, 2002). Limits of the total institution model. While the total institution model can explain a great deal about the manner in which plantations functioned under slavery, there are limits to its applicability. These limits fall under two categories, which correspond, in a sense, the perspectives of those controlling, and those controlled by, the institution of the plantation. The first set of limits is illustrated by the many ways in which the total institution was subverted. The pattern of these subversive activities varied from island to island, and probably from plantation to plantation, included the survival of African religions, hidden or evolved into syncretic African-Christian forms such as sateria and used to define an identity distinct from that hypocritically imposed by western religious institutions, the persistence of secret practices, from planning for rebellion to distilling to informal patterns of domination and association, and the recourse to escape, at least on larger islands. Religion is interesting in that it so clearly plays an ambiguous role as an institution in the history of slavery. On the one hand, it contained elements that helped define a collective identity that subverted plantation authority. On the other hand, it was a source of comfort and control that made plantation life bearable and persuaded slaves not to rebel. It was partly an affirmation of African identity, partly a European lesson in being content with ones place. In the famous words of Karl Marx, religion was at the same time the expression of real distress and the protest against real distress.the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. (Marx, 1843/2002) Economics and the limits of the total institution The total institution is not generally an economic unit as well. It tends to exist as in the case of asylums, prisons, concentration camps in order to control the behaviour of those who are institutionalised. If it has an economy, in the narrow sense, it is an economy of efficient control, or exists to occupy people, like political prisoners; in a way that pays for the costs of the institution that imprisons them. The sugar plantation was an immensely profitable economic institution, however, and the economic models that evolved to produce sugar, the justifications for slavery and murderous racial oppression these entailed, and the social structures that emerged to make this violent form of slavery work, should all be seen in the light of the economic motivations they elected. It is tempting to imagine that slave societies did not obey a strict economic logic, in the same sense that capitalist societies do. Some historians (e.g. Genovese, 1989) have tried to make this point in order to define capitalisms distinctly rationalising, dehumanising and commodifying logic. But it seems clear that plantations were subject to economic logic. The difference in plantation models between those colonies most reliant on a steady arrival of new slaves, such as Haiti and those less so, illustrates that the economic exigencies defined by a particular form of productive activity are real and complex. The intensity of the exploitation that characterised Haiti is well established (Bellegarde-Smith, 1990). The economic limitations on the function of the plantation as a total institution are also, in a sense, the limits that the total institution model defines for the economic activities involved. Plantation economies were dedicated to making money, and they made a great deal of it for their plantation owners and their colonial rulers. They were for the most part seen as primitive and unpleasant places by those who made their immense fortunes there rather than societies with any redeeming, justifying values or institutions. An individual or institution dedicated to making money does not exercise more physical control than is necessary. Physical control is expensive, in the number of overseers it requires and in the limits it imposes on the activities of working people. And in the case of an economic unit like a slave plantation, with its vastly-outnumbered overseers, too much control might cause as much unrest as it prevents. It makes better economic sense to find the balance between too much control and too little, and to live with the limits (rebellion, subversive religious and magical practices, escape, clandestine romance and petty economic activities) that this permits. T he most extreme form of resistance is rebellion itself, and there were many rebellions, large and small, among the slaves of the Caribbean. Perhaps one measure of the degree to which economic calculation dominated the logic of plantation slavery is that the possibility of rebellion persisted perhaps it made more economic sense to risk the occasional bloodbath than to exercise the degree of rigorous control that would reduce the risk. Conclusion: The total institution model applies to institutions that function by means of control over the perceptions and sentiments of their inmates, rather than by means of physical force. This paper has argued that the model offers insights into the way in which slave plantation societies functioned, and were able to exercise such cruel authority with recourse to so little active control. The plantation is in fact a good test and confirmation of the model. The power that plantation owners and the government forces that supported them exercised was absolute, but it was not exercised in the form of absolute physical control. This paper has also argued that there are limits to the applicability of the model which reflect the economic motives driving the institution of the plantation. The strength and persistence of the cultural legacy of slavery in syncretic religions, in family structures and of a social order that allowed plantation agriculture to continue after the end of slavery all paint a picture of a complex reality in which the control of the total institution extended no further than was necessary to ensure a profitable sugar industry. The point is that the model of the total institution illuminates general truths about the nature of authority that help explain how and why, once the decision was made to develop Caribbean economies on the basis of slavery was, why the institution of slavery developed developed there as it did, why it persevered, and why in the case of Haiti it was overcome. References Cited Bellegarde-Smith, P. (1990) Haiti: The Breached Citadel. Westview Press. Genovese, Eugene D. (1989) The Political Economy of Slavery: Studies in the Economy and Society of the Slave South. Middletown,CT: Wesleyan University Press. Goffman, Erving. (1961) Asylums: Essays on the Condition of the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates Marx, Karl John C. Raines (2002) Marx on Religion Editor John C. Raines Philadlphia: Temple University Press, 2002 Momsen, Janet. The Double Paradox, in Gendered Realities: Essays in Caribbean Feminist Thought Editor Patricia Mohammed Kingston: University of the West Indies Press, 2002 Murrell, Nathaniel Samuel (2000) Dangerous Memories, Underdevelopment, and the Bible in Colonial Caribbean Experience in Religion, culture, and tradition in the Caribbean Authors Editors Hemchand Gossai, Nathaniel Samuel Murrell London: Palgrave Macmillan. Smith, Philip (2008) Punishment and culture Chicago:University of Chicago Press. Wiltshire-Brodber, Rosina (2002) Gender, Race and Class in the Caribbean in Gender in Caribbean Development: Papers presented at the Inaugural Seminar of the University of the West Indies Women and Development Studies Project Edited by Patricia Mohammed and Catherine Shepherd Kingston:Canoe Press UWI

How Rabbits Changed My Life :: Personal Narrative, essay about myself

I was never liked much when I was younger. I was constantly made fun of and teased unmercifully. I was looked down upon when I was in school. It was as if everything I did wasn't good enough. I didn't succeed in anything. I made bad grades in school, I was worse in sports, and as the result of that my self esteem was zero. That all began to change the day I bought my first rabbit. Raising rabbits has improved my self esteem tremendously. Having a high self esteem is one of the most important assets a person can have. Â   When I was in the second grade, we had a rabbit as a classroom pet. Fudge was a small, brown, lop-eared rabbit. He was my best friend in the school. He would never judge me by what I did, wore or said, and he loved me without condition. I was extremely sad when summertime came around that year because I was going to lose my friend. So, with a lot of begging and promises, I talked my parents into letting me get a rabbit of my own. I worked hard doing extra chores around the house to earn money to buy my rabbit. When the big day came, almost a year later, I was elated. My mom took me to go and visit a local rabbit breeder to see what animals she had for sale. Â   I immediately fell in love with a little female rabbit. Bunnita was a purebred Holland Lop, which was the same breed Fudge was. She was white with brownish-gray spots and her ears didn't really lop, but stuck out to the side of her head at a funny angle. I guess she was what most people would describe as ugly, but to me she was adorable. After getting Bunnita my mom decided to get me involved in a 4-H rabbit project and so she started a 4-H rabbit club. My brother, five other kids and myself were the first members. Â   The time came when I realized I would need to get another rabbit if I ever wanted to show. Bunnita was a wonderful pet, and I loved her, but I was beginning to learn that she left much to be desired in the showing field. My mom bought my brother and I another rabbit for Easter. April was an American Fuzzy Lop, a breed similar to a Holland Lop except it has wool instead of normal fur.

Database design process Essay -- essays research papers

Abstract Database Systems has a practical, hands-on approach that makes it uniquely suited to providing a strong foundation in good database design practice. Database design is more art than science. While it's true that a properly designed database should follow the normal forms and the relational model, you still have to come up with a design that reflects the business you are trying to model. This paper shows describes design process of database project. The importance of Completing the Design Process An important point to keep in mind is that the level of structural integrity and data integrity is in direct proportion to how thoroughly the design process is followed. The less time spent on the design process, the greater the risk of encountering problems with the database. While thoroughly following the database design process may not eliminate all of the problems you may encounter when designing a database, it will greatly help to minimize them. Also in an RDBMS software program a well-designed database is easier to implement than a poorly designed database. (Michael J. Hernandez, 1996) Key database Design Concepts Before a design effort can proceed full speed ahead, the designer must first take time to understand the business. Understanding the business involves understanding the entities, data, and rules within an organization, and then converting these attributes of the business into a business model. Then, the designer must have a solid comprehension of the proposed database model. Finally, the designer will convert the business model into a database model, using a design methodology, whether automated or a manual process. (Ryan Stephens & Ronald Plew, 2002) General Design Process Following table list general steps of database design Step Description 1 Requirements collection and analysis 2 Conceptual database design 3 Choice of a DBMS 4 Data model mapping (also called logical database design) 5 Physical database design 6 Database system implementation (Elmasri, Ramez, & Navathe, Shamkant B., 1994) Creating the application is the last step ¡Ã‚ ªnot the first! Many developers take an idea for an application, bu... ... levels of normalization, but the primary levels are the first, second, and third normal forms. Each level has a rule or two that must be followed. Following all of the rules will help ensure that your database is well organized and flexible. To take an idea from inception through to fruition, you should follow a design process. This process essentially says "think before you act." Discuss rules, requirements, and objectives, and then create the final version of your normalized tables. Reference 1. Elmasri, Ramez, & Navathe, Shamkant B., Fundamentals of Database Systems, Second Edition, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1994, ISBN 0-8053-1748-1, pages 450-452.), retrieved from website http://www.ibiblio.org/faint/finosaur/db/ , Feb 06, 2005 2. Michael J. Hernandez, Database Design For Mere Mortals, Chapter 4, 1996, retrieved from UOP resource safari Tech Books Online website, Feb 06,2005 3. Ryan Stephens & Ronald Plew, Key database design concepts, 2002, retrieved from website http://searchdatabase.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid13_gci812028,00.html, Feb 06, 2005

On the Application of Scientific Knowledge :: Essays Papers

On the Application of Scientific Knowledge The concept of ‘knowledge’ is infinitely broad, but there do exist three subcategories in which a majority of knowledge is encompassed. The knowledge contained within each category carries with it different characteristics, different applications, and certainly varying amounts of weight from the perspective of any individual. The three categories are religious, mathematical, and scientific knowledge. Many questions arise when examining this system of partition. Should knowledge from one category be trusted over knowledge from another? Is one type of knowledge more easily verified than a different type? What exactly are all the differences between religious, mathematical, and scientific knowledge? Reasonable answers to all these questions could not responsibly be answered in this, or any single paper, however, there is one question that can be answered to a reasonable degree of certainty. Which type of knowledge is the most applicable to the real world ? Despite the mass appeal of religious knowledge and the arguable purity of mathematical knowledge, it is the tangible scientific knowledge that is most useful and most applicable to the real world. In order to justify this, it is necessary to present at least a brief investigation into each type of knowledge, noting its origin, appeal, and other unique characteristics. We begin with religious knowledge. 86% percent of people in the world categorize themselves as religious1. This must imply that a very large proportion of the world’s population puts at least some trust in religious knowledge. The problem with discussing religious knowledge is that it is based completely on faith. There is no accepted â€Å"proof† of the existence of a god or gods, so when an individual chooses to believe in a higher power, he or she does so by possessing faith in the truthfulness and accuracy of the religious texts and/or oral tradition associated with that religion. Many religious people, especially those deeply religious, consider the existence of god simply as a given in life. â€Å"What truth so obvious, so certain, as the being of a God, which the most ignorant ages have acknowledged†¦what truth so important as this, which is the ground of all our hopes, the surest foundation of morality, the firmest support of society, and the only principle which ought never to be a moment absent from our thoughts and meditations.

5 Stages of Team Development – Summary

Five Stages of Team Development December 17, 2012 Abstract This paper will evaluate the five stages of team development; Forming stage, Storming stage, Norming stage, Performing stage and Adjourning stage. â€Å"Building effective, cohesive teams has never played such a pivotal role in a company’s success as it does today†. PI Worldwide 2010 Retrieved from http://www. piworldwide. com/Solutions/Leadership-Development/Team-Building. aspx on December 17, 2012. Team building is an important part of ensuring success within an organization.All the stages may not be used in every instance, however it is a guideline that, if used correctly, will ensure better communication, decision making, increased productivity and overall success. PI Worldwide 2010 Retrieved from http://www. piworldwide. com/Solutions/Leadership-Development/Team-Building. aspx on December 17, 2012. I will evaluate each stage and compare it with real-life experiences to show how effective this system can be. Forming Stage The forming stage is where a group of people come together to work on a project.In this initial stage of team development the members take a more formal approach to how they communicate with each other, â€Å"there would be no clear idea of goals or expectations†. Management Study Guide 2008-2010 Retrieved from http://www. managementstudyguide. com/team-development. htm on December 17, 2012. This stage reminds me of a project I was chosen to be part of. A group of us were chosen to develop a plan of action geared toward increasing patient satisfaction in the hospital, due to poor results from a survey taken.During this Forming stage, we took the time to get to know each other’ what our strengths were, and by doing this we were able to create a mission statement for the team and begin our creative process. Storming Stage â€Å"The storming stage of team development is a period of high emotionality and tension among group members† â€Å"Organizatio nal Behavior† (Schermerhorn J 2012,pg. 156). Competition and resistance to the ideas offered by other team members begin to occur in this stage. Everyone wants their own ideas or that of their friend to be chosen.In my experience with team work, this stage is where member began to become more relaxed and sure of themselves, throwing ideas on the table and thinking their ideas are the best ones. Norming Stage In this stage, members start to remember the reason they are there and re-focus on the task at hand. â€Å"While enjoying a new sense of harmony, team members will strive to maintain positive balance† â€Å"Organizational Behavior† (Schermerhorn J 2012, pg 156). Members begin to feel like they have perfected the ability to work in groups at this time, developing a premature sense of accomplishment.At this stage my team started putting a plan in place to revamp how patients are treated during their hospital visits. Performing Stage In this stage of development , the team becomes more mature and organized. They know what the goals of the team are and work together to achieve success. Team members are able to do their own problem solving since they are sure of themselves and what their duties are. Team members came together and all the ideas that we shared now became a plan of action to improve patient satisfaction at our Hospital’s six facilities. Adjourning StageAt this stage team members learn to come together, get the job done quickly and go about their own business. â€Å"Their willingness to disband when the job is done and to work well together in future responsibilities, team or otherwise, is a long-term test of team success. † â€Å"Organizational Behavior† (Schermerhorn J 2012, pg 157) The five stages of team development really helped me to put the process of team work in perspective. Knowing what these stages all means and represents, gives me a better understanding of how to organize projects and what stage we are at in any given project.

Become Legendary Essay

The Kobe and Lebron likeness is now probably the biggest and a polish up arguable talk in todays sports news. Lebron can go to the hoop with authority, maculation Kobe is a sleek and flashy e truly last(predicate) around shooter. Although cosmos cardinal of the give way(p) representers in the world they ar very different in the ways they play the bet on of basketb each(prenominal). Though both Kobe and Lebron went to the NBA bully start of high school, and being two of the leagues opera hat either around players who are lethal threats which must(prenominal) take an extraordinary game program to defend. With the association and contrast of the two legends, whether it is by trophies or championship titles, or all around stat freaks, these volition be primary(prenominal) contri notwithstandinging factors in crowning the best.Kobe Bryant is arguably sensation of the leagues best all around players of all cartridge clip. He can drive, shoot, and his finish is peerl ess of a kind. His demur is shut down and plays with fouls as a defensive mechanism. Not merely is he top class on the floor, but on the free baffle line as well. Also being one of the leagues nearly consistent free throw shooters since go in the NBA. Kobe plays the game as if he invented it he is one of the worlds closely respected and popular players. Kobe has five NBA championships and is a twelve time NBA all star. Kobe Bryant historic period thirty-two is one of the most grace players in the history of the NBA, and is a incoming hall -of -famer. Kobe also has had an unheard of lxxxi points in a single game. Kobes down face is that he is non consistently aggressive or sticky going to the boards (getting rebounds or dunking). With all that verbalize I feel like Kobe Bryant will ever be remembered as one of the elite players to ever play in the NBA.Lebron jam aka King James is a one of a kind, straight bulge bring come forth of high school player who took on the l eague with a head intact of steam. One of the most athletic and unseasoned freaks the NBA has probably ever seen. He has ripe from a young kid to a universe in a press of seasons, while adding a different pungency to his game every year. Lebron who is seven age younger than Kobe is a seven time NBA all star, but has yet to inveigle a single NBA championship. Coming out of high school Lebron was the first alternative out of the first roundout of the NBA draft. Though Lebron the young hot ginger nut he is seems to receive a voltaic pile of criticism because of the recent change in location to south beach.Even though Lebron is such an amazing player, the thing that hurts him the most is his shooting at times. Lebron isnt on the dot a hoops player hes a business man as well with endorsements from companies such as Nike and Sprite. Forbes magazine ranked James as the second most influential athletes in the past decade. This new kid on the block has produced points and shows what he can do every night he puts points on the board and fans in the stands.Both of these iconic athletes are incredibly amazing in all their unique ways, whether on or off the court. Together they claim won two gold medals in the Olympics for the united States. They are both the leagues present day top players who pertinacious that college wasnt for them. Lebron and Kobe were both first round picks in the NBA draft and the number one ranked player coming out of high school. They both are surprisingly efficient in every purview of the offensive or defensive side of the ball. Blocking shots and playing hard noised defense is what they do best. With a shot and bring on like no other they are quick scorers and know how to score from anywhere and in any situation on the floor. They both bring much to the game than just skill but as leading vocally and emotionally on their teams. Not only are they the leaders on their teams, but are the faces for basketball and the NBA everywhe re in the world.In my panorama this is not even that close. James has better numbers across almost every statistical category. In clutch situations such as fourth quarter or overtime, less than five minutes left, uncomplete team ahead by more than five points. Bryant actually has a higher(prenominal) field goal portion and three-point percentage as well as more rebounds and assists per 48 minutes. James is a well-made slasher, finisher, and defender as well as being stronger and more athletic. Bryant whitethorn have a killer instinct, but James has a mean streak of his own. With his implausible three point plays and up gait offense. When all is said and done, Lebron James may go down as a better NBA basketball player than Kobe Bryant, but who knows, these guys are neck and neck.