Strategic Decision Making (Team) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Strategic Decision Making (Team) - Essay Example The four provocative scenarios identified for tertiary education are traditional, marginal open, marginal elitist and ambient. Traditional and marginal open scenarios represent societies of low knowledge intensities while marginal elitist and ambient represent societies of high knowledge intensities. The first scenario is where TES perpetuates specialization, compartmentalization and exclusivity. Under this, we have the traditional and marginal elitist scenarios. According to Dator (2002), TES institutions in the traditional scenario function in communities where knowledge intensity of life has not changed much and the role played by institutions of tertiary education like colleges and universities remain the same as in the past. Istance et al (2003) explain that in his scenario, TES will continue with its traditional functions in research and teaching and there are many organizational responses to the increasing demand for research and specialized skills. However, research continues to mix profit and non-profit while teaching is mainly directed by the mass-model of compulsory secondary education (Brown and Paul 1998). From a functional perspective, TES maintains its position along traditional lines as the chief source of upper level research, teaching, certification and legitimate claims of knowledge. TES is in control of the overall flow of knowledge. This is because a larger percentage of researchers are still university and for knowledge to be deemed valuable, some form of benediction from within TES is still required (Inayatullah and Gidley 2000). In the Marginal Elitist Scenario, there is dramatic change in the socio-economic context yet TES institutions and their way of functioning do not change. Because of this, TES becomes marginal backwater and elitist bastion (Fullan 2003). With desperation, the past approaches to knowledge try to insist on past glory and their pride of place resulting to a small role in overall research

Heineken Is One Of The Worlds Pale Lager Marketing Essay

Heineken Is One Of The Worlds Pale Lager Marketing Essay Heineken is one of the worlds huge pale lager and is dedicated to grow and remain independent, made by Heineken International since 1873. The trade name that stands for the founders name Heineken is presented in almost all countries on the planet earth and is one of the worlds most valuable international premium beer brand. It is very popular in the United States, Europe and even Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Sudan. Their international brands are Heineken and Amstel, but the group brews and sells more than 170 international premium, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders, including Cruz campo, Birra Moretti, Fosters, Maes, Murphys, Newcastle Brown Ale, Ochota,  Tiger, Sagres, Star, Strong bow  and  Zywiec. It is available in a 4.3% alcohol by volume, in countries such as Ireland. Heineken has been able to remain one of the worlds leading consumer and corporate brands for more than 130 years. Famous brands include Amstel, Europes third-largest selling beer, Cruzcampo, Tiger, Zywiec, Birra Moretti, Ochota, Murphys and Star. They are more than 119 breweries in more than 65 countries brewing a Group beer volume of 139.2 million hectolitres. In this report we going to Discover more about company, strategy, as well as their operations in EUROPIAN region. 1.1 History The Heineken story began more than 140 years ago in 1864 when Gerard Adriaan Heineken acquired a small brewery in Amsterdam. Since then, four generations of the Heineken family have expanded the Heineken brand and the Company throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Values and principals Heineken morals and ethics are not a lavish: they are essential to every level of business. Heineken is committed in sustainable development, in optimiseing their financial results with nominal impact to business atmosphere. To do this, they abide with number of governing business principles and three other core values such as- respect, enjoyment and quality that reflect their passion for beer and respect for their employees, business partners, customers, shareholders and all others who are connected to company. 2.0 Marketing audit for Heineken The marketing audit is a fundamental part of the marketing planning process. It is conducted with implementation of the plan. The marketing audit considers both internal and external marketing planning, as well as review of the plan itself. PEST analysis is an audit of an organizations environmental influences with the purpose of using this information to guide strategic decision-making. The PEST technique involves assessing four sets of factors: Political/legal, Economic, Socio-cultural, and Technological. The assumption is that if the organization is able to audit its current environment and assess potential changes, it will be better placed than its competitors to respond to changes. PEST analysis is concerned with the environmental influences on a business.The acronym stands for the Political, Economic, Social and Technological issues that could affect the strategic development of a business. Identifying PEST influences is a useful way of summarising the external environment in which a business operates. However, it must be followed up by consideration of how a business should respond to these influences. The table below lists some possible factors that could indicate important environmental Influences for a business under the PEST headings: Political / Legal Economic Social Technological Environmental regulation and protection Economic growth (overall; by industry sector) Income distribution (change in distribution of disposable income; Government spending on research -Taxation (corporate; consumer) Monetary policy (interest rates) Demographics (age structure of the population; gender; family size and composition; changing nature of occupations) Government and industry focus on technological effort -International trade regulation Government spending (overall level; specific spending priorities) Labour / social mobility New discoveries and development -Consumer protection Policy towards unemployment (minimum wage, unemployment benefits, grants) Lifestyle changes (e.g. Home working, single households) Speed of technology transfer -Employment law Taxation (impact on consumer disposable income, incentives to invest in capital equipment, corporation tax rates) Attitudes to work and leisure -Rates of technological obsolescence -Government organisation / attitude Exchange rates (effects on demand by overseas customers; effect on cost of imported components) Education Energy use and costs -Competition regulation Inflation (effect on costs and selling prices) Fashions and fads Changes in material sciences Stage of the business cycle (effect on short-term business performance) Health welfare Impact of changes in Information technology Economic mood consumer confidence Living conditions (housing, amenities, pollution) Internet! 2.1.1 Political Efforts to reduce levels of alcohol consumption: Governments conduct promotion to change public consumption, e.g. anti-drink and drive behaviour. Associated with this is increased regulation on the nature and style of alcohol advertising. For example, it is prohibited in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Alcohol promotion has been banned on TV in France and, in the UK to reduce its influence on younger TV and radio audiences. 2.1.2 Economical Implementation of the Single European Market (SEM) enabling freedom of movement of goods and services, people and capital across national borders brought opportunities and threats to the brewing industry. It has allowed firms to invest equity to acquire full-ownership of established breweries across Europe, rather than minority holdings. At a production level, it has encouraged the location of breweries and associated logistics distribution centres to be made on cost-efficient criteria rather than regional or national obligations, enabling an international, and even global, approach to beer production. At the same time, the European logistics industry has been liberalized in the lead up to 1992 with the removal of national licenses, quotas and control within the road-transport sector, although there remains a dominantly national flavor to its provision. As yet, the unification of taxation, especially excise duties across Europe which could ease administration, is only under discussion. The difficulties of implementing the proposals are considerable. However, with the current variations in excise duties encouraging a black market, especially between the UK and France, movement is afoot to reduce the extreme variations. The publicity associated with the substantial cross-Channel movement (or bootlegging) of alcohol and tobacco products between France and the UK, with adverse repercussions for UK suppliers and tax collection for the Exchequer, has concentrated minds on finding a solution to the taxation disparities. The brewing industry relies on economies of scale in both production and distribution to be successful. The removal of trade barriers, with the chance to capitalize on economies of scale, is helping companies, especially those operating within small domestic markets. Both Heineken in the Netherlands and Carlsberg in Denmark have been obliged to internationalize as their own domestic markets are too small to provide sufficient scope for economies of scale for desirable growth. Expansion through joint venture, acquisitions and mergers, together with licensing and strategic alliance, has enabled an extension of brand franchising and complementary brands. 2.1.3 Social Provision of environmentally friendly packaging: In Germany and Denmark drinks require returnable bottles for re-cycling and, since 1995, at least 65% of packaging has had to be re-usable. In Denmark cans are banned for in-country production, although, due to European Union (EU) competition rules, import exemptions allow high imports of canned beer, from Germany in particular. These regulations incur short-term increases in the costs of packaging and distribution as new technology is introduced to meet the requirements. 2.1.4 Technological Heineken use their technology to keep detailed documents of shipping, in their warehouses to make the beer more efficiently and for shipping purposes. 2.2 SEGMENTATION TARGETING POSITIONING proceeds to segment the market, select the appropriate market target, and develop the offers value positioning. The formula segmentation, targeting, positioning (STP) is the essence of strategic marketing. (Kotler, 1994, p. 93) . The process of market segmentation can also consist of the selection of those segments for which a firm might be particularly well suited to serve by having competitive advantages relative to competitors in the segment, reducing the cost of adaptation in order to gain a niche. This application of market segmentation serves the purpose of developing competitive scope, which can have a powerful effect on competitive advantage because it shapes the configuration of the value chain. (Porter, 1985, p. 53). Segmentation is the process of identifying sets of consumers. These sets must be homogeneous, distinct, attractive and reachable. It use demographic (i.e. age), geographic (i.e. ZIP codes), and psychographic (i.e. attitudes) information to describe and separate groups. Segmentation requires the marketer to look at pools of potential customers from multiple angles to consider their areas of focus. Heineken focuses on youth in different locations. Targeting a specific segment or segments requires the evaluation of multiple segments. Choices can be hard to make and sometimes seem arbitrary. To aid the marketer, metrics for the most important criteria should be associated with each potential segment. In the end, the segment(s) with the greatest potential should be selected. Europes largest brewer, Heineken NV, is to embark on an acquisition spree and attempt to make its flagship lager brand more appealing to young consumers as increased competition and sluggish sales continue to blight its more mature beer markets. Positioning Gunter and Furnham (1992) prescribe that after selecting target markets the trategist should develop positioning objectives to then develop them into a detailed marketing mix. However, Aaker (1996) recommends developing the positioning objective only after the brand identity and value proposition have been developed. In exploring the latter, it is useful to understand Aakers definition of positioning is the part of the brand identity and value proposition that is to be actively communicated to the target audience and that demonstrates an advantage over competing brands. Kotler (1994) refers to it as the unique selling proposition. Heineken is the worlds most valuable International premium beer brand Heineken hopes to consolidate its position within the high growth Romanian beer and mineral water market by acquiring Transylvania based brewer bere mures for an as yet undisclosed fee. As of 2009, Heineken owns over 119 breweries in more than 65 countries and employs approximately 54,004 people 3.0 Global Brand Development: Since stage of beer market development in each country is different strategy should be used. In embryonic markets (Africa, Eastern Europe) pushing strategy is suitable. In growing markets (Italy, Spain, Japan) both pushing and pulling strategies are agreeable. In mature markets (North and Central Europe, Australia,USA) pulling strategy is the best. Global positioning target can be achieved through creative marketing communication. Heineken should develop a number of high-profile, quality television campaigns with universal appeal, featuring high profile, contemporary celebrities. However, within the marketing mix, there will always be a requirement for locally driven campaigns and support. By connecting to local situations, consumer will develop a greater emotional tie to the company. The term marketing mix refers to the primary elements that must be attended to in order to properly market a product or service. Also known as The 4 Ps of Marketing, the marketing mix is a very useful, if a bit general, guideline for understanding the fundamentals of what makes a good marketing campaign. Product product refers to products or services. The product or service that offer the needs to meet a specific, existing market demand. Or, product should be able to create a market niche through building a strong brand. Heineken maintains it beer quality and special taste Price: The price that set for Heineken product or service plays a large role in its marketability. Though Heineken has many competitors Heineken maintains its quality and price. It changes it price according to the situation and location. Place: Heineken has huge marketing in Ireland and Netherlands. Compare to other brands Heineken is not available in all retails stores frequently. Promotion: Heineken has quickly recognised that consumers are increasing seeking value and positivity in the current recessionary environment. 3.1 Market entry Heineken has a pragmatic view taking a cautious approach to entering new markets. While it encourages organic growth, it has expanded by using a combination of direct export, licensing, joint venture, strategic alliance and acquisition. While it exports its premium Heineken brand from its plant in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, it is also involved in local regional production. A typical entry strategy has been to begin by exporting using intermediaries such as local distributors, and then to develop licensing production agreements through joint ventures with local brewers. Ultimately, the goal is to acquire full ownership and control of the local production wherever possible. The Netherlands Heineken has been the dominant market leader in its home base in the Netherlands having 53% of the market in 1991, well above its competitors Grolsch (15%) and the 15% taken by Interbrews subsidiary Verenigde Brouwerijen. Unfortunately, the Heineken brand market share, 45% in 1980, itself dropped to only 30% in 1991. In response Heineken introduced the Amstel and Buckler brands, the latter being the first non-alcoholic beer available on draft. Uk In the 1960s, when Heineken entered the UK, the beer-drinking public was not familiar with the strong beer being drunk in other European countries. Consequently, it made a licensing arrangement with Whitbread to brew a weaker version of standard Heineken brand (3.6% alcohol by volume (abv) ) that proved popular with lager drinkers. By 1990, about 10% of all lager drunk in the UK carried the Heineken brand. As beer drinkers became increasingly familiar with the continental brands, the Heineken Export Strength (5.0% abv) was introduced which Whitbread also brewed under licence. In 1993, the UK was the second largest market for beer in Europe, consuming 224 pints per head of population, although that level dropped to 218 pints per head in 2002 (Tighe, 2003). The pattern of consumption is different from the rest of Europe with more than 80% being drunk in pubs, many of which are linked, or tied, to breweries. Heinekens route was through access to Whitbreads distribution network through a licensing agreement. Interestingly, these ties were broken in the early 1990s when the Conservative government introduced legislation to increase competition. This obliged Bass to dispose of its 7,500 pubs most of which were expected to become independent small businesses. In practice, most were acquired by Pubmaster which currently owns 8,500 pubs, reflecting the continued concentration of ownership within the brewing distribution network. Ireland In 1993, Guinness and Heineken dominated in Ireland with a combined market share of about 85%. From the 1970s the Heineken brand was produced under licence until Heineken acquired its own production site in 1983. Murphys stout was a particular success story, becoming the number two brand of stout (behind Guinness) in both Ireland and the UK; by 1993 it was also being sold in the US and France. Italy Heineken entered the Italian market in 1960 when it acquired a minority stake in a small brewer. This was extended in 1974 when Heineken and Whitbread each bought a 42% holding in the company, renamed Birra Dreher. By 1980, Heineken was the sole owner of Dreher having acquired Whitbreads 42% share. Mergers with two former Henniger breweries strengthened Dreher so that, by 1993, it had a 25% share of the Italian market behind the market leader Peroni with about 40%. Despite the decline in the Italian beer market being more severe than in other European markets, Dreher maintained its margins although its market share fell. The Heineken brand retained its position, while its Buckler brand benefited from the increasing growth of the non-alcoholic segment. As in other countries, Heineken, in this case through Dreher, increased its control of the distribution network by purchasing a number of drinks wholesalers. In 1991, Heineken began importing its other Heineken brands into Italy to prov ide more effectively for the premium beer segment. Greece In 1965, Heineken entered a joint venture agreement for Athenian Brewery to produce the Amstel brand. By 2002, it had 98.8% ownership and a dominant 70% or so of the Greek market. This enabled it to strengthen its own Heineken and Amstel brands, and to import its associated Dreher and Coors beers. Heineken still dominates the Greek market. France In 1982, Heineken acquired Albra, which had an 8% market share and owned two breweries in France. In 1984, Albra was merged with Brasseries et Glacieres International to form the Sogebra group which in 1993 had 25% of the beer market, challenging the market leader, BSN Kronenbourg (50%). With the successful re-organisation of the Sogebra group, Heinekens fortunes continued to improve. However, the poor economic climate of the early 1990s, together with the increased competition for limited shelf space among retailers, has been challenging. Spain In 1984, as Spain was preparing to join the EU, Heineken purchased 37% of the local El Aguila brewer and increased its holding to a 51% controlling interest by 1993. El Aguila suffered from outdated production techniques and poor branding which necessitated investment in production and some re-structuring with resulting labour redundancies and short-term losses. The Aguila Pilsner brand was positioned for the standard market segment and a new Adlerbrau brand was introduced targeted towards the premium segment; Adlerbrau was then itself replaced by Aguila Master. Spain was a challenging market where many small family breweries operated within a federal infrastructure so hindering the implementation of economies of scale. Nevertheless, the Spanish market was attractive, with beer consumption the third highest in the EU, and increasing from 51 litres per capita in 1978 to 71 litres in 1989. Not surprisingly, by 1991 other companies were intent on acquiring a slice of the market through similar joint venture arrangements. They included Guinness/Carlsberg (Cruzcampo), the French group BSN (Mahou) and San Miguel Philippines (San Miguel). 4.0 Heineken SWOT Analysis Heineken SWOT Analysis company profile is the essential source for top-level company data and information. Heineken SWOT Analysis examines the companys key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy. 4.1 Strengths The taste of Heineken beer is unique. The yeast that is used to make Heineken beer till today is developed in 1886.so the taste uniqueness of it has been there for a hundred years Heineken is the worlds second largest beer manufacturer.They produce 5.6 billionl liters of beer each year. second only to anheuser busch who produce 10 billion ltrs . This gives economics of scale and a platform for futher expansion of their market capitalization. In some markets like U.S.A and Hong Kong the Heineken brand is perceived as a premium brand and has successfully established a brand image. Heineken has owned subsidiaries in Netherland, France and Ireland whereas they held majority stake in 15 other breweries all over the world.Which gives Heineken a global presence. 4.2 Weaknesses Insome countries the brand image of Heineken was too narrow such that the brand was seen appropriate for special occasions only, While in other countries like Latin America the brand is viewed just another imported European beer .In Netherlands It was viewed as a mainstream brand. The company has limited its reach to the European and the Western countries and there still lies a scope for scaling up in countries like India where the beer is just imported and thus making it impossible to penetrate deep down No production base in some area and TV commercials are just aired in larger markets Lack of integrated marketing campaign Lack of worldwide advertising campaign 4.3 Threats Increase in drunk driving laws Competitors increasing market share Mergers and acquisitions of other breweries Other Breweries are becoming much larger than Heinekens Brewery 5.0 Recommendation to achieve the global brand Introduce a number of innovations across liquid, packaging and format that will serve to further endorse international leadership credentials because innovation is the lifeblood of brand domain. Heineken has a strong brand tradition. In order to flourish its  brand reputation  across the world, convince the consumers that the brand is some way superior. Develop a relationship with customers, build  affinity  between brand and customers bysponsoring international rugby tournaments, and world soccer tournament such as -( the Champions Leagues, the UEFA Champions League,  worlds premier club) where target audience of men from all over the world gather in one place. Building the brand  recognition  for long-term  to differentiate the brand Heineken and be sure to add value to the product in order to get the brand loyalty. (For example, Heineken can maintain its good quality or create benefits for society and culture, and provide an emotion to its consumers. 6.0 Strategies Macro analysis Heineken has been able to remain one of the worlds leading consumer and corporate brands for more than 130 years. It confronts directly the challenges in many of our markets to deliver organic profit growth, but also focuses on building the long-term future of our brands and business. 6.1.1 Current strategies Key focus is on driving the growth of our brands and improving our financial performance on ensuring that acquisitions, partnerships and distribution strategies create value. The focus is also on enabling our employees to use their potential and building a true performance based culture. Heineken aims for sustainable growth as a broad market leader and  we aim for segment leadership. In both cases, the Heineken brand plays an important part. We establish broad leadership usually by acquiring strong brands, which are combined into a new, larger company. Offering training to the employees, improving the organization, and introducing new technology then reinforces the positions of the local beers. This results in economies of scale that create a distribution network for both the local beers and Heineken beer. If a market is already in the hands of other brewers, we devote all our energy to developing a premium segment with Heineken beer, and if feasible, specialty beers. The goal of Heineken is to grow the business in a sustainable and consistent manner, while constantly improving profitability. The  four priorities for action include:   To accelerate sustainable top-line growth. To accelerate efficiency and cost reduction. To speed up implementation: we commit to faster decision making and execution.   To focus on those markets where we believe we can win. 6.1.2 Failures in strategies Heineken: Declining sales volumes now should explore new Strategies. An expected drop in revenues for Heineken has been more than cancelled out through cost-cutting measures and a shrewd pricing strategy. While beer volumes have suffered during the recession, this can be seen as the continuation of a more established trend. Plant closures have helped Heineken to reduce costs, but future profits will need to be driven by alternative methods. Heineken has revised its profit forecast for 2009 and now expects low double-digit growth for the year overall. The third largest brewer in the world reported a 4.7% decline in volume sales, but strong cost-cutting measures and a sound pricing strategy have allowed the company to further grow its profits. Beer v olumes have been badly hit by the recession, but this is largely a continuation of a longer and more established trend in established markets. The category has lost significant custom to the wine and spirits segments in recent years, as beer has garnered a particularly unhealthy reputation. Consumers beer preferences were once widely predicted to enjoy Resistance to the recession, but this has not proved to be the case and many consumers have switched to cheaper brands, with notable gains seen in the private-label beer market. Heineken has been able to drive profits through an array of cost-cutting measures. A number of plants were closed after Heinekens purchase of Scottish Newcastle. This acquisition gave the company the largest share of the European beer market, which allowed the undertaking of consolidation through the plant closures. Heineken has also increased prices, which has helped to offset some of the volume declines. Price rises in the beer category have become commonplace, but the company has ensured that its prices remain competitive without compromising the integrity of the brand. The expected results from Heineken demonstrate the possibilities that still exist during a recession. Cost-cutting measures have improved profits and will leave the company in a stronger position during a recovery. However, reducing costs can only fuel profit growth for a finite length of time, and the company must ensure that it continues to grow its business in developing markets while consolidating in the established markets of Europe and the US. 6.1.3 Implementations: The basic strategies of Heineken is to capture the local market. By merging with local firms Heineken has started capturing local market. Merger and acquisitions seems very good at for the present situation but according to servey (Dg internal market and services , 2005). 7.0 Recommendations: Heineken is one of the strongest products in the market and is dedicated to grow and remain independent, made by Heineken International since 1873. From the above repost accomplished that from macro analysis, there are positive conditions in Europe to increase profitability of Heineken. There are number of other steps in marketing plans can improve sale of Heineken. The Heineken brand can be developed through the distinctive characteristics of the marketing communication mix: multiple form of marketing communications are needed to communicated the value benefits of a product or market offering to larger and larger numbers of actual and potential consumers The value benefits of a product or marketing offering is communicated to the target market through three modes: marketing communication mix, mass marketing forms of communication , personal marketing forms of communication Creating strong associations and responses in the consumers mind: creating awareness of the brand, establishing the brand image brand judgments and feeling , and creating strong consumer-brand connect By designing a marketing communication strategy that delivers a consistent message that aims at informing, persuading, and reminding consumers- directly or indirectly about the products and brand for sale in the market segment It should focus on the markets that are in the embryonic stage and also on the developing markets and one of the being India, Heineken still has not penetrated India and the beer that is available in through imports. Company does not have fixed group that looks into marketing communication mix They should go like When in Rome, do as the Romans do that signifies that the communication mix should be different from country to country, and it should be significantly referring to the personalization of the masses representing the target population of a particular. It should keep learning from what happened to other brands that entered into foreign markets and did not do well and they should learn from their failures

Troys Battle with Anger in August Wilsons Fences Essays -- August Wi

Troy's Battle with Anger in August Wilson's Fences Conflicts and tensions between family members and friends are key elements in August Wilson's play, Fences. The main character, Troy Maxon, has struggled his whole life to be a responsible person and fulfill his duties in any role that he is meant to play. In turn, however, he has created conflict through his forbidding manner. The author illustrates how the effects of Troy's stern upbringing cause him to pass along a legacy of bitterness and anger which creates tension and conflict in his relationships with his family. Troy?s relationship with his father was one, which produced much tension, and had a strong influence on Troy?s relationships with his loved ones as an adult. He had very little respect for his father because his father did not, in Troy?s mind, make his family a priority. At an early age, Troy?s father beat him ?like there was no tomorrow? because he caught Troy getting ?cozy? with a girl (549; I,4). Troy said that ?right there is where [he became] a man? (549; I,4). It was at that moment that Troy made the decision to free himself from his father?s power. Despite the fact that he did eventually escape his father?s wrath, the struggle with his father?s aggressive behavior and lack of love resulted in a coldness that resided in Troy?s heart toward life and love. His father did not care about his children; children were there to work for the food that he ate first. Troy describes his feelings toward his father by saying, ?Sometimes I wish I hadn?t known my daddy. He ain?t cared not hing about no kids. A kid to him wasn?t nothing. All he wanted was for you to learn how to walk so he could start you to working? (548; I,4). Although Troy had very little respect for his father and vowed to be nothing like him, many of his father?s harsh personality traits show up in his own personality. Despite Troy?s continuous attempts to push himself away from anything he had ever known about his father, the inheritance of such irrational behavior was inevitable because it was all he had ever known. The inheritance of this angry behavior was, in turn, the cause of his damaging relationships with his own family. Just as Troy endured his father?s cruel ways, Troy?s family is left with no choice but to try to learn to live with his similar ways. Troy?s family is one that strives to maintai... ...y as a responsible person. He overlooks Cory?s efforts to please him and make a career for his son, learned from his past with his own father, is responsible for the tension that builds between him and Cory. This tension will eventually be the cause of the lost relationship that is identical to the lost relationship that is identical to the lost relationship between Troy and his father. Troy?s damaging relationship with his father had a dual effect in his life. It created a conscious awareness of how not to conduct his life and built fences, which inevitably recreated his father in his personality. These fences shaped and formed his relationships with his son. Due to his conscious efforts to not become what he did hold that were his father?s. The narrowness of his thoughts and ideas about life made him an almost impossible person with whom to have a relationship. These flaws permanently changed the lives of the people around him and built barriers which were too solid to ever be broken. Works Cited Wilson, August. Fences. New Worlds of Literature: Writings from America?s Many Cultures. 2nd ed. Jerome Beauty and J. Paul Hunter. New York: Norton, 1994. 522-575.

Promote equality and diversity in work with children and young people Essay

These were put into place to ensure that all organisations and agencies involved with children between birth and 19 years should work together ensure that children have the support needed to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and ahieve economic well-being. The key aspect of the Act was to overhaul child protection and chilren’s services in the UK. Every Child Matters has been futher developed through the publication of the Children’s Plan 2007 which sets out to improve educational outcomes for all children. Race Relations Act 1976 and 2000 This places a statutory duty on schools to promote race equality. It makes it against the law for a person to be discriminated against, whether directly or indirectly. Schools are expected to improve the educational achievements of all children and to promote equal opportunities and good relations between different racial groups. Schools are also required to have a race equality policy which is linked to an action plan. Disability Discrimintaion Act 1995 and 2005 This made it illegal for services (shops and employers) to discriminate against disabled people. According to this Act, a person has a disability if ‘he /or she/ has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his /or her/ ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’. Now it is a statutory requirement to encourage the inclusion of children with disabilities into mainstream schools. The Disability and Discrimination Act 2005 builds on the 1995 Act by requiring all schools to produce a Disability Equality Scheme. This must set out ways that schools promote equality of opportunity and promote positive attitudes towards pupils, staff and others who are disabled. Also, there must be an Accessibility Plan in place which identifies how th school will increase access to the curriculum improve the physical environment and provide information in a range of ways to meet the needs of individuals with diability. SEN Code of Practice 2001 The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 strengthened the rights of parents and SEN children to mainstream education. It made significant changes to the educational opportunities that are available to children with disabilities and special educational needs. Human Rights Act 1998 The United Nations first set a standard on human rights in 1948 with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1998 the Human Rights Act gave a further legal status to this. The basic human rights are: the right to life freedom from torture and degrading treatment freedom from slavery and forced labour the right to liberty the right to fair trial the right not to be punished for something that wasn’t a crime when you did it the right to respect for private and family life freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and freedom to express your beliefs freedom of expression freedom of assembly and association the right to marry and to start a family the right not to be discriminated against in respect t of these rights and freedoms the right to peaceful enjoyment of your property the right to an education the right to participate in free elections the right not to be subjected to the death penalty. UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 The UK signed this legally binding agreement in 1990. It leads on from the Human Rights Act and sets out the rights of all children to be treated equally and fairly and without discrimination. 1.2 The imprtance of promotiong the rights to participation and equality of access All pupils should be able to fully access all areas of the curriculum. The advent of the Every Child Matters framework and the focus on personalised learning in all sectors of education has also made this high on the agenda. The reasons for this are: Human rights: – all children have a right to learn and play together – children should not be discriminated against for any reason – inclusion is concerned with improving schools for staff as well as pupils Equal opportunities in education: – children and young people do better in inclusive settings, both academically and socially – children and young people should not need to be separated to achieve adequate educational provision – inclusive education is a more efficient use of educational resources Social opportunities: – inclusion in education is one aspect of inclusion in society – children need to be involved and integrated with all of their peers. We always have to be aware of the needs of different pupils, whatever these may be. These may become more apparent as we get to know individual pupils. These who may be vulnerable could include pupils: – pupils with special educational needs – those who speak English as an additional language – who are new to the school – pupils are gifted and talented – whose culture or ethnicity is different from the predominant cultture of the school – who are in foster care – whose parents’ views are not consistent with those of the school. 1.3The importance and benefits of valuing and promoting cultural diversity All schools must be aware of the importance of valuing and promoting cultural diversity. Most schools are actively include a number of strategies to ensure that children from all cultures feel welcome in school. These may be: – words are displayed in a variety of languages in classrooms and in different areas of the school – other languages spoken in different lessons or during registration – themed days, festivals and celebrations from other cultures discussed and explored – representations from other cultures found in books and learning resources, and displayes around the school – parents involved in ‘finding out’ sessions with children. These will have a number of benefits for children and young people – mainly that they will grow up in an environment which values cultural diversity and enables us to learn from one another. If children and young adults are finding out about other cultures and belief systems from an early age, they become more open and accepting towards each other. Children from all backgrounds need to know that the culture and status is valued as this helps them to feel settled and secure. This in turn contributes to the being able to learn. If they feel isolated or anxious, it is more likely that learning will be difficult for them. Outcome 2Pudersant the importance of prejudice and discrimination on children and young people 2.1Ways in which children and young people can experience prejudice and discrimination There are many ways in which children can experience prejudice and discrimination in school. There is a big pressure on children to fit in and to conform with expected appearances and behaviour that they may be discriminated against and bullied that they may be discriminated against and bullied if they do not. In school, all staff needs to be vigilant to ensure that children respect and embrace diversity. Children can experience prejudice and discrimination in the sam way as adults due to race, religion, age, sex, culture or ethnicity. We can focus on: – comments about a child’s appearance or clothes – children not interacting with others who may be ‘different’ – children being excluded because they are boys or girls – children only socialising with otrs of the same race or ethnicity. 2.5How to challange discrimination Whenever we witness discriminatory behaviour and comments, we have to challenge, record and report the incident. Children sometimes say things without understanding the impact on others, also the consequences. It should be made clear to them that their comments are not acceptable and that everyone in school should be treated fairly and with respect. Outcome 3Support inclusion and inclusive practices in work with children and young people 3.1What is meant by inclusion and inclusive practices Pupils are all have an equal right to education and learning. Equal opportunities and inclusion should take account not only of access to provision on school premises, but also to facilities outside the school setting. All organisations that offer educational provision must by law ensure that all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum. The school should ensure that inclusive practices are a matter of coures within day-to-day provision and that any barriers to inclusion are identified and removed.

Legaliza of Medical Marijuana

Assignment 2 Write your outline for your research paper by filling out the following template. Outline – Topic: Should Marijuana Be Legalized For Medical Purposes Introduction: Thesis Statement: Medical marijuana should be legalized but in the strict control of the doctor. Paragraph 1: PRO 1 Idea(s) to be developed: marijuana can relieve certain types of pain. Evidence/Examples: The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS.Source(s) used: Joycelyn Elders, Mar. 26, 2004 Paragraph 2: PRO 2 Idea(s) to be developed: It's a matter between doctors and patients. Evidence/Examples:If doctors believe that it does help, and will be useful to the patient, they have the right to appoint it! Source(s) used: Aug. 9, 2007 – Dennis Kucinich Paragraph 3: PRO 3 Idea(s) to be developed: Marijuana clearly has medicinal value. Evidence/Examples: Thousands of seriously ill Americans have been able to determine that for themselves, albeit illegally. Source(s) used: 1999 – Lyn NofzigerParagraph 4: PRO 4 Idea(s) to be developed: Study of marijuana . Evidence/Examples: I have found in my study of these patients that cannabis is really a safe, effective and non-toxic alternative to many standard medications. There is no such thing as an overdose. Source(s) used: Nov. 17, 2005 – Philip Denney, MD Paragraph 5: PRO 5 Idea(s) to be developed: Cannabis is remarkably safe. Evidence/Examples: Although not harmless, it is surely less toxic than most of the conventional medicines it could replace if it were legally available.Source(s) used: 1 oct. 2007 – Lester Grinspoon, MD Paragraph 6: CON 1 Idea(s) to be presented: It is addictive. Refutation :Marijuana is not the safe drug portrayed by the marijuana lobby. It is addictive; it adversely affects the immune system; leads to the use of other drugs such as cocaine; is linked to cas es of cancer; causes respiratory diseases, mental disorders, including psychosis, depression, panic attacks, hallucinations†¦ Source(s) used:Oct. 1, 2004 – Janet Lapey, MD

Use of Quasiconcave Utility Functions in Economics

Use of Quasiconcave Utility Functions in Economics Quasiconcave is a mathematical concept that has several applications in economics. To understand the significance of the  terms applications in economics, it is useful to begin with a brief consideration of the origins and  meaning of the term in mathematics. Origins of the Term The term quasiconcave was introduced in the early part of the 20th century in the work of John von Neumann, Werner Fenchel and Bruno de Finetti, all prominent mathematicians with interests in both theoretical and applied mathematics, Their research in  fields such as probability theory, game theory and topology eventually laid the groundwork for an independent research field known as generalized convexity.  While the term quasiconcave: has applications in many areas, including economics, it originates in the field of generalized convexity as a topological concept. Definition of Topology Wayne State Mathematics Professor Robert Bruners brief and readable explanation of topology  begins with the understanding that topology is a special form of geometry. What distinguishes topology from other geometrical studies is that topology treats geometric figures as being essentially (topologically) equivalent if by bending, twisting and otherwise distorting them you can turn one into the other. This sounds a little strange, but consider that if you take a circle and begin squashing from four directions, with careful squashing you can produce a square. Thus, a square and a circle are topologically equivalent. Similarly, if you bend one side of a triangle until youve created  another corner somewhere along that side, with more bending, pushing and pulling, you can turn a triangle into a square. Again, a triangle and a square are topologically equivalent.   Quasiconcave as a Topological Property Quasiconcave is a topological property that includes concavity. If you graph a mathematical function and the graph looks more or less like a badly made bowl with a few bumps in it but still has a depression in the center and two ends that tilt upward, that is a quasiconcave function. It turns out that a concave function is just a specific instance of a quasiconcave function- one without the bumps. From a laypersons perspective (a mathematician has a more rigorous way of expressing it), a quasiconcave function includes all concave functions and also all functions that overall are concave but that may have sections that are actually convex. Again, picture a badly made bowl with a few bumps and protrusions in it.   Applications in Economics One way of mathematically representing consumer preferences (as well as  many other behaviors) is with a utility function. If, for example, consumers prefer good A to good B, the utility function U expresses that preference as:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  U(A)U(B) If you graph out this function for a real-world set of consumers and goods, you may find that the graph looks a bit like a bowl- rather than a straight line, theres a sag in the middle. This sag generally represents consumers aversion to risk. Again, in the real world, this aversion isnt consistent: the graph of consumer preferences looks a bit like an imperfect bowl, one with a number of bumps in it. Instead of being concave, then, its generally concave but not perfectly so at every point in the graph, which may have minor sections of convexity. In other words, our example graph of consumer preferences (much like many real-world examples) is quasiconcave.  They tell anyone wanting to know more about consumer behavior- economists and corporations selling consumer goods, for instance- where and how customers  respond to changes in good amounts or cost.

Thinking in Pictures-A day in the life of an autistic essays

Thinking in Pictures-A day in the life of an autistic essays To most humans, sight is their strongest sense; however, when communicating, we often prefer language or spoken word to explain what we are thinking, feeling or experiencing. In the case of one autistic woman, Temple Grandin, this common form of communication is all but foreign to her. In her autobiographical work, Thinking in Pictures, Temple gives the non-autistic, language-communicating person an idea of what it is like to live a life where pictures communicate and explain her surroundings, emotions (although limited) and world. This essay will give an overview of her book, and attempt to analyze the three recurring themes; her work, her disease and her life (which includes the previous two). Temple Grandins autobiographical work explores her life with autism/ autistic disorder, a disease that ranges in degrees of severity so drastically that some afflicted with the disease may carry out self-sufficient lives (like Temple) and others my never be able to support themselves in such simple tasks as feeding themselves. It is a neurological disorder that affects the brain; therefore, while much study is done it is a difficult disease to diagnose and even harder to treat. Since the disorder affects the communication skills and social interactions the individual has with other people, its many ranges can be classified under the larger PDD or Pervasive Developmental Disorders umbrella. Also included under this umbrella are Aspergers Syndrome, Child Disintegrative Disorder, and Retts Disorder. A child/adult diagnosed with autism or one of the PDDs may be either high-functioning (like Temple) or low-functioning. They may be sensory hyper-sensitive, where loud noises, bright lights and other such occurrences cause great pain to their nervous system. Because of this spectrum of severity found in autistic disorder, a child may be diagnosed as low-functioning, and with the help of therapy progress to h...

Interesting Green Sea Turtle Facts

Interesting Green Sea Turtle Facts Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) inhabit the beaches and offshore locations of 140 countries throughout the world. They are graceful and serene swimmers who migrate thousands of miles through warm subtropical and tropical oceans. All species of these beautiful reptiles are endangered or threatened. Fast Facts: Green Sea Turtles Scientific Name: Chelonia mydasCommon Name(s): Green sea turtle, black sea turtle (in the eastern Pacific)Basic Animal Group: ReptileSize: Adults grow to between 31–47 inches  Weight: 300–440 poundsLifespan: 80–100 yearsDiet:  HerbivoreHabitat: In warm subtropical and tropical ocean waters. Nesting occurs in over 80 countries, and they live in the coastal waters of 140 countriesPopulation: Two largest are the Tortuguero population on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica (22,500 females nest there each season) and Raine Island in the Australian Great Barrier Reef (18,000 females nest).Conservation Status: Endangered Description Green sea turtles are distinguished by their streamlined shell or carapace, which covers their entire body except for flippers and head. The adult green sea turtle has an upper shell that blends several colors, gray, black, olive, and brown; its undershell, called a plastron, is whitish to yellow. Green sea turtles are named for the greenish color of their cartilage and fat, not their shells. While sea turtles have fairly mobile necks, they cannot withdraw their heads into their shells.   The flippers of sea turtles are long and paddle-like, making them excellent for swimming but poor for walking on land. Their heads are light brown with yellow markings. The green sea turtle has four pairs of costal scutes, large, hard scales which assist in swimming; and one pair of prefrontal scales located between its eyes. Westend61 - Gerald Nowak/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images Species There are seven recognized species of sea turtles, six of which are in the Family Cheloniidae (the hawksbill, green, flatback, loggerhead, Kemps ridley, and olive ridley turtles), with only one (the leatherback) in the family Dermochelyidae. In some classification schemes, the green turtle is divided into two species- the green turtle and a darker version called the black sea turtle or Pacific green turtle.   All sea turtles migrate. Turtles sometimes travel thousands of miles between cooler feeding grounds and warm nesting grounds. A leatherback turtle was tracked by satellite traveling over 12,000 miles for 674 days from its nesting area in Jamursba-Medi beach in Papua, Indonesia to feeding grounds off Oregon. Habitats, diet and the number and arrangement of these scutes are the primary ways to distinguish different sea turtle species. Habitat and Distribution Green sea turtles are found throughout the world in warm subtropical and tropical ocean waters: They nest on the beaches of over 80 countries and live on the coasts of 140 countries. Efforts continue to emphasize the tracking of sea turtle movement using satellite tags to learn more about their migrations and the implications their travels have for their protection. This may help resource managers develop laws that help protect turtles in their full range. Diet and Behavior The only herbivore of the extant sea turtle species, green sea turtles graze on seagrasses and algae, which in turn maintains and fortifies the seagrass beds. They migrate long distances between a wide range of broadly separated localities and habitats during their lifetimes. Tagging studies suggest that ones that nest at Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean west of Brazil feed on the Brazilian coast, up to 1,430 miles or more away.   Reproduction and Offspring Sea turtles mature at around age 25–30. The males spend their whole lives at sea, while females mate with the males at sea and then go to selected beaches to dig a hole and lay between 75 to 200 eggs. Female sea turtles may lay several clutches of eggs during a single season, then cover the clutches with sand and return to the ocean, leaving the eggs to fend for themselves. The breeding season occurs in late spring and early summer; the males can breed every year but the females only breed once every three or four years. After a two-month incubation period, the young turtles hatch and run to the sea, facing attack by a variety of predators (birds, crabs, fish) along the way. They drift at sea until they are about a foot long and then, depending on the species, may move closer to shore to feed. Threats Climate change, the loss of habitat, and diseases such as fibropapilloma- which causes benign but ultimately debilitating epithelial tumors on the surface of biological tissues- threaten green sea turtles today. Sea turtles are protected by a variety of national and state laws and international treaties, but hunting of live turtles and harvesting of eggs is still underway in many places. Bycatch, the accidental entanglement in fishing gear such as gillnets or shrimp trawling nets, is responsible for hundreds of thousands of turtle deaths and injuries each year. In addition, oceanic pollution and marine debris have been known to disturb and disrupt migration patterns. Vehicle traffic and development of beaches and light pollution of nesting regions disturbs hatchlings, who often go towards the light rather than towards the ocean. Rising sea temperatures from climate change also affect turtle populations. Because the incubation temperature of eggs determines the animals sex, populations in the northern Great Barrier Reef have experienced imbalances of populations with 90 percent or greater females. Conservation Status All seven species of sea turtles are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Due to conservation efforts, some populations are recovering: Between 1995 and 2015, the Hawaiian green sea turtle increased at a rate of 5 percent per year. Sources Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). ECOS (Environmental Conservation Online System) U.S. Fish Wildlife Service.Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas. National Wildlife Fund.Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas. NOAA Fisheries.  Green Sea Turtle. World Wildlife Fund.  Luschi, P., et al. The Navigational Feats of Green Sea Turtles Migrating from Ascension Island Investigated by Satellite Telemetry. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 265 (1998). Print.Sea Turtle Conservancy. Information About Sea Turtles: Green Sea Turtle. Seminoff, J.A. Chelonia mydas. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T4615A11037468, 2004. Spotila, James R. Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004.Sea Turtles: Ambassadors of the Sea. State of the Worlds Sea Turtles, 2008. Waller, Geoffrey, ed. SeaLife: A Complete Guide to the Marine Environment. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C. 1996.

Communicating Effectively. Public Relations campaign and effectiveness Assignment

Communicating Effectively. Public Relations campaign and effectiveness of the communication techniques - Assignment Example Creating public relations is not just informing and administering the information flow between the college and the publics. In fact, it is a communication chain that involves and engages the targeted publics in building relationships and binding closely with the organization. Developing successful communication disciplines with the publics will lead the organization to achieve its strategic goals (Bland, Theaker, Wragg, 2005, p. 243). The college also has to ensure that publicity and managing public relations is not the same thing. The event can be publicized in various ways on various mediums but public relations will target specific groups using broad strategic communication capabilities of the organization (Bowdin, Allen, O’Toole, Harris, McDonnel, 2006, p. 122). The students are the customers for the college and they play an important role. Their performance and participation affects the organization’s goals and strategies directly. The students can be reached through various ways of effective communication. The college assembly takes place every week and every student is bound to attend it. The college can announce about the celebration in the assembly where the students are gathered. This is a traditional method of communication but has proven to be effective especially in schools and colleges. The students can also be given formal invitation cards with their names on them. All the students are equally important and it is the college’s duty to ensure every student is invited. Telephone calls can be made to those students who are not present. Telephonic communication is considered an effective communication channel as it supports two way communication (Cornelissen, 2011, p. 56). Announcements would be the most effective to rea ch the students because students are aware that important announcements are made in assemblies, thus they pay attention. The large number of students can be reached quicker and the message can be conveyed face to face. The invitation cards can be given out to students in order of their roll numbers. The parents and families of the students are the beneficiaries of the services of the organization. They are important groups and must be reached for the celebration. The communication channel to be used for them can be formal letters for invitations. These can be sent through the students to their homes. This is also a traditional method of communication in colleges and schools (L’Etang, 2008, p. 75). Mostly, the parents are accessed through their children. However, nowadays many modern and easy methods of communication allow the college officials to connect directly with the parents without consuming much time. For those students’ parents who are not present, the college must post the invitation cards to their homes. This can be the suitable communication channel as the students know that according to the rules and policies of the college, they must handover the invitations to their parents. Strict actions are taken against those who don’t; hence it is believed that communicating via students is an effective way. The board of directors and investors of the organization should be reached through formal communication methods (Diggs-Brown, 2013, p. 421). The most efficient traditional way is to call for meetings. Annual meetings and emergency meetings are often called up and

Discussion Question 2 Week 10 - Short- and Long- Run Impact Assignment

Discussion Question 2 Week 10 - Short- and Long- Run Impact - Assignment Example en in shared service centers); eliminate redundant information systems and unify multiple platforms; minimize inconsistencies in data definitions; automate manual processes; reduce the number of handoffs; better integrate far-flung offices and acquisitions; bring new employees up to speed faster; broaden responsibility for controls; and eliminate unnecessary controls† (Wagner & Dittmar, 2006, p. 1). 2. From the e-Activity above, analyze how easy or difficult it may be for officers and managers of organizations to stay in strict compliance with SEC rules and for consumers, investors, and regulators to detect errors. Then, determine at least one action that CEOs and boards can take to improve compliance. The 10Q of a company are actually defined as â€Å"a comprehensive report of a companys performance that must be submitted quarterly by all public companies to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the 10-Q, firms are required to disclose relevant information regarding their financial position. The form must be submitted on time, and the information should be available to all interested parties† (Investopedia US, 2013, p. 1). The 10Q was likewise noted to be filed within 35 days after of the first three quarters. Therefore, it is tedious for officers and managers to stay in strict compliance due to the regularity and comprehensiveness of the information which should be disclosed and to be likewise disseminated to relevant stakeholders: consumers, investors, and regulators. Therefore, to improve compliance, since there is a standard format to the followed, accounting and finance personnel must regularly update their financial reports (which is actually done in the company’s books daily, weekly and monthly). As such, consolidating the figures on the required quarterly basis would be easier. For instance, a look at the 10Q of Amazon.com contains financial information and other information contained in 47 pages (Amazon.com, 2013). Thus, the wealth of

Discussion Question 2 Week 10 - Short- and Long- Run Impact Assignment

Discussion Question 2 Week 10 - Short- and Long- Run Impact - Assignment Example en in shared service centers); eliminate redundant information systems and unify multiple platforms; minimize inconsistencies in data definitions; automate manual processes; reduce the number of handoffs; better integrate far-flung offices and acquisitions; bring new employees up to speed faster; broaden responsibility for controls; and eliminate unnecessary controls† (Wagner & Dittmar, 2006, p. 1). 2. From the e-Activity above, analyze how easy or difficult it may be for officers and managers of organizations to stay in strict compliance with SEC rules and for consumers, investors, and regulators to detect errors. Then, determine at least one action that CEOs and boards can take to improve compliance. The 10Q of a company are actually defined as â€Å"a comprehensive report of a companys performance that must be submitted quarterly by all public companies to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the 10-Q, firms are required to disclose relevant information regarding their financial position. The form must be submitted on time, and the information should be available to all interested parties† (Investopedia US, 2013, p. 1). The 10Q was likewise noted to be filed within 35 days after of the first three quarters. Therefore, it is tedious for officers and managers to stay in strict compliance due to the regularity and comprehensiveness of the information which should be disclosed and to be likewise disseminated to relevant stakeholders: consumers, investors, and regulators. Therefore, to improve compliance, since there is a standard format to the followed, accounting and finance personnel must regularly update their financial reports (which is actually done in the company’s books daily, weekly and monthly). As such, consolidating the figures on the required quarterly basis would be easier. For instance, a look at the 10Q of Amazon.com contains financial information and other information contained in 47 pages (Amazon.com, 2013). Thus, the wealth of

E-commerce and Its Importance in Business Dissertation

E-commerce and Its Importance in Business - Dissertation Example With the increase in the number of internet users, the popularity of e-commerce has been significantly increased by a greater extent. Customers and organisations are now much attracted towards performing e-commerce activities and are considering the use of internet as an important alternative over the traditional modes of business. In relation to the perception of e-commerce, the online marketing has provided a new paradigm to consumer behaviour. Online stores have offered customers with wide choice of products and convenient ways of shopping as well as payment modes (OECD, 1999). The emergence of e-commerce has relatively removed the barriers of customers and online traders to efficiently cooperate with each other irrespective of geographically distance. E-commerce enhanced the speed of business transactions and reduced the time that is consumed by the organisations while making business transactions. However, the intensified dependence on e-commerce has also raised significant conc ern over certain crucial factors like privacy along with security of customers’ vital information. ... The industries, markets and businesses are rapidly transforming themselves into technologically oriented from traditional approach due to extensive use of paper works that ultimately consumes much time while conducting any business transactions. Accordingly, the notion of e-commerce enhances the association between the customers and the suppliers and makes the buying as well as selling decisions of the customers more convenient to execute. Conversely, it can also be affirmed that e-commerce might pose serious impact almost on all the parties involved in a business transaction such as individual users, organisations, buyers and sellers (DeLone & McLean, 2004). Zhu (2004) proclaimed that the intensive use of internet imposes radical impact upon enterprise value chain system with respect to its inbound as well as outbound costs. Moreover, internet enabled initiatives undertaken by large companies will strengthen the online relationship with customers and will immensely help in dissemina ting product information, facilitating smooth product transactions, improving customer services and efficiently managing inventory electronically. Moreover, it has also been claimed that efficient use of e-commerce also intends to improve the utilisation of valuable assets by the organisations in the best possible way. Consequently, effective execution of precious assets will ultimately help the organisations to reduce their different costs, secure greater returns and enhance productivity along with profitability (Zhu, 2004). According to Pires & Aisbett (2003) e-commerce changes the behaviour as well as the attitudes of both the customers along with the suppliers within the marketplace.

Ecology and Overpopulation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Ecology and Overpopulation - Essay Example Actually in the course of history in process of development of productive forces, the sizes of the territory necessary for maintenance of foodstuffs for one person have been constantly reduced. By some estimation, during prehistoric times when people lived due to collecting, to support one person it was necessary to develop from 25 up to 250 square kilometers. During an epoch of agriculture, a slaveholding epoch, this size has decreased and made already about 1 square kilometer. At feudalism it was reduced up to 0, 2 square kilometers, and presently makes from 0, 5 up to 2, 47 acres. The increasing population of a planet demands all greater escalating of rates of economic development to keep balance. However if to consider the present condition of technologies such growth will cause the increasing environmental pollution and even can lead to irrevocable destruction of nature. There is a question: is there a certain density of population of the Earth, which overcoming may become dangerous to its all inhabitants In this connection the law of Thomas Robert Malthus is interesting. In 1798 Maltus in his book 'Essay on the Principle of Population' has proved, that such threshold exists and mankind is doomed to reach it. He states that the growth of population occurs in geometrical progression, and the development of scientific and technical progress in arithmetic one. That is the progress can not provide all people due to too fast growth of the population. 'His population theory may be summarized as follows: as with other animals, human beings have a natural instinct to bear children to a physical maximum; under this 'fixity of passion' people tend to multiply at an exponential rate; where the production of food is constrained by the fixed endowment of natural resources, especially land, and can increase only arithmetically, whatever slack of food supply per ca pita beyond a subsistence level may exist will eventually be used up by increased population; further increases in population are bound to be checked by famines, pests, and wars of desperate competition for limited food supply; thus, it is not possible that the levels of living and income per capita for the majority of people can remain beyond a subsistence minimum in the long run' (Godo & Hayami, 2005: 73). The dynamics of population growth of the Earth confirms the given hypothesis: for a moment of the beginnings of new calendar - about 230 million people; 1000 - about 300 million (for one thousand years the population was not even doubled - it has increased less than in 1,5 times); 1850 - 1 billion; 1930 - 2 billion; 1976 - 4 billion; 1987 - 5 billion; 2000 - 6 billion; 2025 - 8 billion (is expected). Thus, if earlier for doubling the population it was necessary 1000 years, after 1850 it needed accordingly 80, 46, 50 years. That is now it may be observed the tendency of doubling the population within each 50 years (and most likely the given tendency will be kept due to uncontrolled and constantly extending increase of the population from Asia and Africa). By estimation of scientists, the Earth is capable to support 60 billion people. That is a quantity in 10 times exceeding today's population of the Earth (about 6 billion people). At preservation of contemporary (especially African and Asian) rates of increase of population (doubling within 50 years) the 'critical' threshold can be reached already by 2150 - 2200

Research a community organization on an individual basis Essay

Research a community organization on an individual basis - Essay Example Beneficiaries of the organization’s programs are categorized into federations that exhibit religious, ethnic, economic, and racial diversity (http://www.picocalifornia.org/). In essence, PICO California strives to improve the social, economic, and political welfare of working families living in the State of California. The primary goal of the community organization is to enhance statewide relations and interactions among California residents. To do this, PICO California networks working families by identifying and creating awareness about common social issues that affect residents in the state. Upon identifying statewide issues that affect residents, the organization goes a step further to voice the concerns of the people. The idea is to ensure that the voices and concerns of working families and residents in general reach the state’s leadership. In other words, PICO California acts as an intermediary between the people and policy makers in the state of California. In many communities around the United States, policy arenas remain inaccessible to the public. With PICO California, however, the underlying social responsibility is to enhance public participation in policymaking processes. In this respect, a number of factors influence PICO California’s operations. These factors include health, employment, education, security, and local community empowerment. By evaluating and assessing these factors, the organization strives to promote family and social growth and development. It is evident that each of these factors is strategic in the formulation and implementation of state policy. Social initiative is the primary driver of PICO California’s community operations. PICO federations network on congregational basis, resulting in strong culturally diverse social interactions and relations. The organization’s social initiative encompasses increasing access to quality healthcare, minimizing violence in California, improving state

Managerial Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Managerial Economics - Essay Example ple in 1977 approximate 48 computers were exported by computer manufacturing firms into various destination, while in 2001, one hundred and twenty five million computers were shipped. In the year 2002, the computer usage increased by a figure of five hindered million (Cetnews, 2002). According to data report on Bloomberg by Ricadela, 2013, the shipment of computers decline globally by 14 percent. However, this trend has changed over the recent times. Research data indicates that approximate one billion personal computers were shipped globally between 2001 and 2002. Whereby, out of those computer70 percent were meant to be utilized in business while twenty five percent were to be used in homes for personal use. Additionally, out of all those computers shipped between these periods, approximate 82 percent were desk top while sixteen percent were laptops (Cetnews, 2002). The table below indicates the year and the computer the numbers of computer shipment. Year Numbers of Personal comput er shipments 1977 48000 2000 125,000,000 2002 500,000,000 Source: (Cetnews, 2002) It can be scrutinized that computers shipment has been increasing as types elapse. This is because computer manufactures have came up with creative and innovative techniques of manufacturing different brands of computer that not only meat market demand but also meat the needs of different users ranging from personal use, business use, corporate uses among other applications (Displaysearch,2008). The table below displays various percentages of computer brands shipped into various destinations. Source: Jeremy Reimer, 2009 Computer Brands % of Computer shipment Dell 2.8% HP 5.8% Kohjinsha 1% Acer 38.3% Medion 3% Asus 30.3% Intel 1% MSI 5.7% Lenovo 0.7% Toshiba 0.5% Source: (Displaysearch, 2008) Therefore,...Managerial economics provides managers with efficient tool understand and techniques for making managerial decisions. The interaction of consumers and producers can be easily understood via managerial economics berceuse it integrate the aspects of micro and macro economics when making analysis of factors that causes changes in demand and supply of commodities. Therefore, it can be scrutinized that numerous factors contributed to an increase in demand for computer in a free market. Whereby, a free market involves a market that is free from government intervention. Commodity prices in this market are determined by market forces (demand and supply). A decrease in computer prices led to a decrease in demand because more suppliers are willing to supply computers at higher prices in order to make higher returns. Additionally, computer prices were falling despite higher returns because of some factors affecting demand such as availability of substitutes, increase in number of computer suppliers to mention just but a few. However, this may not always be the case because some shift factors may have an impacted on demand and supply of computers. Additionally, graphs and data have been utilized to analyze the reason why computers prices remained low despite having a higher demand. Some shift factors were found to cause computer prices to fall despite having a higher demand. Among the factors include; technological changes, availability of substitutes, decline in cost of manufacturing computers.

Research a community organization on an individual basis Essay

Research a community organization on an individual basis - Essay Example Beneficiaries of the organization’s programs are categorized into federations that exhibit religious, ethnic, economic, and racial diversity (http://www.picocalifornia.org/). In essence, PICO California strives to improve the social, economic, and political welfare of working families living in the State of California. The primary goal of the community organization is to enhance statewide relations and interactions among California residents. To do this, PICO California networks working families by identifying and creating awareness about common social issues that affect residents in the state. Upon identifying statewide issues that affect residents, the organization goes a step further to voice the concerns of the people. The idea is to ensure that the voices and concerns of working families and residents in general reach the state’s leadership. In other words, PICO California acts as an intermediary between the people and policy makers in the state of California. In many communities around the United States, policy arenas remain inaccessible to the public. With PICO California, however, the underlying social responsibility is to enhance public participation in policymaking processes. In this respect, a number of factors influence PICO California’s operations. These factors include health, employment, education, security, and local community empowerment. By evaluating and assessing these factors, the organization strives to promote family and social growth and development. It is evident that each of these factors is strategic in the formulation and implementation of state policy. Social initiative is the primary driver of PICO California’s community operations. PICO federations network on congregational basis, resulting in strong culturally diverse social interactions and relations. The organization’s social initiative encompasses increasing access to quality healthcare, minimizing violence in California, improving state

Reaction paper on article that I have which related to gun issue

Reaction paper on that I have which related to gun issue - Article Example ublished on April 23, 2012, says that America has now become a battleground in the literal sense where one could see many deaths and violent attacks off and on. The report throws light to the fact that majority of the American possess guns as there is provision in the American law that allows people to have guns for their self protection. The history of the past few years show that majority of these attacks were not for self protection, but an act of violence due to some psychological disorders, or a student taking revenge upon his classmates on trifles. The report opens with the stories of some recent attacks and the prevention methods adopted by some of the schools preparing for gunmen. However, the threat of the gun still continues and majority of the Americans fear that they may encounter with a violent gunman during their journeys. It said that there is about one gun for every American. The report adopts the data of the General Social Survey, conducted by the National Policy Opinion Center at the University of Chicago, when they identified that there is gradual decline in the gun ownership in the past few years. However, it is a contradiction to note that the number of the people having guns, and the power of the gun lobby are increased. There are many reasons identified for the increase of guns. It includes activities of The American Firearms, the innumerable firing ranges, private clubs, and so on. The American Firearms School is open to all and the authorized persons give training to the public. One of the main reasons of the increase of the guns can be attributed to the private sellers or classified ads that possess the lion share of the gun market. This fact clearly exposes the reason why or how an average a hundred thousand Americans are killed or wounded with guns a year. The National Rifle Association, founded in 1871 also promotes the growth of this field through training and publication of the magazines like The Armed Citizen. Another reason for

Issue Of Importance To You Essay Example for Free

Issue Of Importance To You Essay Scientists say that we live on one of the youngest planets in our solar system. Yet, just like any person who has been abusing his body regularly over a period of time, our planet has aged immensely over the past decades. Everyday, I open the newspaper and read about various environmental abuses, turning on the television shows me the effects of global warming on the planet. Global warming, La Nina, El Nino, no matter what we call the weather phenomenon the truth is that the earth we live on is sick. Gravely ill and asking for help to find a cure for what ails it. Afflicted with various illnesses for which there does not be a cure in sight, the real question is, can we collectively find a cure for all that ails our planet before it is too late? Sometimes, I look out my window and worry about what the next reaction of the planet will be to the constant abuse. Will my children still have a planet to call home when they grow up? Will there still be resources available to them in the future that will help them survive the constantly changing weather patterns? I feel like the past generations and the present have taken so many liberties that the earth has come to the point of no return, it may be too late to turn things around and preserve what is left for the future generations. Strange illnesses for which there does not seem to be a cure seem to be plaguing us. Perhaps, that is the after effect of all the poisons that permeate our air. God only knows that nobody ever intended for all of this to happen as we strive to improve our lives. It may not be too late to save the planet. The question remains though as to how much mankind is willing to change in order to preserve what is here and to help restore the natural balance that was intentionally disturbed by us. The planet is crying out for help. It is our job as a collective to make sure that we help it find a cure and save its life. After all, if this planet dies, so do we, for this is the only place we can call home.

How the Rich Benefit from the Poor Essay -- Politics Political

How the Rich Benefit from the Poor this paper has problems with formatting The United States is the most developed capitalist economy in the world. The markets within the economy provide profit-motivated companies endless potential in the pursuance of pecuniary accumulation. Throughout the twentieth-century competitive companies have implemented modernized managerial procedures designed to raise profits by reducing unnecessary costs. These cost-saving procedures have had a substantial effect on society and particularly members of the working class. Managers and owners of these competitive and self-motivated companies have consistently worked throughout this century to exploit the most controllable component of the production process: the worker. The worker has been forced by the influence of powerful and affluent business owners to work in conditions hazardous to their well being in addition to preposterously menial compensation. It was the masterful manipulation of society and legislation through strategic objectives that the low-wage workers were coerced into this position of destitute. The strategies of the affluent fragment of society were conceived for the selfish purpose of monetary gain. The campaigns to augment the business position within the capitalist economy were designed to weaken organized labor, reduce corporate costs, gain legislative control and reduce international competition at the expense of the working class. The owners have gained and continue to gain considerable wealth from these strategies. To understand why the owners of the powerful companies operate in such a selfish manner, we must look at particular fundamentals of both capitalism and corporation strategy. Once these rudiments are understood, we ... ...stadl, and Mark Weller. Dollars and Votes. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1998. Downs, Alan. Corporate Executions. New York: AMACOM, 1995. Foley, Duncan K., Thomas R. Michl. Growth and Distribution. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1999. â€Å"Industrial Revolution.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999. Zieger, Robert H.. Republicans and Labor 1919-1929. Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1969. Works Consulted â€Å"Democratic Party.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999. â€Å"Fair Labor Standards Act.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999. Porter, Glen. â€Å"Industrial Revolution.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999. â€Å"Republican Party.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999. â€Å"Strike.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999. â€Å"Taft-Hartley Act.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999.

WORKPLACE CO-OPERATIVE PROJECT REPORT :: Education

WORKPLACE CO-OPERATIVE PROJECT REPORT As part of the Workplace Co-operative Project (WPCP) I was expected to participate in sixty hours worth of classroom experience and this report provides a summary of this time. Throughout the duration of the WPCP I kept a journal of my feelings and thoughts, which I make reference to in highlighting what I feel to be the key aspects of my placement in the commentary. Firstly I provide a concise report of my participation in the Workplace Co-operative Project, stating the aims, approaches, methods and outcomes of my placement. AIMS The aim of my placement was to introduce the Geography Department at Lawnswood High School to the Internet as a geographical resource, specifically to:  · Locate and review topic based sites for classroom use  · Create specific Internet based exercises  · Display the benefits of the internet as a geographical resource for both pupils and staff APPROACH The approach was deductive in nature, assuming that the Internet is indeed a valuable geographical resource and that achieving the aims specified above would prove this. My approach was also pragmatic consisting of a basic process of trial and error in investigating websites that could potentially be used as part of learning and teaching geography. Due to the nature of the WPCP the approach was interactive, meaning that I tackled the challenge of the aforementioned aims by having continuous interaction with pupils and staff. METHOD I identified a series of useful topic based websites, which I explored with different age groups in order to collect data on different topics for classroom projects. In addition I collated and reviewed a selection of sites that can be used in teaching and learning each and every one of the twenty four units that make up the Key Stage 3 syllabus In respect to the second aim I created a number of worksheets that asked pupils to explore the website of the Meteorological office. These can be seen in the appendix of the pack of materials. The bulk of the method was to produce this pack that also displays the benefits and methods of Internet use for younger students, older students and staff, as well as covering elements of each aim. OUTCOMES The main outcome of my placement was the creation of a pack that allows staff and students alike to make better use of the Internet. It introduces them to the idea of the Internet as a geographical resource and demonstrates how easily it can be incorporated into classroom teaching and how essential it can be to various elements of the education/learning system. In producing this pack and the work carried out at the school I feel I have successfully achieved the aims that were established at the

Alicia Martinez Murder Essay

Alicia Martinez murder: Did Edward Romero chop up some body parts in a blender? Denver Westword, Thursday, Mar. 8 2012 Alicia Martinez disappeared on October 24, 2010, and shortly thereafter, Denver Police arrested Edward Romero for first degree murder. According to police Romero allegedly killed Martinez by shooting her twice in the head, then dismembering her body even going so far as to put some small pieces in a blender. Some parts were never found and others missing skin. Martinez was ultimately identified through the use of dental records. Francesca Pagliasotti, Romero’s girlfriend was accused of being an accessory to first-degree murder. Pagliasotti wasn’t home when Romero allegedly killed Martinez, but upon her arrival, she found him in the garage, chopping up the girls’ body. The morning after, Pagliasotti, who has two small children with Romero, got out a mop and a bucket and started cleaning up Martinez’s blood. (Roberts, 2012) The actus reus or criminal act of this crime has to be Romero shooting Martinez twice in the head and murdering her. Romero must have had a reason, in his mind, to kill Martinez. Maybe she saw him do something or he sexually assaulted her and didn’t want any witnesses. Either way the act of killing her was the actus reus. After Romero shot her and realized what he had done was not only wrong but could land him in prison for the rest of his life, he had to dispose of the body. No body, no crime. Romero decides the best course of action is to dismember the body in the garage. Not only dismember the body but put some smaller pieces in a blender. Romero had the knowledge that he had committed a crime or mens rea. Romero’s girlfriend Pagliasotta caught him in the act of dismembering a human body in his garage. Clearly what he had done in killing the girl and what he was doing with getting rid of the body was illegal. Yet Pagliasotta did not call the police or run and get help. She instead helps Romero clean up the crime scene and act like nothing happened. Pagliasotta has knowledge or mens rea of the crime. After having knowledge of the crime she did not report the crime to the authorities, this is actus reus or the criminal act. If Romero would have shot the victim and not have known that it would harm her then there would have not been a crime. There has to be the concurrence of actus reus and mens rea together for a crime to occur. The fact that he knew he was hurting Martinez when he shot her is the concurrence and ultimately the crime. Romero’s girlfriend knew that he had committed a crime. She knew that he had killed someone and that he had dismembered a body to try to cover up a crime scene. Pagliasotta knowingly helped him cover up that crime scene without alerting the authorities. This is the concurrence and ultimately her crime. This is why she is accused of accessory to first-degree murder (Roberts, 2012).

How are Relationships Presented in the Poems you Have Studied?

In ‘Havisham’, ‘Quickdraw’, ‘Salome’ – all by Carol Ann Duffy, the current poet laureate of Britain – and ‘The Farmer’s Bride’ by Charlotte Mew, relationships are presented as being constant power struggles between the two parties involved. These poems do not conform to traditional romantic poetry, but instead take a candid approach to the aspects of relationships that aren’t conventionally explored. All four of the poems I studied are dramatic monologues, giving the reader a first person perspective of what happened in the build up to, or during the poem itself.Although a comprehensive psychological insight into the character is available to us, allowing us to make our own judgements about the personas adopted by the poets, we are nonetheless given a biased account of the occurrences and hence it is difficult to conclude whether or not their portrayal of what happened is trustworthy. The titles of the po ems serve to objectify the person they are referring to: the lack of honorific title in ‘Havisham’ takes away the reader’s ability to judge the gender of the persona, which, in turn expresses the character’s loss of status.Those who have read ‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens would be aware that ‘Havisham’ refers to Miss Havisham in the book. The lack of an honorific title symbolises her embarrassment and denial about her rejection in love and moreover puts her on par with characters like Hamlet and Othello, who weren’t at any point called ‘Prince Hamlet’ or ‘General Othello’. This technique used by Duffy portrays the persona as being of great importance; however, to anyone who hasn’t read the book, the question remains: who, or what is ‘Havisham’?Both the title and the first line of the poem ‘Salome’, also by Duffy, is a single word: Salome. Igniting our curi osity, we wonder: what’s Salome? It could be a person, a place or a thing. This uncertainty is what encourages the reader to continue reading. Lastly, ‘The Farmer’s Bride’ is a perfect example of objectification. This suggests to the reader that the wife is the property of the farmer, which is further emphasised by the lack of a name for her throughout the poem.According to the context of the poem, this was customary of the time: in the 19th Century, many farmers would choose wives who had a useful skill set for  life on a farm. The institution of marriage gave total legal authority to the man and a wife could not legally refuse the sexual demands of her husband. This borderline misogyny expresses the position of women in the community. The title portrays the wife as nothing but a mere object that can be used to aid its owner either through manual labour or sex. The incongruous poem, with regards to objectification, is ‘Quickdraw’. Duffy ins tead plays on Wild West iconography, suggesting that the relationship the poem describes is a battlefield.Immediately, we can guess what this poem will be about – dissimilar to ‘Havisham’ and ‘Salome’ – even if is in a metaphorical sense. A â€Å"quickdraw† is a tense gunfight at the end of which only one person is left standing – further proof that the title is a metaphor for this all-consuming relationship. Plosive consonants are used by Duffy to show the emotional callousness of the characters she adopts: in ‘ Havisham’ the character shows the reader that love doesn’t just affect us emotionally, but is felt in our entire beings, when she says that it isn’t just the heart that â€Å"b-b-b-breaks†.This could suggest that her speech is just as broken as her withering body and life; however, it also shows the violent side to the persona, making us question her sanity. From very early on in the poe m, the reader doesn’t question that the character of Salome is unhinged due to her flippant attitude to her actions, but the use of the onomatopoeic words – which happen to contain plosive consonants – â€Å"clatter†¦ clutter† adds not only to the fast rhythm of the poem, but also to the coldness and devilry of the persona.In ‘Quickdraw’, the character adopted by Duffy is portrayed as being the inferior person in the relationship; however, after being stoic and obsequious for so long, she attempts to retaliate, ultimately failing: â€Å"squeeze the trigger of my tongue, wide of the mark†. The Western imagery, â€Å"wide of the mark† adds to the heartlessness of the character, as in Wild West cinematography, people didn’t often show mercy. The â€Å"trigger of [her] tongue† may have been her only weapon left in the destructive relationship she found herself in and furthermore, this parody could perfectly descri be an argument: the inevitable truth is that words do hurt.Additionally, the alliteration of the ‘t’ sounds is comical, juxtaposed with the subject matter. The use of irony in both ‘Havisham’ and ‘Salome’ seems to emphasise the mental instability of the characters, which in turn symbolises their superiority, as they refuse to take responsibility even when the truth is obvious to us. The character of Havisham asks herself, â€Å"Who did this to me? †. This shows her genuine confusion at the state she is in, but to the reader, it is blatant that she did this to herself.She made a conscious choice to be self-pitying and not move on with her life. However, due to the context, we know that it would have been difficult. The persona labels herself a â€Å"spinster†. She, evidently showing how condemned she feels, spat this Victorian label out in distaste, as if she was worthless without a husband. The character of Salome said that her la st lover had â€Å"come like a lamb to the slaughter to Salome’s bed†. Here, the persona refers to herself as Salome, who according to Christian mythology was the stepdaughter of King Herod.After dancing for him, he said he would grant any of her wishes, so, prompted by her mother, she asked for the head of John the Baptist. He had said that her mother, Herodias’ marriage to King Herod was unlawful and incestuous. Herod sent an executioner to the prison where John was being kept and his head was brought to Salome in a dish. By comparing herself to this Biblical character, she is portrayed as being able to use the powers of seduction and lust to defeat her feeble and naive prey, making us view her as a conniving character.The irony lies in the fact that she had, in fact, murdered him the night before and seems proud of it: â€Å"I flung back the sticky red sheets†, which insinuates that, firstly, the blood was clotted and thus relatively old, and that she was delighted to present what she had created by â€Å"[flinging] back† the sheets. The structures of ‘Havisham’ and ‘Quickdraw’ are organised into four quatrains each, directly juxtaposing the personalities of the characters and relationships portrayed in them.The persona of Havisham lacks stability and the relationship in ‘Quickdraw’ is whimsical and fast-paced, emphasised by the two lines: â€Å"you ring, quickdraw, your voice a pellet in my ear, and hear me groan†. These erratic verses are followed by the crux of the poem, cleverly disguised by Duffy through the use of enjambment. If lines 5 and 9 are put together, they read â€Å"you’ve wounded me through the heart†. This ingenious manipulation of structure intensifies the meaning of the poem and makes us sympathise with the speaker about her failed relationship.On the other hand, it is the chaotic structure and rhyme scheme in ‘The Farmer’s Brideâ €™ that reflects the wife’s apparently unpredictable personality. At first, the wife is described by Mew as not being a woman, but more like â€Å"a little frightened fay†. On the surface, this simile would suggest that she was a demure, lithe character who is afraid of human contact; nevertheless, according to Elizabethan folklore, fays – also called fairies or faeries – were wicked creatures that would happily unleash their wrath on those who didn’t cajole them and comply with their every demand.This paints a much more alarming picture of her persona, which could somewhat reflect Charlotte Mew’s own mental state, as she had a thorough insight into mental illnesses. Similarly, the speaker in ‘Salome’, by means of the tumultuous structure and rhyme scheme, paints an ominous picture of the insane character. The chilling aspect being that throughout the poem, the persona is calm and collected, adding to her menacing satisfacti on by using throwaway remarks such as â€Å"there, like I said†¦ was his head on a platter†.Both of the poets I have studied are female and homosexual, thus it can be said that they may have taken a slightly biased approach to talking about the idea of power struggles in relationships. In all but one of the poems – namely ‘Salome’, in which the female acts as a despot – the female is the sycophantic character, clinging onto the idea that she would be nothing without a man by her side.In all of the poems however, there is an element of trying to make their lives better, regardless of if the relationship continues or not: the character of Havisham says that she â€Å"stabbed at a wedding cake†. This is a metaphorical way of saying that she ‘gave it a stab’ but the cake symbolises her failure to make it work. In ‘Quickdraw’, the use of â€Å"Last Chance saloon†, a piece of cliched Wild West iconography shows that she tried to fix their relationship, but the â€Å"silver bullets† of her partner’s kisses eventually drained the life out of her.The character of ‘Salome’ declares â€Å"Never again! †, although it was short-lived, the addition of an exclamation mark shows us that she was determined to change her ways. The farmer in Mew’s poem describes the ground as being â€Å"spread white with rime†. This symbolises the inevitability of the disintegration of their relationship. This unconventional take on relationships is more realistic than idealistic and provides a cynical viewpoint on what is usually heavily romanticised literature.