Spirituality through community

In â€Å"Cathedral,† Raymond Carver wrote the story of an unnamed male narrator who describes a visit from Robert, a blind male friend of his wife. Roberts’ arrival and stay in the narrator’s home causes the narrator to abandon his stereotypes about blind people and to understand himself better. Carver, through his story, claims that in order to be free we must detach ourselves from stereotypes and focus on self understanding. Carver uses â€Å"Cathedral† as the title for his story in order to emphasize that the process of completing a cathedral is more important than the end result, which could take approximately one hundred years. In the process of drawing a cathedral with the blind man, the narrator, putting himself in Robert’s shoes, is enlightened while a meaningful relationship develops between the two men. The narrator goes through a process of transformation. In the beginning of the story, the narrator is very much against Robert’s visit. Jealousy and hatred seem to overcome him. His wife’s fondness for Robert and their close friendship that has spanned thousand of miles and ten years bothers him. Furthermore, the stereotypical image that he has built in his mind about blind men hinders him from welcoming Robert into his home and into his life. However, things change as the narrator and Robert begin on a quest to draw a cathedral. The end result is not the cathedral drawn but the feeling that overcomes the narrator after having embarked on the process. The narrator’s new found consciousness would not have come about if not for the process. By drawing, the narrator is able to experience different feelings that have been alien to him before. Even with eyes closed, the narrator still succeeds in producing the cathedral. This demonstrates that the value is not in the final product but in the journey that one undergoes to reach it. It is not the end product that heightens spirituality in an individual; it is the journey that allows a person to reach further. It is not the end product but the journey that allows the person to experience. Without the process, there will be no experience. Looking at someone else’s work is far different from producing the work. One appreciates the end product more if he realizes the work that goes into producing it. The story of â€Å"Cathedral† clearly demonstrates such. The narrator had difficulty describing the cathedrals that were shown on television. This was because he had little understanding and experience in cathedrals. As the narrator said, â€Å"I can’t tell you what a cathedral looks like. It just isn’t in me to do it. I can’t do any more than I’ve done.† His difficulty stems not from his inability to see the cathedral; it comes from his lack of experience and understanding of what a cathedral is and what it stands for. The narrator sees no value in cathedrals. He said, â€Å"The truth is, cathedrals don’t mean anything special to me. Nothing. Cathedrals. They’re something to look at on late-night TV. That’s all they are.† However, having embarked on the process of drawing a cathedral, the narrator is able to experience. He is able to build a new perspective on things. This goes to show that it is not the end result but the journey to it that really matters.

HTTrack Essay

During this week I had the pleasure of using HTTrack. I found that HTTrack is a program that works like an offline browser and allows you to download a World Wide Web site from the internet. The downloaded site can be directed to a local directory, building recursively all directories, getting HTML, images, and other files from the server to your computer. I had HTTrack mirror the site www. certifiedhacker. com and it allowed me to browse the site from link to link, as if I were viewing it online. My local website compared to the actual website was very accurate. The links in the local website function just as well as the links in the actual website. The local websites structure is identical or very near identical to the actual website. As shown in the picture above HTTrack is transferring the data of the acutal site (www. certifiedhacker. com) to the mirrored site in my local directory. This tool can be used to allow an attacker to gather information about a target. When an attacker mirrors a site using HTTrack they will create an exact duplicate of the website which can be used to deceive the users of that website. For example, a hacker can mirror a site and use the mirrored sites login screen or applications to gather information about the website user. The user would enter sensitive data such as passwords, bank account numbers and credit cards, believing that the site is legitimate. All of this information is actually input onto the mirrored site and now the hackers have gathered information about their target.

Gilbane Gold Ethical Model - Analysis Case Study

Gilbane Gold Ethical Model - Analysis - Case Study Example This problem on fairness has been raised by individuals and masses for affirmative action on in convincing ethics. The place from which this case has been based on is Gilbane, an imaginary town. The mud that comes from the sewage plant situated in the city for very many years has been used as fertilizers and the sales are made under Gilbane Gold. This firm generates revenue from Gilbane Gold that supplements the city’s tax revenue. This tax revenues saves a family composed of four roughly 3000 dollars every year. For the lively income source to be protected, restrictions that are very harsh should be implemented on disposal of metals that are heavy in sewages. This sewage if well taken care of can provide farmers with fertilizers. Before the implementation of these regulations, this city had a good name on matters pertaining to business. It also gave tax abatements to the firms, which chose to locate to the town. Therefore, after the location of many firms into the city, enact ment of the restrictions was done. Z CORP being one of the firms that located there monitored discharge in monthly bases from the plants, which produced toxic materials at that time of manufacturing. The problem in this case arises where the firms in this city have the responsibility of supplying data from the tests carried out and modern tests have been developed. Firstly, the engineer in charge has the mandate to sign for the accuracy of tests carried out. There has been interference with the law that governs effluents in that its main purpose is to regulate amount of discharge and not the quantity as a whole. This makes it easy for a plant to operate within standards set by Gilbane just by escalating the discharge volume. Another issue on the modern test method is that if it is used there is a detection of excess emissions allowance frequently. In contrary, there has been a tendency to cling onto initial method of testing by the occupants of this city. Z CORP is faced with a prob lem on whether to disclose the outcomes or to undisclose it. If it does not do that employees may insinuate that, the firm portrays bad faith towards the city. The plant’s engineer dismisses a consultant, believing the action was out of warnings on discharge levels. This engineer has two concerns, discharge of metals by Z CORP and realization of the effect that the contract signed by Z CORP means to the city. The only action he arrives at is blowing the whole crime out through the media. Problem analysis In order to analyze the problem encountered, one has to be fit to act as the engineer, and should be in a position to handle the problems that were encountered by him. What this statement implies is that, an individual should first be an agent not a judge. The individual should be able to analyze the problem by imagining to be faced by it and has the responsibility to make a decision and not as one who evaluates. To start with, the debate, which appears to arise over moral is sues, is in the real sense disagreements on facts that are relevant. In any case two engineers fall out on a decision that the government opts to take; the engineers might think that the disagreement is about issues related to ethics. Further discussion reveals the difference emanates from the question of the best way to eliminate discrimination. Although some may conceptualize that women’s ethics will continue for a while despite taking of affirmative action, some have a different belief that there can be

Thomas Jefferson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Thomas Jefferson - Essay Example An understanding of his upbringing and lifestyle will help in gaining perspective regarding his stand on the subject of slavery. Thomas Jefferson was born in a wealthy family in Virginia2, which had a significant impact on his aristocratic upbringing. His father was a well-established surveyor by profession and his mother belonged to one of the most distinguished families in the state as well. He led an extravagant lifestyle due to his family fortunes and father’s professional establishment. Upon his father’s death he inherited a significant amount of estate and other fortune as theheir.at the age of 26he started building the Monticello, his residential home for life. The place is still seen as a true depiction of the lifestyle and values of one of the greatest revolutionary personalities in the United States which was initially a plantation house and later took on the looks and attributes of a villa. Spread over some 5000 acres, the house boats of exquisite Italian designs and architectural taste of Thomas Jefferson. The large plains of green land were once cultivations of tobacco and other cro p s that made use of the inherited manpower in the form of slaves. He married Martha Skelton and had 6 children out of whom only two could live into their adulthood. He went to the college of William and Mary and pursued law as his professional studies. He then served as a magistrate for the local government in his early professional life. This was followed by his assignment to the position of county lieutenant and a member of the House of Burgesses. In 1776, he was approached for the drafting and formulation of the declaration of independence, which regarded as an authentic charter of American liberties till this date. This document was the key to the foundation stone of democracy in America as it stated that all men are equal regardless of their color, race, status etc. and most importantly that the

How Parthian Kingship Evolved and Developed Essay

How Parthian Kingship Evolved and Developed - Essay Example The essay "How Parthian Kingship Evolved and Developed" talks about the royal image of the Parthian kings the study of which has been aided through the study of the coins of the earlier Arsacids in the mid-second century BCE. When it comes to royal identity display, Mithradates used various ways to legitimize their rule through certain identity projection. Dynastic legitimization enabled him to get attached to the former rulers in the Arsacid line. With this regard, Mithridates managed to show that he was rational next in line. Through idolizing his father and not Arsaces I, he was guaranteed of a godly ancestor. Through his usage of the Arsacid name, he managed to position himself in the line of the Parthian empire development. As a result, it gave Mithradates a firm identity as a Parthian, whereas allowing other communication means and culture open. It is viewed that the obverse faced similar way as obverses of the Seleucid faced. The diadem in various cultures had a meaning was adopted by Mithradates connected him with distanced him from the population of the Greek. The symbol of the beard was a vow for victory among the Parthian culture. Parthian coinage transformed from the traditional shape to something meaningful for Seleucid coinage and use of other cultural symbols to appeal to a greater audience. For this to work, certain conditions had to be fulfilled. The cultural elements had to be known by the targeted people and that the occupants of the empire were required to associate with their ruler.

Establishing a New Recruitment Interview Process using Business Assignment - 1

Establishing a New Recruitment Interview Process using Business Modeling Software - Assignment Example This assignment focuses on the description of the preparation of procedures manual that entails certain stages and specific processes that encompass writing a preliminary outline, drafting the proposal, designing a brochure, detailing the preparation plan, and ultimately coming out with the final procedures manual. The researcher explaines the process of developing of the manual through the various stages. First one enhances awareness on the intricate details and elements of design that need to be incorporated in the final outcome to ensure that the proposed manual serves its purpose. The procedures manual created in the assignment and containing all the crucial elements from all the diverse stages of literary work and design is presented. The manual is for are HR personnel, the potential candidates of the proposed software for the recruitment interview process. In addition, the role of human resources facilitator, in the capacity of the HR manager, is crucial as the person identifie d to interpret and analyze the results and to recommend screened candidates for possible positions in the organization. The implementation of the software program that would enhance recruitment process required the clear and accurate identification of major procedures for the potential users. To conclude, the researcher states that this procedures manual created in the assignment presents the manual overview and solution, the detailed procedural requirements, the benefits to the users, and finally, the author’s information.

Alzheimer Agitation - Prevention Research Paper

Alzheimer Agitation - Prevention - Research Paper Example Method of Search: The paper has been written after extensive research on literature available on Alzheimer disease and the agitation associated with it. As no treatment is available to fully cure the disease, therefore, following preventive measures is the only effective way to prevent the onset and reduce the severity of agitation. Some of the common up to date preventive measures followed in nursing homes are listed in this paper and have been taken from different books written on Alzheimer disease. Introduction and Significance: The Dementing disease was first discovered by a German neuropathologist, Alois Alzheimer and the disease is named after him. Among individuals of age 65 and older, the most common type of Dementia is Alzheimer’s disease which is known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease. As the age progresses, half of the elderly individuals experience a loss of memory, judgment, and language to an extent that it starts to mediate a huge impact on their daily lives. In the United States, AD is a major health problem because of its huge impact on various departments of the health care system, the lives of the patients and their families. In accordance with the recent statistical data, there are a staggering number of AD cases in the United Sates alone amounting to 4 million individuals. The percentage of individuals with AD doubles for every five year age group beyond the age of 65. Moreover, the highest risk of AD is amongst the individuals over the age of 85. In industrialized countries, the improvement and widespread provision of health care facilities have increased life expectancy which has inevitably led to an increase in the number of cases being reported over the past few years. (National Institutes of Health 2002). Scientists estimate that if curative measures are not discovered then the number of cases in US in 2050 would be around 14 million. Over the years the cost of care of patients with AD has steadily shown an increase. I n United States of America, the annual national cost of caring for individuals with AD amounts to approximately around $1 billion. (National Institutes of Health 2002). Alzheimer disease is a progressive brain disease which is irreversible and gradually reduces the thinking skills and memory to such an extent that the person becomes incapable of carrying out normal daily activities. However, the causes and the subsequent progression of the disease has not yet been fully exposed which has significantly slowed the progress in devising ways to prevent the disease. The treatments that are currently available only aim at reducing the severity of the disease symptoms. (National Institutes of Health 2002). Alzheimer agitation refers to the behavioral patterns exhibited by a typical Alzheimer patient. The typical behavioral patterns include screaming, complaining, wandering, cursing, fidgeting, pacing, moaning and shouting. Progression of the disease is characterized by memory loss and degr adation of thinking skills in addition to an increase in the severity of Alzheimer agitation. It is worth mentioning that every abnormal behavior is not classified as agitation. If the abnormal behavior poses a risk to the individual with AD or the people around him then it is considered to be agitation. Agitation associated with AD can be due to a single medical problem or a cumulative effect of a variety of different contributing factors such as

Russia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Russia - Essay Example The Prime Minister heads the government, which the president appoints but at the parliaments approval. The crafty use of democratization agenda in the post-Cold War world has evoked a backlash against the whole notion of the expected transition to democracy. Democratization is also in question here as the ground reality has prompted rethinking because much of the post-Soviet region appears trapped between authoritarian past and a murky future. The experts use the term of managed democracy for the Russian system of government. The rise of political authoritarianism or managed democracy is an object of fascination for the West. The geopolitical realities such as Russian oil and gas reserves make sure that these Western interests remain engaged in evolution of the Russian democracy. It is hard to conclude whether Russia is still a democracy or not. But one thing is certain that it represents a unique version of democracy which is considerably

Job Learning Objectives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Job Learning Objectives - Essay Example This can be found at http://www.bestbuy.com. My responsibilities were mainly in customer service. I worked with the sales team to help people select items that best suited their needs. Most of my time was spent working at the cash register, assisting with checkout. In this shop there was a manager or assistant manager on duty at all times. They rarely overlapped, so there was only one supervisor in the shop at a time. I reported directly to the manager or assistant manager. On our busiest days, there were five employees. The shop I worked in was small, so the largest crew was usually a manager (or assistant), two people working sales, one working on restocking or cleanliness projects and someone at a cash register. We were located along a commercial strip in Taipei. I was always on the floor either at the cash register or working with a customer. The average career path for people in the company consisted of either moving up into management or leaving to find more challenging and bet ter paying employment. Turnover was very high, mainly because most of the employees were young and always moving from job to job. My orientation was very thorough. I was taught how to handle the hardware, such as the cash register, packaging machines and even a hydraulic assist use for lifting heavy equipment. I was also given a day of customer service training.

Comparing Three Poems Half-Caste Essay Example for Free

Comparing Three Poems Half-Caste Essay Each of these three poems talk about certain problems faced by specific groups of people in todays society. The poems have been written specifically to illustrate to people who have been brought up with derogative ideas about different types of people, that there are people who are different, but are neither superior nor inferior to themselves.  The main themes that run common in all 3 poems are the ideas of individualism, respect, culture and equality. The poem Half-Caste by John Agard talks about the stereo typed judgement about half-caste people in society today. John Agards main argument in the poem is that being a half-caste person does not make you half a human being. He talks about how people make assumptions about half-caste people.  and when Im introduced to yu Im sure youll understand why I offer yu half-a-hand This quote suggests that non half-caste peoples attitudes towards half-caste people is that they are not human, and do not do everyday things the way they would do themselves. Agard exaggerates his ideas in order to make his argument a lot clearer.  ..an when moon begin to glow I half-caste human being cast half-a-shadow It is obvious that half-caste people do not caste shadows different to anyone else, but the emphasis on the ridiculousness of the mere idea of a different type of shadow makes the idea of half-caste people being different just as ridiculous.  He explains quite cleverly how degrading the term half-caste can be by comparing half-caste people like himself to very worldly ideas that you would not title half-caste. Yu mean when light an shadow mix in de sky is a half-caste weather His examples are all of things that people would associate with beauty, such as nature, art and music. His point being that if people call humans of two colours half-caste, then everything else with mixed colours must be aswel. People wouldnt think twice about labeling a human half-caste, but when talking about nature or music and it would again be completely ridiculous to call Tchaikovskys composition a half-caste symphony. The poem itself also relays the message of individualism. It is written in phonetics to demonstrate his own personality with the language being English, but with his own Guyanan dialect. The readers are then forced to read the poem in a certain way, which enforces the message behind the poem.  Tom Leonard also uses this effective technique in his poem from Unrelated Incidents. This poem talks about status and social acceptance. Leonard talks about how people are reluctant to sit secure in the knowledge of a person with an accent, compared to someone who speaks with what is thought of proper, standard English in an English accent. He puts across the idea of how naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve and narrow-minded people can be. if a tokaboot thi trooth lik wanna yoo scruff yi widny thingk it wuz troo  He suggests that people would believe anything from the mouth of a proper speaking person, no matter how insane it may be and totally dismiss what a person with an accent like his, is saying. Even if it was the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so to speak. The way in which he has put this idea across is by using what is very commonly known to be quite English a typical example of where this sort of discrimination occurs. The news, where you will mainly hear the news read from a person who speaks with the right accent. This is thi six a clock news thi man said n thi reason a tok wia BBC accent iz coz yi widny wahnt mi ti talk aboot thi trooth wia voice lik wanna yoo scruff The poem is a parody of a typical British news broadcast, it is ironic the way in which Leonard has used his own dialect and spoken in the style of the commonly known news. It is obvious that Leonard is frustrated and angry at the fact that him and others alike would be looked down upon because of the way they talk. Similarly with John Agard we can see the resentment towards those people who treat half-caste people differently and Tom Leonard with the way society looks upon people with accents that differ from their own. However, Sujata Bhatts Search For My Tongue discusses society and culture from a different perspective. The problem she finds herself faced with is trying to make a correct balance with her own culture and heritage and the culture in which she lives in. She explains her fear of losing her mother tongue and never being able to be totally accepted by the foreign tongue. Her concern with the mother tongue being lost is very explicit in the poem: And if you lived in a place where toy had to speak a foreign tongue, you mother tongue would rot, rot and die in your mouth until you had to spit it out She explains how hard it is to keep your mother tongue healthy in a place where there is no use for it, and eventually it would become useless and you would eventually forget it about it. She talks not just about language but her whole culture and how she was brought up, what she was brought up to believe and live by and how society and different cultures sometimes make you forget. However she gets across to the reader that somehow, sub-consciously while she dreams, she dreams in her own language and reminds herself of her language and that she is still who she has always been and always will be.  modhama pakay chay it blossoms out of my mouth. The tongue is described to blossom out her mouth jus as she thinks she has forgotten it. This imagery of blossoming is beautiful and emphasises how important it is to be who you are because it is beautiful from whatever background and culture you belong to.

Market Foreign Management

Market Foreign Management Market Foreign Management 1.0 INTRODUCTION The different types of entry modes, to penetrate a foreign market, arise due to globalisation. The latter has drastically changed the way business conduct at international level. Owing to advances in transportation, technology and communications, nowadays practically every business of any size can supply or distribute goods, services, or intellectual property. However, when companies deal with international markets, it is complicated as the companies must be prepared to surmount differences in currency issues, language problems, cultural norms, and legal and regulatory regimes. Only the largest companies have the capital and knowledge to overcome these complications on their own. Many other businesses simply do not have the means to efficiently and affordably deal with all those variables in foreign jurisdictions, without a partner in the host country. Foreign market entry mode has been defined by Root (1987) as â€Å"an institutional arrangement that makes possible the entry of a company’s products, technology, human skills, management, or other resources into a foreign country†. There are a broad variety of different entry modes that can generally be categorised into export entry modes, contractual entry modes and investment entry modes. A distinction is also made between equity based and non-equity based foreign market entry modes. Entry modes vary considerably in terms of not only cost incurred by firms but also benefits and disadvantages provided to firms. In chapter 1, the study will be introduced and where definition of Modes of Entry will be given. In chapter 2 the Literature Review, the factors affecting the choice of entry will be explained. Furthermore there will be the description to each type of foreign entry mode and its theoretical advantages and disadvantages. Then in chapter 3 will proceed with the analytical and findings in each entry modes will be illustrated through a real case study. The recent case of firm going abroad will not be taken in the analysis with the purpose of getting enough information to evaluate each entry modes undertake in the case study namely Mc Donald’s Franchising entry mode, Toyota joint venture in United State, Nokia Greenfield investment in Hungary, and Nike Export entry mode. In Chapter 4, there will conclusion and recommendation of this study. 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Choice of entry mode Firms all over the world are internationalizing in highly increasing speed, and thus the selection of a proper entry mode in a foreign market may have significant and far reaching consequences on a firm’s success and survival. In the selections of a suitable entry method, firms are significantly influenced by situational factors and key dimensions. The influencing factors include various factors such as country risk, socio-cultural distance, firm specific factors, government regulations, and international experience. The key dimensions differentiating market entry modes are the varying levels of management control, barriers to entry, commercial and political risks, equity investment, rapidity, level of resources commitment to the foreign market, and flexibility that each mode posses and also the evaluation of competitors’ entry methods. Driscoll analyzed the characteristics of export, contractual and investment entry modes through the five aspects namely control; dissemination risk; resource commitment; flexibility and ownership. Driscoll explained each of the characteristics as follows : Control refers to that extent of a firm in governs the production process, co-ordinate activities, logistical and marketing and so on. Dissemination risk refers to the extent to which a firm’s know-how will be expropriated by a contractual partner. Resource commitment refers to the financial, physical and human resources that firms commit to a host market. Flexibility assesses that whether a firm can change the entry modes quickly and with low cost in the face of evolving circumstances. Ownership refers to the extent of a firm’s equity participation in an entry mode. In Erramilli Rao (1993), it is suggested that to conceptualize a firm’s desired level of different mode characteristics without considering its actual entry mode used, the efficacy of mode choice models would be improved. Based on this advice, Driscoll (1995) introduced a dynamic mode choice framework as shown in table 2 above. He believes that â€Å"a diverse range of situational influences that could bear on a firm’s desire for certain characteristic of mode choice†. Some factors would influence a firm to choose a desired entry mode. He also considers the gap between desired model and actual one and takes alternative mode characteristics into account when a firm chooses foreign market entry mode. Driscoll’s study emphasises that there is no optimal foreign market entry modes under all conditions. Therefore, a firm cannot just consider an institutionalizing mode; it needs to consider the characteristics of modes, the firm factors, environmental factors a nd other factors when it chooses entry mode. 2.2 Descriptions of the different modes of Foreign market entry 2.2.1. Export Entry Modes Export mode is the most common strategy to use when entering international markets. Exporting is the shipment of products, manufactured in the domestic market or a third country, across national borders to fulfill foreign orders. Shipments may go directly to the end user, to a distributor or to a wholesaler. Exporting is mainly used in initial entry and gradually evolves towards foreign-based operations. Export entry modes are different from contractual entry modes and investment entry modes in a way that they are directly related to manufacturing. Export can be divided into direct and indirect export depending on the number and type of intermediaries. 2.2.1.1 Direct exporting (sell to buyers) Direct exporting means that the firm has its own department of export which sells the products via an intermediary in the foreign economy namely direct agent and direct distributor. This way of exporting provides more control over the international operations than indirect exporting. Hence, this alternative often increases the sales potential and also the profit. There is as well a higher risk involved and more financial and human investments are needed. There are differences between distributors and agents. The basis of an agent’s selling is commissions, while the distributors’ income is a margin between the prices the distributor buys the product for and the final price to the wholesalers or retailers. In contrast to agents the distributors usually maintain the product range. The agents also do not position the products, and do not hold payments while the distributors do both and as well as provide customers with after sales services. Using agents or distributors to introduce the products to a foreign market will have the advantages that they have knowledge about the market, customs, and have established business contacts. Advantages of Direct Export: Access to the local market experience and contacts to potential customers. Shorter distribution chain( compared to indirect exporting) More control over marketing mix ( especially with agents) Local selling support and services available Disadvantages of Direct Export: Little control over market price because of tariffs and lack of distribution control ( especially with distributors) Some investment in sales organisation required (contact from home base with distributor or agents) Cultural difference, providing communications problems and information filtering ( transaction cost occur) Possible trade restrictions 2.2.1.2. Indirect exporting (sell to intermediaries) Indirect exporting is when the exporting manufactures are using independent organisations that are located in the foreign country. The sale in indirect exporting is like a domestic sale, and the company is not really involved in the global marketing, since the foreign company itself takes the products abroad. Indirect export is often the fastest way for a company to get its products into a foreign market since customer relationships and marketing systems are already established. Through indirect export, it is the third party who will handle the whole transactions. This approach for exporting is useful for companies with limited international expansion objectives and if the sales are primarily viewed as a way of disposing remaining production, or as marginal. The types of indirect export are as follows: Export management companies Export trading companies Export broker agents Advantages of Indirect export: Limited resources and investment required High degree of market diversification is possible as the company utilize the internationalization of an experienced exporter. Minimal risk ( market and political) NO export experience required Disadvantages of Indirect export: No control over marketing mix elements other than product An additional domestic member in the distribution chain may add costs, leaving smaller profit to producer Lack of contact with market ( no market knowledge acquired) Limited product experience( based on commercial selling) 2.2.2 Contractual Entry Modes Contractual entry modes are long term non-equity alliance between the company that wants to internalise and the company in target country for entry mode. There are many types of contractual entry mode namely technical agreements, Service contracts, managements, contract manufacture, Co-production agreements and others. The most use contractual entry modes are Licensing, Franchising and Turnkey projects which is going to be explained below. 2.2.2.1 Licensing Licensing concerns a product rights or the method of production marketing the product rights. These rights are usually protected by a patent or some other intellectual right. Licensing is when the exporter, the licensor, sells the right to manufacture or sell its products or services, on a certain market area, to the foreign party (the licensee). Based on the agreement, the exporter receives a onetime fee, a royalty or both. The royalty can vary, often between 0.125 and 15 per cent of the sales revenue. In other words in a licensing agreement, the licensor offers propriety assets to the licensee. The latter is in the foreign market and has to pay royalty fees or made a lump sum payment to the licensor for assets like e.g. trademark, technology, patents and know-how. Licensing agreement’s content is usually quite complex, wide and periodic. Other than the intellectual property rights, the licensing contract might also include turning-in unprotected know-how. In this licensing contract, the licensor is committed to give all the information to the licensee about the operation. There are many types of licensing arrangements. In a licensing arrangement, the core is patents and know-how, which can be completed by trademarks, models, copyrights and marketing and management’s know-how. Licensing contract is divided into three main types of licensing: Product licensing, the idea of licensing is to agree on usage, manufacturing or marketing right of the whole product, a partial product, a component or a product improvement, Method licensing, the method licensing agreement turns in the right to use a certain manufacturing method or a part of it and also possibly the right to use model protection. Representation licensing agreement is usually done within two companies that are concentrated on project deliveries, in this case the contract will relate to for example projecting systems, sharing manufacturing and marketing procedures. Advantages of licensing: The ability to enter several foreign markets simultaneously by using several licensees or one licensee with access to a regional market, for example the European Union. Enter market with high trade barriers. It is a non-equity mode, therefore licensor make profit quickly without big investments. The firm does not have to bear the development costs and risks associated with opening a foreign market. Licensing also saves marketing and distribution costs, which are left for the licensee. Licensing also enables the licensor to get insight of licensee’s market knowledge, business relations and cost advantages. The licensor decreases the exposure to economic and political instabilities in the foreign country. Can be used by inexperienced companies in international business Avoid the cost to customer of shipping large bulky products to foreign markets Disadvantages of licensing: There is a risk that the licensee may become a competitor once the term of the agreement concludes, by using the licensor’s technology and taking their customers. Not every company can use this entry model unless in possess certain type of intellectual property right or the name of the company is of enough interest to the other party. The licensor’s income from royalties is not as much as would be gained when manufacturing and marketing the product themselves. There is another risk that the licensee will underreport sales in order to lower the royalty payment 2.2.2.2 FRANCHISING Franchising is a form of licensing, which is most often used as market entry modes for services such as fast foods, business to-consumer services and business-to-business services. Franchising is somewhat like licensing where the franchiser gives the franchisee right to use trademarks, know-how and trade name for royalty. Franchising does not only cover products (like licensing) but it usually contains the entire business operation including products, suppliers, technological know-how, and even the look of the business The normal time for a franchisee agreement is 10 years and the arrangement may or may not include operation manuals, marketing plan and training and quality monitoring. The idea of the franchising chain is that all parties use a uniform model in order to make the customer of a franchising chain may feel that he is dealing with franchisor’s company itself. In fact, regarding to the law, the customer is dealing with independents companies that have even have different owners. Franchising agreement usually includes training and offers management services, as the operations are done in accordance with the franchisor’s directions. Franchising has especially spread to areas, where certain selling style, name and the quality of service are crucial. Franchisee has different customs on the payments to the franchisor. Normally when a company joins the franchising chain it pays a one-time joining fee. As the operation goes on, the franchisee pays continues service fess that usually are based on the sales volumes of the franchisee company. (Koch 2001). Advantages of franchising: Same as licensing above Like with licensing, the franchisor gain local knowledge of the market place and in this case the domestic franchisee is highly motivated The fast expansion to a foreign market with low capital expenditures, standardised marketing, motivated franchisees and taking of low political risk. Disadvantages of franchising: Same as in licensing above, Since franchising requires more capital initially, it is more suitable to large and well-established companies with good brand images. So small firm get often problem to use this entry modes Home country franchisor does not have daily operational control of foreign store. There is a risk that franchisees may not perform at desired quality level. more responsibilities ,more complicated and greater commitment to foreign firm than licensing or exports 2.2.2.3 Turnkey project In turnkey projects, the contractor agrees to handle every detail of the project for a foreign client, including the training of operating personnel. At completion of the contract, the foreign client is handed the key to a plant that is ready for full operation. Hence we get the term turnkey. The company, who make the turnkey project, works overseas to build a facility for a local private company or agency of a state, province or municipality. This is actually a means of exporting process technology to another country. Typically these projects are large public sector project such as urban transit stations, commercial airport and telecommunications infrastructure. Sometimes a turnkey project such as an urban transit system takes the form of a built-operate-transfer or a built-own-operate-transfer project. A sophisticated type of counter trade, in which the builder operates and may also own a public sector project for a specified period of years before turning it over to the government. Advantages of Turnkey Projects: They are a way of earning great economic returns from the know-how required to assemble and run a technologically complex process, for example contractor must train and prepare owner to operate facility Turnkey projects may also make sense in a country where the political and economic environment is such that a longer-term investment might expose the firm to unacceptable political and/or economic risk. Less risky than conventional FDI Disadvantages The firm that enters into a turnkey deal will have no long-term interest in the foreign country. The firm that enters into a turnkey project may create a competitor. If the firms process technology is a source of competitive advantage, then selling this technology through a turnkey project is also selling competitive advantage to potential and/or actual competitors. 2.2.3 Investment Entry Modes Investment entry modes are about acquiring ownership in a company that is located in the foreign market. In other word, the activities within this category involve ownership of production units or other facilities in the overseas market, based on some sort of equity investment. Several companies want to have ownership in some or all of their international ventures. This can be achieved by joint ventures (equity based), acquisitions, green-field investment. A joint venture is a contractual arrangement whereby a separate entity is created to carry on trade or business on its own, separate from the core business of the participants. A joint venture occurs when new organizations are created, jointly owned by both partners. At least one of these partners must be from another country than the rest and the location of the company must be outside of at least one party’s home country. Typically, a company forming a joint venture will often partner with one of its customers, vendors, distributors, or even one of its competitors. These businesses agree to exchange resources, share risks, and divide rewards from a joint enterprise, which is usually physically located in one of the partners’ jurisdictions. The contributions of joint venture partners often differ. The local joint venture partner will frequently supply physical space, channels of distribution, sources of supply, and on-the ground knowledge and information. The other partner usually provides cash, key marketing personnel, certain operating personnel, and intellectual property rights. Joint venture is an equity entry mode. Ownership of the venture may be 50% for each party, or may be other proportions with one party holding the majority share. In order to make a joint venture remain successful on a long-term-basis, there must be willingness and careful advance planning from both parties to renegotiate the venture terms as soon as possible. When multiple partners participate in the joint venture, the venture maybe called a consortium. Advantages of a Joint venture: Joint venture makes faster access to foreign markets. The local partner to the joint venture may have already established itself in the marketplace and often will have already obtained, or have access to, government contacts, lines of credit, regulatory approvals, scarce supplies and utilities, qualified employees, and cultural knowledge. Upon formation of the Joint venture, the non-resident partner has access to the local partner’s pre-established ties to the local market. When the development costs and/or risks of opening a foreign market are high, a firm might gain by sharing these costs and/or risks with a local partner. In many countries, political considerations make joint ventures the only feasible entry mode. The reputation of the resident partner gives the joint venturecredibility in the local marketplace, especially with existing key suppliers and customers. Disadvantages of Joint venture: Shared ownership can lead to conflicts and battles for control if goals and objectives differ or change over time. Joint venture can foreclose other opportunities for entry into a foreign marketplace. It can be difficult for a joint venture to independently obtain financing, particularly debt financing. That is, in part, because Joint venture are usually finite in their duration and lack permanence. Thus, the parents of a joint venture should expect either to adequately capitalise the entity up front or to guarantee loans made to the joint venture. Another potential disadvantage of joint venture a firm that enters into a joint venture risks giving control of its technology to its partner and there is the possibility you might wind up turning your own joint venture partner into a competitor. However, this danger can be ameliorated by non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality provisions in the joint venture agreement. Strategic alliance is when the mutual coordination of strategic planning and management that enable two or more organisations to align their long term goals to the benefit of each organisation and generally the organisations remain independent. Strategic alliances are cooperative relationships on different levels in the organisation. Licensing, joint ventures, research and development partnerships are just few of the alliances possible when exploring new markets. In other words, strategic alliances can be described as a partnership between businesses with the purpose of achieving common goals while minimising risk, maximising leverage and benefiting from those facets of their operations that complement each other’s. A strategic alliance might be entered into for a one-off activity, or it might focus on just one part of a business, or its objective might be new products jointly developed for a particular market. Generally, each company involved in the strategic alliance will benefit by working together. The arrangement they enter into may not be as formal as a joint venture agreement. Alliances are usually accomplished with a written contract, often with agreed termination points, and do not result in the creation of an independent business organisation. The objective of a strategic alliance is to gain a competitive advantage to a company’s strategic position. Strategic alliances have increased a great deal since globalisation became an opportunity for companies. There are different types of strategic alliances: 1) Marketing alliances where the companies jointly market products that are complementary produced by one or both of the firms. 2) A promotional alliance refers to the collaboration where one firm agrees to join in promotion for the other firm’s products. 3) Logistics alliance is one more type of cooperation where one company offers, to another company, distribution services for their products. 4) Collaborations between businesses arise when the firms do not for example have the capacity or the financial means to develop new technologies. Advantages of Strategic alliance: Increased leverage Strategic alliances allow you to gain greater results from your company’s core strengths Risk sharing A strategic alliance with an international company will help to offset your market exposure and allow you to jointly exploit new opportunities. Opportunities for growth Strategic alliances can create the means by which small companies can grow. By â€Å"marrying† your company’s product to somebody else’s distribution, or your RD to a partner’s production skills, you may be able to expand your business overseas more quickly and more cheaply than by other means. Greater responsiveness By allowing you to focus on developing your core strengths, strategic alliances provide the ability to respond more quickly to change and opportunity. Disadvantages of strategic alliance: High commitment – time, money, people Difficulty of identifying a compatible partner Potential for conflict between the partners A small company risks being subsumed by a larger partner Strategic priorities change over time Political risk in the country where the strategic alliance is based If the relationship breaks down, the cost/ownership of market information, market intelligence and jointly developed products can be an issue. 2.2.3.3 Wholly owned subsidiaries A company will use a wholly owned subsidiary when the company wants to have 100 percent ownership. This is a very expensive mode where the firm has to do everything itself with the company’s financial and human resources. Thus, more it is the large multi national corporations that could select this entry mode rather than small and medium sized enterprises. A wholly owned subsidiary could be divided in two separate ways Greenfield investment and Acquisitions. 2.2.3.3.1Greenfield Investment Greenfield investment is a mode of entry where the firm starts from scratch in the new market and opens up own stores while using their expertise. It involves the transfer of assets, management talent, and proprietary technology and manufacturing know-how. It requires the skill to operate and manage in another culture with different business practices, labour forces and government regulations. The degree of risk varies according to the political and economic conditions in the host country. Despite these risks many companies prefer to use this mode of entry because of its total control over strategy, operation and profits. Advantages of Greenfield investment: A wholly owned subsidiary gives a firm the tight control over operations in different countries that are necessary for engaging in global strategic coordination (i.e., using profits from one country to support competitive attacks in another). A wholly owned subsidiary maybe required if a firm is trying to realize location and experience curve economies. Local production lessens transport/import-related costs, taxes fees. Availability of goods can be guaranteed, delays may be eliminated. More uniform quality of product or service. Local production says that the firm is willing to adapt products services to the local customer requirements Disadvantages of Greenfield investment: Higher risk exposure namely political risk and economic risk Heavier pre-decision information gathering research evaluation â€Å"Country-of-origin† effects can be lost by manufacturing elsewhere. Establishing a wholly owned subsidiary is generally the most costly method of serving a foreign market. 2.2.3.3.2 Acquisitions Acquisition is a very expensive mode of entry where the company acquirers or buys an already existing company in the foreign market. Acquisition is one way of entering a market by buying an already existing brand instead of trying to compete and launch the company’s products on the market and thereby lowering the chance of a profitable product. Acquisition is a risky alternative though, because the culture of the corporation is hard to transfer to the acquired firm. Most important, it is a very expensive alternative and both great profit and great losses could be the end product of this entry mode. Advantages of Acquisitions: They are quick to execute Acquisitions enable firms to preempt their competitors Managers may believe acquisitions are less risky than green-field ventures Disadvantages of Acquisitions: The acquiring firms often overpay for the assets of the acquired firm There may be a clash between the cultures of the acquiring and acquired firm Attempts to realize synergies by integrating the operations of the acquired and acquiring entities often run into roadblocks and take much longer than forecast There is inadequate pre-acquisition screening 3.0ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS Case study 1: McDonald’s used franchising as foreign entry mode In 1940, the first restaurant was opened by the McDonald brothers, Dick and Macin San Bernardino and California. Then Ray Kroc, a Chicago based salesman with a flair for marketing, became involved that the business really started to grow. He realised that Mc Donald’s, could be successful by using franchising, and could be exploited throughout the United States and beyond. Its first franchising was in Canada in 1967. In 2001, McDonald’s served over 16 billion customers, equivalent to a lunch and dinner for every man, woman and child in the world. McDonald’s global sales were over $38bn, making it by far the largest food service company in the world. McDonald’s success on rapid growth and expansion is due to franchising that are based on selling quality products cheaply and quickly around the world. In 2002, around 70% of McDonald’s are franchises. Mc Donald’s ownership advantage to go abroad is its brand name. The exceptional growth of Mc Donald’s is largely credited to the creation of its strong brand name identity. With the purpose of protecting its brand name, Mc Donald’s used radio and press advertisement to provide specific messages across the world emphasising on the quality of product ingredients. In addition to that Mc Donald’s carry out massive investment in sponsorship which is also a central part of the image building process, for example Football World cup and Olympic Games. The franchise agreement is that McDonalds, the franchisor, grants the right to sell McDonalds branded goods to someone w

Mirror for Man - People are the way that they are Raised :: Mirror for Man Essays

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Kluckhohn explained the differences and similarities among the world's peoples by taking different life examples of different cultured people and compared them to another person who was raised up in a different lifestyle. At first, he brought up several questions, asking why certain people do or don't do certain things. These questions were served as guides, which led on to the examples. They also served as attraction to the readers who are curious about different people from another culture. Then he went on to compare people from different cultures in his examples. He compared an American woman, who restricts her husband to only one mate, with a Koryak woman, who shares her husband with another woman; an American raised in China with the Americans raised here in the United States; and lastly, he compared people's reactions from eating the meat of chicken or tuna fish to that of a rattlesnake. Kluckhohn has a strong point in viewing human's culture. I agree with his definition of culture -- "the part of the environment that is the creation of human beings." People react to things differently because they were raised up in different environments with different cultures. No matter who the person is, or where he (or she) was born, his behavior and his personality traits developments would depend on the environment that he is living in. The way people think, feel, react, and behave also are depended upon life experiences. They feel different emotions because they have felt this emotional happiness or sadness before. They think what is right and what is wrong because they have learned from past experiences. They react to different things because they experienced things that please them and the things that displease them. They behave in certain ways because they want to design their way of living into what they have admired from other people's lives. I was born in Hong Kong, the school systems and the people living there are very strict in comparing with the United States. Over in Hong Kong, students go to school for seven hours and then they would go home and spend another seven or eight hours on homework. The school system really forces you to study and do your homework to stay up with the rest of the class. But yet, the students would accept the homework assignments without complaining because they are use to doing so much homework and taking the pressure.

An Analysis of Countee Cullens Any Human to Another Essay -- Countee

An Analysis of Countee Cullen's â€Å"Any Human to Another† Countee Cullen was man who struggled to be called a â€Å"poet† instead of a â€Å"Negro poet.†Ã‚   His life during the Harlem Renaissance was filled with inequality and prejudice.   These facts have lead many analysts to perceive his poem â€Å"Any Human to Another† as a cry for racial equality.   However, Cullen’s manipulation of structure, imagery, and symbols in the poem reveals that his true theme is that all humans are individually unique but must live together in harmony and equality, caring for and helping each other.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first technique Cullen uses to show his theme is the structure of the poem.   â€Å"Any Human to Another† is made up of five stanzas:   the first and second are six lines long, the third and fifth contain seven lines, and the fourth stanza is made up of only five lines.   The author uses these varying lengths for a purpose; he wants the readers to see the way in which a variety of different types join together to form one poem.   This is analogous to the way in which many unique people make up our society.   The diversity of stanza length in the poem shows that the diversity of society in the world is a main contributing factor to our culturally enriched lives.   Another example of how the structure of this poem relates to the theme is in the rhyme schemes of the five stanzas.   Each part has several lines that rhyme with other lines in that stanza; however, the rhyme scheme of one stanza does not match with that o f any other.   This again shows the unique parts of each stanza that all go together to make one beautiful poem.   Similar to the way this poem would lack excitement if it followed one rhyme pattern the whole way through, life would be not b... ... means to express his opinion is the â€Å"little tent† in the second stanza.   Cullen writes that no man is allowed his own â€Å"meadow of sun and shadow,† the sun being joyous feelings while the shadow is angst.   No man deserves the privilege of indulging himself in â€Å"sun† while others in the world have troubles; on the other hand, no man should deal with the â€Å"shadow† of inequality without a friend or companion.   As a member of the human race, each individual has their own duty to care for and help others.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Countee Cullen clearly has a message to spread through this poem.   His structure of individual stanzas coming together, imagery of diversity and grief, and symbols of emotional bonds say one thing:   society must be made of individual people who coexist in peace, aiding and respecting one another.   This message is clearly a valuable truth we must all learn.

Intergrating Technology And Le :: essays research papers fc

The face of business has changed. Technology has taken over or enhanced traditional ways of communication such as face-to-face interaction and mail. It isn’t necessary to wait 7 business days to hear a reply from a customer anymore. In fact, it could take less than 7 minutes through the use of a phone, email, or fax. The Board of Trustees can have a video conference when they are 6,000 miles apart from each other. However, with the benefits of technology, has fundamentals such as leadership been overlooked? Leadership used to focus around personal interaction when meetings would be held in a conference room and tasks would be accomplished by people standing side by side to each other.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Leadership is a necessary component to the success of any business or organization. Leadership says, “I care about you'; to the customer. Used correctly, technology can enhance the practice of leadership in today’s businesses and organizations. It is necessary, though, that some personal interaction remain to show people that the business is still customer oriented.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Leadership can be divided into three categories: mentoring, risk-taking, and facilitating. Although there are many attributes and characteristics of a leader, these three are the most important in today’s business and organizations. Most other skills of a leader would fall under these three categories. For example, being trustworthy and loyal would fit under the mentoring aspect. Risk-taking would include courage. Being team-motivated and having the ability to make decisions would fall under facilitating. Technology can be applied to each of these categories to enhance the business or organization’s success. No business is complete without leadership and today, leadership is not complete without technology. Mentoring What is a mentor? In Homer’s Odyssey, Mentor was the teacher of Telemachus, the son of Odyssius. But Mentor was more than a teacher. He was half-god and half-man; half-male and half-female; believable and yet unreachable. Mentor was the union of both goal and path, wisdom personified. In today’s society, the same principles apply. Mentors teach and guide others. They inspire and convey a sense of vision to the people around them. Proverbs 29:18 reads that where there is no vision, the people perish. Effective leaders do not allow this to happen. They keep the team energized until the vision is no longer a dream, but a reality. Leaders walk the talk; and this creates the trust and respect necessary to achieve the team’s purpose.

Fate decides how you are born Essay

As with all Shakespearean tragedies, King Lear, lays bare all the possible permutations and combinations in human relationships. It is not uncommon to hear modern writers to lament the fact that Shakespeare has not left untouched any aspect of human interaction. The sub plot of Gloucester and his two sons, the legitimate Edgar and the bastard son Edmund is a curious complement to Lear’s own follies of trusting the outwardly affectionate and as a consequence alienating the sincerely loving child. The lesson of human nature this sub plot provides is about knowing when the bitterness towards an accident beyond your control takes primacy of purpose in your life. Edmund let his illegitimate status drive him to indulge in all villainous acts only to further the depravity of his soul. You might not be able to help certain circumstances that stigmatize your existence but the best way out of it is to lead a life of virtue and not resorting to illegitimate acts to get back at the world and the society that condemns you for no fault of yours. The essential difference between Lear and Gloucester is the motivation of the usurpers of their kingdoms. In the case of Lear, they are just greed and ambition. It is not quite that simple with Gloucester. He does love his illegitimate son Edmund and acknowledges his status as the young man’s father openly and publicly. But, every kind word and every single attempt at showing Edmund that he is loved by his biological father translates into a sting aimed at the circumstances of his birth. His entire personality is defined by the antipathy that kindness evokes in him. Through Edmund’s characterization, Shakespeare shows the readers that the stigma that affects any person and changes his personality traits need not necessarily be external. The stigma attached to any person tends to color his judgment, his motivation and actions for all his life and he continues to see the world and its actions through the refracted light of his yearning for legitimacy. Though it might be known to Edmund that whatever he achieves, legitimacy is one thing he shall never achieve as his status is indelible for all future. This drives him to a state where he wants to snatch things from his half brother, usurp his father’s crown and also help others in similar quests. One thing he fails to cultivate in all his life is a relationship based on trust. He can trust nobody and become trustworthy to no body in return. Failure to accept one’s station in life can be a great factor that evaporates any kindness and nobility from the soul which is what happens in the case of Edmund. The paradox of a mind consumed with one single purpose – retribution- aimed at world at large is brought forward elegantly in the soliloquy of Edmund before he sets up on his decided path of deceit. He wonders why he is not worthy in the world’s eyes and laments the fact that he can never be accorded the tag of legitimacy. EDMUND â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Why brand they us With base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base? †(1. 2. 11-12) But he fails to recognize the veil he is allowing to grow in his soul as he proclaims â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Edmund the base Shall top the legitimate. I grow; I prosper: Now, gods, stand up for bastards! †(1. 2. 20-22) Such evil intentions are enough to provide proof to Edmund that his mind is playing games with him and making him the slave of his deep rooted stigma of irregular birth and his yearning for legitimacy. But he fails to see them or perhaps, he wants to fail to see them. In the same context, Shakespeare also tries to invoke the belief held by man that stars and celestial events have a bearing on the behavior and relationships of man. GLOUCESTER â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effects: love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide: in cities, mutinies; in countries, discord; in palaces, treason; and the bond cracked ‘twixt son and father. This villain of mine comes under the prediction;†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. †(1. 2. 101-108) It is an attempt by a father to hang on to his last vestige of love for his son by claiming that un natural or non-regular celestial events like eclipses had something to do with his son turning against him. In private, Edmund completely rubbishes any such possibility and laughs at the weakness of his father for attributing his misfortunes to stars and nature. In support of his argument he says that his nature would have remained the same even if he had been fathered under the auspices of the luckiest celestial combination EDMUND â€Å"when we are sick in fortune,–often the surfeit of our own behavior,–we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars:†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ (1. 2. 118-120) â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Tut, I should have been that I am, had the maidenliest star in the firmament twinkled on my bastardizing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬  (1. 2. 132-134) The treachery of Edmund and his subsequent blinding at the hands of Cornwall, alienation from his son Edgar all lead to a decidedly defeatist philosophical outlook in Gloucester and he tries to explain his misfortune by saying that Gods inflict pain and suffering on humans for fun and as a pastime. He laments GLOUCESTER â€Å"As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods. They kill us for their sport. † â€Å"(4. 1. 37-38) He then decides to take his and asks the mad man (his son Edgar in disguise) to lead him to a cliff and let him jump from the heights to give up his life. Edgar cleverly takes him to a flat bit of land and pretends that he has let him jump, then quickly changes the way he speaks to make Gloucester believe that he has survived a fall from a great cliff because he was led by some angel posing as the mad man. Though far younger in age and having endured infamy and difficulties galore, Edgar had wisdom beyond his years and whenever his father falls prey to despair, he helps him out of it by explaining the meaning of life’s journey. When Gloucester decides that he shall go no further and shall prefer rotting in the same place, Edgar tells him that man’s duty is to endure and the journey can not be cut short for despair. Ageing, losing one faculties, suffering reversals are all part of life and shall not impede the journey. The success of a life well lived lies in the times that one has fallen and in spite of his fall, has managed to stand, dust himself off and started moving forward again, with hope in his heart that good shall overcome evil. It is well captured in Edgar’s entreaty to his father EDGAR â€Å"What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure Their going hence, even as their coming hither; Ripeness is all: come on. † (5. 2. 9-11) After several trials and tribulations Edgar finally accosts his half brother Edmund when he is invited for a duel and vanquishes him without identifying himself. When there are questions all around about the accusations he hurled at Edmund – as the chief perpetrator of cruelty and brutality against his own father Gloucester – Edgar finally reveals that he is the originally noble blooded son of Gloucester and he explains the difficulties he had to endure and the compulsion of his to act like an almost naked mad man, the attempted suicide of his father Gloucester and how he managed to save him with most implausible of stories. In the midst of all this exchange one more facet of Edmund’s villainous treachery bears its evil fruit. EDMUND â€Å"Yet Edmund was beloved: The one the other poison’d for my sake, And after slew herself. † (5. 3. 272-274) Edmund managed to manipulate even the love of two married ladies for him and this ends in tragedy when Goneril poisons Albany and subsequently kills herself. Misery and tragedy is what results in every venture that Edmund starts out on because his heart is so corrupted with wanton revenge and retribution but it is directed not at any person but at the circumstances of his birth and his burning desire to camouflage it with a magnitude of achievements that border on fantasy. As he senses the end of his life, Edmund suffers a conscience attack and wants to do some good. He finally realizes that ambition coupled with treachery ca take one only thus far and no further. Nobility of soul and purpose always manages to carry the day and it is evident from the fall from grace and favor of Edmund all so suddenly in the last act of this tragic play. Just before he is challenged to a duel by his half brother Edgar, he issues an order to kill Cordelia and King Lear. He also plans to pass it off as an apparent suicide. When he finally sees the mayhem he has created and the result of his treachery leading to two sisters dying, one by poison and other by her own hand, his conscience beseeches him to do at least one good deed before he is dead. He entreats the gathering to send some one to stop King Lear and Cordelia being killed as per his orders. EDMUND â€Å"I pant for life: some good I mean to do, Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send, Be brief in it, to the castle; for my writ Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia: Nay, send in time. †(5. 3. 276-280) The sub plot of Gloucester launches the main villainy of Edmund on to the main stage of the play and holds his evil nature central to all misfortunes, well helped by the human infirmities of King Lear’s two daughters. But it also cleverly counters the numerous noble characters of the play – Albany, Kent, Edgar- and the like. Evil wins several battles but ultimately loses the War. Good suffers several trials by fire but manages to hold its own at the end. Two kings who let flattery and suspicion take over their better judgments suffer the moist implausible of consequences and in this, Shakespeare leaves a lot of lessons for all future generations. He almost seems to list out some commandments about human nature 1. Thou shalt not fall prey to flattery – King Lear 2. Thou shalt not allow suspicion to encroach your judgment but shall seek out complete facts – Gloucester 3. Thou shalt not let bitterness pervade your soul, in acting with bitterness you invite bitter ends – Edmund Apart from all these, Shakespeare seems to ask us to evaluate at every step if our intentions and actions have the desired effect on the people who are affected by it. If you love, let not the love patronize or smother the loved ones. And as one learned professor confessed to a student conversationally â€Å"When in doubt about how to go about life, read Shakespeare. You might very well find the answer you need†

Unemployment and Zara

Value Creation in the Global Apparel Industry Case Analysis #3 By Deborah Bennett Julie Bryan Wynette Gayle Vivian Pankey Neisha Vitello Executive Summary Zara is the flagship fashion retail company under the parent corporation Inditex. First opened in Spain, Zara currently has a network of 1,292 stores spread across 72 countries. The infrastructure Zara has built is a core competency. Their innovations to bring new fashion designs to market faster than competitors differentiates Zara from their rivals.Managers believe the allure of Zara is the freshness of its offerings, the creation of a sense of exclusiveness, an attractive in-store ambience, and positive word of mouth (Daniels, Radenbaugh, Sullivan, 2011). The strategic innovations in design, production, logistics, distribution, and retailing activities have made Zara a global leader that is now moving into the United States. This paper will examine five of the external influences that will shape the response and ultimately the s uccess Zara will have adapting to the physical, social and competitive factors in the United States clothing retail industry.The external influences examined will be; competitive dynamics, economic conditions, technology standards and trends, cultural orientation, and customer expectations. Zara continues expansion in the Untied States, currently with 49 stores coast to coast. Their differentiation strategy has been successful (Maiellaro, 2010). Zara’s strategy and business design leave rivals with less time to figure out how to better configure and coordinate operations. As U. S. competitors attempt to follow Zara’s lead, Zara continues to set the pace and increase the distance between them and the competition.Issue Identification Zara came to the United States, first in New York City in 1989. With more than ten years in the states and 49 locations Zara is making their mark in the fashion industry. With the external influences impacting Zara’s management vision , strategy, value creation and firm performance, how does Zara continue to create value with their differentiation strategy in the U. S. fashion market? External Influence #1: Competitive Dynamics Zara has taken the industry standard of a six-month time frame to create and produce new clothing lines to only two weeks (Daniels, et al 2011).Breaking the industry standard in getting fashion to the public is the competitive advantage Zara is best known for. Zara’s other strength’s include logistics, marketing, store operations and firm infrastructure. Zara spends less than 1 percent of its revenue on advertising (Daniels, et al 2011). Zara is dependent on word of mouth advertising from its shoppers who tend to be loyal to the brand. Marketing is another key advantage Zara has over the competition, which can spend up to 3 to 4 percent of their revenue on advertising.External Influence #2: Economic Conditions Current Economic Conditions in the U. S. appear to show that it is in a â€Å"disappointingly sluggish† (June 2010) recovery. While the U. S. does not appear to be in the downward trend that everyone was concerned with in, growth will remain stagnant or slow. Consumer confidence appears to be at the highest level in two years (Dennis, 2010), but the unemployment rate does not fall below 9 percent (Isidore, 2010) for the next year, and it is unknown if we will ever see the unemployment rate low of 4. percent in 2007 (Isidore, 2010). The good news is that inflation does not appear to be an issue, as it remains steady for the next three years (Isidore, 2010). The economic conditions in the United States for Zara’s do not appear to be at the best point for rapid growth, although with Zara’s unique way of doing business growth is possible. The economic slowdown, high unemployment, and other economic factors pointing in the wrong direction, Zara’s growth in the U. S. Market will need to be carefully monitored. External Influe nce #3: Technology Standards and TrendsA cultural aspect of the American Shopper is her expectation of value or reasonableness. This direction is in line with Zara’s aim to democratize fashion by offering the latest fashion in medium quality at affordable prices. In the USA, the GAP has already been identified as tapping into this market. One of the ways that Zara? s business model is differentiated from that of its competitors is the turnaround time and the store as a source of information. The store acts not only as a point of sale but also influences the design and speed of production. It is the end and starting point of the business system. Zara? managers get feedback from the customers at the point of sales and in turn these managers report the demands of customers and the sales trends to the headquarters on a daily basis. This business model augurs well in America today with the technological advancements of the Hi-tech age with computer and cell phones, 24-7 news circu s and talk show now becoming the new norm. External Influence #4: Cultural Orientations Zara’s secret, according to CEO Jose Castellano, is its reliance on communication, and the way it uses existing technology to take control of almost every aspect of design, production and distribution. This ‘fast fashion’ system depends on a constant exchange of information throughout every part of Zara's supply chain—from customers to store managers, from store managers to market specialists and designers, from designers to production staff, from buyers to subcontractors, from warehouse managers to distributors, and so on. † Zara has made enormous efforts to ensure that operational procedures, performance measures, and even store and office layouts are designed to make information transfer easy.It can therefore be concluded that information management is one of core activities for Zara to leverage its ‘fast fashion’ system. This model is in direct re lations to the cultural orientation of the American Shopper who likes to be fashionable and that right after the red carpet event. External Influence #5: Customer Expectations Americans have many choices in fashion styles and price range, from boutique to large chain to discount fashion warehouses. Zara meets customer expectations with fashions superior to or different from alternatives that are available from rivals.With their grassroots marketing research performed by agents on the store floors, Zara has perfected technology to be able to incorporate customer comments into designs through wireless, handheld organizers carried around the store (Daniels et al. , 2011). On the Zara website is the following: ‘What do you think of the collection? Are these looks that you would like to recreate? I love to hear your opinions every week – and I always take suggestions into consideration! If you have any looks you’d like recreated here, let me know!Be sure to leave a co mment’ (Rachel, 2010). This channel of customer/company interaction ensures Zara continues to deliver what customers want in fashion. The Internet feedback will especially serve the U. S. market as Americans are very accustomed to writing product reviews on retail web sites. Zara instills a sense of urgency in the shoppers’ mind because the style they see in the store today may not be there next week. This dynamic plays well in the urban Americans shopping style that has ready access to the store front windows in malls or the city’s fashion districts.The average Zara customer visits the chain seventeen times per year versus three to four visits per year at competitors. Anyone with the shopping style of â€Å"let me look around first and then come back†, will lose out on the Zara design. Exposure to current fashion trends are in every medium in the U. S. Zara’s ability to deliver almost immediately on what is hot will bode well in meeting customer e xpectations in the U. S. market. Recommendations and Conclusion Zara has taken advantage of its core competencies: competitive advantage, economic condition, technology standards and trends, cultural orientation, and customer expectation.This well organized firm uses logistical design in all areas of its operations. Getting high fashion clothing to the public much quicker than the competition and at a reasonable price has led the organization to the top. While this â€Å"fast track† clothing idea is new and still in vogue, Zara needs to constantly be looking at ways to improve their product line and business model as the competition moves in on their competitive advantage. Staying ahead of other retailers by continuing to evaluate their design, sourcing, production, logistics, marketing, store operations, and firm infrastructure is key.While Zara is spreading worldwide, they may need to adjust their distribution centers a bit, in order to keep their speed maintain their pace, particularly in the US market. As they get larger the firm grows , they may not be able to keep up with demand unless they adjust their logistics chain accordingly.References 2010, November 22. http://www. modernights. com/shop/zaraclothing/zara_stores_usa/ Daniels, Radebaugh, ; Sullivan. (2011). International Business, Environments ; Operations 13th Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, Pearson Education, Inc. Dutta, Devangshu. (2002). retail @ the speed of fashion. Retrieved from http://www. 3isite. com/articles/ImagesFashion_Zara_Part_I. pdf Galaugher, John, Information Systems, A Zara Case Study: Fast Fashion from Savvy Systems, accessed November 24, 2010, http://www. flatworldknowledge. com/node/41223 Gattorna, Dr. John. (2009, Jan. /Feb. ) Supply Chain Organisation Design-The Secret Sauce of Peak Performance. Retrieved from http://www. slideshare. net/ The Supply chainniche/supply-chain-organisation-design-the-secret-sauce-of-peak Jacobe, Dennis, November 2010, U. S. Econo mic Confidence Improves to Match 2010 High,, Gallup, accessed November 24, 2010, http://www. gallup. com/poll/144344/economic-confidence-improves-match-2010-high. aspx June 2010, Current Economic Conditions, Econbrowser, Accessed November 24, 2010 http://www. econbrowser. com/archives/2010/06/current_economi_4. html Lopez, Carmen, Fan, Ying, Internationalisation of Spanish Fashion Brand Zara , Brunel Business School Brunel University Uxbridge UB8 3PH England Maiellaro, Bridget. (2010, January 5). Zara Opens Two Chicago Stores. Retrieved from http://www. chicagomag. om/Radar/Sales-Check/January-2010/Zara-Opens-Two-Chicago-Stores/ Rachel-Northeastern. (2010, May 10). Runway for Under $25: Zara Spring 2010. Retrieved from http://www. collegefashion. net/fashion-tips/runway-for-under-25-zara-may-2010/ Towers, Steve. (2010). Zen and the Art of Process Management. http://www. towers associates. com/Towers_Associates_Zen_And_the_Art_of_Process_Management. Html â€Å"Zara’s Business Model, Information and Communication Technologies, and Competitive Analysis. † 123HelpMe. com. 26 Nov 2010 http://www. 123HelpMe. com/view. asp? id=97642

Once Upon a Time Nadine Gordimer Essay

In Nadine Gordimer’s â€Å"Once Upon a Time†, Gordimer discusses the consequences of the family’s actions due to paranoia of the outside world. In the extract, Gordimer paints a picture of how the couple had taken extreme measures, erecting physical barriers around them to protect themselves from the purported dangers of their external environment, until they are unaware about the dangers that these barriers pose to themselves. Hence, the extract underlines the dangers that prejudice poses for oneself and the futility of trying to protect oneself from the infinite dangers lurking. In the above extract, Gordimer employs the use of the third person narrative, which â€Å"reveals the thoughts of the family members†. The reader is allowed a bird’s eye view into the reasons why safety was paramount to the couple and the measures taken by them to keep their house safe. Also, with the third person narrative, details that foreshadow the grisly fate awaiting the little boy are made more apparent. Moreover, without any names pegged to the characters, Gordimer leads the reader to believe that the incident seems typical, which conversely allows the reader to be provoked into a stronger reaction towards the devasting effects that prejudice brings and the possibility that it can happen to almost anyone. Therefore, with the third person narrative, Gordimer not only manages to invoke the reader’s incredulity towards the extreme measures taken by the family in protecting themselves, but also foreshadows the unhappy ending for a supposed fairytale. The purposeful omission of the boy at the start of Gordimer’s narration in the above extract foreshadows that the boy would not be living â€Å"happily ever after†. The story’s structure is a reversal of a classic fairytale’s structure, by stating that â€Å"a man and his wife who loved each other very much and were living happily ever after† at the beginning. The story begins with the premise that the couple is living happily ever after, but only introduces their child later, which breaks the conventional fairytale’s structure, foreshadowing an unhappy ending. Thus, Gordimer foreshadows that the boy was unable to live happily at the end of the story with a reversed fairytale’s structure and the deliberate separation of the boy from his parents. Gordimer also makes use of imagery and irony to emphasise the extreme prejudice that the family harbours and the effects of prejudice that they would later experience. In the extract, the plaque to deter intruders had â€Å"the silhouette of a would-be intruder† which â€Å"was masked† which â€Å"therefore proved the property owner was no racist† a s one could not tell if the would-be intruder â€Å"was black or white† . The image of a silhouette already conjures up a black person in one’s mind, which adds an ironic element when one continues reading that â€Å"people of another colour were quartered† and â€Å"not allowed into the suburb† . The colour of a silhouette has one linking the intruder with black people as it is dark. This further adds on to the irony with the panic that the wife experiences that the black people might â€Å"open the gates and stream in†, as the family was concerned about protecting themselves from people who were already barred from their suburb merely due to their race. One could not tell a person’s race merely from a silhouette, which emphasises how narrow-minded and racially biased the community is. Thus, Gordimer points out the absurdity of actions carried out due to a person’s racist outlook and foretells the disastrous consequences in store for the family. Gordimer also uses diction to convey the absurdity of the protective measures as taken by the family. She writes that anyone who â€Å"tried to open the gates† and â€Å"pulled off the sign† is oddly required to â€Å"announce his intentions† with the installation of gates meant to keep intruders out. With the word â€Å"announce†, Gordimer highlights the futility of the security measures taken by the family, because no intruder will request for permission to break in and underlines the ludicrousness of trying to be protected from intruders. The irony is that the intruder is now depicted as a civilized individual who would await permission before intruding. Additionally, the gates were meant to keep intruders at bay, not to serve as a warning to the family before the house was broken into. Thus, Gordimer allows the reader to rethink the effectiveness of the security measures employed by the family and the futility of such measures, as one cannot prevent someone who just wants to break in. Word Count: 762 words

Ptlls Understanding of Inclusive Learning

In inclusive learning we need to consider the diversity of a student body and make efforts not to exclude anyone be it intended or unintended. â€Å"Some students could feel excluded during your session if their particular needs are not met,† Gravells (2012:56). Inclusive learning is simply â€Å"involving all students, treating them equally and fairly,† Gravells (2012:56). The field of self-defence includes physical, philosophical and physiological elements which allows for a large range of learning and teaching strategies.A new course would begin with the filling out of an enrolment form and discussions which give participants an initial platform to put across any concerns or specific needs, the initial discussion can also be used as an icebreaker that everyone is involved with. A great deal of self-defence training will be scenario based giving the students the freedom to work and discuss their own scenarios and also those from other student’s viewpoints. When the discussions and enrolment forms are completed I would be able to better tailor the learning and teaching strategies some of which are: The participants will be shown a technique/drill with explanation which can include a handout. This method is directed by the instructor to allow the students to see and come to some understanding of what is expected and some of problems they may face. (Presentations – the didactic approach/ the psychomotor domain). †¢ They will then move on to practice the technique so that there can be a greater understanding of how it feels to do, rather than see or be told (Participative/interaction/ the psychomotor domain).The student can be individually assessed and alterations can be suggested, finally an open discussion and general assessment of that which has been learnt will allow the students to put forward any queries or suggestions. †¢ Group work will be introduced in which the group can discuss various self-defence scenarios, role playing or work in a team when analysing case studies, before presenting their findings (Discovery/search/ the affective domain/ the cognitive domain).The range of learning strategies used in a typical self-defence lesson allows for a more effective lesson and more motivated students, â€Å"studies have shown that over a period of three days, learning retention is as follows. †¢ 10% of what you read †¢ 20% of what you hear †¢ 30% of what you see †¢ 50% of what you see and hear †¢ 70% of what you say †¢ 90% of what you say and do. (Pike 1989) If your students can incorporate reading, hearing, seeing, saying and doing during your session, their learning retention should increase. Gravells (2012:30) Because the fields of read, hear, see, say and do are covered in the self-defence class the opportunity for a learner to participate fully are increased. Flemings VARK: Visual, Aural, Read/Write, Kinaesthetic Gravells (2012:31) also looks at the differing lear ning styles which are used within the lessons to support learners. From a self defence perspective: demonstrating and explaining a technique (Visual/Aural) with the added handout (Read/write) followed by practice and discussion (kinaesthetic) follows Fleming’s principles of the four learning styles.Aspects of inclusive learning include: †¢ Entitlement: everyone is entitled to fair treatment and the chance to learn. There can be no bias towards an individual or group because of who they are their background, lifestyle, or situation. There must be an understanding that even getting to a course for some can be problematic whether it be financial, childcare, access or any number of reasons, there are many ways to help a student access the learning they require, whether it be via private organisations, charities or government funding. Equality: â€Å"can be described as everyone is different, but having equal rights. † Gravel (2012:54) Although students will have their individuality they should be treated equally regardless of their, race, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief, gender , gender identity, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership or age. â€Å"Students seem keen to fit in at university and tend to focus on the similarities between themselves and other students.But when it comes to classroom learning, they value having their individual academic and social identities acknowledged and their particular needs addressed. † Hockings (2008:3) †¢ Inclusivity: It is of importance that the tutor makes all efforts to include all students in the learning environment. Correctly planning lessons, creating a friendly non judgmental atmosphere and including a range of teaching styles will help learners feel included.By understanding the needs of the individual, social, physical and academic the tutor can eliminate any feelings of exclusion. †¢ Diversity: Everyone is different and these differences need to be valued, the tolerance of different cultures, beliefs, races, ages and gender to name a few, needs to be of importance not only to the tutor but the students as well. Creating a classroom atmosphere of valuing and understanding individual experiences and views can be achieved through ground rules and by the example set by the tutor. Differentiation: With the understanding that all students are different the tutor will need to plan the lessons around these differences by using the various teaching methods available or acquiring the resources that will make the students learning experience a productive one. The inclusion of inclusive learning techniques will be selected in response to an individual’s needs; this information can be garnered via enrolment forms, induction or an informal chat.Sometimes a learner will not want to divulge information or may not be aware of or think certain information is important the tailoring of teaching techniques may then come into effect due to formal or informal assessments. Once the assessments and enrolments are completed I would then be able to plan the lessons to suit, some examples are: †¢ Role play: an important part of self-defence training is working through realistic scenarios one way of accomplishing this is through role play.This method of training can be good for those that aren’t confident in their literacy or language and although some may find it embarrassing, it can be a good way for a class to bond while developing the social skills needed in self-defence. †¢ Handouts or PowerPoint: A good way to reinforce some of the physical training is to precede or follow up with some written material, this will engage those that learn better through reading and writing, it can even have a different impact with the use of interesting visuals. Handouts can also be taken home for future reference. †¢ Demonstration and imitation: demonstrating a technique by breaking it down nto easily manageabl e sections whilst giving accurate and precise instructions will give the student a good grounding in how the movement should be performed, but the real learning will be achieved when the student begins to practice the move themselves. This method allows the students to find or feel their way through a technique and will allow both the tutor and student the opportunity to assess and make alterations where needed on an individual basis. There will be many resources available to meet the needs of the learner which again would need to be assessed on an individual basis.Correctly chosen resources can help to engage learners and promote a fuller learning experience although the methods used would need to be constantly evaluated for effectiveness. Examples of this could be: †¢ video: The use of a short film or can be beneficial for those that have language or reading difficulties or prefer to learn by seeing as this resource can introduce effective images which at times can explain an idea better than words alone. A film can also alter the momentum of a class if attention spans begin to suffer from prolonged periods of work.Questions can be put to the students to assess what they have learned from the film. †¢ Assistant (voluntary or paid): Within any course there may be learners that need extra help, be it physical, emotional or academic. When this is identified the tutor can begin the process with their organisation for a learning support assistant to support those in need. †¢ Flip chart: this can be an invaluable and versatile resource as it can be used actively in the lesson to show brainstorming ideas or have pre-prepared material which can be revealed at the appropriate time.It will be limited to the literacy or artistic abilities of those using it (tutor or student) and may be hard for some to follow if their reading ability or eyesight is at a low level, the tutor will also need to make sure that what they put down is legible. Within the self-d efence scenario assessment opportunities can be created by: †¢ Viewing: viewing learners repeatedly practicing techniques on striking pads or working with a partner will allow assessment and alterations on an individual basis.This is an informal method which also allows for discussion between the tutor and student to clarify any queries that may arise and can be used by the tutor to gage a student’s understanding of a technique. The downfall of this method is that it can be time consuming, to alleviate this problem the tutor can monitor from a distance and involve the whole group in any alterations which need to be made, in this way no one person needs to be singled out. Group work (large or small): a group can work though and discuss awareness scenarios or drills such as assessing the dangers and opportunities in a room before presenting their findings. This method can bond a group and promote discussion which can also become a self assessment exercise. This method may become a problem for those who are less confident and may feel overpowered by those with greater confidence. †¢ Formal assessment: Formal assessments can be set up within the syllabus at certain points to allow students to show their progress.The tutor would need to make clear any requirements or what the student will be assessed on and when assessments will take place at the beginning of the course, they will need to include a written list, maybe a tick box sheet which can be used to gage a students’ knowledge or skill. In a self-defence course a discussion can be added to the end of the assessment for the student to self assess their feelings on being put under scrutiny allowing them to come to an understanding of their own emotions and reactions when put under pressure.Learners can gain opportunities to practice their Literacy and language skills via the handouts or slide presentations associated with the course or being involved in course discussions, presenting and listening to ideas, researching laws and visiting self protection websites. A section of the self-defence course will be the ability to explain what one saw verbally or on paper or accurately reading back information, handouts with purposeful mistakes or with lists of objects previously seen on a slide can be used to develop the skill of accurately seeing.Numeracy can be practiced when taking into account details such as times of events, amounts of people involved or distances with regards to accurately giving statements. ICT skills can be practiced when researching laws, viewing websites relevant to the subject or course, writing statements or using phones or camera’s to capture evidence. Motivating learners in an inclusive environment can be achieved by first nderstanding what it is that motivates those being taught, â€Å"motivation is either intrinsic (from within) meaning the student wants to learn for their own fulfilment, or extrinsic (from without), meaning there may be an external factor motivating the student. † Gravells (2012:40). Once established there are numerous ways to engage and motivate, some examples are: †¢ Creating a relevant learning experience which can be achieved by allowing the students to use their own experiences to form the basis for a lesson (in self-defence this can be achieved by having individuals put forward scenarios to discuss or work through). Keeping the class momentum up by being aware of student attention spans and the need to alter teaching methods if those used are not effective with the current students. †¢ Praise and encourage individual achievements by giving ongoing and constructive feedback through informal assessments or discussions. †¢ Ask open questions which create relevant discussions which will engage students. †¢ Have clear and defined targets so that students are clear as to their goals and what is required on the course. †¢ Use different teaching approaches. Keep the learning interesting and relevant to the course and the individuals attending. Within the learning environment it is necessary to establish ground rules early on, usually in the first lesson so that learners have a framework from which to work which will promote respect for others and set appropriate boundaries so that everyone will understand what is expected from them during the course/lesson. â€Å"If not set, problems may occur which could disrupt the session and lead to misunderstandings or behaviour problems. Gravells (2012:91). Ground rules which are set to promote respect for others must take into account those things which some may regard as innocent but may have a negative effect on other classmates. Often a discussion at the beginning of the course can be used to involve students in the setting of ground rules, some examples are: †¢ Smoking: a no smoking policy can be agreed (smoking indoors is banned although some locations can be exempt), although it would be pru dent and fair to have agreed smoking breaks for those that need them. Offensive language or behaviour: agreeing amongst the group the boundaries set with regards to the use of inappropriate jokes, stereotyping etc. This can be incorporated into a self-defence class with a discussion on how the seemingly innocent actions of an individual may seem offensive to another and cause conflict due to differences in perception. †¢ Respecting others views: Respecting that everyone’s voice has the right to be heard and every opinion is valid, this can be achieved by understanding that it is inappropriate to interrupt or speak over a classmate. Being punctual: It can be put forward that having to wait for an individual disrupts the class flow and can show a lack of regard for those that are punctual and ready to learn. †¢ Turning off mobile phones: again this can be viewed as a disruption and off-putting for those that have the come to and have the right to learn. †¢ The in structor: is integral in the attitude towards others within the lesson, being punctual, professional, respectful and polite from the outset will set the mood of the class and the standard by which others will act.Constructive feedback is an important part of the communication process and can be used to reinforce positive behaviour and alter negative behaviour. Effectively delivered feedback can boost self-esteem and encourage progression. Some ways to give constructive feedback are: †¢ Informal: speaking to an individual or a group during or after an observation or task, allowing for a two-way discussion to clarify any points and focus on positive development. †¢ Formal: written feedback or discussion, again this should also be a two way process where the individual has the opportunity to discuss the feedback.This could be done in two parts, the written feedback and then an individual meeting to discuss the positive steps available for further development. †¢ Specific : Feedback will need to include facts which increase progress. When practicing a physical self-defence technique it can become necessary to alter a student’s movements to improve the technique, this feedback would also need to include the reason for the adjustment to help facilitate better understanding. Awareness: of a student’s reactions to feedback will allow for alterations so as not to offend and hinder progression. A tutors positive body language, tone and use of language can help make the feedback a positive experience. †¢ Praise sandwich: praising the things a student has done well will make them more receptive when listening to the things they need to improve on, following this up with another positive will create the praise sandwich. Research listing:Ann Gravells 2012 Preparing to teach in the lifelong learning sector: (5th edition) the new award. Hockings 2008 Teaching and learning research briefing, Learning and teaching for diversity and difference in higher education: http://www. tlrp. org/pub/documents/Hockings%20RB%2041%20FINAL. pdf Christine Hockings, April 2010 Inclusive learning and teaching in higher education: a synthesis of research, http://www. heacademy. ac. uk/resources/detail/evidencenet/Inclusive_learning_and_teaching_in_higher_education_synthesis