Hottie Hawgs Bbq Case Study

Hottie Hawg’s Smokin’ BBQ Case Study Team 16 Strengths: * NASCAR Partnership * Excellent food * Differentiated brand * Creativity of owners * Excellent marketing * Low infrastructure costs * Mobile restaurant * Little brand competition * Service flexibility * Proprietary recipes * Community support/interests * Professional marketing image Weaknesses: * Lack of cash flow * Leadership working for two companies * Loss of founder means all lies on Vaughn * High travel costs for events outside of Atlanta * Licensing decision reduces the opportunity of franchise income * Limited distribution capabilities Expansion is expensive * Non-centralized staff * Lack of business credit * Limited menu * Use of ACT funds to finance HHBBQ operations pierces the corporate veil. * Limited catering experience Opportunities: * Aramark/Pepsi Center opportunity * NASCAR as growth partner * Growth within Atlanta * Brand awareness through additional licensing and potential franchising * Merchandi se sales * Brick-and-mortar Flagship locations * Popularity of Food Trucks Threats: * Hooters Restaurants * Other barbecue restaurants * Customer reluctance to patronize a polarizing brand * Loss of trade-secret information Legal costs * Economic downturn/slow economic growth * Rising fuel and transportation costs * Pitmasters BBQ uses similar logo and brand image: 1. If you were in Kyle Vaughn’s position, which strategic option would you take? Explain your reasoning. Hottie Hawg’s Smokin BBQ was presented with an opportunity for tremendous growth early on in the life of the company that would test the limits of HHBBQ’s ability to raise capital, produce the quantity of food required and maintain the quality of the product while protecting the brand name and mark they had worked to cultivate.The Aramark/Pepsi Center contract would guarantee HHBBQ at least 100 events, projected at 16,000 people per event, and make HHBBQ the exclusive BBQ vendor for the arena. We b elieve of the two strategy alternatives HHBBQ had, the correct choice would be to pursue the Aramark contract. As a company that is looking to expand, passing up an opportunity of this magnitude might not occur again. Either of these two strategies are viable and possess pros and cons, but pursuing the Aramark contract would grant HHBBQ more potential rewards than passing.HHBBQ has already worked with one professional sport in NASCAR and the opportunity to serve customers of the NBA and NHL are markets that are too valuable to pass on. Once the decision to accept the Pepsi Center deal is made, HHBBQ will face more decisions on how best to handle supplying the needed food for the events. HHBBQ would have to re-locate the â€Å"18 Squeeler†, an open-air smoker on wheels, to Denver to prepare the BBQ or rent a local kitchen until a permanent commissary was set up.HHBBQ faced legitimate concerns regarding the ability of the Squeeler to meet the high food demand of the Pepsi Cente r and whether the legal costs, potential loss of food quality and possibility of compromising the brand image when dealing with a rented kitchen would make the deal not profitable. From the case study, the first 18 Squeeler was available one week after the initial conversation between Vaughn and Rybka. To meet the demand of the Pepsi Arena, HHBBQ should purchase an additional Squeeler so the food quantity and quality are not compromised.Once cash flow has begun and enough capital is raised to open a Denver commissary, the two Squeelers would be freed up to once again to perform at local events within the community and allow one Squeeler to return to Atlanta to service the home market. These are challenges that service firms face when attempting to match their products to the needs of their target markets (Ferrell & Hartline, 197). HHBBQ will experience on the job training while learning how to best forecast the correct amount of food needed to serve the arena and the number of new e mployees to hire and train to accommodate the number of visitors to the arena.Because most services are dependent upon people (employees, customers), HHBBQ must avoid past mistakes in variations in quality and inconsistency such as overstaffing, food waste, and less than ideal image promotion (Ferrell & Hartline, 198) to maintain high service quality and profitability. Although service quality is a subjective phenomenon (Ferrell & Hartline, 198),   this particular marketplace would not allow for service customization but allow HHBBQ to focus on food quality and speed of service to meet their customers’ needs. . Comment on the decision to license the Hottie Hawg’s brand rather than enter into a franchise agreement with Seymour. In the company’s situation, is it better to promote easier expansion through franchising or maintain tight control over brand image through licensing? Explain. At this early stage in Hottie Hawg’s Smokin’ BBQ’s histo ry, it is important to cultivate the brand image carefully and with almost obsessive attention to detail.The offering of tasty barbecue served by attractive women in a fun and laid-back environment is in its introductory stage (Ferrell & Hartline, 217), and will soon move into the growth stage if all goes well. Hottie’s must work to grow and build brand equity and establish a differential advantage in the market. This is done through careful management of the product and brand over this time. Public relations, advertising and incentives are critical at this stage in the brands life, as it sets the tone for the growth and maturity stage.Will this be just another barbecue joint or will Hottie’s stand out among a sea of ribs and wings? Rybka initially envisioned a brand so â€Å"extreme and offensive (as) to purposely alienate a large portion of the population† (Ferrell & Hartline, 519)   Allowing a franchisee to potentially dilute this brand is a risk they shoul d not be willing to take. The branding strategy employed by HHBBQ depends on the extreme offensiveness they are building, and a franchisee that doesn’t have the same â€Å"tough guts† that Vaughn and Rybka have may not be capable of sticking to their vision.Vaughn has done an excellent job thus far in developing a different style of BBQ restaurant in the southeast, and should protect the emerging brand image fiercely in order to maintain and develop according to the company’s vision. A license agreement, where complete control can be exercised over the quality of the food, the brand image, logos and marketing materials allows Vaughn to control the direction of the company, while realizing income from licensed sales.The brand is the most valuable asset to this emerging company; in fact, the brands image was â€Å"the cornerstone of the company’s success thus far† according to Lee, and therefore, should remain the top priority at this stage in the ga me (Ferrell & Hartlien, 526). It should also be noted that by licensing the product rather than franchising, HHBBQ has been able to avoid many unnecessary expenditures that go along with franchising. Had they sold Seymour a franchise, they may have had to invest more in him in terms of training, product knowledge, and other resources that HHBBQ cannot spare at the current time.Licensing provided Seymour an avenue to invest without much overhead expense, and still provided HHBBQ with licensing revenue and fees. 3. Assume that Hottie Hawg’s is successful with the Aramark/Pepsi Center opportunity. What should Vaughn’s next move be to continue that growth and success? Vaughn’s efforts, with the success of the Aramark/Pepsi venture will have resulted in the beginning of the growth stage of HHBBQ BBQ. This continuing growth stage has happened because sales increases will have been occurring rapidly due to the appeal of the product (Ferrell & Hartline, 219).Additionall y, Hottie Hawg’s BBQ will want to 1. â€Å"Establish a strong and defensible market position† and 2. Earn profit to repay debts as well as enough profit to justify moving forward with the business (Ferrell & Hartline, 219). In order to do this, Vaughn’s next moves should be to pursue one flagship brick & mortar location, more   18 squeelers to expand the reach of the product line, look for more venue arrangements that could be profitable, potentially pursue venture capital, and pursue more licensing agreements. Pursuing a flagship brick & mortar restaurant should be an important next step for Vaughn.Up to this point, Vaughn has not built a brick & mortar location because traditional storefronts require heavy upfront investment costs (Ferrell & Hartline, 521). However, with the cash flow that a successful Aramark/Pepsi Center opportunity will bring, it will be the right time to invest in a flagship location. A major benefit to creating a flagship store front in Atlanta, GA will be that HHBBQ will be able to finally focus some resources on the opportunities in Atlanta for local catering parties and events in this major metropolitan area (Ferrell & Hartline522).This will create more cash flow for the company, and the increased presence in the Atlanta metropolitan area should help to strengthen the position of the company by fulfilling the event catering need that has not been met there as of yet (Ferrell & Hartline, 213). Purchasing more 18 squeelers to increase the reach of the product line should be a next step for Vaughn. The 18 squeeler was one of the first pieces of equipment bought by Rybka and has proven to be invaluable (Ferrell & Hartline, 519).This smoker allows HHBBQ to reach out to people over a wide geographic area, resulting in increased brand awareness which helps build more brand equity (Ferrell & Hartline, 205). Investing in more 18 squeelers will allow HHBBQ to continue expanding the awareness of its high quality product, which will help set up future associations and increased cash flow. In fact, the food truck industry, of which HHBBQ’s squeeler would be considered part, is growing at a rate of 18. % in North Florida which shows that there are still incredible growth opportunities in this arena, although competition is increasing as well (Haughney, 2). Vaughn should also look for more venue arrangements. These arrangements are great opportunities because they offer tremendous upside potential through solid revenues, profits, and exposure (Ferrell & Hartline, 525). Partnering with major arenas such as the Pepsi Center is ideal because massive amounts of people will see and try the product and take that favorable opinion about the brand home with them.HHBBQ is poised to increase cash flow considerably if they can establish similar arrangements with some of the NASCAR events that they are already affiliated with, other popular arenas such as the Amway Center in Orlando, FL, Turner Field in Atla nta, GA, or busy venues such as major zoos, amusement parks, or even in airports. Venture Capital is another way for HHBBQ may be able to help fund growth after the successful Pepsi Center opportunity. Selling a minority stake of the company for cash may be a very smart move in order to fund future growth.HHBBQ will have enough viability now that there will certainly be interested parties. Venture Capital firms, such as Seed Capital, which provides investment in new start-ups, exist to make a return on their investment (Haughney, 3). HHBBQ could fund major expansion with a large influx of cash, as well as hire more support staff to handle the increased demand for product. Increasing the amount of licensing agreements for HHBBQ is also a smart move. Licensing agreements allow HHBBQ to receive substantial cash flow while allowing the company to maintain quality control over both brand and product (Ferrell & Hartline, 524).These controls are still very important, because HHBBQ’s brand image and great tasting food help set the company apart from competitors. Additionally, HHBBQ currently only has a licensing agreement in the Denver, CO area which means that an incredible growth opportunity exists here. Adding a few other major markets would be a wise move to ensure viable cash flows for HHBBQ. 4. If the Aramark/Pepsi Center opportunity turns out to be unsuccessful, what should Vaughn do to ensure the ongoing viability of Hottie Hawgs?If the Aramark/Pepsi decision proves unsuccessful, then Hottie Hawgs would have the opportunity to focus on other investment opportunities. As they do not have an excess of cash flow, it is our belief that Hottie Hawgs would initially benefit from raising capital. This time would also allow the fledgling company to build experience, maturity, and further develop within the growth stage, while having the additional financial flexibility that would come with more capital. Once Hottie Hawgs has raised ample capital, they would the n be able to focus on licensing/franchising, and more â€Å"Squeelers†.This capital would also allow Hottie Hawgs to consider the possibility of a brick and mortar restaurant. Hottie Hawgs has already established that they can attain profitability with the â€Å"Squeelers† once they verify the proper amount of food necessary. So the investment or licensing in additional â€Å"Squeelers† units would allow them to effectively manage the company’s growth. If the decision were to prove unsuccessful, Hottie Hawgs could also take that opportunity to move their operations back to closer to their home base. Atlanta, which has a population of over four million, would be a prime location for Hottie Hawgs to grow.Atlanta, which is a major metropolitan market, hosts NASCAR, MLB, NFL, and NBA, all of which could be potential events or venues where Hottie Hawgs could find success. This would also allow Hottie Hawgs to continue to attend successfully proven events, in t heir proximity, like the Billfish Tournament in Panama City. As noted in the case, Eric Rybka’s initial approach for Hottie Hawg’s branding was to, â€Å"create enough negative publicity to make the brand infamous, and then slowly morph the brand enough to be mainstream†. To ensure viability, Hottie Hawgs can take this unsuccessful decision and turn it an opportunity.They would now have the ability to change their brand to a more mainstream and socially acceptable brand. As we know from our text, a brand is a combination of the company’s name, symbol, and design. Taking an opportunity to refine these would fit well into Eric Rybka’s initial intent and direction of the company. This unsuccessful decision can also be turned into an opportunity for Hottie Hawgs to consider improvements or revisions of existing products. As noted in our text, these improvements or revisions can create a â€Å"greater perceived value† for the customer.In these ch allenging economic times, Hottie Hawgs could also consider cost reduction strategies. As noted in our text, cost reduction strategies would allow Hottie Hawgs to maintain a level of performance, but do so, â€Å"at a lower price†. This would allow Hottie Hawgs to appeal to the most cost conscious customers, but maintain the level of performance that has brought them initial success. This strategy could be achieved by considering lower cost meat providers, lower priced ingredients, or reducing costs in other facets of the restaurant, such as plates, utensils, cups, or napkins.Hottie Hawgs could also consider a co-branding strategy. Hottie Hawgs could contract and have Coke and Hottie Hawgs brand marks on their cups. They could also co-brand with locally prevalent companies to put their advertising on Hottie Hawgs to-go bags or boxes, along with Hottie Hawgs brand marks. Overall, it is our determination that if the Aramark/Pepsi decision proves to be unsuccessful, Hottie Hawgs still has a multitude of opportunities to maintain viability. Hottie Hawgs can consider licensing/franchising opportunities.They can make a decision to raise capital to obtain more Squeelers. They can consider other venues, like Atlanta, with the reasons that we noted above. Lastly, they can consider reconfiguring some of their strategies, utilizing concepts from the text, that would allow them to refine some of their strategies in an effort to maximize the fulfillment of the customer’s needs, while attracting a greater customer base. Even if the Aramark/Pepsi decision is unsuccessful, that does not mean that Hottie Hawgs is void of alternatives that can allow them to maintain viability and rofitability. O. C. Ferrell & Michael D. Hartline: â€Å"Marketing Strategy, Fifth Edition†    2011 Haughney, Kathleen. â€Å"Keep On (Food) Trucking. †   850businessmagazine. com. 850 Business Magazine. Web. 02 March   2013. http://www. 850businessmagazine. com/index. php? option=com_content&view=article&id=601%3Akeep-on-food-trucking&catid=64%3Aq-and-a&Itemid=1 Couret, Jacques. ‘ARC: Metro Atlanta Population Hits 4. 17 Million† bizjournals. com. Web. August 09, 2012 http://www. bizjournals. com/atlanta/news/2012/08/09/arc-metro-atlanta-population-hits. html? page=all

Fart

During the Harlem Renaissance white art enthusiast aided the development of black artist, by funding these artists. The Blues I’m Playing by Langston Hughes is a short story where a young African American pianist, Oceola Jones, who studies music under the patronage of Dora Ellsworth. Dora is a wealthy, white middle aged, widow with no children. Langston Hughes uses this connection between these characters to express the meaning of the blues. The meaning blues isn’t very clear until the very end of the story, when Oceola and Ms.Ellsworth had their fallout. Ms. Ellsworth is very upset when she learns that Oceola wants to marry Pete Williams. Dora believes that marriage will burden her protegee talents. â€Å"He’ll take all the music out of you† (pg 475). Oceola is playing the piano one last time for Ms. Ellsworth before she leaves to Europe. They begin to argue while Oceola is playing one of Beethoven sonatas. As they continue to argue Osceola’s chang e the style of playing to the Negro Blues. As Osceola plays on Dora ask â€Å"Is this what I spent thousands of dollars to teach you? (pg 475) Oceola replies â€Å"No, this is mine†¦ Listen. †(pg 475) Oceola’s blues began to flourish. Blues that Oceola plays only comes in a time of distress. The fight between Oceola and Ms. Ellsworth force the blues out of Oceola. The Blues in this story represents Oceola real feeling about love, music and art. According to Ralph Ellison â€Å"the blues is an impulse to keep painful details and episodes of a brutal existence alive in one’s aching consciousness†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This definition and Langston Hughes’s interpretation of Blues seem to not conform to each other.Ellison is saying that the artist of the blues has to have a hardship in their past to express it in the blues. In Hughes’s story Oceola really never had anything in her past that made express the blues like she did. It was more that she couldn ’t outlet her frustration of Ms. Ellsworth and her feeling of art to anyone. Oceola bottle up the feeling and lashed out at the end to Ms. Ellsworth in a blues song. Ellison’s and Hughes’s definitions are both good interpretation of what the blues are. By combining Ellison’s and Hughes’s interpretation we have a clear definition of what the blues really are.The Blues is a kind of jazz  that evolved from the music of African-Americans, especially work songs and spirituals. Blues pieces often express worry or depression. The songs help keep remembrance of past hardship experienced and help cope with future problem that may come. The patronage of whites helped the African American art and music explode during the Harlem Renaissance. Langston Hughes uses the connection between Oceola and Ms. Ellsworth to express his interpretation of the Blues. Hughes’s and Ellison’s definitions help explain what the blues actually are.

American Culture

Every person has his/her own way of surviving life. We have our own beliefs that keep us alive. We have a set of rules that are set by the perspectives we kept even when we are still young. With this, we have ideas that differ from others. Religion is a part of our being that can define the person that we are in a lot of circumstances before our religions have its own set of moral and ethical values. Christianity for example is a widespread religion that was also used to conquer a number of countries around the world.However, Christianity has this certain belief about the life after someone’s death. This is patterned with the life of Jesus Christ who serves to be the Savior of the World from God’s punishments for being sinners. Religion has developed as time passed by having a number of trials and oppressors. In America, religion has also changed the way leaders and its people look into life. An example is that, people who believe in their religion depend on it at times of cruelties. They face difficult times in different ways such that there are those who call for Buddha and for God.Moreover, American life changed in having slaves by which, they have abolished the notion of having slaves that would cater their needs like some household chores and farm works. Reports show that slavery in America can be seen widely among its places especially in the northernmost colonies. Since for Christianity, the Bible say that the story of men also has some slaves, punished people, it is allowable that 40% of the families there own a slave. But Mennonites in the year 1688 tried to raise that slavery must be opposed and from that time, there had been arguments of removing this set – up.Even if there were â€Å"good slaveries†, they argued that being a slave itself is very degrading. It may lower the self – esteem of a person and might give them a perspective that their life are a little worthless than their bosses. Revolution was done to end this cruel set – up. There are also movements against the Christians who pursued doing bad things with other people with lower status than they have. It was with the revolts of these oppressed that they realized that the worth of other people be treated with significance.American until now might be enslaved by the thought of being superior if there are no other forces who tried to oppose them and make their spirits be awakened. In the sermons of Jonathan Edwards, he stated that God was with him the time he was all alone. For that matter, I think that with this very strong belief, Americans are able to be living with the likeness of spreading goodness especially when they are being sinners themselves for a long time. Religion has become the moving force of America that draws them close to civilization and developments.Moreover, it can move them to a life that is more productive and meaningful. Religion caused a lot of change in America that should be well taken in the minds o f its students as Educations has also been the priority of the government. Immigrants American has been termed to become the salad bowl by which many people from other countries settle. With that, there are many cultures that are being inside it for a long time. There is an argument though that American is not a salad bowl but a melting pot of people. Salad bowl is a set up by which all its ingredients are mixed together but not altering its shape and composition.This is what we call in science a heterogeneous mixture that apparently still has the characteristics of it components detectible. On the other hand, melting pot defines a homogeneous mixture that makes its constituents one. For instance, America being a melting pot described that the culture of the people who migrated there might have forgotten their own culture and had been accustomed with living like the true Americans. But can there be real Americans given that there are already many circumstances that they have been mi xed with other cultures years ago?Generally speaking, the immigration of people will more likely be causing the American a confusion of culture that will show that there is no specific culture in the country. Moreover, the risk of having immigrants will take them to a situation that will really reduce their privileges of expressing their own as they may want to have a good relationship with others. It may be noted though that the effects of the immigrant vary from time to time. When America has not yet settled its forces that will protect it from oppressors, it is very open with the people and countries that have bad and greedy motives over the country.It is only during the last 2 centuries that America has established a force that will prohibit other country to terrorize them and eventually, conquer it again. Luckily, America as of the moment stands tall with the ideology of being superior among the others. It was on the survey that there is only a very few percentage of Native Ame ricans in the State today. Approximately 1% of them are those with the pure blood of Americans. There were very little accounts that clearly state the original occupants of America.In what I have heard for a long time, America has been occupied by the red Indians which were also told to become the true native occupants of America. It was only when some White Americans tried to colonize the Indians that they were put on a situation not to oppose but to leave. Having a lot of settlers in America is both good and bad for some reasons. Good because the country is giving a number of opportunities to other people regarding careers and jobs. On the other hand, it is somehow a negative thing since immigration might be opening the country again to an occurrence of colonization.It may open the avenues of the terrorist to populate the country and soon become conquered by other nations. References Thomas Paine. (1776). The Crisis. Retrieved 19 May 2008 from http://www. ushistory. org/paine/cris is/c-01. htm John Edwards. (2008). Personnal Narrative. Retrieved 19 May 2008 from http://www. apuritansmind. com/JonathanEdwards/JonathanEdwards-Biographical- EdwardsPersonalNarrative. htm J. Hector St. John Crevecoeur. Letters from an American Farme. Retrieved 19 May 2008 from http://xroads. virginia. edu/~hyper/CREV/letter03. html

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Dance by Design - Essay Example However, despite this, it is important to explore the effect that hip-hop has on youth sexuality as well as the cultural impact that it has on youth culture in general precisely because of this importance. The purpose of this essay is to explore the links between the use of the body in hip-hop culture and this much explored and maligned sexuality that is associated with hip-hop dance. In doing this exploration, it will become clear that there are many positive forces associated with hip-hop, although there are definitely negative aspects of the strong link between hip-hop and sexuality, particularly female sexuality. Hip-Hop Culture Hip-hop culture is one that is usually described by scholars as being ‘misunderstood’ (Rose, 2010, p59), despite the fact that it generates millions or billions of US dollars in its industries and many people believe that it ‘ascends to the level of art and cultural heritage’ (Rose, 2010, p59). There are many reasons for the misu nderstanding associated with hip-hop culture. ... e itself is at its most influential and important in the United States (Dimitriadis, 2009), where it is commonly associated with African Americans or Latinos, and therefore many of the elements of hip-hop culture are direct derivatives of these two influences (Rabaka, 2011). It is important to note that hip-hop culture itself is not just limited to the music (which is commonly seen to include rap), but includes a whole variety of different dance styles (including breaking, locking and popping) as well as art forms such as graffiti and cinematography (Rabaka, 2011). In this way, hip-hop can be seen to be associated with a greater scheme of design, rather than just being limited to a music genre. It is perhaps from this perspective that it becomes obvious how such a wide-ranging culture has come to be associated with sexuality, because it permeates all aspects of life for those immersed in it (Dimitriadis, 2009). Traditionally, hip-hop is associated with youth (or seen as a youth movem ent) precisely because of the age of the culture (having started as a movement in the 1970s) and the people that partake in hip-hop dance (Schloss, 2009). The Relationship between Hip-Hop and Sexuality One important factor involved in the fact that hip-hop is perceived as a youth movement is that it will probably always be involved in some discourse on sexuality, predominantly because of the obvious link between young people and emerging sexualities. There are a number of reasons why hip-hop (dance in particular) and sexuality have often been highlighted as having such a strong link. One is that there is a hugely sexual range of motions involved in hip-hop dance, particularly with the phenomenon of grinding (Schloss, 2009). This type of dance is so sexually explicit that many towns in the

Hiring Employees Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Hiring Employees - Research Paper Example r evaluation of the existing vacancies that needs to be filled in the new office, as well as the accurate determination of the needs and requirements of the new position is essential for recruiting the right candidate (Farmer, 2004). Therefore, a job analysis is necessary for all the vacancies in the new office, since it makes it possible to tailor the job position to the competencies required, and thus allows for proper classification of each job vacancy. The evaluation of the needs of all the positions to be filled in the new office requires the understanding of the strategic goals of the organization, as well as that of each department in the new office. Considering the fact that the new office to be open is part of an already existing organization, it is essential to establish the core competencies of the staff serving in the different departments of the existing office, which can then be formulated as the qualification requirements for the staffs to be recruited for the new offi ce. While evaluating the core competencies of the new office staff, there is the need to establish the existing gaps in the core competencies, which will in turn help to determine whether the recruitment of the staff for the new office should be done internally within the organization or otherwise (Drinan, 1998). Where there exists a skills gap in the existing employees of the organization, then external recruitment is necessary. The full determination of all the vacancies that exists in the new office and the core competencies that are required in the staffs that will fill these vacancies paves way for the second step in the recruitment process. The formulation of the right description for each job vacancy forms an essential key success factor for recruiting staff (Shermont & Murphy, 2006). This is because; more than anything else, a well formulated and written job description acts as the documented evidence to prevent or defend the legal claims that might arise in the recruitment

Final Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Final Project - Essay Example However they soon diversified their portfolio and ventured into selling DVDS, CDs, and MP3 downloads software’s, games, electronics, food, toys, furniture and apparel. They started spreading out from United States and established bases in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and China. A business model is also termed as a business design. It is the way in which a business intends to specify a value proposition for its targeted customers, it’s positioning and it’s financial model. In other words, it is a summary of how the company intends to serve its customers, in what areas does it intend to serve its customers and what would be its product offering. At the Inception of Amazon.com, the delivery of information, services and goods to end customer was employed as its business model. It was called the â€Å"Online Retailer of Physical Good†. Under this model, manufactured products are sold online and there is a lot of dependency on third party providers. Third party providers are needed to maintain a continuous stock of supplies. Of the four types of e-commerce business models out there, Amazon uses the Business to consumer e-commerce (B2C) model. The B2C models focuses on direct selling of goods and services to the customer. This is done via online catalogs and shopping cart transaction systems. Amazon uses the virtual market place, a subtype of B2C model. Amazon became known for its feel-friendly culture when it was first launched. It was keen on recruiting the brightest, versatile and most intelligent people on the block. Its leaders tried to inculcate the same vision that they had for Amazon in the minds of their employees too. They believed in sharing hard work and fun at work. While employees were paid less than the market rates, they were given enough empowerment to feel happy and wanted at Amazon. Under its cost leadership strategy Amazon has stood out by offering rock-bottom prices. It provides good

Ethical and Legal Issues Essay Example for Free

Ethical and Legal Issues Essay Nurses make legal and ethical decisions when caring for patients; decisions that need to be made carefully because the decisions could possibly change a patients life. There are theories to explain how to problem solve ethically and the theories are not based on emotion (Guido, 2006). This paper will discuss the relationship between legal and ethical issues and ethical theories, examples will be provided. Ethics can be described as principles and standards that are a guide to conduct used to elevate the standard of compliance (Judson Harrison, 2010). Ethics is derived from the Greek word ethos ethics explains actions as right or wrong in respect to cultural principles and values. Moral values are personal beliefs that are intertwined with ethical actions and behaviors (Guido, 2006). Ethics, similar to values, are individualistic and they come from our experiences, culture and actions. While ones values or moral ethics may be different, the nurses ability to conform to a patients ethical behavior is important (The VA leads change toward Integrated Ethics approach, 2008). The legal system was created to establish policies to protect the public (Judson Harrison, 2010). The laws that are set can be changed when evidence suggests amendments are necessary. The relationship between law and ethics is apparent when discussing a patients healthcare decision that goes against the norms or beliefs of the healthcare provider. An example would be the patient exercising his or her right to refuse treatment for a disease process that will result in imminent death, such as a patient in renal failure refusing dialysis (Guido, 2008). Shannon (2008) discussed the differences of legal and ethical decisions as morally ordinary and extraordinary treatment related to the provision of assisted nutrition and hydration, particularly for patients in a permanent vegetative state (p.894). Metaethics is a nonnormative ethic that attempts to describe the implication between moral concepts or statements and the justification of why something is regarded good or ethically correct. Normative ethics understand standards of behavior and application of these behaviors in life. Normative ethicsbranch out into two broad categories called deontological and teleogical theories (Guido, 2006). Deontological theories focus on the intended action not the consequences of ones actions (Guido, 2006). The theory focuses on the dignity and sense of duty of the individuals and finds the relationship between the person and the action. Deontological theories are divided into two subcategories; act deontology and rule deontology. Guido (2006) states that act deontology is based on the personal moral values of the person making the ethical decision, whereas rule deontology is based on the belief that certain standards for ethical decisions transcend the individuals moral values (p. 4). Teleological theories are based on the simple concept, right actions have good consequences and bad actions have bad consequences. This theory suggests the act of right or wrong is directly related to the consequence of the action. Utilitarianism stems off of teleogical theories, explains that consequences count and acts are determined by the consequence. Some utilitarians believe that the moral rightness of a consequence is determined by the greatest number of good or the least harm and suffering (Guido, 2006). Considering the moral rightness is based on greatest number to benefit from the greatest good, actions based on the utilitarianism theory can often be unethical and illegal. Nurses in acute care settings are faced daily with ethical issues and concerns. Shannon (2008) examines the terms morally ordinary and extraordinary in respect to patients in a permanent vegetative state (p. 894). It is thought if we can keep the body alive we should, capacity generated obligation but there is a compromise in human dignity, making this both a legal and ethical dilemma (Shannon, 2008, p. 894). Euthanasia and end of life care often cause a lot of animosity, as they have been distorted by general public. Shannon (2008) states, Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expect outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal  of over-zealous treatment (p. 898). This statement defines euthanasia in its most accepted form withdrawal of treatment. This makes the act legal, but is it ethical to withdraw treatment that was started to sustain life, knowing that the result ends in death?Another example of an ethical issue in an acute care setting is preserving organs for donation in a patient who is pronounced dead following a cardiac event. Organ donation is a personal choice that can be expressed though written consent by the donor. Although, if there is no documentation of the patients wishes, family members have to make the decision in the event of unexpected death. Is it legal and ethical to maintain the body of a patient who has died in order to keep the organs viable while waiting for the familys decision (Bonnie, Wright, Dineen, 2008)?When a patient has been declared dead according to neurological criteria hospitals will maintain organ viability while awaiting family decision about donation. Procedures are started post-mortem by a transplant team to determine candidacy for donation. Medications are started and additional lines are inserted. All of which are done after the patient is declared dead. This is legal in many states, in fact there is a statute called the immunity clause to protect the health care workers from any liability, but is it ethical (Bonnie, Wright, Dineen, 2008)? According to Bonnie, Wright, and Dineen (2008), Organ preservation in cases of uncontrolled cardiac death violates no legally protected interest of the family members. It does not constitute mutilation of the body and falls comfortably within the general principle that hospitals have no duty to deliver corpses to families in their exact condition of death (p.744). Consider this statement and place an ethical emphasis on your thought process. Healthcare workers are not legally bound to deliver the bodies of their loved ones in the exact condition of their death. In conclusion, through cultural norms, behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes the ethical behaviors of healthcare workers are analyzed. The governing bodies of healthcare such as the American Nurses Association and the American Medical Association mandate healthcare workers to uphold ethical values in his or her practice. The legal system maintains the right to investigate and examine decisions made by healthcare practitioners when decisions appear unethical or perhaps unlawful. The various ethical theories provide  direction for healthcare practitioners and ethics review boards with decision-making processes. References Bonnie, R., Wright, S. Dineen, K. (2008). Legal authority to preserve organs in cases of uncontrolled cardiac death: preserving family choice. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from EbscoHost Database. Guido, G. W. (2006). Legal and ethical issues in nursing (4 ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Judson, K. Harrison, C. (2010). Law and ethics for medical careers (5th ed). New York,NY: McGraw-Hill. Shannon, T. (2008). Unbind him and let him go: Ethical issues in the determination of proportionate and disproportionate treatment. Theological Studies, 69, 894-917. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from MasterFILE Premier database. The VA leads change toward Integrated Ethics approach. (Cover story). (2008, December). Medical Ethics Advisor, Retrieved May 1, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.

Commercial item transport and distribution Essay Example for Free

Commercial item transport and distribution Essay There has been a gradual change in the mode of packaging for last years.For instance, earlier fruits and vegetables were used to be transported in wooden boxes but today cardboard crates are used .This is mainly to reduce the cost. Obviously,a cardboard crate would cost less than wooden crate. Moreover,using cardboard crates is more eco friendly than cutting trees and making wooden boxes and supporting an environmental cause helps firms improve their goodwill and eventually their sales. Similarly,selling of milk,first in glass bottles,then in packets, then tetra packs and vending machines is all to reduce costs or improve their goodwill by innovating the mode of packaging. Tetra pack keeps the milk safe for months and is made of paper and can be recycled. Plastic packets incur lesser costs and vending machines in itself have no packaging cost. So,companies use new and unique mode of packaging to ,one,reduce their costs,two,to promote the product. Packaging refers to the container or wrapper that holds a product or group of products. Most commercial packaging serves two basic functions: protecting the product from damage during shipping, and promoting the product to the ultimate consumer. Some common types of packaging include shipping cartons, containers for industrial goods, and bags, boxes, cans, and other holders for consumer products. Packaging is of great importance to both sellers and buyers of products. It can prevent spoiling, breakage, tampering, or theft; enhance convenience in use or storage; and make products easier to identify. A significant improvement in packaging can even create a new product by expanding the ways in which it can be used, and thus its potential markets. For example, a soup that is packaged in a microwavable bowl might suddenly increase its sales to working people. Prior to World War II, packaging was used primarily to surround and protect products during storage, transportation, and distribution. Some packages were designed with aesthetic appeal and even for ease-of-use by the end consumer, but package design was typically left to technicians. After World War II, however, companies became more interested in marketing and promotion as a means of enticing customers to purchase their products. As a result, more manufacturers began to view packaging as an integral element of overall business marketing strategies to lure buyers. This increased attention to packaging coincided with socioeconomic changes taking place around the world. As consumers became better educated and more affluent, their expectations of products—and their reliance on them—increased as well. Consequently, consumers began to rely much more heavily on manufactured goods and processed food items. New technologies related to production, distribution, and preservatives led to a massive proliferation in the number and type of products and brands available in industrialized nations. Thus, packaging became a vital means of differentiating items and informing inundated consumers. The importance of consumer packaging was elevated in the United States during the late 1970s and 1980s. Rapid post-war economic expansion and market growth waned during that period, forcing companies to focus increasingly on luring consumers to their product or brand at the expense of the competition. Package design became a marketing science. And, as a new corporate cost-consciousness developed in response to increased competition, companies began to alter packaging techniques as a way to cut production, storage, and distribution expenses. Furthermore, marketers began to view packaging as a tool to exploit existing product lines by adding new items and to pump new life into maturing products. Today, good package design is regarded as an essential part of successful business practice. Since many potential customers first notice a new product after it has arrived on the shelves of a store, it is vital that the packaging provide consumers with the information they need and motivate them to make a purchase. But packaging decisions involve a number of tradeoffs. While making a product visible and distinctive may be the top priority, for example, businesses must also comply with a variety of laws regarding product labeling and safety. Protecting products during transport is important, but businesses also need to keep their shipping costs as low as possible. study mode material : Disadvantages of wooden crates- Deterioration * After wooden pallets are used several times, the wood begins to wear. It splinters, cracks and even breaks under the pressure of continued use. The deterioration is natural and occurs eventually, even if the wood is treated to repel moisture and to strengthen it. This disadvantage leads to replacement much sooner than with plastic pallets. Infestation * Wooden pallets are more susceptible to infestation by termites, ants and other insects that make their home inside the wood. Pallets stored outdoors are more likely to succumb to infestation than the ones kept within a warehouse. The insects burrow into the wood, eating away at it and thus weakening what should be a support structure.. Cleanliness * In addition to germs, wooden pallets are collectors of dirt and debris. Cleaning them becomes more and more difficult over time as the pallets age. They must be heat-treated to get rid of the contamination and washed to be rid of dirt and debris. However, the heat accelerates deterioration, and the water, if improperly dried, can feed mold spores that thrive on wood and harm the vegetables and fruits inside it. Advantages of cardboard crates- Protects Items * As packaging, cardboard protects vegetables being shipped or moved. Corrugated cardboard often has multiple pieces of cardboard placed on top of each other to cushion soft vegetables. Cheap Material * Cardboard is cheap to produce, and is usually made from recycled materials and doesnt cost much money if purchased wholesale. Other packaging materials are made from plastic, wood or metal, all expensive materials that are often heavier then cardboard, which adds [continues] Read full essay

Theories of Motivation Comparison and Analysis

Theories of Motivation Comparison and Analysis Most contemporary theories recognize that motivation begins with individual needs. Needs are deficiencies that energize or trigger behaviors to satisfy those needs. At some point in your life, you might have a strong need for food and shelter. At other tomes, your social needs may be unfulfilled. Unfulfilled needs create a tension that makes you want to find ways to reduce or satisfy those needs. The stronger your needs, the more motivated you are to satisfy them. Conversely, a satisfied need does not motivate. In this section, we will look at the four content theories of motivation that dominate organizational thinking today Maslows theory: According to Maslow, human needs from hierarchy, starting at the bottom with the physiological needs and reaching to the highest needs of self actualization. He says when one set of needs are satisfied, then they try to full fill the next need from hierarchy. physiological needs: these are the basic necessities of human life like food, clothing, shelter etc.He says until these needs are satisfied to the required level , man does not aim for the satisfaction of next higher level needs. As for a organization is concerned these needs include basic needs like pay, allowance, incentives and benefits security safety needs: these refer to the needs to be free of physical danger or the feeling of loss of food , job or shelter these needs as far as organization is concerned include conformity, security plans, membership in union, severance pay etc. Social needs: physiological and security needs are satisfied these social needs begin occupying the mind of man. This is exactly why he looks for the association of other human beings and strives hard to be accepted b its group; social needs at work place include human relations, formal and informal work group. Esteem needs: these needs are power, prestige, status and self confidence. Every man has a feeling of importance and he wants others to regard him highly. These needs make people aim high and make them achieve something great. These needs for employees include staus symbol, awards, promotions, titles etc. Self actualization: this is the highest need in hierarchy. This refers to the desire to become what one is capable of becoming. Man tries to maximize his potential and accomplish something, when these needs are activated in him. As said earlier the individuals processed from physiological needs to safety needs and so on and so forth only when each need is satisfied. If any need is not satisfied, the individual sticks to that need and strives to fulfill that need. MASLOWS HIERARCHY Herzberg theory(1959) Maslows theory has been modified by herzberg and he called it two factor theory of motivation. According to him the first groups of needs are things such as company policy and administration, supervision, working conditions, interpersonal relations, salary, status, job security and personal life. Herzberg called this factor as dissatisfiers and not motivators. These are also refered to as hygiene factors. Maintenance factors or dissatisfiers motivation factors or satisfiers Job context job content Extrinsic factor   intrinsic factor Company policy and administration   achievement Quality of supervision recognition Relations with supervisors   work itself Work conditions   responsibility Pay   advancement Peer relations   possibility of growth Personal life Relations with subordinates Status Job security Second group are satisfiers, in the sense that they are motivators. These factors are related to job content. He included the factors like achievement, recognition, challenging work, advancement and growth in this category. Presence of these factors will yield feelings of satisfaction. Herzberg theory is also called as motivation hygiene theory. Herzberg conducted a study by asking questions. What do the people want for a job? He asked the respondents to describe situations are events when they feel exceptionally good and bad about their job. Herzberg did not the cover the relationship between job satisfaction and productivity, though he assumed that there is a relationship between these two factors. Alders ERG theory(1972) Alder also feels that needs should be categorized and that there is a basic distinction between lower order needs and higher order needs . alder identified three groups of needs Existence, Relatedness and Growth and that is why his theory is called ERG theory.the existence needs are based with survival, or physiological well being.the relatedness talk about the importance of interpersonal and social relationship. The growth needs are concerned with the individuals intrinsic desire for personal development. This theory is some what similar to maslows and herzberg theory . but unlike maslows and herzberg he does not assert that lower needs has to be satisfied before higher level needs . so a persons background and culture environment may make him think of relatedness needs or growth needs though his existency needs are unfulfilled. Alders simplification of maslows need hierarchy: Needs are arranged in order of importance Unsatisfied needs motivate individuals Alders theory suggests that individual needs can be divided into three groups existence (physiological and safety) relatedness (social) growth (esteem and self actualization) alders theory differs from maslows theory in a number of important respects. Alderfer argued that it was better to think in terms of continuum rather than a hierarchy. From concrete exixtence needs to least concrete growth needs and argued that you can move along this in either direction. Maslow argued that when satisfied a need becomes less important to an individual, but alderfers argues that relatedness or growth needs become more important when satisfied . this means that team working arrangements can continue to motivate employees and are not necessarily superseded by growth needs. Mc Clellands theory: this theor was developed by David McClelland a Harvard physiologist and his associates.the theory focuses on three needs In his acquired-needs theory, David McClelland proposed that an individuals specific needs are acquired over time and are shaped by ones life experiences. Most of these needs can be classed as either achievement, affiliation, or power. A persons motivation and effectiveness in certain job functions are influenced by these three needs. McClellands theory sometimes is referred to as the three need theory or as the learned needs theory. 1. Need for achievement: (n Ach) need for achievement refers to the drive to excel, to achieve in relation to set standards and and to strive to succeed McClelland from his research that high achievers differentiate themselves from others by doing the same work in different ways . they perform best when they perceive their probability of success as being 0.5. they seek quick feed back on their performance in Order to improve or correct the action before it goes wrong. They accept personal responsibility for success or failure. Want to take personal responsibility for solving problem Goal oriented set moderate, realistic, attainable goal Seek challenge, excellence and individuality Take calculated, moderate risk Willing to work hard and desire concrete feedback on their performance Need for power (n pow) need for power refers to the desire to make others behave in a way that they would not otherwise have behaved in. In other words need for power is the desire o have impact, to be influential and control others. Want to control the situation and want control over others Enjoy competition and winning, do not like to lose willing to confront others Need for affiliation: (n Aff) seek close relationship with others and to be liked by others enjoy lots of social activities seek to belong, join groups and organization PROCESS THEORY: Process theories are concerned with the thought processes that influence behaviour. Two such theories are Expectancy theory and Equity theory A) Vrooms expectancy theory: Vrooms formula: motivation=expectancy X value According to this theory motivation of any individual depends on the desired goal and strength of his expectation of achieving goals. A vrooms model is built mainly on three concepts valency, instrumentality and expectancy. Valency: The value a person places on the outcome or reward vroom says that valency is the strength of individuals preference for a particular outcome. it can be taken as an equivalent of value, incentive, attitude and expected utility . for the value to be positive the person must prefer attaining the out come to not to attain the outcome. A valency of zero occurs , when the individual is indifferent towards the outcome. the valency is negative when the individual prefers not attaining outcome to attaining it . Expectancy: A person perception of the probability of accomplishing an objective the third major variable in vrooms theory is expectancy. though expectancy and instrumentality appear to be the same at the first glance they are quite different . Expectancy is a probability (ranging from 0 to 1) or strength of a belief that a particular action or effort will leave to a particular first level outcome. Instrumentality refers to the degree to which a first level outcome will lead to the second level outcome. vroom says the sum of these variables is motivation. Expectancy theory works best with employees who have n internal locus of control. To motivate using the expectancy theory: clearly define objectives clearly define necessary performance needed to achieve them tie performance to rewards be sure rewards are of value to the employees Make sure your employees believe you will do as you promise. Vrooms theory also suggests: Both internal (needs) and external (environment) factors affect behaviour Behaviour is the individuals decision People have different needs, desires and goals People make behaviour decisions based on their perception of the outcome. Adams Equity Theory: based on the comparison of perceived inputs to outputs. People perceive themselves in one of three positions Both the inputs and outputs of person and others or based upon the persons perceptions. Age, sex, education economic and social status , skill, experience, training, effort, education, past performance, present performance ,level of difficulty , position in the organization etc, are examples of perceived input variables . Outcomes consist of rewards like pay status promotion and intrinsic interest in the job. Equitably rewarded:( they are satisfied that there inputs and outputs are equal) Inputs and outputs are perceived as being equal. Under rewarded: (they perceive there inputs exceed their output) Efforts to reduce inequity by trying to increase outputs Reducing inputs(working less, absenteeism) Rationalizing(creating an explanation for the inequity) Changing others inputs or outputs Leaving Changing the objective of comparision Over rewarded: people dont usually get upset when they are over rewarded , but they may increase inputs or reduce outputs to maintain equity) Increasing inputs (working more, longer hours, etc) Reducing output(taking a pay cut) Rationalizing (Im worth it) Increasing other outputs Inequity occurs when : Persons outcomes others outcomes Persons inputs others inputs Persons outcomes others outcomes persons inputs others inputs Equity occurs when: Persons outcomes others outcomes - = Persons inputs others inputs INPUTS: Time Effort Loyalty Hard Work Commitment Ability Adaptability Flexibility Tolerance Determination Enthusiasm Personal sacrifice Trust in superiors Support from co-workers and colleagues OUTCOMES: Outputs are defined as the positive and negative consequences that an individual perceives a participant has incurred as a consequence of his/her relationship with another. When the ratio of inputs to outcomes is close, than the employee should have much satisfaction with their job. Outputs can be both tangible and intangible (Walster, Traupmann Walster, 1978). Typical  outcomes include any of the following: Job security Esteem Salary Employee benefit Expenses Recognition Reputation Responsibility Sense of achievement Praise Forming equity perceptions: Step 1: a person evaluates how he or she is being treated by the firm. Step 2: the person forms a perception of how a comparision other is being treated Step 3: the person compares his or her own circumstances with those of the comparision other Step 4: on the strength of this feeling , the person may choose to pursue one or more alternatives. It is important to also consider the Adams Equity Theory factors when striving to improve an employees job satisfaction, motivation level, etc., and what can be done to promote higher levels of each. JOB SATISFACTION: Job satisfaction, a workers sense of achievement and success, is generally perceived to be directly linked to productivity as well as to personal wellbeing. Job satisfaction implies doing a job one enjoys, doing it well, and being suitably rewarded for ones efforts. Job satisfaction further implies enthusiasm and happiness with ones work. For the organization, job satisfaction of its workers means a work force that is motivated and committed to high quality performance. Increased productivity-the quantity and quality of output per hour worked-seems to be a byproduct of improved quality of working life. It is important to note that the literature on the relationship between job satisfaction and productivity is neither conclusive nor consistent. However, studies dating back to Herzbergs (1957) have shown at least low correlation between high morale and high productivity, and it does seem logical that more satisfied workers will tend to add more value to an organization. Unhappy employees, who are motivated by fear of job loss, will not give 100 percent of their effort for very long. Though fear is a powerful motivator, it is also a temporary one, and as soon as the threat is lifted performance will decline. Creating job satisfaction: Flexible work arrangements, possibly including telecommuting Training and other professional growth opportunities Interesting work that offers variety and challenge and allows the worker opportunities to put his or her signature on the finished product Opportunities to use ones talents and to be creative Opportunities to take responsibility and direct ones own work A stable, secure work environment that includes job security/continuity An environment in which workers are supported by an accessible supervisor who provides timely feedback as well as congenial team members Flexible benefits, such as child-care and exercise facilities Up-to-date technology Competitive salary and opportunities for promotion

Having Our Say by Sadie and Bessie Delany Essay -- Having Our Say Lite

Having Our Say by Sadie and Bessie Delany The social, cultural and political history of America as it affects the life course of American citizens became very real to us as the Delany sisters, Sadie and Bessie, recounted their life course spanning a century of living in their book "Having Our Say." The Delany sisters’ lives covered the period of their childhood in Raleigh, North Carolina, after the "Surrender" to their adult lives in Harlem, New York City during the roaring twenties, to a quiet retirement in suburban, New York City, as self-styled "maiden ladies." At the ages of 102 and 104, these ladies have lived long enough to look back over a century of their existence and appreciate the value of a good family life and companionship, also to have the last laugh that in spite of all their struggles with racism, sexism, political and economic changes they triumphed (Having Our Say). Of all the ten children of Henry and Nanny Delany, Sadie and Bessie developed a bond of companionship from childhood to the end of their lives. They were even able to complete each other’s thoughts, because they shared what Karl Mannheim described as a "common location in the social and historical process" that "predisposes them for a certain characteristic mode of thought and experience." They therefore, corroborated some of Mannheim’s discussions on "location" and its effect on a generation (Karl Mannheim, The Sociological Problem of Generations, pp. 290-91). Further, throughout the book, Sadie and Bessie continuously reminds the reader of the strong influence family life had on their entire lives. Their father and mother were college educated and their father was the first black Episcopal priest and vice principal at St. Augustine Co... ...ieth century America. The majority of blacks during that era, did not possess the family status and class structure that surrounds the Delany sisters and, therefore, it would virtually be impossible for them to succeed at the level the Delanys did. But the Delanys still had their share of personal troubles which was influenced by public issues but they survived and in their own unique, humorous way lived to say: We’ve outlived those old rebby boys! That’s one way to beat them! That’s justice! Works Cited Delany, S., Delany, A., and Hearth, A. Having Our Say. New York: 1967. Mannheim, K., Essays on the Sociology of Knowledge. Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd. 1952. Bennett, L. Jr. A History of Black America. Sixth edition, Penguin Books: 1993. Franklin, J., Moss, A. Jr. From Slavery to Freedom. Seventh edition, McGraw Hill, Inc.: 1994.

Eriksons Stage of Development Essay -- Application Development Stages

Erikson's Stage of Development †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stage 1: My mother fed me consistently throughout the day. I was fed at the same times daily. I learned how to blindly trust my mother for providing milk. I learned how to trust my environment in general and developed a secure attachment toward my parents. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stage 2: While I was learning how to walk, my parents left me alone to explore how to walk by myself. I would hold onto the edges of the walls to help support me up. My parents encouraged my use of initiative and reassured me when I fell down. I developed the confidence needed to cope with future situations that required choice, control, or independence. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stage 3: I had an imaginary friend named Billy at this age. I never felt shame when using my imagination or talking to my imaginary friend. However, I learned that I should not always do what Billy did. For example, if Billy threw away a penny, I knew that I should not do the same. This taught me the ability to accept what was happening without guilt and that there are certain things that are wrong to do. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stage 4: Through attending school, I learned the necessity to be productive and do my own work. I learned to make things, use tools, and acquire skills to be a worker and a potential provider. I participated in a wide variety of events throughout the day including academics, group activities and friends. Due to these activities I developed a sense of competence. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stage 5: Currently, I decide wh...

The Long Road to Graduate School :: Graduate Admissions Essays

The Long Road to Graduate School In his poem, The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost wrote, "Two roads diverge in the woods, and I took the one least traveled by/ And that has made all the difference." In this poem, the narrator had a choice of two roads. However, I've discovered that life is a little more complicated. Sometimes the path we embark on is not always the one we choose. Sometimes we are pushed or pulled in certain directions and we have to react to our environment. My path to a college education has been filled with bumps, potholes, detours and roadblocks. The signs often read "yield" and "do not enter." The path has not always been clear, but I've kept my eyes opened, focused on the road ahead, and the experience has made all the difference. During my freshman year in high school, my mother remarried and I had to move from Colorado to Kentucky. One year later, we relocated back to Colorado after they divorced. During my junior year in high school, my mother remarried again and I had to change schools again, although we remained in Colorado. Thus, I did not have a sense of continuity during high school and although I recognized that my path would lead me to college, I was not ready to commit myself to school full time. Instead I went to work full time as a grocery clerk and worked my way up to assistant manager. I then moved into customer service work and finally fell into an advertising manager position. I took several night courses during this period until I was ready to commit to school full time. Although I could have continued with work, I knew that it was not what I wanted to do and once I committed myself to attending school and realized that I wanted to study Sociology, I have proven myself to be an above ave rage student. This past year, I earned all "A"s in my courses.

Political Rhetoric During the American Revolution

Political rhetoric has been used since the ancient times. It has been used by public speakers from everywhere and to spring their audience to action. A great public speaker or writer is determined by his or her choice of words. In American history there have been documents that have had a tremendous impact on public opinion. Political rhetoric is extremely important because it can bring a society together for one common cause. When someone uses rhetoric effectively the reader starts to have a stirring in their heart because they feel inspired by what is being said. This usually leads them to take action and support the cause their referring to which in this case was the American Revolution. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, the VA Declaration of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence were documents that greatly shifted public opinion and led the colonists to support the revolution with their use of rhetoric. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was a political pamphlet written at the heels of the America Revolution that became extremely popular among the colonies. Thomas Paine was a Pennsylvania journalist during the time of the American Revolution. He began working on it in late 1775 and it was published in 1776. The rhetoric of this pamphlet along with its popularity greatly turned the tide in favor of rebelling against Great Britain. Paine wrote this pamphlet in a style that a common person could understand. The title itself contains rhetoric. By making the title Common Sense it implies that the contents of the pamphlet contain many common sense ideas that everyone reading it should understand. The wording of his pamphlet was very simple and contained many biblical references so it was also relatable to the colonists. It was extremely important that all colonists could understand the pamphlet because it would create a sense of unity and understanding among the rich and poor colonists. Paine’s main arguments were that it is foolish for such an island to rule a continent, Britain had selfish intentions in ruling the colonies, and being a part of Britain would involve America in unnecessary European wars that would limit their economic possibilities. Paine in the first section creates a distinction between society and government. He says society is a patron that promotes happiness and government is a punisher that restrains society. To best describe his vision on the relationship that society and government should have he gives an example of a few people who live in nature without government.. He gives the example of the few people creating a society because the colonists can relate that to themselves. At one point in time Great Britain left the colonies alone for the most part and they lived in peace. Once the government got involved and began to take for themselves is when the colonists started having all these problems. Paine also argues that all men are created equal and that the distinction of the king from his subjects oppresses this idea. â€Å"MANKIND being originally equals in the order of creation, the equality could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstance; the distinctions of rich, and poor, may in a great measure be accounted for, and that without having recourse to the harsh, ill-sounding names of oppression and avarice. Oppression is often the consequence, but seldom or never the means of riches; and though avarice will preserve a man from being necessitously poor, it generally makes him too timorous to be wealthy. But there is another and greater distinction for which no truly natural or religious reason can be assigned, and that is, the distinction of men into KINGS and SUBJECTS. † Paine in his third section discusses the problems between the colonies and England and says the best route is to declare their independence from England. In his final section he offers great optimism about the militia during the revolution and how it can win this war. Thomas Paine’s use of rhetoric in Common Sense is the reason why it was so persuasive and popular and could have possibly been the reason that the colonists finally came and decided to revolt against Great Britain. The Virginia Declaration of Rights was written in 1776 to proclaim the natural rights of man including the right to rebel against an inadequate government. George Mason was the author of this document, which was adopted unanimously by the Virginia Convention of Delegates in 1776. It was the first document that protected individual rights rather than protecting just members of Parliament. The declaration states that all men have their natural rights, which are life, liberty, and property. The rhetoric in this document influenced future significant documents in American history. Thomas Jefferson drew great inspiration from this document when he wrote the Declaration of Independence a month later. He borrowed the idea of natural rights of man and implemented them into his document. James Madison was also influenced by the rhetoric and ideas of the Virginia Declaration when drawing the Bill of Rights. Aside from being incredibly influential for latter documents; the Virginia Declaration of Rights asserted the right of the Virginia people to rebel against Great Britain The Declaration of Independence was one of the greatest documents ever written in American history. This document officially stated that the 13 colonies had broken away from the control of Great Britain who they were at war with at the time. It stated the reasons for why the colonies declared independence and listed the grievances against the king of England. The rhetoric in this document is what makes it such a powerful piece of literature. This declaration contains many powerful quotes that can emotionally affect a reader. â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. This quote has been called one of the most potent and consequential in American history and for good reason. The rhetoric in this quote is very powerful because it uses a religious reference and relates it to the colonists. By saying that the Creator as in God has given colonists certain rights, it leads them to believe that nobody can take them away and this gives them a sense of worth and purpose that no government could take away. Jefferson listed the many grievances that the colonies had against Great Britain to give reason for their breaking apart. These were complaints that the colonists all had against the government and so it created a sense of unity among them all. The Declaration of Independence had to have strong rhetoric in order for it to be a successful document. It had to take a stand against the tyranny America was facing and had to show that they were serious about their independence. Not only did they have to show it to Great Britain but as well as the common people of the colonies because they were the ones fighting in the war and they needed the reassurance that this war was worth fighting for. The creators, by signing the declaration on the last page gave the colonists this reassurance because it showed them that they were not just aristocrats writing a document in Pennsylvania while the common people fought on the battlefield but they were also putting their lives on the line. The signers knew that if they were to lose the war they would be killed and so the colonists recognized this and were inspired by their willingness to die for this cause. This gave the colonist the reassurance they needed to finish out the war, eventually defeat England and gain their independence. In conclusion political rhetoric has had a dramatic influence on public opinion during the American Revolution. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense greatly shifted the public opinion towards revolution while the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Declaration of Independence gave the colonists a sense of purpose and inspired them to rise up against Great Britain. It is hard to imagine what life in America would be like in present day had these documents not been written with such emotion and resolve. It is a good thing we do not have to find out. Bibliography: â€Å"Virginia Declaration of Rights. † Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 29 Aug 2009, 01:20 UTC. 29 Aug 2009 . â€Å"United States Declaration of Independence. † Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 21 Sep 2009, 03:39 UTC. 21 Sep 2009 . â€Å"Common Sense (pamphlet). † Wikipedia. Web. 19 Sept. 2009. . Paine, Thomas. Common Sense. Philadelphia: R. Bell, 1176. Print. â€Å"The Declaration of Independence. † Ushistory. org. Independence Hall Association, 4 July 1995. Web. 20 Sept. 2009.

Sacrifice is often necessary to resolve conflict Essay

The power of sacrifice should never be underestimated. Where have the capacity to give up a possession or what is valuable to us for the sake of other’s considerations, tensions and conflict can usually be resolved. As a naà ¯ve and confused teenager, I left the country and all that I had ever known. The idyllic setting of Surrey Hills, where the autumn leaves created a dusty orange wave on the concrete pavement was replaced by a bluestone cottage in a small Belgian town. It was on this French exchange trip where I learned life’s most valuable lessons about conflict and the sacrifices we must make to achieve the greater good and overcome challenges that we face. It wasn’t until I sacrificed my security in entrusting strangers and crushed the barrier of cultural values and etiquette, that I was able to fully integrate into my exchange family and their way of life, and thus overcome the conflict that I was catapulted with. Firstly, conflict is a natural occurrence in human nature and the world that surrounds us. Self-actualization and self-esteem are considered the most rewarding aspects of human achievement. However, a world without conflict is stagnant and unprogressive. Healthy skeptism and the opposing views of one or more people provide us with the basis for progress and to develop as humans. Develop idea Sacrificing what we consider to be important to us, including our moral dignity and wills, is often a necessary step in resolving conflict. Resolving conflict is often dependent on sacrificing not only tangible goods or in some cases lives, it frequently involves going against one’s wills to ultimately come to a balanced agreement with another party. Global conflicts such as war require combatants to make several sacrifices. Firstly, it involves sacrificing one’s unwillingness to kill. A personal account from Australian Solider, Private Cecil Anthony McAnulty, reveals the self-sacrifices of war in the Australian offensive of 1915; â€Å"This is only suicide, boys†¦. â€Å"I’m going to make a jump for it.† Cecil’s expenses, as well as that of many others demonstrate the opposition to one’s wills, often involving their own lives that are associated with the loyalty to one’s country during times of conflict. It is clear that it takes great courage and mental strength to make the decision to kill another human. Fowler too, is forced to make sacrifices when faced with the predicament of inaction. To be ‘engage’ or ‘degage’ both in relationships and in politics remain the  core of Fowler’s dilemmas. Both journalists have the desire to achieve the ‘common good’ however; Mr Heng also reflects that in any conflict â€Å"one has to take sides. If one is to remain human.† Hence, abandoning one’s moral values and consideration of what is morally right, is often required in order to make progress. Similarly, Pyle’s covert intervention on behalf of his government results in the slaughter of Vietnamese civilians. The American is convinced that democracy will ‘save’ Vietnam, but he views the conflict merely through the prism of his own ideological prejudices. Thus, if he and many other Americans had allowed themselves to alter these ideologies, the destructive course in Vietnam may not have been so severe. Thus, making decisions in any situation will involve a missed opportunity or expense. Yet, we must also consider to what extent we risk or sense of moral values during conflict. Good paragraph!! Conflict is often cyclical – to ultimately resolve conflict, we need implement long-term measures and adhere to these obligations. What is clear from encountering conflict, is that entities most likely to lapse into negatively fuelled encounters are those that have been there before. Every post-conflict environment contains the potential seeds for another outburst. The worst horrors in global conflict have usually stemmed from inadequate arrangements for peace building in a previous encounter. The Arusha Peace Agreement in August 1993 is an example of an inappropriate agreement — based on the inconceivability of ceasefire and power sharing arrangements between the Hutus and Tutsis. It was clear that these groups relied on their armies as the instrument of power, and the stark ethnic differences served as an obstacle to the idea of integration. By July 1994 genocide had erupted, constituting as much as 20% of the country’s total population and 70% of the Tutsi’s then living in Rwanda. Thus, it is clear that conflict has is cyclical in nature. A peaceful conclusion is not always possible but often requires a sacrifice beyond a temporary or face value measure. For Fowler, the implications of cyclical conflict are clear. He has the choice of condoning the probable murder of Pyle or infliction further killings of civilians through his Pyle’s Third Force.’ Moral dignity is often on the line when we make such sacrifices. Whilst we can sympathise for Fowler, his decision was justified given that saving that lives of thousand of civilians  outweighs the loss of one. Likewise, the historical wrongs involved in the colonisation of Australia are an example of conflict continuing to haunt the nation today. Indigenous people are subjected to racism in society and are far more likely to be a victim of domest ic violence or drug abuse. Undeniably, Kevin Rudd’s apology speech in February 2008 was not able alter the impacts of the government’s policies that inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on fellow Australians. Nonetheless, the apology speech was able to â€Å"remove a great stain from the nation’s soul and in the true spirit of reconciliation to open a new chapter in the history of this great land Australia.† Thus, cyclical conflict cannot be dismissed with transient measures. It is only through conflict and making sacrifices that we are able to reconsider what is valuable to us and make progress as individuals. Good TP Whilst conflict involves making noteworthy sacrifices and can often have tragic results, it can also be a catalyst for personal growth and worthwhile social and political change. Often, the results outweigh the implications that the conflict caused and even lead to a greater understanding of what we value as a society. The 1960’s civil rights movement in America can be seen as a necessary social conflict without which, racial injustice would have continued. Rosa Park’s refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man in 1955 sparked intense protests by blacks and concerned whites. However, what is clear is that sometimes defying laws and taking risks is necessary in standing up to racial equality. Similarly, Martin Luther King’s legacy demonstrates that through times of conflict, a sacrifice of laws and risk is necessary to stand against racial inequality. Whilst white extremist groups such as the Klu Klux Klan, embarked upon a campaign against black Americans and their white supporters, the dedication of leaders such as Martin Luther King demonstrate the reconsideration of achieving the greater good for American society and integration for all blacks. What is clear from reading The Quiet American and researching The Vietnam War, is that the result of the conflict had wide-reaching effects on both the communities of Vietnam and global response. With the illicit killings of thousands of innocent civilians in the name of communism containment, the public’s reaction was far from approving. After the withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam, the nation was able to reassess what should be the motivation behind involving in conflict. That is – not an  intervention into a war that is not ‘ours’ nor the suffering and grief of the innocent civilizations as a result of this intervention. Thus, through conflict and the tensions that it encounters, it is possibly for a nation to reaffirm what is morally and ethically right and thus make progress as a diplomatic wester society. Conclusion needs a greater impact: During times of conflict a sacrifice is often required to achieve a resolution. Whether that is our moral dignity, wills, values or cultural identities, this risk is needed also to reduce the risk of counter-conflict. However, what is clear is that the resolution of war, tensions and injustice can outweigh the impacts of the conflict. Through this, we are able to reconsider what is valuable and progress as humans and nations. Written Explanation: My piece is a predominantly expository essay and includes a small extract of personal reflection. This structure allowed me to employ to conventions of a traditional essay whilst the reflection serves as an introduction to what I perceive to be the implications of conflict. Cumulatively, the sophisticated tone and reasoned arguments serve as my base. I have chosen formal language so to ensure my arguments sound reasoned and sophisticated. Additionally, the descriptive and poetic language in my introduction serves as a personal touch to engage readers. My piece would be best suited the VCE cohort who have read the text The Quiet American by Graham Greene and have an informed knowledge of the Vietnam War and other mentions events as they are most likely have a greater understanding of the depth of thought and relevance of examples. Its main purpose is to reflect on the various aspects of encountering conflict and its significance in the world around us. Firstly, I concede that conflict is natural and that it enables us to progress as humans and society. Then I iterate the various forms of sacrifice necessary during the reconciliation process of conflict whilst also acknowledging that conflict has a cyclical nature and thus we need to sacrifice something greater in order to prevent future conflict. Furthermore, I explain the implications of sacrifice and conflict and demonstrate its ability to create positive outcomes that allow for growth and a reconsideration of what is important in life. Finally, the essay, which is based around why ‘sacrifice is often necessary to resolve conflict’, is relevant to many as undeniably,  we all face various forms of conflict at some point in our lives. It is also necessary that we manage conflict effectively and remain in touch with our own beliefs and values.

An Ounce of Cure Essay

There comes a time in every person’s life when they reach the point where they are no longer a child, but an adult. â€Å"coming of age† is not something that usually happens in one exact moment but a gradual experience. In Alice Munro’s â€Å"An Ounce of Cure†, the narrator recalls her past as a teenager. During these years, she experiences heart-wrenching situations that no one her age should ever have to experience. Though, this leads to her â€Å"crossing the bridge of innocence†. Although â€Å"coming of age† is a positive turn, it requires negative experiences to be complete. The narrator endeavors the â€Å"coming of age† through her poor relationship choices, depression and irresponsibility. The narrator’s complicated relationship with her previous boyfriend, Martin Collingwood, triggers a lot of complex situations, which ultimately leads to her rapid maturity. This becomes evident in the story when she reflects on her relationship and realizes all its faults. â€Å"It doesn’t really surprise me- to remember all the stupid, sad, half-ashamed things I did, that people in love always do† (Munro 79). It becomes clear that the narrator realizes that the poor relationship, she was involved in is all a mistake. Being able to realize the mistake, indicates her maturity. She now understands that it is not worth spending her life in regret for her previous actions and moves on. Similarly, the narrator explains her feelings towards Martin after her breakup, â€Å"But there was a positive, a splendidly unexpected result†¦I got completely over Martin Collingwood† (84). Although Martin, being the narrator’s first boyfriend, she is quickly able to overcome her sorrow, misery and self-inflicted pain that she went through during the past days. This would seem difficult for her considering it was her first love, as well as her constantly recalling back to the moment they kissed, â€Å"I would torture myself with the exact recollection of Martin kissing my throat† (80). All the problems and situations caused by her past relationship has resulted in a deep depression that the narrator suffers for days to come. The narrator’s inability to get over her previous relationship, leads to her downfall that she encounters. Accordingly, when the narrator sees her previous boyfriend in a school play, she begins to reflect on her past. â€Å"The beginning of months of real, if more or less self inflicted misery for me† (77). The narrator experiences suicidal thoughts, being the true reason that she becomes an adult. However, there is a silver lining to her depression. Experiencing such feelings at a young age helps her to mature and grow quicker than most. She is able to come to terms with herself and accept that what happened, happened for reasons that are beyond her control. One would never be able to admit that they cause themselves misery, as the narrator did. Likewise, when the narrator comes home after babysitting the night of the incident, she explains what happened to her mother. â€Å"I told her everything from the start, not omitting even the name of Martin Collingwood and my flirtation with the aspirin bottle, which was a mistake† (80). It becomes evident that the narrator has gone through serious depression and ultimately suicide in a desperate escape to end her misery. Having the ability to come out in the open during her conversation with her mother and explaining the situations that she has been through demonstrates without a reasonable doubt that she grew not only mentally, but psychologically as an adult. Her immense courage is revealed when she comes to terms with her situation in the conversation between her and her mother. The depression that the narrator experiences contributes to her experiencing the â€Å"coming of age† and leads to her irresponsibility, being the final reason for the narrator to experience â€Å"coming of age† â€Å"Coming of age† exists through the narrator’s irresponsibility. While babysitting at the Berrymans alcohol seems to be her escape. â€Å"I poured a little whisky from each bottle†¦I drank it off as quickly as possible† (79). This demonstrates lack of discipline. This situation has allowed the narrator to mature, it allows her to be able to recognize that she was completely responsible for everything that happened that day. Similarity, after Mr. and Mrs. Berryman came home, the narrator realizes why she is unable to hear them at the driveway. â€Å"With the noise we were making, they have no doubt heard us as soon as they got out of the car† (80). The narrator experienced the coming of age because she is able to understand her friends and her irresponsibility that night, by realizing that the reason they had not heard the Berrymans was because of the loud noises they were making. Being able to understand one’s own irresponsibility takes a good amount of knowledge and understanding, that a child would not be able to process, demonstrating the narrator is experiencing the â€Å"coming of age†. Relationships, depression and irresponsibility has shaped the way that the narrator experiences â€Å"coming of age†. All the events that occurred in her life shape the way she lives today. Her rough relationship taught her how to deal with depression situations and overcome them herself. It also showed the narrator things about her self that she may not have known. Lastly, the narrators’ irresponsibility while babysitting was a subliminal cry for help, but truly it was the one step for her towards experiencing â€Å"coming of age†. Ultimately, without the narrator experiencing the negative experiences in her life, her â€Å"coming of age† would not have been complete.