Thursday, October 31, 2019

Communication Barriers of Intercultural Communication Essay

Communication Barriers of Intercultural Communication - Essay Example Having worked with Filipinos for the first time, I thought it rude to be returned with raised eyebrows when greeting them. It turned out that it is their way of greeting people silently in their home country. It is also necessary to interact with international clients and communication barriers can arise due to accent, gestures, and manner of doing businesses. Thus, it is important to have communication between workmates in order to get to know each other better and become familiar with each other's culture habits as this prevents from misinterpreting gestures and words. Besides this, learning to observe and respect the cultures can minimize conflict. Organizing events that will promote interaction can help improve the barriers that arise from cultures. Likewise, talking to clients will give us hints about their characters and habits. In addition, attending courses on intercultural communication is also useful in expanding knowledge on this issue.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Marketing Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Marketing Research - Essay Example The marketing strategy depends a good deal on the research which has come about with the passage of time. The marketing research realms find out the exact dynamics of the market and then study the basis of how products and services would be targeted to the relevant market domains. The last part signifies the real role of the marketing strategy and how it has been instrumental at shaping up actions and behaviors by the people who matter the most within any marketing scenario. Organizations conduct marketing research so that they could know what kinds of preferences are being followed by the people who fall under the category of the target audience1 (Fahy, 1996). These elements are severely important because these emphasize the need for getting the act together to make the marketing strategy a success in the long run. However, if the marketing research realms are not properly worked upon, there would be serious predicaments within the understanding that is reached upon within the ranks of the marketing strategy that has been drawn up. There is a dire need to set things right within the marketing research dynamics so that the organization grows as a whole, and the business practices are given the required room and expertise through the proper inputs of the people who matter the most, and their preferences which remain quintessential on any given day. Marketing research is the amalgamation of data that has been taken over a period of time within the reins of business realms. It takes into account the qualitative as well as the quantitative details which are pursued for a particular area of study and hence the results are envisaged only after the research has been completed. Marketing research is a fact finding exercise and it requires extensive planning and allocation of much needed resources on the part of the researching party. The purpose of marketing research is to seek for answers that are raised in the wake of different queries and questions, all of which for m the vital part in the implementation of the marketing strategy for an organization. There are two different marketing research methodologies – the primary research and the secondary research, both of which require extensive finding of data and knowledge on the organization’s part. The primary research methods include sampling through questionnaires, survey methods and one-on-one interviews. The questionnaires could be open ended where there is room for respondents to spell out as much information as needed or these could be close ended where the respondents are tied to certain answers from which they need to choose. These could also be mixed ended – having a combination of open ended and close ended questions and queries. The survey could be through interviews and questionnaires. This is basically a case of quantitative research where quantities and figures could be tabulated rather than quality which is judged through the use of secondary research methods. Th e secondary research methods include the usage of books, journals, websites, encyclopedia and other related information and knowledge which have already been sorted out and has been documented for pretty much the same purposes. Moving ahead further, a marketing strategy is a long term end point where the business organization wants to see itself in a particular duration of time. It indeed is the end goal where it wants to reach before it draws up another vision statement.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Rainfall Pattern in Enugu State, Nigeria

Rainfall Pattern in Enugu State, Nigeria CHAPTER ONE 1.0  INTRODUCTION Enugu State is located in the southeastern part of Nigeria created in 1991 from the old Anambra state and the principal cities in the state are Enugu,Agani,Awgu,Udi,Oji-River and Nsukka. The state shares borders with Abia and Imo State to the south, Ebonyi State to the East, Benue state to the Northeast, Kogi state to the Northwest and Anambra state to the West. Enugu, the capital city of Enugu state, is approximately 21/2 driving hours away from Port Harcourt where coal shipments exited Nigeria. The word â€Å"Enugu† (from Enu Ugwu) means â€Å"the top of the hill†. The first European settlers arrived in the area in 1909, led by a British mining engineer, named Albert Kitson. In his quest for silver, he discovered coal in the Udi Ridge, colonial Governor of Nigeria Frederick Lugard took keen interest in the discovery, and by 1914 the first shipment of coal was made to Britain. As mining activities increased in the area, a permanent cosmopolitan settlement emerged, supported by a railway system. Enugu acquired township status in 1917 and became strategic to Britain interests. Foreign businesses began to move into Enugu, the most notable of which were John Holt, Kingsway Stores, British Bank of West Africa and United Africa Company. From Enugu the British administration was able to spread its influence over the southern province of Nigeria. The colonial past of Enugu is today evidenced by the Georgian building types and meandering narrow roads within the residential area originally reserved for the whites, an area which is today called the Government Reserved Area (GRA). The state Government and the Local government are the levels of government in Enugu state and have 17 Local Government areas. Economically, the state is predominantly rural and agrarian, with a substantial proportion of its working population engaged in farming, although trading (18.8%) and services (12.9%) are also important. In the urban areas trading is the dominant occupation, followed by services. A small proportion of the population is also engaged in manufacturing activities, with the most pronounced among them located in Enugu, Oji, Ohebedim and Nsukka. The state boasts of a number of markets especially at each of the divisional headquarters, prominent of which is the Ogbete Main market in the State capital, Electricity supply is relatively stable in Enugu and its Environs. The Oji River power station (which used to supply electricity to all of Eastern Nigeria) is located in Enugu state. The state had a population of 3,267,837 people at the census held in 2006 (estimated at o ver 3.8 million in 2012), it is home of the Igbo of southeastern Nigeria. The average temperature in this city is cooler to mild (60 degrees Fahrenheit) in its cooler months and gets warmer to hot in its warmer months (upper 80 degrees Fahrenheit) and very good for outdoor activities with family and friends or just for personal leisure. Enugu has good soil-land and climatic conditions all year round, sitting at about 223 meters (732 ft) above sea level, and the soil is well drained during its rainy seasons. The main temperature in Enugu state in the hottest month of February is about 87.16 0F (30.64 0C), while the lowest temperatures occur in the month of November, reaching 60.54 0F (15.86 0C). The lowest rainfall of about 0.16 cubic centimeters (0.0098 cu in) is normal in February, while the highest is about 35.7 cubic centimeters (2.18 cu in) in July. The differences in altitude and relief create a large variation in climate in various regions of the country. In places that are characterized as semi-arid zones, climate shows wide fluctuation from year to year and even within seasons in the year. Semi arid regions receive very small, irregular, and unreliable rainfall (Workneh, 1987). The annual cycle of the climatology of the rainfall over tropical Africa and in particular over Nigeria, is strongly determined by the position of the Inter Tropic Convergence Zone (ITCZ) (Griffiths, 1971). Variations in rainfall pattern throughout the country are the result of differences in elevation and seasonal changes in the atmospheric pressure systems that control the prevailing winds. The climate of Nigeria is characterized by high rainfall variation (Yilma et al., 1994). In Nigeria, several regions receive rainfall throughout the year, but in some regions rainfall is seasonal and low making irrigation necessary (Alemeraw and Eshetu, 2009). Rainfall is the most critical and key variable both in atmospheric and hydrological cycle. Rainfall patterns usually have spatial and temporal variability. This variability affects agricultural production, water supply, transportation, environment and urban planning, thus, the entire economy of a country, and the existence of its people. R ainfall variability is assumed to be the main cause for the frequently occurring climate extreme events such as drought and flood. These natural phenomena affect badly the agricultural production and hence the economy of the nation. In regions where the year-to-year variability is high, people often suffer great calamities due to floods or droughts. Even though damage due to extremes of rainfall cannot be avoided completely, a forewarning could certainly be useful (Nicholls, 1980). Nigeria is one of the countries whose economy is highly dependent on rain-fed agriculture and also facing recurring cycles of flood and drought. Current climate variability is already imposing a significant challenge to Nigeria in general and Enugu in particular, by affecting food security, water and energy supply, poverty reduction and sustainable development efforts, as well as by causing natural resource degradation and natural disasters. Recurrent floods in the past caused substantial human life and p roperty loss in many parts of the country. Methods of prediction of rainfall extreme events have often been based on studies of physical effects of rainfall or on statistical studies of rainfall time series. Rainfall forecast is relevance to the agriculture sector, since it contributes significantly to the economy of countries like Nigeria. In order to model and predict hydrologic events, one can use stochastic methods like time series methods. Numerous attempts have been made to predict behavioral pattern of rainfall using various techniques (Yevjevich, 1972; Dulluer and Kavas, 1978; Tsakiris, 1998). Awareness about the characteristics of the rainfall over an area such as the source, quantity, variability, distribution and the frequency of rainfall is essential for the implication in utilization and associated problems. Assessing rainfall variability is practically useful in making decision, risk management and optimum usage of water resources of countries. Thus, it is important to obtain accurate rainfall forecast at variou s geographic levels of Nigeria and work towards identifying periodicities in order to help policy makers improve their decisions by taking into consideration the available and future water resources. In this study, univariate Box-Jenkins methodology to build ARIMA model are used for assessing the rainfall pattern in Enugu State based on data from Nigerian Meteorological Agency. 1.1 Weather and Climate Weather and climate over the earth are not constant with time: they change on different time series ranging from the geological to the diurnal through annual, the difference between weather and climate is a measure of time. Weather is what condition of the atmosphere over a short period of time and climate is how the atmosphere behaves over relatively long period of time. Seasonal and intra-seasonal time scales. Such variability is an inherent characteristic of the climate. The study of climatic fluctuations involves description and investigation of causes and effects of these fluctuations in the past and their statistical interpretation. Much of the work done is about variability of the two important meteorological parameters: rainfall and temperature. Rainfall is a term used to refer to water falling in drops after condensation of the atmospheric vapor. Also rainfall is the resultant product of a series of complex interactions taking place within the earth-atmosphere system. Rainfa ll is only water that falls from the sky, whereas precipitation is any wet things that fall from the sky, which include snow, frozen rain.etc. Water in all its forms and in all its various activities plays a crucial role in sustaining both the climate and life. It is also a major factor for planning and management of water resource project and agricultural production. Even though Nigeria enjoys a fairly good amount of rainfall, wide variability in its distribution with respect to space and time are responsible for the two extremes events (floods and droughts) (Yilma et. al,1994). 1.2 Rainfall Characteristics Rainfall varies with latitude, elevation, topography, seasons, distance from the sea, and coastal Sea-surface temperature. Nigeria enjoys the humid tropical climate type. Because of its location just north of the equator, also, Nigeria enjoys a truly tropical climate characterized by the hot and wet conditions associated with the movement of the inter-Tropical convergence Zone (ITCZ) north and south of the equator. While there is a general decrease in rainfall in Nigeria, the coastal area is experiencing slight increase. Apart from the general southward shift in rainfall patterns, the duration has also reduced from 50-360 (1993-2003) to 30-280 (2003-2013) rainy days per year. This has created ecological destabilization and altered the pattern of the vegetation belt especially in the northern part of the country. The rainfall pattern has also enhanced wind erosion and desertification, soil erosion and coastal flooding in the north, east and coastal areas of Nigeria respectively. The country experiences consistently high temperatures all year round. Since temperature varies only slightly, rainfall distribution, over space and time, becomes the single most important factor in differentiating the seasons and climatic distribution are however dependent on the two air masses that prevail over the country. Their influences are directly linked to the movement of the ITCZ, north and south of the equator. The two air masses are the Tropical maritime(Tm) and the Tropical continental (Tc). The former is associated with the moisture-laden south-west winds (south westerlies) which blow from the Atlantic Ocean, while the latter is associated with the dry and dusty north-east winds (easterlies) which blow from the Sahara Desert. Conversely, with the movement of the ITCZ into the Northern Hemisphere, the rain-bearing south westerlies prevail as far inland as possible to bring rain fall during the wet season. The implication is that there is a prolonged rainy season in the far south, while the far north undergoes long dry periods annually. Nigeria, therefore, has two major seasons, the lengths of which vary from north to south. The mean annual rainfall along the coast in the south-east is 4000mm while it is 500mm in the north-east. Nigeria can, thus be broadly divided into the following climatic regions: the humid sub-equatorial, in the southern lowlands the hot tropical continental, in the far north the moderated sub-temperate in the high plateaus and mountains the hot, wet tropical, in the hinterland (the middle-belt ) 1.3 The main effects of Rainfall Trends in rainfall extremes have enormous implications. Extreme rainfall events cause significant damage to agriculture, ecology, and infrastructure. They also cause disruption to human activities, injury, and loss of life. Socioeconomic activities including agriculture, power generating, water supply, human health, etc. are also very sensitive to climate variations. As a result, Nigeria economy is heavily dependent on rainfall for generating employment, income, and foreign currency. Thus, rainfall is considered as the most important climatic element that influences Nigeria agriculture. The severity and frequency of occurrence of rainfall extremes events (meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural) vary for different parts of the country. Drought: Drought is an insidious hazard of nature. It is often referred to as a â€Å"creeping phenomenon† and its impacts vary from region to region. Drought can therefore be difficult for people to understand; it is equally difficult to define, because what may be considered a drought in, say, Bali (six days without rain) would certainly not be considered a drought in Libya (annual rainfall less than 180 mm). Some drought years have coincided with EN events, while others have followed it. According to DDAEPA (2011) the trend of decreasing annual rainfall and increased rainfall variability is contributing to drought conditions in Nigeria Administration. The average annual rainfall patterns of Abuja for the periods 1999 to 2008 and 1984 to 1991 show two important trends. First, annual average rainfall has declined from the mean value by about 8.5% and 10% respectively. Secondly, the variability of rainfall shows an overall increasing trend, suggesting greater rainfall unreliab ility. These rainfall patterns have led to serious drought/flood episodes throughout the Administration. Flood: Floods are known as the most frequent and devastating natural disasters in both developed and developing countries (Osti et al., 2008). Between 2000 and 2008 East Africa has experienced many episodes of flooding. Almost all of these flood episodes have significantly affected large parts of Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s topography characteristics has made the country pretty vulnerable to floods and resulting destruction and damage to life, economic, livelihoods, infrastructure, services and health system (FDPPA, 2007). Flooding is common in Ethiopia during the rainy season between June and September and the major type of flooding which the country is experiencing are flash flood and river floods (FDPPA, 2007). Like other regions of Nigeria, the issue of flood continues to be of growing concern in Enugu especially to peoples residing in lowlands, along or near the flood courses as well as village located at the foot of hills and mountains. Flood disasters are occurring more frequently, and having an ever more dramatic impact on Enugu in terms of the costs on lives, livelihoods and environmental resources. The topography of Enugu Administration mainly consists of mountains and hills with steep slope, valleys, and river basins. The catchment characteristics accompanied with its large area coverage coupled with torrential rain fall during the short and long rainy season had been the main factors that contribute to the pervious flood events. Soil Erosion: when soil moves from one location to another, it is referred to as soil erosion. The impact of rainfall striking the surface can cause soil erosion; erosion is a concern for farmers as their valuable, nutrient rich top soil can be washed away from rainfall. It can also weaken structures such as bridges or wash out roads. Vegetation can decrease the amount of soil that is eroded during a rain. Erosion has been going on and has produced river valleys and shaped hills and mountains. Such erosion is generally slow but can cause a rapid increase in the rate at which soil is eroded (i.e. a rate faster than natural weathering of bedrock can produce new soil). This has resulted in a loss of productive soil from crop and grazing land, as well as layers of infertile soil being deposited on formerly fertile crop lands: the formation of gullies: silting of lakes and streams, and land slips. 1.4 Aim and Objectives of the study The main aim of this study is to analyze rainfall pattern in Enugu State using appropriate time series methods based on 15 years (January, 1999-Decimeber, 2013) data recorded at Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Enugu State). Specific Objectives 1. To fit appropriate time series model to the monthly rainfall data. 2. To forecast the rainfall pattern in the study area. 1.5  Data source The monthly rainfall data in millimeters for the period January, 1999 to December, 2013, collected from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Enugu State) were used in the study. The site was chosen due to availability of relatively long series of meteorological data, the data is a secondary data. 1.6 Significance of the Study Knowledge of what happens to the water that reaches the earth surface will assist the study of many surface and subsurface water problems, for efficient control and management of water resources. For a country like Nigeria, whose welfare depends very much on rain-fed agriculture, a quantitative knowledge of water requirements of the region, availability of water for plant growth and supplemental irrigation, etc. on a monthly or seasonal basis is an essential requirement for agricultural development. In this regard, increased capacity to manage future climate change and weather extremes can also reduce the magnitude of economic, social and human damage and eventually, lead to better resistance. Assessing seasonal rainfall characteristics based on past records is essential to evaluate rainfall extreme risk and to contribute to development of mitigation strategies. Therefore, a reliable rainfall forecasting and assessing behavior at station, regional and national levels is very importan t.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Benjamin Franklin: Americas Model for Servant Leadership :: American History

Benjamin Franklin: Americas Model for Servant Leadership In Benjamin Franklin's civic pride and his projects for the improvement of Philadelphia, we see another aspect of the philosophy of doing good. At the same time we may recognize the zeal for reform that has long been a characteristic of American life. In his attention to the details of daily living, Franklin shows himself as the observant empiricist. As the successful engineer of ways to make the city he loved cleaner, safer and more attractive he continually sponsored new institutions that were proof that the applications of reason to experience were fruitful in the real world. "Human felicity," he wrote, "is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day." Franklin typifies that aspect of the American character that is attentive to small details as well as over-all great plans. The practical idealism of America lies in our capacity to work for our ideals step by step, to recognize that the perfect world is never achieved but that we may approach it gradually by a creative attentiveness to each aspect of life around us. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S religious creed held that the best service to God is to be good to man. He leaned to the views of the "Dissenters" of his day, notably Joseph Priestley and Richard Price, who preached a doctrine somewhat like present Unitarianism. A moralist, he taught that man's soul is immortal and that man's conduct in this world will determine his condition in the next; so he made a creed of virtue, based on integrity and good deeds-man must help himself and others. In the American tradition Franklin stands as a man who preached thrift, frugality, industry and enterprise as the "way to wealth." He grew to maturity in an American tradition that was older than he was, according to which such virtues as thrift and industry were not enough to bring a man success; he had also to practice charity and help his neighbor. Wealth was a token of esteem of the Divine Providence that governs men's affairs, and thus the accumulation of riches was not sought for its own sake alone. Furthermore, wealth and position, being marks of the divine favor, conferred an obligation; a successful man was a "steward," holding the world's goods in trust for the less fortunate. This "Protestant ethic" was a common denominator of Calvinistic Boston where Franklin spent his boyhood and of Quaker Philadelphia where he grew to young manhood. Benjamin Franklin: Americas Model for Servant Leadership :: American History Benjamin Franklin: Americas Model for Servant Leadership In Benjamin Franklin's civic pride and his projects for the improvement of Philadelphia, we see another aspect of the philosophy of doing good. At the same time we may recognize the zeal for reform that has long been a characteristic of American life. In his attention to the details of daily living, Franklin shows himself as the observant empiricist. As the successful engineer of ways to make the city he loved cleaner, safer and more attractive he continually sponsored new institutions that were proof that the applications of reason to experience were fruitful in the real world. "Human felicity," he wrote, "is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day." Franklin typifies that aspect of the American character that is attentive to small details as well as over-all great plans. The practical idealism of America lies in our capacity to work for our ideals step by step, to recognize that the perfect world is never achieved but that we may approach it gradually by a creative attentiveness to each aspect of life around us. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S religious creed held that the best service to God is to be good to man. He leaned to the views of the "Dissenters" of his day, notably Joseph Priestley and Richard Price, who preached a doctrine somewhat like present Unitarianism. A moralist, he taught that man's soul is immortal and that man's conduct in this world will determine his condition in the next; so he made a creed of virtue, based on integrity and good deeds-man must help himself and others. In the American tradition Franklin stands as a man who preached thrift, frugality, industry and enterprise as the "way to wealth." He grew to maturity in an American tradition that was older than he was, according to which such virtues as thrift and industry were not enough to bring a man success; he had also to practice charity and help his neighbor. Wealth was a token of esteem of the Divine Providence that governs men's affairs, and thus the accumulation of riches was not sought for its own sake alone. Furthermore, wealth and position, being marks of the divine favor, conferred an obligation; a successful man was a "steward," holding the world's goods in trust for the less fortunate. This "Protestant ethic" was a common denominator of Calvinistic Boston where Franklin spent his boyhood and of Quaker Philadelphia where he grew to young manhood.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

The First of Its Kind

The First of Its Kind I still remember being in an eighth grade U. S. History class back in my Junior high years. One distinct memory of that course, perhaps the most memorable of all the projects we had, came in the first month of the school year, in the curriculum's first unit: the founding of the United States as its own nation. As the textbook timeline approached 1787 we prepared ourselves for a daunting task: memorize and recite the Preamble.We as students would wait anxiously as, one by ne, each of our peers would step up to the front of the classroom and begin to recite from memory. Few people could recite the Preamble smoothly, but for those who stumbled, we all seemed to remember perfectly the first and last chunks: â€Å"We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union†¦ † and â€Å"†¦ do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. To us back in eighth grade, that missing middle section was Just a group of words to be more-or-less forgotten the next day. To our forefathers, however, that middle section was vital in reating the basis for the supreme law of the United States. Much like my peers and I in the eighth grade, our forefathers who assembled 226 years ago were faced with a daunting task for the state that they were in. At this point in our history, America was a newborn in the world, only eleven years of age.Now left without the common cause that the Revolutionary War provided for the prior two decades, the former colonies struggled to find any sense of unity, and the world watched like adults watching an infant not their own attempt to stand upright on two feet without any assistance. Or perhaps a better metaphor would be an infant attempting to stand on his hands; Americans not only had to erect a lasting government system, but create one unlike any other. But the United States was by no means hopeless.Our founding fathers had already put forth one attempt with the Articl es of Confederation, which ultimately resulted in a loose confederation of thirteen independent states. The Articles did provide a Congress, but the provision was a handicapped version created without any real command over the states. And this was purposely so – instead of taking a radical leap of faith into a new republic, he Articles laid a steppingstone towards the Constitution so as not to provoke the states, fresh from a revolution.This steppingstone of compromise is what I believe to be the basis of the thought process behind the Constitution. Soon after the Articles of Confederation were adopted, a convention was summoned to meet in Philadelphia to revise the Articles in response to the recent problems, such as portrayed in Shays' Rebellion. When the fifty-five delegates assembled, however, it became clear that the Articles had to be scrapped for a new Constitution. To effectively describe in one ord the discussion that happened behind the closed doors of the Pennsylva nia State House during that long summer of 1787: compromise.The delegates, most of whom had Just recently rebelled against their mother country, wouldn't be shaken very easily in their ideas and proposals for how the government should conduct, and compromise became a necessity. So much so that one of the biggest achievements of the Constitutional Convention was called the â€Å"Great Compromise†, creating a middle ground to please botn the large and small states, whose ideas ot representation harply contrasted.Many other compromises defined the convention: the Electoral College was a compromise between direct and indirect presidential election, and the Three-fifths Compromise effectively represented the nation's view of slavery (and prevented an eventual collapse of the convention due to debate over the humanity of slavery). By September 17, 1787, the first draft of the Constitution was finalized, signed, and sent out to be ratified by the states. A major problem that echoed the notion of compromise soon arose as the first draft was sent out to the states.American people began to side with either Federalists or Antifederalists, who lobbied against each other over whether this Constitution was worthy of ratification. The greatest weapon that the Antifederalists held was the lack of a bill of rights stating the rights and freedoms that an American citizen were to have. And thus another compromise was hammered out by the drafters of the Constitution: a promise to amend the Constitution to include what we now call our Bill of Rights. With this, many of the states ratified the Constitution and allowed its adoption by June 21, 1788.And o, save a handful of amendments to occur later in history, the United States now had a formidable government created by a Constitution actually worthy of the new republic. In it, our forefathers structured a straightforward explanation of the three branches of our government, the powers granted and denied to each department, an d the difference in powers granted to the states and the powers reserved to the federal government. The strict structure of the Constitution reveals a second facet of its drafters' thought process (the first being compromise): the formation of a lasting egime.Compared to the history of some other countries, the U. S. has enjoyed some fair consistency in its government in the aspect that our Constitution withstands without any complete overthrow of the government. This is established in that middle section of the Preamble; six main purposes of the Constitution were clearly stated: â€Å"in order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity'.The longevity of the Constitution that had to be part of its drafters' intent can be easily seen in ways that live past our forefathers. Along with our Declaration of Independence, the Co nstitution has been a source of inspiration for many events in history – both our history as a nation and events in world history. Countless events in the U. S. have been inspired by the words written in those documents: abolitionist movements and the Civil War; the Declaration of Sentiments and the women's rights movements; other numerous civil rights movements; court cases such as Marbury v.Madison; controversy over acts of Congress such as the Alien and Sedition Laws. Words quoted from the Declaration of Independence and Constitution have greatly influenced pop culture, especially through music, and the notions of equality, natural rights, and Justified government have inspired events throughout the world, notably the French Revolution and the Spanish American War. The idea of a written constitution, which the U. S. Constitution started, and the ideas of government structure and natural rights have inspired constitutions of other countries.To conclude, the history of the d rafting of the Constitution and the history of its impact on the world greatly reflect the thought process that our forefathers utilized in writing it. Two aspects ot the Constitution denne the purpose witn which its drafters based its words upon: the basis of compromise and the structure with which the Constitution would last for the past 226 years. Our forefathers might not have anticipated that the Constitution last for over two centuries, but they most certainly wrote it with the intent of a strong foundation for the nation we are proud to call our home – the United States of America.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Classism: High School and Social Class Essay

Social class in America is a subject which always has and always will continue to affect our daily lives. The video â€Å"People like us: Social Class in America† offered several depictions of class in the U.S.. The video’s depictions ranged in accuracy in terms of its definition of social classes. However the video itself caused me to realize the great affect social class has on my life as well as the lives of those around me. Classism in the United States is a very big, yet silent prejudice that is continually causing many problems in our society. I have always been affected by the evils of classism in my life. The most brilliant example this, is public schooling. The public school system, especially here in White Plains, provides a mock â€Å"real world† in my eyes. Because White Plains’ schooling is so diverse, it is the perfect habitat for viewing how various classes interact with each other. Some of the observations I’ve made during my years as a pupil in this wonderful, equal opportunity, educational system are as follows: The more well off students always get off. Because of their much concerned and well-to-do parents the worst kid could do the worst thing and always get away with it. However, I find it very interesting that a ragged, dirt smudged Hispanic boy can do that very same thing and end up having to get sent home; causing his mother to take off of her twelve hour minimum wage job to stay at home with him. All the while not knowing what is going on because of the simple fact that she couldnâ €™t speak English. Thank god for mom’s and dad’s . . . . money and image. Another issue that greatly affected my life was how class determined social circles. All throughout my schooling I have seen friends come and go. Even at the early age of seven, it was evident who was richer than whom; solely based on the gifts I received at birthday parties. The kids who gave the cool presents where the rich kids. Those were the kids who never invited you to their parties. They just invited the kids just like them. Those â€Å"rich kids† have held their titles all through high school. They have evolved though; they are now referred to as the â€Å"preps† I find in amusing to see  just how many groups of students or cliques have remained throughout secondary schooling. Each one of these groups is constantly fighting to be noticed, or not noticed in some cases. Every one of them, as subtle as it may be, knows where the other stands in their eyes. The video â€Å"People like us: Social Class in America† depictions’ were very accurate in that they provided a wide spectrum of viewing for the uneducated eye. The video allowed anyone to realize how people in different classes than his or her own are perceived. The video did an especially good job on defining what social class is as well as exhibiting what social classes exist on the high school level. â€Å"People like us†¦Ã¢â‚¬  showed the varying social classes which exist in any high school such as the Geeks, the Jocks, the Preppy girls and boys, the loud Hispanic girls, the loud Black girls, the abrasive and dangerous Black and Hispanic boys, the Goths, the Artsy kids, the Theatre types, the Smart Asians; the list could go on and on. The video hit the nail right on the head. High School is just a conglomeration of cliques who want nothing do with the other based on the unwritten rules of high school hierarchy. It was a real shock to see what some of the students had to say about the others. Some of the comments a particular girl made about â€Å"the kids not like us†, referring to herself, left my mouth gaping wide open. The one thing I noticed above all was that the less sheltered students were a lot more open to others than the ones who had been given everything their entire lives. I believe the video was a good model as to the various characteristics assigned to various classes throughout the world. Class exists in any environment, whether it is school, the workplace, or any social gathering; there will always exist some form of prejudice based on your class. The people on the top of the class ladder create a mold in which they expect all others to follow. Anyone who doesn’t is automatically dubbed an outcast because he or she is different. This is especially true of people of a different race. There is almost a direct relationship between race and class. Ones race almost seems to hold down ones class. You can ask any black or latino well off family how their neighbors truly view them, and you will be shocked. One can be just as rich as the man next to him, but he will  always be dubbed rich†¦for a black man, or rich†¦for a latino. It is a fact among real estate agents that when a minority family moves into an all white neighborhood the actual market value of the surrounding homes drops severely. Why is that? It is because race has a direct relationship with class. Class can only bring you so far. In conclusion, Classism is an ever-present prejudice that most all of us face in our everyday lives. We see it in our schools, places of work as well as ordinary nights out. Classism in the United States is a very big, yet silent prejudice that is continually causing many problems in our society, especially in the ranks of our youth. Videos like â€Å"People like us: Social Class in America† allow us to see classism through lense of the youth of America, informing us of the problems put forth this prejudice. Only by realizing the problem can we step forth and attempt to resolve it.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

When to Use a Bug Bomb to Control Pests

When to Use a Bug Bomb to Control Pests Bug bombs, also known as total release foggers or insect foggers, use an aerosol propellant to fill an indoor space with chemical pesticides. These products are often marketed as all-purpose extermination tools that are easy for a homeowner to use. But is a bug bomb always the right choice when confronted with a home pest problem? Learn when to use a bug bomb, and when you shouldnt. Bug Bombs Work Best on Flying Insects When should you use a bug bomb? Almost never, to be honest. Bug bombs are most effective on flying insects, such as flies or mosquitoes. They dont provide much control for cockroaches, ants, bed bugs, or other pests that most concern homeowners. So unless you live in the Amityville Horror house, you wont find a bug bomb to be of much help with your insect problem. Consumers are fooled into using bug bombs for roaches and bed bugs because they believe the airborne pesticides will penetrate every crack and crevice where these insects hide. Quite the opposite is true. Once these hidden pests detect the chemical fog in the room, theyll retreat further into walls or other hideaways, where youll never be able to treat them effectively. Got Bed Bugs? Dont Bother With a Bug Bomb Are you battling bed bugs? Dont bother using a bug bomb, say entomologists at Ohio State University. Their most recent study showed bug bomb products are ineffective for treating bed bug infestations. The researchers studied three brands of foggers that list pyrethroids as their active ingredient. They used 5 different bedbug populations collected from Ohio homes as their variables, and a laboratory-raised bed bug strain known as Harlan as their control. The Harlan bed bug population is known to be susceptible to pyrethroids. They conducted the experiment in a vacant office building on campus. The OSU entomologists found the foggers had a little adverse effect on the 5-bed bug populations collected from the field. In other words, the bug bombs were virtually useless on the bed bugs that are actually living in peoples homes. Just one strain of the field-collected bed bugs succumbed to the pyrethroid foggers, but only when those bed bugs were out in the open and directly exposed to the insecticide mist. The foggers simply did not kill bed bugs that were hiding, even when they were only protected by a thin layer of cloth. In fact, even the Harlan strain- bed bugs are known to be susceptible to pyrethroids - survived when they could take shelter under a piece of cloth. The bottom line is this: if you have bed bugs, save your money for a professional exterminator, and dont waste your time using bug bombs. Using ineffective pesticides inappropriately only contributes to pesticide resistance, and doesnt solve your problem. Dont believe it? Read the OSU study yourself. It was published in the June 2012 issue of the Journal of Economic Entomology, a peer-reviewed publication of the Entomological Society of America. Bug Bombs Can Be Hazardous Regardless of the targeted pest, a bug bomb should really be a pesticide of last resort, anyway. First of all, the aerosol propellants used in bug bombs are highly flammable and pose a serious risk of fire or explosion if the product is not used properly. Second, do you really want to coat every surface in your home with toxic pesticides? When you use a bug bomb, a chemical cocktail rains down on your counters, furniture, floors, and walls, leaving behind an oily and toxic residue. If you still feel a bug bomb is your best pest control option, be sure to read and follow all directions on the label. Remember, when it comes to pesticide use, the label is the law!  Take all necessary precautions to prevent accidents or health hazards. If the bug bomb treatment doesn’t work the first time, dont try it again- its not going to work. Consult your county extension office or a pest control professional for help.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Use of Hopfield Networks as Analytic Tools

Use of Hopfield Networks as Analytic Tools Through the study of Sheikhan Hemmati (2011), it is seen that Hopfield networks act as a means for researchers to understand the processing and retrieval of memory in human beings (Sheikhan Hemmati, 2011).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Use of Hopfield Networks as Analytic Tools specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The reason behind this is connected to the concept of memory vectors which are utilized as a way in which patterns are conceptualized, retrieved then subsequently pieced back together in order to create a somewhat synonymous pattern as its original conception. As an analytic tool, this helps researchers to better understand how memories are retrieved and then combined to create the thoughts and actions that we have at the present. What must be understood is that while cognitive psychology has enabled researchers and students alike to understand how memory works, there is still a gap in knowledge in being able to see so to speak how memories from a variety of different memory vectors are combined into what we know as memory. This is where Hopfield networks come into play, they are designed as an artificial neural network from which the input of content utilizing a variety of learning rules are implemented so as to understand how they would be applicable in a human neural network. Through this, psychologists are better able to understand the processes that go into learning and potentially discover new methods that could help to resolve learning impairments or even improve the process of learning as a whole. One possible theoretical approach to this can be seen in the study of Hsu (2012) which explained that as analytical tool, the Hopfield network can actually be considered an early start to the development of artificial learning networks which could potentially create an A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) (Hsu, 2012).Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Le t's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Hsu (2012) explains this by stating that over time the processes that go into creation of computers will increasingly attempt to replicate the efficiency and learning ability of the human mind. As such, understanding how learning actually works is the first step to creating an artificial neural network that is independent from outside input and can merely learn on its own. Other potential applications of the network can be seen in the study of Menezes Monteiro (2011) which proposed that the discrete-time neural network proposed by Hopfield can be used for storing and recognizing binary patterns (Menezes Monteiro, 2011). Through their study, which investigated the removal of simulated neurons within the network, helps to show how there is the potential for the use of the Hopfield model to potentially help in the rehabilitation of individuals that suffer from memory loss as a direct result of da mage to some part of their brain which would impact either their short term or long term memory. For example, one model for understanding the processes involved in working memory is the Baddeley and Hitch (1974) multi-component model which states that working memory operates via a system of slave systems and a central controller which supervises the transmission and coordination of information (RepovÃ…   Baddeley, 2006). Despite understanding how memory works and is retrieved to a certain extent, it is still unknown what processes go into combining it to create what we know of as working memory. The Hopfield model helps to resolve this issue by presenting a â€Å"rough sketch† of what we perceive of as a model of a neural network in order to understand that processes may go into the individual memory vectors resulting in present day learning mechanisms.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Use of Hopfield Networks as Analytic Tools specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More One example of this process at work can be seen in the astronomical charts and models that are used to represent the present day solar system. While they are not 100% accurate in terms of correctly showing how the planets move, they do give a rough approximation of positions and processes thereby enabling a better understanding of the process as a whole. The same can be said of Hopfield networks wherein researchers are aware that they are not a 100% accurate method of understanding the complexities of neural networks and the processes that go into them. However, by gaining a rough idea of how such mechanisms work in the first place, researchers are able to know how they work and through such discoveries enable the creation of more accurate models and theories regarding the means and methods of human learning and memory creation. Inherent shortcomings The inherent shortcoming of such a network though lies in the fact that intrusions can, and often do occur, and, as a result, it cannot really be stated that Hopfield networks act as a mirror for the associative memory mechanisms of the human brain. On the other hand, studies such as those by Liu, Huang Chen (2012) attempt to explain such intrusions by stating that even in human memory, the retrieval mechanisms are not 100% accurate with the brain filling in so to speak the apparent gaps that occur. It is this filling in process that Liu, Huang Chen (2012) associates with the intrusions within Hopfield networks as the network attempts to conceptualize the initial image it had to work with the jumble that came about as it was processes through the network (Liu, Huang Chen, 2012).Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The end result is a kind of filled in image that is based on the network trying to fill in the gaps with what information it had available. Thus, for (Martinelli, 2010), the Hopfield network is an accurate representation of a primitive associative memory network (Martinelli, 2010). However, it should also be noted that the degradation of information in the Hopfield network is also explained instances such as the Ericsson and Kintsch (1995) model which explains that all individuals utilize skilled memory in everyday tasks however most these memories are stored in long term memory and then subsequently retrieved through various forms of retrieval mechanisms (Martinelli, 2010). When these memories are retrieved there is no degradation and in fact the act of daily retrieval actually reinforces the memory. The Hebb learning rule attempts to explain this by stating the learning (as seen in humans or in the case of the Hopfield network) occurs as a direct result of weights strengthening th e retrieval mechanism. Thus, over time and repetition, the accuracy of a retrieved image gets better. Such is the case when it comes to Hopfield networks wherein daily retrieval of the memory does result in a more accurate image. Hopfield Networks and Learned Behavior Based on the article Extended Hopfield Network for Sequence Learning: Application to Gesture Recognition by Maurer et al., it can be seen that Hopfield networks can be utilized in order to model what is known as learned action. It is described as sets of motion that are learned based on observation and mimicry (i.e. shooting a basketball, swinging a baseball bat etc.). However, it must be questioned whether Hopfield networks are an accurate representation of the brain’s learning behavior or if it is merely a vague representation of how information is accurately brought up and translated into action. It is often the case that people associate memories as a collection of neurons and synapses working in conjunction with each other in order to record pertinent information on a daily basis yet few think of the way in which the concept of memory can be comparable to that of a library where information is stored, recorded and categorized based on its type and attributes. In the case of learned behavior, the application of Hopfield model as a means of understanding how the brain works is applicable if we assume that memory vectors within the human mind exist which result in the retrieval mechanism of memories. For example, a memory vector can be considered as a node which connects other memories together that is utilized by a central controller in order to create a distinct action or image. The action of turning on a faucet can thus consist of several nodes where aspects related to vision, mechanical action and grasping are derived and combined by the central controller in order to create the motion of turning on a faucet. This can be seen in the case of the Hopfield networks wherein multiple node s act in order to reproduce the information/image that was inputted into them. One way in which the Hopfield model, as an accurate model for examining the learning behavior of the human brain, has attempted to be proven can be seen in studies as those by Popescu et al., (2012) which explain that the memory models such as those by Ericsson and Kintsch show that it would be impossible to hold so to speak all memories within our working memory rather what occurs is that individuals hold only a few concepts related to a task within their working memory and then use those as indicators to retrieve the information from long term memory (Popescu et al., 2012). As such, the way in which nodes within the Hopfield model work are the same as how memory retrieval mechanisms work in real life wherein what you consider as learned behavior is the result of combined information from various nodes which in turn result in memory that is being sought. Unfortunately, studies such as those by Liu et al. (2011) indicate that while the Hopfield model may seem to be an accurate model of how learning mechanisms work over time, it still fails to properly show the connection between storage and retrieval. What you must understand is that the input mechanism of the Hopfield network is not the same as what is present in the human mind. The nodes in the model essentially receive information from different sources and attempt to create an approximate â€Å"whole† from the collected information. This action does not explain how the memory vectors within the human mind know how to store the correct kind of information (Liu et al., 2011). Despite this, Liu et al. (2011) does state that Hopfield networks are capable of helping us understand how memories are learned and reinforced but not necessarily the mechanisms that enable them to be stored in a variety of possible storage locations. Reference List HSU, W. (2012). Application of competitive Hopfield neural network to brain-computer in terface systems. International Journal Of Neural Systems, 22(1), 51-62. Liu, Y., Huang, Z., Chen, L. (2012). Almost periodic solution of impulsive Hopfield neural networks with finite distributed delays. Neural Computing Applications,  21(5), 821-831. Liu, W., Fu, C., Hu, H. (2011). Global exponential stability of a class of Hopfield neural networks with delays. Neural Computing Applications, 20(8), 1205-1209. Martinelli, G. (2010). A Hopfield neural network approach to decentralized self- synchronizing sensor networks. Neural Computing Applications, 19(7), 987-996 Menezes, R. R., Monteiro, L. L. (2011). Synaptic compensation on Hopfield network: implications for memory rehabilitation. Neural Computing Applications, 20(5), 753-757 Popescu, D., Amza, C., LÄÆ'ptoiu, D., Amza, G. (2012). Competitive Hopfield Neural Network Model for Evaluating Pedicle Screw Placement Accuracy. Strojniski  Vestnik / Journal Of Mechanical Engineering, 58(9), 509-516. RepovÃ…  , G. G., Badde ley, A. A. (2006). The multi-component model of working memory: Explorations in experimental cognitive psychology. Neuroscience,  139(1), 5-21. Sheikhan, M. M., Hemmati, E. E. (2011). High reliable disjoint path set selection in mobile ad-hoc network using Hopfield neural network. IET Communications,  5(11), 1566-1576.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

BINOM.DIST in Excel

BINOM.DIST in Excel Calculations with the binomial distribution formula can quite tedious and difficult. The reason for this is due to the number and types of terms in the formula.  As with many calculations in probability, Excel can be utilized to expedite the process. Background on the Binomial Distribution The binomial distribution is a discrete probability distribution. In order to use this distribution, we need to make sure that the following conditions are met: There are a total of n independent trials.  Each of these trials can be classified as a success or failure.The probability of success is a constant p. The probability that exactly k of our n trials are successes is given by the formula: C( n, k) pk (1 - p)n – k. In the above formula, the expression C( n, k) denotes the binomial coefficient. This is the number of ways to form a combination of k elements from a total of n. This coefficient involves the use of the factorial, and so C(n, k) n!/[k!(n – k)! ]. COMBIN Function The first function in Excel related to the binomial distribution is COMBIN. This function calculates the binomial coefficient C( n, k), also known as the number of combinations of k elements from a set of n. The two arguments for the function are the number n of trials and k the number of successes. Excel defines the function in terms of the following: COMBIN(number, number chosen) Thus if there are 10 trials and 3 successes, there are a total of C(10, 3) 10!/(7!3!) 120 ways for this to occur. Entering COMBIN(10,3) into a cell in a spreadsheet will return the value 120. BINOM.DIST Function The other function that is important to know about in Excel is BINOM.DIST. There are a total of four arguments for this function in the following order: Number_s is the number of successes. This is what we have been describing as k.Trials are the total number of trials or n.Probability_s is the probability of a success, which we have been denoting as p.Cumulative uses an input either of true or false to calculate a cumulative distribution. If this argument is false or 0, then the function returns the probability that we have exactly k successes. If the argument is true or 1, then the function returns the probability that we have k successes or less. For example, the probability that exactly three coins out of 10 coin flips are heads is given by BINOM.DIST(3, 10, .5, 0). The value returned here is 0.11788. The probability that from flipping 10 coins at most three are heads is given by BINOM.DIST(3, 10, .5, 1). Entering this into a cell will return the value 0.171875. This is where we can see the ease of using the BINOM.DIST function. If we did not use software, we would add together the probabilities that we have no heads, exactly one head, exactly two heads or exactly three heads. This would mean that we would need to calculate four different binomial probabilities and add these together. BINOMDIST Older versions of Excel use a slightly different function for calculations with the binomial distribution. Excel 2007 and earlier use the BINOMDIST function. Newer versions of Excel are backward compatible with this function and so BINOMDIST is an alternate way to calculate with these older versions.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

New product development and product innovation charter Essay

New product development and product innovation charter - Essay Example Therefore, a white product manufacturing company must understand that technological advancements are the key to success in the market (Avlonitis & Papastathopoulou, 2006). 1. a) Product innovation charter entails product planning and strategizing prior to its development. PIC charter summarizes all the necessary tools that a company’s development team should draft to come up with new products. The charter ensures that a product developed under it targets to achieving the company’s goals and objectives. Thus, the specialists must abide to PIC if they target to ensure their development is for the best of the company once it is in the market. It enables the team to set the product’s objectives in accordance to sales forecasts. A product will product will be of critical importance to a company if only it will draw positive attention from the consumer markets, as this is the only way of improving sales margins (Annacchino 2007). Similarly, sales should be profitable t o the company at the long run as far as the company is a profit making organization. Further, a significant development is that which enables a company acquire a higher market share relative to its previous one. Managers and product developers should focus on improving the market share competently and profitably (Avlonitis & Papastathopoulou, 2006). b) Every company has a mission and vision in its business field. Therefore, to come up with the best results of every innovation, the team should consider the goals and objectives of the company. For example, if a company’s mission is to enhance economic growth and customer satisfaction, the new product should entice the consumer to feel closer to the company and on deriving satisfaction from his purchase, will mean profitability to the business. Since perfect market competition is a rare case, a brilliant innovation will enable the company to grow in the market and undermine competitive threats. Eventually, a company shall pose a positive image to the society and other business affiliates if only the charter refines its image through healthy innovations (Karniel & Reich, 2011). c) The challenges that come with every innovation are as well overwhelming. Managers should understand that product charters only reveal prospects and not certainty. The criterion often tends to control development teams to operate within distinct procedures. Therefore, the team may develop a product that suits specific needs. This results to reduction of sales prospects, profitability, and market segment. The company finds realizes to be loosing worth an investment to a nonperforming product. It is advisable that companies should endure on practicing the best details a product innovation charter can offer in relation to the company’s goals and objectives (Karniel & Reich, 2011). 2. a) The key factors to that influence companies to concentrate in new product development programs are diverse. Companies find that all markets pos e competition and to ensure co-existence they must come up with products that place them above per. Other companies seek to maximize profits and after careful revision of the products that they already offer in the market, they realize the need of a new product that will profitably benefit the company in its operations. Companies notice that, whenever new products hit the target market profitably economies of scale reflect positively, and the rate of growth draws a positive view from their affiliates (Avlonitis&

Friday, October 18, 2019

Xipe Totec from Aztec culture Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Xipe Totec from Aztec culture - Research Paper Example Holistic religion remains the base for the Aztec culture. The Aztec worshiped a collection of gods each of which had a beneficial side and also a detrimental side to the community. The Aztec rulers were seen as intermediaries between the people and the gods. They were held with such high regard that upon their death they would be buried in magnificent tombs which were filled with offerings and gifts. The Aztec belief of life after death is one that is rather captivating. It was believed that after death the people were taken to the underworld which was characterized by sinister objects and sinister gods. It was characterized by the jaguar which was believed to be the god of the night. There are certain elements of the religion, which will be examined further for the purpose of getting more understanding. The Xipe Totec is in focus here. This is one of the many deities, which existed, in the religious life of the Aztec people. This particular deity was in relation to the aspects of li fe and death. The Aztec people believed that it was this particular deity that was responsible for giving the people of the community and the general humanity food. It is also of the essence to note that there are quite a number of things, which this particular deity is credited. An example in this case is that it was this deity that was the inventor of wars that existed in the world. It is also to be noted that the Aztec placed a lot of belief in some of the things that surrounded the religion of the community. ... An example in this case is that it was this deity that was the inventor of wars that existed in the world. It is also to be noted that the Aztec placed a lot of belief in some of the things that surrounded the religion of the community. An example in this case is to do with the skin, which covered the Xipe Totec. In this case, it is put that the skin was perceived to have some curative properties. For example, if a sick person touched it, he or she was believed to be cured in the process. There are also a lot of things which the people in the community could undertake for the purpose of appeasing this deity. An example here is in relation to human sacrifice, which was something that was rather prevalent in the community. One of the ways through the aspect of human sacrifice was realized in the community was through the arrow sacrifice. What happened here is that the person who was going to be sacrificed was shot with many arrows while his body was placed near the deity. This was so t hat his or her blood could spill on the ground near the Xipe Totec. The Aztec offered blood to the gods but not necessarily through death. What they did however, is engage in activities that brought pain to the body for example piercing themselves with sharp objects or mutilating their bodies. At important ceremonies the sacrificed victim’s heart was burned in order to nourish the gods. This was majorly through human sacrifice. Human sacrifice was considered important as it encourages fertility and demonstrated piety. The Aztec offered blood to the gods but not necessarily through death. What they did however, is engage in activities that brought pain to the body for example piercing themselves with sharp objects

Advertisement and marketing communication Essay

Advertisement and marketing communication - Essay Example The new economy has brought success to e-bay and other organizations that use technology to apply marketing concepts like customer focus, good value, quality service and efficient exchange mechanisms for satisfying customer needs and wants. Basically marketing deals with identifying and meeting human and social needs. One of the shortest definitions of marketing is "meeting needs profitably (Kotler, 2003). Whether the marketer is Procter & Gamble, which created crest white strips in response to people's desire for whiter teeth; or Monster.com, which developed an online resume databank so job-hunters and employers can find each other more efficiently; or CarMax which invented a new way to sell used cars because people want more certainly when buying such vehicles, all illustrate a drive to turn a private or social need into a profitable business opportunity. Companies must carefully monitor their customers and competitors, continuously improve their value offerings, carefully define t he target market and value proposition, and take a long term view to satisfy customers, stockholders, employees, suppliers and channel partners. Modern marketing calls for more than developing a good product, pricing it attractively, and making it accessible. Companies must also communicate with present and potential stakeholders as well as general public. For companies it is not important to communicate but rather what to say, to whom and how often. The marketing communication mix consists of advertising, sales promotion, public relations and publicity, personal selling and direct marketing (Kolter, 1997). Advertising is any paid form of non-personal presentation and promotion of ideas, good or service by an identified sponsor. Ads are a cost effective way to disseminate message, whether to build brand preference. In developing an advertisement programme, marketing mangers start by identifying the target market and buyer motives. Then they make 5 critical decisions known as five M's i.e. Mission (objectives) Money, Message, Media & Measurement. An advertising objective is a specifics communication task and achievement level to the accomplished with a specific audience in a specific period. Advertising objectives can be classified according to whether their aim is to inform, persuade, remind or reinforce. The international charity recruiting business school playing the major role through providing students who are voluntarily help small business to grow in the developing market. We are required to show in the advertisement that it conveys goodwill and image of the organization. So this advertisement could be categorized as institutional advertisements, which advocates its act and show its pioneer work. To develop an effective advertisement one has to identify the target audience. Here we have an organization, which has some genuine motives. Our target audience is the people, who are young, willing to be the part of society and work for the betterment of the society, people and organizations. So seeing the target audience of the advertisement we selected red color, which, depicts vibrant, energetic and highly self-motivated nature of youth and this color attracts people immediately. Here picture is showing the two basic domain of people or society that is haves and have-nots. There is a path, which is very difficult, but it can take the people from the category of have-nots towards who have. In between the path there are lots of roadblocks and potholes, which makes journey very difficult but our business school graduates have the capacity to make the transition mu ch easier and he/she is right there to help voluntarily. Specifying the objective of the message plays a crucial role in deciding the nature. Simple and humorous massages which could be able to convey the message effectively will play the trick. It's an advertisement about voluntary service so it must contain some motivating message, which could easily attract

Criminal Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Criminal Justice - Essay Example As a result, the needs of the female prisoners are often disregarded thus negatively affecting their mental and physical health in the process. It has also been observed that the failure to meet the needs of the female prisoners deprives them of their right to basic dignity and leads to the violation of their fundamental human rights (Law and Whitehorn, 2012). Some of the key issues commonly faced by female prisoners include custodial sexual misconduct; caring for their children; lack of availability of adequate healthcare facilities suited for their needs; lack of accessible services; vulnerability to abuse; etc among others. The needs and concerns of female prisoners are starkly different as compared to their male counterparts, a fact which has been largely ignored so far. Unlike men, the female prisoners are solely responsible for caring for their young children. In such a situation, isolation due to confinement inevitably takes a toll on their mental health. Furthermore they are relatively more vulnerable to abuse and neglect in prison due to the differences in the sexual and reproductive health as compared to males. Issues such as these are hence likely to aggravate the mental and health problems faced by them (UN Office of Drugs and Crime, 2008). Women are also found to be highly vulnerable to prison abuse (Clear, Reisig, and Cole, 2012). Their mental health in particular is far more likely to deteriorate while in confinement due to factors such as overcrowding, lack of proper assessment procedures, discomfort on account of being supervised by male staff, etc (McElreath, Keena, Elter and Stuart, 2011; Stohr, Hemmens, and Walsh, 2008). Furthermore it has also been observed by various researchers that women are more prone to attempt suicide while in confinement due to mental stress and trauma, and lack of availability of appropriate healthcare facilities to address their specific healthcare needs (Petersilia and Reitz, 2012). Critical evaluation: There has been a significant rise in the number of female prisoners in the United States during the past two decades. This sudden increase of female offenders can largely be contributed to stricter punishment and longer incarceration for drug offenders, as a part of the war on drugs campaign. Thus, the policies introduced by the administration to eliminate and / or reduce the disparities in sentencing, ultimately led to the rise of female inmates behind bars (Stange, Oyster, and Sloan, 2011; Miller, 2009). According to the American Civil Liberties Union, women comprise of the fastest growing segment of the incarcerated population, increasing at nearly double the rate of men, in the United States (ACLU, 2007). There is substantial evidence indicating the substantial over-representation of women of color in the American prisons as well as the criminal justice system, with Blacks and Hispanics comprising of the largest female population behind bars (Law and Whitehorn, 2012; Oberman and Meyer, 20 08). Some of the key reasons behind the increased incarceration rates of females belonging to the minority population include poverty, and unemployment which significantly hampers their ability to provide and care for their families. Their demographic and socio-economic background makes them highly prone to commit economically driven crimes such as property crimes, prostitution and at times drug

Thursday, October 17, 2019

How can the planning system encourage more sustainable patterns of new Essay

How can the planning system encourage more sustainable patterns of new housing development urban design - Essay Example Planning of homes has major impact on functioning level within societies. The planning and design of homes should consider various factors such as access to jobs, community facilities and access to transport. Well organized and planned housing development assist in the creation of unity hence contribute towards reduction in anti-social behavior. Development of cities, towns and leisure centers should consider various development policies such as environmental policies. Various destinations all over the world should consider creation of barrier-free movement within cities which would accommodate people of all walks of life (Scott 2000). Urban planning is defined as the art involved in designing places for the purpose of settling people. Such designs should consider accommodating more sustainable patterns of new housing development. New housing design method presents one of the most important elements of urban planning. The planning process entails various aspects such as aesthetic value of building masses based on the intended functions. In addition enough passage areas are constructed to enhance easy movement of both people and vehicle traffic. This would improve communication links within towns. Urban planning and design incorporates visionary frameworks which projects quality outlook of the development formats capable of accommodating vast developmental activities and at the same time maintains socio-cultural activities (Susan and John 2004). Development of modern quality housing requires the use of upgraded technology capable of producing modern designs and at the same time maintaining a sustainable environment. Infrastructural development does not entirely define an urban metropolis; it is also defined by the expectations and ambitions of its habitants and characterized by its upsides and downsides. The Cities background, practices and communal set up, form the core of city’s existence. There is need to effectively administer

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Sample Cyber Security Profile Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sample Cyber Security Profile - Essay Example According to many publications, NIST is very proactive in this element as one of the main is attacks on User Domain. There are several types of attacks on the User Domain that are prevalent, as they can be quite successful against an uninformed or untrained employee. By implementing good company policies and ensuring that best practices against these attacks are used, an organization should be able to mitigate the risks found in the User Domain. Within the realm of User Domain, NIST is also very comprehensive in its understanding spoofing and DDoS. One of the worst vulnerabilities for user domains is insider attacks. Insider attacks occur. For instance, denial of service and spoofing are one the most common themes that occur. The problem is the fact that intercepting authentication or other sensitive information can be executed with the current WAN technology since it utilizes the traditional TCP/IP in user domains. (Best Practices for the Security 2013)Moreover, spoofing can also be conducted since an intruder can deceive the network that it recognizes a possible unauthorized access. The problem with installing firewalls in a user domain is the fact that they are fully feasible. Insider attacks occur when one user domain gains more privilege than the other user and shares that information. Tipton (2005) This becomes extremely dangerous because it allows the hacker to have one central location to exploit information. (Best P ractices for the Security 2013) Inside attacks can be vast and potent depending on the type of attack. For instance, an executing script can copy sensitive information and can make one central machine a master. This can be detrimental to a data breach. This master to slave configuration can be used with full throttle for malicious attacks.  

How can the planning system encourage more sustainable patterns of new Essay

How can the planning system encourage more sustainable patterns of new housing development urban design - Essay Example Planning of homes has major impact on functioning level within societies. The planning and design of homes should consider various factors such as access to jobs, community facilities and access to transport. Well organized and planned housing development assist in the creation of unity hence contribute towards reduction in anti-social behavior. Development of cities, towns and leisure centers should consider various development policies such as environmental policies. Various destinations all over the world should consider creation of barrier-free movement within cities which would accommodate people of all walks of life (Scott 2000). Urban planning is defined as the art involved in designing places for the purpose of settling people. Such designs should consider accommodating more sustainable patterns of new housing development. New housing design method presents one of the most important elements of urban planning. The planning process entails various aspects such as aesthetic value of building masses based on the intended functions. In addition enough passage areas are constructed to enhance easy movement of both people and vehicle traffic. This would improve communication links within towns. Urban planning and design incorporates visionary frameworks which projects quality outlook of the development formats capable of accommodating vast developmental activities and at the same time maintains socio-cultural activities (Susan and John 2004). Development of modern quality housing requires the use of upgraded technology capable of producing modern designs and at the same time maintaining a sustainable environment. Infrastructural development does not entirely define an urban metropolis; it is also defined by the expectations and ambitions of its habitants and characterized by its upsides and downsides. The Cities background, practices and communal set up, form the core of city’s existence. There is need to effectively administer

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Anna’s Courage and Determination That Results in Her Eventual Emancipation Essay Example for Free

Anna’s Courage and Determination That Results in Her Eventual Emancipation Essay English ‘Year of wonders’ Practice essay #1 â€Å"More than anything else, it is Anna’s courage and determination that results in her eventual emancipation’. Do you agree?† The circular structure Novel â€Å" Year of wonders† by Geraldine Brooks, details the events taking place at a small village called ‘Eyam’, through the eyes of the protagonist Anna Frith. Set in the 1600s, the town of Eyam (along with the rest of Europe) finds them self’s at the mercy of the devastating disease know as the bubonic plague. This relentless and unforgiving infection kills within days and spreads rapidly, making it near impossible to combat. In response, Eyam’s unofficial ‘leader‘ and rector, Mr. Mompellion, imposes a ‘voluntary’ quarantine on the village, which isolates them from the rest of the outside world, leaving themselves to deal with the fear and challenges brought by the plague. Throughout the testing times brought by the plague, the bravery and willpower of the main character Anna Frith is constantly evident and is the main reason why she is able to survive the plague and eventually free her self from the past, with her new life in Oran. This is shown in the novel through Anna’s fortitude to over come her great challenges and fears and her constant endeavor to help others. However her loss in faith throughout the novel also plays a role in the development of her new life. Through one of the most testing times of human history, a young and timid girl in Anna Frith responds by stepping up and growing strong. She had to face tasks, no ordinary women would be capable of, such as; laying her husbands body out for burial and dealing with the mangled remains of her father. And not to mention the countless amount of ‘death beads’ she attended. Further more we learn early learn of Anna’s fear of delivering babies and midwifing due to her mother due to a four-day labor. During this labor, a barber surgeon was called in and used a thatcher’s hook to pull the remains from Anna’s mother. With Anna’s father, Josiah, too intoxicated to realise Anna was in the room, she was exposed to seeing â€Å"the tiny town off arm of [her] stillborn sister† and â€Å"the pale, folded flesh, the tiny, perfect fingers open like a little flower†. This fear is over come by  determination when Elinor Mompellion requests Anna’s help to deliver Mary daniel’s baby. Anna was â€Å"not calm, nor certain and had no skill† but was a great help in the successful delivery of the baby and â€Å"in a season of death, we celebrated life†. Anna then realised that due to the dwindling numbers of the village, it was essential that Anna rise’s to the occasion and start burdening some of the load off Elinor’s shoulders. Anna performs very well in the delivery foreshadows that amount of deliveries she partakes in, and the eventual career path she takes with ahmed bey in oran. Further more, when a young orphaned girl is in desperate need of assistance to save her family mine, Anna jumps at the opportunity. She undertakes the dangerous task even though she dreads that it will leave her â€Å"dead in the dark like Sam†. Even In the presence of these fears she puts the needs of other before her own reservations. It is Anna’s Determination to over come her fear and apprehensions for the greater good of someone else that makes her â€Å"tempered and strong† and allows her release the shackles of her past at the end of the novel and start a new life in Oran. At a time when you were considered lucky to not be ravaged by disease, many would avoid contact with those affected, unlike Anna who was at the forefront helping. With the ever-smaller population of Eyam becoming smaller by the day, Anna realised that it was her duty to assist Elinor in give strength to the healthy, and to also bring solace and peace to those afflicted with the plague. She started becoming an established and capable caregiver even though her official role is as a servant. Through out the novel, Anna continued to help others in the town such as Mr. Mompellion in his duties as rector, Merry wick ford with the collection of led from her mine thus saving Merry’s claim, and also the with the adoption of the young Bradford baby, aisha. By adopting the her she becomes more independent and does not endorse the trends of other women during that time period and does not succumb to the prejudices of society. For Anna, surviving the plague was not enough, she states †Å"I was alive, and I was young, and I would go on until I found some reason for it†. With Anna’s willingness to help people during severely hard circumstances aided her in fulfilling her ambition to complete a â€Å"worthy life’s work† as a midwife on Oran. Although Anna’s persistence largely leads to her emancipation, her loss in faith is also attributed to her new life in Oran. Religion during the 1600s played a very significant role in how people thought, behaved and eventually how they tried to explain the cause of the plague. For many, including Anna, the plague was believed to be a punishment from god, sent to rid the earth of sin. When questioned, the town rector Mr. Mompellion could not explain why God had caused such devastation. Anna is seen to start to question her religious beliefs early in the novel when she says, â€Å"Why I wonder was god so much more prodigal with his creation† and â€Å"why should this good women (Maggie Cantwell) lie here, in such extremity, when a man like my father lived to waste his reason in drunkenness†. When Mr. Mompellion can’t explain the plague from a religious stance, many of the villagers look for other scape goats and turn to superstitions such as witch craft, an d hence the killing of Anys and near death of Mem. Anna does not succumb to the superstition and turns to a thought out explanation that â€Å"perhaps the plague was neither god nor the devil, but simply a thing of nature, as the stone on which we stub our toe†. This loss in faith of religious explanation allows her to find a reason to live purposely and let go of all her ties and memories with the rector. For the duration of â€Å"year of wonders†, Anna Frith demonstrates several strong and purpose driven characteristics that allowed for her to survive severely tough times and escape to her new life in oran. Anna was able to over come her fears, put peoples needs before her own and was able to let go of her religious beliefs which allowed her to move on with life and forget all elements of her past.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Government Strategies to Control Inflation

Government Strategies to Control Inflation With reference to the UK, examine and discuss the methods open to a government to control the rate of inflation within an economy. Introduction Inflation refers to an increase in the price level of goods and services in a given economy. Since inflation is concerned with increases in the cost of living rather than increases in the cost of a particular good, it is measured using a price index which monitors the price of a weighted ‘basket’ of goods. In the UK, the main price indices are the Retail Price Index (RPI), the Retail Price Index excluding Mortgage Interest Payments (RPIX) and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Responsibility for the control of inflation was handed from the Treasury to the Bank of England in 1997 at which time the RPIX was used to measure inflation and the inflation target was set at 2.5%. Since December 2003, the CPI has replaced the RPIX as the main inflation measure and the target has been set at 2%. Diagram 1 (below) depicts annual inflation rates in the UK from 1997 to 2007 as measured by both the RPIX and the CPI. This essay will first outline the main theories put forward to explain the causes of inflation and the methods that each theory suggests would control inflation. The next section considers inflation in the UK from 1997 to date, and then evaluates the measures employed by the Bank of England in order to try to control inflation in that period. Causes of inflation and methods of inflation control There are two main schools of thought on the causes of inflation. The Keynesian school posits that changes in the real supply of or demand for goods and services are the key causes of inflation. Thus in order to reduce inflation, an expansion in supply or a contraction in demand is necessary to reduce the price level. This can be achieved through fiscal or monetary policy or a combination of the two. Fiscal policy such as an increase in income tax rates, has the effect of reducing effective demand for goods and services and thus can be used to lower inflation. Furthermore, a reduction in sales taxes (VAT in the UK) can reduce inflation to the extent that that inflation is caused by an increase in consumer prices. Monetary policy, through an increase in interest rates, can reduce aggregate demand through discouraging borrowing, increasing saving and reducing the disposable income of homeowners as the cost of mortgage repayments increases. The monetarists, on the other hand, argue that inflation is caused primarily by changes in the supply of and demand for money. In this view, then, inflation can be reduced either by reducing the supply of, or increasing the demand for, money. Given that either the government or the central bank (as in the case of the UK where the Bank of England has had independence on monetary policy since 1997) sets the price of money (i.e. the interest rate), they are able to control the supply of and demand for money. This suggests that fiscal policy can be used to affect aggregate supply and aggregate demand while monetary policy can be used to affect aggregate demand (particular in an economy with a high level of mortgaged home-ownership) and the supply of and demand for money. Inflation in the UK and Bank of England control measures from 1997 to 2008 The diagram above shows UK inflation (as measured by RPIX and CPI) from 1997 to 2008 together with the inflation targets set for the Bank of England by the government. This shows that from 1997 to 2003, inflation was held within 0.5% of its target. In 2004, inflation as measured by its (then new) CPI target was on the low side but from 2005 to 2007, it was within a healthy 0.5% range of target. In recent months, however, inflation has been climbing and is predicted to go over 3% at some point before the end of 2008. In order to understand inflation and inflation control in the UK, it is necessary to understand some of the specificities of the UK economy. In the first place, the nature of the UK housing market (which is characterized by high loan-to-value ratios, relatively few long-term fixed rate mortgages, and ease of re-mortgaging) makes house prices particularly responsive to interest rates. Cameron (2005:3) explains that ‘a one percentage point rise in the short-term real interest rate would reduce house prices over a five year period by 2.6% in the UK, 1.8% in the US, and 1.3% in Germany.’ Furthermore, in the UK, house prices have a major impact on consumer spending. Cameron (2005:3) explains that house prices are more volatile in the UK than elsewhere in the developed world, and that the impact of house prices on consumer spending is also particularly heavy in the UK – according to the OECD, a 1% fall in UK housing wealth correlates with a 0.07% fall in consumer spendi ng. This can be seen as due to the high levels of home ownership and the high loan-to-value ratios of mortgages. This demonstrates that while monetary policy can be very effective in reducing aggregate demand via just a small increase in interest rates, the converse is also true – in other words, a small reduction in interest rates will have a significant effect on aggregate demand and so will lead to a significant increase in inflation. This last point is well illustrated by the current situation in the UK. The Bank of England is mandated to control inflation (as mentioned previously the target is 2% as measured by the CPI) but has control only over monetary policy and not over fiscal policy. Monetary policy impacts economic growth as well as inflation and therefore when the economy is slowing (as is currently the case) and potentially heading towards recession, interest rates may be used to stimulate growth even if this may also increase inflation to an unacceptable level (when it goes over 3% the governor of the Bank of England must write an explanatory letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer). As the Economist (2008:38) explains, in January of this year, ‘consumer prices were 2.2% higher than a year ago—a bit above the governments 2.0% inflation target. The banks central forecast shows inflation heading up to 3% by the third quarter of this year.’ The Bank of England (2008) itself certainly blames the predicted escalation of inflation over the acceptable 3% level on the problem of balancing growth objectives with inflation targets given that monetary policy is the only tool at its disposal, claiming that the ‘combination of slow growth and above-target inflation poses substantial challenges for policy.’ Conclusion The Bank of England (2008) explains that ‘higher energy, food and import prices push inflation up sharply in the near term.’ This is echoed by analysis in the Economist (2008:38) which claims that increasing ‘home-energy bills, which have jumped by nearly 15% so far this year, will add almost half a percentage point to consumer-price inflation in February. Food-price inflation, which is currently 6.6%, is likely to rise further. Import prices will be pushed up by a weaker pound, whose 6% fall in the last three months was the biggest since sterlings ignominious exit from the European exchange-rate mechanism in 1992.’ In order to address this kind of inflation without stifling economic growth at a time when growth is already slowing, policies need to be directed at aggregate supply of goods and services. As was outlined above, monetary policies have an impact on the supply and demand for money and also on aggregate demand for goods and services. However, only fiscal policy impacts the aggregate supply of services. Thus in the context of low levels of growth and high levels of inflation, monetary policy (as controlled by the Bank of England) is not sufficient because if it focuses on controlling inflation it cannot also reverse the slowdown in economic growth, and if it focuses on economic growth, there is a danger that inflation will get out of control. Thus inflation controls should draw on a combination of fiscal and monetary policy. References Bank of England (2008) ‘Overview of the Inflation Report February 2008’ (downloaded from http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/inflationreport/infrep.htm on 4 March 2008) Cameron, G. (2005) ‘The UK Housing Market: Economic Review’ (downloaded from http://hicks.nuff.ox.ac.uk/users/cameron/papers/ukhousingmarket.pdf on 4 March 2008) Economist (2008) ‘Economic woes: Fighting on two fronts: Britain’s central bank gets gloomier about growth and inflation’ in The Economist, February 16th-22nd 2008, p.38 OECD (2005) ‘Economic Survey of the United Kingdom, 2005 (downloaded from http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/18/34/35473312.pdf on 4 March 2008) Office for National Statistics (2008a) ‘RP07 RPI all items excluding Mortgage Interest Payments (RPIX) percentage change over 12 months (CDKQ)’ (downloaded from http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RPIX.pdf on 4 March 2008) Office for National Statistics (2008b) ‘CPI12 CPI all items percentage change over 12 months (D7G7)’ (downloaded from http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/CPI.pdf on 4 March 2008)

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Courage is The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe Essay -- Tom Wolfe

Courage is The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe Tom Wolfe's novel The Right Stuff, gives an accurate description into the lives of the first astronauts and rocket-powered aircraft test pilots, from their careers before, during, and after their selection to become astronauts, through to their private home lives. All throughout his book, Wolfe refers to "the right stuff" and "this righteous stuff" without ever saying upfront what "the stuff" really is. I have concluded that throughout the story, "the right stuff" is simply courage. I would personally define courage as: The willingness to put yourself in a potentially dangerous situation. It is never easy to put yourself into a dangerous position, this is because our brain is programmed for survival, but there are ways to better equip our brain so that these situations become less dangerous. A couple of these ways are with our natural instincts and good training. When you have natural instincts for something, it makes that task easier than for someone who doesn't have the same instincts. There was a good part of Wolfe's book that described how instincts led to Gordon Cooper being selected into the Mercury Program. It was when he was doing the initial interview sessions when the "NASA psychologists were asking candidates about their family lives, Cooper was able to sense the correct answers and describe his family life as terrific, when in fact they were separated". Cooper's natural people person instincts helped him recognize what this line of questioning was about, kept him in the running for an astronaut position-which he later received-and was able to reconcile with his wife so they looked like the model family. Throughout his book, Wolfe describes training that these men ... ...flight". So after reading stories of astronauts, their families, and test pilots, I take Tom Wolfe's phrase "The Right Stuff" to mean courage that was obtained from natural instinct and training. Without any of these special traits, I believe that finding a person to fly strapped onto a rocket into the heavens would have been a very difficult one for the military and NASA. They are the intangible items that make the difference between life and death when a person is placed in a dangerous situation. BIBLIOGRAPHY Wolfe, Tom. The Right Stuff. New York, NY: Bantam Books, 2001. Wolfe's novel describes the early years of the manned rocket flight era. He tells stories from legends like Chuck Yeager, Allen Shepard, Neil Armstrong, and Gordon Cooper. These stories tell about their histories from screenings to become astronauts to being record-setting test pilots.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Strategies Designed to Motivate Employees Essay -- Business Management

Strategies Designed to Motivate Employees One of a manager's responsibilities is to inspire employees and encourage them to strive for excellence and remain motivated even during the difficult times. While this task is challenging, there are measures a manager can take to generate enthusiasm in any working environment. Although different people are moved by different desires, values and goals, there are a number of generally agreed-upon motivators to which most people respond. The employees at Gullivers are de-motivated because of the poor environmental conditions. The employees work alone for long periods of time. This leads the worker to feel isolated. As well as this the tasks that some employees carry out are repetitive and boring. This is brought on by the use of a production line. The employees also work in two day time shifts. The hours of these shifts might not be suitable for some people, such as mothers. The times that shifts start and finish might clash with school hour, leading to people coming in late or leaving early. F. W. Taylor developed the early idea that to motivate the worker you have to pay him/her at the highest possible wage, through working in the most efficient and productive manner. This approach was called the rational-economic concept of motivation. Taylor believed if an organisation first evaluated the job to be done. Then came up with the best way to do each stage of that job. The lastly put the people in the right place to then carry out that job effectively. So the job would be completed in an efficient, producing more profit, which would lead to higher wages. Taylor believed that this alone wo... ...d the team leader allow discussion of any disharmony. Maintaining a highly motivated staff is key to a company's success. A lack of employee enthusiasm can alter your company's productivity, and ultimately, your bottom line. There are several factors which effect motivation. A combination of techniques that matches the unique needs and personalities of your employees will bring the most effective results. However any measures taken is only effective as far as the employee is willing to be motivated. Bibliography Laurie J Mullins 2002, Management and Organisational Behaviours, Financial Times Pitman Publishing imprint, Great Britain Susan Jarosz 2003, Class Notes, Borders College, Galashiels W.H. Weiss 2001, Building Morale, Motivating and Empowering Employees" Supervision. Vol. 62, Issue 1 pages 1-2