My Life Experience Essay

I stand before you today to share with you all my experiences so far here at UWA, and the beautiful city of Perth. To begin with, the 1st and foremost reason that I chose UWA is that it not only is the oldest university in the state of Western Australia but also the only university in the state to be a member of the Group of Eight. It’s also has an international reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research and stands 96th all over the world according to the Shanghai-Jiao Tong University’s Academic Ranking of World Universities, considered to be the most influential international ranking. Moving on, to share with you all my academic experience in the university so far, The last two months, have been very beneficial, I have had the privilege of being taught by highly learned and experienced professors in a very flexible classroom environment. The lectures are interactive and use of technology makes it all the more interesting. Regular tests and assignments keep us engaged in our studies and group work help us in bonding with our fellow students, thus motivating us to do better. Now, coming to a point that captures every international students mind before they take up a course abroad-Part time jobs to meet regular expenses and Jobs post completion of course. Well, in this regard I can confidently say that while in Perth no student can complain of unavailability of part time jobs. There are a lot of casual jobs available here in Perth like Wait staff at restaurants, which can be a start-up job and easily accessible even without prior experience. One can also go in for a security licence or can get into store management of departmental stores like Coles or Woolworths and a variety of other options. Post Completion of course one can expect an average salary of about $50,000- $90,000 and a wide area of jobs opportunities in different streams. The job market on the whole is in a big boom, with WA being the fastest growing state in Australia. Studying in UWA also brings about a lot of integrity among students from different nationalities. Personally, I have come across students from all over the world like Bangladesh, China, N. Korea, Japan, USA, France, Germany, U.K., etc. We learn a lot about their culture, their county, so it truly is an international experience. Finally, Living in Perth: I love living in Perth it’s great, you have beautiful beaches, great restaurants, and good nightlife and can make great friends, just like anywhere else. Subiaco, Fremantle, Claremont are some of the suburbs that have great coffee culture. So what if there is no Starbucks, we are blessed with Dome, Another chain of coffee shops. And one cannot afford to miss the excellent raspberry and white chocolate muffins that they serve. As a kid I always heard † ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY† , holds true, but Perth definitely makes up for all the hard work we put to complete assignments and late hours of studying for tests. From beaches to shopping to warm evenings and sailing. Perth has it all. Thank You.

Fostering Ethical Behavior Essay

Ethical conduct in today’s work environment is extremely important as it not only affects the climate of the workplace but can also make a major impact on the output of the employees who work for you. As Kreitner and Kinicki state, â€Å"Improving workplace ethics is not just a nice thing to do; it also can have a positive impact on the bottom line† (Organizational Behavior, 2009, p. 25). But the discussion on how to foster more ethical conduct can oftentimes be a tricky question to answer. First, my firm belief is that you have to start from the top of an organization and work down. If a CEO or upper level manager acts unethically in his/her practices then how can you expect another employee to not react in the same manner? â€Å"Managers are potent role models whose habits and actual behavior send clear signals about the importance of ethical conduct. Ethical behavior is a top-to-bottom proposition†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Organizational Behavior, 2009, p. 25). Secondly, an organization should maintain a strong and respected code of ethics that all employees would be required to adhere, train and reinforce in the workplace. Unethical behavior to get ahead can be a poison to any organization. â€Å"Behavior that is reinforced tends to be repeated, whereas behavior that is not reinforced tends to disappear. Ethical conduct too often is ignored or even punished while unethical behavior is rewarded. † (Organizational Behavior, 2009, p. 25). It should be the number one goal of any top management to foster a working environment where ethical behavior is rewarded and I feel that leading by example from the top down will result in a positive outcome in the workplace.

Baghdad as the capital of the Abbasid islamic world (8th- 11th Research Paper

Baghdad as the capital of the Abbasid islamic world (8th- 11th centries) - Research Paper Example Since the capital made trading possible due to numerous entry points to and from different parts of the Asian, European and African continents, the city flourished and prospered, thus, making it possible for the caliphate to establish centers of learning such as schools and libraries (Majeed 1486). This made the Abbasid Empire able to create numerous advancements such as in agriculture, architecture, literature and other knowledge pursuits, which they are able to disseminate to all the parts of the empire, and even the world via the European scientific revolution. Many of the breakthroughs that the Muslim scholars were able to make were highly significant because of the information being applicable to many aspects of science, literature and economics. The open-mindedness of the Muslim scholars during the Abbasid Empire made it possible for them to not only accept new information from other cultures such as Greeks and Romans, but also to create some improvements in them as well (Mazia k 1416). Also, the impact of the knowledge revolution instigated by the Abbasid caliphate is highly significant because if the Muslim Empire was not able to expand its territories, possible transfer of information from the Middle East to the European continent via Islamic Spain may not have been possible, and the scientific revolution around the 17th century would not have taken place. The Importance of Establishing Baghdad as the Capital While most of the buildings built during the Abbasid empire were destroyed during the invasion of the Mongols, many narratives remained that were able to establish how it was to live in Baghdad during its height of glory (Micheau 224). The splendor of the city as written down by many earlier historians was made well known not just for trade but also for learning and knowledge. The early caliphs proved that it was possible to make Baghdad a famous city once they were able to properly begin its construction. After the rise of the Abbasid dynasty arou nd 750 A.C.E., Muslim power shifted from Syria to Iraq, and the caliphs moved the capital from Damascus to Baghdad. Al-Mansur, one of the earliest caliphs established Baghdad as the empire’s capital, and had it surrounded by a circular wall (Robinson 255). This made the Sasanian tradition alive and well, and was properly scattered in most of the nearby parts of the empire. It was also important that it was along the established trade routes, making the place generate additional revenue for buildings (Syed 2). Another is that Baghdad is near to large rivers such as the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers, which are essential in sustaining growth and development of the place (Micheau 222). Because of the proximity to major trade routes and large rivers, the establishment of human settlement in Baghdad was possible, and more people came in for work. To accommodate them, it was decided that the walled city must be finished as soon as possible, and in order to do so, numerous engineer s, architects and skilled craftsmen were hired from different regions. This did not just transform the city but also started its assimilation of knowledge from different cultures, since most of the workers were hired from vast places (Denoix 131). The urbanization was very successful that it was possible to establish many places where further pursuits of knowledge can be done, not just

Fashion is no longer led by design, but rather marketing Essay

Fashion is no longer led by design, but rather marketing - Essay Example Consumers thrilled by the advertising themes tend to buy without focusing on the product offerings by the brand (Agins, 1999, p.14). Marketing is more important than designs, but however the importance of design cannot in anyways be neglected. Importance of Marketing in the Fashion Apparel Industry The marketing activities of any industry depend on a set of four functions viz. product, price, place and promotion. The designing of the apparel by the apparel or the clothing industry encompass the product factor in the marketing activities. However, the other marketing activities related to the promotion, place and price must be so used as to help highlight the product usages and unique features. In that marketing activities first endeavor to focus on enlarging the scope of seasonal offerings to the customers. Different segments like women, men, and sports possess separate attributes for producing seasonal products. The number of seasonal offerings increases in the case of women apparel s than for men apparels. For the sports segment a separate line ‘resort wear’ is introduced which needs special promotion efforts to be largely marketed. Promotion and distribution activities of the designer wears constitute selling such garments through the construction of retail outlets or organizing large fashion shows for the promotion of the new lines introduced (Jay, n.d. p.198). Marketing activities in the field of fashion merchandise occupies a place of strategic importance in its ability to relate the firm’s production activities to the outside world. The garment industry through the use of proper planning, promotion and distribution activities can endeavor to get a larger market share of its designed products. In the planning stage the garment manufacturing firms through the incorporation of extensive market research activities endeavor to understand the needs of the consumers and target groups and design products accordingly. Moreover, the designers th rough the spontaneous study of international design standards endeavor to create a product to be accepted in the international market. Fabric designers should lay increased focus on enhancing the product quality through the creation of new textures through blending of fiber yarns and other finishing activities. Having the product built the fabric manufacturers then concentrate on the marketing activities. The marketing activities must focus on making more number of customers aware of the product specialties of the particular brand based on the features of the textures and blends incorporated to produce the desired quality. Marketing activities encompass a wide range of events like advertising, promotion, creating huge publicity and rendering presentations. Presentations can be created to inform the large audiences about the designs incorporated to enhance the quality standards of the products and reflect such development based on market trends. (Frings, Stephens, 2002.pp. 138-147). Marketing Activities affecting the market for Designs The increased focus lent on marketing activities helps the firm to incur more revenue through gaining a larger market share. However, the firms through the use of strategies like price penetration where the prices of the products are considerably lowered to gain wider market

Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Essay - 3

Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility - Essay Example The aspect of good and wellness encompasses a comprehensive range of aspects that includes development of the society, and other aspects that promote the general well being of the entire society at large. The main aspect of business organization in this regard comes from their actions and behaviour that is reflected from their actions and strategies. Business organizations do not operate in a vacuum but in a set up that includes multiple stakeholders and hence ethics in business also implies the aspect of relationship that a business organizations hares with its stakeholders. In this regard the scope of business ethics goes beyond the elements of behaviours, relations that helps generate a mutually beneficial relationship with all the stakeholders. The challenge for business organizations lies in promoting an effective balance of profit and societal development that helps generate long term sustainability in the market (Hanson, n.d.). Anglo American is a mining and extraction company that operates around the globe. The company has a fair amount of strategies directed towards ensuring ethical standards in business. Some of the strategies that are being used by the company include a program named ‘Good Citizenship’ that lays down the code of conduct for business operations by following all the legal code of conduct. It has also participated in various community development programs of international organizations like UN. The company works towards social security and human rights with regards to its mining operations that are mostly located in African nations. The company has gone one step up by including the community as a major stakeholder in its business. This way it justifies the popular notion that the ultimate aim of the organization should be the profit to the stakeholders. There is a process named SEAT that helps in evaluating the effects of mining programs and supporting the community by taking up steps such as

Is Buddhism Truly Compatible With Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Is Buddhism Truly Compatible With Science - Essay Example A focal idea is the statement that "everything is produced through mind" (Verhoeven, 2001). b. Buddhism was a moral perfect free of superstitions. i. Buddhism adjusted to the logical perspective of a requested universe ruled by law (Dharma)ii. Buddhism's perspective of the existing universe does not include heavenly mediation (karma) (Verhoeven, 2001). c. Buddhism was a religion of self improvement. i. Buddhism gets rid of the idea of a preeminent being, as does science. ii. Buddhism clarifies the inceptions and workings of the universe regarding regular law (Verhoeven, 2001). 2. No, Buddhism cannot be fully compatible with science. a. Science is taking into account experimental confirmation while Buddhism is focused the subject of "mind". i. Mind is a matter that cannot be measured (Verhoeven, 2001). ii. Mind cannot be approved observationally by an outsider (Verhoeven, 2001). iii. Such investigation cannot be compatible with experimental science. Connection of man to the world an d of the one who knows to the known. i. Buddhism is in light of a thought of non-duality (Verhoeven, 2001). ii. Buddhism prevents numerous from claiming these fundamental refinements that are vital to Western science. c. Science is keen on the exact examination of the material world, while Buddhism, as a religion, focuses on the inner world. i. Buddhism goes for the inward world: moral, otherworldly, mental, and scholarly (Verhoeven, 2001).

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 25

Summary - Essay Example The revolution of the internet made it possible to interlink different computers across the world, making it easier to enhance distribution of materials across the globe. New interventions were made to make it easy to plug, play, compete, connect and collaborate with each other seamlessly. The changes noted after the invention of the internet and advanced technology in digital platforms has made it possible to create a new world that few fathomed in the past. Individual digital materials are easy to sell to the world without the initial hustle of having to go through the stipulated regulations. Instead, the upload of materials has made it possible to provide more information than one can handle in a day, and change the way people relate to information. Friedman looks at the horizontal shift of using information as a platform that replaces the vertical shift present before the advancement of technology. Friedman is sure that the world will continue expanding whether one takes the initiative or not. Even a driver, as noted in Friedman’s travel to Budapest, has a website translated into three different languages. The speed at which the world is moving is making it difficult for people without the passion to develop their skills. The ability to make use of the internet to make sure they gain from the flattening world notion. One’s imagination, therefore, is one of the most important aspects that people need to work on to ensure they take full advantage of the possibilities present. Learning to collaborate is one of the greatest advantages presented to all people who want to make sure they maximize on the increased connectivity across the world. This will increase productivity gains and make it easier to understand the benefits of taking advantage to the globalization attributes across the divide. The revolution will be won by

Theory paper Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Theory - Term Paper Example Activists in international associations seek to influence outcomes of policy as well as change the terms and the character of debate. The various attributes of networks constitute core network conception represented in Keck and Sikkink theory of transnational activism. One of the key values to the theory is values, which motivate network actors to work together because of shared values or principle idea embedded in international human rights laws. Keck and Sikkink works revolve around ideas or values to diffuse progressive ideas in order to aid institutionalize value in political process and bring government practice to comply with established norms. Network is made of various types of actors like international and domestic non-governmental organizations, private foundations, local movements, media, churches, intellectuals and parts of governmental apparatus and politicians. Hence, international and domestic NGOs play a significant role since they are characterized by coordination an d cooperation between actors in the network and exchange information, services, resources and personnel (Tang 229-230). Transnational human rights associations are capable of doing a lot in guaranteeing the protection of human rights. For instance, transnational human rights network participate in drafting international human rights laws, advocate and diffuse norms inherent in laws and promote socialization of norms in domestic politics. Moreover, transnational networks place human rights problems of a nation on the international agenda, legitimize and empower the claims of repressed groups in a country and mobilizes international pressure against nations that violate the norms. Since most members in transnational activism networks have no economic or military power, one may wonder how transnational activism accomplishes their task in a world filled with power struggles. First, actors in transnational activism derive moral authority from the legitimacy inherent in international norm s of human rights. Since ideas and norms have constructive power to define state identities and interests transnational activists use their persuasive power to enforce policy changes. Transnational activists are â€Å"teachers of norms† as well as authors of norms thus they persuade policy makers to change their minds regarding what is right and alter public perception of what governments do. Hence, transnational activism makes difference by standing on the right side and defining what is right (Tang 231-232). Nevertheless, moral power of transnational activists never guarantees moral success in actual political processes; hence, members of the network of international activists employ sets of strategies to gain from strengths of norms in order to change certain human rights practices. Strategies for transnational activists on human rights fall in two categories soft politics and hard politics, with soft politics refereeing to strategies that depend on information and moral p ersuasion. Contract between domestic and international organizations, transnational activists uncover facts human rights violations within a country and circulate information regarding state repression unknown to the outside world. These transnational activists of human rights then embark on campaigns that aim at shaming the international community by exposing inconsistency of state behavior and values it claims to aspire. Transnational activists employ hard politics with essential strategy in this area being leverage politics where network members

Health Care - a Look into the Career Path of the Industry Essay

Health Care - a Look into the Career Path of the Industry - Essay Example Upon consideration on the extent of his responsibilities, Chris has discovered that the ground rules of the medical service are its ability to provide such under a sincere and qualified personnel who is expected to extend its full support over the patient and his family. At the same time, such responsibilities extend and uphold the interest of the company that works in collaboration with other insurance companies. Costs of services are then considered to be in conjunction with a pre-approved limit that carries an effective balance of duties and responsibilities. Similarly, certain conflicts arise when the balance is distorted and medical errors in the clinical institution attract a situation in stark comparison to the ethics and laws that the company stakeholders believed in while protecting their best interests. Conflict of laws certainly worked against the achievement of a certain purpose, especially where reduction results in decreased quality of service against a continuum of care provided for the patient. The question of, sacrificing and allowing cost to impede the quality of service provides as the main considerable conflict in the case. Superficially, we can identify the surface conflict within the principles of business ethics that Chris is tasked to investigate and create certain essential components and probable solutions within the scope of his study. It is a proven fact that the highly technical gadgets in the health industry costs formed a considerable amount of money as an investment. Stakeholders expect to maintain appropriate cost control factors against an affordable health program commonly available for all. Yet, every labour force knows the hardships encountered just to maintain a scenario that best creates a win-win solution for the patient and family and the health provider. It is but difficult to consider such factors especially when cost drivers associate the prescription drugs cost, current medical; device, government mandates an litigation and risk management and the future  of the health industry and its day-to-day operations.  

williams essay Essay Example for Free

williams essay Essay The Poem, â€Å"Blackberries† (1992), by Yusef Komunyakaa is a retrospective look In the Day of a life experienced by the author as a seller of blackberries when he was a 10 year old child. It is told from a first persons perspective so as to pronounce the level of Intimacy to the narrative relative to the poet. In this essay, I’ll give a brief analysis of my Thoughts on the poem and its effectiveness as an artistic literature. In recounting the nostalgiac setting of summer, while working as a berry picker And seller, the author attempts paint an image of the emotional and sensual complexities laden through an average day on the streets: â€Å"Although I could smell old lime-covered History, at ten I’d still hold out my hands and berries fell into them. Eating from one and filling a half gallon with the other. â€Å" (MLM , Komunyakaa, â€Å"Blackberries† PPG 147-148) . Through his description in detailing the labor of picking berries and being challenged not to eat them, he showcases a conflict that he’s clearly been faced with, in the face of his  duty. This conflict is later alluded to, from a more lustful point of view  later in the piece. When the author posit’s his disposition even further, he goes on to say: â€Å"I ate the mythology dreamt of pies and cobbler, almost†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (MLM, Komunyakaa, â€Å"Blackberries† PPG 147- 148). It seems with this statement the author is implying that he is impoverished. When he uses the memories of his poverty as a child in his descriptions, it gives the poem a very melancholic tone; one of sympathy, even. Yet, still, in recounting these days of hardship, he still finds the nostalgia of being with his dog and among nature’s elements. : â€Å"Needful as forgiveness. My bird dog Spot. Eyed blue jays thrashers. The mud frogs in rich blackness, hid from daylight.† (MLM, Komunyakaa, â€Å"Blackberries† PPG 147-148) . To balance the conflict with a longing to be in simpler times, with a connection to the animals and nature, gives the piece a much needed lighter touch. As the poem winds down, the author spans the poem from the beginning of his days journey to a point where he recalls the lure of air conditioning in contrast to the seemingly excessive heat of the day. : â€Å"The big blue car made me sweat. Wintertime crawled out of the windows. When I leaned closer I saw the boy and girl my age, in the wide back seat smirking..† (MLM, Komunyakaa, â€Å"Blackberries† PPG.147-148) The context in him describing this observation was cynical, in my opinion. Throughout the poem the author has struck a delicate balance in expanding on moments in his life that would otherwise be forgettable to anyone else, and discovering the beauty in those very moments that made the experience worthwhile. Overall, â€Å"Blackberries†, by Yusef Komunyakaa is a short, autobiographical narrative integral to the authors experience as an impoverished boy. The poem begins as workman’s like representation of a commodity he seemed to be burdened, yet enamored by. In detailing hi profound allegorical appreciation for the fruit, he seems challenge to reconcile his desires with his duty as a laborer and a provider. Though, in recalling his memories, he writes with such a clarity and strength in his descriptions, that some unappealing moments, were beautiful in their nobility.

Rising Costs of the Retail and Funeral Industry

Rising Costs of the Retail and Funeral Industry The retail industry feeds more than 64 million people every day in UK. The retail sales account for  £177.5bn makes 51% contribution to UK economy. It employs 3.8 million people make up 14% employment in UK (IGD, 2015). Figure: Total Retail Spend by Category (Retail Economics, 2016). As the figure shows, the retail industry can divided into several categories. The largest part is food retailer. Clothing also plays an important part in retailer industry. Moreover, the online retailer becomes more and more popular (Retail Economics, 2016). With the development of the technology, the manufacturers have increased labour productivity by 20.7% in the last 10 years while the productivity of the agricultural industry has risen by 20% in the last 25 years (IGD, 2015). Another main growth of the retail industry is depends on the consumer spending. The consumer will be attracted by the discount and the good service. There are a great number of researches to distinguish groups by using different retail strategy. For large business, it has enough finance and ability to achieve economic of scales. Therefore, low cost strategy may be better. For small business, the customer service and product specialization or customization rather than low price may be widely accepted (Megicks, 2011). The SMEs in retail industry are more than any other industry arrives to 318,470 (IGD, 2015). Tesco is the largest retailer in UK consists of  £54.433 million sales. Sainsbury, ASDA is also larger include around 23 million compared with others. Over the years, the market share of the biggest companies in the industry dropped while the discount retailers such as Aldi and Lidl had a really significant growth (Source). Retail: IGD (2015). THE UKS FOOD AND GROCERY INDUSTRY. Available at: 2015http://www.igd.com/Documents/Other%20downloads/Grocery%20Industry%20A5%20booklet%20update%20online%20version.pdf Phil Megicks (2001) Competitive strategy types in the UK independent retail sector, Journal of Strategic Marketing, 9:4, 315-328, [Online] Available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09652540110079029?needAccess=true Retail Economics (2016) UK Retail Sales http://www.retaileconomics.co.uk/download/Sample%20-%20UK%20Retail%20Sales.pdf Around  £1billion was estimated to be gained with over 600,000 funerals taking place in UK funeral market annually (UK Funerals Online). The price is varies enormously due to the Funeral directors professionalism. The industry is worth  £1.7bn every year. According to the Office for National Statistics, The death rate rose at its fastest pace since 1968 (Financial Times, 2016). The death rate in the United Kingdom increased in 2012-2013 also supported the industry growth (IBISWorld, 2016). The two UK market leaders of funeral group are the Co-operative Group (CWS Ltd) and Dignity Caring Funeral Services (Dignity Plc). The Co-operative Group (CWS Ltd) has over 675 branches across the UK and conducts around 90,000 funerals a year. They also own the North Eastern Co-operative. Dignity has just over 500 branches and conducts 75,000 funerals a year. They together control over 25 per cent of the market (UK Funerals Online). The rest of the funeral company is largely made up of small, independent businesses. According to the line chart, the price of the funeral has increased year by year. The Co-operative Group reported a 9.9 per cent rise in funeral sales while Dignity, the only listed UK funeral services company said the pre-tax profits had grown by almost a quarter for 2015. These two main companies controlled about 30 per cent of the market shares. According to market analysts IBISworld, the industry is predicted to expand by 2.9 per cent in 2016 (Financial Times, 2016). Figure: The rising cost of a funeral (Financial Times, 2016). Funeral: UK Funerals Online (no time). The UK Funeral Industry. Available at: http://www.uk-funerals.co.uk/funeral-industry.html IBISWorld (2016) Funeral Activities Market Research Report. Available at: https://www.ibisworld.co.uk/market-research/funeral-activities.html Financial Times (2016). Funeral business reaps profits as UK death rate soars. Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/b6053e72-fd8b-11e5-b3f6-11d5706b613b The UK insurance industry the largest in Europe and the third largest in the world, it plays an essential part in the UKs economy, managing investments of over  £1.9 trillion. It also makes  £29 billion contribution to GDP in 2012 and employs around 344,000 individuals (Association of British Insurance, 2014). Insurance is a contract which represented by a policy for individuals or entity to seek financial protection from an insurance company (investopedia). For insurance industry, there are different types of insurance such as auto insurance, home insurance, health insurance and medical care (All Kinds of Insurance, 2017). The main player includes Legal General, Aviva and Prudential. Aviva is the UKs largest insurer by providing insurance, savings and investment products to around 31 million customers worldwide. Aviva aims to builds positive contribution to society to accomplish sustainable business and powerful brand. The Legal General over 175 years aiming to provide best possible product s as well as clear and fair service to make sure the safe pair of hands of money. For Prudential, it manage  £562 billion of assets to serve around 24 million customers. It has a long-established leading provider of life and pensions in UK and the assets excess of  £255.4 billion. Insurance: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/insurance.asp All Kinds of Insurance (2017). Available at: http://allkindsofinsurance.com/ Association of British Insurance (2014) Statistics. Available at: https://www.abi.org.uk/Insurance-and-savings/Industry-data https://www.pru.co.uk/about/ http://www.aviva.co.uk/about-us/ https://www.legalandgeneral.com/about-us/

Subliminal Advertising :: GCSE Business Marketing Coursework

Subliminal Advertising 1.) On television, a common technique to influence a viewer is to flash messages or images for so little time, that it almost seems like a flicker that really never happened. Ways that this has been used is by flashing images that are pleasing to the eye, like a flashy color, or maybe even a picture with sexual innuendo. The cheapest technique, usually used by people, like car salesmen, is to ask the viewer a string of questions, which we all know will have the answer "yes." By doing this, the commercial gets you ready to agree with any pitch they are trying to make you buy. 2.) A more cunning way to make you buy a product is to brainwash your emotions, questioning yourself, "Would I be a bad person if I do not by this product?" For instance, the people that would like you to donate money to the sick, hungry children is some run-down village. They show you pictures of babies crying, adults with hardly any meat on their bones. The commercial then claims that by your donation, you can save a life, but if you do not, you're letting a life die. This technique is an effective way, but I believe that there are some ethics involved in purposely tampering one's emotions. 3.) A technique usually described as using "buzz words" is found more in print than on television or radio. If we are scrolling through a newspaper and we see an exciting flashy word, our eyes tend to draw towards it. Companies are entirely aware of this, so that’s why they flash words on their ads like, "FREE," "NEW," "HURRY." Something about these words makes us want to see what the fuss is all about, and to read the company's ad. Now when you do read the ad, there will be "buzz words" embedded into the ad that do not even look flashy. It is always words that do not actually have any significant meaning, but they are added in anyways. For example, words like, homemade, improved, 100%, tasty, just to name a few. 4.) Michael Jordan is selling you Gatorade, Jerry Seinfeld is backing up American Express, and Paul Reiser wants you to use AT&T. Why do these famous stars appear on commercials and ads? The purpose is to subliminally give the product traits that it never even deserves, like wealth, fame, and success.

The Cuban Revolution Essays -- Pérez-Stable Fidel Castro Ernesto Che G

Understanding the Insurrection and Seizure of Power [1952-1959] Marifeli Pà ©rez-Stable looks back at the Cuban Revolution through a sociological lens in her book The Cuban Revolution. Pà ©rez-Stable claims that Cubans held national independence and social justice as goals ever since the end of the nineteenth century. Radical nationalism remained important in Cubans’ view of themselves and their ideals. Thus, Pà ©rez-Stable argues that the origins of the Cuban Revolution of 1959 lie in the independence movement against Spain and the frustrations from the unfulfilled goals they had kept since before the turn of the century (Pà ©rez-Stable 1998, p 4). In the introduction of The Cuban Revolution, the author lists six factors which made Cuba "susceptible" to radical revolution (it is interesting to note that Pà ©rez-Stable is essentially giving no credit to the 26th of July Movement and Castro, but rather she is noting how the Cuban society was susceptible to revolution). The six factors listed are: mediated sovereignty, sugar-centered development, uneven modernization, the crisis of political authority, the weakness of the clases econà ³micas, and the relative strength of the clases populares (Pà ©rez-Stable, p 7). The vicious circle with the U.S. and sugar plays a big role in the situation and in the 1950’s. As Pà ©rez-Stable points out, without sugar there could be no Cuba, but there is no benefits to sugar without the U.S. market. The importance of social classes was also paramount, especially the unionized working class. On a more political level, Pà ©rez-Stable discusses the anti-Platt politics and the implications of the Constitution of 1940. According to Pà ©rez-Stable, "The Constitution of 1940 reestablished democracy and r... ...tions that may have weakened or slowed its progress. The revolutionary government of Grau San Martà ­n was a good example of how too many unions during the rise of a movement starts to be counterproductive. The coalition formed under Grau San Martà ­n never succeeded, in part, because nobody in the coalition was fully satisfied. The left never felt that Grau was radical enough, and the influence from the right eventually swayed Grau in their direction. In both 1933 and 1959, the communists wanted a "full" revolution, and thanks to the Castro’s narrow revolution strategy, a full revolution succeeded. The small nature of the revolution allowed Castro to direct it exactly as he wanted to, and to avoid allies slowing him down. During this time, Castro and his barbudos were able to win over many peasants and urban people alike, and eventually gain the support of the nation.

Free Essays - Language and Dialect in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn :: Adventures Huckleberry Huck Finn Essays

Language and Dialect in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain's use of language and dialect in the book "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" helped him to bring about the overall feel that he conveyed throughout the book, allowing him to show Huck Finn's attitudes and beliefs concerning the nature of education, slavery, and family values. When the story begins, Huck is seen as a young boy who is not very educated nor wishes to be. He does not seem to care very much for the attention that is given to him by the Widow Douglas, who had taken him in for her son, and her sister, Miss Watson. Huck's moral values were not only the product of his ignorance, but there is relation seen between Huck's attitude and the attitude of his father when Huck is confronted by him. Huck's father is disgusted at the way that Huck seems to be becoming more and more civilized. He states "...they say you can read and write. You think you're better'n your father, now, don't you, because he can't?" Perhaps this statement shows disgust in Huck through not following the moral values of his father, or perhaps this is just merely jealousy on his father's part. Huck's father warns Huck about going to school any more, yet Huck goes anyway, showing great willpower in the character of Huck in that he was gaining an education that he never really wanted in the first place, but soon came to realize that it was something actually useful, and in the fact that he was disobeying his father's orders. Huck's feelings about slavery are shown when he helps Jim, Miss Watson's slave, to escape. Huck's constant statement that "Jim talks like he is white inside" shows that Huck was unique amongst the society in which he lived in the fact that he saw beneath the color of a person's skin and saw the person that was truly there. Jim seems to be the only person that Huck can trust other than Tom Saywer, Huck's best friend. Huck Finn felt that slavery was a cruel injustice because he had gotten to know Jim and found out that there was more to him than just being a slave. Huck had found that Jim was a human being just like himself.

The Use of Symbolism in Hemmingway’s A Farewell to Arms

A Farewell to Arms is one of the greatest tragic love stories of the twentieth century. The novel which was written by Ernest Hemingway was published in 1929, and could possibly be one of the best novels that was been written about World War I. Throughout the novel Hemingway tries to bring light to the truths about war. He does not focus on the heroic picture that many picture of war, as shines a light on the hardships of war. The author makes use of symbolism throughout the novel in order to show the reader the struggles such as hardships with death, wounds inflicted from war, and the toll war can take on relationships.The Use of Nature To be able to properly analyze the novel, the reader has to understand how the symbolic structure is formed by the author. In this case, Hemingway has used nature as a way to contrast with the emotions of the characters. Chapter 1 begins with the following: â€Å"In the late summer of that year we lived in a house in a village that looked across the river and the plain to the mountains†¦the plain was rich with crops†¦and beyond the plains the mountains were brown and bare† (Hemingway 3). The author positioned the main character on a kind of lookout point which effectively conveys feelings of detachment (Bloom 31).But for several scholars, this is just another example of Hemingway’s style: â€Å"lean, understated, evocative, spare and without emotion† (Bloom 31) The introductory line to the novel sets the mood for the rest of the chapter. This form of imagery was used in the first chapter, leaving it up to the imagination of the reader to interpret the characters emotions. The author does this so that he does not have to go into detail about the characters feelings. Bloom says that Hemingway’s use of nature as symbolism is no surprise as he is one author well-known for his â€Å"love of open water and other wild places in nature† (Bloom 31).Hemingway portrays life in the first chapter as– brown, bare, hopeless when he uses the words bare and dusty to describe a road that the troops marched on. The narrator goes into detail describing the plains as follows: â€Å"The plain was rich with crops; there were many orchards of fruit trees and beyond the plain the mountains were brown and bare† (Hemingway 3). This description allows the reader to know that the people of the town were able to go on with their lives, with plenty of food on the table, living as comfortably as they could while the war went on in their backyards.The author shows us that this place is considered a normal home for villagers. Yet, with all that is occurring on the side of the mountains, how can home be considered normal? Hemingway uses nature as symbolism in chapter 1 when he describes the following night. â€Å"In the dark it was like summer lightning, but the nights were cool and there was not a feeling of a storm coming† (Hemingway 3). The villagers knew that fighting wa s going on all around them, but it was far enough away that it did not impact their daily lives. Towards the end of Chapter 1 a switch occurs.While not much had occurred in the village, the fighting had become quite unsuccessful. When the troops had experienced this change in the fighting force, they also experienced a change in the weather- fall was arriving. The author uses this change in weather and foreshadows that something terrible is coming. The author tells the reader that things went very badly. Winter had arrived, and with winter came the permanent rain which accompanied cholera. The intestinal disease took out seven thousand soldiers that year from the Italian Army. In the novel, the rain was used as a symbol of death.A year passed between Chapters 1 and 2, and the name of the main character, Frederick Henry, had yet to be introduced to the reader at this point. The protagonist isn’t much of a bold character. He tends to sit back and observe the crowd with no comme ntary; he is an observer. Henry is a Lieutenant serving in the ambulance corps in the Italian Army. As spring began to approach, Frederick finds himself stuck in a state of confusion about his life. The war is affecting him and others in such a way that he becomes uncertain with what he’s doing in his life, whether he is content or not.As Henry goes through these changes within himself, spring is upon his and with spring comes a sign of hope. The Use of Light With the change of the season, change occurs immediately upon reading Chapter 4. â€Å"The battery in the next garden woke me in the morning and I saw the sun coming through the window and got out of the bed† (Hemingway 15). The light is symbolic towards Henry’s mood, even though the character himself doesn’t know it yet, everything is going to change for him. It was on this sunny day that he met Ms. Catherine Barkley. In the beginning of their romance, the reader is confused by the actions of both M s.Barkley and Mr. Frederick. â€Å"He is impulsive and fatalistic about his choices [such as driving the ambulance for the Italians while he is an American], and she plays with the notion that everything has an explanation [â€Å"I was brought up to think there was†]† (Bloom 33). As one see’s how the relationship between Catherine and Henry develops, they can see how quickly the two have become intimate with one another due to the effects of the war. At first, Catherine seems to be using Henry for comfort due to her loss. Catherine then reveals to Henry about her previous engagement to a man whom she’d lost due to the war.Although he did not believe so himself, Henry was falling in love with Catherine. At first Henry had wished it would simply be a relationship based on sexual pleasure. Hemingway represents the love that the two have for each other through Catherine’s hair. Henry says: â€Å"I loved to take her hair down and she sat on the bed and kept very still, except suddenly would dip down to kiss me while I was doing it†¦ and it was the feeling of inside a tent or behind a falls† (Hemingway 114). â€Å"Henry and Catherine being inside her hair which forms a kind of tent over them, while they make love, may be taken as a womb symbol† (Rao 57).Her hair also being seen as a womb is symbolic as for later in the novel when Catherine becomes pregnant by Henry. The Use of Symbols One can go into great detail trying to analyze the many ways that Hemingway uses symbolism in the novel A Farewell to Arms. Taking a look at the novel, the occurrence of rain is constant from the beginning to the end. The author has presented the rain in many different manners such as rivers, lakes, rain and snow. As was covered in Chapter 1, the reader is able to contrast that rain symbolizes death. â€Å"Catherine sometimes sees herself and Henry dead in the rain† (Rao 59).This was the most direct ways that Hemingway used r ain as a symbol of death. Although, when reading through the climax of the novel, the author gives the reader hope for it was through means of water that Henry escaped the war and returned to Ms. Barkley. The rain was a symbol of trouble and turmoil for Henry. â€Å"When Fredrick was wounded, he is taken to the field hospital and â€Å"a rain† of blood falls on him from the stretcher above him. This is used to associate rain with destruction and pain, struggles and sufferings† (Shams).Catherine is seen to be afraid of  the rain due to her fear of seeing herself dead. â€Å"As Frederick and Catherine try to escape to Switzerland across the lake in a boat, their journey is lashed by rains† (Shams 45). The events that occurred when Catherine went into labor are tragic, and could be foreshadowed upon when it rained the day that she told Henry of her pregnancy. To finish the novel, after Henry discovered that Catherine and the baby were gone, he left the hospital a nd walked back to the hotel in the rain. (Hemingway 332). The author ended the novel with the word rain. The main character was left with nobody.He had fled the Army, snuck off to be with Catherine and the baby, to be left with only rain. The river and the lake are used symbolically to divide the opposing sides from one another. The Austrian front is separated from the Caperatto retreat in Chapter 3 by a river. Fredric and his company were trapped in the enemy side of the river. This shows how the river is used to divide territories, creating a place where one can distinguish the sides between the opposing and the allies. Ishteyaque Shams takes note that it is important to see that the retreat of the Italian Army, which occurs at Gorizia, is accompanied by rain (45).Fredric’s escape from capture and death by jumping into the river shows how the river is symbolic when dividing the enemy lines. The river was the divider between his life and his death. Snow represented the first time that the soldiers weren’t fighting. â€Å"â€Å"Snow† is seen as able to postpone the consequences of death but doesn’t really cure mortality; it is viewed as an aesthetic† (Shams). Whether it is the snow or the color white, it brings a sense of false hope into the novel, for death is only delayed for a little while longer. The snow is a form of safety, like when Catherine and Henry were in the Swiss Alps surrounded by snow.Other means of representing the tragedy that occurs throughout the novel is with the mountains. The battle front is located upon mountains where the battle is fought, and where many dead lay. Fredrick was wounded at the end of a long mountain, and he is bothered by the violence that arises from the mountains. The snowing in the mountains of Switzerland encourages Catherine and Fredrick to go to the mountains. Irony is then implemented into the novel, because Catherine and Frederick escaped to the mountains of Switzerland so that they could escape from the war.The plains in the novel are similar to the symbols used for the rain and the mountains. Things such as diseases, suffering, death, non-religious, and war were presented to the novel when the priest says suggested that Henry take leave and go to Abruzzi, the Priest’s hometown. That is has kind and polite people and with hospitality and a sense of natural beauty. â€Å"The plains are some sort of sharp contrast to this, it is characterized with drunkenness, prostitutes, destruction, cheap cafes and some other signs of low level life style† (Shams). ConclusionSymbolism was implemented in many different ways throughout the entire novel. Ernest Hemingway is able to link two things together in a manner allowing the novel to be easily understood by the reader. He manages draws the readers in by using symbols to represent something more than just what it is, such as rain to represent death, weather to represent mood, etc†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"It is someth ing really important and interesting to see that in A Farewell to Arms Hemingway makes a very intricate but meaningful combination of images and symbols in order to be able to express whatever he has to convey to his readers† (Shams 44).

Essay Animal

Eating Animals by Jonathan Saffron Foyer's he talks about his journey as a meat eater. Fore discuses his family eating styles and how he believe he will raise his son. Food is key for every person, but what you eat and what you don't eat shapes who you are. Fore and his wife both had very particular views on being meat eaters. In a way they both hated what they were doing, but because of they way they were brought up they could not stop them from doing so. For this same reason he started researching on how he should raise is unborn child, meat eater or vegetarian.Fore starts off by talking about his grandmother and how her eating habits and cooking methods affected them as children. The grandmother, also known as â€Å"Greatest Chef who ever lived†, had been threw the depression and many vulnerable times. Fore tells us she had very strict rules on letting food go bad and throwing away expired food. She had seen such harsh times that she mad sure she always made the right amoun t of food so nothing would ever go to waste. The grandmother had seen the worst oftentimes, but she made sure her family ate well but did not take what they have for granted.Fore believes many people do not understand what and whom they are eating. He also falls under this category; he does not count himself out. Offers talks about how people have pet dogs and view them as a part of family, but on the other hand cook and eat a chicken. He tries to grasp this idea that has been passed down generation after generation but he cannot come to a solid conclusion on why this happens. And with his new born on the way he is looking into if he wants to pass on these beliefs to his child or to change what has been passed down and start something new.

Strategic Branding on UK Broadband Services

Following the deregulation of the telecommunication industry in United Kingdom, a number of competitors and substitute products have emerged. With the mandate under the Communications Act 2003, the Office of Communication (OfCom) was established as a regulatory office for the UK communications industries, which includes television, radio, telecommunications, and wireless communications services.Its scope, under the Communications Act 2003, is as follows: 1. to further the interest of citizens in relation to communication matters, and 2. to further the interests of consumers in relevant markets, where appropriate by promoting competition.The British Telecommunications (BT) is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services, which operates in 170 countries around the world. In the United Kingdom, BT serves over 20 million business and residential customers with more than 30 million exchange lines, as well as providing network services to other licen sed operators. Its BT Retail subsidiary is UK’s largest communication service provider, by market share, to the consumer and small business markets. It supplies a wide range of communication products and services, including voice, data, internet, and multimedia services (online BT.com). Once a nationalized company, BT plc has traditionally dominated the UK’s fixed line telecom market, controlling over 80 percent of the UK’s access lines, earning ? 8,507 million in revenues for 2006 (BT Annual Report 2006). However, the passage of the Communications Act 2003 has been intended to increase competition to the once monopolized of the fixed line industry in UK. Industry experts predicted that BT Retail’s share of the UK’s fixed line market will fall from 82 percent to 45 percent over the next decade as increased competition begins to bite.At the moment, around 93 percent of UK households have a fixed line, with eight in ten supplied by BT. However, despi te the predicament of many industry experts, the benefits of increased competition has not been achieved as BT continue to have strong market dominance within the UK fixed line industry (Richardson 2005). Table 1. British Telecom’s Retail connections Year end 31 March 2003 2004 2005 2006 Total Retail connections (‘000) 29,566 29,661 29,630 28,293 Business 9,208 9,111 8,780 8,353 Residential 20,358 20,550 20,850 19,940 Source: British Telecom Group plc (2006).BT Group plc Annual 2005 Report. (United Kingdom: BT Group) [Online] Available: http://www. btplc. com/Sharesandperformance/Annualreportandreview/Annualreports/Cautionarystatement. htm Table 2. British Telecom’s Broadband customers Year end 31 March 2003 2004 2005 2006 BT Wholesale ADSL end users (‘000) 803 2,226 4,973 7,949 of which are LLU lines 3 11 41 356 of which are BT retail customers 439 967 1,752 2,584 Source: British Telecom Group plc (2006). BT Group plc Annual 2005 Report. (United Kingdom: B T Group) [Online] Available: http://www. btplc.com/Sharesandperformance/Annualreportandreview/Annualreports/Cautionarystatement. htm Despite the high penetration of fixed line business of British Telecom, the level of penetration for broadband services is still very low in the United Kingdom. Project Aims and Objectives The primary objectives of this dissertation will be to determine why many British consumers still opt to use the dial-up as internet connection in the United Kingdom and how companies can attract users to use broadband services. We also review the current market environment such as policies of Ofcom that could affect a company’s marketing strategy.The following is a list of objectives which the author aspires to accomplish in the dissertation: 1. A background study on the current internet access industry in the United Kingdom and prospects on the industry’s growth. 2. An exploration on the relevant theory on the impact of brand equity and brand position ing on company’s profitability and market share. 3. A proposal on effective branding approaches to mitigate the increasing competition with the deregulation of the telecommunication industry in United Kingdom. Importance and Relevance of the ResearchPrimarily the research will be valuable to any business industry or body attempting to build on its business strategies, customer relations and competitiveness in a competitive industry. The research would make businesses more aware of the importance of business strategies in a very competitive industry. It gives you an idea about how businesses can know more about their markets segments and attract more markets. Secondary impact of the research will be on a long term scale, it will aid retail marketing initiatives. The trends of the industry and the markets will have a significant impact on the whole field in the future.The research may also be essential to other interested parties such as the educational institutions business un iversities, news papers and government. The paper will also be useful later on in academics for future references. The Overview of the Study The remainder of this study is as following statement: Chapter 2, Internet Access industry background and market analysis, will provide first a concise information on the industry market value, market segmentation, and leading companies. We will provide a strategic competitive analysis of the industry using Porter’s Five Forces of Competition and SWOT Analysis using BT Group.We will also briefly discuss Ofcom’s strategic review of the telecommunication industry and its effect on industry players in particular British Telecom. Review of brand management, will review related literature on the brand management such as brand equity and brand positioning. Identify the long-term effects of the effective brand positioning in increasing market share within the industry. Chapter 3, Methodology, will present the methods of collecting primar y data from consumers and the chosen research method for the dissertation. Chapter 4, Results and Discussion, will present and discuss the results of the survey.The discussion will also relate the relevant literature and the results that have been obtained from the survey. Chapter 5, Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations, the â€Å"Summary† section will first provide a comprehensive summary of the major findings of this study. The â€Å"Conclusion† section will highlight the implications of the research findings. Finally, â€Å"Recommendations† will be proposed to on the possible approaches to effectively implement an effective branding strategy to mitigate the increasing competition in the telecommunications industry. CHAPTER 2: Review of Related LiteratureThe literature review will consist of three parts: (1) Environmental Analysis, highlighting the recent deregulation and increasing competition within the industry, (2) Competitive Position of British Teleco ms for the market segment of broadband services, and (3) Review of related literature on brand management. In the Environmental Analysis section, the research will discuss the competitive landscape of the broadband market in UK, and define the nature of competition within the industry. The research will describe the role of Ofcom in promoting competition within the industry and specific market segment.The research will describe the market size, volume and growth of the industry. Second, the research will discuss the competitive position of the British Telecom in the market. It will provide an assessment of BT’s strengths and weaknesses and how BT has a very strong foothold of the market. Lastly, the review will also highlight the importance of brand management in growing the broadband services business of British Telecom. In this paper, we follow the framework of Delta model which has been proposed by Hax and Wilde.The Delta model defines three points (1) strategic positions that reflect the fundamentally new sources of profitability, (2) aligns these strategic options with a firm’s activities and provides congruency between strategic direction and execution, and (3) introduces adaptive processes capable of continually responding to an uncertain environment (Hax and Wilde II 1999). The Delta model integrates the structural analysis and value chain framework from Porter with the resource-based view on the Firm and complement those with new Extended Enterprise perspective and with offering Total Customer Solutions.The Internet Service Providers’ Association United Kingdom defines the internet access market consisting of total revenues generated by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from the provision of narrowband and broadband Internet connection through both consumer and corporate channels (Datamonitor, 2007). The United Kingdom Internet access market generated total revenues of $8. 2 billion in 2006, this representing a compound annual gro wth rate (CAGR) of 6. 4% for the period spanning 2002-2006 (Datamonitor, 2007).In a survey conducted by the Office of Telecommunications, 93 percent of homes currently own a fixed line phone, this proportion has remained stable at just over 90 percent for the last year. At least 4 in 5 households are using BT for their fixed line; however, at least a quarter of BT customers would consider using another supplier if they offered services of equal quality. Furthermore, 18 percent of the respondents mentioned barriers to switching as their reason for remaining with BT rather than positive reasons.These consumers were largely living in non-cabled areas with less choice of fixed line suppliers (Office of Telecommunications 2003). Brand name and the Quality of service The main reason BT customers gave for not switching to another operator was satisfaction with BT, this being driven by the fact that the vast majority of satisfied customers (72%) have never experienced any problems with thei r services. Generally, BT customers value the service quality and reliability above cost, suggesting that the trustworthiness of other suppliers alone is not sufficient incentive for these consumers to switch (Office of Telecommunications 2003).Barriers to switching A quarter of customers that would remain with BT if other suppliers offered an equal service, mentioned barriers as their reason for remaining with BT. This equates to 18 percent of all BT customers. The barriers mentioned included: switching being too much hassle, cost of switching, unaware of other suppliers, always used BT, and the additional services. The research, however, notes that the respondents are more likely to live in a non-cabled area – hence limited availability of alternative providers (Office of Telecommunications 2003).Key trends in the telecommunications industry The key word in today’s technology is convergence. In the last two years, global telecommunications company have been developin g the next-generation voice services that could cut corporate call costs by automatically routing traffic between fixed line and mobile infrastructure (online ITWeek). One key development has been the development of Fixed Mobile Internet Convergence, where IT and media industry deliver both content and the infrastructure to consumers.The widespread adoption of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has been a promising to consumers yet holds a mixed fate for the fixed line telecoms market. On a positive note, it offers cheap or often free long distance calling to consumers and can therefore boost market share. However, this may be at the expense of diverted traditional sales and loss of line rental and call revenue on fixed lines. On the other hand, VoIP take-up could spread with the proliferation of wireless broadband, as opposed to wireline broadband, which will serve to expand the fixed line market and encourage a more rapid take up of wireless technologies.The development of more s ophisticated mobile phones and PDA also threaten to detract from fixed line sales as these devices develop the same quality of capabilities as fixed line services (online IT Week). Analysis of Competition The Delta Model builds on the structural analysis of Michael Porter to gain insight and understand the external factors determining the industry attractiveness and match it with the firm’s resources to be successful in the industry (Hax and Wilde II 1999).In his book Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors, Michael Porter discusses the five forces of competition in an industry. He illustrated the five competitive forces as: (1) Rivalry between competing sellers in an industry, (2) potential entry of new competitors, (3) the market attempts of companies in other industries to win customers over to their own substitute products, (4) the competitive pressures stemming from supplier-seller collaboration and bargaining, and (5) the competitive pr essure stemming from seller-buyer collaboration and bargaining (Porter 1985).Porter’s five forces of competition is a widely used tool to determine the company’s current strengths and competitive position. Having a clear picture of the balance of power in a competitive industry will help in planning for a sustained growth in the industry. In the Figure 5, the researchers analyzed and plot the competitive forces in UK’s fixed line telecom industry (Porter 1985). Rivalry of Sellers: Moderate The UK market is relatively fragmented, with no one company dominant.For end users, switching costs are not very high, and in fact ‘customer churn' is often cited as an issue that ISPs must cope with, particularly in the consumer market. A typical company offers a diverse range of communication-based services, such as TV and telephony, so success in the Internet access business need not be vital to its survival. Furthermore, rapid market growth means that players are not fighting to win a share of a static market from their competitors. Rivalry in this market is assessed as moderate.Buyer Power: Moderate ISPs offer their Internet access services to customers ranging from consumers to large corporations. As fairly similar services can be offered to customers of all sizes, the typical size is quite small. Switching costs are moderate, and include the time required to leave one contract and move to a competing contract. There is some differentiation: for example, one player may offer consumer Internet access as a standalone service, while another bundles it with cable TV services.Also brand loyalty may be significant if an ISP gains a particularly good (or bad) reputation among users. As the Internet has high penetration in the UK, corporate customers in particular will consider the service of vital importance to their business. Overall, buyer power is assessed as moderate. Supplier Power: Strong ISPs act as intermediaries between their customers and the telecommunication infrastructure that underpins the Internet (and telephony): ADSL lines, servers, packet switching software, and so on.Some ISPs, especially telecoms incumbents such as BT, own and operate an extensive physical network themselves. For these companies, key suppliers are manufacturers of the hardware and software involved, such as Cisco Systems. ISPs that do not own a network can purchasing wholesale access to the necessary infrastructure from an owner-operator, and then offer it at retail to end-users. For ISPs using this business model, key suppliers are BT and other network owners.While it is unlikely that ISPs of either type will integrate backwards, since the upstream businesses are very different to their own, most network owner-operators have already integrated forwards into the retail ISP market, and are competing directly with ISPs that do not own networks. Network manufacturers are not completely reliant on the ISP market for their revenues, as they can also operate in markets such as corporate intranet; network owners usually generate revenue from telephone services and their own ISP retail business as well as wholesale Internet access.Overall, supplier power is strong. Threats of New Entrants: Strong The threat of new entrants is strong. New players will be attracted by the continuing strong growth rates in this market. The physical infrastructure needed is usually already available. For example, a cable TV company can move into the Internet access market by making use of the cable network it has already installed; while players without their own infrastructure can buy access to telecom networks.This reduces the capital requirements for market entry – although customer demand for ever-increasing bandwidth may mean that investment in infrastructure will be needed for future growth. Retaliation in terms of price competition is very likely in this market, and new entrants need to differentiate themselves from incumbents †“ not an easy task when selling a commoditized service that can be specified completely with a few parameters such as bandwidth and downtime. Threats of Substitute: WeakThe threat of substitutes is weak: the Internet has developed as rapidly as it has because it is itself a substitute for many other services and products. These include traditional forms of advertising, news providers, music (and increasingly video) physical media such as CDs and DVDs, ‘bricks and mortar' outlets for supplying goods and services, and communication services such as mail and telephony. The benefits of these older substitutes are assessed as small, as the Internet alternatives have clearly demonstrated their popularity with consumer and corporate customers.However, to take two examples, for consumers with concerns over the security of online financial transactions, or businesses who wish to advertise to segments of the population who are not online, the older substitutes may retain advantages. B ritish Telecom’s Competitive Position A company’s strategy consists of the competitive efforts and business approaches that managers employ to please customers, compete successfully, and achieve organizational objectives.It represents management’s answers to such fundamental business questions as whether to concentrate on a single business or build a diversified group of business, which cater to a broad range of customer or focus on a particular market niche. A strategy thus reflects the managerial choices among alternatives and signals organizational commitment to particular products, markets, competitive approaches, and ways of operating the enterprise (Hooley et al. 2001). Sustainable competitive advantage as argued by John Kay is only achieved if the company has distinctive capabilities or resources that its competitors does not have.Kay (1999) argues that resources can be considered as unique or reproducible. A unique resource, for example the brand name of BT, can be considered as an important asset that can be a basis of sustainable competitive advantage. A reproducible resource and capabilities, on the other hand, pertains to assets that can be easily copied or reproduced by competitors and does not offer the company the distinctive competitive advantage. A good example of a reproducible resource would be the process of delivery voice calls.Many are now able to voice call services on their own and can learn the process more very quickly and easily; however, what differentiate BT is its extensive network infrastructure which it has built over the years to gain scale economies, and build on their strategic brand name (Kay 1999). In understanding the sources of competitive advantage, Hooley & Broderick (1998) introduced two fundamental approach in creating sustainable competitive advantage based from Micheal Porter’s Competitive Advantage.Micheal Porter suggests that companies undertake two roads towards establishing itself as a market leader. First, a company can position itself through cost leadership or differentiation. The former strategy requires that a company to operate more efficiently, thereby lowering its operational cost relative to its competitors. The later strategy requires that a company identify a resource that add value for the customer and modify the product or service in a way that will entice the customer to buy (Hooley & Broderick 1998).Hunt and Morgan (1996) recommends a resource-based model as a way to investigate competency and superior firm performance through a more intimate integration of organizational theory, marketing and economics. Furthermore, strategic resource improves a firm’s performance over time. If a firm mobilizes unique and immobile resources to create sustainable competitive advantage, then a firm can enjoy generating greater economic rents than competitors in the industry.In addition, the resource-based theory asserts that distinctive competencies of a fir m can ultimately result to superior outcomes and performance (Luo, Sivakumar, & Luo 2005). Kay (1999) also defined the three primary sources of sustainable competitive advantage as: (1) the market’s barriers to entry; (2) a unique firm history and experience which has transformed the firm and industry; (3) the tacitness of relationship with customers or suppliers. In this section, we assess BT’s competitive position in the market using SWOT Analysis to identify its sources for competitive advantage. SWOT AnalysisAs we have analyzed the competing forces that could affect the overall success of BT in the fixed line telecom industry in UK, we also recognize the need to be able to identify the strength and weakness of BT as well as external opportunities, and threats. Exhibit 3 illustrates a SWOT analysis of BT strategic capabilities. The value of the SWOT analysis is its ease of use, its simplicity, and its flexibility. In addition, SWOT analysis allows the synthesis and integration of various types of information which are generally known but still provides the possibility to organize and synthesize recent information as well.The insight to be gained in performing the SWOT analysis is the understanding of the core competency of the company that would give it a distinctive competitive advantage over its rival. More importantly, it provides the groundwork on (1) how the company’s strategy can be matched to both its resource capabilities and its market opportunities, and (2) how urgent it is for the company to correct which particular resource deficiency and guard against to particular

Hindu Religion And Women

Hindu goddesses are traditionally conceived to be strong figures,even indomitable ones. By comparing his female characters to these goddesses, Rushdie attributes them with a force of character. He perceives India as a matriarchy, where maternal power, energy, and love is the means to social cohesion. (Jennifer Takhar) Durga, the washerwoman who had nursed Saleems son in his sickness, is an important figure in Saleems life. As we understand from the description of her (pg:445), she is a powerful woman who is an opposite image of the docile Indian woman. She may be representing the power that is repressed in these women. Saleem fears her as she symbolizes the hope that he has lost. Her name, even before I met her, had the smell of new things; she represented novelty, beginnings, the advent of new stories, events, complexities, and I was no longer interested in anything new. (pg:445) She is again the one who foretold Saleem’s death. So, these kind of women as witches inspired fear in Saleem. Like Durga, Parvati-the-witch, who is Shivas wife, is another important figure. She causes in creating their child which is necessary for the continuation. Mother was seen as a nation. There is parallelism between continuity of nation through having children. Women have roles in productivity; that is why they are important. Parvati acts as somebody restoring order. She helps Saleem return to Delhi by using her magic basket, making him invisible. Parvati reminded Saleem of things he had tried to put out of his mind. (pg:389) So, we can say that she influenced Saleem as other women, as being representator of a nation. When we come to other women in Saleems life, for example Mary Pereira. She is the one who gives birth to Saleem; she creates him in both biological sense and metaphorical sense. She changes the babies and at the same time fates. Out of guilt, she attaches her whole destiny to Saleems life by becoming his caretaker. She also influences the class positions of the babies. (Saleem and Shiva) The pickling process which is a process of preservation, linked to preservation and continuity of traditions metaphorically, is significant. This food process is under control of females and it is an important source of authority and identity for the women. It is the preservation of the past. The womens way is practical, oral; it is a way of transmitting tradition we can say. Pickling process is only a symbol of this transmission. So, Mary P. , like the other women in Saleems life has great effect on Saleem. Reverend Mother, on the other hand, who is the bride behind perforated sheet turns out to be the head of the family. She is also very powerful. She becomes the head after the marriage. She preserves identity of the nation. She is like the other women; asserts her authority in cooking. Her food, for example, revives Ahmed Sinai after freeze. She uses food as battleground where she wages her battles against her husband. We see the monitoring of food, so simple and practical but can influence men. It is this simplicity of mothers, their affection influnces Saleem. To Saleem women, like India, is nothing without its past. no escape from past acquaintance. What you were is forever who you are. (pg:368) And this connection to past is through these women. They are the ones who create nation and preserve it like the pickles. Amina, Saleems mother, changes and influences his life also. He sees her naked in the bathroom and witnesses her unfaithfullness on the phone. All this causes him to have some kind of explosion in his head and that explosion causes him to hear voices in his head. It is the birth of Midnights Children.. He sees mother, motherland, the nation-India-,earth is not pure as he identifies women with the nation. Identification is between the country and the body of the woman, especially mother. He sees the body of woman as the country and he should protect country as well as honor of mother. But seeing her motheris not pure, the discovery of impurity in mother will bring crisis in his head- the multiplicity of nation-. The body is homogeneous as anything. Indivisible, a one-piece suit, a sacred temple, if you will. It is important to preserve this wholeness. (pg:237) Padma,whom Saleem exchanges opinions about how to tell a story is another significant figure. While he writes, his illiterate listener, Padma, sits beside him showing her emotional responses to his stories, questioning their credibility. When Padma shows interest on her face, Saleem speeds on telling his story. She keeps questioning what is next.. She encourages him to write which is the only gift Sallem has for continuity, preservation. Padma is important as a caretaker; providing warmth, food, human kindness to Saleem. She is India for him, connected to all country as a mother. She has earthly characteristic. She emerges as an earthly, stable, real, practical woman that ties her to the motherland. That is why, according to me, she is the most important character in this novel. But although she is a preserver for Saleem, she unwillingly poisons him by feeding him with things she thinks hell be ni love with her. It is a poison which is also a cure; both nourishing, reviving, perserving and also poisonous,destructive. She is like India creating him. And ceratinly Padma is leaking into me. As history pours out of my fissured body, my lotus is quietly dripping in, with her down-to-earthery, and her paradoxical superstition, her contradictory love of the fabulous (pg:38) In short, women had important role in Saleems life. They are the mothers, the creators of men. If they were not on earth, no continuity would take place; there would be no world. Saleem is afraid of them also because although they create him as nation creates men; they also prepare the fall of men. They both give significance and at the same time destroys. They can take away the identity as in Saleem. Saleem is the nation also as he creates; he writes. He tries to create meaning and form. And women help Saleem create himself, his identity like the nation does to all human beings. But it can also unmake people. The women try to hold on to past and keep it safe as past is a country from which we have all migrated; that its loss is part of our humanity. (Imaginary Homelands; Essays and Criticism 1981-1991. London: Granta Books, 1991) And this statement teaches the migrants that reality is an artifact and it doesnt exist until it is made and it can be made well or badly, and it can also be unmade, like women did to Saleem. When we come to the question of why White Castle didnt give place for women might be because the childhood theme ook great importance in the book. For example, the grandfathers looking for his childhood at homeThat is why it gives much space for the child king. There is the continuous looking for the simple, untouched ide before recognizing sexuality, leaving the mother, to have potency. There is again the fear to lose the pureness, wholeness of the childhood. And because of it there are the speeches in this novel that tells about the childhood naughtiness. It is like the fear of the child. And if we relate this to the women ,as we said women are the creators and they are connected to past, there is no escape from it and when it involves naughtiness and things like a child fears. So, as the Hodja did, there is both an escape from it and at the same time looking for the past innocence. That is why there is no sexuality with women in the book. As they are feared, they can unmake men. The dangerous influence of women is not given permission in the book; only limited and innocent ones are implicitly told. Consequently, women and sexuality are barred and not given much importance as in Midnights Children happened the contrast. According to me, it is because it is known how influential women are and can be dangerous in creating. And when you want something wholly new and create your own identity, as the characters in White Castle wanted, it is not a good idea to include women and sexuality. The women can bring fall of men while creating them.

Group Dynamics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Group Dynamics - Essay Example This was primarily about assessing how serious they were in their passion for music, whether the group and its members loved the kind of music that I loved, and whether they were at par with me in their knowledge and skills about music. I could see that there was some imbalance between the kinds of behavior I expected and the kinds I actually received. But I could rectify this imbalance considerably by my efforts to prove myself before the other members and also sometimes by demanding what I felt, I deserved. I could prove to them that I was seriously passionate about music and that I have serious knowledge and skill in the subject as well. All the same, I could feel that the group and its members were evaluating me as well in the same way. I could feel they concluded their evaluation with a positive note and thus I also became an accepted and trusted member of the band. It was out of this whole experience that I became closely emotionally attached to the group. I also felt that by r emaining in this group, I could gain personally in future also. Thus I became totally committed to this group. I was the only keyboard player in this group and thus I could contribute to our dream to become a winner in the prestigious national level competition.

Kind of sport ball Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Kind of sport ball - Essay Example o establish and market its brand name, which is a trusted and well-known national brand as designer clothing and a private label that has several low-cost, well-located, and leased stores throughout the U.S. (Pride & Ferrell 36). This has helped the company attract and retain loyal shoppers. The company management has also gained staffing confidence in its market through the achievements of its managers and employees and awards given to its staff. Kmart has adopted and implemented turn-around strategy, which has significantly transformed management structure. This implies that unprofitable stores and underperforming employees are retrenched, in any renewal (Pride & Ferrell 36). This strategy ensures that a high performing staff is retained, and employees are promoted to where they can work effectively. Kmart has also managed to limit face-to-face competition from its key competitors, such as Wal-mart and Target, by locating its stores away from them. It has employed expertise that plans the appearance and layout of stores to satisfy different customer segments (Pride & Ferrell 36). Finally, the company has established an effective retailing system through focusing on certain key areas of technology. This system helps in controlling supplier payments and inventory. It also monitors income versus profit margins, and track customer behaviors across all stores (Pride & Ferrell

Analyzing of Organs for Sale Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analyzing of Organs for Sale - Essay Example Paying people for offering their kidneys would increase donors and this would save lives as opposed to waiting and wishing to get people to donate their kidneys voluntarily at no cost. The author poses a great question to support her argument that, if it is legal and right to pay men for giving out or donating sperm, why then is it hard to pay people for donating kidney? This question helps readers to think critically about why it would be great to donate body organs to save the society. The author concludes her article that, legalizing organ selling would benefit the society by saving thousands of lives. Overall, the article is great in content as the author does an outstanding job at giving facts to reinforce her points and convince readers why they should believe in her argument. The article creates a platform for readers to understand various benefits that would emerge in a society if the government regulated and emulated organ selling. This would save lives and eradicate the high rate of poverty especially in third world countries. From these points, it is evident that organ selling would be profitable for health and economic purposes. Additionally, the article is well-written and documented with facts that many people suffer from kidney disorders. For instance, the article highlights that over 300, 000 Americans suffer from kidney disorder. Unfortunately, most victims die since there are no drugs that revive a damaged kidney rather than replacing another kidney. At this point, the author argues that kidney transplantation is the best option to cure the disorder since it is reli able and safer than other treatment that may negatively affect the patients’ body. These facts outlay the benefits of kidney transplantation and why many people should opt for the idea. In great thoughts, the author uses facts to support her argument. For instance, she brings into attention that there is a surplus of kidneys especially in third countries

Law - Law of Tort Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Law - Law of Tort - Essay Example The law is also concerned with the option of transferring blame. This implies that using the law blames can be transferred to another person or party. Tort law therefore provides remedies to an individual or a party for losses suffered due unreasonable actions of another person or party. There are two categories of tort laws and they are concerned with suits that are aimed at protecting an individual’s privacy against any violation. Negligence and intentional are the two basic categories or torts and they signify the main tort claims made in most civil courts (Yeats, Giliker & Luckham, 2005). From the given scenario, Charles a freelance photographer sneaks into Bertram compound without his knowledge and proceed to takes his nude photograph. Charles was able to gain access to the highly restricted compound through Desdemona’s assistance. Later a market researcher named Alex tries to have an interview with Bertram in his house without his content. Bertram denies him a cha nce for an interview based on the warning sign at his drive. In particular, the sign states that any trespasser will be prosecuted. Bertram go ahead and caries the market researcher to the drive although he had proved his identity. According occupier’s liability act of 1984, Alex Charles and Desdemona, violated Bertram’s right to privacy on the other hand Bertram violated Alex’s rights by carrying him forcefully. ... Firstly, Bertram is a billionaire who believes that he should have a private life free from any intruder. He has gone to an extent of placing a sign at his drive indicating that all trespassers will be prosecuted. As an ordinary person, Bertram is entitled to privacy according to the law and therefore any trespassing is a violation of his rights (Yeats, Giliker, Luckham, 2005). Secondly, his house is a private property and therefore he has the right to allow accept or reject visitors accordingly. Concerning the two unauthorized visitors to Bertram’s compound, Charles has a more serious case to answer according to tort law. Although he is a journalist, he needed endorsement before gaining access to Bertram’s compound. In addition, Charles took unauthorized photographs in two separate occasions and this proves that his acts were intentional. Charles not only intentionally took unauthorized photograph of Bertram and his compound but he took nude photographs of the complain ant. These activities are intentional and therefore Bertram has legal claims according to the tort law. Basing on those arguments Bertram can proceed to make a legal suit against the trespassers; however, he should make his claims with caution in order to attract the relevant remedies. He has to be aware of the possible claims that Charles can present in the courtroom in defence of his action. Charles can base his counterclaims on the requirements of his career as a journalist. From this basis, Charles can claim that as a journalist, his work serves the public and therefore he needs to cover events that are of public interest. He can therefore claim that the highly restricted Bertram’s compound is of public interest and therefore he should have some legal protections against any legal suit that

Motivational Interviewing Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Motivational Interviewing - Case Study Example Approaching verbal abuse requires entails a set of five changes before the client can come into an outcome. The first stage is the precontemplation stage whereby the client is unaware of the need to change hence does not intend to change. The second stage is the contemplation stage whereby the client is aware of the need to change but has not made the decision yet. Thirdly is the preparation stage whereby the client makes decides to take a step towards change in the future and has already tried changing but has been unsuccessful. The fourth step of change is action in which the client has started working on the change with measurable success but not the full expected outcome. The fifth stage is the maintenance stage whereby the client has already attained the set goal and is now working maintain the acquired status (Cormier, Nurius, and Osborn, 2009, p.231). In response to the different stages of change, I intend to follow through a set of interventions specific to each step of change. During the precontemplation stage, I should keenly listen to the client while ensuring comfort as a measure of encouraging the client to transition to the next stage. In response to contemplation stage, I should focus on educating the client about change while focusing more on the advantages in support of the client’s ambivalence about the change. During the preparation stage I should take the client through the possible alternatives while emphasizing on trying some of them. This is meant to give the client a taste of the change process thereby encouraging change acceptance. During the action stage my main role is to take the cline through appropriate strategies to prevent backslides once the expected goal is achieved. Finally, interventions in the maintenance stage are meant to provide emotional support to the client once the change has taken effe ct. After successfully going through the change process it is important

Enlightenment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Enlightenment - Essay Example Firstly, Frederic II promoted enlightened absolutism where rulers were encouraged to make decisions based on enlightenment hence promoting rationality in formulation of rules. Through enlightened absolutism, Frederic II was able to modernize the Prussian civil society by reforming religious policies, judicial system and supporting arts and philosophers. Through these reforms, Prussian society witnessed toleration of religious diversity, incorporation of the noble category into the judicial system and economic growth since the noble stock could work in senior administrative levels and generate income. On the other hand, Joseph II also promoted the use of enlightened absolutism during his tenure. His leadership was aimed at making everybody in Hasburg lands to be satisfied despite the different social classes that existed. For instance, Joseph II implemented a program that gave the peasant class of people freedom from slavery. Joseph II also initiated legal reforms where he banned brutal punishments, death penalty and initiated equal treatment for all offenders. In addition, Joseph II introduced religious policies that tolerated diversity of religions in his region. Of more importance, Joseph II promoted education by making it compulsory for young boys and girls to attend schools. Further, Joseph II formulated a foreign policy that promoted expansion of his territory through colonization of other regions and trade. This meant that the society benefited in terms of increased resources from other regions. In conclusion, both Frederic II and Joseph II are said to have been enlightened leaders because their leadership incorporated principles of enlightenment. As a result, members in societies under their leadership benefited

Response Paper Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Response Paper - Article Example war forced her and her mother to live a desperate life; in a refugee camp in Pakistan and later in a foreign land Chicago, Illinois- America a place where everything was new and different from what they were used to. Thirdly, the war took away Farah’s personal friends and more so her family members. Her dad and other siblings had perished in the war. Her cousins, uncles’, aunts and even her grandmother were no longer alive. The only member of family she was left with was her mother. Farah had to live the rest of her life wishing that the war never erupted. She felt broken after being separated from her family and the only thing left was endless dreams and vivid imaginations of how the life would have been with her father and her brothers and sisters. Life in America was far much different from the life Farah and her mother had in Kabul- Afghanistan. In spite of their peace and safety, a good house and good foods, Farah and her mother still struggled to adapt to the American lifestyle. Everything had suddenly become new and they had to learn from scratch and through the hard way. This was a bit challenging since Farah and her mother spoke very little English. The issue of language difference was quite a challenge to Farah and her mother and in different situations Alyce a friend Farah had met while in the camp regularly chipped in to help them out. Alyce had readily helped Farah and her mother navigate through the medical system before she was sent to Germany (Ahmedi & Ansary, 2005). Of course, in Kabul there never used to be carnival rides. At first Farah thought that the other girls were screaming out of fear of falling from the ride. She without hesitation found herself screaming out loudly when the machine emitted sparks whic h was a part of the entire carnival ride game (Ahmedi & Ansary, 2005). Her mother on the other hand spent a lot of time in the house following her illness. She was really depressed and she had not met any new friends in Illinois. This

Female Circumcision Essay Example for Free

Female Circumcision Essay Many women in different parts of the world have faced circumcision, commonly known as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Africa is a continent that has extensively reported cases of FGM, and other parts of the world that practices some indigenous culture, especially the Muslim dominated Middle East countries. The age at which a woman undergoes FGM varies from one region to another, such that a child after being born could be subjected to FGM , while in other areas, a woman who gets her first born is made to undergo the practice. The communities that practice this custom hold high regards for the practice as it demonstrates transition period to womanhood. Therefore, this practice is made to ensure that a circumcised girl is taught the practices that would lead her to being a good wife and mother (IRIN, 2009a). One commonality among the different members of the community who practice FGM is that the major aim is to make a woman remain a virgin until her marriage time, since the removal of her genitalia reduces her sexual desires. In most of the communities carrying out this practice, men prefer to marry circumcised women, meaning the parents have to make their daughters marriageable by circumcising them. Therefore, it can be argued that it is the men who make this practice to prosper. On the other hand, it is the role of the elder women, (mothers and grandmothers) to organize for the circumcision of the young girl, and in some areas, midwives undertakes this role (IRIN, 2009a). This research paper will thus look at how FGM has been practiced in Kenya and the fight against the practice among some communities that hold high regards for the practice. FGM in Kenya Despite laws being put in place to fight FGM, especially the Child’s protection Act of 2001, this practice is still very common and continues to be practiced in various parts of Kenya (IRIN, 2009b). Even though there are many organizations in the country to educate the communities on the dangers of the practice, still the practice has not been stopped and to some extends being practiced underground. However, there have been increased campaigns by various bodies together with the law enforcement agents to see that the practice comes to an end. Kenyan women are circumcised as a rite to passage into womanhood. Many girls in Kenya who come from the communities that practice FGM do not continue with their education. This is because the moment a girl undergoes this practice, she is deemed to be fit and ready to get married. It is because of this that there are several communities that have as young as between twelve and fourteen years getting married to very old men so long as the men are able to pay bride price. It has turned out that men are using their daughters to get wealth through bride price paid; hence a girl circumcised is worth more price than uncircumcised girl. Because of this attachment, some girls are found to voluntarily undertake the practice since it is presumed to increase a woman’s respect (IRIN, 2009b). Maasai is one of the indigenous communities in Kenya that have strongly held to the FGM practice. There are many people from the community (both men and women) who are highly educated, but are afraid to talk openly against the vice in the community because of the fear of social repercussion, especially for leaders who want to get elective posts like in politics. Community members believe that one cannot be a true Maasai if they are not circumcised. Among the Maasai, FGM is considered to bring honor to the circumcised and her family. This is because such a girl is eligible for marriage, which raises her status and the family in general. There have been increased criticism from the international community against the Maasai practice, but the community hangs on the practice, despite the government of Kenya criminalizing FGM. The Maasai community does not hold any regards for uncircumcised woman in the society no matter her level of education or even the post she holds in the society. It is even amazing to find that some male candidates in Kenyan politics use the issue of FGM against women who are not circumcised claiming they are not fit to be in public offices. Such issues make fighting FGM to be a very difficult task (IRIN, 2009b). Even though there are many hardliners who have stood in the way of fighting FGM, the efforts of those fighting the practice has started to bear fruits in Kenya, and especially among the Maasai communities. There are some aspects that are associated with FGM that the community has slowly been changing. For instance, the practice involved the use of one knife for circumcising various girls. But because of the teachings concerning HIV/Aids, the circumcisers have been convinced that it is dangerous to be using a single knife for several people, and have thus started using a single knife for each girl. There are only a few circumcisers who still use one knife for different girls, according to a survey done by Maendeleo Ya Wanawake (MYWO), a women organization that has been at the forefront campaigning against FGM in Kenya. Although this change appears, slight, it is a show in the right direction that the Maasai community can be convinced to change unnecessary and harmful cultural practices to the better course of the society at large (IRIN, 2009b). There are various measures that have been put in place by the organizations fighting the FGM practice in Kenya to see that this practice comes to an end. One mode has been the introduction of the alternative rites of passage. In this practice, all the activities, teachings and practices that the girls are undertaken during the circumcision period are taught to the girls who are of age to be circumcised, but excluding the practice of cutting their genitalia. MYWO has held these alternative rites passage practice yearly among different communities in Kenya. In these activities, girls are taught traditional methods of becoming a good woman, while other formal education programs are again incorporated into the teachings. There are many communities that have adopted this system of alternative rites of passage, but among the Maasai communities, it has been received with a lot of mixed reactions, thus only causing limited success. The concern and the major reason for the Maasai and other communities to practice FGM is basically to reduce sexual urge among the girls, so that they can remain pure until their marriage time , and once married, be faithful to their husbands. This concern does not seem to be raised in the case of using alternative rites of passage (IRIN, 2009b). Religious leaders have also of late been at the forefront in the fight against FGM practice. Muslim dominated region of North Eastern Kenya has been also known to have high percentage of female circumcision. However, of late, the Muslim religious leaders have taken up the initiative to teach their followers of the importance of doing away with FGM practices. The religious leaders campaigns mostly on Fridays when they offer the religious teachings. The leaders have played a major role in informing the women that FGM is not an Islamic requirement, hence has to be abandoned. The council of Imams and other Muslim religious leaders has chosen to be undertaking their campaigns on Fridays because it is the time many Muslims gather together as community for their prayers. This is also considered a cheap approach of reaching many people, than having to undertake expensive workshops in hotels (IRIN, 2007). Like the Maasai, the campaigns in the North Eastern Kenya have received mixed reactions among the community members. There are those who feel that the practice should be stopped, while others feel that the practice is aimed at protecting the girls, hence it has to be preserved at all costs. Many girls in the North Eastern region of Kenya lead miserable lives since they are forced to get married immediately they are circumcised, and they do also have poor lives to lead in their marriage, since they face problems like divorce, for not satisfying their husbands sexually and birth related problems associated with FGM practice (IRIN, 2007). Conclusion Kenyan government made FGM an illegal offence when it passed the child’s protection Act of 2001, but due lack of enforcement of the law by prosecuting the those who carry out the practice, FGM has continued among different communities like the Maasai who hold a lot of regards to their rituals, hence living according to the traditional rules and refuse to embrace modernization. Nevertheless, with the increased activities of the outside world within the communities practicing FGM, their influence is slowly changing the perspective of the community especially among the younger educated generation who do not want their daughters to undergo the practice like themselves or their wives. Therefore, this practice is bound to come to an end, but it will take time to change the minds of the indigenous people. Reference: IRIN (2007). KENYA: Religious leaders join anti-FGM fight, retrieved on 25th February 2009 from, http://www. globalexchange. org/countries/africa/kenya/4648. html. IRIN (2009a). In-Depth: Razors Edge The Controversy of Female Genital Mutilation. AFRICA: When culture harms the girls the globalisation of female genital mutilation, retrieved on 25th February 2009 from http://www. irinnews. org/IndepthMain. aspx? IndepthId=15ReportId=62462. IRIN (2009b). In-Depth: Razors Edge The Controversy of Female Genital Mutilation. KENYA: FGM among the Maasai community of Kenya, retrieved on 25th February 2009 from http://www. irinnews. org/InDepthMain. aspx? InDepthId=15ReportId=62470Country=Yes.