Child Labor Laws Were Created For A Reason - 965 Words

Child labor laws were created for a reason. Children should not be allowed to work at their age. A child should be is at school, learning and broadening their mines not working. In reading the post by Bruce D., I was stunned to know that this man would have rather enlisted in the army or take on a job as a child instead of going to school. I do not agree with the concept of children working, their palace at that age is going to school and enjoying their adolescence. Bruce D. states that he was better off working than going to school. How could that be? People would not be able to obtain a good paying job without an education. I’m sure that most children at one point in their lives have said that school was not for them. Most of this children have parents that would not agree and would support their children during their school years to in order for them to obtain their diploma. What would parents be showing their children if they would just allow them to quit school because th ey felt it was not for them? Would they be showing them that it’s ok to settle for a minimum wage job, that barely making ends meet? All parents wish their children a better life than they had, but putting them to work and depriving them of their childhood is just wrong. Parents should be examples to their children and instil in them that without an education they will not have be able to provide a better life for their families. Children are meant to play, not work. Although I chose to startShow MoreRelatedIndustrialization Of Child Labor During The Industrial Revolution1603 Words   |  7 Pagesconsequences for society because of child labor, it was essentially a positive thing for society. Industrialization’s positive effects were new laws to improve working conditions, production increased, and merchandise became cheaper. There were numerous negatives that the Industrial Revolution brought with it; nonetheless the positives out-weigh it in today’s society. Because of the child labor during the Industrial Revolution today’s society currently has laws to improve the working conditions ofRead MoreEssay on The Immorality of Child Labor1221 Words   |  5 PagesImmorality of Child Labor Child labor is a serious moral issue. There have been many controversial debates over whether it should be legal or not. Two different viewpoints on the subject exist. Many argue that child labor is morally wrong and that the children should not work, no matter how poverty stricken their family might be. Advocates and major corporations that support child labor argue that it is good because it gives poverty-stricken families a source of income. Child labor firstRead MoreThe Positives Of The Industrial Revolution1522 Words   |  7 Pagesconsequences for society because of child labor, it was essentially a positive thing for society. Industrialization’s positive effects were new laws to improve working conditions, production increased, and merchandise became cheaper. There were numerous negatives that the Industrial Revolution brought with it; nonetheless the positives out-weigh it in today’s society. Because of the child labor during the Industrial Revolution today’s society currently has laws to improve the working conditions ofRead MoreFrightful Factories: Child Labor837 Words   |  3 PagesRevolution many children were forced to work in order to support their family because of the unstable economy. The hardships that these children suffered through ruined their childhood. In the factories, the working conditions for the children were terrible, they had working long hours for such little pay for their families. In the United States today, this problem is mostly resolved due to many bills that went through Congress, but in many third world countries child labor still exists. AlthoughRead MoreChild Labor During The Late 1900 S Essay1502 Words   |  7 Pages1900’s, child labor caused several children to have an inimical life rather than a preeminent life. When people read what these children had gone through, they fail to remember to put themselves in the children’s situation; therefore, they don’t understand, nor cease how horrendous life was for the children. Numerous factual documents state how deplorable life was for the children during this era. Furthermore, these documents include the Union-made Cigars, Finding of the Commission, the Law of 1913Read MoreEssay about The Globalization of Child Labor1517 Words   |  7 PagesGlobalization of an idea or practice can be very beneficial worldwide, but globalization can also effect countries and peop le negatively. Child labor was once an immense issue in the United States; however, we now have laws protecting children from dangerous working conditions. Unfortunately, children in countries like India and Africa are still falling victim to harsh working conditions. These developing nations have the same problem that the United States had years ago; children are workingRead MoreChild Labor As A Cultural Norm1604 Words   |  7 Pagesapproximately 215 million children under the age of 15 that are working in the child labor industry around the world. What can be done to resolve this global issue? Child labor is when companies use children to perform manufacturing duties— typically being paid in low wages. There are many different reasons and causes of child labor such as: poverty, globalization, and corruption. In some countries, however, child labor is considered a cultural norm. Although most prevalent in third-world and underdevelopedRead MoreCan Child Labor Be Stopped ?1588 Words   |  7 PagesCan Child Labor be Stopped? There are approximately 215 million children under the age of 15 that are working in the child labor industry around the world. What can be done to resolve this global issue? Child labor is when companies use children to perform manufacturing duties— typically being paid in low wages. There are many different reasons and causes of child labor such as: poverty, globalization, and corruption. In some countries, however, child labor is considered a cultural norm. AlthoughRead MoreThe Gilded And Progressive Eras1245 Words   |  5 PagesDenning Date Submitted Reforming America The gilded and progressive eras in America were times of expansion, urbanization, and what seemed like a golden pathway to an industrialized future. In the 1850s, railroads were being built all across America, and with that came the rise of the steel and oil industries, as well as dramatic population increases in the newly urbanized cities. Such a change in society created a gap between social classes causes incredible amounts of poverty for many, and incredibleRead MoreLabor Unions And The Industrial Age1362 Words   |  6 Pages1900, 18 percent of all American workers were under the age of 16† (Yellowitz, http://www.history.com/topics/child-labor). For years people have gone back and forth on whether or not labor unions are actually beneficial to workers or if unions are harmful to the economy. Labor unions first started popping up as early as 1794 and started catching on in the 1880s with the introduction of The Knights of Labor. (Staff, http://www.history.com/topics/knigh ts-of-labor) Unions grew in response to terrible working

The Film And Tv And Dark Side Of American Cities - 946 Words

The Film and TV and dark side of American cities From long time ago up to know, the whole world has changed from the an entity characterized by cities ,and suburban life style to other dominated entity known by the globalization and urbanization. in same time of this change also the TV and film industry has been changed and improved, and used to be as witness of this change, in lifestyle of people in the cities and suburban, and cover alot different of the people live aspec over all the world. in this essay will explores urbanism in the eyes of TV and film. in too many media sources, depiction the dark parts or the aspects of American cities are revealed to the audience. some of these darker aspects represent on the discrimination and racial persecution. Most or some of the Hollywood Movies contain of feature discrimination of some people mostly Asian. Among these darker aspects is the discrimination and racial oppression that some people faces in these cities. Most of the Hollywood films continuously feature discrimination of some people mostly Asian. while the people from Asians represent a significant proportion of the entire U.S. it is still really hard to understand how they are yet to be regarded as fully Americans citizens. for example in 2013 the caricatured portrayals of the Asians were on the rise With most actors often getting nominations for performing demeaning roles in Hollywood movies. The Asian characters often receive stereotypic roles in theShow MoreRelatedPaint It Black: The Evolution of Film Noir Essay examples1578 Words   |  7 PagesPaint It Black It’s a dark and rainy night. Our hero is hiding behind a wall with a revolver in hand. A crack of light, illuminates half of his face. He’s shaking nervously because he only has one bullet left. He turns the corner, and a sudden gunshot hits our hero. Who shot him? None other than his partner, who’s secretly in love with the very same dame that our hero fell for. You can consider this an example of a classic film noir ending. Film noir is a term used in cinema to describe a visuallyRead MoreWhite Privilege And Black Privilege1732 Words   |  7 Pagesunderstood in order to be eradicated. It is necessary for white people to acknowledge their part in maintaining and benefiting from a society that has thrived on racial hierarchy and white supremacy for centuries. White privilege is essentially the flip side of racism; racism does not only disadvantage people of colour, but grants white people power and dominance in our so-called â€Å"post-racial† society ( McKintosh, 1). In this essay, I will argue that positive and widespread representation and implied acceptanceRead MoreThe Movie I Chose For This Final Essay1408 Words   |  6 PagesWatching some of the movies in our curriculum has elevated my level of knowledge of American films. This course was called American on film Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality at the movies. In this, you gave us one last assignment to choose a film that represent some or all of these qualities. The movie I chose for this final essay embodies all of those qualities. The movie that I have chosen is a film named Six Degrees of Separation. This movie was written by John Guare, and based onRead MoreCase Studies: Ethics in Journalism and Other Media1504 Words   |  6 Pagesthe publication he or she is working for. Journalists have a deep social responsibility to the public, and they cannot use digital media to forge the truth out of whole cloth. Whats to be done in this case? There are other cas es of plagiarism in American newspapers that can be used as examples in terms of what steps should be taken by publishers and editors of these publications. The most infamous case of plagiarism in recent years happened in the newsroom of the highly esteemed New York Times, inRead MoreRemembering 9/11 through the Lens of Hollywood: A Detailed Analysis1240 Words   |  5 Pagesextremity of the human race. The greatest outcome of people heading to New York to help evacuate people, restore New York City, and sympathize over the people who went through this tragedy, was heart rending. Adding oil to the fire- is what Hollywood did during this post traumatic yet chauvinistic incident of 9/11. Was Hollywood ready enough, or looking at its counter side? Were Americans ready to handle movies that might convey or depict the 9/11 attack? (â€Å"A 9/11 MOVIE: Is It Too Soon?† 1) Before SeptemberRead MoreSaving Private Ryan Comparison1220 Words   |  5 PagesSpotting Anachronisms Saving Private Ryan and The Man in the High Castle where the film and TV series I chose to watch. In Saving Private Ryan, the main character was Captain Miller. He and his squad were tasked to find and retrieve Private First Class James Francis Ryan because his three other brothers were killed in action. The series produced by Amazon called The Man in the High Castle is based on a novel by Phillip K Dick, the series depicts an alternate reality in which the Axis powers won WorldRead MoreIn many ways, Television has proved to be one of the worst inventions of modern times. All too often, Television is harmful because of the shows it broadcasts and the way it is used in the home1544 Words   |  7 Pagesmany excellent programs, many people think television is one of the worst inventions of modern times. All too often, television is harmful because of the shows it broadcasts, the effect it has on people, and the way it is used in homes. First, heavy TV viewing leads to poor school performance. Most television broadcasters show a variety of programs 24 hours a day, giving the viewers a 24-hour service. More time spent watching these shows is linked with poorer school performance overall and decreasedRead MoreThe Film Of The Cage Directed By Coco Fusco And Paula Heredia1955 Words   |  8 PagesCage directed by Coco Fusco and Paula Heredia consists of a video record about performance art in 1990s and a 1930s Hollywood film. In the video record, two performance artists dress up as indigenous from Gulf of Mexico and are declared by the guide that they cannot speak English (CIC). They come to some cities such as Chicago, Washington D.C., Minneapolis, New York City in U.S., Madrid in Sydney and Sydney in Australia (CIC), and they are put themselves in a big cage for visitors to watch and interactRead More America Essay5829 Words   |  24 Pagesis ambiguous. A huge American Flag hangs down from ceiling. The window is left open, so the flag ripples in the wind. The day is hot. The Devil Winds are blowing off the Mojave Desert.) History is fabrication. History is betrayal. â€Å"What passes for identity in America is a series of myths about one’s heroic ancestors. America and Me (1) History is fabrication, coated with honey, and bubbled from all evil, in order to make life worth living. American History is no exemptionRead MoreHow Batman Has Changed over the Past 70 Years3037 Words   |  12 PagesHow has the Dc Comics superhero Batman changed over the past 70 years? How has design influenced the development of the various costumes for the character and how are Batman films reflecting darker forces within US Society? From Comic book Hero to national icon. Introduction In this dissertation I will discuss how DC Comics have developed and improved the design of their comic books since their establishment in 1937. I will compare comics from past and present and talk about the different styles

Lessons in an inspector Calls Essay Example For Students

Lessons in an inspector Calls Essay He is trying to teach his son and son-in-law to forget about the cranks or Socialists, and to follow his traditional opinion that it is every man for himself. The Inspector goes on to make an impression on the younger members of the family, namely Sheila and Eric, who genuinely feel remorseful after their interrogation. The Inspector is trying to make them question the status quo, not to blindly follow the paths of their parents and hence be more open-minded towards new ideas. Eric plainly opposes his fathers views. For example, Eric says, Why shouldnt they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices. And I dont see why she should have been sacked just because shed a bit more spirit than the others. You said yourself she was a good worker. Id have let her stay. Erics fathers response to this is an angry Unless you brighten your ideas, youll never be in a position to let anybody stay or to tell them to go. The Inspector encourages Erics different way of thinking when he makes comments such as Its better to ask for the earth than to take it. He also encourages Sheila to feel responsible for her actions, and not listen to her father who tells her to forget about it. Evidently it can be seen that JB Priestly has aimed to teach us many lessons about society through his play. He hopes that by reading his play, people will think more about their individual and collective responsibilities, understand equality and treat others as equals, no matter what their status in life is and be unbiased in our thoughts and open ourselves up to new ideas. Lillian Ong 9V5 Subject: Teacher: Page 1 of 2 Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE J. B. Priestley section.

Promotional and Advertising Strategies †Automotive Industry

Introduction This paper compares and contrasts the marketing and advertising strategies of Audi and BMW. Both companies are German-based and sell their products in the luxury car market. The two companies have a history of marketing and advertising rivalries that have manifested through public advertising wars (Kumar 9).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Promotional and Advertising Strategies – Automotive Industry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The same rivalry has manifested through the development and application of new technologies. This paper explores different aspects of their marketing strategies and promotional campaigns. Comparison and Contrast of the two Marketing Strategies According to Kotler (5), a company’s marketing strategy consists of four distinctive areas – product, place, promotion, and price. This section of the paper evaluates the marketing strategies of Audi and BMW base d on this marketing framework. BMW For a long time, BMW has marketed itself as a luxury automobile brand (Klein 7). In line with this strategy, the company has continually targeted affluent people with a high disposable income because they can afford their cars (Johnson 9). BMW’s place strategy focuses on constructing different manufacturing plants in different markets (Johnson 9). Through this strategy, the company does not import its cars from Germany because it manufactures them in their host’s location. Comparatively, the company’s pricing strategy centers on charging their customers a premium for improved value. This value has emerged from improved technology, luxury and the infusion of advanced car features (value-based pricing) (Klein 7). Its promotion strategy has focused on positioning the BMW brand as a household name. To do so, the company has developed innovative advertisements (Johnson 6). In line with this strategy, the company has also sponsored h igh-profile events like the Olympics. Lastly, BMW’s product strategy has focused on developing cars (usually sedans) with sleek designs and high quality. Its products also have advanced technology, low gas mileage and a high performance (Klein 10). AUDI Similar to the BMW, Audi’s product strategy centers on providing its customers with high-tech, modern and quality vehicles (Kumar 5). In line with this strategy, the company strives to produce products with advanced technology. Its cars also have the latest features in automobile production. Audi’s slogan â€Å"truth of engineering† sums this product strategy.Advertising Looking for essay on advertising? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The company’s price strategy aims to make the company’s cars affordable to many people. In this regard, Audi cars retail at average prices compared to its rivals, such as Mercedes Benz and BMW (Bhasin 3). However, the company has made sure that this pricing strategy strikes a careful balance with quality. Stated differently, although Audi cars are affordable, they have a high quality. This is why Kumar (7) argues that although Audis may be relatively cheaper than its rivals, both brands observe the same level of quality in their car production processes. Audi’s promotion strategy has focused on presenting their cars as racing machines (Kumar 7). The company believes that this strategy would show that the company’s cars are faster and better than others are (Bhasin 3). Lastly, Audi’s placement strategy highlights the company’s quest to avail its cars in major showrooms. This way, its customers could inspect the cars in their respective countries. The table below compares the marketing strategies of both BMW and Audi Marketing Component BMW Audi Place Manufacturing cars in hosts’ locations Importing cars from Germany (its headquarters) Price H igh Prices (value-based pricing) Average price Promotion Sponsoring high-profile events, such as the Olympics Sponsoring racing events Product Provides its customers with high-tech, modern and quality vehicles Provides its customers with high-tech, modern and quality vehicles Marketing Information In today’s fast-paced and competitive automotive market, carmakers need to gather useful marketing information that would set them apart from their competitors (Bhasin 3). In particular, Audi could use this advantage because its overall sales (globally) are lower than BMW’s (Kumar 7). Particularly, the company should use marketing information to get a broader understanding of the global automobile market and identify untapped opportunities it could exploit. Furthermore, with a proper marketing information system in place, Audi could easily track and improve independent operation processes in its production processes (Bhasin 3). This way, the company could easily establ ish a broader perspective not only of the global automobile market, but also of its independent processes, thereby facilitating improvements, which would give it a competitive advantage over its rivals.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Promotional and Advertising Strategies – Automotive Industry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Two uses for Consumer-Oriented promotions that could help one company in the short term and long term Consumer-oriented promotions are useful to carmakers, both in the short term and long-term because competition in the global market is higher than ever before (Johnson 9). Such promotions may include price reductions, tax rebates, coupons and other inducements. Audi could benefit from such promotions to improve its competitive position in the market. In the short-term, the company could retain more of its customers this way (Ray 4). For example, if it offers free after-sales service to its customers, the company could retain more customers in the cutthroat automobile market because its customers would be more appreciative of the extent that the company is going to earn their business. In the long-term, consumer-oriented promotions could improve customer loyalty to the Audi brand (Ray 4). For example, when customers know that they could always get a good price for a high quality car (through rebates or sales); they are likely to develop a strong brand loyalty to the brand. Analyze the Strategic Manner in which the leading company in this product group has made its pricing decisions by using one or more of the four pricing objectives Some of the most common pricing objectives are increasing monetary sales, increasing returns on investment (ROI), maximizing long-run profit, maximizing short-term profit (Kotler 17). The key components of BMW’s pricing mix strive to meet two of the above-mentioned pricing objectives – increasing ROI and increasing mon etary sales. The company achieves these goals by adopting a premium-pricing model. Indeed, as Klein (13) observes, targeting high-end customers allows the company to charge a higher price for its units, thereby allowing the company to enjoy higher margins than its competitors. This way, it increases its monetary sales and ROI. Suggest Two Actions that other Companies within the Same Product Group may take to differentiate themselves and gain a competitive Advantage In a competitive market, companies have to differentiate themselves by adopting unique marketing strategies that would earn them a competitive advantage (Kotler 3). Many automakers, such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes Benz, saturate the global luxury automobile market. Mercedes Benz competes directly and indirectly with the two companies discussed in this paper. The company could differentiate itself by adopting a unique service model. According to Kobran (2), this strategy could help to show how Mercedes Benz is different fr om other luxury brand companies. The difference could emerge through a depiction of unique car manufacturing processes and its differences with other companies that operate in the same market segment.Advertising Looking for essay on advertising? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More To demonstrate how this advantage will differentiate Mercedes Benz from its competitors, Kobran says, â€Å"Companies that can demonstrate a more effective way to service their customers often gain a competitive advantage and a compelling way to differentiate† (3). Alternatively, Mercedes Benz could differentiate itself through technical expertise.  This differentiating factor does not mean that the company should differentiate itself through technology only. Instead, it could project itself as having a solution to a perennial problem among car buyers (Kobran 5). For example, it could present itself as the company that builds stable cars. Collectively, adopting unique car manufacturing processes and advancing its technical position in the automobile industry could help the company to gain a competitive advantage over its rivals such as BMW and Audi. Define the most Effective Advertising Medium for a Company in the Selected Product Category There are different types of adver tising media used by different companies to promote their brands. The most common types of advertising media include television, radio, print publications, internet, direct mail, and sponsorships. Although these advertising strategies have different advantages and disadvantages, some of them are more effective in the automotive industry than others are (Ray 6). The most effective advertising medium for promoting luxury car brands, such as BMW and Audi, is sponsorship. The justification for the advancement of this strategy is its focused nature (Kotler 15). For example, sponsoring motor events is likely to market a car brand among people who like cars. This way, car companies would be targeting specific and not general audiences. Ray calls this type of marketing strategy â€Å"marketing with the end in mind† (5). Furthermore, sponsoring a car event taps into the emotional appeal of such events among potential customers who are passionate about cars (Kotler 16). Similarly, it i s more relevant than other types of advertising, which marketers could use in the luxury automobile market, because it is relevant by reaching potential customers where they choose to be in. Sponsorship is also more effective than other types of advertising in the automobile market because it is interactive (Kotler 16). Stated differently, while other types of advertising, such as television and radio, are monologue, sponsorship is a dialogue between sellers and potential buyers. Therefore, luxury carmakers, such as BMW and Audi are bound to benefit from the continuation of sponsorship as their main promotional strategy. Conclusion This paper has shown that BMW and Audi are rivals in the luxury automobile sector. They have different marketing strategies that have propelled them to leadership positions in the global automobile market. Their marketing strategies converge based on their promotional and product strategies. However, they differ in terms of their place and pricing strateg ies. Since BMW has more sales numbers than Audi does, this paper proposes that the latter should exploit marketing data to gain a competitive advantage by gaining a broader perspective of its internal processes and identifying possible opportunities for improvement. This paper has also shown that other companies in the luxury brand segment could differentiate themselves in the market by adopting a unique service model and through improved technical expertise. To wade through the cutthroat automobile industry, this paper also proposes that leading automobile brands should pursue sponsorship as the main advertising strategy because it is more interactive and focused, compared to other available strategies. This advertising strategy is likely to increase their sales numbers and earn them a competitive advantage over their rivals. Works Cited Bhasin, H. 8 Advantages of Marketing Information Systems. October. 2012. Web. Johnson, R. BMW AG: Marketing Plan. 2015. Web. Klein, A. Marketing P lan: BMW 1-series in Germany, London, UK: GRIN Verlag, 2007.  Print. Kobran, S. How To Differentiate Yourself When You’re Not that Different. 2013.  Web. Kotler, P. Kotler On Marketing, New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 2012. Print. Kumar, A. Marketing Plan: Audi Company Overview. 2014. Web. Ray, L. The Long-Term Effects of Customer-Oriented Sales Promotions. 2014.  Web. This essay on Promotional and Advertising Strategies – Automotive Industry was written and submitted by user Dangelo Ryan to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Eight exciting careers for the world traveler

Eight exciting careers for the world traveler Working eight hours every day behind a desk isn’t for everyone. If you love traveling and are tired of spending all your paid time off and hard-earned money on only traveling once or twice a year, consider finding a job that gives you the freedom to travel the world. Here are eight jobs for the world traveler:1. Cruise line workerCruise ship jobs are a travel lover’s dream gig. You get paid to travel the world and interact with people of different cultural backgrounds. As if that doesn’t sound amazing enough, you’ll receive free food and accommodation while collecting a salary.These floating resorts offer plenty of opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds. You can be a restaurant server, a cook, bartender, an entertainment director or a performer in the cruise’s entertainment lineup.2. International tour guideBecoming a tour manager or a tour guide is one of the most rewarding and exciting ways to travel the world. You get to learn about the history and culture of different countries while sharing your love of travel with like-minded individuals.Wherever you want to go, there are plenty of travel destinations that are always in need of friendly, knowledgeable guides. With tour guiding, you’ll get to travel to fabulous vacation spots while getting paid. What’s more, if you’re good at it, you may get good tips, making your salary very competitive.3. Travel agentIn the age of the Internet where you can easily search and book flights and vacation packages online, you may think that the professional travel agent is a dead career. While it’s predicted that there will be a decline in this job over the next decade, it’s still a rewarding occupation for travel lovers.Travel agents work with resorts, cruise lines, airlines, and rental companies to secure travel arrangements for their clients. This means you’ll regularly go on free trips to luxury resorts sponsored by resorts or travel co mpanies. The nice thing about becoming a travel agent is that you don’t have to pass an exam to prove that you know your stuff. While there are no real required skills, it’s useful to know basic things like geography and history and stay on top of the latest news at different destinations.4. TEFL teacherTeaching English abroad is just as rewarding for you as it is for your students. You’ll get to help students acquire one of the most sought-after skills in the world (speaking English) while immersing yourself in the country’s culture.Jobs are in abundance, but you may need a bachelor’s degree, TEFL training, TEFL certification, and some teaching experience. If you’re thinking about what countries to teach English abroad, Thailand is one of the most popular TEFL destinations you may want to consider. Other top TEFL teaching destinations to consider are Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Dubai, and Taiwan.5. Au pairBeing an au pair is one of the oldest an d most famous travel jobs. If you work well with children, consider taking up an au pair job. An au pair works for a host family in a foreign country and provides childcare services. Alongside childcare, you may help out with light household chores.You’ll receive free board and lodging as well as pocket money. Although the salary may be relatively low, you’ll get to immerse yourself in another culture as an extended member of the host family.6. PhotographerIf you’re skilled with a camera, you can turn your photographs into cash while traveling the world. As a travel photographer, you’ll be required to capture a variety of sites and events including destination hotels and resorts, outdoor adventures, scenery, cultures, local events, and customs.You can choose to become a full-time photographer and work for a company or as a freelancer. Either way, you will travel the world while making money.7. Website designerWe live in an exciting time where anyone can m ake a living online. Becoming a web designer is one of the occupations with oodles of potential and scope for employment. And, starting your web design journey in the field is easy – just choose a development specialization like JavaScript frameworks, HTML or CSS, get essential coding skills and launch an online portfolio.8. Flight attendantThis is the most obvious jobs that involve travelling the world. It doesn’t require a degree but the requirements may vary from one airline to another. Most major airlines require prior customer service experience and a certification from a relevant aviation agency. Some airlines may require you to be able to stand on your feet for extended periods of time and reach the overhead bins.Worth mentioning is that the work isn’t easy and the hours are frequently erratic. However, you’ll get the opportunity to travel around the world. Plus, you’ll get free or discounted flights for you and your family.These eight jobs will enable you to explore the world while making money and building your career. Just be sure to choose one that’s fit for you.About the Author: Riya is an inspired writer writing in several areas of expertise. With spending her years working marketing communication, Riya is delighted to work with aspiring small business owners. Connect with Riya on Twitter, @sanderriya.

How to Get Free Cat and Dog Food

How to Get Free Cat and Dog Food If youre having trouble affording dog food and cat food, you may have a variety of solutions to check out before re-homing your companion animal. Animal shelters increasingly recognize they can avoid contributing to shelter overpopulation by thinking outside the box. Food programs are popping up in many different venues to help you keep your cat or dog right at home. Why Keeping a Pet Matters When personal finances tank, putting food on the table is challenging enough without adding a few furry faces to feed. But it’s when things are at their lowest point that when the true value and worth of animals become crystal clear. Writing for Webmd.com, Dr. Ian Cook, psychiatrist and director of the Depression  Research and Clinic Program at UCLA, says: Pets offer an unconditional love that can be very helpful to people with  depression†¦ Taking care of a pet can help give you a sense of your own value and importance. It will remind you that you are capable that you can do more than you might think. A little boost in attitude and outlook could mean a lot to someone who is feeling pretty hopeless. Looking for an alternative to giving up your companion animal will not only give you a mission, it will remind you of the kindness of other humans; something of which we all need to be reminded from time to time, but especially in cases of misfortune. Where to Find Free Pet Food If youre in search of sources of free pet food, youre not alone. In fact, many organizations are aware of the issue and have created resources to help. For example: Some animal shelters maintain a pet food bank. When a distraught companion animal guardians visit the shelter with the intent to surrender their animal, instead of signing a surrender form they are given an application for food subsistence.Meals on Wheels found that pets are the only family that some seniors have and that some of their clients were sharing their meals with their pets when they couldnt afford pet food. In 2006, Meals on Wheels started the We All Love Our Pets (WALOP) initiative. Not all local Meals on Wheels programs offer pet food, so check with your local program.The Humane Society of the United States maintains a  list of national and local organizations that offer free pet food, low-cost spay/neuter services, and temporary foster care if you need help. How to Request Or Provide Help with Finding Pet Food If youre not sure where to start looking for or providing free pet food, you may find these suggestions help to break the ice. Ask your local shelter if they have a pet food bank. If you are not in need of one at the moment, offer to start one.Use search engines to research â€Å"pet food banks and meals on wheels programs in (your city). You may be surprised at all the good things that are happening in your own community.Talk to your grocer about saving dented and newly out-of-date pet food items and donating them to a shelter where you may be able to avail yourself of same.Use social media to let everyone you know you are taking up a collection to build a food bank and ask for donated food items once intended for a now-deceased animal.

The entrepreneurial organization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The entrepreneurial organization - Essay Example They can only thrive in an environment of relative freedom. Under industrialization, bureaucracy was the dominant form of organization. The factory was designed to produce standardized products; the bureaucracy was designed to produce standardized decisions. Many major corporations of today developed in an industrial society, based on a bureaucratic model of machine-like division of function, routine activity, regularity, seeming permanence, and a long vertical hierarchy. It was a world of mass markets uniform goods and services, and long production lines. During the 1990's, however, the top-down authoritarian management style began yielding to a networking style of management. Horizontal communication in a networked environment is freer and more fluid, with few bureaucratic barriers. In the new style of management, people learn from one another peer to peer, everyone is a resource for everyone else, and each person gets support and assistance from many different directions. In any bureaucratic structure, people tend to feel they cannot change their environment and thus may never seek the information that might change it. In sharp contrast, the new emerging form of organizations supports change, innovation, and individual initiative to an optimal degree. Intrapreneurship simply represents an organizational culture that allows employees flexibility and authority in pursuing and developing new ideas. Intrapreneurship is nothing but entrepreneurship practiced within the context of a large established organization. An intrapreneur is involved in the "venturing" process, that is, in developing a new business inside a corporation from its initial idea until it becomes a viable business. Often an intrapreneur must lead a project with an entrepreneurial vision , willingness of using power , leadership, motivation and ability to overcome resistance and barriers (Johansen, 2002). Joseph Schumpeter (1883-1950) was a pioneering researcher in the field of entrepreneurship, he studied the role of the entrepreneur as an innovator, i.e., the person who develops a new product, a new market, or new means of production. Schumpeter distinguished between dependent and independent entrepreneurs, the former being those who are connected to an existing company, and the latter being those who start their own companies. Although coined and popularized by Gifford Pinchot in 1985, the term 'intrapreneur' (short for intra-corporate entrepreneur) essentially means what Schumpeter called a dependent entrepreneur. Several factors in organizations can have an influence on intrapreneurship/entrepreneurship. Usually, there are any number of barriers to innovation that can occur in organizations. Among all these factors and barriers, the degree of bureaucratic-style management within an organization can have the most adverse impact on the levels of individual initiative. 2. The Paradigm Shift Bureaucratic-style management is fading from the scene, albeit gradually. Mega corporations may be thriving, nonetheless their internal structures are becoming more geared towards innovation. Once considered a contradiction in terms, corporate intrapreneurship has become widely accepted in successful companies, such as 3M, Intel, and Coca-Cola.Also, in the fiercely competitive world of high

Fordism and Post-Fordism as Theories of Work Organisation Essay

Fordism and Post-Fordism as Theories of Work Organisation - Essay Example 54-55), it was not until over twenty years later that the term Fordism came into being. Antonio Gramsci, an Italian Communist imprisoned by Mussolini from 1926 to 1937 (Slattery, 1991, p. 125), authored the article 'Americanism and Fordism' in 1931. In this stinging critique of capitalism, he breaks down the fundamental changes occurring to the characteristics of labour. For 'the purpose of American society-developing in the worker to the highest degree automatic and mechanical attitudes, breaking up the old psycho-nexus of qualified professional work and reducing productive operations exclusively to the mechanical, physical aspect' (Gramsci, 1931, p. 290). Generally, Fordism is defined by standardisation of labour and components, usage of the assembly line, strict specialisation of semi-skilled labour and high production levels. This mass manufacturing depended on a stable economy and a predictable mass consumerism, for 'without the mass consumption of mass-produced products, companies would quickly go bankrupt' (O'Donnell, 1997, p. 252). The fundamental need for so many consumers led to the development of widespread advertising (Kirby et al, 2000, p. 340). Yet what distinguishes this paradigm shift is, as Gramsci noted above, the removal of decision-making power from the worker. A relative contemporary of Ford, Frederick Taylor, proposed that all mental activity should be removed from the factory floor so workers could almost become machines, with their pay tied to personal productivity (O'Donnell, 1997, p. 288). Fordism meant great homogeny, efficiency and output, which in turn meant greater prosperity. However, the strict division of labour created an unmotivated work force increasingly alienated from management. Competitive pay was not sufficient to stop the rapid turnover, and the growth of unions such as Industrial Workers of the World during this period attests to this dissatisfaction (Grint, 1998, p. 284). Additionally, Fordism needed a reliable economy and consumer base-this is illustrated by the number of companies, such as Ford, which only survived the American Great Depression due to large scale government intervention (O'Donnell, 1997, p. 252). Another factor is that drastic increases in productivity of the first stage of Fordism were unique-subsequent changes were less effective, for 'there was a finite limit to, or at least declining return from, the extent to which time and motion studies etc. could increase productivity' (Grint, 1998, p. 284). Once an entire industry converted, it became difficult to continue finding significant ways to heighten productivity and furt her decrease costs. Eventually these disadvantages, along with the rise of a new type of mass consumerism, would set the stage for the conditions the next theory of work organisation is based upon-Post-Fordism. As technological advances and consumer wants became more varied, a new theory of work organisation was proposed in The Second Industrial Divide by Michael Piore and Charles Sabel in 1984. Responding to the economic downturn of the 1970's and the limitations of mass production (Kirby et al, 2000, p. 340), they held that a new system was coming into being, motivated by increasing consumer demand for specialised

Malware, Spyware And Adware Essay Example for Free

Malware, Spyware And Adware Essay How do we get Spyware How Spyware operates Spyware effects Man In Middle attack Counter-Measures Anti-Malware Techniques Bibliography Introduction: From the early days of cracking passwords and stealing information from personal computers, to deadly Internet based attacks that can shake entire’s nation security, cyber crimes have evolved from the endeavors of entertainment by cyber kiddies to organized crimes and terrorist activities of cyber mafia. Virus Attacks, hacking, browser hijacks, spam, phishing and so on are various manifestations of malicious activities that have evolved on the internet in last couple of decades. Malware is one such tool that has emerged as a widely preferred choice to consummate criminal activities on the Internet. Malware is new genre of hostile software, written in a high level language. Normally they target technical vulnerabilities in the system. Spyware, adware, Trojans, virus, worms are very common form of Malware prevalent on the Internet. It propagates through emails, IM and other web services. It can be categorized into criminal and business malware. Criminal malware is used in cyber terrorism and vandalism; while business malware is used for business/monetary benefits. Spyware is a software program that collects personal information of the users without their formal consent. Unlike viruses and worms, spyware does not usually self replicate, or intrude into the system directly or spread from one system to another; instead, it intrudes into a system by deceiving the user or exploiting software vulnerabilities in a system. Once it gets into the system, its implications can range from disturbing to devastating. It propagates using personalization cookies, tracking cookies, Trojans, drive-by downloads, hacking and piggybacking. Malware: Along with viruses, malware is the biggest threat today to the computer users. It can hijack the browser, redirect search results, serve up pop-ups and many more. Malware stands for â€Å"malicious software† and is used to identify all unwanted and potentially unwanted software. We can get infected by malware in several ways. It often comes bundled with other programs (examples include kazaa and i-mesh). These are usually pop-up ads, that send revenue from the ads to the program’s authors. Others are installed from the website, pretending to be software needed to view the site. Its most destructive feature is that once we are infected with the malware, it tends to multiply!! Earlier, it was mainly written for the destruction of computers and their data but now a days malware development is a big business. It is mostly used as a tool for extorting money out of its victims. In the form of rogue security programs, these are used to convince uneducated computer users to purchase the removal software from the same people who have written it. The types of malware are: Adware- It is the class of software that monitors the internet use for known e-commerce sites. When a user attempts to reach a site, adware pops-up suggesting an alternate site which may or may not be legitimate. Porn Dialers- This software was used heavily during the days when modem was the primary mechanism for connecting to the internet. This used to silently disconnect a modem from its service providers and redial to another premium rate telephone number. The resulting phone number charges, usually that of far-removed countries, would be found by the user only on its next telephone bill. Backdoors- These are the software tools which are mostly used to bypass existing security mechanisms present in either operating system or any application. Exploits- It is a general term used to describe any software code that is specifically designed to take advantage of a known weakness in operating system or application code. When vulnerabilities exist on a system, the exploits can be created to grant attacker administrative privileges, disclose or destroy any data or complete any task. Key loggers- These are the original spyware. It is a type of malware that is mostly used to â€Å"spy† on the user of a system. One way to accomplish this is to log every keystroke typed into that system and then using that data to extract credit card social security numbers and all other sensitive information. Trojans- It is software that illegitimately performs some action that is different than its stated purpose. It may appear to be a legitimate software package that accomplishes a task desired by the user but at the same time after installing it can also perform some illegitimate tasks like destroying personal data. Examples of malware: GAIN- It is one of the oldest and best known examples of malware, created by Claria company. webHancer- It is a spyware application that is commonly bundled with other programs. Upon installation, it starts a program that runs in the background and collect details of the webpages we visit. ISTBar- It is a combination of toolbar and hijacker. It installs a toolbar with search functions provided by slotch. com. Recent Attacks:- Katrina-themed Malware attack Hits the Net This malicious site hosted in Poland harbors a secondary line of attack designed especially to dupe windows users. It cynically offers a â€Å"free scan† for the zotob worm that in reality infects users. It also exploits well known IE vulnerabilities to install a variety of Trojans including Cgab-A, Borobot-Q etc. Most Recent Malware: Stealth Malware Stealth is a program that deliberately tries to conceal its presence in the system. It may try to hide changes it introduced in the system, including dropped files, file changes, running processes, registry settings etc. Malware Development Life Cycle- In recent years, malware has evolved in complexity to rival many decent sized software projects. This indicates an improvement in decent methodologies that enables malware producers to improve their output and capability to achieve maximum gain. Following are the steps generally deployed by the creators of malware to ensure its success: Get the malware onto the target system. Ensure the survival of the malware in the target system. Once establish engage its payload. There are several ways by which malware can be installed on the target machine. Some of these include websites or vulnerabilities in software installed on target machine. There are also actively spreading worms, which propagates via emails, peer to peer network, and IM. A growing trend is not to target vulnerabilities in software but to exploit the users of that software. Malware tricks the users and entice the user to download. One of the major requirement of malware is to remain undetected and viable once installed on the target machine. For this purpose the most common techniques used are compression and encryption. Now a days two more techniques are getting common i. e. code obfuscation and executable injectors. Once establish the main job of malware is to deliver the payload. This payload varies from malware to malware. Spyware- It is a type of malicious software that collects information from a computing system without his/her consent. It can capture keystrokes, screenshots, internet usage habit other personal information. The data is then delivered to online attackers who sell it to others or use it themselves for marketing or identify theft. How do we get spyware:- The main culprits in spyware transmission are:- Unprotected web browsing – Many advertising companies send tracking files, called â€Å"cookies,† along with their banner, ads or provide â€Å"special offers† that, when clicked, install extra software without our consent. Peer-to-peer applications – Kazza Lite is a notorious carrier of spyware installation packages. Many MP3 sharing sites also cause spyware problems. Opportunistic â€Å"freeware† or â€Å"shareware† programs – Weatherbug is one such program which collects more information than it is authorized. Web browsers using cookies – Any web browser can permit spyware to be installed on clicking the page that installs it. Some legitimate commercial software – Windows Media Player and America Online are considered sources of spyware. Each installation of Windows Media Player includes a uniquely identifying number that is provided to Microsoft, and America Online installs additional software packages that report data usage to advertising companies. How Spyware operates: When keywords of interest like names of banks, online payment systems etc are observed, the spyware starts its data collection process. The most common area of interest for spyware is the data sent using HTTPS i. e. HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. This HTTPS is mainly used for very sensitive data and uses Secure Socket Layers(SSL) Transport Layer Security(TLS). Encryption using these SSL TLS makes it difficult to intercept data during transmission but when spyware is running on the end user’s computer, it is collected before encryption. Man-In-Middle Attack Man in Middle Attack or Bucket Brigade Attack can be active as well as passiveform of eavesdropping. It is a type of attack in which the cyber criminal funnels communication between two users and none of the user is aware that the communication is being illegally monitored. The man in middle employ spyware that when loaded on the consumer’s computer redirects the web browser to the fake site. Countermeasures: Users/Organizations can formulate their anti-malware strategy depending upon the type and complexity of Malware attacks that they are exposed to, and the level of risk associated with such attacks. Different organizations use different tools and approaches to counter malware attacks. These tools and approaches are often based on their functionality, suitability and a cost. The two basic approaches are: Reactive Approach Proactive Approach Reactive Approach- It is an incident response process. In this method, once a problem is encountered, the investigation of the problem, analysis and findings remedy, and documenting the resolutions for future is done and that too mostly in same order. The existing anti malware tools available, identify the malware by scanning the computer executable files check if any know malware have sneaked into the system. This is done by detecting programs that are making changes to the operating system registry. Here, there are only three alternatives for dealing with malware:- Running Malware removable tool to detect and repair malware. If, anti-malware tool fails, Malware can be removed manually by the administrator or formatting the system. Use anti-Malware tool to prevent them from entering the system. Proactive approach- In this approach, the Malware can be deleted even before they get executed. It can be done in following ways:- Apply latest firmware to hardware systems and routers as recommended by vendors. Apply latest security patches to server applications and other applications. Ensure recent anti virus software is running. Maintain a database that keeps track of what patches have been applied. Enable firewalls. Enforce strong password policies. Use Least-privileged user account(LUA). This will do less damage as compared to high privileged processes. Anti-Malware techniques: When a worm or virus starts spreading into the computer networks, one must be able to react quickly to minimize the outbreak and damage it can cause. Traditionally, organizations use firewalls and antivirus scanning tools in order to prevent Malware from entering the system. These tools are used as a protective wall between a node and its network and the internet. The main motive is to prevent malicious code from entering into the system. However, these firewalls antivirus scanning tools and traffic monitors are not free from technical vulnerabilities, that can still be exploited by new generation Malware. Advanced Anti-Malware techniques: Integrating filters ‘with signatures’ – Having layers of application filter on the network, will increase the efficiency of the security tools. Advanced antivirus tools, firewalls, web and email filters can be clubbed together, with latest updates/patches to prevent Malware from entering the system. This approach reduces the probability of Malware intrusion to minimum possible. Though not zero. For example, Malware that attacks the web-browser normally bypasses the firewalls, but gets identified and deleted by web filters. Similarly, a new Malware whose signature is not there in any of the filters can still sneak into the network unnoticed. ‘Multi-Layered Defense’ without signatures- It is very much similar to the ‘Integrating Filters’ approach but the only differentiating factor is that they can detect any malware even without their definition or signatures. In the integrating filters with signature technique there is a vulnerability i. e. these are amenable to attacks by unidentified or reported Malware. To overcome that vulnerability ‘Malware without signature’ approach must be adopted. It includes following technologies.

A Man Said to the Universe :: Man Said Universe

A Man Said to the Universe Stephen Crane wrote many remarkable poems, short stories, and novels throughout his short life (He lived only to the age of 29). In one poem in particular, "A Man Said to the Universe," Crane uses cosmic irony to depict an existentialist way of life. "Cosmic irony occurs when a writer uses God, destiny or fate to dash the hopes and expectations of a character or mankind in general"(2133). Crane’s use of this type of irony is seen through the relationship that the universe displays with mankind. Existentialism depicts the idea that one is not based on the essence of a soul but, rather is based on decisions made throughout life. God’s existence in nature is expected, and it is ironic how Crane shows just the opposite to be true. Existentialism is indifferent to God’s existence in nature as well. Crane depicts man as a weak soul longing for his existence to be recognized by the universe. "However’ replied the universe,/ ‘The fact has not created in me/ A sense of obligation"(3-5). These lines prove that the universe does not recognize the existence of man. This universe is a mighty force, heedless to the needs and wishes of man. We may argue or detest something that we have no control over, only to come to the realization that nature is indifferent to our thoughts or feelings. It is generally assumed that man has an obligation to the universe and vise versa. However, as seen in this poem, neither can be assumed. By living an existential life a man can detach himself from the idea of

The bauhaus related to 2014 fashion

The Aesthetic Of Bauhaus and Current Trends Following WWW, as much of Germany lay in despair, Bauhaus thrived as a revolutionary, inspired and unique School breaking down the perceived class barriers between craftsmen and fine artists. Founded in 1919 by Architect Walter Groping, Bauhaus modernized the Art Industry and Education, influencing all aspects of design today. As fashion, like art, progresses in cycles, inspiring and influencing each other through the creation of their designs, it would have been an ideal for Bauhaus and its collective education.The communal teaching of design basics to all iris year students meant all disciplines adopted a visionary approach to composition integrating simplicity, functionality and bare boned structure. The Wassail Chair is an iconic example of Bauhaus aesthetic, completely reducing the classic club chair to its fundamental form whilst retaining comfort and style. Inspired by the tubular steel framing of his bicycle, Marcel Brewer created t he Wassail chair to be seamless. Engaged with the transparency of the form†, Brewer created a mere structural outline of what then was considered the standard, contributing immensely to the Bauhaus aesthetic we know today. In Fashion we see the same structural aesthetic in pieces like La File Do's â€Å"One† Bra. The singular steel underline sculpts the body leaving only the bare necessities of the common bra, focusing on its foundation. Using minimal detailing in the cups, opting for a soft mesh, the bra focuses on the structure; the nowhere and straps.Both Brewer and La File DO keep color to the minimum, using black or plain monochromatic schemes to further accentuate the framework of the designs. Rejecting the bourgeois detail plastering Germany at the time, Bauhaus students instead took the opposite direction. By completely striping back all decoration, even reducing color back to primary's and shades, they created a new take on architecture. Using geometric blocks and unconventional materials they constructed simple yet intriguing designs. The same can be said for modern fashion.Structured outfits in block colors are always popular as they provide a sleek and sophisticated look, such as with 3. 1 Phillip Limb's SIS 14 collection. As Bauhaus students used geometric boxes to create interesting shapes for buildings, Limit does the same for women. The square boxed white Jacket although seemingly plain creates an incredibly smooth and angular silhouette, the oversized structure building off her body emulating perfectly the white cubic buildings most associated with the Bauhaus aesthetic.During the first year of Bauhaus education, Color Theory was intensely studied. Josef Teen, teacher of said subject and inventor of the 12-hue color wheel believed â€Å"Color is life; for a world without color appears to us as dead. Colors are primordial ideas, the children of light. † The psychology and audience perception of color developed at Bauhaus is still an extremely relevant source to all designers today, helping designers portray different emotion through color and hue. Whilst at Bauhaus, Teen developed a series of seven methodologies for coordinating color using hue.One methodology in particular, saturation, was adopted into some of the most famous artworks to come out of Bauhaus such as Josef Albert â€Å"Homage to the Square† in which Albert created the exact same square filled with consistently smaller squares and changed the feeling of each art work using only hue and saturation of the color. This saturation is best shown in an exercise from Paul Kale's lour class depicting the different shades of red moving down the scale. In Channel's SIS 14 collection we also see the emotional effect of saturating colors.On the pure white canvas of flowing capes and summer dresses Karl Loggerhead paints graduating swatches, each color swiftly moving from dark to barely there light, while the dress graduates from dark forest gr eens to soft pastels. Paintbrushes and pallets adorn the models hands as they walk and the youth and creativity of the collection shines through instantly. Bauhaus considered typography to be another kind of building, literally studying the Truckee of letters and characters, the flexibility each character held and the visual effect they had on the audience.The Bauhaus font otherwise known as the â€Å"Universal† font was a meticulously sculpted style that was simple, clean and modern. The rise of typography heralded the rise of graphic advertising, a strategy that would quickly be picked up by most if not all design disciplines, none so ferociously as fashion. Designer brands like Louis Button and Channel are not only instantly recognizable but intrinsically valuable for bearing their particular typeface as part of their branding. In fashion, Typography is used as a hook for customer engagement, often aimed at teenage girls.Typography is the quickest way to get your demograph ic to relate to your brand. Although not considered a typically high-class trait in fashion, brands like Mission, DENY and Jeremy Scott have taken up the typography trend successfully with their graphic fonts plastered over Jumpers, dresses and anything you can print on. Although nearly one century old, Bauhaus continues to influence many aspects of design. The flesh and bone structure, simplicity of design and geometric blocked out hopes are all still extremely relevant in the fashion and art of today.

Kim Sung & Kim Jong

From an early date Korean political culture is characterised by isolationism and a strong desire to maintain the country's independence (â€Å"Kim Il Sung†, para 2). Relationship with its neighbouring countries are poor and with the countries in the West, are almost equal to zero. Even with such relationships, Korea has been unable to stop the encroachment   of its neighbours. It was made the Japenese protectorate in 1905 and later the number of   Japenese immigrants in Korea have risen so much that the Koreans have become second-class citizens within their own land.Kim Il SungKim Il Sung’s real name was Kim Song Ju. He was born in Pyongyang on 15th April, 1912. At the age of   17 he was jailed for being a part of   a student political group led by the South Manchurian Communist Youth Association. After his release from jail he joined the Anti-Japanese United Army. He emerged as a significant leader in this time period and later changed his name to Kim Il Song, in honor of his uncle who participated in nation-wide protests against the Japenese in 1919.Kim Il Sung as a leaderAfter the Second World War the Korean peninsula was divided into two parts, North and South. North Korea was sponsored by Russia while the South was aided by USA. Kim Il Sung was selected to take charge of the formation of a provisional government for the North. Under his leadership the Korean Workers Party was inaugurated.A number of reforms were introduced to the North, including an eight-hour working day, equality of the sexes, and suppression of religion. Land and wealth formerly belonging to the Japanese or to enemies of the regime was confiscated and redistributed, industry was nationalised, and Soviet-style economic planning was initiated (â€Å"Kim Il Sung†, para 12) His opponents within the party were purged to secure his absolute rule. Kim led the military committee, coordinating action against the South Koreans in 1950.With carefully prepared plans and without any warning to the South Koreans, his army swarmed into the South. The war continued for three years and during these three years about three million people lost their lives. Between 600,000 and one million North Koreans needlessly starved to death due to the economic legacy of Kim's regime. Kim claimed to have won that war but no peace treaty was ever signed.Kim Il Sung, through land reclamation, gave priority to increased agricultural production. He emphasised on trade, developed the country’s infrastructure, and encouraged people to rely on domestically produced equipment. He discouraged them to even think about foreign aid and taught them that self reliance should be the key goal to everyone’s success. From 1972 onwards, North Korea became poorer because it could not afford to buy advance technology from the West and its industrial production declined. A personality cult had glorified Kim, but by the mid-1990s the rapid economic growth of North Korea's ear ly years had given way first to stagnation and then to hardship, and there was widespread dissatisfaction with the repressive regime (Scalapino & Lee p.175)When he died in 1994, the country lost its venerated founding leader. Just a few years earlier, its powerful alliances had evaporated with the fall of the Soviet bloc and China's move toward a market-based system. The economy was on the rocks and energy and food were in short supply. A series of weather disasters, combined with an inefficient state-run agricultural system, further eroded the food supply, leading to mass starvation (â€Å"Dear Leader or Demon†, para 12)Kim Jong IlKim Il Sung’s successor, Kim Jong Il, was born on 16th June, 1942. Growing up in a time when anti Japanese revolutionary struggle was at its peak, Kim Jong Il cultivated uncommon characteristics and qualities through his experiences of his real life and practical activities. During his training period under his father's tutelage in the 1970s , he was often referred to as the â€Å"Party Center,† and he launched a number of campaigns to take over the daily operations of the Party.When he came to power on the death of his father in 1997, Kim Jong-Il ruthlessly set about establishing his own authority. His government is said to be extremely secretive and brutal to dissidents. Kim's disastrous agricultural and economic policies have caused his people to suffer under one of the world's longest, deadliest famines. On the domestic front, Kim has given occasional signs that he favors economic reforms similar to those carried out in China by Deng Xiaoping.But at home he has done little or nothing to relax the absolute control of the state and party over all aspects of economic life. He has certainly given no sign of considering the de- collectivization of agriculture, which was the foundation of Deng's reforms (Chong-Il p. 84). With the sort of image Kim Jong Il carries around with him many analysts thought that the commu nist regime would finally come to an end in North Korea, but it is almost a decade since he has been in power and still ruling over North Korea and extending his father’s philosophy of Juche. Kim Il Sung’s style of ruling his country according to Stalinism was submerged into his Juche philosophy and later it subordinated into a more militant theme of Kim Jong Il’s Red Banner Policy.Kim Jong Il has been accused of being involved in two bombings; one in Rangoon in 1983 and another in 1987, which killed all passengers in a South Korean airplane.   No evidence directly links Kim Jong Il to the bombings, however, and some analysts believe his father was still firmly in control of international activities throughout the 1980s, while giving his son more power over domestic affairs. He spends more than 25% of his country’s annual GNP on the military while most of the citizens go hungry. Jong Il has also proved himself to be a movie lover and has directed a coup le of movies himself and written six operas, while his scientists make nuclear war heads.Kim Il Sung as a CommunistIn the words of Morelly, the author of the influential treatise Le Code de la Nature, published in 1755: †The only vice which I know in the universe is avarice; all the others, whatever name one gives them, are merely forms, degrees of it. . . . Analyze vanity, conceit, pride, ambition, deceitfulness, hypocrisy, villainy; break down the majority of our sophisticated virtues themselves, [they] all dissolve in this subtle and pernicious element, the desire to possess.†Such economically determined psychology lies at the root of every socialist and communist doctrine (Pipes 2001). Kim Il Sung was one man who was obsessed with gaining power over not only his own people but he went to extremes and even created his own religion so that the people should start worshipping him. When workers of the Korean Workers Party tried to over throw Kim in 1953, the eleven consp irators, who failed in their coup, were not only executed but their properties were confiscated as well. He purged his opponents in all possible ways in order to ensure that he stays in power.Kim Il Sung’s personality was a true speciman of a communist. Russia had an influence over the political system of North Korea right from the onset. Kim Il Sung was highly impressed by the communist rule in Russia and he developed a Marxist-Leninist political ideology that emphasises the need for autonomy and patriotic self-reliance. Called ‘Juche', or ‘Kim Il Sung Thought', the ideology demanded total loyalty to the paramount leader and the â€Å"religion of Kim Il Sungism†, and stressed on the benefits of sacrifice, austerity, discipline, dedication, unity, and patriotism. It has been   described as â€Å"encyclopedic thought which provides a complete answer to any question that arises in the struggle for national liberation and class emancipation, in the building of socialism and communism.† The practical effect of Juche was to seal the DPRK off from virtually all foreign trade (â€Å"Kim Il Sung†, para 38).Kim Il Sung’s personality cult was similar to that of   Stalin. In that he was accused of tampering history, tyranny and injustice and self glorification. Kim’s zeal for communsim is evedient from the fact that the North Korean media, which is owned and controlled by the state, promoted Kim’s image as an infallible genius and the driving force behind the resistance to the Japanese and the liberation of the North. Kim had more than 34,000 monuments of himself erected throughout the country. Practice of any other religion except the worship of Kim Il Sung   was outlawed. The official calender started from his birthday and that day was an official holiday too.Kim Il Sung was so obssessed with his ideals that he started to believe in himself in a godly manner. The painters and artists of the country were instucted to paint only his personality in a pompous manner and project it to the rest of the country. All this was believed, by   Kim Il Sung, as not a forceful extension of his one-man show personality to the masses but he had actually started to live in a pseudo-shell of belief   that the citizens of his country actually adored him.In my point of view the personality of Kim Il Sung was a fragment and extension of Stalin. This is supported by the fact that he not only tried to follow him in the way he ruled North Korea but he also sought his help and looked up to him in various matters of   state. In the Korean War of   1950-1953, while South Korea was supported by USA, North Korea was aided by USSR primarily because it was a communist country. Kim Jong Il has proved himself to be a true replica of his father.He has not only ensured the continuity of his father’s policies and reforms but he has also gone to the extent of further subjugating the agrigarian community by spending more on his military might. He has promoted his father’s personality cult by making it a compulsion for each citizen to visit Kim Il Sung’s moseleum atleast once each year and also by paying tribute to the Senior Kim by wearing lapel badges and all those who dare to offend are sent to concentration camps within the country. Kim Il Sung has become so much part of   a North Korean’s daily life that to reject Kim is more like rejecting his own self.ConclusionWith 1% of the citizens in concentration camps and 25% of GNP being utilized to further the ruler’s military prowess, North Korea is definitely not in pursuit of a prosperous future. While the exiguity of the basic facilties of life and the over all plight of the nation is being blamed on the West in general and the US in particular, nobody dares to question the extravagent life of the dictators of North Korea. North Korea is going through its worst era right now; with its predominent supp ort/donor, in the shape of USSR, disintegrated and with the West pressing hard on it on the contentious issue of its nuclear programme.ReferencesClark, Carol. (2001). Kim Jong Il, â€Å"Dear Leader or Demon?† Retrieved 13 May 2006Chong-Il, Kim. (1986). Life and literature. Pyongyang, Korea: Foreign Languages Publishing House.Harris, Bruce. (2004). â€Å"Kim Il Sung†. Retrieved 12 May 2006Pipes, Richard. (2001). Communism: A History. Random House Publishing Group.R. A. Scalapino and C. S. Lee. (1992). Communism in Korea. Seoul: Ilchokak.

History and Timeline of the Wheelchair

History and Timeline of the Wheelchair It is uncertain as to what can be considered the first wheelchair, or who invented it. The first known dedicated wheelchair (invented in 1595 and called an invalids chair) was made for Phillip II of Spain by an unknown inventor. In 1655, Stephen Farfler, a paraplegic watchmaker, built a self-propelling chair on a three-wheel chassis. The Bath Wheelchair In 1783, John Dawson of Bath, England, invented a wheelchair named after the town of Bath. Dawson designed a chair with two large wheels and one small one. The Bath wheelchair outsold all other wheelchairs throughout the early part of the 19th century. Late 1800s The Bath wheelchair was not that comfortable and during the last half of the 19th century, many improvements were made to wheelchairs. An 1869 patent for a wheelchair showed the first model with rear push wheels and small front casters. Between, 1867 to 1875, inventors added new hollow rubber wheels similar to those used on bicycles on metal rims. In 1881, the pushrims for added self-propulsion were invented. The 1900s In 1900, the first spoked wheels were used on wheelchairs. In 1916, the first motorized wheelchair was manufactured in London. The Folding Wheelchair In 1932, engineer, Harry Jennings, built the first folding, tubular steel wheelchair. That was the earliest wheelchair similar to what is in modern use today. That wheelchair was built for a paraplegic friend of Jennings called Herbert Everest. Together they founded Everest Jennings, a company that monopolized the wheelchair market for many years. An antitrust suit was actually brought against Everest Jennings by the Department of Justice, who charged the company with rigging wheelchair prices. The case was finally settled out of court. First Motorized Wheelchair - Electric Wheelchair The first wheelchairs were self-powered and worked by a patient turning the wheels of their chair manually. If a patient was unable to do this, another person would have to push the wheelchair and patient from behind. A motorized or power wheelchair is one where a small motor drives the wheels to revolve. Attempts to invent a motorized wheelchair were made as far back as 1916, however, no successful commercial production occurred at that time. The first electric-powered wheelchair was invented by Canadian inventor, George Klein and his team of engineers while working for the National Research Council of Canada in a program to assist the injured veterans returning after World War II. George Klein also invented the microsurgical staple gun. Everest Jennings, the same company whose founders created the folding wheelchair were the first to manufacture the electric wheelchair on a mass scale beginning in 1956. Mind Control John Donoghue and Braingate invented a new wheelchair technology intended for a patient with very limited mobility, who otherwise would have issues using a wheelchair by themselves. The BrainGate device is implanted into the patients brain and hooked to a computer to which the patient can send mental commands that results in any machine including wheelchairs doing what they want it to. The new technology is called BCI or brain-computer interface.

Verbing - The Process of Turning Nouns Into Verbs

Verbing - The Process of Turning Nouns Into Verbs In a single work day, we might head a task force, eye an opportunity, nose around for good ideas, mouth a greeting, elbow an opponent, strong-arm a colleague, shoulder the blame, stomach a loss, and finally, perhaps,  hand in our resignation. What were doing with all those body parts is called verbingusing nouns (or occasionally other parts of speech) as verbs. Verbing is a time-honored way of coining new words out of old ones, the etymological process of conversion (or functional shifting). Sometimes its also a kind of wordplay (anthimeria), as in Shakespeares King Richard the Second when the Duke of York says, Grace me no grace, and uncle me no uncles. Does Verbing Weird Language? Calvin and Hobbes once discussed verbing in Bill Wattersons great comic strip: Calvin: I like to verb words.​Hobbes: What?Calvin: I take nouns and adjectives and use them as verbs. Remember when access was a thing? Now its something you do. It got verbed. . . . Verbing weirds language.Hobbes: Maybe we can eventually make language a complete impediment to understanding. Echoing Hobbes, countless language mavens have decried the practice of verbinga filthy habit according to an editorial in Britains Guardian newspaper 20 years ago: Let us now resolve to bury . . . a practice which, in the closing months of the year, seemed increasingly to be defacing the English language: the pressing of decent defenceless nouns, which have gone about their business for centuries without giving the mildest offence or provocation, into service as verbs, sometimes in their original form but quite often after a process of horrible mutilation. Evidence of mutilated neologisms at that time included gift, diary, fax, fixture, message, example, and a doughnut   all functioning as verbs. Even the affable Richard Lederer has expressed impatience (or was he impatiented?) with verbing: We ought to accept new words that add color or vigor, but lets short-shrift the ones that dont. Wed like to guilt some writers and speakers into the habit of using words better instead of creating mutants the language doesnt need.(Richard Lederer and Richard Downs, The Write Way: The S.P.E.L.L. Guide to Real-Life Writing. Simon and Schuster, 1995) Love em or loathe em, a number of nouns have recently verbed their way into our conversations and dictionaries, including to contact, to impact, to access, to party, to author, to transition, to privilege, and to workshop. Verbing Makes English English New forms of wordsas well as new uses for old wordstake some getting used to. But the truth is, if those forms and uses stick around for awhile, we do get used to them. Psychologist Steven Pinker estimates that up to a fifth of English verbs are derived from nounsincluding such ancient verbs as rain, snow, and thunder along with more recent converts like oil, pressure, referee, bottle, debut, audition, highlight, diagnose, critique, email, and mastermind. In fact, Pinker reminds us, easy conversion of nouns to verbs has been part of English grammar for centuries; it is one of the processes that make English English (The Language Instinct, 1994). For your amusement or annoyance, lets close (a 13th-century verb that became a noun a century later) with a few contemporary specimens of verbing: When the smart guys started this business of securitizing things that didnt even exist in the first place, who was running the firms they worked for?(quoted by Calvin Trillin in Wall Street Smarts. The New York Times, October 13, 2009)We talked about the project. We dialoguedpassionately yet civillyremembering our earlier discussions about the need for all of us to practice active listening, agree to disagree, . . . using I think and I feel statements, solicit others opinions, and practice the Platinum Rule of treating others how they want to be treated. We dialogued and dialogued.(Christine M. Cress et al., Learning Through Serving: A Student Guidebook for Service-Learning Across the Disciplines. Stylus Publishing, 2005)It takes a certain kind of teacher to turn a teenage student who regularly truanted PE lessons into a county athlete in a matter of months.(Liz Ford, New Teachers and Old, Excelling All Round. The Guardian, July 3, 2007)For sports lovers, you can try to get a bat or a golf club personally signatured by one of their favorite sportspersons, which is bound to be a real treat.(Exotic Christmas Gift Ideas at the website Christmas Gifts Guide, 2009) An amateur baseball powerhouse, Cuba joined the tournament in 1939 and immediately beat Nicaragua for the title. Since then, it has won 25 titles in 37 tournaments and has medaled 29 times.(Benjamin Hoffman, U.S. in Contention at 2009 Baseball World Cup. The New York Times, September 19, 2009) In 10 or 20 years well revisit these upstart verbs to see how many have gained full admittance to the language.

How important was nationalism as a cause of the collapse of communism Essay

How important was nationalism as a cause of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe - Essay Example In this paper, the term nationalism is used in the meaning of political doctrine and ideology which is justified by a goal to make a certain nation succeed in pursuing its interests. In this context, a nation is understood as â€Å"a political, ethnic, territorial, cultural, or religious group united by a common economy, mass culture, common legal rights and duties, and a belief system that emphasizes either shared history and genealogy or other common myths distinguishing this group from others† (Smith, 1991: 14). Molchanov (2000: 264) observes that nationalism today is a product of modernization as well as mass education. It is also a product of the elites’ conscious manipulation of country’s masses. Nationalism is based on national feeling, i.e. a feeling of belonging to a community which is culturally distinct and goes beyond people’s circles of important others, covers the barriers of statuses and classes, and on a legitimate basis commands its member s’ loyalty. In this respect, a national community is perceived as an imagined community with its contours being reconstructed during the process of national mobilization (Molchanov, 2000: 263). As for the national elite, it serves a mobilizing agent in this process. Its parochial interests get the status of national interests and become values for which all compatriots fight. Typically, the elite is made up of well-educated classes â€Å"from the indigenous nationality and local administrators† who have become dissatisfied with current social standing (Molchanov, 2000: 264). ... It is also a product of the elites’ conscious manipulation of country’s masses. Nationalism is based on national feeling, i.e. a feeling of belonging to a community which is culturally distinct and goes beyond people’s circles of important others, covers the barriers of statuses and classes, and on a legitimate basis commands its members’ loyalty. In this respect, a national community is perceived as an imagined community with its contours being reconstructed during the process of national mobilization (Molchanov, 2000: 263). As for the national elite, it serves a mobilizing agent in this process. Its parochial interests get the status of national interests and become values for which all compatriots fight. Typically, the elite is made up of well-educated classes â€Å"from the indigenous nationality and local administrators† who have become dissatisfied with current social standing (Molchanov, 2000: 264). Exploring the political agenda of contempor ary nationalism, one may state that it necessarily develops in its connection to state (Tibor, 2010: 36). The relationship between nationalism and the state is discussed in two major modes. The first one describes the situation when the representatives of the indigenous nationality already have control over the state. They make efforts to unite people and create their specific nation. It is characterized by a focus on cultural and linguistic homogenization, consolidation of political connections, and creating the feeling of solidarity. The activity of the government results in education standardization and decrease of the social distance which may be found between the society layers (Gellner, 1998). The second mode of nationalism development within the state is when the elites do not possess control over

Insurgent Movements During and Immediately After WW2 Essay

Insurgent Movements During and Immediately After WW2 - Essay Example The further occupation of France, as well as austerity measures of Nazis and Vichy regime increased the will to fight. Part of the population had no choice apart from joining the Resistance (Jews or people forced to work in Germany) (Crowdy, 2007). Part of Resistance groups were communist and antifascists. Another part of the Resistance fought for the liberation of France and establishing the new country. It should be also mentioned that significant part of Frenchmen was depressed by the defeat in 1940, did not want to fight or preferred to accept the existing situation. So-called passive resistance also existed (Folker, 2012). The Resistance was a movement of people with different principles and motivations. The Resistance included various forms of struggle. It may be described as a combination of movements and networks (Folker, 2012). Movements were mostly aimed on the fight against the Nazism ideology. They grouped around newspapers and spread the ideas of the Resistance. The production of the publications was another form of resistance. Networks were structures that are more active. They gathered information about military activity, organized sabotage actions and armed resistance. Sabotage and espionage were the main forms of fight. The armed fight was the less frequent form of resistance. Non-obedience to the Nazis legislation or hiding Jews are also treated as a form of fight. Part of people treat themselves as resistants for ‘at least doing something’. About 500,000 people were involved in the Resistance and about 100,000 people participating in this movement were killed. The results of maquis’ military was not so serious (about 9,000 executions). The most impo rtant result of the Resistance activities was the information gathered before the Normandy invasion (Cobb, 2009). The activity of the Resistance media was one of the

Assignment 5 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

5 - Assignment Example In the initial phase, there is a need for segregating all junk mails which arrive from different recipients. It is worth mentioning that the mail process would only reply to the issue letters. Thus, after segregating junk mails, it will be decided that whether the letters possess any issue or not. Issue letters are considered as those letters which advocate a position and most of them arrive from arranged campaigns. After identifying the issue letters, they would be scanned and processed for recognizing the issues which require strict attention from senator. Most of the issues which are described in those letters are from several agencies or on behalf of certain citizens. Thus, it is vital for the Senator’s office to scan and process them accordingly to recognize how the issues can be dealt with. A decision would be made regarding whether to respond to the identified issues or not in the letters. In some cases, letters do not contain any kind of return addresses, to which they can be mailed back to the respondents. Besides, at times, these issues also requests for special visits and favors. Thus, in such circumstances, a few of the issue letters would not be responded. In such letters, a position would be created in the computer database of Senator’s office. For the letters that would be decided to respond, they would be printed and then mailed to the respondents. Apart from flow chart, there are several other tools which can be used for improving the process of issue mail processing such as check sheet and cause and effect diagram. Check sheet is considered as an organized method of collecting and structuring information. The objective of check sheet is to collect the information in the most effective way and check them accordingly against prearranged groups of measurements (Soković, Jovanović, Krivokapić & Vujović 1-9). Cause and effect

SWOT Analysis | What is SWOT Analysis? | Examples of SWOT Analysis

SWOT Analysis | What is SWOT Analysis? | Examples of SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis was originally conceived and developed in the 1960s and its basic organising principles have remained largely unchanged in the field of strategic management since that time (Kotler et al., 2013). It is, as Ghazinoory, Abdi and Azadegan-Mehr (2011) comment, a systematic framework which helps managers to develop their business strategies by appraising the internal and external determinants of their organisation’s performance. Internal environmental factors include leadership talent, human resource capabilities, the company’s culture as well as the effectiveness of its policies and procedures. In contrast, external factors include competition, government legislation, changing trends, and social expectations (Johnson, Scholes and Whittington, 2008). The SWOT analysis framework involves analysing the strengths (S) and weaknesses (W) of the business’s internal factors, and the opportunities (O) and threats (T) of its external factors of performance (Ghazinoory, Abdi and Azadegan-Mehr, 2011). Through this analysis, the weaknesses and strengths within a company can correspond to the opportunities and threats in the business environment so that effective strategies can be developed (Helms and Nixon, 2010). It follows from this, therefore, that an organisation can derive an effective strategy by taking advantage of its opportunities by using its strengths and neutralise its threats by minimising the impact of its weaknesses. Moreover, SWOT analysis can be applied to both a whole company as well as a specific project within a company in order to identify new company strategies and appraise project feasibility. Hollensen (2010) asserts that the strengths and weaknesses of a company relate to its internal elements such as resources, operational programmes and departments such as sales, marketing and distribution. More specifically, a strength is an advantageous – or even unique – skill, competency, product, or service that a business or project possesses that allows it to create competitive advantages. This may include abstract concepts, such as its possession of strong research and development capabilities. A weakness on the other hand is a strategic disadvantage, such as a skill that the business or project lacks which limits it and creates potential risks in negative economic conditions. Achieving a balance between such positives and negatives is therefore a necessary pre-requisite for any company and it is also imperative that a company continues to review its strengths and weaknesses to take account for changes in its internal environment (Kotler et al., 2013). An opportunity is, as Henry (2011) comments, a desirable condition which can be exploited to consolidate and strengthen a strategic position. Examples of this phenomenon would include growing demand for a trendy new product which it could consider selling, such as that announced by Burger King relating to the introduction of a black cheeseburger (Molloy, 2014). A threat on the other hand, is a condition that creates uncertainties which could potentially damage an organisation’s performance or market share (Henry, 2011). Threats include the introduction of new competing products or services, foreign competition, technological advancements, and new regulations. Examples of the fear of such external factors can be noted in the comments of companies planning to relocate their headquarters and registration bases from Scotland to England in the event of a ‘yes’ vote in the Scottish referendum in September 2014 (Wright, Titcombe and Spence, 2014). Therefore, a company needs to develop strategies to overcome these threats in order to prevent the loss of its market share, reputation, or profit. It must be noted, however, that opportunities and threats exist in the environment and therefore are often beyond the control of the organisation – but they do offer suggestions for strategic direction. SWOT analysis, as a result, demands a great deal of research into an organisation’s present and future position (Johnson, Scholes and Whittington, 2008). The results of SWOT analysis provide a useful source of information from which an organisation can go on to develop policies and practices which allow it to build upon its strengths, diminish its weaknesses, seize its opportunities, and make contingency plans or measures to eradicate or curtail threats, as Kotler et al. (2013) observe. SWOT analysis is widely used by managers because of its simplicity (Hollensen, 2010). It is used as a planning tool that can be adapted to a range of situations and projects. Whilst it is not the only technique available to managers, it can often be the most effective if used properly (Henry, 2011). The basis for a SWOT analysis is usually drawn from an audit review as well as from independently carried out interviews with staff and customers. Data is then analysed to arrive at a list of issues which can be categorised into strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The key issues and company activities are then reassessed through protracted discussions between managers and reduced further to identify the most important issues and the potential impact that they could have on the organisation. If too many issues are included in the analysis, there will be a lack of focus in the development of a new company strategy and thus it is important to ensure that such discussions focus on a limited number of factors (Ghazinoory, Abdi and Azadegan-Mehr, 2011). Additionally, the issues considered should be made in view of customer opinions and perceptions, which would therefore require objectivity. Ideally, a company should carry out a SWOT analysis on a regular basis in order to assess its situation against its competitors in a constantly evolving market environment (Fernie and Moore, 2013). According to Stalk, Evans and Schulman (1992, p. 62), â€Å"the essence of strategy is not the structure of a company’s products and markets but the dynamics of its behaviour†. It is also recommended that an organisation should develop and undertake SWOT analysis on its competitors so that it is able to take into account consumer perceptions and determinants of their buying behaviour. This is particularly the case with issues such as quality, in which perceptions may be more powerful than reality (Kaplan and Norton, 2008). In today’s highly competitive and fast changing market environment, managers may make a grave error when evaluating their company’s resources; that is, not to assess them relative to the competition (Kotler et al., 2013). A competitive analysis as part of the SWOT framework is always necessary in order to determine an organisation’s position in the wider market. Thus, for example, if a project or business strength is the amount of capital it has to invest in improved IT functionality, this may not be the case if its competitor is investing double this amount to improve its own IT functionality. Thus, it is no longer a strength but rather a weakness for the company. The same competitive analysis should also be taken into account when assessing opportunities and threats, as it depends on the relative situation of the competing businesses (Johnson, Scholes and Whittington, 2008). McDonald (1989, p. 16) states that the â€Å"SWOT device†¦ whilst potentially a very powerful, analytical device, is rarely used effectively†, and recommends using a summary from a marketing audit to arrive at a sound SWOT analysis; the analysis must be conducted rigorously so that it prioritises the issues of paramount importance. Further, McDonald suggests keeping it focused on critical factors only and to maintain a list of differential strengths and weaknesses in comparison to competitors, concentrating mainly on competitive advantages. Additionally, only critical external opportunities and threats should be listed with a focus on the real issues. Finally, according to McDonald (1989), the reader of the SWOT analysis should be left with the main issues encompassing the business to the extent that they are able to derive and develop marketing objectives from them. At the end of the analysis, the organisation is left with reasons behind their choices as well as their potential impacts, which provides them with a stronger basis from which to form future strategic decisions. Example of a SWOT analysis of the McDonald’s Corporation Strengths Open door policy to the press Ceres guidance and co-ordination and active CSR Selective supply chain strategy Rigorous food safety standards Affordable prices and high quality products Nutritional information on packaging Decentralised yet connected system Innovative excellence programme Promoting ethical conduct Profitable Weaknesses Inflexible to changes in market trends Difficult to find and retain employees Drive for achieving shareholder value may counter CSR Promote unhealthy food Promoted CSR meat imports in error Opportunities Attractive and flexible employment Positive environmental commitments Higher standards demanded from suppliers Corporate responsibility committee Honest and real brand image Threats Fabricated stories about the quality of chicken Unhealthy foods for children Health concerns surrounding beef, poultry, and fish Labour exploitation in China CSR at the risk of profit loss Contributor to global warming Local fast food restaurants Political instability (e.g. Russia) Strengths Open door policy to the press At times of wider national food scandals, for instance those related to BSE, McDonald’s operated an open door policy, allowing the press into a limited number its restaurants and suppliers (Vrontis and Pavlou, 2008). This was done as a deliberate measure to reassure the public of the safety of McDonald’s. Ceres guidance and co-ordination, and active CSR McDonald’s, as Valax (2012) notes, co-ordinates with employees, investors, environmental and corporate social responsibility (CSR) organisations, such as Ceres, to improve its social and environmental programmes. As a result of such policies, McDonald’s can be seen to be continually updating its profile to take account of changes in consumer preferences – keeping the firm relevant and allied to the desires of its customers. Selective supply chain strategy McDonald’s works to ensure that its suppliers meet or exceed safety and quality standards as well as complying with best practice with reference to a sustainable food supply and animal welfare (Deng, 2009). Indeed, its recent advertisement campaigns have laid a premium on the traceability of products used. Rigorous food safety standards McDonald’s, as Vrontis and Pavlou (2008) observe, works hard to ensure that high food safety standards are met through training, food, safety and quality and menu development in each restaurant. This filters through to its partners, ensuring that they operate ethically and meet social responsibility standards. The high training required can also be noted by reference to its endorsement of specific qualifications and training for staff – thereby adding value to its workforce (Valax, 2012). Affordable prices and high quality products McDonald’s is an efficient provider of high quality foodstuffs and always seeks to offer the best value to its customers, as noted by its 99p ‘value’ range (Harnack et al., 2008). Nutritional information available on packaging McDonald’s was one of the first fast food restaurants to disclose nutritional information on its packaging and continues to seek new ways in which it can provide nutrition and balanced active lifestyles for its customers (Harnack et al., 2008). Indeed, there are sections of the corporate website specifically tailored to this data. Decentralised yet connected system McDonald’s provides a core system of values, principles and standards which managers adhere to in combination with its â€Å"Freedom within the Framework† programme, which provides them with the flexibility to respond to the diversity of its customers and local markets (McDonald’s Corporation, 2013). Innovative excellence programme McDonald’s employs an array of mystery shoppers who visit premises pretending to be customers. They inspect the premises as customers and rate them accordingly. Many restaurants provide customer comment contact numbers and employee satisfaction surveys. It may also be noted, though anecdotally, that the firm responds quickly to mistakes and problems raised with area managers. Promoting ethical conduct McDonald’s works hard to maintain its integrity with its shareholders through open channels of communication (McDonald’s, 2013). Profitable McDonald’s is profitable, as Wallop (2014) comments, with sufficient capital. This allows it to grow and realise gains on its investments. Thus, McDonald’s is able to offer help to charities as well as itself when in need. Weaknesses Inflexible to changes in market trends If customer trends move towards eating in a more eco-friendly or organically-oriented manner, McDonald’s would be unable to follow this trend without changing suppliers and incurring significant financial losses (Wallop, 2014). McDonald’s could consider the introduction of new products with the aid of market research, in coming years, to prepare them for such potential change. Difficult to find and retain employees McDonald’s has had hostile relationships with unions and, although this has been controlled, the company does find it difficult to find and retain good employees (Valax, 2012). The company can build on its reputation for developing top level managers by further increasing its graduate recruitment portfolio. Drive for achieving shareholder value may counter CSR When McDonald’s profits fall, its stock price often falls as well; as a consequence, it is often forced to take drastic action to resolve the problem. (Wallop, 2014) This often relates to issues of social and environmental responsibility. McDonald’s could be more proactive in finding more long-term CSR suppliers and processes that provide lower costs and higher profit margins, rather than being reactive. Promotion of unhealthy food Despite providing healthier product varieties, McDonald’s continues to sell burgers that have 850 calories in them. . This could continue to harm its reputation as an unhealthy fast food provider. McDonald’s could research ways to reduce the calories in its products whilst still maintaining their taste, or at the least provide low calorie burger options. Much progress has been made in this arena – but it is suggested that more needs to be done (Harnack et al., 2008). Promoted CSR meat imports in error McDonald’s claimed to provide meat from socially and environmentally responsible sources, but a court case found that meat had been imported from Latin America, where rainforests were cleared to create green fields for cattle (Deng, 2009). Where McDonald’s carries out CSR processes or investments, it may wish to consider carrying out random checks to ensure their standards are continually met, to minimise embarrassing press. Opportunities Attractive and flexible employment McDonald’s offers a variety of job opportunities and is proud to say that 42% of its top managers first started by serving customers (McDonalds, 2013). That the company offers a selection of different shift patterns as well as employee benefits can be seen as further reasons as to why McDonald’s attracts employees. Positive environmental commitments McDonald’s incorporates environmental commitments in its daily operations, from the use of environmentally friendly products in maintaining daily ‘drive-thru’ cleaning, to providing sustainable fish sources, to using recycled packaging (McDonald’s, 2013). It was also a pioneer of using bio-diesel and recycling fat from its fryers into a form of fuel. Higher standards demanded from suppliers McDonald’s sets the standards it demands from suppliers for low cost high quality, socially responsible supplies, in return for a long-term business commitment (Yuece, 2012). Corporate Responsibility Committee McDonald’s has a standing Corporate Responsibility Committee that acts as an advisor to its Board of Directors (McDonald’s, 2013). Honest and real brand image McDonald’s has built and maintains a trusting relationship with its shareholders and customers through truthful marketing and communications (Harnack et al., 2008). Threats Fabricated stories about the quality of chicken Emails and websites have published fabricated information that McDonald’s is using ‘monster-chickens’ in its products. McDonald’s could build on its open door policy with the press and apply it to the web, to combat false distribution of information (Kaplan and Norton, 2008). Unhealthy foods for children If competitors begin to offer premium healthy alternatives for children with small gifts to encourage them to eat healthy, this would be a significant threat to McDonald’s (Kotler et al., 2013). McDonald’s positive strategy to provide a range of healthy products could include further healthy products for children in addition to its present offering of carrot sticks. Health concerns surrounding beef, poultry, and fish There are various initiatives working against hormone induced cows and other issues such as bird flu epidemics and heavy metal levels in fish that could reduce McDonald’s sales and cause profits and its share price to fall (Johnson, Scholes and Whittington, 2008). McDonald’s could use its purchasing power to its advantage to source supplies that have proven health benefits. McDonald’s greater work with local farmers in the UK with regard to the sourcing of beef and eggs can be seen as a step in the right direction in this regard. Labour exploitation in China Chinese manufacturers exploit labour in their production of ‘Happy Meal’ toys (Valax, 2012). McDonald’s could use its purchasing power to its advantage to demand that manufacturers provide toys without exploiting labour. CSR at the risk of profit loss If share prices and profitability are under pressure, managers will inevitably seek to resolve it at the risk of a CSR issue (Ceres, n.d.). Contributor to global warming McDonald’s is the largest consumer of beef in the world. Greenfields used to supply this beef comes at the expense of rainforests, heavy use of chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides (Ceres, n.d.). McDonald’s could use its purchasing power to its advantage to source CSR suppliers. Local fast food restaurants Local restaurants which are less environmentally threatening than McDonald’s and have less purchasing power may have better reputations with local suppliers and customers (Wallop, 2014). Political instability Political instability can be a threat to the secure and continued operation of a business. Even if local staff are employed, a tense political situation can cause areas of operation to be closed, in the short- or long-term. An example of this relates to McDonald’s in the Crimea and in Russia; for the foreseeable future, McDonald’s restaurants are closed in the Crimea as a result of the Russian invasion. In retaliation, Russia has temporarily closed a number of McDonald’s restaurants in Russia (Wallop, 2014). From the above SWOT of McDonald’s and the summary that follows it, it can be seen how, by highlighting its position, an organisation can identify areas that could be strengthened, seize opportunities, minimise threats and diminish or eliminate weaknesses. In summary, a SWOT analysis provides a systematic framework for appraising an organisation’s internal and external position. It is a useful tool but it must be constantly updated to enable the company to keep abreast of developments and change its strategies accordingly. 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