Handwriting a letter versus sending an e-mail message Essay

Handwriting a letter versus sending an e-mail message - Essay Example By studying the handwriting one can judge the mood of the person. E-mails are cold and do not convey the warmth-they just convey the messages as a matter of duty! Handwritten letters on important occasions like marriage, birthday, success-events like passing examinations, can be preserved for ever in a file and they are good collection items. No so with the e-mail. One can read the handwritten letters again and again, without having to open the computer often. One practical problem as well! For sending e-mails, one needs to be computer-literate. For handwritten letters, one needs to be just literate! For mails, one has to own a computer or specially reach the cafe for making the mail. As for quickness and convenience, e-mail, the product of internet revolution, has no match. The message reaches any corner of the world, within seconds. Competitive business, the share quotations etc. can never think of sending the communications by handwritten letters , where decisions on rates are taken in split seconds! For official dealings, e-mail communications are the best and one can not think of applying the handwritten letter procedure in this area. Voluminous files and documents can be uploaded/downloaded through e-mail procedure, whereas to copy a document of say, of 100 pages will take some days. This procedure is neither practical nor feasible. One can forward a message, documents, story or news items, to thousands of individuals merely by clicking the forward button and the message is instantly received by that vast majority. Sending handwritten letters to them involves lots of expenditure on stationary, postage, apart from the time and labor devolved. Here is a wonde rful observation on the handwritten letter vs. the e-mail, the essence of which is worth noting. â€Å"The "art" of letter writing was only art in the hands of a few who wrote well. The rest of the worlds written correspondence is barely worth the paper it is written on. E-mail has

Impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on the Accounting and Auditing Essay

Impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on the Accounting and Auditing Profession - Essay Example The unexpected corporate failures brought the integrity of the financial statement audit into question (Elson & Lynn, 2008). The apparent aim of the new law is to strengthen controls and strengthen compliance with disclosures, in order that the matter of corporate performance and financial condition be made more transparent to the investing public. The Act applies to all corporations registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), otherwise known as public companies. The most important sections of the statute are those that require the establishment of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), Auditor Independence, and Enhanced Financial Disclosures. The impact of the new requirements listed is to strengthen the role and accountability of the internal audit function, in order that management and the board of directors may be held responsible â€Å"to vouch for accounting controls over financial reporting and disclosure weaknesses to shareholders† (Elson & Lynn, 2008:60). Prior to the implementation of the SOX, internal control was observed to be weak because of the weak internal audit performance, lack of independent directors, and inconsistency and general failure to hold the board of directors and internal audit committee accountable. While prior to the SOX, similar recommendations for chang e were already made by the Blue Ribbon Committee, compliance with these earlier recommendations was not as effective than that subsequent to the implementation of the SOX, mainly because of the absence of legal mandatory power of the Blue Ribbon Committee, in contrast with the requirements of the SOX which were legally binding (Lin, Kang & Roline, 2009:10). At least three studies have empirically determined the effect of SOX on the enhancement of internal audit and control by the management and board of directors. In the implementation of SOX, the Chief Audit Executive played an active leadership role in the implementation of SOX (Section 404), emphasizing on risk identification and control as well as remediation. Most reported increasing their resources devoted to corporate governance activities, including the review of ethics, business conduct, legal and regulatory compliance; audit resources were reported to have been increased (Patterson & Smith, 2007) by as much as 66% (Elson & Lynn, 2008). Significant changes were also made to the composition of the audit committee and the board of directors, which included: (a) an increase in the number of independent directors assigned to the audit committee as well as the board of directors; (b) a significant increase in compliance with the requirement that there should be at least four direct ors on the audit committee, as well as having six to fifteen directors in the board of directors; and (c) an increase in the overall average number of audit committee hearings (Lin, Kang & Roline, 2009). These changes pointed to not only formal but also substantial compliance with SOX requirements. Not all effects expected of SOX had materialized. A study of external auditors’ performance was conducted on the expectation that they had begun to exercise a greater conservatism and a more vigorous audit process prior to issuing going-concern or other qualified opinions. The study showed, however, that there had been no significant difference in the changes in the performance of auditor firms when comparing the pre- and post-SOX contexts (Ryu, Uliss & Roh, 2009). Furthermore, there are what are called â€Å"ripple effects,† such as (1) the negative influence on corporate acquisitions and mergers; (2) increased records-management requirements; (3) decreased

Fungal And Bacterial Amylase During Starch Breakdown Biology Essay

Fungal And Bacterial Amylase During Starch Breakdown Biology Essay The lab conducted focused on examining the effects of temperature on the ability of fungal and bacterial amylase to breakdown starch to maltose, and determine the temperature at which these two amylases work best, which is known as optimal temperature. The experimental part of the lab consisted in setting up the utensils that were going to be used during the actual experiment. During this section test tubes were labeled, and spot plates were placed in temperature/ time table created. For the second section of the experiment, iodine was placed in each row of the spot plates for each temperatures, and the solutions in the test tubes( bacterial , fungal amylase and starch mixture) were added to those same spots were iodine was added, depending on the time and the temperature corresponding to each amylase. The optimal temperature was deducted by observing the color change in the spot plates and comparing them with a color-coding scheme for starch hydrolysis. Conclusions for this task were reached by analyzing the data collected by each group, which suggests that a change in temperature disturbs the activity of enzyme amylase. When exposed to low and high temperatures, these enzymes were not able to function properly, therefore, reducing or eliminating their ability to breakdown certain compounds, especially starch. Enzymes need maintain at a certain temperature to be able to function at its optimal. Introduction: Enzymes are complex proteins produced by all living organisms with the function of enhancing chemical reactions through a process known as catalysis. During this process, the substrates, which are the molecules that will undergo the reaction, binds to the active site of the enzyme to form different molecules called products. Each active site on the enzyme is unique, permitting only substrates that match the shape of the active site to bind to the enzyme in a process known as lock and key model, however, active sites are able to adjust their shape to permit the binding with a substrate through the induced fit model, which moves entire protein domains (Raven et al., 2008; Ringe Petsko, 2008; Whitehurst Van Oort, 2009). Catalysts, like enzymes, work by reducing the amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to take place by linking two substrates in the correct orientation or by accentuating chemical bonds of a substrate, which reduces the energy difference between reactants and transition state. Enzymes are not consumed or changed during the reaction and they do not alter the equilibrium of the reactions they catalyze (Garcia et al, 2004; Raven et al., 2008; Whitehurst Van Oort, 2009; Alberte et al., 2012). The activity of enzymes is affected by multiple factors, including 1) pH (ranges from pH 6 to 8), 2) temperature (Rate of reaction increases with temperature, but only up to a point called optimum temperature. A change in temperature, either below or above the optimum, causes the active site to denature, decreasing or preventing substrate binding. When exposed to low temperatures enzymes are not flexible enough to permit induce fit, and in high temperatures enzymes are too weak to maintain their shape.), 3) substrate concentration (If amount of enzyme is preserved constant and substrate concentration is gradually increased, the reaction velocity will increase until it reaches a maximum. After this point increasing substrate concentration will not increase the rate of reaction), 4) allosteric inhibitors and activators (Inhibitors are substances that bind to an enzyme and decreases its activity, and they can occur in two ways; competitive inhibitors and noncompetitive inhibitors. Effec tors that enhance enzyme activity are referred to as allosteric activators, which bid to allosteric sites to keep an enzyme in its active configuration), and 4) cofactors (Many enzymes required the presence of other compounds, called cofactors, which during the catalytic activity, A cofactor can be a coenzyme, a prosthetic group or a metal ion activator (Harisha, 2006; Raven et al., 2008; Whitehurst Van Oort, 2009). Enzymes have a wide spectrum of functions in the bodies of living organisms; they are present from signal transduction to generation of muscle contraction. The also break starch molecules, forming smaller fragments of maltose, which can be easily absorbed by mammals. And it is the ability of enzymes to breakdown starch and the effect of temperature during this process that will be analyzed in the lab (Whitehurst Van Oort, 2009; Alberte et al., 2012), expecting that the results collected confirm that temperature does have an effect in bacterial and fungal amylase activity. Methods: The experiment should be performed once per group, using fungal (Apergillus oryzae) and bacterial amylase. Starch catalysis will be monitored by using Iodine test, which turns from yellow to blue-black in the presence of starch. Experimental Setup Place a paper under the spot plates and label the top side with temperature values 0,40,60,95 Â °C, and the side with the times 0,2,4,6,8,10 min. Obtain 4 test tubes and label each with a different temperature, enzyme source, either bacterial or fungal and group number. Repeat previous step, but this time include the letter S, which stands for Starch solution. Finally add 5ml of 1.5% starch solution into each of the test tubes labeled S. Effect of temperature in amylase activity Add 1ml of amylase into each of the test tubes that do not contain starch, and place the 8 test tubes (4 containing starch and 4 containing amylase) into their respective temperatures, allowing all test tubes to equilibrate for 5 minutes. Add 2-3 drops of iodine to the first row of the spot plate corresponding to o minutes. After 5 minutes has passed and test tubes are equilibrated, transfer a few drops of starch solution from each temperature to the row where you added the iodine. Pour the starch solution into the tube containing amylase without taking it put of bath, and set the timer for two minutes. Add 2-3 drops of iodine to the second row, and after 2 minutes has passes, transfer a few drops of the starch-amylase mixture from each tube to the 2 minutes row using the pipette correspondent to each temperature. After each additional 2 min, add 2-3 drops of iodine and a few drops from starch amylase mixture. At the end of 10 min, note the temperature and the time at which 100% hydrolysis occurred. Repeat the procedure using the other amylase type, and using the color-coding scheme convert results into numerical values. Results: Temp (Â °C) 0 40 60 95 Time (min) 0 5 5 5 5 2 4.333333 3.166667 3 5 4 4.166667 3.083333 2.833333 5 6 4 3 2.75 5 8 4 3 2.683333 5 10 3.833333 3 2.75 5 Table 1: Class Average for Bacterial Amylase activity After all groups performed the experiment, a class data for bacterial amylase was collected. The average of the data was calculated and presented in Table 1, showing color changes for each temperature. Temp (Â °C) 0 40 60 95 Time (min) 0 5 5 5 5 2 3.333333 2.666667 3.166667 5 4 3.333333 2.666667 3.083333 5 6 3.333333 2.666667 2.833333 5 8 3.333333 2.416667 2.833333 5 10 3.333333 2.416667 2.833333 5 Table 2: Class Average data for Fungal Amylase activity After all groups performed the experiment, a class data for fungal amylase was collected. The average of the data was calculated and presented in Table 2, showing color changes for each temperature. Graph 1: Class Average for Bacterial Amylase activity Graphical Representation Results from Table 1 exposed in a graph, showing that all groups optimal temperature for Bacterial amylase is 60Â °C Graph 2: Class Average Data for Fungal Amylase activity Graphical Representation Results from Table 2 were exposed in a graph, showing that all groups optimal temperature for Bacterial is 40Â °C Figure 1: Color coding-scheme for starch breakdown Starch hydrolysis color coding scheme is used to determine the optimal temperature for each amylase during starch breakdown Figure 2: Bacterial amylase activity spot plate Group number 1 spot plate during bacterial amylase experiment showing the amylase reaction during each temperature Figure 3: Fungal amylase activity spot plate Group number 1 spot plate for fungal amylase experiment showing starch breakdown during each temperature Graph 3: Bacterial Amylase Activity graphical representation Bacterial amylase activity data taken from table 1 showing that optimal temperature for this kind of amylase according to group 1 is 60Â °C Temp (Â °C) 0 40 60 95 Color # Color # Color # Color Time (min) 0 blue/black 5 blue/black 5 blue/black 5 blue/black 2 blue/black 4 med brown 3.5 light brown 3 blue/black 4 blue/black 4 light brown 3 light brown 3 blue/black 6 med brown 3.5 light brown 3 dark yellow 2.5 blue/black 8 med brown 3.5 light brown 3 med yellow 2 blue/black 10 med brown 3.5 dark yellow 2.5 med yellow 2 blue/black Table 3: Bacterial Amylase activity Group 1 recorded color changes for each temperature during breakdown of starch by bacterial amylase, and it was represented in numerical values by using color coding scheme presented in Figure 1 Graph 4: Fungal Amylase Activity graphical representation Fungal amylase activity data taken from Table 4 showing that optimal temperature for this kind of amylase according to group 1 is 40 Â °C Temp (Â °C) 0 40 60 95 Color # Color # Color # Color Time (min) 0 blue/black 5 blue/black 5 blue/black 5 blue/black 2 light brown 3 dark yellow 2.5 light brown 3 blue/black 4 light brown 3 dark yellow 2.5 light brown 3 blue/black 6 light brown 3 dark yellow 2.5 light brown 3 blue/black 8 light brown 3 med yellow 2 light brown 3 blue/black 10 light brown 3 med yellow 2 light brown 3 blue/black Table 4: Fungal Amylase Activity Group 1 recorded color changes for each temperature during breakdown of starch by fungal amylase, and it was represented in numerical values by using color coding scheme presented in Figure 1 Temp (Â °C) 0 40 60 95 Time (min) 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.408248 0.258199 0 0 4 0.258199 0.258199 0.258199 0 6 0.316228 0.316228 0.418330 0 8 0.316228 0.316228 0.376386 0 10 0.516398 0.316228 0.418330 0 Table 5: Class Average Standard Deviation for Bacterial Amylase activity From the results from Table 1, the standard deviation was taken, showing that the results collected by each group for Bacterial amylase are close to average results. Graph 5: Class Average Standard Deviation for Bacterial Amylase activity Graphical Representation Data from Table 5 was exposed in a graph, showing that the difference between the mean and the samples collected by each group is minimal. Temp (Â °C) 0 40 60 95 Time (min) 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.408248 0.516398 0.68313 0 4 0.408248 0.408248 0.66458 0 6 0.408248 0.408248 0.68313 0 8 0.408248 0.491596 0.68313 0 10 0.408248 0.449868 0.68313 0 Table 6: Class Average Standard deviation for Fungal Amylase Activity From the results from Table 2, the standard deviation was taken, showing that the results collected by each group for Bacterial amylase are close to average results. Graph 6: Class Average Standard Deviation graphical Representation Data from Table 6 was exposed in a graph, showing that the difference between the mean and the samples collected by each group is minimal Discussion: After evaluating the results of the experiment, present in Table 1 and 2 it can be concluded that the data provides enough evidence to support the predictions or hypothesis presented in the introduction section that when temperature is not optimal for an enzyme, it will denature or reduce its functions. The results showed that low or high temperatures have an effect in the ability of enzymes to break down starch (Graph 1 and 2). By comparing the results with color coding scheme provided (Figure 1), the optimal temperatures for both amylases were able to be determined. The optimal temperature for the enzyme had a bright yellow color, which meant that the amylase was able to breakdown the starch present in the solution; when the solution remained blue-black the enzyme is said to be denature, meaning that it was not capable of breaking down the starch( Figure 2 and 3). The most important parameters taken into account to get the previous results were temperature and time. Looking at the color for the reaction between starch and amylase, by using the Iodine test, it can be concluded that for bacterial amylase, the optimal temperature is 40 Â °C, and this occurs around the 6 minute time. Fungal amylase optimum temperature was reached at 6 minutes time and it was 60 Â °C. All the previous result can be observed in Figure 2 and 3, as well as in Graph 1 to 5 Table 5 and 6 show that the results of the experiment are consistent for all lab groups, because the difference between the sample data collected by each individual group and the average of that data is minimal, showing that, the results collected by each group are close very close to be accurate. What parameters of the experimental design were important in the expected (or unexpected) results? The expectations for the experiment concurred with the results, because a previous understanding of enzymes was given in the lab manual, however, the optimal temperatures were not exactly known because each enzyme works best depending on its environment. For future research, the range in temperature should be more variable, not only including positive values, but negative ones. Also, if enzymes sources had more variation, it will provide a better understanding of the optimal conditions and temperature of enzymes. Literature Cited/ References: Alberte J., Pitzer T., Calero K. (2012).General Biology Lab Manual / Second Edition. Florida International University: The McGraw Hill Companies. Garcia-Viloca M., Gao J., Karplus M. Truhlar D. G.(2004). How Enzymes Work: Analysis by Modern Rate Theory and Computer stimulations. Science 303:pp. 186-195. Harisha S. (2006). Introduction to Practical Biotechnology. India: Laxmi Publications. Raven P., Johnson G. B., Mason K. A., Losos J. B., Singer S. S. (2008). Biology 8th edition. New York: The McGraw Hill Companies. Ringe D., Petsko G. A. (2008). How Enzymes Work. Science 320: pp. 1428. Whitehurst R. J., Van Oort M. (2009). Enzymes in Food Technology: Wiley-Blackwell; 2nd edition.

The Scope of Woolf’s Feminism in A Room of One’s Own Essay -- Woolf A

The Scope of Woolf’s Feminism in A Room of One’s Own Missing Works Cited A highly contested statement on women and fiction, Virginia Woolf’s extended essay A Room of One’s Own has been repeatedly reviewed, critiqued, and analyzed since its publication in 1929. Arnold Bennett, an early twentieth-century novelist, and David Daiches, a literary critic who wrote an analysis entitled Virginia Woolf in 1942 (Murphy 247), were among those to attempt to extricate the themes and implications of Woolf’s complex essay. The two critics deal with the often-discussed feminist aspect of Woolf’s essay in interestingly different ways. Bennett states that Woolf’s essay is not a feminist work, rejects the idea that Woolf’s discussion of women and fiction may lean towards the political, and reduces the essay’s scope to a collection of musings on women and fiction. Daiches responds to A Room of One’s Own in the opposite way: he claims that Woolf’s work is feminist, and Woolf’s feminism emphasizes not only women and their relationship to fiction, but all people of genius who have not had an opportunity to use it because of their lack of money and privacy. While Bennett restricts the scope of the essay to a non- feminist, completely apolitical ideology and Daiches enlarges the scope to a wide, universal feminism, Woolf’s own intention in writing A Room of One’s Own may have actually been to create a work that lay somewhere in between these two extremes. In one of the earliest reviews of A Room of One’s Own, British novelist Arnold Bennett addressed the question of feminism in the essay and concluded that Woolf was not writing from a feminist perspective. â€Å"It is a book a little about men and a great deal about women. But it is no... ...ments do point out important limits on Woolf’s feminism. As Arnold Bennett says, Woolf’s concerns are not political; although our modern definition of feminism is wider than Bennett’s was, Woolf’s lack of political interest does certainly limit the scope of her feminism. David Daiches’s critique of the essay points out another important characteristic of Woolf’s feminist thought. Her feminism is not, as Daiches believes based in a â€Å"larger democratic feeling.† Woolf’s feminism is in actuality quite limited in tha t she only applies it to British, upper middleclass women writers. Virginia Woolf’s essay-which to Bennett seemed non- feminist and to Daiches seemed feminist- universalist-is, by our modern definition, feminist; however, the borders of culture, class, and profession that composed her frame of reference drastically limit the scope of Woolf’s feminism.

Macbeth : a tragic hero or bloody tyrant? Essay

Written by William Shakespeare probably in late 1606 or early 1607, Macbeth is considered by many people to be the darkest of Shakespeare’s works. The play is a tragedy about death and deceit amongst the Scottish noblemen. It focuses on the rise and fall of the main character, Macbeth. The argument on whether Macbeth is a tragic hero or a bloody tyrant still remains unsettled. In order to answer this question, we have to define the characteristics that make up a tragic hero. According to Dr. Peter A. Smith from the English department of Kentucky State University, a tragic hero possesses many several criteria. Firstly, the character must be of noble stature, meaning he is a man with outstanding quality. His actions must affect an excessive amount of people. Secondly, his downfall is the result of his tragic flaw or â€Å"hamartia†. However, the most common flaw is excessive pride or â€Å"hubris†. Thirdly, the hero’s decline is thew result of his own â€Å"free will†. Although â€Å"fate† has a very important part in the play, there is always a factor of choice portrays in the story. Fourthly, the audiences are usually left feeling that the hero’s misfortune is not wholly deserved. The fifth criterion is that the tragic hero will eventually realise what went wrong but it is too late to undo the harm. Lastly, after the death of a tragic hero, the audiences feel the cleansing of emotion or â€Å"catharsis†. On the other hand, a bloody tyrant can be identified as some one who is self-deceived, remorseless, unmerciful, and avaricious. The character should be of bad reputation and is generally disapproved by others. They should be lacking of consideration and sympathy for others. Also, they should exhibit a constant yearning for more and more power. Macbeth, at the different stage in the play, possesses many characteristics of both a tragic hero and a bloody tyrant. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a brave warrior who has fought for King Duncan and has just won the battle. On his way back from his assignation as Thane of Glamis, he encountered the three witches who greeted him with many pleasant predictions. Their prophecies were the fact that triggered Macbeth’s ambitious soul. However, he was still seen as genuinely loyal to the King â€Å"The service and the loyalty I owe, †¦Are to your throne and state†¦ Which do but what they should by doing everything Safe toward your love and honour.† (Act 1: Scene 4: L 22-27) He already appeared to fit the criterion of tragic hero since he was courageous and respected. He has saves Scotland and many lives from the battle. After Duncan had announced that his son, Malcolm, would succeed to the throne, we first learned of his flawed personality. â€Å"Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires,† (Act 1: Scene 4: L.50-51) He was asking the stars not to shine because the light would make others see his dark desire. He did not want anyone to know about his future evil plan. So far, Macbeth’s character still corresponded to the characteristics of a tragic hero. We must see how his character developed. In the next scene, Macbeth met his wife, Lady Macbeth, who appeared to have thoroughly planned out Duncan’s murder. She encouraged her husband to eliminate Duncan so that Macbeth, in the near future, would be entitled the king of Scotland. However, Macbeth’s conscience was troubled. â€Å"†¦Besides, this Duncan†¦, hath been So clear in his great office, that this virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against The deep damnation of his talking-off.† (Act 1: Scene 7: L.16-20) He knew that by killing Duncan who represented a figure of decent human being, heaven itself would detest his decision and he would be condemned. After struggling with his conscience and showing his reluctance to betray the king, he finally decided not to kill Duncan. â€Å"We will proceed no further in this business He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought Golden opinion from all sorts of people,† (Act 1: Scene 7: L.31-33) Macbeth was, perhaps, being selfish and wanted to be admired by the people for a bit longer, or his conscience might be causing his determination to weaken. Both reasons demonstrated that he was showing mercy, and mercy was definitely not a quality of a bloody tyrant. At this stage, he was not yet a bloody tyrant. However, later when Lady Macbeth insulted him by calling him a coward and questioning his masculinity, Macbeth changed his mind. Lady Macbeth’s speech was considered to be very persuasive. She also brought up the concept of being the same in action as in desire to Macbeth. It seems as of every time Macbeth gains back his conscience and follows the path of righteousness, his fatal weakness, which is ambition, always spurs him on and leads him back to the vicious path. His wife also plays quite a major role in manipulating Macbeth to do as she desired. He chooses evil over goodness. This is his own â€Å"free will.† The external force that keeps pressuring him cannot control or decide for him. After murdering Duncan, persuaded by his wife, Macbeth shows the sign of being quite repentant, hoping to undo the crime. â€Å"Wake Duncan with thy knocking: I would thou couldst† (Act 2: Scene 2: L.77) His wife apparently has forced him to do something a bit against his will. At the same time that this happened, Malcolm and Donaldbain decided to elude to England and Ireland respectively to escape the accusation. Macbeth, therefore, was entitled to be king and accessed to the throne. Once Macbeth realised the suspiction BanQuo had on him, including his fear for the witches’ prophecy, that Banquo would be father of a king, would become true, he decided to get rid of Banquo and his son, Fleance. Fortunately, Fleance has escaped. His ambition and pride started to increase. His plan to kill Banquo was kept secret from his wife. This showed that he had gained more self-confidence. His flaw has driven him to kill. Once Macbeth ascended the throne, he organised a feast at his castle. In my opinion, the feast represents the turning point of his character in the play. He began to show more of the vicious qualities. The ghost of Banquo has appeared to him at the banquet, and he began to hallucinate. After the guests have left, Lady Macbeth tried to calm him down. Macbeth was so mad that he has vowed to destroy anyone standing in his way. He was now in the point of no return. â€Å"†¦I am in blood Stepped in so far that should I wade no more †¦ Strange thing I have in head that will to hand, Which must be acted ere they may be scanned† (Act 3: Scene: 4: L.140) â€Å"We are yet but young in deed† (Act 3: Scene 4: L.144) Macbeth was saying that he has done so many bad deeds that he could barely wait to engage in the evil acts again. We could clearly see at this stage that Macbeth’s character has developed into someone who appeared to be malevolent by nature. He had lost all his good equalities. His speech showed his extreme hunger for power and control. He would kill according to his will. Macbeth later went to see the witches again and has received three apparitions. The witches told him that someone who was â€Å"none of woman born† would bring about his death. This prophecy has made him even more arrogant thinking that he was invincible, and it seemed to give him new pleasure for killing. He has Macduff’s family murdered and his castle demolished. After the death of Lady Macbeth, he took actions into his own hands. In the end, he suffered from internal revolt and eventually killed by Macduff, who later revealed that he was born by caesarean. Even though, towards the end, Macbeth has adopted most of the characteristics of evil tyrant, his death produced â€Å"catharsis† in audiences. Our emotions are cleansed knowing that the throne is now in charge by good people. Macbeth started off as being a â€Å"tragic hero†, but eventually, towards the end, his madness and hallucination has transformed him into a â€Å"bloody tyrant.† Bibliography 1. www.literatureclassics.com/essays/371 2. www.shakespearehelp.com/macbeth_guide/ 3. www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm

History of Basketball Essay

Basketball was invented in December 1891 by the Canadian clergyman, educator, and physician James Naismith. Naismith introduced the game when we was an instructor at the Young Men’s Christian Association Training School (now Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts. At the request of his superior, Dr. Luther H. Gulick, he organized a vigorous recreation suitable for indoor winter play. The game involved elements of American football, soccer, and hockey, and the first ball used was a soccer ball. Teams had nine players, and the goals were wooden peach baskets affixed to the walls. By 1897-1898, teams of five became standard. The game rapidly spread nationwide and to Canada and other parts of the world, played by both women and men; it also became a popular informal outdoor game. U. S. servicemen in World War II (1939-1945) popularized the sport in many other countries. A number of U. S. colleges adopted the game between about 1893 and 1895. In 1934 the first college games were staged in New York City’s Madison Square Garden, and college basketball began to attract heightened interest. By the 1950s basketball had become a major college sport, thus paving the way for a growth of interest in professional basketball. The first pro league, the National Basketball League, was formed in 1898 to protect players from exploitation and to promote a less rough game. This league only lasted five years before disbanding; its demise spawned a number of loosely organized leagues throughout the northeastern United States. One of the first and greatest pro teams was the Original Celtics, organized about 1915 in New York City. They played as many as 150 games a season and dominated basketball until 1936. The Harlem Globetrotters, founded in 1927, a notable exhibition team, specializes in amusing court antics and expert ball handling. In 1949 two subsequent professional leagues, the National Basketball League (formed in 1937) and the Basketball Association of America (1946) merged to create the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Boston Celtics, led by their center Bill Russell, dominated the NBA from the late 1950s through the 1960s. By the 1960s, pro teams from coast to coast played before crowds of many millions annually. Wilt Chamberlain, a center for the Los Angeles Lakers, was another leading player during the era, and his battles with Russell were eagerly anticipated. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, also a center, came to prominence during the 1970s. Jabbar perfected his famed â€Å"sky hook† shot while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers and dominated the opposition. The NBA suffered a drop in popularity during the late 1970s, but was resuscitated, principally through the growing popularity of its most prominent players. Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, and Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers are credited with injecting excitement into the league in the 1980s through their superior skills and decade-long rivalry. During the late 1980s Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls rose to stardom and helped the Bulls dominate the NBA during the early 1990s. A new generation of basketball stars, including Shaquille O’Neal of the Orlando Magic and Larry Johnson of the Charlotte Hornets, have sustained the NBA’s growth in popularity. In 1959 a Basketball Hall of Fame was founded in Springfield, Massachusetts. Its rosters include the names of great players, coaches, referees, and people who have contributed significantly to the development of the game.

Corporate Social Responsibility Program Essays

Corporate Social Responsibility Program Essays Corporate Social Responsibility Program Paper Corporate Social Responsibility Program Paper Essay Topic: The Social Contract Is corporate social responsibility a new business trend or perhaps a source for competitive advantage? It definitely is a catchphrase of the early 21st century business. The impact of business on the social and natural environment has been more or less under discussion for the past 40 years but in recent years it has become one of the most relevant issues in the business environment. Investors, academics, NGOs and business consultants are all talking about corporate social responsibility. In this report, I attempt to show the corporate social responsibility program at Deutsche Post DHL from a self-reporting and an outside-image view. Moreover, I will introduce the different levels of CSR as well as the conflict between Corporate Social Performance (CSP) and Corporate Financial Performance (CFP). Furthermore, I will discuss the moral foundation of Deutsche Post DHL. In my proposition, the paper will be divided into the following three main parts: critical analysis of the Deutsche Post DHL program, CSR debates and moral foundation. The first part will show the diversity of social engagements at Deutsche Post DHL. I intend to point out the three main focus areas – environment, disaster management and education, rather than focusing on individual projects. Furthermore, this section should include an overview of the positive and negative critique of the CSR program at Deutsche Post DHL. The second part will deal with the conflict between CSR and CFP and Corporate Social Performance (CRP). Subsequently to the theory, I will answer two questions: 1. Does Deutsche Post DHL benefit from its social and environmental activities? 2. What CSP-levels did Deutsche Post DHL reach so far? The last part explains the moral philosophy of Aristotle and to what extend the CSR program of Deutsche Post DHL is based on this moral foundation. As a result, I aim to demonstrate that on the one hand, the company is able to help the society and to minimize its negative impact on the environment. On the other hand, the company is trying to maximize its profit. At the end, I conclude that Deutsche Post DHL is seriously engaging in corporate social responsibility but the company does not stop thinking about its financial performance. 2. Introduction The discussion about companies’ social and corporate responsibility is gaining importance in the past years. The state, employees and other stakeholders demand more than profit maximization. Companies are asked to operate socially responsible. The fundamental idea is about a give-and-take basis. A variety of companies recognized already the importance of giving and they are presenting themselves as socially responsible. But many of them are doing it, because they want to get a profit out of it. Through a look inside a company, one can observe that at the back of obvious social activities, companies are profit maximizing with their engagements. In order to identify the exact reasons, why a company may engage in CSR, this report will focus on a single company – Deutsche Post DHL. Deutsche Post DHL is the world’s leading postal and logistics group. Its integrated DHL and Deutsche Post brands offer comprehensive services in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation and contract logistics. Deutsche Post is Germanys only universal provider of postal services and delivers mail and parcel in Germany and the world. The Group generated revenue of more than 46 billion Euros in 2009 with over 470,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories (cf. Annual Report, 2009). As such, Deutsche Post DHL has a special responsibility to use its core expertise to the benefit of society and to continuously minimize its negative impact on the environment. 3. Methods The purpose of this paper is to obtain knowledge about CSR and to analyze the CSR program at Deutsche Post DHL critically. Therefore, I will illustrate how Deutsche Post DHL presents its CSR program. I intend to point out the three main focus areas – environment, disaster management and education, rather than focusing on individual projects. Additionally, this part will give a summary of the positive and negative critique of the CSR program at Deutsche Post DHL. With these critiques, one will be able to prove the reliability of the CSR program at Deutsche Post DHL. In the second section, I will focus on the conflict between the stakeholders and the shareholders perspective. Furthermore, I will give an overview of the different elements in Corporate Social Performance: social responsibility, social responsiveness and social issues. Subsequently to the theory, the report will demonstrate how Deutsche Post DHL implemented the theory. Additionally, the report aims to show Deutsche Post DHL’s level of CSP. After the CSR debates, the report will introduce the morale ideas of Aristotle and how the Deutsche Post DHL’s CSR program bases on these ideas. Due to the word limit, this report will not include other morale foundations such as Machiavelli, Rousseau or Locke. The last part will summarize the results before there will be a final conclusion. 4. How does Deutsche Post DHL present its CSR program? In 2006, Deutsche Post DHL introduced a code of conduct which is compulsory in all regions and all departments. â€Å"The key pillars of this code of conduct are respect, tolerance, honesty and candor as well as willingness to assume social responsibility. The guidelines apply to all employees, irrespective of their place in the Groups hierarchy, and to divisions† (Deutsche Post DHL, 2010). Additionally, Deutsche Post DHL has chosen â€Å"Living Responsibility† (Sustainability Report, 2009) as its motto, which ought to symbolize its variety of initiatives in the areas of environmental protection, disaster management and education. â€Å"They are designed to increase the employees’ motivation and their identification with the company as well as to make the group more well-known and respected and to improve its competitive position† (Annual Report, 2009). 4. 1. Environmental Protection Go Green In 2008, Deutsche Post DHL initiated its ambitious GoGreen climate protection program. The company’s goal is to â€Å"reduce CO2 emissions for every letter and parcel sent, every tonne of cargo transported and for every square meter of warehouse space used by 30% by 2020 (compared to our 2007 baseline)† (Deutsche Post DHL, 2010). Since the transport-related CO2 emissions are determined and offset through internal reduction measures and external climate protection projects, Deutsche Post DHL became the first logistics company offering carbon neutral packages. Furthermore, the company invented a pilot project with new transporters which are using less fuel and alternatives to fossil fuels (cf. Deutsche Post DHL, 2010). 4. 2. Disaster Management Go Help Due to comprehensive expertise in logistics and the high profile worldwide, Deutsche Post DHL is well prepared for helping at natural disasters. Deutsche Post DHL’s support focuses on two core areas: Logistics support after natural disasters and disaster preparedness. Primarily, the task of DHL Disaster Response Teams (DRT) is to eliminate shortages in the disaster area. For that reason, trained logistic experts are going into the affected areas and to the airports respectively in order to coordinate activities. These experts see to it that the transport of substantial relief goods such as food, medicine and sanitary articles is ongoing – even if there is no infrastructure (cf.Deutsche Post DHL, 2010).After these teams are requested by the UN-Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), they are ready for action within 72 hours. There are three teams, which form a network covering almost all regions in the world that are affected by natural disasters on a regular basis. Furthermore, Deutsche Post DHL supports locals, who are responsible for disaster preparedness. For optimal trainings, Deutsche Po st DHL cooperates with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Together they invented the program Get Airports Ready for Disaster (GARD), which prepares airports to handle the flow of incoming relief goods (cf. Deutsche Post DHL, 2010). 4. 3. Education Programs Go Teach Alongside the focus areas environment and disaster management, education is the third focus area at Deutsche Post DHL. The company believes that â€Å"Education is key to our childrens future and our own success as the worlds leading logistics company and one of the largest employers worldwide† (Deutsche Post DHL, 2010). Therefore, Deutsche Post DHL is cooperating with Teach First Deutschland in Germany. Teach First Deutschland is an initiative launched in 2009. By working in a secondary school for two years as Fellows, outstanding university graduates help to ensure that even children and youths with fewer opportunities get a chance to move up. (cf. Teach First, 2010). Additionally, Deutsche Post DHL wants to encourage its engagements in education all over the world. 5. How does the environment respond to Deutsche Post DHL’s CSR Program? During the past years, Deutsche Post DHL obtained awards and positive critique as well as negative critique for its CSR program and its efforts.

George washington Essay

George washington Essay George washington Essay The seventeen hundreds was an eventful time in history. With people like John Locke and Voltaire challenging the way the people think and how people should be treated. It sparked revolutions. The American Revolution is a well-known example of this. To be realistic the colonists should not have won they were hopelessly, no hilariously out matched and out gunned. So how did they do it? The colonists won the American Revolution because of the leadership, motive and their allies. The colonies were divided at the start of the revolution. Each state wanted to fight but lacked military knowledge and organization. They needed a leader, someone who could organize the people and had at least some military knowledge. George Washington was that someone but he wasn’t a proper solider he need help so France sent Lafayette. Lafayette was a trained military professional. Together Lafayette and Washington led the revolution. The colonists also were very conflicted at the start of the revolution. Many still saw themselves as British. That is until the British soldiers started attacking homes, taking land the colonists and to top it all of the soldiers could sleep in their beds and eat their food without paying a dime. The colonists were fighting for their families, homes and property. The British were only there doing a job for money they had no real motivation to fight. The biggest reason the colonists won the revolution was that they had powerful allies. France and Spain were

4 Ways to Improve Your Resume

4 Ways to Improve Your Resume No matter how good your resume or C.V., it can always be better. Try the following four strategies to bump yours up into the category of greatness, and see if you can’t land that dream job. 1. Make it skim-ableEase of reading is key. Organize your document so that the hiring manager can find the information they need without effort or strain of any kind. Work hardest on the headers, eliminate unnecessary verbiage, and concentrate on putting the most important and relevant information in the first five words of each description. The faster they can get the gist of how great you are, the better.2. Tailor to the jobYes, tailoring each resume you send to the particular position is a pain- and requires a ton of extra work, but it’s a great habit to get into. It’s more important to do this than to have one resume that is formatted beautifully and fits perfectly on to one page. Figure out what the hiring manager wants from a candidate, and do your best to present yourse lf specifically in that light.3. Make it mobileWe never used to have to think about how our perfectly formatted resume would read on a smart phone or a PDA. This is, however, the world we live in now. Double check how your files open on these mobile devices and alter accordingly to make sure you’re not shortchanging yourself if a hiring manager reads your application on the run.4. Go liveMake a website for yourself for job search purposes. It doesn’t need to include much more than your resume, but it’s always useful to have a direct link in case a file is unreadable on one device or computer or the other. It’s also a very useful way to encourage people to look at your portfolio- without being asked for it directly.Endless tinkering of your resume is not the idea here. Just make sure you’re firing on all cylinders, then update it, and let it go. Get out there and get the job!

A summary on the book Not a Drop to drink by Ken Midkiff on the main Essay

A summary on the book Not a Drop to drink by Ken Midkiff on the main economic issues relevant to enviromental economics - Essay Example The second cause is wrong choice of crops and wrong encouragement of such choice. Midkiff points out that whereas about 50% of the U.S. population were engaged in agriculture in the early 1900s, that number has dwindled to just 1% at present (Midkiff, 36). While also blaming growing of crops like soya beans, corn and wheat on lands where irrigation is fed by depleting aquifers (Midkiff, 52), he heaps heavy blame on the â€Å"water guzzling† rice crop (Midkiff, 50), saying rice is a wrong crop choice as it needs a huge amount of water. For example, in Central Valley, California, rice has largely contributed to the water shortage; the Valley, once previously a desert, blossomed with agricultural abundance brought about by the supply of underpriced water as a result of old fashioned, lobby-driven farm grants from the government {for example, in 2005, government grants totaled $ massive 143 billion (Midkiff, 46)}. Midkiff warns that if no remedial action is quickly taken, huge tra cts of California land will revert to desert condition (Midkiff, 45). The third cause is population increase. Midkiff says the U.S. population is continually increasing and consumption of water per person is also increasing (Midkiff, 53), creating the problem of â€Å"too many people in a dry land that cannot support its population† (Midkiff, 54). The fourth cause is privatization. Blaming water privatization for causing â€Å"consternation, controversy and outcry throughout the world† (Midkiff, 92), Midkiff declares that it will only increase the water bills payable by the common people. The last cause is global warming that is increasingly throwing the patterns and volume of global water resources into disarray. Midkiff blames the burning of fossil fuels in coal power plants and in the nation’s millions of cars as the main producer of carbon dioxide that is polluting the atmosphere and leading to

Attend an Employment Tribunal and write a court report about your Essay - 1

Attend an Employment Tribunal and write a court report about your visit and what you witnessed - Essay Example The ground for his dismissal was not fair. Mr R Rembiszewski had been working for Atkins Ltd for a period of 16 years. He initially joined the company as a Railway architect, a position he held for four years, before he was promoted to the position of the deputy design officer. After working in this department for two years, his boss left, making this position vacant. After a thorough consideration by the Board of directors, he was found suitable to hold the position, and thus was promoted to become the design officer of the company. This was a clear indication that his hard work and efforts were recognized by the company. However, he was never promoted anymore during his tenure in the company, although many promotions had been made. His concern about this saw him protest against discrimination during promotions. This led to his dismissal without of reasonable notice (Painter & Holmes, 2011 p28). The Employment Tribunal had to consider these issues under a single case filed by Mr R R embiszewski, and determine the case appropriately. Lawyers represented each party to the case, where they argued the case for their clients. The facts regarding this case were first presented by Mr Rembiszewski’s lawyer. According to him, there were a series of promotions that occurred in the company during the 16 years that he had worked with the company, yet he had only been promoted twice. According to Mr Rembiszewski, an employee was eligible for promotion if he/she had worked with the company for a minimum of five years, as provided for by company’s policies. This meant that he ought to have been promoted at least three times. The facts also stated that he protested this discrimination, since most of his colleagues, who had worked with the company for a similar duration, had obtained their fair share of promotions. After protesting, the management of the company

Law Case Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Law Case Analysis - Essay Example The House of Commons can implement the judgement at its level. Considering the case of Spiliada Maritime V. Cansulex, the house of commons did not fully give a satisfaction to the defendant thus the defendant went ahead and made an appeal given by Lord Goff where He made a ruling that, there was enough natural form including applicable law relating to the matter, availability of witnesses, presence of the residence of the two parties and that the plaintiff had a possibility of obtaining foreign jurisdiction. Thus, there was making of a judgement by the Supreme Court. In this case, there is a judgement considering that there is no other jurisdiction that suits the requirements of the parties. The procedure the court follows includes; granting the basic principle when there is enough satisfaction by the court that there is another forum that can settle the dispute forum of the parties thus applying more suitably to the satisfaction of the parties. The court then determines the legal bu rden of proof which shows enough evidence. The Supreme Court then determines who lies with the burden depending on the existence of a natural or a forum which is appropriate. After this, the court finds the factors that show there is the existence of another forum which entails the presence of enough witnesses as well as the law that will be under administration in settling the dispute. At this moment, the court will get to a conclusion as to whether another forum is available. If there is another forum, the court then grants a stay considering the circumstances surrounding the dispute as seen in the ruling of Lord Goff1. Factors that the court takes into consideration and illustrative cases In relation to the forum non conveniens, its appropriateness is brought to question and also the applicability of the principle of forum non conveniens. This relates to cost, the outcome as well as the delays in the implementation of the principle. The principle finds its application in internat ional law especially in the private section. Its long process of implementation makes the principle to be in use in the domestic system, which involves cases where the judicial structure does not have a structure that has unification and where the judicial system is federal. The uncertainty of the outcome is due to the expansions in the level of jurisdiction in the legislation where plaintiffs can file a suit at their residential places. According to the code of civil procedure, there should be the filling of suits in the residential place of the defendant rather than that of the plaintiff. There are many details in this system due to the fact that the defendant will not accept the filling of the suit to take place at the residence of the plaintiff; this is because it may be taken as a weapon of harassment forcing the defendant to go to the residence of the plaintiff which may be far. Further, many past judgements have taken effect thus the court may have a challenge in deciding whi ch is the best channel to solve the dispute amicably thus leading to delays. There are enormous costs from the implementation of this principle where, the defendant and the plaintiff may face off due to the fact that they have the right for the cases to be heard at the place due to the cost as well as moving there witnesses to the residence

Conversational messages Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Conversational messages - Essay Example How we give out accounts and how it is accepted or not depend on one’s culture. We tend to use the different types of accounts whenever our behavior or action is subjected to a valuative inquiry, which is a request for an explanation for an inappropriate or unexpected behavior, or failure to adhere to an expected or appropriate behavior (Cody & Dunn, p. 263). That is exactly why accounts are based on cultural and social expectations. The use of accounts is associated with the politeness theory. The politeness theory considers two concepts, face work and politeness forms. People prefer apologies as preferred speech acts for receivers compared to excuses, justifications and denials (Cody & Dunn, p. 266). The face work is an important concept in the politeness theory. There are two types of face work, the positive face and the negative face. Positive face reflects appreciation and respect for each communicator’s role while the negative face reflects one’s desire to be free of constraints or obligations (Cody & Dunn, p. 266). This can be better understood through a sample situation. Let’s say you arrived late for a meeting and you say, I’m sorry I’m late. I know how important your time is so let’s get started immediately. That is a positive face. A negative face will be like this, I’m sorry for being late but the heavy traffic caught up with me. You have made an apolo gy followed by an excuse that indicates you do not have control over what happened. You wanted to be free of the negative consequences of being late. The use of apologies and excuses depend on the cultural and social values important for the communicators. The expected behavior of Americans may be different from the expected behavior of Japanese when it comes to giving apologies. In an American or British setting, formality may be perceived as impolite among intimates, like family members, because it may appear as sarcasm or a mockery (Ogiermann, p. 37). Japanese preferred saying

Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Analysis - Essay Example It stresses mostly on work, and the talents and skills that the company seeks in its applicants (DreamWorks Animation SKG). There is also mention of the diversity among the employees (DreamWorks Animation SKG), and a lot of emphasis on the company’s philosophy regarding its work and its employees (DreamWorks Animation SKG). It does mention that the work is collaborative (DreamWorks Animation SKG), so that is an indication of the fact that employees do enjoy job sharing opportunities to balance work and personal life. Much of the information regarding the work-life relationship of the company can be obtained from the Fortune Magazine website (100 Best Companies). It mentions that the company offers job sharing (100 Best Companies), as previously mentioned, and there is also the option of telecommuting (100 Best Companies), which makes it easier for the employees to work even from home if the need arises. However, the company website explicitly states that the work is very demanding and time consuming, and free time is hard to get (DreamWorks Animation SKG). That could be daunting for an employee who is trying to balance a personal life along with his work. Moreover, the company does not offer compressed workweeks (100 Best Companies). There is a fair chance of a good balance between work and personal life if I were to work for this company. However, given the nature and demand of the work, and my aim of maintaining a balance, I would rather look elsewhere first before settling on this

The Evolution of Legacy Acknowledged System of Systems to Directed Research Paper

The Evolution of Legacy Acknowledged System of Systems to Directed - Research Paper Example However, managing emergent behavior of SoS is also necessary since it is capable of generating exclusive benefits. On the contrary, this behavior opens new horizons for engineers to experiment with in order to support the needs of users. This behavior contributes to the deciding factors regarding the methodologies and approach that users will adopt in future to conduct the business. Moreover, they enable engineers to identify those weaker areas of system which are source of hindrance for users to meet their needs and where further nurturing resources must be deployed. It enables the system to combat threats demonstrated by interoperation and attain traits such as flexibility, scalability and cost leadership. Emergence is mostly unavoidable; therefore it is pivotal that engineers learn how to coexist with it, effectively using this phenomenon to establish an invulnerable and highly elastic SoS that can easily respond to changing environment. If emergent behavior is managed effectively , systems forming SoS interact with each other, creating a synergetic effect that enables the entire network to fulfill its essential purposes that cannot be possibly attained in isolation as a standalone system. Therefore, it is only fair to state that the evolutionary process of SoS is a direct product of effective management of its emergent behavior. Figure 2: Simple example of emergent behavior of SoS (Thwink.org) Emergent behavior has largely been researched into and many experiments have revealed different definitions and characteristics to it. Dyson and George claimed that it is a behavior shown by SoS which is not easy to foresee and analyse through evaluation of its components; instead, it must be seen as a single system on the whole. They... This paper stresses that SoS is a complex network of systems that individually have different characteristics but collectively display entirely distinct behavior. This behavior emerges due to synergetic effect of interaction between these systems and components of SoS. This behavior is so strong that it is capable of ripping the entire system apart through cascade effects. High coordination among stakeholders and components and distributed control are required by system engineers to manage it. Researching and harnessing on this issue is vital for SoS to be successful in achieving its primary purposes. This report makes a conclusion that agent modeling devices and simulation settings are prime tools that can be used to mitigate consequences connected with emergent behavior by speculating it beforehand and developing strategies to undermine its effects. If controlled effectively through these engineering tactics, the SoS has high potential to achieve levels of flexibility, cost leadership and scalability that cannot be possibly attained via conventional systems. This paper shall be a source of great contribution towards SoSE Body of Knowledge since it addresses the most crucial obstacle faced by SoS and due to its highly radical and dynamic nature, still to date the researchers and engineers have not been able to fully attain grip and certainty over projecting behavioral patterns and interactive process. Since it is a replication technique and small scale research, only limited assurance can be assumed on results achieved. Nonetheless, further research is required in this field to b e in a better position to draw conclusions.

Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Analysis - Essay Example It stresses mostly on work, and the talents and skills that the company seeks in its applicants (DreamWorks Animation SKG). There is also mention of the diversity among the employees (DreamWorks Animation SKG), and a lot of emphasis on the company’s philosophy regarding its work and its employees (DreamWorks Animation SKG). It does mention that the work is collaborative (DreamWorks Animation SKG), so that is an indication of the fact that employees do enjoy job sharing opportunities to balance work and personal life. Much of the information regarding the work-life relationship of the company can be obtained from the Fortune Magazine website (100 Best Companies). It mentions that the company offers job sharing (100 Best Companies), as previously mentioned, and there is also the option of telecommuting (100 Best Companies), which makes it easier for the employees to work even from home if the need arises. However, the company website explicitly states that the work is very demanding and time consuming, and free time is hard to get (DreamWorks Animation SKG). That could be daunting for an employee who is trying to balance a personal life along with his work. Moreover, the company does not offer compressed workweeks (100 Best Companies). There is a fair chance of a good balance between work and personal life if I were to work for this company. However, given the nature and demand of the work, and my aim of maintaining a balance, I would rather look elsewhere first before settling on this

Francis Bacon Essay Example for Free

Francis Bacon Essay Sir Francis Bacon was an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, jurist, orator and author. In 1597 he wrote a short story called â€Å"Of Revenge†. When I came across the short story in my book Reading Literature and Writing Argument I became interested in the story after reading the title. Revenge always happens to be a very interesting topic, typically filled with drama or action. After reading I began to ask myself some questions. Why might someone seek revenge? Is revenge ever justified? After I was able to finish reading Of Revenge I decided that I should summarize his story to get a better understanding of his views on revenge. I observed that Bacons main argument is that revenge is usually something that never produces a good outcome and is typically only viewed as just if it publicly deserved. He views revenge as a perversion of the law. The first wrong is governed by the law and the act of revenge is outside the law. He states that ignoring a wrong makes a man superior to the person who committed the first wrong. He then points out that wise men have enough to do with the present and the future. Since a wrong in the past cannot be made right, it is best to concentrate on the present and future (academia). So why do people do it? I began my research on Google. I thought it would be good to start searching with â€Å"why do people seek revenge? † According to Apa. org, historically, there are two schools of thought on revenge. The Bible, Exodus 21:23 instructs us to give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot to punish an offender. But more than 2,000 years later, Martin Luther King Jr., responded, The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind (APA. org). It seems that the concept of revenge has been in the minds of people since the beginning of time. There are some questions you must ask yourself in order to analyze revenge itself. If someone was to kill a member of your family, are you entitled to killing an equal valued family member of theirs? If someone blows up your house, are you entitled to blow up the other person’s house? While it may seem fair in some cases, how much better than the other person are you when you have committed an equal horrible act? These questions made me think about revenge as a whole. It seems that any way you put it, revenge always appears to others as a negative act. While this is great evidence in helping me understand vengeance this still does not explain why people seek revenge. As Francis Bacon states â€Å"This is certain, that a man that studieth revenge, keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal, and do well (Folger. edu) To understand his idea I began to break down the quote. He claims that whenever a man is focused on revenge, [it] keeps his own wounds green. I feel that by referring to the color green he is actually referring to the â€Å"sickness† of being possessed by revenge because they plague the wounds and mind. When saying â€Å"which otherwise would heal† he’s referring to overcoming the wrong-doing that the others have done upon him that will happen over time anyways. When someone does wrong onto someone else, sometimes they may be plagued with the thoughts of revenge when otherwise things would end there. Still, there’s the question is it justified? As I sifted through the links provided on Google, I came upon the website emotionalcompetency. They state that â€Å"revenge is directed passionately at a specific target with the intent of doing them harm because you believe they have intentionally done you harm† (emotional competency). Usually people feel they have been attacked in some way or suffered an unjust loss or injury. They are feeling anger, hate, jealousy, envy, and or shame towards the situation. Sometimes people are simply humiliated. If another person made them feel powerless, foolish, ridiculous, stupid, or ashamed people might try seeking revenge against them. Other times they may feel they have to defend their honor whether it is for themselves, their family, their ancestors, or another group they identify themselves with. So it goes deeper than just hurting someone’s feelings. This helped me understand that a negatively emotional event triggered the victim to seek equal damage for another person’s actions. You must completely shatter one’s peace of mind to the extent that they cannot get the issue out of their heads for them to seek revenge upon you. Now that I have analyzed these readings I have come up with a few more questions. Just because you are emotionally distraught, does that enable you to seek revenge without punishment to yourself? I must now differentiate a just and an unjust revenge. Bacon then ends by pointing out that public revenge on bad leaders is for the most part fortunate; as that for the death of Caesar; for the death of Pertinax; for the death of Henry the Third of France; and many more† (psu. edu). He also reminds his reader that private revenge is unfortunate. † While Bacon is in favor of publicly punishing and humiliating authority figures that have done wrong, he still attempts to appeal to a higher sense of moral superiority (enotes). Bacon points out that ignoring a wrong makes a man superior to the person who committed the first wrong. Since nothing can change past events, wise men, Bacon claims, are able to live in the future and disregard past wrongs that they have suffered (Academia). So we come back to the same questions. Why might someone seek revenge? Is revenge ever justified? Francis Bacon in his short story Of Revenge discusses that revenge is usually something that never produces a good outcome and is typically only viewed as just if it publicly deserved. He lists the just deaths of a few old world leaders while appealing to a higher morality by believing that private revenge is just as bad. This essay has slightly swayed my view on revenge. It helped me open my eyes to the fact that I would be no better than my oppressor if I sought to vengefully harm them. He ends with the final statement â€Å"Nay rather, vindictive persons live the life of witches; who, as they are mischievous, so end they unfortunate†(psu. edu) The people who live the lives of negative, vengeful people will have to suffer the consequences of their way of living.

Debt Predictions Using Data Mining Techniques

Debt Predictions Using Data Mining Techniques

Genesis 1-11 :: essays research papers

Genesis 1-11 My mind began to fill with questions and thoughts as I read the first eleven chapters of the Bible (see list of questions after my paper please). It never ceases to amaze me that I can repeatedly read chapters of the Bible and learn or notice something fresh each study session. A number of unique things occurred to me this time through. The fact that the Tigris and Euphrates have actually been on earth since Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:14) amazed me. To think that I, with the appropriate finances, could go and see part of the Garden of Eden is astounding. The list of the descendents of Adam (Genesis 5) allowed me to grasp that Noah was only nine generations removed from Adam. I found in one of my reference books that Noah’s father, Lamech, was only fifty-six years old at the time of Adam’s death. However, at the same time, this information was a little disappointing. Did the whole earth really fill with corruption and violence in just nine generations? This served as a definite reminder of the kind of world we are born into. Even so, God sends hope into these Bible passages with Noah’s presence. Noah himself gave me hope. I came to realize as I read that Noah was the first example of a genuinely righteous man in the Bible. With unbending confidence in God’s word, Noah began to build the Arc. Noah could nearly even be considered an in advance example of what Jesus would be like. For approximately 120 years, Noah preached God’s judgement, mercy, and the coming flood. However, people turned their heads at Noah and continued in their evil ways. Another interesting event was the first time rain fell from the heavens (Genesis 7:12). Before the great flood, water came up from the ground (Genesis 2:6). After the flood, Noah’s family was the only one on earth. With this data, we can assume that everyone is a descendent of Shem, Ham, or Japheth, Noah’s three sons. Therefore Noah’s family re-populated the earth. Different languages and cultures came when God spread the people all over the earth and confused mankind by separating their languages and geography (Genesis 11:7-9). Genesis 1-11 :: essays research papers Genesis 1-11 My mind began to fill with questions and thoughts as I read the first eleven chapters of the Bible (see list of questions after my paper please). It never ceases to amaze me that I can repeatedly read chapters of the Bible and learn or notice something fresh each study session. A number of unique things occurred to me this time through. The fact that the Tigris and Euphrates have actually been on earth since Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:14) amazed me. To think that I, with the appropriate finances, could go and see part of the Garden of Eden is astounding. The list of the descendents of Adam (Genesis 5) allowed me to grasp that Noah was only nine generations removed from Adam. I found in one of my reference books that Noah’s father, Lamech, was only fifty-six years old at the time of Adam’s death. However, at the same time, this information was a little disappointing. Did the whole earth really fill with corruption and violence in just nine generations? This served as a definite reminder of the kind of world we are born into. Even so, God sends hope into these Bible passages with Noah’s presence. Noah himself gave me hope. I came to realize as I read that Noah was the first example of a genuinely righteous man in the Bible. With unbending confidence in God’s word, Noah began to build the Arc. Noah could nearly even be considered an in advance example of what Jesus would be like. For approximately 120 years, Noah preached God’s judgement, mercy, and the coming flood. However, people turned their heads at Noah and continued in their evil ways. Another interesting event was the first time rain fell from the heavens (Genesis 7:12). Before the great flood, water came up from the ground (Genesis 2:6). After the flood, Noah’s family was the only one on earth. With this data, we can assume that everyone is a descendent of Shem, Ham, or Japheth, Noah’s three sons. Therefore Noah’s family re-populated the earth. Different languages and cultures came when God spread the people all over the earth and confused mankind by separating their languages and geography (Genesis 11:7-9).

Physics of Fireworks Essay -- physics firework fireworks

After black powder was discovered by the Chinese in the 9th Century, the relatively short history of fireworks began with this explosive chemical composition. Black powder is made up of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal (KNO3); in the correct amounts, this combination has very explosive results. The use of black powder sprung forth the evolution of muskets, rockets, and fireworks. Although history has shown that the development of black powder muskets into modern day guns, artillery, and weapons of mass destruction have changed the face of the earth, taken many lives, and changed the outcome of many wars, black powder is also used in many rituals and celebrations. While traveling the globe, Marco Polo, fascinated by this black powder, brought it back to the West were it soon caught on. In Rome, King Charles V used fireworks to celebrate a victory. The fireworks were developed and made by his â€Å"fire workers† who made leaps and bounds with the projectiles and rocket shape of the fireworks. These elaborate demonstrations of fire soon spread through Europe and pleased many spectators of the King and Queens Court. In the middle ages, Italy and Germany took their displays to another level, incorporating different colors and effects. In Italy, the firework displays were used to accentuation buildings and structures, while in Germany, the focus was more on the fireworks themselves. The name "green men" was coined on account of the people who would cover themselves in leaves to protect their body from sparks and ashes as they launched fireworks from their hands. As music grew and became a large part of society, the incorporation of music and firework displays became inseparable. The most infamous of all fireworks displays, f... ...ich ended up missing his head, but tearing the front of the coat. Anyone who has ever felt the material on a fire coat can tell you that it would be very difficult to do damage like that to fire coat in a split second. Bibliography Lancaster, Ronald, and Butler, Roy E.A., and Lancaster, J. Mark, and Shimizu, Takeo. Fireworks Principles and Practice. New York: Ticknor, 2002. Pihko, Petri. â€Å"Pyrotechnics – The Art of Fire.† 1998. Online posting. Pihko, Petri. 12 April 2003. http://cc.oulu.fi/~kempmp/pyro.html ProQuest Information and Learning Company. â€Å"Physics of Fireworks.† 2003. Online posting. Bigchalk – The Education Network. 12 April 2003. www.bigchalk.com Russell, Michael S. The Chemistry of Fireworks. York, ME: Stenhouse, 2000. â€Å"The Physics of Colored Fireworks.† 1998. Online posting. 12 April 2003. http://cc.oulu.fi/~kempmp/pyro.html

Levi’s Swot Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY—————————————————————- 2. CURRENT SITUATION—————————————————————— 2-1-Strategic Posture 2. 2. Current Performance 3. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE——————————————————– 3-1-Board of Directors 3-2-Top Management 4. EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS—————————————— 4-1-Societal Environment 4-2-Task Environment 5. INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS————————————— — 5-1-Corporate Structure -2-Corporate Culture 5-3-Corporate Resources 6. ANALYSIS OF STRATEGIC FACTORS —————————————— 7. STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES AND RECOMMENDED STRATEGY — 7-1-Review of Mission and Objective 7-2-Strategic Alternatives and Recommended Strategy 8. CONCLUSION—————————————————————————- BIBLIOGRAPHY————————————————————————- 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2. CURRENT SITUATION Levi Strauss & Co. s a privately held American clothing company known worldwide for its Levi's brand of denim jeans. The core Levi's was founded in 1873 in San Fr ancisco, specializing in riveted denim jeans and different lines of casual and street fashion. Levi Strauss received a U. S. Patent to make the first riveted men's work pants out of denim: the first blue jeans. The company briefly experimented (in the 1970s) with a public stock listing, but remains owned and controlled by descendants and relatives of Levi Strauss' four nephews. Levi Strauss & Co. s a worldwide corporation organized into three geographic divisions: Levi Strauss Americas (LSA), based in the San Francisco headquarters; Levi Strauss Europe, Middle East and Africa, based in Brussels; and Asia Pacific Division, based in Singapore. The company employs a staff of approximately 11. 400 people worldwide. 2. 1 STRATEGIC POSTURE Vision and Core Values Levi’s believes that business can drive profits through principles, and that core values as a company and as individuals give the company a competitive advantage. Empathy — walking in other people’s shoes Empathy begins with paying close attention to the world around. Levi’s listens and responds to the needs of customers, employees and other stakeholders. Originality — being authentic and innovative The pioneering spirit that started in 1873 with the very first pair of blue jeans still permeates all aspects of the business. Through innovative products and practices, the company breaks the mold. Integrity — doing the right thing Integrity means doing right by the employees, brands, company and society as a whole. Ethical conduct and social responsibility characterize company’s way of doing business. Courage — standing up for believes It takes courage to be great. Courage is the willingness to tell the truth and to challenge hierarchy, accepted practice and conventional wisdom. It means standing by Levi’s convictions and acting on beliefs. Levi’s is the embodiment of the energy and events of time, inspiring people from all walks of life with a pioneering spirit. Generations have worn Levi’s jeans, turning them into a symbol of freedom and self-expression in he face of adversity, challenge and social change. Customers forged a new territory called the American West. They fought in wars for peace. They instigated counterculture revolutions. They tore down the Berlin Wall. Reverent, irreverent — they took a stand. 2. 2. CURRENT PERFORMANCE For its first 100 years, Levi Strauss & Company was a private company. Relatives of founder Levi Strauss owned nearly all the stock, and company employees owned most of the remaining shares. In 1971, the company went public to finance growth and diversification. However, in 1985, the company again went private, which it remains today. In September 2004, Levi Strauss announced plans to sell its Dockers casual-clothing brand to Vestar Capital Partners (a private equity fund) and an apparel industry executive for about $800 million. Selling the Dockers brand would have allowed the company to reduce its heavy debt and refocus attention on turning around the Levi brand. However, the company soon changed its mind and chose instead to reinvest in and revitalize the popular Dockers brand. Recently the company produces only for men under Dockers brand. Its products are sold in more than 110 countries worldwide through a combination of chain retailers, department stores, online sites, and franchised and company-owned stores. As of August 28, 2011, the company operated 499 stores within 31 countries. Levi Strauss & Co. ’s reported fiscal 2010 net revenues were $4. 4 billion. Regional net revenues for the quarter were as follows: The reported net revenues increase in Europe was due to currency; net revenues were down on a constant-currency basis. Gains from the expansion of the company-operated retail network and the continued success of the Levi’s Curve ID collection for women were more than offset by declines in the wholesale business. Revenue growth in Asia Pacific, primarily driven by the Levi’s brand and continued expansion of the company’s brand-dedicated retail network in China and India, offset the revenue decline in Japan. Cash Flow and Balance Sheet As of August 28, 2011, cash and cash equivalents were approximately $231 million, and $337 million was available under the company’s revolving credit facility. Cash provided by operating activities during the nine-month period in 2011 was $17 million, compared with $96 million for the same period in 2010; the decline reflected higher inventories, due primarily to the increased cost of cotton, increased selling, general and administration expenses and increased pension plan contributions. Net debt was $1. 75 billion as compared to $1. 6 billion at the end of 2010. 3. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 3. 1Board of Directors Fernando Aguirre, a director since July 2010, is currently Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. a position he has held since 2004. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Aguirre served as President, Special Projects for The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), a manufacturer and distributor of consumer products. From 1980 to 2002, he served P&G in various capacities, including in an executive capacity with P&G's Global Snacks and U. S. Food Products business. Mr. Aguirre is also a director of C oca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. Chip Bergh, a director since September 2011, is the President and Chief Executive Officer. He joined the company in September 2011. Prior to joining Levi Strauss & Co. , Mr. Bergh was Group President, Global Male Grooming, for The Proctor & Gamble Company (P), a manufacturer and distributor of consumer products. During his 28-year career at P, he served in a number of leadership positions. Mr. Bergh previously served on the Board of Directors for VF Corporation and on the Economic Board, Singapore, and was a member or the US-ASEAN Business Council, Singapore. Vanessa J. Castagna, a director since 2007, led Mervyns LLC department stores as its executive chairwoman of the board from 2005 until early 2007. Prior to Mervyns LLC, Ms. Castagna served as chairman and hief executive officer of JC Penney Stores, Catalog and Internet from 2002 through 2004. She joined JC Penney in 1999 as chief operating officer, and was both president and Chief Operating Officer of JC Penney Stores, Catalog and Internet in 2001. Ms. Castagna is currently a director of SpeedFC and Carter’s Inc. Robert A. Eckert, a director since May 2010, is currently Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Mattel, Inc. , a position he has held since May 2000. He previously worked for Kraft Foods, Inc. for 23 years, most recently as President and Chief Executive Officer from October 1997 until May 2000. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Eckert was Group Vice President of Kraft Foods, Inc. and from 1993 to 1995, Mr. Eckert was President of the Oscar Mayer foods division of Kraft Foods, Inc. Robert D. Haas, a director since 1980, was named Chairman Emeritus in February 2008. He served as Chairman of the Board from 1989 until February 2008. Mr. Haas joined Levi’s in 1973 and served in a variety of marketing, planning and operating positions including serving as our Chief Executive Officer from 1984 to 1999. Peter E. Haas Jr. , a director since 1985, is a director or trustee of each of the Levi Strauss Foundation, Red Tab Foundation, Joanne and Peter Haas Jr. Fund, Walter and Elise Haas Fund and the Novato Youth Center Honorary Board. Mr. Haas was one of the managers from 1972 to 1989. He was Director of Product Integrity of The Jeans Company, one of the former operating units, from 1984 to 1989. He served as Director of Materials Management for Levi Strauss USA in 1982 and Vice President and General Manager in the Menswear Division in 1980. Leon J. Level, a director since 2005, is a former Chief Financial Officer and director of Computer Sciences Corporation, a leading global information technology services company. Mr. Level held ascending and varied financial management and executive positions at Computer Sciences Corporation from 1989 to 2006 and previously at Unisys Corporation (Corporate Vice President, Treasurer and Chairman of Unisys Finance Corporation), Burroughs Corporation (Vice President, Treasurer), The Bendix Corporation (Executive Director and Assistant Corporate Controller) and Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte & Touche). Mr. Level is also currently a director of UTi Worldwide Inc. Stephen C. Neal, a director since 2007, became Chairman of the Board in September 2011. Mr. Neal is currently the chairman of the law firm Cooley LLP. He was also chief executive officer of the firm until January 1, 2008. In addition to his extensive experience as a trial lawyer on a broad range of corporate issues, Mr. Neal has represented and advised numerous boards of directors, special committees of boards and individual directors on corporate governance and other legal matters. Prior to joining Cooley LLP in 1995 and becoming CEO in 2001, Mr. Neal was a partner of the law firm Kirkland & Ellis. Patricia Salas Pineda, a director since 1991, is currently Group Vice President, National Philanthropy and the Toyota USA Foundation for Toyota Motor North America, Inc. an affiliate of one of the world’s largest automotive firms. Ms. Pineda joined Toyota Motor North America, Inc. in September 2004 as Group Vice President of Corporate Communications and General Counsel. Prior to that, Ms. Pineda was Vice President of Legal, Human Resources and Government Relations and Corporate Secretary of New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. wi th which she was associated since 1984. She is currently a director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and a mem ber of the board of advisors of Catalyst. 3. 2 Top Management in Turkey Hakan Atalay is the general manager of Levi’s Turkey since 2008. He graduated from Textile Engineering Department from Istanbul Technical University and he also has a graduate degree from the Management Department of Marmara University. He has a 16 years of experience in retail, sales and product management in local and multinational companies like Mexx Turkey, Network and Unitim. Lately he was the country sales director of Nike Turkey. He is now responsible for the management of Levi’s and Dockers brand operations and for the development of strategic vision of those brands in Turkey. Kayhan Ongun is the sales director of Levi’s Turkey since 2010. He graduated from Management Engineering Department from Istanbul Technical University and he has a Management of Business Administration degree from Rowan University. He worked at various sales positions in Michelin and Nike Turkey. Lately he was Football Sales Manager in Nike Turkey. Korhan Oz is the finance manager of Levi’s Turkey. Korhan Oz is a graduate of Istanbul University Department of Economics. He has in particular substantial experience in finance. He worked as Country Financial Controller at Ernst Audit, Intergen and Nokia and then worked as Executive Vice President for Financial Affairs at Krea Group. Orhan Ors is the Information Technology Director of Levi’s Turkey. He has been working for Levi’s for 22 years. Ozan Duman is the Human Resources Director of Levi’s Turkey since 2011. Lately, he was HR Manager of Kimberly Clark Turkey. Ipek Bekiroglu is the Marketing Manager of Levi’s Turkey since 2006. Lately, she was working as a Brand Manager in Carslberg Turkey. 4. EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS: OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS 4. SOCIETAL ENVIRONMENT Socio-cultural Turkey has the youngest population in Europe with 31M under 25 and the population growth rate is 1. 35%. Life style changes heavily affect trends in casual apparel design and market. Being thin and skinny creates a trend in the market where skinny and tight jeans dominate the market. Economic There is a shortage in cotton supply in the world combined with high cotton prices due to several important factors: First, global stocks of cotton were drawn down sharply as less cotton was grown and shipped through the global supply chain due to competition from other crops. Second, climate changes and bad weather undermined global cotton production. Thirdly, government actions further aggravated the situation where India, one of the world’s largest cotton producers, slapped export quotas on raw cotton. And finally, demand for textiles and apparel rose. Retail landscape is evolving with the opening of many new malls and locations. In addition street store rents are increasing, so brands are investing on shopping malls in primary and secondary cities. In line with this development, traditional outlet stores on the highway breakpoints have been converted to outlet malls. Extended seasonal sale months, attractive promotions are offered throughout the year. There is high investment cost on one hand; as the average shop size is growing, rents are getting higher. On the other hand however, shopping malls have made significant discounts in their rents or currency rates have been fixed due to global crisis. Technological E-commerce is getting more popular with private shopping concept. (Trend-Yol, Markafoni and Limango are the main players in Turkish Market. ) Social media has a narrow effect right now but it is increasingly becoming a part of ompanies’ marketing strategies. Political legal There is continuous financial instability in Turkey that strongly affects the spending power of Turkish people. Income difference between regions is dramatic in Turkey which affects the spending power. However, lower income classes’ and regions’ spending is increasing. Environmental standards and regulations against hazardous jeans production are in creasingly applied by many countries and companies (The blue dust that stems while sanding jeans is a heavy irritant to the lungs). In the European Union, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations enacted 1 June 2007 require clothing manufacturers and importers to identify and quantify the chemicals used in their products. These regulations may even require manufacturers to inform consumers about potentially hazardous chemicals that may be present in their products. Actual end products are governed by stipulations of the European Equipment and Product Safety Act, which regulates the use of heavy metals, carcinogenic dyes, and other toxics used in textile manufacture. Additional consumer protection is offered by the European Union’s Oko-Tex Standard 100, a testing and certification program established in 1992. The standard gives the textile and clothing industry uniform guidance for the potential harm of substances in raw materials as well as finished products, and every stage in between—these include regulated substances as well as substances that are believed to be harmful to health but are not yet regulated (such as pesticides). The standard also governs elements such as colorfastness and pH value. Along with these standards, Levi Strauss and Co. Turkey does not produce jeans with sanding. 4. 2TASK ENVIRONMENT Rivalry among existing firms There is a heavy weight of local players in Turkish casual apparel market. Local retailers like Mavi, LC Waikiki, Colin’s, LTB (Little Big) have their own denim production facilities so that they can sell with reasonable prices. This fact that the competitors have low entry prices makes â€Å"price† the main differentiator. International and local brands are investing in key cities and key locations. (Zara, Mango, Adidas, Nike, Mavi, Colin’s). In addition, local competition is investing on O stores which are bigger than 200 sqm. Mavi was acquired by Turkven (private equity fund) with 35% share in 2008. The company has aggressive revenue targets and invests heavily in ATL communication. The company is focusing on head to toe look and as a result of this approach, their women and tops share increased. Colin’s is re-vamping the brand identity launched a new logo. The company focuses on O (owner and operator) model. In accordance with this approach, they re-fit O stores in major shopping malls. Lee is losing ground, they have no presence in stand alone stores, and they focus on department stores. LTB is re-fitting their O stores in premium shopping malls. Diesel has not been aggressive in communication for a long period. Jack & Jones is entering department stores. Grey market is an important factor that has a huge impact in the competition. The high number of grey market producers impacts the competition between the existing firms as especially the local denim producers try to differentiate themselves by price. Threat of new entrance New brands entered the market (H- 5 stores in 5 months) whereas local brands have elevated their retail environment to attract the young consumer. A will be opening their first store in Turkey in 2012. EFAS TABLE External FactorsWeightRatingWeighted ScoreComment SROpportunities O1Turkey’s young population 0. 103. 00. 3 O2E-commerce and social media; new distribution channel0. 053. 00. 15 O3Malls; increasing number of shopping malls0. 105. 00. 5 O4Seasonal sale months extension, attractive promotions0. 04. 00. 4 O5Life style changes; new products0. 104. 00. 4 O6Environmental standards and regulations0. 052. 00. 1 Threats T1Financial instability0. 105. 00. 5 T2Grey market0. 103. 00. 3 T3High operational costs (O)0. 104. 00. 4 T4Marketing investments of the local brands0. 054. 00. 2 T5Increasing number of new competitors0. 053. 00. 15 T6Low cotton supply and high cotton prices0. 105. 00. 5 Total1. 003. 9 5. INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS: STRENGTHS AND WEAKN ESSES 5. 1CORPORATE STRUCTURE The worldwide leadership team, which includes the CEO and ten executives, sets the company’s overall direction and is responsible for all major strategic, financial and operational decisions. Many of the senior-most leaders have risen through the company ranks over the past two or three decades. But to maintain the lead in the fast-changing fashion industry Levi’s leadership team also includes executives who bring leading-edge expertise and new ideas from other consumer companies and other industries. Levi Strauss Co. as a corporation has operations divided under three main regions: Asia Pacific, Europe and America. The company has headquarters in Singapore, Brussels and San Francisco. Every region is under the management of a Vice President. Country General Managers are directly reporting to their respective Regional Vice Presidents. In Turkey, human resources, information technology and finance departments are directly reporting to their respective region and they are indirectly reporting to Turkish General Manager. However, sales and marketing departments are directly reporting to Turkish General Manager and they are indirectly reporting to their respective region. Retail Operations and Sales Manager and Wholesale Sales Manager are directly reporting to Sales Director. Retail Operations and Sales Manager manages four District Managers and Wholesale Sales Manager manages three Account Managers in Turkey. 5. 2CORPORATE CULTURE Levi Strauss & Company as a multinational company embodies its vision that has four main values at the core: empathy – walking in other’s shoes; originality – being authentic and innovative; integrity – doing the right thing; and courage – standing up for what they believe. In addition to guiding the strategic decisions and actions, the company’s values also guide its social responsibility in various ways – through the grants provided by the Levi Strauss Foundation, through the support provided to communities in which it has a business presence, through its employee community-involvement program, and through its ethical code of conduct for its business partners. The company’s strategic move to outsourcing has presented its own challenges because of Levi Strauss’ strong commitment to socially responsible business practices. In 1991, Levi Strauss became the first multinational company to establish a comprehensive ethical code of conduct for its alliance partners in manufacturing and finishing. This code, titled the Global Sourcing and Operating Guidelines, establishes business practices such as fair employment, worker health and safety, and environmental standards. The company remains committed to ensuring compliance with its â€Å"Code of Conduct† at all facilities and works onsite with its contractors to develop responsible business practices and continuous improvement. Trained inspectors closely audit and monitor the contractors and if it is determined that a business partner is not complying with the terms, Levi Strauss requires that the partner implements a corrective action plan within a specified time period. If a contractor fails to take corrective actions, the business relationship is terminated. By nature, the company is externally focused and determined to stay that way. This means constantly scanning developments that affect the business, and acting on that information to surprise their customers. The above are part of Levi Strauss’ global corporate citizenship culture. To make these to also diffuse to Turkish Levis’ employees working environment, the top management team is making radical moves. 5. 3CORPORATE RESOURCES STRENGTHS Levi Strauss and Co. is a member of Better Cotton Initiative. Better Cotton is a different way to grow cotton that decreases the negative environmental impacts and has the potential to improve the livelihood of the 300 million people involved in cotton farming worldwide. At its heart, the Better Cotton Initiative aims to make all cotton grown around the world more sustainable by reducing water and chemical use (including pesticides and fertilizers), protecting the health of the soil and promoting important labor standards including bans on child labor. The Better Cotton Initiative also focuses on training and empowering farmers to improve their long term financial profitability. This is a conscious effort made by all partners of the Better Cotton Initiative to help prevent prices for Better Cotton from rising dramatically in the short term. This is an advantage on behalf of Levi? s Turkey as the competitors in Turkish market are not involved in this initiative. Levi’s always had been described as a fashion innovator, as the company created the jeans market. The company continues to recognize the importance of the right products to its future success. One of Levi Strauss’s critical strategic goals is to â€Å"innovate and lead from the core,† and it continues to introduce product innovations. For instance, since 2001, the Advanced Innovation Team for the Dockers line has introduced several groundbreaking product innovations. For instance, in 2004 and 2005, the team developed three new and exclusive product innovations. The first was the Never-Iron Cotton that dramatically minimizes wrinkling. Another was the Thermal Adapt Khaki pants that adjust to body temperature. And the third was Dockers Shirts with Perspiration Guard, a special finish that wicks away moisture from the body and eliminates the appearance of perspiration marks. This is a strength that differentiates Levi? s from its competitors. In addition to this, the company recently decided to make a tradeoff and it stopped producing for women under Dockers brand. This is another wise strategic move on behalf of the company. And furthermore- in line with the above tradeoff- Levi’s was one of the first companies to tap into the mass customization trend by offering made-to-order jeans. In 1999, the company announced that it would begin offering customized versions of its classic denims to fit every woman’s body type, but this move was not successful at that time. In 2011, the company re-launched the same project under the name of â€Å"Curve ID† for women and now it proved to be a great success to regenerate growth on women? s product line. This is another important advantage that makes the brand stronger than the other brands. Youth panel- as a method of consumer-driven brand innovation- is a qualitative consumer panel focused on the consumer typologies that the company believes exercise greatest influence on the dynamics of change within the casual apparel market. The panel has been built up in most fashion significant European cities and comprises between 50 and 100 of the most fashion-forward youth. It is convened twice a year to fit into the line development calendar. This tool is strength for Levi? as it provides the best indication the business has of how much momentum a particular trend has in it, and so serves to guide both general businesses forecasting as well as specific product life cycle management. Every second quarter the brand and design teams dedicate a day to working with the insights coming out of the panel. It helps set the strategic agenda and also enables some very effective and immediate trouble- shooting. WEAKNESSES One of the company’s most valuable assets is its Levi’s brand. However, that venerable Levi’s brand had lost much of its popularity. Although Levi Strauss has one of the best-known names in the world, its market power has declined. An annual ranking of global brands with the most impact showed Levi’s ranked at number 32 in 2001, number 34 in 2002, and number 56 in 2003, and rebounding to number 44 in 2004. The products that baby boomers in the 1960s defined as hip and anti-establishment were now perceived as non-trendy and dull. In the brutally competitive apparel market, that type of image, particularly with younger consumers, has proven to be a disadvantage. As a way to span the consumer market, the company launched several new brands in USA and several other countries. But the same product strategy is not applied in Turkey and the product range is not diversified to cover all customer segments as far as price competition is considered. The company chose to stick with low-tech, in-store posters and other promotions; rather than mass media coverage – television and print ads which the biggest competitors in Turkey extensively use. The company doesn’t invest on brand image and use localized advertisement. But the competitors are using constant brand communications strategy including celebrities, outdoor events. IFAS TABLE Internal FactorsWeightRatingWeighted ScoreComment SRStrengths S1High brand awareness 0. 155. 00. 75 S2Member of Better Cotton Initiative0. 053. 00. 15 S3Advance innovation competence0. 154. 00. 60 S4Profit growth0. 103. 00. 30 S5Product category fragmentation (Curve id-women; Dockers- men)0. 104. 00. 40 Weaknesses W1Inflexible pricing strategy 0. 155. 00. 75 W2Misuse of marketing communications budget0. 154. 00. 60 W3Brand image deterioration 0. 155. 00. 75 Total1. 004. 30 6. ANALYSIS of STRATEGIC FACTORS A. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS SWOT- SFAS TABLE SRInternal FactorsWeightRatingWeighted ScoreComment S1High brand awareness (global reach and scale)0. 05. 00. 50 S3Advance innovation competence0. 105. 00. 50 S5Product category fragmentation (Curve id-women; Dockers- men)0. 053. 00. 15 S6Financial strength0. 054. 00. 20 W1Inflexible pricing strategy 0. 054. 00. 20 W2Misuse of marketing communications budget0. 053. 00. 15 W3Brand image deterioration 0. 105. 00. 50 O1Turkey’s young population 0. 055. 00. 25 O3Malls; increasing number o f shopping malls0. 104. 00. 40 O4Seasonal sale months extension, attractive promotions0. 054. 00. 20 O5Life style changes; new products0. 053. 00. 15 T2Financial instability0. 055. 00. 25 T3Grey market0. 053. 00. 5 T4High operational costs (O)0. 104. 00. 40 T5Marketing investments of the local brands0. 054. 00. 20 T6Increasing number of new competitors0. 053. 00. 15 Total1. 03. 70 7. STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES and RECOMMENDED STRATEGY 7. 1 Review of Mission and Objective 7. 2 Strategic Alternatives and Recommended Strategy TOWS MATRIX Internal FactorsStrengths S1. High brand awareness (global reach and scale) S2. Member of Better Cotton Initiative S3. Advance innovation competence S4. Profit growth S6. Financial strengthWeaknesses W1. Inflexible pricing strategy W2. Misuse of marketing communications budget W3. Brand image deterioration External Factors Opportunities O2. E-commerce and social media; new distribution channel O3. Malls; increasing number of shopping malls O4. Seasonal sale months extension, attractive promotions O5. Life style changes; new products1. Levis can continue to growth with new openings in different malls 2. Through high brand awareness, easy to take place in social media and cooperate with e-commerce websites as new distribution channels 3. Levis can adapt its products for different preferences1. New online campaigns to improve the brand image Threats T2. Grey market T5. Increasing number of new competitors T6. Low cotton supply and high cotton prices1. Developing new production technologies in order to use the raw materials effectively 2. Support social responsibility initiatives worldwide 1. Assessment of local competitors in order to redesign the marketing campaigns Recommended Strategy Functional strategy, marketing strategy; positioning should be made according to the target audience. Through social media and online campaigns Levis can improve its brand image and can reach Turkey’s young population. After several researches, it has been found out that the potential age group for both men and women is 14-25 in Turkish casual apparel market. However, it must also be taken into consideration that it is the 18-35 age group that consumes more and that women are the ones who increase the overall sales in general. The private shopping companies are growing very fast in Turkey. Levis can use e-commerce websites as new distribution channels to improve the brand penetration among 24-35 years old, worker segment. Levis is using its global marketing communications campaigns in Turkey, as they are. The company does not try to assess its competitor’s strategies or to adapt the tone of the messages according to local needs and preferences. However the local competitors are really aggressive in communication. Levis has to redesign its communication campaigns and reallocate its marketing budget. 8. CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY 1)http://www. levistrauss. com/ 2)Company’s 2012 plan 3)Company’s distribution strategy 4)Inspiring the organization to act: a business in denial, International Journal of Market Research Vol. 44 Quarter 2, 2002, the Market Research Society 5)Denim Pazar? nda Marka Konumland? rmalar? n? n Karsilastirilmasi,