Effects of social media on the real estate industry Essay

Effects of social media on the real estate industry - Essay Example Social media also represents enormous changes perspective for businesses. For most individuals, buying a home is a thing done once after ten years at most. Selling of real estates is the kind of business benefiting from constant streams of new prospects (Crowston, K., & Wigand, 1999). Social media enables real estate agents to build the reputation of their business. This enables them in attracting new clients. Moreover, social media enables them in networking in the real estate industry (Wigand, 2003).Social media makes it easy to reach out to more individuals but it does not assure that these individuals will purchase from you (Huertas, 2012). A business needs to work on still setting up its social media framework. After doing so, the business needs to work more until it gets the needed results. Knowing how to use social media needs a period of engaging more on hands giving a business the idea of how social media can assist it in succeeding given the problems faced by the business.I n conclusion, social media has made it informal and quicker for real estate agents to connect with their clients. It has given them a way of engaging individuals in their precise area and allowing them to inform their clients.Additionally, social media helps real estate agents to constantly post new releases and engage daily by responding timeously to their clients and potential buyers. It is clearly seen that social media has enabled real estate agents to build good relationships with prospective home buyers.

Evolution vs Creationism Essay Example for Free

Evolution vs Creationism Essay Many people have their different opinions on how the world came to be. In some cases, people think that the world came to existence from what we call The Big Bang Theory, and others think it was The Almighty God that created the world. I will begin to explain what each is, the origin they came from and their evidence to support their own explanation of how the world was created. What is evolution? Well, evolution can be a difficult concept for people to come to terms with, especially if they do not have much experience with life sciences. Unfortunately, there are too many examples of people who do not understand any of it with many of these people tries to criticize evolution while promoting creationism. Evolution is not a minor matter; it is, in fact, the cornerstone of all modern biology. What is creationism? Like evolution, creationism can have more than one meaning. At its most basic, creationism is the belief that the universe was created by The Almighty God. In some cases, it even is stated that creationism is someone who believes in a god who is absolute creator of heaven and earth, out of nothing, by an act of free will. Many might say that the origins of the evolution came to terms that the universe, with all it contains (space, time, matter and energy) exploded from nothing which is considered The Big Bang, and is the accepted theory among the majority of evolutionists. Evolution is a very unique â€Å"science.† Unlike the origin of creationism, were people believe that it came from The Almighty God. This generally means the taking of the Bible, particularly the early chapters of Genesis, as literally true guides to the history of the universe and to the history of life, including us humans, down here on earth. In a way, creationism is more of a restricted sense of a variety of beliefs that people have in this century and previous ones as well. The evidence that support these findings is very different in many aspects. People say that with evolution, the evidence is very visible. For example, there is biochemical evidence, genetic evidence, and also fossil evidence for how evolution came about. But in creationism, there isn’t any evidence to support it whatsoever. Understanding evolution over creationism is greatly aided by a better understanding of what kinds of evidence exist out there as well as how and why all the evidence clearly supports evolutionary theory but not creationist religion.

Science: Friend or Foe? Essays -- Argumentative Persuasive Scientific

Science: Friend or Foe? Science, a field of study featuring a relentless stream of change and advancements, is widely viewed as both the scourge and savior of the modern world. It is true that science offers solutions to many problems, suggesting greater convenience, technological improvement, and longer, healthier lives. Still, science is far from perfect, a point that many critics are eager to vocalize. Science has been blamed for invoking fear, reaching inadequate results, and supporting the most immoral of studies. Clearly, the opinions and perceptions that people have toward science play the largest part in this complex love-hate relationship. Mary Shelley and J. Michael Bishop have a tremendous amount to say about this conflict amongst people, and they furthermore predict where science will take the world in the future. Society cannot escape from its dependence upon science. It is worth noticing that nearly every aspect of an individual's life is affected by science in some form or another. The technology people utilize, the hospitals they attend, and the lives they lead are immersed with scientific findings, advancements, and mastery. Most individuals gladly accept these various advancements to their lives; appreciating their convenience and usefulness, society does not consistently look down upon the fruit which science has born. Regardless of these facts, the reputation of science in today's world is not one of flagrant and unrelenting praise (237). In fact, science has been referred to with many angry expressions, including "socially constructed fictions" and "useful myths" (238). The question must be asked, then, as to why science has been the target of severe scrutiny. J. Michael Bishop, leading a ... ...e to aspire (234). Shelley's Frankenstein is indeed a reminder; her tale suggests that the ends must justify the means, and furthermore that the ends must be wanted in the first place. In a world where scientific advancement seems inevitable and happens everyday, it is clear that there will be no clean end to this complex argument any time soon. The best strategy is to both recognize the good and the bad, the successes and failures, and hope that people's hearts guide them towards the right answers to life's most difficult moral questions. Works Cited Bishop, J. Michael. "Enemies of Promise." The Presence of Others. Andrea A. Lunsford, John J. Ruszkiewicz. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2000. 237-242. Shelley, Mary. "Frankenstein." The Presence of Others. Andrea A. Lunsford, John J. Ruszkiewicz. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2000. 231-235.

Essay on an Analysis of Horror Movies Essay

Horror has been a long time one of the most popular categories of films in the movie industry. People liked to watch horror films to be afraid and to outdo their fears: â€Å"On a psychological level, the horror film dramatizes our nightmares, so that we can confront them† (Sigmund Freud, p.644). Gradually, because horror films became too repetitive and too numerous, people got used to watching them and were no longer terrified. Even if horror films do not scare us, why do we continue to watch them? The reason is very simple: horrors films became so unrealistic, so ridiculous and, in return, very funny to watch. Firstly, this essay will focus on how the serial killer (the bad guy) is ridiculous by his invulnerability, due to his power. Secondly, it will focus on how the characters are ludicrous, silly by their stupidity and on the setting which is over-exaggerated. To conclude, it will be shown how the female portrait is so demeaning, unrealistic and absurd. Examples from horr or films Nightmare on Elm Street 3, Friday the 13th (Part 8) and Freddy VS Jason will be used to prove these points. First of all, the serial killer (bad guy) in horror films is most of the time very powerful, very strong and seems invulnerable to injuries from their victims. For example, in a scene from Friday the 13th (Part 8), a young black teenager tries to escape from Jason by going on the roof of a building. Of course Jason finds him and, seeing that he is trapped, the young boy decides to fight Jason with his fists. He incessantly punches Jason, yet the serial killer does not seem affected. Tired, the boy stops to hit and Jason punches his head causing it to fall off and fly through the air. It is funny to see this absurd scene which is impossible to do in the real life. â€Å"The horror film offers to see all kinds of frightening events, to feel something of the same fear and terror as the characters on the screen, [†¦]† (Ira Konigsberg, p.469). There is nothing frightening in this idealistic scene because the killer is too strong, too ridiculous and people will laugh. Another example of ridiculous killers is Freddy Krooger. â€Å"Freddy is most like a comic book superhero – aggressive, resourceful, and unbeatable – he gets what he wants. Freddy says, â€Å"I am eternal,† and he can become anything he wants: a bathroom, a puppet, a showerhead, a motorcycle, a diving board, a huge snake, a cartoon character, and so on. His identity is one of absolute power. [†¦]Stalkers like Freddy, Jason, [†¦] cannot be  stopped.†(Gary Heba, p.106) In short, the evil character (Jason, Freddy, etc.) in horror films are always ridiculous and funny to watch because they are too powerful, too strong and too invulnerable. Also, the characters and the settings are other elements which make horror films so hilarious. Most of the time, the characters have stupid reactions while dealing with the murderer. By example, in a scene of Freddy VS Jason, a girl teen escapes from Freddy in her dreams. She enters in a big room and hides herself in a locker thinking that Freddy will not find her. She is so noisy that Freddy easily finds her and kills her. Everything seems to occur by chances in horror films but is calculated in reality. For example, in Friday the 13th (Part 8), a young woman escapes from Jason in the woods, falls and finds a knife on the ground that she picks up to defend herself. The chances that it happens in the real life are very minimal. In a few words, the characters are often unrealistic by the way they act and the setting is too calculated. These things make horror films out of reach and very witty. Another factor that makes the horror film so unrealistic and not scary is the female portrait. In horror movies, most of the ladies are very hot and are often naked. Women are perceived as sexual objects because they are usually used in sexual scenes to attract the attention of the male audience. The girls seem to have all their assets in their body and none in their head. Generally, the slaughterer in horror films is a male and most of the victims are young women. â€Å"Critic and researchers have claimed that movies such as Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, [†¦] feature acts of extreme violence [†¦], women singled out for injury and death [†¦] and scenes of explicit violence juxtaposed with sexual or erotic female images. It has been argued that females are more frequently the targets of violence in slasher films.†(Barry S Sapolsky, p.28). For example, in the Friday the 13th (Part 8), there is a couple who are having sex in a boat. Quietly Jason goes aboard the boat, picks up a harpoon gun and goes in the bedroom where the couple is. Quickly he harpoons the couple who was copulating. To sum up, the female portrait is very demeaning in horror films and it makes these films very absurd, improbable, unintelligent and very comical to watch because the  women would never act as ridiculously in real life. To sum up, people like and continue to watch horror films because they are ridiculous, unrealistic and very funny in return. Many factors make these films like that: the serial killers who are always too powerful, too strong and too invincible (like Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krooger); the characters who act so stupidly and the setting that is so improbable; and the female portrait which is very demeaning because the women are perceived most of the time as sexual objects; most of the women are not like that in the real life. Maybe one day the movie industry will understand that people want to be scared when they go to watch a horror film and not to burst out in laughter.

Snickers Chocolate’s Global Share

Global Candy Sales | | |Market Share |$ Sales in Millions | |Brand |Company |2011 |2012 |2011 |2012* | |Snickers |Mars Inc |1. 7 |1. 8 |$3,286 |$3,572 | |M&M's |Mars Inc |1. 8 |1. |$3,380 |$3,494 | |Trident |Kraft Foods Inc |1. 8 |1. 7 |$3,354 |$3,321 | |Reese's |Hershey Co, The |1. 3 |1. 4 |$2,553 |$2,679 | |Galaxy/Dove |Mars Inc |1. 3 |1. 3 |$2,407 |$2,597 | |Milka |Kraft Foods Inc |1. 3 |1. |$2,530 |$2,510 | |Cadbury Dairy Milk |Kraft Foods Inc |1. 3 |1. 3 |$2,414 |$2,506 | |Orbit |Mars Inc |1. 3 |1. 3 |$2,441 |$2,501 | |Extra |Mars Inc |1. 1 |1. 2 |$2,115 |$2,231 | |Kit Kat |Nestle SA |1. 0 |1. |$1,933 |$1,979 | |Mentos |Perfetti Van Melle Group |0. 9 |0. 9 |$1,649 |$1,711 | U. S. Candy Sales | | |Market Share |$ Sales in Millions | |Brand |Company |2011 |2012 |2011 |2012* | |Reese's |Hershey Co, The |7. |7. 7 |$2,479 |$2,603 | |M's |Mars Inc |6. 8 |6. 8 |$2,238 |$2,300 | |Snickers |Mars Inc |5. 5 |6. 0 |$1,815 |$2,020 | |Kit Kat |Hershey Co, The |2. 8 |2. 8 |$917 |$948 | |Twizzl ers |Hershey Co, The |2. 3 |2. |$746 |$801 | |Trident |Kraft Foods Inc |2. 2 |2. 0 |$732 |$674 | |Twix |Mars Inc |1. 8 |1. 9 |$598 |$655 | |Extra |Mars Inc |1. 8 |1. 8 |$598 |$610 | |Orbit |Mars Inc |1. 7 |1. |$561 |$549 | |Milky Way |Mars Inc |1. 6 |1. 6 |$516 |$539 | |Galaxy/Dove |Mars Inc |1. 6 |1. 5 |$523 |$504 | |Starburst |Mars Inc |1. 3 |1. 4 |$433 |$467 | |Godiva |Yildiz Holding AS |1. 1 |1. |$373 |$391 | |*2012 figures are projections. Source: Euromonitor Internationa | | | | | |Snickers Surging to Top of Global Candy Race | |Mars-Owned Candy Bar Set to Pass Sibling M&M's, Kraft's Trident in New Euromonitor Ranking | |By: E.J. Schultz Published: September 20, 2012 | |208share this page | |[pic][pic][pic][pic] | |There is a new candy kingpin. | |Snickers will pass M&M's as the top international confectionery brand by the end of the year, giving the 82-year-old candy bar a satisfying | |victory in the global chocolate wars, according to a projection by Euromonitor Intern ational. |Snickers is â€Å"definitely on target to surpass M&M's,† Lee Linthicum, Euromonitor's global head of food research, told Ad Age. He cited U. S. | |innovations and strong growth in emerging markets as factors in moving the candy bar from No. 3 to No. 1, also surpassing Trident. Going | |forward, the race for the top is now a sibling rivalry because Mars Inc. owns Snickers and M&M's, which are separated by a razor-thin | |margin. | |While a win for Mars, the rankings are a loss for Kraft Foods' Trident. The gum brand fell from second to third place as projected 2012 | |worldwide sales slipped to $3. 2 billion from $3. 35 billion in 2011. Kraft remains the global leader with 14. 7% share when all confectionery| |brands are totaled. But the food giant's share of the category fell from 14. 8% in 2011, while No. 2 Mars jumped to 14. 4% from 14. 1%, | |according to Euromonitor. | |The shift at the top was first reported by Candy & Snack Today, a publication by the Nationa l Confectioners Association. | |Among individual brands, the worldwide candy battle remains close and fragmented, with only a fraction of a share point separating the top | |10. |Snickers is expected to surge from $3. 29 billion in global sales last year to $3. 57 billion for 2012, capturing a 1. 8% share, according to | |Euromonitor projections. The brand, whose ad agency is BBDO, has been backed with major media investments in recent years, including Super | |Bowl spots featuring Betty White and Roseanne Barr, who have both stared in the ongoing â€Å"You're Not You When You're Hungry† campaign. | |But M's — which Mars featured in this year's Super Bowl spot– is not far behind, growing from $3. 38 billion to $3. 9 billion in global | |sales, according to Euromonitor projections. | |Mr. Linthicum attributed Snickers' climb to its strong performance in the U. S. , which accounts for a huge share of the global candy market. | |Domestically, the candy bar has aggr essively pushed a line extension called Snickers Peanut Butter Squared, which launched last year and | |features two square-shape bars that adds peanut butter to the familiar mix of peanuts, caramel, nougat and milk chocolate. | |Globally, the brand is benefiting from strong growth in Eastern Europe.In Russia, sales have doubled since 2007 to $300 million, partly as | |a result of distribution gains Mars has made by acquiring some ex-Soviet chocolate companies, he said. While that should also help M's, | |the bite-size candies face more competition in the region, where smaller candies are more established and familiar, Mr. Linthicum said. By | |contrast, candy bars like Snickers are more of a novelty, he said. | |In the U. S. , Hershey Co. ‘s Reese's is expected to remain the top brand, with a projected $2. 6 billion in sales capturing 7. % market share | |for 2012, according to Euromonitor, which uses a variety of sources to track all sales channels, from Walmart to vending m achines. M&M's, | |which is also handled by BBDO, is projected to hold onto the No. 2 slot stateside with 6. 8% share, followed by Snicker's (6%) and Hershey's | |Kit Kat (2. 8%). | |Still, Reese's remains stuck in fourth place globally with 1. 4% share, according to Euromonitor projections. The reasons are twofold: | |Hershey has less of a global footprint than Mars, Mr. Linthicum said. Also, peanut butter is not as popular in Europe as it is in the | |States.It is a â€Å"very uniquely American thing,† he said. â€Å"That sweet-savory juxtaposition of flavors is something of an acquired taste. † | |Mr. Linthicum pinned Trident's struggles on stiff competition from Wrigley 5, the Mars-owned brand that launched in the states in 2007 with | |slick packaging, innovative flavors and a highly produced ad campaign by Energy BBDO called â€Å"Stimulate Your Senses. † | |The flashy appeal has resonated globally. â€Å"It's even gaining share in Greece of all places,â €  Mr. Linthicum said. â€Å"Everywhere they release it| |around the world †¦ it's worked. † In the U.S. , Wrigley 5 is now the 4th-largest gum brand with a 7. 43% share, according to SymphonyIRI, | |which excludes Walmart. | |Kraft, which on Oct. 1 will split off its candy and snacking business into a company called Mondelez International, is fighting back with | |its first global ad campaign for Trident by Saatchi & Saatchi that is more emotional than previous efforts, which had touted functional | |benefits such as oral health and vitamins. Meanwhile, in the States Kraft recently rolled out â€Å"ID Gum by Stride,† featuring artsy packaging | |and a gimmick-filled campaign by Droga5. |

Francis Nurse and Giles Essays

Francis Nurse and Giles Essays Francis Nurse and Giles Essay Francis Nurse and Giles Essay By this quote Hathorne wants the two men (Francis Nurse and Giles) arrested for contempt of court and this subsequently makes Danforth begin to listen to them. I personally think Danforth does this to remind the audience and other cast members just how important he is. While this is going on Mary Warren who had not been in court that week, claiming she was sick. Giles Corey says that she has been strivin with the souls all week. And that she has come to the court to day to tell the truth There is drama created by the contrast in scenes individual freedom -a scene of high emotion and tension followed by a slow paced romantic scene. These scenes are called juxtaposed; this can be seen throughout the play. The tension is increased when the characters reveal to the audience the plot and the action taken off stage. Throughout the play we get learn that John still feels that he has the right to admonish Abigail It is strange work for a Christian girl to hang old woman The language above is deliberately made to stand out because of the syntax; this is also shown here she near to choked us all in the case just seen it should be she nearly choked us all. The cadence shown in the language relates t o a biblical theme such as James in the bible. : Miller used the actual script from court transcripts that were created by the people of the time. Characters are revealed through speech as well as facial expressions and mainly from body language. The audience and reader have the added advantage of being able to read through Millers notes but this doesnt tell the whole story as you judge the person yourself within seconds of being introduced to them. A way of understanding this is to focus upon the main characters in the play who are as follows Parris ,Abigail and Elizabeth. The all have individual characteristics and ways of appealing to the audience. During the play Parris he uses a lot of pronouns such as I and me this reveals that Parris is a pompous, vain man and that he is extremely selfish in his approach to life in general. Abigail has a passionate nature that is revealed in her utterances, this to the girls and to her wannabe lover John but the most strange is Elizabeth who has an ability to control her feelings but this makes the girl seem old and unloving. This is shown in the quote Would freeze beer Although a deeply religious protestant community they did not as a group of people practise forgiveness and Christian charity. This led to a culture of blame which made it easy for people to reject criticism of them and to push the blame for events on to others. Miller uses these people as a parallel to events in America in the 1950s when the McCarthy witch hunts condemned people as communists, the new Devil.

Free Essays on The Right To Die

Euthanasia The controversy of euthanasia has been debated for years. Is it immoral or just a way to help a person suffering? Both sides of this argument make good points, which make it even harder for one to decide. In the end, it is currently illegal in the states, but maybe this law should be changed. In â€Å"Euthanasia – A Critique† published June 20, 1990, Peter A. Singer and Mark Siegler argue against two of the main basis for euthanasia: relief of suffering and individual rights. Their reasoning against relief of suffering is that they feel a patient can be put out of pain without death. They feel with better pain management patients won’t feel this way. They also dispute that the fear of dying is tied into this. For this cause, the writers state that a person can opt to not be put on life saving devices allowing them to pass, without relying on euthanasia. As far as individual rights are concerned the people behind this article state that â€Å"(the right to die) must be balanced against the legal, political, and religious prohibitions against killing that have always existed in society generally and in medicine particularly† (Singer/Siegler 334). On the other hand, in â€Å"In Defense of Voluntary Euthanasia† published in 1987, the writer, Sidney Hook, is for euthanasia for two main reasons. First, because he went through an ordeal where he asked to be allowed to die and he was denied that right. Now, even though he has recovered a lot, he still feels he’s gone through more than enough, and wishes he could just pass away. His second reason is because he doesn’t want his family to have to go through seeing him in a stage where he can’t function properly. He feels that he has â€Å"lived a full and relatively happy life, I would cheerfully accept the chance to be reborn, but certainly not to be reborn again as an infirm octogenarian. To some extent, my views reflect what I have seen happen to the aged and stricken who... Free Essays on The Right To Die Free Essays on The Right To Die Euthanasia The controversy of euthanasia has been debated for years. Is it immoral or just a way to help a person suffering? Both sides of this argument make good points, which make it even harder for one to decide. In the end, it is currently illegal in the states, but maybe this law should be changed. In â€Å"Euthanasia – A Critique† published June 20, 1990, Peter A. Singer and Mark Siegler argue against two of the main basis for euthanasia: relief of suffering and individual rights. Their reasoning against relief of suffering is that they feel a patient can be put out of pain without death. They feel with better pain management patients won’t feel this way. They also dispute that the fear of dying is tied into this. For this cause, the writers state that a person can opt to not be put on life saving devices allowing them to pass, without relying on euthanasia. As far as individual rights are concerned the people behind this article state that â€Å"(the right to die) must be balanced against the legal, political, and religious prohibitions against killing that have always existed in society generally and in medicine particularly† (Singer/Siegler 334). On the other hand, in â€Å"In Defense of Voluntary Euthanasia† published in 1987, the writer, Sidney Hook, is for euthanasia for two main reasons. First, because he went through an ordeal where he asked to be allowed to die and he was denied that right. Now, even though he has recovered a lot, he still feels he’s gone through more than enough, and wishes he could just pass away. His second reason is because he doesn’t want his family to have to go through seeing him in a stage where he can’t function properly. He feels that he has â€Å"lived a full and relatively happy life, I would cheerfully accept the chance to be reborn, but certainly not to be reborn again as an infirm octogenarian. To some extent, my views reflect what I have seen happen to the aged and stricken who...

The Biggest Mistake Youre Making at Work -The JobNetwork

The Biggest Mistake Youre Making at Work -The JobNetwork Jenny Blake, a former career coach at Google says: â€Å"Being stuck in one place for too long is not going to work.† In her new book Pivot, she goes on to describe what, in her view, is the biggest mistake people make in their careers. Namely, â€Å"Taking action based on fear or ‘shoulds’.†If you feel like you are stuck in an unfulfilling job or situation, afraid to change your situation for fear of it being the wrong decision, plagued by the â€Å"what ifs,† then Blake’s book might be an important read for you.In the meantime, here are 10  ways you could overcome your fear of change and make it work for you.1. Gather your courage.In order to turn an opportunity into an outcome, you’ll have to have the courage to try. Start shoring yours up.2. Embrace fear.Fear is totally normal, and almost impossible to get rid of entirely. We can’t get rid of it, but we can change our relationship to it by changing how we react when we†™re afraid.3.  Harness anxiety.Sometimes your anxiety is a very effective radar system helping you tell the good opportunities from the riskier ones. If you can dial down your panic a bit to listen to what your intuition is telling you, you can start to use your anxiety as a tool for helping you embrace the best change possible, rather than hiding from all change.4. Embrace failureJust like fear, failure can be a productive and useful tool. Next time you fail, try to figure out the lessons you can learn and move on. You won’t fail at the same thing twice!5. Be flexible.Learn how to improvise. You don’t want to be the person who makes inflexible plans and then is unable to think fast on your feet.6. Gamble a little.Sometimes it’s a numbers game, or a matter of odds. Make a bunch of small bets on yourself and eventually your minor wins will add up to something major.7. Don’t fear experimentation.You mustn’t be afraid of trying new things. If you experiment often and continue trying new ways to succeed, you’ll get there a lot faster.8. Choose your battles.You can’t win all the time. Pick the battles that mean the most to you, press for the things that matter, and retreat when it’s not worth your energy to fight.9. Always keep on moving.Make sure you keep moving forward, no matter what. Getting stuck is worse than stumbling a little on the path to success.10.  Don’t be a slacker.The best way to not be left in the dust- or better, to find your best path to where you want to be- is to keep up with your industry and your business. Stay on the cutting edge, where you have the best chance of pivoting.

Descriptivism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Descriptivism - Essay Example Seriously, this is just too much and makes communication in any language unenjoyably at all. However, descriptivism is making this better by allowing users of the language to apply it in a context that fits them. For instance, courts, restaurants, interviews, and parties among others settings have a different way of communicating information, expressing feeling, or giving advice. Therefore, descriptivism conforms to the reality of changing times, generations, and endorse the fact that understanding each other using whichever language is the most important thing. The issue of native and nonnatives is a discriminative in nature in the world where globalization is taking root. The reality of globalization is making interaction between people from different regions of the world unavoidable. During interactions between people either for political, social, and economic purposes; the only way to achieve the objective of such cause is via use of a language comprehend by parties involved. Whi le this happens, the parties involved use either an exotic language or one that is native to one of them, or both. In this light, the most important thing is the sympathetic of each other using whichever appropriate language (Kachru Yamuna, and Cecil 703). Remarkably, descriptivism facilitates this since it does not bar nonnatives of a language from the benefits of globalization. Descriptivism dismisses the need to learn a language using formal setting such as classroom or by reading publication on the grammar of the language (Kachru Yamuna, and Cecil 711).

Discussion and self reflection assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Discussion and self reflection assignment - Essay Example Nurses are always a in a position to put forward path breaking views on existing medical system all over the world. A new vision gets easily translated into a reality, if there is sufficient passion to support it all through its phases of conception, growth and manifestation. As a nurse, I would like to remain truthful to myself as much as possible in whatever I do. One can be truly professional only if there is no disparity between one’s goals and what one truly likes do in order to reach that goal. As far as I am concerned, it is always a pleasure to get involved in team work, share my knowledge with others, learn from others and take important, informed decisions as an individual whenever necessary. I have often felt that decision making is possible only when we are not mentally and physically distanced from the issues at hand. The more we could get involved in something, the easier it becomes to take good decisions. What guides one’s decisions is the innate sense of values that is part of one’s self. Therefore, I would always attempt retrospective introspections in situations where I am required to be in a leadership position. The best thing to make this process take place smoothly and effectively is to ask myself constantly whet her I can remain true to myself and my values while indulged in passionate work related to nursing. For me the most important step towards leadership is â€Å"to be true to myself and my values†. A vision, which is an integral part in leadership, comes from true passion and conviction. Therefore, if I am sure that I am doing what I am passionate about, there can be nothing to stop me. A lot of self-confidence and energy can come out of doing what we believe in. It is possible to gradually inculcate values related to one’s career. I watched a video recently. It was on enabling people, and I was really impressed by its depiction of a leader who was very energetic. He was able to motivate the crowd instantaneously. He spoke of

TheGreat Depression Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

TheGreat Depression - Term Paper Example Many banks and businesses went under as a result, and this instigated the fall in the economy potential, as there was reduced spending, low demand, low production and high unemployment accordingly.2 Even though, the great depression had its origins in America, all the European nations were greatly hit as they were heavily relying on the US for financial loans; the US had emerged as a great credit in the post world war one period. The complex financial relationship between the European economies and the US was inevitably the reason why the great depression could not be contained in the US, but later spread to the rest of the European nations. Nations were thrown into panic mode, most of them adopting restrictive measures, especially concerning foreign trade as mitigation to salvage their local industries.3 Discussions on the great discussion have yielded important information on the delicate financial market relationships, and this is a key area of concern especially in the view of co ntemporary global economic ties. This topic is relevant to global economies as it provides vital lessons that could help mitigate the risks of a future global financial slump.4 This paper will focus on various aspects of the great depression including, but limited to its causes, its effects in America, and the rest of European economies that were hugely indebted to the US at the time. In as much as the great depression was sparked by the great slouch in the New York stock market prices, there were other underlying factors that have been attributed to it. These factors are specifically weaknesses and imbalances that existed in the American financial system, but they had long been ignored due to the rapid economic growth, and the resultant speculative optimism. The onset of the great depression revealed the faulty premises of the American financial system, and its failure of America’s political and financial institutions to manage the economy. Concerning the causes of the great depression, five factors have been top on the list,  the fall in stock Market prices, failure of the banking system, a decline in the purchasing power, the American- Europe economic ties, and famine.5 Prior to fall in stock prices, banks had been lending out large sums of money to businesses and investors, even way beyond their capabilities; this gave rise to debt deflation. After the crash in prices, great losses were incurred by stock investors as the value of stocks had gone down drastically i.e. stocks lost over 90% of their value, and stockholders incurred losses amounting to over 40 billion dollars. Many banks could not recover their loans as many debtors defaulted in payments, and as a result, many people withdrew their deposits. Rapid measures of self-preservation were taken by the surviving banks and this included cutting down on loans, a desperate move that resulted to further limitations to the economy. Bank's restrictive measures  to limit lending, coupled by loss o f jobs and the resultant unemployment led to harsh times in the history of the US economy; there was low output and low demand of products and as such, many businesses suffered insolvency. About 11,000 banking institutions had collapsed by the year 1933, as they could not

Management accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Management accounting - Essay Example Methods such as standard costing and budgetary control are associated with developments in management accounting - this is thought to have been as a result of the traditional rise of large and multi-divisional business activities. This observation is in line with what Chandler (1977) set out, when he maintained that modern management originated from the economic history. The economic history took the position that was previously taken by market mechanisms by introducing an institution with new features, a modern business enterprise or the managed creature. Essentially, by planning and coordinating of the activities in an organization across space and time, as well as internally capturing efficiency benefits and cost, the managed entity displaced, forestalled, and essentially redesigned market relationships (Coase, 1937). Consequently, management brought about oligopoly since it was possible to create large-scale entities whereby managers manage other managers through the process of a dministrative coordination. The organizations that followed these structures were capable of running economically to the extent of redesigning and dominating their sectors, as well as their staff. In essence, the administrative coordination brought about a new source of power, which has eventually redesigned the limits of the organizational and economic scenes. In view of this, it is evident that Chandler contributed towards an explanation of the origin of the modern management by shedding light on how different forms of administrative coordination were, at the outset, developed (Hoskin and Macve, 1990). Chandler specified the Springfield Armory as the origin of the development of single-unit management, which was allegedly done in the perspective of introducing an interchangeable part manufacturer. In essence, this location could have been an unacceptable source of the management; however, the administrative coordination could not have originated from the reaction from technical in ventions, but it must have originated from a distinct and disciplinary intervention. Ideally, in this case, the administrative coordination was put into practice through coordination, problem planning as well as control of staff and plant throughout the extended moment and space. In addition, another important contributor of the modern management, just as Chandler maintained, is George Whistler who was associated with the Western Railroad. Chandler (1977, p. 97-98) ascertained that Whistler was the first to embrace cautiously defined, modern, and an internal organizational structure, in 1841. This development was the first American business enterprise to function under a formally designed administrative structure, overseen by full-time and paid staff. After Whistler, the Pennsylvania (PRR) was the subsequent key railroad where severance of operating and financial functions was a remarkable development that led to the establishment of a form of organization described by Chandler (197 7) as â€Å"decentralized line-and-staff division.† (p. 105). In addition, the unrelenting examination and production of comprehensive flows of information in both human and physical assets reduced operating cost and enhanced efficiency. According to Chandler (1977) the most momentous contributions to accounting was made by Pennsylvania

Psychological theories relating to Frankenstein (Mary Shelley's Case Study

Psychological theories relating to Frankenstein (Mary Shelley's Frankenstein) - Case Study Example Although Frankenstein has been noted for its treatment of the philosophical, mythological, scientific, and feminist questions, it is fundamental to realize that the novel also undertakes an in-depth study of the psychology of mind, human nature and, most significantly, alienation. The offers an important case of reference to an analysis into how human brain creates one’s mental world and the novelist portrays the images of her politico-cultural world and value system through the characters of the novel. Significantly, Mary Shelley has been greatly novel effective in unleashing the images of her mental world into the intellectual sphere of her novel in a subjective, complex and problematic way and establishes the relationship between the theories of the mind and the motivations of the characters. â€Å"Mary Shelley translates politics into psychology. She uses revolutionary symbolism†¦ Her characters reenact earlier political polemics on the level of personal psychology.à ¢â‚¬  (Sterrenburg, 144) Therefore, a reflective analysis of the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley corroborates that the motivations of the characters in the novel are directed by the mental world of the novelist. Psychological theories dealing with the working of human mind can be greatly useful in comprehending the construction of a literary work, especially the characterization of a novel. ... In order to comprehend the theories of mind in relation to the motivations of the characters in the novel, it is essential to realize the philosophical context of the work which is suggested by the theory of the ‘tabula rasa’ or ‘clean slate’. â€Å"This theory, held by the Empiricists, maintains that the mind, at the beginning of a person’s life, is empty; after birth, the senses receive impressions and are able to formulate ideas.† (Joshua, 25) The mental world of the novelist created by the socio-cultural and political images of her contemporary situation was crucial in the creation of the major characters in the novel. Significantly, the major characters of the novel, the young student of science and the monster created by him, offer a crucial example of how the mental world is linked to character-motivations. An investigation into the complex and multifaceted personalities of Frankenstein and the creature is essential in realizing the moti ves of these characters as the making of their mental world. Similarly, every significant question concerning science and society as discussed in the novel brings out this crucial link between the motivation of the character and their mental world. In a profound understanding of Mary Shelley’s creation account in the novel, it becomes lucid that the mental world of the creator has a great influence on the motivations of his creation. Thus, the mythic ambiguity of the central characters, Victor Frankenstein and the creature, points to the underlying moral ambiguity of the story. In Shelley’s creation account, neither the creator nor the creature in his rebellion has morally pure motivation. This characteristic feature of the novel corresponds to the link between the mind and the motivations

The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Assignment

The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) - Assignment Example ch company it is possible to conclude that all three companies in question have complete FDD’s, while there are some small adjustments to formulations. 2. How much would it cost you to acquire the franchise rights for each of the companies? Is the franchise cost information from each company’s FDD different from figures listed on the company website? If so in what way? Houlihans Restaurant and Five Guys Burgers and Fries don’t reveal publicly information about its franchise cost information on its website, and therefore it is impossible to compare the numbers given online and those presented in FTC reports (Franchise Information - Houlihans Restaurant, n.p.; Franchise Opportunities: Five Guys Burgers and Fries). Â  Hard Rock Hotel offers on its website information for potential franchisees and claims that the standard Hard Rock site fee is no less than $350, 000 (Hard Rock Cafe Franchise & Development Opportunities, n.p). This minimum is higher than given in the FTC report, probably because the report was published in 2007, while now it is 2014. Houlihan’s Restaurant’s offering circular presented some cases of bankruptcy, where copmpany’s representatives were debtors in proceeding under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. These cases are multiple and raise concerns Hard Rock Hotels FDD raised several serious concerns mainly referred to litigation and bankruptcy cases. The company has got claims for tortuous interference, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, unjust enrichment and civil conspiracy (Hard Rock Hotels, 5-6). While finally the parties entered into a settlement agreement, there are some serious concerns raised. On May, 2000 the company (Sunterra Corporation) filed a petition for reorganization under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (Hard Rock Hotels, 7). Five Guys Burgers and Fries’ FDD raises less concerns comparing with two other companies as there were no bankruptcy cases. However, there was one litigation case according to which the

Psychological theories relating to Frankenstein (Mary Shelley's Case Study

Psychological theories relating to Frankenstein (Mary Shelley's Frankenstein) - Case Study Example Although Frankenstein has been noted for its treatment of the philosophical, mythological, scientific, and feminist questions, it is fundamental to realize that the novel also undertakes an in-depth study of the psychology of mind, human nature and, most significantly, alienation. The offers an important case of reference to an analysis into how human brain creates one’s mental world and the novelist portrays the images of her politico-cultural world and value system through the characters of the novel. Significantly, Mary Shelley has been greatly novel effective in unleashing the images of her mental world into the intellectual sphere of her novel in a subjective, complex and problematic way and establishes the relationship between the theories of the mind and the motivations of the characters. â€Å"Mary Shelley translates politics into psychology. She uses revolutionary symbolism†¦ Her characters reenact earlier political polemics on the level of personal psychology.à ¢â‚¬  (Sterrenburg, 144) Therefore, a reflective analysis of the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley corroborates that the motivations of the characters in the novel are directed by the mental world of the novelist. Psychological theories dealing with the working of human mind can be greatly useful in comprehending the construction of a literary work, especially the characterization of a novel. ... In order to comprehend the theories of mind in relation to the motivations of the characters in the novel, it is essential to realize the philosophical context of the work which is suggested by the theory of the ‘tabula rasa’ or ‘clean slate’. â€Å"This theory, held by the Empiricists, maintains that the mind, at the beginning of a person’s life, is empty; after birth, the senses receive impressions and are able to formulate ideas.† (Joshua, 25) The mental world of the novelist created by the socio-cultural and political images of her contemporary situation was crucial in the creation of the major characters in the novel. Significantly, the major characters of the novel, the young student of science and the monster created by him, offer a crucial example of how the mental world is linked to character-motivations. An investigation into the complex and multifaceted personalities of Frankenstein and the creature is essential in realizing the moti ves of these characters as the making of their mental world. Similarly, every significant question concerning science and society as discussed in the novel brings out this crucial link between the motivation of the character and their mental world. In a profound understanding of Mary Shelley’s creation account in the novel, it becomes lucid that the mental world of the creator has a great influence on the motivations of his creation. Thus, the mythic ambiguity of the central characters, Victor Frankenstein and the creature, points to the underlying moral ambiguity of the story. In Shelley’s creation account, neither the creator nor the creature in his rebellion has morally pure motivation. This characteristic feature of the novel corresponds to the link between the mind and the motivations

Data Warehousing and Mining Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Data Warehousing and Mining - Essay Example This paper will discuss the concept of data mining in detail. This paper will discuss the main aspects, techniques and algorithms of data mining. This paper will also assess the market applications of data mining. DATA MINING Data mining is a technique which is used to evaluate business or corporate data from a target source and after that turn that data into valuable and useful information. This corporate information is normally employed to facilitate a business to raise profits, reduce cut expenditure in specific business areas. Moreover, the main purpose of data mining applications is to recognize and take-out similar business configuration enclosed in a given set of corporate data (Bradford, 2011). IMPORTANT DATA MINING TECHNIQUES This section outlines some of the prime and important data mining techniques. Some of the main techniques are presented below: Neural Networks/Pattern Recognition Neural Networks are utilized in a blackbox style. In this technique, an individual produce s a set of data for testing purpose, which allows the neural network to find out patterns based on the identified results, then for these data permits the neural network imprecise on massive amounts of data provided. ... Memory Based Reasoning This technique can offer same results which can be achieved from neural network however the working of this technique is different from neural networks. In addition, the memory based reasoning searches for "closely related" type of data, rather than considering similar working patterns (Chicago Business Intelligence Group, 2011) and (Han & Kamber, 2006). Cluster Detection This is a standard technique of data mining which is used to assess the relationship between market and business transaction data because it discovers associations from data patterns. Mainly, this method discovers associations in clients or product or anywhere we desire to discover interaction in data (Chicago Business Intelligence Group, 2011) and (Han & Kamber, 2006). Link Analysis This is another method for relating similar business records. However, this method is not utilized extensively; on the other hand, a number of methods and software applications have been built on the basis of this technique. Since its name states, this technique attempts to discover associations, either in dealings, various products, consumers, etc. as well as reveals those associations (Chicago Business Intelligence Group, 2011) and (Han & Kamber, 2006). Visualization This method of data mining facilitates the users to recognize their data. In this scenario, visualization is used to create the association from text established to visual/graphical arrangement. In addition, various other techniques such as rule, decision tree, pattern visualization and cluster facilitate users to observe data associations rather than reading the associations. Moreover, a lot of powerful data mining systems have taken effective actions for enhancing their

Make It Mine - Customization as the Future of Luxury Essay Example for Free

Make It Mine Customization as the Future of Luxury Essay 1 â€Å"The things at Prada today are not well made, the fabrics are not as good, everything was much better in my time† Miuccia Prada I. Purpose of Research The changing landscape of the luxury industry challenges brands to find a new approach to reach out to their core costumers. Brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci or Burberry are about to jeopardize their true customers and their image by overexposing themselves to a mass luxury clientele. Thus, a new approach must be found to bring back the feeling of true luxury, personal attention and to create a bond to their core customers. This paper’s purpose is to examine how luxury brands can adapt mass customization techniques in order to create a sustainable competitive advantage and bring back the notion of true luxury. Furthermore, it will be questioned if customization can harm a luxury brands image and status, taking into consideration the â€Å"anti-laws† of marketing, which propose to not pander to the customer’s wishes and to dominate the luxury client (Kapferer, Bastien, 2009, 64 f. ). The goal is to come up with a conclusion that provides luxury brands with a direction of how customization could be implemented and what benefits or challenges may come with it. II. From Class to Mass Looking at today’s luxury fashion market one does not have to be an expert like Miuccia Prada to see things have changed. While almost every established luxury brand started out as a small business with a tradition of unique craftsmanship, utmost quality, best service and limited quantities, those attributes are not necessarily true for many of today’s still existing luxury brands. Luxury brands have gone mass. This is often referred to as â€Å"the democratization of luxury†, which means 2 that luxury brands have opened themselves for a mass market. While back in the day luxury brands were the domain of the rich only available in selected stores or brand owned boutiques, brands today want to reach a wider customer range. According to Thomas, aggressive growth was not a priority until the eighties (Thomas, 2007, 238). However, growth quickly became the main objective and store expansions have experienced a boom in Japan, as well as the USA. The middle market customer was born. By expanding their assortment lines in department stores with lower-priced items, such as perfumes, small leather goods and cold-weather items, luxury brands became attainable. No longer were people intimidated to walk into a luxury boutique, they often became tourist attractions in capital cities. Luxury brands were intrigued by the sudden success. It just took a few logo-covered products, which were the middle class’s favorite item and sales and profits grew steadily. However, the rapid expansion also created one of the luxury brands biggest problems today. As banking analysts conclude, the greatest problem that luxury brands have created for themselves by going mass is financial instability. â€Å"Before its global expansion to the middle market, luxury was immune to economic cycles. The companies were small and catered to a limited old-money clientele [†¦] who shopped consistently and bought well. Luxury was a successful niche business. But when luxury changed its target audience to the cost-conscious middle market that shops when flush but stops cold when times get tough, it made itself dangerously vulnerable to recessions† (Thomas, 2007, 264). Another disadvantage from overexposing themselves is the loss of the traditional old money clientele, since their logos could be seen everywhere. Many brands jeopardized their exclusivity status along with their â€Å"well-crafted† message along the chase for higher profits, in order to keep the shareholders happy. The dilution of the luxury status peaked with the 3 introduction of e-commerce and outlet stores. In the first case it is very hard for a brand to create a luxury shopping experience, since the Internet is a generic and impersonal sales channel. In the case of outlet stores, brands are trying to sell their overstock, which has highly increased due to mass production. Not only is merchandise that was once available at a high-end boutique sold for a discount price, moreover some brands are producing some items solely for outlets (Edouard, 2006, 11). Assessing the six main facets of a luxury brand, which have been identified in a broad empirical study by Dubois/Laurent/Czellar and are considered to be global and most accurate, one can review the situation of the luxury market today. The six main facets are (Dubois/Laurent/Czellar, 2001, 8 ff. ): †¢ Very High Price (according to the absolute price (inter-categorical) as well as the price relative to other brands of the same category (intracategorical)). Excellent Quality (according to the processed materials as well as the assumed diligence of the manufacturing-process). Scarcity Uniqueness (expressed by a difficult accessibility and rarity). Aesthetics Polysensuality (creating through design, colors etc. a value experience that touches all senses). Ancestral Heritage Personal History (continuous branding in design, communications etc. ). Superfluousness (dominant perception of symbolic attributes †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ compared to technical-functional ones). It is evident that at least two of the six facets, namely Excellent Quality and Scarcity and Uniqueness, are not fulfilled in many cases anymore. Industry experts suggest that the last true luxury brands that are living up to all the standards are Hermes and 4 Chanel (Thomas, 2007, 323). Hermes is the epitomization of luxury, which is highly due to the fact that the house is still making all its products by hand, sourcing the finest materials and using special design and production techniques that have been invented from the house’s founder over 150 years ago. However, there is another reason why Hermes is on top of other luxury brands: Customization. Unlike in most luxury boutiques, Hermes only receives a few handbags each season to sell them directly. However, this is the exception. The rule is that those handbags are just a display of options. The customer can choose the material (canvas, cowhide, reptile or ostrich), the color and the hardware and in case of the Kelly bag the seams (Thomas, 2007, 172). And then you wait for a product that is specifically tailored to your taste and needs. Obviously this is an experience that real customers highly value. The next chapter provides a brief overview about the luxury consumers today and examines the need to offer separate services for each customer type. III. The Luxury customer today â€Å"Today’s luxury consumer is different from the wealthy consumer of the past. † (Okonkwo, 2007, 65) As mentioned above, many luxury brands opened themselves for the middle-class customer. Silverstein and Fiske have extensively described the evolution and habits of these consumers in their book â€Å"Trading up† (2005). Amongst those â€Å"mass wealthy† consumers, the spending on luxury goods has increased tremendously due to a rise in real household income by 30 percent since 1970. Looking at the figures, four million American households had a net worth of more than $1 million by 2005 and the average spending increased up to 70% (Thomas, 2007, 239). Parallel to this the credit card debt reached its peak. What happened to all that money? Consumers 5 traded up and luxury brands catered to their new audience. While the old-money consumer had a deep appreciation for quality and craftsmanship, the new luxury consumer wanted to buy into the dream and show that they could. Logos came in fashion, and soon â€Å"It† bags with the brand’s logo plastered on them could be seen everywhere and on everyone. Interesting enough brands and designers seem to embrace this trend, as Marc Jacobs states: â€Å"When you look at Louis Vuitton, you see it is mass-produced luxury. Vuitton is a status symbol. It’s not about hiding the logo. It’s being about a bit of a show-off† (Thomas, 2007, 18). Although welcomed by the brands themselves, this is a development that does not please a lot of the old luxury consumers and luxury brands are about to jeopardize their core clientele. Besides the love for the logo there are other characteristics that come along with the new luxury consumers. These are a need for a quick trend turnaround, a disposable attitude and the experimenting and mixing of luxury brands with premium and fast fashion (Okonkwo, 2007, 66). Thus, these consumers are not loyal to one single brand but shop across the entire brand hierarchy, from Gucci to HM. And they are not recession proof. While in the past luxury catered to a limited old money clientele enough money whose spending habits have not been deeply affected by economic cycles, short-term stock market drops or the dependency of credit available, the new luxury customer is very sensitive to all those factors. The luxury market as we experience it today is an amalgam of mass production1, flashy branding, highly varying quality and heavy advertising. While this might work for the middle class market, educated, real luxury consumers cannot be captioned by such techniques. 1 E. g. all Gucci leather products are designed on a computer, by 2004 the entire Gucci group produced 3,5 million leather goods a year, with a production time of two to three hours for a basic bag. Louis Vuitton’s handbags are produced in an assembly line setting in China, where it takes two minutes to glue handles on two bags. As a comparison, an average size Birkin or Kelly bag takes up to sixteen hours, while a bigger one takes up to thirty hours (Thomas, 2007) (Purseleague, 2010). 6 This paper acknowledges the importance of these new customers for luxury brands in order to keep the shareholders satisfied and the need for luxury brands to grow and make profits. If brands would stop cater to this clientele, the losses would be tremendous, since the brands made themselves dependent on high volume sales. However, it must also be considered that such practices can and will jeopardize the old luxury consumers, the ones who support the brand even in tough economic times. Thus, this paper suggests an approach to return to older notions of luxury, namely superb quality, classic design, premium service and customization. In short, the ultimate luxury experience. IV. Back to the roots â€Å"Luxury fashion brands today are too available, everything is too uniform, and customer business is too pedestrian. † Tom Ford Looking back in the history of luxury, customization has been the starting point for many brands and has always played a vital role in the brand’s identity. Hermes started out as custom-made harness shop, catering only to the aristocracy. Likewise Gucci, which started as a saddlery shop in Florence and later specialized in small custom made leather goods and luggage, while Louis Vuitton started as a Malletier for French Royals. All had in common that made-to-order items were the focus of their businesses and they offered only a small product range. Another big part of the customization history of luxury and probably the embodiment of the ultimate luxury item is the haute couture dress. Fittings were done by the couturiers themselves and the garment was constructed for one’s own shape, height and comfort. When American society ladies could not make it to Paris, the Couture houses would sell their patterns to stores like Saks or I. Magnin and fittings were done in beautiful 7 private fitting rooms to convey the Paris atmosphere. Shopping in those department stores was an experience, an event, a pleasure and sales assistants were experts, advisors and friends. Customers chose their favorites, either at in-house fashion shows or during personal viewings, and an in-house seamstress would alter everything to make the customer happy and fit the garment perfectly. This was a long time ago. As Thomas, points out, luxury clothing shopping today is more an exercise of patience, with only a few pieces in the smallest sizes on the sales floor, mediocre service and long waiting times (Thomas, 2007, 5). Buying an $8000 dress directly from the rack is a relatively new phenomenon, evolving with the availability and democratization of luxury. Reviewing the history of customization in the luxury industry, the following points can be identified that cater to a true luxury experience: Craftsmanship, high quality material, luxury service and customization. Based on these findings, the following part of the paper will develop a framework of customization for luxury brands today. It should be emphasized that the approach of customization is not catering to the luxury mass clientele, but rather to the true luxury customer, to create brand loyalty and recreate the luxury experience in the current market setting. V. Customization in Today’s Luxury Market One’s striving for uniqueness and expressing their individuality has without a doubt reached a peak in the current society. Some businesses have recognized this development and reacted accordingly, such as Dell, Apple, Levis, BMW or even Ralph Lauren. Especially luxury consumers always had the need to feel the exclusivity attribute of a service or a product and require personal attention. Luxury customers today do not want to follow a dictate by a brand, they are independent in 8 their choices and want to be involved in the creative process. As one author correctly stated, the days of uniformity and sameness are over (Okonkwo, 2007, 249). While Okonkwo is advocating a â€Å"mass customization† approach, which means that customization for luxury brands is done in bulk and offered to everyone, this paper suggests an exclusive approach of customization. Although economies of scale still play a role with the exclusive approach, it is not promoted to produce customized products en masse. This again would take way from the notion of rarity and exclusivity and would not help luxury brands to recreate a luxury experience, which is the purpose of this paper. It must be mentioned that a few luxury brands currently offer customization as they call it, however this is not customization to a degree that satisfies a true luxury customer. Louis Vuitton for example offers a â€Å"customization/personalization† service on its website, where customers can choose different colors for stripes and their initials to be drawn on a brown canvas bag. The whole process is done online, which delivers no luxury atmosphere at all and the aesthetics are not living up to a luxury brand and neither the leather, nor the hardware or lining can be altered. â€Å"Real customization† is only available for travel pieces. According to Gilmore and Pine, two customization experts, there are four different approaches for customization and managers should evaluate each to offer best service to their customers. In some cases not every approach is possible. The following part of the paper examines each approach and the possibilities for a luxury brand to utilize it (Gilmore/Pine, 2000, 116). 9 1. Collaborative Customization In this approach a company is conducting a dialogue with customers, so that they can articulate their preferences and needs. The goal is to identify a precise offering in order to satisfy these needs and offer a tailored product. 2 2. Adaptive customization In this case a standard product is offered, that the customers can customize themselves after the purchase. An example would be a watch where one can change the wristbands, such as the Gucci â€Å"U-Play Interchangeable Lizard Watch†. Fig. 1 Gucci â€Å"U-Play Interchangeable Lizard Watch† 3. Cosmetic Customization 2 [†¦] on an Air France flight from Paris to London Jane Birkin pulled her Hermes datebook out of her bag and all her papers fell out. She groused about how the book needed a pocket. Besides her sat Jean-Louis Damas. He took her datebook and she got it back a few weeks later with a pocket stitched inside, which is still there today (Thomas, 2007, 189). 10 Cosmetic Customization is not about the product itself but more about the packaging, the advertisement of different attributes or benefits of the product. Thus, a standard product is packaged and presented differently for certain markets. This can become especially important a retail environment where customized packaging plays a big role. Personalization, like adding the customer’s name would be an example for a cosmetic customization. 4. Transparent Customization This approach is used when customers do not directly communicate their needs, but they are easily predictable or can be easily deduced. Customers are provided with goods or services tailored for them, without letting them know that they have been customized for them. This type of customization requires constant monitoring and a deep understanding of the customers needs. It challenges brands to come up with innovative methods of data collecting. Fig. 2 The Four Approaches to Customization 11 Besides the different approaches of customization it must be mentioned that customization can be applied throughout the value chain, but it implies a company open for innovative approaches and careful management. Customized? Development? Customized? Production? Customized? Retailing? Customized? Delivery? Fig. 3 Possible Value Chain of a Luxury Brand Since it would exceed the scope of this paper to discuss every possible customization process that could be applied by a luxury brand, the following part outlines a scenario of customizing a luxury handbag for exclusive customers, taking every step in the value chain into account. In the development stage of the product, the customer would make an appointment in a luxury boutique, or be offered to have a designated expert of the brand come by a place of the customer’s choice. It must be mentioned that customization should only take place in selected brand-owned boutiques, such as flagship stores and never on the internet or a non luxury shopping mall (e. g. Lenox). In the case of an instore appointment, there should be a private room or section that is solely reserved for customization customers, including catering of exquisite snacks and drinks to enhance the luxury atmosphere. Unlike customization that is offered online, the customer should actually have all the materials that she can choose from in front of her, so she can feel and smell the different kinds of leather, fabrics, linings, hardware etc. As mentioned above, polysensuality is an integral part of a luxury brand, thus all senses should be addressed. The brand should provide multiple options to choose from of materials, shapes and sizes. However, if a customer has a special wish, e. g. 12 a color that is not available in the presented selection or a special lining wish, the brand should be able to provide it. On top of that personalization should be offered. Customers should be able to have their name, a quote, writing etc. on the bag at every place they want it. Anya Hindmarch for example offers customers the opportunity to write a personal message in their own handwriting that is discreetly embossed on the handbag in silver or gold, prices range from $1300 $9. 500 (Okonkwo, 2007, 262). Unfortunately, this service is only offered online, thus customers can’t feel the materials and have definitely no luxury experience. When the customization process is finished, the brand should have special software to show the customer on a big screen a model of what the creation will look like, so that last changes can be made. The design must be sent to an atelier, preferably in the country of the brand’s origin, where skilled craftsman are working on the items. Each bag must be identified with a number, the craftsman who worked on it and the material it was made from. Naturally a customized piece has a longer delivery time, for a handbag approximately 6-16 weeks, depending on availability of materials etc. However, since a customized item is considered an investment piece, customers are willing to have a longer waiting time. After the item has arrived in the store, cosmetic customization can be made at the point of retail by the sales assistant. In case of a bag or travel item e. g. the brand could attach a charm or a customized name nametag in the bag’s color to surprise the customer and show special attention. The packaging of the customized item can also be tailored towards the taste of the customer (the in-store customization expert should be aware of customer’s preferences or be able to find out during the design process, referred to as transparent customization). Along with the customized item the customer should 13 receive a letter from the store manager, which addresses the customer directly and shows the brand’s appreciation. Having a personal delivery service that brings the item directly to the customer can customize the last part of the value chain. To create the ultimate luxury experience the brand could additionally send flowers, truffles or wine to show appreciation for the customer. The process of customization outlined above is not limited to bags and can be applied to almost every item, shoes, jewelry, travel items etc. Obviously customization is a laborious process, thus the question arises which advantages does it have for brand have and is all the effort worth it? The basic question â€Å"Do customized products bring additional value to the customer† was widely discussed in academic literature. The findings of the latest study by Franke, Keinz and Steger suggest that the higher the customer involvement with a product is, the more value customization adds (Franke, Keinz, Steger, 2009, 115). Assuming that a luxury product already requires a high consumer involvement, due to its high price and the â€Å"dream value†, it can be concluded that customized luxury goods are adding value to the customer’s purchase. Amongst all advantages the most important one is the closer contact and relationship to your core customers, and a personal identification with the brand. The customer serves as a co-designer and in-house consultant during the customization process. The brand can learn about their customers’ taste and tap into their intellectual property, which results in higher potential of future design success. Empowerment of the customer leads to a higher customer satisfaction, which results in repeated purchases, less comparative shopping and overall brand loyalty (Okonkwo, 2007, 252). Especially in a globalized luxury landscape brands can satisfy customers in different parts of the world and react to cultural taste differences. As a conclusion it can be said, that â€Å"benefits of 14 customization are contingent on characteristics of the customer, namely his or her level of insight into own preferences, ability to express those preferences, and product involvement† (Franke, Keinz, Steger, 116). Although the advantages overweigh, it must be noted that customization also imposes challenges on a brand, such as the integration of the customization process into already existing internal processes and the value chain. Operations must be changed, functional units for customization must be established and the brand must invest in human capital, in order to have experts on both the retail and manufacturing side. Many companies will have difficulties overcoming current practices, since most luxury brands are now owned by big conglomerates, where they face a wall of bureaucracy. Besides that the collection of personal data from customers is a highly sensitive area of customization. First, data collection and analysis are not a core competence of luxury brands and many companies just started to use special software. Thus, problems could arise organizing and interpreting the gathered information. Second, although it can help a lot with future shopping assistance and marketing, luxury brands should never store personal data without the explicit permission of the customers. VI. Marketing in an Age of Diversity It is a given that an exclusive offer like customization needs an exclusive marketing approach. Therefore, all common marketing practices, such as fashion magazine advertisement, blogs, online marketing etc. are not an option. Since this customization is a costly service, the right clientele must be targeted. Thus, this paper suggests three marketing approaches to reach the luxury core customer. The 15 first strategy is to approach luxury magazines that are not directly fashion related. The selected magazines would include, but are not limited to: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ FT- How to spend it Town and Country Palm Beach Illustrated3 Architectural Digest Robb Report Unique Homes Luxury Living Dolce Vita Elite Traveler Prestige Instead of placing bold ads in these magazines, the marketing strategy should focus on creating interest by subtle advertisement. This could include product placement in an editorial spread that has nothing to do with fashion, e. g. a bag could be placed on a designer table in Architectural Digest. Placing the product in a special section like â€Å"most exclusive picks of the month† would be another form of subtle advertisement. If the relations to a magazine are very good, the brand could have the magazine featuring a story about most exclusive luxury items and place the customization service in there. It is crucial that prices or places where the customization service is offered will not be communicated. The magazine should only provide a phone number that connects the customer to the customization department of the brand, where all information will be available. Furthermore â€Å"price upon request† is an effective tool to create interest and the notion that a product is in a top price range and only available for a few clients. 3 Palm Beach Illustrated Magazine is an award-winning regional luxury lifestyle magazine, appealing to the worlds most sophisticated and ultra-affluent audience. The magazines content reflects the many facets of sophistication that set the Palm Beach market apart and gives the community its unique brand of panache. Focusing on cutting-edge fashion, the social and philanthropic scenes, the celebrities and fascinating personalities, the exquisite estates and interiors, as well as the luxurious retail and travel opportunities available in this unique region. 16 The second marketing strategy would be an exclusive catalogue, in which the brand introduces its new service to selected clients. That this service is not available to the broad public must be clearly communicated. Naturally the catalogue must be printed on high quality paper and must feature only very creative pictures from one of the world’s best fashion photographer, such as Andrea Klarin, Raya or Steven Meisel. The catalogue should inform the customers about the customization process, as well as provide examples of customized bags. Since luxury customers today have strong values and principles, the catalogue should include where products such as leather and silk are sourced as well as the place of production. The catalogues would be sent to already existing top customers, whose addresses the luxury brand should have in their data storage. Magazines such as Prestige, which only have subscribers over a certain net worth (starting at $2 Mio. ) could provide additional addresses of future customers. The catalogue must convey a luxury feeling through materials and aesthetics, so it does become a decorative book more than a disposable item. The last part of the marketing strategy would be an invitation only event that can be held in the best hotels of strategically important cities. With approximately 150-200 guests, the brand would exclusively introduce the customization service to their most important clients and high-society people of the city in a glamorous atmosphere. The brand could show a video about their history and heritage, leading the consumer back in the days when customization was the starting point of the brand. Exquisite catering and entertainment must be a part of the event, as well as a small fashion show that shows the brand’s latest collection with some of the customized items. The brand should have a customization expert on site, so if guests have questions about the service there is a person helping them directly. 17 VII. Financial Analysis The attached excel sheet outline a one-year cash flow plan for setting up the customization service in a first tier city flagship store. The $500. 000 start capital are sponsored by corporate. Travel expenses include travels to other flagship stores, the manufacturing site or to customers, who are out of town. As mentioned before, customized products do not impose any inventory costs on the stores. It is assumed that corporate takes over most advertising costs, however stores must support local advertisement, which can be seen in the expenses. Income taxes are assumed to be 25 percent of the sales, based on the information that in the US income taxes range from 10-35 percent. The sales figures are derived from the following price points of merchandise: Between $9. 000 and $85. 000 for a customized bag, $800 $5000 for customized shoes and $15. 000 100. 000 for customized travel items. Prices depend on leather, hardware, other materials such as lining and complexity of production. The high price points are set deliberately, to keep away non-enthusiast and protect the exclusivity of the service. The predicted sales figures are more conservative at the introduction phase of the customization service but pick up by the end of the 12 months, leaving the store with a profit of $648,700. 000 at the end of the year. December is supposed to have the highest sales figures, due to holiday business. VIII. Conclusion: Does Customization Take Away a Brand’s Authority? One reason why many brands are reluctant to change their current practices when it comes to customization is their fear of losing brand authority. As Okonkwo put it correctly, it is argued that if brands provide their customers with the tools to customize their products, they might lose their superiority appeal (Okonkwo, 2007, 248). Marketing guru Kapferer advises luxury brands to â€Å"Not pander to their 18 customers’ wishes† and to â€Å"Dominate the client† (Kapferere/Bastien, 2009, 64 f. ). However, looking at the roots of most luxury brands, with customization as their starting point, this advice seems to be outdated and ignorant to the trends in current society. Due to the latest development in the luxury markets, which have extensively explained above in chapter II- IV, denying customization to the customer seems to be narrow-minded and can seriously damage the brand on the long run. Since customization as discussed in this paper is not a means to please the masses, but to gain back the true luxury consumer who seeks an exclusive experience, the argument that the brand loses its superiority status is not applicable. The purpose of research was to examine if luxury brands could use customization in order to win back core customers and regain a luxury status. It can be concluded that with the right marketing approaches as well as with a management that is open for innovation, customization can be a great tool to optimize customer satisfaction and add value at every part of the value chain. If customization is executed correctly, it can change the luxury landscape to a situation where not only Hermes, but other brands with a long tradition of craftsmanship can be considered true luxury again. 19 References M. Edouard (2006), Revamping Luxury: Mass Customization Applied to the Luxury Goods Market. MBA Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. N. Franke, P. Keinz, C. J. Steger (2009), Testing the Value of Customization: When Do Customers Really Prefer Products Tailored to Their Preferences? , Journal of Marketing Vol. 73 (Sept. 2009),103-121. J. Holusha (1996), Making the Shoe Fit, Perfectly; Companies Use Technology to Sell to a Market of One, The New York Times. J. N. Kapferer, V. Bastien (2009), The Luxury Strategy – Break the Rules of Marketing to Build Luxury Brands. London: Kogan Page. P. Zipkin (2001), The Limits of Mass Customization, MIT Sloan Management Review, Spring2001, Vol. 42 Issue 3, p81, 7p.

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest Essay -- essays research papers

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This film unlike most others on the same topic had no real event to focus on. There was not just one climax or specific scene that the others built up to or supported. I cannot say that I enjoyed it but I do feel it has to a great extent affected me. The only reason I feel that this film is one worth watching is because of the latent message it holds. It very successfully exposes authority and bureaucracy in society. The characters in this film portray people that are either convinced or have been convinced that are crazy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mac, a man with no real purpose in life but to sail through it somehow, is sent to a mental institution for doctors to determine whether he is crazy. There he makes an enemy of the head nurse in the ward, whose methods of taking care of the patients are harsh and rigid. What intrigues me most about the Ms.Ratched’s (the nurse), character in this film is the fact that even though so much out of the ordinary happens, she returns to her normal self in a matter of seconds. It seems that years of routine and monotony have taken over her and she simply cannot have things any other way. Anything out of the ordinary is repugnant to her, thus her firm resolve to not allow the patient’s to view a ball game during the World Series. Which is why when she encounters Mac, she feels she needs to suppress his â€Å"outrageous† acts in any way possible. She goes to the extent of sendin...

Macbeth - Lady Macbeth Essay example -- essays research papers

Macbeth – Scene Analysis “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be What thou art promised; yet do I fear thy nature, It is too full o’th’milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst highly, That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, And yet wouldst strongly win. Thou’dst have, great Glamis, That which cries, ‘Thus who must do’ if thou have it; And that which rather thou dost fear to do. Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with the valour of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round, Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem To have crowned thee withal.'; -Lady Macbeth, Act 1 Sc5, Lines 13 – 28 Amongst the most essential of characters in the play “Macbeth'; by William Shakespeare is Lady Macbeth. Upon the introduction of Act 1 Scene 5, Lady Macbeth is brought into the plot of the play. In this soliloquy, Lady Macbeth comments on her thoughts after having read a letter from her husband, Macbeth, informing her about the witches’ prophecies on the possibility of Kingship. A variety of outstanding topics are explored, including the revelation of the true traits of characters such as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Her first thoughts are based on the reaction of the realism of Macbeth being Thane of Glamis, and possibly Cawdor as the witches predicted. This is expressed through the words “What thou art promised';. The idea of having soliloquy interacting with the witches’ predictions creates a sense of spirituality. This being Lady Macbeth’s first appearance in the play is effective as it allows the reader to associate this sense of spirituality and evil with her character, that has yet to have any substance to allow the reader to interpret her role by. She continues by expressing her fear over not being able to “catch the nearest way'; due to Macbeth’s overly kind character. This is demonstrated through a variety of techniques. For example, Lady Macbeth explains how her husband would ‘not play false’ nor would he ‘wrongly win’. This suggests a fair person with a kindness too power... ...e from the evil spirits as she calls upon them would most likely be carried out for maximum impact. Music in the background too would most likely be used for a more significant performance. An ongoing crescendo of sounds by an orchestra would reflect Lady Macbeth’s growing ideas of the plan, as well as the growth of her morbid character most effectively. An abrupt full lighting of the stage, alongside the impulsive entrance of the attendant, would conclude the soliloquy in the most chic fashion. As the reader discovers in the latter stages of the play, Macbeth is a character who loses his conscious and changes into a character of utmost evilness. This, when placed side by side with the praise from Lady Macbeth leading to assumptions of Macbeth’s character of complete ‘human kindness’, generates an extreme level of dramatic irony that is significant towards the general feeling of the audience. Through a variety of sleek techniques as such including imagery, tone and diction, Lady Macbeth presents the audience with an extremely in-depth insight into the revelation of the characteristics of herself, as well as her husband, “Macbeth';. Macbeth - Lady Macbeth Essay example -- essays research papers Macbeth – Scene Analysis “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be What thou art promised; yet do I fear thy nature, It is too full o’th’milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst highly, That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, And yet wouldst strongly win. Thou’dst have, great Glamis, That which cries, ‘Thus who must do’ if thou have it; And that which rather thou dost fear to do. Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with the valour of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round, Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem To have crowned thee withal.'; -Lady Macbeth, Act 1 Sc5, Lines 13 – 28 Amongst the most essential of characters in the play “Macbeth'; by William Shakespeare is Lady Macbeth. Upon the introduction of Act 1 Scene 5, Lady Macbeth is brought into the plot of the play. In this soliloquy, Lady Macbeth comments on her thoughts after having read a letter from her husband, Macbeth, informing her about the witches’ prophecies on the possibility of Kingship. A variety of outstanding topics are explored, including the revelation of the true traits of characters such as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Her first thoughts are based on the reaction of the realism of Macbeth being Thane of Glamis, and possibly Cawdor as the witches predicted. This is expressed through the words “What thou art promised';. The idea of having soliloquy interacting with the witches’ predictions creates a sense of spirituality. This being Lady Macbeth’s first appearance in the play is effective as it allows the reader to associate this sense of spirituality and evil with her character, that has yet to have any substance to allow the reader to interpret her role by. She continues by expressing her fear over not being able to “catch the nearest way'; due to Macbeth’s overly kind character. This is demonstrated through a variety of techniques. For example, Lady Macbeth explains how her husband would ‘not play false’ nor would he ‘wrongly win’. This suggests a fair person with a kindness too power... ...e from the evil spirits as she calls upon them would most likely be carried out for maximum impact. Music in the background too would most likely be used for a more significant performance. An ongoing crescendo of sounds by an orchestra would reflect Lady Macbeth’s growing ideas of the plan, as well as the growth of her morbid character most effectively. An abrupt full lighting of the stage, alongside the impulsive entrance of the attendant, would conclude the soliloquy in the most chic fashion. As the reader discovers in the latter stages of the play, Macbeth is a character who loses his conscious and changes into a character of utmost evilness. This, when placed side by side with the praise from Lady Macbeth leading to assumptions of Macbeth’s character of complete ‘human kindness’, generates an extreme level of dramatic irony that is significant towards the general feeling of the audience. Through a variety of sleek techniques as such including imagery, tone and diction, Lady Macbeth presents the audience with an extremely in-depth insight into the revelation of the characteristics of herself, as well as her husband, “Macbeth';.

The student body of your University

I would be grateful if offered the opportunity to be a member of the student body of your University. I am currently undertaking my studies at Grossmont College and I would wish to transfer to your University in order to study Business Administration.Grossmont College does not offer undergraduate programs and I wish to further my studies to the highest level I can achieve in an institution which encourages both personal and collective academic advancement. I am specifically enthusiastic about your University due to the high levels of integrity and quality education being offered besides providing for students a good environment for studies.The visions and goals of your University as an academic institution are in line with my personal goals for I desire to positively change the human society through knowledge that I wish to gain from your institution when given the chance.I believe that University of San Diego is the place where the foundation of my career stand to be shaped as its v alues has the capacity to further build my worth as a moral and intellectual being. My objectives are to work in the business world as a manager and I believe my studies at your esteemed institution will adequately equip me for such an eventuality.I completely understand my responsibility as a student and I am only requesting for the opportunity to join your student body and the entire community of University of San Diego. I will abide by all the rules and focus on achieving my academic and intellectual goals while at the same time making positive contribution towards my fellow students and the entire community of the University of San Diego.I am looking forward to a positive response and an opportunity to join your academic institution. Thank you in advance.

“Iron triangle” Essay

â€Å"Iron triangle† is a term used by political scientists to describe the policy-making relationship between the legislature, the bureaucracy, and interest groups. The term iron triangle has been widely used by political scientists outside the United States and is today an accepted term in the field. In the United States, bureaucratic power is exercised in the Congress, and particularly in congressional committees and subcommittees. By aligning itself with selected constituencies, an agency may be able to affect policy outcomes directly in these committees and subcommittees. This is where an iron triangle may manifest itself. These are the powerful interests groups that influence Congressional votes in their favour and can guarantee the re-election of a member of Congress in return for supporting their programs. At another corner sit members of Congress who also seek to align themselves with a constituency for political and electoral support. These congressional members support legislation that advances the interest group’s agenda. Occupying the third corner of the triangle are bureaucrats, who are often pressured by the same powerful interest groups their agency is designated to regulate. The result is a three-way, stable alliance that is sometimes called a subgovernment because of its durability, impregnability, and power to determine policy. Consumers are often left out in the cold by this arrangement. An iron triangle can result in the passing of very narrow, pork-barrel policies that benefit a small segment of the population. The interests of the agency’s constituency (the interest groups) are met, while the needs of consumers (which may be the general public) are passed over. That public administration may result in benefiting a small segment of the public in this way may be viewed as problematic for the popular concept of democracy if the general welfare of all citizens is sacrificed for very specific interests. This is especially so if the legislation passed neglects or reverses the original purpose for which the agency was established. On the other hand, lobbyists also helped the consumer and the general public as well. Since the consumer and the general public are usually less educated, unorganized and lacks financial resources, the lobbyist and interest groups represent them in some ways. A public good is something from which everybody benefits. People cannot be excluded from enjoying the good just because they didn’t pay for it. If an interest group is successful in lobbying for laws that will improve the air quality, for example, everyone who breathes that air will benefit, whehter they paid for the lobbying effort or not. Despite the bad reputation earned by interest groups through the years there are several advantages to their existence. Interest groups help bridge the gap between the citizens and the government and enable citizens to explain their views on policies to public officials. They also help raise public awareness and inspire action on various issues. They often provide public officials with specialized and detailed information that might be difficult to obtain otherwise. This information may be useful in making policy choices. Interest groups serve as a check on public officials to make sure that they are carrying out their duties and responsibilities. Bibliography: Edward I Sidlow, Beth Henschen. America at Odds, Thomson Wadsworth, 2005. ISBN 0534647596 Gordon Adams. The Iron Triangle: The Politics of Defense Contracting, Council on Economic Priorities, New York, 1981. ISBN: 0-87-871012-4 Jack H. Knott, Gary J. Miller; Reforming Bureaucracy; Prentice-Hall; ISBN 0-13-770090-3 (1st edition, 1987) Francis E. Rourke; Bureaucracy, Politics, and Public Policy; Harpercollins; ISBN 0-673-39475-1 (3rd edition, 1984) Iron Triangle Retrieved March 06, 2007, from â€Å"http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Iron_triangle†.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin Essay

In the 1995 BBC adaptation of Austen’s novel, screenwriter Andrew Davies creates a Pride and Prejudice which upholds and celebrates the patriarchal institution of marriage. Davies pares down the multiple sub-plots which are representative of realistic female experiences and chooses, instead, to ignore Austen’s feminist intent. To the entirely female perspective of the novel, Davies adds a male narrative point of view as well as a male gaze and overt sexuality effectively to deny female subjectivity in the film. The paper also argues that popular culture has betrayed Austen’s intent by suppressing her subtle subversion of the marriage plot. Pride and Prejudice, which chronicles the courtship and eventual marriage of Elizabeth Bennet to Fitzwilliam Darcy, involves the education of both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, who must overcome their false impressions before they can respect and love one another. The novel’s opening line, â€Å"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife† (51; ch. 1), alerts the reader from the outset that the plot centres around marriage. In the next sentence, Austen sets the stage for her ingenious disruption of the marriage plot by establishing the male rather than the female as the object of exchange: â€Å"However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters† (51; ch. 1). Austen creates an intensely personal environment where the plot focuses on the relationships between the female characters within the domestic sphere as well as on the developing romance between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Major differences exist between Austen’s novel and the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice in regard to point of view, the male gaze and overt sexuality. In this women’s picture, aimed at a predominantly female audience, the â€Å"look† of the camera more frequently follows the narrative from the heroine’s perspective so that the spectator sees what the heroine sees. Although much of the BBC adaptation of is filmed from Elizabeth viewpoint, the camera’s gaze frequently switches to bring a male point of view and male experience to the forefront. While there are significant differences between Austen’s novel and the BBC adaptation in terms of its narrative point of view, the novel and the film employ the looks exchanged between characters in a similar fashion to accentuate Darcy’s attraction to Elizabeth. In both versions Elizabeth first falls under Darcy’s scrutiny at the Meryton assembly when he insults her by declaring that she is not attractive enough to render her acceptable as a dance partner. Upon overhearing his disdain, Elizabeth promptly gets up from her chair and removes herself from his critical notice. After this initial encounter, Austen’s narrative describes how Elizabeth quickly becomes an object of great interest to Mr. Darcy: Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticise. . . . Though he had detected with a critical eye more than one failure of perfect symmetry in her form he was forced to acknowledge her figure to be light and pleasing. (70; ch. 6) As the novel progresses, Elizabeth becomes increasingly cognizant of Mr. Darcy’s gaze. While visiting the Collins’ at Hunsford, Elizabeth once again encounters Mr. Darcy. While Elizabeth is seated at the piano conversing with Colonel Fitzwilliam during an evening spent at Rosings Park, Darcy â€Å"stationed himself so as to command a full view of the fair performer’s countenance† (206; ch. 31). Charlotte Collins suspects that Mr. Darcy is in love with Elizabeth and sets out to prove that her intuition is correct: She watched him whenever they were at Rosings, and whenever he came to Hunsford; but without much success. He certainly looked at her friend a great deal, but the expression of that look was disputable. It was an earnest, steadfast gaze, but she often doubted whether there were much admiration in it, and sometimes it seemed nothing but absence of mind. (214; ch. 32) In the BBC adaptation, however, Darcy’s gaze is far less ambiguous than it appears in Austen’s novel. The film has the advantage of being able to create a visual representation of the narrative, making it much more explicit to the spectator that Darcy’s constant observation of Elizabeth results from his desire rather than from his disdain of her. The screenplay offers the spectator a privileged position which allows him/her more knowledge than Elizabeth for, while Elizabeth naively suspects that there must be something horribly wrong with her to attract Mr. Darcy’s attention, the spectator understands that Darcy’s smouldering glances are the result of frustrated desire which he cannot conquer. In scene after scene, Darcy continues to fix his gaze on Elizabeth, watching from the window as Jane and Elizabeth depart in the carriage from Netherfield and scrutinising Elizabeth as she dances with Mr. Collins at the Netherfield ball. At times, Elizabeth seems completely unaware that she is being watched by Mr. Darcy while at others her awareness of his gaze makes her exceedingly uncomfortable. In the film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, the interaction and conversations between Darcy and Elizabeth are most often filmed from such perspective that Darcy and Elizabeth rarely appear together in the same frame until the very end of the film. Although Elizabeth occasionally steals glances at Darcy when he is unaware, she does not return his regard until almost the conclusion of the film during a scene in which she and the Gardiners dine at Pemberly and Mr. Darcy smiles benevolently on her as she stands by his sister Georgiana at the piano. After his company has left, Darcy recollects with pleasure the eye contact he enjoyed sharing with Elizabeth earlier in the evening. Even when Elizabeth and Darcy are left alone to walk together, Elizabeth continues to avert her eyes from Darcy’s countenance. Despite the fact that she initiates the conversation which results in Darcy renewing his earlier proposal of marriage, she cannot meet his gaze. The film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice ends as soon as Elizabeth and Darcy are united in marriage and it is not until the final scene when Elizabeth and Darcy are leaving the church that Elizabeth can finally look into his eyes as they share a kiss to seal their union. The sexuality evident in the most recent incarnation of Pride and Prejudice on film represents a distinct departure from Austen’s novel. Unlike Austen, Andrew Davies introduces sexuality into Pride and Prejudice in his recent television adaptation, contending, â€Å"There is a lot of pent-up sexuality in Austen’s work and I have let it out† (quoted in Amis 34). In the film, male sexuality and desire are evident as the heroine falls under scrutiny of the male gaze. Several additions to Austen’s novel have been made in the section of the screenplay which recounts Elizabeth and Jane’s stay at Netherfield while Jane is recuperating from her illness. In one scene, Elizabeth, unfamiliar with the house at Netherfield, accidentally enters the wrong room and encounters Darcy playing billiards. As she turns to leave the room, he shoots her a brooding look and then, in a symbolic gesture, forcefully knocks a billiard ball into the pocket. A short time later, the spectator observes Mr. Darcy finishing a bath and then proceeding to look down from his window at Elizabeth romping in the yard with a dog. These cinematic images, instead of furthering the narrative, seem to have been included in the film adaptation primarily to establish Darcy as a sexual subject and set up Elizabeth as the object of his desire. Darcy vents his frustration in the physical activity of a fencing match during another portion of the filmic text invented for the screenplay. This scene demonstrates Darcy’s virility, and closes with a close-up of Darcy, glistening with perspiration from his â€Å"masculine† exertion, presumably referring to his love for Elizabeth as he proclaims to himself, â€Å"I shall conquer this. † Similarly, when Darcy makes an early return to Pemberly while Elizabeth is there on a tour, the camera focuses on Darcy striding back to his estate on horseback and then dismounting, undressing and diving into a pond on his property. Although in the novel Mr. Darcy does arrive unexpectedly at Pemberly to find Elizabeth there with the Gardiners, the film enhances the sexual tension between the two characters by embellishing an astonished and embarrassed Elizabeth’s encounter with a wet, partially clad Darcy. Although the screenplay positions Darcy as a sexual subject, female sexuality is virtually non-existent in the film except for a passive female desire characterised by waiting, frustration and misunderstanding. Despite the many differences between Austen’s novel and the screen adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, both versions portray female desire as essentially passive. The BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice reflects this feminist backlash characteristic of late twentieth century culture. By employing male point of view and the male gaze to transform Elizabeth Bennet into an object of Darcy’s sexual desire, the filmmakers have created a traditional ‘Hollywood’ picture. Although the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is. indeed, a â€Å"women’s picture,† it strays from Austen’s feminist intent. Although Austen ends her novel with the marriage of Elizabeth Bennet, she, nevertheless, skilfully empowers her heroine within the confines of the marriage plot. Despite the constraints imposed on her gender by the society of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Jane Austen manages to some degree subvert the patriarchal ideology of the time period in which she lived. In addition, through her portrayals of unsatisfactory marriages and her references to the economic necessities which often left women with no options other than marriage, Austen creates distance between the reader and the heroine to prevent over-identification. By successfully inverting the male/subject and female/object roles at the conclusion of the novel, Austen convinces the reader â€Å"that Mr. Darcy was really the object of her choice† (385; ch. 59). Conclusively, a comparison of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to the television dramatization of her novel illustrates how popular culture has betrayed Austen’s intent by suppressing her subtle subversion of the marriage plot. Although Austen never openly challenges the institution of marriage itself, she manages to be subversive by focusing the reader’s attention on the heroine’s personal growth and autonomy within marriage. Works Cited Amis, Martin. â€Å"Jane’s World. † The New Yorker 8 (Jan. 1996): 31-35. Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Ed. Tony Tanner. New York:Penguin, 1985. Pride and Prejudice. Dir. Simon Langton. Screenplay by Andrew Davies. Perf. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. BBC/A&E, 1995.