Religion in King Lear Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Religion in King Lear - Essay Example The chaotic mixture of fairies with Gods seems to characterize the religious confusion in the play. Characters endlessly invoke Gods, divine powers, and mystical forces; there seems to be an assumption that something governs our lives on earth, but the direction of the play as a whole is towards a radical questioning of this whole idea. When Gloucester says As flies to wanton boys, are we to th’ Gods; They kill us for their sport (IV, 1, 36-7). his view will not do here as a summary of the world shown in the play, for one thing because there simply is no evidence of Gods doing anything at all, callous or benevolent. In Act V Edgar comments on his father’s fate in terms which again assume some sort of divine order in things: The Gods are just, and if our pleasant vices Make instruments to plague us: The dark and vicious place where thee he got Cost him his eyes (V, 3, 170-3). ... It is a world without justice, nor any convincing sense of meaningful moral order. The characters assume, however, that the divine is present in their world, and that it can be addressed and appealed to, though it comes in many forms. Lear begs "sweet heaven" (I, 1, 46) to prevent him from going mad. He prays for "all the stor'd vengeances of Heaven" (II, 4, 163) to strike down his ungrateful daughter, and begs the "Heavens" (II, 4, 273) to give him patience and strength. "O Heavens, / If you do love old men" (II, 4 191-2), he says in the same scene. In the storm scenes Kent's description of its peculiar severity prompts one to see it as more than just a physical event. He has never in his life seen "such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder" etc., and the implication is that the storm has more than natural causes. This leads Lear to his reflection on the power of the storm to purge evil and crime: Let the Great Gods, That keep this dreadful pudder o'er our heads, Find out their enemies now(III, 2, 49). He believes the Gods are present and that they have the power to punish wrongs - even his own. In III, 4 he acknowledges his own responsibility for how Goneril and Regan are: "Judicious punishment! 'twas this flesh begot / Those pelican daughters" (III, 4, 75-6). Gloucester too believes in the divine, but in very muddled way. His son Edmund feels none of the strength of the spiritual, and despises his father for his naivety: Thou, Nature, art my goddess; to thy law My services are bound (I, 2, 1-2). means, in fact, that he has no gods or goddesses, that religious sense to him is bosh, and a sign of superstitious weakness in others. His closeness to the sisters is clear. His "Nature", it is obvious, is a different

Coffee and Starbuck Essay Example for Free

Coffee and Starbuck Essay Summarize the overall strategy of Starbucks Management in its effort to create and develop a new concept and a rapidly expanding company. The overall goal of Starbucks Management was to create an American version of the Italian coffee bars that Howard Schultz had experienced first-hand in Milan. He believed that Starbucks should function as an important part of the community, as a meeting place for its customers. He wanted Starbucks to become an experience that would differentiate itself from its competitors. One of their key strategies in meeting this goal is a focus on customer service in order to create an experience for its consumers. Another one of their strategies is to ignite their emotional attachment with consumers. They also have a commitment to improving their business through better training, tools, and products and to give attention to store-level economics and operating efficiency. All of these are prongs to their strategy that will allow Starbucks management to turn Starbucks into a location where people don’t just go to grab coffee, but to experience the atmosphere of an Italian coffee shop. Another prong to their strategy is to offer many different products and to distribute them among a variety of distribution methods. Which one of the five generic competitive strategies discussed in Chapter 5 most closely approximates the competitive approach that Starbucks is employing? There are five generic competitive strategies that can be employed and they are low-cost provider strategy, broad differentiation strategy, focused low-cost strategy, focused differentiation strategy, and best-cost provider strategy. The strategy that Starbucks uses is broad differentiation where they seek to differentiate their product offerings from rivals’ with attributes that will appeal to a large variety of consumers. The key market characteristic for the strategy of differentiation to work is that buyers’ needs and preferences are very diverse and cannot be satisfied with a standardized product offering. This is an evident characteristic of the market because consumers all have different preferences on the way they like their coffee. Which is the reason why Starbucks offers many different product options like lattes, skinny lattes, coffee, iced drinks, blended drinks, etc. They also offer fruit cups, water, and bakery items to provide even more options for their consumers. If a differentiation strategy is successfully implemented the firm will be able to do one of the following: command a premium price for its products, increase unit sales, and/or gain buyer loyalty to its brand. Starbucks has some of the highest prices for the type of products they offer and people tend to be extremely loyal to whatever coffee they are used to purchasing, because they trust the quality. Methods to enhance differentiation 1. Create superior product features, design, and performance Starbucks has a superior knowledge of coffee and a commitment to providing customers with quality coffees. Providing top-quality, fresh-roasted whole-bean coffee was the company’s differentiating feature and a core value since the beginning of its founding. Couches, fireplaces, newspapers, drive-through windows, kiosks in supermarkets and other public places were added to locations depending on what would add value to their consumers. Due to their focus on providing a different experience depending on the location of the store, their international strategy is a multi-domestic approach. The core characteristics of each new store was based on local materials and craftsmanship, a focus on reused and recycled materials and exposure of structural integrity and authentic roots. Most important of all they believed that coffee should be central and that distractions should be removed. They believed that the combination of all these elements should tell a story that would engage the consumer’s five senses and provide them with flexibility to meet the needs of the many different consumers that would be attracted to Starbucks. 2. Improving customer service or adding additional features When Howard Schultz first became part of the company he realized that one key problem Starbucks was having was that first-time consumers often felt uneasy about their absence of knowledge about high-quality coffee. An additional problem was that the employees came off as arrogant and unapproachable. He then worked with employees to teach them about friendly customer service and created a pamphlet to teach new customers about coffee. He also began to offer part-time employees health insurance and a stock option plan for all employees, because he believed that if a company treated their employees well, then they would in turn treat their consumers well. The additional features that Starbucks offers are fireplaces, couches, music, Wi-Fi access, ability to use paid sites and services like Wall Street Journal’s site, exclusive content and previews, free downloads, local community news, and activities. 3. Pursuing production RD activities Starbucks is constantly brewing new flavors and blends to offer their consumers a variety of coffee to try. Flavors are rotated daily or weekly to offer constant variety. They also test new product offerings like Frappuccino’s, Lattes, Skinny Lattes, and seasonal drinks. 4. Striving for innovation and technological advances One way that Starbucks was able to constantly strive for innovation was by controlling the cost of opening and renovating stores by centralizing buying, developing standard contracts and fixed fees for certain items, and consolidating work under those contractors who displayed good cost-control practices. Starbucks retail operations group outlined the minimum amount of equipment each store would need. This meant that standard items could be ordered from vendors in volume at 20 to 30 percent discounts. The items would then be delivered to the site from a warehouse or from the vendor. A technological advance was that they used computer software to build store layouts that would calculate costs as the design progressed. This cut costs by a significant amount and shortened the process of opening a store to 18 weeks. 5. Increasing intensity of marketing and sales activities Originally, Starbucks didn’t spend a lot of money on advertising, because they relied mostly on word-of-mouth. In 2008 McDonald’s stepped up their advertising to highlight their McCafe coffee drinks. In order to counter this Starbucks undertook the largest advertising campaign ever. 6. Seeking out high-quality inputs Starbucks promotes environmentally sustainable practices in coffee cultivation methods and have specific guidelines they follow called Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices that help farmers to grow high quality coffees in environmentally beneficial ways. In 2000 they began purchasing their coffee organically and a growing percentage of their coffees were grown organically as well as Fair Trade Certified. 7. Improving employee skill, knowledge, and experience Starbucks has a commitment to training their employees so that they are better able to serve their customers. All partners and baristas receive at least 24 hours of training in their first two to four weeks on topics such as coffee history, drink preparation, coffee knowledge, customer service (for a total of 4 hours), and retail skills. Baristas in particular are required to learn how to grind beans, steam milk, pull perfect shots of espresso, memorize recipes, practicing how to mix drinks, and how to customize drinks. Sessions also include how to operate the cash register, clean the milk wand, explain the Italian drink names, and making eye contact with customers. Management trainees are required to attend classes for 8-12 weeks and learn about store operations, practices, and procedures. When a new store is opened a Star Team of experienced employees are sent to make sure everything runs smoothly. From time to time, Starbucks conducts special training programs, including a coffee masters program, leadership training program, and career programs for partners in all types of jobs. When does a differentiation strategy work best? A differentiation strategy works best when buyer needs and uses of the product are diverse, there are many ways to differentiate the product or service that have value to buyers, few rival firms are following a comparable differentiation approach, and technological change is fast paced and competition revolves around rapidly evolving product features. Starbucks’ actions to differentiate their product line They have expanded their product offerings along many different distribution channels by capitalizing on their growing brand name and awareness. First they were able to market their product to restaurants, airlines, hotels, universities, hospitals, business offices, country clubs, and select retailers. United Airlines, Hyatt, Hilton, Sheraton, Radisson, Westin hotels, and Wells Fargo all began to serve Starbucks coffee. A joint venture with PepsiCo came with the sale of a bottled version of the Frappucino drink and Starbucks Doubleshot espresso drinks. In 2008, they partnered with Suntory to sell ready-to-drink Doubleshot drinks in Japan. In 2010 a partnership with Arla Foods spread Doubleshot products and Starbucks chilled cup coffees into retail stores in the UK. A 1995 partnership with Dryers created a new line of coffee ice cream under Starbucks names that was later disbanded in 2008. At this time the rights to manufacture, market, and distribute Starbucks ice cream was given to Unilever. In 1998 Kraft Foods began marketing and distributing whole bean and ground coffee to supermarkets in the US. Tazo Tea was acquired by Starbucks in 1999 and in 2005 they acquired Ethos Water. A partnership with Jim Beam Brands created Starbucks Coffee Liqueur in 2004 and Starbucks Cream Liqueur in 2005. In order to offer healthier options they began offering skinny lattes, banana walnut bread, fruit cups, yogurt parfaits, a farmer’s salad, and smoothies in 2008. Also in 2008, Starbucks responded to customer’s wishes to have a blend of coffee that was always in stores. They created the Pike Place Roast in order to satisfy these customers. 2009 saw the introduction of VIA instant coffee. In 2009 the retail sales mix of Starbucks was 76% beverages, 18% food items, 3 percent coffee-making equipment and other merchandise, and 3% whole bean coffees. What are the key policies, practices, business principles, and procedures that underlie how Howard Schultz and Starbucks’ management have implemented and executed the company’s strategy? Key Policies, Practices, Business Principles, and Procedures The key policies that have been implemented can be broken down into five groups. First is how the company goes about expanding the number of Starbucks stores. The second is their international expansion practices. The third group is their staff training. The fourth is their principles towards ethical business practices. Fifth, is their coffee roasting practices. Store Expansion Starbucks management’s approach to store expansion is using a hub city approach. After a suitable demographic area is chosen Starbucks begins to open up stores in a large city that serves as its hub. After about 20 stores are opened in this hub city, they will then move on to the surrounding areas that are the spokes. This expansion strategy serves to create buzz and brand recognition for the company in an area that has a high amount of foot traffic before moving into a location that has less customer traffic. When a new area was selected for expansion a group of professionals were sent to facilitate the opening. Starbucks also had zone vice presidents who would oversee the expansion process and instill the culture of Starbucks in the new stores. International Expansion When expanding internationally Starbucks has two options; they either open company-owned and operated stores or license to a company that has a good reputation and the knowledge of retailing in that area. Starbucks prefers to license, rather than franchise because licensing provides more assurance of quality control. When they move into foreign markets one of their practices is to use a partner or license to help recruit individuals for employees, set up relationships with suppliers, find store locations, and learn how to cater to local market conditions. For stores that were licensed Starbucks would receive a license fee and a royalty on sales. Companies that were licensed to supply Starbucks coffee were required to follow their detailed operating procedures. Not only that, but managers and employees were required to attend the same training as employees at company-owned stores. Staff Training As mentioned previously, employees are put through an extensive amount of training to learn daily practices and how to treat customers. They are put through this training because customer service is so integral to their organization. Some of the things that baristas learn in their 24 hours of training are coffee history, drink preparation, coffee knowledge, customer service, retail skills, and beverage preparation. Beverage preparation includes grinding the beans, steaming milk, pulling a perfect shot of espresso, memorizing the recipes, practicing the drinks, and learning how to customize drinks. Finally, partners were trained on cash register operations, how to clean the milk wand, how to explain Italian drink names, how to sell espresso machines, making eye contact, interacting with consumers, and taking responsibility for the cleanliness of the store. Not only that but they had many rules that needed to be learned as well such as: milk needs to be steamed to 150 degrees Fahrenheit but not more than 170 degrees, an espresso shot not pulled within 23 seconds needs to be thrown out, coffee can’t sit in the pot more than 20 minutes, and disgruntled customers were given a coupon for a free drink. Managers were required to go even more in depth with their training. Ethical Business Principles Starbucks purchases products that are Fair Trade Certified, meaning that farmers make a fair amount of money for their products. They are very involved in Corporate Social Responsibility and take a number of measures to reduce, reuse, and recycle. They are also committed to purchasing from companies that use environmentally sustainable growing practices. Coffee Roasting Practices Coffee recipes are put together by the coffee department once all components have been tested. In order to be sure of consistency computerized roasters are used. Trained personnel are required to monitor the process by using hearing and their sense of smell to check when the beans are perfectly done. There are extremely exacting standards that must be met and the color of the beans is tested in a blood-cell analyzer and if it doesn’t meet the requirements the batch is discarded. Directly after roasting and cooling coffee is vacuum-sealed into bags that are guaranteed to preserve freshness for 26 weeks. However, policy says that after three months they need to be used. Once opened the shelf life is seven days. What â€Å"values† does Starbucks have? How well do they connect to the strategy and to the manner in which the company conducts its business? Are they successful in implementing to them? The values that Starbucks consider important are included in their mission statement and those are: 1) Coffee: They are committed to providing their consumers with top-quality coffee that is ethically sourced, and to improve the lives of the people who grow the beans. They do this through a variety of methods. First is their Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices (C. A. F. E Practices). These practices specify product quality, that the price received by farmers/growers is fair, that safe and humane working conditions are being used, and that the methods of growing are environmentally responsible. Second, they do not add artificial flavorings to their coffee beans. Third, they have Farmer Support Centers in Costa Rica and Rwanda. These support centers were staffed with agronomists and experts on environmentally responsible coffee growing methods and worked with coffee farming communities to promote best practices in coffee production They also worked to improve coffee quality and production yields. 2) Partners: In order to better care for their employees Starbucks has a health care plan available for all employees, a stock purchase plan, employee training, and employee recognition. Some of their employee recognition awards include Coffee Master awards, Certified Barista awards, Spirit of Starbucks awards, Manager of the Quarter, Green Apron awards, Green Bean awards, and Bravo! Awards, 3) Customers: They value connecting with customers and uplifting the lives of consumers by providing the perfectly made beverage and going the extra mile for their customers. Employees are trained to take heroic measures to make customers happy. 4) Stores: Starbucks management’s goal was to create the stores to be a haven where customers belong and meet with friends. They do this by creating a store ambience, having interesting music playing, leather couches to sit and read newspapers in, and they make sure that nothing overpowers the smell of coffee. 5) Neighborhood: Their stores are part of its community and to be a force of positive good in the area. One way they do this is by using local materials and craftsmanship. They are also extremely involved in Corporate Social Responsibility. The commitment to do the right thing has been a significant part of how Starbucks operates as a company ever since Schultz became CEO. Starbucks has been named to Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s list of â€Å"The 100 Best Corporate Citizens† for the 10th time in 2010. 6) Shareholders: Starbucks is committed to getting all of the above values right so that they can help everyone that is involved and affected by Starbucks thrive. What is your evaluation of Starbucks social responsibility strategy? How much does it help to create their public image? Starbucks CSR strategy has four main parts which are: 1) Ethical sourcing of products: They do this through their C. A. F. E Practices, purchasing Fair Trade Certified products, and buying from manufacturers that have a commitment to environmental and social responsibility. 2) Community involvement: Starbucks has several organizations to foster community involvement. First, is the Starbucks Youth Action Grants which involves young people in community involvement projects. Second, is their program to give medicine to people suffering from HIV in Africa. Third, is the Ethos Water Fund where they donate 5 cents every time somebody purchases a bottle of Ethos Water. Fourth, they donate money to the Starbucks Foundation which was the fund that was started in 1997 to handle all the Starbucks’ philanthropic actions. 3) Environmental Stewardship: In order to achieve this goal they have several methods. First, they focus on increasing recycling and reducing waste which they do by giving discounts to people who bring in their own mugs, coffee grounds are donated for use as a soil amendment, they take part in Earth Day activities, they purchase paper products with recycled content and unbleached fiber, and they encourage their suppliers to provide energy-efficient products and eliminate unnecessary packaging. They also have commitments to be more energy efficient, use renewable energy sources, conserve water resources, use green facilities, using environmentally friendly building materials and energy-efficient designs. They also have plans to achieve LEED certification globally. In 2009 they became part of the Businesses for Innovative Climate Change and Energy Policy coalition. They have also collaborated with the Earthwatch Institute and work on replanting rain forests, mapping water resources, and biodiversity indicators, and sharing sustainable agriculture practices with coffee growers. 4) Farmer loans: They provide funding to organizations that make loans to coffee growers. Their goal for 2015 is to donate $20 million dollars to these funds. They have also committed money to hurricane Rita and Katrina victims, as well as to help the devastation after the earthquake in Haiti. Having a strong CSR campaign adds to the value of Starbucks’ products if consumers know that they are involved in these activities. It lets consumers know that part of the money they are spending is going to a good cause. By getting on the Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s list of â€Å"The 100 Best Corporate Citizens† for the 10th time in 2010, it increases the knowledge that people have about their CSR strategy. Compare the US and International share of yearly revenue, revenue growth, and operating income/revenue. What do these ratios tell you? What is your overall assessment of Starbucks’ financial performance during fiscal years 2005-2009? Explain the performance of Starbucks stock. Exhibit 1 Comparison of Starbucks Financial Performance in the US and Internationally| | | 9/27/2009| 9/27/2008| 9/30/2007| 10/1/2006| 10/2/2005| Yearly Revenue ($ millions)| | | | | | | United States| $ 6,572. 10 | $ 6,997. 70 | $ 6,590. 20 | $ 5,495. 20 | $ 4,359. 50 | | International| $ 1,608. 00 | $ 1,774. 20 | $ 1,437. 40 | $ 1,087. 90 | $ 852. 50 | Revenue Growth ($ millions)| | | | | | | United States| -6. 08%| 6. 18%| 19. 93%| 26. 05%| | | International| -9. 37%| 23. 43%| 32. 13%| 27. 61%| | Operating Income/Revenue ($ millions)| | | | | | | United States| $ 531. 80 | $ 454. 20 | $ 1,005. 20 | $ 955. 20 | $ 818. 50 | | International | $ 92. 90 | $ 110. 00 | $ 137. 70 | $ 108. 50 | $ 82. 30 | These ratios tell us that overall they have been increasing their revenue growth by significant percentages of an average of 20% internationally and 12% domestically. Domestically the amount of revenue growth per year slowed down in 2008 and went negative in 2009. Revenue growth also went negative in 2008 internationally. This makes sense because 2008 was the beginning of the economic downturn which affected the company’s bottom line. Operating income has fluctuated quite a bit since 2005 and since its peak in 2007 ($1,0005. 20 million) has decreased significantly to $531. 80 million. Internationally it has remained steadier at an average of $106. 28 million. Again these numbers make sense because it was in 2008-2009 that the economic downturn occurred and Schultz instituted strategic initiatives and revamped strategy execution efforts to fix these financial problems. One reason that the economic downturn affected Starbucks’ bottom line badly is because it was considered a treat to go to Starbucks and to get coffee that wasn’t brewed at the home. Less people were indulging in coffee by the cup. In 2006 and 2007 Starbucks reached its peak growth in the period displayed in exhibit 1. This is represented in the stock chart because it is also when their stock performance reached its peak at 40. The lowest point on the stock chart was in 2008 which makes sense because this is when the economic downturn occurred so many people were selling stocks. In 2008-2009 Schultz’s measures to institute strategic initiatives and revamp strategy execution efforts began and clearly worked because in the period of time from 2008-2010 stocks returned to almost 30. What are the key elements and your evaluation of Howard Schultz’s transformation agenda for Starbucks during 2008-2010? What do you think of the letters shown on page C-364 and C-365? Has Schultz done a good job since his return as Starbucks’ CEO? Why or why not? Elements of the Transformation Agenda Howard Schultz’s transformation agenda during 2008-2010 had several key elements. First, he planned on slowing new store openings to 73 internationally. Second, 900 underperformed company-owned stores were closed in the United States. The goal of this action was to raise sales and traffic at nearby sales. Around 75% of these stores that were considered underperforming were within three miles of an existing store which shows that their strategy of having a Starbucks everywhere was cannibalizing their sales. The third element of the transformation agenda was raising the projected return on capital requirements for proposed new store locations. This is a way for Schultz to be more particular about new store placement and to have a better chance of making a significant amount of profit and not losing traffic to existing stores. Fourth, he planned on revamping the company’s locations in Australia with a focus on Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney as the hub cities. He planned on closing 61 under-performing locations in order to do this. Fifth, it was important to Schultz that there be an emphasis on developing new store designs in order to promote a refreshed customer experience. In order to do this the character of each store would be a reflection of the area it was in to make the customers feel more at home and to make Starbucks the center of that community. Sixth, customer experience would be heightened through a variety of methods. The first method was by removing warmed sandwiches from the menu, because it inhibited the aroma from the coffee. Second, high-quality baked goods and pastries would be offered at the store along with new menu items for healthy eating on the go. For example, fruit cups, skinny lattes, yogurt parfaits, salads, smoothies, and healthier bakery selections were all a result of this step in Schultz’s transformation agenda. The seventh part of the agenda was to create a program to share best practices in stores globally, this would promote quality control and improve customer service, which was one of the things that Schultz had found lacking when he became CEO again. Eighth, Schultz thought it was important to provide resources and tools for store employees such as laptops and internet-based software for scheduling. Ninth, there were cost-containment initiatives put in place in order to improve the bottom line that included a reduction of 1,000 people in staffing. Finally, the last part of the agenda was to renew the attention placed on employee training in order to reignite the enthusiasm to please customers that is vital to the mission of Starbucks. Evaluation The goal for 40,000 stores worldwide as a long-term objective and the rapid expansion that Jim Donald began led to a decrease in customer traffic in the US stores, new store openings that continued at a rate of 6 per day worldwide, and the emphasis on increased store operations efficiency put financial strain on the company and led to a decrease in customer service. Good customer service is one of the cornerstone values of Starbucks and was a central idea during Schultz’ leadership. Schultz’ return to CEO and his strategic initiatives mentioned above will help to return Starbucks to the values it originally held as very important and to return it to profitability by slowing down on expansion to focus more on the three main themes Schultz saw as important to his strategy. These themes are: strengthening the core, elevating the experience, and investing and growing. Before he can focus on growing the company, they need to have a strong base of employees and a focus on the experience that Starbucks is meant to provide its consumers. Letters from Schultz The letters that are shown on page C-364 and C-365 of the case show that Schultz is dedicated to his shareholders, which is one of the values in their mission statement. He is being extremely open and upfront the concerns of shareholders and about the actions that will be taken to address those issues. The first letter is addressed to customers and he explains that he has come back to Starbucks as CEO in order to ensure that the customers receive the experience that he believes Starbucks is known for. This letter shows that he truly cares about the thoughts and concerns of consumers. The second letter is to the employees of Starbucks. In this letter Schultz addresses them as partners in the path to revitalizing Starbucks’ mission. He even says, â€Å"I am proud to be your partner†¦Ã¢â‚¬  By treating his employees like this he is able to foster accountability for the actions that everybody can take in helping to turn around Starbucks to what Schultz’ vision for it is. Evaluation of Schultz’ work. Schultz has done a good job by creating strategic initiatives in order to return Starbucks to where he thinks the company should be. His vision includes becoming the authority on coffee, engaging and inspiring Starbucks’ partners, igniting the emotional attachment with customers, expanding global presence and making each store the neighborhood’s heart, being a leader in ethical sourcing and environmental impact, creating innovative growth platforms, and delivering a sustainable economic model. Every one of these visions is addressed in some way in his agenda, which shows he has a clear idea of where the company should go and how to get it there. In 2008-2009 the company experiences five quarters of deteriorating sales, but from 2009-2010 had five quarters of improving sales, which shows that Schultz’ transformation agenda has been working. What issues confront the company as of mid-2010? What should Starbucks’ management be worried about? What are the challenges in expanding internationally? Issues as of mid-2010. 1) Oversaturation of the market: With the â€Å"A Starbucks Everywhere† approach and the rapid expansion steps taken by Donald, there was a decrease in customer traffic at the stores, resulting in a loss of profit. 2) Lack of emphasis on customer relationships: The emphasis on increased efficiency in store operations led to a decrease in good customer service. 3) Drifting away from the original values of Starbucks: Starbucks was built with an emphasis on high-quality coffee, good customer service, and a commitment to creating an experience for customers. However, when Schultz became CEO again he noted that this was lacking. 4) Offering high-quality products: As Starbucks moves into new locations in order to draw attention away from local popular spots they will need to offer a product that is of high enough quality to keep consumers coming back. 5) Differentiation: Again, as they move into new markets they will need to do significant research to find out what those consumer’s value. They need to be able to give it to them in order to achieve their goal of being the heart of the neighborhood. 6) Coffee prices: Coffee prices fluctuate significantly due to weather, economic, and political conditions in the countries where they are grown. What should management be worried about? Management should be worried about offering high-quality products. If they cannot prove that their product is better due to quality or differentiating features then locations that sell coffee and consumers are already loyal, they will have issues drawing consumers away. However, Starbucks does have an extremely strong brand image and hype associated with their name, which is an asset for them in entering new markets. International Challenges Some challenges that Starbucks will face internationally are: 1) Adapting their stores to fit the location they are in 2) Creating partnerships and licensing agreements with reputable companies to offer their products abroad 3) Regulations on foreign businesses moving into their country 4) Having enough control over the quality in the international stores that are licensed. 5) Higher production costs Starbucks has chosen to follow a multi-domestic approach to international expansion, meaning that they customize their product offerings to match the tastes and preferences of local buyers. The main challenge that Starbucks will face in entering international markets is knowing what that group of people wants and prefers. Another problem is that they will need to make partnerships and licensing agreements with reputable companies in order to be sure that the culture of Starbucks is continued to their new stores. Finally, they will have the issue with tailoring their stores to fit the environment they are in, because they will be unable to use a set design which could raise production costs. What recommendation would you make to Howard Schultz to sustain the company’s growth and support continued strong financial performance in the years ahead? Consider both the US and International strategies. Recommendations * Coordinate with suppliers to address consumers’ needs better: By coordinati.

Examining the Self in Spinal Cord Injury Patients :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Examining the 'Self' in Spinal Cord Injury Patients A man leaves home to go horseback riding. The horse goes out of control. In the hospital, he learns that he his paralyzed and will probably never walk again. He never thought it would happen to him ... For several unsuspecting Americans each year, this scenario represents something all too real. The man in the abstract I was referring to was the actor Christopher Reeve and it is his paralysis that I will be examining in relation to the 'self'. We will be looking at the role of the spinal cord injury in various types of paralysis, while focusing primarily on quadriplegia. This essay is not trying to give a concrete answer to whether there is a self, ego or I-function but to analyze the self as a possible separate entity from the central nervous system. The spinal cord plays a major role in the individual's ability to receive and respond to information from the periphery. It takes in sensory information from the environment and relays that information to the brain. After the information has been processed in the brain, the brain sends motor information via the spinal cord (which has nerves that innervate muscles) to produce a contraction. A spinal cord injury occurs when the vertebral column is crushed or bent. Extreme pressure on the spinal cord makes the inside severely bruised and compressed; causing localized injury to nerve fibers (1). and cell death. A picture of the spinal cord shows that it is comprised of four sets of nerves: cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral nerves (2). Each section sends and receives information from certain parts of the body. For example, the cervical nerves (3) which are located at the most rostral end of the vertebral column, correspond with the hands and the diaphragm. On the other hand, the sacral nerves (4) located at the caudal end of the spinal cord connects for example, to the bowel and bladder. Injury to any point along the spine can result in a loss of functional ability to the corresponding body part and parts associated with lower vertebrae. The locality of the damage determines the level of functioning left to an injured person (1) and the type of paralysis. Damage to the lumbar nerves, located in the lower back, will inhibit sensory information from the legs to the brain. Therefore, motor information can not be sent from the brain (which makes the person aware of the sensory information) directly to the spinal cord to initiate motor activity in the legs.

Art Exhibit on Nature Essay

The planet earth is the only known habitat for humankind. For millions of years, it served as the home to numerous living things such as animals, plants and people. More so, it has been a witness to many events that have shaped the course of world history. Because of this, it is suffice to say that our beloved Mother Earth has played a vital role in nourishing and sustaining the existence of humans. In return for all the benefits and nourishment that Mother Earth has provided to humans, human beings have showed their gratitude by expressing their appreciation and admiration for the beauty and splendor of nature. For centuries, human beings have captured the magnificence of the diversity and uniqueness of the environment which was shown using various art forms such as painting, sculptures, photography, architecture and many others. In line with this, throughout history, several art movements have emerged. There were the Classical, Renaissance, Baroque, Modernism and many others. The dominant and styles and themes differed in these art periods. However, there was one theme that has remained constant until the present day. This is known as landscape or nature art. This form of art is defined as the illustration of mountains, flora and fauna, bodies of water and the sky. More so, it is a celebration of the majestic beauty of nature. This trend in the art world has continued to persist throughout the ages. Aside from this, it has also evolved in terms of styles and techniques. Every part of the globe has developed their own approach on how to translate the beauty of nature into a canvas. Because of the variety in culture and tradition, nature and landscape artworks have surfaced as distinctive copies of the wonders of the environment. With this, nature had become a worldwide art phenomenon and these artworks have made nature a timeless masterpiece that will be forever treasured and recognized. On the other hand, due to changing times, the seemingly everlasting beauty of nature is apparently gradually diminishing. If before humans respected the significant role of Mother Earth in the cycle of life, nowadays, humans have abandoned their vital task of being the steward. Instead of taking care of the natural wonders of the world, humans have opted to obliterate it. This sudden change was caused by the desire to improve the ways of living of people. Initially, the intention may seem innocent and harmless but if one would look closely, traces of selfishness and greed can be uncovered. People wanted to advance the human race but at the expense of damaging the environment. Because of this, a drastic natural occurrence has been plaguing the contemporary society. This has claimed lives of many people and destroyed millions worth of properties. This phenomenon has been labeled as climate change or global warming. In the recent years, Mother Earth has been experiencing unusual changes such as the increase in temperature of the atmosphere, extinction of some animal and plant species, loss of land mass and many others. These alterations have posted an alarming threat to the existence of many living things. If humans would permit this condition to carry on, in time people would be left homeless and without any nourishment. To help intensify awareness on the present state of the environment, an art exhibit will be put up. This exhibit will showcase the nature artworks of American artist, Ansel Adams, French painter, Paul Cezanne, and a Japanese artisan named Hokusai. The objective of the exhibit is to help the viewers realize the importance and connection of nature with the existence of humans. More so, this nature-themed art exhibit will explore the various perceptions of artists on nature from different periods. It will demonstrate how people saw and appreciated the beauty of the environment during their respective eras. By incorporating artists from different continents such as North America, Europe and Asia, viewers will also be given a 360 degrees view of the world’s most beautiful places. Hopefully, after they have seen the exhibit, the viewers will have a new-found respect on the beauty and vigor of Mother Earth. Ansel Adams is an American photographer who has mastered the artistry of capturing wonderful shots of landscapes in scenic places strewn all over the United States. Aside from being an artist, he was also a dedicated environmentalist â€Å"who encouraged understanding of, and respect for, the natural environment. † Even though he initially got noticed as a noted photographer in commercial photography, he excelled in the field of landscape photography (Notablebiographies. com). The black and white landscape photographs have become Adams’ trademarks. Two of Adams most recognized photographs are the â€Å"The Tetons and Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming† and â€Å"‘Old Faithful’ geyser, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming† (TheHistoryPlace. com). Adams was commissioned to take these pictures for the National Park Service in 1941. The photographs were intended to be used to make the â€Å"photo mural for the Department of the Interior Building in Washington, DC. † The main theme was focused on showcasing nature â€Å"exemplified and protected in the U. S. National Parks† (U. S. National Archives and Records Administration). These two photographs have illustrated the grandiose and picturesque beauty of the mountain ranges and national parks in the US. Furthermore, he used his creativity to â€Å"preserve the wilderness and one of the first to promote photography as an art form† (TheHistoryPlace. com). Paul Cezanne is considered as one of the masters of post-Impressionism. He is also well-known for pioneering an avant-garde movement then called cubism in the late 1800s. Because of his quirkiness and modern styles, Cezanne was misunderstood by the people. But this did not discourage him to advance his creativity. He â€Å"grew out of Impressionism and eventually challenged all the conventional values of painting in the 19th century through its insistence on personal expression and on the integrity of the painting itself. † Through these innovations, he was recognized as the â€Å"father of modern painting† (Pioch). But before Cezanne ventured into cubism, he created several simple yet exquisite landscape paintings that â€Å"immortalized the Provencal countryside† in France. In his two paintings, â€Å"Etude: Paysage a Auvers† (Study: Landscape at Auvers) and â€Å"Jas de Buffan† (The Pool), Cezanne was able to depict nature as real as he can. These two oil paintings were generated in 1873 and 1876 respectively. For Cezanne, nature cannot be accurately duplicated in a canvas. He tried to link the natural and artistic worlds by showing his own perceptions about nature. In relation to this, most of his artworks are advised to be seen as a whole and not per part in order to fully appreciate their artistic essence (Pioch). Hokusai is a famous Japanese painter. Compared to the previous artists, his choice of material for painting is unconventional. Hokusai used wood as his canvas to celebrate the beauty of nature. A native of Edo, which is now called Tokyo, Hokusai is regarded as â€Å"one of the outstanding figures of the Ukiyo-e or pictures of the floating world (everyday life), school of printmaking† (Pioch). In the â€Å"The Breaking Wave Off Kanagawa or The Great Wave,† Hokusai illustrated the splendor of the sea. Since Japan is surrounded by water, this painting has become the quintessential representation of Japanese aesthetics. This seascape painting with a Japanese natural landmark, Mt. Fuji, had represented the Asian geography. More so, it showed the combination of western and eastern influences with regards to art production. Moreover, this particular Japanese art have preserved its authenticity and oriental aesthetic by â€Å"flattening the texture and using color surfaces as an element. † On the other hand, this painting also showed how nature can be so powerful which was expressed on the giant which was on the verge of devouring the people aboard the two boasts (Andreas. com). Works Cited â€Å"ANSEL ADAMS Biography. † 2007. Notablebiographies. com. 12 December 2008 . â€Å"Ansel Adams Photograph. † n. d. U. S. National Archives and Records Administration. 12 December 2008 . â€Å"Best of Ansel Adams. † 1999. TheHistoryPlace. com. 12 December 2008 . â€Å"Hokusai. † 2008. Andreas. com. 12 December 2008 . Pioch, Nicolas. â€Å"Cezanne, Paul. † 19 September 2002. Webmuseum, Paris. 12 December 2008 . Pioch, Nicolas. â€Å"Cezanne, Paul: Landscapes. † 19 September 2002. Webmuseum, Paris. 12 December 2008 . Pioch, Nicolas. â€Å"Hokusai, Katsushika. † 19 September 2002. Webmuseum, Paris. 12 December 2008 .

Performance Measurement Paper Essay

In the world of business there are many cliche’s about how performance measurements are implemented and what they actually do such as â€Å"if your company doesn’t measure results then you can’t tell success from failure. † http://www. balancedscorecard. org/Home/tabid/36/Default. aspx The key focus on strategic objectives should always articulate precisely what the organization wants to accomplish which is the key to finding accurate, true, strategic measurements. The strategic performance measures will allow the organization to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the operational efficiency. The best performance measures will provide a way to monitor and see if that strategy is actually working. Focusing on the importance of the employee’s contribution to the success of the organization is another important measure that can be added along with providing a common language for the communication of everyone. Performance measurement is so vital in the structure of an organization because it is an ongoing and constant reporting and monitoring of accomplishments. Typically the program is implemented by agency management. The different program activities are measured by this system as well. A program may be considered any project, activity, or function that has a set of objectives. The three types in which will be compared and contrasted begins with the output type of performance measures which indicates a specific workload that is processed throughout a period of time. The next type of performance type of selection is the efficiency type, which indicates the different ratio’s of the resources to work the product. The resources of this particular type are primarily considered budget dollars. The final performance measurement type that will be under contrast is the outcome type which tells the results over a period of time from work which was performed by the organization in order to benefit the people receiving the service. (EOM) or enterprise output management is a practice used in information technology dealing with the organization of data that is created for banking systems, insurance database systems, customer relationship management, as well as many others. Output distributed management is defined as middle ware that threatens to drive out the process originally supported in order to implement an auto mated one. EOM output managment could potentially reduce the cost of traditional printing because it uses digital output channel such as fax and email. The potential of this is depends on how the concept is adopted by the targeted customer group. Management information systems allow organizations to get right people the correct information at a timely and efficient manner. The efficiency type of performance management works by pulling together information. Therefore improving the products and expanding the customer base at the same time. A manger with a good management information system can eliminate redundant miscues that waste time and may instead focus on what actually works for the betterment of the organization. If an MIS is added into the equation then the amount of time saving that will benefit the organization will be tremendous because there is more time being focused on the specific task at hand. The computer program can collect data from employees much faster than the alternative time consuming method of not taking advantage of the technology. The over-all term performance management is defined as the output of employees and groups individually. The employees may be divided into groups and departments within the organization as a whole. Therefore the performances can be evaluated much more effectively by knowing what everyone’s production levels are and by gathering this information will definitely help to improve the quality of production in the organization which will lead to good things for everyone. In order for the performance management procedures to be put in place and do the job that they are needed to do there should be a performance definition done as soon as humanly possible because this knowledge will help drive the rest of the tasking in sequence for what needs to be done for the organization.

Animal Farm Book Project essays

Animal Farm Book Project essays The novel Animal Farm was written in 1945 by author George Orwell. George Orwell was the pseudonym of Eric Arthur Blair, a British writer born in Motihari, India in 1903. After serving in the Indian Imperial Police force, Orwell wrote Down and Out in Paris and London, an account of the conditions faced by the poor in France and England. Next, in 1936, he fought in the Spanish Civil War, which was his source of inspiration for Homage to Catalonia. After his days in service, he devoted his efforts to speaking out against the domination of one man over another. This is shown in books such as Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four. Animal Farm takes place in England, on Manor Farm (later renamed Animal Farm) in Willingdon. It incorporates all seasons of the year, as it takes place over the course of many years, tracing the lives of all the animals. The point of view in the novel is third person, omniscient. Animal Farm is an allegory of the Russian Revolution and the course of communism in Russia and the USSR. The many characters in the book symbolize either one person or a group of people. The pigs represent the communist government and are the ones that become corrupt. More specifically, Old Major is Karl Marx, the father of communism, Snowball is Vladimir Lenin and Napoleon is Joseph Stalin. The dogs that Napoleon uses as his personal guards symbolize the KGB, the Soviet police force. Most of the other characters like Boxer, Clover, the chickens, Benjamin and others represent the working class that is gradually taken advantage of more and more throughout the story. Mr. Jones represents the last Russian Czar, Nicholas II, who is overthrown in the Russian Revolution, his men represent the Red Army and Mollie represents the sympathizers of the old government in the USSR. George Orwell sets up the novel by introducing the prize...

buy custom International Organisations Essay

buy custom International Organisations Essay International Organizations International organizations IOs is very powerful unit, which gain its effect in the world of international relations after the Second World War has ended. It continues to increase its numbers every year. IOs can be divided into intergovernmental organizations IGOs and non-governmental organizations - NGOs. According to Campbell, MacKinnon and Stevens (2010), an intergovernmental organization is divisible into three or more nation-states that have signed the agreement to create a legal organization with the definition of its purpose. It is often called as an international governmental organization with the abbreviation of IGO. In addition to the foundation agreement, most IGOs also have different authorities that are established to help the organization achieve its goals. In fact, IGOs usually contain the following bodies such as an advisory body, an executive authority and an administrative body. An advisory body discusses the policy. An executive organ makes policy decisions. An administrative body brings it into action. There is no general definition of the non-governmental organizations NGOs. The first direction of the scientific mens views states that NGOs are groups of individuals, which are organized for a variety of reasons that involve human imagination and intention. The second direction is based on the idea that NGOs are stakeholders with the social or economic changes. That can lead to the conclusion that NGOs are organizations which consist of private individuals from any number of nation-states, which take on many of services and functions. The United Nations, or UN, was founded in 1945. Its Headquarter is located in New York City, which became the successor to the League. Like its predecessor, it has tried to prevent conflict between nation-states. Still, it continues to function and has proven an available institution in many ways. It is the largest and most comprehensive IGO in the world. Six principal organs help to assure its proper functioning. First is the United Nations General Assembly UNGA. It is an organ of the UN that acts in legislative level and as the forum where all members can take part in international dialogue either. All member nations can send delegates to the General Assembly. Second is the United Nations Security Council UNSC. It consists of the fifteen members of the UN that maintains peace and security. Ten rotating members sit on the Council who serve two-year terms. The US, Britain, China, Russia, and France are five permanent members with veto power. Third is the United Nations Economic and Social Council - ECOSOC. That organ contributes to international cooperation and elaborateness. It performs the majority of the United Nation work. Fourth is the Trusteeship Council TC. Its responsibility is to assist with the transition of former colonies to independent countries, which went out of commission in 1994. The fifth is the International Court of Justice ICJ. That is the arbitral authority of the United Nations that has the power to hear cases involving nation-states. Sixth is the Secretariat. This organ is a chief administrative office which coordinates and supervises the activities of the UN. Both IGOs and NGOs decrease state sovereignty. However, IGOs worldwide influence has reduced the quality of life in developing countries while NGOs influence has had a positive effect on the quality of live in developing countries. The issues regarding the influence of IGOs and NGOs are extremely relevant everywhere in the globe. The decisions countries consider about their relationship with IGOs and NGOs all the time.

History of St. Valentines Day in the 1800s

History of St. Valentines Day in the 1800s Commemorations of St. Valentine’s Day are rooted in the distant past. In the Middle Ages the tradition of choosing a romantic partner on that particular saints day began because it was believed that birds began mating on that day. Yet there doesnt seem to be any evidence that the historical Saint Valentine, an early Christian martyred by the Romans, had any connections to either birds or romance. In the 1800s, stories abounded that the roots of St. Valentine’s Day reached back to Rome and the festival of Lupercalia on the 15th of February, but modern scholars discount that idea. Despite the holidays mysterious and puzzling roots, it is obvious that people have observed St. Valentine’s Day for centuries. The famed London diarist Samuel Pepys mentioned observances of the day in the mid-1600s, complete with elaborate gift-giving among the wealthier members of society. The History of Valentine Cards It seems that the writing of special notes and letters for Valentine’s Day gained widespread popularity in the 1700s. At that time the romantic missives would have been handwritten, on ordinary writing paper. Papers made especially for Valentine greetings began to be marketed in the 1820s, and their use became fashionable in both Britain and the United States. In the 1840s, when postal rates in Britain became standardized, commercially produced Valentine cards began to grow in popularity. The cards were flat paper sheets, often printed with colored illustrations and embossed borders. The sheets, when folded and sealed with wax, could be mailed. The American Valentine Industry Began in New England According to legend, an English Valentine received by a woman in Massachusetts inspired the beginnings of the American Valentine industry. Esther A. Howland, a student at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, began making Valentine cards after receiving a card produced by an English company. As her father was a stationer, she sold her cards in his store. The business grew, and she soon hired friends to help her make the cards. And as she attracted more business her hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts became the center of the American Valentine production. St. Valentines Day Became a Popular Holiday in America By the mid-1850s the sending of manufactured Valentine’s Day cards was popular enough that the New York Times published an editorial on February 14, 1856 sharply criticizing the practice: Our beaux and belles are satisfied with a few miserable lines, neatly written upon fine paper, or else they purchase a printed Valentine with verses ready made, some of which are costly, and many of which are cheap and indecent. In any case, whether decent or indecent, they only please the silly and give the vicious an opportunity to develop their propensities, and place them, anonymously, before the comparatively virtuous. The custom with us has no useful feature, and the sooner it is abolished the better. Despite the outrage from the editorial writer, the practice of sending Valentines continued to flourish throughout the mid-1800s. Popularity of the Valentine Card Boomed After the Civil War In the years following the Civil War, newspaper reports indicated that the practice of sending Valentines was actually growing. On February 4, 1867, the New York Times interviewed Mr. J.H. Hallett, who was identified as the â€Å"Superintendent of the Carrier Department of the City Post Office.† Mr. Hallett provided statistics which stated that in the year 1862 post offices in New York City had accepted 21,260 Valentines for delivery. The following next year showed a slight increase, but then in 1864 the number dropped to only 15,924. A huge change occurred in 1865, perhaps because the dark years of the Civil War were ending. New Yorkers mailed more than 66,000 Valentines in 1865, and more than 86,000 in 1866. The tradition of sending Valentine cards was turning into a big business. The February 1867 article in the New York Times reveals that some New Yorkers paid exorbitant prices for Valentines: It puzzles many to understand how one of these trifles can be gotten up in such shape as to make it sell for $100; but the fact is that even this figure is not by any means the limit of their price. There is a tradition that one of the Broadway dealers not many years ago disposed of no less than seven Valentines which cost $500 each, and it may be safely asserted that if any individual was so simple as to wish to expend ten times that sum upon one of these missives, some enterprising manufacturer would find a way to accommodate him. Valentine Cards Could Hold Lavish Gifts The newspaper explained that the most expensive Valentines actually held hidden treasures hidden inside the paper: Valentines of this class are not simply combinations of paper gorgeously gilded, carefully embossed and elaborately laced. To be sure they show paper lovers seated in paper grottoes, under paper roses, ambushed by paper cupids, and indulging in the luxury of paper kisses; but they also show something more attractive than these paper delights to the overjoyed receiver. Receptacles cunningly prepared may hide watches or other jewelry, and, of course, there is no limit to the lengths to which wealthy and foolish lovers may go. In the late 1860s, most Valentines were modestly priced, and targeted toward a mass audience. And many were designed for humorous effect, with caricatures of particular professions or ethnic groups. Indeed, many Valentines in the late 1800s were intended as jokes, and the sending of humorous cards was a fad for many years. Victorian Valentines Could Be Works of Art The legendary British illustrator of children’s books  Kate Greenaway designed Valentines in the late 1800s which were enormously popular. Her Valentine designs sold so well for the card publisher, Marcus Ward, that she was encouraged to design cards for other holidays. Some of Greenaway’s illustrations for Valentine cards were collected in a book published in 1876, ​Quiver of Love: A Collection of Valentines. By some accounts, the practice of sending Valentine cards fell off in the late 1800s, and only revived in the 1920s. But the holiday as we know it today firmly has its roots in the 1800s.

Research Methodology Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Methodology - Research Paper Example Introduction Violence in the schools is recognized to be one of the major issues in terms of social malpractice. Violence in the schools not only affects students in the processes of their learning and well-being but also has a long-term impact on their later life as well as achievements. Violence in the schools unfavorably affects the behavior of the victim students. There are various ways through which violence can be committed in schools. The most commonly identified school violence acts include bullying, gang violence, assault and slapping among others (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). The violent acts in schools may lead to homicide incidents and injuries which undesirably tend to influence the psychological as well as physical health of victim students. In this regard, certain procedures or methods should be adopted with the intention of mitigating the issue of violence in the schools. There are various research methodologies or approaches which can be used to recognize violent acts executed in schools and determine procedures on the basis of which these uncalled-for acts can be mitigated or prevented. The research methodologies or approaches which can be adopted in this proposed research study will assist in identifying violence in the schools and devising appropriate measures to eliminate or lessen these issues. There are various types of research approaches which include qualitative research method, quantitative research method, inductive approach and deductive approach. Moreover, these research approaches aid in drawing findings on the basis of the analysis of collected data. Data can be collected through two procedures which entail primary as well as secondary data collection methods (University of Bradford, 2012). Prevailing Preventive Measures in Place A number of school authorities have formulated various forms of prevention plans and procedures with the intention of averting or minimizing school violence. The various prevention plans which are formulated and implemented by schools are as follows: Developing Safe and Responsive School Climate Many authorities of schools have initiated and followed certain specific plans with the intention of offering better school climate for students. These schools have adopted classroom management and conflict resolution programs in order to mitigate violence. These programs have facilitated schools in providing better education and learning environment for students (Skiba, Boone, Fantanini, Wu, Strussell & Peterson, 1999). Early Identification and Early Intervention for Students At-Risk for Violence Administrators of schools and teachers should identify any possibilities related to violence at an early stage so that these issues can be mitigated promptly without any delay before the actual occurrence of violence. Upon the identification of any kind of alienated behaviors amid students, they should be offered with adequate mentoring as well as counseling supports in order to minimize or decrease their aggressive behavior. In this respect, the students are likely to develop a self-esteem and social manner (Skiba, Boone, Fantanini, Wu, Strussell & Peterson, 1999). Effective Responses to School Disruption or Crisis At the same time, many school authoritie

Theatre comparison on 2 videos Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Theatre comparison on 2 videos - Essay Example In Arthur Miller’s Death of A Salesman, Willy, the main character, visits his boss, Howard, a man who happens to be the son of his prior boss. The scene radiates realism through the actors’ reaction of one another. It begins with Howard when he shows off his wire recorder: â€Å"Didn’t you ever see one of these? Wire recorder† and Willy asks, â€Å"Oh. Can we talk a minute?† but Howard ignores him: â€Å"Records things. Just got delivery yesterday. Been driving me crazy, the most terrific machine I ever saw in my life. I was up all night with it† (Miller.2.76). Howard is speaking animatedly. The pace of his delivery is quick and clipped as he is bursting with excitement, eager to explain every detail to Willy despite Willy’s need to talk to him about a business matter. In response, Willy’s tone is soft and submissive. When he supports the other actor, he is either ignored or shushed sternly like a child (Miller.2.77-78). The pac e and tone of each actor stems from a direct reaction to one another, thus implementing naturalism in the scene. Similarly in Blood Knot by Athol Fugard, Zachariah and Morris, half-brothers living together in South Africa, are brought to life through the actors’ interchange of dialogue through delivery. When they face each other discussing an imaginary woman in grey, their pace is prompt and heated. It sets up the notion that the characters are different from one another when Morris takes the lead on describing the imaginary scene in the park and Zachariah reacts without hesitation (Fugard.23:47-24:45). Zachariah supports Morris’s exhilarant play through a deep, monotone voice. This exchange on a verbal level creates realism because the scene is natural. Natural as defined by occurring in conformity with the ordinary course of nature: not marvelous or supernatural. Side-by-side, the plays incorporate the technique of tone and rhythm of delivery of text on different hei ghts. Howard’s swift pace of delivery exudes selfishness and pride. Later, it even displays boredom or disinterest when he addresses Willy: â€Å"But where am I going to put you, kid?...No, but it’s a business, kid, and everybody’s gotta pull his own weight† (Miller.2.80). However, Morris’s delivered exuberance shows impatient yearning, frustration and anger. He leans forward on the stage, directing his umbrella like an extension of his body then proceeds to stone the imaginary woman with pent up animation (Fugard.24:03-24:47). Immediately following, Morris beats his brother, making it a bizarre, but realistic twist because the previous dialogue set up the nature of the action through tone. There is similarity between the plays that transpire from delivery of speech. Willy and Zachariah are treated inferior by their counterparts, and they respond through dialect. Zachariah is â€Å"a black man who has endured prejudice and hate (â€Å"Blood Knot, † par. 3), but his brother fails to understand Zach’s struggle. During their role-playing, Zachariah commits to a slow pace that conveys eeriness. His tone is deliberately calm to show indifference, mirroring the state in which Morris treats him. There is no sympathy in the actor’s tone. Willy counteracts his opposer through rhythm and delivery as well. He pleads his case, but the desperation holds more weight during his lengthy speech (Miller.54:52-56:43) because the pace is crawling. The actor pauses throughout, which drives the point that Willy is a depressed, forlorn man at the end of his

Understanding Spinal Stenosis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Understanding Spinal Stenosis - Essay Example As in this case, initial clinical presentations of some patients are often complicated with several individual factors such as age and physical activity. In fact, signs, and symptoms a headache and dyspnea can be extremely subjective and may significantly vary with each patient judgment. Furthermore, some conditions do not immediately present to instantly warrant a thorough investigation, only manifesting when much damage has already occurred to be clinically evident. Possible aggravation of a previously known condition also contributes to the complexity of the case. As such, arriving at a logical and rational medical diagnosis may at times be challenged with the inconsistencies of observed and reported manifestations by the patient compared with the results of diagnostic and laboratory procedures performed. Â  Even so, appropriate education remains to be one of the most important roles of the nurse in meeting this patient’s physical and psychological needs and prepare her for the foreseen battery of tests necessary to confirm or refute a diagnosis. Maintaining physiological integrity through dependent and independent nursing interventions are necessary for a comprehensive patient care. Besides that, it is also imperative to maintain being an advocate so that the patient is not subjected to unnecessary danger during the performance of these tests (Best, 2002). Â  Although the patient’s manifestations strongly suggest an underlying heart condition, laboratory and diagnostic studies reveal otherwise. Radiographic results indicate dextroscoliosis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine, degenerative bilateral arthritis of acromioclavicular joints, degenerative arthritis of the left glenohumeral joint, a normal heart size, and focal arteriosclerosis of the thoracic aorta.

Operations and IT Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Operations and IT Management - Research Paper Example In some context, these could result to conflicts between corporate operation managers and information technology managers. This is because global markets vary in â€Å"currencies, telecommunications, languages, laws and practices† and at such complex situation may result to conflicts and frustrations (McNamara, 2011) .It is in this context that Information Lifecycle Management  (ILM), a practice of employing policies for effective information management through its ‘useful life’, is introduced to resolve potential and escalating conflicts between operation and information managers of a company or firm (Robbins, 2006). ILM offers a Records and Information Management (RIM) for 30 years already and had its roots from information management using microfilm, negatives, photographs, audio or video recordings and other assets including video lifecycle management (Longley and Shain, 1985).

Human resource in acction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Human resource in acction - Essay Example For example, if we go to the ‘Areas of Talent’ category, we find a list of sub categories which include the departments in which the jobs are opened, such as, call center, food and beverages, and human resources. Next, when we click on any of these links, all jobs related to the department are opened with detailed job responsibilities, as well as location of job and other requirements. However, the salary is not mentioned in any of the job openings which I would like the company to put against each of the jobs. I think the website does everything quite well in every aspect. For example, a user can obtain sufficient amount of information under each of the links included in the website. Moreover, the website is not heavy and takes the least amount of time to open any particular link regardless of the amount of text included in the webpage. As a manager, the only improvement that I would like to make for the website will be to include some colored texts at some places to ma ke the website a bit more attractive. At present, almost all of the text is written in black with white background. Addition of some colors will definitely give a more graceful look to the website. Company 2: Carlson The second company we are going to talk about is Carlson, which is the world’s most renowned travel and hospitality company. If we explore the website of the company, we find it more colorful and expressive as compared to the website described earlier. The website includes videos, pictures, and all such information that a user may wish to see. If we talk about the link to careers, we can say that the information included in this website about career opportunities is enough to meet user expectations. When I explored the link to careers, I found four more links which were did not find any information on the semi-static page which corporate careers, hotel careers, restaurant careers, and travel careers. I clicked restaurant careers because of my interest in this fie ld. I found a lot of links to the available job vacancies. However, I did not find job description for any of the job which I would like to be included against each job mentioned in the website so that users can know what activities they will have to do if they get the job. I think the website provides enough information about every aspect. Navigation is also easy but some pages really take some time to open which may be because of inclusion of some visual aids. One more thing that I did not like about the website was its inclusion of so many things in every webpage. The web developers for this website seem to have put more focus on inclusion of visuals and colors which have made this website a bit more complex for a new user. As a manager, I would like to make this website a little simple in order to provide ease to new users. Part 2 Methods of Recruitment Company: Hilton Worldwide Position: Director Brand Marketing Methods of Recruitment: 1. Internal Sourcing Internal sourcing mea ns creating existing employees aware of new job opportunities or publishing the information about job vacancies within the company. Some of the main advantages of using this type of recruitment for Hilton Worldwide will be no training costs for new employees, reduced advertising fees, time saving related to selection of candidates because of no need of background checks, increased employee dedication, and motivation for

The Food and Beverage Operation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Food and Beverage Operation - Assignment Example Gordon, Manager of media relations for the AHLA, says "hotels can impact their bottom line via catering, restaurant, lounges and other food and beverages operations." (James T Aug 01, 2002) The increased number of convention centres, show planners and their emphasis on food and beverage as a way to increase revenues has also made a great fillip to the development of catering management. The hospitality managers are experts who have sound practical knowledge accompanied by theoretical background in meeting the customer preferences in the selection of food and beverages. A large number of food and beverage systems are in operation throughout the country to satisfy the customers with diverse tastes and preferences. There are many ways by which food and beverages can be processed and served. Each one has its own merits and demerits. Mainly, food and beverage service is comprised of two systems, which are complementary to each other. This is one of the crucial tasks of hospitality management as the quality of food and beverage is of utmost concern for all. It is, therefore, important for the catering manager to ensure that only quality food are prepared and served. In fact, the success of catering management depends upon how successful they are in meeting the customers' tastes and preferences. ... 4. Billing 5. Clearing 6. Dish washing 7. Clearing following service (Smith .R, (n.d.) Food and Beverage Service" 6th, Edition Page No. 8) Planning and Development of Recipes and Menus This is one of the crucial tasks of hospitality management as the quality of food and beverage is of utmost concern for all. It is, therefore, important for the catering manager to ensure that only quality food are prepared and served. In fact, the success of catering management depends upon how successful they are in meeting the customers' tastes and preferences. It is a known fact for all that management starts with planning. In the case of catering management also, the first and foremost activity is planning. Planning recipes refers to the process of deciding in advance what kind of food and beverage is needed by the customer. For that, the catering manager must know in advance the kind of gathering for which he/she is going to serve food. For example, if all the people in a party are vegetarians, then there is no meaning in planning non vegetarian cuisine. The various points to be noticed by the catering manager at the time of menu planning are: type of customer Location of Establishment Price range Physical capacity of outlet Staff level and capabilities Kitchen size and equipment availability Food Availability (ALaCarteTraining.com, (n.d) Design a Market Focused Menu) Factors to be considered for Menu Design Menu planning and designing is equally important as planning recipes. It requires utmost care because the menu selected must satisfy the customers. The following must be taken care of by the catering manager: Food preference of Customer a. Changing needs b. Current Trend c. Changing demographic and socio-cultural influences d. Changing

Human resource in acction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Human resource in acction - Essay Example For example, if we go to the ‘Areas of Talent’ category, we find a list of sub categories which include the departments in which the jobs are opened, such as, call center, food and beverages, and human resources. Next, when we click on any of these links, all jobs related to the department are opened with detailed job responsibilities, as well as location of job and other requirements. However, the salary is not mentioned in any of the job openings which I would like the company to put against each of the jobs. I think the website does everything quite well in every aspect. For example, a user can obtain sufficient amount of information under each of the links included in the website. Moreover, the website is not heavy and takes the least amount of time to open any particular link regardless of the amount of text included in the webpage. As a manager, the only improvement that I would like to make for the website will be to include some colored texts at some places to ma ke the website a bit more attractive. At present, almost all of the text is written in black with white background. Addition of some colors will definitely give a more graceful look to the website. Company 2: Carlson The second company we are going to talk about is Carlson, which is the world’s most renowned travel and hospitality company. If we explore the website of the company, we find it more colorful and expressive as compared to the website described earlier. The website includes videos, pictures, and all such information that a user may wish to see. If we talk about the link to careers, we can say that the information included in this website about career opportunities is enough to meet user expectations. When I explored the link to careers, I found four more links which were did not find any information on the semi-static page which corporate careers, hotel careers, restaurant careers, and travel careers. I clicked restaurant careers because of my interest in this fie ld. I found a lot of links to the available job vacancies. However, I did not find job description for any of the job which I would like to be included against each job mentioned in the website so that users can know what activities they will have to do if they get the job. I think the website provides enough information about every aspect. Navigation is also easy but some pages really take some time to open which may be because of inclusion of some visual aids. One more thing that I did not like about the website was its inclusion of so many things in every webpage. The web developers for this website seem to have put more focus on inclusion of visuals and colors which have made this website a bit more complex for a new user. As a manager, I would like to make this website a little simple in order to provide ease to new users. Part 2 Methods of Recruitment Company: Hilton Worldwide Position: Director Brand Marketing Methods of Recruitment: 1. Internal Sourcing Internal sourcing mea ns creating existing employees aware of new job opportunities or publishing the information about job vacancies within the company. Some of the main advantages of using this type of recruitment for Hilton Worldwide will be no training costs for new employees, reduced advertising fees, time saving related to selection of candidates because of no need of background checks, increased employee dedication, and motivation for

The preaching ministry of Heinrich Bullinger Research Paper

The preaching ministry of Heinrich Bullinger - Research Paper Example Life of a Preacher 5. Highs and Lows of his Life in Zurich 6. Conclusion 1. Introduction Heinrich Bullinger was a well-known Swiss reformer who was the head of the Zurich church as the successor of Huldrych Zwingli. Most researchers show how different he was form the earlier generation of reformers such as Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli. Bullinger was rather a consolidator; he added his own perspective to the theology and was a genius to think beyond just gathering the gospel riches that the people of Switzerland craved. Hence, it is believed after being long underestimated, that without him, the shape of theology of England in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century would have been unimaginable1. Bullinger is known for being one of the most influential theologians in the history and specifically in the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. The life of Bullinger indicated how he had been raised for priesthood. His father was a Catholic priest and though he was a prie st, he had married, mainly because of the loose enforcement of the vows of celibacy. Bullinger was the youngest of five sons. Bullinger’s parents are not much discussed, but the fact the Bullinger’s father came to confess on the doctrines of the Reformation when he was very old, is known. This may be probably because of the influence of his gifted son2. 2. Early Life Eventually Bullinger started with his formal education in the school of The Brethren of the Common Life in Cleves. While his education, his father gave him no money as he believed that his poverty is necessary for him to develop good habits and responsibilities in his life. However, like Luther, Bullinger was also subjected to sing to earn his living. Bullinger also wanted to enter a Carthusian monastery during his studies, but he was put off against his brother. And he rather set off to Germany to attend the University of Cologne when he was 15 years of age, as his parents expected him to follow the clerg y just as Luther3. Bullinger went through many of the experiences and formations of his life while he was in Germany. It was in Cologne when he started studying about the scholastic theologians of the middle Ages. Soon he became disgusted of them, and rather turned his way to the church fathers, specifically Chrysostom and Augustine. He was involved in the lives of the church fathers and eventually became inspired by their writings, especially by their abundant use of Scripture. Prompted by the determination of the church fathers to ground all their doctrine in God’s Word, Bullinger turned his direction to the study of Scriptures4. Thus, as he involved himself more in the pleasure of reading Scriptures, he went through the writings of Martin Luther and used to be inspired by them greatly. These writings used to revolve throughout Germany at that time and thus Bullinger involved himself immensely in this world. It is these years of study in Germany that Bullinger spent and bec ame one of those whose life was surrounded by the winds of reform that were let loose by Luther5. On returning to Switzerland with his master’s degree in 1522, Bullinger accepted the call by Wolfgung Rupli to teach in the cloister school. As he was already influenced by the thought of Reformation, he taught the monks form the New Testament and from Philip Melanchthon’s Loci Communes, which was considerably the first systematic theology of the Reformation. He also initiated the systematic

Magazine Advertisment Essay Example for Free

Magazine Advertisment Essay Advertisements are everywhere on TV, the internet, movies, magazines, etc. They are there to get people to buy whatever it is that they are advertising. They do it with color, models, and tricky words. In this case my magazine advertised a lip balm called â€Å"Baby Lips†. This advertisement says that you can, â€Å"kiss dull lip balms goodbye and instead have baby lips† making it so that woman get interested into buying this product because you will have baby lips. The colors that are being used in my advertisement are grey, black, bright orange, and white. What is being suggested in this advertisement is that you should wear the lip balm shown in the magazine because it will give you baby lips. In the article the picture is of a pretty woman whose whole face is grey, except her lips. The rest of the article is in very light colors making it so that the lip balm and the models lips are the two things stand out the most. Both of them are in a bright orange color that makes them stand out more than anything else in the picture. Also in my advertisement there is a model, she is a female, although you can’t see all her body and just her face you can tell that she is pretty just by the way her eyelashes and eyebrows are done. The expression on her face is as if the woman is going to give someone a kiss. She has her eyes closed but she looks like if she’s in the mood of kissing someone and feels good about that. All these little details are made to imply that with this lip balm everyone will want to get kissed by your baby lips. In the picture there is also a before and after picture of someone’s lips but you can’t really tell the difference. Words are a big help in advertising. The words call the reader’s attention and also can sometimes fool the buyer. In my ad it says â€Å"In one week your lips will be visibly renewed.† Although it says that, there is no given proof of it. They don’t provide us with a survey of people or percentage of people who says that. Also the word baby lip is in bright orange to get the viewers attention because it stands out who wouldn’t want baby lips right? There is also a small caption next to the bright orange lip balm that says that it’s an exclusive lip renew formula. Furthermore the model is saying that she wants a clinical strength care with a kick of color to get woman to buy it because not only does it help you care for your lips but it also gives you some color. The intended audience for the lip balm is young woman or any type of woman who want to get baby looking lips and wants to stand out at the same time. The woman who are interested in this lip balm are probably the ones who are looking for non dull lips and instead interested in lips that are more moisturized and lips that stand out. Lastly, advertising helps buyers learn more about the product but it also tricks buyers into buying stuff that most of the time doesn’t work.

Sixteen Candles :: Film Analysis

The 1986 film â€Å"Sixteen Candles† tells a timeless tale of growing up in suburban America. The film’s star, Sam, played by Molly Ringwald, wakes up with big expectations on her sweet sixteenth birthday only to be completely disappointed. Not only does she find that she looks exactly the same as when she was fifteen, but her family is so preoccupied with her older sister’s wedding that they forget her birthday altogether.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The film opens with Sam on the phone with her best girlfriend Randy. She is examining herself in her full length mirror and is totally horrified to find that her body didn’t’ magically transform overnight. She was hoping to wake up with a body just like Caroline’s. Caroline is the head cheerleader, prom queen, and girlfriend of the most popular boy in school, Jake Ryan. Sam is hopelessly â€Å"in love† with Jake and is convinced that he won’t know she exists until she is more developed, more mature, more like Caroline. Little does she know, Jake does notice her. He is intrigued by a certain mispassed note containing some very personal information about Sam’s sex life (or lack of one). In this note, Sam confesses that she is a virgin (she has never done â€Å"it†) and is saving herself not for marriage, but for Jake Ryan. Jake finds himself wanting to get to know Sam and wanting a real relationship with someone like her, rather than with someone like Caroline. He knows Caroline doesn’t love him, and he doesn’t love her either. The only real reason they’re together is because he’s the most popular boy at school and she’s the most popular girl. Throughout the movie, Sam is preoccupied with becoming more like Caroline, while the real reason Jake is interested in her is because she is not like Caroline. By the end of the movie Sam learns a valuable lesson about being her own person and even gets the guy along the way.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This film contains some classic examples of the kinds of real life issues adolescents deal with. Issues such as popularity, peer relationships, family/sibling relationships, sex, and struggles with identity are all addressed in this ninety-minute film.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sam’s high school is like any stereotypical high school with it’s various social crowds. The popular crowd in this movie is composed of mostly jocks and cheerleaders. These adolescents seem to be the most physically attractive and have the wealthiest parents.

Mark Rothkos Subway Scene :: Art Artisits

Mark Rothko's Subway Scene "Subway Scene" (1938), by Mark Rothko, depicts the inside of a subway station. At the front of the painting are two pillars, behind them is a staircase used by two faceless characters, decending into the underground. The staircase is surrounded by a cage-like grid. Behind the staircase are another two pillars next to a gate similar to the one around the staircase. On the left side of the gate is a wall where half a door is visible. Just behind the gate are two swing-doors and a booth with a man inside. Two men appear to be waiting in front of the booth. On the left and right sides of the booth is what seems to be a wall. There is also what could potentially be an advertisement, on the bottom left side of the wall. Above the wall are strings of the letter "N", which could maybe stand for "Northern". Left from the advertisment, is another flight of stairs, which could be leading down from the street. On the stairs is another person who is only half visible. The characters in the painting appear to have no faces, except for the man standing in the booth, which is quite a symbolic portrayal of a subway station. There are constant floods of people coming in from the city streets, many who appear only for short periods of time, whereas, the man in the booth remains there for a long time, therefore his face becomes familiar. The people also appear to be wearing hats, this could suggest that it takes place during winter. The artist, Mark Rothko, uses various shades of green, brown and grey to capture the bleak reality of an underground subway station. For example the sweeping grey floor and dull brownish walls. However, there is also use of striking colour, like the burgundy jacket and hat worn by the man decending the stairs and the bright green grid surrounding him. There also seems to be a frame constructed out of the two front pillars in the painting where all the action takes place. It is also where the artificial light sources are coming from, like the booth, the staircase at the front of the painting and possibly some lights on the ceiling which cannot be seen. Everything outside of the frame seems alot darker in contrast, isolated and not so clear.

Employment-at-Will Doctrine Essay

Jennifer is a recent college graduate who has been hired by an accounting firm. In the short time she has been employed with the firm she has discovered a number of behaviors she feels could be inappropriate regarding the employment-at-will doctrine as well as some liabilities with the employer. She has brought this up only because she feels obligated to report the behaviors’ in which she has witnessed and wants to ensure she won’t be held liable for not informing the management team (LEG 500 – Law, Ethics, and Corporate Governance, 2012). Jennifer identified four categories of questionable behavior which are 1) skills, competence and abilities, 2) management, behavior, and performance, 3) labor laws, and 4) policies and procedures. The each of the four categories mentioned above will be discussed in how they apply to the Employment-At-Will Doctrine as well as the liability of the employer. Skills, Competence, and Abilities In the first scenario, the employee isn’t able to learn the necessary computer applications for the job in which she was hired even after a few months of training and support. When the supervisor tries to find out what the problem is, the employee consistently tells her boss that she is â€Å"a good worker and a genius† and she goes on to say that â€Å"he does not â€Å"appreciate her† (LEG 500 – Law, Ethics, and Corporate Governance, 2012). A legal and binding doctrine known as the Employment-At-Will Doctrine gives the company grounds to terminate this employee. The Employment-At-Will Doctrine allows companies a broad spectrum to terminate employees â€Å"for a good reason, bad reason, or no reason at all† (Halbert, T. , & Ingulli, E. , p46, 2012). The same doctrine provides the employee the freedom to leave the job without notice, for any reason, good or bad. The employee doesn’t have to have a reason at all to leave the position in which they were hired for, they can just leave under the same doctrine. We could even change the scenario slightly in stating this particular employee could actually be doing a good job or maybe the employee could argue they were doing no better or worse than other people who had the same job responsibilities therefore resulting in a reasonable person coming to the conclusion the supervisor or management was picking on that particular employee but even considering those sight changes to the scenario, the company would still be in their rights to terminate the employee under the Employment-At-Will Doctrine (Zins, 2012). The issue at hand here is the employee in question is not performing in the way the company had hoped and there has been sufficient time provided in the employer’s mind for the individual to learn and become proficient in the necessary tasks. Management, Behavior and Performance In this particular situation the employee occasionally burst into a rage when criticized or questioned concerning the behavior of frequent tardiness. When her boss and other staff members identify this behavior and verify it’s a regular occurrence they attempt to address the issue and remind her of the company’s late policy. The employee’s response is that she â€Å"knows her rights and what to do† if she is wrongfully discharged. She also goes on to say she â€Å"took a business law class in undergrad school and it taught her everything she needed to know about exceptions to the employment-at-will doctrine and wrongful discharge in violation of public policy† (LEG 500 – Law, Ethics, and Corporate Governance, 2012). In this scenario it almost seems like the employee was trying to belittle her supervisors or threaten them to not pursue the tardiness issue. It’s believed by this author, she was trying to draw attention away from the inappropriate behavior of being late which is what preempted the discussion in the first place. As identified in first scenario, the Employment-At-Will Doctrine gives the company the ability to terminate the employee for any reason. The company would be able to ensure a quick processing of this particular termination if they could show that all the times this particular employee was late, was documented in writing. This should always be done in any given case of tardiness or un-authorized absence. The Employment-At-Will Doctrine means that an employer can terminate an employee at any time for any reason, except when the reason was illegal or for no reason without incurring legal liability (At-will employment – overview, 2013). Under the doctrine, the employer can change the terms of the employee’s employment with no notice and the company would still have the right to terminate the employee. An example, although it may seem unfair would be if the employee was hired at a certain amount and the employer wanted to reduce that amount, the employer could legally do so without violating any law or rights of the employee. Once the employer reduced the pay, they could still terminate the employee and not be in risk of breaking any laws or violating anyone rights (At-will employment – overview, 2013). Labor and Laws In this scenario the employee takes an un-authorized day off from work to observe her religious holiday. This holiday falls on a day that is during â€Å"tax season† and the day off occurred during an incredibly busy period for the company. Prior to this time frame the company announced to all of its employees they were not allowed to take off during this time-frame unless they had prior management approval. Also, there is no labor union for accountants so the union helping the employee in this matter would not have done any good. Another issue with this employee is she talks to her co-workers during lunch breaks and sometimes during regular work hours, encouraging them to organize and form a union to â€Å"protect themselves† (LEG 500 – Law, Ethics, and Corporate Governance, 2012). The company has to be careful in this situation because an employee does have the right to observe religious holidays. The behavioral issue here is the blatant disregard for the company and fellow colleagues. The management team announced that any time off during this period would require prior approval from the management and due to the fact the employee used the religious holiday as her excuse to justify her actions, the actions went against management direction so at a minimum the employee should be reprimanded and written-up. More than likely if she had used the direction recommended by the company if they needed time off during this time, the management team would have more than likely approved her request and then all would have been fine but it appeared the employee intentionally disobeyed the policy and used her religion as a justifiable excuse. As far as the discussion she’s making with other employee’s concerning the union implementation as long as she’s having these iscussions during non-paid breaks, during non-paid lunch or after working hours she is not in violation of any policies, laws or regulations. In fact, in 1935 workers were guaranteed the right to organize and form unions and they could not be terminated as punishment for doing so but at the same time workers should respect the employer enough to not have these discussions during the times when work is needing to be done (Halbert, T. , & Ingulli, E. , p49, 2012). New state labor legislation was enacted in 2012 that reports the most active areas of state legislation. Those areas reported came from child labor, equal employment opportunity, human trafficking, immigration legislation, independent contractors, wages paid, time off, unfair labor practices, and worker privacy. The factual information involving the areas mentioned above along with 20 additional areas was the result of the new enactment and there are additional guidelines that businesses can turn to regarding some of those areas (Fitzpatrick J. Jr. , & Perine, J. L. , 2013). Policies and Procedures This last scenario involved a consensual relationship between an employee and a supervisor where the employee’s supervisor consistently asks the employee out on dates; and initially the employee refuses but later accepts the offer after talking to a girlfriend about the situation whereas the employee is encouraged by the friend to accept the offers. The employee identifies that during her â€Å"New Employee Orientation†, the facilitator informed the entire group of new employees, of the company policy which prohibited employees from dating supervisors. The employee also remembers being given an employee handbook with the written policies which also forbid such behavior but never-the-less, the employee and her supervisor still continued with their consensual relationship (LEG 500 – Law, Ethics, and Corporate Governance, 2012). In this type of behavior the company has every right to terminate both the employee and the supervisor which is exactly what should be done. The Employment-At-Will Doctrine gives the company the authority to do so and if a large number of company personnel are aware of the relationship it will look bad on the company if they don’t handle the situation in that way. It could lead employees into believing that company supervisors are above the law and are not required to answer to the same policies that other employees are required to adhere to. The appropriate measures were given to prevent this type of behavior from happening; the employees were given the policy during the New Employee Orientation as well as each employee was also given a copy of the policy by receiving an employee handbook. If the supervisor had conducted the behavior intentionally to get the employee terminated then the employee would have a legitimate argument to appeal if the supervisor wasn’t terminated as well. This would be one of the exceptions to the Employment-At-Will Doctrine. The behavior on the part of the employee and the supervisor in this case was unacceptable and the appropriate action the company would need to take would be to terminate both employees’ (At-will employment – overview, 2013). Conclusion Employment-at-will basically means that an employer can terminate an employee at any time for any reason and doesn’t have to justify their actions unless the action were illegal or the reason feel under one of the common law exceptions. There are three common law exceptions which are public policy, implied contract and covenant of good faith. Public policy is the most widely recognized common law exception, and it protects employees against adverse employment actions that violate a public interest. Examples of some of these might be 1) to refuse to commit perjury in a trial, 2) reporting an employer’s fraudulent accounting practices and 3) joining the National Guard or performing jury duty (At-will employment – overview, 2013). An implied contract may be legitimate just from a supervisor making an oral statement or an employer representative. An employer representative can be anyone who is known to be knowledgeable about the company and its employment history. An example could be if someone stated, â€Å"We need good people around here, you’ve got a job for life! † or â€Å"We don’t dismiss employees without giving them a chance to correct their behavior†. These are some examples where an exception to the Employment-At-Will Doctrine might apply (At-will employment – overview, 2013). An implied covenant of good faith has varied from requiring just cause for termination to prohibiting terminations that are made in bad faith or motivated with intent to cause harm. An example of bad faith terminations might include an employer firing an older employee so the company wouldn’t have pay that employee retirement benefits or terminating a salesman just before they would be eligible for a large commission (At-will employment – overview, 2013).