Water policy in the western USA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Water policy in the western USA - Essay Example According to the 2000 population census, the population of western United States including cities like California continues to rise and this increases the pressure on water. As the demand for the precious commodity increases, the need for the state governments to develop policies that can protect and ensure its equitable distribution also increases. This paper will discuss the elements of water policies and the process of developing the same policies in western United States especially in the states of California (Von der Portena & De Loà «, 2014). The process of developing water policies is affected by a number of factors, which vary from one state to another, and is influenced by the extent of water demand and use in the region. The terrain and geographical position of California makes it vulnerable to water problems and conflicts and these have been solved through the development of water policies. The enactment of federal laws and regulations has also acted as a way of mitigating the conflicts and bringing together different economically warring factions. The development of water policies in the west especially in California is influenced by a number of factors which are intrinsic to California only. The constant earthquakes and catastrophic events that are common in California have continuously disrupted water supplies to different parts of the state. As a result, the formulation of policies has been influenced by these events and how they have affected the normal water use in the state. According to the United States geological survey, there is a 99% likelihood of a major earthquake in the southern parts of the state according to information from the last three decades. It is only in northern California that the risk is a bit lower but still disrupts the normal water supply and use in the state (Von der Portena & De Loà «, 2014). Earthquakes results into damage and the disruption of water

Ethics Essays Essay Example for Free

Ethics Essays Essay In this essay I will be comparing the similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. Ethical development is an important tool needed in today’s society. Virtue theory emphasizes the need for people to learn how to break bad habit of character, like greed or anger. These are called vices and stand in the way of becoming a good person. Place emphasis on which rules people should follow and instead of focus on helping people develop good character traits such as kindness and generosity. Will, in turn allow a person to make the correct decision later on in life. Utilitarianism, the ethical doctrine that the greatest good; the ethical doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the criterion of the virtue of action. According to philosophy, an action is morally right if it consequences lead to happiness (absence of pain and wrong if it ends in unhappiness (pain). Deontological ethics focus entirely upon the actions which a person performs. Those theories focus on the question, â€Å"which action should I choose†? Here are some description of the differences in how each theory addresses ethics and morality. Utilitarianism morality is the result of act. Focus on the consequences. A moral act is what will bring the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. Virtue ethics morality stem from the identity or character of the person, rather than being a reflection of the actions. There are certain characteristics which a re virtue. People possessing these virtues is what make one moral, one’s actions are reflection of their own inner morality. Boylan (2009). There are two major ethic theories utilitarianism and deontological, that attempt to specify and justify moral rules and principles. Utilitarianism (also called consequencelism) is a moral theory developed and refined in the modern world in the writing of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). Deontological ethics is in  keeping with scripture, natural moral law, and intuitions from common sense. Important point about deontological ethics is, first duty should be done. Humans should be treated as objects of intrinsic moral values. A moral principle is a categorical imperative that is univeralizables, that is, it must be applicable for everyone who is in the same moral situation. The difference between these three approaches to morality tends to lie more in the way of how moral dilemmas are approached, rather than in moral conclusions reached. A personal experience to explain the relationship between virtue, values, and moral concepts as they relate to one of the three theories. Utilitarianism is the one I would pick it deal with working in a team setting. As a scholar at University of Phoenix. I have worked in a team with several other classmate where we are assigned team work paper and presentations. A good teammate develop hands on skills that can lead his or her team to a success completed of all assignment. Reference Boylan, M. (2009). Basis ethics: Basic ethics in action (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. www. differencesbetween.net/science/health

Bilingual Education :: essays research papers

Imagine being brought up in a family speaking only one language for your entire life and then you had to move to a foreign land where the language is different. If you had a choice of progressively learning this new language over the course of six to nine years or being put into a classroom and have to virtually teach yourself the language by listening to others around you which would you choose? Late exit bilingual education is a more effective form of bilingual education compared to the English immersion form of bilingual education in the fact that there are more benefits and less adverse effects. There are many reasons why late exit bilingual education should be the choice of public schools everywhere with high minority populations. One of the effects of late exit bilingual education is that the students would be able to maintain their cultural background instead of having to give up one or the other. Language is a big part of a person’s culture. Late exit bilingual educatio n gives the non-English speaking students more time to master the English language which is not an easy language to learn in three years as the English immersion strategy teaches. The findings of the Ramirez team in 1991 evaluating the effectiveness of English immersion, early exit bilingual education, and late exit bilingual education further prove why late exit bilingual education is the one that needs to be used.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To look at why keeping one’s culture is important one just needs to look at how and why this country was founded. The first Americans from England came here so they wouldn’t have to conform to everything the rulers of England wanted. Immigrants founded this country. One of the greatest things about the United States is that there are so many different types of cultures everywhere you look. It is true that one needs to learn the English language to be successful, but forcing one to give up his or her cultural background is going against everything this country stands for. English immersion does just that by forcing the student to give up his or her cultural background and language (Faltis 191). Late exit bilingual education allows the child to progress effectively through the educational system with the instruction given in English to the extent to make this possible (Schneider, 1976, p. 128.).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To throw a student into a classroom that speaks a language that is not familiar to them and forcing them to adjust in three years like English immersion does is not fair to the student.

The Impact of International Interest in Afghanistan’s Access to Oil :: Essays Papers

The Impact of International Interest in Afghanistan’s Access to Oil Newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and the web: everywhere one turns, the media confronts our society with news concerning Afghanistan. Although September 11th was the peak of Afghanistan’s spotlight in the international media, this event was not the first time that Afghanistan has gained international attention. Beginning with its political relationship with Russia, Afghanistan slowly gained recognition, acknowledgment and even popularity among world powers. Moving towards the present, in which the United States, Great Britain, Russia, Japan, and China are competing for Afghanistan. Why all this commotion over a politically-torn, landlocked, Middle Eastern country? Although each country has several potential interests invested in Afghanistan, all of these nations share the common interest of Afghanistan’s access to oil. Many political conventions have resulted form the global interest in creating oil pipelines through Afghanistan. Although Afg hanistan is not a world power, the fact that this country can provide access to rich oil and gas reserves has allowed Afghanistan to have influence over and even affect international diplomacy. To begin, it is important to understand the political history of Afghanistan in order to comprehend the current political tension and issues concerning this country. Afghanistan’s history is complete with numerous wars and invasions throughout various historical periods. Majority of these conflicts occurred because of a political Afghan leader’s desire to continue holding the state of power in the country or because of foreign invasion. Desire to maintain power becomes an issue in Afghanistan due to the multi-ethnic nature of the population1. To begin, â€Å"the location of Afghanistan astride the land routes between the Indian subcontinent, Iran, and central Asia has enticed conquerors throughout history†2. First, the Muslim-Arab conquests left Afghanistan a Muslim country in the late 7th century. In the following centuries Afghanistan was invaded from the north by Genghis Khan and later by the Moguls. The conquests up to the 17th century lef t devastated Afghanistan. However, authorities invested the majority of their interests in attempting to control the political power against rebellious activities preventing swaying them from focusing on social and economical forms as well as the development of the country. The first unified Afghanistan State was not established until 1747 by Ahammad Khan Durani.

The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 2 STITCHES

CARLISLE WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO STAYED calm. Centuries of experience in the emergency room were evident in his quiet, authoritative voice. â€Å"Emmett, Rose, get Jasper outside.† Unsmiling for once, Emmett nodded. â€Å"Come on, Jasper.† Jasper struggled against Emmett's unbreakable grasp, twisting around, reaching toward his brother with his bared teeth, his eyes still past reason. Edward's face was whiter than bone as he wheeled to crouch over me, taking a clearly defensive position. A low warning growl slid from between his clenched teeth. I could tell that he wasn't breathing. Rosalie, her divine face strangely smug, stepped in front of Jasperkeeping a careful distance from his teethand helped Emmett wrestle him through the glass door that Esme held open, one hand pressed over her mouth and nose. Esme's heart-shaped face was ashamed. â€Å"I'm so sorry, Bella,† she cried as she followed the others into the yard. â€Å"Let me by, Edward,† Carlisle murmured. A second passed, and then Edward nodded slowly and relaxed his stance. Carlisle knelt beside me, leaning close to examine my arm. I could feel the shock frozen on my face, and I tried to compose it. â€Å"Here, Carlisle,† Alice said, handing him a towel. He shook his head. â€Å"Too much glass in the wound.† He reached over and ripped a long, thin scrap from the bottom of the white tablecloth. He twisted it around my arm above the elbow to form a tourniquet. The smell of the blood was making me dizzy. My ears rang. â€Å"Bella,† Carlisle said softly. â€Å"Do you want me to drive you to the hospital, or would you like me to take care of it here?† â€Å"Here, please,† I whispered. If he took me to the hospital, there would be no way to keep this from Charlie. â€Å"I'll get your bag,† Alice said. â€Å"Let's take her to the kitchen table,† Carlisle said to Edward. Edward lifted me effortlessly, while Carlisle kept the pressure steady on my arm. â€Å"How are you doing, Bella?† Carlisle asked. â€Å"I'm fine.† My voice was reasonably steady, which pleased me. Edward's face was like stone. Alice was there. Carlisle's black bag was already on the table, a small but brilliant desk light plugged into the wall. Edward sat me gently into a chair, and Carlisle pulled up another. He went to work at once. Edward stood over me, still protective, still not breathing. â€Å"Just go, Edward,† I sighed. â€Å"I can handle it,† he insisted. But his jaw was rigid; his eyes burned with the intensity of the thirst he fought, so much worse for him than it was for the others. â€Å"You don't need to be a hero,† I said. â€Å"Carlisle can fix me up without your help. Get some fresh air.† I winced as Carlisle did something to my arm that stung. â€Å"I'll stay,† he said. â€Å"Why are you so masochistic?† I mumbled. Carlisle decided to intercede. â€Å"Edward, you may as well go find Jasper before he gets too far. I'm sure he's upset with himself, and I doubt he'll listen to anyone but you right now.† â€Å"Yes,† I eagerly agreed. â€Å"Go find Jasper.† â€Å"You might as well do something useful,† Alice added. Edward's eyes narrowed as we ganged up on him, but, finally, he nodded once and sprinted smoothly through the kitchen's back door. I was sure he hadn't taken a breath since I'd sliced my finger. A numb, dead feeling was spreading through my arm. Though it erased the sting, it reminded me of the gash, and I watched Carlisle's face carefully to distract me from what his hands were doing. His hair gleamed gold in the bright light as he bent over my arm. I could feel the faint stirrings of unease in the pit of my stomach, but I was determined not to let my usual squeamishness get the best of me. There was no pain now, just a gentle tugging sensation that I tried to ignore. No reason to get sick like a baby. If she hadn't been in my line of sight, I wouldn't have noticed Alice give up and steal out of the room. With a tiny, apologetic smile on her lips, she disappeared through the kitchen doorway. â€Å"Well, that's everyone,† I sighed. â€Å"I can clear a room, at least.† â€Å"It's not your fault,† Carlisle comforted me with a chuckle. â€Å"It could happen to anyone.† â€Å"Could† I repeated. â€Å"But it usually just happens to me.† He laughed again. His relaxed calm was only more amazing set in direct contrast with everyone else's reaction. I couldn't find any trace of anxiety in his face. He worked with quick, sure movements. The only sound besides our quiet breathing was the soft plink, plink as the tiny fragments of glass dropped one by one to the table. â€Å"How can you do this?† I demanded. â€Å"Even Alice and Esme† I trailed off, shaking my head in wonder. Though the rest of them had given up the traditional diet of vampires just as absolutely as Carlisle had, he was the only one who could bear the smell of my blood without suffering from the intense temptation. Clearly, this was much more difficult than he made it seem. â€Å"Years and years of practice,† he told me. â€Å"I barely notice the scent anymore.† â€Å"Do you think it would be harder if you took a vacation from the hospital for a long time. And weren't around any blood?† â€Å"Maybe.† He shrugged his shoulders, but his hands remained steady. â€Å"I've never felt the need for an extended holiday.† He flashed a brilliant smile in my direction. â€Å"I enjoy my work too much.† Plink, plink, plink. I was surprised at how much glass there seemed to be in my arm. I was tempted to glance at the growing pile, just to check the size, but I knew that idea would not be helpful to my no-vomiting strategy. â€Å"What is it that you enjoy?† I wondered. It didn't make sense to methe years of struggle and self-denial he must have spent to get to the point where he could endure this so easily. Besides, I wanted to keep him talking; the conversation kept my mind off the queasy feeling in my stomach. His dark eyes were calm and thoughtful as he answered. â€Å"Hmm. What I enjoy the very most is when my enhanced abilities let me save someone who would otherwise have been lost. It's pleasant knowing that, thanks to what I can do, some people's lives are better because I exist. Even the sense of smell is a useful diagnostic tool at times.† One side of his mouth pulled up in half a smile. I mulled that over while he poked around, making sure all the glass splinters were gone. Then he rummaged in his bag for new tools, and I tried not to picture a needle and thread. â€Å"You try very hard to make up for something that was never your fault,† I suggested while a new kind of tugging started at the edges of my skin. â€Å"What I mean is, it's not like you asked for this. You didn't choose this kind of life, and yet you have to work so hard to be good.† â€Å"I don't know that I'm making up for anything,† he disagreed lightly. â€Å"Like everything in life, I just had to decide what to do with what I was given.† â€Å"That makes it sound too easy.† He examined my arm again. â€Å"There,† he said, snipping a thread. â€Å"All done.† He wiped an oversized Q-tip, dripping with some syrup-colored liquid, thoroughly across the operation site. The smell was strange; it made my head spin. The syrup stained my skin. â€Å"In the beginning, though,† I pressed while he taped another long piece of gauze securely in place, sealing it to my skin. â€Å"Why did you even think to try a different way than the obvious one?† His lips turned up in a private smile. â€Å"Hasn't Edward told you this story?† â€Å"Yes. But I'm trying to understand what you were thinking† His face was suddenly serious again, and I wondered if his thoughts had gone to the same place that mine had. Wondering what I would be thinking whenI refused to think ifit was me. â€Å"You know my father was a clergyman,† he mused as he cleaned the table carefully, rubbing everything down with wet gauze, and then doing it again. The smell of alcohol burned in my nose. â€Å"He had a rather harsh view of the world, which I was already beginning to question before the time that I changed.† Carlisle put all the dirty gauze and the glass slivers into an empty crystal bowl. I didn't understand what he was doing, even when he lit the match. Then he threw it onto the alcohol-soaked fibers, and the sudden blaze made me jump. â€Å"Sorry,† he apologized. â€Å"That ought to do it So I didn't agree with my father's particular brand of faith. But never, in the nearly four hundred years now since I was born, have I ever seen anything to make me doubt whether God exists in some form or the other. Not even the reflection in the mirror.† I pretended to examine the dressing on my arm to hide my surprise at the direction our conversation had taken. Religion was the last thing I expected, all things considered. My own life was fairly devoid of belief. Charlie considered himself a Lutheran, because that's what his parents had been, but Sundays he worshipped by the river with a fishing pole in his hand. Renee tried out a church now and then, but, much like her brief affairs with tennis, pottery, yoga, and French classes, she moved on by the time I was aware of her newest fad. â€Å"I'm sure all this sounds a little bizarre, coming from a vampire.† He grinned, knowing how their casual use of that word never failed to shock me. â€Å"But I'm hoping that there is still a point to this life, even for us. It's a long shot, I'll admit,† he continued in an offhand voice. â€Å"By all accounts, we're damned regardless. But I hope, maybe foolishly, that we'll get some measure of credit for trying.† â€Å"I don't think that's foolish,† I mumbled. I couldn't imagine anyone, deity included, who wouldn't be impressed by Carlisle. Besides, the only kind of heaven I could appreciate would have to include Edward. â€Å"And I don't think anyone else would, either.† â€Å"Actually, you're the very first one to agree with me.† â€Å"The rest of them don't feel the same?† I asked, surprised, thinking of only one person in particular. Carlisle guessed the direction of my thoughts again. â€Å"Edward's with me up to a point. God and heaven exist and so does hell. But he doesn't believe there is an afterlife for our kind.† Carlisle's voice was very soft; he stared out the big window over the sink, into the darkness. â€Å"You see, he thinks we've lost our souls.† I immediately thought of Edward's words this afternoon: unless you want to dieor whatever it is that we do. The lightbulb flicked on over my head. â€Å"That's the real problem, isn't it?† I guessed. â€Å"That's why he's being so difficult about me.† Carlisle spoke slowly. â€Å"I look at my son. His strength, his goodness, the brightness that shines out of himand it only fuels that hope, that faith, more than ever. How could there not be more for one such as Edward?† I nodded in fervent agreement. â€Å"But if I believed as he does† He looked down at me with unfathomable eyes. â€Å"If you believed as he did. Could you take away his soul?† The way he phrased the question thwarted my answer. If he'd asked me whether I would risk my soul for Edward, the reply would be obvious. But would I risk Edward's soul? I pursed my lips unhappily. That wasn't a fair exchange. â€Å"You see the problem.† I shook my head, aware of the stubborn set of my chin. Carlisle sighed. â€Å"It's my choice,† I insisted. â€Å"It's his, too.† He held up his hand when he could see that I was about to argue. â€Å"Whether he is responsible for doing that to you.† â€Å"He's not the only one able to do it.† I eyed Carlisle speculatively. He laughed, abruptly lightening the mood. â€Å"Oh, no! You're going to have to work this out with him.†But then he sighed. â€Å"That's the one part I can never be sure of. I think, in most other ways, that I've done the best I could with what I had to work with. But was it right to doom the others to this life? I can't decide.† I didn't answer. I imagined what my life would be like if Carlisle had resisted the temptation to change his lonely existence and shuddered. â€Å"It was Edward's mother who made up my mind.† Carlisle's voice was almost a whisper. He stared unseeingly out the black windows. â€Å"His mother?† Whenever I'd asked Edward about his parents, he would merely say that they had died long ago, and his memories were vague. I realized Carlisle's memory of them, despite the brevity of their contact, would be perfectly clear. â€Å"Yes. Her name was Elizabeth. Elizabeth Masen. His father, Edward Senior, never regained consciousness in the hospital. He died in the first wave of the influenza. But Elizabeth was alert until almost the very end. Edward looks a great deal like hershe had that same strange bronze shade to her hair, and her eyes were exactly the same color green.† â€Å"His eyes were green?† I murmured, trying to picture it. â€Å"Yes† Carlisle's ocher eyes were a hundred years away now. â€Å"Elizabeth worried obsessively over her son. She hurt her own chances of survival trying to nurse him from her sickbed. I expected that he would go first, he was so much worse off than she was. When the end came for her, it was very quick. It was just after sunset, and I'd arrived to relieve the doctors who'd been working all day. That was a hard time to pretendthere was so much work to be done, and I had no need of rest. How I hated to go back to my house, to hide in the dark and pretend to sleep while so many were dying. â€Å"I went to check Elizabeth and her son first. I'd grown attachedalways a dangerous thing to do considering the fragile nature of humans. I could see at once that she'd taken a bad turn. The fever was raging out of control, and her body was too weak to fight anymore. â€Å"She didn't look weak, though, when she glared up at me from her cot. â€Å"Save him!' she commanded me in the hoarse voice that was all her throat could manage. â€Å"I'll do everything in my power,' I promised her, taking her hand. The fever was so high, she probably couldn't even tell how unnaturally cold mine felt. Everything felt cold to her skin. â€Å"You must,† she insisted, clutching at my hand with enough strength that I wondered if she wouldn't pull through the crisis after all. Her eyes were hard, like stones, like emeralds. ‘You must do everything in your power. What others cannot do, that is what you must do for my Edward.† â€Å"It frightened me. She looked it me with those piercing eyes, and, for one instant, I felt certain that she knew my secret. Then the fever overwhelmed her, and she never regained consciousness. She died within an hour of making her demand. â€Å"I'd spent decades considering the idea of creating a companion for myself. Just one other creature who could really know me, rather than what I pretended to be. But I could never justify it to myselfdoing what had been done to me. â€Å"There Edward lay, dying. It was clear that he had only hours left. Beside him, his mother, her face somehow not yet peaceful, not even in death.† Carlisle saw it all again, his memory unblurred by the intervening century. I could see it clearly, too, as he spokethe despair of the hospital, the overwhelming atmosphere of death. Edward burning with fever, his life slipping away with each tick of the clock I shuddered again, and forced the picture from my mind. â€Å"Elizabeth's words echoed in my head. How could she guess what I could do? Could anyone really want that for her son? â€Å"I looked at Edward. Sick as he was, he was still beautiful. There was something pure and good about his face. The kind of face I would have wanted my son to have. â€Å"After all those years of indecision, I simply acted on a whim. I wheeled his mother to the morgue first, and then I came back for him. No one noticed that he was still breathing. There weren't enough hands, enough eyes, to keep track of half of what the patients needed. The morgue was emptyof the living, at least. I stole him out the back door, and carried him across the rooftops back to my home. â€Å"I wasn't sure what had to be done. I settled for recreating the wounds I'd received myself, so many centuries earlier in London. I felt bad about that later. It was more painful and lingering than necessary. â€Å"I wasn't sorry, though. I've never been sorry that I saved Edward.† He shook his head, coming back to the present. He smiled at me. â€Å"I suppose I should take you home now.† â€Å"I'll do that,† Edward said. He came through the shadowy dining room, walking slowly for him. His face was smooth, unreadable, but there was something wrong with his eyessomething he was trying very hard to hide. I felt a spasm of unease in my stomach. â€Å"Carlisle can take me,† I said. I looked down at my shirt; the light blue cotton was soaked and spotted with my blood. My right shoulder was covered in thick pink frosting. â€Å"I'm fine.† Edward's voice was unemotional. â€Å"You'll need to change anyway. You'd give Charlie a heart attack the way you look. I'll have Alice get you something.† He strode out the kitchen door again. I looked at Carlisle anxiously. â€Å"He's very upset.† â€Å"Yes,† Carlisle agreed. â€Å"Tonight is exactly the kind of thing that he fears the most. You being put in danger, because of what we are.† â€Å"It's not his fault.† â€Å"It's not yours, either.† I looked away from his wise, beautiful eyes. I couldn't agree with that. Carlisle offered me his hand and helped me up from the table. I followed him out into the main room. Esme had come back; she was mopping the floor where I'd fallenwith straight bleach from the smell of it. â€Å"Esme, let me do that.† I could feel that my face was bright red again. â€Å"I'm already done.† She smiled up at me. â€Å"How do you feel?† â€Å"I'm fine,† I assured her. â€Å"Carlisle sews faster than any other doctor I've had.† They both chuckled. Alice and Edward came in the back doors. Alice hurried to my side, but Edward hung back, his face indecipherable. â€Å"C'mon,† Alice said. â€Å"I'll get you something less macabre to wear.† She found me a shirt of Esme's that was close to the same color mine had been. Charlie wouldn't notice, I was sure. The long white bandage on my arm didn't look nearly as serious when I was no longer spattered in gore. Charlie was never surprised to see me bandaged. â€Å"Alice,† I whispered as she headed back to the door. â€Å"Yes?† She kept her voice low, too, and looked at me curiously, her head cocked to the side. â€Å"How bad is it?† I couldn't be sure if my whispering was a wasted effort. Even though we were upstairs, with the door closed, perhaps he could hear me. Her face tensed. â€Å"I'm not sure yet.† â€Å"How's Jasper?† She sighed. â€Å"He's very unhappy with himself. It's all so much more of challenge for him, and he hates feeling weak.† â€Å"It's not his fault. You'll tell him that I'm not mad at him, not at all, won't you?† â€Å"Of course.† Edward was waiting for me by the front door. As I got to the bottom of the staircase, he held it open without a word. â€Å"Take your things!† Alice cried as I walked warily toward Edward. She scooped up the two packages, one half-opened, and my camera from under the piano, and pressed them into my good arm. â€Å"You can thank me later, when you've opened them.† Esme and Carlisle both said a quiet goodnight. I could see them stealing quick glances at their impassive son, much like I was. It was a relief to be outside; I hurried past the lanterns and the roses, now unwelcome reminders. Edward kept pace with me silently. He opened the passenget side for me, and I climbed in without complaint. On the dashboard was a big red ribbon, stuck to the new stereo. I pulled it off, throwing it to the floor. As Edward slid into the other side, I kicked the ribbon under my seat. He didn't look at me or the stereo. Neither of us switched it on, and the silence was somehow intensified by the sudden thunder of the engine. He drove too fast down the dark, serpentine lane. The silence was making me insane. â€Å"Say something,† I finally begged as he turned onto the freeway. â€Å"What do you want me to say?† he asked in a detached voice. I cringed at his remoteness. ‘Tell me you forgive me.† That brought a flicker of life to his facea flicker of anger. â€Å"Forgive you? For what?† â€Å"If I'd been more careful, nothing would have happened.† â€Å"Bella, you gave yourself a paper cutthat hardly deserves the death penalty.† â€Å"It's still my fault.† My words opened up the floodgate. â€Å"Your fault? If you'd cut yourself at Mike Newton's house, with Jessica there and Angela and your other normal friends, the worst that could possibly have happened would be what? Maybe they couldn't find you a bandage? If you'd tripped and knocked over a pile of glass plates on your ownwithout someone throwing you into themeven then, what's the worst? You'd get blood on the seats when they drove you to the emergency room? Mike Newton could have held your hand while they stitched you upand he wouldn't be righting the urge to kill you the whole time he was there. Don't try to take any of this on yourself, Bella. It will only make me more disgusted with myself.† â€Å"How the hell did Mike Newton end up in this conversation?† I demanded. â€Å"Mike Newton ended up in this conversation because Mike Newton would be a hell of a lot healthier for you to be with,† he growled. â€Å"I'd rather die than be with Mike Newton,† I protested. â€Å"I'd rather die than be with anyone but you.† â€Å"Don't be melodramatic, please.† â€Å"Well then, don't you be ridiculous.† He didn't answer. He glared through the windshield, his expression black. I racked my brain for some way to salvage the evening. When we pulled up in front of my house, I still hadn't come up with anything. He killed the engine, but his hands stayed clenched around the steering wheel. â€Å"Will you stay tonight?† I asked. â€Å"I should go home.† The last thing I wanted was for him to go wallow in remorse. â€Å"For my birthday,† I pressed. â€Å"You can't have it both wayseither you want people to ignore your birthday or you don't. One or the other.† His voice was stern, but not .is serious as before. I breathed a silent sigh of relief. â€Å"Okay. I've decided that I don't want you to ignore my birthday. I'll see you upstairs.† I hopped out, reaching back in for my packages. He frowned. â€Å"You don't have to take those.† â€Å"I want them,† I responded automatically, and then wondered if he was using reverse psychology. â€Å"No, you don't. Carlisle and Esme spent money on you.† â€Å"I'll live.† I tucked the presents awkwardly under my good arm and slammed the door behind me. He was out of the truck and by my side in less than a second. â€Å"Let me carry them, at least.† he said as he took them away. â€Å"I'll be in your room.† I smiled. â€Å"Thanks.† â€Å"Happy birthday,† he sighed, and leaned down to touch his lips to mine. I reached up on my toes to make the kiss last longer when he pulled away. He smiled my favorite crooked smile, and then he disappeared into the darkness. The game was still on; as soon as I walked through the front door I could hear the announcer rambling over the babble of the crowd. â€Å"Bell?† Charlie called. â€Å"Hey, Dad,† I said as I came around the corner. I held my arm close to my side. The slight pressure burned, and I wrinkled my nose. The anesthetic was apparently losing its effectiveness. â€Å"How was it?† Charlie lounged across the sofa with his bare feet propped up on the arm. What was left of his curly brown hair was crushed flat on one side. â€Å"Alice went overboard. Flowers, cake, candles, presentsthe whole bit.† â€Å"What did they get you?† â€Å"A stereo for my truck.† And various unknowns. â€Å"Wow.† â€Å"Yeah,† I agreed. â€Å"Well, I'm calling it a night.† â€Å"I'll see you in the morning.† I waved. â€Å"See ya.† â€Å"What happened to your arm?† I flushed and cursed silently. â€Å"I tripped. It's nothing.† â€Å"Bella,† he sighed, shaking his head. â€Å"Goodnight, Dad.† I hurried up to the bathroom, where I kept my pajamas for just such nights as these. I shrugged into the matching tank top and cotton pants that I'd gotten to replace the holey sweats I used to wear to bed, wincing as the movement pulled at the stitches. I washed my face one-handed, brushed my teeth, and then skipped to my room. He was sitting in the center of my bed, toying idly with one of the silver boxes. â€Å"Hi,† he said. His voice was sad. He was wallowing. I went to the bed, pushed the presents out of his hands, and climbed into his lap. â€Å"Hi.† I snuggled into his stone chest. â€Å"Can I open my presents now?† â€Å"Where did the enthusiasm come from?† he wondered. â€Å"You made me curious.† I picked up the long flat rectangle that must have been from Carlisle and Esme. â€Å"Allow me,† he suggested. He took the gift from my hand and tore the silver paper off with one fluid movement. He handed the rectangular white box back to me. â€Å"Are you sure I can handle lifting the lid?† I muttered, but he ignored me. Inside the box was a long thick piece of paper with an overwhelming amount of fine print. It took me a minute to get the gist of the information. â€Å"We're going to Jacksonville?† And I was excited, in spite of myself. It was a voucher for plane tickets, for both me and Edward. â€Å"That's the idea.† â€Å"I can't believe it. Renee is going to flip! You don't mind, though, do you? It's sunny, you'll have to stay inside all day.† â€Å"I think I can handle it,† he said, and then frowned. â€Å"If I'd had any idea that you could respond to a gift this appropriately, I would have made you open it in front of Carlisle and Esme. I thought you'd complain.† â€Å"Well, of course it's too much. But I get to take you with me!† He chuckled. â€Å"Now I wish I'd spent money on your present. I didn't realize that you were capable of being reasonable.† I set the tickets aside and reached for his present, my curiosity rekindled. He took it from me and unwrapped it like the first one. He handed back a clear CD jewel case, with a blank silver CD inside. â€Å"What is it?† I asked, perplexed. He didn't say anything; he took the CD and reached around me to put it in the CD player on the bedside table. He hit play, and we waited in silence. Then the music began. I listened, speechless and wide-eyed. I knew he was waiting for my reaction, but I couldn't talk. Tears welled up, and I reached up to wipe them away before they could spill over. â€Å"Does your arm hurt?† he asked anxiously. â€Å"No, it's not my arm. It's beautiful, Edward. You couldn't have given me anything I would love more. I can't believe it.† I shut up, so I could listen. It was his music, his compositions. The first piece on the CD was my lullaby. â€Å"I didn't think you would let me get a piano so I could play for you here,† he explained. â€Å"You're right.† â€Å"How does your arm feel?† â€Å"Just fine.† Actually, it was starting to blaze under the bandage. I wanted ice. I would have settled for his hand, but that would have given me away. â€Å"I'll get you some Tylenol.† â€Å"I don't need anything,† I protested, but he slid me off his lap and headed for the door. â€Å"Charlie,† I hissed. Charlie wasn't exactly aware that Edward frequently stayed over. In fact, he would have a stroke if that fact were brought to his attention. But I didn't feel too guilty for deceiving him It wasn't as if we were up to anything he wouldn't want me to be up to. Edward and his rules â€Å"He won't catch me,† Edward promised as he disappeared silently out the door . . and returned, catching the door before it had swung back to touch the frame. He had the glass from the bathroom and the bottle of pills in one hand. I took the pills he handed me without arguingI knew I would lose the argument And my arm really was starting to bother me. My lullaby continued, soft and lovely, in the background. â€Å"It's late,† Edward noted. He scooped me up off the bed with one arm, and pulled the cover back with the other. He put me down with my head on my pillow and tucked the quilt around me. He lay down next to meon top of the blanket so I wouldn't get chilledand put his arm over me. I leaned my head against his shoulder and sighed happily. â€Å"Thanks again,† I whispered. â€Å"You're welcome.† It was quiet for a long moment as I listened to my lullaby drift to a close. Another song began. I recognized Esme's favorite. â€Å"What are you thinking about?'† I wondered in a whisper. He hesitated for a second before he told me. â€Å"I was thinking about right and wrong, actually.† I felt a chill tingle along my spine. â€Å"Remember how I decided that I wanted you to not ignore my birthday?† I asked quickly, hoping it wasn't too clear that I was trying to distract him. â€Å"Yes,† he agreed, wary. â€Å"Well, I was thinking, since it's still my birthday, that I'd like you to kiss me again.† â€Å"You're greedy tonight.† â€Å"Yes, I ambut please, don't do anything you don't want to do,† I added, piqued. He laughed, and then sighed. â€Å"Heaven forbid that I should do anything I don't want to do,† he said in a strangely desperate tone as he put his hand under my chin and pulled my face up to his. The kiss began much the same as usualEdward was as careful as ever, and my heart began to overreact like it always did. And then something seemed to change. Suddenly his lips became much more urgent, his free hand twisted into my hair and held my face securely to his. And, though my hands tangled in his hair, too, and though I was clearly beginning to cross his cautious lines, for once he didn't stop me. His body was cold through the thin quilt, but I crushed myself against him eagerly. When he stopped it was abrupt; he pushed me away with gentle, firm hands. I collapsed back onto my pillow, gasping, my head spinning. Something tugged at my memory, elusive, on the edges. â€Å"Sorry,† he said, and he was breathless, too. â€Å"That was out of line.† â€Å"I don't mind,† I panted. He frowned at me in the darkness. â€Å"Try to sleep. Bella.† â€Å"No, I want you to kiss me again.† â€Å"You're overestimating my self-control.† â€Å"Which is tempting you more, my blood or my body?† I challenged. â€Å"It's a tie.† He grinned briefly in spite of himself, and then was serious again. â€Å"Now. why don't you stop pushing your luck and go to sleep?† â€Å"Fine,† I agreed, snuggling closer to him. I really did feel exhausted. It had been a long day in so many ways, yet I felt no sense of relief at its end. Almost as if something worse was coming tomorrow. It was a silly premonitionwhat could be worse than today?' Just the shock catching up with me, no doubt. Trying to be sneaky about it, I pressed my injured arm against his shoulder, so his cool skin would sooth the burning. It felt better at once. I was halfway asleep, maybe more, when I realized what his kiss had reminded me of: last spring, when he'd had to leave me to throw James off my trail, Edward had kissed me goodbye, not knowing whenor ifwe would see each other again. This kiss had the same almost painful edge for some reason I couldn't imagine. I shuddered into unconsciousness, as if I were already having a nightmare.

High School Haircut Research Paper Example

High School Haircut Research Paper Example High School Haircut Paper High School Haircut Paper Essay Topic: High School The hair style of high school students has been a controversial issue for many years. The prescribed plain short hair may look tidy, but the insistence on the hair length below the ear lobe in the case of girl students, which is fixed at one centimeter or at most two, is quite unnecessary. Until recently, the Mayor of Tainan had tried to persuade the Ministry of Education to give the high schoolers the carte blanche to determine their own hair styles. It is difficult for us to say if the idea is right or wrong.So far as I am concerned, problems of the young are not confined to such a small matter as hair style; what matters is the reinforcement of the students moral consciousness, the way they should behave, and the like. The length of their hair or whether they have the right to give it a permanent wave is relatively unimportant. Cleanness and neatness is what really matters. There is hardly anything that stays unchanged all the time. Why doesnt the concerned authority reconsider th is hair business? Maybe the bickerings that sour the relations between the military instructors and their students will therefore be gone.By the way, to improve ones appearance is nothing wrong, is it? We all expect to see a new look of the young. Maybe a change in the concerned authoritys policy toward the high schoolers hair style will bring this about. {2} In my opinion the problem of the high schoolers hair style has been overemphasized. So far as I know, this problem has been existing for quite a long time and possibly in our country alone. High school students are supposed to study hard, but it seems that few care what they really want. I just graduated from high school this year.While in high school I didnt care much about my hair style, but whenever the school checked to see if we had had our hair cut I always felt a little annoyed. If anyone forgot to have his hair cut to the required standard, he was sure to be reprimanded or even punished. I hope our high school can show a greater interest in helping students cultivate their minds than in picking holes in their hair. Once in a while our society seems to be interested in this problem too, but it is a pity that the students own view in this matter is rarely consulted.That is why students often quarrel with their teachers, and this mutual misunderstanding is often detrimental to the students themselves. Most high school students do not really care what their hair style is; what they beef about is perhaps the constant check on their hair length. Why doesnt the Ministry of Education release high school students from this particular pressure? No wonder more and more youngsters in school are inclined to commit offenses. It is time to try and keep our educational house in order. 3} It is surprising that high school students hair style should become a controversial subjects. As a matter of fact, this is not a serious problem, because in my opinion high school students should not in the first place spend too much time on hair care. Time is money. The most important thing for high school students to keep in mind is to do well in school and be well prepared for the college entrance examinations. Since the admission rate of college aspirants is low, high school students should make more of an effort to prepare for it.Furthermore, the period of restricted hair length is only from junior to senior high school; if the junior high school students find nothing wrong with their hair style, why should the senior high school students take exception to it? So my conclusion is this: though it is right for the concerned authorities to relax the restrictions imposed on high schoolers hair style in a reasonable way, the students themselves should also realize that their hair style is nothing important, that when they are graduated such restrictions on their hair will automatically become null and void.Although I am a college student now, my memory of my high school days is still fresh. As a high school student I did not care about my hair style; on the contrary, I was thankful to the uniform hair style because I could thus save much time as well as money in paying less attention to my hair. In a word, there is really no need to bother about ones hair, especially if you are just a student. If ones hair is compared to a tree and ones period of education to a river, then we can see that the tree will keep growing new leaves while the river, if it ever flows, will never flow back.Youth is itself a kind of beauty, an asset, so I dont think a students hair will in any way detract from this beauty. {4} The hair style of high school students was once an interesting subject in the newspaper. Almost all the educators, top-ranking government officials and teachers said that we high school students should not pick on the prescribed hair style of ours. According to them, the sole duty of a students was to study and study and the inner part of the head was more important than the hair that cov ers the scalp.Despite what they said, I still dont like hair style imposed on us high school students. I isnt beautiful and it is unnatural. It looks like some dry dark grass on a boy students head and a very small black hat on a girl students. I am tired of having my hair cut every four weeks, yet I am obliged to do that because the military instructor so frequently inspects the hair style of every student. To me hair style is strictly a personal matter. I like to have my hair a little longer and be spared the trouble of having it cut every so often.We students labor under so many rules in school and we are taught to obey all of them. I think a uniform plain hair style is not necessary at all. Why cant we do as we like? We are eager to see the time when we are free to choose our own hair styles in our post-high school days. {5} Closely following my graduation from junior high school in 1975 I entered a college to major in Chemical Engineering. Thus I have had no experience whatever as a senior high school student. I do not really know how the average high-schoolers react to this hair problem, so the point of view I offer here is strictly personal.The main reason why the authorities want to impose a prescribed hair style on the high-schoolers is that this would prevent them from being contaminated by bad social influences. But I can cite an example to show that the length or the style of ones hair has no baleful effect at all on a students behavior. From the day they enter the school the students of the college are perfectly free to choose their own hair styles, yet nobody says the students here are spoiled by such freedom. Is this enough to justify the demand that high-schoolers be liberated from a prescribed hair style? 6} In accordance with a regulation a high school student here in Taiwan must have his or her hair cut short. Top-ranking officials in charge of education may have many reasons to justify this regulation, but the fact is that almost every stud ent regards it with distaste. We go to school, not only to gain knowledge but also to learn how to tell right from wrong and acquire independent thinking. This is really what the educators or educational officials should be concerned about, certainly not the hair of the student.My personal experience tells me that the rule governing the students hair style is simply the cause of endless troubles between students and teachers. Why dont they give the students the right to make their own decisions in this matter? If school officials insist on enforcing a hair style, it will only make the students more estranged from their teachers. We hope every boy or girl is a good student, but to pin this hope on a students close-cropped hair is certainly naive, if not absurd. {7} The hair style of high school student has long been a controversial issue.Authorities concerned insisted that the fixed hair style could make high school students look fresh and tidy. I myself was a high school student. I never thought this hair style had done me any good. When I was a high school student, my classmates often got into trouble with our military instructor, and it was not infrequent that they would be awarded a demerit simply because their hair was a little longer than the prescribed length. What is important, I should like to point out, is the mind under the hair, not the hair on the head. The authorities need not be afraid of the consequences of a cancellation of the hair regulation.I believe the law and order of our society does not depend on the length of ones hair, especially on that of the high school students. For many years we have tried to solve the problem of juvenile delinquency. All we need to do in this respect is to encourage them to give more attention to their education and allow them more leeway in their activities. To prescribe a hair style for the young is certainly the least admirable means to achieve this end. {8} I think it is all right for a high school student t o wear a clean and plain hair, but it is not necessary to force him to have his hair cut very very short.Such kind of short hair is simply not a style at all. Some students often quarrel with their teachers and military instructors over the hair issue and there are even battles waged by the students to protect their hair. The love of beauty, we must admit, is human nature, and so is the care of ones hair. In fact, not at all is the very very short hair beautiful to look at. What then is the kind of hair style fit for a high school student? In my opinion, a clean, simple, nice-looking, and moderately long hair will cut the mustard. Actually I am ery much in favor of high school students wearing their hair moderately long, for such a hair style will not only protect the head from exposure to severe cold of severe heat but will also make the wearer more nice-looking. Allowing the students to wear their hair this way will also help to put an end to many of the squabbles between them and their teachers or military instructors. The most important thing today for a high school student is, however, study; all other things are relatively unimportant. So we should not bother ourselves too much with this question. After all, beauty is but skin deep. ?

Landscape

Landscape Landscape Landscape By Maeve Maddox A reader asks, What is the meaning and usage of landscape in [phrases] like emerging media landscape or emerging distribution landscape? First I’ll address traditional meanings of the noun landscape as it refers to scenery. Although Old English had the word landscipe, meaning â€Å"a tract of land† or â€Å"a region,† the word landscape entered modern English in the early 17th century from another Germanic language, Dutch. It was borrowed as a technical term for a painting or drawing that represented natural inland scenery–as opposed to a portrait or a seascape. By the 19th century, landscape had also come to mean â€Å"a tract of land with its distinguishing characteristics and features, especially considered as a product of modifying or shaping processes and agents.† The features could be the result of either natural processes or human design. Here are current examples of both meanings: William Turner (1775-1851) was an English Romantic landscape painter, water-colorist, and printmaker. Running for 186 miles, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path takes you through a rich assortment of different landscapes along Wales’ west coast, from limestone cliffs to red sandstone bays and lush, glacial valleys. The New California Landscape promotes a balance between urban landscapes and the environment, includes diverse and beautiful aesthetic qualities, and facilitates the efficient use and management of resources, especially water. The phrases â€Å"emerging media landscape† and â€Å"emerging distribution landscape† reflect landscape’s new use in the vocabulary of marketers and bureaucrats. The Ngram Viewer shows that â€Å"media landscape† appeared in the 1960s, but didn’t soar until the 1980s. â€Å"Distribution landscape† emerged in the 1990s. The â€Å"media landscape† refers to the way people get their news and entertainment. In earlier times, we read newspapers and books, listened to the radio, watched television, collected records, and went to the movies. That was the â€Å"old media landscape.† Now we have smart phones, electronic notebooks, digital books, home theaters, and the Web. Distribution in â€Å"distribution media† is a business term referring to the way vendors get their products to consumers and how consumers pay for them. One channel of distribution is the simple transaction of buying a set of dishes at a yard sale: the seller of the dishes puts them outside with a price on them; the buyer hands over cash and takes them home. A more complicated channel of distribution is involved in buying a computer. The buyer places an order–in a store, on the telephone, or online. Payment is made in advance–by cash or check in the store, by credit card in the store or online–or by some other method, such as PayPal. The computer is then transported–likely from China–by air and by truck to the point of purchase. The â€Å"new distribution landscape,† moves beyond traditional methods of delivery. For example, it’s possible to buy a product such as software or music online and have it delivered by download. This figurative use of landscape has nothing to do with the physical world. It seems to be a trendy replacement for the once-fashionable paradigm as an inflated synonym for pattern or model. This abstract use is trickling into other contexts: The Changing Content Distribution Landscape Reflections on the New Compliance Landscape Navigating the New Rural Banking Landscape The New â€Å"Meaningful Use† Landscape: A Transition from Incentives to Penalties A brief discussion about  the new lending landscape In the context of printing, landscape is used as both adjective and adverb in reference to shape (oblong) and directionality (horizontal). The opposite of landscape in this context is portrait (vertical): Should I design my illustrated kindle ebook for portrait or landscape mode? AOL pages print Landscape Instead of Portrait Print set-up shows portrait but prints landscape. As a verb, landscape means to beautify an outside area by making it part of a continuous and harmonious scene. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Yours faithfully or Yours sincerely?"Latter," not "Ladder"7 Other Types of Pronouns

Polygamy vs. Monogamy essays

Polygamy vs. Monogamy essays Monogamy and polygamy are the two distinguishing types of marital structures that exist in modern society, each having differentiating circumstances encompassing their views. Monogamy, universally accepted in the American culture, can be defined as when a single female and male come together, marry, and mate. Polygamy, more formerly accepted in the Arabic and African cultures, is defined as when one single male marries and mates with several single females. The rules of marriage are fairly well drawn out for monogamy, but polygamy is faced with the contrary due its complex nature. Religion plays a vital role in the determination of whether it is religious acceptable for a culture to partake in polygamy as well. Polygamous marriages definitely face more problematic marriages than monogamous. A study of the Palestinian Bedouin-Arab community in the Negev region in Israel was conducted by Salman Elbedour, Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie, and Mohammad Alatamin. In their attempts to find behavioral problems arising from polygamous and monogamous families, they were able to come to the conclusion that polygamous families face more interfamily conflict than that of monogamous families. Uneven treatment of wives by the husband (Hassouneh-Phillips, 2001, as cited in Elbedour, Onwuegbuzie, Alatamin, 2003). This is a problem that has naturally arisen from the polygamous marriage system. The husband can simply not evenly distribute their time to all of his wives. Naturally, this could occur by choice too. A husband can choose to neglect one of his wives and her children, thus creating more problems. The child may feel isolated and too distant from his father due to this conflict between husband and wif e. In a practical monogamous marriage, the husband and wife will attempt to come to an agreement that would be positively suitable for the child. Due to the large nature of a polygamous marriage, the final agreements made by the h...

Governments Web Portal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Governments Web Portal - Essay Example Still, there remains the uncomfortable parallel to automated phone systems, which all too often will provide one with every option but the necessary connection. How does the federal website compare to these and other comparable information sites Well to view the federal government's claims, one need only click onto the About Us connection. This link opens to a long list of self-promotions, beginning with a statement of the site's policy, or "vision", which is described as a "catalyst for a growing electronic government." while boasting more connections to government sites than any commercial sites on the internet. This is certainly a comforting thought: the government has enough control of its own accessibility that there are certain safeguards to prevent inappropriate meddling. The site is proclaimed to be owned by the citizens of the United States, much like the ideals behind our federal government, which can be taken in either a patriotic or cynical manner, depending on one's personal inclination. More plausible is the logic behind the site's implied development as a response to the events of September 11th, 2001: a PR campaign to portray the government as acting quickly to improve security. This lends an aura of paranoia to the site, as though George Orwell's Big Brother is looming over the average citizen's shoul der as they peruse the electronic pages To see other ways in which the government reacts, one can click the America Responds to Terrorism link. Here is a listing of related sites, such as 9/11 commemoration events, how to protect yourself , personnel locators, travel safety, humanitarian organizations and information about Iraq. To "Protect yourself", one should have a clear idea of what to ask, as the link itself leads to a long list of the last five years of headlines, from mail handling of biological threats to disaster preparedness and learning more about terrorism. The bio-threat anthrax scare is mentioned - regulations are hinted at as hiding in the library - but nothing is mentioned about the CDC having to limit its reactions to these scares. Too many false attacks were proving too expensive. On the other hand, the "Ready yourself" for emergency link connects you directly to the office of Homeland Security, who very sensibly lists warning signs of exposure to chemical threats although if animals were really dying a ll around someone, what realistic chances are still available to them Identifying the contaminated area and removing oneself or finding a "safe-area" is just good common sense, and, although it might sound callous, probably a part of Darwinism in action. The duct-taped garbage bags over windows are not mentioned, possibly as too close a reminder to the "duck and cover" sagacity of the Cuban Missile Crisis, yet if the most obvious suggestions are being mentioned, shouldn't such items still be listed somewhere Although perhaps some consideration is due here. In event of an actual pressing emergency, few people would take the time to access this website, relying

Globalization Consequancess on Jordan Case Study

Globalization Consequancess on Jordan - Case Study Example By 1994, participants to the Uruguay Round of the treaty have totalled 123 countries. By 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO) was incepted, becoming the successor of the GATT. Currently with 153 countries as members of the WTO, the organisation embodies the implementations of the liberalisation of trade among nations, encouraging economies of its member nations to open up to global markets. Smaller and emerging economies of the 3rd world and developing countries have very often expressed dissent over issues on matters where the sheer size and volume of trade from the direction of the more developed economies have disadvantaged the former than worked fairly in everyone's favour. Jordan signed up with the WTO in April, 2000. "Small scale industries sector was a major contributor to the industrial economy of Jordan. It accounts for 50% of the total manufacturing sector, has 20% share in exports and provides 80% of employment in industrial sectors"(Lozi, p.98) On account of this economic reality in Jordan, the small scale industry (SSI) sector is a significant indicator of the effects of globalization of trade. Since the early 1990's, the SSI sector of Jordan has already found itself in the competitive situations induced by international trade's open market environments. In a study by Basem Mohammed Lozi of the Amman College for Administrative and Financial Sciences, Al Balga Applied University in Jordan, the effects of such pressures from international competition has actually favoured the SSI sector. He writes, "Liberalization have forced all industries to constantly upgrade their quality while cutting down the costs if they want to remain and retain their place and share in the global market. Small scale industries world over including Jordan were facing the on slight of the adverse effects of globalization in the stringent requirements of quality costs, tight delivery schedules and productivity."(Lozi, p.98) Apparently, like most, if not all small scale industry sectors the world over, globalisation has become challenge to shape up in the face of international competition and demand of stricter parameters of business and trade. Unlike many in the developing economies that merely suffered on account of their inability to cope, Jordan, however, rose to the challenge. Lozi concludes, "This has resulted in more growth in its contribution to national income and exports in the 1990s."(Lozi, p 102) Nevertheless, Lozi recommends strategic directions for Jordan: "Concerted efforts are needed both from the government and more importantly, from small scale industries themselves to imbibe technological dynamism into Jordanian small scale industries. Technological up gradation and in-house technological innovations and promotion of inter-firm linkages need to be encouraged consciously and consistently." (Lozi, p 102) Globalisation and the Jordanian Society Globalisation is not only the organised and structured pressures to open local trade and economic circumstances to international markets and

Digital Marketing in the Healthcare Industry Research Paper

Digital Marketing in the Healthcare Industry - Research Paper Example Through the system, the number of patients served per day increases and the space required to store all the data concerning the patients becomes minimal. Thus, there is increased workflow and improved productivity in the health sector. The system replaces paper records that are usually incomplete; some parts usually found in different places thus being fragmented and hard to find and read (Cavalieri and Rupp 22). The accuracy and efficiency of the health sector also improve the systems results in improved results management and the care of the patients with reduced margins of error within the medical care practice. There is also a reduction in the production cost such as overtime expenses for labor and the costs of transcription. For this reason, this automatically results in an increase in the acceptance of the system in the health sector. EMR also leads to the development of customizable and scalable records that are in a position to grow with time. The advancement of e- prescribing and documentation of the clinical records leads to improved practice in the health care system. There also results from an enhancement in the ability to more efficiently and accurately process the patients bills. The ultimate goal of having an EMR within a given hospital, is to make patients data available to anyone who needs it, where and when they need it. With the system in place, patients lab results can be obtained with much ease compared with the paper system, and this will lead to saving a lot of time and money. The system provides data that is always ready for analysis, audit, quality assurance and research and disease surveillance for continuing medical education (Cavalieri and Rupp 36). In conclusion, the emergence of the EMR into medical systems is expected to decrease medical errors, reduce health care costs and influence peoples decision in selecting their

Law of Torts Master Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Law of Torts Master - Essay Example (Grant v. Australian Knitting Mills(1936)A.C.85). According to 'Heaven v. Pender(1883) 11 Q.B.D. 503) "actionable negligence consists in the neglect of the use of ordinary care or skill towards a person to whom the defendant owes the duty of observing ordinary care and skill, by which neglect the plaintiff has suffered injury, to person or property". In an action for negligence the plaintiff has to prove that the defendant owed duty of care to the plaintiff, the defendant made a breach of that duty and the plaintiff suffered damage as a consequence thereof. By Duty of care to the plaintiff we mean a legal duty rather than a moral, religious or social duty. The Plaintiff has to establish that the defendant owed to him a specific legal duty to take care of which he has made a breach. There is no general rule of law defining such duty. It depends in each case whether that duty exists. Lord Atkin propounded the following rule in 'Donoghue v. Stevenson' and the same has gained acceptance : "You must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbour". He then defined "neighbours" as "persons so closely and directly affected by my act that I ought reasonably to have them in contemplation as being so affected when I am directing my mind to the acts or omissions whic h are being called in question." In this case the defendant raised the defence of "Privity of Contract Fallacy" quoting from the case 'Winterbottom v. Wright(1842) 10 M ) In that case Lord Abinger, C.B., said, "unless we confine the operations of such contracts as this to the parties who entered in to them, the most absurd and outrageous consequences, to which I can see no limit, will ensue." Since an action for tort is quite independent of any contract, there seems to be no reason why for an action in tort a contractual relation between the parties be insisted. This fallacy was done away with by 'Donoghue v. Stevenson' by allowing the consumer of drink an action in tort against the manufacturer, between whom there was no contract. Whether the defendant owes a duty to the plaintiff or not depends on reasonable foreseeability of the injury to the plaintiff. If at the time of the act or omission the defendant could reasonably foresee injury to the plaintiff he owes a duty to prevent that injury and failure to do that makes him liable. Duty to take care is the duty to avoid doing or omitting to do anything, the doing or omitting to do which may have as its reasonable and probable consequence injury to others, and the duty is owed to those to whom injury may reasonably and probably be anticipated if the duty is not observed (Bourhill v. Young,(1943) A.C.92, at 104, per Lord Macmillan). In 'Glasgow Corporation v. Munir' (1943) A.C.448, at 457) Lord MacMillan explained the standard of foresight of the reasonable man : "The standard of foresight of the reasonable man is, in one sense, an impersonal test. It eliminates the personal equation and is independent of the idiosyncrasies of the particular person whose conduct is in question. The reasonable man is presumed to be free both from over-apprehension and from over-confidence, but there is a sense in which the standard of care of the reasonable man involves in it's application a subjective element." In 'Booker v. Wenborn'(1962, 1 AllE.R. 431) the defendant boarded a train which had just started moving but kept the door of the

Challenges of Global Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Challenges of Global Leadership - Essay Example Environmental scanning refers to the communication to internal stakeholders on how external issues are likely to affect the operations of a business. The scanning also entails the identification of the specific questions that the company is bound to face due to the continuous changes that are taking place in the different aspects of the external environment. The scanning helps reveal the threats and opportunities to an organization and helps global leaders to overcome the challenges that they are faced with by providing a chance for development of alternative courses of action (Binscoff, Mayer, & Quick, 2015). One of the roles of global leaders operating in a changing environment is the identification of the possible threats to his business. Leaders are charged with identifying the issues that the company may face due to the frequent changes in economic, technological, social and political sectors. Through environmental scanning, the leaders can identify the threats and also define possible solutions. Secondly, the leaders recognize the opportunities that arise for the business as a result of the changes that occur (Lawrence, 2015). Global leaders have to determine new opportunities to ensure that they remain in business regardless of the changes that occur. In this light, there is need to invest in research to identify opportunities that remain unexploited that would help an organization overcome the challenges it faces. Moreover, global leaders should always remind the subordinates of the mission, vision and objectives of the business to ensure that changes and challenges they face do n ot cause them to deviate from their fundamental goals. It is only by doing this that leaders remain on top of a situation and identify changes when they arise (Bennis, 2015). One of the challenges of global leadership is team building, team development, and team management. Due to the frequent changes

Law of Torts Master Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Law of Torts Master - Essay Example (Grant v. Australian Knitting Mills(1936)A.C.85). According to 'Heaven v. Pender(1883) 11 Q.B.D. 503) "actionable negligence consists in the neglect of the use of ordinary care or skill towards a person to whom the defendant owes the duty of observing ordinary care and skill, by which neglect the plaintiff has suffered injury, to person or property". In an action for negligence the plaintiff has to prove that the defendant owed duty of care to the plaintiff, the defendant made a breach of that duty and the plaintiff suffered damage as a consequence thereof. By Duty of care to the plaintiff we mean a legal duty rather than a moral, religious or social duty. The Plaintiff has to establish that the defendant owed to him a specific legal duty to take care of which he has made a breach. There is no general rule of law defining such duty. It depends in each case whether that duty exists. Lord Atkin propounded the following rule in 'Donoghue v. Stevenson' and the same has gained acceptance : "You must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbour". He then defined "neighbours" as "persons so closely and directly affected by my act that I ought reasonably to have them in contemplation as being so affected when I am directing my mind to the acts or omissions whic h are being called in question." In this case the defendant raised the defence of "Privity of Contract Fallacy" quoting from the case 'Winterbottom v. Wright(1842) 10 M ) In that case Lord Abinger, C.B., said, "unless we confine the operations of such contracts as this to the parties who entered in to them, the most absurd and outrageous consequences, to which I can see no limit, will ensue." Since an action for tort is quite independent of any contract, there seems to be no reason why for an action in tort a contractual relation between the parties be insisted. This fallacy was done away with by 'Donoghue v. Stevenson' by allowing the consumer of drink an action in tort against the manufacturer, between whom there was no contract. Whether the defendant owes a duty to the plaintiff or not depends on reasonable foreseeability of the injury to the plaintiff. If at the time of the act or omission the defendant could reasonably foresee injury to the plaintiff he owes a duty to prevent that injury and failure to do that makes him liable. Duty to take care is the duty to avoid doing or omitting to do anything, the doing or omitting to do which may have as its reasonable and probable consequence injury to others, and the duty is owed to those to whom injury may reasonably and probably be anticipated if the duty is not observed (Bourhill v. Young,(1943) A.C.92, at 104, per Lord Macmillan). In 'Glasgow Corporation v. Munir' (1943) A.C.448, at 457) Lord MacMillan explained the standard of foresight of the reasonable man : "The standard of foresight of the reasonable man is, in one sense, an impersonal test. It eliminates the personal equation and is independent of the idiosyncrasies of the particular person whose conduct is in question. The reasonable man is presumed to be free both from over-apprehension and from over-confidence, but there is a sense in which the standard of care of the reasonable man involves in it's application a subjective element." In 'Booker v. Wenborn'(1962, 1 AllE.R. 431) the defendant boarded a train which had just started moving but kept the door of the

Effective Management of Service Processes Essay

Effective Management of Service Processes - Essay Example The aim of this assignment is to show how the effective management of the service processes, its service, people and resource utilisation has contributed to the success of Bellagio. Management of Service Processes Bellagio follows focus strategy for its services. It is the first hotel in Las Vegas which has shown remarkable quarterly sales revenue and has set record for the same. Bellagio tries to attract the upper middle class of the society or the wealthy customers, by providing them with the best services. Las Vegas is a land for architects. This is because all the hotels here are built in such manner, that they appear to be unique in some or the other way. Bellagio being one of them is not an exception. The quality of its architecture attracts many customers. Bellagio portrays Italian Architecture (Bellagio, 2012a). Its goal is to create such an ambience so that the customers can sense the value of the hotel through its construction (Inland Architect, n. d.). The aim of Bellagio is to focus on the presentation in order to impress its visitors. The hotel should always offer the best infrastructure to its customers, so that they can feel the quality of services offered by the hotel owners. It is due to this reason that Bellagio always tries to advance itself in all aspects so that it appears to be unique to those, who are visiting Las Vegas for the first time. Gaming has always been an important centre of attraction for Bellagio. The main challenge for Bellagio was to attract those visitors who are non-gamers. Apart from its architecture and gamming section, Bellagio is also famous for its wonderful fountains. These fountains were designed by special designers (Bellagio, 2012b). Musicians and expertise performance artists were also invited to choreograph these fountains. In front of Bellagio’s building more than a thousand fountain dances are shown to the visitors. In order to provide satisfaction to the visitors, the hotel organises tours to different destinations. Guests feel the uniqueness of Bellagio as soon as they enter the hotel. The lobby is admirable in its design as well as in its scale. Throughout the hotel colourful flowers have been planted to provide a wonderful feeling to the visitors. The beauty of the garden attracts many visitors and guests. Moreover, Educational Wine Classes have also been introduced by Bellagio in order to provide a better knowledge about wine through different interactive sessions. The wine classes are led by Jason Smith who is the Director of Wine. The program was conducted with the help of various presentations including open discussions with the high profile industrial professionals. The conservatory and botanical gardens of Bellagio make it a holiday destination for most of the visitors (Bellagio, 2012c). The visitors are inspired to get rid of the heat of the East Coast by enhancing the seasonal ambience throughout the resort. The winter displayed at Bellagio is eye catching. Exposure to different seasons inside the resort was a new concept introduced by Bellagio. The rooms of the hotel are redesigned in an advanced way to enhance the guest experience. The entire remodelling of the hotel was done by the design group of MGM Resorts International. The rooms were designed with brighter lights and colours so as to bring a variation in them. It has renovated 2568 rooms in the main tower of the hotel. The approximate cost of remodelling of the rooms was $70 million. The availability of three different colour palettes has further enhanced Bellagio to be one among the world’s iconic resorts. (Source: Hospitality Net, 2012) An interesting fact is that Bellagio also organises art of cooking shows for its visitors. The kitchen is well equipped with proper

The world of science Essay Example for Free

The world of science Essay The world of science has always been an interest for human beings. The need to understand the unknown, to discover cures for diseases, to comprehend how the human body works are the driving force for man to pursue different medical fields. Disease has been something that has haunted and scared people over the years. The discovery of penicillin and other amazing drugs have been phenomenal because they provide a certain hope for those who are ill. Plaques, epidemics and the like used to be a mystery for scientists. However, with the advancement of research, the development of experimental theories and tools, medical professionals soon came up with answers to end high mortality rates. Laboratory experiments have been especially effective in discovering transmission of disease. Scientists now have the knowledge to say whether one type of species is more susceptible to a certain strain of disease causing bacteria than others. The proliferation of certain species, insects, to be more specific, in a particular region also gives scientists a clue regarding how to control, isolate and manipulate the transfer of the illnesses. This is where medical entomology comes in. In numerous reviews that concern the history of medical entomology, people have always regarded the obvious as insignificant. Insects, arthropods and parasites are normal occurrence in the environment. Through the years, people thought that they are harmless until certain events occur. Even in non-medical sources, such as the Bible, one can find reference to insects being the cause of a plague. Although people cannot explain it lengthily then, they have a vague idea that these creatures that originally seemed harmless, could actually cause a catastrophic event that would destroy crops and cause a number of people death. This paper aims to provide a brief background and discuss medical entomology. Since this field of medical science is connected with other fields such as Public Health and Epidemiology, definition of other areas of study would also be discussed to highlight the difference of medical entomology with the said fields. Researches, discoveries and markers of development in this field would also be explained. Specific studies made in the United States would be cited to further emphasize the role of medical entomology in this particular region. This citations of studies would also emphasize on the applications of medical entomology and its practical use in society. Lastly, medical entomology and its various aspects would be correlated to different studies so that the importance of such a field would be completely and clearly understood. Prevention is said to be better than cure. Medical entomology lives up to this saying and this paper aims to discuss how significant this science is to the every day life of society. Entomology is said to be a field of science that dates back to hundreds of years ago. After all, as one scientist mentioned, how can anyone put a date to the study of insects and parasites (Rogers, 1960)? It is known that the eighteenth century truly provided a great turn for entomology as this is the age when organization and taxonomy were finally established for orderly study of insects (Rogers, 1960). The founders of this science were not experts on this field. Instead, they were ordinary people—some who were not even able to finish formal education, some are in the medical profession or even the law. They were not paid for the service they rendered but through these people, medical entomology—its core foundation was established (Rogers, 1960). At present, there are different diseases that remain without cure. For years, people have tried and studied varying carriers and vectors for the fast spread of disease. They found that insects, arthropods, water and food are some of the possible vehicles for disease transmission. Public heath—monitoring, researching and conducting surveys to make sure that health is promoted plays a big role in every day lives of individuals (Edman and Eldridge, 2004). It is through this field of medicine that one is able to understand the prevalence and incidence of a certain disease or phenomenon that is happening, over time or even in just a specific period. Through the years, sub-specializations under Public Health proliferated. Medical entomology is actually one of the fields often regarded as a branch of Epidemiology (Edman and Eldridge, 2004). To be more specific, the field of medical entomology deals with the study of insects and closely related arthropods that play a crucial role in the condition of human health. This may be related to behavior, ecology, and as earlier mentioned, epidemiology of arthropod diseases (Edman and Eldridge, 2004). The main goal of medical entomology is to provide substantial information that could be helpful for government officials, medical professionals, scientists and the like to ensure that the public is safe and away from harm (Edman and Eldridge, 2004). In comparison, epidemiology is basically the study of the occurrence of diseases in different types of people. This is valuable in preventing illness and evaluating present strategies and programs aimed at promoting public health. It is for this definition that medical entomology, public health and epidemiology have an interrelation that is unavoidable. Over the years, people have started paying much attention to medical entomology. With the development of drugs and discovery of diseases and their cures, it is only important to understand the transmission, distribution of certain vectors and factors aiding the widespread of disease and infection. Studies and researches flourished aiming to alert the public and health officials of upcoming dangers to specific species of insects and arthropods. Medical entomology in the United States has played a significant role in disease prevention. As early as the 1800’s researchers have been providing relevant studies that could assist in determining vectors for specific diseases. In the University of Maryland, the Department of Entomology was established as early as 1859 (Entomology, 1986). Agricultural research was highly connected to this field and as insects damaged Maryland in the mid 1890’s legislators were forced to establish the State Horticultural Department (SHD). Regulation, field work and education were the core concepts that the SHD implemented to decrease the occurrences of catastrophic events like crops damage (Entomology, 1986). The academic, experimental and practical aspects of medical entomology became realized and actually applied to prevent further economic degradation for the state. More changes in the University of Maryland occurred in relation to medical entomology. In the 1920’s, they established three main departments aiming at three things. One of this is the eradication of insects which have been introduced to the United States, like the Japanese Beetle (Entomology, 1986). Another is the study of the effective use of pesticides. Lastly, the graduate school of entomology was opened. This has become the start of the realization of the importance of medical entomology. Other states followed and so did the flow of studies. In an article by Madden (1945), he showed how important medical entomology is for society. Florida as he mentioned is a state severely affected by insect-borne diseases. Some of the reasons he depicted in his article talked about how Florida is a subtropical state conducive to the propagation of insects, and the fact that they are near the West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America (Madden, 1945). These things, Madden claimed, could minister to the transmission of insect related diseases and infections (Madden, 1945). In 1973, the importance of a link between science and government has been greatly emphasized. The United States government started realizing and actually paying attention to researches that are concerned with parasitology. Emphasis on how biomedical researches should be given a reasonable budget because they greatly concern public safety was raised (Weinstein, 1973). In addition to this, the government made certain scientists advisors for allocation of funding and grants for biomedical research and training (Weinstein, 1973). Medical entomologists are not confined in the specific field of medical science. Consistent with their jobs in the eighteen hundreds, they remain to play a role in government offices. The U. S. Department of Defense and Centers for Disease Control employs a number of entomologists (www. entsoc. org, 2000). One proof of the current interaction of the United States government and medical entomology is Dr. Robert D. Hall (www. entsoc. org, 2000). The acclaimed professor and researcher is presently employed with the judicial system. He is consulted with regard to law enforcement and interpretation of entomological evidence (www. entsoc. org, 2000). Another study, one by Darsie and Ward (2005), concerned the understanding of the morphology of mosquitoes, their geographical distribution in North America and north of Mexico. By producing such research, they are able to document and possibly correlate certain diseases that profuse in such areas with the mosquitoes that are proliferating there. A related study dealt with the general worldwide threat of arthropod-transmitted diseases (Lederberk, et al, 2002). The associated morbidity and mortality of the cases were taken into consideration. This highlights the need for insect repellant products. The availability of chemical products that could combat such species in the United States were enumerated and studied. The researchers found out which ones were most effective and could provide protection against insects and keep the public less susceptible to acquiring the disease (Lederberk, et al, 2002). Another player in this field, Jerome Goddard devoted a book to the study of major vector-borne diseases around the world. Instead of just focusing on mosquitoes, he dealt with ticks, fleas, and other vectors such as Chaga’s disease and scrub thyphus, to name a few (Goddard, 2000). In his study he provided full length description of the vectors involved provided guidelines for its treatment and controls. He also gave detailed information regarding the biology and geographical distribution of certain species that concerned his study (Goddard, 2000). In this type of research, he was able to pin point and specifically identify vectors that could be harmful and could possibly the transport of diseases to different countries and even continents, without the exception of the United States. His book and study remains as the gold standard reference in understanding the transmission and morphology of insects. As one can see, medical entomology is not concentrated to only one species. Although it may seem that mosquitoes are most paid attention too, other scientists and researchers have been demonstrating interest in different species as well. In a study by Drexler (2000), she applied medical entomology to a subject that could be more applicable to modern day. Anti-terrorism is one of the biggest issues governments are facing today. Especially in the United States where it seems that this is becoming government priority. Medical entomology can play a role here as well. The researcher refers to it as â€Å"the war on germs. † According to Drexler (2000), bioterrorism is one of the biggest threats that could face individuals today. The role of the entomologist is to identify specific vectors for disease and not only focus on one. Food-borned illness or pandemic flu may be caused not only by mosquitoes but also other agents. The more one knows about the source, the more action one can provide against infection. Rapid response and keen surveillance should be skills that entomologists should develop in order to be effective in their field (Drexler, 2000). Providing rapid action could save lives and possibly isolate disease and prevent high morbidity. With the advancement of technology, medical entomology also copes with the fast-paced changes. Different programs such as ProMed-mail (Madoff, 2004) have been made to make archiving and the data base system for infectious diseases, and their causes more efficient. Pro-Med’s main objective is to report outbreaks of infectious diseases that affect humans. It utilizes and maximizes the internet to make sure that researches are instantaneously updated regarding different illnesses that concern entomology. It also serves as an early warning system, should there be a significant imbalance in the ecosystem that could possibly be a threat to human beings (Madoff, 2004). Working hand in hand with the agricultural sector to monitor livestock is also a part of ProMed. This is because ProMed recognizes the importance of these animals in disease transmission. Aside from other scientists in ProMed, medical entomologists have a great responsibility in checking the validity of studies and the information that is made accessible to the public (Madoff, 2004). As one can see from the discussion, medical entomology is of great importance to society. It not only provides knowledge regarding different species or insects and arthropods, it also correlates to disease and susceptibility of human beings to illness. Although entomology also tries to research on cure for certain diseases that are cause by arthropods, medical entomology has the primary goal of preventing the spread of diseases. By understanding the morphology of insects, one is able to predict how fast it can spread the disease it is carrying. In a time where technology is highly being utilized and cure for a great number of diseases is being discovered, individuals realize the importance of medical entomology and the roles it plays in society. It is important to remember that it is a field that cannot stand alone. It works with different other medical sciences and even the government to be able to maximize the knowledge and discoveries it encounters. As for the medical entomology in the United States, it puts great emphasis on the factors resulting to the emergence of microbial threats. These threats open the eyes of the public and alert them to be more cautious of their environment. By providing relevant information, one can be vigilant and the government can provide cost-effective strategies for disease prevention and maintaining the public’s health in the United States. At present, the government is still working hand in hand with medical entomologists. Researches are still being funded because the government has recognized the importance of prevention. It is definitely more cost efficient and effective to avoid threats rather than provide cure when an outbreak has already occurred. Infectious disease is an inevitable part of life. However, this does not mean that people should just remain exposed to such variables that may cause disease. Prevention is the key to avoid catastrophic outbreaks or plaques. With the right tools, sufficient knowledge, prevention can be done.

Marketing Mix Definition And Concept

Marketing Mix Definition And Concept According to Laura Lake the marketing mix is a mixture of marketing tools that are used to please customers and company objectives. Customers frequently call the marketing mix the offering. Basically offer is controlled by the following variables often referred as the four Ps in marketing: Product Price Place (Distribution) Promotion By exercising the variations of these four components you have the capability to reach multiple consumers within your target market. According to Jed C. Jones the term marketing mix is defined as the marketing Mix refers to the main elements that ought to be attended to in order to correctly market a product. They are also well-known as The 4 Ps of Marketing, the marketing mix is very helpful, and is a guideline for understanding the fundamentals of what makes a good marketing campaign. 3.1.2 Variables of Marketing Mix: Product: The marketing mix concept has its heredity from the 1950s U.S. corporate marketing planet, and the practice of marketing has obviously developed tremendously since this expression was invented. One of the alterations is that, there are a lot more services accessible nowadays, such as those obtainable through online and the difference between product and service has become more fuzzy (e.g., is a Web based software application a product or a service ). Moreover Product here refers to as products or services. The product you propose needs to be able to meet a definite, vacant market demand. Or else you need to be able to create a market niche via building a muscular brand. Price: The price you set for your market offering plays a big role in its marketability. Pricing for offerings that are further commonly available in the market is more flexible (Elastic), and its implication says that unit sales will move up or down further responsively in replication to the price modification. In contrast, those products that have usually more limited availability in the market (but with strong demand) are more inelastic, meaning that price changes will not affect unit sales to a large extent The price elasticity of the offering can be found through various market testing methods. Place: It usually refers to any way that the customer can attain a product. Provision of a product can come about via any number of distribution channels, for instance in a retail store, via mail, via downloadable files, on a cruise ship, in a hair salon, etc. The easiness and options through which one can make your product available to your customers will have an effect on your sales volume. Promotion: It is basically concerned with any vehicle you use for getting people be familiar with more about your offering. Advertising, Public relations, Point-of-sale displays, and word-of-mouth promotion are all conventional ways for promotion. Promotion is basically a way of concluding the information gap between would-be sellers and would-be buyers. Ones choice of a promotional strategy will be dependent upon the budget, the type of offering you are promoting, and availability of the said promotional vehicle. The marketing mix serves as an outstanding criterion for continually examining that you are covering all of the bases in your marketing campaign. Mass Media: It refers jointly to all the media technologies, including the Internet, television, newspapers, and radio, which are used for mass communications, and to the organizations which control these technologies. Mass media play an important role in determining public perceptions on a variety of important issues, both through the information that is distributed through them, and through the interpretations they place upon this information. The also play a large role in shaping recent culture, by selecting and representing a particular set of beliefs, values, and traditions (an entire way of life), as a reality. That is, by portraying a certain interpretation of reality, they shape reality to be more in line with that interpretation. Contemporary research demonstrates a growing level of concentration of media ownership, with many media industries already highly concentrated and dominated by a very small number of firms. Direct Marketing: It is a type of advertising that reaches its target audience without using conventional formal channels of advertising, such as TV, newspapers or radio. Businesses stay in touch straight to the consumer with advertising techniques such as fliers, catalogue distribution, promotional letters, and street advertising. Direct Advertising is a sub-discipline and a kind of marketing. There are two main definitional types which differentiate it from other types of marketing. The first is that it sends its point directly to the clients, without the use of intervening commercial communication media. The second characteristic is the core theory of successful Advertising driving a precise call to action. This aspect of direct marketing involves a stress on measurable, trackable positive responses from consumers (known simply as response in the industry) apart from of medium. 3.1.3 Marketing Mix Management by Peter Grant: According to Peter Grant Marketing Mix Management is the successful business enterprise which will flourish through the aggressive and pre-planned execution of a complete Marketing Mix strategy in approaching revenues. Identify Audience or Vertical Market to Penetrate Assign Marketing Mix Resources that Accommodate Audience in Communications Process Implement Plan The objective is to use both active and passive mechanisms to emphasize the impression rate, (or number of times that your audience perceives that it remembers), your corporate communications message to your target audience, leading to bigger revenues. To be really successful, all areas of the Marketing Mix need to be pre-planned and then executed in a timely and disciplined fashion. The World Wide Web, correctly handled, can identify and address both in a passive and active mode, both current and future clients. Marketing Mix Definitions and Action Steps Pro-activity Discipline Actions / Results Active / Passive Web Site Crosses all boundaries in passive / active communications. Great freedom by potential clients in accessing your information. Active Direct Sales Face-to-Face contact. Builds rapport, leads to proposals. Active Telesales Phone solicitation to identified customers; leads to rapport building and eventual appointment for a Direct Sales call. Active Telemarketing Identifying potential customers through qualifying needs to have a problem solved that could be addressed through your particular product or solution. Passive Direct Mail Lists by maintaining an internal client database (from inquiries generated from advertising or from telemarketing/telesales calls. Lists from purchased list service. Mass mailing service (ValPak, SuperCoups). E-Mail nickname lists from inquiries. We do not recommend spamming. Fax blast to internally generated lists. Postcard mailing for cost-effective contact frequency. Passive Advertising / Promotions Target vertical market associations that purchase your product or service. Ensure that your core corporate communications look (logo, slogan, and graphical look) is repeated in any advertisement. Vertical Market trade show participation Complimentary Introductory Program exists within your communications goals. Consistent Corporate Communications look to all of your marketing efforts (Logo, stationary, brochures, advertisements, etc.). This acts to reinforce your impressions rate. Passive Public Relations Monthly Press Release and Backgrounder to all vertical market associations. Monthly release to horizontal / territory markets to build perception and retention of your core products, services and corporate identity. The execution of the above Marketing Mix objectives in a timely and well-focused manner should ensure the relative success of any enterprise that has done appropriate market research to determine the viability of its concept. 3.1.4 How to select the finest marketing mix: pros, cons, and tips for telling people about your business includes connected article on how people get business tutorial: How to Select the Best Marketing Mix: Your marketing campaign is that set of actions that you use to get the word out get the right people or group to know what you do, who you are, and where to find you. (Then your sales campaign takes over and change prospects into customers.) You can try to wing it. But going through the same planning procedure as larger companies before launching the marketing campaign will pay off perhaps by reducing the costs, and almost surely in getting better results for the similar investment of time and money. During the past some years advice is there for the software developers, physical therapists, dance instructors, dog trainers, and other small, usually service-oriented businesses on setting up their personal marketing campaigns. Here what campaigns are all about, and how you can create your marketing work for you. WHOS YOUR CUSTOMER? One cant hit a target if he/she doesnt know what youre aiming at or where the target is. So before one define the marketing campaign, do the homework: * Clearly recognize your products and services. For Instance: neon art and signage; pre-school day care by ex-teachers. * Describe your business goals, and then set the prices or rates. How much totality of business do you want? What mix of products and services do you would like to sell? * Recognize the prospect base by income, geography, age, type of organization or individual, and line of business (for instance, nonprofit organizations with yearly revenues of $100,000 to $750,000). Cons: Can be costly; needs a lot of time and effort. Not right for a number of people or businesses. Tips: Learn to qualify prospects rapidly. Follow up promptly with mailings, letterings, samples, chiefly in response to specific requests. Keep good accounts; consider using a contact-management program. Events. Attending, participating in, or reveal. Examples: trade shows, conferences, and seminars. Pros: Very good for exposure. If you dont show, often highly affordable. Cons: Very volatile results; can be time-consuming and draining, with expensive travel expenses. Tips: Prepare. Pick a small number of shows in your field to attend on a regular basis. Meet as many people as probable to grow contacts. Collateral. Materials that you print up and hand out. For Example: brochures, newsletters, pamphlets, reprints, coupons, fliers, and business cards. Pros: Can be cheap, especially if the pieces can provide many purposes and you make them using desktop publishing. Cons: Can be costly putting together a desktop-publishing system. Can take a lot of time, until you get the hang of it. Needs episodic updating; inventory needs to be managed cautiously. Tips: Think cautiously before over committing to a costly item that will go out of date. Look for pieces that can be their personal mailer. Other diverse advertising specialties. Instances: bumper stickers, coffee mugs, key rings, calendars, and other gewgaws; skywriting and blimps; contests, surveys, and joint marketing efforts. Pros: Can help drawing the attention; gives you a simple way to depart your name and address with prospects. * Expect to spend an average of an hour a day, each day, in marketing. * Always be ready. Answer the phone with a smiling, positive voice; always carry business cards. * Do follow-up promptly. * Remember that marketing rarely has immediate results. It can take months, or even years, to set up yourself. * Dont spend the money you dont have. * Use outside services sensibly mostly where you desire to save time or where special-purpose gear is needed. No two campaigns will be similar. Even though your business may be alike as somebody elses, you may have a different philosophy, budget, or capacity to take on advertising, public speaking or phone calls. Only experience will educate you whom marketing approaches works best for you, in terms of your aptitude to do them and in delivering consequences. 3.1.5 Marketing mix customization and customizability by Marc Logman: According to Marc Logman businesses looking for customized methods of designing, pricing, selling, and delivering their wares can do it themselves or leave it up to the customer. We are sailing out of the century and into the next with our marketing techniques in full-scale transformation. Top-down marketing is changing into bottom-up. Transaction marketing is changing into relationship marketing. One-way or broadcast marketing is changing to an interactive style to support a dialogue with the client and mass marketing is changing to a customized, one-on-one way of reaching individual customers. Because of fierce rivalry, long-standing competitive advantages often are no longer sustainable. The policy is to be followed, says dAveni (1994), is one of nonstop market annoyance in order to generate impermanent competitive advantages. Hamel and Prahalad (1994) propose that firms should look almost endlessly for new openings. In the middle of such dizzying change, companies must be able to create real-time decisions, so their planning and tactics horizons frequently become shorter. To be flexible and highly receptive to market moves, a top-down approach in which business plan decisions precede tactical and planning decisions often no longer supports. Companies should be able to become accustomed to their tactics immediately. In the same background, a firms communication approach becomes more and more bottom-up. Rather than determining target group (who?) and communication aim (what?) before deciding on the instrument (how?), specific methods of communicating, such as by means of the Internet, are leading to the recognition of who and what. Moreover, many writers assert that a paradigm shift is happening from transaction marketing to relationship marketing. Firms are beginning to understand that keeping current customers may be more significant than trying to attract new ones. In the computer business, different hardware specifications may be developed by the customer. Menu options offer choices of hard disk capacity, processing speed, software drivers, and so on. Capacity can be extended; new cards can further be added. Software firms are also developing innovative tools that allow the user to perform several operations more efficiently. Power quest recently introduced the package Partition magic, which allows users to divide their hard disks more effectively. Business-to-business markets, in which suppliers sell products to the manufacturer, are using both customization options. Some manufacturers, such as the auto makers, hold suppliers accountable for integrating their products into the final version. Others tend to favor buoying customizable products from the supplier and become accustomed on their own. In the second case, manufacturers often rely on competent integration-engineering division. The Laboratory of Production Technologies of Siemens in Belgium transform the basic technology into integrated solutions that fit completely into the production lines of different Siemens divisions. Purchase Price Offering the price discounts is one of the most popular ways to customize prices. Criteria for discounting often includes a customers sales volume, its sales history (such as being loyal or not), and the time of purchase. High-volume customers might get special discounts, users of old product versions might get discounts on new product versions, and so on. Another way to customize prices is through customizing the product, with additional product option leading to higher prices. Communication According to Logman (1996) points out that, especially in todays rapidly changing business environment, customers may have different information needs. Some might want to be informed about new product versions, whereas the others are interested in information about possible upgrades of old product description. The Price-sensitive customers may be interested to some extent in promotional information, whereas the quality-sensitive customers may be interested in product information. To meet the individual information needs, a firm can either communicate directly to the customers or adjust its information (such as through direct mail) or else it can offer a customizable information system that allows customers to find the preferred information easily. The World Wide Web is the most salient instance of the latter framework, with clientele selecting from corporate Web sites. Distribution and Logistics Customers now have much more freedom in choosing the logistics and methods of distribution to fit their detailed requirements. They can determine when, where, and how they want goods to be delivered; they can even state the manner in which they want goods to be handled before and after the delivery. Gilmore and Pine (1997) refer to this as the representation requirements. After-Sales Support and Costs Like many products, services can also be bundled into a customized service parcel. In numerous industries, customized augmented solution that includes both product and service are offered. In b to-b markets, such as in the mainframe computer business, sales contracts frequently cover agreements on product maintenance, substitution, and so on. By using a remote control system that permits diagnosis and possible remedy of product defects from a distance, customers after-sales costs may be condensed. Nashuatec does make use of such a system in the fax business. The Web provides another chance in this direction. By transferring video images of a product performance, product failures can be detected. After-sales costs, to some extent, can be customized by end users. Someone who buys a fresh car may decide to opt for lower energy costs by driving at a reasonably price rate of speed. A company may manufacture a copy machine that is simple for customers to maintain and repair themselves. Service costs are thereby condensed and the customers after sales cost perceptions may be positively influenced. CUSTOMIZED OR CUSTOMIZABLE: A TRADE-OFF? Businesses clearly have two alternatives when it comes to producing and marketing a product or a service: either going for the customize marketing mix instruments or let the customers themselves do it. The choice depends on numerous considerations. Finally, a firm must think about the independencies and interdependencies of its marketing mix decision. Can it present customized final product while offering a customizable information network for after-sales communication? Does price customizability results from product customizability? Can experienced computer users design their personal PCs from a list of options of standard components at a price that seems suitable to them? Will customizing methods of distribution affects price? With marketing practices in such a flux, companies are ever looking for innovative solutions to customize their ways of offering products and services. Using the framework provided here allows marketing practitioners to assess different customization options for their marketing mix instruments. But some warnings are in order. When a firm chooses to customize the marketing mix at its own, it should take care to make sure that its marketing policy is transparent and clear-cut to customers. Offering inconsistent solutions to diverse people may be seen as giving special treatment to some while discriminating against others and offering inexpert customers a do-it-yourself customizable product or service might be able to result in confusion, dissatisfaction, or even in a disaster. Along with the advances in technology that facilitate both customization and customizability comes with a new array of challenges. But careful decisions based on a proper framework for assessing the options can result in a marketing mix that draws closer to providing everything to every customer. 3.2 Brand Equity: 3.2.1 Brand Equity Definition Concept: According to Philip Kotler and Gary Armstrong, Brand Equity is defined as how much is a brand worth of? Brand equity refers towards the value of the brand. Brand equity does not develop immediately. A brand needs to be cautiously nurtured and marketed so customers feel real value and trust regarding that brand. Nike, Adidas, Harrods, all have high brand equity. These brands command high awareness and consumer loyalty. But how much are these brands really worth? It is hard to put a value on these brands. But how much is a pair of Nike trainers worth without the logo on it? According to Scott D. White, Brand equity can be defined in many diverse ways. He has developed an easy, yet dominant definition of brand equity. For a brand to be strong it must achieves two things over time: i.e. retain current customers and attract new ones. To the amount, a brand does these things well, it grows stronger versus opposition, and delivers more earnings to its owners. Flouting down the definition of brand equity into its two components, one can more easily determine a dependable way to measure the brand equity, and to track changes in brand equity over time. The components of retention, brand equity, and attraction of customers, stem from people experiences with and perceptions of a brand. The ability to keep customers is largely experiential. A high equity brand displays stronger levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty. History has shown that customers will continue to buy a brand that can offer them their moneys worth. The ability to create a center of attention for new customers is largely perceptual. Because consumers do not have actual brand experience and they must go by what they hear, see and judge about a brand. The two primary ways through market receives this information is by messages controlled by marketing, such as the advertising and PR efforts and as well as uncontrolled messages such as the press stories and word of mouth. 3.2.2 Brand Equity Variables: 3.2.2.1 Brand Awareness: Brand awareness is a marketing concept that measures customers knowledge of a brands existence. At the aggregate level, it refers to the amount of consumers who know of the brand. Measurement driven conceptualization: Brand awareness is the degree to which a brand is associated with a particular product and is documented by potential and existing consumers either positively or negatively. Formation of brand awareness is the main goal of advertising at the beginning of any products life cycle in the target markets. In fact, brand awareness has influence on the buying behavior of a buyer. All of these calculations are at best approximations. A better complete understanding of the brand can occur if numerous measures are used. Brand equity is the positive effect of the brand on the differentiation between the prices that the consumer accepts to pay when the brand known compared to the value of the benefit received. 3.2.2.2 Brand Association: Brand Associations are not the benefits, but they are the images and symbols associated with a brand or a brand benefit. For instance- The Nike Swoosh, Nokia sound, the Film Stars as with Lux, signature tune the Ting-ting-ta-ding with Britannia, Blue color with the Pepsi, etc. Associations are not the reasons-to-buy but provide contacts and differentiation that is not replicable. It is relating perceived qualities of a brand to a known unit. For example- Hyatt Hotel is linked with the luxury and comfort; BMW is linked with sophistication, and superior engineering. The most popular brand associations are with the possessors of a brand, such as Mr. Bill Gates and Microsoft, Reliance and Dhirubhai Ambani. Brand associations are formed on the following basis: Customers contact with the organization and its employees; Advertisements; Word of mouth publicity; Price at which the brand is sold; Celebrity/big entity association; Quality of the product; Products and schemes offered by competitors; Product class/category to which the brand belongs; POP ( Point of purchase) displays; etc Positive brand associations can be developed if the product which the brand depicts is durable, and desirable. The consumers must be persuaded that the brand owns the features and attributes that can satisfy their needs. This can lead to consumers having a positive impression about the product. Positive brand association helps a business to gain goodwill, and hinders the competitors entry into the market. Brand association is anything which is deeply seated in consumers mind about the brand. Brand should be linked with something positive that can help customers to relate your brand being positive. Brand associations are the qualities of brand which come into customers mind when the brand is talked about. It is associated with the implicit and explicit meanings which a customer relates or associates with a specific brand name. Brand association can also be defined as the extent to which a specific product/service is familiar within its product/service or category. While selecting a brand name, it is necessary that the name chosen should emphasize a significant attribute or benefit that forms its product positioning. For example Power book. 3.2.2.3 Brand Impression/ Perception: Brand perception is actually how the public (the ones you are relating to) sights the product. Its the desired team shirt a football fan wears on Sundays. Bands poster hung in a teenagers room. An opinion voiced to a buddy. Brand experiences and perceptions are developed over time through a mixture of sources, including: Previous experience with the brand Interactions with sales, customer service, and other employees Recommendations from friends and colleagues Reviews by reputable sources Advertising Brand managers need to know that how consumers perceive and select the brands in specific product categories and market segments. One also need to know that what is important to consumers when making a brand decision, where consumers get the information about products and services, and what consumers think about your brand. 3.2.2.4 Brand Attachment: Brand attachment is what you vie for. It is critical not only to get your target customers make a purchase from you, but also to make them empathize with your brand. People are often inclined to award things with human characteristics and emotions. That is precisely what you want them to do. Making your brand more personal and you will get a chance to win your consumers lifelong loyalty and passion. Brands are shaped to distinct products from their competitors and join their consumers to them by building up their loyalty. Product promotion cannot be a easy and dull process of making profit. In order to have success, it has to affect both the rational and emotional aspects of human nature. A product selling, based only on their normal benefits and qualities, is not probable any more. As a high competition level makes it to be so. Therefore, brands need somewhat more to attract customers to their products. 3.2.3 Brands and brand equity: definition and management by Lisa Wood: According to Lisa Wood, an attempt to define the relationship between consumers and brands produced the term brand equity in the marketing literature. The idea behind brand equity has been debated both in the accounting and marketing literatures, and has also highlighted the importance of having a long-term focus within the brand management. Although there have been major moves by companies to be strategic in the way that the brands are managed, a lack of common terminology and philosophy within n between disciplines persists and may deter communication. Brand equity, like the concepts of brand and the added value has been discussed in the section headed the brand construct has proliferated into numerous meanings. Accountants tend to describe brand equity differently from marketers, with the idea being defined both in terms of the relationship between consumer and brand or as something that accrues to the brand owner (the company-oriented definitions). According to Feldwick (1996) simplifies the diversity of approaches, by providing a classification of different meanings of brand equity as the total value of a brand as a separable asset ; Â ± when it is sold, or included on a balance sheet; A measure of the strength of consumers attachment to a brand A description of the associations and beliefs the consumer has about the brand. The first of these is often known as brand valuation or brand value, and is the meaning generally accepted by financial accountants. The concept of measuring the customers level of attachment to a brand is known as brand strength (synonymous of brand loyalty). The third could be called the brand image, though Feldwick (1996) did use the term brand description. When the marketers use the term brand equity they tend to mean the brand description or the brand strength. Brand strength and brand description at times referred to as the customer brand equity to distinguish them from asset valuation meaning. Brand description is different because it would not be expected to be quantified, whereas the brand strength and brand value are considered quantifiable (though the methods of quantification are not covered by this article). Brand value may be thought to be separate as it refers to the actual or notional business transaction, while the other two focuses on the customer. There is an unspecified relationship between interpretations of the brand equity. This connection implies the causal chain. 3.2.4 Managing Brand Equity in Rapidly Changing Markets by Carol Holding: Several years ago, brand equity received the ultimate accolade in a capitalist society: a dollar value- sometimes listed with other intangible assets in the annual report. The highest valued brand today is Coca Cola. Its value according to Financial World is $39 billion. Thats the extra margin people will pay to get the real thing over a generic brand. On the other hand, IBMs brand, though third in value this year, was by one estimate actually negative last year. In other words, if you put the IBM logo on the product, it actually reduced the value of that product versus an unknown brand. Both of these companies, Coca Cola and IBM, have gone through enormous change, yet one managed to build its equity and one lost it. Though each companys management decisions and style had something to do with the outcomes, they also faced different types of rapid change, one far