Importance of English in Nepal

IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN NEPAL IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN NEPAL Nearly 4000 languages are spoken in the world. some language are confined in a small area. but some language are widely spoken. English language is an international language. it is spoken as native language is Canada,Australia,the USA and the UK. it is used as official language in some counties. such as in India and ,it is used as foreign language in most of the countries in the world.English language is that window through which we can peep the world easily. we need this language for our higher education. technical subjects are taught in english. most of the books in modern technology are found in english. if we have no knowledge of english,we can't study those books. many important and great books are written in engliah. we can enjoy reading various literary books in english. we can get a good job easily,if we have good command in spoken or written english. owadays we require english even to operate com puter. which is a compulsory thing in modern society. a pilot of international flight needs english for communication. english is the sky language in tourism. a person who can speak english can earn a good deal of money and prestige in society. english is a passport with that one can travel all over the world without any difficulty . because of these reasons,english is the most important language in the world. we should learn english language to make our future carrier bright.

Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen Essay

Organic chemical compounds contain a vast number of isomers, molecules with the same molecular formula but different atomic arrangement, of which there are three types: structural, geometric and optical. The most closely-linked of isomers are optical isomers, which differ only by the three-dimensional placement of the molecule’s attachments, which renders its mirror images to be non-superimposable. The presence of optical isomerism within a molecule is determined by the existence of a chiral centre—a carbon atom with four different groups (see Appendix, figure 1). Pure optical isomers have identical physical properties such as melting point, boiling point and density, as well as identical chemical properties; thus there are only two ways that they can be distinguished: their interaction with other chiral substances and their interaction with plane polarized light. An enantiomer (one out of a pair of optical isomers) rotates plane polarized light in the opposite direction of which the other enantiomer rotates the plane polarized light, of equal magnitude (see Appendix A, figure 2). An enantiomer that shifts plane polarized light to the left is given the prefix â€Å"L† (levorotatory) or â€Å"S†, while an enantiomer that shifts plane polarized light to the right is given the prefix â€Å"D† (dextrorotatory) or â€Å"R†. Despite their physical and chemical similarities, optical isomers are known to have substantially different behaviours within the human body. This is due to the fact that enzymes and receptors in the body are stereospecific, meaning that they can interact with one enantiomer of certain molecules and not the other. For instance, the human body can only break down D-glucose (dextrose) for energy but not L-glucose, and can only utilize L-amino acids rather than D-amino acids. While one form of a stereoisomer may be beneficial, the other may be ineffective or even harmful, in some cases. Thus, it is crucial that optical isomerism is taken into account during medicinal drug development and usage. For example, the sedative thalidomide was available in Europe in the 1960s for purposes of alleviating morning sickness in pregnant women. However, the drug was sold as a racemic mixture, which contains equal portions of both enantiomers (this would not shift plane polarized light as the two enantiomers shift in different directions),  and while R-thalidomide (see Appendix A, figure 3) works effectively as a sedative; S-thalidomide can cause genetic damage leading to mutation of the fetus. Consequently, 12 000 infants were born worldwide with malformation of the limbs. To further illustrate the importance of optical isomers in drug action, the drug ibuprofen can be explored. Ibuprofen is a drug used for anti-inflammatory purposes such as pain relief, fever and swelling reduction, and is classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Derived from propanoic acid in the 1960s by a pharmacy chain called Boot’s UK Limited, ibuprofen was initially launched as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, and was awarded the Queen’s Award for Technical Achievement in 1987. It is currently available under a variety of trademarks such as Advil, Motrin, Nurofen, and Brufen, among others. Ibuprofen works by inhibiting the enzymatic action of cyclooxygenase (COX1 and COX2) within the body, which catalyzes the conversion of a compound called arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are locally-acting hormones that cause swelling, heat, loss of function, fever and pain, collectively known as inflammation, at a site of injury through the accumulation of white blood cells. Through inhibiting this reaction, painful symptoms can be reduced or eliminated. The IUPAC name for ibuprofen is 2-(4-(2-methylpropyl) phenyl) propanoic acid. It is a carboxylic acid which also contains a phenyl group (see Appendix A, figure 5). Due to its chirality, ibuprofen has two enantiomers (see Appendix A, figure 6): S-ibuprofen, which rotates plane polarized light to the left and is pharmacologically active, and R-ibuprofen, which rotates plane polarized light to the right and has no anti-inflammatory effect (and is thus inactive as a drug, since . However, ibuprofen is sold on the market as a racemic mixture. Thus, a dose of ibuprofen contains only 50% of the active enantiomer, S-ibuprofen. Nevertheless, R-ibuprofen undergoes species-specific chiral inversion within the body, in which approximately 60% of R-ibuprofen is converted into S-ibuprofen. The mechanism of the inversion is through an enzyme, alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) that is present in the liver, the kidney and gastrointestinal tract. A  substitution nucleophilic bimolecular (SN2) r eaction must take place (see Appendix B, figure 1), which results in the complete conversion of every molecule of one enantiomer to the other. In this case, only R-ibuprofen is converted into S-ibuprofen (see Appendix B, figure 2). The benefits associated with ibuprofen use include its efficiency as a NSAID in decreasing inflammation, in addition to be non-addictive and affordable. However, ibuprofen often causes stomach irritation, and can impede concentration and cause drowsiness. It may also result in a variety of adverse side effects (see Appendix C, figure 1). An alternative to ibuprofen is the drug acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol. Acetaminophen, (see Appendix A, figure 7), is commercially available under brand names such as Tylenol and Anacin (see Appendix A, figure 8). It works by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins. It does not, however, have any anti-inflammatory action and thus only targets tissue of the nervous system—easing pain without being directed towards the root of the problem. Acetaminophen is known to cause fewer side effects than ibuprofen; however for a list of side effects, see Appendix C, figure 2. Acetaminophen does not have a chiral centre, and therefore does not have any optical isomers. Both drugs are used to relieve headache pains and fever; however their varying properties impact their function and effectiveness in treating specific symptoms. The solubility of ibuprofen in water is 0.0002M. Although its carboxyl functional group is highly polar, the large non-polar component greatly decreases its overall polarity. As â€Å"like dissolves like†, ibuprofen does not dissolve well in water, which is polar. To solve this problem, ibuprofen is reacted with the amino acid lysine (see Appendix A, figure 9), which together forms the salt ibuprofen lysinate. Ibuprofen is then released into the bloodstream in which the reaction can reverse. On the other hand, acetaminophen is highly soluble in water; with a solubility of 0.091M. Because it contains an amide and an alcohol, there is a substantial degree of hydrogen bonding resulting in high polarity (see Appendix A, figure 10). This allows the drug to be absorbed into the bloodstream effectively. Ibuprofen has a pKa (acid dissociation constant) of approximately 4.43, while the pKa of acetaminophen is 9.51 and 25 °C, making ibuprofen more acidic. Because neutral substances pass through bodily membranes more easily, acetaminophen is more easily absorbed. Acetaminophen also has more acid stability. Administered orally, an ibuprofen capsule has an enteric coating, which prevents stomach acid from breaking down the drug before it reaches the small intestine, where it is absorbed. A film coating is used on a tablet of acetaminophen, which protects the tongue from the contents, as well as protecting the contents from moisture and light. Within the body, the film can be broken down by saliva or stomach acid, and the way in which the drug is absorbed is not affected. Appendix A: Images Figure 1: Molecule with a chiral centreFigure 2: Plane polarized light beamed through a filter. The two enantiomers shift light in opposite directions. Figure 1: Type of isomer vs. molecule melting and boiling point Type of Isomers Molecules Melting Point and Boiling Point Structural Isomers butane 2-methylpropane MP: -140 °C BP: -1 ° C MP: -159.6 °C BP: -11.7  °C Geometric Isomers cis-butene trans-butene MP: -138.9  °C BP: 3.7  ºC MP: -105.5  °C BP: 0.9  °C Optical Isomers L-2-butanol D-2-butanol MP: -115  °C BP: 98-100  °C MP: -115  °C BP: 98-100  °C Figure 3: The two optical isomers of thalidomide. R-thalidomide works effectively as a sedative, while S-thalidomide can damage the fetus. Figure 5: Skeletal diagram of ibuprofen, with the functional group labeled Appendix A (cont’d): Images Figure 6: Optical isomers of ibuprofen; S-ibuprofen is on the left and R-ibuprofen is on the right Figure 7: Skeletal diagram of acetaminophen, with the functional groups labeled Figure 9: Skeletal diagram of the amino acid lysine, which is reacted with ibuprofen in order to allow it to ultimately dissolve into the bloodstream Figure 10: Polarity of ibuprofen vs. acetaminophen Appendix B: Reactions Figure 1: The process of a substitution nucleophilic bimolecular (SN2) reaction Figure 2: â€Å"The mechanism of the enzymatic [chiral] inversion of R-ibuprofen (42) into S-ibuprofen. At first, the carboxylic acid is converted into an intermediate thioester (43a) by acyl-CoA ligase†¦ [This] is then converted to the opposite configuration by an epimerase, and the resultant thioester (43b) is hydrolyzed by a hydrolase, releasing S-ibuprofen.† Appendix C: Tables Figure 1: Side effects of ibuprofen Mild side effects include: upset stomach, mild heartburn, diarrhea, constipation; bloating, gas; dizziness, headache, nervousness; skin itching or rash; blurred vision Serious side effects include: chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance; black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; swelling or rapid weight gain; urinating less than usual or not at all; nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or severe headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, and/or seizure (convulsions). Figure 2: Side effects of acetaminophen Mild side effects include: drowsiness Serious side effects include: low fever with nausea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite; dark urine, clay-colored stools; or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) liver failure (with overdose) Bibliography CHAPTER 5: RULES FOR SPECIFICATION OF CHIRALITY. (n.d.). University of Illinois at Chicago-Chemistry. Retrieved October 8, 2013, from tigger.uic.edu/~kbruzik/text/chapter5.htm This source is credible because it is a university website. Chemistry in your cupboard | Nurofen . (n.d.). Royal Society of Chemistry | Advancing excellence in the chemical sciences. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from http://www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry/resources/chemistry-in-your-cupboard/nurofen/3 This source is credible because it is a reputable educational society in Britain. Clancy, C., Farrow, K., Finkle, T., & Francis, L. (2002). McGraw-Hill Ryerson chemistry 12. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson. This is credible because it is a textbook used in class. Cohen, J. S. (2007, December 4). The Little-Known Dangers of Acetaminophen.Life Extension. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/dec2007_report_acetaminophen_02.htm This is credible because it is health journal from a reputable organization. Ibuprofen. (2013, July 18). Livertox: Clinical and Research Information. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from http://livertox.nih.gov/Ibuprofen.htm This is credible because it is from the United States government. Open Notebook Science. (2013, October 10). Solubility of ibuprofen in organic solvents. Retrieved October 8, 2013, from http://lxsrv7.oru.edu/~alang/onsc/solubility/allsolvents.php?solute=ibuprofen This is credible because it is an educational institution. 1C – http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/02/briefing/3882b2_06_international%20ibuprofen%20foundation.htm 2C – http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/dec2007_report_acetaminophen_02.htm http://books.google.ca/books?id=9xYuQKZSDkIC&pg=PA205&lpg=PA205&dq=how+is+r-ibuprofen+converted+into+s-ibuprofen&source=bl&ots=D4iuQfKoyT&sig=WS9y5uMJa0Hr68Og5FhkJr73OfQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WcZVUoqJDpCi4APKyoDoBg&ved=0CFcQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=how%20is%20r-ibuprofen%20converted%20into%20s-ibuprofen&f=false 2B – http://books.google.ca/books?id=Zgx13oMZaYUC&pg=PA363&lpg=PA363&dq=how+is+r-ibuprofen+converted+into+s-ibuprofen&source=bl&ots=sWD8D0j8HI&sig=L_5r42H68KotX

The View of Scholar on the Kingdom of God

by David W. Baker. It is posted with permission from the author. I. Introduction The Kingdom of God has been one of the dominant topics of New Testament study in this century. The reason is obvious. Many scholars, both conservative and critical, regard the kingdom of God as â€Å"the central theme† of Jesus’ public proclamation. 1 In fact, a plethora of monographs has poured forth since Johannes Weiss and Albert Schweitzer made the case that Jesus’ teaching was profoundly Jewish, drenched in intense eschatological hope. This new view contended against nineteenth century views, which moralized the kingdom and made it palatable to modern taste by arguing it was merely an expression of ethical sensitivity raised up in the hearts of men. In contrast, Weiss and Schweitzer argued that Jesus’ claim for the kingdom anticipated God’s stark intervention in the very near future that would reshape the creation. The view became known as â€Å"consistent,† â€Å"thorough-going† or â€Å"imminent† eschatology.For Weiss, the kingdom was purely religious, not ethical; purely future, not present in any way. The Kingdom would be God’s final miracle with Jesus functioning in his current ministry as Messias designatus. 3 For Weiss, Jesus believed that he would one day become the Son of Man. At first, Jesus believed that this would occur during his lifetime, and later in his ministry, he anticipated it to come shortly after His death. 4 It is a heritage that Jesus believed he possessed, though he had not yet entered into it.For Schweitzer, Jesus expected the end to come at first in his ministry. As he sent out the twelve in mission (Matthew 10:23), he believed that before they finished their tour of the cities of Israel, the Son of Man would come and bring the kingdom. Its appearance would mean the end of the present age, and he would be transformed into the Son of Man. When the disciples returned from their mission with out this taking place, Jesus’ hopes of the end changed. It would take suffering, his own suffering, for the Kingdom to come. His death would bring the Kingdom. Though very different than Schweitzer, the oldest dispensationalists also stressed the Jewish roots of kingdom hope and placed its ultimate expression, as originally expressed through the hope of Israel’s scriptures, strictly in the future, what they referred to as the â€Å"kingdom of heaven. † Whatever relationship Jesus’ work in the present had to the kingdom, it was part of a previously unrevealed â€Å"mystery† that made its current expression something istinct from what had been promised to Israel and distinct from what was to come one day in fulfillment. This distinction between what would happen for Israel one day and what happens to the church today was a major element in the traditional dispensational distinction between Israel and the church in the plan of God. However, in the mid dle of this century, that clear distinction was somewhat blurred, though how it worked precisely was never agreed to or clearly set forth as four separate views were espoused. Unlike Schweitzer, these dispensationalists, saw no â€Å"error† or â€Å"change† in Jesus’ understanding, but like him they regarded the promise of the future to be so rooted in Jewish hope and so grand in its scale that nothing Jesus did currently could be seen as the fulfillment of that great promise of old. For both classical and revised dispensationalists, the mystery introduced into the kingdom program, conceived in various ways in this century, represented an â€Å"intercalation† in the kingdom program of God, distinct from the hope given to Israel.So throughout this century, the idea that kingdom hope was richly Jewish and pointed strongly, if not exclusively, to the future has been prominent in New Testament theology, whether conservative or not. 7 As we shall see, this emp hasis on the future form of the kingdom is well grounded in biblical hope. Other views also have emerged in this century. Two approaches were like the nineteenth century â€Å"romanticized† efforts to redefine the kingdom in ways moderns could embrace.So efforts were made to demyhtologize Jesus’ image of the apocalyptic Kingdom into either an existential claim for a crisis decision (Bultmann) or to turn kingdom language into a mere metaphorical symbol of hope and transformation (Wilder and the later Perrin). 8 Both of these attempts, representing more liberal readings of Scripture, tried to redeem the kingdom concept by redefining it. However, two other approaches seriously sought to engage the biblical text and assess the model Weiss and Schweitzer introduced.These two other main views of the kingdom in this century have reacted to the â€Å"strictly future† model of the kingdom in two very diverse ways. One view, associated with C. H. Dodd, opted for a reading that the Kingdom hope was totally realized in Jesus’ ministry. 9 This became known as â€Å"realized† eschatology. The other, rooted in the work of Werner Kummel, R. H. Fuller, and Joachim Jeremias, argued that the view of the kingdom had both present and future elements. 10 This became known as the â€Å"already/not yet† view of the kingdom or eschatology in the process of realization. † In fact, Jeremias in his conclusion to his volume on the parables closes this way, â€Å"In attempting to recover the original significance of the parables, one thing above all becomes evident: it is that all the parables of Jesus compel his hearers to come to a decision about his person and mission. For they all are full of ‘the secret of the Kingdom of God’ (Mark 4. 11), that is to say, the recognition of ‘an eschatology in the process of realization. The hour of fulfillment is come, that is the urgent note that sounds through them all. †11 Th is view was made famous in evangelical circles by George Ladd. 12 It is probably the most prominent view currently in New Testament circles at large, both conservative and critical. It is known as â€Å"inaugurated† eschatology. 13 The kingdom was inaugurated or was dawning in Jesus’ words and deeds, but its consummation was yet future. As we shall see, there are also good reasons why this view is held.I lay out this â€Å"map† of views at the start, because the issue of what the kingdom is, when it begins, and how it proceeds have been the key questions in this century. But treating the theology of the kingdom involves far more than these questions, as we hope to show and survey. In fact, I hope to consider a series of issues tied to the kingdom. They include: (1) Linguistics and the Kingdom in Jewish Expectation: A Static or Tensive Symbol; (2) Kingdom as Apocalyptic (Imminence; Remaking of This World Into The Age to Come or Renewing This World in This History or Both); (3) Kingdom: Present, Future, or Both? (4) Defining the Kingdom: â€Å"Dynamic†Ã¢â‚¬â€œGod’s Powerful Presence in Rule (God in Strength) or â€Å"Realm† (Church, Israel, World, or â€Å"Eschatological†) or All the Above; (5) The Kingdom and Ethics; (6) Beyond the Term Kingdom (Messiah, Spirit, Son of Man, Salvation, Gospel, Overcoming Satan and Sin); (7) Kingdom outside the Gospels (Why Is The Term Less Prevalent? ); and (8) So What? : The Kingdom and Today. So not only is the kingdom theme an important New Testament concept generating a rich history of discussion, it is also one of the most complex topics in Scripture. II.The Kingdom, Jesus, the Hebrew Scriptures, and Second Temple Jewish Kingdom Hope: A Static or Tensive Symbol? When Jesus used the expression â€Å"kingdom of God,† how much of its meaning can we assume he and his audience shared? This becomes an important question because the expression itself, surprisingly, is totally absent in the Hebrew Scriptures. 14 Here is a case where the study of an idea has to move past a study of the set phrase to get anywhere. The idea, however, is more frequent. 15 Yahweh is King (1 Sam 12:12; Ps. 24:10; Is. 33:22; Zeph. 3:15; Zech. 14:16-17). He rules over Israel (Exod. 15:18; Num. 23:21; Deut. 33:5; Is. 43:15).He rules over the earth or the creation (2 Kings 19:15; Is. 6:5; Jer. 46:18; Ps. 29:10; 47:2; 93; 96:10; 145:11, 13). He possesses a royal throne (Ps. 9:4; 45:6; 47:8; Is. 6:1; 66:1; Ezek 1:26). His reign is ongoing (Ps. 10:16; 146:10; Is. 24:23). Rule or kingship is His (Ps. 22:28). It is primarily God’s special relationship to Israel that is in view here as the Son of David is said to sit on Yahweh’s throne (1 Chron 17:14; 28:5; 29:23; 2 Chron 9:8; 13:8). When Israel was overrun by the nations, a longing existed that one day God would reestablish his rule on behalf of his people and show his comprehensive sovereignty to all humanity.After all, God had committed himself to David concerning a dynasty of duration (2 Sam. 7:13). It is here that the hope of a future kingdom of God, made not with hands, came to be contrasted with the kingdoms of men in Daniel 2 and 7. It is in the context of such expectation that Jesus used the term â€Å"kingdom of God. † What was hoped for was something that had existed in the past, but only as a mere glimpse of what had been promised–a rule to come involving total peace for God’s people. In sum, Kingdom hope by the time of the Babylonian captivity is driven forward by the vision of the fullness of God’s rule showing up one day.It was to this hope that Jesus preached. Such a hope had been nurtured in some circles of second temple Judaism. 16 The kingdom became linked (sometimes) to the messianic hope, but (always) to judgment of the nations, and vindication of the saints. Some Jewish documents, content with the current arrangement, do not reflect any such hope. The concept is expressed with some variety, but central to its expression is that God will assert his comprehensive rule (1 Enoch 9:4-5; 12:3; 25; 27:3; 81:3).God’s powerful presence will involve the removal of Satan’s influence (Assumption of Moses 7–10). He will destroy his enemies and free his people. These enemies are described in both earthly terms, like the Romans in Psalms of Solomon 17–18 and 2 Baruch 36-40, and in spiritual terms, where Belial stands among the evil forces who will be defeated (1QS 3–4). Often the coming of the kingdom was seen as preceded by a period of intense upheaval and tribulation (Sib. Or. 3:796-808; 2 Bar. 70:2-8; 4 Ezra 6:24; 9:1-12; 13:29-31; 1QM 12:9; 19:1-2). The cry of the prayer of 2 Macc. :24-29 summarizes well the hope of deliverance. The call was for God to deliver and vindicate his people. The text of Psalms of Solomon 17–18 gives the most detailed expression of messianic hope in all the texts, though the idea of kingdom in this period of Judaism did not always entail a messianic hope. 17 In fact, sometimes the Messiah is seen in very earthly terms as in the Psalms of Solomon, while in other texts, he clearly possesses a more transcendent power (1 Enoch 37–71) or has a seeming mix of the two (4 Ezra 7:28-29; 12:32-34; 13:26).Thus, associated with the consistent idea of God’s coming comprehensive and vindicating rule for his people is a complex and varying array of sub-themes tied to the kingdom’s coming. In Judaism, there was no unified view of the kingdom beyond the hope of God’s powerful coming and vindication. It is important to appreciate that it is into this somewhat confused backdrop that Jesus preached this hope. This complex background raises the question could Jesus use the phrase and really be understood? More importantly, in presenting his understanding of the idea represented in the kingdom could he assume an understanding of the term by hi s audience?Given the paucity of Old Testament use of the phrase and the variety of details attached to the hope within Judaism, Jesus needed to explain his usage in order to be clear. It is this complexity that raises the issue of whether Jesus’ use of the term was â€Å"static† (steno) or â€Å"tensive. † 18 Norman Perrin posed two options. Did Jesus use the term one way all the time with a fixed referent (steno)? Or was his use of the term something that he used with symbolic force but that could not be contained in one referent alone (tensive)?We opt for a third possibility, did Jesus’ use operate within a fixed parameter, which he filled with a variety of detail because of the richness of the base concept he was defining and detailing (tensive yet with a steno-like base)? 19 How one approaches Jesus’ terminology will impact how one reads it. Four factors favor this third option. First, the number of and variety within the gospel kingdom sayings placed alongside the paucity of older references in the Hebrew Scriptures suggests that Jesus is developing the concept along additional lines from what the Old Testament taught.However, Jesus’ respect for that revelation means that he is not altering the concept, but developing and complementing it. We hope to show the variety within his teaching that validates this point. Second, the very consistency of the fundamental image within Judaism means that a basic understanding of kingdom did exist on which Jesus could build. It is God’s kingdom and rule that is presented as the hope. The sheer number of texts that discuss judgment and vindication under this theme both in Scripture and in later Judaism show that Jesus works with a given understanding at its base.Reflection taking place within Second Temple Judaism represented attempts to put the hope of Scripture together in terms of the details. Jesus both accepts and rejects elements of these reflections. Third, this id ea that Jesus works with a rarely used Old Testament term and yet develops it using larger categories of scriptural teaching has precedent elsewhere in his own use. Jesus does the same type of thing with the Son of Man concept. That description of a human invested with eschatological authority appears in Daniel 7 (note the conceptual overlap with the kingdom theme–Dan. is a key kingdom text). Jesus takes this one image and uses it as a collection point for his christology. In the same way, Jesus takes the kingdom concept and uses it as a collection point for both soteriology and eschatology. 20 Fourth, the very confusion of detail within Judaism of Jesus’ time demanded that he take this type of approach to the concept. Here was a phrase that basically did not exist in the Old Testament. However, by Jesus’ time, multiple concepts swirled around it, even though its basic meaning was well established.The phrase clearly sought to summarize a major strand of Jewish h ope, yet it needed defining. Its absence in the Old Testament gave Jesus room to make it a helpful synthesizing concept. Its familiarity and importance within Judaism, because of the hope it encapsulated, made it a key term to nail down. The very diversity in its contemporary usage required that Jesus explain and develop the term. Thus, as we turn to Jesus’ use, we can expect that on the one hand he was referring to a hope his audience understood in its most basic terms, but something that also needed more detail and development.

Strategies for successful writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Strategies for successful writing - Essay Example That being the Uniform Commercial Code's Section 2 on Sales. I needed to mention this because a sales contract covers many aspects of law, and are governed by different laws. As a contract, it must be governed and validly enforced under the provisions of contract law. First, the chart on slide 2 is indeed based on Exhibit 10.1, page 244 of the textbook, and states elements of a contract. This is slightly inaccurate, since the chart shows the essence of a contract and the steps for creation, rather than elements per se. Second, the same chart is slightly off with regard to Exhibit 10.1, in the sense that sub-box containing the terms, "beween competent parties involving lawful subject matter". In the Exhibit the box is shown as a shared characteristic of both offer and acceptance, showing that this is an essential characteristic that must exist under both the offer and acceptance stage. In the presentation, it is shown only under the offer stage. Indeed this seems a small issue, but to be technically correct, should have been more accurate. Lastly, under the list of circumstances when "a contract may be voided" under slide 6, the last point states that "lawful-not violating state, federal, or common law". This is in effect contradicting the topic at hand, because it states that a contract may be voided because it is lawful, when it should state that a contract is valid when it does not violate law. What did you learn most about this topic that was unclear or unknown before Contract law is always a multi-faceted topic, and states a number of new concepts and principles. This presentation helped me understand more of the definitions of the characteristics within the contract's creation, such as negotiation, offer and acceptance, and consideration. Were any of your questions about this topic left unanswered If so, what are they There were some unanswered questions, which I stated above, relating to the aspects of sales in the presentation. Especially since the topic was sales contracts, the presenter could have economized more on time by minimizing the discussion on contracts and focusing more on sales. *Adapted from Reinking, J. A., Hart, A. W., & Von der Osten, R. (2003). Strategies for successful writing: A rhetoric, research guide, reader, and handbook (6th ed.). Boston: Prentice-Hall/Pearson Custom Publishing.

Aviation in the Global Context Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Aviation in the Global Context - Essay Example The first contemporary alliance took place in 1975 when Middle East Airlines went on to form a code sharing agreement with Iberia (Madrid to Beirut). FFP or the first frequent flier program started back in 1980 with Air UK and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines joining hands. The earlier alliances were marked by â€Å"joint flights, maintenance consortia, schedule coordination, ground handling, through fares, management contracts and catering joint ventures. Over time, with the development of computer reservation system (CRSs), early alliances involving joint flights evolved into code-sharing, a popular form of alliance agreement in the 1990s.† (Li, 2000, p. 65) Merger and Acquisition on the other hand was mostly seen in domestic airlines where several small domestic airlines generally came together to form a single body that owing to its size managed to reap of the economies of scale, scope and density. Merger and Acquisition on International scale was not so common owing to the fact t hat in most of the cases cross border ownership is restricted (Giovanni, 2002); as mentioned by Evans (2001) â€Å"non-European Union investors cannot hold a majority stake in any European Union airline.† (Evans, 2001, 234). However in recent times the merger of KLM and Air France with the later taking the main role might be an example that such type of business ventures in not far away (EMCC, 2008, p.1). Furthermore any alliance is incomplete if it fails to get the antitrust immunity (ATI) from the government of the respective country that will enable the cooperation on the financial issues. This paper takes a two way approach to discuss the rationale of airlines adopting a global alliance or Merger and Acquisition strategy (including cross border M&A) with a critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the two approaches. The second part of the paper provides a close and critical view of antitrust immunity that is a culmination of freedom, which is provided to vario us

The Swimming Race by Benjamin Tammuz Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Swimming Race by Benjamin Tammuz - Essay Example Someone placed this evil seed in his head and now he cannot get rid of it. Revenge is blind, it sees no excuse no distraction, it just goes in for the kill. The Swimming Race (1951) by Benjamin Tammuz is a great story about war and revenge. It tells that the victorious have complete autonomy over the defeated and oppressed. They do whatever they want to do with them. Problems don’t necessarily lie outside the individual. It is the interpretation of mind that turns an incident into a problem. The talk of a man dominated world has been around. When I read the Hand of Wax I immediately agreed with the authors thinking. If someone suffers in this world, it is not because of the circumstances (the male dominant society) but because of the victim’s acceptance to suffering. When the narrator of The Swimming Race (1951) goes to check the dead body of Abdul Karim, he looked as if aware of the narrator’s win on swimming contest (Tammuz 84). It is a bitter truth but most of the times we are our own worst enemies. Sometimes we cannot control our emotions, sometimes you're just blinded by revenge. It is a man's nature, his evil nature that pushes him to commit the crime, to shed blood, to kill to seek revenge. We built prisons around ourselves and cry feeling trapped. But passively we derive comfort from such a place. Our minds get used to the dark pessimistic environment that freedom seems strange. An unknown dimension can be very daunting. It might also require taking care of responsibilities. Most of the times the ‘victims’ in the story let things happen. Many times it is only a look of contempt against a stubborn thick-skinned man. This approach of passive aggression only lets things accumulate. It is also an indication to ‘him’ (the stubborn male) that there won’t be any serious consequences for letting him be. Be it, drinking, gambling or the husband putting a shield between his wife and him in the case of Hand of Wax.

Pricing strategy Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Pricing strategy - Article Example the nearby neighborhood, while a bigger retail chain can focus on its promoting towards neighborhoods in a larger city , while disregarding clients in different landmasses. Geographic Segmentation is imperative and may be viewed as the first venture to worldwide advertising, emulated by demographic and psychographic division. The utilization of national guests is the institutional utilization of geographic division, despite the fact that geographic sections may be grouped by recognized land districts. Demographic division is isolating markets into diverse gatherings as indicated by their epoch, sexual, pay, ethnic group or religion of the commerce segment and the life cycle of the family. The U.S. Evaluation utilizes demographic division to archive and fragment the individuals living in the U.S. Lifestyle division, which is some of the time called psychographics. This is measured by considering the exercises, investment, and assessments (Aios) of clients. By recognizing and comprehension buyer lifestyle, organizations can create limited time blends and product offerings, which tailor to their needs. In Sales Territory Management, utilizing more than one paradigm to portray the associations accounts, for example, fragmenting deals accounts by government, business, client, and so on and record size/term, in exertion to expand time proficiency and deals volume. A standout amongst the most widely recognized pointers of high-hazard clients is a drop off in utilization of the organizations administration. For instance, in the Mastercard business this could be motioned through a clients decrease in using on his or her car Peer Reviewed: Fruit and Vegetable Pricing by Demographic Factors in the Birmingham, Alabama, Metropolitan Area, 2004-2005. 2014. Peer Reviewed: Fruit and Vegetable Pricing by Demographic Factors in the Birmingham, Alabama, Metropolitan Area, 2004-2005. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2901576/. [Accessed 28

Applying for Scholarship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Applying for Scholarship - Essay Example Moreover, I plan to buy multistoried family homes which can be used for rent out; it will prove to be an earning stream for me. In recent times, there has been growth in the entrepreneur businesses and I have expertise in identifying and implementing the new, highly innovative ideas. Additionally, I am looking forward for this scholarship as it will allow me to polish my competent abilities required in this field. At present time, I have insufficient funds available for carrying out my education and this scholarship will allow me to move ahead in my lucrative career. I believe I am eligible for this scholarship as my past academic records show that I am a hard working and intelligent student. Besides possessing extraordinary capabilities, all of my results are in distinction ranges which are proofs of my determination and passion for studies. I have even achieved top ranks in extracurricular activities as I keep good balance between my studies and additional activities. Thus, I deserve the real estate scholarship which will assist me in making my career in this field and will help me in moving ahead in the field

Communication Theory Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Communication Theory - Assignment Example And I find this approach professional and reasonable as well. Relational Dialectics Theory elaborates how personal and social relationships are maintained despite interpersonal and social differences (Harvey and Housel 56). For example, Mr. David is an introvert person wants to maintain his privacy whereas his friend Mr. Frank, who has an extrovert personality, prefers to openness about issues. In their relationship, this theory proposes that both should understand their internal conflicting views besides maintaining their relationship amicably. From another perspective, it is important to understand the word â€Å"dialectics.† According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, dialectics refers to a process through which two opponent forces attempt to resolve their conflict amicably. In a deeper analysis, it can also be argued that this theory maintains that it is difficult to understand openness without understanding closeness; the comprehension of openness relies on the inbuilt concept of closeness. And the same is applicable for comprehending the concept of closeness through understanding openness as well. In this regard, Sahlstein mentions that social relationships are important for people as they want to retain them but simultaneously they are also inclined to maintain their personal integrity, values inbuilt to their personality and that is obtained through defining oneself particularly in relation to others (p.693). This statement needs further elaboration. For example, if two friends have a divergent opinion about an issue. In that situation, both have two options either to reject each other’s opinion and break their social relationship or sit together, understand the issue and retain the relationship as well. If they opt for the second option, they will have an opportunity to understand the inbuilt differences in the issue and evaluate each other’s point of view. In that situation, it is not necessary

Three Art Styles - Dadaism, Surrealism and Impressionism Research Paper

Three Art Styles - Dadaism, Surrealism and Impressionism - Research Paper Example The essay "Three Art Styles - Dadaism, Surrealism and Impressionism" explores Dadaism, Surrealism and Impressionism, three styles of modern art. Dadaism has always been most visibly a frame of mind. This frame of mind began as a rebellion against WW1, the bourgeoisie, the social norms of the time, the abstract and impressionistic art of the time, and finally, by the 1920’s, it became a rebellion even against itself. It was extremely negative in its critique of everything, and also self-destructive. Dadaism began in 1915 and basically died in 1924, although there is a resurrection now in what is called Neo-Dadaism, so it might be argued that it’s not neo at all but is a continuation of sorts. Perhaps it is only the loudness of the anarchy, the violence of its performance, the wildness of its manifestos 1924. that has died, while the core beliefs still influence art today. Perhaps no one symbolizes the loud, outrageous and rebellious wildness of the original movement more than Baroness Else von Freytag-Loringhoven. She pushed her sexuality, fantastic costuming, immodest street roaming, and irrationality in everyone’s faces, living Dada and, in so doing, challenged the male sexual, cultural, intellectual and artistic insecurities of Dada artists Marchel DuChamp, Man Ray, Francis Picabia, and much of New York. Locher argues that we are not in a post-modern era at all, but in a continuation of Dada, in that we are still reacting to and rebelling against what has happened in the past half a century.

[Paul's case] Essay with little research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

[Paul's case] with little research - Essay Example 14). The name "Faust" comes from a charlatan alchemist (some claim astrologer and necromancer) whose pride and vanity lead to his doom. (elconnery.blogspot.com, also, en.Wikipedia.org) In the past, it was assumed that the comic scenes were additions by other writers. However, most scholars today consider the comedy an integral part of the play, as its tone shows the change in Faust’s ambitions. (Anon) With greater recognition, Faust became a Grand Opera, ending tragically in death. Paul’s death in Cather’s short story, prompting the comparison, transmogrifies a youth’s confused vision of Utopia into a destination attainable only after renouncing life. The story is one extensive allusion, interspersed with multiple cross references to images or symbols, some of which are complex and require background knowledge of literature from Shakespeare’s era. Faust or Faustus, is noted for his pact with the devil, in the form of Mephistopheles, a servant of Lucifer, the Devil incarnate. He also finds place in other works dealing with the netherworld. (Soldati, 1980 also Leslie Kay Swigart, 2004). Kennedy’s Faust (p 537) curses life –â€Å"would that I were never born† he says. The similarity to Paul’s bent of mind is striking. Cordelia was one of three daughters of King Lear, from Shakespeare’s play of the same name. The only unmarried Princess, she fell out of favor with her father and was disowned by him, ultimately dying a horrific death. (JSTOR) The loss of paternal love affected her in its own way, as it did with Paul. Cordelia is, therefore, an allusion. There is a dichotomy here, because if she was a person who Paul identified himself with, in the story she symbolizes all that he had grown to despise. This symbol was the embodiment of a dreary street, stretching monotonously with identical houses lining it on both sides. It

Use Office Equipment Essay Example for Free

Use Office Equipment Essay Gives you a home screen that gives you short cuts and easier access to systems and files on the computer. Franking machine- Gives you the option to select the type of letter and the class you want to send it. 1.3 Explain why different types of equipment are chosen for task. Different types of equipment are chosen for different tasks because each piece of equipment is specific to each task that is being done. For example the scanner if specific to filing documents on to the system where as the printer to be specific to printing any documents that are needed in paper form. Understanding the purpose of following instructions and health and safety procedures. 2.1 Explain the purpose of following manufacturer’s instructions when using equipment. To ensure your using the equipment properly and prevent the equipment from breaking sooner than expected. They are also important because they tell the user what to do to be able to operate the equipment correctly. Also they tell the user what to do and the precise steps to take if the equipment breaks down. 2.2 explain the purpose of following organisational instructions when using equipment Organisational instructions are specific to your company and will usually set out the company’s rules for operating various pieces of equipment. For example,  organisational instruction will state: Who is allowed to operate certain types of equipment Whether any authorisation is needed. Who must be informed of any equipment breakdowns. Who is allowed to undertake technical repairs to equipment. 2.3 Identify health and safety procedures for using different types of equipment. When using the computer you must make sure that the cables are not trailing across the floor where someone might trip over them, also when using the computer you must have a chair that suit yours needs. It’s important that the chair adjust to your height and also the backrest must be able to adjust also to prevent cramp and avoid backache. Another example would be when using the shredder machine you must make sure your fingers don’t go near the mouth of the shredder. Also if there was a jam in the shredder make sure to turn the machine off and UN plug the machine. Another example would be when using the laminator machine make sure you supervise the machine as it gets very hot and can be dangerous and could set on fire. Also make sure you turn the machine of properly after you have used it otherwise it may break and catch fire and create serious damage to the practice. 2.4 Explain the purpose of following health and safety procedures when using equipment. The purpose of following health and safety procedures is to prevent any injuries from occurring. If these procedures are not followed it could lead to both short term and long term health issues. Health and safety procedures are there to protect you at work. They are designed to make sure that you do not suffer injuries while carrying out your work. 2.5 Explain the purpose of keeping equipment clean and hygienic. When using equipment, it is important to keep it clean and hygienic which means free from dirt, germs and bacteria. For example, food and drink should be kept well away from any equipment in anything gets knocked over and causes damage. Also by keeping equipment clean makes it last longer and stays in better condition. By keeping equipment hygienic is important especially if another colleague is going to use the same equipment therefore stops the spread of infection. Understand how to use equipment in a way that minimises waste 3.1 give  examples of waste when using equipment An example of waste when using equipment would be printing more than you need or not printing double sided. Another example of waste when using equipment would be leaving equipment (such as computers) switched on overnight or when not in use. 3.2 Give examples of ways to reduce waste Print double sided when printing to save paper. Use scrap paper to make notes instead of unused paper. Recycle e.g. cardboard boxes, paper, plastics etc. Print preview/ spell check before printing so save having to reprint documents. 3.3 Explain the purpose of minimising waste The purpose of minimising waste is to reduce our carbon footprint and to help global warming and also by minimising waste you save money. We are currently producing too much waste and need to take urgent steps to reduce this, either by cutting down on what we use or recycling whatever we can. Know about the different types of problems that may occur when using equipment and how to deal with them 4.1 Give examples of equipment problems (problems) The toner cartridge runs out. Paper jam in the printer. The computer may crash and you have unsaved work. The computer will not connect to the internet. The computer may start running very slow. 4.3 Give examples of how to deal with problems (solution) Replace the toner cartridge. Use the organisational instructions to tell you step by step how to UN jam the printer. Save your work every 10-15 minutes to ensure that if the computer crashes again most of your work or all of your work will be saved onto the computer. Your computer may need to be reconnected to the internet. Your computer can run slow for a number of different reason for example to may have too much going on at once therefore contact a IT technician of an IT specialist as you don’t want to risk breaking the computer. Understand the purpose of meeting work standards and deadlines when using  equipment 5.1 Explain the purpose of meeting work standards and deadlines when using equipment Standards- It is important that you produce your work to the best possible standard in order to meet the requirements of the person who set you the task. This shows that you are responsible and trustworthy and that you can be relied upon to get things done. The purpose of meeting deadlines when using equipment is so you save time and money. Deadlines are important to all staff as they tell them when things need to be completed in order that the business can meet its targets. Understand the purpose of leaving equipment and the work area ready for the next user 6.1 Explain the purpose of leaving equipment and the work area ready for the next user Whenever you finish using office equipment it is important that you leave the work area exactly as you found it, for example, Not leaving any mess lying around. Not leaving the work area in such a way that someone else has to clear up after you before they can begin using the equipment.

Leadership And The Delegation In Nursing Nursing Essay

Leadership And The Delegation In Nursing Nursing Essay Florence Nightingale once said, But then again, to look to all these things yourself does not mean to do them yourselfà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦But can you insure that it is done when not done by yourself. (p. 17). These words, written in her Notes on Nursing, spoke of the idea of delegation in nursing. Over the years, delegation has become increasingly important in the nursing profession. It is important for a nurse to understand how to delegate to others efficiently without compromising patient safety or facing a lawsuit. This can sometimes prove to be a harder task than one might think, especially for a new graduate who has no experience with delegation. However, there are certain guidelines set in place that, if followed, will enable you to delegate tasks safely, properly, and effectively. Delegation is defined as the transference of responsibility and authority for an activity to a competent individual (Berman Snyder, 2012). When delegating a task to another individual, there are five rights of delegation that must be considered. The five rights of delegation include the right task, the right circumstance, the right person, the right communication and the right supervision (Tomey, 2009). The first right, the right task, takes into consideration whether it is within a persons scope of practice to perform the task being delegated. A specific task that can be delegated to one person may not be appropriate for another person, depending on each persons experience and individual skill sets. Also, a task that is appropriate for one person to perform with one client may not be appropriate with a different client or the same client under altered circumstances. (Berman Snyder, 2012) A lot of times, a list of tasks that can and cannot be delegated can be found in the nurse practice act for the state of practice. In addition to considering if a task is within a persons scope of practice, the nature and complexity of the task to be delegated should also be considered. Only activities that have a predictable outcome and are done the same way every time should be delegated (Sheehan, 1998). For example, it is okay to delegate a task such as taking a blood pressure or measuring urine output. Tasks that are more complicated or could hurt a patient, such as changing a patients surgical dressing, should not be delegated. The right circumstance is the second right of delegation. Even if a person has the ability and is allowed to perform a certain task, it is important to consider the circumstances before delegating. For example, ambulating a patient is a task that can normally be delegated to a nursing assistant. However, if you consider a patient who is post-op for a hip replacement and has a history of hypotension and anemia, this task would not be appropriate to delegate to a nursing assistant or any other person who does not have the necessary training to know what to do if the person were to become unstable. Generally, appropriate activities for consideration in delegation decision making include those which frequently reoccur in the daily care of a client or group of clients, which do not require the UAP to exercise nursing judgment, do not require complex and/or multi-dimensional application of the nursing process, for which the results are predictable and the potential risk is minimal, and which utilize a standard and unchanging procedure. (National Council of State Board Nursing, 1997) The third right of delegation is the right person. It is important to consider who the best person would be to handle a given situation. This means taking into consideration whether or not a person has the knowledge, skill, and competency to perform the task. Also, it should be considered whether or not the person has performed the task in the past and if not, if they need supervision in performing the task. The RN must consider qualifications, job descriptions, and competency when delegating task to various caregivers. Qualifications are generally determined by state licensure or certification, and the RN may reference hospital policies and procedures, job descriptions, published state practice acts, or unit guidelines if unfamiliar with specific qualifications. For instance, an LVN/LPN may be permitted by license to draw blood in some states. In other states the LVN/LPN must have an additional certification to draw blood. (Osborn, 2010) The fourth right of delegation is the right communication. It is very important when delegating a task to another person to make sure and communicate what is needed. This means not only telling the person what to do, but giving all information that will be needed in order to perform the task. For example, when assigning the task of taking a patients blood pressure to someone, it is important to include when they need to be taken, as well as restrictions that may be needed such as to only use the left arm. In addition, specific instructions need to be given about when information should be reported back to you and any information that should be reported back immediately. For instance, if you assign the task of taking a patients blood sugar to a nursing assistant, it is important to make sure that he or she knows what a normal reading and that any readings that are not in the expected range should be reported immediately. It is also important to make sure that all instructions are unde rstood by the person you assigning the task to and if any supervision may be needed. The fifth right of delegation is the right supervision. It is very important that any time you delegate a task, you make sure that it has been done correctly and completely. At times, a task that is delegated will be completed under direct supervision. For example, when teaching a student to insert a foley catheter, you will be with them during the task guiding them through the process. It is not always possible to be present to directly supervise all tasks that you have delegated, even though you are still ultimately accountable. It is critically important to make sure and oversee the progress on the tasks that you have delegated to ensure they are properly executed, The Board of Nursing has the legal responsibility to regulate nursing practice and provide guidance regarding delegation of nursing tasks. The licensed nurses specialized education, professional judgment and discretion are essential for quality nursing care. Nurses are uniquely qualified for promoting the health of the whole person by virtue of their education and experience. Nursing is a knowledge-based process discipline and cannot be reduced solely to a list of tasks. Therefore, the nurse must coordinate and supervise the delivery of nursing care, including the delegation of nursing tasks to others. While some nursing tasks may be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), the practice-pervasive functions of assessment, evaluation and nursing judgment must not be delegated. All decisions related to delegation of nursing tasks must be based on the fundamental principle of protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public. The issues surrounding delegation are compl ex and multi-faceted. It is the responsibility of the licensed nurse to determine which tasks can be appropriately delegated and accept accountability for the outcomes. Assigning unqualified persons to perform nursing care functions, task or responsibilities and or failing to effectively supervise persons to whom nursing functions are delegated or assigned constitutes misconduct. (South Carolina Board of Nursing, 2010) In order to be able to delegate efficiently and effectively, it is important to consider the four principles of delegation. The first is the principle of result excepted, which suggests that before delegating a task to someone, you should be able to clearly define the goals and results that are expected of them. In other words, as a nurse, you should be able to perform the skill that you are delegating to another person and be able to teach about it if necessary. The second principle is the principle of parity of authority and responsibility , which says that when delegating a task, you should choose a person who is capable of doing the job on their own and not impress excessive authority. The nurse should know the regulations in the state of practice regarding which tasks can be delegated to another person and those which should be done by only an RN. The third principle is the principle of absolute responsibility. This principle says that when delegating care to another person, the RN should be aware that he/she is the one who is ultimately responsible. It is very important to supervise tasks which have been delegated in order to ensure the safety of all patients and of her own license. The fourth principle is the principle of authority, which suggests that you should only delegate tasks that are within your jurisdiction. If you are ever in doubt about an important decision, you should consult someone in a higher position about the issue. Also, you should understand which tasks you are allowed to delegate and which tasks that only you should be performing. You should also consider that there are some situations that do not require tasksto be delegated in order to be performed. For example, in assisted living facilities, care is provided to patients without having to have delegated by an RN. (Management Study Guide, n.d.). It is very important as a nurse to consider all aspects that go into delegating tasks to others. When all the guidelines are followed correctly a good judgement is used when choosing who to delegate a task to, delegation can be a great tool that nurses can use. Your floor will run smoothly and you will be able to more efficiently care for your patients. It is of utmost importance that we as health care providers put the care and needs of the patients first when making decisions that could affect their treatment and ultimately their lives.

King Lear :: King Lear

King Lear King Lear of Britain has decided to abdicate his throne. In order to bestow his kingdom between his three daughters; Goneril, Regan and Cordelia he calls them together. His intentions are to split the kingdom between them based on each’s expression of love for him. The two older daughters sweetly talk their way in their father’s heart for sizable kingdoms. Cordelia however, the youngest and Lear’s favorite, sees the sinister motivations of her sisters and tells her father of her deep true feelings. Lear not hearing the sweet words that he expected, is so dismayed that he banishes her. She leaves the country to marry the King of France. The Earl of Kent, Lear’s trusted counselor, by coming to Cordelia’s defense is also banished. Kent however seeing the danger that Lear has put himself in disguises himself as a servant. He remains close to Lear to protect the king from Goneril and Regan who have viscously decided to usurp their father’s throne. Meanwhile the Earl of Gloucester is also dismayed by a recent turn of events in his household. His illegitimate son Edmund has brought to his attention evidence that Edgar, Gloucester’s legitimate heir has conspired to kill him. The evidence is false; however, as it Edmund who is conspiring to obtain his brother’s birthright. Having given away his kingdom, Lear intends to spend the rest of his days traveling between the homes of his two daughters. Believing that he can remain at each for a month at a time, he arrives at the home of Goneril accompanied by a assemblage of 100 boisterous knights. Although he had expected to remain in authority, since he has given away his power and revenue he is no longer respected by his daughters. Goneril quickly takes the opportunity to denigrate her father. Her steward Oswald is instructed to infuriate him. As Oswald tries to do so, the disguised Kent comes to Lear’s defense and humiliates Oswald instead.

Online Communities - Chat Rooms and Discussion Boards Essay example --

Online Communities - Chat Rooms and Discussion Boards To those who have never experienced an online community they may seem pointless, a waste of time or simply childish. However, for those that have expanded beyond the traditional means of communication such as, talking on the telephone or conversing face-to-face, online communities offer a new and exciting means of communication. They offer a chance to meet others, gain advice, voice an opinion, defend an argument, or to simply relax and have a little fun. Acknowledging both points of view, I decided to explore the world of online communities for myself. For my online community I decided to enter a Yahoo, country music, chat room. Through Yahoo, there were many different chat rooms you could enter ranging from sports, to current events. However, I choose to enter the country music room because I have listened to country music all my life and I thought who I would best relate to those that would be in a country music room. Within the country music topic there were fourteen different rooms; I choose room four because it contained the most people: 44 active members. Therefore, I assumed that it would be the most active. Inside the chat room I was surprised at what I found. The first thing that I noticed was the names of the chatters. Each had some sort of country name such as, â€Å"rodeocowgirl† or â€Å"bullridingcowboy.† While looking through the conversations that were occurring I noticed that no one was discussing country music. In fact, the entire time I was in the chat room the topic rarely even appeared. I tried writing a post that said, â€Å"Does anyone know who sang the song ‘Thunder Rolls’?† About five minutes later, I received a response that said â€Å"Garth ... ...meone could become obsessed. Everyone seemed to know each other so well and it seemed as if chatting through this chat room was their way of socializing. Granted these individuals were not gaining an educational aspect from the chat room, however, they were gaining a sense of being part of something. They could express feeling, express viewpoints, vent anger or simply socialize with out being judged. No matter what was said within the chat room participants returned the next day eager to socialize. Chatting online is a huge part of these people’s lives; online communities are their source of interaction. Some people value face-to-face communication and some turn to more recent forms of technology. In my opinion your communication selection should fit your own personal needs. You should use whatever source you find most convenient, efficient, and comfortable.

Essay --

Identify and discuss factors that affect development and learning and the effects on the development of the individual. Specific reference will also be made to the physical and psychological changes and the effects of ageing on individuals, families and society. Development is the process in which every individual goes through; the process includes learning and acquiring skills, such as sitting, walking, talking and as the process continues the skills become more advanced such as; tying shoe laces. There are five main areas of development; Cognitive, Speech and Language, Social and Emotional, Fine motor skill and Gross motor skill, (Do2learn.com, 2013). According to (Oxforddictionaries.com, 2013), Learning is ‘the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught.’ In the first half of this essay it will look at two main factors that contrast one another and affect development and learning, and the effects on the development of children and young people, whilst linking to theory. In the second half of the essay, concentration will be on ageing, focusing from early childhood to adolescence and the physical and psychological changes; alongside the effects on the child, family and society. There are many factors that can affect a child’s or young person’s development and learning; the two considered main factors are biological and social. These two factors are recognised as the nature versus nurture debate; the nature side of the debate believes that the way individuals behave and develop is a result of their genetics, whereas the nurture side believes that an individual’s behaviour and development is shaped by external factors. Focusing on the external factors, these are the factors that are said to influ... ...otionally act more like one. At this stage puberty takes place for both males and females, physically both bodies change in height, weight, and growth of pubic hair and the start of menstruation for females, (Tanner, 1962). There is a strong effect on the families or parents of the adolescent child as they don’t see the child as much. This is due to the adolescent child or teen beginning to strive for independence doing this by spending less time with their family and more with friendships, (Global Post, 2013). In conclusion with the essay focusing on effects of certain factors on development and learning it gave the opportunity to see how vital development is to a child’s growth in all areas of development as both positives and negatives were outlined. Alongside also focusing on ageing and the importance of the physical and psychological changes that take place.

Case Study: P.F. Chang serves its workers well Essay

It is suggested by various text books and management tutors alike, that the mastering of the four functions of management; Planning, controlling, organising and leading along with developing technical, human and conceptual skills, should go some way to allowing a manager some degree of success in the field of management. Of course, having skills is just part of being an effective manager, these skills and functions must be communicated in a way that fellow managers and workers can understand and act upon. The case study of P.F. Chang, a U.S based chain of ‘Asian Bistros’ and ‘contemporary Chinese diners’ â€Å"P.F. Chang serves its workers well†, indicates a number of systems in place by the company that allows its managers to plan, organise and lead their workers and control the final product. The communication process is also aided by processes in individual restaurants. Of course, any individual is responsible for their own behaviour and young mana gers develop their own ‘style’ over time, but for a P.F. Chang manager certain skills need to be mastered to assimilate themselves with the culture and values of the company. Of the four management functions that a manager at P.F. Chang would require to manage a restaurant effectively, it could be argued that leading is the most important. The ‘Leadership Grid’ of Robert Blake and Jane Mouton (Schermerhorn, et al., p246) illiterates a scale of ‘concern’ for both people and production. The case study of P.F. Chang restaurants shows the company’s concern for its people, (‘P.F. Chang serves it’s people well’). It can, therefore, be assumed that on the Blake and Mouton scale, the concern for people is ‘high’. As both restaurant managers and workers achieving the ‘shared purpose’ of customer satisfaction. A P.F. Chang manager, would according to the Blake and Mouton grid, be required to adopt the management style of a ‘Team Manager’. As noted in the case study, most the workers are ‘typically young’ and that could present challengers. Developing a ‘hu man’ management skill would be very beneficial for a P.F. Chang manager due to the make up of the most of workers at each restaurant. In a recent study of Generation Y hospitality workers, it was concluded that even though there was a desire by the respondents to work less hours to ensure a positive work/life balance, â€Å"employee engagement can mean high commitment in recruitment, retention and performance.† (Axwell, 2010). Further reading into the management of the members of Gen Y (those born after 1980 and the most likely the age group that makes up the staff members at P.F. Chang’s) show that certain styles of leadership are called for. Eisner suggests that â€Å"Gen Y workers tend to have unbridled energy, endless enthusiasm, and the skills and experience of those much older [and] they should be managed with a coaching style† (Eisner, 2005). Obviously, not all workers at P.F. Chang will be Gen Y, and of course, not all Gen Y employees will respond to the same style of management. So the effective P.F Chang restaurant manger would need to have an awareness of how different style of manag ement would motivate each worker. Each manager at P.F. Chang’s may bring their own beliefs on what makes them effective as a manager. This could prove to be a hindrance if the individual manager is not open to learning (and putting into practice) a different style of management, subsequently re-evaluateing their approach to how they manage their restaurant to bring themselves in line to P.F. Chang’s corporate values. Emphasising that different generations may require different management strategies, Axwell explains that â€Å"Compared with other generations, Gen Y tends to have less respect for rank and more respect for ability and accomplishment. Expectations should be explained to Gen Y from the outset, including the big picture and how they fit into it.† (Axwell, 2010) Along with many other businesses operating in the current economic environment, P.F. Chang’s business relies on customers discretionary spending and P.F. Chang makes a point of putting their customers’ satisfaction at the forefront of their business. This position is illustrated in the 2010 financial report of P.F. Chan g which stated that the company’s aim was to â€Å"strive to create a loyal customer base that generates a high level of repeat business in our restaurants and translates to interest and trial of our retail products [however] Our business is highly sensitive to changes in guest traffic and our operators concentrate on consistent execution of superior customer service while also focusing on additional opportunities for operating efficiencies† (P.F. Chang, 2011). Some workers may struggle with the concept of ‘exceptional customer service’ and a P.F. Chang manager must find ways to organise those workers to meet the companies expectations while upholding the companies values of openness and respect. The case study mentions that ‘restaurant managers face the challenge every day of putting the right person in the right job, creating a team that works well together’. At P.F. Chang, staff meet before every work shift where the manager is able to organise staff, reminding them of them of their duties for which ever role they may occupy. This meeting could also give the manager an insight into which member of the team may be feeling unmotivated and time could then be made to talk to the team member and discuss any issues. By delegating tasks from a manger to an employee it conveys a sense of trust in the worker, and sense of empowerment. Furthermore, it gives the manager more time to complete other tasks. This delegation is evident at P.F. Chang. The case study notes that by giving servers authority to replace meals and the ‘freedom to make decisions’ there is a reported positive impact on staffs attitude and performance. Regional Vice President, Roxanne Pronk says that those freedoms extended to employees have ‘a huge impact on their attitude and performance’. Some research, however has found that not all employees actually want extra freedom to decisions. A front line service worker in a 2008 survey of the empowerment made the comment that they were not paid to make decision, stating â€Å"that’s a supervisor’s job, that’s not my job† Other respondents mentioned they wanted extra money for doing extra things, and they see it (empowerment) as extra things to their work (Ueno, 2008). Conversely, it is suggested that some employees are more likely to improve their behaviour when given added responsibility while others may resent it. A manager should be aware that a ‘one size fits all’ approach where the assumption is that every member of the team wants added responsibility is unfair, not just on the individual worker who is happy with their current work load and level of responsibility, but also for any particular worker who desires increased responsibility, but does not get it. As noted in Chen et al â€Å"managers need to make judgments regarding whom to empower and to what extent† (Ford, Myron, Russ, & Millam, 1995) Ueno concludes that â€Å"empowerment can improve both customer satisfaction and employee attitudes and behaviour† but also â€Å"that high empowerment does not necessarily represent high service quality while low empowerment does not inevitably correspond to low service quality† (Ueno, 2008). Information such as this could help the P.F Chang manger in organising workers, assigning roles that the employee feels comfortable with, acknowledge that while some employees will enjoy extra roles and increase their engagement, some may not and the encouragement of taking on more responsibility may actually be detrimental to the business. Being able to master the managerial functions and skills is, of course, only one part of the process for a P.F. Chang manger. How the information is conveyed to the staff of the restaurant is another set of skills that would need to be achieved. Good leaders tend to be good communicators who find ways to overcome barriers to effective communica tion. Restaurants by their nature of being a place where many people gather can be nosy places, the kitchens that serves the talking customers can be even noisier and servers waiting on tables do not generally have access to work stations with computers where they can regularly check email or other forms of electronic notifications. It would be important for the manager to establish systems for effective communication with the staff. One such system seems to have been established, as the case study mentions â€Å"every work shift †¦. begins with a staff meeting†. As noted in the case study, this meeting is used primarily â€Å"to motivate workers to head into their shifts with an upbeat outlook†, and as noted earlier, serves as a function for managers to organise staff according to their strengths. From a communications perspective, this meeting would also be the perfect opportunity for managers to disseminate information that could be useful for front line staff members to pass on to customers, for example, changes to menu items. P.F. Chang’s also places emphasis on respect and open communication between its managers and staff. As noted in the case study, managers sit down and discuss if and how workers external issues may be affecting their performance at work. Part of developing this ‘human skill’ which is essential for a task such as this is ‘active listening’. Schermerhorn, et al. state that â€Å"when people ‘talk’, they are trying to communicate something. That ‘something’ may or may not be what they are saying† (p 462). Further to this, Schmerhorn et al also show that different ways of communicating are more effective than others. This ‘channel richness’ or â€Å"the capacity if a communication channel to effectively carry information† (pg 456) argues that face to face meeting can be much more effective in conveying information than ‘hard copy’ like postings or bulletins. In addition to P.F. Chang managers conducting staff meetings before every shift, they also are engaged in discussions with their staff regarding performance issues. With these meetings being face to face, they would be ‘personal and two way’ and thus, ‘high in richness’. Any outcomes and possible agreements made between the manger and employee to meet a specific target to improve performance is more likely to be understood by the employee. Conversely, by sitting down and having a chat, the manager would gain a broader understanding of any issues that may be resulting in the change of behaviour or lack of engagement on the employee. Having open communication between the manager and employee also seems to have benefits for the business. Authors of a study which looked at service worker behaviour found that â€Å"conformance to service standards [are] more likely to be met if service standards are communicated and understood by all members of the organization, including line employees. Thus, open communication between frontline employees and managers is important for achieving service quality† (Chen, 2010). Developing skills for effective communication for the P.F. Chang manager is of course the key to this communication process being effective, along with having an awareness of barriers to effective communication. Age, gender or generational differences can also prove to be a barrier. Returning to a broad example of younger employees â€Å"Gen Y workers tend to look for instant gratification [and] tend to be constant negotiators and questioners, ‘how’ meetings become ‘why’ meetings† (Axwell, 2010) The afore mentioned poor channels of communication like bulletins along with the more subtle areas such as negative body language and other non-verbal communication and a lack of active listening skills may be covered in the training that P.F. Chang’s gives it restaurant managers. As with a lot of large chains, the overall di rection of the business would come from senior management. Planning as a function of the business as a whole, would therefore not be within the gambit of specific P.F. Chang restaurants managers. Of course, a degree of planning would be required and an awareness of this process would be important to the successful management of the restaurant. Schermerhorn, et al. describe planning as â€Å"the process of setting objectives and determining how to accomplish them† (p20). Referring back to the case study, a P.F. Chang manger may set objectives based on the engagement of their staff. For example, reducing absenteeism on days of the week when the restaurant is busiest. The achievement of this objective may be helped by the attitude adopted by the company in dealing with staff whose’ performance does not meet the company standards – an initiative directed by head office, but implemented at restaurant level. Ultimately, the managerial function of control is important to ensure the final product meets the required standard, in the case of P.F. Chang, the experience of diners – from the service to the food. As Merchant points out â€Å"the need or controls over any particular behaviour or operation within an organization depends very simply on the impact of that area on overall organizational performance. Thus more control should be exercised over a strategically important behaviour rather than over a minor one, regardless of how easy it is to control each† (Merchant, 1982). There are many issues that a restaurant manager must contend with on a day to day basis that will have no direct relation to people management, but due to the importance that the restaurant staff have to the overall business, this is the area that the most time should be devoted too. It can be assumed that controls for managing customers satisfaction would at first managed at restaurant level, indeed, the case study highlights that â€Å"the server has the authority to replace a meal†. Should this not be enough to satisfy the complaint of the customer, it may be escalated to the restaurant manager. Since all employees receive â€Å"extensive training† and their employee hand book, it could be assumed that managing customer complaints would be included in this. Once again, the control function would be lead by directives from further up the management chain, but the restaurant manager (and server) would be equipped with the skills and expectations on how to engage with dissatisfied customers. Schermerhorn, et al states that â€Å"the task of a manager is to bring the organisations resources into alignment with its purpose in a way that is sustainable in the organisations operating environment† (p 19). The case study ‘P.F. Chang serves its workers well’ highlights some of the processes that are established throughout the company that can assist the restaurant manager in effective management of a restaurant. For a restaurant manager at P.F. Chang, the goal of maintaining the motivation of the team of restaurant workers is the skill that would most need to be mastered – the function of leading – through a thorough understanding the workers being lead, how they might be thinking and how they wish to be managed, along with a healthy dose of leadership theory. Similarly, by knowing the personalities of the team, they can be organised to ensure a more productive work business. Those who are facing issues outside of work and those who want more responsibility (and those who don’t) can be managed accordingly. The P.F. Chang restaurant manager has surport from head office by way of systems in planning, but should know that control over staff and how they interact with the customers is of paramount importance. And finally, the P.F. Chang manager must acquiesce effective communication skills lead and motivate in the most effective way, and organised the team with the members that are willing and able to perform varying tasks assigned them and manage discuss in respectful and constructive way when controls in place to ensure performance targets are not met. Bibliography Axwell, G. (2010). Generation Y’s Career Expectations and Aspirations: Engagement in the Hospitality Industry. Journal Of Hospitality And Tourism Management , 60. Chen, H. R.-J. (2010). Empowerment in hospitality organizations: Customer orientation and organizational support. International Journal of Hospitality Management , 422, 424. Eisner, S. P. (2005). Managing Generation Y. SAM Advanced Management Journal . Ford, R. C., Myron, F. D., Russ, D. E., & Millam, E. R. (1995). Empowerment: A Matter of Degree. The Academy of Management Executive . Merchant, K. A. (1982). The Control Function of Management. Sloan Management Review , p. 48. P.F. Chang. (2011, Febuary 16). Form 10-K for P F CHANGS CHINA BISTRO INC . Retrieved January 18, 2012, from Yahoo Finance.com: http://biz.yahoo.com/e/110216/pfcb10-k.html Schermerhorn, J. R., Davidson, Poole, Simon, & Chau, W. &. (2011). Management. Milton, QLD: John Wiley & Sons Australia. Ueno, A. (2008). Is empowerment really a contributory factor to service quality? The Service Industries Journal , 1329.

Dorothy Day Essay

Dorothy day was born in1897 in Brooklyn. In the 1910s and late and even late 1920s, she was Bohemian of the Greenwich Village and she was very active in socialist politics, which were very radical at those days (Roberts 15). She was particularly promoting free love, women’s rights, birth control, and rights of labor. After failure of her two common-law marriages as well as an abortion, birth of Tamar Teresa her daughter and desire for her to be baptized made her to embrace Catholicism formerly. Dorothy Day converted from socialist to catholic crusader in the year 1927 (Coles 56). She founded the movement of catholic worker in 1933 together with Peter Maurin who was French itinerant illegal immigrant. The movement of catholic worker adopted a pacifist, anarchist and neutral stance in the 1930s as world’s leaders were drifting towards war. Dorothy Day chose way to live with her faith at a great cost. As she was eighteen years old, together with other two college mates in the Illinois University, she followed her members of family as they moved to the city of New York. She involved herself in the radical politics as she lived at the lower eastern side. There she was working on succession of journals and radical papers. Her compatriots were atheist, communists, wobblies and anarchists. Dorothy joined socialist party while she was at Urbana in Illinois (Stone 33). As the young Dorothy found the life of bohemian exciting, she encountered certain emptiness in her life, a loneliness which stalked her remaining life. Spiritual hunger led her to a disquieting and profound entrance to her life in the year 1917 a time she was imprisoned for a punishment of fifteen days in the prison of women federal after she had picketed white House to present women on the matter of suffrage of women (Kent 93). She spends ten days out of the fifteen days of imprisonment stricken by hunger in an attempt to successfully gain her status as a prisoner of politics. Dorothy was imprisoned for act of civil nonviolent disobedience seven times. Dorothy movement from the square of union to Rome was apologetic and was her conversion from socialist to Catholicism (Jordan, and Day 61). It addressed her communist sisters and brothers, and made also her case to primacy of spiritual rather than material. For Dorothy, church was her only place, which could address her own long existential for a transcendent meaning and provided her a framework, which could help her work for a change as well as serving the poor. As she wrote about the prison, she said that she felt despair as she was in jail for a duration of fifteen days. She also put that life in jail was miserable and unfit for human existence. The misery Day found in jail she said could remain even if the utopia state prevailed or even if the society were being ruled with social justice. She said there is no hope for one to be happy especially in the jail unless the soul and heart of humankind realizes need to have a change (Coles 46). Just like anybody else and many other factors in the experience of America, Day’s conversion was a profound encounter to nature and left indelible mark to her spirituality. It was through and in the sea wondrous mystery that Dorothy came to understand the bountiful God love (Coles 57). God revelation on the nature, together with experience of Dorothy giving birth to Tamar her daughter, served her as entry point in the Christianity. Day said that her conversion was due to overturn of her material world which made her to see seek protection in the God heart since he was creator and could satisfy all hungers of human beings. Day being primarily as a journalist could write in concrete and direct styles as a reporter, and this made her to raise high in the social and economic class and much surprisingly, her spiritual awakening started at that time. She said her life started to change as she was still in her work and started feeling no need of being in her work but should turn to the love of God since he was giver of live and every thing (Kent 102). Day live in journalism was marked with many controversies. However, her experience and interaction with various peoples, and groups as well different social classes frequently put her in awkward position and in clash with the authorities when reporting on what is on the ground. That is, the issues affecting the community. She was never a quitter though. She is recognized for involvement in movements and demonstration, fighting for rights of the poor and the oppressed in the community (Stone 53). The joy of Dorothy Day about the nature was brought in full circle the moment she found herself pregnant and made her life complete. It is also said that it was difficult in overstating the trauma and turmoil she underwent in entering the motherhood and how it could have eventually cost her. Day knew joy as often said her life brought great happiness when she was with Forster even though Day was always a searcher who was ready to take risk (Kent 76). After birth of her daughter Tamar, Dorothy understood her spiritual quest and which began bearing fruits. While walking along the beaches, spontaneous payers offered reflexively, and little did she understand that the spirits were leading her to a Christian church. The entry in the church was inevitable to her just as her losing life with her husband Forster. He never knew her baptism and baptism of her daughter could lead to end of her common-law marriage. Dorothy Day could say the world greatest adventure is spiritual life since she was master in exploring through the wilderness which she was in, as she was expended from that wilderness into the spiritual life (Jordan, and Day 45). She came to realize that God had plans for her and that plans of God prepared her from where she was until she came to receive Him in her life. Day after she been converted to Christian could pray and read Psalter every day, and often for duration of two hours in the early dawn. She could attend mass in almost every day and she could pray rosary at most of her time. Day could guard her herself with only weapon of spirit which are spiritual and corporal mercy works. Daily prayer devotion bore fruit to her to develop sacramental sense. Day had ability which was hard-worn in discerning extraordinary in most human encounters in most ordinary happenings. Day seriously concerned about the poor and also the phrase which stated the poor were ambassadors of the God. Day could approach social issues in a simple manner. Day had hope in the spiritual way of living and she started the work movement of catholic to awaken other people. Day was a catholic laywoman and she did much in legitimizing pacifism as an option for the Catholics members than anybody else. All in all, the conversion of Dorothy Day into catholic is much surprising since is not easy for a prominent person like her in the social party at that time and even a famous journalist and reporter to leave her job and turn to serve the lord. Due to her faith and influence in the community, especially fighting for human right and helping the poor, Day earned much recognition all around the world. Many argued that her deeds and believes would have made her sainted. The Impact she had in many people lives will forever be remembered. Works cited Coles, Robert. Dorothy Day: A Radical Devotion. New York: Perseus Books, 1989. Jordan, Patrick, and Day Dorothy. Dorothy Day: Writings from Commonweal. New York: Liturgical Press, 2002. Kent, Deborah. Dorothy Day: Friend to the Forgotten. Cambridge: Eerdmans Young Readers, 1996 1996. Roberts, Nancy. Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker. New York: SUNY Press, 1984. Stone, Elaine. Dorothy Day: Champion of the Poor. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2004.

Strategic Management and Personal Media Players

Apple, Inc. in 2010 Assignment Questions 1. What are the chief elements of Apple’s overall competitive strategy? How well do the pieces fit together? Is the strategy evolving? 2. What are the key elements of Apple’s strategy in computers, personal media players, and smartphones? Have its strategies in its core businesses yielded success? Explain. 3. What does a competitive strength assessment reveal about Apple’s computer business, as compared to the leaders in the personal computer industry? Use the methodology in Table 4. to support your answer. Does it appear that the company’s competitive positions in personal media players and smartphones or stronger or weaker than its position in computers? 4. Does it make good strategic sense for Apple to be a competitor in the computer, personal media player, smartphone, and tablet computer industries? Are the value chain activities that Apple performs in computers, personal media players, tablet computers and smar tphones very similar and â€Å"compatible† or are there very important differences from product to product?Which of the four products lines—computers, tablet computers, personal media players, or smartphones—do you think is most important to Apple’s future growth and profitability? Why? 5. What is your assessment of Apple Computer’s financial performance the past three years? (Use the financial ratios in Table 4. 1 on pages 94-96 of the text as a guide in doing your financial analysis. ) 6. What recommendations would you make to allow Apple to strengthen its position in its most important markets? What steps should it take to ensure that the iPad becomes a success in the marketplace and a major contributor to the company’s overall performance?Google’s Strategy in 2010* Assignment Questions 1. Discuss competition in the search industry. Which of the five competitive forces seem strongest? weakest? What is your assessment of overall ind ustry attractiveness? 2. How is the search industry changing? What forces seem most likely to bring about major change to the industry within the next three to five years? 3. What are the key factors that define success in the industry? What are the key competencies, capabilities, and resources of successful search engine companies? 4. Describe Google’s customer value roposition and profit formula linked to its business model. What strategies has Google relied upon to build competitive advantage in the industry? 5. Have Google’s business model and strategy proven to be successful? Should investors be impressed with the company’s financial performance? How does the company’s financial performance compare to that of Microsoft and Yahoo? Please conduct a financial analysis to support your position—you may wish to use the financial ratios presented in the Table 4. 1 of the text as a guide in doing your financial analysis of the company. . What are the company’s key resources and competitive capabilities? What competitive liabilities and resource weaknesses does it have? What opportunities exist? What threats to its continued success are present? 7. What recommendations would you make to Google’s top-management team to sustain its competitive advantage in the search industry? How should it best capitalize on its strategic initiatives in mobile phones, cloud computing, emerging markets, and other ventures? Southwest Airlines in 2010: Culture, Values, and Operating Practices Assignment Questions . Is there anything that you find particularly impressive about Southwest Airlines? 2. What grade would you give Southwest management for the job it has done in crafting the company’s strategy? What is it that you like or dislike about the strategy? Does Southwest have a winning strategy? 3. What are the key policies, procedures, operating practices, and core values underlying Southwest’s efforts to implement and execute its low-cost/no frills strategy? 4. What are the key elements of Southwest’s culture? Is Southwest a strong culture company? Why or why not?What problems do you foresee that Gary Kelly has in sustaining the culture now that Herb Kelleher, the company’s spiritual leader, has departed? 5. What grade would you give Southwest management for the job it has done in implementing and executing the company’s strategy? Which of Southwest’s strategy execution approaches and operating practices do you believe have been most crucial in accounting for the success that Southwest has enjoyed in executing its strategy? Are the any policies, procedures, and operating approaches at Southwest that you disapprove of or that are not working well? 6.What weaknesses or problems do you see at Southwest Airlines as of mid-2010? 7. Does the AirTran acquisition make good strategic sense for Southwest? 8. What strategic issues and problems do Gary Kelly and Southwest executiv es need to address as they proceed to close the deal with the AirTran acquisition and contemplate how best to integrate AirTran’s operations and AirTran’s employees into Southwest? 9. What recommendations would you make to Gary Kelly and Southwest executives as the company heads into 2011? Competition in Energy Drinks, Sports Drinks and Vitamin-Enhanced Beverages Assignment Questions 1.What are the strategically relevant components of the global and U. S. beverage industry macro-environment? How do the economic characteristics of the alternative beverage segment of the industry differ from that of other beverage categories? Explain. 2. What is competition like in the alternative beverage industry? Which of the five competitive forces is strongest? Which is weakest? What competitive forces seem to have the greatest effect on industry attractiveness and the potential profitability of new entrants? 3. How is the market for energy drinks, sports drinks and vitamin-enhanced beverages changing?What are the underlying drivers of change and how might those forces individually or collectively make the industry more or less attractive? 4. What does your strategic group map of the energy drink, sports drink, and vitamin-enhanced beverage industry look like? Which strategic groups do you think are in the best positions? The worst positions? 5. What key factors determine the success of alternative beverage producers? 6. What recommendations would you make to Coca-Cola to improve its competitiveness in the global alternative beverage industry? to PepsiCo? to Red Bull GmbH?