Marketing Analysis Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marketing Analysis Report - Essay Example The company offers a range of products, in the form of flight transport services to passengers worldwide, both from Canada to different parts of the world, and vice-versa. The company products solve a range of individual, organizational and societal problems, through offering schedule flights to individuals who are seeking to travel to different destinations of the world, thus solving a societal problem. It also offers other individualized services such as cargo services to individuals and organizations dealing in the cargo business (Mills, 2006). The company also offers specialized Air Canada Jazz and Air Canada Jetz specifically for organizations and some individuals who would want to experience flexible departure and arrival time, and who cannot fit into the normal scheduled flight timetable. The individuals or organizations using this service are granted privacy, security and convenience, while also being granted customized services (Yerema & Leung, 2013). It also offers vacation services courtesy of Air Canada rouge, specifically for leisure purposes, through chartered flights to over 200 different leisure destinations worldwide. Another product offered by the company is the Air Canada Express, connecting over 90 Canadian cities (Milton, 2004). Pricing for the different products offered by the company is on a product-to-product basis, while promotions are done through mainstream media; both print and broadcast, social media, as well as promotional campaigns and special-offers advertising. Environmental Scan Regulatory environmental factors had been favorable for Air Canada in the early years up to the 1970s, where the government applied regulations to ensure that the company had an upper hand over the other privately-owned airlines. The government restricted short haul carriers to only one destination for other airlines, while allowing Air Canada to serve several destinations (Milton, 2004). Its main competitor, CP Air was restricted in terms of the interc ontinental capacity, while also being restricted from operating domestic flights. However, in 1987 deregulation of the Canada air market was introduced, and subsequently stiff competition set in, between Air Canada and other regional operators (Mills, 2006). Stiff competition for the company is mainly from Pacific Western Airline. The economic environment for the company was tough especially in the early 2000s, when the company pursued a merger with its major rival, Canadian Airlines, but realized that its economic situation was worse, an occurrence that led to financial problems and cargo and flight delays. This eventually led to a declaration of bankruptcy in early 2003, but the company recovered in the following year, and managed to strategize and resolved the financial problems (Milton, 2004). Nevertheless, the technological environment has impacted positively on the company’s business, through increasing business and repeat customer purchases. The company’s utiliz ation of its technology is impressive, with the company offering a range of technological services to its customers, such as

Egocentricity of Pechorin vs Jason Essay Example for Free

Egocentricity of Pechorin vs Jason Essay In this essay I will compare the egocentricity of the characters of Pechorin from the Russian novel, A Hero of Our Time by Lermontov, and Jason from the Greek Tragedy Medea, written by Euripides. I have selected the topic of egocentricity or self-absorption for it is prevalent in both works in respect to Pechorin and Jason where they show little if any regard for anyone but themselves throughout the works. However the time differences and social and cultural conditions of the time and place the works were written must be taken into consideration. I feel that the theme of complete selfishness and the consequences that follow is strongest in respect to Jason and Pechorin and I will compare and provide evidence for such an argument in both works. I will start by analysing Jasons utterly selfish behaviour throughout the Ancient Greek play Medea, written by Euripides. Jason is a completely egocentric character but he doesnt have as much depth or complexity as Pechorin in A Hero of Our Time which is partly due to when this play was written in ancient Greece. Society was very different people were devouted Pagans and lived in a world of superstition. Also literature was no way near as advanced however Medea still contains the fundamentals such as psychology. Jason is motivated solely by self-interest, his only motivation to court Medea in the play is the fact that she has mystical powers to get him what he wants; the Golden Fleece, for which he will get a generous reward in return. Jason even allows Medea to kill her own brother out of lust and be banished from her homeland forever by her father as a consequence. Unfortunately Jason is to self-involved to even comprehend how his Actions would affect Medea and their children. Again we see further evidence of Jasons egocentricity when he divorces Medea and abandons his kids for Glauce, princess of Corinth. He doesnt consider the affect on Medea and their children for he is blinded by his selfishness, he doesnt even mind that they are going to get banished as long as he increases his political and social status. His only defence is that he will one day be king and they will inherit the kingdom, which has no validity for he has already betrayed her trust and showed no sign of guilt and is just trying to justify himself. Even the nurse says that his marriage is for social status not love, Jason has betrayed his own sons, and my mistress, for royal bed.i Unfortunately we dont get to see Jasons interaction with friends in this play, which I would guess to be very short sighted and shallow as usual. Jason seems to have an extreme lack of morals when it comes to his own actions such as abandoning his wife and kids simply for political gain. Also his motivation for this immoral action was money and political power not love for Glauce, which is immoral. The final similarity between the two characters is regret. Jason ends up in deep regret for his action for the outcome is the death of his new wife Glauce and his children as well as his almost social castration as a result. He learns that egocentricity leads to self-destruction for you lose sight of other peoples feeling and dont take them into consideration. Where Jasons Character differs from Pechorin is in respect to his emotion place in the work and his inability to except his faults. Jasons only real sign of emotion throughout the play is the within respect to the murder of his children. What? Killed my sons? That word kills me.ii This shows the pain he must have felt inside with this loss. Jason also seems to have an inability to admit his faults. He is blinded by his self-involvement, which is evidence of insecurity for living in your own world protects your from reality. Finally I feel that Jasons role in the play is more of a villain, which could be because the play is mainly Medeas view. A template of how not to get caught up in shallow insecurities, where as Pechorin in A Hero of Our Time is portrayed as more of a modern Hero where he has faults which make him easier to relate to and a much more believable character. Pechorin is also a portrayed with an immoral and selfish attitude in the Novel, A Hero of Our time. Yet Pechorin is given a lot more human characteristics and is described in much more detail with points probing on the physiological aspects even though its just pre-Freud. It was written 2332 years after Medea from a different culture and is a much larger work therefore is bound to be different in style. Pechorin is definitely as selfish as Jason is, if not more so. He uses all his so-called romantic relationships to gain control and domination over the hearts of young women. Firstly with Bela he trades her for a Horse he stole. How immoral is firstly stealing and then trading a women as an object? Because of this her father is killed and her brother rides off so shes left with literally nothing. He soon got bored of her and barely felt anythin at her death. Later on in his relationship with Princess Mary he is similarly selfish. He wants Princess Mary for shes in high demand as wee as a challenge and he feels the need to win her, in part of this was due to his old friend Grusnitski who also desired Mary. Pechorin saw this as a challenge and didnt even consider the effect it would have on Mary and Grusninski and didnt really care for hes caught up in his own world. He even sets out to destroy Grusnitskis reputation and ends up killing him. He is also very immoral in respect to the treatment of friends such as Maxim Maxyvich. He is disrespectful towards Maxim for he feels that he is now old and useless to him, which is shown at their unexpected reunion where Pechorin is very selfish and immoral. Pechorin also experiences regret like Jason in Medea, but his regret builds up and turns into bitterness. Passions are merely ideas in their initial stage. They are the property of youth, and anyone who expects to feel their thrill throughout life is a fool.iii Pechorin has not been able to find true passion or love throughout his life. He has quickly got bored of every relationship he has been in and is bitter to the fact that true love has never found him. Evidence that he could once feel emotion would lie in when he felt joy in the memory of the sulphur springs. Now this has forced him to become callus and use everyone to hide from his empty heart. However Pechorin does admit he has faults, Ambition has been crushed in me by circumstances, but it comes out in another way, for ambition is nothing more than a lust for power and my chief delight is to dominate those around me.iv But doesnt justify them or even try to change. I believe his self-analysis is shallow and this ties in to his duality as a person, which prevents him from expressing emotion. For a long time now Ive lived by intellect, not feeling. I weigh and analyse my emotions and actions with close interest, but complete detachment. There are two men within me one lives in the full sense if the word and the other reflects and judges him.v Finally I feel that Pechorin is portrayed more as the new Hero of our Time.vi Who isnt old fashioned but strong and unconventional with human faults that we can relate to therefore hes definitely the protagonist of the novel and an affective chara cter.

Of mice and men Essay examples -- essays research papers

Of Mice and Men   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Of Mice and Men was written during a period of racism. In the 1960's it was important for everyone to get along with eachother because not everyone was equal. George and Lennie showed a great part in friendship throught the whole book. At the ranch in Selinas mostly everyone showed friendship in some way. Friendship was a great factor when the book was published because of all the racism going on at the time.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Friendship has a big part to do with Lennie and George’s dream of owning a small farm and raising animals. George and Lennie both set their mind to accomplish their dream and go to work on a ranch for little pay. Another friend of George overhears George and Lennie talking about their idea, Candy offers to put in his monthly wage to buy the farm as long as he lives on it. Lennie and George have to go through many things on the farm and still stick together like brothers. Curley, the son of the boss, runs most of the ranch and has a mean attitude towards George and Lennie, George then realizes that no one cares for Lennie like he does. George and Curley’s wife create a strong bond throughout the book , but George wants nothing to do with it because he is there to accomplish his goal not to start relationships. Many factors in this book show a sense of friendship in some way.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Both George and Lennie build a strong friendship with the men at the ranch even though it m...

Yale’s Five Stage Developmental Model

Using Yale’s five-stage developmental model, identify the stages of Ronald Reagan’s first presidential campaign giving specific examples from history. Give specific attention to applying the stages of a campaign history. Document your sources using APA format. You must use EBSCO or other on-line sources available through Amberton Library. You may also use books available through Ebrary and net library to complete this assignment. These on-line books are available on the library’s on-line resources. Do not try to complete this assignment by using websites for speeches. Yale’s five stage developmental model gives us examples of what should happen from the beginning to end of a political campaign, product-line marketing scheme, or ideological campaign such as Christianity or Scientology. In the case of our 40th president, Ronald Reagan, you can see these steps put into action during his first run for the Presidential Office back in 1979. Yale’s model identifies the first step in the five stages as Identification. According to the text, Charles U. Larson (2010) Identification is the position you establish in the minds of your audience P. 83-289. The audience can be a congregation, fans, voters, and potential converts. In the case of Ronald Reagan, during his first campaign he would have wanted to bring favor upon himself in the eyes as many Americans as he possibly could; especially the Electoral College. He did, in fact, win over the nation & the Electoral College. The second step is Identification. According to Larson (2010), Identification in Yale’s model refers to â€Å"establishing a position in the minds of consumers, voters, and potential converts† p. 283. To achieve making their mark on the minds of potential customers a product line may simply use a name that encompasses what they offer, Newsweek is the example used in Larson (2010) â€Å"It suggests that it contains the news of the past week† p. 283. Identification can also be established with the use symbols, as in the case with McDonalds. The unmistakable â€Å"golden arches† of McDonalds can be seen for what seems like miles by children. During the 1980 election, a bumper sticker the Reagan Campaign released was a simple design with a large impact. The sticker’s basic blue background with the word â€Å"Reagan† in large white print sticks out along with â€Å"for president† down below the name; simple, yet effective. This sticker gives Identification to Reagan the man, the candidate, and Regan the brand name. Taking a step towards Yale’s first step, Identification, is also evident in The Reagan Campaign’s goals after he won the GOP July 7th 1980. As Michael Malbin noted, â€Å"Ronald Reagan had three strategic goals for the Republican convention. . . . He wanted to maintain the enthusiasm of the conservative supporters who won him the nomination. He wanted to reach out to centrist and moderate Republicans, particularly to white-collar suburbanites who might be thinking about voting for independent candidate John Anderson. Finally, he wanted to build on his appeal to normally Democratic blue-collar workers. † Skinner, Kiron; Bruce, Bueno de Mesquita,; Kudelia, Serhiy (2008) stated Reagan’s acceptance speech on July 17 was the most precise expression of these aspirations to date† p. 170. The Reagan Campaign takes the final step towards Identification by appealing to the American people as someone with peace on Earth in mind. This is evident from his stance on foreign relations and the military. Reagan appeals to many Americans who are not happy with the current administrations performance over the previous four years. Reagan stated in Skinner, Kiron; Bruce, Bueno de Mesquita; Kudelia, Serhiy’s (2008) â€Å"Of all the objectives we seek, first and foremost is the establishment of lasting world peace. We must always stand ready to negotiate in good faith, ready to pursue any reasonable avenue that holds forth the promise of lessening tensions and furthering the prospects of peace. But let our friends and those who may wish us ill take note: the United States has an obligation to its citizens and to the people of the world never to let those who would destroy freedom dictate the future course of human life on this planet. I would regard my election as proof that we have renewed our resolve to preserve world peace and freedom† p. 171. Although his contenders would try to portray Reagan as a warmonger, he repeatedly told voters that it was not his intent to make war but rather to create peace by building superior forces. Legitimacy is the second step in Yale’s model and simply put is being considered trustworthy and believable by your target audience. An example in the text states that a candidate, Larson (2010) â€Å"gains legitimacy by winning his political party’s primary election† p. 285; thus us the case in 1979 when Ronald Reagan won the Republican’s nod as the candidate for president in the election of 1980. In fact, it was more the illegitimacy of the Carter Campaign that helped Ronald Reagan charm voters. Voters that were upset over low employment, the economy, and foreign policy were a driving factor behind the fears Americans felt. Voters were ripe and the Reagan Campaign was there for the picking. Scheele, Henry Z (1981) â€Å"Ronald Reagan benefited in part from the conditions of his times, the unpopularity of the seemingly inept incumbent President, the division within the Democratic Party, and the resurgence of conservative thought in much of America† p. 274. Yale’s third step in the model is, Participation. Larson (2010) states that â€Å"the legitimacy stage of campaigns usually blends so smoothly with the participation stage that it is almost impossible to tell when one ends and the next begins â€Å" p. 286. The Participation step involves recruitment and involvement of previously uncommitted persons, although, this can be difficult to detect during political campaigns. The fine line between supporter and potential adversary can be as simple as the results of a primary election, as is in the case in the Republican Primary elections, which began in January 1980. George H. W.  Bush ran against Ronald Reagan in the 1980 Republican primaries. After George Bush was ultimately defeated, Reagan appointed Bush as his potential Vice President and running mate. The line of when George bush, previously uncommitted, became recruited by the Reagan Campaign is distinct. It occurred when George H. W. Bush accepted the offer to run beside Ronald Reagan. The fourth step in Yale’s model is known as Penetration. Larson (2010) â€Å"The penetration stage can be defined as the point at which a person, product, or idea has earned a meaningful share of the market, electorate, or other constituency. Meaningful might be defined as enough to be noticed by the opposition brand, candidate, or cause â€Å"p. 289. Winning an election is not a prerequisite for having penetrated a certain party’s ranks as a contender. In fact, simply being able to collect a substantial amount of votes can suffice in establishing legitimacy and therefore penetration can occur. Once could say that George H. W. Bush was not a significant in the 1980 Republican primary because he came in second place with a mere 3,070,033 votes, 23. 81 % of the total. However, this number was enough to earn Bush’s legitimacy as a Presidential contender and helped earn him the Vice Presidential position. The final step in Yale’s five step model is Distribution. This step involves the campaign or product showing a positive return to the voters or consumers in the form of success. Larson (2010) states that the distribution step takes place â€Å"as a campaign or movement’s succeeding and rewarding supporters in some way. The candidates now live up their promises. They signal their supporters that social change is going to occur† p. 289. A moment that stands out as a time when Ronald Reagan delivered a positive return to those who supported him and voted fro him in the 1980 Presidential election, is how he responded to the assassination attempt on his life. Allen, Richard V (2001) â€Å"On March 30th 1981, President Reagan was shot by a young man named John W. Hinckley Jr. while leaving a Washington hotel. â€Å" p. 64. But being shot by a would-be assassin is not what appealed to the American public, it’s the way he handled his ordeal and bounced back with such grace and professionalism; he took the entire ordeal in stride. In fact, according to Langer, Gary (June 7, 2004) â€Å"the attempt had great influence on Reagan's popularity; the polls indicated his approval rating to be around 73%†. This shows that somehow Americans were pleased with the fact Ronald Reagan was able to endure the ordeal. The y must have felt that they were in some ways repaid for believing in the newly elected President. Kengor, Paul (2004) Reagan believed that God had spared his life so that he might go on to fulfill a greater purpose and, although not a Catholic, meetings with Mother Teresa, Cardinal Terence Cooke, and fellow shooting survivor Pope John Paul II reinforced this belief. Reagan returned to the Oval Office on April 25, receiving a standing ovation from staff and Cabinet members; referring to their teamwork in his absence, he insisted, â€Å"I should be applauding you. † Steven R. Weisman (April 29, 1981) His first public appearance was an April 28 speech before the joint houses of Congress to introduce his planned spending cuts, a campaign promise. United Press International (April 25, 1981) He received â€Å"two thunderous standing ovations†, which the New York Times deemed â€Å"a salute to his good health† as well as his programs, which the President introduced using a medical recovery theme. It is apparent that the nation as a whole felt a positive return or, from Yale’s model, a distribution from Ronald Reagan during this specific moment just after his election. Sometimes it is not a product or tangible prize that your audience is looking for. Many times the feeling or emotional return is enough to provide hope and satisfy the masses. Although President Reagan probably did not wish to be shot, by retuning to office he filled America with good feelings.

Trip to Disneyland

Allyson Clink English 105 Mrs. Goodwin Narrative Essay First Trip to Disneyland I am a single parent to one little girl. I wanted to do something special for her fourth birthday. My little girls name is Bethanny. Her father at this time was in and out of her life as he pleases and she was starting to tell me it hurt her that he was not around very much. That was when I decided to save all my tips from work and take at least $100 dollars out of every check to make this trip possible. I was able to find a great deal online for the time of her birthday which is January 4th. If you don’t know Disneyland is still set up for Christmas time, and still had the Christmas deals available. So I got us two day park hopper tickets, which means we can go from both parks for two days. Bethanny was so excited the day we left to drive down she stayed awake the whole drive down there. She usually does not do this because it is an eight hour drive. But I guess the excitement and all the candy was enough to keep her awake. When we arrived in Los Angeles at Disneyland we checked in to the hotel and she loved that the hallways had all the Disney characters on the walls. After the check in at the hotel we decided to check out Disney Main Street. Bethanny was so excited while walking down the street she got to meet Mickey and Minnie they both gave her a huge kiss because it was her first time to Disneyland. So while we were walking Mickey and Minnie showed Bethanny some of the best rides and made her feel very special and it wasn’t even her birthday yet. That was a very long day. The next day was Bethanny’s birthday and she woke everyone up at 6 am. She wanted to hurry and get to breakfast. This was one of the best parts of the trip because she got to eat with all her favorite princesses. She had such a huge smile when she saw her favorite princess which is tinker bell. After breakfast bethanny got to choose one character to walk around with her for an hour and she got to wear a birthday girl sash that made her feel like a little princess herself. While walking thru the park she loved seeing all the colors and trees that were made to look like Christmas trees. But did not like the long lines for the rides but sat thru them like a champ. She kept saying â€Å"mommy it’s my birthday cant we just cut†, I thought that was so funny. Trip to Disneyland Allyson Clink English 105 Mrs. Goodwin Narrative Essay First Trip to Disneyland I am a single parent to one little girl. I wanted to do something special for her fourth birthday. My little girls name is Bethanny. Her father at this time was in and out of her life as he pleases and she was starting to tell me it hurt her that he was not around very much. That was when I decided to save all my tips from work and take at least $100 dollars out of every check to make this trip possible. I was able to find a great deal online for the time of her birthday which is January 4th. If you don’t know Disneyland is still set up for Christmas time, and still had the Christmas deals available. So I got us two day park hopper tickets, which means we can go from both parks for two days. Bethanny was so excited the day we left to drive down she stayed awake the whole drive down there. She usually does not do this because it is an eight hour drive. But I guess the excitement and all the candy was enough to keep her awake. When we arrived in Los Angeles at Disneyland we checked in to the hotel and she loved that the hallways had all the Disney characters on the walls. After the check in at the hotel we decided to check out Disney Main Street. Bethanny was so excited while walking down the street she got to meet Mickey and Minnie they both gave her a huge kiss because it was her first time to Disneyland. So while we were walking Mickey and Minnie showed Bethanny some of the best rides and made her feel very special and it wasn’t even her birthday yet. That was a very long day. The next day was Bethanny’s birthday and she woke everyone up at 6 am. She wanted to hurry and get to breakfast. This was one of the best parts of the trip because she got to eat with all her favorite princesses. She had such a huge smile when she saw her favorite princess which is tinker bell. After breakfast bethanny got to choose one character to walk around with her for an hour and she got to wear a birthday girl sash that made her feel like a little princess herself. While walking thru the park she loved seeing all the colors and trees that were made to look like Christmas trees. But did not like the long lines for the rides but sat thru them like a champ. She kept saying â€Å"mommy it’s my birthday cant we just cut†, I thought that was so funny.

Toltec Weapons, Armor, and Warfare

Toltec Weapons, Armor, and Warfare From their mighty city of Tollan (Tula), the Toltec civilization dominated Central Mexico from the fall of Teotihuacn to the rise of the Aztec Empire (approximately 900-1150 A.D.). The Toltecs were a warrior culture and fought frequent battles of conquest and subjugation against their neighbors. They warred in order to take victims for sacrifice, expand their empire and spread the cult of Quetzalcoatl, the greatest of their gods. Toltec Arms and Armor Although the site has been heavily looted over the centuries, there are enough surviving statues, friezes and stelae at Tula to indicate what sort of weapons and armor the Toltecs favored. Toltec warriors would wear decorative chest plates and elaborate feather headdresses into battle. They wrapped one arm from the shoulder down in padding and favored small shields which could be quickly used in close combat. A beautiful armored tunic made of seashells was found in an offering in the Burned Palace at Tula: this armor may have been used by a high-ranking soldier or king in battle. For ranged combat, they had long darts which could be launched with lethal force and accuracy by their atlatls, or javelin throwers. For close combat, they had swords, maces, knives and a special curved club-like weapon inlaid with blades which could be used to batter or slash. Warrior Cults For the Toltecs, wars and conquest were closely linked to their religion. The large and formidable army was likely composed of religious warrior orders, including but not limited to coyote and jaguar warriors. A small statue of a Tlaloc-warrior was unearthed at Ballcourt One, indicating the presence of a Tlaloc warrior cult at Tula, much like the one that was present at Teotihuacn, the predecessor of the Toltec culture. The columns on top of Pyramid B are four-sided: on them they show gods including Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl in full battle gear, providing further evidence for the presence of warrior-cults at Tula. The Toltecs aggressively spread the worship of Quetzalcoatl and military conquest was one way to do so. The Toltecs and Human Sacrifice There is ample evidence at Tula and in the historical record that the Toltecs were avid practitioners of human sacrifice. The most obvious indication of human sacrifice is the presence of a tzompantli, or skull rack. Archaeologists have unearthed no fewer than seven Chac Mool statues at Tula (some of which are complete and some of which are only pieces). Chac Mool statues depict a reclining man, belly-up, holding a recipient or bowl on his abdomen. The recipients were used for offerings, including human sacrifices. In ancient legends still told to this day by locals, Ce Atl Quetzalcoatl, the god-king who founded the city, had a dispute with the followers of Tezcatlipoca, mostly about how much human sacrifice was needed to appease the gods: the followers of Tezcatlipoca (who favored more sacrifices) won the conflict and were able to drive Ce Atl Quetzalcoatl out. Military Iconography at Tula It seems that nearly all of the surviving art at the ruined city of Tula has a military or warlike theme to it. The most iconic pieces at Tula are by far the four Atalantes or mighty statues which grace the top of Pyramid B. These statues, which tower over visitors at 17 ft. (4.6 m) high, are of warriors armed and dressed for battle. They bear typical armor, headdresses, and weapons including the curved, bladed club and dart launcher. Nearby, four pillars depict gods and high-ranking soldiers in battle dress. Reliefs carved into benches show processions of chieftains in battle gear. A six-foot stela of a governor dressed as a priest of Tlaloc bears a curved mace and dart launcher. Conquest and Subject States Although historical data is scarce, it is likely that the Toltecs of Tula conquered several nearby states and held them as vassals, demanding tribute such as food, goods, weapons and even soldiers. Historians are divided concerning the scope of the Toltec Empire. There is some evidence that it may have reached as far as the Gulf Coast, but there is no conclusive proof that it extended more than a hundred kilometers in any direction from Tula. The post-Maya city of Chichen Itza shows clear architectural and thematic influence from Tula, but historians generally agree that this influence came from trade or Tula nobles in exile, not from military conquest. Conclusions The Toltecs were mighty warriors who must have been greatly feared and respected in central Mesoamerica during their heyday from about 900-1150 A.D. They used advanced weapons and armor for the time, and were organized into fervent warrior clans serving different ruthless gods. Sources Charles River Editors. The History and Culture of the Toltec. Lexington: Charles River Editors, 2014.Cobean, Robert H., Elizabeth Jimà ©nez Garcà ­a and Alba Guadalupe Mastache. Tula. Mexico: Fondo de Cultura Economica, 2012.Coe, Michael D and Rex Koontz. 6th Edition. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2008.Davies, Nigel. The Toltecs: Until the Fall of Tula. Norman: the University of Oklahoma Press, 1987.Gamboa Cabezas, Luis Manuel. El Palacio Quemado, Tula: Seis Decadas de Investigaciones. Arqueologia Mexicana XV-85 (May-June 2007). 43-47Hassig, Ross. War and Society in Ancient Mesoamerica. University of California Press, 1992.Jimenez Garcia, Esperanza Elizabeth. Iconografà ­a guerrera en la escultura de Tula, Hidalgo. Arqueologia Mexicana XIV-84 (March-April 2007). 54-59.

The Pantheon essays

The Pantheon essays The Pantheon is the best preserved and one of the most impressive of all Roman buildings. It was constructed in AD 118-128 during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. The Pantheon was a temple to all the Olympic Gods, and the word pantheon is Greek for of all the gods. The Pantheon today is a remake of the original one, which was built by M. Vispanius Agrippa in 27 BC. A fire probably destroyed it. In AD 609, Pope Boniface VIII received the temple as a gift from the emperor of Byzantium. He converted it into a Christian church dedicated to Madonna and the martyrs. This is the reason for which it still stands today, avoiding destruction. The Pantheon is an immense round temple covered by a single dome, fronted by a transitional block and a traditional portico of eight Corinthian columns. The diametre of the hemispherical dome and cylinder is 43.2 metres. If the dome were a full sphere, the curve of the inner surface would just touch the floor; thus, a perfect sphere is contained, a symbolic reference to the temples dedication to all gods (pan (all) plus theos (god)=in the sphere of the heavens). Therefore, the dome has a radius of 26.6 metres and the cylinder has a height of 26.6 metres. The drum and dome are made of solid monolithic concrete, reinforced with bands of vitrified tile. The wall of the drum is 6.1 metres thick, and is hollowed out by a series of alternately rectangular curve niches or recesses. The only window in the building is a central oculus, 9.1 metres in diametre. Because the oculus is open to the sky, the floor is slightly concave with a drain at the center. The huge bronze doors (7 metres high) are the largest Roman doors to survive in place and remain in use. The portico is 33.5 metres in length and 18 metres deep. ...

How To Use The Power Of Podcasting To Increase Your Audience

How To Use The Power Of Podcasting To Increase Your Audience Podcasting: Many see it as an amazing opportunity but don’t really understand the nuts and bolts of how to begin, how it compares to other marketing channels, and how to evaluate your ROI. Today we’re going to change all that by having a great discussion with Sarah Rhea Werner, the host of the Write Now podcast. As a columnist for Forbes on the topic of podcasting, she’s definitely an authority on the topic. If you’ve ever considered podcasting, you won’t want to miss today’s episode! How and why Sarah got into podcasting. The types of opportunities Sarah has had since starting podcasting that blogging wasn’t bringing her. Audience-building advice for marketing teams and companies. Why it’s so important to create your podcast based on what your listeners like. Tips on striking a balance between providing value and marketing yourself through your podcast. Why it’s important to make sure any selling that you do on your podcast is delightful, interesting, and fun. How a podcast is both similar to and different from different marketing avenues. Some of the tactical challenges and practices of podcasting. Sarah’s best final advice for a brand who is toying with the idea of a podcast. Links: Write Now Podcast Email us a screenshot of your iTunes review! If you liked today’s show, please subscribe on iTunes to The Actionable Content Marketing Podcast! The podcast is also available on SoundCloud,  Stitcher, and Google Play. Quotes by Sarah: â€Å"If you want to get additional readers for your blog or for your book do public speaking.† â€Å"Podcasting is a ton of work. It’s worth it, but it’s a ton of work.† â€Å"If you absolutely need to do have an ad, make sure it’s delightful, make sure it’s in line with your show and it’s in line with your message.†

Business letter Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Business letter - Assignment Example The duties of my current project include maintaining the road and infrastructure in the town (including the tasks of road repairing, snow clearing, grinding gravel roads in summer, cutting grass on town property, etc.). My team has been working very honestly in my supervision, but some problems have been encountered in the management of the work load effectively resulting in getting over budgets and hiring more labors. Firstly, the winter season of the town is very severe for the laborers, as some of them belong to warm regions leading to their inefficiency at the work place and frequent medical issues specially reporting high fever and cold. To fill the gap of absent laborers, new laborers could be hired to replace them. Secondly, the Christmas event is very near, but the work load is more than expected because of more snowfall in this season than before. To complete the projects before the Christmas event, overtime shifts are introduced, which has caused over budget expenditures. Thirdly, the provided machinery for weather related problems was not working efficiently to control the freeze drainage culverts related issues. There was the need of high pressure steam machine, which was not available. So, the extra expenditures were spent on the purchase of new steam pressure parts for freeze drainage and ice on the

Dining Room in Authentic Elizabethan Style Assignment

Dining Room in Authentic Elizabethan Style - Assignment Example A typical building of the period is Wollaton Hall (1588), Nottinghamshire, built by Robert Smythson; it was the first English house to abandon the traditional central courtyard and to place in its stead a high-ceilinged great hall lighted by gallery windows and surrounded by classically proportioned, multi-windowed wings. Bible box - the bible box appeared, these were small side chests designed to hold the family bible. They were later made with a sloping top to facilitate writing and reading. It was the forerunner to the writing desk. They were oak, left natural or finished with oils or beeswax. Colour: During Elizabethan times, color schemes varied depending upon the location of the home. Lighter colors tended to be avoided in town and city dwellings due to pollution. Another factor in color choice was often determined by the availability of pigments. In country areas, interior decorations were often carried out by traveling craftsmen who carried limited supplies. Paint had to be mixed on site with whatever locally available ingredients could be found. For example, the blue-green color wash used on wooden paneled walls in country areas was derived from the earth pigment terra verde, mixed with egg whites and buttermilk. It is, nevertheless possible to make some general statements. For example, during the first half of the Victorian era, walls were usually light colors except for dining rooms and libraries. The second half gave way to much more vibrant, rich colors such as vivid greens and mahogany brown typically found in bedrooms. During this period, the general feeling w as that deep, rich colors enhanced the importance of a room. Owen Jones, architect and theorist of color and ornament, published a handbook, in 1856, called The Grammar of Ornament. The basis of Jones's theories on the use of color was that it was aesthetically correct to use a complex pattern consisting of one main color and many subsidiary colors. Considerable thought was given to creating the right balance of both color and texture between wall, molding, ceiling and woodwork. Adding texture to a room was achieved through the use of wallpaper; stenciling and specialist paint finishes such as sponging, marbleizing and spattering. In most cases it was very difficult to distinguish wallpaper from paint. The simulation of various kinds

Stock control and recording Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6500 words

Stock control and recording - Literature review Example The following literature review includes the various books, articles and journals to explore the research topic of stock control and recording (Hart 2006). Operations management Operations management can be described as the area of management study that dealt with concepts of design engineering, management information system, industrial engineering, production management, quality management, accounting, and inventory management to facilitate the function of planning, scheduling, use and control of service organization as well as of manufacturing organization. In simpler terms, operations management is a process of converting inputs such as information, labor, material into the outputs in the form of goods and services. Also, in this process efforts are made to minimize the cost and maximize the net operating profit. Thus, highest level of efficiency is achieved by administration of business practices through operations management. Along with this, resources are acquired, developed an d utilized to achieve the organizational objectives (Shim and Siegel 1999). All functions of operation, tactical and strategic level are included in the range of the operational management. Thus, operations management includes the issues related with production scheduling and control, equipment maintenance policies, inventory management, traffic and material handling and quality control and inspection (Lewis and Slack 2003). Process mapping/flow charting/value stream mapping Process mapping is also known as flow charting, value stream mapping and process charting. It is a technique of converting business workflow and processes in to step-by-step diagram and visual. It has been complimented as one of the oldest and most valuable techniques for streamlining work. This technique can provide best results if used by experienced facilitators. An existing process can be understood in a better manner as well as can be improved. Thus, the main benefit as well as the objective of the process mapping is improving the business result. The diagram of process mapping defines all the aspects related with organization like business of the organization, responsible people of the organization, what is the standard of the process and how success of a business determined (Bicheno and Elliot 1997). Thus, it clarifies all the requirements of the internal business process. Process mapping is important to get control over the organization as it helps in developing an understanding in the basic processes of business. In the procedure of process mapping, process map is achieved as output. Thus, it is the final diagram with all the shapes of arrows and ovals which depicts the process from beginning to end. Each action within a process is depicted by each shape. Creating a process map requires through understanding of every step within the process such as resources, inputs and outputs. Inputs are gathered from the employees who are closest to the process (Bettley, Mayle and Tantoush 2005 ). Along with this, other techniques are also used to gather the inputs or information like surveys, observation and brainstorming. Furthermore, there are different shapes which are used to form a process map. For example, a rectangle is used to represent action step, cylinder represents databases whereas parallelograms represents inputs and outputs (Madison 2005). Then, different steps are followed to construct a process map, which are as follows: Step 1: Determination of Boundaries which specifies where

Parenting and child development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Parenting and child development - Essay Example Parental values and attitudes foreshadow parental goals and programs, with children taking on parental values depending on the structure of the society. Nso parental values, particularly parental expectations and reinforcement, promote the anticipatory socialization and guided participation of children in the routine work of the family and community. This study pointed out that parental values critically influence children’s development. Nso parents help children to accept and understand their identity and behavior as future adults. This situation engages children in anticipatory socialization, that is, peer-group activities related to the knowledge and practices needed for the adult world. Child-to-child interactions are more important than parents-to-child interactions. The intensity and harshness of the descriptors used by the Palestinian children and to a lesser extent by the Israeli-Jewish children underscore the presence of ethnic stereotyping as young as 4 years of age. It emphasizes as well that efforts to reduce ethnic stereotyping must begin at an early age.

'Alternative dispute resolution is at the heart of today's civil Essay

'Alternative dispute resolution is at the heart of today's civil justice system, and any unjustified failure to give proper - Essay Example Early 1990s had been witnessing delays in the conduct of litigation in courts exacerbated due to complex procedures and interlocutory battles entailing heavy costs to the parties and the state exchequer as well. As stated by the English Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), British commerce can achieve cost savings of over ? 1 billion by avoiding time spent by the management, spoilt relationships, lost productivity and legal fees.1 Mediation method already has helped save about ? 6.3 billion since 1990.2 In a classical case decided in 2007 involving a claim of just ? 6,000, parties are reported to have spent nearly ? 100,000 as litigation costs. 3 Perceptions about mediation are still mixed as revealed by a survey of the Ministry of Justice in 2007. For 38 % of the respondents, mediation had resulted in cost savings and for 29 %, costs had increased. Those who had settled cases through mediation informed of cost savings except for 7 % of them for whom costs had increased. F or those whose cases could not be settled through mediation, 45 % of them stated cost increases, 19 % cost savings and 28 % did not see any difference in costs.4 Sequel to Lord Woolf’s report, the U.K. Government made it a condition as far as possible to provide for ADR in all government contractual disputes arising out of procurement contracts. 5 As a result, ADR was resorted to in 336 cases out of which 241 were settled with a resultant cost savings of ? 120.7 million. 6 in Royal Bank of Scotland v Secretary of State for Defence, the successful defendant was refused costs as it had not opted for ADR in line with the above said ADR pledge by the Government.7 An audit report of 2007 stated that non-availing of mediation in family disputes entailed additional cost of ? 74 million through legal aid i.e average legal cost for a non-mediated case amounted to ? 1,682 as against ? 752 for a mediated case. 8 Warren K. Wrinkler Chief Justice of Ontario notes with caution that mediati on if not successful ends up as an additional layer in litigation costs. 9 Time efficiency is another factor apart from cost factor. According to a report of the CEDR, in England 75 % of their cases were settled instantly (same day). 10 Mediated family disputes cases are settled faster at 110 days than non-mediated cases which take 435 days to settle. 11 Regardless of cost effectiveness and time efficiency, flexibility available in mediation towards mutually consensual resolution is absent in court led litigation. The English Alder Hey case that involved more than 1000 claims is a classic example of successful mediation that resulted in apology and erection of permanent memorial for the children whose organs had been withheld by the hospital. ADR provides for not only procedural flexibility but also of flexibility of outcome.12 Mediation offers larger number of remedies that include apology, explanation, enduring relationships, and undertaking by one party an obligation without any legal compulsion. 13 In order to have an effective mediation system, the 2008 EU Directive applicable for cross-border disputes states that member states should have legislation that ensures mediation that guarantees a predictable legal framework, provides for flexibility in procedures and ensures autonomy of parties. Besides, the mediation should be conducted in an effective, impartial and competent manner.14 The EU directive adds that it can be applied to internal mediation of the

Parenting and child development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Parenting and child development - Essay Example Parental values and attitudes foreshadow parental goals and programs, with children taking on parental values depending on the structure of the society. Nso parental values, particularly parental expectations and reinforcement, promote the anticipatory socialization and guided participation of children in the routine work of the family and community. This study pointed out that parental values critically influence children’s development. Nso parents help children to accept and understand their identity and behavior as future adults. This situation engages children in anticipatory socialization, that is, peer-group activities related to the knowledge and practices needed for the adult world. Child-to-child interactions are more important than parents-to-child interactions. The intensity and harshness of the descriptors used by the Palestinian children and to a lesser extent by the Israeli-Jewish children underscore the presence of ethnic stereotyping as young as 4 years of age. It emphasizes as well that efforts to reduce ethnic stereotyping must begin at an early age.

Describe the importance of voting in the American system Essay

Describe the importance of voting in the American system - Essay Example The first reason why voting is important related to ethics. Many people have put their lives on the line, and have been maimed and killed in order to preserve the basic fundamental liberties we enjoy today. These sacrifices of precious lives have been made in several wars in which America has fought, as well as various social movements such as women's suffrage and the civil rights movement. Among the most important of the liberties that were preserved by these sacrifices is the right to have a voice in one's own government. Whether we like it or not, those sacrifices obligate us on an ethical and moral level to make sure they were not made in vain. The right to vote is a gift from them; and it would be in very bad form to throw that gift away considering its cost. The second reason why voting is important is because it is a prerequisite to legitimate expression of discontent with the performance and direction of the government. A person who was able to vote but did not loses any credible force of opinion when things are going badly. This is because they chose to abdicate their ultimate opportunity to exercise their voice in government. It becomes a credibility issue. For example, a person who failed to vote one way or the other in the 2004 Presidential Election should not complain about the current state of the economy or the loss of lives in Iraq. Even those who voted for Bush have the right to complain about the way things are going because they utilized their opportunity to express their voice in the government. Any easy way to redeem that right to complain would simply be to vote in the next election. Finally, the American system of government depends upon the peoples' involvement in the political process through voting. If there were a mass failure to vote, it would threaten the very nature of republican democracy that is the essence of American government. Thus, Americans have a responsibility to their country and their way of life to make sure they vote. 20% voter turnout is dangerous, because it enables a small fraction of the people to determine the composition and direction of the government. At some point, there may be a very real concern about the democratic legitimacy of the government. The obligation of every American is to vote to ensure that such legitimacy comes through loud and clear. Voting is perhaps the most important civic duty in America. It is both a right and a privilege that was purchased with the blood of countless Americans. Thus, the responsibility to vote is as much a moral obligation as it is a civic responsibility. Those who fail to exercise their vote relinquish the right to credibly express discontent regarding state of public affairs. Furthermore, because voting is the very foundation of American government, American citizens have a responsibility to ensure government legitimacy by turning out to vote in strong numbers. The public apathy that has resulted in poor voter turnout in several election is a dangerous development for America. People must be educated about the importance of enfranchisement in their every day lives as Americans so they do not take for granted that which indifference could easily take

Mustang vs Camaro Essay Example for Free

Mustang vs Camaro Essay The Mustang and Camaro have been compared since the Camaro first came out in the late 1960’s. The Mustang was pretty much the only sports car that was also a muscle car. Well, of course Chevrolet had to compete with Ford so they came out with the Camaro. The release of the Mustang was followed closely by the release of the Camaro a few years later. There is no doubt about it that the team from Chevrolet had stolen a magnificent idea and plan. These two muscle cars began the path for a revolution in pony cars and racing. America fell in love with the Mustang and Camaro, which allowed Ford and Chevrolet to sell millions of them in just a few years. Ford has continuously been selling a large number of Mustangs ever since the beginning. Chevrolet had to stop their production of the Camaro. In 1961, the vice president and general manager of Ford, Lee Iacocca had a dream. He envisioned the Ford Mustang. It took several months to get approval for funding to go towards the Mustang through multiple discussions, meetings and market surveys. The funding was granted in 1962. The Mustang’s parts were mainly borrowed from the Falcon to help keep the costs of production low. The car offered a variety of options for the exterior, interior, etc. Buyers were able to choose if they wanted their mustang to be fast, fancy, economical or plain. Ford wanted the Mustang’s design to appeal to everyone and anyone. It was advertised as â€Å"the car to be designed by you†. The Camaro was based off of another Chevrolet car, the Nova. The Camaro had been designed to compete with Ford’s Mustang. Its code name was the Panther, before any information about the Camaro was ever leaked into the public. Chevrolet had wanted to keep their cars name’s beginning with the letter C. A few options for the Camaro had been Chevy II, Chevelle, Corvette, etc. Somehow they decided on Camaro, which a product manager of Chevrolet answered when asked what a Camaro is, he said â€Å"a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs†. It was reported that General Motor researchers found in the French dictionary that Camaro was slang for friend or companion. Though is was rumored that the Ford Company had researched and discovered some other definitions to the word Camaro, such as â€Å"a shrimp-like creature† and an arcane for loose bowels. On March 9 of 1964, the first Mustang which was a white convertible with a v-8 engine came out of Dearborn Michigan. Then a month later the Ford Mustang came out in the world with its debut at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York. The first Mustang that came out of the assembly line was in April of 1964. This first model of the Ford Mustang, which was the early 1965 or also known as the 1964  ½, was available as a convertible or coupe. It had a 170-cubic inch six cylinder engine with a three-speed floor shift transmission. A V8 engine was optional with a four-speed manual transmission or a three-speed automatic with a cruise transmission. The day of the grand opening for the Mustang over twenty two thousand were sold. Within its first twelve months, Ford sold close to four hundred seventeen thousand Mustangs. In eighteen months, roughly a million Mustangs had been sold. It was a huge hit with America. The first Camaro came out in September of 1966 but was the 1967 model, as it is referred to as. When it was first available there were hardly any extra or special options for the car. That changed within the next following years and so forth. The Camaro offered a V6 or V8 engine in convertible or coupe. When the 1969 Camaro models were introduced, the car had improved greatly. A new power option was a Z28 package which had formally been known as the RPO Z28 Camaro Special Performance Package. The Z28 was one of the first special options and it was originally designed to compete in the Sports Car Club of America, which is a racing club. There are four generations to the Chevrolet Camaro. The first generation was from 1967 to 1969. That model was offered in a coupe or convertible with the option of a 4.1 L, 4.9 L, 5.0L, 5.4L and a 5.7L in a V8 engine. The second generation was from 1970 to 1981. Chevrolet changed the styling to a wider and larger vehicle which produced a heavier Camaro. The third generation was from 1982 to 1992. They were the first model of Camaros that offered fuel injection. The fourth generation was from 1993 to 2002. It held onto the same basic characteristics as the original; a couple or convertible, rear-wheel drive and the choice of a V6 or V8 engine. For thirty five years Chevrolet had been producing the popular Camaro. Chevrolet claimed that they stopped production of the Camaro due to plant overcapacity, slowing sales, and fading market for sports coupes. Just recently in 2009, Chevrolet released the 2010 Camaro. We will see how they do this time around. The Ford Mustang currently has five generations. With each generation Ford made sure to improve the horse power. The first generation was from 1964  ½ to 1973. The second generation was from 1974 to 1978. It was originally based off of the Ford Maverick but instead they used the Ford Pinto in the end. Because of the way the economy was going at the time, Ford needed to build a smaller and more fuel-efficient Mustang. Not only did they need to do this to appeal to customers still but to also to capture people’s eye as the Energy Crisis erupted. The third generation was from 1979 to 1993. This generation model was based off of the ‘Fox’ platform. It had originally been created for the 1978 Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr. The interior of the third generation was meant to be more comfortable even though the back seats were smaller. The trunk was larger though, as well as the engine bay. This allowed the car to be easier to work on and service. The body styles were coupes, at the time was also referred to as a notchback, and a hatchback. A convertible was not available until 1983. The fourth generation is from 1994 to 2004. This generation underwent the most drastic redesign in over fifteen years. It had been code named SS-95 by Ford. It was also a more recent and updated version of the Fox platform. This new styled generation took several styles from the earlier Mustangs. A new twist was that it was the first time since 1973 that a hatchback coupe was not available. The V6 was a 3.8 engine for the models of 1994 and 1995. Unfortunately, Ford stopped using the 5.0L V8 for the GTs. The 5.0L had been used for around 40 years, it was a drastic change. But the 5.0L was used last on the 1994 and 1995 models. The new GT engine would be a 4.6L. For the 1999 to 2004 models the Mustang had a new edge styling theme for the body. It included sharper contours, creases in the bodywork and even larger wheel arches. The chassis and interior design remained the same was the previous model. And last but most definitely not least is the fifth generation which is the current generation from 2005 to present. At the 2004 North American International Auto Show, a new Mustang was introduced. It had been codenamed S-197. This new generation closely resembled the fastback Mustangs from the late 1960s. This new model was called as â€Å"retro-futurism† by Ford’s senior vice president of design. The V6 now had a 4.0L engine instead of a 3.8L engine. A brand new option that was first available for the 2009 Mustangs was a glass sun roof. The 2010 Mustang was unveiled by Ford before the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The 2010 Mustang mainly held the same look as the previous year’s model but with a modified exterior. Ford was looking for a leaner and muscular appearance for their 2010 Mustang. For the first time ever the Mustang had a reverse camera system to help drivers while backing up. Though, this feature is not available on basic V6’s. The 2011 Mustang should be out around the spring of 2010 and it is a very anticipated model. It will closely resemble the 2010 model, with perhaps some slight changes to the rear. It is hard to find information on the upcoming 2011 Mustang. One thing is for sure though, Ford is bringing back the 5.0L engine for it which excites many. Still to this day the Ford Mustang is running strong. The Mustang has even more varieties, variations and options. There is no other vehicle out there that has as many options as the Mustang does. So many different types branch off of the â€Å"Mustang†. Several examples are: Cobra, Shelby, Super Snake, Saleen, Mach 1, Fastback, California Special, Bullit, High Country Special, Boss, etc. They are never ending. There are so many differences and similarities between these two famous and popular pony cars. There is even so much more that a person can compare and contrast about Mustangs and Camaros. Not only because of the years, numerous changes, and that it is – after all – a car, but also because they have had a heated and natural rivalry since the very beginning. Oddly enough, it was rather difficult to find a lot of information and details on the Camaro, especially compared to the Mustang. The Mustang had numerous of information that was able to be found. And, remember the Mustang started it all in 1964, and has not stopped since!

Development of a Retail Leader: Wal-Mart

Development of a Retail Leader: Wal-Mart One of the known industries all over the world is Wal-Mart. Wal-mart is considered as a retail giant due to the companys successful business over the years. With good management practices and unique marketing strategies, Wal-Mart was able to operate successfully not only in the United States but also in international market (Hayden et al, 2002). ÂÂ  Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. was first established and founded by Sam Walton at Rogers, Arkansas in 1962. The business growth of the retail store was momentous that within a span of seventeen years in operation, Wal-Mart had already topped annual sales at one billion US dollars. By the end of January in 2002, Wal-Mart has been recognized as the largest retailer in the world a sales record of 218 billion US dollars. With this huge and continuous development, it is no wonder the retail store was able to operate at the global level. The global operation of Wal-Mart was marked by the establishment of its first international store in 1991 at Mex ico City (Govindarajan Gupta, 2001). Through its international reach, an estimate of one hundred million customers are said to visit a Wal-Mart store found somewhere in the world. A total of 1.3 million associates worldwide are employed by the company and are distributed within its 3,200 stores in the United States as well at over a thousand other stores in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico, China, Germany, Korea and in the United Kingdom (Govindarajan Gupta, 2001). The retail stores of Wal-Mart are operated in different formats worldwide. In general, the business is divided into three main segments: Wal-Mart Stores, Sams Club and International Stores. The Wal-Mart stores are further subdivided into Discount Stores, Supercenters and Neighbourhood Markets. Sams Club on the other hand, is a business segment that consists of membership warehouse clubs. According to the New York Stock Exchange (2005), Wal-Mart Stores operates about 1,478 Discount Stores, 1,471 Supercenters, 538 Sams Club and 64 Neighbourhood Markets within the United States as of January 31, 2004. In addition to this huge local operation, Wal-Mart and its international segment conducts retail operation within eight countries and Puerto Rico. Wal-Marts international segment is made into several formats, which include retail stores, restaurants, discount stores, Sams Club and Supercenters. Aside from these operations, Wal-Mart also owns a 37.8% unconsolidated minority interest in one of Japans retailers, The Seiyu, Ltd. (New York Stock Exchange, 2005). Strategic marketing Management Techniques of Walmart Wal-Mart dominates the American retailing industry due to number of factors like its business model which is still a mystery and its effectiveness in not letting the rivals let know about the weaknesses. Wal-Mart made strategic attempts in the its formulation to dominate the retail market where it has its presence, growth by expansion in the US and Internationally, create widespread name recognition and customer satisfaction in relation to brand name Wal-Mart and branching into new sectors of retailing. It is learnt that Wal-Mart strives on three generic strategies consisting of Focus Strategy, the Differentiation Strategy and overall cost leadership.ÂÂ  Managers strive hard to make their organizations unique, distinctive and identify key success factors that will drive the customers to buy their products.Thus, firm specific resources and capabilities are crucial in explaining the firms performance. The Resource Based View (RBV) explains competitive heterogeneity based on the premise that close competitors differ in their resources and capabilities in important and durable ways. The companys capability can be found through its functionality, reliable performance, like Wal-Mart superior logistics. (Helfat, 2002)ÂÂ  Wal-Mart has firm infrastructure, well equipped in human resource with management professionals and technologically too. Any organizations thrive hard to be successful for which it needs to have better resources and superior capabilities. Wal-Mart has strong RBV with economically and financially very strong enough to stand still in the time of crisis. Pereira states that dominating the retail market is its key strategy. Wal-Mart operates on low price strategy which is operated as every day low prices (EDLP) which builds trust among the customers.(Brunn, 2006)The strategy lies in purchasing the goods at lower prices and selling the goods to customer at much lower prices, cutting the price as far as possible and increasing the profit by increasing the number of sales. This ferociously increases the competition in the market and Wal-Mart competes with all its competitors till it is dominant it the market. Wal-Mart is expanding seriously and rapidly which is also its strategic goal. Wal-Mart employs over 1.3 associates, owns over 4000 stores out of which 3000 are in US and serves around 100 million customers weekly.ÂÂ  Wal-Mart has acquired many international stores and merged with some super stores like ASDA in UK. Wal-Mart far flung network of retail outlets has ensured that Wal-Mart interacts with and has impact on virtually every locality within US. (Helfat, 2002)ÂÂ  The expanded strategy has led the hunger of Wal-Mart to many European Countries. It is learnt that three countries with no Wal-Mart stores became part of corporations international presence wherein the domestic retail chains were taken over by Wal-Mart including 122 Woolco stores in Canada, 21 Wertkauf stores in Germany and 229 ASDA units in United Kingdom. The takeover strategy by Wal-Mart keeps the company at forefront when entering into the new market and the number of competitors is also minimized. The st rategies have helped the Wal-Mart to rein in number one position in international countries making it the largest retailer in the world. It is seen that Wal-Mart has significantly the Porters five force model wherein through proper strategic planning and strategic implementation has led to removal of barrier entry, rivalry from competitors and pricing norms. In regard to substitutes, Wal-Mart in order to achieve its aim of customer satisfaction has selling goods under its own legal brand. ÂÂ  Wal-Marts big box phenomenon has changed the retailing industry in the United States which is often considered as discount stores and makes profit through high volume of purchases and low markup on profits.(Parnell, 2008)Wal-Mart with its low cost and ever expanding strategy has made a dramatic impact since 1962 when Sam Walton first started his business. With this strategy, Wal-Mart has now over 4000 stores and outlets in US and other countries through acquisition and mergers. Marketing Performance management Marketing performance management (MPM) is a term used by marketing professionals to describe the analysis and improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing. This is accomplished by focus on the alignment of marketing activities, strategies, and metrics with business goals.[2] It involves the creation of a metrics framework to monitor marketing performance, and then develop and utilize marketing dashboards to manage marketing performance.[3] This strategy is used by several companies such as IBM, Intel, and Citrix.[3][4][5] Performance management is one of the key processes applied to business operations such as manufacturing, logistics, and product development. The goals of performance management are to achieve key outcomes and objectives to optimize individual, group, or organizational performance. MPM however, is more specific. It focuses on measuring, managing, and analyzing marketing performance to maximize effectiveness and optimize the return of investment (ROI) of marketing.[6] Three elements play a critical role in managing marketing performance-data, analytics, and metrics. Conclusion Walmart has done a lot in the past in order to secure its position as a retail market leader. These include offering low prices, offering good customer service and constant innovation. However, lately the company has grappled with low customer traffic. Market saturation in the middle income market segment, poor international performance and bad public relations as a result of their employee practices. The company should adopt the following strategies in order to ensure future growth; adopt penetrative strategies international markets, introduce good product packages for products favored by affluent clients and improve health insurance plans within the company. These will go a long way in sustaining the companys positions as the USs retail leader. And as the animosity against Wal-Mart becomes more widespread, here and in foreign countries, Wal-Mart is going to have to work harder to maintain their good reputation.Wal-Marts foundation will become increasingly more important for giving things back to the community. In order for Wal-Mart to stay at the top of their game and follow the company strategy and achieve their key policy goals, they are going to have deal better with their stakeholders and make sure they guard their reputation well.

Comparing Death in Do not go gentle into that good night and Death Be N

Death in Do not go gentle into that good night and Death Be Not Proud  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The poems "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "Death Be Not Proud" both deal with the subject of death. These poems seem to have contradictory messages about death, yet at the same time have similar attitudes toward it. "Death Be Not Proud" talks about how death really has no power over people, while "Do not go gentle into that good night" says that it is part of human nature to fight against death. Both "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "Death Be Not Proud" see death as an opponent; however, one sees it as an adversary that is already defeated while the other sees it as an enemy that must be defeated. In "Death Be Not Proud" Donne says "those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow / Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me"(lines 3-4). This passage shows Donne's belief that people will always overcome death. In Thomas' poem, he writes "Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright / Their frail deeds might have danced in the green bay, / Rage, rage against the dying of the light" (7-9). Even the "good men" are in the end defeated by death according to Thomas. The tone of both of these poems is one of resentment towards death, although in dissimilar ways. In "Death Be Not Proud" Donne hates death because it thinks it has power over humans and in his opinion just the opposite is true. Donne says that death is a "slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men." (9). He thinks death has no reason to be proud because he relies on these things for its power, so really people have power over death. Thomas feels almost the opposite, though. He sees death as having power over people, and is saying that people do not ... ...is father do the same. Although "Death Be Not Proud" is seemingly directed at the personification of death, it seems like it could also be directed at the people who treat death like it is "Mighty and dreadful" (2). He wants to get this message across to those that fear and respect death that death is controlled by people, not the other way around. These two poems can each be summed up by one line from each. In "Do not go gentle into that good night" the main point of the poem is "Old age should burn and rave at the close of day" (2), and in "Death Be Not Proud," "death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die" (14). When one looks at these two lines, the essence of these two poets disagreement on death is typified. Thomas believes one should "not go gentle into that good night," while Donne believes death is the "Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery" (8).

Greek Culture Essay

The Greek culture is one of the richest ancient cultures in the world. There are many aspects of this culture that has made it remain unique for centuries. The Greek culture has been evolving over the years and we can easily link this ancient culture with the modern day life. This will be the center of our discussion below where we’ll also look at ways in which one can understand the Greece culture better (Christiane. 2001). What makes Greek Culture Interesting? One thing that distinguished that Greece culture is the diversity. While many cultures of the time had only one ethnic group, the Greek culture had a number of cultures within one culture making it unique. The major characteristics of this culture were wines, food, religion, music and language. Greece culture was known to value traditions and customs very deeply. Every person in Greece was expected to follow these traditions to the letter. Religion was also crucial in the Greek culture with the largest population being made up of Christians while the rest were Muslims. The Greek culture was also famous for its architecture. The Greek people had unique designs of building various structures like temples and churches. The famous pyramids of Egypt have their origin in Greece. The Greek people are known of being proud of their culture as they view it as one that represents their nationality (Carol. 2008). Connections between the Greek Culture and Today One of the major connections that is seen between this ancient culture and the modern society is the celebration of religious festivals. This culture which is very common in today’s society began in the Greek culture and is still being practiced to date. The arts of the ancient Greece have survived the test of times and it is still used in modern day society as decorations (Christiane. 2001). The art of the Greek culture is commonly available in form of sculptures in today’s society. Yet another aspect that has been borrowed by the modern culture from the Greek culture is the building aspect. Almost all churches, mosques and temples in the modern day society have borrowed the designs from ancient Greek culture. The theatres and cinemas that are common in today’s society also originated from the ancient Greece. Perhaps due the fact that this culture is popular and famous throughout the world, it has evolved and is lowly finding its way in almost every culture of the world. This culture is greatly values as it is seen as link between the ancient society and today’s society (Carol. 2008). How to Understand the Greek Culture Better In order to understand the Greek culture better it one needs to read widely regarding this particular culture. Unlike other ancient cultures, the Greek culture has many sources from which one can learn and understand this ancient culture better. It is important to have background of this culture as it was one of the richest ancient cultures, and one which has survived the test of times as there are many aspects of this culture that have been borrowed by the modern culture. In order to enhance the Greek culture in the modern society even further it is important to embrace diversity just as it was in the Greek culture. There was harmony in this culture and people from many diversities lived together happily. References Carol. D. et al. (2008). The cultures within ancient Greek culture: contact, conflict, collaboration. New York: Cambridge University Press. Christiane. S. (2001). Reading’ Greek culture: texts and images, rituals and myths, New York: University of Virginia: Clarendon Press.

Pest Pizzahut

ENVIRONMENTAL AND INTERNAL ANALYSIS OF PIZZA HUT In our visit to Pizza Hut we conducted research on PEST (Political, Economic, Social and Technological) Analysis. In the internal analysis of Pizza Hut we have considered SWOT of the Company. PEST (Political, Economic, Social & Technological) i. POLITICAL ISSUES: Political issues include regulatory frame work operating in judicial system which may affect the business in different ways. There are not many political factors in Peshawar affecting Pizza Hut as is lack of competition. Factors such as laws on business employment, pollution and taxation apply on the organization which it has to follow regarding the rules. ii. ECNOMIC FACTORS: If the county’s economy is better so the GDP of the country will be good, this is a green signal for the business as the per capita income of the people will be increased and they will spend more money. In our survey we came to know that most of the people in the beginning of the months spend more and they visit pizza hut very often. When the inflation rate increases the cost of raw material also increases and this leads towards high prices of the products and vice versa. iii. SOCIAL FACTORS: Pizza hut is a multinational and it is basically originated from America so the organization is overwhelmed by western culture. There are social forms of society which consist of Upper class, middle class, middle upper class, lower class and lower class. Every country has cultural norms, values, beliefs and religion which can affect the organization. iv. TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS: Now a day’s technology is improving so as baking and heating ovens will be of new and efficient technology and will provide efficient service. Due to new technology there are new ways of marketing like internet; telemarketing and the organization can advertise their products with much more faster pace. Computer based customer data that is MIS (managing information system) helps in collecting customer data, daily transactions, future forecasting and decision making. New vehicles will make their service more efficient. ?

Malcolm X Essay

1.What details of the events has each writer selected to focus on? Each writer selected to focus on the person that Malcolm X was overall. I believe that they put so much emphasis on the events that took place up until his assassination to show how important he was. Each person meant what his purpose was in the ballroom that day. Each writer also mentioned how many people were there to show his importance also. One crucial detail was that Malcolm X was shot by a member of his own race. 2.How has each writer organized the details that have been selected? Each writer organized the details as if they were watching a television show. They presented the end result first. Then they explained what led to that outcome. Afterwards they explained the reaction the assassination. I can relate to the way they organized the details. When I witness or find something out, I normally say what happened. For example, â€Å"Amber, the car is broken.† Of course the next question would be, how? 3.How does each writer interpret Malcolm X, his followers, the gunmen, and the significance of the assassination? Each writer perceived Malcolm X to be a leader, respected by many. They showed how relaxed he was when the argument began. His followers were in shock because he showed them how to be calm and control themselves through hard times. The gunmen were perceived as someone Malcolm X had problems with in the past. The assassination was shocking because he was killed by a black man when he focused on the mistreatment of the whites. 4.How has each writer used language to express his or her perspectives and to influence the thinking of the reader? Each writer used language by explaining the emotions of everyone when the assassination occurred. The writers wrote in a way to show how important Malcolm X life was. I think that expressing how you felt on a situation is the best way to connect to writers. Your feelings can help others relate.

Operation of ACAP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Operation of ACAP - Essay Example One of the key intentions of the company is to remain consistent in what they are doing. The company started its operation 40 years back with the aim of offering different type of connections and services to the economically weaker section of the society and uplift their position. Strengthening the economical condition of the individuals and their families is one of the key requirements of the firm. The organization offers a range of social services to the community. The services are generally provided to the people through their offices in Cohoes and Albany. Furthermore, the organization also offers its services from the early childhood development classrooms. The mission of the company is to work in partnership with the communities and families so as to empower people and achieve financial stability and lead a quality life. As the establishment continues to spread its wings in different places on earth, it also continues to diversify and expand the services of the firm. Despite num erous changes the establishment has remained consistent in its mission and vision statement. This makes ACAP an exceptionally safe and accessible place for the individuals to find a better way of life and a jubilant place for the employees where they can excel. Some of the key services provided by the establishment are as follows: - ACAP provides comprehensive and centralized support services to the local people who are in need of it. ACAP brings together all community support systems that include nonprofit, governmental and corporate sector so as to offer benefits to each of its customers independently. ACAP constantly reports a computable impact on poverty in the neighboring communities. The establishment involves the community as well as the customers for the overall development of the society. ACAP also provides employment opportunities to a number of people and along with that it offers competitive wage and comprehensive benefits. Most importantly, it also offers career growth opportunities to the employees (â€Å"About Us†). Services Offered by the Firm The organization is best known for providing a wide range of services to the individuals and communities. Apart from directly offering services, it also initiates a number of other programs so as to create awareness among the target population. Some of the evident ones are child care services, early childhood education services, food pantry services, community action services, career services, housing and energy services and tax assistance services. However, this essay will only focus on the early childhood education services. Albany Community Action Partnership (ACAP) offers a number of options for the early child education in and around the Albany County. Each of the early childhood programs that are operated by ACAP maintains a strict adherence to the licensing regulations. This is instituted by NYS Department of Education and NYS Office of Children and Family Services. Furthermore, these progra ms not only meet the guidelines of the federal government, but often reach beyond the requirement of law so as to ensure comprehensive care and quality of the Albany County children and families. Some of the services offered by the company in the context of Early Childhood Education also include to and fro transportation to the education centers. The current locations through which the organization operates are Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Cohoes, Albany

What benefits will your college education provide you in your personal Essay

What benefits will your college education provide you in your personal and professional lives - Essay Example college education for my personal life will include development of good peer relationships, increase in self-confidence, awareness of various social issues, development of a good personality, awareness of different types of professional fields of life, and increased opportunities to perform recreational activities. The most important benefit, which I believe to come out of college education for my personal life, will be the development of new relationships with the people studying with me in the college. The benefits of college education for my professional life will include increased job opportunities, good salary package, career evolution, opportunity to excel in professional life, improvement in decision-making skills, ability to raise opinions based on knowledge, and increase in self-confidence. The most important benefit, which I believe to come out of college education for my professional life, will be the increased number of job

Creer devlpment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Creer devlpment - Research Paper Example Although, the major consideration remains unchanged that is the achievement of an ultimate high value objective set for professional growth. It is equally important that the selected career path should have potential to contribute towards the social well being of the masses to ensure that it imparts a sense of satisfaction for the individual. Keeping the aforesaid in mind, I have selected the â€Å"Social Support and Health Advocacy† as an area of career development program. The field of choice is closely related to the communication domain because it requires a close interaction with masses to know exactly their demands and needs as well as communicating the assessed requirements to the health officials and other public and non-public organizations. The field of the â€Å"Social Support and Health Advocacy† primarily cover two sub-domains i.e. the Social Support; the Health Advocacy. Social support is concerned with general public communications which may include one t o one interactions, corner meetings, conventions, large scale public gatherings to acquire input from the masses about the system, its short comings and the procedural and administrative recommendations to ratify these issues. Goldsmith (2012), who is an Associate Professor of Speech Communication at the University of Illinois has surfaced several aspects of communication that are commonly used and employed in social support, especially in health, anxieties and stress issues. He suggests that our frequent communication with our families, children, elderly persons of the securities and other interactions on these issues is the best kind of social support and if we can refine this communication issues can be addressed in a befitting manner. An expert communicator can devise ways and means to improve the quality of this communication by selecting good and effective observations. Moreover, an effective communicator can extend his social support by identifying various approaches that may help social interactions and communications more fruitful and result oriented in the elimination of daily stresses and major crises that may come across our lives. Social Support is an important area where communication can play a significant role to improve the quality of an individual’s life. However, it requires a well planned and targeted attainment of skills and expertise to ensure a career growth with significant achievements in the field of effective communications. Beyond the core communication skills like grammatical correction and purposefulness, an effective communication must have expertise in the prevailing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), a close look on the social setup and values while a comparative study of people and societies around the world to ensure the incorporation of a global perspective in your communications. These requirements can lead to a number of studies and courses in ICT, social science core expertise, philosophy and interpe rsonal as well as inter organizational communication skills. However, the selection of courses and expertise from these domains may have subjectivity because of personal trends, likings and approach. â€Å"Health Advocacy†, the other sub-domain of my professional career plan demands even more effective communication skills. Primarily, healthcare advocacy is directly concerned with people

Case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 2

Case Study Example The inputs are the tourists and passengers as well as the supplies such as the foods. The inputs are the personnel in different departments and the supplies such as the foods and beverages. The resources include the cruise ships, personnel while the output is the different services offered to the customers. This process is summarized in Figure 1 below. The location of CII affects several aspects of the firm. The location of the firm will affect the firm’s future expansion plan and policy, the diversification plan as well as the supply of raw materials. The decision to locate the headquarters at Miami which is one of the cities with the highest number of embankments in the United States brought the services closer to the customers. It is responsible for ensuring that the main propulsion plant and its auxiliaries are operated in a safe, smooth and efficient manner. The Chief engineer is responsible for to overseeing the overall operations of the engine department. The department is tasked with the responsibility of commanding and navigating the cruise ship. The highest officer in the department is called the Captain and is the staff who is ultimately responsible for the smooth navigation of the ship but can delegate the work to other members of staff. Production of high quality and appealing meals to the cruising passengers in the ship as well as the staff is tasked to the catering department. The department also employs waiters beakers, food and beverage managers as well as store keepers. CII is committed to provide high quality services to their customers, be it guests or travel agents. It is done by timely and accurate processing of all travel bookings with the highest respect and courtesy. The other aspects of the mission statement are the relationship with suppliers and the employees of the company. The company acknowledges the importance of the suppliers and distributors as well as their right to make a fair

Personal Managerial Effectiveness - Assignments Essay

Personal Managerial Effectiveness - Assignments - Essay Example urring of boundaries between nations, immigration reforms and the likes, there is a sudden influx of socio-culturally diverse population in the UK, resulting in a highly diverse workplace (Allard, 2002). These changes in the demographic profile of the country have played a key role in the increased significance of workplace diversity and the need for reforms in workplace related laws. Globalization has opened the gates for firms to compete on a global scale. Organizations today are, hence, not only competing on a local or national level but on a much wider global platform. The markets and the demography of a typical consumer have also changed simultaneously. Hence it is imperative for organizations to ensure increased awareness about the need and significance of workplace diversity (Deborah & Smith, 2003). Positive work environment is one of the most coveted aspects of a workplace that promises to foster harmonious working relationships among the employees and greater individual dignity. Considering the benefits offered by a positive and diverse workplace, organisations today are embracing the concept and reaping the benefits offered by a skilled workforce, hired purely on the basis of talent and skills rather than socio-cultural factors. This report on workplace diversity aims to discuss, analyse and explore the concept of workplace diversity, its application, benefits and implications within workplaces in the UK, and the recommendations for improving workplace diversity. The term diversity with regard to workplace refers to differences among employees with regard to a range of factors including age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and /or disability. It is also used with regard to acceptance and respect for the individual differences (Hankin, 2005: p. 67). Daft (2007) defines workplace diversity as "a workforce made of people with different human qualities or who belong to various cultural groups". It is also defined as "differences among people

Interpreting the 1832 Reform Act Essay Example for Free

Interpreting the 1832 Reform Act Essay Summary: The Great Reform Act, a product of in tense debate, has produced an equally diverse debate among historians. One element of the controversy centres on the origins of the Act. How far was it designed to stave off a popular revolution, and how far to preserve the influence of the landed gentry or to buy off opposition by timely concessions? Or did the policy-makers not have time to formulate precise aims? The effects of the legislation are equally controversial. Did governments become more popular and more responsive to national issues? How did voting behaviour change? The answers historians have found tend to reflect the particular constituencies they have studied. Diversity rather than uniformity characterises both the motives for the Act and its historical effects. The 1832 Reform Act continues to arouse a great deal of controversy among historians. Older accounts by Trevelyan (1920), Christie (1927) and Butler (1914) treat reform as a timely concession to popular pressure and a Whig party manoeuvre designed to weaken the Tories. But since the 1960s there have been many alternative interpretations, and as we enter the new century it seems appropriate to draw together and reexamine these differing opinions about a topic which continues to fascinate teachers and students of nineteenth-century British history. Concession or cure? According to Moore (1966 and 1974), the Reform Act was not a concession but a cure, designed to revive electoral deference. Reform was meant to reorganise the electoral system, concludes Moore, so that there would be no power for the unpropertied, a clearer distinction between county and borough constituencies, an exclusion of middle-class influence from the counties, and with more seats for the counties a reinforcement of landed influence. Parry (1993, p 80) dismisses Moores idea, not least because counties continued to have large urban electorates, and Eastwood (1997) argues that rural voters were rather less pliant, and county politics more complex, than Moore appreciates. Eastwood shows that county elections were participatory events before and after 1832, and that rural elites continually had to negotiate with voters. There was no hegemonic paternalism and no simple correlation between landlord power and voting behaviour. OGorman (1984) also casts doubt on Moores assumptions about deference, and McCord (1967) has suggested that even if the government did have clear aims (which were, in his view, to remove anomalies and bring into the political nation worthy sections of the middle classes), ministers did not have the time, expertise and knowledge needed to draft legislation which would give effect to these intentions. Evans (1995, pp 93-4) points out that neither Greys ministry nor the Whig party were united on reform. Lack of information about different types of constituency and the extent of middle-class and landed influence, moreover, made it impossible to accomplish the reorganisation posited by Moore. There was no master plan, argues Evans, only general concerns about reserving political influence for property and preventing an alliance of middle-class reformers with the masses. For the most part ministers reacted to extra-parliamentary developments (on this point Evans appears to disagree with McCord, who thinks that the main features of the reform bill were settled well before popular pressure reached its height). Evans stresses that the reform crisis did not allow ministers the time (even had they the ability) to get into the minutiae of precisely who should and should not be enfranchised in particular places. Moores thesis has also been questioned by Hennock (1971) and Davis (1976), while Beales (1992) insists that redistribution of seats was far more important to the framers of the reform bill than expansion of the electorate. Mitchells interpretation of reform (1993) underlines this point. For Mitchell the reform bill was part of the old Whig struggle against the Crown. Senior Whigs believed that liberty and property were inseparable and that more influence for the propertied classes would serve as a barrier against royal tyranny. Liberty would be safe if property was properly represented and, since the rotten boroughs no longer served this function, seats had to be redistributed and borough voting rights revised. Vernon (1993) argues that the 1832 Reform Act enabled the elite narrowly to define the people as propertied men. It thereby contributed to a political closure experienced between 1832 and 1867. Vernons idea about democratic losses, however, must be balanced by the undoubted gains achieved in 1832, especially in terms of political influence for non-elite interests. Continuity or change? According to Gash (1979, pp 150-2). the general purpose behind reform was to make the old system more acceptable. The bill had enough scope to capture the public imagination while also appearing to meet a need, but it was a clumsy measure, incapable of recasting the electoral system, and its authors were always more interested in continuity than change. Ministers lacked the intention, information and experience to go farther than they did. They were working in haste to carry out a political pledge and did not profess to be logical. Milton-Smith (1972) suggests that generalisation about reform is unhelpful, since the bill was a highly flexible tool. Though it was presented by ministers as a final measure, they meant by this that it would satisfy existing demands. Whig leaders accepted that in future decades representation might have to be conceded to new interests, and Milton-Smith concludes that the reform bill should be viewed more as a concession than a cure. Other commentators, notably Bentley (1984, p 87), Parry (1993, p 99) and OGorman (1986), have stressed that reform did not greatly alter the social composition of the Commons, or make the electorate popular, or transfer power to the urban middle classes. Some historians have chosen to focus on what was achieved in 1832, rather than on what the reform bill did not do. Briggs (1979, p 253) pays modest tribute to the governments role in making it possible for an unwilling parliament to reform itself. The reform bill was a success, he adds, because it removed the danger of revolution, attached the middle classes to the constitution, and gave aristocratic government a new lease of life. Evans (1996, pp 223-9), Derry (1990, pp 195) and Phillips (1982) have examined the importance of 1832 in promoting new forms of political organisation, registration drives, party cohesion, the rise of urban and industrial influence, and a higher number of electoral contests (with persistent partisan voting). The instrumentality of reform is clear. The bill was not just a Conservative measure. It was also dynamic. In the 1830s and 1840s there were constructive social and economic policies, and the success of 1832 enabled Parliament to regain lost stature and command wider approval. This ties in with Mandlers thesis (1990, chs 1, 4) about the reassertion of an aristocratic governing style, and with Parrys idea (1993, pp 78-89) of vigorous liberal government. Parry claims that the Reform Act achieved its fundamental purpose, which was by bold means, to strengthen the power of government to locate, and respond equitably to, social tensions, unrest, and grievances, and so secure popular confidence in more active, disciplinary rule. Hence the Whigs interventionist approach of the 1830s and their eagerness to use the powers and opportunities provided by reform to transform the range and image of government behaviour. Parry may be exaggerating. He implies that Greys administration had clear goals and complete control over the process of reform, and that ministers really knew how they were doing and how to do it when, in fact, much was uncertain and unpredictable. The Reform Act was significant not only for what it did, argues Davis (1980). but for what politicians thought it did, and reform prompted a notable change of attitudes, especially among Tories who came to accept Peel as their leader. After 1832 Peel demonstrated that he was reconciled to institutional reform, and he saw clearly that the Reform Act made the influence of electors much more significant than it had formerly been. To Phillips (1980), the expansion of the electorate is a clear indication that reform was a concession, intended to appease the nation and satisfy a growing desire for inclusion in the political process. Political activity had mushroomed since the 1780s, and the reform of 1832 created a voting public corresponding reasonably well, proportionately, to that segment of the population apparently meriting inclusion among the electorate as a result of several decades of sustained political participation. Phillips presents a coherent argument, though it is easy to con fuse effects with intentions. In a detailed examination of parliamentary boroughs, Phillips (1992) has shown that the Reform Act significantly altered voting behaviour in some locations, but that the nature of change varied from place to place. Phillips argues that after 1832 voting became clearly and consistently partisan (partly an unintended consequence of voter registration). Voter turnout increased (it was already high in many places). Religious affiliation had more influence over voting choices than social class, as had been the case before 1832, and national issues rapidly came to dominate elections. Some electoral corruption continued, though it was politically irrelevant and rarely determined voting choices and election results. Another element of continuity, therefore, was the considerable freedom of choice enjoyed by voters. These findings are useful because they indicate that elections were already politicised and participatory before 1832, and that the Reform Act furthered political commitment in a manner that would not otherwise have been possible. Indeed, reform made previous changes irreversible. Yet Phillips probably claims too much. His focus on local conditions is not easy to marry with his view that the Reform Act facilitated the rise of national parties and national issues. Furthermore, reform gave government broader responsibilities, another reason why purely local contexts were superseded. Phillips identifies an increase in voting on national party lines, but he also states that reform had uneven results. Perhaps in his general conclusions he loses sight of this point. His sample of boroughs all survived 1832 as two-member constituencies, moreover, which makes them a questionable basis for generalisation. The Reform Act possibly had greatest impact in the new boroughs it created in 1832. On partisanship, national platforms, individual voter choice, participation and turnout in the post-1832 electoral system, the interpretation of Taylor (1997) differs greatly from that of Phillips. In Taylors account party was limited as an organisation and an idea. Consistency in voting took time to develop, as did party cohesion at local and elite levels, so that national platforms were not really significant until after 1867. Individual voter choice made little sense to contemporaries, adds Taylor. because they tended to vote as members of an interest or community, not as individuals. On this matter Taylor gives a salutary warning about the dangers of pollbook analysis, which tends to privilege the views of individual voters. He argues that the reformed system was meant to represent interests; this was the constitutional context within which elections took place. As for participation, demographic change led to a relative fall in the proportion of voters among the adult male population after 1832, and in some boroughs voter turnout declined. Many potential à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½10 householders never registered, and a large number of electors voted only once (particularly as first-time voters). The fact that there were six general elections within just 11 years (1830 to 1841) affected both registration and the inclination to vote. Much of this is incontestable, though the value of Taylors conclusions (like those of Phillips) must be balanced by a recognition of the diversity of borough constituencies. Did popular pressure really matter? Opinions differ as to the importance of popular pressure during the reform struggle. Though Briggs thinks that the bill relieved the danger of revolution, Rude (1967) notes the absence of a genuine revolutionary threat. Some historians deny that extra-parliamentary agitation did much to shape the struggle or its outcome. Clark (1985. p 402) insists that the timing and nature of reform owed most not to unrest and radicalism out of doors, but to party confusion, a conflict of opinion in cabinet and Parliament, and instability in high politics caused by Catholic emancipation in 1829. Clark blames Peel for betraying the old regime, the confessional state with its exclusive Anglican constitution, and asserts that parliamentary reform would not have been possible without Catholic emancipation. The constitution was already fractured by earlier surrenders, argues Clark, even before Greys ministry took office. Hole (1989, ch. 16) offers a different analysis. He contends that secular arguments had been replacing religious ones in political controversy since the I 790s. Therefore Clarks confessional state no longer existed in the late 1820s. Theological influences played no important role in the struggles over Catholic emancipation and parliamentary reform. Discussion was carried on primarily in political and social terms. Reform is not to be understood only in the intellectual and high political framework recreated by Clark. Any explanation of the reform struggle would be incomplete without some reference to popular pressure, and as excitement reached new peaks there were times when extra-parliamentary agitation had decisive impact: October 1831 when the Lords rejected the reform bill, for example, and May 1832 when the Grey ministry resigned. After the Days of May, indeed, reformers were sure that their activities had prevented Wellington from forming a government and promoted Greys return to the premiership. On the other hand, as Evans suggests (1995, pp 92-3), even in May 1832 when agitation was of more moment than Wellingtons efforts to form an administration, it is not clear that the unrest actually altered the course of events. Nor, in fact, did politicians ever lose the initiative. Wellingtons failure and Greys recall resulted directly from decisions made by William IV and prominent Tories. Brock (1973, pp 305-9) accepts that there was peril in 1832, though he points out that ministerial responses must be treated cautiously. Francis Place, Joseph Parkes and other reform spokesmen kept ministers informed of the agitation, but we cannot be sure how much ministers believed or how far they were unnerved by what they were told. Cannon (1973, pp 238-40) concludes that pressure from below was less important than decisions taken at the top. But could the unrest of this period really be ignored? Grey and his colleagues were conscious of enormous pressure from external sources, which is one of the reasons why they only returned to office after securing the Kings agreement to a creation of peers. Stevenson (1992, p 296) doubts that there could have been a rising had Wellington taken office in May 1832, for though the people had arms, they did not have the necessary leadership and organisation. This emphasises the threat posed to the established order not by the masses but by respectable radicalism and its methods. Newbould (1990, p 10) suggests that ministers were concerned less about an imminent popular revolt than about a future challenge from the wealthy, assertive and politically aware middle classes. Much was said about a resort to physical force, not least by Place in London and the leaders of the Birmingham Political Union, but this talk was meant to disturb elite politicians. The will and planning for an uprising were exaggerated for effect. Several historians have emphasised this in their explanations of reform; Thompson (1980, pp 887-903), Hamburger (1963, cii. 4), Thomis and Holt (1977, ch. 4) and Wright (1988, pp 89-95) conclude that the threat of revolution was n ever as serious as contemporaries believed or claimed. United action was precluded by divisions within the reform movement. The campaign in many towns was fragmented, and Birmingham was unusual because of the co-operation there between reformers of different social ranks. It cannot be assumed that Place, Parkes and other spokesmen were firmly in control of the masses (and there was still an insurrectionary minority on the fringes of British radicalism, though it lacked wide support). Another important point is that there was less violence in May 1832 than in October 1831. Contemporaries noted this, and some feared a sinister plot, assuming that radicals were so well-disciplined they could hold themselves back in readiness for a popular outbreak at some later time. Place allowed this idea to spread. Again, perception mattered more than reality. Place advised his allies not to hold meetings in case these revealed that the popular movement was more divided than was generally supposed. Whig MPs and peers made much of the danger of unrest when addressing Parliament, as did Grey and the King in their correspondence. Though some feigned alarm only to persuade opponents of reform to give way, others genuinely feared revolution. The fear was expressed often enough, and not only in public arenas. Private letters and records include such expressions, and perhaps these reveal what people were really thinking at the time. For Grey and his colleagues, and for the King, one of the most disturbing aspects of the reform struggle was the manner in which popular pressure became focused with the rise of political unions. The fact that these bodies had such authority, and yet for so long were answerable only to themselves, was a new and alarming development. Grey repeatedly emphasised that the only way to take the wind from their sails was to carry the reform bill, and Lopatin (1991) and Ferguson (1960) have argued that there would have been no reform without them. Words and concepts to note: Hegemonic paternalism: a form of control by the natural leaders of society; those who owned the land, that amounted to domination. Instrumentality: purpose served. Pollbooks: the records kept by returning officers of those who voted in particular constituencies.