Compare and contrast the giver and the hunger games Free Essay Example, 1500 words

In the same way, from the â€Å"The Giver†, the Ceremony of Twelve, an event when every twelve-year old is given an official assignment as a new adult member of the community is showcased. Jonas, the protagonist of the story gets the highly honored Assignment of Receiver of Memory. All of these events are linked to how the society wants to look like or be established in conformity. The society that the author showcases in the â€Å"The Giver† is one that tries to eliminate all pain, fear, war and hatred to ensure sameness and conformity. On the other hand, the society that the author establishes in the â€Å"The Hunger Games† is one that sets to eliminate the idea of rebellion, ensuring order, unity and eventually conformity. The common role therefore of the two protagonists in these stories, Katniss and Jonas is to defy this established rule within the society. Jonas, a twelve-year old and who is just exposed and officially given the task of adult, later in his life decides to change the entire prevailing system in his society. Katniss, a 16-year old girl, who becomes the face of rebellion in the annual celebration of the The Hunger Games, is known as the mocking jay and puts the tyranny in Panem to its end. The above are just some of the things or issues in common between the two stories. We will write a custom essay sample on Compare and contrast the giver and the hunger games or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now It is evident that they really have something in common. The most crucial point of this claim is evident from how the authors generally try to create a meaningful plot that allows the readers to understand significant issues in the society. These issues are significant, because they are vital components of the human’s daily survival. On the other hand, aside from these common issues linked to the above stated concepts, there are also major differences which can be found from the two stories. As to the issue of government control, from the â€Å"The Giver† the ultimate point of the government to promote sameness and conformity is for the intention of providing just sole happiness and not sadness incurred from the past history of the human life. However, unlike â€Å"The Giver†, the stated government in the â€Å"The Hunger Games† promotes conformity just for the sole purpose of optimizing the tyrant’s perpetuation in power at the expense of the people. There is no freedom of expression. â€Å"When I was younger, I scared my mother to death, the things I would blurt out about District 12, about the people who rule our country, Panem, from the far-off city called the Capitol. Eventually I understood this would only lead us to more trouble.

Solar Technology Uses The Sun s Energy - 1304 Words

Bob Johnstone, author of Switching to Solar, proclaims that every day the sun produces 970 trillion kilowatt-hours of energy (Johnson 11). Volker Quaschning – writer of Understanding Renewable Energy Systems – puts this fact in perspective by explaining how the world only uses one ten-thousandth of that quantity to power itself (Quaschning 22). This means that if humanity can find a way to harness even a fraction of the sun’s energy, the world will no longer need fossil fuels or other harmful energy sources. There are, of course, many ways to translate the sun’s power into electricity, but one stands out. After analyzing the benefits and possible downfalls, it is clear that solar technology holds incredible potential. Not only is it pure†¦show more content†¦In this way, despite the complexity of solar cells, they are reasonably efficient. A common concern about solar panels is their reliability and durability. Fortunately, these have both been addressed in the scientific community and simple solutions exist to help solar cells produce a steady flow for a longer time. At night or during a cloudy day, solar panels cannot produce electricity, however, this is provided for by including a lead-acid battery in the solar panel’s structure. It allows for energy to be stored and later used at times of low electricity output (Quaschning 158). As for durability, Bob Johnstone says that a twenty-year guarantee is now normal for solar cell companies; SunPower even declares that its panels will last for forty years (Johnstone 336; SunPower). An additional common question is about the cost of solar panels. While pricing can be steep, the cost has decreased overtime and will likely continue to do so. According to Sara Matasci – writer for EnergySage – between 2008 and 2017, prices for solar panels dropped 60%. Furthermore, the rate of change is increasing. In other words, prices are falling faster (Matasci). These numbers, when combined with the data for increasing efficiency and guaranteed durability, thoroughly portray the incredible potential solar panels have both for homeowners now and for future consumers. A strong benefit of solar technology isShow MoreRelatedSolar Power And Solar Energy1255 Words   |  6 PagesSolar energy is capable of providing a cleaner energy than most forms of energy generation, and solar energy is able to be generated economically. Solar energy reduces the amount of harm to the environment from energy generation, by providing a cleaner alternative. Solar energy also provides jobs for construction and installation of solar powered technologies. The cost of installing solar panels can vary greatly, but its long term benefits outweigh the costs. Typically a solar panel system isRead MoreSolar Energy Definition, Alternative Energy, Renewable Energy948 Words   |  4 PagesTitle: Solar Energy Definition Meta Tags: solar energy definition, solar panels definition, solar power definition, alternative energy, solar energy power Meta Description: Learn how solar panels harness the power of the sun to create a clean and renewable form of electricity that can save you money on energy costs. Simply stated, the definition of solar energy is energy that is created by the sun. In the context of modern usage, solar energy may refer to technology that converts radiationRead MoreSolar Energy : A Cleaner Tomorrow1159 Words   |  5 PagesSolar Energy: A Cleaner Tomorrow Renewable energy sources have changed communities, consumers and businesses worldwide. By reducing or eliminating altogether the use of fossil fuel and replacing it with renewable energy sources, can promote a cleaner future for America. Solar power and solar energy are helping to assist many families in reducing their energy bills and more so with commercial businesses. Ultimately solar energy has the potential to become United States main source of energy, alongRead MoreRenewable Resources For Solar Energy1387 Words   |  6 PagesSolar Energy is something that the entire world relies on every day. Without energy, the earth would be dark, and nothing will be able to operate. Lately, there has been many concerns with the various types of resources that are used to generate energy. Many resources that are used are non-renewable resource. This means that the resources such as oil and coal are not grown or produced, they are found in regions in specific sections of the world. These re sources are also recognized as fossil fuelsRead MoreThe Creation Of A Sustainable Earth1612 Words   |  7 Pagesseeks. I am not talking about power as strength, but power as energy. Currently, the world is running off many forms of power; however, the world seems to limit itself to three of the main forms: coal, oil, and natural gas (Jurich, 2015, pg. 32). Ever since the creation of mankind, the world has pushed to becoming more technologically advanced. This drive for success has caused for multiple increases in energy strategies including hydro, solar, geothermal, wind and multiple others (Kaya, Aksoy, Kose,Read MoreSolar Cell Electricity Essay877 Words   |  4 Pagessemiconductor-based solar cells production of electricity i.e. solar cell electricity, they both must be defined. Photosynthesis is defined as, (Biology Online, 2010) â€Å"The synthesis of complex organic material using carbon dioxide, water, inorganic salts, and light energy (from sunlight) captured by light- absorbing pigments, such as chlorophyll and other accessory pigments.† According to Thomas gale, ( Thomas gale, 2006), solar cells create electrical energy by converting sun light into electricityRead MoreRenewable Energy : Improving Solar Energy1510 Words   |  7 PagesNovember 27, 2014 Topic: Solar Energy Improving Solar energy in the United States Audience: Home owners Executive Summary: Solar energy has been in existence for a longer than any of us will imagine. Of course the sun is the oldest and most basic source of energy. Solar technology has been in existence since the 7th century B.C. Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy that does not have most of the problems fossil fuels have. There are three types of solar technology that can be utilized in bothRead MoreAnalyzing Mankins Theory of Utilization of Resources1283 Words   |  5 Pagesplanet is to ensure full utilization of resources within the vicinity of humanity. This involves use of technology to utilize the scarce resources in order to meet the needs of the society members. According to Mankins, the planet is a better place whenever cheap and cost effective technology is in the application to meet the needs of the individuals within the society. Based on the recent and ancient technology of the inventory entity with Mankins as the founding manager or leader, the crucial thing isRead MoreSolar Energ y : Solar Power Systems For Houses And How The Humans Benefited From It983 Words   |  4 Pagesdiscuss solar energy in three points which are what solar energy is, solar power systems for houses and how the humans benefited from it. Solar energy is the light and heat which are coming from the sun, and a human create them for his benefits since ancient time ago. Also, solar energy is the important kind of green energy. Moreover, humans have used them by using a range of modern technology that is constantly evolving. It includes harnessing solar energy technologies using thermal energy of theRead MoreThe Pros and Cons of Using Solar Power829 Words   |  3 PagesSolar Power The use of solar power is currently gaining popularity in various areas and fields. Typically the solar energy is captured and then converted into electricity through photovoltaic cells. There are various areas that currently use solar power these include; in water pumping, this is commonly used in developing countries where the solar energy is harnessed and used in pumping water in remote areas. The solar energy is also used to power off-grid desalination plants. Solar power is

Nature’s Role in Frankenstein Free Essays

The writers of the Romantic period portrayed nature as a celestial source. In many Romantic works, nature’s beauty is praised with pantheistic, almost pagan, terms. To these writers, the natural world was a direct connection to god. We will write a custom essay sample on Nature’s Role in Frankenstein or any similar topic only for you Order Now Through appreciation for nature, one could achieve spiritual fulfillment. The contrary, failure to surrender to natural law, results in punishment at the hands of nature. Mary Shelley, as well as her contemporary, Samuel Coleridge, depicts the antagonistic powers of nature against those who dare to provoke it. Victor Frankenstein offends nature in several ways. The first and foremost insult is his attempt to gain knowledge forbidden to humanity. Then, he uses this knowledge to create an unnatural being that serves no purpose in a natural world. Finally, Frankenstein refuses to take responsibility for his creation’s actions, which have obvious and dangerous consequences for society. By daring to tread on the laws of nature, Frankenstein becomes the target of the natural world’s wrath. He, much like the Ancient Mariner, suffers due punishment for his sin. In both â€Å"Rime of the Ancient Mariner† and â€Å"Frankenstein,† nature is portrayed as a divine power. It is a deific force, capable of creating transcendental beauty, as well as inflicting horrific torment upon those who violate its laws. The Ancient Mariner’s crime is his senseless murder of the albatross; his punishment presents itself through a series of natural phenomenon. Nature deprives him and his men of natural elements, food and water, â€Å"Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink. † (Coleridge 433). Nature also uses other natural elements to cause him further suffering. For instance, the Mariner and his men must endure the heat of the sun as their ship halts, the wind stops and intensifies the heat, â€Å"Down dropt the breeze, the sails dropt down†¦ â€Å"â€Å"All in a hot and copper sky, The bloody sun at noon. † (Coleridge 433). Frankenstein also faces retribution for his disobedience to the laws of nature. His punishment, however, is not as simple as the Mariner’s. Nature bestows a far more cruel and spiteful fate upon Frankenstein. It uses Frankenstein’s creature against him, adopting his former object of pride and manipulating the creation into a weapon against its creator. Abandoned by its â€Å"father†, Frankenstein’s monster is forced to seek another parental figure. It finds one in Mother Nature. As the creature embarks on a lonesome journey, nature teaches him the lessons that Frankenstein does not. The creature learns of the dangers of fire by burning its hand in the flame â€Å"One day, when I was oppressed by cold, I found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars, and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain. How strange, I thought, that the same cause should produce such opposite effects! † (Shelley 389). In other such lessons, Nature shapes its â€Å"child† as a tool of revenge. For instance, the creature learns of it’s hideousness by seeing it’s reflection in a pool of water, † At first I started back, unable to believe that it was indeed I who was reflected in the mirror; and when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification. Alas! I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this miserable deformity† (Shelley 431). This realization evokes anger within the monster, and its resentment towards its creator grows. Nature uses Frankenstein’s hubristic disposition against him. When creating the monster, Victor Frankenstein gives it a gigantic stature. He states that he did this due to his haste, â€Å"As the minuteness of the parts formed a great hindrance to my speed, I resolved, contrary to my first intention, to make a being gigantic in stature†¦ † (Shelley 171). However, Frankenstein’s ambition also played a role in his decision to make the creature a physically intimidating size, â€Å"A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me† (Shelley 172). Here, Frankenstein states his desire to become the father of a supreme race of beings. By giving the creature an enormous form, Frankenstein is assuring that it will be dominant over other species. This is not only a threat to nature, but it also adds to the creature’s unnatural genesis. The monster is abnormally powerful, as it possesses abilities far surpassing to any other species on Earth. Therefore, it is something unnatural and cannot be apart of the natural world. Nature, instead of removing the monster straight away, uses its physical superiority to taunt Frankenstein’s pride. As the scientist begins his all-consuming quest to seize and kill the monster, he is constantly mocked by his own creation’s power. Even at the end of his life, Frankenstein is still unable to capture the monster. The unnatural being has no true place or purpose in he natural world, so Nature uses the creature in the only suitable way: a tool for revenge. This becomes the monster’s only role in the natural world. Once it has finally inflicted true punishment against Frankenstein, it will have no purpose. The monster does not belong in the natural world, and so it will be destroyed, â€Å"I, the miserable and the abandoned, am abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on† (Shelley 886). Revenge is its only objective, when nature finally achieves this intention it returns the monster back to nature. The creature’s birth was allied by the use of natural materials, human flesh and lightning, similarly its death is caused by Nature’s elements, fire, â€Å"I shall collect my funeral pile, and consume to ashes this miserable frame, that its remains may afford no light to any curious and unhallowed wretch, who would create such another as I have been. I shall die. † (Shelley 889). The creature is of no use to Mother Nature any longer, and so it must remove itself from the natural world. â€Å"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner† and â€Å"Frankenstein† describes the horrors that result from invoking nature’s rage. The natural world, according to the Romantics, was a divine force. Like the pagan gods of Greek and Roman culture, nature’s wrath is terrible and unmerciful to those who dare to wrong it. Victor Frankenstein, the Promethean figure of the Romantic period, defies nature in his decision to bring unnatural life into the natural world. This is an act of blasphemy against nature, and to an extent, â€Å"God† himself. Frankenstein’s punishment for this sin is both thorough and justified. Like Prometheus, Victor Frankenstein spends his remaining life paying for his act of defiance against the gods of nature. How to cite Nature’s Role in Frankenstein, Papers

Competition in the Global Wine Industry Essay Example For Students

Competition in the Global Wine Industry: Essay Competition in the Global Wine Industry:A U.S. PerspectiveMurray SilvermanProfessor of ManagementCollege of BusinessSan Francisco State University1600 Holloway AvenueSan Francisco, CA 94132Phone: 415-338-7489Fax: 415-338-0501Email: emailprotectedRichard CastaldiProfessor of ManagementCollege of BusinessSan Francisco State UniversityPhone: 415-338-2829Fax: 415-338-0501Email: emailprotectedSally BaackAssistant Professor of ManagementSan Francisco State UniversityCollege of BusinessPhone: 415-338-6421Email: emailprotectedGreg Sorlien, MBASan Francisco State UniversityCollege of BusinessCompetition in the Global Wine Industry:A U.S. PerspectiveThe total volume of the global wine market in 1998 was measured at 6.8 billion gallons, with 25% of the total volume accounting for wine that was purchased outside the country from which the wine was produced (California Wine Export Program, 2000). This represents an increase over the 1991-95 period, during which the export segment of the market av eraged approximately 17% by volume. The increasing trend for the export market since 1995 is due primarily to a change in the strategic priority that wine producing countries are placing on exporting as a method for growth. Historically, the market for wine was primarily one of local production and consumption. That paradigm has changed in the last few decades as a few of the more established wine drinking countries have seen their per capita consumption stagnate or decline (Table 3). At the same time, several wine producing countries around the world have begun to make an impact on the export market in an attempt to expand their industries beyond their limited local markets. The result of this shift in market focus for some of the older wine producing countries plus the rise of new wine producing countries around the world has caused an increase in the competitive nature of the global wine market. Currently the U.S. is the fourth largest producer of wine in the world (Table 1) yet only accounts for approximately 4.2% of the total wine export market based on volume (Table 2). One reason for this disparity can be attributed to the low level of strategic importance placed on exporting by most U.S. wineries. In the past, a very common export strategy for U.S. companies was to export only the excess capacity that was on hand due to over production (Monterey County Herald, 1998), thus there was little focus on establishing a presence in the global market place. Foreign governments could also restrict U.S. wineries ability to operate by using anti-competitive actions such as implementing high tariffs for wine in retaliation for other trade issues, or implementing laws specifically designed to protect local wineries. The end result of these government interventions is that U.S. wines carry an increased cost burden over local wines and other imported wines, making it difficult to compe te in the local markets. In recognition of the opportunities presented by the global wine market and the threat that importers pose to the U.S. wine industry in 1998, the industry created a voluntary initiative called WineVision. The goal of WineVision is to help create strategies that will enable U.S. wineries to be more competitive and to increase the demand for U.S. wine both domestically and internationally. WineVision is focusing on three main strategic priorities: 1) become the leader in sustainable practices environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable, 2) make wine an integral part of the American culture, 3) and position U.S. wine as the high-quality, high-value product (across price points) in global markets targeted for the greatest prosperity (WineVision, 2000). This Industry Note provides background information relating to the third strategic priority of positioning U.S. wine as the high-quality, high-value product (across price points) in global markets. An overview of wine and the current global wine industry will be given along with some examples of how U.S. wineries are implementing strategies to compete against foreign producers. .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f , .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f .postImageUrl , .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f , .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f:hover , .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f:visited , .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f:active { border:0!important; } .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f:active , .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u520f56713bc288f7731aa5387c0c117f:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Bingo Long Traveling EssayOverview of WineThe dynamics of the global wine industry are better understood through a brief history of wine as well as an overview of the wine making process. Some countries have longer historical and cultural ties with wine then others and that can affect the quality and perception of the product in the eyes of the consumer. Also, the conditions in which the wine grapes are raised and the processes used to make the wine can create a superior wine and therefore a competitive advantage. Wine has been a part of

West African Music Assessment Essay Example For Students

West African Music Assessment Essay Music has always been an important part of life in West Africa. Music serves many functions in West African society. It communicates ideas, values, and feelings. It celebrates historic events and important occasions in peoples lives. For instance, there are songs for weddings, funerals, and ceremonies honoring ancestors. Among the Your tribe of present-day Nigeria, mothers of twins have their own special songs. In Ghana, there are songs for celebrating the loss of a childs first tooth. The musical traditions of West Africa continue to influence both African and world lute. West African Drumming: Drums play an important role in West African culture. Drummers perform at parties, religious meetings, and ceremonies, such as weddings and funerals. West African drums are made of hollowed-out logs or pieces of wood. These are covered with animal skins. For example; the December drum, the dumbfound set, the don, the Ewe drums ensemble, etc. Drummers in West Africa play in ensembles, or groups. The ensembles include different types and sizes of drums, along with bells and rattles. Drumming, singing, and dancing take place together in a circle. We will write a custom essay on West African Music Assessment specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Traditionally December rhythms and their corresponding dances would have been associated with specific occasions, with each rhythm having a time and place. These days rhythms and dances may be performed at a wider range of events. There are hundreds of drums throughout West Africa but the December is one of few that are played with both bare hands. Sometimes, drum ensembles use a call-and-response style. West African slaves brought their drumming traditions to the Americas. Over time, West African drum music evolved into new styles, particularly in Cuba. West African drum music and Afro- Cuban drumming are now popular elements of world music. The players use polymaths and repetitive patterns in the drumming. The beats of the drum often help the dancers keep track of their timing. Grits: Early historical accounts of music and dance among Africans can be found in oral literature that take different forms such as folk tales, myths, epics, praise poems and historical accounts on rituals. Music and dance in Africa have served both utilitarian and aesthetic functions. The utilitarian function involves the use of music n everyday activities, including music at the childs naming ceremonies, child rearing practices, initiation rites, agricultural activities, national ceremonies, war times, religious ceremonies and those meant for the dead. In most ceremonies, even death ceremonies, music and dance go together. A grist is a verbal artist of the Manned people. Grits are poet-musicians who tell stories, sing songs of praise, and recite poems, often while playing a drum or stringed instrument. They perform music, dance, and drama. But grits are much more than skilled entertainers. They also educate their audiences with historical accounts and genealogies, or histories of peoples ancestry. In many ways, they are the record keepers and historians of their West African Music Assessment By cassia everybody there is the form or clapping, singing and dancing. By participating you honor the people being celebrated. Singing: A common style of music in West Africa is known as call and response. In call-and-response singing, a leader plays or sings a short phrase, known as a call. Then a group of people, the chorus, answer by playing or singing a short phrase, the response. The leader and chorus repeat this pattern over and over as they perform the song. Enslaved Africans brought call-and- response songs to the Americas. Slaves used the songs to ease the burden of hard work, celebrate social occasions, and express outrage at their situation. This African tradition has influenced many American musical styles, including gospel, Jazz, blues, rock and roll, and rap. Dance: In West Africa, dance is as much a part of life as singing and drumming are. Traditional West African dances are still performed in Africa and around the world. .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5 , .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5 .postImageUrl , .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5 , .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5:hover , .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5:visited , .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5:active { border:0!important; } .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5:active , .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5 .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ub4888254ca7fc2bd4d9bc72dea9196e5:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Music unit EssayWest Africans perform dances for all kinds of occasions. They dance during rituals and during ceremonies that mark important events in peoples lives. Dances can celebrate a success at work or help educate children. West Africans also perform dances to seek the help of spirits and to connect with dead ancestors. Dance movements often reflect the conditions people live in. Among forest-dwelling people, for example, dancers move as if they are finding their way through forest undergrowth. Some dancers wear elaborate masks that represent the spirits of traditional West African religion.

Free Essays on Kant Freedom Of Will

KANT & FREE WILL Cherian Koshy In Shakespeare’s famous play, Hamlet, Polonius utters the ironic phrase, â€Å"for brevity is the soul of wit.† The irony resides in Polonius’ inability to concisely describe Hamlet’s madness. While humorous in some settings, irony is disastrous when dealing with complex moral decisions. In the case of Immanuel Kant’s writings, several passages are littered with irony and contradictions, which he vehemently despises rhetorically. While Kant is often labeled as a difficult writer because of the language he selects and in part to the imperfect translation from German, Kant is strictly liable for his inability to rectify one particular inconsistency in his theory. This question of whether Kant believes there is free will, is wholly inconsequential to a more complete understanding of the Kantian ethic or moral philosophy in general. However, it is obvious that Kant presumes a free will and falls prey to tautologies and vague definitions to support a more general thesis. It is the intention of this essay to briefly establish that free will can not exist in the Kantian ethic in order to preserve the logical and structural integrity of the theory when dealing with purely moral decisions. While the general profundity of this claim may be minimal, the implications on Kant’s deontological approach and specifically upon the Categorical Imperative are evident. In establishing the absence of free will within the Kantian ethic, two approaches are necessary: the definitional prohibition of free will and the philosophical inconsistency of free will. Before delving into the thesis, however, one caveat is necessary. By freedom and hence free will, it is meant to say that an action is uncoerced and is based on one’s options. In essence, a free decision is one that an agent makes absent any interference from any other agent and is made when a possibility of a choice exists. The essay also assumes that K... Free Essays on Kant Freedom Of Will Free Essays on Kant Freedom Of Will KANT & FREE WILL Cherian Koshy In Shakespeare’s famous play, Hamlet, Polonius utters the ironic phrase, â€Å"for brevity is the soul of wit.† The irony resides in Polonius’ inability to concisely describe Hamlet’s madness. While humorous in some settings, irony is disastrous when dealing with complex moral decisions. In the case of Immanuel Kant’s writings, several passages are littered with irony and contradictions, which he vehemently despises rhetorically. While Kant is often labeled as a difficult writer because of the language he selects and in part to the imperfect translation from German, Kant is strictly liable for his inability to rectify one particular inconsistency in his theory. This question of whether Kant believes there is free will, is wholly inconsequential to a more complete understanding of the Kantian ethic or moral philosophy in general. However, it is obvious that Kant presumes a free will and falls prey to tautologies and vague definitions to support a more general thesis. It is the intention of this essay to briefly establish that free will can not exist in the Kantian ethic in order to preserve the logical and structural integrity of the theory when dealing with purely moral decisions. While the general profundity of this claim may be minimal, the implications on Kant’s deontological approach and specifically upon the Categorical Imperative are evident. In establishing the absence of free will within the Kantian ethic, two approaches are necessary: the definitional prohibition of free will and the philosophical inconsistency of free will. Before delving into the thesis, however, one caveat is necessary. By freedom and hence free will, it is meant to say that an action is uncoerced and is based on one’s options. In essence, a free decision is one that an agent makes absent any interference from any other agent and is made when a possibility of a choice exists. The essay also assumes that K...

Qatari and Bahraini conflicts over Hawar Islands in ICJ (international Term Paper

Qatari and Bahraini conflicts over Hawar Islands in ICJ (international court of justice) - Term Paper Example Despite their proximity to Qatar, the islands belong to Bahrain. As a matter of fact, these islands were the subject of a dispute between Bahrain and Qatar. Official claims on Hawar Islands by both countries started in 1935. This occurred after oil had been found in Bahrain ten years earlier. An armed conflict then ensued in August 1937. In year 1939, the British Resident in Manama decreed that the island of Hawar belonged to Bahrain. Qatar, however, continued claims on the islands in the year 1960. The Emir of Qatar criticized the 1939 agreement and tried to purchase the islands. Eventually, the Qatari cost guards prohibited the fishers from Bahrain to enter the waters surrounding Hawar Islands. Bahrain, on its part, answered with naval maneuvers and was accused by Qatar of violating its territorial waters. On twenty sixth day of April 1986, the troops from Qatari captured 29 Bahraini workers, who were nevertheless later released. Due to these incidents, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Co operation Council attempted to mediate between the two parties. As a result, Bahrain claimed the Zubara area, which had previously belonged to the Khalifa family, ruler of Bahrain, and Qatar claimed the Hawar islands. However, Bahrain took a tighter grip when its oil stocks started to dwindle. On 17 April 1992, Qatar declared new territorial water borders extending over 12 miles, and claimed a 22-mile area in which it could exert sovereignty. Bahrain immediately litigated these borders and applied the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ, The World Court) in The Hague. There were complex legal issues involved in this dispute. It includes the legitimacy of the 1939 colonial-era decision. It also took cognizance of standards regarding territorial integrity vs. real power of territory. In this dispute, Qatar based its claim to the islands on its main concern of title and on the principle of proximity and territorial unity. They claim that the islands all lie within 12 nautic al mile of the Qatari coast, and most lie within a three nautical mile limit. Thus, they deduce that islands are an integral part of the coast of Qatar. On the other hand, Bahrain based its claim on a 1939 British decision granting them to Bahrain. It claimed that it had exercised sovereignty over the Hawar islands for over two centuries. They alleged that Qatar never exercised any competing authority. In addition to citing proofs and facts of Bahraini relations with the islands through the years, it more importantly relied on the decision given by the British of 11th of July, 1939 giving the islands to Bahrain. To give light on the said decision, it came about after Qatar charged Bahrain of illegally occupying the islands in 1937. Both the two sides requested to the British to settle the issue and the latter ruled in favor of Bahrain. Bahrain insisted that such amounted to an arbitration award. Thus, Bahrain maintained that since 1939, it had indeed maintained continuous occupation and exercised sovereignty on the islands. On the contrary, Qatar rejected the 1939 decision because it was done by the colonial power without Qatari acquiescence. Qatar has set out in clear and concise terms the basis of its claim of sovereignty over the Hawar islands. Qatar relies upon the fact that the majority of the islands and islets constituting the Hawar islands lie wholly or partially within a three-mile territorial sea limit from Qatar’s mainland, which was a limit recognized by Qatar and Great

Al Qaeda in Yemen Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Al Qaeda in Yemen - Assignment Example This paper looks into the multiple dimensions of the problem ranging from its threat to the stakeholders, the history, current scenario and other dynamics of the problem at hand (Rollins 2010,p. 10). The overall threat comes in a multiple manner. The first is that to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia shares its borders with Yemen. The potential control of Al- Qaeda in Yemen would lead to its expansion and reach out towards the borders of Saudi- Arabia. Saudi Arabia itself feels highly threatened and vulnerable by the ambitions of Al- Qaeda. It is a threat to the regional peace and poses serious threats to the gulf that exists between the Shiite and Sunni population which is being exploited by external sources. Another threat that is faced by the Yemen itself. Since Yemen’s elected government has been ousted in form of control over the office of President Mansur Hadi. Al- Qaeda being a globally banned outfit and radical in its outlook, the people of Yemen are at a direct threat in this regard since they are not only hostile to the locals but the outside world. Secondly, Al Qaeda’s actions have often been seen with high concern and fear by the Shiite population of Middle East. Given the fact that their slogan is religious in nature and they claim to be the protective guardians of the Sunni community, the over forty five plus percent Shiite population of feels directly exposed to this threat. The concerns of United States of America come about in the form of the spread of Al- Qaeda and its agendas and ideals. Since United States of America has initiated a global war on terror and aims at reaching out to any part of the world where Al- Qaeda may be operational, it therefore is a new front for United States of America to engaged in Yemen. United States of America is already engaged in mitigating the challenge thrown by Al- Qaeda in Iraq. This would lead to a new front (Davis 2008,p.144). While the traces of Jihadi elements

Organizational Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Organizational Behavior - Essay Example Hence, it can be stated that OB accounts various interconnected dimensions of organizational performances such as motivation, diversity, team effectiveness, conflict and negotiation, decision-making, power and influence, organizational communication and culture (New Age International, n.d.). Emphasizing on the aforementioned major characteristics of OB, the discussion henceforth will intend to elaborate on my experiences with due regard to three specific dimensions of the conceptual framework, i.e. team effectiveness, organizational communication and motivation. Discussion Team Effectiveness Team effectiveness signifies that individuals who were involved in a single group and were functioning as a team have performed in an efficient manner towards the accomplishment of the common objectives. In today’s phenomenon, employees of an organization are essentially required to perform their assigned activities in a group or team for accomplishing the objectives of an organization eff iciently with a common motive or purpose majorly owing to the increasing complexities arising within the managerial sphere. The management of an organization is required to act as a leader for effective coordination of the activities of employees developing a clear view towards the goals (Duygulu & Ciraklar, 2008). The varied uniqueness of team effectiveness is to have a common goal or objective for the team with an open scope for communication among the participants. The decisions are to be taken in a cooperative manner within an environment of faith, as well as belief owing to which, a coordinated and interdependent team work becomes quite necessary. Hence, it can be stated that team work is an essential element for improving the performances of employees as well as building healthy relationship within an organization, as these features are mostly likely to augment organizational strengths to adopt changes more flexibly and therefore, successfully accomplishing the determined goal s or objectives (Duygulu & Ciraklar, 2008). Certainly, focusing on the criticality of the dimension, i.e. team effectiveness, various models or theoretical frameworks had been designed among which the GRPI Model has been one of the most versatile and realistic method to measures and control team performances within an organization. GRPI Model was introduced by Rubin, Plovnick and Fry (1977) which signifies Goals, Roles, Processes as well as Interpersonal Relationship. In accordance with the assumptions considered in the model, the members of the team should be aware of the goals or objectives which are to be accomplished. The members of the team should also be delegated with their roles as well as responsibilities unambiguously to perform the assigned activities. Processes related to decision making as well as resolving conflicts for steady flow of work and performance by the members also needs to be considered with due significance when measuring team performances as these activiti es shall fruitfully enhance interpersonal relationship among members and leaders (The Korn/Ferry Institute, 2009). Organizational Communication Organizational communication is a process through which information are exchanged among the

Using professional standards and codes of conduct

Using professional standards and codes of conduct Professional standards and codes of conduct are fundamental in setting base standards for health care professionals and are a major channelling force for those working in clinical teams. Codes of conduct are established to ensure that practitioners are working in a safe and effective manner and that patients are protected. (Health Professions Council, 2007) The professional standards provided by organisations such as the Health Professions Council (HPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) supply a framework from which physiotherapists and other health care professionals can work within and give an awareness of the minimum of what is expected of them. Knowing and understanding their own codes of conduct will in turn facilitate performance within health care teams. Thrower (2002) comments on self awareness being the condition of being able to analyse motives for behaviour. Therefore, if a health care professional is conscious of their own actions and the resulting consequences, they can constantly reflect to improve their practice. This could be accomplished through such models as developed by Gibbs (1988). For health care students, codes of conduct are indispensible source of information that can be applied in unfamiliar situations as they will know what behaviour is expected of them. Codes of conduct are equally important for the more experienced professionals who may be habituated be outdated standards, which may not be adequate in the evolving area of healthcare and may prefer more traditional approaches to teamwork. There are now more moves in health care teams to be inter rather than multi discipline teams. Multi-discipline teams tend to be uni-disciplinary and work in professional isolation from each other. (Webster, 2002) Whereas inter-discipline teams take a more collaborative approach. In current practice, there is a heightened emphasis on collaboration between different types of practitioners, in order to escape restrictions imposed by traditional team structures. Collaboration can be defined as an interactive process requiring that the involved individuals combine their expertise, skills and resources to solve a problem or to achieve a goal. (Stichler, 1995) For example, joint assessments of patients by nurses and physiotherapists are becoming increasingly common. They include the advantages that the patient doesnt have to repeat information multiple times and the health care professionals will acquire a more comprehensive view of the patient as a whole. Through this fusion of knowledge a nd ideas a broader spectrum of information can be pooled to design a comprehensive care plan for the client. (Kalafatich, 1986) Thus a more comprehensive treatment plan, encompassing all aspects of the patients requirements, can be developed, ensuring improved care for the patient. Professional standards are essential in determining the scope and limitations of practice. Gibbons (2003) states that no single profession working in isolation can meet the care needs of a patient. Therefore, professionals need to recognise when their knowledge or scope of practice is limited and another profession would be more adept to treating a patient. However, the American Nurses Association (1994) reminds clinicians that they are only transferring the responsibility for the performance of the activity, not the professional accountability for overall care. As health care professionals are autonomous and self regulating, it is essential that codes of conduct are established to protect the patients own autonomy. Autonomy can be defined as self government or freedom of action. (Compact Oxford English Dictionary, 2008) The HPC Standards of Proficiency for Physiotherapists (2007) states that clinicians must be able to practice as an autonomous professional exercising their own profe ssional judgement. Conversely, this must be counterbalanced with gaining informed consent and respecting the wishes of the patient. In some cases, such as patients who lack mental capacity or are in a coma, this could prove difficult. Nevertheless, using the guidance from the codes of conduct, their own expertise and clinical reasoning and support from the health care team, the health care professional could attempt to inform and obtain consent from the patient and liaise with their carers, to provide the most appropriate treatment for the patient. Subsequently, codes of conduct play a vital role in justifying treatments and issues of accountability in the legal sphere. If professionals are abiding by the codes of conduct then their actions can be defendable. However, there are limits as to how much codes of conduct can guide behaviour within health care teams. Merely abiding by the standards does not necessarily result in an effective team. There are barriers which need to be considered which have the potential to hinder progress: levels of communication; clashes in personalities; tribalism; effects of outside pressures; lack of stability and lack of recognition of the skills of others. For example, a team member may find themselves in a situation which forces them to bridge the gap between a patients right to confidentiality and their own duty to report to their team. In this sense, it seems that the codes of conduct could be conflicting. Therefore, clinical reasoning must also be utilised to decide what is best for the patient. If health professionals truly aim to work in a patient centred environment then boundaries between disciplines need to be dissolved and mutually respected. Subsequently, focus can be placed fully upon the patient rather than tribalism and the over-protection of roles (Donnelly, 1999.) Perhaps more importance needs placing on shared learning experiences at an undergraduate level for physiotherapy, nursing and medical students, particularly to become more acquainted with each others professional standards. This could help to facilitate the teams of the future, as newly qualified professionals would already be accustomed to working with other healthcare disciplines. Consequently, they may be more likely and more informed to challenge traditional rigid structures of healthcare teams. In order to fully integrate teams and to allow them to function efficiently, different codes of conduct could be combined to produce generic shared values which all disciplines could work from in a particula r team. A philosophy as a working document will facilitate teamwork as all members of the team will share common values and beliefs that have been made explicit and open. (Jasper, 2002) In conclusion, for professional standards and codes of conduct to be relevant in current practice they must be understood and valued by all. For them to be applicable in future practice, it is essential that health professionals reflect in and on action. (Schà ¶n, 1983) Through this, they will not only improve their own practice, but also their contribution and the overall functioning of the team, which will in turn, have a beneficial impact upon the patient: the definitive goal.

Lord of the Flies - Who I think would make the best leader on the island: :: English Literature

Lord of the Flies - Who I think would make the best leader on the island: Ralph, Piggy or Jack? The Novel that this piece of writing is based upon is named "Lord of the Flies". The author of the book is William Golding who wrote many other books including Close quarters and Fire down below. This essay is on my opinion of who would be the best leader on the island out of Ralph, Piggy and Jack. I will base my opinions on my assumption of what makes a good leader and my general feelings of their actions, reactions and appearance. These three predicaments make large differences in how other people feel towards you. If you have become irritable easily people may ignore you or if you can not make good decisions of your own they may feel more powerful than you. So these are my reasons of how I will judge the characters. Another aspect I will have to consider is the first impressions made on the characters and how Golding provoked these. What makes a good leader is someone who does not take sides in bad situations, someone who is organised, they can be independent, confident, good ideas, a quick thinker, non-judgmental, works well under pressure, reliable, takes charge and can see good and bad in people. All these points are good because people following the leaders do not want to be under pressure because the leader can not take certain circumstances, followers also do not a leader who is not confident because then they have to be more positive. Also if the leader does not give their followers praise then they will become doubtful about their leader. Piggy is described by Golding as: "The naked crooks of his knees were plump" and "he was shorter than the fair boy (Ralph) and very fat" Piggy wears glasses and this seems to make people disrespect him. For example on page 75 where Jack knocks Piggy's glasses of his face and breaks one side. Jack doesn't apologise to Piggy very quickly and when he does it is in a childish manner whereas before when he and Ralph had had an argument Jack's response was more of an adult nature. Ralph and Jack's argument is on pages 51-52. The argument is about Jack's hunting because he has not helped with the making of the shelters so Ralph is mad. An example of the Adult nature is straight after the argument when Ralph says: " 'You've noticed haven't you?' Jack put down his spear and squatted 'Noticed what?' 'Well. They're frightened.'" This behaviour is very well showed because they forget about the

Britannica online Essay

This is a book proposal that has been created to ensure the children of today are still exposed to the same childhood experiences that we all had years ago. In today’s society we are much more fast paced and immediately are drawn to electronics such as computers, television, movies, ipods, etc†¦ The numbing effect of this constant barrage of information on very young children could lead to a sort of deterioration of values in a small child. Proposed title: Back to the Basics: A Collection of Nursery Rhymes for Today’s Child Introduction: Many of us picked up our own sets of values and morals from what had been passed down to us through tradition. A Nursery Rhyme is a poem or a song, traditionally taught to very young children. Nursery Rhymes in the English language are usually British in origin, dating back to as far as the 16th Century. Aside from the ones imported from England, many Nursery Rhymes also developed in North America (Encyclopedia Britannica online, 2008). These little songs and poems form a sort of symbolic â€Å"backbone† to the continuing cultural and psychological development of the American people and culture. Indeed, at its very core, a Nursery Rhyme is a sort of cultural footprint. While most oral tradition (ex: nursery rhymes) may sound more like nonsense or oversimplified, moralistic tales set to a rhythm and a tune, they carry the symbolic weight of generations past (Bettelheim, 1976). Passed on through tradition and brought alive by the imaginations of the very children who hear them and pass them on, these rhymes bear the values of the culture that created it. For example, Humpty Dumpty’s story reminds us that there are some things that, once broken, can never be mended. In another example, the Itsy Bitsy Spider speaks to us of the value of perseverance. Sometimes, a Nursery Rhyme isn’t just a moral legacy, but a historical one as well: showing us how people lived or worked during the particular time when these rhymes were created. For example, while shepherding may no longer be a common profession, especially in heavily populated urban areas, even children from the inner city are aware that it was once a way of life, thanks to Little Bo Peep and her sheep. Rationale: Nursery Rhymes have been in existence for hundreds of years, but what exactly is the importance in continuing in this tradition? Children are automatically drawn into these stories because of the rhyme, there is rhythm, and they are often about creatures in otherwise unimaginable circumstances, which leads the child’s own imagination to wander. In addition to being an effective vehicle through which a culture propagates and preserves itself, Nursery Rhymes are of particular importance in the development of a young child’s growing language and memory skills. There is a reason that today, even after growing up; we can still remember these little phrases. They have made great impact in our childhood learning schemata and we believe that if they continue to be reintroduced to the children of today, their impact would be highly beneficial. We believe that this book will be a great hit among small children and their parents, and that with the aid of colorful illustrations, this book can be very useful in promoting a child’s mental, psychological, and social development. Methodology: After much deliberation, we decided to limit our selection to the most common and well-loved Nursery Rhymes. We looked through several collections of nursery rhymes, both online and offline, and picked out the ones that occurred the most frequently. Given that we plan to make this book a children’s book, we limited our selection to only four Nursery Rhymes. We chose to do this so that the book could accommodate the illustrations that we hope will be included as visual aids for the children, without being too heavy or cumbersome for even a small child to read and carry. These Nursery Rhymes are as follows: Humpty Dumpty: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses, and all the king’s men, Couldn’t Put Humpty together again. Jack and Jill Jack and Jill went up the hill, To fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown. And Jill came tumbling after The Itsy Bitsy Spider The Itsy Bitsy Spider Climbed up the water spout. Down came the rain And washed the spider out. Out came the sun And dried up all the rain, And the itsy bitsy spider Climbed up the spout again. Little Bo Peep Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep, And can’t tell where to find them. Leave them alone, And they’ll come home, Wagging their tails behind them. Thank you very much for taking the time to read and consider this. We look forward to your timely and positive reply! References Bettelheim, Bruno (1976). Uses of Enchantment: the Importance of Fairy Tales. New York: Knopf Encyclopedia Britannica online, concise version. Nursery Rhymes. retrieved February 3 2008. from http://www. britannica. com/ebc/article-9373775

Ethics In Criminal Justice - Forgiveness Essays - Virtue, Emotions

Ethics In Criminal Justice - Forgiveness Essays - Virtue, Emotions Ethics In Criminal Justice - Forgiveness Ethics in Criminal Justice Forgiveness The issue to be discussed concerns the act of forgiving. Forgiveness can be shown in many different ways. The degree of forgiveness depends on ones personal beliefs. There are many ethical systems that one can apply forgiveness to. But I will apply forgiveness to my own ethical system. I live my life as a Christian and I try to live by its principles. I also believe that my God is a forgiving God and that I should be in his likeness. In this particular situation, I would have to forgive Carl for what he had done. Christianity teaches that one should be forgiven, no matter what the circumstances are. Christians believe that God sees our faults and he forgives our faults daily. So we in turn have to forgive our brother, because God is so forgiving to us. Simon could have been bitter because of what had happen to his people. But in my ethical system, he is not allowed to hold on to those feelings. First, I would tell Carl, that I would forgive him. Carl would be a bit shocked because he wouldnt expect me to be so forgiving. Then, I would go into explaining that my ethical beliefs would not allow me to hold any ill feelings toward him. I would tell Carl that my ethical beliefs are based upon forgiveness. I would advise Carl that he should pray and ask God for forgiveness. Forgiveness, according to my ethical system is not based on what the action is or what the punishment will be. But rather it focuses how one needs to go beyond anothers faults and forgive them anyhow. Compared to ethical formalism, it is very different because motive or intent is not a determining factor in my ethical system. Christianity teaches that one should be forgiven in spite of. My ethical system can be compare to utilitarianism because it is based on a decision that will benefit of the whole. When a man admits that he has done wrong and he is sincerely sorry, then he should be forgiven. By Simon forgiving Carl he saved another person from dying a silent death.

Pter Kurten essays

Pter Kurten essays Peter Kurten was born the 26th of May 1883, in Cologne-Mulheim Germany. The eldest of 13 children, he was born into extreme poverty. Having to live in a small one-room apartment, he was witness to the violent outbursts of a drunken father. On his fathers side of the family there was a history of alcoholism and mental problems. Not only was Kurten subjected to the drunken violent assaults by his father, but was also witness to the forced rape of his mother on a continual basis. His father would later be arrested for attempting to molest his own 13-year-old daughter. Kurten would later state this was the beginning of his sexual teachings, which unfortunately would also involve violence. Having his father in prison, his mother, of respectable stock separated from her husband and shortly remarried. However, while the violent episodes that influenced Kurten should have ended, another individual surfaced to continue his perverse teachings. While the father was imprisoned the family took in a boarder, a dogcatcher, who would befriend the young Kurten. The dogcatcher, a severely demented individual, formed a tight bond with the 9-year-old and taught the boy to masturbate dogs and to torture them. Enjoying this immensely, Kurten turned to bestiality, which involved goats and sheep. He soon learned he enjoyed this much more when he would stab them repeatedly during intercourse. By the age 16 Kurten was involved in committing petty thefts and subsequently ran away from home. It was here that he would receive the first of 27 prison sentences, which would consume some 24 years of his life. After release from his first sentence he moved in with a prostitute who was twice his age. It is here that his teachings reached full circle and he moved sexually from animals to people. In 1913, Christine Klein, an 8-year-old girl, was to be the first known victim of Kurten. Frequenting a local inn, one nig...

Paper Critique of ADA and Affirmative Action Essay

Paper Critique of ADA and Affirmative Action - Essay Example e physical accessibility to people with disabilities in buildings and also ensures the removal of obstacles that deny individuals with disabilities equal employment opportunities. The main parts of the act are divided into five sections, with the first section insuring against discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities with regards to employment (Accessiblesociety, 2012). The second title prohibits discrimination against the disabled at all public levels, including the state, municipal and school district level. The third part is targeted at public accommodation, where individuals may not be discriminated from enjoying facilities at any public place of accommodation due to their disability. In the fourth part, ADA ensures that people with disabilities enjoy equivalent services with non-disabled people, while the last title includes miscellaneous provisions. Ever since the introduction of the act in 1990, there has been a lot of success in reducing discrimination against the disabled. One of the first advantages of the act is that the accessibility of people with disabilities has significantly improved (Accessiblesociety, 2012). For example, people with disabilities can mount legal objections to practices which they feel are discriminatory. This has helped in increasing job opportunities for people with disabilities. The act has also help medically incompetent but qualified individuals who used to be discriminated based on their medical conditions. According to ADA, an employee is not mandated to ask for medical certificates before hiring. Despite the successes that ADA has had in the past decade or so, the main disadvantage of the act is the apparent contradiction with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) ( Skoning and Condon, 1994). According to ADA, an employee cannot move an employee from a workplace that is deemed dangerous, since this would seem discriminatory. However, OSHA dictates that dangerous workplaces are illegal.

Global Operations managenment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Global Operations managenment - Essay Example In order to address this issue, PPQ Parts should uphold a decent relationship with every stakeholder of the country and do not engage into any activity which cause impairment to the reputation and goodwill of PPQ Parts. 1. The foremost economic issue for PPQ Parts would of exchange rate fluctuations. These adverse movements in foreign exchange rate can harm the company’s profits. So in order to mitigate this risk, PPQ Parts should implement a reasonable hedging strategy to combat this foreign exchange currency risk. 2. Another economic issue that the company might have to face is the level of inflation in the foreign country. Due to inflation, the cost of goods sold of PPQ Parts may increase resulting in lower profits. So in order to avoid this situation, PPQ Parts should estimate the reasonable demand of the PPQ Parts’ products and contract with the suppliers to fix the rates of materials for future

My experience in SQM course Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

My experience in SQM course - Assignment Example I never thought of quality management being used in other departments or sectors including the public sector. However, after getting an opportunity to study quality management, I have come to learn that it is an integral part of every sector and all the departments in an organization or firm. Quality Management, as I have come to know, involves planning the operations and activities of an organization strategically with the aim of satisfying customer needs and achieving the visions of an organization. (Dale, Boaden, & Lascelles, 1994) Quality management is highly structured and detailed and focuses on different aspects to achieve the set goals. Through my study of Total Quality management, I have learnt that leadership is an integral part of quality management .According to Auckland (1993) quality management starts with the top management. The way an organization takes matters of quality is therefore dependent on the leadership structures in an organization. The top management should be comprised of people with personal commitment to matters concerning quality. The leadership of an organization needs to create clear and visible values. The leadership is the role model to the rest of the staff members for proper implementation of quality management strategies. I learn that for quality goals to be achieved there should be close relationship among divisions in an organization. This will help in clearly creating and communicating quality ethics. This understanding has enabled me to appreciate that even at the place where I work; there is need of the human resource department to work together with other sections and provide good leadership to attain the vision of the organization. Through studying of quality management I have been able to understand the role of benchmarking in achieving quality objectives. Before my study understanding of benchmarking was distorted. In Total Quality Management, benchmarking

The Best Financial Software Planning Product Essay Example for Free

The Best Financial Software Planning Product Essay After analyzing various software products and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of them, it is found that the best software for financial planning is mentioned in the Microsoft Money Home website and it is the Microsoft Money Plus. The software helps in managing and planning long-term and short-term financial targets, and helps in the optimization of resources. It has got extensive features that can help a person, individuals or companies manage their portfolio. Microsoft Money Plus Premium calls this efficiency a â€Å"one stop financial management and planning solution. †¦for today and tomorrow† (1) A recent Comparison of Accounting Software done by Wikipedia’s website shows that the software is far much better among the other existing softwares when compared with respective to their licensing options, market focus, features, benefits, its type and the structure. It is the best because there is another article that supports this fact, another review in Tame Your Money Woes page of the PC Magazine, which says that â€Å"Microsoft Money Premium 2007 is an elegant, easily navigable personal-finance management powerhouse, offering more than most consumers need.† (1), another article on Microsoft Money in Wikipedia goes on to say that there are many versions available for U.S., UK, France, Japan, Canada, Germany, Italy and an International English edition (1). This just shows the international appeal the product has and how successful it is all these countries. The pricing is not that high and there are different packages that are catering to different sections of the society, depending on it the customer can adopt for a Microsoft Money Essentials, Microsoft Money Plus Deluxe, Microsoft Money Plus Premium or Microsoft Money Plus Home Business (Microsoft Money Plus Premium 1). There are special offers that are available to customers. There is also opportunity to discuss with the support as to which of the products will be suitable. A trial version also will be given, so that the customer can be sure that the product suites his/her specific requirements. But not many people agree with the above features and advantages they have some objections against it. Yakal page mentions some of the disadvantage, â€Å"Lacks some features Quicken pioneered, such as the ability to attach documents to transactions. Requires Windows Live ID for maximum security and online aggregation.† (1). It is important here to realize that the above mentioned features can still be included in the next upgrade that will follow. For someone who is starting out, this is an ideal solution. Once anyone can master this package then it will be easier to adopt and adapt to the upgrades and enhancements Microsoft will come up in the future. Another review by Wenzel supports this by saying with regard to the requirement of Windows Live.   â€Å"However, were not crazy about needing a Windows Live (formerly Passport) ID to use Microsoft Money 2007 to connect to our financial accounts online, although data transmissions are encrypted, of course.† (1), which means that there is really not much of a requirement of Windows Live and that the package can be successfully used even without it. Wenzel goes on to say that, We like Money 2007s well-laid-out and customizable interface, which by default displays a list of accounts and a spending pie chart on the Home page. Intuitive shortcuts include the ability to double-click a pie slice to bring up a register of expenses for editing. The browser-like layout includes back and forward navigation arrows and various straightforward drop-down menus. You can quickly access specific resources for banking, scheduling bills, creating reports, investing, planning, and taxes. (1)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Some other people have an issue with the software that it does not work on other Operating Systems and it works only on Windows. But you need to remember that Microsoft has been always favoring and supporting its own Operating System, for someone who is used the interface of windows they will understand the enormous amount of ease and advantages behind it when compared to other operating systems. Microsoft has a very efficient support system that will help guide the user to effectively use and exploit all the features. Support is of different types, by email, by chat, phone support, training such as audio and voice training and even personal one – one teaching about the product, all this will help the user to gain confidence in using the product. The other reason why it is one of the best is because it is very simple to use. Not only that, it also is fast to setup, has a very good user interface, which is easily understood. It does not need too much of time to learn package. It covers practically all the areas of finance, accounting, bills payable, receivable, and many more other features. It has a good cash flow management model and above all it is highly customizable. Something that is required for different financial situations, individuals and companies. Besides this, it is also very convenient to carry around in a Pocket PC, a mobile or a smart phone. There are so many versions available that any individual is bound to find the one best suited for him. The package can be readily be used anywhere and everywhere. For anyone who appreciates Microsoft products it is one of the best in financial planning and management when compared to the others. Works Cited â€Å"Microsoft Money Home.† Microsoft. In Microsoft Money Plus.† November 23, 2007, http://www.microsoft.com/money/default.mspx â€Å"Comparison of Accounting Software†. Wikipedia the free Encycolpedia. November 23, 2007, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_accounting_software â€Å"Microsoft Money Plus Premium.† Microsoft. In Microsoft Money Plus Premium.† November 23, 2007, http://www.microsoft.com/money/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=004active_tab=Features Yakal.â€Å"Tame Your Money Woes†. PC Magazine. Microsoft Money Premium 2007 Review Date: July,31, 2006. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1996582,00.asp â€Å"Microsoft Money† Wikipedia the free Encycolpedia. November 23, 2007,   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Money Wenzel. â€Å"Microsoft Money 2007 Review† Cnet Reviews. Microsoft Money 2007 Premium. http://reviews.cnet.com/accounting-and-finance/microsoft-money-2007-premium/4505-6405_7-31982101.html?tag=sub

The Strategic Analysis Of Adolph Coors

The Strategic Analysis Of Adolph Coors Beer is the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world. It has produced in an artisanal setting for thousands of years, dating back to around 3500 BC (History, 2010). As developments in agriculture and technology occurred, beer production shifted to industrial manufacturing. Beer is produced using a process called brewing. The brewing process involves variable amounts of time in which a source of starch, usually hops, is fermented to produce alcohol. The process can produce countless types of beer, with variable concentrations of alcohol, varying flavors, and appearances. These beverages are packaged into either kegs, glass bottles, or aluminum cans. A building or organization dedicated to this process is known as a brewery. The brewing industry today is a global business that is made up of several dominant companies. As of 2010, the key players in the industry are MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch. Anheuser Busch is the largest brewing company in the United States with 32 breweries globally, 12 of which are located in the United States. In late 2007, SABMiller and Molson Coors Brewing Company joined forces in order to better compete with Anheuser-Busch. These major brewing companies make up the largest segment of the brewing industry. There are also thousands of smaller regional breweries often referred to as microbreweries which make up a second segment. Finally, a very small percentage of homebrews and domestic production occur. This analysis will focus almost exclusively on the segment that consists of the multinational conglomerates such as MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch. The US beer market produced total revenues of $78.8 billion in 2008. Lager sales account for $28.2 billion of the total (Datamonitor, 2009b). Beer accounts for 52.9% of the alcoholic drink industry in the US, with spirits at 29.4%, and Wine at 17.7% (Datamonitor, 2009a). *A stipulation to this analysis is that it will be based primarily on the Harvard case study Adolph Coors in the Brewing Industry. Outside information will be incorporated where necessary for a complete analysis. *In the absence of specific statistics from past years, current numbers are substituted. *Brevity is highly valued for this analysis, though not at the expense of a thorough analysis. PEST The PEST model is a framework which is used to analyze the macroenvironmental factors that companies within an industry must take into account. This PEST analysis will examine the political, economic, social, and technological factors in relation to the brewing industry. Political and Government regulation There are significant rules governing general alcohol consumption. First, drinking in public places such as streets or parks is prohibited. Second, the minimum age of consumption is 21 years old in the United States. There are also restrictions related to the manufacturing, sale and possession of alcohol. In the United States, the sale of alcoholic beverages is controlled by individual states. Finally, the production of spirits is taxed and requires a permit to operate a plant (TTBGov, 2010). Economic The brewing industry benefits from having commodity-based inputs. There is little variance in the raw materials necessary for the brewing process, as they are mainly agricultural commodities. Price elasticity of demand for beer is low, ensuring steady demand. Social-cultural Consumer preferences are important in the brewing industry. Consumers have varying tastes, and prefer to be able to choose among the varying types of beer. However, alcohol consumption can have adverse affects on human physical health. Beer is high in carbohydrates, and it can be argued that high consumption can cause weight gain, or even liver-disease. There are also benefits of alcohol consumption. The age of the consumer affects the industry. As baby boomers reach the legal drinking age, the number of beer drinkers rose, and also the amount consumed (Ghemawat, 1992). Additionally, more and more Americans drink more beer at home, whereas they had traditionally had it in bars and restaurants (Ghemawat, 1992). Technological Brewing techniques affect the brewing industry heavily. Post WWII developments would allow for less time needed for the aging process. The pasteurization process would allow beer to last up to six months unrefrigerated (Ghemawat, 1992). Capacity and efficiency are highly based on technology of both the brewing, and packaging machinery. Also, the switch from glass bottles to aluminum cans was a large technological development. The technology surrounding television and web marketing have changed, giving firms easier methods for greater exposure, and also shipping and transportation costs fluctuate, affecting value-added (Ghemawat, 1992). III. Porters Five Forces A. Threat of New Entrants (LOW) The following elements will help determine the level of threat from new entrants. 1. Economies of scale Economies of scale are significant for the brewing industry. This represents a high barrier to entry for potential competitors. Large, established firms such as MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch have enormous brewing capacity, and are able to realize economies of scale that come from mass production and larger contracts. As of 1985, doubling the scale of a brewery cut unit costs by 25% (Ghemawat, 1992). During the rising demand that the industry experienced during the 1960s and 1970s, both Anheuser-Busch and Schlitz, major players at the time, added large breweries to help cope with the demand, and to benefit from economies of scale (Ghemawat, 1992). This allows existing firms to decrease their cost per unit produced. Any new entrant would have to invest a large amount of capital in production facilities. This makes the industry unattractive. 2. Working capital requirements The cost of operating a brewery is significant. A significant implication of the brewing process is that it takes time. A major development in the brewing process after WWII allowed brewers to cut the aging time from 30 days to 20 (Ghemawat, 1992). Even with this decrease, it is still costly not only to facilitate the brewing process, but to maintain locations in which the beer can be aged. This serves as a deterrent for small firms who wish to enter. 3. Proprietary product differences Coors, like many most brewers, has a unique taste associated with its beverages. Little information was available as to the nature of the Coors recipe, however, it would not difficult for any knowledgeable entrant to the industry to imitate the taste of the varying Coors lines. Coors does age its product for 70 days, rather than the industry average of 20-30 (Ghemawat, 1992). Imitation of the Coors brewing process would also be easy, and therefore, threat of entrants is increased. 5. Brand identity Brand identity is important in the brewing industry. For Coors, their marketing expenses as a percentage of sales increased from 3.3% in 1973 to 10% in 1985 (Ghemawat, 1992). This decreases the threat of entrants, as it takes significant investment to establish brand recognition. 4. Absolute Cost Advantages As stated above, Coors and its major competitors can take advantage of economies of scale, which gives lower manufacturing costs, and also cheaper access to raw materials. Coors produces its own malt through long-contracts with farmers (Ghemawat, 1992). These connections are likely exclusive to large firms, and decrease the threat of entrants. 6. Access to distribution Coors products reach the market primarily through retailers and wholesalers. As of 1985, Coors distribution network consisted of 569 wholesalers, and 5 additional Coors-owned wholesalers. Coors also has its own trucking subsidiary, which takes on a large amount of its transportation needs. This decreases the threat of entrants (Ghemawat, 1992). The threat of new entrants is low. The capital requirements for starting a brewery, and quickly achieving the necessary economies of scale is a large barrier. Access to distribution networks takes time, and also contracts to obtain necessary shelf-space to sell product. These factors make the industry unattractive for new entrants. B. Suppliers (LOW) 1. Supplier concentration The main suppliers in the brewing industry consist of malted grain and hops for the fermentation process, and bottles or barrels for storage and transportation. Supplier power is weak because of their size, relative to the brewers, and also because farming operations are numerous (Brewing Industry US). 2. Presence of substitute inputs The presence of substitutes in the brewing industry varies. If aluminum cans are considered a substitute for bottles and barrels, then this factor is an issue. Also, lower quality hops might be substituted for higher quality, more expensive, flavorful hops. 3. Differentiation of inputs Since ingredients required for brewing have little qualitative differentiation, supplier power is lowered. 4. Importance of volume to supplier There are few other uses for hops, especially commercially, than brewing beer. The brewing industry purchases a significant percentage of the total hop production, which diminishes supplier power. However, there are alternative uses for barley, which can be integrated in the brewing process, but isnt as common. This slightly boosts overall supplier power (Brewing Industry US). 5. Impact of inputs on our cost or ability to differentiate Agricultural inputs account for 20-25% of total raw materials costs for major brewers. The remainder is allocated for packaging (Ghemawat, 1992). This increases supplier power, as the price of their product affects the final product. 6. Threat of forward or backward integration Since suppliers are small in comparison to breweries, forward integration is uncommon. However, there is evidence of backwards integration by large brewers. For example, Coors acquired a grain-processing plant as well as other operations to protect itself from price fluctuations (Ghemawat, 1992). 7. Access to labor As of 1985, Coors was the only major brewer that was not unionized (Ghemawat, 1992). The implication is that the brewing industry is unionized. During a strike in 1977, a strike caused Coors to have to shift employees within the company. The production levels were quickly returned to normal, indicating that skilled workers are not necessary (Ghemawat, 1992). Labor supplier power is low. Supplier power is low because of unfavorable supplier concentration. Suppliers of the brewing industry need the brewing industry as there are little other uses for their products, and their products are considered commodities. C. Buyers (MODERATE) 1. Buyer concentration Buyers in this market are highly concentrated. In 1985, 4,500 independent wholesalers existed in the United States (Ghemawat, 1992). Larger buyers are able to negotiate contracts effectively (Datamonitor, 2009b). 2. Buyer switching costs Buyers do not have particularly high switching costs. Many buyers are willing to switch brands based on price and differentiation. The lack of buyer switching costs increases buyer power, making the brewing industry more unattractive (Datamonitor, 2009b). 3. Threat of backward integration There is no indication that buyers are backward integrating, and producing their own product to sell, making the industry more attractive. 4. Pull through Pull through exists in the brewing industry because brand identity is important. Advertising expense as a percentage of sales over time for the brewing industry has been trending upward. As of 1973, advertising expenditures were 3.3% of sales. That amount increased to 10% of sales by 1985 (Ghemawat, 1992). Therefore, the brewing industry has power over the buyers, making it more attractive. 5. Price sensitivity The brewing industry is able to pass cost increases on to the buyer as indicted by the existence of multiple beer segments. End consumers are willing to pay more for quality beer. Brewers are not able to pass on shipping costs however, reducing attractiveness (Ghemawat, 1992). Buyer power is moderate. There are more buyers than firms in this industry, and pull-through from brewers creates power. There are shipping costs and other aspects that the breweries cannot pass on to their customers. D. Substitute Products (MODERATE) Substitute products for beer consist of wine, liquor, as well as imported beer. These products constitute a moderate threat. In 2008, Beer had a 52.9% share of the alcoholic drinks market, with spirits at 29.4%, and wine at 17.7% (Datamonitor2009a). 1. Relative price/performance relationship of substitutes The per-unit-volume price is often affected by alcohol content, which is higher in liquor and spirits. Also, shelf space is more expensive for items such as beer, which must be refrigerated (Datamonitor,2009a). The threat of substitute products is increased. 2. Buyer propensity to substitute Projections for the industry indicate that consumers may switch away from beer to other alcoholic beverages as consumers become more confident and begin spending their discretionary income. Consumers who may normally drink higher priced alcoholic drinks tend to switch to lower priced beer during a recession (Ibisworld, 2010). This effects the buyers of the brewing industry as their demand will fluctuate. The threat of substitute product is moderate because of end-user propensity to switch away from beer when possible financially. Other forms of alcoholic drinks are often more potent, making them a better deal for the consumer, depending on their intentions or desires. E. Rivalry (HIGH) 1. Degree of concentration and balance among competitors The brewing industry is highly concentrated, and unbalanced. In 1985, the six major players in the industry controlled 75% of market share. In 2009, this number had changed to the two major players controlling 79.2% of the market share. Anheuser-Busch controls 50.1%, and MillerCoors, the remaining 29.1%. This heavy rivalry makes the industry unattractive (Ibisworld, 2010). 2. Diversity among competitors Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors are following similar strategies. Both companies are focusing on promoting their largest brands, expanding their geographic reach, and increasing efficiency (Ibisworld, 2010). This makes the industry unattractive. 3. Industry growth rate (past and projected) The brewing industry is experiencing maturity, growth rates have been slow, and consolidation frequent. From 2010 to 2015, the industry has experienced a -0.3% growth rate. However, it is projected to grow 1.3% by 2025 (Ibisworld, 2010). The industry is unattractive. 4. Fixed costs to value added Fix costs are high and economies of scale are possible in the industry. Value-added trended upward until its high point in 2003 of $25,924.3 million, but has since fallen to just over $23,038 million. The industry is at maturity and rivalry has increased, making the industry unattractive (Ibisworld, 2010). 5. Intermittent overcapacity As of 1985, the 6 major competitors in the brewing industry were operating at an average of 83% capacity. The brewing industry has been plagued with overcapacity issues in the past (Ghemawat, 1992). Rivalry is increased. 6. Product differentiation Firms differentiate their products in this industry through advertising, segmentation, and packaging. Advertising helps firms reach critical thresholds of exposure, while segmentation increases market share (Ghemawat, 1992). Brewers can differentiate their products by segments, but also can use brand, ingredients, and style. The degree of differentiation makes the attractive (Datamonitor, 2009b). 7. Growth of foreign competition To what extent are foreign firms able to penetrate the US market? If there is a growth in foreign firms penetration, this increases rivalry making the industry unattractive. It also shows that US firms are not being globally competitive. 8. Corporate stakes As of 1985, 84% of Coorss revenues came from its brewing division (Ghemawat, 1992). This increases rivalry, making the industry unattractive. 9. Exit barriers Firms in this industry could exit by converting operations to another product, or as shown by the consolidation of the industry, exit through merger or acquisition. Rivalry in this industry is high. Since the brewing industry is so highly concentrated and unbalanced, the major firms in the industry have very similar strategies and compete for similar niches. This makes the overall industry attractiveness low. IV. Conclusion After analysis of the items above, conclusions can be drawn about the brewing industry. A. Critical Success Factors There are a number of critical success factors for this industry: Economies of scale are a necessity to be profitable in the industry. Firms must have production facilities that are large enough to spread the fix costs of production out of millions of barrels of product. These facilities must also have high capacity to deal with demand fluctuations. Second, firms must have strong, differentiated brands that fit into multiple segments. Finally, a strong distribution network is imperative to obtaining sales levels. B. Prognosis Entering into the brewing industry would be a uncertain venture. There are many barriers to entry for small firms such as microbreweries, such as economies of scale and capacity. The brewing industry is projected to contract, but the major players will continue to jockey for market share (Ibisworld, 2010). Competitive forces have contributed to consolidation in the past and likely will in the future, as smaller firms merge with larger ones, in order to better compete in the industry. Part II: Firm Analysis I. Current Situation A. Brief firm history Adolph Coors brewery was founded in Golden, Colorado in 1873. After surviving the prohibition era of the 1920s, Coors would become very successful. After the repeal of Prohibition, Coors sold 90,000 barrels of beer. It also began expansion with its introduction of wholesalers outside of Colorado, in Arizona, and eventually 9 other states. The size of the company would increase exponentially. By 1960, Coors sales volume reached 1.9 million barrels, 7.3 million by 1970, and finally 12.3 million by 1974. In 1975, the Coors family offered non-voting stock to the public (Ghemawat, 1992). More recently, the Adolph Coors Company became the parent company through a merger with Molson, a Canadian brewing giant. Coors would begin numerous ventures and partnerships, most notably, a joint venture with Miller Brewing to form MillerCoors in June of 2008 (Datamonitor: Coors). Today, the company operates 18 breweries and distribution centers over 30 countries. The US segment operates 8 major breweries with a capacity of 85 million barrels annually. The brands sold in the US are Coors, Coors Light, the Blue Moon line, Killians, Keystone, and Molson among others. Molson operates Coorss Canadian operations with 6 breweries. Coors also sells around 9 million barrels in the UK (Datamonitor, 2009c). MillerCoors currently controls 29.1% of market share, behind industry-leader Anheuser-Busch with 50.1%. Coors broad portfolio of over 40 brands allows it to reach a wide range of market segments (Ibisworld, 2010). B. Strategic Posture The current vision of MolsonCoors is to be a top four global brewer in profitability, fueled by our people who are committed to delivering exceptional results and creating extraordinary brands (Molson, 2010). The mission statement was not stated anywhere. The first portion, to be a top four global brewer in profitability is quantifiable through revenue. The last 2 parts are more difficult to measure, though Coors does have a large portfolio of successful brands. II. External Environment (Opportunities and Threats) The findings of the above industry analysis apply specifically to Coors in the following manner: A. General Environmental Factors The issues that affect Coors more heavily are the issues of product differentiation to meet consumer needs, and also the capacity and efficiency factor. The opportunity to market their products more extensively is important to Coors. B. Task Environment The Rivalry factor is currently affecting the level of competitive intensity within the brewing industry. Coors faces strong rivalry from Anheuser-Busch. They currently pursue very similar strategies, making competition strong. Currently Anheuser-Busch controls over 50% of the market share. As they compete for the same markets niches, it will be important for Coors to maintain competitive levels of advertising. Also, Coors has been efficient in their production capacities in the past, but as demand grows, they may need to make changes to keep up. III. Internal Environment (Strengths and Weaknesses) A. Management The Coors board consists of nine members, four of which are members of the Coors family. As of 1985, the Coors family continued to hold all of the voting stock (Ghemawat, 1992). Peter Coors became president of Coors in 1985. There was some dissent between the younger members of the board, including Peter, suggesting that had a differing vision for the direction of the company. It is implied that he thought it was necessary to add effective marketing skills to the manufacturing skills that the company already had (Ghemawat, 1992). B. Marketing Coors operates in every segment except for the low-price popular segment. In1985, Anheuser-Busch had a particularly strong product mix, much as Coors had, though Anheuser-Buschs market share was much larger. The most notable major competitors products were Anheuser-Buschs Budweiser, with 25.8% of market share, and Millers Lite beer, and High Life which together accounted for 17.5% of market share (Ghemawat, 1992). Coors pricing is appropriate for the market. There are no strong indicators that Coors pricing strategy is not competitive. In 1985, domestic producers supplied barrels at $67 each. Distribution is a major issue for Coors. In 1985, all of the major competitors except Coors functioned in all 50 states, but only had a median shipping distance of 300-400 miles. Coors was shipping their product 1,500 miles. Beyond this, their inefficient trucking system added 10-15% additional cost (Ghemawat, 1992). Finally, Coors launch of new products called for an increase in advertising. Coors silver bullet campaign proved successful, as Coors Light had become the 2nd best-selling light beer (Ghemawat, 1992). Coors spends less than the industry average for its promotional efforts. There is also statistical evidence that 90% of the effect of advertising is lost within one year (Ghemawat, 1992). Coors has not marketed itself as heavily as some of its competitors, which puts it at a disadvantage. It likely has much to do with the smaller size of Coors market share. C. Operations/Production Productivity improvement has been extremely important to Coors in its history. In 1985, Coors capacity utilization was above that of both the top players in the industry at 92%, which is high. The issues Coors is facing pertaining to distribution, and whether or not to open a new brewery would be a result of the firms re-invention. Growth through product development is important to Coors. It has six product lines in varying segments, indicating it is emphasizing product development within the brewing industry. At some points in its history, it was diversified outside of the brewing industry, but decided to focus on core competencies (Ghemawat, 1992). Coors benefits from high historical efficiency in production, and also strong brands that it can use to differentiate itself. D. Human Resource Management Unions have historically had little effect on the operations of Coors in particular, but they are present in almost every other firm in the industry. A strike during 1977, illustrated Coors lack of vulnerability to this threat (Ghemawat, 1992). E. Management Information Systems This section is not applicable. IV. Critical Success Factors This section will briefly outline how Coors is managing the critical success factors in its industry. Economies of scale are a necessity to be profitable in the industry. Coors Golden Colorado brewery is the largest in the industry, capable of producing 25-30 million barrels a year (Ghemawat, 1992). This production facility has allowed them to take advantage of economies of scale and spread the fix costs of production out of millions of barrels of product. Coors brewing facilities have historically had high capacity to deal with demand fluctuations, but future demand may prompt changes. Second, Coors has strong, differentiated brands that fit into multiple segments. Coors broad portfolio of over 40 brands allows it to reach a wide range of market segments (Ibisworld, 2010). Finally, a strong distribution network is imperative to obtaining sales levels. This is the aspect in which Coors is the weakest. Economics would dictate that an in-house operation would increase value-added, but Coors distribution network is not strong enough for them to realize financial benefit. V. Strategic Problem Management has failed to ensure the longà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ term survival of Coors because they have neglected the importance of strong distribution networks, and shipping expenses associated with proximity to markets, and of refrigeration needs. If Coors wants to successfully compete on a national level, like its competitors, it will need to boost the efficiency of its distribution network. VI. Strategic Alternatives Option 1 Construct an additional brewery in the eastern United States such as the location in Virginia. This brewery would serve the eastern United States, and add additional capacity to Coors overall. The pros of this option are as follows: It would reduce costs associated with shipping from the Golden Colorado site. Coors estimates a $2.50 saving per barrel if it would not have to ship its entire product the average 1500 miles. Although the brewing industry is not projected to grow, it would not hurt Coors to have more resources and capabilities, and not have to base their entire operation on the single brewery. The cons of this option are as follows: It would take a large investment to establish a new brewery, and maintain its production. A 5-million barrel brewery would cost $200-$250 million (Ghemawat, 1992). Option 2 A second option would be to begin focusing heavily on marketing. The numbers show that Coors is considerably behind their competitors in advertising spending as a proportion of sales. The company has strong brands that could perform better with additional promotion. The pros of this option are as follows: Increased brand awareness, and information about the varying brands that Coors produces will result in additional sales volume. Targeting advertising about certain product lines to certain target markets could increase penetration into market niches, and result in additional market share. The cons of this option are as follows: The additional costs of a national advertising effort will be high. ROI may be low because of statistical data from studies indicating that advertising in this industry does not create lasting impressions (Ghemawat, 1992). VII. Recommendation After weighing the alternatives and their pros and cons, it would be most beneficial for Coors to select strategic option one, and construct an additional brewing facility. If they were to select strategic option 2, and the effects of their marketing campaign were favorable, they may not be able to keep up with demand which would be disastrous for the company. It may take them too long to make the necessary expansions in time to capture the additional market share. Constructing another brewery would also serve to drastically lower shipping costs. VIII. Implementation There are a number of strategic steps that will need to be implemented. Coors will need to ensure that it has the necessary funds for completion of the project. If they do not have the necessary funds, they will need to be acquired through efficient channels. Second, the site will have to be purchased. Any local environmental or social regulations or preferences will need to be planned for. Construction of the brewery will begin. Finally, the project will need to be completed on time to meet projections of needed capacity from the brewery to satisfy the demand needs of the east coast. Necessary sunk costs will need to be maintained to aid in startup of the facility including provisions for raw materials and machinery, as well as beginning the brewing process. Finally, Coors distribution network will need to smoothly integrate the new site into the existing framework. The brewery will allow for additional production of all of Coors product segments, using the existing brand recognition and perceived quality that Coors brands have. The costs associated with shipping will be reduced drastically. Coors has an opportunity to further expand its capacity. Coors position within the industry is currently strong, but the company will need to take the necessary steps to facilitate growth. Fierce competition from Anheuser-Busch, the industry leader will only get tougher if Coors does not take a proactive rather than reactive stance. If the company follows the strategic recommendation above, it puts them in a good position to market themselves additionally, but only after they have the necessary capabilities. IX. Bibliography Datamonitor, Inc. (2009a). Alcoholic Drinks in the United States: Industry Profile. New York, NY. Retrieved April 19, 2010, from the Datamonitor Company Profiles Authority Database. Datamonitor, Inc. (2009b). Beer in the United States: Industry Profile. New York, NY. Retrieved April 19, 2010, from the Datamonitor Company Profiles Authority Database. Datamonitor, Inc. (2009c). Molson Coors Brewing Company: Company Profile. New York, NY. Retrieved April 20, 2010, from the Datamonitor Company Profiles Authority Database. Ghemawat, P. (1992). Adolph Coors in the Brewing Industry. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School. (Original work published 1987) History of Beer Brewing. (2010). Wine Making | Beer Brewing. Retrieved April 21, 2010, from http://www.winemakingbeerbrewing.com/history/history-of-beer-brewing IBISWorld, Inc. (2010). IBISWorld Industry Report 31212: Beer Production in the U.S. Washington, DC: Areeb Pirani. Molson Coors Brewing Company.