Saturday, August 31, 2019

A Tale of Two Cities Humor Essay

Humor in A Tale of Two Cities This novel is filled with humor but one scene that catches attention as humorous is in Chapter one of the Second Book, Jerry Cruncher is the most comical character in the book and in this particular scene he yells at his wife for praying against her. This is comical because it is so absurd especially the way Dickens depicts it. Mr.Cruncher wa kes up to find his wife praying and yells twice that she is â€Å"at it agin† (Dickens 56), so he continues to throw a muddy boot at her. Mrs.Cruncher only responds after he addresses her again, she explains that she was not praying against him but for him. This entire scene is utterly ridiculous because she was just being a peaceful wife but her husband assumes she is praying for him to be unsuccessful. He has no evidence to back up his accusation yet continues to believe it. This scene also display terrible sexism on the part of Jerry Cruncher. Humor in A Tale of Two Cities This novel is filled with humor but one scene that catches attention as humorous is in Chapter one of the Second Book, Jerry Cruncher is the most comical character in the book and in this particular scene he yells at his wife for praying against her. This is comical because it is so absurd especially the way Dickens depicts it. Mr.Cruncher wa kes up to find his wife praying and yells twice that she is â€Å"at it agin† (Dickens 56), so he continues to throw a muddy boot at her. Mrs.Cruncher only responds after he addresses her again, she explains that she was not praying against him but for him. This entire scene is utterly ridiculous because she was just being a peaceful wife but her husband assumes she is praying for him to be unsuccessful. He has no evidence to back up his accusation yet continues to believe it. This scene also display terrible sexism on the part of Jerry Cruncher. Humor in A Tale of Two Cities This novel is filled with humor but one scene that catches attention as humorous is in Chapter one of the Second Book, Jerry Cruncher is the most comical character in the book and in this particular scene he yells at his  wife for praying against her. T his is comical because it is so absurd especially the way Dickens depicts it. Mr.Cruncher wa kes up to find his wife praying and yells twice that she is â€Å"at it agin† (Dickens 56), so he continues to throw a muddy boot at her. Mrs.Cruncher only responds after he addresses her again, she explains that she was not praying against him but for him. This entire scene is utterly ridiculous because she was just being a peaceful wife but her husband assumes she is praying for him to be unsuccessful. He has no evidence to back up his accusation yet continues to believe it. This scene also display terrible sexism on the part of Jerry Cruncher.

Behaviour policy Essay

Behaviour policy is a guideline to all staff on how pupil behaviour should be managed it is important that this policy is constantly being applied to ensure full safety of the pupils; this is why all staff must be familiar with this policy. The policy outlines the schools aims of how to create a positive community atmosphere in which children can learn effectively by showing good standards of behaviour. The school aims to identify and respond to good behaviour in children, promoting a positive classroom environment where children with good behaviour and work are recognised. It outlines rewards & sanctuary’s and sets put a code of conduct that all children staff, parents and governors should be aware of. Although good behaviour is encouraged in schools, children will still behave inappropriate at times consequences for bad behaviour †¢Name on the board (sad face) †¢Miss time out from golden times, break or lunch play. Be sent to the head of year / deputy head †¢Be sent to the head teacher and a meeting with parents. Good Behaviour †¢Full golden time awarded †¢Raffle tickets gained †¢Star of the day †¢Extra time to choose activities †¢Certificates in Friday assembly All staff can give certain rewards and sanctuary however some may be given by a certainmember of staff for example, if you behave well you may be chosen to put your name down on the deputy chart and then at the end of each term a prize is given to the one that is chosen.Golden rules †¢Always do your best †¢Be proud of our work and our school †¢Be polite at all times †¢Respect each other’s property †¢Treat other as we would like to be treated ourselves Bullying policy is there to prevent and deal with any behaviour that is bullying, and to promote an ethos where bullying is regarded as unacceptable, so that a safe and secure environment is created for everyone to learn and work in. This policy applies to everyone in, and every one visiting, our community. The setting policy includes guidance on how to prevent bullying. Discusses monitors and reviews our anti-bullying policy on a regular basis. Supports staff to promote positive relationships and identify and tackle bullying appropriately. Ensures that pupils are aware that all bullying concerns will be dealt with sensitively and effectively that pupil feel safe to learn and that pupil go by the bullying policy. Reports back to parents/carers on bullying and deal with complaints. Definition on bullying is name calling, taunting, mocking, making offensive comments,; kicking; hitting; taking belongings; inappropriate text messaging and electronic messaging (including through web-sites, Social Networking sites and Instant Messenger); sending offensive or degrading images by phone or via the internet; producing offensive graffiti; gossiping; excluding people from groups and spreading hurtful and untruthful rumours. Bullying can happen to anyone the policy covers all types of bullying including: †¢Bullying related to race, religion or culture. †¢Bullying related to special educational needs. †¢Bullying related to appearance or health conditions. †¢Bullying related to sexual orientation. †¢Bullying of young carers or looked after children or otherwise related to home circumstances. †¢Sexist or sexual bullying. †¢Cyber bullying.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Humanities Today †Define humanities and give current examples Essay

The Encyclopedia Britannica (2006) defines the humanities as â€Å"Branches of knowledge that investigate human beings, their culture, and their self-expression. † (Humanities). Those branches of knowledge include philosophy, literature, languages, the arts, religion and history. The humanities examine the human condition by studying the elements of culture that describe what is or was valued and considered important at a particular point in time. 15th century Italian humanists referred to the humanities as studia humanitas which means the studies of humanity, indicating â€Å"secular literary and scholarly activities (in grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, moral philosophy, and ancient Greek and Latin studies)† that that they thought to be more humane and classical rather than divine (Humanities, 2006). In contrast, the physical sciences tend to examine the world and its phenomena objectively, without reference to or consideration of human meaning and purpose, a key aspect of the humanities. Scholars further argue that the humanities are distinguished from other modes of study by either their subject mater and by the method of investigation used. One philosopher called the humanities â€Å"the spiritual sciences† and â€Å"the human sciences† (Humanities, 2006). He described them as â€Å"areas of knowledge† outside of the physical sciences. On the other hand, another turn-of-the-century philosopher instead characterized the humanities according to their method of study. He argued that the humanities do not seek or follow general laws, as the sciences do; and that they focus on values within human and cultural contexts, which is directly contrary to scientific methodologies. As described above, the humanities seek to understand the values of a people and their perceptions based on their direct expression through the arts, their language, and philosophies. Science is motivated by the desire to understand natural phenomena and dependent on empirical observation (Talk: Humanities, 2006). The 21st century brings a variety of social, economic, and technological changes. Following is a demonstration of the humanities in the 21st century through the examination of its art, music, architecture, philosophy, and literature. Art Is modern art in crisis? A new philosophical criticism emerged in the person of American critic Arthur Danto, who came out with the idea that â€Å"the objects [of art] approach zero as their theory approaches infinity†Ã¢â‚¬â€œthat is, â€Å"art really is over, having become transmuted into philosophy† (Art Criticism, 2006). In his book The End of Art, author Donald Kuspit (2005) suggests that, â€Å"Art has been replaced by postart, [†¦ ] as a new visual category that elevates the banal over the enigmatic, the scatological over the sacred, cleverness over creativity. † Contemporary art, or art that is done now, is largely characterized by its indefinability. It tends to include art made from the late 1960s to the present, or after the supposed or putative end of modern art or the Modernist period (Contemporary Art, 2006). Today’s art, like most of the humanities, has been transformed by technological, economical, and sociological advancements. It may or may not use traditional forms such as painting or drawing, and often includes the use of any variety of materials, video, or even performance as a part of it. One trend seems to be a focus on world issues such as cloning, the price of oil, gender and sexuality, human rights, and war. A representative example is one of the most talked-about sales in the contemporary market. Maurizio Cattelan’s The Ballad of Trotsky (1996), a stuffed horse hanging in a leather sling from the ceiling, sold for $2,080,000 in 2005 (Art and Exhibitions, 2006). Music Contemporary music has also been greatly influenced by 21st century globalism. It has seen a development and acceptance of world music, or music that features or originates in a different culture. American artists such as Paul Simon and Sting featured musicians and singers from other countries and went on to win Grammy’s and American Music Awards. Simon’s Grammy Award-winning album Graceland (1986) featured black South African Musicians who controversially recorded and toured with him despite a widespread trade boycott of South Africa, selling more than five million copies since its release (World Music, 2006). Sting featured Farhat Bouallagui on his Brand New Day aIbum and Vicente Amigo and Anoushka Shankar on his Scared Love album. In the wake of their success, record stores became more willing to stock music of their kind. Architecture Critics have described one trend in 21st century architecture as â€Å"deconstructivist architecture†. In popular usage, the term has come to mean a critical dismantling of tradition and traditional modes of thought (Deconstruction, 2006). Technology has played a significant role in the development of deconstuctivist architectural methodologies. Architects such as Frank Gehry, who designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain used computer modeling to develop its angular, anthropomorphic exterior. Made mostly of titanium, the museum was designed to represent the industrial heritage of the city’s past. The museum was an international success and helped put Bilbao on the world’s cultural map. Philosophy – A notable philosophy of the 21st century is that of the democratic community. Community in this case is defined globally. Philosophers such as American John Dewey believed in social planning, in conscious intelligent intervention to produce desirable social change; and he proposed a new â€Å"guide to enlightened public action to promote the aims of a democratic community† (Philosophy, 2006). Dewey’s writings and teachings have brought modern society to a place where it considers that it is only as strong as its individual members and their willingness to work together to evolve and to meet the challenges facing it. Technological advancements in travel and communication alone have created a new world where anyone can send anything just about anywhere in a matter of minutes, days, or hours – including explosives and disease. In addition to diseases like HIV and the Bird Flu, this world community is faced with issues of severe weather such as killer tsunamis and hurricanes, and world terrorism. Modern philosophies like that of Dewey support the more pragmatic view and approach to solutions to societal issues of this type as the only way to successfully meet them is as a community. Literature Like many of the arts in contemporary society, literature is plagued by commercialism and by the desire for a quick paycheck. Contemporary literature features a great deal of writings about true events – the more sensational and graphic the better. In addition, it features a trend in crime study and investigation, beyond that of the mystery and private eye novels of the past. Today’s novels get into the science and methodology of solving violent crimes. Authors like James Patterson, Sue Grafton and John Grisham have enjoyed great popularity. Their success can be attributed to many things. The content and subject matter of these authors’ works feeds society’s desensitization to extreme violence and its increasing demand for subject matter that is more violent and more shocking in order to be more compelling. Further, several of these authors’ stories have been made into movies. The humanities are distinguished by their examination of the aspects of culture and the human condition through the eyes of the humans who experience and create them. The approach to their study differs from that of others areas of study, as does their focus on the reflection on human meaning and purpose. 21st century humanities continue to reinforce the idea that current culture and the human condition is reflected in them, no matter what century. References: Art Criticism. (2006). In Encyclop? dia Britannica. Retrieved June 4, 2006, from Encyclop? dia Britannica Premium Service: http://www. britannica. com/eb/article-236417 Art and Art Exhibitions. (2006). In Encyclop? dia Britannica. Retrieved June 4, 2006, from Encyclop? dia Britannica Premium Service: http://www. britannica. com/eb/article-234830 Contemporary Art. (2006). Retrieved June 3, 2006 from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Contemporary_art Deconstruction. (2006). In Encyclop? dia Britannica. Retrieved June 4, 2006, from Encyclop? dia Britannica Premium Service: http://www. britannica. com/eb/article-9029711 Humanities. (2006). In Encyclop? dia Britannica. Retrieved June 3, 2006, from Encyclop? dia Britannica Premium Service: http://www. britannica. com/eb/article-9041479 Kuspit, D. (2005). The End of Art. Cambridge University Press. Marcel Duchamp. (2006). Retrived June 3, 2006 from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Marcel_Duchamp Philosophy, History of. (2006). In Encyclop? dia Britannica. Retrieved June 4, 2006, from Encyclop? dia Britannica Premium Service: http://www. britannica. com/eb/article-8876 Talk: Humanities, (2006). Retrieved June 4, 2006 from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Talk:Humanities World Music. (2006). In Encyclop? dia Britannica. Retrieved June 4, 2006, from Encyclop? dia Britannica Premium Service: http://www. britannica. com/eb/article-93180.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Australian TOT(Terms of trade) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Australian TOT(Terms of trade) - Essay Example On the other hand, a TOT value greater than 100% implies that the country is accumulating capital or more money is coming into the country from the exports. If the TOT of a country improves (rise above 100), it means that for each export unit sold it can be able to buy more units of the imported goods. Therefore, a rise or increase in the TOT creates a benefit in terms of the number of goods required to be exported in order to purchase a particular amount of imports. Improving TOT can also contain a valuable effect on the domestic cost-push inflation because an improvement shows falling import prices relative to the prices of exports. However, a country can undergo suffering in terms of the falling export volumes and a deterioration payments balance. Contrary to the indications of an increasing TOT, a deteriorating TOT (decreasing below 100) shows that a country needs to export increased amount of goods in order to buy a particular quantity of imports.1 Australian TOT Between the yea r 1998- 1999 and the year 2008 to 2009, the TOT of Australia have undergone or went through an unprecedented rice of 75% indicating the alterations in both the composition and prices of traded services and goods. The prices of exports grew by 86% whereas that of imports grew by 9%. The increase or rise in the prices of exports was driven by the rise in metal ores and coal while the decrease in prices of most manufactured goods assisted in keeping the import prices down.2 In the year 2011, the TOT peaked rising to a level of 105% above the preciously prevailing values from the year 2002. This particular boom in TOT was attributed largely to the staggering high prices that the foreign buyers were paying for commodities such as iron, gas, and coal. Holding down of the import prices by the recorded high Australian dollar also boosted the TOT. In the month of December 2011 to march 2012 a decline of 9.8% was reported in the TOT. From this time, a free fall has been there in the Australia n TOT a situation that economists argue is beginning to get serious. The data available for the period of June quarter on the Australian dollar and the prices of commodities suggests that the TOT decreased by another 7% bringing the total TOT decline in three consecutive quarters to approximately 16%. The TOT absolute level is still high on any particular long run assessment but the decline does not suggest that the country is at the low point of the cycle. The fall in the TOT presents a huge downside risk to the economy of Australia.3 The TOT and the TWER (trade weighted exchange rate), for the actual year 1998 to 2012 and also the indicative for the year 2012 to 2017 are displayed in the figure below. Sources: the exchange rate was retrieved from the Statistical Bulletin of the Reserve Bank of Australia while the TOT (terms of trade) was retrieved from the ABS Table 1 Cat. no. 5206.0 The Mundell-Fleming model is regarded as an open economy IS-LM version with inclusion of capital f lows as a vital constituent of the model. The model is developed for the assessment of macroeconomic policy in a little open economy regarded as a price taker in import and export markets. The economy of Australia is definitely a small and open economy thus the application of this model to analyse the macroeconomic policy. In the last decade the imports and exports of services and goods of Australia were averaged at 37.3% of the GDP. The ISLM – BP model requires the capital mobility in order for the capital flows role to be activated. From the year 1980s both the capital outflows and inflows have

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

In the light of the challenges facing global business today, all Essay

In the light of the challenges facing global business today, all companies listed on stock exchanges should adopt the UN Global - Essay Example This paper argues that â€Å"in the light of the challenges facing global business today, all companies listed on stock exchanges should adopt the UN Global Compact on responsible management† Globalization conveys people, culture, societies together and necessity and chances for cooperation enabling more prosperity and complex understanding to boost. Accountable businesses that establish proactive corporate practices and policies involving those valued by human rights, upon ensuring decent and safe working environments protection and excellent corporate governance contribute largely towards achieving social, economic and environmental goals. They also assist in making of markets more maintainable, inclusive and stable. Forming practices and rules which boost business responsibilities may also contribute towards business competitiveness. Enforcement and adoption of regulations and laws lies with the governments thus, business guided efforts can only be maintained and scaled whe n rules of law, public institutions, predictable regulatory and transparent efforts maintain the accountable business exercises. Much more, the collaborative multi-stakeholder enhancements amidst business, institutions, labor organizations and civil society give chances to boost promote innovation and extensive sustainable progression in manners capable to extend what businesses and governments produce on their own (Creaton, 2007). There are some ways in which Governments may sustain accountable business exercises. These are: Forming enabling conditions where governments may allocate crucial conditions for corporate accountability matters for dialogue and progression. This could also involve guiding by example like by articulation maintaining for corporate accountability principles and guidelines. Raising consciousness as the governments may dynamically draw attention to usual matters, benefits and aspects of corporate responsibility and enable for public debates. On promotion gover nments may come with best practices like giving of awards likewise to endorsement or invite wider community and invite businesses support for voluntary corporate accountability activities, programs and initiatives such as UN Global Compact. Tools progression ensure recognizing that business sectors can at times require requirement facilitation or guidance help as governments could help the progression of corporate accountability guidelines, programs and realization of particular designed which encourages entrepreneurism and corporate accountability amongst the medium and small sized enterprises areas. Funding where the governments have resources and may directly add to resources to assist voluntary initiative to exploit their effects. UN Global Compact renewed the multi-stakeholder obligations, widening of business establishment, boosting of financial market incentives, added governmental maintenance and extending of wider UN-premises agenda. All the points lies with the decision th at business workings in pragmatic and principled

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

The debasement of the coinage Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The debasement of the coinage - Research Paper Example Coins have been used as collectors’ items and mediums of expression, but largely used as currency since historical times. Historical minting techniques are still being used, though nowadays people leverage on technology for efficiency. Precious metals and mints require techniques used to ensure that the value of the constituent precious metal does not exceed the face value of the coin. Understanding these techniques plays a critical role in understanding inflation control. Introduction The use of precious metals as a medium of exchange is said to have began in Egypt, though this took the form of rings, wafers and bars.According to Vincent Lannoye, Lydia, nowadays referred to as Turkey, was the first smelter of small ingots having a royal seal to certify legality and weight (19). Rulers quickly integrated these micro-ingots into their economies. The Lydian people accepted payments in electrum metal, which is an alloy of gold and natural silver. These micro-ingots developed into coins that were minted by masculine men who could strike blank discs to leave engravings that certified the origin of the coins. Through the centuries, coin making, referred to as coinage, improved fast. More regular coins became available through the replacement of the bank discs with regular laminated metal plates. Later, quasi-uniform coins came into existence with the replacement of the hammer with the screw-press and furthered the adoption of the rolling-press, which was rotated by horse power. Minting Minting of coins has been a precise and well-guarded function of selected mints commissioned and governed by respective authorities in various countries. From the outset, the minting procedure involved producing precise blanks with defined weights and composition and producing coin-striking tools. Principally, these requirements still hold from historical times, as observed by the Marshall Cavendish Corporation, only that the methods have been improving with technical progress a nd industrialization (507). Historically, the Lydian people poured the molten electrum into suitable forms, starting from simple moulds to more complicated ones. In the 16th Century, the thickness of metal sheets was reduced through hammering with the blanks cut out using shears, then filed and hammered to the desired thickness and weight. The period about 1550 saw a German silversmith, known as Marx Schwab, invent screw pressing. This involved two heavy iron screws pressing the coin metal so as to achieve the desired thickness. Roller-mills facilitated the production of uniform metal strips from which metal punches cut the blanks (Christopher Howgego 76). The mechanized form of this technique still finds application in modern coin minting. The Industrial Age discovery since 1830 allowed hundreds of circulation coins to be produced in a minute, with modern mechanical mints adopting even faster speeds. Therefore, the United States Mint, the manufacturer and distributor of American co ins, has its modern process borrowed from this history. The mint punches blanks from coiled metal strips, referred to as blanking. This would then be softened through heating in an annealing furnace, and then taken through a washer and dryer. The blanks then pass through an upsetting mill onto a coining press that stamps the inscriptions and designs to guarantee genuineness. The resultant coins would then be inspected for quality, counted and bagged. Governments have throughout the history supplied more coins than would be possible if the coins were made of pure precious metals. Normally, some portion of the precious metal used to make the coin would be replaced by a base metal. Howgego states that copper and nickel are some of the commonly used base metals (43). This in turn reduces the intrinsic value of the coin, referred to as â€Å"debasing.† This way, authorities produce a lot more coins that it would have been otherwise possible. C. E. Challis observes that the coins i n circulation could have fiat values lower than the

Monday, August 26, 2019

Essay 3 and Module 8 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

3 and Module 8 - Essay Example ccording to Aristotle, "Tragedy, then, is an imitation of a noble and complete action, having the proper magnitude; it employs language that has been artistically enhanced . . . ; it is presented in dramatic, not narrative form, and achieves, through the representation of pitiable and fearful incidents, the catharsis of such incidents" (Aristotle 11). With this definition, Aristotle in none of the way implies an unfortunate or a deadly conclusion to a certain drama. I think it is the perspective with which the audience looks at it, rather than the end itself. Taking the example of Oedipus the King, the king, hero himself faces a death, but this is viewed positively as an end to a suffered life; A happy ending to an unhappy life. One characteristic common to the times of the tragedies of Aristotle was its depiction to the lives of the highly placed kings and queens, or the kingly of that time. But Arthur Miller believed that tragedy and drama is apt for the common man too; since a common man is similarly involved in emotional situations as these royals. A commoner traverses through the same mental and developmental process as these richly. According to Arthur Miller, tragedy is all the drama an individual engages in for securing his personal dignity, which might require lying down in life. But, for his position as an individual should be rightly accepted by the society. This is not so simple; all this unrolls from a sequence of events, which are entwined in wounds caused by indignation. This tragedy in unfolded from the individual, who is characterized as a hero. This hero in his way of living is not a flawless and neither a perfect character, nor he is designed to portray pure weakness. This weakness is depicted to build around a story, where the hero plays a passive character to maintain his image and safeguard his dignity. For Aristotle, the rank and the nobility of the tragic character was of utmost importance, for him tragedy represented actions of person

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Explain agency law and its significance in the business environment Essay - 1

Explain agency law and its significance in the business environment - Essay Example â€Å"The principal will therefore be liable not only for the acts of his agent that falls within the scope of actual authority but also the agents’ ostensible authority† (Liability in Agency Relationships). In the performance of their duty, agents have a duty to act with due diligence and skill, for instance if an agent is employed to sell, he has a duty to obtain the best price that is reasonably obtainable. It is then that the principal is liable for the acts of agents. A principal is liable depending on whether the agent discloses him in the contract or not. The case above can therefore be dealt with best by analyzing these different scenarios. In this scenario, the agent incurs neither liability nor rights under the contract. Lord Denning MR in Phonogram Ltd v Lane stated, â€Å"The general principle is, of course, that a person who makes a contract ostensibly as an agent cannot afterwards sue or be sued upon it† (Baker, 2006). In this regard, the third party is aware that the agent is acting on behalf of someone but that person is unknown to him. This is evident in Felipe’s case above, where Felipe knew that Delilah was acting on behalf of someone but not known to him. The third party may sue either the principal or the agent; this is known as the principal of election. The third party my on the alternative sue both the principal and agent, this is called a merge. In this case, the third party is totally unaware of the principal-agent relationship. The principal in this case can intervene and claim under the contract. In doing so, he renders himself liable to third parties. Third party having discovered this may elect or merge both the principal and agent. â€Å"An agent cannot bind the principal where the person with whom the agent contracts know that the agent is engaged in self-dealing or has adverse interest† (Miller, 2011). This is the case with Giorgio in the case in question who did

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Picasso's Works at Metropolitan Museum of Art Essay

Picasso's Works at Metropolitan Museum of Art - Essay Example The essay "Picasso's Works at Metropolitan Museum of Art" explores the famous museum and analyze Pablo Picasso's artworks. Spanish-born artist Pablo Picasso is One of the undisputed masters of modern art. His initial Blue Period of 1901-04 is marked by the monochromatic focus on that particular color and subject-matters defined by ‘a particular cast of characters: lonely, suffering, poverty-stricken outcasts from society’. This morphed into the brightened tones of the Rose Period lasting two years, which featured the first appearance of circus performers in his paintings. Yet a transitory revolution was on its way, sparked by his association with Braque, whom he met upon moving to Paris. By 1910, Analytical Cubism was erupting, defined by the pictorial deconstruction of an object to produce a conceptual (as oppose to perceptual) image of an object. After two more years came Synthetic Cubism, with its revolutionary collages. After World War I Picasso broke with Braque and began moving towards Surrealism. The significance of this cannot be underestimated, as ‘the Surrealist movement moved Picasso in a direction including new imagery and vocabulary for emotional expression, and he incorporate violence, psychic fears, and eroticism in his works’. This is the period of the painting hung before me at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1934’s Girl Reading at a Table. Color is my first impression—the warmth of the red, orange and yellow against a black background with hints of blue and green. A woman with white skin and hair and an elaborate green garland around her head is reading at a tall and simple table. One feather-esque hand touches her face while the other secures the book that so thoroughly captures her attention. Her fair skin features slight echoes of pink on her cheeks and neck, and her head is at such an angle that her pale hair falls before her eyes. Also on the desk is an amorphic yellow lamp and a tall and curving po tted plant in a brown container rises from the ground. This still thriving plant and the wreath adorning her hair bring a form of nature inside this space. Although the contents of the room are compressed within the frame of the painting, there is no awkwardness in the composition. The straight table legs are wonderfully offset by the gorgeously flowing lines of the red and orange dress as well as the plant and the yellow light flowing from the small lamp that brightens the dark night scene. Yet there is something young about this woman at the oversized reading table, and that is

Friday, August 23, 2019

Apple Inc. Analysis Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Apple Inc. Analysis - Case Study Example employs to run its shows in the electronic consumer market (Thompson, Strickland & Gamble, 2011). Also, the paper will determine the various strategic elements of Apple’s competitive and product differentiation in the market place. Further, the paper will examine the competitive strength and thereby provide indications as to why Apple Inc. is a stable competitor. Moreover, the paper will assess the financial performance of Apple Inc. and provide recommendations aimed at strengthening Apple’s market position going forward. Elements of Competitive Strategy As a major developer, Apple Inc. develops, manufactures and markets personal computers and the supporting and/or related products. These product packages are directed basically to business entities and their owners, creative industry and the general consumer markets (Marino, Hattaway & Jackson, 2011). In addition, Apple Inc also provides the consumers of electronic products with the supporting utility languages, operati ng systems, the necessary developer tools and the needful software databases. Therefore, according to Lashinsky (2009), Apple Inc. is the only company that designs and owns the whole widget comprising of the hardware components, software components and the driving operating system components, which in togetherness serve the varied needs of their customers accordingly (Lashinsky, 2009). In the forefront to motivate Apple Inc. is the able hand and mind of the top notch executives in the overall realm of electronic product consumption market, which form the nucleus of the executive officer’s brain trust and thereby drive the operational excellence that is needed in order to sustain the growing number of the loyal customer base that the company currently prides of (Lashinksy, 2009). Additionally, Apple Inc. has a broad wealth of software and engineering skills that enables the company to develop evolving elements as per the demands of the market as well as the global influence of the products that it specializes in (Marino, Hattaway & Jackson, 2011). In order for any consumer to fully consume and enjoy the use of products in the personal computers in specific and the electronic market products in general, he/she must be able to access the three distinctive product components that Apple Inc. has prioritized; software, hardware and the operating systems. Therefore, it is evident that the various elements of Apple’s competitive strategy work in togetherness to maximize the value that the consumer accrues. This implies that the company’s product element pieces purposefully fit together to provide the necessary millage in terms of competitive capability in the market. Further, the fact the Apple has initiated and executive strategic decisions to sign agreements with other major players in the market enables it to fully exploit the generic strategic form provisions and thus develop products that the consumers consider highly innovative since they pr ovide advancements and/or complements the other products in the market (Marino, Hattaway & Jackson, 2011). Elements of Apples product strategy Personal computers Apple Inc. designed and distributed personal computer product line that enabled it to assemble the various product components together to enable the compatibility with the peripheral

Aids Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Aids - Essay Example Sharing the information often comes with more advantages than keeping quiet about it since it helps the partners to decide about the future of their relationships and the additional safety measures they should adopt. One major shortcoming that comes with telling a partner about one’s HIV status is that there is increased risk that the relationship may enter a rocky face as a result of mistrust, embarrassment or shock towards such revelation. Reactions towards such disclosures vary, but the fact the partners have always utilized protection means that the risk of such infections being transmitted is minimal. Disclosure of one’s HIV/AIDS status may be tough, but it can help minimize the stress that comes along with living with such infections as well as improve the overall health of the infected person. As much as it is a personal choice, there are laws in some countries that require one to share such information with specific people (AIDS, 2014). Sharing ones HIV status may go as far as preventing possible prosecution in case an individual knowingly puts his partner at risk of getting infected. Knowing about the status and sharing the information while time utilizing it, is more adva ntageous than not telling at all. This is because it gives the partners a chance to tolerate and accept each as well as lead a healthy life where the risk of the uninfected partner contracting the disease from the uninfected partner is completely eliminated (Aidsmap,

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Low Voter Turnout Essay Example for Free

Low Voter Turnout Essay SUMMARY OF ARTICLE: The article was written in 1992, basically saying that the fight over ideologies was done, cold war was over, and we were ending the 20th century with America on top. Compare that to today, we compete with China, and Washington fights over ideologies are the greatest they’ve ever been. It’s beneficial for our country when some people don’t vote because it is important for a candidate to be properly chosen rather than many people voting just to vote. Many people are not properly educated throughout the political competition. For example, many young adults get their information from the media such as television or radio. Therefore, not many follow the political views of each and every candidate. MAIN POINT OF ARTICLE: Charles Krauthammer’s main point is that there is not an issue with some people not voting. The low voter turnout is beneficial for our government. UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUE: IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH VOTER TURNOUT? There is not a problem with low voter turnout because that would signify that educated people voted. It is better for the people who don’t care about politics not to vote because if they would vote there is a chance they could jeopardize the outcome. There is no point in voting if they did not take the time to learn about or care about the issues in the society. For example, let’s say that people are voting whether or not guns should be illegal. If most people who are serious about politics voted that guns should be illegal and let’s say the other people who don’t take it seriously voted that guns should not be illegal, then there would be a big problem. WHAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT SUCH A PROBLEM? There could be more education in schools for younger adults in college and high school about politics. More specifically, candidates can approach young age groups at schools and talk about the important issues going on around t hem. HOW DO OTHER COUNTRIES APPROACH THIS PROBLEM? Political instability causes higher voter turnout in other countries.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Microsoft Versus Apple Compare And Contrast Computer Science Essay

Microsoft Versus Apple Compare And Contrast Computer Science Essay Business strategy is a direction, vision and objectives in terms of projects, in order to configure the total recourses that invest into the projects base on the markets needs and challenging of other competitors. After all, a scorecard will be use to evaluate the overall performance and the next step can be draw out base on the evaluation. The evaluation is about the suitability, feasibility and finally acceptability. Different company may have same or different policies on a same situation depends which way they comfort with. In this paper, Microsoft and Apple business strategy will be compare and contrast. Innovation is a radical or revolutionary change on doing an ordinary thing and makes it think out of the box. The process include from invention to application. Innovation can be value added if the invention is successful since the revenue and the stock market price of certain company will be increase significantly due to the uniqueness of the products. But the innovation also bare the risk of lost, this in because in the RD process, a lot capital been invested and may not produce the return so fast or even not at all if the innovation is failed. This paper include how innovative Apple and Microsoft is and how the technology invented by them help to push the world into the next level. 1.2 Purposes/ Objectives The first objective of this paper is to study about the business strategy between the Microsoft and Apple. The second is to study about the innovation of both company and their contributions to the technology world. As an engineer, one must be able to catch up the technology trends, make their own judgment about the incident and be innovative enough to foresee the future of the technology world. By studying history of companies, one can learn how others success and the lessons from others fails. 1.3 Scope The sample population of our research was 100 students from Multimedia University Cyberjaya. These 100 students were come from different faculty which included students from Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Information Technology, Faculty of Management, Faculty of Creative Multimedia and last but not least FOSEE. 1.4 Methods Sources Two methods are used to complete this research. The primary data are collected through the questionnaire and the online researches. A thorough comparison and categorization will be performed in the second phase research. The second phase research result will be used to provide sufficient empirical evidence and to ground truth our findings from the preliminary research. The questionnaire is as per attached in the appendices. 2.0 Literature Review Apple Background Apple Inc. is a multinational corporation which based in Cupertino, California. Apple was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak in 1st of April 1976. By Apple to shifted itself from the computer industry to the information technology industry the coverage of business become wider, it includes computers and mobile hardware (desktop and laptop personal computers, servers, iPhone, iPod), software (Mac OS X, iLife, iWork suits) and further to the online services (Mobile me services). For more than 34 years, Apple experienced from the rise to the golden age then fall back to serious lose and climb back to the current worlds leading technology company status. For the Apple community the most important, most powerful person ever is the current CEO which is the co founder Steve Jobs. He founded the company in 1976 and get fired by the CEO that hired by him in 1985, then he back on 1997 after the acquisition of NeXT Computer which is the new company that founded by Steve been layoff by Apple. In 1997 after Steve become the interim CEO of Apple, Michael Dell founder of Dell Computers said that What would I do? I would shut the company down and then give back the money to the shareholders, in front of the crowd of several thousand IT executives.[1] After more than ten years which is now, Apple worth more than 4 times of the Dells market value.[2][3] It is not difficult to spot whether Steve Jobs in Apple campus, just look for the handicapped space in front of the Apple campus entrance. Because it is usually for him to park at there and sometime occupied both handicapped car lot. If describe the Apple as big ship, the Steve will be an erratic and temperamental captain. But this captain is capable to foresee and fulfill what the end users wishes and setting the trend in innovation and style. Moreover, Steve Jobs been award as most valuable CEO by Barrons, The Wall Street Journal and CEO of the Decade by Fortune magazine.[4][5] Microsoft Background Microsoft Corporation is a multinational computer technology corporation that develops wide range of software products, gamming hardware products, online services etc. But Microsoft main business and most profitable products are selling the software products such as operating system, office suits. In 1975, Microsoft was founded by two founders which is Bill Gates and Paul Allen, and for now headquarter is locate at Washington. Microsoft was developed and sold the Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (BASIC) interpreters for the Altair 8800 computer when it was founded. Then continue with The AppleSoft Complier (TASC) which compiles the BASIC written program to Apple machine language. By award the contract by IBM to Microsoft for the operating system in IBM upcoming PC, it yields the first real success for Microsoft is by delivering the Disc Operating System (DOS). Then Microsoft continues to release the new operating system which named as Windows operating system that equi pped with the graphical user interface (GUI). From Windows 1.0 to the latest Windows 7 or Windows server 2008, Microsoft rose of small player to the giant in the software industry. Microsoft provides wide range of software to support the hardware products. Before January 2000 the chief operating officer for Microsoft is Bill Gates, but after Bill Gates stepped down and become the non executive chairman, he gradually transfer his duties to Steve Ballmer, an executive that joined Microsoft on 1980. Beside the operating system Microsoft also create the business software, gaming hardware such as XBOX, gamming software such as Flight Simulator 2000 and other popular games for both PC and XBOX. Microsoft also participates in the search engine, BING and provides other online services such as Windows Live. To compete with iPod, Microsoft released their own portable media player named as Zune which offer more choices to consumers. 3.0 Methods, Materials Process 3.1 Participants Our entire research is based on the students from MMU Cyberjaya. The objective of survey is to collect opinion of students in MMU Cyberjaya toward business strategy and innovation of Microsoft and Apple. As such, our main criteria lie on the Faculty of Engineering (FOE), Faculty of Information Technology (FIT), Faculty of Management (FOM), Centre For Foundation Studies and Extension Education (FOSEE) and Faculty of Creative Multimedia (FCM). All of the students from the research sample are chosen randomly regardless of their age and sex. We targeted a research sample of 100 students. 3.2 Materials We started our research by using the questionnaire. The questionnaire fundamentally consists of close ended and open ended questions. Each of the questions is specially designed in correspondence with the objective of the research, which is to determine the image of both the company in students mind. The questionnaire is attached on Appendix A. 3.3 Process There are 5 members in our group. The different tasks on the questionnaire design and distributions have been divided evenly among the group members. Our research samples are the 100 students from every faculty. Our friends from every faculty assist us in distributing the questionnaire. Besides that, we also perform the online survey and send the link through social network such as msn, email or facebook. Every question may require more than one answer, which are the answers that come to their mind. 4.0 Survey Results: Which company does you heard before? In the statistic, it shows that all heard about both companies before. Which product from Microsoft that you have used before? As show in bar chart above, Windows and Office suite dominates the market, as the Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player bundle with the Windows operating system, so both of it also have 100% of usage. Windows Mobile is just for the one who own the smart phone that use Windows Mobile as operating system which as low as 40%. The less among all is Microsoft hardware, which includes keyboard, mouse, webcam etc. Which product you think represents Microsoft the most? Pie chart above shows that when people talk about Microsoft, the image or product that relate to the company is Windows. Which product from Apple that you have used before? Most of the people have used iPod and iPhone before compare to the other Apple products. This is because of the pricy of the Mac computers even the entry level product compare to other others. Which product you think represents Apple the most? Pie chart above shows that when people talk about Apple, the image or product that relate to the company is mostly iPhone and iPod. Which company do you think is more innovative? Peoples think that Apple is more innovative compare to Microsoft maybe due to the image that Apple keep refresh its products line and keep introduce new products. Which company image is more mysterious or secretive? From statistic, Apple image is more secretive compare to Microsoft. This is probably due to Apple wont announce current or ongoing projects compare to Microsoft makes public about what its current ongoing. Which sector do you think Microsoft monopoly? Microsoft monopoly the software market in the PC industry due to its operating system can operate in any hardware combinations. Which sector do you think Apple monopoly? Apple monopoly in digital music sector and mobile sector, many iPod and iPhone can be found easily on the street as the handheld device of many users. Usually where you get the information or news for the products? Compare both of the pie chart above, most of the people get the information of Microsoft from email promotions and social media, but for Apple, Email promotions and social media tactics less likely to be use with. 5.0 Discussions: 5.1 Compare and Contrast of Business Strategies 5.1.1 Secrecy As show in graph above the different between Apple and Microsoft business strategy is its secrecy level. Nowadays the social networking platforms such as blog, facebook, twitter, etc are very famous around the world. There are companies that use these platforms to communicate with their fans, potential customers, costumers, sharing about the new business strategy, new technology, new upcoming products or get the direct respond from the public. Such as Microsoft, there are different official blog for different department, such as IEBlog or Server Team Blog. But there is also the official Microsoft Blog for the executives or employees to deliver the news and the perspective from Microsoft. Besides that, the Microsoft team uses their blog to respond to the current related topics or what happenings in the industrial, such as Microsoft Cooperate Vice President reply the criticism of the former employee by the title Measuring Our Work by Its Broad Impact through the blog. [6] But this kind of the culture is banned in Apple. In Apple, no employees are allowed to share to public any tidbits about what are they currently doing. There are also no official blog for Apple. The only Apple have is their official website to provides the details to the public. Moreover, Apple has been known to spread wrong information to their workers. According to a former employee mention that Philip Schiller, senior vice president for worldwide product marketing, provided incorrect information about a products price or features about new products in internal meetings. By using the incorrect details, Apple then tries to track down the source of leak. For those employee that leak or accidently leak the information, they will be fired. [7] Even Apple employees have no idea what are they currently working at. They just finish the task that assigned. The engineers that deal with the hardware part and the software part are separate in different buildings in order to prevent for them to know what is the whole project was. So for Apple employees they are as surprised as public about the new product launch or products update. Basically Apple secrecy reaches paranoia. A former Apple marketing manager describe as below Employees working on top-secret projects must pass through a maze of security doors, swiping their badges again and again and finally entering a numeric code to reach their offices, according to one former employee who worked in such areas. Work spaces are typically monitored by security cameras, this employee said. Some Apple workers in the most critical product-testing rooms must cover up devices with black cloaks when they are working on them, and turn on a red warning light when devices are unmasked so that everyone knows to be extra-careful. [7] Beside the unannounced new products, this rule also applies for the announced. Such as for new iPad that just launch and will be available in Apple Store on 3rd of April, but even few days before launch, Apple Store employees form concierge to manager havent seen it yet. The most interesting part is the geniuses that in charge of the problems solving and fixing dont know how to solve and fix the potential problems yet.[8] Why secrecy is so important in Apple business strategy? It is because this approach has been critical to success, it will allowing Apple to attack the market share of other companies before for their competitors conscious about it. Usually if Steve found that if there are some breakage or potential products in the sectors, they will find the possibilities to connect it or create it out. Such as iPhone, it takes more than three years for Apple to figuring out how to product it should be, so that was three years ahead of their rivals. So when their rivals try to create some product to fight back, maybe Apple has brought their existing product into another level. This make Apple in lead of the sectors and their rivals keep catching up at behind. Since Apple image is about the secrecy, before any events that held by Apple, there are sure many rumors going on the tech website or media. But there sure will have leaks about the new product information. A former Apple manager describe that these sorts of leaks are handed down from senior Apple executives to the employees to contact major news or website outlets. The communication is always done in person or on the phone and never by e-mail. This is because if theres ever any dispute about what transpired, theres no physical evidence to prove the false of either partys version of the story.[9] So it is all about the business or marketing tactics. By control leaks, Apple will know who the public will respond to their new products and it is a free method to survey and free method to advertise the potential new products. All of the rumors or lawsuits that are related to Apple company well shown in their stock (AAPL) that listed on Nasdaq. The stock price will go higher before there are any events and if the new product release meets the public expectation the stock price will be rise again or remain same. But if out of expectation, the price will be drop. So as the lawsuits, by winning the lawsuit will help to push up the stock. 5.1.2 Open door versus closed door The second strategy related to secrecy is about the open door versus closed door. Since the day Microsoft collaborate with IBM when IBM approach Microsoft for needing the operating system for their new to-be-announced PC. The personal computer (PC) that creates by the IBM is open architecture, which means that peripheral components and compatible software can be produce and sell by other manufacturers without purchasing licenses. Soon there comes other manufactures to reverse engineered the PC which so call the IBM PC compatible. As the success of the IBM PC lead the PC become the standard in the industry and lead many of the other companies to start to clone it. Due to the popularity of the IBM PC, it helps to push to Microsoft to world because all of the clone will use the Microsoft DOS operating system. After more than 30 years of evolution, nowadays there are full of computer company such as Dell, Asus, Acer, etc which is PC maker and seller. It is not too over to say that each of the PC that they sold come with the pre-install Windows operating system that developed by Microsoft. The statistics showed that more than 90% of the operating system market shares are own by Microsoft.[10] How Microsoft reach so far? The answer is collaboration with the hardware manufactures and with software programmer. Microsoft released the Application Programming Interface (API) inside the operating system for the use of the programmer. Since the PC is very popular and due to the popularity and high demand, so there are a lots of programs which is wrote to be work in Windows operating system. Back to computer manufacture, each PC that preinstall with the Windows operating system must be genuine. The charge for the operating system at the end will be pay by the end users. From there Microsoft get a lo t of income from the licenses. Because of the needed of collaboration with different parties, Microsoft need to release their road map or preview of the new software in advance order to let or encourage or make sure the manufactures to build their offerings around Microsoft new systems. Sure, this will only let Microsoft a stranglehold on the software market. For Apple, it is totally different. Apple hardware is a close architecture, so only Apple proprietary software can match with proprietary hardware. It is totally black box operations. Mac OS X is just for Apple Mac computers, iPhone OS just for Apple iPhone or iPod. Apple have different keyboard layout, different connector for video output. By using iPod or iPhone, the only software that you can sync with is by using iTunes. Unlike Windows mobile operating system or Windows operating system that is designed to work on any participating computer or handset. So there is totally no openness and interoperability in Apple compare to Microsoft. Due to that close looped and high prices, less people which the Mac OS X market share less than 5% and the software that operable on the Mac OS X is quite limited and the driver for peripherals hardware that work with Mac OS X also limited. But on the other hand, because of the ecosystem, Apple can design the combination of hardware and software tha t work well together, this can ensure that whole system is running smoothly and to enhance the user experience which others cant deliver. The advantage for Apple is they only write the software for their own hardware so there are fewer problems, for Microsoft, as they need to support all of the variant hardware then it run on, so there will be more problems to deal with. 5.1.3 How to reach customers The third point is how the both company reach their customers. Usually there are three ways to reach the customers, first is through the official online store, secondly is directly through the concept store and the last and the most important method is through advertisement. The Microsoft online store aka Microsoft Marketplace offers all the latest products from Microsoft and computer or hardware by third party manufactures. It provides all the specifications, minimum requirements, pricing, comparison between products and other details that will be need by the buyers. User can select the products and add into cart then directly pay by credit card to get the products. Unfortunately, Microsoft Marketplace just available to selected countries only which exclude Malaysia. Beside for the software for computer, Microsoft also provides the software for smart phone. For the Windows mobile platform there is a special store or platform for users to view and download the applications, games tha t create by third party developer which name as Windows marketplace for mobile. The virtual store is not enough to interact with users. So why the concept store is so important? It is because there are demands for users to physically experience the stuff, to introduce to the new technology and get the direct help from the professionals. So it leads to opening of the official concept store. For Microsoft, they have total two Microsoft store at United States, both open in 2009. Microsoft store is target to improve the customers retail purchase experience for Microsoft products, provide opinions and help consumers to make decisions with their PC and software purchases. The store provide wide variety of products, it offers both hardware and software that create by Microsoft such as Microsoft windows, Microsoft office, Xbox 360, Zune potable media player etc. It also offers the personal computers that manufactured by third parties manufactures such as HP, IBM, Dell etc. Most of the PC peripherals and accessories can be found in the store too. For both hardware part a nd software part, customers can have a test drive at there about all the new technologies or functions that provide by Microsoft for new software and entertain their self with Xbox 360 or the Zune. There is also a corner named as Answer bar which duty by the Microsoft professional with the meaning of helps to answer and troubleshoot the problems about Microsoft products. Beside the normal customer service, they also provide the after sales service at there. For the faulty Microsoft hardware can be send to there for the repair. Class sessions also provided to introduce to the new users to highlight all the basic and new functions. For Apple, same as Microsoft, they have both the online store and the concept store so call Apple Store. But both the Apple online store and concept store are quite different with the Microsoft. For Microsoft the main idea is for promote and introduce their product to the public and not sales. This is because personal computer can buy from the manufacture and maybe the manufacture provides more promotions or offers. For the software part, most of them are bundle with the new computers. But this is totally different for Apple. For Apple, all the software and hardware are custom by themselves. So they are the only one who provides the service or warranty. All the faulty hardware which cant solve by the authorized distributor is send back to Apple. For Microsoft, they just provide online store for few countries, but for Apple, they provide the online store for most of the country in the world which all the price are display in the local currency. For Apple online store, they provide bot h the hardware and software from themselves and third party too. The special about the Apple online store is they provide the education discount for both the students and lectures. The education prices are lower than market price, so that it can encourage the students or lectures to switch to the Apple ecosystem more affordable. As mention above, Apple website is the only way to get the new information about the Apple. So as the online store, it is the only way to get information about the updates or refresh of the current Apple product lines. When the online store is down, there are only two possibilities, one is for maintenance and another is for product update. Beside the online store, there are other stores such as Apps Store which provide the applications for the ipod touch, iphone and ipad by third parties. Itunes store to sell the music, video, ringtone, drama to both the mac and windows users. For Apple concept store, there are totally 286 stores in worldwide. Inside the store provide all the product range from Apple. In order to run the store effectively and achieve high customers stratifications, all the staff are been well trained for specific tasks. The level of training depends on the post that currently holds. First is store manager that in charge of whole team members, evaluate their performance and manage the profitability. Second is concierge/ specialist, there are quite a numbers of specialist such as Inventory Control, Back of House and Personal Shopping Specialist. For Personal Shopping Specialist they performs assorted customer service tasks, such as conduct product sales and answers enquires about Apple products and their main task is to deliver unique shopping experience to customers . Third is Creative which been well trained to provides training or advice, teach about all Apples software and pro applications to customers. As Apple very focus about the cust omer service and from the statistic of Customer Service Champs 2010 that done from the BusinessWeek magazine, Apple get 3rd rank which is highest among all the computer manufacture. Last but not least, there is also Apple Genius that serves at the Genius Bar to diagnoses and identifies the possible problems, perform repairing, replacement services for the products that under recall or needed and provide technical support to Apple users. To attract the visitors to Apple store, Apple had made many affords. One of it is the architecture and interior design. In a results, numerous architectural awards been award to its store designs, so thats make it Apple Store so unique to each others such as the Apple Store at the 5th Avenue of New York. It is the underground store which its entrance is a big glass cube. The most unique and eyes catching interior design is the glass staircase that leads to the underground store. Beside that the glass staircase was awarded design pattern in 2002.[11] For the advertising part, both companies almost perform same to each other. First is by sending email. This is because it is a most cost effective way. Usually the email will introduce either the new products or the promotion of the current products. By sending the email or newsletter to the subscriber, it can create the awareness of the customers towards the advertisement, help to create loyal customers and serve as a reminder. Through the email newsletters that send, the direct sales can be increase and will lead to increase the income. Nowadays, the usages of the search engines are part of the daily life. Just key the website or information that wishes to look for at the search engine, and you will get the page that require. So advertising through the search engine is the way to do so. Search engine company provide paid search advertising at the top of the all the results when the keywords are matched. This allow interested visitor to browse the details, increase the business revenue and reduce spending limit. For Apple, for the major products such as iPod, iPhone and iPad, or when there are major improvements over old products, they will publish the advertisement video to introduce the features or the uniqueness of the products. Besides that, the most famous Apple advertisement is the Get a Mac, which use to compare between the PC and Mac computer. To compete with the advertisement, Microsoft creates Im PC advertisements which focus on the price of PC which is cheaper over Mac computers. Another strategy which use by Microsoft and later follow by Apple is use the strength of social media. By using social media, the end users or customers will help to spread out the information which is product advertising. The reviews by the professionals or pioneers are post at the Facebook or Youtube to introduce their products. Communicate with the users are important for Microsoft strategy, so they create blogs, discussion groups on forum or social networking website such as Facebook or even Twitter to provide the frequent information updates about new products and use the platform as the brand ambassador to increase to adoption rate of new products. From listening the feedback rather than self defend can help Microsoft to improve and create better products. As discussed above, the suggestions or opinions from users act as a feedback look and make a whole close loop ecosystem. For Apple, there are two official Facebook page, one for iTunes and another for Apps Store. The content include introduce the new apps or song and direct link to the store for further purchasing, which is another way to promote the items. Overall, the social media can be effective tool for marketing, it also allow user to voice their opinions and suggestions and participate in the product development cycle, which result better products for better future. [12] 5.2 Compare and Contrast of Innovations 5.2.1 Apple Innovations According to the survey percent of people thinks that Apple is more innovative. It is a norm where when discuss about innovation, most computer and electronics consumers will focus and chasing for Apple, and that why Forbes Magazine ranked Apple in 1st place for most admired company for innovation. The formula for Apple is keep increase the spending for RD, keep innovate, keep launch the new products or updates and lastly keep the competitors far behind. Apple do innovate quite a number of technologies, but it is surprise that in many cases Apple do help to push the technologies in the mainstream but Apple did not invent the core technologies. Steve jobs said that You cant ask people what they want next, they wont know, they cant tell you what they want next, they just know when they see it and feel that it gonna be right things. First of all is graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI was introduced by Apple in 1984 named as Mac OS pairing with its Apple Lisa computer and changes the computer industry since ever. Before the introduction of GUI to public, all the personal computers were power by dot matrix command line operating system, to execute any command, user need to type in the command and the interaction and it is not user friendly at all. In the truth is the GUI generally credited to Xerox because the idea is get from Xerox when Steve Jobs and other Apple executives visit the Xerox research center in 1979. On the other hand, Apple do help to innovate for GUI, Apple include the drag and drop, double click, menu bar at top of the screen with pull down menu. All the steps follow by Microsoft with release Windows 1.0 in late 1985. [13] With the introduced of GUI in Mac OS, Apple introduced the mouse to be the pointer for its GUI. Apple did not invent the mouse, the mouse was invent by Douglas Engelbart and ship with Xerox workstations in 1981. As a result of population, nowadays all the desktop computer must pair with a keyboard and mouse. [14] The successor for Apple Lisa is Apple Macintosh. It is the first commercially successful all in one personal computer feature with GUI and mouse. All in one computer not the original idea from Apple as older 8 bit computers such as Commodore PET and Kaypro implemented this concept first. [15] After Steve Jobs back in 1997, he announced iMac in 1998 which is all in one computer which brightly colored transparent casing for monitor, keyboard and mouse. This is the 1st computer for Apple to return its profitability after return if Steve. Since then iMac been categorized as mid range price computer and the newest of iMac feature 21.5 and 27 inch LCD screen. As the uniqueness and the all in one pc reduce the space consumption, nowadays other manufacture such as NEC, LENOVO, DELL release their own all in one pc with Windows OS to grab the market share of all in one pc. Another story for introduction of iMac in 1998 is abandoning old technology such as remove the floppy disk drive. The remove of floppy was

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

A L Oreal Case Study Management Essay

A L Oreal Case Study Management Essay Nowadays companies try to be more and more efficient. This concerns not only product quality or production processes but also the quality of the workforce. On that respect, employee management is key in achieving challenging productivity improvement objectives and simply to have the company to perform better. Before talking about the different processes used by companies to train their employees and develop competencies, lets remind ourselves that many constraints have to be taken into account such as local regulations. In France for example there is the DIF, Droit Individuel à   la Formation. Its a law passed in 2004, which allows employees to follow training programs. This to show that the social policy of a state can also affect the training process of employees in a company. In the following paragraph well ignore political aspects and focus on the different processes implemented by LOreal and American Express. LOreal case study Talent management To begin lets take the example of LOreal, the worlds largest cosmetics and beauty company. This company is well-known to employ Good Practices in Training and personal Development. To illustrate our proposal, we refer to an interview of a Latin American talent managing director of LOreal, Judith Ruiz De Esquide. Her role is to take a look at the different teams based in Latin America. She has to have a good knowledge of the employee motivations, skills, strengths or expectations and she has to match these with the external environment both economic and cultural. LOreal uses the Talent Management Directors network for sharing talent, improve processes and promote international mobility of the employees. Each employee is personally monitored: skills, motivation, achievements and even his sensibility to the environment (very important in the world of Beauty) are assessed on a regular basis. To identify potential talent and thus to manage them, Judith spends most of her time with employees in the Latin America operations of LOreal. The career development is a key factor of success according to Judith. She organizes formal meetings several times per year associated to daily and individual follow-up. Talent management is a process which enables the identification of the employees strengths and weaknesses as well. Given the task the employee has to fulfil or will fulfil in the future, a training plan is derived to close the gap with the targeted competencies that have to be acquired by the employee. In a context of globalization, important companies are composed of thousand of employees. Thus talent management becomes an important contributor to the performance of the company. I think a good talent management system can be very effective in raising the motivation level of the employees. If employees are motivated and they feel as good at work as at home, they will work better and harder for the company. Training programs LOreal also use internal training program to boost their employee skills and motivation. These kinds of programs are designed for managers from several countries. To be efficient they are run several times a year and are organized by companies who are specialist in the field, e.g. Rosinski Company. These programs are offered in several languages such as English, French or Italian. We chose to work with Rosinski Company for multiple reasons: we appreciate this excellent team of experienced and diverse Trainers, the business-oriented learning approach, and the consistently positive feedback after the seminars. Yvonne von de Finn Project Manager Learning for development MDC Europe LOreal Like talent management, training programs are useful in many different ways. They help in motivating employees and giving them the opportunity to improve their skills. Particularly when employees are managers like in the case above, they lead to new professional perspective. I think this kind of programs do bring benefits to the company and can be seen as investments (costs) despite government help in the form of subsidies sometimes. Like any material investment, the return has to be evaluated and thus the impacts of the training have to be quantified and monitored for the sake of efficacy. Talent management shall be focused and targeted at bringing up the competencies of the employees to match the requirements of the organization they belong to. Source: EduChoices.org Learning by doing Companies like LOreal also use practices such as learning by doing to develop skills of their employees. They help them to perform better in their daily tasks and activity. This way of acquiring competencies is built around action and job everyday life rather than formal training programs. Lets see below a brief description of the process according to a professional:  «Ã‚  Instead of a theoretical discussion about strategic planning or project management, for instance, participants develop a usable strategic plan or create deliverables for their project. Employees learn in their own way and at their own pace through assignments that get real work done.  Ã‚ » In my opinion, this method is more than a way to train employees and rather an example that every company should adopt in their daily management scheme. This strategy can be very efficient because it allows for a focus on problems of real interest to the company, on which each employee can find solutions. Its very concrete and precise because it directly applies to the job himself. American Express Case study The concept of diversity management American Express received recently the tittle of  «Ã‚  Top Company for Employee-Resource Groups  Ã‚ ». American Express is a good example of how the concept of diversity management is implemented in large companies.  «Ã‚  Diversity management must begin with visible leadership. This means that the CEO and executive team must lead by example and be visible supporters of diversity as a business driver while holding their direct reports accountable for results  ». The management of diversity can be very useful for the development of employees in several ways. When you work with people from different countries and different cultures, you may learn more than working with people from the same country as yours. I think this climate of diversity allows for the development of new working methods and new ways of seeing things. Yet I think that valid metrics are needed to see the positive impact of diversity management. Management should in this case set up clear objectives and preserve middle management. This rather new concept has to be well managed in order to perform better than classical work model. A diverse and inclusive culture is a corporate asset for American Express. Kenneth Chenault, Chairman Chief Executive Officer. Transferability of knowledge and skills back to the job On this last part, Id like to comment on the transferability of knowledge. I think each employee or manager has to keep in mind that the transfer of training, i.e. knowledge capitalization, is the key in terms of value for a company in the long run. The knowledge of each employee should be easily transferable to other new employee and this should be handled through a complete and thorough process. This is good for the integration of new employees. They always perform and feel better after a good training on the task they are supposed to perform. Another important element is the fact that new skill or knowledge should be maintained once they have been completed. My current experience as an intern on a trading desk at HSBC Paris is in my opinion a very relevant example. Before really starting I had a 3-week training with the past intern. Then I learnt how to use the IT system, how to work in a specific environment, how to deal with the daily tasks I was supposed to fulfil. These 3 weeks taught me also how to behave not only with my colleagues but also with the clients of HSBC. It was for my integration. It gave me confidence but provided me with a significant increase in efficiency and well-being. Conclusion

Monday, August 19, 2019

Prejudice and Racial Segregation on Campus Essays -- Sociology Racism

Racial Segregation on Campus      Ã‚  Ã‚   The practice of ethnic separation and segregation is common on every college and university campus. Since this practice has happened through history, it is remarkable that this has only been recognized recently as a true problem (Jacobs, 2). Segregation has hampered America as long as it has existed. Ethnicity and segregation was nearly the cause of this country splitting apart during the Civil War. Since then reformation and hard work has attempted to bring unity to this country. Though today, college students have regressed, university pupils are "standing by" their own and are not branching out to those who are unlike them in ethnicity. People in general, but more specifically college students are segregated in their lives ( Kramer, 12). From the way they act, what they do or do not do, the type of people they socialize with, to where people sit - students are split. College students group together as a result of ethnicity at events and establishments or locations on university campuses.    Let me explain where I am coming from,so you may understand my aim in writing this article. In order for people to understand or realize the issue at hand, I first wanted to explain the explain the problem. Because these happenings effect you the reader along with most people in our society. Then I would like to give you examples of the issue in ways you can relate to it. I wanted to put the issue on a real level for you, which I initially attempted in the opening paragraph. Following that I will attempt to illustrate why this subject is relevant to our society and important to you. This is a topic in which I feel very deeply about, so what I am writing is real, worth reading, and is for you. ... ...: McGraw - hill, 1997. * Higher Learning. Videocassette. John Singleton. Columbia Pictures, VHS. 120 min., 1994. * Howe, Jeff. " Race Divides...". Link, The College Magazine. New York : College Television Network., pg 18-25. 1998. * Jacobs, Jerry A. "Gender, Race, and Ethnic Segregation Between and within Colleges." Pennsylvania : University of Pennsylvania, Department of Sociology, 1996. Available: http://av.yahoo.com/bin/query?p=ethnic+segregation+in+colleges&b=21&hsO * Kramer, Martin, and stephen S. Weiner. Dialogues for diversity : community and ethnicity on campus. Phoenix, Ariz. : Oryx Press, 1994. * Orfield, Gary. Dismantling desegregation : the quit reversal of Brown vs. Board of Education. New York: W.W. norton & Company, 1996. * Myers, Samuel L. Desegregation in higher education. Washington, D.C. : University Press of America, 1988.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Condoms Essay -- Sex Protection Condoms Descriptive Process Essays

Condoms The word condom is probably derived from Latin "condus" meaning receptacle. Another explanation is that the gut condom was invented by the English army doctor Colonel Quondam in around 1645 and that the word is a corruption of his name. We do not know who invented condoms, but we do know that they were in use. There is evidence of this in the writings of Marquis de Sade, Casanova and James Boswell. The latter, a Scottish lawyer and writer, protected himself against sexually transmitted diseases by using a linen condom. During a visit to an Amsterdam brothel in 1764, he drank with a prostitute, but the encounter went no further as he'd left his "armour" behind. When visiting a brothel in Marseilles, Casanova tried so-called "English raincoats", and spoke of reaching great heights. The oldest illustration of a condom was found in Egypt and dates back more than 3,000 years. It is difficult to judge from the drawing what the ancient Egyptian wearing the condom had in mind. He may have worn it for sexual or ritual reasons-or both. Some claim that, in later times, the Romans made condoms from the muscle tissue of warriors they defeated in battle. The oldest condoms were discovered in the foundations of Dudley Castle near Birmingham, England. They were made of fish and animal intestine and dated back to 1640. They were probably used to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections during the war between the forces of Oliver Cromwell and soldiers loyal to King Charles I. Ancient Times Throughout the age's people have tried to find ways of preventing conception and venereal diseases. Obvious methods, such as withdrawal, the rhythm method, douches, and sponges were used, as were various predecessors of today's condom. In ancient Egypt, a linen sheath was used as protection against troublesome insects and tropical diseases. The Chinese tried to prevent infection by wrapping oiled silk paper around the penis, and the Japanese had leather and tortoiseshell sheaths. The Romans used tampons that had been dipped in herbs and condoms made of goats' bladders. Middle Ages The history of condoms in Europe begins in the sixteenth century, when the venereal disease syphilis reached epidemic proportions. In 1564, the Italian doctor Gabriel Falloppio wrote in the book 'Morbo Gallico', that a linen bag drenched in a solution of salt or herbs formed a ... ...ave a variety of condoms, which will please even the most discriminating tastes. You may even like the taste of flavored latex more than the real thing! Some alternatives to the dental dam Dental dams offer a unique kind of problem. Many people do not like to use dental dams because they like to feel the tongue to clitoris or tongue to anus stimulation. Along with dental dams, you can employ some other stimulation to complete the experience. Wear a latex glove covered in lubricant to further tease your partner's anus or vagina. If dental dams are becoming a problem because you are tired of holding something on your partner, you can use plastic wrap and wrap it around the vagina and/or anus. While cellophane is not as good protection as latex (and should never be used instead of condoms), using it will keep the hands free to use elsewhere. Use lubricant inside and outside the condom. (Many condoms are pre-lubricated.) Lubrication helps prevent rips and tears, and it increases sensitivity. Use only water-based lubricants, such as K-YÂ ® jelly or LUVE, with latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants like petroleum jelly, cold cream, butter, or mineral and vegetable oils damage latex.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

On Being Told I Don’t Speak Like a Black Person Essay

† On Being Told I Don’t Speak Like a Black Person† tells a story of the importance in identifying your own speech and how there is nothing more personal than your own speech. Many people change their attitude, personality and in some cases the way they speak based on their environment and surroundings. The meaning of what the author wants to get across to the reader is exemplified in lines 52-70. In those lines she says how we shouldn’t care how any one speaks no matter what race, color, or where the individual is from. She realizes this in her own experience because her mother, father, and her all speak differently and she asks one of her friends â€Å"does everyone in your family speak alike† they responded â€Å"don’t take this the wrong way, nothing personal†. I believe it is then that the author realizes how personal ones language is and that no person should have to defend the way they speak or what language he/she speaks. I also, found it interesting how Allison, a black woman questioned why black people just drop syllables, and sound lazy, instead of just speaking clear, clean English. She brings this up because her college acquaintances noticed how she spoke like a â€Å"white† person instead of like a black American. The speaker also mentions that her acquaintances seemed sure they knew what a black person is supposed to sound like. The speaker is talking about how her acquaintances have a preconceived notion and stereotype on how black people should sound. There are a lot of cultural assumptions in this belief. There is a stereotype that black people are not as educated as white people. In my opinion, this is simply not true. Also, they may expect her to speak in Ebonics or improper English. The matter of the fact is that you should not be ashamed of where you come from and the way you speak, that is all part of your identity. Finally, people will one day perceive who you really are and respect your heritage.

Brief description of the context and of the decision which has to be made Essay

An internal analysis (Strengths & Weaknesses of Illy & Espressamente) †¢An external analysis (Opportunities & Threats from the Global Coffee Market). †¢A strategic SWOT analysis, crossing internal & external analyses, in order to determine strategic directions for the internationalization of Espressamente. 3. Analysis of each of the 7 foreign markets considered for expansion: †¢Cultural distance with Italy †¢Market attractiveness (based on most important variables) 4. Analysis of Illy’s competitive strength on each of the 7 foreign markets 5. Recommendation as to the market(s) to prioritize 6. Recommendation of market-entry strategy(ies) for the selected markets. Questions 1. Brief description of the context and of the decision which has to be made. 2. SWOT analysis, including: †¢An internal analysis (Strengths & Weaknesses of Illy & Espressamente) †¢An external analysis (Opportunities & Threats from the Global Coffee Market). †¢A strategic SWOT analysis, crossing internal & external analyses, in order to determine strategic directions for the internationalization of Espressamente. 3. Analysis of each of the 7 foreign markets considered for expansion: †¢Cultural distance with Italy            

Friday, August 16, 2019

Thomas Jefferson Essay

Thomas Jefferson was a very peculiar man. He was a wealthy aristocrat from the colony of Virginia and was a Democrat in the government. His ideas were very inconsistent with the life he lived. Many of his ideas contradicted his own life which made him a consistently inconsistent man. Thomas Jefferson’s political philosophy contradicted Jefferson’s own life and allow for the less fortunate colonists to prosper. Thomas Jefferson lived a very prosperous and comfortable life in which his political philosophy was the opposite. He was the son of Peter Jefferson and Jane Randolph. His father was a self-made man but his mother came from a distinguished Virginia family which assured the social position of Thomas. In 1575, Thomas’s father died leaving him with over 2,700 acres and a large number of slaves. This privilege Thomas had allowed him to write about human liberty which was supported by the three generations of slaves he encountered. With Thomas writing about human liberty, he was contradicting his own beliefs because he had over 200 slaves himself. Also, under the leadership of Jefferson, Virginia reformers abolished primogeniture. The policy of primogeniture however was the basis of Jefferson’s social and economic success. If the policy of primogeniture was not in place, Jefferson would not have succeeded to the position he had because he would not have received the land his father had after his father passed away. Jefferson also represented a number of different groups in politics that were very different. In American politics, he became the leader of the yeoman farmers and was also the leader of great planters. These two groups were exact opposites which revealed the nature of Jefferson’s political basis- befriend the poor and the wealthy. Jefferson was also the head of a popular group that went against the commercial interests of the nation but the group was also a popular group with economic goals of its own. Jefferson believed that society should keep the agricultural basis but he believed in progress. Jefferson was a very impulsive man. His familiarity with many different countries and nations allowed him to absorb and relay the most abstract ideas of his time. He believed in these abstract ideas and changed them in order to become prevalent in the American society. However he was not quick to break these rules in try to fulfill them. Jefferson lived an unusually long life for a person living during his time and saw many changes in society. This resulted in his ideas varying based on the circumstance. Jefferson was a very inconsistent man but his ideas allowed for the basis of the American government. Jefferson’s inconsistent ideas laid a basis for the American government and allowed the poorer citizens to prosper. Jefferson’s ideas laid the basis for the constitution and the Bill of Rights. When he was part of the Virginia government, Jefferson helped the Virginia reformers lay a base for freedom of thought and religion by disassembling the Anglican Church and forbidding legal or political disabilities for religious dissent. This is the basis of the first Amendment of the Constitution. In 1774, he wrote a very daring treatise in which he applied the natural right doctrine to the controversy in the colonies. This treatise brought immediate attention to Jefferson and gave him the reputation of a literary genius which gave him the job as the draftsman of the Declaration of Independence. After drafting the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson refrained himself from expressing his more unacceptable ideas in public because his ideas guided the direction in which society should be guided. Jefferson greatly affected the poorer society in America which allowed him to become a man who had a perspective of each side of society. He sided with the Agrarians but he also sided with the wealthy. Thomas Jefferson greatly affected American society as a whole by expressing his ideas which were widely accepted and including everyone in society. Thomas Jefferson’s political philosophy contradicted Jefferson’s own life and allow for the less fortunate colonists to prosper. Thomas Jefferson lived a very prosperous and comfortable life in which his political philosophy was the opposite. Jefferson’s inconsistent ideas laid a basis for the American government and allowed the poorer citizens to prosper. Thomas Jefferson was a very consistently inconsistent man who greatly affected American society.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Value of Diversity in the Workplace

The global workplace has made diversity a significant issue. Companies have to adjust how they operate so they can accommodate the diverse customer base that is growing. It is important for any organization to consist of employees who can bring different skills, abilities, and culture to workplace. Developing effective intercultural communication within the workplace will allow the connection between employees and customers with different cultural backgrounds and languages. Introduction In today’s society, a diverse workforce is needed to accommodate the different multicultural backgrounds that make it up.The value of diversity in a workplace is important because of the different sets of skills and backgrounds a company has to offer when trying to solve conflicts and provide effective solutions. This paper will recap an incident that happened at an insurance agency because of the lack of diversity, along with the ramifications, and strategies that may have facilitated a more s uccessful resolution. Diversity issue in the workplace I have experienced how lack of diversity in the workplace can cause conflict for the organization. A few years back I worked for an insurance agency in south Louisiana.The agency consisted of the head agent and owner, who is a male, and four women who worked for him, to include myself. One day a Hispanic couple came in to purchase some insurance policies for their home and vehicles. The issue was the couple spoke only Spanish. The percentage of Hispanics in south Louisiana was very low at the time and there was not a high demand for bilingual employees who spoke Spanish. Because of the lack of diversity in the office, none of the employees spoke fluent Spanish to help the potential new customers. The employees who knew a little Spanish tried to communicate as best they could but to no avail.The couple became very angry at the insurance agency’s poor attempt to communicate with them. They left the office outraged and state d that would never recommend this company to anyone. Ramifications As a result of this lack of diversity in the insurance agency, the agency itself, employees, and potential customers were impacted. The agency lost a customer and revenue because of a lack of diversity in the office. Not only did the company lose one customer but also the potential of future customers that may be recommended from the couple.This issue left the employees upset and stressed about not being able to help a customer. Since the start of business the agency has been a customer- oriented company, and has taken pride in providing the best customer service in the area. This situation left the owner distraught because he lost potential income for his business. To make matters worse, the couple filed a complaint against the agency for not having a bilingual employee in the office. The agency had never received a negative complaint for customer service.Strategies. Diversity in the workplace can help companies avo id unnecessary issues in the workplace. Diversity also gives the company leverage over their competitors. In smaller companies a lack of diversity is almost inevitable, but if approached in the right way it can be avoided. The diversity issue the insurance agency was faced with could have been resolved if the agency had been aware of the influx of the Hispanic population in south Louisiana. In order to stay ahead of the competition, the agency should have kept up on the different types of people moving into the area.In order for the insurance agency to address the lack of diversity for the possibility of future occurrences, the hiring protocol the agency follows will need to be modified. â€Å"A diverse collection of skills and experiences (e. g. languages, cultural understanding) allows a company to provide service to customers on a global basis† (Greenburg, 2004). The possible issue that may arise from this protocol is finding a qualified person with this skill. This approa ch though would not benefit the agency right away because of the low turn around of employees and the low number of employees the agency is able to keep employed.Another way to address the issue would be for the insurance agency to pay for at least one, if not all, of the employees to attend a class that teaches the Spanish language. This task may be hard for the insurance agency to complete because of funding and for the employees because of extra time needed to attend the class. For the future, this type of training would benefit the insurance agency by increasing the potential number of customers it can provide a service to. Conclusion Diversity is becoming a necessity in the workplace in today’s global working environment.A multicultural society forces companies to employ a diverse workforce so they can adapt â€Å"to fluctuating markets and customer demands† (Greenburg, 2004). Having a diverse workforce will appeal to a larger diverse customer base that will benef it the growth for any company.ReferencesGreenberg, J. (2004). Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits, Challenges and Solutions. The Multicultural Advantage: Career Management and Job Info for Professionals from Diverse Backgrounds. Retrieved from http://www. multiculturaladvantage. com/recruit/diversity/Diversity-in-the-Workplace-Benefits-Challenges-Solutions. asp