Thursday, September 3, 2020

Chicago Loangitudinal Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Chicago Loangitudinal Study - Essay Example The investigation can be named as an imminent accomplice concentrate for the basic explanation that review was followed up over some stretch of time for the kids with the comparable segment qualities. Their instructive and psychosocial results were seen with contribution of specific projects and strategy intercession plans. The examination informed that higher cooperation in the kid Parent focus program came about into more elevated level of school accomplishment, higher parent support, and lower paces of school dropout, etc. Projects and strategy mediations were utilized as manipulative or autonomous factors to quantify its effect on conduct and psychosocial result alongside children’s expanding ability to diminish their learning troubles. Family, school-related numerous individual variables were utilized to gauge child’s improvement, their social personal conduct standards alongside attitudinal contrasts beginning from the good 'ol days and afterward all through the young years. Such serious examination was never directed ever in the history. A lot of data was gathered and analyzed through study hall alteration, parent support, specialized curriculum arrangement. Instructive desires for all concerned particularly understudies and guardians were additionally comprehended with adjusted projects and strategy intercessions as a free factor. All kids under investigation were conceived in 1980 and had a place with a similar network and land area. So one might say it was a longitudinal as well as a nitty gritty associate investigation giving a great deal of knowledge on their reaction attributes. Information from table 1 unmistakably uncovers that effect of government mediation programs on children’s instructive accomplishment was extensive, when test attributes of ‘CPC Preschool’ and ‘No CPC Preschool groups’ are contrasted in reference with the first and age 14 examples. ‘CPC Preschool’ kids outmaneuvers ‘No CPC Preschool’ bunch being developed

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

NY Safe Act Potential Impacts on Juvenile Offenders and Community Essay

NY Safe Act Potential Impacts on Juvenile Offenders and Community - Essay Example The Juvenile Justice System (JJS) alludes to a gathering of adolescent courts in some random nation. The adolescent court which is additionally alluded to as the offender’s courts is ordered with the death of decisions for any wrongdoing which little youngsters submit. Numerous JJS particularly in the New York are intended for the restoration of the little youngsters rather than detainment http://open.nysenate.gov/enactment/bill/s2230-2013. In spite of the fact that the JJS gives a spot to the adolescents to address their practices, through recovery, the Act has a great deal of consequences for adolescent guilty parties, their families, network security and the psychological well-being practice. One of the effects of the law or Act on adolescent guilty parties is that they would become more acquainted with their errors and in this way right them. By rebuffing the youthful ones, they would be influenced intellectually, however according to the court specifications, they should initially be offered guidance with respect to why they are in court and how their conduct ought to be rectified (shoemaker 2009). The groups of the adolescents would likewise be influenced by the law. One of the impacts to the families incorporates enthusiastic pressure, particularly to the guardians. Then again, the families can likewise acknowledge for the restorative conduct that their kids would embrace. In spite of the fact that numerous guardians of the adolescent wrongdoers would not value the remedial conduct offered to their youngsters, some would acknowledge since their lifetime conduct would likewise change (Wheeler 1978). On the effect on the network, there would be enhancement for the security of the network everywhere since even the kids structure some portion of the network. There would likewise be a decrease of the quantity of wrongdoings and this would likewise fill in as an exercise to the next small kids in the network. The death of laws against the adolescent wrongdoers would likewise effectsly affect the emotional well-being practice in the New York. For one, the psychological well-being practice has

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Go Ask Alice Essay -- essays research papers

Go Ask Alice! Alice is fifteen, white, center, class. She consumes less calories, she dates. She adores Roger however the most time he doesn’t notice her. On the off chance that she could ever lay down with a kid she would lay down with him. Alice detests her look. She needs to be pretty and thin. Of late she loses interest pretty much all things. School is exhausting and she doesn’t even go to parties. Her folks need to move. Her Dad is welcome to turn into the Dean of the Political Science at - . Alice is upbeat and isn't difficult for her to leave the old fashioned. Yet, she misses her old house and her grandparents who she calls gramp and gran. Alice has a sibling called Tim and a sister Alexandria. The two are more youthful than Alice. At her new school it is terrible for her. No one addresses her the primary days. be that as it may, her sibling and sister like the new school. At last she finds a companion at school. Her name is Gerda, however Alice’s mother and father don’t like her. Alice doesn’t feel upbeat in her family. She despises his sister and her sibling more than she cherishes them. Tim is unbearable and her mom is continually Peking at her. Alice becomes more acquainted with Beth Baum. Beth is Jewish and her dad is a specialist. Her mom pesters a great deal. Alice’s guardians like Beth, since she is truly pleasant. In the spec ial seasons Beth goes on a day camp for about a month and a half and Alice remains at her grans. One day she meets Jill Peters and she welcomes her for a gathering. Alice doesn’t like ingesting medications. She needs to stop it...

Sentencing Recommendation for Pete Smith an Example of the Topic Government and Law Essays by

Condemning Recommendation for Pete Smith by Expert Tutor Maya | 01 Aug 2016 Most of hoodlums by and by encountering their sentences in the public arena adjustment plans are lawbreakers indicted for the crime, or minor offense accusations (that is: first wrongdoer DUI's, insignificant thievery, drugs, and so forth) and are normally made out of people decided to be of little risk to mankind. The condemning proposition for Pete Smith is recovery. The significance of restoration is to take back to great condition or important life, as through treatment and mentoring. This reestablishing expectation is planned for adequately recuperate illegal transgressors and changing guilty parties so they won't continue to submit wrongdoings. Need paper test on Condemning Recommendation for Pete Smith subject? We will compose a custom paper test explicitly for you Continue Restoration arranged courses for example subjective talents, illumination, pay administrations and fundamental abilities are planned for changing the guilty party to abstain from approaching evil exercises of the treated individual. In the event that we prevent Smith from testing denied sedates and teach him a useful expertise, in this way, when come back to constant society, he will have the mentalities and offices to work inside the guidelines of society. Recovery affirms the philanthropic conduct of Smith as it thinks about his social shortcomings and tries to suggest an 'exit plan' of the crimes. Naturally restoration follows the three bases of conduct revision, tranquilize recovery and re-instruction of capacities. By focusing on these modules, Smith is offered the probability of changing scholarly the criminal lifestyle, obtaining help with sedate disasters and dealing with the essential aptitudes compulsory to remain alive in the public arena. The swing towards managing convicts in an increasingly thoughtful manner permitted the impression of restoration to be a legitimate arrangement in crime control approach. The interceding the truth is that individuals can be changed and in the event that we begin restoring in time, we might be capable to prevent youth criminals from turning out to be full grown criminals. Reference: Frase, R.S. (2001), Sentencing and Sanctions in Western Countries, Oxford University Press, pp. 267-268.

Friday, August 21, 2020

Documentary Film assignment (Roger and Me) Movie Review

Narrative Film task (Roger and Me) - Movie Review Example The film checks the cutting edge the board and good sober mindedness all contrary to the mindset in the quest for greatness. In the genuine sense, this film includes corporate newspeak message. Examination of the significance of benefits in the huge organizations at the hazard of the laborers life in gave. In this intriguing narrative, there is a procedural marker of day by day imperfections in the general public. Moore sends vernaculars in the film medium to mark the essence of genuine private enterprise, all things considered. The most exceptional scene is the place Smith gives a discourse in Christmas TV while, then again; Moore shows the expulsion of GM laborer. There is an immediate relationship between's the manipulative idea of corporates and Christmas service thus supporting some relentless nature. Moore is all the more a pundit unto the partners in the American corporate world. According to the film there is a lot of cynicism with some negligible truth consequently Moore ends up being unjustifiable. He is additionally a person who depicts that corporate disregards and neediness considers sins henceforth advances to insignificant

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

A New Years Resolution, MyMIT-Style

A New Year’s Resolution, MyMIT-Style Happy new year everyone! Ive been out with the flu most of this week so Im feeling horribly behind in most areas of life. Being sick just blows. Most of the time I can ignore it and power ahead, but the flu seems to demand attention. Alas. Hoping to be back in the office tomorrow at any rate. EA admits: after todays build, youll be able to upload your photo into the admitted student guestbook. Check it out! So whats going on in MyMIT land? I submitted a big proposal just before holiday vacation outlining a lot of changes Id like to make to MyMIT to make it a better experience for you guys. First, well be adding a lot of new portlets in the next month or two based on requests that youve made for specific types of content. Second, Ive decided to display portlet content by date instead of by user-preferences. Based on the feedback Ive recevied from you, it seems that youd rather see all the new stuff each week even if it falls outside of your preferences. So well be changing the functionality a bit to make sure youre seeing new stuff all the time. The major part of my proposal was an outline to turn the portal into more of a community-based experience. You guys have been requesting a more streamlined ability to interact with each other, with us, with current MIT students, and with the authors of our features. I think well be able to get there in the not-too-distant future, although it will take a lot of planning and design. Ill keep you updated. Let me know if Ive read your priorities right (new portlets, fresher content, online community) or if there are other things you think are even more important to address. Remember that MyMIT is designed for you, so you should have a hand in its design. All feedback welcomed! Heres to a great 2005 and stay healthy!!! -B

Monday, June 22, 2020

Student Loan Debt Vs. Investments What to Prioritize

Zina Kumok, Guest Contributor Coming out of college, student loan debt is almost always categorized as the highest financial priority a graduate should have. But while eliminating debt is always beneficial, could focusing too much on paying back those college loans actually be bad? Many experts claim the money spent paying back the government or a private lender could be put to better use in an investment scenario, and that strategy is starting to gain steam nationwide. So which is it? Should people with student loan debt have tunnel vision, or embrace a more nuanced financial strategy that prioritizes investing? RELATED: How to pay off debt while saving for the future The Case for Focusing on Student Loan Debt Carrying debt is more of a psychological burden than a financial one for many people. Even if a young couple has a positive net worth, debt can weigh heavily on their minds. And having loans on your credit report can also have other ramifications. If you're trying to buy a house or apply for a business loan, your debt-to-income ratio is an important factor that lenders will use to determine your creditworthiness. If your loans are too high when compared to your income, you may not qualify for a mortgage or other loan product. That may not be a significant factor for some, but huge portions of the population would be negatively affected by choosing to ignore their loan debt. If you're an aspiring entrepreneur or hoping to purchase a home in the near future, pushing aside your debt is probably not the smartest option. RELATED: 7 things you may not know about student loan repayment The Case for Focusing on Investment Unless the interest rate on your student loans is more than 5%, investing in the stock market is often a better option than focusing on debt payoff. It's not a guarantee, but choosing an index fund with low fees and paying the minimum on your student loans is very likely to yield higher returns in the long run. Plus, you're allowed to deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest every yearï ¿ ½unless your income is too high. That's one benefit to letting your loans hang around longer. Investing also gives you more flexibility than just paying the maximum on your loans. If you invest your money, you can always take it out if you lose your job or want to buy a house. Once you put that money toward your loans, you can't get it back. There's also a case to be made for getting your foot in the investment door as early as possible, even if you can't contribute much. Compound interest shows that investing a little bit over a long period of time is often better than investing more in a shorter time frame. In other words, focusing on investment early on could open you up to a higher potential return for less effort. RELATED: Understanding your student loans and how to repay them Thankfully, parents who invest smartly can ensure their children never have to deal with this dilemma by starting a 529 plan as soon as they're able. They can take the amount they were putting toward their loans and start college savings funds for their children, preventing a future generation from struggling with the same student loan setbacks. This calculator can show you the benefits of saving for your child's college instead of having them take out student loans. RELATED: Should you refinance your student loan? Zina Kumok is a writer for TraditionalIRA.com and RothIRA.com specializing in personal finance. She started covering personal finance while blogging about paying off $28,000 worth of student loans in three years. A former reporter, she has covered murder trials, the Final Four and everything in between. She has been featured in Lifehacker, Daily Worth and Time magazines. Zina Kumok, Guest Contributor Coming out of college, student loan debt is almost always categorized as the highest financial priority a graduate should have. But while eliminating debt is always beneficial, could focusing too much on paying back those college loans actually be bad? Many experts claim the money spent paying back the government or a private lender could be put to better use in an investment scenario, and that strategy is starting to gain steam nationwide. So which is it? Should people with student loan debt have tunnel vision, or embrace a more nuanced financial strategy that prioritizes investing? RELATED: How to pay off debt while saving for the future The Case for Focusing on Student Loan Debt Carrying debt is more of a psychological burden than a financial one for many people. Even if a young couple has a positive net worth, debt can weigh heavily on their minds. And having loans on your credit report can also have other ramifications. If you're trying to buy a house or apply for a business loan, your debt-to-income ratio is an important factor that lenders will use to determine your creditworthiness. If your loans are too high when compared to your income, you may not qualify for a mortgage or other loan product. That may not be a significant factor for some, but huge portions of the population would be negatively affected by choosing to ignore their loan debt. If you're an aspiring entrepreneur or hoping to purchase a home in the near future, pushing aside your debt is probably not the smartest option. RELATED: 7 things you may not know about student loan repayment The Case for Focusing on Investment Unless the interest rate on your student loans is more than 5%, investing in the stock market is often a better option than focusing on debt payoff. It's not a guarantee, but choosing an index fund with low fees and paying the minimum on your student loans is very likely to yield higher returns in the long run. Plus, you're allowed to deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest every yearï ¿ ½unless your income is too high. That's one benefit to letting your loans hang around longer. Investing also gives you more flexibility than just paying the maximum on your loans. If you invest your money, you can always take it out if you lose your job or want to buy a house. Once you put that money toward your loans, you can't get it back. There's also a case to be made for getting your foot in the investment door as early as possible, even if you can't contribute much. Compound interest shows that investing a little bit over a long period of time is often better than investing more in a shorter time frame. In other words, focusing on investment early on could open you up to a higher potential return for less effort. RELATED: Understanding your student loans and how to repay them Thankfully, parents who invest smartly can ensure their children never have to deal with this dilemma by starting a 529 plan as soon as they're able. They can take the amount they were putting toward their loans and start college savings funds for their children, preventing a future generation from struggling with the same student loan setbacks. This calculator can show you the benefits of saving for your child's college instead of having them take out student loans. RELATED: Should you refinance your student loan? Zina Kumok is a writer for TraditionalIRA.com and RothIRA.com specializing in personal finance. She started covering personal finance while blogging about paying off $28,000 worth of student loans in three years. A former reporter, she has covered murder trials, the Final Four and everything in between. She has been featured in Lifehacker, Daily Worth and Time magazines.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Human Resources Development in Nigeria Local Government

CHAPTER TWO REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 2.1 OVERVIEW OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT In this chapter, we discussed the various elements of human resources management. Also the review of some existing literature relevant to the study, is made to refer to some scholars work related to the topic under study. It has been a general agreement that training and development is a good thing and that it increase productivity, but the question is â€Å"how much? It is even difficult to show causal link between HR development and national /organizational performance partly because pay off from development may not be seen in the short term. It is also difficult to tie-down performance improvement to the development itself and to†¦show more content†¦Omole (2004) asserts that human resource development is concerned with providing learning and development opportunities, making training intervention and planning, conducting and evaluating training programmes. The author discloses that the overall aim of manpower development programmes is to see that the organization has the quality of workforce its needs to attain its goals for improved performance and growth. The personnel employed in an organization according to Vickerstaff (1979) serve as the hub around which other resources revolve. This allows the entire wheel of the organization to turn smoothly in order to perform more effectively, efficiently and economically. This is the reason why the personnel employed in any organization who eventually becomes the bread-winners of his family and an instrument of progress for the society, have to be well structured. The human elements (personnel) have needs, emotions, interest and attachment, his productivity or performance becomes bolstered if he is reasonably taken care of and if his working environment is made conducive. The organization itself and the society at large becomes the ultimate beneficiary in the view of Storey and Sission (1990). Also for the purpose of clarity, human resources development is inclusive of education and trainingShow MoreRelatedNigerian Development : The Face Of Oil Extraction And How Mncs Such As Shell Essay1593 Words   |  7 Pagesoil state and primary exporting country, Nigeria is the largest oil exporter in Africa and the world’s tenth largest oil producer (Pyagbara 2007: 1). As of 2010, crude oil and petroleum gas accounted for approximately 80% of the country’s overall exports, totaling over $50.3 billion in revenues the next year (Pyagbara 2007: 2). Despite maintaining a lucrative resource that could arguably catalyze momentum towards economic development, poverty plagues Nigeria and continues to rise despite efforts toRead MoreSWOT Analysis of Shell in Nigeria1364 Words   |  5 Pagesis owned by the Shell Transport and Trading Group of Great Britain. These two companies have worked together since 1903. Shell includes companies like Shell Petroleum of the USA (which who lly owns Shell Oil of the USA and many subsidiaries), Shell Nigeria, Shell Argentina, Shell South Africa, and other individual subsidiaries (shell.com). Shells parent, Royal Dutch/Shell Group is the worlds second largest private sector energy corporation in the world, behind Exxon/Mobil and ahead of British PetroleumRead MoreBusiness And Human Rights : The Evolving International Agenda By John Gerard Ruggie1504 Words   |  7 PagesDeryk Stec Jan 29, 2015 â€Æ' Article Reflections Business and Human Rights: The Evolving International Agenda by John Gerard Ruggie Summary and background This paper analyzes the development of human rights and business in an international view, states the factual issues, and provides strategies to improve the existing realities. The article explains the conceptual challenges to let readers know the basic foundation of international human rights, such as globalization, global value chains, transnationalRead MoreThe Giant Bomu Oil Field Essay1531 Words   |  7 PagesThe giant Bomu oil field in Ogoni located in Gokana Local Government Area, which has estimated ultimate recovery of 0.311 billion of barrels of oil and a total of 0.608 billion of barrels of oil equivalent including gas, was discovered in 1958 (Aniefiok et al 2013, Amanyie 2006, and Vassilion 2009). According to Amanyie (2005; 2006), in the late 1950s oil was struck in commercial quantity at Lekuma Khana in Ogoni soil, and in Bomu oil field in 1958. In 1962 and 1963, the Korokoro and Ebubu fieldsRead MoreA Brief Note On Nigeria s Healthcare System1693 Words   |  7 Pa gesProfessor Shehadeh Nigeria s Healthcare System Outline I. Introduction i. In October 1, 1960, Nigeria became free from the British colonization, which lasted for over a century. Nigeria is a diverse nation that houses different cultures, morals, and values of people. ii. Nigeria healthcare system was adapted from Britain s healthcare system. And the Brits provided all necessary resources needed to improve them. a) Training of Physicians and Nurses II. An introduction into Nigeria s HealthcareRead MoreThe Analysis Of The 2007 Mineral And Mining Act Essay1070 Words   |  5 Pagesregion did not emanate from inadequate legislation. The problem is an ineffective implementation of the Act. As indicated in the first part of the paper, the Nigeria government lacks the political will to implement the appropriate clauses important for the protection of the Niger Delta’s ecosystem because a significant percentage of the government expenditure comes from revenues generated by oil corporations. The government’s incapacity to implement the Mineral and Mining Act results from a fear thatRead MoreHygeia International Case Analysis1470 Words   |  6 PagesTo determine the number of human resources needed for the company to be ready in venturing into poultry production in Nigeria in four weeks time * To analyze risks involved in poultry production in Nigeria in four weeks time * To determine historical data of sales growth within the past five years to project return of investment in the next five years Areas of Consideration: INTERNAL 1. Marketing Hygeia International is already well established in Nigeria. However, marketing channelsRead MoreNigeria And Angol African Countries Plagued By The Resource Curse1686 Words   |  7 PagesNigeria and Angola are both West African countries plagued by the resource curse. The countries are teeming with oil, ranking Nigeria as Africa’s largest oil producer and Angola as the second largest oil producer. In 2014 it was reported that Nigeria was responsible for producing 2.4 million barrels of oil per day and Angola produced 1.8 million barrels of oil per day. While these numbers have fluctuated greatly in the past, both countries still remain at the top as Africa’s oil producers. The productionRead MoreEssay About Made In Nigeria Business997 Words   |  4 PagesA two-day dialogue and sensitisation with stakeholders on the promotion of Made in Nigeria Products by CSOs Coalition for Made in Nigeria Products (CONMAP) in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Science and Techn ology (FMST) was held late June at Edinan Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The event, facilitated by the NGO Network, a national Not-for Profit entity, was a follow-up to the 2017 National Expo organised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, held in April at the Eagle SquareRead MoreImpact of Industrial Development on Nigeria Stock Market1457 Words   |  6 PagesImpact of Industrial development on Nigeria stock market. The potentials of capital market in Nigeria as a catalyst to economic and industrial development cannot be over emphasized. The capital market as an internal part of a country’s financial system operates at the long end of the system to mobilize resources for long term development and growth. Basically, the capital market accelerates growth by providing ,relatively long term capital - debt and equity finance – for government and corporate sector

Monday, May 11, 2020

Social Imagination - 682 Words

The story of an hour, is about Louisise Mallard, a women with heart trouble that learned her husband died in a railroad disaster. Lousise sister, Josephine, did not tell Mrs.Mallard straightforward that he was dead, but instead veiled hints. Mrs. Mallard husband friend Richard, was one of the first to know, but wanted to make sure it was true before breaking the news. Once Richard found out that it was true, he still did not want to tell Mrs. Mallard. Mrs. Mallard immediately started crying, but then was bumrushed with the emotion of being free. Her freedom of an hour ended when her husband walked through the door. Mrs. Mallard was in so in shock that her heart ended up giving her trouble and she dies. According to Online Philosphy†¦show more content†¦According to the story of an hour, Mrs. Mallard could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. It was clear that she was set free and was excited about her ne w life that was awaiting. Louise had a lot of mixed emotions going on. She felt alone that she do not have her husband to share the upcoming years with, but only because she was use to living in his shadow. There was a moment when Josephine came to the door and insisted that Mrs. Mallard open the door. Josephine was feeling that her sister could not on without her husband, and would harm herself. Josephine was unaware that her sister was soaking it all on that she was â€Å"Free Free Free†. When Louise opened the door for her sister she immediately went back into a grieving stage. It was apparent that she was overreacting in front of her, but behind closed doors, she was celebrating. When Mrs. Mallard realizes that her husband was alive, she died of shock. Louise refused to go back to misery. She had high hopes for her new life and for it to be snatched away so abruptly was so painful that could not live on. The story of an hour, was a journey full of emotions, that took o ver Lousise life. Her heart was in sp much pain that her heart failed. When Louise received the bad news that her husband had passed away, it was expected that she would go through the stages of deathShow MoreRelatedSocial Imagination579 Words   |  3 PagesSocial Imagination and Same Sex marriage and society. To me social imagination is the ability to remove yourself from a given situation whether it affects your life or not personally and try to imagine the situation or conflict from a different perspective or more global view. It’s the personal aspect that affects our judgments, opinions and actions in a particular situation. Removal of the personal viewpoint gives us a much fairer and unbiased way to make a decision that is fair. Removing ourRead MoreSociological Imagination And Social Imagination1431 Words   |  6 Pagesof its history and individuals. The history and individuals, are also in turn, influenced by its society. That is why it is important in the furthering of understanding a society, to observe it through the eyes of an outsider. Sociological imagination as defined by C. Wright Mills is the ability to view how a society s unique historical circumstances influence the people and simultaneously how the history is also affected by the people of the society (Mills, 1959). I am a product of my societyRead MoreThe Social Imagination of Forrest Gump1653 Words   |  7 PagesThe Sociological Imagination of Forrest Gump OR The Sociological Imagination Concept As Illustrated by the Movie, Forrest Gump What is sociological imagination? Our textbook describes sociological imagination as the ability to see our private experiences, personal difficulties, and achievements as, in part, a reflection of the structural arrangements of society and the times in which we live. The movie entitled Forrest Gump is a great example of sociological imagination. In this paper, I willRead MoreSociological Imagination and Social Issues1251 Words   |  6 PagesSociological Imagination and Social Issues People are more likely to use psychological arguments to explain why things are they way they are rather than look at the sociological aspect of them. They think that problems happening in their lives are personal and overlook that they may be caused by society (Ferris amp; Stein 13). Sociological imagination challenges people to look at the â€Å"intersection between biography and history† and see the role we each play in society (Mills 1959 and Ferris amp;Read MoreSocial Interaction : A Sociological Imagination976 Words   |  4 PagesSocial interaction occurs between all individuals in society and can be studied through the use of the sociological imagination. A sociological imagination allows one to link their everyday activities and situations to society as a whole. I can study my own personal social interactions and the situations I encounter by applying concepts, theories, and perspectives that sociologists have developed for analyzing society and social situations. A lthough I encounter situations on a day-to-day basis, oneRead MoreImaginary Friend; Is It a Problem?709 Words   |  3 Pagesconcerns regarding this issue, and the multiple visits to pediatricians, for fear that your child is suffering from some kind of disorder that could affect her future. Children at the age of 2 to 3 years old often begin to develop skills such as imagination, and it is at this stage when they begin to know their imaginary friends, almost establishing a parallel life to theirs. According to many experts, having unreal companions will not bring problems to our kids in their development. Actually, thisRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Shelley s Alastor Essay1493 Words   |  6 PagesAlastor and its ambivalence. The definition will not be strictly from the Narrator, but Shelley’s entire perspective. The reader will have a new objective to contemplate in the topic of the role of the poet. In the Preface, Shelley discusses the imaginations and functions of human beings; which is utilized as a definition of the role of the poet: ‘The Poet is represented as uniting these requisitions, and attaching them to a single image’. The human mind is an extremely complex mechanism; there mayRead More The Use of Force, A Story of Guilt Essay761 Words   |  4 Pagestwo children lying dead in bed of neglect. His guilt of how he handled the situation plunges his imagination down a dark, immoral path. The pivotal point between reality and his vivid imagination becomes clear when he states, I explained the danger but said that I would not insist on the throat examination so long as they (her parents) would take the responsibility. This is where his imagination takes over. Instantly, his adoration and love for the young girl turns to utter loathing. He goesRead MoreHow Imagination Can Build A Virtual World And Stay Away From The Real World1754 Words   |  8 PagesI magination is widely used for people to work and live. Technological development creates an opportunity for people to access technology. Indeed, people would prefer to use imagination to create a virtual world and stay away from the real world. The essay â€Å" Alone Together† written by Sherry Turkle, argues that technology and imagination would affect the authenticity of life in society. Turkle also states that as technology developed, it makes humans doubt intimacy, connectivity, authenticity andRead MoreAnalysis Of The Little Princess 2282 Words   |  10 PagesNonetheless, Sara is also given a great imagination which is unlike other princesses, and allows her to escape the conflicts she comes across; in her portrayal of The Little Princess Burnett’s idea of a child being subjected to isolation and left to provide for herself is dealt with through the use of Sara’s imagination. The Hunger Games takes a distinct approach, rather than demonstrating an ideal princess that must survive by providing for herself by using her imagination, Collins displays a strong and

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

International Monetary System - 3533 Words

International monetary systems International monetary systems are sets of internationally agreed rules, conventions and supporting institutions that facilitate international trade, cross border investment and generally the reallocation of capital between nation states. They provide means of payment acceptable between buyers and sellers of different nationality, including deferred payment. To operate successfully, they need to inspire confidence, to provide sufficient liquidity for fluctuating levels of trade and to provide means by which global imbalances can be corrected. The systems can grow organically as the collective result of numerous individual agreements between international economic actors spread over several decades.†¦show more content†¦With the growth of American power, the US Dollar became the basis for the international monetary system, formalized in the Bretton Woods agreement that established the post-World War II monetary order, with fixed exchange rates of currencies to the dollar, and convertibility of the dollar into gold. Since the breakdown of the Bretton Woods system, culminating in the Nixon shock of 1971, ending convertibility, the US dollar has remained the de facto basis of the world monetary system, though no longer de jure, with various European currencies and the Japanese Yen being used. Since the formation of the Euro, the Euro has gained use as a reserve currency and a unit of transactions, though the dollar has remained the primary currency. A dominant currency may be used directly or indirectly by other nations – for example, English kings minted gold mancus, presumably to function as dinars to exchange with Islamic Spain, and more recently, a number of nations have used the US dollar as their local currency, a custom called dollarization. Until the 19th century, the global monetary system was loosely linked at best, with Europe, the Americas, India and China (among others) having largely separate economies, and hence monetaryShow MoreRelatedIndia s International Monetary System And Classification Essay2005 Words   |  9 PagesIn this system, each country adopts a certain monetary unit with, more or less, fixed par value, based generally upon its gold content. This par value is made the basis of its exchange rate with other national standard momentary units, and this announced exchange rate remains stable or permanent for some time before it is officially changed. -The Floating Rate of Exchange A country using the floating rate of exchange for its monetary allows its money to be traded in the money market at exchange ratesRead MoreInternational Monetary System5852 Words   |  24 PagesINTERNATIONAL MONETARY SYSTEM MULTULATERAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS Meaning International Monetary System refers to the system prevailing in world foreign exchange markets through which international trade capital movements are financed exchanges rates are determined. MNCs operate in a global market, buying/selling/producing in many different countries. For example, GM sells cars in 150 countries, produces cars in 50 countries, so it has to deal with hundreds of currencies. What are the mechanicsRead MoreInternational Monetary System5858 Words   |  24 PagesINTERNATIONAL MONETARY SYSTEM MULTULATERAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS Meaning International Monetary System refers to the system prevailing in world foreign exchange markets through which international trade capital movements are financed exchanges rates are determined. MNCs operate in a global market, buying/selling/producing in many different countries. For example, GM sells cars in 150 countries, produces cars in 50 countries, so it has to deal with hundreds of currencies. What are theRead MoreGlobalization And The International Monetary System1155 Words   |  5 Pagesglobal institutions and why we need them when globalization exists. We need them because they help regulate the marketplace and promote treaties that help govern business done globally. I learned about the International Monetary Fund, which controls the management of the international monetary system. 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According to the International Monetary Fund, in the four decades between 1970 and 2010, there were no fewer than 145 banking crises, 208 monetary crashes, and 72 sovereign debt crises. This adds up to a total of 425 systemic crises across the world (Lietaer 3). These crises are caused because of the way the world monetary system has been set up. With debt being the basics of the current monetary system many local communities have developed new systems to replace or to help stabilizeRead MoreInternational Monetary System Of The European Economies1164 Words   |  5 Pages ECON310-1603B-08 Instructor: Janet Hunter Unit 4- International Monetary System Amanda Kranning September, 2016 International monetary system Immigration of refugees into other economies has been an issue in the affected countries that play a vital role in the harboring of refugees. It goes without saying that the influx of refugees comes with some standing effects that may influence the financial system of the recipient countries positively or negatively. Having beenRead MoreGlobal Firms And Governance, International Monetary Systems, Forex Markets, And Market Parities1151 Words   |  5 PagesProblem Set 1 (*optional items) Global firms and governance, international monetary systems, forex markets, and market parities. Global firms and governance: 1. How would you define and measure multinational corporations? If the firm is operating facilities in multiple countries or it is controlling real assets in multiple countries then the firm is called MNC. Multinational corporations can be measured by foreign ratios, foreign sales, and foreign employee ratios by how many countries in whichRead MoreThe World Trade Organization Essay1690 Words   |  7 Pagesinstitutions i will be talking about include the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation. These organisations provide loans, grants and practical assistance to governments, in addition to loaning money to assist private businesses within developing countries. They also play a significant role in the privatisation and overseeing of public utilities and natural resources. The World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), often called the Bretton Woods InstitutionsRead MoreFinancial Globalisation Is The Cross Boarder Financial Flow Through Global Linkages1336 Words   |  6 Pageseconomists, the nati onal policy making, academic economist, national policy making bodies as well as international Monetary fund (IMF). The International Monetary Fund have influenced the way in which numerous multilateral institutions works in the worldwide economic changes as a result of globalisation. In historic times the Classic Gold Standard (1870-1914) was known as the perfect monetary system that was ever created. During this course, national money and other forms of money such bank notes

Policy makers and implementers Free Essays

Between policy makers and policy implementers serve any useful function today in USA? Early donors to the expansion of public administration accredited a policy function for administrators that have often been overlooked yet the politics-administration dichotomy that is a fraction of the conventional archetype frequently incorporates the thoughts of accountability and responsibility– even though the archetype can be articulated in traditions that seem to prohibit these qualities by depicting administration as automatically instrumental–but the stress on a firm dichotomy of politics and administration will not lodge the policy responsibility of administrators that has come to be extensively renowned. There are several motives why the dichotomy design has continued. It is expedient to give details the separation of functions in conditions of entire separation as it is easier to elucidate than a model founded on sharing functions, predominantly because the partition model does not bound the genuine policy offerings of administrators in practice. We will write a custom essay sample on Policy makers and implementers or any similar topic only for you Order Now At the same moment, the dichotomy idea defends administrators from inquiry and provides the benefit of elected representatives who can pass liability for disliked resolutions to administrators. According to Miller (2000) sees dichotomy as a â€Å"helpful myth† for the reason that it difficult to understand the pressure of administrators to limit efforts by politicians in control to incline the accomplishment of policies and channel paybacks toward themselves. Fractional editions of the dichotomy continue. Researchers view the attempt to disconnect politics from administration as producing a dichotomy and tag the importance on hierarchy, authority, structure, and top-down accountability the Wilsonian ritual in public administration. There has been found reinterpreted dichotomy that allows a policy-making function for the executive but still assists managers oppose the forces of particularism. Recognizing that administrators disjointedly form policy behind the scenes resigned policy sway and hierarchy. (Van Riper, 2002) In addition, it should be documented that the notion of the firm dichotomy does have a chronological basis in the United States, yet it was not the normative model anticipated during the naissance period of American public administration. A finishing basis for the determination of the dichotomy is the deficiency of a substitute model. To keep away from slipping back into the observation that public administration commenced in dichotomy but stimulated into broader functions, it is accommodating to have a substitute understanding. There has been an embedded crucial model for political-administrative associations from the start, and this model is imperative for knowing the existing and prospect function of public administration. The complementarity of politics and administration is founded on the principle that elected officials and administrators adhere together in the frequent pursuit of sound governance. Complementarities involve split fractions, but fractions that approach together in a reciprocally compassionate manner. One supports the other to generate a complete. Complementarity influences interdependence alongside separate functions; conformity along with sovereignty; admiration for political control along with an assurance to form and execute policy in ways that endorse the public concern; reverence to elected incumbents along with obedience to the law and maintain just electoral antagonism; and positive reception of politics along with support for proficient values. The concern is not whether public administrators are â€Å"influential or usurpative† (Friedrich, 2004)–the regular dichotomy against non-dichotomy choices–but how they are both mechanized and donors to the political progression, that is, involved and constitutive. Complementarity involves enduring contact, mutual sway, and mutual reverence between chosen officials and administrators. Administrators assist to figure policy, and they present it precise content and connotation in the procedure of execution. Chosen officials watch over execution, investigate explicit criticism about reduced recital, and effort to correct troubles with presentation through fine-tuning. Privatization through constricting out breaks the discussion and substitutes it with agreement requirement and fulfillment reports. Paradoxically, constricting out intimately approximates the stipulations of the dichotomy model, as do recital indentures, and highlights an essential restriction in this sort of approach. if not it is aloof for services that can be suitably distinct without ongoing extensive based administrative contribution and properly conveyed without unremitting political omission, the firm separation of policy makers and service deliverers can inferior the superior ity of governance. In disparity, with broad relations, the information and values of those who do the continuing job of government harmonize the acquaintance and values of those who eventually set the route for government and make certain that it stays on track. The complementarity of politics and administration clutches that elected officials and administrators–both in ordinary contact with citizens– require and facilitate each other in a corporation for governance. Dividing the cohorts or distorting the association in one way or the other means that a main donation is absent. If one persists to acknowledge the straightforward notion that public administration commenced as disconnect influential body restricted to a contracted sphere of activity, one does damage to the precedent and one dashes the jeopardy of legitimizing a proper dichotomy of policy configuration and constricted service delivery. References Friedrich, C. J. 2004. Public Policy and the Nature of Administrative Responsibility. Public Policy 1: 1-24. Miller, Gary. 2000. Above Politics: Credible Commitment and Efficiency in the Design of Public Agencies. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 10(2): 289-327. Van Riper, Paul P. 2002. The Politics-Administration Dichotomy: Concept or Reality? In Politics and Administration: Woodrow Wilson and American Public Administration, edited by Jack Rabin and James S. Bowman, 203-18. New York: Marcel Dekker. How to cite Policy makers and implementers, Essay examples

Improve Engagement of Employees Business Flourishment

Question: Describe about the Improve Engagement of Employees for Business Flourishment. Answer: Introduction The employee engagement has always been the root cause for each and every business flourishment and overall success. An engaged place of work inspires, and also provides energy, productivity, and commitment for rest of the employees who all are concerned and involved in order to improve the performance of the business and for them, the targets seem to be very much achievable (Swarnalatha and Prasanna, 2011). The employee engagement in the true sense is a type of approach which makes sure that all of the concerned employees is well committed, focussed towards the business goals. In present times, the employee engagement has been viewed with much more importance than earlier, emphasis are put to ensure that this approach is carefully implemented as the results are really outstanding in its presence. Each organisation uses many of the steps to ensure that the targets are achieved in an efficient manner and with the cost-cutting motive as well in mind. Statement of Problem The main aim of this report has been to improve the employee engagement with the organisation. With the impact of the high engagement of the employee saturates each and every feature refer the company structure, also tends to impact the monetary bottom line, plus can also well catalyse the c.inets loyalty. This clearly implies that the employee engagement and the concerned matter are significant for any of the organisation (Lobo and Ashwini, 2015). The employee engagement with the passage of time has become a very serious problem in situations when the % of the disengaged employees enhances fast in comparison to the engaged employees plus the number of the employees are concerned and interested in quitting the organisation. This has been the main challenge for the organisations as employee engagement are a serious as well as complicated and complex problem plus there are so many of the factors which can influence the engagement of the staff at work. Methods and Techniques Employee engagement survey The survey of the employee engagement is the common as well as the better way or the technique for the superiors to get to know about the thinking and the liking of the staff for their work and the workplace; they understand the manner in which the staff is happy and also the conditions which negatively affects them (McBain, 2007). The survey which may be conducted refers the employee engagement should necessarily include the following questions --- Are you able to understand the organisation goals and what efforts the staff is required to make for the benefit of the company? Whether or not you are proud to be an apart of this organisation, plus what are your expectations from the company? Whether or not you are comfortable working in the environment which is being provided to you? Do you feel the atmosphere you are working is a healthy one and are you able to comfortably discuss and speak out your problems? Is the management of the organisation able to make you merry and is cooperative? Measuring the employee engagement Refer the outcome of the results of the survey, the management is required follow the path which may help the staff retention, find out the situations and factors which are the most dissatisfaction creators for the employees and work for its eradication. For the best results, the company should take into use the scientifically passed and validated tools in order to measure the excepted accurate employee engagement (McBain, 2007). The Proper report is required to be created which concerns the employees performance as well as carefully measure the task and outcome of the work quality refer their behaviour, ability, hard work, sincerity and vigour for the achievement of the company goals. Selection of right manager Right managers lead to right path for the employees, the main member of a team is the manager, this particular person has to drive the team in the required direction of achievement of the companies goals, he is required to be very hard working plus unfair so that the employees under him work and out with bright colours. The manager plays a significant role in order to connect the staff with each other; he is the one who makes them understand the power of working together and teamwork (McBain, 2007). Successful managers give rise to successful employees, who in turn end up as big assets for the company. Such managers always encourage the hard workers and also appreciate them for their good work. Research process The research process is made to understand and also identify the cause which results for the disengagement of the staff and various problems which are to be faced by the company refer the process of employee engagement (Nasomboon, 2014). Though there is no particular research which applied in a sphere of the business. Understand factors which contribute to the employee engagement in an organisation. Analyse the measure required to further improve the engagement. Analyse demographics and also the other features of the staff which affect their task. Data Collection Various methods plus techniques are taken into use by the researchers to collect data. These methods include experiments, close observation, surveys and interviews. The quantitative method of data collection is also brought into use to understand and collect correct position. While some organisation take into use the questionaries for this purpose, which can be divided into two main sections. First one is the demographics plus personal information of the staff; the second one is a sense of comfortableness of the working staff. Data Analysis To judge the comprehensive data collected, a manager is required to undergo so many of the timely surveys. He has the main duty to understand the complex problems which his employees are facing and which is not letting them perform well. He collects the data carefully and studies it carefully and provides expertise information so as to help out the employees perform much better. Research Outcome The survey on further improving the employee engagement to the organisation is basically a matter of deep significance and study. It concludes the success or failure story of the company (Nasomboon, 2014). The helps the employees come out from their problems and improves the results of the company efforts. The survey pinches out the negative creating factors from the atmosphere of the company and weeds positive energy. A manager is required to be very tough who do not easily give up and always act as an inspiration for the juniors. References Dr. C. Swarnalatha, d. And t. S. Prasanna, t. (2011). Employee engagement and employee turnover.Ijar, 4(5), pp.328-329. Dr. V. Tulasi Das, D. and Ch.Vijayalakshmi, C. (2011). Employee Engagement Strategies For Enhancing Employee Competitiveness To Organizational Success.IJAR, 1(12), pp.137-140. Lobo, S. and Ashwini, R. (2015). A Study on Employee Engagement.Adarsh Journal of Management Research, 8(1), p.33. McBain, R. (2007). The practice of engagement: Research into current employee engagement practice.Strategic HR Review, 6(6), pp.16-19. Nasomboon, B. (2014). The Relationship among Leadership Commitment, Organizational Performance, and Employee Engagement.IBR, 7(9).

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Project Methodology Samples for Students †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Project Methodology and Role. Answer: Definition: A project methodology is the collection of practices, procedures, techniques, and rules used by the experts while working on the discipline. Project manager uses methodologies for providing structure and the framework to the delivered projects by using principles, framework, themes, standards, and processes (Obrutsky, 2016). Role of project methodology: The objective of the project methodology is to design a development process which is reasonable, flexible, comprehensive, and accessible. Theproject management methodology works as an asset for the project manager for evaluating the project goal and deliverables (Karaman Kurt, 2015). The methodology is the medium which provides a common platform for communication and initialization of the project. It helps in encouraging the planning process for starting the work. The projects can be efficiently managed by using pre-determined metrics and reporting tools. The hierarchical structure ofproject management is shown in the figure below: Types of methodologies: Traditional approach: Theproject management process includes a series of steps which includes initiation, planning, execution, controlling, testing and validation, and implementation. It is also known as waterfall methodology. PMBOK guide: Project management body of knowledge serves as a methodological approach for implementation of different steps included in the flow of process model such as planning, execution, control, and termination of the project (Fitsilis, 2014). Prince2: Prince2 stands for project in controlled environment which is used for process driven methods and the approaches applied in the private sector. Agile methodology: It is the methodology which follows flexibility, building process, and iterative design for managing the project. The pre-planning process is included form managing the changing requirement of the client. SDLC: The SDLC is the process methodology which works on improving the quality, delivery of the product, and the requirements of the product. The project is managed by requirements identification, balancing needs of the stakeholders, expectations, and the risks associated with the stakeholders. PMBOK and PRINCE2 are the preferred methodologies by project managers. The two methodologies are similar to each other in respect of their identification of the requirement, participation of the customers, development of team relationship, and integration of the stakeholder. The focus is given on the quality management and risk identification in both the methodologies (Ghosh, 2012). The table shows the difference between the two methodologies in brief: Particulars Prince2 PMBOK Process Starting of the project Initiating of the project Direction given to the project Controlling the phases Management of the product delivery Management of the state boundary Closure of the project Initiating Planning Initiating Executing, controlling and monitoring Executing and planning Planning and closing Closing Principles Principles followed No principles followed Comprehensive or practical It is practical in nature It is comprehensive in nature Focus on Focus given on business case Focus given on customers Factors Partly integration with environmental and organizational factors Strongly integration with environmental and organizational factors (Vieira, 2014) Case The business case should be reviewed periodically Business case should be continuously focused Organization Active participation of stakeholder and human resource Financial, human resource, quality, and other management involves Quality No involvement of quality management Involvement of quality management Plan Initiation of planning process Scope, cost, and time management Risk Identification of the risks Management of the risks Management of integration Partially focused Strongly focused Communication Partly focused Strongly focused Procurement Partly focused Strongly focused Stakeholder Partly participation Active participation Project life cycle and chosen methodologies: There are seven processes involved in the prince2 methodology for completing the project life cycle. The project stat up involves the assemblage of the project team for planning of project initiation. The initiating of the project involves focusing on the business case and the risks associated with it. The series of authorization involves in the directing the closure of the project. The stages are controlled by managing issues. The delivery and maintenance of the product focuses on the execution of the working package. The PMBOK works on five processes for completing the project life cycle which are named as initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling and closing. The knowledge areas which are included in project life cycle by using PMBOK are integration, scope, quality, time, cost, human resource, risks, procurement, and stakeholder. The following figure shows the relationship of PRINCE2 and PMBOK with Project life cycle. Conclusion: The PMBOK is strongly preferred by the project manager for managing the project. The PMBOK serve as a guide for planning, organizing, staffing, and other functional areas of project management. References: Fitsilis, P. (2014).Comparing PMBOK and agile project management software development process. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/2953419/Comparing_PMBOK_and_Agile_Project_Management_software_development_processes Ghosh, S. (2012).Enhance PMBOK by comparing it with PRINCE2 and P2M standards. Retrieved from https://pmkb.com.br/uploads/2013/08/95598999-Comparison-of-PM-Frameworks.pdf Karaman, E., Kurt, M. (2015). Comparison of project management methodologies: Prince 2 versus PMBOK for its project.International journal of applied science and engineering research. Retrieved from https://www.ijaser.com/articles/vol4issue42015/vol4issue4/JASER4059.pdf Obrutsky, S. (2016).Comparison and contrast of project management methodologies. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305969672_Comparison_and_contrast_of_project_management_methodologies_PMBOK_and_SCRUM Vieira, D. (2014).Integrating PMBOK standards, lean and agile methods in project management activities. Retrieved from https://research.ijcaonline.org/volume88/number4/pxc3893680.pdf

Saturday, March 21, 2020

7 E-mail Salutations to Use (And 4 to Avoid)

7 E-mail Salutations to Use (And 4 to Avoid) Have you ever opened an es of peer relationships would be co-workers, clients you have already established a working relationship with, friends, neighbors, etc. If you are sending an e-mail to your manager or boss, or someone in a position of power, it could come across as presumptive and disrespectful if you dont share a certain level of familiarity in your working relationship with them. A good rule of thumb is: If you refer to the recipient on a first-name basis in everyday conversation, this is a great salutation to use in e-mail correspondence.2. Hi [Ms./Mr. Last Name],When to useThis is the more formal version of #1, and is best when used in situations in which you are not on a first-name basis with the recipient. Likely circumstances where this salutation would be the best choice are:Potential clients with whom you havent established a working relationshipPeers, managers or superiors on the job you are not on a first-name basis with in everyday conversationExecutive-level reci pients outside of your department youve never met in person or with whom youve never established a close working relationshipEditors or agents during the query or submission processCity officialsFormal requestsTeachers (who have not earned an honorary title, such as Doctor)Why its a good choiceFor anyone with whom you havent established a first-name basis relationship, this is the most standard and semi-formal salutation you can use. An added bonus is: You dont need to know the recipients first name to use it.Potential problemsThe main problem you could encounter when using this salutation is getting the recipients gender wrong, for example, writing Dear Ms. Edwards for a recipient who is male. Another issue you could encounter is to write Dear Mrs. Edwards to an unmarried female. For this reason, its best to avoid Mrs. altogether and use the marital status-neutral Ms. instead.3. Dear [First Name],When to useThis is a slightly more formal version of #1 and should only be used in sit uations where communication on a first-name basis is appropriate. Although dear is, in some contexts, considered to be endearing- in modern communication, it comes across as slightly stuffier than its Hi counterpart.Why its a good choiceThis is a good choice of salutation if you want a more formal version of #1 and works as a great e-mail greeting for anyone with whom youre on a first-name basis.Potential problemsThe main problem you might encounter with this salutation is coming across as more formal than you intended.4. Dear [Ms./Mr.] [Last Name]:When to useIf you want a slightly more formal approach to #2 (Hi Ms. Edwards), this is the best choice. As with #2, it can be used in a variety of contexts in which you are not on a first-name basis with the recipient.Why its a good choiceThis salutation covers a broad scope of contexts in which you would be conducting e-mail correspondence. In many cases, Hi and Dear are interchangeable- its really based on the preference of the sender.P otential problemsYou really cant go wrong with this salutation, unless you are writing to a close friend or colleague with whom you have a first-name basis relationship. In that case, it might come across as stuffy and confusing, with your friend wondering if theyve said or done something to upset you.5. Dear [Doctor/Professor] [Last Name]:When to useThis is the best salutation to use when you are writing to a recipient who has an honorary title. Notice that in this salutation, the most standard punctuation is a colon rather than a comma. Here are some examples:Dear Lieutenant Brooks:Dear Dr. [or Doctor] Smith:Dear Honorable Jackson:Dear Mayor Wyatt:Dear Reverend Shay:Dear Professor Thompson:Obviously, there are dozens more honorary titles than those listed here, so do your research on the front end to make sure you address the recipient correctly, based on his or her honorary title. If you are unsure of which to use, this website is a great resource for names, titles, and forms of address, including how to address an envelope, how to write the salutation in an e-mail or letter, and how to refer to him or her in person. It is published by The Protocol School of Washington, which offers continuing education and training in protocol, cross-cultural awareness, and business etiquette for advanced business studies. The website covers honorary titles from Abbots and Attorney Generals to Vice Presidents and Warrant Officers, and is a highly useful reference that is also available in print format.Why its a good choiceIf you are contacting someone with an honorary title, it is likely that your reason for communicating is important. People who have gained such titles have spent their life in pursuit of learning and preparing for it, so it should never be used incorrectly- or worse, not used at all- in e-mail communication.Potential problemsThe misuse of an honorary title or use of an incorrect one is an etiquette faux pas in communication, including e-mail communication . You run the risk of being judged as unprofessional by doing so, which means that the message or request you are attempting to communicate could be ineffective or ignored.The misuse of an honorary title or use of an incorrect one is an etiquette faux pas in communication, including e-mail communication. Photo by Nacho Arteaga on Unsplash.6. Dear Staff or Dear Colleagues,When to useWhen you are addressing multiple people in your e-mail, such as correspondence to a companys entire staff, this is a good choice in salutation.Why its a good choiceIts neither too informal nor too formal, and takes care of addressing a number of recipients.Potential problemsOne thing to keep in mind is that if you are addressing a group of recipients like this, your message should be something that everyone needs to hear. Dont send out passive aggressive e-mails addressed to a group when youre really only wanting the message to go out to a few.7. Dear Friends or Dear Family,When to useThis is a great choi ce in salutation for e-mails sent out to friends or relatives, such as announcements for reunions, births, marriages, or parties.Why its a good choiceAs long as all of the recipients fall into one category (friends or family), this is the most obvious choice and is better than Dear everyone or Hi all.Potential problemsAs noted in #6, be sure that the message is indeed intended for the entire group. If not, it could come across as a passive aggressive way of dealing with conflict that would be better handled face-to-face with those who are involved. And on that note, keep in mind that e-mails are not the best method of communicating negative news or conflicts that have arisen. Face-to-face conversations with those directly involved are the better choice in these situations.4 salutations to avoidNow that weve covered the best e-mail salutations to use and the circumstances to use them in, lets look at some overly formal, outdated, ineffective, overly enthusiastic, and impersonal salut ations to avoid. The list of the top four is:Dear Sir or Madam (impersonal)To Whom It May Concern, (overly formal, impersonal)Hey! or Hi [Name]! (Overly enthusiastic)Happy Friday! (Overly enthusiastic; if you must write it, use the next line of the e-mail, not the salutation)

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Women on Death Row - Rosie Alfaro

Women on Death Row - Rosie Alfaro Marà ­a del Rosio Alfaro, also known as Rosie Alfaro, is a convicted murderer currently on death row in California for the June 15, 1990, murder of Autumn Wallace, age 9, in Anaheim, California. The Crime In June 1990, Rosie Alfaro was 18 years old, a drug addict and the mother of two and pregnant with twins. She was living in a home in Anaheim with a relative of the father of the twins, which was three blocks from the Wallace home. Alfaro was a high school friend of Autumns older sister April and had stayed with the Wallace family during her second pregnancy. However, in 1989, April began to distance herself from Alfaro, other than to occasionally give her a ride when asked. On June 15, 1990, Autumn was home from school early. The school was having early day and recessed at 2:35 p.m. Autumns mother, Linda Wallace, and April were at work and were not expected home until around 5 p.m. Autumn entertained herself by cutting out paper dolls. On the same day, Rosie Alfaro was busy buying cocaine and heroin and getting high. Her first score was around 11 a.m. and by 2 p.m. she was again out of money and drugs. A friend, Antonio Reynoso, who had been released from prison the previous day, agreed to share his drugs with her if she would agree to share her needle. When his drugs ran out, Alfaro decided that she would rob the Wallaces home to get money for more drugs. Alfaro told Reynoso that she used to live with the Wallace family and that she had left a video cassette recorder at the home and would sell it to him in exchange for drugs. Alfaro, Reynoso, an unidentified man, and Alfaros youngest baby went to the Wallace home. The men and the child waited by the car while Alfaro headed to the house. Autumn answered the door and recognized Alfaro as a friend of her sisters. Alfaro asked if she could use the restroom and Autumn let her come inside. Alfaro then managed to take a knife from the kitchen drawer and then coaxed Autumn into the bathroom. There she stabbed Autumn over 50 times in the back, chest, and head. With Autumn out the way, she went about robbing the house of various electronics, appliances, and clothing. Alfaro later admitted that she knew Autumn would be home alone and she was also aware that Autumn could identify her to the police. The Investigation April Wallace returned home at around 5:15 p.m. and found the door to the house unlocked. When she entered the home she saw that the house was a mess and that there were several items missing. She called out to Autumn, but there was no answer, so she left and went across the street to a neighbors house to wait for her mother to come home. Linda Wallace arrived home around 5:40 p.m. and was told that the house had been burglarized and that Autumn was missing. She went inside the house to search for Autumn and found her dead in the back bathroom. Neighbors told police that they saw a brownish Monte Carlo parked at the Wallace home and that two men, one holding a small child, were standing outside of the car. Police investigators were able to obtain a fingerprint from the Wallace home which matched to Alfaro. Alfaro was brought in for questioning and denied any involvement in the murder. More Evidence Sometime after the murder, Alfaro asked a friend if she could leave a bag of clothing at her house. Alfaro contacted the friend later, asking that she leave the bag outside of her home because she was heading to Mexico early the next day, but she never showed up.Investigators found out about the bag and on inspection found a pair of Aprils boots that had been reported as being stolen and a pair of Alfaros tennis shoes. A warrant for Alfaros arrest was issued and she was brought in for questioning again. Confession In a videotaped session that lasted more than four hours, Alfaro confessed that she alone murdered Autumn and then burglarizing the home. Alfaro was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and burglary. Trial In March 1992 a jury found Rosie Alfaro guilty for the murder of Autumn Wallace. The trial lasted two weeks. Sentencing - The First Penalty Phase During the first penalty phase of the trial childhood friends of Alfaro testified that she grew up in a violent home and that her father was a drunk who abused her mother. They also testified that Alfaro was using drugs as early as the sixth grade and dropped out of school in the seventh grade, at which time she began injecting daily as many as 50 speed balls (a mixture of heroin and cocaine.) Alfaros mother, Sylvia Alfaro, testified that her husband was an alcoholic who often hit both herself and Rosie in front of the other children in the family, and threw the family out of the home during drunken rages. She spoke about her daughters early drug use and her inability to quit. She said that at the age of 14, Rosie was pregnant with her first child. During that same time Rosies father abandoned the family. Who is Beto? Rosie Alfaro also took the stand and testified about her unhappy childhood, her violent father, racial prejudice she suffered at school and about her inability to get off of drugs. She expressed her remorse over the murder of Autumn Wallace, stating that we took your innocent life. With the reference of we the court ruled that she had opened the door to cross-examination regarding what went on during the crime since Alfaro had always insisted that she acted alone. During the cross-examination, Alfaro testified that she did murder Autumn, but did so under pressure from the second unidentified man that had come with her and Reynoso. She referred to the man as Beto but refused to offer any information as to his identity. She also testified that she was high on drugs and out of her head shortly before going to the Wallace home. This time she said that she did not know Autumn would be home and had never planned to harm her. She said that when Beto, who was also high on drugs, saw that Autumn was in the house he became angry and put a knife to Alfaros back and threatened to kill her and her child if she did not stab Autumn. She said she stabbed Autumn a few times, but claimed Beto must have inflicted the remainder of the stab wounds. Alfaro  said that once she came down from her high, she could not believe that Autumn was dead. The prosecutor questioned Alfaro about information regarding the identity of Beto that she had told to a mental health expert that examined her at the request of her lawyers. She testified that she initially told the doctor that the unidentified man was her fathers friend and that his name was Miguel. She then told him that the mans name was Beto and identified him in a photograph and said he had a womans name tattooed on his neck. During questioning of Alfaro and Reynoso the defense suggested that the real identity of Beto was Robert Frias Gonzales, whose nickname is Beto. However, in rebuttal the prosecution questioned Robert Gonzales who denied having anything to do with the murder of Autumn Wallace and who also did not look at all like the man that Alfaro had identified in the picture as being Beto. Unable to identify who Beto was, the jury at the first penalty phase trial was unable to agree on a sentence and the trial court was declared a mistrial. Second Penalty Phase Trial The penalty retrial was held in April 1992 before a new jury. Most of the same witnesses who testified during the first penalty trial, testified again, although this time Rosie Alfaro remained silent. In addition to the original testimony, the defense called an expert criminalist, Marc Taylor, who testified that after examining much of the evidence, that shoe prints found inside and outside the house did not match Alfaros shoes. A deputy sheriff at the Orange County jail testified for the defense about a person he saw who resembled the picture that Alfaro had identified as being Beto getting into a blue Camaro parked across the street from the main jail. Dr. Consuelo Edwards who was the mental health expert that Alfaro had first told about Beto forcing her to murder Autumn also testified for the defense. He said that Alfaros intellectual functioning was borderline, and that she had an IQ of 78 and learning disabilities that were made worse by her traumatic childhood. He described her as a follower. In rebuttal, the prosecutor had several Orange County jail employees testify about Alfaros poor behavior in jail and quoted comments that they had overheard her saying to another inmate. They testified hearing her say, Im a frustrated person who takes things out on people, and have to learn to live with that, and Im not going to be able to do this again. Im no actor. Im going to be cold this time. I just want to get this over with. Orange County investigator Robert Harper testified that Robert Frias Gonzales, who the defense claimed was Beto and the second man with Alfaro on the day of the murder, had a butterfly tattoo on his neck and not a womans name, which is what Alfaro had described. On July 14, 1992, the second penalty phase jury sentenced Rosie Alfaro to death. In August 2007, the Supreme Court of California denied Rosie Alfaros request for a stay of execution. Marà ­a del Rosio Alfaro is the first woman ever sentenced to death in Orange County.

Monday, February 17, 2020

Tertullian, From Apologia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Tertullian, From Apologia - Essay Example bout worship and nothing ulterior, they would be wise enough to convert to the true religion and end the persecution that they inflicted on Christians at that time. Tertullian is not a man with moderate temperament and his defense for Christianity is very fiery in Apology. He is very forceful when advocating for Christianity and uses every opportunity to discredit the roman polytheism which was the tradition of the Roman Empire and also was against the worship of the emperor as he felt they were mere idolatry and superstitions that were baseless. His love for Christianity would not allow him to sit back and watch while the people who worshipped with him were persecuted by the Romans who did not care even a little about the religion and felt that it was a threat to the traditional roman ways. Tertullian was looking to end this so that there would be harmony between the two factions and probably the Romans crossing over to Christianity. His cause was helped by his education as he was a ble to explain things much better. Apologia is the Latin word for apology and it means to explain; Tertullian was trying to do this in his apology. He tries to make the roman people view Christianity from a different angle as they had perceptions that were untrue about the religion. His education was very useful as he was able to talk to the other educated Romans and have their attention. There were ridiculous accusations leveled against Christianity like incest, atheism and even cannibalism and he tried hard to help the people understand the values of Christianity as a way of helping clear the reputation of Christianity that was stained by false accusations. He also felt that rather than persecuting them, the Romans should have thanked the Christians as all they did was expound the truth to the citizens who believed and followed other religions other than Christianity. They totally deserved the plaudits that Tertullian was trying to get them as they persevered the pain and suffering

Monday, February 3, 2020

Zara as a fashion retailer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Zara as a fashion retailer - Essay Example Marketing of products and hence the proper management of marketing is an essential factor for every organization and requires extensive measures to be successful and satisfy its customers by fulfilling their demands. Thus the understanding of the marketing management of a company and its strategic options available are essential for the company’s success. The current study focuses on the marketing management and the strategic options available to the Zara fashion retailer and from the study determines the key marketing strategies that may be incorporated in the company’s objectives and marketing plans as well as apply the concepts of marketing in the company’s future success. Zara Company: Market, Consumer, and Competition: In the global world of competition, it is necessary for every organization to undertake measures to increase its competitive advantage over its competitors. Zara is a popular fashion retailer whose parent company is Inditex. In order to achiev e the competitive advantage over its competitors that include companies like Hennes and Mauritz (H&M), The Gap, Benetton, the company has plans to address the constraints encountered by its competitors such that they can overcome any obstacles. The core competencies of the company have provided the company with improved financial outcomes increasing its status over its competitors in the market. Such a phase has been possible for the company to achieve owing to the consumers of the company who have made it a success for the company. The consumers are highly satisfied with the company since Zara focuses extensively on responding quickly to the demands of the customers, increasing the speed of the flow of information in between the ultimate consumer and the company. Thus through the competitive advantages the Zara Company has made a position for itself in the industry and among the target market (Zara: Fashion Follower, Industry Leader, 2004). Mission and Objectives of the Company: Th e primary aim of the company is to create a sustainable development for the society in which they survive and contribute towards the welfare of the environment. Thus the main objectives of the company include saving of energy, manufacturing eco-friendly shops, produce less waste and perform recycling, maintaining commitment towards the company’s workforce and prepare and sustain a team that would remain aware of the environment. The above mentioned objectives of the company deal with the retail stores of the company. In regard to the products of the company, the company has set its objectives in use of ecological fabrics, cotton that is organic in nature and manufacture of footwear that is PVC-free in nature. In regard to transport facilities of the company, biodiesel is used by the company keeping focus on the welfare of the environment. Products based on animals that are available in the company are made available from animals raised in their farms and animals are not sacri ficed for the purpose (Our Mission Statement, 2010). Stakeholders of Zara Company: The employees, the customers, and the suppliers are the main stakeholders of the company. The Zara Company has its primary focus on the utmost level of satisfaction of its customers and hence the company takes all necessary measures to manufacture and design products based on the demands of the customers. This attracts more customers for the brand. The employees of the company are also addressed and their

Sunday, January 26, 2020

The Marketing Of Movies Film Studies Essay

The Marketing Of Movies Film Studies Essay In 1910s, the era commonly known as the birth of movie marketing, the big focus was on the movie stars. As motion picture audiences grew, so too did the importance of the actors. It was producer Carl Laemmle who originated the publicity stunt, an orchestrated media event where something dangerous or spectacular related to the movie is performed in order to draw further attention to its opening. After asking Florence Lawrence, a famous movie star, to join his IMP production company, he announced to the press that Lawrence had died in the car accident. After news of her death had created a sufficient stir, he placed a full-page advertisement in papers to deny the story. That was one of the first deliberate marketing strategies in the industry and it changed the movie marketing system dramatically. (Block and Wilson, 2010:19). As the stars of movies became more and more identifiable, the publics curiosity about them grew to be insatiable. This then started an era of using movie stars to promote movies and ultimately, it opened a whole new field of movie marketing. From 1920s, film distributors had started to employ marketing teams to create and produce publicity materials like press books, which were intended to encourage cinema managers in the exploitation of the film product. Film historians tend to look at early press books in order to study the history of movie marketing itself. Each press book would carry information about the film and its production, such as the plot synopses, the cast, background information and all the details of the availability of posters or other promotional aids such as lobby cards or standees life-size cardboard cut-outs of characters from the film (Moat, 2003-2010) to be put in cinema foyers. Press books were also used to promote ideas like recipes, competitions, quizzes and tie-ins with the local shops, as well as suggested text for local newspapers. The peak of the press books popularity lasted from the 1920s until the beginning of 1950s, when film distributors started to have more money to spend on promotiona l strategies, and film going was at its height. By the mid 1950s, theatre attendance had dropped to only 50 percent of what it had been in 1946. (Lees and Berkovitz, 1981) To make things worse, the U.S Department of Justice had launched an antitrust suit against the Big Five film companies Paramount, RKO, Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros. and MGM. After eight years of negotiations, these studios and three minor studios of that time Columbia, Universal, and United Artists agreed to what became known as the Paramount Consent Descree. (Pomerance, 2005:12) From now on, studios could no longer marshal under their own vertical structures the entire movie-making process, from acquisition of script material through pre-production, filming, editing, marketing, distributing, and exhibiting and therefore could no longer predict in advance what the profit range would be for the films they systematically produced. As the audience were less likely to visit the theatre, films had to have a more profound contact through the plot or use of vi sual effects. As a result, exhibition practises were modified in many ways after 1950 to lure the audience back: widescreen processes like CinemaScope and Cinerama, advance reservation road show bookings for major features, more intensive use of cinematic colour, the use of more exotic locations and lushly scored, quasi-symphonic or jazzy music. (Pomerance, 2005) However, what makes a hit? is the big question that has been on the minds of everyone involved in the movie business since its early days. (Lees, 1981:142) The uncertainty engendered by this shaky state of affairs causes, quite naturally, a parallel state of anxiety about decision making. There are no guidelines to consult that will indicate anything other than approximate probability. Film marketing has therefore two definitions. One is giving the public what they want. The other is making the public want what you have got. In the eyes of many movie marketers, this amounts to a very clear distinction between bad and good. (E.Squire, 2006:67) The problem is that there is usually no sure way to tell what the public wants. In late 1960s, film makers had started to use marketing research as a method of predicting the audience acceptance. Its goals were clear: determine a statistical picture of the kinds of people who go to movies, find out if certain projects will meet with public favour and learn how to market films that have already been made. (Marich, 2009:29) However, producers could watch the results of market research, trade paper reports of grosses, but the numbers for one film could never predict how the next one would do. In the 1970s, for example, there were three kinds of films one did not make: science fiction, sports and Vietnam. The films in those subject categories had all bombed, so it was assumed the public was turned off by the subject matter. (Stringer, 2003) Vietnam was depressing, science fiction was for buffs, and who wanted to see movies about boxing when they could see real sports at home, for free? Star Wars (Lucas, 1977), Coming Home (Ashby, 1978) and Rocky (Avildsen, 1976) buried these arguments forever, although the same thinking persists. For example, the presence of stars in the cast was said to be insurance that a film would be successful, but in Star Wars, for example, there were no famous names. Interestingly, the American film industry changed more between 1969 and 1980 than at any other period in its history, except perhaps for the introduction of sound. During that time, profits for the most successful motion pictures rose from the hundreds of thousands to the hundreds of millions of dollars. (Curran, 1998) The sixties were also highly marked by the rise of television. Although still too expensive, it opened a new window for film marketers. The film that is often credited with changing how movies are distributed and marketed was Jaws (Spielberg,1975), the first film to open at a thousand theatres and to use network television to support it. Made by Universal Pictures, the studio liked the complete film so much that it began a TV advertising campaign that cost an unprecedented $700,000 (Block, 2010:506) The film opened on 490 screens, setting the standard for subsequent wide openings for Hollywood films. Universal was looking to ramp up the marketing for Jaws to levels never seen before. Three nights before the film was scheduled to open nationwide, the studio saturated the networks during peak prime time hours with a barrage of thirty-second trailers. When it opened on June 20, Jaws become a national sensation. After the Jaws experience in 1975, multi-disciplined marketing departments were created, which included specific divisions for publicity, creating advertising, media buying, and promotion. (Cook, 2000). The follo wing chart depicts Jaws franchise films all-release worldwide box office revenues versus their production costs. (Block, 2010:507) Equivalent 2005 $s Against the rule of films one should not make in 1970s, George Lucas began developing his concept of a mythical science-fiction action adventure film named The Star Wars, set in the distant future and featuring a cast of characters. Universal and United Artists passed on it, but 20th Century Foxs Alan Ladd Jr. offered Lucas $10.000 to develop the screenplay. (Bakker, 2008:101) The head of Foxs advertising department, David Weitzner, began working on the film in February of 1977 and hired the successful advertising agency of Smolen, Smith and Connoly, which had previously created campaigns for such movies as Carrie (De Palma,1976) and The Omen (Donner, 1976). Donald Smolen began his task by examining the initial marketing research that had been conducted. The reports from the early screenings were not very encouraging said Smolen. We were told not to spend too much money, because the research showed it was just another science-fiction movie. (French, 1997:32) They certainly were not too excited about it, with the exception of Ashley Boone, the vice president of distribution at Fox, who kept touting the film, saying it is going to be a hit. When Fox screened the film for Smolen and his partners, they were not impressed. At this point, there were so much missing from the film it was not fair to judge it, although we did. However, my job was to make sure the f ilm was sold. In that regard it did not make any difference what the research showed or what anybody thought about the film. We were just trying to sell the film in the best possible way. (French,1997:32) To pump up pre-release interest, Lucas inventively tapped science fiction conventions, released a comic book and a novelization. The film opened to long lines at 10.00 am on May 25,1977 in a mere 43 locations across the United States. (Lucasfilm Ltd, 2004) No one knew it was going to be a big hit remembers David Prowse, actor playing Lord Vader. Nowadays, we take for granted that a big blockbuster will go out with thousands of prints and open in May. But back then the summer special effects blockbuster did not exist. (Prowse,2010) Although there were certainly fewer movie theatres in operation during the 1970s compared with today, a wide release of a mainstream, non-specialised film at that time typically meant a few hundreds engagements. Lippincott, former Lucasfilm Ltd. Vice President for Advertising admits that if the film was redone today, on the basis of the way movies are released with a couple of thousands prints, it probably would have been unsuccessful. Theatres did not want the movie. We were lucky to get forty theatres to open it (Gross, 1999:55) What is more, until the mid 1970s, movies were poor cousins of television when it came to merchandising. Sound tracks and books had always brought income to producers and studios, but the manufacturers who bought licenses to make other kinds of products such as toys or t-shirts figured that regular weekly exposure on television was the key to selling their goods. In comparison, movies seemed to be quick, one-shot affairs, not around long enough to sustain a product in the marketplace. (Curran, 1998) All that changed with Star Wars. The phenomenal success of most of the scores of Star Wars items showed that all sorts of products could ride on the coattails of a hit film. It also showed that through shrewd merchandising, a studio could make millions of dollars above and beyond income from movie theatres. The studios tend to define merchandising as any instance of an outside company using a film title or an image from a film on a product or as part of an advertising campaign. (Smith, 20 02:34) The latter case is called a tie-in, and as its name suggests, it is a partnership of two different companies in a unified advertising strategy. George Lucas agreed to reduce his salary as a film maker, reportedly $100.000, in exchange for Fox agreeing to let him have the films merchandising rights and other, lesser non-cash considerations. At the time Star Wars hit theatres, it had just ten licensees, but that mushroomed when the science fiction movie exploded in the box office. According to The Licensing Letter, the original merchandisers were Kenner for toys, games and crafts, Factors and Image Factory for t-shirts and posters, Ben Cooper for childrens costumes, Twentieth Century Records for soundtracks, Ballantine for paperbacks, Marvel for comics, Don Post Studios for various masks, Ken Films for edited home movies, and George Fenmore Associates for souvenir programs. (Marich, 2009:144) Star Wars was the real birth of the modern movie licensing business and it caught a lot of people by surprise. Six months after the release of Star Wars the much anticipated range of toys still was not ready. Puzzles, jigsaws and other items that could be produced with relatively short lead times begin to dominate toy shops across America, but Kenner had simply not had enough time to create its product. It became apparent to everyone at the company that they were going to miss the all-important Christmas toy purchasing period. Worried that by the time its products were available, the Star Wars obsession of Americas children would be over, the company devised the Star Wars Early Bird Certificate Package. (Lucasfilm Ltd, 2004) This was a large envelope available in toy stores. It included a certificate which the recipient would have to post to Kenner, remembering to include his or her name and address. The recipients would then, as soon as the toys were produced and before they were av ailable in shops, receive the first four of Kenners Star Wars action figures: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, R2-D2 and Chewbacca. Kenner, which is now owned by Hasbro, still to this day has a Star Wars license for different merchandise. To compare, in 1997, by adding just four-and-a-half minutes of new footage to the original film, at a cost of $10m, roughly the cost of the entire original movie, George Lucas has managed to recycle Star Wars back to the top of the box office and make it the most successful picture of all time in the US. When it opened on May 25, 1977, Star Wars took $2.6 million in six days from a timid 32-screen release. On January 31, 1997, the re-release exceeded all expectations with $35.9m from 2,104 screens. (Duncan, 1997: 16) When George Lucas decided to digitally revamp the Star Wars trilogy for re-issue, Lucasfilm and 20th century Fox were left with a marketing conundrum. How do you build awareness for a film that is possibly the best known picture ever made? We went into re-release without a marketing template explains Gordon Radley, president of Lucasfilm. (Lucasfilm Ltd, 2004) Star Wars is more than a cultural phenomenon, it has such an impact on the hearts and minds of cinema-goers and no trilogy has ever been re-released on such a large scale. Lucas himself had strict guidelines for the worldwide re-release: it was to emphasise the in-theatre experience- the big screen as the best possible way to see Star Wars as well as stressing the unique chance to see all three films in a relatively short scape of time. Less than a year before the Star Wars relaunch, the new trio was titled The Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition and given the tag line Join the Celebration! Back on The Big Screen! (Lucasfilm Ltd , 2004). Although the average American has seen the film many times, US posters used the phrase See It For The First Time. (Duncan, 1997:16) Working with Lucasfilm, Fox marketers have approached Star Wars in terms of raising the consciousness of an existing, long-lasting brand name. The important thing was that we were not bringing a new film out says Jim Gianopulos, president of 20th Century Fox International. We didnt have to raise awareness. In 1996, before the release, Star Wars merchandising held the number two sales spot. (Smith, 2002:35) Star Wars action figures were the biggest selling toy after Barbie and has made more than $3 billion since the release of the film in 1977 twice the amount the franchise itself has earned. The unprecedented $2 billion tie-in with PepsiCo that was struck in May 1996, became the cornerstone to promoting Star Wars as a brand name again. (Duncan, 1997:16) During the latter part of the decade, intoxicated by the success of Jaws and Star Wars, Hollywood developed a blockbuster complex. The following table depicts franchise films originating in the 1970s. (Block and Wilson, 2010:533) Equivalent 2005 $s in Millions of $s Rank Franchise Number of Films in Franchise All-Release Worldwide Box Office 1 Star Wars 6 $6,872.9 2 Jaws 4 $2,238.9 3 Rocky 6 $2,060.6 4 Superman 5 $1,797.0 5 The Godfather 5 $1,139.2 The event movies, franchise films, and instant blockbusters that drove the box office of the 1980s became more expensive, more high-tech, and more international in the 1990s, although the profits became even harder to realise. By the early 1990s, sophisticated marketing techniques such as advertising testing, the use of the internet and product placement in films, became firmly rooted in the business. As production and marketing costs soared, more and more movies opened with huge grosses only to fade after the first weekend, replaced by another movie the following weekend. Nobody could predict that in a summer packed with big-budget mainstream studio fare like Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (Lucas, 1999) and Wild Wild West (Sonnenfeld, 1999), Artisan studio would score the most stunning coup in recent times by propelling Blair Witch Project, a grainy, low-tech documentary, to $250 million at the box office worldwide. (Marich,2009:96) Interestingly, the writers of the film spent less than $100,000 to make and present it in documentary style. As a result, with sequels, videos and licensed merchandise, it became the most profitable low-budget films in cinema history, as depicted in the following table. (Block, 2010:520) Top 5 Blockbuster Movies Lowest Production Cost versus Highest Revenue All-Release Domestic Box Office, 1960-2009 Equivalent 2005 $s in Millions of $s Rank Film Initial Release Domestic Box Office Production Cost 1 The Blair Witch Project 1999 $177.3 $.04 2 Easy Rider 1969 $191.7 $1.9 3 American Graffiti 1973 $402.0 $3.30 4 Psycho 1960 $209.9 $5.3 5 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2002 $266.4 $5.4 Thanks to a revolutionary use of the internet and word-of-mouth, the movie stood out amongst the onslaught of $200 million movies with corporate tie-in partners and $50 million advertising budgets. Bound by a small marketing budget, the internet proved to be the one outlet where the money spent paid off in spades. The Web completely levels the playing field; you cant out-spend somebody on the Web the Artisans studio marketing head, John Hegeman said. Its against the grain of every other media; you create a message and give it time to breathe. If the environment is interesting, you can hold onto the fan base longer, as opposed to a 30-second ad thats here and gone. For us, it was the most important and impactful delivery mechanism (Hegeman, cited in Stanley, 1999) Co-director of the movie, Eduardo Sanchez, created the Blair Witch Project website to outline the story of the Blair Witch and lure potential investors- before the screenplay had even been written. He also planted a false information that the murders shown on-screen were real, not staged by film makers. Of course the events depicted in the movies were not real, but the controversy they caused helped boost interest and ticket sales. Rather than posting a typical promotional movie site with Shockwave presentations, cute screen savers, a few trailers, and an opening date, Sanchez created a Web site that is an extension of the movie rather than just an online advertisement. In addition, just before the general release of the film, The Science-Fiction Channel aired a mockumentary, Curse of the Blair Witch (Sanchez, 1999b), which, supposedly, investigated the legend behind the movie. The program contains actual interviews of relatives and friends of the three main characters. (Sanchez, 1999b) Since the whole legend was fictional, including the myth of the missing students, the program can be treated as another marketing mechanism for the film. Despite this, it gives more background information on the legend that is hinted at in the film. Then, at the Cannes Film Festival, the producers distribute flyers containing information about the cast. The missing posters of the actors of the film were also put up. These marketing strategies and also the authentic feel of the movie made many viewers believe that the whole documentary was real, even though the film was listed in the fiction category. This decade also saw industry consolidation accelerate. By the end of the 1990s, bigger companies dominated the entertainment industry and companies such as News Corporation (20th Century-Fox and Fox Broadcasting), Time Warner (Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema), and Viacom (Paramount, Blockbuster Video, and CBS) were changing the dynamics of ownership. (Bakker, 2008:122) Studios were no longer part of companies focused primarily on movies and TV shows. These companies ushered in an era of more intense research, which was conducted at a higher cost. Everything was tested, from story concepts to TV commercials. These companies were also able to raise vast pools of funds from investors both in United States and around the world. Movies were still shown on film, but there were signs that the end of the celluloid era was upon us as movies entered the electronic age. Digital technology was used first to store information, then to edit movies and TV shows, and later as a tool in special effects, leading ultimately to the beginning of digital cinema, which would transform production, distribution, and exhibition. At the same time the internet gave easy access to an abundance of information and fast communication. When in 1993 only 1.3 million people used the Internet, by the year 2000, over 300 million people had access. (Bordwell, 2003:274) Soon after, the DVD was introduced as a digital consumer entertainment format and seemed likely to replace videotape. However, mainly due to evolving technology, the U.S film industry faced many new difficulties as a new century dawned. Film piracy exploded, thanks to digital copying and internet access. Also box-office revenues swelled due to increased ticket prices as supposed to larger audiences. In real terms, theatres were earning less from tickets sales that they had in the 1980s. (Stringer, 2003) In the meantime, the costs of film making and marketing were rising faster than the income. Nonetheless, theatrical motion pictures remained central ingredients in the media mix. Films spawned television series, video games, comic books and other merchandise material. The press tracked top-grossing films as if they were a sports team. The industry might have been riddled with economic problems, but film was securely at the centre of Americas and the worlds popular culture. Bibliography draft: Bakker, George (2008) Entertainment Industrialised. The Emergence of the International Film Industry, 1890-1940, University Press, Cambridge. Bassom, David (1999) Star Maker, StarBust, May 1999, pp. 40-45. Bhuvaneshwari (2005) Star Wars: A Star Brand, IBSCDC, May 2005, pp. 1-8. Block, Alex Ben and Lucy Autrey Wilson (2010) Blockbusting, HarperCollins Publishers Inc., New York. 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