Floods †A literature review Essay

Writer: Linber LewisSchool: President’s College, GuyanaIf one asks the question, what can floods do?, then the following may seem like fitting answers. During the summer monsoon season, heavy rains cause destructive floods in Southeast Asia. In China, the floods of the Huang He River have been so frequent and devastating that the river is called Chinas Sorrow. Likewise in the US, record spring and summer rains in 1993 caused the Mississippi Rover to overflow its banks, flooding farms and towns from North Dakota to Missouri, causing 10 billion dollars in damages and leaving 70, 000 homeless. These extracts attest to the destructive nature of floods. By contrast, Britannica Encyclopedia tells us that the success of the Egyptian Civilization was heavily dependent on the annual flooding of the Nile to replenish soil moisture and fertility, and also to supply to irrigation water. Since plants and animals are a part of human life, once can assume that if floods affect us they will affect them (plants and animals) also, whether positively or negatively. Research shows that domestic animals seem to suffer greatly during conditions of excess water. According to the book, Where there is no Vet; the infectious disease foot rot that attacks the hooves of animals, is prevalent during wet weather and in wet areas. It is known that floods bring a sharp increase in insect population. Consequently animals suffer from skin and eye irritations due to these insects. According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), during the 2005 flood, more than 2000 animals were treated during the early stages of the floods. They were treated for worms, diarrhea, nutritional deficiency, and respiratory and skin problems. The shortage of food had also affected animals. GINA also stated that feed and molasses were distributed. According to a Stabroek news article dated 05/02/16, farmers at Enterprise on the East Coast of Demerara had to place in excess of 1000 cattle on mud dams. In addition, many were stranded in flooded area, or stuck in mud. Many of these animals drowned due to cramps. Deaths of livestock were prevalent among cattle, swine, sheep and goat due to abortion or pregnancy complications. Animals on mud dams also fought amongst themselves resulting in many injuries that often resulted in  death. Ducks enjoyed the water but were made to prey to caimans. Other poultry sought refuge on roof tops. With regards to crops, information garnered from Biological Science 1 tells that terrestrial crops will not fare well during or soon after a flood, since excess water causes water logging that result in:Clogged air spaces leading to death of microorganisms in soil. Rotting of plan roots due to excess water. Leaching (washing away) of soil nutrients. A change in the pH of acidic soils. Surprisingly, Microsoft Encarta tells us that some varieties of rice grow with roots submerged in water, and that these varieties are more productive because their roots easily extract needed nutrients from water. But once rice starts to mature, water is drained or pumped out of fields since a dry field is needed for plants to mature and grains to ripen. In the same news article previously referred to rice, rice farmers in Enterprise lost over 300 acres of rice since the ripening grains were damaged by the excess water. However, when one looks at the response of the ecosystem to floods, the revelations that spring froth tell a different story. According to Nature Encyclopedia; most amphibians lead solitary lives, but for many species the need for water in which to mate, brings large numbers together at breeding pools. This exodus is dependent on factors such as daylength, temperature change and most importantly weather. The annoying croaking of male frogs to get the attention of a female occurs more frequently during the rainy season. Hence the rains (a likely cause of a flood) created an optimum condition for amphibian reproduction. The Nature Encyclopedia also tells us that some fishes take physical steps to  protect their offspring and thus build nests. The hassar nests, very common during rainy seasons are evidence that fishes also multiply in excess water. The sharp increases in mosquitoes during and after flood are due to the fact that their larvae mature in stagnant water. When an area is flooded, aquatic plants spread in the stop the flow of water and trap silt. Silt greatly aids in bringing more vegetation (such as reeds, lilies and grasses) to the flooded area. But a deluge can also have negative impacts on the natural ecosystems. An example given in the Nature Encyclopedia is the delay ion completion of metamorphosis in frogs. Tadpoles lose their gill for lungs, and lose their tail for legs provided that conditions are right, on their way to becoming mature frogs. But if environment is swamped, then the maturing frog will continue to grow but retain their gills and tails for longer periods in order to adapt to their surroundings. This delay in maturity means a longer elapse before reproduction. If this happens in large numbers (extreme cases) the frog population can be affected.

A Swimming Adventure Essay

Awaking early, I decided to sit on the screened porch and watch the Florida sun come up. Within a very short time as I sat there, the sun peaked on the horizon as it gradually awakened from its night of slumber. The dew sparkled like diamonds as the sun’s rays tenderly caressed the grass. Off in the distance, I could hear the world spring to life as the birds began to sing a spectacular melody, growing louder and louder as each bird began to chirp in unison, like a choir singing in church on Sunday morning. A new day had dawned and I remember thinking how magnificent the birds’ song was and what a wonderful day it was going to be. Returning to my duties as a mom, I started making breakfast for my children, who would wake shortly wanting to eat. Within a few minutes, the wonderful aroma of the pancakes and bacon cooking on the stove gave way to the sound of pitter-pattering little feet as they hit the floor. My children Michael, Laura and Misty were awake and joined me in the kitchen. I seated the children; gave them their breakfast and told them that it was going to be a very hot day and if they ate all of their breakfast and cleaned up the toys, I would take them to the beach to go swimming. The children, bustling with excitement over the news, hurriedly ate their breakfast and started cleaning up their toys while I cleaned the kitchen. Around noon, the temperature was a blistering 95 degrees as we packed a cooler with sandwiches and drinks. We loaded the trunk with our chairs and headed off to the beach. On the way, we saw a black and white cat racing across the street chasing a gray mouse. We played a game called I Spy and sang songs to pass the time. Growing closer to the beach Michael spied a snake lying in the road, and asked, â€Å"Why is the snake lying in the middle of the road mommy?† The snake  was dead and not wanting to upset him, I replied, â€Å"The snake is basking in the sun so it can get warm†. It was not long before we had reached our destination. Anticipation filled the air as we found the perfect spot and unloaded the car. The children helped set up the chairs and then headed off to swim. Deciding to relax a few minutes, I took in the peaceful views that lay before me. The beach was covered with white sand and on each side of the swimming area were large boulders and rocks that had been piled up. There were several covered tables and a bathroom area. Many people were playing in the water while others were lying on their towels and blankets on the sandy beach. A volleyball game was taking place a few yards away and I remember thinking how hot it was as the glaring sun beat down on everyone. Watching the children playing in the surf, the waves from the shore looked fun and almost childlike as they crested and then crashed over one another. I could taste the salt in the air and watched little rainbows glisten through the prisms of the ocean’s spray. The warm ocean water toward the shore was covered with foam and bubbles from the rumbling waves as my children and other families played in the gritty sand of the Gulf. I watched the seagulls swoop  down as a child threw small pieces of bread up in the air. The sea gulls were white and gray and had a long orange beak. I remember thinking to myself, â€Å"This is going to be a perfect day†. The children are playing and laughing in the ocean and call out â€Å"Come on mom, come and play†. I start towards the water trying not to step on any of the tiny hermit crabs as they emerge from their sandy homes in search of scraps. I reached the water; no crabs injured and plunged head first into a two-foot wave coming to shore, hah! How refreshing. My children and I are swimming and playing together in the cool refreshing water. I lift them one by one tossing them slightly in the air and letting  go, I hear them shriek with delight as they plummet towards the water with a splash! This exciting activity is repeated several times until my arms give out and I am forced to take a break, much to the dismay of my children who are having a wonderful time. I stand there in about three feet of water when my children come up with another exciting game; they start swimming through my legs playing mommy is a bridge. I remember thinking boy! I wish I had their energy. After resting a few minutes I picked them up, placed them one at a time on my back and began to swim; we slowly swam under the blue water and up again and I could hear them giggle with excitement and say â€Å"Do it again mommy, do it again†. A short time later a commotion broke out interrupting our games, I struggled to hear what everyone was shouting about and saw people running to the water’s edge and pointing about fifty feet from where the children and I were playing. Looking in the direction they were pointing, a  man with his daughter in tow yells, â€Å"SHARK!† without hesitation, I yelled to my son, â€Å"Michael, get out of the water!† I grabbed Laura and Misty and headed to shore. My adrenalin pumping we reached the shore incredibly fast, like a bolt of lightning streaking across the night sky. Only when we were safely on shore did we look back to see three fins just skimming the surface of the water. I stood there stunned and shocked watching the fins, wondering what kinds of sharks they were and very grateful that everyone was in one piece. A few minutes later, the fins disappeared beneath the surface and everyone was treated to a wondrous sight, there off in the distance, were three dolphins jumping high into the air and making a big splash as they entered the water. The dolphins took turns jumping and playing; sometimes they would jump in unison, as if dancers in a chorus line. As fast as they had appeared, the dolphins slipped beneath the waves and headed out to sea. I wondered if the dolphins laughed to themselves; thinking about how they had scared the two-legged creatures from the water  or if they were just as curious about us as we were of them. With the all clear, we headed back into the water and continued swimming and playing games. A short time later, the children became hungry so we decided to get something to eat and drink. The ham and cheese sandwich tasted good and the Pepsi was refreshing. As we ate, the children began to get goose bumps so I covered their shoulders with a blanket. Hours later, the sun setting, we gathered our belongings, packed up the car and ventured home. The children tired from a full day of fun and games fell asleep quickly. Not wanting to wake the children, I turned off the radio and listened to the hum of the motor as we made our way home. Later as I lay in bed I replayed the day’s events in my mind, from the stunning sunrise, the splendor of the birds as they sang, the laughter of they children as the played, the show of the dolphins, the beauty of the beach and the setting sun, I thanked God for all the wonderful gifts he had given me. THE END Graded and Corrected A+ paper The teacher wanted us to write an essay about something that happned in our lives. I scored a 94% on this essay due to poor punctuation, which has since been fixed.

Bubonic Plague Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Bubonic Plague - Research Paper Example In Third Pandemic during the mid 19th the Bubonic plague caused mass epidemic in parts of Central Asia, China and India with the Plague of Pune in 1897 being the most infamous amongst all. This paper attempts to take a brief look at the aftereffects of the epidemics caused mainly by Bubonic plague in the Demographic and Socio-Economic sectors. An in depth look is taken at the impact of the plague in Europe (14th century) and in South-east Asia (late 19th and early 20th century). (Weapon of Mass Destruction; Dufel and Cronin; â€Å"The outbreak of bubonic plague in Pune in 1896-97†, 2010) The catastrophic and cumulative impact of the Bubonic Plague depicts an example of the way an ailment can terrorize human civilization. The worst victim of the Bubonic plague has been Europe in the mid 14th century. However the aftershocks of the plague continued to the end 14th century and by that time almost half of the European population has perished. The deaths of more than a million people over the decades during the epidemic of ‘Black Deaths’ left a deep structural change in the European society, especially among the urban population. The early effects of the epidemic were reflected with a resurgence of hostile attitude towards the Jews. Anti-Semitism gained strong grounds as the Jews were looked upon as conspirators who had inflicted the plague epidemic upon the Christian community. The fact that Jews were significantly affected by the death tolls could not convince them. An important social effect was the near disappearance of the clergy class in Europe. As the then living conditions and arrangements of the clergies helped easy transmission of the plague a large section of the priests and nuns in the churches of Europe fell prey to the epidemic (Spiro). The following table shows the impact the plague had in terms of death toll: Besides this the epidemic clearly

Radar Coastal Surveillance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Radar Coastal Surveillance - Essay Example The primary aim of the present research is the determination of the extent to which radar systems efficiently and effectively execute the requirements and tasks associated with coastal surveillance. Hew (2006), a defence systems analyst with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, contends that no single radar system is capable of fulfilling the stated tasks and responsibilities but that coastal area characteristics have to be matched against specific systems. In other words, the selection of the coastal radar selection system is dependant upon the characteristics of the coastal area in question and no radar system addresses the needs and features of all. Proceeding from an acknowledgement of this argument, this study will review all of radar technology, coastal surveillance requirements and existent methods for radar coastal surveillance to determine the optimal system, or systems for the execution of coastal surveillance responsibilities.As a strategy for responding to the selected researched question and satisfying the research's articulated aim, an in-depth investigative exploration of radar technology, coastal radar systems, and the requirements of coastal radar surveillance shall be undertaken. The results of the investigation shall determine the optimal coastal radar surveillance system(s).Prior to presenting the data upon which the discussion pertaining to the research question shall be based, it is necessary to contextualize the report's focus. This shall be done through a review of the definition for radar systems, an historical analysis of its development and the articulation of its responsibilities and tasks. 2.1 Background Practically all systems, from computer and communication systems to air and naval defense systems may ultimately be identified as multi-tasking technological networks, comprised of several asynchronous parallel distributed operations and whose total response is, by definition, both complex and probabilistic. Further evidencing the inherently complex nature of systems is the fact that operational responses vary in accordance to output events

What are the justifications state legislatures have used to pass laws Thesis

What are the justifications state legislatures have used to pass laws legalizing same-sex marriage - Thesis Example ?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦.59 Vermont†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦59 California†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦59 In Re Marriage Cases†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦..59 Prop. 8 and Strauss Case†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..66 Perry v. Schwarzenegger†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..67 Perry v. Brown†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦73 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..73 Bibliography†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã ¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.80 Cases and Statutes†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦86 Abstract This dissertation will focus on an analysis of states where same-sex marriage has been legalized. The bulk of the analysis in this regard will be court decisions, as courts provide much more evidence and argument for their positions than do legislatures. The conclusion is that courts use different standards of review for same-sex marriage, which indicates a clear split between jurisdictions on the matter. Another conclusion is that courts, in making their decisions regarding same-sex marriage cases, tend to reach in order to get to the desired conclusion. This seems to hold for both courts ruling against same-sex marriage and courts ruling for same-sex marriage. The conclusion is that the courts that rule on... The researcher states that same-sex marriage has been a source of controversy in the modern era. Same-sex marriage implicates gay rights, as this is the basis for the success that homosexuals have had in recent years. The modern thought regarding homosexuals may be traced to 1977, which was a watershed year for the homosexual rights movement, according to Fejes. It was during this year that homosexuals began to be positively portrayed. States were also eliminating sodomy laws, and more states began offering protections to gays and lesbians. Also during the 1970s, the same-sex couples began nascent efforts to marry – in 1970, the first gay couple attempted to obtain a marriage license in California. They were denied, as were other couples in Wisconsin and Colorado. During the 1980s, same couples pushed for marriage to a greater extent, as the era of AIDS was ushered in. AIDS affected same sex couples, and encouraged them to pursue marriage, because same-sex couples were increas ingly denied the right to make health care decisions for their ailing partner. The gay marriage debate picked up steam in 1993, as the state Supreme Court of Hawaii ruled that the state’s refusal to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples was an unconstitutional form of sex discrimination that would need to be justified by a compelling state interest. However, this move by Hawaii produced a major backlash, in the form of the Defense of Marriage Act, which was passed by the federal government in 1993 in response to Hawaii’s decision.

The aftermath of earthquakes in Haiti, like the hurricane in New Essay

The aftermath of earthquakes in Haiti, like the hurricane in New Orleans a few years ago, reveals both humanitarian aid and looting and violence - Essay Example The aftermath of earthquakes in Haiti has much to do with the prevailing conditions there, before the earthquake. The effectiveness of the relief operations depends upon not only with the organizations involved in relief work, , but also with the adaptability of the people to make the best use of the relief supplies. What are the ground realities in Haiti? Joseph Francis Bentivegna writes, â€Å" Institutional corruption siphons off foreign aid, so the needy are never helped. High export taxes discourage peasants from growing popular crops while politically influential families make huge profits because they are exempt from paying taxes.† (Introduction....) This being the mentality of the ruling class(bureaucrats and politicians) the chances of people getting a fair share of the relief materials are dim. The after-effects of the magnitude 7.00 earthquake are staggering. The damage is massive. Logistical challenges hamper the relief efforts. Rescue teams from all over the world have arrived and co-coordinating their work is itself a gigantic task. According to Red Cross estimates, 50,000 deaths have occurred and morgues have no place for the bodies. Bodies are strewn in the streets like rotten vegetables. Utter confusion prevails. Day by day, the situation is going from bad to worse. Food is in short supply, security is sparse, medical supplies are in great demand

John McCain's Proposal for Health Care Reform Essay

John McCain's Proposal for Health Care Reform - Essay Example McCain believes in allowing every American to keep their health insurance as they move from job to job or job to home. McCain believes in strengthening health care quality by promoting research and development of new treatment models, improving technology and providing best information for Americans. (www.johnmccain.com). John McCain's health reform proposal is an attempt to address the inefficiencies. The McCain proposal consists of three components. The first component is that the current implicit tax subsidy provided for employer-based coverage would be eliminated. For a worker receiving health coverage through his/her employer, the premium would be treated as part of the worker's "income" and taxed under the personal income tax. In place of this subsidy, consumers would receive a refundable tax credit if they obtain health insurance. The size of the credit would be $5000 for persons purchasing family coverage, and $2500 for persons purchasing individual coverage. This first component will make health care affordable and accessible for all since they receive a substantial refundable tax credit. The second component is that the non-group market for health... "community rating" laws). States also vary in whether they mandate coverage for different types of medical expenses. This second component will allow Americans to choose the most affordable and the most efficient health coverage plan from health care providers from other states. This plan will push health coverage rates down as the suppliers of health coverage plans compete for new consumers across state lines. This plan also pushes health companies to offer a wider range of health services for the same costs in order to retain their old customers and attract new ones. The third component is that the federal government would provide funding for states to each administer in the form of a Guaranteed Access Plan. This plan puts a premium on accessibility for all Americans and their families in all of the states.This plan will also make insurance more affordable as it would expand competition and "put families in charge of their health care dollars which will lead to expansions of health savings accounts and other high-deductible plans. References: Collins, S. R., & Kriss, J. L. (2008). Envisioning the future: The 2008 presidential candidates' health reform proposals (The Commonwealth Fund Publication No. 1092). Retrieved February 23, 2008, from http://www. commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htmdoc_id=647708 Ginsburg, P. B. (2008). PERSPECTIVE: Don't break out the champagne: Continued slowing of health care spending growth unlikely to last. Health Affairs, 27(1), 30-32. John McCain website. Available at

The Blue Booby James Tate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Blue Booby James Tate - Essay Example The blue of its feet is the blue of the sky and the sea where it lives. It is a blue that holds a fascination for the bird: this blue is the best collectible(they gather the blue /objects of the world ) as well as a cherished gift (the blue satisfies her/ completely, has /a magical effect/on her). On the surface, the poem is about these birds and these birds only. No mention is made of men or women throughout, only an adroit suggestion in the line: "from her day of/ gossip and shopping", which hints at a woman, and turns the entire poem into a masterly metaphor. The initial lines , with their alliteration of "The blue booby ... bare rocks", paints a picture of utter simplicity, of a bird living on unclad rocks, who "fears nothing": "It is a simple life:/ they live on fish,/ and there are few predators". A life without hunger or fear takes away most of the predicament that plagues the human situation, and the male bird is not particularly occupied with the many quandarys of attracting a mate: "the males do not/make fools of themselves/ chasing after the young/ladies". The simple, prose-like sentences convey just the right nuance of expression, and the use of the word "ladies", emphasizes the human comparison. The simple expedient for the blue booby is to build a bower of love w... ly empty package of harsh but very popular French cigarettes, probably left by an irresponsible male tourist, or blue-beaded jewelery lost by a woman exploring the island, or even pieces of blue serge, all valuable to the booby for its blueness, but all images evocative of human presence, each with a story of its own. For instance, the term Gaulois brings to mind the French "esprit gaulois"--the Gallic spirit, a lighthearted approach to life which does not believe in taking life too seriously, much like the blue booby. Tate stays focused on the theme, and does not let the language carry him away, as happens with most lists of articles in poems. The prose poem style with each line of the list beginning with "a" helps keep a sense of cadence, while narrating the objects. The list is a characteristic part of the blue booby mating ritual, a simple offering whose only value lies in the color, in a stark contrast with the often expensive gifts given by men in order to please a existing or potential partner. The poet's tone here is remote, detached, yet amused, especially with the mention of the beaded string and empty cigarette packet. In the next few lines, Tate talks about how the blue booby has become unconcerned with external demonstrations of virility down the millenniums: "replaces the need for/dazzling plumage; in fact, in the past/ fifty million years / the male has grown/ considerably duller,/nor can he sing well". There is no striking plumage in order to gain female attention like in other male birds. This is totally unlike his human counterparts, who, as men of the world, sometimes go to great lengths to gain visual appeal in the eyes of a woman or demonstrate entertainment skills in order to attract a mate. In the next paragraph, Tate goes on to

What gendered relationship(s) does your cultural role or practice Essay

What gendered relationship(s) does your cultural role or practice encourage - Essay Example Basically, gender is developed under the influence of culture. Male or female gender roles have been shaped in certain social and national contexts. Therefore, culture depends on gender roles and gender roles depend on culture. If we try to speak figuratively, a dilemma of culture-gender relationship interdependence may be compared with a chicken and egg riddle. Gender role and culture relationship In the context of a given situation on the example taken from Bangladesh and Cambodian cultures, we would further claim that gender role and culture interdependence has been currently interpreted from a different perspective: i.e. with the cultural changes in these countries, gender roles have been also gradually changed. Situation 1 In Bangladesh, like in many other countries, there have always existed differences between â€Å"women’s/men’s work†. With the growth of garment trade policies in this country, many women became a part of a labor force. The norms of purdah (female seclusion) have been changed and women became employees in this field of activity. Moreover, earlier women were not greatly visible in the city of Dhaka, but there is much more women in the streets than earlier. Consequently, we can suppose that there is a consequent shift in women’s roles in their families and at work. We can explain this change of gender role as the result of socio-economical situation in the country. Further on, these changes were borrowed by culture and finally, they were reflected on women’s gender roles. Situation 2 The following changes of gender roles shown on the example of Cambodian culture had different triggers. It is possible to illustrate gender role change in Cambodia by the following saying: â€Å"men are a piece of gold, and women are a piece of cloth. The piece of gold, when it is dropped in mud, is still a piece of gold. But a piece of cloth, once it’s stained, it’s stained forever† (Questions about Culture). Currently, modern Cambodian women do not want to live their lives in accordance with this saying. They consider it to be unfair and irrelevant. There is a need for social justice and equal attitude to men and women. For example, male criminals cannot be considered â€Å"a piece of gold† and widows should have a chance to put a virginal piece of cloth on them. As far as we can see, political, social and economical triggers have launched gender role-cultural accents shift in Cambodia. Therefore, from a modern westerner’s point of view, it is relevant to claim that gender role principles explained by Virginia Woolf are not relevant to the greatest extent. Bangladesh or Cambodia does not have enough money, but their women are on their road to fight for their renovated and reinterpreted gender roles. The ideas of Brady, Pollitt and Tannen may be foun d more relevant in the modern context. Social stereotypes, political, social and economical changes have reached the minds of contemporaries and have triggered changes in gender roles. Therefore, in order to encourage equal and fair opportunities for further development of self-identities, personal professionalism directed on favorable social interactions between men and women, it is relevant to introduce political, social and economical changes internationally. Moreover, a western position concerning equal relationships between men and women is on the way of implementation in the countries of the Third World. Thus, it should be noted that gender role perception in the

Consumer law, warranties and conditions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Consumer law, warranties and conditions - Essay Example The most suitable test to distinguish among two terms is that if the stipulation is such that its breach would be fatal to the rights of the aggrieved party, then such a stipulation is a condition and where it is not so, the stipulation is only a warranty (Marsh, 1999). In addition, an action for damages can also be brought by the plaintiff for non delivery of goods (Miller’s Machinery Co. Ltd. (1934) (ABA, 1997). In other words , a warranty is a stipulation collateral to the main purpose of the contract, the breach of which gives the aggrieved party a right to sue for damages only and not to void the contract (Whaley, 2009). It is also noteworthy that a breach of a condition may be treated as a breach of warranty but a breach of warranty is not a breach of a condition (Keichel, 2010) and (Mitchell, et. al. 2003). From this we can deduce that a condition forms the very basis of a contract but a warranty is only of secondary importance (Ghemawat, 2010). After the Sales of Good Act (SGA) 1979, the distinction between sale by description and sale of specific goods was removed. Now the seller is in much of a precarious position than it used to be under the operation of common law. The Unfair Contract Terms Act (UCTA) 1977, s.3, does not allow any seller to exclude liability in such a manner as Harry’s has attempted to do. From the events it turns out that Stubley Ltd. is a consumer in this case as their primary business is not buying cars for their directors and hence, this particular transaction will not be dealt with in the scope of business. Furthermore, under Section 12-15 of the Sales of Good Act there are seven implied terms in favor of the buyer and five of these have been ranked as conditions and two are regarded as warranties. The five statutory implied terms which are labeled as conditions are 1) title, 2) correspondence with description, 3) quality, 4) fitness for purpose and 5) correspondence

Letter of motivation Essay Example for Free

Letter of motivation Essay Letter of motivation I am senior student of bachelor of computer engineering at Sepahan institute of higher education and I want to continue my study in telecommunications engineering at the Politecnico di Milano in Italy. here are my reasons for this choice. I always tried to do my best to follow and understand the evolving and growing line of technology which is going as fast as it can, so I chose Computer Engineering for my bachelor degree and every class was a great opportunity for me to learn something new and helpful but for my master degree I wanted to go deeper in the field of omputer networks and telecommunications which is my passion and my goal is to learn more and more and to put my learnings and knowledge finally in the field. ne of my favorite company that I want to be part of is Cisco which is the best network company out there. And my reasons for choosing Italy are that this will be a great and life changing opportunity for me to visit another countries and get familiar with other cultures and traditions and the important part is that Italy is a great developed and technological country which provides me with such a professional environment or me to grow my skills and be an expert in my field. The important part of studying abroad is to choose the best university in a country. so I did a lot of research about university rankings and the programs they offer and even asked a lot of the students who chose polimi for their destination. And with all that in mind and some other factors such as the faculty I chose polimi to continue my study in master. With all that and my knowledge of my self and my education and skill background I know I can be a great candidate for admission. and I hope I could get everything possible to learn from this program.

The Tesco Loyalty Card Scheme

The Tesco Loyalty Card Scheme Today the businesses have become customer centric and the marketing mix of 4 Ps is now being replaced by 30 Rs (Gummeson2008). Companies are more focused on delivering the value demanded by the customers, they are creating exit barriers for the customers by maintaining good relationships with them to retain them and earn lifetime loyalty. Today in highly competitive markets getting new customers is costlier and more difficult than maintaining the existing ones. So, companies are putting more emphasis on Zero Defection Strategy and maintaining their customer relationship as best as possible. In this essay we will critically evaluate the loyalty scheme run by Tesco to manage its customer relationship and the RM techniques followed by the company with different target segments that whether they are successful or need some improvement in future. TESCO PROFILE: Tesco, a European based company is the biggest and the most profitable supermarket chain in UK. It is considered to be the fastest growing company and a successful supermarket in the world selling almost everything, from food to clothing and operating through both geographic locations and internet. (Retail loyalty scheme2003, Corporate profile Tesco2004). Tescos success so far is based on its marketing relationship strategies which it has maintained through the launch of Club cards in 1995(Mitchell, Peck2007). It has effectively used the scheme targeting different customers segments, for attracting and retaining them. Tescos main approach is to create value for the customers and earn lifetime loyalty and they try harder for customers than anyone else. (Corporate profile Tesco2004). They have taken advantage of major changes in the lifestyle and it is the key for their continuous success. Relationship Marketing: Gronroos has defined relationship marketing as, An approach to establish, maintain and enhance relationship with the customers and other partners at a profit, so that objectives of the partners involved are met and this can be achieved by mutual exchange and fulfilment of promise. Thus, relationship marketing is an approach to establish and maintain good relationships with the customers in such a way that, no party is in loss and there is a room for profit for both the parties. Keeping customers in the first line of defence and winning their loyalty is the main theme of RM. Loyalty ladder Model: The model was suggested by Kotler 1997 for categorising customers on the basis of relations formed with them or repetition of purchases. Partners Members Advocates Clients Repeat customers First time customers Prospects Tesco Company uses loyalty ladder and commitment based segmentation to retain its existing customers and it has categorised them in 6 different stages. These are: logged on cautionary developing established dedicated logged off (needs win back the confidence) Tesco works with them in the sequence upside down as believe that newest customers can make an impression or lose it. Tesco uses automated event messaging for encouraging them for regular purchase. Whenever customers register themselves, they are prospect and needs motivation to buy. After 2 days, receives a registration e-mail along with  £5 discount on first purchase and the journey begins. Now they are first time customers or cautionary buying for the first time at discount and receive an e-mail asking about their experience and then another discount on next purchase. They keep on receiving bi- weekly alerts and e-newsletter on exclusive and personalised offers. On the top of mailing procedures the company offers Clubcard loyalty schemes to the dedicated customers with variety of incentives such as shop with the partners of Tesco, doubling the points on regular purchase and memberships with the clubs offered by Tesco. Now they are the established ones word of mouth will increase companys reputation and brand equity. By joining the clubs they become members of the company. If company comes to know that a customer is not buying for a long period then a reactive e-mail is sent to survey if he is having some problem with incentive of  £ 5. These are the logged off needs winning back the confidence with further incentives. Thus Tesco manages its customers and try not to lose them. RM techniques of Tesco, the loyalty card scheme: Customers loyalty plays an important role in RM, as their loyalty through repeat purchase and word of mouth with other customers can not only bring higher revenue for the company but new customers also. Tesco has managed all this through its Clubcard scheme; this is a membership card which allows the customers to save their money on shopping at any store of Tesco group of the companies or its partner companies and getting price off vouchers or Club card vouchers after collecting 150 points. As they win points on every pound they spend on shopping and after a limit these points get doubled, so such a scheme motivate the customers to buy more and earn points. On the other hand generate good revenue for Tesco groups. Such a loyalty scheme has enabled Tesco to increase its market share in grocery (squid2009) and overtake Sainsbury as a number one retailer. Following Tesco, many other companies like ASDA, Safeway and Sainsbury tried to run the loyalty card scheme but were unable to manage and match the success of Clubcard and failed. How club card helped in retaining existing and attracting new customers: The biggest challenge faced by the companies is to make their loyalty scheme, effective and appealing to the customers. Retailers need to clearly define the target segments, anticipate their needs and fulfil them properly to be successful (McGoldrick2002). Same is done by Tesco, as per the promise made by the company to create value for the customers it has provided club cards to the members and created following clubs where the members can shop and save money. Tesco targets 10 years old buy to 80 years old man as its customer and effectively offers benefits and value to all its targeted segments through these clubs. Members get magazines on different issues and price off vouchers from these clubs creating a creditability and loyalty for the company in the heart of the customers. The clubs for different segments are: Tesco Kids Club: This club offers products and fun culture for kids of age 5 to 8 years and it is their parents choice to join the club for kids and buy gifts for them. They provide them with the tips for safety and health of the kids to the parents to create creditability and soft corner on parents heart. (harlequin1,2001) Tesco Baby and Toddler club: This club offers tips and advice about the child care and pregnancy tips to would be parents or pregnant ladies. Club provides them parking area closer to the store to facilitate the ladies and such a deed builds strong relations and trust for the Tesco Company and customers prefer the club for a long. Tesco Healthy Living Club: The club offers magazines and booklets for health tips and it is for the middle aged or old people who want healthier living. It also provide price off coupons on organic and dairy foods to promote its Healthy and Organic foods and win creditability as a health conscious retailer. Tesco World of Wine Club: it provides a good and new range of wine for those to like to drink and promotes it through price offs to attract some new customers too. It also gives information about what kind of food goes with which wine. Tesco Food club: it provides its members cooking tips and teaches them techniques to cook easy, enjoyable and tasty food. How To videos for cooking facilitate the members to watch and learn the making of the meal and even they get mails about ideas for simple weekdays meal and menu. Like these Tesco have some more benefits too like greener living cards, association with Air miles company etc but its success is more dependent on its partnership with many other companies like Powergen electricity and gas supplier, beefeater restaurants, National Tyres and Avis car hire etc and customers can use the clubcards to deal with these companies also. Besides this, online shopping, Tesco petrol stations, Tesco mobile and credit cards also add points for the customers. Thus integrated approach of Tesco for maintaining relations both with the businesses and the customers helps the company to win trust of the customers. Clubcard as a CRM Tool The loyalty card scheme presented by Tesco acts as a CRM tool for the company collecting necessary information about customers buying habits and their specific needs. For getting club cards, customers have to get registered through filling a form online, on paper or through telephone. This form seeks the necessary information about the customers helping the company to design their marketing strategies as well as develop new products and offer them to the customers in a cost effective manner. Every year, nearly all the transactions held at Tesco are linked with the customers profile and now it has become companys philosophy to maintain and retain good relations with customers (ICMR, 2003). By getting information about the customers, company is able to understand its customers better and can serve them in the best possible way. Tesco consider the scheme as a learning process through which it can know about the customers, what they want from the retailer and how they shop and provide th em the value and benefits asked by the customers and promised by the company. (Humby, 2003) The reward system of discounts and price offs has enabled the company to successfully maintain the relations with the customers. Critical evaluation: Clubcards loyalty schemes have enabled Tesco to grow as a no.1 retailer in UK market leaving the competitors behind who were not able to run such schemes profitably. The Clubcard customers are also benefited by the schemes as they can shop and earn points with Tesco partners. Company listens and modifies its activities on their recommendations such as Wine club and Kids Club. (Rowley2007). But it was not successful in all the target market such as student segment.(Retail loyalty Scheme2003) and not able to still attract the students segment by offering them the benefits like special discounts as many retailers in UK do such as Peacocks, Apple store etc.(aceltham.co.uk2010). Also the redemption process of the vouchers is time consuming as it is through post and not online. Even the redemption value of the clubcard points is also very low. (Tesco2010). Not that loyalty schemes really makes the customer loyal because customers pay for the service they received which contributes to store loyalty and repetitive purchase.(Turner Wilson2006) So, it is necessary for Tesco to emotionally appeal the customers and manipulate their interest as in the competitive world switching to the competitor costs very low for the customers. Would Tesco be successful without the ClubCard: Tescos success depends on its targeting different segments and fulfilling their needs by developing strategies and products as per the demand. All this it can manage through its loyalty schemes. Many others companies have also tried such schemes, as Nectar, managed by Loyalty Management UK Ltd also offers the rewards and points on shopping from its members(Rowley2005) but not as successful as Clubcard. Tesco considered as CRM champion after the launch of loyalty scheme because it was able to win trust and loyalty of their customers both in behavioural and attitudinal form. The whole credit goes to the Tesco management who has effectively formulated the strategies for the target segments, derive information about their needs through their profile and delivered the value with the help of its CRM tools (ICMR2003). Even the rewards and benefits gained by the customers from its partners also helps in retaining the customers as they found it costlier to switch to other company. So, we can say without Clubcard, Tesco would have to struggle a lot to become as successful as it is now. Recommendations: Track the polygamous loyalty customers and provide them with better incentives for their better word of mouth as they deal with many loyalty schemes and make them feel that Tesco is better than others. Take advantage of modern communication technology and allow online chat rooms. Regular emotional attachment with the customers will lead to behavioural and attitudinal loyalty. Attract student segment by offering them additional discounts more than other segments. It costs five times more to acquire a new customer than to retain the existing one so company needs to apply positive switching barriers for customer retention.(Gee, Coates and Nicholson2008) Appropriate monitoring is required to evaluate that customer defection is not covered up by customer acquisition. (Gee, Coates and Nicholson2008) Tesco can provide a combination of currency-points flexibility. (Strategic Direction 2007) Analyse the LTV or estimated profitability of the customers and then allocate companys resources to them such as marketing spend. (Day, 2003) . Conclusion: After going through the relationship strategies and loyalty schemes of Tesco, it can be said that with the help of single loyalty scheme, it was able to target and address customer segments of different age groups. Club cards act as a CRM tool for the company and company has adopted the culture to follow the customers needs and reward them accordingly. Tesco has effectively managed the loyalty scheme and was able to win the trust and loyalty of the customers in return which helped the company to grow so far. It is advisable that company should maintain its relationship marketing strategy and loyalty scheme and redesign them as needed to provide the differentiated advantage to the customers forever. References: Gummeson Evert. (2008). Total Relationship Marketing. p36-40, third edition. Elsevier ltd. Mitchell H. Peck H. (2007). Does Tesco hold all cards. Cranfield school of management. Peck, Payne, Christopher, Clark. (1999). Relationship marketing for competitive advantage, keeping and winning customers. Reed educational and professional publishing ltd. Retail loyalty scheme, myth or marvel, Tesco. (2003). Available at : http://www.businessteacher.org.uk/free-marketing-essays/tesco-marketing-essay. Last accessed 3/04/2010. Tesco club card. (2010). Available at : http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/clubcard/clubs.asp. Last accessed 3/04/2010 Loyalty scheme helps tesco grow. (2009). E money news. Available at: http://www.squidcard.com/corporate/emoneynews/loyalty/loyalty-scheme-helps-tesco-grow218.html. Last accessed 3/04/2010 Tesco plc, company profile. (2010). Available at: http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=TSCO.L. Last accessed 3/04/2010 Michael Jorgenson. (2009). Tesco.com. How they do it. Available at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/22655210/Tesco-com-%E2%80%9CHow-Do-They-Do-It-%E2%80%9D. Last accessed 3/04/2010 Corporate profile Tesco. (2004). Corporate watch. Available at: http://archive.corporatewatch.org/profiles/tesco/tesco1.htm. Last accessed 3/04/2010 Christian Grà ¶nroos. (1994). From Marketing Mix to Relationship Marketing: Towards a Paradigm Shift in Marketing Management Decision, Vol. 32 No. 2, , pp.4-20. MCB University Press Limited, 0025-1747. Harlequin1. (2001). Tesco kids club. Available at: http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/offline-shopping-misc/tesco/305681/. Last accessed 3/04/2010 ICMR. (2003). Tesco- the customer relationship management champion. Available at: http://www.icmrindia.org/casestudies/catalogue/Marketing/MKTG070.htm. Last accessed 3/04/2010 McGoldrick, P. (2002). Retail Marketing 2nd edition. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill. Humby, C., Hunt, T. Philips, T. (2003). Scoring Points: How Tesco is winning customer loyalty 1st Edition: Kogan Page Limited. Rowley J. (2005). Customer relationship management through the Tesco Clubcard loyalty scheme. International Journal of retail and distribution management, Vol. 33, p196-206. Rowley J. (2007). Reconceptualising the strategic role of loyalty schemes. Journal of Consumer Marketing, p.366-374 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Peacocks special offer. (2010). Available at: http://www.aceltham.co.uk/acebusinesses.php?id=217. Last accessed 3/04/2010 Apple store. (2010). Students discounts. Available at: http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/education_routing. Last accessed 3/04/2010 Tesco. (2010). Clubcard points. Available at: http://www.tesco.ie/clubcarddeals/. Last accessed 5/04/2010 Turner Wilson. (2006). Grocery loyalty. Tesco Club card. British Food Journal, Vol. 108 No. 11, 2006, pp. 958-964. Gee, Coates and Nicholson. (2008). Understanding and profitably managing customer loyalty. Marketing Intelligence Planning, Vol. 26 No. 4, 2008, pp. 359-374 Strategic direction. (2007). Vol. 23, No.2, pp 18-22. Day, G. (2003), Creating a superior customer-relating capability, MIT Sloan Management, Review, Spring, pp. 77-82. TATA STEEL (B2B) CONTEXT Contents: Abstract 12 Introduction 12 Tata Steel Profile 12 Branding Steel 12 Customer Base Brand Equity Model 13-14 The Initiatives act as CRM tools 15 Benefits Reaped with Branding 16 Critical evaluation 16 Recommendations Conclusion 16 References 17 Abstract: The report is about the B2B relationship of Tata Steel Company that how they manage their relationships with their business customers and the techniques they apply for the same. Critical evaluation will be done of the techniques that whether these are appropriate or any recommendation required will be given to the company. Introduction: B2B marketing is the practise of doing business with other organisations or the businesses not the ultimate consumers. This practise is not new and is old as commerce itself but the concept of B2b marketing is quite recent. Companies sell their products to other companies and organisations to resell them or use the components or products for manufacturing the stuff, they are offering to the end users or support their activities. Today the focus is on maintaining relations with the customers as who is the customer today will be tomorrow also if they are being treated well. (Morgan Hunt1994)The organisation has to manage these relationships for acquisition and retention of the customers. For acquisition they need to create value for them and for retention they need to enhance the value offered or sustain it. (Morris, Pitt, Honeycutt2001). We will evaluate the B2B approach followed by the Tata Steel, the model followed to collect information about their business customers and strategies they followed to make their customer happy. Tata Steel Profile: Tata steel, a part is Tata Group is the worlds sixth largest steel producer operating in more than 20 countries. In past few years with the investment in Corus, millennium steel and NatSteel Holdings the company is able to create a marketing and manufacturing network in South East Asia, Pacific-rim countries and Europe with the capacity to produce every year 30 million tonnes of crude steel. (docstoc.com2010, Tata steel 2010) In year 2001 and 2005, it was ranked as worlds best steel company. (Kotler2006). The profitability of the steel companies depend on the business cycles, they can make profit in the times of boom in the economy and loose it in the recession. Even the external environmental factors also affects the revenue generation of the companies. So to reduce the dependence on the business cycles and make continuous flow of revenue Tata steel adopted the strategy of branding,(ICMR2004) so that customers would buy the brand and pay the premium for the value added services provided to them with the brands. Tata Steel has also launched various initiatives for promoting its brands such as CVM, RVM, CAMs and ecommerce. The strategy they follow to create relationships with the business customers is branding, CRM initiatives and e commerce. Branding steel: A successful business marketer knows the customer needs and offers them the same. Tata has also recognised its customers in two segments the end users and businesses organisations using steel for the manufacturing of their products mainly automotive industries such as Maruti, Ford, Telco, Honda etc and realised that 80% of the sales is being covered by these business sectors, so it formulated different strategies for B2B and B2C segments. The companys B2B customers are more knowledgeable and brands help to create good finance and public awareness for the company. (Kotler,2006). So, Tata steel branded its products under following brands: Tata Steelium for cold rolled steel Tata Shaktee for galvanized sheets Tata Tiscon for re-bar Tata Wiron for wires Tata Agrico for hand tools and implements Tata Pipes etc. Customer Based Brand Equity Model: The model was suggested by Keller(1993,2001,2003) and constitutes of four stages through which brand is created and built its equity and strong relations with the customers. The model can be used in both B2C and B2B context. The model is in form of ladder going upward and it is subdivided in form of blocks in pyramid. (Kuhn Alpert, Keller2001) Lets see how Tata Steel branding policy fits in the CBBE model. http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/cio/142401287 The model has four phases for creating, enhancing and maintaining relationship with the customers through brands. Creating identity for the company or the product: First of all the company needs to create awareness among the business customers about the product. Variety of steel is available in the Indian steel market and it becomes really difficult for the customers to differentiate that which one will be suitable for their use. Keeping that in mind, Tata Steel focused on customers need and then branded the steel to facilitate its business customers. Now they can order the variety or brand needed. Delivering value: The company realised that its B2B customers are more knowledgeable than ultimate customers, they dont buy the brand rather are keener about the quality, specificity and performance of the steel. So, for better performance of the product and satisfying customers psychological needs the company has promoted the brands in accordance with its usage as Tata Tiscon for constructional bars and Tata Shaktee for roofing and NatSteel for cold rolls etc. For making the scheme successful, brand management department has been created in 2002 to evaluate and train the staff and sales personnel accordingly. They focused on making more and more interactions with the customers to understand their needs and offer them the needful in a better and improved way. They made their branded products highly value added to beat the industry and take the company to new heights of success. (Kotler2006). Following the excellence model of Tata (TBEM), the company kept on making improvements in its offerings and undertaken many initiatives such as Retail Value Management, Customer Value Management and Customer Accounts Managers to help their business customers in brand promotion, building brand equity and solving their grievances.(Improvement initiatives,2009) Customers positive responses: It is related with the responses given by the customers on the basis of the judgement and feelings associated with the brand that how far the products were successful in satisfying their needs.(Keller2001) With the continuous improvement in the offerings and CRM initiatives the company was able to place itself as the Worlds Best Steel Company in 2001 and 2005,(Kotler 2006) by the studies done by World Steel Dynamics, USA. Its bearing division became the preferable supplier for Hero Honda and Toyota motors and they recognised the company as Zero ppm Supplier and Direct Online Supplier. (docstoc2010) Maintaining strong relationships: Tata steel was successful in making strong relationships with its business customers and 60% of its products are sold through contracts and company spend 1.3% of its turnover in maintaining its brands.(Kotler2006). Branding of steel is providing the business customers a stable price of the commodity which creates a good impact on the business customers mind. Aligning with the Tata Groups internationalisation initiatives, the company was able to acquire NatSteel Asia and Corus UK as both the companies were seeking to establish long strategic alliances with the reputed steel companies of the world and Tata was able to do so with its deep social commitment towards society, trusted and reputed relations with the stakeholders.(Noronha2006,2007) The initiatives for maintaining successful relationships: Along with the branding, some more customer centric initiatives has been undertaken by the company for better understanding of the customers and direct and continuous interaction with them to maintain strong relationships with their customers. (improvement initiatives2010) Retail Value Management: The initiative was started in 2002 to redefine the concept of retailing and build stronger relations with the rural retailers by educating them about the selling techniques and customers need. The company has planned to target the small retailers operating in the rural areas and enhance the retail chain to near about 4000 retailers and serve the rural market personally by integrating retailers in the program and research done by the company help the retailers in selling the product according to the customers specific need. (Media releases Tata,2006, High beam research2006) Customer Value management: Tata steel has started the initiative to retain and build strong relationships with its customers. These were designed to deeply understand needs of the business customers and deliver improved value added products. They build teams to study the value chain of operations like receiving, storing, deploying of steel by the customers and even rejection. The company was able to understand the problems related with the value chain and provide deep insights to solve them at an effective and less cost. Thus company was able to win loyalty of the customers by making the supply chain (sales team, dealers and retailers) more customer focused and customer sensitive (Pullanikkat 2010, Economic times 2007) Customer account manager: Company has maintained separate accounts for the customers for improvement and focus on business customers. The accounts were categorised as under: Enterprise accounts: potentially large and long term accounts. Commercial accounts: the key accounts Distribution: for the customers accessed through distributors. (docstoc2010) Such an initiative helped the company to classify their customers on the basis of their transactions and now they can deal with these customers accordingly. This also helped in solving their problems and grievances and increase interaction with them for better understanding. (Kotler2006, scribd.com2009) E business: Tata steel has started the initiative for e business looking forward to tap the opportunities of information technology. These are E-procurement and E-sales, the e- procurement allows the business customers to get multi dimensional information, such as online and offline quotations logging for auction, inbound supply chain, order placement, material receipt and delivery compliance monitoring. Some new and value added features like negotiation chat rooms for reverse auction, e-mail notifications and acknowledgement and FAQs are also offered. (E-procurement system, Tata steel 2010) Benefits Reaped: The Company is able to succeed so far due to the its relationship marketing through branding, strategic alliances as well as other initiatives focused on customers need and building long term relationships with them. Through its strategic alliances especially with Corus, the company has moved on from fifty sixth position to the sixth largest steel maker in the world.(Norohna2007). Mr Muthuraman, managing director, Tata Steel says Branding helped the company in gaining both the tangible benefits in form of pricing and intangible benefits in form of loyal customers. The successful RM startegy so far has made Tata Steel Worlds Best Steel company and has started co branding initiative in 2003 with the automobile companies such as Ashok Leyland and Telco (ICMR2004) and has decided to move on with co-branding in consumer durable sector. Critical evaluation: B2B customers focused more on functionality or performance rather than taste or aesthetics as customers on consumer market do. (Anderson Narus,1999). Tata steel has taken the initiative of branding steel to protect itself from fluctuations in business cycles and set a premium price on steel through brands. Through its regular upgrading and customer focus was able to become the most preferable brands in steel. But there are price sensitive customers in industry that seems steel as a commodity not a brand and are not ready to pay premium prices for that. The company needs to educate and create awareness among these customers.(Norohna2003). Tata steel is selling steel under different brand so it should be careful that customers may not be intense and actively loyal with all the brands, they may experience resonance with a particular brand.(Keller2001). Branding is related with making a promise to the customer and delivering it so far but if in any case company fails to deliver the bran d meaning it can lose its market position and customer may move on to the competitors. Online branding technique is now getting popular in western countries and as Tata steel operates in six continents why hasnt taken the initiative yet? The company also finds challenging, the management of the channel to sell the branded products in near future, says Mr Muthuraman. Conclusion and Recommendations: The above report shows the Tata steel strategy followed for B2B relationship marketing. The company has managed it with branding the steel and remained customer centric by adopting and launching various initiatives like CVM, RVM, CAMs and e-commerce. As, it has been noticed that branding has not only helped the company to generate regular flowing revenue but also helped in maintaining long term relationships with the customers and become the preferable supplier of the customers. Such initiative has also made feel the importance of relationship marketing to the other steel makers. Along with the success, relations with business customers have brought about new challenges for the company which needs some recommendations: Regular check on the product quality is needed as brands provide quantitative and qualitative satisfaction to the customers. Brand awareness among the price sensitive customers as among these some can turn to be the loyal customers. Online branding initiative should

Importance of Language in Speech Communication

Importance of Language in Speech Communication USING LANGUAGE Words are the tools of a speaker’s craft. They have special uses, just like the tools of another profession. One can’t drive a nail with a screwdriver or turn a screw with a hammer. It is the same with public speaking. One must choose the right words for the job you want to do. Good speakers are aware of the meaning of words both their obvious and their subtle meanings. They also know how to use language accurately, clearly, vividly, appropriately, and inclusively. All words have two kinds of meanings-denotative and connotative. Denotative words are precise, literal and objective. They describe the object, person, place, idea, or event to which the word refers. On the other hand connotative words suggest of imply. These kinds of words give words their intensity and emotional power. They arouse listeners’ feelings of anger, pity, love, fear, friendship, nostalgia, greed, guilt, and the like. Speakers like poets often use commutation to enrich their meaning. Language has to also be used accurately. Using language accurately is as vital to a speaker as using numbers accurately to an accountant. Every word has shades of meaning that distinguish it from every other word. Language must also be used clearly. People are different. What makes perfect sense to someone else may be confusing to others. A speaker must never assume that what is perfectly clear to him is clear to his audience. Listeners, unlike readers, cannot turn to a dictionary or reread an author’s words to discover their meaning. A speaker’s meaning must be immediately comprehensible; it must be so clear that there is no chance of misunderstanding. One can ensure this by using familiar words, by choosing concrete words over abstract words, and by eliminating verbal clutter. One of the biggest barriers to clear speech is using big, bloated words where short, sharp ones will do the job better. This is especially true when it comes to technical language that may be familiar to the speaker but not to the audience. Other than being accurate and clear a speaker must always choose concrete words for his speech. Concrete words refer to tangible objects such as people, places, and things. They differ from abstract word because abstract words refer to general concepts, qualities, or attributes such as â€Å"carrot† â€Å"pencil† and many more. To be an effective speaker one must lawn to eliminate clutter. Clutter is discourse that takes many more words than are necessary to express an idea. Clutter forces listeners to hack through a tangle of words to discover the meaning. When one makes a speech, he must keep his language lawn and lively. It is important not to use several words where one or two would do. Flabby phrases need to be avoided. Let the ideas emerge sharply and firmly. Above all, redundant adjectives and adverbs should be watched. One can also eliminate clutter by practicing ones speeches with a digital recorder. This will not only make one a better public speaker, but it will help them present ideas more effectively in meetings, conversations, and group discussions. A speaker must also be able to use his language vividly. Just as one can be accurate without being clear, so one can be both accurate and clear without being interesting. Although there are several ways to do this, two of the most important are imagery and rhythm. Imagery can be used by speakers to make their ideas come alive. Three ways to generate imagery are by using concrete words, simile, and metaphor. Concrete words are a key to effective imagery. They enhance clarity to the speeches and they also calls up mental impressions of sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Another way to create imagery is through the use of simile. A simile is an explicit comparison between things that are essentially different yet have something in common. Similes clarify and vitalize ideas. For example; fit as a fiddle, hungry as a bear and busy as a bee. Such clichà ©s are fine in everyday conversation, but one should avoid them in speechmaking. The metaphor also brings imagery in speeches. A metaphor is an implicit comparison between things that are essentially different yet have something in common. It is an excellent way to bring colour to speech, to make abstract ideas concrete, to clarify the unknown, and to express feeling and emotions. Rhythm is the second way of making a speech vivid. Language is a rhythm created by the choice and arrangement of words. Speakers, like poets, sometimes seek t exploit the rhythm of language to enhance the impact of their words. The impact of a passage can be heighted by how superb the delivery is; but even by themselves the words take on an emphatic rhythm that reinforces the message. The speaker should never emphasize sound and rhythm at the expense of meaning. The aim is to think about ways one can use the rhythm and flow of language to enhance the desired meaning. One can develop an ear for vocal rhythm by study and practice. One can easily begin by using four basic stylistic devices employed by fine speakers to improve rhythm of the speech. These stylistic devices are parallelism, repetition, alliteration, and antithesis. Parallelism is the similar arrangement of a pair or series of related words, phrases, or sentences. Parallelism makes a sentence clear, consistent, compelling and have progression. Repetition is reiteration of the same word or set of words at the beginning or end of successive causes or sentences. It usually results to parallelism. Not only does it build a strong Candace, it also unifies a sequence of ideas, emphasizes an idea by stating it more than one and helps create a strong emotional effect. Third is alliteration. This is the repetition of the initial consonant sound of close or adjoining words. By highlighting the sounds of words, alliteration catches the attention of listeners and can make ideas easier to remember. It can spruce up ones speeches, to be laughable and draw too much attention, so that listeners get more involved in listening for the next alliteration that in absorbing the content of the speech. Last is antithesis. This is the combination of contrasting ideas, usually in parallel structure. Antithesis has long been a favourite device of accomplished speakers, because it nearly always produces a neatly turned phrase. It is a fine way to give ones speeches a special touch of class. The fourth way speakers can be effective is by using language appropriately. Language is to be use appropriately based on 4 factors which are; occasion, audience, topic and speaker. Language that is appropriate for some occasion may not be appropriate for others. Appropriateness also depends on the audience. If this is kept in mind, it will help the speaker greatly when dealing with technical topics. His audience will know what he means. One should be careful to avoid language that might offend his audience. Speakers expected to elevate and polish their language when addressing an audience. Language should also be appropriate to the topic. One wouldn’t use metaphor, antithesis and alliteration when explaining how to change the tyre of a bicycle but rather use all three in a speech being given in honour of something or someone. The first topic calls for straightforward description and explanation or can evoke emotion, admiration and appreciation. Language must lastly be appropriate to the speaker. No matter what the occasion, audience, or topic, language should also be appropriate to the speaker. Every public speaker develops his or her own language style. To say the language should be appropriate to the speaker does not justify ignoring the need for appropriateness. There is a difference between one’s everyday styles and one’s developed style as a public speaker. Accomplished speakers have developed their speaking styles over many years of trial, error, and practice. They have worked at using language effectively. Regardless of the situation, audiences expect public speakers o use inclusive language that is respectful of the different groups that make up the society. Inclusive language is language that does not stereotype, demean, or patronize people on the basis of gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or other factors. As a speaker you must also be able to avoid inclusive language such as generic â€Å"he† to refer to both men and women. Avoid the use of â€Å"man† for both men and women. Avoid stereotyping jobs and social roles by gender and lastly use names that groups use to identify themselves. In conclusion a speaker must realize that language helps create the sense of reality by giving meaning to events. The words used to label an event determine to a great extent how we respond to it therefore every speaker must be careful and follow the rules of language to be effective in speech making and giving.

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

I. Achievement Goals/Hard Work Here we are high school graduates. For many of you, tonight is a dream come true. Yet I think graduation is the attainment of a goal. A goal requires hard work. It drives people to better themselves on a daily basis. A dream, however, demands no work, no dedication, and no discipline. It is simply a faint hope. It is when a person turns their dream into a reality that things really start to happen. Goals have to be defined. You need to find something you want and be willing to work for it. Goals should be both short term and long term. Short-term goals can be easily attainable steps on the path to larger goals. It can be something as simple as making it to class the next day or as difficult as not pushing the snooze button when the alarm goes off in the morning. Either way, the focus is kept on where you eventually want to get. If a long-term goal is to be reached you must be willing to do something everyday to make yourself better. It is not always easy, but it is the only way that a dream will ever be turned into reality. II. Enjoy the Pro...

Analyzing Wilbur’s Orchard Trees, January :: Wilbur Orchard Trees January Essays

Analyzing Wilbur’s Orchard Trees, January By reading one of Richard Wilbur’s poems, one can get extremely confused while trying to find the actual meaning of the poem. Someone could take the easy way out and not try to get deep down into the poem to find the real meaning, or one could investigate the poem and learn what Wilbur is trying to get across to the reader. In "Orchard Trees, January," one could pick up what Wilbur is trying to say if one takes the time to think about it. On some of his poems, though, it is nearly impossible to know what he is talking about. Only the interpretation from Wilbur himself could help one who is completely baffled by one of his poems. Authors often write their poems at the spur of the moment, and the mood that the poet is in reflects the meaning of the poem. Centenary College was lucky enough for Richard Wilbur to come to the school and explicate many of his poems. This helps in dissecting Wilbur’s poems. When reading "Orchard Trees, January," it seems to be talking about how a tree survives the harsh winter until the spring arrives, upon which it appears new and more fresh than ever before. By looking deeper into the poem, there are details that one can pull out of it, which is probably what Wilbur wants to be known. In the poem, it seems that somebody is inside his or her dwelling place looking outside at a tree. The person is marveling at how the tree can withstand the cold weather, continuous snow, and other harsh conditions that the winter brings. Witnessed throughout the days of winter by the person in the window, the tree’s bark stays strong, however the winter snow has been able to penetrate it. The tree becomes frozen, but it is strong enough to live throughout the winter until the spring relieves its suffering. When spring finally arrives, the effects of winter can no longer harm the tree. The freezing stage is gone, and the tree can give forth new life and growth in the springtime. The true meaning of this poem could only be perfectly interpreted by Wilbur, himself. In "Orchard Trees, January," it seems that the interpretation previously given above is correct, although Wilbur may have some different stress points. There probably is an even deeper meaning in this poem that Wilbur could get across, but most of the time it is up to the reader to be able to pick it out and relate it to the poem.

Mernissi Essay -- English Literature Essays

Mernissi Mernissi makes the claim that "Any man who believes that a Muslim woman who fights for her dignity and right to citizenship excludes herself necessarily from the umma...is a man who misunderstands his own religious heritage, his own cultural identity" (Mernissi viii). She goes about supporting this claim by delving into the very detailed documentation of Islam history. She attributes misogyny in the past and present Muslim culture to the male elite. She gives many examples of how Muhammad and Islam have only supported equality of the sexes and also how the male elite used false hadiths and very narrow interpretations of the Koran and true hadiths for their purpose. She begins by describing how the male elite started running things right from the onset of Muhammad's death. When a successor to Muhammad was picked, it did not involve the people of the community at all or any women. It was done by a small group of followers which were very close to the prophet, a sort of elite group. This sort of leadership in Islam continued in the same manner as only the elite were involved. This helped preserve what they thought was essential and according to the interests of the participants the essentials varied. The fabrication of false hadiths by the male elite was probably the first and most popular way for them to protect their interests. The people governing knew how important it was to "seek legitimacy in and through the sacred text" (Mernissi 43). Mernissi talks about al-Bukhari, who methodically and systematically collected and verified true Hadiths. He was exiled from his native town because he refused to bring the knowledge of the Hadith to the governor of the town and have it corrupted. He knew that the invitation from the governor was made only for him to probably fabricate some Hadith which would benefit the politicians. Many did not follow al-Bukhari's example but allowed themselves to be bought for a price and fabricated Hadiths for the politicians. Even Companions of the Prophet fabricated Hadiths in order to promote their own personal views. In the case of the Hadith which states, "Those who entrust their affairs to a woman will never know prosperity", Mernissi argues that this Hadith was never uttered by the Prophet and probably made up for personal reasons of Abu Bakra, who claimed to have heard the Hadith spoken by the... ... as instructing them not to give any wealth to women, the foolish. This is quite obvious narrow interpretation of the text, which meant not to give your to any foolish person no matter the sex. Mernissi goes on to give other texts which are harder to reject the sexist attitude in them, but goes on to give the example of Muhammad and his life as the ideal Islam or Muslim way of life. She wraps up the book by saying that the Muslim man could not accept the change in the present time back in Muhammad's time and has not been able since then to let go of the past. She also started the book by describing how the Muslim nation has always fled to the past to escape change in the present and future. I agree with Mernissi when she says, "The image of `his women' will change when he feels the pressing need to root his future in a liberating memory" (Mernissi 195). Until Muslim men let go of their past, things will never change, unfortunately, for the women in that society. Mernissi got her point across really well in this book in a way which is simple for anybody to understand and I would like to know how the male elite handled and responded to this book when it came out.

How to Make Strawberry Bannana Pancakes Essay

Is it early in the morning and your really hungry? Well there is a solution for that. By making the best Strwaberry Bannana Pancakes you ever had. There are very easy to make, and every one loves them. It only takes about fifteen easy minutes the most to make the pancakes. To Make Strawberry Bannana Pancakes the first thing you will need of course is strawberry’s and bannana’s. Next you will need flour, milk, butter, and a mixer. Then you will need a knife a stove, and a spachula. Finally you will need a plate and syrup. These are all the things that you need to make strawberry bannana pancakes. So this is the first step to make these delicious pancakes. Now that you have all the ingredients to make these delicious pancakes, you can now start. First of all you need a mixer. Then you pour the pancake mix, butter, and milk in the mixer bowl. So you put those three things in the mixer and press the power button to turn the mixer on. Now you have to wait about two minutes or until the batter looks kind of thick. Next you turn on the stove and put it on medium so not to hot or to low. Then you put the pan on the stove and let it heat up for about thirty seconds. After the pan heats up you pour the pancake batter on the pan and try to make like a little circle, so the shape can be like a pancake. Then you cut the strawberry’s and bannana’s and cut them in to little pieces. After you cut them up you can put the strawberry’s and bannana’s on to the pancake and let it cook with the pancake. Finally, you will see that the pancake’s are cooked and look delicious. Then you get your spachula and get the pancake’s and put it on your plate. Now you can add the final touch and put any kind of syrup you want on your pancake’s. After that you get your knife and fork and cut your pancake in to pieces and you will see the strawberry’s and bannana’s inside. Now you can finally eat them and enjoy your amazing Strawberry Bannana pancakes. I have finally taught you how to make these pancake’s step by step. Now that you know how to make these pancake’s you can enjoy them any time of the day, it doesn’t always have to be breakfest. I hope you loved the pancake’s, and every time you make them dont forget to add syrup at the end so the pancake’s could have a little taste of sweetness. So i taught you today every little thing of makinng strawberry bannana pancake’s. I hope you dont forget how to make the best pancake’s ever.

Poetry and Figuartive Essay

Since this week’s appraisals I have selected the following three poems; â€Å"My grandmother’s love letters† by Hart Crane, â€Å"The road not taken† Robert Frost, as well as â€Å"Richard Cory† by Edward Arlington Robinson. My Grandmother’s Love Letters By Hart Crane (1899-1932) There are no stars tonight But those of memory. Yet how much room for memory there is In the loose girdle of soft rain. There is even room enough For the letters of my mother’s mother, Elizabeth, That have been passed so long Into the corner of the roof That they are brown and soft, And liable to melt as snow. Over the greatness of such space Steps must be gentle. It is all hung by an invisible white hair. It trembles as birch limbs webbing the air. I ask myself: â€Å"Are your fingers long enough to play Old keys that are but echoes: Is the silence strong enough To carry back the music to its source And back to you again As though to her? † Yet I would lead my grandmother by the hand Through much of what she would not understand; And so I stumble. And the rain continues on the roof With such a sound of gently pitying laughter. (Thiel, 2005, pp. 295-296) The imagery in this poem is very opulent and gaudy. At the beginning I see a obscurity that is beginning to be lite up by affectionate reminiscences, like a candle getting livelier and livelier. I can perceive rain dwindling on the roof at the same time. The granddaughter has found some letters, perchance in an attic. The letters are ancient and brown with oldness. And with age paper develops inelastic and could fall separately without much assistance. As she starts to uncluttered the letters she derives to the comprehension that she must be very cautious. She is interrogative whether or not she should read it. The rigorous of  the rain falling on the roof sounds to her like her grandmothers amusement. Unfortunately I possibly will only find a couple belongings that rhymed. And I have faith in they are of no prominence. I think the line â€Å"is the silence strong enough† is a hyperbole; it is an embellishment put demonstrates the opinion that peace can be sturdy just not in a corporeal method. I adored this poem because reading it made me contemplate of my own grandmother who was a saccharine and compassionate woman. The Road Not Taken By Robert Frost (1874 – 1963) Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both  And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I keep the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads onto way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. (Thiel, 2005, pp. 297 – 298) As I underway reading this poem, I visualized a man upended at a fork in the street. The scenery is a forest, in the fall. The man stances for a extensive time observing down both paths. He knew he could not tourism both paths as a single person, and he would have to indicate which on to take. He unambiguous to take the one less voyaged. As soon as he ongoing down the path he indicated he knew he would not be back to attempt the other road. Essentially he had made his verdict and had to stick with it. But by enchanting the one less toured it made all the variance. I ponder this is a metaphor on life, we can revenue the road that utmost revenue. The informal road and go somewhere. Nevertheless by captivating the tougher road or the road less voyaged it will be further satisfying. Line one, three, and four had quatrains; line one had kindling at the conclusion and line three had erected at the end where line four had could at the end. This is an instance of a virile rhyme. Lines six, eight, and nine had words on the conclusion of the sentence that rhymed; fair, wear, and there. Lines 11, 13, and 14 had words at the end that rhymed; lay, day, and way. I ponder the edifice of this poem is from a story viewpoint. Richard Cory Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869 – 1935) Whenever Richard Cory went down town, We people on the pavement looked at him: He was a gentleman from sole to crown, Clean favored, and imperially slim. And he always quietly arrayed, And he was always human when he talked; But still he fluttered pulses when he said, â€Å"good-morning† and he glittered when he walked. And he was rich – yes, richer than a king – And admirably schooled in every grace: In fine, we thought that he was everything To make us wish that we were in his place. So on we worked, and waited for the light, And went without the meat, and cursed the bread; And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, Went home and put a bullet through his head. This poem invokes up descriptions of a opulent, stylish, attractive man. Approaching into town, and all the towns people, or masses just glare at him. All the towns’ individuals resented him, and required to be him, owed to his edification, refinement, and prosperity. He sported extravagant attires I depiction  a ostentatious sequenced suite like Elvis sported. Then one night he went home and devoted suicide. I consider that this poem is a metaphor that currency, affluence, trinkets, and good appearances can’t buy you contentment. Every further finale word pretty much rhymes. And I ponder it is inscribed in a stanza. I found that this poem had a vibrant declaration for the reader. Be contented where you are, the lawn is not continuously greener on the other side. References Thiel, D. (2005). Crossroads. New York, NY: Longman. Plunkett, A. (n. d. ). My Grandmother’s Love Letters. Poetry Foundation. Retrieved July 1, 2014, from http://www. poetryfoundation. org/poem/177645 Plunkett, A. (n. d. ). Richard Cory. Poetry Foundation. Retrieved July 1, 2014, from http://www. poetryfoundation. org/poem/174248 . (n. d. ). . Retrieved July 1, 2014, from http://www. juicerreview. org/ . (n. d. ). Poets. org. Retrieved July 1, 2014, from http://www. poets. org/ (n. d. ). Poets. org. Retrieved July 1, 2014, from http://www. poets. org/poetsorg/poem/road-not-taken http://www. impalapublications. com/blog/index. php? /archives/523-Richard-Cory,-b y-James-OFee. html. (n. d. ).

The effects of ICT on the individual

1. Internet e.g. email, websites, messenger, chat rooms 2. Communication e.g. mobile phone, video phone, video conferencing, information points 3. Entertainment e.g. games console, MP3 player, digital TV 4. Mobile access e.g. laptop, PDA, Wi-Fi, WAP 5. Data capture e.g. digital camera, voice recorder, scanner 6. Financial transactions e.g. ATM, EPOS, smart card Internet How the Internet Is Used The internet is used in many different ways such as; communication, finding information, publishing, commerce and for online learning. The most widely used facilities on the internet are; The World Wide Web (WWW), electronic mail (e-mail), newsgroups, chat and publishing. The web is the most popular and fastest growing part of the internet. It provides easy access to a vast range of information stored on computers all over the world. E-mail allows people to send messages from one computer to another almost immediately. It is widely used and has become an alternative to the conventional letter post, the fax, and telephone. Newsgroups are discussion groups that usually focus on one particular subject and therefore enable people with common interests to communicate. Chat is similar to a telephone conversation, except people type instead of talk. People can hold conversations with one or more people by typing their messages on the screen. These appear instantly on the screens of everyone involved. Publishing is not just for organisations or businesses. Anyone can create their own Web site or weblog and ‘publish’ their files on the World Wide Web. Benefits of the Internet There are a numerous benefits of the internet such as communication, information, downloading software, services and e-commerce. People can benefit from internet communication because people can communicate in seconds with a person who is in the other part of the world. We can also e-mail people from all over the world and we can chat for hours with loved ones. Information is probably the biggest benefit the internet offers. Any kind of information on any topic in the world is available on the internet. People can almost find any type of data on any kind of subject that they are looking for. There is a vast amount of information available on the internet ranging from government law and services, market information, new ideas and technical support. Another benefit is downloading software. This is one of the most happening and fun things to do using the internet. People can download countless games, music, videos, movies, and lots of other entertainment software from the internet, whic h are mostly free. Many services are now provided on the internet such as online banking, job seeking, purchasing tickets for favourite movies, guidance services on a range of topics, and hotel reservations. Often these services are not available off-line and can cost more. Ecommerce is the idea used for any type of commercial planning, or business deals that involves the transfer of information across the globe via Internet. Ecommerce has got a real incredible and wide range of products from household needs, technology to entertainment. The internet can also provide children and adults alike with a world of exciting opportunities. It offers: 1. educational games and programs 2. research information for school projects and business 3. the opportunity to communicate with people from all around the world 4. the opportunity to share resources and ideas with people that have the same interests 5. Shopping around the world without leaving a computer. Disadvantages of the Internet The internet can have some disadvantages such as theft of personal information, spamming and virus threats. Theft of personal information is a disadvantage because if someone uses the internet, they may be facing great danger as their personal information such as their name, address, credit card number can be accessed by other people. Spamming means the sending of unwanted emails in bulk which don’t provide a purpose. These illegal actions can be very frustrating for people. Viruses are programs which interrupt the usual function of computers. Computers attached to the internet are more prone to virus attacks. Entertainment How Entertainment Is Used Entertainment is used in several ways such as games consoles, MP3/4 players and digital TV. Games consoles are used as entertainment by playing games, watching movies, surfing the web and listening to music. MP3 players are used as entertainment by listening to music. MP4 players are used as entertainment by watching video clips, looking at pictures and listening to music. Digital TV is used for entertainment by watching TV programmes. Digital TV has over 30 channels to watch. Benefits of Entertainment There are various benefits of entertainment. Entertainment sets peoples minds free, keeps people chilled out, releases stress, and it makes people feel happy. Entertainment is fun and keeps people occupied for long amounts of time. You can also use entertainment anywhere in the world as you can watch movies, play games and much more on mobile devices such as mobile phones, iPods and tablets. Disadvantages of Entertainment There are some disadvantages of entertainment as people can get carried away watching a movie, playing a game on a games console or listening to music using a MP3 player can make people late to appointments and meetings. Entertainment can also steer people away from work or studying as entertainment is addictive. Mobile Access How Mobile Access Is Used Mobile access can be used to access different things while on the move using a laptop, PDA or other devices. Mobile access can be used to access emails and to surf the web. Mobile devices can be used to access the internet via Wi-Fi (wireless internet) or via WAP (Wireless application Protocol). Benefits of Mobile Access Mobile access can be used almost anywhere in the world even on Mount Everest. Mobile access is wireless so there isn’t the hassle of carrying wires around. The price of mobile access isn’t over priced either and in fact some Wi-Fi hotspots are free to access and use. Mobile broadband can also be used in areas which do not have broadband. Mobile broadband can also be pay as you go so it is paid for when it is used instead of monthly. Disadvantages of Mobile Access Standard broadband or home broadband can sometimes be a lot cheaper than mobile broadband. The speed of mobile access can be slower than standard broadband. The download/usage limits for mobile broadband are quite restrictive. Communication How Communication Is Used Communication can be used with mobile phones, video phones, video conferencing and computers. Mobile phones can be used to communicate by texting and voice calling someone. Video phones can be used to communicate by seeing the person someone is talking to on the phone. Video conferencing can be used to communicate by seeing and speaking to numerous individuals at once. Computers can be used for communicating by sending an email to someone, chatting to someone in a chat room and video calling or voice calling someone using a program such as Skype. Benefits of Communication Communication can be used all most anywhere in the world using many different devices. Some forms of communication can be free such as using a free messenger program on a computer for example Windows Live Messenger is free to chat to someone, free to call someone who has Windows Live Messenger using a microphone and video calling someone who has Windows Live Messenger. Programs like Windows Live Messenger and Skype can be used to communicate with people from all over the world for free. Disadvantages of Communication Communication can have some disadvantages as the cost of some communication devices can be expensive. Calling someone using a mobile phone can sometimes cost quite a bit. If a webcam is used to communicate to someone sometimes the webcam can be hacked so a hacker can see you. If someone communicates to someone using the internet and the connection is slow things could be misinterpreted. Data Capture How Data Capture Is Used Data capture is used to capture many different things for example photos, speech and documents. Data capture is used in different ways such as taking pictures with a digital camera, recording a conversation using a voice recorder, scanning a barcode using a barcode scanner and copying a photo or document using a scanner. Benefits of Data Capture Data capture is a great way of capturing memories by taking photos using a digital camera. It is also a great way for people who are in a meeting and need to remember what was said in the meeting, people can do this by using a voice recorder. Data capture is also very helpful in shops as products can be scanned for a barcode using a barcode scanner. Another benefit of data capture is that if a backup of a printed photo or document is needed then it can be backed up by using a scanner. Disadvantages of Data Capture Some data capturing devices may not capture data properly for instance a voice recorder may stop recording randomly or the device may not record properly causing voices recorded to be muffled. Another disadvantage may be that barcode scanners in shops may not be updated properly so some product barcodes can’t be scanned as they won’t appear on the system.