History of Ramayana

Ramayana is true, if you have read it you can easily make out that it just can't be a mere work of imagination. All the incidents, places and events seems natural. Nothing seems to be false. When britishers captured India some 150 yrs. ago, they rumoured it to be false and then some britishers who didn't had any firm Hindu background just declared it to be a myth. Conclusion: IT IS TRUE Religions Background of Ramayana Hindu religious literature is the large body of traditional narratives related to Hinduism, notably as contained in Sanskrit literature, such as the Sanskrit epics and the Puranas. As such, it is a subset of Indian culture. Role in Hinduism The Ramayana is extremely popular. India nearly shut down when a dramatized series of the Ramayana appeared on television in the 1980s. Recitation of the Ramayana earns great merit. Rama and Sita are seen as the ideal married couple. In North India, the Ramayana is acted out in the annual pageant Ram-Lila. It was a favourite subject of Rajasthani and Pahari painters of the 17th and 18th centuries. Gandhi called it the greatest book in the world. Tulsi Das, medieval author of the Hindi translation, said, â€Å"Whenever I remember Rama's name, the desert of my heart blooms lush and green.† Comparison between Iliad, & Ramayana -Ramayana A virtuous king named Rama is banished to the forest, where he has many adventures, and then he rescues his wife Sita from the evil king of Sri Lanka with the help of his friends. – -Homer’s The Iliad The gods of ancient Greece, most of whom were adopted by the ancient Romans, were generally described as human in form, unaging, nearly immune to all wounds and sickness, capable of becoming invisible, able to travel vast distances almost instantly, and able to speak through human beings with or without their knowledge. In Greek mythology, the gods were presented as a large, multi-generational family, the oldest members of which created the world as we know it. Each Greco-Roman divinity has his or her own specific appearance, genaeology, interests, personality, and area of expertise, subject to significant local variants. When the gods were called upon in poetry or prayer, they were referred to by a combination of their name and epithets, the latter serving to distinguish them from other gods. Theme of Ramayana The age-old battle between virtue and vice is the main theme of the Indian epic Ramayana. It is the life story and message of SreeRaaman, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who took human form in this world to tame the wicked. This great literary and religious classic is a traditional mind cleanser even the touching of which is considered sacred. However, it is also a tale of the Aryan war race. In Indian history, the theme of Ramayana is the biography of king Sri Ramachandra is Called Ramayan. Ram is Sri Ramchandra and ayan means the story. The other theme of Ramayana is – â€Å"The good (Lord Rama) vanquishes the evil (Ravana)†. In India the festival, Dussehra is based on the central theme of Ramayana.

Example of Argumentative Essay Essay

History shows reiteratively throughout the recorded times that the mark set for students will be predominately that which they aim for and mostly stop therein. If students are not shown any higher level of knowledge the students should at no time be expected to aim for that which they did not perceive. Students will indeed float to the mark you set. History has shown us many valuable illustrations; one of them would be the vast comparison between students during the Ottoman empire and students in the reign of the Spartan empire, the Spartans were taught that knowledge is crucial, if it helps you to fight, whilst the Ottomans were taught that knowledge was imperative if it was beneficial in any way. Because Spartan pupils were finite to knowledge that did not pertain to warfare, they were infinitesimally limited in any other area, and to no degree were able to match the heights of knowledge of the Ottoman student body, the mark for these learners had been set considerably inferior tha n that for the under-graduates of the Ottoman empire, and so the students attained the mark that was set and were prescribed no reason to surpass it. Therefore it is clear to recognize that the objective a teacher sets for their pupil is all that their pupil will ever feel the demand to accomplish. Students are comparable to a kayak in the sea trying to reach an island to anchor on, and the teacher is the equivalent of the current, the stronger they push to try to reach and help the students, the closer they get to the island. Because students are reliant on their instructors to provide them with an objective to grasp, the supervisors specified a mark, and the students float to the mark that was decided. Therefore the students need only fulfill that which their instructor has itemized for them, and that would be the mark that was stipulated. Since pupils will only feel the need to do what was required in distinction to them, they will inevitably isolate themselves to the mark that was set before them.

Gunns Case Study

The PESTEL framework below analyses the environment in which Gunns Ltd. operates by identifying the forces that have the most impact on Gunns performance: Political factors: The Commonwealth and state government environmental support for the pulp mill project had been achieved in 2007, despite bitter public opposition.This is a very strong support from the Government in order to utilize Australia’s expanded forest resource, as there is a significant increase in hardwood pulpwood availability projected and Australia’s hardwood pulpwood currently processed onshore less than 7%. â€Å"Plantation 2020†, a partnership between the Governments of Australia, was established in 1997, although its Vision 2020 had been established as part of the National Forest Policy Statement in 1992.Vision 2020 aimed to treble the area of tree crops by 2020. The Government also expected continued economic growth, especially in Asia-Pacific region. It is also recommended that Vision 2020 might maximize potential economic and environmental benefits of plantations through market development that would attract more private investment The Australian Government recognized that its proposed Emissions Trading Scheme could lead to a loss of competitiveness for trade-exposed firms.In response, in late 2009, the Australian Government committed $19 million to address four areas of importance to the industry (Creation of ForestWorks as the Forest Industry Skills Council, Development of a forest industry database, addressing climate change impacts on forestry, Assisting industry value-adding) Economic factors: Since ANZ had withdrawn funding in May 2008, under public pressure, and the Global Financial Crisis had made investment funds even more difficult to access. In 2008 and 2009, many projects for new capacity were either cancelled or put on hold due to financing difficulties.Since 1997 more than 0. 5 million hectares of new MIS plantations had been established. Plantations ha d largely been established with private capital through managed investment schemes (MIS) encouraged by favorable tax treatment. Whereby investors paid tax on returns when timber was sold and the MIS paid tax on scheme profits. This allows deductions for investments upfront while deferring tax. Australia had developed an Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) to provide consumers with an independent assessment of claims about the sustainability of forest management in Australia.However, there was a strong pressure to adopt AFS as it was more relaxed about the logging of native forests, which was generally not permitted under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Social factors: The Australian industry had employed over 19000 people in predominantly rural and regional communities, mainly working for seven major domestic and international companies. It was an important customer for the domestic forestry industry. Environmental factors:While the Australian industry had historically been char acterized by ageing equipment and lower than world average capacities, capital investment and product development had enabled productivity gains that supported ongoing competitiveness and a reduction in the industry’s environmental footprint such as: * Greenhouse gas emissions and energy intensity had improved by 22% and 28% respectively since 1990, just under 30% of energy consumption derived from renewable sources * Environmental regulation and market demand for chlorine-free products had driven the industry to find alternatives to chlorine as a bleaching agent such as elemental chlorine-free and totally chlorine-free pulp. The quantity of water used per unit of output in the worldwide pulp and paper industry had nearly halved from that used in 1990, but the Australian industry savings were even greater * The maximum speed of most paper machines was estimated at 2000 meters per minute in 2005, compared with only 1600 meters per minute in 1995 Legal factors: Plantation fores try was one of the most highly regulated rural industries in Australia. All states and territory governments had codes of practice and/or guidelines for plantation management that conformed to the principles of sustainable development and took into account key regional characteristics such as cultural heritage and specific environmental impacts. ( 8 Federal Acts).These factors will create a safe protection and assistance for Gunns Ltd with its projects * Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act 1999 * Export Control Act 1982 * Native Title Act 1993 * Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 * Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 (for Victoria_ * Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1999 (for Victoria) Competitors’ analysis It is suggested that Gunns includes very high pulp and paper production and processing costs relative to other international countries such as Brazil and China, which means that the company is unable to compete effectively and sustainably in t hese markets (Samuel, 2010).China and Brazil are two emerging countries that are low cost production company. They are heavily subsidized, with access to much better and innovative technologies. In addition, their pulp and paper industries are heavily subsidized, they have different approaches to taxation and are subject to less onerous environmental regulations (Samuel, 2010). Especially, China has recently been rapidly becoming the largest global tissue manufacturer and consumer. They also had plans to install over 20 million tonnes of highly modern, efficient processing capacity to around 60 million tonnes per year and become the lowest cost producer which putting much more pressure on Gunns Ltd. Samuel, D. (2010).Case 1: Gunns and the Australian Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry. Final Recommendation After considering all alternatives, it is recommended that Gunns Ltd should undertake a joint venture with a company specializing in low-cost pulp and paper production. Although this is the most costly and time-consuming alternative since it requires intense negotiations between both parties as well as the divestment of Gunns’ non-core assets in order to become attractive, it will greatly assist the company in growing, funding its Bell Bay pulpwood mill and ensuring the successful operation of this project (Business Link, 2011; Gale, 2011; Morningstar, 2011g).In addition, the joint venture recommendation will provide Gunns with the significantly great benefits and synergies as it will allow the company to gain sustainable competitive advantage by growing faster, generating greater earnings and having greater access to the other company’s resources and established markets and distribution channels (Business Link, 2011). Extra notes on Internal Analysis part: Gunns’ core competencies are in forestry establishment and management, plantation management and downstream timber processing and sale (Gunns, 2011b; Lonsec, 2009). After conducting a SWOT analysis of Gunns, it was found that their main strength was having a highly diversified and vertically integrated corporate structure (Gunns, 2011b; Lonsec, 2009). This corporate structure is very robust and allows the company to have greater capacity in controlling access to inputs along with controlling the cost, quality and delivery time of those inputs (The Economist, 2011).As a result of its highly diversified and robust corporate structure, Gunns is able to earn much greater revenue from their diverse business activities in comparison to their competitors (Lonsec, 2009). Extra notes on Strategic Alternatives: Alternatively, Gunns should demerge their non-core businesses of providing finance, road maintenance and construction, winery management and marketing services (Yahoo Finance, 2011). The proceeds from the demerger should help reduce the company’s debt levels and allow the company to better focus on strengthening their core competencies and pursuing growth opportunities in order to gain sustainable competitive advantage (Investopedia, 2010).The demerger is also likely to have a positive impact on Gunns’ low share price (Chappell, 2011; Investopedia, 2010). References Business Link (2011). Benefits of Joint Ventures. Retrieved October 11, 2011 from http://www. businesslink. gov. uk/bdotg/action/layer? r. i=1075411648&r. l1 =1074404796&r. l2=1074404799&r. l3=1073864682&r. s=sc&r. t=RESOURCES&topicId=1073864682 Chappell, T. (2011). Foster’s Demerger Lifts Takeover Chance. Retrieved October 10, 2011 from http://news. smh. com. au/breaking-news-business/fosters-demerger-lifts-takeover-chance-20110317-1byf1. html Gale, F. (2011). Gunns Heading for its Tasmanian Endgame. Retrieved October 11, 2011 from http://theconversation. edu. u/gunns-heading-for-its-tasmanian-endgame-3241 Gunns (2011b). Our Businesses. Retrieved October 7, 2011 from http://www. gunns. com. au/ Investopedia (2011). Debt-to-Equity Ratio. Retrieved September 30, 2011 from http://www. investopedia. com/terms/d/debtequityratio. asp#axzz1ZPjpPQif Morningstar (2011g). Stock Research: Gunns Ltd. Retrieved October 11, 2011 from http://www. morningstar. com. au/Stocks/Research/20110601/GNS The Economist (2011). Vertical Integration. Retrieved October 9, 2011 from http://www. economist. com/node/13396061 Yahoo Finance (2011). Gunns Ltd Profile. Retrieved October 10, 2011 from http://au. finance. yahoo. com/q/pr? s=GNS. AX

Business Strategy in Tesco Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Business Strategy in Tesco - Essay Example Vision depicts what the company wants to be i.e. what it ultimately wants to achieve and it gives the direct to the firm. Whereas the mission of the firm is the business where the company wants to operate and the customer base the firm will serve. These are the foundation stone of the company according to which the company implement its different strategies.Core competence is the competitive advantages that a company posses to differentiate itself from the competitors which gives them an extra edge to be the market leader (Hitt, Ireland, Hoskisson, 2009, p. 18).The core value of Tesco is to take care of the customers. Earning lifetime loyalty of the customer and to create value for the customer is their only value (Nwagbara, 2011, p.62). The company believes that no one in the industry tries as harder as they do to reach to the customers (Polytechnic Institute of New York University, 2011, p. 1). Being responsible to the community and the society in which they operate they always try to maintain good neighbourhood and always try to be a responsible member in the society. The brand image for its great quality products with diversified product line is the core competencies for the firm.b) Stakeholder AnalysisThe sustainable growth and well governed business policies of Tesco gives the belief to the investors to get a competitive return of their investments and their shareholdings. The main reason behind gaining the trust of the shareholders is due to the transparency in the company operation. and they expect the implementation of robust strategies by the company in every business processes for the long term growth of the organization along with the shareholders. Blackrock Inc with its 5.48 % share of the issued share capital, Legal & General Investment Management Limited with 3.99 % and Berkshire Hathaway with about 3.02 % of the total share is the major share holders of Tesco (Tesco Annual Report and Financial Statements 2011, 2011, p. 58). By maintaining qualit y service and increased customer value the company build its band value and continues its rapid growth in the market by benefiting the stakeholders of the

International Marketing Plan Of An Australian Brand Case Study

International Marketing Plan Of An Australian Brand - Case Study Example Penfolds Grange is basically a red wine that is manufactured totally in Australia and has been a leading brand in the Australian as well as the international market since its inception in 1951, ever since then it has won over 50 gold medals in vintage wine competitions and has been a major influence in the international arena as well. It is made from 2 kinds of grapes: the Shiraz and the cabernet sauvignon, the Shiraz being the major component where as the cabernet sauvignon is only used in small portions.Product Description: Penfolds is one of the major labels in the Australian wine industry and is a major exporter to a multitude of companies in the world; it has been one of the best red wine brands ever since its inception in 1951 and has been a major award winner in its category. The relative advantage of this brand is that it is made from an unusual blend of grapes that are specially grown at the company’s vineyards and hence is a unique red wine and has been able to set s tandards of its own. Since Penfolds is a major brand, it is exported to various countries in the world, the country that has been chosen for the purpose of this paper is the United Kingdom which is a major wine consumer nation and wine is a commodity which can be categorized as a house hold item which is consumed on a regular basis. Since wine is consumed on a nation wide basis, penfolds would be tried by consumers more often than not and hence it is very compatible with the tastes of the people in the country.on the country. There would not be any major limitations to the product because it is a widely acceptable product in the target market but the only issue that the product will have to over come is that there would be competition and it should implement strategies so that it is able to over come this major obstacle. There are no limitations as such to the product because it comes in various shapes and sizes and hence it can very easily be picked off the shelf by people with var ious purchasing power. Environmental Scan: The general dynamics of the country at hand have to be studied in order to truly understand the country and also to devise a plan to cater to the market. The essentials that need to be studied while scanning the environment are the family structure, education within the country, social organizations, religion, the diet and in this case it is extremely important to know the climatic conditions and it is extremely important that days of festivity have been pin pointed because these are the days when people would be more inclined to consume red wine and it is extremely important that once these days have been identified they are utilized to the maximum. The literacy rate in the United Kingdom is 99% and that is basically due to a public sector educational system which disseminates free education to all and this has been one of the plus points of the British economy for a very long time now, the ability of the consumers to think rationally will definitely influence th e decision to choose Penfolds because customers can then be made to think rationally by effective advertising. Diet and nutrition in the UK is of the optimum level and malnutrition or what so ever of that had

Critical Thinking Application Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Critical Thinking Application Paper - Essay Example If workers have good critical thinking skills their chances of having positive outcomes to problems that arise in the workplace are good. The components of critical thinking are "perception, assumptions, emotions, language, argument, fallacies, logic, problem solving, and conclusion"3. It is important to note that different people can be given the same problem and come out with different valid arguments. Perception is how the problem is seen by the individual or group. Assumptions are the current beliefs held by the decision makers. Emotions are personal feelings that affect how we think and act. The argument is the problem to be solved or what we believe to be true. Fallacies are ideas that are not related to the question and not related to the answer either. Logic is the facts involved and is usually what can not be changed. Problem solving is the process of weighing information and coming up with a solution. The conclusion is the derived answer from the critical thinking process. Why is critical thinking important Critical thinkers are more successful at the different situations that they encounter in their lives. There is a positive correlation between critical thinking and college GPA4. Students who possess critical thinking scores get higher grades in school. ... The benefits of critical thinking are many. For the individual it means making better decisions based on a well thought out process. Critical thinkers are valued employees especially if they have a track record of making decisions that benefit the organization (increase profits or lower cost of goods sold). For communities it means elected individuals making sound decisions based upon facts. How does one develop good critical thinking skills Luckily these skills can be taught. There are many different methods to critically analyze solutions to problems. The CRITO5 method developed at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a good way to learn and practice critical thinking skills. The acronym CRITO6 stands for: Conclusion - conclusion or claim Reasons - premises or reasons Inference - test the inference of argument Test - test the truth of premises or reasons Objections - construct objections, respond to objections By setting up a CRITO worksheet and working through a problem with the worksheet a problem can be examined and possibly solved. Different groups working using the same worksheet may come up with different valid solutions. Conclusions of the worksheet can be changed or implemented. Critical thinking is taught at different grades in school, at the college level, and by organizations that require their employees to use critical thinking in their jobs. Individuals can learn critical thinking skills by researching and reading relevant material. "If it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."--Lewis Carroll7 A good example of critical thinking occurred when I was working as a library aid for the county library. At that time the library had

John Dewey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

John Dewey - Essay Example The community as a whole, through formal laws and customs, codifies behavior that ultimately commits individuals to a specific course of action. Such predictable actions are required for community life. The schools function as socializing agencies, internalizing the child's recognition of social duties and the will to carry them out. Dewey insisted that social ties, like the parent-child relationship, are natural. The mutual responsibilities corresponding to these specific stations are therefore intrinsic and binding. By nurturing the social spirit of the child, an habitual disposition to act out of social service and for the common good will becomes manifest. Pursuit of self-advantage and infidelity to one's social responsibilities is a primary evil according to Dewey. Freedom and social responsibility are not incompatible. Social authority is natural and inevitable, not a necessary limitation on personal freedom. Throughout his writings, Dewey retained the Hegelian insight that man achieves human qualities and fulfillment by participating in the enhancement of community life. Individuals should identify the social good as their own true good by perceiving the values and common interests that bind people together. Their freedom and happiness ultimately depend upon it. Individuals should obey the la... However, in advocating policy changes, they must persuade others voluntarily. The burden of proof is upon them to demonstrate how a specific law or practice fails to serve the common good. Dewey's theory of democracy was designed to reconcile freedom with authority, social stability with the need for reform, and universal standards with specific circumstances. He substantively refined Lockean individualism, which is popularly associated with the modern liberal tradition. Dewey comprehensively applied these insights to the reform of education. Once again, many critics mistakenly identify him with the radical, subjectivist approach of progressive education. Dewey denounced the progressive educator's romantic fetish for the "natural child." The child-centered school provided no standards at all; logically it culminated in anarchy. Proper teacher authority and a well-structured curriculum were indispensable. Dewey argued that, "to fail to assure them guidance and direction is not merely a permit to operate in a blind and spasmodic fashion, but it promotes the formation of habits of immature, undeveloped, and egoistic activity." (Dewey, 1930) Indulging a child's selfish whims would lead to an arrest of growth and the disintegration of personality. The development of mental powers follows certain laws of growth. The fact that a child might desire something does not mean that it is in fact desirable. That judgment can be determined only after critical reflection. (Dewey, 1929) The glorification of the spontaneous and immediately enjoyable also stunted the child's capacity to understand contemporary social life. These students were not socially responsible or cognizant of the forces of industrial civilization. While

What are the special challenges and opportunities presented by working Essay

What are the special challenges and opportunities presented by working in the Third Sector - Essay Example The term third sector has currently been substituted in Government practice by the name ‘Civil Society’ or more frequently the phrase ‘Big Society’, which was invented by political consultants and which featured significantly during the traditionalist party's election campaign of year 2010. The existence of a large non-profit division is at times observed as a sign of a strong financial system within local as well as nationalized economic capacity. With an increasing amount of non-profit associations persistent on social services, the surroundings, teaching and other unmet requirements all over the society, the non-profit division is more and more essential to the wellbeing and security of society. The non-profit sector offers an outstanding channel for a range of society's labour and abilities (Peltenburg, p. 78, 2007). The third sector became the leading sector in society, as the well-informed class prevail over the effects of the private sector. This is true in a number of European nations. In accordance with a latest study, Netherlands has the biggest third sector of 20 nations across Europe. Social benefit structures are usually diverse in different nations. These systems take care of components of social defence, family unit strategy and individual dependability in a different way, and all over the Europe, a combination of these components can be found. Their individual characteristics still control nationalized social exchange of ideas, even though globalisation, altering financial conditions, progressive EU legislative and increased stress on resources appears to direct towards ‘convergence’ (Berridge, p. 62, 2010). Although in some European nations, civil society - even if the phrase itself is of current derivation - has been a venerable happening, other nations’ experien ce with them is fresh. Global commonality either has brought active establishments in Europe to start non-governmental organizations or help their counterparts in rising parliamentary governments do this, and their support is usually ongoing. There is no established description of the expression 'civil society establishment'; however, it is normally implicit to take account of the social associates, NGOs, mutual interest organizations and local establishments (Comaroff, p. 99, 2009). What all establishments have in common is their ‘not for profit’ nature, which does not indicate they cannot produce in excess, but does indicate they have to be reinvested in and utilized for the common use of the establishment. Many of them take advantage of unpaid assistants and definitely, volunteering could be their second most essential trait. In various nations, the global year of volunteers 2001 has evidently been an incentive to reorganize as well as develop volunteering directive. In all European nations, third sector organisations are present, although they vary in a substantial number of characteristics. In the United Kingdom only, they can be ‘shared interest’ establishments or philanthropic, from the subdivision or horizontal, intending at limited or broader target groups, nationalized or global, working entirely at local, provincial or nationalized level or all over them, distinct at regional level or linked, racially, conscientiously, ideologically, linguistically separated (Francois, p. 193, 2008). They can be ‘members’ umbrella establishments, associates of EU and worldwide bodies, working together with the commercial sector, providing services, moderately or completely subsidized by legislative authorities, have infrastructural sustenance establishments, be with or without

An eclectic slant towards a functional education Essay

An eclectic slant towards a functional education - Essay Example Viewed on a micro level, there seems to be nothing wrong with it; however, when it is seen on a much larger scale, many problems begin to surface out. Although it might be a sweeping generalization to claim that most high schools in the United States exist in order to prepare their students for higher education, it still remains a fact that the existing curricula in the Unites States are mainly geared towards making them smart â€Å"test takers.† According to sociologists, educators definitely have their own reasons for designing their respective programs of study; and undeniably, each state or even district has its own set of curricula. Nevertheless, it still cannot be categorically denied that most high schools in the United States exist in order to prepare their students for tertiary education. This can be clearly seen in the curricula of most public and private learning institutions wherein math, science, and humanities take up a large chunk of their learning time. What do es this tell us? Simple. They are being molded to the kind of citizens they expect them to be without thoroughly considering the existing needs and demands of the society. The bandwagon still wins. Medicine, law, business management, banking and finance, and other related courses still rank (and perhaps perceived) as the most desirable fields of endeavor. As a result, high school graduates dream of becoming one; and they cannot be blamed for aiming to become one due to the glamour, prestige and financial rewards that such professions provide. However, for the society to function well, it needs to have different kinds of people with different skills and discipline that can help towards the realization of its goal: dynamic growth and development.

Effective marketing planning requires full research of the marketing Essay

Effective marketing planning requires full research of the marketing environment. Discuss what needs to be considered when under - Essay Example An effective marketing plan requires a research on the drivers of demand in the business environment. This may entail secondary research or primary research, or both in order to investigate consumer behavior and motivation. Some of the aspects contained in an effective marketing plan are demographic and social changes that may affect sales of the company’s product, for instance a change in the lifestyles and the age structure. New technologies that may open up some markets while at the same time closing some. Economic trends that have an impact on the consumer purchase decision, as well as political environment that alters public spending due to aspects like taxation. By conducting a marketing audit, a firm is able to explore its internal capabilities (Alison, 2011, p 23). Effective marketing planning also calls for an examination of the external environment to a firm, which entails focusing on the existing marketing strategies; the company’s marketing mix, and market s egmentation and segmentation, as well. Scanning and interpreting all these areas of market changes calls for knowledge and experience, and might be the source of competitive advantage. Much of the marketing planning also varies on anticipating the response of competitors. The reason is that interpreting and responding to market changes ahead of t6he competitors may result in high gains of both sales and profits. Marketing audit Marketing audit is a fundamental element of the marketing planning process, which ensures that a firm is profitable. Marketing audit considers both internal and internal influential factors. Most tools for conducting a marketing audit include the SWOT, PESTEL and the porter’s five forces (Bensoussan & Fleisher, 2008, p 23). PESTEL analysis PESTEL analysis is an examination of forces outside the business, but has an impact on firms sales and marketing. These are the political, economic, social, technological and legal aspects. The political element deal s with the impacts of government policy. Government legislation also incorporates legal elements that include taxation policies and laws that govern business operations. Government regulation has the effects on privatization and deregulation policy, which have an overall effect of opening up markets to competition. Companies should not be something for companies to fear, as regulations like lowering pollution may act to spur competitive firms to innovate and lower costs to counter increasing costs of regulation. Economic factors like disposable incomes, unemployment, prevailing interest rates, recession and booms have an impact of a company’s sales. Marketers have to scan and monitor the general economic environment before making any marketing move, as this may have impacts on sales and eventual profitability in a certain time. Social-cultural factors refer to consumers’ patterns of behavior, lifestyles and preferences that affect purchase and buying behaviors (Debra, 2005, p 23). Marketers need to be ware of changes in consumer behavior as a result of change in preferences. Trending social elements affects the demand of a company’s products. Additionally, it is vital to examine the technological changes that happen in the industry, especially changes in information technology, research and development and rate of technology change. The reason is that technology changes affect

Science vs. Religion Essay Example for Free

Science vs. Religion Essay The debate between religion and science has been going on for years, clashing together with different ideologies. The argument combines historical and philosophical approaches to contest to each side, battling to disprove each other. While religion is based on faith, using the will of God to guide them in their observations, scientists use experiments to find discoveries based on facts. The conflict between religion and science hasn’t been fiery in modern times, compared to the years where science was inferior to religion, but the topic has still been brought up in discussion. Can someone be both a scientist and a religious person? Although they may both pursue knowledge, there methodologies are completely different, pitting each other into heated discussions. In our past lecture with Brother Guy Consolmagno, he argues that Christianity isn’t completely based on faith in God. The church is also continuously studying the universe, like scientists, trying to learn more about our origins. Comparable to science, ideals in the church changes, and aren’t always set in stone. The Bible may be the guide for most religious people, but there are also different interpretations of the Bible that people find to counteract certain claims. Guy uses evidence that the first medieval Church universities started the modern study of astronomy. The university learned: grammar, rhetoric, and dialectic, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music courses, which showed that it was like any other university teaching students for a better career. The university may be Christian based, but it didn’t ignore what science offered them. According to Guy, Jesuits run 25% of all observations in Europe. They helped create the definition of a â€Å"year,† based on our four seasons. Despite the differences between religion and science, Guy believes that we can comingle ideas from both sides to progress our studies of the universe even further. (Consolmagno) One of the topics in The Constant Fire introduces James Clerk Maxwell, one of the great physicists in his time, and his view of religion and science co-existing with each other. Maxwell formulated equations that explained electric and magnetic fields and the unification of these concepts into electromagnetism. Maxwell’s equations and mathematical laws are the reason why we have radio, television, and all electronic technology today; although he constructed scientific laws for his devotion to science, he was also a devout Christian. â€Å"I believe†¦that Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. † (Maxwell) He attended church regularly, read scripture before going to sleep at night, and even committed the entire psalms to memory. It showed that his religious belief was unyielding, despite his scientific advances in society. At the same time I think that each individual man should do all he can to impress his own mind with the extent, the order, and unity of the universe, and should carry these ideas with him as he reads [the Bible]. † (Maxwell) Learning about the universe through a different perspective doesn’t waver doubt; instead, it enriches spiritual understanding. Maxwell set an example showing how his experience in science was an aspiring journey to glorify his God. (Frank) The Constant Fire also explains Isaac Newton’s perception of his work towards science contrary to his religious beliefs. Newton asserted himself as a â€Å"priest of nature. † Like any religious person, he believed there was a God of absolute power. Although, he also believed that his work was exploring God’s greatness, making science a way of explaining his creation. â€Å"It is the perfection of God’s works that they are all done with the greatest simplicity. He is the God of order amp; not confusion. † (Newton) Both scientific philosophy and religion were inseparable, as both concepts bounced off each other. Even coming from one of the greatest scientists in the orld, like James Maxell, Newton concluded that there ironically was no warfare between science and religion. (Frank) Science comes from the creativity of an individual making up a new hypothesis. Religion comes from varied interpretations of how they view the spiritual being they worship. We don’t have enough evidence from the universe to commit to a godless path, and we are too knowledgeable enough to pledge to a specific religious ideal. I believe there is such thing as a middle ground: taking the possibility of new ideas and building an equal foundation. I still keep to the constitution of scientific theory composing our world, but I also keep multiple hypotheses in mind. We should be open-minded, and explore the different possibilities of the unfathomable unknowns of our universe. I’m not afraid to ask the lingering question science and religions try to explain.

Smoking in communal places needs to be prohibited Essay Example for Free

Smoking in communal places needs to be prohibited Essay Smoking in communal places needs to be prohibited. All of us have heard about the secondhand smoke’s negative paraphernalia to human health, newly done investigation is usually dropping lighting about just how effective it actually is. A current analysis through the United National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) observed that will secondhand smoke causes it to be more difficult with for smokers to give up smoking (Marzilli 2008). Analysts point out that secondhand smoke sets off nicotine cravings  which can adjusts brain purpose, compared to truly smoking cigarettes a smoke. In the event secondhand smoke possesses a real effective effect on smokers, and then what exactly should it complete for you to those that aren’t possibly lighting up? Secondhand smoke poisons others, in particular kids as well as pregnant women, at risk of breathing in cigarettes’ smoke. Furthermore, smoking in communal places endangers individuals who have the respiratory system health disorders. Tobacco contains the Carbon (II) oxide, which if inhaled will lead to the reduction of the carrying capacity of oxygen in the blood (Buddelmeyer Wilkins 2010). Carcinogenic compounds which is also present in tobacco is said by research to cause mutation of the DNA to any individual who inhales it and as a result lead infection cancer (Buddelmeyer Wilkins 2010). In a matter of fact, smoke from a burning cigarette ingests most to a non-smoker and does not get sucked in by the smoker’s lungs furthermore he/she escalates it to the air. The latest scientific tests display that nearly 69.79% of individuals ingesting cast-off smoke from communal smokers have a larger chance of getting respiratory system troubles when compared with smokers themse lves (Qwins 2013). Tens of thousands deaths per year are as a result of the effects of secondhand smoke of which are categorized into two thus; lung cancer and heart disease. Prohibiting smoking in public regions is often useful in several ways since it eradicates an act involving difficulties to acquitted individuals. In the event of prohibiting smoking of cigarettes in communal places, we lower or even totally remove the chance of placing non-smokers susceptible and or increasing the smokers’ chances of creating lung and heart glitches to themselves. Additionally, when many of us prohibit smoking cigarettes in communal places, many of us also cease the smokers from additionally increasing their likelihood of getting medical problems pertaining to themselves. Research clearly points out that prohibiting smoking in public areas saves more than 15 million heart attacks and 20 million lung cancer attacks a year nationwide (Qwins 2013). Though it is usually mentioned that not every individual who smoke in communal regions usually led to harming other people, It remains undeniable fact that cigarette smoking by itself is really a reason for health disorders. Its not ample to convey which the size of impacted individuals is relatively just a small fraction; profuse or perhaps few of, an individual put in danger is usually ample. It can be just the situation with cigarette smoking in communal places, therefore, needs to be restricted. References Buddelmeyer, Hielke, and Roger Wilkins. The effects of smoking ban regulations on individual smoking rates. Parkville] Vic.: Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, 2010. Print Marzilli, Alan. Smoking Bans. Point Counterpoint. New York: Kate Bothers, 2008. Print. Qwins, Leslie. Tobacco smoking. Lyon?: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2013. Print. Source document

Effectiveness of Contrast Bath on Level of Neuropathy Pain

Effectiveness of Contrast Bath on Level of Neuropathy Pain DISCUSSION The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of contrast bath on level of neuropathy pain among clients with diabetes mellitus attending diabetic outpatient department. This chapter discusses in detail the finding of the analysis in relation to the objectives and hypotheses of the study. The following were the objectives of the study and further discussion will exemplify how these objectives were satisfied and how the hypotheses was rejected based on the result of the study. 5.1 Description of the demographic variables of the patients in experimental and control group. In experimental group and control group, with regard to the age in years,11(36.67%) were in the age group of 50 to 59 years, 19(63.33%) were female and 25 (83.33%) belongs to Hindu religion. With regard to the educational status,13(43.33%) were non literate, 21(70%) were unemployed and 15 (50%) had family income of Rs.2,000-Rs.5,000 per month .With regard to the duration of diabetes mellitus , 14(46.67%) belongs to more than 5 years, 13(43.33%) had neuropathy pain with the duration of 5.2 The first objective was to assess and compare the pre and post test level of neuropathy pain among the experimental and control group. The analysis in figure 4.2.1 showed the pretest level of neuropathy pain, in experimental group , 22 (73.33%) had severe level of neuropathy pain , 8 (26.67%) had moderate level of neuropathy pain and none of them had mild level of neuropathy pain. Whereas in the control group, 18 (60%) had moderate level of neuropathy pain, 12 (40%) had severe level of neuropathy pain and none of them had mild neuropathy pain. The analysis in the figure 4.2.2 shows the post test level of neuropathy pain, in experimental group 30 (100%) had mild level of neuropathy pain , and none of them had moderate and severe level of neuropathy pain. Whereas in the control group, 18 (60%) had moderate level of neuropathy pain, 12 (40%) had severe level of neuropathy pain and none of them had mild neuropathy pain. The analysis in table.4.3.1 findings inferred that when comparing the pre test and post test level of neuropathy pain within the experimental group the pre-test mean value was 81.20 with SD of 7.54 and the post test mean value was 21.93 with SD of 5.44. The calculated ‘t’ value 41.671 was higher than the table value which indicated that there was a high statistical significant difference in the pre and post test level of neuropathy pain among experimental group at p the level of neuropathy pain. The analysis in table 4.3.2 findings inferred that comparing the pre test and post test level of neuropathy pain within the control group, the pre-test mean value was 74.67 with SD of 6.79 and the post test mean value was 72.73 with SD of 7.15. The calculated ‘t’ value 2.001 was higher than the table value which indicated that there was a low statistical significant difference in the pre test and post test level of neuropathy pain among control group at p The above findings were consistent with the experimental study conducted by Jessica Marsh, (2014) to know the effectiveness of contrast bath among clients with sprains and strains in the ankle and foot at a massage centre, Halifax, Cannada. Investigator did contrast bath alternatively using hot water with 36-38 degrees C(3minutes) and cold water with 4-21 degrees C(10 seconds to 1 minute) for 3 cycles, always ending with cold. The study result reported that there was a reduction in the level of pain in the ankle and foot. The above study findings were consistent with the quasi experimental study conducted by Gormans JM et al (2011) to assess the effectiveness of hydrotherapy among 20 diabetes mellitus clients with foot pain who were admitted in a medical ward were randomly selected. Foot immersion was done in hot water for 3 minutes and cold water for 30 seconds, alternating for 3 cycles. The study finding revealed that there was reduction in foot pain which was noticed by using numerical pain scale. Hence the null hypotheses NH1 stated earlier that â€Å"there is no significant difference between the pre-test and post-test level of neuropathy pain among the experimental and control group† at prejected. 5.3 The second objective was to compare the pre-test and post test level of neuropathy pain between the experimental and control group The analysis in table 4.3.3 findings inferred that in the pre test , the level of neuropathy pain for the experimental group the mean value was 81.20 with SD of 7.54 and mean value for control group was 74.67 with SD of 6.79. The calculated unpaired ‘t’ value 3.526 at p The analysis in table 4.3.4 findings inferred that in post test , the level of neuropathy pain for the experimental group the mean value was 21.93 with SD of 5.44 and mean value for control group was 72.73 with SD of 7.15. The calculated unpaired ‘t’ value was 30.964 at p The findings of the study was supported by, Donna E. Breger Stanton et al (2012) conduced a systematic review among 28 clinical research articles on contrast bath from 1938 onwards in which 10 met the inclusive criteria set by the authors to know the effectiveness of contrast bath on diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes ,to address the physiological changes of hot and cold on blood flow, intramuscular temperature, subcutaneous temperature, the influence of room temperature , pain and age. The definitive conclusions was made that the contrast bath increases superficial blood flow and skin temperature in foot which relieves pain. The above study findings were consistent with an experimental study conducted by Nick grantham (2008) to know the effectiveness of contrast bath among 60 clients with diabetes foot attending foot clinic at china.They took 30 minutes for each client to provide the intervention. The temperature of the hot water was 35-40 degree C for 3-4 minutes and cold water was 10-15 degree C for 3-4 times.they concluded the study as contrast bath stimulates the nervous system because brain has to receive and recognise two different types of information(hot and cold), the changes in temperature may also help in reducing pain. The conceptual framework based on Wiedenbach’s Helping Art of Clinical Nursing Theory guided the researcher to accomplish the study. The investigator perceived the need of implementing the contrast bath on level of neuropathy pain among clients with diabetes mellitus. The intervention which includes immersion of lower extremities in warm and cold bath for a duration of 20 minutes( 5 cycles). The clients with diabetes mellitus attending diabetic outpatient department were the recipient in the study, the investigator identified the need by assessing the pretest level of neuropathy pain using Galer Neuropathy Pain Scale and prescribed contrast bath to minister the need of the clients with diabetes mellitus. The goal was to reduce the level of neuropathy pain through the means of contrast bath for 20 minutes(5 cycles). The investigator validated the need by assessing the post test level of neuropathy pain using Galer Neuropathy Pain Scale which revealed that there was reduction in the level of neuropathy pain among clients with diabetes mellitus. The researcher enhanced the contrast bath for those who revealed significant improvement and gave reinforcement for those with insignificant improvement of level of neuropathy pain. Hence the null hypotheses NH2 stated earlier that â€Å"there is no significant difference in the pre-test and post-test level of neuropathy pain between the experimental and control group† at prejected. 5.4 The third objective was to associate the selected demographic variables with the mean differed level of neuropathy pain among clients with diabetes mellitus in the experimental and control group. The analysis in table 4.4.1 findings inferred that in the experimental group the analysis using ANOVA revealed a low statistical significance with regard to family income at p Hence the null hypotheses NH3 stated earlier that â€Å"there is no significant association of selected demographic variables with the mean differed level of neuropathy pain among clients with diabetes mellitus in experimental and control group† at prejected for family income per month and accepted for all other selected demographic variables such as age, gender, occupation, religion, educational status, duration of diabetes mellitus and neuropathy pain, treatment for diabetes mellitus and suffering from any co morbid illness in the experimental group. The null hypotheses NH3 was accepted for all the selected demographic variables in the control group. The above discussions clearly represent that there has been a statistically significant impact of contrast bath on level of neuropathy pain among clients with diabetes mellitus. This draws conclusion for the study that contrast bath can be used as an effective intervention by the neuro nurses, community health nurse, nurse educator, nurse administrator, nurse researcher and health care professionals in reducing the level of neuropathy pain among clients with diabetes mellitus.

Déjàvu: The Past in the Present :: Psychology Psychic Essays

Dà ©jà   vu: The Past in the Present "...parapsychologists think dà ©jà   vu is a glimpse into a past-life. The event did happen similarly before, you just happened to die between the occurrences." (2) The mysterious nature of dà ©jà   vu does not only lie in the experience itself, but in its definition. The sole unity of truth is the direct French translation - 'already seen.' In general, the phenomena can be summed up as experiencing the past in the present. It is "an uncanny feeling or illusion of having already seen or experienced something that is being experienced for the first time." (3) The dà ©jà   vu experience is puzzling because it often leaves people disoriented and searching for explanations. In fact, it is a fairly common occurrence with 70% (a higher rate is reported between the ages of 15 and 25) of the population reporting that they have felt dà ©jà   vu at some point in their lives. (2) The frequency of the experience has left specialists scrounging for information. There is an evident absence of truth, as expressed through varying opinions from psychologists, scientists, neurobiologists and spiritual healers. The nature? The cause? No one seems to be point ing to a definite answer. Some widely discussed causes appear to point to the brain's temporal lobes, past memory, wish fulfillment or temporarily mismatched connections in the brain. Emile Borac who was greatly interested in psychic phenomena first utilized the term dà ©jà   vu. (3) The connotation used refers to the past, while the nature of the experience is clearly positioned in the present reality. It is ambiguities such as these that spark debate over the nature of the actual dà ©jà   vu experience. Hence several definitions of dà ©jà   vu have arose, all emphasizing different aspects of the experience. Arthur Funkhouser, Ph.D. and Vernon Neppe, M.D., Ph. D. have performed extensive research on the various types of dà ©jà   vu. Funkhouser seeks to clarify dà ©jà   vu and remove it from inaccurate associations. He claims that there are three forms of dà ©jà   vu: dà ©jà   vecu, dà ©jà   senti, and dà ©jà   visite. Dà ©jà   vecu is most similar to the widely acknowledged definition of dà ©jà   vu. It is the feeling that the present scenario has been experienced in the past - the details are identical and it is possible to predict what will happen next. While in the midst of dà ©jà   vecu, the detail of the experience is astounding, and the person is conscious that the present scenario conforms to their memory of it.

The Applications of ICT- Shopping :: ICT Essays

The Applications of ICT- Shopping Supermarkets and checkouts. The advancements in the technological world have allowed supermarket chains and other national stores to quickly dominate the market and are driving out the concept of the ‘local stores’. This surge in the market has seen shares rise and profits bulge with the three main contenders in mind being Sainsburys, Safeways and Tescos who now serve the whole of the UK between them and are the household names of the shopping world. The ICT input to these businesses is vital in that it provides speedy service; controls stock levels and will even allow bank balance transfers to be carried out with minimal difficulty or technical experience. The ‘till’, arguably a simple word has been given several names in the information technology world depending on the tasks, which the one in question can perform. Â · POS- Point Of Sale terminal (ordinary checkout) Â · EPOS- Electronic Point Of Sale terminal (Checkout connected to a computer data base using a laser scanner to read bar codes). Â · EFTPOS- Electronic Funds Transfer Point Of Sale (the same as EPOS with the capability to make transfers for customers to pay for goods via credit or debit cards. The checkout uses the ICC (integrated chip card which is very popular on the continent) or Magnetic strip on the card to request the information of the user to see whether or not they are eligible to make an EFT. The magnetic strip can only hold a limited amount of data such that an 11 or so digit code is sufficient to recall the same data from the bank servers. The ICC however can hold much more information and is much harder to copy or have data changed by criminals or hackers. The checkouts used in modern supermarket chains are all capable of EFT and are therefore all considered EFTPOS. In the next few years checkouts or ‘tills’ in all retail shops will use the ICC Barcodes The goods found in supermarkets are labelled with barcodes used to identify specific items on a central database. When the good is scanned a request is sent from the checkout to this main database where the request is handled and the appropriate information returned to that terminal and the correct amount reduced from the stock of that item. The bar codes are formed of lines of different widths and as each line represents a number the resulting code is the information sent to the main computer.

Main Themes in A Streetcar Named Desire :: English Literature

Main Themes in A Streetcar Named Desire Fantasy/Illusion: Blanche dwells in illusion; fantasy is her primary means of self-defense. Her deceits do not carry any trace of malice; rather, they come from her weakness and inability to confront the truth head-on. She tells things not as they are, but as they ought to be. For her, fantasy has a liberating magic that protects her from the tragedies she has had to endure. Unfortunately, this defense is frail and will be shattered by Stanley. In the end, Stanley and Stella will also resort to a kind of illusion: Stella will force herself to believe that Blanche's accusations against Stanley are false. The Old South and the New South: Stella and Blanche come from a world that is rapidly dying. Belle Reve, their family's ancestral plantation, has been lost. The two sisters, symbolically, are the last living members of their family. Stella will mingle her blood with a man of blue-collar stock, and Blanche will enter the world of madness. Stanley represents the new order of the South: chivalry is dead, replaced by a "rat race," to which Stanley makes several proud illusions. Cruelty: The only unforgivable crime, according to Blanche, is deliberate cruelty. This sin is Stanley's specialty. His final assault against Blanche is a merciless attack against an already-beaten foe. On the other hand, though Blanche is dishonest, she never lies out of malice. Her cruelty is unintentional; often, she lies in a vain effort to plays. Throughout Streetcar, we see the full range of cruelty, from Blanche's well-intentioned deceits to Stella self-deceiving treachery to Stanley's deliberate and unchecked malice. In Williams' plays, there are many ways to hurt someone. And some are worse than others. The Primitive and the Primal: Blanche often speaks of Stanley as ape-like and primitive. Stanley represents a very unrefined manhood, a romantic idea of man untouched by civilization and its effeminizing influences. His appeal is clear: Stella cannot resist him, and even Blanche, though repulsed, is on some level drawn to him. Stanley's unrefined nature also includes a terrifying amorality. The service of his desire is central to who he is; he has no qualms about driving his sister-in-law to madness, or raping her. Desire: Closely related to the theme above, desire is the central theme of the play. Blanche seeks to deny it, although we learn later in the play that desire is one of her driving motivations; her desires have caused her to be driven out of town.

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It is very important for the local organization to transition their strategic to the MEN. Because of the MEN can bring more new opportunities, knowledge, and resources of the information to the organization more than the domestic. It also can help the organization get more competitive advantages in the global. Introduction Tease Motors, Inc. Is a California-based company that designs, manufactures and sells electric cars and electric vehicle perpetration components including lithium-ion battery packs (â€Å"Tease motors,† 2013). Tease Motors is named after electrical engineer and physicist Nikolas Tease.Because of Tease uses an AC motor descended directly from Nikolas Teasel's original 1882 design. Tease Motors producing the first fully electric port car in the world (â€Å"Nikolas tease,†). Background In July 2003, Martin Bernhard and Marc Tarpapering incorporated Tease Motors. In February 2004, Leon Musk became Teasel's Board of Directors as its Chairman. Musk's prima ry goal was to commercialism electric vehicles all the way to mass market, starting with a premium sports car aimed at early adopters and then moving as rapidly as possible into more mainstream vehicles, including sedans and affordable compacts.There are four car models in Tease Motors, which are Tease Roadster, Model S, Model X, and Future models (â€Å"Model s,† 2013). Tease Motors was founded in San Carols, California, in Silicon Valley. In April 2008, Tease Motors opened its first retail store in West Los Angels, California. In July 2008, Tease Motors opened its second retail store in Menlo Park, California. In July 2009, Tease Motors opened a display showroom in New York City's Chelsea Art District. In July 2009, Tease Motors also opened a store in Seattle.Tease subsequently opened stores in Washington, DC; New York City; Chicago; Danni Beach in Florida; Boulder, Colorado; Orange County in California; San Jose in In August 2009, Tease Motors planned to move its corporate headquarters and lid a perpetration development facility at 3500 Deer Creek Road, in the Stanford Research Park in Palo Alto, California. The new facility would occupy 369,000 sq. Ft. (34,300 mm) on a 23-acre (93,000 mm) parcel previously occupied by Agilest Technologies.In February 2010, Tease completed the headquarters move. About 350 employees are expects to be based at the Stanford site initially, potentially increasing to 650 (â€Å"Tease motors,†). Why TEASE Company Need Expand Their Operations Internationally With the development of the internal business, it is necessary that TEASE expand their operations internationally. And there are four reasons as the following: First of all, among the earliest motivations that drove companies to invest abroad was the need to secure key supplies. Christopher & Paul, 2008) With the increase of TEASE cars' demand, they will need more and more materials from different countries. Just like the automobile batteries, which need some cou ntries that have good technology and experience for produce the batteries for the new cars. Also some of the automobile materials need stable producing area to guarantee quality. Secondly, another strong trigger for internationalization could be described as market-seeking behavior. In order to find more wide market and opportunities, TEASE need expand their operations internationally.For example, even though make the TEASEL'S car in the U. S. , American people may not the main consumers of the cars. The reason is that from the culture things American people prefer large and straightforward cars than the light vehicle. However, in other countries, TEASE cars maybe very popular, because the countries which have different cultures may prefer the light vehicle better than the heavy-duty vehicle. So in this case, the TEASE will get more opportunity and market shares in these areas.Beside the culture, different countries developing degree and policy will impact the selection of the cars. For example, in china because of the air pollution, the government made a lot of the rules for limiting the carbon emissions such like some taxes of the carbon emissions. So the electric car will be more and more popular in China. Doing business in foreign countries will get more competitive advantage than Just doing business in home country. The third is that traditional and important trigger of internationalization was the desire to access low- cost factors of production.Christopher & Paul, 2008) No matter what the motivation is, the final things that the company focuses on is the profit. Beside the high sales volume, another important thing they should pay attention is cost. There is a problem the managers considering the every day, which is how to reduce the cost. There is no doubt that expand the operations internationally is a good way to reduce the cost. For example, the labor is more and more expansive in recent years, especially in some developed countries.So if a company could build their manufacture in some developing countries that have low labor fees. They will save a lot of cost. Beside this reason, the freight is another problems for the cost. So the good way to solve the cost problems is expand the operations internationally. The fourth is that internal business will increase scale economies, ballooning R&D investments, and shortening product life cycles that transformed many industries into global rather than national essential prerequisite for companies to survive in those businesses. Christopher & Paul, 2008) The Benefit of Expand Operations Internationally For TEASE Once the TEASE expands their operations internationally, they could use Global Hess. Global chess is a kind of competitive strategy, which could be played only by the companies that managed their worldwide operations as interdependent units that implemented a coordinated global strategy. (Christopher & Paul, 2008) TEASE will get a lot of benefit from the strategy. First of all, that is a positive complementation. For example, now TEASE is very good brand of battery vehicle.And it was born in US with a very good reputation. Because of it name and brand, more and more people know that, especially the foreign countries, they are very expected to try this new care ND that is the reason why that is so popular in some Asia countries. We know that the America population is limited; also because of the fierce competition there are not some much people in US automobile market. However, in Chinese the market will be very wide, there are a lot of people who need good vehicle. So TEASE could get a huge profit from Chinese market.And use this money to create new technology in TEASE in US, and use them back to the Chinese and create better service and suitable cars for Chinese drivers. So that will be a very positive complementation. The second hint is it could promote the company's bad position. For example, TEASE cars will be sold in a lot of countries. However, we c ould not guarantee that TEASE cars could sell well in every country. If a new product want to enter in a new market, it need a very long process, people need time to accept it.During this time, the company will spend a lot of cost such as the inventory fees, advertising fees, managing fees and so on. Expending operations internationally which offer a possible that using Global chess. For example when the company get trouble in Europe, they could use the Asia arrest's good profit to help the Europe company ride out a storm until the new cars are accepted by Europe customers. Finally, this strategy could make sure the abundance of capital.Global chess is very helpful for TEASE adjust their capital among the world business. And that will make the TEASE Company having more power for respond the risk of the world business. Issues When TEASE Becomes Transnational Organization The issues that transnational organizations have to facing with are: the force for local differentiation and respo nsiveness, and the challenge of management style and the lobar business management strategies. With regard of push Tease Motors, Inc. Into transnational organization, these issues are unavoidable.First, the core issues that inside the force for local differentiation and responsiveness is: Cultural differences, government demands and growing pressures for localization. Cultural differences in other word operating in a diversified condition could have numerous barriers and uncertain issues. Each market has their characteristics and talent. For example, in Japan, people are exchanging gifts with their working partners such as suppliers or customers. For American managers it is definitely looks like bribe. And many U. S. Managers thought the action is wrong. Ultra, they turned to accept it and even encourage, the practice as ethical behavior in Japan (Cert., S. & Cert., S. (2012). As this case, the management of transnational organization must facing with the culture shock by diversity. When TEASE reforms them into a transnational organization, they must know the culture of the targeted market. For instance, in vehicle industry, U. S. Market has more pick up truck or heavy engine vehicle. One of the reasons is the usage. However, the other reason is not cause of any geographic or physical reason but people Just like it.When promoting TEASE vehicle to China, management has to a lot of research and completely understanding what they like but not only consider about the pricing or design. In other word, transnational organization managements need to not only consider about technical and general marketing issues but also have to capture all of these specific traits in the target market. The second issue government demands is the issue between home country government and host country government. Both of these two sides are desire for benefits. For host country the benefits would be funds, technology, and expertise from the transnational organization.And for home countr y that desire the transnational organization can successfully growing the host country and bring extra revenue and benefit to both company side and government side. The government of host country is an extremely important access point for the transnational organization. It could let the company access to the local market or receive resources in the host country. When both side of home and host government come into win-win situation, the conflict would not be exist. However, actually the conflicts still existing between two parties.For example, transnational organization would drive rural exodus, rising consumerism, rejection of indigenous values, or a breakdown of traditional community structures of the host country (Bartlett & Beams, 2011). Thus the government of the host country would take a good balance to treat transnational companies. For example, there were a lot of issues of North American Free Trade Agreement (NONFAT); the free trade agreement between the United States, Cana da and Mexico. The expectation of the agreement should be numerous positive things or all of the partner countries.However, in Mexico government perspective, they complained about the environmental pollution issue because of NONFAT. The huge amount of trading also caused a serious damage of nature in Mexico. Deforestation and reduce of farmland getting much worse than before. In annual, more than 630,000 hectares of land has been deforesting after NONFAT official started. Moreover, the large amount using of agriculture chemical also brought a terrible damage of the land. Also other industries cause scarcity of hazardous waste disposal facilities, water pollution issue and scarcity of fresh water simultaneously.According to this Mexico government had announced compensation to the United States government. The data should be questionable here because there is no evidence of the pollution is exactly caused by free trade agreement. However, the point in here is; even under a free trade agreement between two countries, there still have conflict from each other. Similarly, when a transnational organization goes into a oversea market, even they bring new Job opportunities or contribute to the host country, there still would have complain by the government (Villager, 2012). Hence the pressure from governmentThirdly, according to the development of information technology, the living standard is increasing continuously. To meet the needs in each market, transnational organization should be very flexible with market trend. A large group of consumers has emerged to reject the homogeneity product design and performance of standardized global products (Bartlett & Beams, 2011). For example, TV is becoming a part of necessary items in each home. More people are connecting DVD player, game player, computer or other equipment with TV let the homogeneity product â€Å"TV† becomes more entertained product.Hence for TEASE to Join a new oversea market, only selling the vehic le would not be enough to survive in current market trend (Bartlett & Beams, 2011). For TEASE Motors successfully go into oversea market, they should have an unbeatable management style and the global business management strategies. Three strategies that TEASE Motors can be use, Decentralized Federation, Coordinated Federation or Centralized Hub. Each strategy has characteristics for prevent unexpected issues. Decentralized federation is an organizational configuration model that provides authority of most key assets and resources to each subsidiary.And the connection between each subsidiary and head office is comparatively loose. In other words, the organization treats subsidiaries as independent national businesses (Bartlett & Beams, 2011). In TEASE Motors' case, this model should not be efficient and sustainable. The separation of each subsidiary would cause the leaking of information. The coordinated federation indicates decentralized many assets and resources to each subsidiary but still the corporate management has the authority to control everything.Additionally, the linkage between each subsidiary and head office is very tight and formal thus compare with centralized federation, it would be relatively easier to control and protect technologies. Last, the centralized hub means most of the assets and resources are controlled by center office. It only allows a small portion of authority to each subsidiary about management. In other words, this type of managing strategy treats subsidiaries as a pipeline for global marketing (Bartlett & Beams, 2011).It sounds a good managing strategy for TEASE to protect its information and technologies. However, it might cause losing chance to gain new opportunities. Again according to he development of living standard and culture difference, we cannot give a conclusion only consider with these definition of managing model. In management perspective of TEASE, extend market business into transnational organization must cons ider every single piece of information. If they do not have a complete managing strategy, it would be very vulnerable to leak their top business secret or core technologies to others.How to solve the problems in establishing a transnational company In the process of becoming a transnational company, different levels of economic, political, culture, genealogical and management forces are faced to the company. Thus, It becomes more and more vital to the company that how to develop their ability to effectively solve those diverse and conflicting problems at the same time. Transnational company needs to use transnational strategy to solve the conflicting environmental forces and win the competitive advantages.In the aspects of responding to the force for global integration and coordination, transnational company must build global efficiency through a worldwide infrastructure of distributed but specialized assets and capabilities that exploit comparative advantages, scale economies, and scope economies simultaneously. ( Bartlett & Beams, 1943 Pl 25). Through exploiting differences in sourcing and market potential across countries, exploiting economies of scale, and exploiting economies of scope, the transnational company can build worldwide competitive advantages.In the process of exploiting worldwide economies of scale, the transnational company must develop a more sophisticated and differentiated configuration of assets and capabilities, which means the transnational company needs to centralize the key resources and capabilities within the home-country operation to not only realize call economies but also protect certain core competencies; certain other resources must be ex-centralized to complement the benefits of scale economies; and some other resources must be decentralized on a regional or local basis to protect against operation risk and reduce logistical and coordination costs.Also, in order to achieving the competitive advantages, transnational company ne ed to fully understand the concept of â€Å"global chess† which is using cross-subsidizing method to leverage their existing strengths to cover their weaker products and market positions.On the other and, the transnational company not only need to build an interdependent and integrated network organization within the company but also need to collaborate relationships externally with other firms. This needs the transnational company to form strategic alliances and coalitions to collaborate, isolate and defeat competitors through the technology exchange, global competition, industry convergence, economies of scale and reduction of risk.In the aspects of responding to the force for local differentiation and responsiveness, because more and more national customers o longer demand simply differentiation and the host government desires to build their national competitiveness and dominates economic policy in many countries, so transnational company must have the flexibility to chang e product designs, sourcing patterns, and pricing policies continuously to remain responsive to continually changing national environment and to snatch the minimum scale efficiency, as well as the requisite government relationships and consumer understanding to respond to market.In the aspects of the forces for worldwide learning and innovation, transnational company must build the capability to learn environmental and nominative information from many complex circumstances in different parts of the world, collate and interpret that information to become a part of the company's shared knowledge base and provide input to future strategies. Also, transnational company needs to spread and share its learning outcomes to other companies throughout their global operations.In addition, although some products and processes must still be developed centrally for worldwide use and others must be created locally in each environment to meet purely local demands, transnational company must create truly transnational innovations through increasingly use its access to multiple centers of technologies and familiarity with diverse customer learning and innovation is to act as the sensors of new market trends or technological developments; to attract scarce talent and expertise; and to collaborate with other subsidiaries to exploit the resulting new products and initiatives worldwide. Bartlett & Beams, 1943 IPPP) Responding to management forces In the process of managing a transnational company, the management must create the ability to sense and analyze the numerous and often conflicting worldwide opportunities, pressures, and demands.Within the management groups, national subsidiary management is needed to sense and represent the changing needs of local consumers and the increasing pressures from host governments; capable global business management is required to track the strategy of global competitors and provide the coordination necessary to respond appropriately; and influe ntial worldwide functional management is needed to concentrate corporate knowledge, information, and expertise and facilitate their transfer among organizational units. Bartlett & Beams, 1943 IPPP). Because of the unbalance relationship between sectional subsidiary management, global business management, and worldwide functional management in the decision-making, the transnational company need to build the multidimensional perspectives which means the transnational company need to build up the capability, credibility, and influence of the less powerful management groups while protect the moral and expertise of the dominant group to balance the different management groups.Simultaneously, the transnational company should build the integrated network configuration, which means the management needs to specialize and give the responsibility to their national units to dead them become the company's world source for a given product or expertise. However, the parent companies still hold the capability to secure and tap into the operation activities of their national units. Finally, the management in transnational company is required to have the ability to differentiate its operating relationships and change its decision-making roles by function, across businesses, among geographic units, and over time.In turn, the management process must be able to change from product to product, from country to country, and even from decision to decision. ( Bartlett & Beams, 1943 IPPP). Similarly, the transnational company not only needs to build an interdependent and integrated network organization within the company but also need to collaborate relationships externally with other firms. In the process of managing the alliance as following: 1. The management of transnational company needs to evaluate the potential partners, escalate the commitment, and try their best to make the scope of alliance simplicity and flexibility. . The management needs to manage the boundary though struct uring the interface, manage the knowledge flows through integrating the interface, and provide the tragic direction through building an effective governance structure. Responding to challenge forces In responding to the challenge force, the transnational company needs to become a transformation company that not only complete the commitment required but also help developing countries deal with problems.The transnational company needs to make significant investments in developing products or services to meet important to use their positive influence to improve the exploitative and unfair circumstance in the workplace and the communities in which they operate. China – A New Market 1. The Reason of Choosing China A. New Entrepreneur Sometimes, companies that enter the market first would take more advantage than the others, which enter the market later, such as Amazon and Fed. They are both good examples to show the advantage of being leading entrepreneurs. But for China ‘s foreign enterprises, the situation would often Just be the opposite.In this vast, undeveloped, and big market, the phenomenon that firms, which enter later, would take more advantages occurs. In fact, Just entering the market, enterprises are likely to get support from the pioneers. The specialists of business and the legal said that n the automotive, retail and technology industries, new entrants that enter into the business may be more smoothly. Many foreign companies can set up fully owned Company directly, rather than Joint ventures with Chinese government-owned enterprises. Moreover, we can also learn from the lessons advance into the enterprise.Some previous companies entering China is still enduring the trauma that Chinese bureaucracy gave them the last eighties and nineties, not to mention sometimes they had to corruption and inefficient behavior and even local businesses cooperation. B. Potential Upscale Market According to recently study, the power of Luxury purchasing of Chinese consumers is one of the top three positions of the entire world. That implies that China is absolutely a market of huge potential and we should make Tease a luxury brand and the target costumers are the people who are not sensitive to price.About the dealer location, we should select the most high-end shopping center, with many famous brand luxury goods and fashion neighbor, we can see that the initial positioning Tease into China, taking the luxury car brand image. We may take experiences from Apple, for the reason that we are similar with Apple. Since Steve Jobs' published speech, prices of apple products tend to lead to amazing cheer, given Apple's these experiences in China, Phone's brilliant achievements, we have no reason not to learn from Apple. 2.Management Configuration To protect the core technology and essential patents, we decide to adopt geographic subsidiary management; means that we would like to operate subsidiary company in China instead of choose a partner of international Joint ventures. We would send top managers from the US parent company to supervise the local companies and do decision-making with few local managers. We would like to choose Chinese local lealer to make marketing research and development, make marketing plans and charge the sales department. 3.Tease Commitment in China Tease is committed to the principle of working in China, with China, for China. We desire to bring about positive change also extends to the workplace and the communities which we operate. In that case, we would build a partnership with Non- governmental Organizations or supra-government agencies that can provide expertise in social program delivery that the companies typically lack. To be pacific, friendly and be helpful to the local communities though all the sections. We would ray the best to focus on design and develop the new economizing energy engine.

My Last Words Essay

I have not but my word and my able body. I am not a saint and sure as hell I have sinned, but I try to live true and within my means. Someone once told me that thoughts and feelings should be recorded by way of venting out my demons and exorcising my troubles away, not sure I fully understand how this works, but well I have some exorcising to do so here goes. Living with guilt is a terrible thing for any man. But when that guilt gets you all fired up inside and makes the nights restless, sleep lasts only an hour or two and that image of what you have done wrong is burning right behind the eyes, lets just say id turn to god if I only believed he would listen. You see I killed a man not through choice, if truth be told through lack of any other way I could see before me. I curse the day his Aunt Clara asked me to see him through. Lenny small, biggest damn guy I ever seen, Strongest too, but god played an awful trick and made him as dumb as hell, had the mind of an infant before the child learns what is right and what is wrong. A man like that is innocent of any crime he may commit due simply to the frailty of his mind. Those guys would have strung him up and tortured him. Lenny did not deserve to see it coming. Lenny broke the neck of the bosses daughter in law, least she would have been if she would of lived that long. She had no business being in that stable. As for Lenny the dumb bastard, just got to touch anything he finds pretty. It is my guess he was handling her too hard, scared her and to stop her from screaming out would of put his hand over her head and boom, she’s dead. His intentions were not evil but his act was. I prayed he would remember to meet me in the brush, my guilt for killing him is nothing compared to the guilt I would have had to endure watching him suffer at another mans hand. Just like old Candy and his dog, it was my job to put him down. Not that it makes it any the easier to live with I think this is the most I have been able to concentrate in the month since it happened. Can’t eat, can’t sleep, I just see his sorry ass lying on the floor dreaming of our very own plot of land. Truth is without Lenny I am nothing I have nothing, he was my friend and I killed him, doesn’t seem right I can draw my next breath. Boss damn near threw me off the ranch himself that day and swore id never â€Å"work a ranch in this country again†. To be honest life just isn’t the same without Lenny beside me. I think its time to meet my maker. Draw your own conclusions and treat this as you will. Beside this note is fifty bucks for my headstone, which I would like to read â€Å"here lies George Milton Who Loved His Friend† I apologise to whom ever finds my body, but know I can not take his torment and pain or this heinous world anymore. I only hope purgatory will eventually allow me peace.

Mcdonald’s Corporation in the New Millennium Essay

Hamburger or non-hamburger segment put high value on healthy food such as chicken burger or salads. The fast-food industry becoming healthier than before and the potential customers whom care what they eat will go to McDonald’s get they want. The competitive strategy is toward to hear what customer want and create new life style such as healthy food or vegetarian food, and changing fast for keeping original client and gaining more as well. Answer to Q3: Strengths for McDonald’s: No. 1 Fast-food chains- have bigger market share than others. Weakness for McDonald’s Image of McDonald’s fast-food is unhealthy-got to change unhealthy image to healthy one. McDonald’s have large market share than others fast-food restaurants. It strengths are more people could know the news of McDonald’s and easy find it out when have new product or promotion McDonald’s should change the image to that fast-food is healthy food, and plus large share market, McDonald’s future will attract more healthy food lover and doing well for its customers. Answer to Q4: In my opinion, McDonald’s should develop a separate strategy for heavy user segment. According text book† Some of these customers visit fast-food restaurant 20 times per month and spend up to $40 per day in them. † McDonald’s could develop new strategy for them such as home delivery for free order more than $49 or other promotions. Product Strategy Product strategy begins with a strategic vision that states where a company wants to go, how it will get there, and why it will be successful. † †Product strategy is like a roadmap, and like a roadmap it’s useful only when you now where you are and where you want to go

From Traditional Marketplace to Tomorrow’s Marketspace

Focusing on past mergers that were unsuccessful, we will investigate the major cultural issues these companies faced that were the biggest obstacles jeopardizing their success. We will then be able to identify which cultural issues are most important for mergers of the future to succeed. The second part of our paper will talk about virtual conferencing, and the large position it will play in tomorrow's teams. Bringing this together, our discussion will focus on the positive and negative effects virtual teams can have on a merging company's culture. After presenting both sides, our ultimate goal will be to cite the more important roles the virtual teams of tomorrow must play, in efforts to create and maintain a strong and successful common culture among merging companies. The increase of Internet usage, combined with the latest e-commerce craze has changed the way most companies are doing business today (Knox 26). Companies that are not in the dot-com domain now desire to take part in the e-commerce world. Many industries are moving their business from the traditional marketplace to the highly sophisticated marketspace; the AOL/Time Warner merger is an example of this. Today, merging has become the answer to how businesses are going to increase and retain their competitive advantage. Once a company merges it becomes an even bigger powerhouse. This raises one company's market share tremendously, allowing it to stand tall against competing firms (Fairlamb 20). Now, other companies in the same industry need to search harder to reestablish their competitive niche. This is done most of the time through additional acquisitions of similar competing firms within the industry. Unfortunately a lot of mergers are doomed for failure. While sales figures and bottom lines play a big part in the execution of a successful merger, they are only one piece of the puzzle (qtd. in Pacific). Along with number crunching comes culture, the true heart of the company. Every company's culture is unique. Different personalities, ways of doing things, expectations, and ways of defining success are some examples. Even the information technology a company possesses is as much a part of a company's culture, as the people using it. Bringing together two or more companies that may have entirely different corporate culture forms an acquisition. With technologies latest advancement, companies have the ability to be brought together on an entirely new plateau. Virtual conferencing is redefining the way people are able to work together (Seanet). Through virtual teams people can primarily interact electronically. There are several reasons to create virtual teams. Specifically, teams may be distributed because of the new realities facing organizations such as: organization-wide projects or initiatives, and alliances with different organizations, some of which may be in other countries. There are also mergers and acquisitions, which we will pay close attention to, as well as the desire of many people and government organizations for telecommuting. These are a few of the many reasons why people will look to create virtual teams as their primary way of conducting business. Functional integration teams charged with the idea of knitting together two or three preexisting functions usually leads to turf protection, infighting, and special interest pleading. Planning for success, a lot of companies use a creation approach. Creating a comprehensive future-centered vision and strategy that defines the new organization. Together a new set of cultural behaviors and norms will be develop that are consistent with the accomplishment of the strategic goals, as well as creating a workforce passionately committed to the new organization's values, vision, objectives and ultimate success. There are many reasons why we chose virtual conferencing and how it will effect the important aspects of culture within merging companies. As future business people of America this is an issue that we will be faced with. In a time when job security seems to be approaching an all time low, it is important to know what we are going to be up against. Having a better idea of what is happening around us will be useful as we troop forward in efforts to create our own niche in this extremely competitive world. While this is a required project for us, we feel that we should take it for everything that it is worth, bettering ourselves as a result.

Gran torino movie analysys Essay

The movie Gran Torino, is a movie that is based on an old neighborhood which was mostly American nationalities living there. Through the years this changed and it became an Asian society to live in. This movie was directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, which we has also one of the main characters in the movie. The story of the movie was written by Dave Johansson and the screen play was done by Nick Schenk. Walt Kowalski is a widower who holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Michigan neighbourhood and the world around him. Kowalski is a grumpy, tough-minded, unhappy an old man, who can’t get along with either his kids or his neighbours, a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 Gran Torino he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbour Thao, a young Hmong teenager under pressure from his gang member cousin, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Thao’s family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them from the gangs that infest their neighbourhood. â€Å"I have more in common with these gooks than my own spoiled, rotten family,† he tells himself. The three main actors that have the biggest emphasis towards the movie is Clint Eastwood. He is the one who plays Walt Kowalski in the movie. Then we have the two kids from his neighbours. Thao which is been portrayed by Bee Vang, and Thao’s sister Sue, which has been played by Ahney Her. There is a lot of intercultural aspects in the movie that we see but there is also a strong sense of how through the years, the differences from one generation to another and how alike they are in the different societies. Before Walt Kowalski in the movie start to care about Thao and Sue, and before he gets to know them, he is depicted as a mad old man, which he is also very racist towards and outsiders, but especially the people from the Asian lands. The argue that can be made for this reason is that Walt before settling down in the neighbourhood that he lived with his deceased wife, we was in the Korean war. It wouldn’t be easy for any man to live in a neighbourhood, in which the ethnicity of the people living there is of the same ethnicity in which we fought against in the Korean War. Through out the movie and especially when Walt starts to take Sue and Thao under his wings as a family one can say, and through out the stories that he tells and the harm’s he has done, in the end we can say that the way he dies to save Thao and Sue, it’s a way for Walt to get a type of redemption. He takes Sue and Thao as his children, to make right for him having two sons which he wasn’t ever there for them and vice versa. His relationship with those sons and their families is brusque because Walt is an emotionally closed-off guy. No one and nothing lives up to his standards, particularly the growing population of Hmong immigrants who now dominate his neighbourhood. Thao’s cousin is in a gang in the area, and when they try to force Thao to join the gang and they make a ruckus during the night, Walt just wanted his piece but by getting involved in the situation, he saves Thao and then Thao in order to repay him, he does various different chores for Walt and he gets to see that Thao and Sue aren’t as bad kids as he thought, he was just prejudice towards the people that he just didn’t know. And slowly by time he becomes fond of the family and starts acting in a way as he is their protector. The film illustrates town members forcing to make a choice as to which popular culture they will follow. They can follow a path of religion and live peacefully or they can choose a path of constant feuding by joining a gang. Either way, the town has become divided and both opposing cultures seem to be constituted as a popular lifestyle. The first major inter cultural communication is more of a tradition for the Hmong. When he unwillingly saves Thao, then the rest of the community, look to him in what they think that they have found a hero. They start bringing him different gifts and different plates of food as a way of them saying thank you for his actions. He still doesn’t want anything to do with them and tries to not accept them but there’s nothing else that he can do. Walt’s wife, according to the movie was a person of the church. And now that she has passed away, the father of the church, father Janovich tries to be there with Walt and tries to make sure that he will be fine. Walt is a man who is haunted by what he did in the Korean War. In the film, Walter speaks to Father Janovich and says, â€Å"The thing that haunts a guy is the stuff he wasn’t ordered to do.† Within these few small words, Walt describes to Father Janovich the chaotic mindset that keeps his life forever haunted. This gives us the notion that Walt is haunted by his actions in the past and that’s why now he is such a grumpy old man who can’t live in peace with the actions that he committed. Walt is an old man that is in a place where according to him, there isn’t something that someone can do that will reach to his standards. Throughout the movie, Walt seems incapable of speaking to his son’s without criticizing their every thought. When his two sons, Mitch and Steve Kowalski, talk at their mother’s funeral Steve says to Mitch, â€Å"The point I’m trying to make is that there’s nothing anyone can do that won’t disappoint the old man, its inevitable† it’s a struggle of the old generation which is Walt, and the generation that followed him, his sons. Walt can be said that he is more a patriot rather than a racist. But he is both and tries his best to make it known to the others. He is proud of his patriotism and watches helplessly as their neighbourhood is becoming a ghetto of other ethnic groups who seek only violence and just tear apart the neighbourhood in which he lives. Even now with the loss of his wife, he won’t allow his self to admit that he is alone, he has too much pride to do that. Walt saves Sue from a group of African Americans who were bothering her. He pulls out his gun and makes them leave her alone. Now Sue is a witty girl, and on the ride back to the house they start to engage in a conversation. Walt wasn’t polite but as I said Sue is a witty girl and she answered him in ways that were humorous. From that point on is where he starts to have a bond with the rest of the family as well. After this incident Walt starts being fond of the family. Later he is being invited to a barbeque that they are having. At first he didn’t want to go but with Sue, he changed his mind and went. As they start to eat and talk, sue lets him in in the various traditions that they have and their meanings. Later by not knowing he taps one of the small children in his head, something which is considered very rude. Sue explains to him that it’s believed that in the head is where the soul of the person resigns. Also that it’s impolite to stare, but then he sees the family doctor staring at him. Then sue talks to him and he wanted to read Walt. He told him that he lives in a life of pain and suffering and if he continues in this way he won’t have piece in his life. this family doctor and father Janovich are in a way trying to lead him to have a peaceful life. In all honesty, I believe the ending of this film was noble. Walt sacrifices his life in order to save Thao and Sue’s family from further harm. His courageous act not only places the entire Hmong gang behind bars, but also ends the conflicts between the Thao and his cousin who is the gang leader. He goes and faces them and In a way makes them kill him and now because they have witnesses Thao, Sue and their family won’t be bothered with again. Overall, I thought Gran Torino was an empowering movie. The film depicts actual scenarios of cultural conflict that can be found in today’s world, especially racism and small kids joining gangs. Sources Gran Torino the movie http://elizabethbettin.blogspot.gr/2010/11/week-6-gran-torino-analysis.html http://hollywoodandfine.com/reviews/%E2%80%98gran-torino%E2%80%99-who%E2%80%99s-saving-whom/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/