Future of software engineering Essay

The term â€Å"Software Engineering† implies a literal meaning of the mechanics and the engineering aspects of building and deploying a software or program. However, the topic of this paper is to justify and explain the future support that organizational goals can get in the organization’s workings. The paper will be presenting the aspects of software engineering as a tool for helping organization’s fulfilling their goals. The area selected for this paper is â€Å"Decision Support Systems† i. e. the importance and suitability of such systems will be discussed as the future of software engineering. Decision support systems (DSS) will be defined in greater detail in the accompanying sections and their advantages and disadvantages will be highlighted in the final chapter. It is important to note that DSS’s are under-used in the world in terms of quantity as well as efficiency. There are very few organizations in the world that house a fully up-and-working DSS and use it extensively for the purpose of analyzing and summarizing data. The logical details of a DSS are also laid down in this paper that can lead to the relation of such systems with our topic and justify their future uses in achieving organizational goals and objectives. The level where DSS operate is also well-differentiated and the general misconceptions held about these systems are also explained to avoid confusions and expose their real job and workings. CHAPTER 2 Decision Support Systems are those systems that give an organization the edge in making decisions and understanding data by making it meaningful in a presentable and summarized output. These systems assist in the general decision making; they do not make or propose the decisions, as is the general misconception about them. Their job is to gather data, process it in pre-defined formats, accompany related information and present in an easy-to-read and user-friendly format. These systems basically cater to the needs of the executives who do not possess enough time to read all source data and need the top view of figures or data in order to shape up decisions. Thus, DSS organize data and fulfill management needs by using modeling software and/or simulation to produce reports and ad hoc queries consuming up data and raw facts and churning out meaningful information and figures. There is no restriction on the organization level on which a DSS can be installed and similarly a DSS can cater to a variety of organizational needs and objectives from all levels within the organization (Marakas, 2002). DSS are systems that take in raw facts and figures, process them, analyze and summarize those figures providing the top view or the analysis of that entire data set. Now it should be understood that the data taken by a DSS for analyzing purpose is not the basic data contained in organizational tables and files. In fact, this data is partially processed: it is the output from a Management Reporting System (MRS). An MRS is used to generate grouped reports at the Operational level (Marakas, 1998). An example would include the hours worked by each employee during a particular month. It should be understood that there is no bias or conditional filter used in disseminating the data produced by an MRS. Hence, the DSS is fortunate enough to lay its hands on data that is predominantly raw and organized. This leads to significant time saves in terms of organizing data by understanding its relevance and scope. An MRS produced report has a narrow scope (Marakas, 1998). However, DSS reports and documents are more long-lasting and can be used for future referencing. In fact, a DSS is used to produce summaries of work over time periods defined by the management or automatically set. These reports are then archived and are useful in personal analysis of trends and performance. DSS assist management in doing Trend-Analysis, forecasting and taking decisions based on the analyzed results (Holsapple and Whinston, 1996). It should be stressed again that the primary purpose of these systems is to gather data, organize it and produce analytical views that management can use in fuelling their decisional justifications. The main idea of a DSS being installed is that it can get its data from a variety of sources and still produce one summary useful for the decision. This means that managers no longer need to look at three or four different reports and spend hours trying to make sense out of them. A single composite report created by an intelligent system such as a DSS can help save time, productivity and make decision making timely and effective. This is the main aim and function of a DSS: to provide summarized and timely data for analytical purposes grouped into well-defined areas for inference (Marakas, 2002). The reporting format of a DSS is highly flexible. It can be structured or unstructured depending on the scenario, the person being reported to and the situation where the reporting is to be carried out. Although the question about the type of report is a secondary issue, the primary concern is the type of decision that can be taken using a DSS. Here again, no restrictions or barricades on the of decision, which can be anything between structured and unstructured, including a hybrid (semi-structured). DSS possess the capability to analyze data in four distinctive ways (Marakas, 2002): 1. What-If Analysis: Changing a variable and analyzing its effects on other dependent variables in the same time or work domain. 2. Sensitivity Analysis: Keeping all variables constant, except one, and noting down its individualistic effects on the output. 3. Goal-seeking Analysis: Opposite of What-If. It is done by setting the goal and looking at what changes need to be done to reach that goal. 4. Optimization Analysis: Using constraints defined by the management, it seeks for a possible set of solutions or optimizations DSS are intelligent data processors, not data creators. Without input data, DSS cannot perform any inferential tasks. Just like a car is useless without fuel, irregardless of the model and functions, a DSS, however much efficient and strong, is useless without input data and raw facts that are impediment for the decision-making and analysis purposes. CHAPTER 3 A Decision Support System is primarily for the tactical level in an organization, nevertheless it can well adapt to the other levels. It can be even be used in a hybrid of levels gathering data from one level, analyzing it and reporting it to another level. In this way, a DSS can contribute towards organizational objectives very aptly (Thompson, 1999). The fully functional DSSs in The world are a strong reflection of the fact that a DSS can really help a company to overcome its Information Reporting problems and become a leading firm in is business on the basis of the jobs performed by a DSS enabling workforce efficiency and effectiveness. The DSS works on the principle of arranging data so that inferences can be made as quickly and as easily as possible. Imagine the future corporate world without a DSS. A weary manager leading a bored, monotonous workforce that is dilapidated with the over burdening of compiling data from every nook and corner and making it meaningful and presentable to their bosses (Thompson, 1999). A DSS allows for the generation of routine reports as easy as it is to click on the Print button. The fact that a DSS allows for repeatable, routine and scheduled reports to be produced without the interference of any person makes its usage and relevance even more pronounced. The application of a DSS transforms greatly the way in which an organization works to achieve its organizational goals. Take the example of 4 workers divided in a hierarchical manner striving for the collection of data and organizing it. After this organizing, this data is given to another 2 workers who then process it and present it to the management. With a DSS in place, the job definitions change: only 1 worker from the upper hierarchy is required to monitor formats and give commands timely. Another worker is needed to key in the data, as it is automatically organized. This reduces the job for 3 lower workers and 1 upper worker. You might say, bad. But looking on the brighter side, these 4 employees’ forces and skills can be polished on another branch: say, the marketing department (Marakas, 2002). Now that brings the organization more closely and quicker to fulfilling its short-term goals, which are just a break-down of the overall long-term goals. DSS allow for Business Process Re-engineering. This means that a DSS can be implemented for a key strategy or technical change in the methodologies and the system specifications f the current work methods and practices. This may sound too subjective to be understood in a practical corporate environment. How do several firms manage a turnaround in their sales and efficiency by keeping the same bunch of employees, the same size of plants, marketing strategies and same old buyers? The answer is Business Process Re-engineering (Marakas, 1998). This means changing the old ways or trading them with new ones that are according to the practices required by the DSS implementation. A classic example is the retailer who did not have any inventory control and alarm system and was often low in certain inventory when it was high and demand and had excess of another when its season was off. After the implementation of a DSS, it was able to act an alarm system that gave beeps when certain inventory levels receded; no this conception is false. It was actually a reporting system that could use sales data and produce individualistic item reports. It simply meant that the retailer could now generate reports on the sales of his individual items on his list and compare it with what he expected each item to spend in his store. After looking at a couple or more reports, he can, ideally, identify the general time each type of grocery took to be sold and the time periods when certain inventory was needed and what was the best time to hold up more inventories considering the future aspects. One might argue as to the effectiveness of such a DSS as described above and point out the costs involved in setting up a DSS. But, believe me, in the long run, there will be a point where the decisions made using the information churned out by the DSS will result in significant cost savings and greater sales for the retailer since the retailer will now be having a fairer idea of each type of inventory and the time it took for it to be converted into sales. It is worth noting, that there was no change of inventory, marketing, employees or shop; only the DSS was implemented and BPR was carried out that lead to the retailer creeping more steadily towards his personal goals. Competition is the key for survival in today’s world, be it any industry. Globalization has meted out a strong barrier to entry for smaller firms into the global market and the existing big fishes are also finding it hard to compete with global giants. Here, comes the need and advantage of a DSS. A DSS makes it possible for an organization to keep its maintain its grip on the market as well as blesses new entrants with the opportunity to seize the market share from big giants on the basis of the reporting system they use. What do all companies have in common? Reporting that leads to Decision making. And what is the basic job of a DSS? Information organization and Reporting. So why not combine something needy with something that can fulfill the formers needs. Common sense and simple logic make it more than evident that a DSS is best suited for the achieving of organizational goals and objectives. This logic can be derived from the fact that quicker and more effective decisions fuelled by organized information will lead to strategic edges in competition and success (Marakas, 2002). History has borne testimony to the fact that often big giants in the market look to buying up small ventures in the market owing to them posing serious threats to their future goals and survival. Now the question that lies here is: what makes these small ventures so important in the eyes of big companies in that they regard them as threats, given the difference in their sizes and market shares? It must be the technology: specifically DSS and Expert Systems. While discussing the latter is beyond the scope and requirement of this paper, I would like to reinstate the use of DSS in the meeting of organizational goals and objectives. As a final bow, I would like to re-emphasize the fact that the tried-and-tested formula of the implementation of a DSS to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in company goal achieving capabilities has never been proved wrong in any major investment and changeover. Thus, we can safely assert that a DSS is essentially a valuable contributor and facilitator towards the achievement of organizational goals and objectives in a timely and successful manner (Marakas, 1998). CHAPTER 4 In compendium, I would like to end my discussion with the futuristic advantages as well as the disadvantages a DSS holds. Generally speaking, there are more visible advantages of a DSS than disadvantages owing to their easy-to-use nature and the variety of jobs they can perform. The most important advantage of a DSS is the use of data and producing a timely report that can be used to justify and influence organizational decisions. On a futuristic outlook, time will become more and more scarcer and decisions will have to me made more quickly if they are to have any impact. If managers are left doodling over 300 files to understand a trend and then make a decision then it is highly likely that at the end of the day, the company will be losing out to businesses using DSS’s (Holsapple and Whinston, 1996). This is due to the high level of automatic dissemination and organization of data done by a DSS that enables it to cater to the format and the needs of specific informational roles and managerial positions. The flexibility of a DSS will allow its extensive future use for organizational goals. A DSS does not mean a system that only produces analytical reports and stops. There is more to it. The DSS also records the decisions made and stores results of decisions and retrieves such data for future decision making purposes. An example would be when a manager was in a problem to decide on price cuts in order to remain competitive. The manager did not cut the price, and soon enough, there was a 65% sales cut. Instantly, the management decided to cut the prices but were still only able to recover just 60% of the lost sales. Slowly, they progressed, lucky enough not to go out of business. In the future, when a similar situation persists, the DSS will show the past decision along with the outcome. It is important to note here also, that in line with our past definitions of a DSS being a decision facilitator, not a decision maker, the DSS will just provide the course of action taken previously, and will not propose the manager to take the step of cutting prices as it had lead to a worsening period for the company. The decision still lies at the hands of the manager who can again decide to retain prices owing to a difference of situation or other factors. The variety of data that a DSS can handle is commendable (Holsapple and Whinston, 1996). It can be configured to use several data sources easing down managerial work. Time, efficiency and ease of work all lead directly to a guarantee of achieving organizational goals, since if decisions are made on time, with good hindsight and information, they are bound to be successful and contribute towards standards set to be met by the organization. Futuristic advantages of a DSS include giving one company a strategic edge over another through the effective use of a DSS which enables them to gather information from wide sources and work with them quickly in order to produce meaningful results that can be used to trigger well-timed decisions. DSS makes Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) a possibility, a process where the core activities and components of an organizational work flow or department are re-designed to improve their effectiveness towards organizational goal achieving. A possible disadvantage of a DSS might be their stagnancy with newer data types and the need to define reporting formats and the types of reports it can produce. A coffee maker knows how to make coffee. Similarly, a DSS cannot be programmed to work with data types as they come. It has to be informed, which is done in the designing phase, and once its made, there is no automatic way in which it can align itself to a data type without it having been configured earlier. So there is the need for redefinitions. On the positive outlook, a DSS is a well-oiled machine that is a very important part in running the organizational motors nonchalantly and stopping errors and inefficiency becoming an impediment to organizational goals and objectives (Thompson, 1999). The future is not happening without the use of a DSS, for sure. It is imperative that DSS be taken on into the future since it is an efficient part required to keep the wheels of efficiency and effective time management ticking on. REFERENCE: 1. Brooks Jr. , F. P. (1987). No silver bullet: essence and accidents of software engineering, IEEE Computer, 20(4), pp.10-19. 2. Marakas, George M. (2002). Decision Support Systems(2nd Edition) 3. Marakas, George M. (1998). Decision Support Systems in the 21st Century. 4. Holsapple, Clyde W. and Whinston, Andrew B. (1996). Decision Support Systems: A Knowledge Based Approach. 5. Thompson, J. Barrie (1999). Here, There and Everywhere: The Future of Software Engineering Education. Twenty-Third Annual International Computer Software and Applications Conference, from http://csdl2. computer. org/persagen/DLAbsToc. jsp? resourcePath=/dl/proceedings/&toc=comp/proceedings/compsac/1999/0368/00/0368toc. xml&DOI=10. 1109/CMPSAC. 1999. 812708

Indentured Servants Vis-a-Vis Slaves

a)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   INDENTURED SERVANTS Landless Europeans agreed to work under a form of contract labor for several years to pay off travel costs. During that time (indentured period) they received no compensation but food, room, and clothing were provided. The Masters could administer punishment and otherwise abuse to them, similar to the owners’ treatment of their slaves. The servants lack full political and civil rights. The indenture servant can sue when planters failed to fulfill their parts of the bargain. Servants who completed their years of labor became free and most indentured servants became landowners. )  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   SLAVES The Slaves on the other hand was forced to work, threatened of physical punishment, and little freedom. Slaves were bought and sold like commodities; therefore they are personal property of the owner. The slaves have no civil rights at all. Slaves can not sue their owners, slaves punishments were severe from whipping, hanging or by be ing burned alive. Slaves as part of their owners’ personal property have no labor contracts; they can not make demands upon their owners for humane treatment, justice, and even land. Source: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Indentured_servant CHAPTER 1 1. ?In thirty-three days I passed over to the Indies with the fleet which the most illustrious King and Queen. . . gave me; where I found very many islands peopled with inhabitants beyond number. And, of them all, I have taken possession for their Highnesses. . . To the first which I found, I gave the name San Salvador . . .? The author of this statement was E) Christopher Columbus 2. The map, ? Voyages of Discovery,? depicts the circumnavigation of the world in 1519-1521 by D) Magellan and del Cano. 3) In ? Debating the Past: How Many Indians Perished with European Settlement your text concludes that C) millions of Indians probably died, although no numerical estimates are reliable. 4) According to your text, the organizing force in the effort to found English colonies came from D) merchant capitalists. 5) The Pilgrims left England primarily because they B) believed the Church of England was too corrupt to save. 6) Many Puritans left England around 1630 to settle in Massachusetts Bay because B)  Anglican cleric William Laud was removing ministers with Puritan sympathies and tightening his centralized control of the church. 7) ? The blood of so many hundred thousand souls of Protestants and Papists, spilled in the wars of present and former ages, for their respective consciences, is not required nor accepted by Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. . . An enforced uniformity of religion throughout a nation. . . denies the principles of Christianity. . . .? The author of these statements was D) Roger Williams. ) She was banished from Massachusetts for claiming that she regularly received divine insights. E) Anne Hutchinson 9) ? Our first concern was to keep up and maintain our religious worship. . . And, . . . we have nothing but love and good will in our hearts, one to another. . . And as our worthy Proprietor treated the Indians with extraordinary humanity, they became very civil and loving to us. . .? The colony described above was E) Pennsylvania 10) According to your t ext, the cultural chasm between Europeans and Indians was most evident in the area of D) warfare because Europeans fought in large groups to destroy their enemies, whereas Indians fought more often to display their courage or avenge a wrong. CHAPTER 2 11) According to your text, the answer to the question, ? What is an American is that Americans E) have an identity deeply rooted in their history, but still incomplete and evolving. 12) According to your text, white women in the colonial Chesapeake region D) found it easy to remarry if they were widowed. 13) The ? headright? was commonly used in the southern colonies and some of the middle colonies to C) award tracts of land to new arrivals in the colonies. 14) The most accurate statement about tobacco during the seventeenth century is that it B) grew on semicleared land, but required a lot of human labor. 15) The main supporters of Virginia? s royal governor, Sir William Berkeley, during Bacon? s Rebellion were the B) well-established, powerful planters. 16) Which statement about black resistance to slavery is true? D) Whites wildly exaggerated the danger of slave rebellions, depicting blacks as savage beasts. 7) Compared to the early colonists in the Chesapeake , those in colonial New England had B) a far healthier habitat. 18) The main evidence presented against the accused witches in Salem Village was the D) raving testimony of young girls. 19) Because of their ethnic and religious heterogeneity, the colonies which possessed traits that later would be seen as distinctly ? American? were B) the Middle Colonies. 20) Both Leisler? s Rebellion and the ? Paxton Boys? uprising D) ca used violent, long-term civil wars in their respective colonies.

OUTLINE AND EVALUATE PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROCHES. (COGNITIVE AND Essay

OUTLINE AND EVALUATE PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROCHES. (COGNITIVE AND HUMANISTIC) - Essay Example Individuals like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow felt existing (psychodynamic) theories failed to adequately address issues like the meaning of behavior, and the nature of healthy growth. However, the result was not simply new variations on psychodynamic theory, but rather a fundamentally new approach.† Some of the major weaknesses of the two approaches overlap, such as the fact that in all psychological perspectives—including both the cognitive and humanistic approaches—identifying practitioners that are any good in their field is rather difficult and sometimes impossible. For the purpose of treating psychopathy, the humanistic approach is simply not appropriate. It is not possible to have a great deal of emotional contact with psychopaths, and that step would be necessary if one were to engage in the humanistic approach. Furthermore, humanism is simply not suited for dealing with emotional damage that is extensive (Wilderdom, 2003). One strength of the humanistic approach is that it caters to unprecedented areas of psychology than other approaches. It is simply a newer, more eclectic approach at looking at the fundamentals of older ideas that were presented by previous psychologists (Wilderdom, 2003). Case studies and laboratory experiments are usually used as tools or instruments during investigations involving the cognitive approach. These studies are often conducted via computer and on people who are brain damaged. The entire idea behind the process is to analyze their thought processes and to draw a conclusion (Burgoon, 2008). There is one main weakness of this type of methodology, say some psychologists. One claims, for instance, that the testing environment is artificial and fair sets of data, therefore, cannot be collected. However, the thought processes of a human can be accurately recorded by a computer at any given time through the utilization of

In the file Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

In the file - Essay Example The problem facing this training sometimes is that a person joining that training may only be interested in earning more salaries that are being provided at that level. High salaries in many occasions indicate a greater value of employer, but empirically it is not well known whether it is true or not. Apart from the growth in business schools, there has been an increase on emphasis of personal development, mentoring, and executive training. Another significant development is increasing focus on development and training of entrepreneurs. New form of learning such as E-learning has increased since they are cheap and flexible. Due to globalization and flexible trade rules across the world, global leadership has become more evident currently. Right now it is not effective being a manager in one country, a good manager in the current world should be able to carry out management in different countries and cultures. A balance between theory and practice is one of the issues in training and development. Another issue is where management and development is based, whether it is a western business model provided by western institutions or eastern business models. The MBA courses taught in Asia by western teachers from western states may boost western business models that are not suitable to the locals because the teaching methods will require the students to adopt learning styles that are not in line with their culture. The information contained in this article can be applied in business organization and when doing global business. Businesses will learn that having people who have extensive training in business courses such as MBA are important in the management of the organization. The article also explains important issues about management training and development. One of the important issues is a broad issue of executive learning and development, this include formal and

Marketing Research- Report on service encounters Assignment

Marketing Research- Report on service encounters - Assignment Example Based on the textbook learning about service marketing, the experiences will be categorised and aging theories will be related to the encounters. The study will be divided in two parts, in this part experience of the service encounters will be highlighted and in the second part, the theories and classifications will be done. Along with that a suitable conclusion and recommendations will also be provided. Service Encounters This section of the report covers the description of the various service deliveries I have encountered in the last week. Although I have come across various service encounters in the recent past, only six of them will be described. The service encounters ranging from banking to tourism services. I have decided to only highlight those service encounters that actually offered something to learn from that experience. Also it should be noted that each of the service encounter that I proposes to shed light on are from different sectors. The entire segment of my service encounters can be found in the appendix section of this study (Refer to Appendix section). PART II Introduction Service marketing is considerably a new concept of marketing and is often dubbed as the subfield of marketing. Service marketing typically refers to the business to business (B2B) and business to consumer (B2C) services (Storbacka, Strandvik and Gronroos, 1994). The notion and real life application of services marketing are evident in sectors such as travel, telecommunication, health care and financial services to name a few. The study is meant for the purpose of understanding the nature of services and to test the viability of the statement ‘service customers is a core competency that marketing managers must develop’. In the section of the study, I will reflect upon my experience of service delivery and will try to relate the same with the theories portrayed by scholars across the world. Lastly, suitable conclusion to the study will be drawn and along with th at recommendation will be provided. Service Classification It is an imprudent act to generalise the concept of services because the services offered by the companies greatly differs. The differences in the services of two companies become more visible when these companies belong to different industries. According to industry experts and academicians, one of the wisest approaches to segment the services of the firms is to use marketing relevant characteristics (Lovelock, Patterson, and Wirthz, 2010). In general, the services are classified on the basis of various factors such as the strategic implication of the characteristics of the services by considering the fact that customers are involved in the production process. The services can be classified as the tangibility/intangibility of the service process, on the basis of the direct service recipients, the place in which the service is being delivered, on the basis of customization and standardization, relationship with the customer, discrete and continuous services, and high & low contact services. In the context of my personal service encounters, I will choose the degree of tangibility or intangibility involved in the process of service delivery. This basis of classification describes the fact that whether the services being offered by the company involves anything physical or the process is more intangible. In my cases, all the services are intangible and but involves different

Influence of reference groups on purchasing behaviour (personal Essay

Influence of reference groups on purchasing behaviour (personal examples with reference to academic literature) - Essay Example Even in this technology driven consumer world, the purchasing decisions can be greatly influenced by so many social factors like family, peers and the society in which the consumer is interacting. These entities which influence the purchasing behavior of a consumer is generally referred as ‘reference groups’ and this paper briefly analyses the influence of different reference groups in the purchasing of consumers in general and female consumers in particular. â€Å"A reference group is an actual or imaginary individual or group having significant similarities in their evaluations, aspirations, or behavior† (Park & Lessig, 1982, p.102) Family, peers and societies are some reference groups which can affect the purchasing behavior of a person. These reference groups can influence the consumer in different ways like informational influence, motivational influence, utilitarian influence and value-expressive influence. A consumer will get information about a product from family, peer group or from the society. For example, consider a child got information about a new toy or video game from his friends (peer group) or from different toy shops (society). Moreover the peer group can motivate the child to purchase that toy or video game by explaining the special features about that product. On the other hand when the child ask his parents (family) to purchase that toy or video game for him, the parents will discuss the utility of that toy w ith him initially. Moreover they will discuss the price (Value) of the product also before taking the final decision about whether to purchase it or not. â€Å"Parents, teachers, and peers are representative of normative referents who provide the individual with norms, attitudes, and values through direct interaction (Childers & Rao, 1992, p.199). Normative referents are the ones with we usually interact directly. The direct interaction will help us to

Roman Republic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Roman Republic - Essay Example But having said that, in case the three parties contradict with each other, then living in Rome could become like running on thorns. As explained, each party controls crucial departments which are integral for the development of economy in Rome. If the consuls do not agree with the decisions of the senate then the country’s security would be in trouble causing the businesses running in the country, to fear for their lives. Similarly if the senate refuses to pay for working committee, then the revenue of the country could get a deep hemorrhage resulting in large number of people losing out on their jobs. On the other hand, If people fail to execute their rights properly by acknowledging committed performances from their compatriots or punishing the guilty properly or even if they contradict with the senate with regard to ramifications or penalties, then that could also ruin the lives of people as those carrying out illegal activities may feel even more comfortable knowing that the government is not providing proper penalties. On a personal opinion, as mentioned above, the rules and regulations, the policies, all could become the best ones available only if the three parties of the government work in unison.

Employment Laws Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Employment Laws - Assignment Example However, if the individual that was sexually harassed brought charges against Sean and he was found guilty than this case is a matter of public record. If a court of law failed to find Sean guilty of sexual harassment than this is a breach of Sean's confidentiality and he will have cause to action to a defamation of character civil suit against the company. The civil suit that would be filed would entailed slander. According to Larons (2003), "Slander involves the making of defamatory statements by a transitory (non-fixed) representation, usually an oral (spoken) representation" (pp. 4). The woman in question maybe found liable if it is proven that Sean is innocent of this crime. However, proving this woman liable is quite hard. Jim was fired for misappropriating funds. Determining if Jim had cause of action against his former company will depend upon the facts of the case. Does the company have evidentiary support that Jim misappropriated funds In further does this evidence support the notion that this was done on purpose and not a miscalculation Did the misappropriated funds occur on more than one occasion All of these factors will determine if Jim has cause to action. Sean and Jim's cases are similar as they both need the support of evidence in order to prove their case.

Discussion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 21

Discussion - Assignment Example The organization management come up with guidelines that shall enhance quality, which are then followed by the employees. After a certain period feedback as well as the recommendation from the stakeholders are taken and the quality support team make necessary adjustments to foster the quality (Shi, 2007). In contemporary practice, there is always a consensus regarding the right of an individual to refuse some of the life-sustaining treatments like mechanical ventilation, blood transfusion and provision of artificial nutrition. The ethical, legal argument that supports this right was framed on the principle of autonomy and the right of a patient to self-determination of care. Resistance to health care describes an individual unwillingness to be helped by a healthcare provider and is manifested by defensive behaviours that may range from minor to aggression. In the facility that I practice, it is noted that risk management of resistance to care has shown to increase safety in the workplace. Some of the strategies that are used in the healthcare organization include increasing the number of staffs, appropriate follow-up of and enhancing security at the high-risk clinical areas. Staff with different field of specialization helps in handling patients who refuse care, this can be achieved through counselling or explaining the legal repercussion of the act. In addition, enhancing security in the organization helps in averting several risks in the hospital (Kable and McLeod 2012). Some of the interventions that were employed included: campaign media and promotion whereby mass media campaigns materials, pamphlets, posters and press releases were utilised. Healthcare professionals who enhanced adoption of systematic prevention programs provided health education. The speakers provided group education through showing videos that are related to prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, individuals were taught on the merits of weight loss as a

Marketing and Its Components Essay Example for Free

Marketing and Its Components Essay Environmental analysis of UK: In order to achieve success in implementing some marketing plan, PEST analysis plays a major role because it allows the organizations to do a complete analysis of political, economic, social and technological aspects of the organization and the evidence can be taken from the example of Tesco UK. The success factor of Tesco can be analyzed from the marketing strategy it has assumed in order to deal with the potential customers of United Kingdoms. However, this company has taken all the basic concepts of marketing under consideration while making its strategic plan. Here is the PEST analysis of Tesco UK. Political: The organizations which have political backup and keeps the political aspects under consideration while marketing its service get promulgation within no time. For instance, Tesco is an international supermarket; its policies are always compatible to the regions in which it provides its services. In UK, it has also kept this thing under consideration and that’s why, got exceptional response from the customers. In this regard, following steps have been taken: †¢It has fulfilled legislative requirements of United Kingdoms †¢There is no violation of Labor law, environmental law, trade law, health and tariff restrictions †¢Policies have been developed keeping the political scenarios under consideration †¢Tesco has also developed its own ethical and sustainability policy keeping the national ethical policy of UK in view Economic: Since UK market is one of the most sensitive markets of the world, economic sustainability is another factor that needs thorough analysis in order to deal with any marketing situation. Most of the consumer within UK requires a product that suits not only their lifestyle but also their budget. Though brand loyalty and trust is also a positive factor that can be regarded as a strong reason for the success of this organization, still some consumers find it difficult to buy costly products. Tesco UK has also kept this thing in view and provided different solutions in the form of competitive prices and sales. However, the economic analysis of Tesco indicates †¢Potential investment of company authorities within UK †¢Payment of taxes on each product †¢Adoption of sensitive price strategy †¢Paying interest rate †¢Extensive participation in regional economic growth Social: The analysis of social factors of Tesco UK is as followed: †¢Targeting young people for product marketing †¢Increasing demand of the international products due to increasing migrants †¢Multi-cultural customers †¢Bargaining power of customers †¢Safety issues like inability of customers to understand product precautions Technological: As far as technological factors are concerned, Tesco has also kept this aspect under consideration while marketing its services in United Kingdoms. †¢Automatic payment system †¢Auto-checking while entering and exiting from supermarket †¢Use of electronic system for cash and balance †¢Implementation of safety cameras in supermarkets †¢Wireless devices †¢RFID Control of Tesco over environmental factors: As far as the environmental factors that are beyond the control of Tesco UK are concerned, it is the competitive forces, suppliers, customers, inflation ratio and technological advancement which have affected sustainability of Tesco in one way or other. Competitors: Potential competitors of Tesco UK are as followed: †¢Wal-Mart †¢Costcutter †¢Carrefour As far as online competitors are concerned, they involve †¢Ebay UK †¢Amazon UK Customer: Another aspect that is beyond the control of Tesco UK is bargaining power of customers. The demands of customers vary with the passage of time and Tesco UK has to assume change management strategy keeping the changing demands of the customers. In this regard, the factors that can affect Tesco directly involve †¢Bargaining power of customers †¢Recession †¢Limited budget of customers †¢Changing requirements according to the trend Inflation ratio: Inflation ratio is another aspect which is beyond the control of Tesco UK since there are several factors which contribute in such cases and if this supermarket gives potential discounts on each product that threats the sustainability of their relation with suppliers. However, this thing is controlled to a small extent through providing different packages and sales in low seasons, Technological advancement: Since with the advancement in technology, consumers are also attracting towards online shopping, online platforms have taken the position of strong competitors. A consumer seeks ease through purchasing products from online portal that can deliver the objects at home. Though Tesco also has its own web portal yet the technological advancement makes it complex for this organization to adopt appropriate strategy in each country. However, through adopting timely change management strategy, this organization can deal with such situation. Section 2: Creating and sustaining competitive advantages: Tesco is the third largest grocery store of the worlds and there are ample potential competitors which can be regarded as the core competent of this organization. However, still this organization has been gaining competitive advantages through sustaining and assuming competitive advantage strategy. As far as the core competitors of Tesco in this industry are concerned, Wal-Mart and Carrefour are two leading organizations that compete with Tesco on global level. The reason why it had remained on third position is that it had initiated its service after a long time. However, it is the competitive advantages which it has sustained in regional as well as global competitive market that it has been positioned on third rank among all supermarkets of the world. As far as the strategies in order to gain competitive advantage are concerned, there are several creative and sustainable competitive strategies which can be developed in order to gain competitive advantage in this industry. In this regard, Porter’s generic strategies can be utilized because all the successful organizations like Wal-Mart and Carrefour have gained such position only through assuming exceptional competitive strategy. The first strategy that can be promulgated in this regard is cost leadership strategy which would enable Tesco to offer its services and products to not only national but international consumers and markets in lowest cost. For this purpose, they would also have to control the overall cost of the operations so that they can easily maintain investment and this price control strategy never affects this organization in one way or other. Through assuming this strategy, Tesco would be able to generate not only potential profit but also competitive advantage as well. If Tesco would use differentiation strategy as indicated by Porter, it would enable this organization to offer its products and services to its customers promulgating unique features and value added services that would attract potential customers a lot. This would also give competitive advantage in the form of brand loyalty of customers and double profit. Differentiation can be generated through assuming novel technological feature, providing value added service, exceptional customer service etc. Another option to create and sustain competitive advantage in local as well as international markets is market penetration. For instance, for Tesco, it might be difficult to assume differentiation or cost leadership strategy since it requires price maintenance. It can also make its marketing sources exceptional. For this purpose, as indicated in Ansoff Matrix, market penetration strategy would prove ample lucrative. It means this organization can gain competitive advantages through penetrating in existing market, find potential sources for promulgating its products and services and then focusing on internal efficiencies in order to come up with the requirements of the consumers. Nevertheless, Tesco can gain competitive advantage through assuming cost leadership and differentiation strategy in global market since it would enable this organization to compete with global giants. However, market penetrations strategy would work if this organization wants to create and sustain exceptional position in local markets like that of United Kingdoms and China. However, it cannot be stated that Tesco used to utilize such strategies without doing market analysis. In this regard, Tesco does market analysis through assessing its market position and contemporary ratio of market growth which enables it to analyze which strategy would enable it to compete on global as well as local level and in this regard, the significance of BCG matrix cannot be neglected. Some organizations used to employ all these strategies collaboratively and consider that there will be competitive advantage that is a wrong notion. That’s why most of them stuck in the middle and ultimately find it difficult to sort out the best option. This is not the case with Tesco since it’s a global organization and its management has exceptional expertise in dealing with such kind of situation assuming the best strategy that can generate passive competitive advantages. Hence, these are some of the potential options which an organization can utilize for competing with the strongest competitor in its relevant industry but before assuming any particular strategy, the organization needs to have its portfolio analysis as well. the examples of Tesco, Wal-Mart and Carrefour can be taken as evidence in this regard since Tesco has assumed strategic option through analyzing its contemporary position in global market and hence, gained successful position as well, Section 3: Product life cycle: A product life cycle possesses different stages like introduction, growth, maturity and decline. However, the marketing strategies vary according to the changing stage of product life cycle and the organizations that use appropriate strategic options according to the requirements of the contemporary scenario, get success in product marketing. On first stage, organizations used to apply marketing Mix elements in which, it suggests specifications of products, appropriate price, promotion strategies and place where it can gain successful position. Different examples can be seen in the form of Toyota motors, McDonald fast food industry and Tesco service providers in this regard. For example, Toyota wants to launch one of its product, the initial strategy that it would adopt will be determining price specifying promotion strategy and place, promulgating product specifications. Product: design, specification, how it works, extra benefits of using it etc Price: initially the cost would be low since this new product would take time to make its position in the markets. Promotion: this section would indicate promotional strategies like launching product providing value added services Place: this section indicates the best market for promulgating new vehicle like United Kingdoms, Canada etc. The second stage is referred to as Growth stage. At this point, the strategic plan differentiated through assuming growth strategy like market development etc. For instance, when Tesco opened new store in China, it achieved growth status through developing market and for that purpose, it affiliated itself with one of the regional supermarkets that enabled this supermarket to have potential growth in new market. The third stage is referred to maturity stage. On this stage, the product or service got its mature status and for its sustainability, different strategies are adopted in order to maintain its position through assuming change management strategy if required. Market penetration strategy is considered the best option in such cases since through constant penetration in market, the contemporary position of the product and service is analyzed. For instance, in UK markets, environment changes are uncertain and this thing affects the requirements of consumers. So, Tesco UK constantly do market penetration in order to sustain its position and cope with competitors. Last stage is referred to the decline stage and it is considered the death of the product. However, some companies assume differentiation and diffusion of innovation strategy in order to sustain its product and regain its mature stage. The example can be taken from McDonalds India. Its product for non-vegetarian though gained ample success in the beginning but soon, customers fed up with it. McDonalds India assumed differentiation strategy and attracted customers through introducing vegetarian burgers and deals. Diffusion of innovation strategy: Diffusion of innovation is one of the effective strategies that can regenerate lost position of a product. Through promulgating product marketing its innovative features, organization can easily cope with decline stage of PLC. There are several examples which can be quoted for proving the authenticity of this strategy With the propagation of KFC and PizzaHut, customers transformed their concentration from McDonalds and this thing affected its profitability ratio badly. The management of McDonalds contemplated to regain its position and ultimately found diffusion of innovation as the best source to deal with this issue. Finally, they introduced McFlurry which attracted most of their customers back. Hence, this thing not only made it possible for the organization to get its customers back but the profitability ratio also increased simultaneously. Hence, marketing strategy plays a major role in developing and sustaining products or services in local as well as global markets but along with using innovative strategy, the organization should also have potential to assume change management strategy according to the contemporary requirements.

Just Desserts Theory and the Death Penalty

Just Desserts Theory and the Death Penalty Is the death penalty cruel and unusual punishment without just cause, or is it just desserts? According to the 8th Amendment of the United States Constitution: nor cruel or unusual punishment inflicted. (U.S. Constitution, 1791). It states that no one will be sentenced to a punishment greater than the crime, with a just system in place to ensure other constitutional rights are not infringed upon. I believe capital punishment is justified under the right circumstances. Some may say the capital punishment is cruel, for the reason you are extinguishing a bright, human life. However, is that life so bright if it smothered and snuffed out others? Before exploring the modern day implications of capital punishment, one must understand that the death penalty is as old as law itself. According to the website procon.org, the Code of Hammurabi contained the first known death penalty laws (History of the Death Penalty), and that was 1700s B.C. Throughout history, capital punishment has been applied to the most serious crimes according to a civilizations values at the time. Whether its helping slaves escape in the 18th century B.C., or murder in the 21st A.D., humanity has punished criminals with the death penalty for heinous crimes for thousands of years. For Americans, the death penalty is an incredibly controversial issue relating to every citizens constitutional rights. Regardless of which side of the issue you agree with, it is important to recognize the death penalty is only applicable to criminal cases of aggravated murder, treason, kidnapping, and rape, as well as a few other various crimes that vary from state to state (Death Penalty Information Center). One may only be sentenced to death if they have been convicted by a jury of their peers and if they have committed one of the aforementioned crimes. Therefore, their constitutional right to a fair trial, as granted by the 6th Amendment to the Constitution, is never violated (U.S. Constitution, 1791). As well, the death penalty affects the common good of society as a whole. Capital punishment keeps the truly dangerous criminals off the streets and out of the prison system. Those that choose to rape and murder could never hope to ever contribute positively to society, so, why should they live in prison and sponge off of state and federal government funds. In short, capital punishment keeps the general public safe from those that would seek to cause harm and grief. Furthermore, the interaction between these two features of American life is subject to fierce debate. I believe that the common good must come before individual rights, or the needs and safety of the public come before the rights of the individual. Now, this may seem like an alienation of ones rights, but the public is a conglomerate of people with their own rights, the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as outlined by the Declaration of Independence (Declaration of Independence, 1776). So, the question posed is how can a person utilize and live these rights when there are murderers, rapists, and bombers that seek to undermine the safety of the American public. The answer is to apply the death penalty to the most gruesome of crimes and to remove these individuals from the world once and for all, to ensure that no one may ever again fall victim to a heinous or violent crime. Additionally, let us not forget that each of these criminals is entitled due process of law and a fair trial. The scales are tipped in favor of the public as far as rights are concerned. Moreover, I intend to advocate my position by providing dangerous criminals on death row that are the underbelly of society. As well, I will explore the morality and implementation of capital punishment. There is a constitutional principle behind the 8th Amendment: that no on shall receive a punishment greater than the crime committed. This is an apt policy, demonstrating the foresight of our founding fathers. It ensures capital punishment is not doled out for minor crimes such as petty theft or vandalism. Rather, it is reserved for only the most gruesome of crimes. One such gruesome crime was the 2005 murders of Brenda Groene, her boyfriend and son, as well as the kidnapping of Brendas two youngest Shasta and Dylan in Coeur d Alene, Idaho (Joseph Duncan, Spokesman.com). The perpetrator, convicted felon Joseph Edward Duncan, then proceeded to murder Dylan in the Montana wilderness. As well, after his apprehension by the authorities he was tied to several other murders, one in California and two in Washington. Duncan was given due process of law, and was sentenced to ten consecutive life sentences and the death penalty for seven murders across four states in a ten year time span. The constitutional principle of just punishment was upheld, an eye for an eye. Justice was served in this instance, for if one murders seven others in cold blood, how can they themselves be worthy of life? Inversely, opponents to capital punishment unanimously believe that the punishment is racially biased. They believe this because the majority of prisoners on death row are in fact minorities. However, an independent study conducted by the R.A.N.D. Corporation (Research and Development), in which several separate teams were tasked with determining whether or not race factors into capital punishment (Muhlhausen, The Death Penalty Deters Crime and Saves Lives). They concluded, independently with no inter-team contact, that incases resulting in the death penalty, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ that decisions to seek the death penalty are driven by characteristics of crimes rather than by race. Furthermore, Prof. Richard Berk of the University of California concluded that cases with a black defendant and white victim or other racial combination are less likely to have a death sentence. (Muhlhausen). In continuation, another primary argument against capital punishment is it costs state and federal governments a great deal to carry out the sentences. They believe this because of constant appeals to convictions and demanded re-trials due to new evidence that cost the courts time and money over the course of decades per inmate. However, in a letter to the editor of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Assemblyman Curt Hagman of the California State Assembly observes the people against the death penalty are the ones that are creating the deficits with those very same appeals. (Hagman, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin). In this way, I believe the opposition to capital punishment, groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), is poisoning the public and courts against justice for grisly crimes. The solution to this problem is to take all the time needed the first time around, as well as to gather all possible evidence and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt guilt or innocence, as wel l as limiting appeals to one per inmate. In summary, the death penalty must be applied strictly, quickly, and fairly. By implementing the death penalty, justice can be served for capital crimes such as murder, and the public will be safe from humanitys worst. Also, if we as a nation dispose of all the red tape in the judicial system, the cost for euthanizing inmates will be reduced drastically. The time to act is now. Hundreds of prisoners have sat on death row for 30 years or more, with countless victims and families never seeing justice served. Help set everyones minds at ease and encourage the death penalty. Bibliographies The Declaration of Independence. The Heritage Foundation. 2008. Print Hagman, Curt. Dont End Death Penalty, Streamline It. InlandValley Daily Bulletin. 5 May 2012. Web. 5 Dec. 2012. Muhlhausen, David B. The Death Penalty Deters Crime and Saves Lives. Heritage.org. 28 Aug 2007. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. Staff Writer. Crime Punishable by Death. Deathpenaltyinfo.org. Bjs.ojb.usdoj.gov. 29 Jan. 2012. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. Staff Writer. History of the Death Penalty. Procon.org. 8 May 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. Staff Writer. Joseph Duncan. Spokesman.com. 15 Mar. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2012. U.S. Constitution. Art./Amend. XI, Sec. 3 U.S. Constitution. Art./Amend. XIII, Sec. 3

H.S. Level - SOund And Light Waves :: essays research papers

Sounds are produced by the vibrations of material objects, and travel as a result of momentum transfer when air molecules collide. Our ‘subjective impression’ about the frequency of a sound is called pitch. High pitch has high vibration frequency, while low pitch has a low vibration frequency. A pure musical tone consists of a single pitch or frequency. However, most musical tones are â€Å"complex summations† of various pure frequencies - one characteristic frequency, called the fundamental, and a series of overtones or harmonics Younger people can usually hear pitches with frequencies from about 20 hertz (infrasonic) to 20,000 (ultrasonic) hertz. We can’t hear above 20,000 hertz or below 20 hertz (ultra and infrasonic waves). Light is both part particle and part wave. Light is â€Å"the electromagnetic radiation that may be perceived by the human eye†. It consists of photons, which are massless bundles of concentrated electromagnetic energy. Light’s lower frequency is red, and the higher frequency is blue. Like sound, light has frequencies humans can’t detect. Ultraviolet light is at a frequency higher than violet, and infrared is at the frequency lower than the red of visible light. We get UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun, and infrared is used in night vision to see better. Sound travels at about 1,200 k/hr while light travels at about 300,000 km/s. It’s easy to notice how slowly sound travels. Take, for instance, a soccer field. If you were standing at one end and you see somebody kick the ball, it will probably take a second for you to hear the person kick it. You hear the sound a few seconds after you see the ball moving. The farther you are away, the longer the space is between you seeing the ball being kicked and you actually hearing it. Light can travel around the earth 7 and a half times in one second. Light and sound are similar in some ways too, though. They both have frequencies that humans cannot detect (ultraviolet, infrasonic, etc.). Since both of them are also waves, they can be made to interfere. They can also be made to reflect and refract. As said above, both light and sound waves have to do with interference. In sound, interference affects both the loudness and amplitude. When two waves’ crests overlap, the amplitude increases. The same is true with the troughs of the waves, which decrease the amplitude.

MAnaging Conflict Essay -- essays research papers

Managing Conflict What is conflict? Conflict is a natural disagreement resulting from individuals or groups that differ in attitudes, beliefs, values or needs. It can also originate from past rivalries and personality differences. Other causes of conflict include trying to negotiate before the timing is right or before needed information is available. Causes of conflict. 1. Lack of communication. There is a lack of communications. Failure to share ideas and feelings (between wife and husband for example) allows the other person to "fill in the gap." We "read in" what we think the other person will say or anticipate how the other person will respond. Then, we often suspect negative things which provokes anxiety, leading us to look for the worst. If this continues, trust becomes lower and we may become suspicious and defensive. 2. Value Conflict There is a value conflict in which two people have different attitudes, beliefs and expectations. These differences may interfere in making decisions if we are inflexible and hold rigid, dogmatic beliefs about the "right way" to do things. Different values and beliefs predispose two people to choose different goals or different methods to achieve the same goals. And, since each goal requires an investment of time, effort and some sacrifice, we cannot pursue one goal without sacrificing the other to some extent. 3. Lac...

Elizabeth I :: essays research papers fc

Elizabeth I King Henry VIII changed history in order to marry Anne Boleyn, hoping she could give him a son to be his heir. He already had a daughter, Mary, by his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, a princess of Spain, whom he divorced. The Pope would not allow the divorce, so Henry declared himself the Head of the Church of England, and disallowed any power the Pope might hold on English religion. On September 7, 1533 in Greenwich Palace, Anne had a daughter, who was named Elizabeth. A few years later, Henry accused Anne of incest, which historians agree was probably untrue - but Anne was beheaded in May 1536, and Elizabeth, not even three years old, was sent to live with relatives so she wouldn't remind Henry of Anne. Henry had remarried Jane Seymour, who gave birth to Henry's son, Edward, later to be Edward VI, but died soon afterwards. Catherine Parr, Henry's sixth and final wife, brought Elizabeth and Mary back to court. As the Dowager Queen, she moved away from court and left the ruling of the country to Edward VI, who was still a young boy. Edward Seymour (young Edward's uncle) became Lord Protector of England. Elizabeth went with Catherine, but left after an incident with Catherine's new husband, Thomas Seymour, and rumors of the time suggested that Catherine caught them kissing, or perhaps even in bed together. Catherine died soon after Elizabeth's departure. Young King Edward was always sickly, and came down with consumption, or tuberculosis. It seemed that he would die too young to have a child to be his heir, and it became a dangerous time for Princess Elizabeth. She was Henry's daughter, she was in Henry's will as an heir, she was in line for the throne and so was a target of many marriage proposals. Thomas Seymour asked Elizabeth to marry him, but she refused. However, both were suspected of plotting against Edward. Elizabeth was not questioned, but Seymour was arrested and eventually executed for treason after an attempt to kidnap the young king. Elizabeth, upon hearing of the Lord Admiral's death, was marked as saying "Today died a man of much wit, and very little judgment." Edward's declining health began a movement of Protestants who did not want Mary, a Catholic, to gain the throne. Lady Jane Grey, a descendant of Henry's sister Mary, was also considered a possible heir. When Edward died in 1553, Jane was proclaimed Queen by her father and father-in-law, but more people supported Mary.

Blackberry

The product that we have chosen Is Blackberry smartened. The term BlackBerry refers to a line of wireless handheld devices and services designed and marketed by BlackBerry Limited, formerly known as Research In Motion Limited (RIM). Target Markets: Its target markets are Business professionals who opt for high security text messaging and E-mails.Productivity of BlackBerry and why It has Targeted the business professionals: During the early 20005, Research In Motion's Blackberry's were the most popular smartness In the world; since then, though, RIM's market hare In the Industry has been eaten up by Apple's Phone and Google's Android. Still, the BlackBerry remains a popular model amongst business professionals, as It offers not only a fast and powerful processor, but also Blackberry's Enterprise Services.This corporate email system makes it easy and convenient for professionals on-the-go to connect to their respective corporate email accounts and is undedicated by other major smartene d lines like the phone and Android. Visualize and risk taking strategy: Blackberry main strategy is how secure the customer data and E-mails with this agenda they mainly targeted the business professionals which can be called as a Niche market . With the development of new technology and o. The Android smart phones and phone devices which made the technology user friendly with millions of APS. These Android mobiles and phone has targeted each and every individual right from students who are interested in playing games but also the business professionals by integrating and synchronizing treachery in Motion's future grows iffier each quarter as it signs on fewer new customers and has had to discount large numbers of BlackBerry smartness and Playback tablets to clear inventory.The company revealed today that its revenue dropped 25 percent in the last fiscal quarter versus a year earlier, a decrease of $5. 6 billion. RIM executives said they were willing to explore other business models , such as licensing all or some BlackBerry technologies to other companies. Some Investors have suggested that RIM license or sell access to Its secure messaging network or Its BlackBerry Messenger instant messaging service.RIM has licensed there IBM services and made the app available In android and Los this made the Blackberry unique. Santos Krishna Surest shogun Blackberry By Crackerjacks messaging and E-mails. Productivity of BlackBerry and why it has Targeted the business professionals: During the early sass, Research in Motion's Blackberry's were the most popular smartness in the world; since then, though, RIM's market share in the industry has been eaten up by Apple's phone and Google's Android.Still, the BlackBerry remains a popular model amongst business professionals, as it offers not only a fast and powerful processor, but also BlackBerry's Enterprise agenda they mainly targeted the business professionals which can be called as a phones and ‘phone devices which made the technology user friendly with millions of PlayBook tablets to clear inventory.The company revealed today that its revenue as licensing all or some BlackBerry technologies to other companies. Some investors have suggested that RIM license or sell access to its secure messaging network or its services and made the app available in android and ISO this made the Blackberry

In The Heat Of The Night Essay

Choose a character from To Kill a Mockingbird, to write about. Here are some suggestions: *Scout Finch *Boo Radley *Atticus Finch *Jem Finch *Tom Robinson *Mayella Ewell *Dill Harris **Note†¦. All examples from In the Heat of the Night. Step 1 – Pre-Writing/Outline Brainstorm for several character traits, using the sheet(s) provided. Then, try to narrow down your search to THREE good traits. How do you pick the best three? Ask yourself the following questions: **Do the traits explain the character’s round personality overall? **Do the traits show the character’s dynamic personality (how they were at the beginning versus the end, for example)? In your outline, explain, reference, and analyze each of the traits from your brainstorming. You must use direct references from the text (quotations). Step 2 – Thesis Paragraph Grab the reader’s attention with a solid opening: †¢Ask a question †¢Use a good historical or literary quote †¢Make a bold statement Discuss what the story is about and give a bit of the plot. Introduces the character (write as if the reader has not read the novel): †¢Position in the story †¢Related to whom or friends with whom or enemy of whom †¢Protagonist/antagonist †¢Importance/significance Include a thesis statement which states the 3 traits you chose for you character. Albert Einstein once said, â€Å"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.† Virgil Tibbs, the protagonist in the novel, In the Heat of the Night, by John Ball, must learn the rules of a small town in order to be heard and survive. The plot of In the Heat of the Night revolves around the murder of a well-known maestro in a small southern town, and also includes the many underlying human conflicts between the two main characters. Tibbs, a black investigator from California, and his relationship with the small town’s residents, including Sherriff Bill Gillespie and police office Sam Wood, create a subplot that becomes essential to the development of the story. The clash of ethnicity, personality and method of investigation becomes the essence of the story and creates an intense level of interest that compels the reader from beginning to end. It is through this intensity that Tibbs’s personality as a determined, intel ligent, and compassionate person shines through. Step 3 – Body Paragraphs For EACH Body Paragraph, you are going to carefully describe how each trait suits the character. Be aware that the order of the traits is critical. All of your traits should be strong, but you want to end your essay with the strongest. In addition, you may find that your traits seem to follow the  story chronologically. If so, then, you want to discuss the traits chronologically. Each body paragraph should looks like a SERAERAC paragraph. That means you will have two reasons to support each trait. S – States the character trait. E – Explains the character trait and how it relates to the character. R – Explicit reference supporting your explanation effectively integrated. A – Analysis of how the reference supports your statement. T – Transition E – â€Å"† R – â€Å"† A – â€Å"† C – Profound statement and/or transition to next body paragraph. Don’t forget to introduce new characters. Don’t just mention a character and expect the reader to know who you are talking about. Don’t forget to use good transitional devices at the beginning of the paragraph AND within the paragraph. Use the sheet provided to help you with this. Use a good transitional word or phrase to begin the subsequent paragraphs (body paragraphs 2, 3). From the moment Virgil Tibbs sets foot on soil of Wells, South Carolina, he shows his determined personality. After Bill Gillespie discovers the murder of Maestro Mantoli, he happens to stumble across Tibbs who is sitting at a train station waiting to catch a train and return home to California. At this point, both Sam Wood and the reader are unaware of Tibbs’s occupation as a police investigator. All we know is he is a â€Å"negro† and completely out of place in the predominantly white, racist town of Wells. But that does not stop him from being determined to prove his innocence to Gillespie back at the police department: â€Å"Where did you get all this dough?† [Gillespie] demanded, and rose just enough from the seat of his chair so that the prisoner could see his size. â€Å"I earned it,† [Tibbs] replied. â€Å"And what do you do in Pasadena, California, that makes you money like that?† The prisoner took the barest moment before he replied. â€Å"I’m a police officer,† he said. (19) In this particular scene, Tibbs does not show Gillespie or Sam any insincerity. He cuts right to the chase. A little later in the novel, he shows just how determined he is when he is resolved to find out who killed Maestro Mantoli. When Harvey Oberst, a 19-year-old man initially jailed for the murder because an officer found him with Mantoli’s wallet, is brought in, Tibbs is determined to convince Gillespie he has the wrong man because he analyzed the murder scene in detail and can decisively draw a conclusion: â€Å"How much more do you want?† Gillespie asked, his voice somewhat closer to a normal level for a change. â€Å"It eliminates the superficial motive,† Tibbs replied, â€Å"it means digging a little deeper. I expected it, but it is an advantage to see it confirmed.† â€Å"†¦Don’t tell me you bought [Oberst’s] story. I thought you were supposed to be a hotshot cop†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"He’s innocent of the murder†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . (34) Unlike the officers around him, Tibbs digs deep to find the true meaning. Even when Tibbs is scrutinized by men like Gillespie, he refuses to back down, showing the importance of having a determined personality. Step 4 – Concluding Paragraph Sum up your ideas and say something poignant! Explain how the character traits benefitted or hindered the character (or both). Ultimately, how did the trait impact the character? Explain how the traits make the character admirable or detestable. Should we strive to be like him/her? Double space your work. Use 12 point, Times New Roman. Indent each paragraph. Do not leave an extra space between paragraphs. Have someone edit your work.

Nutritional knowledge Essay

Discussion (guide 2000) The results on knowing the meaning of BMI, it has been shown through the Chi-square test that there is no significant relationship between being obese and knowledge of this item. The same results were yielded for knowledge of fibre-rich food, recommended daily intake of fruits, and recommended daily intake of breads and cereals, which also had insignificant results in the Chi-square. The knowledge items which yielded a significant result in the Chi-square include recommended intake for various sources and reading labels. Health Behaviours Examining the t-test results, most health behaviours prove to be significant. On the number of glasses consumed daily, the normal weight group had a higher average, indicating greater consumption. On the consideration of health in choice of food, there is no significant difference between the two groups. The same trend is observed on the time of taking supper. For time of sleeping, the obese group seems to sleep at a later time. Moreover, the normal weight group has a higher frequency of exercise sessions. The obese group also has more frequent intake of meals; crisps; sweets, chocolate or desert; sweetie beverages; low calorie drinks; instant noodles; and deep fried food. No such difference was noted between the two groups for frequency of eating snacks. The present study does suggest significant differences in the knowledge, lifestyles, and behaviours of normal and obese samples. This suggests that cognition, affect, and behaviour are meaningfully interlinked and that one affects the other.

Investment Companies Essay

Investors need to consider a lot of factors before investing their money in any firm. Company stability and ability to generate profits is the main attraction for any investor. Bank of America and Apple Inc are some of the most stable companies in their respective fields. Besides these are some of the highest paying industries in the world today. Bank of America Bank of America is the largest brokerage house and consumer banking franchise in the United States (Lewis, 2010, p1) during the financial crisis, bank of America posted huge losses coupled by the untimely purchase of Merrill Lynch. However in April 2010 bank of America reported a $3. 2 billion first quarter profit signifying an imminent complete turnaround for the company. Interestingly, most of the profits were generated from the trading at Merrill Lynch. The gamble to buy Merrill Lynch had paid off. With the worst of the financial crisis over, bank of America is poised to make bigger profits and reclaim its eminence that it lost to JP Chase and Goldman Sachs. Though it is unlikely to continue with the acquisitions that characterized most of its growth phase, the bank no doubt will be a big player in wealth management in the US. Long term investment in bank of America therefore will be a wise decision by an investor who is looking to capitalize to a rising stock price and dividend per share revenue. Besides, the regulations that the administration will introduce will ensure profitability and stability of the banking sector. However, given that the financial markets have not fully recovered, coupled with the impending WallStreet reform by the administration, there is likelihood that resulting volatility may eat into the company’s profits and share price. Besides, the company, like many other banks is still repaying government bailout money, a move that will affect its profits and effectively its investors. Apple Inc Dynamism describes the world of technology today. New information gadgets are introduced to the market every year. Apple is on of the companies that has emerged as a market leader challenging established giants like Microsoft and easily cutting a niche for its itself in the market. Apple prides itself with successes such as the i-Pod, the i-Tunes Store, MacBook sales, and excellent Mac OS X. Innovation to meet the ever demanding market is the main driver of apple and with its cutting edge products like the i-phone, i-pod and recently the i-pad, investing in Apple inc will be a good decision because certainly these are not the last of their products. The company has one of the highest share prices in the New York Stock exchange which stood at $140 pr share as of 2008 (Tyson, 2008, p 11). Every time people buy Apple products, it increases the company sales and profits which in return drive up the stock price (Tyson, 2008, p 11). With the continued good performance, an investor is guaranteed of good returns in the long run. While some computer and software companies saw their profits plunge during the recession, Apple’s strong position ensures continued movement of their products, a clear indicator that the company can whether big economic fluctuations and guarantees an investors returns for their money. Apple Inc. has concentrated on developing mobile gadgets but the same effort is needed in developing products like the Mac desktop. Competition from other computer and software manufacturers is stiff and an information technology company that cannot sustain the innovation trends is likely to post less sales, profits and stock price. Competitors like Microsoft and phone manufacturers like Motorola are likely to come up with gadgets that will target the entertainment industry, enterprise and high performance computing, none of which apple is well prepared for (Martellaro, 2006, p1). Expanding their niche therefore to include more products will secure the future of the company and ensure long-term stability.

Accounting managerial control CASE STUDY---Apple company Essay

Accounting managerial control CASE STUDY---Apple company - Essay Example e forces that he has described are: a) Threat of new entrants, b) Determinant of buying power, c) Threat of substitutes, d) Determinants of supplier power, and e) Rivalry among the firms. There are several threats in terms of new entrants. This is majorly because the industry is open to a number of players to come in and launch newer products with higher technology each day. Over the years there have been several companies that have tried to build their own operating systems however the market has become an Oligopoly with just Apple and Microsoft. These two form the biggest giants in the industry and this only face a threat among themselves. It is also to be noted to the barriers to entry in this market is relatively quite low and this is why the level of threat of new entrants would be very low for Apple. As seen in the case there is also a number of new entrants in the computer industry, however there are only a few well established brands here which include, IBM, Apple, and Microsoft. These form a strong barrier to entry for the smaller firms and hence the threat of new entrants is lesser. The threat of new entrants in this market is also relatively low since it d oes need high levels of capitals and also strong distribution channels. Also the companies will only be able to survive these markets if they produce based on economies of scale. This can only be done if the company has enough investments to be able to produce at higher levels. Hence the threat can be considered to be ‘LOW’. Looking at this in a strategic perspective it is seen that although Apple is a computer company has moved into the music and videos software successfully. Apple has used the technology available and has been able to create a very strong brand image for itself. The company has been known for the use of technology and excellent branding. The company has been able to create a strong image which forms a major reason for the success of the company. If the company is considered as

Effects of Loss Aversion Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Effects of Loss Aversion - Research Paper Example This gives an explanation of curvilinear shape of prospect theory. The same philosophers argue that people prefer risks to exposing themselves to losses. This theory also explains sunk cost theory. The theory applies that, when one lose $100, he will be more satisfied than a person who losses $100 windfall. In reference to marketing, we make use of trial periods or rebates with the aim of taking advantage of the tendency of the buyers. This is to value the gods more than the incorporation in the status quo (Kahneman, Knetsch, & Thaler 10). It is crucial note that, despite the fact that transactions are framed on losses or gains, is significant to have the following calculation. Is there a discount or a surcharge? Change in price is differently framed and has impacts on loss aversion. In reference traditional economist, loss aversion together with other endowment effect is irrational. This is the reason why they ate highly essential in the field of behavioral finance and marketing. Th is effect was demonstrated together with other effects in a customer reaction study, which related insurance policies and price changes. From the study, they found that prices raises customer reaction twice in case of its alteration (Kahneman, Knetsch, & Thaler 10). Research question This proposal encompasses effects of loss aversion. It also contains different ideas relating to the theory. Objectives To lean all the effects and impacts of loss aversion Methodology This proposal entails ideas from different individuals. This is to ensure that the research is all rounded and is suit for further empirical studies. In reference to results from different philosophers, there is a need to apply different methodologies to ensure to enhance reliability and completeness of the research. These methodologies entail questionnaires, experiments, interviews, surveys among others. These methodologies are applied in different fields of study, in respect with their fitness. In this case, questionnai res will be applicable in instances, where there is some level of specification. The setting of questionnaires will be different in reference with the target group. Questionnaires and interviews are the key research methodologies. However, interviewing is effective in areas where the research expected is to be analyzed with some level of formality. Other methods are supplements of the above methodologies. Literature review Colin Camerer is Rea and Lela Axline professor of business economics at California institute of technology. Camerer investigates decision making with regards to psychophysical considerations. His thesis in this journal is that; St. Petersburg paradox might be explained using loss aversion without concave utility. He goes further to defend it by saying it is theoretically useful; is a principle that can explain many puzzles economically, given that it has the correct psychological foundation. This was published by the American marketing association (Kahneman, Knets ch, & Thaler 11). The author’s main interest is in finding out whether; loss aversion is an expression of fear, or a stable preference fear and properties in loss aversion. According to Camerer, prospect theory has the power to explain how people value risk. A fruitful and parsimonious alternative, to the expected theory of utility is introduced by prospect theory. It as well introduces psychophysical and perceptual perspective in thinking about money, goods and risks. In the findings is a

Pathology Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Pathology - Case Study Example known kind of primary bone cancer that affects children and young persons{"status":"TOOLBAR_READY","toolbarId":211628906} and the second most rampant overall after chondrosarcoma. Osteosarcoma begins when a single bone cell gets abnormal and grows out of control to create a lump of cancerous tissues referred to as a tumor. The cells within the tumor still act as a bone and tries to make new bone as they grow and divide. In case a pathologist can see a bone in a tumor sample through the use of a microscope, this assists in confirming the diagnosis of osteosarcoma. From historical information and data, ‘Osteo comes from the Greek word that means bone and a ‘sarcoma is the name that is given to cancers that begin in supporting or connective tissues, like fat, bone, blood vessels, cartilage, and muscle. Most of the Osteosarcoma cases come from a single area within the region of a long bone referred to as the (meta-FEE-sis) metaphysis. The meta-FEE-sis contains the area of the bone where cells are developing and dividing, this is referred to as the epi-FEE-see-al (epiphyseal) plate. The lengthy bones of the carcass are the bones that are considered being very much longer than they are wide. For instance the bones of the limbs, (femur) thigh bone of the (humerus) upper arm bone. Rarely can Osteosarcoma start in more than a single bone at the same time; but if it happens, it is typically referred to as multifocal osteosarcoma. The tumor behaves in an aggressive way, which means it can spread quickly to the bloodstream through or from the bone into additional regions within the body. The most usual area of the body that it spreads to is the lungs. Osteosarcoma can additionally spread to other areas of the body quickly, patients require treatment for the whole body; this is usually referred to as a systematic treatment. X-ray: X-ray is done to the various organs of the body system. Bones are also reviewed under X-ray. The X-ray is an energy beam type that can

Annotated Bibliography Assignments Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Annotated Bibliography Assignments - Essay Example The case of developing countries, megacities and the collective energy emissions from manufacturing plants and individual homes were cited as those that collectively produce air tremendous volume of pollutants that reacts with the atmosphere, resulting in the incidence of the so-called brown clouds (large masses of air pollution) and the depletion of the ozone layer. The investigation emphasized the increase in danger on public health by effectively pointing out that people are assaulted by pollutants coming from both the local and global sources. This paper is quite authoritative since it has been selected as one of the papers presented in the environmental conference, Beijing Forum 2008. The significance of this article rests on how the air pollution have become a global issue, wherein pollution at a specific area can spread, affecting others and spanning borders. Celikler, D. (2011). Determining the knowledge level of pre-service elementary science teachers about air pollution. El sevier: Procedia Social Behavioral Science, vol. 15. pp. 1445-1456. This study by Celikler attempted to determine the level of knowledge of pre-service elementary science teachers on the issue of air pollution. ... It was found that there are significant number of pre-service teachers who displayed ignorance on air pollution and its component-subjects. A very important contribution of this study is how it demonstrated the increasing concern for air pollution that the subject is being integrated in school curricula. The study has provided a basis for corrective action in problematic areas wherein teachers are seen to lack knowledge on air pollution. Celikler himself is a teacher, being a faculty of Ondokus Mayis University himself. He understood the subject from the point of view of an educator and an academic. Jaffal, A.A., Banat, I.M., El Mogheth, A.A., Nsanze, H., Bener, A., and Ameen, A.S. (1997). Residential Indoor Airborne Microbial Populations in the United Arab Emirates. Environmental International, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 529-533. This article is an investigation of airborne microorganisms in homes in the United Arab Emirates. This study was conducted in the city of Al-Ain and focused on an experiment for the study’s purposes involving three households. The ultimate goal of the entire research is to determine whether the microorganisms found in UAE households have adverse impact on human health. The findings of the study revealed that there are a good number of organisms present in houses but most of these are harmless or have no significant harmful effect on humans. For example, nine groups of bacteria and fungi were identified and that their presence is determined by the level of hygiene of the human inhabitants. One can scarcely criticize the methodology of the research. The researchers, who are medical doctors and respected academics in the field, perused several apparatus that ensured accurate

Research and Academic Skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Research and Academic Skills - Essay Example If anyone is doing research on experiment learning within a practical subject i.e Hairdressing, you will look around, compare your initiative with others, compare your facilities, and so on. You might look at specialist, make promotions. In other words, before you bring anything you will collect verification and appraise it before making a final decision. Research is finding out what you don't already know. No one knows everything, but everybody knows something. However, to complicate matters, often what you know, or think you know, is incorrect. There are two basic purposes for research: to learn something, or to gather evidence. The first, to learn something, is for your own benefit. It is almost impossible for a human to stop learning. Research is organized learning, looking for specific things to add to your store of knowledge (Richard, 1996). There are three types of research, pure, original, and secondary. Each type has the goal of finding information and/or understanding something. The difference comes in the strategy employed in achieving the objective. Academic skills are all about helping you learn how to be a more effective learner and develop the research skills that will help you now and in the future (University of Southampton, 2009). The skills are most appropriately viewed as multivariate. In the popular literature, a multivariate view of skills is perhaps best encapsulated in Howard Gardner's (1993) writing about multiple intelligences. He defines seven intelligences: the linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligences that are at such a premium in schools today; musical intelligence; spatial intelligence bodily-kinesthetic intelligence; and two forms of personal intelligence, one directed toward other persons, one directed toward oneself . Thus, academic Skills offer services for students who wish to develop their academic skills in any field. This service aims to help students develop independent learning strategies to maximize their academic performance. The Academic Skills usually run workshops and classes aimed at helping students develop their academic as well as practical skills. It supports the experiential learning to the students for their academic enhancement as well as career upliftment. The academic skills encourage critical thinking right from the start of the studies. It helps to build on the first skills-based assignment. The students tackle the task armed with guidelines, checklists and templates, and can consult the feedback. The academic skills will support to learn the required academic skills and are able to think critically about the issues (Bruton). c. Skills and Career: It is now commonly accepted that changes in work and the workplace are transforming the kinds of knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for successful work performance. Evidence for new skill needs from employer surveys, for example, suggests that employers are often more concerned about soft skills or attitudes rather than technical knowledge or competencies. Empirical studies of work find that employers and workers also feel generic skills, such as problem solving, communication and the ability to work in teams, are increasingly important for workplace

Safer Staffing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Safer Staffing - Essay Example The audience intended by the source are people who want to start new businesses or learn how to start. The source is credible because it offers practical strategies to form new businesses. The authors in this source are experienced in business planning. In this source, they provide advice on how one can develop a business plan fast but in an effective manner. This source is intended for all persons who want to know how to develop successful business plans but in a fast way. The source is credible because it offers practical information and examples The authors in this source have written extensively on issues of business startups. In this source, the authors address issues of researching, writing up and presenting a winning business plan. The audience intended in this source is the people who would like to know how to establish businesses and also those who want to write successful business plans for exams or for businesses. The source is credible because it offers practical and current information on business planning. Blackwell is an experienced author in business planning. In this source, he offers advice on the simple steps one can follow to produce a good business plan. The audience intended by the source is the people who would like to understand every step of developing business plans. The source is credible because it is a current source and offers practical steps to follow in developing business plans. Brandt, J. A., Edwards, D. R., Sullivan, S. C., Zehler, J. K., Grinder, S., Scott, K. J., ... & Maddox, K. L. (2009). An evidence-based business planning process. Journal of Nursing Administration, 39(12), 511-513. The authors in this source are experienced in developing business plans for nursing businesses. In this source, they discuss evidence-based business planning that is important in nursing and offer an important contribution to nursing. The audience intended by the

Aerobic Capacity Lab Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Aerobic Capacity Lab Report - Essay Example acity is most commonly expressed relative to the body weight to account the difference in body size and to reflect a person’s ability to carry out weight bearing tasks. Aerobic capacity is an important component of physical fitness because it reflects the overall capacity of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems1 and the ability to carry out prolonged strenuous exercise2.From a health perspective, good cardio respiratory fitness has been shown to reduce the risk (in adults) of hypertension, coronary heart disease, obesity, diabetes, some form of cancer, and other health problems3. There is a genetic component to aerobic capacity. Some people inherent characteristics that give them a naturally high level of aerobic capacity than other people. However, the genetic component in relatively small, accounting for less than 30% of the difference between people4. Thus aerobic capacity mostly reflects the level of habitual physical activity. In particular, aerobic capacity reflects the vigorous, sustained (aerobic) physical activity in which an individual engages. Aerobic capacity of the youth can be improved with sustained periods of high intensity exercise5. Although the exact dose of exercise needed has not been identified, three or more sessions per week in which moderately high-intensity exercise is sustained for 30 min or more are probably required. Any dynamic exercise involving large muscle groups is suitable, such as rigorous walking, jogging / running, cycling, swimming, and vigorous games. Improvements are proportioned to the amount of moderately high intensity exercise completed per week. Three students serve as subjects. They included 2 male and 1 female. They took a treadmill test for a specified duration. Subjects were run to exhaustion and then cool down while walking on the treadmill. The gases analyzed were oxygen (O2) and Carbon dioxide (CO2). To calculate the rate of O2 utilization (VO2), in addition to the fractional concentration of the

A Comedy in Two Acts Essay Example for Free

A Comedy in Two Acts Essay A naive yet charming sixteen year old going out on her first date. She is the youngest of three sisters and was raised mainly by her traditional mother. She often finds herself caught between her mothers’ traditional views and her older sisters’ modernity and aggressiveness. She admires her sister Georgia the most for her individuality and sense of freedom. (Definition of Feminine – Gentle (easily handled) by Bernessa Wilson, co-worker; Timid (shy) by Pam Magel, co-worker; Weak (soft) by John Nowicki, co-worker. ) MARTHA – The matron of the house and mother of Olivia, Georgia, and Julia. Her petite frame belies a strong and rugged personality. She is around forty years old and although she shows signs of age and weathering, she wears it with grace and a quiet self-assurance. Her husband passed away early and she has had to raise her daughters by herself on meager savings and odd jobs. Julia is her favorite daughter. (Definition of Feminine – Corsets by Craig Jensen, co-worker; Modest (not bold) by Johannes Laun, boss) TYRA – A close friend of Olivia. She is in her early thirties and although her occupation is not clear to us, it seems evident that she is some kind of model or works in television. She has fashionably short hair and a very slim and long legged body. She has a beguiling charm about her and is not shy to use it on men in order to have her way. She views being feminine as an asset and uses it to her advantage. (Definition of Feminine – Cleavage by Dave Atkins, co-worker; High heels by Matt Tuttle, co-worker; Beauty by Danya Slozerek, co-worker) OLIVIA – The eldest of the three daughters and the most accomplished. She is in her early thirties and works as a senior executive in a bank. She is slim and pretty but has an air of manly seriousness about her and this makes her even sexier. She is the archetypal modern independent woman and views femininity as a liability in her predominantly masculine world. She has learned how to be taken seriously without losing her sense of femininity. (Definition of Feminine Elie Tahari’s shoes designed to let a woman’s true beauty shine through. Made in fine fabrics and leathers, Tahari shoes feature clean lines and tasteful embellishments. His designs are smart, sexy, and feminine) GEORGIA– The middle child in the family and somewhat boyish. She is similarly pretty like her two sisters but is less self-conscious about herself. With strong traces of Audrey Hepburn, she embodies Ralph Lauren’s vision of a modern denim version of the traditional Gregory Peplum Jacket – modern, practical and rugged yet somewhat delicate and fanciful at the same time. (Definition of Feminine: Ralph Lauren describes the Gregory Peplum Jacket as an inspiration, which lends a modern edge to the structured stretch denim jacket, defined by its shape, a feminine flared peplum and puffed sleeves. ) BEN – Julia’s date for the night. A shy and awkward sixteen year-old. ACT ONE: Before us is a modest two-story house. It is around 6pm in the afternoon and the sun is just about to set. The ground floor of the house is divided into a sparsely decorated living room to the right and a dining room and kitchen to the left, separated by a swinging door. The front door opens to the right side of the living room while the back door opens to the left of the kitchen. The living room holds a practical yet smart looking leather couch big enough to seat four and matching wooden chairs around a low glass coffee table with a few magazines. A stairway behind the couch leads upstairs to a woman’s peach-walled bedroom. In the living room, Olivia is seated casually on the couch browsing through a copy of Vogue. She is dressed in a blazer and a skirt and looks as if she has just come home from the office. Georgia is looking through some bills and writing down some notes on a notebook. She is wearing a slim fitted denim Peplum jacket and purple pajama pants. In the kitchen, Martha is quietly preparing food in a plain dress and apron. Upstairs Julia (in a red dress) is seated in front of an ornate ivory colored powder table with a large oval shaped mirror. She is sitting unnaturally straight with her chin up to the mirror looking in mild anxiety as Tyra (dressed in a white tank top and tight dark jeans) puts make up on her. TYRA: There†¦ that’s it! You’re all set baby girl. JULIA: (stands up and twirls around looking at herself in the mirror) TYRA: Damn I wish my ass still looked that good! JULIA: (blushes in embarrassment) What? Don’t you think it’s too much? Maybe I should†¦ TYRA: (interrupts quickly) I’m just kidding dear, you look great and that’s how you’re supposed to look. Besides boys love older looking women. And I know that for a fact (winking at Julia). JULIA: (tentatively) Umm†¦ maybe I should just wear my jeans and pink sweater. I don’t think we’re going anywhere that fancy anyway. TYRA: Hell no! (defiantly) If that boy’s worth anything he’d better be taking you somewhere where they at least serve some Cabernet. And if he’s not planning to well baby we’re sure as hell going to make him. JULIA: (exasperated) But I’m not even allowed to drink! GEORGIA: (calls from downstairs) Hey Julia come on lets see you! JULIA: (calls back) Coming! TYRA: All right, go on now (heading towards the door) Julia goes down the stairs followed by Tyra. Both Georgia and Olivia look up from their business and look admiringly at Julia. Julia walks down the stairs gingerly in new strappy heels and in a slightly skimpy maroon dress. She looks beautiful but awkward as if her clothes are itching her. GEORGIA: (in admiration) Oh Julia! You just look absolutely lovely. OLIVIA: Wow nice work Tyra. Yeah Jules you look fantastic. You’re going to break some hearts tonight. JULIA: (unsure) Do you really think so? Don’t you think it’s a bit too much? Aunt Tyra picked out this dress from some Italian woman’s shop. I think it’s supposed to be for adults. TYRA: Darling please, I’m too young to be your aunt. And I bet there are going to be girls younger than you trying to dress like Paris Hilton with skirts ten times shorter than that. You have to show those boys what you got. MARTHA: (Enters from the kitchen carrying a teapot. She looks at Julia in both shock and awe. ) Julia?! Oh my! Where on earth did you get that dress? Cover your chest young lady! OLIVIA: (guffawing in disbelief) Oh please mother! It’s called cleavage and it seems to be the most highly prized commodity a woman can posses these days. GEORGIA: (in a calm soothing voice) It’s alright mother that’s a very conservative dress by today’s standards. Besides I’m sure Julia here has the best reputation as a lady (smiles warmly at Julia). JULIA: (stuttering) Y†¦yes mother I promise to be at my utmost behavior tonight. MARTHA: (loudly to Georgia) I don’t care what today’s standards are. If I followed today’s standards I’d be dressed in a bikini mowing the lawn. I know what’s right and proper for a lady and that dress does not look proper to me. (turns her attention to Julia and addresses her patiently) Oh my sweet innocent child, I just don’t want boys to get the wrong idea about you Julia, you’re such a sweet sweet girl and I don’t want you turning into a†¦(stops herself as she glances involuntarily at Tyra and Olivia). OLIVIA: (completing her mothers sentence)†¦into a successful empowered woman? (says defiantly) The days of housewives are over mother. These days either a woman fends for herself or she gets stuck with three kids in a tiny one bedroom apartment while her husband elopes with some nineteen year old intern. MARTHA: (looks as if about to shout but then collects herself and says resignedly to Julia who looks at her pleadingly with puppy eyes) Well dear†¦ at least just put a jacket on won’t you? So you don’t catch a cold? TYRA: (enjoying the tirade) Oh don’t worry I took care of that too. She won’t be catching any colds tonight. I already showed her how to put on a jacket. (gives Julia a sly wink) JULIA: (looking puzzled) †¦a jacket? MARTHA: (looks threateningly at Tyra and starts to open her mouth) OLIVIA: (gives Tyra a look of warning) GEORGIA: (stands abruptly) Come mother! I’ll help you dinner. MARTHA: (takes a deep breath) No it’s alright it’s already done, let’s just all sit down and have some tea. TYRA: (smiling apologetically) Let’s! Anyways, so Julia why don’t you tell us a little about this boy toy of yours. What car does he drive? I for one would never go out with a guy who drives anything less than a BMW. MARTHA: (surprised) Driving?! Oh I’m sure he’s too young to drive. And where will you be going anyway? JULIA: Well his dad usually drops him at school everyday so I don’t think he drives yet. But I think we’ll just be walking tonight mother, we’re only going to the plaza down the block for a burger. TYRA: The plaza? For a burger? Baby with you looking like that it ought to be a damn expensive burger. Well the least he can do is bring us home some of apple pie and chocolates. And if he gives you anything less than half a dozen roses†¦ MARTHA: (interrupts Tyra) Well if he does bring a car I don’t want you to spending any time in there you here me? You just finish your dinner and you order him to take you back home you understand? GEORGIA: (laughing) Mother please! Let the young lady enjoy a night out. JULIA: (in eager agreement to Martha) Yes mother, I promise I won’t even hold his hand, we’re only friends that’s all. Besides Ben is a nice boy, all the teachers like him MARTHA: Oh I know all those tricks the boys use these days, they haven’t changed since your father. Sure he may have gotten me at first but I won in the end. OLIVIA: Mother please can we have one day of not mentioning dad? MARTHA: (ignoring Olivia) But men†¦boys these days, you just don’t know what to think of them†¦ OLIVIA: I’ll tell you what to think of them sis, they are absolutely useless. All they’re good for is making babies. All I need is a decent good-looking guy to get me pregnant and I can live peacefully. The doorbell rings and all the women stop and look at the door, then look at each other questioningly. JULIA: (nervously) That must be him! MARTHA: Alright girls behave yourselves. Julia, go upstairs and put on a jacket. JULIA: (looks at Georgia for help) GEORGIA: Just go put a jacket on honey, you can take it off later if it gets warm. JULIA: Ok mother. ACT TWO The setting is in an old-fashioned diner where a few other young people are having burgers and fries. BEN: Boy you sure have one weird family†¦that’s a really nice dress. You look really uh†¦grown up. JULIA: Thanks Ben, my aunt Tyra got it for me. BEN: Well your aunt sure knows how to dress up. JULIA: I know, you sure couldn’t seem to keep you eyes off her. BEN: uhh†¦well (blushes) JULIA: I’m just kidding Ben, (brushes her hand against his hot cheek) BEN: (becomes flustered) JULIA: (enjoying the moment) So have you ever kissed a girl before? BEN: um†¦well (becomes even redder) JULIA: (coyly) Would you like to? BEN: (looks at Julia in disbelief) uhhh†¦ JULIA: But first you have to promise me something Ben. BEN: (quickly) Sure, I mean anything. JULIA: Promise you’ll take me to the movies next week? And we can have dinner in a nice restaurant. Somewhere with ca-ver-nay. (trying to say Cabernet). BEN: (tentatively) Yeah, yeah sure. JULIA: (excitedly) Great! And you can bring me a dozen roses for me to put in my room when you pick me up in a car. BEN: Uh†¦ a car? Yeah sure. JULIA: (suddenly) Oh! And Ben! BEN: (starting to get scared) yes? JULIA: The car that your dad drives†¦ BEN: uh-huh JULIA: It’s a BMW right? Curtain Falls The End