Key Transformation for Deckers Outdoor Corporation Research Paper

Key Transformation for Deckers Outdoor Corporation - Research Paper Example According to the model, structure refers to an arrangement of functions, responsibilities of those working in an organization, those authorities represented in the organization, as well as communication that assist the organization to attain it goals and strategy. Identification of DOC structure will aid in comprehending the variables highlighted above. Deckers utilize a decentralized structure for its management. In this method of management, the top management delegates the key responsibilities of the organization to the middle managers, who in turn direct the workforce on what they ought to do. It is, therefore, evident that the top management spends much of their time in developing useful ideas that would propel the company to attain success (Burke & Litwin, 1992).At Deckers, the application of the decentralization principle has significantly assisted it in various ways. As this structure allows the employees involvement in decision making for the organization, it makes them feel empowered unlike in a centralized management system. These employees attain satisfaction after seeing their ideas being implemented for the growth of the organization. Moreover, decentralization relieves the owner of DOC from pressures that emanate from managing the operations of an organization solely. After the delegation of such duties to other individuals in the organization, the owner of DOC spends adequate time in devising strategies to utilize in the expansion of the business (Burke & Litwin, 1992).

Conservatives Placed Their Faith in Pragmatism Essay Example for Free

Conservatives Placed Their Faith in Pragmatism Essay Why, and to what extent, have conservatives placed their faith in pragmatism rather than principle? Pragmatism is the idea that one should take a flexible approach to politics; using an understanding of what is best for the people and what will bring stability, it also is about what is most wanted by the people. An example of this was the post war consensus when consecutive conservative governments didn’t cancel any of the widespread reforms brought in by the labour government of 1945-51. Principle is the complete opposite of pragmatism and is more ideological sticking to a certain view of how society should be and pursuing this. It is a political idea that changes with the times Conservatives have often favoured pragmatic approaches to situations an example being Benjamin Disraeli and his one nation toryism. Prior to this the general consensus about the poor made by early conservatives was that the poor were due to their own mistakes and that it was not the place of others to help them but that they should help themselves. Due to the Disraeli seeing growth of social inequality he came to the conclusion that to ensure social stability and to stem the tide of revolution, the government should take measures to help the poor. This displays conservative pragmatism as it’s a clear example of the conservative thought changing and reacting to events. In Disraeli’s case these events were the French revolution. This shows how pragmatism was held dear to conservative thought. Another Reason conservatives tend to favour the pragmatic approach stems from conservative thinker Michael Oakeshot who argued that societies should not be directed towards certain goals, claiming ideological change is normally radical in nature and can lead tyranny and this should be avoided. However there are cases when ideology has gripped the conservative party, the biggest example could be the new right under Margaret Thatcher. Here the conservative party appeared to break away from just an opposing role and instead began to pursue ideals of a free market; through the selling of national assets such as the railways and the deregulation of the banking system. It also saw a sort of reversal on the post war consensus, reducing the size of the welfare state. Here there was a clear example of principle being the main driving force within the conservative party as many of the actions taken by Thatcher’s government also faced a lot of criticism from many members of the opposition, the public and her own party. However the fact that the government policies of  her day still pursued these principles in the wave of mass public unrest show that these changes weren’t in reaction to any event but simply part of the pursuit of a political ideal. It seemed like the first time the conservative party had actually adopted some form of ideology. This is a clear example of principle being favoured over political ideology. At it’s very nature conservatism changes in regards to the ideology it’s opposing. It’s rooted in the original ideas of Edmund burke and his writings about the French revolution which claimed that radical change is bad and harmful for society. Conservativism right at its origin fears ideology and it’s very nature as it sees ideology and the radical views that tend to follow it as a threat to the balance of society. At it’s heart conservativism isn’t an ideology but simply a political ideas which at it’s very nature is reactive with the main aim of preserving and bringing about gently staggered change rather than radical changes. It could be claimed that the new right weren’t in fact real conservatives and more like classical liberals. But in conclusion it would appear that true conservativism will always favour pragmatism over ideology.

Death Penalty :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to Hugo A. Bedau, the writer of â€Å"The Death Penalty in America†, capital punishment is the lawful infliction of the death penalty. The death penalty has been used since ancient times for a wide variety of offenses. The Bible says that death should be done to anyone who commits murder, kidnaps, or witchcraft. Treason, murder larceny, burglary, rapes, and arson was major felonies in England 1500’s. By 1800, the death penalty was being used quite frequently. I believe the death penalty is not a way to stop crimes. It sometimes kills innocent people and gives the criminal what they wanted. Sentencing someone to die should be taken more into thought.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A personal experience dealt with a lady named Marlene Newcomer, who worked with my mom twenty years ago. Two men were on a â€Å"New Year’s Eve Murdering Spree.† The two guys were hitch hiking until Marlene saw them and picked them up. They shot her and left her body in the back of her Blazer. Two other people were killed also. The two men are on death row still today. Another capitol punishment case that everyone has heard of was Timothy McVeigh getting the death penalty. He was involved in the Oklahoma bombing. Timothy wanted to be put to death instead of living the rest of his life in jail.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The website deathpenalty.org shows many reasons that I agree with saying how the death penalty is not a good punishment. Deterring people from killing others has failed with execution. People keep committing crimes. Other studies have shown that four hundred innocent people were on death row and ninety-nine innocent people in the past twenty years were sentenced. Almost every religion goes against the death penalty. If it says on money â€Å"In God We Trust† then shouldn’t we stop this capitol punishment?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people believe that the death penalty is a good punishment. They say and believe in â€Å"an eye for an eye.† People say if the criminal took the life of another, their life should be taken away. I think that the law is contradicting itself when they want to kill someone for killing another person. People should be left in jail to suffer and think about what they have done.

do high school administrators have the right to have unannounced locke :: essays research papers

Do high school administrators have the right to carry out unannounced body or locker searches? Does it violate the student’s body or personal belongings? Many people think that it is wrong for administrators to have random body and locker searches, but I think it is ok and somewhat necessary. Having unannounced body searches or locker searches is necessary because they keep schools safer, they enforce rules and they avoid harmful incidents.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Random body and locker searches keep schools safer. When someone or their locker is searched, whatever it is that is illegal is removed and the student is suspended. This helps because it gets rid of whatever isn’t safe and takes the person who brought it out of the school for a while. This avoids anything else from happening   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I’m not saying that every student that gets caught with something is a bad student. Sometimes unsafe or illegal items are brought to school by â€Å"accident†. We all know that accidents happen. That is why there are special guidelines for â€Å"accidents†. For example, a boy goes fishing with his dad on Sunday. They use a pocketknife to cut and gut the fish. The boy puts the pocketknife back in his jacket pocket and wears the jacket to school the next day. The boy doesn’t realize the knife is in there until he takes the coat off and puts his gloves in his pockets and outs and outs the jacket in his locker. Now the boy wouldn’t have gotten in trouble if he had followed the guidelines for when accidents happen. All her had to do was take the pocketknife to an administrator and explain the situation and he wouldn’t have gotten suspended. The locker searches enforce the rules because it gives the students an opportunity to ke ep themselves out of trouble, while keeping students from bringing anything because they know about the locker and body searches and wont bring anything to school to avoid punishment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Have you ever sat and wondered if the students at Columbine High School were given random body and locker searches would that incident have happened?

Chameleon Research Paper

Chameleon By: Taylor Ladd Classification: Phylum- Chordata, Class- Reptilia, Order- Squamata, Family- Chamaeleonidae, Genus- Chamaeleo, Species- Chameleon. Physical Description: The Chameleon is a colorful reptile with a tail and tongue the size of its body. Their body is covered in scales that can change color to blend in with its surroundings so it makes it an amazing creature. It has eyes that can rotate around so they can see behind them. Evolutionary Adaptations- The most amazing adaption that the Chameleon has is that they can change their color pigments to blend in with their surroundings to keep hidden from predators and prey.Chameleon’s have super long tongues so that they can extend them and slurp up their prey. They also have eyes that rotate around so they can see 360 degrees around them at all times to help them keep track of predators and prey. Life History: Life Span- 5 to 9 years varies by the species. Range/distribution- Half the world’s population of C hameleon’s is in Madagascar an island off the east coast of Africa. There are also Chameleon’s found in Africa, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Southern Spain, and India.Reproduction- Chameleon’s have internal fertilization, some species have live births others also lay eggs. Diet- Most Chameleon’s eat small insects. Some have been reported to have eaten wild berries and vegetable matter. Larger Chameleon’s will eat small birds, reptiles, and mammals. Habitat- Chameleon’s are mostly found in rainforest. They like to perch in trees and wait for prey to walk by. Defense Mechanisms- The Chameleon has one of the most rare defense mechanisms of all creatures, they can change color pigments to blend in with their surrounding so that they can slip by predators in stealth.They have eyes that can rotate around 360 degrees and see two things at once. Interesting Facts- When a male Chameleon find a female he wants to mate with he puts on a color show of all his b est colors and if the female is turned on she will run and they will play chase then mate. If the female is not turned on by the color show she will stand her ground and sometimes even fight the male. One rare this about this reptile is that some of its species have live birth and others have eggs which is pretty amazing. Chameleon By: Taylor Ladd

Essay on The Jungle Upton SinclairEssay Writing Service

Essay on The Jungle Upton SinclairEssay Writing Service Essay on The Jungle Upton Sinclair Essay on The Jungle Upton SinclairThe condition of the working class in the US at the beginning of the 20th century was extremely challenging since workers had to struggle for survival on the daily bases that can be clearly seen from The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. However, in the course of time, the situation did not change in principle because the US did not conduct systematic socioeconomic reforms that would eliminate conditions for the exploitation of a large group of people by a few for the benefit of the few, while the large part of the population remains at the risk of economic disaster. At this point, the recent economic recession is the best evidence of the lack of such reforms. This is why just like a hundred years ago, the US still faces the problem of the social injustice with the severe exploitation of employees, whose only source of income is scarce wages, while a few families concentrate in their hands the lion share of the national wealth and have a considerable and det erminant impact not only on the US economy but also politics.The Jungle by Upton Sinclair does not just show horrors of the life of American workers on the dawn of the 20th century but also and mainly the book uncovers intrinsic pitfalls of the capitalist system of the US, where workers and employees are doomed to struggle for survival, while the upper-class rips off a lion share of the national wealth. In such a way, the analysis of the condition of the working class in the US leads the author to the only conclusion that the US socio-economic and political system needs changes with the shift toward socialist state, where the government can take responsibility for citizens and the national wealth should be redistributed wisely and fairly.At the same time, The Jungle gives multiple implications to the contemporary labor relations which are still vulnerable to the same pitfalls which persist because of the nature of the US capitalist system and traditions of the US labor relations. Fi rst of all, Sinclair shows clearly the wide gap between the employer and the employee. The main character of the book is struggling for survival, while owners of plants rip off high profits and stay wealthy. In such a way, the author clearly shows the wide gap between the rich and poor in the US, which is actually the gap between owners of businesses and their employees. In actuality, this trend persists, although it is not so obvious as it used to be in the past. In fact, the gap between owners of business and employees was the distinct feature of capitalism and this gap could be easily traced since the beginning of the industrial revolution in the US (Zinn 143). More important, the beginning of the industrial revolution accelerated the widening gap between owners of businesses and large corporations, on the one hand, and workers on the other.Furthermore, the author of The Jungle raises the issue of the workplace safety and conditions of work of workers in the meatpacking industry in Chicago in the early 20th century and reveals that conditions of work were unbearable. Employees worked for twelve or fourteen hours. Employers recruited workers at the possibly lower price, even if workers were not trained to work in the meatpacking industry. For example, the child labor was a norm, although children were not always physically capable to afford working in meatpacking companies. As a result, they faced a higher risk of injuries in the workplace environment.In fact, Sinclair shows that the workplace safety was extremely low and employees were at the high risk of injury as was the case of Jurgis friends, family members and Jurgis himself. At the same time, the injury of workers often meant the loss of job that proves that the early 20th century workers were not protected in their rights. At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that legal acts that legally protected employees, who suffered injuries or had disabilities, were introduced only in the late 20th ce ntury, for example the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Faragher 210). Therefore, the negligence of employers and lack of concerns about their employees’ health was a norm in the US in the past and this attitude has persisted, to a significant extent today, since many employers are dissatisfied with the growing pressure on them in terms of the enhancement of the workplace safety environment. The lack of attention to the safety of employees from the part of employers was the evidence of their indifference in relation to employees, even if employees suffered severe injuries leading to disabilities or death. Researchers (Zinn 145) explain such indifference by the traditionally high level of individualism in the US society which originates from the colonization era and frontier time.In addition, the poor work place safety and indifference of employers to the life and health of their workers was also the evidence of the lack of the social security. For example, when Jurgis suffered the injury and could not work, he was just fired and he had not got any means for living. His employer did not even try to offer him some compensations. Therefore, his employer viewed him as a mere tool that he used for his personal enrichment. The owner of the company was interested in increase of his wealth and he did grow richer, while workers kept living in poverty struggling for survival and having no social security that means that they could not count on any support from the part of the company or government, if they suffered injuries, fell ill or retired.Furthermore, the book also uncovers such problems as sexual harassment, as was the case of Jurgis’ sister, who was sexually abused by her boss, although she was a minor. In fact, she had no other choice because the work was the only way for her to survive. The problem of the sexual harassment was a norm because the attempt of Jurgis to regain justice and revenge on his sister’s boss resulted in Jurgis ’ imprisonment.All these facts reveal the poor protection of employees’ rights or the lack of such rights. In fact, the early 20th century employment relations were characterized by the poor protection of employees’ rights and lack of such rights and the story described by Sinclair became the precursor of the Great Depression. However, this story revealed roots of problems that eventually led to the Great Depression. Sinclair shows that the US had systematic, intrinsic pitfalls that were deep-rooted in the American socioeconomic system based on principles of open market economy and capitalism. At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that employees were in a disadvantaged position in all industries. For example, when Jurgis experienced the work of a farm worker, he found out that farm workers had no chance for stable and good life based on high income because farmers need them as long as they need their labor and this is the case of all industries. This tr end was very strong during the industrial revolution and the early 20th century in the US. More important, this trend persists today.The major problem of the capitalist system uncovered by Sinclair and that really existed in the early 20th century as well as it exists now is the problem of the social injustice caused by the focus of employers on their well-being regardless of needs of employees. In fact, the only purpose of employers described by Sinclair was to maximize their profits. This is why they employed children, did not care about workplace safety and health of their employees. Instead, they viewed their employees as mere commodities, which they used to grow richer.Moreover, the state supported employers and stood for their interests rather than for interests of employees. At this point, it is possible to return to the case of the rape of Jurgis’ sister by her boss. Jurgis was arrested immediately for his attempt to revenge on the rapist. The police reacted immediate ly, when the life and health of a rich person was at stake. On the other hand, the police did nothing to investigate the case of the rape and prosecute the rapist. This case is the evidence that the socioeconomic injustice and the privileged position of the rich, on the one hand, and the oppressed position of the poor, on the other, was maintained by the state through the criminal justice system, laws and policies conducted by the state. Such injustice could be traced throughout the history of the US, especially starting from the industrial revolution, when social inequalities became particularly obvious due to the fast enrichment of the few at cost of the pauperization of a large part of the US society.Thus, the book Jungle by Upton Sinclair reveals the social injustice that persisted in the US in the early 20th century. However, the book raises many issues, which are still relevant today, such as the workplace safety, employees’ rights, labor relations, government policies in relation to labor relations, sexual harassment, social security and injustice and many other important issues. Upton Sinclair shows the desperate position of the working class in the US and clearly indicates the shift to socialism as the only solution to the problem of social injustice. In this regard, his solution is debatable but the point is that problems raised by Sinclair in his book were and, to a certain extent, are relevant and affect many people. The economic disparity and the unfair redistribution of the national wealth is the major problem that causes other issues and widens gaps between the rich and the poor in the US.

The Difference between the Inductive and Deductive Approaches within the Social Science

The Difference between the Inductive and Deductive Approaches within the Social Science The inductive and deductive approaches provide two different types of reasoning. Inductive one is based on moving from the specific to general information, while deductive starts from the general and moves to specific. Therefore, the main difference between the inductive and deductive approaches consists in the way of expression of the arguments.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on The Difference between the Inductive and Deductive Approaches within the Social Science specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The inductive reasoning starts from the observation or experience, moving to the patterns and hypothesis (Leming). A formulation of the tentative hypothesis helps understanding the small elements as well as the whole picture. As the result, the conclusions present a theory based on the ideas that were developed while reasoning. This method is open-ended and requires the exploration. As the ampliative structure, inductio n contains the arguments which are found beyond the premises. This approach may ask providing several arguments and hypothesis, where one of them can support the conclusions more than others. Therefore, inductive reasoning requires moving form specific observation or experience to the summarization. For instance: All my friends are kind, therefore, all people are kind. In this example, the conclusions are based on the personal experience and moves from the particular statement to the generalization. However, this approach can lead to the false conclusions even in case of the valid arguments and a true statement. The deductive reasoning is called a top-down method. The reflection starts from a theory and narrow it to particular hypothesis (Using Varied Instructional Techniques: Inductive and Deductive Teaching Approaches 2006). In the social science, the deductive approach provides the conclusions which are based on a specific case derived from a broad theory. In the other words, the deductive method requires moving from the general idea, theory or statement to the particular elements. As the intermediate stage, hypothesis presents some specific reflection that helps finding the concrete conclusions needed. Besides, hypothesis can lead to the confirmation or negation of the theory. For instance: All people are kind. My friend is a man, therefore, he is kind. In this example, the general statement is a basement and start point of the reflection. The conclusions present a particular fact derived from the general idea. The deductive approach helps gaining knowledge, providing many specific ideas and facts that may be not clearly seen at the beginning.Advertising Looking for coursework on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These approaches are very different; therefore, they can be used within the different situations. The inductive one as an open-ended and exploratory method is use d in order to explain the situation that happened or find a general reason. More narrow deductive approach is based on the confirmation of the particular hypothesis, using some general idea, statement or theory as the beginning. The social research requires the use of both methods. Starting from the particular idea, the scientist can develop a new general theory, and vice versa, some summary, generalization can be chosen as a basement for the research of its particular element. Based on the different methods of reflection, the inductive and deductive approaches can be useful for the social science in order to analyze the various types of the situations. Both methods were popular historically. Nowadays, the method of deduction is more accepted than the inductive one due to its approximation to the scientific research. However, these two approaches can be used together, while the initial theory can be developed using the inductive method, the results can be tested using the deductive approach. Reference List Biology Success! Teaching Diverse Learners. 2006. Using Varied Instructional Techniques: Inductive and Deductive Teaching Approaches. National Institute – Landmark College. Web. Leming, Michael R. n.d. Sociological Theory: A Social Science Approach to the family. Web.

Sentence Definition and Examples in English Grammar

Sentence Definition and Examples in English Grammar A sentence is the largest independent unit of grammar: it begins with a capital letter and ends with a period, question mark, or exclamation point. The word sentence is from the Latin for to feel. The adjective form of the word is sentential. The sentence is traditionally (and inadequately) defined as a word or group of words that expresses a complete idea and that includes a subject and a verb. Types of Sentence Structures The four basic sentence structures are the: Simple: A  sentence  with only one  independent clause.Compound: Two (or more)  simple sentences  joined by a  conjunction  or an appropriate  mark of punctuation.Complex: A sentence that contains an  independent clause  (or  main clause) and at least one  dependent clause.Compound-complex: A  sentence  with two or more  independent clauses  and at least one  dependent clause. Functional Types of Sentences Declarative: Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.  (Mark Twain)Interrogative:  But what is the difference between literature and journalism? Journalism is unreadable and literature is not read. (Oscar Wilde)Imperative:  Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. (Mark Twain)Exclamatory:  To die for an idea; it is unquestionably noble. But how much nobler it would be if men died for ideas that were true!  (H. L. Mencken) Definitions and Observations on Sentences I am trying to say it all in one sentence, between one Cap and one period. (William Faulkner in a letter to Malcolm Cowley) The term sentence is widely used to refer to quite different types of unit. Grammatically, it is the highest unit and consists of one independent clause, or two or more related clauses. Orthographically and rhetorically, it is that unit which starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark. (Angela Downing, English Grammar: A University Course, 2nd ed. Routledge, 2006) I have taken as my definition of a sentence any combination of words whatsoever, beyond the simple naming of an object of sense. (Kathleen Carter Moore, The Mental Development of a Child, 1896) [A sentence is a] unit of speech constructed according to language-dependent rules, which is relatively complete and independent in respect to content, grammatical structure, and intonation. (Hadumo Bussmann, Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics. Trans. by Lee Forester et al. Routledge, 1996) A written sentence is a word or group of words that conveys meaning to the listener, can be responded to or is part of a response, and is punctuated. (Andrew S. Rothstein and Evelyn Rothstein, English Grammar Instruction That Works! Corwin Press, 2009) None of the usual definitions of a sentence really says much, but every sentence ought somehow to organize a pattern of thought, even if it does not always reduce that thought to bite-sized pieces. (Richard Lanham, Revising Prose. Scribners, 1979) The sentence has been defined as the largest unit for which there are rules of grammar. (Christian Lehmann, Theoretical Implications of Grammaticalization Phenomena, Published in The Role of Theory in Language Description, ed. by William A. Foley. Mouton de Gruyter, 1993) The Notional Definition of a Sentence Sidney Greenbaum and Gerald Nelson give a different take in explaining what a sentence is and does: It is sometimes said that a sentence expresses a complete thought. This is a notional definition: it defines a term by the notion or idea it conveys. The difficulty with this definition lies in fixing what is meant by a complete thought. There are notices, for example, that seem to be complete in themselves but are not generally regarded as sentences: Exit, Danger, 50 mph speed limit...On the other hand, there are sentences that clearly consist of more than one thought. Here is one relatively simple example: This week marks the 300th anniversary of the publication of Sir Isaac Newtons Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, a fundamental work for the whole of modern science and a key influence on the philosophy of the European Enlightenment. How many complete thoughts are there in this sentence? We should at least recognize that the part after the comma introduces two additional points about Newtons book: (1) that it is a fundamental work for the whole of modern science, and (2) that it was a key influence on the philosophy of the European Enlightenment. Yet this example would be acknowledged by all as a single sentence, and it is written as a single sentence. (Sidney Greenbaum and Gerald Nelson, An Introduction to English Grammar, 2nd ed. Pearson, 2002) Another Definition of a Sentence D.J. Allerton provides an alternative definition of a sentence: Traditional attempts to define the sentence were generally either psychological or logical-analytic in nature: the former type spoke of a complete thought or some other inaccessible psychological phenomenon; the latter type, following Aristotle, expected to find every sentence made up of a logical subject and logical predicate, units that themselves rely on the sentence for their definition. A more fruitful approach is that of [Otto] Jespersen (1924: 307), who suggests testing the completeness and independence of a sentence, by assessing its potential for standing alone, as a complete utterance. (D. J. Allerton. Essentials of Grammatical Theory. Routledge, 1979) Two-Part Definition of a Sentence Stanley Fish felt that a sentence can only be defined in two parts: A sentence is a structure of logical relationships. In its bare form, this proposition is hardly edifying, which is why I immediately supplement it with a simple exercise. Here, I say, are five words randomly chosen; turn them into a sentence. (The first time I did this the words were coffee, should, book, garbage and quickly.) In no time at all I am presented with 20 sentences, all perfectly coherent and all quite different. Then comes the hard part. What is it, I ask, that you did? What did it take to turn a random list of words into a sentence? A lot of fumbling and stumbling and false starts follow, but finally someone says, I put the words into a relationship with one another....Well, my bottom line can be summarized in two statements: (1) a sentence is an organization of items in the world; and (2) a sentence is a structure of logical relationships. (Stanley Fish, Devoid of Content. The New York Times, May 31, 2005. Also How to Write a Sentence and How to Read One. HarperCollins, 2011) The Lighter Side of Sentences Some authors a humorous view of a sentence: One day the Nouns were clustered in the street.An adjective walked by, with her dark beauty.The Nouns were struck, moved, changed.The next day a Verb drove up, and created the Sentence... (Kenneth Koch, Permanently. Published in The Collected Poems of Kenneth Koch. Borzoi Books, 2005)

How Race Becomes Biology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

How Race Becomes Biology - Essay Example This measure prevents them from being too dependent and in need of constant help and attention. Feeding babies in schedules basically attempt to inculcate in them good and healthy feeding habits – a value they feel these children will need when they are of age. Letting the child cry it out is essentially practiced in order to teach the child about the realities of life and not to expect everything to go their way. Basically, these practices are aimed at inculcating cultural values such as independence, strength, discipline, and perseverance which are important virtues in the modern day world. Breastfeeding is both essential to the mother and the child. To the child, among other things, it reduces constipation, reduces incidences of ear infections, respiratory illnesses, allergies, diarrhea, vomiting, reduces the smell of stool and also reduces cases of sudden infant death syndrome and other ailments. To the mother, it reduces risks of postpartum hemorrhage, reduces chances of osteoporosis and cervical cancer, and also economically cushions her. Breastfeeding also enhances the bond between mother and child. According to Katherine Dettwyler, the natural minimum and maximum ages of weaning in humans range between 5.5 and 6.0 years. This is when their first premolars occur. The major reason most American women do not breastfeed is that breasts are perceived purely as objects of sexual attention. There is also inadequate breastfeeding support in the community. Nipple or breast pains also undermine breastfeeding.

Final questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Final questions - Essay Example This space was small and at the rear of the skull in quadrapedal animals. It moved a little forward and grew to about 6 times the earlier one for knuckle walkers, like gorillas. For bipedal animals it moved even further forward and nearly doubles in size. This makes sense, as the place where the spinal column enters the skull would govern the angle at which the head is carried (Howells 77-205). Lucy from Oldivai Gorge in South Africa is the most complete skeleton of this genus, which walked upright and may have used very simple tools. It probably lived in trees, but hunted or scavenged on the ground, as the curvature of fingers and toes indicates it could climb trees. The pelvis in the female is the same as modern man. The long forehead slopes at about 45 degrees from the bony ridge over the eyes, and there is no real chin. Two sets of footprints preserved by volcanic action and found by Mary Leakey show human toes, and they prove that Australopithecus Afarensis walked on two feet ha bitually, though the placement of feet show a more splayed gait and suggests that this ape was not quite upright ("Early Human Evolution: Early Transitional Humans."). One of the difficulties with the fossil records is that there is no way of knowing how many species exhibiting changes came between one recovered fossil and the next. This is why there is disagreement about exactly where the branches might be. Without DNA evidence it is not possible to know for sure which hominid is the ancestor of which others. Even with DNA evidence it would not be certain, as it would requires some from all the fossils in the line. Australopithecus Africanus followed next. However, it is not certain where homo branched off. It could have been from Aferensis, Africanus, Robustus or even a separate Paranthropus Robustus. All of these were inhabiting the same area as contemporaries. There might even have been interbreeding, which would indicate that the breeds were not really separate. The Robustus de finitely had larger bones and brain cavity, and it seems to have gone extinct. That leaves either Afarensis or Africanus as being separate lines or branching to Australopithecus Bahrelghazali which then branched to Homo. Only lower jaw bones have been found thus far, but the dentition puts this species closer to Homo than the others. There may have been other branches of Australopithecus, but there is not enough fossil evidence that they were around very long before going extinct. Cross breeding could also have eliminated some differences ("Hominidae_filogenia.png (PNG Image, 1025 ? 979 pixels)."). So me theorists eliminate all of these australopithecines from the homo line of ancestry, believing that homo lines branched off independently from either Ardipithecus Ramidus or A. Garhi. However, one might question this based upon the lack of fossils and the latest find in Georgia on the Black Sea of five Homo Habilis types with a great deal of variation among them. It is possible they are all one species with variation, just as we have today. Speciation generally includes an inability to procreate successfully between species. A recent discovery of what seems to be a new species of Australopithecus, A. Garhi, in Ethiopia is a candidate for early human. This illustration shows the pitifully few pieces that have been found, and the Georgian discovery makes it worth further investigation before ascribing

Strategic Management Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategic Management - Research Proposal Example The signing of new contracts and venturing into new partnerships is a way in which this can be achieved. However, there is the question of the transaction cost. That is to say, the cost incurred during the process of an exchange. Williamson’s transaction cost approach assumes that the transaction is the fundamental unit of analysis and through understanding its economization one is able to evaluate how their governing structures serve in their economization. In short, to understand a transaction, one must scrutinize the terms under which the transaction is taking place and ensure it is in the interest of the business. Asset specificity refers to the features of an asset that make it useful for single or multiple specific purposes and is the most important dimension (The economics of organization: The transaction cost approach – AcaWiki 4). Based on this, the more the specificity of an asset, the lower its chances for resale or redeployment. An example is workers trained to perform only a single task. Uncertainty basically is the state of an asset being unreliable to the goal. Uncertainty differs from risk in that risk can be measured through prior or situational probability while uncertainty is not measurable at all. Being a multidimensional aspect, it holds an important role in the decision making process of the stakeholders, thus must be taken into consideration before contracts are signed. Lastly the frequency is the repeated times in which a transaction will occur between specific or multiple parties. Also, one has to consider the frequency of disturbance in the market. This is to say, the adaptation of the market to the change that is brought about with the transaction. This has to be accounted for, such that it must be known if the transaction is a one time deal or will it will be repeated. Having considered all the above in the for the transaction

Distributor retailer integrated inventory model (in supply chain) Essay - 1

Distributor retailer integrated inventory model (in supply chain) - Essay Example Business has become very competitive in the present world. Customers are now exposed to more information regarding the product and this allows them to select the best product in the market. Globalization has made business to be competitive outside the region of operation. It is very important that every organization determines suitable method to make the product and service to the people at lowest price. Company will be able to provide products under reduced cost only if the operating cost of the organization is reduced. In the business world every amount that is spent on the product is countable, by reducing the cost of operation the firm will be able to reduce the price of the product and this will increase the competitive advantage of the organization. Supply chain management is now being identified as an important factor for the effective functioning of an organization. Supply chain management provides large opportunity for reducing the cost of operation and to ensure that the firm functions effectively. Supply chain management covers all the process in the production of a product or service starting from the collection of raw materials to the delivery of the product. Effective supply chain management depends on several factors. With the increase in sequences and participants in the supply chain the complexity of the chain increases. Inventory management is an important aspect of the supply chain management. The main focus of inventory management is to determine the activities of inventory like determining the amount of inventory that a company would require to meet the demand of the customer. Proper inventory control enhances the firm to have the optimum amount of inventory to meet the demands of the customer. Low inventories may result in the organization having deficient inventories and will have to face a shortage of inventories. Most of the companies in the past used the

Positive Communication Climate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Positive Communication Climate - Essay Example This can determine if they are willing to communicate when another time for interaction between them comes. Positive communication has the power to attract people to others. People, therefore, must learn how to interact. It concerns the importance of the improvement of social, personal and professional relationships. This paper will review such importance, and how it affects people around the world today. There is need to have established guidelines that help create a wonderful communication climate. This means that without these guidelines there would probably be limited interactions among people in the world. Thus, personal relationships would be affected. Social understanding among people would deteriorate and professional relationships would be jeopardized in this case (Adler, 2010). This has been the case for many decades. It may probably be the case for many more decades to come. One of the communication guidelines that exist is trust. For people to live harmoniously there must be trust. This is what the main relationship’s foundation is based on. Professionally, an organization must have trust among its employees so that everything can get done in a proper way. This is the only way that the organization can grow and withstand the test of time. Trust enables one to understand that the other party in the organization can act as promised and hold up the end of the bargain (Adler, 2010). Openness can enable the communication climate to be much better. This is because no secrets that may cause harm to others are being held back. It is where the disclosure of information is very open (Adler, 2010). It ensures that people are at liberty to protect each other from harm with the full disclosure of information. The openness allows the expression of feelings in any relationship, which is quite important. In personal relationships, openness can determine whether it will grow and flourish or die down. Being supportive is another way to improve communication am ong people. The decisions made in everyday life can be made much easier if support is received from those around the decision maker. This support system can create avenues for all the rest to be heard. They can use this avenue to put some of their suggestions across. Information is better exchanged in a supportive communication channel (Adler, 2009). This means that, professionally, support can lead to the creation of the perfect working environment. In a personal relationship, the advantages brought on by being supportive from either party ensure the relationship’s growth. This is because each party looks up to the other party for support in everything they do. If they do not agree on something, they have to find an amicable solution to the presented situation (Adler, 2009). Investment from all parties involved in any relationship must be made at all times. This provides better understanding among everyone. In professional relationships, the time taken in an organization is tantamount in knowing what the organization needs to get better. Personal relationships need investment to ensure that all parties get what they desire. Without it, there is a risk that the parties involved may feel unappreciated. This may lead them to be unresponsive. Being unresponsive can ruin any communication climate that may have existed in the relationship (Kanu, 2010). Professionally, an organization can let an unresponsive employee go. So can a partner in a personal relat

Distributor retailer integrated inventory model (in supply chain) Essay - 1

Distributor retailer integrated inventory model (in supply chain) - Essay Example Business has become very competitive in the present world. Customers are now exposed to more information regarding the product and this allows them to select the best product in the market. Globalization has made business to be competitive outside the region of operation. It is very important that every organization determines suitable method to make the product and service to the people at lowest price. Company will be able to provide products under reduced cost only if the operating cost of the organization is reduced. In the business world every amount that is spent on the product is countable, by reducing the cost of operation the firm will be able to reduce the price of the product and this will increase the competitive advantage of the organization. Supply chain management is now being identified as an important factor for the effective functioning of an organization. Supply chain management provides large opportunity for reducing the cost of operation and to ensure that the firm functions effectively. Supply chain management covers all the process in the production of a product or service starting from the collection of raw materials to the delivery of the product. Effective supply chain management depends on several factors. With the increase in sequences and participants in the supply chain the complexity of the chain increases. Inventory management is an important aspect of the supply chain management. The main focus of inventory management is to determine the activities of inventory like determining the amount of inventory that a company would require to meet the demand of the customer. Proper inventory control enhances the firm to have the optimum amount of inventory to meet the demands of the customer. Low inventories may result in the organization having deficient inventories and will have to face a shortage of inventories. Most of the companies in the past used the

Poem analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Poem analysis - Essay Example to the ironic interpretation, the traveler’s choice could have been for nothing, which is evident by his â€Å"sigh† in line 16 that might have been a sign of regret for taking this road. These two points of view can be supported or argued against through other literary devices that are seen throughout the poem, such as imagery, symbols, tone, and many others. The first line of the poem â€Å"two roads diverged in a yellow wood† provides the greatest example of imagery, clearly showing that there was a fork in the path of a forest that was currently experiencing autumn. Calling the wood â€Å"yellow† would suggest that the leaves are in the process of changing colors. Furthermore, as the setting of the poem is a path in the woods, it is easy for the reader to conjure an image to match what they are reading; there is no limit of the imagination when it comes to thinking of a forest in autumn. Lines eleven and twelve also displayed imagery, giving an excellent view of what the two paths looked like in comparison to each other. The reader knows that the use of imagery is successful when they can easily bring up the image provided by the written word in their mind’s eye, just as Frost’s poem was able to accomplish. The setting of the poem also has to do with the symbolism. The two roads forming from one road in the woods symbolizes the choices that people must constantly make throughout their lives. The well-used road is the easy path that most people would rather take, while the less traveled road is the more complicated option that people prefer to avoid entirely. Frost makes a claim at the end of the poem, stating that â€Å"I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference†, which can symbolize the change in a person that decided for the more difficult, unpredictable path. Life is about the journey, and choosing the easy way out leaves no lasting impressions. The tone of the poem is that of wistfulness, as the author thinks back on the

William Shakespeare Biography Essay Example for Free

William Shakespeare Biography Essay William Shakespeare is known very well across the world. He’s known for the greatest dramatist and he is the world’s famous author and finest poet in English language. With his wonderful talent he has produced thirty-seven plays. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in England on April 23 1564. He was the third and eldest child of John and Mary Arden Shakespeare. Later on while his father John was mayor of Stratford, young William attended an excellent grammar school in his town which had very high qualified teachers who were strict on disciplining students. During his grammar school years Shakespeare got his first taste of what real plays were like. After his years at grammar school William did not want to attend a university. At age fourteen he was withdrawn from school. Once Shakespeare was eighteen he married Anne Hathaway who was about ten years older than him. Both William and Anne had three children together but yet following a year after their marriage they had their first baby girl named Susana. Later on they had a set of twins named Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet only lived till he was eleven years old because of the infection with plague that was going around in the city. After Shakespeare’s twins were baptized around 1592, not much was know about him so these years were known as â€Å"The Lost Years†. While this occurred William had left Stratford to go to London so he can pursure his career. In the mid 1590’s Shakespeare became well known by many people in London as a established playwright. Moving to London had Shakespeare become a well-known actor, writer, and director. Soon after he became known as a poet and a playwright that many theatres called upon him to write more plays. His plays were often performed for Queen Elizabeth and her court. William also wrote sonnets. His sonnets were describing the devotion of a character that was often identified as the poet himself. Shakespeare’s plays have been divided into separated categories such as tragedies, comedies, and histories. As soon as the theatres reopened Shakespeare became fully involved in writing plays. By the years of 1594 to 1608 William was London’s  most popular playwright. The first story or play to be performed in the Globe was The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. After he produced this tragedy many more written for example Hamlet, Romeo Juliet, and Macbeth. Shakespeare referred to himself as a poet. He later became a better observer which had helped him write his plays better. He was known as a gentleman that his plays showed a lot of violence and passion. When William became more involved with his daughters it showed a lot in his plays that people were able to tell. Many of his plays and poems were based on the life really is. Some of his themes were love, evil, war, heroes, and romance. Later in 1608 Shakespeare’s productions lessened so he began to do go back to Stratford to spend time with his family. William wrote his will on March 25 and he passed away on April 23, 1616. Shakespeare is still known in today’s world. He’s considered the greatest dramatist that has walked this earth. He’s the world’s famous author.

Massimo Dutti Marketing Analysis

Massimo Dutti Marketing Analysis Massimo Dutti was founded in 1985 as a company whose main activity was the sale of fashionable mens clothing. Ten years later, the commercial format was bought by the Inditex Group (Industria de Diseà ±o Textil S.A.), one of the worlds largest fashion distributors, who owns brands like Bershka, Pull and Bear and Zara. The Inditex Group as a whole has more than 4,530 stores in 74 countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa. The group also partially and wholly owns more than a hundred companies related with the different activities in the business of textile and fashion design, manufacture and distribution. Its unique management model, based on innovation and flexibility, and its vision of fashion has resulted in fast international expansion and an excellent performance of all its commercial formats. Today, Massimo Dutti has more than 490 stores in 41 countries. The company entered UK in 2003 with its first store in London. The new megastore occupied three floors of a building placed in downtown Regent Street, which had more than 2,000 square meters of business area. Massimo Dutti offers quality international fashion design for men, women and children, with a variety of collections that range from sophisticated urban fashions to casual wear. Its universal design connects with independent urban men and women whose lifestyle portrays an impeccable image. During 2008 Massimo Dutti extended its assortment of complements and accessories to help customers find the small details that mark the difference in style and add the finishing touch to the desired look. Highlights in this product extension are the new line of eye and sunglasses, The Eyewear Collection, with more models for men and women, and the launch of a new womens perfume, En Esencia. The company also added the childrens line in 2008 which includes collections for boys and girls and was launched in Paris. During the same year, the chain entered six new countries: Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Guatemala and Israel. It also continued its expansion in the Asian Pacific region, opening its second store in Hong Kong, in Harbour City, one of the citys main shopping areas. With this establishment, Massimo Dutti now has three stores in China, where it opened its first store in 2007 in Macao. In total they opened 44 new stores in 38 new countries to develop their international presence. (Appendix B.1, B.2, B.3) This report examines the environment in which the company is situated. The macro environment covers the trends in the changing environment and how they could potentially affect the Massimo Dutti supply chain. It also suggests various opportunities and threats that the company may have to face. The second section of the report analyses the various stakeholders i.e. the suppliers, consumers, competitors etc in under the micro environmental analysis. The third section of the report analyses the internal environment and includes the supply chain analysis, the marketing resources, financial resources and the human resources employed within the organisation. The report concludes by suggesting a strategic direction the company should take in order to reach its full potential. Macro Environment Analysis Massimo Dutti being a global organisation is affected by a number of macro environmental factors. These factors are the basis on which a company develops its understanding of the markets, business position and the strategic direction for its operations. In recent years the macro environment has been increasingly being put into consideration because of higher marker volatility, the global slowdown and the economic recession. These factors not only pose a great threat to businesses but can also create many opportunities which a company can identify and take advantage of. For instance, if a business is able to assess its current environment and predict potential changes, it will be better placed in its marketplace than its competitors to respond to changes in the environment. Thus understanding and operating with the macro environment i.e. the external environment in which the business operates, is increasingly becoming the key to organisational success as it can help to maximise opportunities and minimise threats which the organisation faces. In other words a macro environment scanning can help us to identify various opportunities and threats in the organisation. There are a number of macro environmental factors which affect the UK clothing retail market. These factors are known as the PEST factors or the political, economic, social and technological factors which help the scanning of the environment. (Appendix A.1) (P)olitical Environment The clothing retail sector in the UK has seen a number of changes in their political environment in recent years. The first change is the recent expansion of the EU territory which has facilitated import and export amongst various countries within the EU. As a result of this trade between these countries legal agreements and setting up new operations and stores has become more attractive than ever. For Massimo Dutti it translates to wider markets and a wider consumer base both within and outside the UK. This type of an impact is visible in a long term with a positive and increasing impact to the company. The second change is the change in interest rates and government taxation which is the result of the global economic recession. The government has implemented a range of measures to stabilise the financial markets and stimulate the economy including part-nationalisation of some banks, VAT cuts, and suspending public sector borrowing rules. Also In March 2009, the Bank of England cut interest rates to a record low of just 0.5% where they remain at the time of writing. The government also gave the go-ahead for the more drastic policy of quantitative easing in an effort to kick-start the economy. (Appendix A.2) The impact of this government policy has resulted in a higher degree of disposable income in the hands of the consumer and has thus facilitated the retail sector. On the other hand when interest rates eventually start to rise they could do so quite suddenly and sharply thereby increasing the risk of less spending on mid-market luxury retailers like Massimo Dutti. (Appendix A.3) (E)conomic Environment- Recession the UK Clothing Retail There have been numerous amounts of economic changes since 2007 which are the result of the global economic slowdown and the recession. Until recently the British economy was enjoying the longest period of growth and had outpaced most of the rest of Western Europe. But the global economic downturn, tight credit and falling house prices brought the UK into the recession in the back half of 2008. This economic downturn resulted in a change in the economic factors that affected the UK retail sector as a whole. The fashion industry in particular has been more vulnerable to such a downturn than other retail settings. Due to the recession the economy has shown frequent fluctuations in the currency rates. This change has affected the retailers as they have absorbed these fluctuations. This is because they are situated in a price-led market i.e. have to provide competitive prices in the market to survive further putting more pressure on their profit margins. Also due to the decrease in the disposable income of the consumers only the cheap fashion / fast-fashion sector has benefited. Companies like Pennys, Primark and TK max have recorded highest sales due to the recession. The implications of such a trend are that less money is spent on designer clothes as well as accessorises. Consumers may stop spending on high end luxury brand and accessories and go in for fast-fashion clothing thereby posing a risk to Massimo Dutti. It can also be noted that spending on clothing has reduced than compared to other spending sectors. The global economic slowdown has impacted heavily on clothing retailers as it has hit consumers willingness and ability to spend on discretionary items. Thus companies like Massimo Dutti may face a slowdown in sales volumes. Unemployment has climbed consistently since mid-2008, reaching 7.8% by Q2 2009 and it could rise to over 10% in 2010. Youth unemployment (18-24-year-olds) exceeded 17% by the second quarter of 2009 and in the short term will continue trending upwards. This impacts heavily the purchasing power of those concerned and hence reducing an important market segment for mid-market luxury retailers. (Appendix A.2, A.4) (S)ocial Environment- The Changing Demographics The social environment relates to consumer attitudes and opinions towards different product types and brands in the marketplace. It also relates to changes in consumer behaviour and their demographics i.e. age, sex, gender, family size etc. Changes in social trends can impact on the demand for a firms products and the availability and willingness of individuals to work. Thus it is very important for the firm to identify these factors and translate them into opportunities and get rid of all potential threats. A large number of consumers have changed the way they shop for clothes and in the main those changes involve cutting back in some way by spending less, by mostly buying discounted lines, or by buying from value retailers or less expensive shops. According to a research by Mintel over one in four people have not changed their shopping habits for clothes since the recession started but many consumers have, and the most significant changes are all savings-related i.e. spending less, shopping around more, not buying at full price, buying more from value or less expensive retailers. (Appendix A.5) This cutting back on expenditure by the consumer means that they wish to spend more on value retailers rather than mid-market luxury retailers. According to Mintel the mid-market segment has also squeezed as a result of a price-led consumer market. For instance mid-market players like like-for-like and Dorothy Perkins have gone down in sales. Like-for-like traded down 2.4% in the Q1 of year 2009-10 and Dorothy Perkins was still heavy with summer markdowns when rivals were relatively clean with new autumn ranges. Gaps international quarterly sales to August 2009 dropped by 5% which is an important competitor for Massimo Dutti. Other mid-market players like HM and MS have traded up as they are price-led retailers. (Appendix A.6) On the other hand high-end designer buyers tend to buy more from the mid-market than from the upmarket high street retailers as a result of the ongoing recession. This is because of lack of particular brand loyalty, financial inability to buy everything from designer brands and the tendency of buying basics (i.e. T-shirts, jeans etc) from the mid-market retailers. (Appendix A.9) Another trend in change is that the 25-54s have traded down the most amongst all other consumer age groups. This age band has been among the worst hit by the recession because of their larger financial commitments. This age group is the main target market for Massimo Dutti and hence affect the company sales the most. (Appendix A.7) Because of a combination of various above discussed factors customers are much more likely to now buy more from familiar brands/shops they trust. (Appendix A.8) (T)echnological Environment The technological environment consists of changes in technology related to the manufacture, sourcing, distribution or sales of a various components of products in that industry. A change in technology for various processes in the industry sometimes creates barriers to entry and also leads to innovation. Thus it is very important for firms to adapt to the changing trends of technology. Online fashion has become significantly more popular as choices have improved. These days many consumers prefer to shop online as it not only saves time but also offers a full view of the collection at a single click. Fashion sites are also engaging more effectively with the customers through; better product imagery, establishing online communities; utilising user generated content, introducing virtual changing rooms etc. These types of innovations help the consumers to establish a better three dimensional understanding of the products they want to buy and hence provide a better opportunity for the marketers to capture the consumer. (Appendix A.10) Another trend is M-commerce. It is a potential source of growth for the future, particularly among the young a key demographic for fashion. But it will depend on more retailers launching mobile applications and on consumer ownership of smart phones. (Appendix A.10) Other Factors There are some other factors other than political, social, economic and technological factors that affect the UK clothing retail market. One of them is the environmental concerns facing the fashion industry today. Many environmentalists have raised objections against fast-fashion goods as they not only end up in landfills faster than usual but also because of the time, effort and resources utilized in their production. According to a research it shows that on average in the UK 30kgs of clothes per person are dumped into landfills as a result of the fast-fashion. It accounts for about 1,000kg of CO2 a year roughly half that emitted by a small diesel car. Each year the average person in the UK spends about  £650 on 50 or so items of clothing and accounts for a large part of our carbon footprint. When they are manufactured, when they are transported, when they are washed and even when they are thrown away, clothes are responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions. 90% of the c lothes people buy in the UK are transported from abroad, mainly from China, India and Bangladesh and it only adds to the environmental impact of clothing. Also, working in the textiles industry often means long hours, low pay, poor safety records and the use of child labour. This it raises environmental and ethical concerns (Appendix A.11). It raises concerns for the Inditex group as a whole as their prime focus recently has been the introduction of fast-fashion products into the markets through their various brands. Massimo Dutti Opportunities With the help of the macro environmental analysis opportunities of the company can be identified. These opportunities can be maximised so the company can be placed ahead of its competitors in the market. These opportunities are: As a result of the EU territory expansion Massimo Dutti is able to reach wider markets both within and outside the UK increasing the scope of operations in the company. It also means that it is easier to source materials from the partner countries, which is an important aspect of Massimo Duttis business strategy. The stimuli provided by the government in 2009 as a result of the economic recession have helped the people to overcome the problems of disposable income and hence has boosted the retail sector. However the impact is very long term and takes time to show signs of recovery. Shoppers of high-end designer clothes tend to buy more from the mid-market than from the upmarket high street retailers as a result of the ongoing recession. This has helped retailers like Massimo Dutti to capture new demographics. As a result of the rising concerns over the recession people have started spending lesser and lesser on clothes but have started to spend more on accessories which help them to look different with the same amount of clothes. Massimo Dutti thus has a competitive advantage because of their recent launch of men and women accessories as an addition to its prior range. Online shopping is one of the recent emerging trends in the fashion industry. This opens up markets for consumers who previously were unable to shop at specific stores. This also reduces the need for a physical location of its stores. This provides a huge opportunity for mid-market retailers whose sales can be boosted in the presence of online sales. M-commerce is another technological factor affecting the industry. It can tap the key demographic i.e. 25-50 year olds and therefore has a great potential for companies like Massimo Dutti whose main target market is this demographic. Massimo Dutti Threats Due to the Economic recession and currency rate fluctuation it has been difficult for retailers to keep up with a price-led market. This impacts the already low profit margins thereby posing a threat to the retailers. As a result of the decreasing disposable income mid-market brands have suffered because people have shifted from them to fast-fashion cheap retailers who provide fashion clothes at a cheaper price. Another trend in change that has impacted Massimo Dutti is that the 25-54s have traded down the most amongst all other consumer age groups. Being the key demographic of the company it has affected sales and may continue to do so in the future. As many environmentalists have raised objections against fast-fashion it poses a threat for companies like Inditex (Massimo Dutti) as their core business model revolves around the concept of fast-fashion goods. Micro Environmental Analysis The micro environmental factors are those which are related with the firms immediate area of operation that affects the performance and decision making in that organisation. These factors also affect the overall costs of the organisation; the quality of products supplied and directly contributes to organisational success. There are 3 major stakeholder groups which affect these factors. These are the suppliers, consumers and the competitors. The Suppliers There are a number of ways in which the suppliers affect the performance of a firm. These may be related to the quality the supplier provides, the quantities that can be sourced from the suppliers, lead-time demands of the market or the ethical and environmental concerns followed by the suppliers. All these factors are responsible for having the right product at the right time to satisfy the demands of a firms consumer. Based on these factors firms must decide on issues such as who to source from, responsibility it takes for these suppliers and on the terms and conditions it adopts. Inditex has over 1,186 suppliers around the globe making it vulnerable to many factors. One of the most important trends in change is the adaptive process of suppliers to operate in low cost regions. This is because the textile industry inherently is a labour intensive industry and hence was the first to move to low labour cost regions. Five years ago, China was the only source for low cost products but now Vietnam is competing against inland China and parts of India for that same position. This is because of the increased internationalisation of the clothing companies in Europe in the past decade. As buyers are forced to spread their volumes across different regions, these regions or countries enter into competition with one another. This led to the creation of special economic zones in many countries, mostly with cheap labour. Besides cheap labour and resources these zones have no other connections to the local economy. On the other hand they are directly influenced by the high deg ree of fluctuations caused due to favourable or unfavourable conditions in foreign markets. China is one of the key suppliers to the European apparel industry but is less competitive than eastern European countries because of added logistics costs. (Appendix B.4, B.5) Another factor that has affected the suppliers is the requirement of buyers for environmental compliance and labour standards. Recently the government has launched a campaign to tackle the environmental and social impact of the fast fashion culture. As a result of this many retailers have introduced changes in their supplier regulations. For example Marks and Spencer, Tesco and Sainsburys have pledged to increase their ranges of Fair-trade and organic clothing, and support fabrics which can be recycled more easily. Also Tesco is banning cotton from countries known to use child labour. All these changes in the buying behaviour of the retailers have forced suppliers to follow stricter guidelines on environmental and ethical issues. (Appendix B.6) The Consumers The customers are a key to sales of all retail formats. An organisation must monitor its consumers and the trends in change that affect the consumers. By gathering data on shopping patterns of the consumers the retailers can identify possible changes required to the marketing strategy. It can be in the form of a changed target market, the change in distribution channels or by responding to the new product or pricing needs of the consumers. The target market for Massimo Dutti is women of 25-45 years old and men of 25-50 years old catering to the upper middle and upper socio economic class and upper middle cultural interests. The customer plays an active role in the Inditex business model. At Inditex production activity begins once customers demand reactions have been analysed. Unlike the traditional fashion company business model which started at the designers drawing table, Inditex activities starts by assessing the customers demands and continues to the store. The economic downturn is helping to boost sales of value clothing retailers. Consumers have been forced to cut back on other categories of spending like holidays abroad and restaurant meals. But consumer research shows that clothing is to be the most vulnerable area of spend amongst adults who have been forced to cut back their expenditure due to the recession, although value clothing appears to be one area of clothing expenditure that is responding positively to the trend. In response to economic worries, consumers are saving more and they appear to be trading down on clothing as a consequence. Specialist fashion discounters or value clothing retailers (led by Primark, TK Maxx and Matalan) are the main beneficiaries of the strong growth in value clothing sales, and have seen their sales rise by 7% to  £5 billion in 2009. (Appendix B.7, B.8) The GfK NOP consumer confidence index, published on 31st March 2010, showed that overall UK consumer confidence fell to -15 in March, from -14 in February. The 2,000 adults interviewed by GfK NOP also took a more negative view of the overall economic situation over next 12 months. The index also indicated that consumers are becoming more cautious about of their own personal financial situation. (Appendix B.9) The Competitors Another important factor which affects the micro-environment of an organisation is its competitors. The success and behaviour of any business will depend on the degree of competition in its market. In the case of fashion retail market the competition is intense because of a large number of players in the market. This puts a downward pressure on the price of the product offerings. Thus it is very important for a organisation to identify and monitor its competitors in order to obtain a competitive advantage. The major competitors to Massimo Dutti as a brand are Gap, Banana Republic, Mango and HM (Hennes Mauritz). Gap Banana Republic (Gap Inc.) Gap Inc. is a clothing retailer from the US that has expanded into Europe via operations in the UK, France and Ireland. Clean, classic, American designs are the words on which the brand was founded and the current offer continues to reflect these values. The commercial formats at Gap Inc. include Gap, Gap Kids, baby Gap, Gap Maternity and Gap body under the brand name Gap. Other brands which do not include the brand name Gap are Banana Republic and Old navy. Gap and Banana Republic have 140 stores in the UK. As a result of the tough trading conditions in all its markets, Gap saw the sales decline by 12% in 2008. However, Gap maintains a mid-market stance and as a result has looked to more muted colours in the current recessionary climate as consumers seek items that will last longer. In August 2009 the company also ventured into the UK e-commerce arena, announcing the availability of Gap branded items on the ASOS website. (Appendix B.10, B.11) Mango Mango is one of Spain largest clothing specialists and has also built up a sizeable international business in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Mango predominantly targets women aged 18 to 30 with a fashionable and sophisticated offer. Mango designs, manufactures and markets womens and mens clothing and accessories. Mango currently has a total of 1,220 stores in 91 countries worldwide. In the UK it operates 42 outlets which are mostly franchised. Mango follows the same multi-brand strategy as of Inditex. Mango has admitted that the global recession has led to a decline in the sales volume in early 2009 in markets such as Spain, Ireland, the UK and Russia. Consumers have been cutting back on their spending, particularly on discretionary items such as clothing. In reaction Mango has launched Think Up, an affordable sub-range for the weaker consumer climate. Recently, the group has expanded into menswear and has also hinted that it may launch a chain that targets younger shoppers. (Appendi x B.12, B.13)

The Media and Eating Disorders Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Topic

The Media and Eating Disorders It is funny how so many girls and women today are led to believe that the only way to feel attractive and be beautiful is to have their bodies consist of nothing but skin and bones. Women are dieting more today then they have ever been before. They are striving for an unattainable body figure that is portrayed by the media as being the ideal standard for today's women. It gets worse. Not only are women dieting unlike ever before, but they will ruthlessly harm their bodies in order to achieve these inaccessible standards. This ruthless harm that haunts so many women today just so happens to be what we call eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia are the primary diseases that go in the category of eating disorders. Who is to blame for this daunting occurrence? In most cases, the media is either some or all to blame for the eating disorder and standards placed for women. Commercials, billboards, women's magazine ads, etc. are all forms of the media that portray negative images of women. When the women in today's society sees what is being advertised (which happens hundreds, if not thousands of times a day) it is not so shocking that many of them strive for these impossible body images. It is when the want and desire becomes so strong that these women drive themselves to starvation and other forms of eating disorders. In order to realize the effect that advertising is having on girls and women in society today, it is important for people to know the facts and statistics that are current about eating disorders. Eight million girls and women are affected with eating disorders (Wilson and Blackhurst 111). Among college-aged women, bulimia affects nearly one in every five (Wilson and Blackhurst 1... ...than the media. It is important, though, to recognize the kind of effect media and advertising has on women. It is important to realize that because of what is portrayed in Western society, many women will go to great lengths (sometimes deadly lengths) just to meet these portrayals. If society wants to change what women are doing to themselves every day, than it is up to the media to start showing women today that it is okay to be who you are, big or small. Works Cited Key, Sandra W.; Lindgren, Maryclaire. "Skinny Models in Ads Cause Immediate Anger, Depression in Women." Women's Health Weekly (5/11/99) 11. Wilson, Nona L.; Blackhurst, Anne E. "Food Advertising and Eating Disorders: Marketing Body Dissatisfaction, the Drive for Thinness, and Dieting in Women's Magazines." Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education & Development 38 (99) 111-122.

Public Video Surveillance Essay -- Cameras Privacy Issues

Public Video Surveillance INTRODUCTION Today’s technology has changed the way we live. It has changed the way that we view the environment, act when out in public, and the way we go about doing our daily task. Computers have greatly increased our capabilities to achieve our goals much faster. Human interaction between people has decreased because of this technology. The changes continue daily with an endless stream of new ideas and ways of doing things. There seems to be no end in site. This technology is also changing our moral and ethical values along with the way we employ them. The â€Å"burden of proof† has a new meaning because of surveillance cameras. Most of us will agree that surveillance cameras are a good idea. These cameras provide a deterrent against crime, and provides public buildings and other areas a since of security. Law enforcement use surveillance cameras to track and catch criminals, as proof in courts, and as protection for themselves and the public. Surveillance cameras can also be used for educational purposes. X-ray cameras have the ability of detecting weapons in baggages at our airports and other public buildings. They now have cameras mounted on top of stoplights to detect red light runners with ways of sending the red light violators their tickets by mail. There must be an endless list of ways that cameras can be used. We even have satellites in outer space with cameras that help us to spy on other countries. Most of us will agree that the technology of camera surveillance is important and needed to improve for the most part our lifestyles. PROFESSIONAL ISSUES FOR SURVEILLANCE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE AND PROPERTY, which includes the general public and law enforcement. This type of surv... ...nce cameras affects everyone. It is for the common good of everyone that we continue its use. It has given our nation a sense of security that we have become a custom to because it has improved our justice system. REFERENCES â€Å"CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT RADIO-TELEVISION NEWS DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION.† Ethics. 21.2 (2002). 14 September 2000. http://www.rtnda.org/ethics/coe.html â€Å"DIGEST OF LAW REFORM COMMISSION REFERENCES.† 90. Surveillance. 21.2 (2002). Surveillance: an interim report, 6 December 2001. http://www.agd.nsw.gov.au/lrc.nsf/pages/r98chp03/ Leahy, Patrick. â€Å"Scientific American. 28.2 (2002), 29 September 2002. http://www.library.ca.gov/CRB/97/05/CRB97-005.html Nieto, Marcus. â€Å"Public Video Surveillance: Is It An Effective Crime Prevention Tool?† California Research. Bureau. June 1997. http://www.globalprivacysummit.net/Pages/sessions.html Public Video Surveillance Essay -- Cameras Privacy Issues Public Video Surveillance INTRODUCTION Today’s technology has changed the way we live. It has changed the way that we view the environment, act when out in public, and the way we go about doing our daily task. Computers have greatly increased our capabilities to achieve our goals much faster. Human interaction between people has decreased because of this technology. The changes continue daily with an endless stream of new ideas and ways of doing things. There seems to be no end in site. This technology is also changing our moral and ethical values along with the way we employ them. The â€Å"burden of proof† has a new meaning because of surveillance cameras. Most of us will agree that surveillance cameras are a good idea. These cameras provide a deterrent against crime, and provides public buildings and other areas a since of security. Law enforcement use surveillance cameras to track and catch criminals, as proof in courts, and as protection for themselves and the public. Surveillance cameras can also be used for educational purposes. X-ray cameras have the ability of detecting weapons in baggages at our airports and other public buildings. They now have cameras mounted on top of stoplights to detect red light runners with ways of sending the red light violators their tickets by mail. There must be an endless list of ways that cameras can be used. We even have satellites in outer space with cameras that help us to spy on other countries. Most of us will agree that the technology of camera surveillance is important and needed to improve for the most part our lifestyles. PROFESSIONAL ISSUES FOR SURVEILLANCE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE AND PROPERTY, which includes the general public and law enforcement. This type of surv... ...nce cameras affects everyone. It is for the common good of everyone that we continue its use. It has given our nation a sense of security that we have become a custom to because it has improved our justice system. REFERENCES â€Å"CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT RADIO-TELEVISION NEWS DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION.† Ethics. 21.2 (2002). 14 September 2000. http://www.rtnda.org/ethics/coe.html â€Å"DIGEST OF LAW REFORM COMMISSION REFERENCES.† 90. Surveillance. 21.2 (2002). Surveillance: an interim report, 6 December 2001. http://www.agd.nsw.gov.au/lrc.nsf/pages/r98chp03/ Leahy, Patrick. â€Å"Scientific American. 28.2 (2002), 29 September 2002. http://www.library.ca.gov/CRB/97/05/CRB97-005.html Nieto, Marcus. â€Å"Public Video Surveillance: Is It An Effective Crime Prevention Tool?† California Research. Bureau. June 1997. http://www.globalprivacysummit.net/Pages/sessions.html

Sample Financial Plan Description

We have created a financial plan to help you retire at the age of 62 and afford to send your son, Sam, to college. After looking at the information you gave us regarding your income and expenses, we came up with the best solution for your financial future. We’ve picked out profitable mutual funds for your son’s college, as well as retirement investments. We also have found different methods of saving money for your retirement and future education for your son. We believe that there will be a great benefit to having a financially stable future. We understand with Sam attending a four-year university, the cost will be great along with the need for saving money for this to work financially. Grand Valley State University will provide an excellent education for your son, along with benefiting him for his future. Overall, it will cost $189,750 to attend Grand Valley State University for four years. We do, however, understand that the cost to attend the university may concern you at first, but there are methods of assistance that are available, such as investments and savings plans. Investing in specific funds, with good performance history, will have a huge advantage in acquiring the money for your son to go to college. We strongly advise investing a portion of your discretionary income into mutual funds. Your discretionary income would be the amount of your income that is left over, after taxes and expenses have been paid. Investing in mutual funds, rather than other investment options, will eliminate the stress and difficultly of trying to time the market. We invested 46% of your discretionary income into four different types of mutual funds, which will provide diversification for your investments. Using a MET and/or a MESP savings plan will create many advantages that will benefit you in sending your son to college. Both, the MET and MESP savings plan, are 529 plans. These are tax-advantaged savings plans specifically designed to encourage saving for future college costs. You are not able to withdraw money that is invested into a 529 plan unless it is an eligible college expense. We feel as though it is a benefit for most because it allows the money to amass without disturbance. The Michigan Education Trust (MET) is a way to help pay tuition and mandatory fees at Michigan public colleges. The plan allows for years of college tuition to be purchased for the future use of a student at today’s price. For example, you could buy four years of tuition now at 2011 prices, which would be $189,750, for Sam to use when he enters college in 2028. Some advantages the MET offers are a state tax deduction and a tax-free growth. The only thing that we want to bring to your attention is that you only have fifteen years to use the tuition benefits, unlike the MESP, which has no expiration date. The Michigan Education Savings Plan (MESP) is an advantageous way to allow your family to save for the expenses that come along with college. The MESP is a 529 college savings plan which allows families to save for tuition, room & board, mandatory fees, equipment, and required books for any qualified institution in the nation and some abroad. When the student is ready to use the funds in the MESP, whatever has been accumulated is what they have to work with. Some benefits of the MESP include: a state tax deduction, tax-free growth, and it allows for unused benefits to be transferred between members of the same family. We would recommend this plan over the MET to your family. The MET will cover tuition fees; although, it lacks the flexibility to pay for other related expenses, such as books, supplies, and other miscellaneous items. A mutual fund is an investment in which a company brings together money from many investors and invests it in stocks, bonds or other assets. Mutual funds are a good long-term investment, such as for your retirement. The risk level depends on the type of mutual fund it is. In your case, we chose the mutual fund with the best performance out of each different type. We recommend taking the remaining portion of your discretionary income, which would be 54%, and invest it just as we did for your son’s education. Mutual funds that are properly diversified will have investment dollars spread equally among four different classes of financial assets. We invested the remaining portion of your discretionary income into the same four mutual funds that were used for your college savings. We chose to invest in an international mutual fund, the New World Fund, which has a 9. 55% rate of return. We also chose an aggressive growth mutual fund, the SMALLCAP World Fund, which has a 9. 62% rate of return. Thirdly, we invested in a growth mutual fund with a 13. 63% rate of return, known as the Growth Fund of America. And lastly, we chose a Growth and Income mutual fund, the Capital World Growth and Income Fund, with has an 11. 17% rate of return. When diversifying the money in which you would like to invest, the smartest decision that you could make would be to invest in the four mutual funds that I just stated or funds that fit into each of the four different classes. This helps to reduce risk, such as if a couple securities in the mutual fund lose value and that loss could compensate for other securities that appreciate in value. When reaching the retirement age you can then transfer your gained revenue from all four of your mutual funds and place it into a bond fund. Bond mutual funds are designed mostly to provide investors with a steady stream of income versus capital gains. These funds are debt securities, or IOUs, which are issued with a promise of repayment on a certain date at a specified rate of interest. For your financial plan, all of your gained revenue was placed into a bond mutual fund as soon as you retired, therefore liquidating your riskier assets. Using this bond fund, you are earning a 5% interest every year. For example, the first year of retirement, after removing your yearly expenses, you will have $678,785 to place in your bond fund. At the end of the year, with the 5% interest rate of return on bond fund, you will have profited $1,139. 70 throughout the year, even after your expenses. We recommend that you invest in at least one retirement savings plan, such as a 401k or a Roth IRA, to securely save for retirement. It is a good idea to look into different savings plans, rather than make a hasty decision, because everyone benefits from a different savings plan, depending on their situation. In your case, the Roth IRA or 401k will be the most beneficial. With both of these retirement savings plans there are tax breaks that will benefit you. These savings plans are greatly used in America to help save for retirement nowadays. Each savings plan offers different advantages for couples saving for retirement. A 401k is a retirement savings plan for employees in which a desired amount of your check is taken out before tax deductions and placed into your 401k account. We understand that you have a pension plan through work, but your wife does not. This type of savings plan would be a great way to save for retirement. 401k is the favorite plan for corporate America today, due to its many advantages. Many employers will match, up to a certain percentage, the amount in which you place into your 401k. Invisible savings is one of the biggest advantages to the 401k savings plan. The money saved is taken directly out of you check weekly, even before the income tax is withdrawn. In doing so, this makes the money seem invisible to your eyes, and to your financial pocket book. There are other beneficial savings plans available, which can be used along with the 401k. Roth IRA’s are after- tax IRA’s. They grow tax free and offer many more choices than the normal IRA. Roth IRA’s are a good choice when it comes to saving for retirement. Even though you contribute after-tax dollars into a Roth IRA, all withdraws are completely tax free if you are over the age of 59 ? and have had the account for 5 years. With Roth IRA’s, unlike a tradition IRA or a 401k plan, there are no required minimum distributions. Direct contributions can be withdrawn at any time as well. Roth IRA’s can be set up on top of already existing retirement plans; as well the assets can be passed onto beneficiaries after death, therefore leaving an inheritance for your family. We are sure that we have supplied you with a detailed overview in helping you to be financially secure now and in the future. In taking the advice that we have given you with these many different investment ideas, you will find yourself more than content financially. We can guarantee that down the road, you will not have to worry about your financial status. Although in actuality, it is important to remember that building wealth takes time. However, the acquisition of your financial contentment will be well worth your time. We hope, here at L&N Financial Planning, that providing you with this letter will give you the financial peace of mind that you and your family deserve.

Chapter 2 Thesis Enrolment System

Notes on Philippine pre-colonial literature Notes and anecdotes on Philippine pre-colonial literature, mostly taken from my Filipino 14 class under Mr. Popa. The pre-colonial period in the Philippines is the longest chapter in the country's history. Yet it is also the darkest chapter in history, with very few records extant. The lack of knowledge concerning the period stems from the lack of resources concerning this era, brought on by the perishability of the items produced during those times.Having a strong affinity with nature, the early Filipino communities produced items molded from the raw materials in the region, mostly from plants and trees. Another reason was the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. The Catholic friars who were tasked with converting the â€Å"uncivilized† natives demonized the pre-colonial culture, seeing the beliefs of that era as a threat to their mission to spread Christianity in the land. Only a few manuscripts still survive to this day, mostl y done by Spanish priests who had immersed themselves in the community in an attempt to decipher their ways.One of the most important was the Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala by Fr. Juan de Noceda and Fr. Pedro San Lucar (1734), an anthology of early oral lore that preserved many examples of pre-colonial literature. However, despite the Spanish teachings, Philippine pre-colonial culture was not as barbaric as it had been made out to be. The presence of a bustling trade economy with Chinese and Muslim merchants existed long before the landing of the Spaniards. The oral literature in existence during that time also displayed a sense of sophistication beyond that of simple barbaric cultures.Anitism, a term coined by Stephen Hislop, refers to the religion prevalent in the religion at that time. The early Filipinos believed in the presence of  anitos, primordial forces of nature that could accompany or possess people. Filipinos also held the principle of  loob  with great importance . Loosely translated,  loobmeans inside. Loob  is also a vague reference to the soul. An attempt to explain  loob  may proceed as follows. The concept of  loob  can, first and foremost, be related to the concept of a soul. It is something that resides within the person.However, it is not corporeal, or as specific as a soul; it is a vital part of the person but not the person in his/her entirety. Loobis also related to space and trust; with the phrase  malapit ang loob ko sa iyo  (malapitmeaning near) referring to a person's high trust level with the other. Loob  is also a personal space, something sacred to the person that belongs to him alone. The Filipinos were also well-endowed in the area of literature. A long-standing oral tradition that still survives in remnants to this day traces its roots to the pre-colonial period. Philippine literature employed everyday language, and was a communal activity.As such, the social relevance of literature during that time was very important. Themes included the daily routines of the community, living in accordance with nature and living within the community. Literature was the primary expression of the community's experiences, beliefs and emotions. Filipino pre-colonial literature followed certain conventions. Due to its oral nature, most stories had a formulaic method of construction. This was reinforced by the duty of literature as a reflection of the communal belief and experience; the repetition of themes highlighted the prevalent qualities of the region's culture, and identity was thus embodied.The oral tradition also refined the structure of pre-colonial literature, employing the use of rhythm and rhyme to great effect. Rhythm and rhyme distinguished literary pieces from normal conversation while employing the familiar everyday language that everyone in the community understood. These devices also made the pieces easier to remember and retell, while allowing the storyteller to associate the rise a nd fall of tone with the appropriate portions of the story.Philippine literature possesses a deep level of sophistication, seen in the organic unity of language, theme and relevance within each piece. The use of common language did not prevent the pieces from obtaining a touch of elegance that set it apart, a testament to the literary ability of the pre-colonial culture. Literature was a vital tool for community cohesiveness, rooted in the foundations of language as a tool for survival. Banding together to overcome the dangers of the wild, literature took on communal themes that promoted a sense of togetherness throughout the locals.Literature also reflected the affinity of pre-colonial Fipinos with nature, with the use of colorful metaphors and vivid backgrounds to enhance the story and express their appreciation of nature itself. Literature is such an integral part of pre-colonial Philippine culture that it was one of the methods employed by the Spanish in order to convert the Fil ipinos towards Christianity. However, the Filipinos were intensely critical of these Spanish pieces, largely due to their inability to relate them to their communal beliefs.