The Fly And #465 Essays - Emily Dickinson, A Vision,

The Fly And #465 Geoff Eng 219 3/4/00 The Fly and #465 Emily Dickinson in her poem #465, covers the subject of death in a way that I have not seen before. She delves right into the last sounds she heard when the narrator died, which was a fly buzzing. The last actions of this world are concluded by the assigning of keepsakes, the last few tears while waiting the King. And now, in the midst of this silence, Emily chooses to introduce the buzzing of a fly. This common household pest's incessant buzz becomes all the dying can hear. The fly is a significant part of the poem and in this essay, I will give examples as to why and how. I think the fly has special significance in the poem. Beelzebub was often portrayed as a fly: Lord of the Flies, and there is a strange tone about this poem, as though the dying person is a controller, an organizer, a cold person in fact, her last steps towards death were so calculated, ?The Eyes around-had wrung them dry-/And Breaths were Gathering firm/ for the last Onset-when the King/Be witnessed-in the Room.?(ln 5-8). She is waiting for King (God) to come and take her to the after life. She has calculated death, then this pest ?interposes? itself , ?Between the light and me?(ln14) her peaceful transition to heaven was interrupted. The fly suddenly opens up the possibility that all is not about to proceed as expected, even after death. And the fact that this is also a posthumously written poem, ?when I died,?(ln 1) suggests that there's some cause for the dying person not to be resting peacefully in heaven. Something went wrong, something ?interposed? between 'the light' (a symbol of heaven) and herself. More than anything this poem is about the uninvited in our lives, it also has echoes of 'the fly in the Vaseline', the thing that always goes wrong. The death is planned out, the will is taken care of, and then the nasty fly joins her and destroys her peaceful death with its bothersome buzz. That buzz could be the unconfessed sins she hidden from god, but what ever it is, it has a profound affect on her afterlife by leaving her with this incessant buzzing. The room of the dying is haunted by an uncomfortable, daunting Silence. The comparison of this quiet to the the stillness in the Air between the heaves of storm(ln4) intensifies the feeling of anticipation for some frightening event. If you are out jogging in the summer and you start to see dark storm clouds looming overhead, there is a panic that comes, you could get caught in the storm. The clouds as beautiful as they may seem while inside, as soon as the storm begins, they let loose their power. I think the implied author is entering, in imagination; the very moment of death here is darkness itself. Which is why this poem is, for me, so chilling. So many of the poems insist on a life after death, a spiritual reawakening. But this poem ends on a note of obliteration and overwhelming darkness, accompanied only by the sound of the buzzing. The fly is also a symbol of decay and dissolution, and even of disease, and contamination. It's a brilliant idea, a common household pest, and also a powerful symbol of evil, uninvited and distracting. This image of distraction is particularly noticeable, especially on first reading the poem. Everything's going so much according to plan it's as though these people are on a stage reading their script, going through pre-conceived motions. And then suddenly there's the gatecrasher, the thing outside the script that completely distracts the dying person, and threatens to rob her of her moment of vision.... And then the Windows failed - and then/ I could not see to see - (ln 15) makes it doubly clear that the moment of vision (windows/eyes failing) has been stolen from her and that, in effect, the fly has won by becoming the very last thing the speaker hears, and imagines - I think the fact that she sees it as ?Blue is not because she can see it but because she is imagining it. The irritation

“Stargirl” by Jerry Spinelli Essays

â€Å"Stargirl† by Jerry Spinelli Essays â€Å"Stargirl† by Jerry Spinelli Essay â€Å"Stargirl† by Jerry Spinelli Essay The novel â€Å"Stargirl† by Jerry Spinelli is a wonderful and exciting story about the girl who manages to overcome difficulties and pressures at American high school. Stargirl is the main character who is ignoring public pressures and disapproval, whereas her boyfriend Leo isn’t. Susan is unique and beats a different drummer in this life. She becomes a whirlwind in a common high school in Arizona. She dresses like Victorian bride and nobody knows what to make of her. Her new name â€Å"Stargirl† passes her more than Susan as it underlines her true personality and originality: â€Å"And just like that, Stargirl was gone, replaced with Susan. Susan Julie Caraway. The girl she might have been all along†. Stargirl wear what she wants and does things she likes. Moreover, her pet mouse Cinnamon always accompanies her. Stargirl is unaware of public disapproval and judgmental opinions of other students and people. The novel raises the problem of loneliness and isolation caused by different behavioral patterns. Stargirl starts dating with Leo, who finds out that she is absolutely real despite her original style. Stargirl shows his the concepts and ideas he has never come across with. Stargirl loves life and people, but people don’t understand her. However, she is excluded from society and Leo undergoes social exclusion so, but he fails to cope with loneliness and pulls back from Stargirl. In such a way the author shows that public opinion is more important for some people than human personality. Susan leaves the city being not accepted at school, though with years her influence is felt. The novel shows that people shouldn’t lose their sense of wonder, unique way of self-expression.   People should be more kind towards each other. Summing up, the novel raises the themes of morality, friendship, love and social exclusion caused by â€Å"not similarity†. Moreover, the author underlines such human qualities as kindness, ability to resist public hostility, and to express true personality.

Case Study Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Case Study Analysis - Essay Example es before advertising the position Change GovSource to a more efficient IT solution Restructure the recruitment process empower people to make some decisions without having to make consultations Introduction The following report identifies the following problems in the recruitment process. They include; untimely feedback from the interviewee’s referees, unreliable, Information Technology (IT) solution (GovSource), lengthy bureaucratic process, untimely feedback to interested applicants, limited empowerment of employees, pre-meditated prospective candidates by clients. These all contributes to making the entire recruitment process tremendously lengthy. ... 1.1 Approach The approach used includes the implementation of the recommended measures using a combination of strategies, for example, Six Sigma. The initial phase involves analyzing the current state of the organization in order to identify the problems affecting it. The next step is finding suitable solutions to the identified problems. Categorizing the problems on the basis of the departments affected proves to be the most suitable way of solving them. Different timelines allocated to the implementation of solutions also helps the organization prioritize. A review of the implementation costs is also done, in order, to help with the organization’s budgeting. Therefore, the team’s report integrates these approaches to come up with a single compact one which is easy to comprehend and follow. 1.2 Project overview After outlining the approach to be used, the team came up with a project overview. Their main focus of the entire project relies on the departmentalization of t he identified problems. Those, which seemed feasible, enough to be solved in the least time possible took priority over others. The time estimated for their implementation ranged between 2 to 6 months depending on the solution to be implemented. On the other hand, the long term measures identified by the team required more time. Their implementation required over 1 year for success to occur. They also relied on the availability of funds, for example, the changing of the IT solution to one which presented the organization with more options while offering maximum efficiency. This would, therefore, allow for progress in the improvement of the recruitment process of the organization. 1.3 Methodology The Six sigma

The Environment and Our Difficult Relationship with Fuel Essay

The Environment and Our Difficult Relationship with Fuel - Essay Example It expresses the rationality of Man and the objectivity of his choices. In terms of food, the choices we make can significantly impact our health, whether we choose to eat a low or high calorie diet, whether we prefer to eat hygienic home-cooked food over the junk food we eat in restaurants or whether we prefer to eat fresh food as opposed to frozen food. It is high time that we challenge our unconditional trust for the health claims on the products of food manufacturing companies including genetically modified food and our ignorance of what constitutes healthy food, the perception of which has lately been tarnished. A similar perspective is shared by Micheal Pollen as elucidated in his article â€Å"Unhappy Meals.† The tone of Pollen’s article is full of sarcasm at the evolved concept of healthy food, much to my liking, the author states â€Å"A health claim on a food product is a good indication that it’s not really food, and food is what you want to eat,† (Pollen, 1). ... 40). The very introduction of such health claims on manufactured food was nothing more than a profit maximizing technique employed to increase sales. This has led to a change in the consumption patterns and is â€Å"destroying the traditional food cultures,† (Pollen, p. 65). The fact that after the introduction of the 1977 Dietary Goals in the United States of America, majority of the food manufactured was low fat (since that was recommended by the nutritionists ), one would have expected an overall decrease in the level of obesity of the population in general, but is that what happened? Unfortunately not! This simple fact speaks volumes about the low – fat claims made by the food manufacturing companies. The flaw was also in the proposed nutritional plan. The food manufactured was low on fat but high on carbohydrates which resulted in the increased obesity (Pollen, p. 43). This shows us that the nutritional value of food and the nutritious diets proposed are mere exper iments, the results of which are not guaranteed. This does not mean that I am a proponent of consuming high levels of cholesterol; rather I feel a controlled diet is the healthiest way to leading a healthy life, as opposed to consuming products that claim to be healthy. The dichotomy of the researches surrounding the utility of Omega-3 fats is a live example of the supportive and contradictory empirical evidence to support such health claims (Pollen, p. 38). Similar researches are questioning the validity of the food pyramid we have been studying for years. In his book Gary Taubes seeks to clarify many of the prevalent notions people have about methods of

Christians response towards the issue of Abortion Essay

Christians response towards the issue of Abortion - Essay Example Nevertheless, for one to obtain a Biblical or Christianity view about abortion he or she must rake off the muck that obscures the major questions concerning abortion and pay closer attention towards the Christian’s collective view about abortion (Ren, 2011). This paper will seek to give a solid argument on the Christians’ response towards the abortion issue. At first glance, the views of Christians towards the issue of abortion can seem to be difficult and complicating mainly to those who happen to be relatively unfamiliar with the responsive or relevant scriptures (StÃŒ ²tÃŒ ²iÌ„phan, 2007). This may result from a broad variety of voices, which claim to represent the opinion of the Christians within this controversial issue. As every voice struggle for attention, people continue to ask themselves which voice truly represents Christians view on the issue of abortion (Ren, 2011). Profoundly, I believe that most Christians, on one end, who speak out their voices concerning abortion strongly, oppose this practice. On the other end, there are those who claim that the choice to carry out an abortion should remain a woman’s choice. Both of these groups claim that they both provide the correct approach (Röskamp, 2010). ?skamp, 2010). Contemporary Christians appear divided and even different denominations and churches cannot seem to agree on this matter given that a number of denominations take a strictly different stance on the matter. The largest portion of Christians maintains that when a woman aborts, her action is tantamount to murder. However, there are those denominations which point out that the choice to abort should be in hands of a woman and she can go a head to abort if she so chooses (Ro?skamp, 2010). Pertinently, this heated debate regarding whether to abort or not is getting women more confused. In my view, I find abortion being similar to murder and as such, Christians should take a positive stance and make it clear that no woman should resolve to practice abortion. The Bible says that people should not kill one another. According to Christians’ view, abortion is just murdering an unborn child (St?t?i?phan, 2007). That is the reason you find that Christians strongly oppose the practice of abortion, as is equivalent to killing. For those Christians who believe that life begins at the time of conception, the topic of abortion is not up for discussion mainly because their response towards this practice is always strong in opposition (St?t?i?phan, 2007). Christians’ views towards abortion indicate that terminating a pregnancy is the same as ending a life and since Bible strongly opposes murder, most Christians do not support abortion practices. Nevertheless, there are those Christians from certain denominations who have been involved in a series of activism seeking to either legalize abortion or have the choice to abort remain in the hands of a woman (Ro?skamp, 2010). For instance, The United Church of Christ (UCC) started supporting legalization of abortion practices since the year 1971. Christians from this church in addition to others strongly opposed the President Clinton’s Ban Act of 1996 where they called upon other Christians to support their move. They publicly declared that women have a right to choose whether to abort or not and therefore, abortion should be included in any country’

EBay Competitive Advantage

EBay Competitive Advantage The main purpose of this report is to analyse how eBays strategic capabilities might provide sustainable competitive advantage, also propose and justify a structural type for eBay which would maximise its strategic capabilities. The author will start by introducing eBay according to the case study Making eBay work, critically analyse strategic capabilities, competences and core competences as well as their implications in relationship with eBays organisation structure and how they will enable eBay to sustain competitive advantage so as to maximise its business objectives. Morgan-Thomas and Paton (2007) classified firms like eBay as a cyberspace founded organisation that use the internet to carry out its business transactions, which makes eBay to have the capability of being on the internet to showcase its products and services. Not only did Segal (2005) argued that when eBay enter into an advertisement alliance with other firms like yahoo etc., it will enable eBay to use the competen ces and core competences of those firms to sustain its competitive advantage, but also Johnson et al (2009) emphasise that a firms competences include skills and abilities used to distribute its resources effectively, while core competences involve those activities a firm uses to maintain its competitive advantage which cannot be imitated easily by its competitors because they are internally and externally inter-linked with the organisation and its customers. 2.0. STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES AND eBays COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE According to Johnson et al (2009), a firms strategic capabilities will direct and evaluate its plan and objective over a long period of time, which enables the firm to attain competitive advantage by using alliance resources and competences to satisfy customers needs notwithstanding the economic situation. Aaker (1998) argued that strategic capabilities will establish a carefully devised plan of action used to achieve a goal in a firm over a period of time, thereby offering a suitable solution when handling important issues that relate to the firm. Doyle and Stern (2006) emphasise that strategic capabilities will bring management instructions and advice on how firms can be developed and sustained so as to achieve competitive advantage. Cravens and Percy (2009) argued that strategic capabilities will develop plans that will be used to take care of changes in the market environment and also try as much as possible to provide customers satisfaction. Kotler and Keller (2006) also argued that the strategic capability of a firm will try as much as possible to realize, produce, capture, present and sustain its customer value. Cravens and Piercy (2009) indicated that strategic capabilities of a firm, when analysed will involve the implementation of management plan, which emphasise that strategic planning will involve the scheme for achieving an objective; while strategic implementation will try as much as possible to put the plans into action and strategic management process will organise and also control the affairs of the business enterprise. Peppard and Rylander (2006) argued that the internet will perfect the known business and marketing strategies as can be observed with eBays marketing strategic capabilities which made it possible for buyers and sellers of products to interact and agree on the price of a product without seeing each other, as well as eBays advertising alliance strategy which interconnects eBay with other firms like yahoo etc. will help in sustaining eBays competitive advantage. Johnson et al (2009) argued that this interconnectivity or alliance will make it possible for eBay to use th e core competence of other firms they are in alliance with, which can come in form of technological skills/abilities or strong brand that cannot be imitated and it will help to sustain eBays competitive advantage. Cravens and Piercy (2009) noted that firms like eBay provide a quick and different online marketing communication strategic capabilities implementation which have not only been successful in some cases but also failed in some, and the failure is said to result from over affirmative anticipations as well as wrong implementation of the strategy. Segal (2005) argued that eBays strategic capabilities will base on its ability to maintain good alliance with other firms such as yahoo etc. which will enable eBay to improve its products/services through advertisement offered by the alliance firms and on the other hand attract more customers to eBay, thereby sustaining competitive advantage. Pettey (2008) stressed that eBay with its advantage of product development capabilities being carried out on the internet, cannot be able to stop considering the number of buyers/sellers visiting its website. Sachoff (2008) argued that eBays competitive advantage may come as a result of the high number of information/feedback eBay gather concerning buyers and sellers, which eBay uses in formulating its strategic capabilities so as to sustain competitive advantage in business notwithstanding its competitors. Gomes-Casseres (2003) implied that strategic capabilities of firms like eBay will plan and implement properly a new method of doing business with ease through the internet marketplace, which brings buyers and sellers together so that they can agree on a given price for a specific product displayed by the seller on eBay marketplace. Segal (2005) emphasise that eBays strategic capabilities will allow the buyers/sellers to be the people to develop the goods, advertise it for sale by developing and implementing strategies such as packaging, displaying, publicising the products and also secure it on the web thereby sustaining competitive advantage. Gomes-Casseres (2003) further suggest that firms such as eBay should be rational in decision making and implementation on how to handle its competitors like Amazon before entering into any advertisement alliance with other firms. Bolotaeva and Cata (2010) stressed that eBay will have to be more creative so as to capture more buyers or sellers a nd also make profit. According to Segal (2005), eBay uses its strategic capabilities to build a strong customer relation by trying to know what the buyers/sellers want to buy/sale and creates awareness on how to make effective use of the eBay marketplace by conducting seminars for the buyers and sellers so as to enable them participate more actively on the eBay business. Skull (2008) argued that eBays advertising alliance strategy will offer better public promotion of products for the market operators and also create more benefits for eBay through its proper implementation. Segal (2005) implied that eBay tries to sustain competitive advantage by cooperating with other firms doing business on the internet, such as yahoo etc. to market, advertise or promote their business so as to draw more customers. 2.1. STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES AND eBays ORGANISATION STRUCTURE According to Cravens and Piercy (2009) when a firm like eBay is developing its business organisation strategy, it will try as much as possible to determine how other firms like yahoo will contribute to its business organisation structure and marketing strategy through an alliance in advertising or brand promotion etc., this is said to enhance eBays business opportunities by creating awareness of its business internationally and also provide a strong brand capability for eBay as a core competence. Johnson et al (2009) argued that eBays organisation structure comes in form of a multidivisional structure which consists of divided parts of products, services and locations, and can be adjusted easily, supervised from anywhere by the divisional heads using organisation strategies as relates to their specialised divisions that creates competences and also provide training for the upcoming divisional heads (see appendix iii). Olson (2009) argued that by using reliable techniques and tools, e Bay will bring more customers to its establishment, maintain the customers and also sustain competitive advantage. Aaker (1998) observed that for eBays strategic capabilities to be able to sustain competitive advantage, eBay must be able to influence what is happening in its environment and not just adapting to them. For example, eBay will benefit by making more laws or regulations that will guide its users, by so doing eBay will implement its business strategies which will also ensure it of business success (source: Making eBay work). Although Johnson et al (2009) argued that eBays multidivisional organisation structure will bring about duplication of functions which subdivides its divisions and make them self-reliant. Burke (2006) suggested that eBay can use its advertising alliance strategy with yahoo etc. to attract more customers and also make them listen to each other, view the prices of products available for sale and whom the owners of those products are on eBay, which will enable buyers to be able to contact sellers easily and on the other hand bring competitive advantage to eBay as more people will get to know about eBays business transaction and may want to participate. Segal (2005) also noted that eBay allow the buyers and sellers to be the people that will be controlling the business transactions by observing the eBay business regulations. Kotler and Keller (2006) emphasise that the core competence of firms like eBay will provide competitive advantage through the provision of customer satisfaction, applied in broad kinds of markets using skills that will be difficult to imitate. Brandt (2008) stressed that the competitive advantage of eBay will be sustained due to the fact that eBay helps buyers and sellers worldwide to exchange information concerning products and also allow them to transact the business so as to conclude on the price a product can be sold. Pettey (2008) disagreed with the above explanation and argued that buyers and sellers must see eBay as they see other internet marketing websites, such as Amazon etc. so that the buyers and sellers can examine as well as compare the different websites and the prices their products are offered for sale so as to have a choice on the firm to patronise and this may affect eBay negatively. According to Skul (2008) firms such as eBay is being seen as a cheap method of bringing buyers and sellers together so that they can transact a business instead of spending enormous money in order to create/build a market. Weston (2008) emphasise that eBays strategic capabilities also help them to sustain competitive advantage due to its connectivity with buyers and sellers, because eBays database of prospective buyers and sellers provides an opportunity for buyers to contact sellers concerning their needs Bolotaeva and Cata (2010) observed that if eBay happens to be aggressive in its advertisement/marketing and products promotion, their customers may not want to patronise them anymore and they may start visiting their competitors that are doing the same business just like eBay. In this situation, it is observed that eBay will lose some of their customers to those their competitors, thereby not sustaining competitive advantage. Weston (2008) went further to explain that the increase in eBays awareness campaign will definitely encourage their existing customers as well as new customers to keep patronizing eBay, and this should not stop eBay from checking the activities of their customers which may negatively affect eBay sometime. Pettey (2008) emphasized that eBay should have a strategic capability that will enable it set up its own advertisement networking bearing in mind what their customers want, as well as allowing the customers to make suggestions in form of feedback on the way forward. Weston (2008) argued that eBays strategic capability to create awareness, just as they are doing with the help of yahoo etc. will help in a long way to sustain their competitive advantage over their competitors which will also provide an added value to eBays overall business performance. Skul (2008) indicated that there are laws, rules and regulations that will be meditating against eBays online marketing and advertisement strategy, therefore eBay will have to be more careful in conducting marketing and advertisement research so as to operate in accordance within the framework of the law and also remain actively in business. Pettey (2008) argued that since eBay provides information about buyers and sellers, in the future eBay operators may be tired of sharing their personal information on the internet and that may lead to eBay losing some of their customers. Skul (2008) encouraged eBay to continue using its strategic capability by advertising on other websites like yahoo etc. as this will contribute in no small measure in creating sustainable competitive advantage to eBay and also help in achieving business success for eBay. He further stated that this will as well allow eBay to connect with more customers. Javitch (2008) explained that eBay is a cheap and better option as compared to the traditional market where buyers and sellers are expected to meet one on one before transacting a business. This being a strategic capability implies that as an eBay market operator either in form of a buyer or seller will help in safeguarding a customers name from other parties. Klen (2008) indicated that for eBay to be more successful, it will have to set up its business goals and work on how to achieve these goals by properly implementing its strategic capabilities. According to Bolotaeva and Cata (2010), eBay organisation structure can function in a marketplace where buyers and sellers from different parts of the world meet to buy and sale products. In this kind of market situation, buyers and sellers are said to show their presence, create awareness of their products by showcasing the products on eBay website, and also reduce cost of advertising the products through the help of eBay that is solely doing the advert and allowing their customers to pay little after selling their products. Here eBay is said to use their advertising strategic capability to satisfy their customer so as to sustain competitive advantage not minding the current economic meltdown (source: making eBay work). 2.2. A PROPOSED STRUCTURAL TYPE FOR eBay In proposing and justifying a structural type for eBay to maximise its strategic capabilities, the author will put into consideration Woollaston (2011) value chain and network diagrams as shown on week three lecture handout on strategic management and marketing because it is said to illustrate a value chain as classes of activities in a firm like eBay that creates a commodity/service, and a value network shows the inter-firm connections and relationship that creates a commodity/service (see appendix ii and iii). For example, eBays advertisement interconnection/alliance with yahoo, Google, etc.(source: Making eBay work). Johnson et al (2009) emphasise that value chain will help firms like eBay to improve its products or services through advertisement and sales so as to maintain value, while value network on the other hand will reduce cost of advertisement for eBay by interconnecting eBay with other firms like yahoo etc. and also bring more profit to eBay by attracting more customers a nd using the competences of those firms eBay is interconnected or in alliance with to sustain its competitive advantage. Peppard and Rylander (2006) argued that eBays strategic capabilities can be maximised using the analysis from value chain and network which will help in repositioning eBay at its rightful position on the value chain and network. Woollaston (2011) emphasise that by using the value chain and network, eBay will be able to determine actions that are signicant to its strategic capabilities and the best firms that will enable it generate more profit through alliance or interconnectivity. Peppard and Rylander (2006) noted that value chain and network analysis will push eBay to focus on the value that will be created from the alliance strategy with its partners like yahoo etc. so as to create more value for eBay through advertisement which will provide competitive advantage for eBay. Cravens and Piercy (2006) argued that without value chain and network firms like eBay will find it difficult to connect products and services to its customers through the alliance or interconnectivity that can b e established with other firms like yahoo. Chaffey et al (2003) emphasised that a structural type of strategy for eBay like value chain and network will involve the assessment of what customers always want to buy and where the customers attention can be drawn from. Woollaston (2011) implied that this can be achieved by sub-dividing the customers into different segments/groups so as to make it easy for firms like eBay to reach the customers by maximising its strategic capabilities in form of going into advertisement alliance with firms that can reach such segments/groups of customers. For example, eBays alliance with yahoo etc. (Source: making eBay work). Mowery et al (2002) proposed that eBays strategic alliance in form of advertisement with firms like yahoo etc. will in no small measure help eBay to utilize yahoo etc. strategic technological capabilities. This will therefore, sustain eBays competitive advantage and also maximise its strategic capabilities. Chaffey et al (2003) further implied that eBays strategic capability of going into advertisement alliance with yahoo etc. will try as much as possible to strategically reposition/redirect eBay by carrying out the advertisement process in different and attractive ways so as to hit the target audience and also attract more customers for eBay. Cravens and Piercy (2009) also contend that value chain and value network will provide eBay with an unequalled and obliging means of carrying out business transaction between buyers and sellers, and as well provide eBay with a strategic capability that will make it possible for eBay to communicate with buyers and sellers on a one on one basis. De Man and Zee (2002) emphasise that eBay going into partnership with other e-business firms will help eBay to reduce search cost. This will therefore reduce eBay customers expenditure as buyers and sellers will easily locate eBay through the advertising partners such as yahoo etc. By so doing, eBays strategic capabilities of going into business alliance with other firms so as to advertise and market eBay to the general public will be achieved. Cravens and Piercy (2009) argued that although eBays unequalled characteristics contributes in providing high customer value through direct selling which provides eBay with the opportunity of exclusive c ontact with particular customer group and adapting to its business timing as well as capacity to deliver, it also have some limitations in relation to how effective customers will view the eBay business enterprise. Lu and Choy (2004) affirmed that those strategic alliances which are externally oriented business approach will emphasise on improving eBays business performance through the linkages in their supply network. They further explained that this strategic alliance will bring about a future plan which will help eBay and the firms they are in alliance with to maximise eBays strategic capabilities through advertisement, as can be seen in the case example making eBay work where eBay is in advertisement alliance with Google, yahoo, etc. This is said to enable eBay to create more awareness about its products and services, attract more customers to its firm and also maximise more profit and on the long run maximising its strategic capabilities. Bamford et al (2003) stated that it is common these days to see firms like eBay establishing strategic alliance with other firms like yahoo etc. this being because more competitive advantage have resulted and sustained from business cooperation in form of alliance. Bamford et al (2003) further implied that as the world of e-business changes, firms like eBay cannot rely solely on its internal source or quality of advertisement to sustain competitive advantage in the e-business marketplace. Therefore, the author observed that for eBay to maximise its strategic capabilities better, it needs to strengthen its alliance/interconnection with more firms on the internet as they are doing with yahoo etc. so as to share responsibilities and also share maximised revenue together. Mintzberg et al (1995) explained that for eBay to maximise its strategic capabilities, eBay managers must make close examination of their competitive advantage which calls for the evaluation of its organisation as well as the environment in which they operates so as to maximise its strategic capabilities by comparing the firms strength and weaknesses as it relates to their competitors. Segil (2004) argued that the initial firms like yahoo etc. which eBay have been in business alliance with are not or may not be the best firms to advertise for eBay. Mintzberg et al (1995) also contend that a firms organisational process cannot be separated from the structure, culture and behaviour of such a firms organisation in different ways. They implied that eBays strategic capabilities which come in form of alliance with other firms calls for a great responsibility for both eBay and the firms they are in alliance with to implement and execute the strategy so as to maximise eBays strategic capabil ities. De Man and Zee (2002) argued that eBays reputation will have to be considered when eBay want to go into alliance in order to maximise their strategic capabilities, which may come in form of reliance or trust and belief or confidence the firms have for each other, that are always established within a long period of time between the firms that are involved in the alliance. For example, eBay and yahoo happens to have trust and confidence on each other and that is the reason why their advertisement alliance is yielding positive results as observed from the case example, making eBay work (Segal, 2005). Ono et al (2001) explained that for eBay to maximise its strategic capabilities and as well sustain competitive advantage, going into a balance alliance with firms such as yahoo and many more popular and also good e-business marketing firms will provide competitive advantage to eBay. Ono et al (2001) also argued that multi or balanced-alliance strategy will help eBay to spread the news abou t its products and services so that more people will get to know about eBay as well as try to patronize them. In this situation where there is more than one advertisement alliance, if a particular firm is not performing very well as eBay expected, it will not stop eBay from maximising profit because other alliance partners are performing very well (Segal, 2005). Ono at el (2005) implies that when eBay uses a balanced alliance strategy by going into many alliances so as to advertise for its firm, eBay will stand a chance of expanding its customer base because more people will know about eBays services and come to patronize them. This will on the other hand create more market opportunities for eBay, increase eBays competitive advantage and also sustain those advantages (Ono at el, 2005). While Andam (2003) argued that it will be necessary to bear in mind that eBay should be able to secure/protect its business transaction server/website so that its business transactions can be processed efficiently. Also eBay will have to employ people that are able to function and use its tangible and intangible resources and assets without a waste to manage and maintain the eBay system so as to maximise eBays strategic capabilities. Andam (2003) argued that eBay must have the capacity as well as the strategic capabilities to handle online payments of any type, ability to carry out delivery of goods purchased by customers to their various locations, eBay should also be able to maintain its position as a trusted third party so as to ensure that transactions are secured and eBays integrity is maintained. These abilities are said to definitely compliment strategic alliance capabilities between firms like eBay and yahoo etc. and on the other hand, eBay will be able to maximise its strategic capabilities (Woollaston, 2011). Chaffey et al (2003) argued that eBays strategic capabilities in form of alliance with other firms like yahoo, Google etc. will help eBay to achieve its business objective through advertisement, sales and marketing etc. and also sustain eBays competitive advantage. It is proposed by Andam (2003) that eBays advertisement strategic alliance with other firms like yahoo would maximise its strategic cap abilities by making eBay to serve as an avenue through which people from different parts of the world can get connected and transact business. This will involve sellers showcasing their products and selling them to prospective buyers who on the other hand will have the opportunity to access information concerning the products which will lead to purchasing of such products in most cases. Andam (2003) suggested that as eBay uses its alliance strategy, it should also take into consideration, a strategic system of buying which will make it possible for customers of eBay to choose the type of goods or products that will match their description/specification. For example, in a situation where a customer wants a product customised, eBay should be able to arrange for sellers or manufacturers that can do that for the customer within a short period of time (Woollaston, 2011). Smith and Chaffey (2002) on the other hand, observed that alliance strategy will help to increase eBays sales through advertisement, because it will take eBay closer to more people and then generate more customers. This will help in maximising eBays strategic capabilities in the sense that people using yahoo, Google etc. will tend to see eBays advert on their toolbar and want to visit eBay and most times end up buying products/goods from eBay. 3.0. CONCLUSION For eBay to record more success in its business, eBay will need a clearly defined and carefully detailed plan of action or strategic capabilities. By so doing, eBay CEO and President Meg Whitman, as mentioned in the case example making eBay work, coupled with eBay managers will have to be involved more in planning on how to create better and more strategic alliance in advertising eBay just as they have established with yahoo, Google, Skype etc. This strategic alliance will in no small measure increase and sustain eBays competitive advantage through advertisement and also maximise profit for eBay since it will attract more customers for them (Segal, 2005). Morgan-Thomas and Paton (2007) emphasise that strategic alliance between firms or organisations such as the one being practiced by eBay in partnership with yahoo, Google etc. can help to develop a firms marketing strategy internationally. This is said to be achieved through improved advertisement on sales and marketing of the firms products as well as their services. Buttle (2009) identified that the alliance strategy being used by eBay will bring about the involvement of eBay customers in developing the firms products and services, thereby help in meeting customers needs and expectations. Mejtoft (2010) argued that for eBay to sustain its competitive advantage and also maximise its strategic capabilities, eBay will have to maintain a strategic alliance in form of a vertical integration with other firms. This will enable eBay to increase or improve on its customer relation since good customer relation is important to move eBays business forward and also guarantee maximised strategic capabilities. Buttle (2009) also argued that good customer relation can create positive impact on eBays competitive advantage which will result from the use of strategic alliance. With the above conclusion being drawn, it can be summarised by the author that eBays strategic alliance with yahoo etc. should be extended to other good firms in the industry so as to guarantee sustainable competitive advantage for eBay which will enable eBay to maximise its strategic capabilities.

Bladerunner: Humanity Of Deckard & Roy Batty Essays -- essays research

Roy Batty and Deckard are both able to show us what it means to be human. To what extent do you agree? Through Blade Runner, we see an epic quest filled with meaning and symbolism applicable to the human condition. Replicants are basically human beings, except for the fact that they lack a history. As a consequence of this, perhaps, they also lack proper emotional faculties especially empathy. Empathy is the ability to place oneself in the position of another living being and understand that person’s feelings. Blade runner promotes that empathy is the defining characteristics for humanity. The replicants, designed not to show any emotion, develop spiritually and emotionally throughout the film. The characters in the movie, even the ones that were not human, had many humanistic and believable qualities. Many of them were able to feel love as well as hate. Although Deckard is supposedly human he at times shows less emotion than Roy. He seems heartless and uncompassionate making himself look very unhuman. We see that Deckard is possibly not "human" as well, but a replicant. He shows no compassion when he tells Rachel of her being a replicant with implants. In tears, Rachel sneaks out of Deckard’s apartment and into the streets. The only time in which Deckard really shows emotion is accomplished when Roy, forging Deckard through the fires of a harrowing battle, looks terrified knowing that he is going to die. Through this, Roy tries to communicate his life experi...

A Cultural Event I Ever Witnessed Essay

Kenyatta University is known beyond African continent for its annual culture week, an event during which activities that reflect diverse African culture are performed. The much awaited cultural week is characterized by songs, drama, poems, drama among other topical activities. I was privileged to attend the cultural week organized during the month of September, 2007 and held both at the universities cultural village and the finals held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Kenya. The most interesting was a traditional song presented in one of the native languages reflecting the manner with which the interest of others present and could not understand the local languages were catered for. Most of the songs were presented by groups composed of members from different communities, a clear indication of the cooperation and sharing within the communities at that time. A great artistic skill was depicted in the manner in which the singing group combined the different sounds to produce an enjoyable song, with coming in at different times and parts. It was accompanied by both traditional and modern instruments, stringed, drums, the piano and projected by the loud speakers for many to be able to hear. The performing group wrapped a lesso on their bodies. However, most of the traditional costumes were missing, enough to predict that the communities were moving away from the traditional dressing codes. The song was introduced by two of the performers, who played different parts in turn, the dance was in pairs and the group also left the stage in pairs. Through out the song though at different points, tonal variation was employed and this caught interest of the audience. All these reflected a great style. The lead singer who happened to be a lady demonstrated a great ability in tonal variation and dancing more than others in the team. Others could be heard whispering that â€Å"she is genius†, and actually she was and in all her performances, none matched her. It was a fact that the song described above had a lot in common with other forms of cultural expression at that time. Other forms as well included more than one performer, and involved the use of sound to communicate. Many forms of expression adhere to a specific style during performance and involve some degree of individual inherent exceptional ability, even though training also efficiently enhance success of such forms. They are performed during a cultural event and need audience. However, in contrast, most of the forms of cultural expression at that time were in a common language (that is English language) and did not involve cultural accompamyments neither was dance a common characteristic even though some element of demonstration were evidenced. REFERENCES Cook, N (1990) music imagination and culture. New York: Oxford University Press. Bratton, J. S (Ed. ) (1986) music Hall: Performance and Style. Philadelphia: Open University Press. Sloboda, J. A (1985) The Musical Mind: The cognitive Psychology of Music. New York: Clarendom Press.

Erik Satie Essays

Erik Satie Essays Erik Satie Essay Erik Satie Essay Before I became a leading figure of the French avant-garde, though, I was a simple boy that studied the beautiful piano. After I was born on May 17th, 1866, my family constantly moved around from Honfleur, a city located in Lower Normandy, to Paris, where I was primarily raised. At this time, the Wagnerian music model had already reached its zenith in Europe, but this meant nothing to me. After my mother unfortunately died when I was at the young age of six, I went to live with my grandparents back in my hometown. There, I began my first music lessons from Vinot, a local organist. Vinot was quite a kind fellow, and he introduced me to Gregorian plainsongs, which are monophonic religious chants from the Middle Ages. From dear Vinot’s teachings, I became very interested in medieval music, and I even incorporated some of these concepts to my later compositions. However, that was quite far away, for I was first forced to enter the Paris Conservatoire. In 1878, my father had remarried to Eugenie Barnetsche, a â€Å"musically gifted individual. † Of course, she was just another conservative musician that conformed to Wagnerism and other such musical forms. Because of her, my father sent me to the rigorous and old-fashioned Paris Conservatoire in 1879. I studied under the Mathias, Descombes, and Lavignac while I was there, but they weren’t exactly encouraging instructors. In fact, they were the ones who claimed that I was the â€Å"laziest student in the Conservatoire. † I even composed two songs there; one was called Valse-Ballet while the other was titled Fantaisie-Valse. However, all of those conservative professors called these compositions insignificant, laborious, and worthless. As a result, I was eventually expelled from the Paris Conservatoire in 1882, so I didn’t really receive a complete education. I didn’t mind, though, for that school was not to my liking anyway. After an unsuccessful entry into the French infantry- I had fallen ill with bronchitis- in 1886, I started my career of composition. In fact, just two years after I was discharged, I composed some of my most famous pieces, the Trois Gymnopedies. These pieces are a clear example of Vinot’s influence on my life, for the harmonies have a bit of Medieval music mixed in them. Around the same time, I composed Ogives (1886), Trois Sarabandes (1887), and Six Gnossiennes (1893), all of which began my career as a composer. My first three pieces leaned towards a more conservative style, although they did vary to some extent. For example, Ogives was based more upon gothic art, while Trois Sarabandes incorporated a solemn dance character. However, with Six Gnossiennes, I ultimately eliminated bar lines and time signatures from my work- until 1917, that is. In addition, I began to scribble in specific directions for the performer in my scores. For example, I liked to write things like â€Å"wonder about yourself† or â€Å"open your mind† to make whoever was performing to give the music some attitude! I mean, what is music without character and expression? During all of that time, I lived in a small apartment in Montmartre, mostly because I was so poor. But what do you expect from a musician like me? Other than composing various pieces, I also worked as a cafe pianist to get a regular income at Auberge du Clou, which is where I met Claude Debussy. He’s definitely a fine fellow, except for the fact that he claims that he is the father of modern music. Of course, we still became good friends, and we advised each other later on in our careers. In the following years, I began to come involved in religion. After meeting Josephin Peladan, the leader of the Rosicrucian (Rose et Croix) Order, I became the unofficial composer for the society, using my knowledge of medieval music and Gothic art to create a variety of religious pieces in the 1890s, such as Prelude pour la porte heroique du ciel and Messe des Pauvres. However, the Rosicrucians weren’t exactly the most interesting people. Thus, I created my own church and composed my own music, shunning the society around me and inspiring individuality. (I wonder why no one else joined it! That’s one thing I never comprehended. ) Although I became quite a familiar figure in the streets of Montmartre- especially because of my supposedly eccentric habits- I later moved to Arcueil, which is located in the Ile-de-France region of France, and became a cabaret pianist. From then on, I produced a few cafe songs and music hall pieces like Je te veux and Le Piccadilly. However, this period of my life was quite short-lived, for I then went on to complete my musical education. I simply could not deal with the constant criticism I was receiving, and I needed money to survive too! As a result, I enrolled in the Schola Cantorum de Paris at the age of 40. Even though I was surrounded by lads half my age, I still graduated with distinction. In contrast to what my teachers said at the Paris Conservatoire, the words â€Å"tres bien† were written on my diploma. After graduating from the conservative academy, I think my music became a little more rigorous and academic. However, being the eccentric man I was, I disliked conforming to regular behavior. As a result, from 1909 to 1914, all of my pieces were named beautifully and a lot differently from other mundane titles. For example, in 1912 I composed the piece Trois morceaux en forme de Poire (which literally means Three Pear-Shaped Pieces), and in 1913 I composed Embryons Desseches, which translates into Dried-Up Embryos. I also continued to write various instructions to the performer in my scores. Phrases like â€Å"to be jealous of one’s playmate who has a big head† and â€Å"the war song of the King of Beans† appeared throughout my music during that time, and I definitely take great pride in them. How else can one create successful and expressive music? Soon after, World War I was right around the corner, and my glorious days began to overwhelm me! Prior to WWI, various of my pieces began to be performed at various concerts. For example, French composer Maurice Ravel performed my Trois Sarabandes at the Societe Musicale Independante’s concert in 1911. Many of my works were finally published in the 1910’s as well, giving me a modest income. Then, with Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso, I composed Parade, a ballet that had a realistic setting and described anti-war sentiments. This was a huge breakthrough in my career, particularly because I was arrested afterwards after I sent an â€Å"impudent† postcard to one critic. I thought that it was simply outrageous, but I only had to endure the horrible conditions for eight days. After I was released, a new generation of composers and musicians began to gather around me! In fact, the Les Six proclaimed that I was their patron saint. After the composition of Parade, I didn’t really devote as much time to music as I did before. Recognition was surrounding me and cornering me from all sides, so what could I do? I composed a few Nocturnes as well as Socrate, one of my more celebrated pieces at the time. Finally, my career came to a close. Looking back at everything that has happened after I was expelled from the Paris Conservatoire, I think that my greatest accomplishment was undoubtedly the composition of Six Gnossiennes. Even though this piece was composed just years after I left the Paris Conservatoire, it set my career as an avant-garde into motion. Of course, Parade was the piece that gained me some recognition, and Trois Gymnopedies are my most famous pieces. However, Six Gnossiennes is the first successful piece of music. It doesn’t abide by anything that Wagnerism instructs, and it is so unique! In addition, that fellow Debussy can’t claim that he was the father of modern music with this piece, for I was able to sway him away from conforming to traditional using this piece as an example! Although I faced poverty all the way until World War I and other challenges (like getting arrested), my career as a phonometrician was sprinkled with successes from 1886 to 1920. Throughout this time period, I successfully challenged Romanticism and Wagnerism, bringing forth a new convention for music that still applies in the 21th century, even after my physical disappearance from this world. Looking at the world today, I have definitely served as an inspiration to many kinds of music. Bits and pieces of my brilliance seem to be everywhere! For example, my furniture music is still evident everywhere today! From the moment I spiritually wander into a store or a deli, I unconsciously hear some obscure background music. Being a forerunner to minimalism, I had experimented with this music, which is not supposed to be heard consciously, in my lifetime and it still survives to this day. Minimalism isn’t the only type of music I inspired, though. French Impressionism was a result of my teachings to Claude Debussy. After I forced Debussy into swaying away from conformity, I supported him as he continued down his route of impressionism- that is, until his music became conventional and mainstream. How can I support him when his music becomes like Wagnerism at the time of my birth? American Jazz and ragtime are also results of my eccentric music, for various elements of these types of music are in some of my compositions! My compositions also gave birth to some important musical trends, such as bitonality, polytonality, and non-triadic harmony. Brennan, Carol. Erik Satie Biography. 2010. 5 November 2010 . Classical Archives LLC. Composer: Erik Satie. 2008. 5 November 2010 . Furstner, Michael. Erik Satie. 2008. 5 November 2010 . Goldsmith, Kenneth. Flabby Preludes for a Dog: An Erik Satie Primer. 1997. 5 November 2010 . Minnesota Public Radio. Springtime in Paris: Erik Satie. 2005. 5 November 2010 . Solomon, Larry J. Satie, The First Modern. 2003. 5 November 2010 .

Niger River essays

Niger River essays The Niger River is located in West Africa. It is 2,590 miles long, the third largest river in Africa. The mouth of the river starts in the Gulf of Guinea. This river goes though six countries Guinea, Nigeria, Mali, Jebba, Ontisha, and Niger. It also hits eight major cities in this rivers path. These cities are as named Niana, Timbuktu, Gao, Bonny, Nembe, Onitsha, Malnville, and Niamey. The city Tembakounda is the origin of the Niger. Tembakounda lies in the tropical highlands of Guinea, 200 miles away from the Atlantic Ocean. The Niger River flows northeastward through grasslands into Mali, then to Sahel a brown desert-like area. The Niger then does almost a ninety degree turn southeast, entering the Republic of Niger, for a while acting as the boundary between that republic and Dahomey. The river enters the jungle again in Nigeria, reaching the Atlantic through numbers of swamps and estuaries. There is lots agriculture on the Niger River. Some of the things grown are sorghum, yams, cassava, tobacco, peanuts, millet fields, breeding grounds for fish, cocoa, groundnuts, bananas, oil palm products, maize, and rice patties. Fishing boats, Kayaks, Paddle wheelers, Cargo ships and boats, Dugout canoes and reed rafts are the way of transportation on the river. There is only one two-lane highway on the river and there are no railroads. Drinking water from the Niger River, which is supplied from wells that tap into underground water tables, is not really healthy. There is a waterborne disease that usually causes parasites. Housing near the river are usually mud huts with straw roofs. The clothing is usually brightly colored fabrics, cotton shirts and pants, skullcap and fez hats. Foods eaten in this area are normally rice, boiled chicken, stew, millet porridge, fish, and peanuts During the flooding seasons the Niger River widens up to sixty miles. The flood changes the dry dusty land in to fertile green plains. Lakes and streams cov...

Historical review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Historical review - Essay Example His father would not leave his son alone either and chose to remain with him. The design was poor as it seems the gas chambers had been converted from something else probably a morgue as there were no doors, windows or even any other form of ventilation. There were no any signs of the place being coated to prevent gas from leaking. They lacked exhaust systems to let out the gas after being used and also lacked heaters or heating systems as well and hence the place was damp. The free-standing chimneys were not real chimneys to produce smoke from the gas chambers or crematorium. They were just there for show and hence the reason they were called â€Å"fake chimneys.† This was true because the smoke channel that produced the smoke was across the room and not where the chimney was located, hence conclusion that the chimneys were just for symbolic purposes. The interview seems to be discrediting all that is there in history books and even movies and documentaries about the holocaust and Auschwitz in particular. The issue about the gas chamber for example leaves the listeners and viewers more in doubt and confused than even before. The same is true about the liberation by the Soviet troops. However, to those not familiar with the holocaust history, then the interview sheds light on the subject and provides an account of the occurrences from another dimension which is educational and informative. It also provides the basics of the holocaust leaving the individual want to find out more about this topic than the interview provides. The article where David Cole was interviewing Dr. Franciszek Piper the director of the Auschwitz museum has some surprising information about the gas chambers that was not previously in the history books. The same is however not reflected in the other article on a first hand basis leaving some information. What seems to be true in this case is the interview with the Dr. because as

Hypothetical Qualitative Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Hypothetical Qualitative Study - Essay Example The main consideration is the establishment of corporate social responsibility and consumer spending patterns. In gaining this information it is first necessary, however, to determine the individuals perspectives on the level of corporate responsibility implemented by a series of organizations. In this way Apple, Starbucks, and Nike can be used. The individual will then be questioned directly on whether the lack of corporate social responsibility implemented by these organizations has impact their decision to purchase products. Another frame of questioning will use a hypothetical company, with hypothetical activities, to gain insights on purchasing patterns. A final frame of questioning will target the reasons why customer prefer one brand over another when quality and price are highly similar. The qualitative design approach has been prominently implemented in a variety of contexts. Its noted that market research constitutes one major area of application (Denzin et al. 2005, p. 34). As the information sought in this study resists empirical quantification, the qualitative mode is recognized as the most appropriate. Within this overarching framework the phenomenological approach will be implemented as this approach examines the internal thoughts and feelings of the respondents (Creswell 2003, p. 72). Finally, the research will implement semi-structured interviews as these allow for probing the interview subjects thoughts and feelings for in-depth perspectives on the linkage between purchasing patterns and a corporations ethical practices (Holliday 2007, p.