Ancient China Summary Essay

Ancient China Essay By: Zach Ellwood Summary There were four great dynasties in Ancient China; the Han, Shang, Qin, and Zhou. Some of the Shang accomplishments were set up an empire, and started the â€Å"Mandate of Heaven. †The Zhou Dynasty set up a Feudal System and started the Great Wall. The Qin Dynasty extended the Great Wall and standardized coins, weights and measures. The Han Dynasty accomplished more things than the other dynasties, they invented paper, the seismograph, set up the Silk Road, started exams for civil service and finished the Great Wall.Thesis Statement; Although the other dynasties were great, the Han Dynasty was the greatest. Support Paragraph Although the other dynasties were great, the Han Dynasty was the greatest. The Han Dynasty was the greatest because they accomplished more things than the other dynasties, they invented paper, the seismograph, set up the Silk Road, started exams for civil service and finished the Great Wall. The Qin and Zhou Dyna sties failed to complete the Great Wall.The Han Dynasty’s philosophy was a mixture of Confucianism and Legalism making ruler Wu Di and Gau Zu really respected and powerful leaders. Ruler Qin Shi-Huang Di only used Legalism so he was more powerful than respected and Confucias only used Confucianism so he was more respected than powerful. The Han Dynasty also improved Chinese writing. The Shang Dynasty made a simpler not as good writing system called pictographs. Conclusion Paragraph There were four great dynasties in Ancient China; the Han, Shang, Qin, and Zhou.Some of the Shang accomplishments were set up an empire, and started the â€Å"Mandate of Heaven. †The Zhou Dynasty set up a Feudal System and started the Great Wall. The Qin Dynasty extended the Great Wall and standardized coins, weights and measures. The Han Dynasty accomplished more things than the other dynasties, they invented paper, the seismograph, set up the Silk Road, started exams for civil service and finished the Great Wall. That is why the Han Dynasty is the greatest.

The Broadway Café

The products offered by Broadway Cafe: coffees, teas, bread, sandwiches, soups and salads are all homemade. This means that customers will get a feel of being comfy and at home with the products offered by the Cafe. Moreover, the Cafe also does not have that feel of being too commercialized, compared with major coffee shop brands that have sprung in recent years. With the specialized products of Broadway Cafe, its patrons feel special that they are part of a unique Cafe experience. Broadway Cafe is part of the history of the city.The Cafe started operating in 1952. It is amazing that it continues to operate to this day. Although, in some aspects, it has not caught up with technological and operational innovations, it is already a part of the city’s history and part of the local flavor that make the city unique. Because of this, city residents who have developed a fondness for the Cafe will not want to see it close down. Grandfather knew every customer of the cafe. This is part of the unique experience of going to the Cafe.In Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast, he described his experiences of going to various cafes in Paris. With grandfather knowing every customer of the cafe, they developed friendships and the customers became even more loyal to the Broadway Cafe. Small operations. The Broadway Cafe has small operations. As such, it can easily implement changes without disrupting any major operations. The operational expense of the Cafe is not very large. Therefore, the profits of the Cafe could be easily reinvested into the business. 2. Weaknesses of the Cafe. Only grandfather knows the recipes.This is a weakness because when grandfather dies, then no one else will be able to retrieve the recipes and write them down. There should be at least one other person who knows the recipes and write them down so it would be easy to pass them on. Customer information and data are not stored anywhere else. Knowing every customer of the Cafe is great! Howeve r, only grandfather knows them all. It would also be better for these information to be written down so that I will get to know the existing customers and develop friendship with them, too. Orders are taken manually.Taking orders manually is time-consuming. Some customers may be in a hurry and this process will certainly slow them down. Investing in a good P. O. S. system will help the Cafe take and serve orders more quickly. Inventory tracking is outdated and prone to mistakes. Without an effective inventory tracking system, mistakes will be committed and costs may even go up more than necessary. 3. Threats to the Cafe. Entry of new Cafe in the city. The growth of Starbucks in the past decade has been remarkable. It has penetrated virtually every major city in the world.The entry of Starbucks and other commercial cafe in our city will be a threat to the Broadway Cafe. As such, the Cafe will have to capitalize on its strengths and upgrade its operations so it can compete with the co mmercial cafes. The economic downturn. With the present economic downturn being faced by the United States, the spending power of customers is diminished. As such, they may choose to forego going to the Cafe because of economic reasons. 4. Recommendations for upgrading and bringing the Cafe into the 21st century. Capitalize on the strengths of Broadway Cafe.Essentially, the way that grandfather treated every customer will be recreated. I, as the manager, and the employees of the Cafe will be trained to know every customer and establish friendship with them. Document (on video and on paper) the recipes of the Cafe. This is a sure way of preserving the knowledge of grandfather through the generations to come. If his recipes are committed to paper, the Cafe will be able to include two or more chefs who can help in preparing the orders of customers. Purchase a computerized Point-of-Sale system plus inventory tracking software.By automating the processes of taking order and of tracking i nventory, the Cafe will become more efficient and customers do not have to wait in long lines to be served. The twenty first century has become very busy for working professionals. They would appreciate if orders were taken and served more quickly than before. Craft and implement a marketing plan for the Cafe. Word-of-mouth will remain as the major marketing strategy of the company. However, with the advent of the 21st century, a marketing plan needs to be crafted and implemented, including the creation of a website and the sponsorship of events in the Cafe premises.

Management of Marketing Channels Assignment

Management Development Institute of Singapore in Tashkent Faculty of Business Marketing Management of Marketing Channels Assignment Name: Gafurov Nodirbek Batch#: B0900377 Table of Contents Executive Summary3 Introduction4 The Role of Supply Chain Management5 Flextronics Logistics Management7 Reverse Logistics9 Flextronics in Channel Management10 References:12 Executive Summary This assignment demonstrates the most key business areas of the given, Flextronics International Ltd.It analyzes the core businesses of the company as logistics and supply chain that is subjective for the development and business achievement of the company. All findings of the company examples are gained during whole study from a range of reliable sources; such as websites, textbooks, audio materials, and other consistent newspapers. Introduction The core purpose of this statement is to draw and to discuss the role of supply chain management is playing today and how the company has capitalized it and use of Fl extronics’s technology to place its self in logistics management.Also it includes a justification of Flextronics use of reverse logistics and its relation to marketing channel and last of all personal view of Flextronics’s role in Channel Management. The report will be organized as follows: Section 1: The role of Supply Chain Management Section 2: Flextronics’ Logistic Management Section 3: Reverse Logistics Section 4: Flextronics in Channel Management The Role of Supply Chain Management Business today is in a large-scale environment.This environment forces corporations, regardless of position or key market base, to judge the rest of the world in their competitive tactic analysis. Organization cannot separate them from or skip outside factors such as economic trends, competitive situations or technology innovation in other countries, if some of their competitors are rivals or are located in those countries. Companies are going truly worldwide with Supply-chain M anagement (SCM). A company can build up a product in the United States, produce in India and sell in Europe.Companies have changed the ways in which they handle their actions and logistics activities. Changes in trade, the increase and innovation of transport infrastructures and the increase of competition have elevated the importance of flow management to levels. Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization (LPG) of the economies and organizations has fuelled the competitiveness among company. A number of issues have lead to the growing globalization of the world economy and as a result the competitive environment faced by the company has changed radically since the last decade.The drivers of globalization include: decreasing tariffs, improved transportation, communications and information technology, global manufacturing of products and availability of services across markets. These changes have enabled the global competitors to make the products and services available to custo mers worldwide, and the results have been a proliferation of choices for consumers and a need for the companies to offer greater products and service quality at lower costs in order to remain competitive.Changes in technology and globalization of products and services have also resulted in increasingly dynamic markets and greater uncertainty in customer demand. SCM tools and techniques are mechanisms that can allow the companies to respond to these environmental changes. Hence the reason as to why supply chain management has become popular during the past decade is the phenomenon of globalization. Increased competition has made business look for core competencies for enhanced performance.If a particular organization in some country has the core competence for a certain product/component/service, it will get the business for that product/service. This is called global outsourcing. A supply chain is defined as a set of three or more companies directly linked by one or more of the upst ream and downstream flows of the products, services, finances and information from a source to a customer. It consists of all the stages involved, directly or indirectly, in fulfilling a customer’s demand. It not only includes the manufacturer and suppliers, but also transporters, warehouses, retailers and customers themselves.Within an organization, the supply chain includes all the functions involved in fulfilling a customer demand. These functions include, but are not limited to, new product development, marketing, operations, distribution, and finance and customer service. Flextronics International Ltd. (Flextronics), incorporated in May 1990, is a international supplier of straightly integrated complex design and electronics manufacturing services (EMS) to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The corporation designs, builds, ships and services for electronics products for its consumers throughout a network of services in 30 countries among four continents.Its set of clients consist of Alcatel-Lucent, Applied Materials, Cisco Systems, Dell, Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard, Huawei, Johnson and Johnson, Lenovo, Microsoft, Research in Motion and Xerox. The services the Company presents across all the marketplaces it serves consist of design and engineering services, original design manufacturing (ODM) services; components design and manufacturing, systems assembly and manufacturing, printed circuit board and flexible circuit fabrication, logistics and after sales services. In April 2012, it obtained Stellar Microelectronics. In June 2012, Tessera Technologies, Inc. s wholly owned subsidiary, Digital Optics Corporation (DOC), purchased certain assets of Vista Point Technologies from the Company. As of March 31, 2011, the Company’s whole manufacturing capability was about 25. 1 million square feet. Flextronics works directly with leading manufacturing and distribution companies and facilitates them address their business challenges. From our practic e working with key corporations in consumer products, high tech and industrial manufacturing, there are six key trends leading to significant impact and change to supply chain design and performance: Trend 1 – Demand planningTrend 2 – Globalization Trend 3 – Increased competition and price pressures Trend 4 – Outsourcing Trend 5 – Shortened and more complex product life cycles Trend 6 – Closer integration and collaboration with suppliers Moreover, our company must face corporate challenges that impact Supply Chain Management such as reengineering globalization and outsourcing. Why is it so important for the company to get products to their customers quickly? Faster product availability is a key to increasing sales, says R. Michael Donovan of Natick (Mass. 2002), a management consultant specializing in manufacturing and information systems. There's a substantial profit advantage for the extra time that you are in the market and your competito r is not,† he says. â€Å"If you can be there first, you are likely to get more orders and more market share. † The ability to deliver a product faster also can make or break a sale. â€Å"If two products appear to be equal and one is immediately available and the other will be available in a week, which would you choose? † Clearly, â€Å"Supply Chain Management has an important role to play in moving goods more quickly to their destination. † Flextronics Logistics ManagementInitially, the supply chain management was referred to the functions of logistics, transportation, purchasing and supplies. Though, the growth of the supply chain management has moved to focus on integration, visibility, cycle time reduction and streamlined channels. The new integration has a variety of activities that include: * Integrated Purchasing Strategy * Supplier Integration * Supply Base Management * Supply Chain Management Logistics activities continue living since the early 1900s. These tricks were first associated with the military as a branch of war that pertains to the movement and the supply for armies.Military forces all the time used to make use of logistics models to make sure the availability of the compulsory material at the right place and on right time. Logistics is being used by the military even today. After 1950, supply chain management got a boost with the production and manufacturing sector getting highest attention. The inventory became the responsibility of the marketing, accounting and production areas. Order processing was part of accounting and sales. Supply chain management became one of the most powerful engines of business transformation. It is the one area where operational efficiency can be gained.It reduces organizations costs and enhances customer service. The evolution led to an Internet-based application for Supply Chain Management. Within a firm’s supply chain management, logistics is the work required to move and geographically position inventory. As such, logistics is a subset of and occurs within the broader framework of a supply chain. Logistics is the process that creates value by timing and positioning inventory. Logistics is the combination of a firm’s order management, inventory, transportation, warehousing, materials handling, and packaging as integrated throughout a facility network.Integrated logistics serves to link and synchronize the overall supply chain as a continuous process and is essential for effective supply chain connectivity. While the purpose of logistical work has remained essentially the same over the decades, the way the work is performed continues to radically change. Flextronics Global Services is a supplier of aftermarket supply chain logistics services. Its set of services serve clients operating in the computing, customer digital, infrastructure, industrial, mobile and medical markets.It provides multiple logistics solutions, including supplier managed i nventory, inbound goods management, product postponement, build/configure to order, order performance and distribution, and supply chain network design. Too many of such companies will find themselves victims of the powerful new transactional systems they put in place. Unfortunately, many leading-edge information systems can capture reams of data but cannot easily translate it into actionable intelligence that can enhance real-world operations.As one logistics manager with a brand-new system said: â€Å"I've got three feet of reports with every detail imaginable, but it doesn't tell me how to run my business† This manager built an information technology system that integrates capabilities of three essential kinds. For the short term, the system enabled to handle day-to-day transactions and electronic commerce across the supply chain and thus helped align supply and demand by sharing information on orders and daily scheduling.From a mid-term perspective, the system facilitated planning and decision making, supporting the demand and shipment planning and master production scheduling needed to allocate resources efficiently. To add long-term value, the system enabled strategic analysis by providing tools, such as an integrated network model, that synthesize data for use in high-level â€Å"what-if† scenario planning to help managers evaluate plants, distribution centers, suppliers, and third-party service alternatives. Reverse LogisticsThe raise of efficiency and competitiveness of companies, as well as legal and environmental aspects, and the change in the consumption culture of consumers have stimulated the growth of reverse logistics. In many cases, the existence of a well managed reverse logistics system is essential in the decision of purchasing products or services. Clients prefer suppliers that can operate in a close relation with their teams, to improve products and processes, and that cooperate in the solving of problems which may come off. To those clients, the sale is just the beginning of a relationship. Reverse logistics is a rather wide area/function that involves all the operations related to the reuse of products and materials such as the logistics activities of collecting, dismantling and processing of products and/or materials and used pieces in order to assure a sustainable recuperation of those that do not harm the environment (Revlog, 2005). Reverse Logistics is a process whereby companies can become more environmentally efficient through recycling, reusing and reducing the amount of materials used. Viewed narrowly, it can be thought of as the reverse distribution of materials among channel members. A more holistic view of Reverse Logistics includes the reduction of materials in the forward system in such a way that fewer materials flow back, reuse of materials is possible and recycling is facilitated†. (Carter and Ellram, 1998, p. 85).The fact of reducing materials used in the processes is according to some authors (Rogers and Tibben-Lembke, 1998) considered as Green Logistics and not Reverse Logistics, although the same authors agree in that the bound line between both concepts is not always clear. On the other hand, Carter and Ellram seem to keep tight to the same channel in which the forward flow was generated, against the more broad view in which other companies outside the business chain could be favored from the returns flows.The Company offers a suite of integrated reverse logistics and repair solutions that are operated on globally consistent processes. With its suite of end-to-end solutions, the Company can manage its customers' reverse logistics requirements while also providing critical feedback of data to their supply chain constituents while delivering continuous improvement and efficiencies for both existing and new generation products. Its reverse logistics and repair solutions include returns management, exchange programs, complex repair, asset recovery, recycli ng and e-waste management.The Company provides repair expertise to multiple product lines, such as consumer and midrange products, printers, personal digital assistants (PDA), mobile phones, consumer medical devices, notebooks, PC's, set-top boxes, game consoles and infrastructure products. With its service parts logistics business, the Company manages all of the logistics and restocking processes essential to the operation of repair and refurbishment services. The integration of reverse logistics operations inside the logistics effort of the corporation should be the first step in the process of corporate-wide integration.In the case of Flextronics, create a center of attention senior management attention and support look like to be the hardest task concerning returns. Mapping out the reverse logistics program and identifying the various departments directly or indirectly concerned in returns handling can prove to be a valuable inventiveness. Clear tasks must be assigned to account ing, sales, finance, marketing, etc. regarding increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the reverse logistics program. Flextronics in Channel Management The role of Flextronics in Channel Management has been considered as an important competitiveness factor of other companies.This is especially important for the electronics industry given the high perish ability of its products and the complexity of its distribution channel. These factors combined make critical the relation between the members of the distribution channel. The world economy is becoming borderless and integrated, driven by global market forces, global technological forces, global cost forces and political and macro-economic forces. The integrated world economy and global competitive arena is changing the way in which companies traditionally operated.There is also geographical, functional and sectored integration, which gives a truly global playing field to the companies and results in channel management. Therefo re Channel Management is playing vital role in Global competitiveness. To conclude the practical implications, channel management’s tasks and behavior seem, on the surface, to be similar to traditional management. However, the difference in the form of a SCO as a starting point for the management is considerable. To acquire a proper SCO, the SCM literature suggests that a major change in the mindset must be achieved.To become best practice in SCM performance is therefore not easily achieved. However, SCM seems to be a promising strategy for many companies when considering the best practice companies’ profitability and growth, and this dissertation can hopefully give practitioners some advice about improved SCM performance. References: Barry, J. Girard, G. ;amp; Perras, C. (1993), Logistics planning shifts into reverse. Journal of European Business, Vol. 5, No 1, pp. 34–38. Business Dictionary (2012) Definition-What is logistics management? And its role in the bu siness Available at: http://www. usinessdictionary. com/definition/logistics-management. html#ixzz2Ar3FkYOr [Accessed on: 1st November, 2012] Flextronics (2010-2011) Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility Program Sustainability Report: Flextronics Supplier CSER Program Overview pp. 64-68 Hawks, Karen. VP Supply Chain Practice, Navesink. (2006) Reverse Logistics Magazine Available at: http://www. rlmagazine. com/edition01p12. php [Accessed on: 17th October, 2012] Melissen F. W. ;amp; A. J. de Ron (1999), Defining recovery practices – definitions and terminology, International Journal on Environmentally

Health and Safety in Automotive Workshops in New Zealand Assignment

Health and Safety in Automotive Workshops in New Zealand - Assignment Example In addition to adopting this WHO strategy on occupational health, the meeting also adopted a proposal for the course of action for the implementation of the same strategy (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, 2001). In attendance at the meeting were twenty-seven countries, represented by thirty-one collaborating centers. One of the countries was Switzerland The organizers of the meeting included but were not limited to the WHO, International Labour Organisation (ILO), The United Nations Development Programme, the Institute of Occupational Medicine of the Chinese Academy of Preventive Health, the WHO Workers’ Health Programme and the International Commission on Occupational Health. A priority issue at the meeting was health at work. According to the available data by then, it was estimated that about 100 million workers are injured annually at the workplace while about 200,000 die annually in occupational accidents (International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour IPEC), (2011). In addition, the WHO reported that between 68 million and 157 million cases of occupational diseases are caused by hazardous exposures at the workplaces or workloads. These statistics obviously negatively affect the health of world population. In fact, the roles and effects of occupational injuries and diseases are found to be more profound in developing countries in which 70% of the world’s working population lives. Due to their impacts the health and well being of workers, occupational injuries and diseases negatively impact the productivity and socioeconomic well being of workers across all industries. These detrimental effects extend even to the friends, families, and dependents of the directly affected workers.

The Haier Group Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Haier Group - Essay Example As part of their business expansion and diversification, Haier has recently started to produce goods such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, microwaves, televisions, vacuums, cell phones, computers etc (Hunt). â€Å"On February 23, 2004, Haier Group, a major home electrical appliance maker in China, was listed as the only Chinese name brand among the world's 100 most recognizable brands in a global name brand list edited by World Brand Laboratory†(Lu et al, p.1) Even though Haier has acquired a significant place in global market, it is not going to be easy for them to maintain their place, unless they find new ways to improve their business. According to Fortune magazine, Haier's net profit for the six months ending June 2002, declined by 45% and its sales declined by 3.7% during the same period† (Haier Group's Strategy in the US Market). This paper proposes three different ways through which Haier could improve its business strategies and maintain their supre macy in global market. Haier has to improve its international human resource management strategies since it operates in different countries at present. It should be noted that Haier is a company of Chinese origin and the HRM strategies in China and other countries could be entirely different because of the huge political, cultural, social legal and environmental differences between China and other countries.... Chinese government never allows the free flow of information to and from China which is definitely causing problems to Haier. Moreover, credit card forgeries and other internet related crimes are growing day by day and Haier needs to strengthen their internet platforms to enhance communication and secure online purchasing of its products. Even though Haier products are cheaper compared to other similar products, Chinese products normally have a bad reputation as far as quality is concerned. â€Å"Some analysts felt that Haier lacked the brand image to make a dent in the high-end segment. They pointed out that in general consumers were brand-conscious, and this was especially true in the case of high-end products† (Haier Group's Strategy in the US Market). Haier should give more focus to improve the quality of its products. Haier should realize that the consumer electronic markets of mobile phones, computers etc are not like the markets of home appliances like refrigerators, mi crowave ovens or dish washers. Apple, Samsung, Nokia, IBM, Microsoft, etc are some of the renowned consumer electronics brands which are competing with Haier products. It is not easy for Haier to beat them unless they improve the quality of their products drastically. It should be noted that technological advancements are necessary even for selling kitchen appliances now. Competitors are introducing new products and ways to manage kitchen. â€Å"For example, Samsung had introduced the â€Å"Home PAD Refrigerator,† which detected the shelf life of food and automatically displayed a list of items stored in the fridge on the door. Portable entertainment devices were the new trend in consumer

DP-3 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

DP-3 - Coursework Example Intelligence includes positioning, time frame, the environment, and the suspect’s actions. Officers in a 1980 incident were aware that a suspect had a firearm but felt they could subdue him anyways without further incident. Unfortunately they did not know that he already had a gun in his pocket, aware of the gun in his jacket they were not prepared when he removed his hands from his pocket and opened fire. Incidences such as these have changed how Officers view possible suspects and hands must be visible at all times. In 2012 an Officer and suspect were both killed though the Officer acted on information known to him; he did not know the suspect had a knife and one witness never even saw a weapon. This article is actually very confusing as the suspect is described as, ‘running his mouth,’ and later on described as she, in the shooting of a second Officer. B. History of Similar Events- Seven Officers were killed in the line of duty on assignment considered traffic control conducting routine traffic stops in 2010, while eight were killed investigating suspicious persons or circumstances which is also the job of traffic Officers or traffic patrol. This information came from an FBI report released in 2011 Decline in the murder of Officers is attributable to a decline in the use of handguns since the early 1970’s, though between 1996 and 2005 18% were making traffic stops. As it is also frequently the job of traffic patrol to make arrests and investigate suspicious persons/circumstances in these traffic stops another 26% and 12% were killed in these circumstances. Reasons cited for Officers killed on the line of duty include a rise in the number of distracted drivers, making traffic detail much more dangerous. The article describes two Officers shot in a morning traffic stop though no further information was given. The number of Officers killed in traffic incidents rose from 51 in

A Discussion and Analysis of the Seven Sins of Memory Essay

A Discussion and Analysis of the Seven Sins of Memory - Essay Example Whereas the memory is a complex process that each and every human being possesses, the fact of the matter is that it cannot succinctly be described in general terms. Rather, understanding he unique ways in which different types of memory and memory loss relates to the individual is a fundamental step in attempting to grasp a further understanding of the way in which memory is governed and integrated within the human being. Remembers as a means of drawing inference from the discussion of these seven distinct types of memory loss. The first of these which Schacter introduces to the reader is that which is termed transient memory loss; or the type of memory loss that relates to a particular memory fading over a period of time. In this particular type of memory loss, the subject is able to recall a great deal more with relation to recent events than with regards to those that took place a long while ago. As the author notes, this particular type of memory loss is especially related to episodic memory in the fact that each and every time a particular episode is recalled it is, re-written, as it were; thereby altering the memory and making it more difficult to recall within the future (Renk et al, 2007). This type of memory loss most specifically affects the hippocampus. The second sin of memory, as the author dubs these failings, is that of absent mindedness. This is perhaps the most widely discussed and well known of the memory loss issues as it relates to attention span and issues with the memory interface. This type of memory loss most intimately affects the short term memory and can of course be exhibited in situations such as forgetting where one placed the remote control, leaving one’s keys inside the car, or forgetting about important dates or appointments.

Financial Information for CRODA International Plc Essay

Financial Information for CRODA International Plc - Essay Example Industrial specialties- which includes base chemicals, home care, polymers and coatings, additives for polymers, lubricant additives, lubricants and processed vegetable oils. (www. investing.businessweek.com). Consumer care division which includes international business in health care, personal care, and crop care – engaged in all markets throughout the world with a thumbing need for sustainable ingredients and innovations. Further, Croda has an enterprise technology division (R&D) which recognizes and assimilates new technology into Croda’s international business set up. (www.croda.com). Croda was able to post pre-tax profits of 10.5% during the year 2008 in spite of the serious international economic recession. However, due to stable focus on new markets, product innovation and recession mingled with the instant reduction in cost have facilitated Croda to accomplish one more year of pre-tax revenue growth in spite of the worst scenario in the international economy. (Chairman speech, AR 2009). The salient feature of the business model of Croda is the capacity to offer a variety of products to a variety of customers all over the globe. Croda’s persistent focus on originality in specialties has offered them the capacity to derive the true value for their products. (CEO Speech AR 2009). Croda is in a true sense a really global company as it is having only just 7% sales in the homeland of U.K. All of its subsidiary company around the world has targeted sales, operating margin, profit growth targets that form fundamental to their strategic plans and budgets. Croda’s report their progress annually against five major financial performance parameters. According to Croda’s annual report 2009, Croda International Plc has prepared its financial reports as demanded by the Companies Act, 2006 of U.K and as provided by the U.K accounting.

Application of the Henderson Nursing Model from a Holistic Perspective Article

Application of the Henderson Nursing Model from a Holistic Perspective - Article Example Application of the Henderson Nursing Model from a Holistic Perspective Virginia Henderson was an advanced woman of her time. By 1934 she had earned both her Bachelors of Nursing and her Masters Degree in Nursing Education and was well on her way towards making one of the biggest changes in nursing history. In an era where nurses were starting to be appreciated for more than their ability to change dressings, Henderson’s work on a theory of nursing was the right move at the right time in history (â€Å"Nursing Theory,† 2011). Henderson’s Nursing Model Henderson is known as a â€Å"needs theorist† (Kim & Kollak, 2006, p.17). Her prime theory was centered on the idea that a nurse’s position was to help the individual to gain their own independence. This lent a flexibility to the nursing model; an idea that a nurse could be many things to the same patient. Henderson put it as â€Å"assisting the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those act ivities contributing to the health or its recovery (or to a peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge; And to do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible† (1961, p. 42). ... She was also a strong proponent for the idea that the nurse’s obligation and duty is to the patient rather than the doctor which was a prevalent belief prior to that time. Nicholl (1997) wrote about her â€Å"Henderson’s definition of nursing was a major shift from the task-procedure perspective and one of the earliest widely used definitions to present a conceptualization of nursing that included function and goal† (p.509). Henderson viewed a nurses function as being either substitutive (doing something instead of the patient); supplementary (helping the patient directly to do something) or complementary (working with the patient to do something). This way the patient had a certain control over how his or her treatment went; with the nurse identified as someone who can facilitate that process (â€Å"Nursing Theory†, 2011). This emphasis on the patient having some control over his or her health and treatment is one aspect that resonates with holistic healt h practices. Holistic Medicine and the Henderson Nursing Model Holistic medicine is defined as a â€Å"doctrine of preventive and therapeutic medicine that emphasizes the necessity of looking at the whole person—his body, mind, emotions, and environment—rather than at an isolated function or organ...holistic medicine puts ownership of the patient's health back with the patient, teaching the precepts of exercise, a good diet, adequate sleep, fresh air, and moderation in personal habits† (Shaw, 2008). Originally considered â€Å"new age† and totally against the medical methods of treatment, in more recent times holistic aspects of health care are working alongside mainstream medical techniques. While it could not be said that Virginia Henderson was a

Salem Witch Trials Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Salem Witch Trials - Research Paper Example During the seventeenth century, in accordance to British laws, colonists, who had been discovered to work with the devil or practice witchcraft, were considered as committing a felony.3 The first arrest for the alleged witches happened on February 29, 1692. The trials ended on October 29, 1692, after nineteen people were hanged and around 156 people were imprisoned.4 This paper describes the developments leading to the Salem Witch Trials. It provides a brief history of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the events during the trials, as well as key personalities. It will also discuss what historians and researchers think are the reasons for the Salem Witch trials. They range from the feminist and economic analyses. They believed that the Salem Witch Trials is a product of public hysteria, the economic manipulation of the ministers, bitter and unresolved local conflicts, Puritan theocracy, and the influence of cultural stereotypes regarding witches. Brief History of Salem Village In 160 9, Henry Hudson led the exploration of Massachusetts Bay. In 1620, pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower and created Plymouth. Six years afterwards, the Naumkeag Indians lived at numerous sites in Massachusetts. In addition, Roger Conant made Salem a trading post. In 1620, settlers wanted to â€Å"purify† the Calvinist Church and established strong Puritan beliefs and practices. The Massachusetts Bay Company formed the Massachusetts Bay Colony.5 A royal charter provided them the right to manage the Massachusetts Bay Colony. John Endecott soon started the first plantation in Salem.6 One year after, John Winthrop was appointed as the new governor and travelled to Massachusetts. In 1638, a small group of Puritans settled at what was then called as Salem Village. Throughout the pre-1692 period, before the witchcraft trials commenced, conflict developed in Massachusetts. Roach stressed: [t]he Salem witchcraft trials erupted during an eight-year war [King William’s War] while Ma ssachusetts steered an unauthorized government with a nearly empty treasury through the hazards of French imperialism, Algonquin resentment, and English suspicion.7 The charter government increased the colonists’ unconstructive attitude toward civil authority.8 The villagers did not appreciate the double layer of authority imposed on them. In 1672, Salem Village was provided the authority to start a parish, hire a minister, and collect taxes for community projects. They created the Salem Village Parish and selected Samuel Parris to be their minister. In January 1692, the child and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris showed a bizarre form of sickness. His nine-year old daughter, Betty, and his niece, eleven-year-old Abigail Williams hid under chairs, contorted their bodies, lashed out their tongues, and spoke in outlandish languages.9 Without a physical explanation, Griggs stressed that the girls were bewitched. In February of the same year, Magistrates Jonathan Hathorne and Jonat han Corwin â€Å"examined† the witnesses.10 In May, Governor William Phipps created the Special Court of Oyer and Terminer to â€Å"hear and determine† the witch cases.11 Several months after that, nineteen of the accused were hanged, while hundreds were detained. The Events and Personalities of the Salem Witch Trials After what happened to the girls of the Parris’

Violence in sports Essay Example for Free

Violence in sports Essay With the increase in society taking a stance against violence by many people, sports has become an area where some feel that the violent acts such as the hitting and fighting that occurs should be eliminated. You can not change something that has been around for so long because it would change the aspect of the game to something completely different. The elimination of violence should not be done in sport because the violence is a part of the game which would only hurt its popularity. The reasons that the violence is occurring in sport is due to six theories according to John Schneider. The violence in sport mirrors the violence found in society, violence as the result of economic incentives, the influence of crowd behavior on player violence, genetic causation for player aggression, learning theory and player aggression, and psychological stress and player violence (Lapchick 230). The theories of sport mirroring society, violence as a result of economic incentive, and the influence of the crowd behavior are the theories that I feel are responsible for the increasing violence in sports. Most people when involved in a highly stressful situation where violence is around would  probably resort to a fight to resolve their differences. In sport, why should we expect any difference. In events such as hockey games, where people are expected to hit and make body contact, sooner or later a fight will break out and the fans will yell and scream for their favorite player involved. Like anything, if people around us are applauding us for a certain act we have done, we will try to do it over so that we will continue to be praised. In sports, there are some players whose only role on the team is to protect and enforce the unwritten rules of the game such as in hockey where it is not right to fight  or hit a Wayne Gretezy or Mario Lemieux type of star player! . His economic incentive is to protect the team and if he does not, a new line of work might be in the future. All three of those theories relate closely to the role of the fighter in sport and why it is that he does commit the acts of violence. When leagues such as the National Football League (NFL) or the National Hockey League (NHL) are asked to try and remove the violence from their sport, they are hesitant because it is not what the fans want. Bryant and Zillman report that television viewers enjoy NFL plays more when they are rough and  violent (McPherson 294). Why should these leagues remove the violence that is occurring if they are making money and keeping people employed. The fans of the games want to see these situations and eliminating the fighting aspect would hurt the support. When I watch a hockey game or any other sporting event with contact, there is nothing better than seeing a good fight take place. One of the best-selling videos in parts of the Northeastern United States has been a collection of the best fights in the NHL (McPherson 294). Even former NHL president Clarence Campbell felt that the violence taking place in his sport was  called for and was reluctant to remove the fighting and the body contact because he knew that it is what the majority of hockey fans want. Fighting is a well-established safety valve for players. If violence ceases to exist, it will not be the same game. Insofar as fighting is part of the show, we certainly sell it. We do not promote it. We tolerate it and we bring it under disciplinary control which we believe satisfies the public (Snyder 201). Its better that the violence take place between two willing combatants such as in sports than in a situation involving spousal abuse where the majority of the times the  female is being attacked against her consent. Allowing people not to be able vent their frustrations through sport in my mind would increase the violence that is happening away from the playing field. It is a known fact that sports does keep kids off the street and away from gangs which is why you see so many athletic and boxing clubs being run out of the inner city. It is allowing the youth to take that hostility out on a willing participant who is ready and consenting rather than against an innocent bystander. Some individuals have gone as far as saying that sport is creating a deviant subculture wherethese athletes are becoming the opposite of what was intended for them. The emphasis in formalized sport on victory may, in fact, promote deviant behavior and poor sportsmanship (Snyder 101). I would have to totally disagree with the above quote because being an athlete myself, I can never recall a time when I could have related my deviant behavior to my sporting past. Sports does not promote poor sportsmanship, it creates a drive to succeed within yourself and to try to do the best at whatever you do whether it be in sports, school or at a job. The violence that is occurring today is not occurring more than it  was ten or twenty years ago like some people might suggest, it is only being shown and talked about more by the mass media. If there is one group to blame for the increase in violence I feel that it would be the media, not the athletes themselves. If you turn on the television to watch a sportscast, it will always glorify an act of violence like a hit of the night or repeats of some type of fight whether it be in hockey, boxing or a bench-clearing brawl in baseball. I can recall on numerous occasions where the media has hyped up a hockey game involving two tough guys and creating a hysteria in sporting world wanting  to see the outcome of the fight. Is this wrong for the media to be encouraging and glorifying the violence in sport? I dont think so because the fans want to see it and like it or not, it is here to stay. Look at sports like boxing for example, who relies on the media to increase the sports fans interest in an upcoming match. When you can only fit approximately 17,000 people into a Las Vegas boxing arena, the money is not made at the gate (Lunney 39). Millions and millions of dollars are gathered from pay-per- view television where again millions of spectators are waiting to see the outcome  of a match like the one two weeks ago involving Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno where Tyson made an easy $30 million Lunney 39). We as society are attracted to this sort of sport violence and there is nothing we can do about it to change it. Should we take steps to discourage the violence in sports is a question that is being asked today due to the glorification of certain events like University of Moncton-University of Prince Edward Island hockey game where a referee was assaulted on the ice after disallowing then allowing the same goal. This kind of violence occurs very little in the sport of hockey considering the  amount of games that are played throughout the year. Sure there are acts like these but they are not the norm. It would be hard to eliminate violence that is in sport because it has been there for so long and is a part of the game. Fans do not want to see it be removed because it is sometimes the only part of the game that is interesting if the game is dull. Players know that a good, solid hit or a bit fight can sometimes put momentum on their side giving them extra drive to pull ahead in the game. Violence in sport is not having a negative effect on society, it is only allowing fans to !enjoy themselves while they are watching a particular sport. Yes there are instances where players and fans do go overboard and get carried away causing fights and sometimes riots, but it is not very often. When it does happen, it is glorified so that people think sports are played by bozos and goons who can only fight. The violence that is in sport is here to stay and should be left that way so that the real fans who know what is going on can enjoy the sport that they have took an interest in instead of media types and others who do not have a clue in what they are talking about when saying that the violence in sports should be eliminated.

Molluscs and Natural Selection Essay Example for Free

Molluscs and Natural Selection Essay The process of natural selection is one of the most cited reasons for the evolution of a species, and it was made famous by Charles Darwin’s famous observations of finches in the Galapagos Islands. It is believed to work by way of random mutations; random mutations occur, as it indicates, randomly and spontaneously in a population for a multitude of genetic reasons. Mutations help to create variation of different traits within a species, and they can be expressed with different phenotypes. In times where a mutation has no negative effect on the individual organism, this trait could be advantageous in a new habitat or predatory situation, etc. With an advantage in survival, and thus reproduction, these organisms are often selected for over other members of the species, creating a change in variation of a species over generations. Molluscs, although a very large and diverse group of animals, often share certain features: a mantle, radula, shell, and foot. The mantle is a thin and fleshy layer which secretes the hard shell of a mollusc. The radula is a grate-like structure in the mouth used to scrape surfaces and drill holes. The foot is a muscle which assists in locomotion and movement of the molluscs. It is hypothesized that all current-day molluscs share a common ancestor, called the hypothetical ancestral mollusc or HAM, because of the similar characteristics and body plans that have been modified in diverse ways over time to adapt to different environments. Two members of the mollusc family include the clam, of the class bivalvia, and the squid, of the class cephalopoda, and these are an example of variation from the HAM that helped them adapt for their particular environment, feeding behavior, and movement (Sigwart, 2007). The squid species has undergone many adaptations. The squid’s radula resembles a beak-like structure that it uses to devour its food, very different from the chiton-like HAM which probably had a small radula. Over time, the radula’s shape has been mutated and then selected for as the squid changed its eating habits – if it provided quicker eating time, then it would be selected for. The squid lacks an outer shell (it’s internalized), so the mantle of the squid has also been modified into muscular â€Å"flaps† that it uses to propel itself quickly through the water, nd thus capture prey or avoid predators, a necessary function due to the squid’s lack of a hard protective barrier (Sigwart, 2007) A large shell would be unnecessary for the squid since it can propel quickly away from predators, and may even hinder its ability to swim; this would lead one to believe that the squid developed a muscular mantle from HAM and then a mutation for loss of the shell was selected for following the muscular body. Also, the foot of the squid has adapted from the single foot of the HAM to become tentacles and arms, used to quickly capture and bring prey closer to its beak-like radula to eat, which is buried behind its many arms. This modified version of its foot is an extremely effective feeding method that, coupled with the squid’s speed, enables it to catch and hold prey that otherwise might be able to escape (Sutton, 2007). The clam is a sedentary mollusc that uses its foot to burrow into the sand. The clam is a filter feeder, straining food particles from the water. The clam doesn’t have a radula, probably the result of a random mutation that caused some clam ancestors to lack the structure, or it may have been modified into another structure that aided in the filter feeding process. The filter feeding process is environmentally selected for because it enables the animal to take in food particles while buried under the sand. The mantle of the clam is found inside of its hard, hinged shell. The strong shell of the clam was environmentally selected for since it prevents predators from easily eating the clam, allows it to bury safely into the sand without affecting its internal organs, and improves the clams ability to survive and reproduce. The foot of the clam has adapted so that the species can dig into the sand with this muscle which can be moved out of the shell, a very different type of foot than the HAM’s muscular, positioned foot which allows for scavenging (Sutton, 2007). The HAM, very similar to the chiton, served as a good base model for this very diverse phylum of animals. Lots of spontaneous and random mutations must have occurred for such diversity – to have sedentary, burrowing animals and predatory, jet-propelling animals in the same phylum of animals is quite a feat.

Business operational plan of Apple Inc

Business operational plan of Apple Inc Apple Inc. designs manufactures and markets the personal computers along with other mobile communication services, music and digital players. It also provides hardware, software and networks solutions and peripherals. Apple Inc. sells its products throughout the world on its retail stores, online stores, through the third party wholesalers and its direct sales force. It also deals with the variety of Macintosh i.e. iPhone iPod etc. It provides the services of the complete software solutions on its iTunes stores. Its consumers are those who purchase its products directly, enterprises, educator and governments. This company is California based and founded in 1977. It has capability to design and manufacture its own operating system. Business operational plan of Apple Inc. Strategic plan sets up the business plan of a company while business plan in turn establishes the business operation plan. Operational plan is the key to run the entire business of company. Operational business plan covers the all areas of company including the finance, manufacturing, internet, operations, RD, human resources and marketing. Apple Inc. was known because of its lenient business thinking. Apple Inc. has the design, marketing and manufacturing services. Company develops designs and markets the musical players with important accessories. The business of Apple Inc. is managed on geographic basis. There are five operating segments of Apple Inc. such as America, Europe, Japan, retail and others. In US, Canada, UK and Japan Apple owned stores are currently operating. Like other organizations Apple Inc. all the departments are formed by the placing the similar functions in the groups. As described before the main divisions of Apple Inc. human resource, finance, marketing and productions are adopted by the functional approach. In each division the functional subsystem and departments create hierarchies. Operational management is linked with the production divisions activities. The people in Apple Inc. are grouped together on the basis of their expertise and resources. It enabled the Apple Inc. to learn from its functions. The present structure in Apple Inc. has focused upon those activities which reduce the costs and increase the flexibility in its operations. The managers in Apple Inc. have a greater control of the organizational activities and avoiding the tall and other several hierarchies. A relative flat structure of the Apple Inc. has decentralized the authorities and responsibilities of its management. The managers and employees at lower levels are encouraged to take part in fostering the companys strengths. The advantages of decentralization are numerous i.e. enhancing the planning, decision making and control processes. Apple Inc. has focused on its marketing operations on the major business areas like iPod and iTunes. The marketing department shows a great responsiveness to the outside world. The finance treasury division of Apple Inc. provides the financial policy to company. This department is responsible to handle the international capital transactions of company, liquidity guaranteeing and risk management. In Apple Inc. the role of the financial manager is crucial for the strategic management. The capital required for the RD is raised by the Finance division which maintains the innovation position of the Apple Inc. Internal problems of Apple Inc. were in the form of the sale force accessing directly to corporations. Apple Inc. relied on the 300 manufactures while IBM had 6000 to 7000 direct salesman. However the Apple Inc. has focused to establish more sales staff. Many issues concerning to these sales person were noted regarding the prices of products. Apple Inc. has also marketing problem as it failed to communicate the Macintoshs business image in market. The fact that marketing strategy was not according to requirements and did not make it more famous in market; i t also did not focus upon the technology. Products are manufactured on the basis of customers needs. Apple Inc. needed the fundamental importance of getting close to market. Apple Inc. possessed the organizational structure which too had the management problems. The production and shipment problems exist in Apple Inc. as the IBM its supplier experienced the manufacturing problems and delayed the shipment of various products. In a market the speedy delivery of products is critical. Due to the Apples key dependency on other companies put it at the competitive disadvantage. Human Resource in Apple Inc. has administrative tasks such as meetings, conferences, special projects and seeks the solution for the fast paced store environment. Discuss both the internal and external factors that impinge on the business operations plan. Apple Inc. has faced the serious challenges during the last 30 years but recovered from those serious situations with advent of innovation. Apple Inc. faces the threat of competition because of free services in market. A good business achieves the market share by creating better legal services to customers. It can be compared with the bottle water which is better in quality as compared to tape water which is in approach of every person. However there is legal competition ahead in market. No company was successful to attach the market the before the Apple Inc. did so. Better service is directly related with the new and better technology. Roxio was the first company which followed the Apple Inc. to produce the products on the concept iTunes Music Store. Sony and Microsoft are other big players of market to download the services. On the other hand Dell Computers are partnering with MusicMatch. Traditional retailers like Amazon and Wal-Mart have presented their own plans. Apple Inc. is f acing the competition from these competitors and profiting the leading position in market. Copy rights issues are also concerned with Apple Inc. Apple Inc. faces the issues of jobs as a part of their system. Sales force for the direct access to corporation is required for the success of business operation plan. IBM has the direct salespeople more than 6000 while Apple Inc. relied only on the 300 manufacturers representatives. The reason behind the small number of sales force may be the selling Macintoshes at lower prices as compared to dealers (Brady, 1989). Economic Conditions Apple Inc. Economic conditions of world impact directly on the performance and financial results of Apple Inc. investor must not consider the historical trends for the future performance of Apple Inc. there are several reason behind this which pose the risks on business of Apple Inc. Uncertainty about the current global economic conditions are also posing threats because business could not continue due to tight credits, negative news about finance, decline in asset values. Apple Inc. sets the prices of its products to consolidate the Dollars value. Macroeconomic factors along with other factors affect Apples business operation plan. The demand can be influenced by the increase in prices of fuel and energy, condition of mortage real states markets, consumers confidence and health labour costs. These economic factors adversely affect the demand for companys product. It also affects the operating results and financial conditions of Apple Inc. Impacts of environmental and technological changes on the business plan of Apple Inc. Apple Inc. has made efforts to satisfy its stakeholders in various ways. It included all the environmental issues for its corporate governance. It has satisfied the employees, local communities and general public by minimizing the environmental impacts on its entire business operations; integrated the sound environmental, safety management and health practices. The environmental mission statement of Apple Inc. has integrated all above mentioned practices into all business operations to ensure that it offers technologically innovative products. Apple Inc. aims to communicate on the policy which provides the benefits of environmental consciousness, safety maximization, energy efficiency and health protection to its various stakeholders. In the HRM objectives Apple Inc. has adopted the strategies because of the consumers preferences as the external environmental force. The HRM of Apple Inc. has established the partnership agreements to keep the trust and fairness. The recruitment policy of the HRM is modified in the ways to adapt the external changes in environment. Therefore the higher number of skilled staff is recruited in the area of web development; web is considered a preferred medium for the technology professionals for applications. A positive work environment has proved that Apple Inc. is outstanding for the visionary products. The organizational competency of Apple Inc. is increased by the HRM. Apple the Inc. is in an exclusive position. It has produced both software and hardware; it cannot be analyzed only the PC manufacturing company. It is also providing the software solutions, server producer and online contents. Technology Advancement The changes in technology has affected the barriers of entry and impacted the business operations of Apple Inc. The changes in digital music industry are working now on common format to make them available for the music players. The reason behind the limiting the download contents is to determine the users acceptance of Apples product. Bundle of solutions are provided by the Apple Inc. with refined and good products. By providing high quality products to end users the technology sector is making changes rapidly. These are the diversified efforts which Apple Inc. keeps its design and innovation more focused with the use of best performance and prices according to the external and internal environmental changes. Due to its distinctive competencies like product design, innovation, educational skills and digital entertainment; company has acted as a leader in the digital lifestyle. Apple Inc. has used its strengths for the purposes of creativity, technological development and innovation. It has gained competitive advantage over other companies in the industry because it offers multiple products with lower values. Organizational structure and control system of Apple Inc. improved the information and knowledge availability. For the Apple Inc; innovation and technology are the key driving forces of its mission and strategy (Morden, 1993). For the effective operation management system IT is a driving factor and management information system is the basic requirement for the strategic development. Efficiency of operation management is improved by the use of IT as it increases the quality and availability of information and leads to cost saving (Ibid, 1993). Apple Inc. is using the SAP and ERPs systems to speed up the customers orders. Apple Inc. has implemented the i2 technologies (www.industryweek.com/currentarticles). Importance of good business operations planning to the overall success of the business at Apple Inc. Apple Inc. has many successful factors that determine its success in key areas of the operations. An important factor that is apparent is about the vision of the organization. It is true that creative energy always begins with vision. These organizations impact significantly on the world (Collins Porras, 2004). Apple has a very clear and purposeful vision which can be seen through the innovative products for the last many years (Senge, 2006). The main purpose of the Apple Inc. was to develop the computers for the world and making contribution to the world by its advance technology products. Beside this vision Apple Inc. takes further steps of actions which are practiced throughout the organization. In the Apple Inc. employees were able to lay the foundations to achieve the long term goals. They were able to start the business at small scale and contributed at a higher level. The company acted upon the Kotters model and understood the potential uses. The success of the Apple Inc. is attributed to the capability of the company making refinements and building the more powerful products. The company has changed the core nature of the business. The Apple Inc. innovated the (GUI), file folder and desktop metaphor. Kotters 7th step manifests by using the credibility to make changes in system, policies and structures (Kotter, 2007). Apple uses the core competencies which the employees have acquired through redefining the market segmentation. Apple has met many successes and overcome the challenges. Apple Inc. has made changes and implemented new policies because of changing trends of computer markets. Apple Inc. is a computer technology which is best known due to its innovative structure. It is focusing upon the production of personal computers. In the advent of evolving technology it has shifted into the electronic market. Apple Inc. operates its business in more than 170 retail stores in US, Japan, UK and Canada. It has produced more friendly computers for the consumers. All of the achievements at Apple Inc. are attained through the people who design and develop the products and staff at the retail stores. Why is the business operation plan important at Apple Inc? This business operation plan is important because it generates the steady increasing revenues and sending its products in the big markets of the world. Due to its good leadership the Apple Inc. achieved the high profile. Three manufacturing facilities are shaping the foreign operation in countries like Ireland and Singapore. Due to its internal strengths and successful business operation Apple Inc. has become a competi tive company. It has footed in the computer market with an innovative style in the computer market. It production system is well handled as the operating system is free of all tangles of the Microsoft operating systems. In the physical appearance, usability and specifications; it has given a large degree of control to company. Apple Inc. encourages the RD environment and constantly releasing the products as seen in the latest Mac mini and iPod. It has made the Apple Inc. a big innovative company and brings the creative and new ideas in the computer market. Capital Structure: Corporate policy has yielded good results. Apple has paid all the debts which suggested that desired operations of company and growth of company by equity and not by the debt. Managerial qualities and resources necessary for effective business operation planning The issues in quality of products attracted the attention of business. The management concept is rendered by the wave of successful entrepreneurship. Top managers are committed to make decisions before communicating fully with all those who are involved in it. When subordinates ask for the decision the top managers think about the organizational response towards the decision for strategic plan. Ways of decision making enhance the business operations and credibility throughout the organization Apple Inc. People love to purchase the products of Apple Inc. because of power, easier way to use and reliability. The business managers at Apple Inc. ensure the delivery of the products to companies according to their requirements. Business customer contacts the business managers and long term relationships are established between them (http://www.apple.com/jobs/us/retail.html#business). Apple Inc. management has the ability to sell its products having no supply chain system. It earn the revenu e by the selling the iPod devices and Mac computers. Its iTunes virtual stores are generating the revenue more than $ 1 billion every year (David, 2010, p: 72). The managers at Apple Inc. face the incentives of using the strategies to control the earnings in many traded companies. The managers are allowed to purchase the stocks. In this way the staff at Apple Inc. is encouraged (www.sec.gov). The management system of Apple Inc. has policies and procedures, responsibilities and roles of its managers. For example a best health management system is maintained by the concerned managers to ensure the safety and health of its employees. If any inadequacy is seen in this system then top managers adopt the corrective actions including the verification through audit processes. Apple procurement managers are responsible to manage the business relationship with suppliers and coordinate the Apples supplier responsibility auditor. Apple Inc. has five divisions to manage the products and marketing departments of the company. These five divisions are responsible to evaluation and manufacturing of the devices, software and hardware of computer system. The four support divisions also work to handle the marketing and post sale products. A new position of Chief Operation Officer was created by Scully to centralize the operations and involving the senior management in the daily business decisions (Annual Report, 1988). Human Resource (HR) is responsible for the safeguarding the most valuable assets of the Apple Inc. It handles the many programs of the company to achieve the companys goals. Human resource at Apple Inc. is also responsible to reach at the needed resources. The Apple Inc. has six important valued creation functions including the marketing, RD, finance, Human resource management, information systems and operations and logistics. The chain of activities required to transform the inputs into outputs are pr imarily concerned with actual design, manufacturing, delivery, marketing of products and customer support activities. The ultimate task of the RD resource at Apple Inc. includes the new innovation and use of technology which meet the customers requirements (Hill Jones, 2004). Information system at Apple Inc. is an important asset which provides the business assisting facility. For the success of the business operation plan the information system is a core to keep the business run online without any obstacles. Other valuable resources which have potential powers for the customers as well as the management at Apple Inc. include the servers which distribute the information about Apples products and create new internet resources for the mailing list, online feedback and further open the communication lines. From the above discussion it can be concluded that Apple Inc. is a well known development and business company of the world. Its success lies in its business operation plan which indeed depends upon the various necessary actions taken from the design of the product to sale of the product.

Student :: essays research papers

Dewey Dell’s conflict   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Dewey Dell is the fourth child, and the only daughter, of Anse and Addie Bundren in As I Lay Dying. â€Å"Dewey Dell monologues are characterized with unarticulated wishes, powerful but poorly misunderstood emotions, and weakness.† From the dialogue, Darl said to Dewel Dell that Addie is going to die and she will die before they get back from the lumber job. Based on the story As I Lay Dying, does Dewey Dell hates Darl or she doesn’t? If yes, what is the reason? This paper will discuss how Dewey Dell’s attitude towards Darl is continuous with her weird dreams. First, Dewey Dell is the fourth of five children from Addie’s Bundren. She is the only daughter of the family. One night, Darl, Cash, Dewey Dell and Vardaman went to New Hope. Cash and Darl are swimming. â€Å"Vardaman rise and go to the window and strike the knife into the fish, the blood gushing, hissing like steam but I could not see.† Vardaman is younger brother of Dewey Dell. â€Å"He’ll do as I say.† Dewey Dell can persuade him to anything. On that night, Dewey Dell’s got a weird dream. â€Å"I rose and took the knife from the streaming fish still hissing and I killed Darl. She remembers a dream where she killed him. But it was only a dream. † When I used to sleep with Vardaman I had a nightmare one I thought I was awake but I couldn’t see and couldn’t feel the bed under me and I couldn’t think what I was I couldn’t think of my name I couldn’t even think I am a girl †¦She remembers a nightmare whe re she did not know where or who or what she was, nor what was happening. â€Å"Do you know she is going to die, Jewel?† Darl said. â€Å"It takes two people to make you, and one people to die.† I said to Dewey Dell: â€Å"You want her to die so you can get to town: is that it?† She wouldn’t say what we both knew. â€Å"The reason you will not say it is, when you say it, even to yourself, you will know it is true: is that it? But you know it is true now.

Zora Neale Hurstons Their Eyes Were Watching God Essay -- Their Eyes

Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"’†¦but she don’t seem to mind at all. Reckon dey understand one ‘nother.’† A woman’s search for her own free will to escape the chains of other people in Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. In the continuing philosophical debate of free will versus determinism, the question arises as to whether or not free will exists. Do people really have the capability of making decisions on their own? OR Is life already determined, and whatever we do is (and always was) the only thing that we could have done at that time, conditions being what they were? Given the circumstances in Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, I would argue that, while free will does exist, in my view, and a person can choose most of their actions through careful decision making, the main character, Janie, has the majority of her life planned out for her already. Whatever Janie does is governed by the laws of cause and effect; every one of her actions has a reaction. In Janie’s quest to find herself, she does make some decisions on her own, but her decisions only lead her to her destiny, so, how can we say that Janie really has free will? The truth is that you cannot determine if J anie has free will or not. Even though it is a fiction novel, and the reader is aware that the author has Janie already figured out, we can still say that Janie does not have free will. Janie’s actions are mainly determined for her by people, events, and other things out of her control. It is because of Janie’s character and personality that the reader can know she does not have the complete power to take her life into her own hands. Janie is an African American woman which is enough to determine a heavy amount of her future for her. Hurston tries to give Janie a chance to think for herself, but, mostly, Janie does not have the power to take on these situations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to philosophy professor Steven M. Cahn, premise number two of the argument for determinism states that, â€Å"In the case of every event that occurs, there are antecedent conditions, known or unknown, that ensure that the event will occur.† Zora Neale Hurston was aware of the argument for determinism. Hurston makes her reader believe that, at times, Janie does have free will, but her life is already planned out. With enough knowledge of Janie’s character, the rea... ...gether. It is not until the end of the story that Janie begins to think for herself and find out who she really is.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Janie’s life was planned out for her. She did make a few decisions on her own like when she left her first husband, Logan Killicks, but Janie only brought about more problems for herself by running off with Joe Starks. All of her husbands had control over her because she allowed herself to appear weak and vulnerable. Janie did not know any better. Nanny had kept Janie sheltered, and Janie had to learn about life on her own. At the end of the story, this happens, and Janie does seem to become a stronger person. But Janie never quite gets a grip on life because she is not a strong person to begin with. Her helplessness allows her to be controlled by other people. These other people like Nanny, Logan Killicks, Joe Starks, and Tea Cake make many of Janie’s decisions for her. Much of Janie’s life is determined for her by these people in her life as well as other things and events around her. Janie did not have the knowledge to take care of herself. She was not raised that way. Janie’s life was governed by the laws of cause and effect, and not by her own free will.

The Use of Symbolism in Robert Frosts Wind and Window Flower Essay

The Use of Symbolism in Robert Frost's Wind and Window Flower I interpreted this poem as a very sad one. A love unrequited by the pursued. In the first two lines the poem tells you to forget about the love you share and hear a tale of this. Not to literally forget, but possibly put aside. The man is a winter breeze, cold and rough and sort of roams the land. The woman is a window flower, shut off from the outside. This sets up the separation. They can "see" each other and are kept apart by a glass wall. She has all the comforts of the outside, the warmth of the sun and even the company of a "caged yellow bird" (7) hanging above her. It is almost that the mention of this bird being caged above her is a symbol of this woman's status in the home and possibly provided by the wealth of her parents. Although she is shut off from the outside, there is this bird almost captured for her to dissuade her from having thoughts of her actual closed lifestyle. She is being furnished with creature comforts instead of with freedom. Maybe because those above her feel she cannot ha...

Public opinion of police Essay

Good morning (evening or afternoon) ladies and gentleman. I would like your attention because I have a subject to discuss. I want to talk about the public’s opinion towards police officers by different ethnic groups. There are many thoughts and public opinion on how the community feel towards the many police officers in this country. It is my personal opinion that people should not be hating on the police because they enforce the law, unless they have experienced some sort of police brutality and unprofessionalism. I will speak to you the various races ethnic backgrounds that have statistically shown me the truth behind why they dislike police officers. Amongst part of races that feel like that towards police officers they are Hispanics, African Americans and also other mixed races. Every Hispanic has their own reason to dislike the police officers in this country. For many it could be personal and for others it could be that they do not care and for some it could be that perhaps the immigration topic is what’s affecting their opinion about police officers. Anything a police officer does may not be liked by someone for whatever reason, so no matter what not every person will be pleased. Research and plenty of study have been done to find out the truth about why distrust is so high amongst the citizens and the police. They found that â€Å"police violence against Rodney King, Amadou Diallo, and the racist attitude of Mark Fuhrman led to a broad decline in public support for the police, violence against the police, and attenuated police careers. Negative attitudes also undercut crime control efforts by contributing to low levels of citizen assistance to police investigations. † (Liu & Crank, 2010). The other ethnic background that has problems trusting the police are African Americans. African Americans feel they have strong reason to have their own negative public opinion against police officers. Part of the fact is that since they commit plenty of crimes the African Americans get defensive when they are searched inappropriately without a valid reason and some of that public opinion has to do with the fact that they use to be treated unfairly because of the whole slavery issues decades ago. Just like Hispanics, young African American males are mostly stereotyped and are part of racial profiling but part of it is due to the fact that they commit many crimes. Other â€Å"typical bias-based policing tactics occur when officers refuse or ignore taking a report from a minority citizen but would have done so had the person been white. This was a common complaint we heard from the minorities we spoke with during the focus group meetings. † (Iomo, Becton, Meadows, Tears, & Charles, 2009). The distrust can occur from many reasons and this was just one of them. Many other ethnic backgrounds have the same issues as Hispanic and African American communities. This type of problem’s results are that: â€Å"Poor police-community relations adversely affect the ability of the police to prevent crime and apprehend criminals. People hostile to the police are not so likely to report violations of the law, even when they are the victims. They are even less likely to report suspicious persons or incidents, to testify as witnesses voluntarily, or to come forward and provide information †¦ Yet citizen assistance is crucial to law enforcement agencies if the police are to solve an appreciable portion of the crimes that are committed. † (Sullivan, Dunham, ; Alpert, 1987). Unfortunately this same problem still goes on today in many places around the United States including the world and wherever there are police officers present. The fact that some people cannot handle being police officers gives a black eye to police officers around the world when they do something that will taint that image. So you see why there are many public opinions towards police officers by different ethnic backgrounds. It all depends on what ethnicity they are from because that generates the distrust. In surveys Blacks and Hispanics usually always rate police officers as medium to low and Whites give higher ratings. There are many ethnicity’s that have a public distrust for the police, but when conducting such surveys or research the age of the person has to be considered as well as the previous experiences with any police officer or criminal justice professional. ?

Recruitment Program

Sample generic health care provider recruitment plan It is imperative to have an all-encompassing recruitment policy for your organization. Sample recruitment policy: To develop a long-range recruitment plan; organize a recruiting schedule based upon the historical supply and demand for each major healthcare discipline; and implement the plan within the organization. A goal should be developed for each discipline (dentist, ancillary, hygienist, assistant). Sample goal: To recruit (number) dentists this year based on resignations, terminations, attrition or growth.Strategies, structure, and ongoing activities are important to the process. Sample strategies: To concentrate our efforts on health care professionals who are completing training programs, government obligations or military service. To anticipate the competition by contacting prospects early. To have a continuous, year-round schedule. Sample structure: The official recruiting cycle for program) will commence (Name of teachin g institution/ (Month and date) of each calendar year. All recruiting efforts within the institution will be coordinated through the human resources/personnel department/coordinator or his or her designed.The organization's recruitment committee will review the recruiting objectives no later than February 1 of each year. Sample of ongoing activities: Complete follow-up action with healthcare professionals who have interviewed. Schedule site visits for healthcare professionals from previous recruiting efforts. Obtain legal contracts for healthcare professionals who will commence practice. Recruitment committee will meet at least quarterly to review plan of action and develop strategies for implementation. Attend as many in-state health professional recruitment fairs as possible.Sample annual recruitment plan Quarterly Activities JANUARY – MARCH Survey active medical staff to determine: Provider needs/practices needing assistance Need for new practices in the community. Mail se cond recruitment letters to practicing dentists (first letter sent in October). Compile statistics from January medical staff survey. Prepare for initial provider/practice assessments. Complete follow-up action on providers who have completed site visits in December and January. Establish funding limits for calendar year from finance department. Prepare opportunity descriptions.Update printed recruitment materials. Identify residency programs and contact program directors/advisors. Identify recruitment conferences and exhibit possibilities. Meet with the provider recruitment committee to explain this year's campaign and their involvement (for example, interviews). Fine-tune the campaign with their input. Conduct initial provider/practice assessments to clarify provider recruitment needs in response to January medical staff survey. Mail second recruitment letter to next year's graduating students/professionals (first letter mailed in October). APRIL – JUNEBegin preparation for dental school marketing seminar (seminar about how to market practices and what to expect in recruiting). Meet with administrator to establish recruitment priorities. Send third recruitment letter to next year's graduating dental students. Semi-annual dental/provider manpower recruitment committee meeting. Assist newly recruited providers by facilitating their arrival and transition. JULY – SEPTEMBER Register a search with the DANNA and other placement services. Contact dentists in government service (National Health/Lillian Health Service Corps).Write other healthcare administrators in the region regarding a search for a healthcare provider for the community. Contact state licenser board for names of provider licensees and send letters to. Inform pharmaceutical and medical supply vendors of provider searches. Contact military installations in region for names of providers leaving service and ask about opportunities to communicate with them. Contact medical specialty associa tions to obtain information on meetings, publications and placement services. Identify provider recruitment opportunity fairs for the coming year.Dental school opportunity fair. Request dental school alumni affairs office to publicize opportunities. Post employment opportunities/vacancies with state health department, dental training programs and state primary-care associations. Obtain available provider computer lists for mailing to next year's graduating students. Visit dental training programs. Contact military dentists younger than 45 years. Send fourth recruiting letter to graduating students (in final year). Conduct consumer research to further identify need for dental providers.Write and place national urinal ads for November and December to target practicing dentists. OCTOBER – DECEMBER Continue dental provider training program visits. Meet with administrator to establish recruiting priorities for the coming calendar year and prepare for next month's provider recruitm ent committee meeting. Send letter of introduction to next year's graduating dental students (second letter to be sent in March). Contact academic dentists younger than 45 years. Mail letter to practicing dentists (second letter to be sent in January). Semi-annual provider recruitment committee meeting.Prepare medical staff survey to identify provider manpower needs and issues. Attachment 1 Graphic Summary of the Recruitment Process 1 . Preparation for recruitment 2. Prospects 3. Suspects 4. Applicants 5. Candidates 6. Finalists 7. Hired Develop health professional plan Identify new candidate Provide description of opportunity (sees) Provider sends C.V. In-depth phone interview Complete interviewing process Regular communication before start date Prepare practice assessment Targeted direct mail Determine interest/needs of providers C.V. screened according to criteria Prepare for site visitFinalize contract negotiations Professional orientation Determine role of current professional staff Display at professional assemblies Follow-up with requested information Candidate tracking & referral system Provide examination copy of contract Hospital privileges Determine salary and benefits Advertise Personal follow-up with candidate Develop in-house recruitment system Marketing introduction to professional sites Candidate tracking and referral system Develop promotional materials Direct contacts (cold calls) Reference & credential check Draft specimen contract Determine selection criteria

Vampire Academy Chapter 10

TEN â€Å"EXCUSE ME, MR. NAGY? I CANT really concentrate with Lissa and Rose passing notes over there.† Mia was attempting to distract attention from herself – as well as from her inability to answer Mr. Nagy's question – and it was ruining what had otherwise been a promising day. A few of the fox rumors still circulated, but most people wanted to talk about Christian attacking Ralf. I still hadn't cleared Christian of the fox incident – I was pretty sure he was psycho enough to have done it as some crazy sign of affection for Lissa – but whatever his motives, he had shifted the attention off her, just as he'd said. Mr. Nagy legendary for his ability to humiliate students by reading notes aloud, homed in on us like a missile. He snatched the note away, and the excited class settled in for a full reading. I swallowed my groan, trying to look as blank and unconcerned as possible. Beside me, Lissa looked like she wanted to die. â€Å"My, my,† he said, looking the note over. â€Å"If only students would write this much in their essays. One of you has considerably worse writing than the other, so forgive me if I get anything wrong here.† He cleared his throat. † ? ®So, I saw J last night,' begins the person with bad handwriting, to which the response is, ? ®What happened,' followed by no fewer than five question marks. Understandable, since sometimes one – let alone four – just won't get the point across, eh?† The class laughed, and I noticed Mia throwing me a particularly mean smile. â€Å"The first speaker responds: ? ®What do you think happened? We hooked up in one of the empty lounges.' â€Å" Mr. Nagy glanced up after hearing some more giggles in the room. His British accent only added to the hilarity. â€Å"May I assume by this reaction that the use of ? ®hook up' pertains to the more recent, shall we say, carnal application of the term than the tamer one I grew up with?† More snickers ensued. Straightening up, I said boldly, â€Å"Yes, sir, Mr. Nagy. That would be correct, sir.† A number of people in the class laughed outright. â€Å"Thank you for that confirmation, Miss Hathaway. Now, where was I? Ah yes, the other speaker then asks, ? ®How was it?' The response is, ? ®Good,' punctuated with a smiley face to confirm said adjective. Well. I suppose kudos are in order for the mysterious J, hmmm? ? ®So, like, how far did you guys go?' Uh, ladies,† said Mr. Nagy, â€Å"I do hope this doesn't surpass a PG rating. ? ®Not very. We got caught.' And again, we are shown the severity of the situation, this time through the use of a not-smiling face. ? ®What happened?' ? ®Dimitri showed up. He threw Jesse out and then bitched me out.' â€Å" The class lost it, both from hearing Mr. Nagy say â€Å"bitched† and from finally getting some participants named. â€Å"Why, Mr. Zeklos, are you the aforementioned J? The one who earned a smiley face from the sloppy writer?† Jesse's face turned beet red, but he didn't look entirely displeased at having his exploits made known in front of his friends. He'd kept what had happened a secret thus far – including the blood talk – because I suspected Dimitri had scared the hell out of him. â€Å"Well, while I applaud a good misadventure as much as the next teacher whose time is utterly wasted, do remind your ? ®friends' in the future that my class is not a chat room.† He tossed the paper back on to Lissa's desk. â€Å"Miss Hathaway, it seems there's no feasible way to punish you, since you're already maxed out on penalties around here. Ergo, you, Miss Dragomir, will serve two detentions instead of one on behalf of your friend. Stay here when the bell rings, please.† After class, Jesse found me, an uneasy look on his face. â€Å"Hey, um, about that note†¦you know I didn't have anything to do with that. If Belikov finds out about it†¦you'll tell him? I mean, you'll let him know I didn't – â€Å" â€Å"Yeah, yeah,† I interrupted him. â€Å"Don't worry, you're safe.† Standing with me, Lissa watched him walk out of the room. Thinking of how easily Dimitri had thrown him around – and of his apparent cowardice – I couldn't help but remark, â€Å"You know, Jesse's suddenly not as hot as I used to think.† She only laughed. â€Å"You'd better go. I've got desks to wash.† I left her, heading back for my dorm. As I did, I passed a number of students gathered in small clusters outside the building. I regarded them wistfully, wishing I had the free time to socialize. â€Å"No, it's true,† I heard a confident voice say. Camille Conta. Beautiful and popular, from one of the most prestigious families in the Conta clan. She and Lissa had sort of been friends before we left, in the uneasy way two powerful forces keep an eye on each other. â€Å"They, like, clean toilets or something.† â€Å"Oh my God,† her friend said. â€Å"I'd die if I was Mia.† I smiled. Apparently Jesse had spread some of the stories I'd told him last night. Unfortunately, the next overheard conversation shattered my victory. † – heard it was still alive. Like, twitching on her bed.† â€Å"That is so gross. Why would they just leave it there?† â€Å"I don't know. Why kill it in the first place?† â€Å"You think Ralf was right? That she and Rose did it to get kicked – â€Å" They saw me and shut up. Scowling, I skulked off across the quadrangle. Still alive, still alive. I'd refused to let Lissa talk about the similarities between the fox and what had happened two years ago. I didn't want to believe they were connected, and I certainly didn't want her to either. But I hadn't been able to stop thinking about that incident, not only because it was chilling, but because it really did remind me of what had just happened in her room. We had been out in the woods near campus one evening, having skipped out on our last class. I'd traded a pair of cute, rhinestone-studded sandals to Abby Badica for a bottle of peach schnapps – desperate, yes, but you did what you had to in Montana – which she'd somehow gotten hold of. Lissa had shaken her head in disapproval when I suggested cutting class to go put the bottle out of its misery, but she'd come along anyway. Like always. We found an old log to sit on near a scummy green marsh. A half-moon cast a tiny sliver of light on us, but it was more than enough for vampires and half-vampires to see by. Passing the bottle back and forth, I grilled her on Aaron. She'd fessed up that the two of them had had sex the weekend before, and I felt a surge of jealousy that she'd been the one to have sex first. â€Å"So what was it like?† She shrugged and took another drink. â€Å"I don't know. It wasn't anything.† â€Å"What do you mean it wasn't anything? Didn't the earth move or the planets align or something?† â€Å"No,† she said, smothering a laugh. â€Å"Of course not.† I didn't really get why that should be funny, but I could tell she didn't want to talk about it. This was around the time the bond had begun forming, and her emotions were starting to creep into me now and then. I held up the bottle and glared at it. â€Å"I don't think this stuff is working.† â€Å"That's because there's barely any alcohol in – â€Å" The sound of something moving in the brush came from nearby. I immediately shot up, putting my body between her and the noise. â€Å"It's some animal,† she said when a minute went by in silence. That didn't mean it wasn't dangerous. The school's wards kept out Strigoi, but wild animals often wandered into the outskirts of campus, posing their own threats. Bears. Cougars. â€Å"Come on,† I told her. â€Å"Let's head back.† We hadn't gone very far when I heard something moving again, and someone stepped out into our path. â€Å"Ladies.† Ms. Karp. We froze, and whatever quick reactions I'd shown back by the marsh disappeared as I delayed a few moments in hiding the bottle behind my back. A half-smile crossed her face, and she held out her hand. Sheepishly, I gave the bottle to her, and she tucked it under her arm. She turned without another word, and we followed, knowing there would be consequences to deal with. â€Å"You think no one notices when half a class is gone?† she asked after a little while. â€Å"Half a class?† â€Å"A few of you apparently chose today to skip. Must be the nice weather. Spring fever.† Lissa and I trudged along. I'd never been comfortable around Ms. Karp since the time she'd healed my hands. Her weird, paranoid behavior had taken on a strange quality to me – a lot stranger than before. Scary, even. And lately I couldn't look at her without seeing those marks by her forehead. Her deep red hair usually covered them but not always. Sometimes there were new marks; sometimes the old ones faded to nothing. A weird fluttering noise sounded to my right. We all stopped. â€Å"One of your classmates, I imagine,† murmured Ms. Karp, turning toward the sound. But when we reached the spot, we found a large black bird lying on the on the ground. Birds – and most animals – didn't do anything for me, but even I had to admire its sleek feathers and fierce beak. It could probably peck someone's eyes out in thirty seconds – if it weren't obviously dying. With a last, halfhearted shake, the bird finally went still. â€Å"What is that? Is it a crow?† I asked. â€Å"Too big,† said Ms. Karp. â€Å"It's a raven.† â€Å"Is it dead?† asked Lissa. I peered at it. â€Å"Yeah. Definitely dead. Don't touch it.† â€Å"Probably attacked by another bird,† observed Ms. Karp. â€Å"They fight over territory and resources sometimes.† Lissa knelt down, compassion on her face. I wasn't surprised, since she'd always had a thing for animals. She'd lectured me for days after I'd instigated the infamous hamster-and-hermit-crab fight. I'd viewed the fight as a testing of worthy opponents. She'd seen it as animal cruelty. Transfixed, she reached toward the raven. â€Å"Liss!† I exclaimed, horrified. â€Å"It's probably got a disease.† But her hand moved out like she hadn't even heard me. Ms. Karp stood there like a statue, her white face looking like a ghost's. Lissa's fingers stroked the raven's wings. â€Å"Liss,† I repeated, starting to move toward her, to pull her back. Suddenly, a strange sensation flooded through my head, a sweetness that was beautiful and full of life. The feeling was so intense, it stopped me in my tracks. Then the raven moved. Lissa gave a small scream and snatched her hand back. We both stared wide-eyed. The raven flapped its wings, slowly trying to right itself and stand up. When it managed to do so, it turned toward us, fixing Lissa with a look that seemed too intelligent for a bird, its eyes held hers, and I couldn't read her reaction through the bond. At long last, the raven broke the gaze and lifted into the air, strong wings carrying it away. Wind stirring the leaves was the only sound left. â€Å"Oh my God,† breathed Lissa. â€Å"What just happened?† â€Å"Hell if I know,† I said, hiding my stark terror. Ms. Karp strode forward and grabbed Lissa's arm, forcefully turning her so that they faced each other. I was there in a flash, ready to take action if Crazy Karp tried anything, though even I had qualms about taking down a teacher. â€Å"Nothing happened,† said Ms. Karp in an urgent voice, her eyes wild-looking. â€Å"Do you hear me? Nothing. And you can't tell anyone – anyone – about what you saw. Both of you. Promise me. Promise me you won't ever talk about this again.† Lissa and I exchanged uneasy glances. â€Å"Okay† she croaked out. Ms. Karp's grip relaxed a little. â€Å"And don't ever do it again. If you do, they'll find out. They'll try to find you.† She turned to me. â€Å"You can't let her do it. Not ever again.† On the quad, outside my dorm, someone was saying my name. â€Å"Hey, Rose? I've called you, like, a hundred times.† I forgot about Ms. Karp and the raven and glanced over at Mason, who had apparently started walking with me toward the dorm while I was off in la-la land. â€Å"Sorry,† I mumbled. â€Å"I'm out of it. Just†¦um, tired.† â€Å"Too much excitement last night?† I gave him a narrow-eyed look. â€Å"Nothing I couldn't handle.† â€Å"I guess,† he laughed, though he didn't exactly sound amused. â€Å"Sounds like Jesse couldn't handle it.† â€Å"He did okay.† â€Å"If you say so. But personally, I think you've got bad taste.† I stopped walking. â€Å"And I don't think it's any of your business.† He looked away angrily. â€Å"You made it the whole class's business.† â€Å"Hey, I didn't do that on purpose.† â€Å"Would've happened anyway. Jesse's got a big mouth.† â€Å"He wouldn't have told.† â€Å"Yeah,† said Mason. â€Å"Because he's so cute and has such an important family.† â€Å"Stop being an idiot,† I snapped. â€Å"And why do you even care? Jealous I'm not doing it with you?† His flush grew, going all the way to the roots of his red hair. â€Å"I just don't like hearing people talk shit about you, that's all. There are a lot of nasty jokes going around. They're calling you a slut.† â€Å"I don't care what they call me.† â€Å"Oh, yeah. You're really tough. You don't need anyone.† I stopped. â€Å"I don't. I'm one of the best novices in this fucking place. I don't need you acting all gallant and coming to my defense. Don't treat me like I'm some helpless girl.† I turned around and kept walking, but he caught up to me easily. The woes of being five-seven. â€Å"Look†¦I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just worried about you.† I gave a harsh laugh. â€Å"I'm serious. Wait†¦Ã¢â‚¬  he began. â€Å"I, uh, did something for you. Sort of. I went to the library last night and tried to look up St. Vladimir,† I stopped again. â€Å"You did?† â€Å"Yeah, but there wasn't much on Anna. All the books were kind of generic. Just talked about him healing people, bringing them back from the edge of death.† That last part hit a nerve. â€Å"Was†¦was there anything else?† I stammered. He shook his head. â€Å"No. You probably need some primary sources, but we don't have any here.† â€Å"Primary what?† He scoffed, a smile breaking over his face. â€Å"Do you do anything but pass notes? We just talked about them the other day in Andrews' class. They're books from the actual time period you want to study. Secondary ones are written by people living today. You'll get better information if you find something written by the guy himself. Or someone who actually knew him.† â€Å"Huh. Okay. What are you, like, a boy genius now?† Mason gave me a light punch in the arm. â€Å"I pay attention, that's all. You're so oblivious. You miss all sorts of things.† He smiled nervously. â€Å"And look†¦I really am sorry about what I said. I was just – â€Å" Jealous, I realized. I could see it in his eyes. How had I never noticed this before? He was crazy about me. I guess I really was oblivious. â€Å"It's all right, Mase. Forget about it.† I smiled. â€Å"And thanks for looking that stuff up.† He smiled back, and I went inside, sad that I didn't feel the same way about him.