Chemical Reactions in Our Daily Life Essay

Science being a subject of common interest, it is very intriguing to analyze visual experiments happening in day-to-day life. There are a plethora of products that you use everyday, which are formulated with application of chemical reaction. Say for example; toothpaste, soap, shampoo, cleaning agent, etc. are all results of chemical reactions. Following are some of the most profound chemical reactions, which we encounter in everyday life : Aerobic Respiration Do you know indulging in physical movements is associated with a chemical reaction? The process requires energy, which is yielded by aerobic respiration. Over here, respiration helps breaks down glucose (an energy source) into water, carbon dioxide and energy in form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The balanced cellular respiration equation is represented as: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2+ 6H2O + Energy (36 ATPs) Anaerobic Respiration Due to overexercising, sometimes our body cells run out of oxygen and respire anaerobically. This cause synthesis of lactic acid and cause muscle cramps. Anaerobic respiration is observed in some bacteria, yeast and other organisms. In contrary to the aerobic type, it breaks down glucose in the absence of oxygen, resulting in production of ethanol, carbon dioxide and energy. Anaerobic respiration equation is: C6H12O6 → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2 + Energy Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants manufacture their own food. This occurs in presence of sunlight and other raw materials, namely carbon dioxide and water. The chlorophyll pigment harvests the light energy from sunlight, which is then converted into glucose by the phenomenon of photosynthesis. In short, it is the opposite of aerobic respiration. The equation for photosynthesis is: 6 CO2+ 6 H2O + Light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2 Rusting of Iron Very often, you notice a coating of rust over unpainted iron surfaces, which gradually leads to disintegration of iron. This is nothing, but a chemical phenomenon called rusting. In this case, iron (a very reactive metal) combines with oxygen in presence of water (more precisely, atmospheric moisture), resulting in formation of iron oxides. The chemical reaction behind rusting can be simply represented as: Fe + O2 + H2O → Fe2O3. XH2O Propane Grill Have you ever prepared meat in a propane grill? The meat placed over the burner is cooked with the help of heat energy released after burning of propane gas. Thus, propane is the reactant which when burnt with the help of oxygen gives heat energy and other byproducts. Check out the balanced equation for the combustion reaction that take place in a propane grill: C3H8 + 5O2 → 4H2O + 3CO2 + energy Whether you consider cooking, souring, fermenting or burning, there is a chemical reaction accompanying these everyday processes. Thus, it won’t be wrong to say learning chemistry and chemical reactions start at home.

Language and structure Essay

Language and structure are used in Kew Gardens to create certain effects though language and structure. One of the main meanings presented in Kew Gardens is how man kind is part of a larger picture. Furthermore, Virignia Wolf depicts a bigger picture through the use of extended metaphors. For example, the use of a snail and comparing this to the path of human life, and how it is scattered with obstacles. Imagery is used to create many effects as stated above in the first paragraph. One type of language used by Virginia Wolf is extended metaphors. For example, Wolf writes â€Å"The snail, whose shell had been stained red, blue and yellow. † In the following quote the shell is described with many adjectives to describe the beauty of life. For example, she writes â€Å"blue and yellow. † The use of the following evidence once again emphasises the use of imagery to create the effect that life is eternal and beauty. However, the use of imagery is some what of a contradiction from a normal snail emphasising to the audience that although man envisions a perfect picture of everything it may not seem the case. There is also a greater use of personification in the language to create meaning. For example, â€Å"tongue shaped leaves† and â€Å"yellow gloom of the throat† The following quote just like the snails idealises things. By idealising flowers just like the snail it juxtaposes with the description given of people within the text. Emphasising to the audience that humanity is part of a bigger cycle. Presenting to the audience how human life is intertwined with the flowers in the garden that is essential for our survival. Wolf’s tone and style can be considered very descriptive with little action. The use intense description makes nature sound tranquil and pleasant whilst the deliberate lack of description on human does the opposite creating meaning that man is not as great as it assumes. For example, Wolf gives the descriptions of the of an old, poor women as ‘Sugar, flowers, kippers greens. ‘ Emphasising my point above that through description Wolf makes humans sound dull and self centred. Furthermore, another point which can be emphasised is that Wolf uses language in order to make humans be portrayed as judgemental people. However, through the use of descriptive language on the parks it shows that nature can be appreciated by all. â€Å"The ponderous woman looked through the pattern of falling words at the flowers. † This quote creates a meaning to the audience that although Victorian society is divided by class. Our lives as humans are short and in insignificant and that like nature and the park we are forgotten and we become that cycle of intense beauty. This point can be suggested to have been created by Virginia Wolf because in Victorian society they followed the Bible which states ‘ashes to ashes dust to dust. ‘ Which can be interpreted just like Kew Gardens that we enter with and we end with nothing. However, we ourselves are part of humans nature. Lastly, through dialogue action Virginia creates the effect that going against nature results in disastrous consequences. For example, as the old man states in his dialogue â€Å"heaven was unknown to the ancients as Thessaly, William and now, with this war, the spirit matter is rolling between the hills like thunder†, and â€Å"women! Widows! Women in black! This quote by the old man demonstrates that although man wishes to feel invincible the message of peace and cooperation has to happen just like nature with man in harmony. Therefore, Virginia Wolf through tone and style and dialogue shows how nature and man live side by side. Furthermore, that although man wishes to be invincible and conquer everything through the old man we as humans acknowledge just like nature that we have to live in harmony to accept our existence.

Racial Discrimination in the Contemporary World Essay - 12

Racial Discrimination in the Contemporary World - Essay Example According to the study the concept that he actually realized was that most of the whites preferred sticking to their own groups. This was the beginning, but with time things changed and we got on better terms after a few months. However, the level of trust wasnt very high but I actually communicated with them. We were colleagues, but not friends who would actually go out or attend parties together. It can't be denied that my race did however, assist me in many matters. He formed a very strong bond and actually made really good friends with people who belonged to different races and were international students like me and most of whom came from countries such as India, China, Rwanda and a few from Somalia. However, it is important to note that these people were better off than me since they did not have a history of conflict with the US unlike the Arabs. They were oppressed basically on the account of their skin color and religion. There was a stronger feeling of trust between us and we knew that we could rely on each other. It was actually the racial discrimination that brought us all together because we were all facing the same difficulties. It was the common experiences and problems that brought us all together and it was after this that he could be very sure that he was not alone anymore. Another important benefit that   he acquired was the fact that he became aware of the different races and cultures as all of my friends belonged to different places.  

Pathophysiology Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Pathophysiology - Assignment Example If the patient consumed a diet rich in proteins, sodium, and sugar, then he unknowingly contributed to the accumulation of the kidney stones. In addition, the rate of water intake by the patient possibly contributed more to the maintenance of sodium and calcium metals in his kidneys. An insufficient intake of water by the patient could have led to dehydration and the minute passage of sodium, calcium, and oxalates in small amounts through the kidneys (Editore, 2014). The test results of the patient’s white blood cell count would have been around 11.5 Ãâ€" 109 (4-22.1). This white blood cell count is extremely high for a urine sample, which is a sign of a urinary infection. Blood calcium levels of the patient would have been high, causing the body to store the excess calcium in the bones and pass the rest in urine and stool (Editore, 2014). A CT scan would sensitively reveal the kidney stones explicitly and implicitly through the detection of widened ureters. X-ray results would make urinary tract visible and reveal renal calculi that contain enough calcium for the x-ray to pick up. The best treatment for the patient is lithotripsy if the stones are big. To prevent recurrence, the patient take prescribed medications and drink plenty of fluids while at home or work (Editore,

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

The Reformation - Essay Example It had no lasting influence unlike other European countries except the fact that it strengthened the Roman Catholic Church1. However, sometimes the Reformation is described as the Northern Renaissance. This description has been given to the Reformation in the views of many of the historians. The Northern Renaissance is the Renaissance in northern Europe. It was by the late 15th century that the ideas of the Italian Renaissance humanism spread across Europe and influenced many national and localized movements such as the French Renaissance, German Renaissance and others. Each of these had their own different characteristics and strengths. Italian art and artists such as Leonardo Di Vinci were commissioned and great palaces were built to import the art. It was also believed that the Northern Renaissance was closely linked to the Protestant Reformation and to the series of external and internal conflicts that existed between the various Protestant groups and the Roman Catholic Church. T hese had a lasting impact on the Renaissance. Despite the link between the Northern Renaissance and the Reformation, many researchers have found the differences between them that hinder the connection link between them. The Northern Renaissance was seen as the rebirth of the Greek and Roman civilization2. The Renaissance first begun in the states of Italy and many of the intellectuals suggested that the era after the fall of the Roman Empire till their own times was the Dark Ages, or the Middle Ages. However, this was not true, in fact the irony of the Renaissance, the cultural and intellectual achievements owed a lot to the medieval world. There were many gains in literature, art, philosophy and political thoughts, and individualism was seen as people wanted to receive personal credit fir what they did rather than praising God for everything. As the education spread throughout the Europe and the printing press was introduced in the mid-fifteenth century, the Renaissance spread thro ughout the Europe and was now called the Northern Renaissance. The Northern Renaissance was mainly interested in the religious concerns and this is what leads to the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation had aimed to correct the problems associated with the Catholic Church and sparked the religious civil war for over a century. It was mainly a spiritual and religious revolution3. There were many ideas that emanated in the Italian Renaissance which influenced the Reformation. The Italian Renaissance encouraged the concept of individual and the search for beauty and knowledge. Various forms were used to spread the Renaissance throughout Europe which included letters, writings and several other kinds of practices. This way, the Northern Renaissance was seen to have been influenced by the relationship of the individual with God. The values were built upon the importance of learning and staying connected to the personal relationship with God. Eventually, with further teachings and idea s, a religious sect arose which applied the humanist values to the religious life. And thus, gradually the Northern Renaissance gave a rise to the Reformation. Petrarch, Erasmus and Luther’s lives are best descriptions of the adoption of Renaissance into the Reformation. Petrarch insisted the learning of Greek and Roman manuscripts. He portrayed the value and worth of a man through his portraits and letters. Furthermore, his travels allowed the ideas to spread throughout Europe. An example is his description of the Renaissance as the

Notions of genetic discrimination,genetic determinism,and a Term Paper

Notions of genetic discrimination,genetic determinism,and a utilitarian comparison - Term Paper Example Portrayals of scientific fact in the mainstream media are, to most scientists, for the most part inaccurate descriptions of legitimate research methods.One aspect of scientific research that the media commonly misrepresents is that related to genetic research. For instance, a study may be published associating on average a specific gene with a certain quantifiable behavior. The media, upon receiving word of this research, will change the wording of the story in order to sensationalize and sell the story as newsworthy, often relying on words like â€Å"cause†. Over time, the public has started to perceive â€Å"genes† as the causal determinants of our actions, our lives, and our decisions. This view, called â€Å"genetic determinism†, lies at the root of many fears about the specter of â€Å"genetic discrimination†, which many believe is on the horizon for developed countries where genome maps are becoming increasingly cheap. Nevertheless, it is not clear w hether genetic discrimination will grow to become the problem many are forecasting. From an ethical perspective, the problem of genetic discrimination may not lie solely in the act of discriminating against an individual based on his or her genome; rather, the problem may lie in people’s fears about a genetic bias, which may cause some not to seek a diagnosis. Utilitarianism is the ethical theory that the moral content of an act (or rule) consists solely of the degree to which it maximizes happiness (or utility) in the greatest number of people. In other words, the good toward which all of our actions ought to pursue, under the utilitarian theory, is happiness, pleasure, or preference-satisfaction. Accordingly, if by ending the life of one person we save the life of twenty persons, then that act is not only allowable but also preferred under the utilitarian theory. Utilitarianism does have intuitive appeal insofar as any living being will seek to maximize its pleasure and min imize its pain. This moral theory acknowledges this fact and places happiness as the good toward which we evaluate all actions as either moral or immoral. The Utilitarian Argument against Discrimination Under a utilitarian framework, the argument against discrimination in any context follows from the assumption that society will be better off, or enriched, by the contributions of as many people as possible. Thus, if people were to be discriminated against in some fashion, their contributions to society (and ideas on how to make society better) would be lost without an audience. Therefore, as the argument goes, it is wrong to discriminate against people without looking at their character or actions. Utilitarians believe that policies like affirmative action, which are aimed at producing an equal society, are good in that they produce the most happiness for the highest number of people, primarily for the reason given above. However, if this equality lowered the overall good of society , utilitarians would immediately change their mind with respect to the equality-building measures. Likewise, in the case of genetic discrimination, utilitarians usually adopt legislation and other measures to counter the effects of discriminatory practices; nevertheless, if it were to be proven that equality-building attempts (such as banning mandatory genetic testing for new employees) hurt society, utilitarians would be obligated to change their opinions with respect to that situation. The Nature of Genetic Discrimination Genetic discrimination relates to making decisions because of genetic information when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training, fringe benefits, or any other term or condition of employment (EEOC, 2010). Employers cannot utilize genetic informati

Sports Counsil Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Sports Counsil - Assignment Example Furthermore, it argued that it had revoked its offer after the swim had started on 7th July 2011 and sent boats after the swimmers to make it clear to the swimmers that there will not be any prize. They argued that they had used loudspeakers. But, Jennifer said she never heard any announcement particularly due to the bathing cap covering her ears and she was focused on her swimming only. Issue The problem is that Jennifer had accepted the offer made by Sports Council and joined the swimmers in the race. She reached the shore first and was entitled to a prize. However, Sports Council has refused to pay her the promised prize. Questions Related to the Case The following questions arise here that requires critical analysis and legal backup to reach to the advice for Jennifer: Q1. What laws are applicable to Jennifer vs. Sports Council case? Q2. Was the offer made by Sports Council an offer or an invitation to treat? Q3. Was Jennifer’s acceptance of the offer properly communicated to Sports Council? Q4. Is intention to create legal relations integral to creating a valid enforceable contract? Q5. Was there any contract between Jennifer and Sports Council? Q6. Was it a unilateral or bilateral contract? Q7. Was there any consideration? Q8. Was the revocation of the offer valid? Q9. Is Sports Council liable to pay the prize to Jennifer and any other damages in the instance of refusal to pay the prize? Q10. Does UK law provides any remedies to Jennifer in terms of a legal action against Sports Council? Flow of Discussion in the Paper This paper will address the above mentioned questions through the critical analysis of the four alternative grounds relied upon to refuse payment of prize money to Jennifer. The analysis will aim to evaluate each of the alternative ground in the light of United Kingdom’s Contract Law to reach to the conclusion whether these grounds are valid and have any force of law. The conclusion will help in determining the legal position of Jennifer and lay down the future course of action to claim the prize money. Analysis of the Alternative Grounds Relied upon by Sports Council a) The newspaper advertisement was not an offer but a mere puff and there was no intention to create legal relations. Paul Richard has defined offer as â€Å"an expression of a willingness to contract on certain terms made with the intention that a binding agreement will exist once the offer is accepted†1. The first step to formation of a contract is an offer. The offer is made between an offeror and offeree. The offeror shows or expresses a willingness to enter into a contract on certain and definite terms which will come into force and become binding as soon as they have been accepted by the offeree who has been addressed. However, the term â€Å"expression† refer to numerous forms of communicating to the offeree like newspaper, letter or email. It also includes a conduct of an offeror to an offeree that communicates to the latter due to which the offeree is willing to contract with the offeror. The expression can only be objective and not a subjective one. The courts conduct a test to determine whether there was an offer which was accepted to determine whether an agreement existed between both parties. In the leading British case Smith v Hughes (1871) LR 6 QB 597, the court held that: "If, whatever a man's real intention may be, he so conducts himself that a reasonable

Infection Prevention and Control in Defence Healthcare Essay

Infection Prevention and Control in Defence Healthcare - Essay Example Present and important theories on infection control and prevention will be discussed, as well as the best practices in vogue today. II. What Is an Infection? An infection in medical terms may be defined as the susceptibility of the human body or an area of the human body to be vulnerable to germs (www.cqc.org.uk). These germs enter the body and multiply, causing disease and subsequent discomfort. Infection may be caused by a debilitating disease such as cancer or diabetes, or even be the side effects of treatments being provided to cure or lessen other impacts of life threatening diseases and maladies. In fact, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and other such conditions in the elderly may cause them to fall and thus result in wounds and infections that if not cared for properly and effectively lead to partial or even permanent immobility. An infection may also be defined as the invasion of foreign cells that cause harm to the host organism. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites can invade the human body at a susceptible location and cause harm to it. Engaging in combat as defense personnel do put them in the front lines of battle and can easily lead to injuries and wounds which can get infected as well. That is why it is important that persons dealing with infection prevention and control such as doctors, nurses, paramedics and surgeons not only have first hand knowledge of the most common types of infections but also how to prevent them or control their spread in the human body. They must not only know the best practices but also take proper and adequate measures when dealing with injured patients who have already contracted infections to prevent them from causing further harm to themselves or the patients (RCN, 2005). III. Kinds of Infections & Their Causes As stated above, there may be many causes of infections. An infection may be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi or any other kind of parasite. Strep throat infections, urinary tract infectio ns, E.coli and tuberculosis are caused by infections of the lungs and other parts of the body. Bacterial infections include strep throat and impetigo, a skin condition that can be treated with antibiotics that have been created to combat and destroy the specific bacteria causing the infection. Viruses are typically smaller than bacteria and often work by infecting a specific part of a healthy cell, preventing it from doing its work and causing sickness. Influenza and the common cold are two types of common infections caused by bacteria. Sometimes it is worth remembering that bacterial infections occur in coordination or secondary to viral infections, in which case the antibiotic prescribed works to prevent the infection from spreading, while the body is healed through its natural mechanism. The most common types of fungal infection include nail infections, ringworm, athlete’s foot and vaginal yeast infections. Fungal infections are caused either by certain conditions in the b ody or as a result of coming into contact with a person who is so infected. The usual treatment prescribed in this case is oral medication or the application of anti-fungal creams. IV. The Need and Importance of Infection Control We have looked at the different causes of infections and also how they may be spread. The usual method of spreading disease or infection is either

English Academic Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

English Academic Study - Essay Example The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all people are entitled to their privacy and that of their families, properties, and their communications. People further have a right to legal protection of their privacy that extends to their geographical space and information on a person or a person’s communication (Wellman 2005, p. 138). Even though the press has its freedom that is considered a right, as human right to privacy, its misuse infringed the right to privacy and would therefore not only be immoral but would also be illegal. While the courts’ interpretation of freedom of press and its conflict with right to privacy has sometimes undermined the privacy right, it focuses on the informative role of the press and involved public interest in the breach of privacy. These are then balanced with the right to privacy to determine whether a breach is legal or not. Only a reasonable breach of privacy of a celebrity who is not a public figure and breach of privacy of a public figure, if it is incidental to public interest, would therefore be allowed (British Institute of International and Comparative Law 2013, p. 1). The right to privacy and freedom of press identifies conflict of law and unless there is public interest or justifiable need for information among a population segment, privacy is supreme and the celebrities deserve a life without constant press scrutiny. British Institute of International and Comparative Law 2013, The right to privacy and the freedom of the press: From the European domestic perspective and back, British Institute of International and Comparative Law, Retrieved 3 March, 2014, < http://www.biicl.org/events/view/-/id/739/

The Process of Making a Simple Metallic Water Bucket Essay Example for Free

The Process of Making a Simple Metallic Water Bucket Essay While there are many designs of water buckets in the market made of either plastic or metal, there is the universal design that manufactures tend to use with modifications put in order to create a distinction between this manufacturer and the others. This universal design is the V-shaped bucket, which has got the bottom circumference slightly smaller than the top circumference. Those made of plastic may have or may not have a lid, but the metallic ones do not have lids unless in extreme cases. In a metal-work workshop there are dangerous tools and materials which can cause fatal injuries if the proper safety precautions are not adhered to; therefore one should carefully follow the instructions -that govern the use of any tool. The procedure of making a simple metallic bucket may vary from one manufacturer to another but generally it involves four stages namely; (1) Measurement and Marking stage; (2) Cutting stage; (3) Folding stage, and; (4) Joining Stage. In the MEASUREMENT stage, the correct sizes of the parts that make up the bucket i. e. the bottom part, the curved part that forms the body of a bucket, and the handle are measured and marked on metallic sheets. A metallic measuring tape, inside and outside calipers, and marking knife will be most appropriate tools used in this stage. The measured and marked parts are then carefully CUT using either a cold chisel or metal-work scissors depending on the density of the metal sheet. The next stage involves FOLDING of the cut pieces in order to prepare them for the final stage. Pliers, anvil, measuring tape, and metal-work hammer are the most appropriate tools in this stage. The folded metal pieces are then JOINED together using the most appropriate joint i. e. that is simple and can hold on for along time, double seamed joint may be preferred than riveted joint. The handle is also fixed at this stage; a curved handle may be used because it tends to resist breaking rather than that with edges. Assignment #2 Definition of abstract nouns Nouns to be defined: Loyalty, Bravery, Shyness, Faith. Loyalty: Human beings were created in the image of God, they were given the authority to subdue the earth and they were given rules that governed their relationship with God, among these rules were that they should not eat the fruits of the tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden. God expected them to be faithful (loyal) to him, however, they were deceived by the devil into eating the forbidden fruits and as a result they were heavily punished. In almost every activity we undertake are governed by rules and regulations which we are bound to follow, the Loyalty, devotion, dependent, honest or faithfulness to a cause, thing, person, or to the set rules ensures that we do not rub shoulders with the setting authority or even we do not get punished (suffer). The concept of loyalty is a crucial element of moral ethics that govern the lives of human beings, all the other virtues that makes up a morally upright human being has got their origin to loyalty. For instance, if one is loyal to his/her creator then definitely s/he will love others, help those with problems, respect others etc, in short s/he will be an all round person in regards i. e. being loyal to both earthly and heavenly rules. Jesus Christ asserted that no one should serve two masters at the same time, because s/he will end up loving the one more while hating the other, s/he will devote much time to the one and despise the other. [Mathew 6:24] He explained that serving two masters at the same time will lead to a state of double mindedness and therefore undermine loyalty to a cause. [James 4:8] This therefore forms the basis of loyalty; the very act of showing a hundred percent devotion, faithfulness†¦ to a cause. Disloyalty is the opposite of loyalty; its meaning is therefore the complete opposite of the meaning of loyalty! Assignment #3 Comparing and Contrasting Soccer vs. Hockey Soccer or football is one of the oldest sports believed to have originated from the ancient Greece when young boys used to kick the bladders of slaughtered animals. [historyofsoccer. net/] On the other hand, Hockey, basically referred to as â€Å"the ball and stick game† was played since ancient times in diverse places like Egypt, Scotland, South America and Rome. [historyofhockey. net/] The two sport disciplines vary greatly in many aspects. Using the sequencing method of comparing and contrasting, these variances can be best depicted. Soccer is a sport that is played by eleven players using feet, head, chest and hands for a normal play duration of 90 minutes (divided in two halves of 45 minutes each), while hockey is played by eleven players using sticks, for normal match duration of 70 minutes ( divided in two halves of 35 minutes each). Soccer pitch is larger in size as compared to hockey pitch with measurements ranging from, 100-110m as length and 64-75m as width while hockey pitch measures 75m as length and 35m as width. Soccer ball is made of leather or synthetic material and it is filled with pressure while hockey has a cork that is small in size and it is made of hard material. Soccer players wear jerseys, shorts, shin guards, socks and boots with long studs with the goalkeeper wearing gloves in addition to those other attire, while in hockey a players jerseys, shorts, shin guards, socks and boots with short studs with goalkeeper wearing an helmet, chest guard, loin guard, shin guards, gloves, and large plastic footwear as the extra protective attire. Whereas kicking of the ball is one of the major skills in a game of soccer, in hockey kicking of the cork is a gross violation except when done by a goalkeeper. In soccer aerial balls (passes) are allowed while in a game of hockey balls which are above the waist are considered as dangerous play and are usually penalized. Soccer is run by the FIFA (federation international de football association), while hockey is run by the FIH (federation of international hockey). Assignment #4 Summarizing References: New International Bible, accessed on January 26, 2009 Hokey history, available; http://www. historyofhockey. net/, accessed on January 26, 2009 Soccer history, available at; http://www. historyofsoccer. net/, accessed on January 26, 2009

The History And Background Of Yahoo Marketing Essay

The History And Background Of Yahoo Marketing Essay A company symbol is regarded as a unique mark or design that identifies a certain firm. In most cases, a company symbol tends to be more important than the assets of a company when it comes to the companys identification by the public. All of the international as well as regional business firms, including Yahoo, tend to have their specific company symbols, which helps them for public identification. For instance, the company symbol for Yahoo is Yahoo! (Mortensen p25). The key executives of Yahoo are committed business individuals who ensure that the firm runs smoothly in the business fraternity. Yahoos key executives include Marissa Mayer who is the Chief Executive Officer, the President, as well as the Director of the company. David Filo is the Co-Founder and Chief of Yahoo!. Kenneth Goldman holds the key position of the Chief Financial Officer. Ron Brachman is the Chief Scientist and Head of Yahoo! Labs. Finally, there is Henrique De Castro who holds the position of Chief Operating Officer at Yahoo! (Snell p31). Yahoo is an American internet corporation, which has its headquarters in Sunnyvale California. The firm was found by two individuals, David Filo and Jerry Yang, in 1994, and was incorporated in the business world in March the year 1995. Yahoo tends to generate its revenue from the display of text-based links to advertisers Websites, which is regarded as search advertising, from the display of graphical advertisements, which is regarded as display advertising, as well as from other relevant sources (Snell p33). As an internet corporation, Yahoo offers a number of products and services to its esteemed customers. The company has a strong technology and insights that helps it in the delivery of digital content and experiences across the globe and communication devices. The firm tends to provide online services and properties to its users, as well as marketing services aimed to connect with Yahoo! users. This is done through a distribution of network of third party entities. Through its search engine, Yahoo! Search, and its web portal, the firm provides services such as advertising, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Directory, fantasy sports, online mapping, social media website, Yahoo! News, as well as Yahoo! Groups. The firm has properties, which are tailored to users in certain international markets. The properties include social networking websites (Meme and Wretch), and Yahoo! Homepage (Mortensen p69). The services offered to users of Yahoo are divided under three categories. The categories include Media, Communications and Communities as well as Search and Marketplaces. Under the Communications and Communities category, the firm offers Yahoo! Messenger, Flickr, Yahoo! Answers, Yahoo! Mail, Connected TV, and Yahoo! Groups. Services offered under this particular category enable the users to organize themselves in groups and share photos, common interests, as well as knowledge (Snell p47). The Search and Marketplaces category tends to answer the information needs of the users through the search results pages and across Yahoo!. The search offerings of the company include Yahoo! Local, and Yahoo! Search. These offerings are free of charge for the users and help them discover new content on the internet. On the other hand, the Marketplaces offerings include Yahoo! Small Business, Yahoo! Real Estate, Yahoo! Travel, Yahoo! Shopping, and Yahoo! Autos. With these properties, the company enables users to research and review specific topics or fields of interest and exchange information with parties of similar interest (Snell p49). The final category is the Media whose services are tend to engage the Yahoo users with online services and content especially on the web. The services provided under this category are free of charge to the users. Services provided include My Yahoo!, Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Homepage, Yahoo! Toolbar, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Entertainment, Yahoo! Sports, and Yahoo! Contributor Network (Snell p48). In the internet business, Yahoo tends to have a number of competitors who keep the company on toes in terms of performance and service provision to the customers. The main competitors for Yahoo! include Google Inc., Acxiom Corporation, Agilysys, Inc., AOL Inc., Adobe Systems Inc, Facebook Inc, and Callidus Software, Inc. among others. These competitors tend to compete in terms of service provision to the internet users. The top competitors of the named ones for Yahoo are Google Inc., and AOL Inc (Mortensen p72). The key executives in the firm head the structure of the organization. The head of the structure is the Chief Executive Officer who is also the president of the firm. The Chief Executive Officer usually does most of the managerial activities and decisions in the firm. Other key executives who makes the top of the organization structure includes the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Yahoo, and Chief Scientist and Head of Yahoo Labs. The growth and development of the firm majorly depends on these individuals (Associated Press). The management of the company mainly lies in the hands of the Board of Directors and the Key Executive members of Yahoo. The management team of the company tends to manage business at the company by ensuring that employees perform their duties as scheduled, and that the users of Yahoo receive the best products and services in the market (IFM). In 2011 September, the management team headed by the chair of the firm decided to fire the then Chief Executive Officer, Bartz. This decision was consequential in terms of business for Yahoo when a number of potential buyers came in with the idea of buying parts or rather the whole firm. In September 2012, the current Chief Executive Officer of Yahoo made a decision of closing the deal the company had with Alibaba in her managerial post. This particular deal; was controversial and it earned the company a negative image in the business fraternity. The closure of the deal affected the companys financial function in a positive way by giving the company 625 million US Dollars (IFM). In relation to sales and earnings of the key financial finding for Yahoo is that the company has been able to grow its bottom line. In the 2012, despite the stagnant revenue growth, the companys bottom line was able to grow from 1.0 billion US Dollars to 3.9 US Dollars. In the earning statement of 2012 delivered by the companys Chief Executive Officer, she stated that the firm was able to show a revenue growth in 2012 for the first time in a period of four years. The variables that tend to affect the earnings of the company include revenue, earnings per share, price to earnings ratio, and return on equity. The variables tend to change from time to time and this affects the earnings of the company (Mortensen p56). There are a number of activities and decisions that the company did to affect its financials. For instance, in 2012 during the quarter that the company made progress in its financials, it is indicated that various activities took place. The CEO stated that the executive team was reshuffled leading to its growth, there was the launching of unbelievable Yahoo! mail and Flickr mobile experiences, as well as signing of major business partnerships with the CBS Television, and NBC Sport (Snell p38). There are also a number of decisions that the company made which led to negative impact of its financials. They include signing a business deal with the Alibaba group, creation of the Yahoo! search image in 2006 that brought up sexually explicit images, and rejection of Microsoft Corporations bid of acquiring the firm in 2008 on the basis that Microsoft had undervalued it. These decisions led to the fall of the companys financials (Mortensen p81). It is with no doubt that global issues are affecting business at Yahoo. For instance, there are various global issues that can be discussed. Advancements in technology is one of the global issues that affect business at the company since it is an internet company. Many technologically advanced companies around the globe are coming up with advanced internet service provision, and this tends to keep Yahoo on toes (Belew and Joel p35). Another global issue of concern is the fact that majority of people around the globe communicate through the social medias in the internet. Since the company offers such services, increased numbers of subscribers on social networks around the globe affect business operations at the company. The company has to provide the best services to its customers (Belew and Joel p33). Challenges that Yahoo! has been facing over the years in business operation is a relevant topic that was left out. One of the main challenges that the company has been facing in the past years is poor management. For instance, until the appointment of Mayer as the Chief Executive Officer of the firm, the company had plunged into poor leadership. This is clearly indicated by the poor financial reports the company used to report in the past years (Belew and Joel p56). Another challenge that the company faced in the past, and was a great loss is the fact that the company had signed a business deal with Alibaba Group and that it had created a Yahoo! Search image that showed sexually explicit images. The company received a lot of criticism from the public, whereby it lost some of its customers (Mortensen p43).

A Recipe for Revolution :: miscellaneous

A Recipe for Revolution Today’s world subjects an individual to many different socio-religious-political influences. Out of those individuals come idealized leaders reinforcing their influences. In the increasing complexity of such memes and their interactions clarity and an understanding of evolutionary paths that is favored by nature-one that results in better survival- has become paramount. An assumption can boldly be made that violent or non violent constituents in the practice of such ideals eventually determine the desirable outcome namely the survival and success in the pursuit. As such one begins to wonder what has happened to non-violence of Gandhian heritage. It seems a dead and irrevocable concept in the turbulent waters of today. If one said its no longer applicable, its not without ground. Let us see how an opposition to Gandhian nonviolence can be mounted. It could have only worked against British A finer point is the fact that any means of non-violence protest is sustainable provided the opposition has a moral value not to cross a certain line. Has it been the case where British practiced shoot or execute anybody who may protest by any means, then Gandhi would have been shot lot earlier, perhaps in the train in South Africa, and there would have been no mahatma or success of non violence. Take Hitler for example. Let alone resisting, even if you try to cooperate with German for the demise of Jews, as a Jew you can be sure you will be shot. Where do you put non-violence against such a tyranny? There is no current conflict scenario where non-violence can be applied It won’t be exaggeration to state that â€Å"almost all the current conflict in the world has an armed oppression against unarmed public.† The statement can be substantiated by following two different points. In the most direct sense it means an authority’s aggression towards specific category of people using the unitary powers they hold which eventually fuel and give birth to an armed opposition or say a revolution. Most importantly on the second sense in any such conflicts, revolution or terrorism, just or unjust, it is the innocent people who are victimized the most. It is in this context we must identify the current conflict scenarios as a new era-new era of violence. What is clear is the fact that the nature of the conflicts in the world has significantly shifted. Not long ago, it used to be fighting a foreigner-imperialist for the independence of native land.

Catcher In The Rye :: Essays Papers

Catcher In The Rye â€Å"Oh literature, oh the glorious Art, how it preys upon the marrow in our bones. It scoops the stuffing out of us and chucks us aside† (David Herbert Lawrence). Well-written works of literature have the undeniable ability to kidnap readers, carry them away into the story’s imaginary world, and hold the reader for ransom, away from a world where they may not be anticipating the return. This type of literary escape is scarce in today’s fast-paced society. One is submitted into a fantasy, in which opinions and ideas about the characters and situations expand beyond all possibilities. Literature acts as a valuable aid for self-growth; it nourishes intellect, cheers one up, or relaxes mind and spirit. Nikki Giovanni asks the question, â€Å"ever been kidnaped/by a poet† (Giovanni 346). If one has not yet been enriched by this feeling, the mystery must be unveiled. To say that I have experienced this feeling from only one piece of literature would prove a great injustice to my literary history. There have been countless moments in my life where I have left time and place to enter a world created by the author, but perfected by my own interpretations and impressions. The literary work that stands out most my mind is The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. This is one of the most absorbing novels I had the privilege to read. The plot of this story concerns a young man, Holden Caulfield, being expelled from one of a long list of schools. The intriguing part of this story is how he perceives and understands his own human condition. He experiences unexplained depression and erratic behavior, which leads to an eventual nervous breakdown in a world he views as invaded by â€Å"phony† adults who corrupt innocent children. The title is justified when Holden is talking to his little sister. She asks what he wants to be when he grows up. He asks her if she’s ever heard the song â€Å"If a body catch a body comin’ through the rye.† He continues: I keep picturing these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody’s around-nobody big, I mean-except me. And I’m standing on the edge of some crazy cliff.

Carson :: essays research papers

Carson   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Smith for asking me to speak today on behalf of Carson. First things first, everyone grab a tissue and wipe your tears. I know Carson is here right now and she is watching us come up here and cry, I know she hates that. She hates it when anyone cries, so everyone cheer up, crying is not what she would have wanted. We are here to celebrate and commemorate the life of a truly wonderful girl. I never in a million years thought that one day I would have to say good bye to such a wonderful soul. Carson, you were a shining light in my life for thirteen years. How can let you go with so much of our lives left still to experience. I remember the first day we met; truthfully I didn’t get a good impression of you. You were wearing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles t-shirt, I hated that cartoon. But you redeemed yourself by inviting me inside for snacks and a soda. It was only a matter of time before we were on the front lawn selling lemonade and playing house. I even broke my wrist in your backyard, boy did I feel stupid when everyone else could do a cartwheel and I couldn’t. The countless sleepovers, bike rides, movies, and fights made our friendship flourish.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Today, though I want to tell you about the Carson I knew. The girl who always put others before herself, the girl who loved, the girl who was beautiful inside and out. Carson was a straight A student who was very hard on herself, grades were very important to her. She also knew that there were those who didn’t do well in school, so she would tutor anyone who asked. I know I would have never passed physics without her.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Carson was a talented child right from the start. She would give me chills when she played Beethoven’s 5th symphony on her piano. Oh yeah, did I mention she was also an extremely gifted artist. She put her heart and soul in her drawings; I always thought they were her essence sketched onto paper.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  She was athletic, one of the best soccer and tennis players I have ever seen. Carson spent hours on end practicing; she was determined to be the best she could be. It never mattered what others thought of her ability, her self satisfaction was all she was aiming for.

Professional Development Plan Essay

Part IA: Description of Personal and Professional Goals From a very early age, I was encouraged to attend college by my parents, my grandparents, and a beloved uncle. They all taught me that obtaining an education, particularly a college education, was a privilege that had not always been afforded to people of color and that it should not be taken for granted. They also taught me that education was the best way to attain great success, no matter how I chose to define success. It did, however, take some time before I fully understood what they so passionately attempted to instill in me. It was not until I began working at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), in an environment of academia, that I understood the value and importance of education, and the incredible impact that being part of a learning environment has on a young mind. I have been fortunate to be able to utilize the management skills I learned from my undergraduate studies and through various employment opportunities after obtaining a master’s degree in business administ ration. I have enjoyed my experiences working in the business field, as diverse as they have been, and would love to teach business administration at the university level. I would like to pursue a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree so that I may be considered an authority within the business field and possibly teach at JCSU as an adjunct professor. Eventually, both my degree and my experiences will assist me in achieving the long-term goals that both my husband and I share of operating a non-profit organization for children and a for-profit security business. Our combined goals are far-reaching and our desire to see them accomplished is passionate. I enjoy managing people, events, and projects. I have discovered that I enjoy and am very good at designing and executing plans that make it easier for others to achieve their  objective—which is ultimately the definition of management. That is why I wished to design my own concentration within Walden University’s doctoral program that will combine financial management and leadership skill courses. I also wish to simultaneously obtain my certification as a Six Sigma Black Belt. According to the American Society of Quality (2008): A Black Belt should demonstrate team leadership, understand team dynamics and assign team member roles and responsibilities. Black Belts have a thorough understanding of all aspects of the DMAIC model in accordance with Six Sigma principles. They have basic knowledge of Lean enterprise concepts, are able to identify non-value-added elements and activities and are able to use specific tools. (para. 1) The Walden University outcomes for graduates that I believe are most relevant to my profe ssional goals as a DBA candidate are to: understand and continuously develop and change themselves, the organizations in which they work, and society at large; create new knowledge dedicated to the improvement of social conditions, and to positively impact society by putting that knowledge into practice, by modeling their learning through action, and by being civically engaged; . . . achieve professional excellence as active and influential professionals by applying their learning to specific problems and challenges in their work settings and professional practice; . . . [and] practice in their professional fields legally and ethically. . . . (Walden University, 2008c) These outcomes are directly aligned with my professional and personal goals. Because of the manner in which Walden University has chosen to cultivate professionals and the reputation it has in the e-learning environment, Walden was my first choice in education options. Part IB: Outline and S.W.O.T. Analysis Strengths I have several strengths that I believe will be instrumental in obtaining a Doctor of Business Administration degree. Two great strengths are the completion of my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Both degrees are in areas of business in which I have great interest, and that interest has grown with each new professional position that I have obtained. Immediately after completing my bachelor’s degree, I worked as an economic services worker (ESW) for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services. I  worked heavily with financial analysis in order to determine the eligibility of applicants for state and federal programs. I enjoyed the financial analysis side of the position but could not bear witnessing the immense poverty of the clients I served in West Virginia. This position brought light to both a strength and a weakness that I possess. I truly enjoy helping others and working with finances and budgets. However, I have a weakness for enabling indiv iduals to continue in their plight by doing for them instead of assisting them achieve independence. During the time that I worked as an ESW in the West Virginia welfare system, I was truly an enabler. I was prompted to leave the position for that reason. I found additional strengths in learning about ethics and compliance in business in my next professional position, as I worked my way up to the position of manager in a compliance call center. I benefited from great grammar skills and obtained additional editing and leadership skills. This position also increased my interest in compliance, particularly as it pertains to corporations and their finances. These interests will no doubt have a large impact on my doctoral studies. The call center management position taught me invaluable skills in managing people of various temperaments and learning how to be creative in getting results from a diverse group of individuals. I obtained great time management and crisis management skills as well that I keep with me and that have shaped my leadership skills. It is these skills that I hope to teach to other young business leaders, in addition to valuable business skills. In my current position as a grants manager and development officer, I complete research on a frequent basis for faculty and staff who wish to write grants that are congruent with the university’s strategic plan. These research skills will most assuredly be invaluable during my doctoral studies. Additionally, the research resources at my disposal will be a great asset. Support from family and friends is essential and it has been given to me unconditionally. It is from this support that I frequently draw strength. However, my primary reasons for not allowing defeat to overtake me when it could have in the past are my two sons. They are my most precious accomplishments, and I will see them succeed in their dreams by instilling in them the promise of education that was instilled in me by my family. Weaknesses Statistical Analysis has always been my least favorite business course. Each time I have survived Statistical Analysis with an admirable grade, but because I have not mastered it, I still fear it a little. I know that I will need to call upon resources at the university where I work for tutoring assistance during my doctoral program in hopes of finally mastering Statistical Analysis. It is my desire to become comfortable and proficient with statistical tools because it will be important for both my academic and professional progression. To be successful in my pursuit of a doctoral degree, I must minimize my propensity to overload my plate with tasks just because I have the ability to do it, knowing full well I do not have the time. At my current place of employment, I am called upon frequently to do things like fix a simple problem with the division printer or a computer, run reports, or complete an administrative task because I can get it done quickly, even though it may be someone else’s responsibility. Although my intentions are honorable, I am enabling others not to perform and am hindering my own efforts. Quickly recovering from errors made will also be a necessity. I cannot afford to brood over failures because it does not benefit my progress in any manner. Practicing these corrections in self-awareness will be no easy task for me. Opportunities With a master’s degree and now a doctoral degree in my future, opportunities are abundant. I am optimistic, even in this current economy with extreme unemployment, that if I do not obtain a promotion at the university where I currently work, I may still have a future in an academic setting. It is my desire to bring quality improvements and greater excellence to Johnson C. Smith University, but the proposal that I am currently developing regarding a division of quality and excellence is a model that will work in most academic settings. The opportunity to complete research that may be published is also a possibility because I work in academia and because of the nature of my job as a development officer. I have had one piece published in JCSU’s quarterly magazine, and it is my desire to have an article published in a scholarly journal through connections with the university. Our current university president encourages scholarly writing, and when given the  opportunity to write, whether for research or for advancing my financial position, I will seize it. If permitted to continue down my current employment path, I believe there will be opportunities for fellowships, which are sorely needed. The American Association of University Women, the National Black MBA Association, and the American Management Association, all offer unique fellowship opportunities to members who have applied themselves and show excellence in their profession. Threats The opportunity for fellowships is extremely important in my effort to obtain a doctoral degree because financial debt from funding my education is mounting. Ironically, the university where I work does not offer any type of tuition assistance toward a graduate degree. It is my hope that I can supplant future loans with fellowships from one of the organizations mentioned above, including any offered by Walden University. In addition to mounting loans, the current economy is weighing heavily on my family budget. Ordinarily, I would be prompted to action by finding another way to bring income into our household. I am now required to depend upon my spouse for that additional support, something I am used to doing myself. Financial sacrifice is not the only burden I have placed on my family. With two children, one with a medical need that requires additional attention in order for him to be successful, I must again rely heavily on my spouse to do what I would be more comfortable doing myself. I will put to work those leadership and management skills I obtained during my call center days in order to appropriately deal with what seems to be increasing political posturing by some of my colleagues. It is still a little difficult for me to believe that anyone would be threatened by my ambitions. However, I must be careful to consider that it as a possibility. The business world is very competitive, but I assumed because I did not work directly in the corporate world that I would be safe from that type of political environment. I will work to reassure my colleagues that my dedication to ethical behavior will not permit me to ruin another coworker  for my own professional gain. Part IIA: Description of Educational Background and Research Proficiencies Academic Experience I was fortunate to enter West Virginia State University, at the time called West Virginia State College (WVSC), with a full academic scholarship that included room and board. I was also awarded the U.H. Prunty Scholarship, which enabled me to purchase books during all four years that I attended WVSC. During my undergraduate experience, I became a well-rounded student through participation in activities such as the NAACP and the WVSC Ambassadors, a faculty/staff-nominated designation where students represent the university and provide guided tours to visiting donors and potential students. I also participated in the Pre-Alumni Club and raised money through volunteer efforts with my sorority that we donated to a local women’s shelter called Sojourner’s. During 1992, my sorority sisters and I were honored with the prestigious Ethel Hedgeman Lyle Community Service Award by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for our community service work. The work we did during that time not only humbled me and inspired me to give back, but also showed me the true meaning of philanthropy and charity. My academic performance during undergraduate school was not stellar, but my experiences combined with my upbringing instilled within me a desire to press further academically. My learning continued, although sometimes not within the traditional academic setting. I attended seminars with regularity and, in 2000, earned my licensure as a life and health insurance agent in ultimate pursuit of a financial analyst career through Primerica Financial Services. I did not complete the training to become a financial analyst. However, I did learn a great deal about financial tools and gained a better understanding of budgeting, saving, and what life insurance is truly for. I am still using most of the tools I gained during that time to perform many of my current duties as a grants manager. It took another 13 years after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration before the academic momentum returned and I was accepted at Strayer University during the fall of 2006. My grad uate school experience at Strayer University fared much better but was actually far more challenging. I combined distance learning with the tremendous tasks of  maintaining my family life as a married mother of two school-age children and working full-time as a development officer and private grants manager at JCSU. I excelled at Strayer, even with these challenges, and found that distance learning was the perfect academic venue to work with my hectic lifestyle. The courses that invoked keen interest were the classes involving strategic policy analysis, project management, and research analysis. It is not surprising that my interest in and enjoyment of these classes were integral to my high performance in these classes in particular. I was cautioned that distance learning required additional discipline in order to be successful in any area of study. I became partial to distance learning because of the flexibility it offered me as a working adult, as clichà © and commercial as tha t may seem. Difficult courses, such as Quantitative Methods, seemed no more difficult through the use of the electronic blackboard system than being physically in the classroom. The use of this online tool in the distance-learning process was ingenious and fun. Our professor demonstrated classroom methods electronically in real time and we were able to ask questions of him in real time. It is a tool I hope to assist in bringing to the continuing and adult education program that is being established at JCSU. Research Experience Research is essential to the duties I currently perform as a development officer and private grants manager at JCSU and an important aspect of the grant-writing process. With the utilization of online tools, I seek potential donors, individuals, corporations, and foundations that will support the university’s strategic goals. I have used Internet tools to research the wealth of individuals who have a relationship with our university, rated their wealth based upon a system that we created for stewardship, and stored the information in a database that the data analyst and I maintain. I research the philanthropic interests of both corporations and foundations and compile the information in profiles that I present to our faculty and staff so that grant proposals may be written to fund the university’s objectives. I also research spending trends of sister organizations to determine whether the spending habits of our division are congruent with what the Institutional Advancem ent divisions of other universities are spending. This information has been vital to our division  vice president and his mission to complete our division’s and the university’s strategic plan. As a requirement of the MBA degree that I obtained at Strayer University, I completed a directed research project (DRP) concerning whistleblower protection laws titled â€Å"Whistling in the Wind: A Study of the Travails of Whistleblowers and the Protection Offered to Them.† These research efforts began at the onset of my MBA program in September 2006 and were completed in May 2008. The scope of the project was to deliver an 88-page research project surrounding a problem that I chose to identify. Required within the research document was an abstract, an introduction that included the context of the problem, a statement of the problem and the sub-problems, delimitations, definitions, assumptions, significance of the study, research design and methodology, an organization of the study, and details concerning the qualifications of the researcher. Also, the DRP had to contain a review of literature, data analysis, and an explanation of the treatment of the data, as well as the conclusion of the research and my recommendations based upon what was found during the research. I relied heavily on the Strayer University online library system, which gave me access to countless university library systems across the country. I also utilized the library at Johnson C. Smith University as well as libraries in Charlotte when I needed hard-copy documents. The basic goals of the project were met in that I completed the DRP in the structure and the length that was required and gained invaluable experience with regard to completing online surveys and interviews of some famous professionals. I received an A on the project, which was quite a stressful undertaking. I chose the subject because it involved ethics in business practices—a subject that has intrigued me since working in a call center that was dedicated to protecting employees, the organizations they worked for, and the organization’s shareholders. I began early, researching famous and infamous whistleblowers, such as Sherron Watkins of Enron. I had substantial information for the literature review. I seemed to develop a problem when it came to breaking down the main problem into sub-problems and found myself redefining the sub-problems as I furthered my research into the topic. One of the major problems I encountered during the process was attempting to devise a rat ional, objective survey that adequately procured the information that I was attempting to obtain without bias. I also had  problems finding enough people to complete the survey for an appropriate sample. In retrospect, I would have solicited advice from professors at JCSU during the process instead of relying only on the resources at Strayer University. It is believed that the analysis of the results could have been done more professionally and efficiently if I had received the results of my survey and interview questions sooner than I obtained them. I was not satisfied with the results because I do not believe that my research significantly contributed to the information that was already available concerning whistleblowers. It is my desire to focus on contributing to the knowledge base and providing information that was not readily available prior to my research. The DRP was an important project to complete because it demonstrated the complexity of not only researching a problem, but the importance of syntax needed to present the information in a coherent, acceptable manner. During my doctoral studies, I would like to focus on how to appropriately analyze the research that is obtained in order to make a significant contribution to the research within a particular subject. Work/Other Experience My employment experiences, while always encompassing management, have been quite diverse. Webster’s Menswear, now defunct, was where I had my first management experience. As the â€Å"third key† manager, I performed inventory counts nightly of the merchandise that retailed for more than $100. I was responsible for running the nightly sales reports, the supervision of other sales associates, and of course, the sale of merchandise. This experience was really my first real full-time employment experience, so it was even more gratifying to be performing work that was included in my course of study. I continued working at Webster’s Menswear until approximately six months after receiving my bachelor’s degree. Because the hours I was scheduled to work were based on sales, which were not exceeding our goals, and there were no benefits, I began looking for other employment. The management experience at Webster’s did engage my creativity. I assisted customers in selecting apparel and it gave me my first experience with sales reports and the consequences of not meeting the demands of the strategic sales plan. Immediately following my work experience at Webster’s Menswear, I secured another management role with the West Virginia Department of  Health and Human Resources as an economic services worker. In this case management role, I determined the initial and continuing economic eligibility of applicants for state-funded Medicaid, food stamps, and Aid to Families with Dependent Children. My experience in this arena of management was no different than one would expect from a public servant’s role. The work was difficult, tiring, and frustrating, and the caseload immense, always exuberantly more than statistics had shown one person should be handling. It took 2 years until I finally succumbed to the tremendous pressure of attempting to serve an economic population that I myself just missed being part of by about $200 per mon th. I left the declining economic plight of West Virginia behind in July 1997 and headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, where I found another opportunity and my current life. In July 1997, I began working for Pinkerton Services Group, Inc. as a communications specialist (CS) in a compliance hotline call center. There, I was able to enhance good interviewing and excellent writing skills as a CS. This opportunity is also where I became interested in whistleblower protection issues, compliance, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Within six months, I had progressed to the role of management again as a quality assurance supervisor in the call center. Our call center grew quickly during the early 2000s with the beginning of the demise of Enron, MCI WorldCom, and Adelphia. Most of the corporate giants were scrambling to obtain a way for their employees to alert the company of improprieties and to comply with new, emerging laws to protect the public and company shareholders. I was promoted as the call center’s operations manager during 2001. In this management role I gained experience doing many different tasks that included, but were not limited to, payroll for approximately 50 employees, order tracking and maintenance of call center supplies, call evaluations of communications specialists, monthly evaluations of quality assurance supervisors, monthly statistical reports on the qu ality of Workplace Alert Reports, and daily communication with executives of vendors whom the company served. With the expansion of the call center, the roles of key management personnel were redefined. We divided the call center’s quality management team into two groups, manager of the communications specialists and manager of the quality assurance supervisors. I was designated as the quality assurance manager over the quality assurance supervisors, the last title I held before leaving the  organization in February 2004. On February 1, 2004, I joined the staff at Johnson C. Smith University, the only historically black college and university in Charlotte, North Carolina. I sought this change for two reasons. The compliance center where I formerly worked split from Pinkerton Services Group and formed a separate company, Global Compliance Services. Many things began to change and the environment was no longer stable. Additionally, I was the only manager on call 24 hours a day to address any issue that arose in the call center. After giving birth, being on call 24 hours a day was no l onger conducive to maintaining a stable family life. For the first time since obtaining my degrees, I accepted a role that did not appear to involve managing individuals. In the role of office manager and executive assistant to the vice president of Institutional Advancement, I did maintain and even enhance some management skills. This assignment required me to be more team-oriented. I became the administrative right hand for a division that included Alumni Affairs, Foundation Relations and Private Grants, Corporate Relations, Public Relations, Development, and the Vice President’s Office. This role gave me the opportunity to become adept with budget management and analysis as I was given the responsibility of managing nine budgets. I also became proficient with fundraising software, the Raiser’s Edge, which was crucial to the division’s success. As the office manager, I became at one point the data analyst and was then responsible for training a new data analyst. We shared the responsibility of database management and reporting. Three years later I was promoted to my current position as the division’s development officer and private grants manager. I retained the responsibility of the divisional budgets and learned different skill-sets, including research, grants administration, and grant writing. While quite adept at research and grants administration, I have yet to write a grant that has been funded. It is my hope that JCSU’s new president, Dr. Ronald L. Carter, will see the need for a budget analyst, as I have proposed to him, and promot e me to this new assignment. Eventually, I would like to work in the capacity of professor at our university. I hope to use all of the skills that I have acquired through previous employment, which seem now to all be interrelated, in order to advance the mission of the university. Experience with issues of compliance that I gained in the call center, writing and editing, managing budgets,  analyzing financial information, combined with my DBA, are all expected to advance my career as a senior-level executive at Johnson C. Smith University. It was initially my desire to use my doctoral project to advance an initiative at JCSU that involves infusing Six Sigma Quality measures in each area of our business, particularly with how we approach education. Because of our current culture and some resistance that I have received from senior-level executives when attempting to propose new ideas, I shied away from this idea. However, after completing recent assignments, reading about the inten t of the doctoral project and how it is intended to interrelate to a candidate’s work environment, I would like to attempt this initiative at JCSU and use this research platform for my doctoral studies. It was David Johnson (2005) who stated that â€Å"the outcome of the research is designed to provide valuable insights to the sponsoring organisation, in addition to contributing to knowledge in the field of practice. In this form of doctorate therefore research is a tool in developing professional practice† (p. 88). I would like my doctoral project to pertain to the following question: How can Six Sigma or Lean Management Quality measures be implemented within JCSU’s education and management systems to advance the university’s strategic and quality enhancement plans? Part IIIA: Individualized Plan of Study The date that has been projected as my anticipated graduation date for my Doctor of Business Administration degree is October 26, 2012. Courses such as DDBA 8110 Business Operations: Systems Perspectives in Global Organizations; DDBA 8120 Information Systems: Global Management Strategies and Technology; DDBA 8130 Marketing: Strategic Innovation in Globally Diverse Markets; DDBA 8140 Finance: Fiscal Leadership; and DDBA 8150 Leadership: Building Sustainable Organizations were all waived, giving me a total of 15 credit hours toward the 60 required for my degree completion. I have chosen to design my own specialization. It is my desire to combine the finance and leadership specializations in order to create a program that will prepare me for a future that includes teaching business courses at Johnson C. Smith University as well as leading the operation of both for- and non-profit businesses. The descriptions under the specialization of finance, particularly the idea that managers can â €Å"maximize their firm’s  value† speaks to specific skills that I must acquire in order for my plan of success to work (Walden University, 2008a). I want to be an agent of change within whatever organization I work for, not just for the sake of change, but change that is positive. The leadership specialization will help me to obtain this goal (Walden University, 2008b). I intend to take DDBA 8523 Seminar in Law and Compliance, DDBA 8541 Seminar in Entrepreneurial Finance, and DDBA 8522 Seminar in Sustainability. During the spring 2009 semester, I will be registered for courses DDBA 8160 Business Strategy and Innovation and DDBA 8427 Applied Research Methods—Qualitative and Quantitative (currently I am enrolled in courses that my evaluation indicated would be waived). The next course that is required is DDBA 8437 Quantitative Decision-Making in Professional Practice. I will take this course with one of the three required DBA specialization courses mentioned ab ove. These two courses will be completed during summer 2009. During the winter 2009 session, I will take the final two specialization courses. There will be a requirement of 20 hours of doctoral study completion courses that will be taken four credit hours at a time for five semesters. With no anticipated breaks within my course of study, I anticipate my completion date to be during spring 2011 instead of the projected October 2012 date. There are two 4-day residencies required for the DBA degree program. It is recommended that the first residency be completed within 90 days of completing DDBA 8005. I will complete my first residency March 18 to 22, 2009, in Lansdowne, Virginia (Walden residency calendar, 2008). The next residency will be completed after completion of my core courses during 2010. The focus of my doctoral project will involve incorporating Lean or Six Sigma Management into higher education. It is my hope that I will be able to implement the Lean design into the curriculum and the management practices at the university where I work after completion of the research on this subject. It is my belief that my fellow colleagues would describe me as a tenacious problem-solver, an optimistic leader who believes there is a solution to every problem. I am always open to constructive criticism and self-improvement. I seek to improve with each obstacle that I overcome. I am also willing to offer constructive criticism to others and have learned the art of how and when to do so professionally and with tact. I like to incorporate humor, where appropriate, in much of what I do because I truly  believe that in order to solve most problems, one must have a sense of humor. These personal skills, or life skills, have come with maturity and much trial and error. I believe each of these skills will be essential to my ability to excel in the Doctor of Business Administration program as well as being integral to my future professional endeavors. Part IIIB: Professional Interview Evelyn Leathers is the director of Corporate and Foundation Relations within the Institutional Advancement division at Johnson C. Smith University. My goal in interviewing Ms. Leathers was to get an in-depth understanding of what role this division will play in the mission of the president, Dr. Ronald L. Carter, in JCSU becoming â€Å"Charlotte’s very own nationally-recognized independent urban university† (Carter, 2008, p. 2). It is my intent to understand what policies may be improved within that department and ultimately the division in order to improve to the level of quality that Dr. Carter intends for the university to fulfill the proposed vision. The role of the Institutional Advancement division is to support the university financially through philanthropic solicitation, community involvement, and improved public relations. For this reason, the division includes the departments of Development, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Grant Research, Alumni Affairs, a nd Public Relations. The division plays an integral role in that it provides money that is not earned through tuition. When enrollment is down, the Institutional Advancement division’s role becomes even more vital. Ms. Leathers, who has served JCSU in several different capacities through two separate terms of employment, remains loyal to the university because she is passionate about the human investment, the students (E. Leathers, personal communication, December 14, 2008). There are many historically black colleges and universities that are currently experiencing financial duress due to a number of factors. According to Ms. Leathers, the university has survived and prospered due to the quality of the Institutional Advancement division and the university’s relationship with The Duke Endowment (E. Leathers, personal communication, December 14, 2008). Johnson C. Smith University is fortunate enough to be one of four universities to be included as a beneficiary of The Du ke Endowment’s mission to serve higher education by promoting academic excellence (The Duke  Endowment, 2007). The Duke Endowment provides financial support to schools like JCSU in order to foster excellence in individuals so that they will be inspired to share with the community what they have gained through education (The Duke Endowment, 2007). Although JCSU has exercised fiscal responsibility, Ms. Leathers is convinced that without The Duke Endowment, the university would not be successful, particularly in today’s extreme economic climate (E. Leathers, personal communication, December 14, 2008). The nation is currently experiencing a recession, one that is predicted to last at least until late 2010. Ms. Leathers proposes that her department, Corporate and Foundation Relations, will need to become creative, selective, and savvy in order to remain afloat and remain aligned with the university’s mission (E. Leathers, personal communication, December 14, 2008). Creativity will enable the division to utilize initiatives that corporations and foundations will support financially, such as incorporating green initiatives into capital building plans. Selectivity means that the university will not go after or accept just any grant offered by a foundation or corporation. Ms. Leathers explained that sometimes fulfilling the conditions offered by a funder can be costly to the university (E. Leathers, personal communication, December 14, 2008). Proposals must be carefully reviewed to ensure that the university is not taking on a financially burdening project. The Institutional Adva ncement division must also be savvy and shrewd in its business dealings in order receive the most return on the investments made by its public relations staff, its development officers, and all of its financial solicitors (E. Leathers, personal communication, December 14, 2008). In today’s economic climate, more than ever, quality in our operational functions becomes very important to the success of the university. The department of Corporate and Foundation Relations will practice quality in its operations by going back to the basics of fundraising, traveling smarter and only within the region to conserve resources, and focusing on research efforts more heavily (E. Leathers, personal communication, December 14, 2008). These efforts will assist Dr. Carter with fulfilling the university’s goal of infusing quality where needed to become one of Charlotte’s elite, premier universities. Ms. Leathers explained that foundations and corporations do not give to people, but to causes. If the university, and the Institutional Advancement  division in particular, focuses on quality programs and eliminating waste, corporations and foundations will be prompted to give to the university’s cause (E. Leathers, personal communication, December 14, 2008). One of the most critical areas within the Institutional Advancement division that could use an infusion of quality is the universityâ€⠄¢s enterprise management system.   Ms. Leathers stated that quality reporting is essential to development, grant writing, and research (E. Leathers, personal communication, December 14, 2008). All staff must be trained to use the system efficiently in order for the division to be effective and practice quality. Once all staff becomes proficient with its operation of the enterprise management system, it will translate to quality in most areas of operation (E. Leathers, personal communication, December 14, 2008). Ms. Leathers is able to draw strength from understanding that the mission of the university is to provide a quality education to our most valuable assets, the students. Soliciting funds from foundations and corporations during a recession is not easy and sometimes not enjoyable, but necessary (E. Leathers, personal communication, December 14, 2008). Ms. Leathers stated that the outcome will be positive and anticipates it will take another five years before the university realizes benefits from quality initiatives that are just beginning under the new administration of Dr. Carter (E. Leathers, personal communication, December 14, 2008). Ms. Leathers and I discussed a quote from John B. Duke, founder of The Duke Endowment: â€Å"Education, when conducted along sane and practical, as opposed to dogmatic and theoretical, lines, is, next to religion, the greatest civilizing influence† (Duke, 1924). In addition to agreeing that the quote is profoundly accurate, we share the hope that the same sentiment will be fostered within the generation that we are educating at JCSU. Because Ms. Leathers is my immediate supervisor, her input during this intervi ew lends insight to the direction she gives me on a daily basis. It also forced both of us to contemplate what changes are needed within our own department to work hand in hand with Dr. Carter to promote his vision for the university. There is additional work to be done in order for the two of us to engender change within our department. The questions proposed and the answers provided will assist me in further developing my doctoral study regarding quality and how one might incorporate Lean and Six Sigma into higher education. References American Society of Quality. (2008). Six Sigma Black Belt certification. Retrieved November 9, 2008, from http://www.asq.org/certification/six-sigma/index.html Carter, R. L. (2008, Fall). President’s letter. The Johnson C. Smith University Bulletin, 2. 88-99. doi:15.555/GGE.64.1.76-82 Duke, J. B. (1924, December 11). Indenture and deed of trust of personality establishing The Duke Endowment. Retrieved from The Duke Endowment website: http://www.dukeendowment.org/downloads/ind.pdf The Duke Endowment. (2007). Higher education. Retrieved December 14, 2008, from The Duke Endowment website: http://www.dukeendowment.org/education Johnson, D. (2005). Assessment matters: Some issues concerning the supervision and assessment of work-based doctorates. Innovations in Education & Teaching International, 42(1), 87–92. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pqdweb?did=1157097371&sid=1&Fmt=6&clientId=70192&RQT=309&VName=PQD Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). ( 2010). Name of program [Video webcast]. Retrieved from http://www.courseurl.com. Walden University. (2008a). Walden University DBA finance specialization. Retrieved November 9, 2008, from Walden University website: http://www.waldenu.edu/Degree-Programs/Doctorate/18391.htm Walden University. (2008b). Walden University DBA leadership specialization. Retrieved November 9, 2008, from Walden University website: http://www.waldenu.edu/Degree-Programs/Doctorate/18427.htm Walden University. (2008c). Walden University outcomes. Retrieved November 9, 2008, from Walden University website: http://www.waldenu.edu/c/Student_Catalog/8893_9096.htm

Haiku Basho Matsuo

It si often difficult for Westerners to fully appreciate the technical sophistication of Japanese Haiku, either from a technical or thematic point of view. The obvious obstacles in translating Haiku into English combined with cultural differences and linguistic eccentricities such as slang or puns, make the translation of haiku even more formidable than it would otherwise be.Settling on a single English translation of any particular haiku can prove troublesome; however, the brevity of the form, combined with its visceral impact — when executed with skill — allows for an impact of poetic vision which, while based in the same elements as Western poetry: metaphor, assonance, dissonance, rhyme, theme, and imagery — demonstrates an intense compression of poetic language and a refinement of prosody which is slightly more calculated and reserved than much of Western poetry.A good case in point is the poetry of Basho Matsuo whose work is often considered by Western criti cs and observers as the highest representation of Japanese haiku. By and large, the intricacies of Basho's writings in the haiku form are only understood with effort by Western readers. By examining one of his famous haiku, it is possible to take note of those aspects of Basho's writings which are intrinsic to the aesthetic power of his work and also which may be slightly beyond easy appraisal for many readers.The following example of haiku reveals many techniques in diction, imagery, and prosody (or meter); although in translation, the specific notable qualities may be different than in the original work, the translated work retains the â€Å"spirit† of the original and allows for at least a cursory examination of how poetic techniques thrive under the haiku form. The poem: The first soft snow! Enough to bend the leaves Of the jonquil low. The most readily apparent quality of the poem is its imagery.No-one could miss the grand images of falling snow upon a gracefully bending flower. This juxtaposition of seasonal imagery: snow for winter and the jonquil for spring (or summer) functions at many levels, among them, bringing a great range to the poem which in actuality is quite brief, and also by bringing a violent, but wholly balanced, conflict between the images of snow and spring, a conflict which extends to the reader and involves the reader at a deeply symbolic level.By not naming any individual struggle, complaint, or lament — Basho allow the reader to project onto the archetypal symbols of snow and spring, their own subjective responses to the imagery which stimulates a sense of coming change, transition, or even loss. Another key aspect of the imagery of the poem is what might be termed the gesture of the imagery. Just as in a work of sculpture or a painting, the attitude and â€Å"pose† of the i,images in Basho's poem are as important as the images themselves.To create a sense of indelible gesture, Basho's verb â€Å"bends† s ucceeds with great capacity and also conveys a sense of one force bowing gracefully to another, as though the conflict between spring and winter, life and death, warm and cold, are pulled altogether under the image of the gently bending flower which accepts the change of seasons (and its own eventual death in winter) with a delicate bow.Read this way, the image of the jonquil in the poem is anthropomorphisized at leat to the extant that it invites the reader to project themselves into the scene of the poem and most likely view the jonquil as a symbol for themselves or for humanity in the face of changing nature. Because the jonquil bows to the snow, the transmitted meaning of the images in gesture is that man and nature are one.In order to convey this profound message, Basho made use of a sort of figurative language which is not precisely metaphor or simile, but nonetheless connects the image of the jonquil to the image of humanity. The sound of the poem is also important to the tra nsmission of meaning and the prosody of the poem, like its imagery and figurative language, is also a bit outside of typical Western techniques in verse. Spoken aloud, Basho's haiku forwards the idea of an enlightened exclamation, a spontaneous â€Å"ejaculation† of wonder and insight.There is reflectiveness in the poem, despite its brevity, indicated by the alliteration of â€Å"soft snow† and the pointing out of it being â€Å"the first† snow. This alliteration is carried out to the word â€Å"leaves† connecting the images of snow and tree-flowers by diction and assonance. Meanwhile, the abbreviated prosody of haiku allows for a conversational tone of delivery, as though a magnificent insight into nature of one's own being — both in fact — is being communicated in universal terms through the use of ordinary conversation.By using relatively pedestrian language along with intense archetypal imagery, Basho imbues the haiku form with a great b readth and profundity that its short form and controlled meter and theme might in other hands not allow to be attained with such grace or precision. The word â€Å"low† which closes the poem, and also in translation rhymes with the word â€Å"snow,† indicates a harmonious connection to nature and also an acknowledgment of the unknowable mystery of nature.It is as though in the face of the â€Å"snow† of heaven or of the cosmic breadth of the universe, the jonquil simply bows low with respect and is then taken into the protective embrace of nature. That this insight is delivered with the easy, controlled and conversational idiom of haiku demonstrates a plastic connection of the cosmic and personal, the profound and trivial, the poetic and ordinary, which is a paradigm which seems intrinsic to the haiku form itself.

Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission

This proposal provides insights on the challenges that the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, the agency that assists in the administration of policies and programs that enable students learning in the United States (US) to meet their needs pertaining to education and culture, and mediates between educational institutions in the US and the other branches based in Saudi as well as the predicament that Saudi students studying in the US under the Saudi government’s sponsorship are facing, which the researcher deems to be primarily.A consequence of the agency’s failure to provide adequate solutions and the resulting students’ powerlessness to raise their concerns to appropriate authorities.An intensive literature review on materials that reflect the interdependence of the Arabian cultural mission and the Saudi students it serves in the United States was conducted to gather pertinent information for this study. Information gathered revealed that the major concerns of the students namely:1) inadequacy in language proficiency due to inappropriate language education curriculum;2) cultural discrimination resulting to isolation and formation of cliques;3) delay in defraying school fees resulting to a number of late registration and, in austere cases, to students having to drop off from school;4) the agency’s reluctance in assisting students to acquire relevant immigration documents; and5) the existing inappropriate matching system that determines students’ eligibility to be accepted to certain courses they intend to apply for are primarily caused by the agency’s current programs’ inadequacy to respond to the needs of their clientele.Recommendations presented propose reasonable modifications to the existing practices carried on by the agency which if ever adopted are deemed to improve the current state of interdependency between the cultural mission and the Saudi students studying under the government sponsorship in the United States.

Discovering the Truth through Scientific Sociology, Interpretive Sociology, and Critical Sociology Essay

In finding out any data and facts about anything, we considered a lot of thing before we arrive into our final conclusions. In the field of sociology, there are three types of determining the â€Å"truth. † These are the scientific sociology, interpretive sociology, and the critical sociology. They are common in one thing and that is to find out the truth and facts in the environment where individuals interact with each other. However, they have differences which are taken into account. The scientific sociology of the positivist point of view says that facts and truth should be verifiable by our five senses. It always predicts and comes up with theories and law. It finds patter in any occurrences. The interpretive sociology, also called hermeneutics, on the other hand, states the analysis of a socially meaningful action through direct observation of people in a natural habitat. It focuses on the qualitative data and understands the symbolic processes in the surroundings. Lastly, the critical sociology or the transformational approach always gives a main purpose of any doings and action of man into transforming lives of society. Often times, it goes beyond questions of the scientific sociology. It says that people could take responsibility for becoming what they chose. The scientific sociology, in terms of advantage could be justified by hard data and valid supports from the records and files gathered throughout the observation period. It could support and deconstruct conclusions and assumptions with mere verifiable data. However, since the scientific sociology only relies to the five senses of a person, it has the limitation of physical aspect such that it only sees the physical condition and physical phenomenon on the society. Though it states the cause-effect relationship, it still lacks of the facts from the people on the society, which in reality, are the one who have known the truth why is that thing happened, because the are the one who are involved in the action. In relation with the work of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber, they all have their own view regarding the society. It has similarity with the theories mentioned above because like those theories, the theories of the three social scientists arrived in similar societal conflict or disconnection. They all presented their support with different approach like the three theories of sociology in determining the truth. Reference http://www.csudh.edu/dearhabermas/theory06.htm