Joy of My Life

Joy of My Life Shirley Evans English 121 Professor Jen Miller January 20, 2013 Joy of My Life I never considered myself blessed in anything, or knew the purpose of my life, until the birth of my grandson. Robert is my first grandchild and greatest blessing God has given me, and the center of my universe for which I give thanks every day. His life started with difficulties, but his unquenchable elan has brought joy to those who meet him. Robert entered my life on Monday, February 23, 2009 at 2:28 in the afternoon; weighing 2lbs. 4 ounces and measuring 16 inches long. He arrived two months premature, and reminded me of a baby doll with wrinkled skin covering his tiny arms and legs. Set below perfectly arched blonde eyebrows were eyes so dark as to appear black, and opened wide to make them look enormous. A conical shaped head covered with platinum blonde hair made his sunken cheeks stand out; giving him the appearance of an alien. I fell in love the instant I saw him and my love grows immeasurably with every passing day. Robert developed at a rapid pace despite being born prematurely.During a stay with us one weekend, I laid him on his back atop a blanket spread on the floor for him to roll on. He rolled onto his stomach raising his head up; arms swinging out at his sides with legs kicking trying to crawl. He reminded me of a turtle poking out of its shell, slowly inching his way off the blanket. To this day my daughter still calls him turtle after witnessing his attempt to crawl. Once he learns to walk, there is no holding him back; he joyfully goes through life with smiles on his face and laughter in his voice.Robert is growing to be a precocious child who quickly turns independent. He stands proud with arms akimbo as he proclaims he can dress himself, and I settle back into my chair to watch him put his arms in the sleeves of his shirt, and tuck his shirt tails into his jeans. I am shocked to realize how quickly he is growing as he struggles with fastening his jeans, but is quite adamant in doing it himself; he asks for help with his belt only after trying to buckle it on his own. One of the things I enjoyed teaching Robert was bedtime prayers.I have shown him how to interlace his fingers and clasp his hands together. Closing our eyes as we bowed our heads together, I recited his prayers as he repeated after me. He no longer allows me to say prayers with him, and he does not know all of the words yet, but ends his prayer blessing everyone he loves in the sweetest tiniest voice. He looks up at me with a smile on his angelic face and says â€Å"now it is your turn grandma. † Pictures of Robert depict how cute he is, but in person he leaves you with a more accurate portrait of how adorable he actually is.Robert brings smiles and happiness to everyone he meets with his robust attitude. Sporting a child sized black Stetson cowboy hat perched atop his blonde head, down to feet encased with green and yellow John Deere boots, he exudes im pish joy. He will nonchalantly say he is not my little man, but everyone’s little man. I do not argue with his statement as it is true. Robert loves everyone in his life and they love him. People say the greatest joy of being a grandparent is spoiling the child then sending them home.I am no exception to this rule, although I never want to send him home. Time speeds by like a blink of an eye when I have him, and it feels like he just arrived when it is time for him to leave. It fills my heart close to bursting when he sees me and comes running with his arms stretched wide to throw his petite frame into my arms to hug my neck screaming â€Å"grandma! † The joy he brings to my life is truly a blessing from God above, and one I treasure more than life itself. I contemplate if having my son, who helped create my joy called Robert, has been the purpose for my life.

Acre Woods Retirement Community

Acre wood retirement community case study Kimberly Woods HSM/230 Axia College at the University of Phoenix Acre wood retirement community case study he resident physical therapist Sara Armstrong manages the retirement communities activity programs, recently a pool was added to its rehabilitation center by they were some original design requests that were not met it has been brought to Sarah’s attention that the safety tread marks on the stairs and the improved wheelchair access to the pool area which were allotted for in planning cost have not been added, when she immediately brings it to the director of the acre woods Mark Adams he basically dismisses it by stating that the residents should simply be happy to have the pool, as well as bringing it to her attention that she has been hired to provide physical therapy only and not to worry about the budget. Question one: what are some of the potential legal and ethical issue’s present in this case study?Answer; Mark Adams should be held responsible for the negligence which has caused minor accidents to some of the residents he should also listen to and acknowledge the need to regulate the safety of equipment installed within acre woods, Sarah has a right to be concerned as part of her job is therapy for the patient’s physical well-being. The legal issues here could present multiple cases of unethical behavior by Mr. Adams part; the ethical issues would be his lack of concern of the well-being of the residents of acre woods which in turn could create multiple lawsuits. Question two: how would you characterize the director’s behavior? Answer to: by the way the paper reads Mark Adams attitude and behavior are unethical and uncalled for as he is the administrator for the facility he should maintain an attitude suitable to that station, his behavior is unjust and critical towards Ms. Armstrong and seemingly uncaring where the residents of the facility are concerned.Question three: Is the dir ector and ethical role model? Why or why not? Answer three: Mark Adams does not show the ethical behavior that would be expected of a role model in the position of director of any facility he seems to be uncaring as well as unconcerned about the well-being of the residents or the concerns of Sara Armstrong. Question four: Were the director’s messages congruent with the organization’s stated mission? Explain your answer. Answer four: No Mark Adams is not being congruent with the stated mission of the organization he does not show concern for the organization nor for its ideals however instead he shows arrogance instead of compassion.Question five: what impact did the director’s actions and attitudes have on the acre woods culture: the director’s actions did not show concerns or the culture of the facility but more towards self-preservation when Sara Armstrong product visitation that if you patients had concerns and were showing fear pertaining to the issue s of the pool wife Mr. Adam should’ve done was to investigate the concerns of the residents as well as ask why the safety equipment was not installed, instead his decision to take the word of Gene Levy who was also a physical therapist at acre woods over that of Sara Armstrong did give Sara cause to bring it into the forefront because of her suspicions of the missing funds where the from the pool project she did the right thing by relating the scandal or her is her opinion of it.

Marks and Spencer’s Company Analysis Essay

Marks and Spenser is the largest retailer in UK, and 43rd in the world. The company owns more than 1103 stores, of which 703 – in the UK, and the remaining 400 in 44 other countries (Marks & Spencer, 2013). M&S has been known as a manufacturer of clothing, but since the 2000s, the company developed in other areas, including: food, household good, financial services. In 1998, M&S became the first British retailer profit of which exceeded  £ 1 billion (Bevan, 2002). This essay will focus on origin and key developments. Also, it will touch on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and the threats the organization faces. M&S started as a small household shop which established by Michael Marks in 1884. Because he frequently traded with a supplier, he knew Tom Spencer who was a cashier in this warehouse. It is the person who invested ï ¿ ¡300 into M&S to further expand (Harvey & Walker, 2012). From this year, the small shop began to trade under the name ‘Marks and Spencer Penny Bazaar’. Simon Marks, Michael’s son, took over M&S in 1916. In order to be outstanding from fierce competition, Simon went to America for gaining experience and absorbing useful ideas. During the period from 1930s to 1940s, M&S witnessed a rapid growth. In 1927, M&S went public. Between 1929 and 1939, its profits rose by about 21million to nearly 25 million. At the same time, M&S introduced the concept of CRS, which is one of the key determinants for its success. CRS is responding to the needs of a company’s stakeholders, especially staff. In the late of 1940s, the Second World War collapsed. Britain went through a huge recession. A considerable number of people live in impoverished, the gap between different classes broadened. Some people showed their anger by ruining infrastructur es and stores. The implement of CRS improved the condition of employers and established good image. As a result, M&S recovered quicker than other companies. According to Marketline, 2012, quality is a major strength of Marks & Spencer since the company was founded. It makes Marks & Spencer recognised as a high-valued company which offers its outstanding quality goods as well as reasonably priced products. Consequently, this results in advantages regarding foods over its competitors such as Sainsbury and Tesco. A wider range product than other rivals is also the key of Marks & Spencer’s success; namely, menswear, womenswear, childswear, household goods and foods. By its strategy, it contributes company to launch specific products to respond consumers’ needs and satisfaction, for example gluten-free bread and cakes for egg-allergic patients. A variety of foods is the essential part for Mark & Spencer with regard to company’s profit, with 51% of total revenue (Marks & Spencer, 2013). Conversely, Marks & Spencer is heavily criticised in terms of clothing and stocking. Clothing design is one of the most factors in which customers are likely not to buy because of its old-fashioned design compared to other up-to-date clothing retailers; Top-shop, Next, Zara (FT, 2012). It significantly leads to the decline on clothing business for Marks & Spencer. Meanwhile, stocking was an area that M&S has to improve in the way which the company cannot meet the demands of its customers. The shortage of clothing causes customers losing their confidence in Marks & Spencer, and therefore, has an impact on somewhere, especially clothing sales (FT, 2012). According to M&S company website, Shwopping is a brand new environmentally commercial marketing strategy, which could be used to get a new cloth by changing an old one. Owing to this programme, M&S is able to collect as much second-hand clothing as it could, taking advantages of these materials to make new stuff; or donating them to poor regions. For M&S, this is a â€Å"one stone, three birds† commercial opportunity, as it may enjoy being a friendly-environmental company which contributes to a positive reputation; also it is likely to get a cheaper resource to make clothing; in addition, a growing number of customers would like to shop M&S, resulting from the â€Å"buy one, get one† culture. On the other hand, M&S’s clothing department is facing a huge risk. Hickman (2012) states that although M&S is popular with older women, it is losing the market for younger generation due to its out-of-date style. That is because there are many more fashionable shops on the high street, such as ZARA, H&M and NEXT. According to Butler (2013), M&S has witnessed a drop of 3.8% in revenues of clothing and homewaes in the last three months of 2012. Unlike M&S, for example, ZARA has created a â€Å"fast and cheap fashion† culture for all ages (Hickman 2012). As a result, there is a strong likelihood for M&S’ managers to think about ways in order its old-fashion image. In conclusion, it has been seen that Marks and Spenser is a successful company that has always offered best quality products, which is how it was able to keep afloat and succeed. Also, It has been shown that recent years Mark and Spencer has been faced difficulties with customer loyalty and â€Å"not fashionable† trends. In order to keep its unique position in the market, M&S needs keep a solid hold on its values and principles, but at the same time leave some space for change. Also, M&S should expand to new market places to countries like China and India, and consider essential moments about that a different market will always have different demand. Finally, Marks and Spenser should keep up with the latest fashion trends, constantly reviewing interior design of its stores and sustain the feel good factor of shopping in M&S.

Impacts of Globalization on the Cultural Aspects and heritage on Qatar Term Paper

Impacts of Globalization on the Cultural Aspects and heritage on Qatar - Term Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that culture and heritage forms the basic bedrock of Qatar’s modern society, which provides the foundation of the nation’s hospitality, music, and handicrafts as the inspiration of modern artists. The Qatar government has embarked on intensive approaches aimed at preserving the culture and heritage of the nation. Many buildings in Qatar though, still maintain their traditional architecture. In major towns such as Doha, you will find many handicrafts such as traditional foods, art, and fabrics displayed on shops and stalls. Even young Qataris are being encouraged to adopt businesses that promote traditions and old crafts. The government has set up a campaign dubbed Qatar Foundation (QF) that aims at promoting the cultural prosperity of the nation and preserving the country’s heritage. In the National Council for Culture, Heritage and the Arts as well as in the Qatar Museums authorities, there are various collections of A rabic writings, art, and calligraphy, which are all being made available for research as well as public appreciation through the Qatar Foundation. Qatar’s culture and heritage are evidenced in the following areas: music; poetry; heritage library; traditional architecture; Arabian horses and camels; globalization and culture; globalization and the state immigration; globalization and living standards; Doha cultural festivals; promotion of cultural heritage by Government.

SWOT analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

SWOT analysis - Assignment Example Their success therefore is on people; the customers, employees and the management (Tesco, 2014). This work seeks to establish the SWOT analysis of Tesco PLC. In light of the same, it will put in place a collection of factors that make it stand out in the market putting in mind that the negative aspects also create challenges that make it more stable. The first strength is that the company has been able to benefit from the strong financial performance over the years which underline its strategic capabilities. In 2009 for instance, the company registered a turnover of  £54 billion which, at that time was an increase of 14% as compared to the previous financial period (Hingley & Lindgreen, 2003). The reasons for this exemplary performance have been a collection of factors. In accordance with demands in the market, the customization of the products and services has increasingly made the company to achieve such high status. Key performance indicators have been set to enable the company to continue realizing a profitable cause in the verge of its operations. The table below indicates the continuous improvement in performance over the years as per 2009 and it has a collection of indicators showing different variables of growth and measurement over those years from 2000-2009. The large growth has been attributed to the customer retention strategy of the company. Most of the customers in the company are those that have been referred by an existing customer and then become permanent customers due to the good services at the company. The b company operates an online non-food retail company which highly contributes to the development of the revenue status. The Tesco club card has always been the core of customer tracking and operations and has also improved the rate of customer loyalty. The second point of strength is the diversification of

Dualism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Dualism - Essay Example One key feature about dualism also has to do with the fact that greater percentage of the commentators who have discusses or written about the subject before appreciate dualism from the mind-body perspective. There seem to be this uniformity of agreement among the commentators because the mind-body perspective of dualism is considered to be the basis or history behind dualism whereby â€Å"humans have (or seem to have) both physical properties and mental properties† (Howard, 2011). In the following sections, the subject of dualism as presented from selected view points is discussed. Platonic Dualism The perspective of Plato’s dualism is related to the human life as well but Plato tackles the entities of body and soul instead of mind and body. Generally, Plato’s points and arguments on dualism are considered as the oldest. In his opinion, the body and soul of humans are two different entities that live for two different purposes. As such, Plato asserts that when o ne of the entities departs or dies, the other lives on. The College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences (2001) posits that Plato’s view on a separation of the body from the soul (in such a way that they are two different entiries) is perfectly backed by the Torah. The debate between Plato’s assertions that the soul lives after live is however challenged by the scholars of the Torah. This is because the latter argue that â€Å"when God communicates with the Hebrews in the Torah, his covenant explicitly references rewards in this life, not an afterlife† (College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences, 2001). This means that contrary to Plato’s beliefs that the soul lives after the body dies and that the souls faces reward or punishment based on the actions it performed when the body lived, scholars of the Torah refute this Socrates’ perspective of Dualism Socrates also holds a dynamic view of dualism with a lot of similarities with the views shared by Pla to. Actually, Socrates confirms that the body and soul are two independent entities of live and those they are the central point of human dualism. Idealistically, Socrates may differ from Plato in the sense that whereas Plato advocates total independence of the body from the soul and sees them as two individuals who never depend on the other, Socrates argue that the soul has a lot of relation and dependence on the body and that the body actually imprisons the soul as long as the body lives. To this end, â€Å"Socrates argues that death is a good thing because it frees the soul from the body in which it was effectively imprisoned† (Clark, 2010). The implication that is got from this assertion is that the soul is a representation of truth and wisdom and thus as an entity living in the human being, that is all that the soul seeks to champion. However, the body, which is more directed towards evil and lies is too powerful that if often times overcomes the soul and so hardly allow s the soul to operate independently till death separates the two. St. Augustine’s Dualism St. Augustine takes the subject of dualism to a more religious perspective than just being philosophical. From St. Augustine’s perspective therefore, dualism is debated more as a doctrine than a philosophical

Psychology Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Psychology - Personal Statement Example It seriously mattered what others had on mind about me so I had been cautiously acting and speaking in this regard. I may not be conscious of this issue as it was back then but with my present level of thinking and discernment of situations with youths in general, I manage to assess that my 'self-concept' of identity and recognition at that early age was normally attached with my concern of views beyond myself. The unpleasant scenario with my aunt may not be the most embarrassing yet it was by far sufficiently concrete even to this point, that it left me somewhat speechless and sleepless in a couple of days pondering how I could possibly reconstruct the image of confidence lost. By the time I discovered that this case is not isolated like the treatment I gave it, I gradually learned how to cope emotionally with similar occasions that followed. On witnessing that some acquaintances and neighbors had also undergone times as unfortunate, I could relate and sensed a significant connectio n that my feelings began adjusting to the level where I first acknowledged the type of emotion involved then took control by diverting my attention to other concerns and understanding that time heals in the process. As a child, this development is essential particularly as I aimed to replenish hopes and composed myself due to realization of a chief interest. Because I looked up to someone and wanted something like all the other children had, I could not let distressing emotions blow my drive to yield to such ends. Consequently, I was able to identify an emotional trend or cycle which would often remind me to keep calm and have patience on anticipating subsidence of an upset sentiment. Currently, though I consider varying approach in dealing with circumstances that entail getting embarrassed, learning the basics through my concrete operational stage stays intact. When I turned a sophomore in high school, I had a friend in campus whom I was with constantly and who strongly convinced m e to try part-time jobs for some extra cash in addition to the allowances given on a regular basis by my parents. With loads of school work however, I could not quite manage whenever another task got in the way so I did not fully proceed with the job offer but helped my friend instead in exchange of commissions we had agreed I could be apportioned with on accomplishing my part of the project. At that age, the material or physical drive of earning income all the more urged my sense of independence to grow, thinking that it would be a mature step to prepare myself for a more challenging endeavor later on. Little did I know that the more I thought so ideally of managing my situations of acquiring my own means of financial support, the more I was consumed with impatience in handling other important matters. It did feel emotionally rewarding as it encouraged me to work hard and be proud upon discovery of new potentials at first but as the going got tough, I got exhausted at the expense o f my studies and healthy interactions. I became rebellious toward my parents unconsciously, seeking my way with reasons and pointing out that there was something I could prove.

Honey Bee Pheromones Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Honey Bee Pheromones - Research Paper Example Pheromones are the most important chemical mediators in honeybees, maintaining the integrity of the hive and enabling interaction between queen and worker bees, between worker bees themselves, between queen bees and drones, and between the brood and the adults of the swarm. 1. Pheromone Physiology Pheromones are chemical signals or messengers that are released from specialized glands in bees. The Nasanov gland, located above the abdomen, releases attractant pheromones. The Mandibular gland, located near the mouth, and the Sting gland release alarm pheromones. These chemicals are not only important for communication but also for behavioral-control (Breed 1998). Pheromones are of two types, releaser pheromones and primer pheromones. Releaser pheromones act immediately on the recipient while primer pheromones are slow and have long-term effects (Breed 1998; Trhlin & Rajchard 2011). Breed identifies four criteria that should be fulfilled by a pheromone to be an effective interaction and recognition tool. It should be present, should be perceived, should be more identical among nestmates (family members) than random individuals of the population, and should be able to elicit a behavior-related response. 2. Intercommunication Mediated by Pheromones While the functions of honeybee pheromones are wide ranging, Trhlin & Rajchard (2011) have categorized them into four comprehensive categories based on who the elicitor and the recipient of the chemical message is. This paper discusses the importance of pheromones in these four kinds of interactions that are necessary for the optimal functioning of a beehive. The different pheromones involved in the interaction between the queen bees, workers, drones and broods are summarized in Table 1. Some of the important components of these pheromones are also listed. 2.1 Queen and Worker Bee Interaction The queen retinue pheromone (QRP) and the queen mandibular pheromone (QMP): QRP produced by the queen bee attracts worker bees. 9-ox o-(E)-2-decenoic acid (ODA) is an important constituent of this pheromone. Other chemical constituents are also produced by the queen’s mandibular glands, which blend to form the QMP. As a queen bee ages, the relative concentration of these chemicals in the queen’s pheromones changes. Apart from attracting the worker bees and helping in the differentiation of queen and worker bees, these pheromones also elicit priming effects. These pheromones maintain social harmony and calm in the beehive by altering the behavioral response of the worker bees (Conte & Hefetz 2008). These pheromones also inhibit the development of ovaries of worker bees. The QRP also acts as a releaser pheromone. Queen bee pheromones are transmitted to worker bees of the queen bee’s retinue through direct contact. These pheromones are then transmitted to other worker bees when they interact with the retinue bees. The QMP of the queen bee is not only important for binding the colony together, ma intaining social harmony in the beehive and establishing the queen’s monarchy, but also for the maintenance of the health of the worker bees (Wright 2009; Trhlin & Rajchard 2011). Studies by Fischer and Grozinger have shown that worker bees exposed to QMP resist starvation and have a more efficient lipid storage mechanism (Trhlin & Rajchard 2011). QMP enables the transition of worker bees from nursing to foraging and also regulates swarming

The Jungle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Jungle - Essay Example A novel that would involve the real aspects of the meat packing yards in Chicago and the resulting ramifications for those involved. A novel that would not only seek to inform but ideally, educate in the same breath and influence the thoughts of those reading the material for themselves. In essence, the book itself would have an impact upon the issue that it was trying to address. In the quest for change to occur, it remains up to anyone concerned, however many that may be, to take the first step toward the implementation of a plan that would lead to the positive change desired. Going to the highest levels of the political echelon, ‘The Jungle’ would ultimately motivate then President Theodore Roosevelt, to move forward with a closer examination of the unhealthy conditions within the industry that Sinclair mentions in his book. One of the most personal choices an individual may make would be the food they chose to eat each evening. The message within ‘The Jungle’, would ultimately resonate with readers in that, with the horrible conditions being present that ultimately, would place into question the reliability of the very beef that so many eat frequently. Often times, political activists are those who seek to argue issues that are of present concern, with potential implications for the future. The characters mentioned within the pages of Sinclair’s work, would take on the appearance of average, everyday workers and families, seeking to make a living and support their families. How those who worked for many years in the stock yards, would take a different view to the work, in comparison to those that would have only been a part of the job for a shorter period of time. The sense of feeling as if the individual person would be invincible of discontent as a result of the work being performed, in the mind of those who would be new to the

H Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

H - Assignment Example This includes: It is important to ensure that you stay away from carbon monoxide dense areas, for instance near factories that emit toxic gases, near vehicle exhaust pipes and other cigarette smokers. It is crucial to consider staying safe as this reduces your chances of getting back to smoking and helps you reduce continuous intoxication. Avoiding these areas will help in ensuring that the lung cleaning process is successful. It is important to eat healthy foods and also consider taking lots of fruits especially pineapples. Pineapple is a fruit that contains an essential component known as Bromelin which helps in cleaning the lungs and further for enhancing free supply of oxygen. After consuming the pineapples, you will take in deeper breaths thus boost the elastic limits of your lungs. It is important to weigh up the eating patterns and make adjustments on the diet when needed. There are a lot of healthy foods to eat in the present day and live healthy as much as foods that improve the performance of the lungs are essential. There are spices and herbal medicines that play a major role in cleansing the lungs which include rosemary, avocados, thyme, cayenne, horseradish and ginger. These are food complements that can be served or prepared with other food. On the other hand, it is also advisable to seek medical advice or guidance from a qualified nutritionist on what to eat in order to successfully cleanse the lungs. Engaging in workout programs has never been so helpful than it is in cleansing the lungs. Long term smokers are always advised to begin with less strenuous exercises or small amounts of work outs that multiplies as time goes by. This is because, during the exercises, it is possible to note the increase in Phlegm and mucus in the lungs. This will be enhanced especially by coughing. This is the greatest part of exercise programs as the lungs biologically try to remove the toxic substances. Over and above, it is advisable to ensure

At-Risk Program for Alcohol and Drug Use Essay Example for Free

At-Risk Program for Alcohol and Drug Use Essay When observing the schools in our communities, many choose not to notice that there is a serious problem concerning drug and substance abuse within the student population. Drug and alcohol abuse has become a serious problem for many students in the state of Alabama. There are over 40,000 adolescents in the state of Alabama that have used illegal drugs in this past month (Inspirations for Youth and Families, 2011). This is an alarming number that needs the support of the community, state funded programs, and the school district. There are currently over 15,000 youths in the state of Alabama that need help with substance abuse problems and are not receiving the proper care and help they deserve (Inspirations for Youth and Families, 2011). This community needs an at-risk program that targets the students who have become victim to drug and alcohol abuse. Identifying students in our schools who may be using drugs or alcohol is not an easy task. There are several signs that students could convey during schools hours that draw the attention of teachers or classmates. This program will be available to any parents concerned about their children with substance abuse, or students exhibiting at-risk warning signs. Warning signs of an at-risk student that will be eligible for a drug and substance abuse program may exhibit several traits that set them apart from the rest of the student body. These include smelling like alcohol or drugs, missing or skipping class, a dramatic change in academic involvement, trouble with authority, and getting involved in fights or showing an increase in aggressive behavior (Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2012). Students who exhibit any of these signs would be recommended to participate in the drug and alcohol program. Periodic drug screenings in schools for students expressing these signs is another measure that will be taken to inform educators and parents of the students experimenting with illegal substances and need our help and support. This drug and alcohol program will meet the needs of the students in our community by providing them a haven where they can turn without worrying about getting into trouble. This program is not meant to judge these students, but to help them overcome the pressure they feel from their peers and their habitual drug and alcohol abuse. This program will be in every school in the Montgomery County school district. It will target students in grades five through 12. The guidance offices will have specific laws and rules to abide by to find at-risk students and enter students into the drug and alcohol program. The guidance office will have the responsibility of meeting with students when there are not program meetings, keeping a log of the student’s success and information on the drug/alcohol abuse, drug screenings, parental involvement, and so forth. Program meetings for all students involved in the drug and alcohol program will be held three times a month at the George Washing Carver High School Gymnasium, taking place after school for three hours from two in the afternoon to five in the evening. Buses will be supplied at all schools to transport the students to the main center at Carver High School, and then will be available to transport these students home. The staff at our meetings will include guidance counselors from every school in the district, teachers, and volunteers from the community. There will be a certified psychiatrist at every meeting to meet with students considered high-risk. If these high-risk students show signs of serious addiction or dependence, extra therapy sessions will be provided through the school district and rehabilitation options will be explored. This drug and alcohol program will be supported by the Montgomery County Department of Human Resources and Covenant Health Centers who implement the Alabama Recovery Center. Both of these state departments will ensure the success of the drug and alcohol program so the students in our community have access to the best resources. The Montgomery Department of Human Resources has social workers who will be able to meet with at-risk and high-risk children and make contact with family members on the students’ behalf. All cases of adolescent drug abuse must be referred to DHR by state law. This resource will be both beneficial for the students and the community. The Alabama Recovery Center have experienced and licensed staff that work with drug and alcohol abuse in adolescents through intensive  out-patients treatments programs (Covenant Health Centers, 2012). They provide counseling options, individual or family oriented, to best meet the required needs of the student. Their substance abuse programs consist of a 12 week intensive outpatient program that includes after care programs and custom programs working in accordance with several state departments such as DHR (Covenant Health Centers, 2012). With the Montgomery County Department of Human Resources and the Alabama Recovery Center, this new drug and alcohol program will have the support it needs to become a success to our students and the community. The positive impacts the drug and alcohol program would have on our community, schools, and school district are endless. The positive impact it would have on our community is to help adolescents that have fallen victim to drug and alcohol abuse and give them the support these students deserve. This will make sure that the children and teens in our community have a chance to a bright future to become productive citizens for this community. The positive impact this program will bring to our schools is intervention and honesty. Students can communicate with their teachers on a personal basis and let them into their private lives. This will allow the schools to become responsible concerning the essential help that is needed for at-risk students. It will give schools the chance to intervene in situations that involve drug and alcohol abuse. Schools will be the most important level where the student body can be reached to deal with the issues of peer pressure and drug/substance abuse. This program will bring positive impacts to the school district by keeping drugs and alcohol off school campuses and away from the student body. The district will observe dramatic changes in the population of students who have abused drugs and alcohol. The district will reap these rewards by becoming part of a positive change by implementing this program. The school district will see the change in students. This will raise the educational rating of the schools in the district. There are several steps necessary to implement this new drug and alcohol program. The first step is to find and receive funding for this drug and alcohol program. â€Å"The Department of Educations Safe and Drug-Free Schools  and Communities Program (SDFSP) provide funds for virtually every school district to support drug and violence prevention programs and to assist in creating and maintaining safe learning environments† (National Drug Control Policy, 1999, para.12). This is where our source of funding will come from. Once we have received proper funding, the second step is to begin training the guidance counselors, teachers, and volunteers who will be helping this program. The third step is to inform the local community about the new drug and alcohol program to spread awareness. The fourth and final step is to present the at-risk program to the school district’s advisory board. They will make the final decision in regard to implementing the program throughout the schools in the district The drug and alcohol program involving the adolescents in our school systems is a serious concern this community needs to address. This program is planned to target at-risk students by giving them a way to recover from their substance abuse. There are over 40,000 adolescents in the state of Alabama who need help concerning drug and alcohol addiction. The schools in our district are the best ways to identify these students and reach them with kindness, caring, and help. If this district were to implement this program, the student body in the Montgomery County school district will reap essential rewards. These students will have a chance at becoming productive citizens of the community. These students will have a chance to break the substance abuse cycle and become something that we all hope our children will and can become. This drug and alcohol program can bring light into the lives of many students suffering from addiction in our community. It is our job as educators and members of this community to help and give at-risk students a chance. References Covenant Health Centers. (2012). Alabama Recovery Center. Retrieved from http://www.covenanthealthcenters.com/alabama-recovery-center/ Indiana University of Pennsylvania. (2012). Identifying and Confronting Students At-Risk. Retrieved from http://www.iup.edu/page.aspx?id=45873 Inspirations for Youth and Families. (2011). Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Teens in Alabama. Retrieved from http://www.inspirationsyouth.com/Teen-Rehab-Alabama.asp National Drug Control Policy. (1999). Preventing Drug Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/ondcppubs/publications/policy/99ndcs/iv-b.html

Paradise Lost by John Milton Essay Example for Free

Paradise Lost by John Milton Essay 1 Language has the ability to make sin look attractive Tis Pity was published by John Ford in 1633 and is set in Italy, the heart of the Renassiance. John Milton published Paradise Lost in 1667, relatively soon after John Ford, and was the first epic poem to be written in blank verse. Both writers push the boundaries of literature by exploring untouched, taboo subjects: incest and The Fall of Man. During this period of time, soon after the Renassiance period, many artists and writers were challenging society by introducing a range of different styles and genres. This meant that Ford and Milton both intended to tempt controversy through their pieces of literature; yet, the seductive choice of language has instead caused an attractiveness to both texts. It is this attraction to the language, and utter skill behind these writers intentions, that has enabled both texts to withstand the test of time. In Book Nine of Paradise Lost, Milton begins to introduce Satan as the Serpent; however, he manages to draw the audience away from Satans intentions by presenting his physical beauty. As the Serpent Addressed his way towards Eve, with the desire to cause corruption, he moves not with intended wave. Instead, he towers fould above fould a surging Maze, with the colours of Verdant Gold. By giving the Serpent distinct characteristics, he is separating him from the other creatures in the Garden of Eden, therefore drawing Eves attention to his uniqueness. The repetition of fould above fould gives the sense of an illusion, something which Eves eyesight is unable to comprehend; which is then reinforced by surging Maze, giving this illusion speed and power, causing a greater confusion on Eves behalf. The vivid description of verdant Gold gives the Serpent a very rich colouring, thus reiterating his importance in the Garden. When Satan finally decides to confront Eve, he becomes erect, giving himself a sense of empowerment. This is when Miltons narration confirms the beauty of his language, as he mentions how pleasing was his shape / and lovely. For an audience, this outsid e interpretation almost gives a sense of comfort, as they too are lost in his physical beauty. Finally, as the Serpent begins to speak, his ability to compliment and seduce enables him to make his way into the heart of Eve. There are clear similarites between Satan in Paradise Lost and Vasques in Tis Pity: both have a masterful use of rhetoric. As Vasque attempts to gather information from Putana, he mentions how her by proving themselves  to be devoted to these women, they are appealing to their naivity and giving a false sense of trust. Their seductive use of language causes them to become impassioned, as they begin to realise their ability to attract these women. The absence and withdrawal of language in both texts is equally as attractive to an audience. In Paradise Lost Book Nine, the pivotal point when Eve eats the Forbidden Fruit is simply expressed in four words, she plucked, she eat. The use of these monosyllables reinforces how emphasis can be achieved through simplicity. Extending on this further, Miltons constant elaboration and care to detail is deliberately dismissed here to send an even greater message to his audience: mankind cannot blame Eve for causing the Fall as she simply ate the fruit. By refusing to focus on Eves decision to eat the Fruit, he is daringly challenging conventional views that women are the only cause of sin. John Ford in Tis Pity has a similar intention through his portrayal of Hippolyta; her refusal to be silenced goes against the view of womens inferiority. This is achieved in Act Two Scene two, as she powerfully enters with Tis I;. These two words are separate from the rest of her speech in order to hold suspense and give her a greater presence on stage. Fords intention is for the audience to immediately be drawn to her in preparation for her criticism towards Soranzo. As both Ford and Milton are so skilled in writing attractively and deliberately trying to engage an audience, it is even more effective when they suddenly withdraw; the audience become responsible in using their own imagination, in attempt to understand the message these writers intend to express. In Tis Pity, the most effective use of language is through convincing an audience that Giovanni and Annabella have a natural, loving relationship. In Act One Scene Two, when Giovanni admits his love for Annabella and she responds evenly, he ends the scene with After so many tears as we have wept, lets learn to court in smiles, to kiss and sleep. Finally Giovanni is no longer impassioned, I have too long suppressed the hidden flames, and is instead able to appreciate the natural rawness of their love. Not only that, but by referring to their ability to weep, smile, kiss and sleep, he is expressing emotions which audiences are able to relate to; proving that their relationship isnt as unnatural as first assumed. During this particular moment, the audience become so engaged in the text that they forget about the theme of incest and instead support the  purity of their relationship. John Miltons depiction of Satan creates a similar sense of curiosity into the ability to sympathise with him. This is highlighted when he observes Eve for the first time and becomes of enmitie disarmd/ of guile, of hate, of envie, of revenge. The repetition of guile, hate, envie, revenge proves how Satan is gradually striped of his emotions associated with evil, and is instead left vulnerable through his admiration. The power of Eves beauty forces him to become abstracted from his own evil, thus demonstrating the ability to respond humanely. During this moment, Milton is allowing the audience the opportunity to make their own viewpoint of Satan; isolated from the conventional, one-dimensial presentation of him. The beauty of both texts is not caused by convincing the audience that sin is attractive, but instead pushing them into sympathising, admiring and simply enjoying pieces of literature beyond expectation.

Public Relation Tactics in the Hotel Industry

Public Relation Tactics in the Hotel Industry Introduction The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself. According to an American educator and writer Peter F. Drucker. The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself. According to Al Ries Strategy and timing are Himalayas of marketing. Everything else is Catskills Marketing strategy is a process that can allow an organization to concentrate its limited resources on the greatest opportunities to increase sales and achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. A marketing strategy should be centered on the key concept that customer satisfaction is the main goal The tourism consumer is the critical judge of successful marketing and public relations activities. In todays increasingly competitive marketing environment there has been a shift from traditional marketing techniques towards more aggressive and varied approaches to marketing and communication. The change from transactional to relationship management in marketing over the past fifty years has been marked by improvements in consumer satisfaction and client recommendation of repeat purchase of products and services. Brands today are often built with effective PR campaigns and then maintained through a blend of marketing and PR tactics. The impact of the Internet is having profound impact upon PR and Marketing practices enabling PR practitioners to conduct two way communications in order to maintain and enhance customer relationships. MARKETING The Oberoi Group Oberoi Hotels Resorts is famous the world over with providing the right blend of service and luxury. Internationally acclaimed for all-round excellence and unparalleled levels of service, Oberoi hotels and resorts have received innumerable awards and accolades. The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambore has been ranked the worlds best hotel by Travel and Leisure Readers Poll for 2010, The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra has been ranked the fifth best in the world, The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur is ranked the thirteenth best and The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur has been ranked the fifteenth best hotel in the world. . Trident hotels are five-star hotels that have established a reputation for excellence and are acknowledged for offering quality and value. At present there are nine Trident hotels in India. These are located in Mumbai at Bandra Kurla and Nariman Point, Gurgaon (Delhi National Capital Region), Chennai, Bhubaneshwar, Cochin, Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur. The Oberoi Group also operates a Trident hotel in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. The Groups commitment to excellence, attention to detail and personalized service has ensured a loyal list of guests and accolades in the worldwide hospitality industry. THE OBEROI The Oberoi, Mumbai (Location) Located in the citys prime business and shopping district of Nariman Point, The Oberoi, Mumbai has been completely redesigned to be the ultimate destination for contemporary style and luxury in the city. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, the hotel is full of space and serenity. Luxuriously appointed guestrooms have been meticulously planned with a host of innovative features using the latest technology. The Oberoi, Mumbai is located on Marine Drive, the famed boulevard along the coast in South Mumbai. An hours drive from the airport and only minutes away from the business, financial and entertainment districts, the hotel is also well located to visit the citys tourist attractions. The hotel offers a rich variety of dining experiences ranging from an all day dining restaurant serving global cuisine, to an Italian Restaurant and a signature Indian restaurant under the direction of a Michelin starred chef. An ideal location for business meetings and conferences in Mumbai, venues range from private meeting rooms at the 24-hours Business Centre to the conference rooms on the top floor of the hotel offering sweeping views of the Arabian Sea. The Oberoi, Mumbai is the ideal hotel for discerning business and leisure travelers. Porters fives forces model is an excellent model to use to analyse a particular environment of an industry . So for example . if we were entering the hotel industry, we would use porters model to help us find out about: Marketing Strategy of Oberoi Hotels Marketing strategy is a method of focusing an organizations energies and resources on a course of action which can lead to increased sales and dominance of a targeted market niche. A marketing strategy combines product development, promotion, distribution, pricing, relationship management and other elements; identifies the firms marketing goals, and explains how they will be achieved, ideally within a stated timeframe. Marketing strategy determines the choice of target market segments, positioning, marketing mix, and allocation of resources. It is most effective when it is an integral component of overall firm strategy, defining how the organization will successfully engage customers, prospects, and competitors in the market arena, corporate strategies, corporate missions, and corporate goals. As the customer constitutes the source of a companys revenue, marketing strategy is closely linked with sales. A key component of marketing strategy is often to keep marketing in line with a co mpanys overarching mission statement. The Oberoi Group, founded in 1934, operates 28 hotels and three cruisers in five countries under the luxury Oberoi and five-star Trident brands. The Group is also engaged in flight catering, airport restaurants, travel and tour services, car rentals, project management and corporate air charters. Oberoi Hotels Resorts is synonymous the world over with providing the right blend of service, luxury and quiet efficiency. Internationally acclaimed for all-round excellence and unparalleled levels of service, Oberoi hotels and resorts have received innumerable awards and accolades. The Oberoi group has tradition of pioneering in the hospitality industry, striving for unsurpassed excellence in high-potential locations all the way from the Middle East to Asia-Pacific. The basic strategies of the Oberoi hotels are: They provide reservation facilities through toll free numbers and online registrations Oberoi hotels and Resorts has partnered with Indias certified airlines to make consumers satisfied. They promote their service through mileage point which provides customers and travelers some offers depending on their points. Providing special offers such as Himalayan Adventure, exotic honeymoon, exotic vacations, Business travel plus etc. Creating and developing customer loyalty Customer service is important for small businesses of any industry, and developing customer loyalty can increase overall engagement and satisfaction with a company. The concept of Marketing emerged in the mid 1950s when the scope shifted from a make-and-sell-attitude to a more customer focused sense-and-respond attitude. In other words the businesses started to find products for their customers rather than finding customers for their products2. Direct marketing, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and other relationship marketing concepts have been a topic of discussion for practitioners and academics for the later part of the 20th century and is widely claimed to be the future of marketing. Some academics have stated that the concept of relationship marketing is the biggest change in 50 years of marketing and is bringing marketing back to the preindustrial era when the producers and consumers dealt directly with each other3. Relationship marketing is an umbrella term with many subfields and is in general more connected with high-level strategic thinking. CRM has in contrast a stronger connection to marketing strategies over the customer lifetime and understanding the customers needs, attitudes, life stage, profitability and lifetime value. Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, Virgin Atlantic, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car ranked number one in hotel, airline, and rental car industry customer satisfaction, respectively in 2009. In 2009 Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, an Indian brand associated with ultra luxury hotels, earned the highest customer satisfaction score among all hotels (93.7). Midscale without food and beverage (+0.5 to 84.0) improved more than any other segment in 2009. The customer wants value for money and is generally getting discerning. Modern day research being conducted reveals that customer loyalty is taking a back seat. It is now about being innovative, and it is about fulfilling a need not saying, Youre my customer for the last 20 years, and therefore you should be my customer over the next 20. The Oberoi is an organisation that is training oriented, and which has built its brand over the last 30 years. The Oberoi has also exported its brand to some extent internationally. 2Kotler et al., 2009 3Sheth Parvatiyar, 2000 The system therefore that is being put into place is Learn, Perform, Deliver, Reward. A lot of structures are being put into place which are transparent and they created an entire communication drive in order to let people understand how these transparent structures would help them on an ongoing basis. Their vision is to develop their company to achieve world-class standards consistently. The company strategy is based on five important criteria. Job functions have been made more meaningful with new designations and responsibility levels. Rewards will no longer be based on a ten-year system but on performance. With increased responsibility will come greater authority. For greater efforts and increased productivity our people will be rewarded, and Finally, their people shall have more career opportunities in our rapidly growing organisation. They do both internal external customer surveys. When these come in, they have small teams that work towards improvement. Their focus is on Strong People, Product and Processes. Communication has played a tremendous role in getting people to believe them. Oberoi Hotel is synonymous the world over for providing the right blend of service, luxury and quiet efficiency. Internationally recognized for all-round excellence and unparalleled levels of service, Oberoi Hotel has received innumerable awards and accolades. A distinctive feature of The Groups hotel is their highly motivated and well trained staff that provides the kind of attentive, personalized and warm service that is rare today. The hotel provides best facilities like: Combining the finest of all that is contemporary and the best in latest technology with the timeless traditions of Oberoi Hotels Resorts, The Oberoi, Mumbai is the leading choice of business and leisure travelers. The meetings and conference facilities at The Oberoi, Mumbai are designed to accommodate exclusive and intimate business meetings and social gatherings. The well appointed Business Centre features nine meeting rooms that accommodate up to 20 guests. Network and relationship marketing Relationship Marketing was first defined as a form of marketing developed from direct response marketing campaigns which emphasizes customer retention and satisfaction, rather than a dominant focus on sales transactions. As a practice, Relationship Marketing differs from other forms of marketing in that it recognizes the long term value of customer relationships and extends communication beyond intrusive advertising and sales promotional messages. With the growth of the internet and mobile platforms, Relationship Marketing has continued to evolve and move forward as technology opens more collaborative and social communication channels. This includes tools for managing relationships with a customer that goes beyond simple demographic and customer service data. Relationship Marketing extends to include Inbound Marketing efforts, PR, Social Media and Application Development. Just like customer relationship management, (CRM), Relationship Marketing is a broadly recognized, widely-implemented strategy for managing and nurturing a companys interactions with clients and sales prospects. It also involves using technology to organize, synchronize business processes, (principally sales and marketing activities), and most importantly, automate those marketing and communication activities on concrete marketing sequences that could run in autopilot, (also known as marketing sequences). The overall goals are to find, attract and win new clients, nurture and retain those the company already has, entice former clients back into the fold, and reduce the costs of marketing and client service. Once simply a label for a category of software tools, today, it generally denotes a company-wide business strategy embracing all client-facing departments and even beyond. When an implementation is effective, people, processes, and technology work in synergy to increase profitabil ity, and reduce operational costs. Relationship marketing also stresses what it calls internal marketing. This refers to using a marketing orientation within the organization itself. It is claimed that many of the relationship marketing attributes like collaboration, loyalty and trust determine what internal customers say and do. According to this theory, every employee, team, or department in the company is simultaneously a supplier and a customer of services and products. Brand identity and strategy Developing a brand strategy can be one of the most difficult steps in the marketing plan process. Its often the element that causes most businesses the biggest challenge, but its a vital step in creating the company identity. A strong brand is invaluable as the battle for customers intensifies day by day. Its important to spend time investing in researching, defining, and building your brand. A brand is the source of a promise to the consumers. Its a foundational piece in the marketing communication. Defining a Brand This is the first step in the process of developing brand strategy. By defining what the brand is one can create the foundation for all other components to build on. The brand definition will serve as measuring stick in evaluating any and all marketing materials and strategies. Determining The Brands Objectives Critical to effective brand management is the clear definition of the brands audience and the objectives that the brand needs to achieve. The objectives have to be defined and a plan has to be put into place that would help to succeed in meeting them. Focusing on Target Audience The power of brand relies on the ability to focus. That is why defining target market will help to strengthen the brands effectiveness. Discovering and Crushing Brand Barriers When creating the brand strategy for a product or service it is important to perform a careful analysis to determine principal barriers. These barriers are also known as market conditions that can keep the product or service from achieving success. Brand Packaging and Identity Branding is someones identity in the marketplace and the Oberoi brand says what it should. The company image is all about the appearance of the packaging. Successfully out-branding ones competitors is a continuous battle for the hearts and minds of the customers. The proposition the brand strategy makes must be very compelling, attractive and unique among competitive offerings. The proposition must also be consistently reinforced throughout all phases of an organization, from senior executives to customer service, research and development, business development and even any business partners. The brand statement, often called the brand promise or proposition, is a derivative of branding research. It states the benefit of buying and using the companys products or services. For Oberoi industry the brand statement is Our commitment is that every guest leaves satisfied. Oberoi Hotels which is an Indian brand associated with ultra luxury hotels. Founded in 1934, Oberoi manages 30 hotels and 5 luxury cruises under the Oberoi and Trident brands. All the hotels owned by the company across the many segments in India operate under the Oberoi brand name. The usual trend in the international hospitality industry is to have distinct brands for each segment that a hotel group operates in. This strategy ensures that the brand equity is not diluted when the brand enters the business segment or economy hotels segment. But the Oberoi brand has not treaded this path till now. The Oberoi Group has removed the Oberoi brand names from six of its hotels which are not luxury hotels. Simultaneously, it has brought all the luxury palace-hotels previously called villas under the Oberoi brand to convey the brand spirit and strengthen the brand equity. This strategy ensures that Oberoi preserve their brand equity and also facilitates the expansion to other segments by endorsing the sub-brands with their parent brand names. With the Indian travel and tourism industry expected to grow at an annual rate of 8.8% to US$90.4 billion in 2015, these brand maneuvers become very important to ensure the famous Indian hospitality brands are up to the global challenges. Viral and guerilla marketing Guerilla Marketing: Unconventional marketing intended to get maximum results from minimal resources. Viral marketing: Marketing phenomenon that facilitates and encourages people to pass along a marketing message. The concept of guerrilla marketing was invented as an unconventional system of promotions that relies on time, energy and imagination rather than a big marketing budget. Typically, guerrilla marketing campaigns are unexpected and unconventional, potentially interactive, and consumers are targeted in unexpected places. The objective of guerrilla marketing is to create a unique, engaging and thought-provoking concept to generate buzz, and consequently turn viral. The term was coined and defined by Jay Conrad Levinson in his book Guerrilla Marketing. Guerrilla marketing involves unusual approaches such as intercept encounters in public places, street giveaways of products, PR stunts, or any unconventional marketing intended to get maximum results from minimal resources. More innovative approaches to Guerrilla marketing now utilize cutting edge mobile digital technologies to engage the consumer and create a memorable brand experience Guerrilla marketers use all of their contacts, both professional and personal, and examine their company and its products, looking for sources of publicity. Many forms of publicity can be very inexpensive, or even free. Levinson says that when implementing guerrilla marketing tactics, small size is actually an advantage. In The Guerrilla Marketing Handbook, he states: In order to sell a product or a service, a company must establish a relationship with the customer. It must build trust and support. It must understand the customers needs, and it must provide a product that delivers the promised benefits. The Oberoi group has actually implemented this strategy in providing their services and maintaining good relationship with their customers. Strategic Customer Relations For larger-scale enterprises like The Oberoi group, a complete and detailed plan is required to obtain the funding, resources, and company-wide support that can make the initiative of choosing and implementing a system successfully. Benefits must be defined, risks assessed, and cost quantified in three general areas: Processes: Though these systems have many technological components, business processes lie at its core. It can be seen as a more client-centric way of doing business, enabled by technology that consolidates and intelligently distributes pertinent information about clients, sales, marketing effectiveness, responsiveness, and market trends. Therefore, a company must analyze its business workflows and processes before choosing a technology platform; some will likely need re-engineering to better serve the overall goal of winning and satisfying clients. Moreover, planners need to determine the types of client information that are most relevant, and how best to employ them.4 People: For an initiative to be effective, an organization must convince its staff that the new technology and workflows will benefit employees as well as clients. Senior executives need to be strong and visible advocates who can clearly state and support the case for change. Collaboration, teamwork, and two-way communication should be encouraged across hierarchical boundaries, especially with respect to process improvement.5 Technology: In evaluating technology, key factors include alignment with the companys business process strategy and goals, including the ability to deliver the right data to the right employees and sufficient ease of adoption and use. Platform selection is best undertaken by a carefully chosen group of executives who understand the business processes to be automated as well as the software issues. Depending upon the size of the company and the breadth of data, choosing an application can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year or more. 4DestinationCRM.com (2002) 5TechTarget (2009) Strategy Checklist: Planning for CRM and Customer Service Success The three phases in which strategic consumer relations support the relationship between a business and its customers are to: Acquire: Strategic consumer relations can help a business acquire new customers through contact management, selling, and fulfillment.6 Enhance: web-enabled CRM combined with customer service tools offers customers service from a team of sales and service specialists, which offers customers the convenience of one-stop shopping.6 Retain: CRM software and databases enable a business to identify and reward its loyal customers and further develop its targeted marketing and relationship marketing initiatives. Over the last decade, too many organizations have assumed that their products or services were so superior that customers would automatically keep coming back for more. But in order to compete effectively in todays marketplace, organizations must change their strategy to become more customer focused, not product focused. Strategic consumer relation is the best way to integrate this customer-facing approach throughout an organization. 6 James A. OBrien George M. Marakas (2009). Enterprise Business Systems. Management Information Systems. McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Effectiveness of e-marketing An e-marketing strategy is needed to provide consistent direction for an organizations e-marketing activities that integrates with its other marketing activities and supports the overall objectives of the business. For many companies, the first forays into e-marketing or Internet marketing are not the result of a well-defined, integrated Internet strategy; rather, they are a response to competitors activities or customers demand. There is no evidence to suggest that the approach to developing and implementing a strategy should be significantly different for e-marketing. Established frameworks for corporate strategy development or strategic marketing planning should still be followed. These frameworks provided a logical sequence to follow which ensures inclusion of all key activities of strategy development. However, with e-marketing there is an even greater need for a highly responsive strategy process model where rapid reaction can occur to events in the marketplace. The use of Soviet-style 5 year planning does not seem appropriate; a preferable approach is an emergent e-marketing strategy process that is part of a continuous improvement. E-business or e-marketing strategy process models tend to share the following characteristics: Continuous internal and external environment scanning or analysis are required. Clear statement of vision and objectives is required. Strategy development can be broken down into formulation and selection. After strategy development, enactment of the strategy occurs as strategy implementation. Control is required to detect problems and adjust the strategy accordingly. They must be responsive to changes in the marketplace. There is four stage models for e-marketing strategy development: 1. Strategic analysis. Continuous scanning of the micro and macro-environment of an organization are required with particular emphasis on the changing needs of customers, actions and business models of competitor and opportunities afforded by new technologies. Techniques include resource analysis, demand analysis and competitor analysis, applications portfolio analysis, SWOT analysis and competitive environment analysis. 2. Strategic objectives. Organizations must have a clear vision on whether digital media will complement or replace other media and their capacity for change. Clear objectives must be defined and in particular goals for the online revenue contribution should be set. 3. Strategy definition. Strategy definition may be denoted by eight factors: Target market strategies. Positioning and differentiation strategies. Resourcing Internet marketing priorities significance to organization. CRM focus and financial control Market and product development strategies. Business and revenue models including product development and pricing strategies. Organizational restructuring required. Channel structure modifications. 4. Strategy implementation It includes devising and executing the tactics needed to achieve strategic objectives. This includes relaunching a web site, campaigns associated with promoting the site and monitoring the effectiveness of the site. The travel industry survives as one of the better performing sectors in e-commerce. With no fulfillment and no need for online payments, the hotel industry is well positioned to capture the full potential of ecommerce while avoiding many of its risks. Despite the burst of the Internet bubble, the promise of the Internet for hoteliers is still real: Online distribution can reduce costs, attract affluent customers and lessen dependency on more traditional and expensive distribution channels. The Oberoi group is providing effective e-marketing services to their customers. Conclusion: Through this assignment I have found that the main purpose of hospitality and tourism industry is to entertain a guest with goodwill. Oberoi hotel is using all the marketing strategies and has developed good customer relationships, which is the reason for their increasing and worldwide growth. Oberoi hotel is always offering a range of facilities and business services like as internet, fax machine. I have found that Oberoi Hotels Resorts are synonymous the world over for providing the right blend of service, luxury and quiet efficiency. Internationally recognized for all-round excellence and unparalleled levels of service, Oberoi Hotels Resorts have received innumerable awards and accolades. A distinctive feature of The Groups hotels is their highly motivated and well trained staff that provides the kind of attentive, personalized and warm service that is rare today. The Groups new luxury hotels have established a reputation for redefining the paradigm of luxury and excellence in s ervice amongst leisure hotels around the world. Recommendation: With the completion of this assignment I know much about how to run a business smoothly and what is required to become a good and successful business man and get good profit. One should be very much clear about what the needs of the customers are and how to satisfy them. Every businessman should give focus on the customer needs because this is first and foremost thing in business. If we make strategies before starting any business then we wont have to face many problems. Organizations should be arranging and delegating work for accomplishment of their goals. Relationship Marketing refers to a long-term and mutually beneficial arrangement where both the buyer and seller have an interest in providing a more satisfying exchange and is essential for any industry to reach high status. A key principle of relationship marketing is the retention of customers through varying means and practices to ensure repeated trade from preexisting customers by satisfying requirements above those of compe ting companies through a mutually beneficial relationship.

Teaching Writing Philosophy :: Education Teacher Educating Essays

Teaching Writing Philosophy Assessments are easily one of the most frustrating elements of school life for both teachers and students. The argument that there is no way to tell how much a student is learning without assessments should prove false for a skilled teacher. An involved, interactive classroom should result in a keen awareness by the teacher of how much each student is learning. That being said, I still believe in assessment as a useful tool within teaching if it is done well and fairly. The principles of this nation are based on competition, whether that is something we like about our schools or not. There needs to be something to differentiate students based on ablility and work ethic. Yes, a skilled teacher should be able to attract student’s interest in a subject without the threat of a grade looming, but isn’t there something special about that perfect grade for a job well done? Even a devoted student may find him or herself willing to let assignments slide if th ere are no consequences for their actions. Ultimately I feel that the problem within schools is not that there are tests; it is just the way that these tests are formatted. Too often student’s face monstrous tests that are vaguely worded, seem to have numerous correct answers, or have unclear directions. Different students think about things in different ways and no one should be punished for that. My philosophy is fairly simple: I am on the student’s side, I want them to do well, and I intend to provide ample opportunity to do so. Hopefully my teaching style will attract them to the materials that I appreciate so much within literature and writing. If a student can honestly say that he or she worked hard in my class and took the options available to them, their grade should always be fair. Grading essays or stories is a long process. Some students may produce a great final product that took less effort than another student who worked feverishly but is just not as skilled of a writer. There should be a way to reward both a great final piece and a strong effort within the writing process.

Software Outsourcing: Is the End of the American Programmer Near? :: Outsourcing Software Jobs Globalization

Software Outsourcing: Is the End of the American Programmer Near? Introduction Former U.S. Presidential candidate Ross Perot once warned of the U.S. entry into the North American Free Trade Agreement as "a great sucking sound" as U.S. jobs "run" to Mexico. 1 Many Americans feared that cheap labor in Mexico would cause many Americans to lose their jobs as U.S. companies could find cheaper labor south of the border. In the ten years since the beginning of NAFTA, the U.S. job market has remained strong. 2 The types of jobs may have changed to a certain degree, but the number of jobs has only increased despite the fears of many. Today, many people are worried about the effects of the outsourcing of software upon U.S. jobs. Many people fear the "great sucking sound" as software jobs are outsourced to cheaper labor in foreign countries, such as India. U.S. legislators have faced the issue and are trying to reduce the incentives of companies to hire workers abroad. 3 There are many fears and uncertainties about globalization and the new global economy as many people f ear change and competition from cheaper foreign labor. Are these fears justified? Is the American job market going to collapse? In the words of Ed Yourdon, has the "decline and fall of the American programmer" come? 4 Also, is it ethical to outsource software for cheaper labor? The Global Economy and Modern Economics In recent years, especially with the rise of the World Wide Web, there has been a steady increase in a more global economy. New technology has made the world more connected. It is much easier and less costly to communicate and interact with people around the world. Telecommunications makes it more possible to work from a remote location rather than working in a specific building. Cellular phones, laptops, and wireless internet make it much more possible to work from just about anywhere. The rise of the global economy has also led to the rise of employment outsourcing. Labor is being treated much like goods. Employers are seeking to lower costs and increase profits. As with the practice of buying cheap materials in foreign markets, companies are increasingly trying to buy cheap labor in foreign markets. From the standpoint of modern economics, this is just supply and demand. Therefore, does this mean that much of the labor in the U.S. will be imported from other countries? Software Outsourcing: Is the End of the American Programmer Near? :: Outsourcing Software Jobs Globalization Software Outsourcing: Is the End of the American Programmer Near? Introduction Former U.S. Presidential candidate Ross Perot once warned of the U.S. entry into the North American Free Trade Agreement as "a great sucking sound" as U.S. jobs "run" to Mexico. 1 Many Americans feared that cheap labor in Mexico would cause many Americans to lose their jobs as U.S. companies could find cheaper labor south of the border. In the ten years since the beginning of NAFTA, the U.S. job market has remained strong. 2 The types of jobs may have changed to a certain degree, but the number of jobs has only increased despite the fears of many. Today, many people are worried about the effects of the outsourcing of software upon U.S. jobs. Many people fear the "great sucking sound" as software jobs are outsourced to cheaper labor in foreign countries, such as India. U.S. legislators have faced the issue and are trying to reduce the incentives of companies to hire workers abroad. 3 There are many fears and uncertainties about globalization and the new global economy as many people f ear change and competition from cheaper foreign labor. Are these fears justified? Is the American job market going to collapse? In the words of Ed Yourdon, has the "decline and fall of the American programmer" come? 4 Also, is it ethical to outsource software for cheaper labor? The Global Economy and Modern Economics In recent years, especially with the rise of the World Wide Web, there has been a steady increase in a more global economy. New technology has made the world more connected. It is much easier and less costly to communicate and interact with people around the world. Telecommunications makes it more possible to work from a remote location rather than working in a specific building. Cellular phones, laptops, and wireless internet make it much more possible to work from just about anywhere. The rise of the global economy has also led to the rise of employment outsourcing. Labor is being treated much like goods. Employers are seeking to lower costs and increase profits. As with the practice of buying cheap materials in foreign markets, companies are increasingly trying to buy cheap labor in foreign markets. From the standpoint of modern economics, this is just supply and demand. Therefore, does this mean that much of the labor in the U.S. will be imported from other countries?

The Significance of Mr. Norton and Fate in Invisible Man by Ralph Ellis

The Significance of Mr. Norton and Fate in Invisible Man      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In his novel Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison has developed the invisible man by using the actions of other characters. Through his prophecy, Mr. Norton has secured the destiny of the narrator, himself, and all persons in the novel. Mr. Norton forebodes that the narrator will determine his fate, but Mr. Norton doesn't realize that the fate determined is universal: that every being is invisible and without this knowledge, people are blinded by their own invisibility. The narrator is able to come to terms with this self-realization at the end of the end of the novel, and by doing so, he has become an individual and a free man of society, which in essence, is what Mr. Norton had first symbolized in the narrator's mind. At the end though, Mr. Norton will symbolize a blind, shameful society that the narrator becomes invisible to. The narrator was only able to become invisible by Mr. Norton's foreshadowing; for it was he who helped drive the narrator to the North and accompany his fate.    Mr. Norton, a rich, Southern, white trustee, claims that the narrator and the black people "were some how closely connected" with his destiny. This man contributed funds to the college as a tribute for his deceased daughter, which startled the narrator, for this white man poured his heart out to him.    "That was something I never did; it was dangerous. First, it was dangerous if you felt like that about anything, because then you'd never get it or something or someone would take it away from you; then it was dangerous because nobody would understand you and they'd only laugh and think you were crazy", (Ellison 43).    The narrator is afraid to open himself up for a... ...www.english.upeen.edu/~afilreis /50s/bellow-on-ellison.html Ellison Ralph. Invisible Man. New York: The Modern Library, 1994. Fabre, Michel. "In Ralph Ellison's Precious Words." Unpublished Manuscript. 1996. 30 November. <http://www.igc.org/dissent/archive/ Ellison/early.html Howe, Irving. "Review of: Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man" Pub. The Nation. 10 May 1952. 30 November 1999. <http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/howe-on-ellison.html. Kelly, Robin D.G. "Communist Party of the United States." Encyclopaedia of African-American   Culture and History. 1996 ed. Lawler, Mary. Marcus Garvey. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1988. O'Meally, Robert. The Craft of Ralph Ellison. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1980. O'Meally, Robert, ed. New Essays on Invisible Man. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 1988.

Advertising and Goldilocks Essay

Goldilocks Bakeshop is one example of an entrepreneurial success story. Two sisters, Mrs. Yee and Mrs. Go, who shared passion for cooking and baking. In 1966 they open their first one-door apartment store that had only two showcase and four tables and some chairs along Makati. They started its catering business serving big companies like Air Manila, Filipinas Orient, Philippine Airlines, and Monte de Piedad in 1969. In 1994 its sales reached 1 billion from 22 retail outlets and it becomes 2 billion from over 60 outlets in 1997. The founders of Goldilocks had a simple vision of producing high-quality products at an affordable price. Thus, product development ha d become an important feature of goldilocks’ history. Among the leading bakeshops in the Philippines, Goldilocks owned about 70 percent market share. The largest segment of the business-cakes-attained an all-time high of 74 percent market share. Red Ribbon was Goldilocks’ closest competitor with a 14 percent market share. Red Ribbon also had a bakeshop and a foodshop line parallel to Goldilocks. Red Ribbon has a 15 percent price premium over Goldilocks cakes. In 1995, Goldilocks sought its customers and asked them about images and memories of Goldilocks in focused group discussions (FGDs). According to research, an important Filipino value that typifies Goldilocks’ customers, that of being maalalahanin (thoughtful). Maalalahanin goes beyond the literal translation of being thoughtful. It could be understood as: to remember, to go out of one’s way, to be close and intimate, to be a close friend. Goldilocks understood that it was not enough to offer good tasting products to become a successful bakeshop. There was a need to develop relationships between buyers of Goldilocks’ product and the intended statement, â€Å"How thoughtful. How Goldilocks.† This has become associated with the Goldilocks name and logo. The breakthrough advertising campaign on television was called â€Å"Bitbit† to celebrate the Filipino value of thoughtfulness. In 1997, the TV campaign focused on another dimension of thoughtfulness – that of sharing and made such a big impact. Most of the television campaigns were supported by radio spots and print advertisements in leading newspapers. According to Goldilocks their traditional customers were mature mostly mothers, older sisters and brothers, or relatives. In 1996, during its 30th anniversary, it shared a portion of its profits with thirty charitable institutions and in October 1998, Goldilocks launched its webpage targeting the highly educated, young, and trendy consumers.

Patrick White’s “A Fringe of Leaves” Essay

Social interactions and relationships are often used in novels to establish and develop thematic concerns within the text. Within A Fringe of Leaves, Patrick White constructs characters and their relationships to expose the constraints of social expectations and simultaneously illustrate the metaphysical journey to self-realisation that the protagonist, Ellen undergoes. It is through Ellen’s complex and often confusing relationships with other characters that her journey may be traced and the extent of change at each level may be realised. The text remains, throughout such a journey, concerned with the contrast between appearances and reality, revealed though all levels of interaction, but poignantly exemplified in the upper class. Such contrasts are juxtaposed to the relatively natural, however none the less complex, relationships appearing deep within the Australian bush. Social relationships are vital in establishing themes, however Ellen’s inner struggle remains the focus of the novel. Relationships are therefor presented as complex and confusing in order to shape a deeper understanding of both the tribulations and personal conflicts Ellen must face and the complex product of her journey. Ellen Gluyas is of working class origins and it is only through her relationship with Austin that she comes to be the ‘Mrs. Roxburg’ of class and social stature. This transcending of class, although provides her with stoic and expedience, valuable in her journey, is the cause of much confusion for Ellen and she is constantly reassessing her situations in able to assume her appropriate role. White clearly expresses that Ellen and Austin’s marriage is for reasons other then romantic love. Austin’s selection of Ellen as his wife enables him to fulfill his Pygmalion fantasies, however the prospect of marrying would not have come about at all without the instruction of his mother. The marriage may thus be seen as, as equally fulfilling for ‘old’ Mrs. Roxburg as it is for Austin. Ellen, in complying with the Pygmalion concept, marries as it is her only means by which to achieve social mobility. Her acceptance of Austin’s ‘extraordinaryâ €™ proposal is prompted by her father’s death (a complex relationship in itself) as her resulting social position leaves her with little alternative choice. Their relationship is thus grounded on a precarious combination of unequal power, gratitude, unfamiliarity, duty and ‘a bungling attempt to  prove their love’. It is in the initial stage of the novel that the impacts of such a relationship are introduced. Ellen constantly struggles to camouflage her working class roots and beneath that, her spiritual and instinctual self. This creates conflict and confusion in her understanding of her self and her relationships with other characters. Ellen plays a ‘many faceted role’, which is made possible through the layers of social practices imposed during her initiation into the upper class. Although Austin provides her with the opportunity, it is her relationship with ‘old’ Mrs. Roxburg that begins the construction of the new young Mrs. Roxburg. Ellen becomes Austin and his mother’s molded and manipulated ‘work of art’ and it is during this time that she realises the importance of appearances within the upper class. Ellen also becomes aware of the innocence and ignorance of her working class self, and hence White foregrounds the notion of the class system as divided by a thin veneer of respectability. This notion of a superficial ‘fringe’ as the determinant of position within society is further criticised through the construction of Austin’s brother Garnet. White’s portrayal of Garnet and the insights Ellen gains from her relationship with him, reveal the potential for corruption and immorality within the upper class. Garnet, although banished from respectable society in Britain, is able to resume his authoritarian role, transposing his familiar existence of privilege and power to an Australian society. White’s ironic portrayal of Garnet as a stereotype of the upper class is critical in its exposure of the double standards apparent in a stratified social structure. Garnet is expected to uphold social ideals by setting moral examples for those ‘lesser’ than him, yet he, in every respect, defies the concept of ‘Christian morality’ through his advantageous and corrupt nature. White’s depiction of Garnet’s relationship with the servant girl Holly reveals how a man of his position is able to manipulate the lives of those around him, with little concern for the consequences. The character of Holly is marginalised within the text however this may be read as furthering White’s ironic portrayal of the upper class, as the minimal description of the girl’s fate is representative of just how little Garnet’s actions effect  his life. Although the portrayal of Holly also criticises dominant ideologies on gender, the extent of double standards towards male and female sexuality is fully exposed in the construction of the relationship between Ellen and Garnet. Their relationship is strongly contrasted to the sterile and repressive nature of Ellen and Austin’s relationship. Within her marriage Ellen is unable to explore her sexuality as when she ‘had†¦once responded with a natural ardour†¦discovered on her husband’s face an expression of having tasted something bitter’. Her relationship with Garnet thus proves to be complex in its meaning. It first represents Ellen and Garnet as parallel characters in their sensualist desires that must be censured in light of social morality. Whilst simultaneously juxtaposing the perception of sexuality in males and females within phallocentrically informed societies. Garnet’s sexuality is defined as a source of virile power. It is condoned and somewhat celebrated within the text. In strong contrast, Ellen’s sexuality is represented as dangerous and immoral. She suffers guilt after the experience, and in resuming her relations with Austin, continues to ‘refrain†¦from tearing†¦off†¦the mask which evidently she was expected to wear.† In the Roxburg’s confusing relationship of supposed love and stifled interactions, Ellen must repress her sensual desires in order to conform to social expectations of a ‘lady’, and thoughtful wife. Thus Garnet is the ‘tool which she used to measure the depths she was tempted to explore’. Their encounter unleashes Ellen’s repressed sensual nature and sexual desire, which prompts and foreshadows her journey to self-realisation. White depicts Ellen as a complex character whose complexity is enhanced by her experiences within the upper class of society. By focusing on Ellen’s social relationships, White is able to construct her character to the point where her descent may be as interesting and many leveled as her ascent. As a working class girl, Ellen existed with a few layers of constructed self. As she is initiated into the upper class she is constructed by external forces (‘old’ Mrs Roxburg and Austin) and internal forces (her new ‘knowledgable’ self, exemplified within her journal). This construction of self, imposes layers upon layers of ‘culture’ and false or rendered identity. In ellen’s  journey to self realisation she is stripped of her constructed or social self. The initial stages of the novel develop these layers so that the second part may remove them. Social relationships are thus used to develop and measure both her ascent and her descent. Parallels are thus drawn between the Roxbourg’s and the Aborigines, as they are characters whose relationships with Ellen denote periods of marked and rapid change. This notion of allining the two experiences is introduced when Ellen is ‘dragged to her feet’ by the group of Aboriginal women. Omniscient narration allows the parallel to be drawn through the line, ‘Ellen Gluyas had not encountered a more unlikely situation since forced as a bride to face the drawing rooms at Cheltenham.’ This line is significant also in the use of naming. It is the first of an interchanging of identity, which represents both the confusion Ellen undergoes and also the shedding of her ‘cultivated’ layers. Within the Aboriginal society Ellen is pushed and pulled to suit those around her. This may be read as representative of her treatment by civilised society, on a more basic and primitive level, symbolising manipulation through social relationships. Ellen’s relationship with the aborigines mark the beginning of her descent, as she is returned to the most basic and subsistence level of humanity. However to exist within the community she still must assume certain roles, such as slave and nurturer, savage and ‘work of art’. Ellen becomes the Aborigines ‘work of art’, just the way she did for Austin. And the ordeal she suffers exemplifies physically, the psychological effects of her ‘work of art’ rolein her marriage. Her role as nurturer and savage, reveal her instinctual and primitive self . Ellen is allowed to explore this side of her nature as she is freed from the constraints of civilised society. White constructs relationships between Ellen and the Aboriginal children, through Ellen’s role as nurturer. These relationships are important in revealing the contrasts of good and bad within human nature, and White explores the notion that good and bad exist collectively within people, and that nothing is truly good or truly bad. This is first introduced through the portrayal of Garnet who, despite being vilified within the text, encompasses vital characteristics in the development of Ellen’s journey. The  first relationship Ellen has with an aboriginal child, blatantly exposes her evil side, whilst nurses the sickly child. There is stark contrast of good and bad in Ellen’s thoughts and speech. She first refers to it as disgusting an then wishes it to ‘sleep, sleep†¦sleep-my darling’. Later she wishes the child dead. Her relationship with other Aboriginal children, within the text are equally confusing. There are moments of idyllic contentmen t with the children, and then they become solemn and determined or even violent. They become for Ellen a means by which she may be comforted, however there there is never any developed example of love. In the context of Ellen’s journey, the children are also ‘tool’s, by which she may explore her nurturer side, denied through her fruitless marriage with Austin. White’s construction of the character Jack Chance, Ellen’s convict hero, provides a heightened example of good shrouded in evil. Jack is a murderer, and a criminal, whilst he is Ellen’s protector. In contrast to Garnet, Jack is unable to escape the consequences of his actions, and has suffered the brutalities of the upper classes’ corruption. His character thus evokes sympathy despite his immoral past. The union of Ellen and Jack is complex as it reveals the contradiction and multiplicity within the individuals’ true self. Jack is presented as both a murderer and protector, whilst Ellen’s heightened awareness of self, is only made possible through the darker and more primitive side of her nature. The positive portrayal of their Eden-like existence valorises the multiplicity and contradictions within themselves and their relationship. It is both a spiritual and sexual union in which Ellen appears her most natural self. It is with Jack that she makes the final transition to full enlightenment and self-realisation, symbolized by the sheding of her fringe of leaves. Their relationship remains confusing though. Ellen replaces the fringe of leaves to distance herself from Jack. Although ‘she loved him’, social relationships remain complex for Ellen, and Jack is of course another tool in Ellen’s journey. Through him she may rekindle her sensuality and extend her self knowledge. He is her means to return to civilization, and thus their idyllic relationship is temporary. White implies that their union is not possible within civilised society. Their natural existence of unrepressed desires and sensuality may not be transposed onto a world of appearances and constructed social fronts, such  that Ellen returns to civilization alone. Throughout the novel Ellen’s social relationships trace and reflect the stages of her journey. On returning to civilisation there surfaces a new confusion as Ellen realizes that ‘self-knowledge might remain a source of embarrassment even danger.’ She is forced to repress all of her new knowledge to fit back into a society of superficiality and unjustified stratification. White constructs Ellen’s journey to criticise the nature of society and to expose the tribulations of those ‘less’ than the upper class white male. Through the construction of confusing and complex relationships, White is able to delve deeper into the multitude of perceptions and understandings of his characters. Few characters reflect a one sided and purely good or bad person, thus White reveals that morality and ‘goodness’ is often blurred. In the context of class, by employing omniscient narration, social relationships are constructed to reveal the superficialities and uneven power distributions within society. Through his critical depiction of class White enforces that such divisions are but thin veneers, and criticizes them as a false basis to build social relationships. Through Ellen’s journey, more heightened experiences take precedence over her somewhat tedious social existence. Juxtaposed to her inner thoughts and spiritual awareness, her social front is predominantly a piteous reflection of her true self. White explores such contrasts in order to invoke a critical reflection of society in all contexts.