Reading methods

English 1001 requires you to take additional classes including English 105 and 106, personally I do not like this method of classes but I do enjoy my 105 class out of all of them, because of this I am always given tons of reading material! In my 1001 class I recently read an article called â€Å"O. K. Glass† by Gary Shteyngart which is an article about the glasses developed by Google that can take pictures, record video, enable video chat with another person over Skype, and many other functions.When I was reading this article about 2 weeks ago it became extremely confusing to figure out ho was talking either the author or the person he was interviewing. I used this article to write a critical examination essay, examining the aspects of the article and deciding whether I agreed with the author or not. The Reading was about how the author was able to get ahold of a pair Google Glass and he was invited by Google to attend their Google Basecamp, which was to teach him about the fu nctions of Google Glass and all the possibilities using these glasses could produce.Shteyngart went around interviewing people on what they thought of Glass and also conducted his wn tests on it as a part of this article. For this reading I chose KWL+, personally I feel this strategy works the best for me it helps me remember what I read and shows me what I already knew. Some of the questions I came up with for this reading were why did Google not make the glasses compatible with Apple products, I realize they are competitors but more than 70% of the population that would buy Google Glass has an Apple IPhone.The reason you want the glasses to be compatible is because when they are synced the glasses they will show your phone screen through the lasses and you are also able to have a phone call without holding your phone. I also wondered about the quality of the camera on the glasses, considering the glasses are fairly small I wondered if it was as good as an IPhone camera. What I did learn from using KWL+ was that the audio recording on the glasses sounds like you are underwater when you talk, definitely something Google needs to work on.Also this accessory will only appeal to those willing to pay a hefty price tag of $1 500 for this pair of tech glasses. Even with the price tag in consideration almost everyone thinks hey are awesome: â€Å"that is so dope' says a college studentm (O. K. Glass). I believe Google Glass definitely has a place in todays society of ever advancing technology, 10 years ago something like this would be unheard of as well as way over the price tag of $1500.If Google is able to work out the kinks with the compatibility with Apple products I think the glasses will sell even better, and also working out the issues with the voice recognition. Shteyngart's article was relatively unbiased, it really did a great job of focusing on what the people thought of the glasses and what didn't work and hat worked straight forward and no deceptive sta tistics were in the article. One thing that helps Google Glass is that it is the first of its kind, nothing like this is available anywhere else.The glasses are scheduled to be released in 2014 so we will have to wait and see if Google is able to work out the kinks with its product. I plan to research the Glasses when the first real reviews come out in 2014 because I am excited to see if they are really worth buying. I will definitely use the KWL+ strategy again because it works the best for me and helps me retain information doesn't work well I will use ole faithful, KWL+.

How to Keep Fit

I'm at a payphone trying to call home All of my change I spent on you Where have the times gone Baby it's all wrong, where are the plans we made for two? Yeah, I, I know it's hard to remember The people we used to be It's even harder to picture That you're not here next to me You say it's too late to make it But is it too late to try? And in our time that you wasted All of our bridges burned down I've wasted my nights You turned out the lights Now I'm paralyzed Still stuck in that time when we called it love But even the sun sets in paradise I'm at a payphone trying to call home All of my change I spent on you Where have the times goneBaby it's all wrong, where are the plans we made for two? If happy ever after did exist I would still be holding you like this All those fairytales are full of sh*t One more stupid love song I'll be sick You turned your back on tomorrow Cause you forgot yesterday I gave you my love to borrow But just gave it away You can't expect me to be fine I don't e xpect you to care I know I've said it before But all of our bridges burned down I've wasted my nights You turned out the lights Now I'm paralyzed Still stucked in that time when we called it love But even the sun sets in paradise I'm at a payphone trying to call homeAll of my change I spent on you Where have the times gone Baby it's all wrong, where are the plans we made for two? If happy ever after did exist I would still be holding you like this All those fairytales are full of sh*t One more stupid love song I'll be sick Now I'm at a payphone†¦ [Wiz Khalifa] Man work that sh*t I'll be out spending all this money while you sitting round Wondering why it wasn't you who came up from Suavemente , besame I'm ready to do whatever If you take me away Suavemente, besame I'll make you do whatever If I take you away [Nayer] I know the craving, and I can save it You've been so patientAnd I've been waiting, for you to take it And you can keep it Just say you need me, make me believe it I wanna go-o-o Can't let you go-o-o Hey mami, damelo otra vez Da-da-damelo otra vez I wanna go-o-o Can't let you go-o-o Hey mami, damelo otra vez Da-da-damelo otra vez [Chorus] Sua vemente, besame I'm ready to do whatever If you take me away Suavemente, besame I'll make you do whatever If I take you away Suavemente, besame I'm ready to do whatever If you take me away Suavemente, besame I'll make you do whatever If I take you away [Pitbull] T he way you moving (suave) Makes me say (suave) Go head baby (suave)Do it my babe (suave) The way you moving (suave) Makes me say (suave) Go head baby (suave) Do it my babe (suave) [Mohombi] Dame good morning So I can get it Let's just be honest, you are the finest Got you surrounded, baby surrender Don't make me hunt you, I know you want to Nayer Suave (Kiss Me) lyrics found on http://www. directlyr ics. com/nayer-suavem ente-lyrics. html I wanna go-o-o Can't let you go-o-o Hey mami, damelo otra vez Da-da-damelo otra vez I wanna go-o-o Can't let you go-o-o Hey mami, damelo otra vez Da-da-damelo otra vez [Chorus] Sua vemente, besame I'm ready to do whatever If you take me awaySuavemente, besame I'll make you do whatever If I take you away Suavemente, besame I'm ready to do whatever If you take me away Suavemente, besame I'll make you do whatever If I take you away [Pitbull] M ohombi, Nayer, Pitbull, FIRE This is revolution in music and we co-write it Yeah, just try us Double domination And everybody knows that me no liar Redone, have them sent a one million year And here's my wire Armandito, tremenda gente Tenemos siempre calle elegante y decente Esta noche vamos hacer el amor Ya tu sabe bebita suavemente I want you to lose your mind, lose control What before, lose it now Cause I know we doing bigYou gotta be ready to lose it up, dale! [Chorus] S uavemente, besame I'm ready to do whatever If you take me away Suavemente, besame I'll make you do whatever If I take you away Suavemente, besame I'm ready to do whatever If you tak e me away Suavemente, besame I'll make you do whatever If I take you away Me not working hard? Yea right picture that with a kodak And better yet, go to times square Take a picture of me with a kodak Took my life from negative to positive And I just want y'all know that And tonight, let's enjoy life Pitbull, Nayer, Ne-Yo [Ne-Yo / Nayer – Chorus] Tonight I will love love you tonightGive me everything tonight For all we know we might not get tomorrow Let's do it tonight I will love love you tonight Give me everything tonight For all we know we might not get tomorrow Lets do it tonight Don’t care what they say All the games they play Nothing is enough Till they handle love (Lets do it tonight) I want you tonight, I want you today I want you tonight Grab somebody sexy tell ‘em hey Give me everything tonight Give me everything tonight Give me everything tonight Give me everything tonight [Pitbull – Verse 1] Get busy tonight Cuz to more and more to do bad before and for Prius Desperate tonightI can make you my queen And make love to you eanless This is insane, the way the name growin’, money keep flowin’ Hustlers move aside, so I’m tiptoein, keep flowin’ I gotta locked up like Lindsay Lohan Put it on my life baby I can make you feel right baby I can’t promise tomorrow But I promise tonight Dale [Pitbull – Pre Chorus] Excuse me But I might drink a little bit more than I should tonight And I might take you home with me if I could tonight And I think you should let me cause I look good tonight And we might not get tomorrow [Ne-Yo / Nayer – Chorus] Tonight I will love love you tonight Give me everything tonightFor all we know we might not get tomorrow Lets do it tonight I will love love you tonight Give me everything tonight For all we know we might not get tomorrow Pitbull Give Me Everything lyrics found on http://www. directlyrics. com/pitbull-give-me-everything-lyrics. html Lets do it tonight Lets do it tonight Don’t care what they say All the games they play Nothing is enough Till they handle love (Lets do it tonight) I want you tonight, I want you today I want you tonight Grab somebody sexy tell ‘em hey Give me everything tonight Give me everything tonight Give me everything tonight Give me everything tonightGrab somebody sexy tell ‘em hey Give me everything tonight Give me everything tonight Give me everything tonight Give me everything tonight [Pitbull – Verse 2] Reach for the stars And if you don’t grab em, at least you’re on top of the world Think about it Cuz if you slip I’m gonna fall on top of you girl Put on ‘em ball when they sleep at the Macy’s And it ain’t no secret My granny’s from Cuba but I’m an American Tied over money like Seacrest Put it on my life baby I can make you feel right baby I can’t promise tomorrow But I promise tonight Dale [Pitbull – Pre Chorus] Excuse me But I might drink a little bit more than I should tonightAnd I might take you home with me if I could tonight And I think you should let me cause I look good tonight And we might not get tomorrow [Ne-Yo / Nayer – Chorus] Tonight I will love love you tonight Give me everything tonight For all we know we might not get tomorrow Let's do it tonight I will love love you tonight Give me everything tonight For all we know we might not get tomorrow Lets do it tonight Don’t care what they say All the games they play Nothing is enough Till they handle lo WE ARE EVER NEVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER I remember when we broke up The first time Saying this is it, I’ve had enough Because likeWe hadn’t seen each other in a month when you said you needed space what? Then you come round again and say Baby, I miss you and I swear I’m gonna change Trust me Remember how that lasted for a day I say I hate you We break up You call me I love you Ooooh We called it of f again last night But oooh This time I’m telling you, I’m telling you We are never ever ever getting back together We are never ever ever getting back together You go talk to your friends Talk to my friends Talk to me But we are never ever ever getting back together Like†¦ ever I’m really gonna miss you picking fights And me Falling for it screaming that I’m rightAnd you Would hide away and find your piece of mind With some Indie record that’s so much cooler than mine Ooooh You called me up again tonight But this time I’m telling you, I’m telling you We are never ever ever getting back together We are never ever ever getting back together You go talk to your friends Talk to my friends Talk to me (talk to me) But we are never ever ever getting back together Oooh (yeah) Oooh (yeah) Oooh (yeah) Oh oh oh I used to say that we were forever, ever And I used to to say Never say never (talking) Uhh So he calls me up and hes like ‘ I used to love you† I’m just.. I mean like this is exhausting you knowWe are never getting back together Like ever We are never ever ever getting back together We are never ever ever getting back together You go talk to your friends Talk to my friends Talk to me (talk to me) But we are never ever ever ever getting back together We oooh We oooh You go talk to your friends Talk to my friends Talk to me but we are never ever ever ever getting back together WHISLTE Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby Let me know Girl I'm gonna show you how to do it And we start real slow You just put your lips together And you come real close Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle babyHere we go I'm betting you like bebop And i'm betting you love creep mode And i'm betting you like girls that give love to girls And stroke your little ego I bet i'm guilty your honor But that's how we live in my genre When in hell I pay rottweiler There's only one flo, and one rida I'm a damn shame Orde r more champagne, pull it down hellstream Tryna put it on ya Bet your lips spin back around corner Slow it down baby take a little longer Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby Let me know Girl I'm gonna show you how to do it And we start real slow You just put your lips together And you come real closeCan you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby Here we go Whistle baby, whistle baby, Whistle baby, whistle baby It's like everywhere I go My whistle ready to blow Shorty don't leave a note She can get any by the low Permission not approved It's okay, it's under control Show me soprano, cause girl you can handle Baby we start snagging, you come in part clothes Girl i'm losing wing, my bucatti the same road Show me your perfect pitch, You got it my banjo Talented with your lips, like you blew out candles So amusing, now you can make a whistle with the music Hope you ain't got no issue, you can do it Give me the perfect picture, never lose itCan you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby Le t me know Girl I'm gonna show you how to do it And we start real slow You just put your lips together And you come real close Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby Here we go Whistle baby, whistle baby, Whistle baby, whistle baby Go girl you can work it Let me see your whistle while you work it I'mma lay it back, don't stop it Cause I love it how you drop it, drop it, drop it, on me Now, shorty let that whistle blow Yeah, baby let that whistle blow Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby Let me know Girl I'm gonna show you how to do it And we start real slowYou just put your lips together And you come real close Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby Here we go Whistle baby, whistle baby, Whistle baby, whistle baby ZERO GRAVITY Tell me what you did to me Just air underneath feet Didn't even notice we were miles above the ground I'm not afraid of heights We crashed into the sky Didn't know that I could feel the way that I do now I'm not asking for an explanation All I kno w is that you take me away And you show me how to fly Nothing brings me down When you're around It's like zero gravity The world just disappears When you're here It's zero gravity When things get messed upI lift my head up And I get lost in the clouds There's no sense of time with you and i It's zero gravity Ohhh Ohhh no no no Hey ooohhh The ages fade away Till there's no more shades of gray You only have to whisper anything at all You opened up my eyes You turn my lows to high And that's the only way that I know how to fall Not gonna analyze or try to fight it Don't even care if it makes no sense at all ‘Cause with you I can fly Nothing brings me down When you're around It's like zero gravity The world just disappears When you're here It's zero gravity When things get messed up I lift my head up And I get lost in the cloudsThere's no sense of time with you around It's zero gravity As Long As You Love Me Dong gop: Ken Ho As long as you love me [x3] [Verse 1] I'm under pressure , Seven billion people in the world trying to fit in Keep it together, Smile on your face even though your heart is frowning But hey now, you know girl, We both know it's a cruel world But I will take my chances [Chorus] As long as you love me We could be starving, we could be homeless, we could be broke As long as you love me I'll be your platinum, I'll be your silver, I'll be your gold As long as you love, love, love, love me As long as you love, love, love, love me [Verse 2]I'll be your soldier, fighting every second of the day for your dreams girl I'll be your whole world You can be my Destiny's Child on the scene girl So don't stress, don't cry, we don't need no wings to fly Just take my hand [Bridge] As you love me we could be starving, we could be homeless, we could be broke As long as you love me I'll be your platinum, I'll be your silver, I'll be your gold As long as you love, love, love, love me As long as you love, love, love, love me [Big Sean] I don't know if this makes sense, but you're my hallelujah Give me a time and place, and I'll rendezvous, and I'll fly you to it, I'll beat ya thereGirl you know I got you Us, trust†¦ A couple of things I can't spell without you Now we are on top of the world, 'cause that's just how we do Used to tell me sky's the limit, now the sky's our point of view Man now we stepping out like wow (Oh God) Camera's pointed shoot, Ask me what's my best side, I stand back and point at you You, you the one that I argue with, I feel like I need a new girl to be bothered with, But the grass ain't always greener on the other side, It's green where you water it So I know we got issues baby true true true But I'd rather work on this with you Than to go ahead and start with someone newAs long as you love me [Chorus] As you love me We could be starving, we could be homeless, we could be broke As long as you love me I'll be your platinum, I'll be your silver, I'll be your gold As long as you love, love, love, love me As long a s you love, love, love, love me As long as you love, love, love, love me As long as you love, love, love, love me As long as you love me MOVE LIKE JAGGER Just shoot for the stars If it feels right And in for my heart If you feel like Can take me away, and make it okay I swear I'll behave You wanted control Sure we waited I put on a show Now I make it You say I'm a kid My ego is bigI don't give a sh*t And it goes like this [Chorus] Take me by the tongue And I'll know you Kiss me till you're drunk And I'll show you You want the moves like jagger I got the moves like jagger I got the mooooooves†¦ like jagger I don't even try to control you Look into my eyes and I'll own you You with the moves like jagger I got the moves like jagger I got the mooooooves†¦ like jagger [Verse 2] Baby it's hard And it feel like you're broken and scarred Nothing feels right But when you're with me I make you believe That I've got the key So get in the car We can ride it Wherever you want Get insid e it And you want to stirBut I'm shifting gears I'll take it from here And it goes like this [Chorus] Take me by the tongue And I'll know you Kiss til you're drunk And I'll show you You want the moves like jagger I got the moves like jagger I got the mooooooves†¦ like jagger I don't even try to control you Look into my eyes and I'll own you You with the moves like jagger I got the moves like jagger I got the mooooooves†¦ like jagger [Bridge] You want to know how to make me smile Take control, own me just for the night But if I share my secret You gonna have to keep it Nobody else can see this So watch and learn I won't show you twiceHead to toe, ooh baby, roll me right But if I share my secret You gonna have to keep it Nobody else can see this And it goes like this [Chorus] Take me by the tongue And I'll know you Kiss til you're drunk And I'll show you You want the moves like jagger I got the moves like jagger I got the mooooooves†¦ like jagger I don't even try to con trol you Look into my eyes and I'll own you You with the moves like jagger I got the moves like jagger I got the mooooooves†¦ like jagger GOOD FEELLING Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah I get a feeling that I never never never never had before, no no I get a good feeling, yeahOh oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah I get a feeling that I never never never never had before, no no I get a good feeling, yeah Yes I can, doubt that I leave, I'm running with this plan Pull me, grab me, crabs in the bucket can't have me I'll be the president one day January first, oh, you like that gossip Like you the one drinking what God sip dot com Now I gotta work with your tongue How many rolling stones you want Yeah I got a brand new spirit, Speak it and it's done Woke up on the side of the bed like I won Talk like a winner, my chest to that sun G5 dealer, US to Taiwan I hope you say that, I wanna play backMama knew I was a needle in a hay stack A Bugatti boy, plus May bach I got a feeling it's a wrap, ASAP Oh, oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah I get a feeling that I never never never never had before, no no I get a good feeling, yeah Oh oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah I get a feeling that I never never never never had before, no no I get a good feeling, yeah The mountain top, walk on water I got power, feel so royal One second, I'ma strike oil Diamond, platinum, no more for you Gotta drill a land, never giving in Giving up's not an option, gotta get it in Witness I got the heart of 20 menNo fear, go to sleep in the lion's den That flow, that spark, that crown You looking at the king of the jungle now Stronger than ever can't hold me down A hundred miles feelin' from the picture smile Straight game face, it's game day See me running through the crowd full of melee No trick plays, I'm Bill Gates, Take a genius to understand me Oh, oh, sometimes I get WILD ONES Flo Rida ft. Sia . . . Hey I heard you were a wild one Oooh If I took you home It'd be a home run Show me how you'll do I want to shut down the club With you Hey I heard you like the wild ones Oooh [Flo Rida] I like crazy, foolish, stupidParty going wild, fist pumping Music, I might lose it Blast to the roof, that's how we do'z it I don't care the night, she don't care we like Almost dared the right five Ready to get popping, ain't no surprise Take me so high, jumping no doubts Surfing the crowd Oooh Said I gotta be the man When they heading my van, might check one too Shut them down in the club while the playboy does it, and y'all get lose lose After bottle, we all get bit and again tomorrow Gotta break loose cause that's the motto Club shuts down, I heard you're super models [Sia – Hook] Hey I heard you were a wild one Oooh If I took you homeIt'd be a home run Show me how you'll do I want shut down the club With you Hey I heard you like the wild ones Oooh [Flo Rida] Party rocker, foot show stopper More shampoo Never one, club popper Got a hangov er like too much vodka Can't see me with ten binoculars So cool No doubt by the end of the night Got the clothes coming off Til I make that move Somehow, someway, gotta raise the roof, roof All black shades when the sun come through Oh, it's on like everything goes Round up baby til the freaky show What happens to that body, it's a private show Stays right here, private show I like em untamed, don't tell me how painTell them this, bottoms up with the champagne My life, coming harder than we hit play Do you busy with the bail, were you insane [Sia – Hook] Hey I heard you were a wil THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY Summer after high school when we first met We make out in your Mustang to Radiohead And on my 18th Birthday We got matching tattoos Used to steal your parents' liquor And climb to the roof Talk about our future like we had a clue Never planned that one day I'd be losing you In another life I would be your girl We keep all our promises Be us against the world In another life I w ould make you stay So I don't have to sayYou were the one that got away The one that got away I was June and you were my Johnny Cash Never one without the other we made a pact Sometimes when I miss you I put those records on Someone said you had your tattoo removed Saw you downtown singing the Blues Its time to face the music I'm no longer your muse And in another life I would be your girl We keep all our promises Be us against the world In another life I would make you stay So I don't have to say You were the one that got away The one that got away The o-o-o-o-o-one [x3] The one that got away [Bridge:] All this money can't buy me a time machine (Nooooo)Can't replace you with a million rings (Nooooo) I shoulda told you what you meant to me (Woooooow) Cause now I pay the price In another life I would be your girl We keep all our promises Be us against the world In another life I would make you stay So I don't have to say You were the one that got away The one that got away The o-o-o- o-o-one [x3] In another life I would make you stay So I don't have to say You were the one that got away The one that got away GIVE ME A HEART BREAK The day I first met you You told me you never fall in love But now that I get you I know fear is what it really was Now here we are, so closeYet so far, haven't I passed the test When will you realize Baby, I'm not like the rest Don't wanna break your heart I wanna give your heart a break I know you're scared it's wrong Like you might make a mistake There's just one life to live And there's no time to wait, to wait So let me give your heart a break Give your heart a break Let me give your heart a break Give your heart a break Oh, yeah yeah A Sunday, you went home alone There were tears in your eyes I called your cell phone, my love But you did not reply The world is ours, if you want it We can take it, if you just take my hand There's no turning back nowBaby, try to understand Don't wanna break your heart I wanna give your heart a break I know you're scared it's wrong Like you might make a mistake There's just one life to live And there's no time to wait, to wait So let me give your heart a break Give your heart a break Let me give your heart a break Your heart a break There's just so much you can take Give your heart a break Let me give your heart a break Your heart a break Oh, yeah yeah When your lips are on my lips And our hearts beat as one But you slip right out of my fingertips Every time you run Don't wanna break your heart I wanna give your heart a breakI know you're scared it's wrong Like you might make a mistake There's just one life to live And there's no time to wait, to wait So let me give your heart a break Cuz you've been hurt before I can see it in your eyes You try to smile it away Some things you can't disguise I don't wanna break your heart Baby, I can ease the ache, the ache So, let me give your heart a break Give your heart a break Let me give your heart a break Your heart a break There's just so much you can take Give your heart a break Let me give your heart a break Your heart a break The day I first met you You told me you never fall in love

A Message Without Words Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

A Message Without Words - Essay Example ere is one that allows ladies and gents to adorn stylish, comfortable and practical clothing while still embracing their femininity and masculinity respectively. Weinberg (2009) insists that, before embarking on a marketing campaign, there is a need to clarify goals and the overall aim of the campaign. One has to define what they aim to achieve from the campaign. The team at Benetton aims at expanding the market share for the cashmere design presented in the above picture. A picture speaks a thousand words. The picture above, which is the center of this campaign, speaks to both ladies and gents alike. It does not segregate the genders and, in this way, it widens the market share extensively. That, on the other hand, is another objective of the campaign; to show the public that we can offer a design suiting both genders. The target group is age oriented. According to Jones (2005), age is one of the significant factors when categorizing target markets. The team at Benetton aims at capturing the individuals of the 20-35 years of age. This is the most active and fashion conscious group (Jones, 2005). The age bracket targeted above captures the college student and the young employees. College life accompanies a certain lifestyle and trendy fashion styles. The picture ad portrays both male and female genders posing in it. The team at Benetton concur with Jones (2005), who admits that, contrary to an earlier time when chain store displayed menswear in separate shops from women’s wear, today they chain shops display them together. The Picture ad silently states this ideal. Therefore, having covered the gender divide in the campaign, the team at Benetton can focus on ways of convincing the target group. The target group forms the majority of the growing population in any societal setup. This group will most likely be on a credit access of some kind. It may be for educational purposes or otherwise. In whichever case, the credit availability will also greatly influence

Influence of Oil Price on Non-Oil Sector Stocks in Saudi Arabia Research Paper

Influence of Oil Price on Non-Oil Sector Stocks in Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example The intention of this study is oil as one of the most important economic resources in world’s economy today. Fluctuations and shocks in oil prices have been studied intensively by many leading economists and several theories in economics point to the impact of oil price changes in world economies. The context of oil is even more important in the Saudi Arabian economy as it is has one of the biggest reserves of oil (one-fifth of world’s total) and is the second largest producer (behind Russia) of oil in the world. Saudi Arabia has proven oil reserves of 264.52 billion barrels of oil and was only recently surpassed by Venezuela who claimed their oil reserves had risen to 269.5 billion barrels of oil. In terms of oil production, Saudi Arabia has a quota allocation of just over 30% of production among Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) countries. The Saudi Arabian oil production in 2010 was 9.1 million barrels per day which accounted for 13% of worldâ €™s total oil production. Oil is also a major driver of economic activity in Saudi Arabia. Oil related activities accounted for 47% of the GDP in 2010, and petroleum products exports amounted to $193 billion and accounted for 84% (by value) of total exports in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, oil prices play an important role in the Saudi Arabian economy. However, from the perspective of an investor or an enterprise in Saudi Arabian market, it is also important to know whether oil prices have a major role to play in stock prices of non-oil sector companies too. If there is a high positive correlation between oil prices and non-oil sector stocks, an investor can used these stocks a hedge on their investments in oil. The outcome of this study could therefore be very useful for investors and enterprises already present or planning to enter the Saudi Arabian market. II. Literature Review Stock markets are largely dependent on economic activity in the country. In Saudi Arabia, as oil is a major component of the economy, stocks in Saudi Arabia are expected to indirectly depend largely on oil price movements. The influence of oil is however not limited to Saudi Arabia or other OPEC countries alone. Oil supply and price shocks have been a field of study for many economists globally. Therefore, a lot of research has been previously done on understanding the effect of oil prices on stocks. Where some studies have focussed on impact of oil price shocks on the stock market others have focussed on the general impact of oil prices on stocks. Most of thes e studies are focussed on the US market and there are only a few studies look into this aspect in Saudi Arabia. Because detailed study of oil shocks is out of scope of the current research, the literature review will focus only on studies that have been done on regular influence of oil prices on stock markets. Several studies have been done to understand the impact of oil prices on stock markets. Some of the notable ones among these are Sauter & Awerbuch (2003), Sari and Soytas (2006),

Using Groucho Marx, illustrate the progression from vaudeville, to Essay

Using Groucho Marx, illustrate the progression from vaudeville, to movies, to radio, to television in the history of popular culture. Be explicit about the time - Essay Example By studying the career of Groucho Marx in detail, much about the history of popular culture could be learned. Marx, having lived and performed in the first half of the twentieth century, bore witness to the advances in the way entertainment will be produced and delivered. Hence, Marx’s progress as a performer is interlinked with the revolutionary technological advancements of the day. (The Best of Groucho, 37) Vaudeville was a highly innovative form of entertainment that was very popular during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. It comprised a series of short but action-packed â€Å"acts† that could range from comedy skits to dance and music to mimicry. The acts were performed for a direct audience similar to the contemporary theatre and hence required the actors to possess qualities of spontaneity and talents for ad-libbing. Groucho Marx was a prominent exponent of this form of entertainment. The comedy team of the Marx Brothers is best remembered for how they induced convulsions of laughter in the audience. Groucho’s quick wit and funny insults during the Vaudeville days are still remembered fondly by his fans. (The Best of Groucho, 37) The Marx Brothers’ made a move into a more conventional form of performance art when they worked for the Broadway show â€Å"I’ll Say She Is†. The success of this show led to the more popular shows like The Cocoanuts (1925) and Animal Crackers (1928). This was about the time when silent movies were taking centre stage. It led to both Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers being made into â€Å"talkies†. Its success led to further silent movie offers from Paramount Studios – Monkey Business (1931), Horse Feathers (1932) and Duck Soup (1933). Although these movies were regarded as classics by the critics, their box-office returns were uninspiring, leading to speculation that the Marx Brothers’ days in Hollywood were at an end. (Rosten 104). But

Abortion and Womens Rights Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Abortion and Womens Rights - Research Paper Example A woman, however, is a container for the fetus and without her, the childbirth is not even possible (Shafak, n.p.). She needs to make the decision regarding whether or not she is capable of carrying the child in her womb for a period of 9 months. Every woman must have the right to make the decision regarding abortion depending upon a number of factors like the involvement of the father, financial resources available to her, health implications as well as a matter of mere choice of whether or not she wants the baby and is willing to sacrifice her life to care for her child (Abortion Is Every Woman's Right, n.p.). A woman’s body is her own and thus no other person should be allowed to make the decision regarding what she wants, especially if she is an adult of sound mind, capable of making her own decisions. The right to abortion is a very crucial topic that needs to be discussed and taken care of because it involves the life of an unborn child. It is thus up to the woman to dec ide whether or not she wants to give life to the fetus because she herself will be able to ascertain whether or not she has the potential to do so and carry on with the pregnancy (BBC News). Many times, women fail to gather the support of the men that got them pregnant in the first place; in such a situation, how is it that a woman should not be given the right to carry on with the abortion if she wants to? (Abortion Is Every Woman's Right, n.p.). A woman is a human being too, something that a patriarchal driven society often tends to forget; it is not an easy task to carry on with pregnancy and give birth to a child especially without financial resources and proper nutrition. Unless and until a woman wants to have a child, she should not be forced into doing so because this takes away the rights of not only the mother but also her unborn child (Dreaper, n.p.). A pregnancy does not always have to be planned; in many cases, two people engaging in sexual intercourse while using all th e necessary precaution could still fall short – condoms are not a hundred percent effective and neither are birth control pills and that is why a woman should have the right to decide whether or not she wants to keep the child once pregnant (Dreaper, n.p.). Young couples could get pregnant without having the means to support a child or a plan for the future of the child and in this case, if they deem fit that they should abort the pregnancy, it is their decision. Moreover, if a woman is young and has her entire future ahead of her, she should not lay prey to society to do what is best – she should know what is best for her and take the necessary actions because otherwise, she will have to deal with the consequences (Shafak, n.p.). Pregnancies have a very adverse effect on the body of a woman; they tend to disrupt the normal course of lifestyle for her and there are many changes that she goes through in her body.  

Stanley Fish's Critique of John Locke's Concept of Toleration Essay

Stanley Fish's Critique of John Locke's Concept of Toleration - Essay Example Locke argues that there is no religious support for use of coercion, and thus it should not be used to bring persons to salvation. He also often cites his concerns on the level of hypocrisy, he points out that those persons who are so quick to persecute are themselves ignorant of the most grievous sins that happen around them. These transgressions represent a much greater threat eternally than do the sins that they seek to persecute. In the letter, Locke cites many more but similar religious arguments; he further proceeds to provide three reasons which he believes should provide enough grounds for preventing the state to coerce people into adopting specified religious beliefs. First, he identifies that the concern for human soul has not been bequeathed to the magistrate by either God or humans. This argument borders on the view presented in the Two Treatises to confound the natural freedom and sameness of humans. There is no authority within the Bible that requires the magistrate to commit people to the actual faith and that persons should not agree to such an idea for the state as it is impossible for human, at will, to accept as true what the magistrate identifies as true .Their faith is founded on that they consider as true and not really what they wish. Locke’s second argument holds that as the government’s power is yielded in its force, and religion is primarily about free choice founded on inward persuasion of the mind, then it follows that force cannot be used to compel people to follow religion. The third and last argument identifies that even though human’s state of mind could be altered through force, a state where all joined the magistrate’s religion would not bring additional people to the true religion. This is due to the fact that most magistrates ascribe to false religions. Locke’s view on religion and the state has been respected for a favorable period of time, it is not also uncommon to see modern person relat ing with the very elements of his thoughts. This should not be taken to mean that his argument as detailed in the Letter Concerning Toleration is flawed but it means that just like in every philosophical work owner’s prejudices find their way into the argument (Fish, 1997:2255). This is often exposed by a through look at the point’s advanced and constructive criticism of the same allowing a subsequent reader to identify the areas of weakness. Such is the case with Locke’s arguments, a number of modern thinkers have criticized his argument bringing out weaknesses that seem to weaken the argument. In the following part, this study focuses on such criticism as advanced by Stanley Fish. Fish’s criticism titled Mission impossible: Settling the just bounds between the church and the state seeks to reconcile the two, religion and state a task which appears impossible under John Locke’s restoration argument. Fish’s argument starts with Locke’ s assertion at the beginning of his letter that every church is orthodox to itself and that in a situation where there emerge conflicts between these orthodoxies there would be no one on earth able of moderating between them. In such situations Locke insists on the need for tolerance, however, the problem is that if this is allowed to regulate behavior then the role of government as a regulator of wrongful conduct would be curtailed by those who cite that their wrongful conduct is informed by their

Discovering computers Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Discovering computers - Term Paper Example elated to the same, including: how computers are used, uses of the application software, components of a system unit, input and output devices, storage devices, uses and ramifications of the internet, systems software, communications and network, databases and information management, systems development, project management, use of multimedia, security, privacy and ethics issue, and controversial computer-related topics addressing the use of computers in contemporary society. To understand how computers work, one must understood what goes into them (data) and what comes out from the same (information). Basically, it is the main job of the computer to turn the said data into information through the process called information processing cycle. Computers usually work with inputs through devices that transmit data and information from external users such as the users (Shelley, et al. 2008). Input devices used for this particular function usually include the following: (1) keyboards, (2) mice, (3) touch-screen monitors and lastly, (4) network cards. On the other hand, computers also work with output by using devices that releases data from the computer to the user. As earlier stated, the computer transforms the information coming in to the information needed by the user through the process called information processing cycle (Spencer 1985). Technically, the information processing cycle is defined as that method wherein information is processed. There are four components associated with the information processing cycle of a computer; these are; (1) input – the step wherein the user enters data into the computer; (2) processing – wherein the computer performs operations on the data; (3) output- the step concerned with the presentation of the results; and finally, (4) storage – concerned with saving data, programs and output for use in the future (Shelley, et al. 2008). Perhaps, one of the most common uses of the computer nowadays is to access the World Wide Web.

Sacrifices that the Immigrant Parents Make by Coming to Live and to Essay

Sacrifices that the Immigrant Parents Make by Coming to Live and to Work in the United States - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that parents always find the â€Å"sacrifices† that they make for their families quite easy to bear. For instance, a mother can easily give up her career and become a house wife so as to make sure that her husband and her children have a comfortable daily life. A father can give up his dream job in order not to leave his wife and children in town. While every good parent has to make some sacrifices for the good of their families,   the immigrate parents sacrifice the most in order to give their children a better life. In order to effectively meet the financial and the economic needs of their families, the immigrant parents leave their homes or their hometowns in search of greener pasture abroad. The immigrant parents find it quite challenging to leave their hometowns with which they have already developed emotional attachments. Another major challenge that many immigrant parents face in foreign countries is the challenge of learnin g another new language. Despite these challenges that immigrant parents face in foreign countries, many people, however, especially in the United States have misconceptions or misunderstandings about immigrate parents. Many people in the United States think that the immigrant parents find it easy to stay in the United States; other people think that the main reason behind the immigrant parents coming to the United States is all about money

MGMT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

MGMT - Essay Example Also, maintaining business strategies and goals with daily employee task and duties helps the work environment to function in a healthy and effective manner. Clear goals and expectations being communicated effectively to all levels of employees is also an integral PM practice to regulate performance management, and professionalism. Constant feedback is the best mechanism to enhance employee skills and develop their standards according to company goals. Also, with regular communication regarding individuals and teams, an excellent practice is to frequently reward good performances. This helps to instill company values, motivate employees to do even better, and enforce the importance of standards and teamwork. Career success is based on a few valuable key elements. Having goals and objectives helps employees and managers alike to focus on standards and collectively meet the company’s aims and aspirations. Embracing improvement and learning is also important in helping a team to grow and effectively work together. Being supportive, effectively communicating ideas, and having key decision making skills helps to improve performance and develop set career goals. Having leadership qualities and responsibly completing expected duties and tasks helps to maintain positive feedback, receive recognition, and achieve career success.

Riordan Manufacturing Team Building Essay Example for Free

Riordan Manufacturing Team Building Essay Riordan Manufacturing is a global plastics manufacturer employing 550 people with projected annual earnings of $46 million. The company is wholly owned by Riordan Industries, a Fortune 1000 enterprise with revenues in excess of $1 billion. Its products include plastic beverage containers produced at its plant in Albany, Georgia, custom plastic parts produced at its plant in Pontiac, Michigan, and plastic fan parts produced at its facilities in Hangzhou, China. The companys research and development is done at the corporate headquarters in San Jose. Riordans major customers are automotive parts manufacturers, aircraft manufacturers, the Department of Defense, beverage makers and bottlers, and appliance manufacturers. As you can see Riordan is a large company with offices worldwide and communication and travel can be a major expense for the company especially when implementing new lines and technology at one of their facilities. Future statements made by Riordan, We will maintain an innovative and team oriented working environment. By assuring that our employees are well informed and properly supported, we will provide a climate focused on the long term viability of our company. We must be focused in achieving and maintaining reasonable profitability to assure that the financial and human capital is available for sustained growth. As Riordan moves forward with their mission statements the cost of implementing new technology and training employees to operate and manage these new systems costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. The companys most recent expansion took place in 2014 when it opened its operations in China. At that time, the entire fan manufacturing operation was moved from Michigan to China and the Pontiac, MI facility was retooled for the manufacture of custom plastic parts. During the first quarter of the  expansion travel costs alone just for the training of the ongoing systems integration project surpassed one hundred thousand dollars. We know that Riordan will always be on the forefront of applying new technology and systems to keep up with market trends in the future. This is why implementing the creation, deployment, and support of effective interactive distance learning and communication systems to improve business, is crucial to the ongoing success of the company. The CADE system will reduce thousands of dollars of travel expenses directly related to the training required with each new system at all of the company’s facilities. Developing a distance learning system that will allow Riordan to provide effective training through teleconferencing from their headquarters in San Jose CA to facilities all over the world will reduce expenses by millions of dollars over the long term. The Need for Training and Communication The cornerstone of a competitive organization is its highly trained workforce. In today’s market, product life-cycles are shorter, more complex. The available time for training is greatly reduced. Many companies are downsizing and the responsibilities of those that remain are increased, jobs are consolidated. Corporate communication and training needs have never been more important Time becomes one of the most limited resources. Regardless of the industry, many of these issues are very much the same: (Velocedge Inc, 2014). High cost and increased difficulty of travel Inability to reach all employees anywhere, anytime High cost of training, continuing education Lack of qualified instructors or presenters Time it takes to get a message to all employees Expensive to develop effective training and communication programs Loss of productivity when employees take off work for travel, training, or meetings Difficulty in transferring knowledge throughout the organization The CADE System The Communications And Distance Education (CADE) system is designed to  facilitate live, interactive programs over a satellite, Internet, or streaming video network as well as capture those programs for later playback. Interactive Satellite Delivery During an interactive broadcast, the instructor or presenter can ask multiple choice, true/false, yes/no, numeric, and multiple selection questions and participants can respond with either wireless remote controls in a classroom setting or through a personal computer. The PC at each remote location collects participant responses from the wireless remotes and transmits them back to the presenter over an intranet or Internet connection. Participants may also speak with the presenter, using voice over IP, PBX, or standard telephone line, and everyone in the broadcast can listen to that conversation. Interactive Web Delivery With CADE eTutor, interactive training and communication programs can be delivered over the Internet/Intranet. It provides the same capabilities of the satellite delivery system, as well as a few extra features, in a desktop version using highly compressed audio and video over IP. Capture All Interaction Participant responses are captured, time-stamped, and stored in a web-based learning management system. In addition to capturing the satellite based information, the CADE system also supports web based training, classroom, paper based, and is fully SCORM compliant. All data in the CADE system is created, managed, and accessed through this web-based portal to the database. CADE System Components The CADE system is comprised of a number of software applications. These applications include: Studio Control System The instructor or presenters interface Virtual Classroom The remote site control program eTutor The web-based interactive delivery system Learning Management Web The web-based learning management system New System Flow Diagram for CADE System at Riordan Manufacturing The new CADE is a free standing system that has virtually no effect or interaction with any of the present Information systems or processes currently in use by Riordan Manufacturing. The CADE system is designed to facilitate live, interactive programs over a satellite, Internet, or streaming video network as well as capture those programs for later playback. CADE is primarily a software based product but it represents a new paradigm in software development, utilizing an effective integration of world-class software components and Internet technologies in an adaptive architecture. To keep pace with todays rapidly changing world, CADE was designed to incorporate change as quickly as an organization realizes the need for change. Corporate management faces many issues that can keep an organization from being as competitive and profitable as it needs to be CADE wont be one of them. As a new or better technology solution is identified, an idea to improve a feature, or a new function desired, that change can be easily incorporated into the CADE products keeping your system continually up to date, meeting each new requirement, and keeping your investment protected. Satellite -Live -On-demand -Prerecorded Interactive Web Training Audio/Video -Live -Prerecorded Web Courses SCORM Classroom Video On Demand Desktop Classroom CADE Advantages to Riordan Interactive Distance Learning Even though there is a lot of talk about distance education, over 90% of all formal training continues to use classroom delivery. The major cost driver of training is delivery. Satellite or web based, Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) provides the benefits of classroom without the large cost. (Velocedge Inc, 2014). . Faster Deliver to more people in less time, Concept to delivery time in hours or days, Cut classroom delivery time in half, Deliver to entire target population in one broadcast Cheaper Fewer experts needed to deliver message, Deliver to more people with less cost, Low cost to develop and deliver content, Incalculable cost savings: time off work, travel, per diem, etc. Better Over 25% improvement in student retention, Most consistent message delivery, one voice Standardized design , Utilize only the most qualified instructors, Provides detailed tracking and reporting (Velocedge Inc, 2014). Presently Riordan’s first quarter number’s pertaining to the General Administrative line item is over budget one hundred thousand dollars due to travel and per diem expenses related to emergency training of the new systems that have been added. By incorporating the new CADE system to provide long distance training this will eliminate any additional over budget expenses caused by the new systems and also provide low cost long distance training for any future systems that are put in use by the company. The new CADE system will reduce company expenses in many ways: reducing or eliminating travel and per diem costs, reducing course development costs, reducing the number of trainers, reducing the time off work, reducing the time to develop a course, and many other ways. Pricing is based on the number of remote sites you have and the Presentation Studio System that is specified. However, the cost is a fraction of what you are spending now to train your employees. References Velocedge Inc. (2014). velocity and knowledge. Retrieved from http://www.velocedge.com/ Learn.net. (2014). The CADE System. Retrieved from http://www.velocedge.com/CADEnew/Products/index.htm

The Benefits of Obtaining High School Education Essay Example for Free

The Benefits of Obtaining High School Education Essay Attaining a high school is extremely valuable for various reasons. The most important reason for attaining high school education is to earn oneself a job. This is because employers need to be sure that the jobseeker has acquired as indicated in their certificate. Further, attaining a high school diploma is crucial in that it represents the qualifications and skills acquired by the student. By attaining this knowledge, the student is also prepared for various life situations. Students attain high school education because it is the channel by which they can achieve their personal and career goals. For most students who have passed high school, they find it relatively easy to get admission into university and college. By pursuing high school, students a diploma which serves as proof that the student has passed in the relevant subjects. As such, institutions of higher learning seek to admit students who have been well prepared through high school education. In the case of careers, most employers seek to hire students who have passed through high school. After passing through high school, students are made aware of work habits and job skills necessary for them to join the workforce. Of the many advantages gained for passing through high school, this qualification enables the former students to find and maintain jobs. Besides the basic education in reading, writing and education, vocational training is also provided to enable students gain skills necessary for performing various tasks. Through an analysis of the relationship between high school education and work experience in future, it has been established that passing through high school prepares one to have a better labor market experience.

Reflection on a business education course

Reflection on a business education course Reflection according to Walker E. S (2006) p 216 has been defined as a process regarding thinking about and exploring an issue of concern, which is triggered by an experience. This simply means that for there to be a reflection, there has to be an experience, irrespective of it being positive or negative. Leaver- Dunn et al were also noted in Walker E. S (2006) p 216 that reflection has the ability to distinguish between the expert practitioners and their peers. To start with and looking way back to the beginning of this particular course it is interesting to note that being an international student from Nigeria and studying Marketing Communications in the University of Bedfordshire was an experience never to be forgotten, i have been through various forms of transformation, since the session started in September 21st,2009. Transformation theory, that was initially developed by Jack Mezirow, identifies a process of change that begins with an experience one cannot incorporate into the mental matrix built from prior life experience, and which usually includes the following components: a disorientating dilemma, self examination, a critical assessment of assumptions, the recognition that others have gone through similar processes, the exploration of options for forming new roles, relationships or actions, the formulation of a plan of action and reintegration into the experience with new, transformed perspectives. Fuguan Tan (2009) Talking about transformation, i personally come from a country that the educational system is totally different from that of Europe, particularly the United Kingdom. I was able to come to terms with the fact that there existed a school calendar that will be strictly followed and i saw myself in an organised setting. At first i had problems coming to terms with being the only Nigerian girl in my class until later when i was joined by another fellow from my home country, this gave me a bit of confidence as to facing the challenging course. In the words of Aileen C. and Elaine E, (2004) they wrote that thoroughly reflecting on practice is actually a central feature of effective learning, they went on to define reflection as focusing on the immediate, thereby presenting the details of a problem or task. As an individual i agree with the need to reflect or rather focus on the immediate, this will definitely help to make corrections for the future and not make the same mistakes already made if at all there was any. Further in the words of Horton-Deutsch. S and Sherwood Gwen (2008, p 947) reflection involves thinking about experience, which leads learners to a fuller understanding of what they know and increases their potential for leadership. Also true in my perspective is the argument of Horton-Deutsch, who wrote that it is important to reflect or think back on the experience, which will in turn improve the individuals knowledge about a particular situation or increase the potential for greater heights. In most cases it is believed that the experience for studying abroad has great potential for transforming international student. I must say i went through some stages of transformation such as encountering change, engaging in reflection, reconfiguring perceptions and re-acclimating to the situation. Fuguan Tan (2009) Worthy of note is the point that throughout my study in my home country , there has never been an opportunity for me to reflect, this made it rather impossible for me to have a re-think on my mistakes, and there was also no opportunity to make corrections. 5.2 WHAT DOES REFLECTION MEAN? Cunliffe, (2004, p. 414) defines reflection as the means or process through which an experience in the form of thought, feeling, or action, is examined to analyze its meaning while it is happening or subsequently. Kember et al., (2000), wrote that reflection does represent a point on a learning continuum which is then characterised by habit at one end and critical reflection at the other. To Schon (1983) reflection is referred to as the ability to rethink ones prior thoughts and action in context, both to surface assumptions as well as to make meaning. Reflection, as written in Klenowski V and Lunt I (2008) is mostly defining with regards to conceptual components and theoretical perspectives. Horton-Deutsch S and Sherwood Gwen (2008) explained that Reflection is about learning from experience, a critical aspect of knowledge development and a skill essential to leadership development. They both went on to argue on the basis that reflection goes far beyond ordinary empirical knowing, but it also combines personal and ethical ways of knowing. Korthagen F and Vasalos A (2005) wrote that the essential importance of reflection is to learn from experiences. Woerkom M (2010) referred to reflection in Deweyans perspective as instrumental learning; he went further to note that it is the assessment of assumptions implicit in beliefs about how to solve problems. In this particular definition, reflection thus also includes an element of criticism but refers more to instrumental thinking, which is concerned with how to solve a problem. In contrast, Mezirow defines critical reflection as addressing the question of the justification for the very premises on which problems are posed or defined in the first place and examination of their sources and consequences. Critical reflection cannot become an integral element in the immediate action process but requires a hiatus in which to reassess ones meaning perspectives and, if necessary, to transform them. Critical self-reflection refers to the most important learning experience. It means reassessing the way we have posed problems, our own meaning perspectives, as well as reassessing our own orientation to perceiving, knowing, believing, feeling, and acting. Some of the scholars perceived reflection, as critical reflection or critical thinking. It is therefore often not clear what the difference is, or even if there exist a difference, between these terms. Dewey, who is perceived as the founder of the concept of reflection, sometimes uses the terms reflective thinking and critical thinking interchangeably. Scott. G.S (2010) 5.3 RECOLLECTIONAND PROCESS OF REFLECTION OF REFLECTION The theoretical framework for reflection according to Korthagen F and Vasalos A (2005, p48) is referred to as ALACT model. This model is said to rely on the assumption that by nature people reflect on their experiences. The model also describes a structured reflective process, but on the other hand, the model did not take note about the content of reflection. On the other hand Scott. G S (2010) p 434 argued that the benefit of reflection has got extensive theoretical support in literature, though Scotts definition of reflection is not without its own argument. He went on to write that the critical theorists reflection is considered to require the surfacing of assumptions relative to situations and surrounded firmly power relations, control and the transformation of belief and values. Reflection was interchangeably used by management theorists as personal, psychological change rather than social change Scott. G.S (2010) p 434 The role of student reflection is an integrated learning process, and reflection has three stages: a review of experience, analysis, and re-evaluation (Peltier, Drago, 2004; Peltier et al., 2005). The initial stage of this process is the review of experience and presupposes awareness. That is, it presupposes that the experience in question has been brought into consciousness. The term reflection is frequently used very loosely and this can easily obscure the disciplined and challenging nature of such learning. Reynolds (1999) distinguishes between critical reflection an approach in which both experience and its social and political contexts are examined, reflection which focuses on the individual and gives little attention to social or political processes, and critical thinking, a term which he argues is usually used to signify a disciplined approach to problem solving (Reynolds, 1999, p. 173). He went on to claim that in the management literature critical reflection is being used in the weaker sense to describe thoughtful analysis or problem solving (Reynolds, 1999, p. 177). With regard to reflection and learning, Argyris and Schon distinguish between single loop and double loop learning. For the exercise of single loop learning it is possible by observing and reflecting on our own actions, to make a description of the tacit knowing implicit in them (Schon, 1987, p. 25).This enables us to analyse and evaluate such knowledge. However, double loop learning involves not only reflecting on ones actions, but also exploring the assumptions and theories-in use which are embedded in those actions. Walsh (2009) 5.4 PERSONAL FEELINGS AND LEARNING FROM THE EXPERIENCE The discomfort that was felt at the beginning of the dissertation was overwhelming. It all started the first day that we were told to prepare for the first dissertation presentation, as i faced the fear i still was able to gather knowledge. I wondered in the beginning if i could cope with the work ahead of me, but with the encouragement of mentors i was able to face it and carry on. Reflective thinking is to be used to enhance decision skills, cultural sensitivity, and teamwork, not simply express feelings or record in a diary what occurred, McInnis-Bowers et al. (2010) In the words of Scott S G (2010) reflection, is referred to as the process of rethinking ones prior thoughts and actions in context to surface assumptions and make meaning. Reflection represents one point on a learning continuum that is characterized by habit at one pole and critical reflection at the other. During the course of my study particularly during the period i was writing up my dissertation, the experience i had has thought me to believe in myself and stop thinking i cannot do it. It has thought me to always face my tasks with whatever challenges that come with it. From this experience i have realised that there is no two ways about succeeding except through hard work and there is a saying that goes thus Proper, Preparation, Prevents, Poor, Performance 5Ps. The first feedback i had with my group members for the progress in the Trident campaign which marked the kick off for the final dissertation. It did not seem a good start to me, because my group had a lot of things to work on and it was obvious not every group member was willing to work. Although the feeling did not serve as a drawback it only meant i had to work harder. On that day we were advised on the three vital aspects of the dissertation which included the campaign plan and report, literature review and finally the reflection. Before we attended the second feedback, myself and the other three group members met on three occasions where we delegated work to each member on the task ahead, most of the time it was two of the four members that was active, and on several instances i personally encouraged them to put in more effort so we all can achieve success at the end of the piece of work. The second feedback which was on the tenth of March, was attended by two supervisors and again i was not happy with myself as no thorough research was done, my input was not good enough and when we were asked what our campaign strategy meant, none of my group members could respond, this became a bit depressing. Looking forward to a sixty unit module i felt really down, but then it became a challenge. The problem that was posed was the inability to put literature together to back our arguments up but at the latter stage things got better. Again in the beginning it looked like we had difficulty interpreting the brief, as we came up with several propositions, objectives and strategy which seemed not to make sense, for this reason the task became more competitive as the other two groups had the same topic and it seemed my group was not making a head way. 5.5 GROUP DYNAMICS AND LEARNING FROM THE EXPERIENCE Within my group i happened to be the only female amongst three guys and i thought this reason will make them more active than i am but the reverse was the case, this was the reason why in the beginning i had mixed feelings about working within a group, as it seemed everyone had a level of understanding and this means it takes a brilliant one to be able to achieve success. I had no choice at that point as we had a little group of twelve in the entire marketing communications, masters degree class, which made it really obvious to be able to distinguish between the brilliant and dull students. Several times i was not happy with the groups i fall into, but with determination to excel i usually face it, and i never regretted my decisions as i never failed a group work. According to Moon (2004, p. 136) when considering the university perspective on experiential learning and reflection, it becomes apparent, that the fact that all education comes about through experience does not mean that all experiences are genuinely or equally educative he also argued that a distinction needs to be made between what she terms informal reflection and academic reflection the latter being a formal process. Walsh (2009) At a point during the group meetings i became so unhappy and i told other group members i was no longer interested in the work though this was not a true statement from my heart, i was probably too upset, but with time i was able to calm myself down and cope even though things did not work out as planned On several occasions there existed misunderstanding and i personally found out that there was need for these misunderstanding as it helps in moving forward most of the time. Again many at times a member within the group was used to saying he works better under pressure and this did not go well with me as i do not work well under pressure, instead i do the opposite meaning i plan my time and i appreciate time management and not fire brigade approach in carrying out my task. Many times after a misunderstanding there exist dialogue and apologies will be made by the necessary group members and then the task continues, interestingly we tend to achieve more at this time. Another point worthy to note at this time is that working within a group gives a knowledge about the office environment, where one will be working with other members of staff and if a task is to be carried out, there will be no opportunity to choose who to and who not to work with. Each time i think of this i am encouraged to cope within any group i find myself and try to corporate and have a good team spirit. Reflection then, in the words of Scott G S (2010) p 432 is the process or means by which an experience, in the form of thought, feeling, or action, is examined to distil its meaning while it is happening or subsequently. Reflection is fodder for self-regulation in an environment where what we define as useful and effective behaviour changes continuously. With reference to the words of Scott (2010) i had different reactions to every situation that i was faced with, always thinking back that i had a degree in a different educational setting and now a masters in Europe. At that point it was obvious something was not right as the first and second feedback did not yield a positive result, but something i held on to was the words given by the supervisors, which i pondered on, i went on to sent my piece of work to the tutors over the internet, again little improvement was made, it all became worrying but i never give up. What happened next? I suggested we needed to meet a tutor and start afresh, interesting, we approached him and he was happy to lead us aright, every group member attended this meeting and things began to change. From the proposition, target audience, strategy and very many useful advices was given. Most importantly we were told to include some theories of learning and reflection to buttress some points, this period was a well cherished one as it marked the beginning of a turn around. My role within the group was a very vital one as the other members do contact me to know what the next step was, i was always be called upon to divide the task and explain what we did so far including the future plan. I enjoyed doing this as i have always seen myself as a charismatic leader, of course a leader by example. 5.6 LESSONS FOR THE FUTURE PROJECTS When one talks of success story, that does not literarily mean the results for the dissertation is out already but the fulfilment and the joy that comes to mind knowing basically that the group work and the individual part was done and submitted in due time is worthy of note. Soon after the summer holiday started two of the four group members did travel to their home country leaving just two people to deal with the work. Sincerely things went slow but at each time a meeting was arranged and there was progress at every meeting coupled with misunderstandings. On the eighth of June, we had a final group presentation with feedback, which marked the final day of the course, to our greatest surprise the proposition we have changed time and time again, target audience segmentation and the tag line began to communicate, it became obvious that the group was on track even though the actual presentation got lost in a missing flash drive. The group was advised to do more research and understand the target audience and what needs to be done to communicate the brand (Trident chewing gum) is the strategy and implementation. Throughout this same month and July communication continued online as it became a bit difficult to meet in the university since the library closed earlier than usual. Each part of the campaign was dealt with rigorously and the power point slides were put together then the report followed afterwards. Scott G. S (2010) p 433 was earlier quoted in the report where he noted that John Dewey is considered a key originator of thinking about reflection. Dewey argued in his own words that reflective individuals have certain characteristics, which includes open-mindedness, which illustrates the will power within an individual to accept intellectual responsibility for ones own views, wholeheartedness this simply means, a willingness to face fears and uncertainties, and finally enthusiasm. Reflection is concerned with practices and actions, especially professional practice in fields such as school teaching (Allen, 1992; Beyer, 1989; Collier, 1999), nursing (Burns Bulman, 2000), social work (Fook, 1996), and management communities of practice (Welsh Dehler, 2004). Reflection also generates inquiry and a search for meaning; it provides the potential to see things in a way they have not been understood before. More simply, reflective practice contributes to learning. What i have learnt that will be forever useful to me is the ability to dialogue, this a very important instrument particularly in a group work scenario. Again it is good to listen to the leader as two wrongs can never make a right, it is totally unfair when team members refuse to listen to the leader, and obviously things will not go well. I have also learnt that in the future i understand clearly the basis of my task before i kick off with work on it, as this delayed my group from moving forward during the presentation, as though we were moving around within the same circle, before we got our priorities right. The means of reflection is most often dialogue through which subjective and objective experience is processed, questioned, and meaning is made of it. Reflection through dialogue demonstrates students learning through their ability to conceptualize what they have learned, the meaning it has for their present and future, and the recognition that they are neither the same person as they were a few years previously nor should they expect to be a few years hence. Baker, Jensen, and Kolb (2002) labelled this approach to learning the inside-out approach. Scott G. S (2010) p 433 5.7 CONCLUSION In concluding this reflection report it is interesting to note that learning can be considered as a process of argumentation in which thinking, reflecting, experiencing and action are different aspects of the same process. It is also a practical argumentation with oneself and in collaboration with others that actually forms the basis of learning. (Pavlica et al. 1998: 145) in Corley A and Eades E (2004, P 138) During the review of literature it was noted according to Jeffrey D et al. (2000) that reflection is not an entirely new process and some writers trace it to the work of Socrates, they went on to describe reflection as a process of disengaging from or stepping back from an experience and taking time to deliberately and carefully review it, think about it and construct meaning from it, however reflection is said to have a past, present and future element. In this report the writer has been able to reflect generally about the past experience, looking through the beginning of the marketing communications masters degree first impression, through to the present time which has to do with the experience while writing up the dissertation, it is also interesting to note that the writer also discussed briefly of future expectations and learning from the past experience that can positively affect the future work. Having reflected on my experience from first day of university up until the days of my final dissertation, i will say i have actually enjoyed the entire process. Meeting friends from other parts of the world was a good thing to remember, with no exceptions of my tutors who were always there, and willing to help with whatever need we might have during the course of study. However i quit e agree with the idea of personal reflections as it gives the opportunity to think back and make amends as required. This in turn will have a positive effect on an individual. REFERENCES Miriam Catterall, Pauline Maclaran, and Lorna Stevens (2010) Critical Reflection in the Marketing Curriculum Journal of Marketing Education, Vol. 24 No. 3, December 2002 184-192 Scott. G Susanne (2010) Enhancing Reflection Skills through Learning Portfolios: An Empirical Test. Journal of Management Education 34(3) 430-457. The Author(s) , http://www. sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav Fuguan Tan (2009) Tri-fold Transformation: An International Adult Students Reflections on Online Learning. Walker E. S (2006). Journal Writing as a Teaching Technique to Promote Reflection Journal of Athletic Training Vol. 41, No 2 p216-221 Klenowski Val and Lunt Ingrid (2008) Enhancing learning at doctoral level through the use of reflection. Taylor Francis Walsh Anita (2009) Modes of Reflection: Is it possible to use both individual and collective reflection to reconcile the three-party knowledge interests in workplace learning? European Journal of Education, Vol. 44, No. 3, 2009, Part I _1389 385 Aileen Corley and Elaine Eades (2004) Becoming critically reflective practitioners: academics and students reflections on the issues involved. Pp. 137-144. Human Resource Development International, Taylor and Francis Limited Horton-Deutsch Sarah and Sherwood Gwen (2008) Reflection: an educational strategy to develop emotionally- competent nurse leaders. Journal of Nursing Management, 16, 946-954 Doyle, Wendy; Young, Jeffrey D (2000).Managing Development: Making the most Experience and Reflection. Fall2000, Vol. 25 Issue 3, p18 Marianne van Woerkom, (2010) Advances in Developing Human Resouces. The Concept of Critical Reflection and Its Implications for Human Resource Development Advances in Developing Human Resources Vol. 6, No. 2 p 178-192

The Legend of Pulau Ubin near Singapore :: Urban Legends Ghost Stories

The Legend of Pulau Ubin The story I chose to consider was about one of the small islands that surround Singapore, Pulau Ubin. This is a small island whose main industries are mining and tourism, including trails for biking and hiking. The island has an interesting past, and as a result it now has many legends and myths revolving around it. During the occupation of the Singapore by the Japanese, it was said to be where they had brought soldiers to be tortured. That is a significant reason why people believe it’s haunted. The person from whom I heard the story is one of the students who lives across the hall from me on the 7th floor in La Plata. His family comes from India, but he lived in many places since birth, one of them being Singapore, and now his family lives in New Jersey. Also, he is nineteen years old. I collected the story on the afternoon of October 14th, it was right after we had all finished classes. When I asked the storyteller if he knew any ghost stories or urban legends and myths, he first attempted to respond with, â€Å"Casper†, but I told him no I need real things you have heard. After that he jumped right into the story from Singapore about Pulau Ubin: Ok, when I lived in Singapore, its an island and there were all these surrounding islands, and one was Pulau Ubin. Like it’s not ghetto, but not with fancy resorts. People would go there for hiking and biking, stuff like that. Before, there used to be animals, like tigers, but now there aren’t any. So you would hear about every year, no every two years like you hear of a family disappearing while they went there for hiking, the whole family. They would send search parties and stuff out, and later they would find pieces of meat, like human meat. They’ve searched the island many times for any signs of animals, but they never found any. Pulau Ubin is the site of many supernatural activities from what I gathered, ranging from ghost sightings, to hunts for spiritual burial grounds and graves. Singapore is a place with a great deal of concentrated wealth. Along with this is a massive wealth gap, which often leads to many interesting beliefs and ideas. The way the person I interviewed, told the story with such seriousness that I could tell he believed it.

Where Are You Going, Where have you been? Essay -- essays research pap

Connie’s Decision   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nobody really knows what the future holds. We all live day by day wondering what God’s will is for our lives. Yet we carry on and make decisions that may or may not shape what our lives turn out to be. In Joyce Carol Oates’s â€Å"Where are you going, Where have you been?,† we meet Connie, a fifteen year old beautiful girl. Connie like most teenagers is a little boy crazy and at times rebellious. She and some girlfriends would get together and go to a local drive-in restaurant where older kids would hang out. (153) One night at this drive-in a boy with shaggy black hair, in a convertible caught Connie’s eye. (154) Connie had never seen him before. He made the sly statement of â€Å"Gonna get you, baby,† and she just ignored him and walked on. (154) Little did Connie know he was speaking the truth. In a very short period of time Connie was about to make the biggest decision of her life, literally.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Connie was at home alone one day sitting in her room listening to music. Her mother, father and sister were out to a barbeque. An unfamiliar car pulled up in the driveway and Connie at first was worried about how she looked. This was the least of her troubles. When Connie got to the front door she was faced with two men. The driver whom we come to know as Arnold Friend and the passenger whose name was Ellie Oscar. Arnold comes off at first as kind of strange yet nice. He asks Connie, â€Å"You wanta come for a ride?† (...

Macbeth is a Victim in Shakespeares Macbeth :: essays research papers

Victims are the unfortunate people who suffer from disadvantageous circumstances in their lives. They can also be perceived as those who are sacrificed, supposedly for the greater good of others, in an effort to restore the natural order of the world. This is what has become of the character Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Macbeth. Macbeth has become a victim of the women he encounters, such as his wife Lady Macbeth, and the witches who seek him out to use for their fiendish purposes. The Thanes Lennox, Ross and Angus forsake and desert him in his time of need, leaving him victim to the English army and the Scotsmen who have betrayed him. Macbeth's most trusted friend Banquo shows signs that he will deceive the new King of Scotland, leaving him with who to trust? Not even chance will soothe Macbeth's victimization as it too leads him through Hell and back before he meets his ultimate demise. Most of all, Macbeth is a victim to himself as his brutality and single-mindedness incite hi m to the utter destruction of the MacDuff family. Macbeth's deception leaves him in a state of vulnerability and alienation caused by almost everyone he comes into contact with. Women throughout history have plagued men in an attempt to gain pleasure and power for their own nefarious schemes. The idea of women being deceivers is first brought about in the first book of the Catholic Bible in the story of Adam and Eve: She took the fruit there of and she did eat it, and she gave it to her husband.?(Genesis 3.6) Even from the beginning of time, according to the Bible, men have been beguiled by woman kind?s clever traps which lead men to make careless decisions. If it were not for the women Macbeth comes into +contact with, he would have never been able to formulate a plot to kill Duncan which is the exact incident that sets his life into chaos in the first place. The witches, upon plotting to attack a sailor say that he ?shall sleep neither night nor day / Hang upon his penthouse lid / He shall live a man forbid.? (I.iii.18-20) Although they are not talking about Macbeth directly, the witches? prophecy causes Macbeth to kill Duncan at which point he hears a voice say Macbeth shall sleep no more. This line foreshadows the witches? malicious intents for Macbeth and how they plan on torturing his subconscious mind in the future.

Analysis of the Social Responsibilities in Business

Social responsibility is the concept that business is part of the larger society in which it exists and must therefore act in a way that not only advances the firm, but also serves the society. More than ever firms are being challenged to integrate social responsibilities in to their operations. Many firms now believe that social responsibility to be a lot more than granting money to community groups or volunteering their time to organizations – although these are both important ways that firms support the community. Today, business leaders recognize that a commitment to corporate social responsibility can provide distinct advantage in attracting and retaining employees, dealing with suppliers and regulators, strengthening customer relationships and providing positive returns for investors. Let us take a look at some of the social responsibility issues and analyze how businesses are showing their social responsibility. Around the world there are lots of environmental concerns that challenge companies to be better global citizens. Leading companies know that taking a strong role in protecting the environment improves the efficiency of operations and saves money, making a positive impact on business partners, customers and investors. Let us see how socially responsible companies are responding to the environmental concerns. Delphi Automotive Systems is dedicated to protecting human health, natural resources and the global environment. For Delphi, a commitment to environmental management is a critical business strategy. Delphi has certified 15 of its global manufacturing sites under ISO 14001, a global standard that recognizes facilities that have systems in place to proactively manage and reduce their environmental impact. The company is working toward earning this certification for all 168 of its manufacturing facilities around the world over the next three years. John Jaffurs, director, Delphi environmental services, states, â€Å"We want to formally integrate our environmental management into the goals of the business. Delphi is using ISO 14001 and other tools as a means of creating a total environmental management system. This will allow us to integrate operational environmental issues directly into future planning.† Delphi's involvement in reducing the automobile's environmental impact began more than 30 years ago with the introduction of the first catalytic converters. Delphi works to reduce emissions, increase fuel economy, decrease vehicle mass and enhance the recyclability of its products. Delphi also believes that the reduction or elimination of materials can go far in helping the environment. Delphi's E-STEER Electric Power Steering reduces the number of seals and totally eliminates the power steering fluid, hoses and pump from the power steering system. In 1995, 75 percent of all cars sold (approximately 27 million) were equipped with traditional power steering and carried an estimated 40 million liters of hydraulic fluid. This new technology can result in a significant reduction in raw materials, which means less material to recycle or dispose after the life of the product. E-STEER also reduces energy demand by up to 80 percent, resulting in improved fuel economy and reduced vehicle emissions. E-STEER received the 1999 PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution of Excellence) award from Automotive News and Ernst & Young LLP, which recognizes automobile suppliers who have excelled in adapting and reinventing their companies and their products to meet the growing demands of their customers — the world's major automotive manufacturers. E-STEER is just one example of the many innovative product technologies Delphi can offer to provide environmental solutions to its customers. According to the American Lung Association, motor vehicle emissions account for approximately 77 percent of the carbon monoxide (CO), more than 35.6 percent of the volatile organic compounds (including hydrocarbons) and around 45 percent of the nitrogen oxides (NOx) in our nation's air. With this in mind, car manufacturers like GM, Ford and Honda are now producing and marketing cleaner-burning cars powered by electricity, alternate fuels or a combination of the two. Environmentalists like to refer to these as â€Å"green cars† because they represent an environmentally responsible way to travel in style. Politicians, on the other hand, have begun to see the potential for addressing larger issues. Earlier this year, Representative Robert T. Matsui (D-CA) introduced legislation that would give up to $5,000 per year in consumer tax credits to people with green cars. With this in mind, GM came up with its environment friendly â€Å"EV1†, Ford with its â€Å"Ranger† and Honda with its â€Å"Insight†. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the nation's largest electricity producer, has announced that it will begin test-marketing alternative energy sources as early as next year. As phase one of the TVA's Green Power Program, the test will utilize wind, solar and landfill gas energy sources to generate roughly three to six megawatts of power. Eight distributors, representing all seven of the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association's districts, have agreed to participate in the test. If the test is successful, TVA customers could see full-scale implementation by the end of 2003. The Green Power Program is the first of its kind in the Southeast. In related news, the TVA received word June 18 that the Department of Energy (DOE) has approved a proposal from the Virginia Alliance for Solar Electricity (VASE) to provide matching funding for the Green Power Program. The TVA's marketing plan for Green Power represents the fruits of an alternate energy initiative that began in January 1998. At that time, the TVA solicited and received 22 proposals for adding renewable electricity generators to its energy production facilities. Initial research also revealed that 84 percent of TVA customers favored a green power option. In the fall of 1998, the TVA held seven public forums that further confirmed the need for a Green Power. Participants included several members of the environmental community, utility executives, energy experts, healthcare organizations and representatives from citizens' groups. After the forums, the TVA formed the â€Å"multi-interest team† that was eventually responsible for the 2000 test-marketing plan. As the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric utilities, Edison Electric Institute (EEI) works with key stakeholder groups, including regulators, legislators and member companies, to achieve environmental excellence. EEI's Climate Challenge program is a voluntary effort created in partnership with the Department of Energy in response to concerns about global climate change, says spokesman Jim Owen. To date, more than 600 electric utilities participate in the program, which means they have pledged to sequester or avoid 170 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the year 2000. This is more than four times the original goal established by the government in 1993. While some Climate Challenge efforts are undertaken by individual utilities, there are five industry-wide initiatives in place as well. These include Envirotech Investment Funds, which provide venture capital for emerging renewable technologies; the Utility Forest Carbon Management program, which funds tree planting and forest management projects; the National Earth Comfort Program, which promotes geothermal heat pumps; EV America, which introduces electric vehicles into the marketplace; and International Utility Efficiency Partner-ships, which support joint projects with foreign utilities and governments to provide efficiency of new or existing power systems. According to the Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration, electric utilities represent almost 85 percent of the voluntary actions to reduce, avoid or sequester greenhouse gases. In addition, electric utilities have made significant progress in restoring aquatic habitats, protecting endangered species and generating renewable energy, says Owen Bridging the gap between school and work is another critical link that companies are focusing on. The national organization Jobs for the Future (JFF) was founded in 1983 to help prepare tomorrow's workforce and smooth the transition from school to work. Ford†s Contribution in developing tomorrow's workforce Ford Foundation, is an initiative that seeks to create a measurable increase in jobs, wealth, services and other community infrastructure through increased corporate involvement in community economic development. JFF works with the initiative's many partners, whose collective experience and expertise cover community and economic development, national and international business and education to achieve these goals. One of JFF's major corporate partners is the Ford Motor Company. The two organizations have developed a relationship in which they exchange expertise and experience that allow both to enhance their individual programs. â€Å"In today's rapidly changing economy, schools alone cannot effectively prepare young people for a successful future,† explains Hilary Pennington, president of Jobs for the Future. â€Å"Academic standards are only part of the equation. Young people need the chance to apply what they've learned to new situations, and what happens in the real world is hard to simulate in school. We try to build partnerships between companies and schools to give kids opportunities to expand their learning experience. The Ford program is a splendid example of this type of partnership.† Ford has created several innovative education initiatives that â€Å"are helping us create a pipeline — for employees and suppliers, as well as a consumer base for our products,† says Renee Lerche, director, workforce development, Ford Motor Company. For example, the Ford Academy of Manufacturing Sciences (FAMS) is an academic- and work-based program in public high schools. The program's goals are to provide students the opportunity to learn science, math, technology and communications skills in real-life settings and encourage them to pursue secondary education. Ford trains high school teachers, who teach the manufacturing-oriented courses to 11th or 12th grade students (participants take two courses through Ford each year). An internship during the summer between 11th and 12th grade provides work experience as well. The program serves as a way not only to attract future employees to Ford, says Lerche, but also as a way to draw customers for its cars and trucks. â€Å"We don't have concrete evidence that if you do these things, people buy your products. However, these activities do influence perception of our commitment to the communities in which we do business,† says Lerche. Issues such as environmental protection, education and community support are critical to companies that want to gain the trust and loyalty of their constituents. The companies profiled here understand that corporate social responsibility offers clear business benefits for all stakeholders. Analysis of the Social Responsibilities in Business Social responsibility is the concept that business is part of the larger society in which it exists and must therefore act in a way that not only advances the firm, but also serves the society. More than ever firms are being challenged to integrate social responsibilities in to their operations. Many firms now believe that social responsibility to be a lot more than granting money to community groups or volunteering their time to organizations – although these are both important ways that firms support the community. Today, business leaders recognize that a commitment to corporate social responsibility can provide distinct advantage in attracting and retaining employees, dealing with suppliers and regulators, strengthening customer relationships and providing positive returns for investors. Let us take a look at some of the social responsibility issues and analyze how businesses are showing their social responsibility. Around the world there are lots of environmental concerns that challenge companies to be better global citizens. Leading companies know that taking a strong role in protecting the environment improves the efficiency of operations and saves money, making a positive impact on business partners, customers and investors. Let us see how socially responsible companies are responding to the environmental concerns. Delphi Automotive Systems is dedicated to protecting human health, natural resources and the global environment. For Delphi, a commitment to environmental management is a critical business strategy. Delphi has certified 15 of its global manufacturing sites under ISO 14001, a global standard that recognizes facilities that have systems in place to proactively manage and reduce their environmental impact. The company is working toward earning this certification for all 168 of its manufacturing facilities around the world over the next three years. John Jaffurs, director, Delphi environmental services, states, â€Å"We want to formally integrate our environmental management into the goals of the business. Delphi is using ISO 14001 and other tools as a means of creating a total environmental management system. This will allow us to integrate operational environmental issues directly into future planning.† Delphi's involvement in reducing the automobile's environmental impact began more than 30 years ago with the introduction of the first catalytic converters. Delphi works to reduce emissions, increase fuel economy, decrease vehicle mass and enhance the recyclability of its products. Delphi also believes that the reduction or elimination of materials can go far in helping the environment. Delphi's E-STEER Electric Power Steering reduces the number of seals and totally eliminates the power steering fluid, hoses and pump from the power steering system. In 1995, 75 percent of all cars sold (approximately 27 million) were equipped with traditional power steering and carried an estimated 40 million liters of hydraulic fluid. This new technology can result in a significant reduction in raw materials, which means less material to recycle or dispose after the life of the product. E-STEER also reduces energy demand by up to 80 percent, resulting in improved fuel economy and reduced vehicle emissions. E-STEER received the 1999 PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution of Excellence) award from Automotive News and Ernst & Young LLP, which recognizes automobile suppliers who have excelled in adapting and reinventing their companies and their products to meet the growing demands of their customers — the world's major automotive manufacturers. E-STEER is just one example of the many innovative product technologies Delphi can offer to provide environmental solutions to its customers. According to the American Lung Association, motor vehicle emissions account for approximately 77 percent of the carbon monoxide (CO), more than 35.6 percent of the volatile organic compounds (including hydrocarbons) and around 45 percent of the nitrogen oxides (NOx) in our nation's air. With this in mind, car manufacturers like GM, Ford and Honda are now producing and marketing cleaner-burning cars powered by electricity, alternate fuels or a combination of the two. Environmentalists like to refer to these as â€Å"green cars† because they represent an environmentally responsible way to travel in style. Politicians, on the other hand, have begun to see the potential for addressing larger issues. Earlier this year, Representative Robert T. Matsui (D-CA) introduced legislation that would give up to $5,000 per year in consumer tax credits to people with green cars. With this in mind, GM came up with its environment friendly â€Å"EV1†, Ford with its â€Å"Ranger† and Honda with its â€Å"Insight†. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the nation's largest electricity producer, has announced that it will begin test-marketing alternative energy sources as early as next year. As phase one of the TVA's Green Power Program, the test will utilize wind, solar and landfill gas energy sources to generate roughly three to six megawatts of power. Eight distributors, representing all seven of the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association's districts, have agreed to participate in the test. If the test is successful, TVA customers could see full-scale implementation by the end of 2003. The Green Power Program is the first of its kind in the Southeast. In related news, the TVA received word June 18 that the Department of Energy (DOE) has approved a proposal from the Virginia Alliance for Solar Electricity (VASE) to provide matching funding for the Green Power Program. The TVA's marketing plan for Green Power represents the fruits of an alternate energy initiative that began in January 1998. At that time, the TVA solicited and received 22 proposals for adding renewable electricity generators to its energy production facilities. Initial research also revealed that 84 percent of TVA customers favored a green power option. In the fall of 1998, the TVA held seven public forums that further confirmed the need for a Green Power. Participants included several members of the environmental community, utility executives, energy experts, healthcare organizations and representatives from citizens' groups. After the forums, the TVA formed the â€Å"multi-interest team† that was eventually responsible for the 2000 test-marketing plan. As the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric utilities, Edison Electric Institute (EEI) works with key stakeholder groups, including regulators, legislators and member companies, to achieve environmental excellence. EEI's Climate Challenge program is a voluntary effort created in partnership with the Department of Energy in response to concerns about global climate change, says spokesman Jim Owen. To date, more than 600 electric utilities participate in the program, which means they have pledged to sequester or avoid 170 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the year 2000. This is more than four times the original goal established by the government in 1993. While some Climate Challenge efforts are undertaken by individual utilities, there are five industry-wide initiatives in place as well. These include Envirotech Investment Funds, which provide venture capital for emerging renewable technologies; the Utility Forest Carbon Management program, which funds tree planting and forest management projects; the National Earth Comfort Program, which promotes geothermal heat pumps; EV America, which introduces electric vehicles into the marketplace; and International Utility Efficiency Partner-ships, which support joint projects with foreign utilities and governments to provide efficiency of new or existing power systems. According to the Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration, electric utilities represent almost 85 percent of the voluntary actions to reduce, avoid or sequester greenhouse gases. In addition, electric utilities have made significant progress in restoring aquatic habitats, protecting endangered species and generating renewable energy, says Owen Bridging the gap between school and work is another critical link that companies are focusing on. The national organization Jobs for the Future (JFF) was founded in 1983 to help prepare tomorrow's workforce and smooth the transition from school to work. Ford†s Contribution in developing tomorrow's workforce Ford Foundation, is an initiative that seeks to create a measurable increase in jobs, wealth, services and other community infrastructure through increased corporate involvement in community economic development. JFF works with the initiative's many partners, whose collective experience and expertise cover community and economic development, national and international business and education to achieve these goals. One of JFF's major corporate partners is the Ford Motor Company. The two organizations have developed a relationship in which they exchange expertise and experience that allow both to enhance their individual programs. â€Å"In today's rapidly changing economy, schools alone cannot effectively prepare young people for a successful future,† explains Hilary Pennington, president of Jobs for the Future. â€Å"Academic standards are only part of the equation. Young people need the chance to apply what they've learned to new situations, and what happens in the real world is hard to simulate in school. We try to build partnerships between companies and schools to give kids opportunities to expand their learning experience. The Ford program is a splendid example of this type of partnership.† Ford has created several innovative education initiatives that â€Å"are helping us create a pipeline — for employees and suppliers, as well as a consumer base for our products,† says Renee Lerche, director, workforce development, Ford Motor Company. For example, the Ford Academy of Manufacturing Sciences (FAMS) is an academic- and work-based program in public high schools. The program's goals are to provide students the opportunity to learn science, math, technology and communications skills in real-life settings and encourage them to pursue secondary education. Ford trains high school teachers, who teach the manufacturing-oriented courses to 11th or 12th grade students (participants take two courses through Ford each year). An internship during the summer between 11th and 12th grade provides work experience as well. The program serves as a way not only to attract future employees to Ford, says Lerche, but also as a way to draw customers for its cars and trucks. â€Å"We don't have concrete evidence that if you do these things, people buy your products. However, these activities do influence perception of our commitment to the communities in which we do business,† says Lerche. Issues such as environmental protection, education and community support are critical to companies that want to gain the trust and loyalty of their constituents. The companies profiled here understand that corporate social responsibility offers clear business benefits for all stakeholders.