Monday, September 30, 2019

Supported Education For Physical Disability Children Education Essay

IntroductionThis essay will look at what supports are available for the parents of a five twelvemonth old male child with a physical disablement to enable him to go to mainstream school. The essay will look briefly at the historical position sing instruction and people with disablements, how constructs such as standardization and inclusion impacted on the integrating of people with disablements in mainstream school, therefore the term mainstreaming and the policies and supports that run alongside these constructs and if these policies are brooding of a rights based attack. Commissariats are in topographic point for kids below school age ( up to age 6 ) with physical disablements to go to particular pre-schools that have installations that support their demands ( National Council for Special Education, 2006 ) . But commissariats are non in topographic point for pre-school services within mainstream schools hence in relation to this subject the term school will associate to primary mainstream schools.Main BodyIn the Census 2002 it was estimated that about 324,000 people in the population were populating with a disablement ( National Disability Authority, on the Web, neodymium ) . Disability in relation to people is considered to be a â€Å" limitation in their capacity to take part in economic, societal or cultural life on history of a physical, centripetal, acquisition, mental wellness or emotional damage † ( Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities ( 1996 ) cited in Finnerty and Collins, 2005:277 ) . McDonnell ( 2003:28 ) suggests that disablement is non the existent â€Å" damage † but really the barriers within society that dis-enable the individual to take part within mainstream society. Harmonizing to Barnes and Mercer ( 2003 ) the political and societal perceptual experiences of people with disablements was challenged from the 1960 ‘s onwards in that the general position at the clip was to see the individual based on their sensed restrictions. These perceptual experiences were challenged by disablement groups on achieving rights that were attributed to other citizens to besides be attributed for people with disablements. One of the challenges to the traditionally held positions of disablement is the construct of standardization which Walmsley ( 1997 ) provinces was developed by Nirje ( 1969 ) to foreground that people with disablements should hold chances to bask the mundane happenings of life. In that what is the norm for the bulk should be available to people with disablements ( Mitchell 2004 ) . A cardinal component within standardization is inclusion ( Walmsley, 1997 ) . Inclusion became a cardinal component in the development of an integrated educational system ( Finnerty and Collins, 2005 ) . A cardinal factor in inclusion is to take the invisibleness that surrounded people with disablements in the yesteryear and that programmes such as incorporate instruction are a manner of leting kids with disablements to hold a more seeable and positive profile ( Dare and O'Donovan, 2002 ) . The Warnock Report ( 1978 ) cited in Dare and O'Donovan ( 2002 ) reviewed the educational demands of kids with disablements and found that kids with disablements should go to a mainstream school unless it could non supply satisfactorily for their peculiar demands. Education in the early 1900 ‘s was within a unintegrated format of particular schools for people with disablements that reinforced their exclusion from mainstream society. The construct of mainstreaming in which kids with particular demands were catered for within mainstream schools was introduced in Ireland in the 1970 ‘s and was regarded as a more appropriate manner of supplying incorporate instruction ( McDonnell, 2003 ) . But this proviso for particular educational demands within mainstream school still created exclusion in that the format was through particular demands categories and still created distinction ( McDonnell, 2003 ) . Although harmonizing to the Salamanca Statement ( 1994 ) on instruction for people with disablements, inclusion was regarded as proviso within mainstream schools ( National Council for Special Education, 2006 ) .Rights Based ApproachThe European Social Charter ( 1996 ) states that people with disablements have â€Å" a right to independenc e, societal integrating and engagement in the life of the community † ( Lawson on the Web, nd:8 ) : and that it places an burden on its member provinces to set in topographic point supports that overcomes barriers to inclusion and engagement. Unfortunately this Charter has merely been signed off by a few member provinces and that the rights included within it have no legal demand. Harmonizing to Lawson ( on the Web, neodymium ) the rights based attack with respect to disablement provinces that people with disablements should hold the same rights as the bulk and that in order to accomplish this that three factors are cardinal. Engagement in their community should non be limited by social barriers such as attitudes towards disablement, or limited by handiness of supports. Engagement is affected by handiness. In that public services should be inclusive with respect to supplying entree for all, for illustration that public conveyance make proper adjustments for the demands of people with disablements. Underscoring the constructs of engagement and handiness are that authorities societal policies allow proviso for disablement issues within mainstream policy formation instead than specific disablement policies which in their nature create greater segregation of people with disablements. ( Lawson, on the Web, neodymium ) . Harmonizing to De Wispelaere and Walsh ( 2007:521 ) when services for people with disablements are still determined within a â€Å" societal public assistance theoretical account † in that the handiness of services are still decided by public organic structures that a rights based attack is non in topographic point. The rights based attack theoretical account would propose that the rights of a individual with disablements are specified in jurisprudence and that a deficiency of this proviso of those rights should let for resort through the general legal system. In Ireland there are presently three models for proviso of instruction for people with disablements, foremost the pupil can go to mainstream school with support from a resource instructor or particular demands helper. The 2nd option is the pupil can go to a particular category within the mainstream school or thirdly the pupil may go to a school designated as a particular school with supports for peculiar disablements ( The National Council for Special Education, 2006 ) . Assorted statute laws have impacted on the proviso of instruction. The Constitution of Ireland ( 1937 ) states that every kid should hold entree to instruction ( National Council for Special Education, 2006 ) .Education Act ( 1998 )The Education Act ( 1998 ) stated that instruction was to be provided for all kids and specifically references that kids with particular educational demands be provided for and â€Å" have the same right to avail of and benefit from appropriate instruction as do their equals † ( National Council for Special Education, 2006:79 ) . The Education Act ( 1998 ) allowed that support would be available for extra educational resources such as appraisals of pupils, proficient AIDSs but these excessively were assessed as to what was appropriate and were non an automatic entitlement ( De Wispelaere and Walsh, 2007 ) . The Act besides provided for the puting up of the National Council for Special Education that would move as an independent administration that would within its maps co-ordinate the allotment of educational supports ( National Council for Special Education, 2006 ) . The Act ( 1998 ) stated that kids with disablements had a right to education but the term â€Å" appropriate † allowed for measuring based on what resources were available ( De Wispelaere and Walsh, 2007:532 ) . Therefore this would propose that the Act was non rights based in that the proviso of supports were decided non by factors of engagement or inclusion but by resources.Education Welfare Act ( 2000 )The Education Welfare Act ( 2000 ) although its chief purpose was to advance attending at schools, is of effect to kids with disablements in that many kids with disablements are non go toing schools because no appropriate school is available. The enrollment procedure within the Act allows that such kids that are being schooled at place are to be assessed by the Health Service Executive to guarantee that the kid is having a criterion of instruction expected, although there is no index of the expected minimal criterion for kids with disablements ( National Council for Special E ducation, 2006 ) .Equal Status Act ( 2000 ) and ( 2004 )The Equal Status Act ( 2000 ) amended in ( 2004 ) promoted equality and prohibited favoritism in relation to entree and proviso of services with respect to nine factors of which favoritism because of disablement is one ( Government of Ireland, 2000 ) . In relation to education this considers admittance policies, entree for the pupil to school, edifice or supports ( National Council for Special Education, 2006 ) . But the Act besides states that favoritism can non be considered if it is judged that â€Å" sensible adjustment † was made to let for entree or a â€Å" disproportional load † would be placed on the service supplier to do adjustments, ( National Council for Special Education, 2006:81 ) . For illustration in relation to the scenario, the kid that has the physical disablement might non be able to go to his local primary school because although adjustments such as a incline were installed, that in order to supply other adjustments that it would put a disproportional load on the school. Bruce ( 1991 ) cited in Quinn and Redmond ( 2005:145 ) suggests that the entree right besides relates to back up that provide for â€Å" engagement in the societal and cultural life of the community † . Therefore certainly the attending at a local school could be seen as a agency of inclusion for the male child and that exclusion by the school because of no duty to supply services beyond their resources could be considered a misdemeanor of rights with respect to entree as per Bruce ( 1991 ) cited in Quin and Redmond ( 2005 ) . But the fact that the proviso of services is non rights based eliminates the duty of the school to supply services beyond their resources ( De Wispelaere and Walsh, 2007 ) .Education for Persons with Particular Educational Needs Act ( EPSEN ) ( 2004 )Harmonizing to the National Disability Authority ( 2005 ) the Education for Persons with Particular Educational Needs Act ( EPSEN ) ( 2004 ) set out through its purposes of appropriate instruction, appraisal of identifying of demand, single instruction programs, general allotment system and entreaties to present inclusive instruction for kids with particular educational demands. The Act set out that schools have a responsibility to include kids with particular educational demands and that adjustments are to be made to let inclusion, that the school principal in peculiar had a function to place kids with particular educational demands and arrange appraisal. The appraisal would let the school to use for extra support ( National Disability Authority, 2005 ) . A â€Å" General allotment system † was established that would apportion lasting instructor stations based on the degree of high incidence disablements within the school and the allotment of hours for resource instructors or particular demands helpers for low incidence disablements ( National Council for Special Education, 2006:41 ) . Harmonizing to the National Disability Authority ( 2005 ) the Act stated that the school in p artnership with the parents and other professionals would pull up an single educational program to let for the instruction of the kid. The school could be designated by the National Council for Special Education to supply a topographic point in their school for a kid. The Act besides introduced that parents could inform the instructors if they were unhappy with the instruction provided for their kid and that the school was required to turn to this issue. The procedure of entreaties and an Appeals Board was set up to let for referral of differences and possible declaration of differences ( National Disability Authority, 2005 ) . A study by the National Disability Authority ( 2006 ) to reexamine the EPSEN Act ( 2004 ) highlighted assorted facets that were positive and negative. That the General Allocation System was positive in general in that it recognised that supports were needed. But that establishing allotment on degree of high incidence disablements in attending could ensue that pupils that are non within the high-incidence bracket will lose supports that otherwise let them to go to mainstream schools. For illustration described within the low incidence disablements are physical disablement, hearing damage, moderate general acquisition disablement and autism. Concern was raised by parents that kids that were described within high incidence disablements would be more likely to be go toing particular schools that would be more able to supply for their demands. Therefore the degree of high incidence attending would be by and large low in mainstream schools which would impact on allotment of resources as pe r the General Allocation system ( National Disability Authority, 2006 ) . The study stated that the disablements listed within low incidences does non reflect the diverseness of demand sing supports for integrative instruction and that the General Allocation System by its nature excludes instead than includes ( National Disability Authority, 2006 ) . Many parents report that entree to mainstream schools for their kids with particular educational demands is hard in that the appraisal of demand for kids is the necessity of the Health Service Executive. Parents are holding jobs deriving appraisal and secondly that the waiting clip for such appraisals is long ( National Disability Authority, 2006 ) . The appraisal of demand will non needfully measure up that the kid can so travel to a local school in that the school may non be able to supply the adjustments required. With respect to kids with physical disablements the perceptual experience seems to be that if the school provides a incline that it has provided sufficient supports. That the burden is non on schools due to allotment of resources to supply services that have been assessed as needed by the kid and can ensue in the kid being marginalised and excluded if the kid were to stay in mainstream school. Besides that the general physical environment within mainstream schools was non needfully suited to the demands of a kid with disablements and that the inclusion within the school would non be in the kid ‘s best involvements. The assessment procedure is harder to entree for Particular Schools unless they are portion of a clinic that has a resident psychologist. The assessment procedure is in itself labelling in that the p erceptual experience of appraisal of demand automatically deduce an educational restriction within the kid which may non be the instance ( National Disability Authority, 2006 ) . The inclusive construct of the EPSEN ( 2004 ) was positive in that it gave kids with disablements an chance to socialize with their equals but that the deficiency of supports consequence in exclusion as the kid can non to the full incorporate without these supports ( National Disability Authority, 2006 ) . An inclusive educational system provides for the diverse demands of all the kids in attending and by offering different supports for the kids needs it celebrates diverseness and encourages engagement harmonizing to Florian and Rouse ( 2009 ) . But allotments based on available resources could propose that the Act has failed in its purposes of inclusion ( National Disability Authority, 2006 ) . The troubles in deriving entree and supports has resulted that the duty frequently falls to the parents of kids with disablements to supply the educational support ( Power, 2008 ) . Besides the Act states that the particular needs helpers will hold no function in proviso of instruction but th e proviso of attention for the kid ( National Council for Special Education, 2006 ) . But the functions of the particular demand helpers have become education proviso in that resources have impacted on educational supports and that the particular needs helpers are non trained for this function ( National Disability Authority, 2006 ) . It had been forecasted that the Act would be implemented by 2010 budgetary restraints have delayed the execution of many elements of the Act ( National Council for Special Education, 2008 ) . The system of specifying low-incidence and high-incidence is non rights based in that it does non turn to the single demands of the kid regardless of what incidence they are within and that the allotment of extra resources such as instructors, particular needs helpers and resource support instructors based on the incidences of grades of disablement is non declarative of an participatory programme. The General Allocation System is non rights based in that the system of allotment of resources based on figure of kids with high incidence disablements is prejudiced towards the kids with disablements within the low incidence bracket ( National Disability Authority, 2006 ) .Disability Act ( 2005 )The Disability Act ( 2005 ) although non straight linked to instruction does hold mention in that it provided for the right to supply for an appraisal of demands sing wellness and instruction, roll uping a service statement, but it does non automatically imply proviso of services to fit demands. Be sides the right to appeal determinations sing appraisal and service statement but that there was no resort through the legal system ( National Council for Special Education, 2006 ) . The Disability Act ( 2005 ) although supplying for appraisal of demands sing wellness and instruction have non allocated a minimal degree of service bringing as per the Irish Human Rights Commission ( 2004 ) cited in De Wispelaere and Walsh, ( 2007 ) . That although the appraisal of demand is a definite right that it is undermined by the clause that the Service Statement after the Assessment Report allows that services may non be provided if it is â€Å" non possible or practical to supply † ( De Wispelaere and Walsh, 2007:532 ) and would therefore suggest that the Act is non rights based statute law. Harmonizing to De Wispelaere and Walsh ( 2007 ) with respect to the Disabiltiy Act ( 2005 ) that although a right to appeal is mentioned that the entreaty procedure is drawn-out, in that an entreaty will hold to be addressed by a liaison officer, ailments officer, and entreaties officer whereby the determination made is concluding and that so the lone resort is an entreaty through the High Court. That a individual with a disablement is prevented from availing of an independent justice such as an Ombudsman until the internal entreaty procedure is completed suggests that the entreaties procedure is â€Å" dis-abling † ( De Wispelaere and Walsh, 2007:534 ) . Harmonizing to De Wispelaere and Walsh ( 2007 ) the rights based attack that proviso of services should be a legal right based on demand appraisal has two defects. First that the outlook of bringing of services could ensue in a continual demand on public resources. Second that the warrant of bringing of service could be considered to â€Å" undemocratic † if the proviso of â€Å" disablement rights † were to dispute the rights of a authorities to make up one's mind â€Å" economic and societal policies † ( De Wispelaere and Walsh, 2007:523 ) . They proposed that a rights based attack should instead than guarantee that all demands are met, that people with disablements should wish the bulk of people have the right to dispute when services are non in topographic point through the general legal system. With respect to the scenario at the start of the essay for the parents of a male child aged five to go to his local primary school and what supports would be available to him. The Disability Act ( 2005 ) allows that the male child ‘s demands are to be assessed but that the bringing of services will be dependent on the equal resources available ( De Wispelaere and Walsh, 2007 ) . Therefore the kid might be assessed to hold a peculiar demand but it would non be the duty of the local primary school to supply the services required for his demand if it was beyond their abilities and resources. The fact that there is no legal demand on a service supplier to guarantee service bringing that would let this male child to go to the school would propose that there is no rights-based attack with respect to disablement statute law and policies in Ireland ( De Wispelaere and Walsh, 2007 ) .DecisionLegislation has been put in topographic point within the Irish system that aims to supply instru ction for people with disablements. In order to to the full take part entree to instruction and acquisition is overriding but it would look that the rights of the individual with a disablement to hold an equal opportunity of full instruction is determined by standards that measures degrees of disablement instead than diverseness of demand and that adjustment of supports is determined non as a right but as to what resources will be deemed appropriate by Government Departments. Besides that the purposes of the statute law to turn to peculiar issues sing instruction of people with disablements are weakened by the inclusion of clauses such as â€Å" sensible adjustment † and â€Å" disproportional load † ( National Council for Special Education, 2006:81 ) and would propose that the right to instruction is non as clear cut for kids with disablements. Besides disablement rights in Ireland have non received a unequivocal standard sing which rights must be protected and to what grade and that in order to be genuinely rights based this must be the instance ( De Wispelaere and Walsh, 2007 ) .

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Summary of Sunday in the Park

Bell Kaufman brings into focus a wife's resentment against the seeming impotence of her husband against a bully. The husband, Morton, backs off from the other man whose child has been bullying their own little boy. Back home, the wife appears to submit to the logic of non-violence adopted by her husband, but when their child, sickly and fragile, is having tantrums, the exasperated Morton threatens it with punishment. The wife snaps and taunts her husband as the bully did.By tradition, women regard their men as their protector, whether from beasts or there men. They want their husbands to be brave and willing to thwart aggressors at the risk of their own lives. Civilization, however, has softened man : the rule of law has done away with the need for a person to assert his rights by force. The peaceful, non-confrontational type of male has become the norm In our society. Nevertheless, most women still expect their men to be strong and brave, able to defend his family and his honor.By t aunting Morton In the manner of the bully when he threatened to punish their son, the wife shows her scorn for the weakling In her husband, her utter nonempty for Moron's backing off from a fight he possibly could not win. Being physically weaker and more vulnerable, women naturally look up to men to perform the more tedious, physically demanding work, to hunt for food and game, to fight the battles in defense of home and tribe, dying if necessary. Down through the ages, society has always had this expectation of men. Primitive society placed supreme emphasis on courage and physical power.Men who proved their superiority in battle or the hunt were chosen leaders. They also took unto themselves the most desirable males, a woman being naturally drawn to someone who could protect her against interlopers or the dangers of the wild, not a weakling whom the people of the tribe looked down upon with utmost contempt. Of course, women would want their men to be sensitive and caring and gentl e. But when the moment arrives requiring their men to act manfully in their defense, women expect them to be resolute and brave, like the knights of yore who fought for their ladies.In modern times, men no longer have to fight Trojan-like battles. The brutish man of old is replaced by the sociable, outgoing person who prefers to reason out a dispute than resort to violence. It is not, of course, the fault of men, given the conditions under which we now live. Nowadays It Is not unfashionable for men to do the household chores while the women work outside the home. Women are placed at equal footing with the men at the workplace and almost everywhere. Thus, men have been conditioned to think that women can fend for themselves. How many men today would rise up to give their seat to a woman In a crowded bus?How many men would be willing to die defending a woman from an attacker? Only an Isolated Incident Like that In Sunday In the Park, now and then awakens a woman's hidden attitude conc erning the opposite sex. She looks at man as her protector, and If he has to suffer by defending her, sustaining broken glasses and losing teeth In the process, It Is a small price to pay to avoid losing one's Inner peace, for defending one's honor In the face of naked aggression. BY tenanted non-confrontational type of male has become the norm in our society. Nevertheless, and his honor.By taunting Morton in the manner of the bully when he threatened to knish their son, the wife shows her scorn for the weakling in her husband, her utter it is not unfashionable for men to do the household chores while the women work woman in a crowded bus? How many men would be willing to die defending a woman from an attacker? Only an isolated incident like that in Sunday in the Park , looks at man as her protector, and if he has to suffer by defending her, sustaining broken glasses and losing teeth in the process, it is a small price to pay to avoid losing one's inner peace, for defending one's ho nor in the face of naked aggression.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

The process of Government Bids Research Proposal

The process of Government Bids - Research Proposal Example Bid Contract (2011) indicates that the U.S. Government is the largest company in the world with some $1 billion in new opportunities that private businesses can bid on each day. According to Bid Contract (2011), approximately 11 million contracts are signed by the federal government each year. However, despite this fact less than five (5) per cent of US businesses provide contractual services and products to U.S. Government via one of its federal agencies. Bid Contract (2011) further states that approximately 95% of these contracts are awarded to small and medium sized businesses. These contracts include: janitorial services, food services, technological systems such as complex space flight systems development. A small business set aside program is also in place to ensure that small businesses awarded a fair proportion of these contracts. Therefore certain government purchases are reserved for small businesses. This relates specifically to contracts with values between $25,000 and $1 00,000 which are reserved for either small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, and small veteran owned businesses. How the government buys According to Bid Contract (2011), there are two methods that the government uses to purchase products and services that it requires to carry on the business of managing the nation. They are sealed bidding and negotiation. The sealed bidding process involves an Invitation for Bid (IFB) by the agency that needs to procure services or goods. A contract is usually awarded to the lowest price bidder following the receipt and evaluation of these bids. The contracting officer determines this bidder to be both responsive and responsible. The negotiation process involves the issuing of a Request for Proposals (RFPs) or a Request for Quotations (RFQs) and involves the negotiation of all elements in the proposal. The best proposal in terms of both technical content and price is usually awarded the contract. Types of goods and services normally purchased by g overnment A wide range of goods or services are normally required by government. They include architectural; cleaning and custodial; construction and remodeling; construction and building materials; consulting services; environment and conservation; recycling, waste water, sewage treatment; air purification, tanks, excavation, demolition, salvage; financial and accounting; retirement plan, investment; food services; garden and landscaping; HR services; computer hardware; computer software; insurance; machine shop and fabrication; mailing; marketing and communication; medical and laboratory; personal care, rehabilitation, psychotherapy, drug counseling, medical facilities, ambulance, burial, cremation; office supplies; other supplies; other products; other services; printing and reproduction; Research into energy, healthcare, science and technology; security and safety; facility rental and management; telecommunication; translation and transcription; transporting and warehousing; and weapons and ammunitions. It therefore means that contracts are regularly offered for these services. The Bidding Process In order to bid for a contract with any federal agency a prospect has to tender a proposal. However, Onvia (n.d.) states that some contractors are normally frustrated by the Request for Proposal (RFP). However, this is the only way that a prospective contractor can bid on a US government

Friday, September 27, 2019

Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Terrorism - Essay Example Others linked it with civil disobedience while others label it as acts of violence. However, experts claimed that these three are very different terms from each other but in as much as one wished to gain adequate understanding of the word â€Å"terrorism†, it is crucial also to obtain insight about the other two terms often connected with it. Civil disobedience is deemed acceptable by many deliberative democrats as long as it remains relevantly tied to the objective of communicative action (Allen 15). However, Allen also emphasized that certain kinds of terrorism cannot be ruled out either (15). On the other hand, an individual must acknowledge that the deliberative democrat will not really be able to justify taking life as a maneuver for the reason that dead people cannot deliberate (Allen 15). Allen highlighted that this does not rule out terrorism per se, the object of which is not death so much as to bringing about fear, anxiety and trauma (Allen 15). Moreover, while a per sistent circumstance of fear would set the boundaries on forethought, restricted and transitory physical harm to individuals need not (Allen 15). For this instance, it entails that deliberative democrats must elucidate why purposely causing some physical harm to property or person is constantly an illicit and unlawful means of communication and demonstration (Allen 15). This paper endeavors to explore the concepts associated with terrorism and to tackle the impacts brought about by such circumstance. Definition, Association and the Concepts surrounding Terrorism Terrorism had always been synonymous to threat, intimidation, trauma and destruction. Individuals express anxiety whenever such term is brought up. Defining exactly what terrorism is proves to be a rather daunting task. One must also learn and understand to grasp the essence of the other terms connected with it to be able to fully obtain a clear insight about what this is as guided by certain propositions of expert and the l aw. Civil Disobedience is one of the terms confused with terrorism for the reason that some governments might label such acts as form of terrorism even though for the ones doing it, their main objective was only to find a means for their voices to be heard and for their standpoints to be given attention. Civil Disobedience is a tactic that is hard to reconcile neatly with persuasion and communication as stressed by Allen (15). Indeed, many deliberative democrats are willing to concede that civil disobedience contains some irreducible elements of threat and intimidation (Allen 15-16). Nevertheless, the deliberative democrats still supposed that it can still be accommodated within the conceptual orbit of deliberative democracy, and the priority that it gives to legitimate actions through public communication (Allen 16).

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Gloria Steinem Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gloria Steinem - Term Paper Example Her grandmother Pauline Steinem was a revered suffragette in her day. But in the early years of Gloria’s life, there was little evidence to suggest that she would uphold her grandmother’s legacy. Since her father had to relocate to new cities very frequently, the young Gloria Steinem could not be enrolled in a regular school. All her early education was provided by her mom at home. This delicate family equilibrium came to an abrupt end, when Gloria was only 8 years old her parents broke off their marriage. Not only was young Gloria deprived of a father figure, she was also thrust into a life of grinding poverty in the next few years. Complicating an already dire situation was her mother’s propensity to suffer mental depression. In the years following the divorce, Steinem’s mother fell into such an abysmal depression that the mother-daughter roles reversed for once and Gloria was left to take care of her ailing mother. When in her late teens, she went to li ve with her elder sister in Washington, D.C., where she enrolled for Smith College. Just as she was about to complete her degree, she got a break which were to prove very significant. In 1956, in the year of her graduation, she got selected for a two year scholarship program in India ((Sondra, 1987). The two years Steinem spent in India during her formative years were to prove profound for her understanding of women’s issues. The experience broadened and deepened her grasp of the status of women in the Third World and how socio-political realities impose severe restrictions for freedom of women. She realized that â€Å"the high standard of living most Americans take for granted was not available to all. She commented at the time that ‘America is an enormous frosted cupcake in the middle of millions of starving people’. She returned strongly motivated to fight social injustice and embarked on her career as a journalist†. (www.gale.cengage.com) Emboldened by her

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Business-Level and Corporate-Level Strategies Essay - 11

Business-Level and Corporate-Level Strategies - Essay Example Additionally, the merger and acquisition strategies that the company has adopted has made it to effectively meet the needs of its customers as well diversify its operations. Some of the notable companies that AT&T has acquired include America Movil and Direct TV among others. The company competitors are T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint. This paper seeks to discuss various levels and types of strategies adopted by AT&T as well as the comparison of its strategies with those of Verizon its main rival. For any company to succeed in a short-term and in the long-term, it must come up with unique business-level strategies. As a leader in the telecommunication sector, AT&T success has been achieved as the result of effective business level strategies. One of the notable strategies that the company has adopted is the master strategy. This implies that the company intends to be the only telecom provider that connects its small and large customers anywhere. Recently, the company management stated that AT&T plans to focus exhaustively on large customers. This will account for 75% of the company revenue an aspect that will save the $1 billion annually (Ausik, 2012). Another key strategy that AT&T embarks on is product differentiation. One of the major aspects that differentiate the company from its competitors is the exclusive agreement with Apple Corporation to sell iPhone. As a result, the company has benefited from strong customer loyalty based on the valuable products provided by Apple . The marketing strategies that AT&T adopts have a great impact on the profitability of the company. Geographically, the company is positioning itself as the leader in wireless coverage. Additionally, the company as noted earlier has embarked on diversification of its product line. Some of the wireless products that AT&T provides include PTT, video share, and voice-IP among others.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Apple, Samsung ,Nokia and blackberry smart phones comparison between Essay

Apple, Samsung ,Nokia and blackberry smart phones comparison between these 4 companies - Essay Example This has further led to the fast embracing of modern technology handheld gadgets like the Smart phones and tablets and I pads, which provide people all over the world with the virtual internet based platform to connect with their friends and relatives located in various parts and corners of the world. The changing lifestyle trends of the masses all over the world along with the desire to stay connected and aware of the happenings and events in the lives of their near and dear ones by the process of getting updates in their social networking profiles has also played a major role in the tremendous acceptance of Smart phones all over the world. As a matter of fact, in an order to capitalize on the growing demands of data based technology services like the internet in the recent times, various telecom service providing companies has focused on the process of bundled offering of products and services, thereby offering the customers with high value internet services for their mobiles and gadgets at very competitive rates. It can be said that the global smart phone market is currently dominated by two of the largest and most popular mobile manufacturers namely Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics, while talking in terms of revenue generation, sales and share of the markets in the global arena. Talking from the statistical point of view, it can be said that the shipping statistics of the second quarter of the year 2012 highlighted that Apple iOS and Samsung Android based smart phones comprised almost 85% of the total shipments (IDC.com -1, 2012)1. Talking about the market sentiments that was existing around the middle of 2012, during the period of launch of I-phone 5 in the United States, a research which was undertaken by AYTM along with Mashable stated that current owners of Android phones in the United States are looking forward to move to I-phones within the next 6 months (Price, 2012)3 . The survey also revealed that

Monday, September 23, 2019

Managing Organisational Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Managing Organisational Strategy - Essay Example According to the paper findings  the family business of Bettys and Taylors is based on the set of several values. All these values are quite clear for the employees of the firm as well from their first day at work. All the practices that are observed in the company are highly qualitative maintaining the standard of the brand and the family name behind the management of the company.As the discussion highlights most of the African makers are prone to observe huge creation development because tea hedges achieve ideal preparation age, and processing aptitudes of little producers make strides. For instance, the generation in Kenya is said to be developed by 2.3 percent on yearly basis from the amount of 236,300 tons to 304,000 tons. This period of development was estimated from 2000 to 2010. On the other hand the rate of development in Tanzania and Uganda are estimated to be 1.7 percent and 2.7 percent respectively. One of the most significant teas sending out nations in the region of A sia should better encounter minor decreases in fares that should also be in accordance with the usual developments in wage and populace that might cultivate down home utilization. For instance, we can observe the case of Indian and Indonesia that it might diminish by the rate of 2.4 percent to 150 890 tons and also some studies reveals the figures of 1.1 percent to 87 000 tons, separately.  Bettys and Taylors don't simply deal with their staff but they take care of suppliers as well.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Music 100 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Music 100 - Essay Example The instrument used at the performance was violin and each was tasked in producing a specific performance and adding value to the day’s performance. Fusing the orchestra with the Chinese traditional instruments gave it a fusion that uniquely displayed diversity in the music world. The group gave an excellent show as it gave an instrument version of the song. As much as many pieces where displayed at the event, our focus will be on â€Å"Heaven Earth Mankind† by the symphony orchestra lead by Dr. Thomas Cockrell. It represented all genre and represented diversity in the performance an analysis of the performance showed how other pieces represented a single genre. The theme being the moon festival, the piece was ideal as a fusion with the Asian instruments gave it an excellent outcome. Other notable instruments where the Harps which played the harmony and the cellos which where tasked in ensuring the rhythm was as per planned. The Cockrell‘s led group utilized the three instrument in ensuring a success to their performance. The most notable of them all was the violin representing each voice category. An excellent event disserved an excellent performance and that is what the symphony orchestra gave. The instruments took turns in providing a breathtaking moment. Just like a sea wave, the violin variably changed the mood. The beginning was a little bit slower maybe to create attention. As the climax approached, the violin became louder and rapid representing a dancing mood. The bridge of the performance saw only the sopranos play their instruments. As the title of the performance suggests, a heavenly mood was engulfed into the room. Some minutes later, the other instruments joint the wagon. Two minutes later, they stopped and before the audience had applause, they picked again and this time they played them rapidly until the conductor signaled the end of the performance. Other pieces

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Energy drink Essay Example for Free

Energy drink Essay Introduction The marketing mix (tool largely used by marketers) is composed of the tactics being developed by a company in the 4 Ps areas: product, price, place and promotion, to assist them in pursuing their objectives. These variables have to be carefully managed by the organisation to meet the need of the defined target group. In this essay, we are going to focus on the product variable of the marketing mix. Phillip Kotler has defined the product as: anything that can be offered to a market to satisfy a want or need (Philip Kotler, Marketing Management, 2000). The product, but also its name and packaging, have a major impact on the brand positioning. They are fundamental tools in helping the company to induce trial and repeat purchase; they are also invaluable to achieve the desired awareness levels and to form positive attitudes among both customers and perspective customers. Highly profitable and attractive (giving the trend that consumers are increasingly looking for convenient drinks that boost their energy levels), the energy drinks market is highly competitive. A Mintels research (Market Trends category analysis, June 2004, www.PreparedFoods. com), found little brand loyalty among consumers of energy drinks, and a willingness to try a new product if the brand of choice is not available. This suggest the possibility that consumer could be swayed by the appeal of an intriguing package for instance. In this context, we will try to analyse, with the help of the example of the energy drinks, the importance of the naming and packaging tactics employed by the brands to differentiate their offer from the competition (given that the generic attributes of the energy drinks, in terms of composition, are quite similar). 1 Naming and Packaging: marketing mix tools of the product 1. 1 The products levels Philip Kotler, in Principles of Marketing, suggested that a product should be viewed in three levels (a division between five products levels has also been identified by the author but in our case, we are going to keep the simpler scheme of three levels). (source : www. learnmarketing. net/product. htm, 14/09/2004) The core product (level one) represents the core function of the product, a generic attribute that will be identical to all products on a specific market. For example, the main attribute a customer is willing to find when buying an energy drink is a liquid which composition will comprise ingredients that boost his or her energy levels (caffeine, guarana, taurine ) The actual product (level two) involves the brand, the packaging and the possible added features (benefits) that are provided to differentiate the companys product from its competitors. In the case of the energy drinks, if all of them actually provide a liquid that increase energy levels, some of them are sold in cans, other in plastic bottles or in aluminium bottles, using different designs and volumes. The augmented product (level three) is composed of the different additional non-tangible benefits that the company is offering to the customer. This comprises normally added services such as after-sales service, warranties, delivery It is difficult for a company providing energy drinks to differentiate itself from the competition through this kind of attributes. This is why we decided to focus on the second level of the energy beverages, their name and package. (www. learnmarketing.net/product. htm, 14/09/2004) First, what lies behind the concepts of naming and packaging? 1. 2 Naming The naming of the product, service or company is called branding. A brand or name is the label that consumers associate with your product. For this reason, a brand or name should help communicate the products positioning and its inherent drama for the consumer (Roman G. Hiebing Jr and Scott W. Cooper; The successful marketing plan, a disciplined and comprehensive approach; 2003). McCarthy, Perreault and Quester define branding as the use of a name, symbol, design or combination of the three to identify a product and more particularly a brand name as a word, letter, or group of words or letters used to identify a product (Basic Marketing, a managerial approach; 1997). 1. 2. 1 The visual distinctiveness of a brand The name is composed of the title by which the company, product, or service is commonly known and the graphic forms of identification, including symbols, logotypes or signatures, tag lines, and representative characters (Roman G.Hiebing Jr and Scott W. Cooper; The successful marketing plan, a disciplined and comprehensive approach; 2003). Some products, as paper clips, or energy drinks, are poorly differentiated by their physical attributes. One of the marketers tasks will be then to develop the brand in terms of its name and its graphic identity (logo), to communicate its differences. Nowadays, the consumers have an astonishing and increasing array of choice. In parallel, their available time to research products and make purchase decisions is decreasing. The importance of having a distinctive name is critical to securing competitive advantage, even more for the products such as the energy drinks, which core specificities have become insufficient to make a real difference. Consumers must be able to recognize the company in its name, logo, graphics and brands slogan; these must provide means of identifying the product as different from that of the competitors, create a visual and verbal distinctiveness. For example, the name and logo of Ralph Lauren (a polo player) have become high means of recognition for the brand. Coca-cola is one of the best-known names in the world (even the characters type can be identified and recognized by the customer nowadays). Some companies, which offer different product lines, can use manufacturer brands, a name provided specifically for a product or collection of products that is different from the manufacturers one. For example, Powerade is the sport beverage supplied by Coca-Cola. Pepsi-Co sells a sport drink line under the name Gatorade. If the name is the more important element of the brand, one mustnt forget that a brand cant be simply reduced to its name. What is important are the positive associations that are going to be related to the brand in the customers mind (Philip Kotler, Marketing Management, 2000). 1. 2. 2 Selecting the right name A good brand name can help create brand familiarity (really important in the case of energy drinks). In general, good brand names are:  · short and simple (easy to recognize and remember)  · easy to pronounce  · should be able to be pronounced in all languages  · suggestive of product benefits (but not too generic)  · avoid any potentially undesirable connotation or image. (Roman G. Hiebing Jr and Scott W. Cooper; The successful marketing plan, a disciplined and comprehensive approach; 2003). 1. 3 Packaging 1. 3. 1 Definition For manufacturers, packaging holds and protects the product and assists in communicating the products attributes and image. For retailers and service firms, packaging is the inside and outside environment that houses and dispenses the product/services (stores, offices, etc ), and it helps communicate the companys attributes and image (Roman G. Hiebing Jr and Scott W. Cooper; The successful marketing plan, a disciplined and comprehensive approach; 2003). Kotler has defined the packaging as the activities of designing and producing the container for a product (Philip Kotler, Marketing Management, 2000). 1. 3. 2 The functions of packaging Three functions lay behind the concept of packaging: protection, facilitating the product usage and communication. At its basic level, the package serves to protect the product (prevent breakage, exposure to light, exposure to air, spoilage ) and, in some cases, to hold or to contain it. Packaging also plays a role in protecting the consumer as well. Then, the package has a facilitative role in the use of the product (shape, size, fact that it can be resealed ). Finally, the products package represents a strong communication tool, at two levels. First, the package will comprise indications on the brand name, the product category definition, the composition, the flavour, warnings, directions Second, packaging also serves an important role in promotion. Its design, size, shape, materials, colour, text and brand mark should appeal to the target market. For example, yoghurt designated to the women on diet will not have the same package than yoghurt targeting the children. Besides, in todays cluttered environment, where tens of thousands of brands are fighting for the shoppers attention, consumers are making more and more purchase decisions at the point of sale. This is why the package, through graphics and colours that are attractive, plays an important role in getting the product noticed in the selves (to encourage impulse purchase for instance). (Philip Kotler, Marketing Management, 2000; Roman G. Hiebing Jr and Scott W. Cooper; The successful marketing plan, a disciplined and comprehensive approach; 2003). 1. 3. 3 The importance of packaging Packaging is a critical marketing tool. It can make an important difference from the competition by meeting customers needs more effectively. A better box, wrapper, bottle or can may help to emphasize the distinctiveness or novelty of a product or even result in the opening of a new market. It can even improve the product by making it easier or safer to use and then increase its value in the customers mind. Used correctly, the package can then underline the brand image, convey qualities such as freshness, fashion and quality (McCarthy, Perreault Quester; Basic Marketing, a managerial approach; 1997). It is important that the packaging elements align with the rest of the marketing strategy to support it (pricing, advertising and other marketing tools). For example, an expensive perfume would rather be sold in a crystal bottle than in a plastic one, to underline and support the prestigious image (Philip Kotler, Marketing Management, 2000). 2 Packaging and Naming for the energy drink industry 2. 1 Industry overview. As a relatively new style of beverage in Australia (appearing in the mid 90s), energy drinks, sometimes known as smart drinks, were originally designed to give people a boost. Other benefits advertised by these products are improved concentration, endurance, stamina and the ability to help combat fatigue (www. education. theage. com. au/pagedetail. asp? intpageid=69strsection=studentsintsectionid=0, 29/09/2004). Lifestyles are moving faster. People seem to have become time poor and tend to work harder and play harder. These drinks are for those who need to pack more hours into their day. (Glenn Martin, general manager, Frucor Beverages, The Age, May 2, 2001). Typically including a high caffeine level as well as vitamins, amino acids and herbal extracts, they usually sell for about $2 $3. 5 for 250 ml, making them a relatively expensive soft-drink alternative. (www. education. theage. com. au/pagedetail. asp? intpageid=69strsection=studentsintsectionid=0, 27/09/2004). Initially popular in nightclubs and hotels, the energy drink market has been booming during the past few years in Australia, and these beverages are now widely available in supermarkets and convenience stores. Although this market is somewhat new in Australia, it is the fastest growing area of the soft-drink market. (www. education. theage. com. au/pagedetail. asp? intpageid=69strsection=studentsintsectionid=0, 27/09/2004). 2. 1. 1 Leading brands on the Australian market In 2002, the energy drink sales were dominated by four brands in Australia: Frucor Beverages Limiteds V (remaining by far the most significant player with 35% volume share), Red Bull Australias Red Bull, Coca-Cola Amatils Lift Plus and the Red Eye Companys Red Eye. With a clever marketing and promotional tactics, V managed to cope with the growing competition and to increase its market share between 2000 and 2002, targeting at teenagers and young adults through the sponsoring of youth oriented events and advertising during youth programming (Euromonitor International, Soft Drinks in Australia, August 2004). However, in the latter part of this same period, the best growth was performed by Coca-Cola Amatils Lift Plus, which volume share increased from 5% in 2000 to 14% in 2002, to the detriment of the Red Eye brand which lost market share by the same amount. Red Bull signed, in 2003, a distribution deal with Cadbury Schweppes to solve its volume share decline over the recent years by accessing the groups strong sale network. (Euromonitor International, Soft Drinks in Australia, August 2004). Considering the huge number of small brands existing today on the energy drink market, we decided to illustrate our study using exclusively the example of these 4 leaders. 2. 1. 2 Target market of the energy drinks The potential customers initially consisted in 90% of young and trendy people (club scene, extreme sports), nocturnal revellers, trendsetters and clubbers. Nowadays, the group of customers has evolved and includes:  · long distance drivers, especially people who work during the night or even employees working out of the office and rushing from appointment to appointment who have come to appreciate Energy Drinks as a good way to wake them up,  · top-level as well as free time sportsmen like snowboarders, mountain bikers, free climbers and downhill racers but also people going to the gym or participating in a triathlon, · pupils or students under stress who use the energy drinks as a new substitute of coffee. Users of Energy Drinks buy/drink them to be mentally and physically top fit and wide awake. They are dynamic, health conscious, achievement-orientated and active, in their jobs as well as in their spare time. Most of them are young but there is an increased interest in these products coming from an older age group of the population. (www. fortunecity. com/tinpan/clapton/843/energydrinks. html#eda, 29/09/2004). 2. 2 Packaging issues and trends on the energy beverage market Due to its growing competitive context, the energy drinks sector saw packaging used as an essential element in establishing brand identity. Consequently, the emergence of plastic bottles was far less pronounced in this sector than in any other soft-drinks sector. 2. 2. 1 Capacity and materials When Red Bull entered the Australian market in 1999, the company employed its trademark slim can and made it an immediate sign of recognition for the energy drink product. The brand wanted to use this as a point of differentiation to help consumers distinguish these highly caffeinated drinks from their carbonate counterparts, and competitors such as Lift Plus, V and Black Stallion followed this example to benefit from the association consumer would make between 250ml can and the type of product (Spark Gale, Sports and energy drink market expanding faster than other soft drinks, Food Drink Weekly, February 23, 2004). This can size not only differentiate the product from the usual soft drink but also, according to the manufacturers, encourages only moderate consumption at any one time, because of the high caffeine content. Indeed, the energy drinks market has suffered from claims that excessive consumption of caffeine can cause a rise in blood pressure and can trigger events such as heart problems and strokes in some people (Euromonitor International, Global Packaging: Key Trends, www. euromonitor. com. library. vu. edu. au/gmid/default.asp, 20/09/2004) The initial choice of many energy drinks producers for the can packaging has also been determined according to the purpose of the beverage and the needs of its target market. Indeed, the design of the package and its material had to answer the requirements of people responding to the growing trend for eating and drinking on-the-move, had to offer at the same time convenience, solidity, to be light-weighted, easy to handle (the 250 mL format appears more convenient than the usual 330 mL size). Single-serve products also allow busy consumers, to drink in the car, office and in school, which happened to be essential to appeal to a broaden target market as it is now (Marsha Barancik, Bottle cans have magnetic attraction, Beverage Industry, March 2003). In fact, when the product entered the market, it was sold in major part in bars, pubs and nightclubs and convenience stores, but as brand like V and Red Bull started to gain distinctive brand identities the started to sell through supermarkets. In this context the 250mL aluminium can presented another advantage since it was an easy shape to offer in multipack that could fit in shelves optimally, and appealed to consumers because of the lower unit prices offered and the ease of transport to their homes (Euromonitor International, Soft Drinks in Australia, August 2004). However, the need for differentiating from competitors and for acquiring a strong brand equity, related to number entry the industry saw these last year, pushed the company to innovate, creating packagings that would differ from the overused 250 mL aluminium can. This need happened to strengthen with the addition of supermarket as a channel of distribution: the number of product and beverages that competed with the brand on the purchase decisional process was suddenly more diverse. To that extent, Red Eye used glass packaging as a strategy (that happened to be successful), to build brand loyalty among its consumers and to break with the expected can packaging offered by competitors. Since then, Lift Plus and V also offered a glass format to differentiate themselves from other canned energy drink brands (Global Packaging: Key Trends, www. euromonitor. com. library. vu. edu. au/gmid/default. asp, 20/09/2004). 2. 2. 2 Graphics and scripts Packaging in the energy drinks also feature distinctive graphics and script. Each brand will attend to convey a differentiated image using specific colours and visual affect known for being associated by the consumer to positive attributes. In 1988, McGraw Hill studied the feelings and the images conveyed by colour in order to show the importance of the packaging in the purchase decision process. As a result, he found out that consumer unconsciously were making the following association:  · Black: formality and elegance.  · White: Crispness  · Violet: tenderness  · Red: revolution, excitement, fire, energy, stanfurd.  · Blue: night, sadness, coolness, tranquillity  · Yellow: happy, warm, optimism  · Aluminium: high-energy voltage (http://www. alumni. berkeley. edu/Students/Group_Resource_Guide/Marketing_Tips_for_CAA_Student_Leaders. asp, 7/10/2004). Looking at each brands packaging, we can see that, according to this theory, different feelings are meant to be evocated by each brand. Except for Lift Plus, that is more oriented towards young people and students/children market, the aluminium colour is present on each packaging. The blue of the Red Bull can immediately reminds the customer with the clubbing and the nightlife while the red letter stands for energy and excitement. The yellow can of Lift Plus gives a joyful and playful image to the beverage and makes it a drink to be consumed during the day rather than in nightclub as a mixed drink (like its competitor Red Eye, Red Bull, or V). We can notice also the use of black in the two other packages, that gives a classy and distinctive image to the beverage, allowing them to stand in bar and clubs shelves. 2. 3 Naming issues on the energy drinks market In general, even if branding is one of the most important steps in the marketing plan of a product (a good name provides a strong mean of distinctiveness for the brand), there is not much secondary information available on the naming strategy adopted by the companies. Concerning the energy drinks industry, we are going to focus on the major brands present on the Australian market: V, Lift Plus, Red Eye and Red Bull. V is a typical example of a simple and memorable brand name that quickly identifies the product with an idea of vibrant, velocity, vitality, vigour Above all, V is the widely known abbreviation for volt, positioning the product as a high energy provider (www. frucor. com/brands/aus/new_age. html, 03/10/2004). The name Lift Plus explicitly suggests the benefits of the drink that, according to its producer Coca-Cola Amantil, as been designed for people who work and play hard and need a boost to help them make the most of their waking hours. It is also named after the well-known beverage Lift, to inform the consumer on the common point between the two beverages: both have citrus-based flavour (http://www. cokebuddy. com.au/about_brands. asp, 03/10/2004). Red Bull has been the first energy drink to enter the global market, the name of the product reflects well its attributes and benefits (the bull is a powerful animal, it represents the high level of energy the consumer is going to get by drinking this product). But this brand name has also been subject to a lot of controversy (that has finally benefited the brand by creating some promotion around it) related to the fact that the word Bull created a direct association in the public mind with one of the ingredient included in the formula: the Taurine. However, despite whatever conclusions one might draw from the name, Red Bull contains no substances of animal origin; even the taurine used in the formulation is synthetically produced (www. snopes. com/toxins/redbull. htm, 03/10/2004). Again, as for its competitor Red Eye, the code of colour (Red) is used as a way to suggest the energy and improvement of physical performance provided by the consumption of the beverage. Red Eye, as a following entrant in the energy drink market (after Red Bull), has used the notoriety of the Red Bull name as part of its naming strategy (the two brand names are quite similar). The term eye reflects the personality of the product, putting the stress on the ability of the product to provide its consumer with an improved ability to concentrate, an increased alertness and an enhanced reaction time (www. red-eye. com. au/classic. html, 03/10/2004). (Roman G. Hiebing Jr. and Scott W. Cooper, The successful marketing plan, McGraw-Hill, 2003). Conclusion Naming and packaging are critical marketing tools for the company; they assist its brand differentiation in the customers mind and product identification in the shelves of the store. Even if these two elements are even more important for products as energy drinks, that have quite generic core attributes (their composition is almost similar) and that cannot differentiate their offer using the augmented level of the product, we discovered through our research that a brand mustnt limit its marketing mix tactic to its product features (naming and packaging). The three other Ps areas (Price, Place, and Promotion) are critical tools to strengthen the differentiation of its offer. The leading brands demonstrate it by supporting their product with heavy advertising campaigns and diverse promotional actions, as they proved to be essential to ensure their brand equity (sponsoring, sample distribution, co-branding, commercials, ads in various medias ). The study of the energy drinks market also showed us how the strategies linked to the issues of naming and packaging can evolve as the industry changes. Indeed, we discovered how these two aspects of the actual product could be used as way to assimilate the brand to a particular type of product, as well as a differentiation feature. In fact, the energy drinks market demonstrated us that the maturity of the industry influences greatly the challenges implied by the choice of a name or a package. Indeed, all the companies which launched their energy drink at the introduction of the product in the soft drink industry, chose to follow the first entrant (Red Bull) on its package choice, in order to clearly indicate to the customer the kind of product provided. As the industry matured, and the competition increased, offering a packaging that actually differentiated the brand seemed to be the only way to gain customer loyalty and to survive in this mature market. Sources : Literature:  · Philip Kotler, Marketing Management, 2000  · Roman G. Hiebing Jr and Scott W. Cooper; The successful marketing plan, a disciplined and comprehensive approach; 2003  · McCarthy, Perreault Quester; Basic Marketing, a managerial approach; 1997 Websites:  · Market Trends category analysis, June 2004, www.PreparedFoods. com  · www. learnmarketing. net/product. htm  · www. education. theage. com. au/pagedetail. asp? intpageid=69strsection=studentsintsectionid=0  · www. fortunecity. com/tinpan/clapton/843/energydrinks. html#eda  · Euromonitor International, Soft Drinks in Australia, August 2004, www. euromonitor. com. library. vu. edu. au/gmid/default. asp  · Euromonitor International Global Packaging: Key Trends, August 2004, www. euromonitor. com. library. vu. edu. au/gmid/default. asp  · www. alumni. berkeley.edu/Students/Group_Resource_Guide/Marketing_Tips_for_CAA_Student_Leaders. asp  · www. frucor. com/brands/aus/new_age. html  · www. cokebuddy. com. au/about_brands. asp  · www. snopes. com/toxins/redbull. htm  · www. red-eye. com. au/classic. html Articles :  · Glenn Martin, general manager, Frucor Beverages, The Age, May 2, 2001  · Spark Gale, Sports and energy drink market expanding faster than other soft drinks, Food Drink Weekly, February 23, 2004  · Marsha Barancik, Bottle cans have magnetic attraction, Beverage Industry, March 2003.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Communication in the International Trade Environment

Communication in the International Trade Environment Communication consists of so many dimensions and is a very complex subject. While discussing communication, one has to look at several aspects regarding the subject. You have to identify different skills, components and challenges in the environment of communication, though it doesnt end there. A communication line also goes beyond the borders of your business and stretch to international companies. To successfully trade across international borders, you have to analyse the country and culture of the people whom you are trading with. You have to get a feeling for the way they do business and also for customs or manners that could offend them. People from a different background will feel honoured and will be much more open to business if they can see that you respect their ways. Because of this reason, it is also critical to look at the importance of multicultural communication in international trade. Looking at aspects such as marketing, logistics finance and payment, we discuss the important role that communication plays in todays businesses. 1.1 The importance of communication in the international trade environment To communicate is to live. It plays such a vital role in our daily existence that we can do nothing without it, but just as important as it is in our daily existence, the more so vital it is in the business environment because if the communication lines between your business and those of your partners isnt open and up to standard, it could mean the financial ruin of both entities (RANI). Communication is the successful transition of information through a common system of symbols, signs, behaviours, speech, writing or signals. (ITRISA, 2010:30). To implement successful lines of communication in your business, you have to look at all the components mentioned above. 1.1.1 The components of communication According to ITRISA, communication is made up of three components, each one just as important as the other. We look at verbal, written and non-verbal communication to grasp the importance of this complex subject. Verbal or spoken communication is important because that is the quickest way to portray your ideas and hear other peoples. It also provides room for discussion. On the other hand, it can be very difficult to arrange because of the distances between partners. It is not sufficient as means of communication because people can read just as much in the things you dont say but show. This is known as non-verbal communication and helps when words just arent enough to express yourself. Non-verbal communication is reflected in your body language and this can cause confusion. It is very important to do research before communicating face to face with people from other cultures. Your use of personal space, for example, may be offensive to them. This is a very difficult component to exerc ise and should be regarded as one of the most important factor to consider in the relationship between you and your business partners in a other country. Written communication is a very easy way to communicate less important aspects of a deal but should not be used in midst of a crisis, when problems need to be sorted out quickly and with no misunderstandings. More important decisions regarding the deal should be on paper to insure a permanent record of the agreement between the two parties. In todays corporate environment, electronic communication also takes up a major part of the methods companies use. These are just the main methods of communicating. Numerous other means of communication exists and in the end, companies should decide which method might fulfil their needs best. It should be noted that every method of communication has its own advantages but also disadvantages. The main goal when choosing a method should be the success of the deal. The method which will best fit target should be chosen in the end. Once you understand the critical importance of these components, you can start looking communication in the corporate environment. 1.1.2 Communication in the international corporate environment. Communication between employees of the same company is important. Francis Jock takes it even so far as to say that the skill of communication -or the absence thereof- can cause a business to either be successful or to fail. Let us assumes the lines are already in order. To communicate with people from another corporation tends to be slightly more difficult because other corporations may do business in a whole other way. Business partners from other environments are out of your control and are unpredictable (ITRISA: 2010, 25). A general segmentation of the kind of entities one might have to work with can be private companies, government organisations or foreign entities. For the purpose of this essay, we look particularly at the communication between you and a foreign entity. To make successful business deals, employees administering the deals between businesses of different cultural background need to understand the importance of multicultural communication. (HINNER: 2010) According to Hofstede (2001) culture consists of five dimensions. Each dimension is just as important as the other. The first dimension is uncertainty avoidance. This describes the certain cultures need to point out exact details of the transaction so that the risk of failure is minimised. Another dimension is power distance. This refers to the way people of different positions in community, treats each other. In one culture, people might be treated as exact equals while in other cultures, people in higher positions will not be treated as, say a general worker. Aggressiveness discusses the gap between genders in the business environment. Cultures might also adopt either a long or short term orientation. A Long term orientated culture will typically show casual, laid- back manners in dealings and might not be too hasty in closing a deal while the short term orientated culture will do exactly the opposite. Individualism or collectivism is the last dimension identified by Hostede (2001) . This dimension describes the cultures preferences when it comes to working in groups or as individuals. It is very important to keep these dimensions in mind when dealing with other cultures as this could mean either success or failure. 1.2. The Role communication plays in the International Trade Environment. The role of communication in the international trade environment is so important that many studies have been committed to emphasizing and analysing this role. Models to help companies interpret communication in their daily business environment have been created. Databases, statistics and other information has been collected on this subject (GRIFFITH: 2002). It is difficult to ignore the role of communication. According to ITRISA, communication plays a big role in three main aspects of the general business. A discussion of logistics, marketing, finance and payment, follows. 1.2.1. Logistics Though there are many events that can happen which a company has no control over, the role of human error in logistics are a major problem. Communicating various details about a consignment and its shipping specifications is a major part of the success of the business deal. Employees need to make sure that both ends of the partners understand each other when making decisions about the obligations regarding delivery, the costs each partner is liable to carry and freight insurance. To achieve a clear understanding of the responsibilities of each party, there should be good communication between the importer, exporter, inspection officers, and various banks involved, customs authority in both countries, agents and insurers. 1.2.2. Financing and payment of international trade deals Without funds and the proper management necessary, international trade will not be possible. Before entering in a contract with the other company, you have to make sure that the financing on your side is guaranteed. To acquire this financing, proposals to your financer and motivation behind your proposed deals have to be in order. Only after this, you can commit yourself to a partnership with the foreign company. Once this partnership has been established, the two businesses should communicate so that they will be aware of their exact obligations regarding payment, due dates for this payments, the manner in which funds will be forwarded etc. It is important to verify these details so that the financial risk regarding the deal can be minimised. 1.2.3 Marketing Marketing must be the most essential of the three roles because without marketing, you cannot create a market for your product. Without this market, there would be no demand for your product and therefore, no international trade. A company should communicate with affiliates in other countries, get information from them and get to know their clients. One should be very careful not to offend potential customers and thereby stopping the deal even before it could realise. The absence of communication in marketing had previously led to many business deals gone wrong and it is important to get to know the culture of prospecting clients before trying to sell something to them.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

What Just Happened? :: Essays Papers

What Just Happened? Literature is black text on white paper, however it is not simply black and white, but rather complexly colorful. It serves as a medium for escape and adventure. Readers have the privilege of omniscience into the lives of characters who are the antithesis of themselves, as well as character's whom the reader feels a deep connection with. Because it is not black and white, there is no single correct interpretation of a given work. A piece of literature lives a different life in the mind of each reader. This open individual interpretation is the critical method known as reader response. Reaction to the short story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, by Ambrose Bierce, is varied. Bierce takes on the role of God in the creation of the character, and his control of the ultimate outcome. Authors create an alternative universe. They have control over what happens in that universe, and how it will affect its inhabitants. They can manipulate it as they please. They can also destroy, as Bierce did to Peyton Farquhar. No matter how much the reader wanted Peyton to escape, it is Beirce's final ruling of death that we must deal with. The surprise ending thrills some, while upsetting others. In this sense, the author has some control over the readers reaction, and their consciousness. The reading resembles the experie nce of life itself, in that there are many twists and turn within our lives much like those in the story, that we have no control over, and often the outcomes are ultimately upsetting. It is a deeply psychological work, revealing the mental struggles of the main character, Peyton Farquhar, as well as having an affect on the psychology of the reader. The reader becomes engulfed in Peyton's escape, experiencing each obstacle and hardship with him, wishing him to safety. Bierce uses a very dreamlike structure to reveal Farquhar's psychologically suppressed ambitions: "Obviously, he was from a structure background, born into an ordered world where formalities counted much among the gentry... Truly, Farquhar found himself inhibited by social and historical strictures, and so ‘longed for the release of his energies'" (Powers p.279) . This inner struggle is a very Freudian concept. Freud held that there is a constant tension between man and his surroundings.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Mechanisms and Processes of the Internet :: Computers Technology Web Essays

Mechanisms and Processes of the Internet Electronic commerce can be defined as the conduct of commerce in goods and services, with the assistance of telecommunications and telecommunications-based tools. Here, the term telecommunications can mean any existing telecommunication networks such as Public Switched Telephone Network, Integrated Services Digital Network, or even Wireless Networks. However the major and the most important telecommunication network of E-commerce is the Internet. The great possibility and potential of E-commerce has been realized with the development of the Internet. Therefore understanding how the Internet works is quite important to better understand E-commerce and to develop E-commerce applications. In this paper I will discuss the mechanisms and process of the Internet. The structure of the paper is as follows:  · The Basic Process  · Mechanisms of the Internet  · IP address and Name Servers  · Ports and Protocols II. The Basic Process When we surf the web, we type any URL in to our browser, and the desired page pop up on our screen. At the most basic level possible, the following diagram shows what happened: Our browser formed a connection to a web server, requested a page and received it. Here are the basic steps that occurred behind the scenes:  · The browser broke the URL into 3 parts: 1) The protocol ("http"), 2) the server name ("www.howstuffworks.com"), and 3) the file name ("web-server.htm").  · The browser communicated with a name server to translate the server name "www.howstuffworks.com" into an IP Address that it can use to connect to the server machine.  · The browser then formed a connection to the server at that IP address on port 80.  · Following the HTTP protocol, the browser sent a GET request to the server asking for the file "web-server.htm".  · The server returned the HTML text for the web page to the browser. The browser read the HTML tags and formatted the page onto your screen. III. Mechanisms of the Internet 1. Mechanisms The Internet is a gigantic collection of millions of computers that are all linked together on a computer network.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Luciano and The XTERMINATOR Crew :: Essays Papers

Luciano and The XTERMINATOR Crew The XTERMINATOR label came to be in 1987 when Vena Recordings changed it's name to Kings & Lions. This name remained for a few years in the middle of the 1980's and then was changed again to Exterminator. In time Exterminator records dropped the"E"from the title to leave the present day label, XTERMINATOR. Phillip"Fattis"Burrell is the producer of XTERMINATOR records and is responsible for the success the label has seen thus far. All musicians that have worked with"Fattis"have spoken very highly of him and his dedication to the production of reggae music."The seriousness and zeal that à «Fattis' has is so compatible to mine that we pull in tandem like a sculling boat team,"said Luciano after working with"Fatis"on his hit song"It's Me Again Jah". The"XTERMINATOR Family"consists of Luciano, Mikey General, Sizzla, Dean Fraser, and the Firehouse Family (which consists of ex-Third World guitarist, Steven"Cat"Coore, multi-instrumentalist Donald"Danny"Dennis, keyboardist Robbie Lyn and master drummer Sly Dunbar). This"family"tours together, with Luciano as the headliner and Mikey General and Sizzla opening the show. Dean Fraser plays the saxophone (the third best in the world as of last year) and sings back up vocals. While the Firehouse crew provides the backing for the vocals. It is not hard to see why the XTERMINATOR label has been so successful in the last few years. Since the early 1990's the XTERMINATOR label has been recruiting new talent for their label with fire and compassion."Fattis"is not afraid to work with young artists who show raw talent and potential. This is the primary reason that he and the XTERMINATOR label have seen such a jump in popularity and profits in the early to mid 1990's. Also with Dean Fraser as the Musical Director of XTERMINATOR Records a small load was lifted off"Fattis's"shoulders. (1. Barrow, Steve) Jepther McClymont (Luciano) born December 20, 1964 was raised in Davey Town in the parish of Manchester, Jamaica. His father being musically inclined had built his own guitar and used to play it frequently. Jepther took a liking to his father's guitar and began to learn how to play the instrument. His father left his mother and his eight other siblings to fend for themselves when he was a mere eleven years of age. Jepther's first public singing came in a local church quire at quite a young age. His mother had no trade to earn them money, but they survived as best they could.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Henderson the Rain King: Formalist Criticism

NAME: JEREMIAH FOONG KANG YI MATRIX NUM. : D20111047679 FACULTY: LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAM: TESL PROGRAM CODE: AT 06 SEMESTER: 3 SESSION: 2012/2013 COURSE: LITERARY CRITICISM COURSE CODE: BIS 3023 GROUP : B ASSIGNMENT: CRITICAL ANALYSIS ON HENDERSON THE RAIN KING LECTURER: MR. SEVA BALA SUNDARAM A/L A. M MARIAPPAN For this novel, I will be critically analyzing it using two theories, namely the â€Å"Formalist Criticism† (which is also known as â€Å"New Criticism†) and â€Å"Reader-Response Criticism†.The reason I choose both these criticism theories are because I personally opine that these two theories can realistically reflect our views on the literature read as readers. By the Formalist Criticism approach, I will firstly provide a plot summary of â€Å"Henderson the Rain King†. â€Å"Henderson the Rain King† was written by Saul Bellow in the year 1959. In this novel, Saul Bellow names his main character, or also known as â€Å"the prot agonist†, Eugene Henderson. Eugene Henderson is depicted, in this novel, as a troubled, middle-aged man. He is physically attributed with a large body frame, a bumbling loud voice, and ossesses great physical strength. Contradictory to his struggling life, his family background is one which is rather wealthy. Eugene’s father was a famous author and he left him three million dollars when he passed. He is not at all amazed neither pleased with the life he has been living all the while and plans to heed his inner voice and go out to search for a better life, which he believes, lies in Africa. Before leaving for Africa though, he tried numerous ways to satisfy his weird calls by playing the violin, drinking, and shouting at his wife.He carried on with his plan to Africa with his friend Charlie Albert and his wife. He however set off to travel on his own upon finding a pampered travelling style Charlie practices. Eugene meets the Arnewi tribe and tries to help to settle thei r drinking problem which was caused by a frog infestation at the bottom of their drinking well. Eugene failed to help when he blasted the frogs together with the well. It only made the situation worse. Eugene went on to meet the Wariri tribe with Romilayu and becomes the Sungo, or â€Å"rain king†, when he lifts a heavy idol during the rain ceremony.Later on, the elders sent Dahfu to find a lion which is supposed to be the reincarnation of Dahfu’s late father. As he fails and is killed, Eugene is supposed to be crowned the King as he is the Rain King, the next King in line. Eugene does not desire to be king, and flees from Africa back to his own home. Eugene finds that it is only through love that he had gained all these while when he reflects on his relationship with Smolak the bear in Ontario and his relationship with the orphan boy on the plane back to the United States. The novel consists of twenty-two chapters of roughly equal length.Throughout the novel, flashbac ks are used as a major element of. In the early stages of the novel, more precisely, in the first three chapters of the novel, Henderson’s reminiscence about his motives for departing for Africa. The setting in this novel is considerably uniform, however, throughout the entirety of the story, settings such as Europe, Connecticut, and New York are scattered randomly around. It is noticeable that the subsequent chapters are set in Africa, where most of the plot of the story develops. Through flashbacks, Eugene revisits his place of origin and time periods from his earlier life.Literary tools such as foreshadowing and cliffhangers are used to keep the reader flipping through the pages eagerly for more. Generally, throughout the most major parts of the story, the setting is held in Africa, in the mid-1950s. Scenes from Connecticut, New York City, and Europe during the Second World War are intermittent when Henderson’s rambling narratives take place. Actions which take plac e in Africa are mostly held in the Arnewi and Wariri tribes. The African plains show up once in a while when Henderson and Romilayu wander through the African desert. However, a major part of the story takes place in the Wariri tribe.At the denouement of the story, Newfoundland is also included in the setting of the story, where Henderson touches down from the plane. Physical settings aside, symbolical spiritual settings are also widely included in the novel. A touch of pre-human quality in the landscape and a tinge of childhood memories Henderson had is depicted through the beautiful slight pink in the sky and the sharpness of the rocks surrounding the Wariri village, respectively. Also, after deplaning from Newfoundland, Henderson is said to be walking on ice. This icy-setting shows that Henderson has clearly made his escape from Africa and has started his life anew.Henderson’s word choice in the narration of the novel is of great interest to the readers as he makes referen ce to the Bible regardless of how informal and colloquial his style is. However informal his style is, though, historical events and psychological theories are explained in a rather offhand albeit knowledgeable method. The colourful description of his narration is made up of detailed explanations made possible through visuals and audio. The inability of Henderson speaking in the native African language makes it complicated as Romilayu and Dahfu are required to translate for him directions and advices made on the barren land of Africa.The appearance of African words such as â€Å"grun-tu-molani† appeal to our minds and memories strongly and further enhances the elaboration of the African culture. For this novel, the third person point of view is used. In this case, the third person’s point of view is the point of view of Eugene Henderson. A conversational and more intimate approach is applied in the narration in the story. Examples which show this are â€Å"As you can see for yourselves, these are all impossible answers (HRK 133)† and â€Å"I’ll tell you why (HRK 7)†.The entirety of this novel is told as if Henderson reminisces about his journey to Africa, and also the will and events which led up to his decision to go to Africa. Dialogues are noticeable in some parts of the novel, but the essence and the message of the story is generally brought to the readers by Henderson’s descriptions and inner monologue. The characters who appeared in â€Å"Henderson the Rain King† are as follows. The main character in the story is Eugene Henderson. Even when Henderson is the main character in the story, he is the anti-hero of the novel. Character-wise, he is a bumbling man, always angry and is confused.His physical attributes are big, shocking appearance, and possesses great strength. Henderson’s father leaves behind 3 million dollars. Henderson had married twice and has five children. He was stubborn and pushed on f or combat duty even when he was declared to be too old for it. He got injured by a land mine during the Second World War and received the Purple Heart upon his return. Henderson owns a pig farm but deep down inside, he ambitions to be a doctor. Henderson is constantly plagued by a voice that says â€Å"I want†. He tries various activities and hobbies which he hopes are able of relieving his unknown desire.He tries playing the violin, drinking, and even shouting at his wife. When none of these methods seem to make any effect on satisfying his weird and unknown desire, he goes on to visit Africa with Charlie Albert and his wife. He was fifty five. Upon realizing Charlie’s travelling style which he thinks is too contemporary and boring, Henderson leaves with Romilayu to visit the Arnewi tribe. He attempted to solve the Arnewi tribe’s difficulty which was the infestation of frogs in their drinking well by bombing the frogs. Instead, he bombed and wrecked the whole d rinking well.Regretful and sad, Henderson left for the Wariri tribe with Romilayu. Most of the plot of the story develops from here. Henderson is crowned Sungo, the Rain King, after being able to lift a heavy idol during a rain ceremony in the Wariri tribe. Henderson was supposed to be the King’s successor after Dahfu’s passing. However, Henderson did not want to be King and escaped from Africa to live a complete new life back in the United States. Frances Henderson is Henderson’s first wife. Frances is, as described by Henderson, tall, handsome, elegant, and sinewy. Frances was married to Henderson just to please Henderson’s father.Henderson once told Frances of his dreams of becoming a doctor. His ambitious dreams was revoked and laughed at by Frances. Lily Simmons Henderson is Henderson’s second wife. She is known throughout the story as only â€Å"Lily†. She has a sweet face, fair, and large. Lily is not prone to scolding. Instead, she m oralizes. Lily had married twice before she got married to Henderson. She had previously married a man from Baltimore and an abusive broker from New Jersey who is named Hazard. In the story, Henderson describes Lily as one who is not very clean, a liar, and a con-artist.Edward Henderson is Henderson and Frances’ eldest son. Edward can be considered as Henderson’s pride as Edward is clean-cut and smart. Edward drives around in a shiny sports car. Henderson always believed that Edward would not get a lover. One day, Edward brings home a girl from Honduras and proclaimed to Henderson that he loves her. However, Henderson chose not to believe it. Ricey Henderson is Henderson and Frances’ eldest daughter. She is pretty. Ricey takes a child from the backseat of a car one Christmas and is eventually expelled from boarding school. Alice Henderson is Henderson’s youngest daughter with Frances.The twins are Henderson’s two children by Frances. Charlie Albert is to Eugene Henderson, a childhood friend. They both attended dancing classes together in the year 1915. Charlie is a year younger than Henderson and also a bit richer than him. Charlie was once a cameraman in the army. Henderson was Charlie’s best man at his wedding. Charlie’s wife resented Henderson because Charlie forgot to kiss his wife at the wedding. Henderson joined Charlie and his wife’s honeymoon trip to Africa in the first part. Dick Henderson is Eugene Henderson’s older brother. Dick dies in a rather tragic and ridiculous way.He was shooting a broken fountain pen with his pistol and got engaged in a chase by the police. He crashed his car in an embankment during the chase and jumps into the river. Dick’s cavalry boots got filled with water when he jumped into the river and Dick drowned. Dick was considered by Eugene as the â€Å"sanest of us†. Klaus Spohr is the artist who paint’s Lily’s portrait. There was once wh en Klaus and Lily observed Henderson kiss Clara, Klaus’ wife, passionately. Doctor Spohr is the cousin of Klaus Spohr. He is the dentist who replaces Henderson’s bridgework.Romilayu is Henderson’s guide and translator in Africa. Romilayu tells Henderson that he is in his late thirties. However, he looks wrinkly and much older. Currently Christian, he shows signs of tribal living in his past as he has tribal scars on both his cheeks and ears. He is a patient companion to Henderson. The Arnewi Tribe are the fist tribe Henderson visits in Africa. They are loving and warmly welcomed Henderson’s visit. They were suffering from a drought and their cattle are dying. They are ruled by Willatale. Iteloo is a prince of the Arnewi tribe. He learned English in Beirut with Dahfu.He loses to Henderson in a wrestling match even when he equalizes him physically. Willatale is Itelo’s aunt and the queen of Arnewi. She is a Bittah, which means she is the most revered in the tribe and has husbands as well as wives. She has cataract in one eye and wears a lion skin as a robe. Henderson describes her as a happy woman, stable, and good natured. Mtalba is the queen’s sister and also is a Bittah woman. She is beautiful and pampered looking with indigo hair but is obese. She proposes to Henderson in their traditional way but rejects him when he blows up their well.The Wariri tribe is the second visited tribe by Henderson in Africa. Henderson becomes the Rain King of the Wariri and a close friend to their King, Dahfu. Dahfu is the kin fog the Wariri tribe. Dahfu studied in a medical school but had to return to his dying father in the Wariri tribe. Dahfu impresses Henderson with his charm and philosophy. King Dahfu keeps a lion named Atti and trains him. He dies while trying to capture his father-lion Gmilo. Horko is the uncle of King Dahfu and the man sent to meet Henderson on the day of the rain festival.Horko speaks some English and French bec ause he traveled with Dahfu when he studied abroad. The Bunam is the head priest of the Wariri tribe. The Bunam believes that Henderson can lift the idol during the rain ceremony. Henderson believes that the Bunam communicated to him to encourage him to lift the idol without needing to talk to him. Turombo is the strong Wariri man who lifted Hummat at the rain ceremony. He was misunderstood as one who is shadowed by his past as he did not lift Mummah. It is learned later on in the story that Turombo did not want to lift Mummah because he understands the danger in being a rain king.Queen Yasra is Dahfu’s mother and also the widow of Gmilo. She believes the words of the Bunam who said that Atti represents power of an evil sorceress. Therefore, she begs Henderson to make Dahfu get rid of Atti. The executioner is assistant to the Bunam in the Wariri tribe. He has a narrow face and leathery appearance. He was dressed in white on the day of the lion hunt and guards King Dahfuâ€⠄¢s corpse after he passed. Gmilo is Dahfu’s father and the former king of the Wariri tribe. Another approach to analysing this novel will be the â€Å"Reader-Response Criticism†.The â€Å"Reader-Response Criticism† is based on what the reader feels and perceives about the story after reading the piece of literature. As a reader, I was quite fazed and taken aback when I read the beginning of this story. I was shocked at how unsettled Henderson was even when his father had left behind him such a large amount of money. I think Henderson’s pursuit of happiness and the meaning for life is strong and objective. Henderson is to me a steadfast person and does not get swayed easily by external factors. What makes me feel pitiful towards Henderson is when he was trying to help the Arnewi tribe out by killing the frogs.His intention started out as a good one but ended as an act which displeased the Arnewi tribe. It was lucky for him that Itelo did not kill him afte r such an act because Itelo is his friend. There is a point in the story which I do not agree with the narrator himself. He had seen such bitterness in the Wariri tribe since the first day he got there. He did not have any good moments to savour. The only acceptable moments are when King Dahfu shared with him some philosophy and ways of life. This interests Henderson and us, the readers, but other than that, all the other happenings are bitter.Therefore, it is quite illogical that Henderson did not choose to escape in the earlier part of his visit to the Wariri tribe. However, this is only my view and opinion. Generally, this novel has raised my awareness in issues such as the pursuit of meaning in life and the pursuit of happiness. At the end of the story, Henderson realizes that what he has been going after all this while is love. This is a story worth reading and telling as it bends the human mind into different concaves of perception to what is worth going after, what is worth o ur pursuit, and what is worth holding on to.Bibliography 1) Henderson the Rain King by Saul Bellow. (2000). Retrieved from http://www. bookrags. com/studyguide-henderson-the-rain-king/ 2) Bellow, S. (1976). Henderson the rain king. NY: Penguin Books. 3) Dobie, A. B. (2011). Theory into practice: An introduction to literary criticism. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. 4) 50 Plus One Great Books You Should Have Read: And Probably Didn't. Retrieved from http://books. google. com. my/books? id=HPDqaTLKOEEC;pg=PA194;lpg=PA193;dq=%22Henderson+the+Rain+King%22;as_brr=3;ie=ISO-8859-1;output=html;redir_esc=y