Chinese Masks Essay

Chinese masks first appeared in China some 3,500 years ago primarily used for Chinese shamanism. Chinese masks became an age old cultural phenomenon shared by all ethnic groups in China. The Chinese developed such masks to overcome disasters and to protect their lives. These masks were given many functions like, communicating with the gods, bringing blessings, driving away ghosts, warding off diseases, and lots of sacrificial rituals involving masks were regularly held. Many traditional ceremonies held in China involved the use of masks, for example masks are worn during elaborate Chinese New Year celebrations. In addition masks were used for other festive occasions like, religious ceremonies, the birth of children, keeping one’s home safe, and masks for theatrical performances as well. Some of the most popular masks like the Dragon mask represent good fortune and prosperity. This mask is an important part of Chinese heritage and no Chinese New Years celebration is without it. Another type of mask in the Chinese culture is the modern Chinese Opera mask which are either painted on or worn as a thin cloth mask. The tradition of facial make up started from totems created centuries ago. Chinese mask are made of numerous materials like stones and metals, leather and cloth, wood and clay, ceramics and glass, paper and grass, . Then they are painted with many different color themes and designs. The masks were either worn or displayed. Some masks may represent animal or human characteristics like the lion or dragon. Red is also a very popular color and seen in many celebrations. Even in modern day Chinese cultural and around the world many people use Chinese masks because they portray a high cultural and artistic value. They are used today in Operas to depict the personality of the character, and also used as decoration. Their beauty is highly regarding with incredible detail, and colorful designs. I chose Chinese masks because of my interest in the Asian culture along with the fact that they are beautiful to look at, and the thought of actually making one is very exciting. Bibliography Patricia Buckley Ebrey. The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. Cambridge Illustrated Histories: Cambridge University Press, 1999.

Fast Food Nation Essay

Fast Food Nation, by Eric Schlosser, is a stark and unrelenting look into the fast food industry that has ingrained itself in not only American culture, but in culture around the world. There is almost no place on earth that the golden arches has not entered. Aside from Antarctica, there is a McDonalds on every continent, and the number of countries that have fast food restaurants is growing on a daily basis. Schlosser describes in detail what happens behind the scenes, before the hamburger and fries come wrapped in environmentally safe paper and are consumed by millions of people daily. There are several stories that stick out in my mind. First is the one about a rancher in Colorado. He had resisted the idea of squeezing as many cows in an enclosed area as possible. Instead, he rotates where the cattle eat, what kinds of grasses they eat, and how often they eat it. His ranch was what cattle raising should be. This is in contrast to how a majority of cattle are raised today. They stand in paddocks their whole life where they hardly have the ability to move, and they are fed things that cows aren’t designed to eat ?corn, wheat, chicken parts, and even the leftovers of already slaughtered cattle. Then they are lead up a gangway, into a building where they are first shocked, then hung up by their hooves and have their necks slit, one after another. It harkens back to The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. After one hundred years, the conditions at the meat packing plants have not improved much. It is still the most dangerous job in America. Almost everyone who works there are injured at one point, be it from mechanical smashers or knives that had come too close to their arm. Hundreds of thousands of cattle are slaughtered every day, and that is to keep up with the demand from places like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s. It saddened me to read later that the Colorado rancher committed suicide because he could no longer compete with the large cattle-growers and he was going to lose his livelihood. Another thing that stood out was they way these fast food places treat their workers. Their policy of automation has created a whole group of people that do not have to think to do their job. These people ? usually teenagers ? are paid minimum wage to push buttons and do all of the jobs that used to be done by hand. It gains government subsides for training people with no job skills, such as the poor, young, or disabled. The ironic thing is that they have admitted that they don’t want to have to train people. They want the job to be as easy and training-free as possible, due to their want for uniformity. Uniformity seems to be the way of things at McDonald’s ? uniformity and conformity. If you cannot conform to the mold of a McDonald’s worker, they will simply find people who will, and they don’t have to train them all over again, because the job only requires that you know how to push a button or respond to a light or a beep. The last thing that stands out is the amount of contamination that can occur because of the way these animals are slaughtered. One hamburger from Burger King can contain meat from a thousand different cows. If only one of those cows were sick, then the person eating it can get sick. Then you multiply by how many packages of meat or hamburger was processed that could possibly have that one sick animal in it, you have an epidemic. One sick animal can contaminate ? and cause the recall of ? over 400,000 pounds of meat. That’s a lot of meat to have to bring back, and there are countless people who may have already eaten it and gotten sick, or, like the 6-year-old in the book, died. All of these things ? and the whole book in general ? has turned me off of fast food forever I think. I’ll never look at McDonald’s in the same way again. The food is full of grease, fat, and bacteria that could kill. The food also has hundreds of chemicals in it to make it taste the way it should, rather than the way it does. Seems to me that if their food tasted the way it should in the first place, they wouldn’t need chemicals to do the job. The employment practices of the fast food chains also leave a lot to be desired. They are a great part of the reason that people need more than one job to survive. Because they have so many minimum wage jobs ? even managers only make about $10 to $15 an hour. That had become a norm in the US, where people don’t even make a livable wage. There were a few things I didn’t like about either the book or Schlosser himself. First, he was very liberal, and it showed throughout the book. He practically blamed both Bush administrations for every problem laid out in the book, then praised Clinton and his administration to try and stem the tide of the fast food giants. Then there was Schlosser himself. During his speaking engagement at the college, the first thing he said was that he wasn’t going to try to tell anyone not to eat fast food or go to McDonalds’s or Taco Bell or any other fast food restaurant. He then spent an hour trying to do just that. He said that people spend more time looking into buying a house than deciding what goes into our bodies. My first reaction was â€Å"Of course we do! A house costs tens of thousands of dollars, and a burger costs 99 cents. † I know what he meant by it, saying that the burger will be with us for the rest of our lives and will affect our health in both the short and long run, but it’s not seen that way. If we have high cholesterol, we cal take a pill. High blood pressure? There’s a pill for that, too. There are even pills to help people lose weight. The mentality is that we can eat what we want, and there will be a way to reverse it. The bottom line is that I enjoyed the book and I did learn from it. I’m never eating at one of those places again, and not just because the food is terrible. I refuse to support their employment and food acquisition practices. I’m only sorry that it took me 26 years to get to this stage. Hopefully my children won’t support them either.

Astrology Really Works Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Astrology Really Works - Essay Example This correlation does not provide any prove of causality, but for most astrologers, the information available is good enough. Astrology has several things that it is able to perform better than just random guessing. Astrology’s case is that it is amid the many enduring beliefs held as true by human. It joins us with the universe and the entirety of things, offers a fundamental way of describing ourselves and, it applies a variety of techniques (Dean). Practically an affectionate and compassionate astrologer offers a low priced and non threatening treatment that is otherwise difficult to obtain. The astrologer offers emotional condolence, spiritual back up, and entertaining agenda to arouse self-evaluation. New ideas always emerge which could elicit spiritual cognisance. In an inhumane society, an astrologer gives individualized support at particularly low costs, which cannot be offered by any other practitioner, or by random guessing. There exists logical support for the claim that astrology works better than random guessing. This can be better explained by the Magi breakthrough which is comprised of tossing out all the data of birth apart from the date as well as tossing out every chart factor apart from the interplanetary aspects, analogs and contra-analog (Dean). An analog or contra-analog exists when two planets possess similar or opposite declination. Astrologers who advocate that birth moments are essential and that just the entire chart can be used may be compromised. Declination happens to be the new dimension, although it has been applied by several astrologers. The justifications available for this enormous leap are informative. Birth times cannot be used since even the birth certificates with the exact time tend to be wrong. Declinations are the ones which can be used since it is not possible to interpret fully birth charts in their absence. Astrology critics can weaken the claim that it certainly produces dependable information. The critics c laim that astrology is untrue (Dean). They claim that it has not added to human cognition and that it claims the reputation of science but does not employ the scientific methods. They criticize that it has been unsuccessful in many tests, that it does not offer benefits above those generated by factors that are non-astrological and that users usually disagree on fundamentals like those used by zodiac. It is clear through several evidences that astrology is quite accurate in ascertaining an individual’s personality and in overseeing his or her experiences to a given standard. This level of accuracy, however, is determined by the experience of the astrologer involved. There exist theories that provide prove that astrology works. These theories include the solar wind, the cosmic pattern and the spiritual theories that are based on Karma. It is necessary to note that these theories do not collide with each other and instead they are only separate interpretations on the way astrol ogy works. The solar wind is an energy particles stream from the sun’s corona. Those events that occur in the sun do affect the earth, because we are in the earth’s magnetic field.  

The challenges of delivering a holistic approach to rehabilitating Essay - 1

The challenges of delivering a holistic approach to rehabilitating motor skills following a frontal lobe injury - Essay Example It will first discuss the impact and pathophysiological elements relating to frontal lobe injuries. Secondly, the rehabilitative process will be presented, followed by a discussion on the challenges faced in frontal lobe problems. Finally, this essay will conclude with possible recommendations for better rehabilitative processes for affected patients. The frontal lobe of the brain generally represents a large mass and area (Lux, 2007). It comprises the cerebral system of the brain, which mostly provides a structure for goal-directed activities and behaviour (Badre and D’Esposito, 2009). It is often considered as the part of the brain which manages decision-making and which determines the impact of various actions. As it is found at the anterior part of the brain, it is also vulnerable to various injuries and trauma. After an individual’s frontal lobe is injured, one’s decision making processes may be compromised (Kim, et.al., 2009). Damage to the frontal lobe can also lead to irritability, often manifesting as a change in the mood or the failure to balance or regulate behaviour (Lux, 2007). Injury to the frontal lobe can also cause problems in executive functioning, including anticipation, planning, goal selection, initiation, sequencing, and self-correction (Lezak, 1989). In the case of railroad worker Phine as Gage, his left frontal lobe was injured by a large iron rod and through such injury, he manifested animal propensities; he was irreverent and indulging at times; and he was also impatient and obstinate (MacMillan and Lena, 2010). These qualities were very much in contrast to his personality before he suffered the injury. Patients suffering from damaged frontal lobes often indicate memory loss, with some losses being greater than others (Kane and Engle, 2002). The working memory seems to be affected the most in these injuries with the person’s ability to maintain attention or manage goals being affected

Leadership Issues in the Digital Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Leadership Issues in the Digital Economy - Essay Example The Digital Economy strategy focus on providing the capability to timely adoption and development of information technologies by governments, societies and businesses, and aims at the transformational impact that such technology can cause. Digital Economy strategy will combines the underlying technologies, with all other aspects needed to bring transformation. Digital economy touches on a variety of issues, encompassing general concerns like who pays for the strategy, who directs the it, as well as the valued of estimating openness as a basic principle. Digital economy also touches on concerns such as infrastructure (digital television transition, broadband networks, foreign investment and net neutrality), ability to innovate (Privacy Act, spam, lawful access, security breach disclosure), and digital content (open data, copyright reform, domain names, digitization, open access). The discussion will identify some areas of concern such as digital technologies, digital skills establishi ng a digital infrastructure, digital content and developing the ICT industry. The paper will focus on the various general issues that are significantly vital to a successful and strong digital economy strategy. Leadership is the basic requirement for any digital economy. Any country needs digital leaders, such as a Chief Technology Officer as well as the cabinet-level attention on the issue. Manufacturing, automotive, foreign investment, telecoms, competition, Statistics, consumer affairs, scientific research intellectual property and many other related issues all fall under this category. With wide scope of such digital issues, nations require a point of leadership, which has the capacity; enhance the strategy at the national level. In many countries, the trading partners have established ministerial positions with responsibility for certain digital issues. For instance, Australia has a Minister for industry, innovation, research and science, and a Minister for the digital economy, communication and broadband. The digital economy refers to a global network of economic and social undertakings that are permitted by media like the internet, mobile and sensor networks. The idea of a digital economy arose in the last decade of the 20th century. In this new economy, digital networking and communication infrastructures give a worldwide platform on which people and groups come up with strategies, interact, communicate, collaborate and search for data. For instance, a large group of digitized products such as databases, magazines, news and data, books, among others are offered over the digital setup anytime, anywhere in the universe. With increasing population and resource deployment, digital economy is not restricted to business transactions and services alone but, it also every part of life starting from health to education as well as from business to banking. The e-Government is taking its role in the digital economy by offering e-services in the different ministri es to its e-Citizens. The emergence of mobile technology has been intense. Mobile devices such as the smart phones, tablets, readers and other appliances have been more fruitful and transformed faster than many individuals anticipated. Cloud computing has continually expanded. This autonomous but related occurrence will possibly become a prominent and permanent ingredient of the digital landscape. Although there have been pressure and challenges in the recent days, they are a compulsory section of the development agenda that will

Ancient Greek Sculpture and the American Cinema Essay

Ancient Greek Sculpture and the American Cinema - Essay Example Sculptures of the Archaic Greek period are characterized by one form in particular: the standing male nude. The artistic style employed by sculptors during that time was heavily influenced by Egyptian sculpture (Richter 2); one can see immediately the similarities in the execution between Egyptian sculptures deities and statues like the Kouros (600 BC, 3 meters high). These sculptures predominantly portrayed athletic male subjects who were very structured in their appearance. Limbs were in pleasing proportion to the entire body, the bust was dealt with similarly and the entire piece might have served as something of an anatomy lesson. Archaic sculpture would be to Classical sculpture what the drawings of an elementary student are to that of a learned sketch artist. The figures lacked life; the stiff effect of the chisels and stone abrasives of the Archaic Greek sculptor meant that aside from quite accurately depicting the human form, statues like the Aristodikos (500 BC, 1.95 meters) could not inspire the mind of the viewer like the next artistic period (Goette 116). What the Classical Greek period of sculpture brought to the world was a celebration of how the body actually functioned; the Classical period brought movement. American cinema has followed a similar path since its inception in the early 20th century. The first films produced in the United States took one of two actions: recreating historical events or recreating classic literature on screen (Slide 151). The very first American movie was Richard III (1912), a remake of Shakespeare's 16th century classic. Three years later saw the release of The Birth of a Nation, a highly controversial film that depicted the events and atmosphere of a divided nation before and during the American Civil War from the perspective of the Ku Klux Klan and its followers. Like Archaic Greek sculpture, it was not the subject of these early films that was lacking, it was the execution. Actors were reminiscent of the Kouros in their rigidity and although the plot and stories of early American films were often of excellent quality, there were few attempts at subplot or undertone; very little existed in these films and many movies of the following decades that was not superficial (Finn 191). The Classical period of Greek sculpture saw the creation of works like the Youth of Anticythera (340 BC, 1.94 meters), crafted in bronze and succeeding in the portrayal of something that its predecessors had failed in: motion (Lullies et all 87). Instead of creation statues that stood straight and perfectly balanced on straight legs and flat feet with arms straight down both sides, Classical sculptors experimented with the movement of the limbs and the portrayal of the human body in more natural positions. In this way human sculpture became more geared towards the expression of beauty and of an essential aesthetic within each work of art. Curves, muscle definition and even subtle body language could be portrayed in this style where before statues were really no more than human figures carved out of stone. Classical Greek sculptures captured the human spirit within their work. American film changed in much the same way, albeit over a much shorter time period. Instead of merely producing historical

Mark Pinsky religious comparing to the movie Finding Nemo Essay

Mark Pinsky religious comparing to the movie Finding Nemo - Essay Example n of the world of Walt Disney in order to assess the ways in which the philosophies have formed a value system and informed culture, through children, on how to values into human experience. However, in the postmodern world some of the concepts that originated the Disney belief system have been challenged as prejudices and stereotypes are being broken and a new system of acceptance through intellectual assessment of the gray areas has begun to emerge. Through an examination of the film Finding Nemo, the theories that Pinsky has presented can be assessed and understood, while addressed through the postmodern cultural constructs that are challenging the good and evil paradigm. The history of Walt Disney is constructed from myth, the propagation of which is intended to extend the brand in order to build the business end of his career. Despite the incredible talent with which Disney created his world, he also had the business sense to understand that through image, his world could become an empire. Therefore, it is the myth of the man that is as important as the fantasies of the stories. The myths even extend to a ‘resurrection’ myth as there is a belief that he has been cryogenically preserved for the day when he will be revived by future advances in science. An analytical take on the nature of religion can be seen through a dual purpose structure in which belief and power are achieved by spreading philosophy in order to perpetuate the status of a leader. Power has come from the economic success of the company, the branding successful to the point of the construction of a socially mythic set of icons that promote consumption. Belief, through the Disney experience can be appreciated through two different sets of concepts. The first can be observed in the belief that is seen through the eyes of small children as they watch the magic of Disney animation, their trust in the sweetness, villainies, and triumphs of the characters building a sympathetic resonance that

Home Automation Provide For The Aged Outline Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Home Automation Provide For The Aged - Outline Example This helps in alerting the wardens of unfortunate occurrences such as when the elderly people fall down in the absence of any warden. The wardens are expected to respond to the buzzing sound with immediate effect. These technologies have been clearly effective and helpful in making the lives of elderly people living in care homes aresafer and more interesting. Internet allows the elderly to connect with the outside world. Through such a technology, they can be able to get some enlightenment on what is going on past the walls. They can also be able to keep up with their passions; the things they used to love while still younger. With the buzzers, it is clearly evident that they can be helpful in making sure that there are no preventable deaths or accidents taking place in these homes. The wardens cannot be able to personally attend to all the elderly people in the care home round the clock (Meduse, Governance, Health And Medicine 2008, p. 121). This is even emphasized by the fact that some of the elderly people will also love to enjoy their own privacy at some time. This technology enables wardens to be there when they are needed. There are a number of diet problems that are common with the elderly. At the late stage of the lives of human beings, their bodies tend to need more of nutrients such as: Calcium and vitamin D for bone health; fibre to stay regular; healthy fats to lower chances of heart disease, potassium for blood pressure and to avoid fatigue and depression; and vitamin b12 for energy and brain function. For the elderly people weight is always a very big determinant of their diet. They should be neither overweight nor underweight. Due to low rates of metabolism and lack of physical activities older people are at the risk of being obese. In the other hand some of them might suffer from lack of appetite thus limiting the amount of food they consume. Some elderly

Networking in Business Organizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Networking in Business Organizations - Essay Example A leader must be fully equipped with social networking skills in order to gain further information and a proper reference list of who to go to with what problem (Alt & Flesch, pg. 395-401, 2001). The article’s main purpose is to educate leaders and future managers about the benefits of networking and how to become accustomed with the process. It aims to facilitate and inspire leaders by informing them of the peaks of success that they can accomplish with networking skills and the consequences suffered by a lack of them. The article clearly explains the importance of networking by illustrating a few examples from real life leadership situations in which leaders have lost out on promotions or the ability to stop an acquisition or merger because they did not take out enough time for networking or socialization. The article states that many leaders find networking as a useless or unethical activity. They believe it to be an activity of using acquaintances for your own advantage or â€Å"taking favors from strangers†. Hence, such leaders do not find it worthwhile or feasible to engage in networking activities. Discussion The article describes the three forms of networking which include personal networking, operational networking, and strategic networking. ... articular emphasis upon the skills required to properly network, but also gives a few tips through illustrative stories of real- life executives and how they overcame their lack of social skills (Ibarra & Hunter, 2007). Hence, it provides a solution to the problem instead of just stating the problem. Moreover, it shows us how bookish knowledge and technical expertise are not the only sources of information for a business executive and how important who-you-know is compared to what-you-know (Balkundi & Kindoff, pg 400, 2006). While the article gives sound information upon the acquisition of social skills and the importance of acquiring them, it does not mention how to use these skills and when it is not appropriate to use them. Networking should be used up to a certain extent; however, it does carry some ethical implications with it (Novak, pp. 29-33, 2008). These ethical considerations must be taken into analysis when using personal networks to your advantage in a business organizati on. Moreover, the article is well-organized but does not have a proper sequence to enhance the understanding of the reader. The information in it is repetitive to some extent and lays too much emphasis upon the value of networking opposed to knowledge and intelligence (Bartol & Zhang, pg 389, 2007). However, it does provide insight into an unexplored realm of leadership which may not have been considered just as important previously. It lays emphasis upon the acquisition of skills which were considered irrelevant or time-consuming without much benefit. The article uses simple language and is quite informative in its respect to what a leader should have. Opposing, the article lays too much emphasis upon the formation and use of networks and criticizes those leaders who have chosen not to

Comparing two poems Essay Example for Free

Comparing two poems Essay In this essay I will be comparing two poems. These poems are on the topic of war which is very relevant especially as there is a war going on in Iraq as I am writing this. The first poem I am going to write about called: Dulce et Decorum est is written by Wilfred Owen. He had first hand experience of war as he was a soldier; so he will give us a very honest opinion of war and what it was really like to fight in one. Unfortunately for him he was killed in action a week before the war ended. The poem has a very strong anti-war feeling about it; it is his personal view that dying for your country is not a very good thing and in the poem he conveys this to us by giving us very clear mental pictures of the horrible effects of war. Wilfred Owenss attitude to war is that he is frustrated, angry and resentful of it. The poem type Wilfred uses in this poem is the Sonnet; this is odd because Sonnet poems are usually about love but in this case he is writing about hurt; rhythm of the octaves in this poem is slow and speeds up in the sestet. These ties in with the mood of the poem e.g.: Gas! Gas! Gas! This line has been broken up with exclamation marks to show that there is an emergency. Then it slows down quite considerably again in the final stanza to make us think of the suffering the soldiers go through. It is wonderful the way that he structures this poem from the soldiers feelings, to his own and then he asks the reader for their views. There is one very noticeable thing about the structure and that is that there are two lines of the poem on their own; also these line are not in the past tense like the rest of the poem and this is because he is trying to emphasize the mental scars of war which remain with him in the present. He gives us a very detailed mental picture and he gives us this in all three verses. In verse 1 he talks about the physical breakdown of the soldiers. He builds up this mental image of suffering e.g.: knocked kneed, and he continues this mental picture into versus 2 as he talks about his fellow solider suffering and dying in the gas as he cant get his helmet on. He uses verbs in this verse in a clever way e.g.: Fumbling and floundering. E.g.: Fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time. And floundering like a man in fire or lime. In verse 3 he uses Onomatopoeic e.g.: gargling. He uses this word to explain how his fellow solider died e.g. Gargling from the forth-corrupted lungs. The pain that this soldier suffered is conveyed to us in a very gruesome way e.g.: As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. What he means by that is he has breathed in so much gas its suffocating him so it is very like drowning. Another example He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. In the first verse he uses metaphors in a very powerful way e.g. Blood shod, drunk with fatigue to show the exhaustion and suffering of the soldiers. Also the Onomatopoeic words in the first verse sludge and trudge, show us how the soldiers slowly marched ; it tell us also that they had no determination and enthusiasm lift to fight for their country. Wilfred Owen is basically saying in this poem that hes been there and its not that good at all to fight for your country. This is the complete opposite of what Lord Tennyson talks about in The Charge of the Light Brigade. Lord Tennysons poem is different from Wilfred Owen in a number of ways. Firstly Lord Tennyson has never fought in a war; Tennyson poem is also saying that it is good to die for your country and Tennysons poem is about the soldiers being heroes and noble men. The poets attitude to war is that it is an honorable and noble thing to die for your country. The tone of this poem is fast and very sharp e.g.: Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns! Another example is Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them stays at this speed for most of the poem. Tennyson structures his poem in to 6 verses of even length. He starts off describing the advance in verse 1 and 2 e.g.: Into the valley of death Forward, the Light Brigade! then into verse 4 he talks about the heat of the battle e.g.: Flashed all their sabers bare, Flashed as they turned in air, Sabring the gunners there. In verses 5 and 6 he talks about the retreat e.g.: Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was left of them and he then goes on to say how courageous, noble and heroic the soldiers were e.g.: honour the charge they made! Honour the light brigade, Noble six hundred. Verse 6 is shorter than the rest as it is a tribute to the soldiers that fought in the war. The rhythm of the poem is regular; it conveys how inevitable the charge was. The rhyme sounds very grand, patriotic and has a musical tone about it. The poem type is a ballad. A ballad is usually a short narrative poem with stanzas of two or four lines and usually a refrain. They contain repetition e.g.: Rode the six hundred (which is on the end of every verse) another example: Half league, half league, half league onward. They are written in straight-forward verse, seldom with detail, but always with graphic simplicity and force. Many old-time ballads were written and performed by minstrels attached to noblemens courts. Language used in the poem is very powerful to glorify the charge rather than show pity. He uses metaphors in his poem e.g.: Into the valley of death; there is also personification used in his poem e.g.: Into the jaws of death and Into the mouth of hell He uses these metaphors and personification in his poem to emphasize the suicidal march of the Light Brigade. The hell and death in these phrases reinforces the views of this being the end for the soldiers. I really liked the way that Tennyson brings the reader into his poem by asking a rhetorical question: Was there a man dismayed? and When can their glory fade? He does use a quite a lot of onomatopoeia e.g.: Volleyed and thundered and Shot and shell. He has also chosen his verbs in his poem really well. They are Very prominent; convey idea of speed, the light and movement all in the one verb is flashed. The repetition is very powerful and significant in the poem from the very first line: Half a league, Half a League, Half a league onward. My personal view on war is that it is a terrible thing and should only be used for a last resort. I would only agree with a war at present if there was evidence to prove that Iraq have weapons of mass destruction and then I would consider it a just war and that we must get Saddam quickly and carefully to keep down the risk of innocent deaths. I personally prefer Dulce et Decorum est. by Wilfred Owen as it is more detailed and gives you very vivid pictures of the soldiers deaths and as Wilfred Owen was believable actually there its more in a sense as he was has seen it up close. This poem taught me that war is a bad thing and its not worth it; it helped me to appreciate how much pain some of the soldiers had to suffer in the war.

Wealth Maximization and the NPV Method

Wealth Maximization and the NPV Method It has long been an accepted perception that the objective of management is the maximization of shareholder wealth. As we know the corporate objective of a firm is to maximization share holders wealth in order to achieve this corporate goal there is a problem arising called agency problem. The corporate firms are managed by professional managers these managers do not own a 100% share so managers may not work to wards the best of firms goal of maximizing shareholders wealth because of the conflicting interests, in this assignment we will examine the firms corporate goal. The this study contends that it is to evaluate the usefulness of Net Present Value but also taking to the account the effect of agency problem inside the company. 2. Introduction Owners are primarily interested in the wealth creation ability of an entity, and they typically monitor their investments by the valuating of the investments financial return. Shareholders tend to prefer that all long-term corporate decisions to be evaluated based on the investments contribution to the maximization of shareholder wealth. Dean (1994) suggests that the primary objective of the modern corporation should be to maximize the present worth at the companys cost of capital of the future stream of benefits to the stockholder. All other objectives should be either intermediate or subsidiary to this overriding companys financial objective Question1 3.0. Shareholders Wealth Maximization Concept The maximization of shareholders wealth is a significant objective of management. According to Dr.R.Srinivasan,(2010)Any action which results wealth or which has a net present value is a preferable one and should be undertaken. The wealth of the company is based on the maximization of the present value of the entity. i.e., the present worth of the entity, This wealth may be measured if the organization has shares that are traded by the public, this because the market price of the share is indicative of the value of the organization. And to a shareholder, the word wealth is based upon the amount of shareholders current dividends and the market price of share. Ezra Solomon has described a wealth maximization goal in these terms: The gross present worth of a course of action is equal to the capitalized value of the flow of future expected benefits, discounted (or capitalized) at a rate which reflects the uncertainty or certainty. Wealth or net present worth is the difference between gross present worth and the amount of capital investment required to achieve the benefits. On the other hand a public sector company which its equity stock is fully owned by the government, and also not traded in stock market? In such companies, the objective of management should be to maximize the present value of the stream of equity returns. Of course in determining the present value of stream of equity returns, and must use the most appropriate discount rate. A same observation may be made with regarding to other entities which their equity shares are either not traded or very rarely traded. In the above definition, one thing is for sure that the wealth maximization is a long-term strategy that emphasizes raising the net present value of the owners investment in a company and the implementation of this objective that will appraise the market value of the companys securities. This concept, if applied, meets the briars raised against the old concept of profit maximization. The manager also faces with the uncertainty problems by considering the trade-off between the different returns and their associated levels of risks. It also considers the dividends payment to shareholders. All these components of the wealth maximization goal are the outcome of the investment, financing and dividend decisions of the company. Question2 4.0. The Agency Problem Theory Agency problems exist in large companies because of the conflicting of interests which sometimes arise between shareholders and managements. In most large organizations, managers only own a small percentage of the stock. They may consider by placing their own interests above those of the shareholders. For example, the managers may multiple their personal wealth by doubling their salaries, bonuses, or option grants as high as possible and by increasing their perquisites including luxurious offices, corporate jets, generous retirement plans, and the like at the expense of outside shareholders. Shareholders may take actions through their companys managers that affect the riskiness of the company like investing in more risky assets. Increasing a companys riskiness can negatively affect the safety of its debt. A potential agency conflict comes whenever the manager of a company owns less than 100 percent of the companys common stock. If a company is a sole proprietorship company and managed by its owner, the owner-manager will always consider maximizing his or her own wealth. The owner-manager will carefully control cost by individual wealth, but may trade off other considerations, such as perquisites and leisure, against individual wealth. If the owner-manager forgoes a portion of his or her ownership by selling some of the entitys stock to external investors, a potential conflict of interest may arise, called an agency problem. E.g. the owner-manager may prefer a more leisurely lifestyle and not work as to maximize shareholder wealth, because less of the wealth will now accrue to the owner-manager. In addition, the owner-manager may decide to consume more perquisites, because some of the cost of the consumption of benefits will now be borne by the external shareholders. As defined by Robert T. Kleiman. Agency theory raises a fundamental problem in company, self-interested behavior. A corporations managers may have their own personal objectives that challenges with the owners objective of maximization of shareholder wealth. Although the shareholders recognize managers to manage the companys assets, a potential conflict of interest may exist between these two groups. According to Jensen/Meckling (1976) an agency relationship exists when one or more persons (the shareholders or the principles) negotiate another person (the agent) to do some service on their behalf which involves delegation of some authority to make decision. If both parties maximize their own utility there is good proof to consider that the management (agent) will not always act in the best interest of the shareholders (principal). As a result the principal will try to limit the divergence from his interests by monitoring the agent. The dilemma is, that the cost of monitoring the agents actions (monitoring expenditures) can be significant and can in fact exceed the loss due to the agency relationship. The principal will therefore try to establish incentives for the agent in a contract so that the agents actions are in the interest of the principal without costly monitoring. Additionally there will be situations where it will pay for the agent to expend resources on actions to guar antee that he will act in the sense of the principal (bonding expenditures) or to ensure that the principal will be compensated in such cases. As a result it is impossible for the principal and the agent to ensure at zero cost that the agent will make optimal decisions from the viewpoint of the principal. Given the complex structure of agency relationships these costs will be pecuniary and no pecuniary as well. In general, the principal and the agent will have positive monitoring and bonding costs and there will still be some divergence between the agents decisions, subject to the optimal monitoring and bonding activities, and those decisions that would maximize the welfare of the principal. The value (in money terms) of this divergence is often referred to as the residual loss. According to Jensen/Meckling (1976) agency costs could therefore be defined as the amount of: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The evaluating expenditures by the principal, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The bonding expenditures by the management and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The residual loss 5.0. NPV Method of Investment Appraisal The net present value (NPV) is described very fully both in principle and application and in how the decision rules are derived. Different sets of circumstances are introduced to show how the NPV approach can cope with the situations met in an imperfect world, (e.g. taxation, inflation, different interest rates, repeat investments, mutually exclusive investments, capital rationing). As clarified by Averkampt H. (d.t) who defined NPV as the acronym for net present value. Net present value is a computation that differentiates the amount invested today to the present value of the future cash receipts from the investment. In other words, the amount invested is compared to the future cash amounts after they are discounted by a specified rate of return. 5.1. Advantages and disadvantages of NPV method The NPV method has pros and cons I mean negative and positive sides. First, the NPV method makes more appropriate adjustments for the time value of money. Second, the NPV rule focuses on cash flow, not accounting earnings. Third, the decision rule to invest when NPVs are positive and to refrain when from investing when NPVs are negative reflects the firms need to compete for funds in the marketplace rather than an arbitrary judgment. Fourth, the NPV approach offers a relatively straight forward way to control for differences in risk among alternative investments. Cash flows on riskier investments should be discounted at higher at higher rates. Fifth, the NPV method incorporates all the cash flows that a project generates over its life, not just those that occur in the projects early years. Sixth, the NPV gives a direct estimate of the change in shareholder wealth resulting from a given investment. Although we are enthusiastic supporters of the NPV approach, especially when compared with the other decision methods, we must acknowledge that the NPV suffers from a few weaknesses. Relative to alternative capital budgeting tools, the NPV rule seems less intuitive to many users. 5.2. Recommendations Finally, at the starting of an NPV analysis it is very significant to identify the objective of the project. If the goal is to reduce the costs of operations and also prices. As to enhance the organizations revenues, the forecasted increase in revenues needs to be evaluated and included as a positive cash flow in the computation. But if the objective in mind is to survival then a negative NPV might be reasonable if the negative financial impact of the investment is influenced by the potential financial losses that may be related with the ignored project. In some cases, the analysis led to the conclusion that mobilizing the capital required implementing the core lab project is in keeping with a strategy to maximize potential returns. The NPV method evaluates the present value of the future cash flows that a project will have. A positive NPV is that the investment should appreciate the value of the company and also promote to maximizing shareholder wealth. A positive NPV project gives a return that is more than enough to compensate for the required return on the investment. Thus, using NPV as a guideline for capital investment decisions is consistent with the goal of creating wealth. Moreover the NPV of the future benefits is the difference between net present value of the benefits and the investment required to achieve those benefits. A financial action resulting negative NPV should be rejected, because this will not generate a wealth to the shareholders. Therefore the organization should take a course of financial action e.g. invest in a project where there is a increase in the wealth of the firm or a project which have a positive NPV. 6.0. Conclusion The efficiency of management is assessed by the success in achieving the companys objective. The shareholder wealth maximization objective as defined that management should work towards maximizing the net present value of the expected future cash flows to the shareholders of the company. Net present value is the discounted sum of the expected net cash flows. Some of the cash flows, such as capital outlays, are cash outflows, while some, such as cash generated from sales, are cash inflows. Net cash flows are obtained the different between cash outflows and cash inflows. The discount rate considers the time framework and risk of the future cash flows that are available from an investment. The longer it takes to receive a cash flow, the lower the value investors wants to put on that cash flow now. The greater the risk associated with receiving a future cash flow, the lower the value investors place on that cash flow.

My Childhood Memory Essay -- essays research papers

My Childhood Memory I remember it like yesterday. We were all waiting patiently for my father to come home from the race track. He promised me and my sister that if he won, he would take us all to Rye Playland. The minutes felt like hours. It was the longest hour of my life. Then finally we heard the car door shut. Me and my sister ran to the front door anxiously waiting for the news. He opened the door and walked in. We tried to read the expression on his face but of course he was looking down while taking his sneakers off. The suspense was killing us. Then he looked up. No words were spoken between us and our father. He just gave us a blank stare. I didn't know what to think. I was scared to ask because I was so worried of the response. It was that moment when he said to us, "Well kids, pick out what your going to wear to Rye playland this weekend." Excitement just jumped through out my whole body. We both ran over and gave him the biggest hug and ran upstairs to pick out what we were g oing to bring with us. I was so excited for the next two days, I probably only got about 4 hours sleep. Then the day finally came. It was Saturday. It was the only time in my life I was happy to hear the alarm clock go off. Of course I was already awake for two hours before it actually went off, but I waited anyway. I jumped out of... My Childhood Memory Essay -- essays research papers My Childhood Memory I remember it like yesterday. We were all waiting patiently for my father to come home from the race track. He promised me and my sister that if he won, he would take us all to Rye Playland. The minutes felt like hours. It was the longest hour of my life. Then finally we heard the car door shut. Me and my sister ran to the front door anxiously waiting for the news. He opened the door and walked in. We tried to read the expression on his face but of course he was looking down while taking his sneakers off. The suspense was killing us. Then he looked up. No words were spoken between us and our father. He just gave us a blank stare. I didn't know what to think. I was scared to ask because I was so worried of the response. It was that moment when he said to us, "Well kids, pick out what your going to wear to Rye playland this weekend." Excitement just jumped through out my whole body. We both ran over and gave him the biggest hug and ran upstairs to pick out what we were g oing to bring with us. I was so excited for the next two days, I probably only got about 4 hours sleep. Then the day finally came. It was Saturday. It was the only time in my life I was happy to hear the alarm clock go off. Of course I was already awake for two hours before it actually went off, but I waited anyway. I jumped out of...

African Archaeology :: Africa African Archaeology Essays

1) Metallurgical Origins in Africa Introduction The study of metallurgy in Africa has been dominated by a concern with origins and antiquity. Some Anthropologists believe that African metallurgy was an early, independent invention, while others believe that it was an innovation, which came relatively late, and was a product of diffusion. With these two hypotheses as our only reference points, we are limited in our knowledge of metallurgy as well as its role in the lives of African people. Anthropologists often find themselves in the predicament of being presented with a small number of precedent theories, which shape and direct further studies. Diffusionism J.O. Vogel, in an article published in the Encyclopedia of Precolonial Africa (1991) entitled â€Å"Copper Metallurgy,† took the diffusionist theory of African metallurgy as a given, stating that â€Å"The ultimate source of sub-Saharan metallurgy has not been conclusively identified, but among the most likely source areas are Carthage or southern Morocco via Berber traders crossing the Sahara.† (Vogel, 1997: 125) This author was working within the framework of diffusionist ideas, leaving little room for alternate theories. James Woodhouse, however, a proponent of Indigenism, discusses the logistics of this theory, citing references that suggest that smelting in Carthage only appeared in the early first millennium B.C., making diffusion into Nigeria, and lands further south, difficult in such a short time, if not impossible. More explicitly, Vogel states that â€Å"Copper metallurgy was invented in Eurasia, and began before 6000 B.C,† (Vogel, 1997: 125) and place s the first evidences of African smelting between 900 and 300 B.C. (Vogel, 1997: 126). Without any specific physical evidence cited to this effect, the argument lacks a certain amount of credibility. Another model, which is inherent of diffusionist theory, is that of â€Å"progressive development.† It seems to be a trend in much of Western thought that societies must undergo certain stages of development to qualify as civilizations. The theory proposes that when faced with a new technology, people will automatically embrace it in order to â€Å"better† themselves, and to move up on the ladder of civilization. Proponents of the progressive development theory see any deviation from this pattern as problematic and anomalous. This is shown in the terminology used by certain anthropologists when describing such deviations. In the case of African metallurgy, any society, which does not produce metals, or does not embrace the technology immediately, is seen as facing some sort of â€Å"barrier.

Apex Investment Essay

AccessLine’s initial financing came in the form of strategic alliances. In 1989, McCaw Cellular Communication invested in AccessLine, providing a considerable amount of their intial capital. This funding secured the strategic partnership between AccessLine and McCaw Cellular. This launched further alliances between AccessLine and other phone company carriers, in which AccessLine granted them an exclusive franchise in the market for a set fee. The carriers were permitted to market AccessLine’s service under their own company name. AccessLine also developed partnerships with equipment manufacturers such as Stratus Computer and Motorola, also providing them with a franchise in exchange for funding. However AccessLine’s growth prompted the need for larger investments. Thus, in 1994, AccessLine diversified their financing to professional equity investors. Providing funding worth $15. 5 million, AccessLine’s CFO Bill Stuart, and Morgan Stanley’s Bill Brady executed the transaction, involving the private placement from five investors. Such a strategy was chosen due to AccessLine’s lack of capital in the initial stages of AccessLine’s establishment. AccessLine was not lacking in management or technology and thus was not in need of a venture capitalist in its early stages to control the company or provide the company with expertise or administration. Private investors, such as McCaw Cellular Communications, were more appropriate for AccessLine in that they provided the necessary funding without coercing AccessLine to forsake control of the company. McCaw also provided both clientele and investments. AccessLine’s lack of experience from mergers and acquisitions forced them to eventually turn to venture capitalists in 1994, a time when their strategy had changed. The venture capitalists could help in evaluating a target company through their experience in purchasing and selling businesses. The funds from Apex Investment Partners would serve beneficially for AccessLine because of their vast knowledge and experience in the industry. George Middlemas and Rick Bolander, both of whom had joined Apex in the early 90’s, had had previous experiences working in the telecommunications industry and racked up an extensive list of contacts in the industry. Thus, Apex would eventually prove to be a profitable investment for AccessLine.

Reaction Paper On Stage Play Essay

STARS (JP Lopez) Characters: Cindy Liper as Wilma Jerie Sanchez as Juday Patricia Lopez as Norma Ken Sadsad as Edward Junelyn Villareal as Jolens Jm Encinas as Boyet SUMMARY: There were 2 known person in showbiz , who are old friends,but because of their feelings on a guy they became enemy for a long time..even if they are neighbors they have been outdoing & became worst.E ven if their maids (yaya) are in the same situation and same thought. This 2 known person in showbiz have a sons who promised them to bring them in United States . And when their sons came home from America , they are trying to say that their son is better than the other. And when they are fighting / quarilling again ,their sons admitted that they have re3lationship , and intend to live abroad and because of that unexpected news ,they felt guilt, they realize and awakened that fighting against each other is no good thing to offer. And lastly they became friends all over again. REACTION: This play is so fuuny.. because each one of them delivered their role nice & energetic. Most specially Norma & Wilma ,together w/ their maids Judy & Jolenz.. And I like that play very much.,it is because they made me happy. PITIK SURPLUS CHARACTERS: Cherry Bagtas as Benny Chin Ortega as Eagle Patrick Libao as Bok Gabby Bautista as Batik SUMMARY: This 3 siblings have a store/ shop where-in all their selling goods are came from stealing.,Because of this, they already mastered the act of stealing like AKYAT-BAHAY, SHOPLIFTING, etc. And the manager of this shop is a young boy at the age of 7, he can manage the shop accordingly. One day his elder sister & brother want to change their bad lifestyle in a good & honest work/job. And because of their aunts letter who are in the jail ,they have a chance to change into a good person, but this young boy doesn’t like the opinion of his sister & brother..While they have their impt. Conversation.the police came to arrest them bec. Of some crimes they did, this young boy said that they kidnap him, and he told this to safe him from tha policeman..While he is emerged, his brother & sister are arrested. REACTION: This is the story that I appreciate most , it is bec. Even if Batik isw only a 7 year old boy he can as older as its sister & brother. And I impressed the way Batik deliver his role . The whole-play is good and interesting. STRANDED(VINCENT TANADA) CHARACTERS: Monique Azzereda as Debbie Mar Miranda as Wally Jordan Ladra as Senedy Kevin Posadas as Pepper SUMMARY A childhood friends decided to have a trip in hongkong. While waiting for departure a typhoon came that the reason why they’re been stranded in the H.K. airport. . Debbie & Senedy are having a secret relationship, but they don’t know how to profess their rel. to Wally & Pepper..Unexpectedly Pepper has feelings to Debbie where in Pepper & Debbie are brothers..But bec. Of Pepper’s situation , Senedy decided to secret their rel. w/ Debbie . but Pepper told to them that he already know the secret of the 2..and they did not admit ..after that a good news came that their flight to Manila as finally oik. REACTION: This play is all about friendship and love. I liked how Senedy take good care of his brother who are not in good condition. And I liked the way they acted, even if they are not as serious as Pitik Surplus actors/actes acted.but over all this is a good play. SPIRITS(Patrick Libao) CHARACTERS: Chris Lim as William Adeele Ibarrientas as Zenaida SUMMARY: A guy having a medical problem because he can’t able to get away from the past when the time of Spaniards . And he can saw frightful things around him he felt fearful & threatened ..But his wife are keep on teeling that the things that he can see is just only his imagination,but he is still not believen in his wife, instead he always hurting his wife just like before when his wife are still alive.. And when he realize everything that his parents & wife are already dead , he understood everything that is happening around him. REACTION: Since this is my first time to watch a horror play like this .i was so scared when-ever the ghost are appearing.. The whole story is good..And I impreesed the way Zenaida & William acted.

Book Report: The Obsidian Blade Essay

I picked this book because it had the coolest cover of all the books on the list. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I have found that books that do not have cool covers are often quite boring. Like one of the other books just had writing on the cover which guarantees extreme boringness in my opinion. This book is about round circles in the air called diskos that people go through and end up in weird places like on top of a pyramid with priests that stab you in the heart or inside of a whale. It is quite violent at times, which is good because some of the in between parts are kind of boring, but not boring enough to stop reading completely, just boring like waiting for a bus that is late and you’re really bored but also kind of anxious because you really want the bus to show up. The main character is Tucker Flay, and his motivation is mostly that he wants to find his parents who went through this hole. Also, he is trying not to get killed or turned into a zombie. Then this biker guy lives in a black barn and burns off his mustache, and a lot of other stuff happens which is even weirder, like one part where a giant worm starts eating people, and the part where Tucker’s mom goes crazy because she’s addicted to Sudoku. There are no themes, just weird things happening, so I guess the main theme is just weirdness. Mostly, this was an okay book except for the boring parts and the ending which I didn’t get at all. I would recommend it to anyone who likes weird boring books that kind of leave you hanging at the end wondering what just happened.

The Symbolic Role of Horatio in Hamlet

In Shakespeare’s Tragedy Play Hamlet, Horatio shows as a minor character. However, the contributions and demonstrations he brings to the play and to the audience are very important and abundant. His role in the whole play can be viewed from three angles. First of all, he is most close friend of Prince Hamlet. In all the schemes, he performs as Hamlet’s informer, assistant, counselor and confidant. Secondly, Horatio rationally and wisely witnesses and judges key figures and events in the play.He has directly or indirectly involved all play’s developments from the beginning to the end. Thirdly, highlights the loyalty and intellectual achievements of which humans are capable. Horatio links the audiences and carries the hopes – loyalty to friendships, rationality to human behaviors and future, and bringing the justice to the world. Through the character of Horatio, the key concepts and benefits of loyalty, rationality and hope are portrayedHoratio is Hamlet's most trusted friend as verified from the beginning to the end of the drama. Through his wisdom, he relates the challenges he and Hamlet face with respect to Claudius. In the play, there are three friends for Hamlet. The other two, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, betray Hamlet for their selfish (yet understandable) benefits and find their own final destinations when they arrive at England. Horatio knows Denmark Prince Hamlet from Wittenberg University in England when both of them are scholars there.He comes to Denmark to join the old King, Hamlet’s father’s funeral. Hamlet reveals all his revenge plans to him. Horatio swears himself to top secret about the ghost and Hamlet's pretense of madness to hide from Claudius's. Even more important through the mousetrap play, Horatio conspires closely with Hamlet to prove Claudius's guilt. With all the ensured trusting from the Prince’s letter to him, Horatio is the first to know of Hamlet's return from England. He is the on ly real company when Hamlet discovers Ophelia’s death.In the graveyard, he presents with Hamlet when they view the Yorick’s skull with the talks about glories and death, â€Å"To what base uses we may return, Horatio! Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander, till he find it stopping a bung-hole? † (5. 1. 192-4). Horatio stays with Hamlet to the end of the tragedy, to the end of Hamlet’s death, with the entire honor, loyalty to friendship, he comments to drink the poised wine to go with the Prince of Denmark: â€Å"I am more an antique Roman than a Dane. /Here’s yet some liquor left† (5. 2. 353-4).Only by the Hamlet’s final and firm request to him to keep live to tell the masses of the story, Horatio survives himself to honor the Prince’s requests, and brings the truth, justness and rightfulness to the world. Horatio best demonstrates his rationality and respectable nature outstanding all other characters in th e play, even the key character Hamlet from this point of view. The guards invite him to see the ghost as their rusting to him as a rational and knowledgeable â€Å"scholar†. (1. 1. 41; 1. 5. 150) At that time, this title is the most respectable name for the verifications or justifications.This is just like nowadays we request the signatures from doctors, teachers or lawyers etc to sign various important documents to verify our life and experiences. He reports to Hamlet and bring him to the castle. With all the cares to Hamlet, he himself provides the audiences calm, resolute, rational and confident views of the ghost and the old King’s story: â€Å"But soft, behold, lo where it comes again; /I’ll cross it hough it blast me† (1. 1. 25-6). By their careful plans and implementations of mouse-play, Hamlet confirms the old King’s murder.Hamlet gets really over excited with the confirmation. However, with the rationalities and intellects, for the best in teresting of the Prince, Horatio calm down Hamlet of any overreactions or rush actions. To meet Hamlet’s will, he brings himself back from emotionality to rationality and reality as he recognizes the importance to satisfactory Hamlet’s requests to tell the world the story. For Hamlet, Horatio is the key connection, witness and judge to attach and the audiences. He helps Hamlet form the play’s consistencies.This has been clearly demonstrated in the whole drama. Only through the conversations between Hamlet and Horatio, could the insides of Hamlet show the audiences the Prince is not really crazy or foolish but kind, sharp with dubiousness and procrastinations for his mission to revenge for his father’s murder. If we could say Hamlet is the emotion core of the drama, we might be able to see Horatio standing for calm, courage and kindness of the play, even directly from Hamlet, â€Å"Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man /As e'er my conversation coped withal †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (3. . 50-70) At the very beginning of the drama, Horatio, with the trust of the guards, help Hamlet to meet the ghost, the old King and discoveries the dirty assassination. At the end of the play, Horatio, who saw the old King’s ghost, is companying and comforting the dying Prince, â€Å"Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! † (5. 2. 343-4). Without Hamlet, it would be impossible to have the intense and feeling the ups and downs of the love, hate, remorse, hesitate, brave, courage.Without Horatio, it would be very challenge to get the senses of security, wisdom, loyalty and rationality of human being has. The play illustrates the completeness with Horatio banding Hamlet from the start to the end with good hopes left to audiences. Of all the three important roles and contributions Horatio to bring to the audiences, every piece has it own special contribution to the play. Lonely and hesitant Hamlet has at least one of best friends – trustable all time and calm and rational in any situations to conform and counsel.Horatio, really as a wise and intellectual scholar, can help the drama to reality. His unshakable loyalty and common senses lead the audiences to have the expectations when things are or may go wrong. His timely show up in the play has brought audience to both Hamlet and the audiences to the reality with logical senses. Horatio is the symbol of loyalty, rationality and hope in the great tragedy Hamlet. Works Cited Hamlet May 6, 2012.Primary Sources: Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. ed. Ann Thompson and Neil Taylor. London [England]: Thomson Learning, 2006. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. ed. Philip Edwards. Cambridge [England]: Cambridge University Press, 2003. Secondary Sources: Babra, Neil. Hamlet. Adaptation of Hamlet by William Shakespeare New York : Sparknotes, 2008. Coville, Bruce. William Shakespeare's Hamlet. New York : Dial Books, 2004. . Hamlet. Dir. Franco Zeffirelli. Producer Dyson Lovell. Carolco International N. V. DVD. 1990. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. ed. The Rector and Visitors. University of Virginia, 2000. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. edited and rendered into modern English by Alan Durband. Hauppauge, N. Y. Barron's, 1986. Hamlet. 28 April 2012 . Horatio in Hamlet. 30 April 2012 Hoy, Cyrus. ed. Hamlet by William Shakespeare. New York: Norton, 1992. Leggatt, Alexander. Shakespeare's tragedies: violation and identity. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2005. Marsden, John. Hamlet & Ophelia: a novel. Toronto: Harper Trophy Canada, 2009. Shakespeare Hamlet Notes. Coles Editorial Board, Toronto: Coles Notes, 2001. Shakespeare's Horatio An analysis of Hamlet's Friend Horatio. 30 March 2012 . Scene 4 – Hamlet – A Comprehensive Analysis of Shakespeare's Greatest Tragedy. 30 April 2012 .

Deception Point Page 97

Rachel inserted the entire stack into the hydrolab's fax machine. Knowing only a few fax numbers by heart, she had limited choices, but she had already made up her mind who would be receiving these pages and her note. Holding her breath, she carefully typed in the person's fax number. She pressed â€Å"send,† praying she had chosen the recipient wisely. The fax machine beeped. ERROR: NO DIAL TONE Rachel had expected this. The Goya's communications were still being jammed. She stood waiting and watching the machine, hoping it functioned like hers at home. Come on! After five seconds, the machine beeped again. REDIALING†¦ Yes! Rachel watched the machine lock into an endless loop. ERROR: NO DIAL TONE REDIALING†¦ ERROR: NO DIAL TONE REDIALING†¦ Leaving the fax machine in search of a dial tone, Rachel dashed out of the hydrolab just as helicopter blades thundered overhead. 119 One hundred and sixty miles away from the Goya, Gabrielle Ashe was staring at Senator Sexton's computer screen in mute astonishment. Her suspicions had been right. But she had never imagined how right. She was looking at digital scans of dozens of bank checks written to Sexton from private space companies and deposited in numbered accounts in the Cayman Islands. The smallest check Gabrielle saw was for fifteen thousand dollars. Several were upward of half a million dollars. Small potatoes, Sexton had told her. All the donations are under the two-thousand-dollar cap. Obviously Sexton had been lying all along. Gabrielle was looking at illegal campaign financing on an enormous scale. The pangs of betrayal and disillusionment settled hard now in her heart. He lied. She felt stupid. She felt dirty. But most of all she felt mad. Gabrielle sat alone in the darkness, realizing she had no idea what to do next. 120 Above the Goya, as the Kiowa banked over the stern deck, Delta-One gazed down, his eyes fixating on an utterly unexpected vision. Michael Tolland was standing on deck beside a small submersible. Dangling in the sub's robotic arms, as if in the clutches of a giant insect, hung Delta-Two, struggling in vain to free himself from two enormous claws. What in the name of God!? Equally as shocking an image, Rachel Sexton had just arrived on deck, taking up a position over a bound and bleeding man at the foot of the submersible. The man could only be Delta-Three. Rachel held one of the Delta Force's machine guns on him and stared up at the chopper as if daring them to attack. Delta-One felt momentarily disoriented, unable to fathom how this possibly could have happened. The Delta Force's errors on the ice shelf earlier had been a rare but explainable occurrence. This, however, was unimaginable. Delta-One's humiliation would have been excruciating enough under normal circumstances. But tonight his shame was magnified by the presence of another individual riding with him inside the chopper, a person whose presence here was highly unconventional. The controller. Following the Delta's kill at the FDR Memorial, the controller had ordered Delta-One to fly to a deserted public park not far from the White House. On the controller's command, Delta-One had set down on a grassy knoll among some trees just as the controller, having parked nearby, strode out of the darkness and boarded the Kiowa. They were all en route again in a matter of seconds. Although a controller's direct involvement in mission operations was rare, Delta-One could hardly complain. The controller, distressed by the way the Delta Force had handled the kills on the Milne Ice Shelf and fearing increasing suspicions and scrutiny from a number of parties, had informed Delta-One that the final phase of the operation would be overseen in person. Now the controller was riding shotgun, witnessing in person a failure the likes of which Delta-One had never endured. This must end. Now. The controller gazed down from the Kiowa at the deck of the Goya and wondered how this could possibly have happened. Nothing had gone properly-the suspicions about the meteorite, the failed Delta kills on the ice shelf, the necessity of the high-profile kill at the FDR. â€Å"Controller,† Delta-One stammered, his tone one of stunned disgrace as he looked at the situation on the deck of the Goya. â€Å"I cannot imagine†¦ â€Å" Nor can I, the controller thought. Their quarry had obviously been grossly underestimated. The controller looked down at Rachel Sexton, who stared up blankly at the chopper's reflective windshield and raised a CrypTalk device to her mouth. When her synthesized voice crackled inside the Kiowa, the controller expected her to demand that the chopper back off or extinguish the jamming system so Tolland could call for help. But the words Rachel Sexton spoke were far more chilling. â€Å"You're too late,† she said. â€Å"We're not the only ones who know.† The words echoed for a moment inside the chopper. Although the claim seemed far-fetched, the faintest possibility of truth gave the controller pause. The success of the entire project required the elimination of all those who knew the truth, and as bloody as the containment had turned out to be, the controller had to be certain this was the conclusion. Someone else knows†¦ Considering Rachel Sexton's reputation for following strict protocol of classified data, the controller found it very hard to believe that she would have decided to share this with an outside source. Rachel was on the CrypTalk again. â€Å"Back off and we'll spare your men. Come any closer and they die. Either way, the truth comes out. Cut your losses. Back off.† â€Å"You're bluffing,† the controller said, knowing the voice Rachel Sexton was hearing was an androgynous robotic tone. â€Å"You have told no one.† â€Å"Are you ready to take that chance?† Rachel fired back. â€Å"I couldn't get through to William Pickering earlier, so I got spooked and took out some insurance.† The controller frowned. It was plausible. â€Å"They're not buying it,† Rachel said, glancing at Tolland. The soldier in the claws gave a pained smirk. â€Å"Your gun is empty, and the chopper's going to blow you to hell. You're both going to die. Your only hope is to let us go.† Like hell, Rachel thought, trying to assess their next move. She looked at the bound and gagged man who lay at her feet directly in front of the sub. He looked delirious from loss of blood. She crouched beside him, looking into the man's hard eyes. â€Å"I'm going to take off your gag and hold the CrypTalk; you're going to convince the helicopter to back off. Is that clear?† The man nodded earnestly. Rachel pulled out the man's gag. The soldier spat a wad of bloody saliva up into Rachel's face. â€Å"Bitch,† he hissed, coughing. â€Å"I'm going to watch you die. They're going to kill you like a pig, and I'm going to enjoy every minute.† Rachel wiped the hot saliva from her face as she felt Tolland's hands lifting her away, pulling her back, steadying her as he took her machine gun. She could feel in his trembling touch that something inside him had just snapped. Tolland walked to a control panel a few yards away, put his hand on a lever, and locked eyes with the man lying on the deck. â€Å"Strike two,† Tolland said. â€Å"And on my ship, that's all you get.† With a resolute rage, Tolland yanked down on the lever. A huge trapdoor in the deck beneath the Triton fell open like the floor of a gallows. The bound soldier gave a short howl of fear and then disappeared, plummeting through the hole. He fell thirty feet to the ocean below. The splash was crimson. The sharks were on him instantly. The controller shook with rage, looking down from the Kiowa at what was left of Delta-Three's body drifting out from under the boat on the strong current. The illuminated water was pink. Several fish fought over something that looked like an arm.

Second year BA Photography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Second year BA Photography - Essay Example Film and photography are the main medium of art in the contemporary scenario. Besides these, there are access to the internet, email and television. In this paper, the writer attempts to give a brief description on the work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction. This is one of the works of Walter Benjamin that deals with technology based art production. A number of people refer to his work these days. His works are gaining popularity now than ever before. He has given explanation for mechanization of art such as film and photography. He lived at the time of the growth of communism and fascism. So he had observed the politicization of art. Then the impact of technology on art is also discussed in this paper. â€Å"The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction†, published in 1936, is the work of Walter Benjamin who was a German and most of his works are very significant in the contemporary world especially in the field of art and his popularity is increasing by day. This work has been considered as the standard reference in the analysis of art today, since it speaks about the mechanization in art like in movies and photography. Benjamin was so intelligent and he was influenced by the culture in which he lived. He was born in 1892 in a middle class family that had a close relation to art since his father was an art dealer in Berlin. He could not earn an academic employment due to some incidents in his life. One among them was that his doctoral study was rejected, as the subject was not comprehendible and the second incident was, criticizing and attacking one of the members in intellectual circle. His writings are supposed to be excellent works in explaining on the mechanica l reproduction of film, photography etc. Undoubtedly, we can say that technology-based production of art spoils our creativity, newness, uniqueness and authenticity. Today, one of the means of art is film production and cartoon movies which are at the fore front.

Funding of Media Venture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Funding of Media Venture - Essay Example It is the main concern of the following paper to discuss with examples of the key requirements for, and obstacles faced when, seeking funding for a media venture. For a media firm to be able to secure funding, one of the requirements in many cases is a business plan which contains a solid business concept. This is because the funding agencies like the donors, banks or sponsors expect a return out of the funds they invest in the media venture. For this reason, they believe that a media firm with a good business concept would be able to compete effectively with other media firms and in the end make profit. However, the media firms that do not have sound business concepts will in most cases find it hard to acquire funds because they are perceived to be risky businesses that may not compete effectively in the media industry. A good business concept in this case will include details of the winning product and services in form of quality advertisement and creative thinking by the media per sonnel especially the journalists, the presenters and writers. Hewlett-Packard Company for example required that those media companies that seek funding must first ensure that they have a sound business plan. Product viability is another key requirement that venture capitalists tend to look at before providing funding to the media firms. They first look at the probability of success of the product that the media wants to offer in the market. If they realize that the products that the media wants to offer have high chances of success, the funds will be provided with relative ease since they assume that their investments are not going to be put in a business that is too risky with limited chances of survival. Picard noted on the contrary that venture capitalists are in most cases reluctant to provide funds to media firms if they establish that the products on offer have very low chances of success2. Capital Threshold Most companies that provide funding to media ventures require that t he latter have a given amount as part of their financial base before they can be offered funds. This situation was witnessed when HP Company announced their funding program to internet startups in which they required interested media companies to have a financial base of $250000 in capital before they could be considered for funding3. This capital threshold is meant to indicate the seriousness of the media company. The capital base also ensures that the company can provide security to its customers and clients before the business can pick up. This means that those media companies that were seeking funding to venture into the internet services but lacked the stated amount could not get funds from Hewlett-Packard4. Compliance with Government Regulations Before the media venture can be provided with funding from outside sources, they are normally required to be in compliance with government regulations and policies5. This is to ensure that the business that is being financed is a legal entity and operates within the legal framework. The media ventures that comply with the government regulations show signs of seriousness in doing business as opposed to those that fail to comply. Those who provide funding to

Information Systems for JP Morgan Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Information Systems for JP Morgan - Case Study Example Their experiences with outsourcing have been bitter and they are on the lookup for better strategies for managing their IT infrastructure. In addition to that, backsourcing did not do much good. It stirred dissatisfaction among employees and senior management. Information strategy for any organisation is purely based on their requirements to manage business and envelope operations into a system which would in turn effectively manage their resources and yield not only profits in the long run but satisfaction to its employees and customers. (Laudon, 2002) The detailed company analysis of the issues it is facing has been discussed vividly. The employees have been mismanaged and to a great extent their morale and satisfaction has eroded in the process of outsourcing and backsourcing. A close study of the information systems strategy has been made and various methods have been evaluated for the betterment of the firm. The success of the IT strategy would be among the employees or users of the system as they are the people who live with the technology for getting the job done. Finally, evaluation of the new proposed information systems strategy is done so that the degree of its effectiveness is measured for further implementation. The satisfaction level of its employees is the first priority. It had already battered lot of its wealth in outsourcing and suffered massive losses through backsourcing. Business decisions relating to forming a new IT strategy would evaluate thoroughly the probabilities of the proposed solution and its derivability which has been covered in detail in this report. Primary Analysis of the case JP Morgan Chase's decision to outsource did not help. There IS strategy for outsourcing was meant to address the following problems: 1. Economy: IBM stood as a specialist in the IT infrastructure services and trusting them to manage their business operations would mean a good business decision. 2. Service Quality: This was the primary and the most important reason for which JP Morgan Chase wanted their business operations to be taken care by the service provider company. It wanted to position itself better in various markets. The above factors accounted for a greater share of interest for which JP Morgan Chase wanted to go for outsourcing. But finally it did not work. It faced losses not only on the monetary front but also towards the human resources. The various problems faced by the firm can be summarized as follows: All the dangers of placing the information systems functions outside the organization were possible noted for the firm. 1. Loss of control: This was pretty much evident that some employees were transferred on IBM's payroll and were not satisfied. It

CIS 333 discussions Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

CIS 333 discussions - Coursework Example One of the biggest attacks on mobile operating systems today as noted by researchers at Silicon Valley Security Company is the malware called WireLurker (Perlroth, 2014). It targets the Apple mobile and desktop users. The malware is designed in a way that unauthorized people can access the data from the devices. The security company confirmed that this is a malware affecting the Apple iOS mobile users in China (Perlroth, 2014). The devices become infected with the malware if they connect their devices to Macs through the USB wires and in cases where mobile users have altered their devices and installed software that Apple has not authorized. In china’s case of malware attack on Apple mobile devices it is important for the device users to avoid the risk by not using unauthorized software applications. Users should also prevent the transfer of the malware from the Macs to the mobile devices which occurs when using the USB wire. Users who have altered their devices by jailbreaking or those updating their devices from unknown sites should accept that it is a risk and the consequence is stolen information. Users of Apple mobiles can mitigate this risk by using the mentioned preventative measures. After the attack on Sony in November last year, the company had to face new attacks in December after the company computer systems were breached (Barnes & Perlroth, 2014). The latest breach exposed the company’s executive compensation documents and had more movies pirated (Barnes & Perlroth, 2014). If I was an IT security professional at Sony, I would join a team of other IT engineers at Sony to work with security encryption companies to ensure that more is done beyond having everyone with the same VPN passwords. Tang Yan, a former employee at NetEase and now the founder of Momo, a dating application in China was accused of lack of professional ethics

Part 1 and part 2 of change and culture case study Essay

Part 1 and part 2 of change and culture case study - Essay Example The administration’s first job redesign recommendation was that of a universal worker. The universal worker would deliver many support services. Aware that this model often failed when implemented in other organizations, your administrator charged you with making redesign work this time. In this regard, this essay aims to address issues regarding the process of job design, the performance expectations, steps and structures to implement the recommended design, communication tools and incentives for job satisfaction. The type of work performed by the employee is a critical factor affecting employee productivity and job satisfaction. According to Carrell and Kuzmits (1986, 57), â€Å"job design determines what work is done and , therefore, greatly affects how an employee feels about a job, how much authority an employee has over the work, how much decision making the employee has on the job, and how many tasks the employee has to complete. Managers realize that job design determines both their working relationship with their employees and the relationships among the employees themselves.† In this regard, tasked with redesigning patient care delivery, one must begin with a determination of the organization’s mission and vision and an assessment of each employee’s job description as they specifically contribute to the achievement of organizational goals. As averred by Volunteer Canada (2001), â€Å"job design theory requires that we address the question of how to get done what we want to get done—in other words, how we achieve our mission/mandate/vision.† (9) The tasks of a universal worker involves â€Å"responsibility for performing various activities to meet the needs of residents in a skilled nursing facility: meal service including preparation, cleaning, laundry duties, transportation, and resident support services as well as participates in improving quality of care/service.† (Otsego County, 2004, 1) This

The Italian Renaissance and the Northern European Renaissance Essay

The Italian Renaissance and the Northern European Renaissance - Essay Example Commerce introduced the artistic ideas in the Northern Europe region.Both regions used the guild system, which was based on lessons on the craft. This involved painting and sculptures. According to Earls, the guild system was a regulatory system for any artistic work (34). In this regard, every artistic presentation had to be in agreement with the Guild. This is to make sure that the artwork produced was of high quality. Essentially, this meant that the rehearsals on various forms of art had to be tireless and time-consuming. After accepting the artworks, the Guild still continued to measure the artistic practices and standards. Another similarity is that both the north and Italy had unique artistic centers in their regions.   In this regard, the Italian’s center was the Republic of Florence while the center for the North was Flanders. This was a section of the Duchy of the Burgundy. The Florence City, which was the center of art for the Italian Renaissance was controlled by the Medici family. The members of Medici family were responsible for bringing wealth to Florence. According to Nici, Cosimo de’ Medici, established a library, which was full of the Greek and Roman manuscripts (Nici 47). This legend noticeably involved Italian artists and philosophers. This group helped in the changing of Florence to a cultural center. The Italian Renaissance was focused on individualism. An example of this was ‘Masaccio’s Trinity with the virgin’, which was highly recognized with the Italian Renaissance.   The other likeness of Italy and the North was their use of religion in their artistic works. Incidentally, religious scenes were always displayed to show the love of religion. The artworks of the religious scenes from the Italian Renaissance were â€Å"the last supper† and â€Å"the creation†. The northern Europe Renaissance examples are â€Å"Adam and Eve†, and the â€Å"Mystic Lamb†. Both renaissances were sharp in their artistic works.  

Combining risk assessment and value engineering (this is project risk Essay

Combining risk assessment and value engineering (this is project risk management class) - Essay Example ng is an important technique that helps in the identification and elimination of unnecessary costs in construction, product design, manufacturing, operations, practices and processes. For over sixty years of existence and use, value engineering is referred to by different names. While some people refer to it as value engineering, others call it value analysis, value methodology or value management. However, the reference to value engineering in different terminologies does not change its concept. The concept of value engineering as a systematic process can be used to improve a projects value through a critical analysis of its functions by a multidisciplinary team. Value refers to the equivalent in goods, money, services or a fair return for something exchanged. It is most often represented in the relationship indicated below: The function is measured by the customer performance requirements while the resources are measured in labour, materials, time, price and many other elements that are essential for the accomplishment of the function. In a value methodology, the focus is primarily on how to improve value through the identification of alternative ways of reliably accomplishing a function that meets the customers performance expectations. A job plan in the systematic process of value engineering outlines the specific steps used to evaluate an issue and attain the maximum feasible alternatives that address the issue in consideration. The issue being considered could be a particular event risk(s) that potentially can be dealt with through value engineering in the context of risk assessment (Cretu, Stewart and Berends, 2011). The analysis of functions, as done by a multidisciplinary team through the application of value engineering, helps to improve the value of a project. The multidisciplinary team is a value engineering team that comprises the project stakeholders and experienced professionals. The team members are chosen based on their experience and expertise

Inventory Stratification Essay Example for Free

Inventory Stratification Essay Creating shareholder value is the ultimate goal of all businesses, so all processes should be directly tied to it.(1) The wholesale distributor’s core business process framework is a collection of process groups called 7S source, stock, sell, ship, supply chain planning, and support services. Linking these process groups to shareholder value are the process metrics – percentage of slow moving inventory; and the financial framework. This framework consists of the financial elements – inventory; the financial key performance indicators – GMROII; and the financial drivers – profitability. Inventory stratification is a specific business process under the inventory management subgroup in the stock process of 7S. Like most processes there is a common, good, and best practice for inventory stratification. Inventory stratification which includes the GMROII (gross margin return on inventory investment) method of A, B, C, D, X and Y items is considered best practice. A, B, C, and D represent items in inventory ranked by percentage of profitability from higher profitability down to zero profitability respectively. X and Y represent items with zero inventories, X represents items with gross margin dollars and Y represents items without any gross margin dollars. GMROII focuses on the items profitability making it a financial driver and is considered best practice. However, for optimal inventory stratification solutions, the final rank should include a combination method of the GMROII method; sales volume method – representative of customer-centric data; and the hits method – representative of logistics based data. Once the weighted combination data is compiled, best practices can be implemented throughout all the 7S process  groups and in every section of the financial framework linking inventory stratification (process) directly to four financial drivers: asset efficiency, profitability, cash flow, and growth. These four financial drivers increase ROI (shareholder value). With inventory stratification complete sourcing has integral data to complete best practice process metrics for supplier management. Supplier stratification can help a firm modify their supplier base into one that is profitable and efficient for all channels within the supply chain. Supplier scorecards can be created which leads to numerous financial elements being increased. Inventory stratification is key for best practice levels in determining the right number of suppliers as inventory stratification status of the product in terms of movement and profitability. This indirectly defines the required customer service level as well. With supplier performance improvement, higher satisfaction rates evolve both with the distributor and further more with the customer.. If the distributor is tracking the supplier’s performance and is able to having periodic meetings with their supplier’s based on the results of the scorecards this will drive efficiency and supplier performance improvement. Also, higher supply chain reliability occurs since the supplier knows where the distributors need increased satisfaction levels to be able to continue servicing their customer at high standards. If the scorecard says the supplier is lacking in the area of competitive pricing the distributor then has the data to begin price negotiations. This knowledge allows sourcing through the subgroup supplier management to eliminate suppliers who only provide C and D items finding the right number of suppliers for the organization. Eliminating C and D items reduces inventory and increases GMROII. You now have the option of reinvesting the resulting capital into A and B items, paying back loans, or other business opportunities. In the debt reduction case, the impact can be readily seen on the balance sheet. The investment in A items leads to further sales opportunities. The reinvestments and its associated expected inventory turns will help in calculating additional revenue and resulting improvement in EBITDA. Reinvestments can also be for capital purchases to position the business for future growth. Inventory stratification also affects the ship and store segments of the 7S process group. With the knowledge that can be obtained from the data slow moving items can be  removed from branch inventory and a Regional Distribution Center (RDC) may be implemented. This allows the branches to carry more A or B items, or simply to reduce their inventory cost. RDC’s are usually able to operate with less inventory by sales volume. Labor expense is also reduced driving profitability to the shareholders. Inventory stratification is the primary driver for sales forecast and helps populate fill rates by rank. Forecasted demand combined with lead time and safety stock is the primary component to reorder point. Inventory stratification minimizes the normally time consuming forecast process both with information systems resources and with human resources. The best practice forecasting model is driven off the inventory stratification and is therefore driven by the sell segment, this numerically factual forecast will be void of the emotional forecasting of the sales force. Marketing can use the inventory stratification to process what customers’ needs are or what customers are interested in. Inventory stratification is integral in both customer stratification which once completed and redeployment of the sales force has occurred additional revenues are recognized and cost to serve are reduced again driving profit to shareholders. Customer service often drives large, inefficient inventories in an attempt to be all things to all people. Shareholder value seeks to carry only profitable products, at reasonable levels, producing maximum sales, while also increasing market share. Inventory stratification is an integral part of this process. (1) Optimizing Distributor Profitability: Best Practices to a Stronger Bottom Line, by Senthil Gunasekaran, Pradip Krishnadevarajan, F. Barry Lawrence, NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence 2009.