Using Perceptual Maps in Marketing Simulation Summary Research Paper

Using Perceptual Maps in Marketing Simulation Summary - Research Paper Example The three phases that this marketing simulation summary contains will include a brief discussion of the existing situation, recommending the appropriate solution to tackle the adverse situation, and finally the discussion of the results (Answers n.d). Moreover, we will look at positioning and differentiation and will try to understand the relationship between them. Positioning and differentiation of a product is extremely crucial for success of a marketing plan. Also, we will try to examine what effects does product life cycle has on a marketing plan. Sales growth chart of Cruiser Thorr has negative slope. The motorcycle has done well in the past but now it requires a serious thought. The dedicated customer segment for these cruiser bikes has grown older. So there is obvious change in liking and Cruise Thorr motorcycle is not as appealing to them as it was few years back. Even the younger consumer base for Cruiser Thorr maintains a distance from it because of the price factor. They doubt if Thorr offers proper balance between lifestyle and price that needs to be paid for it. So the purpose of this scenario remains to assess the positioning of Thor in the marketplace over given parameters. These parameters are namely Price, Lifestyle, Services rendered and Quality engineering. Price is the first P of marketing mix and is pivotal in making a buying decision. Wrong or inappropriate pricing could overshadow all other P’s and qualities that a product possesses. Younger consumers were always interested in competitively lower priced motorcycles. Here, an important decision regarding brand dilution is to be made and that what is the appropriate value. Lifestyle image of Cruiser Thorr needs an honest reconsideration. It has already been stated that older consumer cannot live the same way they used to when they were young, so there is shift in their preference when it comes to selecting a motorcycle. Under this parameter important data could be

Blue Collar Jobs Essay Example for Free

Blue Collar Jobs Essay In the current economic situation in the U.S, graduating high school and going off to college for a degree has pretty much become the goal for most of the students here in the United States. According to the Institute of Education Sciences, studies have shown that between 1999 and 2009, the number of students in the United States perusing a degree in college full time has risen by almost 45% while part time students increased by 28%. With the vast expanding number of students, the number of job openings for these certain fields are simply not enough to provide every graduate with a job. Because of this problem the unemployment rates are staggeringly high here in the United States which includes the 44% those coming out of college. (Rampell) Take Kyle Bishop for example. Currently 24, he has been waiting tables, delivering beer, and working at a bookstore since 2009 when he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. (Rampell) Stories like this arise every day and only more appear. It will eventually affect future college students pursuing a degree and those who return to study to obtain a degree. Despite these stories however, many companies have been seeking employees to fill up positions for months to years. Many of these jobs have included machinist, welder, and many more in manufacturing, hence blue collar jobs. Now you may be thinking, how can companies not fill up position for manual labor? But with the pace of the advancement of technology in modern society, machinery has become more complicated and requires a higher skill cap to use compared to before while the number of workers with the skill to operate them has been dwindling. In the North Dakota oil fields, there is a 30% shortage of petroleum engineers and a 10% shortage of machinists that the companies simply cannot find enough workers with the skillsets to fill up these positions. According to news article from the Dallas Morning News the workforce is very skilled but they’re mostly people with experience who are soon to retire. It seems like jobs can’t be found without experience and experience can’t be gained without a job however, many say vocational school may become a solution. Students will be able to gain experience by learning about certain jobs in the field and acquiring the skills required without the need of actually finding a job. More people would become qualified to take over the empty positions and those soon to be empty as people begin to retire and more skilled workers join the workforce which could ease the unemployment rates. Every move made can affect the future of the United States economy and the future workers. Education is certainly very important but obtaining skills to work certain jobs is probably one of the most important factors in getting a job.

BP Commerce Analysis

BP Commerce Analysis I believe strongly that we need a work environment where everyone can bring all of themselves to work every day and not feel like they have to be someone else in order to succeed. -Tony Hayward, BP CEO /BP is one of the largest organizations in oil, gas, and alternative energy industry in the world. It employs more than 100 000 people across the world and provides essential oil, gas, and energy products for nearly 13 million customers every day in more than 100 countries. The company has a wide range of businesses including exploration and production, refining and marketing, gas power, and alternative energy (BP, 2010). Despite the success in the market or economic downturns, organization always must care about their employees who bring this success through skills, competencies, and hard work. Therefore, company must have a diversity and inclusion policy in place in order to create perfect working environment for these employees, to motivate them, remunerate, and retain the best. We might ask ourselves why diversity and inclusion is so important to any large or small company. The answer is that employees, shareholders, customers, suppliers, and community partners place a high value on organization for being fair and meritocratic (BP, 2010). Furthermore, we need to recognize the availability of skilled employees is getting smaller in nowadays market and economic situation. Every organization tries to attract new skilled labor and to retain talented employees in the company. In order to achieve that, organizations must have reputation, operational processes and imbedded policies, working climate that not only respects differences, but expose them for competitive advantage. BP is a multinational organization and it is essential to have an up-to-date policies and procedures in place for evaluation and monitoring purposes in order to comply with equality and inclusion policies, avoid any kind of discrimination, and ensure equal opportunities for everyone. Different organizations have different policies and practices and in order to compare BP to others, this organizational audit will review BPs other main competitors such as Exxon and Shell for a comparison on diversity and inclusion issues, provide investigation summary of BPs equal opportunity and equal pay practices, and provide action plans and cost and benefit analysis in order to enhance equality and diversity practice in the organization. A Summary of Analysis The purpose of this project is to produce diversity and inclusion analysis for BPs North Africa Strategic Performance Unit (further NA SPU) based on pay review recommendations in 2009 for employees to be effective on 1st of April 2010. I will be looking at Level E (senior level leaders) to Level K (administration) concentrating on equal pay issues and gender inequality (gaps) among UK employees only. The reason for this is that NA SPU has fairly big population and it is down to UK employees based locally in UK and in the businesses across the world. More to mention, this SPU is a perfect representation sample for other similar strategic performance units across the organization. 270 employees in North Africa Strategic Performance Unit (NA SPU) 139 UK nationals in NA SPU 31 Female employees 108 Male employees Level E (senior level leaders) 7 Males; 0 Females Level F(team leaders/professionals) 26 Males; 2 Females Level G (team leaders/professionals 30 Males; 4 Females Level H (team leaders/professionals 19 Males; 6 Females Level I (specialists/advisors) 17 Males; 8 Females Level J (specialists/advisors) 8 Males; 5 Females Level K (administration) Male 1; 6 Females All analysis is done only for the UK nationals population across all Levels, and Disciplines in NA SPU In order to get a better picture about pay equality and find out if there is any gaps in gender equality it is essential to analyse consistency of Salary Review process across the NA SPU and identify potential inequality in monetary reward between genders in different departments, levels, and across different disciplines. It is important to concentrate on the data which is robust- gender, income, length of service, and grouped by levels and disciplines. The sample group of employees does consist of different levels from E (senior level leaders) to K (administrative employees). It is a healthy business population that depicts statistical average of different employees in SPUs and other businesses within the company. Even though we have split the data down to segments any equal opportunity data is best analysed by working of groups so similar in roles and at similar level can be looked at. In order to understand the data better, I am providing few tables with graphic representation and statistical summary of the proposed data, following the brief comments to bring the main points or anomalies that could be potential gaps in reward and gender equality in the workplace. E F G H I J K Level Average SalaryGraph 1 Average New Salary comparison between Males and Females All Levels Higher level male and female employees positioned on the higher range of average salary scale and lower level male and female employees positioned on the lower range of average salary- it is consistent across every level. As the graph shows all the proposed employee salaries does not have any significant and female and male employees up to level G are similarly positioned on the salary grid. However, I would like to mention that circled in red on the graph data shows that level F female employees are on the lower range of the salary comparing to level F male employees. Picking the fact that there is significantly low number of female workers in higher levels- it raises the question of the possible glass ceiling that prevents female workers to get higher levels and be paid equally. Graph 2 Average New Salary by Job Discipline All Levels This data is very interesting, because it compares proposed new average salary between male and female employees in all levels but grouped by job discipline. The lowest paid group is administration, and the highest paid group of employees are drilling, geosciences disciplines where employees considered as professional and highly skilled workforce. Unfortunately, we notice that in geosciences and petroleum engineering disciplines we a have a significant difference in average salary between male and female employees. This is due to the fact that we have few women who works in these disciplines and the pay equality is very doubtful. On the other hand women earn more in average in the administration and commercial disciplines and we do not have any women working so called male oriented jobs in drilling and maintenance disciplines. This needs more investigation of companys recruitment policies and procedures why company does not attract more women into these jobs. Graph 3 Average New Salary by Years of Service All Levels This graph shows different set of data how the salary progresses depending on length of service despite the level of the employee but across level groups and disciplines. We can notice the gradual increase in salary for women and men, however we have only few women with a lengthy history of employment with company, but the good fact is that more and more women are hired into the business comparing with 20 years ago. It is worth to mention that circled in red- employees appear in the bottom of the range due to lower levels and the job discipline itself (administration). A Discussion of the Meaning of the Data Collected To summarise the findings it is clear that males and females are equally paid and well aligned to each other in every level, but there are few gaps in certain disciplines. Even though the national UK statistics is showing that the pay gap between gender is very high (see appendix 1) BP is trying their best to operate according to Equal Pay Act (release 1970), and Equal Pay between sexes (Article 141, EC Treaty). However the lack of female employees in main leadership positions and levels in our sample population- by all means might be understood as glass ceiling effect in the company (Podro, 2006). Therefore, it is interesting to look deeper into BP diversity and inclusion policy and compare the information to main rival companies policies and think of further improvements and recommendations in order the DI policy in BP policy to be attractive and by no means discriminatory. Table 1 Diversity Policy Comparison between Competitors Recruiting Developing Diversity Inclusive Leadership BP The number of graduates recruited through global recruitment program has increased by 58% since 2005 and 63% of these are engineers or scientists. 35% of all graduate hires were women, while 34% of all graduate hires came from racial or ethnic minorities. Diversity and inclusion policy aims to create a truly inclusive meritocracy at organization, in which the diversity of workforce reflects global reach and maximizes available talent while respecting individual differences. By valuing the differences between employees company establishes a platform for creativity, innovation and problem solving. There is a commitment to the development of a culture of diversity is therefore a true business imperative. Managing Inclusion program is now mandatory for all senior level leaders and by the end of year 2006, around 1000 employees at this level had completed the program. The program is still continues to exist in the organization. Exxon Women comprise about 25 percent of companys worldwide workforce, excluding company-operated retail stores. Approximately 12 percent of executive employees are women, compared to 9 percent in 2000. Organizations strength is the quality and diversity of employees. Organization operates Global Workforce Diversity Framework to attract, develop, and retain a premier workforce, actively foster a work environment where individual and cultural differences are respected and valued; and identify and develop leadership capabilities of employees to perform effectively in a variety of environments. Organization is committed to promoting leadership opportunities for women globally and improving the gender balance in the company. Shell By the end of 2009, 14.0% of the most senior leadership positions were filled by women, up from 13.6% in 2008. As well, 26.4% of supervisory positions (up from 24.7% in 2008) and 16.1% of management positions (up from 15.3% in 2008) were held by women. With a core strategic team in Central HR as well as representatives in organizations businesses worldwide, diversity and inclusiveness is an integral part of the organization. It has a vital part to play in underpinning its continuing success by ensuring attraction, recruitment, and retaining the best people- regardless of their gender, nationality or background. Local people fill senior management positions in every country we operate in. In 37% of countries, local nationals filled more than half the senior leadership positions, compared to 32% in 2008 Sources: BP (2010); Shell (2010); ExxonMobil (2010) 3. An Equality Plan BP has made a significant investment over a short period of time to raise awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the organization. The diversity and inclusion team was reorganized in 2007 in order to shift ownership of diversity and inclusion to the line and embedded in the business to ensure alignment with organizational strategic plans (BP, 2010). This reorganization of the team paid dividends in the sense that the companys diversity and inclusion policy was a driving force in creating engagement in the workplace, changing leadership attitudes, improving performance representation statistics against competitors, and building pride and ownership among employees in different strategic performance units in the organization. To be more specific, in order to achieve desired results there should be a support for leaders and line managers with implementation of a framework that defines the strategy and priorities. The need of advancements or improvements on existing policies and the frameworks are imminent to achieve business goals and improve on diversity issues: Table 2 Diversity Inclusion Development and Maitenance Population Actions Leadership team Governance of diversity and inclusion strategy and periodical reviews of the progress. Ensure objectives embedded within operating business in every strategic performance unit. DI team Developing and proposing strategy, policy, and framework that advocates and supports diversity and inclusion. Cooperating with HR teams and external sources in order to be up to date with the policy and practices. HR team Serving as consultants and advising everyone involved to identify the critical DI areas in the organization that needs improvement. Leading various activities across the business to promote the equal opportunities. BP employees Everyone must take a part in helping the organization to tackle the diversity issues by taking responsibility for diverse behaviour and attitudes. It is essential to participate in creating inclusive working environment using all available tools and support. Having said that, I would like to concentrate on North Africa SPU populations gender equality and equal pay issues and provide recommendations on what can be done to improve situation and to be compliant with BP diversity model and policies: Table 3 Recommendation Costs Issue Target Recommendation Cost Equality in gender workforce Significantly increase the percentage of female employees in senior level jobs Aggressive external recruitment and local talent search via internal recruitment High costs external recruitment and headhunting can be very expensive since there is scarce pool of highly skilled women to fill in senior level positions Minimal costs local talent search via intranet, local recruitment database, and companies internal publications in every form and shape Equal pay across the levels and disciplines Ensure the pay reviews are according to equal pay act and not discriminatory among male and female workers To review the policy of Salary Review procedure and implement a equal pay process that would allow team leaders to have market data during the annual pay conversations Minimal costs internal policy review procedure, and up to line managers responsibility to be up-to-date of legalities Medium costs a market research, investigation new trends, time costs as well implementing, and communicating the new procedures (if any) Equal opportunities for career progression Increase the percentage of female workers in male dominated disciplines (for example geosciences and drilling) Professional development workshops and attractive internship schemes for university graduates Medium costs third party provided courses and development sessions Medium costs graduate recruitment campaigns, including task group time costs, competitive graduate packages to retain the best talents Culture change DI learning sessions / conferences To make aware BP population about internal issues and introduce to internal statistics Reiterate on importance of diverse workforce and how it could be change to achieve diverse working environment Minimal cost lunch and learn sessions, DI team monthly bulletins, presentations Medium costs external investigation or third party conferences and sessions about the different issues of DI On the other hand, some policies might not become a good practice and therefore organization could face a biggest obstacle- its own culture (Kirton and Greene, 2005). Having said that, it is important that organizations do not force the decisions and make the policy unnatural thing. Diversity and inclusion comes along with the culture and one changes another. So, in order to change the rules of the game in nowadays fast changing environment, organizations should come up with diversity audit to highlight the potential gaps. A Cost and Benefit Analysis It is important that leadership of the organization understands that companies that implement workforce diversity policies acquire an important benefits that strengthen not only long-term competitiveness in the market but also produce short and medium-term performance results (CSES, 2003). Therefore, a cost and benefit analysis is widely used to establish how well a planned action or new policy might turn out. The analysis always brings a results into monetary values, so the very important that a cost benefit analysis include all the costs and all the benefits in order to count the true value and establish if the new policy or new action plan is worth the money. On the other hand, companies in most cases gain positive non-monetary benefits. As Hubbard (2004) clearly explained the value of non-monetary benefits- loyalty of the staff, reputation of the organization, employer of the choice status, and etc. can not be transferred or measured into value of money. Also, the major benefit is that making employees and leadership to think critically and be explicit about the issues within the company that along with diversity and inclusion it brings new strategic choices like culture change. Would like to stress on the few diversity and inclusion initiative that BP already is working on, which is with no doubt puts organization in very positive place among the competitors and promotes business success by trying to minimize obstacles to inclusion: Affinity groups- typically form around ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disabilities, but groups that wish to focus on other important or relevant issues may be considered on a case by case basis, and BP as organization encourages and supports affinity groups working for business benefit (BP, 2010). To name a few, these include the African American Network, Asian American Network, Womens Network, Beyond Pride, BP Latino Network, Gray Matters!, and Working Parents and Parents-to-Be. Flexible working- organization always recognizes that flexible working arrangement is almost a part of the modern working environment and can enable it to retain and attract skilled staff and increase employee commitment and morale. And the most important- the flex-working scheme is an integral part of BPs diversity and inclusion agenda. There are more of these initiatives and groups that work towards developing diverse and inclusive workforce around the world, but of course, there are costs as well associated with the implementation of diversity policies in the organization. Let not forget the cash costs of compliance with laws on discrimination, as well as the investment into programmes that serves as implementation to change internal cultures in the way that the diverse workforce is recruited, retained, and developed (CSES, 2003). To reiterate more on proposed changes for North Africa SPU and diversity and inclusion strategies for BP company as a whole, over recent years, BP has implemented and managed a wide range of global and local diversity and inclusion training programs and initiatives to support employees in understanding diversity and building inclusive behaviors. As we could see that organization is treats the DI very importantly in order to stay in the leading position in the market, however there is plenty to do and enough work in progress.

Measure for Measure Essay: Isabella’s Moral Dilemma -- Measure for Mea

Isabella’s Moral Dilemma in Measure for Measure "O cunning enemy that, to catch a saint, with saints dost bait thy hook." A disturbing tale of suspense, dark comedy and corruption, Shakespeare's Measure for Measure explores sexuality, morality and the law, exposing the abuse of authority in high places amid the seething underworld of Vienna. This essay will explore Isabella’s moral dilemma. In the play, Claudio has been sentenced to death for getting his fiancee pregnant (his crime was not so much getting her pregnant, but having sex with her at all). Claudio's sister, Isabella, who is in the process of joining a nunnery, feels that Claudio has done wrong, has sinned and committed a crime, but she feels that the sentence--death--is too strict. So, she goes to the ruler of the city, Angelo, to plead for her brother's life. The previously virtuous Angelo falls into lust with Isabella, and he propositions her to save her brother by having sex with him (Angelo). Now, remember that Isabella is in the process of becoming a nun. She, of course, rejects this propos...

Concepts of Electrostasis

Why do you suppose this is so? -Outer electrons are loosely bound with the nucleus because of their larger distance from the nucleus, so they can be easily stripped off. In the case of the inner electrons, the opposite is true. They are more tightly bound because their closer to the nucleus, so they are more difficult to remove them. 52) You are not harmed by contact with a charged metal ball, even though its voltage may be very high. Is the reason similar to why you are not harmed by the rater than 1 ICC sparks from a Fourth of July sparkler? Defend your answer in terms of the energies that are involved. Yes. The reason is similar, because the amount of energies involved in both cases is very small. Chapter 23: Electric Current 46) In the circuit shown, how do the brightness's Of the identical lightships compare? Which bulb draws the most current? What will happen if Bulb A is unscrewed? If Bulb C is unscrewed? -The brightness of Bulb A and Bulb B will be the same, while Bulb C will be twice as Bulbs A or B. Bulb C draws the most current. When Bulb A is unscrewed, Bulb C will glow as it had and Bulb B will not glow. If Bulb C is unscrewed, Bulb A and Bulb B will glow at the same brightness.Chapter 24: Magnetism 15) One way to make a compass is to stick a magnetized needle into a piece of cork and float it in a glass bowl full of water. The needle will align itself with the horizontal component of Earth's magnetic field. Since the north pole of this compass is attracted northward, will the needle float toward the north side of the bowl? Defend your answer. -The needle will point toward the northward direction; however, it will not eve towards the northward side since the forces acting on the needle balances each other Out, remaining at rest. 3) In a mass spectrometer, ions are directed into a magnetic field, where they curve and strike a detector. If a variety of singly unionized atoms travel at the same speed through the magnetic field, would you expect them a ll to be deflected by the same amount, or would different ions be bent different amounts? Defend your answers. -Deflection of ions by magnetic fields solely depends upon their charge/ mass ratio. This is different for different ions. Chapter 25: Electromagnetic Induction 2) A certain simple earthquake detector consists of a little box firmly anchored to Earth.Suspended inside the box is a massive magnet that is surrounded by stationary coils of wire fastened to the bode. Explain how this device works, applying two important principles of physics-?one studied in Chapter 2 and the other in this chapter. -When an earthquake occurs, stationary coils inside the detector begin to vibrate and a relative motion between the coils and magnets is generated. The motion of the coils induces voltage into the coils. As a result, the intensity of the earthquake is recorded. ) A length of wire is bent into a closed loop and a magnet is plunged into it, inducing a voltage and, consequently, a current in the wire. A second length of wire, twice as long, is bent into two loops of wire, and a magnet is similarly plunged into it. Twice the voltage is induced, but the current is the same as that produced in the single loop. Why? -The voltage induced is directly proportional to the number Of loops Of the wire. Resistance is directly proportional to the length of the wire as long as all other parameters are constant in the formula R=PL/A.The second wire has wise the length and twice the number of turns than the first wire. 43) The metal wing of an airplane acts like a â€Å"wire† flying through Earth's magnetic field. A voltage is induced between the wing tips, and a current flows along the wing but only for a short time. Why does the current stop even though the airplane contain use flying through Earth's magnetic field? -The current stops even though the airplane continues to fly through the Earth's magnetic field, because the losses which occurred when a motor operates a gen erator and when the voltage is stepped up by a transformer is not considered.After the completion of each cycle, the energy outputted decreases due to the losses in the motor, the generator, and the transformer. Therefore, this will stop. Chapter 32: The Atom and the Quantum 6) Why does classical physics predict that atoms should collapse? -According to classical physics, an accelerated charged particle emits radiation. An electron that is orbiting the nucleus should radiate energy and move into a spiral path that ends at the nucleus. Therefore, atoms should collapse from a classical physics description. 28) When and where do Newton's laws of motion and quantum mechanics overlap?When the size of the system is very large compared to the De Brogue wavelength, the Newton's laws of motion and quantum mechanics overlap. Chapter 33: The Atomic Nucleus and Radioactivity 16) Two protons in an atomic nucleus repel each other, but they are also attracted to each other. Explain. -Two protons i n an atomic nucleus repel each other and also attract each Other, because of Coulomb Repulsion. The protons repel each other; however, due to a strong nuclear force, they also attract each other. 47) Why is carbon dating ineffective in finding the ages of dinosaur bones?

Sarah Mapps Douglass and the Anti-Slavery Movement

Sarah Mapps Douglass and the Anti-Slavery Movement Known for:  her work in educating African American youth in Philadelphia, and for her active role in antislavery work, both in her city and nationallyOccupation:  educator, abolitionistDates:  September 9, 1806 - September 8, 1882Also known as:  Sarah Douglass Background and Family Mother: Grace Bustill, milliner, daughter of Cyrus Bustill, a prominent Philadelphia African AmericanFather: Robert Douglass, Sr., hairdresser and businessmanHusband: William Douglass (married 1855, widowed 1861) Biography Born in Philadelphia in 1806, Sarah Mapps Douglass was born into an African American family of some prominence and economic comfort.  Her mother was a Quaker and raised her daughter in that tradition. Sarah’s maternal grandfather had been an early member of the Free African Society, a philanthropic organization. Though some Quakers were advocates of racial equality, and many abolitionists were Quakers, many white Quakers were for separation of the races and expressed their racial prejudices freely.  Sarah herself dressed in Quaker style, and had friends among white Quakers, but she was outspoken in her criticism of the prejudice that she found in the sect. Sarah was educated mostly at home in her younger years. When Sarah was 13 years old, her mother and a wealthy African American businessman of Philadelphia, James Forten, founded a school to educate the African American children of the city.  Ã‚  Sarah was educated in that school. She got a job teaching in New York City, but returned to Philadelphia to lead the school in Philadelphia.  She also helped to found a Female Literary Society, one of many in a movement in many Northern cities to encourage self-improvement, including reading and writing.  These societies, in a commitment to equal rights, were often incubators for organized protest and activism, as well. Antislavery Movement Sarah Mapps Douglass was also becoming active in the growing abolitionist movement. In 1831, she had helped raise money in support of William Lloyd Garrison’s abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator. She and her mother were among those women who, in 1833, founded the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society.  This organization became a focus of her activism for most of the rest of her life. The organization included both black and white women, working together to educate themselves and others, both through reading and listening to speakers, and to promote action to end slavery, including petition drives and boycotts. In Quaker and anti-slavery circles, she met Lucretia Mott and they became friends. She became quite close to the abolitionist sisters, Sarah Grimkà © and Angelina Grimkà ©. We know from the records of the proceedings that she played a significant role in national antislavery conventions in 1837, 1838 and 1839. Teaching In 1833, Sarah Mapps Douglass founded her own school for African American girls in 1833.  The Society took over her school in 1838, and she remained its headmaster.  In 1840 she took back control of the school herself. She closed it in 1852, instead  of going to work for a project of the Quakers – for whom she had less rancor than earlier - the Institute for Colored Youth. When Douglass’ mother died in 1842, it fell on her to take care of the house for her father and brothers. Marriage In 1855, Sarah Mapps Douglass married William Douglass, who had first proposed marriage the year before.  She became stepmother to his nine children he was raising after the death of his first wife.  William Douglass was the rector at St. Thomas Protestant Episcopal Church.  During their marriage, which seems not to have been particularly happy, she limited her antislavery work and teaching, but returned to that work after his death in 1861. Medicine and Health Beginning in 1853, Douglass had begun studying medicine and health, and took some of the basic courses at the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania as their first African American student. She also studied at the Ladies’ Institute of Pennsylvania Medical University.  She used her training to teach and lecture on hygiene, anatomy and health to African American women, an opportunity which, after her marriage, was considered more proper than it would have been if she had not been married. During and after the Civil War, Douglass continued her teaching at the Institute for Colored Youth, and also promoted the cause of southern freedmen and freedwomen, through lectures and fund-raising. Last Years Sarah Mapps Douglass retired from teaching in 1877, and at the same time discontinued her training in medical topics.  She died in Philadelphia in 1882. She asked that her family, after her death, destroy all her correspondence, and also all of her lectures on medical topics.  But letters which she had sent to others are preserved in the collections of her correspondents, so we are not without such primary documentation of her life and thoughts.

The Age of Reason - Review and Summary

The Age of Reason - Review and Summary The Bottom Line If The Age of Reasons creates controversy today, imagine what readers must have thought at the time the work first appeared! Still, the work was a bestseller in America, and an important representative work from the time period. Pros Presented in a clear, straightforward style (accessible)Drawn from intellectual masters: Voltaire, Hume Spinoza (along w/other influences) Cons Mocks/ridicules religiosity (may be offensive to some readers) Description A deistic pamphletWritten by 18th-century British radical, Thomas PainePublished in 3 partsin 1794, 1795 1804 Guide Review - The Age of Reason Summary Thomas Paine is often associated with the American Revolution, because of his pamphlets; but The Age of Reason is still controversial (and has been banned) for its criticism of established religion and its challenge to the Bible. After reading The Age of Reason in 1757, Benjamin Franklin famously wrote: I would advise you... not to attempt unchaining the Tyger, but to burn this Piece before it is seen by any other Person, whereby you will save yourself a great deal of Mortification from the Enemies it may raise against you, and perhaps a good deal of Regret and Repentance. If Men are so wicked as we now see them with Religion what would they be if without it? Despite the controversy (and the many irate responses) that the pamphlet inspired, The Age of Reasons was a popular in Americathe work struck a chord. It appears to have inspired deep-rooted passionsit brought punishment and imprisonment to those associated with the early publishing history. Study Guide SummaryThe Age of Reason QuotesThe Age of Reason Questions for Study and DiscussionA Letter to a Friend Regarding The Age of Reason

Marketing plan and marketing strategy for the re-launch of a selected product which is currently being sold by DIY retailers in UK. The WritePass Journal

Marketing plan and marketing strategy for the re-launch of a selected product which is currently being sold by DIY retailers in UK. Introduction Marketing plan and marketing strategy for the re-launch of a selected product which is currently being sold by DIY retailers in UK. IntroductionBackground / Current SituationCompany AnalysisCustomer AnalysisMarket / Competitor AnalysisPESTEL AnalysisSWOT AnalysisStrengths: Weakness:Opportunities:Threats:ObjectivesMarketing Objectives:Financial Objectives:Marketing StrategyTarget Market SegmentsRepeat againCompetitive Advantage:Marketing MixProduct:Price:Promotion:Place:Implementation and ControlConclusionsRecommendationsRelated Introduction The purpose of this report is to present a marketing plan and marketing strategy for the re-launch of a selected product which is currently being sold by DIY retailers in UK. The product selected for the re-launch is Passion Radiators that is being sold by Wickes Plc. The marketing plan and strategy is applicable from 1st June 2012 to 1st January 2013. Passion radiators are designer and eco-friendly radiators that are currently being sold in three colours and designs. For presenting the marketing plan, many areas have been discussed such as the company analysis, competition, current market trends, Pestel analysis, swot analysis etc. The key reasons for the re-launch of the product have been discussed. In the current economic downturn, the purchases of new homes have decreased. So people are renovating their current homes where they prefer trendier, designer and efficient products for their households. People are also looking for more ways to bring down their expenses. During the re-l aunch period, two special events are there: Olympic Games and the Christmas. The marketing plan and strategy is proposed in such a way that it can take full advantage of these events. A plan has been given for all the marketing activities to be carried out during the re-launch period. Academic journals, articles, newspapers and books have been referred to present the marketing plan and strategy for Passion Radiators from Wickes. Background / Current Situation Wickes Plc launched Passion radiators in 2005-06. Passion radiators are designer itself from the rest, as it is eco and user friendly. A Passion radiator consumes 80% less water and produces 15% higher output though the same consumption of electricity. This feature can save electricity and the environment at the same time as it consumes less and generates more. The sales of Passion radiators are very limited. Little information is available about the product on the broachers and the company website. Passion radiators have only three products in their range. Other key issue is the price; at present, the company is charging around  £713 GBP for a radiator, which is expensive, compared to the competition. Based on this, the main reasons to be considered for the failure and re launch of the product are: Low Awareness Comparatively High Price Market Trend Economic situation in UK Installation Charges and after sale services were higher. These points are discussed in the later sections of the report. Company Analysis Define company analysis (reference) To meet the financial and marketing objectives and recover the loss due to failure. (see objectives) Specific R D of passion radiator and analysis of competitors.(see product) Wickes Plc is one of the largest DIY companies in UK. It was established in 1972 and is currently owned by Travis Perkins Plc. It has over 200 stores and around 8500 DIY products in UK. The company has a large range of home improvement products. One of the important commitments of the company is to provide more eco friendly products that help improve the environment. Analysing the financial data for the company of 2010-2011, it is evident that the sales grew by 3.1%. But, the significant growth was seen in market share which at present makes the group the largest DIY retailer in UK. Considering the current economical conditions, the company is making good progress by acquiring more market share and increase in sales figures. Following success, company has planned to launch more DIY products that are environment friendly and open more stores in UK. Customer Analysis Define customer analysis.(reference) Labour are expensive and we make this product user-friendly to reduce expenses. Customer satisfaction is our first-priority because the customers are the only element to make the product success or fail How we retain the customers? Currently economic condition of UK is not very good. Following cuts in benefits, customer confidence is decreasing. The real estate market is also struggling. Customers at the moment want to buy cheaper products and want to save money in any way they can. The trend of buying new homes is decreasing these days in UK, and more people prefer to renovate the old ones. This seems a good opportunity for home improvement products. For Wickes Plc, the other important point is that many small retailers are closing due to tough economic times. This was the reason that the company gained market share in 2010-2011 following closures of many small retailers and shops. According to research conducted by AMA, it is evident that the designer radiator market is showing good growth potential. The two important products are the designer radiators and towel warmers. People tend to make their home more design oriented by installing designer radiators to make their house look more beautiful. Consumers prefer innovative designs, odd shapes and more colour options. On the product development side, consumers prefer better thermal performance, efficiency and lower running costs. Adding on, customers look to bring down their utility expenses and purchase more environment preserving products in homes. Market / Competitor Analysis Define and reference Company Competitor High quality-low price Different package with passion Customer can pay its easy instalment without pay any interest. High efficiency that there is no need to jump from single to double glaze windows, which saves the customer extra budget. There are currently many companies in the designer radiator market. The other DIY companies such as BQ, the radiator company and other designer radiator range from Wickes group itself such as Havel, dynasty and others. When comparing the prices, the designer radiators range from around  £250 to  £1500, depending upon the size and style. Price competition has become very fierce as more companies are entering the designer radiator market, which are importing products manufactured in low cost foreign markets. The market of designer radiators has shown an inspiring increase of around 10% to 20% in the recent years. In 2008, the market for designer radiators was nearly  £ 75 million. However, due to economic downturn a decrease of 9% was seen in 2009 reducing the market size to nearly  £ 69 million. But, according to a research conducted by AMA, it was forecasted that the market would grow nearly 16% by 2012 compared to 2009 and the market size would be around  £80 million. The market for designer radiators can be segmented into three main sectors: domestic renovation, domestic new build and commercial installations. The key sector is the domestic renovation as due to current economic downturn it is more likely that people will make improvements in their current homes rather than buying new houses. PESTEL Analysis Political: The current coalition government has many plans to support eco friendly improvements in houses and encourage environment friendly products. The government has launched a benefit scheme under which the householders need to prove that they are using products that saves money on utility bills and thus save environment. Economical: The current economic downturn and government cuts in benefits have decreased customer confidence. The real estate market is struggling and so people are improving their current homes and installations. The opportunity here for Wickes is to gain market share as it did in 2010 following closures of many shops and other retailers. Social: People are looking ways for decreasing money on their expenses. The product Passion Radiators is ideal as it will help save money for its customers on utility bills. During the re-launch period, Christmas and Boxing Day are there. Customer spending during this time is the highest. The company should offer lucrative offers to attract more sales and customers. Technological: In the radiator market, the trend is for installing more decorative and innovative radiators that are energy efficient. The company should increase the range of Passion radiators by introducing more shapes, colours and making them more energy efficient. Environmental: People surely prefer more environmental friendly products for their homes. Passion radiators can satisfy this need of the customers. Passion radiators consume less water and produces more thermal output saving electricity. Legislative: The government is providing exemption from VAT on purchase of eco-friendly radiators where the people can save money. However, the rules are very complicated to claim for exemption. SWOT Analysis Strengths: Passion radiators are eco friendly and thus energy saving. The Wickes group has a large distribution network of around 200 outlets in UK from where the products can be sold to customers. The product has a warranty of 5 years with two years of after sale service. Low electricity/gas consumption. Customer can install by themselves. Passion radiators are a product of Wickes Plc, which is currently the leading DIY Company in UK. This shall increase reliability and provide a good marketing platform for the product. Weakness: Passion radiators have a very low awareness in the market. The price for the product is relatively higher compared to its competition. Fierce competition among the companies for selling designer radiators. Opportunities: The opportunity of this company is market share regarding the re-launch of radiator successfully, result in gaining more market share by grasping more customers. The product can address the current market trend where people prefer more innovative and designer products that are energy efficient. The markets for the designer radiators have good potential to grow of around 16% in 2012. Government benefits and tax exemptions for eco friendly products in homes. In the current economic situation, people are more likely to improve their existing homes. Further, they want to cut their expenses. This product can address people’s need in current situation. Threats: Wickes Plc has other products in the designer range. Re-launching Passion radiators and giving more emphasis to it might reduce sales of its other products and can hamper the company in overall sales. Competition is introducing cheaper products made in low cost foreign markets. Other products are available in market with same features. The leakage of the latest technology used in these radiators. New entrants can be entered after the leakage. Objectives Marketing Objectives: The company should maintain a strong growth during the entire re-launch period of Passion radiators. Wickes should achieve stable market penetration in the designer radiator market. Company must take full advantage of the Christmas and Boxing Day. More market share leads to optimize profit. Customer loyalty and satisfaction. The re-launch period also has the 2012 Olympics (27th June – 12 Aug). It is very likely that the commercial installations of radiators could possibly increase during this period. The company should establish Business-to-Business relations to take advantage of the Olympics. Financial Objectives: Company should manufacture the radiators in low cost foreign regions in order to decrease price of the product. Company should maintain research and development costs in order to improve efficiency, introduce more designs and innovations in the radiator. Wickes should concentrate on acquiring more market share of the designer radiator market. Marketing Strategy Target Market Segments Repeat again At present, the designer radiator market is nearly  £75 million GBP and has good potential to grow in 2012. With current market trend of people more likely to purchase designer and energy efficient radiators, Passion radiators have a good potential. As mentioned earlier in the report, the designer radiator market can be segmented into mainly three categories: domestic renovation (65%), domestic new homes (20%) and commercial installations (15%). After analysis, the company must consider two main categories here i.e. domestic renovation and commercial installations. In the tight economic situation, people will improve their current homes. The Olympic events are in the re-launch period. The commercial installations of radiators will surely increase in hotels and other places. Wickes should surely target the commercial market with Passion radiators. The company should associate the Passion radiators with environmental activities for marketing the product. They should also give a punch line to the product that suites its functionality and features. In the outlets, the product should kept in such a way that it attracts more people visiting the stores. On the website, the product should be highlighted. One of the commitments of Wickes is to introduce more environmental friendly products. By promoting and giving emphasis to Passion radiators, the company can come closer in achieving its commitments given to its customers. Competitive Advantage: There are surely many designer radiators available in the market. But, very few are eco-friendly. Being designer and eco friendly are the most distinctive features of Passion radiators that separate it from the competition. The other important point is that it is a product of the Wickes Plc. People will prefer a product from a more reliable and trusted company such as Wickes. Wickes also has a good loyal customer base. The company is also strong financially so they will be able to invest more in the re-launch of the Passion radiators. Marketing Mix The marketing mix of Passion radiators should be like this in terms of product, price, place and promotion. Product: Increase range of the product. Introduce more shapes, colours and designs. Maintain research and development to improve efficiency of product. The product is user friendly for which customers can install and fit the radiators by themselves easily. Innovative product with meaningful features. Price: Pricing of the different radiator should be finalised after considering the competition. Special discounts on Christmas and Boxing Day. During Olympics, provide more discounts to businesses as they mostly purchase in bulk. Maintaining Low Prices with High Quality is the main target. Promotion: The company must promote the product through TV ads, hoardings, banner Ads and social networks, newspapers and advertising on internet. If the company will able to make the product associated with the Olympic Games, it would be a huge benefit. Passion radiators should be associated to many eco friendly events and charities. Place: Wickes should display the product in all its outlets in the UK. Customers can be able to order the product online and through phone calls. Increase the number of distribution centres for ease access to customers. Free delivery services. Implementation and Control The company should select proper milestones during the re-launch period for it success. The company must also monitor that activities are finished on time and budget. A Gantt chart has been prepared for implementing the marketing activities which is given at the end of report. The company should monitor the actions of the Re-launch plan of the Passion radiators. The following areas should be observed: Revenue: The sales of the product should be checked during the entire period especially during Olympic Games and Christmas time. Expenses: during the entire re launch period i.e. 1st June 2012 to 1st January 2013. The company should strictly monitor that the customers of the product are satisfied as it will be the key to successful re-launch of the product. Constant development and expansion of the product. Conclusions Passion radiators at present are very limited to only three types and colours. Being energy efficient and eco friendly will surely help the company to re launch the product. In the present market t rend, people prefer designer and energy efficient radiators. In tough economic conditions, people look ways to cut down expenses. Passion radiators can meet all these requirements of the market trend in UK. The Olympic games and Christmas both fall in the re-launch period. During Olympic games, the commercial renovations of radiators is surely to increase. During Christmas and Boxing Day customer spending is the highest in the year. The company Wickes, should not miss the opportunity and grab the maximum advantage they can from both these events. There is immense competition in the designer radiator market but very few have eco friendly radiators. This gives Passion radiators the extra edge over the competition. Being a product of Wickes DIY will certainly add more to it. The government is also providing benefits to environment friendly households and giving VAT exemptions. The market trend, government support, edge over competition, Olympic games and Christmas; all these aspects will surely make the re-launch of the Passion radiators successful. Recommendations The weak points of Passion radiators are high price compared to competition and less varieties in the product range. Wickes should consider manufacturing in the product in low cost foreign regions so they can bring down the price of the radiators. Company should continue research and development throughout the re-launch period in order to bring more innovations in the product and add more products in the range. The company should also improve the efficiency and make the product more environmental friendly. Wickes should establish good relations with businesses as they will go for renovations during the Olympic games. The company should provide flexible and discount prices as businesses generally purchase in bulk. Sales target should be set and met during the Olympics and Christmas period. Wickes should associate Passion radiators with other environment preserving events and programs for promoting the product. By attaching the company name and the product to environmental programs wil l increase goodwill among the consumers and the company can also satisfy its commitment of preserving environment. The product should be highlighted in all its outlets and website. Customers should be able to purchase the radiators online and via phone calls. The company should also assist through proper instructions and help line if customers face any problems in installing the radiators. Good customer service is always important for the success of any product. It is important for the success of re launch that the marketing activities and milestones occur on time and on budget. Wickes should steadily follow the marketing plan and strategy for the accomplishment of the re-launch of Passion radiators.

SAM 344 UNIT 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

SAM 344 UNIT 6 - Essay Example Nike manufactures shoes of various shapes, styles, and sizes as per the preferences and tastes of every buyer. Therefore, customers have the opportunity to choose from a variety and thus, not limited to one product type (Pitts, & Stotlar, 125). However, the market for shoe products is segmented since customers have varied preferences and tastes that the product meets. Therefore, Nike strives to ensure that its customers derive the best from the product as per the market segmentation (Carbasho, 12. I think the shoe products from Nike continue to evolve and pass through various stages as it grows to meet the ever-evolving needs of the customers. This is to ensure that the products do not become out of date and irrelevant to customers as well as to their needs at different periods. Nike Company provides a variety of sport products; a variety of shoe, equipment products and sport attires. For instance, one of the company’s brands, Cole Haan has a range of casual footwear, a lineup of dress and as well as various accessories for women, men, and children (Carbasho, 14). Furthermore, it markets headgear and sells small plastic products to various manufactures and through Nike IHM Inc. Other products produced and marketed by Nike include skate blades, protective gear, hockey sticks, and hockey jerseys among other accessories. Nike’s pricing is designed in a manner that is competitive to that of other rival firms dealing with shoe products. Moreover, its pricing is on a basis of quality segment as target buyers. Its pricing strategy uses vertical integration in determining price as they control and engage participants at various levels or channels of operations. This aids in controlling costs and thus influences product pricing (Carbasho, 14). The shoes produced by Nike are distributed to the exclusive Nike stores as well as multi – brand stores all over the globe. It sells the shoes to over 20,000 retail accounts within

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The Body Shop Saga by Anita Roddick - Essay Example The first Body Shop, painted an appropriate green, opened in 1976. Roddick's timing was excellent. The first Earth Day had been celebrated in 1970, with the participation even of corporations such as the chemical and petroleum industry giants Monsanto and Texaco. There was growing international consciousness on issues related to the environment and sustainable development. People's desire and determination to "do something" about these problems produced the social movements of the 80s and beyond. Green business proved to be good business It made people feel good that they had not only bought good products but supported causes such as the famous saving the whales movement. The "business with principles" marketing strategy obviously worked. By 1992, the business was valued at 700 million pounds. By 1992 Body Shop shares were being sold at 3.72 pounds at the London stock exchange. At that time they were known as "the shares that defy gravity." (Entine 2002) Who could know that by 2006 t he shop built on corporate social responsibility (CSR) would be sold to L'Oreal, a player in the high-end beauty industry, that is 26% owned by Nestle. Roddick and The Body Shop from the very beginning expressed its stand against animal testing. The most salient points of the 1999 and 2002 report â€Å"revealed a huge ethical gap between BSI's marketing image and its actual practices†¦This deception†¦is pervasive: Roddick stole the Body Shop name and marketing concept, fabricated key demands of the company myth, misrepresented its charitable contributions and fair trade programs and has been beset by employee morale and franchise problems. Moreover, its "natural" products are filled with petrochemical colorings, fragrances, preservatives and base ingredients such as mineral oil and petrolatum.†Ã‚  

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 18

Marketing - Essay Example The disparity between international marketing and domestic marketing lies in the global markets complexity and multidimensionality. An international manager requires understanding of such complexities and the allegations they have regarding international marketing. When an organization moves from domestic to global market, different international strategies needs to be approached for getting an idea of the international marketplace. International companies such as Coca Cola, Gillette practices international marketing (Eid and Trueman, 2004). International marketing serves to be a good opportunity for the organizations to expand its business and make profits through overseas business. International competition comes with global cooperation. Organizations in order to establish business in foreign countries make greater efforts to understand cultures of those countries to develop strategies for success. Internationalization is affecting the interdependence of every country and makes att empts to promote global cooperation (Furrer, Liu and Sudharshan, 2000). The aim of the study is to understand the notion of international marketing and the environmental factors that favour the development of various international strategies. The strategies that indicate culture and its appreciation serves as a tool to ensure marketing success, will also be analysed in details. Evaluation of the environmental factors is crucial in developing international marketing strategies. An international manager requires a deep knowledge of the complexities of the environment and its implications in the international marketing environment. International marketing strategies takes into factors such as legal, economic, political and technological for gaining business efficiency (Eid and Trueman, 2004). Legal environment varies in both perspective and in elucidation. An organization besides being bound by its home country laws is also bound by the

Organ Trafficking Solution Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Organ Trafficking Solution - Research Paper Example India has been cited as one of the countries with the highest number of organ traffickers among other countries such as Philippines, Pakistan, Egypt and China. According to Shimazono (2007), organ transplantation is a therapy that is practiced on persons with dysfunctional organs and is practiced internationally. He notes that nations are illegalizing organ donations, and yet illegal organ trafficking still exists. Thus, he recommends that vulnerable individuals should be protected by these nations as a form of curbing and controlling this illegal activity. Among the main organ exporters, India contributes much to the illegal trade since many of the organ traffickers sell these organs to foreigners in the country (Shimazono, 2007). Organ transplant according to Shimazono has serious effects and consequences on the lives of the affected individuals. Regrets, discrimination, and depression, are some of the effects of organ trafficking causes on the victims. MOHAN, which is an Indian non-government group, supports the legal donation of organs in India and thus demonizes organ trafficking as an inhuman and illegal business. Many economic and social challenges force Indian young men to engage, in these dubious businesses, to sustain themselves. An urgency to control and curb the illegal business is needed in India and the government, researchers and Indian policy workers are working so hard to erad icate the practice. This essay aims at offering the solution to the problem of organ trafficking. Organ trafficking has become a contentious issue, which many governments and international organizations are trying to solve. The international community has been on the far front line in curtailing the organ trafficking business with a number of countries joining to coming up with policy solutions (Kelly, 2013). Some of the countries aim at reducing the

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The middle east and the cold war - Essay Example The Middle East, owing to its strategic geographical location and abundant energy resources, particularly oil reserves, played a crucial role even during World War II. Despite the imperialistic presence of Britain in the Middle East at the time of the Cold War, the United States also wanted to establish its superpower status in the Middle East (Khalidi). Following the decline of British and French political forces in the Middle East in the years after the World War II and beginning from the 1950s, the two superpowers namely the Soviet Union and America sought to establish their authority in the region. The United States through the Truman Doctrine protested the Soviet and communist influence in the Middle Eastern regions of Greece and Turkey and volunteered to help restrict Soviet actions in the regions. This was soon followed by other doctrines such as the Eisenhower Doctrine that focused on the conflicts between the Arab’s and Israeli’s and the Nixon Doctrine which re sulted in the Persian Gulf policy that ensured regional stability in the Gulf following threats from the Soviet Union. During the Carter Administration, the President wanted to end the Arab-Israeli conflict and sought the help of the Soviet Union to play a constructive role in the process. The cooperation with the Soviet Union was one of the highpoints of the Carter administration which also included the joint issue of a statement that stressed the need for a permanent settlement between the Arab’s and Israeli’s. It also called upon a reconvention of the Geneva conference (Reich and Gotowicki). Following the undertaking of the Sadat initiative by the American government to resolve the Arab-Israel conflict, the Carter administration turned its focus on the Gulf region which by then has witnessed several events such as the Iranian revolution, issue of American hostages and the invasion of the Afghanistan by the Soviet. These events raised concerns about the true

Occupational Health and Safety Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

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Organ Trafficking Solution Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Organ Trafficking Solution - Research Paper Example India has been cited as one of the countries with the highest number of organ traffickers among other countries such as Philippines, Pakistan, Egypt and China. According to Shimazono (2007), organ transplantation is a therapy that is practiced on persons with dysfunctional organs and is practiced internationally. He notes that nations are illegalizing organ donations, and yet illegal organ trafficking still exists. Thus, he recommends that vulnerable individuals should be protected by these nations as a form of curbing and controlling this illegal activity. Among the main organ exporters, India contributes much to the illegal trade since many of the organ traffickers sell these organs to foreigners in the country (Shimazono, 2007). Organ transplant according to Shimazono has serious effects and consequences on the lives of the affected individuals. Regrets, discrimination, and depression, are some of the effects of organ trafficking causes on the victims. MOHAN, which is an Indian non-government group, supports the legal donation of organs in India and thus demonizes organ trafficking as an inhuman and illegal business. Many economic and social challenges force Indian young men to engage, in these dubious businesses, to sustain themselves. An urgency to control and curb the illegal business is needed in India and the government, researchers and Indian policy workers are working so hard to erad icate the practice. This essay aims at offering the solution to the problem of organ trafficking. Organ trafficking has become a contentious issue, which many governments and international organizations are trying to solve. The international community has been on the far front line in curtailing the organ trafficking business with a number of countries joining to coming up with policy solutions (Kelly, 2013). Some of the countries aim at reducing the

Occupational Health and Safety Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Occupational Health and Safety - Essay Example 1) Falls and Trips: Falls and trips could occur while working on ladders, scaffolding, roofs, mobile elevating work platforms, or any other form of working at heights. 23 worker deaths in construction resulted from falls from heights in 2006-2007. Use of fall protection equipment such as work restraint systems, work positioning systems, rope access systems, or fall arrest systems can minimize falls and trips. 2) Workplace Transport Accidents: Accidents involving workplace vehicles cause fatalities every year. Accidents could include being struck by a moving vehicle, falling from a vehicle, materials falling from a vehicle, collapse/overturn of a vehicle, or hit against a vehicle. There were 66 workplace transport fatalities in 2006-2007. Planning, training, awareness, and appropriate use of vehicles can reduce accidents. 1) Asbestos: Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and/or pleural thickening. 1000 people who worked in building or maintenance die every year from lung cancer. Training and personal protective equipment is required for working with asbestos containing material. 2) Noise: Exposure to high levels of noise (over 85dBA) for over long periods of time can cause noise induced hearing loss. Use of hearing protective devices is necessary to keep noise exposure to acceptable levels. Exposure to noise can also be reduced by use of engineering or administrative controls. 3) Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Repetitive manual handling of heavy weights create excessive stress and strain on the body, and may lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 have been developed to reduce MSDs in construction work. Health and Safety Executive. (2008). Work-related injuries and ill health in construction - Summary. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from Health and Safety Executive Web site:

Critical Thinking in 21st Century America Essay Example for Free

Critical Thinking in 21st Century America Essay The intellectual roots of critical thinking date back to the teachings of Socrates, who discovered a method of analytical questioning; known today as â€Å"Socratic questioning,† establishing that one could not rationally justify their assured claims to knowledge. Socrates established that people cannot depend upon those in authority to have sound knowledge and insight. He demonstrated that individuals may have power and high position and yet be deeply confused and irrational. He established the importance of asking questions and thinking deeply before we accept an idea as worthy of belief. Socrates stressed the significance of seeking evidence, closely examining reasoning and assumptions, analyzing basic concepts, and tracing out implications not only of what is said but of what is done. This, I believe, is essential to living a successful and knowledgeable life; question everything and everyone. I strongly agree with Socrates’ idea that we cannot depend upon an individual of higher power to have all-encompassing knowledge and insight solely based on their status. The use of certain words, in just the right way, is enough to make some individuals believe just about anything; most successful lawyers have built their entire careers simply by knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. Although I feel that critical thinking is a necessity throughout life, along with analyzing and questioning everything; I also feel that it is not something that is simply learned. Today, in our contemporary 21st century American society, we are certainly allowed to be and/or trained to be critical thinkers, but it is only certain individuals who will use critical thought to its highest ability to expand their knowledge and open up the mind. These individuals, sometimes rare, have the ability to reflectively question common beliefs and justifications, and use this to carefully distinguish those beliefs that are reasonable and logical from those which lack acceptable evidence or rational foundation to justify a certain belief. Socrates’ practice was followed by many great critical thinkers, such as Plato, Aristotle, and the Greek skeptics, all of whom emphasized that things are often very different from what they appear to be and that only the trained mind is prepared to see through the way things look to us on the surface, misleading appearances, to the way they really are beneath the surface, the deeper realities of life. Critical thinking, amongst many other definitions, is the ability to understand and apply, to infer and to meaningfully investigate given information; the skills needed to see equivalents, comprehend connections, identify problems, and develop justifiable explanations. It identifies bias, and a bias is not necessarily bad; it is simply a preferred way of looking at things. However, critical thinking does not necessarily benefit everyone; it can alter relationships, change attitudes, and cause family and friends to part ways. In light of our readings, many of the individuals we have discussed stress the need for a critical society, but additionally stress that it is not always beneficial, especially for those susceptible to nonsense. John Stuart Mill feared conformism among society as a whole, he saw this as a uniformity which enforced narrow-minded views and illogical rules on those individuals more open-minded and educated. A few years back while researching religion for a paper, I came across Mill’s idea of â€Å"hell belief,† where he argues that the belief in hell is made inconsistently both strong and weak by a total system failure in critical thinking; that hell belief is incompatible with the belief that God is good. He explains that the same mind set that enables them to accept a theory involving these contradictions prevents them from seeing the logical consequences of the theory. Mill’s ideas of â€Å"hell belief† are very similar to those of my own. Many, if not most, people are introduced and expected to abide by a certain religion by the time they speak their first words. Naturally, more often than not, religion and religious values are the first thing that many are taught; however religion allows little, or no room, for critical thinking. Many people carry their religious beliefs and values throughout life, where critical thinkers challenge and question it; they find the stuff that doesn’t quite make sense and demand to know where the logic lies and why exactly they’re supposed to life by these ideas. In Mill’s ideas, people come to believe in it and manage to stay sane about it for the same reason, a lack of critical thinking. In our readings, we see that Bertrand Russell emphasizes the importance of open and free analysis, and the critical need to create education systems that raise open-minded pursuit of knowledge and cautions the dangers inherent in rigid ideologies. I agree with Russell and believe that children should be taught to think critically as soon as they start their education because as adults it is almost impossible to learn, it is not simply a skill you can up and decide you want to possess. If more schools implemented a system that encourages children to keep an open mind and consistently put certain ideas and theories to the test, they would be better prepared for future education, encouraged to socialize with their peers even if they’re not from the same religious or ethnic background, and overall be well prepared for life itself; the habit of questioning everything leads to the development of well-rounded knowledge. When referencing the answers that many of us strive for, Russell explains that if philosophy cannot answer all of our questions, it at least holds the power of asking questions which increase the interest of the world, and show the strangeness and phenomenon lying just below the surface even in the simplest things of everyday life. He identifies a need for a theory of knowledge that will merge what appears to be from what really is, as well as the importance to practice knowledge responsibly. Russell explains to us that in order to make statements or hold beliefs about knowledge, we must be able to substantiate that our knowledge is accurate to reality. Although uncertainty and doubt are Descartes enemy, he wanted to use doubt as a tool or weapon to combat uncertainty. What, if anything, could not be doubted after subjecting all of his knowledge to the acid wash of doubt. The one thing that Descartes concluded could not be doubted was that he was doubting. There has to be an â€Å"I† who is thinking. Descartes famous dictum, Cogito Ergo Sum, means â€Å"I think therefore I am†.

What It Means To Be Canadian

What It Means To Be Canadian To no ones surprise, being a Canadian means different things to different people and it is quite commonplace for many Canadians to have multiple identities and even multiple allegiances. Predictably, it is not always clear how these multiple identities can fit into Canadian society and fault lines inevitably arise between those with different identities. The next several pages will look at the oldest fault-line of them all at least among Canadians of European extraction which is the fault line between English-speaking Canadians and French-speaking Canadians. It resonates with this writer because, frankly, so much of our constitutional and political history has been wrapped up with trying to resolve the grievances and insecurities of French Canadians. For those within and without this fault line, Canadian identity is complicated because those who fall outside it people who have arrived from Asia or the Caribbean or from various other parts of the world are subtly reminded, through official bilingualism and through the constant constitutional wrangling over whether or not Quebec is a distinct society, that perhaps they are not true or authentic Canadians in the way some other groups are. Further, for French Canadians, the battle has always been between identifying themselves as Canadians or identifying themselves as French-Canadians who deserve to stand apart from other Canadians. This paper will look at the French-English divide in Canada by providing a brief historical overview of the tensions that have long existed between the two sides; as should be plain, the divide has been with us since before Confederation and will surely be with us for some time still to come. The paper will then turn to look at the introduction of Bill 101 in 1977 and how that ushered in a new era of strained English-French relations. With that out of the way, the paper will subsequently observe how the fault line in general has complicated how people who associate with this group identity interact within Canadian society? In short, how have French Canadians (the minority group and the group most likely to be inflamed by linguistic considerations) interacted within Canada in light of the powerful divide that separates them and that exacerbates their hostilities towards one another? With special reference to French Canadians, what does it mean to them (or what has it meant to them rec ently) to be Canadian within the context of Canada? Last of all, the essay will explore what the future of the Canadian national identity might well be should tensions in this fault line increase or tensions in other fault lines increase. We can all imagine that simmering tensions will weaken the connective tissue that binds Canadians together and will create the prospect for the fragmentation of Canadian society unless common ground is found. The only saving grace for Canada with regards to this particular English-French divide is that demographic factors may end up resolving it by changing the composition of Quebec and of Canada so dramatically that the country no longer much cares about English-French hostilities. Historical context of the English-French divide The simple reality is that tensions between English and French have always been a part of the Canadian landscape. In the eighteenth century, the British and French bitterly wrestled for control of North America and, at the end of that century and in the early decades of the next one, there was a significant divide between the French Canadians of Lower Canada and the English elites of that province who deigned to pass measures from on high. Suffice it to say, the educated professional elite that dominated the legislative assembly of Lower Canada from the turn of the nineteenth century onwards reacted most negatively to the disproportionate power held by (and general unresponsiveness exhibited by) the English-dominated colonial executive (executive council) and by the British-appointed governor (Greer, 1993). The end result was the ill-fated and violent 1837 Rebellion in Lower Canada when French-Canadian nationalists finally exploded in armed outrage at the refusal of the British gover nment to seriously contemplate the democratization of the Legislative Council (Breakenridge Read, 2008). As most students of Canadian history are aware, the aforementioned rebellion led to the Durham Report of 1839 wherein John Lambton, the Earl of Durham, advocated the cultural assimilation of French Canadian Lower Canada into a larger union with Lower Canada that would be dominated by the English. In effect, the best way to resolve the sense of grievance percolating in the hearts of French Canadians was to simply assimilate them (Van Male, 1997). For Lord Durham, what was tearing at the entrails of Lower Canada was a profound ethnic and linguistic conflict that fundamentally involved two nations warring in the bosom of a single state (quoted in Greer, 1993, p.153). Ultimately, though tensions did lessen somewhat from their high water mark in the late 1830s, the old animosity never completely went away: at least one observer has written about this tragic element in our historyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.this is a country of ingrown prejudicesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.unthinking, irrational and mean (Lower Q uoted in Cameron, 1997, p.372). During the subsequent generations, the animus between French Canadians and English Canadians always lurked just beneath the surface and could burst into flame at any moment. In general, many of the most significant moments in Canadian history have either revolved around French-English rapprochement the original constitutional deliberations of the 1860s or have revolved around French-Canadian animosities spilling into the open: the Conscription Crises of Two World Wars; the Richard riots of the 1950s; the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s and the federal governments attempts to head off Quebec nationalism; and the hotly-contested separatist referenda of 1980 and 1995. If one wants to understand the constitutional morass of the 1970s and 1980s (or 1990s) or if one wants to understand the original inspiration for Canadian multiculturalism (for more on how official multiculturalism under Trudeau was chiefly a response to Quebec nationalism, please see Tierney, 2007), then one must understand the fault line between English and French in Canada. Naturally, one of the greatest sources of tension of all was the battle on the part of French Canadians to protect the ir linguistic inheritance from the encroachment of the English majority. Discussion and analysis: how has the divide between English and French, and the formulation of Bill 101, impacted the interactions between the two groups within Canada? The 1977 Quebec language law was probably an inevitable consequence of the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s; protecting French culture from Les Anglais, after all, necessarily meant protecting the language from desecration and from conquest at the hands of English. Specifically, French-Canadian academics at the start of the 1970s wrote that the history of French Canada within the Canadian Confederation was very often a history of fighting to maintain the integrity of the French language. The passage of the Trudeau governments Official Language Law in 1970 saw French recognized as an official language in all federal affairs and constituted a victory of sorts, but the corresponding (and rather surprising) efforts of the Quebec government to pass Bill 63 a bill that would have granted the English language official status in Quebec was perceived as a direct threat to the primacy of the French language and viewed as setting the groundwork for the anglification of the population of Quebec ( Angers, 1970). Obviously, this raised the temperature in the room when it came to the ongoing debate about what measures should be taken to protect the French language in Quebec and expedited the arrival of Bill 101. The fault line between French Canada and English Canada has impacted or complicated how both groups (but particularly French Canadians) interact with Canada and with their Canadian identity in the sense that it has created a hyphenated group of Canadians who can be reliably expected to break down on the issues according to their linguistic background. The great conscription crises and the animus unleashed in the two referendum campaigns nearly a generation apart attest to how people on both sides (but especially French Canadians) have elected to define themselves by the language they speak than by the country of which they are a part. Bill 101, maybe more than any other single piece of legislation, reminded all Canadians of how the fault line between English and French was predicated upon concerns over language and, specifically, whose language would survive over time. Examining the act itself, Bill 101 was an act that mandated a number of things that could only have heightened the mistrust and paranoia of the English-speaking minority in Quebec at the same time as it surely disenchanted new arrivals from elsewhere in the world. Notably, Bill 101 decreed that French-only public signs were to be a feature of the province; French became the language of work in public institutions; and the autonomy of English schools in Quebec was sharply reduced (Levine, 1990). And, as most students are aware, and as our course notes remind us, Bill 101 also mandated that all students receive their schooling in French. The bill was a shot across the bow of English Quebec and divided Canadians dramatically along ethic and linguistic affiliation. To get to the heart of the matter, for French Canadians, Bill 101 was simply a re-conquest that merely asserted that French was the dominate language of la Belle Province; for English-speaking Quebeckers, however, the passage of Bill 101 was a clear repudiation of the English language as it stripped away the Charter status of the English language and also limited the rights and privileges of a linguistic group that, historically, had wielded most of the power in Quebec (Levine, 1990, p.119). Now, and maybe forever after, the centrality of language to ones conception of his or herself and his or her place in Canada could no longer be swept under the rug and the pretence that we were/are all loyal Canadians first was shattered. In general, Bill 101 has allowed the French language to retain somewhat of its lustre amongst visible minorities arriving in Quebec: recent data compiled by the Canadian Human Rights Commission indicates that, by a 2 to 1 margin, French is the first official language of visible minorities in the province (Canadian Human Rights Commission, 2007). Source: Canadian Human Rights Commission. (2007). Strategic Initiatives: section 6 Quebec. Retrieved August 5, 2010 from http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/proactive_initiatives/bvm_mvb/page6-en.asp Information such as that above indicates that any hopes of complete English conquest of Quebec will have to wait for a little while longer. In fact, a closer look at the data reveals that the number of Quebeckers who identify English as their Mother Tongue appears to be declining and has been for several years (Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, 2007). Source: Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages. (2007). Ethnolinguistic composition of the population. OCOL. Retrieved August 5, 2010 from http://www.ocol-clo.gc.ca/html/ar_ra_04_05_v1_14_e.php We can safely conclude that language laws have contributed, even if indirectly, to the exodus of English speakers out of Quebec and to the polarization of sentiments between English and French within Quebec. However, such language laws do not guarantee the future of the French language in the province given the mass influx of new Canadians who speak neither English nor French or who are disinterested in learning French. For many French Canadians, being Canadian may still mean being French Canadian first above all else; however, as the demographic shape of Canada changes due to high immigration, they may find themselves even more isolated than ever before but this time isolated within a huge polyglot nation where the competing languages are not just English but dozens, or even hundreds, of others. At the end of it all, any increased tensions between French and English in Canada will tear at the Canadian national identity in the sense that it undermines the legitimacy of the confederation to have the two founding languages fighting with one another. On the other hand, even if simmering tensions will only intensify the self-identification of French Canadians with their French heritage, the reality is that all the chauvinism in the world may not matter chiefly because French Canada and English Canada are becoming relatively smaller pieces of the Canadian mosaic as the nation welcomes in people from Asia, from Africa, from South America and from Eastern Europe who do not have either language as their first language. Ultimately, if other divides in Canada fall the French-English model and grow more acrimonious, then the countrys future could be at risk; however, the French-English divide will probably become less important over time. Conclusion The past several pages have looked at the English-French divide in Canada, the ancient fault-line, and have argued that language laws instituted in Quebec surely did not help in bringing the two sides together; if anything, ancient animosities were revived. However, Canada is a changing nation and that means that no one can safely assume that Canada will tear apart if the gulf between English and French widens. The future is uncertain, but it is unlikely that the French and English divide will remain the dominant one in Canadian life simply because Canada is a country that is moving beyond its French/English past.

Metaphor, Sociobiology, and Nature vs. Nurture: The Biological Battle o

Metaphor, Sociobiology, and Nature vs. Nurture: The Biological Battle of the Century Ladies and Gentlemen! I am proud to present one of the biggest and longest-running biological battles of the century! Tonight we recap the surprising nature vs. nurture fight. The following pages will explain the highlights, but if you want to learn about this war in its entirety, you’ll find the blow-by-blow account available to the public in Connie Barlow’s collection, From Gaia to Selfish Genes, in a chapter entitled "Nature, Nurture, and Sociobiology." What began this brawl of the biologists? Was it a woman? No. Was it a war? No. It was a metaphor. And the metaphor states that society is an organism. This metaphor believes that individuals in a society work together in order to function like an organism. But this isn’t the dispute—the real fight lies within the question, How is this organism organized? In other words, do we inherently possess the knowledge to function like an organism or are we taught this skill? Here come the returning champs now! In the Blue Corner—The Returning Champs: The Anti-Sociobiologists Weighing in with a professor from Harvard, a chair of neurobiology from the Open University, and a chair of psychology from Northwestern University, the anti-sociobiologists defend the idea that genes and environment work together, much like a dance, in which the individual is taught social behavior. In an excerpt from their book, Not in Our Genes, theorists Richard Lewontin from Harvard, Steven Rose from the Open University, and Leon Kamin from Northeastern University propose, as the title suggests, that social behavior is not genetic. Rather, it is taught or influenced by an individual’s surrounding environment... ...as hard, scientific evidence, both are lacking. For example, the sociobiologists cannot prove that altruism is a gene, yet the anti-sociobiologists cannot prove otherwise. Thus, the both the sociobiologists and the anti-sociobiologists attempt to answer how an organism is organized with theory—and neither have produced a hypothesis that is agreed upon by a consensus. Yet both positions assume that the metaphor that society is an organism is a commonly accepted idea. Robert Wright reflects my skepticism perfectly when he warns, "this blurring of the line between society and organism is a delicate matter" (150). It appears that, at least for the time being, both sides are going to have to agree to disagree. Work Cited Barlow, Connie, ed. From Gaia to Selfish Genes: Selected Writings in the Life Sciences. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT University Press, 1991.

Modern Labyrinth Essays -- Literacy Analysis

Film is a form of storytelling, and all stories are, in essence recycled, contemporary films must modernize a story of the past to make it accessible to modern audiences. This is the case with the film, Pan’s Labyrinth. The myth of â€Å"Theseus and the Minotaur† has been rewritten and modernized in the 2006 film, Pan’s Labyrinth. The myth â€Å"Theseus and the Minotaur† and the morals that exist within it, present a context in which it will be possible to interpret and analyze the film Pan’s Labyrinth as a modern day rewriting of the myth. In order to understand how Pan’s Labyrinth has been rewritten, it is important to first understand the original myth of â€Å"Theseus and the Minotaur†. According to Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, the story of Theseus and his quest to slay the Minotaur begins long before Theseus’s birth. â€Å"Minos, the powerful ruler of Crete, had lost his only son†¦while the young man was visiting the Athenian King† (Hamilton 211). In order to seek revenge, Minos invaded Athens and â€Å"declared that he would raze it to the ground unless every nine years the people sent him a tribute of seven maidens and seven youths† (Hamilton 212). When the victims reached Crete, they would be sacrificed to a beast that was â€Å"half bull, half human†, known as the Minotaur (Hamilton 212). The Minotaur was housed in a labyrinth where â€Å"escape was impossible† (Hamilton 212). â€Å"To this place, the young Athenians were each time taken and left to t he Minotaur† (Hamilton 212). This ritual continued until one year, Theseus, son of the Athenian king and heir to throne, offered to be one of the victims. Unbeknownst to the people, Theseus had every intention of slaying the beast. â€Å"When the young victims arrived in Crete they were paraded before the inhabitants o... ...ce to bravely and defiantly act against authority rather than blindly remain obedient. This film shows the power of innocence over evil and the triumph of imagination over colorless servitude just as the original tale of Theseus and the Minotaur, but with a darker new interpretation. Works Cited Filmtracks Modern Soundtrack Reviews. (2007, January 05). Retrieved May 04, 2012, from http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/pans_labyrinth.html Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From Watching to Seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. https://content.ashford.edu Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. 1942. N.p.: Back Bay Books, 1998. Print VC. (2010, September 23). The Vigilant Citizen. Retrieved May 05, 2012, from The Esoteric Interpretation of Pan's Labyrinth: http://vigilantcitizen.com/moviesandtv/the-esoteric-interprentation-of-pans-labyrinth/

Hispanic Cuisine: a Significant Ingredient in Like Water for Chocolate

Hispanic Cuisine: A Significant Ingredient in Like Water for Chocolate Eating is a fundamental activity. Food, itself, is a major component of survival, for without it there would be no life on this earth. Throughout the evolution of man, it has come to have a greater importance with multiple significances to human beings. In fact, it has become a defining factor for families, classes, and cultures all through history. Hispanic societies are no exception. Furthermore, Hispanic women writers have written articles, screenplays, and novels using cuisine as their driving force. A great example is Laura Esquivel’s novel, Like Water For Chocolate. First of all, the title of the novel makes reference to food, but it also has a deeper meaning. Images of heat and fire permeate the novel as expressions of intense emotion. Heat is necessary during the preparation of many foods. In the science of cooking, heat is a force to be used precisely; the novel's title phrase â€Å"like water for chocolate,† refers to the fact that water must be brought to the threshold of boiling and lowered three times before cacao powder can be added to make hot chocolate. However, the many forms of heat involved in the tale cannot be so controlled. Heat is used as a symbol for desire and physical love throughout the narrative. Some example can be found in Gertrudis' rush to the ranch showers then escape from the entire ranch itself, in Pedro's lust for Tita, and the death of Pedro after he and Tita passion is finally realized. This heat is used as a source of power and one of destruction. The epitome of this detail in the novel, where death and desire are paired together, occurs when the love between Tita and Pedro is actualized. Secondly, the recurrence of recipes of Hispanic delicacies throughout Esquivel’s book parallels their importance in Mexican culture. Anne Goldman asserts that â€Å"the very domestic and commonplace quality of cooking makes it an attractive metonym for culture† (Lawless 213). It is no coincidence that the setting of this novel takes place at the same time as the Mexican Revolution. This event was an important modernizing force in Mexican history and is considered to be â€Å"the crucible of social cohesion†¦in modern Mexico† (Pilcher 88). As a result of the revolution, a unifying national identity was desired. Defining cultural cuisines go hand in hand with cultural definitions. Like forming a national identity, or writing a novel, deciding on recipes that will define a nation is a long process. The recipes, that Esquivel ultimately chose to be included, represent the Mexican culture well and show their importance in defining it. Like most nationalities, there are delicacies that the Hispanic culture is known for. As mentioned above, in her novel, Esquivel makes reference to several traditional Hispanic recipes. These recipes introduce each chapter and assist in continuing the novel’s flow. Through these cuisines, the narrator is able to associate another anecdote that forces the tale to carry on. Without the food, the story would be at a stand still because so much of the narrative revolves around the food. Moreover, Esquivel’s usage of magic realism enhances the importance of the mentioned cuisines. Not only does she mention the food, it also has a profound affect on those that consume the entrees. Therefore, they have a profound affect on the entire story itself. One notable example is the Chabela Wedding Cake Tita bakes for the unfortunate union of Pedro and, her sister, Rosaura. The release of her tears in the batter is a release of the immense loss she feels. Because of this added ingredient, the guests who consume the cake are overwhelmed by the same emotion that Tita feels. Making anecdotes, such as this one, in connection with a certain dish, impresses a lasting memory of these dishes in the reader. Also, Hispanic culture places an importance in the transfer of recipes from one generation down to the next. In this narrative, the tradition continues through Nacha, the De La Garzas’ cook, on to Tita. Because Tita’s mother is sinister, unaffectionate, and unable to produce breastmilk for her daughter, Tita is driven into Nacha’s open arms. Maria Elena does not pass down the recipes. Instead, Tita is nourished and educated in the art of cooking through her surrogate mother. Nacha teaches Tita through cultural recipes and secrets of the kitchen. The reader finds that the traditions have been passed down because the omniscient narrator of the tale is Tita’s great-niece. In the tale’s beginning, she introduces a recipe for Christmas rolls. Like a cookbook’s author would, the narrator comments on the onions and how they should be chopped up fine for the Christmas rolls and suggests that a little bit of onion should be placed on the reader’s head to keep from crying when dealing with onion. The trouble with crying over an onion,† she states matter-of-factly, â€Å"is that once the chopping gets you started and the tears begin†¦the next thing you know you just can’t stop. † She adds, â€Å"I was especially sensitive†¦like my great-aunt, Tita† (Esquivel 3). And so the main character is introduced and the s tory can begin. This description is an allusion to Tita’s tear-filled life and her tear-jerking situation. At the story’s end, Tita’s great-niece mentions that as long as someone cooks her recipes, Tita legacy will live on. â€Å"Like a story, a recipe needs†¦a reason to be† (Jaffe 223). For Tita’s descendents, the reason for this narrative is the continued remembrance of Tita. Additionally, this onion description is how the reader is invited to become a part of the tradition. As a professor, Cecelia Lawless has noticed firsthand the effect Esquivel’s novel has on its reader and its â€Å"potential to provide a base for community building. † (215). Her students not only took interest in the story, they also wanted to cook the dishes themselves. They were interested in sharing their own personal recipes they had learned from their family members. Through this Esquivel’s text, which is also considered to be a cookbook, the recipes are sure to be enjoyed for decades. Furthermore, Like Water for Chocolate asserts women as insightful, productive, powerful, sexual, loving individuals through its incorporation of Latino cuisine. In this story, the kitchen is explored as a â€Å"space of creative power [for Hispanic women] rather than merely confinement† as said by the well-known poet, Rosario Castellanos (Jaffe 221). â€Å"It wasn't easy for a person who knew life by way of the kitchen to understand the outside world. This gigantic world which began from the kitchen door toward the inside of the house, because the one that lay adjacent to the back door of the kitchen and that overlooked the patio, the fruit garden, the vegetable garden, yes it belonged completely to her, she controlled it. † (Esquivel 5). Tita uses the culinary arts as a way to express herself and she effectively does so. â€Å"†¦Esquivel subverts tradition by ennobling a ‘domestic’ skill and turning it into an art form† (Glenn 41). For example, at one point in the novel, her love, Pedro presents her with roses to hearten Tita after Nacha’s death and as a symbol of his love for her. Maria Elena immediately sends Tita to throw them away. However, Tita does not want to. Instead, she incorporates her gift into an elaborate dish of quail in rose petal sauce, which turns out to be absolutely divine. She is able to save her present and consummates her love with Pedro through the food she serves. â€Å"That was the way she entered Pedro’s body, hot, voluptuous, perfumed, totally sensuous (Esquivel 48). In addition, this amazing dish sends Gertrudis, Tita’s second sister, running towards the shower outside to cool off. Because she is so hot, the water does not even touch her and the ranch shower is set ablaze. As she runs away, she encounters Juan, a soldier that had been drawn to her scent. Here, Gertrudis exposes her sensuality and courage. She defies social conventions and escapes the oppressive hacienda to pursue what she desires and her independence. And, although, the reader discovers that Gertrudis had run off to a brothel in order to satisfy her desires, she proudly returns, having turned her life around, as Juan’s wife and as a general from the revolution. She informs her family that earned her commission â€Å"by hard work, and fought like mad on the field of battle. Leadership was in her blood† (175). Additionally, Chencha, the ranch maid of the De La Garzas, is shown to possess power through food. An example is Chencha’s soup. Chencha had a firm belief that good soup could cure any illness. In one scene in the story, Tita goes mad after the death of Roberto. She is fed up with her mother, who Tita believes is the reason for Roberto’s death. Tita is sent to stay at Dr. John Brown’s house. Later, Chencha brings Tita the ox-tail soup that she made especially for Tita. With that, Tita returns to her senses. Although, Chencha is in a lower class than the women of the De La Garzas’, Esquivel still empowers this character. Her ability to help Tita is another example of the transformation of an apparent limitation of the kitchen into knowledge, enriched by cooking. The famous Mexican nun, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, describes the importance of the kitchen for Latin American women and the power it provides. But, Madam, what is there for us women to know, if not bits of kitchen philosophy? †¦And I always say, when I see these details: If Aristotle had been a cook, he would have written much more. † (Lawless 217). In conclusion, Esquivel, through Like Water for Chocolate, was effectively able to connect food, culture, and society together. Her decision to portray the novel as if it was also a cookbook energized the tale’s flow, heightened its suspense, a nd conveyed the importance of cuisine in the lives of human beings. Because of her brilliance, it has been internationally acclaimed, and righteously so. Like the tradition of passing down culinary secrets has kept the legacies of families, communities, and cultures alive, so will the study and appreciation of Like Water for Chocolate continue to thrive. Works Cited Esquivel, Laura. Like Water for Chocolate: A Novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances and Home Remedies. Trans. Christensen Christensen. New York: Double Day, 1992. Fernandez-Armesto, Felipe. Near a Thousand Tables: A History of Food. New York: The Free Press, 2002. Jaffe, Janice. â€Å"Hispanic American Woman Writers’ Novel Recipes and Laura Esquivel’s Como Agua Para Chocolate. † Women’s Studies 22. 2 (1993): 217+. Lawless, Cecelia. â€Å"Cooking, Community, Culture: A Reading of Like Water for Chocolate† Recipes for Reading: Community Cookbooks, Stories, Histories. (1997) 213-21. Pilcher, Jeffrey M. Que vivan los tamales! : Food and the Making of Mexican Identity. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1998. Sceats, Sarah. Food, Consumption and the Body in Contemporary Women’s Fiction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.