The Girls in Their Summer Dresses free essay sample

â€Å"The girls in their summer dresses† by Irwin Shaw In the short story â€Å"The girls in their summer dresses† by Irwin Shaw, a couple’s marriage is in danger. A scene is played out from the early 1900’s of a middle aged couple going for a walk after breakfast on a Sunday morning. Michael, the husband is seen looking at a girl and Frances, the wife becomes emotional instigating a fickle dispute over Michaels actions. In their marriage Michael and Frances have different attitudes and expectations for a committed relationship; Michael is a stereotypical insensitive male who enjoys looking at beautiful woman and Frances is a stereotypical sensitive woman who’s actions are confused by feelings. Their marriage is in danger due to their different attitudes and expectations. Michael reasons it is fine to look at other woman and assuages Frances by stating I look at everything. God gave me eyes and I look at women and men and subway excavations and moving pictures and the little flowers of the field. We will write a custom essay sample on The Girls in Their Summer Dresses or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I casually inspect the universe. Frances eventually implies Michael want’s other woman You look at them as though you want them, Michael replies in a way thats true. â€Å" affirming Frances implication and furthering the altercation. Frances is emotionally confused Michael is looking at other woman, but Michael has been doing so before the marriage even started. This is clearly a cause for confusion as Frances did not bring up the issue until now. Michael is the stereotypical insensitive male who enjoys looking at beautiful women. Regardless of being married, Michael still desires other women and blatantly stares at them in front of Frances. Look out, Frances said, as they crossed Eighth Street. Youll break your neck. What starts out as an adverse acknowledgement turns out to be the epidermis of a much greater problem that is negatively affecting their marriage. Michael admits wanting to be free after Frances demands the truth, but does nothing to console Frances nor try’s to stop looking at other women in respect of their loyalty together. Upon hearing Michael’s sudden testimony Frances becomes emotional and no longer knows what to expect from their marriage. At first Frances planned on spending the day with just Michael â€Å"Lets not see anybody all day, but by the end of the dispute Frances wants to go into the country with the Stevenson’s Do you want me to call the Stevensons? she asked. Itll be nice in the country. Frances wanted Michael to be honest in the relationship Tell the truth. Michael goes on to reveal himself and Frances finally says Stop talking about how pretty this woman is, or that one. Nice eyes, nice breasts, a pretty figure, good voice, she mimicked his voice. Keep it to yourself. Im not interested. Frances and Michael have different attitudes and expectations of what marriage is supposed to be like and its eating away at their relationship. Frances is unable to understand Michael because of emotional instability. While Michael can’t see Frances’ distraught during the blunt testimony, Michael offers little consoling where Frances remains upset and the problem is not resolved.

Why was there an economic crisis in Germany in 1923 Essay Example

Why was there an economic crisis in Germany in 1923 Essay Example Why was there an economic crisis in Germany in 1923 Paper Why was there an economic crisis in Germany in 1923 Paper There are several causes to the economic crisis in Germany in 1923. The Great War contributed greatly to this, but Germanys problems had begun even before the War had started. In 1914 the German Government decided to come off of the Gold Standard. This was a system in which every bank note had an equivalent sum of gold, kept in the vaults of the German Central Bank. You could go to the bank and would be able to swap your note for gold, although people would normally use the notes to buy things, like an IOU, as it was easier to do this than to use pieces of gold. When the First World War began in 1914, Germany needed more money to pay for food and weapons. The German Government found that the easiest way to obtain more money was to print more notes. This decreased the actual value of the money, as there was more money in circulation. During the War there were food shortages, this meant that there was too few goods to buy for the amount of money that there was in circulation. We can see that inflation occurred, because of the drastic fall in the value of money. In January 1921, there were 64 marks to the dollar, by November 1923; this amount had risen drastically to 4. trillion marks to the dollar! Inflation had been occurring since 1914, so was a long-term cause of the economic crisis. When Germany lost the Great War to the allies, they had to agree with the terms of the treaty of Versailles. One of the terms of this treaty was that Germany had to lose land to France, Belgium, Denmark, Poland and the League of Nations. When losing this land, the German Government lost the tax income from it. The tax income could have helped to pay the reparations of  £6,600 million, which was also a term of the Treaty of Versailles. Reasons for the economic crisis, involving the Treaty of Versailles were short-term causes because they happened quite suddenly, rather than over a long period of time. The land lost contained 14% of arable farmland. It produced food and work for the surrounding area. There was now even less food, making the problem of food shortages even worse. This land also contained 74% of Germanys iron ore, 68% of her zinc ore and 26% of her coal- most of the countrys wealth. Germany could not afford to pay her reparations. This was linked to the invasion of the Ruhr. The Treaty of Versailles also meant that Germany had to reduce its army to 100,000 men. As France no longer felt as strongly under threat by the German army and wanted their reparations paid up, they felt that they could invade the Ruhr. The Ruhr is the most industrialised part of Germany. Poincarre, the French leader, sent in five divisions of French soldiers to acquire the reparations they were owed. A division of Belgian soldiers joined them. They intended to take control of the German factories and mines in this area. All goods produced would be shipped off to France, until the reparations owed to the French were paid. This was a short-term cause to the economic crisis, as it only happened over a matter of days and weeks, unlike inflation, which was occurring for years. Germany could do nothing to stop this. This made Germany very ashamed, especially after losing the War and having to agree with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles as well. The Government ordered passive resistance. The French had no one to work for them as the Ruhr workers were ordered to go on strike. They were ordered to refuse to co-operate with the occupiers. The French then kicked 150,000 German workers out of the Ruhr. They fled as refugees. This produced yet another problem for the already suffering Government and people of Germany. How could they afford to feed, clothe and house the refugees? All their money was already being used to pay reparations, how could they afford this? These problems were solved, but by causing another problem. It seemed that the only way to overcome the problem of the refugees was to print more money. The money in circulation now was growing greatly and the cost of living was increasing. The economic crisis was a vicious circle, by solving one problem they were creating another. It seemed as though it was never going to end. Although there were many causes for the economic crisis, I believe that one made a bigger impact than the others. The Great War, the costs of which were astronomical, both during and after. The War increased the effect of inflation, as the Government printed more notes to try and cope with the problems the War was bringing, therefore decreasing the value and making problems worse. After the War, the Treaty of Versailles produced many difficulties. All of the problems caused by this linked with each other and then back to inflation. The German economic crisis was inevitable because the Government did not know that coming off of the Gold Standard would cause inflation- it was going to happen, they thought it would be better, not worse. They could not have prevented the Treaty of Versailles as they lost the War. They didnt purposely lose the War to cause themselves problems,the problems were inevitable. The economic crisis was waiting to happen, Germany could not have stopped it!

Discussion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 9

Discussion - Assignment Example The transformational leadership brings into notice the salient features of the leader where he is able to find out which sportsperson requires what and what can be done to give him the best even in the most trying of circumstances. It is important to know that sports management is one field where transformational leadership can come into full action and manifest its own basis without much difficulty (Ozaralli, 2003). An example of this transformational leadership is in the form of managing players like Christiano Ronaldo, Messi and other footballers who are at the top of the world due to their soccer prowess. They are being managed properly by sports management firms which have understood the premise of transformational leadership which has brought success to all and sundry (Hautala, 2006). Hence a good enough understanding of transformational leadership is the way to go about solving issues within the sports management domains and it will comprise of the positive aspects as well as the negatives which may arise from time to time in this

Richest man in Babylon report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Richest man in Babylon report - Assignment Example Similarly, a passive income must be pursued with the same intent [of fattening the purse- not draining it]. In The Richest Man in Babylon, Bansir and Kobbi inquire from Arkad why they were less financially fortunate, while Arkad had managed to grow rich with time. Several concepts are issued by Arkad and serve as important gems of financial wisdom. One is that no one should live beyond his means. Saving money is the genesis of wealth creation. The second important aspect of making wealth is investing. Investing the money saved should allow the investor to accrue passive income. Finally, the investment must be done wisely. In the seventh chapter, The Seven Cures for a Lean Purse, the King of Babylon, Sargon of Akkad is told of the poverty of the kingdom by his Royal Chancellor. People are subsequently told to: save a tenth of their earnings; control their expenditures; multiply their gold; guard their treasure from loss; insure a future income; and increase their earning power. Seeing that only the sixth and seventh parts are the ones that have not been delved into, it is important to appreciate them as calling for a remembrance of the days in which one will never be able to work and increasing one’s education on investing. The more one knows, the better that person will be in investing, and the more money that person will make (Clason, 17-32). In The Luckiest Man in Babylon, Arkad’s small school has blossomed into the city’s Temple of Learning. What is learned from this chapter is that there has to be a preparation for profitable opportunities, instead of waiting for luck, since luck cannot be stimulated to occur repeatedly. Procrastination in action and through indecision is also a bad practice. In The Five Laws of Gold, Kalabab asks what one would choose if offered a bag of gold or tablets whereupon are curved words of wisdom. The laws teach that: saving a fraction of

Persuasive Narrative in Rhetoric Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Persuasive Narrative in Rhetoric - Essay Example There are three main principles of narrative analysis. They are the principle of succession, principle of transformation, and the principle of mediation. The paper will use these principles in explaining the persuasive use of narrative rhetoric in Obama’s inaugural speech. Rhetoric is this case is the aspect of speaking effectively. The paper will also use narrative rationality to explain the persuasive effect of narrative in rhetoric. This paper will considerably focus on patho, logos, ethos, and their individual effect on persuasion in regards to narrative rational. Pathos, logos, and ethos are the three pillars of public speaking. They are the rhetoric styles of persuasion. I will use examples from the Obama inaugural speech to illustrate each of these points. The paper will then draw an informed conclusion on persuasive use of narrative in rhetoric. The Principle of succession is present in Obama’s inaugural speech. The Principle of succession relies on time and cha nge to explain the meaning of the sequential arrangement of objects, elements, and incidents in a narrative (Scharf, 2003). Everything is in time. Stage for the speech was perfectly set in front of building constructed by black slaves. The speech is filled by words signifying sequential events, â€Å"I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors† (New York Times, 2009). These words seek to persuade the audience on his concern for the job at hand. The use of incidents like rising tides, still waters, clouds, and ranging storms is also sequential. They seek to persuade the audience that things and situations change with time and hence they should brace themselves for that change. Additionally, the use of incidents like the abandonment in the capital, when the enemy was advancing and the staining of the snow with blood, play a major role in persuading the audience that their history ha s not been good and hence the need to change it. This principle consequently leads to the principle of transformation. The principle of transformation relies on unities to define patterns that signify change in state of mind or state of affairs and hence defining the beginnings and endings. There is massive use of this principle in Obama’s inaugural speech. The phrase, â€Å"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America† (New York Times, 2009) signify change in the state of affairs. These words seek to persuade the audience that it is time to act towards good for America. Other words that signify change of state of mind are, â€Å"Our capacity remains undiminished, but our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions† (New York Times, 2009). These too persuade the audience that change is irresistible at this time. It marks the beginning of putting off unple asant decisions and the end of protecting narrow interests. Moreover, from the energy in his words and the applause that he receives it is sure that Obama and the American people are ready for this change and hence the eminent success in narrative persuasion. This principle additionally leads to the principle of mediation. The principle of mediation relies on desire and ability to get a better understanding of the environment hence

Strategic Objectives Of Grameenphone Telecom Ltd Marketing Essay

Strategic Objectives Of Grameenphone Telecom Ltd Marketing Essay This report is meant to focus primarily on strategic objectives of GRAMEENPHONE TELECOM LTD, BANGLADESH and also endeavours to evaluate the quality and standards of this chosen company. GRAMEENPHONE TELECOM LTD is one of the leading telecommunication companies in Bangladesh which occupies the top position among its competitors through providing impenetrable network coverage all over the country. The main goal of this report is to conduct a quality audit and identify the quality gaps and to take effective measures to fill those quality gaps of GRAMEENPHONE TELECOM LTD. background of company GrameenPhone is now one of the leading telecommunication service providers in Bangladesh with more than 23 million subscribers as of  December 2009. In November 28, 1996 GrameenPhone was offered a cellular license in Bangladesh by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications with a view to covering the whole country with a good quality network. And with a great surprise after almost 10 years of its operation, GrameenPhone has over 10 million subscribers. Presently, there are about 50 million telephone users in the country, of which, a little over one million are fixed-phone users and the rest mobile phone subscribers. Starting its operations on March 26, 1997, the Independence Day of Bangladesh, GrameenPhone has come a long way. It is a joint venture enterprise between Telenor (55.8%), the largest telecommunications service provider in Norway with mobile phone operations in 12 other countries, and Grameen Telecom Corporation (34.2% ), a non-profit sister concern of the internationally acclaimed micro-credit pioneer Grameen Bank. The other 10% shares belong to 10%to general retail and institutional investors. Over the years, GrameenPhone has always been a pioneer in introducing new products and services in the local market. GP was the first company to introduce GSM technology in Bangladesh when it launched its services in March 1997.The technological know-how and managerial expertise of Telenor has been instrumental in setting up such an international standard mobile phone operation in Bangladesh. Being one of the pioneers in developing the GSM service in Europe, Telenor has also helped to transfer this knowledge to the local employees over the years. Evaluating GrameenPhones strategic objectives Grameenphoness basic strategy is coverage of both urban and rural areas. In contrast to the island strategy followed by companies, which involves connecting isolated islands of urban coverage through transmission links, Grameenphone builds continuous coverage, cell after cell. While the intensity of coverage may vary from area to area depending on market conditions, the basic strategy of cell-to-cell coverage is applied throughout Grameenphones network. New manufacturing technologies are developing rapidly, resulting in new products/services, innovations and improvements in the manufacturing process, thus, requiring a proactive approach by organizations. To be proactive, organizations require innovative methods of performance measurement, to assess their progress towards achieving organizational mission, vision and strategic objectives. (Godwill Tapisi Mukonje, Performance measurement, pp. 72. MAM/, 2009.) 2.1 Maintaining quality network Over the years, the network division of Grameenphone has been ensuring the best-in-class GSM cellular mobile network for the customers in Bangladesh. Ensuring customer satisfaction through enhanced coverage, expanded capacity and improved quality and performance of the network continued to be the primary focus of the networks division. The GP network now covers over 98 percent of the population and over 87 percent of the land area with the remaining areas mostly falling under the Sundarbans and the Chittagong Hill Tract areas where mobile phone coverage is not allowed. The company invested more than BDT 35.8 billion in 2007 primarily to further expand the coverage and increase the capacity of its network. Radio Access Rollout: Base Stations 2.2 Corporate strategy: Grameenphone believes Development is a journey, not a destination, work is not just about ensuring connectivity; it is about connecting with people and building relationships, based on trust, with our subscribers, business partners, employees, shareholders, as well as the wider community. The company also believes that good development is a good business. While GP maintains business focus, taking the nation forward remains top priority. Thus relationship with Bangladesh is built on a partnership which strives to achieve common economic and social goals. Corporate social responsibility, as the company sees, it is a complementary combination of ethical and responsible corporate behavior, as well as a commitment towards generating greater good for the society by addressing the development needs of the country. The core strategy of GP in this area is to be Bangladeshs partner in developing the country, particularly in its promise, as a United Nations Millennium Declaration signatory, to meet the eight targets known as the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. GP has consolidated its social investment initiatives in four core areas related to the Millennium Development Goals: Poverty alleviation GP takes pride in developing the countrys infrastructure, in the urban areas. The company is of the view that eradication of poverty can be uprooted if illiteracy is removed from the country. GP regards Grameen Bank as a compatriot of its development work. Healthcare In healthcare sector GP has set a glowing example for others to follow providing immense healthcare facility even in the remote areas with the help of Tele Prescription and mobile clinic service to the people coastal areas. Empowerment GP has created more than 150,000 jobs in its premises and another 100,000 are related with GP as vendors, card retailers, marketing officers and so on. Education GP does come forward with initiatives to encourage the learners by holding various educational competitions such as drawing, essay writing, story composition and so on. It also gives scholarships to the meritorious students. 2.3 Vision and Mission Statement of GrameenPhone Vision: Vision is what an organization wants to do. The vision of Grameenphone Ltd is we are here to help. The company exists to help the customers get the full benefit of communications services in their daily lives. We want to make it easy for customers to get what they want, when they want it. To be a leading provider of telecommunication services all over Bangladesh with satisfied customers, shareholder, and enthusiastic employees Mission: Mission is end results of an organization where it wants to reach. Grameenphones mission is to bring digital revolution in Bangladesh by covering the whole country with network and to build up strong communication network even in the far remotest corner of the country. The quality audit The word Quality is comparative and it varies person to person. Quality is defined by a customer according to his demand. If someone is looking for some specifications in a certain items and the items conform to his expectation then the customer will be pleased to say the items maintain quality or good quality if he is very pleased. Quality dimensions Value Grameenphones manifesto is to add value to customers practical use making things simple and easy to understand. The company never forgets to try its customers lives easier. GP is focuses on creativity. So it brings energy and imagination to the work and wants to be partner in development and is passionate about its business, customers and country. The company understands what it should do and how to put things right. Over all GP acknowledges and respects local culture and comes forward with an open, helpful and friendly attitude. Fitness for use Grameenphone offers an increasing number of services for the customer varying from teenage group to aged people featuring according to their needs and very friendly staffs for the people of all classes. It takes pride because of the companys largest and smoothest network services to anywhere in the country and out of the country. So there should not be any mark of question for its fitness in comparison any other existing telecom companies in the region. Conformance to specification The company promises to provide the best services even in the remote corner of the country. Its slogan is to stay close how far the distance could be. GP works like a bridge to connect and facilitates to broaden the scope of communication. And the services GP provides conforms to the charges that customers pay for. Meeting or exceeding customers expectation GP is determined to meet the expectation of the customers and at times its lucrative offers exceedingly please the users. GP feels that to make the country more advanced there is no alternative to using internet. For this purpose GP has initiated some specialised Internet SIMs in market which enable the users to be connected through wireless network. Conformance to requirements GP services always conform to the requirements of the customers. Besides network services it comes forward with many initiatives to better the condition of society and it voluntarily serves the coastal inhabitants with free cautionary warning for coming dangers. GPs promise is to keep the whole country connected with very strong network web so that decentralisation can be done easily. Quality audit Conducting Quality Audit To conduct a quality audit certain methodologies have been adapted. In the first place data has been collected from different sources such as surveying 50 customers in terms of satisfaction on some factors and their answers have been analysed through minute observations. The results of the survey are given below: Appendix 1 Vertical axis shows 60 customers The survey was conducted among 60 users from city, suburban areas and urban areas. The above chart shows that out of 60 GP users 35 from city, 46 from suburban areas and 56 from urban areas having problem with call drops during calling. 2 from city, 5 from suburban areas and 6 from urban areas are complaining of overcharging instead of due call rate. And complicated tariff has created problemS among 12 in city, 17 in suburban areas and 28 in urban areas. 22 users from city, 27 from suburban areas and 38 from urban areas are dissatisfied with GPs poor network. But there is slight accusation for no network survey which says only o in city, 1 in suburban areas and 2 from urban areas. HAPPY, VERY HAPPY AND NOT HAPPY survey has also been conducted among 1000 users. The report is depicted below: HAPPY 20% VERY HAPPY 75% NOT HAPPY 15% Fishbone Diagram People Materials Management Marketing Hiring Network Tower standards Franchise Training Transports Vendor Devices Sponsorship Quality Improvement Maintenance Installation Introducing Design workloads freedom to work Specifications Capability secured Measurements Environment Equipment This fishbone diagram conspicuously illustrates the areas where to focus on to improve quality of this company. All the sectors need to be treated with equal importance. And in some case drastic measures have to take to further its improvement. An interview with the GP staffs has been very successful. The interview is carried through certain questions whether the staffs are happy or not happy giving answers YES/NO After completing the interview process it was analyzed and reviewed in 5 points covering the whole idea to identify the quality gaps. These gaps need to be filled up to ensure the standard quality of service/ product of GP Ltd. The outcomes of the staff interview have shown in the table given below: Sl Identified Issues Yes No 1 Good Wages and remunerations 85 15 2 Want more autocracy 87 13 3 Poor management 21 79 4 Poor internal communication facility 27 83 5 Environment in the work place needs improvement 65 35 The above table 1 to 5 is considered as to be the intensity of quality gaps in Grameenphone Ltd. The issues have to be taken seriously to improve the internal service quality of the company. The answer YES is showing things are ok and NO identifies immediate action plan to fill these gaps. Environmental (internal) analysis: Swot analysis of GrameenPhone Ltd Strength Reporting In comparison with other existing network companies in Bangladesh it can be agreed upon that GrameenPhone Bangladesh is in a good position to compete it business rivals if the company steadily maintain the strategy it has. But in near future BanglaLink Telecommunication may be hard competitor as the company is growing fast and trying to bridge the gaps that the GP has. So GP is supposed to lose its position within 5 years time. GPs business growth has reached a place from where rate of growth can be achieved between 15% 20% with 22 million customers. On the other hand BanglaLink telecom ltd goes on with 25%-30% having 15 million users. The result of quality audit/quality gaps Financial audit Balance sheet of year 2007 and 2006 in 000 BDT Assets: 2007 2006 Non-current assets: Property, plant and equipment, net Intangible assets Other non-current assets Current assets Total assets 80,318,190 1,275,733 16,064 81,609,987 6,815,054 88,461,041 55,413,498 888,407 12,560 56,314,465 10,442,193 66,756,658 Equity and liabilities: Shareholders equity Share capital Reserves Retained earnings 2,430,350 2,169,803 21,510,954 26,111,107 2,430,350 2,169,803 19,909,324 24,509,477 Non-current liabilities: Loans and borrowings, net of current portion Finance lease obligations, net of current portion Deferred tax liability Other non-current liabilities Current liabilities Total equity and liabilities 3,367,620 5,315,559 16,510,153 711,946 25,905,278 34,444,656 88,461,041 2,448,452 4,229,277 11,097,313 904,567 18,669,609 23,567,572 66,756,658 Key financial ratios: Net profit of turnover 6% 16% Return on total assets (ROTA) 18% 27% Earning per share (EPS) 54.14 132.41 Dividend per share (DPS) 26.66 25.80 Dividend payout ratio 49% 19% Slow progress in network setup GrameenPhone has been quite innovative but it made slow progress. 189 additional connections were made during this year, making a total of 221 village phones by the end of 1998. The deployment of Village Phones has also been lower than expected, mainly due to the poor coverage in rural areas. This was due to a reduction in projected investments. 1998 has, however, been a valuable year for testing out the Village Phone concept. The experiences gained during the year show in almost all respects that the Village Phone concept is a feasible business proposition. Several studies have been undertaken, and the general conclusion is that it is a viable and profitable business for the village phone operators, who on average earned a net daily profit of US$2, more than double the per capita income in Bangladesh. (GrameenPhone websites) Operational performance interconnection problem persists The drop call, overcharging, complicated tariff, poor network and no network in Appendix 1 are found in a survey that shows problems are still persistent in the services. Financial results for the year 1998 The Company has made a negative net result of BDT 641.511 million (US$13.092 million) during the year 1998 compared to BDT 354.239 million (US$ 7.229 million) for the nine months ended December 1997. The main reasons behind this unsatisfactory financial performance are due to the non achievement of the projected sales volume due to the stoppage of sales with PSTN connections after July 1998. Another reason was the competitive market. On the other hand, due to heavy congestion in the network and limited PSTN channels, GrameenPhone had to offer a number of concessions on all of the existing packages. All of the above reasons plus lost revenue in calls and airtime resulted in a loss. The variable costs were also unfavourable because BTTB did not accept the basic principle of Senders keep all in sharing the revenues. The fixed or periodic costs were more or less in line with the budget and were on the lower side. The interest costs, on the other hand, were higher compared to institutional financing. The cash flow situation became acute when GrameenPhone was unable to draw from the IFC/CDC/ADB credit line. Even the NORAD loan was at stake just before draw down and was solved by a guarantee from Telenor AS. However, we were not able to draw down Norwegian Kroner (NOK) 15.0 million in 1998 due to amendments required in the operating license. (GrameenPhone website) Recommendations Conducting quality audit on GrameenPhone Telecom, these following recommendations have been made to remain market leader in the days to come. Existing market and its products frequently compels an organization to develop new products and in doing so the company can hold it current position and make forward steps to remain dominant in the market. GrameenPhone is suggested to consolidate its position by protecting the market share it has and maintaining the quality of existing products sold within existing market sectors and can derive benefit in doing so. GP also can lower its tariff cutting the cost on advertisements which may create more customers. Thus, GP has to consolidate to protect and strengthen its present position. Market penetration is a vital tool to exploit the market and include more consumers for long. It can be achieved by penetrating the new market with new products. In static market opportunities are more for the small competitors like City Cell, Aktel, Tele Talk to succeed with small but effective packages. Consequently GP will lose large market share. Withdrawal of some products that are causing adverse effect on business will be a wise decision. GP needs to hold, harvest or build existing services withdrawing some complicated tariff. Making franchise for certain products or selling some of the shares to the locals can also be good strategy. Extending the existing product range to develop a completely new product range is a good strategy to adapt. As a developing country Bangladesh has got huge demand for internet. People are more aware of new technologies now and are willing to be connected with modern communication technology. So GP can initiate Wireless Broadband for the first time which is expected to stir the whole market. Expanding into new geographic market is a classic form of market development which can be quite handy for GP. To face the challenges of globalization and to operate in market across the world GrameenPhone can make a big stride towards progress and expansion. GP can also diversify its marketing policy and products ranging different services and products such as iPhones with free minutes and unlimited internet which is going to change customers taste into different one. GrameenPhone added 11,000 new subscriptions in 1998. This was less than its target. By the year-end, the total number of subscribers was close to 31,000, far ahead of the three other mobile operators. The problem of not having enough interconnection capacity to the PSTN led to congestion on the call route between the GrameenPhone and PSTN networks. Existing subscribers complained, which reduced sales to a minimum. In July, sales of new ubscriptions with access to the PSTN were stopped altogether. At the same time, GrameenPhone started selling subscriptions without access to the PSTN, but with access to all other mobile operators. Sales of these new subscriptions, however, made very slow progress. With some new interconnection channels to the PSTN in Dhaka, and opening of the network in Chittagong with PSTN access, sales started to pick up again.Much effort went into planning new marketing initiatives. The focus was shifted from big corporations to small and medium sized enterprises. More sales points were established, and a new distribution strategy was underway. These activities led to positive results, and by November, the sales started to pick up quickly. Towards the end of the year, the sales of mobile-to-mobile subscriptions, now named GP-GP, showed quite positive results. Implementation There was no scope for short-term solutions. Down time on base stations was very low and created almost no traffic disturbances. On-call duties were established for all critical areas and a demanding system for round the clock fault handling and repairs was introduced. Conclusion GP is proud of Good owner structure, availability of backbone network( optical fiber), financial soundness, present market leader, brand name/ GrameenPhone image, skilled human resource, largest geographical coverage, eligible human resource and infrastructure installation all over the country through Bangladesh railway and grameen bank, access to the widest rural distribution network through grameen bank, high ethical standard. An excuse not to solve problems because of mixture of different cultures, different departments not working together, poor interconnection with BTTB, not good enough public relation, sometimes a tendency to be arrogant, complicated high pricing structure, billing system cant handle sophisticated billing, net work problem, line disconnections without any information, no long term distribution/channel strategy. Economic growth of Bangladesh, new and better interconnection agreement, huge need for telecom services, increased intentional activities in Bangladesh, declining prices for the handsets and SIM cards, future privatisation of the fixed network, new international gateway, demand for the inter-city communication, growth in other operator will give more connection. More rigid government regulation, more influence of competitors on the fixed net work, change of government might lead to competitors, devaluation of currency, sabotage of installation, political instability, non-co-operation of government and fixed PSTN (public service telephone network), risk of fire in the GPs installations, price war, non availability of funds, BTTB has limited capacity for interconnection, high call charge. The results of the year have been given in terms of sales and income. However, the network operations have been expanded, although investments had to be reduced due to a lack of funds. The financial situation has been very tight. In spite of these difficulties, GrameenPhones number of subscribers has gradually grown to exceed 35,000, and its market position, as the leader of the cellular operators, has been consolidated. It is with renewed optimism that the company faces the next year. After the end of 1998, the license agreement was suitably amended and the license was issued in the name of GrameenPhone Ltd. The company now has the option of pledging its assets to secure loan finances. The report satisfied that by the end of March 1999, the company achieved the targeted number of 35,000 subscriptions. These two events remove the main barriers for securing the much needed institutional financing within May 1999. Other good news is the recommitment by NORAD to provide NOK 15.0 million for the 1999 budget of GrameenPhone.

Portrayal of Puritan Society in Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays

Portrayal of Puritan Society in Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter      Ã‚  Ã‚   In the introductory sketch to Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel the "The Scarlet Letter", the reader is informed that one of the author's ancestors persecuted the Quakers harshly. The latter's son was a high judge in the Salem witch trials, put into literary form in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" (Judge Hathorne appears there). We learn that Hawthorne feels ashamed for their deeds, and that he sees his ancestors and the Puritan society as a whole with critical eyes. Consequently, both open and subtle criticism of the Puritans' practices is applied throughout the novel.       Hawthorne's comments have to be regarded in the context of the settlers' history and religion. They believe that man is a creature steeped in sin, ever since Adam and Eve's fall from innocence. To them, committing the original sin strapped human beings of their own free will, so that God now decides about their lives. Everything that happens is seen as God's will, and providence plays an important role.       Through the sacrifice and righteousness of Christ, however, there is a chance for people to be saved. One cannot definitely know who will be saved, although pious and faithful people are of course more likely to. The experience of conversion, in which the soul is touched by the Holy Spirit, so that the believer's heart is turned from sinfulness to holiness, is another indication that one is of the elect. Faithfulness and piety, rather than good deeds are what saves people. If someone has sinned, public confession is believed to take some of the burden of this sin off him.       The initial reason for the Puritans to leave their homes was the treatment they had to suffer from in their native England. They were brutally persecuted and were not allowed to practise their religion, because they said that the beliefs taught by the Anglican church were against the Bible. When they arrived in the New World, they were confronted with numerous threats from the outside. Their trying to take land away from the Indians caused many fights and attacks. Moreover, they had to deal with the total wilderness surrounding them. Under these frontier conditions, they needed harmony and peace inside the community in order to survive.       As a result, Hawthorne's founding fathers immediately saw the necessity to Portrayal of Puritan Society in Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays Portrayal of Puritan Society in Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter      Ã‚  Ã‚   In the introductory sketch to Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel the "The Scarlet Letter", the reader is informed that one of the author's ancestors persecuted the Quakers harshly. The latter's son was a high judge in the Salem witch trials, put into literary form in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" (Judge Hathorne appears there). We learn that Hawthorne feels ashamed for their deeds, and that he sees his ancestors and the Puritan society as a whole with critical eyes. Consequently, both open and subtle criticism of the Puritans' practices is applied throughout the novel.       Hawthorne's comments have to be regarded in the context of the settlers' history and religion. They believe that man is a creature steeped in sin, ever since Adam and Eve's fall from innocence. To them, committing the original sin strapped human beings of their own free will, so that God now decides about their lives. Everything that happens is seen as God's will, and providence plays an important role.       Through the sacrifice and righteousness of Christ, however, there is a chance for people to be saved. One cannot definitely know who will be saved, although pious and faithful people are of course more likely to. The experience of conversion, in which the soul is touched by the Holy Spirit, so that the believer's heart is turned from sinfulness to holiness, is another indication that one is of the elect. Faithfulness and piety, rather than good deeds are what saves people. If someone has sinned, public confession is believed to take some of the burden of this sin off him.       The initial reason for the Puritans to leave their homes was the treatment they had to suffer from in their native England. They were brutally persecuted and were not allowed to practise their religion, because they said that the beliefs taught by the Anglican church were against the Bible. When they arrived in the New World, they were confronted with numerous threats from the outside. Their trying to take land away from the Indians caused many fights and attacks. Moreover, they had to deal with the total wilderness surrounding them. Under these frontier conditions, they needed harmony and peace inside the community in order to survive.       As a result, Hawthorne's founding fathers immediately saw the necessity to

Effects of Computer Technology as a Teaching Method

Effects of Using Instructional Technology in Colleges and Universities: What Controlled Evaluation Studies Say. This report and related issue briefs are available at:    © 2003 SRI International Early studies of effectiveness By 1991, this author’s research team at Michigan had carried out meta-analyses of findings from 121 controlled studies of teaching in colleges and universities (J. Kulik et al. , 1980; C.Kulik & Kulik, 1986; C. Kulik & Kulik, 1991). The studies contained results from a variety of computer applications in a number of different disciplines. Among the 121 studies were a substantial number on computer tutorials and computer simulations in science. The results from these early studies provide a good standard for gauging recent contributions of tutorials and simulations to science teaching, and are therefore reviewed here. Listed in the 1986 and 1991 reviews were achievement effect sizes from 37 studies of computer tutoring in college courses.Results of the se studies favored the computer-tutored students by a small amount. In 26 of the 37 studies, the tutorial group outperformed the control group; in the remaining 11 studies, the control group scores were higher. The effect sizes in the 37 studies were between –1. 20 and 1. 25. The median effect size was 0. 15. This effect is not large enough to be considered educationally meaningful. It suggests that computer-tutored students would perform at the 56th percentile on relevant achievement tests, whereas conventionally taught students would performat the 50th percentile.Results of computer tutoring in science courses were similar to results in nonscience areas. These reviews also contained findings from 13 studies of computer simulations in science. Results of these studies were favorable to the groups that worked with the computer simulations. In 11 of the 13 studies, the simulation group outperformed the control group, but in the remaining studies, the control group outscored th e simulation group. The effect sizes in the 13 studies were between –0. 14 and 1. 27. The median effect size was 0. 25. Effect sizes of 0. 25 and over are usually considered to be educationally meaningful.By this standard, the effects of computer simulations are just large enough to be judged as educationally meaningful. An effect size of 0. 25 suggests that students who worked with simulations would perform at the 60percentile on relevant achievement tests, whereas conventionally taught students would perform at the 50th percentile. Computer tutoring Seven studies of computer tutorials from the 1990s were identified for this literature review. The studies examined two kinds of instructional outcomes: student achievement and student attitudes (Table 7).Effects of computer tutorials on both outcomes were mixed. Large or moderate positive effects. The effects of computer tutoring were large and positive in two studies (Kitz & Thorpe, 1995; Vitale & Romance, 1992). Both of these studies examined effectiveness of videodisc software from Systems Impact Corporation. Conclusion It is clear that computers can contribute substantially to the improvement of college teaching. Evaluation studies of the past decade usually found that college courses taught with computer help were more effective than similar courses taught without such help.These recent studies produced far more favorable results than did studies of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. In 119 studies carried out between 1967 and 1986, the median effect of instructional technology was to raise scores on examinations by 0. 30 standard deviations (C. Kulik & Kulik, 1986, 1991). In the 46 more recent studies reviewed in this report, the average effect of instructional technology was to raise student scores by 0. 46 standard deviations. Both gains are large enough to be considered educationally meaningful, but a gain of 0. 46 standard deviations on achievement tests is clearly a more important gain.There were clu es in the earlier reviews that computer applications were becoming increasingly effective as the years rolled on, but early reviewers did not chart the change in evaluation results over time (e. g. , C. Kulik & Kulik, 1986, 1991). Now, the time trend is impossible to ignore. Analysis of results in the earlier reviews shows that the median effect size was –0. 13 in 5 evaluation studies of instructional technology published during the 1960s, 0. 22 in 85 studies published during the 1970s, and 0. 35 in 35 studies published during the 1980s.This review found a median effect size of 0. 46 in 46 studies published during the 1990s. In other words, computer-based teaching was as likely to shortchange college students as to help them in the early years of the computer revolution, but today’s students are likely to gain substantial educational benefits when their teachers incorporate instructional technology into their courses. The effectiveness of computer applications in colle ge courses is not restricted to a single area. This review shows that computers have made significant contributions to a variety of instructional areas.Computer contributions were clear in mathematics courses, where computers are being used as algebra and calculus tools; in science courses, where older computer applications such as tutoring and simulation programs are being used along with such newer applications as computer animations; and in the field of language learning, where a diversity of computer approaches are now being tried. Of all the results reviewed in this report, the most notable came from studies of computer and calculator use in algebra and calculus courses. Twelve studies focused on this topic. Six of the 12 studies took place in algebra courses.The remaining six studies took place in calculus courses. In each of the studies, experimental group students used computers or graphing calculators while doing coursework, whereas control group students completed their co ursework without using such tools. In the typical study, computer and calculator use raised student scores on tests of conceptual understanding a total of 0. 88 standard deviations. This means that students who used computers and graphing calculators while studying algebra and calculus scored 0. 88 standard deviation units higher on conceptual tests than did students in the control group.If control group students scored at the 50th percentile on a conceptual test, scores of students using computers or calculators would be at the 80th percentile or above. Evaluations of educational innovations rarely report average effect sizes this high. 40 Results on computational exams, on the other hand, were strongly influenced by the conditions under which the exams were taken. In studies in which experimental group students were permitted to use computers or calculators on final exams, they outscored control group students by a large amount on computational items.In studies in which neither th e experimental group nor the control group was allowed to use computers and calculators on final exams, students in the experimental group performed computations about as well as students who learned in more traditional classes. Overall, these studies suggest that students who used calculators and computer tools when learning algebra and calculus did not suffer in their ability to solve computational problems with paper and pencil alone. Finally, a review of study results did not yield any definite conclusions about the effects of computer and calculator use on student attitudes toward mathematics.In two studies, mathematics attitudes were clearly higher in the experimental groups, but in three other studies, mathematics attitudes were not significantly different in the experimental and control groups. No definite conclusion about computer and calculator effects on attitudes can be drawn from such conflicting results. Studies of computer effects on science learning examined both old er and newer instructional approaches. The two older approaches still being evaluated during the 1990s were computer tutoring and computer simulations.The newer approach that was extensively evaluated during the 1990s was computer animation. Reviewed in this report were 7 studies of tutoring, 11 studies of simulations, and 9 studies of animations. The seven studies of tutorial instruction examined two kinds of instructional outcomes: student achievement and student attitudes. Effects of computer tutorials on student achievement were mixed. Four of the six studies of student learning reported significant positive effects of tutoring, and two studies reported trivial effects. The median effect size in the studies was 0. 33. Tutorial effects on attitudes were likewise mixed.One study reported strong positive effects of computer tutoring on student attitudes; one study reported a strong negative effect; and one study reported a nonsignificant positive effect. Eleven studies of computer simulations in science also presented a somewhat mixed picture of effectiveness. In 7 of the 11 studies, effects were large enough to be considered statistically significant and educationally meaningful, but in 2 other studies computer results were nonsignificant and in the remaining 2 studies results were significant and negative. Median effect size in the 11 studies from the past decade was 0. 9. While the most likely outcome of using simulations in teaching was an increase in student test performance, using simulations could also have a negative effect or no effect at all on student test scores. The studies suggest that computer simulations can be valuable tools for teachers, but teachers must use some care in deciding on how to use simulations and which simulations to use. Computer animation is the most recent addition to the science teacher’s toolkit, but this instructional innovation has already compiled a record of strong contributions to science instruction.In each of nine studies of computer animations, the group that viewed the animations outscored the control group, but the effects differed in size from small to large. In seven of the nine studies, the improvement was large enough to be considered educationally meaningful. The remaining two studies reported positive effects of animations, but the effects were not large enough to be considered practically important. The median effect of computer animations in the nine studies was to increase student scores on science tests by 0. 8 standard deviations. As a group, therefore, these studies suggest that animations can help students substantially in their attempts to understand scientific phenomena. Computer searches yielded a total of only seven controlled quantitative evaluations of computer-assisted language learning (CALL), and these studies were extremely varied in focus. 41 Each of the studies examined its own approach to improving language instruction with technology, and so the studies do not provide a sound basis for conclusions about CALL effects.Several years ago, Miech and his colleagues observed that the area of CALL lacks an agreedupon research agenda (Miech et al. , 1996). Their point seems to be as valid todayas it was when they first made it. Diverse though evaluations of CALL may be, they have yielded enough strong positive results to encourage CALL enthusiasts. In each of seven evaluations, CALL had at least a small positive effect on instructional outcomes, and in five of the seven studies, CALL effects were large enough to be considered educationally meaningful.The median effect of a CALL program in the seven studies was an increase in language test scores of 0. 60 standard deviations. This is a moderate to large improvement in student performance, equivalent to a jump in scores from the 50th to the 73rd percentile. These results suggest that a number of approaches to CALL may have positive results on student learning. Although the various approaches sti ll need in-depth examination, the future of CALL appears to be promising. Overall, computer-based teaching approaches have come a long way during the last four decades.Originally almost a hindrance to learning, computer-based instruction is now an important ingredient in many successful college courses. The growing effectiveness of instructional technology in college programs should not come as a great surprise. Computers have improved dramatically during the last three decades. They are faster, friendlier, and vastly more sophisticated in their operations than they were 35 years ago. In addition, many educators have become sophisticated designers of instructional software, and most college students have become proficient users of computing technology.Recent evaluation studies suggest that instructional technology can thrive in this climate and that computers—which have transformed society in so many ways—are also making college teaching more effective. The Effects of Computer Assisted Instructions in Teaching & Learning in Primary Education By Kara Schmidt, eHow Contributor Computer-assisted instruction provides another avenue to academic success. Computer-assisted instruction offers teachers and students another avenue to learn the required academic material. Educational computer programs are available online, at computer stores or through textbook companies.Stick with programs that are user-friendly and hold your students' attention. Make sure the programs are at the correct grade level. Decide if you want the computer program to supplement your lesson, practice basic skills, or assist in teaching a new concept and make sure it does just that. 1. Student Benefits Computer-assisted instruction provides differentiated lessons for varied levels of learning, including students with disabilities and gifted students. Students are able to work at their own pace while receiving instant feedback which enables them to self correct before moving on to th e next skill.If a student answers incorrectly, the computer programs will provide instructions to assist the student in correcting their work. The programs are interactive and students can work individually or in groups. This allows them to compete with their individual scores or the scores of the students within their group. Students also gain valuable computer skills which will continue to benefit them throughout life. 2. Teacher Benefits Teachers are better able to track their students' strengths and weaknesses through computer-assisted learning. Computer programs can enhance the essons and allow teachers to pick different levels of a program or different programs altogether for students who may be behind or students who are advanced. When students are learning and actively involved with learning, teachers will have less behavior problems in the classroom which in turn sets up a cycle for more learning to take place. Computer-assisted learning benefits teachers by allowing them t o work with small groups of children on a particular skill while the other students in the class are working on their computer program.The nature of the program allows the students to work independently; minimizing distraction to the teacher while she works with the other students. Disadvantages Computer programs can evaluate students' progress on many levels although it is the teacher's responsibility to make sure students develop critical thinking skills which are essential to solve problems encountered throughout life. Too much time spent learning through computer programs can also reduce time students spend interacting with each other and their teacher. This can result in less time for learning appropriate social skills.Computer-assisted learning can be a great asset to the classroom and curriculum as long as they are not overused. Too much of any mode of teaching can lead to boredom and frustration in the students. Use good judgment and find computer programs that enhance the l earning process. Sponsored Links * Bulk Email–Free Trialwww. iContact. com Email marketing to fit your needs. Start a Free 30-Day Trial Today. * Educational Technologywww. met. ubc. ca International Master's Program 100% Online – Apply Now * The Knowledge Engineerstheknowledgeengineers. om/ Leading digital training company, accelerate your digital knowledge * Search Cebu hotelsAgoda. com/Cebu_Hotels Instant confirmation. Trust Agoda. Save up to 75% Don't miss out! Related Searches: * Teaching Students * Teaching Career * Computer Technology * Video Teaching * Learning Online Read more:  The Effects of Computer Assisted Instructions in Teaching & Learning in Primary Education | eHow. com  http://www. ehow. com/list_7408273_effects-teaching-learning-primary-education. html#ixzz1qFW4xJoO Brief History of Computers in EducationComputers and related technologies are now in most of the schools in all around theworld. Advancements in technology are inevitably reflected in educational systems. In most of the developed countries education has been penetrated by informationtechnologies (IT); schools have computers, a large numbers of teachers usecomputers and new technologies while teaching, and more  over textbooks have someparts devoted to new  technologies. New technologies are integrated into disciplines and more disciplines are beinginfluenced by the new technologies in an integrated way.Most of the educators andresearchers try to use technologies in various subject matters, and this integrationchanges the nature, concepts and methods of work in each subject. For example, inmathematics education, the way of teaching and learning, the roles and functions of  the most concepts have changed with the use of  technology. 19Although the wide-spread interest in computers as an instructional tool did not occuruntil the 1980s, computers were first used in education and training at a much earlierdate.Much of the early work which computers introduced in education was done inthe 1950s by researchers at IBM, who developed the first Computer AssistedInstruction (CAI) author language and designed one of the first CAI programs to beused in public schools. Students followed the commands on the computer screenreceiving rewards for correct answers within the framework of behavioristapproaches. In 1959, PLATO, the first large-scale project for the use of computers ineducation was implemented by Donald Bitier at the University of Illinois (Carter,2003).Atkinson and Suppes’ (1959) work led to some earliest applications of  computers at both the public school and university levels during the 1960s. By theearly 1980s many educators were attracted to microcomputers because they wererelatively inexpensive, compact enough for desktop use, and could perform many of  the functions performed by the large computers that had preceded them. The dominant use of computer-based instruction in the 1980s was typified by theemploy of â€Å"beh avioral-based branching† software that based greatly on drill-andpractice to teach programmed content and/or skills.The  educational software that ranon the computers of the early 1980s were at first based on Skinner’s â€Å"methods of  branching†: first separating into small sections, rewarding combined responses, andteaching disconnected facts. Although the learning is passive where learners do notwork together with problems and content, research studies indicate that learner didadvantage from the technology when the learning objectives were behavioral. During the 1990s, computers eventually started to have a major impact oninstructional practices in schools.With the help of advances in technology andlearning, science researchers consider learning with technology as means forconstruction problem-solving skills and for achieving learner independence. Thecognitive approach to instructional technology emphasized â€Å"looking at how we knowrather than how we respond, and analyzing how we plan and strategize our thinking,remembering, understanding, and communicating† (Saettler, 1990, cited inhttp://www. ncrel. org/ tplan/cbtl/toc. htm,  2003). Besides,  students  would  also  tolearn through playing games and simple simulations with the help of cognitive 20school of thought.The worth of using a word processor has been discovered bywriting teachers and almost immediately students were using the advantages of wordprocessor by writing, deleting, formatting and revising with effortlessness. Othersubject matter teachers perceived the importance of the computer in creating a richlearning environment by using databases, spreadsheets, presentation, and researchtools. Since 1995, rapid advances in computer and other digital technology, as wellas the Internet, have led to a rapidly increasing interest in and use of these media forinstructional purposes (Reiser, 2001).Swiftly there was a volume of informationobtainable to students w ith a network of people all through the world that improvedcommunication and the exchange of thoughts. Additionally, distance educationcourses are offered and in this way students in geographically isolated schools haveextended learning opportunities in a diversity of  subject areas. For example in UnitedNations, Kalu (2006) states â€Å"the proportion of instructional rooms with Internetaccess increased from 51 percent in 1998 to 93 percent in 2003† (p. 3). Theoreticalexplanations could now be demonstrated and manipulated with the help of  technology innovations.A complete innovative learning environment becamepossible. Since the advent of the personal computers in the mid 1980s, computers have rapidlybecome one of the key instructional technologies used in both formal and informaleducation. The computer’s role has changed because of two factors: first, it canprovide rich learning experiences for students and secondly, computer givingstudents the power to manipula te depth and way of their learning. Furthermore,teachers can use the computer as an aid to manage classroom activities; it has amultitude of roles to play in the curriculum which can range from tutor to studenttools.

West Coast Offense Essays - Pro Football Hall Of Fame Inductees

West Coast Offense Essays - Pro Football Hall Of Fame Inductees West Coast Offense We know that football teams, similar to organizations everywhere, improve by going through an evolutionary progression as they learn, apply, adapt, and learn again. Bill Walsh accomplished all these by establishing and mastering the steps involved in that crucial process. No individual in the history of the game is more qualified to put forth such individual guidance. During his illustrious career, Bill Walsh was more than a football coach. In a very real sense he has been an exceptional visionary. Although he is widely renowned as the architect of the West Coast offense, his innovative approach to the game has extended far beyond his imaginative ideas on offense. During the time he spent working with the San Francisco 49ers, he transformed San Franciscos game into an art form. To Walsh, football was more than a physical contest, and success is more than a victory on the playing field. Success is the progression of worthy ideas and goals. Such a progression involves at least two key cerebral factors, attention to detail and an absolute commitment to perfection. To Walshs way of reasoning, no detail or situation is too unimportant to be overlooked. Every possible circumstance that might affect the performance of the team and the productivity of the organization should be addressed. In turn, a contingency plan to handle each situation should be developed. In his more than four decades of involvement with the game as a player, a coach, and a top-level administrator, no individual has had a more worthy or meaningful impact on the players he coached or the coaches with whom he worked. A list of coaches that served with Walsh, and who subsequently went on to achieve remarkable success as head coaches on both the collegiate and professional levels is quite extraordinary. As a result, his influence continues to be felt throughout all levels of the game today. As you read through my manuscript about the West Coast offense, you will read about a detailed offense that thrives on perfection. Throughout my manuscript Bill Walsh and sometimes LaVell Edwards will continue to be referred to, having being the architects of such an ingenious offense. Before we can know more about the offense, we should know more about the history of the father of the West Coast offense. Bill Walsh was born in to an environment where most children played sports in the streets and on neighborhood lawns . He grew up in a neighborhood where there were no basketball courts, so playing football was the only option. Walsh grew up in area of southwest Los Angeles, better known as south central L.A. South central L.A. was the home of University of Southern California. Having lived in the atmosphere of USC, only served to heighten Walshs interest in football . In later years, Walsh had the opportunity to hang around USC as a ball boy for the Trojan football team. In the process, Walsh made friends with several USC player that went on to be professional athletes and coaches. If you think Walsh came from a football background you are wrong. Though his father played a very influential role in his life, ingraining strong work ethics, (evident in most of Walshs football teams). During the week his father was employed at a blue collar job in an auto plant. Walsh and family traveled from place to place for employment reasons. Because of the numerous travels, Walsh had the opportunity to attend three different high schools. He played on the football team at each high school, sometimes as quarterback, but usually as a running back because it was probably easier to learn the system. Walsh attended San Mateo Community College for two seasons, where he was allowed to play quarterback on a regular basis. After attending San Mateo and gaining a Associates Degree, he attended San Jose State University, where he had the opportunity to play as a split end on the Spartan football team, coached by the legendary Bob Bronzan . Bronzan was a typical hard nosed coach, he demanded high standards of performance at all times from everyone associated with the team. He was a coach that stressed the fact that everyone needed to be willing to make sacrifices if the team was to succeed. Last but

Mexican-American War - Aftermath

Mexican-American War - Aftermath Previous Page | Contents Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo In 1847, with the conflict still raging, Secretary of State James Buchanan suggested that President James K. Polk send an emissary to Mexico to assist in bringing the war to a close. Agreeing, Polk chose Chief Clerk of the State Department Nicholas Trist and dispatched him south to join General Winfield Scotts army near Veracruz. Initially disliked by Scott, who resented Trists presence, the emissary soon earned the generals trust and the two became close friends. With the army driving inland towards Mexico City and the enemy in retreat, Trist received orders from Washington, DC to negotiate for the acquisition of California and New Mexico to the 32nd Parallel as well as Baja California. Following Scotts capture of Mexico City in September 1847, the Mexicans appointed three commissioners, Luis G. Cuevas, Bernardo Couto, and Miguel Atristain, to meet with Trist to discuss peace terms. Commencing talks, Trists situation was complicated in October when he was recalled by Polk who was unhappy with the representatives  inability to conclude a treaty earlier. Believing that the president did not fully understand the situation in Mexico, Trist elected to ignore the recall order and wrote a 65-page response to Polk outlining his reasons for doing so. Continuing to meet with the Mexican delegation, final terms were agreed to in early 1848. The war officially ended on February 2, 1848, with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The treaty ceded to the United States the land that now comprises the states of California, Utah, and Nevada, as well as parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Colorado. In exchange for this land, the United States paid Mexico $15,000,000, less than half the amount offered by Washington prior to the conflict. Mexico also forfeited all rights to Texas and the border was permanently established at the Rio Grande. Trist also agreed that the United States would assume $3.25 million in debt owed by the Mexican government to American citizens as well as would work to curtail Apache and Comanche raids into northern Mexico. In an effort to avoid later conflicts, the treaty also stipulated that future disagreements between the two countries would be settled through compulsory arbitration. Sent north, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was delivered to the US Senate for ratification.   After extensive debate and some alterations, the Senate approved it on March 10.   In the course of the debate, an attempt to insert the Wilmot Proviso, which would have banned slavery in the newly-acquired territories, failed 38-15 along sectional lines.   The treaty received ratification from the Mexican government on May 19.   With Mexican acceptance of the treaty, American troops began departing the country. The American victory confirmed most citizens’ belief in Manifest Destiny and the nation’s expansion westward. In 1854, the United States concluded the Gadsden Purchase which added territory in Arizona and New Mexico and reconciled several border issues that had arisen from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Casualties Like most wars in the 19th century, more soldiers died from disease than from wounds received in battle. In the course of the war, 1,773 Americans were killed in action as opposed to 13,271 dead from sickness. A total of 4,152 were wounded in the conflict. Mexican casualty reports are incomplete, but it estimated that approximately 25,000 were killed or wounded between 1846-1848. Legacy of the War The Mexican War in many ways may be directly connected to the Civil War. Arguments over the expansion of slavery into the newly acquired lands further heightened sectional tensions and forced new states to be added through compromise. In addition, the battlefields of Mexico served as a practical learning ground for those officers who would play prominent roles in the upcoming conflict. Leaders such as Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Braxton Bragg, Thomas â€Å"Stonewall† Jackson, George McClellan, Ambrose Burnside, George G. Meade, and James Longstreet all saw service with either Taylor or Scott’s armies. The experiences these leaders gained in Mexico helped to shape their decisions in the Civil War. Previous Page | Contents

Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 6

Annotated Bibliography Example The authors argue that since human interactions are inimitable and cannot be reproduced in a different organizational context without losing their innate characteristics, organizations can retain knowledge within the organization and continue to use it as a strategic asset to create competitive advantage. This article challenges the assumption of a universal set of knowledge management practices by arguing for a contingency-based approach to knowledge management. The article describes the organizational context for knowledge management along the dimensions of process and content orientation on the one hand and focused and broad domains on the other. Based on the possible combinations, four different approaches are identified, i.e. internalization, externalization, combination and socialization. Based on where the particular organizational division is situated in the contingency grid, managers should adopt the associated approach to promote knowledge creation and management among employees. Empirical research validates much of the contingency model with the exception of the externalization approach as it did not contribute to the expected positive impact. This report explains how managers may benefit from implementing knowledge management practices in the organization. The report highlights several advantages of knowledge management including the promotion of creativity, faster decision making and competitive responses in the market. The report encourages managers to adopt knowledge management practices by discussing examples of real organizations where knowledge management has been implemented and has yielded beneficial results. Knowledge management can be practiced by creating appropriate structures and systems to create and disseminate knowledge. The report also states that managers should constantly evaluate the effectiveness of their knowledge management systems by establishing specific criteria to measure the

Entrepreneurial Crime and the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation Essay

Entrepreneurial Crime and the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation - Essay Example National organizations have loopholes are due to geographical and spatial complexities and the fact that different cultures and legal systems are brought together (Acs & Szerb, 2007). Trade involving international players should be ethical and regulated by law. In the spirit of the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation, auditing accuracy, financial accuracy and operations between such entities and individuals must be undertaken in a clear and plausible manner to avoid fraudulent engagement (Acs & Szerb, 2007). On the contrary, the Fumitake Nishi, a former employee of the Tile Shop Holdings, Inc., and brother-in-law of the Company CEO colluded with another Chinese company where he was a majority shareholder to indulge in multiple practices that were unethical and fraudulent (Anderson, 2014). Even though, the audit did not reveal any substantial embezzlement of company funds, the vendor relationships and sourcing practices were unethical and tantamount to a contravention of law. (Acs & Szerb, 200 7). Incentive compensation practices that the Beijing Pingxiu (BP) indulged in were detestable because they meddled in the company’s vendor practices by yielding operations that unorthodox and fraudulent (Anderson, 2014). Many funds were paid into the victim’s private bank account by the company to secure the vendor deals. The process was prohibited because it denied conventional operators business opportunity over the course of time they operated the business (Acs & Szerb, 2007).