The Function of Management Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Function of Management Planning - Essay Example Within this organization, the planning involved selecting enterprise goals and department objectives than finding ways of achieving them. Plans depended upon the existence of alternatives, and then decisions had to be made regarding what to do, how to do it, when to do it and by whom it is to be done. Author Anderson has a responsibility to meet society's expectations in three concentric circles of responsibility (Arthur Andersen, 2007). The inner circle includes the business's clear economic responsibilities such as quality and safety and the provision of jobs and services. The intermediate circle expands the responsibility of businesses to make their policies and practices consistent with societal values in such matters as fair employment practices and a benign environmental impact (Accounting Industry, n.d.). The nature of ethical standards is one of the key issues to be addressed by personnel managers operating in a large corporation. There will gradually be a growing together of national practice on working hours, but it will take a lot longer for rates of pay to harmonies. Arthur Anderson adopts CSR because some moral justification comes from a value system that is independent of the business itself and where individual opinion can be sharply divided. SCR implies that employees at work should be honest and that claims about a product or service should be accurate. Ethical issues are corporate behavior and fair competition. In order to meet these objectives, Arthur Anderson uses systematic planning. Fair competition is achieved by adoption of specific ethical rules which guides management and marketing policies. Risk and uncertainty are minimized by planning and this is needed more today than before as social and economic conditions alter very quickly and careful planning enables an organization to prepare for change. Planning helps Arthur Anderson to define its purposes and activities according to fair competition rules. It enables performance standards t o be set and results can, therefore, be compared with the standard to enable managers to see how the organization is proceeding towards its goals. Planning is flexible to deal with a changing environment. Corporate behavior means that employees follow established norms combining their own judgment with the benefits of the corporation. In this case, the ethical responsibility of Arthur Anderson is to analyze social conditions and possible threats of their services for potential consumers. They should be well aware of the educational background of their customers and their expectations (Corporate Social Responsibility, 2007). Social responsibility translates into expectations that businesses comply with the spirit of society's laws and with the normative base that undergirds them. The social responsibility issues followed by Author Anderson are the attitude of management to labor and fair reward and use of shareholders capital. The attitude of management to labor is achieved through f air payment schemes and healthy corporate climate, training programs and promotion activities. Arthur Anderson provides additional training focusing on employee's motivation and work design programs to help worker identify their goal and professional development strategies.  

Disneyland and history of it Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Disneyland and history of it - Essay Example Ultimately, rather than merely being an entertaining environment for families to spend leisure time, Disneyland was intended to be something of a historical/cultural interpretation of America, the American dream, the American past, the American future, and the American president. Through such a delineation and discussion of these different time frames and interpretations, it was Walt Disney’s distinct hope that Disneyland could be representative and indicative of the way in which individuals understood the country in which they live or indeed the country in which they visited. As a function of understanding this particular dynamic, the following analysis will be concentric upon discussing the way in which Disneyland was representative of the United States, its experience, culture, and potential future, as well as discussing whether or not this representation was merely imaginatively fanciful or in fact was effective and ultimately represented a realistic/crude interpretation o f life. Moreover, a unique discussion of what defined American greatness, at least with respect to Walt Disney himself, will also be engaged. ... However, within this â€Å"Main Street USA†, Walt Disney represented a close-knit community that, although exhibiting a level of development and modernity that reflected the era in which it represented, nonetheless had a very small town feel and emphasize the importance of community interaction above many other aspects. Yet, rather than representing Disneyland as something that was entirely concentric upon an idealized nation of Midwestern life, Walt Disney also created another identification of the United States with respect to what was termed as â€Å"Adventureland†. This particular representation was unique in that it represented the global reach and power that the United States was able to impact upon the world. A psychological or sociological analysis of this particular representation might lend the reader to assume that an element of colonize Asian or empire building was contingent upon Walt Disney’s personal interpretation of what made the United States gr eat. In short, â€Å"Adventureland† represented a Caribbean or Asian complement of the United States; indicative of territories that the United States held overseas as a result of both the Spanish-American war and the second world war. Naturally, and identification of Hawaii and the global reach of the United States, as well as the interaction between different cultures that represented the United States, was also part and parcel of this particular representation. Interestingly, â€Å"Adventureland† is one of the only interpretations the United States the Walt Disney made which emphasized cultural diversity. Whereas Walt Disney was continually criticized for representing only a handful of African-American employees at Disneyland, first opened in the early 1950s, this representation of a

Debates on Elephant Culling

Debates on Elephant Culling Ivy Terry The Controversy of Elephant Culling Press and media have pushed the idea that elephant populations are threatened, diminished by habitat loss, poaching and a variety of other reasons. In the 1930s habitat loss and heavy ivory poaching had decreased South Africas elephant population from 3-5 million to around 500,000 (Harmse, Riana). Since then, through protection, laws and regulations the elephant population in South Africa has increased dramatically, to the point of overabundance. Due to the recent prosperity in the elephant population, measures to control their ecology is crucial to the health and wellbeing of the ecosystem, neighboring species, and the prevention of elephant-human conflict. In South Africas Kruger National Park, in particular, this wildlife management is a necessity in keeping a successfully thriving park. There have been many ways Kruger has pursued in solving the elephant population issue. Including birth control in females, birth control in males, relocation and the establishment of corridors, bu t the most popular in past years has been culling (Harmse, Riana). Culling is a controversial subject when it comes to management because it entails physically killing elephants in a population to reduce its size. So controversial in fact that it was outlawed in Kruger in 1995 but then recently reintroduced back as a management method, in smaller scale (Harmse, Riana). Kruger today has around 13,050 elephants and this population is growing exponentially (Role of Bull Elephant). With lack of predators and an abundance of artificial and natural watering holes, as well as other natural resources, there is no controlling the rate of population growth of these animals (Harmse, Riana). This growth is an imminent problem for the park as well as its surrounding areas. First of all, elephants move in herds, this means they have a substantial effect on landscape and tree cover in the environment. These herds are also constantly moving, covering and destroying vase amounts of land per day (Role of Bull Elephant). Kruger is 7,523 square miles, though this seems large, it is not enough space to support such a population of large mammals (Harmse, Riana). This issue of space contributes to greater and more frequent human-elephant conflict as well as the destruction of park boundary fences and more frequent crop raids (â€Å"Role of Bull Elephant†). There h ave been many other suggested and tested methods of elephant population control in Kruger but none have been proven to be as effective as annual culls. Contraceptives in male or female elephants prove to be expensive, invasive, time consuming and not always successful. Relocation resulted in elephants coming back through the park boundary as well as being massively expensive and dangerous for both parties. Finally, the introduction of corridors from park to park has shown to be too expensive and there is simply no land available to dedicate to this sort of expansion (Harmse, Riana). It is out of the ashes of these other methods of management that culling was reintroduced to Kruger. Currently 500 to 600 elephants are killed in Kruger each year in order to keep the population as close to 13,000 as possible (Elephants To Cull or Not to Cull That Is the Question). After these elephants are killed they are immediately removed and taken to processing locations to which all parts of the an imal are used; meat for food, bones for jewelry and tools, organs for medicine and medical research etc. (Harmse, Riana). Though culling is the most widely used form of elephant population management used in Kruger today it is also the most contested. Each year 950, 000 people visit Kruger and these visitors account for millions of dollars worth of income for the park annually (Harmse, Riana). Obviously any detriment to this tourism would be to the disadvantage of the park and elephant culling, even if hidden from the public, has proven to cause a drop in visitors (Harmse, Riana). Culling in the park is not only affecting tourism but the well being of the elephants as well. Elephants are one of the most sensitive mammals on the planet and one could only imagine the psychological damage that occurs to young after a culling. Typically, hunters go in and wipe out the elders of the herd, leaving the young (Harmse, Riana). This terribly disrupts the age structure of the population by removing the experience necessary to raise the elephant young. This has been known to cause said young to grow up as rogue ele phants, removing themselves from the herd, wreaking havoc on the park and neighboring areas (â€Å"Elephants To Cull or Not to Cull That Is the Question†). These elephants have to be killed due to them posing such a significant threat to humans. Apart from being sensitive, elephants are intelligent creatures. They have been known to communicate from herd to herd by using low frequency grunts very similar to how whales communicate. Therefore, if elephants are culled in one area others know about it, this aggravates them and they can get very frightened, leading to panic and further damage to the environment and danger to humans (Elephants To Cull or Not to Cull That Is the Question). Another major concern with culling in elephant populations is the fact that professional hunters are not always used. This is a considerable issue. These kills needs to be clean and fast, injured elephants are very dangerous, and their cries cause more stress to the remaining herd and can provoke permanent psychological damage on the young. Quick removal of the bodies is also very important due to the fact that remaining elephants often will go back to see their dead companions and this puts even more stress on the animal (Elephants To Cull or Not to Cull That Is the Question). Finally, elephants have a keen sense of smell. So much so that they can smell elephants that have been in distress, blood on the ground, and other signs of death. Elephants are warded off by these smells and will no longer range in areas where a cull has taken place, even years after the event. This can pose problems if the area had been a migratory route for the herd. The elephants would have to take alternate routes to avoid the area, potentially bringing them into contact with farms and villages as well as the possibility of them never finding their traditional feeding grounds, leading to starvation (Elephants To Cull or Not to Cull That Is the Question). The culling of elephants as a management approach in Kruger National Park is a widely debated topic. Personally I believe that the culling of elephants in Kruger or in any other location should be outlawed. I am not necessarily against culling all together but with such a sensitive animal as the elephant it is not appropriate. There are other circumstances in which culling may prove useful and not be of such detriment to the species. Authoritize in the United Kingdom, for example, have recently started regulated culling of badgers. The massive local badger population has been thought to spread tuberculosis to neighboring cow herds. In response, two major culls have taken place, these culls have proven to lower the tuberculosis in herds without having any detriment to the age structure, mental health or the badger populations overall well being (Second Year of Badger Culling Begins). For this reason it is of the utmost importance that before any sort of culling occurs a thorough analy sis of family structure, age structure, mental health and behaviors is looked into on an species to species basis. From there, other strategies can be weighed based on population size and situation. Culling is a viable option for population management but on a situational basis and in terms of the elephant it is inappropriate. Work Cited Elephant Population Management. Kruger Park News. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov.  2014. Elephants To Cull or Not to Cull That Is the Question. Kruger Park Times. N.p.,  n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. Harmse, Riana. Elephant Population Management In Kruger. Olifants Reserve,  Kruger National Park, Limpopo, South Africa. Aug. 2014. Lecture. Role of Bull Elephant. Elephant Culling. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. Second Year of Badger Culling Begins. BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.

How do Hardy and Steinbeck portray loneliness in The Withered Arm :: English Literature

How do Hardy and Steinbeck portray loneliness in 'The Withered Arm' and 'Of Mice and Men'? Thomas Hardy, author of 'The Withered Arm' and John Steinbeck, author of 'Of Mice and Men both portray the common theme of loneliness in each of these novels. For example, in 'The Withered Arm', Rhoda is judged for the cause of her loneliness, such as when it says 'She knew that she had been slyly called a witch since her fall', as are Curley and Curley's wife like when Candy refers to Curley's wife as a tart. Both show signs of discrimination be it due to race, sex class or disfigurement. Also, both mainly revolve around a friendship-Lennie and George in 'Of Mice and Men' and Gertrude and Rhoda in 'The Withered Arm'. 'The Withered Arm' also conveys many other themes; a lot of these are common to 'Of Mice and Men'. Similarities in these themes include the unhappy marriages suffered which could also link into the loneliness theme. Curley and Curley's wife in 'Of Mice and Men' have an unhappy marriage as do Farmer Lodge and Gertrude in 'The Withered Arm' though in 'Of Mice and Men', neither try to resolve the situation whereas in 'The Withered Arm', it is Gertrude's main concern to find a cure for her arm so that her husband will love her again. However, we know that this won't happen as there have been too many bad things happen for everything to turn out happily. 'Of Mice and Men' also shows strong signs of this inevitability. We hear from George about the many mice that Lennie has killed and how things always go wrong due to the fact that he does not know his own strength. After crushing Curley's hand and killing the puppy, we know that it is only a matter of time before Lennie kills a person. We also know their 'American dream' of owning a ranch will not come true as, fairly near the beginning, George says 'Nuts' showing that he did not believe in it from the start. 'The Withered Arm' was set in Hardy's home town of Dorset though he has used fictional names for parts of Dorset such as Holmstoke, Casterbridge, Egdon Heath and Wessex. This in itself is a rural, quite isolated setting as is the ranch in 'Of Mice and Men' which is situated near Soledad in California which is also the author's-Steinbeck's-home town. The isolation of these settings is used to show the isolation of the characters within them. This technique of using the setting as a reference to other points of the story is also used in the settings themselves.

Assignment 1

Use Assignment 1 (turn in here) to submit your assignment. Click on View/Complete to submit your assignment (Do not use the red submit buttons). This should be the only place you will need to submit your assignment. Students, please view the â€Å"Submit a Clickable Rubric Assignment† in the Student Center. Instructors, training on how to grade is within the Instructor Center. Assignment 1: Comparing Two Similar Businesses Due Week 4 and worth 280 points Access articles about the history, business approach, management, and marketing of Amazon. com and Borders Books. Amazon (primarily an online book and product sales site) started in the mid 1990s and was not profitable in the first few years but has grown and become very successful and highly profitable. By contrast, Borders bookstore, which started in 1971, was successful and profitable up until 2004. Borders filed for Chapter 11 in 2011. Write a five to six (5-6) page paper in which you: Describe the history and core business of each company. Compare and contrast the management approach each took to Internet marketing and sales. Analyze three (3) reasons for Amazon’s success despite not turning a profit for the first five to six (5-6) years. Discuss three (3) reasons Borders, although initially successful and profitable, ended up in Chapter 11. Discuss the extent to which the management of each company adapted to changing market conditions. Recommend three (3) ways a company should build in flexibility to back up its decision-making process so as to adapt to changing market conditions. Use at least three (3) quality sources to support the content of the paper. Your assignment must: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Explain the decision-making process management uses to develop viable courses of action to a variety of management situations. Use technology and information resources to research issues in management. Write clearly and concisely about management using proper writing mechanics.

16 year old Drivers

You just turned 16 and can’t wait to drive a car by yourself. Why should you have to wait even longer. You already have to take courses before you get your permit, and you have drive a year with a parent/guardian supervision before you can get your drivers licence. To persuade you that 16 year olds are mature enough to drive a car I will give you two reasons why. My first reason that 16 year old are mature enough to drive a car is you take courses to before you can start driving. This means that they will know the rules of the road before they start driving.This is good because they will know what signs mean and what to do on the road, and not what not to do on the road. You also have to take tests before you get your drivers licence and if you don't know the rules then you will properly fail the test. Teenagers will have to know the rules if they want to be able to drive. They will know the rules because they will take courses. My 2nd reason is that you have to drive with a p arent or guardian for a year before you get your drivers licenses. In the state of Colorado you must drive with a parent or guardian one whole year before you can get your drivers license.You also have a year with a parent or guardian helping and guiding you how to succeed parent or guardian can help them to understand the rules of the road, so they will know how to use the rules of the road in a good way. It is safer because the parent or guardian can tell them don't to blast loud music because you will be more focused on the road when there isn't blasting loud music. They can tell them to focus on the road and can tell them to keep there eyes on the road when they get a text or a phone call. The abusing reason is dangers of teenage drivers, teenage drivers are more luckily to text while driving.So if they wait a little longer to start driving then they will be more mature and might not text while driving. If teenagers have friends in the car they might be more distracted at wheel. This might cause car accidents to teenage drivers. To conclude my paper 16 year old are mature enough to drive a car. They have to take courses before they can get there drivers license. You also have to drive with a parent or guardian for a year before you can get your drivers licenses . This is why 16 year olds are mature enough to drive. I hope you agree that 16 year olds are mature enough to drive a car.

Free Essays on Goal Setting

Goal setting is defined as, â€Å"Attaining a specific standard of profficiency on a task, usually within a specified time limit.† Goals are categorized into three different areas. The first is subjective, which means just â€Å"having fun or participating in exercise.† The second category is general goals which includes â€Å"winning a championship or making a team.† The last category is specific goals which would be improving on one statistics. After in depth testing and observation experts say that setting goals do influence performance. The players strive to reach the goal set and facilitate themselves to accomplish, such as reaching a certain number of statistics. The Mechanist Theory describes goal setting better than other theories do. The mechanist theory says that goal setting influences in four ways. The first is that athletes direct their attention and actions towards accomplishing the goal. The second is helps performer mobilize their effort to doing what needs to be done to reach the goal. Thirdly, goal setting will give the athlete prolonged effort and increase their persistancy. And lastly, it allows one to employ new strategies and tactics, this pertains to coaches more than the player. There are certain goal setting guidelines that one should follow. The list consists of these, set specific goals, make them difficult but realistic, have them short and long range goals, have goals for practice and for the game and make the goals positive. There is also a list of goals for what not to do when setting them. They are not to have too many to soon, do not make them too general, do not just make them technique related goals and do not fail to modify if needed. Goals can be set by either the coach or the players. When coaches set goals they should record statistics and such to have for seeing improvements and for not accomplishing the goals. A main step in coaches having their teams set goals is the coach needs to step in when... Free Essays on Goal Setting Free Essays on Goal Setting Goal setting is defined as, â€Å"Attaining a specific standard of profficiency on a task, usually within a specified time limit.† Goals are categorized into three different areas. The first is subjective, which means just â€Å"having fun or participating in exercise.† The second category is general goals which includes â€Å"winning a championship or making a team.† The last category is specific goals which would be improving on one statistics. After in depth testing and observation experts say that setting goals do influence performance. The players strive to reach the goal set and facilitate themselves to accomplish, such as reaching a certain number of statistics. The Mechanist Theory describes goal setting better than other theories do. The mechanist theory says that goal setting influences in four ways. The first is that athletes direct their attention and actions towards accomplishing the goal. The second is helps performer mobilize their effort to doing what needs to be done to reach the goal. Thirdly, goal setting will give the athlete prolonged effort and increase their persistancy. And lastly, it allows one to employ new strategies and tactics, this pertains to coaches more than the player. There are certain goal setting guidelines that one should follow. The list consists of these, set specific goals, make them difficult but realistic, have them short and long range goals, have goals for practice and for the game and make the goals positive. There is also a list of goals for what not to do when setting them. They are not to have too many to soon, do not make them too general, do not just make them technique related goals and do not fail to modify if needed. Goals can be set by either the coach or the players. When coaches set goals they should record statistics and such to have for seeing improvements and for not accomplishing the goals. A main step in coaches having their teams set goals is the coach needs to step in when...

buy custom History of X-Ray essay

buy custom History of X-Ray essay Radio waves including all light belong to an electromagnetic spectrum although they are considered to be of different kinds of electromagnetic waves depending on their varying wave lengths. There are those that have longer wave lengths like micro waves whereas there are those that have shorter wave lengths like gamma rays (Herman, 2009). An X-radiation is composition of x-rays. X- Rays are a form of electromagnetic waves. These waves are characterized by a wavelength of between 0.01 - 10 nanometers. Their frequency and energies rage from 30 pet hertz to 30 exahertz and 120 eV to 120 KeV respectively. Their wave lengths are shorter compared to UV rays but are relatively longer than those of gamma rays. History of the x-rays English scientists were investigating light and dark in the early 1850's. They looked on how they appeared in sealed lead material glass tubes. They studied the rays emitted at the cathode and discovered that the rays cast shadows which were deflected by magnetic fields. The unique nature of these rays is that they were immune to the effects of static electricity force. There was a strong reason in believe that cathode rays were particles and could not pass through substances transparent to ultra violet light. However a German scientist Heinrich hertz found out that cathode rays could pass through metal foil. His fellow German scientist Philip Lenard gained interest to know more about the rays. He decided to study them more carefully. He then designed a kind of a tube that had a thin aluminum window through which the cathode rays could appear from. He took measurements on how far the rays could travel and still induce fluorescence. However Roentgen's research pursuits were not in th e same line of work compared to Heinrich and the likes of Lenard. Roentgen's father was a cloth manufacturer and a merchant from the Rhine province (Wayne, 1946). Roentgen interests to study the cathode came in the year 1895. His study of cathode rays led him to the course of reaping the experiments of Hertz and Lenard. In 1899 roentgen was offered a position in the city of Munich there stood a chance for him to develop physics there. Discovery of x-rays It is believed that the discovery of the x rays in the year 1895 was the start of a revolutionary turn over to the human understanding of the physical world. Rector Wilhelm Conrad is believed to be the father of x- rays. This means that he was the first person to discover x-rays. This came by in the corresponding year to his appointment to the leadership role in Wurzburg University in his fiftieth birthday during the winter season (Wayne, 1946). Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen was born in the year 1845 and died in the year 1923. He was a professor of physics and in October 1895 became the director of physics institute in the university Wurzburg. This was the time he was turning fifty years of age and wa much interested in the work of Lenard, hertz, Hillorf and Crookes. Rontgen had obtained a Lenard tube from Muller in June that same year and performed various experiments that Lenard had created earlier on. He previously had observed the same effects that Lenard had made while producing cathode rays freely in the air. He became so captivated by this and went on with his studies and put all his concentration in one activity of producing the x-rays (Wayne, 1946). In November 8, 1895 on a Friday in the evening, he decided to work alone in the laboratory. This is because in the first place it was the start of a weekend and his assistants had taken a weekend break. As usual , using the Crookes tube he had set up his experiment where he fitted it with both an anode and a cathode apart from one another in the tube by only a few centimeters. In his experiment, he produced a different result by registering a few thousand potential volts bearing in mind that from the cathode, a stream of charged particles would originate and the definitely attracted to the anode. Rontgen laboratory that he worked in during that evening was not different from other laboratories of his predecessors. It was the same but the only thing that was different was the conditions that were present during that evening that he carried out his experiment. The conditions were different in a three ways, first his laboratory had no light hence it was very dark. Secondly the tube he was using in his experiment that evening was covered cardboard jacket that was light proof and lastly a few feet away from his apparatus lay a screen of fluorescent materials on the table. He suddenly noticed a shimmering light on the table while passing the discharge and could not believe what he saw with his naked eyes. He once again repeated the experiment releasing the discharge as many times a possible and he was surprised to achieve the same results each time. He came to the realization that the screen gave out a green fluorescence. Due to his excitement, he repeated the experiment many times moving the screen further away but the end result was the same. Rontgen had knowledge that the florescence was not produced by the cathode rays since it was known that cathode rays could not go through the wall of the tube. Visible light on the other hand was excep tional because the tube was covered with a shield which could no allow light to pass through since it was opaque to light. This reasoning made him conclude that he must have been producing some radiation that was new to the knowledge of this world. Rontgen's discovery made him spend eight weeks in his laboratory repeating his experiments to try to know more about this radiation that he had discovered. He even slept and took his meals from the laboratory. He tried to study these rays and know whether they could pass through other substances other than the air. He placed different objects between the tube and the screen but of course with different intensities that was dependent to the type of material in use. However sometthing shocked him. When he placed a lead material he was holding in his hand on the cathode ray path, he found out that a shadow circular formed on the screen. The shadow formed along with the outline of his fingers and thump. He then made his wife Berth to place her hand for fifteen minutes on a photographic plate while he showed it with the rays. Rontgen then quickly turned on making a note to present his first report about a new kind of rays so that it could be published in the proceedings of the medical society of the university of Wurburg in the year 1895 December 28. He never knew that the rays he had discovered will be given the name x- rays (Wayne, 1946). How the world got used to x-rays The x-rays grew roots as they got absorbed in the new world filled with professional character. X-rays found their way especially into the field of health. They now started to be custom used in some hospitals although many found the idea ambiguous and were doubtful. Many of the hospitals were suspicious and found it hard to absorb the new practice of using x-rays in medical extermination of patients. Some hospitals had x-rays rooms but never wanted them to be noticed and so never brought the idea to the light. The rooms were far out of many hospitals linage of work. Many hospitals went forcing the new doctors joining the hospitals to run operations in the x-ray rooms. From time to time, the x-ray existence was tested in courts finding out whether they were real and valid. The x-ray issue became a topic of discussion in the society. The number of x-ray cases increased prompting a major boost to x-ray acceptance in the community. It immerged that the newly found x-rays could cure canc er. It was also found out that the x-rays could also cure skin disorders hence became a tool to depilatory beauty . Negative effects caused by x-rays. In the cause of the x-rays finding their way into the society generated several countable negative side effects. Many problems started emerging that included cancer, burnings, swellings, infections and many other sorts' bodily harms. This forced the concerned parties to start reinvestigating on the mechanics used to generate x-rays most importantly the whole x-ray process. Concerning Marie curies discovery of radium, scientist came up with a new realization that during producing x-rays, radiation was also produced . Conclusion X-ray has come way distance since its discovery by Rector Wilhelm Conrad in a small dark laboratory in Germany. Its future could not be predicted since at first the mechanics behind their creation were not familiar to many not until the rest of the scientist later matured the phenomenon. Their discovery was excellent to the medical industry today because they are used in specialized fields within the industry. Buy custom History of X-Ray essay

Case Study on a Day Care Essay Example for Free

Case Study on a Day Care Essay When couples are engaging in family planning, there are several things that they have to take into consideration. One such thing is the care of the child or children when it is time for them to return to work. A common option over the years has been that of the day care or child care center. Parents today are realizing the importance of daycare centers in their children’s development. They are looking for daycare centers that not only will take care of their child while they are away but also will provide quality, real-life learning opportunities and experiences. These learning opportunities will ensure that children are prepared not only for their academic life in school but also for real life situations outside the daycare center and their own homes. There are five basic categories of day cares: Child care centers, educational day care, family day care, non-profit day care and subsidized day care. A child care center is a large day-care provider and is often franchised under a brand name. They often have extensive facilities, including swimming pools and large playgrounds. They also provide day care for multiple ages divided into smaller groups by age. Educational day cares are intended to provide children with pre-school learning and skills to prepare her for kindergarten or elementary school. They strive to provide children with rounded spiritual, physical, mental and emotional support to prepare them for life’s challenges. A family day care is provided in the care-giver’s home, usually with the provider’s children present. They provide a familiar and comfortable setting for your child. A family day care often is smaller than other types of day care. Non-profit day cares are run by non-profit organizations, such as churches or synagogues. They sometimes include religious schooling and are often more affordable than other types of day care because of their non-profit status. Subsidized day care programs are those that provide financial assistance either through the federal or state government or an employer. The day care visited by group five, was an educational daycare. The daycare caters to children between three (3) months and three (3) years old. At the beginning of September, there were a total of forty (40) children. Currently, there are twenty-six (26) children there. Space and Equipment The day care is clean and sanitary. There is no garbage lying around, floors are clean as they are constantly mopped when messes are made. The kitchen is large enough to facilitate the free movement when 2-3 persons are in there making food preparations. It is also away from the areas where diapers are changed and away from the bathroom. It is clear that great consideration was taken in regards to inclement weather, as the space in the day care is large enough to separate sleeping children from playing children and those who are learning. The area is large enough for everyone to play when they are unable to go outside even though the tables where they have their meals are there. There are five smoke detectors throughout the building, a fire aid kit and a fire extinguisher that are strategically places. Standard childproofing techniques are utilized, (covered outlets, safety gates, door latches). The center is secure, having a buzzer that is working and therefore, strangers are not able to just walk in from the streets. The building is properly lit and ventilated and doors are placed strategically as well to facilitate emergency exit if necessary. There is short term parking space at the front for parents and guardians who come to drop off and pick up their children. Caregivers’ Credentials/Qualifications Because the caregivers are expected to create a safe and stimulating environment for the children to develop in, it is important that the staff get formal training that will equip them with the tools necessary to do so. All the members of staff are qualified. The qualifications held are varied. There are members of staff who have Level 1 and 2 Certificates in Early Childhood Care and Development from HEART Trust NTA. Other qualification held by staff is a Certificate in Practical Nursing and Heart care and a Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education. Programme Activities At this stage of the child’s development, it is important to have activities that engage the children’s minds and develop skills that will be needed in further learning. At the day care, there is a structured schedule that includes plenty of time for physical activity, quiet time (including daily reading sessions for groups and individuals), group activities, individual activities, meals, snacks, and free time. The activities cover the duration of time that the children are at the day care from the moment of arrival to the time of departure. The physical activities come in varied forms including music movement (dance) and play time- outdoor play and free play. Free play is for the children to do whatever they feel like doing, whether it is engaging in imaginative play with their little friends or by themselves, playing with toys, or looking through their picture books. Outdoors, there is a slide, a swing, a monkey bar and some tires for the children to crawl through. Group activities include some aspects of the physical activities and story time, as well as their varied creative, manipulative activities. Such creative/manipulative activities include finger painting, drawing, and making things out of clay dough. This is done with the assistance of the staff. A lot of the stories are made up based on a series of pictures that are taped to the walls of the daycare. Caregivers also engage the children in picture games. The children form a ring and are shown pictures that they are to identify. Those who correctly identify the pictures get an extra treat at meal time. They are also taught nursery rhymes such as â€Å"hey diddle diddle†, and â€Å"itsy bitsy spider† and the alphabet song. There are designated times for snacks, and other meals. They do not allow the children to eat right throughout the day but encourage the habit of eating at intervals. There is also designated naptime and quiet time for the children. The activities are very appropriate as they are in keeping with Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. In the sensorimotor stage of cognitive development, which is the first stage, Piaget stresses the importance of discovery through a child’s active interaction with the environment. Between birth and age two (2), children discover the world using their senses and motor activity because they are limited by their inability to use language or symbols at this stage. Therefore, the hands on activities that they are engaged in, helps to enhance cognitive development at this stage. Teacher-child Relationships According to Erikson’s psychosocial theory of development, trust is identified as the first major developmental task of early childhood, and is established in children’s first relationship with their caregivers, parents and teachers. Trust is the first pre-requisite for effective learning. It encourages a sense of well-being and emotional security in young children, creating a solid foundation for future learning from the dynamic experiences of childhood. Without the support of early trust relationships with caring adults, children are ill-equipped to take the kinds of risk essential to the learning process. Trust develops when children come to anticipate positive experiences in the child care settings. If trust is to develop, children need sensitive and perceptive caregivers that understand children’s needs and consistently offer tender, responsive care. Having received formal training for the purpose of taking care of the children, they have an understanding of the importance of their interactions with the children and therefore treat the children accordingly. It is evident that the children trust their caregivers as they affectionately refer to them as â€Å"Auntie† and warm smile light up their tiny faces whenever they see the members of staff walk through the door. The staff plays with the children during their playtime. There is prompt responsiveness to the cries or outbursts of the children and reassurance is given when the infant is crying, except in cases when the child is throwing a tantrum. In such instances, the infant is spoken to firmly but gently. The ratio of teacher to child is 1: 6. However, the caretakers try to share their attentions evenly among the children. They tend to group the children together when they are interacting with them so that none is left out. There were demonstrations of positive reinforcement from the caregivers. When a child did not like what was prepared for them to eat, he or she was coaxed into eating by the use of various methods, one of which was to pretend that the spoonful of food was an airplane loaded with niceties. The child was praised when he or she would chew the food and swallow it. The caregiver would also reward the child with the option of having their juice before the water if the food was eaten. A sense of autonomy is identified as the second major developmental task of early childhood and is developed when a child is allowed to practice newly acquired physical skills. At the daycare, the children are encouraged to do things for themselves. There are toddlers who prefer to feed themselves, even though they make a bit of a mess when they do. Nonetheless, they are allowed to do so. They are encouraged to pick up after themselves and therefore run around picking up toys when they are done playing. During outdoor play, the older and stronger children are allowed to climb the monkey bars by themselves with the ‘Auntie’ hovering close by to give assistance if it is needed. Recommendations A good day care is one that has a good reputation. No one will want to send their child/children to a daycare that has a bad track record. Established ground rules and policies are important and this is something a good day care has. These rules and policies should include what to do when a child gets sick, or has an accident while at the daycare, schedule pick up times (even though there should be some amount of flexibility with this), safety policies, etcetera. A good day care has a stimulating curriculum that is age appropriate. As these are the formative of a child’s life, activities should be geared at setting a foundation of later learning. The day care should have a license that is current. This is an indication that the day care is in legal operation. Qualified staff is also important. Parents want to know that when they drop their children off at the day care, they are in good hands. The facilities should be clean and safe as well. The day care of study can be considered to be a good one. However, there are a few things that could be done to improve the facility. The acquisition of more qualified staff is something that should be looked into. Even though the caregivers try to pay attention to all the children in their care, it can be taxing for one staff member to have to oversee six children at once, especially during play time. There is a need for more toys for the children, especially building blocks. There is presently a toy drive going on to help with the endeavor of procuring more toys. In doing so, they can look into getting another slide as the tiny one that is there cannot suffice for all the children that want to use it during outdoor play. They need to also look into getting straps or bars put on the swing as there are children who have a habit of getting in and out of the swing while it is in flight. This can be very harmful to them. The monkey bar is also a cause of concern as it is very dangerous, especially for the smaller children. The spaces between each bar are too wide and therefore adjustments may have to be made by putting plastic or wooden bars in between each space to reduce the width that the children will have to climb on. There is a gate at the end of one of the driveways that is too far from the ground and so the ball continues to go under the gate when the children play in the driveway. They need to lower the gate or put something to block the opening so that the ball does not run onto the road. Closing Remarks Members of group five (5) can conclude that the visit to the day care was a productive one. The time spent with the children was thoroughly enjoyed as there was more than mere observation. The day care is a great one and should become better if the things in the afore mentioned recommendations are taken into consideration. Group five would recommend this day care to parents and guardians seeking one as they take into consideration the holistic development of the children. Case Study on a Day Care. (2016, Dec 21).

The Terrorist Group (ISIS) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

The Terrorist Group (ISIS) - Research Paper Example ed condemnation for their ideologies and principles from all around the world, and especially from the Muslim community, which believes that this group does not represent the faith that is Islam. This paper will take a closer look at the group, and examine the principles that make it such a threat to the freedom and liberties of all people. According to different sources, this group was initially a part of the main group al-Qaeda, but their involvement in the Syrian war made them change their name from ISI (Islamic State of Iraq) to ISIL or ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). In 2014, the group sought to change their name to Islamic State, and proclaimed their organization to be a worldwide caliphate. This prompted criticism from different governments, Muslim leaders, and the United Nations calling out the leader of the group and refusing to acknowledge the power the group claims to have over all Muslims, their states, organizations, and even the different religious groups in the world (Tran and Weaver 1). The presence of the Islamic State in some of the warring countries is something that is quite disheartening. It is their ideologies and principles that make them a particularly cruel and calculating group of extremists. Their thoughts on what is right and wrong may be the key to unlocking some of the thoughts they have on the people they unleash terror upon, and the reason why they are becoming intolerable even to their Muslim folk (Crooke 1). It is this form of cruelty that begs the question as to whether this group is motivated by religious beliefs, or if the group has other underlying agendas. The criticism they have received seems to have no impact on their actions as more people continue to suffer at the hands of the Islamic State (IS) organization. Women, who speak out against the organization, continue to be enslaved as they are used by the fighters in the group for gratification. The young are sold off to become the fighters’ wives, while

INFOSYSTEMS SLP3 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

INFOSYSTEMS SLP3 - Research Paper Example This can be compared to California, which has a higher average annual base salary of $77,448, Maryland, which has an average annual base salary of $69,703, and Idaho, which has an average annual base salary of $41,304. The average annual base salary for a teacher throughout the United States is $50,887. The differences indicated above can be attributed to the cost of living in different states. The cost of living in the state can be attributed to five main factors: groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. In California, the cost of housing is expected to be higher by 84% over the New York residence, while the only reducing cost of living is healthcare, which is expected to be lower by 2% (CNN Money, 2012). The cost of living factors are lowest in Idaho, where the only increasing factor is transportation, which will cost 5% more than in New York (CNN Money,

The Founding Docs of the U.S. Governmen Assignment

The Founding Docs of the U.S. Governmen - Assignment Example merican Enlightenment through its postulates which emphasize social justice with regards to financial independence, citizenship rights, paid employment and social welfare (Hofstader, 1989). It laid the foundation for emancipation of slaves and blacks to bring them into the mainstream of American society facilitating equal rights and equal opportunities in all areas for everyone, including blacks and ethnic minority. The sovereignty of state and powers of the government was embedded in the constitution of America. Representative republican governance indicated democratic framework of the constitution. The republic structure of governance was considered as the American experiment mainly because it helped test the moral implications of the principles of the constitution and its flexibility in incorporating the changes. The Bill of Rights was important legal document fulfills principles of American enlightenment while satisfying views of both federalists and non federalists. It paved way for reforms in constitution through amendments. It empowered Americans to make decisions about their political and social equity. The federal structure of governance with its dual nature, it was able to focus on development of people and region while wider policies of national interest like defense etc. remained the responsibility of the federal Union of America. Thus, it promotes responsible use of power in implementing the democratic rights of individuals while judiciously executing its rights to power. (words:

Staffing as the Phase of the Management Process Article

Staffing as the Phase of the Management Process - Article Example Nevertheless, upon their encounter, Fred Western got mesmerized with the noteworthy credentials of Mimi Brewster, not to mention her being knowledgeable and well-versed about the Chinas customs, traditions, and its business situation. However, Mr Westerns impression of Mimi is counteracted by Miss Virginia Flanders discovery of some background information from one search engine on the web. Indeed, the facts that have been discovered by Miss Flanders undeniably stirred the mind of Mr Western, thereby putting him in a considerable dilemma— whether to hire Mimi and approve her candidacy to suit the position, or otherwise. The aforesaid issues revolve around one important management elements or functions, that is staffing. â€Å"Staffing is the third phase of the management process, where the leader or manager recruits, selects, orients, and promotes personal development to accomplish the goals of the organization† (Marquis and Huston 229). As such, the success of this process depends upon how efficient and efficacious is the leader or manager in fulfilling his or her roles and functions all throughout this phase (Marquis and Huston 230). In response to the scenario in the case study, Mimi's academic and previous work backgrounds are undeniably sufficient to meet her desired position. In fact, her credentials are superb: (1) she graduated with honours (cum laude) and (2) excellent recommendations from previous employers. The literature says that it is really very important to check the academic and professional credentials, as well as reference checks, of the job applicants or candidates (Marquis and Huston 246). In this regard, there is really nothing wrong with Mimi's application except for some internet articles describing her as somewhat â€Å"activist†.Nevertheless, since those distracting articles were published more than eight years ago, they can be disregarded. This is supported by the literature as Marquis and Huston affirmed that  information obtained by any method may not be used to reject an applicant unless a justifiable reason for disqualification exists.  

Cradle Will Rock Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cradle Will Rock - Essay Example Developing large-scale government-sponsored national arts program is already possible today because government can afford it now compared to the 1930s where government was virtually bankrupt. During that time, American economy was in depression where there were long lines of unemployment so government just cannot afford it let alone sustain it. Today, US economy is the largest economy in the world and despite its mounting deficits, it still has a lot of money to spare for a government-sponsored national arts program. If government can afford to fight and finance a war which is not its own, it can surely afford a national arts program. The political and ideological environment today is very much different during the 1930s. Today, communism is no longer a threat as it was during the 1930s. In addition, the type of communism which sent paranoia to government before was the Soviet type communism which is no longer existent today. Also, government is now more tolerant towards dissenting political ideologies and labor unions and other similar organizations no longer has communist or left leaning affiliations. The general public is also well informed today politically to be easily swayed by ideologies that go against government. Above all, government is already tolerant and secure to be threatened by an artwork Cradle Will Rock that has left leaning content. It will be taken as it is, an artwork, a musical that could educate people. Finally, people now are way sophisticated compared to the 1930s where very little number of people have time and money for the arts and musicals because life then was difficult. People had barely anything to eat while people now are getting fat because of overeating. The point is, people now have greater appreciation and support for the arts making a government sponsored art program sustainable because government is likely to spend on a program that public

The Founding Docs of the U.S. Governmen Assignment

The Founding Docs of the U.S. Governmen - Assignment Example merican Enlightenment through its postulates which emphasize social justice with regards to financial independence, citizenship rights, paid employment and social welfare (Hofstader, 1989). It laid the foundation for emancipation of slaves and blacks to bring them into the mainstream of American society facilitating equal rights and equal opportunities in all areas for everyone, including blacks and ethnic minority. The sovereignty of state and powers of the government was embedded in the constitution of America. Representative republican governance indicated democratic framework of the constitution. The republic structure of governance was considered as the American experiment mainly because it helped test the moral implications of the principles of the constitution and its flexibility in incorporating the changes. The Bill of Rights was important legal document fulfills principles of American enlightenment while satisfying views of both federalists and non federalists. It paved way for reforms in constitution through amendments. It empowered Americans to make decisions about their political and social equity. The federal structure of governance with its dual nature, it was able to focus on development of people and region while wider policies of national interest like defense etc. remained the responsibility of the federal Union of America. Thus, it promotes responsible use of power in implementing the democratic rights of individuals while judiciously executing its rights to power. (words:

Cradle Will Rock Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cradle Will Rock - Essay Example Developing large-scale government-sponsored national arts program is already possible today because government can afford it now compared to the 1930s where government was virtually bankrupt. During that time, American economy was in depression where there were long lines of unemployment so government just cannot afford it let alone sustain it. Today, US economy is the largest economy in the world and despite its mounting deficits, it still has a lot of money to spare for a government-sponsored national arts program. If government can afford to fight and finance a war which is not its own, it can surely afford a national arts program. The political and ideological environment today is very much different during the 1930s. Today, communism is no longer a threat as it was during the 1930s. In addition, the type of communism which sent paranoia to government before was the Soviet type communism which is no longer existent today. Also, government is now more tolerant towards dissenting political ideologies and labor unions and other similar organizations no longer has communist or left leaning affiliations. The general public is also well informed today politically to be easily swayed by ideologies that go against government. Above all, government is already tolerant and secure to be threatened by an artwork Cradle Will Rock that has left leaning content. It will be taken as it is, an artwork, a musical that could educate people. Finally, people now are way sophisticated compared to the 1930s where very little number of people have time and money for the arts and musicals because life then was difficult. People had barely anything to eat while people now are getting fat because of overeating. The point is, people now have greater appreciation and support for the arts making a government sponsored art program sustainable because government is likely to spend on a program that public

Accident Prevention Program Essay Example for Free

Accident Prevention Program Essay The committee is made up of management-designated representatives and one employee-elected representative each from the office, factory and outside sales divisions of our company. Employees in each division will elect from among themselves a representative to be on the committee. If there is only one volunteer or nomination, the employees will approve the person by voice vote at a short meeting called for that purpose. If there is more than one volunteer or nomination, a secret paper ballot will be used to elect the representative. Elected representatives will serve for one year before being re-elected or replaced. If there is a vacancy then an election will be held before the next scheduled meeting to fill the balance of the term. In addition to the employee-elected representatives, management will designate no more than three representatives but a minimum of one who will serve until replaced by management. A chairperson will be selected by majority vote of the committee members each year. If there is a vacancy, the same method will be used to select a replacement. In addition to the committee responsibilities explained above, duties of safety committee members include: A monthly self-inspection of the area they represent Communicating with the employees they represent on safety issues and Encouraging safe work practices among co-workers. The regularly scheduled meeting time is 7:30 am for one hour on the first Thursday of each month, at the employee lunchroom. This may be changed by vote of the committee. A committee member will be designated each month to keep minutes on the attached minutes form. A copy will be posted on the employee bulletin board after each meeting. After being posted for one month, the minutes will be filed for one year. The minutes form contains the basic monthly meeting agenda. (Customize by adding any additional safety committee information that you may have and/or deleting any that do not apply to your company. ) Employee Safety Meetings (Optional for employers with 10 or fewer employees or employers with 11 employees or more who are segregated on different shifts or work in widely dispersed locations in crews of 10 or less) All employees are required to attend a monthly safety meeting held on the first Thursday of each month in the lunchroom. This meeting is to help identify safety problems, develop solutions, review incidents reports, provide training and evaluate the effectiveness of our safety program. Minutes will be kept on the attached minutes form. Meeting minutes will be kept on file for one year. (Customize by adding any additional Employee Safety Meeting information that you may have and/or deleting any that do not apply to your company. ) Hazard Recognition Record Keeping and Review Employees are required to report any injury or work related illness to their immediate supervisor regardless of how serious.

Internal and External Analysis of Volvo

Internal and External Analysis of Volvo The macro and micro environmental factors 1) Outline and discuss the macro and micro environmental factors that are influencing Volvos strategy? The micro environment is which explains the internal environment of the company and which tells the position of the company in all the terms of the business and hence this gives an idea of the current position of the company. Micro environment: The Volvo name is 90 years old and has become a Swedish international icon. In the year 1999, Volvo a Sweden based company is sold to Ford motor company, but Volvo maintained independency but benefited from the shared research and development and also the buying power. Volvo employs 27,500 employees. Volvo has its company in 120 countries. And has wide network and distribution of its product ranges to different parts in the world. Volvo sells its products through 2400 dealers worldwide. Volvos main mission is safety, and also invests huge money in Research and development in Safety. Safety in driving has a major role to play in automotive, as majority of the customers priority is safety. Volvo sold 14 million cars in its life time, the figure shows success of the Volvo cars and also how Volvo has retained its position in the market in long run. Volvo is the strongest brand of FORD motors. Volvo is the major contribution to the success of Ford Motors. Volvo has asset oriented advertis ing. The main asset of Volvo is Safety, and hence its advertising campaign is also based on its core competence or asset safety. Volvo being a subsidiary of FORD enjoys a shared Research and development programs. This is very beneficial and cost effective for Volvo, as being a part of the giant automotive group, Volvo can share the cost involved in Research and Development program. Hence this can be one of the key advantages for Volvo to be cost effective. Volvo is also popular for its innovations in the car industry which developed and produced different ranges of cars and hence Volvo has made large profits to FORD motors. The core positioning strategy of Volvo is the Safety and longevity. In order to compete with the luxury brands of Toyota and Lexus, Volvo produced the premier cars which are symbol of luxury. Volvo brand was primary key aspects are Big estate cars, and Safety. Hence Volvo is the symbol of safety and innovations which helped the FORD financially. Macro environment: The macro environment gives the clear picture of the changes in the external environment and how these changes in the external environment have an effect on the performance of the company. The macro environmental factors include Political, Economic, social, technological, environmental, legal factors, which are lose but external to the society. Political factors: There has been an increased regulation on the car industry and also automotive industry is facing a huge taxation on trade. Economic factors There is rise in the fuel prices, and this economic factor has hit the automotive industry fiercely and leads to reduce the performance of the company. Due to this rise in the prices of the oil, most of the customers have started choosing fuel-efficient cars, which has reduced the demand for luxury cars in the market. Social factors: The major problems Volvo is facing is shift in the consumers preferences from a luxury, large engine cars with huge carbon emission to a fuel-efficient, and small cars, due to many reasons like rise in the prices of oil, and also governments are providing tax incentive to those who buy fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars and other incentives include free parking and road tolls. This shift in the consumers preferences which is a Social factor has downturn the performance of the company. There is also Volvo much emphasis on family sector but in Europe there is decline in the number of families. Hence Volvo market segmentation is wrong and may not be useful for sales growth. Technological factors: Toyota has occupied a major share in the market, with the adaptation and implementation of new and advanced technology into its product strategy, and hence has met the needs of their changing environment with fuel-efficient cars with low carbon emissions into the atmosphere. This technological change of the external environment of including many advanced features into the product was not adapted by Volvo. Volvo has advanced only in safety but did not understand the need for the other features of the product which have become the center of attraction in the market, and those advanced features are fuel efficient, eco-friendly, etc. Environmental factors: Due to the emission of large carbon from the big size cars increased the pollution and hence have caused many problems like polluting air, etc. Legal factors: New laws on the protection of the environment have started rallying and this has hit the whole automotive industries. Due to these environmental protection acts and Clean air Act, which was passed by the legislation, brought about a changes in the preferences and shift the needs and hence as discussed above choosing for eco-friendly cars. Volvo asset was and is also is only Safety, but the external challenges are seeking for more reliable, eco-friendly, fuel-efficient cars as the government is putting heavy taxes on the large cars, who emit large carbon into the atmosphere, and more over the governments are proving more tax incentives for those who choose fuel efficient cars, like free road tolls and parking etc. Volvo has introduced flexi-fuel cars but they did not show a good sign on the profits of the company. 2) Conduct a SWOT analysis on Volvo cars. Strengths: Safety of both the environment and driving is the main strength of the Volvo cars, and hence the Governments policies on safety in driving will not have much influence on the performance of Volvo. Volvo has a reputation for big estate cars and last for long periods of time. Goteberg safety center which is a world renowned, and hence after the acquisition, Volvo has introduced ten new models for its customers, and hence earned more profits for FORD. Volvo has 2400 dealers worldwide and has its presence in 120 countries of the world. Huge investments in safety research and development programs. Volvo is a wholly owned subsidiary of ford motor company which is a world famous company and this helps the Volvo can draw synergies of technical innovations and improvements for its parent company. And also the buying power. 90 years of brand heritage, where Volvo has gained much expertise in manufacturing a car which is very safe in driving and this is the core-competence which has played a vital role which has brought glorious years to Volvos brand. Weakness: No change management programs in its product strategy. There has been no innovations and improvements in the product, improvements like fuel-efficient, best performance, etc, which is quite important for Volvo to meet the intense competition. There is a decline in the sales of the Volvos bi-fuel cars. Cannot meet the customer requirement of fuel-efficient cars. Even though the prospective customers of Volvo are shifting their interests from the big engine cars to fuel-efficient cars, Volvo still stress only on the safety in their mission statement, where its core positioning strategy to face the present changed perceptions of the consumers and external environments demands should be fuel-efficient and reliable cars. Moreover the mission statement aims at providing safest and more exciting car experience for modern families, the brand concentrating on the family sector. But in Europe there is decline in the number of families and many couple is opting to be childless, hence this mission of Volvo would badly hit its performance in future. Most of the market for Volvo is in US and Sweden and consequently it is open to irregular economic and political circumstances of those markets. Volvos most of the production is from the Belgium and hence, the cars produced in Sweden is very expensive for the US consumers. This is due to the less facilities of production of Volvo cars in US. Volvos flexi-fuel cars only in certain geographic markets. Opportunities: There is a hope for further growth for the business due to new business in china and India, with a forecast of sales in china of 10,000 a year. The penetration into new markets has an opportunity for improvement in the performance of the company. Threats: Has the Volvo only concentrates on the Safety in its product design, and ignoring on the other aspects like eco-friendly and fuel efficient cars (Toyota Lexus), performance, styling, reliability, handling and value for money, which are all vitally important. Low restriction on imports and trade will increase the competition from the Japanese companies in the Asia pacific regions. Volvos safety may not have any importance as safety is integrated by almost all the car manufacturers. Hence safety which is the main asset for Volvo has no role to play for the improved performance of the company. 3) Outline the strategic options available to Volvo cars, recommending what you believe to be the best option available, give reasons for your answer? The main problem Volvo cars is facing is the external pressures and changing perceptions and requirements of its customers. Volvo who strategy of Safety was very popular during 1990s but with the changing needs of its customers and external environmental factors, the strategy of Volvo did not change hence Volvo has faced such a downturn in its sales during the period of 2004 to 2006. The external challenges are demanding for a more reliable, fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars, which Toyota have understood the need of its customers and hence have concentrated heavily on fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars, and therefore have become the world largest and most successful car manufacturer. Moreover, most of the car manufactures have integrated safety into their product design and hence safety, key element or the core positioning strategy can no more help Volvo to retain its position in this fierce competition. To outline the strategies for the Volvo cars Ansoff product/ market grid (Ansoff, 1957). This model would help the business identify the strategy that gives business the way to grow their business. The four strategies proposed by the Ansoff let us find which would help the Volvo cars to improve their business. This model helps to identify what have to be marketed and at what time and risk involved in marketing these products. The alternatives available to the Volvo cars are: Price strategy, as the cars of Volvo is unaffordable for the common man and hence has to introduce such a model of car for the middle class people. This is the market penetration strategy where with the same product and same market the company has to reduce the cost and hence in turn can reduce the price of its products compared to its competitors. Market development strategy, where the same product is sold in different markets. Product development strategy, where a new product is developed and is sold in the current and existing markets, extensions in the product features which make it different from its competitors and this can also be called as product differentiation. Diversification strategy is one where the new product is sold in new markets, but this is more risky then the market penetration. Let us find which will be best strategy for Volvo cars from the available alternatives from the Ansoff matrix. Market penetration strategy, this strategy of selling its same products in the same market, for lower price by reducing the costs may not be useful for Volvo cars, this is because challenges Volvo is facing is the price rises of complimentary goods and environmental protections laws, which have changed the preferences of its customers from large engine luxury cars to the fuel-efficient cars because of government taxation policies, etc. hence , reducing the price of the cars will not be the best solution to face the challenge. Market development strategy, If Volvo adopts this strategy may not succeed as most of the current markets of Volvo is the developed countries and hence the consumers are in position of afford to buy a premium car. But, if Volvo looks for a market in developing and under developed countries, there is much risk factors involved for the growth of the industry. Diversified strategy will not have a positive effect on the growth of the business as this is risky, and Volvo which is facing a huge performance crisis should not be risk taker but should be risk averter. Product development strategy, this might be the best strategy for Volvo, as in this strategy there is product development according to the changing trends and requirements and hence this would help the Volvo for growth, if it produces cars not only safety and reliability its cars, but integrating safety, fuel-efficient, styling, performance and this leads to differentiation among the players in the industry. If the company integrates all the requirements of the demands of its customers, would automatically increase sales and will enjoy a rapid growth for the business. Volvo being the wholly owned subsidiary of Ford motors enjoys shared research and development. Therefore an investment for further product development is easy and hence it can meet the requirements of the customers. There are Volvos flexi-fuel cars which distributes only to certain geographical areas, and hence Volvo should even have to perform certain product development programs and innovations in these flexi-fuel car s and there should make improvements in distribution networks for these cars so that they are available to all the 120 countries, where Volvo has its network. The reasons for choosing the product development strategy as the best alternative for Volvo cars is, because product development is the only alternative which meets the target customers (especially Volvos target segment of last 15 years) needs and this is the only possible solution to withstand with the challenges Volvo is facing, and Volvo should also consider the some of the aspects like the competitors of Volvo has already met the needs of the customers who are seeking fuel-efficient cars, and hence Volvo have to integrate all the aspects like safety, performance, reliability, fuel-efficient, with low carbon emissions and comfort to compete with their competitors, as Volvo is already reputed for safety and reliability, Volvo has to some other elects in list of product design to provide a best alternative for its customers. Volvos introduction of Flexi-fuel cars to reduce the sales shrink as the customers are moving to fuel-efficient cars shows a positive sign in its performance in the future. Future Product development programs also helps Volvo to achieve its programs like Volvo 2020, where it is trying to differentiate itself on two factors safety of both the environment and driving. Volvo should conduct a budgetary process on the available resources as product development process requires an excess investments into many aspects like research and developments and raw materials and advertising campaigns. REFERENCES: www.volvocars.com WWW.MINTEL.COM Kiley, D (2004), Driven: Inside BMW, the Most Admired Car Company in the World,N.J. John Wiley Sons, Inc. (US). West, P (2000) Organizational Learning in the Automotive Sector, Routledge. Wilson, R. M. S.; Gilligan, C (2005) Strategic Marketing Management: Planning, Implementation and Control 3Rd Ed., London Elsevier. Wilson, A (2002) TheMarketingAuditHandbook: Tools, Techniques Checklists to Exploit Your MarketingResources,CT Koran. Pickett, K. H. Spencer.; Pickett, Jennifer M.(2003)The Internal Auditing Handbook,NJ John Wiley Sons, Ltd. (UK).

Everyone and No One: Jorge Luis Borges and Shakespeare Essay -- Literar

â€Å"I am not sure that I exist, actually. I am all the writers that I have read, all the people that I have met, all the women that I have loved; all the cities that I have visited, all my ancestors . . . Perhaps I would have liked to be my father, who wrote and had the decency of not publishing. Nothing, nothing, my friend; what I have told you: I am not sure of anything, I know nothing . . . Can you imagine that I do not even know the date of my death?† (â€Å"Borges-Quotations†) The work of Jorge Luis Borges has been the subject of much literary criticism and research. Scholars have spent entire lifetimes attempting to pinpoint the meaning of his works. The fact that many of them use the above quote to do so sums up the enigma of Borges; the quote most likely to be used to explain him cannot be authenticated. In seventy-four short stories, over one hundred sonnets and thousands of essays, reviews, lectures, literature introductions and notes, the quote found in many quote collections and in an abundance of papers on the author may not be his words at all. Far from this paradox disproving any theories on the themes and intentions of Borges, the very fact that writers continue quote to quote this passage illustrates his thoughts on memory, identity and authorship perfectly. Memory is malleable and transferrable. Memory is identity. Authorship is identity. Therefore, authorship is memory and is malleable and transferrable. There is no defining work from Borges defining these themes. Even to apply them to his fictions, one must absorb them all. The fictions of Borges are brief, many as short as three pages. One of these (at eight pages) was the last story he wrote, Shakespeare’s Memory. Published after his death in 1986, he touc... ...inberger. New York: Penguin Putnam, 1999. 463-472. Print. Paul M. Willenberg. â€Å"The Garden of Jorge Luis Borges.† Swarthmore University. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. â€Å"The Eccentric Borges: Two UCL Analyses.† University College London. Web. 21 Oct. 2011. Richard Burgin. Conversations with Jorge Luis Borges. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1969. 26-27. Print. .Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). Name of Site. Version number. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or publisher), date of resource creation (if available). Medium of publication. Date of access. Lastname, First name. "Title of Essay." Title of Collection. Ed. Editor's Name(s). Place of Publication: Publisher, Year. Page range of entry. Medium of Publication. Whitman, Walt. "I Sing the Body Electric." Selected Poems. New York: Dover, 1991. 12-19. Print.

Tools of the Craft Essay example -- essays papers

Tools of the Craft So you have decided you want to write. Perhaps you may feel you need to write. Sometimes this urge inside you is so sweet and urgent that you find yourself imagining the smooth feel of the keyboard beneath your fingertips. You can hear the tap tap of the keys as your fingers fly over them, forming words, sentences, paragraphs and pages of images that will flow from your mind to another’s in a bizarre and wondrous kind of telepathy. This desire may come to you as you are studying, attending classes, or working, making you yearn for the time when the tedious details of life might be abated, if only for a moment, so that you can finally work on your story. When at last you are able to grasp your favored writing instrument, whether it is keyboard, pencil or pen, you might reach inside for the words that had nagged at you so insistently earlier. Your fingers will caress the keys, or your pencil will lightly touch the page†¦and frustration will fill you more completely than your earlier desire had. For even though the words are there, deep inside the crevices of your imagination waiting to break through, the transfer of thought to print is more difficult than you had ever realized. Writing is hard, a fact that most novices and likely all experienced writers are aware of. When you find yourself fighting the inadequacies that plague your writing, where do you turn? Most likely you’ll seek the pages of the books and stories that have inspired you in the first place. Are the answers there? Perhaps; perhaps not. It can depend on the writer and the book. There are hundreds of books out there that claim to help the writer, including numerous â€Å"How To† books that address every aspect of writing that you have imagined and some that you may not have. Which are right? Where are the ones that might help you? One book for writers that has been popular for roughly 65 years was written by a professor of composition at Cornell University and revised by a writer of fiction who was well known for his fiction and essays. The Elements of Style, by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White is a valuable guide for any writer. In it the writer will find rules for writing that are demonstrated by short examples. This book is for the writers who have found themselves stumbling over the roadblocks of grammar. It will also be of assistance in describin... ...writer, but he will discuss many of the rules Strunk insists on, and he will use examples from his own writing as well as the works of others to illustrate how the rules can be used to strengthen your writing. His tone will be more in the nature of friendly, personal advice to a friend than a clinical study of the mechanics of language, and this may appeal to a number of readers who have been overwhelmed by the other books. He will even present the rough draft of one of his short stories and demonstrate how it might be edited to improve it, listing in the following pages detailed explanations for each of the changes that were made. Finally, he will touch on certain elements of writing fiction left entirely untouched by the other two books: Dialogue, symbolism, and some discussion on the importance of plotting your novel as opposed to letting the story tell itself. Together, each of these books will provide the beginning or struggling writer with not only the tools for writing, but also with a demonstration of how to use them. These books will not make you a writer but they may be able to show you how to become a better writer. Once shown the way, it is up to you to follow it.

Iron Crowned Chapter 3

I might have come to accept being queen of the Thorn Land, and it was hard not to grow attached to a place you had a spiritual connection to. Nonetheless, nothing the Otherworld offered would ever take the place of my home in Tucson. It was a small house, but in a nice neighborhood, near the Catalina Mountains north of the city. Gateways between the worlds existed all over, facilitating travel, but I had an â€Å"anchor† in my home, meaning once I shifted out of the Thorn Land's gate, I was able to materialize directly in my bedroom. An anchor could be any object tied to your essence. My roommate Tim, who hadn't seen me in a few days, was understandably shocked when I came strolling into the kitchen. â€Å"Jesus Christ, Eug!† he exclaimed. He'd been flipping pancakes at the stove. â€Å"We've got to put a bell around your neck or something.† I grinned and had an inexplicable urge to hug him – though I knew that would freak him out even more. After all the craziness in the Otherworld, his normality was a welcome sight. Well, â€Å"normality† might have been an exaggeration. Tim – with his tall, dark, and handsome looks – had taken to impersonating Native Americans (badly) in order to score chicks and make money selling his awful poetry. He rotated through various tribes, and last I knew, he'd been passing himself off as Tlingit, seeing as the locals got a little less pissed off by him donning the clothes of a tribe living hundreds of miles away. He lived in my house rent-free in exchange for cooking and housework, and I was glad to see him dressed in an ordinary jeans and T-shirt ensemble today. â€Å"Are you making enough for two?† I asked, heading straight for the full coffeepot. â€Å"I always make enough for two. But most of it goes to waste.† That last part came out as a grumble. He'd once complained about being my â€Å"slave† but missed my being around now. â€Å"Messages?† â€Å"Usual place.† When in the Otherworld, I left my cell phone with Tim. It forced him to play secretary, something he resented since I actually already employed one. Indeed, most of the messages he'd scrawled on the refrigerator's white board were from her. Tue. – 11 AM – Lara: two job offersTue. – 2:30 PM – Lara: one possible client needs ASAP helpTue. – 5:15 PM – Lara: still wants to talk to youTue. – 5:20 PM – Lara: needs you to finish tax paperworkTue. – 10:30 PM – Lara: won't stop callingWed. – 8 AM – Lara: who calls this early?Wed. – 11:15 AM – BitchWed. – 11:30 AM – Sam's Home Improvement: interested in vinyl siding? I admired his detailed message taking – frustration with Lara aside – but my heart sank when I saw who was conspicuously missing. Every time I came home, I secretly hoped I'd see their names up there. Sometimes, on the sly, my mom would check on me. But my stepdad, Roland? He never called anymore, not after finding out about my allegiance to the Otherworld. Tim, preoccupied with his cooking, didn't see my face. â€Å"I don't get why she keeps calling. She knows you can't get any of her messages. Why does she need more than one? It's not like a billion of them are magically going to get through to you.† â€Å"It's just her way,† I said. â€Å"She's efficient.† â€Å"That's not efficient,† he declared. â€Å"It's borderline neurotic.† I sighed, wondering not for the first time if I should just let messages go to voice mail. Despite having never met, Tim and Lara were mortal phone enemies. Hearing them bitch about each other was wearying. Nonetheless, staring at her string of calls already made me feel tired. I'd once had a brisk trade as a freelance shaman, kicking out ghosts and other annoying supernatural creatures who harassed humans. Now that I moonlighted as a fairy queen, I'd had to become much more selective with clientele. I could no longer keep up with the demand around here and felt bad about that. I suspected Roland was picking up my slack but didn't know for sure. I waited until after breakfast before dealing with Lara. Pancakes, sausage, and coffee gave me the strength to deal with this latest batch of requests. Undoubtedly seeing my number on her caller ID, Lara didn't bother with formalities when I finally called. â€Å"About time,† she exclaimed. â€Å"Has he been giving you my messages?† â€Å"He just did. I've been gone for three days. You know you don't need to keep bugging him about it.† â€Å"I want to make sure he tells you I called.† â€Å"He writes them down, every one. Besides, my phone's log also tells me you've called †¦ a lot.† â€Å"Hmphf.† She let it go. â€Å"Well, you're getting a lot of requests lately. I've thinned them out, but you've still got to choose.† It was almost February. We weren't near any major sabbats, when paranormal activity always increased. Sometimes, though, it happened for no reason. It figured now would be one of those times – right while I was in the middle of a war. Or, I realized, it might be happening because of that. My identities as queen and shaman were both well known among many creatures. Maybe they hoped they could get away with more while I was distracted. Half seemed to show up for selfish purposes in our world; the other half hoped to forcibly father Storm King's heir on me. â€Å"Okay,† I said. â€Å"Let's hear the priorities.† â€Å"We need to finish your taxes.† â€Å"That's not a priority. Keep going.† â€Å"Single woman, stalked by a fetch.† â€Å"That's serious. I'll have to get on that one.† â€Å"Tree elemental. In your neighborhood.† â€Å"Yeah, that one's here for me. He won't hurt anyone else.† â€Å"Phantom-infested subdivision.† â€Å"On a graveyard?† â€Å"Yup.† â€Å"Schedule it, and make sure the builder's charged double. Their own stupid fault.† â€Å"Will do. Then you've got the usual weirdness. Lights in the sky. Possible UFO.† â€Å"Was that Wil again?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Damn it! Did you tell him it's just the military?† â€Å"Yes. He also said there's been some Bigfoot sightings – â€Å" I froze. â€Å"Bigfoot? Where?† â€Å"I didn't get the details. I thought it was his usual craziness. And didn't you say they don't live in Arizona?† â€Å"They don't. Has there been anything weird in the news? Deaths?† There was a pause, and I heard the rustling of papers. â€Å"Two hikers died over in Coronado, near the Rappel Rock trail. The report stated that they fell. Took a couple days to find their bodies. Nasty stuff. Some animals got to them.† I was up and out of my chair in a flash, making the dishes on the kitchen table rattle. Tim, leafing through a magazine, looked up in alarm. â€Å"Call Wil,† I told her, trying to tug on one of my boots while balancing the phone. â€Å"Find out where he heard about these Bigfoot sightings. If it's not Coronado, give me a call back. If it is, no need to call.† Wil was Jasmine's half brother, and I avoided speaking to him when I could. One reason was that he always asked me about her. The other was that he was a crazy, paranoid conspiracy theorist. This time, he might be on to something. Lara was understandably startled. â€Å"But you said Bigfoot – â€Å" â€Å"It's not Bigfoot.† â€Å"Don't forget your other job tonight!† â€Å"I won't.† I disconnected and managed to get on the other boot. Tim regarded me warily. â€Å"I don't like it when you get that look.† â€Å"That makes two of us.† He watched as I went to our hallway closet and produced a little-worn leather coat. â€Å"You're going to Coronado?† â€Å"Yup.† â€Å"High?† â€Å"Yup.† He sighed and gestured to where we hung our keys near the door. â€Å"Take my car. It'll handle better if you run into snow.† I slung my satchel over my shoulder and flashed him a grateful smile. He warned me to be careful, but I was already out the door with the keys, heading for his Subaru. My eyes barely saw the road as I drove toward Coronado State Park. Bigfoot. No, you wouldn't find Bigfoot out here, not even in the Catalinas. Now, tell me there'd been a sighting in the Pacific Northwest? Or anywhere in Canada? Yeah, it'd be Bigfoot hunting time. But it wouldn't be a priority. They were generally harmless. Here? When you got a Bigfoot sighting in Tucson, it was a demon bear. Yeah – I know. It was a ridiculous name, but it got the point across – and really, there was nothing funny about them. They came from the Underworld and were utterly lethal. With their tall and furry appearance, it was easy to understand why the untrained eye would mistake them for popular images of Bigfoot. Demon bears didn't fuck around either. If only two people were dead, then this one hadn't been in the area long. We were lucky – even if the hikers weren't. No rodents or foxes had fed on those bodies. In Tucson proper, we were enjoying our typically mild winter weather – mid-seventies today, if I had to guess. As I drove higher into the mountains, the temperature dropped rapidly. I soon saw snow on the ground and signs for Mt. Lemmon's ski resorts. Other signs directed me toward popular hiking and climbing areas – including Rappel Rock. In and of itself, it was a popular area for outdoorsmen. With its proximity to the ski areas, the demon bear's presence was doubly dangerous this time of year. I finally reached the trailhead and parked in a gravel lot. Only a couple other cars were there, which was a small blessing. I stepped out of the Subaru, shocked by the blast of cold air that hit me. I was not used to these temperatures. I hadn't been bred for them. Give me monsters and ghosts? No problem. But cold weather? That was a weakness. I could've used magic to adjust the air but needed to conserve my power. Instead, as I stuffed my arsenal into my belt – not comfortable but ready for easy access – I used my magic for a summoning. I spoke the ritual words, and a few moments later, a small implike creature appeared before me. He had pointed ears, smooth night-black skin, and red slits for eyes. â€Å"My mistress calls,† he said in a flat voice, â€Å"and I answer, no doubt for some mundane task.† â€Å"We're going after a demon bear,† I said, moving briskly toward the trail and trying my best to ignore the cold. My jacket wasn't suited for this weather at all, but it was the best I had. â€Å"A more challenging task than most,† he observed. I ignored his condescension as I stopped before the sign indicating the various routes and levels of difficulty for these climbs and hikes. Volusian was a cursed spirit I'd subdued and enslaved. His power made him a useful asset – and a risky one. He hated me and spent a good deal of his time planning how to kill me, should I ever lose the control needed to bind him. I closed my eyes, attempting to become one with the air rather than its victim. The world was silent here, save for the rustling of wind in the pines and chatter of birds and small animals. I spread my senses out, seeking something out of place. My abilities weren't perfect, but I could often sense a presence not from our world. â€Å"There.† I opened my eyes abruptly and pointed near a trail marked â€Å"moderately difficult.† â€Å"Do you feel anything?† Volusian studied the area, using his senses as well. â€Å"Yes. But more there.† He pointed not at the trail itself but more toward its left, off into the woods. I grimaced but knew his senses were slightly better than mine. â€Å"Off-roading. Lovely.† We set out in that direction. Volusian shifted to a more ghostly form that floated along with me, rather than treading through the underbrush like I had to. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle, but it made for slow going. Yet, as I traveled farther and farther, that magical feel increased. â€Å"It will sense you too, mistress,† said Volusian, in a rare show of unsolicited commentary. I didn't doubt it. â€Å"Will it come after me? Or will it run?† â€Å"Run? No. Hide? Perhaps.† There was a calculated pause. â€Å"It won't try to force itself sexually on you, however. The blood of the shining ones is too alluring. It will simply try to eat you.† â€Å"How reassuring,† I muttered. â€Å"I'll do the banishing. You distract it.† Soon, I needed no special senses to know we'd reached our goal. The forest had grown deadly silent. No more birds or other signs of life. A strong sense of †¦ wrongness filled the air. The worlds were stacked: human, Otherworld, Underworld. With our proximity, Otherworldly creatures could sometimes move throughout this world without me feeling anything. Something from the Underworld was too foreign. It stuck out. â€Å"We're close,† I murmured. â€Å"We're practically – oomphf!† A massive arm swung out from a cluster of trees and hit me in the stomach, knocking me painfully backward. There was nothing I could do to prevent my fall onto the forest floor of sharp sticks and rocks, but I did manage to grab hold of my wand as I went down. A giant form loomed in front of me, almost eight feet tall. Long-limbed, with clawed feet and hands, its muscled body could easily be mistaken for that of a Bigfoot. Its ears – while definitely bearlike – were flattened against its head, adding to the humanoid appearance. It roared, showing a mouthful of sharp teeth. Black eyes, filled with nothing but mindless rage, peered down at me. Volusian, compelled by my orders, threw himself against the bear. The power radiating around Volusian's body had the substantiality of a ton of bricks. The creature staggered backward, eyes shifting angrily to my minion. The fact that Volusian hadn't knocked it to the ground was concerning. They were either well matched, or the demon was even more powerful than Volusian. The latter would be problematic, seeing as I wasn't strong enough to banish Volusian. Well, that is, I wasn't strong enough to banish him and fight him. If someone else subdued him, I could have sent Volusian on. If this demon bear had the means to defeat Volusian, then I'd be cake. Hopefully, the demon bear couldn't obliterate Volusian while distracted by something else – me. I scrambled to my feet, holding my wand out as I prepared to open a door to the Underworld. Volusian and the demon battled it out, neither capable of killing each other. I gathered my will, channeling the power of my soul to spread past this world and the Otherworld, on to the Underworld. On my arm, a tattoo of a black and white butterfly sacred to Persephone began to burn as I touched her domain. The air near the demon dematerialized, forming an opening to the Underworld. Grabbing my silver athame with my free hand, I approached the battle, cautious of both the combatants and the forming gate. Volusian hovered over the demon, keeping its eyes directed high. I sneaked up unnoticed. With well-practiced speed, I snaked out with the athame, drawing an arcane symbol on the demon's chest. Usually, banishing a demon back to its domain kept it from returning. A binding mark like this ensured it. I didn't want to take any chances. The demon's roar of rage echoed through the woods, and it turned toward me. I'd anticipated this and had already scrambled away, keeping out of its reach. Really, I'd been lucky the first time it hit me. It had the strength to kill me with one blow. Volusian came forward again to pull the demon's attention back – only, it didn't work. The demon recognized the threat I was and could feel the opening of the gate. Volusian, attacking and attacking, was a nuisance – a painful one – but one the demon could apparently ignore as it came toward me. â€Å"Shit,† I said. I backed farther and farther away, but the demon was quickly closing the distance. Its massive feet could trample the underbrush that slowed me so much. I worked hard to ignore just how dire my situation had become and instead concentrated on the gateway. That door grew more substantial, and soon, its power began calling to its own – sucking the demon back. The creature paused in its attack. The problem was, the gate wanted to pull Volusian too. Orders or not, he moved out of range for self-preservation, which I didn't exactly blame him for. Only, without my minion to beat on the demon, it now had just enough strength to fight the gate and keep coming toward me. It had to know that if it could take me out, the gate would go away too. Suddenly, I heard something approaching us, sticks and leaves crackling under strong feet – or, to be more precise, paws. A red fox – much larger than a normal one – sprang out onto the demon's back, sinking its teeth into the furry brown hide. This brought another shriek from the demon – and gave me a moment's respite. I threw all my power into the gate and jerked the demon toward it. The demon flailed, unable to fight being sent back to its own world. The fox had the sense to get out of the way, its services no longer needed. The demon gave one last mournful cry and then faded from our sight. I stretched the wand toward where the demon had disappeared, sending my energy through the wand's gems to banish the gate as well and reseal this world. Silence followed, except for my own rapid breathing. Slowly, birds began to sing again, and the forest's natural state returned. I leaned against a tall, leafless oak in relief. The banishing hadn't been as easy as I expected, but it certainly could have ended worse – like, with my death. â€Å"We didn't need your help,† I said. â€Å"We were doing just fine.† The fox was no longer there, as I'd already known. It had transformed into a tall, muscled man, with deep, golden-brown skin and black hair that barely touched his shoulders. He was a kitsune, a shape-shifting Japanese fox from the Otherworld. Actually, he was half-kitsune. His mother had been the kitsune; his father a mortal from Arizona. Power-wise, it made little difference. â€Å"Yeah,† said Kiyo, crossing his arms over his chest. He needed no coat and simply wore a burgundy T-shirt. â€Å"You seemed to have it all under control.† â€Å"We were about to,† I retorted. â€Å"Actually, mistress,† said Volusian, deadpan, â€Å"your death was probably imminent.† â€Å"Oh shut up,† I snapped. â€Å"You're dismissed. Go back to the Otherworld.† Volusian vanished. I turned back to Kiyo. â€Å"What are you doing out here anyway?† He shrugged, and I worked hard to ignore the effect his physical appearance always had on me. â€Å"Same thing as you. I'm on Wil's mailing list. When I heard about the Bigfoot sightings †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I sighed and turned back the way we'd come. â€Å"I don't need your help.† â€Å"I wasn't coming to help you.† He caught up with me easily. â€Å"I was coming to kill a demon bear. You just happened to be here first.† Considering the trouble Volusian and I had had, I doubted Kiyo could have taken out the demon through brute force. Kiyo was strong, yeah, but hardly all-powerful. Unfortunately, he was all-bravery. He rushed into impossible situations, ready to defend others – even at cost to himself. He'd always been reckless that way – except for once. And that was the core of our problems. Kiyo and I used to date, wrapped in a deeply romantic and physical relationship. His continual disapproval of my Otherworldly relations had begun to fracture things between us. The final break had occurred after Leith had raped me. Kiyo had come to rescue me but had refused to punish Leith. Kiyo had advised a tamer course of action: letting Otherworldly justice take its course. Dorian, however, had opted for on-the-spot justice: he'd run Leith through with a sword. Kiyo and I had broken up shortly after that. â€Å"You were outclassed,† I told Kiyo. â€Å"There are a billion other creatures running loose right now. If you want to help, go after them.† â€Å"Ah, yes. I forgot,† he said. â€Å"Tucson's former caretaker is too busy playing queen.† I came to a halt and glared. â€Å"I'm not playing at anything! Controlling the Thorn Land wasn't my choice, and you know it.† â€Å"That's true. It was Dorian's choice – one he tricked you into. Yet, somehow that doesn't matter, and now it's okay for you to shack up with him and wage war.† I started moving again, marching through the woods in a haze of anger. When we'd broken up, Kiyo had been sad and withdrawn. Over time, he'd gotten his spunk back and now – whenever we ran into each other – didn't hesitate to express his opinion of Dorian, the war, or anything else Otherworldly I was involved in. â€Å"The war wasn't my choice either,† I said at last, after refusing to respond for several minutes. â€Å"Stopping it wasn't exactly out of your control either.† â€Å"So what are you saying? That I should just stop now and surrender?† â€Å"No.† His calmness was annoying. â€Å"But there must be a peaceful way to end it. To negotiate something.† â€Å"Don't you think we've tried?† I exclaimed. â€Å"How bloodthirsty do you think I am? Every diplomat we send is either given unreasonable demands or met with death threats.† â€Å"I like the use of ‘we.' I wonder how seriously Dorian is taking the peace process.† I could see the parking lot through the trees ahead. Good. I needed to be away from Kiyo. His presence was stifling. It stirred up too many feelings, too many feelings I didn't want to deal with. â€Å"Dorian isn't running this by himself. We're in it together, and we have tried to settle with Katrice.† â€Å"And as that's failed, you're now going to march in with your allies and take her land with overwhelming force, expanding your empire.† We reached the gravel lot, and I turned on Kiyo in full anger, hands on my hips. â€Å"We don't have any allies. And I don't want another kingdom! I sure as hell don't want an empire!† He shrugged. â€Å"Say whatever you want, but everyone knows you're looking for people to join up with you.† â€Å"And Katrice is doing the same,† I said smoothly. â€Å"I hear she's visited the Willow Land quite a bit.† Ah, that broke him. Kiyo's smug, cool faà §ade faltered. â€Å"Nothing's decided,† he said stiffly. â€Å"But your girlfriend's no fan of Dorian and me. She's afraid of us. How long, Kiyo? How long until she – and you – fight against us?† I was gaining ground; he was on the defensive. He and Maiwenn the Willow Queen had once been lovers; they'd even had a daughter together. I'd never believed their â€Å"just friends† claims since our breakup. Kiyo took a step forward, leaning toward me and fixing me with that dark, dark gaze. â€Å"She's not my girlfriend. And we're staying neutral.† I gave a shrug as masterfully casual as the one he'd given me earlier. â€Å"If you say so. And I like your use of ‘we.' Except, you don't really have an equal share in it, do you? You just run along and follow her orders.† â€Å"Damn it, Eugenie!† He clenched his fists. â€Å"Why do you have to be so – â€Å" He couldn't finish, and as we stood there, so close, I became aware once more of his body and the memories of our time together. I remembered what that body could do in bed. I remembered the way we'd laughed, how easily we'd connected. The Otherworld consumed so much of my time lately, but I was still half human. The human part of me called to other humans. And as he looked down at me, the anger softening a little, I had a feeling he was thinking the same thing. If he had any lingering attraction, the animal attributes in him would make this doubly awkward. My physical appearance would trigger sexual attraction that much more quickly. Even my scent could arouse him. He looked away. â€Å"Well. None of that matters. You should go home. You're freezing.† â€Å"I'm fine,† I said automatically, like I wasn't shivering and covered in goose bumps. â€Å"Of course you are.† He glanced back at me, a small, wry smile on his face. â€Å"Be careful, Eugenie.† â€Å"With what exactly?† I asked. â€Å"Everything.† With that, he shape-shifted back into a fox – a smaller, normal one – and scampered off through the trees. Naturally, he was too hard-core to have driven up here. Suddenly feeling drained, I got out Tim's keys and turned toward the car. I'd done what I needed to, that was what counted. I didn't want to think about Kiyo or war or anything like that. I wanted to go home and rest before the next job. A tingling along my spine made me drop the keys as I felt an Otherworldly presence appear behind me. I spun around, pulling my wand back out as I did. There, before me, was a ghost. It was female, looking like she'd died in her midthirties. Her translucent form washed out any color, but her hair was curly and shoulder-length, her clothing casual. Seeing a ghost outdoors was rare; they tended to be attracted to material things. Still, location didn't matter. They were dangerous. I pointed my wand at her, banishing words upon my lips. â€Å"Wait, don't!† she cried, holding up her hands. Pleading ghosts weren't uncommon. â€Å"Sorry. This isn't your world. You need to move on. It's for the best.† â€Å"Please. Not yet. I need to talk to you, Eugenie Markham.† I frowned, wand still poised and ready. â€Å"How do you know my name?† â€Å"Because I've come to ask for your help. I need you to find out who killed me.†