Affecting change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Affecting change - Essay Example The Organizational culture is ever more implicit as a grave component within the conception of high performance within work areas.An organization's established principles, approaches,viewpoints,objects,along with behaviors all consist of its civilization moreover facilitate in originating a sense of regulation, stability,as well as obligation. Not merely does the business as a whole comprise of a culture, however it usually contains several subcultures. Considering the culture at mutual levels is significant for the reason that a single workplace plan will not essentially maintain in the best way the conflicting job cultures. An analytical instrument, with established strength as well as dependability, has been developed that categorizes associations within four dissimilar cultural types: teaming up. Each one of these has dissimilar operational characteristics that associate with dissimilar ecological features as well as qualities. Evaluating a corporation culture as well as subcultu res provides place of work planners as well as instigators with an institution on which to assemble an atmosphere to hold up the way an organization functions and expresses itself. The bottom line in using organizational culture assessments is to help create workplace explanations with both interior as well as exterior reimbursements that eventually effected in enhanced trade performance (Paton, 2008, pg 208). The established methods of control and the current departmental and organizational cultures: Gene one is faced with an amalgamation of Strong as well as a weak culture: An organizational culture can be marked as strong or else weak based on reasonableness of the central values amongst the corporations team members along with the amount of dedication that the associates have to these core values. Considering the situation of Gene One the higher the sheerness as well as commitment, the stronger the culture, it has helped in boosting the opportunities of behaviour reliability between their respective team members, at the same time as a weak culture within Gene One has inaugurated opportunities for every one of the team members showing apprehensions exclusive to themselves. They have been following the cultural model as a result it has required the managers to toil very sternly at determining the surroundings, nevertheless in a technique that it has always assisted the argument towards developing employees whose principles as well as viewpoints manage their behaviour. Experts have articulated the administrators as an entity being dependable for crafting a forceful optimistic apparition, being an optimistic role mock-up who outlines itself within the human resources a sagacity that the corporations leaders will permit them to administer moreover be in power of their individual personal learning progression. The leaders are also occupied in lining up the corporation's remuneration as well as regulation systems with the novel way of thinking. Don has realized that leaders are then fundamentally occupied in change management however in a very delicate as well as indirect manner than within the conventional change management procedure. As a leader Don has also been able to a certain extent realize that are moreover the protectors of their culture, dependable for guaranteeing that the significant cultural principles are preserved. In a number of cases this may perhaps necessitate them to interpret as well as be aware of what these standards are. The culture of the company Gene one, these days could accordingly be portrayed as being extremely performance oriented along with being eventually profit slanting. The time industrialized a set of dysfunctional values and norms that needed more than subtle adjustment if the company was to stay alive. It is as a result is not astounding that this redecoration was not talented peaceably. The most spectacular change has been in the leader who has moved from being a

Why was William successful Essay Example for Free

Why was William successful Essay When William was crowned King of England he had actually only captured the Southeast. The rest of England was all still Anglo-Saxon. In 1066/1067 William, according to the Normans was the legitimate King of England. He had got Edward the Confessors promise that he would be King. He also had a kinship with Edward, which made it that much easier to become King. It didnt hurt Williams cause when Harold apparently usurped the throne and took it for him self it gave William a legitimate reason for invading. Then after William had gained control of the Southeast the rulers of England submitted to him at Little Berkhamstead. Then they allowed him to be crowned King of England with an Anglo-Saxon Service. This shows their acceptance of William as their King. BUT William had made a mistake. He assumed that once he had been crowned King everyone would follow him as their King. William had not gone West of Faringdon and North of Bedford. It just so happened that the remainder of Harolds family was in the West and Edwin and Morcar (the Northern Earls) who were in the North. Both of these groups had not really submitted to William as their king and were willing to start a rebellion to stop William becoming even more powerful. The rebellions started because when William went back to Normandy. He had to leave regents in his place to rule for him. He chose Bishop Odo and William fitzOsbern. These two people were kinsmen of Williams and so he knew that he could trust tem. But according to Oderic Vitalis: behaved in a violent and cruel fashion and so because of the violent and cruel fashion in which they behaved rebellions started to spring up. The first rebellion was in Exeter and involved Harolds family. This is the first time that William shows his policies for rebelling against him. William reacts decisively and with great force. He marches to Exeter, building castles along the way. When he got to Exeter he brings out a hostage and blinds him in front of the walls so that everyone could see it. Then he lays siege to the city. After 18 days the city submits. All William does is to build a castle in the city its self and garrison it. This is Williamss policy: He will act with violence (the blinding of the hostage) and he will build castles. The violence scares the people and the castles ensure that the area around them is secure. So far William has been successful against the rebellions against him because he has got superior technology (castles which the Anglo-Saxons have not come up against before) and because he has acted decisively and with violence. He has scared the common people that he has come up against so much that they will not do it again. 1068 was a far more serious year for William. This took place in the Earldoms of Mercia and Northumbria. Edwin and Morcar decided that they had had enough of William and that they were going to join the Welsh. William once again marches up as fast as he could, only stopping off to build castles. The key one being at Warwick which he entrusted to Henry of Bomont. Initially he manages to make peace with Edwin and Morcar, and he pardons the Earls. Whilst all this has been happening Edgar ? thling had deserted William and had gone to Scotland. Once in Scotland he persuades the King, Malcome, to marry his sister and so joining them together. The Northumbrians with the Scots seize York. So William once again sets off, again building castles wherever he goes. William then marches on York and captures it. The only thing that he does is to build a castle in York its self. There were many more rebellions on 1068, and all of these William squashed and then built castles all over the area, thus making sure that all the problem parts of England were covered with Castles. William seemed obsessed by the idea of covering the face of England with castles. That also coupled with the face that he took charge personally were ever he could and got to the heart of the revolt as quickly as possible meant that there was not really too much damage. The rebellions of 1067 1072 failed, in my view, because of the fact that they were all so spur of the moment and so dispersed form one another. If they had joined up together and planned together, then they might have had a chance. Especially of they had joined up with the Vikings that came and invaded in 1069. The Vikings gave William the most trouble, but because William already had a series of castle sin place all over the country it wasnt as bad as it could have been. William completely destroyed the area around York, so that the Vikings and his other enemies could not make use of it. He destroyed them so badly that the effects were still apparent in the Doomsday book, written many years later. Williamss ferocious suppression of the north of England in 1069 1070 in response to the English and Scandinavian resistance is often regarded as the darkest deed in his reign. William eventually had to pay the Danes to go away so that William could deal with the English rebels him self. So William was successful against the rebels in 1067 1072 purely because he was more ruthless than they were and because he had access to greater technology, mainly castles building. William terrorised the English so much that they didnt dare rebel again.

Statement of Purpose Engineering Example

Statement of Purpose Engineering Example Statement of Purpose I believe that keeping an explorative attitude and inquisitive mind is key to a constant learning process. In wish to attain quintessential level of education I aspire to pursue my graduate studies at your esteem university. This would grant me access to highly qualified and reputed professors and practical knowledge. I come from a family of business background and it has always been my desire to join it. We are in business of manufacturing plastic printing and converting machineries, a bachelors degree in engineering has provided me knowledge of technology and skills for innovation, but one needs business knowledge to expand it and commercialise the product. A degree in ______(course) would extend my knowledge to accentuate my business skills and provide me ability to take the business at new heights and standards. Over the past years everything I have encountered has built me into person that I am today, a proactive man with integrity and competency. I believe one of my most distinguishing characteristics is the diversity of experience I possess. I am a science student with a flair for the business, a man with technical aptitude and an interest in management. I did my schooling from citys renowned institute S.N. Kansagra School. My zest towards business always made me curious to learn more about it. Consequently, I opted for couple business subjects like- commercial application and business studies to embrace passion. It provided me profound understanding and strengthen my knowledge in business. In addition to my work in the classroom, I was an active member of the campus. Perhaps the most prominent of all was my participation in the robotics club, I developed many small robots, such as line following, pick and place, colour ball sorting, etc. Prior to my undergraduate studies, I interned at couple of companies, which helped in my personal upgrowth and building up awareness of professional codes of behaviour. During my internship at Human Resource department of Balaji Multi Flex Pvt. Ltd, I gained practicality in dealing with people and ability to empathise with them. My Engineering degree has given a solid foundation to my analytical skills and technical aptitude. Apart from academics I have taken ardent interest in co-curriculum activities like Globerina Quiz where I was second runner up and had participated in many tech fest and was rewarded third price at technical competition, Robo-Hustle. I also organised and managed technical competition at yearly held tech fest. Further I am enrolled into different clubs such as Intelligent Instrumentation and GTU innovative council which focus on advancement of new technology and sharing and implementing creative ideas and thoughts etc. I also channelized my interest for business in club of Entrepreneurship development cell. I have an intrigue and independent mind; this trait gave me good leadership and management ability. For instance, I lead a team in design engineering course which presented product canvas on floor and street cleaning machine and developed an equivalent model to propose it. Currently, in my final semester I am leading another team for my final year project, where I designed and programmed Multi axis drilling machine equipped with 3 servo drives, a VFD and HMI for data acquisition. My undergraduate study scheduled from early morning to noon created opportunity for me to make headway to my career, I got formally inducted into the family firm Pelican Rotoflex Pvt. Ltd. on a part-time basis at the age of 18 and since then I am adding on to my professional journey. I initially focused on understanding flexible packaging industry and its different processes. Further, I observed and learned the operation of different departments of the company such as design, production, automation, marketing, etc. This provided me with profound knowledge in my field of study as well as provided me business world experience. Afterwards, I began working in administrative and marketing, while working I learnt core values of focus, empathy and perseverance. I got acquainted with market leaders in the industry. Apart from these I also worked on Exhibition fairs like PlastIndia and K trade fair. Last October I accompanied my firm in participation at international market fair for plastic i ndustry K-2016, Dusseldorf, Germany. Apart from providing global exposure, it bought me closer to industrys global market. These four years of experience aspired me to become a valued player in the marketplace, empowered with the technical aptitude and professional acumen required to make critical business decisions. I choose UK, as it is a breeding ground for intellectuals. Given the importance of globalisation in development, an education that does not fully address the international and multicultural realities of the modern world is incomplete; UK offers diversity and multiculturalism of corporate world unlike any other country. UK is also one of the oldest and possess worlds most renowned education system which boasts of some of the best universities. UK would provide me the unique combination of accelerated growth and the flexibility to pursue this career path as it is the epicentre of the world economy. An atmosphere as eclectic as your campus where I get to meet students from diverse backgrounds is a rich ground for me to expand my knowledge about globalization. I aim to follow my fathers footsteps but only after I gain considerable experience and knowledge at a global level. A graduate education from ____ would provide me with the perfect steppingstone to achieve my career goal of creating unprecedented progress for my family business. My grandfather, who started from scratch, laid the foundation for our company; it was consolidated by my father who brought about management, efficiency and profitability to our company. In my endeavour to expand my company to new height and standards, I see no better college than _____ to help me realize these goals.

Essay --

World-renowned doctor Hans Selye once said, â€Å"It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.† When parents and adults recall their college experience they often remember it as time where they had much freedom and few responsibilities. To students currently attending college, however, this time frame is often viewed as extremely stressful and exhausting. Stress is by far the most important health issue that college students face. Stress reactions have the ability to affect our overall health, our sleep patterns, and our school performance as it prevents us from meeting our everyday goals. It is extremely important for students to be able to identify and manage their stress levels and apply techniques that will enable them to reduce their stress. Stress not only plays an important factor on your overall wellness, but it is the leading cause to weight gain and the so-called â€Å"Freshman 15.† Without parental supervision and time refrains, college students often like to take advantage of their freedom by consuming whatever foods they desire. Instead of opting for healthy choices most students would much rather run to the cafeteria and grab a quick slice of pizza, or stop at the local fast food joint rather than making a salad in their dorm room or blending up a smoothie. Not only do these fatty fast foods taste good, but also they are also extremely easy to obtain especially when students have short breaks in between classes. Unfortunately this so called â€Å"15-pound† is not only acquired from the food decision student’s make, but also from the amount of alcohol they consume on weekends. Like the iconic movie portrayals, college students often enjoy going out on both weeknights and weekends consuming an over abundance of alcoh... ...r students to be able to take a few hours or even a few minutes of their day to do things that they enjoy. Relaxation techniques are extremely valuable in terms of stress management as they make it possible for students to spend a few minutes in a relaxing state of mind. Some other de-stressors are exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, reducing caffeine intake, and getting on a normal sleep schedule. Most college students often lack time management skills, and are prone to procrastinating. It is beneficial to find a balance by setting realistic everyday goals and to keep your life and health in check in order and to manage one’s stress. College is supposed to be the best years of your life, not the most stressful years of your life. Therefore it is important to recognize how to maintain a healthy balance and how to cope and deal with everyday stress.

The Communication of Window Displays

Retailer:Ted BAker Word Count: 1268 The Communication of Window Displays â€Å"Visual merchandising is an indispensable retail discipline, consisting of a series of practical selling tools that are used to influence what and how much consumers buy† (McKeever, K. 2008). A window display represents the various dynamics used to communicate a message to its target audience. This essay will analyse the way in which Ted Baker conveys its position in the market and brand identity by effectively portraying quality and attention to detail in its window displays.This essay will then compare the successfulness of two different approaches – â€Å"theme focussed display†, and â€Å"product focussed display† – in enticing Ted Baker’s potential customers. This will develop a conclusion on the effectiveness of Ted Baker’s window displays to act as â€Å"silent sellers† (Levine, P. 2008) and enable customers to relate to the brand. Ted Baker use s elements such as the psychological effect of colour, lighting and appropriately chosen props to enable its customer to interpret its position in the market as an â€Å"upper high street brand†.Figure 1: Use of luxurious colours by Ted Baker ( Source: Vaswani, 2012 In various online customer reviews (yelp. com, zappos. com), the attributes that Ted Baker’s products are associated with are commitment to quality and unwavering attention to detail. Interviews with 30 onlookers regarding the window displays on Regent Street revealed that the use of luxurious colours (browns, rich reds, strong neons) along with the warm yellow lighting are the factors that enabled the customers to interpret the quality of the products to be superior.Additionally, the props used in the Ted Baker windows highlight the attention that is devoted to details at the micro level, not only in the products, but also in the window displays. The importance of using appropriate props is highlighted by Tony Morgan’s (2011, p54) statement, â€Å"Props should be relevant to the merchandise to make the overall idea come to life†. In line with this, Ted Baker used bows and arrows as props to complement their autumn winter â€Å"Survival of the Fittest† collection. These props provide a wild and â€Å"outdoorsy† feel to the window.This proves that there is a deep level of intricacy that has gone into the selection of the props used in the window displays. This supports the upper high street positioning of the brand within the market. All these factors confirm that Ted Baker’s usage of the above elements is effective in conveying its market positioning. A comparison between the effectiveness of a â€Å"theme-focused† and â€Å"product-focused† display will establish whether Ted Baker’s frequent usage of themes in their windows is the right approach to capture the attention of potential customers.For their display in October, Ted Ba ker had ingeniously used the theory of â€Å"the survival of the fittest† to create a humorous theme in their window supporting their autumn/winter merchandise. Figure 2: Survival of the fittest themed window Source: displayhunter. com, 2012 Charles Darwin (1869, On the origin of species) explained â€Å"survival of the fittest† to be â€Å"the natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. † The message behind the story in the display is that Ted Baker merchandise is the â€Å"fittest† and would transcend the wearer from the ordinary.By labelling their merchandise as the â€Å"fittest† and rather a necessity, the brand teasingly talks about how the upcoming autumn winter weather is going to be a struggle. Interpretations of several passers-by confirm that this theme was making a joke about the â€Å"Great British weather† and the only way to conquest this struggle was to wear Ted Baker’s merchandis e. Figure 3: Christmas with Frosty Source: Vaswani,2012 The most recent window display, the Christmas display, paints a picture of a Christmas party, the guest of honour being a drunken snowman named â€Å"Frosty† in a festive red thong and Santa Clause hat.The visual merchandising team believe that the movement of the snowman captures attention as peoples’ eyes are drawn towards motion. This statement was confirmed by primary research and observation. Out of a sample of 100 people passing by the shop, seven out of ten stopped to look at the window display (A few even took pictures with the snowman in the window) Five out of these seven went into the store. Figure 4: Frosty the snowman Source: Vaswani, 2012 In both these window displays, Ted Baker uses humorous themes to engage its quirky target audience.The window displays act like â€Å"silent sellers† because they successfully convert onlookers into customers by reeling them in. However, in the second week of October, Ted Baker used a more product-focused window to display their collection. The sales assistant at the Regent Street store identified that the merchandise displayed was mainly evening wear that could be worn for occasions like upcoming Christmas parties. The mannequins were placed in repetition, which â€Å"reinforces and strengthens the impression through replication† (Gorman,G. 996 Visual Merchandising and store design workbook, p20). Also the background was a mirror, â€Å"people tend to slow down when they see reflective surfaces† (Underhill, 2002, Why we buy, p76). The window did have these two strengths but interviews with in-store customers established that the display looked â€Å"boring† and â€Å"as if very little thought and effort had been put into it†. A customer also quoted, â€Å"In comparison to the exciting displays from earlier, this one is a let down†. Figure 5: Ted Baker’s product focused displaySource: Vaswani, 2 012 The sales assistant at the Regent Street store identified that the merchandise displayed was mainly evening wear that could be worn for occasions like upcoming Christmas parties. The mannequins were placed in repetition, which â€Å"reinforces and strengthens the impression through replication† (Gorman,G. 1996 Visual Merchandising and store design workbook, p20). Also the background was a mirror, â€Å"people tend to slow down when they see reflective surfaces† (Underhill, 2002, Why we buy, p76).The window did have these two strengths but interviews with in-store customers established that the display looked â€Å"boring† and â€Å"as if very little thought and effort had been put into it†. A customer also quoted, â€Å"In comparison to the exciting displays from earlier, this one is a let down†. This means that, the Ted Baker customer expects excitement and an engaging theme in the windows. Also based on the description of the windows by the c ustomers, the reflection of the brand’s personality is key to Ted Baker’s display.Evidently, a product-focused window display is inept in this aspect. â€Å"A stores’ window is effectual if it tempts customers†(Portas, 2007). This statement creates stress on the fact that the window display was ineffectual due to its inability to lure customers. From this comparison, we can conclude that, â€Å"theme-focused† window displays are more effective than â€Å"product-focused† display as they create visual excitement and help the customer relate to the brand. The Ted Baker customer enjoys the portrayal of the brand’s humorous and quirky image through its engaging and impactful themes.In conclusion it can be said that, through its window displays, Ted Baker communicates its position of being an upper high street retailer in the market. For this, it uses to its advantage the psychological effect created by colour and lighting and the appropri ate usage and selection of props in its window displays. The windows are a true and effectual representation of the brand’s core values which are- quality and attention to detail. Ted Bakers frequent use of â€Å"theme-focused† window displays is a powerful and efficient approach to draw in their target customers who expect enthusing displays that would make them engrossed and curious.Finally, the strategies and approaches that Ted Baker uses in the creation and execution of its window displays are effective â€Å"silent sellers†. REFERENCE LIST: Darwin, C (1869). On the origin of species. 5th ed. Gorman, G (1996). Visual Merchandising and store design workbook. Ohio: ST Media Group Publisher. p20. Levine, P. (2010). Visual Merchandising: The ‘Silent Salesperson'. [online] Available: http://www. salesandmarketing. com/article/visual-merchandising-silent-salesperson. Last accessed 25th September 2012 McKeever, K. (2008). favourite quotes. Available: http:// thevisualmerchandisingblog. ordpress. com/favorite-quotes/. Last accessed 20th September 2012 Morgan, T (2011). Visual Merchandising: Window and in-store displays for retail. 2nd ed. London: Laurence King Publications. p54. Portas, M (2007). favourite quotes. Available: http://thevisualmerchandisingblog. wordpress. com/favorite-quotes/> [online] Last accessed 20th September 2012 Underhill, P (2002). Why we buy. New York: Simon and Schuster. p76. http://www. yelp. com/biz/ted-baker-london-new-york (2012) [online] last accessed 27th September 2012 http://www. zappos. com/ted-baker (2009) [online] last assessed 27th September 2012REFERENCE LIST FOR IMAGES: Vaswani, D. (2012) Figure 1:Use of luxurious colours by Ted Baker [Photograph]. Regent Street Store Figure 2:Survival of the fittest themed window(2012) [online image]. Available at: http://displayhunter. blogspot. co. uk/2012/11/ted-baker-hunting-game. html [Accessed 23rd November 2012] Vaswani, D. (2012) Figure 3:Christmas with Fro sty [Photograph]. Regent Street Store Vaswani, D. (2012) Figure 4:Frosty the Snowman [Photograph]. Regent Street Store Vaswani, D. (2012) Figure 5:Ted Baker’s product focused display [Photograph]. Regent Street StoreBIBLIOGRAPHY: Cabezas, C (2010). Design Techniques for window dressing: Ideaspropias Editorial Danzinger, P (2002) Why people buy things they don’t need New York: Paramount Market Publishing Din, Rassheid (2000) New Retail London: Conron Octopus Limited Eszter Czibok. (2012). The window- a reflection of our desires. Available: http://workinginthewindow. wordpress. com/tag/window-display/. Last accessed 2nd November 2012 Gardner, A (2000) The 30 second seduction California: Seal Press http://fre23media. blogspot. co. uk/2010/11/window-displays-original-communication. html. 2010). Window displays: the original communication tool. Available: http://fre23media. blogspot. co. uk/2010/11/window-displays-original-communication. html. Last accessed 3rd November 201 2 Holly Bastow-Shoop . (1991). Visual Merchandising: A guide for small retailers. Available: http://ncrcrd. msu. edu/uploads/files/133/NCRCRD-rrd155-print. pdf. Last accessed 11th October Kaisa Leinonen. (2010). Autumn/Winter 2010 Trend Report: Mirrors as Display Props. Available: http://thewindowdisplayblog. com/2010/11/01/autumnwinter-2010-trend-report-mirrors-as-display-props/.Last accessed 11th October Marie, S. (2006). A History of Visual Merchandising in Retail Stores. Available: http://sarahmarie1. hubpages. com/hub/A-History-of-Visual-Merchandising-in-Retail-Stores. Last accessed 9th October 2012 Messaris, P (1997) Visual Persuasion- The Role of Images London: Sage Publications Sturken, M , Cartwright, L (2000) Practices of Looking- An introduction Oxford: Oxford University Press Sussen Madden Understand visual merchandising for a small business. Available: http://www. retailtraining. ie/pdf/Unit-259. pdf. Last accessed 3rd October 2012 The Communication of Window Displays ‘Windows reveal the soul of the store’ (Portas, 1999: 41). Every store has its own concept that characterizes each display, varying from theatre, drama or in the case of Armani Exchange minimalism. Well-dressed windows are undoubtedly, a dynamic form of advertising for products reflecting the stores’ brand image. This essay seeks to evaluate how A|X Armani Exchange’s window displays communicate to spectators with the use of various resources. Armani Exchange is one of the sub-brands under the parental brand of Giorgio Armani. The use of colour, lighting, props and graphics can capture interest, indicating the foundation of any decent display whose aim is to get people off the street. Windows are used as a selling device promoting products. They also mirror what the store is about, bringing pleasure to the eye. A stores’ window is effectual if it tempts customers who will want and be able to purchase the products offered, conveying quality, style and pricing (Portas, 2007). Moreover, windows can lure someone in a shop due to psychological factors. Brand founders such as Armani and Dior, give their own unique identity on their products and are therefore based on persona. As an online source says ‘Armani Exchange has become one of the most dynamic collections with its own unique identity, as well as an ever-growing base of young customers’ (www.ameinfo.com/192218.html). City life is emitted through its concept of sexy, chic and stalwart garments. Hence, it can be said that quality along with brand loyalty comes before the cost. Windows work on the principle â€Å"first impression is the best impression†, implying that only a few seconds are needed for a display to â€Å"speak† to a passer-by and get him/her inside a store. Portas asserts that ‘visual merchandising is the art and science of silent selling, bringing product, environment and space into one stimulating and engaging display to encourage sale’ (Drapers, O ctober 29: 34). This is shown by the power of Armani Exchange’s logo -with grey background and white letters signifying practicality, neutrality but also timelessness- which is becoming more and more recognisable. Furthermore, Armani Exchange’s target customers are both independent male and female who have their own style, belonging in the age group of 16-35. It is more accessible to the bourgeoisie, who want a taste of the luxurious brand. Given that prices are lower than the rest of the Armani sub-brands, the apparel is more inclusive to the public. This stores’ clientele may work as managers, interns or may even be students living in East London. Additionally, they may go out for a drink, coffee or shopping at least once a week, or read magazines like Vogue. Other stores they visit include Zara and Benetton. What is more CPI is escalating; competition is astonishingly high while consumer spending started to fall as September figures show because of pessimism (www.guardian.co.uk, 2010). As a result, retail sales are expected to fall in the following months, along with a rise in VAT. Armani Exchange windows’ are open-back; implying there is ‘no back wall’ (Morgan: 44). The striptease effect is clear as we can see the internal displays emphasizing the focal point through the space between the mannequins, creating a more intense visual impact, which is representative of the merchandise of the store. A|X shows the garment’s prices at the bottom of the windowpane. Lighting from the ceiling and floor is ambient acting as a catalyst for the area (www.infostore.gr. 2010), as Figure 1 shows: Figure 1: The window shows A|X Armani Exchange’s front window in Regent Str. London, October 19, 2010 Source: Kaisidi, 2010 For autumn/winter 2010, Armani Exchange trails a repetition of dark shades evoking a monochromatic colour scheme exerting sophistication and a clean look, which are pleasing to the eye. Materials like leather and fur with metallic details indicate luxury mixed with a touch of mystery, illustrating an intellectual and confident appearance. However silver and gold details on the garments complement the black shades, making the pieces more youthful. A downside of open windows is that high-priced items showcased can be tampered if somebody wishes to feel the fabric, so they are trickier to dress. Besides that another negative aspect is that windows are not as creative since there are fewer props. Hence there is no story to tell. Silhouettes are simple yet authoritative and influential. Effective windows can ‘seduce’ (Portas, 2007: 54) you to purchase something you did not intend to. Buying even a small item, one satisfies a need, a want to feel more contented and self-confident. Also, what you wear is what defines you, reflecting your personality- as implied by Berger (1972). Windows can sway someone into investing in a garment that will make them enviable and glamorous at the same time. ‘The power to spent money is the power to live’ (Berger, 1972: 143), implying that each person interprets the world differently- the same applies in window displays. Armani Exchange has a very clean approach of â€Å"less is more† by not overloading its windows together with being â€Å"strong and simple† emphasizing the brand’s power (http://ezinearticles.com, 2010). Furthermore, by following the â€Å"fresh is best† principle in accordance with Berger (1972), they renew their displays every week thus regular customers find new stock in every visit. Still though, A|X receives deliveries every 3-4 days so that monotony is avoided. For that reason, if a jacket is received in the middle of the week, it will be put on display on that day. Visual merchandising makes ideas come alive whose purpose is to sell commodities through visualization, as induced by Clements (2010). Armani Exchange wants its customers to experience the brand with the aid of visuals. Particularly the three-dimensional sightline placed parallel with the double doors in the Regent Street shop ‘gives energy’ (Portas, 1999: 102), as shown by the image below. Figure 2: The window portrays a 3D advert for A|X sunglasses in London, October 21, 2010 Source: Kaisidi, 2010 Christmas windows however, ought to be more interesting and intriguing. Armani Exchange Christmas decoration is ruled by special effects lighting and radiation. Oval rings are beaming light that changes colour every few seconds; a different look tried by A|X. The rings are symmetrically placed next to each other, as it is clearly illustrated in the following picture: Figure 3: The window illustrates A|X Christmas dà ©cor in London, November 20, 2010 Source: Kaisidi, 2010 Despite having a sale, windows were not unattained (Portas, 1999), since signage advertising the offers are placed. What is more, it urges spectators to celebrate style with the vinyl on the windows’ glass, exploiting psychological factors to lure in onlookers. After questioning 40 citizens, calculations show that 46% found the displays of A|X attractive, although 8% felt that it did not stand out. The effect of these circles illustrates gravity, communicating with the pavement (Portas, Mary Queen of shops-Blinkz DVD). They work as pause points as they can be seen from afar, making the passers stop and browse the new collection. The aesthetic balance of the store emphasizes how the power of light can visually transform a space. One could argue that the density of the garments in Armani Exchange’s windows is just enough to fill the space available given add-ons such as bags and wallets. This is shown with Figure 4: Figure 4: The window shows A|X latest collection 3 weeks before Christmas in London, December 3, 2010 Source: Kaisidi, 2010 Mannequins are said to be a mighty tool, forming the scene of a display. In A|X, mannequins are golden and headless in order to appeal to a wider audience (Pegler, 2008). The mannequins’ outfits offer a possible wearable suggestion in which one could walk out of the store with having a feeling of fulfilment. Mannequins are front facing, but the passers can observe all the angles, as suggested by Morgan. To conclude, window displays need to clearly define the identity of a store. A|X ‘serves as the ultimate testimony to the power of the brand’ (Roll, 2010). The visual placement of the store is rather simplistic so people may think it is too plain. Equally, others who are fond of minimalism obtain a positive vibe for the specific windows, which are a compelling representation of the brand ethos. A|X has an identifiable and cohesive commercial image, which triggers the clients’ interest in conjunction with facilitating communication. All in all, Armani Exchange window displays are effective for their target customers, as they communicate their minimalistic message emitting an aesthetic purity of warmth and luxury. According to G.U Journal of Science there has not been significant empirical evidence regarding the effect of window displays on consumers’ shopping attitudes’ (2007: 33). Bibliography http://ezinearticles.com/?Window-Displays-That-Work!&id=4390505

Rise of Fascism in Italy and G essays

Rise of Fascism in Italy and G essays The seizure of power in Germany and Italy by fascist movements in the 1920s and 1930s was based on a weak and inexperienced government and the humiliation of both countries by the winning powers (United States, France, and Great Britain) after the Great War. These totalitarian right wing movements focused on nationalism to regain international power. Both leaders, Mussolini and Adolf Hitler knew how to reach the population and convince them of the importance of national collectivism. The roots of fascism in Italy were based on the Italian kingdom, which saw itself as a great power; but it was just a junior partner in the eyes of Western Europe. After the Italian failure to claim colonial territory in Africa and major problems internally (economic difference between North and the South), Italians slowly realized that their government just played politics. When the Great War broke out the Italians were first allied with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Secret negotiations with the Triple Entente based on territorial promises let the Italians switch sides. Fighting and winning the war on the side of the Allies, Italy did not receive what was promised. This was the time for Mussolini and his oratorical skills to seize power and to insist on the inefficiency of Italian politics. After the end of the Great War, Mussolini published super national right wing articles, pointing out that only in Italian unity was strength. Thereby he created the term Fascism and wins control of the Italian nation and became its leader by 1922. The fascist movement rose after the armistice and the creation of a provisional government (Weimar Republic), which was challenged by the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles. It had to create a constitution for the German nation, without having any experience. Challenged by the DKP (Deutsche Kommunistische Partei) the new republic had to withstand communist movements. Additionally, Germans and the economy itself had t...

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The McKinsey Way Summary -Thinking About Business Problems Paper Free Online Research Papers The McKinsey Way Summary -Thinking About Business Problems Paper 1.Building the solution Facts are friendly, Facts are the bricks with which you will lay a path to your solution and build pillars to support it. Dont fear the facts.Feel free to be MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive) To structure your thinking when solving business problems (or anything, for that matter), you must be complete while avoiding confusion and overlap. Solve the problem at the first meeting – the initial hypothesis (IH) Solving a complex problem is like embarking on a long journey. The initial hypothesis is our problem-solving map. Defining the IH Generating the IH Testing the IH 2. Developing an approach The problem is not always the problem Sometimes a business problem will land on your desk and you will be told to solve it. Fair enough. But before you go rushing off in any particular direction, make sure youre solving the right problem – it may not be the one you were given. Dont reinvent the wheel (part 1) Most business problems resemble each other more than they differ. This means that with a small number of problem-solving techniques, you can answer a broad range of questions. These techniques may be somewhere in your organization, either written down or in the heads of your fellow employees. If not, use our experience to develop your own tool kit. But every client is unique (No cookie-cutter solutions) That there are many similarities between business problems does not mean that similar problems have similar solutions. You have to validate your initial hypothesis (or our gut) with fact-based analysis. This will put you in a much better position to get your ideas accepted. Dont make the facts fit your solution Avoid the temptation to view your initial hypothesis as the answer and the problem-solving process as an exercise in proving the IH. Keep an open and flexible mind. Dont let strong initial hypothesis become an excuse for mental inflexibility. Make sure your solution fits your client the most brilliant solution, backup up by libraries of data and promising billions in extra profits, is useless if your client or business cant implement it. Know your client. Know the organizations strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities – what management can and cannot do. Tailor your solutions with these factors in mind. Sometimes you have to let the solution come to you The McKinsey rules of problem solving, like all rules, have their exceptions. Your will not be able to form an initial hypothesis every time. Sometimes, the client will not know what the problem is, just that there is a problem. Other times, the scope of your project will be so large – or so vague – that starting with an IH will be worthless. Still other times, you will be breaking new ground and nothing in your experience will point to a solution. Dont panic! If you get your facts together and do your analyses, the solution will come to you. Some problems you just cant solve Solve them anyway Eventually, you will run into a brick wall that is tougher than your head. Dont keep pounding; it has no effect on the wall and does your head no good. 3. 80 / 20 and other rules to live by 80 / 20 The 80/20 rule is one of the great truths of management consulting and, by extension, of business. You will see it wherever you look: 80 percent of your sales will come from 20 percent of your sales force; 20 percent of a secretarys job will take up 80 percent of her time; 20 percent of the population controls 80 percent of the wealth. It doesnt always work (sometimes the bread falls butter-side up), but if you keep your eyes peeled for examples of 80/20 in your business, you will come up with ways to improve it. Dont boil the ocean Work smarter, not harder. Theres a lot of data out there relating to your problem, and a lot of analyses you could do. Ignore most of them. Find the key drivers Many factors affect your business. Focus on he most important ones – the key drivers The elevator test Know your solution (or your product or business) so thoroughly that you can explain it clearly and precisely to your client (or customer or investor) in 30 seconds. If you can do that, then you understand what youre doing well enough to sell your solution. Pluck the low-hanging fruit Sometimes in the middle of the problem-solving process, opportunities arise to get an easy win, to make immediate improvements, even before the overall problem has been solved. Seize those opportunities! They create little victories for you and your team. They boost morale and give you added credibility by showing anybody who may be watching that youre on the ball and mean business. Make a chart every day During the problem-solving process, you learn something new every day. Put it down on paper. It will help you push your thinking. You may use it, or you may not, but once you have crystallized it on the page, you wont forget it. Hit singles You cant do everything, so dont try. Just do what youre supposed to do and get it right. Its much better to get to first base consistently than to try to hit a home run – and strike out 9 times out of 10. Look at the big picture Every now and then, take a mental step back from whatever youre doing. Ask yourself some basic questions: How does what youre doing solve the problem? How does it advance your thinking? Is it the most important thing you could be doing right now? If its not helping, why are you doing it? Just say, â€Å"I dont know† The Firm pounds the concept of professional integrity into its associates from their first day on the job, and rightly so. One important aspect of professional integrity is honesty – with your clients, your team members, and yourself. Honesty includes recognizing when you havent got a clue. Admitting that is a lot less costly than bluffing. Dont accept â€Å"I have no idea† People always have an idea if you probe just a bit. Ask a few pointed questions – youll be amazed at what they know. Combine that with some educated guessing, and you can be well along the road to the solution. Part Two: The McKinsey way of working to solve business problems 4. Selling a study How to sell without selling Business problems are like mice. They go unnoticed until they start nibbling your cheese. Just building a better mousetrap will not make the world beat a path to your door. People who dont have mice wont be interested – until the mice show up; then they need to know you have the mousetrap. This might sound like the musings of a Zen monk (or perhaps a management consultant from California). But sometimes the right way to sell your product or services is not to barge into your customers home with a bunch of free samples. Just be there, at the right time, and make sure the right people know who you are. Research Papers on The McKinsey Way Summary -Thinking About Business Problems PaperResearch Process Part OneThe Project Managment Office SystemIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesOpen Architechture a white paperThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfThree Concepts of PsychodynamicInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married Males

Biography of Eloy Alfaro, President of Ecuador

Biography of Eloy Alfaro, President of Ecuador Eloy Alfaro Delgado was President of the Republic of Ecuador from 1895 to 1901 and again from 1906 to 1911. Although widely reviled by conservatives at the time, today he is considered by Ecuadorians to be one of their greatest presidents. He accomplished many things during his administrations, most notably the construction of a railroad linking Quito and Guayaquil. Early Life and Politics Eloy Alfaro (June 25, 1842 - January 28, 1912) was born in Montecristi, a small town near the coast of Ecuador. His father was a Spanish businessman and his mother was a native of the Ecuadorian region of Manabà ­. He received a good education and helped his father with his business, occasionally traveling through Central America. From an early age, he was an outspoken liberal, which put him at odds with staunch conservative Catholic President Gabriel Garcà ­a Moreno, who first came to power in 1860. Alfaro participated in a rebellion against Garcà ­a Moreno and went into exile in Panama when it failed. Liberals and Conservatives in the Age of Eloy Alfaro During the Republican era, Ecuador was only one of several Latin American countries torn apart by conflicts between liberals and conservatives, terms which had different meaning back then. In Alfaros era, conservatives like Garcà ­a Moreno favored a strong connection between church and state: the Catholic Church was in charge of weddings, education and other civil duties. Conservatives also favored limited rights, such as only certain people having the right to vote. Liberals like Eloy Alfaro were just the opposite: they wanted universal voting rights and a clear separation of church and state. Liberals also favored freedom of religion. These differences were taken very seriously at the time: the conflict between liberals and conservatives often led to bloody civil wars, such as the 1000 days war in Colombia. Alfaro and the Liberal Struggle In Panama, Alfaro married Ana Paredes Arosemena, a rich heiress: he would use this money to fund his revolution. In 1876, Garcà ­a Moreno was assassinated and Alfaro saw an opportunity: he returned to Ecuador and began a revolt against Ignacio de Veintimilla: he was soon exiled once again. Although Veintimilla was considered a liberal, Alfaro did not trust him and didn’t think his reforms were sufficient. Alfaro returned to take up the fight again in 1883 and was again defeated. The 1895 Liberal Revolution Alfaro did not give up, and in fact, by then, he was known as â€Å"el Viejo Luchador:† â€Å"The Old Fighter.† In 1895 he led what is known as the Liberal Revolution in Ecuador. Alfaro amassed a small army on the coast and marched on the capital: on June 5, 1895, Alfaro deposed President Vicente Lucio Salazar and took control of the nation as dictator. Alfaro swiftly convened a constitutional Assembly which made him President, legitimizing his coup. The Guayaquil - Quito Railroad Alfaro believed that his nation would not prosper until it modernized. His dream was of a railroad which would connect Ecuador’s two main cities: the Capital of Quito in the Andean highlands and the prosperous port of Guayaquil. These cities, although not far apart as the crow flies, were at the time connected by winding trails that took travelers days to navigate. A railroad linking the cities would be a great boost to the nation’s industry and economy. The cities are separated by steep mountains, snowy volcanoes, swift rivers, and deep ravines: building a railroad would be a herculean task. They did it, however, completing the railroad in 1908. Alfaro in and out of Power Eloy Alfaro stepped down briefly from the presidency in 1901 to allow his successor, General Leonidas Plaza, to rule for a term. Alfaro apparently didn’t like Plaza’s successor, Lizardo Garcà ­a, because he once again staged an armed coup, this time to overthrow Garcà ­a in 1905, in spite of the fact that Garcà ­a was also a liberal with ideals nearly identical to those of Alfaro himself. This aggravated liberals (conservatives already hated him) and made it difficult to rule. Alfaro thus had trouble getting his chosen successor, Emilio Estrada, elected in 1910. Death of Eloy Alfaro Alfaro rigged the 1910 elections to get Estrada elected but decided he would never keep hold of power, so he told him to resign. Meanwhile, military leaders overthrew Alfaro, ironically putting Estrada back in power. When Estrada died shortly thereafter, Carlos Freile took over the Presidency. Alfaro’s supporters and generals rebelled and Alfaro was called back from Panama to â€Å"mediate the crisis.† The government sent two generals- one of them, ironically, was Leonidas Plaza- to put down the rebellion and Alfaro was arrested. On January 28, 1912, an angry mob broke into the jail in Quito and shot Alfaro before dragging his body through the streets. Legacy of Eloy Alfaro In spite of his inglorious end at the hands of the people of Quito, Eloy Alfaro is remembered fondly by Ecuadorians as one of their better presidents. His face is on the 50-cent piece and important streets are named for him in nearly every major city. Alfaro was a true believer in the tenets of turn-of-the-century liberalism: the separation between church and state, freedom of religion, progress through industrialization, and more rights for workers and native Ecuadorians. His reforms did much to modernize the country: Ecuador was secularized during his tenure and the state took over education, marriages, deaths, etc. This led to a rise in nationalism as the people began to see themselves as Ecuadorians first and Catholics second. Alfaros most enduring legacy- and the one that most Ecuadorians today associate him with- is the railroad that linked the highlands and the coast. The railroad was a great boon to commerce and industry in the early twentieth century. Although the railroad has fallen into disrepair, parts of it are still intact and today tourists can ride trains through the scenic Ecuadorian Andes. Alfaro also granted rights to the poor and native Ecuadorians. He abolished debt passing from one generation to another and put an end to debtors prisons. Natives, who had traditionally been semi-enslaved in the highland haciendas, were freed, although this had more to do with freeing up the workforce to go where labor was needed and less to do with basic human rights. Alfaro had many weaknesses as well. He was an old-school dictator while in office and firmly believed at all times that only he knew what was right for the nation. His military removal of Lizardo Garcà ­a- who was ideologically indistinguishable from Alfaro- was all about who was in charge, not what was being accomplished, and it turned off many of his supporters. The factionalism among liberal leaders survived Alfaro and continued to plague subsequent presidents, who had to fight Alfaros ideological heirs at every turn. Alfaros time in office was marked by traditional Latin American ills such as political repression, electoral fraud, dictatorship, coup dà ©tats, rewritten constitutions, and regional favoritism. His tendency to take to the field backed by armed supporters every time he suffered a political setback also set a bad precedent for future Ecuadorian politics. His administration also came up short in areas such as voter rights and long-term industrialization. Sources Various Authors. Historia del Ecuador. Barcelona: Lexus Editores, S.A. 2010

Marketing report on Red Bull and its global opportunities Essay

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Relations and Modeling of GDP and House price index of USA - Statistics Project Example AS argued by Strawser, et al. (2014), the financial and the mortgage meltdown of 2007-2008, meant that the house price indexes were affected. This study attempts to shed some light on the relationship between the Housing Price Index (HPI) and the Gross Domestic Product of USA amidst all the economic variations since 1993-2009. While this study is limited by the realization that we cannot draw causal inferences without scientific experimentation, the research and data statistical significance suggests that a relationship exists. For valid causal conclusions, we need an experiment with both a control and conditioned group which would be difficult to stage. The data used in this report has been adopted from the GDP and other key economic reports, world economic outlook reports; IMF reports of 2008 among other economically related data that helped define the objective of the study. The readily available data sources on housing and GDP for the U.S. were investigated. The Bureau of Economic Analysis was the first and best source to get adjusted GDP numbers annually. The following hypothesis was pursued: The study pursued an overall or general objective of determining the relations and modeling of the GDP and the House price Index of USA. In order to perform this task, it was realized in the study that establishing a simple regression model linking the relations the GDP and the House price Index of USA would be very critical for the study to achieve its objective. In the process, errors in the model were tested so as to build another regression model. ARIMA model for both the GDP and the house prices index in the U.S. were used to determine the formula of the relationship between these two important economic variables. With the data, the U.S. house price indexes and the U.S.-Real GDP (in billions of dollars) were extracted from 1st January of 1993 to December the

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Case study biomedical science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Case study biomedical science - Essay Example He was required to undergo splenectomy and surgical repair to the liver, lungs, and kidneys. A septic shock is defined as a continuum response of human being to infection. It is predominantly caused by gram negative organisms. The most common source of gram negative infection is the genitourinary system, followed by the respiratory system, and lastly, by the biliary system (Schwatz 1994). Plasma sodium concentration is the primary measurement that is available readily to the clinician in evaluating the fluid status of a patient. Under many conditions, it is a reasonable indicator of plasma osmolarity. Although plasma osmolarity is not measured routinely due to sodium and its associated anions that is mainly chloride, it accounts for more than 90% of the solute of extracellular fluid. Hypernatremia is a condition when the plasma sodium concentration is above normal. On the other hand, hyponatremia occurs when the plasma sodium concentration falls below normal level (Guyton and Hall 1996:308). This patient has hyponatremia (plasma sodium concentration of 132mmol/L) that is caused primarily by trauma and volume depletion. In addition, the high amount of potassium in the blood of the patient (6.8mmol/L) is linked significantly with renal dysfunction and haemolytic anaemia. The renal dysfunction could be from severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance secondary to septic shock. Blood urea is an indicator of renal function. Increased urea concentration exhibited by the patient (10mmol/L) is due to enhanced protein metabolism, a normal reaction of trauma injury, stress, haemorrhage in the gastrointestinal tract, and sepsis (RNCeus 2006). Creatinine clearance is a test that gives an estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and is a good indicator of renal function. Increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels support the diagnosis of septic shock (Health Diseases 2008). Plasma bilirubin measures

Human Resource Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Human Resource Plan - Essay Example The shares of the company are traded in the New York stock exchange, and that of Hong Kong. These shares are also traded in London, and Shanghai. Sinopec Group is believed to be the fifth largest company in the world, and this is in relation to the revenues the company manages to get (Wu, 26). In a survey conducted in 2007 by Forbes magazine, Sinopec Group was ranked as the best company in China. This is when the company was compared with some 500 companies operating in China. This company is also the largest oil refiner in the continent of Asia, and for purposes of improving its refinery capabilities; Sinopec acquired Shengli Petroleum in 2006 (Wu, 27). This company had oil filed as its main asset. This was beneficial to Sinopec because it could get some sources of crude oil for refinery purposes. The products and services of Sinopec includes gas and oil exploration, marketing, refinery, sales and production of petrochemical products, chemical fertilizers and fibers. Other services include transportation and storage of crude oil, petrochemicals, refined oil products, and other petro-related chemical products (Wu, 29). Sinopec Company is a very large organization, and on this basis, it needs an elaborate human resource plan. This human resource plan can guide the company into recruiting the best human resource personnel for the various positions it has to offer (Herholdt, 19). It is important to denote that without a human resource plan, chances are high that the organization will not be able to meet its objectives and mission. This is because chances are high that the organization may recruit human resource personnel who are not skillful enough for the various positions that are offered by the organization (Kanbur, 27). On this note, the objective of the human resource plan is to guide the management on how to recruit talented and highly qualified personnel for the various positions it has. To provide a

Gow Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example for Free

Gow Rhetorical Analysis Essay Chapter 19 of the book The Grapes of Wrath presents historical background on the development of land ownership in California, and traces the American settlement of the land taken from the Mexicans. Fundamentally, the chapter explores the conflict between farming solely as a means of profit making and farming as a way of life. Throughout this chapter, Steinbeck uses a wide variety of persuasive techniques including parallelism, diction, and metaphors to convey his attitude about the plight of migrants migrating to California. This chapter is filled with parallelism. The Californians wonder â€Å"what if [the okies] won’t scare,† (236) and â€Å"what if they stand up† (236) and â€Å"shoot back† (236). Here, Steinbeck is pointing out the natives’ fears and hinting about the migrant’s bravery. He also makes a distinct contrast between the recently arrived Okies who believe that they â€Å"ain’t foreign† (233) and the Californians. Perceiving themselves as coming from a similar background as the rest of the inhabitants of the Golden State, the Okies insist on similar rights; however, the natives believe that although the Okies â€Å"talk the same language† (236) they â€Å"ain’t the same† (236). This knowledge that they deserve the same decencies as any other American citizens gives strength and credence to their demands. Steinbeck makes the Okies appear more dangerous to the California natives and hints that they have the power and ambition to seize the land if they come together. Steinbeck uses diction to prove that the Okies are great people, and that they might be unstoppable if they come together. Steinbeck talks about a boy who dies from â€Å"black tongue† (239) as a result of â€Å"not gettin’ good things to eat† (239). When the Okies learn that the boy’s â€Å"folks can’t bury him† (239) since they have to go to the â€Å"county stone orchard† (239) to do so, their â€Å"hands [go] into† their â€Å"pockets and little coins [come] out† Although, the Okies have barely got enough food to feed their own families, they will not hesitate to help a person in need. Steinbeck is trying to prove how these â€Å"people are good people†(239) and that they are â€Å"kind† (239) no matter how poor they are. In the end of this chapter, he talks about how they constantly pray to God that someday â€Å"kind people won’t all be poor† (239) and that someday â€Å"a kid can eat† ( 239). Steinbeck points out that â€Å"someday the praying would stop† and get answered. In addition to parallelism and diction, he also uses metaphors in his writing. In this chapter he tries to show how desperate the Okies really are by comparing them to â€Å"ants† (233) that are â€Å"scurrying for work, for food,† (233) and most importantly â€Å"for land† (233). He also mentions why the natives are so terrified of the Okies. The natives are scared for their faith because they picture the Okies as armies. They fear the day that the Okies will march on their land â€Å"as the Lombards did in Italy† (236) or â€Å"as the Germans did on Gaul† (236) or as â€Å"Turks did on Byzantine† (236). By making these comparisons between these armies and the Okies, Steinbeck is trying to convey the migrants as powerful. All in all, Steinbeck uses Parallelism, diction, and metaphors to convey the migrants as powerful, caring, and desperate.

Effects of Vote Buying in the Philippines

Effects of Vote Buying in the Philippines It is common knowledge that once you enter politics you are ready to any eventuality, especially when it comes to funding. Money always play a major role in bringing about the chances of winnning of a candidate. Popularity per se is not enough to assure the vote of the electorate especially in local politics. Although the COMELEC has already set guidelines and rules regarding the expenditures of the candidadates for each voter, more often than not, they exceed much more than the set amount. Corruption and dishonesty is deeply rooted in our political system, so as the mentality and attitudes of the electorate. Before and during election period, voters flock to headquarters and leaders of politicians to take advantage of the situation: to ask for favors, influence and even money in exchange for a promise of vote. Vote buying become institutionalized in our political system. Those politicians who have money can device a program to identify and to assure that his or her money will be tra nsformed into votes. This situation is more evident in local elections where wealthy political clans are ruling. They organized leaders in every barangay to identify possible voters to be bought. To make sure, they furnish a copy of voters registration in COMELEC in the area, so as to identify a potential voter to buy or to corrupt the mind of the undecided. In a poor country like ours, it is not impossible to have a power because our politicians know our vulnerability to pressure and our hardships in life. Majority of our electorate are poor and no means of livelihood, no education to back them up and they just resign themselves to taking alms and reliefs. They take advantage of our weaknesses but we cannot blame those who sell their votes. Filipinos minds are set for any answers that are immediate. That is why even when the act is illegal and unlawful, like selling votes, they instanlty resort to it to easily come up with a solution to their problem, like poverty. On the long run, the vote buying will only be a stepping stone for corruption and fiefdom perpetration. WHAT IS VOTE BUYING? -Vote buying involves the individual, immediate, and private exchange of goods, services, or cash for electoral support, usually in violation of legal norms- Hickens, 2006 -most recurrent violation of election ethics Most prevalent form of election fraud. Dispensing of money to opinion-makers, leaders, and directly to voters economic exchange (Schaffer, 2002) -(page 1) research on electoral politics in San Isidro, Bataan- vote buying and vote selling can be understood no longer as an economic transaction between those who sell their freedom and those who buy them in the hope of regaining their investments when they get into powerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ from the standpoint of ordinary peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ elections are the times when equality and justice are temporarily achieved as their patrons fulfill their financial obligations to support them in times of need (Ibana, 1996, 130-131). -voters sells his or her vote to the highest bidder (Schaffer, 2002) apparent efforts by parties or candidates to influence electoral choices through the delivery or promise of material benefits to voters (Schedler, 2002) -Material favors are grabted to obtain electoral support (Schedler, 2002) TYPES OF VOTE BUYING Vote buying can be categorized into two types: direct vote buying and indirect vote buying. Both types are widely used in the case of the Philippines although the idea of direct vote buying serves as the more popular act. DIRECT VOTE BUYING It is the most common type of vote buying where direct payments, in many forms, are given to the voter. It may be in the form of cash donations, shares of stock or a promise of a particular plan of action or payment in exchange for a promise of vote (Dekel, E., et. al., 2004). INDIRECT VOTE BUYING It is a kind of vote buying done in a non obvious and staightforward approach. This type of vote buying uses campaign strategies that target the weaknesses of the electorate. Here in the Philippines, the strategy of the candidates is to use and take advantage of the different Filipino traits. Example of these traits are our values of utang na loob (an act of voluntary assistance that creates an obligation that the receiver must attempt to repay through reciprocal assistance), pakikisama, our close family and kinship ties, our religiousness, and other social values like loyalty, support and trust. They effectively use the various traits to influence and temp us to follow their selfish plans. Bava (1998) gave a concrete example on how this character capitalization happens. Different parties and candidates hire poll watchers and workers who are tasked to distribute sample ballots for their party. Each poll watchers and ballot distributors are given 1500 pesos and 500 pesos respectively, per day of work from 7 am to 3 pm. A poll watcher only needs 4 things in order to land the job: 1) a ballpen 2) a tally sheet 3) at least 18 years of age and 4) a registered vote (Bava, 1998). The last requirement is the most important and advantageous in the part of the candidates. If the hired person is a registered voter, the employer will be sure that the employers vote will go to him or her. A person offered with this kind of job will definitely take the oppurtunity given all the privileges and comfort that it can give.. They can earn almost 1500 pesos a day by just distributing pamphlets and sample ballots. Adding to the convenience is the free meals given to them by their employer. A nd if the candidate won in the elections, most of them are given permanent jobs in various government offices. This is where indirect vote buying takes place. This act, according to Bava (1998), displays the Filipino trait of utang na loob. If a person has done something good to us, we would do anything and everything to return that goodness. In this case, the poll watchers and other employees will feel obligated to vote the candidate/employer because of the job that was given to them. FORMS OF VOTE BUYING Money is the common type of material that the candidates use in order to buy votes. But vote buying not only takes the form of money. It can be other forms of material offers. Schedler (2002) and Schaffer (2002) made a list that summarizes the different kinds of offers into three categories. The first and the most common form is payment. A payment is an amount of money paid. Schedler (2002, p.4) described it as a commercial relationship in which partners trade equivalent values. The citizen trades his vote in exchange of money. The act of accepting money denotes that there is an indirect agreement between the giver and the receiver of the payment. The second kind of material offer takes the form of gifts. A gift is something that is given out of free will without paying something in return. In the context of vote buying, accepting a gift does not give you the responsibility and obligation of voting the giver. The last kind is in the form of wage. A wage is a amount of money paid in exchange of services rendered. Like gifts, it does not require any obligation to the candidate. FACTORS AFFECTING VOTE BUYING According to Schaffer (2002), there are three factors that affect the strategies of the candidates and the perception of the voters toward vote buying. These are socioeconomic, institutional and political factors. The first factor both affects the candidates strategies and the voters perception while the last two factors affect mainly the strategies of the candidates. SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS One of the socioeconomic factor is the social class (Hicken, 2006). The formulation of the different strategies are influenced by social classes existing in society. The candidate must make a strategy that can produce strong and favorable impressions on people from different walks of life. It should cater to the needs of the entire high, middle and low class population. But it is impossible to come up with such strategies given that there is a massive gap and conflicting interests present among these social classes. Different social classes connotes different needs and expectations. A strategy that might work to the lower class might be ineffective to the middle and higher class or a strategy that may be good to the higher class might harm those belonging in the lower class. Adding to the problem is the unequal number of population belonging to a certain social class. In the Philippines, the population of the lower class is greater than the population of the middle and higher class c ombined. The solution to these is to focus the strategy to those who constitute the majority. The easiest and most effective strategy to garner votes is to buy the votes of those who are included in this majority (which is the lower class). It will be very effective since those who belong in this class are financially unable who need money to sustain their everyday living. This scenario is very prevalent in the Philippines since many are members of the lower class. Almost all politicians who are running in office are focusing their campaign on the less fortunate because to them, greater number of voters means more number of votes and more number of votes means greater chances of winning. The second socioeconomic factor is education (Hicken, 2006) which affects the voters view about vote buying. For the high and some middle class voters, vote buying is a deviant and somehow an immoral behavior. Those in the higher and middle class are strong attackers of this practice. They are advocates of different anti-vote buying campaigns and they are known for organizing movements that educate the people about this kind of campaign strategies. They have this kind of opinion because education teaches them about this kinds of things. But for some middle class and most in the lower class (who cannot afford to have a higher education), they accepted vote buying because they perceive it as the time when they can receive free money that they can use to buy their necessities. INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS Hicken (2006, p. 48), stated that the rules and institutions under which candidates must operate can influence their incentives to purchase electoral support. Different institutional factors may encourage or discourage the use of vote buying. One institutional factor is the electoral system itself (Hicken, 2006). Under this factor is the district magnitude. It affects the strategy of the candidate because large constituency means larger amount of money needed to buy votes. Large district also has influence on the manner of distribution of the money. The strategy will be more expensive and costly since the distribution of money will take much longer and there should be an increase in the number of employees to properly accomplish the strategy. As a result, candidates will lessen the amount of money to be distributed to the people in order to prioritize other campaign strategies. POLITICAL FACTORS Political factors are different conditions and circumstances in society that affect the creation of various policies political choices. One of the variable under this factor are the election laws, particularly the anti-vote buying laws (Hicken, 2006). The degree of execution of different anti-vote buying laws affect how candidates device their strategy and distribution plans. In the Philippines, vote buying is illegal yet it continues to occur probably because of inefficiency of the laws and the law enforcers and the light punishments that will be given to the law breaker. There is no strict regulation of such laws in our country that is why the practice of vote buying is still a widespread act. More often than not, the law enforcers themselves are the protector of this scheme. BUDGET SOURCES The first thing that comes into our minds when we talk about vote buying is money. Money is the vital element of vote buying. It is the foundation of any vote buying scheme. We usually think that all vote buying funds are coming from the pockets of the candidates since most of them are members of the elite. But I think that the candidates are smart enough not to make use of their own wealth and to think of other alternative ways of budget sources. Some candidates most likely get their vote buying budget from their own political parties. Others accept donations from different business sectors given the condition that if they win the elections, they will repay them by giving them economic benefits and government protection. For example, the candidate accepted the donation from a construction company. If the candidate won the elections and plans to carry out road projects, he or she will be obliged to make the company the contractor of the said projects. Other candidates resort in getting illegal funds. Candidates who seek re-election have the advantage when it comes to money resources because they can easily tap pork barrel and other government funds. Some ask the help of drug syndicates, smugglers, kidnappers, gamblers and robbers to provide them with untraceable funds. It is true because we can observe that many crimes and illegal acts are happening during the election season. In return, the candidates give them financial support and protection. DIFFERENT STRATEGIES OF VOTE BUYING A carefully devised plan of action is needed to successfully carry out plans, especially if act is illegal. Candidates and politicians are wise in strategizing the effective way to buy the votes of the people. Usually, they even hire experts and professionals who are knowledgeable in fields concerning illegal campaign scheming. One specific strategy to ensure that the money given was translated into vote is what Bionat (1998) called Lanzadera system. In this strategy, the watchers give the voters an already completed ballot which will be dropped by the voters in the ballot box. After dropping the already completed ballot, the voter, then, takes with him or her the blank ballot and give it to the watcher. The watcher will complete that ballot and give it to the next paid voter. In this system, the money is given only if the voter returns with a blank ballot. I interviewed people from our barangay in Bulakan, Bulacan about the chronic vote buying in our place. They had first hand experiences on how vote buying takes place in our town. Based from that interview, I was able to learn other strategies and series of actions on how the scheme of vote buying happens. According to them, vote buying is usually conducted a night or two before the election day, usually around eight in the evening until midnight. Each politicians has their own leader per community who is responsible for the identification of supporters and potential vote buying targets. They are also responsible in delivering the money to the house of the identified voters, at times in the apperance of paying the watcher. The intense vote buying is very evident and common in our place that the people are the ones coming and lining up in front of the politicians headquarters to ask for the money. Another strategy done by the candidates is getting the trust of barangay officials and other community leaders. In this way, the candidate can almost assume his or her hold in the community. The local leaders, then, are given large amount of money in exchange of buying the votes of their constituencies on behalf of the politician or the candidate. One more strategy that was mentioned by my neighbors is buying non-supporters. Candidates will offer those non-supporters with a huge amount money. If they accept it, they will not be allowed to come out of their houses on the day of the election. There will be someone who will serve as a watchman that will ensure that the voter will abide to the agreement. Some politicians, in order to be extra sure, hire a bus that will take all the paid non-supporters to an out-of-town trip on the election day. Another startegy is the taking advantage of the politicians on our deep family and kinship ties. Some politicians use a relative or an influential member of a clan to convince members of the family and close friends to accept the money and to vote for that politician. Vote buying also happens during the election day itself as said by the interviewees. Buying may take the form of 100 pesos attached to the sample ballot. There are also ways in order to ensure that the paid voter will comply to the agreement. Before giving the money, they are required to give proofs that they voted that candidate. Usually, they bring with them a carbon paper or they are asked to take a picture of the ballot with a cellphone camera. Others asked the voters to make an agreed mark (a particular fold for example) on the ballot to serve as an identification in the course of the counting of the votes. REASON WHY POLITICIANS BUY VOTES The primary reason why politicians buy votes is the hunger for power. Vote buying is a form of desperation to remain in power. Many politicians fight for the privelege of power because it implies influence and control over other individuals. They see power as the easiest way to achieve fame and fortune. Candidates want to perchase the vote of the people to obtain domination on different public organizations as mechanisms. They are not afraid to spend a big amount of money because the moment they win the elections, they can recover much more money than that was paid to the individuals who sell their votes. REASONS WHY PEOPLE SELL THEIR VOTES According to the April 2007 of the Social Weather Station (SWS), one in two of the registered voters think that there is nothing bad in accepting the money offers from the candidates (refer to Figure 1). Others may not see this from of money-giving as an attempt to buy their votes. They accept the money but it does not necessarily mean that they will vote for that candidate. Another reason is the offer seems as an opportunity to get the money, that was stolen by the politicians, back to the people. They might as well accept the offered money since it came from the taxes of the people. The April 2007 SWS survey also found that those in the rural areas were more probable in accepting money compared to those who live in urban areas (refer to Table 1). This shows that the primary reason for the selling of votes is poverty. Those who live in or below the poverty line mostly are unemployed individuals. They accepted the money because they needed it. For the poor, payment for a vote can mean a week without hunger. They just accept the offer because for them, dignity and pride cannot create food and money. Some may see elections as the only chance to obtain something from the government. They have this view that it is an obligation of a candidate to give money and other material things to their supporters. There are some reasons that we can consider negative in the part of the voters. People accept payments because they are being threatened. Most of the times, material offers are accompanied with terror, making the offer difficult to refuse. Figure 1. In an election, it is not bad to accept money provided one votes according to ones conscience. Source: http://www.sws.org.ph/pr070503.htm Table 1. Rural areas approved accepting money compared to those in the urban areas. Source: http://www.sws.org.ph/pr070503.htm IS REFORM POSSIBLE? For the past few years, many have attempted to stop and eliminate the practice of vote buying in the Philippines. They even formed different organizations that promotes the values of an honest election. But none of them actually succeeded. Probably the most successful technique that was done to eradicate vote buying is the campaign against vote buying through different public service posters (see Illustration 1, Illustration 2 and Illustration 3). Successful in the sense that it enables the public to gain information that the act of vote buying is wrong. But it did not really help in the removal of this unacceptable practice. Illustration 2: 3M public service ad, May 2001. blinded by money. Vote with your conscience. Source: Schaffer, 2005 Illustration 1: Namfrel Public Service Ad, May 2001. Your vote is valuable, it doesnt have a price. Your character is priceless. So, in this election, dont sell your character, dont sell you vote. Source: Schaffer, 2005 Illustration 3: Red Horse Beer public service ad, May 2001. A little pocket change wont put you ahead. Dont ask for a bribe. Vote for a good candidate. Source: Schaffer, 2005 A reforms aims to change the behavior of the candidates and the the voters HISTORY OF VOTE BUYING IN THE PHILIPPINES Vote buying is not just a recent development in Philippine elections. Its existence started with the coming of foreign colonizers and continued to flourish and evolve with the advancement of new technologies and the development of new ideas. Pre-colonial elections in the Philippines did not have vote buying because the leadership was assumed not through election but through succession. The same thing goes probably with the elections during the early Spanish period (17th to 18th century). I did not find any account stating that there was vote buying but I assume that there was none because there was no elections and the leaders were only appointed by the Spaniards. In the late Spanish period (19th century), Spanish colonial control in the Philippines declined as the Philippine revolution started. The revolution led to the development of a government established by Aguinaldo. Under this government, most officials were selected individuals from the principalia class and elections were only held for higher positions. There was no large scale elections during that time so vote buying was not an option. The coming of the American period started vote buying in the Philippines. The Americans gave all Filipinos the right to rule and the right to vote. Act No. 60, which became the organic law for all municipal governments, started the elite rule in the Philippines (Tangcangco, 1988). The Act provided a requirement that only allowed the elites to vote and participate in elections. The elites became powerful and they may have realized the advantage that the position can give them.They became accustomed to the power that was once denied by the Spaniards. From then on, in order to sustain this power, they did whatever means and costs to be elected in office. Here are some of the documented instances of vote buying from the American period until the present period. In the 1929 Elections (during the American period), money was very essential in the campaign period. Money was used to pay-off rivals to withdraw their candidacy, to buy the votes of the people, to threathen the people, and to bribe campaign leaders of the rival candidate. (Banlaoi Carlos, 1996). In 1940 Local elections (Commonwealth period), Money was again a very important tool. Specific example for this one is the case of Pedro Abad Santos of the Socialist Party. He was predicted as the winner of the gubernatorial race in the province of Pampanga because of his massive popularity to his constituents but his wealthy opponent won the election by almost 7000 votes. There was no evidence of the strategies his opponent had used but the Abad Santos camp was really sure that his opponent used his money to buy the votes of the people. Another example was the electoral protest of Dr. Hilario Moncado against Tomas Cabili. They were fighting for a congressional seat in Lanoa province. Moncado accused Cabili of unlawful campaign by promising free legal services and employment for those who will vote for him. (Banlaoi Carlos, 1996) In the 1949 National Elections (during the post-independence period), all forms of fraud and manipulation were reportedly done by President Elpidio Quirino to ensure his position as president. Quirino and his other candidates used massive and whole-sale vote-buying in forms of money, jobs and pork barrel. It was reported that Quirino had used almost four million pesos during his election campaign. The three provinces where the massive vote buying occurred include Negros Occidental, Nueva Ecija and Lanao. (Banlaoi Carlos, 1996) The 1969 Presidential and Congressional Elections was between The Nacionalista Party and the Liberal Party. This was considered as the bloodiest and dirtiest election (Banlaoi Carlos, 1996, p.111) prior to the Martial law period. Both parties reportedly used different techniques to ensure their victory. These included cheating, ballot stuffing and massive vote buying. It was stated in the reports that the Nacionalista Party and the Liberal Party spent around 700 million pesos and 300 million pesos respectively. Those money came from the pork-barrel funds and was used as media fees and in buying votes. (Banlaoi Carlos, 1996). During the Martial law period, all kinds of wholesale fraud were committed including vote buying. In order to capture the loyalty of the rural people, Marcos personally distributed 4000 pesos to every barrio captain during his campaign. The barrio captains were tasked to divide the money among the inhabitants of the barrio. (Abueva, 1970). In the 1992 elections, there was a ban on media advertisements so the candidates had more cash to spend on their campaigns. Feliciano Belmonte, Quezon City congressional candidate at that time, was reported to have given cash and free tickets to Hongkong during his campaign. (Bionat, 1998) The media advertisement was also banned in the 1995 elections. According to Bionat (1998), mayors in Cebu received a bonus of 50,000 to 100,000 pesos for campaigning the 12 senatorial bets of the administration. Like what Marcos did, candidates also bought the votes of the grassroots leader. The difference is that the value of their support was more expensive. Barangay captains accepted a minimum of 500 pesos and a maximum of 20,000 pesos from the candidates. (Bionat, 1998) In the 2004 Presidential elections, Arroyo commited almost all kinds of fraud according to Tuazon (2006). One example is the Oplan Mercury that was exposed by Rudy Galang (one of the brains of this idea). The goals of this plan is to use public funds to the campaign, to provide money to local officials and to buy the support of those in the opposition. (Tuazon, 2006). Elections in the Philippines from pre-colonial era to the present shows how we incorporate influences of colonial rule into our political system. The good and bad effects of these interventions became part of the changes in Philippine elections. History tells us that the face of Philippine elections has never really changed. We still continue to perfrom the practices of the past. The difference now is that it just assumes new shape and form. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION giving up your rights to vote/ selling ones ethical standards -Vote buying-short term effects are long term. Soon after the election, its pay back time. Reform must start in the smallest unit of the society, which is the family. Our family should inculcate in us the values of honesty and transparency and the importance of a single vote to the development and progress of the country. Change must start within ourselves. Anti-vote buying campaigns will not succeedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Vote buying is not a native Filipino idea. It was only an reflection of our colonial experience. But this experience manifest in us that it became a constant scenario in every elections. History has an indirect effect on the start of vote buying in the Philippines. The desire for self-rule that was forbidden to the Filipinos for almost 300 years was suddenly bestowed to us that it might have created the idea of doing whatever it takes (may it be good or bad) to preseve and uphold this right.