Designing a system to support the collection of environmental data in Essay

Designing a system to support the collection of environmental data in the country of Wonderland (imaginary) - Essay Example 66). However, many countries do not have certified records that they can rely on; Wonderland is no exception. The country needs to establish a centralized system that can be used by all its divisions. Wonderland already has three departments that collect environmental data actively; the Ministry of Defense (MoD), Ministry of the Environment (MoE), and the Ministry of Land (MoL). These ministries collect similar data independently, and have their own systems of managing them. It would make more sense for the government to consolidate the data into one system so that it can be shared not only between them, but also with other departments; both public and private. The government of Wonderland has the option of upgrading one of the existing systems to accommodate new requirements, or developing a new system. To do this, the government could choose to use its resources to develop the system, outsource the developers, or go for an off-the shelf system. Whichever path the government chooses to follow, care must be taken to ensure that the resultant system meets all, or most, of the requirements laid down. The cheapest development method would involve the use of government resources to develop a new system from scratch. This would cut down the cost of production by eliminating expenses such as those that would be incurred in hiring development experts. It is, however, crucial to note that the government could still have to outsource some experts if it does not have experts who can handle all sections of the project. Outsourcing development firms to deliver the project is another option for Wonderland. While this could be more expensive than using local resources, it guarantees delivery of an efficient, quality system that meets most, if not all requirements. This is because software development firms have all the resources required to develop systems; human, technical, and material. Whereas this could be expensive, it stands the best chance to provide low

The Vindication of the Rights of Women Essay Example for Free

The Vindication of the Rights of Women Essay ‘In the Grass’ and The Vindication of the Rights of Women are two works which consider the woman and her relationship with men. This is the only way they are similar, because the lead woman of each one is very different in their ideals of their relationship with their man. In the poem, ‘In the Grass’ by Annette Droste-Hustoll, we find a woman who is mourning the loss of a beloved man, though one doesn’t know if it is her husband, father, or brother, it’s just a man who is very important to her. This woman is the perfect female of the family and unbelievingly domestic and ‘perfect’. A major issue is the repeated use of the word sweet. It seems to not only mean ‘sweet repose’, ‘sweet reeling’, and ‘sweetly laughter’, but sweet, devoted female. This poem is a sort of mourning remembrance of the perfect life where this woman was the little darling of the now gone man. The phrase ‘Sweetly laughter flutters down, dear voice mummers and trickles’, is a major phrase used to conjure up to the reader this perfect family life. It is an image of the ideal family, the man strong and ruling and the female soft and yielding. She reigns in her domestic sphere, giving the man a place of rest. But, now the man is gone, and she is remembering the good times. She is lost because she no longer has the only life she knew how to live. Finally, the last series of lines tells the only course left to her is to go with him, ‘Please, a soul, to fly with him’. She believes she no longer has a reason to live without her guide and protector. She was a queen, but only with him, and all she wants is to go with him and continue their happy relationship. She is not envisioning life on her own, perhaps she can’t. Is she an individual being or an extension of him like his arm or leg? When Mary Wollstonecraft wrote A Vindication of the Right of Women, the woman in the poem, â€Å"In the Grass†, was the ideal. Women in Wollstonecraft’s class were supposed to be soft creatures that let their husband do the thinking while they discussed clothes and child rearing. Wollstonecraft was against this and preached women’s rights. For this she was called ‘a hyena in petticoats’, but she refused to be silenced. Remember how in the poem ‘In the Grass’, the word ‘sweet’ is repeated over and over to set the tone of a darling little women by her man’s grave? Wollstonecraft strongly rejects this, calling all those endearments given to women from men, ‘those pretty feminine phrases, which the men condescendingly use to soften our slavish dependence. ’ Slave was a harsh word to be throwing around, especially with slavery still existing in the US, but she wanted to shock. She was writing to shock women out of their dependence. Rousseau wrote that the only good virtues of a man are the ones he creates himself and not the ones he is told he should have. Wollstonecraft thinks this should be extended to women and she should be valued by her own worth rather than by the weak virtues men tell her she should have. She tells mothers, ‘The mother, who wishes to give true dignity of character to her daughter must†¦. proceed on a plan diametrically opposite to that which Rousseau has recommended. ’ In the end, perhaps it is safe to say each writer is creating a piece of literature that reflects the times they lived in. Droste-Hulsholl wrote during the Romantic Movement, when all things were idealized, including the relationship between men and women. Wollstonecraft wrote with Enlightenment ideals which encouraged the rights and the power of the individual to take hold of his/her life and change him/herself and the world. They created such different pieces because they saw the world in totally different ways.

My Personal Philosophy of Education Essay -- Teaching Progressivism Ca

My Personal Philosophy of Education "Some people make things happen, some watch while things happen, and some wonder ‘what happened?’ Which type of person are you?" author unknown. There have been times in my life in which I have sat back and watched things happen. I often wondered why they happened. I now realize that it is important to be a leader. Effective teachers need to take charge and make things happen. I am becoming a teacher to make things happen and not sit back and let them happen as I used to do. This is very important for a teacher to realize. I will take charge and make wonderful things happen in my classroom. Teachers immensely influence children’s lives. In my entire school experience I have found that teachers can make a difference in the lives of every child. I admire all teachers for their hard work and determination. I have seen students who, without the teacher’s love and guidance, would have missed out on so many opportunities. I chose to become a teacher to help those children less fortunate than others to look at themselves as worthy individuals. My father has been a constant source of encouragement in my life. He is a teacher at my local high school. He cares about his students, giving extra help to those who need it, and recognition to all students, not just over achievers. I have seen the hard work, long hours, and emotional stress that he goes through every day. Despite all of the difficult aspects, he enjoys his job. At the end of the school year as he sees his students achieve beyond the goals he has set, he is proud of each student and all of the pri or frustration was well worth it. He is the reason I chose to become a teacher. His teaching strategies are ones that I hope t... ... is the responsibility of the teacher to instill in these children the knowledge they need to be productive in the world. In today’s society it is important for children to have good role models. I believe teachers should be proper role models for everyone in the community. Teaching is one of the toughest jobs in the working world. It takes hard work, determination, much effort, and time to be an effective teacher. I believe I have these qualities and am prepared to keep practicing them in my classroom. The great Mortimer Adler, a father of perennialism, said "In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you." I believe the same principle exists in regards to teaching. It doesn’t matter how many teachers a student has, what is important is how that teacher gets through to each student.

Basis for Business Operation Initiatives Essay

This study utilized event organizers based in Batangas, a southern popular province, which also is a great popular destination for many types of events. Findings showed that the event management business in Batangas City is generally a personal event type of business whose year of operation ranges from one to three years, mostly link to church or reception venues and usually offers on the day coordination. In the assessment of its perceived viability, it was found out that this type of business is moderately viable in terms of market, technical, business model, management model, economic and financial, and exit strategy. Among all the dimensions tested, only market, management model, economic and financial, and exit strategy showed significant relationship with the profile variables of the event management business. From the enumerated problems encountered, those that got the highest rate were demanding clients, overbooking of reservation/exceeding number of guests and failure to meet spectators and/or competitors expectations. And, the recommended business operation initiatives were based on the weaknesses discovered using Thompson’s Dimension of Business Viability Model. Viability of Event Management Business in Batangas City: Basis for Business Operation Initiatives Event management is a multi-million dollar industry, growing rapidly, with mega shows and events hosted regularly. The recent growth of festivals and events as an industry around the world means that the management can no longer be ad hoc. Ad hoc generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and which cannot be adapted to other purposes. Thus, a standard in managing events should be designed as a general guide. Events and festivals, such as the Asian Games, have a large impact on their communities and, in some cases, the whole country. These impacts generally include economical, socio-cultural and environmental impacts, and should be seriously considered. The industry now includes events of all sizes from the Olympics down to a breakfast meeting for ten business people. This means, from an event with millions of people to an event for small group only (Goldblatt, 2004). For a flourishing industry such as events industry, it is vital to assess whether it is a viable business in a specific place, so as to make sound decisions in the allotment of investments. One tool that most investors rely upon is a business feasibility study which specifically discusses the various dimensions of business viability. The examination of viability is very vital for the future decisions of present and prospect entrepreneurs in the event industry. In the Philippines, demand for special service in the hospitality industry rged many entrepreneurs to specialize on this aspect. They range from large companies to those small-scale entrepreneur who uses only their creativity, connections and time to make an event extra special for their clients. Their skills in organizing, technical knowledge, personal relation, marketing, advertising, catering, logistics, decor, glamour identity, human relations, study of law and licenses, risk management, and budgeting are just some of the r equirements for these companies and entrepreneurs to be successful in this industry (Devney, 2001). The rapid growth of event industry has been evident in the Philippines particularly those companies targeting the market of special and corporate events. Batangas is known to be one of the most famous tourist destinations near Metro Manila. Batanguenos are also known for celebrating every little event. Such a mindset makes it a good venue for events, thus a potential market for event organizers. For the past years, catering businesses have bloomed rapidly in this province and more locals are already patronizing the service of caterers managing the preparations of their events. Past researches predicted the growth of this business and concluded its positive prospects; however, catering business is simply a branch of a greater industry, which is the special event industry. Currently, there are already few entrepreneurs who are venturing to event management business in Batangas. Some of them are owners of famous catering businesses, while some are independent small-scale entrepreneurs. Most of them work in teams, contributing their special skills in planning, marketing, and implementing events. The demands for a more unique, themed celebration make event organizers more preferred by Batanguenos. However, it has been observed that this industry has not yet deeply penetrated Batangas City in particular. Many people are not yet aware of event organization as a profession and a sound business idea. There is also a dearth of research on event management that gives information on the present status and viability of this particular business. This study aimed to determine the viability of event management usiness in Batangas City to serve as the basis for business operation initiatives. The researcher deemed it important to find out whether this new industry has the capacity to survive and progress in the same growing city of Batangas in the years to come. Using Thompson’s (2005) Dimension of Business Viability as the instrument, this research investigated the core dimension of market viability, technical viability, business model viability, management model viability, econo mic and financial viability, and exit strategy viability. By examining these aspects and considering the common problems encountered by existing firms, it can be determined whether a business, particularly event management business, can survive and continue growing. The output of this research is the possible business operation initiatives that can be suggested to present and future entrepreneurs venturing on this kind of business. Findings of this study could help present event organizers in improving their business. In addition, it will also aid future entrepreneurs who may want to engage in this particular business, which may later on contribute to the development of the economy, particularly in Batangas City. In the view of the Graduate School, this study could serve as a springboard for the future researchers who are inclined to analyzing the viability of their chosen business because they could use the same tool which was Thompson’s Dimension of Business Viability. Objectives The present study determined the perceived viability of event management business using Thompson’s Model as to Market, Technical, Business Model, Management Model, Economic, Financial Model, and Exit Strategy. It also identified possible relationship of the business profile variables in terms of type of event business, year of operation, business linkages, and type of coordination to the perceived viability. In the operation of the business, problems were also discussed in order to propose programs for further improvement. Business operation initiatives based on the assessment of perceived viability were also designed to enhance the sustainability of event management business in Batangas City. Hypothesis There is no significant relationship between the perceived viability of the event management business and the profile variables of the event management business. Event Management. The Event Industry, particularly those pertaining to event management businesses, encompasses a very wide range of issues if viewed in a worldwide perspective. Due to the unusual fragmentary nature of the events ‘industry’, an over-all assessment of the market size of the business is a difficult process. It is preferable to look at individual events, or groups of the same kinds of events, to assess their scope, impacts and extent; although it is possible to make some estimates for certain sectors of the events business; this is not sufficient to provide a picture of the whole (Shone and Perry,2004). Event management has become an industry in its own right, featuring specialist event companies and event managers. Special events are part of our history and culture and have been so for thousands of years in countries around the world. It was observed that people have always celebrated or marked special occasions in their lives: births, deaths, tribal initiations, marriages, seasons, spring times, harvests, full moons. The history of many other nations has been catalogued with dates of victories, celebrations, festivals, and special events from the time they were founded up to the present time. He further noted that the range of events is so wide that there is no one definition which encompasses all (Torkildsen,2005). Event Management is the capability and control of the process of purpose, people, and place. It follows that events are happenings with objective. Event objective components can help analyze the full range of international events currently being staged. It is the building blocks of the event objectives. Public assembly is events managed by professionals who typically bring people together for a purpose. There is no point in being particular about the number of people but it should be emphasized that the size and type of the group will determine the level of skills required by the professional event manager. Moreover, it should be accentuated that the term purpose was included in the definition because the professional event managers begin with a purpose in mind and direct all activities towards achieving this specific purpose (Goldblatt, 2004). Four attributes should be taken into account regarding the peculiarities of the event marketplace. These include size and volume of output, complexity and variety of services or products offered to the consumer, uncertainty of numbers attending, cost, time schedule and technical requirements, and interaction with the consumer and degree of consumer/customer contact (Tum,2006). Planned events are created to achieve specific outcomes, including those related to the economy, culture, society and environment. Event planning involves the design and implementation of themes, settings, consumables, services and programmes that suggest, facilitate or constrain experiences for participants, guests, spectators and other stakeholders. Every event experience is personal and unique, arising from the interactions of setting, program and people (Getz,2007). Professional event coordination is the integrated implementation of all the operational and logistical requirements of an event, based on the scope of event elements included in the event design. An event, any type of event, is held for a purpose. Public or private, commercial or charitable, celebratory or commemorative—event bring people together to share an experience and produce a measurable outcome (Silvers,2007). Several external factors also affect the growth of the event management industry. Some of these factors are the rate of the growth of economy, lifestyle, and changing characteristics of the people living in the area. Tourism and branding activities like festivals and corporate activities such as conferences, product launches, award ceremonies, and gala dinners are under the scope of event management business. Key factors for the success of an event management business are reputation, network, service promotion, links with the suppliers, and high quality managerial skills (Gordon,2010). There are a number of companies hosting and organizing events on a regular basis. These range from the small time private events to the large-scale international events. Yes, the large scales one do happen far rarer, but then the amount of returns they churn out is far beyond expectations. However, in the past there have been events that have also resulted in losses to the hosts and sponsors for varied reasons. But then, all said and done, event management is about organization and execution, and that is precisely where the money lies. Those in the field are paid for these services. Today, there are number of people who have entered the field because they realize the potential of the market where demand and supply is concerned. In fact, the most profitable aspect of this field is the need for creativity. And that is how and where one earns. The management of events calls largely for coordination from stage one. The first thing required is to get the orders for the event. This process is also known as pitching for an event. Usually, whether it is for small time events (birthday parties and weddings) or then for larger ones assigned by companies (exhibitions and trade fairs), or then the international concerts; the event manager/company is asked to submit a project report, with the finances involved. On the basis of this is the assignment given to them (Maligalig,2010). Special Events. On one of the focus group discussions conducted by Goldblatt (2002), one of the old ladies said that when he reached the age that she was in, he will forget everything, but the only things that will remain in his memories are the special events and milestones that had passed through her life just like her daughter’s wedding and their fiftieth anniversary. That’s why he affirmed that more people are hiring companies that would organize such special events. This basic anecdote about special events has been the prime reason why the special event industry is continuously growing and innovating. Research showed how people value special events in their life to the point that they are willing to pay high price to those people who can make it less stressful and more creative for them. Special events are widely recognized as being a growth sector of the tourism industry with potential to generate substantial economic benefit for the city, township or region involved. This wider recognition of events tourism has also heralded a continually expanding number of new events in many regions as community leaders, clubs, and local and regional tourism industry representatives have identified opportunities to tap into the visitor market (Tonge,2010). Special event is a phenomenon arising from those non-routine occasions which have leisure, cultural, personal or organizational objectives set apart from the normal activity of daily life, whose purpose is to enlighten, celebrate, entertain or challenge the experience of a group of people. A special event is a unique moment in time celebrated with ceremony and ritual to satisfy specific needs. In the view of event organizers, it is a one-time or infrequently occurring event outside normal programs or activities of the sponsoring or organizing body. On the other hand, in the view of the customer or guest, a special event is an opportunity for leisure, social or cultural experience outside the normal range of choices or beyond everyday experience. A special event is a gathering of human beings, generally lasting from a few hours to a few days, designed to celebrate, honor, discuss, sell, teach about, encourage, observe, or influence human endeavors. There are some characteristics of special events as a service. Among them are uniqueness, perishability, labour-intensiveness, fixed timescales, intangibility, personal interaction, ambiance, and ritual or ceremony. Special events are â€Å"special† because they target an external market; they bring people from outside the inner circle of your organization nto contact with your cause (Goldblatt,2002; Getz,2002; Matthews,2008; Levy,2001; Shone and Perry,2004). The term ‘special event’ has been coined to describe specific rituals, presentations, performances or celebrations that are consciously planned and created to mark special occasions and/or to achieve particular social, cultural, or corporate goals and objectives. Type of Event Business. There are many diffe rent types of events. Wedding is a union between two people who wish to spend their lives together. A wedding can be small with two people plus a person to officiate the ceremony such as priest, rabbi, justice of the peace or minister. It can also be enormous, elaborate events involving a few hundred of people or more. Gala events take place at large venues and often involve a few hundred guests. The occasion for a gala may be to celebrate milestone events such as anniversaries or birthdays or to raise money for various causes. The menu varies from cocktail-party fare to a million-course dinner. Cocktail or formal attire is required for a gala. Large casual event is a business or casual gathering involving at least one hundred guests. These events are less formal than gala and takes place in the afternoon as well as the evening. It may be a company picnic, bar or bat mitzvah, or a family reunion. Corporate events and dinners include meetings, in-house catering, and dinner with clients. Intimate dinners can be held in private residence or the private room of a restaurant or hotel. Thirty guests or less meet the requirement for an intimate dinner. Cocktail party take place during evening hours, and it can work well at a wedding, gala, business or social event. A typical cocktail party provides seating for about half the guests and serves a menu of passed hors d’ oeuvres and appetizers with some stationary items (Mancuso,2007). Corporate event management involves managing various corporate events that can be a special media event, an internal event or event open to the public such as a fundraising gala. They are usually managed by a professional planner whose specialty is corporate events. An experienced event planner has the expertise to research and plan a successful event from start to finish. Some of the common examples of corporate events are launching a product, road show, galas and media event with corporate sponsorship. The events are managed according to their respective nature, keeping in mind the aim of the event, the audience to be reached and the content of the message to be transferred. Launching a new consumer product is a good example of what a planner does to manage this type of corporate event. Launching a product involves consumer conviction as an ultimate goal. The customer has to be convinced to buy the product by using innovative ideas. A corporate event manager might set up a convention to launch the product. This would involve planning all pre-convention meetings, working with graphic artists, writers and printers for all printed materials, choosing a location for the convention, selecting food and entertainment, etc. (Cole,2010). The event planning service business is a $500 billion business worldwide today, with lots of growth opportunities. The profit margin has gone up from 15% to 30 to 40%. People hire event planners because they don’t have the time and expertise to organize events themselves. Some of the events for which event planners are hired are: Celebrations (fairs, parades, weddings, reunions, birthdays, anniversaries), Education (conferences, meetings, graduations), Promotions (product launches, political rallies, fashion shows) and Commemorations (memorials, civic events) (Dilliard, 2010). Various authors have their own topology of events used to categorize events. One topology splits events into four broad categories based on the concept of events having leisure, cultural, personal or organizational objectives. Leisure events include events for the purpose of leisure, sport and recreation. Cultural events, on the other hand, involve ceremonial, sacred, heritage, art and folklore. Personal events consist of weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. Lastly, organizational events are those for commercial, political, charitable and sales. However, the authors emphasized that in this typology, there are frequent overlap. Cited example is the graduation of a student from a university could be a personal event for his or her family and an organizational event for the university (Shone and Perry,2004). This study will be using the typology of events made by Shone and Perry (2004) to categorize the type of event management business that the subject of the study may fall into. This classification may be broad but it will give a clear view of their business type. Business Linkages. No event takes place in isolation and each event involves a set of interdependent and interacting elements within a system: the event product with event participants, the audience or customer, and the sponsor (Tassiopoulos, 2005). We should be aware that an organization does not operate in isolation. The event operations management model shows in the first stage that there are different environments that have an influence on it and should be analyzed. These are the internal and external environments. Following analysis of these, it is then possible to develop the planning process. All organizations should work in partnership with their suppliers, customers and competitors (Thompson,2001). An immediate impact is made on an organization by suppliers and customers, on whom it depends, and its competitors—both existing ones and new ones joining the industry. The influencers in the inner circle of the figure may be easier to control and manage than those in the in the outer circle (Tum, 2006). Often within an event company there is not a specific purchasing officer, many of the staff may create buyer/supply relationships with different companies. Some products may be bought outright and owned by the organization, and others will be used for only one event. In the case of some of the purchase agreements, for example the caterers or pyrotechnic suppliers, it is the whole service and system that is purchased and the contracted company will bring their own products and staff. To be successful, these relationships and method of purchasing or leasing must be managed effectively since they all provide vital supply chains throughout the operation (Tum, 2006). The emergence of an association in Great Britain named In Any Event has greatly helped event organizers in their area. In Any Event is a collaboration of eight event companies. The association will check on the quality of the services offered by the members using a given standard. According to the members, an effective trade body is all about quality and trust (Skeith, 2009). The emergence of the industry has also led to the formation of professional associations providing networking, communications and liaison within the industry, training and accreditation programmes, codes of ethical practice and lobbying on behalf of their members. Event managers should identify the associations that best suits their individual situation and the needs of their organization, as some associations promote individual membership, whilst others promote membership on an organizational basis. Some of the main trade and professional associations covering the events industry are associations, conference/meetings, exhibitions, incentive travel, festivals, corporate hospitality, music events/events production, venues, and miscellaneous/suppliers (Bowdin, 2006). Food, beverage and celebration are inextricably connected. From social life cycle events to mega events such as the Olympic Games, the relationship between food and frivolity has been a close one. This is not to suggest that it is not serious business as well (Goldblatt,2001). The hotel contract plays one of the most significant roles in the planning of the conference. The hotel layout, logistics, room rates, audio visual, and of course meals can financially make or break your organization (Oliver,2005). Events are organized by several different actors with individual interests. In order to perform the project task at hand, actors form relationships aimed at cooperation. Relationships involve political processes, which can be understood from a consensus and a conflict perspective. From the consensus perspective, mutual commitment, trust, and onversation are important to build fruitful relationships. From the conflict perspective, tensions, conflicts, and power games are considered unavoidable aspects of social interaction, which create change and renewal (Larson,2001). In the tourism business, linkages with hotels, travel agencies, transportation companies, schools, restaurants and other agencies appear very important if the tourist operators would like to stay long in the business. It seems that being alone in the business without any linkage with other establishments would not mean much in terms of survival. In other words, establishing linkages with other types of business firms help tourist operators maintain their position in the market (Festijo,2010). Identical to Festijo’s study, the present study will also make use of business linkages as one of the profile variables that could affect the perception of the respondents regarding the viability of events management business. Type of Coordination. Services should be provided to conform to given factors. This includes specification, consistency, timeliness, flexibility, right price, and added value and little extras. The first and crucial issue is the specification. Unless the service fulfills the requirements of the customer, it will not be used. The second important issue is consistency. Customers expect service to be at the same level, or better, each time it is experienced. Once a level of quality of service has been promoted, or actually provided, customers will be quick to notice if it is not achieved or sustained. There is no point in setting a high standard of service if the operation cannot consistently meet the standard. The third issue is timeliness. The timing on when to grant the service should also be considered because it may be the reason why a customer may be upset and never comes back again. However, timing is of lesser importance when customers make appointments in advance. Fourth, flexibility is important in the service industry. The moment the event is delivered, it is consumed. Immediately, of course, event organizers may come across difficulties. In these scenarios, the event manager has to be flexible to accommodate the changing situations. Customer expectations still have to be fulfilled despite changes in circumstances. Fifth, determination of the right price can be agreed once the marketing team is satisfied that they know what the customer wants—the specification. This will determine the price that can be charged. This concerns the ability of the team to supply the specifications that can increase customer satisfaction, and at the same time, bring profit to the business. In the sixth position is added value and little extras. Once the event has met the basic requirements, then all the other ‘extras’ will add to the perception of quality and could provide the edge in a competitive environment (Tum,2006). Kandampully (2002) believes that service quality can be defined as the extent to which a service meets the expectations of customers. He divides customers into four broad group: internal customers (employees and managers of the firm), external customers (a firm’s end customers), competitors’ customers (those who the firm would like to attract, and ex-customers (those who are going elsewhere and therefore are no longer our customers). Most of the independent event coordinators are offering three types of services. These includes the Full Event Coordination, the Partial Coordination and the On the day Coordination. In Full Event Coordination, consultation begins within an allowable time frame convenient for the client and coordinator. It involves actual conceptualization, budget planning, sourcing of suppliers (with final approval of client), venue, physical, arrangement, conceptualization of the program, and continuous coordination with the client and supervision during the actual date of the event. In Partial Coordination, consultation begins few months before the event where it is assumed that 40% of the preparation has been completed. Previous accomplishments of the client are then handed over to the coordinator for continuation of plan and additional support. The coordinator takes on bringing together the concept and confers it with the suppliers that the client has already chosen. Continuous coordination with the client and supervision on the actual date of the event is granted. In On the Day Coordination, consultation begins after confirmation of client as to the services to be provided by the coordinators. The coordinator completes the concept and program and works together with the suppliers for final arrangements. The coordinator also straightens out matters on deliveries, venue, physical arrangement, program briefing with the host, and supervision on the actual day of event. The present research will make use of these three types of coordination to categorize the services offered by the event management businesses. Business Viability. The  viability  of a business is measured by its long-term survival, and its ability to have sustainable profits over a period of time. If a business is viable, it is able to survive for many years, because it continues to make a  profit  year after year. The longer a company can stay profitable, the better its viability. A business feasibility study is an analytical tool that includes recommendations and limitations, which are utilized to assist the decision-makers when determining if the Business Concept is viable (Thompson,2005). Analyzing the prospects for this type of business, it was noted that its commercial sector has developed rapidly during the last fifteen years and will continue to do so. The market for events has expanded to the point where the need for a much better professional infrastructure is evident. The increasing number of events management companies and professional event organizers is an indication of this demand (Shone and Perry,2004). While real viability can affect perceived viability, there are other (possibly irrational) influences on perceived viability that have nothing to do with real viability. Conversely, the effect of perceived viability on real viability is at best indirect (perhaps by affecting morale or the cost of capital) – but any causal link in this direction cannot be taken for granted and should be explained. In order to measure the viability of events management business in Batangas City, the researcher opted to use the Dimensions of Business Viability Model created by Thompson (2005). This model has long been used by many entrepreneurs to test the viability of their business and business idea. Thus, the result of this study will be limited to the aspects determined by this model. The Dimensions of Business Viability Model is a generic framework that assists entrepreneur in identifying individual tasks (decisions) in validating the Business Concept. The model also aligns the findings with functional processes of an enterprise which an audience can easily understand. It is a decision weighting model that provides a benchmark framework for measuring the Business Concept’s viability. The model allows the entrepreneur to weigh the over-all and segmented viability of Business Concept (Thompson,2003). The Dimensions of Business Viability Model will validate the Business Concept by the core dimension of market viability, technical viability, business model viability, management model viability, economic and financial viability, and exit strategy viability. Each dimension of the business viability model will contain components which evaluate individual characteristics of the enterprises business venture’s viability. In developing the model to best fit the business under examination, the entrepreneur will need to structure each dimension. Market Viability includes the components of market environment (e. g. size, sustainability, potential market, target market, potential value), competitors, similar products, pricing, packaging, distribution to markets, and promotion/advertising (Thompson,2005). In determining the market viability of a product or service, the following steps must be followed: First, compare your offer to a 3-legged stool, which cannot support weight unless all three legs are equal in length and spacing. One leg is the offer itself, which includes price and demand. A top quality offer at a competitive price is still a low fail if the other legs are not balanced. The second leg is the customer list. If you don’t know who wants your product or service, then you have nothing. The third leg is the process, language and messaging used to convey the value of the offer to the list. Second, determine the mass appeal of your product or service. If only a very select few can benefit from it, then your offer may be too limited to generate enough revenue to justify the investment of taking it into the marketplace. Identifying a specific demographic target is a strategic necessity, but there is a certain volume required to break even and a much larger volume required for long-term profitability. Third, measure the uniqueness of your offer against all competitors or whoever shares your market niche. The more unique your offer is the more likely it will gain share against your competitors. Fourth, assess the exclusivity of your offer. If your potential customers can get your product or service somewhere else, then you will be forced to find another factor to differentiate your offer from the competition. If your offer cannot be found anywhere else, your business will benefit invariably. Lastly, test the perceived value of your offer. In order to be successful in business, you must be able to sell your product or service at a price point that is commensurate with what people are willing and able to pay. Ironically, you can under price an offer as well as overprice it. Public relations are of a vital importance to every operator and an increasingly important part of the marketing and sales function, and provide the operator with positive support to sales and promotion activity. In reality, effective public relations are an exacting business requiring particular skills often beyond the capabilities or experience of many operators (Festijo,2010). This aspect could be taken into consideration when assessing the marketing and promotion efforts of the event management business, since this type of business generally rely on word of mouth and appreciation of their clients. Technical viability will cover capacity, availability and quality of resources, inclusive of raw materials, labour and professional expertise, supply chain implications, manufacturing process, and ability to apply IP (Internet Protocol) (Thompson,2005). Technical Viability pertains to the uniqueness and features of products and services and intellectual property positions (Morgan,2009). Business model viability entails uniqueness of model in terms of competitive advantage, ability of competitor to duplicate, ability to create value through priority knowledge and process, ability to create wealth, and ability to duplicate and delegate (i. e. documentation of tacit and explicit knowledge) (Thompson,2005). Business model is defined as a  description  of the  operations  of a  business  including the components  of the business, the  functions  of the business, and the  revenues  and  expenses  that the business generates. A business model  describes the  rationale  of how an  organization  creates, delivers, and captures value – economic, social, or other forms of value. The process of business model design is part of  business strategy. In theory and practice the term business model is used for a broad range of informal and formal descriptions to represent core aspects of a  business, including purpose, offerings, strategies, infrastructure, organizational structures, trading practices, and operational processes and policies. Management model viability includes application of knowledge and skills, training, employee management and recruitment, management of intellectual property, management of risk, ability to delegate to staff, suitable organizational structure, suitability of management and protocols, and ability to measure business process (Thompson,2005). Economic and financial viability will cover start up costs, working capital, operating costs, raw material costs, overall return on investment, overall profitability, breakeven point, sustainability of market versus projected revenue, and ability to generate economic value (Thompson,2005). Economic viability is characterized by long-term sustainability (profitable over the long-term) and short-term feasibility (sufficient cash flows to meet short-term obligations). Projects/ventures can be either public/community type projects or private enterprise ventures. Four financial measures are particularly useful when examining the viability of a project: Net Income, Cash Flow, Required Operating Loan, and Ending Cash Balance. Exit strategy may contain ability to create wealth from exit strategy, ability to define exit strategy, ability to relate exit strategy to industry model, ability to identify potential buyers and/or strategies, ability to create capital assets, and ability to schedule exit strategy (Thompson,2005). Planning how you exit your business is just as important as how you start it. The goal is to maximize the value of your company before converting it to cash, and to minimize the amount of time consumed. Getting out of business is a process. The length of time required to complete the process is directly related to the complexity of the business, and the circumstances underlying this decision to get out of business. It can range from one week for a home-based sole proprietorship to several years for a corporation forced into involuntary bankruptcy. Disputes and litigation add another dimension to the timeframe. Planning and awareness are crucial. The process, timing of events and tasks must be tailored to the type and complexity of the business. Each case is unique because reasons for dissolution differ, and problems that exist or develop are unique to the circumstance. The process for getting out of business successfully requires the same amount of planning as going into business. While the process should be easier, it is likely to be less enjoyable and more stressful. The best advice for business owners is to think about the future during the early stages of getting into business. Exert managerial influence to ensure that complications and problems which could affect dissolution, and net value, do not develop into roadblocks. When the time for getting out of business comes, engage the invaluable expertise you will need, and prepare a plan. The Dimensions of Business Viability Weighing Process includes the determination of dimension of viability, determination of measures of dimension of viability, assignment of component weighting to dimension, assigning weighting to key measures, assessing each measure and assigning score, weighing each dimensions overall viability, determining collective viability of business, and articulating viability of business (Thompson,2005). Problems encountered in event organization. Although there are many successful events, instances occur where hardworking organizing committees see their events generate only limited interest and fail to meet the desired objectives—situations that can leave committees with substantial debts, creating disenchantment in the community and sponsoring organizations. In these cases, the main reasons for failure are usually a combination of two or more of the following factors: failure to allow sufficient planning time, inadequate planning, problems within the organization committee (i. . power struggles, infighting, lack of necessary skills), overly optimistic income projections, inadequate market research, clashing of event dates, an ad hoc approach to marketing (lack of marketing plan), lack of sponsorship plan, inadequate budget and/or poor financial management, failure to meet spectators and/or competitor expectations, or failure to adequately make provision for inclement weather conditions (Tonge,2010). From the viewpoint of people attending local and regional events, recent research has revealed five main complaints. These include insufficient toilets, overpriced food and beverage, inadequate traffic management and signage, the event program can ran considerably over the scheduled time, and the event failed to meet the expectations created by the promotion (Tonge,2010). It is difficult to imagine an event without a crisis. The ability to handle crises is an important skill for senior staff member in event management. A good event manager faces crises and handles them calmly and effectively. He should try to avoid crises by careful preplanning and foresight. The staff should be prepared to take appropriate action when crises happen. When crises arise, the steps that should be followed in handling them include analyzing the situation in a cool manner, re-examining the objectives, examining the possibilities, considering the consequences of several solutions, selecting the best alternative, implementing the appropriate action, and continue monitoring to avoid repetition (Cruz,2005). For decades, every time event organizers plans and executes event, they are always faced with various challenges that are inevitable to the business. According to Tarlow (2002), whenever we bring people together, there is an element of risk. Event risk should not be seen as a single factor, but rather as an accumulation of variables. Depending on the circumstances, these variables would include size of the crowd, size and nature of the event site, time of day, nature of the event, consumables, age of the crowd, weather conditions, and location of the event venue. A list of some events include family and human life cycle events such as weddings, family reunions and barbecues, community events, such as school picnics, business outings, and holiday celebrations, organized shopping exhibitions, civil and political events, business meetings and conferences, sports events, ranging from Little League to the Olympic Games, concerts, religious gatherings and pilgrimages, local and national political gatherings, fairs and festivals. He noted that as an event professional, it is important to understand that it is significantly less expensive to manage risk prior to the event than deal with the crisis after is has occurred. He further discusses the importance of risk manager increasing their awareness of the assumptions they make and the potential biases that may influence their decisions. Entrepreneurs are constantly on the lookout for business opportunities and, at the same time, they are keen observers of existing and potential problems in the pursuit of their respective businesses. These common problems may include those connected with source of funds, source of raw materials, red tape in government, manpower/labor/HR and the lack of information to assist the Pinoy Entrepreneurs. These problems may appear to be obvious. As to sourcing of money with which to start a business, it can be raised in various ways, including personal savings, borrowing from relatives, borrowing from money lenders or â€Å"5-6† operators, borrowing from   formal sources of credit like banks and other financial institutions. Borrowing money, however, is not as easy as it they make it sound. As to the existing efforts to address red tape in government, there’s still a lot to be done, but the progress made by some agencies are really noteworthy. Several classification frameworks have been proposed for the categorization of organizational problem types. For example, over 30 years ago, Dearborn and Simon (1958) classified organizational problems into three general types: (1) sales, marketing, or distribution; (2) clarifying the organization; and (3) human relations, employee relations, or teamwork. More recently, Walsh (1988) proposed that organizational problems can be grouped into five general categories: (1) accounting-finance; (2) human relations; (3) marketing; (4) internal management; and (5) external management. Both of the above studies, however, were narrowly focused on the role of selective perception, or the extent to which affiliation with a specific department in an organization influences the types of problems identified (Terpstra,2004). Business Operation Initiatives. Business operation initiatives refer to the plans or programs of a business with regards to the operation of the business. In this study, this refers to the propose action or scheme for tourism attraction business on how to sustain its business operation to achieve its desired goals and objectives (Celis,2008). Patterned to the dissertation of Celis (2008), this study also sought to recommend business operation initiatives for the subject business. The researcher considered the concept of formulating business operation initiatives as relevant to the assessment of the viability of the business. However, they differ on the type of industry; Celis focused on tourism ttractions while the present study will focus on the events management business in Batangas City. Conceptual Framework The Event Industry, particularly the special events industry, has been a rapidly growing industry not only in the global arena but also here in the Philippines. More entrepreneurs have been showing interest in this new endeavor, though some are still thriving. Batangas City, as one of the rapidly progressing cities in the CALABA RZON area, has great potential for investors and entrepreneurs who are willing to venture for new business ideas that will meet the demand of the people. In order to attract such entrepreneurs, a study on the viability of a business will aid them in their decision makings. This research will determine the present status of the events management business in Batangas City using the profile variables. To determine the viability of the event management business in Batangas City, Thompson’s (2005) Dimensions of Business Viability will be used and will focus on the 1. 2. Market, Technical, Business Model, Management Model, Economic and Financial Model, and Exit Strategy. Through this, the researcher will also be able to extract possible problems that the entrepreneurs are experiencing during the course of their operation. The result of this viability model will be the basis in drafting recommendations for business operation initiatives that could enhance the prospects and sustainability of event management business in Batangas City. Conceptual Paradigm The figure below shows the items that have been analyzed in this research and their relationships. The profile of event management business n terms of type of event business, year of operation, business linkages and type of coordination has been identified. The researcher then evaluated the viability of event management business using Thompson’s (2005) Dimension of Viability which includes Market, Technical, Business Model, Management Model, Economic and Financial Model, and Exit Strategy. It has been identified whether there is a relationship between the profile variables and their assessment o f viability. Problems encountered were also identified and analyzed. Through this analysis, business operation initiatives have been recommended for the further development of this industry in Batangas City. Figure 1. The profile of Events Management Business in Batangas City, their assessment of its viability, and the problems encountered by this business, altogether, had been the basis for Business Operation Initiatives Methods This chapter presents a discussion of the research design in this study, the respondents of the study, data gathering instruments and procedures, and statistical treatment of data. Design The study used the descriptive design utilizing a survey questionnaire for the event management business. This study aimed to provide a description of relationships among the following variables: demographic profile and the perceived viability of events management business in Batangas City. This research design was chosen because it can provide essential knowledge about the concepts being used in this study as well as its relationship with each other. This method was deemed appropriate to the present study since this involved assessment of prevailing conditions. Respondents of the Research The questionnaire was answered by the team leader and team members of the ten identified DTI registered event organizers in Batangas City. Each team composed of not less than three members, thus the researcher is targeting 30 members of the event management business for this study. Procedure The following steps were undertaken in gathering the data to answer the questions in the study. An initial informal interview with the present event organizers was conducted by the researcher to gain reliable and related information that was used in constructing the questionnaire. In order to obtain the necessary data, the researcher used a constructed survey questionnaire. Modifications were incorporated through the help of experts in the field. A letter of request to conduct the study, together with the three-part questionnaires was sent to the different event management businesses in Batangas City. To measure the concepts relevant in the study, the researcher sought questionnaire from on-line source and modified the versions of instruments used by other studies and collated these to have an instrument appropriate for the study. The instrument was a modified version of on-line source particularly Thompson’s (2005) Dimension of Business Viability and also the profile variables included in Celis’ (2008) dissertation. These will be used to gather data needed for the study on the viability of events management business in Batangas City. Part I covered the detail on the profile of the existing events management business in Batangas City which included queries on the type of event business, year of operation, business linkages and type of coordination. Part II conveyed items included in Thompson’s (2005) Dimension of Business Viability such as market, technical, business model, management model, economic and financial model, and exit strategy. Part III enumerated the common problems encountered by the event management business in Batangas City, as formulated through informal interview and from literature review pertaining to problems of event management business. The draft of the questionnaire was submitted for both external and internal validation. To fully determine the items’ clarity, relevance and appropriateness, the researcher set the questionnaire for external validation by experts in research and event management. The researcher personally distributed the questionnaire and retrieval was done two weeks after the distribution of the questionnaire. Data Analysis The following statistical measures were applied to analyze the data: 1. Frequency and percentage distribution was used to determine the profile of the event management business in Batangas City.

Greys Anatomy

Sharon Lan ENG 104 Terry Bening 22 May 2012 The Anatomy of Grey When times get tough and the only way to survive is to keep fighting, there are two choices: either you sink or you swim. At least that’s the mentality that belongs to the young, soon-to-be medical doctors in the 2005 TV series Grey’s Anatomy.Already having 8 seasons of surgical miracles, everlasting camaraderies, problematic love triangles, and life-threatening decisions, Grey’s Anatomy portrays a â€Å"dramedy† which focuses on a highly intellectual group of interns, residents, and attendings that strive to one-up each other in order to rank as the best, save the lives of patients, and keep the reputation of Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital. Nonetheless, many of the characters constantly struggle to keep up with these responsibilities because of the difficulties in keeping their personal and professional lives apart.Of this group of surgeons, Grey’s Anatomy mainly revolves its plotli ne around the main character and protagonist Meredith Grey who is initially introduced as a young intern who is consistently expected to live up to her mother’s legacy. The show also introduces Isobel Stevens, Derek Shepard, Preston Burke, her mother Ellis Grey and many of the other doctors that Meredith works with. Ellis Grey, who was a world-renowned surgeon, never believed that Meredith had the capability of being good enough to succeed as a surgeon.Trying to deviate away from only being known as â€Å"Ellis Grey’s daughter†, Meredith, throughout the series, continues to find her strengths and weaknesses as she proves to herself and everyone else that she can ultimately become an even greater surgeon than her mother was. Grey’s Anatomy is truly an inspiring television drama that serves as a positive influence among its viewers. By illustrating the realities of life, this show motivates others to cling onto hope in times of desperation, to see mistakes as a part of life, to forgive and forget, and lastly to deal with life’s unexpected surprises.Grey’s Anatomy has a positive influence among its viewers because it essentially portrays that anybody can get through their hardships with the right amount of hope. Dr. Isobel Stevens in the episode â€Å"A Change Is Gonna Come† states, â€Å"It's not childish to hold on to hope. It's actually hard, very, very, hard. † In the show another one of Meredith’s coworkers, Dr. Isobel Stevens, also known as Izzie, represents one of the biggest believers of hope on Grey’s Anatomy.After she discovers that she’s diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic melanoma, which is a common form of skin cancer, Izzie switches from being a doctor at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital to being a patient with only a 5% chance of surviving with her condition. However, knowing that her survival rate was slim, Izzie worked up the courage to ask Dr. Derek Shepard, head of neu rosurgery, to operate on her tumor and in the end her surgery was a success.Another example of how hope is seen in this show is when Meredith Grey is accidently pushed off the ledge into the ocean and struggles to reach the surface of the water yet tries to drown at the same time. Meredith’s mother, Ellis Grey quotes in the episode â€Å"Some Kind of Miracle†, â€Å"I raised you to be an extraordinary human being, imagine my disappointment when I wake up after 5 years and discover that you’re no more than ordinary. † With her mother’s harsh words continually repeating in her head, Meredith initially gives up and loses hope.While flat lining in the hospital, Meredith wakes up in her â€Å"afterlife† and discovers that her mother only called her ordinary so that she would always try to be the best. In the scene of the afterlife, her mother tells Meredith to â€Å"keep going† and reassures her that she’s â€Å"anything but ordina ry†. Ultimately Meredith regains her hope and uses the reassuring words from her mother to find her breath. Grey’s Anatomy shows that in times of desperation and hardships, all you need to do is cling onto hope. The show also illustrates the truth of realities by portraying that mistakes are simply a part of life.Exemplifying in the show that mistakes happen, Dr. Izzie Stevens follows her instincts and cuts Denny Duquette’s (a patient she fell in love with) LVAD wire with intent to move him up the heart donor list. At first with his condition, Denny is moved up the list; however, his condition quickly begins to worsen which causes him to die. Ultimately regretting what she had done, Izzie blames herself for what had happened to the man she loved. In addition, another example representing that mistakes are a part of life is shown when Dr. Derek Shepard made an honest mistake in surgery resulting in the death of a man’s wife.In the episode â€Å"An Honest M istake† the husband snaps at Derek quoting, â€Å"Stop saying you’re sorry, you killed her, you’re a murderer†¦ † Being accused for an accidental mistake, Derek ultimately decides to take a leave from being a doctor because he discovers that the number of the patients he’s saved was significantly lower than the lives he killed unintentionally. Grey’s Anatomy displays that no matter how hard we try to avoid them, mistakes are simply just a part of life. â€Å"We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today's possibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore.Until we finally understand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin meant. That knowing is better than wondering†¦ And that even the biggest failure, even the worst most intractable mistake, beats the hell out of not trying† (Meredith Grey in â€Å"If Tomorrow Never Comes†). Grey’s Anatomy also teaches a valuable l esson to forgive and forget the people who have done us wrong. In some episodes, specifically â€Å"The Heart of the Matter†, we can see not only betrayal among friends but also among family; however, the show portrays that in the end, wrongdoings are ultimately forgiven.Meredith’s relationship with her father, Thatcher Grey, was torn apart when he walked out of her life when she was 5 years old. Having no respect for her, he slaps Meredith in front of her coworkers because of a complication in surgery that led to the death of her stepmother. Only seeming to come back for medical needs, Thatcher one day comes to the hospital begging Meredith to donate a portion of her liver to him because his alcoholism makes him unable to be put on the donor list.The show ultimately shows that having the strength to forgive people who have done us wrong and forget the past is one of the realities in life that we must face. Meredith eventually agrees to help her father out and essentia lly releases all the grudges that she had. â€Å"Forgive and forget†¦When someone hurts us, we want to hurt them back. When someone wrongs use we want to be right. Without forgiveness old scores are never settled, old wounds never heal and the most we can hope for is that one day we’ll be lucky enough to forget†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Meredith Grey).Last but not least, Grey’s Anatomy professes that life has a way of steering us in directions that we don’t want to take, but the only way to react to life’s unexpected surprises is to deal with them. In the episode â€Å"Deny, Deny, Deny†, Meredith Grey quotes, â€Å"Sometimes reality has a way of sneaking up and biting us in the ass. † The whole show portrays a message that the most ironic and unforeseen situations can happen to just about anybody. Ellis Grey’s life, along with everybody’s lives, was altered when they found out that the world’s most renowned surgeon had Alzhei mer’s and could no longer share her medical knowledge.Furthermore, after being shot in his arm, Dr. Preston Burke, known as the countries most prestigious cardiothoracic surgeon, discovered that his injury caused a hand tremor, which causes his hand to shake thus making him unsteady to perform surgery. In the end, his condition led him to take an absence of leave from being a doctor and ultimately his life steered onto a different path. â€Å"Bones break. Organs burst. Flesh tears. We can sew the flesh, repair the damage, [and] ease the pain. But when life breaks down, when we break down, there's no science, no hard and fast rules. We just have to feel our way through. Meredith Grey mentions in the episode â€Å"Here Comes the Flood†, that life can throw anything at us and the only way to survive through it is to deal with it. All in all, Grey’s Anatomy serves as a positive impact on society in which it teaches us about the realities of life. This inspiring sho w portrays that having enough hope and faith will help us survive during tough times and it also motivates viewers to view mistakes as lessons to be learned. Through all the hardships of life, the show also demonstrates the importance of forgiveness and to never to give up no matter what direction life takes us.Grey’s Anatomy illustrates the truths of life by implying that we shouldn’t always expect happy endings and easy pathways because the people that endure through the toughest struggles are the ones who are the happiest. Works Cited Grey, E. (Performer) (2007). Some kind of miracle [Television series episode]. In Rhimes, S. (Executive Producer), Grey’s Anatomy. Stevens, I. (Performer) (2007). A change is gonna come [Television series episode]. In Rhimes, S. (Executive Producer), Gre'ys Anatomy. The Mark Gordon Company. Grey, M. (Performer) (2005).Deny,deny,deny [Television series episode]. In Rhimes, S. (Executive Producer), Gre'ys Anatomy. The Mark Gordon Company. Grey, M. (Performer) (2008). Here comes the flood [Television series episode]. In Rhimes, S. (Executive Producer), Gre'ys Anatomy. The Mark Gordon Company. Shepard, D. (Performer) (2009). An honest mistake [Television series episode]. In Rhimes, S. (Executive Producer), Grey’s Anatomy. The Mark Gordon Company. Stevens, I. (Performer) (2007). A change is gonna come [Television series episode]. In Rhimes, S. (Executive Producer), Grey’s Anatomy. The Mark Gordon Company.

Employers Favor State Schools for Hires †But Ivy League is Still the Best Pick

Employers Favor State Schools for Hires – But Ivy League is Still the Best Pick As the owner of a company that coaches students on their college applications to Ivy League and other elite liberal arts schools, I was disconcerted to read a Wall Street Journal study finding that the largest public and private companies, nonprofits and government agencies favor graduates who did not attend Ivy League Colleges.   In fact, Cornell University is the only Ivy League school that ranked in the top 25.   The top picks?   Pennsylvania State University, Texas AM University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Despite this apparent problem for my business, I thought it fair to share the article with my readers.   And thankfully, upon further thought, I realized that it is not a problem at all.   Here’s why: If you think you will go on to obtain a graduate degree, this report does not apply.   It did not provide any information about how many Ivy League graduates go on to graduate school, or what the rates of employment are for Ivy League graduates with advanced degrees.   And we know from PayScale.com that â€Å"the typical Ivy League bachelor’s graduate earns about 27 percent more early in their career, and about 47 percent more by the time he or she is about 40, than the typical bachelor’s graduate from all   U.S. schools.† How can we reconcile these apparently contradictory pieces of information? What I make of all this is that if you don’t plan on going to graduate school, it might behoove you to attend a state school or other school on the Wall Street Journal’s list.   If law, medical, business or other graduate school is in your future, Ivy League is still the way to go.   And although I don’t have a report to back it up, I believe many Ivy-bound high school graduates have no intention of calling four years a complete education. What do you think?   Will this information affect where you or your son or daughter applies to college? For the full Wall Street Journal article go to Employers Favor State Schools for Hires. Also see Penn State Tops Recruiter Rankings. And if Ivy League or top liberal arts schools are still in your or your child’s future, call The Essay Expert at 608-467-0067 or visit our College Essay Services page.

The Lanyard by Billy Collins

The Lanyard by Billy Collins Free Online Research Papers Dictionary.com defines popularity as â€Å"the favor of the general public or of a particular group of people†. From that definition Billy Collins can be considered immensely popular. He is so popular that colleges are using his poetry as summer assignments to not only stimulate the mind but can also tickle a person’s funny bone. He is a genius without a doubt but if I were to base his entire popularity based on the poem â€Å"The Lanyard†, I would say he is a failure. Is the poem clever? Absolutely. In my opinion however, most individuals would not be able to grasp the subtleties that he creates in the poem â€Å"The Lanyard†. Although I understood his small ironic truths about life like how his mother gave him life and in return he gives her a lanyard, I could not see myself going to see him live or paying to get a copy of his works. Although this may sound harsh, I find Billy Collin’s humor dry as well as too â€Å"smarty† for me to enjoy. Billy Collins reminds me of the actor Woody Allen, someone I simply cannot enjoy listening to or watching. Like Billy Collins, Woody Allen in his play â€Å"Don’t Drink the Water† also uses subtle jokes and dry humor that to me simply are â€Å"not funny†. Billy Collins small jabs at life’s quirks can be funny to some but from what I have noticed from the general consensus of students around me, he isn’t â€Å"popular† in the sense of the definition. The poem â€Å"The Lanyard† is very clever and it peaked some interest in me but I could not fully grasp all of Mr. Collin’s ideas. This is how I feel about Billy Collins and the poem â€Å"The Lanyard†. Research Papers on "The Lanyard" by Billy CollinsMind TravelWhere Wild and West MeetThe Spring and AutumnThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeHip-Hop is ArtThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This Nice

10 Words Derived from Scribe

10 Words Derived from Scribe 10 Words Derived from Scribe 10 Words Derived from Scribe By Mark Nichol Scribe, from the Latin term scribere, meaning â€Å"to write,† referred to a person who performed the responsibilities of an accountant, a secretary, or both but later denoted any writer. (Scrivener is a synonym from medieval Anglo-French.) The term is rarely used outside of historical contexts but occasionally appears as affected slang to refer to a professional author or writer; the same is true of its use as a verb to refer to the action of writing. Scribe is the basis of a select group of other words; here are ten such terms and their meanings, along with examples of their use in a sentence. (Note that each verb listed here can be converted to a noun by changing -scribe to -scription, as in prescribe/prescription.) 1. ascribe: attribute (literally, â€Å"write to†: â€Å"It is largely to this that we must ascribe the national conservatism and contempt for foreigners†) 2. circumscribe: constrict or surround, or define (literally, â€Å"draw around†: â€Å"To circumscribe the influence of the ruling favorites, he next suggested the formation of a cabinet council of six or eight ministers†) 3. conscribe: synonym for circumscribe or variant of conscript 4. describe: represent by drawing something or talking about it, or trace the outline of something (literally, â€Å"draw from†: â€Å"I can’t describe how helpless I felt†) 5. inscribe: write on something (literally, â€Å"write in†: â€Å"They would then inscribe a verse over the door of the house for protection†) 6. prescribe: make a rule, or tell someone to use a remedy or treatment (literally, â€Å"write before†: â€Å"The numerous fasts of the national church prescribe a fish diet†) 7. proscribe: prohibit (literally, â€Å"write for†: â€Å"When a legislature undertakes to proscribe the exercise of a citizen’s constitutional right to free speech, it acts lawlessly†) 8. subscribe: sign or support, or pay regularly for a publication or service (literally, â€Å"write beneath†: â€Å"Long ago, she had learned that many people didn’t subscribe to her morals†) 9. superscribe: write outside or on top of or over (literally, â€Å"write over†: â€Å"Kindly superscribe renewal on the envelope if you are sending it by post†) 10. transcribe: copy something written or write something spoken, or rewrite music for a different instrument or voice or in a different key (literally, â€Å"write across†: â€Å"She will transcribe the speech and send you a copy tomorrow†) Unsubscribe was a rarely used antonym for subscribe until after the advent of email; now, many companies and organizations have an unsubscribe option that enables the receiver to automatically halt the transmission of subsequent messages. The terms superscript and subscript, meanwhile, refer to small numbers, letters, or other characters (such as asterisks) set above or below the baseline of type as indicators of footnotes or in mathematical and scientific usage. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Types of RhymeAwoken or Awakened?10 Varieties of Syntax to Improve Your Writing

Download music should or shouldn't Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Download music should or shouldn't - Essay Example This in-turn gives an alarming notice to the music industry, since the government's plan of busting illegal down loaders’ can seriously harm the industry. Even the stars have different views about illegal downloading. Lily Allen and James Blunt are supporting the bust out of the illegal music downloads, on the other hand, the pop star Shakira believes that illegal downloading or file sharing actually takes her closer to her fans (Shields). WHY IS ILLEGAL DOWNLOAD OF MUSIC ETHICALLLY NOT RIGHT There are laws in every country to protect individuals from all professions. It is their right of course. Similarly, there are defined laws for protecting people in the music industry. Illegal music downloads have not only affected the stars themselves but also retail owners all over the world because they have lost some serious business. This, in turn, means that just because individuals are downloading music illegally a number of people might be getting unemployed in this time of econom ic crisis. In other words, every instance a song is downloaded illegally; an individual snatches something from another individual somewhere around the world for themselves. If anyone wants to download music, he should do it legally. There are multiple sources available to download legal music. There are cheap options available, as well. There are a certain programs that have been declared as legal as mentioned earlier. Now these are all legal because licensing agreements have been signed. Flouting copyright law is a serious offense (Downloading Music). PROs AND CONs OF DOWNLOADING MUSIC Pros Downloading music can get to the masses in minutes, which is not only handy and easily accessible to them, but also a potent treat for the... This "Download music should or shouldn't" essay outlines why it is not an easy issue. On one hand, the music download is facilitating the consumers and increasing its demand but, on the other hand, it’s not only reducing the sales figures of the music industry but also making it an inexpensive and common commodity. Pros †¢ Downloading music can get to the masses in minutes, which is not only handy and easily accessible to them, but also a potent treat for the music fans all over the world since they can get their hands on the music almost instantly. †¢ Downloading music is free. This saves the music fans a handsome amount of money since the legal copies cost a little too much for a normal man. †¢ The individuals who support music downloads say that it not only helps increase the popularity of the artist/singer, but it has also contributed a substantial chunk in the current success of the music industry worldwide. Cons †¢ It is rightly said that things that we get easily without putting in an extra effort are not that precious to any individual as would be a product which requires an extra effort from the consumer. †¢ The music downloads lead to a fall in sales of the retailers of music stores, in turn of the music companies and ultimately the stars themselves too. This can have a disturbing effect on the music industry because of the loss of funds. †¢ At times, downloading music is not even totally free. Downloading from websites may charge a subscription fee which might be equal to purchasing an actual copy (Oak).

Review on Ghost Soldiers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Review on Ghost Soldiers - Essay Example Ignorance remains an integral reason as to why people remain clueless about the experiences of soldiers engaged in war (Shlachter, 2001). In addition, the traumatized soldiers’ training expects them to remain resilient and not break under pressure. As a result, many of them suffer in silence from the traumatic experiences. They avoid recounting to their family and friends about what they went through during the deployment periods (Shlachter, 2001). Therefore, Hampton Riley’ Ghost Soldiers’ provides an exhilarating tale of the lives of US soldiers engaged in a dangerous mission during World War II. This novel provides insightful information for people possessing extremely limited knowledge on the experiences faced by soldiers at war (Shlachter, 2001). The setting of Hampton‘s novel is in January 28, 1945 during the World War II. He gives a narration of the experiences of the 121 hand-picked troops chosen to form the 6th Ranger Battalion (Riley, 2002). Their mission was to slip behind enemy lines in the Philippines and try to rescue the 513 Prisoners of Wars (POWs) of British and American descent. Their captors subjected them to inhumane conditions during both the time of the Bataan death march and the three year captivity period at a camp near the city of Cabanatuan (Riley, 2002). The 6th ranger battalion thought they would be dealing with only a few dozen prison guards. However, as they continued to advance deeper behind the enemy lines, it became clear that Cabanatuan had become a significant transshipment point for the Japanese soldiers. As a result, the 6th Ranger soldiers would have to face as many as 8,000 soldiers (Hoover, 2001). Hampton gives a detailed, gruesome narration of what the soldiers had to endure in order for their mission to prove successful. In his account, he applauds the leadership tactics employed by Lt. Col Henry Mucci; leader of the 6th Ranger Battalion (Riley, 2002). Hampton intricately combines three differe nt stories meshing them into one tale. The first tale revolves around the atrocities committed by the Japanese (Riley, 2002). Hampton delves into the details of the fundamental differences in culture. He also addresses the errors in Judgment, for example, there existed an assumption that only 25,000 American and Filipino troops were available to take part in the Bataan Death March; the actual number was 100,000. Hamptons diverges from the exploits of the soldiers providing an entirely different outlook of ‘high pockets’; individuals who risk their lives to become spies for the US (Riley, 2002). Claire Phillips rises into prominence in Hampton’s accounts of these risk takers. She pretends to be of Italian descent and starts the Tubaki night club despite the fact that she is a GI’s wife. She manages to spy on the Japanese soldiers supplying the information gathered to the local guerillas (Riley, 2002). The High Pockets’ run comes to an end when the Ja panese secret police manage to capture them. The final story revolves around the 6th Rangers Battalion’s mission to rescue the POWs. Hampton provides details on the choosing of the 121 soldiers to form the Battalion. The detailed information provided in the content affirms his dedication to his work; the research done proves impeccable (Riley, 2002). Hampton provides an epic end to his book through the successful rescue of the POWs. The warm welcome of the captives in San Francisco leaves readers heart lifted after the previous heartbreaking stories narrated in the book (Riley, 2002). Ghost Soldiers; is a thrilling battle saga in which author Hampton explores the mystery of human behavioral traits when faced with extreme, stressful conditions (Shlachter, 2001). His first take was on the POWs

Business Communication Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Business Communication - Assignment Example Distorted messages need to be avoided by the businesses of today as they directly affect the image, profitability and performance of a company. The possible barriers to effective communication are identified in the next section. 2.0. Barriers to Effective Communication: Selection of appropriate channels is essential to avoid â€Å"Channel and information overload† which occurs when the channel cannot handle all the messages that are being sent. An example of this is while communicating face to face. During this, a person might find himself talking to two people at a time causing them to forget the original message and mix up the signals being sent. Noise is another factor that affects every part of the process; it can be physical or psychological. Physical noise is for instance, the commotion produced by traffic outside the office which serves as hindrance to effective communication between people. Psychological noise on the contrary, refers to one’s biases, prejudices, dislikes, lack of concentration and preconceived notions about the issue at hand. Barriers to communication may just be a simple distraction caused by noise or a complete misunderstanding due to one’s judgments. Messages need to be clear-cut, to the point and receiver friendly. They should avoid vagueness and the use of words which have multiple meanings. Humans tend to make their own abstractions using past experiences, cultural backgrounds and knowledge. Our evaluations of messages can be different, for example, one might omit information that sounds casual to him/her but can prove to be extremely important for others. We now try to bring together all the... After all informatio, making the diagrams and other analysis the paper talks that modern day organizations understand the vital importance effective communication holds. It is crucial to their success and profitability. The paper describes the selection of appropriate channels is essential to avoid â€Å"Channel and information overload† which occurs when the channel cannot handle all the messages that are being sent. An example of this is while communicating face to face. Miscommunication gives a bad image to the organizations, which not only operate as infants but international giants as well. Both of the structures cannot afford to lose out the market share that offers them the revenue for the goods and services they sell. Messages and information keeps on zooming over, through, in and out of our heads but effective communication is the name of retaining, forwarding and producing those essential messages which at the end of the day provide benefits and reap greater opportunities to succeed. Businesses need to realize the significance of each communication tool and various channels that help transmit the information and senders and receivers must respect the notions of efficiency and effectiveness. Correct usages of languages, observance of 7 Cs, cost benefit analysis of communication tools and channels, employee engagement, giving timely commands are a few tools ensuring effective communication. However it is entirely an organization’s prerog ative to choose a method that will prove to be the best amongst all and contribute to its progress.

Discussion 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

Discussion 6 - Essay Example Aristotle also explained that keeping corruption at bay can help in combating regime degradation. Individual should not practise corruption in order to ensure continuity in the society. When individuals put corruption at bay magistrate will do fair judgment to the people. The factors explained by Aristotle do not help in preventing corruption because individuals learn from those in power. Corruption has been taking place in the society through learning. The people in office teach the new employee on how to increase their earning. Observation of the factors explained by Aristotle can not help in combating corruption because the government systems plays big role in influencing corruption. People are underpaid and they have to find survival means. Lessons which have contemporary relevance are things like education about constitution. When people grow up trained or educated in respect to constitutional demands they will comply with the rule of law and stay away from evil and

Gifted students Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Gifted students - Coursework Example A person’s gift can for example be used in intrinsic motivation to create an attitude that the person has potential that can be used to achieve success in other fields. None academic gifts can therefore be intrinsic motivators towards a student’s academic progress (Marquis and Huston, 2008). ‘Self-initiatives’ into undertakings can be explained from the concept of motivation. Individual who are ‘self-motivated’ will for example have the drive to perform activities without being asked to do so (Marquis and Huston, 2008). Motivation and giftedness are mutually related. Motivation for instance facilitates perfection of gifts while gifts act as a factor to motivation. A gifted individual is for instance confidence and ‘self-motivated’ into ventures (Marquis and Huston, 2008). Improving motivation and task completion among students is achievable through focusing â€Å"on the needs and wants† of the students and application of â€Å"appropriate motivational strategies† (Marquis and Huston, 2008, p. 422). While intrinsic reward refers to utility that a person derives, extrinsic reward is outwardly and observable by other people. Intrinsic rewards are therefore better motivators as they are built within a person as opposed extrinsic motivators that are easily influenced by a person’s environment (Waren, 2002; Marquis and Huston,

Discussion 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

Discussion 6 - Essay Example Aristotle also explained that keeping corruption at bay can help in combating regime degradation. Individual should not practise corruption in order to ensure continuity in the society. When individuals put corruption at bay magistrate will do fair judgment to the people. The factors explained by Aristotle do not help in preventing corruption because individuals learn from those in power. Corruption has been taking place in the society through learning. The people in office teach the new employee on how to increase their earning. Observation of the factors explained by Aristotle can not help in combating corruption because the government systems plays big role in influencing corruption. People are underpaid and they have to find survival means. Lessons which have contemporary relevance are things like education about constitution. When people grow up trained or educated in respect to constitutional demands they will comply with the rule of law and stay away from evil and

Business research and consultancy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Business research and consultancy - Essay Example The paper tells that research and consultancy are two different concepts, which have a number of variations between them. However, they have so much in common and this is quite essential towards each other. Consultants require knowing the findings of research prior to recommending any incentive technique in dealing with the practical problems of management. It is imperative for consultants to consider whether any researches had been conducted towards the utilization of such techniques in circumstances similar to the ones their clients are experiencing. Business research was in the past deemed a data collection service focusing on markets whereby clients requested particular data and the market researchers collected and provided to them. Where such data is now accessible by the various market competitors, business have continually been challenged to not only focus on marketing but also their competitors in order to diagnose the market’s current situation and the problems existi ng in a more detailed manners and identify their weaknesses and strengths. Market is highly dynamic and this requires businesses to constantly analyze the marketplace so as to plan and match their company strengths with the existing market opportunities and devise tactics and strategies to achieve their objectives. Market research also plays an important role in enabling businesses to continuously watch for threats to their plans achievement. Business research is also critical for monitoring progress of an organization’s strategy implementation... Market is highly dynamic and this requires businesses to constantly analyze the marketplace so as to plan and match their company strengths with the existing market opportunities and devise tactics and strategies to achieve their objectives. Market research also plays an important role in enabling businesses to continuously watch for threats to their plans achievement. Business research is also critical for monitoring progress of an organization’s strategy implementation (Kent 1993, p. 2). Marketing research and consultancy practice is concerned with collection, analysis, and interpretation of data on market, company, and its surrounding environment. Such information is relevant for problem diagnosis, business planning, and market strategies control. When firms and entrepreneurs face problems in their businesses related to issues like decline in sales, poor customer relationships and satisfaction, stiff competition or general decline in product demand, they approach business r esearch and consultancy firms for advisory. To identify and address the problems, relevant data is required to identify factors leading to the problems and clarify the decision required to be made. Some research may involve product testing and others may involve pricing research especially for new market entrants (Kent 1993, p. 4). This paper is a reflective report in which the writer desires to give a comprehensive experience of business research and consultancy. The research has used secondary type of research to explore the debt collection software solutions used by various debt collection companies such as Line Time, Win Collect, Proclaim Case Management, Crevice, Adtec, TDX Group, Actius, Capture, Silver Link, Latitude and Experian’s Tallyman. This is a reflection of the

The Difference in Race and Ethnicity Essay Example for Free

The Difference in Race and Ethnicity Essay I have had an opportunity to read three great short stories. The short stories were The Welcome Table, Country Lovers, and Child of the Americas. All of them were amazing stories, betraying ethnic challenges, and some responsibilities. I think overall, everyone should read those stories in order to get certain perspective on culture, and understanding on how they lived during the time frame in their life. I also think the short stories provide an understanding in some respects, of how racial divide was apparent during that timeframe. As far as a declarative statement on this matter, I would like to show examples of the literature readings as it correlates with the perspectives of the racial divide, segregation, and overall trials in which ethnic individuals have had to go through. The assertion, I would like to provide is that, short stories can be a direct reflection on time periods that are occurring in life in spite of it being fiction. Our ancestors lived in a time of slavery and segregation. There was no unity between mankind unless the skin color was the same. There was no equality between man and woman and there was no justification to why anyone would be treated superbly unless they were white. It was thought that black people were diseased, filthy and inferior. Over the years, it took people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , Rosa Parks, and Harriett Tubman to make a statement and help change the future for all other races, not just African Americans. Today, although racism still exists, it is illegal to discriminate against anyone for any reason to include race. The Literary works such as â€Å"Alice Walker’s The Welcome Table, Nadine Gordimer’s Country Lovers, and Aurora Levin’s Morales’s Child of the Americas† give feeling, and meaning to the different angles of racial segregation and acceptance. These literary pieces open one’s eyes and heart to what has been experienced by many if not by one personally. The Welcome Table by Alice Walker is a story about an old, African American woman who is looked down on by the white community. On her way to church, she was stared at with disgust, with pity and with fear. Once inside the church, it was made clear that she didn’t belong and was not welcomed there. â€Å"Under the old womans arms they raised their fists, flexed their muscular shoulders, and out she flew through the door, back under the cold blue sky† (Clugston. , 2010)Upon being thrown out, the old woman saw Jesus approaching and soon walked away with him. She walked herself to death and yet no one ever spoke of the ragged old women. No one cared what happened to her for she was just an old black woman who stepped in to the house of God, the God of the white race, a place in which she didn’t belong. It is stories like these that make you wonder of the cruelty that was endured by many in the past. Alice Walker made it clear in her short story the feeling and thought that many had toward African American. Her description of the old woman was strong enough to paint a vivid picture of what the woman looked like. â€Å"She was angular and lean and the color of poor gray Georgia earth, beaten by king cotton and the extreme weather† (Clugston, 2010). African Americans worked harder than everyone else on the farms of the past. They were owned by the white farmers during slavery and even after slavery was abolished, they still were employed by the white farmers. Walker makes it easier to understand that although slavery was no longer, segregation and hatred to all who were African American was still very strong. There was no acceptance from anyone regardless of the fact that most of the white families were taken care of or raised by African Americans. There was no sympathy, just disgust and disapproval. Unlike Walker’s piece, Country Lovers by Nadine Gordimer shows a slightly different side of race and segregation. In Walker’s piece, there was no acceptance, no love, no feeling of mutuality. Gordimer on the other hand, talks about children playing together in the yard and fields. Race having no impact on how they interact, the kids play together and get along like family. As the time goes on and the kids get older, they begin to go their separate ways. The white children are sent off to school while the black children begin to work around the house and farm. A white boy and black girl from the story grow up together as close friends. They establish a relationship that compares to no other. When the boy goes off to school, he continues to stay friends with the girl. As he gets older and he hangs out more with his white school friends, he hides his friendship with his childhood friend. The friendship between the two had bloomed to something more, it had bloomed into a secret love. What would the rest of his family or friends think or say had they known that he loved this girl? A black employee to the boy’s father like in â€Å"The Welcome Table,† black people were looked down and were only good and useful to tend to the fields and the house work. They were not meant for friendship or relationships; they are not accepted as social beings. They are strictly workers. At the end of the story, the sexual and loving relationship that once was, is brought to an end by the birth of a baby that was unwanted and denied by the white boy. He refuses to admit his love and to differ from the world around him. Why wouldn’t he profess his love for this girl now that they have a child together? I believe this piece shows how society plays such a great role in the actions, feelings, and thoughts of humans everywhere. Had racial segregation been something of a distant dream, would the outcome be the same. Why do people act based on the perception and thought of those around them? Race plays a major role in Gordimer’s story. It determines the outcome of the story from start to finish. How many people have gone through a situation of the sort? For those who do not know what it feels like to be discriminated against because of race, this story takes a very personal subject and ties it in emotionally. Many people have experienced love and parenthood. How would one feel if the love of their life denied them in front of everyone because of their skin color? What if their child was denied or killed because of what others would say or do? Losing someone is never easy but to lose someone over something uncontrollable like race, it is heartbreaking. Readers are able to relate and feel what this young black girl is feeling as she grows up and away from the boy she has always loved. The relationship starts as one that everyone can relate to; a story of friends and soon turns in to a heart-felt, pain stricken story of betrayal and solitude. It was not until after the Civil War that segregation became illegal. There were still many states that were fighting for complete desegregation but African Americans were able to do things that their ancestors could only dream (Cozzens, 1995). Although integration of races was put into order by law, people found other ways to show their disapproval for what they believed was the inferior race: African Americans. Political groups formed in retaliation to the integration laws that had been passed and were taking effect. In the 1960’s, following many Civil Rights movements, a group known as the Ku Klux Klan became very active and violent towards who they thought were un-American. This abuse and hatred was towards more than just African Americans, it went towards Jews, Catholics and immigrants as a whole (Newton, 2007) Knowing that African Americans were not the only ones in the world hated by the white American society, Aurora Levin’s Morales’s poem Child of the Americas the acceptance of one’s race regardless of the thoughts of society. In this poem, Morales describes herself as an American, Puerto Rican, Taina, Mestiza, Caribbean, European, African, and altogether, an immigrant (Clugston. , 2010). She goes on to talk about how she lives her life in a certain way particular to each individual race. Each piece lives within her and she is happy and proud of the person she is. In today’s society, many people are not happy with themselves and try to conform to what they feel is socially acceptable. Morales’s poem opens up the hearts and minds to those who are mixed or born outside of the United States. Many feel like outsiders, like they do not belong. Instead of being themselves and being happy whether they get the approval of all or not, many sell themselves short in order to please. I believe Morales’s poem paints a very clear and concise picture across the page. The poem show that no matter what society thinks, one will never be happy or satisfied without being happy or satisfied with oneself. Morales using very distinguishing actions that one could relate to being Hispanic or a â€Å"child of the Americas†. She uses everyday life experiences that many can relate to vice fictional ideas that would make ones imagination do all the work. It is almost as if she was speaking not only for herself but for every Latin American that lives in the United States. â€Å"I was born at the crossroads and I am whole† (Clugston. , 2010). â€Å"Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects individuals against employment discrimination on the bases of race and color, as well as national origin, sex, and religion. Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labor organizations, as well as to the federal government† (The U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 2011). It is laws like these that keep our country somewhat free from races and cultures being treated as inferior. Although there are many different laws against racism, segregation and discrimination, it still occurs in today’s world. Each literary piece described above is different in many ways. There are underlying factors which give each story its own theme but at the end, race is represented very strongly within them all. Had the world not been so racial divided, would these storied have the same meaning? Would these pieces even exist? Race and how it is looked upon is the main theme that each story has in common. Although unconditional love, self-acceptance and social standing are also a theme within the three pieces, it is hard to look over the common denominator. Many times, writers can write about similar stories but different underlying themes change the way the stories are interpreted and what is taken from the story as a lesson learned. For example, had another write wrote a poem about being mixed in race but being widely accepted or being the popular person in society, the focus would be put on the social life vice the personal acceptance and gratification of being a happy individual that Morales shows in her piece. Had Walker’s piece been focused more towards Jesus and his acceptance of all regardless of race, the outcome of the story may have changed. The story may have revolved on praise and worship vice who treated the old woman poorly and why. As we learn to read and divulge in many different literary works, we learn to notice different themes and meanings behind each piece. Themes like race are very noticeable and very strong themes that get the wheels turning in the mind. Not many people can realize a theme in a story but the three pieces discussed in this paper all have very obvious and very strong themes that anyone and everyone can empathize and relate to. How can one read something of the sort and not relate or imagine feeling? It is nearly impossible especially since it is something that was fought for by many for years on end. It is something that many have witnessed or heard stories about; a part of history that will never be forgotten. Although literary works may be similar in theme or topic they are far from written the same way. The literary pieces discussed are all just as different as they are similar. Each work is written differently, conveys different emotions and reactions and overall expresses a different level of understanding. Point of view differs within each piece and with the difference it makes the reader’s perception of the story different. For example, Morales writes her piece using the first person point of view. It gives the reader a personal insight to what the writer is feeling and trying to express. Third person point of view leaves the readers mind open to visualization of many different things. There are many stories out in the world that touch base with issues such as racism, segregation, and discrimination. Whether in first person or third person; whether fact or fiction, these stories and poems all have share similar meaning and theme. Writers of racial themes put across the pain and chaos that these difference cause. Many people often times fail to see the pain behind things such as discrimination but through symbolism, metaphors, and other key literary terms these feelings, emotions and experiences are brought to light. Race is an issue that many people deal with on a day to day basis regardless what side of the spectrum they are on. Having read each piece of work, I can say that themes in each were very different yet strong and imaginative. A reader can never say that the imagination was not stimulated with the thought and understanding of each piece of work. Each piece establishes a sense of strength, love and personal experience throughout the piece. As a reader, I can say that after reading each piece I felt connected to the characters within whether it is imaginatively or realistically. Racism exists even to this day. We witness it through hate crimes committed in some of what are thought to be the safest places, like schools and churches. The Jena 6 controversy in Louisiana was a situation in which a white student was beaten up by a group of African American students after three nooses were left hanging on a tree where one of the African American students sat the day before. This tree was said to be a hangout for white students only (The case of the Jena six: black high school students charged with attempted murder for schoolyard fight after nooses are hung from tree [Radio series episode]., 2007). This controversy became a national headline in the news because many saw it as African Americans being portrayed as inferior and the root of all evil. People did not see any wrong from anyone else but the African Americans and vice versa. This and other such issues leave people with the feeling that racism and discrimination is something that is among us all and subject to come out when we least expect it. Can literary works like the ones discussed open up the eyes of the readers to the feelings that hatred and racial segregation causes? I believe that each one of these literary works has a strong racial theme and each one can impact a reader in a way that was not expected. As we become strong and more in depth readers, themes like these will become more vibrant and obvious to see. Race and ethnicity is nothing more than an exterior color and difference in geographical location (Hallam, 2004). The authors make it clear that these difference cause lots of separation and heartache. These themes not only educate on historical experience but on what should be put to rest as an unhappy and disapproving issue that is ongoing in society.