Summary Of Emily Wuthering Heights - 1692 Words

Jenny Panchal Mrs. Callarman English 4AP December 4, 2015 Bronte, Emily Wuthering Heights 1847. The narrators’ stories are told from two different time frames. Nelly’s story begins in the 1770s and Lockwood leaves Yorkshire in 1802. The story of Wuthering Heights takes place in two neighboring houses, called Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, on the Yorkshire moors. The setting is important to the story because of the symbolism of the moors and what drives or motivates the characters. The physical environment of the moors is symbolic in Wuthering Heights because it is a wild, wet place. Not much can be farmed on moors so it symbolizes how nothing can be nurtured, like love. It’s hard to get around because it all looks the†¦show more content†¦Class status affected the characters’ motivation, like Catherine’s decision to marry Edgar so that she will be â€Å"the greatest woman of the neighborhood.† The Lintons try hard to prove their social status by how they behave. The Earnshaws don’t have a carriage or as much land and their house is not as grand. The protagonists in the story are Heathcliff, Catherine, and Edgar Linton. Heathcliff was an orphan adopted by Mr. Earnshaw and brought to live at Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff falls in love with Mr. Earnshaw’s daughter, Catherine. After time, Mr. Earnshaw dies and his son, Hindley, is very mean to Heathcliff. Catherine wants a higher social status than Heathcliff can provide so she marries Edgar Linton. Heathcliff spends the rest of his life seeking revenge on just about everyone in the novel, including Hindley and Catherine. Heathcliff is often cruel and powerful and after he gets rich he uses his power to acquire both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Catherine is the daughter of Mr. Earnshaw. Catherine falls in love with Heathcliff, the orphan Mr. Earnshaw brought home. Catherine loves Heathcliff so much that she claims they are the same person. She is torn between her passion for Heathcliff and her social ambition. She brings misery to both of the men who love her. Edgar Linton is a

Sch 33 Equality and Inclusion in Health Essay - 1552 Words

SHC 33 Promote Equality and Inclusion in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings 1. Explain what is meant by: Diversity Equality Inclusion Mean by Diversity the differences between individuals and groups in society arising from gender, ethnic origins, social, cultural or religious background, family structure, disabilities, sexuality and appearance. Our society is made up of people with a wide range of characteristics. Where people vary in a multitude of ways, including in their age, sex, sexual orientation, physical characteristics such as height, weight and skin colour, ability, personal experiences and personal attributes, such as beliefs, values and preferences Diversity contributes strength to a†¦show more content†¦Discrimination against people on the grounds of their income, for example treating people living in poverty as inferior, is known as povertyism 3. Explain how inclusive practice promotes equality and supports diversity. Discrimination and prejudice interfere with: Children’s right to have access to equality of opportunity ,promoting the positive aspects of diversity. And they have no place in setting for children . Setting should always aim for inclusion is the opposite of discrimination. `inclusion requires us to appreciate the barriers real or perceived to all children and families participating in and benefiting from what a setting has to offer on an equal footing. Working towards inclusion involves striving to ensure that such barriers are broken down. When we start to remove these barriers and make sure that all children and families can be ( and feel themselves to be) part of our settings, we are taking steps to open up equality of opportunity and promote positive attitudes to diversity. We offer each child opportunities to achieve and flourish which are as good as the opportunities experienced by other children and families has an opportunity to participate in a setting. 4. Explain how legislation and codes of practice relating to equality, diversity and discrimination apply to own work role Setting to promote equality of opportunity and ensure that every family is included. Learn child name, same for parents knowledgeShow MoreRelatedShc 31-31066 Words   |  5 Pagespractitioners because information is regularly shared where concerns are addressed within an environment that encourages open communication. Practitioners who work together as a team with a common aim will provide the best possible service for children. SCH 32 1. Understand what is required for competence in own work role 1. Describe the duties and the responsibilities of own work role To provide a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care for children placed in the nursery Read MoreThe Effect of Student Attitudes and Beliefs on Mathematics Education29432 Words   |  118 Pagestowards mathematics of standard six pupils†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...24 2.4 The process of planned change: A theory of innovation 26 2.5 Review of literature related to SMASSE INSET 33 2.5.1 Change in attitudes towards teaching strategies in secondary school teachers in Nigeria following in-service professional Development. 33 2.5.2 Rationale for SMASSE In-service Education and Training (INSET) 35 2.5.3 The ASEI Movement and the PDSI Approach 38 2.5.4 Study on Mathematical Achievement

Lenovo Marketing Free Essays

Lenovo Acquisition Analysis Product/Brand decisions: Some of the issues Lenovo had to deal with in the acquisition of IBM was how to capitalize on the marriage of brands and how to win corporate respect with the Lenovo brand. The acquisition allowed Lenovo to move quickly into the international marketplace. Given that IBM had one of the most trusted brands around the world, this allowed Lenovo to build on past IBM’s reputation. We will write a custom essay sample on Lenovo Marketing or any similar topic only for you Order Now But Lenovo only had the right to use the IBM logo for five years so they wanted to leverage that asset. The media perception of Lenovo’s association with the Chinese government was also concerning to Lenovo’s executives since firms with this type association tend to get low marks for trustworthiness. In response they did face to face surveys to determine customer concerns. After choosing to focus on innovation and quality the company eventually settled on a strategy with two elements: build up the Lenovo brand as master brand and continue to strengthen the ThinkPad brand which rated high among corporate buyers. Pricing decisions: Lenovo’s pricing decisions was a case of how to position itself in the minds of consumers. They had already become very efficient with the cost of manufacturing since most of the components were already being made inside of China. But they had to choose what its brand essence would be and over how many categories its brand would be stretched. As they saw it there were two groups with which to compete. One group included the discounted pricing model like Dell, HP, Acer and such. Another group included Apple and IBM which distinguished their products on innovation and quality. So to remain competitive, Lenovo planned to launch their new PC Series 3000. This was an attempt to keep the master brand and the ThinkPad as luxury products at a premium price and to create another product that was priced lower and could compete in the market on another level. They chose not to compete directly on price with the 3000 family by applying what they learned business consumers wanted which was ‘worry free computing’. They were going to stress in their marketing strategy that the Lenovo brand stood for innovation. Competing on price would have given the perception of a cheap product from China. But they learned that consumers put a premium value on quality, reliability and durability. Distribution decisions: The acquisition allowed Lenovo to acquire distribution channels that IBM had already built up. It now had a marketplace to 138 countries where both businesses had been selling previously. Prior to the acquisition sales in China for Lenovo’s were 70% transactional through business partners and 30% by relationships or consulting. Globally for Lenovo it was the opposite with only 30% of sales through partners. IBM’s customer base had been predominantly corporate customers. On the supply chain side IBM pc’s were already sourced in China so there were operational efficiencies to be gained. According to one executive there appeared to be no channel conflict since they had complementary products and client bases. They could assembly a broad product portfolio and use global distribution to take products around the world. Combining the two cultures still posed a challenge to making the company function in the manner it was the merger was conceived. Even though Lenovo had modeled itself after HP and IBM by focusing on meritocracy, the potential for corporate and operational clashes had not been clearly removed. However, the young CEO Yang exhorted them to work together as they integrate the two companies. The key message was to trust the other person’. This helped foster an atmosphere that would help the transition. Promotion decisions: Lenovo had many challenges facing them with regard to promotion of the brand and product portfolio. One was how to position the ThinkPad brand with the market and whether to put this brand on existing Lenovo products. The marketing ma nager thought this would dilute the ThinkPad brand and decided to keep the ThinkPad as a separate product class that would build on its reputation of a premium business notebook. This became part of their strategy of a ‘one-two punch’: building up the Lenovo master brand and continue to strengthen the ThinkPad product brand. Just before the acquisition Lenovo had negotiated an Olympic sponsorship in order to introduce the world to the brand. They would be able to use the Olympic logo for marketing and promotion but this arrangement would come at a hefty price of $80 million to start and another $160 for the additional advertising requirement; a large sum for a company with $3. 2 billion in sales. Lenovo would also be able to continue to use the IBM logo for five years as part of the acquisition which they intended to leverage. The promotion strategy led to a three phase advertising plan. First, they ran a worldwide campaign where each ad ended with a mention of the ThinkPad instead of Lenovo to reassure customer and maintain the ThinkPad momentum. The second campaign was labeled ‘ThinkPad Unleashed’ which ran during the Olympics to emphasis that the ThinkPad was being made even better. The third phase stressed that Lenovo stood for innovation which is how they intended to differentiate themselves from their competitors. In order to continue to raise awareness, the marketing manager studied brand-tracking research from 10 countries every quarter. They would chose product placements on TV shows in countries like India as a result of the studies. They also explored unconventional ways to position the company as Dell and HP continued to outspend them in ad dollars by as much as 20 times in the US and 10 times in Japan. Upon introducing a ‘3000’ family of pc’s for the small business market, the challenge was how to position it as price-competitive without the perception that they were cheap products from China. This might dilute the master brand. They would investigate more in depth about what business customers ultimately wanted in their pc’s. To help with what their research revealed, each PC came with a set of tools labeled ‘LenovoCare’ for ‘worry-free computing’. Marketing strategy: The marketing strategy would eventually stress a family of innovative products that resulted from the marriage of the two brands. This would help support their mission statement: We put more innovation in the hands of more people so they can do more amazing things. Delivering on this mission would prove to be harder than just saying it. From the outset, Lenovo strived to create a management team that was representative of the new global market. They achieved this by hiring employees in the countries where they sold the PC’s. Developing a marketing strategy that spanned the globe was a daunting task that would only be successful if their diverse team of executives worked together. Having multiple cultures working together toward the same goal would be difficult. Within the first several months after the acquisition the Lenovo did lose market share. Now the company would have to stand on the Lenovo brand to get them through the next several difficult months of regaining that share and getting more entrenched in the US market. They would find that even in their own home country of China where they once had the advantage that competition had become more intense due to additional ad dollars they were spending. As long as they continued to support the innovative culture which won IBM so much recognition and to work to make the cultures manage together this would lead to a successful future. How to cite Lenovo Marketing, Papers

People - Work and Organization

Question: Discuss about the People, Work and Organization. Answer: Company Overview KPMG is a Swiss Cooperative, providing professional services to the global organizations. The company has three major services such as tax, audit and advisory. Previously, the name of the organization was KMG abs after merging up with Peat Marwick; they change the name of KPMG. The company employs total 174,000 employees in global market (kpmg, 2016). Headquarter of the company is at Amstelveen. The company was founded in 1987. The company is known as the best financial service provider in global market. The annual revenue of the company is US$24.44 billion as per 2015. Level of complexity When it comes to the level of complexity, KPMG encounters complexity due to governmental regulations. KPMG conduct business in global market. On the other hand, government of different country has different regulations for financial sectors. Therefore, it is difficult for the company to comply with these legislations. The organizational process becomes complex for KPMG due to high regulatory difference (kpmg, 2016). As governments do not have any global framework, the company needs to understand lot of policies and regulation in order to conduct business in global market. Apart from that, information management is another challenge, which makes business of KPMG complex. In order to satisfy global client, the company needs to conduct efficient market research. However, limitation of confidential data increases the level of complexity. Mintzbergs configuration model Organizaiotons dealing with financial services are having hierarchical organizational structure. KPMG conducts business in global market and therefore, the organizational structure of this company has to be hierarchical (Ho, Lai Lee, 2013). In order to understand the type of organization and its structure, Mintzbergs configuration model has been evaluated. According to this model, there are five types of organizational structure. Following is the evaluation of these organizational types. The machine organization In such organization, the procedures are formalized. The processes should be aligned with the employees roles and responsibility (Tomanek, 2016). Centralized decision-making of this kind of organization helps to avoid uncertainty. However, this kind of structure is only appropriate for the manufacturing company. The entrepreneurial organization In this kind of organization, the processes are simple and flexible as well. There is no standardized system and therefore, the entire process is very informal (Hogan Coote, 2014). However, KPMG have to follow proper guideline of government in order to conduct business in global market. Therefore, KMPG is not an entrepreneurial organization. The divisional organization This kind of organizations has a range of products or services. The organizational structure of this kind of company is divisional. There will be a central headquarter to support the autonomous sections (Kummerow Kirby, 2013). This kind of organizational structure can be seen is large and global organization. Therefore, it can be said that KPMG is a divisional organization. The professional organization The basic different between machine organizations and professional organization is, professional organization rely on trained workforce in order to achieve the organizational goal (Schneider, Ehrhart Macey, 2013). The term professional refers to the attitude of controlling critical situation without taking any assistance. This organizational structure can be seen in manufacturing industry. The innovative organization This kind of organizations relies on innovative strategies in order to achieve organizational goal (Shahzad et al., 2012). The organizations do not have any rigid policy to comply. As KPMG needs to comply with organizational and governmental policies, it can be said that this organizational structure is not appropriate for this context. Symbolic Frame According to Scheins concept of cultural model, organizations do not adopt their culture in one day. The process is lengthy and depends on different situations. In case of KPMG, the company has five different logos such as primary logo, blue logo, black logo, solid blue logo and solid black logo (kpmg, 2016). The purposes of these logos are different and introduced in different organizational situation. Scheins concept of cultural model suggests that if an organization has strict policies to comply with, then the company is highly professional. As described, KPMG maintains their logo in an appropriate manner. The company uses each logo for different purpose. Therefore, it can be said that the approach of this company is more professional in contrast with other organizations in this field. Following are the logos that KPMG have: KPMG primary logo KPMG blue logo KPMG black logo KPMG solid blue logo KPMG solid black logo Figure: Logo of KPMG (Source: kpmg, 2016) KPMG is a service-based organization serving to the global consumers. Apart from that, the company is complying with a range of regulations. Therefore, it can be said that the company maintains professionalism, which makes the company different from the competitors. Aligning Symbolic, HHR and Structural Frame Figure: Organizational Structure of KPMG (Source: kpmg, 2016) According to the organizational structure, KPMG has a hierarchical structure. The top management controls the lower management in order to ensure that the organizational objectives are achieved. According to the Mintzbergs configuration model, KPMG is divisional organization. In this kind of organization, employees are bound to comply with the organizational policies. Therefore, KMPG maintains the use of different logos in order to maintain their global identify (Ho, Lai Lee, 2013). The logo designed by the human resource management of the company stands for different purpose. SFor example, the solid black logo is used for signage. However, the background of the signage should be white or light color. It helps the company to display a prominent brand image in global market. According to the organizational structure, the company needs to maintain the professional approach while conducting business in global market. Apart from that, the entire process of this organization is controlle d by the headquarters (Hogan Coote, 2014). Therefore, it can be said that global council, global executive team and global board are responsible for implementing new strategies. As this organization follows a hierarchical approach, the lower level management should maintain the policies framed by the higher management. Therefore, the organizational culture should fall under the professional organization in Mintzbergs configuration model. References Ho, C. L., Lai, G. C., Lee, J. P. (2013). Organizational structure, board composition, and risk taking in the US property casualty insurance industry.Journal of Risk and Insurance,80(1), 169-203. Hogan, S. J., Coote, L. V. (2014). Organizational culture, innovation, and performance: A test of Schein's model.Journal of Business Research,67(8), 1609-1621. kpmg,. (2016). Retrieved 9 August 2016, from https://www.kpmg.com/NO/NB/Om-Oss/presse-og-media/Documents/logoRiktlinjer.pdf kpmg,.(2016).kpmg.www.kpmg.com/RU/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/Documents/Confronting%20complexity.pdf. Retrieved 9 August 2016, from https://www.kpmg.com/RU/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/Documents/Confronting%20complexity.pdf Kummerow, E., Kirby, N. (2013). Organisational Culture: Concept, Context, and Measurement (In Two Volumes).World Scientific Books. Schneider, B., Ehrhart, M. G., Macey, W. H. (2013). Organizational climate and culture.Annual review of psychology,64, 361-388. Shahzad, F., Luqman, R. A., Khan, A. R., Shabbir, L. (2012). Impact of organizational culture on organizational performance: an overview.Interdisciplinary journal of contemporary research in business,3(9), 975. Tomanek, R. (2016). Koleje lskie as an Example of H. Mintzbergs Structural Configuration Theory Application in Designing Organizational Structure of a Railway Operator. InTransport Development Challenges in the Twenty-First Century(pp. 231-239). Springer International Publishing.

Antisense Theory Essays - Biology, Genetics, RNA, DNA,

Antisense Theory It is estimated that cancer affects three out of four families in the United States alone the disease and its treatments cause substantial mortality and morbidity, prompting intense interest in cancer prevention. Most available treatments for cancers are non-specific; meaning that they target all rapidly growing cells, both normal and cancerous. Consequences of these treatments include side effects towards the normal cells. In addition, cancer is a genetically unstable disease. Cancer cells can develop drug resistance through repeated rounds of mutation and selection. This may render a particular non-specific chemotherapeutic treatment ineffective so that new drugs must be administered in its place. To remedy this occurrence, current research is focusing on the genetic level to terminate the disease and to avoid the damaging side effects and development of drug resistance. One avenue of research focuses on antisense oligonucleotide to target the oncogenes, or cancer causing genes, in a specific fashion to completely inhibit the expression of the oncogenes. Information necessary to produce proteins in cells is contained in genes. In humans it is contained in the human genome and its collection of more than 100,000 genes. Genes are made up of DNA. The DNA molecule is a ?double helix?. They are made up of Adenine, Thymidine, Guanine and Cytosine and are bound by hydrogen to complementary nucleotides on the other strand. RNA is the DNA intermediary and carries the information necessary for the cell to produce its specific protein. During the transferring on information the DNA strand partly uncoils. The ?sense? strand separates from the ?antisense strand.? Because RNA is translated by the cell it is called the ?sense strand.? The hybridization of an antisense strand to mRNA can interfere with its translation to protein . Antisense oligonucleotide are polymers of nucleic acids, which can vary from 12-25 base pairs in length, and which are sequence specific and bind to the target mRNA or DNA through complementary hydrogen bonding. Antisense theory proposes that oligonucleotide, or oligos, recognize specific sequences of mRNA or DNA and bind to them, thus preventing translation or transcription of a gene. Through the binding of an oligo to an mRNA that translates an essential protein for cancer growth, the action of the protein is terminated because the product, an oncoprotein, is never formed The main advantage of antisense is it offers specificity and point of attack. Traditional drugs are less effective because they are not as specific and only work when the disease causing protein has already been produced. Whereas, antisense drugs are complementary strands of Mrna and bind to specific nucleotides in its Mrna to inhibit production of a disease causing protein. They can bind to multiple areas whereas traditional drugs can only bind at two points of interaction. Another advantage of antisense is that it is less complex, than traditional drugs that target proteins. Proteins are complex molecules whose structure is hard to predict, antisense compound are designed to bind to Mrna whose structures are easy to understand. Experimental results seem to support the antisense theory model. If an antisense oligonucleotide does indeed act in a sequence specific, antisense manner to target a gene that is over expressed in cancer or leukemia cells, gene expression can be inhibited and cell growth can be terminated. The application of this theory offers the potential to halt the growth of cancer cells if the over expressed gene can be targeted. The hopes for the future include studying other cell types for similar effects by targeting different over expressed genes using different antisense oligonucleotide.

Free Essays on Private Versus State Schools

PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND STATE SCHOOLS As we know there are two types of schools in Turkiye by which education is held.One of them is private schools wich are established by a person or a firm where mostly children of the rich are educated. The other is the public schools which government sets up itself and are sen more commonly in TÃ ¼rkiye. When we compare the former with the latter, private schools haave some aspects that are hardly seen in public schools, such as the quality of education, the facilities provided and the high rate of entering a university. Firstly, the teachers who are provided with high salary and some other opportunities are the source of the quality education in private schools. Not encountering any hardship, they concentrate on their work and thus, comes the success.One reason which increases the quality of education in private schools is the perfect relationship berween the teachers and students. Via this structural organization, students in private schools tell any of the problems they face; hence, education rises to degrees which are beyond perfection. Secondly, as success depends not only on education but also on facilities that help students socialize himself and relax, private schools are far ahead from the public equivalents. Sport halls, swimming pools, conference halls, places for recreation enable students to have both a physically and psychologically perfect condition. The third and the most obvious aspect of the private schools is the astounding success ratio in entering universities. By the help of their qualified teachers and the facilities they have, students in private schools will surely be more successful than those graduated from public schools. To conclude. Our country needs more and more private schools because of the quality education which our children need. For this process, the government’s support is intensively needed.Thus, if the government helps the people and the fir... Free Essays on Private Versus State Schools Free Essays on Private Versus State Schools PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND STATE SCHOOLS As we know there are two types of schools in Turkiye by which education is held.One of them is private schools wich are established by a person or a firm where mostly children of the rich are educated. The other is the public schools which government sets up itself and are sen more commonly in TÃ ¼rkiye. When we compare the former with the latter, private schools haave some aspects that are hardly seen in public schools, such as the quality of education, the facilities provided and the high rate of entering a university. Firstly, the teachers who are provided with high salary and some other opportunities are the source of the quality education in private schools. Not encountering any hardship, they concentrate on their work and thus, comes the success.One reason which increases the quality of education in private schools is the perfect relationship berween the teachers and students. Via this structural organization, students in private schools tell any of the problems they face; hence, education rises to degrees which are beyond perfection. Secondly, as success depends not only on education but also on facilities that help students socialize himself and relax, private schools are far ahead from the public equivalents. Sport halls, swimming pools, conference halls, places for recreation enable students to have both a physically and psychologically perfect condition. The third and the most obvious aspect of the private schools is the astounding success ratio in entering universities. By the help of their qualified teachers and the facilities they have, students in private schools will surely be more successful than those graduated from public schools. To conclude. Our country needs more and more private schools because of the quality education which our children need. For this process, the government’s support is intensively needed.Thus, if the government helps the people and the fir...

HSA 530 week 11 DB1 & DB2 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HSA 530 week 11 DB1 & DB2 - Coursework Example The knowledge I have gained through reading several literatures has also been key towards molding me to be a future dependable human resource manager. This course entails a lot relevant to the issue of human resource management. The course entails employee relations management, customer relations management, communication management, as well as conflict resolution among other things. Employee relations management is important in achieving the maximum productivity of the employees. A customer relations management is geared towards maintaining the increased levels of consumption of the goods by the customers, thereby influencing the profit maximizations b the organizations. Communication management is important in ensuring effective ways of communicating to different levels of staff, as well as aide in conflict resolution. It is true that initially, we did not have any clue on what the course was all about. However, with time, learning advanced into several stages. This made us gain knowledge on several things that the course entails. As Jasmyne asserts, it is true that our skills have really matured relevant to the readings and knowledge gained from this course. This course has also imparted into us the ability to face challenges with optimism as Jasmyne puts it. This involves broadening our ways of viewing things. This has also prepared us for new endeavors that may come our way as Jasmyne has asserted. I totally agree with Sheila’s post on the speech concerning the contents of this course. Sheila as noted that human resourced was developed to modify the employee relations. This is true since one of the contents of the course entails employee relations management. Moreover, she has also mentioned something concerning the issue of organizational conflict that is also covered in the course. As such, it is within my consideration that Sheila has been right on her opinions concerning some of the contents of the

Immortality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Immortality - Essay Example The influence of immortality has had a basis in human society for thousands and thousands of years. Whereas many people will fantasise about the idea that our physical bodies may surpass their lifespan, it is now universally accepted that no one can live forever (in the physical sense); yet the debate as to whether there is some essence, namely the human soul, that 'lives on' after our physical body has passed away continues to fuel much debate. Thousands of years ago the search for the Philosopher's Stone, a red coloured compound which was believed to greatly prolong human life, as well as turn metal into gold (and thus bring wealth as well as long life), became the holy grail of the medieval world. Buddhism in particular places much emphasis on the belief that our 'essence' moves from creature to creature through reincarnation, that we are reborn into a new body each time our physical one dies, and that our actions in the last body determine which new body we are put into. Christia nity, unlike Buddhism believes that our actions in this life determine whether we spend the rest of eternity in Heaven of Hell. There are many people who will then go on to argue that if a person does not go to Heaven or Hell, they will become trapped in Limbo, wandering 'in between' the astral planes. Christian beliefs seem to have derived a lot from the teachings of Plato, be it that the changed Gods to God. The fact that immortality has played such an integral role in society and religion raises many questions. It begs an answer to the question 'what is motivating people to look for things (namely religious beliefs and actual objects, such as the Philosopher's Stone), that will secure their immortality Why do people want to live forever' Moving on from this question then we can ask 'are religious systems and people in powerful positions manipulating people's belief (particularly in the immortality of the soul, and hence the fate of it after death), in immortality to control their actions' A King, for example in medieval England could use the Church as a vehicle for ensuring that all his subjects obey his every order. Yes, it was believed that a King had 'divine right,' but were these 'rights' believed to be from God or were they a creation of the Monarchy, or an age old belief that the monarchy had corrupted The King could easily have, and did, punish heretics, using their deaths as a warning to others that if they too committed heresy their souls would be damned to hell, because an insult to the King is an insult to God himself.It follows from this that I am sceptical of the idea that the soul will ascend or descend to its Christian resting place. Whilst I too humour the idea of the soul, I find myself drawn towards the idea of reincarnation. Perhaps it is my ego, yet as I sit and think, I cannot help but recall the teachings of Hume. He stated that we could never know our 'true self,'1 be that our soul or something else, because all we can ever experience (Hume was a renowned advocate of Empiricism2), is our perceptions. I am aware that I am constantly in a 'perceptive state' (thinking, reasoning, unconsciously or consciously), I cannot see how

Human Computer Interaction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Human Computer Interaction - Essay Example From 1999 to 2010, the Yahoo website linked together a sequence of pages with Back/Next links. The developers created a parent page that links to all of the pages in this sequence, and allowed users to view them either in sequence or out of order. In this regard, the 1999 website was the most basic, and the 2010 version was the most advanced (Barrier 27). It is safe to say that all the Yahoo websites since 1999 to 2010 have been designed to support easy navigation by linking pages (Barrier 29). If a user clicks on a link and wants to go back to the parent page, there is a Back/Next link; if a user has gone back by mistake, for example, he/she can also go to the next page by clicking on the Next link. Visual Framework: From 1999 to 2010, the Yahoo website pages were designed to use the same basic layout, colors and stylistic elements, but give the design enough flexibility to handle varying page content. Going through the different versions, it is clear this aspect of design has been enhanced with time but it was a concept that was in use as early as 1999. When it comes to center stage, all the website versions from 1999 to 2010 put the most important part of the UI into the largest subsection of the page or window; cluster secondary tools and content around it in smaller panels. Context, size, color and headlines were applied in making the most important news and website sections stand out for easy recognition and identification by users. In terms of grid of equals, from 1999 to 2010, content items are arranged in a grid or matrix. Each item follows a common template, and each item’s visual weight is similar. Right/Left alignments are applied to good effect in all the website versions ranging from 1999 to 2010. Bullet points have been used from 1999 to 2010. However, their use was more prominent in earlier versions (1999-2003) than in 2005-2010. A good look would reveal that bulleted points are now used to highlight less important links, as compared to 1 999 when they were conspicuously placed and occupied a large section of the home page. Diagonal balance, collapsible panels, and module taps have been used to very good effect from 1999 to 2010, exemplifying good website design. They were less prominent in earlier versions (1999-2003) when compared to the 2005-2010 versions of the website. List patterns (thumbnail grids and list inlays) have been well designed and applied from 1999 to 2010, although they were less pronounced in the earlier versions (1999-2003). For instance, I looked at the button groups used in the 1999-2003 website versions and it was evident that due to their simple and primitive nature, they cannot be used in the 2010 version. Also, I examined the macros and progress indicators used in the 1999-2003 versions vis- a-vis the 2005-2010 versions. On a head-to-head matchup, the 1999-2003 macros and progress indicators seem even archaic when compared to the ones used in the 2005-2010 versions. This is understandable g iven that time and technological changes are very influential and inevitable. Thumbnail grids, list inlays, diagonal balance, collapsible panels, and module taps that are used in the 1999-2003 versions basically pale when compared to the 2005-2010 versions. These elements should be flexible, adaptable, comprehensive, and relevant as time changes, and although they may have

Adequacy Of Crime Control In The Uk Criminology Essay

Adequacy Of Crime Control In The Uk Criminology Essay Analyse the adequacy(sufficient to satisfied or meet a need) and relevance(relation of something) of the crime control and due process models for understanding criminal justice, with reference to the jurisdiction you are in and/or England and Wales. For discussing this question we should first tell what criminal justice system is and how it does works. A Criminal Justice system is a set of legal and social institutions to ensure the implementation of criminal law with a set course of rules and regulations . The system of criminal justice is directed at controlling and mitigating crimes, punishing the offender and providing safety to the society by the help of the government. Today its one of the major concerns of the general public. Fruitfully criminal justice is a behavior that changes with the change in different aspects of the society and varies with space and time(Black, 1976). A lot of agencies namely the Police, the Crown Prosecution service,judges,juries,lawyers. courts etc. are working together to reform and improve the Criminal Justice System (CJS). The main challenge was that of making the prisons system and the processes of dealing with prisoners more better and efficient .Only to criminal justice process a number of government departments agencies and other departments make contributions which sometimes can be conflicting. Maintaining a level of deterrence in the society that can stop the violation of law by punishing and convicting those who are guilty and deliver justice to the society is the sole purpose of Criminal Justice System. One of the reasons which has made this system more prone to criticism is due to the recent modifications made to it with the amendments made to the areas that are more concerned with the proceedings of these crimes.Every citizen has the right to be safe and is always eager to know that whether the criminal will be brought to justice or not.punishing the offender can increase public faith.CJS also aims at practicing fairness in the system fair treatment to everyone. A few societies have been able to setup criminal justice institutions that practice equality,fairness and openness (Prillaman 2000; Solomon and Foglesong 2000; Ungar 2002). The local criminal justice board led on reducing crime and administering justice on local basis. The crime levels have been increasing, which leaves the subject even more criticized however there exists a mistrust of justice for those who believe that the innocent people are being punished and the guilty people escape. Mostly justice systems that practice secrarcy, brutality and arbitrariness are in a society that is under authoritarian regime (Smykla 1989; McElligott 1994; Shelley 1994; Trevaskes 2004). We will examine how the CJS works and focus on the crime control model and due process model. Its theories and models are are identified following. Due process model: it can be said that the current system in UK is a element of the Due Process Model. The Model looks very much like an obstruction route. Each of its succeeding stages is planned to present frightening impediments to carrying the accused any further along in the course. this was created by the American Commentator Herbert Packer in 1968.the primary social goal of the model is Justice and there is an emphasis on fairness and procedural due Process. Basically the model insists on the avoidance and removal of mistakes to the level possible, a process of evidence gathering and dealing with suspects that are needed to protect the accused. The crime control models primary goal is to control crime and punishment of offenders, focuses on ensuring that the police get the convictions in courts. It emphesises on the responsibility of an individual to protect the citizens of the society that abide by the law by apprehending and punishing the criminals (Pecker,1968), David Bunkett was responding to a journalists question concerning the Prime Ministers speech regarding a move towards Crime Control Centered Criminal Justice System, on BBC News. One of the major and most disturbing problems of the Crime Control Model is the miscarriages of justice The rest of models like the The restorative justice mode, bureaucratic model ,A medical model, social integration and exclusion model and status passage model requires no discussion yet. Here the main models of crime control and due process will be discussed that are considered as two different ideal types of criminal justice.Protection of the innocence and elimination of crimes from the street is the main role of crime control.While comparing both models it should be borne in mind that proponents of both models embrace constitutional values. According to the crime control model repression of criminal conduct should be the vital purpose of the criminal process and that justice should focus on upholding the rights of victims rather than those of the accused. Based on the concept of police fact-finding it treats the alleged criminal as guilty. This therefore, shows a negative mannerism of the crime control model. Now coming towards the latter goal, in the due process model the focal point is the assumption that a person cannot be deprived of his liberty or rights unless the relevant legal procedures and safeguards are adhered to. Those who believe in harsh approaches towards criminal activity may be classed in favor of crime control whereas those against the notion of state intrusions and harassment of the accused tend to value the due process model. There seems erratic swings in crime control in some societies (Rose,2000). On the other hand, the due process model rests upon the principle of legal guilt and the presumption of innocence. After scrutinizing both the models it appears that much depends on the political climate of a country on what model to adopt. It follows that the crime control model mirrors the conservative ideals while the due process thereby reflecting liberal views. During the 1960s the system was manipulated by the policies of the due process. However, when conservatism dominated from the mid 1970s to the early twenty-first century the criminal justice system took the shape of the crime control model.The most important breakdown that is also considered as the failure of law enforcement is bringing criminal conduct under strict control that vanishes an important condition of human freedom. Successful operation of this model must result into a strong rate of apprehension and conviction. Secondly it has to be done in a manner that although the resources are limited still a very large m agnitude can be dealt with.According to Paul Roberts by far the most important function that has to be performed by the criminal process is based on the proposal of forcibly subjugating crime conduct which is the basic of crime control model. A properly criminalized conduct is the dependency of this model. Punishing the guilty and freedom of the innocenct is the aim of both of these models. Here it should also be mentioned as Zander points out that there are so many important current developments affecting criminal justice that it is difficult to keep abreast of them and even more difficult sometimes to be sure whether they are to be welcomed or deplored .A number of miscarriages can be seen in justice that are rapidly increasing. The three great IRA cases are have gathered a lot of interest and highlighted problem of miscarriage of justice. The Guildford four, Derek Bentley, Birmingham six , the Maguire seven, Judith ward and Bridgewater four. In all these cases later Royal commission found them innocent and before that people served long time in prison for wrongly being accused.. The defendants had their convictions quashed by the court of appeal. The structural reforms purposed and accepted by both the May inquiry into the Guildford four and the Runciman commission, which reported in 1993. In case of Birmingham six, where Defendant was beaten up after arrest and forced to confess. Lord Denning held that the police were guilty of perjury; that they were guilty of violence and threats; that the confession was involuntary and improperly admitted in evidence; and that the convictions were erroneous ,Lord Denning held à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦that the police were guilty of perjury; that they were guilty of violence and threats; that the confessions were involuntary and improperly admitted in evidence; and that the convictions were erroneousà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ in the case of Cardiff three, where d was held for murder of a Cardiff prostitute and later the convictions were quashed on the basis of the fact. The Lord Chief justice held that the techniques of interrogation used by the police amounted to an oppression of s.76 of PACE. Case of M62 bombing, where d was convicted of murder and causing an explosion. She did not appeal. Her convictions were quashed. Her personality disorder which rendered her confession unreliable. Tottenham three, d was convicted of murder of a police officer. their appeal was unsuccessful. However Home Secretary referred their case back to CA and their convictions were quashed. And Confait, (which resulted in the royal commission on criminal procedure)the d confessed to a crime that they had actually not committed ,similar problems with confession evidence occurred. the common element which was found in these cases was confession from the suspect and its clearly seen how the police has abuse their powers to arrest the victim bringing them to justice thus taking away the rights of innocent party .one thing we should mention is the Royal commission on criminal justice which was set up by the Home Secretary on the day when Birmingham six was released. It was served by the Lord Runciman and its report was published in 1993.the reason was to examine the reality of the criminal justice system. The report was for securing the convictions of the guilty, which contained disclose of evidence by prosecution and defense and unsupported confession evidence.

Wedding Toast - Best Man Essay -- Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeches

Wedding Speech – Best Man Hello my name’s Paul and I’m Martin’s best man, although I’m sure Martin will have a new name for me by the time I’ve finished this. When Martin asked me to be his best man I was initially thrilled at the prospect. Unfortunately it didn't take long for this feeling of well being to dissolve into utter apprehension as I remembered the last time I had to stand up in a room full of people†¦.. I was found guilty and fined $300. I went to a wedding two weeks ago that was held in a nudist colony. Apparently I was just half an inch away from being the best man there too. By the way, if anyone is running a book on the length of this speech could I put $5 on it lasting 12 minutes please? Martin Firstly I’d like to congratulate Martin on his speech. I'm particularly impressed with the fact that you all paid attention and followed his instructions not to laugh. I’m also impressed that Martin followed my instructions to dress smartly today, although I am a bit disappointed he decided to copy my outfit. I have known Martin for over 10 long long years now. When I first met him in college he was loud, aggressive, rude, abusive and swore a lot, but just look at the man he’s become now†¦..nothing has changed. Whilst at college we discovered a local nightclub called Winkers. I would regularly witness Martin’s unique, raw, undiscovered style of dancing in Winkers that left the women speechl... ...any more happy years of friendship. On behalf of all of us in this room I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Pete and Sue Foster for the wonderful hospitality they have shown today. Martin would also like to thank Pete and Sue, in advance, for how well they’re going to treat him in the future. I’d also like to thank the bridesmaids and ushers today for their invaluable contribution to the wedding, I’m sure you’ll all agree with me that they all look wonderful. So, finally (get a glass in your hand): Here's to love, laughter And happily ever after. As Martin and Anne start their new life Please stand and toast the new husband and wife Ladies and gentlemen†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦the Bride and Groom

Ethics of Business or Ethics for Business? Two Models for Teaching Business Ethics Essay

Business management Introduction                   The art of managing a business, means coordinating the various efforts of the staff with the aim of accomplishing goals and the set objectives with the aid of available resources effectively and efficiently. Business management generally comprise of organization, planning, leading, staffing, and controlling organization activities to achieve the prospected goal. Many organizations are viewed as systems. It therefore dictates that management is a human action, which includes designing, facilitating the production of important outcomes from the system. This then present a picture people being able to manage themselves is a prerequisite in trying to manage other people (Ananthan, Appannaiah, & Reddy, 2010).                   Theoretically, business management includes manipulating of human capital in an enterprise to enhance the business success. An enterprise must therefore include humans, positive communication, and endeavors that are positive (Ananthan, Appannaiah, & Reddy, 2010). Other factors such as psychological motivational tools, plans, goals, measurements, and economic measures at times can or cannot be important components of business management. Critical business functions                   In the current tumultuous business world economy, enterprises must adjust to fit.. It is necessary for the business to be aggressive in finding means of remaining competitive in the current economy of the world. One of the critical things to do is to restructure its functionality mode (Sen, 2008). Many times some of the enterprises that try this are faced with failure due to existence of stumbling blocks. Therefore, it is worth for the business to come up with well structured plan to go through these radical changes. The best way of doing this is by fully including their staff prior to and after making a decision that impacts change in the operation of the business (Ananthan, Appannaiah, & Reddy, 2010).                   Companies that are willing to understand some of inextricable that might occur within the time of preparing the workers to welcome the new changes and the effective and efficient new initiatives implementation, then, are likely to notice that their efforts make an extra mile. Through careful planning and top leaders’ support will help the workforce to adjust to the changes- therefore the business will hence remain at its competitive edge (Sen, 2008). Individuals and systems integration for effectiveness in an organization                   In the dynamic technological advancement, any business corporations need to be in line with the ever changing business operation systems. Aggressively, all the individuals are supposed to accept the role played by these systems. The most crucial system is that of passing information, all the workers are deemed to be aware with any new implementation at any particular point. Communication keeps the business running, internally; the workforce will be flexible if and only if, the information passed is clear. Externally; information coming will enhance the enterprise to be aware of the competition level of their competitors and then adjust appropriately. Effective integrations will subdue the full utilizations of the employee’s abilities (Sen, 2008) The ethical and social responsibilities bestowed on a business                   In terms of ethical issues the business is faced with great challenge of remaining a loft with its initial target of servicing their prospected customers. Some of the ethical issues are quality service and quality productions. Any business that has been in the market for long and their service and goods have gained a brand, should not start lowering the quality and quantity of service and goods production. They also need to run their business in relation to the demand of the general public and the requirement the state (Kwarci, 2012).                   Socially, businesses have the responsibility of playing a great partnership with the state and the general public at large. They need to be part and parcel of the major operations of the society in such a way that take part of society development. Environmental protection is also their great responsibility in ensuring its prosperity. In regard to the state, business need to be aware of the need to pay taxes in advance to avoid being in conflict with the state (Kwarci, 2012). The aspects of business management                   The following will be some of the very crucial aspects that any business manager ought to be equipped with to facilitate the process of business management. Human resources, is one of the most crucial aspects of any business. It involves looking after the well being of your staff, it is the staff that determines your way as business. Another aspect is that of marketing, sales and promotion. Once the products and services have been produced, it is the responsibility of the sales marketing department. A well strategized plan from this department will see the business go up in the total sales (Ananthan, Appannaiah, & Reddy, 2010).                   These aspects are very crucial because they really give out the clear picture of the business from within and outside business environment. In conclusion, they help the enterprise to furnish their business outlook before the eyes of the customer and very importantly to those of their competitors. References Ananthan, B. R., Appannaiah, H. R., & Reddy, P. N. (2010). Business management (Rev. Ed.) Mumbai [India: Himalaya Pub. House. KwarciÅ„ski, T. (2012). Ethics of Business or Ethics for Business? Two Models for Teaching Business Ethics. Management and Business Administration. Central Europe, 3(116), 42-49. Sen, M. (2008). Business management. Jaipur, India: Oxford Book Co Source document

Report Evaluation of Peets Coffee Tea

Report Evaluation of Peets Coffee Tea Company valuation is a cardinal process in an organization that is used to assess the elements of performance and financial condition. As a process, evaluation entails examination of economic and non-economic factors to determine the position of a company. The results of the evaluation process enable a business to increase efficiency and effectiveness of various business processes. Moreover, it provides an opportunity for an organization to improve customer service, reduce costs of operation, and modernize business practices (Jones, 2007). However, the most difficult task during company evaluation is identification of relevant areas that should be considered for the process. It is in this regard that this paper identifies several elements of evaluation that are applicable to Peet’s Coffee Tea. Peet’s Coffee and Tea Peet’s Coffee and Tea is a global company that sells coffee products and operates a long chain of coffee houses across the world. The company is headquartered in California and has many branches all over the world. The company offers a variety of coffee products that entail the full-leaf teas, whole-bean coffee, cold and hot coffee beverages, pastries and microground instant beverages (Baber, 2007). In addition to coffee products, the company sells other product varieties such as sandwiches, wines, and even beer depending on the target market. Peet’s Coffee and Tea has managed to become one of the successful coffee companies due to its market share and highly diversified product line. Therefore, the evaluation of the company should consider key elements of economic and non-economic factors, which include competitive strategies, market share, financial position, and labor practices (Youngme Quelch, 2003). Competitive Strategies When evaluating competitive strategies of a business, it is cardinal to assess the capability of the strategies to overcome competition in a given market or industry. Peet’s Coffee Tea has competitive strategies that enabled it to outmatch its rivals in the coffee industry. The company employs competitive strategies that entail competitive pricing, product innovation, and customer value proposition (Anthony, Dearden, Govindaraja 1992). Competitive Pricing With regards to competitive pricing, the organization offers quality coffee products that are favorably priced to attract and retain its customers. Currently, the company has lowered prices of most coffee products by more than 10% across all the markets in the world. The defensive approach taken by the company was also meant to enhance product value and increase the frequency of repeat purchases. Moreover, the approach was meant to enable the company outmatch the competitors who sell their products in supermarkets such as Folgers and Maxwell and Dunkin Donuts. However, the organization monitors changes in the prices of raw materials such as coffee beans to ensure that the strategy is sustainable (Baber, 2007). Product Innovation Peet’s Coffee and Tea relies on product innovation as a competitive strategy to achieve product-oriented differentiation. Product innovation involves developing new product features that meet the changes in consumers’ needs and wants. Peet’s Coffee and Tea has ensured product innovation by producing coffee products that meet the changes in culture, social status, and geographical setting. For example, on the issue of culture the organization offers products that conform to cultural requirements of the consumers. A coffee product in Italy has completely different taste compared to the coffee in London or New York. With regards to geography, it is appropriate to sell cold beverages in tropical regions and offer hot beverages in cold areas. Unpredictability of change sometimes makes it difficult for the organization to effectively utilize its product innovation strategies. The organization plans to invest in marketing research in order to predict changes in consumer behavior (Erasmus, 2008). Customer Value Proposition Customer value proposition is another competitive strategy that is used by the company to increase its competitiveness. It entails the total number of benefits that a consumer derives from the product or services offered by a company. Products with higher benefits enable the customers to attain higher value. Peet’s Coffee and Tea has been able to achieve this by providing good packaging, offering products in a serene environment, and improving the quality of coffee products. Customer value proposition enables the organization to improve customer service and increase its sales revenue (Collan Kinnunen, 2011). Market Share Market share is another key element that is deemed important for this evaluation. A company’s market share is the proportion of the market that is occupied by the company in terms of customer dominance. A company’s market share is determined by its competitive factors. In this case, Peet’s Coffee and Tea market share is influenced by the aforementioned competitive strategies (Baber, 2007). For example, defensive pricing approach used by the company has enabled the organization to attract retailers from various market segments. Pricing approach used by a business determines the unit market share from the percentage of units sold. The market unit also determines the level of sales revenues and profitability (Anthony et al., 1992) Peet’s Coffee Tea relies on effective assessment of the competitors’ activities and changes in consumers’ behavior to evaluate its market share. Moreover, the organization relies on external factors that affect the market, such as government regulations and changes in economic conditions to assess its market share. As an international organization, the company’s share is also affected by transactions in international markets. The movement of funds between countries affects economic variables such as inflation and exchange rate. Countries that maximize trade opportunities in export business are good places for investment since such countries have stable exchange rates and currencies. The company also predicts the changes in demand and supply for key products that affect economic conditions of different countries across the world. The demand and supply of a key product such as oil is very important in evaluating economic conditions and determining the demand of coffee products. Proper assessment of the market share must embrace the above-mentioned factors to enable an organization to determine its trade position in the industry. However, some of the factors that determine the performance of the market such as government, fiscal and monetary policies are very difficult to predict. Financial Position A company’s financial position is a key factor that should be considered during evaluation. Evaluation of a firm’s financial position enables organizational members to determine the profitability of the firm. Financial ratios used in determining profitability highlight the profit margin of an organization and its ability to withstand competition from other rivals in the same industry. Evaluation of financial position also defiles the liquidity of the firm. Liquidity rations in the balance sheet reveal the size of a company’s working capital and the ability of an organization to meet its financial requirements. Moreover, efficiency ratios in financial statements determine the relationship between inventory and the revenue of an organization (Collan Kinnunen, 2011). Evaluation of Peet’s Coffee and Tea financial position should embrace the following factors: the cash position of the company, overhead costs, solvency of the company, changes in securities and prices. Cash Position of the Company Cash flows affect the performance and growth of an organization. Peet’s Coffee and Tea has a good cash position whereby the total amount of inflows is higher than the outflows. The organization operates under a cash flow strategy, which enables it to minimize expenditure but increase the value of earnings. The company’s pricing strategy also enables to generate high sales revenue and increase the number of cash inflows. Moreover, the organization effectively controls its receivables by minimizing credit purchases and increasing investment in fixed assets (Erasmus, 2008). Overhead Costs The organization does not only focus on increasing its revenues but also controls overhead costs that emanate from expenditure in salaries, rents, power bills and other overhead charges. The company determines the percentage of revenues that can be used to meet the all the overheads. It keeps a good record of all the overhead costs. Peet’s Coffee and Tea also ensures that expenditure in overhead needs is consistent with the level of sales revenue. However, any losses in sales of the organization have been associated with the increase in cost of overhead needs. The organization should therefore control cost of overhead to minimize losses and ensure efficiency in operations (Collan Kinnunen, 2011). Solvency Evaluation of financial position of a company also enables it to determine its solvency. Since most businesses rely on cash inflows from sales, it is therefore important to determine the ratio of cash in the bank to monthly expenses incurred by an organization. Peet’s Coffee and Tea relies on the ratio in its cash management and ensures effective control of all major expenses in the company. The company also ensures effective debt collection method from the clients and reduces overreliance on accounts receivables to fund its operations. The organization has been very successful in managing its solvency in order to avoid bankruptcy (Anthony et al., 1992). Labor Practices The labor practices in an organization determine its productivity and performance in the industry. Good practices adopted by organization ensure the competitiveness of the organization and its success. For example, for Peet’s Coffee and Tea to achieve its competitive strategies such as product innovation, it has to ensure that workforce has the right skills and experience that is needed to facilitate innovation. Moreover, the company should ensure that its workforce is motivated towards the achievement of the company’s goals and objectives. The organization employs efficient labor practices to establish increased productivity of labor. These practices entail workforce planning and compensation policy. Workforce Planning Workforce planning is an activity that is employed by the organization to ensure that it hires the right number of workers who have right knowledge and experience pertaining to the job involved. The process also takes into account the regulatory and legislative requirements that govern labor practices. Peet’s Coffee and Tea relies on strategic workforce planning in order to acquire the employees that are highly experienced, innovative and talented in various functions of the business. Workforce planning is also important to determine the demand and supply of labor in the market. The organization embraces the fact that different categories of employees with specific skills are in varying demand by different organizations. For example, the demand for a nutrition analyst cannot be compared to the demand of a general company attendant. Therefore, the organization forecasts all labor requirements prior to the process of recruitment to avoid shortages in supply of highly skilled individuals. Compensation Policy Labor compensation policy is another key area that should be properly considered when evaluating a company’s labor practices. Such policy determines whether a company pays its workers according to the industry rate and adheres to the labor laws during compensation. The policy should also enable the organization to effectively manage labor costs in order to reduce over expenditure in labor. Peet’s Coffee and Tea compensation policy enables the organization to pay its employees according to the legal labor requirements and industry rate. In certain regions, the company pays its workers higher rates that are above the industry rates in order to attract highly qualified labor. The company’s compensation policy enabled it to achieve its competitive strategies by producing products of high quality and enjoy economies of scale. Summary Company evaluation plays an important role in assessing the performance of an organization. Peet’s Coffee and Tea evaluation is therefore important to identify the various factors that have contributed to its success. In addition to the aforementioned factors, Peet’s Coffee and Tea embraces equal treatment of all employees due to its highly diversified workforce. The company embraces diversity to ensure that all employees are treated equally regardless of their differences that may be based on gender, race, nationality, tribe, religion, and age. The organization ensures that human resources functions such as selection, hiring, training, compensation, and retrenchment embrace diversity of the workforce. It also adheres to labor requirements to ensure equal treatment of all workers. Peet’s Coffee and Tea also believes in diversity of the workforce as an element of improving creativity and innovation among the employees. The organization believes that different employees from different backgrounds have different ideas which should be shared for the benefit of the organization (Erasmus, 2008). References Anthony, R., Dearden, J., Govindarajan, V. (1992). Management Control of Projects. Chapter 17 of Management Control Systems. Homewood, Illinois: Irwin. Baber, J, (2007). A Knowledge-based Approach to Program Analysis. American Society for the Advancement of Project Management. Online Magazine, pp. 1- 11. Collan, M. Kinnunen, J. (2011). A Procedure for the Rapid Pre-acquisition Screening of Target Companies Using the Pay-off Method for Real Option Valuation. Journal of Real Options and Strategy, 4(1), 117-141. Erasmus, L. (2008). Financial Performance in terms of the PFMA: What does it mean? Journal of Accountability and Auditing Research, 4 (8), 57– 66. Jones, C. (2007, May 29). Peet’s moves roasting plant to double output of coffee. San Francisco Chronicle, p. B-2.

School Journey Essays

School Journey Essays School: Journey Essays Journey is usually defined as a physical journey i.e. moving from one place to another. This term though can also be defined as emotional, mental and/or spiritual. Through these types of journeys we gain a greater understanding of how characters interact with the world around them and others involved in their lives. The responder can predict how each character will change over time through the development of their journey. Journey can be seen through the play ‘Away’ by Michael Gow, the novel ‘Hiding Edith’ by Kathy Kacer and an excerpt of the poem ‘The Wind In The Willows’ by Kenneth Grahame. There are also numerous literary techniques which further broaden our knowledge and understanding. In Away, an emotional and mental journey is evident in Coral’s life. Coral is mourning the loss of her son, however is finding it extremely difficult to move on and go on with her life. As result of her withdrawn, depressed behaviour, her husband, Roy, is being left in the dark and therefore finds it difficult to communicate with her. â€Å"Do you want to me to send you a doctor? Do you want to see a doctor?...Look at you. Look at me† Roy is frustrated and through his anger and sadness is having a harsh argument with Coral although the message he is trying to get across to Coral is that he is desperate to get his wife back both physically and psychologically. The repetition of referring to the same question emphasises that she needs help. He is also incorporating himself in the statement initiating that the death of their son is not only affecting her only but him too, however Coral has taken the wrong turn on things excluding herself and everyone else around hers. T his leads to Coral having to examine the alternatives whether she will dwell on the past and give her marriage a break or to try hardest to cope with the fact that her son is never coming back. Coral though is reluctant and prefers to stay close to her dead son. However through trial and error, Coral acknowledges she has made an irresponsible decision by not moving on and re-establishes where she and her husband stand in their relationship. When Coral states â€Å"I’ve started taking such interest in the world around me†, it clearly shows that she is beginning to open up and take in what she missed out on due to her world looking grey but now can finally see colour again. She is proving to Roy that she is moving on. Coral’s changed values and self-realisation relates to journey as without taking an emotional and mental journey she would not have learnt from her mistakes and therefore only dwell on the past. She has realised that sometimes good things come out o f bad situations. The novel Hiding Edith links to the concept journey as physically Edith is moving from place to place and metaphorically this journey teaches her about the world around and what measures she must take to keep herself alive. Hiding Edith relates to the play Away as like Coral, Edith too must get used to living without a significant other; in this case it is her father, Both are leaving behind all the troubles at home in hope to find a place that will help them all reconnect with each other. Hiding Edith is in first person witch gives it a personal view as it helps us understand the characters feelings and emotions in much more depth. â€Å"What’s the use of thinking of the future?† this statement said by Edith herself evidently relates to Coral in her early stages of her grief. She saw no hope in living life without her son and Edith too felt the same when she had no support from her family. However whilst going on their physical journey; Coral to the Gold Coast and Edit h to a safe home, they have been able to look past the bad things and look further to a brighter future. In Away, an emotional and mental journey is also manifested in Harry, Vic and Tom’s life. As parents of Tom, Harry and Vic have been struck with their worst nightmare, that Tom only has little time to live. Harry however is adamant that Tom

Cuba As An Example Of Sustainable Living Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Cuba As An Example Of Sustainable Living - Essay Example The country has relied on aid for several years in the past years, but due to its political inclination, it benefited a great deal from the collapsed Soviet Union. The Soviet Union used the country to propagate their ideology especially as a way of countering the American capitalism dominance. Since the attainment of independence in 1902, the republic of Cuba has passed through economic stormy periods characterized by its radical politics and social strife. The period of dictatorship characterized by the leadership of Fulgencio Batista before 1952 almost brought the country on its economic toes. The ousting of the dictatorial regime saw the full fledge of communism under Fidel Castro who gave more focus on military strength and less concern over the people. However, several economic developments were experienced during his tenure; some of the ideologies developed favoured the entire population at the expense of individuals. The Cuban population today relies mainly on food from Venezu ela after the collapse of the Soviet Union that provided him some good support. Cuba does not provide the best example of sustainable living because a century after independence the country still relies on foreign food aid coupled with a huge foreign debt and several other challenges. Cuba’s dark past was evident with the inability of the governments to enact concrete and sustainable economic policies to help the country get to an economic destiny. Fulgencio Batista turned the economy of Cuba upside down through his dictatorial regime. In 1959, he was overthrown by the July 26 Movement that was under the leadership of Castro (Coltman 1). They took over the country and imposed a purely communist regime. He received massive support from the Cuban peasants and workers because of the humiliation that they had faced under the ousted regime. The revolution brought up many changes, by 1960 Castro’s regime had expropriated up to 37% of the entire nation’s land and later on decided to nationalize the land, which stood at up to 80%, this was a landmark achievement because there has never been another country in the world to successfully implement such a policy. Most of the big companies and well established businesses were all nationalized resulting into suspicion by foreign countries especially the United States whose companies had been nationalized. It was reported that approximately sixty-one American sugar mills were victims of the new development. Largely, the nationalization policy did not find a solution to the predicaments of the poor workers but instead extended the exploitation (Uriarte 3). State apparatus were established that had control over the population’s social, economic and political life, a factor that not only attempted to make all people equal but also ruined the labour compensations turning them even more exploitative. The state apparatus created a lot of bureaucracy, Castro and his brother, Raul together with the July 2 6 Movement members were the dominant figures in dictating the policies of the country. The state owned all property that was being worked on by the members of the public who received poor wages, they had no option since the land and firms were purely owned by the state. The oppressive state apparatus were advanced by the establishment of the Ministry Of Industry in 1961that looked into policy

Influencing Individuals and Groups Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Influencing Individuals and Groups - Essay Example Readers can be influenced and informed very powerfully by using different tools in written communication and generate the desired results. According to experts, by simply avoiding some common grammatical errors, written communication can be made highly effective (School Press H, 2006). Task sheets and employee bulletin boards are one of the common examples of the written communication which is used when the purpose is to inform the lower level employees about the goals and expectations. Emails are used by the employees of Wal-Mart and especially the managers for sharing information, and conveying their concerns. At Wal-Mart e mail is a frequently used medium and is preferred because of the low cost and eases of use (Jonathan Scott, 2005). In his book titled 21: Written Business Communication, Jonathan Scott a memo is a piece of written communication employed to convey information to the employees. The documentation evidence of memos serves in maintaining a record of communication as well (Jonathan Scott, 2005). An example of the use of memos in Wal-Mart was in 2005 when the executive vice president, Susan Chambers suggested used a memo to float a suggestion that health workers should be hired to keep employee costs low (John Hollon, 2005). This memo was used as evidence by the labor union and published in The New York Times when the company announced that it would adopt a new health plan for employees (Julie Appleby, 2005). Annual or monthly progress reports are prepared at Wal-Mart for example the 2009 Global Sustainability Report was issued and it stated that the company had been able to come close to its goals that it had established in 2005. These three goals were rely on renewable energy, no waste and selling sustainable products. The company also donated towards social causes as well (Mike Duke, 2009). In Wal-Mart, employees are also provided Instruction manuals that contain rules, policies and procedures for issues related to work (Gregory

Role of a Student Nurse in Higher Education and Future Healthcare Essay

Role of a Student Nurse in Higher Education and Future Healthcare - Essay Example As the discussion declares  there is a need to change the nursing practice in the transformation of the health care system. Nurses find themselves in providing care to people from diverse cultures. In addition, technological advancements in the medical field present new treatment approaches.  From the report it is clear that  the current transformation of Health Care demands that nurses take up more roles and responsibilities in the society. For example, nurses are required to develop their leadership skills to advocate for improved services. Nurses are also required to collaborate with other medical practitioners in the provision of quality care. Currently, nurses have been engaged in many changes. For example in 2010, the NHS England engaged nurses and other practitioners in the development of a new approach to patient care. The collaboration involved 269 groups of nurses together with other practitioners, who provided recommendations on how to bring care closer to the people in the society according to NHS England. The NHS England has recommended several approaches to care to bridge the gap between cheap and affordable care in the society.  Nurses in their professional careers are required to be committed to their role in providing care and ensuring the well-being of patients. The value of competence requires professional nurses to be up to date with knowledge and understanding of the needs of the patients.

Racism affects everybody Essay Example for Free

Racism affects everybody Essay This is shown in the movie ‘Australia’, how everyone can be affected by racism. Many different ways of racism towards people in the movie ‘Australia’. A few of the main characters that are affected in the movie is Nullah, The Drover, Lady Ashley. The people that are being most affected in the movie would have to be the indigenous, that’s because the time the movie was set in, was when the white australia policy was happening, so pretty much every Australian was being racist towards aboriginal people. Racism is problem that everybody is affected in the world today. In the movie Australia, all the aboriginal people was being well behaved, did everything they was told and followed the rules. Even then people was still be racist towards them. Some of the ways racism was shown in the movie was how the aboriginals wasn’t allowed in the pubs, also Neil Fletcher was using Daisy for sex and didn’t show any respect and also beat her and his son up. So pretty much all the Australians in this time period was against all indigenous people and all japanese because at the time australia was at war with japan and japan ended up bombing darwin. Nullah in the movie was a half cast, so he wasn’t fully aboriginal or australian, he felt left out because he wasn’t black or white, he was only a creamy colour. He was like this because of Neil Fletcher using his mother for sex. Nullah and his mother wasn’t treated with any respect at all and both of them was also beat up, it was because Neil fletcher played a big part in being racist towards Indigenous people. A good example of racism towards Nullah is when he is about to get on the ship to the mission and a young australian boy was yelling to him and saying â€Å"Creamy† and kept saying that to Nullah. Near the end of the movie Nullah wants to go ‘walk about’ with his Grandfather. If you go on this ‘walk about’ It means you become a man, it’s part of the aboriginal tradition, even though Nullah isn’t a full blooded aboriginal, he still wants to keep live by his aboriginal culture and follow the aboriginal tradition and become a man through the true aboriginal way. The reason all this racism was happening towards the aboriginal people was because of the government. They had made a policy in the australia called the white australia policy, this policy wanted australia to only have fully white blooded australians in australia only. The half cast kids like ‘Nullah’ was sent to a mission to learn about the christianity and how australians live, the other reason they were sent there is because australian people wasn’t proud of having sex with aboriginal women and then they didn’t want half cast kids in the public because it would remind them of what they did with those aboriginal women and they didn’t want that. So the government made missions where, the half cast kids were taken from their families by the police and wasn’t allowed to see their families again. The kids that were taken when they were are now called the stolen generation. The two people in the movie that werent being racist towards aboriginal people was The Drover and Lady Ashley, this was because they both had a connection with the aboriginal people in the movie, The Drover’s partner in the movie was an aboriginal and The Drover felt like he was an aboriginal and thought that people treated him like one. He also sticked up for his partner at the pub, this shows how close Drover was to his partner. Lady was close to aboriginal people because of Nullah’s mother dying and she took up mothering for Nullah, this made a strong connection between them. When Neil Fletcher was beating up Nullah Lady Ashley stepped in and protected Nullah. In conclusion, It doesn’t matter if someone is being racist towards an individual, it will affect other people to. Even all the years ago, when the white australia policy was taking place, the racism towards the aboriginals and the stolen generation, It is still affecting most of Australia today and a lot of people are sorry to the stolen generation because what the government did was very wrong and it didn’t take not long to see what they done. Racism still happens today everywhere and it does affect everyone.

intro to philosophy :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Intro to Philosophy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Paper #2 Question 1   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Internet also known as the â€Å"information superhighway of the world†, is increasingly becoming the most prevalent form in which to gather and distribute information. This issue brings up a number of moral dilemmas concerning the lack of censorship and editorial monitoring in this immense communication system. Some of the questions that have arisen are whether or not freedom of speech should be controlled, to an extent, and if so where would those barriers be drawn. Also, should the truth behind Internet publications be monitored, access to inappropriate material be denied to certain individuals, and should laws be passed to prevent the exploitation of unknowing bystanders. These issues are not only controversial but also extremely complicated to pursue through legal terms and justifications.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The First Amendment of the Constitution grants everyone in the United States the freedom of speech and press, thus the Internet phenomenon is protected regardless of the perverse nature which it is capable of presenting. Ultimately, it is possible for anyone to express his or her own beliefs, whether considered true or not, through the Internet. This in turn leads many unsuspecting youths and even some adults to believe the â€Å"lies† they read just because it is out there.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  John Stuart Mill’s work, On Liberty explains Mill’s notion of freedom and his justifications behind his concepts. This work was originally published in 1859 but due to its advanced theories it is possible to apply these conceptions to the moral dilemmas the Internet possess. Mill’s philosophies are considered utilitarianistic, this means that the value something possesses is determined by its utility, also actions should be directed toward achieving the greatest happiness for the largest group of people. With this in mind we can further understand Mill’s theories on liberty, freedom and whether they should be controlled.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mill’s explains that freedom of speech and expression are essential to the mental well being of mankind. To refuse a person the right to express their opinion because it is contrary to popular belief would be a great wrong. This is because without these different opinions there would be no need to justify those beliefs held widely. Lack of practice in explaining the attributes of certain beliefs will make them forgotten and these â€Å"truths† would lose meaning. Mill’s clarifies a misconception about truths with the following statement:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  truth always triumphs over persecution, is one intro to philosophy :: essays research papers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Intro to Philosophy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Paper #2 Question 1   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Internet also known as the â€Å"information superhighway of the world†, is increasingly becoming the most prevalent form in which to gather and distribute information. This issue brings up a number of moral dilemmas concerning the lack of censorship and editorial monitoring in this immense communication system. Some of the questions that have arisen are whether or not freedom of speech should be controlled, to an extent, and if so where would those barriers be drawn. Also, should the truth behind Internet publications be monitored, access to inappropriate material be denied to certain individuals, and should laws be passed to prevent the exploitation of unknowing bystanders. These issues are not only controversial but also extremely complicated to pursue through legal terms and justifications.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The First Amendment of the Constitution grants everyone in the United States the freedom of speech and press, thus the Internet phenomenon is protected regardless of the perverse nature which it is capable of presenting. Ultimately, it is possible for anyone to express his or her own beliefs, whether considered true or not, through the Internet. This in turn leads many unsuspecting youths and even some adults to believe the â€Å"lies† they read just because it is out there.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  John Stuart Mill’s work, On Liberty explains Mill’s notion of freedom and his justifications behind his concepts. This work was originally published in 1859 but due to its advanced theories it is possible to apply these conceptions to the moral dilemmas the Internet possess. Mill’s philosophies are considered utilitarianistic, this means that the value something possesses is determined by its utility, also actions should be directed toward achieving the greatest happiness for the largest group of people. With this in mind we can further understand Mill’s theories on liberty, freedom and whether they should be controlled.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mill’s explains that freedom of speech and expression are essential to the mental well being of mankind. To refuse a person the right to express their opinion because it is contrary to popular belief would be a great wrong. This is because without these different opinions there would be no need to justify those beliefs held widely. Lack of practice in explaining the attributes of certain beliefs will make them forgotten and these â€Å"truths† would lose meaning. Mill’s clarifies a misconception about truths with the following statement:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  truth always triumphs over persecution, is one

Portrait of a Young Man in a Red Cap: Sandro Botticelli :: essays research papers

Portrait of a Young Man in a Red Cap Sandro Botticelli, real name Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi, was one of the greatest painters of the Florentine Renaissance. His work, Portrait of a Young Man in a Red Cap, captures his highly personalized style. He is known for his execution and precise use of lines to portray objects realistically. The Portrait of a Young Man in a Red Cap will be the source of our discussion, but first a background of Sandro Botticelli’s artistic relations is necessary. Botticelli was born in Florence Italy (1445-1510) and worked as an apprentice to a goldsmith early in his career. He then served as an apprentice to the painter Fra Fillippo Lippi. After working with Lippi, Botticelli developed his sense of line working with Andrea del Verrocchio. By 1470 he had his own workshop, where he spent most of his time producing pieces for the Medici family. It was through the Medici family that Botticelli was influenced by Christian Neoplatonism, which exemplified Christian views. From this point Botticelli developed such works as the Portrait of a Young Man in a Red Cap. The painting, which is quite simple in nature, depicts nothing more than the bust of a teenage boy with a red hat on. The boy is uniquely outlined on each side with the right side of his body gently fading into a black backdrop and the left having a sharp and precise line separating him from the black. As the viewer may notice, the young man does not pose any facial gesture which may depict emotion. It is therefore almost impossible to know the feelings of Botticelli’s subject. Many feel that Botticelli was merely documenting the boy’s physical appearance without evoking feeling from his viewers. Botticelli also used much more detail on his face than he did on the clothing of the young man, which supports that it is a portrait. He uses tones of red from the sharp hat to the tones of his skin. A brown color is used to unify his hair, lips, and eyes. The boy’s wardrobe also includes a jacket typical of the time period. In a more in depth look at the portrait, o ne may notice that it shades from a rich red color at the top to a dark brown color at the bottom. The light source shines from the left side of the picture while it brightens the right side of the young man’s body.

Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 15

Thea.† Dani was shaking her arm. ‘They're talking to you.† The visions were gone. Thea was standing in Gran's workshop, seeing everything as if through a distorting lens. People's faces seemed to stretch; their voices seemed to drag. â€Å"I asked, how did you learn the invocation for summoning spirits?† Gran said slowly. Eric. He won't wait; he'll start without me. Or will he? I told him not to. But he'll be worrying about the party†¦. The party. All those kids†¦ even little kids. Humans, but people. like baby chicks with a hawk up above. How many of them will end up like Kevin? â€Å"The invocation for summoning spirits!† Gran was shouting, as if Thea were hard of hearing. â€Å"I†¦ we†¦ I heard you at Samhain two years ago. In Vermont. I saw the summoning the Inner Circle did.† Even her own voice sounded weird and distorted. â€Å"We saw you. Both of us. We were hiding behind the trees and you never even noticed,† Blaise said clearly, and the bells rang again. Dimly, Thea felt appreciation. But most of her mind was reeling from horrible thought to thought. Eric†¦ but if I try to get to him, if the Inner Circle finds out he's involved†¦ that will get him killed. A human who knows about the Night World. Immediate death sentence. But Suzanne. If he burns those dummies, Suzanne will kill him the way she killed Kevin. No matter what happened, Eric was going to end up dead. Unless†¦ â€Å"Which†¦ of the spirits†¦ did you call?† Gran was shouting, as if Thea was now not only hard of hearing but slow of understanding. Unless†¦ â€Å"That's what I want to tell you,† Thea said. She could see the way. It would mean the end for her, but she might possibly save Eric. If there was enough time, if they would let her alone, if Eric wasn't right now trying to be a hero†¦. â€Å"I want to tell you about it,† Thea said again. And then the words were tumbling out in a rush, faster and faster, as if some dam had broken inside her. â€Å"And I'll tell you everything-but please, Grandma, please, you have to let me go out now. Just for a little while. There's something I have to do. You have to let me go, and then I'll come back here and you can do whatever you want to me.† â€Å"Hold on a minute,† Mother Cybele said, but Thea couldn't stop. â€Å"Please-please. Grandma. I've done a terrible thing-and I'm the only one who can take care of it. I'll come back-â€Å" â€Å"Wait, wait, wait. Calm down,† Gran said. She looked agitated herself. â€Å"What's this rush all of sudden? Try it slowly. What do you think you have to do?† â€Å"I have to put her back.† Thea saw that she was going to have to give some explanation. She tried to speak dearly and slowly, to make them understand. â€Å"The spirit I let out, Grandma. Her name is Suzanne Blanchet and she was burned in the sixteen hundreds. And she's out, out there, and she's already killed a human.† Everyone was listening now, some leaning forward, some frowning. Thea looked around at the circle of faces, talking to all of them. She was still terrified, but what did that matter? Eric mattered. â€Å"Last week she killed a boy at my high school. And tonight she's going to kill more people, at the high school Halloween party. I can't explain how I know-there isn't time. But I do know. And I'm the only one who can stop her. I called her; I'm the only one who can put her back.† â€Å"Yes, but unfortunately it's not that easy,† a low voice said. Thea turned and identified Rhys, a wiry man in a white lab coat. â€Å"If the spirit's at large-† â€Å"I know about that, but I have a way to trap her. It's all set up, and I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Thea hesitated. â€Å"I've tricked somebody into helping me,† she said slowly. â€Å"And he's in danger right now. Which is why you have to let me go, let me take care of this. Please.† â€Å"You want to go to the high school, where the party is,† Aunt Ursula said. Although her lips were as thin as ever, she didn't sound angry. More-astute. Thea opened her mouth to say no, and then stopped, confused again. The party-or the desert? If Suzanne was really killing people at the party, she should go there. But only if Eric wasn't doing something to attract Suzanne to the desert. He was still more important to her than anyone else. But if he wasn't doing something-and if Suzanne was at the party-she might kill before Thea and Eric could lure her†¦. I'm going crazy. She felt, literally, as if she might faint. Her head was swimming. There were too many possibilities. It all depended on where Suzanne was right now, and there was no way to know that. Thea began to shake violently, black dots dancing in front of her eyes. I don't know what to do. â€Å"I'm sorry†¦ could everybody listen for a moment? I'm seeing something.† It was Aradia's voice, quiet and gently self-possessed. Mature, even though she was only a little older than Thea. Thea tried to see her through the black dots. â€Å"I think it's something important, something about what we're talking about,† Aradia said. Her beautiful face, with its smooth skin the color of coffee with cream, was turned toward Thea. Her wide brown eyes looked straight ahead without focus, the way they always did. Aradia couldn't see with those eyes-but then she didn't need to. She saw with her mind-and saw things that were hidden to most people. â€Å"I'm seeing a boy-he's dressed in some old-fashioned costume. He's beside a fire, inside a circle of stones.† Eric†¦. â€Å"He's got a stick-an ember. He's looking around. Now he's going to†¦ it looks like a scarecrow. I can't see it well. There's a pile of sticks underneath it. He's bending. He's lighting the sticks.† No. â€Å"I have to go,† Thea said. She wasn't asking permission anymore. Aradia was still speaking. â€Å"Okay, the sticks are catching fire. Now I can see better†¦ and it's not a scarecrow; it looks sort of like a witch. A doll.† She stopped, her lovely blind eyes widening. â€Å"It's-and it's moving-no, there's something moving it. I can see it now-a spirit. A spirit is moving the doll. It's coming out now-toward the boy-â€Å" â€Å"I have to go,† Thea said. And then she was moving, pushing her way between Rhys and Old Bob, breaking out of the circle. The beads of the curtain struck her face, clattering as they fell back behind her. â€Å"Thea, wait a minute!† â€Å"Thea, come back here!† â€Å"Ursula, you go get her-â€Å" The jeep. My backpack's in the jeep. I have to get it first. The keys to the Lincoln were hanging on a nail by the back door. Thea grabbed them. She pushed the back door open just as three or four people came hurrying through the bead curtain. She slammed the door in their faces. Get to the car. Fast. Now drive. She backed out of the alley, tires squealing. She could see light spill as the door to the shop opened, but by then she was turning onto Barren Street. She found herself driving at some new level, squeezing through the tail end of yellow lights, recognizing shortcuts in the dark. In just a few minutes she was at the Night World club with the jack-o'-lanterns on the porch. There was no place to park the Lincoln. She left it in the middle of the street, with the keys still in the ignition. She pulled the key to the jeep out of her belt and jumped in. Hurry. Hurry. She burned rubber again getting the jeep moving. Hurry. The freeway. Just let me get to him. And let it not be too late. That's all I ask, after that I don't care. Would you give up everything? The voice didn't seem like a stranger this time, didn't seem menacing. Just curious. And Thea had an answer. Yes. If I can just get there, in time, I can send him away. I can tell him some story, make him go somehow. Make him hide. I'll tell the Circle I tricked him or enchanted him into helping; I won't even tell them his name. They can't make me. Whatever they do to me, he'll be safe. That's all I care about. That's all I'm asking. But even that was a lot, and she knew it, so she kept her foot mashed down on the gas pedal. Freeway off ramp. Side road. She drove crazily fast. The pounding inside her head kept saying hurry, hurry, even as she was careening off curbs. Desert. Now the road was bad. It was hard to see; the moon was almost down. The jeep lunged over bumps and lurched into potholes. Eric, be doing something. Be talking to her, be running. You're so smart, please, please, be smart now. Keep her distracted, keep her hair away from your neck. How strong was a spirit? Thea didn't know. Please, I see everything so clearly now. I've been selfish, only thinking of me, what would make me happy. All that â€Å"encased in ice† garbage. I should have been dancing in the street. As long as Eric is all right, I don't care if he lives on Mars, I don't care if I never see him again. As long as he's well I'm happier than anybody has a right to be. A jolt rattled her teeth. She was off the road now, driving by landmarks. Through forests of dead yuccas that looked like skinny gray Cousin Its. It's taking so long, it's too long. Hurry. Hurry. She could see red sandstone in front of her. Pillars in the headlights. That's it! Go, go! The jeep rocketed over clumps of blackbrush. She could see fire in the depression between the pillars. She drove straight toward it. Fire-movement-the top of a silhouette†¦ â€Å"Eric!† She was yelling even as she slammed on the brakes. The jeep ground to a shuddering stop a few inches from a misshapen sandstone tower. â€Å"Eric!† She had the backpack in her hand. She tore the door open and jumped out, running. â€Å"Thea! Stay out of here!† She saw him. The light of the fire cast an eerie glow onto the already lurid sandstone. Everything seemed red, as if this place were bathed in blood. The roar of the jeep's engine and the roar of the fire merged to sound like the flames of hell. But Brie was alive and fighting. Fighting it. Thea threw herself at it, even as her brain was registering impressions. A wraith shape that looked at one second like a woman, and the next second like tattered clouds. Part of it seemed to be coiled around Eric, and he had both hands at his throat. Bits of the pine-needle amulet Thea had made for him were scattered around his feet. Useless. â€Å"Get away from him! I'm the one who set this up!† Thea screamed. She reached Eric and grabbed wildly at the wraith, at the part of it around his throat. Her hands felt Eric's hands, felt cold air. â€Å"No-Thea, watch out-â€Å" She saw the thing come free of Eric, who staggered. She saw it re-form, gather, then dive straight for her. â€Å"Thea!† Eric knocked her sideways. Cold air rushed by. She and Eric fell in a heap. She gasped â€Å"Eric, go,† even before she got up. She tried to shove at him, looking around for the wraith. â€Å"Go-get out of here! The jeep's running-get in and just drive. I'll call you later.† â€Å"Stay back to back,† Eric said breathlessly. â€Å"She's incredibly fast.† He added through his teeth, â€Å"You know I'm not leaving.† â€Å"This is witch stuff, you jerk!† she snarled, standing back to back. â€Å"I don't want you. You'll just get in my way!† It was a valiant effort. She even managed to inject something like hatred into her voice. And Eric wasn't perfect. He turned around, grabbed her by the shoulder, and yelled, â€Å"You know I'm not going, so don't waste any more time!† Then he shoved her sideways again and freezing wind streaked by her cheek, leaving her ear numb. â€Å"Sorry,† he said in his normal voice. â€Å"You okay?† Thea spun and looked behind her. The wraith was bobbing there. It was shaped like a woman made of vapor, with arms and legs only suggested, but with a long tail of hair that whipped around. â€Å"I've got the stuff,† Thea muttered to Eric. Admit- ting she knew he'd never leave. â€Å"But it'll take a few minutes to do the spell. We'll have to keep out of-† She was watching the lashing tail, but she wasn't fast enough. There was a sound-something between the snap of a whip and the crackle of electricity- and the tail flashed out. It was around her neck. At first it just felt cold. Insubstantial but icy, like a scarf of subzero wind. But then the wraith gave a jerk and it tightened and it did have substance. It felt like metal, like a pipe full of supercooled liquid, like the tentacle of some alien creature with ice for blood. It was choking her. She couldn't breathe and she couldn't get her fingers under it. It squeezed tighter, hurting her. She could feel her eyes start to bulge. â€Å"Look at me!† Eric yelled. He had a stick that was blazing at one end and he was dancing up and down like a crazy person on the other side of the fire. â€Å"Look! Suzanne! I'm going to get your little sister!† He poked the burning stick at the dummy Lucienne, not at the wood piled around her, but at the actual doll. â€Å"There! There! How do you like that?† He jabbed at the doll. A ring of fire blossomed in the black clothes. â€Å"Confess you're a witch!† Thea felt something slide away and her neck was free. She tried to shout a warning to Eric, but all that came out was a croak. He was already diving to one side anyway. That must be what he's been doing all this time. Dodging. â€Å"Eric, keep it up!† â€Å"Okay, but work fast!† He threw himself the other way. She forced herself to turn her attention from him. Her backpack was at the edge of the circle where she'd dropped it. She grabbed it and dumped the contents out on the ground. She had to do this right and she had to do it faster than she'd ever worked a spell before. Oak and ash. She threw them on the central fire, then scooted toward it, dragging the other materials close with a sweep of her arm. She ripped open a plastic bag and grabbed the quassia chips. They were light, and she had to thrust her hand into the flames to make sure they actually went in the fire. Blessed thistle was powder; she threw it. Mandrake root was solid, she threw it, too. She had just grabbed the ounce vial when Eric shouted, â€Å"Thea, duck.† She didn't look up to see what she was ducking. She fell flat instantly. It saved her. Icy wind blew her hair almost into the fire. â€Å"Suzanne!† Eric was yelling. â€Å"I've got your brother! Look!† There were fires at all three stakes now, and Eric was dashing between them, poking at one figure after another. Thea pulled the plastic cap off the vial with her teeth. She shook it into the fire, her hand in the flames again. One, two, three. The fire roared up, louder than ever, and pure blue. Thea fell back from it. â€Å"Suzanne! Over here!† Eric's voice was faint beyond the roar. Tears were running down Thea's face, her nose and eyes stinging from the acrid smell. She fumbled for the last object necessary for the sending-back†¦ the bag of residue from the bronze bowl. She took a handful in her left hand and dropped it between two charcoaled logs at the edge of the fire. Then she stood up-and saw that Eric was in trouble. He'd lost his burning stick. The wraith had him by the throat and it was whirling him around, changing shape every second. His mouth was open, but Thea couldn't hear any sound. â€Å"May I be given the Power of the Words of Hecate† She screamed it, into the roaring fire, toward the wheeling, changing spirit shape. And the words came, rolling off her tongue with a power of their own: â€Å"From the heart of the flame†¦ I send you back! Through the narrow path†¦ I send you back!† She put all her own power into the words, too, screaming them with an authority that she'd never felt in herself before. Because the wraith was fighting. It didn't want to go anywhere. â€Å"To the airy void†¦ I send you back! Through the mist of years†¦ I send you back!† Eric staggered, was jerked sideways. He seemed to be lifted off his feet by the wraith. â€Å"To beyond the veil†¦ I send you back! Go speedily, conveniently, and without delay!† Eric's feet were kicking in the air. This is how Kevin died, Thea realized suddenly and with absolute certainty. She found herself yelling words she'd never heard before. â€Å"By the power of Earth and Air and Water! By the power of Fire on this night of Hecate! By my own power as a daughter of Hellewise! Go speedily, conveniently and without delay, you bitch!† She had no idea where that came from. But the next instant Eric fell. The wraith had dropped him. It shot toward Thea-but then it stopped as if it had slammed into an invisible brick wall. It was directly over the fire. Caught. The blue flames were belching smoke-but sideways. Thea could see the wraith dearly above them. And for the first time, it didn't look like a cloud shape. It looked like a woman. A girl. Older than Thea, but still in her teens. With long dark hair that floated around her and a pale face and huge sad eyes. Her lips were parted as if she were trying to speak. Thea stared. She heard herself whisper, â€Å"Suzanne†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The girl held out a pale hand toward her. But at the same moment the fire flared up again. It seemed to turn the girl's hair to fire, too. Dark fire was burning all around her and there was an expression of infinite sadness on her face. Thea reached out a hand instinctively- The fire roared- And there was a flash like lightning. Suzanne had been drawn to the heart of the flame. And now the lightning formed a cone: the narrow path. Plastic bags and other debris whipped around the circle as if caught in a whirlwind. Suzanne and the cone of white lightning disappeared into each other. To the airy void. Through the mist of years. The fire flared up above Thea's head, and then sank down. The blue seemed to fall to the bottom. The flames turned yellow, like ordinary fire. It was as if a curtain had been drawn. To beyond the veil. That was where Suzanne was now. At the edge of the bonfire, where the residue had been, there was a lump of soft clay. Thea knelt and picked it up. She looked into the center of the flames-and saw a coil of long hair, the color of mahogany. The ends were starting to blacken and shrink in the fire. Thea reached in to grab it. She folded the hair over and quickly pressed the clay around it. It was a clumsy job, Blaise would have done much better, but the hair was enclosed. She groped on the ground for the wooden seal, found it, punched it into the clay. Suzanne's symbol, the cabalistic sign for her name, was printed. It was done. The amulet was restored, Suzanne was trapped again. She'd stay where she belonged unless somebody else was stupid enough to summon her. Thea dropped the amulet without looking at it, got up, and staggered around the fire to where Eric was lying. Her vision was strangely gray. After all this†¦ he has to be all right†¦ oh, please, let him be†¦ He moved when she reached him. â€Å"Eric, we did it. She's gone. We did it.† He grinned faintly. Said in a scratchy voice, â€Å"You don't have to cry.† She hadn't realized she was. Eric sat up. He was terminally mussed, his hair wild, his face dirty. He looked wonderful to her. â€Å"We did it,† she whispered again. She reached out to smooth his hair, and her hand stayed there. He glanced at the fire, then back at her. â€Å"I kind of hated to say those things to her. I mean, no matter how bad she was†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He touched Thea's neck, stroking gently. â€Å"Are you okay? I think you've got a bruise.† â€Å"Me? You're the one who really got it.† She put her free hand to his throat, fingers just barely touching. â€Å"But I know what you mean,† she whispered. â€Å"I felt-sorry-for her at the end.† â€Å"Don't cry again. Please. I really hate that,† he whispered, and he put his free arm around her. And then they were just kissing madly. Deliriously. Laughing and kissing and holding each other. She could taste her own tears on his lips, warming with his warmth, and she was trembling like a bird in a thicket. A few moments later a noise broke in. Thea didn't want to move, but Eric looked, and then he stiffened. â€Å"Uh, we've got company.† Thea looked up. There were cars just outside the sandstone pillars. Parked cars. They must have driven up sometime during the fight with Suzanne, while the roar of the fire blocked out the sound of their engines, while Thea's attention was focused on the wraith trying to Ml her. Because the people were already out of the cars. Grandma Harman, supported by Aunt Ursula. Rhys in his lab coat. Dumpling-shaped Mother Cybele, with her hand on Aradia's arm. Old Bob, Nans Buruku. Most of the Inner Circle was here.