Digital Technologies Essay Temp Essay

‘Will the challenges emerging with digital knowledge contexts, for which digital literacy is being deployed, open new horizons for the human art of thinking and creating knowledge?’ (Belisle 2006, p.55). Reference: Harvard Style Knowledge can be interpreted in different ways where one scholar defines knowledge as a learnt education another interprets knowledge as intelligence. Knowledge is continuing a process commencing at birth. Belisle (2006) states Knowledge is much more than the transmitted or acquired information. It is the awareness and understanding of facts, truths or beliefs resulting from perception, learning and reasoning. A thorough knowledge is gained through education as well as real life experiences. Dependency on digital technology has increasingly changed the lives of individuals. In the modern era, knowledge is also gained from digital technologies such as computer, smartphones, televisions and the Internet. This essay will discuss the possibilities of digital technologies for knowledge and the negative impacts of the technologies by examining increased use of visual aids, access of information and by identifying if a dependency on digital technologies creates health issues and cultural an d social impacts as society replaces traditional technologies with digital. In the modern era, technology helps in creating, storing and managing of information digitally. A survey conducted in 2010 by Records management practices and arrangements reported that time and cost benefits in accessing archival information, the better security of information and improved compliance with legislation and procedures to ensure privacy is maintained (National Archives of Australia 2015). In the past, with the use of print media, people would spend time utilising mail, handbills and posters for immediate and focused distribution of their information. Today digital media gives us social media such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter that connects people instantly and information is disseminated at low cost being judged and monitored on a ‘click’ basis. Effectively if it is available on the internet, it can be accessed and distributed by  keystroke with no actual physical labour. Obviously this lowers the cost of the information and enables distribu tion to a wider audience. Access to the abundance of information on the internet and speed at which any individual can access any information from any location has meant that the net generation and internet users prefer quick information and spend less time evaluating information. People tend to use data anywhere at anytime due to faster and easier access. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2012) published that 13.3 million people accessed data from home for such tasks as emails, doing research, browsing news and general interests and utilising online banking. They also used the ability of the internet to share material with diverse interest groups. Twitter in particular was viewed as useful for this purpose as it is global, responsive and provides a source of relevant links enabling people to publicise their blogs and to follow those of others using hash-tags (Lupton 2014, p.30). Modern data analysing, using photos and illustrations is a very efficient way in gaining knowledge in abundance. The use of digital technology is enabling the continual development of visual aids. This is magnified greatly using Windows, interfacing technology and other imaging tools, more so than contemporary books and papers. Visual information helps in the decision making process providing a definite interpretation of information. In the past, learning and teaching was primarily text-based reflecting traditional teaching based on cognitive or behavioural science (Sims, O’Leary, Cook & Butland 2002). It is now possible to support visual and multimedia formats on wireless devices at anytime to anyplace (Sims, O’Leary, Cook and Butland 2002). Visual images such as tables, graphs, photographs and maps can be presented in the form of a report. These visual images are used more in our everyday life as a teaching resource in school or a visual reference in a business presentation. Visual images make the written data and oral presentation easier to understand and assist in the decision making process. Good decisions are based on research, digital information and Records management contribute to making decisions based on fact. Timely decisions are facilitated by ready access to information. Understanding past decisions is  assisted by access to the digital data that originally supported the decision (National Archives Australia 2015). In the transition from literature to digital and from text to visual, an individual has to be aware that a dependency on digital technology can create issues. The internet is a bundle of information that allows the expression of ones’ self. This expression on a personal web page is likely to be a more considered controlled impression than one gained from an offline or public encounter. A web page can provide an emotional release enabling artistic ability to be incorporated in its layout. Chatrooms are a form of communication that gives the opportunity to speak to someone in a different country without the cost of long distance phone charges. It is instant and not like the olden times where an individual had to wait for mail to be delivered. Technology makes it easy to communicate when we wish and disengage at will. Educational websites offer phenomenal information covering a wide range of topics that vary from completing assignments to studying ones ancestry. People depend on the web when dealing with emotions. Some simply use the web to replace a paper diary recording their thoughts and responses or seeking to rationalise experiences through the web. Physiological changes have been seen in the more impressionable, such as children, who may overuse technology and exhibit changes that mimic changes scene in high stress states, such as high heart rates, fast paced breathing and hyperacute hearing and vision (Rowan 2010). It has been suggested playing violent video games leads to increased aggression and reduced empathy suggesting these games may desensitise children to violence (Rowan 2010). People have a tendency to retain the information that supports their ideas or viewpoint. Having access to technology that enables access to pages of information creates a situation where people search only for collaborating information and promote misinformation supporting their beliefs irrespective of social impacts. As we search the Internet we need t o be aware of its perils such as identity theft and fraud but the biggest effect is cultural and social effects. Family and friends can find themselves competing with digital technologies for time and attention. Time spent with an ipad, tablet or computer is a  minute lost that could have been spent interacting with the world around them whether it be a friend, family, or peers and react to extra senses such as articulation in voice or body language both which can be lost in the digital world. Face to face contact has become a thing of the past. People maybe not spending as much time as they used to or could be together. Properly used technology helps us advance both as an individual and a civilization but improperly used, it can alienate us from each other and even hinder our physical and psychological development. Emotional distress, alienation and loss of privacy can all be experienced if, for example, intimate images are spread perhaps virally beyond the intended recipient or depiction in texts of individuals who may be targeted by their peers for social and emotional abuse because of the wide distribution of information whether visual or text (Ives 2012, p.46-47). This sort of unsocial interaction could have a widespread effect on children at school and work colleagues, the lasting psychological effects could be carried into future generations. This may lead to suicides, charges and withdrawal from society. The advancement of digital technology has become the centre of our information behaviours with the amount of available information online surpasses anything previously known and many of us have this information at our fingertips. So the challenge is to apply our thinking to this available information, our awareness and understanding of facts, truths and beliefs resulting from perception, learning and reasoning and the result is knowledge. Social media and database archives never before have been more connected to the modern world. Socially a lot of people benefit from the virtual world, and some people are suffering because of it. Digital mainframe and archives are helping to preserve our knowledge for future generations, but in the event of a web crash or system error, it also shows how fragile this digital age is. This basic process of turning information into knowledge has not changed but now is made more difficult by the sheer volume of information or data to access. References Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012, How Australia accesses and uses the Internet, cat no. 1301.0, ABS, viewed on 02 February 2015, Belisle, C 2006, ‘Literacy and the Digital Knowledge Revolution’ in A Martin &D Madigan (eds.), Digital literacies for Learning, Facet, London, pp. 51-67. Ives. EA 2012 iGeneration: The Social Cognitive Effects of Digital Technology on Teenagers, viewed 25 January 2015, Lupton, D 2014, ‘Feeling Better Connected’: Academics’ Use of Social Media. News and Media Research Centre, University of Canberra, p.30. National Archives of Australia 2015, Benefits of digital information and records, viewed 01 February 2015, Rowan, C 2010, ‘Unplug-Don’t Drug: A Critical Look at the Influence of Technology on Child Behaviour With an Alternative Way of Responding Other Than Evaluation and Drugging’, Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, vol. 12, no.1, pp. 60-68. Sims. E, O’Leary. R, Cook. J & Butland. G 2002, Visual Literacy: What is it and do we need it to use Learning Technologies effectively, Learning Technology Support Service, University of Bristol, United Kingdom, viewed 05 February 2015,

Love in Pride and Prejudice Essay

Marriage in England in the nineteenth century is much different than it is in today’s world. Almost everyone wants to marry for love and happiness. During this period of time, beautiful women would marry a man because he is rich or the opposite. A nice looking man would marry a woman because she comes from wealth. Love is left out of these marriages. Some thought they would soon develop love along the years. Mrs. Bennet’s main priority throughout the book was to make sure here five daughters were married to a rich suitor. Money was the main concerns for her not love. Her marriage was based on the principle of monetary gain. She thought her daughters would not be able to survive if they remained unmarried. For any woman of her time marriage on any terms was often the only getaway from a miserable life of poverty. Elizabeth did not want to marry for money. She wanted to marry for love. She turned her first proposal down from Mr. Collins because she had no feelings for him. Elizabeth shows a lot of pride throughout the book. Even though her family was not of upper class, she still held her head high with pride. She is a middle class woman who wants to be treated the same by every one no matter who it is. She believes herself to be good enough for any man. When she first meets Mr. Darcy, she says that he is very attractive. Prejudice blinds her and leads to false opinions of Mr. Darcy. She overhears him say, â€Å"She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me. † Darcy is very blinded by his inferior standards. Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley are happy when they are together. Mrs. Bennet was so sure they would marry within months. They were so shocked to hear that he had left town so suddenly. Mr. Darcy breaks them up before their relationship could get as far as marriage. He didn’t honestly believe that Jane was truly in love with his good friend Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth believes that he did this because of his prejudice for the lower class. Mr. Darcy believed that Jane was only after his money. Jane is very broken up over Mr. Bingley leaving town. They both loved one another. Mr. Darcy later writes a letter to Elizabeth, explaining the real reason why he broke them up. After reading his letter, she begins to understand the pride that Mr. Darcy has for himself. This is where she begins to have feelings for him. Her youngest sister Lydia runs away and marries Mr. Wickham. Soon Jane and Mr. Bingley reunite and he proposes to her. Elizabeth finds out that Mr. Darcy had bribed Mr. Wickham to marry her sister. She soon realizes Mr. Darcy isn’t a bad person after all. He is a great person and a romantic at heart. After his second proposal to Elizabeth she agrees to marry him, not for money but for love. Happiness does not come from a marriage based on money.

Importance Of Volunteering To Better Your School And Community Essay

With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous to you, your family, and your community. The right match can help you find friends, reach out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career. It will also look good on any of your college applications, because in this competitive world, most colleges or universities are looking for people that are actively involved in their community. Mostly those who volunteered are those who did really well in their school. Volunteering connects you to others. One of the better known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community. Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a community together. Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. However, volunteering is a two way street, and it can benefit you and your family as much as the cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills. Volunteering helps you make new friends and contacts. One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area. Volunteering also strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities. Volunteering can provide career experience. Volunteering offers you the chance to try out a new career without making a long-term commitment. It is also a great way to gain experience in a new field. In some fields, you can volunteer directly at an organization that does the kind of work you’re interested in. For example, if you’re interested in nursing, you could volunteer at a hospital or a nursing home. Your volunteer work might also expose you to professional organizations or internships that could be of benefit to your career. Volunteering can teach you valuable job skills. Just because volunteer work is unpaid does not mean the skills you learn are basic. Many volunteering opportunities provide extensive training. Volunteering can also help you build upon skills you already have and use  them to benefit the greater community. For instance, if you hold a successful sales position, you raise awareness for your favorite cause as a volunteer advocate, while further developing and improving your public speaking, communication, and marketing skills. Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life. Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. Doing volunteer work you find meaningful and interesting can be a relaxing, energizing escape from your day to day routine of work, school, or family commitments. Volunteering also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life. Lastly, volunteering helped a lot of people and while helping others you will feel very happy because you actually did something for them. Sometimes, it is not always about what you want, but what other want. You will also encounter a lot of different problems while volunteering, but if you actually take some time and helped them solving it, you will find out that volunteering is a very happy task. The highest of distinctions is service to others. To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and a free mind.

Information and Systems for Competitive Advantage Research Paper

Information and Systems for Competitive Advantage - Research Paper Example The researcher states that for many organizations, such Web sites are helpful to customers because they are able to acquire resources, as opposed to determining requirements for resources. On the other hand, customers make use of the sites for determination of requirements, as opposed to using them for acquisition purposes. At the same time, the Web helps firms to be in a position to compete in the manner expected. CLRC is advantageous due to the fact that it is able to provide guidance that assists in the search for SIS opportunities by focusing on the needs of customers. Products that are provided by an organization to its customers appear as supporting resources from the point of view of the customers. This is due to the fact that a customer must go through a kind of resource lifecycle to acquire them, and this requires a significant amount of effort and time to manage. The ability of a supplier in assisting a customer to manage this lifecycle enables them to differentiate themsel ves from the competition, thus creating a competitive edge. The differentiation method applied may be in form of enhanced customer service, the introduction of direct cost savings or investing in ICT. The relationship between ICT and the CRLC framework is crucial especially in today’s technologically advanced world due to the fact that enhancement of customer service/ experience is largely dependent on the advancement. Various studies have been carried out to determine the prevalence of ICT in the wine industry; different forms of ICT used in the industry, how they are applied and incorporated in the various operations, what they are used for, their importance in enabling production, as well as the factors that could influence their use.

Investigative report Assignment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Investigative report Assignment - Research Paper Example There are a large number of details which are pouring in to certify that there has been attack on the protestors of Qhadafi and the fact that he has done intense murders to signify his position as the strong man in the State of Libya. â€Å"A three-member international panel arrived in Libya today to begin a United Nations-ordered inquiry into the violence and human rights abuses in the North African country since forces supporting Muammar al-Qadhafi began a crackdown against protesters earlier this year.† The team which belongs to the United Nations said that there are not enough numbers on the deaths of the people but it looks like that more than a hundred thousand have lost their lives and approximately seven hundred thousands fled Libya. It all began as a peaceful protest against the camp of Qhadafi turned into a violent armed conflict between the protestors and his people. There were a large number of people who were involved in the protest and it has come to the surprise of many Libyans that why the protest which started off so peacefully did has turned out to be violent in nature. One of the answers to this could be the fact that the Qhadafi camp was not willing to allow any kind of mass movements against its camp. It was however understood by the leadership that they should give it some time to boil down, as they anticipated that protest like these would eventually fade out without having any stake. However, that did not happen, instead, more and more people joined the protest which was a clear indication that people did not appreciate the functioning of Qhadafi and wanted and ouster of him and his camp from the establishment. After Qhadafi came to realise this aspect of the protest, he quickly turned to violent means to kill the protest which was keeping his position in the establishment in jeopardy. â€Å"The General Assembly suspended Libya’s membership in the Human Rights Council last month in the wake of the violent repression of the protesters, and the Security Council later authorized Member States to take â€Å"all necessary measures† to protect civilians.† This comes as a shock to Libya which is going under severe crisis due to the fight between the protestors and the established camp. Ethnic Cleansing and genocide in Tawergha: It is reported by the Human Rights Investigation that the people in the region of Tawergha have been ethnically cleansed by the establishment under heinous circumstances. â€Å"Human Rights Investigations has been following the situation of the Tawergha closely and here we draw the information together and find, based on the reports of witnesses, journalists and human rights workers, the situation of the Tawergha is not just one of ethnic cleansing but, according to the legal definition, genocide.† This is a prime case of genocide in the region and calls for drastic measures by the human rights organization to help the people of Tawergha from man slaughter. Let us look at the Genocide convention to understand the meaning of Human Rights violation: â€Å"any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group as such: 1. Killing members of the group; 2. Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the gr

Theory Essay on Marx Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Theory on Marx - Essay Example (A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens)   As Salerno sums it:   â€Å"During the nineteenth century, many European cities experienced an array of physical and social problems brought on by the industrial revolution and the decline of feudalism.   Cities were filled up with peasants forced from rural areas by real estate speculators and landlords.† (Salerno, 43) Narrow urban streets with sewers became a frequent site for disease and devastating poverty.  Ã‚      The movement to think scientifically without prejudice to any religious or moral doctrine that started with the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453 and corresponding beginning of the renaissance movement in Europe led to many scientific inventions in its stride.   (The History Guide)   The invention of steam engine by James Watt (1736-1819) has had the greatest and immediate impact in leading to the industrial revolution in Europe in the eighteenth century.   By the end of eighteenth century, European cities like Venice, Paris, and London already had highly-efficient educational system in terms of universities, libraries, and an environment that promoted learning.   (The History Guide)   This was an ideal setting for philosophers like Hegel, Comte, Darwin, and Spencer to make their observations and influence the relatively-affluent learned people in these educational sites, searching for enlightenment through knowledge. By the time Marx was to make his own contribution in the field of social and political science, evolutionary theories led by Darwin and Spencer ruled the day.   Together with challenging their implied philosophy, Marx was to use economics as his weapon for social change: confronting popular economists like Smith and Ricardo on many grounds.   (Salerno, 47)   Darwin’s vision of world was one of ceaseless interactions leading to evolution and

Competition law and State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Research Paper

Competition law and State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) - Research Paper Example On the other hand, the Clayton Act is an amendment to the Sherman Act used for placing restrictions on business mergers. The bill also puts restrictions on the acquisition of other companies that could in turn lead to monopolies or unfair commercial practices. The agency in charge of seeking out free and fair competition is the federal trade commission (Alexander, 2009). The department of justice carries out all investigations on matters concerning the competition also, and the law gives it the authority to call and gather a grand jury to indict a suspect. There are civil and criminal charges in place for any part found guilty of acting against the antitrust laws in the state. Civil consequences of the statues include among others injunctions, divestiture or even cancelation of contracts. The laws have the responsibility of ensuring that there exists a level playing ground for all parties involved. It also serves the function of protection of smaller firms from large enterprises that intend to run them out of business. Lastly the laws protect the final consumer by considering market condition so that they do not suffer high prices for commodities in the market (Mazzolini, 1980). State-owned businesses or the government-owned corporations are legal organizations that carry out commercial activities on behalf of the government. State-owned enterprises are common to natural monopolies and infrastructure. They have the task of providing services and products that are otherwise said to be expensive, and the private sector cannot offer them to the public. They provide goods and services such as railways and telecommunications, mail services and weapons for defense, energy and electricity, politically sensitive businesses, broadcasting, education and healthcare (Drew, 2006). State-owned enterprises have the responsibility of promoting the interests of the public, unlike other organizations whose objects are profit maximization (Thomas, 2005). They

British Film Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

British Film Culture - Essay Example Rife with nudging and guffawing, Peter Cattaneo 's film about steelworkers turned male strippers is somehow less raunchy, but every bit as jolly and as irreducibly English, as a Donald McGill seaside postcard. Populated by awkward, well-meaning lads who don't have it in them to behave too badly, its Sheffield is apparently the one part of Britain that Loaded never reached. What The Full Monty is, though, is political, in the gentlest, Ealing-comedy way. It starts with a brassy, breathlessly chipper documentary clip, a spot-on parody of the old Pathe Films. The men have nothing much else to occupy them, and Gaz is likely to lose touch with his young son unless he can pay his debts. Then they see some women queuing to see a troupe of male strippers. Gaz, realising there's only one way left for a man to make a fast buck, assembles a rival crew - not so much beefcake as meatloaf and scrag end. Unemployed Northern men trying anything to scrape a living and uphold their dignity sure enough, The Full Monty pays its respects to Ken Loach. There's a cameo by Bruce Jones from Loach's Raining Stones, as a hapless auditioner gauchely attempting to peel off his anorak. But this is light Loach and with a more focused comic touch. What makes the story compelling is that there's more at stake than just the few bob and laughs the lads stand to make. It's dignity they hope to regain, and more fundamentally, masculinity. Fatigued and disenfranchised, they all wonder if they're still men. Dave worries about losing his wife (Lesley Sharp), Gaz is already divorced, and their suicidal pal Lomper (Steve Huison) is living a dreary celibate life. Meanwhile, Sheffield's women are still in work and ruling the roost. They've even taken over the working men's club for women-only nights. A mortified Gaz sneaks behind enemy lines to witness the ultimate horror - women not only invading the sanctity of the Gents, but pissing standing up. The vision persuades him there's only one way for men to retaliate - reclaim their widgers. The Full Monty could have been made as course material for film-studies seminars on Marxism and the Phallus. Cattaneo and Beaufoy could have gone for a harsher lampooning of male sexual attitudes, but their approach yields subtler, more tender returns. Their heroes are adolescents who don't understand women but wish they did, and eventually are only too happy to confess their inadequacies. The presence of women in the film seems a little cursory, largely restricted to Lesley Sharp, Emily Woof, a few mouthy passers-by, and the crowds of the club scenes. But that's because the men see women from the outside - through the toilet window, as it were. Excluded from the female world of adulthood, they form their own society, a Just William club of eternal schoolboys with Gaz's young son Nathan (the engagingly sour-faced William Shape) tagging along as disapproving chaperon. This is something you rarely see a film on camaraderie among straight men (mostly), that doesn't indulge in slobbishness or Californian hugs, but celebrates the virtues of solidarity. Widgers United. The joke is that the men aren't really learning a new skill that will alter their lives. The Full Monty feels celebratory because it isn't about

Cystinuria in dogs Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cystinuria in dogs - Case Study Example The structure of cystine makes it not possible to dissolve in neutral or acidic substances. Urine is little acidic and makes cystine precipitate in the urine (Canine Health Foundation 1). The effect is that some solid particles are formed in the urine. The particles may also stick together to form stones (Canine Health Foundation 1). Presence of the particles in the urinary tract may lead to blockage and sometimes becomes a threat to dog’s life. However, some dogs with the condition may not form stones. The condition has been common in males (Osbome & Lulich 1). There are various clinical signs that indicate the presence of the condition in dog. The most common challenge is difficulties in passing the urine. A clinical test when done indicates elevated concentration of cystine in the urine. The other obvious sign is pain as the dog urinates. The pain is indicated as the dog passes a small amount of urine and may be accompanied by blood (University of Sydney: Faculty of Veterinary Science 1). Sometimes the dog is unable to pass urine especially when small stones are formed that block the urinary tract. The dog may also have a poor appetite mostly because of pain. In severe cases, the bladder may rupture leading to infection in the abdomen and eventual death. There are various ways used in the diagnosis of the condition. The tests are done on the urine. The first test is known as urinalysis (Canine Health Foundation 1). The other tests are nitroprusside test and urine amino acid quantitation. The tests are done to establish the presence or absence of cystine in the urine. Moreover, there are no treatment options for the condition. However, there are various ways available to reduce the effect of the condition. One of the treatment options aims at reducing the rates of stones in the urine (Canine Health Foundation 1). The other option is to offer food with lower level of protein to reduce the amount of

Mcdonalds AD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Mcdonalds AD - Essay Example Probably the most common place that most people experience McDonald’s advertisements is the television. I have often seen McDonald’s advertisements on television that are aired between popular programs on various channels. Throughout the entire McDonald’s advertisement experience, the greatest presence is on television. Moreover, McDonald’s also utilises the radio. Both the television and radio advertisements campaigns are distinctly noticeable with the â€Å"I’m lovin’ it† catch phrase in each media. Similarly, McDonald’s has advertisements that are geared towards local newspapers and journals. These advertisements generally display new deals and discounts that are available in the local McDonald’s food chains. Another significant area where McDonald’s advertisement is noticeable are various billboards and signage that can be seen installed on both local roads as well as highways. The billboards on highways are fa r larger and are more distinctly noticeable. Other than this, McDonald’s often advertises itself through sponsoring various local, regional and international events. McDonald’s can be seen sponsoring Little League just the same as it sponsors the Olympic Games. The typical McDonald’s logo is highly noticeable in all these situations through the coolers of drink that they distribute on these events.

Personal Conflict Essay Example for Free

Personal Conflict Essay It was on January 2006 when I first set my feet in USA, a day I will live to remember. I was eighteen years old then and had just graduated from high school. I was the best student in my previous school so I got a scholarship to further my studies. Since childhood ,I was fascinated by people especially their cultures, religions and other aspects of their lives but what really amazed me was the way they communicated and the different languages that they used. My life had revolved around one language that was Arabic and therefore when this chance came I was very excited and without second thoughts took the opportunity to study English as my second language. I chose English because it was an international language and I knew it would help me communicate with many people from different parts of the World. More so, it was to be of great assistance to me especially in my stay in the USA. When this day came, I was amidst mixtures of feelings. Even though I was very excited, terror and confusion took the better part of me. The thought of leaving my parents and my younger siblings really terrified me and all of a sudden, I felt lonely. Earlier on after waking up, prayers had been arranged for me and all people wished me a safe journey to America. I was escorted by my friends and family members to the airport where they bid me farewell. This was my first time to travel from my home country and the first to travel in an airplane. While in the plane many thoughts crossed my mind. I thought about the people I would meet and wondered how they would receive me. I also thought about the college I would be enrolled to and my classmates to be . I wondered if there were people from my home place, how many will they be and above all how I would communicate since I was not familiar with English by then. I was in this state when suddenly an air hostess brought me some snacks . Tasty as they looked, I never took a bite. What I could not understand about the air hostess was that she appeared composed and friendly and completely unaware of my predicament. She was young, energetic and cheerful and nothing seemed to trouble her. Contrary, I was deep in confusion and uncertainty . I lost my appetite something which seldom happens to me. In fact , I rarely choose food and anything edible is good to me provided it is not harmful . More so, being the first time to travel by plane I was really uncomfortable and the experience was horrifying. At one time a thought of the aeroplane crushing crossed my mind and it really got me scared. Sleep never crossed my eyes during the whole journey and it took exactly fourteen hours to reach my destination. I arrived at the JFK airport in New York at around 10 pm . The night was chilly and many people wore heavy clothing to keep their bodies warm . I had carried a light jacket which I wore to protect myself from the cold . The environment was new and everything about this place seemed new to me. I was really getting more and more confused and thought it was even better when I was in the plane. My light jacket did not seem to be of much help to me because the cold weather was getting the better of me. Though out of place, a thought crossed my mind. I wondered of how it used to be unusually hot at home and how I had adapted to that kind of climate. I wondered how long would it take for me to get used to this new environment. I do not know exactly how long I had been standing there but what I recall is that I found myself all alone, confused, scared and lost and attracting some policemen. I felt out of place and the way they were looking at me was scaring. Did they see me as a terrorist or something? I never got to answer that question because one of them came directly to where I was and asked whether I was Mr. Mohammed. Though at first I could not understand what he was driving at, the mention of my name made me realize he was out to find me. Upon receiving my answer, he took my passport and asked me to follow him. They took me to one isolated room where they begun interrogating me. Little did they know that I could not understand whatever they were talking about. From their faces I could tell they were suspicious of something. One police officer who was taller than the rest and had a pointed nose with glaring eyes called the others and got outside of the room. I heard them whispering but could not tell what they were discussing. I do not know exactly what transpired but the moment they came in I sensed danger. I was forced to take off my clothes which apart from being humiliating experience it really made me nervous. They might have thought that I had some atomic bomb with me. What made me extremely terrified was the way they were pointing guns at me. For a moment I thought I was going to die. Here I was, people back at home hoping the best for me but not having a clue of the deadly situation I was in at that particular time. The thought of my mum losing me, made me collapse and when I came back to my senses, I was bed ridded in a hospital. At the hospital I got acquinted to the nurse who was taking care of me . She was a very caring and pleasant lady. She did not like it when I told her (she understood me inspite the language barrier) how the policemen had treated me . She failed to understand how people sometimes could be so inhumane. It was from her that I learnt of how I ended up in an hospital and she also told me that our embassy had been contacted. All this she claimed was through the concerted effort of the management of the hospital . Through her kindness and assurance that all will be well, I was beginning to have hope that things would be better for me. I failed to understand how things could contradict themselves. It was simply not easy to relate the caring and treatment I received from the hospital with the ‘reception’ I received from the policemen. I had been at the hospital overnight and I got discharged at around 10 am in the morning. This happened when the Saudi Arabian embassy sent one of its agents to intervene . All was set right and I could not believe it when one policeman was sent to apologize on the behalf of the others and he even offered us a ride to a hotel. The ride was short but I did not fail to notice how the roads were smooth and carefully constructed. If it were home the journey would have taken a little bit longer because most of them need to be tarmacked and they are dusty. When I arrived at the hotel, I took a bathe, had lunch and then slept after 28 good hours of unrest. I woke up at around 10 pm and realized I was all alone, the agent from the Saudi Arabian embassy had promised to drop by the following morning to pick me up. He had informed me that he would take me to his house and where I would be staying for awhile while we sort matters out. I could not get sleep that night. All my thoughts directed to the kind of life I was to lead in the USA. Foremost, being an Arab and a Muslim I wondered where mosques could be found and whether I would learn to communicate in English. Also I thought about the encounter with the policemen and realized the matter had been made complex due to ineffective communications. All these and other thoughts ran across my mind through out the night. In spite uncertainty facing me, I kept on hoping believing and having faith that everything will turn out right for me and I would enjoy my stay in the USA and eventually make it my home. It has been three years now since I arrived in the USA. A lot of things have changed mostly with me trying to catch up with the American way of life. I have made new friends from different backgrounds and we assist each other in times of troubles. Even though I am different in my culture, religion and way of thinking, I get along with others through their support and understanding.

Performance Management Essay Example for Free

Performance Management Essay â€Å"Talent now gravitates to an organization that is flexible, has strong values and a robust performance ethic (Bhal, 2002).† In any organization no matter the size performance management is a critical element in regards to the human element that is the foundation of the organization. In order to effectively place, manage, and develop personnel a performance management plan is an essential part of the development process. In accordance with the previous recommendations for the Bollman Hotel’s planned expansion into India, the following information will be in regards to the alignment, job analysis, measurement, philosophy, and feedback of a recommended performance management plan. Alignment According to Bhal, many of the organizations in the India market have not focused on the human resource aspect of the business module (Bhal, 2002, p. 141). This has left a hard task to overcome for those companies looking to expand into the area. India has seen the need for a transformation in the Human Resource department, in terms of their treatment and beliefs in the management of their personnel. According to Amba-Rao, Petrick, Gupta, and Von der Embse there are four major areas that are said to be under renovation (Amba-Rao, Petrick, Gupta, Von der Embse, 2000, p. 61). The four areas are listed as: first, â€Å"high performance work systems have been shown to be crucial to sustaining global competiveness and they rely upon objective, adequate PA processes†, second â€Å"the productivity of work cultures in Indian organizations is jeopardized by employee PA practices that appear biased, ad hoc and non-integrated into a globally competitive HRM system, third â€Å"Indian managers have been criticized for not involving employees in the PA process†, and lastly â€Å" managerial values that are national culture-based, organizational culture-based and firm ownership-based can enhance or inhibit individual and organizational performance satisfaction† (Amba-Rao, Petrick, Gupta, Von der Embse, 2000, p. 61). These are the misconceptions and obstacles of that must be overcome for any organization venturing into India. Organizational Performance Philosophy Company philosophy must integrate the Indian culture as the expansion of the Bollman Hotel expands. According to Amba-Rao, Petrick, Gupta, and Von der Embse, studies have shown a low expectation of Indian workers as it relates to empowerment, effiecency, and development (Amba-Rao, Petrick, Gupta, Von der Embse, 2000, p. 65). This should be a strong focal point as Bollman looks into the expansion into this country. By ensuring that all of the employees feel they are valued and entrisical to the operations and success of the organization it will help the overall morale of the organization. As described by Cascio the treatment and philosophy of that employees ascribe to an organization is called employee relations (Cascio, 2010, p. 548). These are essential considerations in the development of the performance plan for the expansion of the Bollman Hotel. Job Analysis In the HRM field job analysis is defined by Cascio as â€Å"the process of obtaining and information about jobs† (Cascio W. , 2010, p. 163). In order to properly define a skill or job needed in the new market you must first look at the attributes and skill sets desired for each job function. Employees are the foundation of the organization and to develop and establish a good employee brand is an essential function of any organization. This task will not be a daunting task for the already prevalent Bollman Hotel. However, there will be a need for fine tuning and aligning the merging culture and socio-economics with the current Bollman brand. Measurement Procedures Cascio describes a performance management plan as a form of compass for the employee and employer (Cascio W. , 2010, p. 330). In establishing and assessing performance there must be established goals for each employee and an established measurement of each goal for that employee. In the instance of the Bollman Hotel, set measurements could be established based upon  customer complaints per 10 customers for example. Another measurement could be the number of return business clients per quarter. Skill Gaps and Delivering Performance Feedback By establishing a firm expectancy and goals for each employee and defined job descriptions this will help to ensure a quality performance plan. India employee pool is looking for an organization that will promote from within and place an emphasis on the development of each employee. The assessments need to be a formal integration into the policies and performance system in order to avoid skill gaps and performance gaps. A strong training, coaching, and integration process is essential to ensuring each employee is aware of their expectations and receive proper training for each desired job function (Bhal, 2002). In the Indian culture by making biased decisions and not giving a fair appraisal to each employee with the necessary feedback is a critical mistake that has plagued the Indian human resource arena (Amba-Rao, Petrick, Gupta, Von der Embse, 2000). India has seen a strong acceptance of open discussion in terms of feedback from employees during appraisals. This will help to foster a rapport a mutual understanding of expectations and goals listed for each employee. This also gives the manager the opportunity to establish a form of relationship with the employees and allows for a free flow of information up and down the chain of command. However, by doing this the manager need to ensure that the respect and communication is respectful and mutually beneficial (Bhal, 2002). Cascio has listed some useful feedback methodologies. The goal of each appraisal feedback session should look to improve and provide the employee with valuable information needed to advance and excel within the organization (Cascio W. , 2010, p. 341). Appraisals are also in compliance with the Labor Relation Laws of India and the documentation required to terminate an employee if need be. The use of comparisons or ranking systems may be a negative reinforcement system in terms of feedback per the India cultural and socio-economic systems in place (Bhal, 2002). This will also add to the divide of the cultural systems currently in place. Conclusion In essence a formal and detailed performance management system is essential to building a strong foundation for Bollman Hotel’s to flourish and thrive. In knowing the driving force behind the culture and what problems lay in waiting that could be the potential downfall of the hotel. By having strong communication and a good feedback system in place it will ensure that to break the stereotypical human resource conceptions and establish a strong foundation work force for Bollman. References Amba-Rao, S. C., Petrick, J., Gupta, J. N., Von der Embse, T. J. (2000). Comparative performance appraisal practices and management values among foreign and domestic firms in India. Int. J. of Human Resource Management, 11(1), 60-89. Bhal, K. (2002). Perceived Role of Human Resource Management in Indian Organizations: An Empirical Study 1. Global Business Review , 3(139), 139-152. Cascio, W. (2010). Managing Human Resources. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies . Cascio, W. F. (2010). Chapter 14 Procedural Justice and Ethics in Employee Relations. In W. F. Cascio, 8th (Ed.), Managing Human Resources (pp. 546-575). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies.

Evaluation Of Business And Strategy Analysis Burberry Group Marketing Essay

Evaluation Of Business And Strategy Analysis Burberry Group Marketing Essay INTRODUCTION: BURBERRYS STRATEGY: The groups strategy is marked by leading market position combined with strong franchise in established countries along with usage of emerging countries platforms to drive earnings growth and volumes. The group also focuses on meeting ever changing consumer demands through continuous innovation and expand the product portfolio, directly operated stores network, selective wholesales distribution channels and enhance operational capabilities, which resulted in healthy growth in the recent years. Groups is in a better position to optimize the high growth prospects in Asian regions for that reason Group announced an amendment to its apparel licence in Japan. Group is continued to evolve and enhance its products and brand span over all consumer-facing platforms. In stores, the Group continued to roll out the Burberry Experience, a comprehensive sales and service programme. Group strategy is to bring greater clarity to the brands segmentation and focus on operational improvements, which has allowed greater speed and responsiveness in delivering products to consumers, pointing the way to a further evolution of the Burberry business model that will provide fresh merchandise to stores and online with greater frequency. Groups strategy to involve in digital and web world like live streaming and social media where its gets social platform, successfully creating the new communities of interest. The core purpose of the Burberry brand is to protect, explore and inspire which are at the heart of Burberry, its culture and behaviour as a company. Group is now Shift company culture and processes from a static wholesale model to a dynamic retail model. Retail-led growth refers not only to the operation of Burberrys own stores, but also to a fundamental shift in the Groups operating structure. Burberrys strategy formulation under Resource Based Theory: The resource based theory advocates the efficient and effective use of resources and capabilities. One of many facets of this view is the acquisition of already working entities in the regions in which the company is planning to enter (Jay B. Barney, 2007). In a resource-based view, Burberry has strong excellent world-class talented people worldwide. As the business grows and the demand for expertise and ability across the organization increases, Burberry is ensuring that it develops a robust pipeline of talent throughout the Group. Burberry unique brand have more than 150 years history which broad consumer appeal across genders and generations; a unique demographic positioning within the luxury arena; and broad global reach that allow Burberry to charge premium prices gives Burberry a competitive advantage. Burberry rare activities which doesnt follow by their competitor is everything the consumer sees is developed centrally under Chief Creative Officer, Christopher Baile. It is actively embracing digital and social media to extend the reach and appeal of the brand, especially to the luxury customer of the future. Besides resource based theory, the strategic capabilities of Coca Cola Hellenic may also be evaluated through PEST analysis. PEST analysis of Burberry to evaluate strategic capabilities: The PEST analysis looks into the Burberrys exposure to Political, Economical, Social and Technological factors, which may affect its strategy formulation capabilities. The following factors may be considered in this regard (Wetfeet, 2008): Political: (Kluyver, 2010) The Group operates in many countries including the emerging markets. These countries subject to changes in laws and regulations, including accounting standards, taxation, (tax rates, new and tax laws) and environmental laws in domestic or foreign jurisdictions particularly in times when public sector debt is high and tax revenues are falling. Burberry faces intense competition from developing countries due to cheap copies of his brand where no copyright law exist. Political conditions like civil unrest, unstable governments historically and have been subject to political instability and restrictions on the ability to transfer capital across borders. Ability to penetrate developing and emerging countries, which also depends on economic and political conditions, and how well they are able to acquire or form strategic business alliances with local fashion trends and make necessary changes which also affects the luxury brand of Burberry The Burberry has strong luxury brand, which is only feasible in some geographic environments and demographics. Economical: (Griffin, 2006) The global economic downturn affected the level of consumer spending on discretionary luxury items. Increased regional competition by other international as well as local brands. Customers (in particular Middle Eastern, Russian, Japanese, Chinese and other Asian customers) who purchase products while travelling either overseas or domestically generate a significant proportion of the Groups sales. As a result, shifts in travel patterns or a decline in travel volumes could materially affect trading results. As economies develop, is for staple items such as food and clothing to lose their relative importance in the typical household. Social: (Grant, 2005) Social environment of countries also affect the Burberry because different cultures, different lifestyles. Dress codes have reflected social attitudes of people .Dress are integral to how they regard themselves. Technological: (W. Glenn Rowe, 2010) The effectiveness of company is advertising and marketing is crucially changed due to latest technological trends in advertising. New uses of internet and television that incorporates special effects for advertising may make some products look more attractive to consumers. Introduction of digital world and web in the world effect the way of doing business. Burberry live streaming allowed consumers to purchase runway items for expedited delivery -another first for the luxury sector Through use of technology Burberry, creating a platform of social media, which helps in, opens new ways of communities of interest. Group also launched artofthetrench.com; a social media website that introduces the iconic trench coat to the digital generation and is attracting the new, younger luxury customer to the brand may give a competitive advantage. SWOT analysis of Coca Cola Hellenic: Strengths: (Bohm, 2009) Strong brand: Burberry has iconic of trench coat, which linked to Authentic British heritage and its Unique democratic positioning within the luxury arena .This gives the company a strong brand standing. Globally recognized icon portfolio: the trench coat, trademark check and Prorsum horse logo. Burberry stores are among the best vehicles to communicate the full brand message to consumers. Global Reach: Burberry has broad geographic portfolio including Europe including Spain accounted for 44% of sales, Americas 27% and Asia Paci ¬Ã‚ c 24%. Emerging Markets, which spans across all regions and includes China, India, Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, contributed 10% to retail and wholesale revenue. Multi-category competency: womenswear, menswear,non-apparel and childrenswear with innovative outerwear as the foundation. Channel expertise in retail (including e-commerce),wholesale and licensing. Burberry as the leading employer in the luxury sector Weaknesses: (Fine, 2009) Lack of expertise in the field of supply chain in the target market Local competition and lack presence in particular areas of the world. High luxury brand The product segmentation of Burberry is weak between men,s and womens appral lines. Opportunities: (Fine, 2009) Group has the opportunity to amend its largest license agreement in Japan market where challenging consumers conditions available. There are opportunities for Burberry group in the heritage menswear business; the young children swear division, or quickly developing shoe category. While emerging markets such as China offer great excitement, excellent potential remains in all geographic regions. Burberry have opportunity in Spain integrating the market with global Burberry is in the long-term best interests of the brand. Non-apparel continues to be a key driver of growth for the Group and have more potential to grow. Strengthening of brand image through advertising. Threats: (Nadine Pahl, 2009) Competition from local brands. Imitation: Cheap copies of brand are available in the developing countries. In developing countries where customers are getting more sophisticated and price conscious. This may shift the demand from luxury products to cheap products, which is not the core product of Burberry. Politics and economies are primary sources of threats to a brand in the fashion industry. Number of key product categories Burberry is reliant on a small number of suppliers which threat to its brand. APPRAISAL OF PERFORMANCE SINCE 2009 The global luxury goods market had grown by around 8% per annum before the great economic downturn in l2008. In 2009, it is estimated that the global luxury market declined by around 9%, as consumer confidence and buying powers of peoples fall. Industry analysts expect the sector to show some recovery in 2010, although not as high as the 8% seen prior to 2008. The deteriorating economic environment and unemployment rates have their impact on aggregate demand throughout fashion industries. Sales revenue has been increase by 7% from 2009 to 2010 in a highly uncertain consumer-spending environment, which shows a remarkable achievement of the management of Burberry. In 2009/10, the dramatically slowed consumer environment pressured both gross margin and expense structure with a management entered the year emphasizing profitability over revenue growth. In a luxury market, Burberry achieved revenue of  £1.3bn, 7% reported. Operating profit increased 22% to  £220m, Retail/wholesale gross margin increased from 52.1% in 2008/09 to 59.7% in 2009/10.while diluted EPS increased 16% to 35.1p. After-tax return on capital remained strong at 28. The Group generated  £254m of cash, resulting in a  £262m year end cash balance. Relative to luxury products Burberrys performance was among the best in the sector during 2009/10 The Greek Economic Crisis: The Greek economic crisis had a massive impact on Coca Cola Hellenics results. Lower customer confidence, rising unemployment rate (15% at the end of June 2010) and pressure on the tourism sector are still deteriorating Hellenics volume and channel mix in Greek markets (which accounted for approximately 8% of the groups total volume during 2009). As a response to higher pricing competition, Coca Cola Hellenic has increased its promotional and marketing activity in the country, which will have a resultant negative impact on the groups profit margins. Management expects this steep trend to persist until at least towards the mid of 2011. Additionally, the Greek government has initiated austerity measures, which are impacting negatively on consumers wages (the government is currently considering increasing VAT on soft drinks to 23% from 11% and/or increasing excise duties) and affecting Hellenics results. Among these government measures was the implementation of an Extraordinary Social C ontribution Tax which led to a charge of à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬21 million in 2010 and which the government has indicated will prevail until the end of 2012. Meanwhile, the government is also considering a new tax on distributable profits of companies operating in Greece, which may force Hellenic to provide shareholder returns via means other than dividends (Yasmina Serghini-Douvin, 2010). Exposure to Currency Movements: Due to diverse internal market, Burberrys profits are highly exposed to foreign currency rate exposures. The Group has the Group has a policy of hedging foreign currency denominated transactions by entering into forward foreign exchange contracts , resulting in a  £7.3 million negative impact on its 2010. Overall, Burberrys Gross margin in 2010 was 59.7%, which higher as compared to the 52.1% in 2009, the groups operating profit margin increased from 9.8% to 11.6%, largely due to gross margin benefits and savings from the global cost efficiency programme (Yasmina Serghini-Douvin, 2010). Returns to Shareholders: The financial structure of Burberry comparatively stable over recent years Board has recommended a 17% increase in the full year dividend to 14.0p worth  £52.5 million at the end of 2010. Porters generic forces Cost Leadership: It explains gaining of competitive edge by having the lowest cost in the market. Burberry not a following cost leadership because its deals in luxury items. Differentiation: Burberry luxury brand has iconic figure in the fashion world which show company follows the differentiation strategy. There may be several approaches to differentiation: Different design Brand Image New technology Number of features Product Quality Focus or Niche Strategy: Burberry may as well get into niche of focus markets. Such move may result in firm growth in those particular niches. Burberry and Ansoff Matrix: Ansoff matrix describes various moves a company can adopt in the market to gain a competitive advantage. It describes four different situations which are enumerated in the form of a table as follows (Griffin, 2006): Existing Product New Product Existing Market Market Penetration Product Development New Market Market Development Diversification Market Penetration: Market penetration can be achieved by Burberry in three ways: by getting competitors customers, improving the product Attracting new users or persuading current users to use more through marketing etc. For example, Management successfully executed the  £50m cost efficiency programmed announced in 2008/09. Approximately half of the gains were driven by supply chain and corporate process efficiencies. Cost reductions, including rationalization of internal Manufacturing, showroom closures and intensive expense and headcount management, accounted for the remainder.The company plans to re-invest these savings to assist future growth in market share in recent years to come. Market development: Market development is defined as opening up new markets for products .For Burberry; these consist of China, India and the Middle East. All distribution channels (retail, wholesale and licensing) are used to optimize these opportunities. Burberry added a net 20 stores in Emerging Markets, of which 13 stores were in China and six were in the Middle East. Of the total, 97 are operated under franchise, 12 by the Burberry Middle East joint venture, and two by the Burberry India joint venture. In North America, which Burberry has also identified as an underpenetrated market, underlying retail and wholesale revenue increased by 2% in 2009/10, with an improved performance in the second half (up 10%).Japan non-apparel joint venture is established to build the brands non-apparel business in Japan, the worlds largest accessories market, the joint venture became fully operational during the year. Product development: Product development means launch of new products in existing markets. This may help to maintain consumer awareness, drive growth and increase profits and its only beneficial when company have strong brand name, strong research and development and strong design team. As an example, Burberry focus on and invest in under-penetrated non-apparel categories to further leverage Burberrys unique positioning, design and merchandising expertise and iconic branding through investment in product development, marketing and supply chain. Non-apparel continues to be a key driver of growth for the Group. For the third consecutive year, it was the fastest-growing product area within Burberry, and continues to offer scope for further gains across a number of under-penetrated categories like (Large leather goods, mens non-apparel, Soft accessories and Shoes). Burberry continues to grow outerwear by continued product innovation. Diversification: Diversification means selling new products in new markets. There are two types of diversifications are related or horizontal diversification and conglomerate diversification (non related). Both diversifications are achieved trough acquisitions. We have already seen that Burberry has a rich history of entering new markets and introducing new products. Burberry also benefits from a great degree of product and brand diversity, Diversified offering which leads the Burberry brand has broad consumer appeal. The business is balanced between non-apparel (36% of 2009/10 revenue), womens wear (35%), menswear (24%) and the smaller but high potential childrens wear division (5%). Outerwear, which is the core of the apparel offer at over half of sales, is the category in which Burberry is top of- mind among consumers. Another key strategy is to grow non-apparel where revenue increased by 10% underlying in 2009/10. BCG Matrix (Kluyver, 2010) Stars: Stars are those products, which have a high relative market share and high market growth. It is market leader In case of Burberry, Growth has been primarily due to in non-apparel products, now the largest product category, increased by 10% underlying, with good growth across all product categories. Large leather goods accounted for half of non-apparel retail sales and grew by 30% in retail, with particular strength in Asia. Further design and product development expertise benefited shoes. Cash Cows; these products have high market share but low growth market possibly going into negative. Because it have high market share it is the market leader, which help him to earn cash. In the case of Burberry their women wears have strong market share with but have little growth Burberry will use his higher full price sales and increased awareness driven by artofthetrench.com. Question marks: Those products that have relatively low market share in high growth markets. Childrens wear grew by 37% on an underlying basis, which is 5% of the revenue but have high potential market. Burberry aims to drive children swear to 10% of total Group sales over time. Dogs; these products have low market share in low and static market that is not a market leader. Dogs might lose money and more cash used to earn something. In the case of Burberry Mens wear have low and decaling market share with low growth it benefited from benefited from continued innovation in styles, fit and fabric. In retail, the relabelling of Burberry Brit contributed to good volume and value growth in all product categories, especially in Asia. POTENTIAL FUTURE STRATEGY: Agreements: In October 2009, the Group announced an amendment to its apparel license in Japan which gives better positions to optimize its presence in Japan and the high-growth Asian region over the medium term. The restructuring of the Groups business in Spain integrating the market with global Burberry is in the long-term best interests of the brand. This arrangement would help to support the strategic and operational alignment, and would provide a stable shareholding base in the coming years. Porters Diamond: (Griffin, 2006) Factor conditions: Burberry should look into different markets to gain the advantage of demand factors like cheap pool of labour with skills in industry, government subsidies, low cost raw material etc. Burberry has favourable factor conditions like excellent network of transports and telecommunications in UK. In Japan the conditions is not favourable for Burberry because of shortage of land which leads companies to develop just in time system. Demand conditions: In developing and emerging counties, the higher level of competition affected by lower-value cheap brands. A new joint venture in India was announced in November 2009, combining the strengths of the Burberry brand and organisation with the expertise of a local partner to address this young, exciting luxury market. Burberry is in fashion market where customers expectations and demands always high which forced to create new brands and innovative fashion lines. Related and supported industries: the existence of large number of related industries edge should be sought in the future like purchase raw materials and fabrics from developing countrie.high quality RD strong links with firm gives Burberry innovation in the field of production which also very supportive in UK. Firm strategy, structure and rivalry: Burberry is highly exposed to developing and emerging territories. At the highest level, the Groups primary objectives are the continued elevation and building of the Burberry brand, and ensuring the Company remains firmly on a path of sustained. Burberry faces a strong competition from their rivals because the fashion industry ever changing environment where every time new things come to the market. However, the wide range of countries in which Burberry operates lessens the underlying associated risk.

A Comparison of The Aeneid and Metamorphoses :: comparison compare contrast essays

A Comparison of The Aeneid and Metamorphoses      Ã‚   Both Vergil and Ovid imbedded underlying meanings in their epics The Aeneid and Metamorphoses.   In this paper I will focus on the underlying meaning in the Underworld scene in Vergil's The Aeneid (lines 356 through 1199).   I will also focus on three scenes in Ovid's Metamorphoses.   Both epics contain a larger message about the importance of the Roman past for its present and future under Augustus.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The story of Aeneas in the Underworld can be interpreted as a brilliant rendition of the story of Rome's past, present, and future.   When Aeneas descends into the Underworld, he is escorted by the Sibyl (lines 347 - 349). This gives the readers a clue that what is to happen in the upcoming text is a foretelling of Roman future because the Sibyl was a prophetess (Course Packet, p16).      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As Aeneas enters the Underworld, he sees numerous horrible sights: Grief, Disease, Old Age, Fear, Hunger, and several others. (Lines 356 - 379)   These unsettling and dark words bring difficult images to the reader's mind.   These lines foretell that there will be difficulties while Rome is in its infancy through phrases like "lonely night" and "phantom kingdom".   Rome did indeed have difficulties in its infancy; in the 7th and 6th centuries BCE it was ruled by Etruscan kings and was only "... a little hill town." (Short Histories, p20)      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lines 390 through 549 in The Aeneid deal with the crossing of the River Styx.   This represents a great transition period in Rome.   It symbolizes the founding of the Republic.   The multitude of rushing and swarming people (Line 402) represents those that suffered the "internal turmoil" in the early stages of the Republic.   (Short Histories, p21)   When Aeneas mentions, "... and by what rule must some keep off the bank ..." (Lines 419 - 421) he may symbolically be referring to the "Struggle of the Orders" that the early Republic experienced. (Short Histories, p22)      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As Aeneas wanders through the Underworld, he notices Dido wandering about.   (Lines 593 - 626)   He tries to talk to her, but his words serve no purpose; she flees from him.   He then sees the souls of those who died in battle.

Juliet: From Mouse To Woman :: essays research papers

In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare the two main characters are Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. Both teenagers matured and changed during the play, but Juliet’s changes stood out the most. Juliet transformed in less then a week, which says she did not change much, but there is a definite difference in her personality from before she met Romeo to after she married him. There are many events in the book that support that idea. Most of which interact with her mother. Many events towards the ending of the play suggest she is very obstinate, which is quite different from the begging of the play before Juliet even thought of marriage or defying her parents and family. In Juliet’s first scene she is talking to her Mother and the Nurse. Her Mother brought up the topic of marriage and Lord Paris. This is when we first see a young girl who has just begun to grow up. She replies with the fact that she hasn’t considered marriage yet. Most girls of her age would have been wives by now, so it was slightly uncommon that she hadn’t even thought of her marriage. Also in this scene we see in her willingness and obedience, when she does not object to her Mother’s thoughts of her marring Lord Paris soon. When her Mother asks her if she could love Paris she replies, â€Å"I’ll look to like, if looking liking move. But no more deep will I endart mine eye than your consent gives strength to make it fly.† (I, iv, 102-105) I interpreted her to mean she will try to love him, but she will not look deeper than her mother wishes. She reminds me of a mouse in a way, meek and a pushover. This scene is right before the ball. Later when Juliet is at the ball she meets Romeo, and falls in love at first sight. Later Romeo follows her to her balcony where she confesses her love for Romeo to herself. Overhearing her, Romeo shows himself and also confesses his love for her. Taken over by her first feelings of love and lust, she defies her parents just by speaking to him in that manner. Before this, which was only about five or six hours ago, she would not have spoken to him at all, let alone that time of night. Romeo soon proposes to Juliet and she says yes.

Melvilles Moby Dick :: Essays Papers

Melvilles Moby Dick Melville was born in a time of American history where inspiring works of American literature began to emerge. It was also a time when America had not completely separated its literary heritage from Europe, partly because there were successful literary genius’ flourishing there. Melville proved to be a genius of his own, with his many works such as Moby Dick, Billy Bud, and Bartleby. Three distinct themes could be seen throughout most of his literature; whales and the whaling industry, commentary on the universe and human destiny, and ideas about God and nature. Moby Dick is an incredible work by Melville most often referred to as an epic, a tragedy, a novel, an exposition on the whaling, and a spiritual autobiography. It is often overlooked that a deeper, more symbolic, meaning may have been the driving force behind Moby Dick. Herman Melville was born on August 1, 1819, to Allan and Maria Melville. He was the third of eight children in the Melville family. He was generally described as silent and slow; his mother thought him to be a very dull child. In 1832 Melville suffered tragedy when his father died. Finishing school when he was fifteen, Melville took service as cabin boy aboard the St. Lawrence. After returning to his home in New York for some time after serving as cabin boy, Melville took berth as an ordinary seaman aboard a whaling ship called the Acushnet. After approximately four and a half years as a seaman on various ships, he set down, again in New York, to write of his experiences. Within six years he had published five books. Shortly thereafter Melville was married and moved his family to a farm near Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It was at this location where Moby Dick was written. Moby Dick was first published in 1851. Melville continued to write, both poetry and stories, until three months before his death in 1891. Melville’s perspective on life was that God created the universe with an infinite number of meanings and man is always trying to determine one specific meaning (Robertson-Lorant 65). It is possible that Melville, through writing, was seeking out some of his many destinies bestowed upon him by God. The basis of the name Moby Dick can be traced back to an article in the New York Knickerbocker Magazine in May of 1839 (Madden).

Act Four of the Crucible Essay

How does Miller present John Proctor as a heroic figure in Act Four of ‘The Crucible’? Does the play have any relevance for us watching it today?  A hero is ‘a person who is admired for having done something very brave or having achieved something great’ according to www.dictionary.co.uk. I also think a hero is a person who doesn’t necessarily have to be of a ‘pure’ soul, who has never done anything wrong. For example, in ‘The Crucible,’ a person like Rebecca Nurse who never did anything wrong wasn’t portrayed as a hero to us. We see John Proctor’s actions as more heroic and they are similar to Linford Christie’s actions (where he was accused for taking drugs and now acts as a senior mentor for athletes) which a modern audience watching it today would see as a comparable, if a less serious, situation. Miller presents Proctor as a heroic figure in Act Four of ‘The Crucible’ by John Proctor’s actions. These include John refusing to sign the document, which would save his life. However, at the same time it would mean he would lie and Proctor would rather die than sign a document, which condemned him to working with the devil. I feel this shows John as a hero because he has not only done something very brave by giving his life, which people will admire, but because he has struggled through and done the right thing which will ultimately lead to an end in the accusations of witchcraft in Salem. This part of the play deserves a lot of attention as it shows the greatest act of heroism in the play by Proctor. It also reflects the most relevance for an audience watching today, who would relate John’s example to their own lives. In the earlier acts of the play Miller shows John Proctor resisting temptation from Abigail. The reader sees this as heroic because we know that John has already had an affair and he doesn’t want to cheat again. The reader also knows that it is hard for John Proctor and when he does resist Abagail the reader sees this as a heroic action. The way other characters respond to John Proctor also shows us that John is a hero. Miller shows other characters, for example Mary Warren, respecting him. The first time Miller introduces John into the play we see how other characters respect his authority. ‘MARY WARREN leaps in fright.’ Mary was doing wrong and Proctor discovered her. The fact that we see her leaping in fright shows how she respects John’s authority. She admires him enough to feel ashamed of her wrong doing and a hero is someone who is admired by other people. In Act 4 Proctor knows he has made mistakes in the past and doesn’t think that people will see him as a hero if he is hung. ‘I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud.’ By John saying this it shows he is not arrogant. The audience see arrogance as an unheroic action. John Proctor says he refuses to testify because he detests authority. ‘It is hard to give a lie to dogs.’ Miller makes John refer to authority figures as dogs because they are hanging people for incorrect and false acusations. Proctor refuses to lie because he wants to stand up to a corrupt justice system. The audience sees this as a heroic action because he is prepared to sacrifice himself in order to abolish the justice system in the future. For John to give his life it is the biggest act of bravery a man can do and we see this bravery as a noble action. In this final act Miller suggests to us that John is performing actions with other people in mind rather than himself. If he confesses he wants to know if other people will be able to forgive him for lying. ‘What would you have me do?’ Proctor is thinking about confessing and he does not want Elizabeth, or any other person, to think badly about him for lying. This is because he is feeling guilty. This guilt shows human emotions and the audience sees this as something they can relate to in their everyday life, because John is a person like us. However, John leads by example and, although he is human, he is a role model who always tries to do the right thing even if it is difficult and may have consequences for him. An earlier example of this is John attempting to save Elizabeth in court by confessing his act of adultery. ‘I have known her, sir.’ This is what makes him heroic for the audience as he tries to do the right thing, for other people not just him, when it is sometimes difficult because of the resulting consequences. Another way in which we see John as heroic is because he physically tears up the confession slip. ‘PROCTOR tears the paper and crumples it.’ This action by Proctor is heroic because he is trying to correct his mistakes. Proctor isn’t perfect but he tries to make up for what he has done wrong in the past. Proctor doesn’t want to return to his old ways of doing wrong as he felt contrite and ashamed of his affair with Abigail. The audience admires his attempt to correct his wrong doing and in doing so Miller gains the audience’s respect for Proctor. Our admiration for Proctor makes us relate John to being a hero because by definition a hero is admired by other people because of their actions.

The Crucible Play Character Analysis

Throughout The Crucible there are good characters, bad characters and the characters who do not take action when action is required. Of these characters, close to all of them embodies one of the seven deadly sins. Of each of the seven, there is always one character that is the worst sinner of that particular vice.There are seven deadly sins but out of the seven there are two in particular that drives this play the most. In control of these sins is Abigail Williams, a young vengeful girl who used to work for the Proctor before being fired for supposedly having an affair with John Proctor. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Abigail demonstrates envy and wrath in order to gain power over John Proctor. Ultimately, however, her intentions result in disastrous circumstances for both her and Proctor.In the play, Abigail is jealous of Elizabeth Proctor for having John Proctor as a husband and this is one of the main reasons she rains hell down on the city of Salem. Abigail’s envy gets the better of her, and throughout the whole play all, she wants is John by her side. Abigail goes to some extreme measure by plotting to kill Elizabeth and steal John for her own.In the beginning of the play, the girls are in the woods dancing, and Abigail drinks a vial of blood which is part of a ritual that Tituba is in charge of. This later leads the girls to worry that they may be in some major trouble; you can tell this when Betty says, â€Å"You drank blood, Abby! You didn't tell him that! You did, you did!You drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!† (Miller 837). The reason Abigail drinks the blood is to complete the ritual to kill Elizabeth Proctor. Her plot to eliminate Elizabeth does not end there because she calls her a witch in court.In the play Abigail’s wrath is the thing that allows her to get away and out of trouble. Even though it’s her envy that drives her to do the things she does it is her wra th which allows her to get what she wants. Wrath is  vengeance or punishment as the consequence of anger and when Abigail gets angry or upset she starts calling people witches.Abigail still works for her power over John by calling Elizabeth a witch to get rid of her and then have John all to herself. When Proctor asks for the transactions of the court and threatens to whip Mary, she proclaims while pointing at Elizabeth â€Å"I saved her life today!† (Miller 854) We know that it was Abigail who accused Elizabeth of being a witch because of the fact she wants John and drank a blood charm to kill her.Close to the End of the play her intentions for both her and Proctor result in disastrous circumstances because John ends up being accused of witchcraft because of the twist of fate from Elizabeth lying about why she really fired Abigail. In the end it’s John who decides his fate by not signing the confession because he wants to keep his name clean for his kids.John also g oes on to say â€Å"How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!† (Miller 886) This quote is one John’s last lines in the play meaning he dies for the sole purpose of his name. Abigail goes on to run away and become a prostitute, a fitting end for a whore.Abigail’s envy and wrath for John Proctor is ultimately a disastrous circumstance for both her and Proctor. In Abigail’s envy for John she ends up destroying the man she loves and raining hell on Salem. Abigail‘s wrath is also her passion, she loves tormenting people even the ones she loves.In the end everything is messed up, there is no order, no listening, no control, all because of Abigail and her deadly sins.

Engage In Personal Development Essay

Understand what is required for competence in own work role 1. Describe the duties and responsibilities of own work role To assist service user or individual in the care home with everyday tasks such as washing, toileting, dressing, eating, drinking. To assist with mobility and disability. To help in the promotion of mental and physical activity through talking and reading with them, encourage them to do what they can do in order to promote their independents. Follow policies and procedure at all times and report any changes to service user’s health or circumstances. 2. Explain expectations about own work role as expressed in relevant standards. There are two main standards that I am expected to be able to comply with. The National Minimum standards The purpose of these standards is set to out the national minimum training standards for health care support workers and adult social care workers in Wales. These standards define the minimum you should know, irrespective of your individual work role. Often you will gain knowledge during a period of induction in the first weeks or months of your employment. While meeting these minimum standards is not the same as being competent in your role, they do provide the foundation for safe and effective practice. The standards do not seek to set out competences for workers, but correspond to the underpinning knowledge within the core competences for healthcare support workers and adult social care workers. The National Occupational standards These apply across the whole UK, and explain what you need to know and be able to do in order to work effectively in social care. Should be able to  demonstrate competence in these areas that’s why the management in our nursing home are making sure we have enough training and support in order to be more competence in our job. Outcome 2 Be able to reflect on practice 1. Explain the importance of reflective practice in continuously improving the quality of service provided. Reflective practice is the process that enables individuals to achieve better understanding of themselves, their understanding, their skills, competencies and their workplace practices in general. Reflective practice allows us to reflect on our actions and experiences so that we can learn from them and adapt our behavior accordingly. Reflective practice can be uncomfortable as it challenges our own assumptions about ourselves however it is vital for improving the quality of the service we provide. Reflective practice will make us more self-aware, this will raise our own awareness of others and increase sensitivity to their needs and perception of how we care for them. 3. Describe how own values, belief systems and experiences may affect working practice Personal values and beliefs are an important part of personal growth and happiness. As human beings, we all have our own values, beliefs and attitudes that we have developed throughout the course of our lives. Our families, friends, community and the experiences we have had, all contribute to our sense of pride and how we care for each other. Our experiences also affect how we value the importance of family and friendships. Religious beliefs affect how we feel about right and wrong. Significant or unexpected life events such as death of love ones impact on what we value as being important. All people are entitled to their own point of view, their own values and beliefs, but they must never force those values and beliefs onto others. We must always take great care to treat all service user and all individuals equally. Our values and beliefs affect the quality of our work and all interpersonal relationships. Outcome 3Be able to evaluate own performance 1. Evaluate own knowledge, performance and understanding against relevant standards. My knowledge and performance follows the relevant standards such as every member of staff requires crb check to ensure they are meeting the standards of the CSSIW by not obtaining any criminal convictions to ensure resident or service user are not put at any risk. Manual handling standards have to be met by using hoists, slings and slide sheets with the residents who require this and making sure they are used correctly because it will cause danger and harm to the service users. Other standards that have to be followed are infection control, we have to maintain cleanliness in the home and prevent all cross contamination in the home. Outcome 4Be able to agree a personal development plan 1. Identify sources of support for planning and reviewing own development There are many sources of support that you can access and many different ways you can help yourself. The appraisal or supervision system in my workplace can be a good starting point. This will help me identify areas of my practice that’s needs to be improve and develop. Supervision gives you a good opportunity to use the experience and knowledge of your supervisor to help you plan how to move forward to your practice. All the trainings provided by the management of the home are effective support for me by gaining knowledge so that I can use as my guide to develop and improves my job role as a carer and as individual as well. Outcome 5Be able to use learning opportunities and reflective practice to contribute to personal development 1. Evaluate how learning activities have affected practice. I attended a course on confidentiality by my employer. The covered areas such as confidentiality policies and when to seek help for confidentiality matter. The aim of the course was to enhance and update staff knowledge on the  intricacies of confidentiality and when to break confidentiality. This course was very interesting, and learned new things that I was not aware of. We had given a scenario in our training, when a service user confided to you and told you a staff has abused but the service user don’t want you tell anyone and keep it secret. From I was taught in the course that confidentiality should be broken when there is a possibility of danger to the service use. So from that course it gave me knowledge and help me in decision making as I now feel confident that I am following correct procedure in such events. 3.Show how to record progress in relation to personal development To record my progress I would make a grid for my goals and work towards a completion date for each goal as a care assistant. You have to identify skill and knowledge would like to improve. Here is an example: 1.Issue 2.What do I want to achieve? 3.How am I going to achieve this? 4.Comments 5.Target date 6.Colleague feedback 7.etc. Once you have completed your plan, you can identify the areas on which you need to concentrate. You should set some goals and targets. And your supervisor should be able to help you ensure they are realistic. This is a personal development programme in order to reflect not only the objectives and the job roles needs to develop and improve.

In Man and Superman Shaw Was Not Writing a Regular Play Essay

In Man and Superman Shaw was not writing a regular play; he only united up dialogue, discussion, arguments for the purpose of making them appear as plays. Still the incidents of situations in the play do in one way or the other perpetuate the pursuit of man by woman—of Tanner by Ann. The most interesting is the Hell Scene where the traditional Don Giovanni motif is most comically inverted in the spirit of parody to substantiate Shaw’s thesis that it is the woman basically who is boa-constrictor from whom the new Don Juan flies away to save his person. The Hell Scene has been grafted on the plot from outside and it does not grow from the soil of the story. Its central business is to highlight the central motive of the play—the chase of man by woman as part of the process of Creative Evolution as well as the edification of hell as a most dynamic, therefore desirable condition of existence which ensures happiness of humanity. The metamorphosis of the characters like Tanner and Ann suiting the atmosphere is amazing; but soon the dramatic interest wanes as the arguments start rattling the pros and cons of the Scene. From the point of view of the force of the arguments the Hell Scene has significance, otherwise it looks just bizarre and from the point of view of the force of the plot extraneous. It cannot be denied that the Hell Scene is a most powerful tour-de-force of Shaw’s imagination. Shaw had added to the play a lengthy Preface, rich in thought and content and at the end we get the Revolutionist’s Hand Book and Pocket Companion. The overriding Shavian pre-occupation with his philosophy gets to be continued in Hell Scene. Whenever Shae has an opportunity, he expresses his views (although comically) on happiness, love, marriage, sex relations, women, art, socialism, democracy, industrialisation, religion, morality, virtue, sin, death, peace, war, slavery and a host of other topics. Shaw has been impartial enough to allow even the Devil to have his say and freely express his point of view. The spur behind all this is the assumption that woman is far from weak and helpless and that sexually woman is Nature’s contrivance for the perpetuation of human race. A more intimidating fact is, sexually man is woman’s contrivance for fulfilling nature’s behest in the best possible way. Possessed by the blind fury of creation, woman searches for a male biologically most desirable and when she finds him, she is most ruthless in her pursuit of him. The Don Juan in Hell Scene lifts up this basic theme of life-Force and Creative Evolution with Superman and Superwoman into the realm of Shavian-Socratic dialogue. Shaw comically swaps the Superman of Nietzsche (who was a ruthless being and an embodiment of might! ) by a new Don Juan; Tanner who sees life as co-operation with woman in its upward struggle. If the evolutionist’s account is accurate, life has developed in the waters of the ocean and the slime of the beaches until it reached the gigantic and long since extinct creatures that peopled the earth in pre-historic times. In his vision Tanner hears Don Juan say this to him. Life is a force which has made innumerable experiments in organising itself. He further tells him that as long as he can conceive something better than himself, he cannot be easy unless he is striving to bring it into existence or clearing the way for it: â€Å"That is the law of my life. That is the working within me of life’s incessant aspiration to higher organisation, wider, deeper, intense, self-consciousness and clearer self-understanding. † The Devil in his turn expresses himself eloquently and forcibly about man’s conduct in the world and takes a pessimistic view of him. He holds that human beings are both stupid and evil and on the road to utter destruction. Shaw makes a firm distinction in the process between his two functions as writer: the function of an essayist on the one hand and on the other, that of a playwright. The important difference is that a playwright has to put on the stage a number of characters whose opinions differ and clash for the vital element in drama in conflict. It may be physical conflict, the conflict of emotions, of ideas or even of beliefs. The audience watches and hastens to the conflict; it hears the characters putting forward opposing views; and having heard the arguments the members of the audience use their own thinking powers and reach their own conclusions. Much of what is said by the Devil in Man and Superman is fair statement of the parts of human behaviour is endorsed in other plays by Shaw. What is in doubt is the conclusion the Devil draws from the facts. Can man be saved from his own destructive tendencies? The Devil declares that he cannot. Don Juan believes that he can if he is given the great idea to live for—the great idea, for example, that man can, if he wills, can carry out the divine purpose (read the purpose of Life-Force). The brain will not fail when the will is earnest to Life, the force behind the Man, and intellect is a necessity because without it he blunders into death. Just as Life, after ages of struggle, evolved that wonderful bodily organ, the eye, so that the living organism ould see where it was going and what was going and what was coming to help or threaten, and thus avoid a thousand dangers that finally slew it, so it is evolving to date in mind’s that shall see, not the physical world, but the purpose of Life, and thereby enable the individual to work for that purpose instead of thwarting and baffling it by setting up short-sighted personal aims as present: â€Å"I sing not arms and the Hero but the philosophic man; he who seeks in contemplation to discover the inner will of the world, in invention to discover the means of fulfilling that will and in action to do that will. The supreme triumph of Shaw’s dramaturgical dialectics is to be found in the renewal of renovation of the 18th century image of Don Juan or rather the Spanish Don Giovanni. It is important because Tanner receives the mantle of the incendiary from this super human image. Of course, the method has been one of conversion of old materials in to 19th century terms, both thematic and technical. He rejects altogether the schism oIn Man and Superman Shaw was not writing a regular play; he only united up dialogue, discussion, arguments for the purpose of making them appear as plays. Still the incidents of situations in the play do in one way or the other perpetuate the pursuit of man by woman—of Tanner by Ann. The most interesting is the Hell Scene where the traditional Don Giovanni motif is most comically inverted in the spirit of parody to substantiate Shaw’s thesis that it is the woman basically who is boa-constrictor from whom the new Don Juan flies away to save his person. The Hell Scene has been grafted on the plot from outside and it does not grow from the soil of the story. Its central business is to highlight the central motive of the play—the chase of man by woman as part of the process of Creative Evolution as well as the edification of hell as a most dynamic, therefore desirable condition of existence which ensures happiness of humanity. The metamorphosis of the characters like Tanner and Ann suiting the atmosphere is amazing; but soon the dramatic interest wanes as the arguments start rattling the pros and cons of the Scene. From the point of view of the force of the arguments the Hell Scene has significance, otherwise it looks just bizarre and from the point of view of the force of the plot extraneous. It cannot be denied that the Hell Scene is a most powerful tour-de-force of Shaw’s imagination. Shaw had added to the play a lengthy Preface, rich in thought and content and at the end we get the Revolutionist’s Hand Book and Pocket Companion. The overriding Shavian pre-occupation with his philosophy gets to be continued in Hell Scene. Whenever Shae has an opportunity, he expresses his views (although comically) on happiness, love, marriage, sex relations, women, art, socialism, democracy, industrialisation, religion, morality, virtue, sin, death, peace, war, slavery and a host of other topics. Shaw has been impartial enough to allow even the Devil to have his say and freely express his point of view. The spur behind all this is the assumption that woman is far from weak and helpless and that sexually woman is Nature’s contrivance for the perpetuation of human race. A more intimidating fact is, sexually man is woman’s contrivance for fulfilling nature’s behest in the best possible way. Possessed by the blind fury of creation, woman searches for a male biologically most desirable and when she finds him, she is most ruthless in her pursuit of him. The Don Juan in Hell Scene lifts up this basic theme of life-Force and Creative Evolution with Superman and Superwoman into the realm of Shavian-Socratic dialogue. Shaw comically swaps the Superman of Nietzsche (who was a ruthless being and an embodiment of might! ) by a new Don Juan; Tanner who sees life as co-operation with woman in its upward struggle. If the evolutionist’s account is accurate, life has developed in the waters of the ocean and the slime of the beaches until it reached the gigantic and long since extinct creatures that peopled the earth in pre-historic times. In his vision Tanner hears Don Juan say this to him. Life is a force which has made innumerable experiments in organising itself. He further tells him that as long as he can conceive something better than himself, he cannot be easy unless he is striving to bring it into existence or clearing the way for it: â€Å"That is the law of my life. That is the working within me of life’s incessant aspiration to higher organisation, wider, deeper, intense, self-consciousness and clearer self-understanding. † The Devil in his turn expresses himself eloquently and forcibly about man’s conduct in the world and takes a pessimistic view of him. He holds that human beings are both stupid and evil and on the road to utter destruction. Shaw makes a firm distinction in the process between his two functions as writer: the function of an essayist on the one hand and on the other, that of a playwright. The important difference is that a playwright has to put on the stage a number of characters whose opinions differ and clash for the vital element in drama in conflict. It may be physical conflict, the conflict of emotions, of ideas or even of beliefs. The audience watches and hastens to the conflict; it hears the characters putting forward opposing views; and having heard the arguments the members of the audience use their own thinking powers and reach their own conclusions. Much of what is said by the Devil in Man and Superman is fair statement of the parts of human behaviour is endorsed in other plays by Shaw. What is in doubt is the conclusion the Devil draws from the facts. Can man be saved from his own destructive tendencies? The Devil declares that he cannot. Don Juan believes that he can if he is given the great idea to live for—the great idea, for example, that man can, if he wills, can carry out the divine purpose (read the purpose of Life-Force). The brain will not fail when the will is earnest to Life, the force behind the Man, and intellect is a necessity because without it he blunders into death. Just as Life, after ages of struggle, evolved that wonderful bodily organ, the eye, so that the living organism could see where it was going and what was going and what was coming to help or threaten, and thus avoid a thousand dangers that finally slew it, so it is evolving to date in mind’s that shall see, not the physical world, but the purpose of Life, and thereby enable the individual to work for that purpose instead of thwarting and baffling it by setting up short-sighted personal aims as present: â€Å"I sing not arms and the Hero but the philosophic man; he who seeks in contemplation to discover the inner will of the world, in invention to discover the means of fulfilling that will and in action to do that will. † The supreme triumph of Shaw’s dramaturgical dialectics is to be found in the renewal of renovation of the 18th century image of Don Juan or rather the Spanish Don Giovanni. It is important because Tanner receives the mantle of the incendiary from this super human image. Of course, the method has been one of conversion of old materials in to 19th century terms, both thematic and technical. He rejects altogether the schism of Byron and Tanner can be the rake or a mindless Philanderer as Byron’s Don Juan has been. Shaw’s claim to be returning to a pristine Don Juan is valid to the extent that the theme had originally been less of psychological than of philosophical or even indeed theological interest. It is true that Don Juan runs away from them only after possessing them. Tanner in Shaw’s play runs away rather to prevent them from possessing them. That old motif has been deliberately turned upside down in a vein of parody, embodying Shaw’s standard new motif. Shaw substituted an utterly Scribean closed structure. The Don Juan episode in Act II is neither a well-made play, nor a portion of a well-made play. It stands out apart as something appropriately more austere and august. As Eric Bentley points out, â€Å"It is not a traditional work of any kind, not even a Platonic dialogue, the relation between Socrates and his interlocutors being quite different. † Nor is it s debate for two of the speakers, the Commander and Ann hardly present arguments at all. They simply represent a point of view. Do even the Devil and Don Juan discuss anything between them? A Devil is scarcely a being one can convert to a cause: â€Å"and if the Don is busy convincing anyone it is himself. † Certainly it is the philosophy of Bernard Shaw that he parrot-preaches. But one doubts if persuasion is exercised by that on the audience. Rather, the contribution of the four presences come together as a vision of life and an intimating of super-life—Man and Superman. The comedy of John Tanner of the vision of Don Juan Tenoria—Shaw and counter-Shaw thesis and antithesis are to be sure, of separate interests, and yet, as usual, the great Shavian achievement is to have related one to the other. Tanner seems a wise man, proves a fool. Don Juan passes for philanderer but proves an explorer and a missionary of the truth. In our trivial, tawdry, clever, Scribean world intellect is futile and ever at the mercy of instinct. Take away the episode in Hell and Shaw has written an anti-intellectual comedy! The episode assigns to the intellect the highest role. No longer, therefore, is Ann the centre and source of things—only a possible mother for Superman. Here Don Juan dominates. Here (or rather in Heaven) intellect is at home, and the Don is cured of that occupational disease of Shavian Heroes of homelessness. â€Å"He comes to a good end†Ã¢â‚¬â€only it is not an end, it’s an episode, and from these celestial infernal heights we must descend to earth with the shock of Shavian anti-climax, to earth and to tanner, from Superman. f Byron and Tanner can be the rake or a mindless Philanderer as Byron’s Don Juan has been. Shaw’s claim to be returning to a pristine Don Juan is valid to the extent that the theme had originally been less of psychological than of philosophical or even indeed theological interest. It is true that Don Juan runs away from them only after possessing them. Tanner in Shaw’s play runs away rather to prevent them from possessing them. That old motif has been deliberately turned upside down in a vein of parody, embodying Shaw’s standard new motif. Shaw substituted an utterly Scribean closed structure. The Don Juan episode in Act II is neither a well-made play, nor a portion of a well-made play. It stands out apart as something appropriately more austere and august. As Eric Bentley points out, â€Å"It is not a traditional work of any kind, not even a Platonic dialogue, the relation between Socrates and his interlocutors being quite different. † Nor is it s debate for two of the speakers, the Commander and Ann hardly present arguments at all. They simply represent a point of view. Do even the Devil and Don Juan discuss anything between them? A Devil is scarcely a being one can convert to a cause: â€Å"and if the Don is busy convincing anyone it is himself. † Certainly it is the philosophy of Bernard Shaw that he parrot-preaches. But one doubts if persuasion is exercised by that on the audience. Rather, the contribution of the four presences come together as a vision of life and an intimating of super-life—Man and Superman. The comedy of John Tanner of the vision of Don Juan Tenoria—Shaw and counter-Shaw thesis and antithesis are to be sure, of separate interests, and yet, as usual, the great Shavian achievement is to have related one to the other. Tanner seems a wise man, proves a fool. Don Juan passes for philanderer but proves an explorer and a missionary of the truth. In our trivial, tawdry, clever, Scribean world intellect is futile and ever at the mercy of instinct. Take away the episode in Hell and Shaw has written an anti-intellectual comedy! The episode assigns to the intellect the highest role. No longer, therefore, is Ann the centre and source of things—only a possible mother for Superman. Here Don Juan dominates. Here (or rather in Heaven) intellect is at home, and the Don is cured of that occupational disease of Shavian Heroes of homelessness. â€Å"He comes to a good end†Ã¢â‚¬â€only it is not an end, it’s an episode, and from these celestial infernal heights we must descend to earth with the shock of Shavian anti-climax, to earth and to tanner, from Superman.