Chapter 1 - Operations Management - 1279 Words

1. Why should one study operations management? Operations Management is the set of activities that creates value in the form of goods and services by transforming inputs into outputs. †¢ Operations Management is one of the three major functions of any organization, and it is generally related to all the other business functions. All organizations market (sell), finance (account), and produce (operate), and it is important to know how the Operations Management activity functions. Therefore, we study how people organize themselves for productive enterprise. †¢ We study Operations Management because we want to know how goods and services are produced. The production function is the segment of our society that creates the products we use. †¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦Who is responsible for quality? (Chapter 6, 6 Supp.) †¢ Process and Capacity Design : What process and what capacity will these products require? (Chapter 7, 7 Supp.) †¢ Location : Where should we put the facility? On what criteria should we base the location decision? (Chapter 8) †¢ Layout Design : How should we arrange the facility? How large must the facility be to meet our plan? (Chapter 9) †¢ Human Resources and Job Design : How do we provide a reasonable work environment? How much can we expect our employees to produce? (Chapter 10, 10 Supp) †¢ Supply Chain Management : Should we make or buy this component? Who are our suppliers and who can integrate into our e-commerce programme? (Chapter 11, 11 Supp) †¢ Inventory, Material Requirements Planning, and JIT (Just-In-Time) : How much inventory of each item should we have? When do we reorder? (Chapter 12, 14, 16) †¢ Intermediate and Short-Term Scheduling : Are we better off keeping people on the payroll during slowdowns? Which job do we perform next? (Chapter 13, 15) †¢ Maintenance : Who is responsible for maintenance? When do we do maintenance? (Chapter 17) 8. Name four areas that are significant to improving labor productivity †¢ Basic Education appropriate for an effective labor force. (Basic reading and math skills) †¢ Diet - The labor force needs to eat right to be productive. †¢ Social overhead that makes labor available (water, sanitation, transportation, etc - The labor force needs toShow MoreRelatedChapter 1 - Operations Management1270 Words   |  6 Pages1. Why should one study operations management? Operations Management is the set of activities that creates value in the form of goods and services by transforming inputs into outputs. †¢ Operations Management is one of the three major functions of any organization, and it is generally related to all the other business functions. All organizations market (sell), finance (account), and produce (operate), and it is important to know how the Operations Management activity functions. Therefore, we studyRead MoreOperations Management Schroeder Chapters 1-31594 Words   |  7 PagesCHAPTER 1 Question #2 What is the difference between the terms production management and operations management? Production management deals primarily with the manufacture of goods, whereas operations management encompasses the production of not only goods, but services as well. Question #3 How does the function of an operations manager differ from the function of a marketing manager or a finance manager? The operations managers function is to create the supply of goods, whereas the marketingRead MorePrinciples of Operations Management Chapter 1-2-32543 Words   |  11 PagesLearning Log 1 – Chapters 1-2-3: Chapter 1 I was very excited about the first session of the OM course and that was totally justified by the end of this session. This was the step, a stimulus towards being a future Business person. And for which it was very vital for me to know how a business organization manages the various processes associated with its goods and services. As a future Operation Manager it’s my responsibility to be cognizant about the know-how of what exactly my roles would thenRead MoreOperation Managenent1504 Words   |  7 PagesChapter 1 – Introduction to Operations Management After completing this chapter, you should be able to: 1. Define the term operations management. 2. Identify the three major functional areas of organizations and describe how they interrelate. 3. Identify similarities and differences between production and service operations. 4. Describe the operations function and the nature of the operations managers job. 5. Summarize the two major aspects of process management. 6. Explain the key aspects of operationsRead MorePrinciples of Management Applied Research1041 Words   |  5 PagesPrinciples of management APPLIED RESEARCH USbank Will Cheeseman Professor Ana  Preston Park University Internet Campus A course paper presented to the School for Arts and Sciences and Distance Learning in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Computer Information Systems Principles of Management Park University July, 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS Read MoreLogistics: Management and Supply Chain1566 Words   |  7 PagesMinor Logistics Operations Presentatie titel MIRBSLM114OP N.J. Osentoski-Monsma A. Nielsen-de Vries Lecturers Logistics Room D2.173 osenj@hr.nl / vriad@hr.nl Rotterdam, 00 januari 2007 6-1 Corporate strategy Business strategy Operations Strategy Mission Objectives (cost, quality, flexibility, delivery) Functional strategies in marketing, finance, engineering, human resources, and information systems Strategic Decisions (process, quality system, capacity, andRead MoreSystem Development Life Cycle666 Words   |  3 PagesSTAGE 1 Systems Planning Stage Topic Chapter 2 Analyzing the Business Case Deliverable Preliminary investigation report Toolkit Support Primary tools: Communications, financial analysis, and project management tool Other tool as required. Systems Planning is the first of five stage in the systems development life cycle (SDLC). In this stage, you will learn how IT projects get started and how a system analyst evaluates a proposed project and determine its feasibility. A system analyst’sRead MoreOperational Management Jit820 Words   |  4 Pages- Prime Bank of Massachusetts Part 1 The operations function is important in implementing the strategy of an organisation because the business strategy only defines the long term plans for the company, whereas the operations function focuses on specific competitive priorities in order to meet the organisations long term plan. Prime Bank of Massachusetts had decided on a long term plan for the bank focusing on customer services and they needed the operations function to implement this long termRead MoreOperations Management1693 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Page 2 1. Acme Whistles case study What is the overlap between operations, marketing and product/service development at Acme Whistles? Page 3 2. Oxfam International case study What are the main issues facing Oxfam’s operations managers? Page 4 3. Formule 1 Mwagusi Safari Lodge 3.1 For each hotel, what is the role of technology and the role of operations Page 6 staff in delivering an appropriateRead MoreFinancial Management Practices798 Words   |  4 PagesA STUDY ON WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT IN SMES A SYNOPSIS of the PROJECT Submitted to BANGALORE UNIVERSITY For the award of the Degree of MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SUBMITTED BY Mr. PUROHIT PIYUSHKUMAR N. (08CQCM6068) UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF MRS. KIRAN HIREMATH. Dayananda Sagar College of Management and Information Technology Shavige Malleshwara Hills, K.S. layout, Layout, Bangalore – 560078

Psychology As Storytelling Essay - 1987 Words

lt;a href=quot;http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/quot;gt;Sam Vaknins Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites Storytelling has been with us since the days of campfire and besieging wild animals. It served a number of important functions: amelioration of fears, communication of vital information (regarding survival tactics and the characteristics of animals, for instance), the satisfaction of a sense of order (justice), the development of the ability to hypothesize, predict and introduce theories and so on. We are all endowed with a sense of wonder. The world around us in inexplicable, baffling in its diversity and myriad forms. We experience an urge to organize it, to quot;explain the wonder awayquot;, to†¦show more content†¦Though his disciples (Adler, Horney, the object-relations lot) diverged wildly from his initial theories - they all shared his belief in the need to quot;scientifyquot; and objectify psychology. Freud - a medical doctor by profession (Neurologist) and Bleuler before him - came with a theory regarding the structure of the mind and its mechanics: (suppressed) energies and (reactive) forces. Flow charts were provided together with a method of analysis, a mathematical physics of the mind. But this was a mirage. An essential part was missing: the ability to test the hypotheses, which derived from these quot;theoriesquot;. They were all very convincing, though, and, surprisingly, had great explanatory power. But - non-verifiable and non-falsifiable as they were - they could not be deemed to possess the redeeming features of a scientific theory. Psychological theories of the mind are metaphors of the mind. They are fables and myths, narratives, stories, hypotheses, conjunctures. They play (exceedingly) important roles in the psychotherapeutic setting - but not in the laboratory. Their form is artistic, not rigorous, not testable, less structured than theories in the natural sciences. The language used is polyvalent, rich, effusive, and fuzzy - in short, metaphorical. They are suffused with value judgements, preferences, fears, post facto and ad hoc constructions. None of this has methodological, systematic,Show MoreRelatedAlice Munros an Ounce of Cure1548 Words   |  7 Pagesliterary analyses and studies make the link between literary techniques such as narrative and storytelling and several other disciplines. Thus, one may find the theories of narrative and storytelling extending up to several major disciplines, such as philosophy, psychology, and literary criticism. In the view of different experts in literary analyses, there is a close connection between narrative or storytelling and the definition of the nature of self and personal identity. The former has been understoodRead MoreThe Point Of Theatre And Motion Picture Technology1581 Words   |  7 Pagespublished in the Times of London, is central to the connection between theatre and motion picture technology. Since the rise of film in the early twentieth century, these elements have been influencing each other, and working together, to elevate the storytelling and experience of each medium and, in turn, better connecting them to the modern audience. The collaboration of these two mediums has resulted in a new form of theatre, known as digital theatre, that shows â€Å"theatrical entertainment does not haveRead MoreAn Analysis of Seinfeld1508 Words   |  6 PagesSeinfeld Examine the use of stereotypes in the representation of gender, race, and class. Investigate the way social situation is depicted? Describe how the psychology of the characters is simplified or exaggerated and why? Choose the object of analysis In Seinfeld stereotypes are used to show the reflections of different classes of people. For women, this is demonstrated through the various girlfriends that Jerry has and how he is easily able to have a sexual relationship with them. To expandRead MoreInterpretation in The Deaf Community Essay1391 Words   |  6 Pagestwo parties† (Brunson and Lawrence, 2002). This method establishes boundaries and a balance for the triad to be successful. Interpreters offer insight into the world of Deaf. Tools, such as the use of storytelling through visual and action metaphors is a way to move the process along as â€Å"storytelling is a central value in Deaf culture, and it is perhaps the most popular form of signed entertainment† (Williams and Abeles, 2004). In a book review written by Martha Sheridan, she stated, â€Å"talk andRead MoreCoping With Fear in Life of Pi Essay1297 Words   |  6 Pagesdarkest points in his life, he is still able to somehow remain both faithful and hopeful. Pi clings to his religious faith as a way of coping with his fears as opposed to acknowledging conventional methods. He is able to do so through praying, storytelling and various interpretations. Fear takes a lot out of an individual as it can be the very substance that destroys them. As the Japanese proverb goes, â€Å"fear is only as deep as the mind allows.† That being said, fear is not as easy to let go of, asRead MoreChapter Analysis: Anxiety Disorders From Understanding Abnormal Child Psychology by Mash and Wolfe693 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿Chapter 7 Anxiety Disorders Mash and Wolfe (2012),Understanding Abnormal Child Psychology 5th edition Most of this chapter is explanatory in nature and there is no controversial information related to anxiety disorders in children. Mash Wolfe (2012) define anxiety as a strong negative emotion, but note that some anxiety is an adaptive response to genuine environmental threats. Anxiety becomes problematic when it arises for no reason or out of proportion to the perceived threat. Children whoRead MoreThematic Apperception Test Personality Assessment1715 Words   |  7 PagesPark University Test and Measurement September 2010 Abstract The history of the Thematic Apperception Test is controversial. This test was published in 1943 and is still widely used today. Being able to look at a photo card as a stimulus for storytelling was a breakthrough for personality testing. This test has its share of controversy as far as reliability, validity and cultural implications. Key words; thematic, validity, reliability, personality. Thematic Apperception Test for PersonalityRead MoreMarketing Analysis : The Economic Base Over The Past Fifty Years1593 Words   |  7 Pagesmenu to novelty prize giveaways. Storytelling forms another prominent tactic that managers could adopt. It has the power of changing consumer perceptions of a brand, enabling consumers to think beyond the functionality and material rewards of products and rather it encourages consumers to share rewards in terms of experiences (Papadatos C, 2006). Individuals think narratively, hence storytelling is fundamental in attaining a deep understanding of consumer psychology ( Escalas Stern, 2003; Holt,Read MoreThe Nature Of Identity Is Attributed By The Environment That Influences The Experiences That The Individual Intakes1464 Words   |  6 Pagesinfluences the experiences that the individual intakes. Self is the fundamental being that separates individuals due to the uniqueness of their minds and the experiences that influence the distinctiveness of identity. Martha Stout’s background in psychology initializes a deeper understanding of self through the analysis of stories told by her patients who suffer from di ssociation in her writing called â€Å"When I Woke Up Tuesday Morning, It Was Friday†. Her examination of her patient’s stories helped broadenRead MoreEveryone’S Had Their Own Go At How Labour And The Greens1458 Words   |  6 Pageswould find hard to recover from for many, many years. And winning will not be determined on whether we are â€Å"more left† or â€Å"more centre†. For four straight election cycles, Labour has ignored research from the fields of cognitive linguistics and psychology that the most effective way to communicate with other humans is by telling emotional stories. Instead, we have focussed on policy content and the cumbersome, awkward and broken relationship between what policies parties have and their attractiveness

Robert E Lee Essay Example For Students

Robert E Lee Essay Robert E LeeRobert Edward Lee was born on January 19th, 1807 in Stratford, Virginia. Roberts father was thrown in debtors jail many times for not paying on time. He was introduced to war early in his life; his brother Sydney had shown him a cannon ball and told him about the revolution. Mrs. Lees stepson was old enough to claim the mansion where they lived that his dead mother had gave to him in his will. The Lees left to live in Alexandria. Lee was brought up in a Christian family. When Lee was 18, he went to West Point. There were only 6,000 other men in the entire army. Later that year, Lee said goodbye to his mother and took a stagecoach from Virginia to New York. At the end of his first year at West Point, he was appointed Staff Sergeant. When he was twenty-two, he took his money that he earned; $103.58 in cash and he started a home. On July 26, 1829, Lees mother died. Robert was at her bed when she died. Then on June 30, 1831 Lee married Mary Curtis. On September 16, 1832, Mary gave birth to George Washington Curtis Lee. Then in 1835 they had their second child, Mary Curtis. Mrs. Lee was put on bed-rest for many months due to illness. They had five more children: William Henry Fitzgerald, Annie, Agnes, Robert and last Mildred. When he was home, they all attended episcopal Church where he was raised. On May 13, 1846 the United States declared was on their southern neighbor. When Lee was 39, he headed for Mexico. Lees will said that he was worth about $38,750 with few depts. He only had few slaves: Nancy and her children. And they were to be freed soon as it can be done to their advantage and that of others. On Christmas, Lee wrote to his wife that he hoped this woul.d be the last time he would be away from her. While they were at war, even though is was hard, he attended church. He returned on June 29, 1843. On September 1, 1852 he was appointed to superintenent of the military acadamy where he had graduated. In 1853, a distressing message reached Lee: Mrs. Curtis had died unexpectedly. The death made him do something he had never thought of doing. He wanted to be confined to the church. It was gunners at Charlestown Harbor who forced Robert E. Lee to make the tough decisions in his life. On April 12, the United States, as the union fired upon by Confederate gunners. The civil war began with the first cannon roar at Fort Sumpter. The north had more of an advantage because they have all of the military supplies and factories. The south was a land of farmers without military supplies and hardly any money to buy them. Then one day when Lee was in hid hotel, he had a visitor. He read a report of the supplies coming into Richmond. 60,00 small arms, and 54,00 flintlocks. I July 21, 1861 they received a telegram that the south had won the first major battle of the Civil War. One evening Lee looked up to see a soldier salute. Major Rooney Lee was fired upon by Union pickets, Sir, near Cheat Mountain. His companion, Colonel Washington, died instantly. Union pickets put three Minie ball through his body. Then Lees face lost its color. Your sons mount was shot from under him. Major Lee escaped on Washingtons horse, sir. Lee sighed in relief. Washingtons death hit Lee. He was a good friend of the family. Lee had been involved in the war for the whole time that it was going on. He had many battles, and he was fighting ver y bravely and strong until the war ended. He lived a happy life after the war was over.

Richard The III an Example of the Topic All Posts by

Richard The III This paper will address the difference between the true identity of Richard the III, king of England during 1483-85, and the character of Richard the III in William Shakespeares play, Richard III. It has been a long held assertion that the real man was not quite as dastardly a person as Shakespeare portrayed him to be. His infamy is not as well addressed as many of Englands more well-known kings, though his demise did bring the Tudor family into rule which is a much documented time of history in English royalty. Need essay sample on "Richard The III" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Richard was born as the second son so his brother, Edward ascended to the English throne in 1461 and was crowned king as Edward IV. At Edwards coronation, Richard became the Duke of Gloucester. He was a loyal subject to his brother, gaining the royal courts favor and the respect of the people with his valiant fighting at several battles and also leading the invasion of Scotland. He served his brother well until Edward IV died in 1483 and his twelve year old son, Edward V, was proclaimed King. When Richard won guardianship of his royal nephews over the Queen Mother, it was the beginning of his decline in morality. He desired the throne himself and became obsessed with the idea of acquiring it by whatever means it took. There is not a great deal of recorded history that is favorable to Richard after that point but his rise to power and his short reign are noteworthy on many historical accounts. Richards life is embroiled with political unrest, deception and murder. Shakespeares writings of him as only set the stage for that belief and it alone has remained more than the truth of a mans life. Richard succeeded in acquiring the guardianship of Edward V and his younger brother with the aid of Henry Stafford, second duke of Buckingham, over the family of Elizabeth Woodville, the widow of Edward IV. It was done so efficiently that Richard managed to have Parliament declare his late brothers children as illegitimate and entrapped both boys in the Tower of London. There the princes met an untimely fate of death. Richard has been accredited with this heinous act but there is no solid proof to support it. Several historical records have indicated other persons to manipulating the death of the boys for advantageous reasons of their own. As the natural remaining bloodline heir to the throne, Richard claimed the throne in July of 1483. With this occurrence, it became clear to many of the total focal point of Richards actions since his brothers demise. To say that it was well received by the royal court and the people would be an understatement. Stafford, once a loyal supporter of Richard, led a revolt against the new King and his avocation was for Henry Tudor (a member of the Lancaster family). This event started in October of 1483. This was just part of the infamous rivalry between the Lancaster family and the York family of which Richard was the reigning member. It was called the War of The Roses since the York family had a white rose and the Lancaster family had a red rose as part of the family crests. Both houses had the sufficient royal bloodlines to take the throne of England and the incensed emotions of the royal court over the deaths of the sons of Edward IV found favor in Henry Tudor. Yet, Richard was not to be so easily disposed of. He was king and also the duke of York and he made quick actions to have the rebellion squashed by the execution of Stafford, duke of Buckingham. The War of The Roses had a long, interlinked history with the Hundred Years War, a war between England and France dating from 1339 and 1453, which left both England and France in a devastated state. Though the Hundred Year War ended before the crowning of Edward IV, the strife between the Lancaster family (now no longer with benefit of worthy male heirs except through the Tudor branch) and the York family continued causing England to maintain a civil unrest within its own land borders. Richard IIIs father, Richard, Duke of York, had fought against the lack of sufficient armed support for the Hundred Years War by the reigning Lancaster king, Henry VI. His opposition to the fumbling by the Lancaster king gained support and eventually, Henry VI was overthrown and the York family came into power. Richard, the Duke of York, did not live to acquire the throne but his son, Edward IV was crowned king. The York familys rule was brief with the life of Edward IV ending and his brother, Richard III, only maintaining rule for two years which ended with Richards death in the Battle of Bosworth Field where Richards armies were defeated by Henry Tudors armies and Richard was killed. Henry Tudor claimed the throne and became Henry VII. It ended the War of the Roses. Richard III, born in 1452, had shown great promise as a leader and organizer at an early age as he was made commissioner of western and southwestern counties which included Cornwall. He was a mere twelve years of age. This had overridden the appointments of the Lancaster family in Wales. He had also been given by the king the county, honor and lordship of Pembroke and Richmond as well just two years previously. The true stinging insult came when the king in 1464 gave Richard the estates of Lord Hungerford, a member of the Lancaster family. It was clearly evident that Richard was much favored by his brother, King Edward IV. When Edward married into the Woodville family, Richard was torn between the idea of loyalty to his brother or following the interesting course of his tutor, the then Earl of Warwick. He chose to leave his birth home of Middleham Castle, and join his brothers court where the influence of the Queen and her five brothers was becoming increasingly strong. Richard was still a very young prince and not beset yet by any ideas of changing the flow of life as his brother had it set. Richard proved his strong loyalty to Edward when he was taken prisoner due to rebellion held against Edward by Warwick and another noble, Clarence began to try and re-instate Henry as the ruling monarch. Warwicks lure to his young pupil had no effect against the duty-bound Richard felt to Edward IV. He, along with another loyal court member, Hastings, went forward to secure rescue forces to battle the Lancaster armies to secure the release of Edward after his capture at Olney in 1469. They were successful and both brothers returned triumphant once again. The Yorkist influence remained the ruling factor in England. During Edwards reign, Richard showed no animosity towards his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Woodville or her family members. He seemed content to be his brothers right hand and strongest supporter. Though he did show support for the Countess of Warwick, against his brothers wishes, his allegiance remained for the most part unquestioned. He also pleaded the release of Archbishop George Neville. He later took into his charge the son of an enemy and when he bestowed an annuity upon the earl of Oxfords wife, a sister of Warwick, he proved his ability of fairness. When the dispute was settled with Clarence over the estates of Warwick, Richard was granted the ownership of Middleham Castle, Sheriff Hutton and all other lands belonging to Warwick. He was now a very wealthy and powerful force with Edwards court, without even reference to his status as a prince. Richard also maintained strong ties with the City of York while actively participating in many of the citys affairs which worked to his advantage when he appealed to them for assistance in his needs for defense troops after he had procured his position of Protector of Edward IVs sons. Richard, known formally as the duke of Gloucester, was falsely accused by Shakespeare of manipulating the death of Clarence. It was not true according to historical documentation written by Sir Thomas Moore at the time of Richard III. Edward IV absolved Richard of any part of Clarences assassination. It is an acknowledged fact that during his brothers lifetime and reign, Richard behaved properly and loyally. This loyalty made his acquisition of the custody of his nephews a fairly easy feat because it would be considered that Richard would be more for the benefactor for the princes over the political ambitions of their maternal family links to the Woodvilles. Richards religious linking with Barnard Castle that had direct contact with the York family, beginning with Richard of York, Richard IIIs father. This college consisted of one dean, twelve chaplains, ten clerks and six choristers that were assigned to perform services for the good of the king and queen. A smaller scale of this was set up at Middleham Castle to insure that the current York monarchy was beneficial of the religious sector. This was set up while Clarence was still alive and when Richard used the arrangement at Middleham Castle, it was before Clarence did but also in anticipation of his death. The various levels of nobility within a royal court and a country is complex and one nobleman can possess ownership or claim of many vital properties, including the ability to overthrow another lordship without too much obvious conflict. Clarence may have been indisposed by Richard but little proof points to Richards participation in Clarences demise. Shakespeare and others as well took a long length of poetic license when it comes to the true history of Richard III. While Richard was undoubtedly an ambitious man and after his brothers death, a man who laid aside morality and family loyalty to achieve his own desires for the throne, no true evidence can be attributed to him as the cause of the death of his nephews or other despicable actions that stated as fact in Shakespeares play. Now, to consider the Richard III of William Shakespeares played in the following text of this paper. William Shakespeare, a renowned playwright of his time and considered perhaps the foremost playwright of all English literature, did as most writers of fiction, somewhat based on fact, will and took generous liberty with the truth about Richard The III, King of England in the fifteenth century. As Richard III is a drama and written in the sixteenth century for the citizens of England, Shakespeare wrote this play decades after the death of self-imposed king and the knowledge of Richard III was limited to speculation rather than fact. Shakespeare wrote what he felt would appeal to the masses and in truth he did write a world acclaimed classic. More than one famous actor has added to his resume the role of Richard as the immoral and greedy brother to a deceased king who sought the throne of England for himself in lieu of his nephew, Edward V taking his rightful place as the king. To present Richard as this ambitious and unconscionable man, Shakespeare depicted him as he was chosen to be seen by factions within royalty that had no love of the York family and their claim to the throne. Richard was portrayed as a true villain in all aspects which sadly deviated from the actual true history. In any written work meant for entertainment rather than educational purposes, cause and effect are high assets to the success of that work, whether as book, poetry or play. There was definitely less screening in Shakespeares day of what truth was and what fiction was. Critics could be biased but did little to lessen the popularity of such works as Shakespeares. The people wanted to entertained, to root for the hero, and to boo the villain, which in this case the characters were based on real people. Also in the sixteenth century, there was little documentation made readily available to such people as William Shakespeare to otherwise discourage such a misstatement of history. The true knowledge of the murders of Edward V and his brother were never really affirmed, though two hundred years later, the skeletons of two young male children were discovered in the Tower of London and it was decided at the time they were the remains of the two imprisoned princes. In todays modern technology, DNA could have confirmed the true identities of the bodies but even supposed fact was better than just rumored heresy. Just as it was impossible to totally prove that the boys had been murdered, it was also just as improbable to prove or disprove that Richard III was the one who ordered the execution of his nephews. Today when any type of writing or photographed material is presented as a true and factual account of a real event or persons life, there are standards that are necessary to be met to allow that work to be published. It is Mankinds renaissance from speculation to unbiased truth. Not everything adheres to those standards but it does not allow as much poetic license as Shakespeare was able to use to create a stimulating and interesting play about Richard III. Centuries have gone by since the lifetime of Richard, duke of Gloucester, and later, King Richard III of England and also since the writing and production of William Shakespeares Richard III. The play has been classified as among the works of the worlds greatest playwright himself. Not one line has been changed nor one untruth rectified but the play is performed in theatre and movies exactly as it were written. Several books and articles have been written over the years that disclaimed the character of Richard III as actually accurate but it has only mostly enlightened the readers and had no negative effect on the play itself. To most people, Richards greed and ambition to be King has obliterated his better character. Is this a disservice to the memory of Richard III? It really all matters from the personal point of view of the person who reads of the discrepancies in Shakespeares play and has reason to educate themselves to the real history of Richard III. Richard, duke of Gloucester, was a man of his time and his circumstances. No decision or action of anyone is based solely on him alone but has to have considerations of events, people and the position that they find themselves in their lives. Richard was a royal prince who had the misfortune of being born the second son and since his elder brother produced two male heirs, Richards chances of ever sitting on the throne were none. His only possibility was to usurp it and being just that ambitious, he did. History has recorded his loyalty to his brother but the assumption that loyalty would pass over to his nephews was wrong. He acquired the throne wrong but how wrong? If viewed as Shakespeare wrote him, then he was villainous through and through but history says different. Reference: Richards Himself Again: A Stage History of Richard III, Book by Scott Colley: Greenwood Press, 1992 The Fifteenth Century by E.F. Jacob, Clarendon Press, 1976 Richard III, Encyclopedia Article, The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, 2004 Roses, The War of, Encyclopedia Article, The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, 2004

If Marijuana Were Legalized Essays - Drug Policy, Law, Free Essays

If Marijuana Were Legalized Essays - Drug Policy, Law, Free Essays If Marijuana Were Legalized Drugs are a major influential force in our country today. The problem has gotten so out of hand that many options are being considered to control it or even solve it. Ending the drug war seems to be a bit impossible. The war on drugs seems to be accomplishing a lot but this is not true. Different options need to be considered. Legalization is an option that hasn't gotten a chance but should be given one. Although many people feel that legalizing marijuana would increase the amount of use, marijuana should be legalized because it will reduce the great amounts of money spent on enforcement and it will increase our country?s revenue. There are also many benefits that can be uncovered to help people if legalization of marijuana is given a chance. Legalizing marijuana would increase our economy's revenue. During Prohibition alcohol use was still sold and used, but people were doing it illegally. The 21st amendment repealed prohibition and alcohol taxes were increased. The same thing should happen with drugs. Marijuana should be taxed heavily to increase our revenue. Marijuana and other drugs would be made by the same people who make aspirin so the quality would be assured, containing no poisons or adulterants. Sterile hypodermic needles will be readily available at corner drug stores. These could be taxed heavily because the users will be assured of "clean drugs." Making drugs legal will reduce the great amounts of money spent on enforcement every year. Drug dealers and users are one step ahead on the enforcement process. If one drug lord is caught, another one will show up somewhere else. We cannot win. ?In 1987, 10 billion dollars were spent alone just on enforcing drug laws. Drugs accounted for about 40 percent of all felony indictments in the New York City courts in 1989. This figure is quadruple what it was in 1985. . Forty percent of the people in federal prison are drug law violators? (Long 114). One can only imagine what this figure would be like today. Too much money is wasted on a cause that seems to be no end to. ?In 1989, a Republican county executive of Mercer County N.J. estimated that it would cost him as much as 1 billion dollars to build the jail space needed to house all the hard-core drug users in Trenton alone? (Long 128). All of this money could be used on better things. By lifting the ban on marijuana use and treating it like other drugs such as tobacco and alcohol, the nation would gain immediate and long-term benefits. This change in the law would greatly improve the quality of life for many people. Victims of glaucoma and those needing antinausea treatment, for example, would find marijuana easily available. Also, the cloud of suspicion would disappear, and doctors could get on with investigating marijuana?s medical uses without fear of controversy. In the essay, ?Drugs?, Vidal states, ? Nevertheless many drugs are bad for certain people to take and they should be told why in a sensible way? (321-322). It might become possible to discuss the dangers of marijuana use without getting caught up in a policy debate.. Meanwhile, the black market would disappear overnight. Some arrangement would be made to license the production of marijuana cigarettes. Thousands of dealers would be put out of business, and a secret part of the economy would come into the open. It is difficult to say whether this change would reduce crime because criminals would probably continue to sell other drugs. But it would have an impact on the amount of money flowing through criminal channels, and this might weaken organized crime. The legalization of marijuana would benefit the federal budget in two ways, the federal revenues would increase, because marijuana cigarettes would be taxed at the point of sale. In return, the companies that make the cigarettes would also pay income taxes.. Second, there would be a reduction on the amount spent on law enforcement efforts to apprehend and prosecute users and sellers of marijuana. The drug enforcement authorities might reduce their budget requests, or, more likely, focus more intensely on hard drugs and violent crimes. The courts would

Poems to Read on Thanksgiving Day

Poems to Read on Thanksgiving Day The story of the first Thanksgiving is a familiar one to all Americans: After a year filled with suffering and death, in the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims at Plymouth had a feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. This feast is surrounded by legends of the local Native Americans joining in the celebration and groaning tables of turkey, corn and some form of cranberry dish. These foods are the bedrock of the traditional American Thanksgiving dinner, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It was not an official holiday until President Abraham Lincoln declared it so in 1863, although it was unofficially celebrated before that time by many Americans. It is a time for families gathered together to reflect on all the good things of their lives and an appropriate moment to read eloquent poems to mark the holiday and its meaning. The New-England Boys Song About Thanksgiving Day by Lydia Maria Child This poem, more commonly known as Over the River and Through the Wood, was written in 1844 and depicts a typical holiday journey through New England snows in the 19th century. In 1897 it was made into the song that is more familiar than the poem to Americans. It very simply tells the story of a sleigh ride through the snow, the dapple-gray horse pulling the sleigh, the howling of the wind and the snow all around, and at last arriving at grandmothers house, where the air is filled with the smell of pumpkin pie. It is the maker of the images of a typical Thanksgiving. The most famous words are the first stanza:​ Over the river, and through the wood,To grandfathers house we go;The horse knows the way,To carry the sleigh,Through the white and drifted snow. The Pumpkin by John Greenleaf Whittier John Greenleaf Whittier uses grandiose language in The Pumpkin (1850) to describe, in the end, his nostalgia for Thanksgivings of old and bounteous love for pumpkin pie, the enduring symbol of those holidays. The poem begins with strong imagery of pumpkins growing in a field and ends as an emotional ode to his now elderly mother, enhanced by similes. And the prayer, which my mouth is too full to express,Swells my heart that thy shadow may never be less,That the days of thy lot may be lengthened below,And the fame of thy worth like a pumpkin-vine grow,And thy life be as sweet, and its last sunset skyGolden-tinted and fair as thy own Pumpkin pie! No. 814 by Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson lived her life almost entirely isolated from the rest of the world, rarely leaving her home in Amherst, Massachusetts, or receiving visitors, except for her family. Her poems were not known to the public in her lifetime; the first volume of her work was published in 1890, four years after her death. So its impossible to know when a particular poem was written. This poem about Thanksgiving, in characteristic Dickinson style, is obtuse in its meaning, but it implies that this holiday is as much about memories of previous ones as about the day at hand: One day is there of the seriesTermed Thanksgiving DayCelebrated part at tablePart in memory- Fire Dreams by Carl Sandburg Fire Dreams was published in Carl Sandburgs 1918 volume of poetry, Cornhuskers, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize in 1919. He is known for his Walt Whitman-like style and use of free verse. Sandburg writes here in the language of the people, directly and with relatively little embellishment, except for a limited use of metaphor, giving this poem a modern feel. He reminds the reader of the first Thanksgiving, conjures up the season and gives his thanks to God. Heres the first stanza: I remember here by the fire,In the flickering reds and saffrons,They came in a ramshackle tub,Pilgrims in tall hats,Pilgrims of iron jaws,Drifting by weeks on beaten seas,And the random chapters sayThey were glad and sang to God. Thanksgiving Time by Langston Hughes Langston Hughes, famous as a seminal and hugely important influence on the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, wrote poetry, plays, novels and short stories that shed a light on the black experience in America. This ode to Thanksgiving from 1921 invokes traditional images of the time of year and the food that is always part of the story. The language is simple, and this would be a good poem to read at a Thanksgiving with children gathered round the table. Heres the first stanza: When the night winds whistle through the trees and blow the crisp brown leaves a-crackling down,When the autumn moon is big and yellow-orange and round,When old Jack Frost is sparkling on the ground,Its Thanksgiving Time!

Assessment of recent developments in financial reporting Essay

Assessment of recent developments in financial reporting - Essay Example This study will understand whether legal enactments and obligations are sufficient to perform financial activities in an ethical and logical manner. Drafting the financial reporting takes a lot of accounting knows how and also the thorough knowledge of legal obligations. The author of the study would lay emphasis on the accurate conduct of financial activities with guidance from the standards laid down by the accounting standards and the legal requirements. The need of these accurate financial reporting and also the critical evaluation of the effectiveness of the legal requirements in the preparation of the financial statements would be covered in the study. Finally, the study will conclude whether the legal requirements of the particular country are sufficient for the companies to perform the accounting and financial activities. International Accounting Standards Board &Financial Accounting Standards Board The establishment of International Accounting Standards Board, Financial Acco unting Standards Board boards was in the year 1973 and was set for the primary purpose of formulation of regulations which would also help in the education of the users, stakeholders and management. Along with international convergence the company the board also focuses on the quality of financial reporting (Liu, 2011). International Financial Reporting Standard IFRS on the other hand will focus on the development of the accounting framework, which will help in the betterment of the company. IFRS is one of the major accounting standards board, which are responsible for checking whether the accounting standards developed by them are effectively executed and implemented within the system for the betterment of the organization or not (Allen, McAndrews and Strahan, 2001). The UK Company Act The UK company act is formed under the Companies Act 2006 and governed by Insolvency Act 1986. help in the development of high quality accounting standards, which are highly compatible with the busin ess environment that can be used for the regional and cross border investments (Allen, McAndrews and Strahan, 2001).It is also responsible for the development of accounting framework, which is accountable for the construction of the organizational structure and also preparation of consolidated financial statements for the benefit of cross listed companies (Liu, 2011). Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is one of the standard frameworks which serve as guidelines for performing financial accounting activity (Liu, 2011). These include conventions, standards, rules and regulations which are known as general accounting standard. Financial & Legal Requirements in Stock Exchange There are several legal and financial regulations and requirements which are applicable for the stock exchanges of different countries. The stock market is regulated by several disclosure standards which help in transparent business operations and also encourage s shareholders in smooth investing activities. For example the London Stock Exchange has several listing rules and regulations which assesses the shareholder’s issuer eligibility and also ensures that these regulations are made. There has been major fluctuation in the stock market movement in the past six months because the overall market has been extremely sensitive vulnerable to the sensitive

Three steps in financial analysis and management reporting Essay

Three steps in financial analysis and management reporting - Essay Example In this idea, it is showcased how important it is to determine the facts about the organization before anything else has to be taken into account in financial analysis. This is very important because it is the organization itself that has to be the center point of financial analysis. For instance, an organization is composed of human resource. In a specific study, it is shown that the success of introducing new system into the company for the purpose of improving financial performance is determined by understanding the needs of the personnel and their capacity to adapt the new introduced system (Randolph and Ogawa, 2007). The effectiveness of an organization can be attributed to the performance of its personnel. In other words, part of the facts that should be gathered in understanding an organization is the capacity and competency of the human resource. This is evident on the task of financial analyst in which he or she must have a detailed understanding about the management and the company in particular (Hagberg, 2003). In line with this, it is important that financial analysts must be able to determine both financial and non-financial performance information of an organization as basic foundation of the analysis (Coram, Mock and Monroe, 2011). In this regard, there is a good opportunity to gather accurate information that will help determine the right approach in the entire process of financial analysis. Compare the facts in the organization over time to facts in similar organizations One of the most important benefits in trying to compare facts in the organization over time to facts in similar organizations is to understand how well it is performing and to know other financial issues in it such as the general financial strength (Cleary, 2006). In a study conducted by Cleary, the investigation of facts and comparing them among different organizations prove to be an effective way to understand financial strengths and performance of an organization. Thus, it i s evident that an organization that tries to compare its financial information from the other is a significant way to check performance and eventually will pave way to create the right evaluative process. In creating a standard in financial activities, there is an assurance of awareness and the right implementation process towards an organization’s achievement of financial strength (Iatridis, 2010). Balanced scorecard is known to be one of the best adopted strategies for performance measurement and evaluation of the company and its financial performance. In line with this, this measurement deals with understanding the facts within an organization and especially in similar organization for comparison. For instance, one of the most essential components of balanced scorecard is customer. Customer-oriented organizations are eventually trying to provide the best customer value especially in customer-oriented organizations (Flint, Blocker and Boutin, 2011). These companies in order to achieve their best performance through their customers try to compare the facts they have with them and that of the other organizations in order to substantially create customer value. It is therefore clear in this point that it makes sense to result to comparison of performance and information in order to achieve organizational objectives. Use perspective and judgment to make

A detailed analysis of The Red-Headed League Essay Example for Free

A detailed analysis of The Red-Headed League Essay In 1888, A Study in Scarlet was published, bringing together the infamous duo of Holmes and Watson and in the creation of Holmes, earned Conan Doyle his fortune. Scandal in Bohemia and the following stories of his characters journey into the world of crime solving appeared in The Strand magazine. The 1880s saw a growing market for popular fiction and at a mere sixpence a week, it had anxious people rushing to the stands for literary entertainment, amusement and escapism. The double act of Holmes and Watson is very effective in the short stories by Conan Doyle. Holmes is often described in the short stories with extended imagery, often like creatures and monsters.  His head was sunk upon his breast, and he looked from my point of view like a strange, lank bird, with dull grey plumage and a black top-knot.  This imagery helps to reinforce the idea that his sharp and piercing eyes give the impression that he is very alert. Holmes is also described as having a tall, gaunt figure with slick black hair and hawk-like yet austere facial features. He is portrayed as being a blunt and impatient man. At the beginning of The Red-Headed League after Watsons initial intrusion, he pulls Watson abruptly into the room and he is anxious for Mr. Jabez Wilson to recommence his narrative. Watson, on the contrary, is a polite man. When he walks in on Holmes and Wilson having the conversation, he apologises and starts to withdraw. The choice of Watson as the narrator for these short stories is very effective. From the beginning, it is clear that they are very close friends, and the feeling of this friendship is made tangible in The Final Problem, as Watson mourns the tragic death of Holmes. Another reason Watson is effective as the storyteller, is that compared to Holmes amazing powers of logic and deduction, he seems more like a normal person. He, like the reader, is amazed by Holmes skills, yet he does not understand them. During the denouement of The Red-Headed League, Watson helps the reader understand how Holmes came to his conclusions by asking him the questions that are in the readers mind, such as, But how could you guess what the motive was? and, how could you tell that they would make their attempt to-night? This satisfies the reader and adds realism it helps them accept it is possible. Also, as Watson is left in the dark until the conclusion, it emphasises Holmes ingenuity and powers of deductive reasoning. Throughout The Red-Headed League, there are many clues that enable the mystery to be solved. The idea of the Red-Headed League was so bizarre that there had to be something beyond the obvious evidence. Holmes chuckles after the reading of the advertisement found in the newspaper and concludes that it is a little off the beaten track. The strange factors that surround the hiring of Wilsons assistant, Vincent Spaulding, make the reader (and the characters) quite dubious of his authenticity. Vincent worked at half wages and he had been with Wilson about a month before he showed Wilson the advertisement for The Red-Headed League and recommends strongly that he applies. When Holmes and Watson go to Mr. Wilsons shop to meet the assistant, Holmes notices the knees of his trousers. All of these ideas are evidently significant to solving the mystery, but the significance cannot be seen by anyone else but Holmes. The scene with Holmes, Watson, police agent Mr. Jones (of Scotland Yard) and Mr. Merryweather, the bank director, sitting in the pitch darkness is effective at building the atmosphere and mood needed for the finale. Watson depicts the scene with fantastic imagery. As they wait in the earth-smelling passage in absolute darkness, Watsons nerves are worked up to a pitch of expectancy. This illustrates the anticipation being felt by the characters and the readers themselves. Watson says there is something depressing and subduing about sitting in the sudden gloom and the cold, dank air. Although he is excited about their scheme, he realises the darker side to the outcome. After sitting in the darkness for a period of time, and after Watson thinks that the night must have almost gone, and the dawn be breaking above them, Watsons limbs become weary and stiff. Watson is physically starting to feel very uncomfortable in that situation, yet he fears to change his position. His hearing becomes very acute and he can start to distinguish the deeper, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin sighing note of the bank director. This details how still and silent the characters are in this intense moment. Suddenly, his eyes catch the glint of a light. Starting as a lurid spark, it turns into a yellow line before an almost womanly hand appears from the gash. The culmination of the action will soon be played out before the reader. At this point, you can see how Conan Doyle has created the tension for the reader and how this will affect their enjoyment of the concluding pages. The Final Problem has a very different theme. As soon as the first paragraph has been read you can sense the feeling of desolation as Watson writes with a heavy heart and speaks of the singular gifts by which Holmes was distinguished. The whole story has a disheartening ambience. This is reinforced by the surprise and very uncharacteristic entrance of Holmes. He acts very unusually and Watson seems confused. Holmes use of euphemisms is unanticipated, as he is usually a very blunt and straightforward man. Yes, I have been using myself up rather too freely'  He also uses heroic understatement here for effect. You can also detect the use of present participles as soon as Holmes presence is felt, he starts flinging the shutters together and persists in bolting them securely. The word bolted has a very aggressive sound and therefore helps to visualise Holmes urgency and distressed nature. Their brief and minimal exchange is particularly dramatic.

Massage Therapy :: Massage Therapy Essays

Massage Therapy The practice of massage therapy is rapidly growing in the United States. It has numerous benefits to offer and is becoming more widely accepted as a medical practice by doctors and the general public. Massage is defined as: †¦the systematic manual or mechanical manipulations of the soft tissues of the body by such movements as rubbing, kneading, pressing, rolling, slapping, and tapping, for therapeutic purposes such as promoting circulation of the blood and lymph, relaxation of muscles, relief from pain, restoration of metabolic balance, and other benefits both physical and mental (Beck 3). There is much historical evidence to indicate that massage is one of the earliest remedies for pain relief and for the restoration of a healthy body. It is said to be the most natural and instinctive means of relieving pain and discomfort. The roots of massage can be traced back to ancient civilizations. Many artifacts have been found to support the belief that prehistoric people massaged their muscles and even used some form of rubbing oils on their bodies. According to research, some form of massage was practiced in almost all early civilizations. Ancient Chinese, Japanese, India, Hindu, Greek, and Roman civilizations used some form of massage as a medical treatment. In many of these civilizations a special person, such as a healer, doctor, or spiritual leader, was selected to administer massage treatments. With the decline of the Roman Empire in 180 A.D. came a decline in the popularity of massage and health care in general. There was little history of health practices recorded during the Middle Ages (476-1450). The Renaissance period (1450-1600) revived an interest in health and science. Once again, people became interested in the improvement of physical health and by the second half of the fifth century, massage was a common practice. By the sixteenth century, medical practitioners began to incorporate massage into their healing treatments. Massage has been a major part of medicine for at least five thousand years and important in Western medical traditions for at least three thousands years. In the early part of the nineteenth century, Per Henrik Ling, a physiologist and fencing master, from Smaaland, Sweden, developed and systemized movements that he found to be beneficial in improving physical conditions. His system of movements, based on the science of physiology, became known as Medical Gymnastics. In 1813, Ling established the Royal Swedish Central Institute of Gymnastics, which was financed by the Swedish government. From this institute Ling and his students were able to educate people about his Medical Gymnastics movements, which became known as the Swedish Movements. By 1851, there were thirty-eight institutions for Swedish Movement in Europe. Today, Per Henrik Ling is known as the father of physical therapy.

Emarketer the Global Media Intelligence Report Essay

For advertisers, success in the region depends on mastering the increasingly complex interaction between multiple strands of marketing and on building relationships with audiences wary of advertising, per se. But the omnipresence of media also enables marketers to grab consumers’ attention as never before, and to follow their every move as they evaluate brands, products and purchase options. Europe shares many of North America’s characteristics. Moreover, its population, like that of North America, is relatively af? uent. Yet there are often major differences in culture and media penetration from one country to another, as well as variations in online and mobile habits. Regional marketers need to ? ne-tune their strategies accordingly for optimum results. Europe has been caught between Western in? uences and older, Soviet-era ones. This is still the case. Traditional media command large audiences, while the internet has a promising foothold. Advertising is less developed than in Western Europe or North America—yet in many countries in Eastern Europe, mobile is the most popular media channel. The bottom line: This region is ripe for marketing innovation, and there is plenty of room to experiment, even on small budgets.  ¦Ã‚ ¦ Western  ¦Ã‚ ¦ Historically, Eastern markets, such as those in Asia-Paci? c and Latin America, continue to claim an ever-increasing share of global ad spending. This transition has accelerated as growth in many Western economies has faltered. A number of advertisers are shifting their focus to countries with expanding populations and rising levels of consumption. advertising will remain a star performer. In most mature markets, growth in online ad spending outpaced all other platforms in 2010. In a few less developed countries, however, web penetration remains low and internet advertising is still embryonic. Where this scenario coexists with national economic dif? culties, many advertisers will be tempted to stick with traditional media in the short term. devices are transforming the media landscape in every corner of the world. But mobile usage patterns can vary widely, even within a single region. Marketers should be alert to the gender balance in mobile audiences, for example. Similarly, the link between af? uence and smartphone or mobile web adoption seen in many Western nations is not always a foregone conclusion in other regions. The Global Media Intelligence Report  ¦Ã‚ ¦ Digital  ¦Ã‚ ¦ Like  ¦Ã‚ ¦ Mobile Eastern Europe, Latin America registered rather low internet penetration in 2010, but reasonably high levels of mobile use. Unlike Europe, the region has an exploding population and an advertising sector growing at more than double the worldwide average rate.

Logical Processor and Reactive Stimulator Essay

When I took the test I came out with Logical Processor and Reactive Simulator. Both of my styles were even so not one outweighed the other. I had to laugh when I actually completed the test. It all comes in hand with my current additional duties at work. I am a union steward and when it comes to this job I initially use Reactive Simulator. When I first get a grievance, my initial reaction is to get to the meeting immediately so that I can hurry up and fry the other individual because I need immediate results. Well it doesn’t work like that. I have 15 days from the time that I receive my case to get all of my facts together; do research within the contract laws to see which ones were violated. It really helps when I have a griever that has a good case they could win. As a steward I have to fight for the griever whether or not they are correct. Sometimes being a Reactive simulator causes me to get into confrontations. I immediately react to different situations, always on the defense. With this style it causes me to not hear other individual’s side of the story, because in my eyes if you are wrong than that’s how I am going keep the situation until I am proven otherwise. My communication is a little misunderstood by my co-workers. I am not a really compassionate person so I don’t take personal issues into consideration. I can sometimes come off harsh, but I really think that I am misunderstood by others. My Logical Processor can also balance me out. When I have a task or a major project, I will do my research on it. I am not going to say that I am a know-it-all, but if I have to prove something to my supervisor, I will go to the regulations and prove her wrong, not intentionally. If it takes me all day to find the answer to an issue, than I will use the whole day, as long as I am correct. I am a individual that hates change and if I can keep something the same by proving that they are doing something illegal, then so be it. Both the Logical Processor and the Reactive Simulator makes my Strategic pattern a performer. One of those attributes is that I want results to be quickly achieved. The results have to have a good outcome with it. I like to get the job done, I do not like to take the shortcut, nor do I like the think out of the box approach!

Altered States of Consciousness and Hypnosis Essay Example

Altered States of Consciousness and Hypnosis Essay Example Altered States of Consciousness and Hypnosis Essay Altered States of Consciousness and Hypnosis Essay Altered States of Consciousness and Hypnosis Introduction Far from its one time connection with carnivals, mediums, and the occult, hypnosis and the altered states of consciousness it helps create have proven to be a beneficial framework of reality in a number of circumstances. For example, countless numbers of people with chronic pain problems have learned the benefits of self-hypnosis to calm themselves and their reactions to physical pain. While the term â€Å"hypnosis† often carries a certain number of negative connotations that do not truly convey the beneficial and physiological relation response that is the legitimate hypnotic response, many people are still hesitant about the concept in general. The simple fact is that hypnosis is not a form of mind control and is not the will of one person being exerted over another. Hypnosis certainly cannot force someone to do something they would not normally do. It is neither a strange, mystical force or a state of being unconscious or out-of-control. What is hypnosis it is what the Tufts University Health Nutrition Letter (10/00) calls â€Å"really about a person taking control of his or her own mind and body† (pp. 4). Health professionals, mental health counselors, even sports performance consultants advocate hypnosis as a form of stress reduction, pain management and personal performance enhancement. The ability to harness and control one’s personal feelings and attitudes has proven to be immensely beneficial and offers potentials far beyond that of a some sort of self-proclaimed fakir performing tricks to make â€Å"members of the audience† dance on table tops or bark like dogs. Hypnosis actually has little to do with performing tricks or mind control and everything to do with reaching the inner stillness that exists at the core of all human consciousness and can serve as a guide and comfort in countless situations. The Benefits and Processes of Hypnosis Hypnosis is a process that leads an individual into a deep state of rest and relaxation that allows him or her to â€Å"release† physical or psychic pain or emotional negativity. It is possible to say that the process takes place through the conscious access of the unconscious mind. While such a statement may sound like double-speak, it is a verifiable and medically-proven means of relaxation, visualization, pain management, and self-awareness. Generally, the medical and psychological literature indicates that there are two primary characteristics of hypnosis. First, is the experience of steadily focusing on a specific â€Å"object. † This is not the Hollywood-created watch swinging back and forth on a chain in front of a person’s eyes. Instead, it may be something as innocuous as the individual’s own hand or painting on the wall of a hypno-therapist’s office. Focusing on a single object allows for a greater inward focus and the ability to ignore distractions. That ability and freedom then allows a person to better understand him/herself and their life. The second characteristic is that hypnosis actually leads to the experience of being relaxed and at ease. Under the best of circumstances, a subject’s body, mind, and emotions reach a natural, balanced state that can best be describes as relaxing, restful, calm, peaceful, and comforting. Like meditation, hypnosis allows a person to experience a clear and focused mind and permits a separation from the necessity of attending to the multitude of extraneous thoughts and concerns that so occupy the consciousness of most people. In this sense, the experience is accurately considered to be a return to a natural and balanced state of being. Such a state of being is generally a rarity in the modern world of information overload and the constant need to â€Å"multi-task† in terms of work, relationships, and even self-care. Hypnosis allows a person to disconnect from the chaos of the world and focus on the inner realities of his or her own consciousness. According to Jackson (1999), hypnotism has many applications in modern day life and researchers have repeatedly proven that therapists using suggestive techniques through hypnosis are able too alleviate pain and change behavior. He explains further that: â€Å"Psychiatrists, medical doctors and psychologists, along with a shadowy brigade of less credentialed practitioners, have used it for more than two centuries in one form or another to treat pain and illness. Since World War II, it has slipped quietly and discreetly into the clinical mainstream, to the point where the American Medical Association, many HMOs and even Medicare now recognize it† (pp. 126) He goes on to note that not only is hypnosis a useful and effective tool in dealing with therapeutic concerns, it is â€Å"employed today in the treatment of a variety of physical and mental afflictions, in combating phobias, in the control of bad habits like smoking and overeating, and in the all-embracing area of ‘performance enhancement’ for strivers ranging from sprinters to stockbrokers. Hypnosis is an idea whose time has come and gone and come again, and this time it appears to be staying† (pp. 126) Larkin (1999) explains further saying that â€Å"there is now evidence of a neurobiological basis for hypnosis† (pp. 386). She then quotes Donald Price of the University of Florida in Gainesville as saying that: â€Å"People think that during hypnosis, the brain goes to sleep. In fact, specific brain areas become activated† (pp. 386). The results of a study utilizing â€Å"positron emission tomography scans† were conducted on volunteers who had been led through a hypnotic relaxation exercise. The study’s results suggested that the â€Å"hypnotic trance state† differs from normal consciousness, and that it expedite the course of hypnotic suggestions. According to Larkin, Price says: â€Å"My idea is that when you’re hypnotized, you experience things automatically, not deliberately. If someone suggests that your arm is raising up, its as if your arm is doing it by itself† (pp. 386). Cowles (1998) explains: â€Å"The preconceptions of scientific, medical, and psychological professionals affecting hypnosis arise within a cognitive schema that details a particular view of the world we experience through our senses. Cognitive schemas create a context in which sensory experiences are organized, classified, and categorized in a systematic way. This allows us to quickly and critically evaluate information and make comparisons† (pp. 357). Considering such a fact helps to explain the hesitancy some people, both therapists and clients, may feel regarding accessing a way of knowing that does not neatly fit into the file marked â€Å"cognitive† or â€Å"literal interpretation. † Hypnosis is a state of focused awareness. It is something everyone in every walk of life has experienced at one time or another, for example the process of waking up or in becoming thoroughly absorbed in a good book. The characteristics of the state vary from person to person; it cannot be pinpointed on an EEG and the experience is different for everyone even though there are common elements. But the fact remains that hypnosis does not have a unique and unmistakable insignia indicating its presence. Altered States of Consciousness and Hypnosis Bancroft (1998) explains that altered states of consciousness can serve to promote psychological growth in a multiple of ways. â€Å"Altered states have the ability to change a persons perspective of themselves. Consciousness tries to be objectified, but it is subjective. By changing one’s internal perceptions reality changes. Altered states provide the means by which the ability to experience a different self-image/concept is available† (altered_states/altered_states. html). This allows a person to potentially manifest new abilities, move beyond limitations from past negative experiences, and break out of socially imposed constraints. Bancroft adds that: â€Å"Altered states can serve as a vehicle for a person to move beyond the confines of logical/rational thought. The ability to perceive a situation from an entirely different viewpoint is known to produce insights, creative solutions, and psychological breakthroughs. Rather than being locked into logical assessments a person can suspend deep seated assumptions (beliefs) through the use of altered states† (altered_states/altered_states. tml). One can address the issue of the value associated in the profession of virtually any form of psychotherapy from both subjective and purely objective viewpoints. It should be noted that the vast majority of those who enter the practice of psychotherapy do so because of their very genuine desire to help other people. Therefore, they are generally willing to ex plore what some may consider as â€Å"alternative† practices, the category hypnotherapy and hypnosis are usually classified under. Far too often, the use of hypnosis in helping people has been damaged by ignorant or unscrupulous practitioners who put ideological and self-promotional goals before the welfare of their patients. The resulting backlash, causes those not involved in the controversy to question the importance or effectiveness of psychotherapy. What the general public needs to understand is that mental health counseling, psychotherapy, and other forms of assistance in dealing with the difficulties associated with daily life are all based on an understanding of conscious and unconscious mental functioning. Clearly, one avenue of that functioning is seen in the process of hypnosis. Spiegel (1998) explains: The hypnotic state is one in which highly focused attention (absorption) is coupled, usually, with physical relaxation, heightened responsiveness to social cues (suggestibility), and an increased capacity to cut off from awareness certain perceptions, memories, and other aspects of consciousness (dissociation). The state can be entered and left in seconds; long-winded inductions and dangling watches are not necessary† (pp. 5). Spiegel (1998) also points out that hypnosis typically occupies an â€Å"unusual place† in that dynamic of understanding of conscious and unconscious experience and reaction and that it is â€Å"sometimes overvalued and sometimes given no respect at all. Both its benefits and its risks have been exaggerated, but hypnosis persists despite excesses of flattery and contempt because of its many clinical uses. It an excellent way to mobilize a patients resources to alter physical sensations, moderate stress reactions and other psychiatric symptoms, and enhance emotional sensitivity† (pp. ). Such a process of alteration then leads to a new way of thinking and a new way of directing intention and attitude that can help break negative patterns of thinking and/or behavior. Certainly, no reputable counselor would suggest that hypnosis is the proverbial â€Å"be all and all. † It is, however, and effective tool and the person who most wants to assist others in their cogniti ve and emotional responses should take full advantage of any tool at their disposal that could help in the process. Being in an altered states can promote psychological growth through the freeing of a passageway for cognitive and emotional expression. It is important to understand that the release of stress, emotional hardships, mental confusion, and negative thoughts is much more easily attainable in an altered state. A person’s dreams present a healthy channel for the expression of unconscious concerns and ideas. And meditation serves as a valuable tool for the expression of one’s spirituality and self-awareness. Therefore, a combination of both dreams and meditation can produce a remarkably advantageous experience for the subject since hypnosis serves as that sort of blend. Mentally (and artificially) constructed barriers may rapidly fade away in an altered state resulting in the always-gratifying experience of interconnection, peace, contentment, and a sense of unity with the universe. Cowles (1998) also believes that hypnosis is often disregarded and undervalued because it cannot be currently explained by natural science or scientific method. He suggests that perception prefigures embodiment and, therefore, creates the power of suggestion. â€Å"As an individuals preconception of hypnosis often makes him or her wary and mistrustful of undergoing the experience, so too, scientific researchers’ preconceptions can prevent professionals from fully accepting the actual observed phenomenal experiences of hypnosis† (pp. 357). Regardless of such a concern, the fact remains that hypnosis can serve as a valuable means by which a therapist and client may work together in a realm that lies outside what would be most often thought of as daily reality and conscious thought. Access to such a different â€Å"channel† of awareness cannot help but assist in the larger processes of people understanding one another and themselves. Conclusion Hypnosis has few downsides other than how it is perceived by many. Baker (1998) makes an extremely valid point when he notes: â€Å"Ultimately, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. It is a serious misunderstanding to credit hypnotists with special powers or arcane techniques. Hypnotic subjects are always in control of their mental processes. They have made a kind of social contract to comply with the hypnotist’s suggestions, which in effect are merely requests† (pp. ). Hypnosis allows for the greatest possible use of the imagination and encourages a relaxation process that cannot often be equaled in any other framework of consciousness. Baker also comments: â€Å"The legendary psychotherapist Milton Erickson, when asked to provide his definition of hypnosis, responded, It’s concentrating on your tho ughts, values, memories, and beliefs about life. This definition is the simple truth† (pp. 6). In accessing that â€Å"simple truth† both the client and the hypnotist are able to gain a greater understanding of the processes and the motivations of the person under hypnosis. Often, the clarity presented through a hypnotic state allows for an emotional or intellectual breakthrough in understanding that serves to help a person expand beyond whatever constrictions had been holding them back from being more closely aligned with their true nature and more aware of the ideas, attitudes, and beliefs that they most value. BIBLIOGRAPHY Baker, Robert A. (1998, February) A view of hypnosis. Harvard Mental Health Letter, v14 n8, pp. 5(2). Bancroft, Mark (1998) Altered states and psychological growth, EnSpire Press, enspire. com/hypnosis_information_articles/altered_states/altered_states. tml Cowles, Richard S. (1998, July) The magic of hypnosis: is it child’s play? The Journal of Psychology, v132 n4, pp. 357(10). Jackson, Donald Dale (1999, March) You will feel no pain (hypnosis), Smithsonian, v29 i12, p126(1) Larkin, Marilynn (1999, January 30) Hypnosis makes headway in the clinic, The Lancet, v353 i9150, pp. 386(1). Spiegel, David (1998, September) Hypnosi s. Harvard Mental Health Letter, v15 n3, pp. 5(2). _____, (2000, October) Hypnosis: Controlling the pain, controlling your health, Tufts University Health Nutrition Letter, v18 i8, pp. 4.

Knights Templar, the Famous Crusading Order

Knights Templar, the Famous Crusading Order The Knights Templar were also known as Templars, Templar Knights, Poor Knights of Solomons Temple, Poor Knights of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon,  and Knights of the Temple. Their motto was Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy Name be the Glory, from Psalm 115. The Origin of the Templars The route traveled by pilgrims from Europe to the Holy Land was in need of policing. In 1118 or 1119, not long after the success of the First Crusade, Hugh de Payns and eight other knights offered their services to the patriarch of Jerusalem for just this purpose. They took vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, followed the Augustinian rule, and patrolled the pilgrim route to aid and defend pious travelers. King Baldwin II of Jerusalem gave the knights quarters in a wing of the royal palace that had been part of the Jewish Temple; from this they got the names Templar and Knights of the Temple. The Official Establishment of the Knights Templar For the first decade of their existence, the Knights Templar were few in number. Not many fighting men were willing to take the Templar vows. Then, thanks largely to the efforts of Cistercian monk Bernard of Clairvaux, the fledgling order was given papal recognition at the Council of Troyes in 1128. They also received a specific rule for their order (one clearly influenced by the Cistercians). Templar Expansion Bernard of Clairvaux wrote an extensive treatise, In Praise of the New Knighthood, that raised awareness of the order, and the Templars grew in popularity. In 1139 Pope Innocent II placed the Templars directly under papal authority, and they were no longer subject to any bishop in whose diocese they might hold property. As a result they were able to establish themselves in numerous locations. At the height of their power they had about 20,000 members, and they garrisoned every town of any considerable size in the Holy Land. Templar Organization The Templars were led by a Grand Master; his deputy was the Seneschal. Next came the Marshal, who was responsible for individual commanders, horses, arms, equipment, and ordering supplies. He usually carried the standard, or specifically directed a specially-appointed standard-bearer. The Commander of the Kingdom of Jerusalem was the treasurer and shared a certain authority with the Grand Master, balancing his power; other cities also had Commanders with specific regional responsibilities. The Draper issued clothes and bed linen and monitored the brothers appearance to keep them living simply. Other ranks formed to supplement the above, depending on the region. The bulk of the fighting force was made up of knights and sergeants. Knights were the most prestigious; they wore the white mantle and red cross, carried knightly weapons, rode horses and had the services of a squire. They usually came from the nobility. Sergeants filled other roles as well as engaging in battle, such as blacksmith or mason. There were also squires, who were originally hired out but later allowed to join the order; they performed the essential job of caring for the horses. Money and the Templars Though individual members took vows of poverty, and their personal possessions were limited to the essentials, the order itself received donations of money, land and other valuables from the pious and the grateful. The Templar organization grew very wealthy. In addition, the military strength of the Templars made it possible to collect, store, and transport bullion to and from Europe and the Holy Land with a measure of safety. Kings, noblemen, and pilgrims used the organization as a kind of bank. The concepts of safe deposit and travelers checks originated in these activities. The Downfall of the Templars In 1291, Acre, the last remaining Crusader stronghold in the Holy Land, fell to the Muslims, and the Templars no longer had a purpose there. Then, in 1304, rumors of irreligious practices and blasphemies committed during secret Templar initiation rites began to circulate. Very likely false, they nevertheless gave King Philip IV of France grounds to arrest every Templar in France on Oct. 13, 1307. He had many tortured to make them confess to charges of heresy and immorality. It is generally believed that Philip did this simply to take their vast wealth, though he may also have feared their growing power. Philip had previously been instrumental in getting a Frenchman elected pope, but it still took some maneuvering to convince Clement V to order all Templars in all countries arrested. Eventually, in 1312, Clement suppressed the order; numerous Templars were executed or imprisoned, and the Templar property that wasnt confiscated was transferred to the Hospitallers. In 1314 Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Templar Knights, was burned at the stake.

The internationalization strategies and activities of Bentley in China Dissertation

The internationalization strategies and activities of Bentley in China - Dissertation Example COMMENDATIONS 35 7.1 Revisiting Hypotheses 35 7.2 Recommendations 36 References 38 1. INTRODUCTION International business concerns with the transactions (service to foreign markets) that take place across the national borders, they usually involve more than one country (Punnett 2011). International business differs from domestic business because in international business there are variations in commercial environment and requirements (Punnett 2011). International business is much more complex to manage and involves money conversion. Working in international markets must be done within the limitations imposed by international trade and investment system. There are more risks involved in international business as well such as political risk, cross-cultural risk, exchange rate risk and commercial risk (Hendrix 1991). Despite these risks, firms go global because they get access to wider markets for their products, they can realize economies of scale and/or scope, and they can benefit fro m experiential learning (Hiriyappa 2013). An understanding of globalization is also necessary when studying international business (Khanna, Palepu &Sinha 2005). Globalization is a greater integrated and interdependent world economy that has resulted in greater integration of goods market, production and supply and labor and capital market (Mrak 2000). Although the purpose of globalization was to improve the economy of the world and to remove trade barriers (Trade in a Globalizing World, 2008), globalization today has emerged as a big challenge for businesses. It has become relatively difficult to identify the internationalization strategies and choose the countries to conduct business with (Hill 2005). It has been observed that most multinational firms follow the traditional internationalization strategies and thus struggle to make their presence felt in the host country. It has also been observed that multinational firms find it easier to invest in developed countries rather than e merging economies. Firms find choosing the correct internationalization tool and the appropriate mode of entry particularly difficult when entering an emerging market (Palepu, n.d.). 1.1 Research Purpose, Aims and Objectives The main aim of this research study is to explore the process of internationalization in the context of an emerging economy. China is selected for this study and internalization strategies and activities of Bentley has been explored. The study aims to explore in detail the theories of internalization and then apply it on the case of Bentley that how Bentley has managed to excel in China so well in the face of competition and globalization. The study

The responsibility of the individual to society Essay

The responsibility of the individual to society - Essay Example Each individual is saddled with the responsibility of working with other individuals of the society in order to help the society to achieve the goals and objectives of building a better world. It is through the symbiotic relationship that exists between the different individuals of the society that would guarantee the maintenance of the sovereignty of the society and the peaceful existence of each individual of the society. The law of nature has made it important for the individuals of the society to play specific roles. A notable philosopher, Antiphon stipulates that the law of Nature is based on each individual’s instinct to do things that would keep them away from danger, that is, individuals are expected to do things that are beneficial to life and naturally pleasant. The implication of this is that as individuals living in the society, they must try as much as possible to do things that are beneficial to the society. Antiphon described the adherence to the law of Nature a s the observance of the principle of self-preservation and when each individual have the instinct to do things that would keep them safe from danger, the society would also be free from danger. This law of nature must be observed by all the individuals living in the society and any attempt to evade the laws of nature would be met with dire consequences (Plato). Socrates believed that, individuals had the right to obey whichever authority, they choose to obey and that, individuals must take full responsibilities for these decisions (Walzer). This means that every individual is not under any compulsion to do things against their will. Socrates’ belief is based on the freedom of choice. Socrates’ argument is an epistemological one and the British philosopher, John Stuart Mill also belongs to this school of thought. Socrates and Mill believed that every individual have the innate ability to decide what is best for them (Walzer). Socrates believed that each individual must make attempt to discern the truth by themselves through closely controlled, self-effacing and tolerant dialogue (Walzer). Quite similar to Socrates’ arguments, Mill opined that the onus lies on the shoulders of the individual to decide what is best for him or her. According to Mill, â€Å"Justice implies something which it is not only right to do, and wrong not to do, but which some individual person can claim from us as his moral right.† (Mill par. 14). The two of them agree that people should tolerate the opinion of others as this would help in establishing the truth about a particular subject matter as the use of force or compulsion in making people accept a particular point of view is not the best pedagogical approach (Walzer). One of the founding fathers of the United States of America, Thomas Jefferson also recognizes the responsibility of the individual in a society. Jefferson spoke on how the American constitution should be interpreted and said that people shou ld be given freedom on how they observe the written laws of the constitution. He claims that the observance of the constitution is one of the obligations of each individual of the US, but it is not the most important priority, Jefferson asserts that the most important duty of every American citizen are to defend the country at all times and maintain the sovereignty of the country (Jefferson). According to Jefferson, â€Å"

Rawlsian Civil Disobedience Speech or Presentation

Rawlsian Civil Disobedience - Speech or Presentation Example However, this kind of struggle is not the kind of struggle swamped with blood and precious life. It is the kind of resistance to injustice employing non-violent means, the kind of struggle wherein civil disobedience takes center stage. After all, I've always believed that violence breeds violence and that pure goals can never justify impure or violent actions. After World War 1, I began the Indian campaign for home rule and as a strong advocate of Satyagraha - "truth and firmness" -- I launched the movement ofnon-violent resistance to Great Britain. My protest against the Rowlatt Acts led to the slaughter of Indians at Amritsar by British soldiers; and in 1920, when the British government failed to make amends, I declared an organized campaign of non-cooperation. With this campaign, my fellow Indians in public office walked out from their jobs, government agencies were boycotted and Indian children were withdrawn from government schools. As a consequence, all throughout India, streets were blocked with crouching Indians who declined to rise even when beaten by police. True to expectations, I was again arrested. Economic independence for India, involving the absolute boycott of British goods, was an outcome of my Swaraj movement.

Brief Introduction Of Intercultural Business Communication Commerce Essay

Brief Introduction Of Intercultural Business Communication Commerce Essay At present, the world is illustrated as a place where people belonging to different cultural backgrounds interact with each other to have effective communication do that they can exchange their ideas, thoughts and feelings (Bhardawaj, 2010). The communication between individuals can occur in various areas such as science, education, entertainment, tourism, immigration, mass media and business. In order to have constructive communication, it is mandatory that all forms of misunderstandings and breakdowns are completely removed from the system. It has been stated by Martin and Nakayama (2007) that the latest trend in the business world is of globalisation and many companies are expanding their operations outside their regional boundaries to enhance their presence in different international markets. According to Lewis (2008), the swift increase in the globalisation of businesses has mandated the corporations to develop an understanding about the intercultural business communication methods, techniques and theories so that the organisations can overcome the prospective hurdles in their international businesses. All the experts who are working in the field of multicultural environment require guidance on developing a work environment that is conducive for their entire workforce; the researchers belonging to the fields of cultural anthropology, sociology, psychology and applied linguistics have studied various factors to demonstrate the importance of various cultures knowledge and their implications on conducting effective intercultural business communication (Bowie, 2008; Chaney Martin, 2011; Zang Zhou, 2008). When the businesses have adequate understanding about the cultures and differing aspects of various countries, there is a high probability that there are positive interactions among people and cordial and effective business relationships are developed (Jameson, 2007; Lewis, 2005). The main concern for every organisation operating in international regions is to develop an understanding about the culture, values, norms and attitudes of each area of operation so that there are less chances of the misinterpretation of communication. In order to provide guidance to the organisations that are engaged in the globalisation processes, the researchers have studied the cultural contexts of distinct nations and have provided in-depth insights about the intercultural business communication (Espinar, 2010), working cultures (Forey Lockwood, 2010), work behaviours (Bowey Thill, 2010), work etiquettes (Okoro, 2012), language barriers and subcultures present in the organisation (Zang Zhou, 2008). Intercultural Business Communication in the light of various researches According to Reynolds and Valentine (2011), intercultural communication takes place when people belonging to diverse ethnical backgrounds share and discuss their ideas and tasks in a language that is different from their native language. As the globalisation of businesses has been increasing, the productive intercultural business communication is vital for appropriate performance of the organisation. A successful and effective intercultural communication is one that is simple, frequent and effective along with demonstrating respect to the cultural viewpoints of everyone working within the business premises (Crate Fox, 2008). Since intercultural business communication is an important area of study, many researchers have studied the concept from varying angles have classified them into three main approaches i.e. positivist approach, humanistic approach and systemic approach. The first person who coined the term intercultural business communication was Edward Hall who emphasized the importance of this concept in his work The Silent Language in 1959. Halls high-low context of culture and Hofstedes national culture were the major contributors in the field of intercultural communication. Halls theory (1959) helped many researchers to study context of the culture in determining the contrasting communication patterns among the individuals from low and high context cultures. On the other hand, Hoftstede (1980) limited his studies on the national culture that created difficulty in comparison among various cultural methods and styles of communication. Samovar, Porter and McDaniel (2011) stated that the cultural studies further investigated the communication and cultural systems in distinctive nations, countries and cultures; while, in the negotiation studies, intercultural thinking was incorporated by Ting-Tommey (1988) who stressed the importance of understanding negotiation skills in the international business contexts. In the intercultural business communication, other factors such as non-verbal behaviour, emotional factors and gestures (facial expressions) were added to understand their role in the communication exchange proficiency within the organisation. Some researchers are of the opinion that although Hofstede primarily studied the cultural differences associated with the nationality element but for various practical reasons, culture has strong association with a country of origin and it should be incorporated in understanding the business problems, issues and strategies (Beebe, Beebe Redmond, 2011). According to Asante and Gudykunst (1989), cited by Reynolds and Valentine (2011), the individual variable should not be overlooked because a lot of times people react or communicate in a particular way on the basis of their own perceptions and beliefs which can be totally different from the culture to which a person is related. As the cultures are heterogeneous, other components besides the national factor need to be considered to understand the individuals perception about business communication. Hence, it is vital for the businesses to understand the individual nature of each act of communication to avoid any kind of misinterpretation or confusion that can impact the business operations. Validity and reliability of the article After careful analysis and evaluation of the article, it can be concluded that it has highlighted all important elements that are vital for the development and implementation of an effective intercultural business communication. In order to avoid problems in the communication processes, there is a drastic shift in doing extensive research about the culture and other attributes of each nation to gather sufficient information about that respective country. With an in-depth understanding about the business culture and communication processes along with individual behaviours towards different modes of communication, an organisation can take proactive steps of countering them within its potential international destination. Recently, all the organisations have mandated the need of training their staff to work in the business environment so that they can incorporate the cultural values and intercultural communication process that will help them in achieving their desired targets in the global businesses. It has been rightly stated by the author of the article that both verbal (language) and non-verbal (gestures, facial expressions, acts of socializing) communication are important for understanding the intercultural business communication in an organisation. Hence, globalisation has made it vital for every Multi-national Corporation to modify its operations in international destinations in accordance with the culture and business etiquettes of the respective nation. Task # 2 Business Etiquette and its importance in international business communication International Business Communication and Business Etiquettes In todays world, every organisation is expanding its business operations globally and this expanding scope of the corporations in the current decade is drawing attention of the researchers to study the importance of business etiquettes in international businesses (Bowee Thill, 2010). With the advent of global economy i.e. globalisation, consumers are more aware of the environment, an organisations business operations have to deal with new rules and standards for effective production processes and even expansion in the interdependency of achieving economies of scale on international level (Chaney Martin, 2011). Almost all of the Multi-national corporations are exploiting the opportunities available for them globally and are demonstrating their sensitivity to the cultural differences so that they can successfully prosper as an international enterprise. The studies of some researchers have shown that some organisations have been successful in their international operations (Forey Lockwood, 2010; Okoro, 2012), while, others had to face survival problems either because of cultural imperialism or improper acculturation of their expert managers on the international level. According to Espinar (2010), the success of global business is heavily dependent on their ability of developing adequate understanding about the cross-cultural etiquettes and diversity management among global workforce. On the other hand, Samovar, Porter and McDaniel (2010) emphasized that training is mandatory for the global managers so that they are equipped with the interpersonal communication skills, relationship building skills along with group communication competencies. The managers must have excellent negotiation skills of cross-culture level so that they can maintain their global competitiveness. In order to achieve the business goals successfully in global businesses, the cross-cultural business etiquettes are important for effective international business communication (Hooker, 2008). Implications of Business Etiquettes in International Business Communication In order to manage the global businesses effectively, it has become mandatory for the international corporations to understand the business etiquettes of each nation as there is a huge variation in the working behaviour. The business etiquettes are developed on the basis of culture that is prevalent among the individuals and society as a whole; the researchers are studying culture of other countries to develop an understanding about their role in international business communication. For instance, during a business conversation, in U.S. making an eye contact is considered to be a business etiquette; while, in Japan, eye contact is considered as a misbehaviour (Okoro, 2012). According to Deresky (2010), the managers working in global corporations have to acquire effective skills for strategic negotiations and intercultural exchange so that the targeted goals can be achieved and a positive impression is created on the people. The studies have shown that both decision-making and negotiation processes have to be culture-specific and they should ensure that an extensive detailed analysis of understanding, reciprocity and sensitivity is conducted so that all complications in the business operations are addressed beforehand (Bharadwaj, 2010; Forey Lockwood, 2010; Jameson, 2007). As the workforce in global organisations is diverse, the managers have to learn the complexities that are associated with the cultural values and norms (Lewis, 2008). The researchers of intercultural business communication field have emphasized the importance of understanding the importance of business etiquettes in global workplaces to sustain the competitive edge in the market. It is vital for every organisation to understand that they will have to tolerate some behaviour that is unaccepted by them because these behaviours are an integral part of the business environment of that country. According to Martin and Nakayama (2007), in high-context cultures like Japan meaning is interpreted by way of non-verbal communication such as body language, rephrasing of the words, pauses and meetings; while, in U.S. which is also a high-context culture, meaning is conveyed by means of verbal communication such as spoken words. When mixed messages are communicated to the people, it can create feeling of discomfort and international managers will have to struggle in reconciling the inconsistencies; such situations can be avoided by following the right business etiquettes applicable within that country. For example, in China and some parts of Africa, having a direct eye contact while talking is considered rude and inappropriate; on the other hand, in US, making direct eye contact is mandatory and it is interpreted as demonstration of reliability, honesty and trustworthiness. In India, this act is viewed as disrespect and hostility especially when people communicate with elders (Chaney Martin, 2011). The business etiquette in Great Britain has its basis on the strong sense of nationalism and identity. The businessmen tend to be very detail oriented and have high importance for their traditions and customs; they are reserved and expect everyone to act in this way. However, U.S. businessmen tend to be frank and believe in developing friendly and cordial relations with everyone working in their organisation (Espinar, 2010). For British business people, professionalism and adherence to the ethical code of business practice are important factors of their business etiquettes; while, US business people prefer to have casual relationship within the business premises. The business etiquettes in Germany have their foundation on the formal culture of the country and ensure that the behavioural expectations are provided with great details so that the participants have understanding about the way of doing things. The German businessmen respect hierarchical differences and believe in authoritative style of business; they have high preference for hierarchical organisational structure and want to avoid any kind of uncertainty. The communication within the organisation is formal and increased focus is on achievements on personal level, directness and truth (Okoro, 2012). Conclusion As the business organizations are expanding globally, it has become vital for them to maintain their global competitiveness by managing the differences in the culture, developing effective intercultural business communication mediums and training the managers to equip themselves with cross-cultural decision-making and negotiation skills. The success or failure of an organization in managing such a diverse workforce that has people from various cultural backgrounds is largely depended on the managers ability of communicating effectively with everyone within the organization. Although the international businesses have been growing because of rise in globalization and they are largely driven by the advancements in the field of technology and opportunities in economic interdependencies but the success of these businesses is largely impacted by the intellectual skills of the managers to understand the business etiquettes, values and customs that are required for conducting the business among nations. With good understanding about the cultures and business etiquettes, global companies will be able to implement proper international business communication processes which will help them in sustaining their position in the global market.