Marketing Plan Power Point Presentation Essay

The purchase of the new hotel brings many opportunities as well as challenges. As the Human resources department, we have to done thorough research to find ways to accomplish all concerns presented by the executive team. We have found ways to address financial concerns, marketing, and operation concerns. We have also included concerns found by the human resources department and created was to address the concerns. Also included is our recommendation on the merger. Start-up costs and finance concerns The Chief Finance Officer is concerned about startup costs of the acquisition to include increased labor costs, renovations, and the higher salary being paid to the current Italian workers. In the start-up phase, training will be crucial and will come with a cost. The money has to be spread out in a few areas such as management and staff training-this will cover chain of command, hotel administration, finances, customer complaints, customer service, maid service, room service, restaurant services, fitness center cleaning, pool cleaning, and daily operations of the hotel chain. Language and culture courses should be the initial training focus so as to avoid language barrier and cultural conflicts between staff and guests, as it is imperative that we all know a little about each Nation’s language and culture. Equipment training-The hotel will be modernized with computers. The system will have a website for online booking, payments, complaints, maps, local features for tourists, and any other information a guest may want or need. The system will be used within the hotel for check in and checkout, bill handling, maid servicing, laundry acquisitions, room service, dining facility, training courses in culinary arts, food handling, and restaurant management. In the training process we have to get all of the employees (both American and Italian) in synch with each other. This will help with language and cultural barriers, should those issues arise. In the matter of employment money is always the issue. In this hotel chain all staff will bpaid based on their position and duties within the hotel. All employees will be evaluated every six months to establish whether a pay raise is warranted or not. Benefits will include health insurance, dental insurance, and paid vacations. Marketing Concepts I agree with the Chief Marketing Officer in that there will be added expense in marketing globally and in a foreign language. Our marketing strategy would have to take a different direction when promoting the hotels in Italy. Since we won’t be an â€Å"Albergo Italiano† we will still be an American hotel situated in another country. The Italian economy is dominated by small, family run hotels and organizations – 92 percent of Italian businesses are small or medium sized ((â€Å"Doing Business in Italy; 2012 Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2012). Our marketing strategy could focus on appealing to tourists who want the experience of being in Italy, but the comforts of a hotel chain that they are familiar and comfortable with. Our U. S. based company will face strong competition from local and other European based hotels, which can be achieved by maintaining our American hotel reputation and charm. Our goal is to keep the culture, quality and customer service of the hotel chain up to the same standards as in the U. S. By going global, it will give our current customers more options and opportunities to travel and still be able to stay in the comfort of a Pinnacle hotel. I don’t feel that decertifying the union at the startup is a good process. Unions are a good idea, but when you think about, having unions involved can cause things to get a bit more complicated. My advice it to try and get close to the union leaders and build a strong working relationship with them. Assuring them that the employees’ needs matter. I would recommend negotiating a lower benefits package to reduce labor costs. Daily Operations To address the goals of the Chief Operations Officer I have research position at other international hotels to find the best ways to produce high quality service. Since, the hotel will be servicing many customers with language as well as employee different nationalities. Manager positions will be created to accomplish administrative duties required from executive team and will oversee multiple departments. All managers will be required to have extensive training and experience in hotel management. Also, there should be a preference for managers with international hotel experience and that are multi-lingual. With the new merger, managers with that type of experience will be the best with communicating with employees and customers of different nationalities. With Europe having a high international market of hotels and 40 percent of its population speaking two or more languages, it will be the best place to recruit for manager positions. We should pay them over the current market pay to be aggressively recruit and maintain managers. Also, we should create department supervisor for all of the different areas. The department supervisor would be a liaison between lower level employees and managers and ensure that all tasks are being completed daily. They will also be able to investigate and communication with problems in each department to relieve the managers of some of the hands on duties. Supervisors will be crossed trained to fill in other sections to create flexibility when another supervisor is sick or on leave keeping the continuity of quality service on a daily basis. To recruit supervisor, the company should meet the current market for pay, this will decrease turn over, but if one to leave we would then hire a team leader from within the department. Supervisors recruited from the local region will have first-hand experience working with the Italy’s union enabling them to best supervise employees within regulations of the unions. A preference will for supervisors speaking more the one language will be preferred, but we would create programs and incentives to help facilitate learning different languages. After researching positions of other hotels, a team lead for each section has proven to be beneficial. The team lead has the most experience of the lower level employees but has no supervisory experience and only fills in when the supervisor is not in the department. Lastly, lower level positions that can be taught buy on the job training and will only complete daily tasks with in their departments. They will not be crossed trained due to the fact that we would pay lower than the current market pay and increase the number of employees as compared to other hotels. Although this could create a higher turnover rate, replacements would be easy to finds and the continuity will have little if no interruption. A separated department will need to be created to maintain of the building. One of this highest skills found in Greece was construction and general contracting. With Greece having a high unemployment rate and the readily available skills, it would be the prime place to recruit from to fill the department. Human Resource and Personnel Management My role as the Chief Human Resource Officer is to ensure that the employees of the organization have the right knowledge, skills, and abilities now and in the future. It is vital that the CHRO obtains a knowledge of the area that they will be working in, as there are many factors to consider in determining what is best for the organization as a whole. By purchasing the hotel chain in Italy, the company will be able to grow and expand cultural diversity into the company. U. S. based employees will have the ability to travel and learn a new culture and new type of work environment, this could support retention and would potentially be a strong recruiting tool for quality employees. It would give current employees new benefits, such as travel pay if they were assigned to Italy. Also, all employees would have the opportunity to learn basic Italian culture and language, helping to make the employee feel empowered and important. Our company is a non-union company, but in Italy the hotels are run by unions. This could cause a problem as the Italian workforce does not work outside of their defined job descriptions and duties. The current staff is not properly trained to take on more responsibilities at their current wages. This would require the company to retrain those employees into the positions creating a higher startup cost and more time to provide the training. Another issue is the culture of the Italians, they are accustomed to having more time off from work, more say in how the company’s operations are conducted, and they also have boundaries when it comes to their work schedule and limitations on what they perform. That could cause problems with U. S. employees, since they are not accustomed to limited position descriptions and are used to being able to perform a variety of tasks. Another potential problem is the lack of EEO laws in Italy. As the CHRO it is our responsibility to ensure that our employees are protected under the current laws and regulation. Our employees are very aware of the importance of EEO laws so the lack of the same respect for this law in Italy could disenfranchise individuals, especially when it comes to sexual harassment. On the other hand, training the Italians to follow the U. S. EEO laws could cause problems in recruitment, since they may feel that they do not have to follow U. S. laws in Italy. Lastly, the Italians are used to benefits that are required by the Unions. Our company does not have a department to deal with Unions, so we would have to assemble a team that could negotiate benefits for the Italians. We would have to find out if U. S. employees would be receiving those same Union benefits and if they would be required to pay Union dues. This could cause problems with our U. S. employees if they do not want to join a Union. Furthermore, if we are succeed in negotiating lower benefits, then Italian recruitment could be low, since they would rather work in another hotel that would provide higher benefits. Recommendation In summary, there are pros and cons to acquiring hotels in Italy. It would give a new set of skills to our current employees. It would allow our US employees the ability to travel and learn new skill sets. It would also broaden the culture of this company and be able to give the current employees the benefits of learning a new culture and a new language. It would open up the company to global recognition and more vacation choices for our current customers. On the other hand, it will not be an easy transition. Current Italian employees are limited in how long they can work, what positions they can fill, and are unfamiliar with our EEO laws. The Italians lack of knowledge, skill and abilities would cost this company a lot manpower, which needs to be calculated to see if it is worth the cost. The Italians are also used to obtaining many benefits that this company is not accustom to giving. A new separate department would need to be created to be able to negotiate and speak to the Unions. All of these issues would need to be addressed prior to obtaining the hotels and the Finance Department would need to be able to calculate the cost and benefits. As the CHRO, we recommend acquiring the Italian chain as the long term benefits outweigh the initial start-up costs and concerns.

Hassan in The Kite Runner Essay

A perfect friend could be described as someone who is honest and trustworthy, they make you laugh, someone you enjoy spending time with, and most of all they know how to have a good time and pick you up when you’re down. The novel The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini depicts the setting of a great friendship in the best and most thoughtful way but the definition does not seem to match with what others seem to think. Hassan and Amir show utmost loyalty and humility towards each other but with one event the course of both of their lives change and both sides of their friendship do not remain equal. In their childhood days in Kabul Hassan acts as a brave, humble, considerate and hardworking, young boy who only wishes for Amir to succeed and be happy, almost to the extent of being too good to be true. Hassan displays these qualities and attributes through a number of important and notable events. First, Hassan protects Amir in any situation even if it puts him in danger. Second, after retrieving the kite from Assef, Hassan doesn’t even mention what took place to Amir showing his utmost loyalty. Third, Even after he is betrayed by Amir, Hassan continues to lie for the person he considers his best friend. Through these sets of events it will be evident how Hassan shows his attributes and how he, as a character in the novel, might be considered as â€Å"too good to be true† Hassan and Amir were raised together, grew up with each other and lived together for a large chunk of their lives. Although Amir is the only one that goes to madrehseh, school, Hassan does a very good job of trying to keep up with Amir. In Afghanistan â€Å"school smarts† don’t get you that far in public life, situations arise where a young boy cannot merely â€Å"think† his way out of it. This sort of Situation arises between Hassan, Amir and a couple of boys who seemed to be up to no good. Assef, a notorious sociopath and violent boy, and his two friends Wali and Kamal mock Amir for socializing with a Hazara, which, according to Assef, is an inferior race whose members belong only in Hazarajat. One day, he prepares to attack Amir with stainless steel brass knuckles, but Hassan bravely stands up to him, threatening to shoot out Assef’s eye out with his slingshot Amir had bought him. Assef decides to walk away promising to be back. The fact that Hassan was only being bullied and not the one being threatened and still decides to stand up to Assef shows his absolute love and true loyalty to Amir. Even though this situation is early in the book, its significance is still that of utmost importance for the fact of it showing how Hassan will protect Amir in any and all situations even if it puts him in danger. The kite fighting tournament is an event that almost every child in Kabul participates in. For each child that flies a kite, there is one who runs and grabs the kite loosing kites as they fall. Amir and Hassan form a team and they work together every year to try to win the tournament, Amir flies and Hassan runs the kites down. Against all odds they win the competition and Hassan goes to run it down. Soon enough Amir finds Hassan with Assef once again. Too scared to intervene, Amir stands and watches his most loyal friend Hassan get raped. One of the many climaxes of The Kite Runner is this scene because for the rest of Amir’s life he lives with it on his conscience, that he did not do anything to help. Amir and Hassan never speak of that moment again but both of them know what had happened that day. Just like any other average person Hassan could have gotten very mad at Amir, but the fact that he chooses not to shows how humble, caring and considerate of Amir. Not only does Hassan later want to continue their relationship how it was before but he in fact looks to take the blame as he asks Amir later on what he had done wrong to upset him. All of Hassan’s actions are shown in the most loyal and confederate way. As our novel progresses Hassan and Amir become further and further apart from each other, to the point that Amir eventually decides he would no longer like to live in the same household as him. All this time Hassan has been trying to make things wright between them but Amir would refuse to listen. Amir’s frustration ultimately leads to him framing Hassan to get him to leave. In a confusing exchange of dialogue Hassan takes the blame and apologizes, Baba accepts but Ali insists on their immediate dismissal. Again we see Hassan’s sheer love for Amir as he does not want him to get into trouble. Taking all the blame seems to be one of the best ways that Hassan can show his friendship. Doesn’t seem like much, but having the courage and bravery to do it to this extent truly makes Hassan a literally unbelievable character. Although Hassan and Amir’s relationship does not match that which others believe to be true, it is much more. The reason their friendship isn’t the same as others is because they are not friends; they are and always will be brothers. Hassan character is a brave, humble, considerate and hardworking, young boy who only wishes for Amir to succeed and be happy. Hassan displays these qualities and attributes through a number of important and notable events. First, Hassan protects Amir in any situation even if it puts him in danger. Second, after retrieving the kite from Assef, Hassan doesn’t even mention what took place to Amir showing his utmost loyalty. Third, Even after he is betrayed by Amir, Hassan continues to lie for the person he considers his best friend His character is without a doubt too good to be true because of the fact that Khaled Hosseini puts him in the wrong position, Hassan is not Amir friend nor will he ever be. They are brothers for life.

A Piece of Peace Essay Example for Free

A Piece of Peace Essay ? The terrorist attacks on September 11th affected more than just the lives of those in people who were the direct victims of the attacks. An entire nation was victimized and the whole nation grieved for those who suffered in New York City. As the attacks occurred I sat in my high school English class and while the teacher taught I day dreamed. It was a typical Tuesday morning and to be truthful I did not ever hear her the first time she explained the tragic events that had taken place just moments ago. I heard the word â€Å"terrorists† and the fragments of statements like â€Å"hundreds died this morning when†. Then, I could only hear my heart beat in my ears. I watched my teacher turn on the TV. She flipped through several stations. I don’t remember what I saw but I can remember what I heard. It was the sound of people crying. Over the next few months, as a nation, we followed the story as did the world. I can remember President Bush attempting to comfort the United States and telling us America would be going to war for reasons that weren’t clear to me then and certainly aren’t clear to me now. Somewhere between the night of September 10th, when I was plotting how I was going to avoid school the next morning and the night of September 11th, I grew up. When I look back on that time in my life I am left with a single haunting thought – It is the pursuit of peace which leads to destruction. Even today, years after the terrorist attacks, people still talk about how that day changed everything. I agree, in some ways. It changed me and I became something new. It changed my family. It changed how American view other Americans and how we view the rest of the world. Americans have since the birth of the nation believed that their way was the best way. Americans were shocked to find out that people hated them enough to want to kill them. September 11th forced America’s to reflect on the military, social, and political actions of America and how they effected people of other countries. Perhaps American’s are not always in the right. For example, President Bush I gave weapons to the Afghan people to win a war against Russia. When the Afghan people defeated the Russian, Afghanistan was completely destroy. American promised them they will help rebuild but they did not. That is why the terrorist were able to come into the country and making a terrorist breeding ground. I don’t think that September 11th effects the way Americans conduct their lives daily. People who say it does are feeling the pressure of guilt. Society says we must not forget, and as Americans say we won’t. As a nation the citizens learned that there is a fine line between terrorist and freedom fighter- we are just afraid to admit it and seem unamerican. Those men who ran planes into building, killed Americans and killed themselves wanted only one thing – peace. They wanted freedom from the western world and choose to die. Just as we wanted independence from England centuries ago. In looking for peace they destroyed lives, families, and shook the protected ground the United States sat on. It made the country stronger but not smarter. I am anxious over the global discord and the cultural ignorance that seems to grow between the United States and the rest of the world. The problems in Iraq foretell and may spark future clashes with a number of civilizations in the future. Just recently I drove home from work and I flipped through different radio stations. I caught the end of Bob Dylan’s â€Å"The Times They Are A-Changing†. It’s funny because that is my mom’s favorite song and I had forgotten it existed. I still can hear her sing, â€Å"Come gather ’round people Wherever you roam / And admit that the waters Around you have grown /For the times they are a-changin’†, while she tinkered around in the kitchen way before anyone else got up. I don’t know that I ever really listened to the words before. Dylan knew and my mom knew things I was just beginning to. Dylan and my mom knew â€Å"there’s a battle outside And it is ragin’† and September 11th did shake our â€Å"windows† and rattled our â€Å"walls†. As a nation it’s citizens have no right to â€Å"criticize What we [you] can’t understand† and our â€Å" sons and [y]our daughters Are beyond our [your] command† (Dylan). Our soldiers fight a war for reasons no one really knows for America that would rather criticize them then help in country that does not seem to want peace. Dylan sings about the injustice in war and that we should not be afraid to speak our minds: Come writers and critics Who prophesize with your pen And keep your eyes wide The chance won’t come again And don’t speak too soon For the wheel’s still in spin And there’s no tellin’ who That it’s namin’. For the loser now Will be later to win For the times they are a-changin’. (Dylan) Bush wants peace but for his own reasons and through those reasons American soldiers are dying, and so are the Iraqi people. It is ironic that while those terrorists die nobly but ur soldiers die in such a cruel way. McKay writes in his poem, â€Å"If We Must Die,† that people should not die for nothing or by doing nothing. That death is inevitable, especially in war, but all people must fight for the things we want in this world and hold on to life and liberty as long as we can: O kinsmen we must meet the common foe! Though far outnumbered let us show us brave, And for their thousand blows deal one deathblow! What though before us lies the open grave? Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack, Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back! (Claude McKay) In the summer of 2001 I was lying in my hammock and I could see a butterfly in my backyard. I remember as a child learning that caterpillars itch and go into cocoons to find peace from that. Change in a way is a form of destruction. To be able to be someone new people have to give up their old selves and move past who they used to bee. When a child develops into an adult, he must give up his toys, his childhood beliefs like believing in Santa Claus. His childhood fantasies must be destroyed if he is to move on. In the years that followed September 11th I could feel myself â€Å"adapt to my new surroundings† (White Line 2). White, through the use of nature explores the scary nature of change: I have to shed my skin again Adapt to my new surroundings become another version of myself. The change within me does not happen overnight but through the evolution of my life (White) I was filled with American’s sense of patriotism and unity. The new American was like â€Å"the first fish that grew tiny legs† (White Line 8). Christine White’s poem, â€Å"Molting† reminded me that it was not just me that grew up, the United States did too. White’s point of view is that change is not a bad thing and is inevitable. Nearly every person around the country joined together as one united entity to pay tribute and homage to all the fallen heroes. There was a sense of harmony and peace. In way I think America, even those the terrorist attacks were tragic, knew that such an event was needed if we were going to â€Å"shed our [my] skin† (White Line 1) and become a stronger nation. As time goes by and my bad memories fade I remember America in it’s full glory. Watching the cumulative effect of humanity shining through the fire and smoke. I remember how many people spoke about the importance of peace and understanding. I wonder if there can be peace if Americans are divide both support and protest our soldiers in Iraq. The war over there caused a war here between Americans. It is the protesters protest protesters on both sides of the issues – each wanting peace in their own way. People who do not want our soldiers fighting in Iraq believe that they would be peace if America stopped butting into everyone’s business. People who are for the war in Iraq believe peace will only come after the destruction of all terrorists. In the end these protesters (on both sides) are destroying the morale and lives of people fighting in the Iraq war and are disgracing the memories of those that died. The price of peace is extremely high especially because Americans do not know if we can ever have it. I do know that â€Å"The line it is drawn The curse it is cast / The slow one now Will later be fast / As the present now Will later be past† (Dylan). I do know that America must hold her ground against the terrorists. Americans will not be tyrannized and forced to live like cowards. Even when we face â€Å"the murderous, cowardly pack, Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back! † (McKay Line 14). The American fight for freedom and peace has also managed to destroy our economy. Oil prices increased, the value of the American dollar decreased, and the stock market bottomed out. When Clinton was President the stock market was well over 10,000 after 9/11 it drop well under 8000. President Bush spent the Clinton Surplus on military, and it is just now in 2006 that the stock has become stabilized. I think that our economy will emerge from this disaster and become strong once again like it was before the attacks. In the pursuit of peace and destruction, people in Americans have finally understood their place in society and were back â€Å"in the sun† (White Line 10). Not as a not as a bystanders but an active and willing participants. Americans realize that there needs to be a great deal of change and those changes have started. American citizens encourage our â€Å"senators, congressmen Please heed the call / Don’t stand in the doorway Don’t block up the hall† (Dylan). And governmental officials are making changes. I think our nation needs to help a new generation of people realize that aftermath of that day when humans lives were lost and America’s unique humanity and independence was demonstrated. This generation’s hearts were opened and turned around in the wake of airplane crashes. On September 11, 2001 many people lost their lives because men were seeking their own personal peace. Daily our soldiers are destroyed one by one for the goal of peace. The American economy struggles because of the war for peace against terrorism. Americans fight Americans over whether we should be in Iraq or not which tears apart soldiers’ pride. Before that Tuesday in September, I never thought about life and death. I never considered the consequences of war and the denial of freedoms. Now that I am older, I realize that September 11, 2001 was not just pivotal point for me but America itself. Not since Pearl Harbor had the United States been unexpectedly attacked on it’s own land. Just as families pulled together so did the United States as a whole. As a nation we cried together and we healed together. To actually witness the attacks was life changing but to be part of the healing process was life affirming. A Piece of Peace. (2017, Mar 10).

Publication idea Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Publication idea - Assignment Example As such, those involved are always searching for solutions and inventive ways to move ahead. It is because of this that the publication will be targeting all those individuals in business, any person who is planning to get into business, as well as business students who are studying business so as to give insights on how to maintain the smooth functioning of the market in order to avoid delays and unnecessary blockages that reduce the mutual profits made between buyers and sellers. This will include both upstream investors and downstream developers. This group of people is the best market since it highly depends on the proper functioning of the market, which enables them to conduct their businesses in an appropriate manner and make profits. The other group of students among them would like to know how this functioning can be maintained and sustained for their future operations. In my opinion, the idea is highly important hence marketable and saleable. This is because most of the arti cles will focus on different innovation ideas found within the business cycle. Innovation plays a very vital role in helping a business to maintain and improve its competitive position. This is mainly because it is related to almost all aspects of the business that include management, technology, procurement, marketing among other areas. It is also known to undergo massive changes on a frequent basis with the help of ideas that help to keep the business afloat. It is for this reason that I believe the publication will always be in possession of a constant market. As such, this idea will be of great significance since it will contribute to the addition of constant information to the activities of a business. Thus, the readers will regularly be interested to find out what is new and thus make the publication a useful resource for their research. Since the publication will be released quarterly it will contain a substantial amount of information. Because of this, it will be expected to retail at approximately $5.5 per magazine similarly to the amount charged for other quarterly publications. Online readers will however subscribe at a fee of $55 per year and $400 for a membership fee of 10 years. A cover letter applying for a job as a ‘staff writer’ on the publication Smith Carter, P.O Box 5789 California. 001765499009987 Smith.carter@yahoo.com 17th October, 2013. The Head of Human Resources, Great Business Publishing Co., P.O Box 890-670, New Jersey. Dear Sir, Re: Staff Writer I would hereby wish to make an application indicating my interest for the above mentioned position at the Great Business Publishing Corporation following your advertisement.. I am a graduate from New York State University with a Bachelors Degree in business management. I have also worked at Longer role 09 as a Business Representative, where I wrote website feature articles, managed link submissions and content, sent and wrote weekly emails to subscribers. In my current position as a Legislative Director for Mission firm, I research, draft and amend legislation, write press releases and take responsibility over office correspondence and communication. I thus possess a special combination of technical expertise in freelance writing based on labor issues, good communication skills, and experience in the management of both writers and writing projects. In addition to this, I possess excellent interpersonal skills, which makes me the most appropriate candidate to make your

Coca cola company report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Coca cola company report - Essay Example During this long time of its business Coca Cola has done many mergers and acquisitions with various companies. The company has also diversified its business in health drinks, bottled water, fruit juice etc. Coca Cola has created a huge customer base and maintains a strong connection with its targeted customers. Coca Cola is one of the recognizable brands in the world. It is a 16 billion dollar brand. Coca Cola produces the top five soft drinks like Diet coke, Fanta, Coca cola, and Sprite etc. It is also involved in manufacturing other products like vitamin water, Minute maid, powerade etc. The company has the license to market more than 500 beverage brands including water, sparkling drinks, juice, sports & energy drinks, ready to drink coffee or tea etc. Coca Cola has the world’s largest distribution system (Isdell and Beasley, 2011). It has many bottling partners throughout the world for selling its beverage. Its present employee strength is 130,600. In 2013 the company has earned revenue of US$ 46.854 billion. In 2013 Coca Cola has its total assets of US$ 90.055 billion. The company has many subsidiary companies. In 1920 Coca Cola became a publicly trading company. Coca Cola was innovated in 1886. From that time it has become the catalyst for inspired innovation and social interaction. This non alcoholic beverage created a global brand which provides refreshment to its customers throughout the world. This product was invented by John Stith Pemberton in 1886. In this year the first newspaper ad of Coca Cola appeared describing it as refreshing and delicious beverage. The Coca Cola syrup and extract was labeled as copyright under John Pemberton. In 1889 the formula of Coca Cola and the brand was bought by Asa Griggs Candler. He started the company Coca Cola in 1892. The company’s Spencerian script and its trademark were registered in 1892 with the Patent office of U.S. In the company’s second annual meeting the

Violence in the Media Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Violence in the Media - Term Paper Example This paper shall specifically discuss the thesis that the media is responsible for societal increase in violence. This thesis shall be discussed based on strong philosophical argumentation. A sympathetic consideration of both sides of the argument shall be presented with arguments towards one conclusion established. An identification of the ethical issues at hand shall also be considered. Body Violence in the media is apparent with the coverage of different violent events happening around the globe. The media holds a significant amount of responsibility in terms of its content and the impact of its content on their audience. The narrow cultural imaginings which may directly impact on the beliefs of those involved in political violence is very much ingrained in the wider cultural milieu where the media is an important, as well as an overwhelming part. And in these instances political violence is a kind of violence worthy of consideration (Held, p. 132). In instances when the media sup ports a culture of violence, this may also lead to a promotion of political violence, and all violent activities that coincide with it. Reports provide support for the argument that media in the US does promote a culture of violence (Held, p. 133). Held (p. 133) declares that there is a significant relationship between violence in the media, however attempts to blame the media for such violent acts are tantamount to efforts towards diverting attention and responsibility from the actual causes of violence. Those who are not predisposed to admitting the social issues of society find the media an easier excuse or target. However, Held (p. 134) believes that this would not change the fact that the media are partly to blame for the increased incidents and social injustice in the US. Even as the media refuses to own up to their responsibility in the outbreak of violence, their impact on the viewing public remains persistent. The media decides what sort of descriptions to give to violent a cts. A pertinent issue for the media is that the way they describe or label the violent activities is sometimes sensationalized or ‘tabloidized, ’making the violence seem grand or heroic. The media also often portrays sympathetic attitudes towards rebels or freedom fighters, and later such attitudes sends the wrong message to the people, making them think that it is acceptable to violently seek a redress for their grievances. In some ways, there is often a thin line between sympathy for these freedom fighters and sympathy for terrorists. Moreover, even the label ‘freedom fighters’ may be a problematic term because they make these people seem noble and heroic, where in fact, to their victims and to the governments they plague, there are nothing more than terrorists. The issue of terrorism or retaliation is also a major consideration in this case because some acts may again be labeled different by the media, and their labels can serve as basis for the peopleà ¢â‚¬â„¢s actions. The media deciding whether a certain act is terrorism or retaliation is filled with bias. However, responsibility for these labels and these acts cannot be avoided in the face of the actual negative influence that they potentially bring to the vulnerable population (Held, p. 134).

Dracula Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Dracula - Essay Example In Gothic text, the fight between the forces of good and bad often dominates the intrigue. (Craft 1984) In Dracula, that conflict is principally based on the fate of its female characters, Lucy and Mina. Neither Mina nor Lucy is an intense character. Both symbolize the Victorian models of female desirable qualities. The two types of women portrayed in the novel are in stark contrast to each other: Lucy and Mina symbolize purity and goodness, while the three brides of Dracula in the castle characterize sleaze and sin. Dracula intimidates womanly good features, as the seductive voluptuous sisters confirm his knack to change the women into passionately sex demanding â€Å"devils of the Pit.† By the time Dracula reaches England and starts working his evil magic on Lucy, one understands that the imminent battle between the good and the bad will center on feminine sexuality. Both Lucy and Mina appear to be bookish versions of old times virtues personified. The two women are faithful, pure and untouched by the world’s evils, and are totally dedicated to their men. However, Dracula tries to transform the two women and reverse their natures by turning them into voluptuous women having unapologetically open sexual desires. Both Lucy and Mina encounter Dracula and experience such transformation. However Lucy falls most dreadfully under Dracula’s spell. Even though Lucy’s letters acknowledge the male fantasy of supremacy: Her letters also disclose that she fantasized sexually active life unlike most women of Victorian era. She is not just a ‘desired’ woman who gets three marriage proposals on the same day but also the one who desires more sex in her life. Lucy writes: Although she immediately retracts from such words but that appears normal on her part since sex was considered ‘dirty’ during those time. She had the desires to experience life outside the restrictions of conservative morality. Dracula’s depiction of women makes the story

2500 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

2500 - Essay Example The bearing used for this specific case of wind turbine is ball-bearings. The ball-bearings are used for low load and high speed machines. The ball bearings are generally manufactured from steel material. This material is preferred choice due to its high strength, and resistance of corrosion and high fatigue strength. As per standard practice, the outer race of the ball bearing is manufactured from high alloy steel bar, in most of the cases the inner races, wear rings are also manufactured from the same material. The recommended steel alloy for such manufacturing is BMS-931 and 8720H. The manufacturing process begins with the forging of the steel bar, the material is forged into different shapes like cups, cones etc. The forging process is generally hot forging; this process shall release thermal stresses from the material during the process. The forging process can be explained as, "exposure of the steel bar in the induction heater system, the heating process is halted after the temperature reaches the melting point of the material; at this temperature maximum formability for hot forging is attained". After the completion of hot forging, the material is pierced. The material used for the manufacturing is SAE-521000; the material is used in the form of forged rings. The centre-less grinding is applied on the material, which is extremely rough machining process. The material is then treated at high temperature, after which the hardness of the material is checked. The grinding on the material is conducted to secure smooth surface finish. During the process the material undergoes "honing and super finishing followed by washing; later anti-rush agent is applied on the object" (Bruce, 1997). The heat treatment process is extremely critical, and during this process the ample exposure to the heat will release thermal stresses within the object. The process is conducted "to

Business law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 19

Business law - Essay Example ent supersedes all prior promises relating to the sale.† This clause acknowledges that previous promises existed but there are now superseded by the new agreement formed. During the cause of the negotiation, the seller creates an implied contract stating that all the properties in the warehouse are to be sold as part of the contract. This means that the warehouse must correspond with the description given which also leads to an implied condition that the warehouse must correspond with the description given. Moreover, if the sale by sample of the warehouse, as well as by description, it is not adequate that the warehouse corresponds with the description. In addition, the companies also engage in a conversation involving the sale of the warehouse whereby the furniture was to be incorporated as part of the sale of the warehouse. In the above case, there is a contract for the sale of the warehouse by description. There is also an implied condition that the warehouse will correspo nd with the description (Newbolt 5). If the furniture is included in the contract as a part of sale of the warehouse and does not include a price tag, the furniture should be taken as part of sale. This is because there was no exemption clause in the contract stating that the furniture was not part of sale of the warehouse. Instead, the impletion created in this case should be that there is an implied contract from the agreement to sell, that the furniture is part of the warehouse and therefore should be sold as part of the warehouse. If the companies do not agree on the price of the furniture, the court can decide the price for them. In such a case, the court can appoint an independent liquidator who wills the property of the company if they do not agree on the price. However, the court intervention in such a case should be the last option. The companies should involve in such a transaction should explore all other alternatives including seeking the services of an independent third party

V&Cwk3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

V&Cwk3 - Essay Example ent who comes for career counseling or any other counseling is a way to cause harm to the client which is a violation of A.4 (a), which says that counselors are to do no harm to their clients. Section B explains information about confidentiality and the most important section to me is B.1 (a) which talks about respecting client rights, taking into consideration multicultural and diversity issues. This section brings to mind that it is important to understand how different cultures see confidentiality, privacy views toward disclosure, and more (NCDA, p. 10). Since we live in a global world, it is important to be well rounded as a counselor. Section C speaks to professional responsibility, Capuzzi and Stauffer state that this section says that "professionals must perform at the highest level of their ability" (p. 97). I agree with this statement and section C.2 (a) is most important in this section because it says that career professionals must only work within the "boundaries of their competence" (NCDA, p. 15). This means as an example, that a career professional does not engage in mental health counseling because it is not within the scope of practice. I believe this is important because professionals must understand they cannot be everything to every client. They are governed by their "education, training, supervised experience, state and national professional credentials and appropriate professional experience" (NCDA, p. 15). The standards that I chose to compare with the NCDA standards re the American Counseling Association (ACA) standards. The first difference between these two that I see are the way they are set up for reading. The ACA standards have thee columns and each section is separated by a blue box so the reader knows which section they are in. The NCDA guidelines are easier to read because they are spaced out a little more. Both guidelines speak to the counseling relationship and they both say that counselors should avoid harm to clients. The ACA

Airline Industry Bangladesh Essay Example for Free

Airline Industry Bangladesh Essay ABSTRACT Air transport is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing transportation systems. Formation of regional and sub-regional co-operation will have a significant influence on air transportation system. Realizing the potential of air transportation in the country and region, after the recent air transport deregulation in Bangladesh, a number of private airline companies have started their operation which results in a better and competitive market. The paper focuses on the impacts of privatization on aviation industry of Bangladesh. This paper presents the results of a study on the comparison among various private and public airline companies and analyses their problems and provides some guidelines for their development. The results show that the supply cost of the private airlines is 40 percent lower than the same for public airlines. The results of this study can be used by the South and Southeast Asian countries to develop policies in this regard. INTRODUCTION Privatization of the airlines is more generally known as deregulation of the airlines industry. In the last two decades air transport world have witnessed dramatic changes in the deregulation in this sector. The movements towards the deregulation of the air transportation industries with the â€Å"1978 Deregulation Airline Act† have significantly altered the operating environment for the firms providing passenger and cargo transportation related services. With the airline deregulation, airlines were permitted to choose the routes and fares. These changes have had profound effects on many aspects of airline operations, particularly fares, level of service and routing. Through privatization of air transportation in Bangladesh the Government has opened up a new horizon. To achieve a competitive environment and maximize the benefit, private airlines can control their scale of operation, effectively pursue cost reduction measures, and generate additional demand through improved services and reasonable fares. By providing improved level of service and lower fare the private airlines may create new demand which will result in unit cost reduction and allow further fare reductions and service improvement. This virtuous circle should continue to strengthen the position of the operators and increase consumers’ benefit. Moreover, recent trends in the development of regional and sub-regional co-operation together with foreign investments in remote areas will have a significant influence on air transportation system. These cooperative frameworks will demand dynamic changes both in routing and scheduling of air transportation. Public airlines are incapable of dealing with these changes due to their bureaucratic structure and lack of motivation. To develop the policies for privatization and regulation of air transportation market it is necessary to analyze various aspects of the system. This paper focuses on the potentiality of the private air transport operators in Bangladesh. The paper has been prepared on the basis of a detailed study on demand and supply of air transportation in the country (Karim, 1998). The paper discusses the impact of deregulation on different cost items of airline operation. The aggregate cost of operating the airlines has been segregated into major cost items. Then comparison is made between public and private airline operators on the basis of these cost items. The paper also identifies several areas where adequate regulations are required for the overall betterment of t he system. The objective of the study is to investigate the potentiality of the changes brought about by privatization in air transportation in Bangladesh. The results will help the operators in the industry to develop their strategies. As the East, Southeast and South Asia are expected to experience a high economic development as well as a shift towards service and hi-tech industries, their demand for air transportation is also expected to increase accordingly. In this regard, the results of this study are important for these countries also. AIR TRANSPORTATION AND AIRLINES IN BANGLADESH The domestic air transportation network in Bangladesh is comprised of 8 conventional (full-size) airports, 8 airports for STOL (Short-Take-Off and Landing) aircraft including two airports under construction. The 8 conventional airports, which are used for commercial purpose, handle widely varying traffic volumes. The largest airport is Zia International airport near Dhaka and the smallest one is Cox’s Bazar airport. The most important corridors, as measured by air passenger volumes, are those between Dhaka, at one end, and Chittagong, Jessore, Sylhet at the other end. At present there are five airlines operating in Bangladesh. They comprise one public airline and four private airlines. The state owned national carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airline (BBA), is the oldest and has been the only operator in domestic arena until the recent past. It has generally been a losing concern contributed by many factors that could include inappropriat e size of aircraft to handle low volume of demand, insufficient level of operation and inefficient management. Although air transport carries only a small portion of total passenger and cargo movement in the country, its relative importance is much higher if aspects such as value of the product as well as time, speed and efficiency of the alternative modes are considered. Realizing its importance and considering the opportunities that exist, private airline companies (PAC’s) have now joined the fray of enticing domestic passengers and freights. This trend in domestic air transportation market is expected to reduce the monopoly of BBA and make air transport mode a better as well as competitive one for domestic transportation. Biman Bangladesh Airlines and four independent airline companie s are regulated by the government authority named Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). Fares are subjected to the approval of CAAB and certain minimum standards of service are imposed on the airline companies. Initially the fares of private airlines were 39 to 50 percent higher as compared to that of BBA. Recently BBA has increased its fare by 25 percent. Although it seems that the fares of the private airlines are higher than the same of BBA, the demand of private airlines has been increasing. This may be caused by better quality of service which include punctuality, regularity, improved customer services and lower waiting time. INTRODUCTION OF PRIVATE AIRLINE COMPANIES In October 1993 the CAAB advertised for applications from the interested parties to start airline operation. Although about 50 organizations submitted their proposals, the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) permitted twenty-seven of them to operat e. Three of them have already started carrying passengers and one has ventured into cargo transportation. These airlines tended to become very popular and the passengers who used to travel by Biman for so long have started showing their interest in traveling by private airlines in domestic routes. A brief description of these airlines is given in the following section, which is also summarized in Table 1. Aero Bengal Airlines (ABA) Aero Bengal Airlines was the first private airlines in the country and started its flight operation on Dhaka-Barisal route with two Chinese built 17-seater Y -12 aircraft. Later a leased Russian built 48-seater N-24 aircraft was included in ABA fleet for the operation in Dhaka-Sylhet and Dhaka-Chittagong routes. Air Parabat The airline has started commercial flight operation with two brand new Czech-built 19-seater LET L410 aircraft on all the routes operated by Biman (except Ishurdi). It is now planning to add destinations like Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Shamshernagar to its network in near future after procuring two more Czech-built LET L410 aircraft. Air Parabat has appointed Airspan as its General Sales Agent (GSA) which will be responsible for all the advertising and customer services for Air Parabat and in this way they are saving their overhead expenditure. At the moment, it is operating profitably and has no dues owed to the CAAB. The airline is expecting to recover their investment in 7 years. GMG Airlines Starting operation of commercial flights in early 1998, GMG airlines have emerged as the leading private airlines in Bangladesh. GMG started with Canadian manufactured Bombardier built 37-seater full- fledged aircraft. It operates a number of flights in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Jessore, and Barisal every day and has plans to expand the network of destinations at home and aboard. The airline has signed an inter- line traffic agreement with British Airways (BA) enabling them to sell tickets to different destination of the world via BA. GMG Airlines have already made an investment of Tk. 1.00 billion (US$ 20 million). It has also planned to spread wings overseas and already sought permission from the government to operate in international destinations. This is a good planning because if GMG make progress and can operate South Asian countries, they would probably become the leading private airline in the region. Omni Airlines This airline only deals with cargo operation. Most of the cases the company provide the logistic support via using aircraft of other companies. It has also started air cargo operation for international destinations. During the devastating flood of 1998 when most of the national highways and railways were inundated and surface transportation became inoperable, many exporters especially garments manufacturers used the airline to transport their product to the port. Table 1 presents a comparison among the inventories of BBA and PACs. This comparison indicates that BBA operates at lower load factor with respect to PAC’s. This may be caused by the size of aircraft, which seems to be too large for low level of air travel demand existing in the country. Table 1 Inventory of the Airline Companies Operating in Bangladesh. Name of the airlines Biman Bangladesh Airlines Aero Bengal Ailines Air Parabat Limited GMG Airlines Year of Starting Service 1972 No of Aircraft 4 Type of Aircraft F-28 ATP AN-24 Y-12 LET-410 UVPE. DASH 8SRS 100 No. of seats 85 70 48 17 19 37 No of weekly flights 68 Avg. Pass. Load factor 55-60% (approx.) 75-80% (approx.) 80-85% (approx.) 80-85% (approx.) Avg. No. of Pass. (Weekly) 5134 July, 1995 January, 1998 April, 1998 3 2 2 18 56 35 1016 1294 1520 For the three PAC’s the sizes of the aircrafts seem to be more preferable for profitable operation. Figure 1 illustrates as comparison of usage among BBA and PAC’s in the domestic routes. In most important routes BBA is still dominant whereas in other routes passenger movement of BBA and PACs are almost same. In the Dhaka-Barishal (BZL) route the number of passengers carried by PCAs is higher than the same for BBA because the latter does not operate regularly in the route. 1500 No. of Passenger 1200 900 600 300 0 CHI ZYL JSR SPD RAJ CXB BZL BBA Air Parabat Aero Baegal GMG Airlines Figure 1: Passenger Movement Comparison between BBA and PACs AIRLINE OPERATION COST IN BANGLADESH In this section, the cost of operating airlines in Bangladesh is analyzed. The costs for public and private airliners are analyzed separately to facilitate comparison between them. Here the cost elements are calculated on the basis of average monthly costs because actual data supplied by various airlines are monthly data for different cost items. This cost is transformed into the cost per passenger for different routes. For the development of cost function nine principal cost elements are included in the analysis. The cost variables included on the analysis are shown in Table 2. The values of these variables are calculated on the basis of twenty-two secondary cost factors, which are also mentioned along with the principal cost variables in the table. For the analysis, data has been collected for several years for all the routes considered in the study. Table 2 Cost Elements Analyzed in the Study with their Notations Cost Elements Administrative Cost Maintenance Cost Marketing Cost Civil Aviation Charges Running cost Capital Cost Contingency Cost Procurement Cost Profit Important Cost Elements To describe the supply analysis conveniently all the costs are grouped under two heading namely ‘Total Operating and Maintenance Cost’ (TOMC) and Total Cost (TC). TOMC includes administrative, maintenance, Civil Aviation charges, running, capital and marketing costs and TC includes TOMC, contingency and procurement cost. Among the nine principal cost elements, running cost is the most important one (on an average 39 percent of TOMC. Other important cost elements are capital cost (33 percent) and maintenance cost (19 percent). Small variation in these figures will result in a significant change in operator’s revenue and profit. Among the nine cost elements administrative, Civil Aviation charges and marketing cost do not vary significantly although these costs includes both fixed and variable cost. Fixed cost is the main portion of these costs because these costs don’t vary greatly with the increase in the number of flights or distances traveled. Effects of Scale of Operation on the Cost Elements Using small-scale aircrafts, civil aviation charges and capital cost can be saved significantly. For larger aircrafts greater charges are imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority. Similarly, capital cost is a function of cost per hour of operation and load factor, which also depend on the size of the aircraft. For example, private airlines use comparatively smaller size of aircraft that results in savings of 20 percent of civil aviation charges. Also by using smaller aircrafts these airlines are able to attain higher load factor than BBA. Due to higher load factor the capital cost per passenger reduces significantly. For the same reason a small amount of maintenance and running cost can also be saved. Although BBA purchased larger sized aircrafts to operate in domestic routes to achieve scale economy, it seems that smaller aircrafts are more suitable due to low air travel demand in the country. Symbol C1 C2 C3 C4 Secondary cost components No. of flight (Fl), Capacity of aircraft (Q), Load factor (I) No. of flight (Fl), Capacity of aircraft (Q), Load factor (I) No. of flight (Fl), Capacity of aircraft (Q), Load factor (I) Night surcharge (Ns), Hanger charge (Hn ), Cost of parking charges (Pa), Landing (La), Security charges (Su) and Navigation charges (N a). Cost fuel per liter (Fu), fuel consumption of aircraft per hour(Fc), Trip distance of travel (TD) Fleet size (La), Flying time of aircraft (Ft ), Cruising speed of aircra ft (Sp ) Total cost Number of flights (Fl) Total cost (TC) C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 One of the major cost items of air transportation for both types of operator is unexpected accident or technical fault of aircraft during the operation period. Contingency and procurement cost are 15 percent and 12 percent of TC respectively. If operators can maintain their aircraft more efficiently they can enjoy significant savings in these areas also. Cost Comparison between Public and Private Airlines Comparison between the public and private airlines on the basis of various cost items is given in Table 3. The values in the table represent the ratio between cost per passenger for BBA and average of the same for PACs for all the cost elements discussed earlier. It shows that the costs incurred by BBA are higher for all the cost elements. The differences are very prominent for administrative cost, maintenance cost and civil aviation charges. The negative ratios for the case of profit imply that for BBA the total cost is higher than fare, which results in losses for the airline. Table 3 Ratio between the Costs of Public and Private Airlines on the basis of cost elements. Routes DAC-CHI DAC-ZYL DAC-JSR DAC-SPD DAC-RJH DAC-CXB DAC-BZL Adm Cost (C 1 ) 1.6 1.58 1.66 1.88 1.89 1.93 1.51 Maint Cost (C 2 ) 1.37 1.31 1.39 1.56 1.57 1.44 1.14 Aviat. Charge (C 3 ) 1.23 1.23 1.23 1.19 1.19 1.24 1.24 Run. Cost (C 4 ) 1.16 1.19 1.21 1.03 1.39 1.04 1.04 Capit. Cost (C 5 ) 1.04 1.07 0.98 1.14 1.28 1.11 1.03 Mark. Cost (C 6 ) 1.15 1.11 1.16 1.19 1.21 1.11 1.12 Cont. Cost (C 7 ) 1.17 1.22 1.19 1.06 1.26 1.08 1.41 Proc. Cost (C 8 ) 1.23 1.21 1.14 1.09 1.25 1.09 1.23 Profit (C 9 ) -3.46 +.01 -2.38 -1.46 -1.16 +0.26 -1.36 IMPACTS OF PRIVATIZATION ON AIR TRANSPORTATION IN BANGLADESH The introduction of PAC’s in the aviation sector of Bangladesh is expected to bring about some short and long-term effects in the air transportation sector of Bangladesh, at least in the domestic routes. These effects are discussed below. Making Profit Oriented Service Introduction of private airline in Bangladesh will compel the state-owned BBA to be a profit-oriented organization rather than being only service oriented because the plane journey is made by the rich who do not require any subsidy. The competition is also expected to improve level of service. Increase in Fare Pursuing a wrong policy, the fares charged by BBA in domestic have always been less than the actual cost which resulted in huge losses (over US$ 4 million in 1997). Private airline imposes a higher fare pressuring Biman to increase fare. It increased fare by 15% in July 1996 and could make up losses of about US$ 1 million annually. In 1998 BBA ag ain raised fare so that it can reach breakeven point and make profit on the domestic sector. Improvement of Customer Service Due to the introduction of private airlines, the customer facilities have improved a lot. Customers seem to be very satisfied with the overall services provided by the private airlines. Private airlines provide regular and punctual services with less waiting time and, very easy and informal ticket confirming process that improves the level of service of the operation. Better Competitive Market In case of GMG Airlines the promoters have sought for permission from the government to operate air service on the international routes. Government is considering to accord permission to private airlines so that they can operate service among SAARC countries. In that case the government of SAARC nations will have to change their rules allowing more than one carrier of each country to operate air service among SAARC nations. All these changes will make the domestic as well as r gional air travel market a very e competitive one and this open air policy will construct a good future for the coming private airlines in this market. REGULATIONS NEEDED FOR PRIVATE AIRLINES Although PAC’s have shown a great a potential to improve the airline market of Bangladesh into a better competitive mode, but there exist some issues which should be carefully considered to develop a better future for the industry. Some of these issues are discussed in the following section. Schedule Problem in low Demand Routes Due to insufficient demand in some domestic routes, sometimes private airlines have failed to maintain their schedules properly or stopped operation in those routes. This may hamper future expansion in these routes. Government may consider subsidizing these routes. Choice of Aircraft One of the dominant factors of airline business is the appropriate size of aircraft. But some airlines have failed to procure proper and suitable aircraft for their operation. They have purchased aircrafts those are too backdated for safe and profitable operation. Proper advice and guidance are required in this regard. Development of long-term Strategic Plan Except GMG Airlines others have no long-term strategy or any specific future plan to expand and develop their operation. These airlines even had not even made any feasibility study before they started their business. As airline industry requires huge capital investment, long term strategies are vital for survival in the business. Level of Service Standards In some cases the private airlines have failed to improve quality service especially in the case of passenger compensation. Government should make strict regul ation in this regard and ascertain consumers’ right. Poor Performance in Analyzing the Current Condition The PCAs do not have good record keeping mechanism and thus unable to make routine performance evaluation or at least analyze or check the current cost and revenue conditions. Due to lack of experience in the aviation market, these new airline companies sometimes ignore the basic management principles. Lack of adequate consideration in this area may lead to financial and management crisis. Safety Aspect For profit maximization purpose, private airlines may neglect the safety issue, which is the most important factor of airline business in terms of reliability. Civil Aviation authority must impose some strict guidelines and safety precautions for providing the service on the private companies. At present twenty-seven airlines have the permission to operate in the domestic routes of Bangladesh. For the success of privatization policy it is essential for the airlines currently in operation to present a better and efficient performance. As the air travel demand in the country is still v ery low, entry of too many operators may jeopardize the situation. Also proper training related to the technology and systems need to be arranged. CONCLUSIONS A comprehensive review of the potentiality of privatization of domestic air transportation system of Bangladesh has been presented in this paper. The short-term trend suggests that the private airlines have a great opportunity in the domestic air travel market of the country. Their performances are quite satisfactory. There still exist a lot of room for improvement. This paper is concluded by addressing some implications in the light of the results of this study. (1)The trends in domestic air travel demand in Bangladesh suggest that in near future private airline companies will dominate the domestic market. (2) The operating costs of government operators are about 25-30 percent higher than those of the private operators under the same level of service. (3) From the cost elements it is evident that the administrative and maintenance costs of the public airline are significantly higher than the same for private airlines. This is indicative of the lack of management efficiency existing in the country. (4) Due to the introduction of private airlines the consumers’ benefit has increased significantly. (5) Although the private air line companies have so far performed quite satisfactorily, for betterment of aviation industry of the country and success of privatization policy of the government, some regulations need to be imposed. For this purpose a governing and advisory organization is required. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors are grateful to the private airline companies as well as to the authority of Biman Bangladesh Airline for their help during the course of this study. REFERENCES BBS (1996), Statistical Y Book of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. ear Karim, D.M. (1998), A Study on Demand and Supply of Domestic Air Transportation in Bangladesh, Research Project Report, Department of Civil Engineering, BUET, Dhaka.

The different views of London presented by the two poets Essay Example for Free

The different views of London presented by the two poets Essay Compare the different views of London presented by the two poets. Refer closely to the text in your answer. The poems London by William Blake and A View From Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth were both written around the turn of the 19th century. Both describe London in very different ways, highlighting the aspects of Londons alter ego. Blakes poem is a scathing attack on both the city and its inhabitants. In contrast, Wordsworths poem reflects the aesthetical value of the scene. The craft employed by the poets helps to reflect the difference in tone between the two poems. In Blakes poem, London is brutally painted as a dark, dirty, disease ridden and deprived place. He does this by describing the people who live in this hapless city and the mind forged manacles that bind the people to their lives of misery. Wordsworths poem describes a scene in the early morning of the view from Westminster bridge .It uses grandiose imagery to describe the beautiful majesty of the city and praises both nature and mans achievements, and how they can co-exist harmoniously the beauty of the morning; silent, bare, /ships, towers, domes, theatres. This is very different from Blakes poem which talks of the people, like the chimney sweepers cry and the hapless soldiers sigh. As Blake wanders thro each chartered street hes seeing these people and acknowledging their sadness. The purpose of Blakes poem is to outline the hardships and low standard of living within London. Blake calls the streets chartered, Chartered can be interpreted to mean responsibility of the church or state or licensed; on the other hand it can be use to mean licentious and freely immoral. Taken in context with the rest of the poem I consider it to mean freely immoral. Blake shows an obvious disgust for the city and its people. He sees in the people marks of weakness, marks of woe clearly showing that the people are living poor lives in squander. On the other hand, Wordsworths poem is an exaggerated tribute to the beauty of London. He says the city like a garment doth wear the beauty of the morning. Wordsworth is touched by the scene and is moved to write this poem describing the deep sense of calm and awe evoked in him. He wants to infect his readers with this feeling. Wordsworths poem immediately sets out how the author feels in the first line saying Dull would he be of soul who could pass by, a sight so touching in its majesty. Inferring that the sight of London would evoke strong views in everyone who sees it as it clearly does in Wordsworth. Wordsworths poem is made more charged in the penultimate line where he says Dear God! The very houses seem asleep; He is so overwhelmed by the tranquillity of London that he feels the need to invoke gods name. In contrast nowhere in the Blake poem does he use direct speech to heighten any of the emotions. Wordsworths poem uses words like glideth and smokeless air to give a sense of calm tranquillity to his words. This makes me feel peaceful and almost sleepy as the words flow along in an almost dreamlike fashion. William Blakes poem conveys his feelings in a more abstract style, when he uses the people of London to represent the institutions, which they are associated with. He says the hapless soldiers sigh runs in blood down palace walls. Here he is criticising the monarchy and government for condemning young men to death by sending them off to fight in foreign wars. It is obvious from words such as woe and appals that Blake is disgusted with what he sees in London. The reader would undoubtedly feel great pity for the people of London at this time. The poets use different symbolism to convey their ideas to the reader. Wordsworth shows his feelings for London in a figurative way. He personifies the sun, river and the city. He continues this simile giving the river a will. He says The City now doth like a garment wear the beauty of the morning this gives the impression that the city is alive and therefore more exciting and wonderful instead of it being an inanimate collection of buildings. Wordsworths sonnet is written in regular iambic pentameter which emphasises the rhyme and thus the beauty of London. Wordsworth also uses lists, Ships, towers, domes, theatres, so that it seems that he is so overwhelmed by the amount of beauty he cannot get his words out fast enough. He also uses hyperbole in saying, Never did sun more beautifully steep. Wordsworth cannot know this so he uses exaggeration to heighten the tone and impact. William Blakes London is written in four, four line stanzas. Each line of each verse has the same number of syllables; this creates a regimented effect that orders the poem well whilst accentuating the depressing tone of the poem. Without using over exaggerated language the poet reflects his own disgust at the scene. It uses alternate line rhyming . street flow . meet woe which makes the poem sound regular and draws the readers attention to the last word of each line creating a bigger impact. Blake also uses repetition to begin three lines with, In every.. This drums the message home for the reader, which coupled with the violent vocabulary, blood, creates a bigger impact. Each verse of the Blake poem attacks a different aspect of London so although the tone does not change the focus of the attack does and the reader is struck with more evidence of the appalling state of London. In the last verse of the Blake poem there is the image of sexually transmitted disease, which is a symbol of their society. It describes the youthful harlots curse blasting the newborn infant. This is showing that sexually transmitted disease affects everyone because the young are born into this promiscuous society. The last line uses the image of a marriage hearse being blighted by plagues. This image in my opinion is the sexually transmitted disease. Both poems show very different feelings towards London. You would have to compare them to other texts of the time to see which is more accurate though I believe it is Blakes poem. If I had to pick which I preferred I would choose the Blake poem. Wordsworths poem is indeed very beautiful and profound in its testament towards the beauty of London in the early morning. But Blakes poem has a deeper meaning as with the imagery of the sexually transmitted disease. It also describes London from the eyes of its people whereas Wordsworths poem only speaks of the beauty of the morning and no people are mentioned anywhere. So where Wordsworth is perhaps looking at the scenery with rose-tinted spectacles or hankering after a by-gone age, Blake depicts the reality of the newly industrialised London and all its woes. I believe this is the main defining difference between the poems and that this contrast makes it very difficult to rate one above the other as their strengths lie in different places.

Factors That Determine the Success of Supermarkets

Factors That Determine the Success of Supermarkets 4.1 The general factors that determines the success of supermarkets Supermarkets are using all kinds of tricks to attract customers from introducing to new offers to give them loyalty discount. Supermarkets are providing all kind of incentives to customers. And starts of online shopping of grocery service by Supermarkets have created more convenience for the consumers to order their groceries from the comfort of their home. Here the author is discussing the success factors of the Supermarkets. 4.1.1 Range of choice The Supermarkets sells range of products. Consumers have wide variety of choice to select the product they want. It is important for the supermarkets to keep all the products in stock otherwise consumers will move to other supermarket or retailers. Consumers are very sensitive on what they buying. They always like that the supermarket they shop should keep the products in stock all the time. Supermarkets always monitor the consumer buying trend and always keep the certain products in stock all the time. It is also important that supermarkets should keep all the products in stock at all their stores. Now supermarkets even sells the ethnic foods like, Indian, African to attract ethnic customers. 4.1.2 Products must be on shelves Products should be on stock is important but what more important is to they must be on shelves. All the products must be properly displayed and the product mix must be adequate so it becomes easy for the consumers to choose the products. Supermarkets monitors what consumer buys most with the particular product or what he/she would like to buy with that product and then they display those products in the store next to each other. It makes easy for the consumers to choose products easily. It is also been seen that Supermarkets always display basic necessity products like Milk, Bread etc. in the last corner of the store so consumers have to reach there by passing and looking at all other products which attracts them and persuade to buy. 4.1.3 Effective Marketing Supermarkets use all sorts of marketing strategy to attract the customers. Their adverts are more customer centric which they like attract. For e.g., Asda attracts customers with the slogan Always low price. Tesco slogan is Every little helps as they wants to attract a large economical consumer group which cannot afford premium supermarkets like Waitrose and John Lewis. Marks Spenser (MS) and Waitrose attract the premium customers and also create their own brand values. Sainsburys and Morrisons attract a medium range customer who wants quality food at competitive range. Sainsburys slogan is Try something new today while Morrisons message is Better than half price at Morrisons, Great savings on big brands at Morrisons. This is the reason Marks Spenser slogan for the food range is This is not just food, it is MS food and same way Waitrose slogan is everyone deserves quality food. However, supermarkets try to focuses the consumer group they like to attract. 4.1.4 Pricing Strategy Price is the major factor which influence to consumers to switch to other supermarkets or retailer. Supermarkets compete with each other to sell the products at the best rate to the consumers. Tesco and Asda is the biggest competitor in the economical consumer range. They are trying to sell the products to best price to retail the customer loyalty to supermarket. Many supermarkets offers price comparison on their website so the consumers can see how much they have saved on their shopping. Most supermarkets also show the competitors price next to products in their shelves in order to make it easy for the consumers to compare. It is the biggest success factor of the Supermarkets. 4.3 Tescos Success During the Recession A Case Study Tesco has presence in 14 countries and have 4300 stores across the globe. It has declared 10% increase in its profit to  £3.5bn. According to Sir Terry Leahy, a Chief Executive of Tesco, Tesco is stronger than it was before recession. It now accounts for more than  £3 out of every  £10 spent on food by British shoppers, while its non-food sales, (clothing, home wares) have topped  £10bn. (Guardian, 2010) Tescos belief is to look after the customers. It also believes that if we sell more we can get better buying terms and those results in to lower price and higher profit margins. Lower prices can bring large sales volume and the cycle continues. Its rewarding Club card is another mile stone in success of Tesco. Tesco has succeeded in making itself largely classless, with price ranges designed to cater across the board. (Guardian, 2010) According to Sir Terry Leahy, Chief Executive of Tesco, during the recession when customers everywhere are feeling the economic strain, Tesco is responding to their changing needs by lowering prices, introducing more affordable products and offering even sharper promotions. (Tesco PLC, 2009) Here the author has discussed the success factors in detail. 4.3.1 Lower Price During the economic downturn consumers tends to limit on their spending and looking for the cheap bargain products. Tesco has large consumer group. It is easy for them to buy large quantity to meet the demand in order to meet the consumer requirement at a lower price. So they can offer the products at a lower price to customers. Consumer can also compare the price of the products they buying to make it easy for the consumer to select the products. 4.3.2 Affordable Products Tesco sells various brands products. During the recession, consumer looking for the more economical solution to of those of the branded products. Tesco grab the opportunity and offered its own brand product which are same in the quality but at a cheap price. It bagged huge success for the Tesco. Now Tesco sells all ranges of its own brand from packed food to toiletries. 4.3.3 Promotions Offers In the recession, consumers looking for better promotions and offers to save money. There would be always various attractive offers in the Tesco stores for consumers. In order to maintain the customer loyalty Tesco tries to sell the products at the same prices or lower than its rivals. 4.3.4 Clubcard Tescos one of the biggest success factors is its award winning Clubcard loyalty scheme. Clubcard gives rewards to regular customers at the regular interval. Dunnhumby, Tesco co-own research group, analyses the shopping habits of its 16 million cardholders. (Guardian, 2010) Tesco knows more about its shoppers than any of its rivals and can tailor offers to customers. The analysis helps to analyse the consumer regular buying habit and make it easy for the Tesco to locate it easily for the consumers. 4.4 Effects of Recession on Supermarket Industry 4.4.1 Secondary Research It seems that relatively Supermarket industry to beunaffected by the recession. Companies such as Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons and Lidl are still experiencing growth. Research has shown that Tescos turnover increased from  £47.3 billion in 2008 to  £54.3 billion in 2009 (Tesco PLC, 2009) while Lidl ltd. (2009), has experienced a 93% increase in turnover from 2005 to 2009. It was been expected from Lidl, as it is a heavy branded discounter. During times of recession market leaders tend to loose customers to the hard discounters who consumers choose during a recession (Mattioli, 2009). According to TNS Global World Panel, Sainsburys market share increased to 16.1% in 2009 compared to 15.8% in 2008 and Morrisons was also up and holds 11.6% market share in 2009. While Asda has shown slight growth and had 16.8% market shares in 2009. At the same time Tesco has lose 0.1% in market share but it still counts 30.8% market share in the industry in 2009. (BBC, 2009) All the supermarkets are battling to retain the consumers loyalty. They are trying to attract them with their budget range of products. In the contrary the local shops have suffered a lot. Because people believe that shopping at local shop would be expensive. In the 2009, Local shop sells was  £550mn which was  £50mn less than 2008. According to Dean Best, analyst at just-food.com, local stores can survive if they emphasise the service and the product knowledge that people feel they cant find in the big four supermarkets. (BBC, 2009) 4.4.2 Primary Research To explore the effect of recession Supermarket Industry, the author has done a primary research to find out the consumer behaviour during the recession in order to find out the habit and patterns of the consumers. Author has also tried to find out the impact of VAT increase on the consumer buying behaviour. 4.4.1 Questionnaire Research (Appendices 1) The questionnaire has 15 questions. There were 34 participants. While asking about their annual income only 88% participants were ready to give information while 12% participants didnt want to give that information. Those who gave their income details, 53% salary ranges  £10000- £19999, 30% ranges  £0- £9999, 10% ranges from  £20000- £29999 and only 7% participants salary was  £40,000+. There were 71% male participants and 29% female participants. Q.3 Gender Question 4 and 5 asked about impact of increase in VAT on buying behaviour. We received some interesting results (see figure 4.2). Out of 34 participants 71% responded that it will affect their buying behaviour while 29% says that it will have no effect as the increase would be very nominal and not noticeable. As we can see from the figure 4.2, 35% participants saying that the increase in VAT will badly affect their daily shopping. As they have to do large shopping and overall house budget will increase and savings will be decreased. Some respondents says that they will have to be careful on what they spending now as smaller purchases are not noticeable but they really impact on the household budget. 47% respondents are saying that effect of increase in VAT would be little as the increase is just 2.5% and the price increase would be few pence. And with surprise, 18% respondents are saying that it will not affect at all. Question 6 and 7 asked about the money spend on groceries and non groceries each week in UK pounds. The author has received very mixed responses. 29% of participants were spending  £15- £29 on groceries while 18% spending less than  £15 and another 18% says they spend only  £30- £40 on groceries. In non groceries 41% participants were spending less than while another 24% and 18% spending only  £15-29 and  £30- £44 respectively. This data shows that the participants are spending more money on groceries compare to non grocery product in the recession. While asking them about this difference they replied that groceries are basic needs, demand will be the same whether there is recession or not (however this type of demand may change qualitatively). However the non groceries items can be controlled by them during the recession while prices are rising. Q.6 About how much do you spend on groceries each week? Q.5 About how much do you spend on non groceries each week? Question 8 there are some actions given which normally people do in recession. They are to control spending (stop using services/products, buy less), replace only when needed (or buy smaller packages), do it yourself (homemade food, prepare/organise/make by yourself), shop smarter (buy when promotions and discounts available), seek value for money (comparing prices, search for lower ones). While asking the participants to pick 1 or 2, highest pick the seek value for money (24%), 23% responded that they will shop smarter, 21% said that they will control spending. Only 16% said they will replace when needed and do by themselves like, preparing food at home rather than getting from outside. This shows that there is an effect of recession on participants that is why they are comparing prices, search for lower ones, buy when promotions and discounts available during shopping. However they had few responses on controlling spending like stop using services/products, buy less, use homemade f ood, prepare/organise/ make by themselves. While asking the reasons they replied that the main reason is regular fixed income. They all are working fulltime or part time, retired participants have their pension income. This shows that the retail stores have to change their marketing style they should get the trust or make the customer believe that they are saving money while shopping in that store. For example many of supermarket also make place of emphasis on providing value for money. Supermarkets have focused on these consumers and created a lot of special offer to attract them during recession. And the result is supermarkets have done better during the recession than other retail industries. Q.8 In terms of the recession what do you prefer to do? Opinion Percentage control spending (for example: stop using services/products, buy less) 21% replace only when needed (or buy smaller packages) 16% do-it-yourself (for example: home-made food, prepare/organise/make by yourself) 16% shop smarter (for example: buy when promotions and discounts available) 23% seek value for money(for example: comparing prices, search for lower ones) 24% Table 4.4: In terms of the recession what do you prefer to do? Figure 4.5: In terms of the recession what do you prefer to do? Question 9 asked respondents to quantify the factors which made them shop. There were choices like important or unimportant, exciting or unexciting, interesting or boring and fun or nor fun. Finding suggests that for grocery shopping is important but its not very exciting, interesting or fun because it is regular basis shopping. However for non grocery items for example electric goods it is not regular shopping so it is more important, exciting, interesting and more fun. Obviously this small sample suggests that non grocery retailing lot benefit making their product proposition very exciting. The author would also suggest that the same has been and can be applied to grocery retailing. Q.9 Shopping for you is Question 10 asked respondents there is a list of factors which are important for the people while deciding where to do their weekly grocery shopping. The finding shows 44% of participants have given more importance to Low Price. Second factor which got high importance (78%) is accessed example On Public Transport Route. 44% of participants have given importance to Promotion and Special Offers, 67% to availability of Cash Machine and 50% to Customer Service/Friendly and helpful staff. However the research shows that 25% of participants gave more importance to High Quality while 29% has given a little importance to the High Quality. On the other hand the research revealed that 75% of participants give no importance to Store Loyalty Cards and Schemes. 100% participants give no importance to Online Ordering or Delivery Schemes or Large selection of Organic Goods in respect of grocery shopping. They said that because of the recession period they are giving more priority to low price products and services, and Promotional offers. Lots of people are travelling by public transport to save money and time that is why they give more importan ce on Public Transport Route. Highest Quality comes with high price so in this recession few participants give priority to it. When one looks at results, ranking of respondents does it mean the price is now order winner and quality is becoming a more qualifier (a given). Q.10 What is important for you while deciding where to do your weekly grocery shopping? Question 11 and 12 asked respondents which grocery and non grocery chain they usually use (See appendix 1). The study revealed that more participants are using economical supermarket chain like Aldi, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Iceland, Co-operative Group and Sainsbury. While very few participants are using Mark and Spencer, Waitrose in their regular shopping. However in non grocery shopping participants express that they use Argos, Asda and Currys most because of their good promotions and offers. While they use very little other chains like PC World, Staples, Comet, etc. For grocery chains Aldi is obviously the super discounter where as Tesco cannot be classified as such. And the Co operative Group generally has high price compare to other main chains. Our result of the number is the stores in the area. Or it is genuinely due to economics. For non grocery chains this is little bit more obvious; Currys and Argos are definitely non grocery whereas Asda is a grocery store our 23% who shops for non grocery products at Asda; simply buying Asda brand products example George. Q.11 Which grocery chain do you usually use? Q.12 Which non-grocery chain do you usually use? In question 13 the author has asked to express the participants views in relation to the supermarket they spend most. After getting their views it reveals that there should be more special deals in the local grocery stores, they think most supermarkets are same, they want to maximise their return on their spending by getting the best quality at the low price, they are not convince by the supermarket status, they have a lower belief that supermarkets are reliable in the delivery of product and service. However they have trust in their supermarket, they also have concern that the supermarket are concerns for the customer being well, they do not believe that they have relationship with supermarket, they would go to the more than one supermarket rather than sticking to one, they are happy with the customer service provided by the supermarket and they want that supermarket should make more efforts to getting to know their customers that what they like or dislikes. There are some important issues which arise from data. Nine of the respondents agree or strongly agree they are not interested in bargain seeking however the stores selected in Question 11 were bargain stores example Aldi, Tesco. Another contradiction to in the above is that 5 out of 9 respondents agreed or strongly agreed that it was important to keep up special deals at grocery stores because consumers wants to get more from their spending. All respondents indicated that they always try to maximise quality for the money spend. This seems to correlate with response given about the importance of quality in Question 10. Perhaps the most impressive agreement was in the survey was that participants did not perceive that supermarket did not make any effort for what they like. On positive side of supermarket is that most of the participants trust the supermarket they shop at, believe it would not trick them and its reliable for deliver goods and services. Q.13 Please indicate your agreement or disagreement with the following statements in the relation to the supermarket you spend most. Statements Strongly agree Agree neither nor disagree Strongly disagree I have little or no grocery shopping 4 3 7 11 9 Im not interested in bargain seeking 4 5 4 16 5 Its important for me to keep up with special deals being offered by the grocery stores in my area 3 18 6 7    Most of the supermarkets are all alike 4 18 3 7 2 While purchasing the product I always try to maximise the quality I get for the money I spend 8 18 5 2 1 When people see me purchasing from this store they form an opinion of me 2 4 18 9 1 The supermarket is reliable in the delivery of product and service 1 21 8 3 1 The supermarket in which I shop wont trick me 4 14 11 3 2 I feel the supermarket is concerned about its customers being well 3 10 14 6 1 I trust the supermarket, I shop at 2 17 13 2    I would recommend the supermarket to others 3 16 10 4 1 I am loyal to the supermarket 3 9 13 7 2 I have relationship with the supermarket 2 4 16 9 2 Id prefer to go to the only one supermarket for my shopping 4 5 7 14 4 Store loyalty cards are not worth having. The supermarket just wants us to think more positive about it 3 10 12 6 3 Being satisfied with the supermarket makes me loyal to it 3 15 11 4 1 The loyalty card makes me to repurchase at the same store 1 8 10 12 3 Im satisfied with the way the supermarket informs me about its products/services 3 8 18 4    Im satisfied with customer service at the supermarket 2 14 11 5 2 Id love the supermarket to make more efforts in getting to know what I like and dislike 7 16 7 3 1 Table 4.10: The supermarket you spend most In Question 12 participants asked to give their opinions that which promotions appeal them most. It shows that promotion from Asda and Tesco appeals them most. They are also attracted to promotions of Morrisons, Aldi, Marks Spencer and Sainsburys. But the promotion from the Waitrose and Lidl has less impact on them. They shop at Tesco, they like Tesco, this seems it appears to be fertile ground for super discounters like Aldi. Q.14 Which promotions mostly appeals to you? Promotions Percentage Only 1 pound each! Half price! Earn nectar points too. Sainsburys. Try something new today. 15% All the ingredients for a great picnic. (Well even supply a free rug or cool bag.) Waitrose. Everyone deserves quality food. 6% Better than half price at Morrisons. Great savings on big brands at Morrisons. Price crunch. Save 4.5pounds! 10% Tesco. Every little helps. Half price. 99p each. Its more rewarding with Clubcard 25% Wider choice. Lower price. ASDA. Saving you money every day. 22% Lidl. Seriously cheaper! Available in-store now. Sensational Deal! Incredible Offer! 5% The big deal. Aldis biggest summer deals. On sale 30th July. Aldi. Spend a little Live a lot. Hurry, once theyre gone, theyre gone. 9% Offer ends Sunday. Dine in for two  £10. Summer menu now being served. Yours MS. Quality worth every penny 9% Table 4.11: Which promotions mostly appeals to you? Figure 4.9: Which promotions mostly appeals to you? 4.4 Summary In this chapter has explored how Supermarkets got success during the recession with their strategy. Supermarkets have given a great lesson to other retail industry how to survive during the recession. Supermarkets havent just survived but they have outperformed. In the next chapter author will give conclusion and recommendation how other retail industry can survive during the recession like Supermarkets. Words: 2879 Finch, J. (2010), Tesco beats the recession to unveil record profits again, Guardian, [Online] Available from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/apr/25/tesco-record-profits-terry-leahy (Accessed on: 16th January 2011) Tesco Plc (2009), TESCO: Growth in Tough Times, [Online] Available from: http://www.tescoplc.com/plc/ir/pres_results/results/r2009/2009-04-21/2009-04-21.pdf (Accessed on: 16th January 2011) Farnham, J. (2009), Recession bites into eating habits, [Online], Available from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8124352.stm (Accessed on: 16th January 2011) Lidl ltd (2009) Company Report Mattioli, D. (2009) In Recession Specials, Small Firms Revise Pricing Discounts and Lower-End Offerings Help Lure Cash-Strapped Customers; Vans Complement Limo Services Town Cars Wall Street Journal, Jun 9, 2009: B.5 Tesco PLC (2009) Company Report

Whitmans Song of Myself and The Nature of Life Essay -- Song of Mysel

Whitman's Song of Myself and The Nature of Life Identifying the mystery of existence, Whitman writes "Song of Myself," section six to question the nature of the life of man. He alludes to and confronts past answers to this query by utilizing as his central image the leaves of grass. In the Christian tradition, the Bible utilizes this image of grass to describe the lives of men. Isaiah, a prophet of God cries out, "All men are like grass . . . and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, . . . but the word of the Lord stands forever" (Isaiah 40:6-8). The scriptural image of men as grass, "the handkerchief of the Lord," places man in relation to God and establishes the transient, finite nature of man. Whitman responds throughout this poem to the Biblical answer to the question of life. Emphasizing the cyclical process of nature, Whitman constructs his poem to insist that the life of man, as in nature, moves not with linear progression, but rather in a cyclical succession. Birth and death, Whitman asserts, serve not as bookends to a concise life span, but rather as connections in a larger continuum of existence. Whitman utilizes an imagist technique relating a series of associated images through a central connection. Whitman first presents the reader with the image of a small child offering up grass with the question, "What is the grass." In light of the scriptural connection Whitman provides, this query "What is the grass" from the lips of a child presents the larger question of what is man. Whitman chooses not to answer this question directly, but rather to present possibilities and proffer the question back to the reader, stating "How could I answer the chil... ...ot ceased to exist but rather now continue their existence "alive and well" in the ambiguous "somewhere." Whitman will not accept the Biblical understanding of death as a passage to either heaven or hell. He claims instead that "to die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier." This fortuitous death he would apply to every man, not reserving destruction for any man. Death, if it truly exists, for Whitman, leads only "forward to life, and does not wait at the end to arrest it." Stating "All goes onward and outward . . and nothing collapses," Whitman affirms the view of man's earthly life as a succession rather than a progression and claims for man a part in a larger cyclical continuum of existence. Works Cited: Whitman, Walt. Song of Myself. The Heath Anthology of American Literature. 3rd ed. Ed, Paul Lauter. Boston,NewYork: Houghton Mifflin, 1998.