Composed upon Westminster Bridge Essays

Composed upon Westminster Bridge Essays Composed upon Westminster Bridge Paper Composed upon Westminster Bridge Paper William Wordsworth was part of the Romantic movement. This usually involved using plain language, unlike most poetry at the time, and addressing liberal political issues to do with the suffering of poor agricultural workers. He often celebrated nature, and wrote about landscapes. He believed in the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings being expressed in poetry. Wordsworths poems, including this one, use the Petrachan form, made up of an octave, rhyming: a;b;b;a;a;b;b;a, and a sestet, rhyming c;d;c;d;c;d. The sonnet describes something very beautiful, which seems to be a city. It may contain suggestions about society. Because the city is man-made, it may suggest that man is capable of making very beautiful things; possibly even more so than nature. It may, though mean, that people are not like this, because the city is only made beautiful by the sun and the morning. The octave seems to just be a simple description of a beautiful, physical thing. We are strongly made to believe that this is a city, because Wordsworth calls it this city, and the tile contains Westminster Bridge. However, Dorothys journal (from which we glean an insight into Wordsworths earlier poetry) notes that in September 1802 their return home through London from France took place late in the evening, on a misty day when they could see nothing. Wordsworth may have used Dorothys earlier entry in July to inspire this composition which he subsequently dated September 1802. It is generally agreed that he must have confused his dates; but it may also be suggested that during his visit to the capital in July, or on his return journey from seeing both his child and former lover, his spirits were high, as this sonnet is surely a dedication to the glory of nature, reflected in the beauty of a summers morning. His first sighting of London must have been enriched by what he saw on Westminster Bridge that day, in order for him to be inspired to compose such a soulful eulogy to the mighty heart of the city, all bright and glittering in the smokeless air. It may even show his present sense of the divine manifestation of Gods handy-work in the creation of that morning. What Wordsworth does convey in the poem is a London of light, life and liberty; and it is these three elements of the poem that shall be looked at. There are two good references to light (and cleanliness) in the poem. One of the most striking of these is in line 8 All bright and glittering in the smokeless air. This is a reference to the ships, towers, domes and temples in line 6, which lie / Open unto the fields, and to the sky. By referring to the bright and glittering smokeless air, Wordsworth gives us an image of a crisp, clear morning in summer; where the early morning sunlight bathes the towers, domes and temples on either side of the Thames; and upon the ships themselves that may have been seen to dance upon the reflected sunlight from the river itself. Imaginatively, he impresses a morning of beauty and purity, with the clear, intense light that you can only get on a summers morning even in a city. By this, it is as though he were witnessing Gods work itself in the new day before him. The second sense of light we get in the poem is shown in the lines Never did sun more beautifully steep / In his first splendour, valley rock or hill. Here, Wordsworth is portraying the light of the sun soaking the city landscape (perhaps in antiquity, before the city were even there); or as purely as it would seep into a landscape more natural- that of the very valleys, rocks and hills mentioned. Wordsworths reference to his first splendour is that of the sun personified; and perhaps he is comparing his sight of London on this morning with the suns first rays bathing the natural landscape on the very first morning of creation. It is with this personification of the sun as his (amongst others) that Wordsworth conveys a London of life in the poem. By his reference to the suns rays as his first splendour, he is lending the sense that the sun is a person, and alive. Wordsworth uses personification in this way at other times in the poem, all with a will to breathe life into his words. Notably, The river glideth at his own sweet will and The city doth, like a garment wear, and also All that mighty heart is lying still. Here, the personification of the river and of the city gives the impression of them being alive. The line This city now doth, like a garment wear portrays the city as a living being, wearing The beauty of the morning as though it were a garment. Also, in the line The river glideth at his own sweet will, we are left with an imagery of a river flowing liberally, wherever it wishes to, not constrained by the city or its own banks, but freely roaming, with a will of its own. The line And all that mighty heart is lying still gives a strong conveyance of the beating heart of the living city, or the pulsing heart of commerce and trade, and the paths of freedom reaching out to the far flung shores of the world. It may be felt that this line gives an impression where all Wordsworth sees and mentions in the poem seems alive, has a mighty heart that beats to its own rhythm of life. One other personification Wordsworth uses, be it not as great as the other examples given, is in line 13 Dear God! The very houses seem asleep. The reference to the houses sleeping is an impression of the actual bricks and mortar appearing to be asleep on this morning- just as its inhabitants may well have been. Other ways the poem conveys life is through the lines Open unto the fields, and to the sky, and valley, rock or hill, a clear reference to nature. Wordsworth uses a number of similar references to the natural world in this poem, notably: river, sun, fields, sky, valley, rock, hill and Earth. Through these, the reader has a sense of the natural within Wordsworths vision of London: an impression of life. By Wordsworth referring to the Ships, towers, domes and temples (in line 6) being Open unto the fields, and to the sky (in line 7), he is giving an idea that the buildings and man made structures of the city, as they are being highlighted by the light of the summers morning, bear a resemblance to the more natural elements of tree, wood and rock. An open field, or an open sky, holds an abundance of natural life. It is this idea that Wordsworth is trying to communicate: Earth has not anything to show more fair; than the sight of London, filled with life, on this morning. By referring it to the natural world, he is imbuing life into his vision. Another way life is portrayed in the poem is through the use of alliteration, especially of the /t/ sound. For example in And all that mighty heart is lying still, the tempo of the line gives the impression of a beating heart through regular emphasis of the /t/ sound. Throughout this line of ten syllables, five of the syllables are emphasised by the /t/ sound, which highlights the rhythm of the line. Liberty, freedom and non restraint are represented in a number of lines in the poem, not least the previously mentioned The river glideth at his own sweet will and Open unto the fields, and to the sky. Both lines (as shown) convey life through personification, but they both also strongly represent the idea of liberty. In the first line, the reader is left with an imagery of a meandering river winding its way through green meadows, lined with willow edged banks. A scene of the open country, not one of the constrained city. In the second line, liberty is conveyed through the impression of an open vista of fields, stretching into the hazed distance and meeting the immensity of the sky. By using words to convey an imagery of liberty, Wordsworth infuses the spirit of freedom into his words. The use of sibilance in this line and in line 11 Neer saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! / The river glideth at his own sweet will; shows the use of sibilance (underlined), the repetitions of the /s/ sound, to convey a sense of liberty. This is why Wordsworth uses the pronoun his not her, which is the traditional reference to rivers and water. By using sibilance, Wordsworths words flow and are not restricted; the sound of the s moves the words along freely. Other sounds Wordsworth uses, such as the soft phoneme /l/ sound, as well as the /s/ sound mentioned, convey a liberty of spirit within the poem. Examples of the soft /l/ phoneme sound are in line 4 and 5: This City now doth, like a garment, wear / the beauty of the morning, silent, bare, Also, All bright and glittering, in the smokeless air. And hill, will and still at the ends of lines 10, 12 and 14, respectively. In fact, the entire structure of the poem as a fourteen line sonnet allows the words, sound and meaning to flow freely throughout. The iambic pentameter of the poem gives an ordered rhythm and repeated sound which flows through the poem. This conveys a sense of freedom as the sound moves from one line to the next, ebbing and flowing like a river. This also allows the sound of the poem, when read aloud, to impress an imagined babbling brook; conjuring numerous words which can be used to describe the sound of the poem from airy, gentle, soft, flowing and calm. One other element Wordsworth uses to convey a London of liberty is the use of enjambment, where the punctuation used allows the poem to be read in a flowing manner. The reader continues from one line to the next, with no pause, which gives a sense of fluidity and movement. Other ways Wordsworth uses sound to convey light, life and liberty are in his use of polysyllables throughout the poem. Examples of these are beautifully, majesty, splendour and glideth. By using polysyllables, Wordsworth is using the sound of these words to match the required 10 syllables for each line in order to produce the fourteen line sonnet; but, the words used are important as they can also convey life, light and liberty. Wordsworth also uses long sounding vowel sounds, such as the /i:/ of sleep, deep and majesty; the /i:/ and /u:/ of be auty and be autiful; the /e / of air and fair and the / / of clear. He also uses /aI/ in glideth. It is through the use of assonance of these long vowel sounds that Wordsworth also portrays, light, life and, most of all, liberty in his poem. The assonance draws the reader onward and gives a quiet, calm, gentle and flowing sound to the overall composition. Wordsworths poem Composed Upon Westminster Bridge praises the coexistence between nature and civilization, and conveys dramatically, and sometimes subtly, to the reader a London of light, life and liberty. He does this through a number of means: imagery of words or phrases; use of assonance and soft phoneme sounds; enjambment, by allowing the poem to flow freely; personification of the sun, river and city itself; the sound and the rhythm of the poem; alliteration and the use of sibilance to encourage the rhythm and sound of the poem to freely flow. By these means, Composed Upon Westminster Bridge clearly conveys a London imbued with light, life and liberty.

The eNotes Blog Happy Birthday, CormacMcCarthy!

Happy Birthday, CormacMcCarthy! On this day in 1933, Cormac McCarthy  was born. The great American novelist  moved around a lot, and served in the Air Force for four years. After returning to the University of Tennessee in 1957, he was awarded an Ingram-Merrill Award for creative writing. He has published ten novels and has an eleventh on the way. His novels  are, in  chronological  order,  The Orchard Keeper (1965);  Outer Dark (1968);  Child of God  (1973);  Suttree (1979);  Blood Meridian: Or The Evening Redness in the West (1985);  The Border Trilogy, which  consists of  All the Pretty Horses (1992),  The Crossing (1994), and  Cities of the Plain  (1998);  No Country for Old Men  (2005); and  The Road (2006). Aside from novels, McCarthy has produced several other works, including two pieces of short fiction, three screenplays, and two plays.  In 2007, No  Country for Old Men  was made  into a movie,  garnering four Academy Awards. McCarthy himself has won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (The Road)  and the US National Book Award (All the Pretty Horses). Learn more about Cormac McCarthy by reading previously answered questions, or ask your own question! Sources and further reading: /topics/cormac-mccarthy /topics/road-mccarthy /topics/all-pretty /topics/no-country-for-old-men /topics/blood-meridian

Outsourcing offshore At Darden restaurants Essay

Outsourcing offshore At Darden restaurants - Essay Example It was also set to be the leading distributor of food items, for example, olive garden (Anguish, 1) The Company has immensely grown over the years since its inception in the US. Currently, it has several subsidiaries and business units in US and Canada. These are set to aid its product distribution to satisfy consumer needs. The company manufactures and supplies seafood products that include red lobster, olive garden, Smokey bones barbeque and grill. Darden restaurant is a high-rank global business organization that produces nutritional food items. Since its initiation in 1967, the institution produces products that conform to consumer specifications. Its popular product brands include olive garden and red lobster that give it a competitive edge in the dynamic business environment (Heizer & Barry, 2). The company operate under sound strategic business system that is propelling its growth. Currently, it serves more than 3000 million meals to various individuals annually and has over 1700 distribution centres. This facilitates timely delivery of services and adherence to consumer needs. Indeed, the company has well established supply chain and distribution network that enhances delivery of services. It also operates under effective outsourcing guidelines that are set to facilitate the optimization of resources (Anguish, 1). The restaurant’s management focuses on lean administration system that is adopted to ensure that qual ity is guaranteed with minimal wastage. The major outsourcing services include cleaning services, maintenance of websites, marketing activities and human capital. This explains the company’s growth that is due to continuous implementation of transformational development plans. As indicated by xxx the corporation has well established supply chain that is set with an aim to enhance timely delivery of seafood items to customers. The broad supply chain is in adoption as a performance strategy and a

Nature Conservancy Organization Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nature Conservancy Organization - Research Paper Example Most news that alarmed us recently or the past few years were the unforgettable natural calamities or what they call incidents of â€Å"when nature strikes back†. These are commonly a surge of typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis that destroy many lives and properties that leave people with almost nothing. Though each incident has a unique gravity and casualty stories, what is common to all would be the fact that all these are undeniably caused or triggered by irresponsible acts of man. These have kept man wondering how to avoid them from happening again while little is done to reach this goal. However, one of those that start to step up and make a change would be the Nature Conservancy Organization. The Nature Conservancy is one of the leading conservation organizations that works all over the world to initiate programs that would seek to protect our mother earth that would, in return, protect all of us in the long run. What sets them apart is the fact that they do not only provid e help, manpower, and funds during an immediate need such as after an intense tsunami swept almost all of Japan, instead, they are an organization that continuously champions ecological projects to give solution to the most pressing conservation threats at the largest scale (The Nature Conservancy - Organizations - TakingITGlobal. TakingITGlobal - Organizations. N.p., n.d). Having knowledge on the organization’s mission and vision, I would greatly encourage people to donate their time or money to the Nature Conservancy organization. There are a lot of reasons why I would. First of all, with the growing knowledge of people towards the worsening condition of our earth today, as the damage done to it already exceed the efforts people slowly initiate, one of the strongest reasons why most people do not get involved is that they do not have the venue where they could extend help and not because they do not have much time or have no money to spare. Thus, by studying the Nature Cons ervancy Organization which has been doing what they do since 1951 and has already proven consistency in conserving lands and waters, one would be sure that one’s time and money would not go to waste if invested with them. This is because this organization has already established certain processes that are proven to work throughout all the years, have had established significant connections with other organizations and parties that would be helpful in reaching their goals, and at the same time already have great knowledge on how to improve the condition of our nature. Aside from that, seeing their organization as a whole, I would say that they are more flexible and welcomes different ways that people can extend help. This is because of the fact that it has always opened its doors to youth who want to get involved temporarily or permanently in three ways, which are by being a part of the team, being a supporter, or perhaps helping through resources. Thus, if you are someone who wants to make â€Å"saving the earth† your career, you can easily be part of the team by being a member who would physically address conservation challenges all over the world. If you are someone who wants to take a step in saving the earth and yet you have a job that you love, you can be of help by being a supporter through helping promote nature conservation, gather probable funders of their

Johnson & Johnson Diversity Plan Essay Example for Free

Johnson Johnson Diversity Plan Essay Johnson Johnson was formed in 1885 in Brunswick, New Jersey, after two brothers, James Wood and Edward Mead Johnson saw a need to develop sterile supplies for surgical procedures. During that time, doctors operated without gloves, sterile equipment and used unclean cotton from textile mills to pack the wounds so the mortality rate for surgical patients was very high. One of the first products Johnson Johnson developed was ready to use surgical dressings which to led to large reduction in surgical mortality rates. Johnson Johnson continued developing and expanding their product line and their company. In 1919, Johnson Johnson began their first international expansion. The brothers first expanded into Canada and after an around the world trip in 1923 began to develop business in many more countries. They expanded into Australia in 1931, Sweden in 1956 and Japan in 1961 (Johnson Johnson, 1997-2007). Over the next 60 years, Johnson Johnson had established companies in over 50 countries. During their international expansion, Johnson Johnson also diversified their product line. They eventually organized their operations into three main divisions; pharmaceutical, medical devices and diagnostics, and consumer products (Answers Corporation, 2007). They became well known for the talcum powder, band-aids and the pain reliever, Tylenol. In 1932, Robert Wood Johnson II, known as General Johnson succeeded his uncle to take over running Johnson Johnson. The General believed strongly in decentralization within the entire organization and all the divisions both in the United States and internationally were given authority to make their own decisions. The General was also responsible for developing the Johnson Johnson credo in 1943 and it is still in force today. The credo is defines the four primary responsibilities of the organization in their order of their importance. Johnson Johnsons first responsibility is to its customers, then to its employees, then to the community, and finally to its shareholders (Lukas, 2003). Believing and enforcing in this credo is what has made this organization what it is today and helped Johnson Johnson overcome one of the most critical times in its history when it dealt with  the Tylenol poisonings. The first priority of Johnson Johnson was then and is still today the safety of its consumers. Johnson Johnson believes in diversity of its organization, its product line and its vendors. The organization has both an Office of Global Diversity as well as a supplier diversity program (Johnson Johnson, 1997-2007). They believe encouraging diversity increases both their economic prosperity as well as benefiting each social community where they are located. By encouraging diversity throughout its entire organization, Johnson Johnson has become one of the largest global health care leaders in the world. William C. Weldon, Chairman, Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer for Johnson and Johnson sets a clear course for the diversity action plan for the company. He states in his Chairmans Message on the JJ website, how the company interacts with a diverse group of stakeholders daily and how both internal and external partnerships allow the company to more than it could on its own. With that in mind the company must create a Diversity Action Plan that allows employees to grow, develop and assume more responsibility, creating extraordinary leaders in the business sectors around the world (JJ.com). Cultural NormsJJ is committed to having its own operating companies purchase goods and services from a diverse supplier base that contributes to the economic vitality of the communities in which we live and work. To achieve this goal JJ has created a Supplier Diversity Program in 1998. The intent of this program is to provide value to the company and to enhance the companys role as a health care leader throughout the world. The included in the program are: †¢Certified minority-owned businesses, small and large †¢Certified woman-owned businesses, small and large†¢Certified Small Disadvantaged Businesses†¢Small veteran-owned and service disabled veteran-owned businesses†¢Small, certified HUBZone businessesThe HUBZone Empowerment Contracting program provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas. Fostering the growth of these federal contractors as viable businesses, for the long term, helps to empower communities, create jobs, and attract private investment  (SBA.gov). Another area the company attempts to enhance its image both in the US and around the world is through the development of Standards for Responsible External Manufacturing. These were developed to ensure the companies who do business with the company meet the same high standards of ethical behavior, product quality, and social responsibility practiced by JJ. There has to be common commitment to:†¢comply with applicable legal requirements,†¢behave ethically and with integrity,†¢integrate quality into business processes,†¢treat people with dignity and respect,†¢promote the safety, health and well-being of employees,†¢operate in an environmentally responsible manner, and†¢implement management systems to ensure ongoing performance and continual improvement (JJ, 2006) These values and practices are determined through a vigorous benchmarking process for which any potential manufacturing partner must meet before becoming associated with the JJ Family of Companies. There is a two-fold advantage to this process. The first is it allows potential partners the opportunity to understand the values that drive the organization as well as providing them with a template for the sustainability the JJ Company has demonstrated. In addition, the high standards set by the company are not compromised by external manufacturing partners that could damage the JJ image. To maximize their diverse workforce, the company has a vision statement in place that allows the company to maximize the benefits. The following is the companys vision statement:The Johnson Johnson Family of Companies will realize this vision by:†¢Fostering inclusive cultures that embrace our differences and drive innovation to accelerate growth;†¢Achieving skilled, high performance workforces that are reflective of the diverse global marketplace;†¢Working with business leaders to identify and establish targeted market opportunities for consumers across diverse demographic segments; and†¢Cultivating external relationships with professional, patient and civic groups to support business priorities. The statement allows the diverse workforce by utilizing the vision statement by including the companys belief (Credo). The credo, Latin for I believe,  guides the company to the responsibilities as they relate to customers, employees, community and shareholders. The responsibilities are as follows:To our customers: we will embrace diversity in order to respect, understand and meet their varying health care needs. To our employees: we will ensure a diverse and inclusive workplace, offer merit-based opportunities for employment and advancement and provide the necessary resources to develop our next generation of leaders. To our communities: we will recognize opportunities to improve economic and human health care in the areas in which we live and work. To our shareholders: we will oppose acts of intolerance and be mindful of the positive impact that diversity and inclusion have on our businesses. JJ over the years has continuously looked toward technology to play key role in JJs strategic initiatives. The different approaches to productivity have varied throughout the years. Many factors contribute to the productivity and success of the JJ Company. Technology has played an important role in JJs ability to remain competitive and to continuously innovate. It is through technology that JJs management team is able to refine processes, collaborate, innovate, and increase the productivity of the organization in todays dynamic business environment that is changing continuously. The success of these companies is attributed to all the successful mergers and acquisitions that have taken place throughout JJ history. Many of these companies were opened due to successful mergers that allowed JJ to develop new products and offer them in different markets throughout the world. The successful organization of the products JJ offers allows JJ to successfully merge with other companies to gain additional control over the industry. The result of this Credo is a healthy bottom line that is socially responsible. JJ history of philanthropy through partnering with other  companies from around the world has created programs dedicated to providing needed services over the long term. JJ does not have a mission statement because the ethical principals listed in the Credo drive the company. The customer first philosophy insures the needs of the customer are met. Another principal outlined in the Credo is the dedication to producing a high quality product. Through this set of values the company has developed a trust with the consumers of their products. Trust develops into a reputation of integrity that in turn provides the company with a basis for business strategies. This ethical high road approach is a proven winner in this function. Problem solving involves many departments and many steps. Technology plays an integral part in JJs ability to innovate, perform research and development, and manage the logistics associated with the distribution of a product during the products lifecycle. JJ defines diversity as a variety of similar and different characteristics among people, including age, gender, race, religion, national origin, physical ability, sexual orientation, thinking style, background and all other attributes that make each person unique. Although some differences may not be obvious as others, Johnson Johnson strives to understand and remove barriers that one may face due to these differences. Johnson Johnson utilizes these differences to create a working environment where their employees can thrive. JJ believes that diversity helps the interaction between people as well as inspiring innovation. JJ is committed to the practice of their global diversity vision which they use to identify their key, future objectives while guiding the fulfillment of their commitments to their customers, employees, the global community and their shareholders. Johnson Johnson supports various educational opportunities such as Diversity University and Affinity Groups. JJs Diversity University provides an internal, full range of Diversity e-learning courses, diversity best practice information, and is a comprehensive diversity resource and database for employees. Affinity Groups are voluntary, employee-driven groups that are organized around a particular  shared interest or dimension. These groups have been initiated by employees and usually focus on a shared interest or characteristic, such as race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. Each groups main intent is to create an open forum for idea exchange and to strengthen the linkage to and within diverse communities. The successful leadership of the workers and the quick safety decisions that have had to be made, for example the recall of 264,000 bottles of Tylenol in 1982 and then a second recall in 1986, have made JJ a reputable name that many have grown to know and trust. References Answers Corporations. 2007. Johnson Johnson. Retrieved June 27, 2007 from http://www.answers.com/topic/johnson-johnson?cat=biz-finJohnson Johnson. Global Diversity Its All of Us. Retrieved June 30, 2007 fromhttp://www.jnj.com/our_company/diversity/index.htm;jsessionid=EGT3V0ZLGAFE0CQPCCFWU2YKB2IIWTT1Johnson Johnson (2007). Supplier Diversity Program. Retrieved July 2, 2007 from http:www.jnj.comJohnson Johnson (2006). Sustainability Report. Retrieved July 4, 2007 from http:www.jnj.comJohnson Johnson. 1997-2007. Our Company. Retrieved June 26, 2007 fromhttp://www.jnj.com/our_company/index.htmLeading with Diversity The New York Times. Retrieved June 29, 2007 fromwww.nytimes.com/marketing/jobmarket/diversity/jandj.htmlLukas, P. (2003, April). Johnson Johnson. FSB: Fortune Small Business. Vol.13, Iss. 3; pg. 91. Retrieved June 26, 2007 from ProQuest database. SBA.gov (2007). HUBZone Empowerment Contracting program. Retrieved July 5, 2007 from https://eweb1.sba.gov/hubzone/internet/general/whoweare.cfm#3The Diversity Vision Statement, Retrieved 06/29/07 fromhttp://www.jnj.com/our_company/diversity/diversity_vision/index.htmThe company Credo, Retrieved on 06/29/07 fromhttp://www.jnj.com/our_company/diversity/credo/index.htm

Alternate Ways of Measuring Performance Essay -- Essays Papers

Balanced Scorecard Alternate Ways of Measuring Performance Abstract Many organizations are usefully viewed as a web of relationships between and among various stakeholder groups. An organization may be defined as a "nexus of contracts," where said "contracts" are relationships that are marked by contributions from the various stakeholders in return for inducements provided by the organization. Over the long haul, the success of an organization is a function of the extent to which the needs and requirements of its various stakeholders can be integrated and balanced, without sacrificing any one to the other. There is, in this arrangement, mutual influence and accountability. It is the main thesis of this paper that many organizations would be well served by making use of the Balanced Scorecard as an alternate way of evaluating a company’s performance. Introduction Since its introduction in the Harvard Business Review in 1992, many corporate executives and information technology (IT) professionals have found the concept of Balanced Scorecard it to be a key strategic measuring stick of corporate success. Robert Kaplan and David Norton created balanced Scorecard, often referred to as BSC, in the early 1990’s. Today many large consulting firms like Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Earnst and Young have adopted the balanced scorecard concept. A balanced scorecard is a framework for translating strategic goals and visions into measurable results for the entire enterprise. The balanced scorecard starts with corporate strategies and objectives, and then uses financial and non-financial measures from across the company to create positive and negative indicators of corporate success for all levels of the organization (Kaplan and Norton, 1992). These indicators provide an in depth snap shot of corporate performance that managers and executives can use to clearly manage the company for success on a daily basis. Since the scorecard is based on key performance indicators (KPIs) that are directly linked to corporate goals, it provides a true measure of corporate success. These KPIs consist not just of financial indicators, but also of performance measures in customer satisfaction, internal process, and innovation and improvement (Kaplan Norton, 1992). The breadth and diversity provided by all four perspectives give managers an ideal cross-func... ...to a system of performance measurements that effectively communicate a powerful, forward-looking, strategic focus to the entire organization. This balanced concept allows an organization to evaluate its performance in different aspects other than financially acceptable balance sheets or income statements. Bibliography 1.) Atkinson A. A., Waterhouse, J.H., and Wells, R.B. (1997). â€Å"A Stakeholder Approach to Strategic Performance Measurement.† Sloan Management Review (Spring, 1997, pp25- 37): Cambridge. 2.) Kaplan, Robert S. and Norton, David P., (1992). â€Å"The Balanced Scorecard: Measures that Drive Performance.† Harvard Business Review (January-February 1992): 71-79. 3.) Kaplan, Robert S. and Norton, David P., (1996a). â€Å"Linking the Balanced Scorecard to Strategy.† California Management Review (Vol. 39 No.1, Fall, 1996): 53-77. 4.) Kaplan, Robert S. and Norton, David P., (1996b). â€Å"Using the Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Management System.† Harvard Business Review (January-February 1996): 75- 85. 5.) 5.) Nickols, Fred (1999). â€Å"Reconciling and Integrating Stakeholder Needs and Requirements.† COG News (Spring 1999)

Contemporary Diversity Issues in Communication

If there is one particularly adverse effect of globalization, that is the homogenization of culture and the subservience of minority or ethnic cultures and languages under the dominant one. It is a phenomenon that if allowed to continue unabated can lead to the extinction of minority languages and culture, which in effect can lead to the loss of the uniqueness that renders individuals with their own creative individuality. In a world that purports to celebrate diversity, it is ironic that communication seems to be leaning towards homogenization or standardization of forms.Globalization necessitates the need for the homogenization of communication because in an age of international businesses, language diversity can hinder trade relations and transactions. Using one form of communication facilitates interaction and leaves very little room for misinterpretation. Languages develop out of the user’s need to express themselves. As such, it is fair to say that all languages are equa l. This equality means that all languages, regardless of their characteristics and linguistic qualities, all meet the social and psychological needs of the users. (Crystal, 1987, p.6)They are tailor made to the unique circumstances of the people and culture that created them. In the face of unrelenting globalization, these unique languages and cultures are giving way to a standard form. The standard form imposes itself upon other languages in the form of linguistic prescription or prescriptive norms in culture, defining a standard form or ways of doing for a specific purpose or activity. Prescriptive norms serve as a controlling force that is exerted by the community over its members (Punder 2000, p. 141), and globalization imposes the homogenization of language and culture to facilitate communication and relations.While the usefulness and convenience of having a standard language or culture, particularly in a business environment, cannot be dismissed, this way of thinking brings to the table a lot of complications; not the least of which is stereotyping and its resultant complications like cultural and political discrimination. As John Fought (2007) once said, â€Å"Language has always helped to signify who we are in society, sometimes serving as a basis for exclusion. † The determination of the use of a standard language is largely a function of political and economic power, in an act of acknowledgment of a certain culture’s dominance over the rest.A standard form of language and culture will be of no use when there is no variation in the first place. There is a need to standardize because the diversity in our languages requires us to lessen the confusion and make for efficient transaction of our ordinary activities and important businesses. Because language is a fundamental aspect of culture, it is therefore only natural that we become defined or identified by our native language. Difficulties can arise if we are not fluent in the standard lan guage being used in a particular place.In such cases, when we do not know the standard form of communication, we are immediately labeled as â€Å"foreigners†, or not born native to the place, a label that carries with it an entirely new set of biases and stereotypes that limits the opportunities that would have otherwise been available to the individual. The need to conform is related to the prestige that is associated with being able to act and communicate according to the dominant language or culture. (Abrams et al 2005, p. 120) Related to the issue of race is the issue of social class.There are some people who have more linguistic powers at their disposal and are able to use this fluency to their advantage. (Bonfiglio, 2002, p. 12) Fluency in language often connotes good breeding and education. Conversely, if you have difficulties in the standard language, other people will consider it as a statement of weakness or lack of social status. Of course it should also be said th at the bias also goes the other way. In most third-world countries, those who speak a foreign language or have foreign accents are considered first class citizens and are given preferential treatment in all aspects of their functional activities.What we speak and how we speak, reflects our history as an individual. How we speak makes a statement about who we are as a person and a measure of who we could be Either way, these stereotyping based on one’s communication style is very counter-productive and corrosive to the individual. Aside from discrimination and stereotyping, homogenization of communication is also adversely affecting the rich diversity of our world’s languages, particularly on dialects.As prescriptive norms of standardized communication forms threaten the extinction of minority languages and dialects, it also slows language change. Language change is a natural process in the evolution of our languages. Language is constantly in flux, ever adapting to the needs and realities of the times. It ever-changing and shifting its form, evolving in a process that is very much akin to natural selection. Language change is not so much a preference over one language variant, but the removal of a language that is socially inappropriate or no longer useful, for some reason or another.  (Lippi-Green, 1997, p. 173)With the presence of a homogenized form of communication and culture, the normal evolution that should have taken place to strengthen local languages and make them constantly relevant has been forcefully suppressed by the imposition of a uniform language or code that is universal to all situations. In light of this, language change becomes almost unnecessary because the homogenized form of communication has removed the necessity for the local language to adapt because the change has been imposed artificially by the dominant culture.Globalization presupposes the interaction of various cultures. Over man’s collective history, cultu re exchange has resulted in the constant evolution of cultures as it gets constantly exposed to another culture. This is a two-way process that enriches the culture of all those involved. In a process called acculturation, a certain group of people imbibe new ways of doing without necessarily changing their distinct identity. Acculturation represents the adaptation of a certain culture to change but keeping their culture uniquely their own.However, in this age of homogenization, acculturation has come to mean the slow erosion and subservience of the ethnic culture under the dominant one. (Castro 2003, p. 19) Thus, acculturation can be considered as a process of culture change where the foreigners or minorities must adapt in order to survive. In other words, this refers to the homogenization of communication and culture in order to flourish in a global community. This discourse does not mean to present language and cultural homogenization in a bad light.In some cases, such homogeniza tion is truly necessary to facilitate communication and exchange similar to what a standard currency will do. What is important to remember is that a standard form of communication can be learned without having to sacrifice our own native languages and culture. Our ability to learn a language is elastic, and we can speak as many variations without necessarily affecting the other. To learn one form of language does not necessarily mean that we have to supplant the old one..In an era of globalization where the language of trade becomes the dominant form, the ability to communicate in the standard language is a definite advantage. However with that being said, the value of the mother tongue should never be forgotten. The respect that we have for our own cultural heritage renders us with our own unique identities. And in an era of globalization, where everything is being homogenized we need to hang on to that identity or stand to lose everything about ourselves that makes us special, an d thus indispensible to our community.

Pregnant Women Essay

In my opinion, pregnant women should be punished for partaking in legal behaviors such as taking fertility medication, smoking, and drinking, all of which can cause harm to the fetus. I think a woman should subordinate her right to control her life when she decides to become pregnant or does become pregnant. Anything which might possibly harm the developing fetus should be prohibited and all things which might positively affect the developing fetus should be mandated under penalty of law, be it criminal or civil. Since anything which a pregnant woman does or does not do may have an impact, either positive or negative, on her developing fetus, any act or omission on her part could render her liable to her subsequently born child. While such a view is consistent with the recognition of a fetus’ having rights which are superior to those of its mother, such is not and cannot be the law of this state. A legal right of a fetus to begin life with a sound mind and body assertable against a mother would make a pregnant woman the guarantor of the mind and body of her child at birth. A legal duty to guarantee the mental and physical health of another has never before been recognized in law. Any action which negatively impacted on fetal development would be a breach of the pregnant woman’s duty to her developing fetus, Mother and child would be legal adversaries from the moment of conception until birth. If a legally cognizable duty on the part of mothers were recognized, then a judicially defined standard of conduct would have to be met. It must be asked, by what judicially defined standard would a mother have her every act or omission while pregnant subjected to state scrutiny? By what objective standard should a jury be guided in determining whether a pregnant woman did all that was necessary in order not to breach a legal duty to not interfere with her fetus’ separate and independent right to be born whole? In what way would prejudicial and stereotypical beliefs about the reproductive abilities of women be kept from interfering with a jury’s determination of whether a particular woman was negligent at any point during her pregnancy? Nevertheless, some argue that the drug-addicted pregnant woman should be treated as if her drug use is the same as child abuse and at least one state Supreme Court has apparently accepted that view. The Supreme of South Carolina, distinguishing itself from courts in twenty-four other states, has declared that at least inside the borders of South Carolina a viable fetus is a person and a pregnant woman who endangers its health can be found guilty of child abuse. The South Carolina court could not fathom the difference between a stranger who attacks a pregnant woman and the woman herself. The court argued if the fetus is not treated as a child under the law, then, â€Å"there would be no basis for prosecuting a mother who kills her viable fetus by stabbing it, by shooting it, or by other such means, yet a third party could be prosecuted for the very same acts. † The truth is that we do not have to pit the woman against the fetus to promote healthy pregnancies or to value life. In fact, creating fetal personhood hurts both women and the possibilities for healthier pregnancies. We could treat addiction for what it is, a health problem. We could fund programs designed to meet women’s needs not only during pregnancy, but throughout their lives because we value women as whole persons. We could respect people’s different values regarding fetuses without creating the legal fiction that fetuses are separate persons.

Atronomy Example

Atronomy Example Atronomy – Article Example Astronomy- Earth and its geological activities Earth is the only known planet so far which is geologically and biologically active. The earth’s geological and biological activities are due to two energy sources, the external solar energy and the internal energy from the earth’s molten core. Since solar energy is available in all the planets, why earth alone have geological activities? This question seems to be a difficult one for the scientific world. â€Å"Some measure of the time involved for a planet the size of the earth to cool by convection is that the earth has been geologically active for over 4 billion years, and will probably take another 4-5 billion years to loose all its heat -and become a dead planet† (The Heat History of Earth)â€Å"All of the geological activity on the earth today is driven from this initial source of heat at the earths formation, aided and abetted by continued radioactive decay of elements in the earths interior.† (The Heat History of Earth) Radioactive decay of elements such as Uranium, Radium etc can cause earth’s geological activities, but the major reason for earth’s geological activities is the molten core formed at the creation of earth.A planetary body can lose its internal heat energy through several ways like volcanic eruption, earth quakes etc. Another way of energy liberation is through conduction, convection and radiation. The figures given below shows some of the energy liberation activities.(The Heat History of Earth)ConclusionsGeological activities of earth have started at the time its creation. The liberation of heat from the inner molten core is accomplished by conduction, convention and radiation. Earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanic eruptions are the ways through which earth liberates its energy. Earth’s geological activities one way or other connected to the biological activities on earth. 1. The Heat History Of Earth, 2000, Retrieved on April 20, 2009 from http: //csmres.jmu.edu/geollab/fichter/PlateTect/heathistory.html

12 Best Business Writing Books [Updated 2019]

12 Best Business Writing Books [Updated 2019] Because every business person needs to write well at work, there are hundreds of books specifically about business writing. I have a bookshelf and Kindle full of them because I read everything I can on this subject. Many business writing books are meh, and some are good. One problem with a book specifically devoted to business writing is that business writing is comprised of different elements of general writing. A specific business writing book can be formulaic and reductive. â€Å"Use this model† doesn’t work well when the information that goes into that model changes and requires discernment. These 12 books represent the best of the various elements that comprise good business writing. I recommend these books to clients in Instructional Solutions'business writing courses. BOOKS ON WRITING IN GENERAL How to Start, be Organized, and Not Panic 1.Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott This book is the most applicable to business writing and one of my favorite books. Anne Lamott is brilliant, funny, and breaks down the process of writing. Anything Anne Lamott writes is a joy to read. This excerpt reflects the essence: "Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, 'Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'" How to Extract the Essence 2.The Writing Life by Annie Dillard A little esoteric, but no one is better than extracting the essential core of a concept than Annie Dillard. Her advice in this book is the heart of writing an executive summary statement well. She also explores the joy and heartbreak of writing well. BOOKS ON WRITING STYLE Best How-to-Write Book 3.On Writing Well by William Zinsser This book is the classic guide on effective non-fiction writing. If I had to choose only one book to read to improve business writing, it would be this one. It will help readers write better and understand how to improve what they’ve already written. Best Current Style Book 4.The Sense of Style by Steven Pinker Its subtitle is â€Å"The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century.† Pinker is a Harvard lecturer and a master linguist. His writing is very entertaining. He takes a â€Å"descriptivist† approach to grammar, rather than a â€Å"prescriptivist,† by advocating clear language and breaking grammar rules when needed. This book is a must read for contemporary business writers, but in business writing I recommend staying with grammar rules unless clarity requires a break. Many business readers might pounce on a grammar â€Å"error,† not realizing that breaking the convention actually improves meaning. The Classic Book of Style and Clarity 5.The Elements of Style by Strunk and White This little book has been the bible of style for over 50 years for a good reason. Be sure to read a later version that is edited by E.B. White, also, as it’s more comprehensive than William Strunk’s first edition. Best Book to Cut Bloat 6.Why Business People Speak Like Idiots by Brian Fugere Published in 2005, this book is still sadly very relevant. Business writing is drowning in jargon and meaningless buzzwords that obscure real information. It identifies four strategies to cut the bloat. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(41482, '39de76fa-b005-4d0a-9136-a9a423513681', {}); Best to Improve Sentence Construction 7.It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences by June Casagrande Strong sentences build strong documents. This book beautifully deconstructs clear sentences. This book is a wickedly funny, no-nonsense guide. Best Grammar Book 8.Eats, Shoots, and Leaves: The Zero Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss Who knew grammar and punctuation could be so funny? This best-selling book is an impassioned manifesto, complete with amusing error examples (dead sons photos may be released). Truss leans more to the prescriptivist school of grammar than the descriptivist, which matches business writing requirements. STYLE GUIDES Best for Templates and General Guides 9.The Business Writer’s Handbook by Gerald Alred, Walter Oliu, and Charles Brusaw Very useful for models and overall business writing standards. If You Have a Website or Publish Internal Information to Staff 10.The Associated Press Stylebook 2019 The definitive style guide to use if you publish anything on the web. It is regularly updated. The 2019 version is now available and has an updated section on gender considerations. Best for Current and Evolving Usage 11.Garner’s Modern English Usage, 4th Edition An invaluable desk reference for grammar and usage. It has recently been expanded and covers both American and British usage. It’s especially useful for the evolution of new words and their usage. Most Comprehensive 12.The Gregg Reference Manual, 11th Edition Traditionally, the Gregg Reference Manual has been the style guide of choice for business writers. It’s easy to navigate and depth of coverage is unmatched. The Associated Press Stylebook is now often a business’s standard guide, but Gregg has information not found in other guides. What books about business writing have helped you? Please share in comments!

Retail management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Retail management - Essay Example The fashion industry today is marked by short life-cycles, high volatility, low predictability and high impulse purchasing (Christopher, Lowson & Peck, 2004). The fashion retail industry in UK is turbulent as the fashion conscious consumers expect and thrive for constant change. Added to the changing consumer preferences are the factors like globalization and the technological changes that have truly revolutionized the UK fashion retailing industry. The fashion retail market is split into number of segments – luxury, high street and supermarket/out-of-town discounter (Bruce & Daly, 2006). With the supermarkets having entered the clothing sector, the fashion retail has been redefined. It enables the time-starved consumers to purchase cheap clothing instead of visiting high street. The cheap chic revolution has turned the UK fashion market upside down (Mesure, 2007). With the rise of the discount retail store the number of garments purchased by women each has doubled. Various reasons have been accounted for this changing trend – shift of production to the Far East, the weak US dollar and the abolition of textile quotas have driven down prices even in chains like Asda and M&S. The phenomenon of disposable fashion rules – â€Å"buy it, wear it, and chuck it† is the mantra that the fashion conscious follow in the 21st century. Consumers expect low prices, and increasing incomes are the key to increased ec onomic activity. According to Jones and Hayes (2002), clothing and fashion purchase decisions are based on want rather than need (cited by Priest 2005). It depends upon how the consumer wants to be perceived. Competition is fierce and the market is characterized by excessive discounting. Even top socio-economic groups are price-savvy. Decreased consumer spending has a negative impact on the retailers. Besides, cost of retail space has gone up and rents have risen. According to a research by This is Money, people shop at both the top and bottom ends of

Dam paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Dam - Research Paper Example Remediation of Gorge Dam will involve; revitalizing its catchment area, that is the river Cuyahoga to ensure constant supply of water to the dam and reduce the flow of sediment. The decision to remediate a dam is based on various ecological, economical and human considerations in terms of impacts and risks associated with it. According to the American White Water organization, the Gorge Dam is roughly 57feet tall (approximately 17.4 meters), with a current average flow rate estimated at approximately 522 cubic feet per second (approximately 14.8 cubic meters per second). Remediation processes in the United States are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and it is executed in stages. The Gorge dam was built in 1912 on the Cuyahoga River between Cuyahoga Falls and Akron Ohio. Vast deposits of metal waste from industries were dumped into the Cuyahoga River between 1912 and 1926, which over time have converted into free flowing sediment. Also from 1926 to 1978, coal combusted products were also laid in the river as waste. The dam was built for the generation of hydroelectric power for the local street car public transportation systems and to provide cooling water storage for a local coal burning power plant. Removing the dam will cost approximately 50 to 70 million dollars and over a year to finish the process depending on how the funds are distributed and consumed. With these figures, it’s better to leave the dam alone since in removing or ignoring the dam doesn’t solve the problem of pollution as the sediment has to be removed even after the dam is removed. Sediment is a naturally occurring material produced by the forces of erosion and weathering and is transported downstream through the water. After removal of the dam, the large amount of polluted sediment on the base of the dam and the river also needs to be taken out to avoid allocating itself downstream. The operation is a major component of the cost consideration and time taken in removing the dam. Ignoring the dam means continued build up of sediment and water quality declination. The solution for the dam is remediation. Currently, the dam has a potential of generating approximately 2526 kilowatts. Considering its situation, this is a good amount of power and this means once the dam is remediated, power generation efficiency will increase. The generated power will be viable for feeding into the national grid. The cost incurred in remediation and upgrading the hydroelectric plant will be recovered in a few years, which is better than spending 50 to70 million dollars in removing the dam and over a year to do so, or incurring an annual expense of 1224 dollars in ignoring the dam to maintain it without any economic benefits. From the calculations in the appendix, Gorges dam can generate up to 2021017 watts of power assuming its efficiency is 80%. Hydroelectric power generation of a typical dam ranges from 70-90 %. When remediated, the fountainhead of the dam wil l be increased and a higher head implies more potential to generate power. The result is a cheap and readily available power for factories and to the local communities. Cheap and readily available power encourages local investment. Industries will develop which will create employment, and improving the standards of living. Remediating the dam removes the sediment accumulated over the years