British Airways Supply Chain free essay sample

Activities and Supply Chain Management ESMT Case Study British Airways: A Journey in Procurement Transformation Q1 In the case what are the difficulties looked by the acquirement bunch in coming 2 years ahead? There are a few difficulties the acquisition bunch looked somewhere in the range of 2004 and 2006. Above all else, staying aware of the accomplishment of the previous years, particularly the expense and execution enhancements and furthermore keeping speculators glad (consistent increment of offer cost since the start of 2003).Secondly, the obtainment bunch was to confront difficulties while justifying the quantity of providers, building cross business adjustment to build up a uniform sourcing process, lessen spending and utilizing it. The turn out of extra devices of Ariba’s spend the executives arrangement, which should cover all spend classifications was another test. Since it in the first place just comprised of a little gathering of providers stretched out over the coming month, which may prompt troubles when attempting to build congruity with favored providers. Those will be diminished to 2000, which will make it simpler to oversee them and furthermore to create legitimate sourcing procedures. Anyway incorporating the diverse Ariba framework devices spoke to another test, and was essential to ensure that requests depend on the equivalent concurred terms. Besides the obtainment bunch intended to modify lists. The difficulties it looked here were to make requesting less difficult, bolster exchanges with favored providers, decline receipt befuddles, accelerate endorsements and advance demand accuracy.In expansion to this another future test was to rollout to abroad tasks and auxiliaries. This would mean another decrease in worker headcount in different divisions and could lead again to protection from change among representatives. Hence change the board would be a fundamental device to handle this test, while the specialized piece of the turn out ought not be an issue. Q2 What were the arrangements proposed and how could they address the issues confronted? Arrangements proposed were to adjust to a conventional sourcing process.Initially it comprised of five tollgates. Later it was diminished to three tollgates, in view of substantial outstanding burden looked by the people in control (External Spend Group) during the survey procedure, which would have undermined the elevated level of productivity. It upheld a progressively organized, straightforward and capable work process, buying procedure and cost controlling. It tended to the up to that point liberal administration of purchasers, who now and then could approved spending up to ? 1 million without endorsement by ma nagers. Adjusting to another sourcing procedure additionally intended to rebuild BA’s hierarchical buying process. So as to do as such, extra programming for value-based buying of administrations and items was presented. Up to that point this procedure occurred through asset concentrated strategies. At the time the required programming was still going to create and it required some investment to locate the correct one. This new programming from (Ariba Buyer) should fill the hole of proficiently (time and cost) buying in the acquisition procedure, which existed in this area.It ran on an outer Internet stage, which empowered BA to set up working arrangements all the more rapidly. With its capacity to join a few administration abilities and to halfway deal with the parts of the obtainment procedure the framework tended to the issues starting through the prior referenced hole. Another issue looked by BA during the execution of the obtainment change program was the protection from this new procedure and to utilization of the product in all areas.It was a consistent issue since the quest for acquirement process programming and simultaneously progressing work cuts of the â€Å"Future Size and Shape† activity in the year 2000. After three years BA began to handle the issue by demonstrating the upsides of Ariba Buyer, offering support (e. g. call community for purchasers) and preparing (â€Å"Learning Programme†). An effective device turned into the â€Å"Z-card†. It was a little enough card to be hauled around all over and clarified in pictures and straightforward language the means of the new procedure and technique. It likewise clarified how this new advancement fit with the â€Å"Future Size and Shape† activity. Q3 What signs are there that the progressions worked? 1999-2004 In 2003, a quick increment of vital acquirement forms indicated that the usage of the five tollgates had worked. Additionally the help administrations for purchasers like the get focus ended up being a triumph with more than 100 calls for each day. The adjustment in obtainment methodology and procedure had additionally a positive effect on the reality. Obtainment reserve funds had consistently expanded since the beginning of the change in 1999.In 2001/2002 the new advancement lead to investment funds of about ? 50 million. Only three years after the fact in 2004/2005 it had expanded by multiple times to ? 200 million of investment funds. With such an advancement the expense for Ariba Buyer was returned in only five months. Another sign that the progressions worked demonstrated quick increment of requests trough the Ariba Buyer framework in the second 50% of 2003. A few extra advantages demonstrated that the progressions had worked. For example, increasingly straightforward spending, which shows an ascent in orders prepared by means of Ariba Buyer.This likewise decreased the measure of providers utilized up to that point by 63% in 2003. Another expansion was recorded in contract consistence, where favored providers began to turn out to be a piece of the day by day business, not simply lessening off agreement spending and bringing about lower costs for products and ventures bought, yet additionally diminishing regulatory endeavors through less agreements. With better data on buying spend, it was conceivable to dissect which sum was spend for which provider and item. This empowered the acquirement gathering to begin utilizing buying power and along these lines spare expenses in various territories like in-flight providing food in the US (15%), ground fuel at the London air terminals (22%) and group convenience in the US (17%). Additionally inside preparing costs have been diminished, with a positive effect on mistake rates, exchange cost (diminished by 48%) and request handling time, with the vast majority of the requests being executed electronically. This gives workers more opportunity to focus on esteem include exercises, prompting higher representative efficiency. Since the work process had been enhanced less workforce was needed.Therefore BA had the option to diminish headcount utilized particularly in acquisition and safe extra expenses. Q4 What could have been done another way? The acquirement group ought to have been thorough about the use of Ariba Buyer directly from the earliest starting point at the execution of the product. This cou ld have been finished by intently checking the use of the product by purchasers, yet in addition by ensuring that representatives really realize how to utilize it and what the reason for the product is. This could have been handily accomplished via preparing workforce and supporting the product directly from the earliest starting point as ell. The time taken until strengthening measures (like in 2003 for more tight NDI controls) was excessively long. During this time purchasers were excessively enormously engaged with a lot of opportunity about their dynamic. Additionally the presentation of the tollgates came late simultaneously and ought to have been as of now set up when the new programming was propelled. The individuals in control ought to have likewise been proactive with advancing the acquisition change program directly from the earliest starting point among representatives, by presenting the aims and objectives something like the â€Å"Z-card† directly at the beginning.This would have diminished opposition against the change. Likewise one ought to have thought picked an alternate opportunity to present the â€Å"Future Size and Shape† activity, which at the time was simply one more change and caused extra opposition. The beginning of this activity directly toward the start of the acquisition change program would have been something more. Or on the other hand one ought to have held up until individuals have acclimated to the underlying changes and afterward think of this plan.

Coke and Pepsi Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Coke and Pepsi - Assignment Example As far as rivalry for piece of the pie, Sodastream hasn’t truly compromised the mastery of Coke and Pepsi. Over the most recent 2 years, what Sodastream has just done is to demystify the quality around pop and carbonated soda pops. By selling syrup legitimately to its customers, Sodastream has show the market that there truly is nothing â€Å"fancy† about CSDs and that the capacity to make your own soft drink at home ought to be increasingly appealing, and less expensive, than purchasing readymade pop. Sodastream has consistently marked and promoted itself as the best naturally well disposed alternative to Coke and Pepsi’s CSDs. The impact of this has been that the two goliaths have needed to build their promoting use so as to keep up their positions, keep business as usual as it ought to be. Sodastream’s ongoing Super Bowl promotion figured out how to raise a ruckus Coke and Pepsi as a result of its implication that Coke and Pepsi’s level of natura l cognizance was poor and troublesome. The advertisement figured out how to get all that anyone could need consideration, yet didn't run on CBS, which is a major promoting stage for both Coke and Pepsi. In synopsis, Coke and Pepsi have must be progressively forceful in their publicizing in case Sodastream keep eating into their piece of the pie. In the event that Sodastream can keep developing CSDs would at present command, however rivalry would be a lot stiffer. All elements considered, CSDs are not going anyplace at any point in the near future, paying little mind to the new contestants. The emphasis on developing markets and new items ought to strengthen, to improve the two incomes and benefits from new items, for example, non-carbonated beverages customized to explicit markets. Display 9 uncovers that non-CSD drinks have as much potential as CSDs, it is just that CSDs have been the backbone of the two organizations for quite a while. It is fascinating to take note of that in places like Europe CSDs are not as well known as they are in America and Asia. Such markets can be utilized

Asking Small Talk Follow-Up Questions When You Have SAD

Asking Small Talk Follow-Up Questions When You Have SAD July 17, 2019 Social Anxiety Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children Reza Estakhrian/Taxi/Getty Images Follow-up questions are an important part of the conversation. Without follow-up questions, you and your conversation partner will end up asking and responding to a series of questions without ever talking in-depth about any particular topicâ€"which will feel awkward. Follow-up questions keep the conversation moving forward and allow for clarification and elaboration of details. However, if you live with social anxiety disorder, asking follow-up questions or even making small talk in the first place may feel uncomfortableâ€"or downright anxiety-provoking. While you work on your social anxiety with the help of treatment, use the tips below to also brush up on your small talk skills. Having this list of types of questions ready will give you confidence and help to reduce the social anxiety that you feel. Steps to Asking Follow-Up Questions Small talk generally starts with a conversation about topics such as the weather, family, work, hobbies, and other interests. There are two ways to get another person to talk: by asking yes/no or open-ended questions. Yes/No Questions Yes/no questions require only a yes or no answer from your conversation partner. These questions often start with words such as would, should, is, are, did, do, etc. Did you watch the season finale of The Voice last night?Do you go to church on Sundays?Do you like to travel? Open-Ended Questions Obviously, you can see how some of the above yes/no questions would lead to a conversation. However, you can also lead your partner deeper into topics by asking questions that take a bit more explanation. These questions take a different form, beginning with words such as how, why, what, and where.   How many siblings do you have?What do you do for fun on the weekend?How do you like being an accountant? Whether you begin small talk by asking yes/no questions or open-ended questions, you will want to ask follow-up questions to further the conversation. 10 Best and Worst Small Talk Topics Follow-Up Questions If your conversation partner responds that he did watch The Voice (or any other show) the night before, follow up with a question to obtain more details: Who is your favorite judge on the show?Who do you think is going to win? It is best to choose a topic that you know a little bit about so that you can follow the other persons response with your own point of view. If the person responds to the open-ended question by saying that he has one sister, some potential follow-up questions might include: Where does she live?What does she do?How often do you see her? When thinking of follow-up questions, the following keywords can be used to build upon: Who?What?How?  Why?  Where?  When?  Meaning?  And?   Once you are in the habit of asking follow-up questions, it will become easier to generate them during a conversation. Remember, though, to always listen carefully to what the other person has to say. Only formulate your question once the person has finished speaking because what he or she says will likely affect what you ask next. One way to do this is by practicing active listening, in which you listen as though you might need to explain what the person is saying to someone else. If something doesnt make sense or you dont understand it, ask for clarification. Practicing Active Listening in Your Daily Conversations Reading Between the Lines Through Follow-up Questions Sometimes during the conversation, the other person will give you little pieces of information that hint at what he or she wants you to ask about next. A person might say something like I have been working as an accountant, but Im not sure for how much longer. In this instance, consider asking follow-up questions  that help you to clarify what the other person is thinking: What do you mean by that? or Why do you think that? Use these when you feel the need to understand the other persons point of view or how they are feeling about a particular topic. This is particularly helpful if the person has dropped hints about a deeper meaning than the actual words he or she is saying. More Tips for Follow-Up Questions Show interest and encourage the other person to speak by smiling and nodding during the conversation.Keep up-to-date on news, entertainment, and sporting events, so its easier to ask yes/no and follow-up questions.Interject with statements like Tell me more or Sounds interesting to encourage the other person.Offer sympathy and support, rather than asking for more details, if someone discloses something personal such as a recent death in the family or a divorce. The person may just want to explain his situation so that you know why he is not acting like himself. Leave it up to him to decide how much to share.Dont be quick to jump in if there is silence. Allow the other person time to respond and dont interrupt. How to Socialize More Easily When You Have SAD Genuine Interest When you first start making small talk, you might just be trying to make yourself and the other person comfortable. That is when there is often quick back and forth of yes and no type questions. It is when you start to become genuinely interested in what the other person has to say that the conversation takes a life of its own. Soâ€"focus less on getting the details of asking follow-up questions right, and more on becoming genuinely interested in the other person. A Word From Verywell Use these tips when you find yourself needing to make small talk with a stranger or someone you dont know well. Remember, even though your socially-anxious self may seek perfectionâ€"this shouldnt be your goal. Instead, picture your end goal of making a new friend and see the question-and-answer process as a necessary step in building that friendship.

Alcoholism in the Shining Essay - 620 Words

Alcoholism in â€Å"The Shining† In â€Å"The Shining†, written by Steven King, the reader is exposed to an issue that a lot of families face in the real world that of which is alcoholism. The story’s main character, Jack Torrance, struggles from this issue due to his troubled past regarding an abusive and alcoholic father as well as his struggle of becoming the very man he loved, yet hated as a child. By exposing the reader to alcoholism, they are instantly aware of the outcomes of it and how it can affect someone. King uses this method to help enhance the story, to allow the contents of the book to become real and relatable to the reader, and most importantly, to allow the reader to actually sympathize with the main characters. Throughout the†¦show more content†¦This causes Jack to be driven off the edge in hatred, which also causes his family to be in danger of abuse yet again. In the end of the novel, Jack’s frail mind caused from his extreme thirst for alcohol and his abusive childhood from his father end up being his inevitable downfall. Jack’s mind becomes completely filled with hatred for his family and the yearning for them to suffer, he becomes blinded with rage. The reader’s begin to root for Wendy and Danny as they escape Jack’s grasp; leaving behind the exploding remains of the Outlook Hotel and a once beloved member of their family. Steven King did an incredible job creating â€Å"The Shining†. Using a real life issue as damaging as alcoholism and allowing the reader to sympathize and even relate with the main characters was truly a remarkable idea. This thriller is, in no doubt, a masterpiece that will stay a treasure for years to come. Word Count: 604 Work Cited King, Stephen. The Shining. New York, NY: Pocket, 2001. Print. Magistrale, Tony. Landscape of Fear : Stephen Kings American Gothic. Popular Press, 2004. Print. Magistrale, Tony. 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How to Prepare Microscope Slides

Organizational Structure Of The Organization - 1163 Words

Over the years, most organizations have been urged to consider changing their organizational structure so as to promote employee flexibility as well as empower them with the discretion of making decisions. As a result, organizations across the world have resorted to de-layering or flattening their organizational structures with the hopes of achieving employee flexibility and improving the operations of the organization as well. De-layering or flattening, in this case, refers to the elimination of certain layers in an organization’s hierarchy and the broadening of the span of control of managers. Research has indicated that pushing down the process of decision making to the lower organization levels not only makes employees responsible for their actions but also promotes accountability (Hirsch De Soucey, 2006). It should, however,be noted that these changes in organizational structure have also left organizations in the midst of chaos. In fact, as organizations delayer their s tructure and downsize their labor force, employees, as well as managers, find themselves in working environments that have redefined their work as well as the corporate culture. It has been argued that the primary objective of flattening organizational hierarchies which also includes the downsizing of the organization’s workforce is to encourage workers in the lower positions to participate in the decision-makingprocess of the organization. However, research has shown that in some cases, theShow MoreRelatedOrganizational Structure Of An Organization1585 Words   |  7 Pagesimportant things to run a business smoothly is an appropriate organizational structure in order to manage workers effectively, have maximum productivity and achieve the objectives set by the company. The structure of an organization including the method that an organization employs to delineate lines of communication, policies, authority and responsibilities. It determines the extent and nature of how leadership is disseminated within the organization. It is the method to ensure effective channels of communicationRead MoreOrganizational Structure Of Organization Structure1557 Words   |  7 Pagescourse we discussed bureaucracy. We said this form of organization was the starting point for understanding all modern organizations. Based on the text and other class readings develop an essay that begins with a brief definition of bureaucracy and the reason why this form of organization remains the cornerstone of organization structure. Then, give three reasons why the principles of bureaucracy may sometimes be dysfunctional for an organization. Conclude your essay with a discussion of three principlesRead MoreOrganizational Structure Of An Organization1130 Words   |  5 Pagescompany to be productive and advance in the business environment. 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Every organization has a set pattern that helps to establish the structure on wh ich it will accomplish the goal of the business. According to Prodanciuc, organizational structure is the fundamental concept that helps the organization be organized and administrated. The organizing takes placeRead MoreOrganizational Structure Of An Organization1361 Words   |  6 Pages1. Introduction An organization is defined as a group of people who work together in an organized way for shared purpose. When people come together, they can either compliment one another or potentially create conflicts and disagreements in the course of pursuing common objectives with their differentiated experiences, perceptions and knowledge. Managing an organization involves putting a structure to the business so that managers can manage, supervise and coordinate its people and organization’sRead MoreOrganizational Structure Of An Organization1718 Words   |  7 Pagesintroduction This report is going to concentrate on the structure of an organization because, like Jay Lorsch said: organization structure is management’s formal and explicit attempts to indicate to organizational members what is expected of them. In his words, ‘this was management’s attempt to draw a map of whom they want to do what’ (Lorsch, 1977, p. 3) .So a mature and scientific organizational structure is an essential factor that a successful organization requires. I got an internship in a law officeRead MoreOrganizational Structure Of The Organization3890 Words   |  16 Pagesto set up the structure and policies to suit the changes of the market. One of the essential and most important factors to achieve that is the organizational structure. 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MC Donald Restaurant

Question: Write an analysis of the case study: McDonald's Restaurants built on motivation ? Answer: The current case on McDonald restaurants presents an excellent understanding of the motivation processes for staff groups in general as well as the specific company in discussion. It explicitly develops wider variety of different schemes designed towards motivating group of staff in vary contexts. These motivation schemes in turn are successful in motivating the employees in a way that they develop a personalized interest for their units success through teamwork and collaboration, as the restaurants of the company operate in separated profit units. Mainly two specific bonus schemes the company has developed to implement the motivation among its staff, such as monthly bonus for employees and quarterly bonus for managers of top 10 percent chosen restaurants. This selection of staff for incentives (bonus) comes from a specific procedure based on growth of sales, score from mystery shopper and profitability. These indicators seem quite logical as they cover not only the companys prospect ive but also customers aspects. This motivation scheme has in turn helped putting the concept of team work for the whole staff when the benefits and rewards are considered as referred by Neal, the manager for compensation in charge. This also presents a challenge before the staff to prove them before the mystery customer which makes it fully customer centric. The portfolio pf motivation scheme of this company remained similar across its operations including UK. Similar such program in UK and Barcelona were arranged by a common meeting of awardees and their discussion with peers after return to work really developed an impact of this motivation scheme inside the company (employees). Given this scheme of motivation has acquired universal acceptance, these programs is being linked with Olympic and para Olympic Games and awardees are given chance in these games facilities to enjoy and take part in hospitality. Even some awardees are given paid trip to big cities for travel and enjoyment. While this scheme has got better acceptance by staff, at the same time critics provide a lot of caution in implementing this without of course doubting on its good effect. Neal provide a series of recipes for motivation components such as recognizing right behavior of employees, frequency of awards, understanding values and need of employees in awarding as important in designing motivation schemes. While in this case study selection of staff for incentives (bonus) are discussed to come from specific procedures taking important aspects like growth of sales, score from mystery shopper and profitability. These indicators seem quite logical as they cover not only the companys prospective but also customers aspects. Only thing that can be recommended for addition is some way the need and expectation from employees may be scanned and incorporated into the motivation schemes. In addition however Neals recipes for components for incorporating into motivation schemes in terms of recognizing right behavior of employees, understanding their values and frequency of awards should be taken into consideration as a guide in awarding as important in designing motivation schemes. References: De Cooman, R., Stynen, D., Van den Broeck, A., Sels, L. and De Witte, H. (2013), How job characteristics relate to need satisfaction and autonomous motivation: implications for work effort. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 43:13421352. Wang, Zheni and Gagn, Marylne (2012). ChineseCanadian Cross-Cultural Investigation of Transformational Leadership, Autonomous Motivation, and Collectivistic Value, Journal of Leadership Organizational Studies Nov. Lovewell, D. (2013). McDonald's restaurants built on motivation. Employee Benefits, 11. Huang, Yueng-Hsiang ; Verma, Santosh K.; Chang, Wen-Ruey; Courtney, Theodore K.; Lombardi, David A.; Brennan, Melanye J. and Perry, Melissa J. (2012). Supervisor vs. employee safety perceptions and association with future injury in US limited-service restaurant workers, Accident Analysis Prevention, 47 (July): 4551

A Few Thoughts on Being Cynical

A Few Thoughts on Being Cynical Is it acceptable, or just, or good for a human to be cynical? Its an interesting question to be entertained. Ancient Greek Cynics   Being cynical is an attitude that shall not be confused with subscribing to the philosophies of the Ancient Greek cynics. These comprised a school of thinking rooted in the disregard for any social convention in the name of self-sufficiency and freedom of opinion and of agency. While the term cynical derived from the cynics of Ancient Greek philosophy, this is by and large to mock those who displayed a cynical attitude. Yet there were also some analogies between the two, arguably. Cynicism is mix of disillusion and pessimism towards any affair involving humans; this often entails regarding human conventions as either doomed to fail or as existing not for the betterment of the human condition but to sustaining the interests of specific individuals. On the other hand, while Ancient Greek cynics may have been said to aim at attaining a good life, the cynical person may have no such goal; most often than not, she lives by the day and adopts a practical perspective on human affairs. Cynicism and Machiavellism One of the foremost cynical philosophers of modern times is Niccolà ² Machiavelli. In the chapters of the Prince examining the virtues that are proper to a prince, Machiavelli reminds us that many – i.e. Plato, Aristotle, and their followers – have imagined states and kingdoms that never existed, prescribing rulers to maintain behaviors that would be more proper to those living in heaven than to those who live on earth. To Machiavelli, moral norms are most often than not filled with hypocrisy and the prince is not advised to follow them if he wants to preserve power. Machiavelli’s morality is definitely filled with disillusion regarding human affairs; he had witnessed first-hand how rulers had been killed or overthrown for lack of a realistic approach to their endeavors. Is Cynicism Bad? Machiavelli’s example can help us to a great extent, I believe, to sort out the controversial aspects of cynicism. Declaring oneself a cynic is often regarded as a bold statement, almost a challenge to the most basic tenets that hold societies together. Is this really the goal of cynical people, to challenge the status quo and to possibly challenge any attempt to form and sustain a society? Granted, sometimes cynicism may be directed towards a specific constitution; thus, if you believe that the present government – but not any government – shall be interpreted as acting for some interests that differ from the ones that are officially stated and that it is doomed to ruin, then those in government may regard you as their antagonist, if not an enemy. A cynical attitude, nonetheless, may also be non-subversive in its intents. For instance, a person may adopt a cynical attitude as a mechanism of self-defense, that is, as a means to go by daily affairs without being hurt or negatively affected (from an economic or socio-political point of view, for instance). Under this version of the attitude, a cynical person need not have a grand scheme of how a government, or any government, works; nor does she need to have a grand scheme of how people operate; it seems simply more prudent to assume that people act out of self-interest, often overestimating their conditions or ending up being affected by bad luck. It is in this sense, I maintain, that being cynical may be justified, or even at times recommended.

Ernest Hemingway essays

Ernest Hemingway essays Ernest Hemingway is considered to be one of the greatest American writers. He is writer who in his works reveals much about himself, because incidents and many scenes from his own life are reproduced in his novels, and actually leading characters have much in common with their creator. To my mind that makes his novels, stories more attractive, more interesting and exciting. That involves also some element of realism in his works. E. Hemingways works are so popular also because of the fact that the author has a consistent view of life and man. Earnshow characterizes the essence of this view in his book Modern Writers: His principal characters are tough men whose appetite for danger leads them into situations where injury, wounds and death are almost inevitable. They are also sentimental men who form strong attachments to women or children and these attachments make them equally vulnerable to emotional wounds. They pitch themselves into struggles that they cannot hope to win, but they show that although a man must lose, he can lose with dignity and honor. ...Hemingway had a strict moral code. The code is worked out emotionally, not intellectually; if what the hero does feel right to him, then it is right, even though it is opposed to the moral standards accepted in society. [Earnshow Modern Writers, London, 1968, p. 193] Indeed Hemingways characters follow this code, code of their own also in the novel the Sun Also Rises. This is the novel of the group of people who make trip to Pamplona for the bullfights. This group of people includes Jake Barnes, Bill Gorton, Lady Brett Ashley, Mike Campbell and Robert Cohn. Although there is one more character, which plays important role but does not belong to that group Pedro Romero. Why he does not belong to this group? The answer is that he does not belong to so called lost generation, because the other characters ...

Principles of Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Principles of Marketing - Essay Example The report indicates that Thornton's PLC should focus on cutting down costs, improving convenience to consumers and enhancing communication. In doing this, there should be four main categories of services that the company need to focus on: Chocolate Sweets, Personalized Gifts, Hampers and Gift Ideas as well as Corporate Gifts. Based on the Boston Consulting Group model, it is recommended that Thorntons in Hull City should focus on the Star products that have high growth and high market share so that they expand on that and build profitability in the December markets. The paper concludes with guidelines on how to place, price, promote the Thornton chocolates in the December markets. ... ..........................14 Implementation and Control.......................................................................14 Increasing Fanbase......................................................................................15 Sales Increase Objectives & Budgeting Plans.............................................15 Introduction â€Å"The marketing plan sets out the marketing objectives of the company and suggest strategies for achieving these objectives† (Westwood, 2002 p5). This means that the marketing plan is a tool that supports a business to market its products to the public. The marketing plan is somewhat different from the firm's strategic plan and/or business plan. The marketing plan is specific and provides a strong blueprint for the promotion and marketing of a given product(s). The marketing plan lays out specific production objectives, financial objectives and personnel objectives for given products that are going to be sold (Westwood, 2002 p5). During Ch ristmas, sales increase tremendously. Stefanowicz identifies that sales in Christmas represents 14.3% of sales in the entire year (2010). This means that in a 12 month period, the month of December marks a disproportionately high level of demand for products. This trend could be attributed to the festive nature of the season and the fact that most people get a lot of bonuses in that people whilst others are prepared to spend more of their savings at this point in time. As such, it is appropriate for any business to have a marketing plan for such a period. This is because demand and sales could increase disproportionately in respect to the increase in the volume of buyers. This paper is a marketing plan for Thorntons PLC, a UK confectionery company. It examines how Thorntons can draw up a

History of the Modernity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

History of the Modernity - Essay Example These ideologies were given names suffixed with 'ism' to the principle governing theory; like, Radicalism (Radical-ism), Republicanism, Socialism, Nationalism, Conservatism, and Classical Liberalism. They had their origination in the Enlightenment era which had like thinkers Rene Descartes, Voltaire and Jean Jacques-Rousseau. Rousseau argued for liberty, and demand for equality of men. In The Social Contract he states, "the human race would perish unless it changed its manner of life." (p. 34) This brief essay shall try to answer some questions associated with the above period of European history, such as: the impact of the changes in European cities between 1815 and 1850, the impact of Industrial Revolution on the urban landscape, the appraisal of problems of by contemporaries regarding the social cost of the Industrial Revolution and the interpretation of modern historians interpret those costs. In the process it shall envisage an understanding of the subject, in terms of the impact of technological revolution that drove industrial revolution, and ideological changes that effected political changes in countries like France, Britain and indeed whole of Europe. In Britain, M Changes in the European Cities (years 1815-50) In Britain, Manchester had more than about "four hundred thousand inhabitants" (Engels p. 39) and gives a vivid picture of industrial pollution already making the river water "narrow, coal-black, foul-smelling stream, full of debris and refuse" (p.41). His record indicates that a railway line was already established between Leeds and Liverpool. The industrial boom in Manchester is further indicated by his record that there were "tanneries, bone mills and gas-works" (p.41) Manchester, had all the water, railway connection to carry raw materials and its cotton-manufacture-conducive climate, made it and important industrial town. Richard Guest records of the cotton manufacturing activities in Manchester and other cities of England, "In 1818, there were in Manchester, Stockport, Middleton, Hyde, Stayley Bridge, and their vicinities, fourteen factories, containing about two thousand Looms" the same increased to 32 in 1821, with 5732 looms; and since then it only steadily increased. Coal was also mined and at collieries in some places like Yorkshire and Lancashire, East of Scotland and South Wales, women workers were also engaged (Parliamentary Papers, 1842, Vol XVI, pp. 24, 196). 'Chartism' or the radical movement of the English working class, came out with a "People's Charter" (1837) with six points, which was submitted to the British Parliament in the year 1838. The development in Russia/Poland was more political in nature, with Poland declaring independence from Russia in St. Petersburg, in the year 1932, in order ensure "the continuance of all the essential requisites for the happiness of individuals, and of the country in general, namely, security of persons and property, liberty of conscience, and all the laws and privileges of towns and communes" (Hordynacki pp. 424-428) Vienna and the rest of Europe in general seem to be more under the influence of

The presidency of thomas jefferson

The presidency of thomas jefferson The Failures Of The Presidency Of Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson is generally regarded as one of the most popular and successful of the United States Presidents. In reviewing his Presidency, it is found that Jefferson had one of the toughest times as the nations leader. Jefferson made many mistakes during his two terms in office, some of which adversely affected the entire population of the United States. With an embargo that destroyed the homeland economy, and hypocritical negotiations with the terroristic Barbary pirates, Jeffersons few mistakes were some of the most detrimental and failed plots in the countrys history. These events and the specific actions taken by Jefferson while in office adversely affected the social and economical steadiness of the nation, creating a political imbalance that—by the end of Jeffersons second term—led to the War of 1812. The year was 1807, and the British and French had been at war with each other for around fifteen years. Jefferson was in his sixth year as President. Although the United States remained relatively uninvolved in the Napoleonic Wars up until this point, Britain announced that their naval fleet would be more aggressive in their policy of reclaiming deserted British soldiers who were now working on American ships. Around this same time, Napoleon Bonaparte, the French leader, proclaimed that because their country was at war with the British, their fleet would attack any ship carrying goods to or from Britain. These two threats required a response from Jefferson; shipping to and from Britain would have to cease because the French would attack American vessels, and ships could no longer travel around Europe because the British would reclaim their subjects. It was clear that the British did not want American trade to support the French, and the French did not want trade going to the British. This dilemma was considered an extreme priority; economy, foreign relations, and American lives were all at stake. Jefferson was convinced that he should act immediately. Jefferson consulted his cabinet and close officers and decided to ask Congress to pass an embargo. This embargo would not only bar all American ships from trading with Britain and France, it stopped trade overseas completely. Jefferson believed that while keeping Americans safe, he was also punishing Britain and France for their threats against America. Jefferson also believed that because the embargo blocked all trade completely, and because the United States was a part of the European economy, Britain and France would suffer from not having goods from America. (Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica) Jefferson was clearly wrong. The great nations of Britain and France did not need American trade after all, as they could import from anywhere else. One of the only things that both countries learned from the lesson was that neither of them required trade from the United States to succeed. The second that the embargo took place, over 30,000 jobs were lost. Not only were jobs lost, but people who still had jobs suffered even more than those that didnt. Farmers, who were used to shipping materials overseas, could not sell surplus amounts of what they produced. Port and dock workers had no cargo to unload or ships to manage, and ship owners had boats that sat—empty. This was the same for every major port city. Hoping that the embargo would be repealed, producers piled American-made merchandise by the docks. All of these items ready for the European economy, with no way to get there—legally. Smuggling became an industry under the embargo, with people so desperate to make mo ney in this minor depression of trade and economy. Smuggling went from ships sailing across the Great Lakes into Canada to merchants and traders breaking the embargo altogether. With the market in clear struggle, trade being the forerunner in the American economy, Jefferson did nothing about a possible repudiation of the embargo. Jefferson even stated that it was â€Å"necessary to maintain the laws of embargo.† (Jefferson) Smugglers who were caught were not convicted of their crimes, as even grand juries disagreed with the ridiculous act. Smugglers became heroes to the American people, and Jefferson became a persecutor. The Embargo Act was the complete antithesis of the idea of â€Å"promoting the general welfare;† rather, the restriction denied welfare, oppressing many groups of workers and people. (Malone) A constant embargo with duration of fifteen months proved that Jeffersons actions had failed. Britain and France experienced no trouble or effect of the embargo. The Embargo Act smothered American economy, fortunes, and businesses. It created a new industry for criminal behavior, and ruined Jeffersons image as a hero. In a letter that Jefferson wrote while preparing to leave the White House, he stated, â€Å"Never did a prisoner, released from his chains, feel such relief as I shall on shaking off the shackles of power.† After leaving office, Congress replaced the embargo with the Non-Intercourse Act, reinstating trade with every nation save Britain and France. Although Congress eventually repealed the Embargo Act, it was too late for Jefferson himself to reverse the action that he took based on his originally good intentions. (WhiteHouse.gov) Moving backward into the first term of Jeffersons presidency, another major error is found. In 1801, the first year of Jeffersons first term, the First Barbary War broke out. This small war was fought between the United States and the Barbary States, a group of independent nations in North Africa. In the first few weeks of Jeffersons term, Yusuf Karamanli, a high-ranking official of the Barbary States, demanded $225,000 from Jeffersons new administration. Jefferson immediately refused the demand, and Karamanli declared war on the United States. Two other nations followed their Tripolitan allies and declared war as well. Jefferson responded to this declaration of war by sending a group of frigates to defend other American trade ships and people in the Mediterranean Sea. Congress never voted on the declaration of war, but they did approve Jeffersons request of sending the frigates. While the American navy was relatively strong, tensions increased and battles broke out. The fleet of Tri poli captured the USS Philadelphia. All of the crew, including the captain, was taken as hostages and the ship was turned against other American ships. (Toll) Almost nine months after the Philadelphia was captured, Stephen Decatur led the very first Marines to Tripoli and onto the Philadelphia. The men overpowered the Tripolitan crew and set fire to the ship, in order to ensure that the Philadelphia would not be used against American forces anymore. Jeffersons mistake of denying the ransom of around a quarter of a million dollars led to many deaths and unnecessary battles over a period of four years—but this was not the worst part of his decision. While Jeffersons position on paying ransom in 1801 was firm, he asked Congress to pay a ransom in 1805, thus ending the war. This hypocritical stance was not a fair way to end the war, as they had already been fighting for four years. Many of the members of the State Department believed that the honor of the United States was lost when it abandoned the crew of the Philadelphia in 1803, but paid a ransom for their release in 1805. The worst part of this decision was the fact that the sixty- thousand dollar ransom that was paid in 1805 only released the sailors, but did not create a peace agreement with the Barbary States. This mistake led to various fleets from the Barbary States seizing American ships and crewmen, starting back up a mere two years after the ransom had been paid. Clearly, the paying of the ransom did nothing but support the terroristic ways of the Barbary States. The way that the United States agreed to negotiate with the radical regime did not â€Å"secure the blessings of liberty,† but it led the leaders of the Barbary States to believe that the United States would pay ransom for hostages, which led to the Second Barbary War. All of the money, life, resource, and honor that were lost in both the paying of the ransom and the Second Barbary War would have been saved if the war would have been finished in 1805 and a treaty agreement signed, rather than Jeffersons agreeing to support the severely corrupt Ottoman Empire. (Gawalt) It is clear that in reguard to honor and heroism, Thomas Jefferson is one of the most popular and well-respected of the Founding Fathers, as well as the United States Presidents. Although Jefferson was a successful leader in American History, his presidency led to a decline in respect for him politically. The two fatal failures of the presidency of Thomas Jefferson are the relations with the Barbary Pirates and the Embargo Act, both directly stimulating American involvement with the war of 1812, thus ruining American neutrality. Jefferson did not have a failed presidency, but a flawed one. Jefferson made mistakes just like any other man, but his actions led to a decline in the economy, the loss of life, the inbalance of the infrastructure of the United States, and even another war with the tyrants of the Barbary States. â€Å"Action will delineate and define you.† – Thomas Jefferson Works Cited Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica. Embargo Act. 2009. Embargo Act (United States [1807]). 2 October 2009 . Gawalt, Gerard W. The Thomas Jefferson Papers. January 2009. America and the Barbary Pirates: An International Battle Against an Unconventional Foe. 1 October 2009 . Jefferson, Thomas. Eighth State of the Union Address. Speech. Washington, D.C., 1808. Malone, Dumas. Jefferson the President: Second Term 1805 1809 Volume V (Jefferson and His Time, Vol 5). Chicago: Back Bay Books, 1975. Toll, Ian W. Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy . New York: W. W. Norton Company, 2006. WhiteHouse.gov. Biography of Thomas Jefferson. 2009. 3 October 2009 .

the Tao Of Pooh Book Review Essay -- essays research papers

THE TAO OF POOH Philosophy is a complicated subject. Since the beginning of human existence, many tried to come up with theories about life, happiness, reality and knowledge. From philosophical ideas different beliefs sprung, and existence of different religions followed. Every theory raised by a philosopher attracted different followers. In today's modern society aside from major religions, there are thousands of others that suggest that their explanations to universal questions are the only accurate ones, and all of these religions seek to gain more followers to join their "way". One of these religions is the religion/philosophy of Taoism. Taoism has it roots in China, where the founder of Taoism Lao-Tse was searching for a way that would avoid the constant feudal warfare and other conflicts that disrupted his society during his lifetime. The result was his book: Tao-te-Ching. Lao-Tse described Taoism as a path or a way which one must follow in order to reach inner serenity and peace. In order to reach these inner goals one must live in harmony with nature and natural process that creates the balance in the universe. The novel, written by Benjamin Hoff embodies the spiritual beliefs of Taoism, through the famous cartoon character of Winnie-the-Pooh. In this novel, Hoff shows that the character of Pooh is amazingly consistent with the principles of Taoism. He brings about explanations of Taoism through Pooh and explanations of Pooh's behaviour through Taoism, which eventually shows that Taoism is not simply an old religion or ancient philosophy, but a practice that can be used by every individual here and now in their every day lives. In this novel each major principle of Taoism is followed by an explanation made though a humorous story staring Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends. -2- SUMMARY OF MAIN IDEAS The first main principle of Taoism that is presented in this novel is the idea that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily contaminated and lost when that simplicity is altered. This principle is also known as the Uncarved Block. Winnie-the-Pooh is very significant in this principle of the Uncarved Block, because he illustrates the perfect example of an individual that follows this principle. Pooh always exists in his "natural state", he is... ...oundation of all living things that exist in this world. The mission of Taoism is not to force its beliefs on people, but to help them realize their inner-self and guide into a happy life in harmony with nature. To best summarize Taoism a quote from Lao-Tse can be used: "We believe in the formless and eternal Tao, and we recognize all personified deities as being mere human constructs. We reject hatred, intolerance, and unnecessary violence, and embrace harmony, love and learning, as we are taught by Nature. We place our trust and our lives in the Tao, that we may live in peace and balance with the Universe, both in this mortal life and beyond." There are thousands of religions that offer endless solutions to end suffering, to restore peace and unity in the world. For decades philosophers tried to come up with ways to find happiness, but in the end there was only one answer. The answer came from a some would call silly, others wise bear by the name of Winnie-the-Pooh, w ho discovered the secret for happiness in and old religion, founded by a great master Lao-Tse. This religion became the answer for the endless search for happiness and the answer was Taoism.

Naturalism

Naturalism is a type of literature that â€Å"exposed the dark harshness of life . . . were often very pessimistic and . . . blunt .† (Wikipedia).  Ã‚   Naturalistic writers do not moralize about the nature of human beings in their works, but view them with cold impartiality.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To them, nature is an indifferent force that adopts a hands-off policy vis-à  -vis human beings and the calamities that befall them.   Naturalistic works often depict an individual’s struggle to survive against the forces of nature.   At times, the conflict may be that of man against himself as he strives to maintain his humanity, to tame â€Å"the brute within† in the face of contending passions.     Ã‚  Characters in such works usually belong to the lower middle class or the lower classes.  Ã‚     (Campbell).Jack London’s The Law of Life depicts the indifference of nature to the impending death of an old man.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Abandoned in the snow by his tr ibe,   nearly blind and lame, old Koskoosh lies beside a fire with only a handful of twigs to keep himself from freezing.   He is aware of his imminent end, but calmly accepts the fact that â€Å"all men must die†.  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the few remaining hours of his life, he reflects on the never ending cycle of life and death, on how even the most vigorous animal would fall prey to old age and its predators.  Ã‚   In all this, he concluded that â€Å"nature did not care.  Ã‚   To life, she set one task, gave one law.   To perpetuate was the task of life, its law was death.†Koskoosh recalled how the Great Famine ravaged his tribe, against which they were all helpless.  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Here, London brings into focus an indifferent nature, heedless of the wailings of the villagers until nearly all of them starved to death.  Ã‚   Koskoosh also remembered how the times of plenty awakened the blood lust in his people until they revived ancient quarrels and wage d war on their enemies.  Ã‚   In this case, the â€Å"brute within†, another frequent theme of the naturalistic work, is awakened and unleashed.Occupying the old man’s thoughts in his final moments was his memory of a moose that fought off wolves until it was overpowered and fell on the bloody snow.  Ã‚  Ã‚   That recollection foreshadowed his own death: wolves were closing in on him as his fire dwindled.  Ã‚  Ã‚   But unlike the moose which fought to the very end, Koskoosh gave up when he realized the futility of it.   â€Å"What did it matter after all?† he asked.   â€Å"Was it not the law of life?†An indifferent, hostile nature pervades The Open Boat by Stephen Crane.   Four men, one of them injured, sat on a dingy after their ship went down.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An angry surf separated them from the safety of the beach; they could not take the boat to shore lest she capsize.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Desperate and afraid, sleepless and hungry, the corre spondent ponders the indifference of nature to their plight.  Ã‚  Ã‚   The men spend the night at the sea, alternately rowing and keeping the boat afloat.The appearance of vacationers on the beach waving gaily to the men in the boat thus giving them hopes of immediate rescue is probably Crane’s way of emphasizing the nonchalance of nature in the face of human suffering, made more bitter by the realization that no rescue was forthcoming after all.  Ã‚  Ã‚   The cook’s â€Å"house of refuge†, deserted and lifeless, seemed to mock the men:   â€Å"There was the shore of the populous land, and it was bitter and bitter to them that from it came no sign.† (4).Crane focuses on the inner despair of the men as they wait and toil at the oars, aware that their tiny dingy might be swamped at the next wave, drowning them, or that they might be taken out to sea when the on-shore wind died.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the face of this uncertainty, Crane voices out, thr ough the correspondent, the pathetic rebellion of the ordinary mortal who could not believe, and yet could not overcome, the indifference of nature to his plight:Was I brought here merely to have my nose dragged away as I was about to nibble the sacred cheese of life? It is preposterous. If this old ninny-woman, Fate, cannot do better than this, she should be deprived of the management of men`s fortunes.   .   . If she has decided to drown me, why did she not do it   in the beginning and save me all this trouble? . . . But, no, she cannot mean   to drown me. She dare not drown me. She cannot drown me. Not after all this work. . . Just you drown me, now, and then hear what I call you! (4).The correspondent in The Open Boat saw the â€Å"abominable injustice† of being drowned after so much hardship.  Ã‚   The idea of fairness and justice is deeply ingrained in him that he finds it would be â€Å"a crime most unnatural† .  Ã‚  Ã‚   He imagined nature’s indifference similar to his own and that of his school-fellows who during childhood were taught a poem about a soldier of the Legion who lay dying in Algiers: he did not care about him but now, faced with his own death, he felt sorry for the soldier of the Legion who lay dying in Algiers   (6).The tall wind-tower is also an apt symbol of nature’s indifference.  Ã‚   â€Å"This tower was a giant, standing with its back to the plight of the ants.  Ã‚   It represented . . . the serenity of nature amid the struggles of the individual. . . She did not seem cruel to him, nor beneficent, nor treacherous, nor wise.  Ã‚   But she was indifferent, flatly indifferent.† (7).The characters in The Open Boat are just â€Å"ordinary† persons but in their mortal peril each of them performed heroically in their battle against the sea: the wounded captain, vigilantly keeping watch, clinging with one hand to the keel of the dingy after it had swamped; Billie the oiler, mast erfully steering the craft, dying before he reached the safety of the beach; the cook and the correspondent, fighting desperately against the churning surf.Like Koskoosh, the correspondent in The Open Boat considered death a proper release from one’s pains, the former from his futile struggle with the wolves, and the latter from his struggle with the waves.  Ã‚  Ã‚   He thought that â€Å"when one gets properly wearied, drowning must really be a comfortable arrangement, a cessation of hostilities accompanied by a large degree of relief, and he was glad of it . . .† (7).A Deal in Wheat by Frank Norris tells about the plight of Sam Lewiston and his wife and thousands of other wheat farmers who were driven to bankruptcy due to the trickery of wheat dealers who gambled with the prices of grain, oblivious of the untold suffering caused by their machinations.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sam and his wife and the people who lined up at night at the bread line belonged to the lower c lasses of society: â€Å"workmen, long since out of work, forced into idleness by long-continued ‘hard times,’ by ill luck, by sickness.†The â€Å"interminable line of dark figures, close-pressed, soundless; a crowd, yet absolutely still . . .waiting in the vast deserted night-ridden street; waiting without a word .. . . under the slow-moving mists of rain†,   is as naturalistic as Crane’s and London’s stories set in a hostile sea and an abandoned camp in the snow:There was something ominous and gravely impressive in this interminable  line of dark figures, close-pressed, soundless; a crowd, yet absolutely  still; a close-packed, silent file, waiting, waiting in the vast  deserted night-ridden street; waiting without a word, without a  movement, there under the night and under the slow-moving mists of rain.From this line of hungry men there arose â€Å"a shudder of despair, an unformed, inarticulate sense of calamity† caused by the abrupt notice that the bread line was being discontinued owing to the increase in the price of grain.  Ã‚   This particular scene imparts to the reader Sam Lewiston’s and the crowd’s pathetic plight, their helplessness against the market forces that conspired to bring about their ruin.   Ã‚  The â€Å"white-aproned undercook† who posted the notice and disappeared within the bakery symbolizes an indifferent nature, perhaps an indifferent society, not caring whether or not the hundreds of people that have silently, patiently stood outside in the cold would go to bed hungry that night and for nights to come.These three stories represent the naturalistic genre: The Law of Life by Jack London showing the endless cycle of life and death as viewed in the last reflections of an old man, who resigns to accept his own violent death from hungry wolves; The Open Boat by Stephen Crane depicting the struggles of four men in a dingy to reach the safety of land; and A Deal in Wheat by Frank Norris, which brings into focus the grim silent suffering of people at a bread line.  Ã‚  Ã‚   In all these works the writers attempt to portray the lives of common persons as they grapple with the forces of nature and endure calamity caused by the manipulation of other human beings.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Through these works, the writers drive home to our consciousness a world of harsh and cold reality: of ordinary human beings forced to contend with an uncaring, indifferent nature, yet bringing to the fore something heroic and extra-ordinary within them.WORKS CITEDCampbell, Donna M. â€Å"Naturalism in American Literature.†Literary Movements.      2 February 2007.   Accessed 2 March 2007..Crane, Stephen.   â€Å"The Open Boat†. 2 March 2007.London, Jack.   â€Å"The Law of Life†.   2 March 2007.Norris, Frank. â€Å"A Deal in Wheat†.   5 March 2007.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Naturalism†.   20 February 2007.  Ã‚   Accessed 2 March 2007. Naturalism Naturalism is a type of literature that â€Å"exposed the dark harshness of life . . . were often very pessimistic and . . . blunt .† (Wikipedia).  Ã‚   Naturalistic writers do not moralize about the nature of human beings in their works, but view them with cold impartiality.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To them, nature is an indifferent force that adopts a hands-off policy vis-à  -vis human beings and the calamities that befall them.   Naturalistic works often depict an individual’s struggle to survive against the forces of nature.   At times, the conflict may be that of man against himself as he strives to maintain his humanity, to tame â€Å"the brute within† in the face of contending passions.     Ã‚  Characters in such works usually belong to the lower middle class or the lower classes.  Ã‚     (Campbell).Jack London’s The Law of Life depicts the indifference of nature to the impending death of an old man.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Abandoned in the snow by his tr ibe,   nearly blind and lame, old Koskoosh lies beside a fire with only a handful of twigs to keep himself from freezing.   He is aware of his imminent end, but calmly accepts the fact that â€Å"all men must die†.  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the few remaining hours of his life, he reflects on the never ending cycle of life and death, on how even the most vigorous animal would fall prey to old age and its predators.  Ã‚   In all this, he concluded that â€Å"nature did not care.  Ã‚   To life, she set one task, gave one law.   To perpetuate was the task of life, its law was death.†Koskoosh recalled how the Great Famine ravaged his tribe, against which they were all helpless.  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Here, London brings into focus an indifferent nature, heedless of the wailings of the villagers until nearly all of them starved to death.  Ã‚   Koskoosh also remembered how the times of plenty awakened the blood lust in his people until they revived ancient quarrels and wage d war on their enemies.  Ã‚   In this case, the â€Å"brute within†, another frequent theme of the naturalistic work, is awakened and unleashed.Occupying the old man’s thoughts in his final moments was his memory of a moose that fought off wolves until it was overpowered and fell on the bloody snow.  Ã‚  Ã‚   That recollection foreshadowed his own death: wolves were closing in on him as his fire dwindled.  Ã‚  Ã‚   But unlike the moose which fought to the very end, Koskoosh gave up when he realized the futility of it.   â€Å"What did it matter after all?† he asked.   â€Å"Was it not the law of life?†An indifferent, hostile nature pervades The Open Boat by Stephen Crane.   Four men, one of them injured, sat on a dingy after their ship went down.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An angry surf separated them from the safety of the beach; they could not take the boat to shore lest she capsize. Desperate and afraid, sleepless and hungry, the correspondent pon ders the indifference of nature to their plight.  Ã‚  Ã‚   The men spend the night at the sea, alternately rowing and keeping the boat afloat.The appearance of vacationers on the beach waving gaily to the men in the boat thus giving them hopes of immediate rescue is probably Crane’s way of emphasizing the nonchalance of nature in the face of human suffering, made more bitter by the realization that no rescue was forthcoming after all.  Ã‚  Ã‚   The cook’s â€Å"house of refuge†, deserted and lifeless, seemed to mock the men:   â€Å"There was the shore of   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   the populous land, and it was bitter and bitter to them that from it came no sign.† (4).Crane focuses on the inner despair of the men as they wait and toil at the oars, aware that their tiny dingy might be swamped at the next wave, drowning them, or that they might be taken out to sea when the on-shore wind died.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the face of this uncertain ty, Crane voices out, through the correspondent, the pathetic rebellion of the ordinary mortal who could not believe, and yet could not overcome, the indifference of nature to his plight:Was I brought here merely to have my nose dragged away as I was about to    nibble the sacred cheese of life? It is preposterous. If this old ninny-woman, Fate, cannot do better than this, she should be deprived of the management   of men`s fortunes.   .   . If she has decided to drown me, why did she not do it    in the beginning and save me all this trouble? . . . But, no, she cannot mean   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   to drown me. She dare not drown me. She cannot drown me. Not after all    this work. . . Just you drown me, now, and then hear what I call you! (4).The correspondent in The Open Boat saw the â€Å"abominable injustice† of being drowned after so much hardship.  Ã‚   The idea of fairness and justice is deeply ingrained in him that he finds it would be â€Å"a crime most unnatural† .  Ã‚  Ã‚   He imagined nature’s indifference similar to his own and that of his school-fellows who during childhood were taught a poem about a soldier of the Legion who lay dying in Algiers: he did not care about him but now, faced with his own death, he felt sorry for the soldier of the Legion who lay dying in Algiers   (6).   The tall wind-tower is also an apt symbol of nature’s indifference.  Ã‚   â€Å"This tower was a giant, standing with its back to the plight of the ants.  Ã‚   It represented . . . the serenity of nature amid the struggles of the individual. . . She did not seem cruel to him, nor beneficent, nor treacherous, nor wise.  Ã‚   But she was indifferent, flatly indifferent.† (7).The characters in The Open Boat are just â€Å"ordinary† persons but in their mortal peril each of them performed heroically in their battle against the sea: the wounded captain, vigilantly k eeping watch, clinging with one hand to the keel of the dingy after it had swamped; Billie the oiler, masterfully steering the craft, dying before he reached the safety of the beach; the cook and the correspondent, fighting desperately against the churning surf.Like Koskoosh, the correspondent in The Open Boat considered death a proper release from one’s pains, the former from his futile struggle with the wolves, and the latter from his struggle with the waves.  Ã‚  Ã‚   He thought that â€Å"when one gets properly wearied, drowning must really be a comfortable arrangement, a cessation of hostilities accompanied by a large degree of relief, and he was glad of it . . .† (7).A Deal in Wheat by Frank Norris tells about the plight of Sam Lewiston and his wife and thousands of other wheat farmers who were driven to bankruptcy due to the trickery of wheat dealers who gambled with the prices of grain, oblivious of the untold suffering caused by their machinations.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sam and his wife and the people who lined up at night at the bread line belonged to the lower classes of society: â€Å"workmen, long since out of work, forced into idleness by long-continued ‘hard times,’ by ill luck, by sickness.†The â€Å"interminable line of dark figures, close-pressed, soundless; a crowd, yet absolutely still . . .waiting in the vast deserted night-ridden street; waiting without a word .. . . under the slow-moving mists of rain†,   is as naturalistic as Crane’s and London’s stories set in a hostile sea and an abandoned camp in the snow:There was something ominous and gravely impressive in this interminable line of dark figures, close-pressed, soundless; a crowd, yet absolutely still; a close-packed, silent file, waiting, waiting in the vast deserted night-ridden street; waiting without a word, without a movement, there under the night and under the slow-moving mists of rain.From this line of hungry men there arose â€Å"a shudder of despair, an unformed, inarticulate sense of calamity† caused by the abrupt notice that the bread line was being discontinued owing to the increase in the price of grain.  Ã‚   This particular scene imparts to the reader Sam Lewiston’s and the crowd’s pathetic plight, their helplessness against the market forces that conspired to bring about their ruin.   Ã‚  The â€Å"white-aproned undercook† who posted the notice and disappeared within the bakery symbolizes an indifferent nature, perhaps an indifferent society, not caring whether or not the hundreds of people that have silently, patiently stood outside in the cold would go to bed hungry that night and for nights to come.These three stories represent the naturalistic genre: The Law of Life by Jack London showing the endless cycle of life and death as viewed in the last reflections of an old man, who resigns to accept his own violent death from hungry wolves; The Open Boat by Stephen Crane depicting the struggles of four men in a dingy to reach the safety of land; and A Deal in Wheat by Frank Norris, which brings into focus the grim silent suffering of people at a bread line.In all these works the writers attempt to portray the lives of common persons as they grapple with the forces of nature and endure calamity caused by the manipulation of other human beings.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Through these works, the writers drive home to our consciousness a world of harsh and cold reality: of ordinary human beings forced to contend with an uncaring, indifferent nature, yet bringing to the fore something heroic and extra-ordinary within them.WORKS CITEDCampbell, Donna M. â€Å"Naturalism in American Literature.†Literary Movements.   2 February 2007.   Accessed 2 March 2007..Crane, Stephen.   â€Å"The Open Boat†. 2 March 2007.  Ã‚  London, Jack.   â€Å"The Law of Life†.   2 March 2007.  Norris, Frank. â€Å"A Deal in Wheat†.   5 March 2007.â€Å"Naturalism†.   20 February 2007.  Ã‚   Accessed 2 March 2007.

Find out What the Pelagic Zone Is

The pelagic zone is the area of the ocean outside of coastal areas. This is also called the open ocean. The open ocean lies over and beyond the continental shelf. Its where you’ll find some of the biggest marine life species. The sea floor (demersal zone) is not included in the pelagic zone. The word pelagic comes from the Greek word pelagos meaning sea or high sea.   Different Zones Within the Pelagic Zone The pelagic zone is separated into several subzones depending on water depth: Epipelagic zone (ocean surface to 200 meters deep). This is the zone in which photosynthesis can occur because light is available.Mesopelagic zone (200-1,000m) - This is also known as the twilight zone because light becomes limited. There is less oxygen available to organisms in this zone.Bathypelagic zone (1,000-4,000m) - This is a dark zone where water pressure is high and the water is cold (around 35-39 degrees).  Abyssopelagic zone (4,000-6,000m) - This is the zone past the continental slope - the deep water just over the ocean bottom. This is also known as the abyssal zone.Hadopelagic zone (deep ocean trenches, greater than 6,000m) - In some places, there are trenches that are deeper than the surrounding ocean floor. These areas are the hadopelagic zone. At a depth of over 36,000 feet, the Mariana Trench is the deepest known point in the ocean.   Within these different zones, there can be a dramatic difference in available light, water pressure and the types of species youll find there. Marine Life Found in the Pelagic Zone Thousands of species of all shapes and sizes live in the pelagic zone. Youll find animals that travel long distances and some that drift with the currents. There is a wide array of species here as this zone includes all of the ocean that is not either in a coastal area or the ocean bottom. Thus, the pelagic zone thus comprises the largest volume of ocean water in any marine habitat. Life in this zone ranges from tiny plankton to the largest whales. Plankton Organisms include phytoplankton, which provides oxygen for us here on Earth and food for many animals. Zooplankton such as copepods are found there and also are an important part of the oceanic food web. Invertebrates Examples of invertebrates that live in the pelagic zone include jellyfish, squid, krill, and octopus. Vertebrates Many large ocean vertebrates live in or migrate through the pelagic zone. These include  cetaceans, sea turtles and large fish such as ocean sunfish (which is shown in the image), bluefin tuna, swordfish, and sharks. While they dont live  in the water, seabirds such as petrels, shearwaters, and gannets can often be found above, on and diving under the water in search of prey. Challenges of the Pelagic Zone This can be a challenging environment where species are affected by wave and wind activity, pressure, water temperature and prey availability. Because the pelagic zone covers a large area, prey may be scattered over some distance, meaning animals have to travel far to find it and may not feed as often as an animal in a coral reef or tide pool habitat, where prey is denser. Some pelagic zone animals (e.g., pelagic seabirds, whales, sea turtles) travel thousands of miles between breeding and feeding grounds. Along the way, they face changes in water temperatures, types of prey, and human activities such as shipping, fishing, and exploration.