Handling Difficult People

How to handle difficult people General purpose: To inform Specific purpose: I will speak on how to handle difficult people Thesis statement: I will explain how to handle difficult people by first introducing the topic and discussing different ways to handle difficult people. * Attention getter: â€Å"Difficult people are your key to self empowerment, you need to learn how to cope with them, not let them dominate and affect you†. * Audience Motivation: So why do we need to handle difficult people?Well in life we face more than one difficult people and knowing how to handle them will not just make this world better but makes your life a lot easier and smooth. * Credibility: I have dealt with difficult people for over 10 years. I also took some help from my research articles and by reading a book â€Å" how to handle difficult people† by John Townsed. * Thesis -Purpose: I will inform on how to handle difficult people -Preview: at first, I will start by explain/defining dif ficult people.Second, I will discuss different measures to handle difficult people and lastly I will repeat the main points. I. First, definition A. Handle B. Difficult (Now that we have understood the meaning , we can discuss the measures. ) II. Time to discuss the measures. A. Understanding that people are difficult for reason B. May be you are difficult for him/her C. Step on his shoes and think D. Go to higher authority E. Avoid him or don’t think of him Now that we know how to handle difficult people, lets review) 1. Summary: Today we have learned that we can handle difficult people in various ways depending where and when. We learned that we have to take control of ourselves first and be careful on how you are going to react. 2. Closing: the more you confront difficult people, the easier it becomes. When you confront and handle difficult people around you, people respect for your courage, your honesty and control over yourself.Your associate, employees or co- workers fo r example and taking positive action, despite fear, is kind of courage all successful people must have to succeed. Work Cited Townsend, John. Handling Difficult People: what to do when people try to push your buttons. New York. Thomas Nelson. April 21, 2009. Print â€Å"Dumb Little Man | Tips for Life. †Ã‚  9 Useful Strategies to Dealing with Difficult People at Work. N. p. , n. d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. .

Vivian Bearing: a Tragic Heroine That Triumph

Vivian Bearing: A Tragic Heroine that Triumph Margaret Edison’s play Wit is about Vivian Bearing, a professor of seventeenth century poetry, specializing in John Donne. She is a strong willed intellectual being treated for ovarian cancer. Vivian lives a very secluded life and avoids human emotional contact. Just like any tragic hero, Vivian has flaws that prevent her from human kindness, which leads to her downfall. Her treatment of cancer causes her to realize that she needs emotional connection, which she has missed her whole life.Although her flaws are her intellect and wit that cause her an inability to connect emotionally with people around her, she becomes noble because she begins to express her emotions and accept kindness. Vivian Bearing has lived an intellectual rather than emotional life. As a child, education was very important to her family. On her fifth birthday which she recalls as her best birthday she read a book (Edson 41). She would rather read a book than ha ve a party, cake or even having friends over.Reading a book during her birthday is very ironic because she claims this to be her best birthday which is really unique, because this is horrible as any standard for a fifth birthday. Most five year olds want a party and cake. Vivian takes the book and she reads its spine intently. Reading a book attentively on her birthday proves Vivian’s obsession with learning and expanding her horizons. She is only interested in learning, not worried about connecting with people her own age or even her family. While she is reading her book, her father sits on his chair â€Å"disinterested but tolerant† (Edson 41).Since her father does not pay any attention to her, Vivian is emotionally detached from her father. She only knows education and learning. She never mentions receiving any affection as a child. This is the only time she mentions her childhood. One can only assume that because of this the character’s own remote personalit y reflects that of her father’s. It is very likely that she never received the gentle touch of affection from her dad, the way she probably would have from her mother, if the mother had been in the picture.We know that her mother died at the age of forty, but other than that, nothing else is either mentioned or displayed regarding her. Vivian’s intellect and crave for knowledge continues to prevent her from human emotional connections. We meet Vivian as a student in a flashback. Her scholarship was her consuming and unrelenting passion, blinding her to other concerns of life like making friends. Despite being advised by her professor to enjoy life, she resorts to withdrawing into the library instead of going out (Edson 15).Her toughness and strictness towards her education blinds her treatment of humanity. She remains lonely and uses her education to cover her need for showing and needing emotional attachment. She does not enjoy her college life like most students do. Her intellect refuses her to show a need of emotional connection with students her own age. Her emotional detachment is apparent when she is told that she has ovarian cancer. Instead of crying and being afraid of death, she begins to analyze and think. â€Å"Must read something about cancer. Must get some books, articles.Assemble a bibliography,† she explains (Edson 8). The character’s excessive need for knowledge, which can be perceived as her tragic flaw, causes her to be oblivious to the reality of her diagnosis. Vivian is consumed with learning that she is unable to grasp with the reality that she has a disease that is slowly killing her. Her need for knowledge can be seen as a flaw because this prevents her from becoming psychologically attached to anything or anyone. Vivian thrives on knowledge and her ability to learn and understand things and uses her intellect to avoid human contact.The character’s addiction to intellect has shut down her need for any h uman emotions. Vivian’s wit appears as rude and uncaring when she uses her wit to push people away. Vivian’s smart remarks to everything cause people around her and also people that meet her to be unable to create a relationship with Vivian. When Vivian is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Dr. Kelekian uses the word â€Å"insidious† and defines it as â€Å"undetectable† (Edson 8). Vivian is unable to control her witty comments and could not resist the urge and decides to tell him the correct definition saying â€Å"treacherous†. Dr.Kelekian has a negative attitude towards her because of these corrections. Instead of treating her cancer, he decides to use her as research. Dr. Kelekian is unable to feel any compassion for her because she is rude. Vivian’s wittiness also appears as being uncaring. She is not liked very much by others, due to her unkindness. Previously, when a student asked for an extension on his paper, Professor Bearing rejects h is request with a heartless comment. â€Å"Don’t tell me, your grandmother died† (Edson 63). Then she goes on to say, â€Å"Do what you will, but the paper is due when it is due† (Edson 63).Instead of showing some sentiment for the student, she is inconsiderate and cold-hearted towards him. She is so evil towards the student that no other student is able to feel comfortable around her and even speak to her as a person. She terrorizes her students inconsiderately and dispassionately. Vivian Bearing uses her wittiness to push people away so she does create an emotional attachment. Being put in hospital causes Vivian to reflect on her life and to realize how much she needs kindness. She even admits to craving kindness.She wants Susie to come see her to the point where she creates an emergency (Edson 64). She begins as an intellect, witty professor who is lonely, but now she is thirsty for a drop of kindness. Vivian’s hunger for kindness becomes apparent when she allows her nurse to call her â€Å"sweetheart† (Edson 64) or â€Å"honey†(Edson 65). These are words Vivian has never been referred to in her life and she is comfortable with them. She realizes that it is acceptable to allow people to treat her like a person and be kind to her. Vivian starts to open up and shows her emotions without any problem or hesitation.At the end of the play when Vivian is lying in her deathbed, alone, shivering scared, and in pain, E. M. comes to her side. When her college professor Ashford comes to visit her, she asks Vivian if she wanted her to recite Donne, she replies â€Å"nooooo† (Edson 79). Vivian is finally realizing that her need for intellect and wit is not what she needs because she has received kindness. The emotional part of life is what she needs and not the complicated poems by Donne. As her time draws to a close, a sea change begins to work in the way Vivian thinks about life.As mentioned in the above paragraphs, Vivi an has devoted her life to education and it is only through suffering that she learns that being extremely smart is not enough. It takes our heroine fifty years, and an insidious cancer to realize that it does not matter in the end how much you know since knowledge cannot possibly comfort you in death. Vivian says this line in the play â€Å"And death shall be no more, death thou shalt die â€Å"(Edson 72-73). By these words she learns that â€Å"death is nothing but a breath, a comma that separates life from life everlasting†, Vivian’s last breath was nothing but a comma† and she has now moved on where she will live not by her knowledge, but by her heart. Though her body has died, her soul is awakened. Before Vivian’s final moments of life, she receives the attention and affection that she never had. She dies with a sense of peacefulness. Vivian Bearing is a very intellectual and witty individual who is dedicated to her love for knowledge. But because s he is consumed by her incredible love for knowledge she lives a secluded life. Her downfall is that she is incapable of showing any emotions to another person.The play did not leave the audience with a sense of sadness or remorse, but with hope and respect for Vivian Bearing. She lived the final eight months of her life in extreme pain so doctors could gain more knowledge for future cancer patients. In the process, she learns that life is about humanity. This is what brings the audience to believe that this individual is a tragic hero who triumph and leaves one not with a sense of pity but one of empathy for her suffering. Work Cited Edson, Margaret. Wit. Oxford: Faber & Faber, 1999. Print.

Arab sheikdoms in the United Arab Emirates Essay

Dubai is one of the seven Arab sheikdoms in the United Arab Emirates (U. A. E. ). Before oil and gas were discovered in 1958, it was among the very poor sheikdoms under British protection and was once called a Trucial State. Today, their sheiks are independent and among the world’s richest men, with a gross annual income of $25. 7 billion. It has vast reserves of oil and natural gas (Ibrahim, 1982). The land is mainly salt mashes, barren desert, and sandy plain. Oases stud the desert areas. To the east, the mountains lie close to the sea. It is also famous as having the highest cost of living in the world – the cheapest apartment rents for $1,000 per month (Peck, 1986). The Emiratians (Dubai people) used to be pirates, fishermen or pearl divers, nomads or oasis farmers. Most are now wage earners or businessmen who feel more conscious of a national identity as a rich and important country. They are famous for two unique sports: (1) camel races, and (2) falconry. Colorful music, dancing and singing also give life to this otherwise dry place. This area of Gulf was notorious for piracy. They preyed on the trade between Europe and China. The British came in 1806 and started to impose oder against the Arab pirates. In 1853, piracy was finally wiped out when the sheiks signed the Perpetual Maritime Truce Agreement with Britain. Thus, the Pirate Coast became the respectable Trucial States (Seale, 1988). Today, Dubai is the largest commercial center and the nerve center for smuggling Western currency, gold, and other goods into the Indian subcontinent, especially Pakistan. Dubai is also the outlet for capital fleeing Afghanistan and Iran. One phenomenon of the oil boom was to fill Dubai’s population (like that of Kuwait and Qatar) mostly with foreigners. The majority of the population or around 50% is Indo-Pakistani outnumber the native Arabs, who populate the land by only 42%. The large foreign population (mostly migrant workers) are lured to Dubai by the high salaries, welfare benefits, and rapid development. To keep discipline, the governing Arab sheiks have emphasized Muslim (Shariah) law, religious education, and the observance of Muslim practices. The Muslim rulers and people are Sunnis, strongly influenced by the strict Wahabi sect of neighboring Saudi Arabia (Peck, 1986). Diplomacy, national security, information, communications, health, education, and the budgets of the three smaller emirates are decided by the federal government. The local sheiks retain control over policy within their emirates. The laws of Dubai (under the United Arab of Emirates) are divided into two main categories: union laws and decrees. A bill drafted by the Council of Ministers for non-binding deliberation by the Federal National Council and then submitted to the president for his assent and the Supreme Council of the Union for ratification becomes a union law when promulgated by the president. Decrees are issued jointly by the president and the Council of Ministers between sessions of the Supreme Council of the Union. As the final say is always on the Supreme Council of the Union, a decree must only be confirmed by them to remain valid (Ibrahim, 1982). Dubai’s political system, which is a unique combination of the traditional and the modern, has underpinned this political success, enabling the country to develop a modern administrative structure while, at the same time, ensuring that the best of the traditions of the past are maintained, adapted and preserved (Ibrahim, 1982). Relations with the other members of the U. A. E. have not always been smooth. The discovery of a big natural gas field in Sharjah reopened a border dispute with Dubai. In November 1982, Dubai sent tanks to the border to prevent Sharjah’s foreign contractors from drilling the field (Seale, 1988). However, not all is coming up roses for Dubai. Bad planning and extravagance have now caused new miseries. In fact, the most outstanding examples of ill-conceived investment in the Arab world are found in the Dubai ports and so-called international airports stand cheek to cheek. Within fifty kilometers of its coast are three major ports, including the Mina Jabel Ali, the biggest manmade port ever built. Its sixty-seven berths are now suffering terrible losses. Being a member of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has an international airport of its own, making cynics joke that the state boundaries end where the next runway begins. The headquarters of the Arab Monetary Fund in Dubai have polished one-way windows done with gold compound (Peck, 1986). References Ibrahim, Saad Eddin. (1982). The New Arab Social Order: A Study of the Social Impact of Oil Wealth. Westview Press. Peck, Malcolm C. (1986). The United Arab Emirates: A Venture in Unity. Westview Press. Seale, Patrick. (1988). Asad of Syria: The Struggle for the Middle East. University of California Press.

Vertisols Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Vertisols - Essay Example The vertisols are developed from highly basic rocks in places that are moist, subject to inconsistent drought and overflows or to impeded drainage areas. The color of the soil is reliant on the parent material and the climate of the area that contributes to the grey or red soils. The topographic location of vertisols has a wrinkled look formed by a complex arrangement of loads and depressions that emerge due to shrink-swell sequence over longer durations (Syers, et al, 86). The temporal changes in the physical qualities of the vertisols require farmers to have accurate timing and adoption of agricultural practices for good harvests. However, there are other shortfalls that the soils impose on farmers and engineers during the varying seasons, which make them unsuitable for permanent reasons. Vertisols appear in nearly different climatic zones, with Australia having the largest occurrence of the soils. However, arid moisture areas that have limited ustic and xeric zones produce more Vertisols than other regions. Considering this, the seasonal variations in rainfall and temperature are the prerequisites for the development of the soils. This is because they cause weathering of main and secondary resources during wet seasons, but enhance the accumulation of original cations in the dry seasons. It is apparent that places where vertisols develop experience periods of possible evaporation that exceeds precipitation in the dry seasons (Auerswald 510-511). Intense rainfalls cause deep cracks that increase the organic matter contents and carbonates leaching in the soils. The associated climate experiences variations between the cold and dry spells is favorable for the vertisols to endure the effects of one situation. For instance, the cracks formed in the dry periods are rectifi ed when the rains start by making the soil to swell and cover the cracks (Dedousis 116). It implies that the vertisols operate

China241 - Chiense language analysis (homework) Case Study

China241 - Chiense language analysis (homework) - Case Study Example for males and females in rhotacization (85%,83%), lenition (63%, 57%), interdental (ts) (39%, 0%) and realization of neutral tone as full tone (0%, 1%). The state professionals use these local Beijing features frequently except full tone variant while Waiqi professionals use non-local variants and a foreign language like English and German. Sharp gender differentiation for Waiqi professionals is due to value of language in producing cosmopolitan professional identity, company image projection and decline of state feminism due to new market economy (Zhang, 405). Use of linguistic features shows this difference for males and females: rhotacization (64%, 235), lenition (47%, 27%), interdental (ts) (15%, 0%) and full tone (10%, 31%). Language and gender related characteristics are resources or symbolic capital for Waiqi as they are used to project company image. Having foreign language skills is crucial for Waiqi as means for interpretation and communication with Chinese businesspersons but women are more constrained to use it than men do due to work requirements. Language and gender have great impact on professional access to opportunities and career trajectories. Unlike state enterprises where there are no front desks or need to present company face, Waiqis value company image in the competitive market hence employ women to represent the face of the company. These women must have foreign language skills and be presentable and firm employs them as receptionists and secretaries. Regardless of their area of expertise, they begin as secretaries, move up the ladder, and sometimes continue performing administrative duties whilst men begin with doing real business such as marketing (Zhang, 411). According to Zhang, â€Å"this has to do with gendered practice in parent corporations† and political and economic circumstances (413). The Chinese language is not â€Å"gender language† like European or other languages in order to avoid sexism. It therefore has no grammatical

Comparing Domes of Architect Sinan to Renaissance Architect Palladio, Essay

Comparing Domes of Architect Sinan to Renaissance Architect Palladio, Palladianism - Essay Example On the other hand, one of the associations coming to one’s mind with a dome is the centrepiece symmetry. It serves for the harmony of the building and the place where it is located. Following in keeping with the best traditions of Vitruvius and Alberti, two architects are highlighted so that to point out the use of the dome in their works. The comparison of the works by both architects is not a mere attempt to find out who was the best, but to show off where the edge between different cultures went through the aesthetic sensitivity of a man’s feeling and vision of what he/she feels. A slight connection in the use of dome in the architectural ensemble by Sinan and Palladio re-unites Eastern and Western culture and religion in a peculiar way. First off, it should be mentioned that the medieval architecture was full of the slight overlapping of new styles which layered the old ones in a peculiar and sophisticated way. In this respect it is necessary to mention that the Rom anesque style was followed by the Gothic style and then appeared so-called Mannerism. In this gradual follow-up, there were plenty of the architects able to add something new to the development of the overall look of the architectural ensemble in its connection to the place, epoch, people, and religion (one of the most important constituents underlined in the paper). Thus, the works of Sinan as the one of the most famous architect of his time across the Ottoman Empire go first in this enthusiastic analysis on the world’s architectural heritage. The mosques made by Sinan cannot but inspire to the deepest strings of a man’s soul. Creating his magnificent mosques during the time of more than 50 years, the 16th century Turkish architect felt a huge desire to never stop on using dome as the core idea of Islam, so to speak (Roose, 2009). The perfection seen on the example of Sehzade Mehmet Mosque outlines the uniqueness in how Sinan approached toward the glory of God seen on the example of patterned fornications. With the greatness of the Sinan’s creations, the classical architecture of the Ottoman Empire â€Å"reached its pinnacle† (Celik, 1993). Nevertheless, being Sinan’s first major work built in 1545-1548, it was well appreciated by the contemporaries for the articulated geometry and the arrangement of the domed hall (Moffett, Fazio, & Wodehouse, 2003). Apparently, the link between the central dome and half-domes illustrates the Islamic multifaceted implementation of the gorgeous ornaments. To say more, the dome was inserted with a huge passion of Sinan who tried to engrave the memory of the sultan Suleyman’s son Mehmet (Foster, 2004). What is more important, the construction of the columns supporting the dome in the mosque is also done in a symmetrical proportion, so that to shed light on the logic of the architectural form. Coloured stones and the mosaics incremented in the interior part of the dome of the Sehzade Mos que are done with the pure genius of Sinan. It means that the glory of the Ottoman classical architecture is rooted to the picturesque and full-of-wealth representation of the religious tradition throughout the Empire. Admittedly, Sinan felt his responsibility for praising Islam in terms of the architecture. Hence, his first mosque proved this idea right. Another Example of Sinan’s talent, as an architect is Selimiye Mosque. Built by Sinan in 1575 in Edirne, Turkey, the mosque is full of the architect’

Folic acid food fortification is associated with a decline in Essay

Folic acid food fortification is associated with a decline in neuroblastoma - Essay Example Neuroblastoma is one of the most common cancers affecting children today, forming 8%-10% of the total seen from birth through age 14 years.   It affects one in every 6,000 to 7,000 children in North America (Nutra ingredients.com, 2003). It is a disease in which cancer cells are found in certain nerve cells within the body. Neuroblastoma typically begins in the abdominal area either in the adrenal gland (located just above the kidney) or around the spinal cord in the neck, chest, or pelvis (Pressinger & Sinclair, N.D.). Studies show that folic acid food fortification has more than halved the incidence in Canada of the deadly childhood cancer neuroblastoma. Chemically Folic acid has the molecular formula C19H19N7O6 with a molecular weight of 441.40. The scientific name of folic acid is N-[p-[2-Amino-4-hydroxy-6-pteridinyl) methyl] amino] benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid. It is a complex organic compound present in liver, yeast, and natural sources; it also may be prepared synthetically (RxList, 2004). Metabolically, folic acid is converted to coenzyme forms required in numerous one-carbon transfer reactions involved in the synthesis, interconversion and modification of nucleotides, amino acids and other essential structural and regulatory compounds (Bailey, et al, 2003). As an essential cofactor for the de novo biosynthesis of purines and thymidylate, folate plays an important role in DNA synthesis, stability and integrity, and repair, aberrations of which have been implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis. Folate may also modulate DNA methylation, which is an important epigenetic determinant in gene expression, maintenance of DNA integrity and stability, chromosomal modifications, and the development of mutations. (Kim, 2004). Daily ingestion of 400  µg of folic acid alone during the preconception period reduced a womans risk of having a fetus or infant with a neural-tube defect. The

Mortgage Crisis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mortgage Crisis - Essay Example Subprime borrowers, with low rates of 7% to 8%, will see rates reset at numbers like 11%. Prime borrowers are seeing rates jump to 20% and more causing them to come near to defaulting on their loans. This increase in rates will create a domino effect altering most of the financial markets. The mortgage crisis is simply one side of the coin. With the failing economy mortgage lenders and banks are finding it hard to find the cash to support the foreclosures. With the low house demand and the growing defaults companies like American Home Mortgage Investment Corp. and Delta Financial Corp., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Bigger banks are suffering losses as they write down their losses with even a company like Merrill Lynch posting its largest loss in 94-years. With the drop in employment rates and the economy in one of its worst positions for more than a decade a recession seems to be on the way. How bad the crisis will be and how it will alter the consumers lifestyle is what has to be determined as the mortgage crisis takes the country by storm. Being a mortgage collector I have the opportunity to review some of the ARM's, interest only and flexible payment/negative amortization loans. I have found that they are all positioned as tools to help the borrower afford the house for a moment.

Political Frontiers in the Articles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Political Frontiers in the Articles - Essay Example In these articles, the authors also focus on political and human dimensions of decision-making. The basic meaning as well as possible impacts of human dimensions of decision-making has a fundamental role in modeling the battles surrounding social control. The authors also explore the self-immolation history as well as the related forms of debate across various social settings. For instance, some Tibetan Buddhists sought to constitute the components of both unacceptable and acceptable violence (Minyanville 6). In reading the articles, self-immolation is evident. However, other people think of how the governments has done minimal towards instituting economic programs that ordinary citizens could be eligible to participate. There are speculations that such immolations result from the influx of public policy as well as the desire for greater autonomy. This adds on the restrictions facing the farmers among many other social and economic factors. Also, there is no mention of the Chinese in vasion and destruction of thousands of monasteries close to a million Tibetans (Burma 4). The Tibet’s Chinese occupation entailed more brutal as well as genocidal campaigns. However, the piece as well as self-immolation takes the description of dismissive terms like â€Å"political theatre†. The political theatre plays are self-immolations from people desperate of having aspirations for religious self-determination and freedom acknowledged. Also, labor force instability is one of the issues cutting across the three articles.

Science and Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Science and Law - Essay Example That is why the scientific theories and dogmas enjoy much higher levels of veracity and credibility as compared to other academic disciplines. So much so, that scientific approach towards research and experimentation has been incorporated within the ambit of other disciplines and fields of enquiry like sociology, history, economics, jurisprudence, psychology, etc. The fact is that science has infiltrated every aspect of life and human existence and today there exists practically no social institution or concern that is devoid of scientific methods and approaches. Especially in the realm of law, science has brought about an unprecedented change and revolution. In the 21st century, scientific evidence is legitimately welcomed and accommodated in all the courts of law and it holds a credibility and veracity about which there exists no doubt. The scientific community has also promptly responded to this new challenge and responsibility by developing new disciplines like forensics that spe cifically cater to the realm of law and the techniques like finger print evidence, DNA fingerprinting, etc hold an almost unchallenged recognition in the courts of law. With the digitization of the economies and scientific orientation of the means and ways of production, the courts of law are often required to contend with the litigations that require considerable amounts of scientific data and inputs. There is no denying the fact that the courts in the West have over the centuries, incorporated certain cardinal instruments within their frameworks and the jury is one such integral aspect of such legal frameworks. For good or for bad, the litigations requiring scientific data and discussion are not devoid of the decisive influence of juries and the concerned scientific evidence furnished in such cases is as much open to analysis by the jury as by judges, lawyers, litigants and other parties involved.The entrance of science in the courtrooms has given way to a plethora of questions, apprehensions and doubts. Infact this new trend has exposed the jury to attacks and aspersions from various quarters of the society and intelligentsia. Such pressure grou ps, while citing the complexity and intricacy involved in the conception and understanding of scientific evidence as a valid excuse claim that the contemporary system of assorting juries that seldom requires and asks for relevant qualifications and scientific knowhow, has literally rendered the institution of jury as totally obsolete, especially in the court cases that involve considerable amounts of scientific evidence and theoretical arguments and discussions.Such claims need to be qualified in the light of the basic objectives that led to the introduction of the institution of jury in the English legal system. It is imperative for the so called champions of science to understand that the jury is essentially a political institution and serves specific purposes in the democratic societies (Edmond and Mercer 331). Leaving the practical aspects of justice aside, a stiff opposition from the so called adherents of science is the biggest problem that the institution of jury faces in the 21st century. The reasons cited by such elements will be dealt with later on in this paper. First and foremost it is important to understand the political and democratic relevance of the jury in the Western legal

Budgetary control Essay Example for Free

Budgetary control Essay Nowadays management’s philosophy revolves around the idea of planning. According to McKinsey (1922), chief executives have come to the realization that today’s task can only be properly fulfilled thanks to the meticulous planning of yesterday. The budgetary control framework has been openly accepted and widespread as a tool for management and overall organisation control. Nonetheless, recent evolutions in the managerial sciences have come to jeopardise the reliability of budgeting as an effective method for the control of performance and organisation. The concern of whether budgeting is in fact an apt tool has created mixed views and debate amongst scholars. This essay will aim to evaluate whether budgetary control is concerned primarily with the control of performance, or if it has of late taken on greater importance especially as a more integrative control mechanism for the organisation. In order to do so it will firstly define the meaning of two fundamental concepts such as budget and budgetary control. Secondly it will evaluate the use of budgetary control as a tool for today’s organization. Thirdly it will follow debates and criticisms on its the effectiveness and use and Lastly it will conclude by assessing to what extent budgetary control has become a more integrative control mechanism for organisations. The work of key specialists in management such as Bhimani, Otley, Van der Stede and McWatters, will be drawn on in order to cover the key issues of the discussion. Before commencing on a discussion of budgetary control, it is immanent to clarify and define the two key terms that will be used in this essay: ‘budget’ and ‘budgetary control’. On the one hand, as defined by Bhimani et al. (2008) â€Å"a budget is a quantitative expression of a proposed plan of action by management for future time period and it is an aid to coordination and implementation of the plan†. On the same line McWatters et al. (2008) highlights the importance of budgets as a planning control system for a company, which ‘translate’ organisational objectives into financial terms. Drury (2009) exemplifies the many different purposes that budgets serve, such as: coordinating activities, conveying various arrangements to different responsibility centres, arranging and controlling operations, motivating employees to attain organisational objectives and assessing the execution of managers. According to Johnson (1996), it was in the 1960s that associations started to highly regard the utilization of budgets as tools for performance measurement and the control of managerial objectives. On the other hand, budgetary control is described by Periasamy (2010) as â€Å"a system of controlling costs which includes the preparation of budgets, coordinating the department and establishing responsibilities, comparing actual performance with the budgeted and acting upon results to achieve maximum profitability†. A similar, yet more formal, definition of budgetary control is given by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants of England and Wales (CIMA): â€Å"the establishment of budgets relating to the responsibilities of executives to the requirement of a policy and the continuous comparison of actual with the budgeted results, either to secure by individual actions the objectives of policy or to provide a basis for its revision†. There are two main purposes of budgets which scholars have identified: planning and controlling. The first purpose, which McWatters et al. (2008) discusses, is that budgets have a fundamental role in undertaking planning decisions. In fact, the integration of budgets into a strategic planning of long term and short-term objectives is crucial to the harmony of the project itself. This claim can be explained by Bhimani et al. (2008) who proposes that, budgets provide a more realistic view on the possible outcomes of investments, which consequently leads managers to adjust their strategic goals accordingly. To put it another way, when a company wants to match its potentials suitably with the prospects of the marketplace, it undertakes a strategic analysis to then set several long-run and short-run goals. On this basis a budget is formulated. However, as stated before, once the budget that has been formulated projects a more realistic view on the strategic objectives, these strategic objectives are then readjusted once again. The second purpose that Emmanuel et al. (1990) discusses is to do with budgets as a form of control and a tool for monitoring a company’s performance. McWatters et al. (2008) describe this function by outlining the idea that budgets are frequently used to assign responsibilities by allocating resources to different managers. A budget may be given with more or less flexibility, for example by assigning a large sum of money for ‘advertising’ to be used at the managers discretion, or by highlighting the different ways that this money should be used. The optional flexibility of budgets allows for a company to give the adequate level of responsibility to its employees and thus the organisation is able to maintain a level of control. McWatters et al. (2008) further elaborates on the function of budgeting for control by suggesting that â€Å"the numbers in a budget are also used as goals to motivate organisational members†. This motivational aspect of budgeting can be explained by Bhimani et al (2008) who states that â€Å"the manner in which a budget is administered can adversely impact on the managers’ behaviour†. A manager must believe that the budget is achievable in order to actively attempt to pursue it, Bhimani et al (2008) adds that through the constraints and goals set by budgeting targets, managers are often motivated to â€Å"effect changes in a forceful way†. The way that a budget is formulated, and the demands and pressures that it targets are key in encouraging the right degree of motivation, â€Å"an enterprise can set a difficult to attain budget in an attempt to motivate good performance. This is because, in practice, budgets that are set up to a certain degree of tightness often become stronger motivators† (Bhimani et al. , 2008). A final point to consider with the role of budgetary control is the function that it plays in enhancing communication within a company. Internal coordination between the steps of production , as well as communication among departments are key aspects for a company’s performance. Dury (2009) states that â€Å"the budget serves as a vehicle through which the actions of the different parts of an organisation can be brought together and reconciled into one common plan†. Hence, hierarchical and inter-departmental communication within the organisation is extremely facilitated thanks to the use of budgets. For instance, considering a multinational corporation that, due to its size, has difficulties in communicating between the production department and the sales department, budgets could in this circumstance be the most operational manner of communicating, as they set common goals between different departments. As it is clear form the paragraphs above, the controlling side of budgets play a stronger role than the planning aspect. An example that instead criticise this view can be found in the strategic planning of investments. Maximising performance of a company can be synonymous for maximising the shareholders value. Akintoye (2008) argues that equality in investment decisions are fairly dependent on the solidity of the budgetary control system, which in turn is key to maximise the company’s shareholders value. Therefore, it is arguable that a weak budgetary control system may be the cause of unprofitable investments and consequently may trigger the loss of shareholders value (Akintoye, 2008). There are many examples that reflect this issue, such as one reported by the European Journal of Economics Finance and Administrative Science where the Coca-Cola Company, with the purpose of differentiating production, failed miserably in their investment on food and wine in that the investment rate of return resulted to be beneath their cost of capital. The tremendous loss of money caused by this investment and other failures of this type grab the attention of scholars, raising questions on the salience of the budgetary control system, as well as whether budgets are mainly used to control or plan organisations. Other criticisms towards budgetary control as a main form of performance control, argue instead that the use of budgetary control in performance management has of late taken on greater importance especially as a more integrative control mechanism for the organisation. This stands on the basis of different points of view of the role that motivation and communication play within a company. Bhimani et al. (2008) argues that current speculation concerning budgetary control systems prescribes two inverse perspectives. From one perspective, there is the view that upholds incremental change to budgetary process in terms of interfacing such forms more closely to operational prerequisites, arranging frameworks, expanding the recurrence of plan amendment and the arrangement of rolling budgets. A second perspective supports the abandoning of the budgetary control system as a method of organisational control, and supplanting it with elective systems to empower firms on their adaptability and adjustability. The second perspective arose because of the consequences caused by the conflictual role of budgets between planning and controlling. To summarize; in planning and settling choices, budgets convey specialised information between different departments and hierarchy of the organisation, whereas for control, budgets serve as benchmarks for performance measurement (Otley, 1978). According to McWatters et al. (2008) if too many boundaries are placed into performance targets, then specialised executives will settle down and stop disclosing accurate predictions of prospected occurrences, and instead rely more on budgeted figures, which ease the achievement of the targets. A clear example of this conflict is given by the marketing sector. Salespeople according to McWatters et al. (2008) are usually very specialised and can very well forecast future sales. Their predictions are very important to settle the amount of goods to be produced. Inasmuch budgetary control of sales takes place at the end of the year, and it is used as a tool to evaluate performance. Salespeople are reasonably incentivised to under-forecast future sales in order to assure a positive evaluation of their performance. Nevertheless this behaviour induces the company to have higher production costs, creating counterproductive results. However, this behavioural theory is contrasted by Van der Stede (2000) in his study on the relationship between two consequences of budgetary control: slack creation and managerial short-term orientation. In his experiment he attempts to find the relationship between rigid budgetary control and slack creation, where he defines slack as the action by business unit managers that leads them to â€Å"†¦ exploit their position of superior knowledge about business possibilities vis-a-vis corporate management to get performance targets that are deliberately lower than their best guess forecast about the future† (lukka, 1988). Van der Stede’s (2008) statistical correlation showed in fact that rigid budget control reduced slack. To strengthen his view, Bhimani et al. (2008) states that â€Å"budgeted performance measures can overcome two keys limitations of using past performance as basis for judging actual result†, meaning that, not only budgetary control is a good â€Å"judge† of performance, but it also develops better aspects in comparison to other evaluation techniques. In conclusion, this essay has highlighted the role of budgetary control and it’s functions in terms of planning the organisational control of a company, as well as its role in performance management. Motivation and communication are both key aspects in the management of performance, and both of these functions are met through the system of budgetary control, either by setting achievable incentives, or by providing the necessary requirements to improve communications within a company. Having underlined the role of budgetary control as an enhancer of performance management, it is clear to see how it has become a key mechanism for the integrative control of an organisation. Nonetheless, this essay has outlined some of the key disputes of the reliability and effectiveness of budgetary control as an adequate method of performance management. An example of this is highlighted by the fact that when managers are given strict budgeting figures, they sometimes deem the goals to be too easily achieved, and hence give a lesser input of motivation. Despite the many critics of budgetary control as a tool for the organisation of a company, scholars such as Van der Stede (2000) and Bhimani et al. (2008) have confidently stated that when a budget is set correctly, it can significantly improve an organisations performance, including the integrative function within a company; and is in fact a more effective tool than other existing methods of control.

The Efficacy of Anacardic Acid from Anacarduim Occidentale Essay Example for Free

The Efficacy of Anacardic Acid from Anacarduim Occidentale Essay Lipids are one of the molecules used by fishes for their physiological functions and cellular processes. These lipids have many uses in the lives of fishes, not only in fishes but also in other activities of other organisms. Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia) is one of the most common fish that contains lipids in their muscle or tissues. Anacadium ocindentale (cashew) is a nut crop with fruits that contain a liquid known as cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). This three liquid has three phenol constituents, one of this is anacardic acid. In this study, the cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) was extracted from Anacardium occidentale and anacardic acid and then separated from the CNSL by the process of centrifugation and then mixed with the food of the fish and then fed to the fishes. The purpose of this study is to make a useful lipid source from anacardium occidentale. This study will test the efficacy of anacardic acid as a lipid source of Oreochromis niloticus, and observed if the growth development and weight increased. After observing the fishes for 1 month to 2 weeks, results and data were analyzed. The researcher used T-test as their statistical tool, and concluded that the growth and weight of the Oreochromis niloqticus increased by 50.36% in weight gain and 50.98% in the increase in size when given anacardic acid.

Human Influence on Spread of Disease

Human Influence on Spread of Disease Through the last 40 years, concern about the spread of infectious disease has progressed due to the public becoming more concerned about infectious diseases major public health threats. Despite the fact that everything these days is hygienic, hypoallergenic, sterilized, and individually wrapped for your protection, over 30 infectious diseases have cropped up over the last twenty-five years (Patz Confalonieri, 2004). Even with all these precautions, Infectious diseases have become the leading cause of death in the world and the third in the United States. Mainly as a result of advancements in medical technology, people are living for a longer time than they ever used to. Even in undeveloped countries the population density has become more intense. Third world countries do not have sufficient sewage systems, pure drinking water, ample housing, or proper medical facilities to handle the rising population. Because of the increasing population, people are packed into congested megacities, many of which are in humid regions where the environment is ideal for infectious diseases to flourish in (Hay et al. 2005). Today, in the 21st century, there are over 24 megacities in the world, the majority of them in under developed nations. It is predicted that before the year 2010, half of the worlds inhabitants will be residing in congested urban locations (Hay et al. 2005). The existing economic situation is surely causing numerous rural people to relocate to cities to attain work. Various contagious illnesses that were formerly localized in rural areas are now capable of reaching larger populations by way of rural urbanization. The number of people that dwell in poverty inside large metropolitan areas has grown at an alarming rate. Urban impoverished areas are breeding grounds for diseases comparable to tuberculosis (Hay et al. 2005). Data compilations, completed in 1990, estimated that there were, 20 million refugees and 30 million displaced people in the world. (Patz Confaloniere, 2004) Entire population movements were largely due to political, economic or catastrophic events such as flooding, earthquakes and drought are crucial elements in disease development. Such crises lead to temporary living arrangements, such as refugee camps and short-term shelters, which become the perfect environment for the spread of infections. Short-term living spaces frequently share similarities with impoverished city areas. Some of those similarities are; overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, restricted access to medical attention, lack of uncontaminated water and food, displacement, and ineffective barriers for disease-carrying agents. An example is the movement of 500,000 800,000 Rwandan refugees into Zaire in 1994. Almost 50,000 refugees died during the first month from cholera. (Patz Confaloniere, 2004) Importing and Exporting of goods We dine on foods from the worlds gardens, except not all imported foods are healthy. Raspberries from Guatemala made a great many Americans sick on account of a parasite known as Cyclosporine, which was in the water that was used to spray and water the raspberries. Potential disease-ridden bugs and tainted foods, vegetation, and other goods cross U.S. borders on daily basis. Ever since the 1980s, the quantity of imported food to the U.S. has doubled. Increases in food imports have endangered the nations food protection procedure. Despite the fact that we depend on the FDA, USDA and additional government organizations to safeguard our food supply, the number of inspections have reduced by 50% of what they had been a few years back (Garrett, 1996). Due to the worlds countries steadily become more entwined, inter-reliant, and extremely competitive, will the other nations of the world adjust their values to become more akin to those of the U.S. or will the U.S., regardless of elevated principles, turn out to be more susceptible to the rest of the worlds germs? (Garrett, 1996) Sexual Promiscuity and Drug Use The most recent epidemic on a worldwide scale is HIV/Aids. HIV/Aids appeared in 1979 but it was until the mid 1980s that the disease was given a name. Thirty years later there is still no cure for this disease. HIV/Aids are spread through body fluids with the main ways of becoming effected are through sexual contact and intravenous drug use. In 1997 it was estimated by UNAIDS (United Nations special program on the AIDS epidemic, that over 16,000 people worldwide were being infected with the HIV virus every day. This epidemic has shown the world that we are continually defending ourselves from an army of microscopic organisms that can emerge or mutate at any time (Eberstadt, 2002). Intravenous drug use continues to spread the disease far beyond those who inject drugs. Anyone who has sex with an intravenous drug user is at great risk of contracting the disease. Then to make matters worse, children born to HIV infected mothers may also become infected. Since the beginning of the HIV/Aids, intravenous drug use has either directly or indirectly accounted for over 36% of all Aids cases in the U.S. Racial and ethnic minority people in the U.S. are at the greatest risk. It is not only intravenous drug users that are at risk because studies have shown that crack smokers are three times more likely to contract Aids than those who do not smoke crack. Sixty-one percent of all women infected with the HIV virus had contracted it through sexual contact (Eberstadt, 2002). It is predicted that in the 21st century, the group with the highest risk will be children under the age of 15. In 1997, over half a million children, worldwide, under 15 years old had contracted HIV through birth by infected mothers, sexual contact, and drug use. HIV/Aids is the second leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 25 and 44. HIV/Aids is the leading cause of death for African American men and women between 25 and 44 years of age. Over half of the reported Aids cases in 1997 were among young homosexual men and 49% of infected women were infected heterosexually (Eberstadt, 2002). The HIV/Aids epidemic has also been the cause of another epidemic; Millions of children are being orphaned by HIV/Aids infected parents, quoted by Eberstadt, (2002). Changes in climate due to Global Warming Numerous transmittable diseases are extremely receptive to climatic shifts, mainly in temperature, surface water, and moisture. It is evident that climatic shifts are taking place as a result of increased emissions of green house gases. The main causes of climatic shifts are caused by human influences. The typical global surface temperature since AD 1000 began to increase around 1975. From 1975 to 2001, the worlds typical surface temperature has increased by .4 degrees Celsius. It is estimated that over the next century, the typical surface temperature will increase 2-3 degrees Celsius (IPCC 2001). According to Karl and Trenberth (2003), This change in temperature will soon exceed the bounds of natural variability. The frequency and geographical span of selected plant and animal infectious diseases has apparently altered, to some extent in reaction to climate shifts over recent years. Many infectious diseases are greatly influenced by the altering of local, regional, and global ecosystems that is being done by humans. In tropical regions, dams that were created by humans to store water for irrigation and hydroelectric power have made it possible for water borne diseases to expand in populated areas where they were previously nonexistent. (Harvell et al. 2002). Human transferable diseases are attributed to an intricate range of conditions making it hard to know precisely what the effects are as a result of climate variation alone. Even so, some data exists regarding an influence of recent climate change on Cholera in Bangladesh, tick-borne Encephalitis in Sweden, and Malaria in regions of eastern Africa (Lindgren Gustafson, 2001). There has been extensive research done to establish how human diseases such as malaria and dengue fever will react to the scope of worldwide climate shifts that are projected to take place over the next century. A great deal more research needs to be completed to conclude how climatic variations will effect microbial mutation and how the recent increase in severe weather events and natural disasters will affect the dispersion of communicable diseases (Kuno, 1995). Dengue fever is affected by urbanization, travel, trade, and weather conditions. Dengue is by far the most notable vector-borne viral disease of humans. This disease is extremely likely to become affected by worldwide climate alteration. Approx. 80 million cases of Dengue fever are reported each year, of which 20,000 die. Dengue is primarily a tropical disease and has expanded in recent decades to nations with moderate climates. The increase in the number of cases is also attributed to an increase in human mobility via air travel (Monath, 1994). The Dengue virus breeds in stagnate water locations that are commonly found in the urban environment. This virus strain has accomplished extraordinary evolutionary adjustment to coexist with humans, having originated in the tropical forests of Africa. It has been determined by scientific research, that Dengue is one of the main communicable diseases most expected to be affected by international climate shifts all the way through the 21st century and farther into the future (Monath, 1994). Many infectious diseases are greatly influenced by the altering of local, regional, and global ecosystems that is being done by humans. In tropical regions, dams that were created by humans to store water for irrigation and hydroelectric power have made it possible for water borne diseases to expand in populated areas where they were previously nonexistent (Kuno, 1995). Methodology The research for this article is qualitative in nature. Qualitative research is a method of used by many academic subjects, such as; social sciences and marketing research. Qualitative researchers have a goal of learning about human behavior (e.g. why and how people do what they do). This types of research focuses on researching specific items of a topic instead of the whole topic and all of its variables. The research conducted for this paper was focused on six human influenced factors that may or may not be the cause of increased spreading of infectious diseases. A small sampling of specific infectious diseases is discussed in relation to the factors that were researched. Data Collection Method The grounded theory data collection method was used for this paper. Grounded theory is used to form a theory or to prove or disprove a current theory from the data retrieved during the process of conducting research. Analysis of data: Interpretive techniques The most common analysis of qualitative data is observer impression. That is, expert or bystander observers examine the existing documented data, interpret it via forming an impression and report their impression in a structured and sometimes quantitative form. Limitations The research for this paper has determined that not all infectious diseases have been positively linked to modern day factors. Research in this field is in progress. In order for scientists to determine the factors causing the spread or mutation of a disease, they must first determine the cause of each factor. For example: it has been only recently, that the main cause of climate changes was human influence, had been discovered. Summary Research on all six factors was conducted by reading and compiling recorded data on factors and the diseases. It was determined that several very serious infectious diseases can be linked to one or more the researched factors. In the last 40 years over thirty new, renewed, or mutated diseases have plagued the world. It was also discovered that all of the factors were influenced by humans. It is my opinion that there is only one main factor that causes the spread of infectious disease, and that factor is humans. Conclusion Many of the past diseases that cause worldwide pandemics are still alive and mutating today. One of the biggest threats for the 21st century is the influenza virus. The flu virus constantly mutates and becomes immune to vaccines very quickly. The most recent deadly strain is H1N1 (Nipah virus) also known as the swine flu, and also recently the bird flu (Fong, 2008). According the St. Johns Providence Health System, In the first 10 years of this century, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) have noticed a disturbing trend. The number of people diagnosed with diseases such as West Nile, Monkey Pox, and Hantavirus has risen greatly. Diseases that had once been nearly wiped out, such as measles, mumps, pertussis, and malaria, have reappeared. And to top it all off, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases like tuberculosis and Aids appear to be accelerating again. St. Johns Providence Health System feels that the reason for the escalation is the way humans live. A few of those reasons are: (2010) Weakened immune systems caused by genetics, other diseases, and malnutrition. Clearing forests and wetlands increases humans exposure to rats. Giving antibiotics to farm animals. The increase in worldwide natural disasters. War and biological weapons. Authors note: It will certainly take global efforts to control the spread of infectious disease. It seems that humans have been messing with Mother Nature and she is not very happy about it.

Analysis of Iron and Silk by Mark Salzman Essay -- Iron and Silk China

Analysis of Iron and Silk by Mark Salzman This book was given to me by a good friend who knew that I had an interest in Asia. I chose to read it because it was a true story and was told that it was a good read.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The author travels to China as an English teacher for the Hunan Medical School. There he stayed for two years picking up many anecdotes along the way. The author already had spent a large amount of his life studying Chinese language and the martial arts. However, when he arrives in China he meets teachers who have dedicated their entire lives to perfecting a particular art or skill, whether it be martial arts or calligraphy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mark Salzman was perfecting his calligraphy skills and as weeks had passed he began to make progress. He was getting tired of the models and wanted to try something new. When he told Hai Bin,(his teacher), he frowned and said,†Some people spend their entire lives researching a single model. You should be willing to spend a year on this one.† This is an example of the dedication and perseverance these men have towards their chosen artform or skill. Another example of this theme, was Mark’s Wushu teacher, Pan, who punched a fifty pound plate of steel up to ten thousand times a day. Mark’s relentless practicing of the many forms of Wushu was influenced by Pan.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Salzman also showed that there was great oppression. The people of China were under constant surveillance and control. Rarely were they able to make important decisions f...

Free Essays - A Difference in Values in The Good Earth :: Earth

A Difference in Values   The House of Wang Lung rose in one generation from a family of poor farmers to a wealthy respected house in the novel The Good Earth by Pearl Buck. The dramatic change in social status causes the sons of Wang Lung to have different views and values from their father. His different treatment of each son also shapes each character. Although part of the same family the charachters demonstrate a difference in values. The father values the land, the youngest son values regognition, the middle son values wealth, and the eldest son values respect.   As a result of his impoverished upbringing, Wang Lung values the land more than anything else. His obsession with the land causes him to neglect his family. The youngest son receives no attention and Wang Lung's plan to have him work the land disturbs him and makes him feel like a peasant. He feels that he has to prove that he is as great as his brothers and leaves the family to join the army. The middle son watches as his inheritance passes from his father's hand into the hand of his eldest son, and complains that his share is always too small. He wants to save the families money. The eldest son receives more attention and is given more than the other two sons and wants to be respected as a great family.      The eldest son receives more attention and is given more than the other two sons and wants to be respected as a great family. Wang Lung is proud of his first born son, Nung En, and gives him more than his other two sons. One example is when Wang Lung becomes distressed because he cannot read the contracts he is signing and does not want to sign a bad deal. He hopes that sending the elder son to school to learn how to read will solve this problem. The elder son is no longer needed in the fields, because Wang Lung can now afford men to work the land. However, he ignores sending his other children to school until later.   The eldest son's greatest desire is to have his family viewed as a great house. His wife, the daughter of the grain merchant Lui, Boggs 2 grew up in a rich house, she is accustomed to wealth and respect from others, and contributes to her husband's desire. He takes Wang Lung's silver bit by bit to mend up the old House of Hwang.

Alcohol & Drug Abuse: A Psychobiological Trait In Human Societies Essay

Introduction Anthropology can be defined as the science of physical, social, material, and cultural development of man, including his origin, evolution, distribution, customs, beliefs, and folkways. Anthropologists are concerned with the ways in which human groups and communities cope with the immense changes in their physical and sociopolitical environments in recent decades. Today, many anthropologists feel the need to solve contemporary problems in society, not just study human existence. Specifically, the contemporary problem of drug and alcohol abuse is an issue of great importance worth examining for anthropologists as well as sociologists and other professionals who study factors that influence human behavior. "For thousands of years people in nearly every culture have used drugs as medicines, to alter mental states as part of religious or social rituals, or simply for individual effects" (Starr, 1997, p. 242). Cross­Cultural Definition of Drug and Alcohol Use/Abuse According to the Dictionary of Anthropology (1966), "there is often an elaborate symbolism involved in the choice of different social and ceremonial occasions" (G.K.Hall & Co., p. 83). For example, "manioc" beer is the traditional beverage for a communal work party in many Amazonian native groups and is associated with sociability, family and communal life. "Aquardiente" liquor, which is obtained from the non­native patron, is reserved for less social drinking patterns and is often identified with aggressive behavior as fighting, for example. On the other hand, hallucinogen drugs are reserved for Shamanistic and religious occasions. They are a means of communicating with reality governed by Shamanistic spirits. All human groups possess a r... ...e, The Chimpanzees of Gombe, Belnap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA: 1986. Heath, Dwight, Constructive Drinking, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, MA: 1987. Heath, Dwight B, Encyclopedia of Cultural Anthropology, Vol. 1, American Reference Publishing Co., Inc., Lakeville, CT: 1996. Kottak, Conrad Philip, Cultural Anthropology, Mc Graw­Hill Publishing, Inc., New York: 1994. Lee, Richard B., The Dobe Ju/'hoansi, Harcourt Brace College Publishers, Orlando: 1993. Lisansky, Edith S., International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, Vol. 4., Collier and MacMillan, Inc:, 1968. Murdock, George Peter, Our Primitive Contemporaries, The Mac Millan Co., Inc., New York: 1934. Shell, Ellen Ruppel, "Flesh and Bone", Discover, December, 1991. Starr, Cecie, Human Biology, Wadsworth Publishing Co, Belmont, California: 1997.

Neoclassicism in Architecture

Neoclassicism is the name given to Western motions in the cosmetic and ocular humanistic disciplines, literature, theater, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the â€Å" classical † art and civilization of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome. The chief Neo-classical motion coincided with the eighteenth century Age of Enlightenment, and continued into the early nineteenth century, recently viing with Romanticism. In architecture, the manner continued throughout the 19th, 20th and up to the twenty-first century. Neoclassicism is a resurgence of the manners and spirit of authoritative antiquity inspired straight from the classical period, which coincided and reflected the developments in doctrine and other countries of the Age of Enlightenment, and was ab initio a reaction against the surpluss of the predating Rococo manner The term â€Å" Neoclassic † was non invented until the mid-19th century, and at the clip the manner was described by such footings as â€Å" the true manner † , â€Å" reformed † and â€Å" resurgence † ; what was regarded as being revived changing well. European Neoclassicism in the ocular humanistic disciplines began. 1760 in resistance to the then-dominant Baroque and Rococo manners. Rococo architecture emphasizes grace, ornamentation and dissymmetry ; Neo-classical architecture is based on the rules of simpleness and symmetricalness, which were seen as virtuousnesss of the humanistic disciplines of Rome and Ancient Greece, and were more instantly drawn from 16th century Renaissance Classicism. From France began, advanced interior decorators began to direct work to simplify the traditional betterment, use a batch of new stuffs and procedures, but besides retains the classical plant of elegant and dignified elegance. This manner rapidly achieved success throughout Europe followed suit, has since become Europe ‘s neo-classical place civilization typical genre of import one, since infinity. New classical Chinese furniture is by and large darker colourss, flavor books appear darker. A alteration in the traditional Chinese manner furniture serious dull in colour more affinity for traditional Chinese furniture job of deficiency of comfort is besides greatly improved: some blunt Chinese furniture wood stuff can besides be fused modern soft cloth, furniture lines progressively the more humane, more ergonomic demands in the furniture. The other is the European neo-classical furniture, in colour or magnificence, or fresh and chip, or old-timer, manner and more manner. Feature contour lines began to abandon the complicated rococo period ornament, the chase of simpleness while continuing the natural beauty of European furniture. Neo-classical furniture can be divided into the new classical Chinese furniture and European neo-classical furniture classs. New classical Chinese furniture has changed the traditional Chinese furniture serious dull manner. Contour lines feature European-style neo-classical furniture is get downing to abandon the complicated rococo period ornament, the chase of simpleness while continuing the natural beauty of European furniture. Whether the new classical Chinese furniture or the Continental neo-classical furniture manner and inside informations of how different, still the chase of comfort and modern-day furniture. In the neo-classical furniture is the most of import feature is that neo-classical furniture emphasized that the â€Å" new † , instead than retro. The â€Å" new † non merely refers to new manners of furniture, refers more to the â€Å" new † content on the furniture. As described in the new classical Chinese furniture and European neo-classical furniture in visual aspect compared with traditional furniture is different and improved, but from the people ‘s deep-rooted mental position alterations and inventions. Of class, blindly freshness while disregarding the traditional civilization in the same place in the furniture is non desirable. In the neo-classical, the characteristic long as colour, followed by the furniture and trappingss. In the neo-classical, both in furniture and trappingss being able to speak Rococo and Baroque comparing, although neoclassicism is baronial and beautiful, but really practical in footings of stuffs, but besides in the stuff cost is comparatively inexpensive, so many people will follow this manner. In colour, the colour choice more stable, do non utilize bright colourss, such as: visible radiation blue, white, and so on are common. In Neoclassical colour read on more comfy, but do non experience excessively excessive, it will non experience excessively much force per unit area in the infinite. In the modern and neoclassical, and their features are beautiful and unsophisticated, simple, gorgeous, etc. and, secondly, in footings of colour and trappingss, more stable because of the colour of fresh colour is non used, so that the full infinite becomes soft and baronial. In footings of trappingss may be a figure of pictures, mirrors and the similar, non some fancy trappingss and provincial places. In today ‘s, the house is non air, many people want to utilize a little infinite into a baronial and comfy house, while on the right neoclassical modern head, so today is really popular. Neoclassic manner into a modern society, most of them appear in the furniture, for illustration: form, furniture characteristic is that there may be Phnom Penh. Among the neo-classical, the form is frequently used, it is a ornament, so we may utilize in beds, couchs and so on furniture, the whole infinite becomes baronial and elegant. As to the current neo-classical inseparable from our life because of his practical, colour, ornament, and so it is in line with today ‘s aesthetic vision, we can hold a ocular dainty, and neo-classical with a simple, non complicated, comparatively simple, there is a fresh feeling. In add-on to comfort, the kernel of classical manner is really suited for modern society. In ocular footings, people go to work outside the place is the topographic point to be the oldest, to hold a comfy infinite that people have been looking for, in add-on, the place is a topographic point to entertain invitees, when entertaining invitees, give grasp is one of the amour propre of people, so people will care about place design, but is old and neo-classical manner with a small manner, is possible with the ocular aesthetic enjoyment of contemporary society. In colour, the colour of the neoclassical are comparatively stable, non bright, I feel more fresh and comfy. Due to the impact on the environment, people want place design is more natural, so the neoclassical on line with the modern conditions, colourss more natural, and without strong feeling, for illustration: You may utilize brown ruddy without using bright ruddy, because it was excessively strong bright ruddy, and brown ruddy comparatively stable, so the usage of colour is more particular. In add-on, apart from the usage of colour instead particular sense of manner is something of concern, because people are prosecuting cutting-edge tendency, if the house looks to manner, with colour is besides really of import, and neo-classical colourss outside steady besides have a manner sense, so to be in line with the modern. In ornament, because neoclassical comparatively simple, so will non be excessively many cosmetic and ornate, modern is really appropriate, because less infinite, in order to salvage infinite, or may be put on the couch or wall pictures do some form, because neoclassical oppose gorgeous Baroque and Rococo manner, but it will mime the decor, so with a small ornament is baronial, if the cosmetic neoclassical integrating in modern times, is non the same and with particular point manner sense, but besides to run into the temper of the full infinite, because neoclassical manner is more accent on the importance of the ambiance, whether it is furniture or cosmetic points can besides do a particular atmosphere in the modern but besides really particular. Last, in today ‘s society, neoclassicism is really popular, has non disappeared because of this neo-classical manner is comparatively simple, the colour of the stuffs used are more stable, and is a really comfy infinite. Meanwhile, more practical facets of quality stuffs, fit people are more concerned about money attack is more cosmetic, but at the same clip the provincial place, fresh and yet with fashionable, in line with the demands of modern society. In add-on, the neo-classical manner and modern merger is besides really suited, for illustration: Phnom Penh couch, Zebra is one of cosmetic furniture and so on ; the whole infinite is comparatively simple and non complicated, is ideal for a batch of people at place, but outside the house local can besides be used with, because neoclassical is expensive with a high elegant ambiance in the promenade can still see, followed by cosmetic points besides in line with our demands, neoclassical aureate ratio is in line with the organic structure design, so people like neoclassical design is a ground, because he was in line with the aureate ratio, our furniture merchandises besides meet all of our ocular effects, we are able to bask every minute of comfort. Second, because neoclassical design is nostalgia, but every bit long as altering the point will be a really fashionable infinite and convey out the elegant ambiance, for illustration: batch green and white of the lucifer, but besides show the neoclassical manner.

Analog to Digital Comparison

Analog to Digital When the conversion takes place between analog and digital it becomes the base of all communication technologies. Just about all hardware uses digital so it is very important to convert analog signals into digital to perform support for hardware applications. All hardware devices are aimed to be digital. Therefore, devices in the future will not need conversion because they will already be digital. There are many examples of analog to digital like a scan picture. The analog information provided by the light present in the picture is converted to digital signal to complete the process.The digital conversion use the means of binary coding for data transmission and output. The digital signals work only by using only two numbers known as one and zero (Analog to Digital). When users convert the signal to digital it allows plenty of data to be stored on a single device. This help save bandwidths and space. There are seven ways that signals are structured; direct conversio n, ramp compare, successive approximation, delta encoded, pipeline, time stretch, and sigma delta. When the hardware uses one of those signals the destination hardware will find the best data encryption and utilization.The most common analog to digital conversion are the digital TVs, cameras, and other video captures. The newer microcontrollers’ technologies are used to convert analog to digital by reducing the size of the chip to get a better signal. Frequency Modulation The advantages and disadvantages of frequency, and frequency modulation vary from one application to the next. However, the frequency modulation choice depends on the applications, and system requirements. Knowing the type of system as well as the requirement will help the technician choose the correct form or type frequency modulation to generate to get the required output for use.Comparing, and contrasting Amplitude Modulation (AM) to other forms of modulation frequencies an individual will find that (AM) frequency is relatively inexpensive, minimum circuitry required for connection as well as the demodulation process. (AM) covers a larger area when compared to (FM) greatly with the aid of atmospheric conditions. A disadvantage of (AM) includes a limited amount of bandwidth where-as the bandwidth needs to be double the strength of the highest frequency, noise mixes easily at higher frequencies, and only one side of the frequency carries the signal where-as the other side has a loss of power.Applications that normally use (AM) include radio transmission news, weather, music, aircraft communication to the aircraft tower in a very high frequency (VHF) form, and walkie-talkies for two-way communication. Frequency Modulation (FM) advantages include a stronger signal than (AM), noise control with the aid of increasing or decreasing the deviation, constant power output with no loss. The disadvantage includes cost, the demodulation process that may require knowledge of complicated circuitry. The application for (FM) includes radio communication, and some analog applications.Phase Modulation (PM), which is analog version phase shift keying. The advantages include includes modulation to demodulation made easier when compared to (FM). (PM) is also used to determine speed or velocity. A disadvantage of (PM) will include the displacement of the original signal of more than 180 degrees will cause phase ambiguity. Applications for (PM) include boat radio communications, radio, music, and news communications. When an individual uses his or her wireless Ethernet (802. 11b) he or she does not care as to how the signal is generated just as long as it works.Modulation Techniques Modulation is the method used to transmit and receive signals from a carrier. Different types of equipment make it possible for the signals to be used. Each piece of equipment uses different techniques but is essence offers the same results. The three most common methods by which signals are transmitted ar e 56K modem, asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL), and Wireless Fidelity also known as Wi-Fi. Throughout the growth of the Internet, each of these processes has proven themselves to be effective ways to transmit digital signals.However, the 56K modem has become somewhat obsolete with the emergence of Wi-Fi. The signal modulation that the 56K modem receives is provided by the telephone network. When there is no interference or problems with the network’s connection, a 56K modem has a maximum speed of 64K but will rarely come close to achieving this because of typical issues with the network. The modulation takes place by converting the digital signal that the Internet Service Provider (ISP) transmits into an analog signal that the telephone company can use.The individual uses a modem to convert the analog signal received from the telephone company back to a digital signal. After the access to the Internet became more demanding, this process proved to be too time-consumi ng and ADSL emerged. ADSL uses two opposing modulation techniques that rely on Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM). QAM uses a process to conserve bandwidth that was widely used by earlier modems. The first modulation technique used is the Carrierless Amplitude Phase (CAP) that was developed by AT&T.The carrier retains no information because it is suppressed before transmission and unsuppressed after it reaches its destination. This process offer two advantages for its users, a less expensive and more flexible way of modulation and demodulation. The other modulation technique is the Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT). The DMT has been selected as the standard for ADSL. This method is a bit more complex because of the way that it separates the bandwidth into 256 channels. Each of these sub-channels uses about 4. 3125 kHz of bandwidth using the QAM process.It also uses more low frequency channels to minimize the noise interference present during high frequency transmissions. It also uses met hod like Discrete Wavelet Multi-Tone to maximize the separation between the channels to assist in minimizing interference. The final modulation technique is the Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi uses two radio transmission methods for modulation. The 802. 11b uses the process complementary coded keying (CCK) at around 11Mbps to process the signal with special codes and modulate it using Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) (â€Å"Tutorialspoint†, 2013). The other is the 802. 1a and g type that use a 64 channel orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) that divides the available radio band into sub-channels to send bits on each (â€Å"Tutorialspoint†, 2013). By using Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), QPSK, or one of the QAM variants, the transmitter can encode the streams of bits carried on the 64 sub-channels. The receiver only uses the information that it needs to construct the information and disregard the redundant information. Sonnet SONET, or synchronous optical network (G ilmer, 2003) was designed in the 1980’s due to the break-up of AT&T.The current technology was overwhelmed by the sheer number of new telephone companies around the country. SONET was designed to deliver T-1 and T-3 speeds for data transfers. The SONET frame is designed as an 810-byte setup utilizing nine rows of 90 bits. The remaining bits are left out of the rows to perform separate tasks for each section. SONET is still used today as a means of telecommunication as it has a superior amount of flexibility over cables, such as those utilized by Ethernet that can be only stretched a fraction of the distance achieved by fiber optic cable.Where Ethernet maxes out at 348 feet, fiber optic cable is used at distances over a mile long, a drastic difference in usability. Conclusion It is apparent that as the popularity of the Internet increases, the technology must increase as well to meet the demands. The different conversion method used today for analog to digital has made it easi er for users than in the past. The modulation techniques have improved making it possible to transmit information faster and less expensive for users. Finally, the SONET technology has propelled the industry even further with its increased range and flexibility.References Analog to Digital. (2013 April). Retrieved from http://www. wifinotes. com/computer-hardware-components Gilmer, B. (2003). Sonet. Broadcast Engineering, 45(7), 24-24. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/204171727? accountid=35812 Goleniewski, L. (2007). Telecommunications Essentials (2nd ed. ). Boston, MA: Pearson. Analog to Digital. (2013 april). Retrieved from http://www. wifinotes. com/computer-hardware-components Tutorialspoint. (2013). Retrieved from http://www. tutorialspoint. com/wi-fi/wifi_radio_modulation. htm

Plato’s Philosophical Significance

Philosophy spans the reaches of the human mind in countless topics, but is often divided into three main branches: metaphysics, the study of the nature of existence; epistemology, the study of knowledge and truth; and ethics, the study of morals. One of the first philosophers to look at these fields is Plato (427BCE-347BCE), whose writings are incredibly influential. Plato’s work lays the fundament for philosophy because of his cohesive contributions to the fields of metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics.Firstly, Plato’s work with Forms greatly influences metaphysics. He contributes the idea of the Forms which exist as â€Å"eternal and perfect ideals that exist in an unchanging, perfect heaven† (via Velasquez, 2002, p. 84). [2] The Forms contrast with worldly matter; this contrast leads to Plato’s next contribution to metaphysics, his concept of â€Å"Two Worlds. † Plato divides reality into the worlds of senses and forms, the latter of which he co nsiders to be true reality and where the soul resides.Finally, Plato’s description of the tripartite human soul greatly influences St. Augustine’s religious work on Christianity 800 years later. Therefore, Plato’s Forms helped shape metaphysics. Secondly, Plato’s Forms and myths built the foundation for epistemology. Plato argues that due to the soul's unchanging nature, the process of â€Å"learning† is the soul’s recollection of knowledge. He also provides two myths, both closely related to his metaphysical works.In the first, the Chariot Allegory, Plato describes a charioteer en route to heaven, in which there exists â€Å"true reality [the forms] with which real knowledge is concerned † (as cited by Velasquez, p. 84). The journey is impeded by an unruly horse that represents ignobility. The concept of the journey’s difficulty is mirrored, finally, in the Allegory of the Cave, which discusses ignorance and the escape thereof . Thus, Plato’s myths form the basis of epistemology. Finally, Plato’s work in ethics regarding justice is among the first and most influential.Firstly, he defines justice as the balance between the three parts of the tripartite soul. Thus, his justice theory states that justice in both the state and the individual is defined by â€Å"harmony between the various parts for the good of the whole† (Velasquez, 2002, p. 630). This justice theory shows cohesiveness with Plato’s tripartite theory of the soul. Finally, Plato associates justice with merit: individuals are treated proportionally to their talents and accomplishments. Hence, Plato's philosophies regarding justice form the starting point for the field of ethics.In conclusion, Plato’s writings act as a basis and connection for the three main branches of philosophy: metaphysics, through his Forms; epistemology, through his myths; and ethics, through his justice theory. His influence on philosophy and society is expansive and, as such, Plato is one of the most significant philosophers. That his ideas are still being taught to modern day shows the true nature of philosophy: to pose questions so profound that they cannot be answered 2500 years later.

Managing quality customer servise in a gaming webste company

Working in the assumption that I am managing a team that provides content for a gaming website whose ultimate goal is to land a spot in Alexa Ranking’s Top Ten (preferably to take over the number one slot; and the company is currently playing around the 1,500 position), this paper will draft the customer service and complaint image that my company must adapt to attract more page hits and views that will result to the company ultimately achieving its goal. Although website readers may be violently contested as not being strictly customers, they are the ones that click on links and generate Google ads – therefore, it is their support that keeps a website afloat. With that reason, readers can be classified as customers. As the content of a website is the product that this kind of customers ‘purchase’, it is necessary that everything that goes up on a website – the articles, the advertisements, and the layout – is of high quality. Keeping in my mind the truth that readers are the lifeline of a website, my company should live with the following vision/mission: Mission: Provide the readers around the globe necessary information on the latest generation of gaming consoles: Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Sony’s PlayStation 3, and Nintendo’s Wii for home consoles and Sony PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS/DS Lite for hand consoles. This we should do by updating the website 24/7 with fresh news gathered from each console-maker’s press kits and websites and from other reliable sources and websites. â€Å"Necessary† will be defined by the readers themselves through a number of steps with the sole purpose of getting pertinent opinion from them. After all, â€Å"Customer service is meeting the needs and expectations of the customer as defined by the customer.† (Directory Journal, 2007) Vision: The above mission, if executed properly, will create for the company a certain image that will make it more appealing to readers and, ultimately, sponsors. It is therefore inevitable that with the mission goes the following vision: 1.The website will be known as the most up-to-date websites around. 2. It will be in the top ten of Alexa’s Top Sites. 3. It will be known that the website is reader-oriented and always keeps the readers’ opinions into consideration, making changes according to popular demand. 4.It will, by page views and hits alone, generate enough income to keep the company afloat. 5.It will, through additional income from advertisements, expand to covering other issues and or stories that may or may not be gaming-related but still caters to what the present and future readers want. To be able to achieve the company’s mission/vision, it will be essential to create a great customer service plan that will improve the current service, leading to maintaining the present readers and expanding the website’s reach. According to Martin (1989), there are five steps a company must undergo to make that leap from â€Å"where the customer service is now† to â€Å"where you want it to be†: 1. Understand your customers. 2. Set superior service standards. 3.Build a winning team. 4.Check up regularly. 5.Provide proactive problem solving. These steps will roughly be the basis for the company’s building of a better customer service management. First and foremost, the company should be able to get the demographics of the readers and then gather the reasons why these readers support the website. Currently, the website can be accessed by anybody – members and non-members alike. This works to the site’s advantage because it lets anybody else view the content, encouraging more readers to visit the site and possibly bookmark it for future viewing. But this will make it hard for the company to outline who the readers are (‘understanding customers’). While it is in the best interest of the company to make it open, it will also be wise to ‘force’ the visitors of the site to register, hence making it easier to track the audience. To go about this, the company should create content that will be exclusive only to members – example are reviews to high-profile games are exclusive downloads of trailers and demos. To make this move popular with the viewers of the site, the following steps should be undertaken: Put up an article announcing that members will now start getting more for their continued support. The article should highlight that aside being able to post comments, which is the only privilege they are currently enjoying, they will now be able to access exclusive content. It should be emphasized that membership is totally free. Make the sign-up box more prominent and place a visible link to the article explaining why they should become a member. Place a ‘testimonials’ corner where members can rave about the advantages of being a member. In short, make the non-members realize that they are indeed missing out on a lot of exciting materials. Of course, aside from making it easier for the company to note the demographics of its readers, the move to make exclusive content will also give the website an air of excitement that is sure to buzz through the Internet pipeline, and this is sure to attract more readers. To ensure that the website delivers exactly what the readers want, the company should undergo a three-fold process of knowing reader preferences. The first fold involves a team focused on mapping out customer trends. The team will concentrate on checking out which articles of the company’s website – which we’ll now dub as GamingWebsite.com – actually generate more page views and positive comments. This will also go hand-in-hand with determining what the readers’ complaints are by sifting through the comments. Going out of GamingWebsite.com and scanning the worldwide web for any comments on the site will be tasked to another team. Since not everybody deem it necessary to leave a comment on the actual website and are sometimes taken to spreading their opinions via other means (Ilett, 2007), this team will have to actively scan forums plus blogs and check out what the people are saying about GamingWebsite.com and try to thank the people for any praises posted. If utterly necessary, the members of this particular team will also rectify any damage a detrimental comment may cause; this will be done through a polite and apologizing manner so as not to make the commenter feel attacked. Having this team is not only useful in knowing what the people are saying about the company but can also boost the company’s website. GamingWebsite.com’s constant presence on readers’ personal forums and blogs can make the readers feel important making them keener to spread word that the company’s website is not just another website because is aims to build a more personal connection. Also a must for getting reader preference is the installation of chat support, implementation of an â€Å"e-mail us† campaign, and dissemination of e-mail surveys. Right now, the only way a reader can communicate to a writer or administrator of the site is via article comment, making general comments, complaints, and commendations lost in article-related comments. Having a chat support and an â€Å"e-mail us† campaign will provide a venue for all these, making it easier for the company to address any issues brought about by the readers. And to be able to acquire the exact information the company wants from its readers, it may opt to send out a quarterly survey e-mail to all members. This tracking of the audience will now make it possible to put up articles that are less a result of whim and more of reason (MacGregor). Therefore, all information gathered from the measures mentioned above – demographics, customer trends, persistent positive and negative feedbacks from non-GamingWebsite.com sites, constant chat and e-mail support issues, and results of surveys – will have to be forwarded to the team leaders of the writing team. The team leaders would then have to map out what kind of articles should and should not be put up on the site. With a number of new processes, the company structure would definitely have to change – but not that drastically. New teams assigned to the new processes would just have to be created under a new roof called â€Å"Customer Research†. The greatest impact of this to the existing teams will be the enforcement of a more evidence-based editing of articles. With information straight from the readers themselves, the researchers will now know exactly which leads to forward to the writers and editors will have a more definitive reason for denying an article. Because of this, the writing team will now not have to â€Å"make their way in the dark† but instead would have enhanced professionalism due to the fact that everybody is unified in having a clear view of the path the company is supposed to tread. As have been mentioned above, this new customer service management plan will create this image that GamingWebsite.com creates a personal relationship with its readers and its primary aim is to please the readers. With the clearly drafted survey e-mail that communicates that the website is aimed at delivering exactly what the readers want to read, it will be hard for the readers to deny that GamingWebsite.com is serous about publishing only articles that matters. This image will surely raise the bar as to customer expectations but with the continuing exercise of the new customer service management, the website will be able to meet these expectations. Indeed, catering to an online audience is hard, especially since the product is also hard to gauge. There are a lot of websites out there and a lot of them will also cater to the same audience, but keeping a scientific approach will definitely give one an edge. But it cannot all be science; there should also be just the right amount of personalization that will make the readers feel that the website is not just about business and generating page views and ads but is also about making a connection. This is the formula that the new image and the set of actions detailed are trying to aim for. And with people naturally wanting attention, the formula is a cinch to succeed. List of References Directory Journal. 2007. How to Create a Customer Service Plan 2007. [online]. [Accessed 11 August 2007]. Available from World Wide Web: . Ilett, D. 2007. How to find out what’s being said about you. [online]. [Accessed 11 August 2007]. Available from World Wide Web: . MacGregor, P. 2007. Tracking the Online Audience. Journalism Studies, 8 (2), pp. 280-298. Martin, W.B. 1989. Managing Quality Customer Service: A Crisp Fifty-Minute Series Book. Boston, MA: Course Technology. WIKIPEDIA. N.d. Customer service [online]. [Accessed 11 August 2007]. Available from World Wide Web: .