MEMO strategy

This memo explains the strategy that I will apply to implement the communication situation of the case 5. Audience The audience for the message is the immediate superior, and therefore it is more effective to use memo to communicate with him or her. The reason is because memo is more formal and less personal than a letter or email. This is able to create the semblance of a valid business concern based on data and studies as opposed to a letter, be it hand or type written, which conveys sentiments and passion and is not regarded as authoritative. Purpose The general purpose of the message is to persuade. In order to be able to do this effectively, it must be shown that there is a valid business concern that needs to be addressed. The use of a memo, as mentioned earlier, gives the appearance of official correspondence devoid of any feelings and sentiments, which are usually not considered when making business decisions. Associated essay: Sample Memo for Company Team Building In order to convince the superior, there is a need to downplay personal convictions while at the same time express this as a valid business concern that is normally addressed in day to day business matters. Therefore, memo is the most often used means of accomplishing this in any corporate structure. Content The general tone that must be used in this memo is a formal business tone. The superior needs to understand the relevance of the matter in relation to business and company performance. This is why a business tone, which avoids conversational language, must be used. Structure Finally, since this will be addressed to a superior, the memo must avoid a direct and confrontational approach while maintaining its authoritativeness.   Before beginning, a buffer can be used to improve the way the superior will handle the situation and perhaps be able to get the desired outcome.   The first few sentences should already outline the problem that will be faced and the potential cost, which helps get the boss’s attention. By the end, it must be made clear to the boss what action must be taken.   The memo must also take care as not to appear as if it is attacking the superior or severely criticizing his decision and this can be achieved by adding a buffer at the beginning. Based on the analysis of this communication situation, I will use a memo as an effective medium to solve this case. To:  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Brad Pitt, Executive Director From:  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hayeon Jung, Project Head Date:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   November 13, 2006 Subject:  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Extended Warranties and Sales training We have recently received news which may be vital to the profitability of our extended warranty sales and after a careful study of our proposed actions regarding the sales training program for extended warranties, I believe that it may be in our best interests to come up with an alternative approach regarding this matter.   Based on my studies, this has the potential to be very risky move for the company because of the lower sales of all company products due to the anticipated consumer backlash to this marketing strategy. Business Week, a widely read business magazine, is publishing an article on extended warranties, and it makes specific mention of the fact that half of the warranty price goes to the salesperson as a commission and that only 20 percent of the total amount customers pay for warranties eventually goes to product repair. Early failures are usu ­ally covered by manufacturers' warranties, and the extended warranties we are selling are designed to cover that middle part of the life span. In other words, many extended warranties cover the period of time during which consumers are least likely to need them and offer no coverage when consumers need them most. While extended warranties present profitable margins for the company, the resulting consumer backlash from this article could potentially reduce sales for all of the company’s products. With the current sales training lined up, more aggressive marketing for extended warranties will send the wrong signal to the consumers. Furthermore, the potential threat of added media exposure caused by the article in Business Week could threaten the sales projections for the company. It is strongly recommended that the plan to continue the sales training be ceased.   Doing so will reduce any overhead costs and training expenses that may be incurred from the implementation of the training program. Moreover, alternative marketing strategies such as using the Business Week article to the advantage of the company can be formulated instead of the sales training. I strongly believe that our company has a great future under your leadership as we continually explore ways to strengthen the relationship between the customers and the company. Hayeon jung Customer Service Manager

Pfizer Essay

Pfizer has new technology that helps to access the system easily. They have a smart card consisting of proximity device so that as a person walks near a computer, there is a signal emitted by smart card which verifies you. There is use of pin number so that no one can use another persons card and pin number is used in other parts of the company such as making charges at cafeteria and accessing the building physically. When Pfizer is deploying information system, they take their time to cooperate with people who do business in order to know the risks involved in storing and transferring information. They do not under protect information or overprotect it. Business can be impeded by overprotecting information which can make security be thrown out. They partner with information technology and business in order to protect business, offer quality products and services and make profit. (Betancourt, 2002 pp19-21). Describing policies and measures used by Pfizer to ensure confidentiality, availability and reliability of data and information Confidentiality of data is ensured through a system that employs cryptography such as public key and symmetric key in order to encrypt and decrypt information and data. There is an entity that reads sensitive information and data and the key represents a secret property. To ensure availability of data and information Pfizer has prescription coverage to ensure access to its medicines that are new and widely prescribed. Through number 866 706 2400, there are live operators to guide patients according to their needs and the programs for public assistance according to medical needs and income. The reported outcome of patient’s measures determines how treatment of a disease affects patients. To ensure there are results that are useful clinically data gathered must use reliable cognitive psychology, clinician and patient input. This is done by determining the purpose of patient reported outcome in order to demonstrate its reliability. (Nurss, 1998 pp11-12). How Pfizer organization protect loss of data In order to avoid loss of data, Pfizer protects privacy of information collected from external organizations through online opportunity process of submission which supplements privacy policy of Pfizer which can also apply to personal data and identifiable information. For Pfizer to ensure personal data is secure, it uses data customary that protects electronic and manual processing. Security technology in online opportunity ensures securities that avoid loss of data, misuse of data, unauthorized disclosure, destruction and alteration of data. Steps taken to ensure data remain accessible in event of catastrophic event such as fire and other natural disaster Actions are taken to lower exposure to risk arising from hazard to safeguard development efforts. Developing systems for early warning helps in reducing risks and having capabilities to respond to catastrophic events. Disaster recovery is used in recovering information in event of catastrophe. Disaster recovery planning is devoted to prepare for action to respond to catastrophic event. Assessment in disaster recovery is simulating catastrophic event and planning for disaster recovery in order to have recovery need that are specified. Plan for disaster recovery state duration the recovery should take and the state of data expected by the users and management need to be informed all the time of these specifications which are substantiate by recovery assessment. Things I think Pfizer could do to further enhance information security  There should be enough circulating space inside the organization so that staff can move around freely without use of lifts. Employees should avoid calling their colleagues using phones but instead use face to face communication about information concerning the organization and cellular office space should help to make communication easy. Government should take action to develop mechanisms for sharing information with private sector by engaging private sector actively in determining requirement of information and having a partnership that is based on trust. ( Parker, 1996 pp21-23).

Investment Companies Essay

Investors need to consider a lot of factors before investing their money in any firm. Company stability and ability to generate profits is the main attraction for any investor. Bank of America and Apple Inc are some of the most stable companies in their respective fields. Besides these are some of the highest paying industries in the world today. Bank of America Bank of America is the largest brokerage house and consumer banking franchise in the United States (Lewis, 2010, p1) during the financial crisis, bank of America posted huge losses coupled by the untimely purchase of Merrill Lynch. However in April 2010 bank of America reported a $3. 2 billion first quarter profit signifying an imminent complete turnaround for the company. Interestingly, most of the profits were generated from the trading at Merrill Lynch. The gamble to buy Merrill Lynch had paid off. With the worst of the financial crisis over, bank of America is poised to make bigger profits and reclaim its eminence that it lost to JP Chase and Goldman Sachs. Though it is unlikely to continue with the acquisitions that characterized most of its growth phase, the bank no doubt will be a big player in wealth management in the US. Long term investment in bank of America therefore will be a wise decision by an investor who is looking to capitalize to a rising stock price and dividend per share revenue. Besides, the regulations that the administration will introduce will ensure profitability and stability of the banking sector. However, given that the financial markets have not fully recovered, coupled with the impending WallStreet reform by the administration, there is likelihood that resulting volatility may eat into the company’s profits and share price. Besides, the company, like many other banks is still repaying government bailout money, a move that will affect its profits and effectively its investors. Apple Inc Dynamism describes the world of technology today. New information gadgets are introduced to the market every year. Apple is on of the companies that has emerged as a market leader challenging established giants like Microsoft and easily cutting a niche for its itself in the market. Apple prides itself with successes such as the i-Pod, the i-Tunes Store, MacBook sales, and excellent Mac OS X. Innovation to meet the ever demanding market is the main driver of apple and with its cutting edge products like the i-phone, i-pod and recently the i-pad, investing in Apple inc will be a good decision because certainly these are not the last of their products. The company has one of the highest share prices in the New York Stock exchange which stood at $140 pr share as of 2008 (Tyson, 2008, p 11). Every time people buy Apple products, it increases the company sales and profits which in return drive up the stock price (Tyson, 2008, p 11). With the continued good performance, an investor is guaranteed of good returns in the long run. While some computer and software companies saw their profits plunge during the recession, Apple’s strong position ensures continued movement of their products, a clear indicator that the company can whether big economic fluctuations and guarantees an investors returns for their money. Apple Inc. has concentrated on developing mobile gadgets but the same effort is needed in developing products like the Mac desktop. Competition from other computer and software manufacturers is stiff and an information technology company that cannot sustain the innovation trends is likely to post less sales, profits and stock price. Competitors like Microsoft and phone manufacturers like Motorola are likely to come up with gadgets that will target the entertainment industry, enterprise and high performance computing, none of which apple is well prepared for (Martellaro, 2006, p1). Expanding their niche therefore to include more products will secure the future of the company and ensure long-term stability.

Vietnam War Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Vietnam War - Research Paper Example will become mired in other foreign affairs quagmires which again will weaken the military, economic strength and its political status within the world community. This same lesson was never learned by the long defunct Roman Empire. A similar outcome looms for America if it continues to replicate the mistake that was Vietnam. A result of justifications emanating from Cold War, anti-communism sentiments, Vietnam became the standard by which American military power limitations can be measured. Following the allied defeat of Japan in 1945, the U.S. became embroiled in a battle over military power and political ideology with the former Soviet Union that was showcased on a world-wide scale for more than four decades, the Cold War. Communism was America’s declared enemy during this era. The U.S. drew a symbolic line in the sand in Southeast Asia after the Soviets built the Berlin Wall and continued in its aspirations to dominate other Eastern European nations. The fiasco that was Viet nam triggered anti-military reactions for the majority of Americans whose subsequent response contributed to the Cold War’s end. Vietnam also forced America to rethink the fundamental purpose of its military power and question the scope of its capability to force it’s will in foreign nations whether, for example, in the deserts of the Middle East or the jungles of Southeast Asia. In addition the U.S. was forced to question its general foreign policy viewpoint and subsequent strategies. (Hogan, 2006) â€Å"U.S. foreign policy, from its abandonment of isolationism at the ending of the 19th century to its status as the sole remaining superpower, has always been centered on the promotion and conservation of its own interests and ‘the advancement of civilization,’ the exercise of power to assert itself beyond the bounds of the American continents in ‘the interest of civilization and of humanity’ and its own selfish interests.† (Olney, 2004) This re-evaluation phase lasted about 40 years, from the mid-1970’s until early 2003. The U.S. enjoined the Cold War period, Vietnam War and invasion of Iraq to ostensibly spread democracy to subjugated peoples of the world (the official explanation) and with great confidence of victory. Both military conflicts offered a comparable paradigm: the capability of the U.S. to utilize its armed forces as a political, social and ideological tool is limited. indisputably, America entered Vietnam with somewhat of a arrogance assuming the North Vietnamese would bow to the powerful American military and that the South Vietnamese would gladly accept and adjust to a western nation style of democratic governance. Former U.S. national Security Advisor under President Nixon and Secretary of State (1973-1977) Henry Kissinger stated America entered Vietnam with a â€Å"brash confidence in the universal applicability of America’s prescriptions.† (Kissinger, 2003) The ironic epilog ue to the U.S. involvement in Vietnam is that America entered into this horrific and bloody and enduring conflict believing it to be the ‘knight in shining armor’ for the South Vietnamese people. Its leaders did this without appreciating that the South Vietnamese were fighting to be free from a North Vietnamese government that symbolized the same colonialist, imperialistic ideology as did the American government. (Ignatieff, 2003) This lack of military success in Vietnam was not because the U.S. lacked fire-power. It was due to a failure to understand the opponent. Although

CRJS471IP3 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

CRJS471IP3 - Research Paper Example If the dried blood is on small objects, the whole object should be sent to the laboratory after being packed and labeled. However, if the stains are on large objects or on the floor, they must be covered with clean paper and edges should be sealed with tape. If the object is too big to take to the laboratory or the stains are on the floor, the stains must be scrapped onto a clean paper, which is to be folded and packed in an envelope. The stains must not be scrapped directly in an envelope; they must be scrapped using knives that are freshly washed and dried, or any other similar tool. Dried stains must not be mixed together; they should be kept separately in different envelopes and must not be wiped using wet cloth. Blood stains can be immensely helpful in criminal investigations as modern tests help to specify one person from millions. Forensic scientists may carry out DNA tests, ABO blood types, and many others to find out the exact person (Ian, 2010). If a handgun is found at the crime scene, it should never be submitted directly to the laboratory. Loaded guns must be submitted in person and unfired cartridges should be left in the magazine of the gun when the magazine is removed from it. A handgun with the cartridge must never be shipped or delivered through any method. The bore or the chamber must not be cleaned before submitting, nor should it be attempted to fire. The serial number, model, make, and caliber must be recorded and marked on it. Marking the weapons is an important part as it saves the guns from mixing up with others of the same models but different crime scenes. Handguns must be packed in wooden or cardboard boxes. Blood stains or fingerprints can be present on the weapon which can be tested find out the criminals or people present at the crime scene. Shotguns and rifles, and other types of weapons must be separated from one another and sent separately to laboratories. If there are blood stains, they should be covered with

English Class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

English Class - Essay Example Both articles also identify the parties involved in the incident and reasons behind the fracas, which finally culminates into the killing of five colonists by British Army. Another aspect of similarity is that the articles also carry the engraving of Paul Revere and mentions about one of the victims, Crispus Attucks, who later became a hero. The first article is a brief account of the incident, which is focused on the historical perspective of the occurrence. It is divided into different sections, each dealing with a specific aspect of the incident. Though the second article also provides an historical account of the incident, it is more focused on how Paul Revere, an artist who â€Å"capitalized on the Boston Massacre† to promote his engravings. (The Boston Massacre: A Behind-the-Scenes: Look at Paul Revere’s Most Famous Engraving 1). The former article also provides information about the trials that entailed the incident. On the other hand, the latter is silent on this aspect. The first article dwells on some myths about the Boston Massacre, and emphasizes the fact that â€Å"there were other historical milestones† that forced Boston to revolt (What was the Boston Massacre par. 9). The other article attempts to interpret the allusions shown in the engravings of Paul Revere. The Boston Massacre: A Behind-the-Scenes: Look at Paul Revere’s Most Famous Engraving. Boston Public Library. n.d. Web. 19 Sep. 2011.

Managing Holistically Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Managing Holistically - Essay Example The society, therefore, requires the construction companies to effectively maintain sustainability. These companies must be ready to address the complexity of problem conditions through a system and cybernetics approach with the sustainable development as an objective. Here, the problem situation analyzed is of building the Skye Bridge, a road bridge that connects the Isle of Skye with the mainland Highland over Loch Alsh, in Scotland. The project was undertaken by the developer Skye Bridge Ltd. and the construction by the Miller Constructions Company. The construction project intended to meet particular needs like enhancing transportation by connecting the island with the mainland through the Skye Bridge. Non-sustainability was a significant problem context charged against the project. A public inquiry, conducted after the contract, showed that there had been greater public opposition about the ecological and aesthetic elements of the design brought forward by the developer. And so, there occurred the necessity for an amended comprehensive design that could meet all the ecological and aesthetic requirements while being in line with the guidelines set up by Scottish organizations like, the Nature Conservancy, the Scottish Natural Heritage, the National Trust, etc. Ultimately, as Ford et al (1997) pointed out, this modifications to the design cost amounted to about ?4 million; and the total costs could have been reduced if the pubic opinion was sought for much earlier. Moreover, there had been severe criticism about the financial agreements of the project with the Skye Bridge Ltd. Company, especially about the collection of tolls over the years. In the opinion of Ford et al (1997), the initial estimated costs for the construction was around ?24 million, which might be collected through tolls over the agreed period of 27 years. There was much opposition against the high rates of tolls collected by the company from the users. The rate was very cheaper at the begin ning, but gradually developed into the highest bridge tolls in Europe in no time (ibid). McQuaid & Greig (2002) highlight the analysis conducted by the Napier University in 2002 that evaluated the impacts of the Skye Bridge tolls on the region’s economy. The reports showed that the economy faced slow downs and the total loss was around ?4.67 million of income and 256 jobs each year (ibid). As Creig & McQuaid (n.d) point out, even though the bridge enhanced faster crossings, its negative impacts overpowered its positive influences like its impact on tourism and short-stay visitors. Complex Problem Context Construction undertakings, like the Skye Bridge case focus on particular needs, and the challenge of accomplishing such needs varies from technical elements to technological, environmental, ecological, and social elements. The later half of the last century witnessed a notable increase in the degree of sustainable development associated with construction industry, because the society started to realize the adverse impacts of construction projects on the environment and society (Planningcommission.nic.in, n.d). The Skye Bridge Ltd Company was successful in facilitating the particular crossing with the provided specification, but fell short of covering the sustainable devel

Form Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Form - Case Study Example Furthermore, technological advancement and economies of scale necessitates the need to apply project management skills and know if quality services and goods are to be delivered to the customers. Shell is an American based company that specializes in oil and petrochemical product. It is a company that has an excellent record in its provision of goods services not only in America but also other countries around the world. Part of the success of the company especially considering its scale of operation can be attributed to excellent project managers with outstanding project management skills. Project managers at Shell follow a specific pattern of ensuring maximum profits and quality delivery of goods and services. The first initiative is the project estimation process. Undertaking this activity enables the managers to determine the feasibility of a particular project by considering resourcing and expenditure. Prior knowledge of such enables the managers to know it the project is worth undertaking. Information on resource capability proves critical to the success of the business. Analysis of resource capability of a project equips the managers with the necessary skills to improve productivity of the business and be able to manage customer expectation. Such a scenario would ensure that whoever is seeking services from such a company would not be disappointed as one gets what is promised. Project planning is the other crucial factor in project management. It enables the concerned parties to organize projects in cases of large organizations and also the various activities within a project. Project planning requires careful analysis of the situation putting into consideration uncertainties that may affect the cost and timely completion of the project. Improvement of budget and cost control proves vital to the success of a business. Project managers at Shell scrutinize minor details of an existing business and upcoming projects. Such an activity would ensure that

That Intellectual Property Right System. Commercialization of Art Essay

That Intellectual Property Right System. Commercialization of Art - Essay Example Cuban writer, Geraldo Mosquera has addressed the paradox that the globalize vortex of mixing, multiplying appropriation and re-semanticising takes place in a situation when all cultures steal from one another either from dominance or subordinations. (Welchman, 2001). Intellectual property rights system and misappropriation of indigenous knowledge without prior knowledge and consent of indigenous people bring to mind a feeling of anger and a mentality being cheated as also helpless in knowing nothing about intellectual property rights and indigenous knowledge piracy. This is equal to robbing indigenous person of their resources and knowledge through monopoly rights. The intellectual property rights system, mainly favors the industrialized countries in North having enough resources for claiming copyrights, resulting in exploitation and appropriation of hereditary assets, knowledge etc. as also the culture of local people for marketable and commercial purpose. We can also see that Intellectual Property right system ignores the contribution of the indigenous people and do not value the close interrelationship between the indigenous people and their knowledge as also the genetic resources of which the Intellectual property right system is taking advantage, and it is really painful for the original authority as the Intellectual property right system is concerned only with the benefits that they are gaining from the profit-making exploitation of these resources. There is a dire need to protect and safeguard indigenous knowledge today, as also the self determination is important. In Asian regions, many indigenous people have come together now and people have started realizing the importance and the need to protect their indigenous knowledge and culture, and aim towards reclaiming their right to self determination and indigenous knowledge. However, today slowly the indigenous people have started realizing the importance of the issue and have to give importance to the following points regarding activities related to indigenous knowledge and culture: 1) Try to strengthen indigenous people's organizations and communities, which will enable them to collectively address the local concerns related to the indigenous knowledge and the intellectual property rights system. 2) The indigenous people should continue to strengthen their self determinations , as this can help them stand against the threats by intellectual property rights systems on the indigenous knowledge and genetic resources. 3) The level of awareness among the indigenous organizations and communities should be raised more which will help them being more aware about the changing global trends and developments in the Intellectual property rights system as they apply to life forms and indigenous knowledge. (Possey & Dutfield, 1996). "Commodification of art comes under both privileging the exchange value over the work performed by art and of evaluating the importance of the materiality of the art work". "The approach to art which can be developed from Irigarays writing is a result of two factors, one the critique of commodification and of the model of experience based on specularity of male desire, and other side the rethinking of opposition between the sensible and intelligible through poetics of the elements." The

Qualification Handbook Essay Example for Free

Qualification Handbook Essay Level 3 and 4 Awards in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) (6302) October 2011 Version 1. 0 Qualification at a glance Subject area City Guilds number Age group approved Entry requirements Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector 6302 19+ There are no formal entry requirements. Learners are required to have evidence of level 3 vocational skills for the area in which they will teach if they are to progress into teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (LLS) This qualification is available at levels 3 and 4. Both levels are to be assessed by a combination of assignments (provided) and observation of teaching/training. Simulation (micro-teaching) is permitted for units 003 and 010. Available (see section 2 Centre requirements) Signature Signature Signature Signature 60 City Guilds Level 3 and 4 Awards in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) (6302) Form 2 Assessment front sheet and feedback record PTLLS Level 3/4 This form is mandatory Theory Assessment No: Learner name: Enrolment number: Date issued: Date submitted: I confirm that the evidence for this unit is authentic and a true representation of my own work. Learner signature: Date: Feedback: Continue on a separate sheet if necessary, see overleaf Tutor/Assessor/Marker and IQA’s signatures (IQA if sampled) must be appear on the following page. City Guilds Level 3 and 4 Awards in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) (6302) 61 Feedback: (Continued from previous page) Marker/Tutor/Assessor name: Resubmission date (if referred): IQA’s name (if sampled) Grade Grade Date Date Date 62

An environment analysis for Apple Inc

An environment analysis for Apple Inc Apple consists of significant resources and considerable potential in the business world. Even though it consists of such capabilities there occur various trends in the general environment that causes the threats which pull down the progress and success of the firm. These threats can be marginalised only with the help of appropriate planning and suitable action which concentrates more on the value added core competencies in the business. This may lead the company to produce valuable products and services leads to a mounting opportunity for the shareholders and customers. Economic Environment Booming Global Economy On revising the past years of global economy the world has attained the complete progress from recession in recent years. This uncertainty makes people looming of the money. This makes people to depart from the quality to less expensive products. The Apple known for its brand, quality, Innovative technology and luxury has mislaid due to its supreme pricing position paves the way for its competitors the producers of less expensive products. However the consumers attracted more towards the valuable Apples premium products during the economic upturn than its low pricing competitors. Chinese Economy: Recent growth in Chinese economy catches the attention of several companies to sell their products in china. Due to the growth of the Increasing economy proportionally there is also increase in the labour wages. This may results the buying power which makes people to draw more attention towards the Innovative products such as Apple i phone and i pad. Political Environment Potential world-wide climate regulation One among the serious threat to the potential environment is the global warming. Several steps have been implemented in reducing the global warming. The Copenhagen conference has been suggested norms to the companies for the low co2 emission products which may lead to strictly controlled environment. Thus in order to manufacture the less emission the Apple must transmits its products. Suppliers of the apple should have the provision to produce the low emission products or it has to switch to the other suppliers. This may lead to higher switching costs between the suppliers and bring changes to the margin of the products when the manufacturing costs getting higher. Import taxes and duties China poses superior government policies and low manufacturing costs in order to attract the more investors. These factors made Apple to manufacture its products in the various parts of the China. Even though Apple manufacturing lies in china the good market is positioned only in the countries like United States and the parts of Europe even though it has to offer more import duties. According to the current tax report produced by the Apple it pays around 32% of rate of tax in the year 2010. Socio cultural Environment Increasing desire for Wireless devices Apple plays at the front position of the wireless transition. As there is a remarkable increase in the value of the Internet and the wireless connectivity creates a powerful demand comparatively to the other devices. This is due to its portability and accessibility everywhere makes these rapid speed wireless technologies valuable. The devices such as the portable includes the Smart phones and the tablet computers wireless-connected devices allows its user to perform several operation by the use of internet in the constant and secured manner as wherever they go. As these devices is highly received by the people than the traditional computers such as PC or laptops. This technology has been developed widespread by Apple and its competitive manufacturers such as Google. This technology has been faced al lot of relevance as all these manufacturers focussed on the consumers preference. Among them the Apple differs by its Innovative technology according to the recent technological landscape . Apple spends its extensive investment in the field of research and innovative development for the creation of highly well-liked devices such as the iPhone and i-Pad. . Technological Environment The world has been going behind the analogue music system Apple made a revolution through its innovation of iPod. This made a impulsive progress in the revenue of the Apple. Due its consecutive pioneering researches resulted in the creation of iPhone. Even though the Apple is younger in the mobile phone industry comparing the Giants like Nokia, HTC and Blackberry it poses a radical technology. To withstands its market Apple has been spend 3.1 % of its net sales i.e. almost $ 1,333 million for the Research and Development (apple). The worlds ongoing mobile technology is landed in 3G manufacturing technology. But Apple is been ahead of them by launching its 4G due to the supremacy of the Apples RD. This makes the Apple withstand as a leader in its high innovation and portability. Competitive Environment Analysis Rivalry between Competitors Technological growth has put forth the electronic industry ahead as it leads to lot of manufacturers. Due the entry of electronic industry in everyday life the PCs, mobile phones and laptops has become a commodity product into the peoples life. Most users prefer the business cost than that of the performance of the devices. This may resulted in the various levels of provider strategies. The providers who provides at low price may not be able to satisfy the users with the best features. Whereas the providers such as Hp, Dell, Samsung and Sony Ericson offers the customers a wide range of options for the varying prices. Apple differs from those of the Providers as they provide a High Quality and High Cost products but without the diverse models. For example Apple consists of Single model iPhone varying only in its memory and its cost whereas the Samsung may vary its product options from the variable technology by varying its costs from 4Â £-400Â £. Supplier Power Suppliers are those who pose the entire control in manufacturing of computers as Apples Mac book or the mobile phones. Apple Suppliers also embark on the special responsibility for producing the best inputs which is the most challenging for its competitors. In the computer manufacturing industry Intel and Advanced Micro devices (AMD) are the two suppliers of the processors. Both of the chips have their own unified motherboard. They are incompatible with one another as they cannot be swapped with the other parts of the device. If Apple has to switch their processor it is also essential to modify their motherboards too resulting in high switching costs. This may results in high supplier power as the company has to rely on them. Buyer Power Almost all the industry consists of buyers who have high influence on thier manufacturers. Each buyer has their own choice of the product needs. This leads the company to launch the wide variety of products into the market. Thus power of the buyers has influences on the bargaining in the Quality, Price, and the Service. Apple exclusive products such as IMac and IBook are unique from its competitors in features of higly technological operation system, innovative functionality and brand value attracts the customers by avoiding them to switch to its competitors. Even though it has attracted the customers through its functionality there arose a chance to switch to its competitors if there is no product differentiation. Threat of new entrants Every business has own threat of new entrants. The field of Computer market have the highest possibility of new entrants. The portable pcs market is widespread effortlessly paves the way for the new entrants. Despite the possibilities it also consists of several hindrances from its successful entrants. Apple have been deep rooted in field of computers and mobile products by its substantial recognition, own innovative technology and royalty among the other manufacturers. It has been a high challenging to the entrants in order to make its brand successful and stable in the competitive market. Apple maintains their price of the products based on the economies of scale which is not possible by the new entrants without the huge investment. Even though it has the high possibilities of hindrances to entry it consists of some successful possibilities of entry which can be listed as follows. 1. There is a chance of suppliers to enter the field of manufacturing 2. A well established giants of some other field of computer can also deep routed in this field as they have a well established familiarisation in the market. Threat of substitutes Recent Development of the technology makes the computing products handy. As every features and functionality of the computers has been substitute by the tablet pcs or smart phones. Time has changed where the users rely on the stable pc but now it has been grown substantially the computers are back behind the users and posses wide variety of application than pcs by means of wireless internet technology. This occurs in the case of Apple as due to the entry of the Smart phones the buyers of Mac pc are apparently reduced. Thus these show the change for substitutes of the consumers. Considerably Apple has been analysed all these cases and introduced the iPhone and iPad to satisfy its consumers who are in search of substitutes to a new technology. Value added core competencies Value added core competencies of Apple includes its highly Innovative ideas, featured design, well known brand, and critical creativity as all these united to make the company a most competitive advantage among its competitors. Thus Apple has almost set all these strategies to the company in order to withstand its high position in the competitive market. Risks of the apple have been initiated with its supplier and foreign factories. Apple has its own guidelines for its suppliers in manufacturing its product they dont have the direct control of their suppliers. The suppliers derived their profits based on the high volume low margin. Thus in order to increase the profit the suppliers produces the goods by low quality raw materials. As a result of this the quality of the Apple products has been diminished. Thus in order to rectify these defects Apple have been undergone the mutual understanding of its suppliers to retain its quality Administration Eco- Friendly Apple Apple has always been intense on the environment factors in its manufacturing. Apple has been taken several steps to avoid the usage of harmful chemicals in manufacturing of its product. Shipment of the products plays a vital role in emitting combustion during its transportation. Thus in order to reduce the emission of Co2 Apple considers the portable packaging result in the less transportation and less combustion. Strong cash position Apple has less long term debits and run its business efficiently without the financial intervention by means of its own cash. The financial status of Apple helps its business to run efficiently as it may not depend on any of the creditors in terms of the decision making such as the financial capital purchases, decision on expansion. Human resource management Hiring process Apple recruits its employee by means of Selective hiring. It highly picks up the persons based on their innovative skills and high creative skills rather than by recruiting process. It focuses more on the well experienced professionals and innovative freshers rather by trainees. Employ benefits and appraisals Apple places a leading role in motivating its employees by means of high benefits and appraisals. It possesses a high role in the employee satisfaction. The benefitted employees provide full support and dedication to the company by means of their highly innovative ideas. Technological Development Research and Development Apple believes the research and development is one of the key factors of the success of its organisation. As it believes analysis on various factors determines the current requirement of the product have been pushed towards the new innovative product which paves a way for non competitive industry. It has been estimated that Apple spends around $1.3 million for its research and development. Procurement Relationship with suppliers Apple has maintained the good relationship with its suppliers. As it manufacturing its product based on the low cost and high quality. Despite it sets the high marginal cost for its product whereas in turn it spends its profit for the research and development. It also concurrently updates about its new technology to its suppliers by means of short courses and practical classes. Inbound Logistics Apple maintains a highly automated system for placing goods. The stock has been ordered to its suppliers in JIT process i.e. Just in Time when there is an reduction of the stocks it will be ordered automatically to its suppliers this may helps in avoiding the overstocks. Thus it hoard the cost spend for the stock management system. Operations Design of the product is been implemented by the Apple and hence it outsources its production to several factories in china by implementing its design. This may results in the reduction of risk factors as it is apart from its firm. Thus it modifies its management and Economy scale according to its outsourcing. Outbound Logistics Apple has its production department in china whereas the goods have been transferred to various countries from china rather than bringing to US the head office of the Apple. This may leads to the reduction of shipment cost and the warehousing cost. Marketing and Sales Apple uses the television advertisements as their marketing strategy by comparing its features and functionality of the product towards its competitive products. It also brings its own marketing strategy by means of the customer attraction towards the product. Apple discloses the new launch of the product which in turn acts as an indirect marketing which pulls the customers to know about its launched products. Service Apple genius is a person acts as a tech assistant in considering the consumers problem and rectify them. Apple provides a extended warranty to their customers within 90 days of product shipment also poses an opportunity of replacement within the given time. Limitations Recommendations Conclusions Value chain analysis Recommendation 1. licencing of MAC software to other PC makers 2. Increase entertainment diet so that the acceptance of the apple product more among the customers 3. increase retail presence in developing economies 4. increase customer service capabilities 1. even though apple spending ore rD nw it has design related antenna proble in iphone 4

Substation And Equipment Surge Protection Engineering Essay

Substation And Equipment Surge Protection Engineering Essay Substation and Equipment Surge Protection: Types, characteristics, related calculations, examples with applications for industrial systems Gautami BhattAbstract-This paper describes the various types of surge protectors, their types and characteristics. This paper will also describes lightning surge arrestors, about them and how the power system is protected against them. Index Terms-surge, lightening, switching, BIL, insulation, protection, substation INTRODUCTION Each electrical equipment should have a long service life of more than 25 years. The conductors are supported on insulators/embedded in insulation system. The internal and external insulation is continually exposed to normal voltages and occasional abnormal voltages. These abnormal voltages include temporary over voltages at power frequency, lightening surges and switching surges. Over voltages at power frequency have a low over voltage factor but a longer duration while the latter have higher voltage duration and lesser duration. Protection against power frequency over voltages is achieved by employing an over voltage relay at the secondary of a transformer or by using an Inverse definite-Minimum Time Overvoltage Relay. Protection against transient voltage surges is achieved by the help of Surge arrtestors. The surge arrestors, coordinated spark gaps, surge suppressors, over heard ground wires, neutral earthing, shunt capacitors etc. are located strategically to intercept the lightening surges or to reduce the peak and rate of rise of surges. Protective systems for the different abnormal voltages act at different speeds depending on the over voltage. Temporary power frequency over voltage occurs for anything between ms to s and hence the over voltage relay acts within 70ms. Lightening surges last for micro seconds and thus typically the surge arrestor acts within 1.2micro seconds. Switching surges are in the range of a couple of hundred micro seconds and surge arrestors for them are typically designed for 100micro seconds. This paper focuses on lightening surges, their types, protection against them, and the different types of lightning surge arrestors. LIGHTENING OVER-VOLTAGES Lightening Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) performed his famous experiment (1745) of kite flying in thunder cloud. Before his discovery lightening was considered to be Act of God. Franklin proved that the lightening stroke was due to discharge of electricity. Franklin also invented lightening rods to be fixed on tall buildings and earthed to protect them from lightening strokes. The large spark accompanied by light produced by an abrupt, discontinuous discharge of electricity through the air, from the clouds generally under turbulent conditions of atmosphere is called lightening. Representative values of a lightening stroke: Voltage: 200MV Current: 40MA Duration: 10^-5 sec KW:810^9 KWh:22 Energy: An overhead conductor accumulates statically induced charge when charged clouds come above the conductor. If the cloud is swept away from its place, the charges on the conductor are released. The charge travels on either sides giving rise to two travelling waves. The earth wire does not prevent such surges. Another curious phenomenon is the unpredictable paths of lightening strokes. Normally they try to reach the earth and are therefore intercepted by lightning rods, trees, tall structures, etc. Empire state building has been struck by lightning several times. However some lightning strokes do not observe any rules and travel in all sorts of Haphazard fashion. A B type stroke occurs due to sudden change in the charges of the cloud. If cloud 1 suddenly discharges to cloud 2, there is a sudden change in the charge on cloud 3. A discharge that occurs between cloud 3 and earth is called B stroke. Such stroke does not hit lightening rod, or earth wire. No protection can be provided to the over head line against such strokes. Attractive effect of Over Head ground wire and earth rods (MASTS): Earth rods (also called lightning rod) are placed on tall buildings. These are connected to the earth. The positive charges accumulate on the sharp points of the lightning rods; this is why lightning strokes are attracted to them. The earth wires are placed above the over head transmission lines. At every tower this wire is grounded. The positive charges accumulate on this wire. The negatively charged strokes are attracted by the earth wire. In absence of the earth wire the lightening stroke would strike the line conductors causing flashovers in transmission line. Earth wires do not provide 100% protection. Weak strokes are not attracted by earth wires. B type strokes are not attracted by earth wires. None the less earth wire has proved to be a good solution to very dangerous direct strokes. Earth wires have a shielding angle. The conductors coming in the shielding zone are protected against direct strokes. The shielding angle is between 30 to 40 degrees. An angle is 35 degrees is said to be economical and satisfactory for Overhead lines. Overhead Shielding Screen (earthed) The equipments in a substation are protected from direct lightning strikes by one of the following ways. Overhead shielding scree(Earthed). Covering the overhead lines approaching the substation Lightning Masts installed at strategic locations in the switchyard. The tower-top is earthed. Mast is an independent structure. According to IEC masts are preferred for outdoor switchyards upto 33KV. For 66KV and above, the lightning masts become too tall and uneconomical. The overhead shielding wires are preferred because they give adequate protection and the height of structures in the substation provided with overhead shielding wires is comparatively less than that for the lightning masts The entire switchyard is provided with earthed overhead shielding screen. The size of conductor is usually 7/9SWG, galvanized steel round stranded conductor. Transmission line conductors are protected by overhead shielding conductor (earthed). The shielding angle (alpha) is defined as follows. A vertical line is drawn from the earth wire. Angle alpha is plotted on each side of this vertical line. The envelope within angle 2alpha is called the zone of protection. The shielding angle according to ANSI is defined as 30 degrees while in the IEC world it is 45 degrees. The clearance between phase conductor and overhead shielding wire should be more than minimum phase to earth clearance. Lightning Strikes on Over Head Lines These can be the following: Direct strikes on line conductor, direct stroke on tower top, direct stroke on ground wire and indirect stroke or B stroke on overhead line conductor. Direct strikes on overhead lines are the most harmful. The voltage being of the order several million volts, the insulators flashover, puncture, and get shattered. The wave travels to both sides shattering line insulators, until the surge is dissipated sufficiently. The wave travels to both sides shattering line insulators, until the surge is dissipated sufficiently. The wave reaches the substation and produces stress on equipment insulators. At times these strikes are prevented from striking the line conductor. All high voltage overhead lines are protected by earth conductors. This mesh covers the complete switchyard. Direct Strokes on tower-top Consider, L = inductance, I = Current in tower, R =Effective resistance of tower. e = voltage surge between tower-top and earth. So if the change in current with respect to time is 10KA/ and the resistance is 5 ohms and inductance being 10micro Henry. Then e will be 200KV. This surge voltage appears between the tower top and earth. The line conditions are virtually at earth potential because of neutral grounding. Hence voltage appears between the tower top and earth. The line conductors are virtually at earth potential because of neutral grounding. Hence its voltage appears between line conductors and tower-top. If this surge voltage exceeds impulse flash-over level, a flash-over occurs between the tower and the line conductor. Therefore the resistance is kept low for each tower. A direct stroke on earth wire in the mid-span can cause a flashover between line conductor and earth wire or line conductor and tower. Indirect strikes on line conductor can have the same effect as direct stroke on conductor. They are more harmful for distribution lines but are not significant for EHV lines. Other factors are low tower footing resistance insulation level of lines. For lines rated above 110KV voltage level, the line insulation is high and back flashovers are rare. For line between 11KV and 33KV, the insulation of lines is relatively low and back flashovers are likely to occur. Protective devices against lightning surges Several devices are used in order to protect the power system against lightning surges. An overview of them is given here while some are discussed in detail. A. Overview of protective devices against lightening surges Device Where Applied Remarks Rod gaps across insulator string, bushing insulator, support insulator Difficult to coordinate Flashover voltage varies by Create dead short circuit Cheap Over heat ground wires (earthed) Above overhead lines Above substation area Provides effective protection against direct strokes on line conductors, towers, substation equipment Vertical Masts In substations Used instead of providing overhead shielding wires Lightning spikes/rods (earthed) Above tall buildings Protects buildings against direct strokes. Angle of protection between 30 to 40 Lightning arrestors On incoming lines in each substation Near terminals of transformers and generators Pole mounted on distribution lines Diverts overvoltage to earth without causing short-circuit Used at every voltage level in every substation and for each line Phase to ground Surge absorbers Near rotating machines or switchgear Across series reactor valves Resistance capacitance combination absorbs the over voltage surge and reduces steepness of wave B. Rod gaps The simplest protection of line insulators, equipment insulators and bushings is given by Rod gaps or coordinating gaps. The conducting rods are provided between line terminal and earthed terminal of the insulator with an adjustable gap. The medium in the gap is air. The rods are approximately 12mm in dia. or square. The gap is adjusted to breakdown at about 20% below flash-over voltage of insulator. The distance between arc path and insulator should be more than 1/3 of the gap length. Precise protection is not possible by rod gaps. The break-down voltage varies with polarity, steepness and wave-shape, weather. The power frequency currents continue to flow even after the high voltage surge has vanished. This creates an earth fault only to be interrupted by a circuit breaker. Operation of rod gap therefore leads to discontinuity of supply. The advantage of gap is low cost and easy adjustment on site. For more precise operation, surge arrestors are used. Horngaps, the gap between the horns is less at the bottom and large at the top. An arc is produced at the bottom during high voltage surge. This arc commutes along the horn due to electromagnetic field action and length increases. The arc may blow out. Impulse ratio of protective devices is the ratio of breakdown voltage on specified impulse wave to breakdown voltage at power frequency. Typical impulse ratio values are Sphere gap: 1 Rod gap: 1.6 to 3 Horn gap: 2 to 3 LIGHTNING ARRESTORS Surge arrestors are usually connected between phase and ground in the distribution system; around the terminals of large medium voltage rotating machines and in HV, EHV, HVDC sub-stations to protect the apparatus insulation from lightning surges and switching surges. The resistor blocks in the surge arrestor offer low resistance to high voltage surge and divert the high voltage surge to ground. Thereby the insulation of the protected installation is not subjected to the full surge voltage. The surge voltage does not create short-circuit like rod gaps and retains the residual voltage across its terminals. Surge arrestor discharges current impulse surge to earth and dissipates energy in the form of heat. After discharging the impulse wave to the earth, the resistor blocks in the surge arrester offers a very high resistance to normal power frequency voltage, acting like an open circuit. Some of the types of surge arresters being used today in the industry are Gapped-Silicon-carbide Surge arrestors called the valve-type or conventional Gapped arrestors. These consist of silicon-carbide discs in series with spark gap units. Zinc-Oxide Gapless Arrestors called the ZnO Arrestors or metal oxide arrestors. These are gapless and consist of Zinc oxide discs in series. ZnO arrestors have superior V/I characteristics and higher energy absorption level. They are preferred for EHV and HVDC installations. Fig.1-A ZnO surge arrestor[1] Gap-type Sic Arrestors are connected between phase and earth. It consists of silicon-carbide resistor elements in series with gap elements. The resistor elements offer non-linear resistance at power frequencies, the resistor elements in series offer high resistance with gap elements. The resistor elements offer non linear resistance, at power frequency frequency over voltages, the resistance offered is large. For discharge currents the resistance is low. The gap unit consists of air gaps of appropriate length. During normal voltages, the surge arrestor does not conduct. When a surge wave travelling along the line reaches the surge arrester, the gap breaks down. Since the resistance being offered to it is low, the wave is diverted to earth. After a few micro seconds the normal frequency wave reappears across the arrester. Therefore arc current in gap unit reduces and the voltage across the gap is not enough to keep up the arc. Therefore the current flowing to the earth s automatically interrupted by and normal condition is restored. Thus, the high voltage surge is discharged to earth and the insulation of the equipments connected to it are protected. Fig.2- Charecteristics of ZnO block[1] CLASSIFICATION OF SURGE ARRESTORS Surge arresters can be classified based on voltage, current, and energy capability as follows Station Type Line Type Distribution Type Standard normal current peak(A) 10,000 5000 2500:1500 Voltage rating (Kv rms) 3.3-245 3.3-123 Upto 3.3 Application Large power stations and large substations Intermediate and medium substations Distribution system; rural distribution SURGE ARRESTORS, SPECIFICATION AND TERMS Some of the terms and definitions related to surge arrestors are given here in order to better understand the content given in this paper. Surge Arrestor is a device designed to protect electrical equipment from transient high voltage, to limit the duration and amplitude of the follow current. Non-linear resistor. The part of the arrester which offers a low resistance to the flow of discharge currents thus limiting the voltage across the arrestor terminals and high resistance to power frequency voltage, thus limiting the magnitude of follow current. Rated voltage of the arrester is the maximum permissible RMS voltage between the line terminal of the arrestor as designated by the manufacturer. It should be noted that all equipments are rated by the phase to phase voltage rating but for surge arresters phase to ground rating is the rated voltage. Follow Current is the current that flows from connected power source through lightening arrester following the passage of the passage of the discharge current Normal discharge current is the surge current that flows through the surge arrester after the spark over, expressed in crest value (peak value) for a specified wave. This term is used in classifying surge arrester as station type, line type distribution type. Discharge current is the current flowing through the surge arrester after the spark over. Power frequency spark-over voltage is the rms value of the power frequency voltage applied between the line and earth terminals of arrester and earth which causes spark over of the series gap. Impulse spark over voltages. Highest value of voltage attained during an impulse of given polarity, of specified wave shape applied between the line terminal and the earth of an arrester before the flow of discharge current. Residual Voltage (discharge voltage) is the voltage that appears between the line terminals and earth during the passage of the discharge current. Rated current of a surge arrester is the maximum impulse current at which the peak discharge residual voltage is determined. Coefficient of earthing is the ratio of the highest rms voltage of healthy phase to earhh to the phase to phase nominal voltage time hundred expressed in percentage during an earth fault on one phase. Thus, for an effectively earthed system the coefficient of earthing Ce Therefore surge arrester voltage is Ua > 0.8 * Um rms Surge voltage (Vs) KV instantaneous is taken as 2.5 times Critical Flash Over Voltage (CFOV) of line insulation. Therefore discharge current Ia is given by . TESTS ON SURGE ARRESTERS The following are the list of standard tests performed on a surge arrester according to the IEC 1/50 impulse spark over test. Wave front impulse sparkover test. Peak discharge residual voltage at low current. Peak discharge residual voltage at rated diverter current. Impulse current withstand test. Switching-impulse voltage test. Discharge capability of durability. Transmission line discharge test. Low current long-duration test. Power duty cycle test. Pressure-relief test. Acknowledgment The author would like to sincerely thank and express her gratitude to Prof. Robert Spiewak for his guidance and support and the references he provided. K.C. Agrawal, Industrial Power engineering applications handbook, Newnes Power Engineering Series S. Rao, Switchgear Protection and Power systems, Khanna Publications IEEE Std. 141, IEEE Recommended Practice for electrical Power distribution for industrial plants Gautami Bhatt (MEE10) is a M.E.E in Power and Control Engineering from the University of Houston.

Tangled: The Intersection of Commerce, Gender, and Genre Essay

In the 2010 film Tangled, a modern retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ story Rapunzel, Rapunzel pursues her dream of seeing the floating lights away from her hidden tower and escaping from her â€Å"evil mother† Gothel with the help of a young thief named Flynn Ryder. The film manages to navigate the tension between the traditional fairy-tale storytelling archetypes of the early Disney princess movie-musicals and a modern reinvention of these stereotypes in order to create a harmonious blend between the two. However, both â€Å"When Will my Life Begin?† and â€Å"I Have a Dream,† with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater, employ diverse musical references and techniques that nevertheless starkly challenge the construction of the typical Disney animated musical genre, and that mold musical conventions to be more marketable to a far-reaching audience. Does this movie actually mock the imperfections of its Disney princess predecessors, and if so, how does it commoditize this musical â€Å"affectionate parody† by appealing to the â€Å"younger, hipper† and even male crowd? I argue that â€Å"When will my life begin?† and â€Å"I’ve got a Dream† serve as examples of how Disney made Tangled into a hybrid of the earlier princess movie-musicals of the â€Å"Golden Age of Animation†(Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs [1937], Sleeping Beauty [1959]), the â€Å"Disney Renaissance† (The Little Mermaid [1989], Beauty and the Beast [1991]), and what it hoped to be a new, modern spin on the genre with its new leadership, its music, and its treatment of gender in order to be commercially successful. One thing that Tangled did demonstrate was the need for a modern reboot not only for Disney animated films, but to the â€Å"musical† genre as well. Some argue that as Disney enters into a ... ...table to boys, it still relied on its commonalities to other films to secure its place within the Disney legacy. Whether or not in Disney’s quest to be commercially successful, if the film was really able to be a storytelling and musical success. able to satirize the shortcomings of the princess movie-musical genre sound abandon Broadway style for tween-age pop song. Both songs establish roots in the formula derived from the earlier Walt Disney films and later Alan Menken musicals, yet neither are without their surprises, their own definitive appeal to a larger, updated audience. Works Cited 1. http://insidemovies.ew.com/2010/11/24/alan-menken-tangled/ 2. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/movies/21tangled.html?pagewanted=all 3. http://earnthis.net/2010/07/golden-age-1/ 4. http://screencrave.com/2010-02-12/disneys-rapunzel-is-renamed-tangled/

Child And Parent Behavior Observation Essay -- Sociology Child Psychol

Child And Parent Behavior Observation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I am almost always surrounded by the interactions between children and their parents. I hear it at my work, I hear it in restaurants, but most of all I hear it at my house. My mother owns a daycare and every night I hear parents being hit by a barrage of questions. When children are being picked up they always have a couple of questions for their parents. Children are always asking about the meal for the night or whether they can go over to a friend?s house or have some body over. Every night I see 12 different children with twelve different parents and it seems that each parent acts differently then the next.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When I thought of observing the children that attend my mothers daycare I decided that I should observe the interactions betwe...

World Without Oil

The Economic Effects of a World Without Oil. As oil prices keep increasing, many are looking to a future without oil. It is hoped that if oil prices keep rising, alternatives will be developed and this will enable a smooth transition. Already, car manufacturers have cars which run on hydrogen, natural gas, even solar panel. The longer oil prices rises, the more attractive these options will be. It is not unfeasible that in a decade, we will simply not need or want to consume oil any more. However, this transition to a world without oil may not be as smooth as many hope. The transition to a post oil world could be a lot more painful that we would like to admit. How would an oil free world impact on the world economy? The Doomsday Scenario. The impact of declining oil availability depends on whether the alternatives to oil materialise. For example, it was hoped nuclear fusion would provide low cost energy, but, technological developments have been disappointing. If we don't find realistic alternatives to oil, the consequences for the global economy could be serious. Rising prices and costs, declining growth and living standards as people struggle to meet their energy needs. The world has become so dependent on oil, the question is could we survive without? Wealth of Oil exporters would be reduced. At the moment, oil exporting countries are earning billions of dollars in oil revenues; this gives them economic power and to a large extent political power. If oil is no longer in demand, these countries would face a rapid period of readjustment; they are likely to face a fall in wealth, unless they could create growth in other sectors. The problem is that it is currently so easy for them to make money from oil other sectors of the economy are fundamentally underdeveloped, therefore they would struggle in an economy no longer reliant on oil. Oil Importers Could be Relatively Better off. The change in the use of oil could lead to a readjustment of global finance and power. Currently OPEC countries have disproportionate amount of wealth. Oil importers are struggling with the rising oil prices. This would all change if oil was no longer the key world commodity. But, this relies on good alternatives being found Cost of Transport. The new technologies are unlikely to be as cheap as petrol powered cars were in the past. If this is the case, it means transport will be permanently more expensive. This could help to reduce our reliance on the motor car; it could encourage other forms of transport such as buses, trains and bikes. However, this is very much an unknown. It is difficult to predict the future price and availability of alternatives. At the moment they are more expensive than petrol; but, maybe cheap alternatives could be found in the future. Environment. Consumption of oil has contributed significantly to global warming and pollution. One side benefit of the rising oil prices is the improvement in pollution emissions in the US and Europe as higher oil prices discourage consumption. It is hoped that the alternatives to oil will be more environmentally friendly and help to reduce carbon emissions. However, will it be too late to stop global warming by the time the world makes the transition to a non-oil based energy? Oil Companies. The most profitable companies are often oil companies. like Shell and BP. They may struggle to move into a post oil world. BP has given itself the slogan Beyond Petroleum; but, whether they will be able to be as profitable from other energy sources is doubtful. Related: Should Governments seek alternatives to oil? Perma Link | By: T Pettinger | Monday, June 2, 2008 Subscribe to future posts 0 Comments: Post a Comment Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom] Links to this post: Create a Link

Warehousing and Logistics

This spreadsheet package will help you implement the principles in  Achieving Effective Inventory Management. Completely updated and expanded, this third edition of the spreadsheets features the newly designed Inventory Performance Simulator, which combines the analysis performed by several of the previous spreadsheets. The spreadsheet package includes a CD-ROM, sample print-outs and detailed instructions for use. You’ll find the following easy-to-use spreadsheets: Spreadsheet 1: The Inventory Performance SimulatorThis spreadsheet allows you to perform forecasting, replenishment, and investment analysis on up to100 items at a time by loading your data into a single worksheet. Areas of analysis include: †¢ Differentiating types of usage. †¢ For items with recurring usage, identify the best forecast formula from among nine methods preloaded into the spreadsheet; calculate the forecast and suggested replenishment parameters. †¢ For items with sporadic usage, calc ulate normal quantity sold/used in one transaction as well as minimum and maximum quantities. Compare your current inventory value, turnover and return on investment to potential â€Å"ideal† values. You can then see how varying safety stock and other parameters will affect your service level and inventory investment. †¢ Employ user maintained controls to smooth out unusually high or low usage. †¢ Graphically review the history and suggested replenishment parameters of a specific item comparing the results of all 11 forecasting methods. †¢ Compare the current and potential values of these key metrics: †¢ Inventory turnover †¢ Turn/earn index †¢ Gross margin return on investment Adjusted gross margin (i. e. , gross margin considering your average inventory investment) †¢ Percentage of excess inventory †¢ Planned excess (what vendors force you to buy in excess of what you need). Spreadsheet 2: Price Break (Item) If a vendor offers you a l ower price per piece for a larger purchase quantity, is it a good deal? This spreadsheet will help you make an intelligent decision. It compares the lower cost per piece to the cost of carrying inventory for a longer period of time. It also takes into account the lower reordering cost per unit resulting from the purchase of larger quantities.The price break that provides the lowest Total Cost/Piece represents the â€Å"best buy† quantity. Spreadsheet 3: Price Break (Vendor Line) This spreadsheet compares the discount you will receive to the cost of carrying each purchase quantity for the length of time necessary to sell the entire amount (based on your current overall forecast for the vendor line). The result is a calculation of how much each dollar’s worth of inventory will cost when you consider both the discount and carrying cost. The lower the cost of a dollar’s worth of material, the better the deal.Spreadsheet 4: Price Break (Terms/Freight) With this sprea dsheet, you will be able to consider freight, terms discounts and extended terms to decide which of three entered purchase quantities represents your â€Å"best buy† quantity. Spreadsheet 5: Value of Lost Inventory This spreadsheet determines the amount of additional sales your company must generate to make up for the value of material that is lost, stolen or otherwise unusable. Each of the spreadsheets is provided on a single CD-ROM, along with hard copies of the spreadsheets, and detailed instructions, all packaged in a sturdy binder.

Historical and Personal Background of the Divine Comedy Essay

This essay is to accompany Between Fortune and Providence: Astrology and the Universe in Dante’s Divine Comedy. What follows is the overview and timeline I wish I had when I first started reading the Divine Comedy. Many commentaries of the Divine Comedy give background historical information, usually consisting of a general introduction and brief explanations when specific characters and events come up within the poem. Here I will proceed sequentially, beginning centuries before Dante’s birth and concluding in the year of his death. When I first mention a historical person whose character appears in the Divine Comedy, the name will be in bold, followed by page references from Between Fortune and Providence. Because this section gives an overview specific to the Divine Comedy, Italy and the city-states of northern Italy, especially Florence, is our focus. This essay is partly organized according to the modern astrological practice that uses cycles of the modern planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. When relevant, we will look at outer planet configurations when they form conjunctions, opening squares, oppositions, and closing squares that correspond to New, First Quarter, and Full, and Third Quarter Moons. Since many readers of Between Fortune and Providence are astrologers or are interested in modern astrology, this will be useful for them. Those who are not astrologers can pass over this material. Here’s a preliminary summary of some the interacting themes of Church, politics, and economics that provide some background for the Divine Comedy. Religion: Understanding the medieval Church takes a special leap of the imagination. The Church had a dominant role in organizing and giving cohesiveness to Europe over a very long time. Yet the Church had its ups and downs, politically and spiritually. Because of its wealth and political power, the Church was also vulnerable to being abducted by strong secular rulers, and this is the case throughout the medieval era. In this essay we first encounter the Church as largely controlled by secular authorities, but reform movements were afoot that would help give it greater independence and spiritual authority over time. As the Church grew stronger, however, it would become more empire than religion and at times was unbelievably worldly. Over the centuries the papacy sometimes inaugurated some attempts to reform the Church. There were also reform movements from the monastic side. Other Church reform2 movements, like the orders of the Franciscans and Dominicans, began with charismatic leaders. There were also some failed attempts that have come down to us as â€Å"heresies.† Two centuries after Dante’s death, one heretical preacher, Martin Luther, would help launch the Protestant Reformation. Politics: In Dante’s lifetime, the Italian peninsula was comprised of many autonomous and economically diverse regions. In the south were the vulnerable but cosmopolitan kingdoms of Sicily and Naples. The central region was governed by the Pope. In the wealthier and more urbanized north, including Florence, there were many independent and prosperous city-states that were frequently at war with each other and with the larger political entities around them. Beginning around the time of Dante’s birth, the â€Å"Holy Roman Empire† was a loose confederation of warring German princes and their territories that were governed by an Emperor – at least in theory. In the centuries before Dante, the Holy Roman Empire was more dominant in Italian affairs. Just before and during the poet’s lifetime, however, the French monarchy had become a major player in European affairs. Dante resented this greatly. He was nostalgic for a renewed Roman Empire, but the reality was the perpetually disappointing contemporary â€Å"Holy Roman Empire.† Dante did not know that Europe’s future would favor not empires but nations like France, England, and Spain. Economics: The monetary and banking systems of Dante’s world would be more familiar to us than its religious and political institutions. Unlike the more rural and feudal Europe to its north and west, northern Italy contained commercial and banking institutions similar to ours. Italy benefited from its proximity to major trade routes and, with the Crusades, more traffic that moved back and forth across the Mediterranean. Toward Dante’s lifetime, Florence was a prosperous banking center and was also known for its textile industry. Dante loathed the commercialization of Florence and northern Italy in general. Yet this commercial activity would help bankroll Italy’s greatest eras in the centuries to come. In short, Dante’s conceptions of the flow of history into the future turned out to be completely wrong. He longed for a renewal of times that would never return.

Environmental Factors Essay

The Coca-Cola Company was established in 1886 in the United States. Today, the Coca-Cola Company’s products are available in over 200 different countries. Each country contains its own demographics and other factors that influence the marketing planning and promotions for the Coca-Cola product lines. These factors vary by location and can include culture, customs, and even legal matters. The Coca-Cola Company has been able to successfully examine these factors and create marketing campaigns that have allowed the company to grow in leaps and bounds over the past 100 years. Global economic interdependence Global economic interdependence is when different economies rely upon one another and can include goods and service exchanges. Coca-Cola is one of the most famous soft drink brands in the world because they have successfully marketed their products across the globe. These foreign economies rely upon Coca-Cola products to stock their shelves to meet the consumers demand. With such a strong demand, countries would want the company’s product in local stores to increase sales and thus taxes collected. In order to get products to foreign markets, Coca-Cola is faced with trade restrictions and agreements. Restrictions can include tariffs which impose taxes on imported goods or quotas that limit the amount of certain product that is brought into the country (Kotler, Keller, 2012). These restrictions can lead to questions as to whether entering that foreign market is profitable. A high tariff could cut into profits while other trade restrictions may not allow a product to enter the market at all. A stiff market to enter may require a very detailed and successful marketing plan in order to reach the most potential consumers. A failed plan could result in the company paying more for the product to enter that market rather than the amount of money being made. Demographics and infrastructure Demographics must be examined prior to entering a foreign market. Household income, population, and age can all play a factor in a marketing plan. Poor  countries such as those in Africa may not be able to afford to purchase a product and therefore, would not be included in a marketing plan for a high priced item. Also, if there is a limited amount of infrastructure the product may not be able to be transported. Countries that lack infrastructure such as paved roads or electricity would become difficult markets for Coca-Cola to enter. Without roads or railroads, Coca-Cola would not be able to deliver their product to the consumers. Electricity is typically needed in order to keep the beverage chilled and to record sales transactions. A country lacking infrastructure will have a difficult time getting popular goods to their consumers. Cultural differences Cultural differences play a role in the marketing process. Different cultures will have different ideals and may even use products for different reasons. What may be acceptable in the American market may be a sign of disrespect in another. Knowledge of cultural differences can make or break a marketing campaign and also the entire company. For example, the Japanese commercials tend to have more animation and songs in the commercial. Also, the culture is also more advanced in technology so vending machines are more advanced in Japan than the ones we see here in America. Finally, different cultures may see certain products or ingredients as unhealthy. What may be delicious to consumers in China may be horrid to the taste buds of those in America. Social responsibility and ethics versus legal obligations Social responsibility and ethics are values that should be followed but not necessarily obligated to do so. On the other hand, legal obligations force a company to perform certain actions. For example, Coca-Cola is not legally obligated to set a certain price on their product. However, they are legally obligated to place nutritional and ingredient information on the product. As previously mentioned, different cultures play a role in marketing. What one culture may see as a social responsibility may be a legal obligation in another. As many know, Coca-Cola once contained the drug cocaine. Legally, cocaine is outlawed in the United States but may not be in other countries. What some may not know is that Coca-Cola still contains an extract from the coca leaves that is not classified as illegal (New York Times, 2013). In some cultures, it may be unethical to sell a product that has any  derivatives from any mind altering plants. Political systems and the influence of international relations Political systems can decide whether to allow a product to enter their market or impose extreme conditions that must be met. In addition, international relations can play a part as to where a product goes. Currently, the United States has a trade restriction with Iran that limits what can be exchanged between the two countries. Iran, once considered an ally, is now an evil and thus trade restrictions are in place. Coca-Cola may find it difficult to get their product into this market through a legit trade agreement. If Coca-Cola was faced with the fact that nobody would be allowed to import their product, they would be able to develop a marketing plan for domestic use that would portray that they are the only country who gets to receive the product. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 prohibits bribes being paid to foreign officials to assist in obtaining or keeping business (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, n.d.). This Act would prohibit Coca-Cola from bribing an Iranian official to allow them to export their product to the country. Because of this Act, large corporations can no longer pay foreign officials to keep their products in stores of countries that have banned them either by local or international law. These different laws and stipulations create barriers for a product to be introduced into foreign and domestic markets. Technology Advancements in technology have made marketing both easier and more difficult at the same time. Social media sites such as YouTube now promote products before the user can watch the video they intended to view. As technology advances, previous innovations become cheaper and open the doors for new consumers to obtain these products. As the amount of people who are able to access the internet increases, so does the amount of people that can view advertisements. One of the newest fads for technology is making more products â€Å"green†. Environmental friendly products are now the big rage and consumers will pay more for a product if it is deemed â€Å"green†. Advances in technology will eventually lead to more products being green and thus  creating a decline in the demand. Conclusion The Coca-Cola Company was established in 1886 in the United States. Today, the Coca-Cola Company’s products are available in over 200 different countries. Each country contains its own demographics and other factors that influence the marketing planning and promotions for the Coca-Cola product lines. Factors such as political influences, technology, and cultural differences all play a part on marketing. Differences in these factors can determine whether a product should be entered into the market. It is the responsibility of the manufacture, such as Coca-Cola, to perform their due diligence and evaluate its findings. References New York Times. (2013). How Coca-Cola Obtains Its Coca. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/01/business/how-coca-cola-obtains-its-coca.html U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (n.d.). Spotlight on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Retrieved from http://www.sec.gov/spotlight/fcpa.shtml

Criminal sanctions, civil remedies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Criminal sanctions, civil remedies - Essay Example Further, the essay will discuss the set of rules that determine the rights, duties and responsibilities under both criminal and civil law, and also the difference in the intentions of these two types of law. The essay will also focus on the nature of gains that the two types of law would seek to secure for the claimants. The essay will be broken down into three parts: Sanctions refers to a penalty that the courts issue on a party either in a criminal or civil proceeding, as a way of punishing a party for committing an act prohibited by the law (An introduction to criminal sanctions, 2015:5). On the other hand, remedies have been defined as the relief offered to the winning litigant in a civil case (An introduction to civil remedies, 2015, 5). Remedies as applied in civil law are actually different from sanctions, owing to the fact that remedies are not usually punitive, while sanctions must have a punitive effect on the party losing the case. Therefore, while the issuance of a sanction in a civil proceeding by the courts is meant to punish the party found to have committed a wrongdoing, the issuance of a remedy is meant to redress the loss that has been suffered, or which is to be suffered by the winning party in a civil case (An introduction to civil remedies, 2015, 5). The legal principles that apply to the criminal cases are very different from the principles that apply to the civil cases. The fundamental difference existing between civil and criminal cases is the notion of punishment. While the criminal principles of the law seek to punish the offender, the civil principles of the law seek to redress the wrong that has been done by one party against another (An introduction to civil remedies, 2015, 5). In this respect, the motives of the criminal law are totally different from those of the civil law, and similarly the gains sought by the criminal law are completely different from those ones

Palestine-Israel Conflict 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Palestine-Israel Conflict 1 - Essay Example Though the Israel is a registered country in the United Nations but many of the countries have yet not accepted it as an independent country and claim it as ‘Jewish Occupied Palestine’. Conflict The primary cause of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is over the land. Jews call this land Israel while Palestinians call it Palestine. Both groups consider a God given right to the territory and base their arguments with the God promise that he did with Ibrahim in Bible. Since both opponents were once part of the same group of people who inherited what they consider as Promise land. The conflict gets harsh with Israelis continuous to deny the Palestinian refugees right to get back to their country which is unacceptable to the Palestinians too. Secondly, some people claim that it is also the fight over water. As water is a very rare source in the Middle East territory so it adds intensity to the issue. Much of the water sources in the region are currently in Palestinian territor y, however Israelis have total control over it. But for sure this war has become a war of ethnicity than anything else. Cause For many centuries there was no conflict in the territory of Palestine and Israel for many centuries. Around 85percent Muslims, 10 percent Christian, and 5 percent Jews were leaving peacefully in the territory till 19th century. Early in the 19th century, a group in Europe decided to take possession of this land, they were called Zionists who were represented an extremist minority of the Jewish population. The major goal of Zionists moment was to create a Jewish homeland. First they thought to create it in Africa or in America but later came to consensus to locate it in Palestine. Thus, they started migrating to the Promise land and started buying the major lands there. At the start, they did not have any problems and the territory remained calm but later, when Palestinians realized they broke out and came to a war with Jews in 1947-49. Five Arab states parti cipated in the war but they were unable to get into the Israeli territory. By the end of war 78% of the territory was under Jewish Control and they never let the Palestinians refugees to get back to their homeland (A Synopsis of The Israel/Palestine Conflict). Intensity of the Situation Israel-Palestine Conflict is very intense and deep. Palestinians face systematic discrimination based on their religion, race, culture, origin and ethnicity. They are deprived of the basic facilities that just across the border in Jewish areas are easily available. For Example, Palestinians have limited or no access to clean water, schooling, electricity or roads whereas Israeli territory is considered among the most modern places in the world equipped with high technological facilities for the mob. Moreover, the Army invasion every once and now at the strip of Gaza killing most of the civilians women and children who have no idea what they are being killed for. More than 10,000 Palestinian women and children are jailed in Israeli’s jail and living a miserable life facing physical and mental abuse and torture. Few of them have had a legitimate trial but nothing could make their life better. Israeli forces have a total control over Palestinian border not only externally but also internally. Israeli forces beat men, women and children; strip search them and resists them to reach to hospitals at times. Food and medicine are blocked to enter from Gaza strip causing escalating human right crises. Few of them have had a legitimate trial; Physical abuse and torture are frequent. Israeli forces invade almost daily, injuring, kidnapping, and sometimes killing inhabitants Opinion I

Physical Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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Short response 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Short response 6 - Essay Example According to Hunt (792), it was during this time that almost every revolutionary group wanted to take leadership reigns of the nation. One such group was the Bolsheviks band led by Lenin, who finally came to power. The revolution was a success because it occurred at the right time when Russia people needed change. This was after the World War when everyone including soldiers as well as civilians were tired of the suffering. According to Hunt (791), the revolution that followed this event in Russia was not just war but ended up being a civil war. This war was for power and domination between the Bolshevik party and the Provisional Government. Daniel (398) notes that the Bolsheviks revolution succeeded against incredible odds because of their disregard for any form of rational calculation previously done. Lenin saw a chance for the Bolshevik party to ascend to power and he took it. Together with other party leaders Lenin risked everything to gather enough force against the provisional government which was not ready to hand over power as it did everything to resist the takeover. Other party leaders including Zinoviev and Kamenev wished for a less radical and organized way of getting power. Lenin was keen to seize power once and for all and that is why he made vehement demands on the Bolshevik party to take the opportunity of the Provisional Government’s weakness and fight it with all their might (Daniels 399). He went ahead and chose Marxists ideologies of communism to govern Russia. According to Daniels (400), many of the decisions that Lenin made were widely influenced and pressured by his lieutenants from Bolshevik party. However, Lenin had his own convictions and as Hunt points out, he had devoted all his life to seeing socialism thrive and that is exactly what he did when he gained power. Lenin much feared for a counter revolution in his party leadership and that is why he accommodated other

Financial statement analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Financial statement analysis - Research Paper Example NCT&H has taken up some of the important projects on the hospitality industry, which are Hotel Le Bristol, Grand Millennium, Saadiyat Island and Nareel Island. The project of Hotel Le Bristol is the most stylish of its kind, based in Paris it was voted for as the best hotel of the year 2011. The Grand Millennium property of NCT&H was famous for its food and beverage outlet having grand ballroom which has the capacity of 1000 guests and is expected to open in the second quarter of 2012. Saadiyat Island is a joint venture of NCT&H and the UAE’s capital’s TDIC (Tourism Development and Investment). The plan is to set up a low rise hotel with 250 rooms on the shores of Saadiyat Beach district. Lastly, the project of Nareel Island is also a joint venture but with ALDAR Properties of PJSC developing premium gate and the residential property with features like health and fitness club, spa and restaurants. It will even provide Private Marina for the VIP’s along with hotel excursions. ... Introduction From the very inception of the economic environment it is going through massive changes. In comparison to the previous times economic environment has become more lenient and open towards the private participation of the economic activities related to trade and capital flow (Pailwar, n.d., p. xi). The study of the company’s annual report gives us the idea that NCT&H is mainly affected by the economic factor which are under constant fluctuation for the interest rate risk of the company which the company is avoiding by the entering into swap trading through the banks. But the company has faced the economic downturn like all other industries during the year of 2008-09. This was the time when the economy went into the sudden depression creating unrest for all the industries of the economy. The economic depression is the main reason behind the low spending capacity of the common mass which again was lower than the NCT&H business for a long period of time (Pailwar, 2009, pp. 1-10). Industry Environment and Industry Risks There are a few factors that are responsible for affecting the environment of the hospitality and tourism industry and are also the reason of its probable risks. The factors being the weather, political conditions, economic conditions and globalisation may be the reason for making or breaking the business of a hospitality and tourism industry. As far as weather is concerned is the hotel is situated in place where snow storming is prevalent the charges may get doubled as skiing can be enjoyed along with the stay. But when it comes to hotels in tropical countries as is NCT&H if the weather turns out to be windy the hotel might lose business as well. Even the natural disasters can affect the hotel

Judaism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Judaism - Research Paper Example Judaism is the foremost among the three Abrahamic faiths including Christianity and Islam. Most of the Jews around the world reside in Israel or USA according to The Jewish People Polcy Planning Institute. Back in 2001 half of UK’s population claimed to be Jewish as well. What concerns the scholars of religion and theology the most is the original teachings of the religion founded by Moses. For the Jews, however, their history begins from Abraham (BBC 2012). Jews believe in one God and Torah as their Holy Scripture. Theirs is an oral law by tradition and the interpretation of the laws is called â€Å"halakhah†. Their spiritual mentors are known as Rabbis and their place of worship is the Synagogue. One of the most tragic events in the Jewish history took place at the time of the Holocaust in which nearly six million Jews were killed by Nazis on Hitler’s command. This gave rise to a lot of hatred and grudge against the Christians and many Jews fought to live for t heir rights dying on the way. Addressed as â€Å"Children of Israel† in the Holy Scriptures who traveled from Sumer (near Babylon) to Egypt with Prophet Abraham in around 1700 BC and from there to Canaan with Prophet Moses around 1200 BC, united under Saul then David then Solomon around 900 BC, fell captive to Assyrians in 722 BC and later to Chaldeans in 587 BC only to fall victim of the enchanting Hellenistic culture during Alexander’s reign along with the Greco-Roman civilization (Miller et al 136). The Scriptures refer to them as the superior race, fallen in the hands of Satan despite all the privileges it received from their God, Yahweh. The Kabbala, according to a Jewish historian, Faber d’Olivet, has its roots in the Ancient Egypt (d’Olivet 28). History tells that during 1200 BC and 1000 BC people living in the Western end of the Fertile Crescent and in Western Asia, called the northern portion Phoenicia and Lydia, while the southern section was kn own as Canaan and later Israel and then Palestine. Today, the region that is along and near the Mediterranean Sea forms the nations of Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and portion of Egypt and Turkey. The early writing system had started and evolved from Egypt and Mesopotamia. However the Phoenicians worked on developing the alphabets for future model of Western alphabets. They were the first great sea traders of the world. During the same time Greek City-States were flourishing. While the Phoenicians did not believe in after life and sometimes sacrificed their own children to win favor from the many Gods they worshiped, Egyptians worshiped the Sun as well as the Moon, attributing to their Gods the characteristics of animals and humans. They thought Pharaoh was the representative of these Gods. On the other hand the Greeks attributed to their Gods and Goddesses the attributes of humans because they considered them superior beings and practiced rituals to win favor from them. They als o believed that the priests and priestesses were mediums of communication of the Gods at oracles which were sanctuaries especially meant for them. This was done in the form of question and answer pertaining to the future. They were later conquered by Romans, who like Greeks were very particular about the ritual performance. Early Romans believed that spirits inhabited everything. Some of these were attached to the home which included the ancestral spirits called the â€Å"