Mickey Mouse Monopoly Essay - 982 Words

1. Describe three specific example of how Disney movie can unintentional create roles certain groups of people through socialization. Disney creates gender roles, racial roles, and white supremacy through socialization within their motion pictures. For example, Walt Disney’s â€Å"Snow White†, â€Å"Fantasia†, and even â€Å"The Little Mermaid† all show females as obscenely beautiful, male dependent and flirtatious creatures who couldn’t save themselves from a Chinese finger trap. Males are the perfectly sculpted rescuers who can be easily wooed by a woman’s body; and these exaggerated roles create a false standard for children and can lead to severely underdeveloped sociological skills. Moving onto the racial roles; in the movie â€Å"All dogs go to†¦show more content†¦From book to news piece, Disney will exert censorship on everything relating to it’s name. 3. Describe a specific example of how Disney can unintentionally set the roles between a man and woman in an abusive relationship. In the movie â€Å"Beauty and the Beast†, the role of a man and woman in an abusive relation is practically spelled out and strait from Disney’s female lead jar. Belle is kidnaped by the Beast and forced o live in the dungeon until her father is ripped away from her. During this time she is completely defenseless to the Beasts onslaught and often retreats within herself and rarely confronts him. Beast on the other hand, portraying an abusive male, does everything to a tee. He yells, bangs on doors, throws furniture, and even threatens starvation when Belle goes against him. Belle, being the kind and gentle female lead, looks past all his rage and finds he prince inside; highlighting the common problem in abusive relationships. The abused partner holding onto the hope that their abuser will change, that they will love them and show them the tenderness that used to be there. Women (could also be men) are supposed to take the abuse and wait it out, showing nothing but love while the abuser rampages and eventually, things will be just like the fairy tales. 4. Describe a specific example of how Disney can unintentionally skew a historical event. In the movieShow MoreRelatedMickey Mouse Monopoly668 Words   |  3 PagesMickey Mouse Monopoly The Mickey Mouse Monopoly documentary reveals the obscure social messages behind the animated films created by the Disney Company. Although we are conditioned to believe that these movies are pure forms of entertainment, further examination has proved that there are hidden messages concerning gender, race and class that Disney is instilling in the minds of children. The speakers in the documentary argue that Disney is extremely political and hides its ideas behind innocenceRead MoreEssay On Mickey Mouse Monopoly711 Words   |  3 Pagesa symbol of innocence and imagination since its creation in the mid 1900’s. The video Mickey Mouse Monopoly: Disney, Childhood, and Corporate Power was produced to highlight how racism and sexism can be seen throughout the Disney franchise. This video focuses on the Disney movies and how they can influence culture as they are consumed by mass audiences around the world. Henry Giroux wrote the book,â€Å"The Mouse that Roared- Disney and the End of Innocence† which was one of the first to bring attentionRead MoreThe Dark Side of Disney1426 Words   |  6 Pagesto have kids, but not only does it point out the issues with Disney to parents, but also to the Disney Corporation itself. Mickey Mouse Monopoly, a documentary released in 2002, examines Disney’s power to influence society and culture as it explores Disney’s depictions of race and gender in Disney movies, drawing on interviews with various individuals. Mickey Mouse Monopoly appeals to ethos and pathos to draw attention to Disney’s stronghold on public opinion, how Disney sensors negative publicityRead Moreâ€Å"Disney Constructs Childhood so as to Make It Entirely Compatible with Consumerism1617 Words   |  7 PagesChildren’s culture and Disney animated films. Breaking into the movies: film and the culture of politics. Malden: Blackwell, 100-135 Giroux, H., Mickey Mouse Monopoly (2001) Chapter 5, Disney s Commercialization of Children s Culture in, Film. Directed by Miguel Picker, Northampton, MA: Media Education Foundation. Giroux, H. (1999) The Mouse That Roared: Disney and the end of innocence, Lanham, Md.: Rowman Littlefield Katy (2009) Thoughts on culture and media-are Disney films goodRead MoreDisney, Racism, And The Renaissance Era2978 Words   |  12 Pageswhite community, or never held personal relationships with a person of color. What they knew, and how they chose to represent ethnic figures in Disney movies was based on what they picked up from media, or from biased opinions (Miguel Picker, Mickey Mouse Monopoly). Few positive portrayals, if any, have emerged over time, however it is evident that there is not a wide variety of â€Å"multicultural† writers in Disney that could portray someone other than one of their own in a politically correct way. Read MoreEssay on Racism in Disney Films2220 Words   |  9 Pagesravaged by war and depression, the great Walt Disney created a fairy tale world in which Americans could escape the disheartening truth. What started out as a mouse frolicking across a screen, has become a corporate giant steamrolling across America, consuming childrenâ€⠄¢s imaginations and belief systems along the way. In the movie Mickey Mouse Monopoly (2001), it is stated that Disney controls a majority of America’s media, and because of this, the public suffers because they are presented with an extremelyRead MoreEssay on Disney’s Entertainment Empire: Exploiting Innocence908 Words   |  4 Pagestelevision network, theme parks, motion pictures, vacation destinations and media corporations that carries his name. However, the controversial issues raised in Frank Zipes’ essay â€Å"Breaking the Disney Spell† and Chyng Feng Sun’s documentary, The Mickey Mouse Monopoly: Disney Childhood and Corporate Power, explain that Disney’s successes were possibly due to his use of vicious techniques that are considered racist, sexist, and manipulative. Disney created his flourishing entertainment empire through exploitingRead More Insensitive Portrayal of Society and Cultuer in Disney Films1538 Words   |  7 Pag esVincent E. â€Å"Is the Mouse Sensitive? A Study of Race, Gender, and Social Vulnerability in Disney Animated Films.† Similie: Studies in Media Information Literacy Education (2001): Academic Search Premier: MLA International Bibliography. EBSCOhost. U. Of Georgia Lib. GALILEO. 29 Oct. 2006 www.search.ebscohost.com Giroux, Henry. The Mouse That Roared: Disney and the End of Innocence. Lanham: Rowman Littlefield Publishers, 1999. 17-55. Pettit, Robert. Mickey Mouse Monopoly: Disney, ChildhoodRead MoreGender Communications Final Paper: Disney Aladdin1693 Words   |  7 Pagessubject of arranged marriages. While researching on this subject I came across Dr. Alvin Poussint Dr. Henry Giroux who both have views against Disney and there huge power of controlling the minds of our younger generation. In the movie Mickey Mouse Monopoly , Dr. Alvin states â€Å"Children have been raised for generations now on Disney† as our society continues to grow, we evolved in the way(s) we learn, communicate, live, etc. They claim that many Disney movies encapsulate the younger generationsRead MoreValue Alignment1385 Words   |  6 Pagesstorytelling, optimism, and decency. The actions that Disney has taken over the years in the entertainment industry show that Disney aligns with its values. SInce being created in 1928 Disney has grown into the Monopoly that we know today. Starting with cartoons featuring Mickey Mouse, then growing into themeparks, resorts, and crusies, not to mention the thousands of animated and realistic cartoons and movies. Disney has even created television and radio stations with the Disney name (The Walt

Opposing School Uniforms Essay examples - 1684 Words

School Uniforms In 1993, Will Rogers Middle School in California’s Long Beach County School District began discussing the idea of a school-wide uniform policy. That fall, Will Rogers became the first school in Long Beach County to have a mandatory uniform policy. Other schools in the district soon followed drawing national attention, including a personal visit from then President Clinton. Recent memories of school shootings around the nation caused President Clinton to urge other school districts to move to uniforms in his 1996 State of the Union Address. This started a seemingly endless debate over school uniforms in public schools. In order to be legal, every uniform policy has to have an option to not participate. Students that†¦show more content†¦Uniforms definitely have some good qualities, but they are not the answer to all the problems in America’s schools. Julia Wilkins wrote â€Å"The Answer to Violence in American Schools or a Cheap Educational Reform?† in the March 1999 issue of The Humanist to share her views regarding the on-going debate over uniforms in public schools. Through my research, her article has proven to be an authority on the subject. She did an excellent job representing the views of her side, she covers every point laid out in the Manual on School Uniforms put out by the government. Uniform proponents use more subtle persuasion to argue their point. This can be seen fairly clearly in two pro-uniform articles: One by Pat Wingert, the other by Jo Beth McDaniel. The Wilkins’ article begins by pointing out a problem with violence in our public schools: â€Å"Media stories about a nationwide school epidemic, in which assaults on teachers are frequent and children are routinely killed over designer clothing, have been a constant over the past few years† (Wilkins par. 1). Wilkins then moves on to providing background information on the adoption of school uniforms by Long Beach County School District in 1995. She establishes Long Beach County’s actions as a turning point in the school uniform debate: â€Å"Since then, school uniforms have been upheld as the long-awaited policy tool for solving the crisis of school violence† (Wilkins par. 4). SheShow MoreRelatedSchool Uniforms are Essential: Dealing With Discrimination and Upholding Individuality1519 Words   |  7 Pagesthe psychological level of self-identification, bring this deceptive notion of fashion and social classes to school. The problem comes when this trend affects the performance of students and their personal lives. We all remember our days back when the talk was â€Å"Who are the jocks, the cheerleaders, the rick kids, the geeks, the losers, etcetera?† Believe it or not, the status quo in schools is always composed of them. These cliques have identities exclusive for each. Students who do not look, act,Read MoreIs it Good to Wear School Uniforms?673 Words   |  3 PagesSchool uniform has been a controversial issue in the United States. A lot of researchers have debated for centuries on whether or not wearing a school uniform is good. In the United States, most public schools do not require students to wear uniforms. However, students are required to wear uniform in private schools. While in most of the countries, either in a public or private school, required to wear uniforms. They even have summer and winter uniforms according to the weather. Most of the peopleRead MoreDoes Wearing School Uniform Have An Influence On Stud ent s Behavior?927 Words   |  4 PagesResearch Question: Does wearing school uniform have an influence on student’s behaviour? Review of Literature: The debate regarding whether the students should have to wear school uniform has been prevalent for many years. For example, some people insist that wearing uniform can really make a difference in a student’s academic performance, while others do not. There are still a lot school boards and parents arguing about it. Wearing school uniform has its advantages and disadvantages, but the pointRead MoreSchool Uniforms: Dealing With Discrimination Upholding Individuality1647 Words   |  7 PagesHigh School Musical, one flip on Seventeen Magazine, and one walk at a school hallway are all it takes to make a student be aware of how hell it feels like to be stared at and insulted by the other students if he/she wears this humongous thick glasses, knee-high socks, and clothes repeated last week. Media has influenced a lot of today’s trends and ideologies. Adolescents, being on the psychological level of self-identification, bring this perspective of fashion and social classes a t school. TheRead MoreSchool Uniforms Persuasive Essay1001 Words   |  5 PagesMake a Difference? If schools could automatically have more safety, a stronger sense of unity within students, and higher self esteem for every individual student at a minimal cost without transgressing any laws, or stepping over students rights it is doubtful that many would turn up their nose to all of these things. There is no difference between this situation and the benefits that school dress codes would provide. While the majority of public schools do not require uniforms, the ones that do reportRead More Supporting School Uniforms Essay1600 Words   |  7 Pageswhether it is right or wrong to be made to wear School uniform is what I will be discussing. This is an issue as people have conflicting views on why we should be forced to wear these clothes. The majority believe this to be a commendable notion whereas some think it isnt worth it. Despite some good points for opposing uniform, my overall view is that it is a good idea. One of the the most debatable and contraversial issues when opposing School uniform is that it removes individual identity. TheRead MoreSchool Uniforms And Schools Uniforms819 Words   |  4 Pagesas school uniforms, many are quick to deem them as unjust and avoidable. What these individuals do not know is that, in fact, school uniforms would enhance how the learning environment functions. Surely, when schools provide their students with uniforms, they are not providing their students with dreadful apparel, they are providing their students with an opportunity to change; whether it be a chance for a student to change their role academically, or a chance for a student to fit in. School uniformsRead MoreWe Are Not our Clothes - The Case for School Uniforms Essay1862 Words   |  8 PagesIn the middle of the school year, two new students walk through the doors of their new high school. The first student walks into the school with a worn out book bag, tarnished shoes, and notice ably older clothing, and is automatically judged by his peers on his wardrobe. The next student walks into the school wearing all of the latest name brands, expensive jewelry, and immediately she is judged as well. The student with the visibly â€Å"higher maintenance† wardrobe is instantly approached by anotherRead MoreDress Codes In the School System Essays1399 Words   |  6 PagesExpression have been thrown into the discussion, causing controversy in our communities. The dress code policy is considered to be a fix all solution in our schools, but has failed to curb the big issues. Dress codes should not be instituted to fix a particular problem, but should be looked at to help overall school reform. A school uniform policy does not have a significant influence on producing a safe learning environment or helping students achieve their goals. The beginnings of any type ofRead MoreSchool Uniforms Should Be Public Schools968 Words   |  4 Pages School Uniforms Parents around the globe have emphasized the controversy over school uniforms. During the school year of 2011-2012, one in every five school required students to wear school uniforms. America s first documented schools to inaugurate uniforms were in Maryland and Washington. Throughout the previous years in America, there have been numerous disputes whether school uniforms should be in public schools. In the last 30 years, public schools have often been hostilely compared to private

Proud to Be Me Free Essays

Danae Fuller [Company Name] Proud To Be Me! Staring in the mirror I can’t begin to tell you how, The things I saw when I was young don’t even faze me now. When yet girls, to all my friends, see we were all the same, Until I heard that girls like me were given different names. At first I didn’t like the thought of being called â€Å"black† I took offense to something dark I didn’t like that I was marked Along the way began a sparkThere goes the question mark. We will write a custom essay sample on Proud to Be Me or any similar topic only for you Order Now I love the fact that I’m unique My darker skin and curved physique I love the fact that I am black cause black is simply me. I don’t resemble every girl on ads and TV screens, The things I eat, may not be your favorite style cuisine. Perhaps the way I treat my hair is not your own routine, And maybe we don’t need the same amounts of strong sunscreen I love the fact that I am black cause black is simply me.Thinking back I have to say, I’m proud of those before, Fighting till the tide of freedom washed up on the shore. Taking strides towards victory accomplishing much more, Than people could’ve thought but now Sir Justice won the war. I love the fact that I am black cause black is simply me So now I’ve no reason to question reflection, I know who I am I accept my imperfections. I’m proud of the difference in my own complexion, I have no complaints, no change, no objections. How to cite Proud to Be Me, Papers

Taxation Issues Case Study of Bond Samples for Students †MyAssignment

Question: Discuss about the Taxation Issues Case Study ofMr. Bond. Answer: Introduction Background of the case is that Mr. Bond who is an air company pilot hired by Qantas. For this there was a prerequisite by the Civil Aviation safety authority to have a license to fly and a recent medical certificate that was proper to licence. He has that licence for many years but unfortunately in the year 2005 October 6 he was diagnosed by the neuropsychological failure. For this reason he was suspended from the job. In between 2005 and 2007 he has also applied for many job roles like ground roles and staff and flight captain, but that application was not successful. In 2007 Mr. Bond was diagnosed by cognitive disorder and in March 2007 Mr. Bond licence were cancelled by civil aviation safety authority. At this time Qantas informed Mr. Bond regarding the Loss of licence policy. After the completion of all formalities Mr. Bond received a letter by Qantas regarding the claim approval by the insurer through letter of approval. Now the query in this case rises that whether the insurance payment made to Mr. Bond was in real an employee termination payment under section 82-130 after he has lost his licence due to his medical conditions failure.(Federal Register, 2017). Under section 82 -130 the provision says the following regarding employment termination employment:- A payment is said to be an employment termination payment if it is :- Received by you, In regard to the termination of your employment. Or, After other person death or as a result of the termination of the Other persons employment. It is received not far along than 12 months after that termination, It is not the compensation mentioned section 82-135. Section 82-135 states what kind of payment does not belong to employment termination payment: A capital disbursement for or in respect of individual injury to you so far that the sum is rational having regard to the nature of personal damage and its likely to effect on your capability to develop income from individual effort. If the disbursement is relieved by section 82-135 then it is not liable to tax. Here in this case the suggestions which was placed forward by Mr. Bond were as follows: The loss of licence payment is not an employment termination payment as it has been received in respect of loss of licence and not because of his termination from employment. If the payment for loss of licence received was the result of termination of employment then it will be considered as capital payment and will be in regard to the personal injury and which in return relieved from the exclusion to the definition of employment termination benefit. Payment of loss of licence if not considered as employment termination benefit then it was matter to fringe benefit tax in Qantas hands and consequently it is neither reckonable as income nor chargeable as capital gain. Payment of loss of licence if not employment termination payment and also does not comes under the purview of fringe benefit tax , then it was not an allowance, gratuity compensation, benefit etc in regard to employment which comes under section 15-2, initially because it was paid in regard to the loss of licence of Mr. Bond. Instead of repayment for his service but otherwise because section 15-2 only taxes normal earnings. Section 15-2 states that: Assessable income also include the amount of allowances like gratuity, compensation, benefits, bonuses, and premium, for or in regard to employment or services provided. Hence following case involves the big question whether the payment made by Qantas to Mr. bond for loss of licence constitutes employment termination payment and should by assessable as income. Sections that were breached in the case: Questions of law that were raised in the amended appeal was whether:- The court has misapprehended the section 82-130 in judgement that the loss of licence payment was an employment termination payment by applying the wrong test of determination of the relation of between loss of licence payment and the cessation of service. Court has misapprehended section 82-135 of ITAA 1997. Court has misapprehended section 15-2 of the ITAA 1997 by judging that it may apply to amount of capital nature. Court has misapprehended the Qantas Airways Limited Flight crew certified arrangement and scottish re insurance policy in judging that they have provided applicable association between the loss of license payment and payment of termination of employment for the perseverance of explanation of employment termination payment under section 82- 130 under income tax assessment act 1971. Now let us discuss where the court has mistakenly construed the provisions. The court misapprehended one of the clause in SHCA in concluding that it delivered a significant connection in the middle of loss of licence payment and termination of employment. The court misapprehended in its edifice of the agreement between insurance company and Qantas by deciding that the termination of employment as a pilot was a prerequisite to payment and in that sense payment monitored on from the expiry of employment and had the essential link with it and that the loss of licence payment was acknowledged by the applicant in concern of the termination of his employment with Qantas. The court should have judged that loss of licence payment was completed under Scottish re insurance policy as a outcome of the forfeiture of pilot licence and that neither the SHCA nor the Scottish Re-insurance policy complete dissolution of employment a precondition for the forfeiture of certificate payment. The court misapprehended in it its judging of section 82-130 of the ITAA 1997 in finding that loss of licence compensation was an service dissolution compensation because the mutual arrangements consider that pilots service will dismiss as the outcome of the pilot licence being annulled or not reintroduced and the pilot getting a loss of licence compensation or antedate the cessation of service of pilot who gets a loss of licence disbursement. The court if had not misapprehended the section 82-130 which require unpremeditated association among forfeiture of permit compensation and cessation of service imbursement then the court have establish that forfeiture of licence payment received by the Applicant was not an service cessation payment under section 82-130 of ITAA 1997. The court also misapprehend the law by not successfully contemplating at all whether forfeiture of licence payment was in reverence of or for in association directly or indirectly to service or services giving within the connotation of section 15-2(1) of ITAA 1997. The court ought to have establish that forfeiture of licence payment is out of section 15-2 because it was not in reverence of or for in association straight away or indirectly to service or services given within the connotation of section 15-2(1) of ITAA 1997. The court also misapprehended section 15-2 of ITAA 1997 by concluding that section 15-2 is not restricted to sum of an revenue nature but also disputably comprises an sum of a capital nature. If the court have correctly interpreted section 82-130 of ITAA 1997 and had in the approved manner interpreted SHCA and Scottish re insurance policy and treated the deed of proclamation as unenforceable insofar as it tried to differ adversely the applicant privileges under SHCA it would have unavoidably have establish that the payment gets by an applicant was not an service cessation payment under section 80-130 under ITAA 1997 instead it is loss of licence payment. So from this discussion we will be able to understand the points of breaches or mis interpretation which would have been avoided by correct finding. Analysis of the court or tribunal decision: In this case mention was also made to section 170LT of the workplace relation act 1996 dealing in attesting an arrangement to the definition of fringe benefit under section 136(1) of fringe benefit tax assessment act 1936. The court misapprehended in ruling in determining that forfeiture of certificate payment received by the applicant is not fringe benefit as defined under section 136(1) of the FBTAA 1986. For the reason that, The court ought to have establish that loss of permit payment is not service cessation compensation hence should not be excluded from the definition of fringe benefit under FBTAA act 1986 (Common welath Cosolidated Acts, 2017). After finding that the loss of licence payment is not sum of capital nature aimed at or in reverence of personal injury to a person within the meaning of section 136(1)(m) , the court misinterpreted in concluding that loss of licence payment does not include fringe benefit within the meaning of section 136(1) of FBTAA 1986 . The court misjudged in law by waning to discover that the forfeiture of authorisation payment is fringe benefit u/s 136(1) of the FBTAA 1986 Act, hence the section 23 L of ITAA 1936 indulgences the loss of licence payment as non assessable and non-exempt in income in the hands of assesse (Federal Register , 2017) In this case judge has passed the judgement that loss of licence payment was a employment termination payment and which has been elicited by inadequate proof of perfect medically fit certificate of medical tests by Mr. Bond. The conclusion and the judgement was passed on the basis that the loss of licence payment was not protected by section 82-135 that is the reimbursement was not made in contemplation of any personal injury. The judge also took the help from the guidance from Scully in national court where it was resolute that any payment made in regard to grievance must encompass some kind of dimension or deviousness in order to decide the loss of member of staff income. The court decision was that the payment for loss of lucence should be treated as employment termination payment because section 80-132 applies to it that is if the payment is received by the applicant as a result of result of termination of the employment, and Mr. Bond was not successful in its objection. The court identified the issues that were raised by Mr. Bond but decided unfavourably decided to Mr. Bond. The appeal was dismissed on many grounds and which were incompetently represented by Mr. Bond and the court has not misapprehended the question of law that will question the final conclusion. Section 82-135 says that sum which is received will not be employment termination payment if this is received in regard to individual damage as far as it is rational and is probable to influence on the ability to develop earnings from personal effort (Australain Government, 2017) Conclusion: The case can be summarised as follows In March 2015 Federal court concluded that one of the pilot of the Qantas received the payment in regard to injury or there were something else or more substantial than reimbursement. Mr. Bond injury was associated with enhancing medical issues hence his licence to fly was cancelled and he got payment for loss of licence which was the agreed policy of the company. Now the issue rises that the payment which was made to Mr. Bond of $500000 was reasonable compensation in respect of his injury or whether it is not reasonable .the case had the capability to explore lengthy widened process of dispute which involves essential belief of human biology. The answer to these question by the judge in this case was not positive and in this case there was the highest word record of the usage of the term LOL that is loss of licence. In brief Mr. Bond did not receive his service cessation payment for any wound or injury continued while working. In fact he receive d that payment in respect of his retirement which otherwise also he would have received in spite of the fact that he was injured or not. The question arises in this case was that the ultimate payment to Mr. Bond is whether or not an employment termination payment under section 80-132 after he lost his licence because he has failed in medical tests for two years continuously. The court concluded the case against Mr. Bond and his appeal was dismissed and it was concluded that loss of licence payment is an employment termination payment. References Australian Government(2017) BOND V FC [online] Available at: https://www.ato.gov.au/law/view/document?src=hspit=99991231235958arc=falsestart=31pageSize=10total=952num=9docid=JUD%2F2015ATC20-499%2F00001dc=falsetm=and-basic-weeks%20v%20FC%20of%20T [Accessed 9th April. 2017]. Federal Register (2017) Income tax assessment [online] Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2004A05138 [Accessed 9th April. 2017] Federal Register (2017) Fringhe Benefit Tax assessment [online] Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2014C00048 [Accessed 9th April. 2017]. Common wealth consolidated Acts(2017) Fringe benefit tax [online] Available at: https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/fbtaa1986312/ [Accessed 9th April. 2017] Australian Government (2017)Income tax assessment [online] Available at: https://lawlex.com.au/tempstore/consolidated/5495.pdf [Accessed 9th April. 2017]

Principles of Supporting Change in a Business Environment free essay sample

Change occurs frequently and rapidly in the workplace. Change in business has become the norm and businesses need to evolve to keep up with the demands of the modern world. Most of the people regard change as intimidating. It is often natural. It has great significance in business thus change does bring good for the business. So why does change happens? There are two main reasons for the changes in a business environment: 1. Reactive change- pressure to change (PEST) POLITICAL – it is when government changes policies, regulation, etc which business needs to adapt to stay within the new laws; international changes or conflicts force business to change; legislations whether they domestic or international or future; ECONOMIC- it is when domestic or international competitor’s behavior, trends or tax and interest rates change which forces the changes in the business; SOCIAL- it often happens when customers demands, buying preferences change, as well as when events, media views or advertising makes business Identify the main reasons for reviewing working methods, products and / or services in a business environment. We will write a custom essay sample on Principles of Supporting Change in a Business Environment or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Once your business is established and running well, you may be inclined to let things continue to run as they are. However, its actually time to plan again. After the crucial early stages, you should regularly review your progress, identify how you can make the most of the market position youve established and decide where to take your business next. You will need to revisit and update your business plan with your new strategy in mind and make sure you introduce the developments youve noted. Reviewing your progress will be particularly useful if you feel: †¢ uncertain about how well the business is performing †¢ unsure if youre getting the most out of the business or making the most of market opportunities †¢ your business plan may be out of date, e. g. you havent updated it since you started trading †¢ your business is moving in a direction different to the one you had planned †¢ the business may be becoming unwieldy or unresponsive to market demands It is also useful if you have decided that your company is ready to move on to  another level. When a business is going through change: a) Describe the different types of support that people may need. Everyone is different that is way some people may find change as something stimulating and exciting making them perform better others may find it very hard and difficult to adapt. This is way this type of people need extra time and support to get use to change happening in the work place. Theory suggests that these people will go through what is called: Change Performance Curve: Shock – The initial reaction can sometimes be shock, this will automatically reduce the individuals performance as they will fear the unknown. Denial This is when the individual will stay focused in the past and the ‘way things used to be done’. The fear of the ‘new way’ may cause the individual to continue to complete their tasks the ‘old way’. Anger – Once the initial feelings have been dealt with denial slowly turns to anger. Depression Once the individual finally realises that the change is going to happen, they enter the depression stage The individual accepts that the change is happening. Integration But there are different types of support that can help people during change. These include: †¢ Effective planning ( plan the change an inform people of the change) †¢ Participation ( let people be involved in the process) †¢ Training or retraining ( provide training so stuff if prepared for new tasks) †¢ Encouragement or other supportive behaviours ( provide support by encouraging not criticizing- good communication can really help people accept a change more quickly. Counselling or coaching b) Explain the benefits of working with others. As said above good communication can really help people accept a change more quickly. Working as a team can really help to adapt to change and helps people get through Change Performance Curve easier as they can help each other in dealing with new and more complex tasks. You will be able to help support your colleagues if they are finding something challenging and vice versa. It is important to remember that to support and work with colleagues effectively you will need to keep a positive outlook yourself. Understand how to respond to change in a business environment 1. In relation to your current business environment (or one that you are familiar with): a) Explain why you should respond positively to changes in working methods. When change occurs in a business it is important to see it as something positive. This will help to make the process a lot easier, even though the benefits may not be immediately obvious. If employees see change as a bad thing, they will soon become demotivated, which will affect The quality and efficiency of the business. While sometimes it may be difficult to accept change, employees need to be able to adapt to whatever they are presented with. Businesses need employees who have positive attitudes; they want people who say ‘I can do that’ not ‘I can’t do that’. A positive attitude can go a long way to help solve problems in difficult situations. b) Explain why you should respond positively to changes in products or services. Changes can be either expected or unexpected but nowadays change is a permanent phenomenon. I work in retail and I know that changes in this type of business is someting that cannot be forgotten or ignored. As an employee of one of the biggest beauty retailer in the UK I see almost everyday changes in the work place that take place to improve products and services we provide. I know it is very important to keep up with customers‘ demands and market innovations. It is very important to stay positive about this changes to make sure you do your best to help the business you work for improve and stay on top along other similar businesses. Staying positive also helps to secure you job position as employers want to have employees who are willing to adapt and are positive about their work and personal development. c) Identify ways of responding positively to change. Every employee seeks positive response to change from their employees. Ways of responding positively to change are: †¢ A willingness to learn(understanding the importance of learning new information for both current and future problem solving and decision making.

10 Fascinating Facts About Ladybugs

10 Fascinating Facts About Ladybugs Who doesnt love a ladybug? Also known as ladybirds or lady beetles, the little red bugs are so beloved because they are beneficial predators, cheerfully chomping on garden pests such as aphids. But ladybugs arent really bugs at all. They belong to the order Coleoptera, which includes all of the beetles. Europeans have called these dome-backed beetles by the name ladybirds, or ladybird beetles, for over 500 years. In America, the name ladybug is preferred; scientists usually use the common name lady beetle for accuracy. 1. Not All Ladybugs Are Black and Red Although ladybugs (called Coccinellidae) are most often red or yellow with black dots, nearly every color of the rainbow is found in some species of ladybug, often in contrasting pairs. The most common are red and black or yellow and black, but some are as plain as black and white, others as exotic as dark blue and orange. Some species of ladybug are spotted, others have stripes, and still others sport a checked pattern. There are 4,300 different species of ladybugs, 400 of which live in North America. Color patterns are connected to their living quarters: generalists that live pretty much anywhere have fairly simple patterns of two strikingly different colors that they wear year round. Others that live in specific habitats have more complex coloration, and some can change color throughout the year. Specialist ladybugs use a camouflage coloration to match the vegetation when theyre in hibernation and develop the characteristic bright colors to warn off predators during their mating season. 2. The Name Lady Refers to the Virgin Mary According to legend,  European crops during the Middle Ages were plagued by pests. Farmers began praying to the Blessed Lady, the Virgin Mary. Soon, the farmers started seeing beneficial ladybugs in their fields, and the crops were miraculously saved from the pests. The farmers began calling the red and black beetles our ladys birds or lady beetles. In Germany, these insects go by the name Marienkafer, which means Mary beetles. The seven-spotted lady beetle is believed to be the first one named for the Virgin Mary; the red color is said to represent her cloak, and the black spots her seven sorrows. 3. Ladybug Defenses Include Bleeding Knees and Warning Colors Startle an adult ladybug and a  foul-smelling hemolymph will seep from its leg joints, leaving yellow stains on the surface below. Potential predators may be deterred by the vile-smelling mix of alkaloids  and equally repulsed by the sight of a seemingly sickly beetle. Ladybug larvae can also ooze alkaloids from their abdomens. Like many other insects, ladybugs use aposematic coloration to signal their toxicity to would-be predators. Insect-eating birds and other animals learn to avoid meals that come in red and black and are more likely to steer clear of a ladybug lunch. 4. Ladybugs Live for About a Year   David Bithell/Getty Images   The ladybug lifecycle begins when a batch of bright-yellow eggs are laid on branches near food sources. They hatch as larvae in four to 10 days and then spend about three weeks feeding up- the earliest arrivals may eat some of the eggs that have not yet hatched. Once theyre well-fed, theyll begin to build a pupa, and after seven to 10 days they emerge as adults. The insects typically live for about a year. 5. Ladybug Larvae Resemble Tiny Alligators  © Jackie Bale/Getty Images If youre unfamiliar with ladybug larvae, you would probably never guess that these odd creatures are young ladybugs. Like alligators in miniature, they have long, pointed abdomens, spiny bodies, and legs that protrude from their sides. The larvae feed and grow for about a month, and during this stage they often consume hundreds of aphids. 6. Ladybugs Eat a Tremendous Number of Insects Bill Draker/Getty Images   Almost all ladybugs feed on soft-bodied insects and serve as beneficial predators of plant pests. Gardeners welcome ladybugs with open arms, knowing they will munch on the most prolific plant pests. Ladybugs love to eat scale insects, whiteflies, mites, and aphids. As larvae, they eat pests by the hundreds. A hungry adult ladybug can devour 50 aphids per day, and scientists estimate that the insect consumes as many as 5,000 aphids over its lifetime. 7. Farmers Use Ladybugs to Control Other Insects Because ladybugs have long been known to eat the gardeners pestilent aphids and other insects, there have been many attempts to use ladybugs to control these pests. The first attempt- and one of the most successful- was in the late 1880s, when an Australian ladybug (Rodolia cardinalis) was imported into California to control the cottony cushion scale. The experiment was expensive, but in 1890, the orange crop in California tripled. Not all such experiments work. After the California orange success, over 40 different ladybug species were introduced to North America, but only four species were successfully established. The best successes have helped farmers control scale insects and mealybugs. Systematic aphid control is rarely successful because aphids reproduce much more rapidly than ladybugs do. 8. There Are Ladybug Pests You may have personally experienced the effects of one of the biological control experiments that had unintended consequences. The Asian or harlequin ladybug (Harmonia axyridis) was introduced to the United States in the 1980s and is now the most common ladybug in many parts of North America. While it did depress the aphid population in some crop systems, it also caused declines in native species of other aphid-eaters. The North American ladybug is not endangered yet, but its overall numbers have decreased, and some scientists believe that is the result of harlequin competition. Some other negative effects are also associated with harlequins. In late summer, the ladybug gets ready for its winter dormancy period by dining on fruit, specifically ripe grapes. Because they blend in with the fruit, the ladybug gets harvested with the crop, and if the winemakers dont get rid of the ladybugs, the nasty taste of the knee bleed will taint the vintage. H. axyridis also like to over-winter in houses, and some houses are invaded in each year by hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of ladybugs. Their knee-bleeding ways can stain furniture, and they occasionally bite people. 9. Sometimes Masses of Ladybugs Wash Up on Shores Near large bodies of water all over the world, massive numbers of Coccinellidae, dead and alive, occasionally or regularly appear on the shorelines. The largest washup to date happened in the early 1940s when an estimated 4.5 billion individuals were spread over 21 kilometers of shoreline in Libya. Only a small number of them were still alive. Why this occurs is still not understood by the scientific community. Hypotheses fall into three categories: ladybugs travel by floating (they can survive afloat for a day or more); the insects aggregate along shorelines because of a reluctance to cross large bodies of water; low-flying ladybugs are forced ashore or into the water by windstorms or other weather events. 10. Ladybugs Practice Cannibalism If food is scarce, ladybugs will do what they must to survive, even if it means eating each other. A hungry ladybug will make a meal of any soft-bodied sibling it encounters. Newly emerged adults or recently molted larvae are soft enough for the average ladybug to chew. Eggs or pupae also provide protein to a ladybug that has run out of aphids. In fact, scientists believe that ladybugs will deliberately lay infertile eggs as a ready source of food for their young hatchlings. When times are tough, a ladybug may lay an increased number of infertile eggs to give her babies a better chance of surviving.

Assignment2 person1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Assignment2 person1 - Assignment Example Initially, the target market was Europe, but due to the financial crises that hit the continent in 2011, the country managed to look for other markets, such as Asia, and Africa (Henrichsen and Woodside, 2012). The tourism industry in Mauritius is under the supervision of the Ministry of Leisure and Tourism. The country has a Tourism Promotion Authority whose main responsibility is to organize and conduct some advertising campaigns for the purposes of promoting tourism in Mauritius, both in the global atmosphere, and locally within the state (Haring, 2007). The country also has a Tourism Authority, which has the responsibility of supervising, licensing and regulating the activities of tourism businesses/ enterprises. This also includes canvassers, pleasure crafts and skippers (Boswell, 2008). The success of the tourism industry in Mauritius is based on the fact that the Island has a natural beauty, with a diversified cultural and multi-ethnic population. It has beautiful beaches, a tr opical climate, and a water sports arena (Henrichsen and Woodside, 2012). All these play a factor in attracting tourists in Mauritius. Basing on this background, this paper provides a summary of the tourism industry in Mauritius. This report also includes a summary of tourist arrivals in the country, during the periods of 2010, and 2011. This report also analyzes the impact of political instability in the world, and as a result, the perception of British tourists in regard to tourism in Mauritius. By analyzing this point, this paper focuses on, how the views of people have been shaped due to political unrest in the world, and its impact on the tourism industry in Mauritius. It also focuses on the factors that will encourage or discourage tourism in Mauritius, and the attitude that people have concerning Mauritius as a tourism destination. The reason for writing this report emanates from my roles as the manager of marketing for the Mauritius tourism board, and in preparation for a me eting with the president of the tourism board. In conclusion therefore, the objectives of this paper are four fold. Namely; To analyze the tourism industry in regard to its marketing perspective. To summarize the 2010-2011 tourism arrival in the country. Analyze the impact of political instability and its impact to the Mauritian tourism industry. The perceptions of the British in regard to Mauritian tourism. The methods of collecting data in order to acquire information in regard to these aspects are through library and internet research. Mauritius Tourism Industry: The main target market for the tourism sector of Mauritius is the French and the British speaking people. For instance in 2009, people of the French origin and from the island of Re-Union came to the Island in large numbers. For instance in the year 2009, the country had 871, 256 tourists, and among them, 275, 599 came from France, and 104, 946 were citizens of Re-Union. On this basis therefore, France was the largest ma rket of Mauritian tourism sector, followed by Britain. Visitors from Europe accounted for 67% of its market source. However, as of 2011, the country sought to look for other markets of its tourism sector (Henrichsen and Woodside, 2012). This is because of the economic crises that hit Europe. For instance, in 2011, the Mauritius government managed to set aside a budget of 100 million Mauritian rupees for purposes of advertising their tourist services in Asia, Africa and American countries.

Communication & Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Communication & Change - Essay Example At the same time, authors are quick to point out that the Web has immediately gotten intertwined with its numerous spheres of application in social, political, cultural, and other realms, which on one hand were boosted by the possibilities that communicative Internet technologies offered, and on the other hand themselves contributed to the formation of the Web as we know it today. At this point we can find in the article some interesting observations of the mentioned peculiarities of the Web. For one, we are made aware that the content of the Web actually consists of ephemeral and permanent features. The Web is ephemeral because the permanency of its content is not guaranteed, and even if the permanency is pursued the content has to be constantly recreated for this purpose. However, the Web can be thought of as permanent due to the fact that in order to be conveyed Web content must be in a permanent form, which is not the case for example with live radio and television translations.

Time Capsule Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Time Capsule - Essay Example The following six tracks selected are as follows. The Baroque era constitutes a significant shift in music style. One of the most notable composers of this era is Johann Sebastian Bach. While there were a great variety of Bach’s works the selection committee considered, Bach’s composition ‘Sonata no 1’ a characteristic example of his work. This track combines violin and harpsichord in a level of instrumental complexity and poignancy that at the time had not yet been experienced in the history of music. While ostensibly non-secular this music seemingly transcends such categorizations as it exhibits pure musical poignancy. In these regards, there is a sort of mysterious quality to the track that places it at a level of great interest and intrigue to listeners. In addition to these sonic qualities the committee considered that Bach has significant historical importance both for his power compositions as well as the tremendous influence he had on future musicians. His influential nature and iconic historical importance factored greatly into the committee’s selection of this composition for the time capsule. Furthermore, Bach’s harpsichord concertos are recognized by scholars as among the first concertos for the keyboard instrument ever written (Bukofzer 2008). Another notable Baroque era composer selected for the time capsule was Jean Baptiste Lully, with his ‘Symphonie’ the selected work. While Bach’s work was slightly subtle, this composition is highly bombastic with patriotic or nationalistic overtones in its upbeat melody; in these regards, it could fit perfectly in a state or crown sponsored event (Bukofzer 2008). There were a number of factors that led to the committee’s decision. In addition to Lully’s seminal historical importance to the Baroque era, this composition has withstood the test of time and its sonorous, yet patriotic qualities are

The Causes Of Over Sleeping English Language Essay

The Causes Of Over Sleeping English Language Essay What causes over sleeping you ask? Over sleeping is caused by many different factors. Things such as not getting enough sleep and not setting your alarm clock to wake you up can contribute to you not waking up from your sleep when it is time to. Many people contribute this to factors that may be deemed medical related and may actually not be medical related illnesses. While many people suffer from sleep deprivation or sleep loss, occasionally there are those who suffer from getting too much rest. Normally this would not be a problem but you have to think about this issue from the perspective of how it affects your career or your home life. Lets take for instance if you are a working person and you have a career or just a job where your employer depends on you being to work on time. A pattern of being late may get you reprimanded or even worse fired. A case of oversleeping on added to an already pattern of tardiness and or lateness for other reasons can be disastrous. Or take for exam ple you drop off your kid at your parents house and they have somewhere important to be and you dont wake up on time. This will cause a real problem for you with your parents. So this can be a problem beyond just getting way too much rest. Having a good alarm clock is essential to keeping yourself from over sleeping. You need on that is loud or audible enough to wake you up on those mornings where you just dont feel like getting out of the bed. You will need to develop a pattern of checking and double checking your alarm to make sure it is properly set to wake you up in the mornings. There is another issue with alarm clocks with making sure they are set properly and that is to ensure you have a backup battery in your alarm clock. A back up battery will give you about an hour of time to get the power back on in case of a power failure to keep your settings saved in the alarm clock. This is something that will happen from time to time that you will have no control over so in order to avoid the problem just make sure that a battery is present in the clock and that it is fully functional. http://hubpages.com/hub/what-causes-over-sleeping Problems Linked to Oversleeping Diabetes. In a study of almost 9,000 Americans, researchers found a relationship between sleep and the risk of diabetes. People who slept more than nine hours each night had a 50% greater risk of diabetes than people who slept seven hours per night. This increased risk was also seen in people who slept less than five hours per night. The researchers did not draw conclusions about the physiological link between long sleep and diabetes. But they did suggest that oversleeping could be indicative of underlying medical problems that increase the likelihood of diabetes. Obesity. Sleeping too much could make you weigh too much, as well. One recent study showed that people who slept for nine or 10 hours every night were 21% more likely to become obese over a six-year period than were people who slept between seven and eight hours. This association between sleep and obesity remained the same even when food intake and exercise were taken into account. Headaches. For some people prone to headaches, sleeping longer than usual on a weekend or vacation can cause head pain. Researchers believe this is due to the effect oversleeping has on certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin. People who sleep too much during the day and disrupt their nighttime sleep may also find themselves suffering from headaches in the morning. Back pain. There was a time when doctors told people suffering from back pain to head straight to bed. But those days are long gone. You do need to curtail your regular exercise program when you are experiencing back pain. But doctors now realize the health benefits of maintaining a certain level of activity. And they recommend against sleeping more than usual, when possible. Depression. Although insomnia is more commonly linked to depression than oversleeping, roughly 15% of people with depression sleep too much. This may in turn make their depression worse. Thats because regular sleep habits are important to the recovery process. Need another reason not to overdo the ZZZs when youre blue? In certain instances, sleep deprivation can be an effective treatment for depression. Heart disease. The Nurses Health Study involved nearly 72,000 women. A careful analysis of the data from that study showed that women who slept nine to 11 hours per night were 38% more likely to have coronary heart disease than women who slept eight hours. Researchers have not yet identified a reason for the connection between oversleeping and heart disease. Death. Multiple studies have found that people who sleep nine or more hours a night have significantly higher death rates than people sleeping seven to eight hours a night. No specific reason for this correlation has been determined. But researchers found that depression and low socioeconomic status are also associated with longer sleep. They speculate these factors could be related to the observed increase in mortality for people who sleep too much http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/physical-side-effects-oversleeping Heres How to Stop Oversleeping: Step 1: Decide to Wake Upà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Theres no easier way to say it Oversleeping is an escape  mechanism. If you want to stop oversleeping, youd have to figure out why some part of you chooses to stay in bed. Confront it. Then decide to deal with it,  instead  of running away from it by oversleeping. Step 2: Get Motivated to Stop Oversleeping Come up with at least one strong reason WHY you want to stop oversleeping. Be as specific as you can.  It might help to write it down and read it to yourself daily. Change your attitude toward sleep. If you love to sleep, you have to start thinking about sleep as something you must do in order to survive. Nothing more. Stop making excuses like I need more sleep than the average person. You should be convinced that you can sleep less and have more energy than you have now, which is most likely true. Step 3: Commit to a Steady Sleep Schedule Its best if you can go to sleep and wake up at the same times every day. At least do you best to wake up at the same time, no matter how long you had sleptà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Put the clock away from bed, set a wake up call, ask someone to throw you out of bed, whatever you need to do to make sure you wake up on time. Step 4: Improve your sleep There are many simple things you can do to get high quality sleep, which will allow you to get  more energy from less sleep. Step 5: Reduce sleep gradually If you sleep 10 hours every night, dont move to 7 hours all at once. Reduce 30-60 minutes every week or so. Dont beat yourself up when you fail, because it might only make things worse. Just learn from your mistakes and come up with a plan for the next day. Step 6: Raise your physical and mental energy Its good to stop oversleeping. Its better to be a highly energetic person.  Start working on changing your habits, lifestyle and mindset eat well, exercise, think more positively and so onà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ http://a-sleep.com/1563/how-to-stop-oversleeping/

Moving Away at a Young Age Essay -- Personal Narrative Moving Essays

Moving Away at a Young Age Moving far away from family and friends can be tough on a child at a young age. It has its pros and cons. One learns how to deal with moving away from the people they love and also learn how to deal with adjusting to new ways of life. Everything seems so different and at a young age one feels like they have just left the whole world behind them. That was an experience that changed my life as a person. It taught me how to deal with change and how to adjust. It developed me from a young boy into a mature young man.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The day I moved away, a lot of things were going through my young mind. As I took my last look at my home, I remembered all the fun times I had with my family and friends through out my life. Now I was moving 800 miles away from all of that with no insight on what lied ahead for me. As my family and I drove away from our Michigan home, I looked out the window wondering what Virginia would be, and what my friends were doing. A lot of things were going through my mind at the time. At the time my main worry was if I would make any friends, and how I would adjust to everything. During the whole drive down, my mother would often let me know that everything would be all right and I would like it. Trying to be strong and hold back my tears, I just shook my head no, wondering why we had to move so far away. Life would be different for me and I knew it would. Adjusting to an atmosphere and new people had its ups and downs. Everybody ta...

Research Paper on Scrap Metal Trade in Jamaica

Introduction The scrap metal trade is a very controversial topic in Jamaica in recent times. Outside of registered dealers/traders, the industry has garnered interests from many others as it has become a way of life for providing quick income for households. Although the trade started out as a livelihood for these persons the paradigm has shifted and now stems more negatives than positives as unscrupulous persons has used it as an avenue to participate in illegal activities that resulted in the government (Dr.Christopher Tufton – Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce at the time) instituting an indefinite ban on the Scrap Metal trade in Jamaica in July of 2011. Jamaica has had a number of reported cases of theft of valuable equipment and infrastructure over the last four years amounting to approximately $1 billion (Barrett, 2011). It is for this reason many argue this industry is doing us more harm than good. Scrap Metal theft however is not exclusive to Jamaica; it is a global concern and has been for the past 10 years.Kooi (2010) articulates that the rise in Scrap metal theft is driven by offenders’ recognition that ample metal supplies remain unguarded and that the price of return remains historically high based on heavy international demand. The market conditions made unsecured metal susceptible to increased theft, while causing a boom in scrap metal exports that increased the scrap metal theft problem. It is evident that the scrap metal trade offered both positives and negatives to our country’s economy.It has provided job opportunities to many youths and has given them a sense of achievement as the income allows them to positively contribute to society and their families. It has also been the largest contributor in earnings to the export section â€Å"Crude Materials† for many years (STATIN, 2012). There has been some discourse from the new Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Andrew Hylton on reopening the tra de with tough new regulations. This is controversial as the industry is earning less than the losses associated with it.This research seeks to address the questions: 1) What is the public’s sentiment on this controversial issue being faced by our country? 2) How great an effect does legislation have on illegal trading of Scrap Metal presently? 3) Does the problem exist in enforcement of the legislation in place for the Scrap Metal Industry? 4) What punishment measures are in place presently and do they differ from what Jamaican people want in place for Scrap Metal Theft? Statement of the problem:There has been a tremendous level of theft of infrastructure reported from private companies being traded illegally. The focal point of this research is to explore the influence of legislation, enforcement (or lack thereof) of this legislation and punishment measures on illegal trading of Scrap Metal. Significance of the study: The contribution of the Scrap Metal trade to Jamaica†™s earnings is significant, however the losses from theft and illegal trading supersedes its gains. It’s been over a year since the ban was instituted on the Scrap Metal trade and many are still suffering.The placard of a protester (someone who used to have a livelihood from collecting scrap metal) in Riverton Meadows last November read â€Å"When we have no work our kids are robbed of their future† (Jamaica Observer, November 9 2011). It’s hard not to be concerned about the future of our children. But it is also hard to see the detriment this is causing our nation â€Å"Bridges? Water Pipes? Telephone cables? Railway lines? Gates? Road Signs? Not even the dead are spared as these worthless scavengers dig up graves in order to rob the coffins of metal handles. (Editorial – Jamaica Observer July 28 2011, para. 2). As a developing nation, we need to foster growth in all our sectors but at the same time we need to be operating in public interest and for t he good of the whole instead of only in the interest of particulars. Hence, in order to act in support of the livelihoods of our people and protect our infrastructure, while fostering growth within the Scrap Metal trade sector, it is adamant that studies like this are done to look at reducing illegal trading. Research Question:What protocol can be established to minimize illegal trading in the Scrap Metal Industry of Jamaica? General Research Objective: To determine the extent to which legislation, enforcement of the legislation and punishment measures may influence illegal trading of Scrap Metal in Jamaica. Other Objectives: * To generate a public poll on this controversial issue being faced by our country. * To investigate how great an effect legislation has on illegal trading of Scrap Metal. * To examine if the problem exists in enforcement of the legislation in place for the Scrap Metal Industry. To determine what punishment measures the Jamaican people want in place for Scrap M etal Theft. General Research Hypothesis: Better legislation, enforcement and punishment measures will have a strong negative impact on illegal trading of Scrap Metal in Jamaica. Sub Hypotheses: The higher the level of legislation put in place for Scrap Metal Dealers, the lower the level of illegal trading. The higher the level of enforcement of the legislation in place for the Scrap Metal Industry, the lower the level of illegal trading.The higher the level of punishment measures for Scrap Metal theft, the lower the level of illegal trading. Independent Variables Dependent Variable Illegal Trading Legislation Enforcement Punishment Measures Illegal Trading Legislation Enforcement Punishment Measures Literature Review This section contains a review of literature that is related to the concerns of this research paper as well as the conceptualisation of variables chosen.The literature will provide a layout and critical analyses of what has already been researched in relation to the Sc rap Metal Trade Industry here in Jamaica as well as abroad. It is our hope that the literature review will provide a broader perspective on this very pertinent issue being faced by our country today. According to the Ministry Paper Trade Regulations for the Scrap Metal Industry Italy experienced severe delays in the train system due to the theft of copper wires and a number of states across the United States have also been reporting theft of copper wires that support their commercial infrastructure.This paper further states that the Caribbean countries Dominican Republic and Guyana have also experienced increased criminal activities related to scrap metal industry whereby Guyana is considering banning the export of the product altogether in an effort to stop the damage that it is causing the country’s infrastructure and other productive sectors. In recent years however, the problem has been a growing concern in Jamaica. â€Å"Prior to 2003, the scrap metal trade in Jamaica w as more or less limited to a small domestic market and, consequently, the impact of scrap metal theft on other sectors was not significant†. CAPRI Policy Brief B122, January 2012 p. 4). However the article further stated that â€Å"A noticeable increase in scrap metal theft coincided with the sudden rise in scrap metal prices in 2003†, as there has been an increasing growth in the export market, increasing from US$13. 3 million in 2005 to US$99. 58 million in 2006. As a result, â€Å" an interim response to the issue an Order, entitled â€Å"The Trade (Prohibition of Export) (Scrap Metal) Order 2007† was gazetted on October 31, 2007 to temporarily prohibit all exports of scrap metal until trade regulations are introduced.The Order recognized shipments already â€Å"entered† for export into the Customs Department system up to October 30 th 2007. (Ministry Paper Trade Regulations for the Scrap Metal Industry) The Government has banned the multi-billion doll ar scrap metal trade. Dr. Christopher Tufton, the Minister of Industry, announced the ban at a press conference Tuesday afternoon in July of 2011. Dr. Tufton said the ban came against the background of the widespread theft of metals over the past three years as well as the warnings to scrap metal dealers to implement measures to curb the illegal activities in the trade.Jamaica and other countries to include different states in the United States of America recommended various policies to regulate the scrap metal trade and how to minimize illegal trading. The scrap metal trade in Jamaica does not require a copy of the seller identification be taken and kept on records by the purchasing of dealers. However the 2007 Wisconsin Act 64, requires scrap metal dealers to ask for identification and proof of ownership.The Act further stated that â€Å"seller and deliver of metals must provide motor vehicle operator license, current photograph identification which includes the person’s f ull name, current address, date of birth and identification number†. The Caribbean Policy Research Institution at the University of the West Indies in Mona also support this act in its â€Å"10 steps to Scrap Metal Solution† as policy 3 require that a â€Å"copy of the seller’s identification be taken and kept on record by the purchasing dealer†, and pointed out that this would ensure that a paper trail is created for transaction at the origin.Currently the Jamaica laws do not furnish a specific punishment for metal theft. However, the B. C. government is hoping to reduce metal theft, with new legislation that requires scrap metal dealers to report them to the police. Under the proposed law dealers will have to record the names and addresses of metal sellers and where the sellers got the material, and pass this information on to the police (Renzetti, London â€Å"The Globe and Mail†, July 2012). On the other hand responses in Kooi article recommende d Offering reward money for tips on metal thieves.This way Police, crime prevention organizations, or companies victimized by scrap metal theft can establish hotlines and offer reward money for tips about suspected scrap metal theft. (p 31) Methodology This section will present an overview of the methods that were employed in conducting this research. Research design, population and sampling as well as the instrumentation used for data collection will be the areas of discussion. Research Design Due to the nature of the research, descriptive research was undertaken.It is felt by the researchers that this type of research was the most suitable for the topic under scrutiny. Our research is descriptive in the fact that we merely wish to observe the public’s sentiment on the issue as well as the reasons for the downfall of the scrap metal trade industry in Jamaica. The researchers do not intend to change the way Scrap Metal is traded; instead we have sought to obtain a general ove rview on the extent to which legislation, enforcement of the legislation and punishment measures may influence illegal trading of Scrap Metal in Jamaica.Due to the short time frame that the research was done in, it took the characteristics of a cross sectional study which takes a snapshot of the population at a given time (August – September 2012). The researchers engaged in qualitative methods of gathering data, where questionnaires were administered, an interview was conducted and previous researches on the topic were utilized. Population & Sampling Non-probability sampling was applied to the research, specifically Judgemental/Purposive sampling.Due to our research topic, the population being looked at was residents of Kingston, Jamaica who were perceived to be informed on the topic. Within that population our target groups were members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, employees of the Ministry of National Security, Truckers/Collectors of Scrap Metal and general working p rofessionals (public sector workers, Physicians, Educators, members of the Research and Economic Programming Division of the Bank of Jamaica, Students and the Self-employed).Our proposed target sample size was 100 persons, however, after 100 questionnaires were administered, only 86 questionnaires were returned. Some respondents failed to answer all questions on the instrument therefore for those questions not answered, (e. g. Questions 4, 9, & 10-12) their sample size was reduced by three, four and three respectively. Instrumentation for Data Collection Due to the nature of the research topic, qualitative research in the forms of questionnaires and an interview was used to collect data. The questionnaire consisted of twelve questions of both open-ended and closed-ended response formats.There were only two open-ended response format questions (questions 1 and 9(partially) -please see appendix for a copy of the instrument). The closed-ended response format which the rest of instrumen t demonstrated provided fixed responses. These responses used mainly nominal ranking (e. g. Questions 1-6, 8-12) and also ordinal (e. g. Question 7). The questionnaire’s purpose was to adequately obtain the respondents’ opinions about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables outlined for this research.The combination of questions all addressed concepts such as the public’s opinion on the ban placed on the Scrap Metal Industry, where they thought the weakest link in the trade was, rules and regulations in place and punishment measures for Scrap Metal theft . An interview was conducted with a Mr. Derrick Mitchell on Wednesday, September 05, 2012. Mr. Mitchell is a licensed dealer in Clarendon and operates Mitchell’s Scrap metal. This interview consisted of open-ended questions which gave him ample freedom in his responses (please see appendix for a copy of the questions asked).In addition, electronic research as well as a thorough ov erview of this very current topic in the media was employed to aid in background information discussed in the literature review and throughout this paper. Findings and Discussion After giving some background to the topic of interest by reviewing relevant literature, providing the conceptualization and operational definitions of our variables, discussing how the sample was chosen and the instrumentation used to obtain data, this section will now look at our results from the interview conducted and questionnaires administered and returned. Interview ResultsHe stated that the government is responsible for closing down the trade and that there are poor regulations in the monitoring system. He also mentioned that the customs officers are not fully monitoring the containers as they often leave the container open over night that will attract the criminals to load on illegal metals or metals that they are not licensed to be traded. He mentioned that each dealer should have license that allo ws them to trade various types of metals but because of the theft if gets them into trouble as there containers will be found with metal that they should not be trading.Mr. Mitchell mentioned that if the customs officers were caring out there duties properly they would detect the illegal metals before export. He recommends that instead of having one central site ( as is being proposed in the new regulations by Minister Andrew Hylton) that the government look at setting up regional sites as this may be more feasible for the rural traders. Transporting metal to the central site for checking will quickly become a costly burden for traders. Survey Results & Findings There were one hundred questionnaires administered and eighty-six returned.Below are the results from the survey: Figure 1 below shows the public sentiment on the ban placed on the Industry which relates to question two of the questionnaire administered. It is evident why this issue is as controversial as it has been in rece nt times as the responses indicated almost a 50/50 split in opinion. 52% of respondents feel that the ban should not be lifted, while 48% feel it should be – one of this 48% exclaimed â€Å"We must recycle! Measures need to be put in place to protect the industry! †Figure 2 goes further to demonstrate how the public feels about the industry and who is to blame for the problems associated with it. This relates to question three of the questionnaire. Majority of the respondents believe the problem lies at the point of collection/scrap yards. Legislation Figure 3 relates to question eight of the questionnaire. It shows that 91% of the respondents think that Scrap Metal dealers should send a list of all metals purchased to the police in order to trace potentially stolen material. Figure 4 and 5 related to question eleven and twelve respectively.The answers to these questions were directly related. 81% of the respondents think the ban should remain on copper since it is a h igh target metal for theft, however that same 81% also believed that allowing select dealers only in the trade of copper was a smart alternative. Enforcement Figure 6 (relating to question six on the questionnaire) and Figure 7 (relating to question seven of the questionnaire) is showing that 93% of the public believe that rules and regulations need improving, and almost all respondents think there are â€Å"too little† measures in place currently.However, Punishment Measures Figure 8 shows the responses to question nine of the questionnaire. It alludes to how the public feels about Scrap Metal theft. Most respondents believed that being confined behind bars is the most appropriate punishment while at a close second was the punishment of paying a fine. This question also included an open-response format which allowed people to speak freely about their opinion on necessary punishment measures.Some of these responses included: â€Å"Entity suffering from the theft should be co mpensated to replace item†, â€Å"Person should provide labour (with stipend)to whomever was affected at the cost of the stolen metals†, â€Å"Standard meaningful fee for all, a thief is a thief – big or small! † and â€Å"Hard Labour Community service†. There were also suggestions of â€Å"Death Penalty† and â€Å"Life in Prison†, which indicate that people need the punishment measures for scrap metal theft to have some power of intimidation for these thieves.Conclusion (Answers to our sub research questions below) 1)What is the public’s sentiment on this controversial issue being faced by our country? 2)How great an effect does legislation have on illegal trading of Scrap Metal presently? 3)Does the problem exist in enforcement of the legislation in place for the Scrap Metal Industry? 4)What punishment measures are in place presently and do they differ from what Jamaican people want in place for Scrap Metal Theft?

Fashion and Zara Essay Essay Example

Fashion and Zara Essay Essay Example Fashion and Zara Essay Essay Fashion and Zara Essay Essay At the proclamation of her battle to Spain’s Crown Prince Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano wore a smart white pant suit. Within a few hebdomads. 100s of European adult females sported the same expression. Welcome to a manner. a tendency that sees dressing retail merchants often buying little measures of ware to remain on top of emerging tendencies. In this universe of â€Å"hot today. gauche tomorrow. † no company does fast manner better than Zara international. Shoppers in over 70 states are fans of Zara’s bent for conveying the latest manners from sketch block to vesture rack at lightning velocity and sensible monetary values. ot replenished. : Alternatively they are replaced with new designs to make scarcity value-shoppers can non be certain that designs in shop one twenty-four hours will be available the following. Shop directors track gross revenues informations with hand-held computing machines. They can reorder hot points in less than an hr. This lets Zara know what’s merchandising and what’s non ; when look doesn’t pan out. interior decorators quickly put together new merchandises. Harmonizing to Dilip Patel. U. K. commercial manager for lnditex. new reachings are rushed to hive away gross revenues floors still on the black plastic hangers used in transportation. Shoppers who are in the know recognize these designs as the newest of the new ; shortly after. any points left over are rotated to Zara’s criterion wood hangers. Inside and out. Zara’s shops are specially dressed to beef up the trade name. lnditex considers this to be of the greatest importance because that is where shoppers finally decide which manners make the cut. In a fake shopping street in the cellar of the company’s central office. stylists trade and photograph eye-catching layouts that are e-mailed every two hebdomads to shop directors for reproduction. Zara shops sit on some of the world’s glitziest shopping streets- including New York’s Fifth Avenue. near the flagship shops of taking international manner brands- which make its sensible monetary values stand out. â€Å"Inditex gives people the most up-to-date manner at accessible monetary values. so it is a existent alternate to high-end manner lines. † said Luca Solca. senior research analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein in London. That is good intelligence for Zara as many shoppers trade down from higher-priced ironss. Catfights on the Catwalk Zara is non the lone participant in fast manner. Competition is ferocious ; but Zara’s overpowering success ( recent gross revenues were over $ 13 billion ) has the competition scrambling to maintain up. San Francisco-based Gap. which had been the largest independent vesture retail merchant by gross until Zara bumped them to 2nd topographic point in 2009. late posted a 23 % diminution in full-year gross revenues and had programs to open a modest 50 new shops. Merely clip will state if super-chic Topshop’s entry into the American market causes a furrow in Zara’s success. Some manner analysts are mentioning to all of this as the democratisation of manner: delivery high ( eR ) manner to low ( Er ) income shoppers. Harmonizing to James Hurley. a senior research analyst with New York-based Telsey Advisory Group LLC. big-box price reduction shops such as Target and Wal-Mart are emulating Zara’s ability to analyze emerging manners and strike hard out look-a- likes in a affair of hebdomads. â€Å"In general: ’ Hurley said. â€Å"the manner rhythm is going sharper and more instantly accessible. † In Fast Fashion. Moments Matter Because style-savvy clients expect shorter and shorter holds from track to hive away. Zara International employs a originative squad of more than 200 professionals to assist it maintain up with the latest manners. It takes merely two hebdomads for the company to up-date bing garments and acquire them into its shops ; new pieces hit the market twice a hebdomad. Defying the recession with its cheap-and-chic Zara vesture concatenation. Zara’s parent company Inditex posted strong gross revenues additions. Low monetary values and a rapid response to manner tendencies are enabling it to dispute Gap. Inc. . for top ranking among planetary vesture sellers. The improved consequences highlight how Zara’s expression continues to work even in the economic downswing. The concatenation specializes in lightning-quick turnarounds of the latest interior decorator tendencies at monetary values tailored to the young- about $ 27 an point. Louis Vuitton manner manager Daniel Piette described Zara as â€Å"possibly the most advanced and lay waste toing retail merchant in the universe. † Inditex Group shortens the clip from order to arrival by using a complex system of just-in-time production and stock list coverage that keeps Zara in front. Their distribution centres can hold points in European shops within 24 hours of having an order. and in American and Asian shops in under 48hours. â€Å"They’re a antic instance survey in footings of how they manage to acquire merchandise to their shops so quick’ . ’ said Stacey Cartwright. CFO of Burberry Group PLC. We are aware of their techniques. † lnditex’s history in cloths fabricating made it good concern sense to internalise as many points in the supply concatenation as possible. Inditex controls design. production. distribution. and retail gross revenues to optimise the flow of goods. without holding to portion net incomes with jobbers or intermediary spouses. Customers win by holding entree to new manners while they’re still fresh off the track. During a Madonna concert circuit in Spain. Zara’s speedy turnaround Lashkar-e-Taiba immature fans at the last show wear Madonna’s outfit from the first 1. Twice a hebdomad Zara’s finished garments are shipped to logistical centres that all at the same time distribute merchandises to shops worldwide. These little production batches help the company avoid the hazard of glut. Because batches ever contain new merchandises. Zara’s shops perpetually energize their stock lists. Most vesture lines are A Single Fashion Culture With a web of over 1. 600 shops around the universe. Zara International is Indites’s largest and most profitable trade name. conveying home 77 % of international gross revenues and about 67 % of grosss. The first Zara mercantile establishment opened store in 1975 in La. Coruna. It remained entirely a Spanish concatenation until opening a shop in Oporto. Portugal. in 1988. The trade name reached the United States and France in 1989 and 1990 with mercantile establishments in New York and Paris. severally. Zara went into mainland China in 2001 and expanded into India in 2009. Essential to Zara’s growing and success are lnditex’s 100 plus textile design. fabrication. and distribution companies that employ more than 80. 000 workers. The lnditex group began in 1963 when Amancio Ortega Gaona. president and laminitis of Inditex. got his start in fabric fabrication. After a period of growing. he assimilated Zara into a new keeping company. Industria de Diseno TextiI. Inditex has a tried-andtrue scheme for come ining new markets: start with a smattering of shops and derive a critical mass of clients. Generally. Zara is the first lnditex concatenation to interrupt land in new states. paving the manner for the group’s other trade names. including Pull and Bear. Massimo Dutti. and Bershka. lnditex farms out much of its garment production to specialist companies. located on the Iberian Peninsula. which it frequently supplies with its ain cloths. Although some pieces and cloths are purchased in Asia- many of them non dyed or merely partially finished- the company manufactures about half of its vesture in its hometown of La Coruna. Spain. H A ; M. one of Zara’s top rivals. uses a somewhat different scheme. Around one one-fourth of its stock is made up of fast-fashion points that are designed in-house and farmed out to independent mills. As at Zara. these points move rapidly through the shops and are replaced frequently by fresh designs. But H A ; M besides keeps a big stock list of basic. mundane points sourced from inexpensive Asiatic mills. lnditex CEO Pablo Isla believes in cutting disbursals wheresoever and whenever possible. Zara spends merely 0. 3 % of gross revenues on ads. doing the 3-4 % typically spent by challengers seem inordinate in comparing. Isla disdains markdowns and gross revenues every bit good. Few can knock the consequences of Isla’s frugalness. Inditex late opened 439 shops in a individual twelvemonth and was at the same time named Retailer of the Year during the World Retailer Congress meeting. after raking in net net incomes of about $ 2 billion. Possibly most of import in an industry based on image. Inditex secured boasting rights as Europe’s largest manner retail merchant by catching H A ; M. Harmonizing to Jose Castellano. lnditex’s deputy president. the group plans to duplicate in size in the coming old ages while doing gross revenues of more than $ 15 billion. He envisions most of this growing taking topographic point in Europe- especially in trend-savvy Italy. Manner of the Moment Although Inditex’s laterality of fast manner seems virtually complete. it isn’t without its challenges. For case. maintaining production so close to place becomes hard when an ncreasing figure of Zara shops are widespread across the Earth. â€Å"The efficiency of the supply concatenation is coming under more force per unit area the farther abroad they go’ . ’ notes Nirmalya Kumar. a professor at London Business Schoo1. Inditex plans to establish its Zara online shop in the United States in 2011. Ther e is every indicant that it will make good. A Zara application for the iPhone has been downloaded by more prospective clients in the United States than in any other market. harmonizing to main executive Pablo Isla- more than a million iPhone users in merely three months. In 2010 Zara rolled out its online shop in six European states and programs to increasingly add the staying states where Zara operates. Analysts worry that lnditex’s rapid enlargement may convey undue force per unit area to its concern. The lifting figure of abroad shops. they warn. adds cost and complexness and is striving its operations. Inditex may no longer be able to pull off everything from Spain. But Inditex isn’t worried. By closely pull offing costs. lnditex says its current logistics system can manage its growing until 2012. Jose Luis Nueno of IESE. a concern school in Barcelona. agrees that Zara is here to remain. Consumers have become more demanding and more arbitrary. he says- and fast manner is better suited to these alterations. But does Zara International have what it takes to win in the hypercompetitive universe of fast manner? Or is the company seeking to spread out excessively rapidly? 1. In what ways are elements of the classical direction and behavioural direction attacks evident at Zara International? Specify precisely which elements are apparent and how they are apparent. 2. How can the systems theory and the theory of eventuality believing explicate the success of some of Zara’s typical patterns? List specific points as to how these theories are straight or indirectly related to Zara’s patterns. 3. Zara’s CEO has asked your direction consulting house for advice on how the house can do immediate betterments to remain in front of competition. You must take one of the advisers mentioned in Chapter 2 for this occupation ( antique: Frederick Taylor. Max Weber. Mary Parker Follett ) . Which one/s would you delegate to Zara. and why? Explain your option in item by discoursing precisely what points of the â€Å"consultant† from his/her well-known theories are applicable to Zara and how these may be applied to the company in modern twenty-four hours. . Discuss each of your suggested â€Å"improvements† for Zara in item. ( More specific information. illustrations ) . 5. Gather the latest information on competitory tendencies in the dress industry. and on Zara’s latest actions and inventions. Then answer the followers: a. Is the house go oning to make good? What makes you say so? ( List statistics of competition. reappraisals. etc. Cite sources. ) B. Is Zara accommodating in ways needed to remain abreast of both its major competition and the force per unit areas of a altering planetary economic system? What makes you say so?

The eNotes Blog 15 Books to Give You theFeels

15 Books to Give You theFeels Lets face it: sometimes you need to cry it out. Sometimes youre in the mood for a lighthearted beach-read, and thats all well and good, but there are other times when youre looking for a deep story that can really get you going and start the tears flowing. Then again, even if youre not the kind of person who cries a lot (there are some who express their emotions in other ways, to be sure), then at the very least, we can all but guarantee youll find yourself moved by the following titles. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Set in Nazi Germany, it sadly makes sense that this story would take on the figure of Death as its unusual narrator. Through this dark narrators eyes, the reader follows the story of a young girl enamored with words, a Jewish boy in hiding, a new mother, and an accordion-playing man as they fight for safety and survival during WWII. When a book basically opens with the line youre going to die you can bet it will either be scary or moving- in this case, the latter. The Art of Racing in the Rain  by Garth Stein This novel is told from the point of view of a dog, so you can assume right off the bat that its going to be open, honest, and probably bittersweet. The story starts on the last day of our furry protagonists life, and we are treated to the recollections of his life. Its a story of love, loss, family, and a man fighting for his daughter. Undoubtedly, its a sad story, but all the same its strangely very uplifting. A must-read for dog lovers anywhere and everywhere. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini By the same author who brought us The  Kite Runner,  A Thousand Splendid Suns is about a young, Afghani woman named Mariam. Mariam, like so many living in troubled areas, is struck with one hardship after another: an abusive father who marries her to an abusive man more than twenty years her senior and an invasion by the Soviet Army, to name a couple. A realistic portrayal of pain and strength, this novel is bound to make you empathize not only with Mariam, but also feel empowered by her strength through all she faces. My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult If you want a story about some complicated family issues, then this is the story for you. Thirteen-year-old Anna Fitzgerald is born into impossible circumstances: her older sister is dying of advanced leukemia, and it has become more and more painfully clear that Anna was conceived with the intent of being a genetic match for  her sister, so that she can provide transplant organs. Of course, it isnt that cut-and-dried, and when Anna seeks medical emancipation from her parents, the entire family is forced to look into their values and determine what really matters. Me Before You by Jojo Moyer *Chances are, youve seen some previews for the new movie adaptation of this one* Lou, a former barista, finds work as a caretaker for a recently disabled, extraordinarily wealthy man. As one could imagine, the two eventually form a bond, falling in love through a series of moving encounters. Basically, as you read, you think the evolution of their romance is predictable, until all of a sudden it isnt. The two must struggle through an  impossible decision, the results of which will lead to unhappiness for one of them. As Buzzfeed reader NormaZ says, It gets your hopes up and then it crushes you like an Oreo. The Known World by Edward P. Jones Set in a tumultuous period  of American history, readers get more than a glimpse into the facets of slavery and slave ownership. Though Jones follows the lives of multiple characters, the storys primary focus is on Henry Townsend, a former slave turned slave owner who believes he would be a much better master than the white man Until he becomes one. We the Animals by Justin Torres We the Animals, though a novel, reads somewhat like a collection of short stories, with each section focusing on a different animalistic metaphor for the characters family dynamic and providing a glimpse into the life of the narrator. The story centers on three brothers living with their Puerto Rican father and white mother as they struggle through poverty. An amazing coming-of-age story, we watch as the boys grow and learn the difference between wanting more and achieving more. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy Two fraternal twin boys, raised by a single mother in an India rife with conflict,  The God of Small Things first breaks down its characters and its readers with a string of events leading to the characters  disenchantment with life. The boys, once optimistic and in love with the world that surrounded them, find themselves facing cruel, life-changing realities and must find a way to make their peace once again. Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala Following the tsunami that struck Sri Lanka, the author and protagonist, Sonali, discovered that her entire family, their home, and all of their belongings had been lost in the tragedy. While the story is heart-wrenching and emotional all on its own, Deraniyagalas telling is full of imagery and written in a raw voice guaranteed to make you feel the loss and eventual recovery she went through. Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel Garcà ­a Mrquez Always one to take on the surreal, Mrquez lives up to his reputation with a simultaneous look into medicine and religious beliefs and ritual as wielded by the 19th century Catholic Church. A young girl begins acting strangely and violently and is believed by her family to be suffering from demonic possession brought about by a dog bite. The young priest sent to perform  the girls exorcism finds himself in love, in spite of her behavioral abnormalities. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls *Personal Review: I love this book* An unusual love story,  Where the Red Fern Grows  is a tale about a boy who loves his dogs as members of the family. After saving money for years, the youth purchases his pups, Old Dan and Little Ann, and trains them to be some of the best raccoon hunters in the county. Its a story of inspiration, perseverance, family, and a boy and his beloved dogs. Its hard to write too much about this story and what makes it so poignant without giving away the story, but if you like dogs, you will love this book. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez Historical fiction at its finest,  In the Time of the Butterflies is a fictional account of the true story of the Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic. In the 1960s, the sisters were powerful activists, members of the underground movement opposing dictator Raphael Trujillo. The sisters were eventually found to have been ambushed and assassinated in their car, thus darkly emphasizing their political influence in the activists movement. If youre interested in history and political upheaval, this is a book for you. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton A realistic, gritty story  of what life in a street gang was like during the 1960s in the United States. We are allowed  into the lives of the Greasers and their conflict with a rival gang over  the course of just a couple of days. In that brief period, we are made privy to murder, extortion, loyalty, and friendship in the most unlikely of places. Night by Elie Wiesel Another tale of WWII,  Night provides an unflinching look into the concentration camps and the sadistic tendencies of Nazis and their supporters. The book is an autobiographical account by Wiesel, detailing his survival as a teenager in a Nazi death camp. Readers feel the fear and dread of everyday torment, perversions, and hopelessness that plagued the inhabitants of Auschwitz and Buchenwald. Its a horribly upsetting story, but that in no way makes it any less worth reading. Brother, Im Dying by Edwidge Danticat Another autobiographical account, this book is about the life of a girl living with her uncle in Haiti, waiting for her parents in the United States to send for her. Over time, she becomes greatly attached to her uncle, a local preacher, and when he is diagnosed with throat cancer, she is understandably distraught and  searches  for a way to save his life. After determining that his best hope lies in American medical care, Edwidge  and her family do their best to negotiate everyone into the country. What follows is a story of familial devotion and unfortunate government oppression.