Tiger Airways Marketing Strategy

Sample details Pages: 10 Words: 3140 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Statistics Essay Did you like this example? Executive Summary Since the late of last century, the business model of low cost airline represented by Southwest Airlines has been spreading all over the world, has influence and changed the framework and development of the world airline industry. This report is the analysis of the youngest airlines companies of Low Cost Carriers (LCC) Tiger Airwayss marketng strategy. Firstly, it is focused on the macro environmental factors affecting Tiger Airways. Next, it analyzes the competitors including direct and indirect competitors to point out the competitive advantage of Tiger Airways. Finally, this report is focused on the core competence analysis of Tiger Airways. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Tiger Airways Marketing Strategy | Marketing Dissertations" essay for you Create order 1. Introduction The low cost carrier is an airline that offers generally low fares in exchange for eliminating many traditional passenger services. The concept originated in the United States and subsequently spread to much of the rest of the world. The term originated within the airline industry referring to airlines with a lower operating cost structure than their competitors. The first successful low cost carrier was Pacific Southwest Airlines in the United States, which pioneered the concept in 1949, then this concept has been incorrectly given to Southwest Airlines which began service in 1971 and has been profitable every year since 1973.[1] Today, the low cost carrier model is applicable worldwide. One of the famous and successful airlines is Tiger Airways. Tiger Airways Private Limited is a low-cost airline which set up their headquarters in Singapores Changi International Airport. It is operated by one of the premium airlines in the world (Singapore Airline). The parent company is Tiger Aviation Private Limited that consists of The Tiger Singapore and Tiger Australia, Incheon Tiger Airways with slogan Get The Real Deal. The company was established from December 2003 to September 15, the 2004 maiden voyage.[2] It is currently the largest low cost airline operating in Singapore in terms of the amount passengers. Tiger Airways is Asia Pacifics true low fare airline. It offers the lowest fares of passenger safety and convenience of air travel. Tiger Airways from Singapore in September 2004 brought in two aircrafts in its fleet, the network of three routes. In the four years of operation, the operation of Tiger Airways from Singapore and Melbourne bases, base and third-party action in Adelaide in early 2009. Tiger Airways currently fly to over 25 destinations in nine countries in Asia. In only one year (2006), the airline served 1.2 million passengers; it is a growth of seventy five percent compared to the previous year. [3] Through the internet (the public and agents), it accounts for seventy five percent of Tiger Airways seats sold. In other words, passenger book from call centers and airport outlets accounts for twenty five percent. This indicates that the low cost carrier (LCC) model uses online marketing and technology to reduce operating costs is working. [4] 2. Macro-Environmental analysis 2.1 Technology Singapore is a technology driven country. From wireless internet to escalators, advanced technology is found everywhere in the country. People use technology here for the better quality of their lives. Under the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), [emailprotected]/* */ is a government initiative to build Singapores infocomm infrastructure. Working through IDAs call-for-collaboration, SingTel, QMax and iCell deploy a municipal wireless network throughout Singapore. Internet based booking adopted by Tiger Airways is one of the technological benefits. E-ticketing is the fastest way of booking tickets in the 21st century. Tiger Airways attracts most of its customers online. In addition, Tiger Airways operations are based on high-technology, and the company is constantly striving to bring customers the best services available in the industry in terms of operational efficiency, reliability and safety.According to industry standards, the on-time departure is the one that departs from the designated bay less than 15 minutes from the scheduled departure time.[5] That means they are not only doing their every effort to ensure that their planes leave on time (and get customers there on time), but also remain in tiptop condition as well, thus, customers will always get the same great experience that have come to expect, every time. 2.2 Demographic and economic The population in Singapore has increased and the visitors coming into Singapore has also increased. According to government statistics, the population of Singapore was 4.84 million in 2008, of whom 3.64 million were Singaporean citizens and permanent residents.[6] Singapore has one of the world largest GDP growths, which means that the people in Singapore are growing richer with higher rate of success. Singapore has a highly developed market which has historically revolved around extensive exports trade, in other words an export driven economy hugely dependant on export of goods to other countries. Along with Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, Singapore is one of the Four Asian Tigers countries. The economy depends heavily on exports and refining imported goods, especially in manufacturing. Moreover, Singapore is also a popular travel destination making tourism one of its largest industries. There were about 7.8 million tourists visited Singapore in 2006.[7] It has also indirectly resulted in booming development of aviation industry. Singapore gets its revenue mainly through tourism and most of people coming from different nearby countries prefer these types of airline for their short travel. 2.3 Governmental Political forces are one of the most important factors for budget or low cost airlines. Forty nine percent of the shares of Tiger Airways are owned by Singapore Airlines (SIA). The chairman of the Singapore airlines belongs to the advisory council of the president which gives an added advantage to expand their network relationships with other airlines and countries. Singapore has a successful and transparent market economy. Government linked companies are dominant in various sectors of the local economy, such as utilities, media, and public transport. Singapore has consistently been rated as the least corrupt country in Asia and among the worlds 10 most free from corruption by Transparency International.[8] Apart from that, the Economic Development Board (EDB) together with the Information Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) aim to make Singapore the regions major center. Their purpose is to promote Singapore as a compelling location for companies across the entire industry value chain; creating a self-reinforcing, inter-dependent ecosystem that will continuously attract talent, capital, ideas, and enterprises to create international products and services from Singapore. [9] 2.4 Cultural Singapore is a mixture of an ethnic Malay population with a Chinese majority, as well as Indian and Arab immigrants. There also exist significant Eurasian and Peranakan who are known also as Straits Chinese communities. Around 78,000 people work in the media in Singapore, including publishing, music, broadcasting, print, film, digital and IT media sectors. The industry contributed 1.56% to Singapores gross domestic product (GDP) in 2001 with an annual turnover of S$10 billion. The industry grew at an average rate of 7.7% annually from 1990 to 2000, and the government seeks to increase its GDP contribution to three percent by 2012.[10] Singaporean cuisine is an example of diversity and cultural diffusion, with influences from Chinese, Indian, Malay and Tamil cuisine. In Singapores hawker centres, traditionally Malay hawker stalls selling halal food may serve halal versions of traditionally Tamil food. Chinese food stalls may introduce indigenous Malay ingredients or cooking techniques. This continues to make the cuisine of Singapore a significant cultural attraction. That is one of reasons why Singapore is a popular tourist country. 3. Competitive analysis The cost of competition in airline industry is high. Tiger Airways, due to its low cost nature, has cut throat competition with the rival airlines like Virgin Blue and Jetstar. The industry growth is average for switching between airline companies which brings more convenience to the customers. The fixed cost is high for the Tiger Airlines and there is opportunity for it to sell unsold seats cheaply which results in pricing wars between the rivals. Tiger Airways competes in terms of price technology, customer services, in-flight entertainments and many more areas. 3.1 Comparison of Tiger Airways with Direct Competitors Air Asia: Air Asia is a low cost airline based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This is the first airline in the region providing ticketless travel and implementing comprehensive unassigned seats. With the domestic and international flight reservation Air Asia operates 656 flights daily, 102 routes to 57 destinations in 12 countries.[11] Destinations Covered: Air Asia covers fifty seven destinations as Tiger Airways which covers only nineteen destinations. It covers three times more than Tiger Airways. Cost Analysis: Air Asia is approximately thirty percent more expensive as compared to Tiger Airways. For example, Tiger Airways ticket to Phuket is seventy two SGD whereas Air Asia charges one hundred and ten SGD. Air Asia charges one hundred and seventy SGD to Bangkok whereas Tiger Airways charges one hundred and thirty SGD. Baggage Allowance: Tiger Airways allows a maximum of fifteen Kg check in luggage and charges 25 SGD whereas Air Asia charges 7.50 SGD. Air India Express: Air India express is Indias first international airline that offers great value for money and provides convenient connectivity in the short range routes. Air India Express and Tiger Airways both connect India to Singapore and vice versa through Chennai.[12] Destinations Covered: Air India covers ten international destinations whereas Tiger Airways covers nineteen destinations. Cost Analysis: Air India Express is more expensive than Tiger Airways, for example, Air India charges 306 SGD to Chennai whereas Tiger Airways charges 269 SGD to Chennai. Baggage Allowance: Air India allows a certain limit of free of charge baggage whereas Tiger Airways only allows seven Kg of free hand baggage. Lion Air: Lion Air is Indonesias largest private carrier and Asias first hybrid carrier which offers both economy and business class seating. It operates scheduled passenger services on an extensive domestic network from Jakarta to forty destinations with 210 daily flights as of May 2008.[13] Destinations Covered: Lion Air covers 7 international destinations whereas Tiger Airways covers 19 destinations. Cost Analysis: Lion Airways is a little cheaper as compared to Tiger Airways. For example, Lion Airways charges 89 SGD for a ticket to Ho Chi Minh City whereas tiger airways charges 102 SGD. Baggage allowance: Free baggage allowance by Lion airs is 20kilos for economy class and 30kilos for business class whereas tiger allows only 7 kilos. 3.2 Tiger airways facing Indirect Competitors: Indirect competition includes trains and buses as other means of transport to reach a destination. Land transport that includes trains and buses are the indirect competition to air travel because they permit far greater capacity and frequency of service which is not possible by aircraft and their schedules are less interrupted by bad weather than airlines. Tiger Airways covers destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Phuket and other destinations where are also accessible through other means of transportations such as trains and buses. Trains and buses hence are an indirect competition because of various reasons, such as time, price, and luggage allowed to carry, etc,. For example: 1. Tiger Airways has daily flights to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok from Singapore but the frequency of buses from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur are ten times more. 2. Tiger Airways charges 59 SGD for a one way ticket from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur whereas the bus charges 33 SGD. However there are few buses such as Transnational Express which costs 15 SGD. Therefore, the ticket price varies depending on the type of bus passengers choose and the place from where passengers board the bus. A slower, costlier, but more comfortable way to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, would be by rail. To Kuala Lumpur there are two day time trains and one over night sleeper train daily. The charges vary depending on the seat passengers choose. For instance, if passengers choose a first class seat it will cost approximately 28 SGD whereas a second class seat would cost around 14 SGD. 3. Tiger Airways charges 131 SGD for a one way ticket from Singapore to Bangkok and the train charges approximately 82 SGD for second class sleeper. However there is no direct train from Singapore to Bangkok. Therefore, passengers have to change minimum two to three trains further down to Bangkok. Obviously, convenience of travel is a known fact as traveling by air is the fastest means of transportation as compared to any other means. Basically for an airlines industry the main substitutes are travelling by train, bus or car to any desired destination. The various factors affecting these substitutes are money, convenience and time. However Tiger Airlines being price sensitive lures many travelers away from these substitutes. Thus, the cost is the key consideration for many travelers. The competitive possession of tiger airlines is affected by the bargaining power of the buyers. The potential buyers can put a lot of pressure on airline business which further affects its price, volume and profit margin. Tiger Airlines flying from the Gold Coast airport is competing for the same customer, which in turn is strengthening the buying power. A lot of buyers are attracted to tiger airlines as it main strength is its price. The threaten route for Tiger Airlines in the future is determined by the existing barriers to entry. Cost of entry is the biggest barrier. The cost of buying and leasing aircrafts, safety and security measures, customer services and man power is high. Tiger Airways itself a new entrant in the Airline industry has added a lot to the competition. This means a major constraint on the profit margin for the Airline industry. 4. Core Competences Analysis In order to satisfy the visitors on the Asia-Pacific region, Tiger Airways relies on low fares and the reliable regional air services. That is a true low fare airline which operates on three customer-focused core strategies: First of all, market stimulation. Tiger Airlines creates opportunities for new travelers and empowering budget conscious people to fly more often by making travel affordable with its consistent low fares. Tiger Airlines facilitates its processes of providing effective consumer service by online sales services, they provide hotel accommodation for the passengers, car rental and travel insurance benefits to passengers online. Huge response is generated by the consumers through the process of online sales as the number of seats booked online is increasing year after year. Services provided to travelers with benefits like offering them more options in terms of increased capacity in routes. Tiger Airlines is still under process of opening more travel options for the employees. Secondly, Tiger realized the importance of stringent cost control through their operations, so that they can keep our fares consistently low for travelers. Tiger Airways empowers budget conscious people to fly more often by making travel affordable with its consistent low fares. The market share of the airlines has increased due to the low price. Tiger airways offered 100,000 seats at 9.95 for Australian destinations. To book return flights from Melbourne at Mackay at 49.95 per flight and there were no server problems as in the case of Jet star. They charge $30 for exit row seats and $8 for all other seats. Thirdly, capacity utilization maximizes the number of sectors served by their aircraft per day with efficient air traffic planning. Tiger Airways has effective workforces, who work diligently to make the airlines a success. With the increase in the number of phone customers, due to good salesmanship done by the employees working in the call centers, the airline has decided to increase the number of staff in call centers. Generally the tickets are sold online or in airports. After sale services like delivering the purchased ticket at the house of customers adds to its marketing strategy. Moreover, Tiger Airways seeks to act as a good corporate citizen at all times and undertakes contributions and sponsorship programs as part of its partnership with the community. For example, it is currently making conscious efforts to conserve wildlife and sponsors the upkeep of Winnie, a white Tiger at the Singapore Zoological Gardens for the purpose of conservation, education and recreation Tiger Airways business model is based on the success of Ryanair, which uses a very low cost competitive basis, the basis of low fares. It also involves examining every aspect of the business, in an effort to eliminate non-essential costs, but it will not cut any corner of the passenger safety and on time. However, Tiger Airways should be constantly looking for good business opportunities available to the market. For example, one glaring advantage of using YouTube is that it serves 100 million videos per day. No matter what YouTube content (unlicensed, kids falling of skateboards, etc), thats a huge number and there are tremendous opportunities for Tiger Airways to benefit in order to reach such a huge audience for any business opportunities. Changes in technology and markets on both a broad and narrow scale are opportunities that Tiger Airways can also utilize. According to Forrester Research, online consumer auction sales will reach US$65 billion by 2010. This is almost one-fifth of all online retail sales. The growth of high speed broadband, and the number of online users, has opened new windows of opportunity for reaching viewers. The aims is to find the most effective internet advertising techniques for making full use of the internets, rapidly expanding, global marketplace. 5. Conclusion Based on above analysis, it can be seen clearly that Tigers success is no accident. It is based on their effective correct marketing strategies and operation performance. Although Tiger Airway is a successful company and has achieved good brand recognition widely, it still has much to improve in order to maintain the momentum it has generated over five years in operation. From the research point of view, with the marketing mix audit, I m able to identify and provide suggestions based on the aspects which we feel have to be improved, reinforced, developed to be the most effective. Besides that, I get an obvious view of the marketing strategies employed by Tiger Airways through the macro, competitive and core analysis. Reference [1] The History of PSA, https://www.jetpsa.com/index/history.html [2] Company Overview, https://www.tigerairways.com/sg/en/about_us.php [3] Tiger Airways sees 75% jump in number of passengers. Channel NewsAsia, Janauary 2007 [4] Tiger Airways new Advertising Campaign sees sales up more than 60%, 26 October 2005, https://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/2610-Advertising.shtml [5] On-Time Performance, https://www.tigerairways.com/id/en/on_time_performance.php [6] Singapore Statistic, https://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/keyind.html#popnarea. [7] Record Year As Tourism Exceeds 2006 Targets With S$12.4 Billion Tourism Receipts And 9.7 Million Visitor Arrivals, https://app.stb.gov.sg/asp/new/new03a.asp?id=6243 [8] Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2006. https://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi. Retrieved on 2007-02-03. [9] Singapore Paves the Way as Trusted Global E-Commerce Hub https://www.ida.gov.sg/News%20and%20Events/20060926094702.aspx?getPagetype=20 [10] Media 21: Transforming Singapore into a Global Media City. Media Development Authority Singapore (PDF). Retrieved on 17/09/06 [11] AirAsia, https://www.budgetairlineguide.com/airasia [12] Air India Express, https://www.airindiaexpress.in/airindiaexpress/Home.asp [13] Lion Air, https://w3.lionair.co.id/ [14] Tiger Airways, https://www.tigerairways.com/sg/ [15] Cheap Airline Tickets! https://www.kipaddotta.com/travel/cheap-airline-tickets.html [16] Gross, S./Schroeder, A. (Eds.): Handbook of Low Cost Airlines Strategies, Business Processes and Market Environment, Berlin 2007

John Locke, Mill, And Rousseau - 946 Words

The state is a political consortium consisting of citizens that establish a community with a purpose or objective in the concern of it’s affiliates. In many cases, the government requires us to adhere to certain edicts and mandates according to their adjudication. Should we in fact comply with these ordinances? Why must we obey the state? Is there are a reason compelling enough to do what others say is best? I will be looking at the beliefs of Locke, Mill, and Rousseau to help answer the inquiry. I believe that we should not have to submit to an authority under any circumstances. What is a life worth living if you do not have the entitlement to disenthrallment? There is no rationale in duress. Citizens are independent people regardless of†¦show more content†¦There is also very good opportunity for corruption of the government if they have the power to persuade their followers that their ill intentioned requests are God’s word. Blindly following the herd becaus e of your devotion to faith is, quite frankly, one of the most uninformed decisions you could possibly make. John Stuart Mill was an enormously influential philosopher in nineteenth century Britain. Unlike Locke, he was to a greater extent focused on utilitarianism and harm reduction. (Heydt, 2006) Utilitarianism, or the doctrine that actions are right and moral if they benefit the majority, should compel the person to do the â€Å"right thing†. When an action is right, it promotes positive reaction among the individuals and if it is wrong, it will do the opposite. (Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 2015) Everything considered, Mill opined following the state was the morally right thing to do. But realistically, how many people would consider giving up their own personal gain for the gain of others? Humans are fairly gluttonous beings and to expect them to give up what matters to them in the interest of others is not a viable option. Not only is this an issue, but if something is detrimental to one or more persons in the group, would it not be ruinous to the community as a whole by upsett ing the balance and tenor of an area within the community? What

Traditional and Nontraditional Litigation free essay sample

Even though there are differences between the traditional litigation system and the nontraditional forms of ADR there is situations that call for both types of these litigation systems to be used in conjunction with each other. The following document compares and contrasts the traditional litigation system and the nontraditional forms of ADR. The document also examines the risks that businesses encounter when dealing with traditional litigation and when ADR might be a more appropriate measure in order for business mangers to reduce those risks. Traditional Litigation One of the main similarities of the traditional litigation system and the nontraditional forms of ADR consists of the common objective to resolve an issue between two parties. The traditional and nontraditional litigation systems require representation by an attorney or a mediator. Occasionally a mediator or an arbitrator is needed for both situations. An array of traditional and nontraditional litigations forms exists depending on the circumstances of the case. Traditional litigation systems involve suit, answer, discovery, trial, and jury. According to Barron, (2013) â€Å"The traditional litigation system, the civil suit officially commences with the filing of a complaint in court by the plaintiff† (para. 2). The defendant has 21 days from the time which he or she is served the summons to file an answer to the plaintiff. Answer An answer is when the defendant serves and responds back to the plaintiff in writing. According to Cheeseman, (2010) â€Å"In the answer, the defendant admits or denies the allegations contained in the plaintiff’s complaint† (p. 35). If the defendant denies these allegations then the case continues on. Discovery After the complaint and answer have been filed with the court a discovery will be executed. According to Cheeseman, (2010) â€Å"During discovery, each party engages in various activities to discover facts of the case from the other party and witnesses prior to trial† (p. 38). The discovery is performed with the court’s supervision and the parties involved voluntarily exchange documents and information related to the issues in the suit. Both parties use the discovery process to help them prepare for the trial, protect evidence, save time, and settle the case. Trial The plaintiff and the defendant have the right to a fair jury trial conducted in the federal court. The parties submit to the judge a trial brief that involves legal arguments for each of them regarding the case. The jury acquires the facts in the trial. According to Barron, (2013) â€Å"The jury assesses the credibility of witnesses and makes a determination of whether the plaintiff has met the burden of proof† (para. ). Jury The jurors are required and are selected to speak and seek out the truth in every case they are involved in. The attorneys for the plaintiff and the defendant are permitted to ask potential jurors questions to establish if the individual would be biased with their decisions. After the jury is selected the individuals swear in and the trial is ready to start. Risks of Traditional Litigation There are several risks businesses e ncounter when dealing with traditional litigation. According to Foster, (2013) â€Å"Lawyers’ fees alone can be substantial for a business engaged in an ongoing lawsuit, but businesses must also worry about the time spent preparing for a suit, the emotional toll of long-term litigation, and the eventual risk to the business of a substantial monetary loss† (para. 1). Losing is always a risk when using traditional litigation. Other risks are loss of trading secrets or proprietary information, and a bad reputation for the organization. Nontraditional Litigation of ADR According to Barron, (2013) â€Å"Because the expense and time-consuming nature of litigation, many parties elect to settle disputes by using ADR techniques such as arbitration and mediation† (para. 4). Other methods of ADR are negotiation, conciliation, mini-trial, fact-finding, and using a judicial referee. Arbitration Arbitration is commonly used by most businesses. With arbitration the parties involved selects an impartial third party to listen to both sides and determines an award to the dispute. The rules of arbitration are similar to the discovery process of traditional litigation. According to Cheeseman, (2010) â€Å"At the arbitration, the parties can call witnesses to give testimony, introduce evidence to support their case, and refute the other side’s case† (p. 45). Binding arbitration is when both parties agree prior to the procedure to bind the resolution and award made by the arbitrator that cannot be appealed by the court. Mediation According to Barron, (2013) â€Å"Mediation is a process where the mediator uses conflict-resolution skills, and actively encourages the parties to reach a compromise or mutually satisfactory settlement without recourse to the court system† (para. ). The mediator helps both parties to discuss the case by stressing the strengths and weaknesses of each side of the case offering opinions about the settlement. The mediator then sets up separate meetings with each party to discuss settlement offers for both sides. According to Cheeseman, (2010) â€Å"If the parties agree to a settlement, a settlement agreeme nt is drafted that expresses their agreement and this ends the dispute† (p. 45). If both parties cannot agree on a settlement they may hoose to seek judicial resolution within the traditional litigation system. Negotiation Similar to traditional litigation, â€Å"in a negotiation, the parties, are often represented by attorneys, who negotiate with each other to try to reach an agreeable solution to their dispute† (p. 44). Negotiations may either occur prior to filing the suit or after. Negotiations may also be used first before using other methods of ADR. With negotiations both parties draft settlement offers and counteroffers. Another similarity between negotiation and traditional litigation is attorneys may acquire information to help settle the dispute. Using ADR to Reduce Risks ADR can alleviate and reduce numerous risks to help companies and managers resolve disputes other than using the traditional litigation system. Some methods of ADR may be quicker than using the traditional litigation system. The company may arrange mediation actions sooner than waiting for a court hearing. The traditional litigation system may risk making a bad situation worse for both parties. It could position one side against the other where there is a winner and a loser. By using the appropriate ADR to resolve the issue businesses can help preserve a continuous working relationship with the other company. ADR is also financially cheaper than taking a lawsuit to court. The costs of ADR options may differ depending on the circumstance and the types used, but most are low-cost. With some forms of ADR each party involved may pay their own costs of the ADR. Unlike traditional litigation where the losing company must pay the other party’s costs. Conclusion When a business has a legal dispute there are two ways they can resolve the issue traditional litigation and nontraditional forms of ADR. The traditional litigation system and the nontraditional forms of ADR have several similarities as well as differences. Which ever system the business chooses to use there is advantages and disadvantages to each litigation process. Business mangers must asses the risks involved and choose the appropriate litigation procedure to resolve the dispute. References Barron, J. (2013). What is the Meaning of Traditional Litigation. Retrieved from http://www. ehow. com/about_6521858_meaning-traditional-litigation-system_. html Cheeseman, H. R. (2010). Business law: Legal environment, online commerce, business ethics, and international issues (7th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Foster, W. (2013). Business Risks of Traditional Litigation. Retrieved from http://www. ehow. com/info_8488645_business-risks-traditional-litigation. html

The Comedy of Stephen Crow Essay Example For Students

The Comedy of Stephen Crow Essay Enter the second decade of 21th century; Stephen Chow’s new movie Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons has won more than two hundred million dollars box-office, which became the second best-sold film in Chinese film history. Stephen Chow and his comedy style once again became the focus that media and people pay attention to. Stephen Chow, this name may be not that familiar to western audiences. However, as a comedian, Chow began as an extra for the television station. He became quite well known for his movie The Final Combat (1989). After this, he initiated his â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† comedy style. We will write a custom essay on The Comedy of Stephen Crow specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now He created more than 30 comedian characters in 1990’s Hong Kong film and became Hong Kongs undisputed No. 1 comedian. As a director, his â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† comedy style became more meaningful and serious. His films again and again refresh the box-office. Time magazine once said he is the hero of Asian, because his films not only rescued Hong Kong film market in 1990’s but also reflected part of Asian culture in that period. This research is focus on his comedy style, especially â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† style and its influence. â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† is a Cantonese term that may be loosely translated as â€Å"with no source†, but is generally used to mean â€Å"makes no sense†. Regarded as an integral part of Hong Kongs popular culture, it is considered by some as being unique and untranslatable. Compared to Wacky Comedy film for a Western cousin, â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† movies have a greater attention on puns and other Cantonese word tricks1. Mo Lei Tau is not just funny, the funny thing actually implies a profound cultural connotations. Through the odd funny Mo Lei Tau way of expression, his films convey his profound thinking of modern circumstance. As for â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† comedy, which is characterized by a â€Å"nobody† protagonist, happy ending, golden straight men, post-modernism and serious topics, etc. In this research, three Stephen Chow’s classical movies will be used to analysis its style. A Chinese Odyssey (1995), King of Comedy (1999) and Kong Fu Hustle (2004) are three representative works. In these three films, â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† style’s characteristics are distinct and remembered by all audiences. A â€Å"Nobody† Protagonist Almost each Stephen Chow’s movie has a â€Å"nobody† protagonist. The roles Stephen Chow plays in these movies are always common, ordinary, even inferior which are close in identity and cognition to us that could express our inner voice and appeal covertly, implicitly as the man of people in his movies. Stephen Chow’s â€Å"Mo Lei tau† comedic type has a great relation with his personal experience. Stephen Chow grew up in the grass-root class, so he knows the living conditions of the grass-root people from the hardships of rough life. Although he comes from the grass-root class, but Stephen never give up his dreams. In A Chinese Odyssey, Stephen Chow acts two roles in this film. One is Joker, the other one is Monkey King. As we can see, in this film, Joker is just a bodgie. He runs a gangster inn and has nothing to do all day long. The only source of income for him and his gangs is to rob his tourists. However, all tourists come to his inn are full of power and magic. As a result, ironically, as a gangster, Joker becomes the â€Å"weak† one to serve his tourists. Instead of abhorring him, audiences have a sense of sympathy to him. In The King of Comedy, Yin (Stephen Chow), the protagonist regards him as an actor. He likes performance. His obsessive dedication to every tiny aspect of his acting roles irritates everyone around him and scuppers his chance to land a bit-part in an action movie. He acts as a background actor for the film, but he always makes trouble to them. Nobody respects him. .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 , .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .postImageUrl , .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 , .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:hover , .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:visited , .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:active { border:0!important; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:active , .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Ancient Greek Mythology Of Bond Films EssayOn-set caterer is continually denying him the lunchbox. Even whores are calling him â€Å"stupid extra†. This is a typical â€Å"nobody† character. This role seems like a deeply personal film for Chow, one that harks back to his early days as a struggling unknown. In Kong Fu Hustle, this characteristic is also distinct. Sing (Stephen Chow), a loser in life who aspires to join the Axe Gang. At first, this character is rebarbative. Because older kids bullied him in his childhood, he is also trying to bully the kind people when he grew up. This kind of â€Å"Nobody† figures become foundation stones to these f ilms. All of those characters can be deemed to losers of life. However, Stephen Chow always gives people hope in his film. Instead of becoming corrupt, those characters all become heroes at the end of the films. What’s more, this refers to another characteristic of Chow’s comedy, which is the happy ending. Happy Ending Comedy, wins a reputation for â€Å"ALL’s well that ends well† through sudden and unlike reversal of fortune, for example, ending happily, falling in love with each other or getting married. Comedy is a serious act. Comedians usually wear a poker face. Comedy can solely be â€Å"savored† and â€Å"digested† within specific contexts, including how we expect and assume the world in which we live because â€Å"nothing is just comic: thing are comic in particular ways and for particular reasons. † Stephen Chow’s movies can be the best epitome of this aspect. In A Chinese Odyssey, he defeats all the demons when he transformed into Monkey King. With transforming back to Joker, he at last falls in love with Zi Xia faery. In King of Comedy, after a somewhat successful sting, Yin finally becomes famous through a performance of the Thunder Storm. In Kong Fu Hustle, at last, Sing becomes a master of Kong Fu. He not only defeats the worst gangster, but also wins the young lady’s heart and falls in love with her. Those movies all end consummately that the villains get their just deserts. Good overcomes evil. The male and female protagonists fall in love with each other or enjoy marital bliss. Those all reveals people’s desire toward the positive, the pessimistic and the nasty which are rooted in human’s nature. We all laugh for the blessing of the good and the contempt of the bad. These kinds of themes are full of Stephen Chow’s other movies. Golden Straight Men Apart from Stephen Chow’s excellent acting ability and performance talent, the golden straight men in his movies further complement and consummate the sense of humor and elicit more laughter from the audiences. Stephen once said that there is no extra in his film. Every actor has his own characteristic in his film and audience will remember each of him or her. When mentioned about Stephen Chow’s movies, there is another actor that cannot be ignored. Wu Mengda, Stephen Chow’s best straight man. They had worked together in a series of â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† movies. There is a saying that without Wu’s sacrifice? Stephen Chow couldnt reach such a success today. Most of those characters that Wu acted are harlequins. With his exaggerated performance, he also owes much of his popularity. In A Chinese Odyssey, Wu acts as Joker’s second-in-command in that gang. He is a man full of wicked ideas, a flattering and a faithless man. However, in a comedy, everything seems possible. Contribute by this kind of character design; audiences regard him as an un-alternative role. He is the most important person who pushes plots forward. In King of Comedy, he is just the on-set caterer who is continually denying Chow the lunchbox. This plot leads to another storyline of film and pushes the whole story to the climax. Among those straight men, Li Jianren is another unforgettable â€Å"buffoon character† with his branded gesture- picking his nose, which leaves the audience an ineradicable impress. Each appearance in Stephen Chow’s movie, he goes with this same character, which becomes a symbol of Chow’s â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† style. In Kong Fu Hustle, he also acts this role.

Experience Psychology, 3rd edition Essays (839 words) - Free Essays

Experience Psychology, 3rd edition Essays (839 words) - Free Essays Experience Psychology, 3rd edition Chapter 1, The Science of Psychology Key Terms Behavior: Everything we do that can be directly observed. Behavioral approach: An approach to psychology emphasizing the scientific study of observable behavioral responses and their environmental determinants. Biological approach: An approach to psychology focusing on the body, especially the brain and nervous system. Case study or case history: An in-depth look at a single individual. Control group: The participants in an experiment who are as much like the experimental group as possible and who are treated in every way like the experimental group except for a manipulated factor, the independent variable. Correlational research: Research that examines the relationships between variables, whose purpose is to examine whether and how two variables change together. Critical thinking: The process of thinking deeply and actively, asking questions, and evaluating the evidence. Demand characteristics: Any aspects of a study that communicate to the participant how the experimenter wants them to behave. Empirical method: Gaining knowledge through the observation of events, the collection of data, and logical reasoning. Evolutionary approach: An approach to psychology centered on evolutionary ideas such as adaptation, reproduction, and natural selection as the basis for explaining specific human behavior. Experiment: A carefully regulated procedure in which the researcher manipulates one or more variables that are believed to influence some other variable. Experimental group: The participants in an experiment who receive the drug or other treatment under studythat is, those who are exposed to the change that the independent variable represents. Experimenter bias: The influence of the experimenter's expectations on the outcome of research. External validity: The degree to which an experimental design actually reflects the real-world issues it is suppose to address. Functionalism: James' approach to mental processes, emphasizing the functions and purpose of the mind and behavior in the individual's adaptation to the environment. Humanistic approach: An approach to psychology emphasizing a person's positive qualities, the capacity for positive growth, and the freedom to choose any destiny. Hypothesis: A testable prediction that derives logically from a theory. Internal validity: The degree to which changes in the dependent variable are due to the manipulation of the independent variable. Longitudinal design: A special kind of systematic observation, used by correlational researchers, that involves obtaining measures of the variables of interest in multiple waves over time. Mental processes: The thoughts, feelings, and motives that people experience privately but that cannot be observed directly. Natural selection: Darwin's principle of an evolutionary process in which organisms that are best adapted to their environment will survive and produce offspring. Naturalistic observation: The observation of behavior in a real-world setting. Neuroscience: The scientific study of the structure, function, development, genetics, and biochemistry of the nervous system, emphasizing that the brain and nervous system are central to understanding behavior, thought, and emotion. Operational definition: A definition that provides an objective description of how a variable is going to be measured and observed in a particular study. Population: The entire group about which the researcher wants to draw conclusions. Psychodynamic approach: An approach to psychology emphasizing unconscious thoughts, the conflict between biological drives (such as the drive for sex) and society's demands, and early childhood family experiences. Psychology: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Random assignment: Researchers' assignment of participants to groups by chance, to reduce the likelihood that an experiment's results will be due to preexisting differences between groups. Random sample: A sample that gives every member of the population an equal chance of being selected. Research participant bias: In an experiment, the influence of participants' expectations, and of their thoughts on how they should behave, on their behavior. Sample: The subset of the population chosen by the investigator for study. Science: The use of systematic methods to observe the natural world, including human behavior and to draw conclusions. Sociocultural approach: An approach to psychology that examines the ways in which social and cultural environments influence behavior. Structuralism: Wundt's approach to discovering the basic elements or structures, of mental processes. Theory: A broad idea or set of closely related ideas that attempts to explain observations and to make predictions about future observations. Third variable problem: The circumstance where a variable that has not been measured accounts

The best ways to beat work procrastination

The best ways to beat work procrastination Are you such a compulsive procrastinator that you’ve even found a way to put off figuring out how to overcome procrastinating? If things have gotten that bad, it’s likely time to make a positive change in your life. The effects of procrastination on your life can be far-reaching and extreme if you let things get out of hand- everything from avoiding individual growth and missing out on opportunities to constantly disappointing people in your personal and professional orbits are common for those who choose this behavior pattern. The results can have a negative impact on your life path and well-being- both in the short-term and over the long haul.Step back and take a personal inventory of your typical habits and behaviors. All aspects of your life are fair game- from your work life to relationships with friends and family to handling your personal responsibilities and chores on a daily basis. Be honest: are you often guilty of putting things off? Do people in your life ro utinely call you out for avoiding important tasks? Has procrastination taken its toll and left you with a series of regrets and lost chances? If you’ve answered yes to any or all of these questions, it’s no wonder you’re looking for ways to end this destructive cycle and stop putting things off as a matter of habit.If you’ve decided not to procrastinate any longer and address your problem, then consider the following strategies to put it in your rearview mirror.1. Have a to-do checklistIf feeling overwhelmed by a nebulous and free-floating list of tasks often leads to your procrastination behavior, then try organizing your daily to-dos into a structured checklist. By using a straightforward and easy-to-follow checklist, you can clearly see exactly what you need to take care of each day and chart your progress, which can be a great motivating tool in itself- the more you get done and the more checkmarks you see on your list, the more motivated you’l l be to push forward and finish your chores!2. Avoid non-functional multitaskingSure, these days the average person juggles multiple activities at any given time during the day, but is it affecting your ability to stay focused and on task enough to follow it through to the end? Everything from texting while on the phone to watching YouTube videos while finishing up key assignments has become standard operating behavior, but for some people, this type of â€Å"multitasking† really just keeps them from confronting- and completing- the things they need to get done. If this sounds painfully familiar, then you may be spreading yourself too thin or making it too easy for your focus to shift away from your priorities. When facing an important task, try giving it all of your attention and effort instead- not only will it be easier to finish, but you’ll also likely complete it faster, which means you can move on to other (possibly more fun) things quicker.3. Break down big task s into manageable chunksDo the size and scope of difficult, complex, and multi-step projects send you running in the opposite direction? If so, then get strategic and break down big tasks into manageable steps that don’t fill you with fear and anxiety. There’s an old saying that â€Å"a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step,† and the same notion holds true for large-scale projects. When faced with a big â€Å"1,000-mile† task, lay out all the steps you need to take to get to the end, and then take them on one at a time.4. Give yourself positive reinforcements and negative consequencesThe truth is, you’re likely your own best â€Å"overseer† when it comes to getting things done, and you’re in the perfect position to treat yourself for staying on task- and conversely, providing the appropriate consequences when you procrastinate. When it comes to staying motivated and focused, there’s nothing like a little reward for a job well done at the end to keep you on task. Also, the desire to avoid a negative consequence can be equally as motivating as you fight against your  evasive behavior.If you’re tired of procrastination and the negative effects of putting things off have taken its toll on your life, then use the strategies presented here to break free from these unhealthy behavior patterns and make positive and lasting changes in your life.

Nonprofit Discussion Questions 1-4 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Nonprofit Discussion Questions 1-4 - Coursework Example guiding principles which call for avoiding concentration of powers in the hands certain board members and call it be teamwork with neither management being too powerful. This has been criticized in certain place sayings that with this model the board members are only limited to the policy making and formulation rather than the implementations. The nonprofit organization since based on charity and other funding or donations tend to be dependent on the volunteers. If we want our volunteering force to be very active and be there to work with full dedication and interest we must provide them certain incentives to keep them going .Acknowledge being the very basic we may give them some token of appreciation that will also lead to interest for other workers since they would also wont to have that reward. Other benefits may include provision of free services in certain spheres or free food and clothes. What I reached the conclusion after having a detailed discussion was that when we hire people we must beforehand inform them about the structure so that they can have an idea if they work with such load and environment or not. Further the members must learned down to earth have no interest in material gains and would work with full dedication keeping the whole firm as one unit. It is definitely very essential to know the position of the nonprofit in the lifecycle to have a full comprehension of the leadership and the governance. In the lifecycle of an organization basically gives us the basic know how of the firm and hierarchy which in turn gives us the idea of the governance and the board members. Have good relation with the competing organizations and have friendly atmosphere within the organization. It helps us in adopting a model of governance that is suitable for the present conditions and the effective board members and meetings. When we come to links with external sources as nonprofit organization we can take up the following exemplary cases. USAID partnership

Clinical Psychology Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Clinical Psychology - Term Paper Example Earlier, psychology was believed to be the study of mind; however, it is difficult to measure the activities of mind either quantitatively or qualitatively. Science will never accept any principle if it cannot be proved experimentally. In other words, psychology was not a science subject earlier because of our inability in measuring or assessing activities in mind accurately. In order to raise the status of psychology to scientific levels, psychologists modified the definition of psychology as the study of behaviour rather than the study of mind. It is possible for us to measure the behaviour of a person both qualitatively and quantitatively and hence psychology is now considered as a branch of science. Clinical psychology is the most important branch of psychology because of the immense contributions it gives to the treatment of mental problems of human beings. â€Å"The phrase "clinical psychology" was coined by psychologist Lightner Witmer. A student of Wundt, Witmer began a jour nal of clinical psychology in 1907. He identified the field as one that studied individuals, but used observation and experimentation to promote change† (Long, 2009). Clinical psychology is the study of psychological and behavioral problems of human beings. It give more emphasize to the diagnosis, symptoms and treatments of mental disorders.

The Qur’an and Islamic Law Do Not Discriminate Against Women Essay Example for Free

The Qur’an and Islamic Law Do Not Discriminate Against Women Essay Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. From the last sermon of Prophet Mohammed The perception of most of the world, except possible the one-sixth of it that follows Islam, is that Islam and Qur’an preached that women must be subservient to men. Everyone turns to a verse in the Qur’an which tells men that they should beat their wives. Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in their sleeping places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great. (Shakirs version of the Koran, Quran, 4:34) The verse is used by opponents of Islam to denigrate the faith and even by some of the practitioners of the faith to justify their mistreatment of women, but it may not be being interpreted the way that it should be. Asma Barlas, a professor at Ithaca College and noted scholar of Islam, who identifies herself as a follower of Islam, contends that the interpretation of the verse has been taken out of context and used to portray women in Islam as victims in an attempt to force women of the faith into a position of needing rescuing. That positioning gives women in the Western world a feeling of superiority (Barlas, Southern Illinois University, 2007). The Qur’an instructs people to take God’s Holy Word, The Qur’an, as a whole, she said, and not to pick and choose the verses to follow or not to follow Barlas argues that the Qur’an does not promote the degradation of women. Instead, she said, the Qur’an promotes all humankind equally and is much less mysogonistic than the Bible, the Holy Word of the Christian faith. In her speech at Southern Illinois University, Barlas asserted that she did not speak for anyone other than herself, but her views are shared by many women in Islam. They believe that it is in historic documents used by some Muslim cultures that the Qur’an has been misinterpreted and the mistreatment of women began. â€Å"Again this is not true. Many writers who wrote about womens rights refer to the statement in 4:34 as a sign of the man is above the women in status but it is a misunderstood statement. In 4:34, the expression .. al-rijalu qawwdmuna ala al-nisai. means The men are made responsible for the women, and GOD has endowed them with certain qualities, and made them the bread earners. This expression simply means that God is appointing the husband as captain of the ship. Marriage is like a ship, and the captain runs it after due consultation with his officers. It does not assign inequality but rather assigns duties to avoid conflicts and disputes. (â€Å"Misconceptions in Islam†) The problem is that most people don’t take the time to read the original Arabic or even attempt to find an accurate interpretation of the texts, they simply believe what they are told about what the faith believes. This is part of the problem. â€Å"Nonetheless, if we take sexual/textual oppression seriously, and I believe we must, the issue of how Muslims read, or—as I will arguefail to read, the Quran becomes critical, especially for women. † (Barlas, â€Å"Muslim Women Sexual Oppression†) Unlike Christianity which prescribed women to an inferior status by saying that woman was made from the rib of man, (Ragab 1) Islam teaches that God the creator made them as halves of each other. Neither does Islam teach that man was made in God’s image as the Bible does, (Barlas, SIU) but instead teaches that the difference between God and man is so extreme that people can never understand the nature of God. This is one of the arguments that woman supporters of Islam use to argue that Islam is not nearly as mysogonistic as Christiantiy is. Instead, Barlas and others argue that Islam faith promotes equality between the sexes, even going so far as to outline specific rights of women. For example, unlike Christian women, Islamic women are given a specific right to divorce their husbands and allowed to remarry after a three month period. (Ragab 1). â€Å"Both men and women have equal rights to contract a marriage as well as to dissolve it. The precondition of marriage is merely the mutual agreement by both parties. And unlike Christianity, a woman in Islam can divorce her husband at any time if she feels that she has been dealt with unjustly or even if she is just unhappy with her spouse since marriage is based upon mutual responsibilities toward each other. Islam has also ensured the womans right to remarry pending a three month refrainment period. † (Ragab 1) Islam also promotes the equality of women in that it explitly allows them to work outside the home. Muslim countries have even elected women as prime ministers. Some people even argue that the mistreatment of women in the faith comes not from the religion but from many of the colonial overlords that once ruled countries now considered Muslim. â€Å"Much of the civil law that legislates personal and family matters in Egypt, for example, is directly based on old French law. As a result, an Egyptian man can divorce his wife much more easily than the reverse. Consequently, women often have to suffer long and expensive court procedures and have to prove that they were mistreated by their husbands before being granted a divorce. Often times, laws in Middle Eastern countries, which are legislated and enforced by men, only take bits and pieces of Islamic law and combine them with concocted rules based upon some cultural or foreign practices. † (Ragab 1) Other practices, such as the prohibition against women driving in some Muslim countries, has nothing to do with Islam (â€Å"Misconceptions of Islam†) â€Å"Why then is Islam portrayed as a religion that oppresses women and puts them in a position inferior to men? Part of that is certainly due to the stereotyped image of how Islamic women are portrayed in western media as an extension of Islam-bashing. A prominent example is the movie Not Without My Daughter in which scores of false and fictitious depictions were made of women in an Islamic country. It is also true, however, that in many so called Islamic countries, women are not treated according to their God-given rights. But this is not the fault of Islamic ideology but rather the misapplication or sometimes the outright denial of the ideology in these societies. â€Å" (Ragab 1) The misconceptions of the treatment of women in Islam are a factor of the historical writing in some sects and the way that Muslim countries have misinterpted the Qur’an (Baslas, SIU). For example, Sunna and Hadith writings claim that women must wear a veil but this is not in Qur’an. â€Å"These books do not represent the words of God in the Quran and on many occasions contradict them. † (â€Å"Misconceptions of Islam†) But too much of the world has accepted these teachings of the expression of Muslim nations as the absolute truth of Islam. â€Å"This misconception was augmented by some news media that made little effort to correct their understanding before broadcasting their views on this matter. Adding to this misconception are the regrettable practices in most so called Islamic countries or societies where myths, traditions and innovations have won over the true Islamic (Quranic) teachings and where women are traditionally subdued and oppressed. † (â€Å"Misconceptions of Islam†).

Book Review: Nemesis :: essays research papers

Book Review: Nemesis Name of Book: Nemesis Author:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Isaac Asimov was born in 1920 in Petrovichi, Russia. When he was three years of age, his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Brooklyn, New York. Asimov turned to full time writing in 1958. This accomplished writer is best known for his novels dealing with science fiction. However, his works extend to other subjects. These include humour, mystery, history, and some volumes involving the Bible and Shakespeare. He has published around 500 books for both young and adult readers. His most famous science- fiction writings are I, Robot (1950) and The Foundation Trilogy (1951-1953). Asimov was dubbed a Grand Master of Science Fiction in 1987 by the Science Fiction Writers of America. He died in 1992. Setting: The story takes place in two time periods. One set of events takes place in the present, while the other set takes place in the past, drawing closer to the present. It spans over a fifteen year period, beginning in the year 2220. Although most of the important incidents occur on the planet Erythro about 2 light years from our solar system, the novel shifts between Earth, space, and the Settlement named Rotor, which orbits the foreign planet. Main Character:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marlene Fisher is a very intelligent young woman at fifteen years of age. As a child, all who encountered her sensed that she was different. Her wide eyes absorbed all that was around her and seemed to know a great deal. Growing older, her â€Å"uniqueness† established itself as a gift in which she is able to read into the body language of others. A slight movement, a stuttered word, the smallest hesitation gives her indication as to one's true feelings and motives. Some mistake this gift as her being a â€Å"psychic†, but she is not. Marlene has only learned how to interpret little signs often overlooked.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Now a young woman, Marlene's uncanny ability has become quite developed. She finds herself constantly watching people's reactions, and does not hesitate to bluntly speak out what she has learned. Her intuitions sometimes get too interfering and she often crosses the line of being helpful. Many become extremely uncomfortable whenever in her presence, so she is advised by her mother against showing this talent. She tries to follow her mother's warning and her annoyance at the falseness of those surrounding her dwindles.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although Marlene is obviously an exceptional youth, she has troubles and stresses just like any other teenage girl. She knows she is rather plain looking and senses that others agree, but she has come to accept this fact.

Realism and television Essay

Question : Discuss realism by considering a television program that has realistic qualities. In your discussion specifically refer to Chapter 14 of the textbook, ‘Documentary and â€Å"reality TV†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ, by Branston and Stafford (2006). Realism plays an important role in the success of a good television program. The ability to relate and appeal to the senses of the target audience is an essential characteristic of any media form. This essay explores how realism is perceived in television today with reference to both reality and documentary genres of television. The remainder of the essay will present a case study of a television program which demonstrates realistic qualities. What is Realism? It has been argued that we are living in a ‘postdocumentary’ culture, a time of talk shows, reality t. v, game shows and the persuasion of celebrity (Branston, Stafford 2006: 455). When we refer to ‘realism’ within the context of television it conjures up a multitude of meanings. For example, realism may indicate that the program is ‘realistic’ because of the subject matter, like that of a documentary. Moreover, a television program could be considered ‘realistic’ because it features. Unscripted ordinary people in contrived situations, like Big Brother. One thing is certain, realism, or the illusion of realism, is very prevalent in television today. Reality tv? Distorted Realism†¦ Flick on the television during peak times on a week night and it’s pretty difficult to avoid reality television. From home makeovers to celebrity fit clubs, the popularity with ‘so called’ reality television is astounding. But is reality tv just another highly produced product of the culture industry? More often that not, these reality programs are highly constructed to attract viewers. As Andrejevic. questions, â€Å"Why is Reality tv pretending that it’s real, so that we may cannily believe it’s phony, when it accurately portrays the reality of contrivance in contemporary society? â€Å"(Andrejevic 2004). These programs are clearly not an accurate representation of how most people live. It seems the message of reality television is that ordinary people can become so significant that millions of people will watch them, and as a result, ordinary people are considered potential media stars. Ordinary people watch these programs, see people like themselves and imagine that they too could become celebrities by being on television (Reiss 2001). This is evident by the large number of reality tv stars that have gone on to have careers in the media. For example, Elizabeth Hassleback from the first series of the reality tv program Survivor is now a co-host of the popular talk show in the US â€Å"The View†. ‘Reality tv’, definitely has it’s fair share of critics. It has been blamed of damaging our youth’s perception of what reality truly means, even going to the extent of accusing it of being and abusive and exploitative of children in shows like, ‘Wifeswap’ and ‘Trading Spouses’ (Schlessinger 2004). The perception of what is fact and fiction in regards to television is no longer a clear margin (Study guide 9:5). Semiotic codes (study of signs) in television represent a kind of ‘language’, and we all learn how to decode these signs and symbols in to explain what we see (Herrman, 2000). With any luck, the viewers of these reality programs can distinguish what is true reality and not when they are watching these programs. Documentaries – The Art of Performing Just like news, documentaries are recognized as reproducing the truthful version of the story to the audience. With the popularity of the reality tv culture it has been argued that these types of shows have tainted the significance of documentaries (Branston, Stafford 2006:. 455). Documentaries have the ability to showcase complex subject matter with an accurate and credible approach. It has been argued that a documentary is a â€Å"performative act whose truth comes into being only at the moment of filming†(Bruzzi 2000:6). Moreover, documentaries portray a ‘real’ perspective according to the film maker themselves, just as reality tv, documentaries are constructed to a certain extent. In other words, the audience assumes the point of view from where the camera shooting. Branston and Stafford suggest in the example of Micheal Moore’s documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 where there were key issues that were not mentioned like the role of Israel, which in effect, persuades the audience in a certain position (Branston, Stafford 2006: 469). Of all the genres of television, documentaries still continue do the finest duty of relaying an accurate interpretation of ‘real-world’ issues with minimal construction. Case Study: â€Å"Intervention†(Mondays 9. 30am, Channel 115, Foxtel). The television program which I have chosen to critique in relation to it’s realistic qualities is ‘Intervention’. It’s a powerful and transfixing US-based series in which people confront their addiction and seek a route to recovery. The series profiles individuals whose dependency on drugs, alcohol or other compulsive behavior has brought them to an all-time low and estranged them from their family and loved ones. The addicts featured in the series believe they have signed up to participate in a documentary on ‘addiction’. Each episode begins with a brief introduction to the subject, and then he or she is followed around by a camera crew. The program ends with a surprise intervention that is staged in which they are confronted with a life-altering choice: rehabilitation or risk losing all contact with the loved ones who instigated the intervention. Often, other tactics are used to persuade the addicted person into treatment, which vary depending on the situation. Interviews with the subject, as well as family members or friends who have agreed to participate, are interspersed throughout. The Intervention falls under the reality tv genre of television and can be described as an ‘information programme’, as it uses true stories to educate the audience on the subject matter (Branston, Stafford 2006:474). The show has more the feel of a documentary than a reality TV program, although predominately factual there a certain aspects of the program that are clearly constructed. The producers and creators of the program make the rules, they create the setting, they film it according to specific guidelines as to what they think are going to provide good television. So Why Is ‘Intervention’ So Realistic? There are a number of characteristics that this television program possesses which contributes in creating a sense of realism for the viewer: 1). Subject Matter ‘Intervention’ is the dramatic and disturbing insight into the day in the life of an addict that features graphic footage of addicts shooting up on television has prompted some controversy. â€Å"It makes prime-time sport of vulnerable, desperate people and their spiral to the bottom,† wrote Matthew Gilbert of the Boston Globe. All though it’s ugly to watch, unfortunately the reality of addiction and the dysfunction it creates is very real for many families. Most viewers would know someone who it has been impacted by the power of addiction. According to Addictionintervention. com, the interventions that are staged on the series represent a realistic and account of what actually takes place during a professional intervention. http://www. addictionintervention. com/intervention/interventiontv_response. asp 2) Drama-documentary ‘Intervention’ series utilizes a ‘drama-documentary’ style which combines elements of documentary and drama (Branston, Stafftord 2006:456). This hybrid genre produces a very authentic sense of reality for the viewer, absent are the contrivances of most reality shows. Moreover, the participants of the show are ordinary people with real addictions, there are no million dollar prizes, no mansions, no bachelors, or games. According to the series, millions of people struggle with addiction, so the subject matter is a very real problem existing in society. There are no actors or re enactments, these are ‘real’ people going about their life. ‘Intervention’ demonstrates the characteristics of a documentary by presenting the strict facts of the event but also the program has the ability to raise the larger issues associated with addiction, such as family disintegration. Unfortunately the stories that are told are true, it’s something that we would like to believe does not exist in this world, but we all know that it does. 3) Camera Angles The series is shot in a documentary-style, which makes it less refined and more credible (Branston, Stafford 2006:458). The participants bring an honesty and rawness to the show that supersedes the blatant expectations that are all too common to reality programming. The unrehearsed reaction to the intervention from the addict is completely unpredictable. Sometimes the addict agrees to the treatment but more often than not the addict runs away, so without warning the production crew are unexpectedly running down the street. The scrabbling footage adds to the authenticity and legitimacy of the program (Branston, Stafford 2006: 458). 4) Unscripted Narratives ‘Intervention† does not use a narrator, instead, the subject and his loved ones tell the story, with occasional text commentary, which contributes to the realism. The leading characters of the program are ‘ordinary’ people from working class backgrounds, which is very relatable to a broad audience (Branston, Stafford 2006:460). The unscripted narratives between the addicts and their families generate a sense of normalcy, quite often they have to bleep out language when arguments get heated. The music is very limited in the program, there is some intense music just before the intervention which makes for an element of drama. 5) Format The ‘Intervention’ series, has the identical structure in each program. The first half hour profiles the individual, the next 20 minutes focuses on the intervention itself, the last 10 minutes focuses on the follow-up of the individual. There is no set, no staging, the program is filmed on location, meaning where ever the individual lives. The program is filmed in the home of the individual and the intervention, usually takes place at a nearby hotel. The fact that the program could be filmed anywhere is a factor in producing a sense of realism. 5) Not Always a Happy Ending The ‘Intervention’ program does not always have a happy ending, which contributes in creating a sense of honesty for the audience. In a recent episode of ‘Intervention’, the featured addict did agree to go to a rehabilitation facility but was kicked out not long after for breaking the rules. Unfortunately he went back to living on the streets and still struggling with his drug addiction and still estranged from his family (Intervention, aired 20/4/2007, 10pm,A&E channel). This program reiterates that sometimes real life is not pretty, and some situations cannot be resolved in a 60 minute episode. Although the ‘Intervention’ program is a cutting edge and controversial, the fact of the matter is, addiction is a very real issue in today’s society. According to the National Drug Strategy, the tangible social costs of drug use in Australia were estimated to be $18. 3 billion from in 1998-99. With these statistics like this, addiction should be a matter certainly worthy of attention. (http://www. aihw. gov. au/publications/phe/sdua04/sdua04. pdf) In conclusion, it’s apparent that there are still some programs on television that are able to give a ‘realistic’ insight into certain subject matters. After all, the television is our interaction with the outside world, media should continue to focus attention on these social problems to generate awareness and education with this type of programming. Bibliography Andrejevic, Mark ‘Reality TV:The Work of Being Watched’ Lanham MD: Rowman &Littlefield, 2004 1-20 Branston, G. and Stafford, R. , 2006. ‘Documentary & ‘Reality tv’, in The Media Student’s Book, 4th ed. , Routledge, Abingdon, UK, and New York, pp. 455-478 Herrmann, Stefan ‘Do we learn to ‘read’ television like a kind of ‘language’? May 2000http://www. aber. ac. uk/media/Students/sfh9901. html Reiss S, Wiltz J ‘Why America loves reality TV’ – Feature – Brief ArticlePsychology Today, Sept-Oct, 2001 http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m1175/is_5_34/ai_82261905 Schlessinger, L ‘Realism in family television? ‘ October 27, 2004 http://www. worldnetdaily. com/news/article. asp? ARTICLE_ID=41125.

Goffman and Music Education Essay

For my career, I intend to teach music privately. I will own my own business in my home and teach students of all ages. As a part of my business I will serve students also in small group classes and other special events that I will design in my business. A ‘typical performance’ would include being in front of any students. For example, a student arrives for a lesson, and I am waiting for him/her. I greet him, and he comes in and begins to prepare his instrument and materials. I may glance over his materials, checking anything he was assigned to practice or work on in the previous week. I may also chat with him about how his week has been. Then, the lesson will proceed, and we will work on performing on his instrument. He will play and I will critique his performance and have him try things different ways until he improves. I may make use of metronomes, tuning devices, or my own demonstration to help him learn. At the end of the lesson, I will assign him new materials to work on or practice, and see him out the door. This performance related to Goffman’s idea of â€Å"rituals† that occur in the social situation. Regardless of my mood or desires, I will ask the student how he is doing and listen to his answers. The lesson will proceed in roughly the same fashion every week. The student will come to expect when I will interrupt his performance to give criticism, because he will come to know what I consider unacceptable. The lesson becomes a series of rituals that are performed week after week, lesson after lesson. The members of my team will consist of all of my students, as well as their parents, many of whom may sit in on lessons always or from time to time. I could not be a teacher if I did not have students, so they are a necessary part of my team. It is the direct interaction between myself and them that sets the â€Å"stage,† as Goffman puts it in his dramaturgical explanation of social behavior. The parents factor in because they change the dynamics of the lesson situation when they are present. In these cases, I may choose to address parents in addition to or instead of the students in certain situations, and I will certainly be aware of their presence as I am working with the student. With some of the younger students, or students who have problems behaving, the parents may play a strong role in the lesson situation, guiding the student’s behavior and attempting to keep him on task. Outside of the lesson situation, it is possible that my mentors could also be considered supporting players, as I may turn to them for help with difficult students or situations to solve, and they may lend me moral support in making decisions about teaching or lessons. All of the people who play into what happens in the lesson situation could be considered team members in some sense, even if they never meet one another. Discrepant roles are likely limited in this situation, since for the most part, there is no audience. However, the teacher himself (i. e. me) might be a discrepant role, since the teacher is leading everyone’s reactions and ideas, and guiding the â€Å"audience’s† perception of the situation. Parents may function in a discrepant role, and well, since as both observers and participants in the situation, they may guide how they want their children to react, and how I choose to react because of their presence. Beyond this, there are probably not other discrepant roles. Should I be teaching a larger group, one student could serve in a discrepant role by more actively participating in the class and showing the rest of the group how to behave and react to what is going on around them. The rest of the class could serve as an audience in that case, assuming that some of the members of the class were feeling rather passive. The communications that would go on in lesson situations could be in or out of character, depending on the student, whether or not the parent was present, and the mood itself. In a general lesson situation where the parent and child were both present and the child was fairly young (not yet a teenager), communication would generally be entirely in character. That is, the communication would be formal and appropriate for the student and parent. However, should the student leave the room and the parent remain, the communication may lapse into out of character situations, where the teacher and the parent are sharing information or commiserating as two adults. It is also possible that if the student is older, teenage or adult, that the communication may be out of character, because of the teacher being able to identify with this student better on a person-to-person level, and not finding the need to remain aloof and professionally distant. In these situations, the communication would move often between in and out of character as the teacher goes from having a general conversation with the student to actually providing instruction. The impression one makes is difficult to manage at times, but it is also important. As a teacher, I would like to be seen as a professional at all times, someone who does not let emotions or outside situations affect my work. I would also like to be seen as energetic, upbeat, and involved in the work I do. This relates to maintaining what Goffman calls the â€Å"front. † The behavior at the front is the professional impression one makes, while behavior at the â€Å"back† or â€Å"sides† is related off-stage behavior in actors. Since teaching is often related to being onstage, this is not a totally foreign concept. As a teacher, I must forget any concerns I have when I enter the room to teach a student. I must focus on them and their needs, and not anything else that is going on in my life, good or bad. This is not always possible, and when it is not, I must explain as briefly as possible, apologize, and continue to try to focus solely on the student. I must also smile and use happy tones of voice when I am speaking, even if I do not feel that way. One of the hardest things in teaching is remaining optimistic and positive even when students are struggling or, more likely, refusing to work. It is difficult for a teacher to see students come into a lesson every week with homework undone and no practicing having been completed. What can I teach a student who won’t work on skills at home? But in order to keep my impressions positive and my front appropriate, I must broach the subject of needing to practice more carefully, so as not to discourage the student or to allow them to see how unhappy I am with their lack of preparedness. Teachers are constantly striving for diplomacy in even the hardest situations. Goffman’s work allows me to look at my future career with a much different perspective. I consider that I am on stage and that I am an actor in a play I have created and entered into, but I do not control all the variables. I control myself, but I react to how my students choose to be. It is interesting to note the possibilities that arise in every situation when there are so many different things happening at once, as Goffman points out. However, it is good to think about and try to use in work situations.

Fatal Flaw of Medea essays

Fatal Flaw of Medea essays The character of Medea fits into the fatal flaw category perfectly. Excessive passion is what leads Medea to her destruction. Her love for Jason, her selfishness, and her rage are all factors of Medea's harm. First, the strongest factor contributing to Medea's fatal flaw is her love for Jason. During Jason's quest of searching for the Golden Fleece and meets the Princess, Medea falls madly in love with Jason and runs off with him. Medea and Jason get married and have two children. Medea's excessive love for Jason started showing when she killed his uncle, who was a king at the time, so that Jason could take over the throne and rule. But his uncle's murder resulted negatively for Medea and Jason. They were forced to flee to the kingdom of Corinth. Once in Corinth, Jason meets the king of Corinth's daughter. He leaves Medea and their two children and marries the princess. Because Medea is madly in love with Jason, Medea is crushed to find out that Jason has left her. Medea explains to the women of Corinth that, It has crushed my heart. Life has no pleasure left, dear friends. I want to die. Jason was my whole life; he knows that well. Therefore, Medea becomes outraged and over powered with excessive passion. Secondly, Medea's selfishness provides power to her fatal flaw. Medea's selfishness is displayed through the act of killing her own two sons. Medea understands that the slaying of her children will make Jason miserable. During this time, the chorus recognizes her self-worship and states, O miserable mother, to destroy your own increase, murder the babes of your body! Stone and iron are you, as you resolved to be. Medea does not stop to think what pain she may cause to herself by murdering them. She is only concerned about her happiness that will be derived from Jason's grieving. Medea comes to the conclusion that it is worth the suffering just to see her ex-husband unhappy. Medea states, My pain's a fair...

Quotations About Endangered Species

Quotations About Endangered Species People all around the world are talking about endangered species. Opinions circulate, facts are figured, and tempers have been known to flare. It becomes an interesting study to learn not only what makes a species endangered, but how people react to these species predicaments and what might be done to protect them The following is a list quotes by politicians, actors, authors, and other well-known public figures who, in one way or another, have felt a need to speak up on the issue of endangered species conservation. Notable Quotes Lawrence Anthony Workable solutions for Earth are urgently needed. Saving seals and tigers, or fighting yet another oil pipeline through a wilderness area, while laudable, is merely shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic. Norm Dicks The Endangered Species Act is the strongest and most effective tool we have to repair the environmental harm that is causing a species to decline. Yao Ming Endangered species are our friends. Martin Jenkins, Can We Save the Tiger? When it comes to looking after all the species that are already endangered, theres such a lot to do that sometimes it might all seem to be too much, especially when there are so many other important things to worry about. But if we stop trying, the chances are that pretty soon well end up with a world where there are no tigers or elephants, or sawfishes or whooping cranes, or albatrosses or ground iguanas. And I think that would be a shame, dont you? Jay Inslee What is a fish without a river? What is a bird without a tree to nest in? What is an Endangered Species Act without any enforcement mechanism to ensure their habitat is protected? It is nothing. Bruce Babbitt Well, I think [Im most proud of] breathing life into the Endangered Species Act, taking those wolves back into Yellowstone, restoring the salmon in the rivers of the Pacific Northwest. Id say thats at the top. Alex Meraz Actually I do support a charity, Defenders of Wildlife. They help protect endangered species. Aldo Leopold, Sand County Almanac If education really educates, there will, in time, be more and more citizens who understand that relics of the old West add meaning and value to the new. Youth yet unborn will pole up the Missouri with Lewis and Clark, or climb the Sierras with James Capen Adams, and each generation, in turn, will ask: Where is the big white bear? It will be a sorry answer to say he went under while conservationists werent looking. Jack Hanna The snow leopard is absolutely magnificent. It represents really what endangered species are all about. Jim Saxton It is a drastic mistake to eliminate the provisions that have to do with the protection of habitat for endangered species. It is my opinion that the Endangered Species Act is 99 percent about protecting critical habitat. Dave Barry The real threat to whales is whaling, which has endangered many whale species. Steve Irwin Take the crocodile, for example, my favorite animal. There are 23 species. Seventeen of those species are rare or endangered. Theyre on the way out, no matter what anyone does or says, you know. Russell Banks Chimpanzees are endangered. Severely. Charles Clover, The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat Celebrity chefs are the leaders in the field of food, and we are the led. Why should the leaders of chemical businesses be held responsible for polluting the marine environment with a few grams of effluent, which is sublethal to marine species, while celebrity chefs are turning out endangered fish at several dozen tables a night without enduring a syllable of criticism? Bill Vaughan The whale is endangered, while the ant continues to do just fine. Source Clover, Charles. End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat. Paperback, Ebury, March 1, 2005.

The Three Principal Sectors of the MICE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Three Principal Sectors of the MICE - Essay Example After that the participants had to lobby the government for rebates and also had to persuade the companies to continue having business meetings and conferences and also to give incentives to their employees. This is important because when people come for business meetings they also spend on other things such as food, shopping entertainment and this revenue is earned by the destination that is the city or state. When revenues are received and business is growing, then investment is made by the government and the private sector as well to improve the facilities so that the can attract more business. This means that this industry ultimately leads to economic development of the destination. This report focus on the MICE industry of UK, its economic importance and trends, problems faced by it and how it can deal with these problems and attract more tourism. Economic importance for UK Economic importance of this industry for UK is that it provides a stable business for hotels as it had don e when the recession of 2008 affected the core business of hotels badly. The MICE industry of UK is also an important part of the tourism industry. As there are many people who come for meetings, conference etc. from other countries and therefore the money spend by them on recreation and other entertainment is actually generating revenue for the tourism industry. ... xford Economic and Deloitte showed that the MICE industry was the fifth largest industry of UK worth ?115 billion and employing around 2.6 million people and this is expected to grow to 2.9 million till 2020. In the year 2010, UK ranked number 6th overall in the world and is very competitive globally. This industry provides jobs and is one of the industries in which work cannot be outsourced to other countries thereby creating job opportunities for the local people. Moreover it also helps in building the community as it brings business not only to the cities but also to the rural and coastal areas. Other than that, it builds an image of Britain in the eyes of the world as Britain has become famous for the business conferences and meetings. (UK Tourism Growing Faster Than Other Industries, 2010) Historical performance in UK: MICE industry in UK has seen the largest growth in the last two decades. MICE industry of UK has been very competitive as it keeps updating its technology, revamp ing its venues and also building new ones. In the year 2000, UK was the second largest player in the conference market (after Australia) with a market share of 8.85%.in the exhibitions industry in UK, most of the exhibitions were for the service sector and on second number was the culture and recreation sector. The incentive sector at that time was still at its infancy stage and had a lot of potential to grow. (The UK & London Conference Market, 2010) The demand for MICE industry has been on a declining trend after 2006 but the largest downfall was seen in 2009 when demand fell by 22% due to the economic recession of 2008.A further decrease of 5% was also seen in 2010. UK has been one of the most popular destinations for overseas meeting. In 2009, UK ranked fourth in Europe after Italy and

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of starting a business from Essay - 1

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of starting a business from scratch, franchises, and existing businesses - Essay Example s include the freedom to implement one’s ideas to a large extent, aligning the investment and resource mobilization with market conditions rather than committing to rigid plans, and ease of entry and exit with minimum dependence on outsiders (Longenecker et al, 2011, pp.104-133). Disadvantages include high risk of venture failure due to lack of previous experience, making a wrong choice of product/service, and longer time needed to achieve physical and financial goals. Outright purchasing of an existing business denotes a medium risk and gives assured customer base and revenues from the start. This advantage is diluted if the unit has poor reputation for quality or ethical practices. While the experienced staff is an advantage, if there are unresolved industrial relations problems, the new owner has to solve them, which is not always easy. Also, it may not always be possible to identify hidden liabilities representing additional risks, which accrue to the new owner (ibid.). Taking out a franchise is a minimum risk option for new entrepreneurs since it provides the advantages of a new unit as well as a running business model. On the minus side, one has to depend on the parent company for all major decisions besides committing to pay initial fees and royalties. Profitability is reduced as a result of these limitations. One of IFA’s best features is the listing of several franchise options, complete with the preliminary information for analysis, negotiations and decision making. I have considered the option of Expedia ®CruiseShip Sales Center Franchise from IFA’s website for analysis (Franchise opportunities, IFA, 2012). This is an established company with a strong brand image and 150 franchises. With an initial investment of $9500 and total investment of up to $20,000, this business is within my reach (ExpediaFranchise, 2012). The business is related to travel and vacation for which the demand has always been good. Further, a franchisee can start operations

The theme of three pomes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The theme of three pomes - Essay Example The three poems selected to elaborate the theme of Bridget Keating Red ceilings are â€Å"When I was a Child†, â€Å"How to Make Peace with Yourself† and â€Å"Frogs†. The basic theme of all the three poems is the study and observation of human behaviors. The behaviors described by Bridget Keating are quite diverse and cover the happiness, sorrow, myths and dark shades of human nature. The poem â€Å"When I was a Child† describes the memories of the past and Keating tried to remember the old good days during the present days of darkness. The poem â€Å"How to Make Peace with Yourself† is focused on finding the peaceful place after bearing and observing the behaviors of individuals crossed by the way to peaceful place. In the third and the last poem â€Å"Frogs† the lady learned from the behaviors and movements of the frogs that how to survive together even in the tough situation and despite of even more tough situation than that of the lady, the frogs still strived to survive together. A brief overview of all three poems to elaborate the theme of the Bridget Keating book Red Ceiling is described in the remaining part of the paper. In the Poem â€Å"When I was a Child† Bridget Keating elaborated the memories of her past days and remembers the golden days when she was a child. She Said â€Å"I swam in the Slope Coulee† (Keating 1) refers to the spring water or waterfall where she swam during her golden days. She felt the depth of the water and moved with the flow of water and remembered the natural light, inhaled seeds and under water flowers. She remembers the beauty of nature and felt a snake against her bare feet while moving with the flow of water while touching the moist. She describes the beautiful feelings of life, which she had in the past. She also misses the presence of an old lady may be her mother and the old lady’s attitude and behavior,