Narcissus and Echo of Greek Mythology Essay - 539 Words

Greek mythology is one of the grade nine curriculum. The Greeks were religious beings as they prayed to their gods. As a further matter, there were many Greek gods and goddesses where each of them represented something different and were unique in their own ways. On the other hand, many gods and goddesses still had imperfections/flaws like human beings. The Greeks considered their gods were very much like themselves, except more larger and more powerful. There were Olympian gods, Titans, and other gods. In Greek mythology there are plenty of myths and legends to learn about. The most interesting Greek myth is the myth about Narcissus and Echo. This myth includes two morals, a modern flower now named after Narcissus, and the characters are†¦show more content†¦Although the myth about Echo and Narcissus may not have a happy ending, but from Narcissus’ name two words are made. Therefore, if this myth did not exist , today there would not be the words narcissistic and n arcotic. These words relate to this myth because of how Narcissus was so self centered. Moreover, after Narcissus died, a modern flower was named after him. Now is called Narcissus. That being the case, from Narcissus and Echo, a flower and two words are now made. Lastly, the characters in this myth makes it the most interesting myth because the characters are well developed. The characters are realistic, many beings can relate to the way Narcissus was acting because nowadays there are still people who are self conceited. Also, if it was not for Hera, Echo, and Narcissus the myth would not be the same. For instance, Hera, she was the jealous wife of Zeus. Who Zeus employed to keep Hera occupied with gossip while Zeus sneaked out on a romantic adventure. Hera eventually found out and punished her, that she would not speak again, but repeat the same sounds she had already heard. Now, there is Echo which cannot speak , but repeat everything she hears. For this reason, she could not r eveal her love for Narcissus. Also, Narcissus the one who is self centered, who believed that nobody matched him. All the characters had something unique about them, the myth would not of been then same without them. In conclusion: these are some of theShow MoreRelatedMythology vs Natural World: How mythology helped to explain aspects of the natural world to the ancient Greeks1289 Words   |  6 PagesGreek myths are all that s left of the ancient Greek religion, in which beauty, poetry, and creative activities were a vital part of the tradition. Centuries ago, the Greeks created numerous stories and poems, which are still being shared today, that showed their view of the world that existed not only in the mind of the Greek poets, but in the hearts of the humble and long suffering natives of ancient Greece. From the stories of the Olympians, to heroes greatest adventures and from romantic storiesRead MoreHidden788 Words   |  4 PagesEcho and Narcissus Introduction This is an old story about a Greek myth. The story is told in the III Book of the Metamorphoses. It was then retold by Roger Lancelyn Green (1918-1987) an English novelist. The characters in this story are mainly Greek mythology characters such as: Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Echo, Narcissus, a nymph and another god. Exposition In a mountain in Greece lived the Ureades, nymphs or fairies. There was this beautiful nymph, which was one of the most talkative calledRead MoreStay Out of Our Lives!1204 Words   |  5 Pageson his wife Hera, who then out of jealousy curses the poor women! Hera is known for being revengeful on those who interfere with her marriage to Zeus. But what she doesn’t see is that most of the time the poor girl was just a victim. Unless you’re Echo; she did deserve her punishment, and you will see why. But the only reason this all happened was because one god couldn’t stay faithful. There are many stories of Zeus the God of Olympus falling for or preying on innocent women. Then his wife findsRead MoreGreek Mythology : Ancient Greeks1835 Words   |  8 PagesThe Ancient Greeks believed in many gods and heroes during their time. Each one had a sole purpose in a mortal’s lifetime. Greek mythology had a huge impact on religion in Ancient Greece. The Greeks performed rituals in order to honor their gods. Mythology affected the Ancient Greeks in many ways. The origins of mythology, the influences of mythology through a human’s lifetime and lessons taught in the ancient myths will be examined. Why Greek mythology was created Greek mythology was createdRead MoreSymbolism in Thomas Manns Story \1621 Words   |  7 Pagesto follow the instructions or to inform his passenger of how much the ride will cost, saying simply, You will pay. To interpret the character of the boatman, one should be aware of Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, the river Styx formed the boundary between the living world and the underworld. In Greek mythology, Charon was the ferryman of Hades. He took the newly dead from one side of the river Acheron to the other if they had an obolus (coin) to pay for the ride. Corpses in ancient GreeceRead MoreGreek Mythology : The Origin Of The Stars And Sky1528 Words   |  7 PagesGreek mythology was very important in many cultures throughout the world and was utilized to clarify the earth and its circumstances in which mankind lived, the normal wonders they identified and how constellations explained the why the movement of the stars and sky were important in the lives of the Greeks. Greek my thology contained information about the livelihood of these gods and goddesses, humankind after death and simply how to live a joyous life. The geography of Greece also shaped Greek mythologyRead MoreMythological Explanations Of The Natural World1449 Words   |  6 Pagesshould act and live out their lives are the wondrous Greek myths. Surprisingly enough, each Greek myth has its own story that explains how certain aspects of the world came to be, whether it be tangible objects like the sun or the moon, or intangible ideas like love and hate. Nonetheless, each myth provided an explanation of the unknown, and in todays presentation, my topic is solely about Greek mythological explanations of nature. When the Greeks observed the marvelous wondrous of nature around them;Read MoreGreek Mythology in Death in Venice by Thomas Mann1941 Words   |  8 Pagesthis paper I will look to discuss Greek myths and how they are significant to Death in Venice and how these myths are used as metaphors within the novella. Myths and legends act as a form of moral regulation within society (Morford et al. 2013). They pose an extreme situation followed by what is deemed the â€Å"wrong choice† that is followed by extreme consequences to the character’s choice. Within Mann’s Death in Venice there are several instance s of Greek mythology being used as metaphors that foreshadowRead More Symbols, Symbolism and Irony in Thomas Manns Death in Venice2018 Words   |  9 Pagesalive for the first time, he is faced with impending death. Mythology also plays an enormous role in the story, and mythological references are ever-present.   The undertones of these references seek to create parallels between the tragic Greek gods and the lives of Aschenbach and Tadzio.   Tadzio is described in mythical terms and compared to Greek sculpture, to Eros, the god of love, to Hyacinthus and Narcissus.   In Greek mythology, Hyacinthus is a handsome young Spartan boy who is loved by ApolloRead MoreGreek Mythology Of Greek Gods2349 Words   |  10 PagesHannah Gjovik Don Juan Avila Middle School Mythology 1. Zeus made Cronus throw up his siblings then cut him into little bits and threw them into Tartarus. 2. Poseidon; I’ve always wanted to control water so if I could control the seas, that’d be awesome. 3. One example is when Hera punishes the mortal women that Zeus would fall in love with. It is not always justified because sometimes Zeus would trick them into it, yet Hera punished them and not him. They believe that humans need consequences. 4

Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee - 1052 Words

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee takes place in Maycomb County, Alabama in the late 30s early 40s , after the great depression when poverty and unemployment were widespread throughout the United States. Why is the preconception of racism, discrimination, and antagonism so highly related to some of the characters in this book? People often have a preconceived idea or are biased about one’s decision to live, dress, or talk. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee examines the preconception of Scouts teacher saying Atticus is teaching her wrong, Aunt Alexandra having views that are discriminating, and Tom Robinson not having a fair trial because of his race. Scouts teacher gets upset with her after Miss Caroline figures out she’s literate and Scout makes it worse by antagonising Miss Caroline by trying to explain things to her. â€Å"Teach me?† I said in surprise. â€Å"He hasn t taught me anything, Miss Caroline. Atticus ain t got time to teach me anythi ng†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"If he didn t teach you, who did?† Miss Caroline asked good-naturedly. â€Å"Somebody did. You weren t born reading The Mobile Register†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Miss Caroline apparently though I was lying. â€Å"Lets not let our imaginations run away with us, dear,† she said. â€Å"Now tell your father not to teach you any more. Its best to begin reading with a fresh mind. You tell him i ll take over from here and try to undo the damage.† â€Å"ma’am?† â€Å"Your father does not know how to teach. you can have a seat now.† (Lee 22) Scout s teacher Miss CarolineShow MoreRelatedKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1049 Words   |  5 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird: How a Story could be based on True Events in Everyday LifeDaisy GaskinsCoastal Pines Technical Collegeâ€Æ'Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama. Her father was a former newspaper editor and proprietor, who had served as a state senator and practiced as a lawyer in M onroeville. Also Finch was known as the maiden name of Lee’s mother. With that being said Harper Lee became a writer like her father, but she became a American writer, famous for her race relations novel â€Å"ToRead MoreTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee1000 Words   |  4 Pagesworld-wide recognition to the many faces of prejudice is an accomplishment of its own. Author Harper Lee has had the honor to accomplish just that through her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a moving and inspirational story about a young girl learning the difference between the good and the bad of the world. In the small town of Monroeville, Alabama, Nelle Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926. Growing up, Harper Lee had three siblings: two sisters and an older brother. She and her siblings grew up modestlyRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1290 Words   |  6 PagesHarper Lee published To Kill a Mockingbird during a rough period in American history, also known as the Civil Rights Movement. This plot dives into the social issues faced by African-Americans in the south, like Tom Robinson. Lee felt that the unfair treatment towards blacks were persistent, not coming to an end any time in the foreseeable future. This dark movement drove her to publish this novel hopeful that it would encourage the society to realize that the harsh racism must stop. Lee effectivelyRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee873 Words   |  4 PagesIn the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates that â€Å"it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird† throughout the novel by writing innocent characters that have been harmed by evil. Tom Robinson’s persecution is a symbol for the death of a mockingbird. The hunters shooting the bird would in this case be the Maycomb County folk. Lee sets the time in the story in the early 1950s, when the Great Depression was going on and there was poverty everywhere. The mindset of people back then was that blackRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee963 Words   |  4 Pagesgrowing up, when older characters give advice to children or siblings.Growing up is used frequently in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Harper Lee uses the theme growing up in To Kill a Mockingbird to change characters opinion, develop characters through their world, and utilizes prejudice to reveal growing up. One major cause growing up is used in To Kill a Mockingbird is to represent a change of opinion. One part growing up was shown in is through the trial in part two of the novelRead MoreHarper Lee and to Kill a Mockingbird931 Words   |  4 PagesHarper Lee and her Works Harper Lee knew first hand about the life in the south in the 1930s. She was born in Monroeville, Alabama in 1926 (Castleman 2). Harper Lee was described by one of her friends as Queen of the Tomboys (Castleman 3). Scout Finch, the main character of Lees Novel, To Kill a Mockinbird, was also a tomboy. Many aspects of To Kill a Mockingbird are autobiographical (Castleman 3). Harper Lees parents were Amasa Coleman Lee and Frances Finch Lee. She was the youngestRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1695 Words   |  7 PagesIn To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee presents as a ‘tired old town’ where the inhabitants have ‘nowhere to go’ it is set in the 1930s when prejudices and racism were at a peak. Lee uses Maycomb town to highlight prejudices, racism, poverty and social inequality. In chapter 2 Lee presents the town of Maycomb to be poverty stricken, emphasised through the characterisation of Walter Cunningham. When it is discovered he has no lunch on the first day of school, Scout tries to explain the situation to MissRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1876 Words   |  8 PagesThough Harper Lee only published two novels, her accomplishments are abundant. Throughout her career Lee claimed: the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction, and Quill Award for Audio Book. Lee was also inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. This honor society is a huge accomplishment and is considered the highest recognition for artistic talent and accomplishment in the United States. Along with these accomplishments, herRead MoreKill A Mockingbird, By Harper Lee1197 Words   |  5 Pagessuch as crops, houses, and land, and money was awfully limited. These conflicts construct Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mocking Bird. In To Kill a Mocking Bird, Lee establishes the concurrence of good and evil, meaning whether people are naturally good or naturally evil. Lee uses symbolism, characterization, and plot to portray the instinctive of good and evil. To Kill a Mocking Bird, a novel by Harper Lee takes place during the 1930s in the Southern United States. The protagonist, Scout Finch,Read MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1656 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Mockingbirds don’t do any harm but make music for us †¦ that’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird†, is a famous quote from the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus, the father of the main character Scout, says this to her and her brother Jem when they receive rifles for Christmas. This book is considered a classic due to the allegory between the book title and the trial that occurs about halfway through the book. In the beginning of To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout is six. She is an innocent

Fedex Operation Mangement Free Essays

The organization’s name and main line of business: FEDEX Corporations – Logistics 2. Specific type of operation: Air and Ground Delivery Specializing in Next Day Delivery 3. Describe the nature of operations process given your newfound understanding of operation management and productivity: a. We will write a custom essay sample on Fedex Operation Mangement or any similar topic only for you Order Now Service and product design: i. Supply Chain management ii. Next Day Delivery Services b. Quality management – Customer oriented business â€Å"People First Philosophy† c. Process and capacity – use of available technologies (web based tracking system) to enable customers real time access to information related to their packages to increase customer satisfaction; task employees to think of innovation as part of their day to day job d. Location – sites located locally and globally (over 220 countries) e. Layout and design – operated and owed independently f. Job Design : based on parcel shipping through ground and air, e-commerce and business services g. Supply Chain Management: h. Inventory Management: use improved – technology function to meet its goals i. Scheduling: 24 hour shipping operation globally 4. Maintenance: Owns and operates and maintains over 90K ground vehicles; 663 aircrafts in more than 375 airports 5. Global Strategy of the Organization FEDEX is the embodiment of operation management. The company started out as shipping company in 1971 to a multibillion dollar corporation with current revenue of $42. 7 billion in the current fiscal year. Originally FEDEX started with freight delivery through ground and air which expanded to four divisions FEDEX Express, Ground, Freight, and Services. FEDEX success in today’s business due to their diligence in addressing Basic Management Functions – planning, organizing, staffing, leading and controlling as well as addressing the ten critical decisions associated with a very successful business. FEDEX CEO and founder Mr. Fred Smith planning his organization from fledgling company offering delivery of small packages and documents to approximately 25 cities in the United States. His efficient ideas of outlining delivery service in the computer information age was outstanding not only did his idea went to fruition became FEDEX blue print for success. He organized his corporation by having locally owned company can concentrated on specific needs of that area through FEDEX business practice not only minimize staffing overhead, it also gave the independent companies the flexibility they need without losing control of core principles is a great example of successful and triumphant Corporation in the modern era. FEDEX address their ten critical decision areas by incorporating it through their mission, strategies and values. Their customer centric mission â€Å"People First Philosophy† embodies their service and product design. Their process and capacity is addressed again through customer satisfaction by utilizing modern technology such as the internet to give real time in-transit information on their packages and tasking the employees to think of innovative ways to operate as part of their day to day job is a great example of empowerment to improve the work place resulting in efficient ways to operate. Independently owned and operated sites are another way to save money in lower overhead cost. This also allows the site to concentrate on the particular requirements of the customers in that area. FEDEX is in the forefront of a successful business because of how they employ and use operation management techniques and addressing the ten critical decision areas through their mission, strategies and values that centers on employees and customers. How to cite Fedex Operation Mangement, Papers

Looking for Alibrandi Chapter summaries free essay sample

Josephine Alibrandi is beginning a new school year as the vice-captain of St Martha’s school in Sydney. She promises to be good but already gets in trouble on the first day. Josie introduces herself to the reader as an Italian living in Australia. She lives with her mother, who had her before she was married, doesn’t know her father, and has a close relationship with both her mother and nonna (grandmother). When Josie arrives home after school, her mother tells her that her father, Michael Andretti, is in town unexpectedly. Chapter 2 Josie introduces her friends: Sera, Anna and Lee, and her school enemy: Ivy Lloyd (Poison Ivy). Josie also participates in ‘Have a Say Day’, where she sits next to Jacob Coote, the captain of Cook High, a local public school. He teases and flirts with her. Jacob makes a speech about making the most of freedom. The speech affects Josie. We will write a custom essay sample on Looking for Alibrandi Chapter summaries or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Chapter 3 Josie visits her grandmother and examines the fact that she is illegitimate. She has an argument with her grandmother, who Josie thinks is too hard on her mother. Michael, Josie’s father, shows up unexpectedly, and Josie gives him a clue that she could be his child. Josie also explores her frustration with her culture. Chapter 4 Josie has a talk with John Barton, a boy that she has a crush on and respects, after the school debate. She comments on the polarisation of their two families, and he talks about his father’s expectations on him with quite a bit of bitterness. Josie is surprised that John is having problems, because his life is what she has always dreamed of. Josie gets a new job at McDonalds. Chapter 5 Josie goes to the school dance in a dress that her nonna made her. Jacob and John are both there, and Jacob dances with her for most of the night. Jacob gives Josie a lift home on his motorbike and tells her that his mother died. They talk about the differences in their families, and Josie says that he has to meet her mother if he wants to date her. Jacob is angry, and they decide to forget trying to get together. Chapter 6 Josie and her mother, Christina, goes to her nonna’s place for a family BBQ. Michael Andretti is also there. Josie overhears a conversation between Christina and Michael, and it is clear how much Josie means to her mother and how much Michael doesn’t want to be involved with Josie. Josie confronts Michael, and they agree to keep their distance from each other. Josie talks about this with her mother and asks her what her mother dreamed of when she was 17. Chapter 7 Josie and her mother spend Easter with the family. Josie ends up having to spend the night with her nonna, and nonna tells Josie that she used to be a beautiful woman. She tells Josie about moving to Australia with her husband and how difficult it was moving to a new place. Josie is surprised at how her nonna managed to cope with all of this hardship and that she has managed to do so well. Chapter 8 Josie overhears a girl from her school, Carly, talking about some Italians at a nightclub she went to as wogs. Josie gets angry at this and hits Carly in the face with a book. Carly’s father, an influential TV personality, wants to sue Josie for breaking Carly’s nose. Josie tells them that her father is a lawyer and calls Michael to come help her. He arrives and sorts the situation out. Josie is extremely proud to leave school with her father and intentionally talks about his work so that everyone will know he is a lawyer. Chapter 9 Sister Louise reveals that she knows what is happening in Josie’s life and is worried about how she is coping with it all. Josie’s mother, Christina, and her grandmother fight when Christina wants to go out on a date. After her grandmother leaves, Josie is also rude about her mother’s date, and they fight. Chapter 10 A local bully who used to live next door to Josie, Greg Sims, threatens Josie and her friend Anna after work at McDonald’s. Jacob Coote and his friend Anton rescue them from the attack. Jacob takes Josie home and asks her out on a date, agreeing that he will meet her mother. Chapter 11 After apologising for the way she acted when her mother when her mother went on a date, Josie asks if she can go out with Jacob. Christina agrees, though has a conversation with Josie about how Jacob will be wanting to have sex with her. Chapter 12 Josie spends the afternoon with her grandmother, looking through old photo albums. Her nonna tells her stories of the difficulties of being new to Australia in the 1930s-40s and shows Josie pictures of Marcus Sandford, a policeman who was her first Australian friend. When nonna’s parents died in Italy, nonna broke down at the post office. Marcus was also there and comforted her. Josie reflects on how lonely it must have been for her nonna, especially not being able to speak English. Chapter 13 Jacob picks Josie up for her date, but he is dressed poorly and hardly speaks to her mother at all. Josie is furious with him. They argue instead of going to the movies, and Josie decides to walk home. On the way she is picked up by her father. They have dinner together, and Michael reveals that, even though he didn’t know that Josie had been born, he is not sure he would have come back for her if he had known. He then offers her work at his legal office. Chapter 14 Josie meets John Barton, who is depressed about his relationship with his father and the constant pressure on him to be the best at things he doesn’t really care about. Josie suggests they each write down their feelings on paper; so they exchange their sealed notes to be opened at the end of the year. Chapter 15 At their local cafe, Josie and her friends discuss careers and boys. Josie meets Jacob on the way home, and he asks for a second chance. They arrange to wag school for a day and go to the beach. Chapter 16 Jacob and Josie meet up, and this time their date is more successful. They spend time on the beach and talk about what it means for Josie to be Italian. She seems to be coming to terms more with her culture. They kiss for the first time. Chapter 17 Josie is getting to know her father better through working with him and taking a trip to Adelaide with him. Josie finds out a little about the feelings her father once had for her mother and realises that she enjoys having Michael around. Chapter 18 Poison Ivy calls Josie a ‘new Australian’ and accuses Josie’s ancestors of killing her grandfather in the war. They argue about what it is to be Australian and also fight about John Barton, who they both have had feelings for. Jacob picks Josie up in his new car, and Josie realises she has strong feelings for him, but wonders if he also thinks of her as a ‘new Australian’. Chapter 19 Josie participates in ‘Tomato Day’, an Italian family tradition where all of her relatives spend the day cooking and bottling tomato sauce. Josie realises that, whether she likes them or not, some traditions are so strongly and deeply a part of her that she cannot ignore them. She also hears more about nonna’s husband and is told that all Italian men were put into a camp for ‘aliens’ during the war years. During that time, Marcus helped nonna around the house. Chapter 20 Josie abandons her duty as supervisor at the school walk-a-thon to follow her friends who are going to see if they can find a pop star who is in town. Sister Louise finds out and accuses Josie of conforming and being like a ‘sheep’. She also tells Josie that she was elected captain of the school, but that Sister Louise didn’t think she could handle it and made her vice-captain instead. Josie realises that what she did was wrong and apologises, and also realises that she is much more popular at school than she thought. Chapter 21 Josie goes to see Macbeth with John, but Jacob, who is also at the movies with his friends, thinks that Josie is cheating on him. He confronts Josie, who is then forced to consider her true feelings for John and Jacob, as well as her prejudices about other people’s backgrounds. Chapter 22 Josie and her mother spend a nice day together. Josie wishes her mother and father would find a way to get back together. Chapter 23 Josie’s grandmother tells her about the Australian, Marcus Sandford, who once loved her, and how she had to send him away because of the scandal that would have caused. Josie begins to respect her nonna even more. Chapter 24 Jacob and Josie argue when she refuses to introduce him to her grandmother. The following day Josie goes to Jacob’s house and meets her father. Later they make out, and Jacob wants to go further. Josie tells him that she is not ready to have sex wit him. Chapter 25 Josie’s world is turned upside down when she realises that her grandmother has lied to her. A chance remark that nonna made about Josie’s grandfather being out of time when Christina was conceived reveals that nonna was unfaithful to her Italian husband and that the Australian, Marcus Sandford, is actually Christina’s father. This changes how Josie feels about herself. Chapter 26 Josie reconciles with her grandmother who explains the difficult decisions she had to make thirty-six years previously. Josie finds out that this is why her grandfather was so mean to nonna and Christina and also why her grandfather kicked Christina out of the house when she was pregnant with Josie. Josie decides not to tell her mother. Chapter 27 Josie meets up with John Barton, who seems to be much happier about life and tells Josie that he once had a crush on her. She admits that she felt the same way. Josie is confused, however, when John tells her that she should get to know Ivy Lloyd better and that they have a lot in common. Chapter 28 Ivy tells Josie that John has committed suicide. She is deeply shocked and devastated. Later she reads the note he wrote to her about his feelings and realises how alone and lost he was. Josie also realises that she will achieve her freedom in this life by living, and that the tragedy of John’s death is that he felt he needed to die to achieve his emancipation. Chapter 29 At the school speech night, where Josie receives a prize, Josie realises that John was right and that she had a lot in common with Ivy. Later in the evening, Josie’s father tells her that he is proud of her and wants her to take on his name. She isn’t sure what to do because she has a strong connection with her mother and nonna, and doesn’t want them to feel rejected. Chapter 30 Jacob breaks up with Josie, telling her that they are too different to be together, that he is confused and that he needs to find out who he is by himself. He also reassures Josie that she did the right thing by not having sex with him. Chapter 31 The exams are over, and Josie is still devastated by the loss of both John and Jacob in her life. She meets up with her friends who try to console her. Sera admits that things are not going so well with her boyfriend, and Lee admits that she has slept with her boyfriend but wishes she had waited. Chapter 32 Josie reflects on her year and realises that she has come to an understanding of who she is really is in relation to her school, family and community. She understands herself much better and is free.

Essay Examples on Marketing Management Essay Example

Essay Examples on Marketing Management Paper 1st Essay Sample on Marketing Management Marsha Carpenter BADM625-O2 Dr. Nall October 28, 2012 Marketing Excellence – eBay 1. Why has eBay succeeded as an online auction marketplace while so many others have failed? According to Kotler and Keller (2012, p. 411), eBay’s success began by creating aâ€Å"pricing revolution†, which allowed the bidders/buyers to determine the price they were willing to pay for an item. The consumers were pleased because they felt they were in control, and received the best possible price. The sellers were also pleased because they reached a wide variety of buyers, and they ended up owing very little overhead when the deals were done (Kotler Keller, 2012, p. 411). The reason eBay succeeded while others failed is because the others were unable to create a unique business model which pleased both buyers and sellers (Bandyopadhyay Wolfe, 2004, p. 141). Although there is little revenue input from these companies, many sites such as auction. om, sandcrawler. com, and firstauction. com, merged with others or shutdown due to lack of participants (Bandyopadhyay Wolfe, 2004, p. 141). Bandyopadhyay and Wolfe (2004) examined the reasons an auction site succeeds and their variables for their research were determined as ease of user interactivity, variety of product offerings, level of trust, rate of growth and adoption, networking, level of commitment, and payment options. We will write a custom essay sample on Essay Examples on Marketing Management specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Essay Examples on Marketing Management specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Essay Examples on Marketing Management specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Marketing Management Marketing Management Marketing Management When customers feel they are more than just a number, they will soon become frequent buyers. Other mentionables by Bandyopadhyay and Wolfe (2004) were the web address must be easy to remember, the site must be easy to navigate, easy interaction with other members or the site itself, availability 24/7, high-usage interaction, advanced features, and the design of the website must be clutter-free (Bandyopadhyay Wolfe, 2004, p. 141-143). eBay has all of these listed features and must be part of its success. 2nd Essay Sample on Marketing Management Strengths Strong Management (Shakey’s) Strong management can help Shakey’s reach its potential by utilizing strengths and eliminating†¦ Size Advantages (Shakey’s) Size advantages lower Shakey’s’s risks. The larger Shakey’s gets, the more resources they have to†¦ Technology (Shakey’s) Superior technology allows Shakey’s to better meet the needs of their customers in ways that†¦ Cost Advantages (Shakey’s) Lower costs lead to higher profits for Shakey’s. A low cost leader can undercut rivals on price†¦ Customer Loyalty (Shakey’s) When given a choice, customers are loyal to Shakey’s. Instead of targeting all customers, Shakey’s†¦ Weaknesses Customer Service (Shakey’s) Weak customer service hurts Shakey’s’s reputation and causes customers to flee to competitors, who†¦ Opportunities Innovation (Shakey’s) Greater innovation can help Shakey’s to produce unique products and services that meet customer’s†¦ New Technology (Shakey’s) New technology helps Shakey’s to better meet their customer’s needs with new and improved products†¦ New Products (Shakey’s) New products can help Shakey’s to expand their business and diversity their customer base†¦ New Markets (Shakey’s) New markets allow Shakey’s to expand their business and diversify their portfolio of roducts and†¦ Marketing Management Marketing Management Marketing Management Threats Bad Economy (Shakey’s) A bad economy can hurt Shakey’s’s business by decreasing the number of potential customers†¦ Intense Competition (Shakey’s) Intense completion can lower Shakey’s’s profits, because competitors can entice consumers Shakey’s SWOT Analysis Profile away†¦ What is a SWOT Analysis? It is a way of evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that affect something. See WikiWealth’s SWOT tutorial for help. Remember, vote up the most important comments. Check out WikiWealth’s entire database of free SWOT reports or use our SWOT analysis generator to create your own SWOT template.

Biography of Moses, Leader of the Abrahamic Religions

Biography of Moses, Leader of the Abrahamic Religions Moses, if he existed, likely lived in Egypt during the dynastic New Kingdom, and he was an early leader of the Hebrews and one of the most important figures in Judaism. He is a significant patriarch of all the Abrahamic religions, those who use the Torah, Christian Old Testament, or Quran as sacred texts. Fast Facts: Moses Known For: Patriarch of the Torah, Christian Old Testament, and QuranBorn: Land of Goshen, New Kingdom, EgyptParents: Yocheved and AmramDied: Mount Nebo, MoabSpouse(s): Adoniah or Tharbis, an Ethiopian princess; Tzipporah the MidianiteChildren: From Tzipporah, Gershom and Eliezer. Early Life If there was a historical man named Moses, he would most likely have been born in Egypt (the Land of Goshen) during the reign of Ramses II (ruled 1279–1213 BCE), the pharaoh of the New Kingdoms 19th dynasty. According to the Torah, Moses was the youngest of three children born to Yocheved (sometimes spelled Jochebed) and Avram. Yocheved was the daughter of Levi; she married Avram, a grandson of Levi, which means Yocheved was also Avrams aunt. Moses siblings were Aaron (the founder of the Hebraic priestly dynasty) and Miriam (an important prophetess). Pharaohs Curse Not much else is available on Avram or Yocheved in the Torah itself, but Midrashim records- ancient rabbinical commentaries on the Torah- say that Yocheved was 130 years old when Moses was born and that Avram divorced Yocheved while she was pregnant, so that their son Moses would escape the pharaohs decree. According to Exodus, the pharaoh of Egypt decreed that all Hebrew boy babies were to be drowned at birth. Yocheved hid her newborn son for 3 months and then placed her baby in a wicker basket in the Nile River reeds. The baby cried and was rescued by one of the pharaohs daughters, who kept the baby. This legend is similar to one in the Mesopotamian story of Gilgamesh, when the Sumerian king Sargon I was placed in a reed basket and floated down the Euphrates river. In the Court of the Pharaoh Moses sister, the prophetess Miriam, knew what would occur and was watching when the daughter of the pharaoh took the baby. Miriam came forward to ask the princess if she would like a Hebrew wet nurse for the infant. When the princess agreed, Miriam fetched Yocheved. Moses grew up in the palace as an adopted son of the pharaohs daughter (identified the Midrash as Queen Bithia), but he went to see his own people when he grew up, and as an adult he may have been a governor working for Ramses II. During Ramses IIs reign, Ethiopia was an Egyptian province with an Egyptian governor named Mesui, who some scholars suggest was Moses. While in Ethiopia, Moses married an Ethiopian princess named Tharbis or Adonais. When he witnessed an overseer beating a Hebrew, Moses struck the Egyptian and killed him, with the beaten Hebrew as a witness. The pharaoh learned that Moses was the murderer and ordered his execution. Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he married Tzipporah, daughter of Jethro. Their sons were Gershom and Eliezer. A Burning Bush In the land of Midian, Moses was tending a flock of sheep for his father-in-law when he saw a bush that was burning but not being consumed by the flames. He approached the bush and first an angel and then God (or more properly Yahweh) himself spoke to him, telling him that he must return to Egypt and shepherd the Israelites out to Canaan, their promised land of milk and honey. Moses was convinced when Yahweh changed his staff to a snake, then gave him a new staff with which to lead his people. Moses returned to Egypt to seek the release of the Hebrews and to bring them to Canaan, but when he approached the pharaoh, Ramses refused to release the Hebrews. In retaliation, Yahweh imposed a series of 10 plagues, the last being the killing the firstborn of every Egyptian. Only after suffering through the beginning of the tenth plague did the pharaoh relent, telling Moses he could take the Hebrews out of Egypt. However, after Moses and the Hebrews left, the pharaoh reversed his decision and had his men follow them. When they reached the Red Sea, Moses used his staff to part the waters and allow the Israelites to pass through the seabed. The Egyptian soldiers also entered the dry seabed, but once the Israelites had safely crossed Moses lifted his arms: the sea closed, and the Egyptian army was drowned. The Biblical Exodus During the 40-year journey of the Hebrews from Egypt to Canaan, Moses went to Mount Sinai to fast and commune with Yahweh for 40 days. There, he received the 10 Commandments from Yahweh. While Moses was gone, his followers including Aaron became nervous that he would not return and built a golden calf. Moses told Yahweh that his followers had begun to leave and Yahweh wanted to kill them, but Moses dissuaded him. But, when Moses saw the actual calf and altar he was so angry he hurled and shattered the two tablets holding the 10 Commandments; Moses made two more tablets and Yahweh inscribed them again. When the people complained they needed food in the desert, Yahweh fed the Israelites with manna, a substance white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey that rained down from the heavens, and quail. Death Near the end of the 40 years, Yahweh informed Moses that only the new generation of Israelites would enter Canaan, and for that reason, Moses would never see the Promised Land. Moses climbed Mt. Abarim and saw Canaan on the horizon, but that was as close as he would come. Moses chose Joshua as the successor, and, at the ripe old age of 120, Moses climbed Mt. Nebo and died. Who was Moses? Much of this tale is legendary and full of miracles, the stuff of ancient religion. But the role of Moses in the Bible, to Jews, Christians, and Moslems, is rich and complex beyond the miracles. He is seen by all three as the leader of the Israelite people who shepherded them out of Egypt. He is the embodiment of Mosaic law- the one who interceded with Yahweh on behalf of his people, and the one who acted as a judge on behalf of the sacred. He was a teacher and the founder of the cult and sanctuary of the ancient Hebraic religion. The last four books of the Torah- Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy- are primarily dedicated to the life and activities of Moses and his people. Exodus starts with the birth of Moses and Deuteronomy ends with his death and burial by Yahweh. Early interpretations of that circumstance suggested that Moses himself wrote the books of the Torah (or received them direct from Yahweh). Modern biblical scholars mostly agree that the five books were redacted from four independently written documents written long after Moses would have died. The Ptolemaic-era Egyptian historian Manetho mentions Moses- again, long after Mosess death. There are other late historical references in the writings of the Roman historians Josephus, Philo, Apion, Strabo, Tacitus, and Porphyry. His story is told in the Bible in the book of Exodus and the ancient commentaries on the biblical text known as the midrashim. As Musa, he is also is a significant prophet in the Quran. Biblical scholar J. Van Seters, said it best, The quest for the historical Moses is a futile exercise. He now belongs only to legend. Sources Feldman, Louis H. Josephus Portrait of Moses. The Jewish Quarterly Review 82.3/4 (1992): 285–328.Josephus Portrait of Moses: Part Two. The Jewish Quarterly Review 83.1/2 (1992): 7–50.Nigosian, S. A. Moses as They Saw Him. Vetus Testamentum 43.3 (1993): 339–50.Robinson, Marilynne. Moses. Salmagundi 121/122 (1999): 23-46.RÃ ¶mer, Thomas. Moses Outside the Torah and the Construction of a Diaspora Identity. The Journal of Hebrew Scriptures 8.15 (2008): 1–12.Van Seters, John. Moses. The Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Eliade, Mircea. New York: Macmillan, 1987. 116.Wineman, Aryeh. Between Person and Metaphor: Moses in the Hasidic Homily-Literature. Hebrew Studies 59 (2018): 209–20.

End of Module Project Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

End of Module Project - Assignment Example In 2012, Sony reported a massive loss of 67 billion Yen (Hirai 2012). In 2011, the company reported an even larger loss of 200 billion Yen. Sony is not keeping up the proper pace of innovation in the smartphone industry and with other consumer electronics, allowing companies such as Samsung to seize more market share and gain a reputation for pioneering product development with many different target consumer segments. If Samsung fails to innovate, it will continue to report massive losses and difficulty in recapturing its once-heralded reputation in innovation. Sharp, a major competitor associated with consumer television products, recognises the demand for technological change in its many international markets. Sharp, as a result, recognised that main competition in this industry were not effectively developing 3D television technologies and determined that significant capital investment in R&D would assist in allowing Sharp to capitalise on this innovation. Sharp reported revenues of $24 billion USD in 2011 as a result of 3D television innovations (Sharp 2013). Furthermore, another main competitor, Sharp, is also adept at exploiting technological change in the market in order to pioneer many different consumer electronics products. Sharp recognised that its competitors were not capitalising on 3D television technology and devoted considerable R&D-related resources on this emerging technology. As a result, this firm achieved revenues of nearly 24 billion USD in 2011 (Sharp 2013). Microsoft, the producer of the pioneering gaming console, Xbox, also continues to be a competitive, innovation-focused market threat for Sony. With each new version of the Sony Playstation, the first real innovation for Sony in well over two decades, Microsoft times its launches of its own innovative changes to the Xbox, serving as a brand threat for the Sony Corporation. Furthermore, Microsoft has begun an acquisition strategy to

What evidence is there that good management of people can improve Assignment

What evidence is there that good management of people can improve organizational performance and profit - Assignment Example Managing workers or the complete organizational performance enables the easy, efficient deliverance of operational goals. There is an obvious and instantaneous association among using performance management program, and enhanced business and organizational outcomes. â€Å"A predominant theme in the research on HRM and performance is the view that identifiable strategy types exist, and that subscription to one leads to superior performance† (Cooke 2000, p. 5). There are many effective operational benefits, by releasing the hidden potential in each workers work day, the profits included are many; the gains for the organization are much high in terms of finance and resources.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Discontinue project overruns,  Ã‚  Ã‚   Support the group directly following the top management objectives, Reduces the time it takes to generate the operational alteration by the corresponding to the changes throughout the latest set of aims.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Optimizes motivation tactics to the explicit goal for over attainment, and not just the usual trade carried out.  Ã‚   Progress in employee commitment because everybody understands how openly the organizations high level goals are contributed.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Generates simplicity in the accomplishment of goals   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   High self-confidence in additional benefit compensation process, Professional development program are enhanced openly to realize business level goals. They mainly    Elastic, and reactive to organizational needs, Displays data associations, helps  in auditing, Simplifies statements of strategic planning aims and also  Ã‚   provides good correspondences. Every organization should have a good management system. The system helps in improving organizational performance and profit. The systems scope and complexity may differ, other than the underlying requirement that remains. All organizations are different. The system must be planned to meet the sole issues faced, whereas many systems will have general elements. â€Å"The

ENDOSCOPES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

ENDOSCOPES - Essay Example In operative endoscopes, an additional channel to allow entry of medical instruments to biopsy or to facilitate tissue and other operations (Wikipedia, 2006). The endoscope also provides visual examination of the interior of the body through a natural body opening such as the throat or rectum. Since the endoscope can be inserted through a very small opening, it is a less invasive method than other surgical techniques, causing less scarring and a quicker recovery time. A camera or video recorder is often used during an endoscopic procedure to provide permanent records of internal organs, which may be used for later reference (rosemont.com., N.D). Endoscopic surgery has been used for decades in a number of different procedures, including gallbladder removal, tubal ligation, and knee surgery. However, in recent years endoscopic instruments are also used for plastic surgery. As important research continues, endoscopy is being used on a limited basis for both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures (ASPS, 2006). There are two main uses of endoscopy - diagnostic and therapeutic. In case of a suspected tumour or other disorder in the stomach, bladder, lungs or other organs endoscopy can be used for examination. In addition to studying the organ, the physician is able to take a biopsy sample (a small piece of suspicious tissue) for testing. In earlier days biopsy required major surgery. Endoscopy is valuable in the removal of polyps (small growths), treatment of knee joint and other joint disorders, and inspection as well as treatment of the bronchi, colon, female reproductive organs and gastrointestinal tract (rosemont.com., N.D). All surgery carries risks and every incision leaves a scar. However, with endoscopic surgery, the scars are likely to be hidden, much smaller and some of the after effects of surgery may be minimized. As the incisions are shorter with endoscopy, the risk of sensory loss from nerve damage is decreased. Also, bleeding, bruising and

Googles Quest For Competitive Advantage Marketing Essay

Googles Quest For Competitive Advantage Marketing Essay In 1996 two computer science PhD students at Stanford University, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, were wondering how they could sort through the massive amount of information that was starting to appear on the Web to find specific and useful information on a topic. Although there were several different technologies, or search engines, available to search the Web for information, none of them seemed particularly useful to Brin and Page because they failed to distinguish between useful and trivial Web sites. Brin and Page decided to build a search engine that not only would examine the words on Web pages and then index them as other search engines did, but also would look at how and where these words were being used and at the number of other Web sites linked to a page. The goal was to have the search engine return a list of Web pages with the most useful appearing at the top. The name Google originated from a misspelling of googol which refers to the number represented by a 1 followed by one-hundred zeros. Having found its way increasingly into everyday language, the verb, google, was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2006, meaning, to use the Google search engine to obtain information on the Internet. By December 1998 the beta version of Googles search engine had been up and running at the Web for months, answering over 10,000 search queries a day. From that point on growth was exponential. By December 2000 Googles index included more than 1.3 billion Web pages, and the company was answering some 60 million search queries a day. By 2004 the number of Web pages indexed by Google exceeded 4 billion, and the search engine was handling more than 300 million queries a day. Googles technology quickly became pervasive. Soon most major Web portals were using Googles search engine technology, including AOL. Yahoo also signed an agreement to make Google its default search provider, which helped make Google the largest search engine on the Web. Estimates suggested that in 2003 some 75 percent of Internet searches were made using Google. What was most impressive about Google, however, was that unlike many other dot-com businesses of the 1990s, Google found a way to make money. Google generated revenue from only two sources: (1) the licensing fees it charged to supply search capabilities to corporations, other Internet sites, and wireless telephone companies, and (2) the advertising fees it charged for providing highly targeted text-only sponsor links adjacent to its search results. The Google search engine attracted a loyal following among the growing number of Internet users, who liked its simple design. In 2000, Google began selling advertisements associated with search keywords, which provided the company with an additional revenue source beyond fees for licensing its search appliance to other Web sites. To make money Google sells to advertisers the words that people put in when they search for something on the Web. Thus means that whoever bids the most for a particular term, say digital cameras, gets their link put at the top of a Google-generated list. Google distinguishes between independent search results and those that are paid for by listing sponsored links on its page. However, sponsors do not pay Google unless a user clicks through to them from a Google-generated link. The ads were text-based to maintain an uncluttered page design and to maximize page loading speed. Keywords were sold based on a combination of price bid and click-throughs, with bidding starting at $.05 per click. Advertisers dont just pay a set rate, or even a cost per thousand viewers. They bid on the search term. The more an advertiser is willing to pay, the higher its ad will be positioned. But if the ad doesnt get clicks, its rank will decline over time, regardless of how much has been bid. If an ad is persistently irrelevant, Google will remove it: Its not working for the advertiser, its not serving users, and its taking up server capacity. Google understands that its two most important assets are the attention and trust of its users. If it takes too long to deliver results or an additional word of text on the home page is too distracting, Google risks losing peoples attention. If the search results are lousy, or if they are compromised by advertising, it risks losing peoples trust. Attention and trust are sacrosanct. Google pursues a seemingly gratuitous quest for speed: Four years ago, the average search took approximately 3 seconds. Now its down to about 0.2 seconds. And since 0.2 is more than zero, its not quite fast enough. Page and Brin insisted that the company would only sell discreet text ads placed near search results and never mix paid keyword-based ads with legitimate search results even though the practice was standard among search engine companies. Also, Google would not place banner ads on its Web site, now would it sell pop-up ads. While many of its dot-com rivals failed in the new Internet marketplace, Google quietly rose in stature while generating revenue. In 2003 the company made $967 million in revenues and $105 million in net profits. In 2004 revenues surged to $3.19 billion and net income to $399 million. Google Founded by Geeks and Run by Geeks Google is an organisation founded by geeks and run by geeks. According to Stephen Arnold, Googles programmers are 50%-100% more productive compared to programmers working for their competitors.   He based this theory on Googles competitors having to spend up to four times as much just to keep up. It is a collection of 650 really smart people who are almost frighteningly single-minded. These are people who think they are creating something thats the best in the world, says Peter Norvig, a Google engineering director. And that product is changing peoples lives. Geeks are different from the rest of us, so its no surprise that theyve created a different sort of company. Google is, in fact, their dream house. It also happens to be among the best-run companies in the technology sector. At a moment when much of business has resigned itself to the pursuit of sameness and safety, Google proposes an almost joyous antidote to mediocrity, a model for smart innovation in challenging times. Google spends more time on hiring than on anything else. It knows this because, like any bunch of obsessive engineers, it keeps track. It says that it gets 1,500 rà ©sumà ©s a day from wanna-be Googlers. Between screening, interviewing, and assessing, it invested 87 Google people-hours in each of the 300 or so people that it hired in 2002. Google hires two sorts of engineers, both aimed at encouraging the art of fast failure. First, it looks for young risk takers. We look for smart, says Wayne Rosing, who heads Googles engineering ranks. Smart as in, do they do something weird outside of work, something off the beaten path? That translates into people who have no fear of trying difficult projects and going outside the bounds of what they know. But Google also hires stars, PhDs from top computer-science programs and research labs. It has continually managed to hire 90% of the best search-engine people in the world, says Brian Davison, a Lehigh University assistant professor and a top search expert himself. The PhDs are Googles id. They are the people who know enough to shoot holes in ideas before they go too far to make the failures happen faster. Google developed a decentralized management schema where employees report directly to multiple managers and team project leaders. This allows for the responsibility of the technology department to be shared amongst multiple senior level engineers and removes the need for a singular department head to oversee the activities of the department.   This is a unique approach from the standard management style. The challenge is negotiating the tension between risk and caution. When Rosing started at Google in 2001, we had management in engineering. And the structure was tending to tell people, No, you cant do that. So Google got rid of the managers. Now most engineers work in teams of three, with project leadership rotating among team members. If something isnt right, even if its in a product that has already gone public, teams fix it without asking anyone. For a while, Rosing says, I had 160 direct reports. No managers. It worked because the teams knew what they had to do. That set a cultural bit in peoples heads: You are the boss. Dont wait to take the hill. Dont wait to be managed. And if you fail, fine. On to the next idea. Theres faith here in the ability of smart, well-motivated people to do the right thing, Rosing says. Google doesnt market itself in the traditional sense. Instead, it observes, and it listens. It obsesses over search-traffic figures, and it reads its email. In fact, 10 full-time employees do nothing but read emails from users, distributing them to the appropriate colleagues or responding to them themselves. Nearly everyone has access to user feedback, says Monika Henzinger, Googles director of research. We all know what the problem areas are, where users are complaining. Google focuses relentlessly on the quality of the experience. Make it easy. Make it fast. Make it work. And attack everything that gets in the way of perfection. How does Google keep innovating? Google also understands the capacity of the Web to leverage expertise. Its product-engineering effort is more like an ongoing, all-hands discussion. The site features about 10 technologies in development, many of which may never be products per se. They are there because Google wants to see how people react. It wants feedback and ideas. Having people in on the game who know a lot of stuff tells you earlier whether good ideas are good ideas that will actually work. One big factor is the companys willingness to fail. Google engineers are free to experiment with new features and new services and free to do so in public. The company frequently posts early versions of new features on the site and waits for its users to react. We cant predict exactly what will happen, says senior engineer Nelson Minar. Frequently, new Google enhancements or products appear in its inventory. Google Labs, the experimental section of Google.com, helps Google maximize its relationships with its users by including them in the beta development, design and testing stages of new products and enhancements of already existing ones. Googles Competitive Position and Strategy to Sustain Growth Googles ability to sustain its strong position among Internet search companies was a function of its ability maintains strong relationships with Internet users, advertisers, and Web sites. Google has a distinctive technology advantage over Microsoft, eBay, Amazon, Yahoo. Google utilizes custom high-performance systems which are cost efficient because they can scale to extreme workloads. This hardware allows for a huge cost advantage over its competitors. In 2005, Internet users searching for information went to Google more often than to any other site with search capabilities. There was nothing that would prevent Internet users from abandoning Google to use a better search technology. However, the development of a better search engine by a rival could lead to rapid erosion of advertising revenues for Google. Google management believed its primary competitors were Yahoo! and Microsoft. In August 2004 Google went public, raising over $1.5 billion. With no debt and flush with cash, the company looked set to build on its lead in the search engine business. However, competitors were not sitting on the sidelines. In 2003 Yahoo! purchased a rival search engine company. Overture Services and replaced Google as the search engine on its site with a proprietary search engoine based on Overtures technology. Microsoft too seems to have its sights set on Google. Microsoft is reportedly working on its own search engine technology, which it plans to integrate with its software. In February 2003, Google acquired Pyra Labs, owner of Blogger, a pioneering and leading web log hosting website. Some analysts considered the acquisition inconsistent with Googles business model. However, the acquisition secured the companys ability to use information gleaned from blog postings to improve the speed and relevance of articles contained in a companion product to the search engine, Google News. Google also purchased YouTube, JotSpot (a company that helped pioneer the market for collaborative, web-based business software), Gapminders Trendalyzer software (a company that specializes in developing information technology for provision of free statistics in new visual and animated), Adscape Media (a small in-game advertising company). In 2007, Google also acquired PeakStream Technologies. In 2004, Google became more involved in the Chinese market when it acquired a 2.6 percent stake in Baidu the number one search engine in China. Google believed it was essential to develop a local presence in China if it were to aggressively pursue search-based advertising customers in that market since the Chinese language was so complex. In late 2005, Google was moving forward with its strategy in China by recruiting employees for an office located in China, developing a separate brand name for the Chinese market, and launching a Chinese .cn site. Google management also opened an operation center in Brazil and Mexico in late 2005 to improve sales and services to Latin American advertisers. While the companys primary market is in the web content arena, Google has also recently began to experiment with other markets, such as radio and print publications. On January 17, 2006, Google announced that it had purchased the radio advertising company dMarc, which provides an automated system that allows companies to advertise on the radio. This will allow Google to combine two advertising media-the Internet and radio-with Googles ability to laser-focus on the tastes of consumers. Google has also begun an experiment in selling advertisements from its advertisers in offline newspapers and magazines, with select advertisements in the Chicago Sun-Times. They have been filling unsold space in the newspaper that would have normally been used for in-house advertisements. Over the course of the past decade, Google has become quite well known for its corporate culture and innovative, clean products, and has had a major impact on online culture. ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS What are the sources of Googles competitive advantage? (In your answer identify and explain Googles distinctive competencies) What value does Google create for customers and advertisers? Apply the four building blocks of competitive advantage to Google. Analyse each factor by providing detailed examples from the case. What business-level strategy is Google pursuing? (Identify the strategy and justify your answer). What corporate-level strategy and international strategy has Google implemented? (Identify the relevant strategies and justify your answer). 1. What are the sources of Googles competitive advantage? (In your answer identify and explain Googles distinctive competencies) Ans-First we need to define what competitive advantage is. Competitive advantage Can be defined as the advantage a firm has over other firms with respect to product offerings, Cost structure, distribution and customer support. This allows the firm to generate high revenues or margins as well as larger customer base than its competitors. Competitive advantages are mainly of two types.1) Comparative advantage 2) Differential advantage. 1) Comparative advantage- Comparative advantage is also called as cost advantage. This is the organizations ability  to produce  goods or services at a lower cost than its competitors price. 2) Differential advantage- Differential advantage is the firms ability to differ from products or services from its competitors and are perceived as better than its competitors.

To His Coy Mistress :: Literary Analysis

In the poem â€Å"To His Coy Mistress†, the speaker is trying to seduce his wife. In the assumption the mistress is his wife; she is being bashful towards losing her virginity. The speaker, which is the mistress’s husband, develops a carefully constructed argument where the speaker seeks to persuade his lady to surrender her virginity to him. In the poem â€Å"To His Coy Mistress†, the speaker says, â€Å"Had we but world enough, and time†¦I would love you ten years before the Flood, and you should if you please refuse till the conversion of the Jews† (lines 1 and 7-10). The speaker is stating if they had all the time in the world, they would have no need to rush their love making. With all the time they would want he would love her from the very beginning until the very end. The speaker refers to the â€Å"Flood† (line 8) as the flood of Noah’s Arc in the Bible, which indicates he would love her from the beginning of time. Next, the speaker says, â€Å"Till the conversion of the Jews† (line 10), which would indicate the end of time. In the Bible, it is believed that when Christ comes back for his people the Jews will convert to Christianity. Therefore when Christ returns, that will be the end times. In conclusion, the speaker is saying if they had time from the beginning to the very end, his mistress is welcome to continue being shy. In contrary, the speaker and his coy mistress do not have that kind of time to spare, which is the reason he is trying to convince his wife to surrender her virginity. The speaker continues to argue that time is not in favor of his mistress’s nervousness or his age. For instance, he says, â€Å"But at my back I always hear time’s winged chariot hurrying near† (lines 21 and 22). In other words, he is saying his time is running out quickly. There can be many reasons why his time is running short, but according to the poem there is one reason he could be in a rush to make love with his mistress. The speaker says, â€Å"And yonder all before us lie deserts of vast eternity† (lines 23 and 24). â€Å"Deserts of vast eternity† (line 24) expresses his concern of not being able to have children, which would make him sterile. As men age, their sperm count becomes less and less, which makes conceiving a child nearly impossible.