Woodrow Wilson and World War 1 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Woodrow Wilson and World War 1 - Research Paper Example 2 He had no belief in the Presidential form of government in the earlier years of his political career. He considered that the checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution did not provide for accountability on any arm of the federal structure. He rather advocated Parliamentary form of government. However in the later years he gained confidence in the Presidential system and got elected twice as the President.3 World War 1 World War 1 started in the year 1914 among the European countries due to the deep rooted naval rivalry between the great powers especially Great Britain and Germany who had amicably settled their differences only temporarily. France had misgivings about its lost provinces of Alsace and Lorraine to Germany and the resultant enmity had been brewing between them. Austria-Hungary and Russia had been resisting war with the Balkan countries in the years 1912 and 1913. In fact Europe had been witnessing a series of crises since 1900 that had brought great powers almost clo se to war. By 1914, the differences among these countries became insoluble and they started engaging in war against one another. 4 The United States remained neutral for some years before it was forced into war due to Germany’s aggressive postures. Woodrow Wilson did not believe in wars and advised the citizens of America not to take sides in the war that was in progress in Europe among Germany and Great Britain and others. Wilson lost his wife in 1915 and he later married Edith Boling Galt as his second wife in the same year. In the same year, Germany’s sinking of ships of Britain gave an opportunity for Wilson to mediate between the warring countries of Europe. His visit to Europe for convening a peace conference was reciprocated by European powers. Although the United States was growing in power, it was finding it difficult to protect her trading rights in the midst wars that were fought for victory and survival.5 Declaration of Neutrality Woodrow Wilson, in his mes sage to Congress urged his countrymen to remain neutral. Since people of the United States had their origins of many nations at war in Europe, it was quite natural for them to take conflicting stands. But as the citizens of the United States they should be bound together without exciting passions. If the people are divided, then it would not be possible to maintain peace and mediate as an impartial country. 6 First Warning to Germany Since Germany had been indulging in destroying merchant vessels of the United Sates and killing its people , Wilson issued his first warning to Germany on 10 February 1915 to the then Imperial German Government against attacking merchant vessels on the high seas without entering and searching for any contraband. He informed the German Government that it would be held to a strict accountability in case of attack on the merchant vessels of the U.S. resulting in loss of lives and property.7 War message to congress In view of the continued belligerence of G ermany against the United States, Wilson announced severance of diplomatic relations with Germany from 3 February 1917. In his war message to the congress on 2 April 1917, Wilson informed that Germany was indiscriminately sinking ships of neutral and friendly nations which was a challenge to all mankind. When all the affected nations were to decide how to meet the situations, the United Sates would not take action in a spirit of revenge or assertion of the country’s physical might but as the vindication of human right which the nation championed. On 26th February it was informed to the Congress that the country would assert its neutral rights with arms, right to use the sea in retaliation of unlawful interference, right to safeguard its people against unlawful violence. But as things stood in April, it

Good vs Evil Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay Example for Free

Good vs Evil Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay The world as we know it is constantly moving and changing; events occur that can affect people’s lives even if they are thousands of miles away. Whether or not these happenings are good or evil can shape one’s mindset and outlook on the actions they take themselves. Both have distinct strengths and weaknesses; however, the real question one must ask is which side of the spectrum is more capable of influencing humanity. In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde written by Robert Louis Stevenson, a wealthy and well-respected doctor by the name of Henry Jekyll, who believes that man is not one but two separate people, constructs a potion which unearths his inner evil (Mr. Edward Hyde), and in the end is engulfed by the strength of his malevolent persona. Although good is a preferred in society, the power of evil has more ability to spread over a larger scale and influence the minds of many; it is omnipresent, inevitable, and extremely easy to surrender to. As much as people would like to conceal their impure intentions and corrupt ways of life, somehow they are revealed and it is impossible to resist what truly lies inside. What classifies a person as either good or evil depends on what side of their soul they decide to let be in control. Once the bad side takes over it takes an immense amount of effort to get the good back. In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll is consumed by the evil that lies within him. When Jekyll first consumes the potion he feels elated. Edward Hyde provides an alternate life for Jekyll. He is liberated of all cares and expectations. Nearing the end of the book, the reader gets a close look inside Jekyll’s mind and what was occurring when he switched between himself and Hyde. He tells about the early stages of his experiment: â€Å"I felt younger, lighter, happier in body†¦ a solution of the bonds of obligation, an unknown but not an innocent freedom of the soul. I knew myself, at the first breath of this new life, to be more wicked, tenfold more wicked, sold a slave to my original evil; and the thought, in that moment, braced and delighted me like wine† (Stevenson 67). Throughout his life, Henry has always been a man of respect. He is known to have integrity and good ethics. When he rids of his burdens and gives into the side of himself that does whatever it wants, he is rejuvenated. It’s as if he is given two paths, and the easier one to take is the one with â€Å"do not cross† tape across it. The temptation lingers over Jekyll to constantly transform into the devilish version of him. He is aware of the wrongness of the situation because Hyde is a danger to the community, but the feeling of being free is an addiction to him. It takes restraint to hold Hyde inside, and in the end it becomes impossible because he overpowers any will to salvage the morality of Jekyll. It is further explained that the switch between personalities was not caused by the drug, but by a choice that was made. Jekyll explains in his confessions, â€Å"The drug had no discriminating action; it was neither diabolical nor divine; it but shook the doors of the prison-house of my disposition†¦my evil, kept awake by ambition, was alert and swift to seize the occasion; and the thing that was projected was Edward Hyde† (Stevenson 67). It is said that evil is inside of everyone just as much as good is, and depending on what one faces one may be more present than the other. The potion was just a key which opened the lock that held Jekyll’s wicked spirit. The potential was always inside of him, but he needed that push to help him express it. In the real world, there are no potions that can turn one evil; however, certain events can trigger feelings or thoughts that completely go against one’s morality. It is a personal decision to act upon those thoughts, but it is particularly simple to do so, and once it is made a chain reaction occurs that becomes more frightening as it continues. That sparks one to ponder how the evil gets into a soul, and if there is anything to that can prevent the chaos it ensues. The question of where evil comes about is one that has been argued for a long time. Some believe that it is influenced by the world surrounding them, or perhaps by personal experiences. It could be that we are exposed to the concept of it at such an early age that we are given our lives to ponder what we prefer. It is also said that depravity is laced in our genetics, passed on through generations. Whatever the case, the demons inside us can at times be inescapable. If it is true that somewhere in our destiny lies evil, it is impossible to hold back. It is a natural instinct for those who are given that gene to do horrible things, and that overpowers the choice they are given not to. In an article addressing the source of evil which discusses well-known figures such as Adolf Hitler, it is written that recent studies have shown the evidence of behavior and personality in DNA. The author of the article believes that it is impossible to attain such tendencies through inheritance. He states, â€Å"The fact that one child may turn into a bully or become a criminal and another not remains a tantalising mystery, and one that scientists cannot possibly explain in simple terms of DNA† (Masters). Masters is suggesting that the transformation from good to bad is a complicated process that involves many elements. It is an intriguing thought, how a mind can shift from one side to the other. The influence of evil is all around and it becomes a task to ignore what is being so aggressively thrown upon a person. One incident can have the power to spoil a pure soul. Bad behavior is directly linked to selfishness; one can convince themselves that a decision that hurts others is what is right for them. Adolf Hitler can be used as an example of this; his greed for the perfect Germany drove him to do things which are appalling to imagine. With the article being based off of Hitler, it debates, â€Å"Vice is the easy option, whereas virtue denotes difficulty and sweat. As the great Roman philosopher and dramatist Seneca wrote: Nature does not give a man virtue, the process of becoming a good man is an art. † (Masters). Human beings are always searching for an easy way out. It can be applied to everyday life, taking an escalator rather than the stairs for example. When faced with the decision between good and evil, one is swayed towards evil simply because it is the easier decision to make. To be good and pure is to ignore impulses for revenge or selfish acts, which give one a sense of satisfaction and are hard to resist. It is a natural instinct to be bad, and one must work hard to escape the evil of their own self. Once somebody defeats the demons that lie inside of them, it is a whole other battle to face the evil that lay in front of them in their life. No matter where one may try to go, it is near impossible to escape the constant influence of bad people and bad things. No matter age, race, or sex, corrupt people are out there that can hurt and destroy. Evil is something that has the ability to spread like a wildfire, and affect all who crosses its path. In an ABC News article titled â€Å"‘Depraved’ Behavior in Ordinary Life† the subject of wickedness is brought into perspective with real-life situations. It is typical to connect evil to war and politics, but one may be surprised at the small accounts of evil they may encounter on a daily basis. Michael Welner, a psychologist who studies depraved behavior, believes that evil has a broad spectrum which any person can fit inside. He states, â€Å"’The American public regardless of [geographic] state, regardless of opinion, regardless of orientation, in a variety of issues can achieve an agreement about a number of qualities of crimes that make them beyond-the-pale depraved’† (Libaw). Welner challenges that there are standards that must be met for a person to be considered evil; however, it is fairly easy to meet the criteria. Anybody and everybody can do sinister acts; it doesn’t just apply to dictators and murderers. Looking further into the mind of an evil-doer, one may ask what makes a mind hostile. The subject is also addressed in this article, when Welner’s study is revealed to include 14 traits that can define a human as evil. Libaw sums up Welner’s research with this statement, â€Å"The common thread is that evildoers dont just commit bad acts. They choose to make their actions even worse by behaving sadistically and deliberately ignoring or intensifying the damage and suffering they cause† (Libaw). It is one thing to do something that is bad, and another thing to dedicate one’s life to making sure all surrounding them are in misery. Evil people have the power to ruin so many things with the blink of an eye, where it takes an army of good to defeat the power that the wicked ones hold. To make a difference for the better is much more difficult to do than destroying is. It takes too much effort and determination for any average person to accomplish. Evil is something that is all around us; it has the strength to overcome almost everything and destroy many aspects of society, even when there are the few that attempt to maintain the good. Connections can be made extremely easily, from those one might be close to or as far away as a person they learn about in school. Evil is something that carries on throughout the years and can have lasting effects while good deeds can only stay in the spotlight for so long. Humans have the choice to fight for good or to give into evil, and it requires inner strength of an individual to fight against the strength of evil if they wish to attain purity. If that can be achieved then it will stay and one less person will be affected; however if they fail, they may be a victim of the grasp of evil for as long as they shall live. Works Cited Libaw, Oliver. Looking for Evil in Everyday Life. ABC News. ABC News Network, n. d. Web. 09 Apr. 2013. Masters, Brian. Are Some People Born Evil? Mail Online. Associated Newspapers Ltd, 7 Feb. 2007. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. Stevenson, Robert Louis. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. New York: Bantam, 1981. 67-69. Print.

Flanders Fields Essay -- essays research papers fc

In Flanders FieldsIn Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved, and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields'; as a Canadian Cultural Artifact The poem, “In Flanders Fields'; written by Canadian John McCrae remains one of the most important and memorable pieces of war poems ever written. John McCrae came from a respectable family and became a soldier/ doctor/ author/ teacher. Though he wrote textbooks on medicine and numerous poems he will be forever remembered as being the voice of the many who had fallen during WWI. “In Flanders Field,'; stirred the hearts of soldiers and their family’s everywhere- not just Canada. In a simple language and with flowing verse it vividly evoked the situation and emotions of the front line troops. John McCrae’s poem later inspired the poppy to become the symbol of Remembrance and sacrifice.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   John McCrae was born in Guelph, Ontario on November 30,1872 to two established, respectable and hardworking Scottish parents, David McCrae and Janet Simpson Eckford. The McCraes were staunch Presbyterians with the resilience and self-reliance of second-generation pioneers in Canada. David McCrae instilled a strong sense of duty and healthy respect for military values in his two sons. John McCrae was offered a scholarship from the University of Toronto in 1888 where he went on to study physiology and pathology as well, McCrae wrote poetry for the school paper The Varsity. From there he graduated from medical school with a gold medal for his outstanding academic performance. In 1899 he moved to Montreal to accept a fellowship in pathology and to study at the McGill University School of Medicine. Although McCrae was devoted to his medical career; when the Boer War erupted he was one of the first volunteers who wished to go and contribute to the defense of the Empire. John McCrae had been br... ...ised him for: “…his vitality and splendid vigour, his career and honour and marked distinction, his life filled with honourable endeavour and instinct with a sense of duty.'; At the medical school of McGill University, a stained glass window commemorated John McCrae with this simple description: “Pathologist, Poet, Soldier, Physician, Man Among Men.'; Bibliography Dancocks, Dan. Welcome to Flanders Fields. Toronto: Meclelland & Stewart, 1988. Granfield, Linda. In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae. Toronto: Lester Publishing Limited, 1995. In Flanders Fields Museum. September 1998. http://www.inflandersfield.be (October 12,1999). McCrae, John. In Flanders Fields. Toronto: William Briggs, 1919. Prescott, John F. In Flanders Fields: The Story of John McCrae. Ontario: The Boston Mill Press, 1985. Ruggenberg, Rob. “In Flanders Fields.'; The Heritage of the Great War. 1995. http://www.iaenv.nl/users/robr/poppies.html (October 12, 1999). Smithson, Dan. In Flanders Fields. Toronto: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited, 1984. Vance, F Jonathan. Death So Noble: Memory, Meaning and the First World War. Vancouver: UBC Press, 1997. Flanders Fields Essay -- essays research papers fc In Flanders FieldsIn Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved, and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields'; as a Canadian Cultural Artifact The poem, “In Flanders Fields'; written by Canadian John McCrae remains one of the most important and memorable pieces of war poems ever written. John McCrae came from a respectable family and became a soldier/ doctor/ author/ teacher. Though he wrote textbooks on medicine and numerous poems he will be forever remembered as being the voice of the many who had fallen during WWI. “In Flanders Field,'; stirred the hearts of soldiers and their family’s everywhere- not just Canada. In a simple language and with flowing verse it vividly evoked the situation and emotions of the front line troops. John McCrae’s poem later inspired the poppy to become the symbol of Remembrance and sacrifice.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   John McCrae was born in Guelph, Ontario on November 30,1872 to two established, respectable and hardworking Scottish parents, David McCrae and Janet Simpson Eckford. The McCraes were staunch Presbyterians with the resilience and self-reliance of second-generation pioneers in Canada. David McCrae instilled a strong sense of duty and healthy respect for military values in his two sons. John McCrae was offered a scholarship from the University of Toronto in 1888 where he went on to study physiology and pathology as well, McCrae wrote poetry for the school paper The Varsity. From there he graduated from medical school with a gold medal for his outstanding academic performance. In 1899 he moved to Montreal to accept a fellowship in pathology and to study at the McGill University School of Medicine. Although McCrae was devoted to his medical career; when the Boer War erupted he was one of the first volunteers who wished to go and contribute to the defense of the Empire. John McCrae had been br... ...ised him for: “…his vitality and splendid vigour, his career and honour and marked distinction, his life filled with honourable endeavour and instinct with a sense of duty.'; At the medical school of McGill University, a stained glass window commemorated John McCrae with this simple description: “Pathologist, Poet, Soldier, Physician, Man Among Men.'; Bibliography Dancocks, Dan. Welcome to Flanders Fields. Toronto: Meclelland & Stewart, 1988. Granfield, Linda. In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae. Toronto: Lester Publishing Limited, 1995. In Flanders Fields Museum. September 1998. http://www.inflandersfield.be (October 12,1999). McCrae, John. In Flanders Fields. Toronto: William Briggs, 1919. Prescott, John F. In Flanders Fields: The Story of John McCrae. Ontario: The Boston Mill Press, 1985. Ruggenberg, Rob. “In Flanders Fields.'; The Heritage of the Great War. 1995. http://www.iaenv.nl/users/robr/poppies.html (October 12, 1999). Smithson, Dan. In Flanders Fields. Toronto: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited, 1984. Vance, F Jonathan. Death So Noble: Memory, Meaning and the First World War. Vancouver: UBC Press, 1997.

Reasons for Re Launching Electric Car †Reva

Reasons for Re Launching Electric Car – Reva Introduction : The Reva Electric Car Company (RECC) was founded in 1994 by Chetan Maini, as a joint venture between the Maini Group of Bangalore and Amerigon Electric Vehicle Technologies (AEVT Inc. ) of the USA. The company's sole aim was to develop and produce an affordable compact electric car. Several other automakers were also aiming to do so, but in 2001 RECC launched the  REVA Reva, started off with a bang : The first electric car in India  and the people behind the car were confident of the success of the car.Plans were set and the forecasting team estimated that 1500 cars would be sold by the end of the first year. Three years after its launch,  Reva barely managed to sell a total of 300 cars. Reva was subsequently pulled off Indian markets. On May 26th 2010, Mahindra Group bought a 55. 2% majority stake in Reva and now has plans of relaunching the car in Indian markets. This article explores reasons for the failure o f Reva and what should be Mahindra Reva’s Strategy for achieving success in the Indian market. * Reva was  positioned  as a â€Å"Green,  low operating cost car†.The marketing strategy when Reva was first launched mainly concentrated on the car being green and the first of its type in the electric car segment. But this was not enough to create ripples amongst the consumers. * With a small  size, easy to drive (no clutch or gear)  and slow  speed, Reva  was targeted at  small families, old couples and female drivers. While Reva had a beneficial cost proposition of only Rs. 0. 40 paise per km travelled, it was not a cheap car. Priced at around Rs. 3. 75 lakhs, people would have preferred to purchase a Maruti Zen or an Alto which are within the same price range.The major problem with Reva was that it was perceived to be a low cost car, but it was actually not. Also it was not a car that the rich wanted to buy, as it looked below their league. In one word, Reva, was a  total misfit. * Aesthetically, Reva did not appeal to the youth. It was  not fast, did not have a  high range, had high  maintenance problems  (100 % charging needed 8 hours) and was not meant for long drives. The small car space and the design made it look like a rather  uncomfortable car. People do advocate being green but they are not willing to sacrifice their comfort for it. * The arketing campaign for Reva also was not an aggressive one. The car made news for itself for being the first electric car in the Indian market but no marketing effort was made to create ripples in the customers. The buzz through promotions and advertisements was very low. There was  no excitement  and  curiosity  created in the minds of the consumers before the product launch. A research done by me amongst 50 female drivers, 35 elderly people (50+ age) and 20 couples has helped me come up with the following  customer value hierarchy  for a Car: 1. Core benefit:  T akes you from one place to another without an  inconvenience. . Basic product:  Easy to drive,  comfortable seats and leg room,  high mileage. 3. Expected Product:  Safety, does not break down,  easy to repair. 4. Augmented Product:  Speed,  smooth on road,  Stylish. 5. Potential Product:  Environment friendly. As seen the points  bolded in red font  are the ones that Reva clearly misses. Not being able to satisfy the core, basic and expected product benefits has been a major miss in the marketing strategy of Reva. If Reva has to be successful it has to first cater to these customer benefits, satisfy them and then only will being environment friendly be a product differentiator.Reva had expected to sell around 1500 cars in its first year itself. After 3 years, Reva managed to sell only about350 odd cars. This is a definite failure in the first innings of Reva. However the fact that it is the only one in the electric car market, a proper marketing strategy can help it become a success. Reva’s Second Innings: A Re-launch Strategy It is not like Green cars are boring and cannot be successful. Take the example of  Roadster Tesla  an electric car which is the coolest and one of the most aspired cars in the automobile market. So surely there is no reason for Reva to fail if it is marketed in the right way.If the car is able to satisfy the core, basic and expected benefits of its target audience then we have a winner on our hands. In today’s, Global warming era. Being green is in fact the in thing. But just Green Cannot Sell. Reva should market itself on its other facets as well. Consider the slogan below for marketing Reva: Reva: â€Å"Easy to drive, Stylish, Comfortable Car †¦ By the way, we are also Green† The easy to drive attribute is already present in Reva. Reva needs to do slight alterations in its design to make it look more stylish, ergonomically designed for seating and safety needs.As given in the figu re above, Reva should look at targeting the growing female car owners. Also it should target the young and old couples, who find the  cuteness factor  in the car, exciting enough to purchase it. Reva should be promoted as a  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Fun† car to hang out with. Promotions The Reva advertisements  should not hire any stars to advertise it. Instead it should look at taking the common office going man, the girl next door, the college couple to brand it. This will ensure that its target audience connect to the advertisement and Reva to a greater extent.The greenness in Reva can be subtly highlighted in the advertisements. The promotion ideas for both print and television advertisements are: 1. The office goer:  How because of heavy traffic he used to reach late to office and get reprimanded by his boss. How now Reva has made him reach office in time and get promotions. Catch line: â€Å"Traffic problems. No Problem. Reva is here† 2. The girl next door: How Reva has m ade her independent. Highlight the ease and comfort of driving the car in the advertisement. Catch line: â€Å"Get Independent. Do The Reva† 3.The lovebirds: A part by part ad series in which an old couple get nostalgic on how they started their love story in a Reva and their memories associated with the Reva car. Highlight the comfort of the Reva car. Catch line: â€Å"Reva getting you closer† Social media promotions – Low cost and high effect. 1. Social gaming applications  in which users play a car racing game and get green credits for using the Reva Car. This will help spread the Reva brand virally. 2. Get expert reviews on the Reva car and publish them on the  Reva Blog. 3. Have a contest in which users can upload their Reva moment on  YouTube.Also upload YouTube videos to show how Reva makes a greener world. 4. Have, â€Å"The Spacious Reva Contest†: Customers try to fit in as many of their friends in a Reva car and upload a picture of it on  Facebook. The one with maximum likes would win the contest. 5. Listen to what your customers are saying  about Reva, how are they feeling about Reva? Have you managed to create the right buzz? Social media would tell you instantly and help you to do any kind of damage control if necessary. The  social media is a good measure  on how well your marketing strategy has worked.In conclusion , Reva has already in its â€Å"First Innings†, highlighted its attribute of being a  Green Car. The â€Å"Second Innings† strategy that has been mentioned will market Reva as an easy to drive, safe, stylish and comfortable car. Thus satisfying the core, basic and expected needs of its customers which will help the Reva car become a success story. While the Mahindra brand name and its distribution network and capabilities in the Indian market should definitely benefit Reva, in having a successful second innings. The strategy outlined above should help Reva preventing burns and scars the second time round.

Why is it Justifiable

Classical architects developed their approach to design, considering its form and function for both private and civic buildings throughout the 17th century. The Examination Hall In Trinity College, Dublin, stands in Parliament Square. Designed by the architect Sir William Chambers, but realized by Christopher Myers, and completed In 1785. Entering the college through the classical portico of the West Front of Trinity College, one emerges into a beautiful, elegant and enormous space consisting of two squares, Parliament Square, a cobblestones quadrangle, and Library square, which is set with lawns and trees.Facing across the main quadrangle towards the Chapel, these two buildings mirror each other. Both are large single vaulted chambers with an apse, and a temple front portico in the tetra style, the columns being of the Corinthian order, supporting a pediment with unadorned tympanum, this mirroring was a device used in classical architecture to try to achieve balance, majesty, space and calm. The roof of the portico is of groin vaults springing from the imposts of Corinthian pilasters on the inside and the front columns.There are three principle registers, the ground floor, the piano mobile and the upper or attic level. There are five bays on the front elevation. The fenestration is typical, neoclassical, symmetrical distribution; the windows on the ground floor are round headed in keeping with the three arches in the portico, and the three arched windows above the entrance. On the piano mobile the windows are large, rectangular, with a pediment above, and console brackets and festoons below, the sills united with continuous molding.The attic windows are smaller, and square with a lintel above them. The walls of the building are made from ashlars granite, with channeled rustication on the ground floor, giving the building a fortified and secure effect. The portico and three central bays are made from Portland stone, a sign of the illustrious economic climate du ring the last half of the 18th century (Portland stone was expensive and had to be imported from Dorset at some considerable cost). The longitude elevation of the exam hall consists of seven bays; the central window on the piano Mobile has a pediment.Again the fenestration is symmetrical, with square windows on the attic floor, above each window is a lintel, on the ground floor the ashlars granite is channel rusticated, and the rectangular windows again have lintels above them. An undecorated transfigures spans the building between the ground floor and the piano mobile. Central to the ground floor is a door with block rustication surrounding the entrance. A balustrade runs along the parapet on the roof. Behind the balustrade on the roof, semi-circular windows run the length of the building including the three semi-circular windows on the south facing elevation, which is where the apse is.The apse has three bays, the attic level contains the aforementioned semi-circular windows, the piano mobile contains three large rectangular, round headed windows which are framed with a keystone surrounded y five vigorous either side of it. Inside is an ‘aphasia hall with a three-bay arcaded vestibule and gallery above'2, the hall is lit naturally by the semi-circular windows on the clerestory, the round headed windows in the gallery and by the large round headed windows in the hemispherical semi-dome apse.

Separate Peace Discussion Essay essays

Separate Peace Discussion Essay essays In the novel A Separate Peace the friendship of Finny and Gene is very similar to that of any organization. First it should be made known that most organizations are a way of fitting in with people of similar interests, views, or goals. Most organization, no matter how democratic, will always have some kind of leader over the rest. In instances of many leaders one will always be above the rest. These leaders will have more power, influence, and respect then the others. No matter how erratic their decisions are, their are always people that will follow or risk of being different, ultimately not fitting in. The fear of loneliness or rejection will always clump together the masses. Organizations are a way of showing or pretending to be like others as an effort to fit in or risk being one's true self for fearing to be rejected by society. In the novel A Separate Peace Finny and Gene's relationship shows most if not all the signs of a organization. Finny seems as in control as any leader would be in a organization. He even takes the first step of starting it by saying, "He and Gene are best of friends now." This statement confirms that he initiated the friendship. As a normal person Gene was sure at first if he would accept Finny's friendship, but after evaluating he's benefits as part of the population he accepts the friendship. Gene seemed to have tested Finny's qualities before offering his friendship to see if Finny was good enough by seeing if he was willing to jump from a tree. This would show Finny if he was willing to trust him and if he would do things that Finny wanted him to. The tree jumping would also prove to be the joining procedure to the Summer Suicide Society they would later create and head. After the offer for friendship by Finny, Finny and Gene got involved in a wrestling match with eac h other. This like many organizations is like rough housing to show belongi ...

dealing with air pollution essays

dealing with air pollution essays This essay identifies and explains the problem of pollution facing humanity today. It will also propose one of the first ideas which could more effectively limit air pollution, Emission Credit Trading. This can be seen as one of the first steps in the development of an ecosociety. The notion of a viable ecosociety has created considerable problems in terms of deciding the most effective and efficient policies to be implemented. Air pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems here at home, and throughout the rest of the world. Air pollution is also perhaps one of the more politically sensitive problems because of the numerous economic, environmental A key step in the policy-making process is to define the problem to be remedied. If we can not understand the problem, how are we to know what needs to be fixed. Unfortunately, implementing policies on air pollution has the politically undesirable effect of having extensive economic consequences on all sectors of the economy. Therefore, those policies which lead to the development of an ecosociety must be aimed at having the greatest environmental impact while creating minimal economic distortions. For the purpose of this essay, pollution shall be identified as follows "...the deliberate or accidental introduction to the environment of contaminants, in the form of either wastes or products " (Bryner, 10). This essay will deal with the problem of air pollution. Air pollutants come from heavy industry, fumes from automobiles, jet planes and the like. When speaking of the automobile alone "...each gallon of gas burned releases 22 pounds of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere...the car is the single largest contributor to global warming " (Rifkin 179). Although the majority of the problem areas are in the developing world, these areas can affect the entire world. The atmosphere is not confined to borders l...

Messerschmitt Bf 109 in World War II

Messerschmitt Bf 109 in World War II A backbone of the Luftwaffe during World War II, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 traces it roots to 1933. That year the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM - German Aviation Ministry) completed a study assessing the types of aircraft required for air combat in the future. These included a multi-seat medium bomber, a tactical bomber, a single-seat interceptor, and a two-seat heavy fighter. The request for a single-seat interceptor, dubbed Rà ¼stungsflugzeug III, was meant to replace the aging Arado Ar 64 and Heinkel He 51 biplanes then in use. The requirements for the new aircraft stipulated that it be capable of 250 mph at 6,00 meters (19,690 ft.), have an endurance of 90 minutes, and be armed with three 7.9 mm machine guns or one 20 mm cannon. The machine guns were to be mounted in the engine cowling while the cannon would fire through the propeller hub. In assessing potential designs, RLM stipulated that level speed and rate of climb were of critical importance. Among those firms which wished to enter the competition was Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) led by chief designer Willy Messerschmitt. BFW’s participation may have been initially blocked by Erhard Milch, the head of RLM, as he had a dislike for Messerschmitt. Utilizing his contacts in the Luftwaffe, Messerschmitt was able to secure permission for BFW to take part in 1935. The design specifications from RLM called for the new fighter to be powered by the Junkers Jumo 210 or the less developed Daimler-Benz DB 600. As neither of these engines were available yet, Messerschmitts first prototype was powered by a Rolls-Royce Kestrel VI. This engine was obtained by trading Rolls-Royce a Heinkel He 70 for use as a test platform. First taking to the sky on May 28, 1935 with Hans-Dietrich Bubi Knoetzsch at the controls, the prototype spent the summer undergoing flight testing. Competition With the arrival of the Jumo engines, subsequent prototypes were built and sent to Rechlin for Luftwaffe acceptance trials. Upon passing these, the Messerschmitt aircraft were moved to Travemà ¼nde where they competed against designs from Heinkel (He 112 V4), Focke-Wulf (Fw 159 V3), and Arado (Ar 80 V3). While the latter two, which were intended as backup programs, were quickly defeated, the Messerschmitt faced a stiffer challenge from the Heinkel He 112. Initially favored by test pilots the Heinkel entry began to fall behind as it was marginally slower in level flight and had poorer rate of climb. In March 1936, with the Messerschmitt leading the competition, RLM decided to move the aircraft to production after learning that the British Supermarine Spitfire had been approved. Designated the Bf 109 by the Luftwaffe, the new fighter was an example of Messerschmitts light construction approach which emphasized simplicity and ease of maintenance. As a further emphasis on Messerschmitts philosophy of low-weight, low-drag aircraft, and in accordance with RLMs requirements, the Bf 109s guns were placed in the nose with two firing through the propeller rather than in the wings. In December 1936, several prototype Bf 109s were sent to Spain for mission testing with the German Condor Legion which was supporting Nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War. Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 Specifications General Length: 29 ft. 7 in.Wingspan: 32 ft., 6 in.Height: 8 ft. 2 in.Wing Area: 173.3 sq. ft.Empty Weight: 5,893 lbs.Loaded Weight: 6,940 lbs.Crew: 1 Performance Power Plant: 1 Ãâ€" Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1 liquid-cooled inverted V12, 1,455 hp Range: 528 milesMax Speed: 398 mphCeiling: 39,370 ft. Armament Guns: 2 Ãâ€" 13 mm MG 131 machine guns, 1 Ãâ€" 20 mm MG 151/20 cannonBombs/Rockets: 1 Ãâ€" 550 lb. bomb, 2 Ãâ€" WGr.21 rockets, 2 x 20 mm MG 151/20 underwing cannon pods Operational History The testing in Spain confirmed Luftwaffes concerns that the Bf 109 was too lightly armed. As a result, the first two variants of the fighter, the Bf 109A and Bf 109B, featured a third machine gun that fired through the airscrew hub. Further evolving the aircraft, Messerschmitt abandoned the third gun in favor of two placed in strengthened wings. This re-working led to the Bf 109D which featured four guns and a more powerful engine. It was this Dora model that was in service during the opening days of World War II. The Dora was quickly replaced with the Bf 109E Emil which possessed the new 1,085 hp Daimler-Benz DB 601A engine as well as two 7.9 mm machine guns and two wing-mounted 20 mm MG FF cannon. Built with a greater fuel capacity, the later variants of the Emil also included a fuselage ordnance rack for bombs or a 79 gallon drop tank. The first major redesign of the aircraft and the first variant to be built in large numbers, the Emil was also exported to various European countries. Ultimately nine versions of the Emil were produced ranging from interceptors to photo reconnaissance aircraft. The frontline fighter of the Luftwaffe, the Emil bore the brunt of combat during the Battle of Britain in 1940. An Ever-Evolving Aircraft During the first year of the war, the Luftwaffe found that the Bf 109Es range limited its effectiveness. As a result, Messerschmitt took the opportunity to redesign the wings, expand the fuels tanks, and improve the pilots armor. The result was the Bf 106F Friedrich which entered service in November 1940, and quickly became a favorite of German pilots who praised its maneuverability. Never satisfied, Messerschmitt upgraded the aircrafts power plant with the new DB 605A engine (1,475 HP) in early 1941. While the resultant Bf 109G Gustav was the fastest model yet, it lacked the nimbleness of its predecessors. As with past models, several variants of the Gustav were produced each with varying armaments. The most popular, the Bf 109G-6 series, saw over 12,000 built at plants around Germany. All told, 24,000 Gustavs were constructed during the war. Though the Bf 109 was partially replaced by the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 in 1941, it continued to play an integral role in the Luftwaffes fighter services. In early 1943, work began on a final version of the fighter. Led by Ludwig Bà ¶lkow, the designs incorporated over 1,000 changes and resulted in the Bf 109K. Later Variants Entering service in late 1944, the Bf 109K Kurfà ¼rst saw action until the end of the war. While several series were designed, only the Bf 109K-6 was built in large numbers (1,200). With the conclusion of the European war in May 1945, over 32,000 Bf 109s had been built making it the most produced fighter in history. In addition, as the type had been in service for the duration of the conflict, it scored more kills than any other fighter and was flow by the wars top three aces, Erich Hartmann (352 kills), Gerhard Barkhorn (301), and Gà ¼nther Rall (275). While the Bf 109 was a German design, it was produced under license by several other countries including Czechoslovakia and Spain. Used by both countries, as well as Finland, Yugoslavia, Israel, Switzerland, and Romania, versions of the Bf 109 remained in service until the mid-1950s.

Quality Programs Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Quality Programs - Coursework Example For attaining an appropriate development within the children, it can be considered as a mandate to make them familiar with the academic and learning aspects from their early childhood stages. Pre-reading can be considered as one of such skills that would prove to be helpful in terms of improving the vocabulary and the speaking power of the children. Multiple child specialists often recommend the parents to read interactive books along with their children to teach them about the procedure based on which data from the books should be accumulated. The intention of such suggestions also aims towards enhancing the learning abilities of the children. Enhancement within communication and inter-child bonding also considered beneficial for basic pre-academic skill (Sandvik Publishing, 2014). The second crucial skill that needs to be taught to the children is regarding basic pre-writing. This skill is the starting phase through which a child expresses his / her understanding and knowledge before entering into the competitive market of education. Pre-school activities such as writing help children in understanding new words on daily basis. It can also be considered a support for the language learning procedure (Sandvik Publishing, 2014). Writing can also be considered as a form of recording knowledgeable facts, so that they can be analyzed on later basis. Thus, small children should be made familiar with this skill to help them adapt to the academic experiences of taking down notes, once they are subjected to such situations (Sandvik Publishing, 2014). In addition, attaining positive skill within the areas of spelling check also categorized under the basic pre-writing skills. As has been already discussed above, this skill generally proves to be highly beneficial in terms of improvising the quality of the knowledge being attained by

Documentation for Web Application Project Outline

Documentation for Web Application Project - Outline Example 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Server - This is where the application will be installed (basically where the application files will be stores). In other words, this is the machine where all the data processing will be done. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Client - The client  represents the computer being used by the website visitor to access the information stored in the server. The website visitor will use browser software to access the website. The design process involves structuring the application together with its functionalities before developing the application. This planning helps in time saving and ensuring that the overall goal of the application in put in picture before one begins the development work. The design process will majorly depend on the kind of application being developed. As for the case of Plant and Machinery website application, the below process has been used. This part of the design focuses on the outlook of the website so that its usability is favorable to the website visitors. Here the designer must make sure that the focus is on the visitor because they never concentrate on how complex the application is but on how easy it is to

The satisfaction level of e-government in Saudi Arabia Dissertation

The satisfaction level of e-government in Saudi Arabia - Dissertation Example Moreover, the trust of people to the particular schemes seems still to be rather low – despite the efforts for the continuous increase of these systems’ safety. The proposed study focuses on the examination of the effectiveness of e-government in Saudi Arabia. Emphasis is given on the level of the citizens’ satisfaction regarding the particular systems. A series of related issues are also critically discussed, as analyzed in the study’s Research Objectives section. At a first level, the performance of e-government in Saudi Arabia seems to be satisfactory; however, if reviewing the resources engaged in the realization of the particular plan it is made clear that the specific plan has not achieved the targets of its initiators. The reasons for this failure are going to be investigated through this study; suggestions will be also made for the system’s improvement so that citizens’ satisfaction is increased. Current study will help to understand the progress of e-government in Saudi Arabia based on the level of satisfaction of the citizens. In this way, the system’s advantages and drawbacks will be revealed. E-government is of particular importance for the government in Saudi Arabia. The proposed study will offer valuable details both on the system’s performance up to now and its needs for updates/ improvements in order to become more effective. Background In accordance with Al-Tameen et al. (2008) the development of e-government in Saudi Arabia has been initiated because of a series of factors, which have been all important in the plan’s development. Strategic motives seem to have been combined with economic reasons for supporting the development of the particular framework. In general, the development of e-government in Saudi Arabia should be characterized as quite satisfactory – both in terms of the system’s quality and the time spent on the system’s development. In a recent inte rview of the country’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Ahmed Mulla, the country’s government has set the effective development of e-government across the country as a priority (Oxford Business Group 2010, p.247). The above plan is combined with efforts for improving the quality of IT systems engaged in various governmental projects and increase the volume/ quality of education provided to these systems’ users. In accordance with the minister, the value of the above efforts is reflected to the Saudi E-government Achievement Award, a prize that has been introduced in order to reward the efforts towards the development of e-government across the country (Oxford Business Group 2010). Research Aim The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia established an e-government framework that could be used regularly by citizens. However, problems have been identified in the system’s performance; more specifically, complaints have been stated by citizens who use e-government services either regularly or periodically. This research aims to examine the satisfaction level of e-government in order to get a high level of satisfaction. The identification of the system’s failures and the suggestion of appropriate solutions will help to the

Hamilton Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Hamilton - Term Paper Example In 1815, there was a chopping mill that became the forts industry in this area. The area grew speedily which was aided in 1827 by a channel to Burlington Bay that is in line with Lake Ontario. In 1833, Hamilton was incorporated as a police village where a legislature was thereafter passed where it was able to establish a market1. When the town of Hamilton was first incorporated in 1833, its first order of business was to establish place for its board to meet where they met at local taverns like Thomas Wilson Inn at Jackson Streets. Hugh Cossart Baker established the first life insurance company in Canada.2 It later became the first functioning railway that transformed Hamilton into a major center for the immigration route from Boston and Newyork to Chicago. In 1856, the town saw the first locomotives built. In 1862, Hamilton town invested in the Great Western Railway and at the end of the Depression in 1862, the population in the town had dwindled since it was not able to meet the interests on its bonds held by British investors. In the 1870s era the town started to have a financial edge and shifted to an economic strategy of attracting the industry. It saw the birth of working class in 1872 and unionists that created the Nine Hour Movement that was to fight for limited hours to nine daily by the government. The same era saw the Bank of Hamilton established which lasted until 1924. It merged with The Commerce that later became the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. In 1847, the town established the first department store. The town played a huge role in the telephone development. In 1877, Hugh Cossart Baker Jr established the first commercial telephone in Canada in the town of Hamilton. He also established the first telephone exchange in the British Empire. He made the town to be the first commercial site for long distance telephone line in the British Empire. This paved

Historical place (Pyramids) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Historical place (Pyramids) - Research Paper Example One of those theories argues that they were build with terrestrial impetus power. However, it is important to say that the work of building the pyramids followed a period of research and experiments which resulted to the successful construction of the royal mortuary, the pyramids (Calvert). Egypt has three major pyramids, the Pyramid of Khafre, the pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Menkaure was representing three different generations (Calvert). The pyramids were a resting consign of the pharaoh and comprised of a temple and other important artifacts of the Pharaoh. Moreover, on the periphery of the pyramids were other small rectangular which belonged to the queens. The information the author is explaining aim to educate his audience about the Great Pyramids of Gaza (Calvert). The author focuses on an undisclosed audience in need of information regarding one of the Wonders of the world. The pyramids have an important history in the journey of Israelite from Egypt to their present land in the Middle East. The Israelite has been in slavery in Egypt for many years, and Christian has attachment to the history of ancient Egypt. In writing the article, the author wants his audience to know the reason behind the construction of the pyramids. He says that the pyramids were constructed as a mortuary complex of the rulers of Egypt in a thousand years, in ancient Egypt. Furthermore, Calvert intends to expound on the science behind the pyramids constructions. He says that they were constructed by an army of craftsmen’s and supplemented by 2000 seasonal peasant’s workmen. The craftsmen were grouped into 200 men and further separated into a cluster of 20 men (Calvert). Calvert says that evidence of towns near the pyramid confirms that a lot of people were used to move stone block from the quarry to the construction site. The article by Calvert Amy comprises an academic writing. It is written

Hamilton Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Hamilton - Term Paper Example In 1815, there was a chopping mill that became the forts industry in this area. The area grew speedily which was aided in 1827 by a channel to Burlington Bay that is in line with Lake Ontario. In 1833, Hamilton was incorporated as a police village where a legislature was thereafter passed where it was able to establish a market1. When the town of Hamilton was first incorporated in 1833, its first order of business was to establish place for its board to meet where they met at local taverns like Thomas Wilson Inn at Jackson Streets. Hugh Cossart Baker established the first life insurance company in Canada.2 It later became the first functioning railway that transformed Hamilton into a major center for the immigration route from Boston and Newyork to Chicago. In 1856, the town saw the first locomotives built. In 1862, Hamilton town invested in the Great Western Railway and at the end of the Depression in 1862, the population in the town had dwindled since it was not able to meet the interests on its bonds held by British investors. In the 1870s era the town started to have a financial edge and shifted to an economic strategy of attracting the industry. It saw the birth of working class in 1872 and unionists that created the Nine Hour Movement that was to fight for limited hours to nine daily by the government. The same era saw the Bank of Hamilton established which lasted until 1924. It merged with The Commerce that later became the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. In 1847, the town established the first department store. The town played a huge role in the telephone development. In 1877, Hugh Cossart Baker Jr established the first commercial telephone in Canada in the town of Hamilton. He also established the first telephone exchange in the British Empire. He made the town to be the first commercial site for long distance telephone line in the British Empire. This paved

Emerging Markets and Financial Regulation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Emerging Markets and Financial Regulation - Essay Example There were major obstacles that Shiseido faced in its attempt to implement a globalization strategy. The first obstacle was the cultural differences present in the various countries and regions the company wished to enter, especially in Europe and the United States. These countries had very different cultural practices and preferences that were very different from the Japanese cultural practices and preferences and therefore there were very different cosmetic tastes and preferences in these countries. For instance, American consumers were interested in make-up products while Japanese consumers were interested in natural skin beauty. In addition, consumers from the Latin nations within Europe preferred cosmetics that emphasized color. The other major obstacle was the difficulty in entering these new markets due to legislation prohibiting foreign companies investing within the cosmetic industry within their countries. For instance, the cosmetic industry in France was very important hen ce, the government wanted to protect it from foreign competition and control. Shiseido’s international organization and its actual strategy to expand its market globally were successful as it enabled the company to enter new markets and gain considerable market share over the long-term with limited resources. The company was able to enter foreign markets in Asia, Europe, and the United States using novel strategies that were low cost and effective, enabling the company to introduce its products to these new consumer markets.

War Poets and the five senses Essay Example for Free

War Poets and the five senses Essay Poetry can evoke a wide spectrum of emotions ranging from sadness to exultation through the poets manipulation of the 5 primal senses; sight, sound, taste, smell and touch. This essay shall explore the emotive language used by Great War poets in order to evoke the senses in the reader, so that the more abstract issues in war can become tangible in those who are lucky enough to have never experienced battle. All forms of imaginative literature, including drama and film, follow the same principle, which can be summed up in the slogan, Show, dont tell. This quote definitely also applies to poetry, for it is often said that to directly tell the reader the tone or the imagery in poetry is heavy-handed. Wilfred Owen, in his poem Dulce Et Decorum Est, uses imagery to brutal effect. Bent double like old beggars under sacks this simile brings to mind the poor, crippled, dirty beggar that has been through hardship after hardship. Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light, as under a green sea, I saw him drowning This image of a man drowning under the horrific mustard gas employed in World War One is a powerful one, and makes the reader, who likely doesnt know of mustard gas, understand the horror Owen went through. Siegfried Sassoon also used the Great Wars terrible imagery in his poetry. In his poem Prelude: The Troops he uses short, simple descriptive words spread throughout a stanza to constantly reinforce the drudgery of the image he is trying to instill in the reader. Shapeless gloom drizzling daybreak stamp their sodden boots dulled, sunken these. Dispersed throughout a stanza, these words are certainly effective while not being obvious. Sight is the most useful and oft-manipulated sense that poetry uses to construct mental and tangible images that speak to the reader from abstract ideas, situations or feelings. Sound is often referred to as the secondary sense, after sight, though it has just as much power and influence when described correctly. Sound specifically in war poetry has a very prominent place. Anthem for Doomed Youth fully utilizes sound, though the language Owen uses is simple and poignant. stuttering rifles rapid rattle shrill, demented choirs of  wailing shells these quotes, when read, immediately evoke the sounds of artillery and gunfire, common sounds in the Great War. Owen utilizes this to give the sense of overbearing, foundation shaking explosions and to give the reader an auditory feeling of being in the trenches. Arbitrary and abstract ideas expressed in this way become very real when reading them out loud to yourself. Smell is perhaps the most primal of all the five senses. Though imagery and sound are used most often in film and other media, smell is forgotten. However, smell is one of the most powerful of all the senses in its ability to affect the reader. Who has ever forgotten the stench of rotting meat, or of gunpowder. Siegfried Sassoons the rank stench of those bodies haunts me still is indicative of this. By using the primal sense of smell poets can access the deeper parts of the human psyche, and instill deep emotions in the reader without the reader even realizing it. Owen and Sassoon knew this and both utilize it often in their poetry. Relating to the topic, tangible means to be perceptible by the senses; Earlier on in the evolutionary sense we evolved from animals whose primary sense was smell, and to become tangible, an abstract issue must affect the primary or base emotions. Smell is the most effective in this. Taste is lesser known in poetry because it is so difficult to adequately describe, though Owen tries in Dulce Et. Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues Taste is perhaps the most difficult of the senses to accurately describe, thus is also harder to use to make abstract ideas less so. Touch is one of the most effective senses a poet can manipulate to make abstract ideas more tangible. Through invoking the sense of touch, a poet can stir the reader to easily imagine what the poet wants. Most of all in war poetry, touch is embodied in the sense of pain, for war is the cause of more pain than anything else. Wilfred Owens poetry almost always speaks of pain, death and suffering, and indeed this is true in almost all war poetry. Everyone has experienced physical pain at some stage in their life thus the usage of pain in poetry is always going to affect the reader, for every  reader understands pain. Pain is perhaps the primary feeling during wartime. Emotional or physical, none leave the trenches without experiencing it and by using it in poetry, the reader understands with perfect clarity what the poet is describing, just by imagining their own pain. The five senses are the most important things in poetry, for while an abstract idea may be perfect in its conception and tone, it cannot truly speak to a reader without allowing the reader to feel the poetic message in a more primal way. Wilfred Owen and Sigfreid Sassoon surely understood this as the senses are strong components of their respective works. This allows their poetry to speak to any reader, and explains their huge popularity among the poetic world. The five senses are difficult to describe and harder to use, but without them abstract issues such as in Dulce Et Decorum Est would be difficult indeed to appreciate.

Michael Mcintyre And Peter Kay English Language Essay

Michael Mcintyre And Peter Kay English Language Essay In this analysis I will evaluate the approaches to stand-up comedy undertaken by comedians Michael McIntyre and Peter Kay, commenting on techniques such as role play, comic exaggeration, lexical choices, and changes in pitch and tone, used to establish humour. Michael McIntyre is a proud middle-class comedian raised in the heart of Hampstead, north London. Over the last four years, his exuberant observational style has seen him grown into one of the biggest names in British comedy. His appeal is built on the fact that people genuinely seem like him, in that his comedy is accessible to all. On this occasion, McIntyre is performing a sketch on Herbs and Spices at Birminghams NEC Arena, in front of an audience in excess of ten thousand. McIntyres observational style turns the pettiest of everyday domestic engagements into the most humorous of affairs, and therefore relies largely on his audiences ability to relate with what he saying. In this instance, neglected herbs and spices are anthropomorphised, to express their discontent at being left at the back of the kitchen cupboard, whilst rival seasonings, Salt and Pepper sit arrogantly on the kitchen table. The introduction to the sketch consists largely of simple and compound declarative utterances, containing unsophisticated, high frequency lexis, ensuring that the audience can absorb what is being said. The second person subjective pronoun, you, in combination with formal vocatives, ladies and gentlemen in the first line, is an example of McIntyre addressing the audience directly. He engages with his audience in an attempt to make his words feel more conversational, and less like a performance, thus establishing an amicable rapport. The opening declarative utterances (lines 1-2) are stated as fact, using Standard English. They are said in an informative manner, and are the basis on which the joke is built; his observation. The imperative utterance on line two highlights this observation. McIntyre exclaims; salt and pepper are so phenomenally successful in the herb and spice arena. The monosyllabic, adverb of degree so coupled with the polysyllabic intensifier phenomenally emphasises the metaphor, crediting the popularity of salt and pepper to success in a metaphorical arena. McIntyre then later goes on to remind his audience that salt and pepper are not the only herbs and spices available. The declarative utterance on line 7, presents this information as somewhat of a revelation, with the stressed conjunction but and adjective other, helping to intensify his point. Much of the comedy in McIntyres routine is derived from comic exaggeration, fuelled by his very own larger-than-life personality. The humble world of culinary additives is metaphorically introduced to the audience as an arena, implying that there are winners, and there are losers. The clear winners of this metaphorical battleground, being the ever-present collocation of salt and pepper. Salt and Pepper also happen to be the first spices anthropomorphised by McIntyre (Lines 3-5). On line 3, he begins his utterance using the 3rd person, subjective pronoun, they, but then replaces this with the 1st person objective pronoun, us, marking the transition into role-play, later confirmed by the, again, 1st person, reflexive pronoun myself. In personifying the usually inanimate figures of salt and pepper, McIntyre is able to create character depth. On line three, Salt and Pepper are described as arrogantly sitting on the table. The stressed polysyllabic adverb of manner arrogantly, personifies Salt and Pepper making them seem conceited, which provokes spite and even envy, amongst their on-looking counterparts McIntyre is technically adept, he knows how to build on a routine and squeeze it for maximum effect. From line 10 onwards his sketch becomes very routinely question and answer, with a high frequency of adjacency pairs and interrogatives throughout. Each spice is, in turn, asked the same question, only to respond with an amusing personal anecdote, reflecting the character of each individual. For example when Mediterranean herb, Cumin is faced with this question, he recollects a time in 1992, when he last left the cupboard for an experiment. McIntyre uses the abstract noun experiment ironically, suggesting that this was his defining moment, his time to shine. Then just as this cycle verges on the edge of predictability, the routine is broken, with the comical introduction of yet another new character. Step up; John West tuna (line 25-26). With the introduction of John West tuna and his wife Tinned Salmon, McIntyre plays on a shared reference, implying that they had been in the cupboard for such a long time, they were able to forge a relationship. Through the medium of comedy, McIntyre is able to express his observation which doubles as a criticism of the fact that at some point in time, perhaps influenced by a magazine article or television commercial, most people will deem it a good idea to embrace the possibility of change in the long-term future, whilst lacking any real willingness for immediate change. Consequently, it is relatively easy to justify the purchase of reasonably inexpensive items (such as herbs), in knowledge that we may not require, nor use them at any time in the foreseeable future. Rather, they are bought in faith that one day they will serve an intended purpose. But of course things rarely change; meaning that one day never comes, leaving the victims of this wasteful ideology to remain as forgotten relics, more ornamental than practical. By making light of comedy in the most ordinary of every-day, Michael McIntyre reminds us that stand-up doesnt have to be brutal, in order to be funny. Peter Kay is arguably Britains most loved comedian. A thirty-nine year old male from Bolton, northern England, whose style of comedy, like McIntyres, is built loosely upon observation. However, a combination of cherishable British values and a trademark loveable nostalgia set him aside from most other acts. Nevertheless, Peter Kay is an unlikely comedian at best. Wide-eyed and clean-shaven, he steers clear of jokes about sex and politics. His routine lacks cruelty and he hardly ever swears. A married man and, in many respects, a bit of an average Joe. In this instance, we find Kay nearing the middle of a routine, performing a sketch on biscuits in front of an audience numbering more than three thousand, at Manchesters Apollo Theatre in 2002. Kays observation is based around the problems faced whilst performing the universal act of dipping biscuits into hot drinks. In this case, Kay is questioning the structural quality of a Rich Tea biscuit. On line 17 he personifies the Rich Tea, describing it, using high frequency adjectives cocky and lazy, implying that the humble azoic biscuit is in fact, conspiring against him. He later compares this to a Hobnob biscuit, which he metaphorically likens to; a Marine, the SAS and finally to TV hardman Steven Segal, creating a comparative juxtaposition, which becomes the basis of the joke. As much of Kays comedy relies on audience participation, rapport is crucial. Kays working class background is something that many members of his audience will be able to relate to, and so as a result he is able to employ a significant level of informal, high frequency colloquial lexis, including concrete noun brew and vocative mum, which recreates a typical conversational tone. Clipping of the 1st person singular pronoun, I in I am, to leave only am in the opening utterance on line one is an example of Kays regional dialect, which is the primary feature in this informal tone. In addition to creating rapport, Kays Lancashire dialect works to his advantage, as it sets him aside from other comedians. The preposition in elided with the definite article the on line 3, is another example of this regional dialect. Also the 1st person objective singular pronoun, me, and the possessive determiner my, are used interchangeably, in typical northern fashion, as seen on line seven. Another factor contributing to the establishment of rapport is Kays regional accent, which, in addition to dialect, adds a certain individuality to his routine. Unlike McIntyre, with his particularly received pronunciation and Standard English, Kay sports a notably lusty Lancashire accent. By clipping the present participle at the end of the emphasised, low frequency dynamic verb, planing (creating planin) on line five, Kay eliminates the harsh sounding consonant, thus extenuating his speech and alluding to an overall more colloquial tone. Kay is also able to use prosodics as an effective feature of comedy. Changes in the dynamics of his voice are prevalently used to differentiate between sentence moods. For example an increase in pitch on line 29, in the interrogative utterance, wheres me brew creates emphasis and conveys his confusion. Whereas a contrasting decrease in pitch on line 39 is used to express the military-esque seriousness of the hobnob. Since Kay so often chooses to stay clear of taboo, when coupled with the infrequent use of expletives, this technique becomes a particularly effective feature of comedy. On line 18, the cresc, clipped expletive fucking (creating king), followed by the proper noun One-Dips stresses the torment that the Rich Tea has caused him, further expressing his anguish. In McIntyres work, there are very few examples of non-fluency features (complimenting his suave stage persona). In contrast, they are prevalent throughout Kays. Although Kay will have scripted and, to some extent, rehearsed his routine, the inclusion of non-fluency features (incidentally or otherwise) bestows a sense of spontaneity, which adds to his colloquial charm. Towards the end of line 22, there is an example of a false start, which gives his previous point (theyre on their arses) sincerity, and reflects his enthusiasm towards stand-up as a whole. Then later, on line 23, he exclaims theyre cocky which, following a slight pause, he then repeats, partially to stress his point, but primarily to allow him time to gather his thoughts before continuing. Behind the sparkling eyes and boyish complexion, there is the astute mind of a shrewd operator. It is easy to forget that it takes nerves of steel as well as a few witty one-liners to achieve success in comedy. Two people, from two very different walks of life. Nevertheless, Kay and McIntyre alike possess the uncanny ability to captivate audiences of the broadest kind; a virtue which has propelled them to the forefront of contemporary British comedy. From gags about herbs and spices, to Rich Tea biscuits; in celebrating the daft little dramas that punctuate even the most inauspicious lives, their honesty and sincerity evoke sentiment, making them feel like a long-lost friend.

Junk E-Mail is Abusive to the Internet and its Users :: Argumentative Persuasive Argument Essays

Junk E-Mail is Abusive to the Internet and its Users    With in the past decade, the term â€Å"junk mail† has transformed from a pile of flashy advertisements and unnecessary coupon books to an intruding, pervasive, and even offensive collection of electronic messages. Though, the distribution of postal mail for the purpose of advertisement is governed by effective laws, distribution of unsolicited email runs free across the internet at the expense of others. The solicitation of â€Å"junk e-mail† fosters profit for few, at the inconvenience of many. Though the solicitors of junk email are to blame for the mail itself, the government is to blame for the continuing flow and lack of response to this dilemma. Email is one of the most popular means of communications today. According to our textbook, Media Now, â€Å"Obviously, the ‘killer’ electronic application these days is email. Its presence is all but inbiquitous among computer users and its growth skyrockets day by day† (LaRose, 362). In fact, email is even more widely used than the United States Postal Service (LaRose, 362). If email circulates more mail than the post office, then why is email less regulated? The internet and email is a new technology which Congress is unsure on how to regulate. Email has become popular only within the past few years, but regulation must be enacted. According to the Final Comments to the Federal Trade Commission on Unsolicited Commercial Email which was compiled in June of 1997, the burdens of junk email is expected to grow. In fact, most people do not want this unsolicited mail sent to them. World research reports that over one half of the people they surveyed â€Å"hated† junk mail, and another one fourth found it â€Å"bothersome†(Semilof, 1). Something must be done. One might ask, however, why email needs to be regulated. The core of the problem is the extra costs and intrusions of privacy which junk email provokes. Senders of junk email slow the processing and quality of Internet Service Providers, intrude privacy by harvesting email addresses, and unfairly distribute mail to uninterested consumers. Junk email incures storage costs, productivity costs, bandwidth or telephone line costs, and processing costs (Simmons, 24). Senders of this mail benefit from the burden on others. Though the senders of this mail need to be stopped, action must be taken to stop them.

Enron

The Enron scandal has far-reaching political and financial implications. In just 15 years, Enron grew from nowhere to be America's seventh largest company, employing 21,000 staff in more than 40 countries. But the firm's success turned out to have involved an elaborate scam. Enron lied about its profits and stands accused of a range of shady dealings, including concealing debts so they didn't show up in the company's accounts. As the depth of the deception unfolded, investors and creditors retreated, forcing the firm into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December. More than six months after a criminal inquiry was announced, the guilty parties have still not been brought to justice. Leaders Leadership is critical to the creation and maintenance of culture; there is a constant interplay between culture and leadership. Leaders create the mechanisms for cultural embedding and reinforcement. Cultural norms arise and change because of what leaders tend to focus their attention on, their reactions to crises, their role modeling, and their recruitment strategies. Referring to Enron, the major mistake made by leaders are as follows: Compensation Programs As in most other U. S. companies, Enron’s management was heavily compensated using stock options. Heavy use of stock option awards linked to short-term stock price may explain the focus of Enron’s management on creating expectations of rapid growth and its efforts to puff up reported earnings to meet Wall Street’s expectations. The stated intent of stock options is to align the interests of management with shareholders. But most programs award sizable option grants based on short-term accounting performance, and there are typically few requirements for managers to hold stock purchased through option programs for the long term. The experience of Enron, along with many other firms in the last few years, raises the possibility that stock compensation programs as currently designed can motivate managers to make decisions that pump up short-term stock performance, but fail to create medium- or long-term value (Hall and Knox, 2002). Dishonestly concealed debt and overstated earnings. Management t Enron Corp. admitted it overstated earnings for nearly five years. In an SEC filing, Enron said financial statements from 1997 through the third quarter of 2001 â€Å"should not be relied upon, and that outside businesses run by Enron officials during that period should have been included in the company's earnings reports. As a result, Enron is reducing earnings for those years by $586 million, from $2. 89 billion to $2. 31 billion. The company also acknowledged that part of earnings came from deals with partnerships controlled by recently sacked CFO Andrew Fastow. These transactions are already being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Enron said these deals enabled Fastow to earn more than $30 million. Enron also conceded that three entities run by company officials should have been included in its financial statements, based on generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the company revised its debt upward in each year from 1997 to 2000. As a result, Enron's debt at the end of 2000 was $10. 86 billion, $628 million more than previously reported. Enron’s Performance Review System. PRC featured two basic motivational forces – fear and greed. Skilling wanted to keep only â€Å"the very best,† meaning those who produced their profit and volume target– so every six months one or two out of every ten employees were dismissed. In pitting employees against each other, the rank-and rank System acted to stress the imagined weaknesses of individuals and to obfuscate organizational problems. In sum, this led to an erosion of employee confidence in their own perceptions and, most crucially, to further compliance with the organization’s leaders in a way that strengthened conformist behavior. In practice, the PRC system worked to encourage â€Å"entourages† or â€Å"fiefdoms† (Dallas 2003) of loyal employees who gravitated towards powerful players for protection. The PRC was a powerful mechanism for preventing the emergence of subcultures running counter to the organizational tone set by Enron’s hierarchy. Members of the Risk Management and Assessment Group who reviewed the terms and conditions of deals (and who were largely inexperienced recent MBA graduates) as well as internal auditors, were fearful of retaliation in the PRC from persons whose deals they were reviewing (Chaffin and Fidler 2002; Dallas 2003). At best, control was compliance-based, seldom encouraging employees to follow either the letter or the intent of laws (Dallas 2003). This punitive environment brought the consequences of dissent sharply into focus. Enron’s culture has been characterized as â€Å"ruthless and reckless †¦ lavish rewards on those who played the game, while persecuting those who raised objections† (Chaffin and Fidler 2002, 4-5). Led by Skilling’s cavalier attitude to rules, top management conveyed the impression that all that mattered was for employees to book profits. In sum, this led to an erosion of employees’ confidence in their own perceptions and, most crucially, to further compliance with the organization’s leaders in a way that strengthened conformist behavior. Former employees have noted how â€Å"loyalty required a sort of group think† (Chaffin and Fidler 2002, 2) and â€Å"that you had to ‘keep drinking the Enron water’† (Stephens and Behr 2002, 2). A myth of smooth, flawless operations was perpetuated with problems â€Å"papered over† (McLean 2001, 58). The net effect of the rank-and-yank system was to decrease the likelihood that employees would raise objections to any illegal or unethical behavior of powerful players. The competitiveness the PRC created was exacerbated by Enron’s bonus regime. As one insider put it, â€Å"sure, the culture at Enron was treacherous, but that was the point† (Swartz and Watkins 2003, 56). Ultimately, the overestimation of profits and underestimation of costs was endemic to the organization. The cheat on debt and financial report lead to character erosion which destroys the image of this company and loss of business and social standing. The harsh policy alliance the relationship between managers and ordinary workers, make well-intentioned employees were inhibited from doing the right thing. Board Board of Directors in Enron’s collapse concluded that the firm had developed a pervasive culture of deception (Senate Subcommittee 2002). As such it was designed and operating at the level of connivance. CEO Lay used direct force to fire any possible successor with whom he disagreed and either he or other top Enron managers used indirect force to deceive and manipulate employees and other stakeholders for top executive advantage. Whatever standard operating procedures were developed at the level of conformance were honored only to the extent that they did not infringe upon executive perks or interfere with top executives exercising a type of feudal control over internal subjects. When external compliance threatened to restrict Enron corporate prerogatives, aggressive tactics to reduce or liminate regulatory standards were routinely employed. The extent and degree to which illegal non-compliance was the cultural norm at Enron will be determined in the courts. Enron did not reach the commitment level; it never democratized its power structures so that employee and community input could shape strategic direction or restrain executive perks. For all intents and purposes, the work culture of Enron was that of a moral jungle where abuse of power dominated principled economic democratic norms; it was a moral powder keg ready to explode. (1) Fiduciary Failure.  The Enron Board of Directors failed to safeguard Enron shareholders and contributed to the collapse of the seventh largest public company in the United States, by allowing Enron to engage in high risk accounting, inappropriate conflict of interest transactions, extensive undisclosed off-the-books activities, and excessive executive compensation. The Board witnessed numerous indications of questionable practices by Enron management over several years, but chose to ignore them to the detriment of Enron shareholders, employees and business associates. 2) High Risk Accounting. The Enron Board of Directors knowingly allowed Enron to engage in high risk accounting practices. (3) Inappropriate Conflicts of Interest. Despite clear conflicts of interest, the Enron Board of Directors approved an unprecedented arrangement allowing Enron’s Chief Financial Officer to establish and operate the LJM private equity funds which transacted business with Enron and profited at Enron’s expense.  The Board exercised inadequate oversight of LJM transaction and compensation controls and failed to protect Enron shareholders from unfair dealing. (4) Extensive Undisclosed Off-The-Books Activity. The Enron Board of Directors knowingly allowed Enron to conduct billions of dollars in off-the-books activity to make its financial condition appear better than it was and failed to ensure adequate public disclosure of material off-the-books liabilities that contributed to Enron’s collapse. (5) Excessive Compensation.  The Enron Board of Directors approved excessive compensation for company executives, failed to monitor the cumulative cash drain caused by Enron’s 2000 annual bonus and performance unit plans, and failed to monitor or halt abuse by Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Lay of a company-financed, multi-million dollar, personal credit line. (6) Lack of Independence. The independence of the Enron Board of Directors was compromised by financial ties between the company and certain Board members. The Board also failed to ensure the independence of the company’s auditor, allowing Andersen to provide internal audit and consulting services while serving as Enron’s Outside Accountants/Auditors Andersen's auditors were pressured by Enron's management to defer recognizing the charges from the special purpose entities as their credit risks became clear. Since the entities would never return a profit, accounting guidelines required that Enron should take a write-off, where the value of the entity was removed from the balance sheet at a loss. To pressure Andersen into meeting Enron's earnings expectations, Enron would occasionally allow accounting firms Ernst & Young or PricewaterhouseCoopers to complete accounting tasks to create the illusion of hiring a new firm to replace Andersen. Although Andersen was equipped with internal controls to protect against conflicted incentives of local partners, they failed to prevent conflict of interest. Revelations concerning Andersen's overall performance led to the break-up of the firm, and to the following assessment by the Powers Committee (appointed by Enron's board to look into the firm's accounting in October 2001): â€Å"The evidence available to us suggests that Andersen did not fulfill its professional responsibilities in connection with its audits of Enron's financial statements, or its obligation to bring to the attention of Enron's Board (or the Audit and Compliance Committee) concerns about Enron's internal contracts over the related-party transactions†. Ethical Code/Process Enron senior management gets a failing grade on truth and disclosure. The purpose of ethics is to enable recognition of how a particular situation will be perceived. At a certain level, it hardly matters what the courts decide. Enron is bankrupt—which is what happened to the company and its officers before a single day in court. But no company engaging in similar practices can derive encouragement for any suits that might be terminated in Enron’s favor. The damage to company reputation through a negative perception of corporate ethics has already been done. Enron’s top managers chose stakeholder deception and short-term financial gains for themselves, which destroyed their personal, and business reputations and their social standing. They all risk criminal and civil prosecution that could lead to imprisonment and/or bankruptcy. Board members were similarly negligent by failing to provide sufficient oversight and restraint to top management excesses, thereby further harming investor and public interests (Senate Subcommittee 2002). Individual and institutional investors lost millions of dollars because they were misinformed about the firm’s financial performance reality through questionable accounting practices (Lorenzetti 2002). Employees were deceived about the firm’s actual financial condition and deprived of the freedom to diversify their retirement portfolios; they had to stand by helplessly while their retirement savings evaporated at the same time that top managers cashed in on their lucrative stock options (Jacobius and Anand 2001). The government was also harmed because America’s political tradition of chartering only corporations that serve the public good was violated by an utter lack of economic democratic protections from the massive public stakeholder harms caused by aristocratic abuses of power that benefited select wealthy elite.

Motivation and Job Satisfaction

In today’s hyper-competitive marketplace, understanding what fosters and forwards employee motivation—and, thus, organizational performance—is critical. Based on theories, studies, best practices, case studies and resources about motivation, this solutions-focused research article presents valuable information for the senior HR leader seeking competitive advantage. Introduction In today’s marketplace, where companies seek a competitive edge, motivation is key for talent retention and performance. No matter the economic environment, the goal is to create a workplace that is engaging and motivating, where employees want to stay, grow and contribute their knowledge, experience and expertise. Motivation is generally defined as the psychological forces that determine the direction of a person’s level of effort, as well as a person’s persistence in the face of obstacles. The direction of a person’s behavior refers to the many possible actions that a person could engage in, while persistence refers to whether, when faced with roadblocks and obstacles, an individual keeps trying or gives up. The responsibility for motivation is three-fold: it falls on the senior leadership, the direct manager and the employee. Numerous factors are involved, from trust, engagement and values (individual and organizational) to job satisfaction, achievement, acknowledgement and rewards. Motivation is essential for working autonomously, as well as for collaboration and effective teamwork. The ultimate focus of the organization is to successfully retain talent, meet goals and go beyond expectations. It is the role of HR and organizational leaders to foster an environment for excellence. Through a foundation of research, theory, studies and practical examples, this article addresses the questions of what motivates employees, what managers need to do, and what supports motivation and, thus, performance. What Influences Motivation? Motivating employees for better performance encompasses these critical factors: employee engagement, Organizational vision and values, management acknowledgment and appreciation of work well done, and overall authenticity of leadership. Chana Anderson, CCP, SPHR-CA, director of HR and a member of the SHRM Employee Relations Special Expertise Panel, says that motivation is influenced equally by the employee and the company: â€Å"Motivation and engagement is truly a 50-50 relationship between the employee and employer. Employees are expected to come to the workplace with the intrinsic motivation and desire to be successful, be value-added and contribute to the obtainment of an employer’s vision. Conversely, it is incumbent upon the employer to provide resources, opportunities, recognition and a cohesive work environment for employees to be successful. Employee Engagement Engagement influences motivation. It is reflected in the extent to which employees commit, how hard they work and how long they stay. People join organizations for different reasons, motivated by intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. Intrinsic rewards are reflected in actions believed to be important. Examples include an employee who wants to help people by providing excellent customer service or a senior manager who gains a sense of accomplishment from overseeing a large corporation. Intrinsic outcomes include responsibility, autonomy, feelings of accomplishment and the pleasure of doing interesting work. Extrinsic-motivated behavior includes actions performed with the goal to have material or social rewards, with outcomes such as job security, benefits, vacation time and public recognition. It is the responsibility of managers to motivate employees, with the goal for employees to contribute to the organization. Managers can best motivate employees by offering rewards that are meaningful to them. Vision and Values Employees are often motivated differently. To develop a work environment that promotes motivation, organizations need to know what is important to their employees and then to emphasize these factors. In fact, some companies and researchers are beginning to look at â€Å"work spirituality†Ã¢â‚¬â€not in a religious sense, but in a sense that what an employee does aligns with his or her greater sense of life and purpose. Aside from monetary gain, work provides people with fulfillment on various levels, from earning a living and â€Å"doing good work† to aspiring to a vision and ultimately having an impact on the quality of life. These reasons can change over time in response to changes in people’s home life and responsibilities. Further, in response to drastic economic changes and natural disasters, companies can change over time as well. Management Acknowledgment and Appreciation How employees are treated is a strong determinant of employee motivation and performance. Edward E. Lawler III, author and consultant for human resource management, emphasizes that â€Å"treating people right is fundamental to creating organizational effectiveness and success. It is also easier said than done. † According to Lawler, this includes â€Å"a highly complex set of actions on the part of both organizations and employees. Organizations must develop ways to treat their employees so that they are motivated and satisfied; employees must behave in ways to help their organizations become effective and high-performing. † This winning combination for performance requires a partnership between the organization and the employees. Lawler states: â€Å"One can’t succeed without the other. To provide people with meaningful work and rewards, organizations need to be successful. And to be successful, organizations need high-performing individuals. The challenge is to design organizations that perform at high levels and treat people in ways that are rewarding and satisfying. To describe this mutually beneficial relationship, Lawler uses the term virtuous spiral, a relationship that occurs when the organization values its employees, and in return, workers are committed to high performance. Leadership and Making a Difference In today’s pressure-cooker environment, performance is carefully noted at all levels of the organization. No matter an individual’s title, everyone has the opportunity to lead in some capacity and have a positive impact on performance. Understanding the value that can be achieved through different roles is one way of providing motivation, performance and thus leadership skills. A recent article published on [email  protected], titled â€Å"Putting a Face to a Name: The Art of Motivating Employees,† emphasizes that workers have better results when they can identify with those they serve. Specifically, face-to-face interactions and task significance (â€Å"what I do makes a difference†) are key drivers for motivation and performance. Research by Adam Grant, Ph. D. , a Wharton management professor, indicates that making human connections is critical for motivation, leadership and high job performance. He found that face-to-face interactions—no matter how superficial—can lead to significant improvements in performance, and that motivation and performance increase simply by an employee’s awareness of the impact of his or her job on others. Dr. Grant has observed this result through studies of all types of jobs and roles in the workplace, from customer service representatives, managers, nurses, doctors and medical technicians to security guards, engineers, salespeople, police officers and fire fighters—based on when people can directly see the impact of their efforts. Mini Case Study In a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, Dr. Grant found that lifeguards at a community recreation center who read about how their ability to avoid fatalities made a difference were stronger leaders/performers. Their work improved by 40% in contrast to lifeguards who merely learned that lifeguarding can be personally enriching. Grant points out that in today’s economy, where work is often virtual without the end user physically present, â€Å"it is important for employers to build in systems that reinforce employees’ awareness of whom they are helping. 6 As HR leaders work on processes and systems designed to improve motivation and performance, it is important to be cognizant of the issue of technology and how it can create distance between employees and the end users of their work. Dr. Grant suggests that focus on the mission of the organization is one way to overcome the challenge of a virtual workplace and lack of direct interaction and is a successful strategy for creating the energy for motivation necessary to achieve high performance and quality of service. Leadership for Motivation To reach the hearts and minds of employees, leaders need to be authentic with an impelling vision. It is exceedingly important for a leader of any organization to communicate his or her vision constantly to ensure that there is no doubt about the direction a team is heading,† says Ken Blanchard, world-renowned management coach. He emphasizes: â€Å"One of the most destructive traits a leader can have today is arrogance—acting like you’ve got it together all the time. On the other hand, one of the most endearing qualities a leader can have is to be in touch with his or her vulnerability. It’s that side of a leader that keeps the vision from crumbling under the pressure of circumstance. 7 In addition, leaders need to connect the organization’s vision and values to the employees’ day-to-day work and help them see how the work they do every day connects to the bigger picture. The 2009 study Best Companies for Leadership conducted by Bloomberg BusinessWeek. com and the Hay Group reveals that leading companies were focused on leadership even during the recent economic downtown. This annual study ranks the best companies for leadership and examines how they develop leaders. The 2009 study found a shift in what the top 20 leading organizations value regarding leadership. Specifically, the most valued qualities in leaders are strategic thinking and inspiring leadership. In a press release, John Larrere, national director of Hay Group’s Leadership and Talent Practice, and co-leader of the Best Companies for Leadership Study, stated: â€Å"For organizations to succeed, they will need to understand what key leadership elements are paramount in driving their organizations toward growth. It’s more than just getting people to produce the right outcomes. It’s about getting them to be passionate about their work and grooming them to handle the challenges ahead. The Best Companies for Leadership have figured this out. According to this study, companies are now focusing their efforts on positioning for the future. To do so, 94% of the best companies have leadership development programs to enable employees to deliver on goals/strategies, 90% provide all employees with the opportunity to develop and practice the capabilities needed to lead others, and 87% have a sufficient number of internal candidates ready to assume open leadership positions. In fact, 94% of the best companies actively manage a pool of successors for mission-critical roles, 83% invest a great deal in their people, and 80% promote growth opportunities. In addition, 95% use corporate social responsibility to recruit employees, 66% have a high proportion of women in senior leadership, 91% make it easy for people to work from home, and 91% have an appreciation of global issues as a key job requirement. Finally, the best companies for leadership focus on employee engagement through commitment and discretionary effort and on employee enablement, with optimized roles and a supportive environment, leading to financial success, customer satisfaction and employee performance—all to drive organizational performance. In today’s economy, leaders need to be mindful of economic pressures when looking for ways to motivate employees. Some organizations find cost-effective ways to provide opportunities through â€Å"developmental assignments,† where people can grow their skills in other areas to be ready for promotions when they may occur. A good manager will take the time to consider ways to motivate employees, whether performance levels are good or need improvement. For the leader, it is beneficial to take a step back and consider, on a personal level, what is motivating oneself. Important questions to ask are: 1) what are your own values; 2) what keeps you motivated; 3) how are your own engagement levels; 4) are you committed to the values of your company; and 5) do you take pride in your work and in your organization? By taking the time to examine these questions and thoughtfully answer them, a leader can gain a refreshed and even enlightened viewpoint to perform better—both for him/herself and for his or her staff—and be able to better optimize for improvement. By identifying three areas that need most attention, for example, a leader can develop a plan and put it into action. Employees need to have acknowledgment and respect and know that their contributions are valued. It cannot be stressed enough how demotivating it can be when managers do not recognize, acknowledge or appreciate employees and their hard work. Two strategies that can help motivate employees are 1) to provide training (including current job, new technologies and the ability to keep up with changes in the employees’ areas of expertise) and 2) promotional opportunities (promote from within). Positive and supportive leadership clearly makes the difference for an engaged and motivated workforce. In an interview with Hospitals and Health Networks, Jo Manion, R. N. , Ph. D. , points to the bottom line for hospital and patient care, as outlined in her book, The Engaged Workforce: Proven Strategies to Build a Positive Health Care Workforce. 12 Since excellent health care is critical for everyone at different points in life, employee motivation that results in excellent patient care is one example of motivation that all can relate to on personal and professional levels.