Leading Change Custom Research by Essay Writers

As the modern business world becomes more complex, so too do the things that are required for organizations to emerge as viable competitors in the challenging international environment of the 21st century.   In his book â€Å"Leading Change†, John P. Kotter discusses the needs of 21st century organizations at length; through the course of his discussion, Kotter makes several assertions that correspond directly to certain areas of education.   In this paper, two of these areas will be further discussed. The Impact of Kotter’s Book on Educational Administration Generally stated, from Kotter’s point of view, the organizations and organizational leaders that will be most successful in the 21st century will be those that embrace learning as a lifelong pursuit (Kotter, 1996), which of course should lead to better leadership, decision making and hence stronger organizations. With this premise in mind, the impact of Kotter’s theories on educational administration becomes much clearer; administrators in the modern educational system must not make the mistake of viewing education as something that the individual pursues in their earlier years as a means of starting a career, but must view education as a holistic process that is the common denominator in the life of an individual, even after starting on a career path to upgrade skills, become more proficient in present job responsibilities, and perhaps to be promoted to higher positions where they can have more of a positive organizational impact. The demand that will exist for lifelong learning will mould the role of educational administrators into a sort of career coach or adult mentor, whereby they will be consulting the long-term learner on the best educational path to take; moreover, based upon the demands for certain curricula, the administrator will undoubtedly be involved in the creation and implementation of new courses to meet growing demand. How Kotter’s Work Could Shape the Knowledge of Educators As a consequence of the directional change of educational administrators, Kotter’s work could also shape the knowledge of educators in several significant ways.   Kotter, in â€Å"Leading Change†, puts forth the philosophy that without learning, no major positive change can take place in an organization, and with this end in mind, the members of a given organization need to be encouraged to â€Å"learn how to continue learning† and â€Å"learn how to lead† (Kotter, 1996). Therefore, just as the administrator will play a mentoring role in this new learning process, the educators themselves will become the main drivers of these new learning strategies, in pursuit of the end result.   Educators will also need to renew a commitment to lifelong learning, as they return to the classroom as students in order to learn the kinds of material that they in turn will be required to teach to the lifelong learner. In addition, their educational approach to the student will surely change extensively due to the fact that they will be directing lessons toward a much different demographic than usual, with different goals and ways of retaining material that is given to them.   Lastly, the educators will need to keep in mind that the adult learner may be resistant to the educational process, at least initially. Summary John P. Kotter poses a challenge to leaders, organization members, and the educational community in â€Å"Leading Change†.   This challenge comes in the form of a call to action that, if followed, will undoubtedly advance the modern organization and change the face of business for generations to come.   With business and education working in tandem, a new revolution is on the horizon that will provide, along with challenges, endless opportunity and promise. References (Kotter, 1996) (Kotter John P 1996 Leading Change)Kotter, John P. (1996). Leading Change. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.   

The Proper Way of Managing your Money

Money Management is where the proper handling of money is applied. Proper management of money is important in our daily lives. Success in life is based on how you manage it. It is really a great challenge to manage your money. As we all know that we all live in a society where all of our neighbors are flooded with lots of products and you are there wanting to have also what they have. It doesn’t work that way. You need to budget, save and invest your hard earned cash to be productive and become a millionaire as well (King 36). Set-up your own goal and develop it to have an organized system. What should be your goal? For instance, your goal is to gain more money in 5 years time. The question now is what can you do to attain your goal? One possible way is through budgeting.   You must know where your money goes, how much comes in and how much goes out so you will know if you really save. In budgeting, you need to know your purchases which include your basic necessities and the payments for your bills. Furthermore, a 20% of your salary or income must be included to your budget. It is a smart decision. If you save 20% of your salary per month, you will be astonished for the money earned in five years time. That is a lot of savings on your part. Even though, you have a small income monthly, you can still save money. So, don’t be discouraged if your salary or income generated for the whole month is small. (King 35) Also read: No Money, No Honey Saving practically also means a wise spending. In this case, we must avoid inflation. It only happens when more money is needed as against the total supply of money available. To site an example, you buy more foods than you actually eat. You help increase the price of goods because the higher the demands of a certain product in which its supply is few, the price of the product becomes higher (King 36). When you shop, you need to have a comparison to distinguish which is the lowest price.   Furthermore, plan to shop when there is a sale or discounts. It is really a great help on saving your money. Don’t avail credit cards. It’s so tempting and almost 70% of people who use credit cards are actually indebt (King 39). Saving and budgeting are more on practicing self-discipline. Acquiring this attitude means you have the potential of managing your money properly. After budgeting and saving your money, you have to find the right kind of investments for your hard earned money comes from your salary or profit from your business. An investment is something to purchase in which has potentials in getting your money back more than you spent for a certain purchase. You need to invest to have more gains like in mutual funds. A mutual fund is a regulated investment company with a pool of assets that regularly sells and redeems its shares.   However, this opportunity is risky. There are times that the shares are decreasing after a long period of time. There are many to invest, like in lots, after long years, the price increases. It is hard to become a millionaire. It will take you years to be one, but if you know the proper management of your money and acquire the winning attitudes, you are not far to become one. Bibliography King, David. You Can Be Rich. Worldlink Marketing Corporation, 2002.      

Evaluation and presentation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Evaluation and presentation - Assignment Example So the companies prefer to use this method because of its flexibility in its frame and works according to the company’s demand. It is the duty of the system to keep inform the user about every action which is being taken against the user’s request, by giving proper response in the form of feedback in an accepted time period. This information keeps the user interactive with the system at each step which is being taken. The language used by the system should be understandable to the user. Instead of using the system’s language terminologies it should use those words, concepts and phrases which users are familiar with. The set of information should be designed in such manner that would show in natural and logical sequence. So the user would easily understand the frames and interpret the information or situation quickly. Most of the time users make mistakes while using the applications in speed so they want to leave the unwanted page without viewing the complete information. The option of emergency exit should be given to save the precious time of the user. This application will let the user to come out easily from an unwanted situation occurred by mistake. Different type of words, concepts and actions should not be given which creates doubt for the user in relating the situations in sequence. It should chase the usual platforms and make a consistent usage in applications without creating any hurdle. The system should be designed with a consideration of identifying the error occurring messages at the initial stage. Also it should eliminate those conditions which cause errors or check for the user. The option of confirmation should be given to users before they get committed with any action. This option will contain the user on the right path without committing with errors and also without wasting the time. It is necessary to display the visibility of those actions, objects and options which minimize

Stock Market Project - Family Dollar Stores Inc Essay

Stock Market Project - Family Dollar Stores Inc - Essay Example Company Information The Family Dollar Stores Inc was opened in 1959 and is now operating more than 6000 stores across the country. Its one of the largest regional based chains in US engaged in the retail business across the different states in the country. The firm is basically considered as a preference by the consumers who are willing to save on their groceries and other retail items. Though not all the items are sold under $1 however, the overall prices are reasonable and considered as affordable by most of the consumers. Major products of the firm include clothing, food and other household items. Firm is a regional business with little or no presence in other countries of the world however, it has achieved tremendous growth in its domestic market by regularly opening new stores across the country. Firm is reseller and sell retail items such durable and non-durable consumer goods. Competitors’ Overview and Industry Trends Major competitors of the firm include Wal-Mart, Doll ar Generation Corporation as well as Dollar Tree Inc. Wal-Mart is quite bigger in the size with international presence in different countries of the world. However, Wal-Mart is a not a typical dollar store though it offers low priced products to its customers. Other competitors are more or less same in size of the firm and are serving different niche markets. (Hoovers, 2011) Industry trends suggest that personal income as well as the fashion trends will be the dominating factors in clothing and other retail segments. Due to the current economic crisis, the overall purchasing power of the consumers has declined thus restricting the consumers to spend lavishly. Financial Analysis The overall operating margin of the firm is over 7% with profit margin in the range of 4.5% during the current period of 2010. Sales for the period ending August 2010 showed an increase of 6.3% despite the fact that the overall economic situation of the country was not feasible due to current economic crisis. Recent figures for the quarter also suggest that the firm has been able to record a return on equity of 28.70% with total return on assets of approximately 13%. This performance suggest that the firm has been able to perform well during the period and consistently recorded better performance despite difficult economic situation prevailing in the country. Stock’s Performance Analysis Firm has a total market capitalization of more than $6 Billions with 122 millions shares outstanding. Past 52 weeks range of prices suggest that the firm has hit the high value of $55.590 whereas the lowest price during the same period was recorded at $35.31. (Bloomberg, 2011). It is also important to note that the firm has been able to withstand the poison pill by rejecting the takeover bid from Peltz Train. (Burritt, 2011) A closer analysis of the firm’s stock performance would suggest that the overall share prices of the firm’s stock fluctuated over the period of time. During the first few years from 2003, the overall prices gradually increased while facing a dip in the prices during 2006. (Yahoo Finance, 2011). It is also important to note that the share prices of the firm remained stable during the current financial crisis despite the fact that overall consumer activity was low. This may however, be attributed to the fact that firm is considered as cheap chain store offering low cost products to

Course work Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Course work - Coursework Example se; the answer of this synchronous communication is that the answer of the interviewer is more spontaneous, without an extended reflection (Pistone, Riccomagno & Wynn 2001, 78). Face to face interview can also be recorder if the interviewees give permission, making it more accurate than writing notes. It also enhances interviewer ambience; making use of a standardization of the situation. The use of questionnaire ensures there are already formulated questions that require responses, thus reducing time wastages during the interview. These formulated questions are quiet clear of the type of response that is required. A part from questionnaire being practical, large amount of data collected within a short duration of time make this method relatively cost efficient. It can also be carried out by any one with limited research analysis knowledge. On the disadvantage part, with the use of questionnaire it is not possible to determine the level of truthiness of the information they give and how much the respondent thought has put (Spurr & Bonini 1973, 156). In some cases, the respondent may miss interpret the question thereby, giving irrelevant response. b.) Standard deviation is the inverse of precision. A low standard deviation indicates that the data points tend to be very close to their arithmetic mean whereas high standard deviation indicates that the data points are spread out over large range of values (Barra & Herbach 1980, 45). Standard deviation of company A tends to cluster around the mean as opposed to the standard deviation of company B; hence larger standard deviation implies lower precision. In most countries, more than 50% of urban population have access to these social amenities; generally, there seem to be more access to the amenities in urban compared to rural apart from Gambia where the reverse is justified but by marginal difference. c.) The development agency should target the rural area part of West Africa. This is due to the fact that almost

Logistics and Transportation as A Service Category within a Category Research Paper

Logistics and Transportation as A Service Category within a Category Management Program - Research Paper Example The intention of this study is Nexen. It is Canada based energy generation company having a dedicated workforce of about 3800 employees. In addition to this the company also has a strong and visionary management that helps in catapulting the organization to levels of excellence. The company was incepted in the year 1971 in which the Occidental crude oil company merged its subsidiary of energy and gas to create a conglomerate. The company is also engaged in the exploration of oil and gas and also owns gas fields across Canada. The future strategies of the company include investing in exploration in Mexican gulf, West Africa and North Sea. It also includes exploration of oil sands and unconventional gas fields across the nation.The company has a considerable and commendable supply chain management strategy under which the company focuses on using technology to reduce the cost of inventory. The logistics and supply chain aspects of the organization include management of the movement of goods from the source to the final destination. Transportation and its efficient management can help generate a lot of competitive advantage for the organization. The aspect of supply chain management is very closely linked to the aspect of warehouse maintenance, transportation as well as management of materials over distances. Use of global category management would help in generating not only cost advantage but would also help generate sustainable and long term competitive advantage for the organization. ... The logistics and supply chain aspects of the organization include management of the movement of goods from the source to the final destination. Transportation and its efficient management can help generate a lot of competitive advantage for the organization. The aspect of supply chain management is very closely linked to the aspect of warehouse maintenance, transportation as well as management of materials over distances. The present study would try to analyse the aspect of global category management in the supply chain strategies of the company that would help generate greater efficiency for the organization. Use of global category management would help in generating not only cost advantage but would also help generate sustainable and long term competitive advantage for the organization. Concept of Category Management Category Management program objectives are found to bear strong linkages with the product portfolio of a manufacturing or marketing sector company. In this regard, Ch iplunkar (2011) observes that the product portfolio of a company operating in manufacturing or retail segment is mostly decided by product managers. Product managers managing that category are responsible for getting the right amount and quality of raw materials for the production of such items. The responsibility for arranging the production of the product is shared eventually by the product managers with other departments like administrative and manufacturing units. Further the product manager also coordinates with the sales and marketing team for getting the product rightly sold in the market to help achieve business profits. The category management concept earns further depth in regards to

Article Critique Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Article Critique - Research Paper Example The model was measured as the best. Question 3: The key aspects noted on the article is that social disparities may have been a factor in the study since the community would not allow an individual who is sick and needs blood not to be given since this will cause problems in the community between the patients family and the entire community. Question 4: The study of Jehovah Witness can be used for future research on behavioral change within this population group to deriver to the society and culture more information that are not applicable and thus able to curb the ones may cause death to an individual. Question 5: According to the article the limitation of this study is that behavioral changes theories are not universally accepted and thus they are criticized by the community. Transtheoretical theory may be affected since it emphasizes change model for it to be applicable since the community is on there

Goldman Sachs - Management Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Goldman Sachs - Management Analysis - Assignment Example It has been noted from the annual report of the company that the main focus of the company has been at four key areas. The four key areas have been the creation of the jobs as well as the overall growth of the economy, building up of the economy as well as stabilising them, enhancing the opportunities of education and thus glorification of the services as well as expertise. The main aim of the paper has been to analyse the company’s decision making with the help of the management theories. Among the several management theories such as the Taylor’s Rational Goal Theory, Fayol's and Mintzberg's Internal Systems Theory, Mayo’s Human Relation Theory and Porter’s Strategic & Peters’ Cultural Theory; the research paper will make use of the two theories such as Mayo’s Human Relation and Fayol and Mintzberg’s theory. The rationale behind choosing Goldman Sachs for the purpose of the study is that during the period of Lloyd Blankfein, CEO and C hairman of the company, it was accused of fraud by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) in the year 2010. It can thus be identified that the performance of the company during this period has been comparatively inferior. Therefore, through this report, it will be aimed at understanding the kind of decision that the management followed that led to such a huge turmoil. The report will try to comprehend the reasons of failure during the rein of Lloyd Blankfein. The analysis will be conducted using the various theories that have been identified and finally recommendations will be provided with regards to how the management can improve its managerial decision making capabilities. Managerial Decision Making At Goldman Sachs The main business of the Goldman Sachs has been to invest the money belonging to the large organisations as well as the wealthy individuals. It has further been identified that the firm tends to put its own funds as well at risk. Organisational Structure Lloyd B lankfein has been the Chairman and CEO of the company since the year 2006. Lloyd Blankfein by nature has been quite affable and smart. His five years tenure in Goldman Sachs can be classified into three different groups. He experienced unstable growth till early 2008. Furthermore, the financial crisis that took place because of the breakdown of the Lehman Brothers was also evident during his ruling period. The bank, further expected to recover in the year 2009, despite various regulations that was formed after the post-crisis and the fall in their reputations. The other person who has been working with the company under Mr. Lloyd Blankfein is David Viniar who has been the Chief Financial Officer and has served the company for more than ten years. Mr. E. Gerald Corrigan has been the Co-chair of the Risk as well as Global Compliance and Controls Committee. Mr. Henry Paulson was the Chief Executive of the Goldman Sachs prior to Lloyd Blankfein (Steinert-Threlkerd, 2009). Alan Cohen has been the Compliance Officer at Goldman Sachs, John Rogers has been the Secretary and Gary Cohn is the President as well as the COO (The Official Board, 2011). It has been evident that the company has outperformed in its operations in most of the areas. It has been positioned among the best three underwriters. It is because of the consistent and best performance along with the commitment of the top management towards the municipal business as well as the public sector. The company also has

Strategic Management Business Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Strategic Management Business - Term Paper Example According to Bo Bennett ‘A dream becomes a goal when action is taken towards its achievement’ (Gordon Bell High School, 2012). The justification of the quote can be accomplished by none other than the personality who has given birth to the technical giants Apple. Apple inc. is a consumer electronics company which is headquartered at California, United States. The company is primarily indulged in manufacturing and marketing software, personal computers and other electronic products (Yahoo Finance, n.d.). Some of the iconic products of Apple include I-Phone, I-Pad, I-Pod and very shortly going to add I-Car to its product range (Paultan, 2012). Within a very short span of journey the company has been able to achieve the elite position in the IT industry. The case which has been selected to carry out the research is the article namely ‘Big Apple vs. Big Oil’. The case illustrates the ups and downs of the company and mentioned the staggering success of Apple in the share market. The case also highlights the reasons of Apple’s success in the market place and depicts the importance of the stake holders of the company. Moreover the case also illuminates the importance of Steve Jobs and his innovative and leadership qualities. The reason why Apple has been chosen in order to carry out the research is that the company offers tumultuous market narration. It has also witnessed economic slumps as well as path breaking success. The company is also the most noteworthy player in the digital entertainment sector with innovative outlooks for the future. Therefore it is assumed that Apple inc. will be the most suitable organization towards the completion of the study. Now the prime problem or the issue predating the company is the concerns of the health of Steve Jobs. The person is considered as the technical genius for the company and the sole personality behind every innovations portrayed by the company. Since Steve Jobs is the CEO of the Apple and with his absence the company will hugely suffer from leadership problems. However the investors of the company are gaming on the fact that the company will still pump out heavy profits. But still the question remains that will there be anyone ever who will fill Steve Job’s Shoes. The company is also comprehensively facing problem regarding the affordability of their products. The price of the products is meant for the higher income groups and thus the other section of people could not afford it. This also hampers the total sales volume of the company and ultimately lessens the revenue. Facts The chosen article i.e. ‘Big Apple vs. Big Oil’ illustrates that Apple Inc. was once on the verge of a bankruptcy but stabilizing the situation progressed towards being the market leader in IT industry. The company has also outperformed some of the biggest players of stock market. The day of 9th August will always remain momentous for the company as for a time being they have surpassed the oil giant Exxon Mobil in the context of the firms

Molluscs and Natural Selection Essay Example for Free

Molluscs and Natural Selection Essay The process of natural selection is one of the most cited reasons for the evolution of a species, and it was made famous by Charles Darwin’s famous observations of finches in the Galapagos Islands. It is believed to work by way of random mutations; random mutations occur, as it indicates, randomly and spontaneously in a population for a multitude of genetic reasons. Mutations help to create variation of different traits within a species, and they can be expressed with different phenotypes. In times where a mutation has no negative effect on the individual organism, this trait could be advantageous in a new habitat or predatory situation, etc. With an advantage in survival, and thus reproduction, these organisms are often selected for over other members of the species, creating a change in variation of a species over generations. Molluscs, although a very large and diverse group of animals, often share certain features: a mantle, radula, shell, and foot. The mantle is a thin and fleshy layer which secretes the hard shell of a mollusc. The radula is a grate-like structure in the mouth used to scrape surfaces and drill holes. The foot is a muscle which assists in locomotion and movement of the molluscs. It is hypothesized that all current-day molluscs share a common ancestor, called the hypothetical ancestral mollusc or HAM, because of the similar characteristics and body plans that have been modified in diverse ways over time to adapt to different environments. Two members of the mollusc family include the clam, of the class bivalvia, and the squid, of the class cephalopoda, and these are an example of variation from the HAM that helped them adapt for their particular environment, feeding behavior, and movement (Sigwart, 2007). The squid species has undergone many adaptations. The squid’s radula resembles a beak-like structure that it uses to devour its food, very different from the chiton-like HAM which probably had a small radula. Over time, the radula’s shape has been mutated and then selected for as the squid changed its eating habits – if it provided quicker eating time, then it would be selected for. The squid lacks an outer shell (it’s internalized), so the mantle of the squid has also been modified into muscular â€Å"flaps† that it uses to propel itself quickly through the water, nd thus capture prey or avoid predators, a necessary function due to the squid’s lack of a hard protective barrier (Sigwart, 2007) A large shell would be unnecessary for the squid since it can propel quickly away from predators, and may even hinder its ability to swim; this would lead one to believe that the squid developed a muscular mantle from HAM and then a mutation for loss of the shell was selected for following the muscular body. Also, the foot of the squid has adapted from the single foot of the HAM to become tentacles and arms, used to quickly capture and bring prey closer to its beak-like radula to eat, which is buried behind its many arms. This modified version of its foot is an extremely effective feeding method that, coupled with the squid’s speed, enables it to catch and hold prey that otherwise might be able to escape (Sutton, 2007). The clam is a sedentary mollusc that uses its foot to burrow into the sand. The clam is a filter feeder, straining food particles from the water. The clam doesn’t have a radula, probably the result of a random mutation that caused some clam ancestors to lack the structure, or it may have been modified into another structure that aided in the filter feeding process. The filter feeding process is environmentally selected for because it enables the animal to take in food particles while buried under the sand. The mantle of the clam is found inside of its hard, hinged shell. The strong shell of the clam was environmentally selected for since it prevents predators from easily eating the clam, allows it to bury safely into the sand without affecting its internal organs, and improves the clams ability to survive and reproduce. The foot of the clam has adapted so that the species can dig into the sand with this muscle which can be moved out of the shell, a very different type of foot than the HAM’s muscular, positioned foot which allows for scavenging (Sutton, 2007). The HAM, very similar to the chiton, served as a good base model for this very diverse phylum of animals. Lots of spontaneous and random mutations must have occurred for such diversity – to have sedentary, burrowing animals and predatory, jet-propelling animals in the same phylum of animals is quite a feat.

A Data Flow Diagram Information Technology Essay

A Data Flow Diagram Information Technology Essay Other than data flow, system requirement specification also need to be focuses. A requirements specification is a document which is used as a communication medium between the customers and the supplier. When the software requirement specification is completed and is accepted by all parties, the end of the requirements engineering phase has been reached. In the end of the assignment, we will learn about the flow of system shown uses Data Flow Diagram and how Requirement Specification work. 2.0 Data Flow Diagram Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a graphical uses to represent the flow of data in a system. It shows the flow of data as they moving between input and output. The purpose of using Data Flow Diagram as a representative of a system is to provide a simple method of describing how the system work without needed to focus on the detail of the computer systems. Symbol of Data Flow Diagram A Data Flow Diagram uses 4 basic symbols as representative of process, data stores, data flow and entities. There are few different versions of DFD uses but still it is also serving as the same purpose. Description Symbol Entities It uses can represent a human, subsystem or system. This where certain data comes from / goes to. People often draw external entities on the edge of a diagram. Process A process is a function or activity where the manipulation and change of data takes place. A process can be decomposed to better level of details purpose of representing how data is being processed within the process. Data Store A data store represents the storage of data required and which it produced by the process. Examples of data stores: database, membership forms, and more. Data Flow A data flow represents the flow of the system, whereby its direction represented by an arrow head that shows at the end of flow. 2.1 Level of Data Flow Diagram A Data Flow Diagram is hierarchical, divide into 3 types: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 2.1.1 Level 0 DFD In level 0 DFD, it only focuses on the context view of the flow in 1 process which is the most simplify version of DFD. 2.1.2 Level 1 DFD In level 1 DFD, it goes deeper then level 0, which it expand the graphical model into more complex that represent the flow of data. 2.1.3 Level 2 DFD In level 2 DFD, it focuses more closely in one particular process in level 1. 2.2 Rules of Data Flow Diagram There are few rules that must be follow when creating a Data Flow Diagram (DFD): Data flow that connects YES NO A process to another process Check mark symbol A process to an external entity Check mark symbol A process to a data store Check mark symbol An external entity to another external entity Check mark symbol An external entity to a data store Check mark symbol A data store to another data store Check mark symbol 2.3 Student Registration System Below is an example of 3 different types of Data Flow Diagram uses in a simple student registration system for a college: 2.3.1 Level 0: Registration Form Student registration system Student Confirmation Letter 2.3.2 Level 1: 1.0 Verify Availability Open course D1 Accept / Reject result Registration form Course Course info Course enrollment 2.0 Enroll Student Student Student info Registration Confirmation letter D2 3.0 Confirm Registration Student Update info 2.3.3 Level 2: Course Open course D1 1.0 Verify Availability Advisor Registration form Student Course info Reject 1.1 Permission Course enrollment Accept Confirmation Letter 2.0 Enroll student Student Registration Student info D2 Update info Payment Registration fee 2.1 Account D3 2.2 Course payment method Receipt issued 2.2.2 2.2.1 Installment Financial aid Update info 3.0 Requirement Specification In a large project the analyst could also have a number of people work under them. Theses extra staff would carry out the questionnaires, observations and interviews, required to develop the overall specification. When developing a project, an agreement between the client and project team are formed. Document of requirement specification gave the information to client or customer regarding the project. 3.1 Layout of Requirement Specification The requirement specification is carefully listed and highlighted according the following: Scope of the system Objectives Timing Constraints Inputs Outputs Processing requirement Contract 3.1.1 Scope of the system This offers a context for the system within the organization. For instance, the scope will regularly define what it will not do and general explanation of what it will do. 3.1.2 Objective It laid out point by point so it is clear define that what the system needs to do. Table or bullet points could be used in this process. 3.1.3 Timing In this section, it provides a timeline of how the project will proceed and the time require for it to be done. 3.1.4 Constraints It is referring to the budget and manpower that which is available for the project. 3.1.5 Inputs In this section, it defines what inputs are needed by the system. It will provide outline details of the input screens, data capture forms, automated system feeds and more. It doesnt try to be very technical at this point instant it just an overall idea of what will be accepted into the system and how this is to be achieved. 3.1.6 Outputs A system has to produce an output in one form or another. In this section, it will describe the expected form of outputs. For example, output viewing screen, printed reports and graphs, files created and stored, and any output data feed to other system and so on. 3.1.7 Processing requirement Between the process of Input and Output, processing in the middle is required. This part of Requirement Specification defines the processing to be carried out. Processing details are include: Procedures Validation details Acceptable limits of processing times 3.1.8 Contract The requirements specification is in result of a contract between the end user and the people that responsible for delivering the project. 3.2 Important of Requirement Specification Its important to note that a requirement specification contains functional and  non-functional requirements only; it does not offer design  suggestions, possible solutions to technology or business  issues, or any other information other than what the  development team understands the customers system requirements  to be. A well-managed requirement specification could accomplish four major  goals: It provides feedback to the customer A requirement specification is the  customers assurance that the development organization  understands the problem and issue to be solved and the  software behavior necessary to locate those problems.  Therefore, it should be written in standard language, in an explicit manner that may also include  charts, data flow diagrams, table, decision tables, and so  on. It decomposes the problem into component parts The  simple act of writing down software requirements in a  well-designed format organizes information, places borders  around the problem, solidifies ideas, and helps break down  the problem into its component parts in an orderly  fashion. It serves as a input to the design specification As  mentioned previously, the requirement specification serves as the parent document  to subsequent documents, such as the software design  specification and statement of work. Therefore, the SRS  must contain enough detail in the well-designed system  requirements so that a design solution can be planned. It serves as the parent document For testing and validation  strategies that will be applied to the requirements for  verification. 4.0 Conclusion In system analysis and design, it focuses on the improvement of creating a good system of information data. By learning the proper way of analyzing and designing / developing a system, it could lead us into deeper understanding about the system. In the above assignment we have learn the usage of Data Flow Diagram which serve as a guide for developer and analyst to check the flow of the system, and we also have learn that when creating a system software, a documentation regarding the software project are also an important step to do.

Essay --

During the Elizabethan era, many great works were created. Many of these great works were made by none other than William Shakespeare. His plays were exquisitely made in a formal type of language that even people of the late 1500’s didn’t speak like. Besides his success as a playwright, Shakespeare also found great success as a poet and actor. Some of his most famous works, such as Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet, led him to, by many, being called the greatest writer of all time. If you are familiar with this great man and the famous works that he created, then maybe this paper will show you just why he is regarded as the greatest writer of all time. Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s more famous works and it has a very unique script of characters in it. The main character, Hamlet, is the Prince of Denmark. His father was the King of Denmark before his tragic death. Throughout the play, Hamlet shows his detestation towards his mother’s excessive sexuality and his hatred towards his uncle and the present king, Claudius. Though it may not seem like it at times, Hamlet is actually a very brilliant man who studied at the University of Wittenberg. Sometimes he is very quick tempered and impulsive, but most of the time he thinks through things before doing them. Claudius is the uncle of Hamlet, who took the throne after his brother was killed. Claudius is very cautious and is always calculating the effects of his actions. Most of the time Claudius seems to be very inhuman and only driven by the lust for more power and sex. Very seldom does he show his side of guilt for things he has done and his deep affection for Gertrud e. Gertrude is the present wife of Claudius and mother of Hamlet. She is also the Queen of Denmark.... ... appear to be the people wanting him to be in power. Around this time Calphurnia has a dream about Caesar having a bunch of holes in him and there is blood flowing out of him like a fountain. She obviously interprets this as a bad omen for Caesar and is concerned. This and other occurrences such as fire raining down from the sky and his priests not being able to find a heart in a sacrificed animal lead to him wanting to stay home. But, Decius tells Caesar that his dreams mean he is going to save Rome. Caesar is motivated and decides that fate will have its way no matter what. He decides to go the the Capital anyways, against his wife’s wishes. On the way to the Capital, Caesar runs into Artemidorus who tries to give him a letter warning him of the conspirators. Caesar doesn’t take the letter and Artemidorus knows that the fates are on the side of the conspirators.

Graduation Speech: Praise be to God -- Graduation Speech, Commencement

First of all, I would like to thank God for giving me this opportunity to speak tonight. Had it not been for God, I wouldn't be here right now because He is the One who's given me the strength and courage to press on both academically and spiritually through my high school years, especially in times of discouragement. I am a international student. I came to the U.S. about five years ago. Studying in a second language and being away from parents many times have been really overwhelming for me, sometimes even to the point where I just wanted to quit and go back. But, through such times of discouragement and loneliness, God assured me that He is always with me, and also that through him I can do all things. During my five years at the Academy, God has taught me tremendous lessons throug...

Loneliness and Unrequited Love in James Joyces Dubliners Essays

Repetitive routines, and mundane details of everyday life characterize the lives of Joyce’s Dubliners and trap them with frustration, restraint, and violence. Routines affect the characters who face difficult predicaments, but it also affects characters who have little open conflict in their lives. The most consistent consequences of following mundane routines are loneliness and unrequited love. The consistency of these Dubliners’ lives through the stories, effectively traps them, preventing them from being receptive to new experiences and happiness. At the beginning of the twentieth century, chances for marriage in Ireland were slim. Gabriel and Gretta Conroy in â€Å"The Dead,"are the only married couple at the Morkin sisters Christmas party. While Mr. Duffy in â€Å"A Painful Case," and Maria in â€Å"Clay," who both live alone, certainly illustrate the emptiness of isolation, two married characters also seem upon consideration to be just as isolated. Mr. Duffy’s obsession with his predictable life costs him a golden chance at love. In â€Å"Eveline," the young girl has a chance to save herself from a life of poverty but cannot move, as if she was trapped, when her chance to flee arrives. She is trapped by her poverty that makes her family dependent upon her economically and social conventions that insure she will care for her family even though her father is abusive and keeps all her money. She will live out her life in poverty, as her mother did, making thankless sacrifices for all until she too loses her mind: â€Å"that life of commonplace sacrifices closing in craziness† (28). Mr. Doran, in "The Boarding House," has been tricked into marriage by Mrs. Mooney: â€Å"the instinct of the celibate warned him to hold back"(52). He does not love Pol... ...ad are more alive to many than the living. Gabriel Conroy's final, stark self-evaluation serves to crystallize the very essence of this hemiplegia in a few finely honed sentences. He realizes that, trapped as he is, he is incapable of real passion, real emotion: â€Å"He had never felt like that himself towards any woman but he knew that such a feeling must be love.'† He can no more 'apprehend' this intensity of feeling any more than one whole lived such a life could perceive the â€Å"wayward and flickering existence† he shares with the hosts of the dead. He feels his own boring identity fading out, yet feels nothing. He can only stare at the individual, unique snowflakes that hit his window, but cannot enter his little world. The image of the snowflake is soon faded into the grey shapeless mass of snow. His stories depict Dublin as a place conducive to self-destruction.

Economics Markets Essay

The most probable result if the minimum wage for teenage workers in Australia will increase is that the employment rate will decrease. The effects on employment on the workers on the increase in the minimum wage of teenage workers will lose their job. This is because employers must retain their profit. Increasing the minimum wage of the workers will result into decrease profit of the company, thus employers will lessen their employers also decreasing their labor costs to retain their profit (Kennan 2007). Take for example a company that aims to maximize its profit. Currently, the company’s labor force is n and the minimum wages for its employer is w. Consider a case when the company increases the minimum wage to W with no changes to other factor like profit. If this happens, the profit will decrease because of n*(W-w). The only way to regain the losses of the company that is brought by the increase in the minimum wage is to lessen its labor force n to compensate the losses. Drastic change will occur on the employment of teenage workers in Australia because employers will consider first the adult or the professionals. Companies that need personnel with expertise on the said company will be hired first because these professional are more equipped in producing profit for the company. The figure below illustrates how employment is being affected by the increase in the rate of wage of the labors. As the wage increase, so also the gap thus increasing the rate of unemployment (David Tuerck and Paul Bachman 2005). There are other possible outcomes when minimum wage rate will increase among teenage workers in Australia. Though many employee will be attracted on the high wage rate in Australia, there is a big possibility that companies will go to other places where there is low wage rate. Most companies now are finding their personnel on places where there is a low wage rate. This is to lessen other expenses incurred by the companies (Haussamen 2007).

A Mental Exercise To Increase My Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

I understand that it must be a matter of subjectivity for the reader to focus on a single type of intelligence while perusing Armstrong’s (1994) book, Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom.In my case, it has been the bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, most probably because I feel the need to increase my own.   Unfortunately, my school teachers were not aware of the multiple intelligences theory.   Even if they were, they would certainly not have decided to speak to my bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.   Just the same I admired children whose bodies performed more amazing functions than mine.This is the reason why my reflection on Armstrong’s book must be centered on bodily-kinesthetic intelligence as a subconscious exercise for me to increase my own.   Still, I agree with the author that all types of intelligences are equally important.   Moreover, I trust the fact that all intelligences are important enough to be studied individually and in depth.   The vari ous types of intelligence may also be understood in greater depth through the study of a single type of intelligence.It was Gardner (1983) who changed our views about intelligence forever when he proposed in his famous book, Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, that there are actually seven kinds of intelligences as opposed to the singular type of genetic intelligence that had built the foundation of the Stanford-Binet IQ Test.According to the theory of multiple intelligences, it is possible for a child to be a genius in terms of interpersonal intelligence, and a nerd in logical-mathematical intelligence, and yet fail in school because his or her greatest strength lies in a high level of bodily-kinesthetic awareness and the teacher of the pupil does not know how the child must be taught with special reference to his or her principal abilities.Armstrong states that children with a higher than usual degree of bodily-kinesthetic intelligence should be taught spelling b y associating it with movement.   As an example, â€Å"a teacher might try to connect sitting with consonants and standing with vowels (Willingham, 2004).†Ã‚   Indeed, Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences has led not only to new ideas like the ones put forth by Armstrong, but it has also led to a revolution in the study of intelligence.

The Illuminati speech Essay

The Illuminati. 237 years of captivating conspiracies. Many of you may know the popular image of the all seeing eye sitting atop a pyramid, however what does it all mean? The illuminati was discovered in 1776, by Adam Weishaupt, who was a professor of Canon Law and Practical philosophy. It is thought that it was around before the Garden of Eden was invented, however that is just a conspiracy. Its definition is: people claiming to possess special enlightenment or knowledge of something. The unknown is what has me so interested in the illuminati, and opens my eyes to a bigger picture of our world today. Some of the views of the illuminati include: There is a supreme deity; however the supreme deity is not an absolute being that is defined within the halls of illuminati, instead it is a being that allows adherence to hold to personal views of who or what their God might be. The supreme deity is called the creator and architect of the universe that is neither good nor evil. The practise of forgiveness A balance that exists within each person is ‘Order Chaos’. This balance is dependent upon the personal preferences and experiences as they relate to the individuals view of their deity. It all started by the Bavarian Illuminati, a secret society opposed to superstition, abuse of state power and religious influence that was formed in 1776 and disbanded in 1785. ‘The order of the day’ they wrote in their general statues, ‘is to put an end to the machinations of the purveyors of injustice, to control them without dominating them’. The illuminati along with the freemasonry and other societies were outlawed by the Bavarian ruler, Charles Theodore, with the encouragement of the roman catholic church, in 1784, 1785, 1787 and 1790. In the several years following the group was vilifies and were responsible for the French revolution. They are often alleged to unite to control world affairs, by masterminding events and planting agents in government and corporations, in order to gain political power and influence and to establish a New World Order. Central to some of the most widely known and elaborate conspiracy theories, the Illuminati have been depicted as lurking in the shadows and pulling the strings and levers of power in dozens of novels, movies, television shows, comics, video games and music videos.

Stock Market and Disk Drive Operations

Question: – Why is Seagate undertaking this transaction? Is it necessary to divest the Veritas shares in a separate transaction? Who are the winners and losers resulting from the transaction? Solution: – Seagate is undertaking this transaction to generate significant wealth gains for Seagate shareholders. There is a value gap generates due to Seagate’s VERITAS stake. VERITAS stake value exceeds the entire market capitalization of the Seagate. Seagate faces two problems because of VERITAS stake. First, the company’s core disk drive operations were not receiving full value in the market. Second, the company would incur a significant tax liability if the company attempt to monetize its VERITAS stake be selling the shares. Yes, it is necessary to divest the VERITAS shares in a separate transaction. It helps the company to save itself from tax liabilities and distributing the VERITAS stock tax free to its shareholders. The Seagate shareholders are definitely winner if the two-step transaction will happen. The shareholders of Seagate get higher value of disk drive operations and tax free shares of VERITAS. The Seagate Management is also winner. They get rid of tax liabilities related to VERITAS stocks and get full value of disk drive operations. The VERITAS also feel like winner as they get higher number of stocks in exchange of lesser number of stocks. Question: – Does the negative value of Seagate’s operating assets imply markets are inefficient? Solution: – The negative value of Seagate’s operating assets implies that markets are inefficient. The core disk drive operations do not receive its full value in the market. Seagate’s Management thinks that disk drive operations value is larger than what the value is in market. This shows that markets are inefficient. Question: – Why might a negative value exist? Solution: – Tax liabilities: – The negative value of the Seagate’s operating assets is due to tax liabilities which the company is facing because of VERITAS stocks. Other liabilities : – Fear that managers will destroy value: – The negative value of the Seagate’s operating assets is not due to fear that managers will destroy value. Moreover, the investors have trust in the managers of the Seagate that’s why they want to retain the top management of the Seagate in the newly build company.

Drawing on observations from the Polish-German borderland, critically Essay

Drawing on observations from the Polish-German borderland, critically examine the effects which Europeanisation - or EU-isation - Essay Example Once this has been done, the impacts that Europeanisation has had upon the Polish-German borderland will then be highlighted and both the advantages and disadvantages of closed borders will be discussed. Applicable text books, journal articles and online databases will be accessed by conducting both a library and online search. Once the evaluation has been made, an appropriate conclusion will then be drawn, demonstrating that Europeanisation does significantly affect the borderness nature of Eastern Europe. Main Body Europeanisation is a process of change whereby a non-European subject adopts various European features. This has been defined as â€Å"a process involving; construction, diffusion and institutionalisation of formal and informal rules, procedures, policy paradigms and shared beliefs† (Cini, 2007: 407). The European features are initially defined and consolidated within the policy process of the EU and subsequently incorporated into domestic structures. This effecti vely creates a borderless world which was identified by Ohmae (1990: 172) when he stated that; â€Å"national borders have effectively disappeared and, along with them, the economic logic that made them useful lines of demarcation in the first place.† Despite this contention, borders are still greatly important in helping to develop regions that are divided by state boundaries and also for analysing modern geography relating to politics and economics (Nelles and Walther, 2011: 6). They also form part of an ideology and help to demonstrate the limits associated with territorial ownership and control (Herrschel, 2011: 173). They have a significance beyond economics, since borders in all areas of life affect the ways that people perceive themselves and their role in the world: â€Å"Borders are integral to human behaviour – they are a product of the need for order, control and protection in human life and they reflect our contending desires for sameness and difference, f or a marker between ‘us’ and ‘them’.† (O’Dowd, 2002: 14-15). Borders are therefore vital in helping to distinguish different identifies, and yet since the 1989 Revolutions; borders within the EU have undergone some important transformations. Both the re-bordering and de-bordering of the EU has taken place and these processes vastly complicate the ways that people view their own local, regional and national identities. Whilst this proliferation of identities may seem contradictory, greater flexibility now exists for people to step outside both the mental and physical limitations of previous decades. As the example of the Russian-Finnish border has shown, some dimensions of border transformation are relatively easy to implement, while others remain relatively impervious to new rulings, even at the national and international level. This is because â€Å"boundaries are understood as institutions and symbols that are produced and reproduced in soci al practices and discourses† (Paasi, 1999:669). It is this level of symbolic meanings, passed on from person to person through social interaction that is so vital for the successful advance of Europeanisation. Without this level of social engagement to aid with transformation of the deeper significance attached to the border location, any amount of administrative

Human Resources Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

Human Resources - Essay Example This paper is going to unveil various recommendations for how organization should staff its operations by focusing on decisions pertaining to staffing levels and quality. Taking into account the Tanglewood case study, which is a chain of retail stores featuring items such as clothing, appliances, electronics, and decor we realise that Tanglewood retail stores have taken into consideration the aspect of quality, durability and as well taking care of the customer’s preferences. For an organization such as Tangle to staff its operations by focusing on decisions pertaining to staffing levels and quality, a mission statement should be availed to act as guidance as far as effective service delivery is of concern. A mission is termed as an action statement that gives customers an overview on how the prevailing organization like in our case Tanglewood works towards realizing its vision. Tanglewood have executed its mandate through visionary actions and this is evidence through its statement that states that â€Å"We are committed as a company to providing maximum value to our customers, shareholders, and employees. We will accomplish this goal by adhering to the core values of responsible financial management, clear and honest communication, and always keeping performance and customer service in the forefront† Every emerging business globally is characterized by a dream and a vision. In order to progress and grow financial for the purpose of profit maximization, it is not the matter of summing up money but incurs taking into consideration customers preferences and serving them well (Rothwell, and Stavros, and Sullivan, and Sullivan, 23-27). For an organization such Tanglewood to succeed well, core values should be unveiled. The aspect of underpin works when the prevailed philosophy of business is taken into account and core principals executed as well. Going by the history of Tanglewood, its process of growth has been quick in the last 5 years. Various reason

Sustainability Written Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sustainability Written Report - Essay Example Originally, geothermal energy was used in hot springs as early as Paleolithic times according to a study made by Cataldi (1993) about the history of hot springs before the Modern Period. Technically, the first geothermal energy harnessed lighted a few light bulbs. The following accounts relate how the world recognized geothermal energy: On July 4, 1904, Prince Piero Ginori Conti tested the world’s first geothermal generator at the Larderello dry steam field in Italy. Merely a couple of years later, this invention was deployed commercially and used to operate drilling equipment. Soon the small town of Larderello was using geothermal power for all its electricity requirements. (History of Geothermal Energy, http://www.economywatch.com) Because of the said event, it is no wonder that Italy maintained the position as being a top producer of geothermal energy for many decades. New Zealand followed suit only fifty-years later. The United States took the risk and invested in the Geys ers Geothermal Field in California which is currently the largest producer of geothermal energy in the world. This location has five power plants and Chevron Corporation spearheads in providing geothermal energy to millions of American homes. Uses of Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy has many useful purposes, with electricity generation as its most widely-known use. Bioeconomicfuel.com cites the 5 different uses of geothermal energy (Stern, 2009): 1. Industrial and Agricultural Uses A good example of which is the role of geothermal energy in drying up timber. In New Zealand, the â€Å"Tasman Pulp and Paper Mill uses geothermal steam in heat exchangers to heat kiln air to 140?C for timber drying†( Stewart, 2009). Aside from timber, crops can also be dehydrated using geothermal energy which makes this type of energy very useful for agriculture. 2. Food Processing The food processing industry can harness the heat from geothermal energy for sterilization process as well as dryi ng. In India, Chandrasekharam (2001) published a paper that advocated the use of geothermal energy in food processing since India’s topography is viable for this type of food processing. However, the United States had already applied that concept way back in 1978 when it opened the geothermal food processing plant in Brady Hot Springs, Nevada. In fact, â€Å"More than 25 million pounds of dehydrated onion and garlic are now being processed annually in Nevada â€Å"(nrel.gov, Oct 2001). This fact just attests to the huge capacity of geothermal energy in providing clean energy at a lesser cost. 3. Electricity Generation The Geothermal Energy Market Report shows that in 2005 alone, the top ten countries used 97% of geothermal energy for electricity generation purpose (refer to Appendix A). According to the International Energy Agency, â€Å"geothermal energy currently supplies less than 1% of the world's total energy demand†. Nevertheless, it has an enormous potential t o mitigate climate changes by reducing the use of carbon fossil fuels. It is a considerable source of renewable energy. In the case of Philippines, (which is second to the United States in using geothermal energy), it has a potential to become one of the world’s largest producer of geothermal energy. Currently, geothermal energy supplies 27% of the country’s electricity (www.philippines. hvu.nl). During the World Geothermal Congress in 2000, it was declared that the â€Å"

Hard factors of TQM implementation in the Project division at GASCO Essay

Hard factors of TQM implementation in the Project division at GASCO - Essay Example Proper implementation of the procedure IP-PR-021 would offer solutions to this problem. The CTN format does not have provisions for the history of the CTN. As a result, the CTN goes through the approval process of the GASCO shareholders without their knowledge of the history of the CTN in the firm. They need adequate knowledge on the importance of CTN, in order to determine whether it is worth the budgetary allocations. Modifying the formats of the CTN to would include its history would provide adequate knowledge. Since there is no analysis of the main cause of CTN, there is a wrong evaluation of the KPI. The main factor put into consideration when evaluating KPI is CTN. Therefore, understanding the causes of CTN in the organization would help in preventing their occurrence in future. This is however possible if there was a proper procedure of solving the CTN put in place. GASCO, while calculating the average KPI does so division wise. This omits the evaluation of the actual performa nce in each department. There is however a high likelihood of some of the departments doing very well, while others have poor performances. There is however no reflection of this in the KPI. Applying KPI at the department level would solve this problem. Finally, there is poor and low communication of the KPI to the engineer’s level. This makes information flow in this level inadequate. As a solution, proper communication of the KPI to all parties would solve all communication problems available. Research questions With reference to the hard factors of TQM, this research will try to establish how effectively GASCO utilizes these factors to achieve organizational performance. How efficiently does GASCO use TQM in achieving its organizational goals? To what extent does GASCO staff exhibit high quality standards in serving their customers? How effectively does GASCO as an organization use TQM in managing its projects? What is the overall impact of TQM in satisfactorily serving cu stomers at GASCO? To what extent does GASCO use TQM in its Business Support Activities? Objectives of the report TQM, being an important element in achieving organizational performance, contributes to the achievement of organizational goals and objectives (Salaheldin 2009, p. 216). The main objective of this report is establishing the extent to which TQM contributes to organizational performance, with reference to GASCO. Further, since there are two types of TQM, the soft factors and the hard factors, this report hopes to establish the impact of proper use and application of the hard factors in an organizational setting. Finally, it will establish whether there is any relationship between proper maintenance of QMS, relative to GASCO QMS. Aims of the report The main aim of this report is to establish whether GASCO has QMS and the impact that hard TQM factors have on the overall performance of the organization. Data analysis The time taken by employees in assessing resources significa ntly determines their output (Grover, et al. 2006, p. 450-458). Subsequently, this determines the overall organizational performance. The longer an employee takes while assessing resources; the lower is their level of productivity. According to data obtained, 11 respondents agreed that the period it takes for an employee to access resources was good. This positively contributes to overall organizat

International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words - 2

International Business - Essay Example Pushing the implementation of SABIC’s international joint venture plan in China opens a lot of business opportunities by enabling SABIC penetrate the market of China within the shortest possible time. Likewise, this strategy could benefit SABIC through economies of scale, cheaply expand the business internationally, increase profit by diversifying its risk management portfolio, improve SABIC’s market power and competitive advantage against its global competitors. Despite the business opportunities behind the international joint venture project, the strong government control in China on top of the market saturation and the differences in the way Chinese people do business could lead to a long-term business failure. To improve SABIC’s internationalization strategies, the company should carefully analyze the current social, political and economic situation in China aside from selecting the right business partner, implementing a proper cross-cultural management, and selecting the best options for international joint ventures. In relation to the tight competition in the global markets, some of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) based chemical companies entered into mergers and acquisitions (M&A) or joint venture as a way of expanding its businesses around the world. For the reason of easy access to domestic and international market, easy access to technology transfer, and product diversification; Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) has been continuously entering into joint venture projects with other local and international companies (Arab News 2007). Established back in 1976, SABIC managed to expand its business by going through a series of joint venture. Today, the company is known as one of the biggest and most profitable petrochemicals manufacturing company based in Riyadh (SABIC, 2010a). Other than manufacturing chemicals, SABIC also manufacture polymers and innovative plastics, fertilizers, and metals

Impacts of Globalization on Apple Inc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Impacts of Globalization on Apple Inc - Essay Example One of the most successfully recognized global organizations that recognized the relevance of globalization is Apple Inc. In this regard, the current research aims to examine the actual and potential impacts of globalization on the organization through a comprehensive examination of the factors that led to the decision. The discourse would hereby be structured through providing the relevant theoretical framework for the globalization, prior to delving into the corporate background and profile of Apple Inc. Subsequently, the impact of globalization would be expounded as applied by Apple in terms of presenting the changes it made on the organization’s market share, competition, and the strategies designed and implemented for globalization efforts to succeed. Globalization As emphasized by Riggs (2000), the concept of globalization has been studied to reveal that it has many meanings and dimensions. Figure 1: Globalization has Many Meanings Source: Riggs 1998, 2 Business practiti oners could simply attempt define globalization as a process of expanding operations abroad. However, like the evolution in contemporary organizations’ structure, the concept and definition of globalization goes beyond the traditional view of doing business in another country or beyond international waters. In a study conducted by Al-Rodhan (2006), globalization was intricately defined as â€Å"a process that encompasses the causes, course, and consequences of transnational and transcultural integration of human and non-human activities† (Al-Rodhan 2006, 2). By transnational, Lee Iwan, a professional with extensive cultural and international experiences described its meaning as corporations that â€Å"have invested in foreign operations, have a central corporate facility but give decision-making, R&D and marketing powers to each individual foreign market† (Iwan 2007, 1). As indicated by Riggs (2000) on his key concepts of globalization, the dimensions of globali zation are: â€Å"Economics: globalization = trade, money, corporations, banking, capital Political science: globalization = governance, war, peace, IGOs, NGOs, regimes Sociology: globalization = communities, conflict, classes, nations, agreements Psychology: globalization = individuals as subjects and objects of global action Anthropology: globalizaton = cultures overlapping, adapting, clashing, merging Communications: globalization = information as knowledge and tools -- INTERNET Geography: globalization = everything, provided it can be anchored in space† (Riggs: Dimensions, 1998, par. 2). Figure 2: Dimensions of Globalization Source: Riggs, 1998, p. 5 These dimensions were validated by Al-Rodhan (2006) when he emphasized that â€Å"globalization involves economic integration; the transfer of policies across borders; the transmission of knowledge; cultural stability; the reproduction, relations, and discourses

Desegregation of Public Schools in Boston Essay

Desegregation of Public Schools in Boston - Essay Example On the other hand, desegregation in Boston has brought about mixed responses. The opponents of desegregation argue that busing has resulted in an increased white-flight, considerable decline in white enrollment, increased racial imbalance, low levels of educational quality and paved way for more of racial tensions and violence in the Boston public schools (Buell & Brisbin 151-160). Many white-flight studies have pinpointed that school desegregation has resulted in white enrollment drop off and that court-ordered busing was partly instrumental in the â€Å"steep decline in white enrollments during the first two phases of Judge Garrity’s program† (Buell & Brisbin 152). On the other hand, one can never undermine the positive impacts of desegregation on the lives of many black and other minority Bostonians. This paper seeks to explore how desegregation of public Schools in the 1970s has affected the Bostonian society and in doing so the paper addresses key issues pointed ou t by the opponents of desegregation. ... A comparison of the statistics regarding the racial imbalance in Boston Public Schools according to District Court Guidelines in 1975 and 1980 reveals this. In 1975 schools with too many whites were 20 (35 in 1980); schools with too few whites were 47 (44 in 1980); schools with too many blacks were 43 (21 in 1980); schools with too few blacks were 24 (37 in 1980), schools with too many others were 41 (34 in 1980) and schools with too few others were 52 in comparison with 57 schools in 1980 (Buell & Brisbin 155). As evident from these statistics desegregation has considerably reduced racial isolation in the Boston schools. The opponents of desegregation also hold that the system has declined educational quality and has increased high school drop-out rates. For them, desegregation enhances racial achievement gaps as they believe that the pace of white instruction needs to be slowed so as to accommodate such black slow learners (Buell & Brisbin 161). It is also worthwhile to analyze the teacher perceptions of educational quality and to know whether the percentage of high school graduates pursuing higher education has undergone any positive changes. While the number of high school graduates has considerably increased most senior faculties are not so happy with the student performance since judicial intervention: â€Å"almost half of the senior faculty saw decline while only 13 percent reported improvement† (Buell & Brisbin 163). On the other hand, the magnet schools specially designed for desegregation came out with so many success stories of Boston busing and very often the media and press evaluated desegregation progress based on

How to Write a Briefing Document Essay Example for Free

How to Write a Briefing Document Essay The policy briefs you will write will be aimed at a particular audience, and should represent that audiences perspective and reflect its interests. Content The brief should accomplish the following: †¢ Identify the problem and convince the audience of the importance of addressing it. From their perspective, what is important and what is not important? Highlight what aspects of the status quo are relevant to the problem. This should include a full treatment of any underlying technical issues. Identify a solution. This solution should include some course of action to be taken by your audience. Doing nothing is a sometimes valid course of action. Guidelines †¢ †¢ †¢ Tie the audiences interests to the means and the end. Identify other solutions and point out why the proposed solution is better for the audience (if it is useful or relevant). Discuss your solution’s feasibility and the initial steps that can be taken, as well as obstacles to its implementation. You are encouraged to explore a wide range of solutions. Think about technology (including changing infrastructure or client-side capabilities), government regulations (including direct mandates, incentives or changes in liability), and market tools (including new markets or marketing campaigns to realign incentives). Addressing your audiences needs is as important as solving the larger problem. You should understand what it is they hope to accomplish, and what tradeoffs they would be willing to make. Attributes of a successful briefing memo †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Short: Your audience will not have an attention span for a long document. Succinct: Be brief and clear; avoid empty rhetoric and sweeping generalizations. (Such as this.) Persuasive: You are aiming to convince your audience on the best course of action. Evidence-based: Cite specifics, and use empirical data wherever possible. Accessible: Incorporate critical technical facts and trends without jargon, in a fashion understandable to a non-technical audience. Realistic: Be careful with the assumptions you make. State the important ones.

The Best Lesson My Dad Taught Me Essay Example for Free

The Best Lesson My Dad Taught Me Essay The best lesson my dad taught me was†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. To always be honest. I’m glad he taught me this because at home if I do something wrong and he knows I’m lying and I tell the truth, I get in less trouble instead of getting things taken away. He tells me the odds are in my favor if I listen. I agree with him because I wouldn’t want my kids to lie to me. You always get in less trouble if you don’t lie. I only lived for about 13 years but every single second I learned more and more. It always ends up embarrassing after telling a lie and someone has found out. We all must admit it, weve ALL lied. Nobody likes a liar. My dad will say are you sure with your answer and if I say no I tell him the truth and he says don’t do it again. If your gonna lie to your friends its just stupid because eventually they will find and you will lose them. Before I ever answer some thing I ask myself, â€Å"is it worth lying about it. † Then I just follow my conscience. I don’t always make the right choice, but I learn from my mistakes. My dad is 40 years old and he told me had made more mistakes in a year than I do in 13. Just tell the truth because if you’re my kid that is the easiet part of life. I love him to death and wouldn’t trade him for the world!

Strategic Alliances: Reasons and Types

Strategic Alliances: Reasons and Types Introduction Strategic alliances and why are they formed Strategic alliances can be seen as one of the fastest growing trends for business today; Alliances are sweeping through nearly every industry and are becoming an essential driver for their super growth. A strategic alliance, by definition, is a form of affiliation that involves a mutual sharing of resources for the benefit of all of the strategic partners. â€Å"Mutuality† is key (Beavers 2001). The business consideration is whether both alliance partners need each other. Strategic alliances range in size and scope from informal business relationships based on simple contracts to joint venture agreements, some times where corporations are set up to manage the alliance. According to Vyas et al (1995) strategic alliances are cropping up across the global arena mainly due to the maturation of several trends of the 1980s, such as: intensified foreign competition, shortened product life cycles, soaring cost of capital, including the cost of research and development, and ever-growin g demand for new technologies. However, strategic alliances can be tricky. Partnerships foster mutual benefits, but the alliances exist only as long as they are advantageous to both parties. Research indicates that a high proportion of strategic alliances fail (Forbes 2002; Lorange and Roos 1991; Day 1995). This essay explores concept of strategic alliances drawing from Mintzberg et als schools of strategy and then critically identifies the main factors that determine the design and delivery of effective co-operative strategies. It does so by using the case study that pertains to Avebe and Noveon Alliance. Why? For many multinational firms, strategic alliances have become increasingly important tools for ensuring speed and flexibility in carrying out multinational strategies. A typical example is SEVEL (Societa Europea Veicoli Leggeri), the 1978 strategic alliance between Fiat and Peugeot for the production of a new light van named Ducato. Both parties were short on resources and saved time and energy by combining their RD and manufacturing efforts (Lorange and Roos 1991). Strategic alliances can be effective ways to diffuse new technologies rapidly, to enter a new market, to bypass governmental restrictions expeditiously, and/or to learn quickly from the leading firms in a given field Mintzberg et als Schools of Strategy Strategic alliance is an agreement between two or more individuals, or entities, or organisations to cooperate in a specific business activity, so that each benefit from the strength of other and gains competitive advantage. The formulation of strategic alliance has been seen as a response to the globalisation and increasing uncertainty and complexity in the business environment. Strategic alliances involve the sharing of knowledge and expertise between the partners as well as in reducing the risk and costs in areas like relationship with the supplier and the development of new products and technologies. Strategic alliances usually make sense when the parties involved have complimentary strengths. Its unlike full-scale acquisition, an alliance does not give a firm total control over its partners. Avebe and Noveon Alliance Case Study. Avebe, a Dutch company, established in 1919 as a joint sales organisation for the greater part of the Dutch independent potato starch industry. Through research and development, joint ventures and acquisition in Netherlands, Europe and Worldwide, Avebe now plays a major role in the global sales, marketing, production and development of potato starch and starch specialities used in food, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, textile, paper and adhesives. Avebes specialities are used by the textile industry for obtaining good weaving efficiency, to obtain smooth fabrics, and for sharp and durable printing of fabrics. Noveon, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio with regional centers in Belgium and Hong-Kong, is a leading global producer and marketer of technology advanced speciality chemicals for a broad range consumer and industrial application. Noveon was recognised as leading producer of polymers. It was also acknowledged as the largest producer acrylic acid for synthetic polymer. Reason for cooperation Avebe Avebe was outstanding in printing thickeners but not yet in reactive dye printing market. It was not possible for Avebe to enter into this market as it was purely a starch based industry. Only a combination of starch and synthetic polymer could help them enter this market. For this Avebe had two options- Noveon and Alloid Colloids (under ICI Corporation, England). Combination of Avebes and Noveons products in laboratory test showed excellent printing thickness for reactive printing dye market. The final selection was based on four considerations, namely- Noveon had the same synthetic polymer as that of ICI in dry form and Avebe was expert in dry blending. Dry blends resulted in more efficiency both in space and cost compared to liquid one. Noveons synthetic was proved the best when combined with Avebe than any other. Noveon had excellent market expertise in the US, which Avebe lacked. Combination of Avebe and Noveons expertise expected around 25% of the new market to either company. Reasons for cooperation Noveon Noveons alliance with Avebe started by an accident. Noveon acquired QSI in South Carolina in 1994. QSI used to purchase natural starches from Avebe for its operation. This was the start of their joint venture. Synthetic polymer Noveon had was fairly expensive; while Avebes natural starch was relatively cheap. They expected that blending of these two would result in better quality at reasonable price. Noveon expected that the price of synthetic and natural thickener blends would increase in US and Europe, due to the demand for high quality products. Combination of synthetic and natural thickeners could reduce the cost of dye stuff and chemicals. The saving was estimated to be around $ 1 million per year. Noveon selected Avebe for their technology. Far East and Europe preferred Avebe as their best choice. Initial agreement The agreement was signed by both the companies on 24th March 1995. After two year, to anticipate competition, both the companies formulated a marketing agreement for their joint product. The agreement was as follows- Division of the world market. As per this agreement, Noveon agreed market their product in America and the Caribbean. Avebe agreed to market its product in Europe, Asia- pacific and Russia. China and India was open for both. Restriction on sale of each others product. As per this agreement Avebe was forbidden to sell Noveons product and Noveon agreed not to sell Avebes products to any other company without a prior consent of other. 3) Information exchange/ training. Both Avebe and Noveon agreed for a meeting once in six months to exchange development, manufacturing and technical service information relating to their joint venture. Reasons for alliance 1) Alliances assist the firms learning and diversification into new areas of activities. Alliances help to extend a firms competitive advantage in several ways. A firm enters into strategic alliance because this can potentially provide benefits that are not possible through either internal development or external acquisition. This helps the company to acquire benefit by reducing the cost rather than taking it all by itself. An alliance stand as an intermediate to help the allies enter into new industry and markets. 2) Alliance provide useful platform to test their products in new markets. Alliances help in extending and renewing their sources of competitive advantage while expanding globally. This helps the new companies to enter into new market with little market knowledge. By this these companies learn how to compete in the global market. Working together helps in overcoming the economic obstacles too. 3)  Design School of strategic management- Henry Mintzberg This prescriptive school of Mintzberg see strategy formulation as a process of conception which is responsible for the development of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the organisation (SWOT). In this school the strengths and weaknesses are of the company are mapped along with the opportunities and threat in the market place. This is implemented in order to formulate clear and unique strategies in a deliberate process. In this the internal environment is matched to the external environment. This school mainly helps in reducing ambiguity and is mainly used in stable environments. It supports strong and visionary leadership. The main drawback of the design school is that it is weak in a fast moving environment and there are risks of resistance. It also has many variables and is inherently complex and also inflexible. Types of strategic alliances Strategic alliances can be classified into three main types: Shared- supply alliance Shared- supply alliance bring together companies which join forces to achieve economies of scale on a given component or on an individual stage in the production process. The shared elements are further incorporated in products that are further incorporated in products that remain specific to each other and that competes directly in the market. This type of alliance is formed when the minimum efficient size at a particular stage in the production process is much greater than for the entire product, and when neither of the partner produce large enough to achieve the critical size. Shared- supply alliance are usually formed between partners of comparable size. This alliance primarily involves research and development (RD) and manufacturing activities. Coordination of research activities between the partners makes it possible to optimize the use or resources. These alliances are usually formed by firms operating in the same zone. In this case of shared supply alliance the assets and ski lls that the partner companies bring to the joint project are similar in nature and their goal is to benefit from increased economies of scale. Quasi- concentration alliance This alliance brings together companies that develop, produce and market a joint product. There is no open competition in quasi- concentration alliance. Quasi- concentration alliances are primarily characterized by transactions between the consortium of allies and the market. Transactions between the companies are also carried out within the alliance. This alliance covers all the main functions involved in carrying out an activity, that is, research and development, manufacturing, and marketing. Marketing and sales are either split between the partners on the basis of geographic presence or carried out jointly. Complementary alliance. Complimentary alliances bring together companies which contribute assets and skills of different natures to bring up a combined project. Here one manufactures the product, which is marketed by others distribution channels. There is no competition within the allies. This type of an alliance is mainly formed by only two parties.

William Morris Essay -- Visual Arts Paintings Art

William Morris William Morris (1834 – 1896) was perhaps the most important British decorative artist of the 19th century. A prolific designer, craftsman and decorator, his work and ideas have had a major influence on the development of modern interior design. William Morris was one of the most influential figures in the Victorian and Edwardian art world. As a young man at Oxford he became involved with the Pre-Raphaelite movements, mixing with such artists as Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Holman Hunt and Edward Coley Burne-Jones. Always a man of innovation, Morris soon tired of the subject matter and philosophy of the Pre-Raphaelites. His desire for social reform was also an important factor in his artistic growth and he moved on from painting to the creation of textiles, wallpapers, stained glass and highly decorative furniture. He also set up the Kelmscott Press as a medium for his writing and elegant book design. With Edward Burne-Jones, he set in motion the highly influential Arts and Crafts Movement – thereby implementing an incredible change in the vision of British art. William Morris Colours Duck Egg, China Blue, Morris Green, Weld Yellow, Chalk White, Red Ochre and Madder Red. Inspired by the large collection of Morris’ work in the Victoria and Albert Museum, these paint shades and their names are evolved from colours he used in many different media, involving interior decoration, furniture and textiles. Tulip and Willow Design This design was for Morris’ s...

Richard Feynman :: biography biographies bio

Early Years * Richard Phillips Feynman was born May 11, 1918 to Melville and Lucille Feynman. His sister, Joan, followed later, March 31, 1928. * Richard's life was charted for science before he was even born. Melville decided while the child was still in the womb that if the baby was a boy he would grow up to be a scientist. Richard, in fact, was a boy and his precocious young mind caught on quickly to his father's earliest scientific teaching. His father's practice of teaching Richard to ask investigative questions began a lifetime devoted to the wonder and mystery of the universe. * It was this process, learned early in life, of questioning and observing, the classic scientific method, that Richard credited his discoveries by. As he stated in an address to science teachers in 1966, " I think it is very important--at least it was to me--that if you are going to teach people to make observations, you should show that something wonderful can come from them. I learned then what science was about: it was patience. If you looked, and you watched, and you paid attention, you got a great reward from it--although possibly not every time. As a result, when I became a more mature man, I would painstakingly, hour after hour, for years, work on problems--sometimes many years, sometimes shorter times; many of them failing, lots of stuff going into the wastebasket--but every once in a while there was the gold of a new understanding that I had learned to expect when I was a kid, the result of observation. For I did not learn that observation was not worthwhile (What Is Sc ience?)." * In high school, Richard's aptitude for learning was most evident. He excelled at math, building a solid foundation for his physics career ahead. In fact, he won first prize in the New York University math competition in his final year in Far Rockaway high school (Wikipedia). * After high school, Richard continued his education at Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduating with a degree in physics in 1939 as well as receiving the pretigious Putnam Fellow reward (Wikipedia). As an undergraduate, Feynman took every physics course offered at the university. He then continued his education, moving on to Princeton to study for his Ph.D. Once again, Feynman showed his facility with all things mathematical, receiving a perfect score on the mathematical and physics portion of the Princeton entrance exam.

Devotion in Eudora Weltys A Worn Path :: Worn Path essays

Devotion in A Worn Path In "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty an elderly African American woman named Phoenix Jackson picks a cold December day to make yet another perilous journey to a city to get medicine for her ailing grandson. On the way this ninety-year-old woman faces many obstacles, both natural and man-made. Phoenix draws upon her perseverance and willingness to sacrifice herself to help her throughout her journey, but it is the undying love for her grandson that truly guides and drives her to her final goal. Phoenix Jackson has a seemingly inexhaustible amount of determination. From the moment that she sets out on her trek, she must fight all the challenges that nature has made for her. From the very beginning there is the threat of attack by wild animals and Phoenix shouts "out of my way, all you foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits, coons and wild animals!" undauntingly challenging them. Phoenix is a very old woman whose aged, fragile body isn't suited to make such a long journey. At one point when she is climbing up a hill, she states that it seems like "there is chains about my feet, time I get this far." And yet she still trudges onward, stopping only once for a short break. On the way down the hill she gets caught in a bush, its thorns tearing at her finest dress. "I in a thorny bush," she exclaims. But she doesn't give up; she stands there untangling herself from the bush, "her fingers busy and intent." After she has overcome this obstacle she faces yet another trial. Across Phoenix's path lies a creek and across the creek lies a log, which substitutes as a bridge. It is hard enough for Phoenix to walk on flat and stable ground, so walking across the log is a dangerous challenge for her. Even though there is a large threat of her falling and badly hurting herself, "she mounted the log and shut her eyes" and crosses to the other side. Next she comes across a barb wire fence, and once again without showing any signs of fear she fords ahea! d crossing that too. Phoenix travels a good portion of the day facing many physical challenges that test her stamina, but the real trials are the physiological ones that she faces as she encounters people along her journey. Devotion in Eudora Welty's A Worn Path :: Worn Path essays Devotion in A Worn Path In "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty an elderly African American woman named Phoenix Jackson picks a cold December day to make yet another perilous journey to a city to get medicine for her ailing grandson. On the way this ninety-year-old woman faces many obstacles, both natural and man-made. Phoenix draws upon her perseverance and willingness to sacrifice herself to help her throughout her journey, but it is the undying love for her grandson that truly guides and drives her to her final goal. Phoenix Jackson has a seemingly inexhaustible amount of determination. From the moment that she sets out on her trek, she must fight all the challenges that nature has made for her. From the very beginning there is the threat of attack by wild animals and Phoenix shouts "out of my way, all you foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits, coons and wild animals!" undauntingly challenging them. Phoenix is a very old woman whose aged, fragile body isn't suited to make such a long journey. At one point when she is climbing up a hill, she states that it seems like "there is chains about my feet, time I get this far." And yet she still trudges onward, stopping only once for a short break. On the way down the hill she gets caught in a bush, its thorns tearing at her finest dress. "I in a thorny bush," she exclaims. But she doesn't give up; she stands there untangling herself from the bush, "her fingers busy and intent." After she has overcome this obstacle she faces yet another trial. Across Phoenix's path lies a creek and across the creek lies a log, which substitutes as a bridge. It is hard enough for Phoenix to walk on flat and stable ground, so walking across the log is a dangerous challenge for her. Even though there is a large threat of her falling and badly hurting herself, "she mounted the log and shut her eyes" and crosses to the other side. Next she comes across a barb wire fence, and once again without showing any signs of fear she fords ahea! d crossing that too. Phoenix travels a good portion of the day facing many physical challenges that test her stamina, but the real trials are the physiological ones that she faces as she encounters people along her journey.

Jan Van Eyck

The Arnolfini Wedding Corinne Callahan, Art II The Arnolfini Wedding was painted by artist Jan Van Eyck in 1434. The painting is done in oil paint on 3 vertical oak panels. It is now located at The National Gallery in London. Jan van Eyck was a Flemish painter active in Bruges. He is generally considered one of the most significant Northern European painters of the 15th century. Jan van Eyck frequently paid attention to light, shade and texture. He has a sense of realism in his paintings. (The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed, 2011) Eyck tends to use a lot of reds and dark neutral colors.He also prefers to paint portraits or full body scenes. He aims to deceive the eye with different unique views (S. Jones, 2002) Jan van Eyck is known as the father of oil painting (Finnan, 2012). Eyck was among the first to use â€Å"atmospheric perspective† (W. Janson, H. 1995). The Arnolfini Wedding records the betrothal of the cloth merchant Giovanni Arnolfini to Giovanna Cenami. Th e title was given to this painting because it was thought to be a form of â€Å"wedding certificate†. The dog in the painting is seen as a symbol of faithfulness and love.The mirror in the background has a carved frame with ten miniature medallions depicting scenes from the life of Christ (Korroch, 2009). Also the woman in the painting that appears to be pregnant isn’t really. The queen of the time was pregnant so it was trendy to look like her (W. Janson, 1995). The figures in this painting seem awkward in a sense of that it seems like they don’t know each other. This shouldn’t be though because they just got married and the painting is a form of a wedding certificate.So if they were married shouldn’t it look like they’re in love or at least like each other? Except they don’t. Although like Art History Professor Craig Harbison said, â€Å"The painting keeps drawing me back (S. R. Buchholz, 2000). † This piece of art is unique in so many ways. With its many symbols and meanings and rich colors and detail it is definitely one of the greatest works ever done.Citations Buchholz, S. R. (2000, April 14). Retrieved from http://www. umass. edu/chronicle/archives/00/04- 14/harbison28. html Finnan, V. (2012). Retrieved from http://www. italian-renaissance-art. com/Jan-Van-Eyck. html Korroch , K. (2009, march 3). Retrieved from http://marzanme. blogspot. com/2009/03/jan-van-eyck-arnolfini-wedding-portrait. html Susan, J â€Å"Jan van Eyck†. (2002, october) Retrieved from http://www. metmuseum. org/toah/hd/eyck/hd_eyck. htm The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. (2011). Retrieved from http://www. infoplease. com/encyclopedia/people/eyck-van-the-eyckian-style-its-influence. html W. Janson, H. (1995). History of art. (5th ed. ). New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Jan Van Eyck The Arnolfini Wedding Corinne Callahan, Art II The Arnolfini Wedding was painted by artist Jan Van Eyck in 1434. The painting is done in oil paint on 3 vertical oak panels. It is now located at The National Gallery in London. Jan van Eyck was a Flemish painter active in Bruges. He is generally considered one of the most significant Northern European painters of the 15th century. Jan van Eyck frequently paid attention to light, shade and texture. He has a sense of realism in his paintings. (The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed, 2011) Eyck tends to use a lot of reds and dark neutral colors.He also prefers to paint portraits or full body scenes. He aims to deceive the eye with different unique views (S. Jones, 2002) Jan van Eyck is known as the father of oil painting (Finnan, 2012). Eyck was among the first to use â€Å"atmospheric perspective† (W. Janson, H. 1995). The Arnolfini Wedding records the betrothal of the cloth merchant Giovanni Arnolfini to Giovanna Cenami. Th e title was given to this painting because it was thought to be a form of â€Å"wedding certificate†. The dog in the painting is seen as a symbol of faithfulness and love.The mirror in the background has a carved frame with ten miniature medallions depicting scenes from the life of Christ (Korroch, 2009). Also the woman in the painting that appears to be pregnant isn’t really. The queen of the time was pregnant so it was trendy to look like her (W. Janson, 1995). The figures in this painting seem awkward in a sense of that it seems like they don’t know each other. This shouldn’t be though because they just got married and the painting is a form of a wedding certificate.So if they were married shouldn’t it look like they’re in love or at least like each other? Except they don’t. Although like Art History Professor Craig Harbison said, â€Å"The painting keeps drawing me back (S. R. Buchholz, 2000). † This piece of art is unique in so many ways. With its many symbols and meanings and rich colors and detail it is definitely one of the greatest works ever done.Citations Buchholz, S. R. (2000, April 14). Retrieved from http://www. umass. edu/chronicle/archives/00/04- 14/harbison28. html Finnan, V. (2012). Retrieved from http://www. italian-renaissance-art. com/Jan-Van-Eyck. html Korroch , K. (2009, march 3). Retrieved from http://marzanme. blogspot. com/2009/03/jan-van-eyck-arnolfini-wedding-portrait. html Susan, J â€Å"Jan van Eyck†. (2002, october) Retrieved from http://www. metmuseum. org/toah/hd/eyck/hd_eyck. htm The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. (2011). Retrieved from http://www. infoplease. com/encyclopedia/people/eyck-van-the-eyckian-style-its-influence. html W. Janson, H. (1995). History of art. (5th ed. ). New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.