Analyzing The Glass Castle examining characters (Rex; the father) Essay

Analyzing The Glass Castle examining characters (Rex; the father) - Essay Example In order to analyze the characters present in The Glass House memoir, it will take a more in depth approach than just physically describing them. Instead, there will be an approach taken to see the different quirks of each character and to see how this influenced the author. Jeanette Walls is the writer and also the narrator in the book so it is important to determine who she is and her relationship with each of the characters. In order to conduct this character analysis, there will be an identification of the character, their characteristics and any conflicts within the story that apply to the person’s place within it. As Jeanette is the main character, she is considered one of the major characters because the series of events which occur within the story all evaluate around her and her perception of them at the particular time in her life. As the narrator, she describes her life starting out by recalling seeing her mother as she was rummaging in the dark in the dumpster, homeless in New York City while Jeanette was headed to a party. Since it had been months since she had seen her own mother, she had become overcome with panic. This initial introduction within the first few paragraphs of the book foreshadows an awkward past that Jeanette had lived and moved past. Most people would be ecstatic to see their parents if they had not seen them for several months but Jeanette almost looked upon her mother as a lost memory. Jeanette actually offered a thorough analysis of her own perspective at this point saying that while her own mother stood 15 feet away, there were rags tied around her shoulders whil e she dug through the dumpster alongside the dog. All gestures were familiar to Jeanette as she looked at her from the taxi as an adult, as they had to her when she was a child. While she had aged and had gray matted hair with sunken eyes, she still reminded Jeanette of the mom she had been when Jeanette was a kid,

Primary Education and Trendy Brown Jacket Essay Example for Free

Primary Education and Trendy Brown Jacket Essay The most important qualities of an outstanding teacher are those that improve teaching and enhance student learning. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and  secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting. Key note speeches often have an icebreaker – I thought I would provide the laughs – literally It only seems like yesterday that this photo of my classmates and I was taken? It was the end of my primary education, and secondary school beckoned. They were halcyon days! But, were they the best days of my life? For me they were very special. But I think the best days came later, as a result of my positive, and negative, experiences at school. Mr Halley (there he is in his trendy brown jacket – with elbow pads) was my best teacher – he was well dench! Of course that expression hadn’t been coined yet, but he was. He made learning fun, he made it interesting.

Development of the Quantity Surveying Role

Development of the Quantity Surveying Role The report within analyses and documents the historical development of the Quantity Surveying role from inception to modern day practice, the roles and responsibilities of the Professional Quantity Surveyor and Contractors Quantity Surveyor, along with the importance and relevance of key skills to the role of the QS. The Quantity Surveyor role was born in the United Kingdom, shortly after the birth of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 1834, due to the fact that Architects wanted to distance themselves from the surveying profession. The report goes on to talk about the many reports published by The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which identify the Quantity Surveying roles and how the future QS role will adapt to change. Both the Professional and Contractors QS have roles and responsibilities in the Pre-construction, Construction and Post-construction phases on any given construction project. Both sides have similar responsibilities during the pre-construction phase for example, each side will have a duty to carry out a form of estimation regarding the price of the works, which will require measurement/quantification. During Construction, the Contractors QS will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the project, including procuring subcontractors and submitting valuations to the client, whilst the Professional QS will be working with the client to ensure the Contractors QS valuations are factual and that they are certified in line with the contract terms. Post-construction activities on both sides would include activities such as Final Account procedures. Finally, the last section of the report details the six key skills required by a Quantity Surveyor in order for a successful career; Numeracy, Verbal Communication, Written Communication, ICT Skills, Problem Solving and Self-management. It is important that an aspiring Quantity Surveyor/Project Manager is continually developing these skills, as they will play a large part of their working careers for the rest of their lives. The purpose of this report is to write about the functions of the Quantity Surveyors and the roles each has within the Construction Industry. The team intends to accomplish the roles and responsibilities of the Quantity Surveyors (QS), Professional Quantity Surveyors (PQS), and Contractors Quantity Surveyors (CQS). The content of the report will consider the importance of key skills such as, Problem Solving, Numeracy, Self-Management, Written, and Verbal Communication and IT Skills. To accomplish this the team will meet up and communicate with each other, plus research the subjects for the report. All three team members will be involved with the evaluation of the report, once the report has a structure the team should meet-up to go over the order that each member will completing, after each of the members have finished the sections there should be another meet-up to check the work each as done and update the contents, once this is finished the report should be edited and completed. The resources for the report will come from the research in secondary published literature, and from sources based on the internet. 1.1 Introduction This qualitative team research report will analyse and make use of secondary published literature to discuss the fundamental roles and responsibilities of a Quantity Surveyor. The report will highlight the key skills required to conduct the roles and responsibilities of a Quantity Surveyor. Quantity Surveying is an occupation that dates back as far as the 17th Century in Britain, when construction enterprises were measured and valued after they were designed and built. The definition of a Quantity Surveyor according to the renowned author Seeley (1997, p. 40), whose work is well documented in many books that cover all aspects of Quantity Surveying, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦A quantity surveyor is a professionally trained, qualified and experienced in dealing with these problems on behalf of the employer. He is essentially a cost expert whose prime task is to ensure that the project is kept within the agreed budget and that the employer obtains value for money. 1.2 Constraints or limitations on the work There have been several limitations on this report, the most important limitations being that the word count of the report has a maximum limit of 3000 words. Another was that group members did not always all come to the same conclusions, with differing opinions on subjects which could have led to opposing or contradicting views. Another constraint was that with it being a group task, on occasions there were individuals that were not able to meet due to busy lifestyles and other plans. Other instances of this was when work schedules clashed with meetings, or that long distances meant the meeting was unviable, or the venue for the meeting was too small for everyone to sit and engage. 1.3 Any assumptions made No assumptions have been made for the basis of this report. 2.1 Introduction This section will document and cover a brief history of the Construction industry, the inception of the QS role in the industry, the historical development of the QS, along with the roles and responsibilities of the QS on both the private and contractors side. 2.2 Historical development of the QS role The Construction Industry within the UK in the past was very different to the modern industry we know of today. The industry back then saw a Project Manager individually tender, procure and co-ordinate each discipline on site himself. However, the Napoleonic Wars of 1803 to 1815 would see the revolution of the Construction Industry in the United Kingdom. Cartlidge (2013) indicated that the government in power during the war were required to construct barracks to house the large amounts of soldiers that were to be crossing the English Channel. Due to time being of the essence, contracts were required to be let on settlement by fair valuation based on measurement after completion of the works. The many years that followed on from this saw the amount of projects in similar scenarios magnify, leading to the inception of the general contractor in the United Kingdom. The year of 1834 saw the birth of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). This professional association exclusively for architects, was formed on the basis that architects wished to distance themselves from surveyors and their perceived obnoxious commercvial interest in construction' (Cartlidge, 2013, p. 7). This in turn led to the inauguration of the Quantity Surveyor in the UK. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) report published in 1971 clearly defines the role of the Quantity Surveyor (RICS, 1971). The report seeks to acclaim the profession as specialists in the measurement and valuation of construction works (Perera, Pearson and Dodds, n.d.). The trio go on to state that the follow-up report also produced by the RICS, The Future Role of the Chartered Quantity Surveyor (RICS, 1983), identifies the skills and knowledge base of the QS while identifying the scope for expansion and diversification of services (Perera, Pearson and Dodds, n.d., p. 2). 2.3 The duties of the QS According to Willmott Dixon (2016), the duties of Quantity Surveyors are to carry out a feasibility study, advise on potential sites and working out what a client can afford to build. They will present detailed valuations on information of costs for elements of work on an intermittent basis to aid payment for those works carried out to date. They will be responsible for organising the division of a project into component work packages, and awarding these work packages to smaller, more specialised construction companies such as the subcontractors and, in that process, finding the best deals. They are also responsible for dealing with contracts and legal matters. Managing costs to ensure the initial budget is not surpassed. Arranging the staff payments and, settling the final accounts. Plus, act as the financial advisors while monitoring progress for the client. 2.3.1 The roles of the Professional Quantity Surveyor The Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS), which is a quantity surveyor employed in private practice, has been prevalent in the Construction industry since the 1960s where cost planning services were introduced into their repertoire of duties in order to avoid tenders being returned over budget (Ashworth, Hogg and Higgs, 2013, p. 8). It is the PQS responsibility to give advice on all financial and contractual issues to all relevant parties, from pre-tender to completion of the project. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (1998) published a set of competencies, titled Table 1, in which the assessment of professional competence would be measured against. The competencies are split into three different categories; basic, core and optional. PQS would need to fundamentally prove that they meet these competencies in order to reach chartered status. 2.3.1.1 Pre-Construction The pre-construction roles and responsibilities would include functions such as initial budget setting with the client, quantification/measurement and possibly preparation of bills of quantities, dependant on the contract. The PQS would also have an input into the design stage of the project, and would work with the Project Manager (PM), architects/structural engineers and public authorities, as he/she would be involved from a very early stage. Following this, they would then work with the PM directly to give sound commercial advice to ensure the contract is awarded to the most favourable and most cost effective contractor. 2.3.1.2 Construction Phase During the Construction phase, the PQS would still be expected to analyse and provide cost/commercial advice to the PM where needed, but he would mainly be working with the Contractors QS now to ensure that monthly valuations are submitted and valued correctly. Not only this, he/she would be responsible for attending site to review the applications submitted to confirm the values applied for. The term for this generally is Cost Control. 2.3.1.3 Post-Construction After the Construction phase, has been completed, the PQS would endeavour to complete and settle the Final Account with the Contractor to ensure all monies, where due, are paid and all disputes settled. If its necessary, the PQS will also conduct and participate in arbitration or court proceedings to settle disputes that couldnt be resolved previously. Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS, 2016) 2.3.2 The roles of the Contractors Quantity Surveyor The Contractors QS is responsible for the performance of operations similar to those of the PQS, i.e., the measurement and pricing of construction work, utilising certain mechanisms for pricing such as Bill of Quantities. The Contractors QS handles the day to day running of the building/construction project. The construction programme is handled in three distinct sections. These are Pre-Construction, Construction Phase and Post-Construction. Within these phases the Contractors QS plays a major role. 2.3.2.1 Pre- Construction The Contractors QS will be required to carry out a Feasibility study for the project. They will also estimate the cost and whats involved in the project based on measurements of the designer or clients sketches. The Contractors QS can compare the project with historical projects that his/her company has completed, and potentially gain an insight into how much the build may cost. The final part of the phase will lead to the final detailed estimate which is prepared by the QS and the Architect of the project which will lead to the evaluating tenders. 2.3.2.2 Construction Phase The role of the Contractors QS will be to provide cash flow data so the client can start to arrange the finances needed to execute each stages of the project. They will also provide assessments on the cost effect so they can be ready for any changes that will appear during the Construction phase. During this time they can provide a project report. They can also manage disputes within the organisation (Clients, Designers and Building Contractors). 2.3.2.3 Post-Construction The Contractors QS will be preparing and carrying out Final Accounts with subcontractors that have worked on site, as well as preparing their Final Account submission to submit to the client. The QS will liaise with the site team to ensure that all snags/defects are carried out in a timely manner. Once the defects liability period has expired within the Main Contract, generally 12 months after practical completion, the QS will be responsible for releasing any retention monies owed to the subcontractors. 3.1 Numeracy Numeracy skills are one of the largest of the key skills within the QSs repertoire, as they assist with the majority of the tasks a Quantity Surveyor carries out. For example, a Quantity Surveyor would be required to carry out numerous calculations for tasks, such as when he/she is required to produce tender documentation, i.e., Bills of Quantities etc. Measurement, or Quantification, would also require extensive numerical knowledge, as the task of producing a Bill of Quantities would require the QS to measure quantities from a drawing and implement the measurements into a suitable method of measurement, such as SMM7 or NRM2. The QS would also require handy numeracy skills when producing a valuation, or application for payment, as he/she will need to devise a document that can be used to apply for monies against particular activities, which would generally be against an Activity Schedule. 3.2 Verbal communication Verbal communication is a very important skill for the Quantity Surveyor to have because they have to interact with the internal and external employees which are working on the project. For example, the QS has to have a formal relationship with the client and the architect whilst managing affairs on site. It is imperative that a positive rapport is built up using verbal communication with suppliers, as this will help to ensure materials are delivered on time, which in turn will assist in the overall project completion. Communication with all parties involved in a contract will be required, as the different parties involved all have the same end-goal; to complete the project. Verbal communication is essential in the day to day life of the QS, speaking face to face with clients, Project Managers and other key figures involved in the project. The QS will also be required to demonstrate his/her verbal communication skills in meetings, interviews and conferences. 3.3 Written communication The written communication will be important from the beginning to the end of any work that need to be carried out and can be either: Email Letter Proposals Contracts Brochures This will begin when a team has been assembled when minutes of the meetings will be taken. Once these notes have been written up into a report they will allow the team to get the relevant information. By having these written down will allow anyone who needs to see the information they will be able to request them. They will also become a permanent record to reference information from. 3.4 IT Skills ICT skills are quickly becoming the foreground of a Quantity Surveyors key skill inventory. The need for computer literacy and a high level of ICT skills has stemmed from the fact that computers are now a large part of how a QS operates. Generally, a QS will produce Bills of Quantities, send emails, write letters and even now, gain measurements from drawings using a computer. Most of these tasks require a satisfactory level of capability regarding ICT, and more of the complex tasks require further extensive knowledge. Ashworth, Hogg and Higgs (2013, p. 14-15) identify and backup the idea for the need of strong ICT skills, by stating that process skills include computer literacy. 3.5 Problem Solving Problem solving is a very important skill required in the role of the QS. Due to the unpredictability of the Construction industry and the works that are carried out on site, the QS will be required to use his knowledge and devise an innovative solution to a problem which arises on site. The QS would be required to sufficiently and effectively identify and examine the problem to find a possible resolution to overcome the situation in order for works on the site to continue to progress towards completion. Demonstrating this skill will help the QS to achieve productivity and targets, as well as meeting key dates within a contract, i.e., Practical Completion, otherwise known as PC. 3.6 Self-management To be successful in the management of yourself, Valchev (2016) states you should be self-confident. The best way to achieve self-confidence is being positive by getting rid of negativity, and be happy with every achievement whether they are big or small, State that you are smart and intelligent and finally talk with other positive people. Valchev (2016) also states that you should be able to manage stress. To achieve your stress levels, you should relax, enjoy yourself, take holidays with people you love, take long walks and have hobbies or do activities you like. You should have excellent organisational skills and can manage your time, which can be achieved by writing lists, make a schedule, prioritize and setting goals, break down large tasks into smaller tasks and balance work and rest and recreation. You should be self-motivated, to achieve this you should make a list of your needs and desires listen to music when working on them and look at different books for inspiration this can expand your thoughts, and you should also have big dreams, live in the present moment, have dreams often and remember everything can be achieved. Lastly you should also have a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet. With all of this will help productivity which will make the work go easily.   4.1 On roles and responsibilities of the QS To conclude, Quantity Surveyors, have a vital part to producing efficient work in construction to reduce conflict by securing the most suitable procurement technique is selected, providing effective cost control procedure and ensuring value for money constantly. They minimise the potential lapse by distribution of risk and identifying the value-adding activities in the project. Quantity Surveyors run an extensive choice of skills outside the traditional quantity surveying actions. The extended skills of quantity surveyors will help clients to achieve their needs and expectations. In the current financial predicament, where cash flow and credit are paramount for clients, thus completion of project on specified time and within budget is important especially in the public sector which deal with the large projects and intensive capital. Quantity Surveyors can secure success for projects by the current technical and financial information and hence have vital influence in economic recovery. 4.2 On the importance of key skills development as aspirant quantity surveyors or project managers and future specific recommendations you have for your key skills acquisition and development The key skills that have been identified above; numeracy, verbal communication, written communication, IT skills, problem solving skills and self-management skills are all critical to an aspiring Quantity Surveyor/Project Manager. They are the necessary foundations to a successful career in the Construction industry, as without these crucial skills, a Quantity Surveyor/Project Manager would struggle to perform his or her day-to-day tasks. The development of these key skills is necessary in order to progress and enhance the opportunities available to you throughout your working career. Without the development of these skills, you will not be able to achieve your life goals, which will decrease your confidence and will lead to you having a poorer quality of life. However, if these skills are developed and maintained, your confidence would be boosted and you would live a far more comfortable, fulfilled and higher quality life. References   Ashworth, A., Hogg, K., Higgs, C. (2013) Williss Practice and Procedure for the Quantity Surveyor. 13th edn. Chichester: John Wiley Sons, Ltd. Brandon, P. (1990) Quantity Surveying Techniques: New Directions. Oxford. Blackwell Scientific Publications Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (2016) Professional Quantity Surveyor. Available at: http://www.ciqs.org/english/designations-defined-professional-quantity-surveyor (Accessed 16 November 2016). Cartlidge, D. (2013) Quantity Surveyors Pocket Book. 2nd edn. Oxfordshire: Routledge. Manker, A. D. (2016) What Is Written Communication in Business? Definition, Types Examples. Available at: http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-written-communication-in-business-definition-types-examples.html (Accessed 19 November 2016). Perera, S., Pearson, J., Dodds, L. (n.d.) Alignment of Professional, Academic and Industrial Development Needs for Quantity Surveyors. Northumbria: Northumbria University. Rahmani, F. (n.d.) Importance of Quantity Surveyors for public sector organisations in the prevaling recession. Available at: http://www.academia.edu/466357/Importance_of_Quantity_Surveyors_for_public_sector_organisations_in_the_prevaling_recession (Accessed 19 November 2016). Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (1998) The APC Requirements and Competencies. London: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Seeley, I. H. (1997) Quantity Surveying Practice. 2nd edn. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Valchev, M. (n.d.) Self-Management Skills | List, Definition, Tips Techniques. Available at: http://www.businessphrases.net/self-management-skills/ (Accessed 19 November 2016). Willmott Dixon (2016) The role of a Quantity Surveyor | Willmott Dixon. Available at: http://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/careers/working-for-us/the-role-of-a-quantity-surveyor (Accessed 16 November 2016). Ashworth, A., Hogg, K., Higgs, C. (2013) Williss Practice and Procedure for the Quantity Surveyor. 13th edn. Chichester: John Wiley Sons, Ltd. Brandon, P. (1990) Quantity Surveying Techniques: New Directions. Oxford. Blackwell Scientific Publications Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (2016) Professional Quantity Surveyor. Available at: http://www.ciqs.org/english/designations-defined-professional-quantity-surveyor (Accessed 16 November 2016). Cartlidge, D. (2013) Quantity Surveyors Pocket Book. 2nd edn. Oxfordshire: Routledge. Manker, A. D. (2016) What Is Written Communication in Business? Definition, Types Examples. Available at: http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-written-communication-in-business-definition-types-examples.html (Accessed 19 November 2016). Perera, S., Pearson, J., Dodds, L. (n.d.) Alignment of Professional, Academic and Industrial Development Needs for Quantity Surveyors. Northumbria: Northumbria University. Rahmani, F. (n.d.) Importance of Quantity Surveyors for public sector organisations in the prevaling recession. Available at: http://www.academia.edu/466357/Importance_of_Quantity_Surveyors_for_public_sector_organisations_in_the_prevaling_recession (Accessed 19 November 2016). Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (1998) The APC Requirements and Competencies. London: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Seeley, I. H. (1997) Quantity Surveying Practice. 2nd edn. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Valchev, M. (n.d.) Self-Management Skills | List, Definition, Tips Techniques. Available at: http://www.businessphrases.net/self-management-skills/ (Accessed 19 November 2016). Willmott Dixon (2016) The role of a Quantity Surveyor | Willmott Dixon. Available at: http://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/careers/working-for-us/the-role-of-a-quantity-surveyor (Accessed 16 November 2016). List of appendices Group Diary Evidence Group Diary Date Activity Actions agreed Type of evidence 21 Oct 2016 Message from Matt Meeting Message print-out (see Figure 1 in Appendix 2) 27 Oct 2016 Email to the two members Template of the report Screenshot (see Figure 2 in Appendix 2) 01 Nov 2016 Email to Jeannette from Matt Revised template Screenshot (see Figure 3 in Appendix 2) 15 Nov 2016 Message from Matt Rearranging some of the report and organise a meet-up for the next day Screenshot (see Figure 4 in Appendix 2) 24 Nov 2016 Message to Mo Requesting work Screenshot (see Figure 5 in Appendix 2) 30 Nov 2016 Email to Matt Dropbox invite with the assignment Screenshot (see Figure 6 in Appendix 2) Evidence Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 (snippet of conversation from WhatsApp) Figure 5 Figure 6 (emails to Matt)

Hitler: Old Ideas, New Meanings Essay -- Adolf Hitler Nazi History Sym

Hitler: Old Ideas, New Meanings The second World War was a consequence of one man and his idealistic dream. Adolf Hitler strove to further the "Aryan" race at the expense of other people and cultures. However, for such an idealistic man, Hitler was fairly unoriginal. He borrowed the swastika, the main symbol used in the war to indicate Nazi rule, from ancient civilizations. Hitler also borrowed mythology from other cultures to promote his ideas. The swastika was far from being Hitler's own invention. It originated in primitive cultures when people noticed that the big dipper rotated around the North Star. This rotation formed the pattern of a swastika when charted four times a year, that is, every thirteen weeks. The implication is that "the swastika may have been primarily and generally employed by primitive races as a sign for a year or cycle" (Nuttall,19). There were many cultures all over the ancient world using the swastika as a symbol. In Scandinavian countries it symbolized "the turning wheel which in the Bronze Age was connected with the god of the sky" (Davidson, 67). Thor, the god of the sky, drove his wagon across the heavens creating thunder and lightning (Gelling, 143). Thor is also associated with maintenance of the turning of the seasons (Davidson, 72). To honor him, ancient pagans decorated their swords and spears with the swastika (Gelling, 148-9). Different cultures obviously had different meanings attached to this symbol. A coin from Syracuse, now located in the British Museum Collection, had a swastika stamped on it. In the middle of the swastika was a human head. This was interpreted as "the image of a state and its single central ruler" (Nuttall, 459). Regardless of the symbolism of variations in th... ...things one encounters, as unambiguous as their current meaning may seem to you. Bibliography Davidson, H.R. Ellis. Scandinavian Mythology. London: Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd., 1969. Gelling, Peter, and Hilda Ellis Davidson. The Chariot of the Sun, and Other Rites and Symbols of the Northern Bronze Age. New York: Praeger, 1969. Gordon, Sarah. Hitler, Germans and the "Jewish Question." Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, 1984. Homer. The Odyssey. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces, sixth edition, volume one, New York: W.W. Norton and Co., 1992. Nuttall, Zelia. The Fundamental Principles of Old and New World Civilizations. Salem, Mass. : Salem Press, 1901. Overy, R.J. The Nazi Economic Recovery 1932-1938. 2nd ed. Cambridge: University Press, 1996. Poliakov, Leon. The Aryan Myth. London: Sussex University Press, 1974.

1800 Century English Literature Essay

Introduction Poems have been used for centuries to communicate, hide, preserve and transform meaning that in normal parlance would lose its significance. The significance of poems is as vital as the human race as is echoed by the words of John Keating who said, â€Å"We don’t read and write poems because it is cute. We read and write poems because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion†¦Ã¢â‚¬    Therefore, poems can tell a story, vividly describe an object or situation, express the feelings of animate and in-animate things beyond what the normal sentence structure ever will (Kurkland). The use of language as a vehicle or tool of delivery is paramount through out histories of all cultures. Linguistic importance is noted in many poems written before the 1800 because they capture historical moments and great deeds of men which normal language would not do much justice.   Hero and Lander is a fragmentary poem   by Christopher Marlowe who lived in the 1550s , a retelling a love story of two people, first written by a Greek poet Masseus Grammaticus but retold by Marlowe in a unique sensual and erotic way that captured the hearts of many of his contemporaries and was considered a master piece. The battle of Maldon is a poem named after a famous battle fought towards the end of 10th century between the English and the Vikings. The poem describes the events of the battle and the gruesome experience endured by the fighters, the act of courage(folly)by the main character in the poem King Brithnoth, who was the English leading his army against the Viking invasion.   The two poems underscore the importance of linguistic devices and reveal the major concerns of the period in terms of human development. They are a passionate account of their subject and strive to deliver a vivid and moving account of the times using style and symbolism to carry their emotionally laden subjects. Comparison and Contrast In Battle of Maldon, the opening stanza begins at a high note. †Then he ordered each of his warriors his horse to loose Far off to send it and forth to go, To be mindful of his hands and of his high heart†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Battle of Maldon The king is urging his soldiers on for a combat. He does not give them time to think of going back or of retreat. He also encourages them to be brave. In Hero and Lander, the beginning is as dramatic as the one on Battle of Maldon. â€Å"On â€Å"Hellespont, guilty of true-love’s blood, In view and opposite two cities stood, Sea-borderers, disjoined by Neptune’s might;..† The fact that there is guilt is already a foreshadow of revelations of sins ahead. The heart , which is alluded to in these first few lines (by true love and blood) is also mentioned in Battle of Maldon , to bring out the urgency and tense condition the subjects in the poems are experiencing. The key similarities and differences between the two cultural periods represented by these narratives While Hero and Lander was written during the period of romanticism in Europe when most of the scholarly work was based on the liberal arts, intellectual development based on theology religion and the arts took centre stage. It was the period of Shakespeare and human beings were more concerned with topics such as love, justice, war, among others. The battle of Maldon was however written when human beings existed to serve the wish of their kings, battles were fought as often as duels and everything was done with the aim of battling an enemy and protecting boundaries. The battle of Maldon elevates moral triumph over physical victory. Though the king is defeated, his action of letting the Vikings into his territory, â€Å"Then did the earl, in his overweening heart Lend land too much to that loathed people. Then ‘gan he call out – across the cold water Brighthelm’s son, and all the band listened. â€Å"Now room is meted you, come swiftly to us.† (The battle of Maldon)   This is an act chivalry because he chooses not to fight a battle with an enemy who is greatly disadvantaged. In doing this, he was able to make a level-battling field for his opponents who later butchered him mercilessly. However, king Brithnoth dies, his act of bravado lives in the poem to this day. His country men who also stand by his body to fight until death also display the solidarity, patriotism and loyalty demanded of any subject. The others who fled portray an influence of insincere and coward-like men who decided to flee their own brothers while they are being butchered. Though some of the texts in the beginning and the end of the original manuscript were burnt in a fire, the background to the poem completely captures the heroic act of Brithnoth who decides to fight to death instead of the option of paying off the Vikings. Both poems seem to be concerned with a central object in the human body, the heart. They try to explain how the heart is an important component on moving men to act in either cowardice, bravery or foolishness.   In contrast, the two poems also address different topic altogether. While the battle of Maldon addresses courage, morality and loyalty (virtues), Hero and Lander focuses on the passion and intensity of love and its effect on human beings. While the former is drawn toward principles and virtues (objective), the latter is drawn toward human suffering and happiness. However, both poems advocate for dying for a cause. In the battle of Maldon, the cause is honor while in Hero and Lander, its love References Daniel J Kurkland 2000. www.Critical reading.com http://www.criticalreading.com/poetry.htm â€Å"The Battle of Maldon† translated by Barridge Wilfridge.   1997-2009 http://www.battleofmaldon.org.uk/index.htm â€Å"Hero and Leander, Christopher Marlowe – Introduction.† Poetry Criticism, Ed. Lawrence J. Trudeau. Vol. 57 Gale Cengage, 2004. eNotes.com. 2006. 11 Dec 2009 â€Å"Hero and Leander†, by Christopher Marlowe http://www.classic-literature.co.uk/british-authors/16th-century/christopher-marlowe/hero-and-leander/   

Pterodactylus Facts and Figures

Pterodactylus Facts and Figures Name: Pterodactylus (Greek for wing finger); pronounced TEH-roe-DACK-till-us; sometimes called pterodactyl Habitat: Shores of Europe and South Africa Historical Period: Late Jurassic (150-144 million years ago) Size and Weight: Wingspan of three feet and two to 10 pounds Diet: Insects, meat and fish Distinguishing Characteristics: Long beak and neck; short tail; wings of skin attached to three-fingered hands About Pterodactylus Pterodactylus is a case study in how confusing it can be to classify 150-million-year-old animals. The first specimen of this pterosaur was discovered way back in 1784, in Germanys Solnhofen fossil beds, decades before before naturalists had any conception of the theory of evolution (which wouldnt be scientifically formulated, by Charles Darwin, until about 70 years later) or, indeed, any grasp of the possibility that animals could go extinct. Fortunately, in retrospect, Pterodactylus was named by one of the first academics to grapple with these issues, the Frenchman Georges Cuvier. (See a gallery of Pterodactylus and Pteranodon pictures and 10 facts about pterodactyls.) Because it was discovered so early in the history of paleontology, Pterodactylus suffered the same fate as other before-their-time dinosaurs of the 19th century like Megalosaurus and Iguanodon: any fossil that remotely resembled the type specimen was assumed to belong to a separate Pterodactylus species or a genus that later wound up being synonymized with Pterodactylus, so at one point there were no less than two dozen named varieties! Paleontologists have since sorted out most of the confusion; the remaining two Pterodactylus species, P. antiquus and P. kochi, are pretty much beyond reproach, and other species have since been assigned to related genera like Germanodactylus, Aerodactylus, and Ctenochasma. Now that weve sorted all that out, exactly what kind of creature was Pterodactylus? This late Jurassic pterosaur was characterized by its relatively small size (a wingspan of only about three feet and a weight of ten pounds, max), its long, narrow beak, and its short tail, the classic body plan of a pterodactyloid, as opposed to a rhamphorhynchoid, pterosaur. (During the later Mesozoic Era, some pterodactyloid pterosaurs would grow to truly enormous sizes, as witness the small-plane-sized Quetzalcoatlus.)Â  Pterodactylus is often depicted as flying low over the coastlines of western Europe and northern Africa (much like a modern seagull) and plucking small fish out of the water, though it may also have subsisted on insects (or even the occasional small dinosaur) as well. On a related note, because it has been in the public eye for well over two centuries, Pterodactylus (in the abbreviated form pterodactyl) has become pretty much synonymous with flying reptile, and is often used to refer to the entirely different pterosaur Pteranodon. Also, for the record, Pterodactylus was only remotely related to the first prehistoric birds, which descended instead from the small, terrestrial, feathered dinosaurs of the later Mesozoic Era. (Confusingly, the type specimen of Pterodactylus was recovered from the same Solnhofen deposits as the contemporaneous Archaeopteryx; its important to bear in mind that the former was a pterosaur, while the latter was a theropod dinosaur, and thus occupied an entirely different branch of the evolutionary tree.)

Elements of Marketing Mix

Elements of Marketing Mix The marketing mix is comprised of four core elements that enhance marketing of items and services. Without these elements, marketing would be irrelevant and that is why every business has to observe them. The elements include product, place, price and promotion. This paper will therefore focus on these four elements and their impact towards the growth of a business. In addition, the paper will include an example that elaborates the application of the four elements in real life situation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Elements of Marketing Mix specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Product is the first element of marketing mix, which refers to an item or a service. The features of an item are its strongholds because they lead the customer into buying it. This means that the items will literary market themselves. For instance, fresh vegetables attract customers while they are still on the shelf and thus, the attributes of an item must make the customer feel that his/her needs will be satisfied. Kotler Keller (2009) suggest that the features can be enhanced by improving the appearance of the item by focusing on areas like packaging, warranties and design. In marketing, what matters most is to capture the attention of the customer. Buyers prefer items that are packed in appealing designs. Moreover, items with warranties on them attract customers because it makes them feel safe when making the purchase because they are assured of getting back their money in case the item turns to be faulty. The second element in marketing mix is place, and it entails identifying the appropriate channel of reaching the potential customer. A business entity must then familiarize itself with the areas that are most frequented by customers. For instance, a florist is most likely to get customers if he/she is situated next to a hospital or a mortuary. This suggests that marketing is greatly influenced by place and thus, an enterprise must position itself in a strategic position. In other words, Kumar (2007) explains that the marketer must identify the areas where his/her services are most needed. This requires one to scan the environment, identify a loophole, and proceed to fill it. For instance, the services of a veterinary cannot be needed in an urban center because there is hardly any form of farming in the cities and thus it would be advisable for such a professional to market him/herself in the rural areas. Price is the third element and it refers to the cost of the item/service. Seller and his /her position in the distribution chain determine the cost of an item. In production chains, there are manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Each of these parties engages in the trade for a profit. Retailers sell at a higher price because they have to cater for the expenses incurred by wholesalers.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your firs t paper with 15% OFF Learn More On the other hand, wholesalers trade at subsidized rates because they do not spend much to obtain the finished product. According to Bennett (2009), a businessperson should also remember to compare his/her prices with those of the competitors. If the items are of the same quality, then he/she should reduce his/her prices slightly as this will give him/her a cutting edge in the market. In the end, the business will be making less profit while increasing the sale volume, which amounts to higher returns. Promotion is the last element of marketing mix, and it involves informing the customers about a given item/service. In this approach, the customer is notified about the item/service through commercials that are aired on TV, radio, internet, newspapers and billboards among others. When choosing the medium of advertising it is important to analyze the possibilities of reaching the targeted audience. The option with the highest probability s hould thus be employed to increase chances of success. In this regard, Sony is the best example for a company that utilizes the elements of marketing mix. The company manufactures electronics such as TV sets, Hifi systems and computer accessories such as flash disks. The company has been able to market itself by improving the features of its products. For instance, the current Hifi systems can support flash disks besides being compatible with digital compact disks. The company is not the sole manufacturer of the above-mentioned products and thus, it reviews its prices to leverage itself with its competitors. This company advertises its items through the internet because it is the cheapest medium. However, the company still airs some of its commercials via TV adverts and billboards. In conclusion, an item must have the appropriate qualities because customers are induced by these attributes. The features must be aligned with the needs of the customers otherwise; the item will remain i n the shelves. The item should consider the interests of the buyers. If the buyers want comfort then the item should include this attribute in the item. The marketer should also concentrate on the people who are most likely to require his/her item/service. Targeting the wrong people would be a waste of time and resources. Every buyer is usually interested in a unique item that is less costly and thus, a business entity should address the issue of price. However, the price slash must be considerate for the business to remain stable. Marketers should consider advertising their items/services through the appropriate media. They should specifically take advantage of the Internet because it interconnects the world in real time. References Bennett, G. A. (2009). The Big Book of Marketing. New York: McGraw-Hill.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Elements of Marketing Mix specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Kotler, P. Keller, K . L. (2009). Marketing Management (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Kumar, S. R. (2007). Marketing and Branding: The Indian Scenario. New Delhi Dorling: Kindersly.

Antonio Vivaldi Essays - Operas, Antonio Vivaldi, Anna Gir

Antonio Vivaldi Essays - Operas, Antonio Vivaldi, Anna Gir Antonio Vivaldi Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice on March 4th, 1678. Through ordained a priest in 1703, according to his own account, within a year of being ordained Vivaldi no longer wished to celebrate mass because physical complaints ?tightness of the chest? which pointed to asthmatic bronchitis, or a nervous disorder. It is also possible that Vivaldi was faking his illness. There is a story that he sometimes left the alter to jot down a musical idea. He had became a priest against his own will, because priesthood was often the only way possible for a poor family to obtain free schooling. Vavaldi wrote many memorable concertos, such as the Four seasons and the opus 3, he also wrote many works for students. People and students still play these pieces all over the world. Vavaldi was employed for most of his working life by by the Ospedale della Pieta. Often termed orphanage, this Ospedale was in fact a home for the female offspring of noblemen and their numerous dalliance with their mistresses. Many of Vavaldi?s concerti were indeed exercises which he would play whith his many talented pupils. Vavaldi?s relationship wth the Ospedale began right after his ordination in 1703, when he was named as the violin teacher there. Until 1709, Vavaldi?s appointment was renewed every year and again and after 1711. They think between 1709 and 1711 Vivaldi was not attached to the Ospedale. They think he might started working for the Teatro Sant? Anngelo an opera theater. He was still was a composer though, in 1711 twelve of his concertos were written and and published in Amsterdam. In 1713 Vavaldi was given a months leave from the Ospedale to stage his first opera, it was called Ottone in ville. He did this opera in Vicenza. He produced another opera in the period between 1713 and 1714. Thse highest part of Vavaldi?s life was the end of 1716. In November he managed to have the Ospedale perform his great oratorio, it was called the Juditha Triumphans devicta Holofernis barbaric. This piece was about the victory of the Christians over the Turks in August of 1716. Vavaldi Moved to Mantua in the late 1717 for two years in order to take up his post as Chamber Kapellmeister at the court of Landgrave Philips van Hessen Darmstadt. His task there was to provide operas, cantatas, and perhaps concert music, too. Vavaldi in 1720 returned to Venice where he again staged new operas that he wrote himself. In Mantua he had met a singer by the name of Anna Giraud, she moved in with him Vavaldi said that she was just a housekeeper and agreat friend, just like her sister, Paolina, who also moved in. Anna Giraud was young, born in Venice. She was daughter to French wigmaker. She was?nt beautiful, though she was elegant, a small women with beatiful eyes and a fascinating mouth. She had a very small voice, but she could speak many languages. Vivaldi taught her how to sing and stayed with her until he died. Vavaldi wrote works for commission from foreign rulers, such as the frech king, Louis XV. He serenaded La Sena festeggiante at the festival of the Seine. The bad thing is that they can not date this music, but they know it was written after 1720. In rome Vavaldi found a patron in the person of Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, a great music lover, who earlier had been the patron of Arcangelo Corelli. Vavldi himself was asked by the pope to play the violin for him at a private audience. He totally loved it, it also was a great time in his life. Despite his stay in Rome and other cities, Vivaldi remained in the service of the Ospedale della Pieta, he was nominated the Maestro di Concerti. He had to send two concertos per month to veniceand he received a ducat per concerto. His presence was never required. He also remained dictator of the Teatro Sant Angelo, as he did in the 1726, 7 and 8 seasons. Between 1725 and 1728 eight opera were made by Vavaldi. In three months Vavaldi composed three operas, two for Venice and one for florence. During these years Vavaldi also extremely active in the field of Concertos. In 1725 the publication of Il Cimento dell?Armenia e dell?invenzione and opus 8, appeared in Amsterdam. this consisted of twelve concertos, seven of which were descriptive: The Four Seasons, Storm at Sea, Pleasure and The Hunt. Vivaldi transformed the tradition of descriptive music into a typically Italian musical style with its unmistakable timbre in which the strings play a big role. These concetos were enormously successful, particulary in france. In the second half of the

The correlation between organisational culture and security Essay

The correlation between organisational culture and security - Essay Example The extent to which organisational culture determines nature and perceptions of the security environment is both of practical relevance and theoretical interest. A highly typical scenario exists when choices about security have to be made by the management as an opportunity cost principle (Fennelly, 2003, p.364). The primacy and immediacy of such choices lie in the fleeting background of real and perceived threat perceptions by the organisation. Thus organisational culture converges on the logical premise that hidden threats to its own existence could be physical and real or/and perceived and unreal. The extent to which these conceptualisations will determine the response of the organisation depends on the organisational culture. When organisational culture is based on "a set of shared values and beliefs among a community or people", then perceptions about security and threats become more formidable because such perceptions acquire a larger dimension in the organisational context, including a costs versus benefits evaluation (MacCrie, 2007, p.230). Above all organisational culture is a theoretical construct with implications for the security of the organisation beyond the definable limits.Organisational culture presupposes a pattern of behavioural tendencies on the part of both internal and external stakeholders (Driskill and Brenton, 2005, p.12). Mutually beneficial behaviours and a system of corresponding rights and obligations presume that the organisation progresses through a complex network of sub-cultures that seamlessly integrate into a value-centric system. Internal and external relationships that exist at each level and layer, are presumably influenced by the quality and quantum of communications. This in turn has an impact on the organisation's security perceptions. An analogous situation exists in group relations where groups of individuals bound by their own internal rules, rights and obligations will still seek to establish contacts with others. At the individual organisational level this behaviour is subject to a renewed concern for security and an ever increasing awareness of threats. As Schein puts it, "Culture is an abstraction, yet the forces that are created in social and organisational situations that derive from culture are powerful" (Schein, 2004, p.3). Mullins, on the other hand, states that an organisation pursues its goals based on an underlying ideology or philosophy, based on beliefs, values and attitudes. Within the organisation, culture is a pervasive influence over people's behaviour and actions, and reflects in the performance of work - what is not acceptable and what behaviours and actions are encouraged and discouraged. It can also include traditions, values, beliefs and attitudes (Mullins, 2007, p.531). Mullins places emphasis on the objectivity of culture influence and also attributes some ideological characteristics to it. Finally organisational goals,

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

Business Report - Essay Example at the inspection exercise is successful, and assists the organization to offer superior products and services which will effectively and efficiently meet the needs of the customers. The rapidly growing population of people in Mount Union University, and surrounding areas, has lead to the increased demand of food services. Even though the demand for the food services is high, stakeholders of Mount Union University have a common agreement that the quality should never be compromised. These stakeholders include; the local authority, the universities administration, ministry in charge of public health and nutrition, local residents association, and the students body. Therefore, there is need to expand the capacity of major food services provider in the region like the AVI Food Systems Inc. There is also need to ensure that the food services providers meet the expected health, safety and quality standards. Meeting these standards will lead to customer satisfaction, in addition to health and nutritional benefits. The purpose of site inspection at AVI Food Systems Inc entails six main areas. Firstly, the capacity of the facility to expand should be described. This will ensure that the facilities accommodate more customers in future. Secondly, the health standards of the site should be enhanced further. This entails putting in place superior waste management facilities and practices. High standards of cleanliness should further be maintained. This will ensure adherence to proper public health requirements. Thirdly, the increased customer number calls for enhanced safety within the premises of AVI Food Systems Inc. This entails provision of safety equipment and programs. Fourth, the quality of food should be improved, to ensure satisfaction of the swelling customer numbers. Fifth, an effective Restaurant information System should be installed to ensure effective communication between customers and the facility’s staffs. Lastly, the staffs of AVI Food System Inc should

2012 Olympic's impact on Sports management in London Essay

2012 Olympic's impact on Sports management in London - Essay Example Hence, Tennis Wimbledon Tournament or Football League Championship is mega-event known all over the world, which attracts millions of viewers. Also today there is no grown-up person who is not aware what the word â€Å"Olympics† means and who has not watched the greatest international complex sport competitions on television at least once. It is well-known that the famous symbol of Olympics, five colorful rings, can be identified by more than ninety per cent of planet’s population. This exceeds the recognition of such extremely popularized brands as Nike, Coca-Cola and McDonalds (Vigor, Mean, Tims 2004, pp. 4). Even in a far antiquity Olympic Games were the main sport event of all the times and nations. During the period of Olympics peace and consent were proclaimed on the Earth. The wars stopped and all dignified athletes competed in a fair fight for the top ranking. Olympic movement managed to overcome a lot of impediments, among which were: interruptions by World War s, attacks of terrorists, including bombing, kidnapping of sportsmen, murders, boycotts, and various diplomatic incidents. However, the Great Games have survived and currently take place every forth year, with interchange of summer and winter games with a difference of two years. Nowadays Olympics are spread on a large scale, being equipped with the latest techniques and recorded by numerous computers and cameras for defining the final results of the sportsmen with a high accuracy. Lately the cities that organize Olympics become the capitals of the world for the period of games holding. The place of the consecutive Games is announced beforehand for giving at least seven years to the country to get itself ready. Hence, London has been officially chosen for the Olympics 2012 on the sixth of July 2005, leaving behind such serious rivals as Paris, Moscow, New-York and

Ethical Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethical Theories - Essay Example Additionally, one of the major uncertainties in the Act Utilitarianism is that it appears to be too lenient, able to justifying some crime, and yet making it ethically compulsory, if simply the worth of the particular outcomes of the particular act is great enough. In addition, there is another major uncertainty and that is act-utilitarianism is much better in theory than in practice, as we barely ever have the time as well as the information to forecast the outcomes of an act, review their worth, and formulate judgments through probable alternative acts (Utilitarianism; Utilitarianism2). In case of Jean’s nephew Pierre, Jean has used illegal means to bring a prescription. In this situation, Pierre’s life was in danger and due to un-availability of medicine he can die. According to Act Utilitarianism the act of Jean has created happiness and offered a great deal of relief from pain. According to Act Utilitarianism Jean has performed a rightful and legal action that ulti mately saved someone’s life. Rule Utilitarianism Oxford moral philosopher R. M. Hare presented a 2-tiered theory that is known as rule utilitarianism. According to this theory, without doubt happiness is the eventual moral value; the means to go after it can be not direct. In this scenario, a 2 tiered theory would assess categories of events normally similar to as telling the truth, murder, remaining realistic in a wedding, breaking promises, regarding parents, caring for children, punishing the innocent, etc. However, some of the categories of proceedings are assessed rather than individual proceedings, a large number of people need to be measured in such estimated scenario should all in a culture be permissible to cheat? If a wide-ranging moral exclusion besides cheating creates more pleasure, then rule utilitarians would ease the moral rule "Don't Cheat." (LawAndBioEthics; Utilitarianism; Utilitarianism2). In addition, the rule utilitarianism is a quasi rule oriented struc ture where policies perform a vital role; however the system completely relies on a standard. In this scenario, the fundamental utilitarian principle is utilized, with facts regarding social communication, to derive rules. Additionally, once the systems are prepared, no direct computation of utility is required. Moreover, the law has to be pursued even if the individual measures produce more pain as compared to pleasure (LawAndBioEthics; Utilitarianism; Utilitarianism2). In case of Jean’s nephew Pierre, Jean is performing a wrong deed. In the light of Rule Utilitarianism, Jean is going against her personal code of law. This leads her to guilty of crime for using his job authority for illegal task. On the other hand she also saved the life of Pierre; this situation takes her to another aspect that she has performed a rightful job. Kantiansim Kantiansim is a viewpoint of ethics that is presented by Immanuel Kant. In this theory, Kant supposed that people should take care of as an end as well as never as a simple means to an end. On the other hand, it is immoral to utilize people for our own personal objective since people are important in themselves. In addition, Kantianism is a non consequential theory outlining the act itself is more significant as compared to the results of that act. In fact, Kant’

Develop a Communications Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Develop a Communications Plan - Essay Example This details how specific information is developed and communicated to various groups and the expected actions. This plan also details how the overall results will be communicated, the time frames for communication and the appropriate groups to receive the information. Communicating results is an important issue for the project management scorecard. While it is important to communicate achieved targets to interested stakeholders once the project is complete it is also important to communicate throughout the project. This ensures that information is flowing so adjustments can be made so that all stakeholders are aware of the success and issues surrounding the project solution implementation. IRTC Manufacturing Enterprises has adopted seven components of the communication process to ensure that the project communication management solutions results are systematic, timely, and well planned. They are as follows: Audiences range from top management to past project team members, all of which have their own special communication needs. A well targeted communication may be necessary to win the approval of the specified group. They include the project team, the customer service and billing departments, the team manager, vendor and customer service agent. This involves developing written material to explain solution results. This can be a brief summary of the results to a detailed research report on the evaluation effort eg. Project report used for the different audiences. Whenever project results are communicated, the reaction of the target audience can be monitored by the project manager. This reaction may include non- verbal gestures, oral remarks, written comments or indirect actions that reveal how the communication was received. Presentations, project staff meetings and feedback questionnaire may be used for analyzing the reaction of the audience. The purpose of this is to make adjustment in the

What are the effects of sleep deprivation on teenagers Research Paper

What are the effects of sleep deprivation on teenagers - Research Paper Example Teenagers, today indulge in a wide array of activities which may stretch well into the night for example, partying, playing games, online socialising and studying for exams etc. It is recommended that an average teenager needs about 9-9.5 hours of proper sleeps. However, today teenagers barely sleep for the recommended period of time which has negative consequences both on their body functioning and mental health. In fact long term deprivation of sleep may even have serious implications on the health. This has become a matter of concern for parent, educators and researchers who recommend that proper sleep is absolutely essential for both physical and mental growth. Sleep is the period in which the body rests and recovers from the stress it experienced during the day. The body and all its metabolic processes are accustomed to a particular biological clock which is affected severely by sleep deprivation. Several research studies have focused on the association between lack of sleep and hormonal release in the body. Hormones play an important role in the development of the teenagers; however owing to lack of sleep hormonal release is altered which has negative effects on the body mechanism. Researchers have pointed out that sleep restriction alters metabolic and endocrine systems. Hormones that regulate glucose metabolism have been shown to be influenced by changes in sleep patterns. Young adults who are deprived of sleep show increased glucose tolerance, reduction in insulin sensitivity, enhanced cortisol and ghrelin concentration in the evenings and a loss of appetite (Leprult and Cauter, 2010). The altered regulation in glucose metabolism has not only led to an increase in obesity among teenagers but has also led to an increase in Type II diabetes. Lack of sleep also affects immunity of developing teenagers. Sleep deprivation has been associated with increased lymphocyte activity and enhanced levels of Interleukin-1

Ethical Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethical Theories - Essay Example Additionally, one of the major uncertainties in the Act Utilitarianism is that it appears to be too lenient, able to justifying some crime, and yet making it ethically compulsory, if simply the worth of the particular outcomes of the particular act is great enough. In addition, there is another major uncertainty and that is act-utilitarianism is much better in theory than in practice, as we barely ever have the time as well as the information to forecast the outcomes of an act, review their worth, and formulate judgments through probable alternative acts (Utilitarianism; Utilitarianism2). In case of Jean’s nephew Pierre, Jean has used illegal means to bring a prescription. In this situation, Pierre’s life was in danger and due to un-availability of medicine he can die. According to Act Utilitarianism the act of Jean has created happiness and offered a great deal of relief from pain. According to Act Utilitarianism Jean has performed a rightful and legal action that ulti mately saved someone’s life. Rule Utilitarianism Oxford moral philosopher R. M. Hare presented a 2-tiered theory that is known as rule utilitarianism. According to this theory, without doubt happiness is the eventual moral value; the means to go after it can be not direct. In this scenario, a 2 tiered theory would assess categories of events normally similar to as telling the truth, murder, remaining realistic in a wedding, breaking promises, regarding parents, caring for children, punishing the innocent, etc. However, some of the categories of proceedings are assessed rather than individual proceedings, a large number of people need to be measured in such estimated scenario should all in a culture be permissible to cheat? If a wide-ranging moral exclusion besides cheating creates more pleasure, then rule utilitarians would ease the moral rule "Don't Cheat." (LawAndBioEthics; Utilitarianism; Utilitarianism2). In addition, the rule utilitarianism is a quasi rule oriented struc ture where policies perform a vital role; however the system completely relies on a standard. In this scenario, the fundamental utilitarian principle is utilized, with facts regarding social communication, to derive rules. Additionally, once the systems are prepared, no direct computation of utility is required. Moreover, the law has to be pursued even if the individual measures produce more pain as compared to pleasure (LawAndBioEthics; Utilitarianism; Utilitarianism2). In case of Jean’s nephew Pierre, Jean is performing a wrong deed. In the light of Rule Utilitarianism, Jean is going against her personal code of law. This leads her to guilty of crime for using his job authority for illegal task. On the other hand she also saved the life of Pierre; this situation takes her to another aspect that she has performed a rightful job. Kantiansim Kantiansim is a viewpoint of ethics that is presented by Immanuel Kant. In this theory, Kant supposed that people should take care of as an end as well as never as a simple means to an end. On the other hand, it is immoral to utilize people for our own personal objective since people are important in themselves. In addition, Kantianism is a non consequential theory outlining the act itself is more significant as compared to the results of that act. In fact, Kant’

What are the effects of sleep deprivation on teenagers Research Paper

What are the effects of sleep deprivation on teenagers - Research Paper Example Teenagers, today indulge in a wide array of activities which may stretch well into the night for example, partying, playing games, online socialising and studying for exams etc. It is recommended that an average teenager needs about 9-9.5 hours of proper sleeps. However, today teenagers barely sleep for the recommended period of time which has negative consequences both on their body functioning and mental health. In fact long term deprivation of sleep may even have serious implications on the health. This has become a matter of concern for parent, educators and researchers who recommend that proper sleep is absolutely essential for both physical and mental growth. Sleep is the period in which the body rests and recovers from the stress it experienced during the day. The body and all its metabolic processes are accustomed to a particular biological clock which is affected severely by sleep deprivation. Several research studies have focused on the association between lack of sleep and hormonal release in the body. Hormones play an important role in the development of the teenagers; however owing to lack of sleep hormonal release is altered which has negative effects on the body mechanism. Researchers have pointed out that sleep restriction alters metabolic and endocrine systems. Hormones that regulate glucose metabolism have been shown to be influenced by changes in sleep patterns. Young adults who are deprived of sleep show increased glucose tolerance, reduction in insulin sensitivity, enhanced cortisol and ghrelin concentration in the evenings and a loss of appetite (Leprult and Cauter, 2010). The altered regulation in glucose metabolism has not only led to an increase in obesity among teenagers but has also led to an increase in Type II diabetes. Lack of sleep also affects immunity of developing teenagers. Sleep deprivation has been associated with increased lymphocyte activity and enhanced levels of Interleukin-1

Macroeconomics Assignment Essay Example for Free

Macroeconomics Assignment Essay Current economic conditions in the U. S an all around the world are rising to alarming situations, with the dilemma being common that whether its inflation or recession, which is hampering the economy badly. The liquidity issues are affecting the U. S economy badly, the money supply is shrinking although the Federal Reserve is pursuing an accommodative monetary policy, but due to its lesser control and the dynamism of the U. S economy, this policy seems to have a very low effect on the liquidity situation in the overall economy. After a rise in the money supply for few months the money supply has been contracting since then, the M2 component of the money supply, which consists of cash, consumer deposits and checking has been shrinking. While M3 which consists of the above, plus the large time deposits and other items is also changing its direction towards a lower end. The figure depicts the trends of the money supply and how it has dipped gradually. Figure 1: Annual U. S. Money Supply Growth Source: Shadow Government Statistics, 2009 This condition can result into the weakening of economic activity and pulling out money from stocks. Recently the downfall in the consumer spending and the lowering of the stock prices is the sign of scorched liquidity in the economy (Kellner, 2003). In this current situation of economic dilemma, the current economic conditions demands active measures from the new president and the U. S congress to overcome the hazards created by the weakening economy. Government should try to push more liquidity into the market; the FED should try to increase the money supply through lowering the interest rate, pushing more money into the economy by funding the companies and the corporations that can create more stability in the economy. The government should try to create more jobs into the economy by pushing their spending this will surely create more consumers spending and thus providing a ground to combat recession in the economy. These economic measures are the need of the time and they will certainly have their effects on the economy. Thus, by acting proactively on these strategies the government can easily face all the difficult circumstances. References Kellner, I. (2003, November). Where has all the money gone? Retrieved Feburary 10, 2009, from Market Watch : http://www. marketwatch. com/News/Story/Story. aspx? guid=%7BF1B1B20B-EBDE-435F-8349-A19E26DBB945%7Dsiteid=mktwdist=nwhpm Figures Figure 1: Annual U. S. Money Supply Growth Shadow Government Statistics. (2009). Annual U. S. Money Supply Growth. Retrieved Feburary 10, 2009 from http://www. shadowstats. com/charts_republish#m3

What Is Disturbance In The Natural Environment Environmental Sciences Essay

What Is Disturbance In The Natural Environment Environmental Sciences Essay Disturbance can involve any factor which disrupts ecosystem function by altering environmental conditions (wiki). The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis (IDH) states that in order to optimise local species diversity, ecological disturbance must occur at a moderate frequency (wiki). Disturbance can vary in severity, occur at several temporal and spatial scales and be a result of natural or anthropogenic events (www.nature). Natural disturbance (e.g. fires, floods, volcanic eruptions) often prevents populations from reaching their carrying capacity (Wiens 1984; DeAngelis Waterhouse 1987; Pickett et al. 1992 Ecol theory). Anthropogenic disturbance ,however, has a larger detrimental impact on habitat. In the past, the influence of humans on ecosystems has been limited; yet modern impacts have more recently accelerated in gravity and range (wiki). Anthropogenic disturbance can change and damage habitat, alter ecological function and increase the probability of invasive species (invasive Holzner et al. 1983; Mills et al. 1994). Invasive species can cause local species extinction as well as preventing native species from being re-established (Simberloff 1990; Vitousek 1990). Once settled, the removal of these species is often challenging, as they are less affected by competition or predation than native species (ecol theory). Anthropogenic activities can also alter natural disturbance events (e.g. flood p revention methods, control of wildfires; www.nature). The restoration of disturbance regimes may be crucial. Restoration projects should aim to instigate or accelerate recovery after a disturbance, or to re-establish natural disturbance cycles (www.nature). It is essential to determine the level of variability which is tolerated in restored systems (Duarte 1991; Li Reynolds 1994; Horne Schnieder 1995; Palmer Poff 1997; White Walker 1997) and to recognise and minimise the difference between natural and anthropogenic disturbance (wiki). Restored sites must be continually monitored and manipulated accordingly (ecol theory) so once a species has been established, the dimensions of natural disturbance regimes (size/intensity/ duration/seasonality etc) can be established (ecol theory). If this is not possible, restorationists should attempt to initiate deliberate disturbances which best replicate historical disturbances (wiki). It is also important to note that species cannot merely be reintroduced; the manner by which disturbances affect the sustainability of a restored community must also be taken into account (ecol theory). Succession Ecological succession is the progressive change in the composition and interactions of a community over time (Putnam 1994 ecol theory).   After a disturbance occurs, an ecosystem will have a fairly simple level of organisation (few dominant species)(wiki). Given time, the community will develop to be more complex (numerous interdependent species)(wiki). Restoration can occur passively or actively. Passive restoration allows succession to occur naturally, once the origin of disturbance has been eliminated (nature). Active restoration involves more human input. In mildly or moderately disturbed habitats, restorationists may try to increase the rate of natural succession. In other words, allow the community to develop in the same way as it would naturally, but assisting it to reach the final stage more quickly (ecol theory). However, in critically disturbed habitats, more concentrated efforts may be necessary and environmental conditions may need to be recreated to facilitate the processes of succession (wiki). Under these circumstances, restorationists may overlook early stages of succession in order to establish late successional species sooner (ecol theory). In some cases, underlying damage, such as soil damage, may also require restoration before the later stages of succession can begin (Whisenant 1999 ecol of rest). It has been found that succession theory is not always appropriate (Connell Slatyer 1977 ecol theory) Community patterns are often considerably unpredictable due to both disturbances and stochastic events (Fisher 1983; Levin 1989; Roughgarden 1989 ecol theory). As a result, successional theory has been deemed irrelevant in several systems (Roughgarden et al. 1987; Olafsson et al. 1994 ecol theory). Assuming it allows the prediction of community patterns, the knowledge of succession theory may be essential to restoration ecology (ecol theory). In systems with strong interactions between species and rare or highly predictable disturbances this has been found to be particularly true as community progression is principally ruled by local interactions (ecol theory). Species Interactions predation/herbivory/mutualism/competition/ Community Assembly Theory Landscape ecology The study of processes that occur across distinct landscapes and the abiotic and biotic responses to these processes is known as landscape ecology (Turner 1989 linking rest). The need for the study of landscape ecology has arisen due to anthropogenic alterations to habitats (Linking rest). Patch isolation, contiguity, size and shape (in terms of complexity) are all features which can be used to describe a landscape and these have all been found to have a large impact on both animal and plant populations (Turner Gardner 1990; Robbins Bell 1994 linking rest). According to the theory of island biogeography, populations are most likely to become extinct if a habitat is small and/or isolated from other populations. One of the assumptions of this theory states that the area between patches of habitat is both hostile and uniform. This theory assumes that the area between habitat patches (matrix) is both uniform and inhospitable. (Previous studies have suggested that the organisation of habitat types in a matrix can influence the movement of organisms and/or the role of landscapes (Gustafson Gardner 1996 linking rest).) Small and isolated habitats are also more susceptible to the detrimental effects of habitat fragmentation (nature). Habitat fragmentation occurs when a habitat becomes disconnected as a result of anthropogenic or natural events (nature). This causes the formation of small isolated patches of suitable habitat (nature). These habitats have a lower carrying capacity and have decreased species diversity and are therefore more vulnerable to inbreeding and local extinction (nature). As well as this, fragmentation increases the proportion of edge and decreases the gap between edges (nature). Edge effects may alter environmental factors, in turn affecting the flux of organisms and other substances across landscapes (Holland et al. 1991 and references within; Robinson et al. 1992). Systems are sometimes dependent on the flow of individuals between habitats. This sustains the community structure, implying that fragmentation can influence recruitment and therefore affect the resilience of commu nities (Palmer et al. 1997 linking rest). The role of restoration usually involves improving connectivity between patches by constructing or re-establishing links. This may be done with the use of corridors or stepping stones. Ecosystem Function Ecol of rest nutrient and energy fluxes are essential components of ecosystem function and stability at a range of spatial and temporal scales (Ehrenfeld Toth 1997; Aronson et al. 1998; Bedford 1999; Peterson Lipcius 2003). Ecosystem  function describes the foundational processes of natural systems, including nutrient cycles and energy fluxes. These processes are the most basic and essential components of ecosystems. An understanding of the full complexity and intricacies of these cycles is necessary to address any ecological processes that may be degraded. A functional ecosystem, that is completely self-perpetuating (i.e. no management required), is the ultimate goal of restorative efforts. Because these  ecosystem  functions are  emergent properties  of the system as a whole, monitoring and management are crucial for the long-term stability of an ecosystem.

Herzog And De Meuron, The Phil :: essays research papers

Herzog and de Meuron work together as architect partners. Their designs for most of their buildings have a common or similar nature. This nature carries out the simplicity of the shape of a box, which consists of a flat roof and large windows. This design gives the characteristics of Herzog and de Meuron’s buildings. In other words, we can say that this is their buildings’ identity. Indeed, this design is very similar to Frank Lloyd Wright’s design, which also shows today’s modern style of architecture. Their designs both carry the philosophy of â€Å"organic architecture†. This means the building is designed to fit its natural surroundings. Even the form of the building is designed to develop from its environment. So to speak, we can say that the building seems to grow out of its natural surroundings. In short, Herzog and de Meuron, as well as Frank Lloyd Wright, both design building in their natural form, assimilating its form to the environment. As we notice the design in Herzog and de Meuron’s Plywood House shows the organic form of architecture, we can say that they believed that the architectural form must ultimately be determined in each case by the particular function of the building. Thus, the building’s environment and the type of materials employed in the structure carries out the reason why such material is chosen for the building. Clearly, plywood is the main architectural material for the Plywood House. Indeed, this is a very suitable material for the surrounding environment. The reason is because this material provides the organic feel of the countryside. In fact, this chosen material has very much influenced the shapes of the building. There are no curves, nor bay window in the design of the building, and therefore, as we can see from the plan of the building there are only straight lines of the walls of the building. (See plan of drawing) Metaphorically speaking, the building is like boxes that co nnect to each other. Consequently, we can say that plywood is not a very flexible material that it would be difficult to provide curves for the building. Plywood consists of several layers, or plies, of wood thoroughly bonded to one another by glue or synthetic resins. The layers are laid with the grain in different directions, generally perpendicular to one another, and therefore, the resultant sheet of plywood is equally strong in all directions.

TOC in Project Management :: essays research papers

Using TOC To Improve Project Management. ________________________________________ Most projects, whether big or small, are undertaken either to create a new structure, such as a plant, an airport, an Olympic stadium, a bridge, a new product, etc., or to modify an existing structure, such as a plant expansion, adding a new production line, expanding a highway, etc. In most cases, the late completion of the project, such as finishing the Olympic stadium two weeks after the opening of the Olympics, or having a new airports' opening delayed until after the elections, etc., generally carries with it some significant negative ramifications for the project owner. At the same time, there are many cases where the early completion of the project will provide the project owner with significant positive ramifications, such as the market share gained by preempting the competitions' launching of a new product, or the increase in sales achieved by bringing the plants productive capabilities on-line sooner, etc. Another important characteristic of most projects is that many of the resources performing the individual project tasks are sub-contracted resources, at least in terms of their relationship to the project manager. As sub-contracted resources, they are often committed to completing more than one project specific task during any given window of time. The issue of resource availability is often further complicated by the nature of the disturbances associated with most project specific tasks. As a result, most sub-contractors will only commit to completing a project specific task within a window of time and by a specific date, regardless of the fact, that the actual time required to complete the project specific task is generally much smaller than the allotted time window. Hence, the detail scheduling of the sub-contractors resources is generally something that most project managers have little or no direct control over. Lastly, most projects usually involve the investment/expenditure of one or more limited resources, such as money, peoples time, skills, equipment, etc. As a result, most people try to maximize the return on these investments/expenditures, thus making the overall lead time, from start to finish, the key factor in almost every project. As with most decisions involving the use of limited resources, there is the need to consider trade-offs. Trade-offs that often appear as a conflict between the availability of the limited resource, which is usually money, and the overall project lead time from start to finish. As long as the decisions involve trade-offs which cannot be quantified into a single measurement, that is without a Final Judge, then the determination of "best" will always remain somewhat less than objective.

Attitude of Young People of India Towards Luxury Brands Essay

Introduction: A couple of generations ago, a typical purchase decision for the average Indian would be choosing between, say, clothes and electronic goods whenever they had a little cash to spare. Today, the customers’ dilemma involves making up their mind between Prada and Gucci, Merc and Lamborghini. Marie Antoinette would say, â€Å"If they can’t have bread, give them brands instead! † In a relatively short time span of 20 years, India has moved from pavement markets to swanky malls, from frugal minded consumer to who want it all and from a population largely obessed with celebrity gossip to one which yearns to gain knowledge. India is taking wing. It is not simple because India is set to become the fastest growing major economy in the world. The combination of a large young working population, rising income levels, overwhelming consumer optimism and increasingly urbanized lifestyle is driving consumption growth in India. The market potential of world’s second largest population has not gone unnoticed. International Luxury brands have India on the radar. As developed market continue to battle economic turmoil. India offers luxury brand owners unrivalled growth opportunities. The Indian luxury market is projected to reach USD 14. 72 billion in 2015(CII and A. T. Kearny, 2011). It may represents only 1-2 percent of the global luxury market, but its market growth rate of more than 20 percent per annum, promise positive returns for luxury players. A flow of international brands from Giorgio Armani to Ferrari to Sofitel Hotel have entered the Indian market to claim a share of the luxury rupee. Many others are waiting, watching and preparing. This is not just about today’s market but a key strategic market of the future. Problem Definition: * Young consumer attitudes are essential for the marketers to plan their strategy in reaching the target consumers. So in our study we have focused to segment young consumers according to attitude variables. Objectives: * The aim of the study is to segment young consumers based on their three important beliefs parameters (confidence, trust, optimism) as we know beliefs is an important attitudes of consumer Literature review: 1. THE ROLE OF CONFIDENCE IN UNDERSTANDING AND PREDICTING BUYERS’ ATTITUDES AND PURCHASE INTENTIONS * Peter D. Bennett and Gilbert D. Harrell * Journal of Consumer Research * Vol. 2, No. 2 (Sep. , 1975), pp. 110-117 * Published by: The University of Chicago Press * Article Stable URL: http://www. jstor. org/stable/2488752 This research examines the role of buyers confidence in the formation of attitudes and purchase intention. It supports current buyer behavior theory which postulates a positive relationship between overall confidence in a brand and intention to purchase the brand. It also examine buyers confidence in their own ability to judge attributes of brands. 2. NEED FOR UNIQUENESS AND CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOUR FOR LUXURY BRANDS AMONGST INDIAN YOUTH * Authors: Meenakshi Handa, Arpita Khare * JournalInternational Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management * Publisher : Inderscience Publishers * ISSN:1753-0806 (Print),1753-0814 (Online) * IssueVolume 3, Number 5/2010 * Pages489-502 The purpose of this research was to examine the Indian youth’s need for uniqueness (NFU) and their attitudes towards luxury brand as an expression of individuality. A primary research was conducted amongst Indian University students to ascertain their NFU and perception of luxury brands. It was apparent that while the NFU is not very high amongst the Indian youth, luxury brands do symbolize status and individuality to them and serve a value-expressive function. As the Indian social system is witnessing a transition from traditional family driven values to more of western and individual-centric values, NFU and expression of self-identity amongst Indian youth may also become more marked. While marketing global luxury brands in India, advertising may be focused towards conveying a new identity to the consumers yet maintaining a balance with traditional norms and value systems. 3. LUXURY’S NEW DESTINATION – CHANGING PARADIGMS OF THE INDIAN CONSUMERS – AN EMPIRICAL STUDY * DR. BUSHAN D. SUDHAKAR*; ARUN KUMAR. PARISE * International Journal of Multidisciplinary Management Studies * Vol. 2 Issue 1, January 2012, ISSN 2249 8834 * Online available at http://zenithresearch. org. in/ In this study the researcher investigate, Indian consumer migration towards Luxury brands form value middle tier brands. The findings suggest that there is significant difference with the gender difference, social status, price, quality to purchase a luxury good. There is a higher association between the annual household income and Purchase of luxury goods It clearly says that affordability, quality, availability, celebrity, self-satisfaction, image and social status are the key drivers to the migration of consumers to Luxury brands from value middle tier branded goods. It confirms the view that brand perception and purchase value is, apart from socially oriented motives of buying to impress others also affected by financial, functional, and individual aspects. It would seem that the dimensions presented in this paper are appropriate variables for segmenting the market for branded items. 4. ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE CONCEPT OF LUXURY: AN EXPLORATORY ANALYSIS * Bernard Dubois, Groupe H. E. C & Gilles Laurent, Groupe H. E. C. * Asia Pacific Advances in Consumer Research Volume 1, 1994 * Pages 273-278 In this paper is the author did an exploratory analysis of the perceptions and attitudes attached to the word (and underlying concept of) â€Å"luxury†. It is hoped that the results presented below will stimulate further research in the area and eventually contribute to the development of a theory of luxury acquisition and consumption behavior. Research Gap: The literature available on topics such as Need for uniqueness and consumption behavior for luxury brands amongst Indian youth, luxury’s new destination – changing paradigms of the Indian consumers – an empirical study, There is no study on attitude (belief like confidence, trust and optimism) of Young people of India towards Luxury brands, which will help in marketers to plan their strategy in reaching these new and promising target consumers. It is essential for the marketer to understand how consumers think and value a product. There has been a vast increase in the luxury market and attempts are being made to attract the youth through different marketing strategies. This research will identify the different belief parameter which is an important attitude of young people of India which influence them towards luxury brands and provide information for better understanding of young customer. Research Design:. Sample Design: Sample size: is hundred (100). Sample techniques: it is judgmental sampling these samples/ respondents will be selected from both NIFT students and young working professional’s i.e. young people’s working in companies like TCS, Infosys and Wipro. Observational Design: This research based on primary & secondary data. The primary data are collected through structured questionnaire. Primary data generally means those raw data which are handled first handedly and haven’t any previous meaningful interpretation. Secondary data collected from different journals, book and internet on topic of people’s attitudes and luxury brands. Statistical design: we are going to segment young consumers based on their three important beliefs parameters (confidence, trust, optimism) as we know consumer belief is an important factor of consumer attitude. Our proposed segmentation tool is Cluster analysis. We will be using Hierarchical cluster with between groups linkage as the clustering method based on squared Euclidian distance. Ward’s Hierarchical Clustering Method: Ward considered hierarchical clustering procedures basedon minimizing the ‘loss of information’ from joining two groups. This method is usually implemented with loss of information taken to be an increase in an error sum of squares criterion. ESS. First, for a given cluster k, let ESSk be the sum of the squared deviations of very item in the cluster from the cluster mean (centroid). If there are currently K clusters, define ESS as the sum of the ESSk or ESS = ESS1 + ESS2 + †¦ + ESS K At each step in the analysis, the union of every possible pair of clusters is considered, and the two clusters whose combination results in the smallest increase in ESS (minimum loss of information) are joined. Initially, each cluster consists of a single item, and, if there are N items, ESSk = 0, k = 1,2, †¦ , N, so ESS = O. At the other extreme, when all the clusters are combined in a single group of N items, the value of ESS is given by N ESS =j=1nxj-x†(xj-x’) where Xj is the multivariate measurement associated with the jth item and i is the mean of all the items. The results of Ward’s method can be displayed as a dendrogram. The vertical axis gives the values of ESS at which the mergers occur. Ward’s method is based on the notion that the clusters of multivariate observations are expected to be roughly elliptically shaped. It is a hierarchical precursor to nonhierarchical clustering methods that optimize some criterion for dividing data into a given number of elliptical groups. We discuss nonhierarchical clustering procedures in the next section Proposed Questionnaire: 1=strongly agree 2=agree 3=neither agree or disagree 4=disagree 5=completely disagree Please do tick which option you feel most†¦ Statement no 1: 3. 3. 2. 2. 5. 5. 4. 4. 1. 1. â€Å"I buy luxury products because good quality of product† Statement no 2: 3. 3. 2. 2. 5. 5. 4. 4. 1. 1. â€Å"Luxury means some extra things which is adding more value than the regular brands have† Statement no 3: 3. 3. 2. 2. 5. 5. 4. 4. 1. 1. â€Å"I buy luxury products whatever I can afford & whatever I want† Statement no 4: 3. 3. 2. 2. 5. 5. 4. 4. 1. 1. â€Å"I preferred luxury products what I like, if I like it a lot and feel like it’s worth my money† Statement no 5: 3. 3. 2. 2. 5. 5. 4. 4. 1. 1. â€Å"I preferred luxury brands because it brings higher aspiration in my life† Statement no 6: 3. 3. 2. 2. 5. 5. 4. 4. 1. 1. â€Å"I like to have BMW or Ferrari in future†.