Chemical Aspects of Life Paper

Chemical Aspects of life HYPOTHESIS in this section i will be discussing my thoughts of the chemical aspects of life. Explaining what my hypotheses are, for what chemicals are in which substances and what affects the reagents will have on them. Protein testing will be performed on 2 substances,egg albumin and gelatin using Biuret's solution. If biuret's solution is added to egg albumin then the egg albumin will change colors. If biuret's solution is added to gelatin then there will be only the color of the biuret's solution in there.When testing for lipids using the grease spot test three substances will be left to dry on a brown paper bag square lipids will appear in the form of a stain on the paper bag. If oil is left to dry on a paper bag then very evident stain will appear. If milk is left to dry on a paper bag then a residue will be left on top of the bag. When testing for lipids Using Sudan IV an oil and water test will be conducted, and an milk and water test will be done. If oil and water are tested using sudan IV then the oil will mix with the sudan IV. If milk and water are tested using Sudan IV then the Sudan Iv will not mix with either.When testing for carbohydrates benedict's solution will be used and Hcl will be used as an additive to alter results. If benedict's is added to glucose then the solution will change color. If benedict's solution is added to sucrose then the solution will change color. If benedict's solution is added to sucrose and Hcl there will be a more drastic color change. If benedict's solution is added to milk then there will be a slight color change. If benedict's solution is added to Hcl and milk there will be a drastic color change. If benedict's solution is added to starch then there will be a color change.If benedict's solution is added to starch and Hcl then there will be a more drastic color change. When testing for carbohydrates using iodine a porcelain spot plate will be used to better see color changes. If iodine is ad ded to a starch solution then it will change color. If iodine is added to water then the iodine will become dilute. PROCEDURE Procedure: You will be testing for the presence of the following subtances: proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. The carbohydrates will include monocaccharides (glucose), disaccharides (sucrose), and polysaccharides (starch).Protein test Background: Proteins give color reactions with certain reagents. The compounds that give rise to these colors are formed not by the whole protein molecule but by certain amino acids present in the protein. Biuret solution will be used for the test. Biuret solution is a blue solution that turns a violet color in the presence of proteins this color change occurs when the Biurets reacts with the amino groups found in the amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins. add 3ml of dilute egg albumin solution to a test tube. Add biuret's solutiong drop by drop.Stop if a violet color is obtained. Do not continue until a blue c olor occurs repeat the test with gelatin. Record your results. Lipid test Background: Lipids are insoluble in water but are soluble in fat solvents such as ether, acetone, and carbon tetrachloride. The simplest lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Lipids will remain on a brown paper bag after the water in the solution has evaporated, this will make the bag somewhat transparent. Secondly, a dye test will be done. In this test, dark red sudan IV will be used.Sudan IV is not soluble in water, but is soluble in lipids. You will be observing the distribution of dye in this test. Procedure: with a medicine dropper, add a drop of salad oil to the corner of a brown paper bag. To the opposite corner, add a drop of water. To one more corner, add a drop of milk. Let the fluids evaporate and then examine each spot by holding the paper to the light look for areas of transperency. Record your results Procedure: Add 3ml of water to a test tube. Add 1ml of oil to the same test tube. DO NOT SHAKE. Now add 2 drops of sudan IV. AGAIN, DO NOT SHAKE.Observe the distribution of the dye with respect to the water and oil. Record your results. Repeat this test using milk instead of oil. Record your results. CARBOHYDRATE TESTS: Background: sugar starch and cellulose are common examples of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are made up of the base elements c, h, and o in a 1:2:1 ratio. The simplest carbohydrates are monosaccharides (simple sugars such as glucose). Monosaccharides have just one carbon ring and are the building blocks of larger sugar molecules. Disaccharides, like sucrose, have two carbon rings. They are formed when two monosaccharides join together.Examples include: Maltose (glucose + glucose); Lactose (glucose + galactose); and sucrose (glucose + fructose). Polysaccharides have three or more carbon rings. Starch is an example of a polysaccharide. Procedure: put 3ml of benedict's solution in a test tube. Add 2ml of 5% glucose solution. Carefully place the tube i n a boiling water bath for 2 minutes. Remove the tube amd allow it to cool. Record the color reoeat the test with 3ml of benedict's solution and 2ml of 5% sucrose solution. Again, place the tube in the boiling water bath for 2 minutes, remove and cool.Record the color put 2ml of the 5% sucrose solution to a test tube. This time add several drops of hydrochloric acid. Place the tube in the boiling water bath for 2 minutes. Remove and immediately add 3ml of benedict's solution return it to the water bath for an addition 2 minutes. Remove and record the color put 3ml of benedict's solution in a test tube. Add 2ml of milk. Again, place this into the boiling water bath for 2 minutes, remove and cool. Record the color. Again put 2ml of milk to a test tube. This time add several drops of hydrochloric acid.Place the tube in the boiling water bath for 2 minutes. Remove and immediately add 3ml of benedict's solution. Return it to the water bath for an additional 2 minutes. Remove and record t he color. Put 3ml of benedicts solution in a test tube. Add 2ml of starch solution. Place the tube once again into the boiling water bath for 2 minutes, remove and cool. Record the color. Again, put 2ml of starch into a test tube. This time add several drops of hydrochloric acid. Place the tube in the boiling water bath for 2 minutes. Remove and immediately add 3ml of benedicts solution return it to the water bath for an additional 2 minutes.Remove and record the color. Starch test: if a poly saccharide such as starch is present in a solution and iodine is added, the iodine ion will lodge itself in the polysaccharide chain and give it black-blue color. If iodine is added to a solution turn black-blue then starch is present. If the solution remains the color of iodine, reddish-orange, there is no starch present. Procedure: place a few drops of the starch solution into one well of a porcelain spot plate. Place a few drops of water into another well of the same plate. Add several drops of the iodine solution to both wells.Record the color of each. DATA When testing protein, the egg albumin solution turned dark violet when biuret solution was added, biuret's solution was concentrated at the bottom. When testing gelatin for protein biuret's solution turned the solution dark violet, with biuret's solution concentrated at the bottom, and faded to completely clear. 5 drops and 4 drops were added to each test respectively. When performing the lipid test, a drop of oil left a large dark stain, water didn't not leave a stain yet it left the paper warped, and milk left a faint stain and a glossy residue on top.When testing for lipids with sudan IV the oil stayed on top of the water and the sudan IV distributed evenly throughout the oil. When milk was tested, water mixed evenly with the milk, but the sudan IV only mixed into the very top portion of the mixture. When testing carbohydrates the 5% glucose solution changed to a cloudy red color. The 5% sucrose solution did not change color at all, and the sucrose Hcl changed to a greenish brown color. When milk was tested the solution changed to a yellow green color, it also looked chunky. When milk and hcl was tested it changed to a cloudy blue with chunks of white on top. he starch solution did not change color when the benedict's solution was added, and Hcl did not alter the results in the next test. ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSIONS throughout the chemical aspects of life lab i have learned a variety of things including testing methods, what reagents are, and some general information about HCL and the contents of various substances. When testing proteins i have discovered the both egg albumin and gelatin both contain protein. During testing for lipids, i've learned that milk contains lipids, although a faint amount there are some present. Oil and Milk both contain lipids. Oil as expected, and milk as expected.When testing For lipids using Sudan IV the oil sat ontop of the water and the sudan IV only mixed wit h it, but surprises came in the next test when water and milk mixed evenly, but Sudan IV only stayed to the top portion of the mixture. Testing for reducing sugars has led me to believe the HCL breaks down sugars to a simpler form, as it altered results for sucrose and milk. Glucose was already a reducing sugar as i found out after testing and sucrose was not, but after adding HCL to sucrose, the results dramatically changed so much so as from going to light blue in the first test to greenish brown in the second sucrose test.Milk seemed to have traces of reducing sugars but results were unclear, so HCL was added and the solution went from chunky yellow in the first milk test, to a chunky cloudy blue in the second test. Starch was found without any reducing sugars, if HCL was present or not. The solution was opaque blue because of benedict's solution. While testing carbohydrates with test tubes and fancy heating and a bunch of chemicals is fun and all, it can just as simply be done w ith iodine using a porcelain spot plate.Iodine turns a dark color when in the presence of carbohydrates such as it did when in a starch solution and it was good old diluted brown-orange in water. MATERIALS Dilute egg albumin solution gelatin distilled water whole milk oil 5% sucrose 5% glucose starch solution glass stirrers biuret solution sudan IV benedict's solution hydrochloric acid iodine pan of soapy water test tube clamps test tube brushes paper towels test tubes medicine droppers porcelain spot plate safety goggles test tube racks graduated cylnders beakers hot plate brown paper bag squares

Paterson Job Grading System

What Is the Paterson Job Grading System? By T. GAVAZA The Paterson grading system is used to evaluate aspects of jobs. The Paterson grading system is an analytical method of job evaluation, used predominantly in South Africa. It analyzes decision-making in job task performance or job descriptions, and sorts jobs into six groups that are graded and grouped into two to three sub-grades–such as stress factors, individual tolerance, length of job and number of job responsibilities–that correspond to organizational levels. The six grades, also called bands, define pay scales. Identification 1.According to â€Å"Classification of Jobs into Levels of Work: Four Reliability Studies,† at the University of Zimbabwe, the Paterson system places job decision-making into six groups or bands–policy making, programming, interpretive, routine, automatic and defined. These groups correspond to the following organizational levels–top management, senior management, mid dle management, junior management and skilled positions, semi-skilled positions and unskilled positions. Features 2. Comprised of grades A through F, Paterson's grading system is listed below with an explanation of the corresponding graded decision making.An upper grade reflects a job requiring coordination or supervision, and a lower grade reflects non-coordinating jobs. A- Prescribed or defined decisions. Jobs are performed with limited training for grade A, and employees, such as unskilled workers, decide when and how fast to execute tasks. B, lower- Automatic or operative decisions B, upper- Coordinating, automatic decisions. Theory or systems knowledge for grade B is not required, though employees, such as semi-skilled workers, can decide where and when to perform operations. C, lower- Routine decisionsC, upper- Coordinating, routine decisions Theory and/or systems knowledge for grade C is required, and employees, such as skilled workers or supervisory personnel, decide what ha s to be done–through knowledge and experience–for deterministic outcomes . D, lower- Interpretive decisions D, upper- Coordinating, interpretive decisions Grade D involves middle management's ability to optimize resources through decision-making about processes and procedures with planning programs or budgets one year ahead. E, lower- Programming decisions E, upper- Coordinating, programming decisionsGrade E consists of senior management's cross-functional coordination–coordinating many departments–and strategic policy decisions made by top management, with plans made five years in advance. F, lower- Policy decisions F, upper- Coordinating, policy decisions Grade F consists of top management, such as a board or CEO who manages organizational scope and goals. Comparison to Castellion's Grading System 3. Paterson's grading system is more reliable than Castellion's grading system, based on a reliability study at the University of Zimbabwe. More students made errors in re-grading 18 jobs

Mattel and Toy Safety Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Mattel and Toy Safety - Research Paper Example Toy safety is a kind of regulation based practice by which a regulating body of a country ensures the safety of the kids from the harm generated by using unsafe products. There are certain potential hazards which can cause harm to the kids such as ingestion of the magnetic toys, the presence of small parts of the toy, sharp parts of the toy and use of the chemical substance. To ensure the product safety, the regulating institutions set different standards which need to be maintained by the toy makers. This is done to eliminate the accidents that can cause injury to the kids. A few of the regulating bodies include the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Toy Industry Association and International Center for Corporate Accountability (ICCA). By the period of 2000, China had become the leader in the world in respect of toy production. Until the time of 2007, 80 percent of the toys coming to the US were manufactured in China. Mattel produced 65 percent toys in China. One of the primary reasons behind this is definitely cheaper human resources. For the cost minimization perspective, Mattel delivers its most of the demands through the manufacturing head present in China but owing to the corruption of a few subcontractors in China it created a major obstacle for the company in terms of its goodwill by a considerable extent. Noticeably, it can be highlighted that Mattel has achieved various awards rendered by a few of the well-known organizations such as World’s Most Ethical Companies 2013 by Ethisphere Institute, Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For and CR Magazine’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens 2012. These recognitions have increased the company’s goodwill (Schmidt, 2008).     Mattel’s Social Responsibility and Ethicalness towards the Safety of Its Toys Mattel has been recognized as one of the most ethical along with so cially responsible organizations but in relation to the issue of product recall it violated the child safety norms thus, it can be termed guilty and socially irresponsible. Acting Chairman of Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Thomas Moore stated: â€Å"This penalty should serve notice to toy makers that CPSC is committed to the safety of children, to reducing their exposure to lead, and to the implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act" (CNN Money, 2009). Each and every organization works for its profit and sales maximization. Its motive is to survive in the market but it always needs to maintain certain rules and regulations with regard to its safety of products during its manufacturing process. In the year of 2007, Mattel recalled nearly 20 million Chinese manufactured toys after violating the safety norms.  

There is a real danger of a house price bubble in London. Discuss Essay - 5

There is a real danger of a house price bubble in London. Discuss - Essay Example This gives possibility to assume that the house price bubble already exists in London and threatens the local real estate market. To understand how dangerous a house price bubble is it is necessary to clarify its definition. A house price bubble is a type of economic bubble – â€Å"trading in high volumes at prices that are considerably at variance with intrinsic values† – on the real estate market. (King R. et al, 1993). Housing market bubbles are more critical than stock market bubbles. While equity price busts occur on average every 13 years, last for about 2,5 years, and result in nearly 4 percent GDP loss, the housing price busts are less frequent, however they last almost twice longer and lead to twice larger output losses (IMF World Economic Outlook, 2003). Real estate markets involve longer boom and bust periods, according to the recent research (Ikhomov N., Yavas A., 2012, 508-535). It is reported that â€Å"house prices in London have fallen for the first time in nearly four years, and will continue to do so, according to a leading property market barometer.† (White A., 2014). The longest period of positive sentiment was recorded yet in January 2011 by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and since then a drop in values in the capital was finally reported. In October 2014, the 12 month report predicted house price rise: 2,1 pc for the UK regions and 1pc for the capital. (White A., 2014). â€Å"A chorus built for rate rises and special intervention in the mortgage market. Now the alarm calls are fading. A foreign capital flood has receded in London, home-loan approvals are down and house price inflation is easing. Bubble fears were premature. The talk of danger was spurred by fast annual house price rises – especially in London, where the annual increase in prices was 20.7 percent in the third quarter, based on data from mortgage lender Halifax. The national picture was less frothy, with an annual gain of 9.6 percent.†

Communicable diseases Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Communicable diseases - Essay Example Approximately 2 billion persons in the world are infected with TB. In the United States (US) for instance, almost 15 million people are infected with TB. When it becomes active, TB kills 60% of the people who do not quest for medication. This percentage correlates with 3 million deaths experienced worldwide every year. In the US, approximately 20,000 TB infections take place every year (Denholm, Eisen, McBryde & Street, 2012). TB has treatment; when treated, about 90% of the active TB patients survive. Various governments including the federal government of Canada are working towards reducing the incidence, as well as the burden of TB. Among the efforts put by Canada include conducting investigations in order to enhance early detection as well as treatment of individuals having TB so as to control the spread of the disease. â€Å"Early detection as well as treatment of individuals with latent TB infection who are at high risk of progression to active TB disease† (Tuberculosis, 2012) is also one of the key component of not only an effective TB prevention, but also control program. The occurrence and spread of TB are highly influenced by social determinants related to health. In connection with this assertion, many governments are championing collaborative actions so as to address the risk factors for TB. According to Public Health Agency of Canada (2014), the environmental factors related to TB include overcrowding housing, poor ventilation as well as homelessness. Additionally, the Public Health Agency of Canada also claims that unsanitary living conditions, as well as lower income levels, contribute significantly to the occurrence and spread of TB. In connection with CDC assertion, it is evident that overcrowding as well as poor ventilation exposes people to fluids containing the TB bacterium. As introduced above, it is clear that TB is regarded as a â€Å"disease of the poor and socially disadvantaged† (Chandler,

Present and evaluate the possible bank reforms emerging from the US Essay

Present and evaluate the possible bank reforms emerging from the US and the UK - Essay Example Now, when the crisis is within control and the economies of the US and the UK are showing signs of nascent recovery, the cries for reforms in the banking system are emerging from the affiliated concerns and institutions. Some of the proposed reforms are a step in the right direction. Still, all that is being said and done does not portend to achieve the expected results. Causes of the Banking Crisis The occurrence of crisis like situations within the US and the UK banking system owing to the embedded systemic weaknesses has been typically shocking in the current decade. Not to mention, the cost of such scenarios have been significantly high for the affected economies. Though, the causes and reasons impacting the banking system during the 2008-2009 recession have been to some extent, region specific. Still, some salient trends can be identified, that have been common to the UK and US banking system. First and foremost, the risky banking practices and the accompanying structural weakne sses in the financial system were bound to give way to a crisis like situation at some time or other (Turner 2008). ... It was an attitude of negligence on the part of the regulatory bodies that allowed the irresponsible bankers to manipulate an environment marred by ineffective market discipline (Turner 2008). This gave way to unsound corporate governance practices on the part of the banks and the customers who approached them for seeking loans. How Banking Crisis Contributed to Recession Actually experts have been predicting the collapse of the banking system much before the things went wrong. The unrealistic and unethical credit expansion by the American and the English financial institutions was a phenomenon that had been taking place since the last couple of years (Turner 2008). The irony was that even the Central Banks in the influenced countries failed to check this artificial credit expansion. All the instruments and mechanisms that facilitated this credit expansion were predominantly pegged on the real estate market in the US (Roberts 2008). As expected, as the real estate boom in the US came to a halt, the financial instruments backing it got worthless; giving was to caustic assets and the accompanying credit crunch that hit the world economy (Roberts 2008). The following oil price volatility made the things even worse (Turner 2008). Banking Reforms in the US The US government incorporated the lessons learnt from the subprime mortgage crisis into the envisaged banking reforms. These reforms not only intended to create new regulatory bodies with more teeth, but also planned to protect the interests of the customers. These reforms provided more power to the Federal Reserve thereby enabling it to better monitor the functioning of the financial institutions, and if required to takeover over a financial institution

Operations Decision Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Operations Decision - Essay Example The business has of late been working under pressure due to the warning given by the state concerning the fictitious businesses operating in the country that they will all be shut down. However, the main worry of this business is how to maximize profits at the lowest cost possible (Gee, 2006). Environmental scanning means possession and usage of data about events, blueprints, trends, and associations inside an institution’s internal and outside environment. It assists the mangers make conclusions on the prospect path of the company. Scanning should establish the risks and opportunities prevalent in the environment. In strategy invention, an institution should take advantage of the opportunities and reduce the risks. A risk of an institution can be an opportunity for the other. Internal breakdown of the environment is the initial step of environmental scanning. Institutions must observe the internal institutional environment, which constitutes worker association with different workers, worker association with management, manager association with different managers, and management association with shareholders, availability of natural resources, brand sensitivity, institutional culture, major personnel, operational capacity, among many more. In addition, debates, interviews, and explorations can be applied to evaluate the internal environment. Breakdown of internal environment assists in establishing powers and weaknesses of an institution (Cross & Miller, 2009). An enterprise becomes further competitive, and there exist sudden reforms in the external environment, data from the outside environment brings vital factors to the efficiency of long-term arrangements. Since the environment is changing, it becomes important to establish the competitor’s steps and deeds. Institutions have as well to update the key competencies and interior environment as per outside environment. Environmental factors are infinite, thus institution must be lively and vigilan t to admit and regulate to the environmental reforms. The external factors will very much influence the decision-making and the plant operations than the internal operations. This is because they mainly contribute to the existence and progression of the organization. If the competition in the market is stiff for the business, then there will be no other option other than to close. The level of advancement in the business, market tastes and preferences, competition; the external environment, and so forth determines the viability of an enterprise. They lead the managers in making decisions. Low technology level in a computer business will mean production of outdated items thus the business might close; if the products produced lack customer tastes and preferences, they will get damaged and depreciate in the store (Agtarap-San, 2007). The company consisting of 100 workers and producing 6,000 computers per month, this means each worker per day produces: 6000/20= 300 computers are produc ed per day Each worker= 300/100= 3 computers per day. The daily wage per worker is $70, thus the total salary for the employees= $70x100= $7,000 per day. The total salary per month is $7,000x20= $140,000 Total sales = 6,000x $32= $192,000 Total production cost= $140,000+ $2,000= $142, 000+ X (fixed cost) X (Fixed costs) = $192,000- $142,000= $50,000+y (to make the production cost exceed the revenue) The business at this point is making losses. Total marginal cost= $30x1= $30 In the above situation,

Evaluate how learning strategies have changed and may continue to Essay

Evaluate how learning strategies have changed and may continue to change in relation to the application of information technology in schools - Essay Example I have worked as a film editor and written film criticism, and I listen to the radio and now and then watch TV (my older son has cable). Along with many other colleagues in the Waldorf movement, I have no objection to adults immersing themselves in the world of technological wonders.   Ã‚  Ã‚   I remember well that in the early 1950s when I entered grade school, the "visual aids" approach which utilized a film strip projector was going to revolutionize our educational experience. Sometime after that, "Sunrise Semester" debuted on television, as a first step in the "video revolution" that was going to transform education in America. Several years later, I was part of one of the first Advanced Placement Physics classes in the nation, and our education was going to be revolutionized through the utilization of videotaped lectures by great physicists broadcast over closed circuit television. I have already lived through several of these "electronic revolutions" and Ive yet to see anything happening in mainstream American education except for a steady decline in quality and morale among students and teachers.   Ã‚  Ã‚   I have no idea where all of the old slide projectors went when they were replaced by closed circuit televisions, or where the televisions went when they were replaced by computers, or where the old 386 PCs will go when they are replaced by multimedia Pentium models, etc. - but a lot of corporate marketing departments are undoubtedly very happy about the brisk sales that every new "revolution" brings about. I dont think that Im alone in these concerns. In a recent article in the Atlantic Monthly, Todd Oppenheimer recounts   Ã‚  Ã‚   In 1922 Thomas Edison predicted that "the motion picture is destined to revolutionize our educational system and ... in a few years it will supplant largely, if not entirely, the use of textbooks." Twenty-three years later, in 1945, William Levenson, the director of the Cleveland public schools

Corrections Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Corrections - Essay Example W., n.d.). With the dreaded conditions stated above and with the fact that crime is being associated with the poor economic background of people, politicians and the general public deem that bending prison policies such as the mandatory sentencing and punishing of technical parole violations rather than extending parole time would be best to not only effectively curb criminal cases despite limited resources but at the same time help these criminals to be able to pay the legal consequences of their acts immediately and at the same time be able to move on with their life without delay which will also help them support their families better and not worsen the problem of budget challenges (Criminal Justice USA, n.d.). This is because of the fact that in most cases, those who have been incarcerated have slashed annual earnings because many employers would refuse to hire them and given the fact that most of those incarcerated are the breadwinners of their family, delaying parole time is not the solu tion for both the criminal and the society. This is something that Justice Anthony Kennedy affirmed, pushing for the review of political outcomes and processes to improve the problem of overcrowding, prison medical and mental health, and most especially, the post incarceration impacts in a criminal’s life and society as a whole. 10 Stats You Should Know About Our Prison System - Criminal Justice USA. (n.d.). CriminalJusticeUSA.com - Criminal Justice Careers, Jobs and Degree Information. Retrieved August 24, 2012, from http://www.criminaljusticeusa.com/blog/2011/10-stats-you-should-know-about-our-prison-system/ Miller, D. W. (n.d.). The Drain of Public Prison Systems and the Role of Privatization, ProQuest Discovery Guides. CSA. Retrieved August 24, 2012, from

To explore the ways aspects of power are shown in the poem Essay Example for Free

To explore the ways aspects of power are shown in the poem Essay This poem is a dramatic monologue about a woman whose lover is cheating on her with his mistress ‘Pauline’. The woman who is speaking talks about her feelings of hatred and betrayal, so she decides to show her lover how much she is hurt by poisoning his mistress and making him watch her die slowly. Robert Browning’s poem was set in the ancient regime when women were thought of as incapable and a lower class because of their gender. She feels that she deserves power and therefore wants control of everything she does this is portrayed by the language that he uses. The language in the laboratory is very effective. Robert Browning uses techniques such as alliteration to emphasise different moods in the poem such as ‘moisten, mash up thy powder’; the alliteration in this case is effective because it sounds angry and gives the poem a more venomous feel. This relates to the poem because it reminds us that a poison is being made. The structure of the laboratory reminds the reader of a list. This is also evident in some of the language. The line ‘A signet, a fan-mount, a filigree basket’ portrays that she has thought things and shows her determination to kill. It is also very logical which make the reader question her sanity. I believe that Robert Browning structured the poem like this to make sure that we don’t feel sympathy for her as she is shown as a cold killer. Robert Browning uses a technique called enjambment in the lines ‘with her head/ and her breast and her arms and her hands should drop dead. ’ This technique is an effective form of structure because it forces the reader to read it quickly which in effect speeds up the pace of the poem. Robert browning used this technique to make the poem more dramatic and also enables the reader to get to the end of the poem when Pauline will be killed. The poet uses repetition throughout the poem to create the image of insanity and paranoia. ‘While they laugh-laugh at me’ is used to make the reader believe that she is insane from the thought of her lover cheating on her. The word ‘laugh’ is effective because it indicates to the reader that she is beyond feeling heartache and her rage has blinded her into paranoia. The punctuation has a wide job role in the Laboratory. It is used for pace as the commas are slowing the pace down in contrast to the language and poetic techniques which are speeding it up. The role of the punctuation is particularly illustrated in the lines ‘Quickis it finished? The colours too grim! / Why not soft like the phials, enticing and dim? ’. This quote shows that the language picked was cleverly thought out as it makes the reader want to read faster, and the punctuation slows the reader again and slows the pace to make it more dramatic and tense. Throughout the poem the narrator talks about how she want to kill Pauline and how she will feel when she does it, but in this quote near the end of the poem it says: ‘Let it brighten her drink, let her turn it and stir, /And try it and taste, ere she fix and prefer! ’ this suggests that Pauline would not realise that the poison is in her glass and would taste it and stir the drink more to make it taste better and subsequently mix the poison in her glass therefore leading to her own death. In conclusion, I believe that Robert Browning uses all these techniques to engage the reader and make them feel the pain of the narrator. Through this poem I have learnt that power can go to peoples head if they use it wrongly. Throughout the essay I have been writing about Robert Browning’s unique way of putting the reader into the writing. He also uses techniques to put emotion and life into the poem. Life in the 1800s was all about power and money; the more money you had the more power and influence you had. It was hard for women to be noticed as an equal because in those times women were known as the lesser species so had no power and were property to their father until marriage when they would be transferred to the husband. Women had no say in social matters or had any influence in the community. I believe Robert Browning was trying to say that women still have emotions and are equally strong physically and mentally which is shown in the well planned out murder in the poem.

Listening To Troubled Families

Listening To Troubled Families The purpose of this essay is to critically analyse a report Listening to Troubled Families (Casey, 2012). To accomplish this it will be necessary to give a brief historical overview of social policy and legislative developments from 1979 to the present day. It will go on to debate the drivers for contemporary practice and strategies that promote children safeguarding and family support. The essay will apply legislation, guidance and policies that give social workers a legal mandate to work with families whose children are deemed to be at risk. The essay will also deliberate a selection of social work skills whilst employing theories and methods that are in accordance with social work values (Teater, 2010, p. 4). The report entitled Listening to Troubled Families is a snapshot of sixteen familys lives who have entrenched, long-term cycles of suffering problems and causing problems (Casey, 2012, p. 1). The phrase long-term cycles is very similar to an expression that the Prime Minister at the time Tony Blair (2006) used in a speech to describe families with problems [that] are multiple, entrenched and often passed down the generations (Blair, 2006 cited in Welshman, 2008, p. 77). Both statements can be compared to Josephs (1972) cycle of deprivation hypothesis (Joseph, 1972 cited in Welshman, 2008, p. 77). This is important because according to Welshman (2012) it is an enactment of the debate concerning the deserving and undeserving poor and popular beliefs aimed at scroungers in British society. This has led Featherstone et al. (2012, 630) to conclude that previous and successive governments since 1979 have demonstrated a cross-party consensus in regard to reduced political support for the we lfare state. The families in the report had been compelled to work with the Family Intervention Project or risk facing action on child care proceeding (Casey, 2012, p. 3). However, the report is actually based on 120,000 families that have been identified as troubled (Casey 2012, p. 5) and who have cost the Government some  £9 billion in the last year alone (HM Government, 2012, p. 1). This equates to †¦around  £75,000 per family (http://www.number10.gov). The figure of a 120,000 families is based on a report conducted by the Social Exclusion Task Force (SETF) (Levitas, 2012, p. 4). That carried out some secondary analysis (Levitas, 2012, p. 4) from the Family and Children longitude study (FACS) in 2004. Which highlighted that 2 per cent (p. 4) of households in Britain had numerous disadvantages. Levitas (2012) notes that the Coalition government have intentionally sought to mislead the electorate, into assuming that multiple disadvantage (Levitas, 2012, p.12) equates to families that ar e troubled, to families that are or cause trouble (Levitas, 2012, p. 5). In order to work effectively with families where neglect and abuse put children at risk it is essential that the subject knowledge, understanding and skills (QAA, 2008, p. 8). That the student has acquired in professional training underpin all interventions with individuals to allow an understanding of situations (Trevithick, 2012, p. 4). To understand a situation it is important that a social worker has excellent communication skills Koprowska, (2009, p. 1) considers that these are a fundamental requirement for social work assessment and intervention (Koprowska, 2009, p. 72). Research conducted by Levin (2004, p. 5) substantiates this as service users require social workers who are skilled in listening, counselling, assessing, case managing and finding practical ways to facilitate. Sedan (2005, p. 22) notes that communication comprises of an interactive process involving the giving, receiving and checking out of meaning. Having the skills to communicate would enable the practitioner to engage with caregivers and children to conduct an assessment ensuring an effective and fair process and outcome (Holland, 2010, p. 110). Laming (2009, p. 28) reiterates this claim by asserting that the Assessment processes should encourage an increasingly clear understanding of a childs situation (Laming, 2009, p. 29). To accomplish assessments social workers are required to use the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (DoH et al. 2000). This is a holistic (DoH et al. 2000, p. 26) and ecological tool that has been influenced by the work of Bronfenbrenner (1979) who proposed that individuals are shaped by their macro, exo, meso and microsystems (Bronfenbrenner, 1979 cited in Trevithick, 2012, p. 325). When an assessment is conducted with an ecological approach it gives a sociological context to the whole persons life and can gauge the impacts of government policies on individuals who are often in poverty (Trevithick, 2012). A practitioner who utilises an ecological perspective will understand how the structures of society (Jack, 2011) and the inequalities and adversities that some individuals face within it can impinge on their life chances (Trevithick, 2012). It avoids individualising (Trevithick, 2012, p. 326) problems. Using the assessment framework facilitates the practitioner in ascertaining if a child is in need and how best to react (Ward and Glaser, 2010) which the social worker will base on current research findings (DoH et al., 2000). Information is recorded about the childs developmental needs (Ward and Glaser, 2010, p. 160) and the caregivers capabilities to respond appropriately (DoH et al. 2000, p. 12). Whilst taking account of all other sources of family support and any environmental influences (DoH et al., 2000, p. 12). Another significant element in the assessment framework is information sharing between multi-agencies for best interest decisions for the child and family (Rose, 2010, p. 44). This is to avoid what has often been referred to as a silo style of working (Miers, 2010, p. 75). Brandon et al. (2009, p. 49) in their serious case reviews have highlighted the lack of information sharing within and between professional agencies (Brandon et al., (2009, p. 49) which has led to children dying or suffering unnecessarily. Moreov er, under Working Together to Safeguard Children (DCSF, 2010, p. 31) there is a legal requirement to implement effective (DCSF, 2010, p. 31) collaborative joint working (DCSF, 2010, p. 31) between agencies and multi-professionals who bring a range of knowledge and expertise into discussions. However, it is imperative that the social worker consults with the family and seeks appropriate consent (Rose, 2010, p. 44) except when or if a child is suffering, or is at risk of suffering, significant harm (HM Government, 2012, p. 22). This would be in concordance with government guidelines Information Sharing: Guidance for practitioners and managers (HM Government, 2012). This is to protect the family from any over-zealous (Brammer, 2010, p. 126) interference and a consideration of the Human Rights Act 1998 Article 8 should be applied to the families situation by any professionals involved in their lives. A practitioner should also consider the Rights of the Child under The United Nations Convention 1989 (Brammer, 2010, p. 178). Although these rights are not recognised under the United Kingdom domestic law and usually the Gillick competency applies (Brammer, 2010, 179). Angela and Carl (a case study within) the Troubled Families report had asked for help in relation to their son Sam, unfortunately this was not forthcoming. An appeal for support and Sams presenting behaviour should have been an opportunity for early identification of any additional need (DCSF, 2012, p.84). Professionals in health or education could have implemented the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) with informed consent (CWDC, 2012, p. 20). Performing a CAF would have identified Sams additional needs as above and beyond universal services (CWCD, 2012). The CAF is a combination of integrated frontline (CWCD, 2012, p. 8) service provision that is incorporated into statutory guidance (CWCD, 2012, p. 8) of the Children Act 2004 under section 10 (multi-agency collaboration) and section 11 (protection and promotion of children) (CWCD, 2012, p. 8). Significantly, the local authority, health and education ignored Angelas concerns and displayed an individualised approach (Davis and Smith, 2012, p. 14) to Sam and his family. This may have been because of the rationing (Davis and Smith, 2012, p. 14) of services in social care. As a result of numerous local authorities losing fifty per cent of their child in need budget (Community Care, 2011). Professionals involved should have endeavoured to understand the life issues (Davis and Smith, 2012: p. 14) for Sam and contacted health and education professionals that Working Together to S afeguard Children (DCSF, 2010) requires. As an alternative, to an individualised approach the social worker concerned could have employed a selection of politically nuanced holistic models (Davis and Smith, 2012, p. 18) to the intervention. These models according to Davis and Smith (2012) would allow the social worker to recognise that they are not the total expert in situations and accept that there are many forms of expertise (Davis and Smith, 2012, p. 18). The social worker should have identified Angela as the expert on her family and listened to her concerns. Dolan et al. (2006, 2008) have differentiated several processes to assist the practitioner in family support work (Dolan et al. 2006 cited in Davis and Smith, 2012, p. 19). They propose that by identifying a service users resilience and strength (Dolan et al. 2006, 2008 cited in Davis and Smith, 2012, p.19) a promotion of partnership working will be established for all individuals concerned including the child. (Dolan et al. 2006 cited in Davis and Smith, 2012 p 19 .). A social worker should be accessible and listen to a childs requests and views while considering their well-being and safety (Dolan et al. 2006, 2008 cited in Davis and Smith, 2012, p.19). This is a requirement under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 (CA 1989) as amended by section 53 of the Children Act 2004 (CA 2004) to determine the wishes and feelings of the child (http://www.legislation.gov.uk). Applying an ecological perspective to Sam would have facilitated the practitioner into recognising the impact of poor housing on his mind, body and emotions (Davis and Smith, 2012, p.16). An opportunity was missed by social services to engage the family with a minimum intervention service (Davis and Smith, 2012, p. 18) and connect Angela via a systems approach with some community resources and networks (Mantle and Backwith, 2010, p. 2381). The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families recognises the implications of poverty and is determined to tackle the root causes of poverty and social exclusion (DoH et al. 2000, p.1). However, Brewer et al. (2009) challenge this claim, and note that in 2007 08; poverty for individuals in the United Kingdom had increased to a total of 13.5 million. This has led to the highest levels of income inequality since 1961 (Brewer et al., 2009 cited in Mantle and Backwith, 201, p. 2380). It is vital therefore that whilst conducting an assessment that the social worker does not exhibit poverty blindness (Becker, 1997; Dowling, 1999 cited in Gupta and Blewett, 2008, p. 462) and has awareness of the effects poverty and how it can impact on parenting abilities. Service users in a collaborative research project were asked their views about what makes a good social worker. They wanted practitioners who were open and honest and could demonstrate an understanding that socie ty as well as individuals can create neglect (Gupta and Blewett, 2008, p. 465). The Listening to troubled families report was deficient in its lack of reference to poverty or social inequality (Palmer, 2010 cited in Trevithick, 2012, p.77). It did not discuss the multiple forms of oppression (Hick and Murray, 2009, p. 88) that dominant structures (Hick and Murray, 2009, p. 88) create. Hick and Murray, (2009, p. 88) suggest that the social worker who uses a structural perspective would seek to emphasise the class analysis of the oppressed individual by the forces of dominant economic power (Hick and Murray, 2009, p. 88). They posit that this perspective has been influenced by a feminist analyses and the patriarchal (Hick and Murray, 2009, p. 88) effects on family dynamics and work environments. As most social workers and the recipients of services are women (Balloch, 1997; Howe, 1986) a social worker could utilise a feminist perspective to inform their practice and advocate for fairer rights and opportunities (Orme, 2009, p. 67) with these particular families. Th e social worker should be politically enlightened to enable them to campaign for the collective interests of working-class (Orme, 2009, p. 67) groups. Leading to a recognition of full economic and social rights (Bryson, 1999 cited in Orme, 2009, p.67). Nicole who was a participants from the report had been raped at the age of four by her half-brother, started suffering depression, it all got too much (Casey, 2012, 34) and was subjected to domestic abuse and rape by an ex-partner. Nicole was consuming alcohol and a speed addict and was presenting with anti-social behaviour (Casey, 2012, p.34). Research from Widom Spatz and Sturmhofel (2001) note that the experience of being abused as a child can increase a persons likelihood for alcohol related problems as an adult. It could be hypothesised that Nicole was using alcohol and drugs as a form of self-medication and to gain control of an oppressive life situation. Research indicates, that Dylan Nicoles son or children of parents who abuse substances may be at risk of poor attachments to caregivers (Brooks and Rice 1997; Klee et al. 1998; Howe et al. 1999; Flores 2001), difficult interpersonal family relationships (Cleaver et al. 1999; Velleman and Orford 1999; Harbin and Murphy 2000) an d a substantially increased risk of violence (Brookoff et al. 1997). The chronicles of children whose parents have or are misusing substances have been procured by an evaluation of research studies by Kroll, (2004). Themes that emerged from the research studies were attachment, separation and loss (Kroll, 2004, 133) children spoke about being second best and keeping secrets. †¦When you see em do drugs long enough you know youre not number one; you know youre always put second and the drugs are put first†¦ (Jessica aged 15, in Howland Thompson 1998, cited in Kroll, 2004, 133). The research highlighted the childrens losses and lack of reliable, consistent and responsive (Kroll, 2004, 133) parenting, their lack of confidence and self-worth, (Kroll, 2004, 133) and the loss of an ordinary life in which they would be able to invite friends home or attend school consistently (Cork 1969; Howland Thompson 1998). In the childrens narratives they wanted professionals to appreciate th eir hurt on the inside (Kroll, 2004, 136) and not to be invisible (Kroll, 2004, 136). The local authority are compelled under the CA 1989 part III to support families who need help bringing up children and work in partnership with caregivers (DoH et al., 2000). However, after the implementation of the CA 1989 it was discovered through Messages from Research (DoH, 1995) that a concentration on child protection had created a dearth of services for the child in need (Morris, 2012, p. 14). This was supported by the Victoria Climbià © inquiry as Laming (2003, p. 6) asserted that usually the safest protection for the child was timely intervention of family support services†¦ In response to the inquiry, the Green Paper, Every Child Matters (2003) was introduced (Parton, 2006, p. 151). Its remit was to focus on universal (Parton, 2006, p. 152) services for all children and targeted (Parton, 2006, p. 152) services for children with any further supplementary needs. The Laming inquiry (2003) made recommendations that were instigated by New Labour who envisaged service provisions that were based around preventative services and early intervention (Driscoll, 2009, 335). These services took the form of Sure Start, the Childrens Fund and Connexions (Morris, 2012, 16). However, the provisions that New Labour implemented failed to engage the families with the most enduring and complex (Morris, 2012, p.16) requirements. Therefore, like the preceding CA 1989 which had ignored children in need (Morris, 2012, p. 17) and the subsequent Children Act (2004) which had failed to reach more complex families, policy drivers had become confusing and sometimes contradictory (Morris, 2012: 17). The debate around early intervention (DoH et al., 2000: xi) have evolved from New Labours modernisation agenda and their attempt to meet the demands of a globalised economy (Frost and Parton, 2009, 25). However, these concepts can be traced back, to when the Conservative government who had initially gained power in 1979 (http://news.bbc.co.uk) and introduced managerialism and a mixed economy of care into the organisation of social services departments (Frost and Parton, 2009). As well as promoting economy, efficiency and effectiveness (Frost and Parton, 2009, p. 24) the Conservatives were concerned with encouraging services that were transparent and accountable (Frost and Parton, 2009, p. 25). When New Labour was elected in 1997 they adopted (Chard and Ayre, 2010: p. 96) many of the Conservative policies and implemented performance targets, inspection regimes and league tables (Frost and Parton, 2009, p. 25). However, Ferguson (2004, p. 4) posits that New Labour went further and has embraced the market with a passion and enthusiasm which often leaves the Conservatives standing Numerous commentators (Dixon et al., 1998, cited in Chard and Ayre, 2010, p. 95) assert that managerialism has been regarded as a market driven solution to a public service problem. Lonne et al. (2008) argue that a managerialist perspective does not appreciate the significance of forming trustful, professional, relationships with service users. Ferguson (2010) clarifies this as the absence of social work involvement with children and families as social workers have been increasingly drawn into an office based environment. Therefore, any direct contact with families is limited with the social worker orchestrating services and fulfilling administration duties. This leaves no time according to Peckover et al. (2008) for interpersonal communication between the practitioner and family. Broadhurst et al. (2010, p. 363) bemoans this outcome as the space between help-seeker and help-provider is s teadily widening. Munroe (2011) in her final report on child protection stressed that professionals have found it increasingly difficult to sustain any direct work with children and their families. This is because of the burden of statutory guidance, targets and local rules (Munroe, 2011, p. 6). Laming (2009: 10) reiterates these claims by asserting that †¦ultimately the safety of a child depends on staff having the time, knowledge and skill to understand the child or young person and their family circumstances. In conclusion this essay has explored the Listening to Troubled Families (Casey, 2012) report and as Levitas (2012, p. 4) notes The problem is not the research itself, but its misuse and the Coalitions attempt to mislead the public.

The Democratic Party is Out of Touch with America :: Essays Papers

The Democratic Party is Out of Touch with America Major realignments have taken place in American political history. After the Great Depression, the Democratic Party gained significant amounts of political clout. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) won the Presidency right after the onset of the depression, and his party gained significant amount of seats in both houses of Congress. The primary reason for the Democratic emergence into the dominant political party of the time was FDR’s New Deal, which created many jobs for individuals who were without. Many would argue that the New Deal was the primary reason for the United States fighting out of the depression. At the time, the Democratic Party was the party in favor of small and limited government, but due to the crisis facing the nation, FDR lead the party towards a stronger national government with far reaching powers. However, the most recent realignment took place during the election of 2000. Starting with the election of 2000, America realized that the Democratic Party was out of touch with the majority of America. Due in large part to Bill Clinton’s infidelities, America was in need for a strong leader, who was morally just. George W. Bush seemed like the man to accomplish the countries yearning for a moral, strong willed leader. Though Bush lost the popular election, he won the Electoral College (Limbaugh). Many Democrats at the time were saying that this flew in the face of democracy and sought to abolish the Electoral College. However, I’ve been given the analogy that the Presidential Election is like the World Series. One team can win the first game by 20 runs, but lose the next four games by one run per game. Even though the team that lost the series it is still possible to score more runs than the winning in the games played. Bush sought to lower taxes on Americans, much like Reagan and Kennedy. When looking at a map of the counties won by Bush in 2000, one begins to see an overwhelming majority of the country supported George Bush, not Al Gore. The counties won by Al Gore were more densely populated and were in greater need for government subsidies. The counties won by Bush wanted to keep more of their hard earned money, and not have to pay for someone else to get services that they themselves might not be able to afford.

My Growth as a Writer :: How I Have Changed As A Writer

In my past writing assignments it seemed to be that we were learning everything step by step, where as in college more is expected from me as a writer. As a high school student it was quite easy to push everything off till the last moment. Those two o'clock nights were very frequent when a six-page research paper was due the next day. As a college student the requirements are more challenging and not something that can be pushed back till the very last second. It seems strange to me that starting earlier for a college paper and working twice as hard on it, receiving a lower grade on it than I would have in high school is upsetting to think about, but is so true. When coming into the semester I was unaware of what was expected from me, but as the semester progressed I was able to get a better understanding of the course and how to look critically at myself as a writer. I know that these are qualities that I will use for many years to come. Now that I have been through a semester at the University of Dayton I feel much more confident about myself in different aspects. I feel that as a writer I am able to give good detail when I feel strongly about a point. This is good because it gives my readers a real chance to envision what I am describing. Another strong point that I feel I model is my ability to incorporate sources into my papers. Although this may be very little, I feel that it is an important quality that I have obtained. These strengths have helped me to improve papers and be the best writer I know how to be. The weakness I portray are very difficult for me to think of. I know that I have quite a few but to change them is something that I have not full conquered yet. A weakness I know I have is sentence structure. I am not very good at putting sentences together and making them strong and well developed. Another weakness that is obvious is word choice. I don't always know the exact wording to use in different parts of a paper, this makes it hard to understand sometimes not very well written.

G.K. Chestertons The Donkey :: Chesterton Donkey Essays

G.K. Chesterton's The Donkey As discussed in earlier papers, poets use devices to help enhance their images to the reader. One device not yet discussed is a symbol. John Drury, a poet, explains a symbol as, "an image that radiates meanings" (Gioia 276). Whatever the image is that each poet chooses to use creates a different and separate from another poet's use of that same image. Also, it is possible for a reader to see a symbol in a word or object that the author had never intended. In G.K. Chesterton's, "The Donkey," the donkey is a symbol for the some of today's society view people of mixed races and how people with multiple backgrounds will have their finest "hour" (Line 13). In "The Donkey," Chesterton describes how the donkey is looked upon by people and when the donkey had been chosen by the greatest Creator of all. The first stanza begins with the donkey's birth, "When fishes flew and forests walked/†¦.Some moment when the moon was blood/ Then surely I was born" (Lines 1-4). These lines are representative of the fact that the world must have been turned upside down in order for the donkey to be born. In the fourth line the reader knows the donkey is negative about himself because "I" is the animal describing himself. The donkey goes on to say that he is, "The devil's walking parody" (Line 7). Seeing himself as a creature of the devil instead of a wonderful animal created by God, is showing how distorted his self image is. He feels he is, "The tattered outlaw of the earth" (Line 9), which furthermore expresses the hatred he feels from the world. Tattered means, a torn piece and the word outlaw means, exile; criminal, make or declare illegal. All t he word choices combine emphasizes how Chesterton wanted the reader to fully understand that the donkey was an unpleasant creature. Though in the last stanza, the donkey has his laugh, "Fools! For I also had my hour" (Line 13). Although, the donkey is a mixed breed, he was loved and chosen by the one person who has the greatest power- Jesus. Flipping through daytime television, there are several shows which focus on interracial marriages and mixed children. Every culture has their own separate opinion about what they believe to be morally right. As with the donkey, some feel that biracial people are less than a person than those with only one ethnic background.

Self Interest Motivates

Humans have always wondered what drives them to make the choices the make. One of the theories people have come up with is that self-interest primarily motivates mankind. This theory is defended in the actions of Luba and her suitor in Angels of Bergen-Belsen, the decisions made by Ilsa Hermann and Hans Hubermann in The Book Thief, and the struggles with death in Night. In Angel of Bergen-Belsen, Luba, a Polish Jewish woman, loses her son as she is taken prisoner into a concentration camp in Bergen-Belsen where she saves the lives of forty-eight abandoned children in the camps in hope that someone is caring for her son as she cares for them. She takes care of the children because she misses her son, Isaac, who was taken away from her at the time of the selection process during the entrance to the camp. To make up for the loss, she fulfills her motherly instincts by feeding and comforting the children who were abandoned. The children also motivate her to live because they are dependent on her and make her feel obligated to keep living for them. If Luba dies, they will be less likely to survive in the hardships of the camps. They make her feel wanted and needed. With this her she is able to answer her urge to live and can face the harsh situations presented to her. Her desire to live lets her adapt to harsh circumstances presented to her so with the misfortune of losing her son, she lets the new children she finds replace her son. Her suitor, a German officer in charge of her barrack, however, was not able to gain her affection like the children. He does his best to try and capture her heart by bringing her gifts like wood, which Jews were not allowed to have. It seems as if he is trying to help the woman he loves get what she needs, but the real motive for it is that he is trying to win her heart. Even though he does actually want to help Luba, he wants to satisfy his own desire and self-interest for her love more. In The Book Thief, Ilsa Hermann does not report Liesel to the authorities for taking a book from a bonfire during Hitler’s birthday in Molching because she is intrigued by her. She does that not because she cares about Liesel’s future, but because she has taken an interest to Liesel and wants to get to know her. To get closer to Liesel, she invites her into her library and shares her book with her. She tries to keep Liesel close because Liesel’s provocative behavior distracts her from her depression from her son’s death. She basically wants Liesel around because Liesel is able to draw away the depressing thoughts Ilsa has. On the other hand, Hans Hubermann helps hide Max Vandenburg from being captured by the Nazis because â€Å"he had Erik Vandenburg to thank† (Zusak 176) for saving his life during the First World War. He offers Erik’s wife to call him whenever she needs help as compensation. He feels obligated to do this because he would feel guilty if he did not do anything in return for the man that saved his life. When Max’s call for help comes, Hans wants to fulfill his promise to the Vandenburg family so that he won’t feel any guilt for being the sole survivor of the battle. In order to fulfill his sense of justice, he agrees to hide Max in his house. He does not want to shoulder the burden of knowing that he allowed his savior’s son to die when he had an opportunity of saving him or at least increasing his chances of survival. He also wants to be true to himself and do what he believes is the right thing to do because â€Å"A Jew once saved his life and he could not forget that† (Zusak 180). Furthermore, in Night, Elie and his father struggle to keep each alive because they give each other a reason to continue living in the world. Elie does his best to persuade his father to keep living, and he tells himself that he â€Å"[has] no right to let [himself] die† because he â€Å"is his [father’s] sole support† (Wiesel 87). They both do not want to be left to fend for themselves in the work camps and to have to face the harshness of the world themselves. Their dependency for each other is shown when the â€Å"father and son often walk together holding hands in the camps, afraid that they will be separated. They ask for the same work assignments, sleep in the same building, share food, and sing Hasidic songs together† (Wiesel 29). Elie looks towards his father for guidance, and his father looks towards Elie for strength. They keep each other alive for their own self benefit so that they will have someone to lean on for help. Despite Elie’s close relationship with his father, that wasn’t the case for all fathers and sons. As the Jews were being transported to a different camp, German workers would take â€Å"a piece of bread out of [their] bag and [throw] it into a wagon† (Wiesel 100). The men inside the wagon fight like animals for a few crumbs. One old man manages to get a piece. His son sees and attacks his own father for the bread. He is motivated to kill his own father for it for his desire to survive and live on. He is not interested in the well-being, but only of his own. He will do whatever is necessary for survival. Angel of Bergen-Belsen, The Lunch Date, The Book Thief, and Night all show the same trait of self-interest being the main cause for motivating people to make the decisions they make. Even though their actions will have a good effect, their intentions behind them are actually for their own self-interests and benefits.

Analysis of Art for the Heart Sake

Ace in the Hole Book Review by:Alexandre Meirelles Original Author: John Updike Summary rating: 4 stars (7 Ratings) Visits : 1411 words:600 More About : john updike â€Å"ase in the hole† Ace Anderson is a former star high school basketball player. As the story opens, he is driving home after being fired. Fearing the wrath of Evey, his wife, he finds some consolation in listening to â€Å"Blueberry Hill† on the car radio, while he sucks powerfully on a cigarette. Reverting to adolescence, Ace challenges the teenager in the fat car in the next lane, emerging triumphant when his opponent’s vehicle stalls.He then decides to stop at his mother’s house to pick up Bonnie, the baby. His mother offers him the consolation that he was probably seeking by welcoming his dismissal from a job that had no future. She also states that he and Bonnie are welcome in her house if Evey is too angry. Evey, she suggests, is a wonderful girl, but she is a Catholic and should have married one of her own kind. When Ace declines his mother’s offer, she changes the subject by informing him that his name is in the newspaper. Ace, remembering a former coach’s advice about avoiding cars when you can make it on foot, sets out for home at a gallop, with Bonnie in his arms.At home, he indulges in the ritual of combing his hair in an attempt to get the look of Alan Ladd, the popular film star. Worried about Evey’s impending arrival, he turns on the television, opens a beer, and finds the newspaper article, which states that a current basketball player has come within eighteen points of the county scoring record set by Olinger High’s Fred Anderson in the 1949-1950 season. Ace is angered at being referred to as Fred, however, and the article only increases the tightness in his stomach, which is similar to the pregame jitters of high school days.When Evey arrives, Ace feigns nonchalance, but she has already heard about the loss of the job from his mother. Ace sees that Evey is in a sarcastic mood (â€Å"thinking she was Lauren Bacall,† he observes to himself—again, the unreal world of films, television, and popular music provides his frame of reference), and an argument is inevitable. She states that she is fed up with his stunts. She is ready to let him run right out of her life. He ought to be making his plans for the future immediately.Ace attempts to divert Evey’s anger by turning on the charm and turning up the volume of the radio, which is playing romantic music. The mood of the moment seduces Evey into her husband’s arms. As they dance, Ace seems to return to greatness. He imagines his high school friends forming a circle around them; in this fantasy world, he is once more the center of attention. Published: August 26, 2007 Please Rate this Review : 12345 Write your own Comment More About : john updike â€Å"ase in the hole† Source: http://www. shvoong. com/books/novel-novella/16 56728-ace-hole/#ixzz2Qxd5tydO

Henry James referred to TTOTS as a potboiler Essay

Henry James referred to ‘TTOTS’ as a potboiler. In light of this comment, explore the establishment of a simple ghost story in the prologue and first five chapters. Henry James stated that ‘TTOTS’ was a potboiler, meant only to be perceived as a simple ghost story which in the Victorian era was how it was originally accepted. However a more modern audience ay interpret the novella as something more. Relating back to the idea of a simple ghost story, the novella starts with a typical ghost story setting – ‘The story had held us, round the fire’ emphasised by the description of the house being ‘gruesome’ and it being ‘Christmas Eve’ informing us that it is night time. All are contributing factors to an ideal ghost story and all of these points start to build the tension and suspense up already within the first few lines. ‘Held us, round the fire’ tells us how they are clinging to this materialistic substance for comfort and warmth, typical connotations of fire. Use of language such as ‘dreadful’ and ‘terror’ increases this sense of a greater impending ghost story – that of which we hear about the Governess. Moreover this sets the mood and creates the atmosphere for the audience to fully appreciate the ‘horror’ of this ghost story. In addition, the idea of them telling ghost stories gives us an immediate impression that there is a ghost story awaiting the audience. The use of more dramatic language such as ‘for sheer terror?’ and ‘for dreadful – dreadfulness’ start the steep incline of suspense and tension we will feel throughout the story. The idea of authenticity throughout this novella is key for the audience to focus on. To increase this idea of the story being real, James uses a framed narrative to draw the reader in to believe that the tale is true. Overall the story could succeed without the prologue but with it, the audience is a lot more likely to proceed through the book with an idea or reality. The main character in the prologue, Douglas, tells the unnamed narrator and the rest of the group of a ghost story much worse than any that have been told. ‘If the child gives the effect of another turn of the screw, what do you say to two children – ?’ Obviously hinting that his tale contains two children, increasing the horror the audience are now sure that they are reading a simple ghost story. However this idea can be argued as we continue throughout the prologue and the first chapter. We learn that about the Governess, moreover, we learn Douglas’ opinion of her. ‘Is in old faded ink and in the most beautiful hand’. From this we can interpret that Douglas’ may be fond or possibly in love with the Governess making his opinion biased thus taking away from the reliability of the story. The use of characters in the prologue almost acts as a metaphor for the reader. ‘Everybody will stay!’ and ‘I will – and I will!’ could be used to represent how James wants the reader to react to reading the actual ghost story. Straight away in the first chapter we learn about how the governess suffered ‘a succession of flights and drops’. Already we start to suspect the volatility of her and the reliability of her tale which obviously argues against the idea of it being a simple ghost story and starts to lay down the foundation for the idea that there may be undercurrents of something more suspect. However her description of Bly is incredibly positive. ‘A lovely day’, ‘summer sweetness’ and ‘a friendly surprise’ are all used in one sentence and all are incredibly optimistic, giving us the idea that the governess is a very positive person. However she does seem to be very hyperbolic, describing the first child, Flora, as ‘one of Raphael’s holy infants’. Obviously this is taking it to extremes, which hints that this might not be the only thing that she is exaggerating throughout the novella. Towards the end of chapter one, she describes parts of the house with language such as ‘empty chambers’, ‘dull corridors’ and ‘crooked staircase’ al of which are very negative descriptions, however she immediately starts to describe the house as ‘a castle of romance’ and something from a ‘story book’. Moreover, as she is peppering her negative quotes with positive and vice versa massively showing her incredible volatility. This is a major idea that the rest of the story may be exaggerated or maybe not even true. This could also foreshadow her personality later on into the novella. Throughout the chapters the language of Mrs Grose becomes increasingly questionable. As an audience we are constantly told that she is ‘simple-minded’ however she sees to know a lot more than she is letting on. ‘Are you afraid he’ll corrupt you?’ This is odd as she is talking about Miles, a ten year old boy. This make the audience think, how can a young child corrupt a fully grown woman? Leading us on to thin she may be talking about somebody else. As we progress through the story we learn about the Governess’s sexual frustration toward the master. Accompanying this idea is that she sees the apparition of Peter Quint upon the tower. This is could imply that she is projecting her sexual frustration onto an imaginary figure as a release to wanting to see the master. ‘A charming story suddenly to meet someone’ and later ‘He did stand there!’ She only sees this figure stood there when she is imagining the master, a suspicious idea that the reader may look into. ‘The man who met my eyes was not the person I precipitately supposed’. This quote backs up my previous point of the projecting this idea of meeting the master on her walks. During these first few chapters we experience a reasonable amount of religious language, ‘Raphael’s holy infants’, ‘divine’ and ‘he has red hair’ these all imply ideas of how the plot is affected by the religious aspects of the Victorian era and their views on ghosts. As they did believe in ghosts and were mainly very religious, these ideas were accepted avidly and only increased any emotions felt within the Victorian reader as they progressed through the story. Overall, my personal views are that there are underlying psychological ideas in ‘TTOTS’ and that although it can be read as a straight ghost story, to fully appreciate the novella the reader must delve deeper and retrieve any obvious ideas that suggest more than just a typical ghost story. James uses a variety of techniques which make his characters seem a lot more emotional deeper than just a person who is afraid in a big house. However the idea of authenticity throughout does back up the point of it being a straight ghost story. I do believe that it is a mazed reader and can be open to a variety of interpretations.

Crt Monitors and Active and Passive Matrix Displays

CRT MONITORS AND ACTIVE AND PASSIVE MATRIX DISPLAYS The texts â€Å"CRT Monitors† and â€Å"Active and Passive Matrix Displays† gives us the necessary basic knowledge about the types of monitors. Most desktop computer systems sold now by default come with LCD monitors. But if you are one of those who want to know the difference between CRT and LCD monitors, these texts are immense help. To start with, a CRT monitor in general is nothing more than cathode ray tube with millions of diminutive red, green and blue phosphor dots.The working principle of CRT monitor is sustained by the theory of electron beam traveling across the tube to the area of deflection system where the beam is given direction to a specific pixel on the screen. The first CRT monitor has been invented in 1970s. However, monitor was greenish and the only possible sphere of usability was text-based computers. On the other hand, it was just a start. In 1987 when the VGA display system was invented and CRT monitors took a step into the astonishing success and recognition. As years went by, new technology of monitors was invented.These were an active and passive matrix display technology using monitors. First of all, these monitors were different from CRT because of the new thin film transistor technology. It was that kind of technology where particular row was switched on and a charge was generated and sent down the column. As result, the pixel appeared on the monitor at the intersect place of the row and the column. Moreover, it was a revolution in making computers portable. To sum up, it is essential to mention that technologies are not staying fixedly so it is natural that one technique displaces other as time goes by. 285 words

Trust Me, I Can Do It Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Trust Me, I Can Do It - Essay Example Their parents took a gamble on their future that paid off immensely for their children and the future generations of their family. It was because of that risk that the families took that the future of my own family is so comfortable and promising at the moment. My parent's experience as independent foreign students in the United States helped them build their character and enhanced their decision-making skills. Needless to say, I grew up being regaled by their stories of adventure and mishaps during their time as college students in the United States and wishing to be able to experience the life-changing lessons that my parents did when they were there. Every life lesson that they wanted to teach me about they somehow managed to relate to something that transpired in their lives overseas. I was fascinated by their stories and often told them that I too wished to go to the United States when it came time for me to attend university so that I could experience life first hand the way th at they did. They were actually in total agreement with my desire to study overseas and live independently in the United States. ... Especially since they had spent all their lives shielding me from harm and the dangers of the world. I was their little girl and they wanted to protect me forever if they could. So we began to argue about where I would actually go to university. I still wanted to go overseas and they wanted me to go to a university closer to home for safety purposes. This became a serious point of discussion within our household that often times led to misunderstandings between my parents and I. I knew that I was growing up fast and I needed to flex my independent muscles if I were to become a woman of independent will, strength, and substance in China. I needed my parents to realize that sending me to a China-based university would get me the college diploma that I needed to earn the respect of my peers. But successfully completing my degree overseas would not only get me a diploma but also gain me the respect and admiration of my peers and our business partners.  Ã‚  

Develop a framework to summarize the literature in enterprise Essay

Develop a framework to summarize the literature in enterprise architecture - Essay Example This paper introduces three essential domains of the enterprise architecture framework. The domains are: It is oblivious from this definition that Enterprise architecture is not just a group of the component architectures. The interrelationships amongst these architectures and their shared properties are crucial to the enterprise architecture. According to [1], the business architecture describes the basic organization and necessities of the business based on company plan and objectives. It is made of four building blocks business model, process architecture, information architecture and organizational architecture. The business model provides a high level view on the type of the business in terms of goods and services existing in the market, the business partners, the value chain, market channel is used and the combination of property and data for producing value add. The process architecture categorizes and describes all process of the company and their individual value adds. It is the key construction block of the company architecture. The progression architecture is classified in the key business process client relationship management, product life cycle management, supply chain management and the operation and support processes. The application architecture offers a general idea on all applications behind the process of the business with the structure blocks applications, entry and information organization policy, statistics repositories, and EAI Services. The infrastructure or technology architecture is made up of software, hardware and network communications essential for operations of all applications. Infrastructure building blocks are the foundation services, place of work services, storage and server system, and network. Work place services give for presentation and work with facts and for output back up at the work place. They are composed of mobile and permanent

Sustainable life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sustainable life - Essay Example I should use low energy appliances in my home. I should make use of empty containers instead of throwing them in the dustbins. I should do wise shopping. I should reserve a bag for carrying things. Whenever I go shopping, the bag should be with me and I should put everything in that bag instead of plastic bags. Long story short, I have to make sure that nothing gets wasted. 3. Principal challenges that hinder the tendency of cities to become sustainable are the citizens’ huge reliance on the depleting natural resources. The biggest challenge in front of government is to improve the standard of living of the poor population in the urban areas. As the population in a city increases and its economy strengthens because of growing businesses, so do the complexity of management of these cities and administration of business. 4. Oil is America’s biggest problem. In order for US to become sustainable, it is imperative that all efforts are focused at minimizing consumption of oi l. Alternative energy sources like wind and solar energy should be used. In order to make US sustainable, cities should be made more compact.

Roadkill Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Roadkill - Essay Example Also, those places which are set reserved for tourism get bad scenic impact when tourists see dead animals on roads. There are two very important mitigation measures that must be taken to prevent road kill. One is bringing positive change to vehicle owner’s behavior, and second is changing animal behavior. Vehicle owner’s behavior can be changed by informing drivers about the consequences of road kill and spreading awareness in the society through seminars and media. Such places should be supported with road signs, proper signals and speed bumps where wildlife loiters on roads frequently. Roads may be colored so light that animals are more visible, and may also be protected with fences. Animal behavior can be changed by discouraging them to loiter on roads which can be done by removing their food resources from nearby the roads. There should be guards standing on frequent intervals on roads to move wandering animals

The Difficulty for Women in the Workplace Research Paper

The Difficulty for Women in the Workplace - Research Paper Example   The author further recommends strategies in order to address these challenges. The paper focuses on women in business and undertakes a literature review of gender disparities in compensation, employment, and promotion. According to the author, women dominated industries should have less gender discrimination, improved pay equity and comprise a higher number of women executive than male-dominated industries. LaBeach (2007) carries out a quantitative method to fill in research gaps identified in the literature review. Compensation data from a female-dominated healthcare organization (the American Dietetic Association), is analyzed to assess if women dominated industries have improved pay equity. Compensation was measured by the total cash for registered dieticians employed full-time for a minimum of one year. The author notes that certain workplace behaviors and attitudes should change so as to ensure women achieve career satisfaction and salary equity. Further, the author recommen ds that the workplace should be protected from expressions of gender/sex bias and partiality. The recommendations are meant for businesses, policymakers and researchers. Newman et al. (2011) undertake a study on gender discrimination and workplace violence. The author notes that workplace violence has been documented in many sectors. However, female-dominated sectors such as social services and health are at a particular risk. The article reexamines a set of study findings, which directly relate to the influence of gender or workplace violence and discrimination. In the study, 297 health workers (comprising 205 women and 92 men), were selected randomly. Newman et al. (2011) employed a utilization-focused approach and administered facility audits, health worker survey, health facility manager interviews, key informant and focus groups to collect data. In their findings, 39% of health workers had suffered some form of workplace violence in a year prior to the study. The study identifi ed gender-based patterns of victimization, perpetration, and reactions to violence. Negative stereotypes of women workers, discrimination based on family responsibilities, pregnancy, and maternity affected female health workers. These contributed to the context of violence. Gender equality was found to lower the odds of workers experiencing violence. The researchers used the results to formulate recommendations in order to address gender discrimination through programs and policy reforms. Unnikrishnan et al. (2010) undertake a study to assess harassment among women at the workplace. The objectives of the study were to find out how harassment occurs among women at the workplace. In addition, the authors also sought to determine the types and reasons for workplace harassment generally faced by working women. In order to achieve their objects, the authors carry out a cross-sectional study. The study participants comprised women working in banks, education institutions, and hospitals. T hese establishments were chosen because they employ a considerable number of women. Data was gathered from a total of 160 participants.  Ã‚  

Mission trip to Nicauragua Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mission trip to Nicauragua - Essay Example Teenagers today have the opportunity to do many things in life. They forget that there are important issues in the world that must be addressed. For a teenager, going to any foreign country will give them a chance to understand a different culture and a different way of life. Nicaragua is a country that is in need of many things, which makes it a country rich with opportunities for teens to minister to others. Many religions create an opportunity for teens and adults to take mission trips to foreign countries. This type of trip is different from vacations because it involves going to another country and ministering to groups of people. Mission trips have goals for each individual that is supposed to enhance their lives. Teens that go to Nicaragua will first see that the country is very impoverished. In fact, it is considered to be the â€Å"second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere† (Adventure Ministries, 2010). Many adolescents are experiencing pregnancy and a new orph anage is being built that will help the country. For the people of Nicaragua, teens helping with education, learning English or learning how to avoid adolescent pregnancy are several says that a mission trip would benefit the native people. Teenagers would receive the richness of culture as they began to work with the native people and they would find a sense of pride in helping someone who was less fortunate than themselves. This type of trip gives them a better understanding of their own lives and how fortunate they really are to have all that they have in the United States.

Pilot Fatigue and Stress Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Pilot Fatigue and Stress - Essay Example In order to reduce the impacts of these problems, an Aviation Safety Program is developed from the perspective of an airline operator, with a great emphasis on how to successfully implement the safety program. The discussion about pilot fatigue and stress is as old as aviation itself. This problem has been given a serious consideration because of the monumental destruction it could cause. Some of the deadly plane crashes recorded in the history of aviation were as a result of the pilots losing concentration on their jobs, which is one of the characteristics of pilot fatigue and stress (Ragan 33). Therefore, to save lives and protect their businesses, airline operators have been working hard to fashion out an efficient safety strategy that would give confidence to their airlines in the eyes of the passengers (Ragan 21). Many studies have been carried out and different safety programs have been implemented. But the question still remains: what is the best approach to completely curb the menace of pilot fatigue and stress? Hawkins (49) analyzed three main kinds of pilot fatigue and stress: though they appear not separable from one another, since it is practically difficult to identify which of the fatigue is currently affecting a pilot’s performance at a particular period. These are muscular, mental and skill fatigue. As its name implied, muscular fatigue arises from over-exertion of physical power, which might cause serious pain in both arms’ and legs’ muscles. But this kind of fatigue could easily be cured by taking some rest or/and by application of balm. Mental fatigue occurs as a result of mental stress from to much brainstorming and exhaustion, while skill fatigue is defined as a gradual decline in performance owning to the pressure from a work that constantly requires concentration and high level of skill (Hawkins 49). If not handled properly, both mental and skill fatigue could lead to nervous breakdown; and

Four Seasons Hotels Essay Example for Free

Four Seasons Hotels Essay The Four Seasons Company, as per current financial, seems very profitable and the earnings per share are increasing each year. From 1997 to 1998 EPS increased by 66% and from 1998 to 1999 it increased by 22%, actually from 1997 to 1999, the value has more than doubled. The main reason for the increase seems to be a total net earnings increase of 112% in two years. (See Exhibit # 1 for figures). This is a result of increase in revenues and also because costs increased less than revenues. This indicates that in addition to higher sales, efficiency improvements have been effective as yearly costs for operating items dropped 68% and the interest costs also have decreased by 105%, making it interest income. Based on this information, the company is recommended to continue their emphasis on high personal service and quality for their hotels as the customer base are not price sensitive but concerned about service and luxury. It is important to have non-complaining, satisfied customers as this  group is more satisfied than those where service recovery is needed, even when service recovery is performed at a high level. Also, satisfied customers are more loyal and a key to continue having a financially strong company. A key to this development is to continue to focus on employee satisfaction and employment procedures as this is resulting in low turnover (compared to the industry average), highly experienced and motivated staff and consequently excellent service. Also, the strong financials support FSHs (costly) growth strategy, and would further indicate that the company has the back-bone to support such a strategy. 3.0 Leverage the website for marketing purposes The Four Season Hotel (FSH) should further leverage their impressive website. First, they should maximize the site for mass marketing purposes. For example, the site would allow customers to appreciate all FSH properties, and a customer who has never seen a FSH can view rooms, conference halls, restaurants etc. The website can further provide up-to-date information on vacancies, promotions, city tours etc. This same information could be updated at any time to reflect specials across respective FSH. For instance, the Milan hotel might anticipate low vacancy one week, and could attempt to fill some vacancies by listing a Milan resident special on the site e.g. with a two night stay and get a free dinner in the restaurant. Internal marketing is another great possibility for the FSH, as long as the high tech is followed by high touch, and the system is not used to replace the human element. The intranet site should focus on cost-saving promotions, healthy competition between across respective FSHs, employee feedback pages etc. Management should use the intranet as an additional medium to disseminate information to employees and as a means to obtain information from employees. An easy to use e-commerce site for the hotel would be interesting for select  Four Seasons customers. Again, this should not replace the high touch that the FSH brand is identified with, but rather add another convenience for its customers. For example, some customers like making their reservation via the Internet and having an additional option with regards to making a hotel booking could turn out positively. 4.0 Establish and manage a common customer awareness database The hotel should change the existing database containing guest preferences into a centralized database available to all FHS properties. This should be deemed a high priority. It would be a typical one-time fix to enhance customer satisfaction and for implementation it could leverage FSHs existing intranet platform. The main driver for a change of this sort would be its potential to further improve the FSHs customer service. For example, as existing FSH customers are highly concerned about time there should be no need for them to fill in forms with preferences for each new hotel they arrive at. Also, it would be perceived as impressive for the customer arriving at a new hotel where the personnel would already know their preferences. This would increase the feeling of intimacy and personal touch during the hotel stay and consequently enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction. Additionally, the fact that only 9% of Four Seasons hotel guests are using multiple properties should not lower the importance of making such a change. In fact, 9% of their customer base means that approximately 400.000 customers each year use multiple Four Seasons Hotels. (See Exhibit #1) Also, the positive word-of-mouth this change would bring will most likely increase the number of guests staying at multiple properties. Furthermore, as the hotel has a growth strategy, the number of hotels and rooms will continue to increase and as such enhance the need for the common database. Also, in addition to customer satisfaction, having one database for all hotels would decrease costs for the chain in the long run as it will not have to maintain 50+ different databases. 5.0 Four Seasons management should solicit select feedback from customers. The idea here is quite simple and essentially comes down to ensuring that the hotel maintains its brand. The FSH has done very well by establishing a strong brand and enjoys a high % of repeat customers. Management and employees alike know what the Four Seasons stands for and the experience they aim to offer the customer. That said, and as technology races forward it is important for businesses to leverage it where possible and profitable. The key for the Four Seasons is to leverage it in a way that does not negatively impact their brand i.e. detract from the overall customer experience offered by Four Seasons employees, which is highly personal, intimate and customer oriented. For example, management could solicit feedback from customers as to whether they would use an automated (electronic) checkout service and whether customers view this as something consistent with the Four Seasons brand. This selective feedback could be centralized at first in that it is sponsored by the corporate office (so as to solicit feedback that could be leveraged across all properties) and then tweaked per location to take into consideration cultural specifics etc. Findings could be leveraged across properties and stored in the central database to eventually maintain, reinforce and ultimately improve the Four Seasons brand, customer experience and ultimate profitability. 6.0 Implement a Seasons Pass Loyalty Program Enhancing Customer Loyalty. Implementing a Loyalty program contributes to making guests feeling special, which undoubtedly makes a difference in his or her experience. A loyalty program could even extend to other value chain partners, thereby, allowing for further tracking of guest preferences. Without a loyalty program, FSH loses out on building strong relationships with its guests. As switching costs are minimal, loyalty is low unless a competitor differentiates and thereby increases its odds of attracting return guests. In order to compete successfully within this tier, a reputable brand name is imperative, which also represents a significant barrier to entry for potential new entrants. The common database will undoubtedly enhance the relationships because clients enjoy the sense of community that is established when being part of a loyalty club. Therefore it is important to have mechanisms in place to ensure guests to remain loyal to FSH and choose the company as his or her accommodation provider. To facilitate this, the hotel should introduce a frequent guest card, the Seasons Pass, which will serve two functions: 1. Track guest activities within FSH so that their preferences can be recorded. 2. Allow guests to collect points every time they stay at a Four Seasons property and use them towards service companies affiliated with Four Seasons, creating loyalty as a result. It will also aid individual FSH locations to better understand which facilities within the hotel or resort are the most sought after and will be able to segment the information based on the region of the world or type of consumer (leisure or business). Through partnering with external companies such as high-end car rental companies, airlines, and travel agencies, FSH will be able to offer guests a solution to every decision they may encounter during their stay. Thus the Seasons Pass and the networked database will ultimately be the bridge to building and maintaining positive guest relationships. Exhibit 1: Financial data for the Four Seasons Hotels EOY 1997 to EOY 1999: Exhibit # 2: Number of customers using multiple Four Season Hotels each year * Assumed average coverage rate through the year is based on information in case, The Roccoco New York Hotel by Anna S. Mattila. Using the rate accomplished by the Roccoco New York boutique hotel. ** As no information of number of customers per room is provided, one per room is assumed.