Letter For My Client s Confidentiality - 1868 Words

For my client’s confidentiality, throughout the rest of this paper I will be using the false name of Carol to protect her identity. Carol is currently a full-time female student at York University. As I am also a full-time student at York university, when it came time to ask if she would volunteer as my client for this project, Carol’s academic appreciation and understanding personality made the interview very comfortable. Carol’s problem was between her and her best friend whom she feels are growing distant. She explained that she has known this friend since high-school but lately does not feel that her friend has time for her due to their busy schedules, her friend’s boyfriend and her own academic responsibilities. My plan of action†¦show more content†¦This excessive use of minimal encouragers was an eye opener for me of how often I attempt to convey support and understanding. This irritates me as it indicates that I am limited in my ability to express attentiveness and should develop alternative means. I managed to squeeze in three door openers (L 33, 72, 286) which I was okay with, especially given that they were evenly spread out at the beginning, middle and end of the interview. The use of questions was one set of invitational skills I thought I had done a rather decent job at utilizing. It was only after I typed up the transcript and coded the types of questions when I noticed I had asked more closed questions than I would have liked to at the wrong times of the interview. I asked seven closed questions (L 9, 17, 20-21, 27, 156, 328, 340-343). This number is also excessive as closed questions often serve the counsellor by taking control and giving people advice which could close people down. I was particularly unhappy when I realized that I had asked four closed questions within the first minute of the interview. The more suitable option would have been to rephrase my closed questions on lines 27 and 156 to become openly free questions and leave the closed questions on line 17, 20-21, 27 and 328 all until the end of the interview rather than the beginning where the counsellor should attemptShow MoreRelatedThe Vignette Of John And His Girlfriends Concern Of Possible Suicide Attempt894 Words   |  4 Pagesattempt, the first thing that pops into my head with the vignette is breech on patient confidentiality if information is disclosed without patient consent. The steps that I would take is to first contact the girlfriend only to acknowledge the call. I would definitely not provide the girl friend with any information as to the wheatear or not I am the client’s therapist. Maybe get additional information from the ex-girlfriend as to whether she has spoken to the client within the last two hour lapse,Read MoreU.s. Government Over Unethical Data Turnover Orders Essay1735 Words   |  7 PagesInc. suing the U.S. Government over unethical data turnover orders. I will be arguing that the fourth amendment should be as fiercely protected the digital realm as it is in the physical, and that the government forcing professionals to violate confidentiality with their customers is morally unethical without just cause and proper adherence to the law. Microsoft is the latest company to stand up for the fourth amendment rights of citizens. On April 14, 2016 Microsoft filed suit due to the fact thatRead MoreThe Paramount Onus Of An Auditing Professional1360 Words   |  6 PagesThe paramount onus of an auditing professional is conveying reliable information to clients and the public so that they may make imperative, intellectual decisions. For this obligation to be fulfilled, a quality audit must be performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS). Executing a quality audit necessitates an auditor reasonably assures financial statements are presented fairly in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and not materially misstatedRead MoreIntro Letter1174 Words   |  5 Pagesexperiences in both General and Legal industries. Served as the primary contact for liaison between Management, Sales Person, Clients and other relevant Authorities. Maintained the business relations through written and oral communication skills, problem solving abilities, an eye for detail and high level confidentiality. Equally effected on any paced of working environment and culture Past Employment Experiences: 1. Ray White (Uxcel) Morley Read MoreThe Concept Of Triangulation : Why Is It Important?1580 Words   |  7 Pagescontacted. Rather than recruiting study participants from a single military branch, a joint base has members from many of the military branches, which will allow me to generalize my study sample to a larger population. 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In some cases, a suit and tie is their professional appearance. In other cases, scrubs are professional. Be sure to meet and/or even try and exceed the requirements of your company s dress code. Also pay special attention to your appearance when meeting with prospects or clients. Long nails colored hair piercings are not things that come off as if you were a professional person. Healthcare involves many personal interactions with a variety of people. Etiquette in healthcare isRead MoreEthical Principles : Informed Consent, Right Of Withdrawal, Confidentiality, And Protection From Harm2896 Words   |  12 Pagesethical principles: Informed consent, right of withdrawal, confidentiality, anonymity, a nd protection from harm. The two articles are: â€Å"Infectious Hepatitis: Evidence for Two Distinctive Clinical, Epidemological, and Immunological Types of Infection† by Saul Krugman, MD, Joan P. Giles, MD, and Jack Hammond, MD (1967) and â€Å"Perspectives on quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities: The interpretation of discrepancies between clients and caregivers† by Cees G.C. Janssen, C. Schuengel, andRead MorePrinciples of Managing Information and Producing Documents9633 Words   |  39 Pagescomputer or a disk †¢ Then work through your Assessment, remembering to save your work regularly †¢ When you’ve finished, print out a copy to keep for reference †¢ Then, go to www.vision2learn.com and send your completed Assessment to your tutor via your My Study area – make sure it is clearly marked with your name, the course title and the Unit and Assessment number. Please note that this Assessment document has 5 pages and is made up of 4 Sections. 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Essay on Temptation in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Temptation in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight In the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain is a guest at Hautdesert Castle. During his stay at the castle, three separate hunts take place. These hunts also parallel temptations aimed at Gawain by the wife of the Lord of Hautdesert Castle. In each hunt scene, a characteristic of the prey of that hunt is personified in Gawains defense against the advances of the Lords wife. The first temptation of Gawain is perhaps the most difficult for him to defend. This temptation corresponds with the hunt scene involving a deer, In terms of the hunt, the deer is hunted because it is a staple of the diet, or it is something that satisfies a person. In the same manner, the†¦show more content†¦This temptation corresponds with the hunt scene involving a boar. Boars are not so much hunted for food as they are for sport. A boar is a very unruly animal. It will attack any hunters viciously, and with reckless abandon. Successfully capturing a boar is a testament to the physical courage and strength of the hunter. In the second temptation, the Lords wife appears to Gawain in the same voluptuous manner as she did on the previous day. But this time, Gawain does not attempt to avoid her advances. He is much more direct and confrontational with the lady. The lady also asks Gawain to tell her one of his war stories. Gawain refuses, on account that it would be boast ing. He replies ... But for me to take on the travail of interpreting true love And construing the subjects of the stories of arms To you who, I hold, have more skill In that art, by half, than a hundred of such As I am or ever shall be on the earth I inhabit, Would in faith be a mani fold folly, noble lady. (1541-1545) Here, Gawain is definitely not trying to avoid the woman. It is almost as if the night has changed him, because something would have to account for this dramatic change of behavior. His behavior here is much like that of a boar. Where Gawain does not physically harm the lady as a boar may, he is, as stated before, much more frontal and direct in his dealings with her. In showing this self-confidence far the first time Gawain has finally indicated to theShow MoreRelatedThe Audience, the Pentagle and the Green Sash in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight1547 Words   |  7 Pagesthe Green Sash in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Works Cited Missing Although some early manuscripts of the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight still exist, nothing, beyond speculation, is known about the poet, which is a pity when considering its rich language and imagery. Believed to have been written between 1375 and 1400, and some 2500 lines long, the unknown poet blent a unique mixture of chivalry, the Beheading Game and the temptation of a knight called Sir GawainRead MoreLiterature Is An Instrument By Which Human Beings Are Informed1579 Words   |  7 Pagesvalues and the essence of the same as Sir Gawain did. In this essay, we shall reference his life from ‘Sir Gawain and The Green Knight’ in a bid to understand how the particular challenges he faced transformed him from a knight to a hero. The story begins at the New Year’s Festival where the Green Knight challenges the court to strike his head. He would then allow whoever would have accepted the challenge to seek him a year later and receive a blow in return. Sir Gawain steps up in place of the King andRead MoreSir Gawain Essay784 Words   |  4 Pages Sir Gawain Essay In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain continuously proves his knightly virtues and code of honor. Chivalry includes bravery, honor, and courtesy. He proves that he is in fact a real; Knight. He shows his bravery by shying away from nothing and no one. He proves his honor and courtesy to everyone he meets by showing respect to all whether he receives it back or not. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Sir Gawain shows his bravery the first moment he has the chance to, whenRead MoreEssay on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight804 Words   |  4 PagesSir Gawain Essay In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain continuously proves his knightly virtues and code of honor. Chivalry includes bravery, honor, and courtesy. He proves that he is in fact a quot;realquot; Knight. He shows his bravery by shying away from nothing and no one. He proves his honor and courtesy to everyone he meets by showing respect to all whether he receives it back or not. #9;Sir Gawain shows his bravery the first moment he has the chance to, when the GreenRead MoreAnalysis Of Sir Gawain And The Green Knight1480 Words   |  6 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight is an Arthurian romance that is one of the first to highlight women’s roles during the period of change that comes with King Arthur’s demise. Culturally, during the time period, women had little perceived power. Women were treated well and often idolized, but they remained in a male-dominated society, where they were not respected as their own capable beings. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is heavily laced with the Knight’s â€Å"Code of Honor,† namely the idea of chivalryRead MoreTheme Of Human Frailty In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight853 Words   |  4 Pagestrickery or deceit some have selfishly fallen victim to. Whether it is a boastful display of courage and bravery, or a shameful episode of cowardice and temptation, the characters of Anglo-Saxon literatu re demonstrate both the best and the worst of each. In this essay, I will use the poems â€Å"The Wanderer†, Beowulf, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to exemplify this point. Most of the human honor presented in these poems comes from the portrayal of a hero. A hero in Anglo-Saxon culture not onlyRead More A Comparison of Religion in Sir Gawain and Green Knight and Othello1623 Words   |  7 PagesRole of Religion in Sir Gawain and Othello      Ã‚   Respect for religion and government is an important part of any country, but what happens to a country when these values begin to change?   England was beginning to go through this change in 1603 when Othello was written by William Shakespeare.   Comparing the religious themes and heroes of Othello to the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight which was written during the Middle English era, will demonstrate just how far England had come.   BothRead MoreSir Gawain and the Green Knight – A Test of Chivalry Essay2448 Words   |  10 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight – A Test of Chivalry Essay with Outline   Loyalty, courage, honor, purity, and courtesy are all attributes of a knight that displays chivalry. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is truly a story of the test of these attributes. In order to have a true test of these attributes, there must first be a knight worthy of being tested, meaning that the knight must possess chivalric attributes to begin with. Sir Gawain is self admittedly not the best knight around. HeRead More Masculine Identity in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay3776 Words   |  16 PagesMasculine Identity in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Vern L. Bulloughs article, On Being a Male in the Middle Ages, addresses how vital it was for a man living in the middle ages to be sexually active in order to maintain a masculine identity by explaining: Quite clearly, male sexual performance was a major key to being male. It was a mans sexual organs that made him different and superior to the woman. But maleness was somewhat fragile, and it was important for a man to keepRead MoreThe Pentangle in Sir Gawain and The Green Knight Essay3294 Words   |  14 PagesThe Pentangle in Sir Gawain and The Green Knight When writing, never explain your symbols. The author of ``Sir Gawain and the Green Knight dropped this unspoken rule when he picked up his pen. Why? The detailed description and exposition of the pentangle form the key to understanding this poem. By causing the reader to view Gawains quest in terms of the pentangle, the narrator compares the knightly ideals with the reality of Gawains life. The narrator uses the pentangle to promote the knightly

Employee Creativity and Firm Innovation †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Employee Creativity and Firm Innovation. Answer: Introduction There are various challenges that are faced at the time of conducting the activities of company. The challenges are faced due to the changes that are taken into consideration by the company to conduct the activities of the organization. It is important for the management to consider the risks that possessed by the company at the time of conducting the activities. It is important to have specified structure so that the activities can be conducted smoothly (BDO Australia, 2017). There are various forces that are related to the internal and external environment. These factors influence the activities of the organization. To minimize the problems that seen in the organization it is important to take accurate decisions so that activities can be conducted smoothly. There are many types of decisions that are considered so that the performance of the organization can be improved. It is important for the company to take into consideration effective strategies so that goals and objectives can be accomplished (Voigt, De Cian, Schymura Verdolini, 2014). BDO Australia is related to the international network which focuses on public accounting, consulting tax and also on the advisory organization that conducts the professional services in an effective manner. It is analyzed that the organization has more than 73000 employees who are conducting the activities in 1500 offices in more than 161 nations globally. The company is also known as one of the biggest company in this sector as various services are provided to the customers like consultancy services related to tax (Lander, Koene Linssen, 2013). This paper takes into consideration the structure of BDO and also the factors related to the environment that will impact the operations of BDO. The paper will highlight the risks that are possessed by the business and also the decisions that should be considered so that organizational performance can be enhanced. Structure of BDO It is analyzed that every business has its own organizational structure to conduct the activities of the organization smoothly. The structure of the company is designed by focusing on the overall type of the work conducted by the company so that efficiency can be maintained. The company has a hierarchal structure and also the parallel structure so that activities can be conducted smoothly. Each and every unit of the organization has a defined role but they are interdependent on each other to conduct the activities. This assists them in accomplishing their task in the given time frame. In many organizations, there are directors and chairman of the board so that activities can be conducted smoothly. Under them, there are many executives and managers in various cities. In various cities, there are various units that are named as natural resources, corporate finance and also cybersecurity. It is important for the company to evaluate the environment which is faced internally and also on an external basis. This assists the organization in implementing the strategies so that activities can be conducted smoothly. For BDO there are various forces that give direct impact on the activities of the organization (Koester, Shevlin Wangerin, 2016). There are various political decisions which are giving negative impact on the activities of the organization. Due to this, the decisions are changing in many parts of the country. The political factors have forced the accounting firms to consider innovative ways so that activities can be conducted smoothly. There are various rules and regulations that are concerned with tax and change the formation of the government in the past years. To evaluate the activities and to manage it is one of the difficult tasks as there are many rules and regulations that are considered by the company (Seabrooke Wigan, 2016). It can be analyzed that Australia is known as a developed nation and the effect is also seen in the economic crisis. The BDO business is based on the changes that are related to economic condition and also it has a relation with finance. It is seen that the customized planning is also necessary for the company and the customers so that economic condition can be managed (Graham, Hanlon, Shevlin Shroff, 2017). It is seen that there are many changes that are taking place in society and also it is important to fulfill the overall demand of the customers. Large numbers of small firms are demanding more for consultancy related to financial status. This has enhanced the overall opportunities for growth for the company (Hasseldine, Holland van der Rijt, 2011). There is a drastic change that is analyzed in the technologies which are related to accounting and finance. It has become important for the companies to consider that the technologies are installed in the best way according to the accounting software. This will assist them in offering a good experience to their consumers. It is important for the Organization to consider the strategies related to technologies so that competitive advantage can be maintained (Antonelli, 2014). The level of competition in the industry has enhanced and it is difficult for the companies to attain long-term growth. To ensure that the competition level is managed in a proper manner it is important to consider the strategies so that activities can be conducted smoothly. Internal forces It is analyzed that the demand of the employees has enhanced. This has created difficulty for the organizations to maintain good relationships with the employees by satisfying the need and wants of the customers according to the level of competition in the market. It is seen that to recruit employees in Australia is one of the major problems in the recent scenario (Liu, Gong, Zhou Huang, 2017). It is also important that organization should focus on preparing the employees so that in future if a problem arises they can face it in a proper manner. To train the employees are per the requirement is one of the difficult tasks and it should take into consideration the proper analysis of performance analysis system so that the need and wants of the employees can be taken into consideration in a proper manner. The company should focus on minimizing the overall cost of activities so that demand can be enhanced effectively. This can be one of the difficult tasks as it is seen that the cost is lowered and it create dissatisfaction. It can be one of the expensive affairs for the consulting firm as the workers are known as one of the biggest assets. It is seen that this company is associated with the financial affairs and it is important for the company to be sure of the best ethical laws. This will assist in securing the stakeholder's interests in a proper manner. Corporate governance is one of the issues for BDO Australia (DesJardins McCall, 2014). Risks that currently confront the business organization There are many types of risk that are affecting the overall business of the company. It is important to understand the risk and the impact on the business. The biggest risk is related to the firm is cyber-attack. It is analyzed that cyber-attack is taking place in various parts of the country. This has enhanced the overall concern for the company and also there are many data which is related to the financial accounts of the customers. Hackers are searching for the information for their own benefit. It is also analyzed that there is a major issue which is related to the fluctuation of the economic condition on a global basis. This has enhanced the tension for the companies and also for the customers because if the decisions related to finance are taken in a wrong way then it can give a loss to the organization (Weiss, 2014). It is seen that the tension is increased globally and it has given negative impact on the activities of the company. It is also analyzed that cited company has to bring change according to the global strategy by considering the political situations. Decisions that are considered by the company to increase the performance There are many decisions which are taken by the company so that the performance can be enhanced and also success can be achieved. The new training programs have been introduced so that they can conduct the activities smoothly. This will assist in enhancing the skills of the employees by conducting the activities on the latest technologies. This will enhance the performance of the employees if latest technologies are considered (BDO Australia, 2017) HRM strategy is one of the important strategies that will help to achieve the goals. The finance unit has a great role to offer funds for attaining various strategies. Marketing will also help the company to accomplish the overall strategies and also help to understand the needs of the customers. Conclusion By evaluating the paper it is seen that BDO Australia is the largest financial consultancy organization that assist the customers in giving a various solution to the issues that are faced. There are also many internal and external forces that impact the company. Also, there are risks that are seen in the business. So, the appropriate decision should be taken so that performance of the employees can be improved. To achieve the strategy the functional units should be considered. References Antonelli, C. (2014).The economics of innovation, new technologies and structural change. Routledge. BDO Australia. (2017) Our people. [Online]. Retrieved from: https://www.bdo.com.au/en-au/our-people. BDO Australia. (2017) Publication:Global Risk Landscape 2017. [Online]. Retrieved from: https://www.bdo.com.au/en-au/insights/advisory/publications/global-risk-landscape-2017. DesJardins, J. R., McCall, J. J. (2014).Contemporary issues in business ethics. Cengage Learning. Graham, J. R., Hanlon, M., Shevlin, T., Shroff, N. (2017). Tax Rates and Corporate Decision-making.The Review of Financial Studies,30(9), 3128-3175. Hasseldine, J., Holland, K., van der Rijt, P. (2011). The market for corporate tax knowledge.Critical Perspectives on Accounting,22(1), 39-52. Koester, A., Shevlin, T., Wangerin, D. (2016). The role of managerial ability in corporate tax avoidance.Management Science,63(10), 3285-3310. Lander, M. W., Koene, B. A., Linssen, S. N. (2013). Committed to professionalism: Organizational responses of mid-tier accounting firms to conflicting institutional logics.Accounting, Organizations and Society,38(2), 130-148. Liu, D., Gong, Y., Zhou, J., Huang, J. C. (2017). Human resource systems, employee creativity, and firm innovation: The moderating role of firm ownership.Academy of Management Journal,60(3), 1164-1188. Seabrooke, L., Wigan, D. (2016). Powering ideas through expertise: professionals in global tax battles.Journal of European Public Policy,23(3), 357-374. Voigt, S., De Cian, E., Schymura, M., Verdolini, E. (2014). Energy intensity developments in 40 major economies: structural change or technology improvement?.Energy Economics,41, 47-62. Weiss, J. W. (2014).Business ethics: A stakeholder and issues management approach. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

The Greenhouse Effect Essays (2220 words) - Climate Forcing

The Greenhouse Effect The Greenhouse Effect Issue Statement While some people believe the earth's climatic changes are due to the fact that the universe is getting older, others believe it is due to the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a naturally occuring phenomenon that is responsible for trapping heat near the earth's surface and keeping the planet warm. It is called the greenhouse effect because the way it works is similar to the way in which a green house functions. In a greenhouse sunlight passes through the transparent roof and walls and strikes the objects inside- plants, flowerpots, tables, and so forth. These objects absorb energy from sun, become warmer, and then give off energy themselves in the form of heat. Only a little of this heat energy passes out through the glass, much of it is trapped in the greenhouse, raising the temperature inside. In some ways, the earth functions rather like a greenhouse except on a much larger scale. Although the greenhouse effect has only recently been in the news, is nothing new in th history of our planet, has played major role in making life on earth possible. Without the greenhouse effect, the earth would be too cold for living thing to survive. The big question today is If greenhouse effect is natural, why are people so worried about it. Is soemthing good turning bad? Up until about 150 years ago the compostion of the earths atmosphere had remianed relatively unchanged for several thousand years. Since mid 1800s certain human activities have been changing the heat trappin ability of the atmospher dramatically, as a result more heat is being trapped by the atmosphere. Scientists have been anticipating this strengthening of the greenhouse effect for sometime, and that it will lead to a worldwide increase in temperature. This is come true because the world is getting warmer. Global warming can be expected to change the earth's climate dramatically and in a relatively short tim e. As temperatures increase, experts predict that weather patterns will be disrupted worldwide, the glaciers and polar ice caps will, melt, and that sea levels will rise. Global warming could change the atmosphere so much and so fast that all sorts of plants and animals might soon be in danger os extinction. The greenhouse effect may be the most serious environmental problem the human race has ever experienced, for this reason scientists around the world are working hard to acheive a better understanding of the greenhouse effect, to predict the impact it will have on earth, and to discover ways to control it. The greenhouse effect occurs when gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and CFCS trap heat in the atmosphere by acting as a pane of glass in a car. The ?glass' lets the sunlight in to make heat, but when the heat tries to escape, the gases reabsorb it. Holding this heat in causes heat waves, droughts and climatic changes which could alter our way of living. The greenhouse effect, in environmental science, is a popular term for the effect that certain variable constituents of the Earth's lower atmosphere have on surface temperatures. It has been known since 1896 that the Earth has been warmed by a blanket of gases. The gases; water vapour (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) keep ground temperatures at a global average of about 15 degrees C. (Oppenheimer, p. 119-120) Without them, the average would be below the freezing point of water. The gases have this effect because as incoming solar radiation strikes the surface, the surface gives off infrared radiation, or heat, that the gases trap and keep near ground level. Environmental scientists are concerned that changes in the variable contents of the atmosphere, particularly changes caused by human activities, could cause the Earth's surface to warm up to a dangerous degree. Since 1850 there has been a mean rise in global temperature of approximately 1 degree C. (Gribbin, p. 14) Even a limited rise in average surface temperature might lead to at least partial melting of the polar icecaps and hence a major rise in sea level, along with other severe environmental disturbances. What is meant by the term, the greenhouse effect, is that the heat from the sun comes

Sepsis and Septic Shock Essay Example

Sepsis and Septic Shock Essay Sepsis refers to the uncontrolled systemic immune response to infection. It describes the condition known as systemic inflammatory response syndrome in which as infectious etiology is identified or suspected (Munford, 2001). The key element in sepsis is the overwhelming systemic inflammation as a result of the host’s reaction to microbial invasion. It involves augmented inflammatory signals in response to an infectious insult that is not controlled by local inflammatory processes. Bacteremia, which is the presence of bacteria and in blood or septicemia, which is the presence of any microbial agent in the blood can lead to sepsis. When the regulatory controls that put the inflammatory response in check are unable to contain the overwhelming reaction, unaffected organs are involved and severe sepsis ensues which is characterized by multiorgan dysfunction. As the homeostatic counterregulatory mechanism fails, sepsis progresses to septic shock, which is the presence of hypotension along with along with organ dysfunction. The hypotension, which is defined as systolic blood pressure of less than 90 mmHg or 40 mmHg less than the patient’s usual blood pressure, is unresponsive to fluid resuscitation. Unlike sepsis which is reversible, patients in septic shock have unfavorable prognosis and usually succumb despite aggressive treatment (Munford, 2001).EpidemiologyOver 10 million cases of sepsis have been reported in the United States based on a 22-year period study of discharge data from 750 million hospitalizations (Martin, Mannino, Eaton, Moss, 2003). Annually, approximately 750,000 people develop sepsis and more than 210,000 cases are fatal (Bernard, Vincent, Laterre, Larosa, Dhainaut, Lopez-Rodriguez et al 2001; Hotchkiss Karl, 2003). Despite advances in critical care management, sepsis has a mortality rate of 30 to 50 percent and is among the primary causes of death in intensive care units (Bernard et 2003; Mitchell, Cotran, 1999). It is believed th at the increasing incidence of severe sepsis is due to the growing population among the elderly as a result of increasing longevity among people with chronic diseases and the high prevalence of sepsis developing among patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (Munford, p.798 2001).PathophysiologyThere are a lot of factors attributable to the development of sepsis. Several studies have conflicting results on the pathologic basis of the disease and the exact mechanism involved has not been elucidated. The pathogenesis of sepsis is a series of complex interactions between offending microorganism and the host inflammatory, immune and coagulation responses. The accepted theory is that sepsis results from an uncontrolled inflammatory response in which our own defense system becomes so powerful that it causes more damage to our organs than the etiologic agent of the initial infection Hotchkiss Karl, 2003). This is based on the overstimulated immune response seen in studies of anim al models of sepsis which does not seem to correlate which the clinical picture in humans. Clinical trials involving anti-inflammatory agents have not been successful in patients with sepsis which led investigators to question if sepsis is indeed the result of uncontrolled inflammation (Hotchkiss Karl, 2003). In fact, sepsis with organ dysfunction is attributed to an inadequate immune response to primary local infection which allowed it to spill into the bloodstream and the ensuing tissue injury is primarily caused by superantigens and other virulence factors from the infecting microorganism (Russel, J.A., 2006).Approximately 70 percent of cases of septic shock are caused by gram-negative bacilli which produce endotoxin, hence the term endotoxic shock (Mitchell, Cotran, 1999). The endotoxins are the lipopolysaccharides(LPS) from the bacterial cell wall that are released after the wall is degraded during an inflammatory response. The reproduction of the hemodynamic picture of septi c shock through the injection of LPS alone shows that LPS is one of the main culprits of septic shock. The complex inflammatory cascade caused by LPS eventually leads to hypoxic injury and the multi organ failure is mostly evident in the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. The widespread hypoxia during septic shock causes the brain to develop ischemic encephalopathy while in the heart, cardiac muscles undergo coagulation necrosis and subendocardial hemorrhages. The kidneys undergo acute tubular necrosis as a result of extensive ischemic injury. This results into electrolyte disorders, oliguria and anuria which are severe complications of sepsis. Despite the high resistance of lungs tissues to hypoxic injury, diffuse alveolar damage can be seen in severe bacterial sepsis. In the gastrointestinal tract, hemorrhagic enteropathy develops which appears as patchy mucosal hemorrhages and necrosis. The liver undergoes fatty change and in severe ischemic injury, central hemorrhagic necrosis can be seen (Mitchell, Cotran, 1999).Clinical FeaturesThe clinical manifestations of sepsis are usually superimposed with the signs and symptoms of the primary infection and other underlying medical condition of the patient.However, in the course of the disease, an increasing intensity of inflammatory response to infection becomes evident although the rate varies among patients. Hyperventilation is usually one of the early signs. Manifestations of ischemic encephalopathy such as disorientation and confusion may also occur early in sepsis. They are usually seen among the elderly and in patients with preexisting neurocognitive deficits (Munford, 2001). Patients with hypotension usually presents with weak but rapid pulse accompanied by tachypnea and cold, clammy skin. However, patients in septic shock may be initially warm due to peripheral vasodilation in the skin (Mitchell, Cotran, 1999). It should be noted that some patients with sepsis are normothermic and e ven in the presence of infection, fever can be absent especially in neonates, elderly, and patients with uremia or suffering from alcoholism (Munford, p.801 2001).The occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation or DIC, which results from the widespread activation of the coagulation system, can predispose patients to ischemic necrosis especially to those with hypotension. This leads to skin lesions seen as pustules, cellulites, bullae or hemorrhagic lesions. Gastrointestinal involvement manifests as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and ileus. Patients with stress ulcers may present with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. In cases of prolonged and severe hypotension, ischemic bowel necrosis may occur as well as acute hepatic injury. Elevation of serum levels of conjugated bilirubin often leads to cholestatic sepsis. Liver function test may reveal elevated blood levels of alkaline phosphatase which along with the elevated bilirubin represent an underlying hepatocellular or canalicular dysfunction (Munford, 2001).Treatment and PrognosisPatients with sepsis requires urgent management which is best accomplished in an intensive care setting by medical specialist experienced in the care of critically ill patients. The management entails immediate treatment of the focus of infection while providing adequate hemodynamic and ventilatory support.The appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be given immediately based on blood culture and sensitivity although an empiric initial treatment should be started based on known pathogens at identified sites of infection. An adequate antibiotic cover should include therapy against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganism. Pending results from blood cultures, empiric antimicrobial therapy can be based on several factors, especially in patients with no obvious source of infection. In immunocompetent adults, acceptable regimens include ceftriaxone or ticarcillin-clavulanate or piperacillin-tazobactam and imipenem-cilastin or mero penem. Gentamycin or tobramycin may be added to these regimens. If the causative agent is suspected to be methicillin-resistant staphylococcous areus, vancomycin should be added to these regimens (Munford, 2001). In patients with AIDS, ceftazidime, tircacillin-clavilanate or piperacillin-tazobactam plus tobramycin should be used. In patients with drug allergy to beta lactams, ciprofloxacin plus vancomycin and tobramycin should be used (Munford, 2001). Other factors to be considered are the presence of neutropenia or neutrophil count of less than 500 per microliter, splenectomy and history of intravenous drug abuse. These patients require appropriate antimicrobial cover based on their higher susceptibility to certain microorganisms.The immediate removal of the focus of infection is also important in the successful management of patients with sepsis. Sites of infection should be identified immediately and appropriate drainage should be done when possible. In patients with indwelling i ntravenous catheters, microbial cultures should be done and a new catheter should be placed in another site. Adequate hemodynamic and respiratory support should also be provided especially in patients with septic shock to prevent tissue injury secondary to ischemia. The pulmonary wedge pressure and central venous pressure should be monitored constantly. Metabolic support should also be provided. The urine output should be watched closely for oliguria and anuria. Diuretic therapy with furosemide may be used (Munford, 2001).Despite aggressive treatment, many patients with severe sepsis and septic shock succumb to the disease. Several new agents have been developed which should promising outcome in averting death. These are drugs that neutralize the bacterial endotoxin such as monoclonal antibodies to endotoxins and drugs that interfere with the mediators of inflammatory response such as monoclonal antibodies to tumor necrosis factor alpha. Another promising drug for severe sepsis is d rotrecogin alfa or recombinant human activated protein C which has shown antithrombotic, antiinflammatory, and profibrinolytic properties. A clinical study has shown that the drug significantly reduced the mortality in severe sepsis although due to its antithrombotic properties, the patients are at a higher risk of bleeding (Bernard, et al 2001).Further studies are necessary to better understand the pathogenesis leading to sepsis. The knowledge gained in these studies which further enhance the development of newer drugs with better safety profile. In addition, more clinical trials are important to assess the drug efficacy of existing drugs so that better management of sepsis can be formulated to improve the morbidity and mortality of the disease.

Racial Identity and Religion

Racial Identity and Religion Introduction Cultural differences can be explained using multicultural concepts that may include racial identity and religion. These two concepts can summarize the behavioral norms in both a single cultured and a multicultural society. Both concepts are important in enhancing the development of co-habitation in the contemporary fast growing world.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Racial Identity and Religion specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Multicultural concepts do also come in handy in societal development especially when they tackle the subject in question on an interaction perspective. This is because development does not take place in single isolated variables. They take place in totality. This work gives a brief but comprehensive discussion of the two multicultural concepts which are quite significant in the understanding of cultural differences. Racial Identity It should be noted that the genesis of ra cial concepts is closely related to the classification of human beings. Many racial theories have attempted to demarcate and elevate one particular social group from others, thereby justifying the oppression and exploitation of certain ethnic groups who are presumed to be inferior. The inferiority concept here refers to the level of intelligence, degree of morality, physicality of the individuals in the social group and culture of the social group (Fedelina and Guido-Dibrito, 1999). As a result, there was the institutionalization of enslavement of Africans by the whites. Another act that is related to racialism is the terrorism committed against particular groups. Racial identity is the subjective sense of an invigorating sameness and continuity. The concept is known to interact closely with the social class, culture, gender and other biological factors. Racial identity takes on many forms. The concept begins during the early stages of childhood development and develops rapidly amon gst groups so visibly recognized by race. Such messages are conveyed through metacommunications which are subtle and often unspoken messages that are learned early in life and reinforced without the aid of spoken words. Thus, it may not emanate from the teachings of parents. This is pretty evident especially in racially integrated schools. In such schools, there are racially homogeneous eating areas in lunch rooms. The unspoken rule in these lunch rooms is that boundaries must not be violated. Thus, whites eat with whites; blacks eat with blacks, Hispanics with Hispanics and so forth. This instance explains the fact that even without parents verbal teachings on racial orientations, racialism can still be conveyed implicitly in racially segregated housing patterns and socioeconomic relationships.Advertising Looking for research paper on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As an individual matures, he or she develops a personality that is informed by social and moral attitudes, behaviors, and feelings. It should be noted that social and personality developments are strongly intertwined with racial presumptions that are learned through copying (Fedelina and Guido-Dibrito, 1999). This habit is internalized and further enhanced by the need to conform the prevailing racial norms so that the individual’s characters are socially acceptable. It is quite disheartening to understand that racial segregation still has its roots in the modern society. In places where race is still a powerful divider, sociocultural backgrounds and ethnical similarities do not matter a lot even if it is within the particular social group. The reality of sociocultural and ethnical similarities is quite irrelevant in such situations. A good example is the relationship between the Whites and the Blacks in America. Their cultural similarities are so obvious to people living outside the United States. However, racial spheres still exist and it is the major tool that obfuscates the two races. Religion Religion is the culture of a belief in a deity or a superior being that is believed to control natural phenomena among those who practice it. Religion concerns with nature and life’s purpose especially when viewed in the perspective of creation and a holy being (Culture and religion, 2010). Religion is actually a wide subject that requires extensive research concerned with the development of personalities in a multicultural society. There are so many religions at present and they include Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Shinto, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism among many others. The above are just the major religions. Otherwise, there are many other religions whose beliefs are practiced by fewer numbers of the population. In a multicultural society, it is quite difficult to enhance specific religious convictions. In the western society, for example, Caucasian, Afro-Caribbean, South Asian an d Chinese people jostle every street. The presence of these people comes along with different cultural and religious backgrounds. Such kinds of society are usually faced with the problems of decisions on how to adjust to make their own ways. Such people may insist upon many religious beliefs as essential tools for the satisfactory livelihood of the entire community in question. Thus, there must be a visible line that distinguishes between religion and culture is such a pluralistic society (Culture and religion, 2010).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Racial Identity and Religion specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is here that pluralism must take effect so as to take care of the various modes of freedom. These forms of freedoms include the freedom to believe or not to believe, and the freedom to conform or not to conform. Also in this system lies the freedom from the domination of one religious group. Religi ous beliefs are taught to children and enhanced through internalization and the need to maintain the individuality and character of the religion. Some people tend to be exclusivists by thinking that only their religion is right. Integration plays a major role in the adaptation and acceptance of different religious groups. It is through integration, adaptation and acceptance that a particular religious group may secure homes, incomes, and amenities together with other different groups. In many urban multicultural societies, religious affiliations have continued to diminish in use as a benchmark for public decision making. The act of assimilation in exclusivist societies is quite difficult taking into consideration that most of these societies come from rural backgrounds. Exposure to different religious beliefs other than ones own is a factor that plays a big role in acceptance of the other religions. However, it should be noted that integration of particular religious groups is quite different from assimilation. Assimilation is not easy when dealing with enhancement and maintenance of a particular religion. However, integration is quite easy because it comes along with acceptance that means trust. As it is well known, trust is not a threat to the society as a whole. Conclusion Many racial theories have attempted to demarcate and elevate one particular social group from others, thereby justifying the oppression and exploitation of certain ethnic groups who are presumed to be inferior. Racial identity is the subjective sense of an invariant sameness and continuity. The concept is known to interact closely with the social class, culture, gender and other biological factors. On the other hand, religion is the culture of a belief in a deity or a superior being that is believed to control natural phenomena among those who practice it. In a multicultural society, religion requires integration to develop the culture of acceptance and adaptability.Advertising Looking for research paper on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Reference List Culture and religion, (2010). Culture and Religion: Thoughts on Religion. Retrieved from cultureandreligion.com/html/thoughts_on_religion.html Fedelina, A., Guido-Dibrito, F. (1999). Racial and Ethnic Identity and Development. New Directions For Adult And Continuing Education. No. 84. Web.

Systems And Operations Management At Atokowa Essay

Systems And Operations Management At Atokowa - Essay Example Each organization has certain business objectives which are pursued through the operations of the organization. The success of an organization depends upon the efficiency of its decision making process and the execution of its operations. The systems and operations management in the organization helps the organization in achieving its objectives (Kolli 2000). The information system of the organization helps the organization collect and manage the information that is required for effective decision making and the operations management of the organization helps the organization conduct its operations in an effective and efficient manner (Slack & Johnston 2004). If the operations of an organization are performed effectively and efficiently, the organization would acquire its business objectives more easily. In order to make the operations of an organization efficient, the organization shall give high importance to the operations management (Greasley, 1999). ... There are numerous retail outlets being run by the company. The company also offers a facility to deliver stationery and office supplier directly to the organizations. The company also offers customized printing for organizations. The business of the company was initially established as photocopying business which later extended towards printing. The company prints; brochures, flyers, letterheads, business cards, compliments slips, memo slips, fax headers and NCR pads. The products by Atokowa are marketed to two distinct types of customers; the individual customers and the business customers. The retail outlets by the company offer products to both the individual customers and the businesses at the same time. The businesses make a significant proportion of the overall customer base of the organization. SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AT ATOKOWA From the study done on Atokowa, it can be inferred that the current systems management of the company does not provide sufficient and accur ate information regarding the type of market that generates most revenue. In order to make effective decisions, it is highly important for any organization to have complete and accurate information regarding its operations. The operations being conducted at Atokowa are also very complex. Invoices are generated after a complex formal procedure and the discounts are offered after significantly extensive paper work. In order to make the operations management at Atokowa more effective and efficient, the company may need to modify its existing information system that is called ASIS. The information system is outdated and with the introduction of new technology, the company may need to apply new information system in its organizational structure.

Implementing Lean Approach to Eliminate Non-value-added Activity Essay

Implementing Lean Approach to Eliminate Non-value-added Activity - Essay Example With regard to the second question, it was determined that the JIT significantly decreases the total NVA in the WSS when the huge stock level is declined. This causes the obvious reduction in the variable costs; for example, opportunity costs and warehousing costs. By contrast, the TPM results in better productivity and product quality due to the higher effectiveness of the machine, which is caused by better maintenance systems and practices. Concerning the third question, both external and internal factors are the obstacles and limitations of the Lean application. Ultimately, this pilot research study functions as a guidepost for manager’s of paperboard companies, as well as other continuous operation companies lacking adequate sufficient models, that are seeking means of applying Lean production mechanisms to their firm’s supply chain system. The term, ‘Lean Production’ or ‘Lean Manufacturing’, was first introduced in the seminal book, The Machine that Changed the World by Womack et al. (1990) in order to represent the evolutionary approach against traditional thinking from the 1920s, ‘Mass Production System (MPS)’. This method intends to add values on products or services from the customers’ perspective and enhance efficiency by eliminating wastes or non-value-added activities (NVAs) in the production or supply chain. It requires all people, both management and operational level, in the organization to take part in the improvement (Womack and Jones, 2003; Liker, 2004). The Lean was previously known as ‘Toyota Production System (TPS)’ after the company that developed it in the 1940s. This approach was behind the successful growth of Toyota and other Japanese manufacturers, especially in the 1980s (Ohno 1988; Shingo 1989; Liker, 2004).

Employment Business Law Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Employment Business Law - Coursework Example w their workers should spend their off hours from duty, the fact that the airline did not act from the previous cases of sexual harassment proves their liability in this case. Other New York torts of negligent hiring, retention and supervision of employees find the employer liable. Though the hotel rooms were not a property of the airline, the fact that they rent the hotel rooms for their employees proves their liability (England, 2012). It is evident that the woman was discriminated against because of her faith. Everyone has a right to worship in a religion of his or her wish and this should not be resulted into discrimination by others who do not believe in that religion. Thus, the court should decide that the company compensates the woman and gives her the job back. The reason is the manager and assistant manager of the store discriminated against her due to her Wiccan faith. They violated the law of religious discrimination and work situations in the title VII of the civil rights act of 1964. It states that under no circumstances should a worker be discriminated against in any aspects of hiring, pay, firing and any other aspects of employment. The manager terminated her job that inconvenienced the woman in question. It is important for an employer to give their employees a reasonable notice of termination. The fact that the store manager never formally disciplined the woman for her wearing the Wiccan medallion s howed that there was nothing wrong with it. However, they had to terminate her for allegedly missing a scheduled day at work that she was not aware of. The action was a way of eliminating the woman from the store due to her Wiccan

Todays Fashion Ltd.

Todays Fashion Ltd. Q1: Job analysis conducted by Mary for Todays Fashion ltd is inefficient. This is because a typical analysis of any job requires a combination of more than one method and/or approach in analyzing tasks to arrive at quality outcome. Employing a sngle method in analyzing any given tasks requirements in most instances brings inaccurate results owing to the perceived weaknesses of such a method. Such weaknesses have a dire impact on task and skills analysis procedures. Additionally, job analysis should be carried out by a professional with relevant specialization in hiring/recruitment procedures in order to ensure credible results of the entire analysis. As evidenced from the case study, Mary who is the pacific region sale manager has no formal education on job analysis or in particular personnel management training. Any job analysis carried by individuals with no formal training is likely to be inefficient. Training is paramount to the quality of output for any given task and/or activit y. Therefore, Marys experience alone does not qualify her to institute effective job analysis schedule. The method used by Mary is appropriate. However, the weakness of the overall analysis is brought by relying on one method to come up with the analysis. Additionally, relying on experience may be subjective and thus may not actually reflect the task requirements. Nevertheless, there are various strengths of the sales manager efforts. First, during the interviews, the interviewer can effectively describe himself to the people he is interviewing compared to other methods like questionnaires. Proper description of the task requirements will enable the interviewer to come up with proper conclusions regarding the job analysis. Interviews will help the interviewers to clarify issues which are not clear to the people being interviewed. Clarification of issues will enable the people being interviewed to give reliable answers to the interviewer. Also, interviews allow immediate response and interaction environment between the recruit and the employer, as compared to other methods like questionnaires. This boosts firms effort in driving needed conclusions for job analysis Just-in-Time. Interviews are also useful for complex questions that require intensive discussion which could not have otherwise be achieved through other method of job analysis. Interviews may also be modified to gather extra information needed to make conclusions as compared to other methods such as online recruiting which are static. However, Marys efforts have various weaknesses. First, interviews may lead to biased conclusions as the outcome of the entire procedure is pegged on subjective opinions such first-impression effects of the interviewer. Biased conclusion may affect the companys efficiency in selection and recruitment of human resources if the selection is based on the biased job analysis. Additionally, interviewing as well as employee skill scrutiny requires an interviewer with relevant skills and relevance for quality results, which Mary is devoid of. Therefore, the efforts employed by the sales manager may not yield the desired results. Moreover, interviews are time consuming and expensive. Also due to the large size of Todays fashions, interview carried out on the sample outlet may not represent the views of the 35 outlets that Mary is managing. Q2: Some of the factors that Mary ought to considered with more weight to improve her job analysis includes the frequency of specific tasks, skills, complexity and efforts exerted in performing various falling the assistant managers position, so as to effectively evaluate the competence and skills to sought during hiring. Also, in order to improver the quality of her analysis, Mary should consider the environment and job market dynamics in which the business is operating. Environment in most instances has a major impact on requirements in carrying out a given task. Work environment may include such as aggressive and hostile customers and extreme temperaments, among others. Consideration of work environment by the sales manager in job analysis for Todays fashion is crucial as it will help select store managers with good customer relations skills. Valuable customer relation is necessary for todays fashion ltd because some customers are aggressive and hostile, and therefore dealing with these types of customers requires high level of customer relations capacity. To improve the quality of analysis, Mary should also consider the equipment and tools needed to perform various tasks. For instance, if the stores records are to be maintained using a computerized system, the selection should include a manager with relevant information technology skills. Additionally, the sales manager should consider organization culture and strategy to improve her quality of analysis. An analysis that is consistent with the culture and laid down procedures usually yields positive returns for any given firm. Q3: Job description and specification prepared by Mary does not appear to be thorough. This is because the description fails to substantively spell out the role of the assistant manager in a given store department. An assistant manager has a significant degree of authority in making strategic decisions on store departmental issues under delegated authority from general stores manager. Additionally, under job specification, to effectively manage human capital in a given store Mary ought to posses some level of management skills. This is because the efficiency of management is directly proportional to the companys profitability and/or performance. In my opinion, the job specification and description criterion outlined by Mary does not form a substantive ground to form a basis of new selection criteria. This is because of the loopholes noted in the specification and job description schedule. For instance, the qualifications desired for the assistant store manager are inadequate, and no consideration has been made to include authority issues and duties scope. The documents prepared by Mary will work against firms goal attainment standards if sued for discrimination in recruitment of employees. This is because she restricts appointment to the people who have previously worked with the Todays fashion to some degree.

Managing COnflicts :: essays research papers

Scenario: Agency Issues in Negotiations Al and Bob entered the third meeting with some confidence. As the representatives for Symbiot Services (SS), they had hammered out some detailed language with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that would meet all of the prior objections raised during negotiations by the agency, and would still assure SS a reasonable profit for the services that SS would provide. Al had been the primary negotiator for SS. Bob was now entering the negotiations to provide the final legal fine points to the agreement in principle, and to thereafter give the legal department ¡Ã‚ ¦s blessing to the agreement. On the other side of the table, Rhonda and Sarah unpacked their notes meticulously. Rhonda, DNR ¡Ã‚ ¦s primary negotiator, had worked with Al to identify all the issues raised by the respective organizations and craft an agreement that weaved together all the parts into an effective agreement. Sarah had joined Rhonda for this meeting to sign off for the States Attorney Office, putting the legal seal of approval on what had been written. While Sarah and Bob unloaded their papers and books, Al and Rhonda chatted about how difficult it had been to identify all the issues raised at their respective home offices, then figure out how things could be addressed in a way agreeable to both sides, and then reduce the entire wall of post-it notes, taped copies of e-mails, and highlighted letters to a readable document. Because they are the talking links between their organizations, Al and Rhonda had to almost personally bridge the gaps between the organizations, and often it seemed they were a team of their own, arguing with the two  ¡Ã‚ §home teams. ¡Ã‚ ¨ The last sticking point had been the issue of how much SS would discount its regular charges for services. DNR was a very big customer and expected to get the bulk discount for services. The DNR had wanted a 50% reduction from the regular rate; SS had offered 10%, and they had finally settled on a 25% rate reduction for this contract, in the interest of providing a break to taxpayers. Both Al and Rhonda were careful to obtain e-mailed or hard copy approval of the 25% rate reduction from their bosses, because neither had the authority to set unique rates unilaterally. Sarah, representing DNR, brought the meeting to focus by reciting the issues that had been resolved, and asked SS if it had any final issues to resolve before declaring the final document completed.

Internet Marketing: A blessing or a curse Essay

Internet marketing is a phenomenon that was introduced recently due to the sudden boom in the usage of internet. People have not only become used to the internet and its ease, in fact, they have become so reliant and dependant on it that it can qualify as an addiction these days. Now, life without internet has become unimaginable for all age groups and backgrounds (Benkler, 2006). This is something that marketers capitalized on. Marketers aim to reach their consumers and catch their attention in whatever way possible through whatever medium that is the most effective and efficient. Every target market/segment uses internet; that is, the entire customer base is available to the marketer online; thus, using the internet as a platform to promote their product is nothing but a wise idea. Marketers had flooded the television, thinking that customers are now more easily available on the TV compared to newspapers and posters. As strange as it may sound, gradually, the amount of people of ages 18 – 26 watching TV has reduced (Ginster, 2005). Viewing of TV shows, movies and programs are easier online on either the home website or Youtube because of the ease of timing and general conveniences. Thus, at the end of the day, it is all about internet marketing if a marketer wants the product to succeed (Malan, 2006). The reason for this is that there is a product purchase journey which has steps such as familiarization and awareness as the first ones – the internet is used as a medium to instil the familiarity and position the product in the appropriate manners in the heads of the potential customers. (Mangold & Faulds) Internet marketing’s basic tools are emails, websites, advertisements on various websites, youtube, social media like Facebook and Twitter. However, it is not limited to these tools – when an online record of all the customers is kept to provide them with better customized and personalized service, this is called an Electronic Customer Relationship Management Database. This has become more and more critical today because of the increasingly sharper customers each day who need to be provided with value and will not settle for something that does not meet the expectations and the promise made by the companies. Blessings  Internet marketing has helped companies cut down on their advertising budgets and save up a lot of finances that were earlier utilized for heavy marketing all over the cities and countries. However, in the case of internet marketing, every customer, no matter which corner of the world they are physically present at can access the same advertisement and look at the brochures etc. The geographical advantage helps the marketers a lot, but not just them (Bove, 2000). The customers are also at an advantage because they can look at the product, research on it and purchase it according to their convenience. This also increases the purchasing frequency of the customers along with the speed of transaction, creating an advantage for the company (Story, 2008) Another advantage is that the marketers do not need to worry about keeping a track or record of all the transactions. There is an automatic electronic record generated as and when activity takes place. There are several methods of doing that – per click, per purchase, per action etc. This way, the statistics can help the marketers figure out what is more popular amongst the customers. In a way, via internet marketing, the marketer can receive feedback about the campaign instantly and make amendments and more appealing (Czepiel, 1990) Tools like Facebook, Twitters, Linkedin are used so much by almost everybody that even if the marketer gives one single ad to be placed right next to a Facebook page, a huge difference can be made. Curse In a way, internet marketing creates a barrier between those users who have a fast internet connection and those who own a slower one. These advertisements sometimes have pictures and videos which are heavy to download and cannot be accessed with a low quality internet connection. In some areas, the internet is always low – thus, this in a way limits the customer market and the number of people they can target. (Anonymous, 2008) The establishment and installation of internet marketing as a system in the organization needs a few initial costs which are pretty huge. These include higher technology equipments and programs that help design internet advertisements (Kotler & Armstrong, 1996). For customers, sometimes it is a turn off because buying a product without holding it is a little more of a gamble than usual. The sense of touch, sight, smell and taste in some cases is very important for the customer to be able to judge how well the product fits into his/her requirements (Strativity Group, Inc. , 2009). Very importantly, sometimes, the internet becomes so messy and cluttered with ads and information and the advertisement put by the marketer does not remain visible, evident and unique anymore. It becomes part of that clutter and eventually feels annoying and unappealing to the eyes. Keeping everything aside, the biggest curse of internet marketing is the security concern. Information provided by both the marketers and the customers is confidential for them and they do not want it to be disclosed it to anybody (Bitner, 1995); however, when it comes to the internet, nothing is guaranteed – hacking is extremely common. Also, online purchases that charge the money on the credit card before the delivery of the item have no guarantee. There is also no guarantee of the security of the credit card number added to the website for payment (Gentle, 2009) Conclusion My personal opinion is that internet marketing has been a blessing and not a curse for all of us. The reason for this is that as customers, it has helped us mature because of being right there in front of us all the time. Our awareness levels have increased and our understanding of a product and its analysis is just a click away. Everything has become so convenient and quick. It has helped us gain more perspective because information is only a second away. There are issues as well but everything has issues; if the usage is done properly and if a structure which does not have all of the above mentioned issues is developed, then internet marketing can be a complete blessing for all.

Discrimination and David Batty People Essay

Discrimination and David Batty People Essay Discrimination and David Batty People Essay In today’s society equality and the art of â€Å"being fair† is ever so popular, as it should be. The amount of opportunities in front of any American is mind blowing, and everything seems to be a competition with someone else. Discrimination is a harsh to the point word with a much more extraordinary definition than the one given by the dictionary. â€Å" The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things.† The art of judging someone by how the look or how you perceive him or her to be has been around since the beginning of man. There are ways to eliminate discrimination and do without it. Over the years the way people are judged or looked at has changed and will always continue to over time. Discrimination is todays society is far different than discrimination in the 1930’s or 1950’s. Women’s rights are something that is still present in today’s society as well as back in the early 1900’s. Men have always seen themselves smarter or above women just in general. This is not the case at all, all men and women are equal and no man should be looked at as â€Å"better† or â€Å"more suited† than any woman. Women were discriminated against because they were not said to have been as smart as the man so they were given lesser duties. Ever since man and woman were made equal women have risen to the occasion and not let any personal judgments by people hold them back. Even though two things are said to be equal under law, that can never change anyone’s beliefs or what they believe should be happening. â€Å"We run from things that we don’t understand and when we can’t run, we demonize the people who are differen t from ourselves.† (Scott Benner) This leads me to the discrimination of African Americans and how to this day people are still racist toward someone of another skin color. This is probably the most used example of â€Å"discrimination† and it is very serious. Since the civil war and the so-called â€Å"end to slavery† there have been people who do not agree. It is human nature almost to stand for what you believe in. Racism and discrimination towards people of the opposite race can be a very touchy subject and can be sensitive to a lot of people. Although it is a sensitive topic it really is a huge problem in the world we live in. And not just Whites and Blacks but other races that have prejudices assumed about them as well. â€Å"The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing.† (-Eric Berne) When man is not seen as one whole, there is no more harmony for one is seen as dif ferent. Our society right now is so contradictive with any news that is put out. All black colleges are allowed but if there was an all white college? Wouldn’t that be labeled racist? When in the end it is just fair? This is just one example of how discrimination and racism have affected everyone growing up in this world and how it will continue to with the help from our parents. There really is no way to completely put an end to racism and discrimination because it is a part of our American history and no one will ever forget what happened and erase their own beliefs. Parents are a large contributing factor because they are the ones that ultimately instill beliefs upon their kids, which every parent does. Discrimination of the mentally handicapped is something else that is not only a big problem but something that is just so rude and mean. All because someone is different than you, you exploit him or her. Some challenged people I have met

Astrology essays

Astrology essays According to Encarta Encyclopedia, astrology is the study of how events on earth correspond to the positions and movements of astronomical bodies, particularly the sun, moon, planets, and stars. (Astrology, 2) The practice of astrology has been around for a very long time. It seems to have developed independently from many different areas of the world (Encarta). One of the earliest detected forms of astrology is that of the Chaldeans, who lived in Babylonia in 3000 BC. Then there were the Chinese, the Indians and even the Mayans of Central America. It is believed that these people observed that certain astronomical bodies, the sun in particular, affected the seasons and the growth of the crops. By 500 BC, astrology had been detected in Greece, where philosophers such as Plato and Pythagoras incorporated it into their philosophical studies. During the Middle Ages, astrology was widely practiced in Europe (Encarta). Many believed that astrology was a science, that is, until some discoveries in astronomy disproved some theories of astrology. Since then, most scientists have disregarded astrology as a science. (Astrology, 2) Astrologers study astrology, and it is their belief that the position of certain astronomical bodies at the time of birth and the afterward movement reflects their destiny and character. They create charts called horoscopes. According to Encarta Encyclopedia, a horoscope is the illustration of the position of the sun, moon, and planets from a given latitude and longitude on earth at a given moment, usually that of birth. The horoscope is represented by a circle, which is called the ecliptic, which is the plane on which the earth orbits around the sun. The ecliptic has twelve different sections, which are familiarly known as the signs of the zodiac. The sections are: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. The ho...

Tourism Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Tourism - Assignment Example There are greater challenges to the ecology and environment of the tourism destination with increased tourist activities in developing nations. Climate change, and global warming create potential long term consequences on tourism. Conservation and protection of natural resources and wildlife habitats form an important part of the agenda. Similarly, sustainable solutions have to be undertaken to reduce the increased environmental pollution caused by growing tourist traffic. Bhatia (2006) reiterates that it is vital for authorities at the local and national levels to carry out destination planning, management, and marketing strategies, and ensure international cooperation. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to consider the main issues affecting the international tourism sector, and examine how these have challenged conventional forms of tourist activity. Tourism in Kenya will be investigated as a case study, to assess the implications of a responsible tourism agenda, and it s implementation. Case Study: Kenya as an International Tourism Destination Issues and Challenges According to the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), tourism is â€Å"a vehicle for economic development and poverty alleviation (EDPA) in developing countries† (Manyara, Jones and Botterill, 2006, p.19). The strategies for economic development and poverty alleviation include small enterprise development, with the help of governmental support. In examining Kenya as a case study for international tourism development, it is primarily important to note that tourism in Kenya is foreign-owned, hence economic benefits are channelled out of the local economy. The industry focuses on safaris and coastal products, and â€Å"exploits the southern and coastal regions in an anachronistic and colonial model of tourism development† (Manyara et al, 2006, p.19). Ondicho (2000) states that the introduction of international tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa has been a recent development. In Kenya , the tourism industry is considered as a successful domain, in relation to the large numbers of visitors, and the country’s capacity to accommodate them. At the same time, although there has been considerable progress in this respect in recent years, the international tourism sector in Kenya has been limited by particular internal and external factors leading to troubles in development, and setbacks to the growth of the industry (Ondicho, 2000). To modernise conventional forms of tourism in Kenya, a new postcolonial model of tourism development â€Å"involving small indigenous enterprises, and promoting cultural products to new markets† (Manyara et al, 2006, p.19) is expected to support economic development and help in the alleviation of poverty in Kenya. The authors examined the promotion of indigenous enterprises, and the obstacles confronting tourism entrepreneurship in Kenya, utilizing for the study 12 indigenously owned Kenyan tourism enterprises and six support organisations (Manyara et al, 2006). The 12 enterprises are divided into two categories: community-based enterprises (CBEs), and formal as well as informal individually owned enterprises

Financial Budgeting and Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Financial Budgeting and Planning - Essay Example From penny’s example we took her total income of  £ 21,200, we deducted UK dividends, UK treasury stock, building society interest and shoes as well as clothes since this should not be taxed but should be given wear and tear allowances. We later took her taxable income and multiplied it by 20 percent to get her tax for the year. From the table above, she pays  £ 3,008, which we should also add the pay as you earn of  £ 1,400, which she pays yearly. The resultant figure is the tax payable and should be deducted from her taxable income to get her net pay (Debar, G., 2012, Pp. 10-16). I should advise penny to cut on the budget and the money she is spending on shoes and the mortgage and the credit cards since this is increasing her burden and the amount she should pay back. From the information about penny’s credit cards, we see that she is owing to many financial lending institutions huge amounts, which have accrued interest, and she is not able to pay back. I would also advise her to take credit cards and loans from banks and other financial institutions that have lower interest rates. For example, there is a credit card she took with an interest rate of 1509 percent, which is absurd and she should try as much as possible to stop taking credit cards and loans with high-interest rates. I would also advise her to try as much as possible to try and saving in Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies as their interest rates are lower and sometimes one is not required to pay any interest rates.

Shakespeare's Othello theme and characterization Essay

Shakespeare's Othello theme and characterization - Essay Example 34). Lago characterization is basically presentation of black sheep in the societies that how they play with individual’s life and destroys them. Their mind games are of pure evilness and immorality; utmost desire to get power, wealth & ranks can lead them to do any spiteful task. Lago in the quest of such desires makes a big spectrum in which he plays with many individual’s life and creates conflicts in between them so that he would lead to the ultimate path of success. His agenda is self fulfilment of worldly desire for which he would take any step (Rees, 186). The theme of the author is to concentrate readers on such kind of devil-men who are present in the human race. Othello is depicted as hero in the novel; however his did some immoral acts due to ignorance about the occurrence of certain events. Lago is the main person behind this whole game plan. The writer wanted to depict that sometimes even good people can commit crime due to ignorance, resentment, jealousy, envy and unawareness but their agenda is not to prevail destruction among the society. Their acts are in the light of presented facts and figures and thus they feel resentful inside thus take bitter actions. Othello killed her wife due to genuine misunderstanding; though taking a human life due to jealousy, betrayal and revenge is not justifiable in any book of law (Toole 73). Todd & Kenneth (371) illustrate that Othello after knowing the real picture of the handkerchief incident commits suicide as he feels extremely sorry for his act of killing her wife, disrespecting her and disregard Cassio services. The writer wanted the readers to understand that the good one’s cannot resist after hearing the truth as they feel ashamed of their wrong deeds prevailed. Also man with a noble and gentle heart knows that what’s right and wrong in life so killing an innocent due to a great

Sex, Vampires and the Fascination with Bloodsucking Essay Example for Free

Sex, Vampires and the Fascination with Bloodsucking Essay Vampires have long fascinated the world, from their ability to change forms often times transforming into a bat, fog, or other creatures, and their charismatic and sexual nature which has not only seduced literature in Bram Stocker’s Dracula but has also been the outlet of the movie going audience in such films as the adaptation of Dracula in movies such as Blade, Monster Squad, Interview with a Vampire, and the series of Dracula films. The following paper will explore this fascination with Dracula, and vampires in general, paying attention to not only the novel Dracula but the mainstream movie going audience as well as the subculture that exists of vampires. Two main themes of the vampire will be explored in this paper: that of immortality, and of seduction. In the idea of forgetting one’s identity the concept of a vampire is a great iconic figure by which to catalyst the role of the double identity. It is with these two things that the vampire, as a literary character, a movie icon, and a subculture holds the interest of the general population. Body In Bram Stocker’s rendition of vampires in the character of Count Dracula there are certain elements which have become part of the increasing myth and fascination of vampires. Stocker’s character was very enigmatic, however, this did not mean that John was not attracted to this mystery. The idea of stealing someone’s life force, and of the willingness at times that Dracula achieved this feat is part of the lure of the vampire, â€Å"The lust that they portray on the movie screen, the woman gladly greeting the vampires lips with her own, then bending her head to the side so he can bite the tender flesh of her neck. What a marvelous image that seems, enticing us, and repelling us at the same time. Who among us can say for a moment that we did not find that fascination in the mystery of the vampires arms? † (Gottberg 2006). It is with Count Dracula’s charm that the readers become intrigued by the vampire, and his ability to beckon his victim while at the same time having to hold up to a code of ethics. These ethics are also part of the fascination and they are usually including the following characteristics and elements of a vampire: only permitted to come into a house or dwelling after being requested to do so by the owner, only sucking blood that is still warm from the blood pumping through the heart, having an allergic reaction to garlic, sunlight and anything holy, ability to shape shift, extreme sexuality. It is with this last part that the true fascination with vampires hinges. The sexuality of the vampire is accustomed to a smooth tongue, charming people into getting what they, a type of bending of the will of the victim, and their immortality. Especially with this element of immortality, there seems to be a certain gift and curse involved with it because the vampire trades so much in order to gain immortality which is never being able to see sunlight again, and having to feed on human or animal blood to survive. However, despite these gifts and/or curses, the in the original legend of Count Dracula as perceived by Bram Stocker, the Count is able to at once almost haunt the conscious mind of his victim John while at the same time enticing him to become part of the vampiric world. The ability of a vampire to bend a victim’s will, so much so that the victim becomes a willing participant in the bloodlust is how the mainstream media or movies, are focusing their plot outlines. Vampires are becoming a subculture which allows a person to be completely sexual, willing, and to crave blood while at the same time embracing their ‘curse’, as the fascination with vampires persist the question becomes not why does a vampire need blood to stay alive, but there is a more interesting equation involving sucking someone’s life force which in turn gives one the ability to live forever (excluding certain circumstances involving exposure to UV rays, black lights, garlic, holy relics, and a stake through the heart). Thus, the fascination of mainstream movie going audience and the more intellectual reading of a book becomes not an intrigue into an occult but rather that more alluring of attributes of the vampire: immortality. It seems that John in Dracula was not so much duped into becoming an occupant of the Count’s castle, his slave, his blood supply, as he was wanting to learn the Count’s trick of living past the status quo dying age. Thus, John realized that the Count needed blood in order to maintain his life, his charm, his intrigue, his health, and his strength, â€Å"The blood is the life, or so it is said in the vampire culture. Many cultures have included sacrifice, blood letting, and drinking of blood in their worship, so it is really no surprise that our fascination would continue. Even in biblical times blood was important for sealing covenants and sacrifice. So impotent was the blood that God forbade it to be drunk. † (Gottberg 2006). Not only in the aspect of immortality, of man’s desire to cheat death at any cost, especially as the legend goes, to give his soul as a vampire is said to do (hence the aversion to anything holy) but there is a definite sexual drive in vampires that is further seen in Stocker’s Dracula. The view of the Count as he seduces Mary is one in which a man/vampire becomes a part of his victim, sucking her blood, allowing one of the most intimate parts of her to become a part of him, to in fact sustain his life. Thus, it is not sex alone that entices her to allow the Count to ‘enter’ her through the neck, but it is the need, the primal need for life, that makes their relationship one of complete engrossment for her as well as the audience/reader, It is so many things. For many it is the ability to be so fully known by another, to be enraptured inside and out by one who could know every ounce of our being, know all we have ever done, and all we have ever thought, and still desire us more then anything. That was the mystery of Bram Stokers Dracula, a man who could listen to her deepest thoughts and travel the length of not only the world, but time itself to win her back. A woman who would stand by him, even against God himself. This is the true romance of the legend, the image that entices us beyond understanding. † (Gottberg 2006). Conclusion It seems then that this paper has explored two main points of the fascination with vampires, or Count Dracula, that is: immortality, and seduction. In these two elements the main stream culture of the movie going audience is enthralled as well as readers of Stocker’s work. These two main themes or characteristics of the vampire are what continually entice a person to read up on vampires, to watch movies, to delve into the darker realms of the subculture and to explore the idea of immortality, of sucking the life blood from a willing or even unwilling victim and to become so intrinsically a part of someone to know their thoughts, to know their heart beat, to depend on them for true sustenance, that it is no wonder that there remains, after hundreds of years, this verdant image of a charming man or woman in a cloak, knocking on one’s door asking permission to come in and to suck their blood. The idea of possession is a turn on for the subculture of vampires just as it was for Count Dracula; the kind of dependence on someone for a life force as well as the control the vampire has over their victim is what makes this subculture so fascinating and how it can attract the type of crowd that it attracts. Thus, the subculture of the vampire is not merely about bloodsucking but involves something quite animal and quite human about it; it involves allowing someone to take control of one as well as force control on another person, the turn on then becomes power through possession. Although critics might argue that the vampire is a lonesome creature, cursed to walk the earth for eternity, living without a soul, but with the rise of this as a subculture and the popularity it has attracted over the years, it seems that vampirism is becoming more mainstream as more movies are made glamorizing the sex appeal of vampires and the fact that eternity is the natural attraction of this subculture and the young are always attracted to maintaining their youth.The vampire victim is almost always willing. Work Cited Gottberg, C. Why a Fascination with Vampires. 2006. Online. Retrieved 5 November 2007. http://www. associatedcontent. com/article/110969/why_a_fascination_of_vampires. html? page=3

Globalisation - Australia and Asia Essay examples -- essays research p

Edward Said states, â€Å"No one today is purely one thing. Labels like Indian, or woman, or Muslim, or American are no more than starting points.† Said’s idea illustrates the evolution of relations between communities as a result of globalization, and the understanding and recognition of other cultures through the interpretation of cultural borders. In this essay I will analyse to what extent globalisation is affecting identity formation, and also the roles of cultural borders in today’s world. I will assess whether through globalisation of the media we are in fact overcoming cultural borders and traditional stereotypes and in turn forging a mutual respect between foreign communities, or as Said argues (Said cited in Crary & Mariani1990), whether globalisation and Western media dominance through peripheral and Third World societies is perpetuating Western superiority, â€Å"the ever rolling march of commodification, the old form of globalisation, fully in keeping with the west, which is simply able to absorb everybody else within its drive† (Hall 1991), and spreading hegemony, with little or selected representation of local culture. I will be using studies of Australia/Asian relations to illustrate these ideas. In order to apply these ideas to Australian and Asian relations, we must first establish how we some have come to realise that â€Å"no one today is purely one thing†, as opposed to years gone by. As Said (1978) and others have shown, Europe, from which Australia’s culture originates, has traditionally viewed Asia and Asians with contempt and inferiority, and â€Å"one of its deepest and most reoccurring images of Other† (Said 1978, p.1). Asians have been â€Å"repeatedly characterised by some western texts as alternatively lazy, stupid, mindless, barbaric and untrustworthy [which has] served as a guarantee of the ‘superiority of the Briton, American, German or Australian over many years† (Birch, Schirato & Srivastava 2001, p.5). As Said (1978, cited in Crary & Mariani1990) and Birch et al. (2001) show, Asians have been represented as inferior and essentially different to their colonising European counterparts. Australians, too, have looked (and argu ably continue look) upon Asian people (and in light of this essay any other people) as essentially different to themselves. As D’Cruz and Steele (2003) demonstrate, Asians have been ostracized in Australian societ... ...ernational Circulation of U.S. Theatrical Films and Television Programming’. In G. Gerbner and M. Siefert (eds) World Communications: A Handbook. New York: Longman. Hall S (1991). ‘The Local and the Global’. In King AD (ed) Culture Globalization and the World System. London: Macmillan. Jin D Y (2005). ‘Is Cultural Imperialism Over: Growing U.S. Dominance vs. Emerging Domestic Cultural Market’. The University of Illinois. Patience A & Jacques M (2003). ‘Rethinking Australian Studies in Japanese Universities: Towards a New Area Studies for a Globalising World’. Journal of Australian Studies, No 77, pp. 43-56. Rizvi F (1996). ‘Racism, Reorientation and the Cultural Politics of Asia-Australia Relations’. In Vasta E & Castles S (eds) The Teeth are Smiling: The Persistence of Racism in Multicultural Australia. St Leonards: Allen and Unwin. Said E (1978). ‘Introduction’. In Orientalism. London: Routledge. Straubhaar J (1991). ‘Beyond Media Imperialism: Asymmetrical Independence and Cultural Proximity’. In Critical Studies in Mass Communication. 8 (1), 39-70. Tunstall J (1977). The Media are American: Anglo-American Media in the World. New York: Columbia University Press.

Agatha Christie’s “The idol house of Astarte” Essay

The story the â€Å"Idol House of Astarte† is just one of the stories that appeared in Dame Agatha Christie’s â€Å"The Thirteen Problems† (1932, 2000)(also published as â€Å"The Tuesday Club Murders. â€Å") Ms. Jane Marple, one of Christie’s most beloved characters is the village old maid who has a knack for observing parallels between situations (Bargainnier 42). She along with her playwright nephew Raymond West, the artist Joyce Lempriere, Scotland Yard’s Sir Henry Clithering, the elderly clergyman Dr. Pender and the solicitor Mr. Petherick are featured telling accounts of puzzling situations and crimes they have experienced (Christie 1). To each story, the storyteller withholds the solution to the how the crime was solved and how it was committed. The challenge to the listeners is to guess the answers to the question of how the murders or crimes were committed and by whom. (2) â€Å"The Idol House of Astarte† (15-30) is the story shared by Dr. Pender. In it, he recalls the experience he had and the murder he witnessed at a party at the house of a Sir Richard Haydon on Dartmoor. The house itself, while unremarkable in appearance, was said to be built on a location full of history including that of the Neolithic hut dwellers, the Druids, Romans and early Phoenicians. On the grounds is a peculiar piece of land with a dense crop of trees, which Haydon thought to be the sacred grove of a Phoenician goddess of the moon, Astarte. The sight and eerie atmosphere of the grove inspired one of the guests, an actress called Diana Ashley to suggest a Fancy dress or costume party for that evening. In the course of the evening, the house party dressed in their costumes once again venture to the grove and encounter a surprise in the form of a fully costumed Diana Ashley who was acting the part of a priestess at the goddess temple. In excitement, Sir Richard Haydon attempts to approach Diana, stumbles and then falls forward. When he doesn’t get up, his cousin Elliot investigates what happened and announces that Richard was dead apparently from a stab wound. Despite searching for a weapon or possible reason for Haydon’s death, none could be found. The next day, Elliot Haydon was also found stabbed but alive in the same position as Richard was. The difference was that a dagger was left in the wound. According to him, something supernatural happened in the grove and that his wound was inflicted by something he could not explain. The story goes on to detail the many solutions Ms. Marple’s party offers up for the deaths. Most of which considered the supernatural and superhuman. Of them all, only the lawyer Mr. Petherick and Ms. Marple offered solutions that completely discounted the supernatural. In the end, it was Ms. Marple who came upon the correct answer to Dr. Pender’s mystery. There were many factors that made the story mystical. The story itself carries many suggestions of supernatural things such as magic and ghosts. Much mention has also been given to the â€Å"atmosphere† of the grove, which was often described as spooky or creepy. There was also of course the setting, which was in a clearing in a dense crop of trees and the time at which the murder happened which was a night with a rising moon (20). There was also the eerie dark punctuated with whispers and sighs, and the small summerhouse or â€Å"temple† at the clearing itself where a stone statue of the goddess Astarte was enshrined. The atmosphere of evil and foreboding enveloped the characters in the house party. Ms.Marple’s group was also invariably influenced by the eerie nature of the story and Dr. Pender’s description of how he felt on seeing the grove as well as the events as they unfolded. I think this very â€Å"atmosphere† itself plus the mere fact that a clergyman such as Dr. Pender could be affected by such â€Å"evil† atmosphere, hindered the characters in the house party including some members of Ms. Marple’s group in their objective and sober assessment of the facts. In fact, I believe Ms. Marple stated it best when she said: I don’t see how anyone else could have done it†¦I mean if, as Mr. Petherick so wisely says, one looks at the facts and disregards all that atmosphere of heathen goddesses which I don’t think is very nice. (Christie 29) I also found it interesting that the more â€Å"artistic† in Ms. Marple’s group such as Raymond West and Joyce Lempriere, were more susceptible to thinking up solutions of a supernatural nature such as seances and superhuman strength used in throwing a javelin. Sir Henry Clithering, while not completely taken in by the supernatural, did consider the possibility of murder done by a professional and exceptionally talented dagger of knife thrower. (27) Owing to his profession as a solicitor, Mr. Petherick was more trained to evaluate facts without the influence of atmosphere. Ms. Marple, besides being a â€Å"matter-of-fact† sort of person, has the wealth of her experience and observations of living in a village that she can build her judgment on. Profession and experience seem to be used as indicators and measures of each character’s objectivity and imagination. Both Ms. Christie and the character Dr. Pender are wonderful storytellers. The description of the grove and the feelings it created in those who visited it shows just how important atmosphere can be not only in a story (Bargainnier 28) but also in influencing how people think, feel, and view things. Works Cited Bargainnier, Earl F. The Gentle Art of Murder: The Detective Fiction of Agatha Christie. Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Press, 1980. Questia. 4 Nov. 2007 . Christie, Agatha. â€Å"The Idol House of Astarte. † The Thirteen Problems. New York: Signet, 2000. 15-30.