Details of Paper Writing Help

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The Best Possible Taste - 3607 Words

The phenomenal change in British society in the past two centuries has molded the kind of material world we now live in today. Centuries of revolutionary design have created a life that can be blissfully taken for granted. The social structure in Britain is made up of classes and it is Turner Prize winning artist Grayson Perry who classifies the fragmented groupings as â€Å"social tribes† (Perry, In The Best Possible Taste, 2012) during his BAFTA award winning Channel 4 documentary In The Best Possible Taste. Perry undertakes in an investigation, which sees him visit areas of the country, which are stereotypically portrayed as being working class, middle class or upper class to determine what makes us different to contrasting social classes in†¦show more content†¦Grayson Perry was keen to investigate and identify what separates the different classes in Britain and what makes them have conflicting tastes. His journeys lead him all over the country investigating †Å"politics of consumerism and the history of popular design† (Perry, The Vanity of Small Differences, 2012) and why we all have varying tastes when it comes to choosing clothing accessories, home interior designs and what we drive and how this affects our ability to understand the taste of others in a different class. Whilst investigating the varying taste of the different classes, Grayson Perry noted that a middle class or upper class persons reaction to lower class taste is to be â€Å"disgusted, recoil and cringe† (Perry, In The Best Possible Taste, 2012) to which he dismissed as sad. Inspired by his favorite artist, William Hogarth and his series of eight paintings called A Rakes Progress (Hogarth, 1733), which sees a character named Tom Rakewell journey through the different class divisions in the 18th century. During Tom Rakewell’s journey he experiences the working class and what it is like to leave the working class and move up in society in to the middle class and then in to upper class before finally dying a tragic death in a mental institution. Tapestries were made for Lords and royalty and would depict great mythical battles and a

Jane Doe, Asylum / Gonzalez v. Reno free essay sample

The plaintiff a minor alien who survived a tragedy at sea, was rescued and placed in the custody of his great uncle, a temporary legal custodian. His great uncle filed several asylum applications on his behalf against the wishes of the minors father in Cuba. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) rejected the applications as void. The plaintiff appealed to the district court, which was dismissed because the father was the only one that could apply for his asylum case. The plaintiff appealed stating that the INS had violated  §1158 of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1996. The issue here was whether a non parental relative could apply or submit an application for asylum on behalf of the plaintiff against parental wishes. Issue: 1) Whether a temporary legal custodian, can file on behalf of a six (6) year old child, who lacks the capacity to file for himself, against the wishes of his father (sole survivor). We will write a custom essay sample on Jane Doe, Asylum / Gonzalez v. Reno or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Rule: 1) 8 USC  § 1158  §1158 Asylum (a) Authority to apply for asylum (1) In general. Any alien who is physically present in the United States or who arrives in the United States (whether or not at a designated port of arrival and including an alien who is brought to the United States after having been interdicted in international or United States waters), irrespective of such alien’s status, may apply for asylum in accordance with this section or, where applicable, section 1225 (b) of this title. Analysis: The issue here is whether a non-custodial parent could submit an application for asylum on a minors behalf against the wishes of the minors father. The ruling of the court states that under  §1158 Asylum, Any alien who is physically present in the United States or who arrives in the United States (whether or not at a designated port of arrival and including an alien who is brought to the United States after having been interdicted in international or United States waters), irrespective of such alien’s status, may apply for asylum in accordance with this section or, where applicable, section 1225 (b) of this title. Because the statute was silent on this issue, it was not for the courts to decide but for the executive agency charged, in this case the INS, to make a discretionary policy choice. The duty of the court was to decide whether this policy was a reasonable one in light of the statutory scheme. See Chevron, 104 S. Ct. at 2782. After analyzing the INS policy, the court stated that the policy does not violate nor contradict section  § 1158. The court rendered that it neither approves or disproves the decision of the INS to reject the asylum application filed by the plaintiffs uncle. The court held that the INS did not contradict 8 U. S. C.  §? 1158, therefore, affirming its position. The Plaintiff was soon returned to his father in Cuba. Conclusion: It is the duty of the judicial branch not to exercise political will, but only to render judicial judgment under the law. The Court neither approves nor disapproves the INSs decision to reject the asylum applications filed on Plaintiffs behalf, but the INS decision did not contradict 8 U. S. C.  §? 1158. The judgment of the District Court is AFFFIRMED. The Plaintiff was soon returned to his father in Cuba.

Thendy Essay Example For Students

Thendy Essay INTERNATIONAL MARKETING92% of the worlds consumers live outside the U.S. Thus, international marketing is very important. When selling to foreign markets, one must realize that there are major differences between other countries the U.S. Aside from political and legal differences, there are economic, technological, social (family, religion, education, health ) cultural differences. Each 1 billion in trade deficit yields a loss of 25,000 jobs. See text for how international trade is measured and protectionism vs. free trade.Gray Goods Goods imported from unauthorized dealer; problem = no manufacturers warranty. Dumping = Sale of export goods at less than normal value (less than cost or less than home-country price). We will write a custom essay on Thendy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Strategic Adaptations Of The Marketing Mix1Keep The Product Promotion The Same Worldwide (Global Marketing) e.g., world brands such as Coca Cola and Marlboro. Theodore Levitt is the guru of the globalization or global marketing approach. Promotion mix elements such as advertising present the biggest problem to standardizing a marketing strategy across all borders because promotion is based on a communication process, which can differ from country to country even if the languages are the same (e.g., the U.S. the U.K.). 2Adapt Only The Promotion e.g., in most of the world, bicycles are promoted as transportation; in U.S. as leisure. 3Adapt Only The Product e.g., Canadians prefer a more bitter beer; Barbie looks Asian in Japan. 4Adapt Promotion Product e.g., American cereals in Asia = snack food; therefore, need different flavors (e.g., tofu). 5Backward Invention Simplify product use less technology. This makes the product more affordable usable in certain foreign markets. Some Ways To Operate In Foreign Markets 1Exporting A company sells what it produces to foreign markets via export merchants (e.g., export trading companies) or export agents (e.g., export management companies) or a firms own sales branches.Risk of tariff devaluation.2Direct Investment Ownership Investment in production and or distribution facilities can occur either through a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary or a joint venture with a foreign company. Risk of nationalization.Joint Ventures domestic foreign firms become partners. Strategic Alliance a formal long-term agreement between firms in order to accomplish global objectives without formal ownership by either company. 3Contracting (Licensing, Franchising, Contract Manufacturing Management Contracting)Licensing = selling rights to name, process or patent for a fee or royalty; e.g., magazines such as Cosmopolitan Playboy; Ampex licensed VCR technology to Japan. Contract Manufacturing Domestic firm contracts with a foreign firm to do production; marketing is done by domestic firm. Management Contracting Seller provides management skills only; e.g., Hilton Hotels. 3 Major Risks In Intl Mktg:1Radical Change In Government a companys factories may be nationalized. 2Change In Export Rates foreign currency may be devalued; a firm may want to hedge with options. E.g., many tech firms hurt by Asian economic crisis.3Foreign Markets May Impose Tariffs, Taxes, Quotas On Your Product They do so to make imports more expensive relative to domestic goods. Words/ Pages : 498 / 24

The eNotes Blog 8 Latin American Authors and Poets You Need toRead

8 Latin American Authors and Poets You Need toRead As a student and young reader, I am often inundated with syllabi and must-read lists that beat me over the head with the â€Å"essentials.† One can only be told to read Twain, Austen, Faulkner, Dickens, and Hemingway so many times before one itches to rebel. What else is out there? There have to be other great books outside of the Western canon, right? Of course there are. The issue is that so many great books get lost in translation. Latin America in particular is rich in a history of struggle and resistance; this spirit is reflected best in its literature. From Borges in Argentina to Neruda in Chile, here are eight literary heroes who should be on your personal must-read list. Argentina Jose Luis Borges, Ficciones Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986) is one of the most important figures in Spanish language and Argentinean literature. His specific genre is hard to define, as he combines elements of surrealism, the human condition, time, and the metaphysical. In his collection of short stories Ficciones, Borges plays with the idea of paradoxes that readers are forced to puzzle out. What is real, and what is fiction? Ficciones won’t tell you, and it might drive you crazy; however, I’m not sure that Borges could distinguish between the two, himself. Alejandra Pizarnik, Extracting the Stone of Madness You cannot talk about Argentine poets without mentioning Alejandra Pizarnik (1936–1972). She was a central voice in Latin American poetry during the twentieth century. The poems in Extracting the Stone of Madness, like many of Pizarnik’s poems, draw readers into her personal turmoil. Pizarnik has a unique style of confession in that provides no answers, only tension. We are invited into the poet’s musings on solitude, madness, and death. It is impossible, with her candidness, for us not to reflect on those topics ourselves. Colombia Gabriel Garcà ­a Mrquez, Chronicle of a Death Foretold Garcà ­a Mrquez (1927–2014) was simultaneously a talented journalist, short story writer, and novelist, having won the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature in 1982- he was the fourth Latin American to do so. He was affectionately known in Colombia as â€Å"Gabo.† The very beginning of Chronicle of a Death Foretold tells us that Santiago Nasar has been murdered. It’s the â€Å"how† and the â€Å"why† that we’re interested in, and we learn those details through a very non-linear storyline. It’s a fascinating story of honor, shame, duty, and complicity. How can a village allow a man to be murdered, when the murderers themselves warn them? Laura Restrepo, The Angel of Galilea Laura Restrepo (1950–) is a Colombian writer who has transitioned from political columns to best-selling novels. Although she was never afraid to voice her opinions when it came to war and negotiations, this caused death threats which resulted in a six-year exile in Mexico. To this day, Restrepo divides her time between Bogot and Mexico City. In The Angel of Galilea, we see the influence of Restrepo’s past in the main character, Mona, who is a formerly optimistic Colombian journalist. Mona is sent to the village of Galilea, in the slums of Bogot, to investigate sightings of an angel. Drug addiction, abuse, incarceration, love, and angels- what more could you want? Peru Cà ©sar Vallejo, Trilce Peru has a rich history of literary giants, and Cà ©sar Vallejo (1892–1938) is one of them. It is impossible to read his poetry without seeing Vallejo’s true inner nature: full of desire for justice, full of sadness, intensely averse to pain- his own and others. Trilce is Cà ©sar Vallejo’s best-known book of poetry. His poems often defy interpretation, or perhaps they offer too many possible interpretations. The emotion is undeniable, however, and opens the door for us to see how Vallejo juggles the power of language with the power of lived experience. Mario Vargas Llosa, The Time of the Hero Mario Vargas Llosa (1936– )is another recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Vargas Llosa is overtly political in his writing, which makes sense, considering he has also made a career for himself as a journalist and politician in Peru. In The Time of the Hero, Vargas Llosa critiques Peruvian society in particular and hierarchical structures in general. The novel follows four boys in the Leoncio Prado Military Academy in Lima, Peru, as they grow and come to terms with the fact that their fates are inescapable. Chile Isabel Allende, House of the Spirits Isabel Allende (1942– ) uses aspects of magical realism in her novels- novels that often are tributes to powerful women operating in situations where they have little power. Allende has had United States Citizenship since 1993 and was awarded the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama. House of the Spirits spans generations, social divides, and political divides of a single family. What is the difference between love and possession? Can there be love without possession? Allende explores the theme of injustice when it comes to gender, social class, and who is allowed to be self-determining. Pablo Neruda, One Hundred Love Sonnets Pablo Neruda (1904–1973) became known as the people’s poet, and it’s easy to see why- he was a diplomat, Chilean consul to Argentina and Mexico, member of the Chilean Senate, opponent of repressive policies, and prolific writer. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971. One Hundred Love Sonnets isn’t the only tribute that Neruda made to his wife, Matilde Urrutia, but it is a fantastic one. If you’re looking for romance, look no further than the man who wrote, â€Å"I want to do to you what spring does with the cherry blossoms.†

8 Steps to Creating a Great Nursing Resume

8 Steps to Creating a Great Nursing Resume You’ve finished your course load and you’re ready to join the work force in your new career. Or, maybe   you’re looking to switch hospitals or positions. No matter what the reason for a job hunt in the nursing field, you need the  best resume tips to help you write a quality resume that will net you an interview. Here are 8 tips to ensure success.Make it short, sweet, and to the pointDon’t make the hiring manager wade through tons of dense language. Just make it catchy and succinct. Think one page for entry-level nurses and 2-3 for veteran nurses, depending on your amount of experience.Go for the big pictureInstead of including the â€Å"Job Objectives† section at the top, why not consider a â€Å"Career Profile† instead? Talk about your professional nursing career to date and where you’re looking to steer it to give hiring managers the best idea of why they should take you on.Go SEOUse keywords, just as you would when trying to in crease traffic to a webpage. HR departments frequently search through resume databases hunting for keywords. â€Å"Registered Nurse† or â€Å"RN† and â€Å"staff nurse† are a good start.Get GeekySimply writing â€Å"Computer savvy† just won’t cut it anymore. Describe your particular computer skills by name. And be sure to include any electronic medical records systems (EMR) that you’re familiar with, plus any medical-related software (and the usual office programs).Squeeze from the bottom upPresent your work history in reverse chronological order, from the most recent down to the earliest job.Glitz it upIf you have any professional achievements to boast of (speaking engagements, articles published, awards, positions in any organizations or societies), it’s great to include a section highlighting those achievements. You never know, it could make all the difference.Label itMake it easy for you to find your resume file, and for your empl oyer to find it also. Save it clearly with your surname first, then your first name or initials, and the date of submission.Proof itThis is a no-brainer. When you’re all finished, make sure to go over it with a fine-toothed comb looking for formatting, punctuation, spelling, and style errors. Then do this several times more. Errors on a resume are like a black mark. If possible, have a friend look it over, as well, with fresh eyes. And don’t use any crazy fonts. Standard fonts in a standard size (12 pt) will do.

Environmental Impacts of Bottled Water Research Proposal

Environmental Impacts of Bottled Water - Research Proposal Example From this discussion it is clear that there are concerns on its implications for the environment, such as the effects on water resources, pollution, energy supplies, and health. For example, the plastic bottle waste is disposable to the open environment and involves the use of fossil fuels that pollute the environment. The research paper aims to determine the negative implications of bottled water for the environment to encourage the development of appropriate and adequate interventions to preserve the environment. It will explore several areas including implications for water resources, health, waste disposal,pollution, energy security, and interventions applied. The research findingswould be relevant to environmental conservation agencies, governments and other stakeholders all over the world.  The research objectives will be achieved by developing questions that will guide in execution, data collections, and other parts of the study. The questions will help in determining the kind of data collected for the purposes of analysis and discussion findings.  Several negative consequences for the bottled water industry are expected out of the research. The data collected using the research question would show an alarming increasing trend of bottle water in the U.S and the whole world.Secondly, the bottled water is sourced from natural resources and involves wastages that lead to over-exploitation. Thirdly, plastic bottles are made from fossil fuels and increased use leads to a huge carbon footprint.

GCC Common Currency Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

GCC Common Currency - Essay Example a unified economic system having a unified currency will do much to stabilize this situation for them and the oil importing market (Al-Jasser & Al-Hamidy 116). The requisites for establishing a unified currency area necessitates the free movement of national goods, labour and capital across borders within the area, greatly enhancing trade among the member countries. Full customs union, a precursor to trade liberalization, is expected to increase inter-GCC trade to 20% in 2015 and 25% in 2020 (Kawach). CON: There presently exists a great disparity in the size of the economy of Saudi Arabia as compared to the other member countries, so there should be a more careful and gradual integration of movements of resources so as not to cause destabilization among the smaller economies. Furthermore, the customs union began in 2005 is not yet fully implemented with many reservations still in place at present. Also, boosting regional trade requires diversifying away from oil, which still accounts for 90 percent of export revenues (Hancock). PRO: The integration of the individual economies should be carefully managed so that the valuation of assets would not be unduly distorted. Measures have been initiated to interlink the countries’ stock markets in order to accommodate cross listing and trading of equities and other securities. The common currency also eliminates foreign exchange risk within the GCC area, because the need to convert from one currency to another would have been eliminated. CON: In the process of unification, financial assets which are denominated in national currencies should not suffer in valuation in the new currency. Financial asset valuation depends to an extent on the future return on investment in comparison with inflation, nominal interest rates, and foreign exchange rates (Al-Jasser & Al-Hamidy 116). The efforts to unify the customs and markets operations that began in 2003 to 2005 are still to be completed (Mohamed & Irandoust

Virtual Lab Report Template Essay Example for Free

Virtual Lab Report Template Essay In this virtual lab activity, you will be observing the cell cycle in the tip of an onion root. The root tip is responsible for the downward growth of the root and is one of the regions in the plant where cells are actively dividing and growing. Because of this, the root tip is an excellent system in which to observe the entire cell cycle, including the processes of nuclear division (mitosis) and cell division (cytokinesis). You will be submitting a lab report as the assignment for this lesson. Be sure to read the instructions before completing the virtual lab activity and your lab report. Refer to the lab rubric before you submit your report to your instructor. Record any observations about the cells you observed: Data Analysis: Calculate the percentage of the cell cycle spent in each stage. Number of cells in given stage ? total number of cells counted ? 100 = % of the cell cycle spent in this stage Create a graph that represents the time spent in each stage of the cell cycle. Graph: Conclusion: Be sure to answer the following reflection questions in the conclusion of your lab report: 1 Based on your data, what can you infer about the length of time spent in each stage of mitosis? 2 What stages were the longest and shortest? Give a brief explanation of why these stages may have that time period. 3 What is a distinguishing visible feature of each stage of the cell cycle? 4 What differences can you see when you compare the nucleus of a dividing cell with that of a non-dividing cell? 5 If your observation had not been restricted to the tip of the onion root, how would the results be different?

Animal Testing :: Animal Testing

Is it right to take the life of an innocent animal? Animals have been burnt, crushed, sliced, electrocuted, tortured with drugs, poisoned with toxic chemicals, and tormented in psychological testing. They do all these test just to make money or find if a chemical is safe for humans. Is this right? Lab experimentation involving animals is inhumane. Animal testing is cruel because an animal s life is just as important as a human s life, people are exploiting animals, and animal testing doesn’t t show whether or not a product is safe for humans.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In laboratories around the world, scientists test a company s product on animals. Why do these companies test their products on animals? Many scientists would argue that it s more cost-efficient to test products on animals than on humans. Others say that they experiment on animals because animals are not as important as humans, which isn’t necessarily true. Why should humans risk the death of animals for their own benefit? What makes a human s life any more valuable than any other creature s? Every creature on earth has one life to live, a common bond that all organisms share. Who is to say that one creature should have his one life taken away from him? This is different from eating another animal for survival purposes. Scientists do not need to test their products.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  People are exploiting lab animals because of their inability to communicate with humans. The prominent English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, when commenting on animal testing, is quoted as having said, The question is not can they reason? nor can they talk? but can they suffer? The answer to his question is yes. Historical information from animal observations shows that animals do, in fact, suffer. Because of an animal s inability to communicate or reason, does that mean that humans have the right to decide their fate? Testing a company s product on animals doesn’t t mean that it will necessarily be safe for humans. For example, the drugs Oraflex, Selacryn, Zomax, Meritol, and Suprol have produced side effects, even death, in humans.

Coach Carter Essay

I believe that this will be easier for me to understand what Is happening In the film and I think I will be able to understand the personalities of the characters whilst watching a film rather than reading a novel. I find that they are easier to analyze. Coach Carter Is based on a true story, Samuel L. Jackson portrays Ken Carter who has a legend status at Richmond high.At the beginning of the film Carter was offered a job at the school as head coach of the basketball team. He accepted the Job to attempt to bring change into the or neighborhood and to the student athletes who played for the basketball team. One theme that the film uses is teamwork, at the beginning of the story the team weren't playing as one unit but as a group of individuals, this resulted in the team losing most of their games in the previous years.When Coach Carter took over he taught them that teamwork will always beat a team of individuals, he taught them to pass the ball to each other rather than continuously shooting, he also punished the team as a group rather than singling out each Individual. This made brought the team closer and taught them some discipline. Another theme was winning Isn't always everything, this theme Is shown when Coach Carter locks up the gym, he does this because the team break their contracts with not all of them achieving a or higher after they promised they would all get their act together and pass their classes.He shows that he cares more about the boys passing their classes than winning which his main goal was to try to ensure a successful future for these students rather than winning championships, proving that he values education and a successful life over winning games. This theme is also shown in the last game where he team comes up short in the final, obviously them team was shattered but after the game they were in the change rooms singing because they were proud of their achievements. The boys were all proud of how far they had come and were very appr eciative of what the Coach had done for them and getting their lives back on track.One really big theme Is respect from one of the very first scenes the Coach talks about respect and how the team should refer to him as â€Å"sir† and vice-versa, In that same scene he talks about the â€Å"n-word† and how it is a derogatory term and he does not want to hear it anymore. At first the team didn't respect the Coach, but once they realized what he was trying to do and saw that he was respecting them they eventually showed respect back by sticking by him when his job was on the line after complaints about his coaching methods.During the team's first few game the boys would continuously taunt their opponents as they began to get overly cocky due to their winning streak, Carter then punished them as he did not want his boys to be perceived that way and wanted the boys to win graciously. Throughout the course of the film there were a few characters who developed their personalit ies, one being Time Cruz, at the beginning of the film he was a no good street thug who was a menace to society and was In a gang and he had no purpose In life, Coach Carter opened his eyes and showed him that there Is more to life than being a thug.In a later scene there was a drive by shooting in which his cousin was involved in, upon Carter for guidance. Cruz went on to follow Coach Carter's advice and he went on with his study and continued to play basketball. In the end this led to Cruz going to college and earning a degree. Coach Ken Carter is shown as highly unorthodox high school basketball coach. Coach Carter took the coaching Job and made his own rules.He believed that everyone in the team must receive a good grades and form a strong bond in the team or they would not play and he had everyone in the team sign a contract stating that they would get good grades or else not be able to play. The team was undefeated and on its way to the Championship, when Coach Carter received the low grades of his players he locked the gym and benched the team for not getting good enough grades. Coach Carter received some praise but much more criticism for his decision. Coach Carter taught his players that they must be committed and work art to excel.Whilst watching the movie I noticed that there were not many moments when the whole team was in the shot, instead the director really wanted to focus on one person at a time. They focus on individuals which shows their attitudes and expressions really well. However on the occasions that they were shown together they look like a united team, this shows the viewer the bond that they have created. This movie was filled with lots of Urn style music which fits well with a movie about basketball, this satisfies most viewers as many basketball players stereotypically sites to this music.Depending on the scene the music was more up-tempo or was slowed down, during a game the music was used to pump the viewer up whilst the sadder pa rts of the movie had slow emotional music, for example music about losing people was played when one of the players relatives died. In the end Richmond lost in the championship final, the players were distraught but shortly after they realized that they had won in another way, the players made friendships, learnt respect, got their lives back on track, earned college scholarships and ultimately became better people.

Vsm Group: Examination of Strategic Position and Development of a Competitive Strategy

1. INTRODUCTION Johnson, Scholes and Whittington (2005, p. 9) define strategy as the direction and scope of an organisation over the long term, which achieves advantage in a changing environment through its configuration of resources and competencies with the aim of fulfilling stakeholder expectations. Strategy is therefore the long term direction of an organisation. Strategic Management can be defined as the art and science of formulating, implementing, and evaluating cross-functional decisions that enable an organisation to achieve its objectives (David 1999, p. ). Strategic management therefore focuses on the activities of the organisation that contribute to the achievement of organisational success. These activities include management, marketing, financial management, operations management, research and development, and information systems. The strategic position of the VSM will be analysed by applying the analytical models of strategic management to the current situation in the company. The following models will be used to analyse both the internal and external environment of the company, namely, PESTEL, Five Forces Model, and the SWOT analysis The examination of the strategic position of VSM will involve analysing the strategy of the company with emphasis on the environment it operates in, its strategic capabilities, and how expectations affect organisational purposes and strategies. The analysis will conclude with a clear statement of the Key Issues and Critical Success factors. The strategic position of VSM will then be used as a base to develop an appropriate competitive strategy for the company. The development of the strategy will also take into account the organisational cultural issues prevailing in the company. 2. COMPANY OVERVIEW The VSM (Viking Sewing Machines) Group AB engages in the development, production, marketing, and sale of household sewing machines and related accessories, and software (BusinessWeek, 2008. VSM Group AB: Private Company Information, [internet]). The VSM Group currently has two brands, namely, Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff. The company produces several lines of sewing machines, the top being the Designer series and the lowest being the mechanical (non-computerised) Huskystars (Wikipedia 2007 [internet]). The company has manufacturing facilities in Sweden and the Czech Republic and produces top-of-the-line household sewing machines with related accessories and software. Each brand has its own unique and separate product line. According to BusinessWeek (VSM Group AB: Private Company Information, [internet]) the company was founded in 1689 and is headquartered in Huskvarna, Sweden. It has offices in many countries including Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Holland, and the United States of America. As of February 2006 the company was acquired by Singer Sewing Company (BusinessWeek, 2008. VSM Group AB: Private Company Information, [internet]). 3. STRATEGIC POSITION OF THE VSM GROUP The strategic position is concerned with the impact on strategy of the external environment, an organisation’s strategic capability (resources and competences) and the expectations and influence of stakeholders (Johnson et al 2005, p. 17). The strategic position of VSM Group will be examined by utilising the following factors, namely, the influence/impact of macro-environmental issues to the strategy, understanding the company’s strategic capability and how this strengthens the company’s competitive advantage, and thirdly how expectations shape organisational purposes and strategies. The impact of the macro-environment will be analysed using the PESTEL framework, Porter’s Five Forces Model, SWOT analysis and the competitive nature of VSM Group’s home base of Sweden. PESTEL identifies six main types of environmental influences, namely, political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal. Each influence will be discussed hereunder. 3. 1. PESTEL Political variables †¢ Political stability in Sweden and the United States. †¢ The prevalence of foreign trade regulations in the USA. Economic variables †¢ Decline in demand for sewing machines in past two decades. †¢ Decline in industry profitability. †¢ Low sales in respect of Pfaff within three years of acquisition. †¢ High production costs in the German Pfaff plant. †¢ Investment by Juki and other industry players into the US market. Socio-cultural factors †¢ Not using a consultant for the strategic planning weekend meeting made the strategy process unstructured and was a shift from the company’s way of doing things. †¢ Encouraging participation in the strategy process by middle management through a series of seminars. †¢ The adoption of the strategy document changed workers’ attitudes. The strategy document served as a guide on operational matters. The mission statement was frequently promoted in the company’s public relations. †¢ Focus shift from technical features to customer satisfaction. Technological variables Extended support for business development to encourage retailers to carry the Husqvarna Viking product line exclusively. †¢ Cooperation with Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts, a large retailer of fabrics with over a thousand stores throughout the USA, setting up small sewing machine outlets inside their fabric stores. This lead to the introduction of ‘after-ma rket’ services such as training in sewing techniques, software for embroidery construction and ready-made embroidery patterns, spare parts and auxiliary sewing equipment. These after-market services are run by retailers. Customers were willing to pay as much as five to six thousand dollars on a three day course with a sewing expert. †¢ A new accounting system was installed in May 1999. †¢ The marketing and the technical development department also moved into the same office building in January 2000. This ensures that the two departments operate in sync from conception of product ideas to production and ultimately, the marketing of the product. †¢ Introduction of the Designer I model of sewing machine in 1999. The model made use of software to control the machine and contained no less than eight motors to cater for all functions. Customers could download upgrades from the internet site, save it onto the floppy disk that comes with the Designer I package and slide it into the built-in disk drive. This method of upgrading performance was new for sewing machines. †¢ The acquisition of Embroidery Networks Ltd (Emnet) in March 1999. Emnet produced software for PC-controlled professional sewing. With the advent of the internet people could exchange embroidery patterns through the internet or download them at the VSM website. VSM also expanded the number of software engineers from 3 to 17. Environmental variables Manufacture of environmentally friendly sewing machines. †¢ Manufacture of machines which do not consume much electricity. Legal variables †¢ Quality machines which are safe to use. †¢ Flexible labour legislation in Sweden and the USA. †¢ The mission statement pronouncement on the provision of growth opportunities for employees. 3. 2. Five Forces Model Porter identifies five basic f orces that can act on the organisation, namely, (1) the bargaining power of suppliers, (2) the bargaining power of buyers, (3) the threat of potential new entrants, (4) the threat of substitutes, and (5) the extent of competitive rivalry. The objective of the analysis is to investigate how VSM Group needs to form its strategy in order to develop opportunities in its environment and protect itself against competition and other threats. The bargaining power of suppliers The VSM Group restructured its operations when Pfaff in Germany and the Zetina plant in Czech Republic were taken over. Parts were now obtained from local suppliers and those from the Far East. This resulted in the reduction of costs by 50 per cent on key machine components concurrent with large improvements in quality and rejection rates. In this respect the suppliers’ bargaining power can be said to low. The bargaining power of buyers Buyers of VSM Group sewing machines have low bargaining power because the buyers are not concentrated in one geographical area. VSM is an international company and has a wide customer base. The products from VSM are greatly differentiated and therefore cannot be regarded as the same as those from other industry players. The threat of VSM Group buyers switching to other manufacturers is low. The threat of potential new entrants The ease with which new companies can enter the sewing and embroidery industries will increase the intensity of competitiveness among industry companies. High unit costs of production may present barriers to entry because they mean that any new entrant has to come in on a large scale in order to achieve the low cost levels of those already present in the industry. The current high technological advancements and innovation levels in VSM Group, strong customer loyalty to VSM Group, strong brand name, large initial capital requirements, government regulatory frameworks in Sweden and the USA, and superior products create barriers to entry for potential new entrants. The threat of substitutes The threat posed by substitute products by other manufacturers can be countered by continuous investment in technology and ‘after-market’ services by the VSM Group. The extent of competitive rivalry The sewing machine and embroidery industries are more competitive than other industries. The intensity of rivalry in the industry has increased with the coming into the industry of major manufacturing companies from the Far East. The decline in the demand for sewing machines and price cutting by VSM Group also increased rivalry among industry players. The differences in company strategies, origins (Europe and Far East) and culture (European and Japanese) increases rivalry as well. As rivalry among competing firms intensifies, industry profits decline, in some cases to the point where an industry becomes inherently unattractive (David 1999, p. 128). This statement manifests itself in the number of major manufacturers (Singer and Pfaff) who are going bankrupt. 3. 3. Identification of Key Issues: SWOT ANALYSIS A SWOT analysis summarises the key issues from the business environment and the strategic capability of an organisation that are most likely to impact on strategy development (Johnson et al 2005). It analyses the internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats. The following is a SWOT analysis of the VSM Group AB. SWOT analysis of VSM Group AB |Internal Strengths |Internal Weaknesses | |Market dominance in Europe. |Dependence on few product ranges. | |Leadership and management skills. |High production costs. | |Financial and cash resources. |Reliance on retailers for distribution. | |Manufacturing ability. |Lack of industry information. |Innovation processes and results. |Possession of two brands that compete in the same market. | |Reputation. | | |Product and service quality. | | |Differentiated brands. | | |One European currency – Euro. | | |External Opportunities |External Threats | |New markets and segments. |New market entrants. | |Free market economies arising in Asia. |Increased competition. | |Diversification opportunities. |Increased pressure from customers and suppliers. | |New takeover opportunities. |Substitutes. | |International growth. |Low market growth. | |Increased demand for sewing machines. |Economic cycle downturn. | |Competitor weakness. |Technological threat. | |Demographic and social change. |Change in political or economic environment. | |New international barriers to trade. | 3. 4The competitive nature of VSM’s home country What has become known as Porter’s Diamond suggests that there are inherent reasons why some nations are more competitive than others, and why some industries within nations are more competitive than others (Johnson 2005, p. 71). The model will be used to examine how the home base of VSM i. e. Sweden plays an important role in creating competitive advantage on a global scale for VSM. The following four decisive elements are identified: †¢ Availability of strengths in certain fields especially the automation and technological fields. The technological advancements made by the VSM Group in its Swedish operation since the beginning of the millennium gives it a competitive advantage over its rivals and enable it to compete internationally. †¢ High demand in the Sweden for VSM Group sewing machines provides the basis upon which the characteristics of the advantage of the company are shaped and leads to global dominance of the industry by VSM. †¢ Related and supporting industries in the Swedish economy, . e. , the presence of Bernina Fritz Gegauf AG means that the two companies benefit from each other. Bernina enjoyed a solid reputation and their product range resembled that of VSM with their top model accepting embroidery files developed for other brands including VSM. All these factors made Bernina an important quality benchmark for VSM. †¢ Domest ic rivalry with Bernina and the need by both companies to search for competitive advantage helped to provide the two companies with bases for achieving such advantage on a global scale. 3. 5. Foundations of strategic capability According to Johnson et al (2005, p. 17) strategic capability can be defined as the adequacy and suitability of the resources and competences of an organisation for it to survive and prosper. The strategic capability of a company refers to the resources that the organisation has and the way in which these resources are used. Resources and competences VSM’s resources can be considered under the following four broad categories: †¢ Physical resources – manufacturing plants in Sweden, USA and the Czech Republic. †¢ Financial resources – operating cash, budgets. †¢ Human resources – average number of employees (1,689). The intangible resources will refer to the skills and knowledge that the employees possess. †¢ Intellectual capital – the brand name VSM Group AB, business systems and customer databases. Threshold capabilities Threshold capabilities are those essential for the organisation to be able to compete in a given market (Johnson et al 2005). VSM’s threshold resources refer to: internet based developments, the acquired software company Emnet, increased number of engineers, and Pfaff. Unique resources and core competences The design of the VSM sewing machines make them unique resources in hat they give the company competitive advantage and other manufacturers find it difficult to imitate or copy the designs. VSM’s core competences refer to: the ‘Dealer-Partners’ programme, the cooperation with Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts, and the accompanying introduction of the ‘after-market’ services. All these strategies give VSM a competitive advantage. 3. 6 . Organisational culture analysis Johnson et al (2005, p. 47) define culture as the basic assumptions and beliefs that are shared by members of an organisation, that operate unconsciously and define in a basic taken-for-granted fashion an organisation’s view of itself and its environment. Every organisation has a culture and it includes values, beliefs, rites, language, metaphors, symbols and rituals. Culture derives from VSM’s past, present, current people, technology and physical resources, aims, objectives and values of those who work in the organisation. These cultural products can be used by strategists at VSM to influence and direct strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation activities. The following cultural factors specific to VSM have been identified: †¢ The strategy process was changed to include, for the first time, both top and middle management. The involvement of middle managers had a positive effect on operations in that the strategy document was referred to as a guide on operational matters and the mission statement was frequently promoted in VSM’s public relations exercises. The strategy document was also regarded as an ongoing process which could be changed in response to changing situations in the company. †¢ Retailers were transformed into ‘Dealer-Partners’ which included extended business support to retailers to encourage them to deal only with the Husqvarna Viking product line. In the USA, VSM entered into a cooperation agreement with Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts to set up small sewing machine outlets inside their fabric stores. This lead to the introduction of ‘after-market’ services such as training in sewing techniques, software for embroidery construction and ready-made embroidery patterns, spare parts and auxiliary sewing equipment. These after-market services are run by retaile rs. Customers were willing to pay as much as five to six thousand dollars on a three day course with a sewing expert. In support of the company’s strategy the top management of the company was changed to accommodate the managers of the national sales companies as well as the marketing vice president. †¢ The operating systems also underwent major changes. A new accounting system was installed in May 1999 to assess accounting information in new ways to keep track of the various activities in the value chain. †¢ The acquisition of Pfaff upset some employees and pleased others. The company now had two brands which were competing for the same market. Former competitors were now brought to the same stable and the company faced a challenge of how to keep them apart on other dimensions than price and quality. †¢ The relocation of the German Karlsruhe operation to the Swedish Huskvarna plant resulted in only a handful of research and development engineers staying on. The company had to re-orientate the German engineers into the Swedish way of doing things since the engineering principles of the two countries were fundamentally different. 4. FORMULATION OF COMPETITIVE STRATEGY Long-term objectives represent the results expected from pursuing certain strategies (David 1999, p. 76). Strategies represent the actions to be taken to accomplish long-term objectives (David 1999, p. 176). Objectives take the generalities of the mission statement and turn them into more specific commitments: usually this will cover what is to be done and when the objective is to be completed (Lynch 2003, p. 440). Objectives will therefore possess the foll owing characteristics, namely, they should be measurable, realistic, understandable to all, hierarchical, achievable, and should contain time frames. Clearly communicated objectives, according to David (1999, p. 77), are vital to the success of the company as they provide a basis for consistent decision making by company managers and help stakeholders understand their role in the company. Formulating the competitive strategy for the VSM Group will consist of aligning the internal resources and skills and the external opportunities and risks. The alignment will make use of the Threats-Opportunities-Weaknesses-Strengths (TOWS) Matrix. The TOWS matrix will be developed based on the information obtained in the SWOT analysis of the VSM Group and will identify options that address different combination of the internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and the external factors (opportunities and threats). 4. 1. Critical Success Factors: TOWS MATRIX Johnson et al (2005, p. 96) define criti cal success factors (CSFs) as the product features that are particularly valued by a group of customers and, therefore, where the organisation must excel to outperform competition. Critical success factors relate to the aspects of the competitive strategy in which a company must excel. The TOWS Matrix identifies four types of strategies, namely, SO Strategies, WO Strategies, ST Strategies, and WT Strategies. SO Strategies make use of the company’s internal strengths to take advantage of the external opportunities. WO Strategies take advantage of external opportunities to improve internal weaknesses. ST Strategies make use of the company’s strengths to avoid or reduce the impact of external threats. WT Strategies are defensive tactics directed at reducing internal weaknesses and avoiding environmental threats (David 1999, p. 81). The VSM Group TOWS Matrix | |Strengths (S) |Weaknesses (W) | |INTERNAL |Market dominance in Europe. |Dependence on few product ranges. | |FACTORS |Leadership and management skills. |High production costs. | |(IFAS) |Financial and cash resources. |Reliance on retailers. |EXTERNAL FACTORS |Manufacturing ability. |Lack of industry information. | |(EFAS) |Innovation processes and results. | | |Opportunities (O) |SO Strategies |WO Strategies | |New markets and segments. |Continued investment in Europe and the USA. |Explore new products and ranges. | |Free market economies arising in Asia. Penetrate high-end embroidery segment further. |Exploit mergers and takeovers. | |Diversification opportunities. | |Abandon high cost operations. | |New takeover opportunities. | |Diversify into new markets in Europe and Asia. | |International growth. | |Enhance retailer network which focuses on hobby | |One European currency – Euro | |segment. |Threats (T) |ST Strategies |WT Strategies | |New market entrants. |Emphasise after-market sales of accessories and |Withdraw from declining markets, etc. Germany. | |Increased competition. |software. |Increase brand awareness in current markets. | |Increased pressure from customers and suppliers. |Continued investment in Europe and the USA. |Reduce reliance on retailers. | |Substitutes. |Build on current management capacity. Where possible, develop barriers for new | |Low mar ket growth. | |entrants. | 2. Strategic options at VSM Group AB Development directions are the strategic options available to an organisation, in terms of products and market coverage, taking into account the strategic capability of the organisation and the expectations of stakeholders (Johnson et al 2005, p. 340). The following strategic options are proposed for the VSM Group: 1. Protect and build on current position Consolidation Consolidation is where organisations protect and strengthen their position in their current markets with current products (Johnson et al 2005, p. 342). The sewing market situation is forever changing and requires industry players to continuously innovate to improve the value of the products. The threat of new competitors or new entrants into the sewing industry means that VSM has to pay particular attention to how the company’s resources and skills should be adapted and developed to maintain its competitive advantage. Withdrawal by VSM from the German market should be regarded as consolidation. Market penetration A market penetration strategy seeks to increase market share for present products or services in present markets through greater marketing efforts (David 1999, p. 50). VSM should therefore strive to penetrate the high-end embroidery market further by utilising aggressive marketing efforts. These efforts should be focused on existing markets in the countries mentioned in the company overview. 2. Product development Product development refers to significant new product developments and not minor variations on an existing product. According to David (1999, p. 51) product development is a strategy that seeks to increase sales by improving or modifying present products or services. Continued development and innovation on the Designer series will counter new entrants into the market, will maintain the company’s reputation as an innovator, and will protect the company’s overall market share. 3. Market development Market development is where existing products are offered in new markets (Johnson et al 2005, p. 46). This may involve seeking new market segments, new geographical areas, or new uses for its products that will bring in new customers. Expansion to bring in new customers to the company for its existing company could involve some slight repackaging and then promotion to a new market segment. It will often involve selling the same product in new international markets, especially i n China and Asia. 4. Diversification: related markets Diversification is defined as a strategy that takes an organisation away from both its current markets and products (Johnson et al 2005, p. 46). When an organisation diversifies, it moves out of its current markets and products into new areas. Diversification carries with it an element of risk as it involves a step into the unknown. Moving into related markets however minimises the risk. VSM can diversify into related markets by becoming involved in the activities of its outputs such as distribution, transport, and logistics. 3. Methods of strategy development at VSM Group AB (Action Plan) A development method is the means by which any strategic direction will be pursued (Johnson et al 2005, p. 348). For an international company, VSM can use the following means of pursuing its strategic direction: acquisition and mergers, joint ventures and alliances, franchising, licensing, overseas offices, and overseas manufacture. 1. Acquisition and mergers Acquisition is where strategies are developed by taking over ownership of another organisation (Johnson et al 2005, p. 349). According to David (1999, p. 59), an acquisition occurs when a large organisation purchases a smaller one and vice versa. Mergers occur when two organisations of similar size unite to form one enterprise. The acquisition of Pfaff by the VSM Group represented a coup for VSM. The VSM Group had in its stable two strong brands that competed for the same market space. Acquisitions of manufacturing companies in the Far East would also assist VSM to break into new markets (market development), new technologies, and low cost raw materials. 2. Joint ventures and alliances A strategic alliance is where two or more organisations share resources and activities to pursue a strategy (Johnson et al 2005, p. 353). It is a form of weaker contractual agreement between two parent companies. A joint venture is the formation of a company whose shares are owned jointly by two parent companies (Lynch 2003, p. 483). In order to diversify into related markets and to access new markets like those in the Far East it will be crucial for VSM to form joint ventures and strategic alliances with current manufacturers namely, Brother, Janome or Juki. These types of agreements lock out other competitors, utilises joint expertise and commitment, and allows potential partners to learn about each other. 3. Franchise A franchise is a form of licensing agreement in the contractor provides the licensee with a pre-formed package of activity (Lynch 2003, p. 484). The package may include offers of the VSM Group brand name to retailers, technical service expertise and advertising assistance. This can be an attractive proposition to retailers willing to take up a franchise licence as it possesses lower risk and provides exclusive territory to the franchisee. This will also enhance dealer network which focuses on the hobby segment of the market 4. Licensing According to David (2003, p. 84) licensing refers to a situation where technology or other assets are provided under licence from the home country. Payment for such services is usually in the form of royalty or some form of arrangement. 5. Overseas offices The VSM Group has sales companies and representative offices in Europe, Russia, North America and Australia. The VSM Group could gain competitive advantage by expanding their operations into the Far East and Africa. These additional offices would provide a permanent presence for the VSM Group in those new markets. 6. Overseas manufacture The VSM Group currently has two manufacturing plants in Sweden and the Czech Republic. The establishment of new manufacturing plants in overseas countries like the USA carries risks for the company. However the risks may be offset through the savings that could be derived from no longer having to export to those overseas countries. 4. CONCLUSION Strategy was defined as the direction and scope of an organisation over the long term, which achieves advantage in a changing environment through its configuration of resources and competencies with the aim of fulfilling stakeholder expectations. Strategic Management was also defined as the art and science of formulating, implementing, and evaluating cross-functional decisions that enable an organisation to achieve its objectives. The strategic position of the VSM Group AB was analysed by applying the analytical models of strategic management to the current situation in the company. The following models were utilised to analyse both the internal and external environment of the company, namely, PESTEL, Five Forces Model, and the SWOT analysis. The examination of the strategic position of VSM Group involved analysing the strategy of the company with emphasis on the environment it operates in, its strategic capabilities, and how expectations affect organisational purposes and strategies. The analysis of the environment concluded with a clear statement of the Key Issues (SWOT Analysis) and Critical Success factors (TOWS Matrix). The strategic position of VSM Group was used as a base in the development of an appropriate competitive strategy for the company. The development of the strategy took into account the organisational cultural issues prevailing in the company. 5. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. David, F. R. , 1999. Strategic Management. 7th ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 2. http://investing. businessweek. com [accessed 08 May 2008] 3. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/VSM_Group_AB [accessed 08 May 2008] 4. Johnson, G. Scholes, K. & Whittington, R. , 2005. Exploring Corporate Strategy. 7th ed. Financial Times Prentice Hall. 5. Lynch, R. , 2003. Corporate Strategy. 3rd ed. Financial Times Prentice Hall.

Melania Trump, First Lady of the United States

Melania Trump, First Lady of the United States Melania Trump is a former model, businesswoman and the first lady of the United States. She is married to Donald Trump, the wealthy real estate developer and reality television star who was elected the 45th president in the 2016 election. Born Melanija Knavs, or Melania Knauss, in the former  Yugoslavia, she is only the second first lady to have been born outside the United States.   Early Years Mrs. Trump was born in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, on April 26, 1970. The nation was then part of communist Yugoslavia. She is the daughter Viktor and Amalija Knavs, a car dealer and a childrens clothing designer. She studied design and architecture at the  University of Ljubljana, in Slovenia. Mrs. Trumps official White House bio states that she â€Å"paused her studies† to advance her modeling career in Milan and Paris. It does not state whether she graduated with a degree from the university. Careers in Modeling and Fashion Mrs. Trump has said she began her modeling career at age 16 and signed her first major contract with an agency in Milan, Italy, when she was 18.  She  has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, GQ, In Style and New York Magazine. She has also modeled for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Allure, Vogue, Self, Glamour, Vanity Fair and Elle.   Mrs. Trump also launched a line of jewelry sold in 2010 and marketed clothing, cosmetics, hair care and fragrances. The line of jewelry, Melania Timepieces Jewelry, is sold on the cable television network QVC. She was identified in public records as the CEO of Melania Marks Accessories Member Corp, the holding company of Melania Marks Accessories, according to The Associated Press. Those companies managed between $15,000 and $50,000 in royalties, according to the Trumps 2016 financial disclosure filing. Citizenship Mrs. Trump moved to New York in August 1996 on a tourist visa and, in October of that year, obtained an H-1B visa to work in the U.S. as a model, her attorney has said. H-1B visas are granted under a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. Mrs. Trump  obtained her green card in 2001 and became a citizen in 2006. She is only the second first lady born outside of the country. The first was Louisa Adams, wife to John Quincy Adams, the nation’s sixth president. Marriage to Donald Trump Mrs. Trump is said to have met Donald Trump in 1998 at a New York party.  Numerous sources have said she declined to give Trump her telephone number. Reports The New Yorker: â€Å"Donald saw Melania, Donald asked Melania for her number, but Donald had arrived with another woman - the Norwegian cosmetics heiress Celina Midelfart - so Melania refused. Donald persisted. Soon, they were falling in love at Moomba. They broke up for a time in 2000, when Donald toyed with the idea of running for President as a member of the Reform Party - â€Å"TRUMP KNIXES KNAUSS,† the New York Post declared - but soon they were back together.† The two married in January 2005. Mrs. Trump is Donald Trumps third wife. Trumps first marriage, to  Ivana Marie Zelnà ­Ã„ kov, lasted about 15 years before the couple divorced in March 1992. His second marriage, to  Marla Maples, lasted less than six years before the couple divorced in June 1999. Family and Personal Life In March of 2006 they had their first child, Barron William Trump. Mr. Trump had four children with previous wives. They are: Donald Trump Jr., with his first wife Ivana; Eric Trump, with his first wife Ivana; Ivanka Trump, with first wife Ivana; and Tiffany Trump, with second wife Marla. Trumps children to previous marriages are grown. Small Role in the 2016 Presidential Campaign Mrs. Trump largely remained in the background of her husbands presidential campaign. But she did speak at the 2016 Republican National Convention - an appearance that ended in controversy when part of her remarks were found to be very similar to those in a speech delivered previously by  then-First Lady Michelle Obama. Nonetheless, her speech that night was the biggest moment of the campaign and Trumps first term for her. â€Å"If you want someone to fight for you and your country, I can assure you he’s the guy,† she said of her husband. â€Å"He will never ever give up. And most importantly, he will never ever let you down.† Disagrees With Trump On Occasion Mrs. Trump has kept a relatively low profile as first lady.  In fact, a controversial 2017 report in Vanity Fair magazine claimed she never wanted to the role. This isnt something she wanted and it isnt something he ever thought hed win. She didnt want this come hell or high water. I dont think she thought it was going to happen, the magazine quoted an unnamed Trump friend as saying. A spokesperson for Mrs. Trump denied the report, stating it was riddled with unnamed sources and false assertions.   Here are some of the most important quotes from Mrs.Trump: On talking politics with her husband: â€Å"Do I agree with everything he says? No. I have my own opinions too, and I tell him that. Sometimes he takes it in and listens, and sometimes he doesn’t.†On how she talks to her husband about politics:  I give him my opinions, and sometimes he takes them in, and sometimes he does not. Do I agree with him all the time? No.On her relationship with her husband: We know what our roles are and we are happy with them. I think the mistake some people make is they try to change the man they love after they get married. You cannot change a person.†On her husbands controversial positions: â€Å"I chose not to go into politics and policy. Those policies are my husband’s job.†On her own political beliefs and how she advises Trump: â€Å"Nobody knows and nobody will ever know. Because that’s between me and my husband.†On her appearance:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"I didn’t make any changes.  A lot of people say I am using all the procedures for my face. I didn’t do anything. I live a healthy life, I take care of my skin and my body. I’m against Botox, I’m against injections; I think it’s damaging your face, damaging your nerves. It’s all me. I will age gracefully, as my mom does.† On her husbands temper: When you attack him, he will punch back ten times harder. No matter who you are, a man or a woman. He treats everyone equal.†On her husbands presidency:  He is not politically correct, and he tells the truth. Everything is not roses and flowers and perfect, because it is not. He wants America to be great again, and he can do that..  He is a great leader - the best leader, an amazing negotiator. America needs that, and he believes in America. He believes in its potential and what it can be, because it is now in big trouble.  On why she didnt campaign more for her husband: â€Å"I support my husband 100 percent, but ... we have a 9-year-old son together, Barron, and I’m raising him. This is the age he needs a parent at home.On the naturalization process and becoming an American citizen: I came here for my career, and I did so well, I moved here. It never crossed my mind to stay here without papers. That is just the person you are. You follow the rules. You follow the law. Every few months you need to fly back to Europe and stamp your visa. After a few visas, I applied for a green card and got it in 2001. After the green card, I applied for citizenship. And it was a long process. Takes On Bullying and Opioid Abuse It is tradition that the first lady of the United States use the platform of the highest office in the nation to advocate for a cause during their tenure in the White House. Mrs. Trump took up child welfare, particularly around the issues of cyberbullying and opioid abuse. In a pre-election speech, Mrs. Trump said American culture had gotten â€Å"too mean and too rough, especially to children and teenagers. It is never OK when a 12-year-old girl or boy is mocked, bullied or attacked †¦ It is absolutely unacceptable when it is done by someone with no name hiding on the internet. We have to find a better way to talk to each other, to disagree with each other, to respect each other.† In a speech to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York, she said â€Å"nothing could be more urgent nor worthy a cause than preparing future generations for the adulthood with true moral clarity and responsibility. We must teach our children the values of empathy and communication that are at the core of kindness, mindfulness, integrity, and leadership which can only be taught by example.† Mrs. Trump led discussions on opioid addiction in the White House and visited hospitals caring for babies who were born addicted, as well. The well-being of children is of the utmost importance to me and I plan to use my platform as first lady to help as many kids as I can, she said. Like her predecessor, First Lady Michelle Obama, Mrs. Trump also encouraged healthy eating habits among children. I encourage you to continue and eat a lot of vegetables and fruits so you grow up healthy and take care of yourself. ... Its very important, she said. Mrs. Trump memorialized those goals, or pillars, in her Be Best campaign, which among other things called on adults to serve as role models for how to treat others, particularly on social media. It is our responsibility as adults to educate and reinforce  to them  that when they are using their voices - whether verbally or online - they must choose their words wisely and speak with respect and compassion, she wrote. References and Recommended Reading Archived Official Bio: MelaniaTrump.com  Official White House Bio: Whitehouse.govThe Model American: The New YorkerFrom Small-Town Slovenia to the Doorstep of the White House: The New York TimesMelania Trumps Childhood in Sovenia: ABC NewsMelania Trump Juggles Motherhood, Marriage, and a Career Just Like Us: ParentingMelania Trumps American Dream: Bazaar

Lester Allan Pelton - Hydroelectric Power

Lester Allan Pelton - Hydroelectric Power Lester Pelton invented a type of free-jet water turbine called the Pelton Wheel or Pelton turbine. This turbine is used for hydroelectric power generation. It is one of the original green technologies, replacing coal or wood with the power of falling water. Lester Pelton and the Pelton Water Wheel Turbine Lester Pelton was born in 1829 in Vermillion, Ohio. In 1850, he immigrated to California during the time of the gold rush. Pelton made his living as a carpenter and a millwright. At that time there was a great demand for new power sources to run the machinery and mills necessary for the expanding gold mines. Many mines depended on steam engines, but  those required exhaustible supplies of wood or coal. What was abundant was water power from the fast running mountain creeks and waterfalls. Waterwheels that had been used to power flour mills worked best on larger rivers and did not work well in the faster moving and less voluminous mountain creeks and waterfalls. What worked  were  the newer water turbines that used wheels with cups rather than flat panels.  Ã‚  A landmark design in water turbines was the highly efficient Pelton Wheel. W. F. Durand of Stanford University wrote in 1939 that Pelton made his discovery when he observed a misaligned water turbine where the jet of water hit the cups near the edge rather than the middle of the cup. The turbine moved faster. Pelton incorporated this into his design, with a wedge-shaped divider in the middle of a  double cup, splitting the jet. Now the water being ejected from both halves of the split cups act to propel the wheel faster. He tested his designs in 1877 and 1878, getting a patent in 1880. In 1883, the Pelton turbine won a competition for the most efficient water wheel turbine held by the Idaho Mining Company of Grass Valley, California. Pelton ´s turbine proved to be 90.2% efficient, and the turbine of his closest competitor was only 76.5% efficient. In 1888, Lester Pelton formed the Pelton Water Wheel Company in San Francisco and began to mass manufacture his new water turbine. The Pelton water wheel turbine set the standard until the Turgo impulse wheel was invented by Eric Crewdson in 1920. However, the Turgo impulse wheel was an improved design based on the Pelton turbine. The Turgo was smaller than the Pelton and cheaper to manufacture. Two other important hydropower systems include the Tyson turbine, and the Banki turbine (also called the Michell turbine). Pelton wheels were used to provide electrical power at hydroelectric facilities around the world. One in Nevada City had an output of 18000 horsepowers of electricity for 60 years. The largest units can produce over 400 megawatts. Hydroelectricity Hydropower converts the energy of flowing water into electricity or hydroelectricity. The amount of electricity generated is determined by the volume of water and the amount of head (the height from the turbines in the powerplant to the water surface) created by the dam. The greater the flow and head, the more electricity is produced. The mechanical power of falling water is an age-old tool. Of all the renewable energy sources that generate electricity, hydropower is the most often used. It is one of the oldest sources of energy and was used thousands of years ago to turn a paddle wheel for purposes such as grinding grain. In the 1700s, mechanical hydropower was used extensively for milling and pumping.   The first industrial use of hydropower to generate electricity occurred in 1880, when 16 brush-arc lamps were powered using a water turbine at the Wolverine Chair Factory in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The first U.S. hydroelectric power plant opened on the Fox River near Appleton, Wisconsin, on September 30, 1882. Until that time, coal was the only fuel used to produce electricity. The early hydroelectric plants were direct current stations built to power arc and incandescent lighting during the period from about 1880 to 1895. Because the source of hydropower is water, hydroelectric power plants must be located on a water source. Therefore, it wasn’t until the technology to transmit electricity over long distances was developed that hydropower became widely used. By the early 1900s, hydroelectric power accounted for more than 40 percent of the United States supply of electricity. The years 1895 through 1915 saw rapid changes occur in hydroelectric design and a wide variety of plant styles built. Hydroelectric plant design became fairly well standardized after World War I with most development in the 1920s and 1930s being related to thermal plants and transmission and distribution.

Resort Management Hospitality Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Resort Management Hospitality - Assignment Example The housing consist 10 cottages and 10 suites. The suites are separated between the main house, the lodge and a farmhouse. He designed The Aviary, which is a contemporary two-bedroom cottage which has a rustic New England touch of art. This cottage has a wood-and-glass wonder decked out with classy fittings and a granite hot tub next to the fireplace. There is also the barn cottage which is built with a traditional Scandinavian touch. It has been constructed using local stones and cedar shingles (Claudine et al). It has an excellent view of the scenery and close ski hill which is almost 18-feet high. The chalet is hidden on the periphery of the ski incline with sight of Mount Ascutney. The bathroom in the chalet is designed with one circular mosaic tile shower. A tub is also available in a separate shower warmed by limestone flooring. All-inclusive rate includes all meals, wines and spirits. This resort has a curlinary philosophy that revolves around the changing seasons. However, locally-grown herbs and vegetables are available every day as well as one’s dietary requirements. They do not offer a menu yet each dish is always a delight to the guests. Meals are taken in the central dining room, on the terrace beside the garden, or better yet, request for room service within the suite or cottage anywhere within the property (Barnard et al). Evening cocktails includes moet and chandon imperial beside the fireplace. With every new season comes in a special blend of activities. These include: bicycling, billiards and music at the pub, canoeing, croquets, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, downhill skiing, swimming and many other games. The facility also offers a fitness center equipped with state-of-art equipments fit for any guest. All equipment, guiding and services are incorporated in the total price. At Twin Farms resort, it is possible to view the fall foliage. For hikers and mountain climbers, Mount

Group accounts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Group accounts - Essay Example FRS 2 'Accounting for Subsidiary Undertakings' details the conditions under which a parent company of subsidiaries should prepare and present consolidated financial statements. The FRS also spells out the manner in which the consolidated accounts need to be prepared. As per the FRS the purpose of the consolidated financial statements is to provide detailed information about the activities of the whole group of undertakings including the subsidiaries (ASB). The FRS adopts the definition of a group as provided by the Companies Act 1985 as amended by the Companies Act 1989. In the preparation of group accounts the primary consideration should be the effect on the users of the financial statements with respect to their ability to see the complete economic activities of the group and to ascertain the exposure of the parent company to risk through its interests in the subsidiaries and participation in their activities. Hence it becomes necessary that the qualitative aspects of materiality are given full consideration in respect of preparation of the group accounts. The accounts of the subsidiaries are to be consolidated in accordance with the procedure laid down in FRS 2. This requires consolidation on a line-by-line basis and also the removal of the all transactions within the group companies. Goodwill on acquisition is to be calculated on the basis of FRS 2 and FRS 7. In order to ensure that the parent company group accounts comply with the UK Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) adjustments to the data from the subsidiary companies' accounts need to be made as the first step in the consolidation process. These adjustments managements may related to the profits or losses on disposal of assets and the notional interest and any directly controlled assets and liabilities that have been excluded from the subsidiary accounts. The effect of consolidating the parent and the subsidiary companies may be that the aggregation being undertaken in the process of consolidation may obscure the useful information about the different companies whose accounts are being consolidated and by inclusion of the activities in the consolidated financial statements. Hence the parent companies usually provide a segment-wise analysis of the activities and their results in the financial statements with useful information on the various risks and rewards, as well as the growth and potential for profitability for different member companies of the group. It is also mandatory that the financial statements of all subsidiary companies to be consolidated should have the same financial year end and must represent the financial results for the same accounting period as that of the parent company. When the parent company acquires a subsidiary company according to the FRS the identifiable assets and liabilities shall have to be brought in to the consolidation at fair values on the date the company became the subsidiary. This is so even when the acquisition is made in different stages. Cash Flow A company's financial statements have three important components. The balance sheet, income statement and the cash flow statement. The balance sheet gives an overview of the assets and

Gear Ratios Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gear Ratios - Essay Example Gears are used to provide gear reduction in motorized machine parts and also make work easier. The principle of gear reduction is applied whereby a small pinion, the driving gear, spins very fast to provide enough power to spin the wheel, the driven gear. The small pinion rotating fast will not provide enough torque. Torque is the force that tends to create motion. Torque is the product of force and distance covered. Motors designed produce large torques are meant to operate at low speeds so as to increase their lifespan while producing the same amount of power as a motor operating at higher speeds and producing smaller torque. Power refers to the rate of doing work and its SI unit is the horsepower. This experiment studies how gear ratios can be used to determine torque. The apparatus used were RE 140 motor, six gears, small sprocket, big sprocket, weights, battery and the 917D kit for the gear reduction. The battery provided power to the RE 140 motor at the range of 1.5V and 3V. The experiment was conducted using a RE 140 motor and kit which included several combinations of gear reductions and masses of different weights. The gear reduction combinations included small sprocket and big sprocket which were combined as shown in the figure below. The circuit diagram featured a simple control circuit with the 3-volt motor connected to the power source and a toggle control switch for determining the direction of current. Current flow was to the left, right and no current flow. The connections to the right and left set of terminals were insulated to ensure that the wires do not short circuit. The voltage was supplied from a 3volt battery to the RE 140 motor which powered the 917 D gearbox. The gearbox provided six different gear ratios with the corresponding speed, revolutions per minute. The gears were tested with

Education Essays Special Education Need Pupils

Education Essays Special Education Need Pupils Do Individual Education plans help or hinder the full inclusion of special education need pupils in mainstream schools? Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are required under current DfES guidance for all special education needs (SEN) pupils in the UK. Nearly two million British pupils are estimated to have some sort of special education need, approximately seventeen per cent of all pupils (Russell 2003, DfES 2005). These special educational needs include a wide range of difficulties, such as a physical disability, a hearing or visual impairment, a serious medical condition of some type, and/or behavioural, emotional, communication, and/or social problems (DfES 2005). Government guidance since the publication of the Warnock Report in 1978 has more and more encouraged the inclusion of SEN pupils in mainstream schools, and all but three percent are taught there (Potts 1995, DfES 2005). This concept of inclusion is part of a broader human rights movement that views segregation in general as morally wrong (Avramidis et al 2000). From this standpoint, inclusion is not simply about making sure the SEN child is taught effectively. Rather, it is about the quality of his or her educational experience as a whole, how he or she is assisted in learning at full potential and full participation in the life of the school (DfES 2005). As such, the IEP system should contribute to the full inclusion and participation of SEN pupils in the schools they attend. However, whilst IEPs do provide some help for those with special education needs, they are not the most beneficial means to full inclusion in the mainstream schools. First, IEPs should allow everyone in a school to be informed of the existence and nature of a childs special education needs. This is particularly important if the need is not visually evident. For example, many children with learning disabilities may not be identified for several years of schooling. Often this will be blamed on some other condition, such as laziness on the part of the child or problems at home, until the education need is finally identified (Chuiang, Liao and Tai 2005). In this instance, the child is repeatedly placed in learning experiences where he is unable to succeed. The child then loses motivation and falls behind in development of basic skills in they are related to his disability. Students who fall behind and experience learning difficulties are often unable to participate fully in class and become disenfranchised with their school communities and in some cases with their peer in general (Jones 2004). IEPs allow the childs special education need to be communicated throughout his learning community, accommodations to be made, and the child to remain engaged with his peer group and academic work. IEPs also provide consistent guidance for everyone responsible for the childs learning. Prior to the use of IEPs, SEN children were often identified discovered anew each year, with teachers working through how to address childrens needs over and over again rather than information being passed on from the previous years teachers (Jones 2004). Similarly, not all staff in the school that interacted with a SEN child were aware of the childs situation, preventing his needs from being met (Jones 2004). Parents and children were also not as involved prior to the use of IEPs, in which they are now guaranteed input (Jones 2004). IEPs document both the childs specific needs and provide a means of involving many of the stakeholders in the childs educational experience. The IEP system, however, is not the best way to address special education needs. For one thing, the system isolates and provides services for pupils with one type of learning problems whilst not addressing the needs of pupils whose problems are more environmental. Issues such as health problems that interfere with school but are not a serious medical condition, poor attendance, speech and language difficulties, problems at home, and emotional or behavioural difficulties outside the SEN guidelines are not addressed by IEPs (Callias 2001). This not only can cause a delay in identification of SEN children, as other contributing factors are considered, but also makes no provision for pupils suffering from issues such as above which compromise their learning experience (Callias 2001). IEPs can therefore be viewed as a hindrance to full inclusion. As long as the IEP system is in place, there is less likelihood that government guidance or individual LEAs or schools will move to a whole-school strategy for all pupils (Lingard 2001). IEPs provide a framework for addressing the needs of SEN pupils, but do so on an individual basis for each pupil. If whole-school strategies were in place, IEPs could be much less detailed, or possibly eliminated (Lingard 2001). For example, the current system requires Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) at each school to spend a great amount of time writing and administering IEPs, which nearly all report could be more effectively spent on direct pupil interaction (Lingard 2001). Most SENCOs felt the pupils and the school as a whole would benefit from a system where the planning and other work associated with IEPS was shared amongst all the teachers and staff responsible for the pupils learning (Lingard 2001). Where whole-scho ol policies and schemes of work are used effectively in order to differentiate the teaching of the subjects of the curriculum, there should be no need to duplicate targets in over-elaborate IEPs (Byers 2001, 159). The IEP system can be viewed, therefore, as a hindrance to full inclusion because it prevents schools from moving to a whole-school strategy for addressing SEN pupils learning needs. Within the current IEP system, there are three additional hindrances to full inclusion. A lack of input from all stakeholders in the forming of the IEP contributes to their ineffectiveness. Too often, the SENCO completes the entire IEP creation before input from parents and child are considered (Lindgard 2001). As this overworked educator rarely can gather all the pertinent information needed, IEPs are often lacking critical data. Even though government and educational authorities are required by the Children Act 2000 to consider the child holistically, many parents are unsure as to what information would be useful and therefore provide little input (Goldthorpe 2004). Similarly, many teachers view the IEP as the SENCOs responsibility and neglect to provide detailed data (Pearson 2000). This is sometimes compounded by lack of support by some teachers for inclusion of SEN pupils in mainstream schools (Pearson 2000). This lack of input from all stakeholders can lead to an IEP that is no t supported by those who actually interact with the child, and therefore limits their effectiveness in promoting full inclusion. In addition, IEPs are not effective in goal setting. Ofsted (1999) found that although schools now have IEPs in place, their effectiveness varies. For example, IEPs present long-term goals, typically a school term or year in duration. SEN children respond better to short-term goals, like to read a chapter of a book in two weeks. As IEPs stretch out measurement of progress to the next review, they consequently become less useful in practice and less meaningful for SEN children, who are often unable to conceptualise or recognise their attainment and progress (Lingard 2001). Behavioural goals, for instance, are more effective on many IEPs than learning goals, because the behavioural goals tend to be highly specific, allowing children to understand exactly what they need to do to achieve these goals (Lingard 2001). Finally and most importantly, IEPs hinder full inclusion because they concentrate on childrens deficiencies. The other children in school are viewed in their entirety, good and poor (Kurtzig 1986). The SEN child sees his classmates considered by school staff on the basis of many possible strengths, such as athletic, artistic, and social, in addition to academic. Yet the IEP focuses the attention the SEN child receives on his difficulties. The IEP by nature considers only areas where the child is lacking (Kurtzig 1986). Schools should create in the same great detail what the student does well, and how he or she can continue to excel (Kurtizig 1986, 447). This presents two detractions to the SEN childs full inclusion in the mainstream school. First, it causes the child himself to view himself as different and segregated from his classmates without special education needs. This causes the child to not experience full inclusion, and often leads to the child self-segregating or feeling it necessary to hide his learning difficulties from peers (Russell 2003). Second, it causes the school to separate the child, as the SEN child now has a specific document that causes teachers and others responsible for his educational experiences to view him as different or separate from his classmates (Russell 2003). Both these effects of the IEP lead to separation and segregation, the very opposite of full participation in the life of the school (DfES 2005). REFERENCES Avramidis, E., Bayliss, P., Burden, R. 2000. A Survey into Mainstream Teachers Attitudes Towards the Inclusion of Children with Special Educational Needs in the Ordinary School in one Local Education Authority. Educational Psychology, Jun2000, 20(2): 191-211. Bowers, T. and Wilkinson, D. 1998. The SEN Code of Practice: is it user-friendly? British Journal of Special Education, September 1998, 25(3):119-125. Byers, R. 2001. Editorial. British Journal of Special Education, Dec2001, 28(4): 158-159. Callias, M. 2001. Current and Proposed Special Educational Legislation. Child Psychology and Psychiatry Review, 6(1):24-30. Chuiang, A., Liao, W., Tai, W. 2005. An investigation of individual and contextual factors influencing training variables. Social Behavior and Personality, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 159-174. DfES 2001. Special Educational Needs Code of Practice. DfES Publications Centre. DfES 2002. Special Educational Needs (SEN): A guide for parents and carers. DfES Publications Centre. DfES 2004. Removing Barriers to Achievement: The Governments Strategy for SEN. DfES Publications Centre. DfES 2005. Every Child Matters. DfES Publications Centre. Available at http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk, accessed 22 December 2005. Goldthorpe, L. 2004. Every child matters: a legal perspective. Child Abuse Review, 13:115-136. Jones, S.A. 2004. Attitudes, inclusion and widening participation: a model of interactive teaching and leadership. Westminster Studies in Education, Oct2004, 27(2):157-173. Kurtizig, J. 1986. IEPs: Only Half the Picture. Journal of Learning Disabilities, Aug/Sep86, 19(7): 447. Lingard, T. 2001. Does the Code of Practice help secondary school SENCos to improve learning? British Journal of Special Education, Dec2001, 28(4): 187-190. Ofsted 1999. The SEN Code of Practice: Three Years On. London: Ofsted. Pearson, S. 2000. The relationship between school culture and IEPs. British Journal of Special Education, Sep2000, 27(3): 145-149. Potts, P. 1995. Whats the use of history? Understanding educational provision for disabled students and those who experience difficulties in learning. British Journal of Educational Studies, December 1995, 43(4):398-411. Russell, P. 2003. Access and Achievement or Social Exclusion? Are the Governments Policies Working for Disabled Children and Their Families? Children and Society, 17:215-225.