Organizational Cultures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Organizational Cultures - Essay Example To begin with, organizational culture is the personality or a face of an organization. Organizational culture consists of the assumptions, stereotypes, believes, values, norms, and artifacts of the members of taken organization (McNamara). The corporate culture of organization can be easily seen simply by the way people relate to each other, the way they communicate, whether they possess esprit de corps, etc. Briefly, it can be said that the basic functions of organizational culture are to give the staff a sense of identity, to promote commitment, and to enhance stability in the corporation. There are different types of organizational cultures just like there are different types of personal cultures. Herein I would like to present the following four types of cultures. Academy Culture is a culture in which employees are highly trained and tend to stay in the organization, while working their way up the hierarchical pyramid. Examples of such organizations are universities, hospitals, and large corporations. Baseball Team Culture is the culture where each employee is in high demand and can easily get employment elsewhere. Good examples of organizations with such cultures are fast-paced, risky companies, such as investment banking, advertising, PR agencies, etc (Curry). Club Culture is a culture which is comprised of employees who are trained to work in closely-knit groups. Examples of organizations possessing this type of culture are the military, as well as law and notary firms. Fortress Culture, is the most unstable culture from the mentioned above, because in its framew ork employees do not know whether they should expect to be laid off or not (Curry). Examples of organizations possessing fortress culture are savings and loans companies and car manufacturing companies (McNamara). Organizational culture can also be described in regard to three levels that were first introduced by Edgar Schein, a professor who has left a notable mark in the field of organizational culture. The fist and most visible level is behaviors and artifacts. This evident level consists of behavior patterns and external expression of culture. Artifacts and behavior usually tell us what the group of people is doing, though when observing behaviors it is impossible to understand the reasons behind the particular actions (National Defense University). At the next level of culture are values. Values bring about and determine behavior, they give us explanations that are behind the actions of staff, however, they are not directly observable, as behaviors are. The last and deepest level of culture is the level of assumptions and beliefs. Once understanding

Mass Media In A Liberal Democratic Society

Mass Media In A Liberal Democratic Society What is the proper role of the mass media in a liberal democratic society? In the contemporary world, the use of mass media has been on the increase and thus this has not exempted its use in the political arena. In connection to this point, there is a vital role that is played by mass media especially in the liberal democratic society. As such, a liberal democratic society is the one in which elections are fair and free while encouraging competition in the political process. This kind of democracy is a representative of the American, Brazilian and Canada among other such like democracies. In particular, a liberal democratic society seeks to bring developments in the political arena, social and economic sectors. In this sense, the government is used as a tool of making developments where they are needed. On the other hand, democracy brings about vesting of authority on the citizens. In this context, the proper role of mass media in such a society may be not understood. Therefore, the undertaking of this work will cover the proper role played by mass media in a liberal democratic society. Following this point, democracy involves a set of measures followed in the making choice of the state elite. It actually requires meaningful electoral choice that which can be made possible by the mass media which is important in any large democratic polity. In this sense, there have been ongoing arguments regarding the autonomy granted to the mass media as far as politics are concerned. Arguably, the success of any liberal democratic society is direct connected to the free flow of both ideas and arguments. This is necessitated by the mass media which should in fact maintain a deliberative exchange of such ideas and arguments. From a general point of view, mass media plays a pivotal role in a liberal democratic society which is termed as a role of being a guardian of the democracy along with the defending of the interest of the public  [1]  . In actual sense, mass media plays the role of correcting the arms of the government which involve the executive, judiciary and in the large r perspective the legislative. In other words, the mass media plays a major role as the major player in the theatre of elections  [2]  . It was also noted that democracy requires inhibited public debates along with free speeches and along with this point, citizens should be equipped with the ability to make informed decisions of which this is accomplished by the use of mass media  [3]  . In addition, a liberal democratic society should actually provide sufficient information along with transparency in the matters of political decisions. As well, it should provide competition in terms of ideas and arguments which encourage participation from the members of the society and thus meet the demands of a democratic society. According to research, mass media has a great role to play in the context of a liberal democratic society. As such, it has been pointed that there are three major roles that media plays in the given society  [4]  . The most important one has been pointed out as the media acting in the capacity of a regulator against the state. In the same line of thought, the media is given to the role and responsibility of ensuring that accurate as well as sufficient information is provided to the society from the larger point of view. Accordingly, the mass media has another major role to play which cannot be underrated. As a matter of fact, it should work hard to ensure that it represents people in the sense of sufficiently reflecting the range of public opinions together with the aspect of political competition  [5]  . It is important at this point to note that media has a major communication role to play in the context of a liberal democratic society. So to speak, communication entails the facilitation of the public dialogues, representation of the public, making the public to live being informed, and acting as a regulator or rather a watchdog of the structures of power which affect the wellbeing of the public. As well, media is used as a tool of social unity and thus it is important to bring into view the major types of media systems in use to accomplish roles assigned within a democratic society. In line with this point, media covers the instruments of communication employed in order to accomplish the roles of communication in a democratic society. As such, these instruments of communication involve books, internet, films, newspapers and TVs among others as such. In essence, democracy advocates for freedom of speech to be granted to the members of the society. In this sense, media works to represent the members within the given society of which due to the limited space, they use some members of the society to speak for the citizens and as well representatives of particular groups and communities together with other such like organization representatives. Therefore, through the use of media, the ideas and arguments along with the information of the given people in the society is brought into public view for the necessary actions to be taken. Basically, the media is expected play the role of a watchdog for the public. This is to suggest that it should take the responsibility to protect the very citizens or rather the society it is mandated to serve. So to articulate, the public is always out to see that the media is regulating the power structures of the society by exploring their functioning and then notify the public when there has arisen some issues in the structures  [6]  . This is also accompanied by the media pointing out to the interests of the people and where they want to act. Another point to note is that a liberal democratic society as it has been highlighted requires a good flow of information. This is to suggest that the public requires to get information and to stay informed. In such as society, citizens are inclined towards making collective decisions for the societal benefit altogether. In the light of this point, democratic societies grow when there is flow of the shared information among the society members and thus it is imperative for the media to inform the society regarding the contemporary issues that need attention and the public stance in regard to them. As far as social unity is concerned, the media acts as a tool that works to bring together the members of the society by making use of a common culture which is only achieved when the media gives the society an experience of culture that is shared. According to research findings together with arguments from various scholars, media as a key player in the flow of information in the society has failed in most of its roles. This is what has brought about the misconception of the proper role of the mass media in a liberal democratic society. However, pointing out to what should be done so that the media can play its proper role, will help to alleviate the burden of the media abuse in a democratic context. As such, the mass media should not accept the manipulation by the political leaders who use it for selfish interest  [7]  . In the light of this point, the media should seek to ensure a universal access in that members should be given room to the right of entry to the mass media to contribute as well as gain from the public. The role of the mass media in the democratic society will be realized again when the mass media works independent from the structures of power present in the society. In all the undertakings of the media, influential leaders should be presented separately from the titles so that there may be no bias. Owing to the manipulation of the mass media by influential leaders, mostly the media may ignore the interests along with the concerns of the public and as such, this should not be done but rather the media should respond to the public interests and concerns altogether. From a more practical point of view, the media is expected to provide truthful and honest information if the development of the democracy is to be achieved. It has been argued that media is central to a democratic society as it leads to information accessibility at all social levels and geographical locations of a society  [8]  . Equally, mass media works as a critic essential to the government along with the investigations of wrong doing. In essence, mass media has its proper role as that of acting as an advocate for good along with bad causes. It is the responsibility of the mass media again to state the different constituencies of the democracy. So to speak, it works towards the creation of common experiences to the society while offering shared public symbols. Needless to say, it is through media that the public gets to interact with the leaders and as such solicit information from them. Accordingly, mass media plays the role of constantly reminding the society the essence of their national identity  [9]  . Following this point, the instruments of media have experienced developments which are closely linked to the technological development. This is to suggest that it is not only though books, newspapers and TVs among others that the mass media operates, but rather internet has come into the scene. Thus, it is possible for the political leaders to use the internet to influence the citizens and as well interact with them  [10]  . Of importance to note in this case is the abuse of mass media by the leaders in order to serve their self driven interest. Therefore, regulation of the mass media should be carried out so that no cases of abuse can be reported. Arguably, contemporary democracy has been pointed out as not to be working. This is given to the reason that the media has engaged in politics with the citizens engaging in the internet citizenship and thus the point of contact and development has been lost  [11]  . Besides this point, mass media has developed to a point whereby it has thus constrained leadership and leaders in the democratic society and thus on the other hand mass media has worked to drag back the democratic societyà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s growth  [12]  . More to this point, arbitrated political communication in the public specialty can smooth the progress of deliberative legalizing of the processes in multifarious societies only if an autonomous media system gains self-government from its social situation and if unidentified audiences grant a criticism between a knowledgeable leader conversation and a reactive civil society  [13]  . Although there have been many challenges limiting the media from achieving its objective, it is essential to note that mediaà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s role in the liberal democratic society is paramount. As such, it serves the role of being the watchdog by regulating and criticizing the operations of the government. It provides a platform whereby the leaders of the society interact with the citizens and thus serve their needs. Debates concerning the political and social matters are carried out in the media and thus it serves the interests of the public. It further corrects the wrongs of the government and thus it keeps the government on check so as to ensure freedom and fairness in the society altogether.

The Incas :: Pre-Columbian History Culture

The Incas The Inca were South American Indian people who ruled one of the largest and richest empires in the America's. The Inca Empire began to expand about 1438 and occupied a vast region that centered on the capital, Cusco, in southern Peru. The Empire extended more than 2,500 miles (4,020 kilometers) along the western coast of South America. It included parts of Present - Day Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The Inca Empire was conquered by Spanish Forces soon after their arrival in 1532. Inca emperors ruled their far - reaching territory through a complex political system. The Inca took over many areas by military force. Their political system kept a balance between the central authority of the emperor and local rulers. The name Inca was originally the title of the emperor. The peoples he governed had many names. But after the Spanish conquest, all people under the emperor's rule were called the Inca. Inca is a group name which covers a large numbers of tribes. The original Incas were Quechua speakers who lived in South - Eastern Peruvian highlands. Tribes later conquered by the Incas tended to assimulate Inca culture, to the exclusion of their own. In the 15century, led by Pachacuti Inca Yupaqui and his son Topa Inca, the Inca Empire exploded over the Andes. Both leaders claimed to be descendents of the sun, the most important symbol in Inca religious life. When Topa Inca died in 1493 Pachacuti's Andean domain ran nearly 2,500 miles from North Ecuador into Chile and covered some 350,000 square miles. The Incas are famous for their intricate gold work and elaborate weaving. For subsistence they relied on terraced and irrigated cultivation, and very little on hunting and fishing. In the mountain areas the main crop was quinoa, and in lower areas maize, beans, peanuts, and squash. They kept llamas, alpacas, dogs, guinea pigs, and dogs. Men worked copper and gold and women made fabrics and pots. Inca towns had massive public buildings. Most of their technological achievements were grand - scale copies of ideas from earlier civilizations. The skilful farmers who preceded the Inca, harnessing the melting snows of the Andes, dug irrigation ditches across the desert; they also deflected rivers for the same purpose. Nothing which the Minoans, Egyptians, and Sumerians did, agriculturally, equalled this achievement. They also demesticated animals. From the Native American camal the guanaco, they bred the llama and the alpaca for their wool, and guinea - pigs for food.

Effects of TV viewing on children Essay

Children are to be considered as the hope of the tomorrow. They are the one who make our world beautiful and meaningful because of their innocence and simplicity. But are these facts still true nowadays? Or it will be just a â€Å"dream† for us now? Children’s characters, personalities and their totality as individual first develop and mold inside the home where parents are oblige and responsible to teach their children the good values and morals. But the irony for this issue is that, parents tend to forget their responsibilities as parents in supervising their kids, due to their hectic schedules and demands of their work, especially in watching television where children are expose to different kinds of indecent advertisements and commercials. Parents should allot time in spending quality moments and be on the side of their children in order for them to explain the advertisements and commercials which have an adult content. This paper argues the negative effects of television viewing on children. Television is a very powerful tool to the learning of the children and it can educate them in many ways whether it is profitable or destructive to their morals and values. It contributes much most especially when parents let their children watch indecent television shows anytime of the day without their supervision. There are also shows on TV that create fear to the hearts of these children because they are able to internalize what they have seen. In a researched entitled â€Å"Television† and conducted by the University of Michigan Health System stated that â€Å"in a usual American household, there are about 7 hours spend by children in watching television everyday and there are about tens of thousands of commercials observed by the kids on TV which the public relations mark. And not only that, every year the range of 1,000 to 2,000 children watched TV ads for alcohol and the fears attributed by the television can create sleep problems. A survey showed that there was about 37 percent of the kids stated that they were terrified by a TV story and the symptoms for this included anxious feelings, withdrawing from friends, nightmares†¦(see â€Å"Television† University of Michigan Health System). There are also commercials that speak about sex. It is called sex in advertising. The use of sexual attraction as a tool of persuasion by drawing attention, interest to a particular product for the purpose of promotion and increase in sales had been a part of marketing and advertising industry for quite some time. The method generally uses attractive models, usually in a suggestive or provocative scene. The past two decades have witnessed an increasing use of explicit sexual appeal in consumer-oriented print advertising and particularly of women as the object of sexual desire that it has reached to the point of being common. The use of sex in advertising on television can range from being highly overt to extremely subtle; from explicit displays of sexual acts or nudity, down to the use of basic cosmetic products to enhance attractiveness. The more subtle forms of this spectrum have seeped into other types of media. One such example is the criteria in the selection of DJs and announcers, which is based on the â€Å"sexiness† of their voice. The use of sexual imagery in advertising has received a barrage of criticisms on various grounds. Moral and religious groups oppose it for being obscene. Feminist groups raise the issue of women’s rights, that it reduces women as mere ‘objects’. Others believe that it only reinforces sexism. Sex in marketing through the years has become raunchier and raunchier, with each advertisement trying to outdo the last. Since it has become a powerful force in the marketing industry, we see the market being saturated with signs of glamorous blond women and muscle-rippling playboys. However, recent studies indicate that such a tool is no longer the sure-way answer to every marketing officer’s prayer. Although most companies utilize sex as their largest promoter of their product(s), negative results may never be far behind. Sexual ads do not always appeal to all consumers and accept sex as an acceptable marketing tool. A study done by Susan Cummings for the American Demographics Magazine, quoted that â€Å"75 percent of women and 53 percent of men aged 35 to 54 said that sex in advertising can be offensive† (Cited in â€Å"Sex Sells†¦No, Really! †). Other concerns being raised is how the youth react to this and how they perceive sex in advertising. There are many different opinions on how sexual appeal in advertising is defined. A slight difference had been found between young men and women. Sexual appeal for young women did not depend on how people looked in the advertisement. Focus is more on movement. It does not even have to include nudity, and models need not be exceptionally good looking for the ad to be even considered sexual. Young men also believe that the movement and the appearance of the models are of great importance. Both genders perceive an ad as sexual through words and images, even without images of nudity among the characters. Therefore, this study came to the following conclusions: that advertisement do not have to contain nudity to be perceived by young men and women as sexual in character; even movement and appearance of the models in the advertisement can make it sexual in nature; young men differ from their women counterparts in the sense that they believe that exceptional good looks among models require an ad campaign to be so. They also believe that there is too much sex in advertising, even observing that there are companies who make use of sexual appeal even if their product is discordant with the sexual image. These young men also see advertisements as discriminating to both men and women. This research also came to the same conclusion that buying behavior does not change, since nudity in advertisement has become so common. Young female respondents also believe that there is too much sex in advertising and these failed to elicit responses. Reaction of tension came only if the image is tasteless. However, for young women, attitude and buying behavior might change if an advertisement based on sexual appeal is too sexual. A favorable response comes only if the sexual appeal is done tastefully and the appeal has any connection towards the brand. Their self-image and confidence is affected when it showed attractive models. Corporations are then urged to make considerations in aiming advertising towards youth in using sexual appeals in their advertisement campaigns. This means that children are prone to adapt thwarted values and morals which will affect sooner to their development as individuals and contribute in the later part of their lives. Being TV addicts is more treacherous and hazardous than taking a drug because it disseminates violence, spoils people’s intellects, and ruins not only the individual but as well as our nation and culture. In conclusion, it cannot deny that children are great imitators and that is one of their natures. They really follow and imitate what they have seen and observed from other people especially when they realize that these people involve manifests excitement in doing such acts. Present television’s advertisements, commercials, shows and movies already content indecent acts such as violence, sensual actions or sex, drinking and taking drugs which have great impact to the minds of the younger generations. These kinds of entertainments will create curiosity and puzzlements to their young minds that will push them to try it by themselves. The advertisers really put an effort to convey their audiences-whether young or old-whom the actions perform on TV, those actions are worth emulating for and because of this, children are motivated to imitate it. The University of Michigan Health System further discussed that â€Å"TV shows usually speak about the use of alcohol. The existence of alcohol on TV resorts the gamut from prime-time programs†¦In addition, the researched informed us that those who are TV addicts are more similarly to smoke cigarettes and marijuana. However, parents are not open in discussing issues such as birth control, sexually transmitted disease and sex and even schools are lacking to give information about sex education programs and due to such reasons, children are able to acquire sex information through watching TV. In a survey disclosed the fact that there were about 76 percent of teenagers attested that one intuition why young people indulge in sex because TV movies and programs make such thing as common and ordinary for their age group (see â€Å"Television† University of Michigan Health System).

Most Significant Immediate Consequences of the Civil War

Most Significant Immediate Consequences of the Civil War First of all, the freedom of slaves led to dilemmas concerning housing, clothing, food, employment; the financial difficulties which led to having no money, closure of banks, inadequacy of supply of basic commodities, destruction of railroads and bridges, devastation of plantation and crops; as well as, the defeat of the confederacy which consequently resulted in the South not having any government at all (Effects., 2006). The aforementioned direct consequences were very important because it established the country’s â€Å"Reconstruction† (Effects.., 2006). In turn, the â€Å"Reconstruction† made the following possible: 1) setting up of schools, 2) repairing of bridges and roads, 3) rebuilding of bridges, 4) repealing of the Black Codes, 5) setting up of new state constitutions that gave the right for men to vote, and 6) creation of new state constitutions that protected a person from being brought to prison for debt, etc (Encarta, 2007). Second, the Civil War gave rise to innovative technologies like: the harvester that Cyrus Mc Cormick invented, the oil refinery of John d. Rockefeller, etc (Effects.., 2006). It also augmented production because of the slaves that were freed, the devastation of the South, as well as, the confederacy being conquered (Effects.., 2006). Last but not least, women were given the chance to play the roles that they do not typically assume, for instance, farmers, factory workers, etc (Encarta, 2007).   This clearly defined gender roles and upheld gender equality (Encarta, 2007). The Most Important Consequence For me, the most important consequence of the Civil War is the third one. The fact that these women needed to assume the roles of men made people see that women can also do what men can (Encarta, 2007). This ended gender discrimination and led to gender equality (Encarta, 2007). It also contributed largely to the end of slavery (Encarta, 2007). Thus, it is the most important. Reference Effects of the Civil War. (2006). Retrieved September 15, 2007 from http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/USRA_Civ_War_Effects.htm Encarta. (2007). Civil War. Retrieved September 15, 2007 from http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761567354_18/Civil_War.html   

Hodges and Tizard Essays

Hodges and Tizard Essays Hodges and Tizard Essay Hodges and Tizard Essay Failure to make any form of attachment If child is in institutional care, isolation, parent working.  Rutter-  Compared UK and Romanian children adopted both before and after 6 months old. Found that the Romanian children adopted before 6 months did as well socially and emotionally and the UK control group whereas the Romanian children adopted after 6 months old had problems developing attachments and displayed disinhibited attachments and had poor peer relations. Hodges and Tizard  Studied the long term effects of privation using 65 children who were brought up in a childrens home until the age of 4. During this time the children were unable to form any attachments with their caregivers as staff were discouraged from forming attachments in order to reduce upset. After four years old 25 children were restored into their original homes, 33 were adopted and 7 remained in care. The children were followed up at the age of 8 and 16. The researchers found that 20/21 of the adopted children and 6/13 of the restored children had close attachments with their parents. However, the restored children were more likely to be rejecting/ hostile at both 8 and 16. All three groups had problems forming peer relationships and were rated by teachers as being more likely to seek attention. Curtis  Studied Genie who had suffered from privation for the first 13 years of her life. Privation caused numerous bad effects including poor physical development (rickets in her legs), lack of speech, emotional tantrums etc. Some progress was made with making attachments but Genie suffered further bad care in foster homes and regressed dramatically.  Day care  Is a form of care for infants and children offered by someone other than close family, taking place outside the home, children spend all, or part of the day in care but return home at night, Includes nurseries, child-minding. Positive effects of day care  Clarke-Stewart et al  Found that children in group based day care wee more sociable and better able to negotiate with peers than children cared for at home or by child-minders. EPPE project  Indicated positive effects of day care on social development including peer relations. Different forms of day care had an impact forms with education and care combined = a more positive effect on social development. 3000 UK children aged 3-4, Cognitive development for all children in pre-school was improved in comparison to those who were home schooled.  Children are more likely to have adverse social profiles this increased the risk of anti-social behaviour and could be reduced by high quality pre-school when aged 3-4.  Negative effects of day care  NICHD  Social competence and problem behaviours including being aggressive, but also challenging behaviour attention seeking.  Day care made children more aggressive and disobedient.

UNIT 1 Essay

UNIT 1 Essay UNIT 1 Essay UNIT 1 Conner Le Vaast Task Local Community. UNIT 1: INVESTIGATING SCIENCE AT WORK: TASK 1 Summary of Varying Research Methods. The research methods that I chose to use, would be the Internet, using contact via E-mail, conversing over the phone, word of mouth and using the phone book. I found these research methods to be simplistic, easy to manage, and undergo, as they are all efficient, easy to access and use on a basic daily life, the internet being widely available nowadays and a fast, easy method of gathering information on the many scientific businesses in my area. The internet is easy to access, and easier to find information on varying businesses in the local area, able to research the common answers to the questions in general that I need to ask in order for this task. E-mail being similarly easy to access, sharing the same advantages but also possessing rather large disadvantages as e-mail requires the recipient to be there, to reply and give you the information that you are desiring. Verbally conversing over the phone, requires both you and the person you are wishing to talk to, to be there at all times, though the information you are receiving can be recorded and make track of, for future use, this also having both advantages, and apparent disadvantages, due to possible poor connection. Word of mouth, is often the most rewarding manner of receiving information, as you are physically there, talking to a person that either owns, or runs the business, and are able to get the information straight up, able to note it down as you feel the need, for use in the future and in my own opinion, is possibly at a disadvantage, as you need to ensure you are there at a suitable time or day, as quite a few businesses are not open at most times. Finally, using a phone book is often handy, but you cannot get the information you need directly, without making use of another form of communication, this most likely being the telephone, in this case in particular. To conclude, all of these methods of gathering information have their own advantages and disadvantages, and you can mix these, to minimise the disadvantages while collecting the data you need. Evaluation of Research Methods. Business and what I got out of it: Shred-it: From this business, I learnt the basic processes of shredding and destroying paper waste and the importance of this in the working world, as well as the basic business and management qualifications required to work there. Future Cleaning Services ltd: This is a business that deals in commercial cleaning and the disposal of products in the vaying scientific manners that they undergo as well as communal area cleaning and upkeep, dealing with cleaning material and supplies also, this requiring basic scientific qualifications to effectively work in this business. Morley Chinese Acupuncture and Herbs: This business deals with Muscular and neurological clinic, skin problems (warts, vitiligo and urticarial) clinic, infertility clinic and other similar treatments, this requiring some basic and advanced qualifications to work in, due to the nature of the work here. Spectrographic ltd: This is a business/service that deals with metallographic products and equipment for material science analysis and quality inspection procedures, as well as specialist advice in material sample perception, computer based image analysis and microscopic inspection, this obviously requiring rather advanced qualifications to work in, these mostly needing to be scientific. Nation wide laboratories ltd: These are independent veternity laboratories dedicated to the improvement of animal health through direct support of veternity practices in the UK and worldwide for the last 30 years, these requiring specific veternity qualifications to work in , due to the nature of the service. The plastic art co ltd: This business deals in print finishing solutions: The sciences of print

Sound Scripting - Word Stress and Intonation

Sound Scripting - Word Stress and Intonation Word stress and intonation within sentences is very important to correct English pronunciation. In Mark Powells book Presenting in English, there are sound scripting exercises which help learners become more expressive by taking sentence intonation skills to the next level. These examples use a method of bolding key content words and CAPITALIZING the most important words chosen for the best emotional impact. This starts off with a simple sentence paragraph that an intermediate student might use to practice and ends with a more advanced selection that is typical of a presentation. Paragraph 1 Our school is the best in town. The teachers are friendly, and very knowledgeable about English. Ive studied at the school for two years and my English is becoming very good. I hope you will visit our school and try an English class. Maybe we can become friends, too! Paragraph 1 With Sound Scripting Markup Our school is the BEST in town. The teachers are friendly, and VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE about English. Ive studied at the school for two years and my English is becoming VERY GOOD. I hope you will visit our school and try an English class. MAYBE we can become FRIENDS! Listen to Example Paragraph 2 In this day and age, facts, statistics, and other numbers are used to prove everything. Intuition, gut feelings and personal preferences are all out the door. Of course, there are some who are trying to battle this trend. Recently, Malcolm Gladwell wrote Blink, a best-seller which explores the usefulness of making split-second decisions based on intuition rather than careful consideration of all the facts and figures. In this book, Gladwell argues that initial impressions - or gut-feelings - are quite rational. However, that this split-second thinking process moves faster than what we usually associate with thinking. If you are one of these people - and there are many of us - Blink provides proof that youre actually quite a rational human being. Paragraph 2 With Sound Scripting Markup In this day and age, facts, statistics and other numbers are used to prove EVERYTHING. Intuition, gut feelings and personal preferences are all OUT THE DOOR. Of course, there ARE some who are trying to battle this trend. Recently, Malcolm Gladwell wrote BLINK, a best-seller which explores the USEFULNESS of making SPLIT-SECOND DECISIONS based on INTUITION rather than careful consideration of all the facts and figures. In his book, Gladwell argues that INITIAL IMPRESSIONS - or GUT-FEELINGS - are quite rational. However, that this split-second thinking process moves FASTER than what we usually associate with thinking. If YOU are one of these people - and there are MANY of us - Blink provides PROOF that youre actually quite a RATIONAL HUMAN BEING. Listen to Example You can  practice this type of exercise further with help from our lesson on using a focus word to help with English pronunciation in general.

Ethical Decision Making in Arriving at a Caring Response Research Paper

Ethical Decision Making in Arriving at a Caring Response - Research Paper Example Veracity deals with trust issues of medical practitioners. The first thing a healthcare professional does upon arriving at a caring response in the Memorial Medical Center is to collect the relevant information that clarifies the ethical conflict involving the basic principles of ethical dilemma that a patient is facing. At a caring response, a nurse practitioner establishes the specific ethical conflict or question that a patient is experiencing. At Memorial Medical Center, all medical professionals involved in attending a patient at a caring response must succinctly and clearly articulate the ethical issue in question and answer all the questions that arise. Note that, before resulting to disclose any information regarding veracity issues, it is advisable for a medic to consult the family members of the patient. These decisions may be technical such as cost effectiveness analysis and principle related alternatives such as distributive justice. Following the fact that there may be s ome competing values and goals, ensuring procedural level of fairness becomes the best method of ensuring social acceptance of decisions and moral demonstration of public accountability. In these kinds of situations, a professional health practitioner should not disclose any information regarding the identified ethical problem as doing so is against medical ethics (Kapiriri, et al, 2009). At Memorial Medical Center, after gathering ethical related information, reporting to the relevant parties incorporates two stages. Nevertheless, note that the question at hand must have ethical ramifications just as required by the facility. First, a healthcare professional puts together prescriptive approach information that he or she then goes ahead to report to the relevant bodies. Prescriptive approach is a tool derived from theories of ethics in philosophy and presents health practitioners with an opportunity to use decision-making tools of ethics. In prescriptive approach, healthcare profess ional at MMC gets to exercise modes of thinking when it comes to ethical choices whereby it helps them make decisions that a â€Å"conscientious moral agent† who is a careful and upright thinker about ethical options to make. The second phase of information gathering and reporting involves descriptive approach. In this case, MMC healthcare practitioners incorporates measures included by psychological research in which it defines and describes the actual mode of making decisions ethically as opposed to how they should make a choice (Mitty and Ramsey, 2008). Step Two: Identify the Type of Ethical Problem Even after identifying the possible ethical problem, it is unethical to disclose the information to any other person apart from the required persons. In the example provided by the MMC, identifying the exact problem a patient is experiencing might result to making unethical decisions simply because,

Social Impact Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Social Impact Paper - Essay Example Many such technologies may lay claim to having been the key milestones in this path of human development. These claims are validated by the impact they have had on human beings and the changes in societal patterns that have resulted from such technological inventions and discoveries. The invention of the wheel is often considered as that which has had the greatest impact on human progress (1). In the same line of thought then the invention of the internal combustion engine has a strong impact on the sped and direction of human progress since its invention, not so long ago in the history of human progress. The impact of the internal combustion engine on human progress has been on a broad. Within the limits of this paper it is not possible to deal with every aspect of social impact that the invention of the internal combustion has. Therefore, this paper limits itself to evaluating the social impact of the gas powered internal combustion engine from the limited perspective of contribution to human progress in overland transportation, with particular emphasis on automobiles and the manner in which it has impacted on society. History The basic technology involved in the internal combustion engine can be truly said to be derived from the gunpowder engine developed in the seventeenth century. Two centuries were to elapse before the technology involved in the gunpowder engine could be harnessed into the internal combustion engine. ... Though passenger cars were developed using steam engine, the best use of steam engines was seen in the engines developed for hauling the locomotives of the train. The deficiencies of large engine size and lower efficiency made the steam engines unsuitable for widespread use in passenger vehicles. By the second half of the nineteenth century the search was on for a more efficient engine (2) Technological advances occur in what appears to be a predetermined sequence, one setting the ground for the other, and when the right idea is seeded into this advance of technology, further advances are made (3). The fundamental idea of the internal combustion engine gas was conceived through the principles contained in the gunpowder engine and the steam engine. The reason for the idea progressing to reality was finding the ideal fuel for the internal combustion engine. In the nineteenth century the availability of coal gas and petroleum removed this barrier to progress in the development of the ga s powered internal combustion engine (2). The high energy fuel of petroleum in a mixture with air on ignition produces a rapid and powerful explosion. From 1860 to1880 the means for harnessing the energy of these explosions to power an internal combustion was under active experimentation and the results were soon forthcoming. Most of these experiments were in Germany and not surprisingly the early results sprang from Germany. Two sets of pioneers of the internal combustion engine using petroleum products emerged in the form of Daimler and Maybach on one side and Karl Benz on the other side. While Daimler and Maybach delivered early initial results of an internal combustion engine that could be used on two-wheelers, Karl

Organizational Behavior Principles Phase 3 Individual Project Essay

Organizational Behavior Principles Phase 3 Individual Project - Essay Example Likewise people and things usually resist changes that come. This resistance to change is a strong one and usually occurs when people or things sense a change around them. Organizational culture has been a major player in shaping up the future and role of any organization in this fast moving world. Organization culture develops in a long time and includes important aspects of the working environment. While trying to bring about a change in the organization the resistance that can be faced comes in different forms. For example lack of coordination by employees, morale of the employees goes down, productivity can decrease, strikes by labor unions and etc. Individuals naturally rush to defend the status quo if they feel their security or status is threatened. The major symptom of a resistance to change is the behavior of the employees. Though some times the resistance is positive as well and might help in implementing a change in a much easier way. The resistance to an organizational ch ange or culture that we are going to discuss here is in the form of low productivity that occurs due to the unacceptability of the change by employees. Many employees that see themselves in danger and resist a change are potentially afraid of the side effects and aftermath of the change. This is natural, as all of us fear the unexpected the best way to eradicate this fear is by forecasting and showing the potential benefits of the change and how it is going to be beneficial for all the employees. When employees fear a change they start thinking about the potential dangers to their job and other services this results in questions that take shape in their mind, the eventual result is lack of concentration in work, which then results in the decreasing productivity. In this situation mentors in the organization can help the employees in resolving the lack of concentration by answering their questions

Unemployment has significant implications for the individuals involved Essay

Unemployment has significant implications for the individuals involved and for society in general - Essay Example In certain cases and for certain professions an individual can have a duty towards society more than the duty they have towards their employer. Positions like doctors, lawyers, fire-fighters, police officers and the like have positions which are immediately recognized by their social standing and certain schemas, expectations and duties are immediately attached to them. On the other hand, the state of being unemployed or without work can also have significant implications for the individual where the most significant effect is the immediate loss of a large portion of the person’s income. While the loss in income may be mitigated to a certain extent by the welfare benefits provided by the state, the loss in social status and personal abilities may be more striking. It is considered a social stigma to be without a job and being jobless has a measurable negative impact on a person’s wellbeing and happiness. Moreover, while the individual would feel most of the burden of unemployment for themselves, society at large is also affected in a negative way if a large portion of the productive workforce is also left without work. While it can mean that the society is underutilizing its capacity to produce, it can also point towards other more significant problems. The case of Ireland is one such example where despite low unemployment there are still jobs which are unfilled and the economy is suffering because of underutilization. To better understand the implications of unemployment, an examination of consequences divided into consequences for individuals and consequences for society is necessary. Historically speaking, a study of the impact of unemployment on the individual was first conducted during the depression era where the shock of unemployment was seen to put a person through the mental states which are common to a shock experience (Ritchie et. al, 2005). Being employed gives a person

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Summary - Essay Example Tool testing and error rates find focus in the initial part of the guidelines. The use of a database approach for the documentation of the mobile forensics procedures assists in removing the documentation of testing methods employed, by acquiring results on the several test cases, enabling calculation of tool testing errors. This information enables the presenting of mobile forensic evidence in courts in a reliable and legally acceptable manner (Baggili et al, 2007). The practitioners of computer forensic quite often need to deal with digital images as a part of the evidence requirements. Such instances include child pornography or disputes involving proprietary rights. Photographic images found in computers have a strong likelihood of having originated from digital still cameras (DSC). Computer forensic practitioners should have an understanding of the characteristics of computer images to identify the origins of the DSC images in question. This understanding enables a computer fore nsic practitioner to use the specific attributes of a DSC image to prove replicas, derivates or additional images within a particular group. Some open source software can also be employed successfully to extract images based upon the characteristics of a DSC image (Kohen, 2007). Week – 3 The usage of the iPhone mobile from Apple is growing rapidly. This has led to the need for iPhone forensics as a part of the armory of forensic and security practitioners. This study shows that it is possible to examine the logical back up acquisition of the iPhone 3GS mobile device using the Apple iTunes back up utility to provide forensically important data in the form of e-mail messages, text and multimedia messages, calendar events browsing history, GPRS locations, contacts, call history, and voicemail recording. The study explored the possibility of forensic acquisition, examination and analysis of the backup of the logical copy in the iPhone 3GS mobile. In the examination process the ai m was to find out what significant data was stored in the on the device, location of its storage in the memory, and where the data is located in the back up files. For the acquisition the freely available iTunes back up utility was used in a systematic manner to synchronize data between the iPhone and a paired computer. Testing of this methodology demonstrated that an iPhone mounted on a computer running iTunes does not change the user data portion, which means that data integrity remains intact. When a logical copy is acquired, several hundred backup files containing user data, device settings, application preferences, and status are obtained. All these back up files are encoded into XML, ASCII, or binary formats. Examination of the logical copy from an iPhone reveals that these back up files contain a wealth of data that has the potential for use as evidence in court cases (Baggili & Bader, 2010). Week – 4 Amendments made to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure effective fr om December 1, 2006, addresses the issue of Electronically Stored Information (ESI), which also takes into consideration ESI found in small digital devices, like cell phones and Personnel Digital Assistants and their use as evidenced in court procedures. The standards employed for the admissibility of electronic evidence are found in the Frye

Most Important Cybersecurity Vulnerability Facing IT Managers Today Term Paper

Most Important Cybersecurity Vulnerability Facing IT Managers Today - Term Paper Example With the related elementary technique, that employs the transmission of the email SPAM formed to seem similar to it was derived through an officially authorized organization as well as in that way trapping us to go after a weblink to a wrong website that had been shaped to as well seem similar to it belonged to a valid organization, we could be trapped into sensational individual data and information regarding yourself that is also acknowledged as the Phishing (Rodriguez, 2007). The recompense was twofold. The executor of this act could go behind doesn't matter what economic capital we had like that our credit or debit card number, bank account, etc. or they could copy or steal an adequate amount of data and information from our computer to get hold of our identity. This category of online fraud is acknowledged as the identity theft. Identity theft possibly being even further shocking to the actual person for the reason that a hacker could make use of our individuality to open up cre dit and debit cards, bank accounts as well as carry out further negative activities and crimes concealed at the back of our identity (Rodriguez, 2007). Introduction to Phishing I believe phishing is the single most important cyber security vulnerability that IT managers are facing today. Actually, phishing is the process in which an authorized person tries to get access and use sensitive data and information such as usernames, personal information, credit card information and passwords by making use of deceptive and fake means as a trustworthy entity in an online and other internet supported communication. In addition, phishing is normally carried out through E-mail or through the instant messaging, as well as its generally directs... This essay stresses that IT managers are responsible for dealing with IT operations of an organization. In fact, business organizations heavily rely on IT in order to successfully operate their business. In this scenario, it is the responsibility of IT managers to implement strict security measures to ensure the secure execution of these IT operations. Given below are some of the important actions that can be taken to stop phishing. Information and data stealing is an extensively employed technique to industry intelligence. Through theft of personal infrastructure, plan credentials, officially permitted estimations, worker associated records, information robber’s proceeds from promotion to those who can want to make self-conscious or reason economic harm or to contestants. This paper has discussed some of the important aspects of phishing. In the past few years, phishing has become very common. In fact, there are many kinds of phishing and the basic purpose is to steal someone’s personal information using illegal ways. Without a doubt, organizations today heavily rely on their business data and information and for this they heavily rely on an IT department. So if this information is accessed by any unauthorized person it can be used for illegal purposes. In some cases, a business competitor can also hack this information to destroy the business of an organization. So it is essential for IT managers to keep them up to date with the latest knowledge of cyber vulnerabilities and be ready to implement solutions to deal with these vulnerabilities.

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Summary - Essay Example Tool testing and error rates find focus in the initial part of the guidelines. The use of a database approach for the documentation of the mobile forensics procedures assists in removing the documentation of testing methods employed, by acquiring results on the several test cases, enabling calculation of tool testing errors. This information enables the presenting of mobile forensic evidence in courts in a reliable and legally acceptable manner (Baggili et al, 2007). The practitioners of computer forensic quite often need to deal with digital images as a part of the evidence requirements. Such instances include child pornography or disputes involving proprietary rights. Photographic images found in computers have a strong likelihood of having originated from digital still cameras (DSC). Computer forensic practitioners should have an understanding of the characteristics of computer images to identify the origins of the DSC images in question. This understanding enables a computer fore nsic practitioner to use the specific attributes of a DSC image to prove replicas, derivates or additional images within a particular group. Some open source software can also be employed successfully to extract images based upon the characteristics of a DSC image (Kohen, 2007). Week – 3 The usage of the iPhone mobile from Apple is growing rapidly. This has led to the need for iPhone forensics as a part of the armory of forensic and security practitioners. This study shows that it is possible to examine the logical back up acquisition of the iPhone 3GS mobile device using the Apple iTunes back up utility to provide forensically important data in the form of e-mail messages, text and multimedia messages, calendar events browsing history, GPRS locations, contacts, call history, and voicemail recording. The study explored the possibility of forensic acquisition, examination and analysis of the backup of the logical copy in the iPhone 3GS mobile. In the examination process the ai m was to find out what significant data was stored in the on the device, location of its storage in the memory, and where the data is located in the back up files. For the acquisition the freely available iTunes back up utility was used in a systematic manner to synchronize data between the iPhone and a paired computer. Testing of this methodology demonstrated that an iPhone mounted on a computer running iTunes does not change the user data portion, which means that data integrity remains intact. When a logical copy is acquired, several hundred backup files containing user data, device settings, application preferences, and status are obtained. All these back up files are encoded into XML, ASCII, or binary formats. Examination of the logical copy from an iPhone reveals that these back up files contain a wealth of data that has the potential for use as evidence in court cases (Baggili & Bader, 2010). Week – 4 Amendments made to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure effective fr om December 1, 2006, addresses the issue of Electronically Stored Information (ESI), which also takes into consideration ESI found in small digital devices, like cell phones and Personnel Digital Assistants and their use as evidenced in court procedures. The standards employed for the admissibility of electronic evidence are found in the Frye

Homosexual Love Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Homosexual Love - Essay Example Of 70 groups, homosexuality was accounted for to be no attendant or extraordinary in recurrence in 41, and present or not exceptional in 29. In societies impacted by Abrahamic religions, the law and the congregation secured homosexuality as a transgression against heavenly law or a wrongdoing against nature. The judgment of butt-centric sex between guys, then again, originates before Christian conviction. It was incessant in old Greece; "unnatural" might be followed once more to Plato.clarification needed This is clearly the most widely recognized sexual introduction on the planet, because of science. (You can just get posterity if a male and female have intercourse) and likely because of religious and social components (it’s a wrongdoing in a few spots to not be hetero, and numerous religions denounce homosexuality/androgyny) Notwithstanding, simply on the grounds that it’s the most well-known, and "socially/organically/religiously" correct, doesnt fundamentally mean homosexuality and cross-sexuality arent right or "abnormal". Everybody ought to have the decision and right to be what he or she needs to be, including his or her sexual decision. It is in nobody spot to judge or censure individuals in light of their sexuality. Much the same as it is inappropriate to judge individuals dependent upon his/her race, sex or socio-financial class. Numerous recorded figures, including Socrates, Lord Byron, Edward II, and Hadrian, have had terms, for example, gay or promiscuous connected to them; a few researchers, for example, Michel Foucault, have viewed this as taking a chance with the chronologically erroneous presentation of a contemporary social develop of sexuality remote to their times, however others challenge this. An ongoing theme of constructionist contention is that nobody in classical times or the Middle Ages accomplished homosexuality as a selective, changeless, or characterizing mode of sexuality. John Boswell has

Effectiveness and Efficiency of Distribution Channels In FMCG

Effectiveness and Efficiency of Distribution Channels In FMCG Fast Moving Consumer Goods popularly known FMCG is as the name suggests is the most demanded products in the market. It includes everything from food items like flour, biscuits, ice creams, etc to body products soaps, face creams to cigarettes to beverages, etc. consumers need these things in their everyday life so they invests a good portion of there income in these things. There are so many companies which are dealing in FMCG products like HUL, Dabur, Cavin Care, AMUL dealing in dairy products, etc. By the vary nature of the product the companies are seeing this as a great source of income. As large number of companies are looking this sector as a profitable venture, so for sustaining there position and gain new market they have to bring some thing unique in their products or services to gain position in the market or to sustain there. In modern business distribution network has a great impact on the success of any business. In the FMCG segment the role of a excellent distribution channel becomes even more crucial because the delivery of FMCG Product is confined to day to day basic. Hence in order to survive and thrive in a highly competitive market you have to have a distribution channel which has no problem at any point of the distribution channel. The factor which is of crucial importance to survive in any business is the understanding of the mind of the individual consumers. What are main characteristics which consumer consider while making a purchasing decision regarding FMCG Product. In order to make right decision regarding all these aspects the company requires a complete knowledge of the problems faced in distribution channel and what should be done in order to overcome all these problems. Better infrastructure facilities will improve their supply chain. FMCG sector is also likely to benefit from growing demand in the market. Because of the low per capita consumption for almost all the products in the country, FMCG companies have immense possibilities for growth. And if the companies are able to change the mindset of the consumers, i.e. if they are able to take the consumers to branded products and offer new generation products, they would be able to generate higher growth in the near future. Table of Contents Introduction A Distribution Channel is a set of interdependent organizations (intermediaries) involved in the process of making a product or service available for use or consumption by the consumer or business user. Channel decisions are among the most important decisions that management faces and will directly affect every other marketing decision. Functions of Distribution Channel All Use Up Scarce Resources All May Often Be Performed Better Through Specialization All Can Often Be Shifted Among Channel Members Types of Distribution Channel A channel of distribution or trade channel is the path or route along which goods move from producers to ultimate consumers or industrial users. In other words, it is the distribution network through which a producer puts his product in the hands of actual users. The channel of distribution includes the original producer, the final buyer and any middlemen-either wholesaler or retailer. The term middleman refers to any institution or individual in the channel which either acquires title to the goods or negotiates or sells in the capacity of an agent or broker. But facilitating agencies that perform or assist in marketing function are not included as middlemen in the channel of distribution. This is because they neither acquire title to the goods nor negotiate purchase or sale. Such facilitating agencies include banks, railways, roadways, warehouses, insurance companies, advertising agencies, etc. The following diagram (chart) is illustrative of the channel of distribution which may exist in a market: The above chart indicates that the number of middlemen may vary. If there is direct sale by the produce to the consumers then there is no middleman. But that is very rare. As the chart shows the producer may sell goods to retailer who may then sell the same to consumers. The producer may sell goods to wholesalers who may inturn sell to retailers and the retailer may sell to consumers. The fourth alternative channel of distribution is when any agent/dealer intervenes between the producer and retailers and acts as a middlemen. The agent is appointed by the producer for the sale of goods to the retailers. Another alternative channel is there when producers agent sells goods to wholesalers who sell to retailers. Agent/dealer is an independent person/firm buying goods and selling them to retailers. Agent/dealer may also sell to wholesalers who may then sell to retailers and goods are thus made available to consumers. In the channel of distribution there may be more than one agent/dealer and wholesaler. A brief explanation of different channels of distribution is given below: Manufacturer Æ’Â  Customer: This is also known as direct selling because no middlemen are involved. A producer may sell directly through his own retail stores, for example, Bata. This is the simplest and the shortest channel. It is fast and economical. Small producers and producers of perishable commodities also sell directly to the local consumers. Big firms adopt direct selling in order to cut distribution cost and because they have sufficient facilities to sell directly to the consumers. The producer or the entrepreneur himself performs all the marketing activities. Manufacturer Æ’Â  RetailerÆ’Â  Customer: This is one stage distribution channel having one middleman, i.e., retailer. In this channel, the producer sells to big retailers like departmental stores and chain stores who in turn sell to customer. This channel is very popular in the distribution of consumer durables such as refrigerators, T V sets, washing machines, typewriters, etc. This channel of distribution is very popular these days because of emergence of departmental stores, super markets and other big retail stores. The retailers purchase in large quantities from the producer and perform certain marketing activities in order to sell the product to the ultimate consumers. Manufacturer Æ’Â  WholesalerÆ’Â  RetailerÆ’Â  Customer: This is the traditional channel of distribution. There are two middlemen in this channel of distribution, namely, wholesaler and retailer. This channel is most suitable for the products with widely scattered market. It is used in the distribution of consumer products like groceries, drugs, cosmetics, etc. It is quite suitable for small scale producers whose product line is narrow and who require the expert services and promotional support of wholesalers. Selection Criteria of a Distribution Channel While selecting a distribution channel, the entrepreneur should compare the costs, sales volume and profits expected from alternative channels of distribution. In order to select the right channel for distributing his product, a small-scale manufacturer should keep in mind the following considerations: Market Considerations: The nature of the market is a key factor influencing the choice of channels of distribution. The following features of the market should be considered to determine the channels: Consumer or Industrial Market: If the product is meant for industrial users, the channel of distribution will be a short one. This is because industrial users buy in a large quantity and the producer can easily establish a direct contact with them. But in case for goods meant for consumers, retailers may have to be included in the channels of distribution. Number and location of buyers: When the number of potential customers is small or the market is geographically located in a limited area, direct selling is easy and economical. In case of large number of customers, use of wholesalers and retailers becomes necessary. Size of order: Direct selling is convenient and economical where customers place order in big lots as in case of industrial goods. But where the product is sold in small quantities, middlemen are used to distribute such products. A manufacturer may use different channels for different types of buyers. He may sell directly to big retail stores and may use wholesalers to sell to small retailers. Customers buying habits: The customer buying habits like the time he is willing to spend, the desire for credit, the preference of personal attention and one stop shopping significantly affect the choice of distribution channels. Product Considerations: The type and nature of the product influence the number and type of middlemen to be chosen for distributing the product. The important factors with respect to the product are as follows: Unit value: Products of low unit value and common use are generally sold through middlemen, as they cannot bear the cost of direct selling. On the other hand, expensive consumer goods and industrial products are sold directly by the producers. Perishability: Perishable products like vegetables, fruits and bakery items have relatively short channels, as they cannot withstand repeated handling. Goods, which are subject to frequent changes in fashion and style, are generally distributed through short channels, as the producer has to maintain close and continuous touch with the market. Bulk and weight: Heavy and bulky products are distributed directly to minimize handling costs. Coal, bricks, stones, etc., are some examples. Standardisation: Custom-made and non-standardised products usually pass through short channels due to the need for direct contact between the producer and the consumers. Standardized and mass-made goods can be distributed through middlemen. Technical nature: Industrial products requiring demonstration, installation and aftersale service are often sold directly. The consumer products of technical nature are generally sold through retailers. Product line: An entrepreneur producing a wide range of products may find it economical to set up its own retail outlets. On the other hand, firms with one or two products find it profitable to distribute through wholesalers and retailers. Age of the product: A new product needs greater promotional effort and few middlemen may like to handle it. As the product gains acceptance in the market, more middlemen may be employed for its distribution. Middlemen Considerations: The cost and efficiency of distribution depend largely upon the nature and type of middlemen as given in the following factors: Availability: When middlemen as desired are not available, an entrepreneur may have to establish his own distribution network. Non-availability of middlemen may arise when they are handling competitive products, as they do not like to handle more brands. Attitudes: Middlemen who do not like a firms marketing policies may refuse to handle its products. For instance, some wholesalers and retailers demand sole selling rights or a guarantee against fall in prices. Services: Use of those middlemen is profitable who provide financing, storage, promotion and aftersale services. Sale Potential: An entrepreneur generally prefers a dealer who offers the greatest potential volume of sales. Costs: Choice of a channel should be made after comparing the costs of distribution through alternative channels. Company Considerations: The nature, size and objectives of the business firm also play an important role in the selection of distribution channel. It includes financial resources, market standing, volume of production, desire for control of channel, services provided by manufacturers, etc. For example a company with substantial financial resources need not rely too much on the middlemen and can afford to reduce the levels of distribution. Similarly a company desiring to exercise greater control over channel will prefer a shorter channel. After deciding the number of middlemen, an entrepreneur has to select the particular dealers through whom he will distribute his products. While selecting a particular wholesaler or retailer, the following factors should be taken into consideration: a. Location of dealers business premises; b. Financial position and credit standing of the dealer; c. Knowledge and experience of the dealer; d. Storage and showroom facilities of the dealer e. Ability of the dealer to secure adequate business and to cover the market; f. Capacity of the dealer to provide aftersale service; g. General reputation of the dealer and his sales force; h. Willingness of the dealer to handle the entrepreneurs products; i. Degree of co-operation and promotion service he is willing to provide; j. Nature of other products, if any handled by the dealer. Need for Distribution Channel Why are all these layers needed in distribution ? Why cant a producer simply sell to a retailer, who sells to a consumer? Its a fair question, and in some cases, that is exactly how it happens. But the fact is that many producers are either too small or too large to handle all the necessary functions themselves to get their products to market. Consider the small, specialty manufacturer who is terrific at making fine leather handbags but may not have the expertise to market its products as well as it makes them, or they may not have the money to hire a team of full-time salespeople to court the customers and secure the orders. An intermediary who works for several small, noncompeting firms can easily handle those functions cost-effectively. An intermediary who specializes in importing and exporting can handle the intricacies of customs paperwork, overseas shipping, and foreign markets, too. Conversely, large companies need intermediaries because they are also in the business of manufacturing, not marketing. Turning out tens of thousands of cases of soft drinks, for instance, do you think Pepsi has time to take and fill individual orders from households? Channel members like wholesalers and retailers are useful because they are best at specific aspects of sales in their markets, leaving the manufacturers to do what they do best-which is turn out the best possible product. Having a distribution channel breaks the whole buying and selling process and all its related negotiations into manageable tasks, each performed by companies that specialize in certain skills. Using an import wholesaler, for example, can be handy because they know the laws and customs of the suppliers nations; and they generally offer their own lines of credit so the retailer wont have to deal with currency exchange or negotiate payment terms with a bank in another country. Another advantage of the distribution channel is its ability to even out the natural ebbs and flows of a supply chain. This comes from the ability of some channel members to store excess goods until they are needed, and to stockpile goods in anticipation of seasonal sales peaks. Depending on how close their relationships, channel members may also work together to purchase goods or services in greater quantity at discounts, passing the savings on to customers. Even for consumers, the distribution chain is handy-beyond handy, in fact! It has become a necessity in our society. What if there were no supermarkets, for instance? Can you imagine how much more time and money you would spend having to buy every item at its source? How practical would it be to run out to the nearest farm to pick up a quart of milk and some salad ingredients on your way home from work? FMCG Sector Overview FMCG is an acronym for  Fast Moving Consumer Goods, which refer to things that we buy from local supermarkets on daily basis, the things that have high turnover and are relatively cheaper. Products which have a quick turnover, and relatively low cost are known as Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). FMCG products are those that get replaced within a year. Examples of FMCG generally include a wide range of frequently purchased consumer products such as toiletries, soap, cosmetics, tooth cleaning products, shaving products and detergents, as well as other non-durables such as glassware, bulbs, batteries, paper products, and plastic goods. FMCG may also include pharmaceuticals, consumer electronics, packaged food products, soft drinks, tissue paper, and chocolate bars. A subset of FMCGs is Fast Moving Consumer Electronics which include innovative electronic products such as mobile phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, GPS Systems and Laptops. These are replaced more frequently than other electronic products. White goods in FMCG refer to household electronic items such as Refrigerators, T.Vs, Music Systems, etc. These types of goods are required frequently by consumers and so a large part of the monthly salary or income will be spent on buying all the goods listed on the consumers shopping list. New players keep joining the FMCG circles but find the going tough unless they have a well planned strategy along with large cash reserves for their product promotion. A particular FMCG company might be a strong urban market leader, but will still find it tough to enter the rural markets or a new Indian state or area. Although FMCG companies generate a large volume of sales and money, they are always under pressure as they keep facing a lot of competition from their fellow competitors. Due to this, the FMCG companies try to do their level best in maintaining a fine balance in their profits and the product price. Thus they keep facing new challenges on their margins month after month. One of the key factors for an FMCG company to do well is a proper distribution network. If a distribution network of a particular FMCG company is well oiled, then that particular FMCG Company will definitely find the going much easier in the market. But companies have to allot a large chunk of their finances in developing and fine tuning their distribution networks. The promotion of a product of an FMCG company too is considered very crucial for its success. The market has many players. Every FMCG company has to fight for its space and audience in the Indian market. Thus, when a multinational company enters the Indian market, it creates an even bigger challenge to the existing players on the FMCG scene. If the promotion is done well, then the manufacturing of the product can even be outsourced. This can save valuable finance for a company. This in turn will help the company to utilize their energies on other aspects of their product. Some of the top players on the FMCG scene in India are Hindustan Unilever Ltd., ITC (Indian Tobacco Company), Nestlà © India and Dabur India. So, we can say that FMCG are the products which are: Sold quickly at relatively low cost Sold in large quantities Have low absolute profit but high cumulative profit Sector Performance FMCG is one of the few sectors that has been unscratched and has shown consistent growth despite economic recession and this can be proved by some of the leading magazines articles like: According to Business Standard-FMCG resilient to the economic slowdown and dip in consumer sentiment. According to Economic times it is one of the very few sectors undergoing MA in recent times. Economic times also comment that Indian rural market in untapped and unpenetrated. The growth in this sector is also evident from the fact that many FMCG companies are planning to foray into West Asia, South Africa and Egypt. FMCG industry  provides a wide range of consumables and accordingly the amount of money circulated against FMCG products is also very high. The competition among FMCG manufacturers is also growing and as a result of this, investment in FMCG industry is also increasing, specifically in India, where FMCG industry is regarded as the fourth largest sector with total market size of US$13.1 billion. FMCG Sector in India is estimated to grow 60% by 2010. FMCG industry is regarded as the largest sector in New Zealand which accounts for 5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Some of the merits of FMCG industry, which made this industry as a potential one are low operational cost, strong distribution networks, presence of renowned FMCG companies. Population growth is another factor which is responsible behind the success of this industry. Some of the well known FMCG companies are : Sara Lee Nestlà © Reckitt Benckiser Unilever Procter Gamble Coca-Cola Carlsberg Kleenex General Mills Pepsi Mars etc. FMCG industry  creates a wide range of job opportunities. This industry is a stable, diverse, challenging and high profile industry providing a wide range of job categories like sales, supply chain, finance, marketing, operations, purchasing, human resources, product development, and general management. Indian FMCG Sector FMCG is the fourth largest sector in the Indian Economy with a total market size of Rs. 60,000 crores. FMCG sector generates 5% of total factory employment in the country and is creating employment for three million people, especially in small towns and rural India. The FMCG sector in India is a sector which is dominated by a high level competition between all the players. This particular sector includes MNCs as well as local Indian companies. Certain companies are leaders in a particular state or area. While some of the companies are very strong in the rural areas compared to the urban areas. Some of the most powerful companies in the FMCG sector are: Hindustan Unilever Ltd., ITC (Indian Tobacco Company), Nestlà © India, GCMMF (AMUL), Dabur India, Asian Paints (India), Cadbury India, Britannia Industries, Procter Gamble Hygiene and Health Care and Marico Industries. All these companies have a proper distribution network along with proper product promotion tools which have helped them to regularly increase their sales and visibility on the Indian scene. Well-established distribution networks, as well as intense competition between the organised and unorganised segments are the characteristics of this sector. FMCG in India has a strong and competitive MNC presence across the entire value chain. It has been predicted that the FMCG market will reach to US$ 33.4 billion in 2015 from US $ billion 11.6 in 2003. The middle class and the rural segments of the Indian population are the most promising market for FMCG, and give brand makers the opportunity to convert them to branded products. Most of the product categories like jams, toothpaste, skin care, shampoos, etc, in India, have low per capita consumption as well as low penetration level, but the potential for growth is huge. The Indian Economy is surging ahead by leaps and bounds, keeping pace with rapid urbanization, increased literacy levels, and rising per capita income. The big firms are growing bigger and small-time companies are catching up as well. According to the study conducted by AC Nielsen, 62 of the top 100 brands are owned by MNCs, and the balance by Indian companies. Fifteen companies own these 62 brands, and 27 of these are owned by Hindustan Lever. Pepsi is at number three followed by Thums Up. Britannia takes the fifth place, followed by Colgate (6), Nirma (7), Coca-Cola (8) and Parle (9). These are figures the soft drink and cigarette companies have always shied away from revealing. Personal care, cigarettes, and soft drinks are the three biggest categories in FMCG. Between them, they account for 35 of the top 100 brands. Hindustan Unilever Limited has been operating in India from a long time. They are Indias largest FMCG Company and are also one of Indias largest exporters. The list of their popular products is a very large one. Some of their popular products are Lifebuoy, Rexona, Lux, Liril, Lipton Tea, Brooke Bond Tea, Bru Coffee, Pepsodent, Surf, Rin, Wheel Laundry Detergent and Kissan. The company has an excellent research centre which was established in 1958 and has a strong team of highly qualified scientists. Recently they have launched new projects like Ayush Ayurvedic Products Services and Pureit Water Purifiers. ITC which was set up in 1910 in India was earlier known as Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited. ITC has a vast presence in wide array of products and some of them are greeting cards, cigarettes, paperboards, packaging, branded apparel, foods confectionery and FMCG products. ITC has proved its worth by being one of Indias biggest foreign exchange earners. Although it already has many leading products from a long time, it is recently wooing over successfully new customers in its businesses of branded apparel, packaged foods confectionery and greeting cards stationery. Nestlà © first made its presence in India in 1912. It has always managed to get itself listed in Indias Most Respected Companies. This has been possible due to its practice of producing products of a global standard in India. It has also been able to provide customer satisfaction to the consumers of its products. The success of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) has proved that a cooperative too can grow into a top class company if it is backed by proper vision, hard work and a quality product. This has helped it to become the largest food product marketing organization in India. Some of its popular products are Amul Ice cream, Amul Milk, Amul Butter, Amul Shrikhand, Amul Milk Powder, Amul Ghee and Amul Cheese. Thus the above four examples show a variety of factors which are responsible for turning a company into a leading FMCG company. The top 10 companies in India are as follows: The FMCG sector can be sub classified into: Personal Care: The personal care category has the largest number of brands, i.e., 21, inclusive of Lux, Lifebuoy, Fair and Lovely, Vicks, and Ponds.   There are 11 HLL brands in the 21, aggregating Rs. 3,799 crore or 54% of the personal care category. Cigarettes account for 17% of the top 100 FMCG sales, and just below the personal care category. ITC alone accounts for 60% volume market share and 70% by value of all filter cigarettes in India. Foods: The foods category in FMCG is gaining popularity with a swing of launches by HLL, ITC, Godrej, and others. This category has 18 major brands, aggregating Rs. 4,637 crore. Nestle and Amul slug it out in the powders segment. The food category has also seen innovations like softies in ice creams, chapattis by HLL, ready to eat rice by HLL and pizzas by both GCMMF and Godrej Pillsbury. This category seems to have faster development than the stagnating personal care category. Amul, Indias largest foods company, has a good presence in the food category with its ice-creams, curd, milk, butter, cheese, and so on. Britannia also ranks in the top 100 FMCG brands, dominates the biscuits category and has launched a series of products at various prices. Household care: In the household care category (like mosquito repellents), Godrej and Reckitt are two players. Goodknight from Godrej, is worth above Rs 217 crore, followed by Reckitts Mortein at Rs 149 crore. In the shampoo category, HLLs Clinic and Sunsilk make it to the top 100, although PGs Head and Shoulders and Pantene are also trying hard to be positioned on top. Clinic is nearly double the size of Sunsilk. Herbal care: Dabur is among the top five FMCG companies in India and is a herbal specialist. With a turnover of Rs. 19 billion (approx. US$ 420 million) in 2005-2006, Dabur has brands like Dabur Amla, Dabur Chyawanprash, Vatika, Hajmola and Real. Paint: Asian Paints is enjoying a formidable presence in the Indian sub-continent, Southeast Asia, Far East, Middle East, South Pacific, Caribbean, Africa and Europe. Asian Paints is Indias largest paint company, with a turnover of Rs.22.6 billion (around USD 513 million). Forbes Global magazine, USA, ranked Asian Paints among the 200 Best Small Companies in the World Chocolates/Confectionary: Cadbury India is the market leader in the chocolate confectionery market with a 70% market share and is ranked number two in the total food drinks market. Its popular brands include Cadburys Dairy Milk, 5 Star, Eclairs, and Gems. The Rs.15.6 billion (USD 380 Million) Marico is a leading Indian group in consumer products and services in the Global Beauty and Wellness space. Outlook for FMCG Sector: There is a huge growth potential for all the FMCG companies as the per capita consumption of almost all products in the country is amongst the lowest in the world. Again the demand or prospect could be increased further if these companies can change the consumers mindset and offer new generation products. Earlier, Indian consumers were using non-branded apparel, but today, clothes of different brands are available and the same consumers are willing to pay more for branded quality clothes. Its the quality, promotion and innovation of products, which can drive many sectors. Methodology Exploratory research: The exploratory research design is appropriate for any any problems in which a very little knowledge is available. An Exploratory study is in the nature of a preliminary phase and is absolutely essential in order to obtain a proper definition of problem in hand. So it is helpful in breaking broad and vague problems into smaller, more precise sub problem statements, hopefully, in the form of specific hypothesis. In this study the exploratory research has been used to frame structure questionnaires, individuals with knowledge and ideas have been interviewed to get the idea to frame structure questionnaire. A part from books and journals has been used to gather information about the insurance and the insurance industry. Data Collection: In this study internal and external source for data collection had been used. In the internal and external sources of data collection these two types of data comes into picture: Primary Data Secondary Data Primary Data All the primary data for the purpose of the study were obtained by interviewing the retailers with the help of a questionnaire. Questionnaires were framed on the basis of product its competition. The questions were designed in such a way as to elicit maximum information and data. Secondary Data Secondary data has been collected from books and websites. Internet websites: www.google.com, www.Coca-Cola.com, www.wikipedia.com, www.coca-colaindia.com Magazines Business World Management and Technology Questionnaire There can be two types of questionnaire. Questionnaire for Whole sellers: Name: Age: .. Area: . Years in the Business:. .. Date. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_STNJ3qjC9Nk/SX30qf_Ve3I/AAAAAAAAAcU/P3nV5aXUBdY/s320/Coca-Cola_logo5.jpg Q1. Which coca cola cold drink brand sells the most? Coke b. ThumsUp c.Limca d. Sprite e. Fanta f. Maaza g.Others Q2. Which mineral water sells the most? Kinley b. Aquafina c. Bisleri d. Local brands Q3. What type of package cold drinks sells the most? 300ml bottle b. 600 ml pet bottle c.

Capital Punishment :: essays research papers fc

Capital Punishment Introduction: Think for a moment about the fall into sin. Think about the people in Noah’s day. Sodom and Gomorrah. What is the punishment inflicted upon all of them by God? Death. The death penalty, or capital punishment, is the first and harshest penalty for sin. Although it has evolved and changed form over the years, and is now decided upon by men playing God, it is still an acceptable, God pleasing form of punishment. I am going to tell you what capital punishment is, its history, its current role in the justice of criminals, and why I believe that it pleases God. Body: Capital punishment, simply put, is killing someone for a crime that they have committed. This crime is murder. In some countries and states, it is considered acceptable to kill the person who has taken the life of another. The methods of execution have varied since the beginning of time, but three current popular ways include the gas chamber, lethal injection, and the electric chair. My overhead shows the different ways that states used for execution in 1994. In addition to the three most popular choices, a hanging and a firing squad are also used in a few states. According to the book â€Å"Should We Have Capital Punishment† by JoAnn Bren Guernsey, these choices were made with the goal of a more humane murder in mind. The gas chamber is a small, sealed room in which the prisoner sits strapped to a chair. A lethal gas is sent through the floor of the room, and death usually takes about five minutes. Lethal injections simply involve the insertion of a needle filled with poison into a vein and injected. This procedure can be effective, but also takes long amounts of time quite often. The electric chair was invented as a way to quickly and painlessly kill the prisoner, but has proven to not be as effective as thought. It has taken up to three 2000 volt shocks to kill someone, with fire, sparks, and smoke reported to be seen coming from their head. None the less , the electric chair is currently the most popular method of execution. The history of capital punishment goes back to the beginning of time. The punishment for the fall into sin was death. God first punished Adam and Eve by banishing them from the Garden of Eden, and forcing them to endure pain and conflict as a reminder of their sin.

Malaria Essay -- essays research papers fc

Malaria Malaria parasites have been with us since the beginning of time, and fossils of mosquitoes up to thirty million years old show that malaria’s vector has existed for just as long. The parasites causing malaria are highly specific, with man as the only host and mosquitoes as the only vector. Every year, 300,000,000 people are affected by malaria, and while less than one percent of these people die, there are still an estimated 1,500,000 deaths per year. While Malaria was one of the first infectious diseases to be treated successfully with a drug, scientist are still looking for a cure or at least a vaccination today (Cann, 1996). Though many people are aware that malaria is a disease, they are unaware that it is life threatening, kills over a million people each year, and is a very elusive target for antimalarial drugs (Treatment of Malaria, 1996). Being a very specific disease, malaria is caused by only four protozoal parasites: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae. Not only is the disease specific, but the parasites are too, with only 60 of 380 species of female Anopheles mosquitoes as vectors. With the exception of Plasmodia Malariae which may affect other primates, all parasites of malaria have only one host, Homo sapiens. Because some mosquitoes contain substances toxic to Plasmodium in their cells, not all species of mosquitoes are vectors of Plasmodium. Although very specific, malaria still causes disruption of over three hundred million people worldwide each year (Cann, 1996). The life cycle of the parasite causing malaria exists between two organisms, humans and the Anopheles mosquito. When a female mosquito bites a human, she injects an anticoagulant saliva which keeps the human bleeding and ensures an even flowing meal for her. When the vector injects her saliva into the human, it also injects ten percent of her sporozoite load. Once in the bloodstream, the Plasmodium travel to the liver and reproduce by asexual reproduction. These liver cells then burst releasing the parasites back into the bloodstream where they then enter red blood cells. Here, the Plasmodium feed on hemoglobin and reproduce again by asexual reproduction. Afterwards, the red blood cells burst and release the parasites. Some of the para... ...ion people annually. As the Plasmodium parasites mutate more and more to resist the effect of antimalarials, it becomes harder for scientist to find a cure (Treatment of Malaria, 1996). Over forty percent of the world’s population still at risk from this deadly disease, is yearning for a cheap, effective vaccine (Cann, 1996). Bibliography Dr. Cann, Alan J. PhD., "The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Malaria Database", 1996, http://www.wehi.edu.au/biology/malaria/who.html. Graham, David, "Malaria-Proof Mosquitoes," Technology Review, October 1996, Vol. 99, Issue 7, p20-22, MAS FullTEXT ELITE, Nancy Guinn Library. Herman, Robert, "Malaria," New Groliers Multimedia Encyclopedia, Copywrite 1996. "Atovaquone and Proguanil for Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria," Lancet, June 1, 1996, Vol. 347, Issue 9014, p1511-1515, MAS FullTEXT ELITE, Nancy Guinn Library. "Limited Imagination," Economist, September 28, 1996, Vol. 340, Issue 7985, p80- 82, MAS FullTEXT ELITE, Nance Guinn Library. "Treatment of Malaria," New England Journal of Medicine, September 12, 1996, Vol. 335, Issue 11, p800-807, MAS FullTEXT ELITE, Nancy Guinn Library.

Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Eleven

Eighteen minutes later, deputy Sergeant Caleb Reynolds stood outside the door of the director's office, watching them through a crack. It had taken him slightly longer than expected to get everything in place, but he felt good, confident, about how it was all going to play out. Especially now seeing the two girls in the Bee's Roller Derby outfits, tight little skirts and tops, even had the wigs and masks on. They were identical except one of them was in blue, the other in white. Like little dolls, yeah, he liked to think of them that way. His little dolls. Expensive dolls. The blue doll saying, â€Å"Are you sure the fact that you want to kiss him isn't getting in the way of your judgment, Miranda?† And the white doll saying, â€Å"Who says I want to kiss him? You're the Kissing Bandit.† â€Å"Who says I want to kiss him?† the blue doll mimicked. â€Å"Please. You should really learn to have some fun. Live in the mo.† â€Å"Maybe I will as soon as I get rid of you, Sibby.† The blue doll stuck out her tongue, almost making him laugh. They were cute together, these two. Blue doll said, â€Å"I'm serious. How do you know we can trust him?† â€Å"He has his own agenda,† the white doll explained, â€Å"and it works with ours.† Then he really did have to stifle a laugh. She had no idea how correct she was. About that first part. And how wrong about the second. He pushed the door open and saw them both turn to him with you-are-my-hero expressions in their eyes. â€Å"Are you ready, Miss Cumean?† Blue doll nodded. His little white doll saying now, â€Å"Take good care of her. You know how important she is.† â€Å"I will. I'll get her settled and come back for the second part of the operation. Don't open the door for anyone but me.† â€Å"Right.† He was back less than a minute later. â€Å"Was everything okay? Is Sibby safe?† â€Å"It went perfectly. My men were exactly in position. It could not have gone smoother.† â€Å"Okay, so how long do we wait before I run out?† He walked toward her, backing her against the wall. He said, â€Å"There's been a change of plans.† â€Å"What, you've added a part where you kiss me? Before the part where I pretend to be Sibby and lead the guards into the SWAT-team trap?† He liked the way she smiled when she said it. He reached up to caress her cheek and said, â€Å"Not exactly, Miranda.† His hands slid from her face to her neck. â€Å"What are you tal-† Before she could finish, she was pressed against the wall, hanging a foot above the ground, his hands around her throat. He tightened them slightly as he said, â€Å"It's just you and me now. I know all about you. Who you are. What you can do.† â€Å"Really?† she choked out. â€Å"Yes, really. Princess!† He saw her eyes get wide and felt her swallow hard. â€Å"I knew that would get your attention.† â€Å"I don't know what you're talking about.† â€Å"I know about the bounty on your head. Miranda Kiss wanted, alive or dead. My original plan had been to leave you alive for a while, bring you in after a few weeks, but unfortunately you just had to interfere. Should have minded your own business instead of mine, Princess. Now I can't run the risk of your getting in the way.† â€Å"You mean in the way of what you're doing with Sibby? So you were the one who wanted the money. You betrayed those others and made them think you were part of their cause, just like you betrayed us.† â€Å"Such a smart girl.† â€Å"You kill me, kidnap her, and collect money? Is that it?† â€Å"Yep. Just like Monopoly, Princess. Pass go, collect two hundred dollars. Only in this case it's more like fifty million. For the girl.† â€Å"Wow.† She looked genuinely impressed. â€Å"And how much do you get for me?† â€Å"Dead? Five million. You're worth more alive; apparently some people think you're some teen Wonder Woman, have superpowers. But I can't take the chance.† â€Å"You already said that,† she rasped. â€Å"What, are you bored, Miranda?† He tightened his grip a little. â€Å"Sorry this wasn't more of a storybook ending,† he said, smiling at her, holding her eyes with his own as he choked her. He could tell she was struggling to breathe now. â€Å"If you're going to kill me, can't you just get on with it? This is kind of uncomfortable.† â€Å"What, my hands? Or the feeling that you're a failure-â€Å" â€Å"I'm not a failure.† † – again.† She spit in his face. â€Å"Still got some fire. I really admire that about you. I think you and I could have gotten along nicely. Unfortunately, there just isn't time.† She gave one last fight, clawing at him with all her remaining strength. It was inspiring how hard she worked. Finally her little fists fell hopelessly to her sides. He leaned in close to her face. â€Å"Any last words?† â€Å"Three: Listerine breath strips. You really need them.† He laughed, then tightened the hands around her neck until they overlapped. â€Å"Good-bye.† For a second, his eyes burned into hers. Then there was a sharp crack and something heavy came down on his head from behind. He staggered forward, his hands letting go of the girl as he fell to the ground unconscious. He never knew what hit him, the blue doll thought, still gripping the clock she'd used to knock him out. Or who.