On Compassion Analysis Essay - 763 Words

â€Å"On Compassion† by Barbara Lazear Ascher The purpose of this essay is to question the readers. Ascher wants the audience to analyze themselves to determine the reason behind why people show kindness, whether it is out of fear, pity, or compassion. Compassion is learned through experience and seeing those less fortunate; it brings out sympathy because one cannot ignore it when unfortunate people are everywhere. â€Å"And yet, it may be that these are the conditions that finally give birth to empathy, the mother of compression. We cannot deny the existence of the helpless as their presence grows. It is impossible to insulate ourselves against what is at our very doorstep. I don’t believe that one is born compassionate. Compassion is†¦show more content†¦She has a detached nature and comes off as being an outsider observing them from above, and interpreting their movements like a scientist. Rhetorical questions such as, â€Å"twice I have wondered, what compels this woman to feed this man? Pity? Care? Compass ion? Or does she simply want to rid her shop of his troublesome presence?† (57) makes the reader question themselves and figure out why people would be compassionate. Asher is able to bring out the audience’s feelings about homeless people and why people are kind to them by describing other people’s questionable actions. Phrases like, â€Å"his eyes fix on the baby† (57) confuses the reader about whether the mother gave the homeless man money out of â€Å"fear or compassion† (57). Her words are delicately planned out to make the reader feel puzzled about whether humans are actually compassionate or if they do things for other reasons. Asher’s word play is remarkable, especially her use of rhetorical questions. She questions every action of a person, making the reader wonder why they did something. Her essay was really able to make me analyze myself and why I do things. She is able to capture a small detail that completely changes the situatio n, like when the mother’s â€Å"hands clos[ed] tighter on the stroller’s handle† (56); this little movement makes the reader feel like the mother gave the money out of fear instead ofShow MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of On Compassion 1233 Words   |  5 PagesRhetorical Analysis: ‘On Compassion’ People tend to brush off something or ignore something that we do not understand or like. Many Americans do this. So if most of America does this, then what gets done with that problem? Nothing! Barbara Lazear Ascher’s ‘On Compassion’ shows this to a new level. She shows us how the homeless is struggling and everyone turns their heads about it even though it is a big problem in New York City. Ascher’s use of good logos, pathos, and ethos comes together to showRead MoreOn Compassion Analysis Essay947 Words   |  4 PagesCompassion at Play Are people born with a complete quandary when it comes to compassion or is it something that has always been there? Barbara Lazear Ascher, born in 1946, writes, â€Å"On Compassion.† Having lived in New York City, Ascher is able to take first hand examples from the city to show the affection people have towards each other. Ascher is able to illustrate that compassion is something that has to be taught because of the adversity at people’s heels by including tone, persuasive appealsRead MoreTo Kill a Mockingbird Compassion Analysis600 Words   |  3 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird Compassion Analysis Philosopher Albert Schweitzer explains, â€Å"The purpose of human life is to serve, and show compassion and the will to help others†(BrainyQoute.com) In order to follow the purpose of life you have to teach the purpose of life. Compassion is meant to be shared and spread throughout the whole world. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Atticus takes this moral upon himself, and teaches Jem and Scout about compassion in Maycomb. Throughout the novel To KillRead MoreA Concept Analysis On Compassion Fatigue1647 Words   |  7 Pagesconducting a concept analysis is to divide the components of a concept into separate individual parts for evaluation and clarification. Analysis of the internal structure, defining aspects, characteristics and interrelationships to the other components can be achieved by conducting a concept analysis. The basic purpose is a process to discover the similarities and differences between concepts (Walker Avant, 2005). The intent of the concept analy sis on the subject of compassion fatigue is to evaluateRead MoreConcept Analysis: Compassion Fatigue Essay2583 Words   |  11 PagesRunning head: COMPASSION FATIGUE 1 Compassion Fatigue: A Concept Analysis A Paper Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for NU 506 Theoretical Foundations of The practice of nursing is synonymous with the concepts of empathy, compassion, nurturing, and caring. In the last two decades, a global nursing shortage has developed, leading to a phenomenon in nursing never seen before; the delivery of nursing care without nurturing. Increased workloads, higher patient acuity,Read MoreAnalysis Of Tattoos On The Heart, The Power Of Boundless Compassion Essay890 Words   |  4 PagesGregory Boyle says this because he knows that resilience is needed in order to change. Resilience is important because we can become better people by doing things, we thought we couldn’t do. In the book, Tattoos on the Heart, The Power of Boundless Compassion, by Father Gregory Boyle, resilience is essential in our lives because it is the key to do better. My brother, Osvaldo growing up was basically a teacher’s pet and someone I looked up to. He would get good grades, enough to get him Honor RollRead MoreAnalysis Of Tattoos On The Heart, The Power Of Boundless Compassion Essay1140 Words   |  5 PagesGregory Boyle says this because he knows that resilience is needed in order to change. Resilience is important because we can become better people by doing things, we thought we couldn’t do. In the book, Tattoos on the Heart, The Power of Boundless Compassion, Boyle claims resilience is essential in our lives because it is the key to do better. For example, in Chapter Four, â€Å"Water, Oil, Flame,† Twenty-three-year-old homie, Miguel worked on Boyle’s graffiti crew. Miguel was an extremely nice kid, whoseRead MoreThe Concept Of Compassion By Using Walker And Avants ( 2011 ) Eight Step Guideline For Concept Analysis1757 Words   |  8 PagesThe concept compassion is heart felt and used by many to cover a subjective feeling. Compassion is experienced by people across the world in healthcare and in many aspects of life. It is well known in many disciplines, and has been deemed a quality in which nurses possess in their profession. The idea is one that is familiarized by many, but is not clearly defined in nursing education or practice but has been the foundation regarding the high-quality of care nurses are thought to contribute to theRead MoreCompassion Fatigue As A Synonym For Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder1524 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction According to Coetzee and Hester (2010) compassion fatigue was adopted as a synonym for secondary traumatic stress disorder. The aim of their 2010 concept analysis of the topic was to further define compassion fatigue as it applies to the nursing practice. They describe the process of compassion fatigue from just simply discomfort to compassion stress and finally fatigue. (p.1) Their analysis describes how damaging compassion fatigue can be on a nurse’s ability to provide compassionateRead MoreResearch Article On Types Of Research1743 Words   |  7 Pagesusing several methods to obtain the information. The type of research used for this article was exploratory and used a combination of online self-report Likert scale surveys as well as Path analysis. Additionally, this article examined an alternate model was used to test a causal relationship between self-compassion and mindfulness. Literature Review This subject is important to study for several reasons. Adolescents’ emotional well-being can make or break suicidal ideation, they can have positive

Latin America Essay - 949 Words

Latin America Distinguishing cultures from one another has become increasingly difficult as various societies continue to intertwine and share their aspects of popular life. Constant exposure to US and other world cultures has changed the cultures of Latin American countries somewhat, but much of society remains unchanged. Moving to the United States from Latin America alters life a great deal, and keeping touch with one’s original culture may sometimes seem unimportant or simply impossible, but those who remain Latino instead of becoming â€Å"Americanized† are those who care the most for and have the strongest tie to the culture. Because the United States has long been involved in Latin-American affairs, â€Å"American† and â€Å"Latin†¦show more content†¦Keeping family close with several generations living in the same household is a tradition that continues to be maintained in Latin America, as does respect for elders; these are simply givens to Latin American children, much like wearing a uniform to school every day. Yet there still exists blurry line between the state of being, or not being, a Latino. Saying that a person must speak Spanish (or Portuguese) to retain his or her status as a Latino, for example, may be a bit harsh, but it contains an undeniable grain of truth. The common language somewhat levels the playing field by allowing social interaction between different groups of Hispanics; this fact remains true whether the setting is the United States or a Latin American country. Language also serves as a tie to the motherland—one’s own motherland, or that of his or her parents—that can’t easily be taken away. Another important factor is how hard a person genuinely tries to retain his or her culture. Living in Latin America, there is constant exposure to all things United States-an, but obviously living in the United States, in the hotbed of all the activity, makes losing one’s culture and adopting the United States ways of life easy. Though shunning al l things â€Å"American† is not necessarily the answer, resisting getting completely sweptShow MoreRelatedThe Culture Of Latin America Essay1630 Words   |  7 Pagesculture of Latin America is multi-faceted and rich. More than 300 million Spanish speakers reside in Latin America and are spread across a vast geographic region; this makes it tough at times to explain Latin American culture. Though, there are some living standards and ways of observing life which is in common all over the majority of the area. Latin America comprises of 21 main countries. Major languages spoken in Latin America are French, Portuguese, and Spanish. The Latin America region is aRead MoreThe Impact Of Latin American Culture On Latin America1656 Words   |  7 Pagesactive war zone, living in Latin America would be much like that. The war being fought here is very different, instead of fighting another country, they are fighting drugs. Although war is generally a negative thing, this one is not. In this war there are negatives, but the positives far outweigh them. Latin American countries have witnessed the very noticeable benefits of the drug trade in many aspects of everyday life. The use and production of drugs is important to Latin American culture, bringsRead MoreEssay on Women in Latin America1114 Words   |  5 Pages Women in Latin America were expected to adhere to extreme cultural and social traditions and there were few women who managed to escape the burden of upholding these ridiculous duties, as clearly shown in â€Å"Chronicle of a Death Foretold†. First, Latin American women were expected to uphold their honor, as well as their familys honor, through maintaining virtue and purity; secondly, women were expected to be submissive to their parents and especially their husbands; and lastly, women were expectedRead More US-Latin America Essay1400 Words   |  6 Pagesconceded to the United States their right of any intervention in the Western Hemisphere and allowed the United States to do whatever they wanted. The United States took this newly bestowed power and abused it. The United States intervened in many Latin American countries and imposed their policies on to these countries against their will. A perfect example of this aggression is what occurred in the Dominican Republic in 1904. The United States intervened in this sovereign nation and took controlRead MoreThe Latin America Debt Crisis1002 Words   |  5 PagesThe Latin America debt crisis What Happened Both internal and external for Latin Americas roller coaster economic performance in what was known as the crisis. During the 50’s and 60’s there was favorable conditions in place to maintain steady employment creation, capital investment and overall economic expansion. But this period ended in 1973 amid the first world oil crisis rocked the world economy and caused an era of debt-led growth among the oil importing Latin America countries. Latin AmericanRead MoreLatin America Revolutions Essay775 Words   |  4 PagesVienna, revolts plagued many European countries as well as several areas in Latin America. France was driven from Haiti, Portugal lost control of Brazil, and Spain was forced to withdraw from all its American empire except for Cuba and Puerto Rico. Colonial government in South America came to an end. Three countries where revolts were successfully established were Haiti, Venezuela, and Brazil. The countries in Latin America benefited from the revolts becau se they became free from colonial rule, butRead MoreThe Spanish Colonization Of Latin America Essay1270 Words   |  6 PagesBecause the Indians and Spanish lived in different areas in Latin America, the Indian culture and society did not change significantly. Or did there society change? The Spanish colonizers had a huge influence on the indigenous peoples of Mexico and Peru’s, culture, language, traditions, religion, even on their native food. One can say that this came into being shortly after Columbus discovered the New World. The Spanish conquistadors, who sailed with Columbus to the New World, were the first toRead MoreThe Economic Situation Of Latin America2506 Words   |  11 PagesLatin America is filled with countries that have such great richness in environmental, agricultural and cultural goods but unfortunately it is also the place where the majority of the countries have high levels of poverty and social inequalities. Latin America is the place where we find many natural wonders like the Amazon rainforest, the Andes, the Iguazu Falls and many other natural resources. However, the economic situation is one of the poorest in the world. According to the article, The PoliticsRead MoreThe Political Landscape Of Latin America Essay1471 Words   |   6 PagesGovernance in Latin America is punctuated with frequent periods of revolt and reform. The relationship between leaders and followers in Latin America is varied because the political landscape of Latin America is so diverse. This essay will focus on the relationship of leaders and followers in the caudillo leaderships of Juan Perà ³n, Simon Bolà ­var, and Aparicio Saravia. Juan Perà ³n was born in 1895 in Buenos Aires. He began military school as a young man and progressed through the officer ranks. HeRead MoreThe Spanish Colonization Of Latin America1270 Words   |  6 PagesBecause the Indians and Spanish lived in different areas in Latin America, the Indian culture and society did not change significantly. Or did there society change? The Spanish colonizers had a huge influence on the indigenous peoples of Mexico and Peru’s, culture, language, traditions, religion, even on their native food. One can say that this came into being shortly after Columbus discovered the New World. The Spanish conquistadors, who sailed with Columbus to the New World, were the first to

Impact Of Mergers Acquisitions On Aviation Labour Relations Commerce Essay Example For Students

Impact Of Mergers Acquisitions On Aviation Labour Relations Commerce Essay This essay trades with the subject of amalgamations and acquisitions in the air power industry. In this peculiar instance, the state of affairs of Air France and KLM and British Airways and Iberia will be examined. The single air hoses and its brotherhoods will be presented in a comparative analysis. After a portion where the significance of amalgamations and acquisitions is explained, the motives for the peculiar air hose to acquire into the procedure of a amalgamation or an acquisition are demonstrated. In the terminal, there is a decision where all major determinations are summarized and a small rsum of the benefits up to now will be shown. The major focal point in this analysis lies on employment relationships and the overall wealth of the companies. Air France is the Gallic flag bearer and one of the universe s largest air hoses. They are headquartered near Paris. The air hose s planetary hub is at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Air France was founded on 7 October 1933 from a amalgamation of four of the taking conveyance companies. On June 26, 1945, French civil air power was nationalized and at the terminal of World War II. , the whole Gallic air conveyance web was committed to Air France, the new flag bearer. 1974, Air France moved to Paris-Charles de Gaulle and this lead into a new degree. The freshly built airdrome was capable to run widebody aircraft aircraft, such as A300 and B747, which democratized air travel surely. In 1992, the Air France Group was born. Air France and Union de Transports Ariens ( UTA ) merged. The group became one of the largest air conveyance groups in the universe. In April 1996, the linking hub scheme for Paris-Charles de Gaulle airdrome was implemented by Air France. 1999, Air France went on the stock exchange and the public offering was a immense success. On June 22nd 2000, Air France created a planetary confederation called Sky Team with Aeromexico, Delta and Korean Air to fall in forces and widening their web. Air France launched the A380 on 20 November 2009 with service to New York s JFK Airport. At the terminal of the twelvemonth 2009, Air France and its subordinates employed around 75,000 people. ( Air France history ) ( Air France at a glimpse ) 2.1 The Unions The Confdration Gnrale du Travail Force Ouvrire is one of the five major brotherhood federations in France. FO is a member of the European Trade Union Confederation. FO was founded in 1948 and has round about 300,000 members. The Confdration Gnrale du Travail, CGT is the largest in footings of ballots and 2nd largest in footings of rank Numberss with 720,000 members today. CGT is a national trade brotherhood centre and was founded in 1895. The political way of the CGT is easy underdeveloped, harmonizing to the historian M. Dreyfus since the 1990s. They cut all links with the Gallic Communist Party ( PCF ) to a more sensible place and concentrated its attending on general work stoppages in private sectors. ( Prsntation ) The Confdration franaise dmocratique du parturiency, CFDT is the largest Gallic trade brotherhood alliance by figure of members ( 875,000 ) but the CGT has more voting consequences for representative organic structures. The CFDT was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Paris. ( Nos valeurs ) 3. KLM KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is a world-wide air hose company based in the Netherlands which was founded on October 7, 1919. KLM s central office are in Amstelveen near its hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. KLM operates worldwide scheduled rider and lading services to more than 90 finishs. It is the oldest air hose in the universe still runing under its original name. KLM employs 36,000 people of different nationalities. Around 31,000 of these work in the Netherlands and the balance abroad. In 2008, KLM transported 23.4 million riders and 657,022 dozenss of lading. ( KLM history ) KLM ( KLM profile ) 3.1 The Unions The Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging is an organisation of brotherhoods that represents the involvements of employees and societal benefit claimants. It is by far the largest and strongest alliance in the Netherlands. Major points of the FNV are employment and income. Income may be derived from work, but besides from societal benefits. Valuess, like equality, solidarity, freedom of address, justness and sustainability are the FNVs nucleus rules. Approximately 1.9 million employees in the Netherlands are a member of a trade brotherhood. This means that 27 % are organized in brotherhoods. The FNV has fourteen allied trade brotherhoods stand foring over 1.2 million members: 63 % of all trade brotherhood members. ( Over de FNV ) 4. British Air passages British Airways ( BA ) is the flag bearer of the United Kingdom which is based and headquartered in Waterside, near its chief hub at London Heathrow Airport. BA is the largest air hose in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international finishs. BA was founded in 1974, but has its beginning after First World War, when Imperial Airways Limited was created in 1924 in order to function the British Empire with air conveyance services. Privatization took topographic point in 1987 and BA expanded through several acquisitions, such as British Caledonian and Dan-Air, i.e. British Airways carried 31.8 million riders in 2010. Besides its hub at London Heathrow, where they own 40 % of entire slots, BA has besides a mentionable presence at Gatwick Airport and Manchester Airport. ( Explore our yesteryear ) British Air passages 4.1 The Unions Employees of BA are represented by 3 major trade brotherhoods: * BALPA, stand foring the pilots * BASSA, stand foring the cabin crew * Unite the Union, for other employees The British Air Line Pilots Association represents over 75 % of all aircraft and chopper pilots based in the UK. The Association has approximately 10,000 professional flight crew members, working in big and little companies. BALPA has over 120 working pilots who work as Representatives for the association. They work on affairs within their air hose. The affairs they deal with are really divided into two parts: Professional Affairs and Flight Safety. BALPA works with the Civil Aviation Authority, the Department for Transport, the Department of Trade and Industry and many other organic structures covering with issues refering BALPA. To keep and procure the footings and conditions of the members, BALPA is closely working with 20 air hoses. In Europe, BALPA was a founding member of ECA, the European Cockpit Association. ( About BALPA ) The British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association is a subdivision of the Transport A ; General Worker s Union ( T A ; GWU ) entirely for British Airways cabin crews with a rank of over 10,000. BASSA is a dynamic and progressive brotherhood, which is entirely staffed by elective representatives, who work as BA cabin crew. They are involved in all cabin crew affairs, like programming, adjustment, wages, working understandings and conditions. BASSA is located at Harlington, Middlesex. ( About us ) Forensic psychology Essay8. The amalgamation of British Airways and Iberia The understanding between British Airways and Spanish bearer Iberia was confirmed on 8 April 2010. Both oneworld confederation spouses joined forces in an all-stock dealing while retaining their separate trade names, like Air France and KLM. The operational central office are in London but the corporate central offices are in Madrid. Board meetings take topographic point in Madrid due to the fact that the company is being incorporated harmonizing to Spanish jurisprudence as an anon. society , and the keeping company for both bearers are paying revenue enhancements in Spain. The new air hose group is Europe s third-largest and the sixth-largest in the universe by grosss ( more than 14,000 million euro ) , with about 55 million riders in 2010. British Airways antecedently owned a 13.5 % interest in Iberia but received ownership of 55 % of the new combined International Airlines Group, whereas Iberia s stockholders having the staying 45 % of the company. The air hoses expect one-year synergisms worth about 400 million euro get downing the 5th twelvemonth following the amalgamation. Approximately 60 % of these synergisms will originate from cost nest eggs, and 40 % from larger grosss due to the new operations. The IAG board is made up of 14 members, seven from each air hose. Airline employees will profit, since the confederation will do the air hoses stronger and better positioned in economic footings. The house is able to vie and to offer employees more stableness, long-run occupation security, and possibilities of professional promotion. Stockholders of the air hoses will besides profit from the understanding, since the addition in income and of fight will add to companies value. Nevertheless, the procedure of a amalgamation is complex and takes rather a long clip to accomplish consequences which are accepted by both parties. Since the EU deregulating of menus and paths in 1993 and the denationalization of the former state-owned air hoses, legion smaller Europe an air hoses have gone belly-up or been taken over. Thousands of occupations have been lost, and at that place has been a immense offense on working conditions, arousing legion work stoppages throughout Europe. BA the first state-owned air hose to be privatised in 1987 has outsourced cardinal services. Feeder paths are franchised to low-priced bearers who charter their planes and utilize cheaper non-union crews. Cabin crews are no longer from the place state, but are recruited from bases around the universe. Forced to vie with the low-priced bearers, BA turned to direct gross revenues via the Internet to extinguish the price reduction given to the travel agents, and to name Centres runing in low-wage English-speaking states such as India. The debut of new working patterns aimed at cut downing costs led to a work stoppage among ground staff in summer 2003. After holding agreed to unify, Iberia could hold walked off from this understanding due to the fact that BAs entire pension shortage was 3.7bn at the terminal of 2010. Iberia had three months to acquire to a determination on BA s program to work out its pension shortage. The program maintained BA s one-year parts at the degree of around 330m, plus agreed one-year additions harmonizing with rising prices outlooks averaging 3 % . The parts will go on until 2026 for the New Airways Pension Scheme ( NAPS ) in order to fulfill the employees. After holding consulted the major brotherhoods, British Airways submitted the recovery program to the UK Pensions Regulator. ( EU clears British Airways, Iberia amalgamation ) This understanding is a important and positive measure frontward for British Airways and the pension strategy members, said BA s main fiscal officer, Keith Williams. The legal guardians understand that the air hose is unable to increase its parts in the current fiscal clime b ut we have agreed a recovery program that avoids shuting the pension strategies, gives NAPS members pick over their future pension accumulations, and increases the prudence of the premises employed in pull offing the strategy. ( A conversation with Keith Williams ) Unite, the brotherhood stand foring BA cabin crew arranged three major work stoppages and locked both parties in a acrimonious battle which started as a difference over staffing degrees on flights. BA is pressing the brotherhood to accept the negotiated trade already on the tabular array, vouching two farther old ages of wage rises and the best conditions for bing crews in the UK industry. The brotherhood must now give notice seven yearss in progress of any work stoppage action planned. 9. Decision Analysts and air hose industry experts have stated that amalgamation trades in the air hose sector are ineluctable presents. The industry is confronting legion challenges, such as difficult competition and lifting operational disbursals, particularly the lifting jet fuel costs. Industry consolidation would assist airlines face these challenges by uniting resources, cutting costs, and cut downing competition. The costs of fuel have a major impact on the possible success or failure of amalgamations. If the monetary value of oil rises excessively high, it can restrict the cost benefits provided by the amalgamation. And if the monetary value of oil falls enormously, it underbids the demand for dearly-won amalgamation minutess. With high operating disbursals and stiff competition, air hoses have considerable motive for meeting. Consolidation is non the lone option for fighting air hoses, of class. A batch of bearers have announced cost film editing steps, such as retiring aircraft, call offing paths and raising ticket monetary values. The amalgamation of Air France and KLM was a reaction to deregulating, the economic recession, planetary overcapacity and the entryway of the low-priced air hoses like Ryanair and EasyJet. Air France/KLM has become Europeans largest air hose and the universes largest air hose, if you merely see gross revenues income. Air France and KLM increased net incomes from $ 450 million to $ 550 million after five old ages as a consequence of cost nest eggs, rescheduling of paths and a better fleet use. Experts even foresee another rapid growing in the following old ages. BA and Iberia signed a amalgamation trade in order to vie more efficaciously in the fast-consolidating industry and to offer a larger web. The merger will make Europe s second-biggest air hose by market value, uniting Iberia s strong place in Latin America with BA s presence in Africa, Asia and North America. The amalgamation is seen as an chance for the two air hoses to cut costs following really tough old ages for the air hose industry. The air hoses are to a great extent affected by amalgamations and acquisitions. In the last few old ages air hose M A ; As have been a turning tendency in several states worldwide. However amalgamations and acquisitions in the air power industry are extremely strategic and are decidedly altering the air power industry to a battleground of a few mega participants.

Universal Concept of Cross

Introduction Cross cultural psychology is the term used to refer to the studies done on the processes of the mind and human beings’ behavior using scientific methods. The studies help in determining the variability as well as the invariance of the behaviors and processes under varied cultural environments. These studies are aimed at establishing how universal concepts like cognition are. Issues like depression, psychopathology and anxiety are also studied (Funder, 2007).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Universal Concept of Cross-Cultural Psychology specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Possibility of conducting cross cultural psychology The possibility of conducting cross cultural psychology has been realized by various researchers who have travelled extensively in a bid to carry out the research in cultures that are even found very far away from each other. An example of successful researchers is Williams H.R. Rivers (1864 to 1922). His study was aimed at measuring the acuteness of the senses as well as the intelligence of the native people of Torres Straits which is a region found between New Guinea and Australia. Other researchers are Williams and Best who were able to analyze the stereotypes, roles and perceptions associated with gender in various societies. Both found differences and similarities in cultures across over thirty countries (Williams, Best, 1990). Desirability and success of conducting cross cultural psychology Cross cultural psychology is desirable as it is very interesting to carry out. The experiences with various cultures present the researcher with opportunities to learn things that he was previously not aware of. The research has mostly been successful despite the challenges that the researchers encounter. The researchers also have different experiences which may lead them to challenge each other’s work. This is taken as positive criticism and it provides t he researchers with alternative ways of doing things (Jahoda, 1993). Issues surrounding cross cultural psychology The issues surrounding cross cultural psychology are mostly ethical in nature. Researchers have to be careful so that their results are not misinterpreted to stereotyping of the various cultures on which the study was done. Another issue is the determination of the hypotheses to which the research is directed. The researcher has to be careful not to be offensive. Sampling has to be carefully considered so as not to misrepresent the object of the study. Consent is also an important issue for the research to be carried out successfully. Data evaluation should be done with a lot of caution so that there is no bias in the final result (Laungani, 2007). Reasons for conducting cross cultural psychology There are varied reasons why this kind of research is usually carried out. It is mostly done to determine if there are similarities or differences in how people from various par ts of the world behave and perceive things. The studies also serve to show that cultures may not necessarily be how they are stereotyped.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Another role of the research is to provide alternatives to findings of other researchers. The studies also help in determining the strengths or weaknesses of varying cultures. This may be important in helping the cultures improve their way of living. The research also creates cohesion and cooperation between cultures. This may serve as an important tool for promotion of peace (Funder, 2007). Conclusion Cross cultural psychology is important as it provides a way of discovering how different people do things across the world. It also helps to demystify some already existing myths and stereotypes which are usually associated with certain cultures. It brings people together as they discover that they are not the only one s who are fond of carrying out certain activities. It also presents new learning opportunities for the researcher (Jahoda, 2007). References Funder, D.C. (2007). The Personality Puzzle. (4th ed.). New York: Norton. Jahoda, G. (1993). Crossroads between culture and mind. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Laungani, P. (2007). Understanding cross-cultural psychology: Eastern and Western perspectives. London: Sage. Williams, J. E., Best, D. L. (1990). Sex and psyche: Gender and self viewed cross- culturally. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. This essay on Universal Concept of Cross-Cultural Psychology was written and submitted by user Silas Parrish to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Art critique essays

Art critique essays I have always enjoyed scenic landscape paintings. One piece of artwork that really caught my eye was the Two Watermills and a Sluice painting found at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. This particular painting was created by the Dutch artist Jacob van Ruisdael in 1653. Ruisdael created the painting using oil on a canvas. The paintings dimensions are 26 x 33.25 inches. Captured in the painting are, as the title reveals, two watermills. One of the watermills is more centrally located than the other. In fact the second watermill is only shown partially, as the rest of the structure seems to disappear off the canvas to the right. Between the two watermills is an actively flowing expanse of water. A very large tree is an easily noticeable landmark that is positioned just to the left of the central watermill. The painting seems to embody a very simple theme, yet it is still visually captivating. There are various amounts of foliage painted in great detail shown in the foreground of the painting. There are also delicately brushed clouds in the sky. The clouds on the left and the right portions of the canvas are darker, making way for brighter, wispier, clouds resting in the center of the sky. There is a man in a resting position with his dog at his side in the far off background. A very good sense of naturalism is personified throughout the whole of the painting. When looking at the painting the viewers eyes are drawn from the lower left of the painting towards the center in a sweeping motion. Starting where the river begins on the lower left side by lighting the center of the river with softer colors surrounded by darker reflections and plant life on either side, the artist creates a path for your eyes to follow. The motion of your eyes drawn across the river begins to dissipate as the rivers softer shades of aqua and faint whites are covered by the darker colors of the shrubbery on the river bank. But, just as the moti...

The Absent Male In Little Women Essays - English-language Films

The Absent Male In Little Women Essays - English-language Films The Absent Male in Little Women "No gentlemen were admitted" writes Louisa May Alcott in Little Women to describe the all-female private revue the March sisters perform. And as the novel progresses, one cannot help but wonder if this same sentiment does indeed echo throughout the novel, as male characters are conspicuously absent while all the pivotal parts are played by the women characters. This gender imbalance in that there are more female characters than male in Little Women is especially obvious when male authority figures such as Mr March and Mr Lawrence are markedly absent for most of the novel. When they do appear, they are in need of love and care from the women. Mr Lawrence, who is nursing a broken heart over the death of his daughter, is healed by Beth's gentle manners, while Mr March's broken constitution is nursed back to health by his loving wife and daughters. The only male character who appears prominently in Little Women is Laurie, who, although the richest and most eligible bachelor for miles, is drawn to the motherly smile and warmth of the little cottage, despite the luxuries of his mansion next door. John Brooke, Laurie?s tutor and Meg?s husband, too, is drawn to the homey atmosphere of the March residence, having recently lost his mother. In a bold move that differentiates Alcott from her contemporaries, the male characters in Little Women are all not capable of providing sustenance to their womenfolk as they are incapacitated (either by a war injury, an emotional scar, or an impoverished background). The women are thus forced to take on varied roles in order to provide materially and emotionally for the family. They are the ones who shoulder the burden in situations not unlike those of the Alcott family. Is it by chance, or is premeditation, that most of Alcott?s novels feature an absent father? And when he does reappear, he is very often silent, ill or injured. It is obvious Alcott has problems portraying strong male characters, probably from the fact that she hadn?t seen too many of them. Furthermore, Alcott is not able to describe a situation where love is emoted expressively from men. In all her novels, the male characters disappoint in one way or the other. In many ways, they are very similar to her own father. Bronson Alcott was a man who preferred dreaming, shirking his fatherly and husbandly duties, and was prone to going on extended trips without his family. Bronson Alcott deserted his family for months at a time purportedly to earn a living. But he was not very successful in that area. Once he came back with a new scarf and a dollar in his pocket to a hungry family waiting for the money to buy some much needed bread. He handed over the token that he was paid to Alcott with the careless remark: ?Well, Louisa, there?s little money, but I had a great time and was asked to come again.? In Little Women, the appearance of these hapless males in search of a mother figure to comfort them celebrates the Good Mother, a role played by Marmee and her four daughters. The Good Mother figure, as explained by French feminist writer Helene Cixous in her manifesto The Laugh of the Medusa, is a woman who is an omnipotent, generous dispenser of love, nourishment and plenitute. And in a departure from the patriachal system that she grew up in, Alcott proclaims women as the source of life, power, energy and advice. In Good Wives (pages 211 - 213), Marmee says to Meg, beginning with: "May I speak quite freely, and will you remember that it's mother who blames as well as mother who sympathises?" before concluding with "Don't shut yourself up in a bandbox because you are a woman, but understand what is going on, and educate yourself to take your part in the world's work, for it all affects you and yours." Then later on in Good Wives (page 318), Jo exclaim about Marmee: "How goo! d she is to me! What do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles?" Alcott's portrayal of a strong mother figure is no

Quantitative business and management journal Essay

Quantitative business and management journal - Essay Example elaborates that the relation of transfer of knowledge and contribution with the motivational level in the different network structures. The involvement of the employees in the knowledge sharing makes them feel their importance in the firm and the decision making of the company and hence increase the motivational level of the employee. The motivational level of the employees is increase as with their involvement in the knowledge sharing along with that when the involvement is done from every employee the contribution is of wide variety and different aspect of knowledge is contributed which is beneficial for the company as a whole. The research of this paper is aimed as to determine the different network structures in which the contribution from different and variety of sources improves the quality of the research and information and how different collaborating sources improve the motivational level of the employees. The knowledge sharing within the organization is seemed to be benefic ial for the company as a whole or not by including the motivational level increase within the employees and the benefits of the contributions as a variety of angles and perspective. Theory The theory in this paper is that the motivational level either intrinsic or extrinsic leads to the connectedness of the employees. There are several factors that lead to intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. The internal satisfactory factors that leads the sharing of knowledge of an individual leads to intrinsic motivation. The internal satisfaction may be of different intensity and thus they have the relative impact upon the sharing of knowledge of the individual. The extrinsic motivation comes along the external satisfactory conditions which are in terms of reward which may not necessarily be quantitative. The theory in this paper has been studied before as to the individual extent only where the motivational level relation with the connectedness of knowledge sharing of the individuals within the social circle. In this paper the research includes the involvement of the employees in the knowledge sharing of the company which shall be beneficial for the company as whole. The connectedness of the employees with the organization comes along with their involvement in the knowledge sharing of the employees as it enhances the motivational level of the employees. the employees’ extrinsic motivational and connectedness is dependent upon the rewards, hence as long as the employee is employee is rewarded then the contribution and the sharing of knowledge continues but as the reward is not awarded then the sharing of knowledge stops. In this paper the implication of the motivational level of the individual within the organization as the sharing of knowledge is dependent upon the network of the organization. Thus the implication of the motivational level and the connectedness within the organization is done. Quantitative Method and Analysis The connectedness of the empl oyee within the organization in terms of sharing of knowledge is related with the intrinsic motivation of the employee. Employees within the organization develop a social circle where the connectedness and sharing of knowledge is enhanced. As the theory elaborated the sharing of knowledge is done when the full innovative transfer of knowledge network is provided to the employee the motivation of the employee enhances. The hypothesis that the intrinsically motivated employees are well connected provided with the network of innovative transfer of knowledge is carried upon and tested with the practical implication within the organization. Hypothesis The hypothesis in this research is the relationship between the connectedness and intrinsic motivat

Character analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Character analysis - Essay Example â€Å"Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor and it can never be used to hurt you† (Martin, 56). The dialogue is from George R.R Martin’s series, A ‘Song of Ice and Fire’, spoken by Tyrion Lannister, one of the most fascinating characters who carry a remarkable astuteness and intricate personality in the book. Apparently, his words indicate the great hopes and strong self-esteem that he possessed despite being a dwarf and believed that his physical disability does not imply his inability to deliver in life. Through his moving and treasured way of speaking, Tyrion shows outstanding ability of prudence and intuition. â€Å"As the most grandest creation† of the author Tyrion’s ambitions vitalizes on his unique perspective and open the new page of history on the great performance of a dwarf in media. Commendably, Tyrion sojourns on to attest that indeed the adversaries linked to his dwarfism can be overcome ( Ben, 01). Moreover, to fully comprehend the complexity and uniqueness of the characteristics of Tyrion, one must discern his childhood background. As a â€Å"high born dwarf† in an extremely dignified and arrogant family who had controlled their governance over seven kingdoms, Tyrion was not a son with interminable elegance and fondness. On the contrary, he has been depicted as a â€Å"midget† or â€Å"imp† who has been made an outcast by other characters in his family (Abraham et al., 116). Among different reasons behind people’s hatred towards Tyrion includes the death of his mother while she was giving birth to him. Tyrion Lannister does not share a strong bond with his only sister named Cersei Lannister. Nevertheless, his brother Jamie Lannister has a lot of compassion for Tyrion for which he has helped him throughout the novel. Additionally, the community of the Lannisters immensely ostracized Tyrion because he was expected to be

Marketing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Marketing - Research Paper Example he past, I was involved in the purchase of a smart phone, a process that required me to make an extensive decision because I wanted to have the best product that was available in the market, which suited my budget. I had interacted with many friends and family members with nice smart phones and really needed the best of all those I had come across. That required me to pay a lot of attention in the ‘alternative evaluation’ stage because the market was awash with products from different companies, and which had different functionalities and features. Therefore, when I visited the vendor, I had to spend a lot of time enquiring about different models and comparing them. I was literally undecided because almost all models had a feature or two I liked, while others were extremely appealing but they surpassed my finances (Solomon & Stuart, 2005). Although finally I managed to purchase one of the products that really satisfied my needs, what perturbs me is the fact that I afterwards met some friends who told me that they bought the same product at a cheaper price from a certain vendor in town. Considering that finances was a pretty pressing issue by then, I wished I had spent more time on information search. In view of this, if I repeat this process, I would pay a lot of attention to the stage of ‘information search’ more than ‘alternative evaluation’. I will want to gather more information from my peers, family members, the internet and any other source so I become more informed before taking the plunge (Solomon & Stuart,

Importance of Having an Inter Professional Team

Importance of Having an Inter Professional Team This essay is meant to throw light on the importance of having an inter professional team that would make the service delivery to patients easier. In this essay I will discuss the roles played by nurses and other professionals in the team. The essay will reflect the efficiency of such a team and their work distribution and involvement. I will highlight the ways in which a team of professionals will work together to take proper decisions during emergency situations and tackle them effectively. The essay will also critically evaluate the various concepts of inter professional team work. An interprofessional team is a group of people who have a certain common goals or objectives which drives them to work together by setting aside individual goals. Inter professional team can be defined as a dynamic process involving two or more health care professionals with complementary backgrounds and skills, sharing common health goals and exercising concerted physical and mental effort in assessing, planning, or evaluating patient care, accomplished through interdependent collaboration, open communication and shared decision-making, and generates value-added patient, organizational and staff outcomes (Xyrichis and Ream 2007). Freeth et al (2005) defined inter professional team work as when two or more professional learn with, from and about each other to improve collaboration and the quality of care. The healthcare sector started showing interest in the interprofessional working during the early 1990. (Institute of Medicine, 1998;ONeil and Pew Health Professions Commission 1998;ÂÂ  Pew Health Professions Commission 1995a,ÂÂ  1995b,ÂÂ  1998). The Association of American Medical Colleges, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing suggested that the graduates must have enough knowledge in interprofessional collaboration (Varkey, Reller, Smith, Ponet, OsbornÂÂ  , 2006). Varkey et.al (2006) also pointed out that there should be enough cooperation between the various professionals in healthcare field for the success of this profession. But unfortunately this fact is not included in the curriculum of the different medical schools in USA. Inter professional teams are more effective in rehabilitating the patients than individual health care professionals. The number of patients having positive impact by the inter professional service is larger than those by individual service providers. A very strategic role played by nurses is highlighted now. The nursing tutors face the dual challenge of preparing their students enter into nursing profession as well as equip them to cooperate effectively with other health practitioners (Lattuca, 200l;ÂÂ  Newell, 1998). An interprofessional team is working to provide service in a properly planned and systematic manner. In the health care sector inter professional teams are meant to develop groups that works towards efficiently rendering care to the patients. These teams include nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals. For a team to be efficient role clarity to inevitable and this will help them define their own duties and responsibilities avoiding conflicts (West and Markiowicz, 2004). A team essentially will have a team leader who will lead the team and motivate them to render good service working together (Martin and Rogers 2004). A health care team will work effectively if there is stability in the team, this will make the team member in the group work with shared trust and understanding (West and Slater (1996); Gair and Hartery, (2001)). Interprofessional teams are of various types, they include multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary etc. In case of multidisciplinary teams the members are from various teams. These members set their own discipline specific goals and work towards achieving it. But ultimately the result is calculated as the total of all the disciplines (Dean and Geiringer 1990). The position of team members in the team hierarchy will affect the way in which the team functions and how it will render the service (Cotts, 1998). In case of a multidisciplinary team there exist subgroups of doctors, social workers, therapists and also subgroups which had nurses and other junior staff. Her study also unveiled the idea that the different subgroups had different perceptions about the inter professional teams. Inter professional team work is highly essential in operation theatres and intensive and trauma care units. Since these are the emergency units of a hospital the situation of such units cannot be predicted and thus highly challenging. The interprofessional team may have to work highly efficiently and together. There exists a high rate of tension and stress in the team members in such emergency situations. According to McWilliam et al (2003), interprofessional working is a very difficult task for health care professionals. The patients didnt get the full benefit of interprofessional working due to the misunderstanding between the health care professionals regarding the policies and procedures in it. Mistreatment of elders is a serious issue and its growing day by day. It is the responsibility of nurses to identify and prevent such occurrences (Baker Heitkemper, 2005). The nurses have a variety of roles to play in an Inter-professional elder mistreatment team. At present the roles involve screening and assessment, mandatory reporting, direct care, and complaint investigation. Elder mistreatment (EM) is a very complicated issue and can be effectively solved through inter-professional association. Critics like Bion (1961) say that the interprofessional teams fail to focus on the real task they should be doing. The primary tasks for which they have come together is forgotten most of the by the interprofessional teams. Whenever there is an issue the teams to fail to reach at a consensus and they do not take proper decisions on the issue (Strokes 1994). The meetings conducted in order to take decision on the matter are just a waste of time. These assumptions are based on the work group mentality theory. Critics of interprofessional team have questioned the values of the team. It is said that the teams are not well managed and they do not work properly and responsibily. Negotiation theory puts forward the perspective of negotiating the personal and professional goals. (Strauss, 1978) The negotiations by professionals in the health care field have played a critical role in molding the characteristics of an interprofessional team. Loss and change theory reiterates that the health care professionals like doctors and nurses lose their professional identity as they are working in a team, this will lead to developing an improper relationship and improper behavior in the team (Atkins, 1998). Thus it critically points to the inter professional teams in that it wouldnt serve the purpose of forming a team the unhappiness of the team members can lead to inefficient functioning. The increase of cost in hospitals will also result if there is lack of proper communication between the professionals like doctors, nurses and staff and also if they are not coordinated well (Gavett, Drucker, McCrum and Dickinson, 1985). The roles played by nurses in the interprofessional teams are fast evolving. The importance of specialist skills for nurses is now recognized and new role have come up. The Macmillan nurse is an example of such new roles and they possess skills in palliative care and are expected to look after patients with terminal illness. Another group called night practitioners literally run the hospitals at night. They are skilled to assist any department and are sometimes considered better than junior doctors too (Martin Rogers, 2004) While working in an interprofessional team, there is an increased chance of conflict between the team members regarding the superiority in the team. The truth is everyone is equal while working in a team and nobody should themselves subordinate to anyone. But sometimes the nurses and their opinions are ignored in an interprofessional team. Such events makes them reluctant to be a part of such teams (Martin Rogers, 2004). Task shifting is a common practice among the professionals now days (Reeves et.al, 2010). This would help the traditional professionals to relieve of their heavy workload. The nursing practitioners and physician assistants are such roles (Hooker McCaig, 2001). The multiplicative effects model of interprofessional working views it more than the sum of its parts. Here the synergy obtained from such work is described (Leathard, 1994). According to this model, interprofessional working improves the contributions of individual team members and thus will help in the overall development of team. Decision making is an essential in ingradient of all teams; it measures the efficiency of the group. Decision making in case of an interprofessional team also play key role deciding its service delivery process. The usual situation that happens in such teams is the unavailability of proper team leader and also reaching at a common consensus. The decision taken in team has the idea input all the members that needs to driven well in one direction for increasing effectiveness of the work the team does. Most of the important decisions concerning the activities of the team are taken mostly by the Doctors, or the medical staff in an inter professional team in hospitals. Solving important problems and resolving conflicts are the aims of masking decisions (Neil, 1978). There are a few hindrances for nurses to be part of interprofessional teams. The health care sector has shortages or less number of nurses, and those nurses who are available have increased amount of work. As a result of which there is a limitation in case of inter professional support and collaboration (Mckay Crippen, 2008). Another barrier that can be highlighted is the disinterest on the part of other departments to participate and actively involve in the team and work together. The culture and hierarchy of the organization also plays a role in the formation of teams in the organization. According to Henneman.et.al (1995) Collaboration involves a partnership characterized by mutual goals and commitments in which participants willingly become involved in planning and decision making. Henneman.et.al (1995) also proposed that collaboration is a process by which members of various disciplines (or agencies) share their expertise. Accomplishing this requires these individuals understand and appreciate what it is that they contribute to the whole. Many authors have suggested ways to make the intercollaboration more effective. According to Fullan (1993), effective collaborations operate in the world of ideas, examining existing practices critically, seeking better alternatives and working hard together at bringing about improvements and assessing their worth.ÂÂ   The National Network for Collaboration (NNC) put forward a frame work for effective collaboration and advocated that it should possess a common vision, problem, a desired outcome etc. NNC also pointed out that the members of the collaboration must share this vision and contribute equally. The NNC sees collaboration as an inclusionary process which should be constantly engaged and must strengthen the commitment and must identify that relationship building and maintaining is the key factor for the success of collaborations and they must try to sustain a win-win relationship. According to Garner (1995) and Hoeman (1996), it should be by means of collaborative communi cation rather than shared communication that the interprofessional team approach evolves. Efforts were made from the part of many authors for increasing the literature on interprofessional education for health professional students. But Cooper, Carlisle, Gibbs, and Watkins (2001) pointed out this literature to be diverse including a relatively small amount of research data and much larger amounts of evaluation literature. There were almost thirty works done on interprofessional education and all of them aimed to increase the level of co-operation and understanding between the members in interprofessional teams as well as to encourage a high quality care for the patients. There are a number of social science theories that explain the concept of interprofessional team work. Merton (1968) put forward theory in three modules. They are the micro, mid range and macro theories. The social sciences approaches that come under these three groups include: Micro: psychodynamic perspective by Bion, Menzies, Marris, social psychological perspective by Tejfel and Turner, Brown Interactionism by Goffman and strauss All the above approaches that come under the micro group are of the rational type that consolidates the team functions, identities and interactions. Midrange : Activity theory by Engestrom Institutional influence by DiMaggio and Powell Professionalization by Freidson These three approaches or theories are processual, organizational and contextual. Their task is to understand team activities, relation and performance, the relations between professions respectively. Macro: Discourse theory and surveillance theory by Foucault They are of the contextual type that deals with the impact of society and social interaction of with respect to the interprofessional team work. There are a set of models supporter by theories that help provide the inter professional education well in the health care sector that enables the health care professionals perform well and deliver quality service. These models are whilst behaviorism, cognitivism and constructivism (Schunk D 2003). I will working for the betterment of the service provided to a patient using the things I learned. Working in an interprofessional team is has made me get involved with the Doctors and other professional in the field and has helped to build a strategy that elevates the level of service rendering process. As a nurse am able to act in the right way a right direction in case of any emergency and otherwise. From now I will be able to put into practise the concept I learned. The model that I would use is the Kolbs model of reflection. It is a process whereby, individuals, teams and organizations attend to and understanding their experiences and consequently modify their behaviour. The model mainly has 4 important aspects: Experiencing means really doing the task and experiencing the whole process. Reflecting- in this step the work is reviewed in terms of experience and the real process. Conceptualisation- here the various important occurrences and tasks are analysed and their connections among the events are noted. Planning- the events that have been understood will be analysed well in order to envisage the occurrences in future. This will help to prevent any improper events happening and build a proper strategy to do the next task. The Kolbs reflection model if one of the best models for teams. In case of a team there are aspects like: Doing- same as experience, where the team does the task or the action. Reflection- after the action, the team members openly discuss the whole process and share their views and experience. Interpretation- the members of the team now work with common identity and culture and as a team by leaning behind individual interests. Planning- in the final step team works according to the joint decisions and plan out ways to committing the action. Finally I would say that in any sector especially the health care there is an elementary requirement of having an inter professional team. The team in all ways will help in providing superior service since the decisions are taken as a team and under common grounds.

Triumph Over Nature in The Good Earth :: The Good Earth

Triumph Over Nature in The Good Earth  Ã‚      The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck, is a tale of a farmer who rises from a commoner to a wealthy land owner. The setting is pre-Revolutionary China, sometime in the 20th century. The story is one of a farmer who becomes a wealthy man through hard work while facing droughts and floods. He becomes very rich, but forgets his true love, the earth, which got him to where he was. The mood of the story is serious. Droughts and floods affect the outcome of crops, which in turn, affect the people who need them to survive. As the story progresses, the mood changes to become more light hearted and careless. It is typical of today's society of how the main character becomes rich and then forgets what it was like to be on the other side. He spends money carelessly and neglects to remember how his life was just a few months before. The main element of the story is definitely character. We look through the eyes of the main character and see how he, as a person, grows and matures. There are many characters in the story. The first is Wang Lung, a farmer and the main character of the story. The author tells the story through his view of life. We see Wang Lung at the beginning of the story as a young man, full of energy and love for his land. He has been raised on the land he now farms and takes great pride in maintaining it. Later in the story, he becomes a rich man, and forgets his land, "One's flesh and blood." As he finds out that money is not everything and cannot by happiness, he realizes his fault and returns to the earth. O-lan is Wang Lung's wife in the story. She was a slave girl raised in the great House of Hwang. Wang Lung buys her from the house, but he sees that "there is no beauty of any kind in her face." But Wang Lung cannot afford a beautiful wife, for he is only a farmer. O-lan is a strong, but qu ite character. She bears hardships as they come and gives Wang Lung four children. Wang Lung seems to care for her, but she in return shows very little emotion. She is a hard character to reach and only before she dies, do we see the real side of O-lan. Triumph Over Nature in The Good Earth :: The Good Earth Triumph Over Nature in The Good Earth  Ã‚      The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck, is a tale of a farmer who rises from a commoner to a wealthy land owner. The setting is pre-Revolutionary China, sometime in the 20th century. The story is one of a farmer who becomes a wealthy man through hard work while facing droughts and floods. He becomes very rich, but forgets his true love, the earth, which got him to where he was. The mood of the story is serious. Droughts and floods affect the outcome of crops, which in turn, affect the people who need them to survive. As the story progresses, the mood changes to become more light hearted and careless. It is typical of today's society of how the main character becomes rich and then forgets what it was like to be on the other side. He spends money carelessly and neglects to remember how his life was just a few months before. The main element of the story is definitely character. We look through the eyes of the main character and see how he, as a person, grows and matures. There are many characters in the story. The first is Wang Lung, a farmer and the main character of the story. The author tells the story through his view of life. We see Wang Lung at the beginning of the story as a young man, full of energy and love for his land. He has been raised on the land he now farms and takes great pride in maintaining it. Later in the story, he becomes a rich man, and forgets his land, "One's flesh and blood." As he finds out that money is not everything and cannot by happiness, he realizes his fault and returns to the earth. O-lan is Wang Lung's wife in the story. She was a slave girl raised in the great House of Hwang. Wang Lung buys her from the house, but he sees that "there is no beauty of any kind in her face." But Wang Lung cannot afford a beautiful wife, for he is only a farmer. O-lan is a strong, but qu ite character. She bears hardships as they come and gives Wang Lung four children. Wang Lung seems to care for her, but she in return shows very little emotion. She is a hard character to reach and only before she dies, do we see the real side of O-lan.

Political Campaign

As the political campaign manager for Oprah’s Presidential campaign in 2012, I follow the five basic management functions: planning, leading, organizing, control, and staffing. Each of those functions will be important roles to the different divisions I have created. The staff and volunteers that will help the campaign are hard working people that enjoy working, have self-control and are trustworthy, like Theory Y people. All decision-makings will be a team effort. Meaning each department is able to have a say so we can find the best solution. The department consists of scheduling, field, finance, communications, legal, and technology. The people that run the department has the skills and experience to know what will work for this campaign. I trust they will do what is best for the campaign. Each department will have their own set of volunteers and their own objective to reach our goal, to win the Presidential campaign, if not at least let everyone know who Oprah is and what she stands for. The scheduling department is responsible for Oprah and her campaign to have full exposure in the public eye so the voters know who she is. The team will arrive to events before the candidate to make sure everything is in order. As the campaign manager, I am responsible for scheduling, planning events for Oprah to attend, managing her personal and campaign schedule, and the schedules of all the coordinators. The coordinators will be in charge of their staff and volunteers. Also part of the scheduling department is event planners Nate Berkus and Peter Walsh. They are responsible for addressing Oprah’s purpose and message, in meeting formats including seminars, conferences, trade shows, executive retreats, incentive programs, golf events, and conventions (Hard). They will make sure the location, food, and people, are set to come and enjoy. In the field department, there is Laura Berman, the organizer, Gayle King, our volunteer coordinator, and Mark Consuelos, the GOTV (Get out the vote) coordinator. Laura is responsible for organizing the jobs such as making phone calls, sponsoring a coffee or brunch, putting up yard signs, typing, mailing address envelopes, computers, distributing brochures, driving, giving rides, registering voters, etc. Gayle is responsible for recruiting volunteers. Each volunteer will â€Å"fill out a volunteer card with their name, address, ask if [they are] able to make a contribution and if not how they can help (Gray 244). The purpose of this is to keep track of who we have volunteering and making sure they get the right recognition when the campaign is over. Gayle and Laura oversee the volunteers and make sure jobs are assigned to the right people. They both have to plan out how to distribute their good volunteers throughout the different areas and consistently check up on the volunteers, making sure work is getting done. As the coordinators, Laura and Gayle have to avoid bruising egos and prevent bad days. Mark’s job is to plan the GOTV efforts. He will work with volunteers and his team has to encourage those who have not registered to vote. They have to explain to non-registered voters why their votes are important. Recruiting the right people is very important. Some of the traits they should have are alert to social environment, cooperative, persistent, adaptable to situations, ambitious, willing to assume responsibility, achievement oriented, energetic and dependable (Dessler 273). Once volunteers are establish, they will go through a brief orientation about our campaign and will receive a job description from the departments. They will choose which they prefer. Suze Orman will be the financial coordinator and is charge of money and fund-raising. She has to prepare a budget and see how to get the money for each budget item. Suze will be maintaining a balance sheet of all the expenses the campaign is charging for the necessary things such as, headquarter rent, stationery and envelopes, office supplies, postage, printing of the brochures, maps, etc. She will also have to keep up with the operating budget for the departments, making sure they are staying to the budget they receive. As the financial coordinator, she has to spend as little as possible on the necessary item because more money will be needed in advertising. Suze will also be responsible for raising the money, but she won’t do it herself. Under her will be Jean Chatzky, the fund-raiser coordinator, who will work with Nate and Peter, the event planners, to plain a fund-raising event. The fund-raising event would be a high-priced sit-down dinner with Oprah. Another fund-raising technique it to send out e-mail messages to potential donors asking for money. The volunteers will be asked that for every event they work, to ask for donations. Every cent will make a difference. The communications department oversees both the press relations and advertising. They are responsible getting out the campaign's message and image. Press releases, advertisements, phone scripts, mailing list, and other forms of communication have to go through this department before they are released to the public. People working in this department include press secretary, who monitors the media, manage the campaign's relations with the press, set up interviews between the candidate and reporters, brief the press at press conferences, and perform tasks that involves in press relations (â€Å"Campaign Staff Training and Jobs†). Another person working in the department is Marianne Williamson, the rapid response director, who makes sure that the campaign responds quickly to the attacks from the other campaigns. The staff constantly monitors the media and the moves of their opponents, making sure that attacks are rebutted quickly. There are two other people part of this department, the political consultants and the professional speech writers. The political consultants will advice Oprah throughout her campaign when she needs it. The speechwriters are there to help Oprah give a great speech from her and not from someone else. Volunteers will be making, folding, and sending out letters, making signs and posting them everywhere and they will also be making many phone calls to the general public. The legal and technology department are self-explanatory departments that requires many staff members. The legal department will have dozens of lawyers and treasurers making sure that the campaign's activities are consistent with the law and also make sure that the campaign files have the appropriate forms with government authorities. They are also responsible for tracking the finances, such as bank reconciliations, loans and donations (â€Å"Campaign Staff Training and Jobs†). The technology department has armies of computer professionals spread throughout state or country handling the website’s designs and maintains the campaign technology such as Voter File, blogs, and databases. They will oversee the online forums, and help create â€Å"buzz† worthy news about Oprah. As Oprah’s Presidential campaign manager, I work with all five departments to make sure we get out Oprah’s message across America. I am a participative leader with an authoritative and democratic style, because I believe that problems should be solve with everyone who is involve. Making sure everyone is staying to the plan and creating a great team with 100% participation and communication with each other. You could say I follow the situational leadership model. It is not just I who will be affected but also everyone who worked hard to get to where we will be. Each department interlace with one another. Not one department is left alone to do all the work. The departments are divided into a smaller area to create a flat organization. Everyone who is part of this campaign has their own skills that will have a great effort on one another. With the help of the many volunteers, I believe we will have a successful campaign.

Free Essays on Margarets Makeover

Margaret’s Makeover Change is inevitable. Whether it is a young teenager growing up into a young man or an older woman retiring from a life-long career, change will happen. In E.M. Forster’s book Howards End, change is illustrated in the life of Margaret Schlegel. Within the narrative, Margaret is gradually transformed from being an independent young lady to one who begins to give way to her independence and becomes submissive and dependent. Margaret’s transformation can be seen by examining the relationship she had with two men, Leonard Bast and Henry Wilcox, and the love which shaped her. The reason for examining the relationships of Margaret is as E.M. Forster said, â€Å"Temperamentally, I am an individualist. Professionally, I am a writer, and my books emphasize the importance of personal relationships and the private life, for I believe in them†(Two Cheers for Democracy 321). Forster’s messages throughout his books are often conveyed through the channel of relationships. Also, Forster reveals Margaret’s makeover throughout the book by using conflicts with various characters to illustrate this message of the power of love. This is common of Forster as Lionel Trilling says. â€Å"Forster’s plots are always sharp and definite for he expresses difference by means of struggle, and struggle by means of open conflict so intense as to flare into melodrama and even into physical violence†(Trilling 327). One of Forster’s major conflicts within Howards End was the conflict between Margaret and Leonard Bast. This relationship, however, began as a friendly one, but ultimately did not end that way. In chapter five, Margaret meets Leonard at the symphony while she is there with her family. Leonard, however, is a dependent person; he desires to become an intellect and is very poor which makes this aspiration virtually impossible without the help of others. As Margaret and Leonard talk following the symphony... Free Essays on Margaret's Makeover Free Essays on Margaret's Makeover Margaret’s Makeover Change is inevitable. Whether it is a young teenager growing up into a young man or an older woman retiring from a life-long career, change will happen. In E.M. Forster’s book Howards End, change is illustrated in the life of Margaret Schlegel. Within the narrative, Margaret is gradually transformed from being an independent young lady to one who begins to give way to her independence and becomes submissive and dependent. Margaret’s transformation can be seen by examining the relationship she had with two men, Leonard Bast and Henry Wilcox, and the love which shaped her. The reason for examining the relationships of Margaret is as E.M. Forster said, â€Å"Temperamentally, I am an individualist. Professionally, I am a writer, and my books emphasize the importance of personal relationships and the private life, for I believe in them†(Two Cheers for Democracy 321). Forster’s messages throughout his books are often conveyed through the channel of relationships. Also, Forster reveals Margaret’s makeover throughout the book by using conflicts with various characters to illustrate this message of the power of love. This is common of Forster as Lionel Trilling says. â€Å"Forster’s plots are always sharp and definite for he expresses difference by means of struggle, and struggle by means of open conflict so intense as to flare into melodrama and even into physical violence†(Trilling 327). One of Forster’s major conflicts within Howards End was the conflict between Margaret and Leonard Bast. This relationship, however, began as a friendly one, but ultimately did not end that way. In chapter five, Margaret meets Leonard at the symphony while she is there with her family. Leonard, however, is a dependent person; he desires to become an intellect and is very poor which makes this aspiration virtually impossible without the help of others. As Margaret and Leonard talk following the symphony...

Using the French Expression Grâce àCorrectly

Using the French Expression Grà ¢ce Correctly The French expression grà ¢ce (pronounced grah sa) is a common phrase that people use to give credit to someone or something for a positive event or outcome. It is the rough equivalent in English of the phrase thanks to. Examples Like most French grammar youll use, grà ¢ce   is spoken in the normal  register, meaning its used in everyday conversation, neither formal nor informal in tone. You may find yourself saying in any number of situations, such as these:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Grà ¢ce mon mari, jai une idà ©e pour un livre.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Thanks to my husband, I have an idea for a book.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Grà ¢ce ton assistance, il a fini le travail.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Thanks to your help, he finished the work.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Grà ¢ce Dieu!  Ã‚  Ã‚  Thank God! Variations You can also modify this phrase to say its thanks to... by placing the word  cest in front of grà ¢ce :  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sil a rà ©ussi lexamen, cest grà ¢ce toi.  Ã‚  Ã‚  If he passed the test, its all thanks to you.Remember that followed by the definite article le or les must contract:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cest grà ¢ce au centre de loisirs que je sais utiliser Facebook.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Its thanks to the leisure center that I know how to use Facebook.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Grà ¢ce aux conseils de Pierre, nous avons trouvà © la maison parfaite.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Thanks to Pierres advice, we found the perfect house.Antonym: To blame someone or something for a negative event or situation, use the expression cause de.

Self-Reflective Paper on Negotiations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Self-Reflective Paper on Negotiations - Essay Example These are just a few examples of different types of negotiation. However, negotiating skills are not unique to lawyers and limited to the legal fraternity only. At one particular moment, all of us regularly need to negotiate with colleagues, friends and in a wide range of business transactions (Stone, 26). As such, this reflective essay seeks to critically evaluate my strengths as a negotiator as well as weaknesses. These evaluative points are going to be supported by concrete evidence from various negotiations and exercises that have been covered during my learning experience. The paper starts by explaining the meaning of negotiation in order to grasp the meaning of the whole concept. This is followed by a detailed analysis of different subjects involved in the negotiation process. The negotiation process Negotiation characterises the relations between individuals and is closely connected with speech as well as nonverbal communication (Kennedy, 47). Essentially, negotiation is mainl y concerned with reaching an agreement based on mutual understanding between the parties involved in the process. It can bring different parties with completely different views together and these can reach an agreement. Therefore, negotiation is described as a process in which two or more parties exchange goods or services and attempt to agree upon the exchange rate for them (Robbins, 459). The monitory value in this case is seen as very important when people engage in negotiation since it is binding. In most cases, people involved in a negotiation seek to bargain from the process since they often prefer a win-win situation towards reaching an acceptable agreement. For the sake of clarity, this paper will discuss in detail the different processes and stages involved in a negotiation and it will also outline my weaknesses and strengths in each section based on the experience gained from different negotiations encountered during my academic career. In this case, I will limit my discus sion to the experience gained in a role played negotiation involving a case of sexual harassment between Ms Jane Doe and Professor Palsgraf. I represented Ms. Doe where she is negotiating for an out of court settlement involving a case of sexual harassment by the professor. The professor made sexually suggestive statements to Jane outside class but she revoked them and this contributed to her failing the subject taught by the professor. As such, this has necessitated a negotiation in a bid to find an amicable settlement to this particular issue. Non verbal negotiation It can be observed that the advent of the internet has revolutionised the communication landscape during the contemporary period. As such, online negotiation is quickly becoming more common during these days where it can be seen that efforts are being made to create new solutions to the problems that already exist using this technique (Kennedy, 132). People can still negotiate without using verbal communication in a fa ce to face situation. Such kind of communication is very effective in that it removes barriers to communication such as male dominance in a face to face situation. Through the use of online communication, a mutual agreement can be easily reached given that there is no party which is under pressure from the other. From the experience I have gained as a negotiator, I find this method quite manageable given that non verbal communication strategy is hassle free since it can be carried out from any position. It can also be noted that agreements reached are binding and they are usually based on mutual understanding. Factors taken into consideration when preparing a negotiation Craver (209) posits to the effect that there are different

World Tourism Organization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

World Tourism Organization - Essay Example The relevance of this Blueprint for New Tourism is very significant in the struggle to boost tourism and recreation, which in effect boosts the jobs and economies of many nations across the globe. Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President of the WTTC, said, "There is now a new consciousness amongst governments that they cannot leave the growth of Travel & Tourism to chance. What is needed is a new vision and strategy involving a partnership between all stakeholders - public and private to turn future challenges into opportunities. The Blueprint for New Tourism spells out how that can be achieved" (Tarsh 2003). "WTTC's latest projection for the industry is that a quarter of a billion people will work in Travel & Tourism worldwide by the end of the decade, with the prospect of sustainable growth in to the future. This projection is supported by WTTC's latest economic research that indicates consistent growth, at 4.6% pa, over the coming decade" (2003). "The strategic importance of Travel & Tourism to our economy can not be underestimated. I am fully supportive of the Blueprint for New Tourism and am delighted to have the opportunity of talking to so many of the industry's top people about how we can respond to the challenge" (Tarsh 2003). Mr. Mr. Correia da Silva's statement is very correct in calling the achievement of such goals a "challenge". The Blueprint is noble and seems efficient, but turning it into a reality from this idea will take a lot more ideas just like this one before anything close to perfection is realized. World Summit on Sustainable Development This is another plan, similar to the blueprint, that is designed to do the same thing, increase tourism, and make sure that tourism is environmentally safe, but profitable. The following comes from the World Summit on Sustainable Development's Plan of Implementation, "Promote sustainable tourism development, including non-consumptive and eco-tourism, taking into account the spirit of the International Year of Eco-tourism 2002, of the United Nations Year for Cultural Heritage in 2002, and of the World Eco-tourism Summit 2002 and its Quebec Declaration, and of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism as adopted by the World Tourism Organization, in order to increase the benefits from tourism resources for the population in host communities while maintaining the cultural and

The Role of the Operating Manager in Information Systems Essay

The Role of the Operating Manager in Information Systems - Essay Example However, the system transformation process is not easy as an entire department that utilized the system is grounded to a halt, which means dealing with inconveniences of managing the functions manually (Khosrow-Pour, 2001). The main issue is in how to attain effective Information Technology Management within MSCC while sufficiently anticipating challenges and their solutions to guarantee business continuity and employees’ productivity. During the 1900, Midsouth focused on transportation systems and legislative decisions caused many communities to lack access to reliable transportation, halting the economic and business development. However, by 1930s, the charter included additional issues, thus transforming into an aggressive commercial advocacy firm by 1990s. These changes were accompanied by company growth in terms of human resources and profitability changed by 2000 to reflect a downfall in the annual budget by $250,000 and a membership of about 2,300. The main contributors included the internet bubble, loss of regional manufactures, and the economic downtime back then. Although, MSCC did not lose its position as a powerful business advocacy firm in 2000, the company’s management experienced the challenge of inability to fund annual operational business in line with the company’s aggressive growth. Lassiter, the Vice President in 2000 experienced a serious dilemma of staff and program retrenchment for an effective sales and marketing team, thus translating into less aggressively grown revenue in the firm. As an information Technology professional, Lassiter proactively sought for the solutions to the IS challenges that included misaligned marketing and sales support functions, restricted capacity of the current information system, and the arising concerns over security given that each staff member lacked access to data required for the operation of MSCC activities for sales and marketing. At MSCC, information technology is

American football and Initial Velocity Essay Example for Free

American football and Initial Velocity Essay 1. A stone is thrown horizontally at a speed of from the edge of a cliff in height. How far from the base of the cliff will the stone strike the ground? 2. A toy truck moves off the edge of a table that is high and lands from the base of the table. a. How much time passed between the moment the car left the table and the moment it hit the floor? b. What was the horizontal velocity of the car when it hit the ground? 3. A hawk in level flight above the ground drops the fish it caught. If the hawk’s horizontal speed is , how far ahead of the drop point will the fish land? 4. A pistol is fired horizontally toward a target away, but at the same height. The bullet’s velocity is . How long does it take the bullet to get to the target? How far below the target does the bullet hit? 5. A bird, traveling at , wants to hit a waiter below with his dropping (see image). In order to hit the waiter, the bird must release his dropping some distance before he is directly overhead. What is this distance? 6. Joe Nedney of the San Francisco 49ers kicked a field goal with an initial velocity of at an angle of . a. How long is the ball in the air? Hint: you may assume that the ball lands at same height as it starts at. b. What are the range and maximum height of the ball? 7. A racquetball thrown from the ground at an angle of and with a speed of lands exactly later on the top of a nearby building. Calculate the horizontal distance it traveled and the height of the building. 8. Donovan McNabb throws a football. He throws it with an initial velocity of at an angle of . How much time passes until the ball travels horizontally? What is the height of the ball after seconds? (Assume that, when thrown, the ball is above the ground. ) 9. Pablo Sandoval throws a baseball with a horizontal component of velocity of . After seconds, the ball is above the release point. Calculate the horizontal distance it has traveled by this time, its initial vertical component of velocity, and its initial angle of projection. Also, is the ball on the way up or the way down at this moment in time? 10. Barry Bonds hits a home run that lands in the stands at an altitude above its starting altitude. Assuming that the ball left the bat at an angle of from the horizontal, calculate how long the ball was in the air. 11. A golfer can drive a ball with an initial speed of . If the tee and the green are separated by , but are on the same level, at what angle should the ball be driven? (Hint: you should use at some point. ) 12. How long will it take a bullet fired from a cliff at an initial velocity of , at an angle below the horizontal, to reach the ground below? 13. A diver in Hawaii is jumping off a cliff high, but she notices that there is an outcropping of rocks out at the base. So, she must clear a horizontal distance of during the dive in order to survive. Assuming the diver jumps horizontally, what is his/her minimum push-off speed? 14. If Monte Ellis can jump high on Earth, how high can he jump on the moon assuming same initial velocity that he had on Earth (where gravity is that of Earth’s gravity)? 15. James Bond is trying to jump from a helicopter into a speeding Corvette to capture the bad guy. The car is going and the helicopter is flying completely horizontally at . The helicopter is above the car and behind the car. How long must James Bond wait to jump in order to safely make it into the car? 16. A field goal kicker lines up to kick a yard field goal. He kicks it with an initial velocity of at an angle of . The field goal posts are meters high. a. Does he make the field goal? b. What is the ball’s velocity and direction of motion just as it reaches the field goal post (i. e. , after it has traveled in the horizontal direction)? 17. In a football game a punter kicks the ball a horizontal distance of yards . On TV, they track the hang time, which reads seconds. From this information, calculate the angle and speed at which the ball was kicked. (Note for non-football watchers: the projectile starts and lands at the same height. It goes yards horizontally in a time of seconds) Answers to Selected Problems 1. 2. a. b. 3. 4. below target 5. . 6. a. . b. 7. 8. seconds, meters 9. ; on the way up 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. seconds 16. a. yes b. @ degrees from horizontal 17. @ degrees.

To the Marketing Manager :: Business and Management Studies

To the Marketing Manager Introduction The pet food market has experienced steady growth for years and despite a slight decline in pet ownership, pet food sales have increased. This is especially true for cat food sales, which reflects the fact that cats are outpacing dogs slowly but steady. As the trend is going towards pets being treated as a part of the family, they deserve food that is equal in the way to human dishes. These and other factors are the foundation of our report on entering the promising cat food market. Main The current cat food market is dominated by 2 multinational players, namely Mars (Masterfoods) with a share of 40% of the market and Nestlà ¨ (Friskies UK) with 41 %. (Mintel, 2002). As these firms have established their position on a solid basis, it is recommended to avoid direct competition with these brands. Therefore a strategy based on pure specialisation seems to be the best way to enter the market, therefore introducing a niche product. We would suggest entering with a highly-specialised, super-premium product for the cat food market, as cats are generally fussy eaters and their owners are willing to spend a great amount of money in order to satisfy their pet’s needs. (Keynote, 2003) Recent statistics have revealed that the trend is going towards focusing on health issues and functionality. The product should include a certain amount of vitamins and minerals, as well as special medical ingredients to strengthen the cat’s immune system. Furthermore the product should contain purely of organic ingredients. (PFMA) Concerning the product design, there’s recently the trend of ‘humanisation’ even when it comes to the recipe. Culinary choices should be made available to the consumer, such as pasta and rice dishes and consideration should be taken to suit different expectations of pet owners living in different countries, thus having a different attitude due to their culture. Additionally different age types should be targeted separately, as young kittens have different needs and desires than older cats. Kittens may need less food, resulting in smaller portions, whereas old cats need special nutrition to stay healthy and live longer. This should be a further element of our specialisation process. (Mars, 2003) Great emphasis has been placed on the convenience of the product package and design, for example single serve trays have proven to be widely accepted amongst pet owners, as they are easy to store and can provide the right amount for one meal. Re-sealable package, such as foil sachets, are also very popular, as they provide the owner with control and keeps the freshness of the food. In order to underline the natural and organic ingredients of the

British Petroleum Analysis Essay

Introduction William Knox D’Arcy founded BP plc, formerly known as British Petroleum, in 1909, they are a global company specializing in oil and gas, headquartered in London, England. BP has continued to grow since its inception, and now employs over 80 thousand people in 70 countries worldwide (Company History,N.D.para1). According to CNN money BP is ranked number six among other global 500 companies (Fortune Global 500.BP.n.d.). Its key strengths are in oil and gas exploration and production; the refining, marketing and supply of petroleum products; and the manufacturing and marketing of chemicals. It supports all its businesses with high quality research and technology (Company History, N.D.para3). External Environment Economic Trends Knowledge is power and the more aware you are of trends within the economy, the more successful you will ultimately be. BP is just one of many companies in the oil and gas industry making an impact on environmental trends. A common goal amongst competitors within this industry is to locate oil and bring it to consumers, due to some of the economical trends this goal is also shifting. The economy is more favorable to lower gas prices, lower carbon emissions, and fuel efficiency. Companies within this industry have to balance the needs of development and the needs of the economy while trying to protect the environment. BP has two main areas of operation, one being the exploration and production of oil and the other being refining and marketing (BP,PLC(BP), N.D.para1) Currently BP like many others in the industry are focusing on ways to lower carbon emissions, and finding new resources of low-carbon energy. One of the ways BP is helping bring these goals and trends into fruition is the utilization of shale oil. Shale oil resources are being discovered all throughout the United States. Shale oil has helped lower gas prices (Oil and Gas,2013.,para3). BP recently purchased Chesapeake Energy Corp’s position in the Woodford Shale-gas play in Oklahoma for 1.75 billion; with this purchase they can expand into shale gas and are hoping to add 200 million cubic feet into production (Major Oil, Meet Shale. 2008,para2) According to BP they are taking various steps in finding ways to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions. One of the ways BP is reducing carbon dioxide emissions is through solar energy, since solar power is carbon free. BP is one of the worlds leading companies within the solar industry, offering various products for consumer’s homes and businesses. BP recently started working with Home Depot to offer solar lighting. BP is also focusing on natural gas, which is making up about 40% of BP’s Portfolio and they are continuing to expand to areas that have a high dependency on carbon, such as the United States, Mexico, and parts of Korea. Wind farms are also sparking debate as BP is looking to expand into this area as well to offer carbon free electricity (What Is BP Doing. N.D.para 23-27). Another economic trend that affects BP as well as the gas and oil industry as a whole is interests rates, exchange rates, and the rate of inflation. There are many factors to consider when looking at the relationship between these rates and gas prices. For example, if these rates were to be raised it would affect the consumers and the manufacturing costs, which would lower the amount of time and money people spend driving, creating less demand for oil, causing the prices to drop. The same would work if the rates lowered, establishing an influx for consumers, which would result in more traveling and higher demand for gas, causing the price to rise (Parry,P.,2013.Para4). Political/ Legal There are several factors in the oil and gas markets that are affected by politics and legalities. One of the main factors is political unrest in the Middle East. The ongoing efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan have driven the gasoline prices to all-time highs. More recently the civil war attacks in Syria are causing problems with development of Iraq’s gas and oil supplies. The Syrian forces have focused these attacks on the energy sector in an  attempt to take away their wealth since oil is main revenue. Due to this focus the attacks have been primarily on oil export pipelines, power generation and transmissions. Luckily, most of the attacks are not occurring in the southern parts of Iraq where the largest supplies of oils are found (Iraq: Syria War Spillover Hinders Oilfields, Pipelines.2014.para3-4). Oil spills into the oceans are a major factor on the politics side of the oil and gas industries. One of the major spills by BP’s Deepwater Horizon drill in 2010, not only took its toll on the company and the industry, but tourism, wildlife, and beaches were all heavily affected in the Gulf areas. Due to the Deepwater Horizon disaster BP is on a five-year probationary period, and there are new safety measures being implemented across the industry, there are new training procedure, risk management processes and equipment (BP gets record fine for Deepwater Horion, 2012.para2). Demographics Demographics refer to a company’s consumers as well as employees. The oil and gas industry consumer base can be related to just about everyone, with the retail aspect of the gas station including gum, drinks, snacks, etc. Gasoline in general is targeted to people that are of age to purchase gasoline generally public over the age of 16, which is the legal driving age. According to the BP website they offer careers in various fields such as business infrastructure, commercial, engineering, operations, sales and support, and technology just to name a few. BP has employees in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and North and South America (Career Areas.N.D). Employee talent within the oil and gas industry can impose a problem industry wide. Since training employees in these fields can be very costly, it is expensive to train new employees, and industry leaders generally offer top level pay and incentive packages to retain their employees. (Vogt,C. ND.Talent Retention in the Oil & Gas Industry.para1) Technological Trends Technology is the center focus of all companies within the gas and oil industries. Technology affects everything from safety operations, locating resources, and converting products to lower-carbon products. The main focus of technology within BP is safety, and has been since the Deepwater Horizon drill spilled 4.9million barrels of oil into the water of the Gulf of Mexico killing 11 men (BP gets record fine for Deepwater Horizon,2012. Para2). Due to Global warming BP along with their competitors are searching for ways to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon Capture is a popular method amongst the companies in this industry. Carbon Capture focuses on capturing waste carbon dioxide from sources such as fossil fuel power plants that have an excess of waste. Once the carbon waste has been captured it is transported to storage sites to be released where it cannot re-enter and damage the atmosphere (Sadler, T., 2013.para7). The Keystone Pipeline is another way technology can help the United States achieve energy and independence. The Keystone Pipeline will run from Alberta, Canada down through the Midwest United States ending in Texas. The Keystone Pipeline project has the goal to prove all oil produces in the US access to oil refineries, which in the long run would cut out the Middle East as our biggest supplier (Kalen, S.2012.para2.). Socio/Cultural There are several social and cultural impacts on the oil and gas industry. The main factor is the rising domestic energy prices. Gasoline prices are high resulting in the consumer paying more for gas, in turn reducing the amount of money available for other consumption, meaning people are driving less (McKillop,A.2012.para1). Another factor is government assistance with fuel bills. There are numerous resources to provide help with electric and heating bills, these programs are provided on the federal and state levels for most of the United States. These programs help suppliers such as BP to receive payment for the services, instead of uncollected bills. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) receives funding from the Federal Department of  Health and Human Services (DHHS). There are several sources available such as weatherization assistance program and the home energy assistance program (HEAP). Although most of these programs receive funding from the state and federal government, there are not enough sources for everyone who needs them. Global BP is an international company specializing in the oil and gas industry. BP no longer just deals with oil and gas as shown by their main business activities which include the exploration and production, refining and marketing and the distribution of energy as well as BP alternative energy. BP is ranked in the top tier of the their competitors such as Exxon, Anadarko, Chevron, Conoco Philips and Shell. Within this industry BP owns several labels as well including, Castrol, Arco, Aral, AM/PM and Wild Bean Cafà © (Our Brands.N.D.para1). BP is the third largest publically traded oil company ranking behind two of its major competitors: Exxon and Shell. BP is the largest gas producer in the United States with fifteen processing plants; they are also considered a top refiner (BP at a glance.2013.para1). Porters Five Forces Barriers to Entry The Barrier to Entry level for the oil and gas industry is high. The oil and gas industry is very difficult to enter just because of the start up costs alone. Some of these start up cost would be the drills, trucks, gas station locations, employees and the technology used to locate the resources in the ground or the oceans. Entering into the industry as a specialist such as offering drilling services to the major companies is more common and feasible. The major barrier to entry into this industry is funding, the majority of companies within this industry have been around for a very long time, such as BP, which was established in 1909. Brand loyalty is a huge factor in high barrier entry, since most of these large companies have a loyal customer base. BP is a very well established company and has been building their large customer base for decades. As defined by Hill and Jones brand loyalty is a consumer preference for products by a certain company (Hill, C., Jones, G. 2012pg58.para2) Suppliers Bargaining Power The bargaining power of suppliers is the ability suppliers have to raise input prices or to raise the cost of the industry. In BP and the oil and gas industry the suppliers bargaining power is high, because there are realistically no substitutes of the product (Hill, C., 2012pg65.para2). There are a variety of oil and gas companies globally, however a few companies dominate the industry: BP, Shell, Exxon, etc. Buyers Bargaining Power According to Hill and Jones the bargaining power of byers is their ability to negotiate lower prices charged by companies within an industry. They also can raise costs by demanding better services and higher quality products (Hill. C. Jones., G. 2012.page63-64). Right now in the oil and gas industry the balance of power is resting in the hands of the buyer because of economic crisis and oversupply of product. Since oil is considered a commodity and generally all companies within the industry use the same methods for drilling, the buyer is able to seek the lower prices and more rewarding contracts. Substitute Product Threats Substitute product threats include the products provided by companies or industries as a whole that can meet the needs of customers. The oil and gas industry does not just mean fuel to run our vehicles, which would mean substitutes would include fuels such as gas, coal solar and wind power, nuclear energy and hydroelectricity. Although there are many areas concerning oil and gas, the threat of substitute products are low, there really are no other sources to compare. Competition The companies in the oil and gas industry operate in a consolidated industry, where the industry is dominated by a small number of companies. BP’s biggest competitors are Exxon, Anadarko, Chevron, and Phillips anytime any of these companies make a move within the industry it warrants a response movement from its competitors. The competitions of the oil and gas industry have high exit barriers, because the demand for the product is static due to the face that all refineries can do the same thing†¦. produce and refine products. Firms Strategies Business Strategy According to Hill and Jones the business level strategy â€Å"encompasses the businesses overall competitive theme, the way it positions itself in the marketplace to gain a competitive advantage and the different positions strategies that can be used in different industry settings, for example; cost leadership, differentiation, focusing on a particular niche or segment of the industry or some combination of these† (Hill, C., Jones, G., 2012 pg.10). According to BP they compete in both business to business and business to consumer markets with a customer base in over 70 countries. BP uses differentiation in several ways but the major use of this method was the use of technology to transform oil rigs to digital platforms. BP strives to ensure the best quality and safety standards, and also modified their safety standards after the Deepwater Horizon drill disaster in 2010. BP is considered a leader in the marketplace. They are ranked as the 6th largest company by market capitalization. (Facts and Figures.n.d.) has competitive prices with other companies in the industry, the prices as a whole usually are pretty even across the board and usually only fluctuate by a few cents. Corporate Level Strategy Corporate level strategy deals with what areas companies should be dealing with in order to maximize profitability (Hill,C 2012. Page10 para3). According to BP they try to create a platform for growth and increased value over long periods of time while continuing to grow and explore new venues. They will continue their research to develop top-level safety and risk management standards, and continue to develop technology to locate and access hydrocarbons and ways to properly extract them. BP will continue to make its presence in the industry known by exploring alternative energy, spending about one billion per year for this research. The current CEO of BP, Tony Hayward, stated at BP’s annual strategy presentation that he â€Å"would be surprised if we saw opportunities at the corporate level†¦it is not something I am terribly focused on† (Crooks, E.2010 para#12) Technology Strategy Technology is at the center of everything BP does, it is used in safety precautions discovery, recovery, efficiency and low carbon future development. According to BP they employ over 500-safety and risk specialist working with managers in the field to help improve decision-making regarding standards (BP and Technology.N.D.para1). BP uses a technology called seismic imaging, which is at the forefront of technology in the industry. Through the use of seismic imaging, sound waves are used to determine where oil reserves are in the ground. This procedure gives BP a major head start in discovering oil and gas and pinpointing where to drill. With a focus on a lower carbon future BP’s main area of growth focusing on wind and biofuels because they have the most potential. Firms Competences Tangible Resources BP’s human resource management gives its employees opportunities to see many ways to excel within the company. Throughout their career human resource management personnel will benefit from a broad base of support and training. Personal support is also available through team leaders, mentors, and fellow employees. Among these employees BP also has teams of engineers developing new and safer means of creating energy. BP has employees that deal with safety measures within the company along with the environment. BP’s employees will also act as an essential partner to the business. The employees will also work on real world projects helping the company reach goals in improving organization and human capital resources. BP’s physical resources were used during the massive oil spill in 2010. The physical resources that were used during this time were mainly manpower. The man-power used were numerous employees, volunteers, and other organizations. Since the oil spill happened in the middle of the ocean, the toxins within the oil spread throughout the Gulf, along with making its way to the US. Over 30,000 people responded to this major oil spill working to collect oil, clean up beaches, take care of animals and plant life effected, and performed other various duties. Another physical resource that BP uses is the natural resource of oil and gases. BP is currently in the production The  Chirag Oil Project. This project has started operations, increasing production from a giant oil field in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea. Its major physical resource would have to be its massive oilrigs and pipelines. These rigs and pipelines help extract and transport the oil and gases that have been found and gathered. According to the NASDAQ Annual Income Statement, BP has gone up 29% since 2009 to 2012 in its Current Liquidity Ratio, and the Cash Liquidity Ratio has gone up about 12% from 2009 to 2012. The reason BP’s liquidi ty ratio has risen the past years is due to the current liabilities. The company’s income has lowered after the massive oil spill. The company has lost large amounts of income due to the spill by having to provide cleaning crews, settlements to the people affected by the spill, and the loss of business from consumers. The loss of consumers came due to the negative view of the company after the oil spill in the Gulf. Since, the Gulf oil spill, the company now stresses the importance of development without polluting the environment. Finding alternative forms of energy like solar and hydrogen is part of that vision. This development also brings in more funds to the research and development. The liability caps and the role they may have played in encouraging moral hazard. Just as bank deposits are guaranteed by government deposit insurance, and large banks themselves are probably to big to fail, liability for property damage from oil spills off US waters is limited to $75 million (plus cleanup costs), based on a 1990 law passed after the Exxon Valdiz spill. This presumably mitigates drillers’ incentives to manage environmental risk. Indeed, oil companies enjoy a very cozy relationship with their ostensible guardians; as the NY Times noted, â€Å" decades of law and custom have joined governmen t and the oil industry in the pursuit of petroleum and profit.† The federal agency that oversees drilling, the Minerals Management Service, rakes $13 billion a year in fees in what amounts to a public-private partnership. The business benefits of applying a consistent approach to knowledge management have been significant. BP business managers attributed hundreds of millions of dollars of added value as a direct result of using this approach. A practical example of this has been in the cost reduction in the construction of European retail sites. At the beginning of 1998 a challenge is set of reducing the build costs of retail sites in Europe by 10%. The Alliance (a joint venture between BP and  Bovis) is responsible for the management of these activities in Europe. The Alliance was engaged in the benefits of knowledge management and invited the BP KM Team to help them achieve this outcome. Step change in costs was delivered in 1998 (savings of $74 million) due to the harvesting and sharing of knowledge between the project engineers in Europe. This gave BP Downstream Retail competitive advantage in the Mature European Marketplace. Project engineers in Venezuela, China, Poland, and Japan are now also leveraging this knowledge on a global scale. Similar examples of increased performance have come from BP’s KM application in speeding up business restructuring, developing new oil & gas fields, improving plant productivity and accelerating new retail market entry. Intangible Resources BP has a negative reputation among consumers and other people throughout the world. Due to the massive oil spill and the company almost going bankrupt, its CEO and board of directors have tried to bring a more positive look to the company, by searching for new forms of clean energy. The company has always been known for its big production of oil for numerous countries worldwide. Since the oil spill the company has been implementing a higher and more intense safety standard. Although, BP has a negative reputation, it has a well-known name in the oil and energy business. Some may think that BP is too large to fail due its name and some government backing and funding. BP has been in the oil industry since 1909, starting out drilling in Persia. Along with BP having the largest pipeline in the world has brought solar power to remote villages in the Philippines due the hard work of its employees. BP has used technology throughout its business to keep up with the changing times and the demand for fuel and energy. It has scientist finding new forms of low-carbon energy while reducing BP’s own contributions to carbon in the atmosphere. Under this new banner BP took bigger and bigger steps towards addressing climate change. It installed solar panels at its service stations, brought solar power to remote villages in the Philippines, helped bring hydrogen-fuelled buses to London and introduced new, cleaner types of motor fuel. It created a unit, BP Alternative Energy, devoted to making from all the various types of low-carbon energy viable, large-scale and profitable business. These low-carbon energy sources are solar, wind, natural gas, and biofuels. Along with these new low-carbon  energy sources being made, BP has also unveiled a new way of extracting oil, producing more oil and extending the life span of its oilrigs. The new technology would be beneficial for oilfields worldwide. The company is using new technology everyday as they find new and safer ways to create energy extract, and store oil. The company has used innovations to help with its image in the public eye. They have begun turning used oil and gathered oil from the massive spill to asphalt to be used on roads. Proof-of-concept testing confirmed that the product could meet technical requirements. BP worked with transportation and environmental officials from several states to conduct tests on using the material for highway paving projects. Along with the reuse of oil to asphalt, there has been a movement in the restoration of the Gulf Coast with hard and soft containment booms as well as segregated plastics also were gathered in staging areas along affected area and then sent to waste-to-energy facilities or recycled into new plastic products. One program developed during the Deepwater Horizon incident resulted in routing skimmed fluid s to oil reclamation facilities. The fluids were then sent through a recovery process, which was able to reclaim and convert some of them into marketable petroleum products. Value-Added Chain BP’s inbound logistics activities are comprised of a series of many pipelines, oil tankers, and other forms of transportation that move the extracted crude oil to refining plants worldwide. The company’s massive global operations make efficient and effective logistics that help keep the costs of transporting crude oil low. This efficient global network of transporting crude supply makes more cost advantage for BP in the long run. Light transport is BP’s way of outbound logistics as it utilizes its global networking to perform this logistic. The large supply and distribution logistics network allows BP to perform its light transport and distribution of refined oil with great efficiencies, which help in lowering costs for BP. By lowering the costs of transport of refined oil BP would be able to conduct more research and upgrading the low-carbon energy research. Also this would give the company bigger budget to expand its new technology for creating a safer drilling process. BP’s main operation is refining crude oil brought in from throughout the world. The refining activities of this  company are distributed strategically around the world, with close proximity to its demand markets. With its refineries strategically placed BP has the ability to reach maximum efficient balances between its inbound and its outbound logistics. BP positions its refineries to have proximity to their oil and gas fields while also being to those energy markets. The company markets its oil and gas through its vast global retail network, which is made up of mainly its BP Service Stations. BP has excelled in sales due to its advertising campaign by using the latest social media and television commercials. Another form of advertising many people have seen from BP is though the news stations, by doing positive actions BP is making a better name for itself, which markets BP’s commitment to sustainability and cleanliness in the biotic area in spite of its past failures. The company has rebranded itself as to appear more-green friendly in today’s energy market. It has went as far changing its name from British Petroleum to BP, by which inferring but not stating it stands for â€Å"Beyond Petroleum†. This campaign includes a new look that asserts the company’ commitment to sustainability. The advertised commitment to sustainability and green energy has created a competitive advantage for BP. Competitive Advantage Factors If it is these resources and capabilities, in all their various forms, that create the potential for competitive advantage, the question about how they can actually create it remains. The initial answer is that they must be developed, coordinated and then deployed in such a way that the company can provide goods or services more economically than others or be able to satisfy customers’ needs and wants better than rivals, the ideal being a combination of the two. Whether such competitive advantage yields good profit streams, however depends on a second set of judgments and decisions. The actual products/services to be provided are: the nature and size of the customer market chosen, and the competitive nature of that marketplace. The ability to repeatedly get this right is another set of capabilities. If this is done correctly, the ensuing competitive advantage and its profit stream may not be sustainable. Competitors, anxious to share in the profitable opportunity, the company has uncovered will seek to follow suit. BP has two basic ways of doing this, either directly imitating the product/service or by providing a good/better alternative. In the product/market arena there  are myriad ways of achieving this. Products may be reverse-engineered to discover their component parts and how they were made. Service delivery can be sampled repeatedly until the key elements are identified, and then replicated. Marketing expenditure can be matched, alternative distribution channels found. Even in-company resources and capabilities can be readily emulated or copied. Good competitor analysis can rapidly identify anything from newly installed IT systems to specialist machine tools that have provided a competitive edge. It can uncover new sales or marketing techniques, component sourcing arrangements, specialized service training, supplier partnerships, outsourcing deals and even which alliances or joint ventures are providing new knowledge. All provide keys to imitation or substitution. Widespread recognition of this has led many companies to despair of achieving sustainable competitive advantage. For example, during the 1980s, many financial institutions spent billions on IT systems that would give them a market edge, only to watch rivals buy better, newer, faster equipment that negated any brief advantage they had. In the 1990s, retailers launched credit and loyalty cards to build marketing databases, only to watch rivals do the same. Each apparent advantage quickly turns into just another entry ticket to play in the game. SWOT Analysis A SWOT analysis of BP will show their strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats. BP is one of the largest vertically integrated oil and gas companies in the world (Research and Markets, 2010A). They are investing millions in research and development. Times and demand are changing, more and more consumers are going green, and to stay in competition with other companies they need to come up with something different. In 2010, BP is the company behind the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Because of this crisis the company needed to do something to gain the peoples trust. In the past BP has made serious communication mistakes with its stakeholders. BP’s crisis communication was a weak link in its crisis management strategy (Valvi & Fragkos, 2013). Strengths The strength of the company comes from demand, marketing, brand, and research and development. The company’s operations primarily include the exploration and production of gas and crude oil, as well as the marketing  and trading of natural gas, power, and natural gas liquids (Research and Markets, 2010B). BP is ranked at the world’s 3rd largest energy company and is positioned as a multinational oil company headquartered in London (Essay UK, 2013A): Since 2012 BP will have invested $500 million into marketing in the US in an attempt to revamp its brand (Bhasin, 1012, para 1) As I sit here watching the 2014 winter Olympics, I have seen several commercials about BP partnering with the United States, part of its marketing campaign. BP is the number one leading vertically integrated company, involved in upstream, midstream and downstream oil businesses (Bp, plc swot analysis, 2013, pg.5). BP upstream technology programs, involves investing in incremental improvements and new technology that can transform the industry. The new technology will strengthen in exploration, deepwater, giant fields, and gas value chains (â€Å"Our major technology,† N.D, para1). Many people today are concerning themselves with the environment. BP is developing alternative energy, including solar. BP has invested in solar, wind, and biofuel power, trying to provide power without harming the environment (Hitchcock, 2012). Because of upstream technology flagships, BP has been able to maximize resources, increase recovery rates; real-time data technologies are enabling safety, reliability and efficiency across operations (â€Å"Our major technology, N.D., para2). The company began construction of a new high-performance computing (H PC) center in Houston (Bp,plc swot analysis, 2013, pg.4). BP was awarded a contract to unlock high pressure oil and gas resources in deep water, and planned on investing $100 million over 10 years to set up the International Center for Advanced Materials (ICAM) to fund research into fundamental understanding and use of advanced materials, from self-healing coatings to membranes, across the energy industry The advantages that BP has with being a vertically integrated businesses allows them completive advantage from other companies in the global oil market, It provides control over the entire value chain, enabling the company to produce products which are used at different stages in the value chain (Bp,plc swot analysis, 2013,  pg.5). Weakness Between the years 1965 and 2010 BP has spent millions from the many problems endured: ranging from oil rigs capsizing, hazardous substance dumping, refinery explosion, corrosion in pipelines resulting in insulating agent leakage propane price manipulation, North sea helicopter accident, and finally Deepwater Horizon well explosion (Andrews, 2010). From these problems many died, while others were injured. The Deepwater Horizon well explosion was the worst. Congress accused the company â€Å"of withholding data from the ocean floor and blocking efforts by independent scientists to com up with estimates of crude flowing into the Gulf each day†. The US government has named BP as the â€Å"responsible party† for this incident (Andrews, 2010, pg. 20). In November 2012, BP reached an agreement with the US government to pay $4 billion to resolve all federal criminal claims arising out of the Gulf of Mexico incident, leaving BP with a bad reputation, burdened cash flow, which could impede its ability to invest in new opportunities, and deliver long-term growth (Bp,plc swot analysis, 2013, pg.6). The company has experienced a decline in profits. FY2012 recorded operating profit was $19,733 million, a decrease of 50.4% compared to FY2011. The net profit was $11,582 million, a decrease of 54% compared to FY2011. The decrease in the operating and net profits of the company affected the overall profitability of the company (Bp,plc swot analysis, 2013, pg.7). You would think this was the straw that broke the camels back. Not only did it affect the company but it also compacted several states. How would BP ever recover? They will be paying for many years to come. Opportunities BP has been disposing many of its assets to concentrate more on its strengths. So far they have sold $38bn worth of assets since the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe, and plan to sell of approximately $10bn more of assets by the end of next year (BBC News, 2014 para 17 & 19). BP has several external opportunities, including by acquisition in the North Sea area, BP’s  future profit by acting in the suitable boundaries area in the Russia region, implement plan to achieve alternative energy methods insist of Hydrogen, natural gas, wind and solar investment (Nhid, 2011, pg. 9A). Not to mention numerous investments. Threats Many of BP’s threats are external, mainly from the Deepwater Horizon reputation, other threats are: environmental activist, legal and political issues, which will increase the cost of operations for the company investment (Nhid, 2011, pg. 9B), and ethics. The oil, gas, and petrochemicals industry is highly competitive. High competition puts pressure on accessing new opportunities, license costs, and product prices, affects oil products marketing, and requires continuous management focus on reducing unit costs and improving efficiency, while ensuring safety and operational risk is not compromised. The implementation of group strategy requires continued technological advances and innovation including advances in exploration, production, refining, and petrochemicals manufacturing technology (Bp,plc swot analysis, 2013, pg.9). Conclusion In conclusion, BP start up company was British Petroleum, providing gas and oil. The company is evolving with research and development in other avenues. BP has had its ups and downs in the company, the latest being Deepwater Horizon oil spill. From this catastrophe they needed to take a step back and look at things in a new light Through all of this they are ranked number six among other global companies specializing in oil and gas, the third largest publically traded oil company, the world’s third largest energy company, and the number one leading vertically integrated company, who employs over 80 thousand people. Since the cost of training top-level employees is expensive, BP offers an attractive incentive package to keep them with the company. As gas prices soar, and transportation changing the company needs to also change with the demand. BP is in the process of finding new resources of low- carbon energy to lower carbon emission. BP is one of the worlds leading companies within the solar industry, working with Home Depot offering solar lighting. Within the industry BP owns several labels. BP doesn’t have an official mission statement, but provides several different statements called: â€Å"what we do†, â€Å"What we stand for† & â€Å"What we value† (â€Å"Mission statement of,† 2013 para 1) â€Å"What we do: †¨We find, develop and produce essential sources of energy. We turn these sources into products that people need everywhere. The world needs energy and this need is growing. This energy will be in many forms. It is, and will always be, vital for people and progress everywhere. We expect to be held to high standards in what we do. We strive to be a safety leader in our industry, a world-class operator, a good corporate citizen and a great employer. We are BP. What we stand for: †¨Above everything, that starts with safety and excellence in our operations. This is fundamental to our success. Our approach is built on respect, being consistent and having the courage to do the right thing. We believe success comes from the energy of our people. We have a determination to learn and to do things better. We depend upon developing and deploying the best technology, and building long-lasting relationships. We are committed to making a real difference in providing the energy the world needs today, and in the changing world of tomorrow. We work as one team. We are BP. What we value: Safety Respect Excellence Courage One Team† (â€Å"Mission statement of,† 2013 para 2-4) With the amount of money the Deepwater Horizon disaster costs the company, BP had to figure out how they were going to survive. Through SWOT analysis, and research and development they are coming up with ways to help the future grow the company. Recommended Strategic Action People in the U.S. who weren’t aware of BP, before 2010, their brand became well known after the Deepwater oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It left BP with a bad reputation. BP needs to continue to re-build their image. Although there are many environmental challenges, BP is adapting to the  needs of a more sustainable society, wanting to be an energy company, rather than an oil company, they need to continue to keep the consumer in mind. BP R & D team continues to come up with new ideas and ways to improve the environment by providing solar, and wind energy, hydrogen, and natural gas. They have sold many assets, continue to sell more, and invest in various projects, they may want to look donating to private organizations to help communities. In their mission, BP claims they value safety; they need to use scenarios before starting a project with safety top priority. Reference: Andrews, P. (2010). Bp where did it all go wrong?. Andrews UK: AUK New Authors. BBC News. (2014, February 4). Bp boss warns of uncertainties due to scottish vote . Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business Bhasin, K. (1012, February 3). Silverpop official site. 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