Office Space: Bureaucracy in the Workplace

Office Space: Bureaucracy in the Workplace The 1999 film, Office Space, characterizes an unhappy employee that works for a generic software company named Initech, which is structured as a bureaucracy. The main character, Peter Gibbons, eventually gets fed up by his job and the pressured environment in the workplace as a result of the bureaucratic environment. As a result of being fed up, Peter decides to rebel with the help of his two friends, Samir and Michael Bolton, and devise a computer program to steal from the company in small decimal amounts, but accidentally end up stealing a large amount. Meanwhile, the company decides to promote him while Peter is rebelling against the company. Bureaucracy, as defined by Max Weber, has six elements: first, the element of specialization of the job each worker does; second, bureaucracy has a rule of many by the few in which only one or a few people have rule of authority; third, bureaucracy has rules and regulations that the workers must follow; fourth, it is the characteristic of technical competence; fifth, it is the component of impersonality; finally, sixth, bureaucracy has formal written communication and official documentation. Webers characteristics of bureaucracy are shown to be in agreement with what is shown in the film. The first element is shown through the employees of Office Space. It is shown that each employee of Initech has a specific role that they contribute in the workplace. For example, Peter Gibbons, Michael Bolton, and Samir are all part of the computer programming component of the company while Lumbergh and the seven bosses that Peter has are part of the management component of the company. The purpose of having different people to complete different aspects of a company is to increase efficiency, however, the movie also shows that the computer programmers write the bank software to save space, such as taking out two digits (97 instead of 1997), but they have to go back into the program and change thousands of numbers so all of them only have two digits instead of four, which, in itself, is inefficient but it still emphasizes that only the computer programmers in the company have to do that, and that is what their job/contribution is in the company. The second element address that there is only one of few people that have rule of authority in the company, and in the film, this rulers would be Lumbergh and the seven other bosses that are part of management. But in these eight bosses, there is a hierarchy of management, giving the company a pyramid-like structure. The pyramid was Lumbergh up at the top, then Peter Gibbons, then Michael Bolton, then Samir, and then Milton, who would be at the very bottom of the food chain, with no authority in any situation or over anyone. This pyramid also contributes to the blatant difference in salary, as the film shows the employees general, family cars while Lumbergh had a Porsche in the same parking lot. Rules and regulations, as the third element of bureaucracy, are shown in the film in the very popular TPS Report scene of the movie in which Dom Portwood confronts Peter Gibbons: Dom Portwood: Hi, Peter. Whats happening? We need to talk about your TPS reports. Peter Gibbons: Yeah. The coversheet. I know, I know. Uh, Bill talked to me about it. Dom Portwood: Yeah. Did you get that memo? Peter Gibbons: Yeah. I got the memo. And I understand the policy. And the problem is just that I forgot the one time. And Ive already taken care of it so its not even really a problem anymore. Dom Portwood: Ah! Yeah. Its just were putting new coversheets on all the TPS reports before they go out now. So if you could go ahead and try to remember to do that from now on, thatd be great. All right! (credit: IMDB Office Space Quotes) This scene in the film is showing how Dom Portwood, the vice president reprimands Peter for not using the correct cover sheet on a report even though there had been a memo detailing the new procedure. Even when Peter said that it was a simple mistake and that he had a copy of the memo Portwood insists on sending another copy of the memo. This shows that the bureaucracy must follow a strict set of rules and regulations in order to be successful, and the management must make it clear that such mistakes will not be accepted in order to keep the important of rules and regulations high in priority. The fourth aspect of bureaucracy is the technical competence. In the movie, the two consultants are brought into the company to assess the efficiency and competence of each employee in the role that they are in, and they do this so the companys efficiency can be increased. This is interesting because it would seem that a company is run on many people, in many different departments, to successfully run a company, however they are laying off employees to increase efficiency, but that is really just the code phrase for downsizing. Peter, for example, is probably the antithesis of efficiency and competence because he says to one of the consultants that he stares at his desk and gets about 15 minutes of work done in an actual week. The fifth element is impersonality, which means that corporations and bosses dont actually consider getting to know their employees important. They, instead, write impersonal memos to their employees, and do not identify them as individuals. For example. Samir has been working in Initech for five years, and his name is still mispronounced. And the bosses, especially Lumbergh, are always just saying things like, did you see the memo, instead of addressing the person they are talking to. The final element is the need to officialize and formalize all documentation in the office. This also falls under the category of rules and regulations because the need to document everything is overemphasized, such as in the example in which Peter forgot a coversheet and how that little issue became over exaggerated enough for the vice-president to come and point it out. Examples of official documentation in Office Space include TPS reports, memos, files, and personal records of each employee that the company keeps, but nothing is really personal about that file just an impersonal set of information of each employee. Overall, the 1999 film cleverly points out the flaws of a highly bureaucratized work environment, and Webers Theory of Bureaucracy is also portrayed in the film. Teaching assistant: Developing child learning Teaching assistant: Developing child learning Historically, teaching assistants, or auxiliaries as they were sometimes formerly known, were non teaching adults who helped qualified teachers by carrying out day to day preparatory and administrative tasks and providing pastoral care to children. (Clayton. 1993) However, in 1998, the Local Government Chronicle published a summary of a Green Paper, (LGC, 1998), in which they outlined proposals for employing a greater number of support staff 20,000 by the year 2002 in order to provide more support for teachers. The summary also announced the governments suggestions for a more effective use of, and better training for, teaching assistants and other school support staff which, along with a subsequent OfSTED review, (2002a, p6) declared the need for training that would, match any proposed structure of qualifications and to facilitate career progression. The implementation of national occupational standards for teaching assistants, approved in 2001, and the HLTA status introduced in 20 03, (TDA, 2008) offered committed support staff the opportunity to progress and acquire the skills to become more accomplished educators. Working as a teaching assistant started to become a career and so began the real debate about the role of the teaching assistant. As with many job titles within the working environment, the title teaching assistant is often interpreted in a variety of ways but one common theme I have encountered, when questioning educational staff, is that all teaching assistants have the potential to be facilitators of learning and therefore are essential elements in the development of learning for children. How the facilitation is carried out, however, is less clear and open to individual interpretation by both employers and employees. In order to support the learning of all children, teaching assistants, like any educator, need to have a good understanding of how children learn. In the book, Teaching and Learning in the Early Years, Whitebread (2008, chapter 1) discusses Piagets ideas that children need to feel and hold control over their learning. Whitebread continues by exploring Vygotsys claims that it is the role of the adult to provide opportunities for social interaction and to support the child in moving out of their comfort zone or level of actual development and towards their potential via their zone of proximal development. To do this, a teaching assistant must understand how to promote curiosity amongst children while providing opportunities for discussion and exploration. With current class sizes in the region of up to 30 pupils, a class teacher will often be unable to engage in this vital aspect of developing childrens learning and so it is essential that supporting adults are equipped with the skills to scaffold learning and to provide opportunities for them to develop the language needed to be able to discuss and explain their ideas. (Bruner 1983, cited in Peabody Journal of Education, pp 64-66) Recently I was fortunate to be part of an initiative to promote reading amongst a group of reluctant pupils who had formulated an opinion that reading was a chore to be undertaken with animosity and only when instructed to do so. Upon investigation, it was obvious that these children had encountered a variety of barriers that had influenced their attitude and ability to read. My role was that of the enabling adult as described by Chambers (1991). By providing them with an opportunity to share and discuss each others reading experiences I was able to promote and inspire in them a willingness and enjoyment of reading. The outcome of this quickly became apparent in their understanding of written text. The children also began writing with enthusiasm, using their own knowledge and experiences; as a result, they had taken control of their own learning. The childrens vocal responses demonstrated that they felt empowered by the fact that they were directly responsible for the progress that t hey were making and they continue to enjoy our weekly discussions about their reading and progress. The children mentioned do not have special educational needs, as is often the case for pupils being supported by a teaching assistant. Children with SEN require a higher level of support and this has, traditionally, been provided by teaching assistants. (Alborz et al, 2009a) This has previously been an area for debate with The Daily Telegraph (2009) publishing an article claiming that research shows that, Pupils make less progress in classrooms where schools employ more teaching assistants. This article states that teaching assistants often support lower attaining pupils, resulting in them being less supported by a qualified teacher and to them making limited progress. The article does not, however, take into account the training of the teaching assistants. While reviewing the impact of workforce remodeling, a report by OfSTED (2004) stated that when a teaching assistant is appointed to work with carefully chosen pupils and is provided with the appropriate training to do so effective ly, the pupils make significant progress. This is, of course, as well as the obvious benefits of providing the teacher with more time to focus on other pupils. Having worked alongside several teaching assistants employed to support children with SEN I have witnessed the immeasurable benefit to the pupil and the class as a whole. The teaching assistants enabled the pupils to be included in a mainstream classroom and access the curriculum, while allowing the class teacher to support the majority of the pupils. Their support involved the re-enforcing of the whole class teaching, giving the pupil the confidence to participate in class discussions, simplification of vocabulary, offering praise and encouragement and feedback on the completed task. Following the lesson, the teaching assistant also provided the teacher with assessment and monitoring feedback to enable assessment of and for learning. This assessment has become a vital aspect of the role of the teaching assistant and supports the teacher and pupil by enabling differentiation and personalised learning to become every day practice. (OfSTED, 2002b) Guidance published by the NFER (2002, cited in Department for Education and Skills, 2005, p.22) found that when teachers and teaching assistants work in partnership, the results are a more effective level of teaching and learning. An example of this is a scenario I have experienced recently where a teaching assistant supported the learning of the majority of the class while the class teacher focused on the children with SEN. As a result of the teacher and teaching assistant having spent time working together to plan the lesson, the teaching assistant was able to support the learning objectives and assist pupils in their achievement of them. Teaching assistants can also, when included in the planning of a lesson, actively participate in the delivery of the lesson providing an alternative viewpoint or by playing a character in role. One such example was provided by my colleague who, upon realising that many of the pupils within the class had misunderstood a key concept, pretended to be confused and raised a hand to ask for clarification. As a result, pupils developed a clearer understanding of the lesson and therefore, the teaching assistant had played an important role in developing their learning. By implementing a combination of all of these approaches and with effective training and guidance, teaching assistants can provide invaluable support for all children within any lesson. Teaching assistants also support behaviour management within classes and can provide an alternative level of perception within the classroom. In daily Literacy lessons, I have observed a teaching assistant supporting a pupil with ADHD and have no doubt that without her presence, the class teacher would have to spend a large proportion of the lesson settling the child and addressing low level distractions. Personal experience has shown me that children with emotional or behavioural difficulties are often more responsive towards a teaching assistant with whom they can forge a positive adult / child relationship. This can contribute towards the social and emotional wellbeing of the child as outlined by Alborz et al. (2009b). Besides the opportunity to support childrens learning during lesson time, teaching assistants continue to carry out a multitude of administrative tasks in order to support the class teacher and the school as a whole. The National Agreement, (ATL et al. 2003, p.2), implemented as part of the governments workforce remodelling initiative, states that teachers should not spend their time carrying out administrative responsibilities that do not make full use of their skills and expertise but that these tasks should be carried out by support staff. The agreement outlines twenty-one tasks that teaching staff should not be required to carry out including the preparation of classroom resources, photocopying, the collection of monies for educational visit and the preparation and setting up of displays. These tasks must also, therefore, be considered the responsibility of the teaching assistant. Each and every one of the administrative tasks has an impact on the educational environment and ther efore contributes towards supporting the development of childrens learning. In practice, however, the need for teaching assistants to be more involved in the delivery of lessons surely means that they too will have less time for carrying out administrative duties which in turn might relay these duties back into the hands of the teachers. In my experience, teaching assistants often offer unconditional support for the school in which they are employed. Many carry out duties beyond their working hours providing curriculum enrichment activities and regularly being at the forefront of fund raising events. They frequently are able to provide a connection between local communities and their schools as they often live in close proximity to their workplace. This is a non essential yet valuable part of their role as it enables teaching staff to be aware of local issues and provides a link between parents and schools. (Lipsett, 2008) In conclusion, the role of the teaching assistant has evolved significantly over recent years and can offer committed individuals with a recognised career that is both progressive and rewarding. With appropriate professional development opportunities, a teaching assistant can give invaluable support to individuals and groups of pupils, teaching staff, parents and schools. By providing pastoral care, administrative support and personalised learning they can, as outlined in the Governments Every Child Matters initiative (DfES, 2003), promote enjoyment and achievement in a safe, nurturing environment; contribute to the academic and emotional wellbeing of all children; help them to become successful members of the school and wider community.

The Expansion Of A Vietnamese Fast Food Company Marketing Essay

The Expansion Of A Vietnamese Fast Food Company Marketing Essay PHO24 is a restaurant chain in Vietnam with over 50 branches operating worldwide serving tasty Ttraditional Vietnamese Pho noodles. Its a Vietnamese noodle restaurant chain belonging to Nam An Group, the biggest FB Corporation in the country. Apart from PHO24, Nam An Group owns and operates many other different FB brands including An Vien Restaurant, Maxims Nam An Restaurant, Thanh Nien Restaurant, An Restaurant, Goody Ice Cream, Goody Plus Ice Cream, Ibox Cafà ©, etc. Trung, 39, is the founder of the Nam An Group, the holding company behind the Pho24 fast-food chain, one of Vietnams most successful home-grown franchises. Armed with a PhD in business administration from Australia and a drive to get rich quick, Trung opened the first branch of Pho24 in 2003 in Ho Chi Minh City with the aim of feeding into the citys fast-growing foreign-tourist market. Pho24s unique blend of pho (beef noodles) and air-conditioned McDonalds-style dining proved equally popular with the locals, who now represent more than half of his clientele. Pho24 has grown into one of Vietnams largest fast-food chains, with 24 restaurants nationwide and plans to open another 73 across the country by the end of 2008. Trung is leveraging Pho24s local success into global expansion plans, with one branch in Indonesia, concrete plans to open restaurants in Manila and Singapore this year, and designs eventually to establish branches in South Korea, Japan, Australia, China and the United States. Foreign franchise invasion. Last year, 530 foreign and local brand names were franchised and another 811 franchises were transferred into Vietnam, according to the National Department of Intellectual Property (NDIP). Foreign fast-food franchises are slowly finding their place alongside the countrys traditional shophouse vendors, including the likes of KFC, Jollibee and Dilmah (a teahouse chain). Global brands such as McDonalds, Starbucks, Gloria Jeans, Pizza Hut and Dairy Farm are readying to make inroads once Vietnam accedes to the World Trade Organization (WTO), which is likely to happen next year. IKEA, Tesco and Wal-Mart have also reportedly examined the market. Trung views coolly the coming foreign invasion, asserting that his superior understanding of local market conditions coupled with the latest foreign management techniques will maintain his budding franchises competitive edge. The Pho24 logo reflects the number of different ingredients, 24, and the number of hours, 24, required to prepare each bowl of his signature beef-and-noodle soup. One day he also hopes all his shops will be open around the clock, that is, 24 hours a day. Trung was particularly sensitive to regional taste differences, something he believes big global fast-food chains will likely overlook when entering the market. To arrive at just the right blend of northern and southern taste preferences, Trung and family sought a culinary middle ground, less salty than Hanois version of the national dish, and less sweet and fatty than Ho Chi Minh Citys usual fare. With Pho24s success, Trung is conducting taste tests for expanding into other traditional Vietnamese dishes, including spring rolls and bun cha, for which he already holds registered trademarks for possible chains of Springroll24 and BunCha24. Synonymous with Vietnamese culture, Pho (beef noodle soup) is the national food. For generations, Pho has been Vietnams typical street food where people squat on little stools and slurp a hearty bowl. This restaurant has set a new standard of enjoying this dish by offering fancier setting with air conditioning and a more delicate tasting option. What also sets Pho 24 apart, is its ever expanding presence and branded appearance. Each of the restaurants looks and operates the same: stylish green walls, artistic photos, chic bench style wooden tables. If youre wondering how this place got its name it is because of the 24 tasty ingredients which make their pho consistently delicious! The first PHO24 outlet was opened in June 2003 on Nguyen Thiep Street, opposite to the prime landmark Saigon Sheraton Hotel. By June 2010, PHO24 has opened 77 outlets in Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Da Nang, Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Binh Duong, Jakarta (Indonesia), Manila (Philippines), Seoul (Korea), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Sydney (Australia) and Hong Kong. PHO24 plans to open more stores in all major cities of Vietnam as well as in overseas markets, where there are extensive Asian populations. The founders believe that PHO24s business concept is unique but easy to multiply due to its small space requirement, low investment, standardized operational procedures, and most importantly, the top quality of the food. Ideas and Business concept PHO has been the most famous dish of Vietnam but it was only known as street food for many decades. Therefore, the founders of PHO24 saw this is an excellent opportunity to create a new business concept that meets the high standards but still preserving the traditional value. After nearly two years of market research especially the customers taste PHO24 has invented a unique flavor for PHOs broth derived from 24 top-quality ingredients and spices. This unique taste has been warmly welcomed by not only the customers from HCM City but also Ha Noi, Da Nang, Binh Duong, Vung Tau, Nha Trang and other provinces. The overseas market however will be the largest one. By July 2009 we have stores in Jakarta (Indonesia), Manila (Philippines), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Seoul (Korea) and Sydney (Australia). In this August, PHO24   opened the sixth outlet in Jakarta Indonesia. Furthermore, In October 2009, PHO24 will be first introduce in Centre Business District in Hong Kong and the second outlet in Seoul, Korea will follow by. Japan and the United States are expected to be next destinations of PHO24 in 2010. In 2004, 2005, 2006 2007, 2008, 2009 PHO24 has been consecutively the winner of The Guide Awards voted by readers of Vietnam Economics Times, Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam and Tu Van Tieu Dung magazine.   In 2008 Pho24 was voted as an International Franchiser of the Year, accepted by FLA Singapore. In 2010, PHO24 is one of the top 10 Ho Chi Minh City One Hundred Excitements which voted by travelers. INTERVIEW QUESTIONS The external challenges facing Pho24 in their decision to enter China market Questions will be focus on a series of food scandals that shocked consumers and reduced consumer confidence. Are there any safety precaution measurements to be imposed on suppliers to ensure that contaminated products are shunt off from entering the supply chain? counterfeit and shoddy food products Is Pho 24 ready to inspect every supplier? Is there an established system for evaluating food authenticities? Will the company set aside an annual budget for quality control measurements? How do the company ensure that time and resources are not wasted when dealing with Chinese authorities? Will the company consider taking on local partners or consultants? What are the company stands GM food issues? Will in the company allow GM food such as GM crops entering the supply chain? Will the consumers be informed? If the price of the non GM raw material is more expensive than the GM raw material, how will you choose? The understanding of China market and expansion strategies China was formally joined WTO since year 2001, as such a lot of foreign company begin to search for their possibility to build their market in China, the giant food company like Mcdonald has established about 20 years in China since their first store open in Shenzen year 1990. KFC already about 23 years in China since year 1987 first store open in Beijing. As such, to ensure PHO24 enter the China market successfully and sustainable in China market, the understanding about the market and the marketing strategies become the most important element to be consider before the enter decision make. The China market was very competitive nowadays since they joined WTO in Dec 2001, from your previous experience in expanding international business, may I know what is your understanding about China Market? Especially from the aspect of political risk and legal, Consumer demand, financial environment, economy and culture. What is your entry strategy to China market? Whether by Franchising, Joint Venture, Green Field or Licensing. The global brand Food Company like Mcdonald and KFC already about 20 years in China market. How was your company plan and strategies to compete with their branch and get the market share from them? What is your company plan to position yourself in China market and what kind of customer segment your company targeted? What are your international marketing program strategies? Standardization or adaption? The important elements to standardize of adapt are international pricing, global branding and product development, International Distribution and International Marketing Communication. What do you think will become the barriers for your company entry and the challenges the company will facing in China market? Company capability to start-up and support operation in China How much the company is expected to invest in the China market to open the Pho24 restaurants? What is the budget the company is planning to allocate to the China market and how may head count that they are willing to employ for the 24 hours business? How much allocation is needed for training and support for the staff is needed to prepare the staff for their first year of the business operation? What are the sales patterns for a typical day, week, and month in a restaurant chain in China? What are the total costs to set up a Pho24 in China as China has huge population? Other questions How do you select and manage the relationship with your Chinese partner? We realized that Chinese beef noodle soup has gained popularity in China. How sure you are that Vietnamese beef noodle can further penetrate Chinese market? In your opinion, is it possible for a beef noodle concept to be as successful as traditional fast-food chains such as McDonald and KFC? What issues do you believe will be most important for your success in China for the next 10 years?

Closing the Gap between Disabled and Nondisabled Essay -- Essays Paper

Closing the Gap between Disabled and Nondisabled The democratic ideals that the United States were built upon are freedom and equality; it is in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and used as a defense when a person can think of nothing snappy to say (i.e. "It's a free country!"). However, while American culture is based on the notion that you have the power and ability to become anyone or achieve anything, it is painfully obvious to people with disabilities that government and the mainstream public has forgotten about their needs. While most nondisabled people do not need to depend on family or government for financial or medical assistance, people with disabilities are often denied jobs and opportunities, forcing them to become dependent on a family member or government assistance. It may be an unconscious factor for those who do not have a disability, to forget that others may need a special menu, table, or space. Simple things like a special bathroom stall or books on tape are on par with a more inclusive American culture, one that can help people with disabilities become more independent and free. Most of the problems people with disabilities face today stems from language and how they are considered to be separate from those who are able. Not only does this create the basis for oppression and discrimination for those who used to be considered ‘cripples,’ or ‘retards,’ but it also creates can create a confusion over a person’s identity as a person with disabilities. While legislation, corporate policies, and public places may be slowly changing to become more inclusive to those with disabilities, there are still certain aspects of the mainstream US culture that can mean nothing to a member of the... ...who are able. As the language evolves and the activism becomes more developed and evident in mainstream culture and media, then there will be more and more advances in the future. The days in which Siamese Twins, the Elephant Man, and other people with disabilities who would be considered ‘freaks,’ ‘retarded,’ or ‘crippled’ and be immediately institutionalized or ostracized from people have mostly disappeared, leaving other battles, like the fight for an accessible urban environment, to be fought and won in later years. Works Cited Fielder, Leslie A. The Tyranny of the Normal. Gleeson, Brendan. Can Technology Overcome The Disabling City? Linton, Simi. Claiming Disability: Knowledge and Identity. New York: New York University Press, 1997 Marks, Deborah. Disability: Controversial debates and psychosocial perspectives. London: Routledge, 1999 Closing the Gap between Disabled and Nondisabled Essay -- Essays Paper Closing the Gap between Disabled and Nondisabled The democratic ideals that the United States were built upon are freedom and equality; it is in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and used as a defense when a person can think of nothing snappy to say (i.e. "It's a free country!"). However, while American culture is based on the notion that you have the power and ability to become anyone or achieve anything, it is painfully obvious to people with disabilities that government and the mainstream public has forgotten about their needs. While most nondisabled people do not need to depend on family or government for financial or medical assistance, people with disabilities are often denied jobs and opportunities, forcing them to become dependent on a family member or government assistance. It may be an unconscious factor for those who do not have a disability, to forget that others may need a special menu, table, or space. Simple things like a special bathroom stall or books on tape are on par with a more inclusive American culture, one that can help people with disabilities become more independent and free. Most of the problems people with disabilities face today stems from language and how they are considered to be separate from those who are able. Not only does this create the basis for oppression and discrimination for those who used to be considered ‘cripples,’ or ‘retards,’ but it also creates can create a confusion over a person’s identity as a person with disabilities. While legislation, corporate policies, and public places may be slowly changing to become more inclusive to those with disabilities, there are still certain aspects of the mainstream US culture that can mean nothing to a member of the... ...who are able. As the language evolves and the activism becomes more developed and evident in mainstream culture and media, then there will be more and more advances in the future. The days in which Siamese Twins, the Elephant Man, and other people with disabilities who would be considered ‘freaks,’ ‘retarded,’ or ‘crippled’ and be immediately institutionalized or ostracized from people have mostly disappeared, leaving other battles, like the fight for an accessible urban environment, to be fought and won in later years. Works Cited Fielder, Leslie A. The Tyranny of the Normal. Gleeson, Brendan. Can Technology Overcome The Disabling City? Linton, Simi. Claiming Disability: Knowledge and Identity. New York: New York University Press, 1997 Marks, Deborah. Disability: Controversial debates and psychosocial perspectives. London: Routledge, 1999

student :: essays research papers

1 'Taking A Brand Global: Ten Steps To Success'; I. Introduction: The Importance of Being Global A strong global brand is a powerful weapon. These days, however, it may also be an indispensable one, even as the economy challenges our faith in brands to deliver a profit. According to Interbrand's 'World's Most Valuable Brands 2000'; study, for example, although Amazon's share price has declined, its brand value has increased by 233%. On the other hand, international power player Coca-Cola, although still the world's #1 brand, saw its value drop by 13%. And technology brands did quite well— Microsoft, IBM, Intel, and Nokia placed second through fifth—not at all foreshadowing the precipitous crash in their stock prices about half a year after the study findings were released. Overall, notes marketing writer Jane Bainbridge in Marketing [20 July 2000], Interbrand's second annual study of this kind reveals not only that global brands are 'stable assets,'; but also that 'the most valuable brands are global.'; In fact, she argues, 'to have a billion-dollar brand, a company has to be global.'; II. Branding As The New 'Universal Language'; Based on a recent survey of more than forty-five thousand people across nineteen countries, Young & Rubicam makes a rather startling claim. In its newest Brand Asset Valuator report, issued in March 2001, the firm asserts that brands have taken on a godlike status: consumers find greater meaning in them and the values they espouse than in religion. As Conor Dignam reports in Ad Age Global [12 March 2001], the study claims that superbrands like Calvin Klein, Gatorade, IKEA, Microsoft, MTV, Nike, Virgin, Sony PlayStation, and Yahoo! can therefore also be called 'belief brands.'; Although Dignam argues against the idea that consumers would treat brands as gods (because they will not be dictated to by them), he does accept the implications of the argument and make a different analogy. Brands, he says, are more like 'best friends,'; in that they are an important part of people's lives, do carry specific meanings for the consumer, and they are respected or rejected based on how well they keep their promises. Yet whether one calls them gods or 'best friends,'; brands have clearly started to take on greater importance in consumers' lives. In fact, they have gone from objects with identity to identities in the guise of objects. The trend has gone so far, in fact, that people are beginning to speak the language of brands and even to market themselves as brands in their own right. There is more than one book in print along the lines of Brand Yourself [Ballantine, 2000] devoted strictly to the notion that the

Is Mary Shelleys Frankenstein typical of the horror genre? Essay

Is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein typical of the horror genre? To answer the question above, I firstly need to be clear about the term 'genre.' Genre is a particular style in art or literature, some examples of genres are: romantic, Romance, science-fiction and Gothic. Each genre has its own personal features, for example the romance genre deals with love, it normally has exotic settings and it deals with emotional issues. I am going to try and categorise the book and then try to decide whether or not it is just a horror story, or if it is more than that. If it is just a horror story then it will focus on death, darkness, fear and terror. It will also try to shock the reader and it will use suspense heavily. With this in mind, Frankenstein is definitely a horror story, for example Victor Frankenstein said, on the day when the creature was born, "a dreary night in November." This shows that the day is dark, which is typical of a day in a horror story. "Infuse a spark... into this lifeless thing" this is when he is talking about the creature, and there is definitely and emphasis on death and darkness. Victor says he also has "astounding horror" this shows that he is feeling especially horrified with the monster. From the beginning of the book, the horror genre is the primary genre in the novel, even before Victor Frankenstein's story has even begun there is evidence of horror. Just before he starts to tell his story, he tells Robert Walton that his story has "unparalleled misfortunes" and that he has "memories of evil" this is meant to strike fear into the reader and into Robert Walton, it shows that Victor Frankenstein is deeply horrified with what has happened to him. There is also evil in this story a... ...ypical through out all of the book. I believe that Frankenstein is definitely a horror story and that it is also a Gothic story, because it has many features that are typical of these genres. I do not believe that they are the main genres though, as the Romantic genre is a lot more dominant in this novel. I believe that this is mainly because of the time period that it was set in, as it was written in 1818, and this was when people were starting to discard the horror genre, and they were starting to believe in nature. Also the horror genre is only present in a few of the chapters and the Romantic genre is present in most. There are many other genres present, but none of them are feature as much as the Romantic genre. I do believe that Frankenstein is typical of the horror genre, but only in some of the novel, and it is more typical of the Romantic genre.

In Support of Liberalism In Harry Potter Essay

In the series of books written about Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling, liberalism and civil rights are a major point of concern. In the early books, there are allusions to the idea that different types of people, wizards, should be treated differently. There are direct corollaries between the Harry Potter books and the 1960s civil rights movement, as well as the current fight for gay rights. Each subject concerns discrimination: individual rights that should be protected by law and the ongoing fight to ensure those rights. â€Å"To discriminate means to treat a person or a group of people badly because of who they are† (Graf). Harry Potter went through an extreme shift in civil rights; from all individuals having the same protection to a severely prejudicial and suppressed society and back again. Changes in civil rights are not generally so extreme, usually being more evolutionary, yet the concept of equality under the law relates to the real-world’s ongoing battle for individual freedom. The second book of the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, introduced the reader to house elves. Severely suppressed and controlled, this faction of the wizarding world had no rights and many responsibilities. Dobby is a house elf owned by the Malfoy family and they treated him like with obvious scorn and prejudice. Dobby was a slave to the Malfoy’s, not even allowed articles of clothing to wear, and beaten and abused. This is similar to the condition of black slaves in the United States through the civil war. Even granting African-Americans their freedom did not change the public’s perception that their race was less than Caucasians. Dobby’s situation was even more pronounced as he was compelled to punish himself whenever he believed he did something wrong or broke his master’s rules. When Dobby gains his freedom through Harry’s slight of hand, Lucius Malfoy is angry because he had lost something he viewed to be property. The introduction of Winky in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire paints a different picture of house elves. She is proud to serve her master and obeys his every command. When she is punished and given clothes, thereby releasing her from her master, she is shamed and feels as though she had failed. Her depression becomes so severe that she takes to drinking copious quantities of butter beer to ease her mind. By contrast, Dobby is happy to be free and wears his clothes proudly. Yet his quest to find work is challenging because of the wizarding world’s opinion of house elves and their ranking in the social hierarchy. Dobby is demanding to be paid for his services rather than doing it out of obligation or duty. Finding work at Hogwarts was his only viable option as Dumbledore was the only person willing to meet Dobby’s request, and recognize house elves as significant. Hermione’s efforts to obtain freedom for house elves, the House Elf Liberation Front, are futile because house elves, with the exception of Dobby, are content with their position in society and do not view themselves as equals. They are servants, duty-bound to serve one master for their entire lives. Another prominent issue in the Harry Potter books was the idea that muggles, or non-magical people, were less than wizards, and wizards born from muggle families were inferior to those descending from wizards. The issue is first raised when the character of Draco Malfoy is introduced in the first book. He states that some wizarding families were better than others and condemns the Weasley family because his father condemns the Weasley family based on Arthur Weasley’s affection and approval of muggles. The Malfoys believe that muggle-borns are insignificant and treat Hermione with great prejudice because of her muggle heritage. Draco calls her a â€Å"mudblood,† a great insult to wizards of muggle families. Even Professor Slughorn admits to surprise that muggle-born wizards are so adept at magic though he claims to have no prejudice. He does not treat them unfairly but he does have different expectations from them. The entire basis for Voldemort’s play for power was the concept that muggle-borns and half-bloods were inferior to pure-bloods. Vodemort himself is descended from a muggle father, yet he denies this connection. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Vodemort’s objective becomes glaringly obvious. Muggles are murdered without concern and made to be subject to the wizards in control. Any wizard of muggle ancestry was prosecuted and imprisoned for stealing magic from wizards. Harry’s blatant opposition to this viewpoint places him in great risk as he continually defies the new order and their oppression. The reason for the wizarding war was to prevent an entire class of people from being enslaved and reclassified as less than human. Harry’s parents also fought for individual freedom and defied Voldemort, which lead to their death. Harry’s success in this arena was a victory for equality, freedom and individual rights. Harry Potter’s battle to maintain equality and stamp out prejudice and bigotry enforced by law ties into the 1960s civil rights movement and the fight for gay rights that is not being waged in America. Entire groups of people are being discriminated against, not for anything they did but for who they are. â€Å"On trains and buses, in schools and restaurants, and even in public bathrooms, blacks were kept apart from whites. Some laws made it illegal for blacks and whites to shake hands or play checkers† (Graf). African Americans were targeted because of the color of their skin and homosexuals due to their sexual orientation, neither of which a person has the ability to control. Discrimination is becoming more and more intolerable as civil rights groups gain ground in obtaining equality. Civil rights and the subject of liberalism are issues very close to me that I feel very passionate about. Growing up, my mother told me a story of her first trip to Washington State to meet friends of my father. They were in a grocery store and an American Indian family came in to buy some ground meat. Even though they had the money for the fresh meat in the case, they were not allowed to purchase it. The store would only sell them the meat that had turned green because the store owner did not view American Indians as equal under the law. My mother protested and had to be dragged out of the store. The others in her group did nothing. My mom was only seventeen, yet she recognized discrimination when she saw it. As a child, I lived in a very white town, there were no Asians or African Americans and a handful of Hispanics. When I was nine, a man knocked on our front door. I looked up, seeing him through the glass, and screamed. It was the first black person I had ever seen. I embarrassed myself, but moreover, I humiliated him, a nice man who mere wanted to know if my father was interested in selling his car. Being that segregated in not common in today’s society. In my eighth grade graduation, I walked down the aisle with the only black member of my graduating class and my father felt ashamed because of the town’s perception of African Americans. Even my church, a place of acceptance and equality, treated a black singer so differently that he stopped coming to church. The town was prejudice and I felt embarrassed to live there, believing that by doing so, I supported their beliefs. As I grew older, I worked to support the rights of minorities and those groups that society treated differently, giving to their causes, raising money and awareness and voting for measures that would protect them. I felt that it was my obligation to society to try to end intolerance when my father had raised me to believe in it. The Harry Potter series serves as a direct reminder of what kind of world societal intolerance can take by showing giant steps backwards in personal freedom and liberty. Voldemort and his Death Eaters attempted to obtain control for the sake of control and used discrimination and oppression to achieve it. Heterosexual Caucasians have been using this method for centuries to maintain the status quo and quell change. Worst of all is the oppressed group’s own perception of themselves. Like house elves, African Americans and homosexuals are not accustomed to being treated fairly and that concept has to change (Yoshino). People â€Å"will soon be forced to acknowledge that it is not gay behavior, but antigay attitudes, that need to be adjusted† (Yoshino). What is important to remember is that the fight for equality is ongoing: that it is imperative for all races of people â€Å"to do something about the personal and institutional racism that still exists in our church and society† (Schlumpf ). Liberalism is growing in many areas and these books demonstrate exactly what this movement can achieve – individual rights, personal freedom and the practice of treating each individual as equal under the law.

Dell’s Business Ethics

Dell Inc’s Business Ethics Gwynedd-Mercy College Abstract Business Ethics is a very important part of having and running a successful business. Your business ethics consist of the behavior that a business adheres to in daily dealings within the world. There are a few key components that are covered under the business ethical umbrella within the Dell Computer Corporation they are as follows: Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Governance, Environmental Responsibility and Corporate Accountability. These key components are what make Dell Inc. successful company within the computer industry. Dell Inc’s Business Ethics. Dell Inc. is one of the largest computer manufactures in the world and they have grown tremendously over the years. Their evolving business strategy combines their revolutionary direct customer model with new distribution channels to reach commercial customers and individual consumers around the world. Dell’s Direct Model business approach is la rgely responsible for the success of the company, it provides a fast cost-efficient and customer friendly means of production and distribution (Dell, 2009). Since this market is ever changing, competitors are challenging Dell with new and unique products in effort to overcome the superiority of the Direct Model. The growth and development of the laptop computers is a primary area in which Dell Inc. can work for continued success, despite the threat posed by its competitors. Dell initiates the latest and appropriate technology much more promptly and efficiently than any other computer company (Dell, 2010). Also, Dell’s refined strategy to building an adequate infrastructure establishes market creditability against its better-known rivals. Their approach to the computer industry had two advantages: First they wanted to bypass distributors and retail dealers which will eliminate markups of resellers, and second building to order greatly reduced to the cost and risks associated with carrying large stocks of parts, components and finished goods (Dell, 2009). Business Ethics Business ethics is a personal moral manner where people try to decipher right and wrong within their daily and organizational lives. With the terms â€Å"business† and â€Å"ethics† put together can create a more powerful influential understanding of cultural beliefs of what is important to you on the judgments that are made of good or bad behavior. Dell Inc’s business ethics consist of its Global Ethics and Compliance Team (Dell, 2010). This team initiates education and awareness to all of Dell’s employees on highlighted issues such as privacy and data protection, workplace conduct, and gifts and entertainment. This team also delivers consistent training to prepare all the employees for effectively, legally and safely performing their jobs on a daily bases. Dell has two mandatory training courses for all employees: Winning with Integrity which is the Code of Conduct overview of the company and Information Security Polices and Standards. Employees are also encouraged to complete three additional global ethics courses: Dell Corporate Governance, Records Management, and the newly developed Privacy and Data Protection Awareness. Dell’s code of conduct adheres to the values and beliefs of the Soul of Dell. The Soul of Dell is accompanied by five core elements Customers, The Dell Team, Direct Relationship, Global Citizenship and Winning. These core elements/values define what kind of company they are and have become. Ethically Dell is indeed committed to understanding and respecting the laws, values and cultures wherever they do business. Profitability growing in all markets while promoting a healthy business climate globally contributes positively in every community that they call home both personally and organizationally. Ethical Umbrella Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility also known as CSR is the actions of an organization that are targeted toward achieving a social benefit over and above maximizing profits for its shareholders and meeting all its legal obligations (Ghillyer, 2010, p. 78). It can also be referred to operating a business in a manner that accounts for social and environmental impact created by the business. Corporate Social Responsibility at Dell Inc. s about demonstrating through action their values of corporate citizenship. In the itinerary of the integration of economic, social and environmental responsibility into everything they do and ensuring diversity remains a Dell cornerstone. Dell has a full-time commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen. It’s a commitment driven by the types of goals, strategies and accountabilities that characterize every part our business. And it’s one that persists through all business cycles (Dell, 20 10). Dell focuses on the ideals of environmental responsibility, corporate responsibility and the social responsibility to further strengthen the beliefs of addressing issues will support the realization of financial goals and can be critical to their long-term corporate achievement. Dell must continue to grow responsibly protecting their natural resources and practicing sustainability in all its forms and improve the communities where they live and work through their financial and volunteer efforts. Their commitment to social responsibility is about making a meaningful difference and seeking innovative ways to help others through their technology resources and employees by partnering with non-governmental organizations to address some of the key issues facing our world today. Corporate Accountability Integrity to inspire trust is Dell’s corporate accountability. They succeed when they earn the utmost trust and respect from their customers through the actions and innovations of the company. Ethics and integrity is built into their key corporate growth, which encourages people to accept the responsibility and enables then to take actions. The undisclosed key to Dell’s corporate accountability is the pride that the employees take in the company. Within that it is more than just simple meeting all the compliance requirements and following the rules it is about creating a culture that people can simply act with integrity. Corporate Governance The Board of Directors and management team have jointly responsibility, thics and integrity at Dell Inc. In that regard, the Board expects each director, as well as each member of the senior management, to lead by example in a culture that emphasizes trust, integrity, honesty, judgment, respect managerial courage and responsibility. Moreover, the Board also expects each director and each member of senior management to ac ethically at all times and adheres to polices as well as the spirit, expressed in Dell’s Code of Condu ct. The Board will not permit any waiver of any ethics for any director of executive officer. Corporate governance is also the commitment to the achievement of business success and the enhancement of long-term stockholder value with the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Primarily the success is an approach to corporate governance that will extend beyond simple compliance with the authorized necessities. Environmental Responsibility Dell Inc. aspires to be the greenest technology company on the planet. They dare to motivate by engaging with others and sharing what they have learned. They strive to innovate by improving the efficiency and design of their products. Dell’s greatest innovation is their leadership. They realized that a top-notch management strategy would not fulfill Michael Dell’s goal. In addition, it would propel Dell’s vision into everyday workings of their business. S. W. O. T. Analysis One of Dell’s greatest strengths in targeting the business executive category is that roughly 75% of all sales revenue comes from large businesses and government organizations. Dell has already established relationships with large companies, and this provides most of their business. These companies pass the relationship on through their employees, providing them with Dell products. Dell has a considerable weakness in targeting the college student segment of the market. This is due to the fact that only 5% of Dell’s total sales revenue currently comes from educational institutions such as colleges. Unlike Dell’s business customers, Dell lacks a large amount of relationships with educational institutions. Many students purchase their PC’s through their schools, Dell is clearly not in a position to take advantage of the college at this time. Their greatest weakness is that buyers can not physically touch or see the product that they want to purchase. The Direct Model provides many great opportunities, however the disadvantage is that customer cannot go to retailers and try a few different products and go home with a computer all in one visit. The thing that differentiates Dell from its competitors is customization. Many computer buyers are suspicious of a product that they can’t personally examine before purchasing. Moreover, an anxious buyer would have to wait a number of days before their computer was delivered. Personal computers are being purchases and used more than ever before. The market for laptops, in particular, is growing much faster than that of the desktop computers. This general trend lends itself as a great opportunity for Dell’s laptop business to grow in all segments. Another opportunity for a; the targeted segments relates to the first trend that was mentioned. Customers are becoming more educated about personal computers, as an increasing number of them are second-time buyers. Consumers who have purchased computers in the past know what they want, and Dell can cater to them. The Direct Model can provide the framework for customers to make truly personalized computers in a qualified hassle-free environment. Increased communication and technological integration also create great opportunities for Dell. Customers can now go on the Internet to personalize their computer, place an order, or just simply get information. This is more efficient and effective for both Dell and the customer, and its benefits are many. In such a volatile market as personal computers, threats are great and many. Because of the ever changing nature of the computer industry, companies are constantly being challenged to produce higher quality, lower priced products, and do it faster and more efficiently than the competition. One to Dell primary external threats is that the prices between brands are getting smaller all the time. Dell’s Direct Model benefits the consumer in many ways, one of which is cost savings. Now that other companies are finding ways to combat the low costs of Dell, they can to pass along savings to their customers. As a result, price differential is becoming less of an issue, if not nonexistent, for buyers. Many of Dell’s competitors are therefore becoming closer substitutes. Another serious threat is simply that the growth rate of the computer industry is slowing. At this current time, Dell owns a greater market share than any of its competitors throughout the world. However, as the market slows down, competition for market shares will intensify. Companies will have to work harder than ever before to distinguish their brand from substitutes. If a company has trouble differentiating its brand from its competitors, they will find it hard to hold a significant market share. Finally, the face pace of technological advancement, while being a tremendous opportunity, is also a great threat. The newest, fastest, most efficient technology and most durable, user-friendly products are going to sell. If the company fails to keep up-to-date with innovations in technology, they will quickly see decline in performance. Conclusion With the competitive advantage that Dell Inc. has they have a product that every consumer and organization wants. Besides the fact that Dell is the preferred desktop and laptop of enterprises in the United States and Europe and winning more than 400 product awards in 2007, Dell is a company that believes in what they are doing and will stop at nothing to become the best in the computer industry. The current market trends in the personal computer industry, for laptops in particular, are being driven by ever changing consumer needs, wants, and demands. As a result, companies like Dell Computer Corporation are forced into constant state of adaption in order to satisfy their customers. By taking full advantage of their strengths, paying close attention to their weaknesses, and identifying both opportunities and threats from the macro-environment, this company can position themselves as significant shareholders in an intensely competitive market. References About Dell. (n. d. ). Retrieved June 29, 2010, from http://content. dell. com/us/en/corp/about-dell. aspx? c=us&l=en&s=corp Corporate Responsibility. (n. d. ). Retrieved June 29, 2010, from http://content. dell. com/us/en/corp/cr. aspx Ghillyer, A. W. , (2010) Business Ethics: A Real World Approach. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies. Sliver, R. , (2002) the 21st Century Executive: Innovative practices for building leadership at the top, San Francisco, Jossey Bass.