Are Children More Socialized because of the Internet Research Paper

Are Children More Socialized because of the Internet - Research Paper Example This paper illustrates that the number of children Internet users globally is anticipated to grow from approximately 150 million presently, to 300 million by 2020. This is according to an estimate by IDC. Under these estimates, the greatest growth will be in South America and Asia. This paper inquires regarding children's internet usage, explores the level of children's exposure to internet content and detects the potential difference between whatever parents think their children are doing online and their children's real activities. A rising number of children have access to the Internet. Children in most U.S. households have online subscriptions. Furthermore, in almost half of the probable number of homes, children have Internet access. Parents believe that personal computer use and internet develops children’s analytical skills, significant abilities, and academic perspective. This has improved children’s access to the personal computer and the Internet. Observers al so point out that home personal computers and Internet access may boost children’s computer literacy and technical knowledge and affect their actions, behaviors, and associations. Affonso indicates that students extend the capability to manage in a technical environment, acquiring the awareness and skills needed to be useful, as demanded by the present computer-driven society. Furthermore, online etiquette has become an essential part of the technology-based curriculum. The lasting impacts of this change have however been questioned in the essence of a rumor of its pessimistic influence on societal functioning and rising reports linking psychologically addictive characteristics to Internet use. Psychologists and educators have raised a lot of concerns about the influence of the Internet on the collective skills and psychological comfort of children.

Sinner in the Hands of an Angry God Essay Example for Free

Sinner in the Hands of an Angry God Essay Consider the fearful danger you are in; it is a great furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, that you are held over in the hand of that God, whose wrath is provoked and incensed as much against you, as against many of the damned in Hell. You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder; and you have no interest in any mediator, and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you. The sovereign pleasure of God, for the present, stays his rough wind; otherwise it would come like a whirlwind, and you would be like the chaff of the summer threshing floor. 1. Explain the mood of this passage. The mood is Somber and Serious. 2. Using specific examples, give one example of a metaphor, one example of a simile, and one example of an allusion that Edwards uses in this passage from the sermon to elicit this particular mood. A Great furance of warth like a whirlwind the summer threshing floor 3. What specific words (minimum of three) does he choose to make his tone clear? Danger, Wrath, Damned in hell 4. What images (pictures in the listeners mind) does Edwards use in the passage to make his tone clear? What effect do those images have on establishing the tone of the piece? Gods Rough Wind- Tone is Serious 5. In the last two paragraphs of the sermon Edwards talks about an extraordinary opportunity his congregation has. What is this opportunity? How does his sermon persuade the congregation to take advantage of this opportunity?

Stereotyping and Profiling Based Upon Religion Essay -- Islam, Religio

Living in America we deal with a lot of diversity, especially those in the criminal justice degree program where situations caused by diversity can lead to a problem. Stereotyping is one of the biggest problems that we deal with, particularly in law enforcement. There have been many allegations of police officers accused of going after individuals and accusing them of a crime based on the sole fact of what their religious beliefs might be. This has been going on for a long time; however in recent years, it has gotten worse. The main job of police officers is to uphold the law, not to break it. Although stereotyping is not against the law, police officers have taken an oath to protect all human beings, regardless of their race or religion and stereotyping based on religion should not take place. Just because an individual is of a certain race dose not give us the right to stereotype them as a bad human being. Fred Edmund Jandt (2003), the word â€Å"stereotype† was first used to show the judgments made about individuals on the origin of their racial background. Today the expression is more commonly used to pass on to events made on the basis of a groups association. Psychologists have attempted to give explanations of stereotyping as errors that our brains make in the judgment of other people that are related to those mistakes our brains make in the view of illustration illusions. When information is blurred, the brain frequently reaches the incorrect conclusion. (p.77) Fred Edmund Jandt (2003), is the practice of racial profiling stereotyping? Profiling refers to a law enforcement carry out of scrutinizing of certain persons based on characteristics thought to classify an option of illegal activities. Example, a person traveling a... ...inar strips away cultural stereotypes. Pittsburgh Tribunei-Review. Retrieved October 30, 2008, from http://www.pittsburghlive.com////region/_529578.html Jandt, F. E. (2003, July 21). Barries to intercultural communication. In An introduction to intercultural communication (4th ed., pp. 77,79). Sage Publications, Inc. Retrieved October 28, 2008, from http://books.google.com/books?id=LyHDS--WSywC&pg=PA79&lpg=PA79&dq=a+person+traveling+alone+is+more+likely+to+engage+in+terrorist+activity&source=bl&ots=Kmn1NAlTjX&sig=7i-h54dh_2kROXAHmjgO0HJqogw&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA71,M1 Morgenstern, H. (n.d.). Suicide terror - fire fighters response. In Suicide terror - fire fighters response [Fact sheet]. Retrieved October 28, 2008, from http://www.nationalhomelandsecurityknowledgebase.com/Research/International_Articles/Suicide_Terror_and_FireFighters.html

A Game of Thrones Chapter Forty-six

Daenerys The heart was steaming in the cool evening air when Khal Drogo set it before her, raw and bloody. His arms were red to the elbow. Behind him, his bloodriders knelt on the sand beside the corpse of the wild stallion, stone knives in their hands. The stallion's blood looked black in the flickering orange glare of the torches that ringed the high chalk walls of the pit. Dany touched the soft swell of her belly. Sweat beaded her skin and trickled down her brow. She could feel the old women watching her, the ancient crones of Vaes Dothrak, with eyes that shone dark as polished flint in their wrinkled faces. She must not flinch or look afraid. I am the blood of the dragon, she told herself as she took the stallion's heart in both hands, lifted it to her mouth, and plunged her teeth into the tough, stringy flesh. Warm blood filled her mouth and ran down over her chin. The taste threatened to gag her, but she made herself chew and swallow. The heart of a stallion would make her son strong and swift and fearless, or so the Dothraki believed, but only if the mother could eat it all. If she choked on the blood or retched up the flesh, the omens were less favorable; the child might be stillborn, or come forth weak, deformed, or female. Her handmaids had helped her ready herself for the ceremony. Despite the tender mother's stomach that had afflicted her these past two moons, Dany had dined on bowls of half-clotted blood to accustom herself to the taste, and Irri made her chew strips of dried horseflesh until her jaws were aching. She had starved herself for a day and a night before the ceremony in the hopes that hunger would help her keep down the raw meat. The wild stallion's heart was all muscle, and Dany had to worry it with her teeth and chew each mouthful a long time. No steel was permitted within the sacred confines of Vaes Dothrak, beneath the shadow of the Mother of Mountains; she had to rip the heart apart with teeth and nails. Her stomach roiled and heaved, yet she kept on, her face smeared with the heartsblood that sometimes seemed to explode against her lips. Khal Drogo stood over her as she ate, his face as hard as a bronze shield. His long black braid was shiny with oil. He wore gold rings in his mustache, gold bells in his braid, and a heavy belt of solid gold medallions around his waist, but his chest was bare. She looked at him whenever she felt her strength failing; looked at him, and chewed and swallowed, chewed and swallowed, chewed and swallowed. Toward the end, Dany thought she glimpsed a fierce pride in his dark, almond-shaped eyes, but she could not be sure. The khal's face did not often betray the thoughts within. And finally it was done. Her cheeks and fingers were sticky as she forced down the last of it. Only then did she turn her eyes back to the old women, the crones of the dosh khaleen. â€Å"Khalakka dothrae mr'anha!† she proclaimed in her best Dothraki. A prince rides inside me! She had practiced the phrase for days with her handmaid Jhiqui. The oldest of the crones, a bent and shriveled stick of a woman with a single black eye, raised her arms on high. â€Å"Khalakka dothrae!† she shrieked. The prince is riding! â€Å"He is riding!† the other women answered. â€Å"Rakh! Rakh! Rakh haj!† they proclaimed. A boy, a boy, a strong boy. Bells rang, a sudden clangor of bronze birds. A deep-throated warhorn sounded its long low note. The old women began to chant. Underneath their painted leather vests, their withered dugs swayed back and forth, shiny with oil and sweat. The eunuchs who served them threw bundles of dried grasses into a great bronze brazier, and clouds of fragrant smoke rose up toward the moon and the stars. The Dothraki believed the stars were horses made of fire, a great herd that galloped across the sky by night. As the smoke ascended, the chanting died away and the ancient crone closed her single eye, the better to peer into the future. The silence that fell was complete. Dany could hear the distant call of night birds, the hiss and crackle of the torches, the gentle lapping of water from the lake. The Dothraki stared at her with eyes of night, waiting. Khal Drogo laid his hand on Dany's arm. She could feel the tension in his fingers. Even a khal as mighty as Drogo could know fear when the dosh khaleen peered into smoke of the future. At her back, her handmaids fluttered anxiously. Finally the crone opened her eye and lifted her arms. â€Å"I have seen his face, and heard the thunder of his hooves,† she proclaimed in a thin, wavery voice. â€Å"The thunder of his hooves!† the others chorused. â€Å"As swift as the wind he rides, and behind him his khalasar covers the earth, men without number, with arakhs shining in their hands like blades of razor grass. Fierce as a storm this prince will be. His enemies will tremble before him, and their wives will weep tears of blood and rend their flesh in grief. The bells in his hair will sing his coming, and the milk men in the stone tents will fear his name.† The old woman trembled and looked at Dany almost as if she were afraid. â€Å"The prince is riding, and he shall be the stallion who mounts the world.† â€Å"The stallion who mounts the world!† the onlookers cried in echo, until the night rang to the sound of their voices. The one-eyed crone peered at Dany. â€Å"What shall he be called, the stallion who mounts the world?† She stood to answer. â€Å"He shall be called Rhaego,† she said, using the words that Jhiqui had taught her. Her hands touched the swell beneath her breasts protectively as a roar went up from the Dothraki. â€Å"Rhaego,† they screamed. â€Å"Rhaego, Rhaego, Rhaego!† The name was still ringing in her ears as Khal Drogo led her from the pit. His bloodriders fell in behind them. A procession followed them out onto the godsway, the broad grassy road that ran through the heart of Vaes Dothrak, from the horse gate to the Mother of Mountains. The crones of the dosh khaleen came first, with their eunuchs and slaves. Some supported themselves with tall carved staffs as they struggled along on ancient, shaking legs, while others walked as proud as any horselord. Each of the old women had been a khaleesi once. When their lord husbands died and a new khal took his place at the front of his riders, with a new khaleesi mounted beside him, they were sent here, to reign over the vast Dothraki nation. Even the mightiest of khals bowed to the wisdom and authority of the dosh khaleen. Still, it gave Dany the shivers to think that one day she might be sent to join them, whether she willed it or no. Behind the wise women came the others; Khal Ogo and his son, the khalakka Fogo, Khal Jommo and his wives, the chief men of Drogo's khalasar, Dany's handmaids, the khal's servants and slaves, and more. Bells rang and drums beat a stately cadence as they marched along the godsway. Stolen heroes and the gods of dead peoples brooded in the darkness beyond the road. Alongside the procession, slaves ran lightly through the grass with torches in their hands, and the flickering flames made the great monuments seem almost alive. â€Å"What is meaning, name Rhaego?† Khal Drogo asked as they walked, using the Common Tongue of the Seven Kingdoms. She had been teaching him a few words when she could. Drogo was quick to learn when he put his mind to it, though his accent was so thick and barbarous that neither Ser Jorah nor Viserys could understand a word he said. â€Å"My brother Rhaegar was a fierce warrior, my sun-and-stars,† she told him. â€Å"He died before I was born. Ser Jorah says that he was the last of the dragons.† Khal Drogo looked down at her. His face was a copper mask, yet under the long black mustache, drooping beneath the weight of its gold rings, she thought she glimpsed the shadow of a smile. â€Å"Is good name, Dan Ares wife, moon of my life,† he said. They rode to the lake the Dothraki called the Womb of the World, surrounded by a fringe of reeds, its water still and calm. A thousand thousand years ago, Jhiqui told her, the first man had emerged from its depths, riding upon the back of the first horse. The procession waited on the grassy shore as Dany stripped and let her soiled clothing fall to the ground. Naked, she stepped gingerly into the water. Irri said the lake had no bottom, but Dany felt soft mud squishing between her toes as she pushed through the tall reeds. The moon floated on the still black waters, shattering and re-forming as her ripples washed over it. Goose pimples rose on her pale skin as the coldness crept up her thighs and kissed her lower lips. The stallion's blood had dried on her hands and around her mouth. Dany cupped her fingers and lifted the sacred waters over her head, cleansing herself and the child inside her while the khal and the others looked on. She heard the old women of the dosh khaleen muttering to each other as they watched, and wondered what they were saying. When she emerged from the lake, shivering and dripping, her handmaid Doreah hurried to her with a robe of painted sandsilk, but Khal Drogo waved her away. He was looking on her swollen breasts and the curve of her belly with approval, and Dany could see the shape of his manhood pressing through his horsehide trousers, below the heavy gold medallions of his belt. She went to him and helped him unlace. Then her huge khal took her by the hips and lifted her into the air, as he might lift a child. The bells in his hair rang softly. Dany wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pressed her face against his neck as he thrust himself inside her. Three quick strokes and it was done. â€Å"The stallion who mounts the world,† Drogo whispered hoarsely. His hands still smelled of horse blood. He bit at her throat, hard, in the moment of his pleasure, and when he lifted her off, his seed filled her and trickled down the inside of her thighs. Only then was Doreah permitted to drape her in the scented sandsilk, and Irri to fit soft slippers to her feet. Khal Drogo laced himself up and spoke a command, and horses were brought to the lakeshore. Cohollo had the honor of helping the khaleesi onto her silver. Drogo spurred his stallion, and set off down the godsway beneath the moon and stars. On her silver, Dany easily kept pace. The silk tenting that roofed Khal Drogo's hall had been rolled up tonight, and the moon followed them inside. Flames leapt ten feet in the air from three huge stone-lined firepits. The air was thick with the smells of roasting meat and curdled, fermented mare's milk. The hall was crowded and noisy when they entered, the cushions packed with those whose rank and name were not sufficient to allow them at the ceremony. As Dany rode beneath the arched entry and up the center aisle, every eye was on her. The Dothraki screamed out comments on her belly and her breasts, hailing the life within her. She could not understand all they shouted, but one phrase came clear. â€Å"The stallion that mounts the world,† she heard, bellowed in a thousand voices. The sounds of drums and horns swirled up into the night. Half-clothed women spun and danced on the low tables, amid joints of meat and platters piled high with plums and dates and pomegranates. Many of the men were drunk on clotted mare's milk, yet Dany knew no arakhs would clash tonight, not here in the sacred city, where blades and bloodshed were forbidden. Khal Drogo dismounted and took his place on the high bench. Khal Jommo and Khal Ogo, who had been in Vaes Dothrak with their khalasars when they arrived, were given seats of high honor to Drogo's right and left. The bloodriders of the three khals sat below them, and farther down Khal Jommo's four wives. Dany climbed off her silver and gave the reins to one of the slaves. As Doreah and Irri arranged her cushions, she searched for her brother. Even across the length of the crowded hall, Viserys should have been conspicuous with his pale skin, silvery hair, and beggar's rags, but she did not see him anywhere. Her glance roamed the crowded tables near the walls, where men whose braids were even shorter than their manhoods sat on frayed rugs and flat cushions around the low tables, but all the faces she saw had black eyes and copper skin. She spied Ser Jorah Mormont near the center of the hall, close to the middle firepit. It was a place of respect, if not high honor; the Dothraki esteemed the knight's prowess with a sword. Dany sent Jhiqui to bring him to her table. Mormont came at once, and went to one knee before her. â€Å"Khaleesi,† he said, â€Å"I am yours to command.† She patted the stuffed horsehide cushion beside her. â€Å"Sit and talk with me.† â€Å"You honor me.† The knight seated himself cross-legged on the cushion. A slave knelt before him, offering a wooden platter full of ripe figs. Ser Jorah took one and bit it in half. â€Å"Where is my brother?† Dany asked. â€Å"He ought to have come by now, for the feast.† â€Å"I saw His Grace this morning,† he told her. â€Å"He told me he was going to the Western Market, in search of wine.† â€Å"Wine?† Dany said doubtfully. Viserys could not abide the taste of the fermented mare's milk the Dothraki drank, she knew that, and he was oft at the bazaars these days, drinking with the traders who came in the great caravans from east and west. He seemed to find their company more congenial than hers. â€Å"Wine,† Ser Jorah confirmed, â€Å"and he has some thought to recruit men for his army from the sellswords who guard the caravans.† A serving girl laid a blood pie in front of him, and he attacked it with both hands. â€Å"Is that wise?† she asked. â€Å"He has no gold to pay soldiers. What if he's betrayed?† Caravan guards were seldom troubled much by thoughts of honor, and the Usurper in King's Landing would pay well for her brother's head. â€Å"You ought to have gone with him, to keep him safe. You are his sworn sword.† â€Å"We are in Vaes Dothrak,† he reminded her. â€Å"No one may carry a blade here or shed a man's blood.† â€Å"Yet men die,† she said. â€Å"Jhogo told me. Some of the traders have eunuchs with them, huge men who strangle thieves with wisps of silk. That way no blood is shed and the gods are not angered.† â€Å"Then let us hope your brother will be wise enough not to steal anything.† Ser Jorah wiped the grease off his mouth with the back of his hand and leaned close over the table. â€Å"He had planned to take your dragon's eggs, until I warned him that I'd cut off his hand if he so much as touched them.† For a moment Dany was so shocked she had no words. â€Å"My eggs . . . but they're mine, Magister Illyrio gave them to me, a bride gift, why would Viserys want . . . they're only stones . . . â€Å" â€Å"The same could be said of rubies and diamonds and fire opals, Princess . . . and dragon's eggs are rarer by far. Those traders he's been drinking with would sell their own manhoods for even one of those stones, and with all three Viserys could buy as many sellswords as he might need.† Dany had not known, had not even suspected. â€Å"Then . . . he should have them. He does not need to steal them. He had only to ask. He is my brother . . . and my true king.† â€Å"He is your brother,† Ser Jorah acknowledged. â€Å"You do not understand, ser,† she said. â€Å"My mother died giving me birth, and my father and my brother Rhaegar even before that. I would never have known so much as their names if Viserys had not been there to tell me. He was the only one left. The only one. He is all I have.† â€Å"Once,† said Ser Jorah. â€Å"No longer, Khaleesi. You belong to the Dothraki now. In your womb rides the stallion who mounts the world.† He held out his cup, and a slave filled it with fermented mare's milk, sour-smelling and thick with clots. Dany waved her away. Even the smell of it made her feel ill, and she would take no chances of bringing up the horse heart she had forced herself to eat. â€Å"What does it mean?† she asked. â€Å"What is this stallion? Everyone was shouting it at me, but I don't understand.† â€Å"The stallion is the khal of khals promised in ancient prophecy, child. He will unite the Dothraki into a single khalasar and ride to the ends of the earth, or so it was promised. All the people of the world will be his herd.† â€Å"Oh,† Dany said in a small voice. Her hand smoothed her robe down over the swell of her stomach. â€Å"I named him Rhaego.† â€Å"A name to make the Usurper's blood run cold.† Suddenly Doreah was tugging at her elbow. â€Å"My lady, † the handmaid whispered urgently, â€Å"your brother . . . â€Å" Dany looked down the length of the long, roofless hall and there he was, striding toward her. From the lurch in his step, she could tell at once that Viserys had found his wine . . . and something that passed for courage. He was wearing his scarlet silks, soiled and travel-stained. His cloak and gloves were black velvet, faded from the sun. His boots were dry and cracked, his silver-blond hair matted and tangled. A longsword swung from his belt in a leather scabbard. The Dothraki eyed the sword as he passed; Dany heard curses and threats and angry muttering rising all around her, like a tide. The music died away in a nervous stammering of drums. A sense of dread closed around her heart. â€Å"Go to him,† she commanded Ser Jorah. â€Å"Stop him. Bring him here. Tell him he can have the dragon's eggs if that is what he wants.† The knight rose swiftly to his feet. â€Å"Where is my sister?† Viserys shouted, his voice thick with wine. â€Å"I've come for her feast. How dare you presume to eat without me? No one eats before the king. Where is she? The whore can't hide from the dragon.† He stopped beside the largest of the three firepits, peering around at the faces of the Dothraki. There were five thousand men in the hall, but only a handful who knew the Common Tongue. Yet even if his words were incomprehensible, you had only to look at him to know that he was drunk. Ser Jorah went to him swiftly, whispered something in his ear, and took him by the arm, but Viserys wrenched free. â€Å"Keep your hands off me! No one touches the dragon without leave.† Dany glanced anxiously up at the high bench. Khal Drogo was saying something to the other khals beside him. Khal Jommo grinned, and Khal Ogo began to guffaw loudly. The sound of laughter made Viserys lift his eyes. â€Å"Khal Drogo,† he said thickly, his voice almost polite. â€Å"I'm here for the feast.† He staggered away from Ser Jorah, making to join the three khals on the high bench. Khal Drogo rose, spat out a dozen words in Dothraki, faster than Dany could understand, and pointed. â€Å"Khal Drogo says your place is not on the high bench,† Ser Jorah translated for her brother. â€Å"Khal Drogo says your place is there.† Viserys glanced where the khal was pointing. At the back of the long hall, in a corner by the wall, deep in shadow so better men would not need to look on them, sat the lowest of the low; raw unblooded boys, old men with clouded eyes and stiff joints, the dim-witted and the maimed. Far from the meat, and farther from honor. â€Å"That is no place for a king,† her brother declared. â€Å"Is place,† Khal Drogo answered, in the Common Tongue that Dany had taught him, â€Å"for Sorefoot King.† He clapped his hands together. â€Å"A cart! Bring cart for Khal Rhaggat!† Five thousand Dothraki began to laugh and shout. Ser Jorah was standing beside Viserys, screaming in his ear, but the roar in the hall was so thunderous that Dany could not hear what he was saying. Her brother shouted back and the two men grappled, until Mormont knocked Viserys bodily to the floor. Her brother drew his sword. The bared steel shone a fearful red in the glare from the firepits. â€Å"Keep away from me!† Viserys hissed. Ser Jorah backed off a step, and her brother climbed unsteadily to his feet. He waved the sword over his head, the borrowed blade that Magister Illyrio had given him to make him seem more kingly. Dothraki were shrieking at him from all sides, screaming vile curses. Dany gave a wordless cry of terror. She knew what a drawn sword meant here, even if her brother did not. Her voice made Viserys turn his head, and he saw her for the first time. â€Å"There she is,† he said, smiling. He stalked toward her, slashing at the air as if to cut a path through a wall of enemies, though no one tried to bar his way. â€Å"The blade . . . you must not,† she begged him. â€Å"Please, Viserys. It is forbidden. Put down the sword and come share my cushions. There's drink, food . . . is it the dragon's eggs you want? You can have them, only throw away the sword.† â€Å"Do as she tells you, fool,† Ser Jorah shouted, â€Å"before you get us all killed.† Viserys laughed. â€Å"They can't kill us. They can't shed blood here in the sacred city . . . but I can.† He laid the point of his sword between Daenerys's breasts and slid it downward, over the curve of her belly. â€Å"I want what I came for,† he told her. â€Å"I want the crown he promised me. He bought you, but he never paid for you. Tell him I want what I bargained for, or I'm taking you back. You and the eggs both. He can keep his bloody foal. I'll cut the bastard out and leave it for him.† The sword point pushed through her silks and pricked at her navel. Viserys was weeping, she saw; weeping and laughing, both at the same time, this man who had once been her brother. Distantly, as from far away, Dany heard her handmaid Jhiqui sobbing in fear, pleading that she dared not translate, that the khal would bind her and drag her behind his horse all the way up the Mother of Mountains. She put her arm around the girl. â€Å"Don't be afraid,† she said. â€Å"I shall tell him.† She did not know if she had enough words, yet when she was done Khal Drogo spoke a few brusque sentences in Dothraki, and she knew he understood. The sun of her life stepped down from the high bench. â€Å"What did he say?† the man who had been her brother asked her, flinching. It had grown so silent in the hall that she could hear the bells in Khal Drogo's hair, chiming softly with each step he took. His bloodriders followed him, like three copper shadows. Daenerys had gone cold all over. â€Å"He says you shall have a splendid golden crown that men shall tremble to behold.† Viserys smiled and lowered his sword. That was the saddest thing, the thing that tore at her afterward . . . the way he smiled. â€Å"That was all I wanted,† he said. â€Å"What was promised.† When the sun of her life reached her, Dany slid an arm around his waist. The khal said a word, and his bloodriders leapt forward. Qotho seized the man who had been her brother by the arms. Haggo shattered his wrist with a single, sharp twist of his huge hands. Cohollo pulled the sword from his limp fingers. Even now Viserys did not understand. â€Å"No,† he shouted, â€Å"you cannot touch me, I am the dragon, the dragon, and I will be crowned!† Khal Drogo unfastened his belt. The medallions were pure gold, massive and ornate, each one as large as a man's hand. He shouted a command. Cook slaves pulled a heavy iron stew pot from the firepit, dumped the stew onto the ground, and returned the pot to the flames. Drogo tossed in the belt and watched without expression as the medallions turned red and began to lose their shape. She could see fires dancing in the onyx of his eyes. A slave handed him a pair of thick horsehair mittens, and he pulled them on, never so much as looking at the man. Viserys began to scream the high, wordless scream of the coward facing death. He kicked and twisted, whimpered like a dog and wept like a child, but the Dothraki held him tight between them. Ser Jorah had made his way to Dany's side. He put a hand on her shoulder. â€Å"Turn away, my princess, I beg you.† â€Å"No.† She folded her arms across the swell of her belly, protectively. At the last, Viserys looked at her. â€Å"Sister, please . . . Dany, tell them . . . make them . . . sweet sister . . . â€Å" When the gold was half-melted and starting to run, Drogo reached into the flames, snatched out the pot. â€Å"Crown!† he roared. â€Å"Here. A crown for Cart King!† And upended the pot over the head of the man who had been her brother. The sound Viserys Targaryen made when that hideous iron helmet covered his face was like nothing human. His feet hammered a frantic beat against the dirt floor, slowed, stopped. Thick globs of molten gold dripped down onto his chest, setting the scarlet silk to smoldering . . . yet no drop of blood was spilled. He was no dragon, Dany thought, curiously calm. Fire cannot kill a dragon.

High School Conformism Essay

Throughout majority of my high school life, I always questioned why things operated the way they did. Being forced to go to a place, or my parents could possibly go to jail. To be honest it sort of felt like a indoctrination. Going there I noticed everything was controlled and different social groups where created based on different peoples personalities. The irony of it all is that from a young age school seemed to indorse individuality, yet hypocritical policies such as school uniforms still took place later in the years. I questioned why there was so much conformity;why was everyone so worried about fitting in? While I can’t be the voice for every-ones’ reasoning behind peer pressure. I can give my own reason for occasionally feelings of peer pressure. The first 2 years of high school felt very much like a fight for my individuality. I’d find multiple ways to make myself feel as if I was different; for instance making modifications to my uniform. I also would follow subculture Stereotypes, although at the time I didn’t realize it was simple was pressure: The pressure to pull away from what I considered social emptiness. This was a phase thankfully, and thankfully I slowly I began to realize; I was essentially doing what other students where doing, but strangely for the opposite reasoning(to get away from conformism). I’d say its a great learning experience, and simply put. The best way to strive for individuality is not striving for individuality. When you force yourself to be different, weather it be following a subculture (beyond your own personal beliefs), or not liking a ideology without doing your own research. You’ll definitely fall into the ignorance of conformism. After coming to these conclusions, I decided to become more social; experiencing new things so I could have a opinion, rather than stagnate in ignorance. I’ve learned a lot in regards to life, but most importantly I learned a lot about myself. I can finally say that I am a individual. I believe high school has definitely had a impact on me, although I’m sure it wasn’t there intention to give me such enlightenment.

Reduction Definition and Examples in Chemistry

Reduction Definition and Examples in Chemistry Reduction involves a half-reaction in which a chemical species decreases its oxidation number, usually by gaining electrons. The other half of the reaction involves oxidation, in which electrons are lost. Together, reduction and oxidation form redox reactions (reduction-oxidation redox). Reduction may be considered the opposite process of oxidation. In some reactions, oxidation and reduction may be viewed in terms of oxygen transfer. Here, oxidation is the gain of oxygen, while reduction is the loss of oxygen. An old, less-common definition of oxidation and reduction examines the reaction in terms of protons or hydrogen. Here, oxidation is ​the loss of hydrogen, while reduction is the gain of hydrogen. The most accurate reduction definition involves electrons and oxidation number. Examples of Reduction The H ions, with an oxidation number of 1, are reduced to H2, with an oxidation number of 0, in the reaction: Zn(s) 2H(aq) → Zn2(aq) H2(g) Another simple example is the reaction between copper oxide and magnesium to yield copper and magnesium oxide: CuO Mg → Cu MgO Rusting of iron is a process that involves oxidation and reduction. Oxygen is reduced, while iron is oxidized. While its easy to identify which species are oxidized and reduced using the oxygen definition of oxidation and reduction, its harder to visualize electrons. One way to do this is to rewrite the reaction as an ionic equation. Copper(II) oxide and magnesium oxide are ionic compounds, while the metals are not: Cu2 Mg → Cu Mg2 The copper ion undergoes reduction by gaining electrons to form copper. The magnesium undergoes oxidation by losing electrons to form the 2 cation. Or, you can view it as magnesium reducing the copper(II) ions by donating electrons. Magnesium acts as a reducing agent. In the meantime, the copper(II) ions remove electrons from magnesium to form magnesium ions. The copper(II) ions are the oxidizing agent. Another example is the reaction that extracts iron from iron ore: Fe2O3 3CO → 2Fe 3 CO2 The iron oxide undergoes reduction (loses oxygen) to form iron while the carbon monoxide is oxidized (gains oxygen) to form carbon dioxide. In this context, iron(III) oxide is the oxidizing agent, which gives oxygen to another molecule. Carbon monoxide is the reducing agent, which removes oxygen from a chemical species. OIL RIG and LEO GER To Remember Oxidation and Reduction There are two acronyms that may help you keep oxidation and reduction straight. OIL RIG- This stands for Oxidation Is Loss and Reduction Is Gain. The species that is oxidized loses electrons, which are gained by the species that is reduced.LEO GER or Leo the lion says grr.- This stands for Loss of Electrons Oxidation while Gain of Electrons Reduction. Another way to remember which part of the reaction is oxidized and which is reduced is to simply recall reduction mean reduction in charge.

Lowering Drinking Age to 18 essays

Lowering Drinking Age to 18 essays In 1920 eighteenth amendment was passed which is generally referred to as prohibition. In essence it prohibited drinking or manufacturing alcoholic beverages. Supporters of prohibition thought that it would bring stop to social problems associated with alcohol consumption. Soon it became clear that prohibition was a failure, it achieved nothing, since drinking was still rampant. It created many other problems like the growth of organized crime, increased disrespect for law, unregulated and dangerous beverages, increased violence, the loss of tax revenue, corruption of law enforcement and other public officials, increases in binge drinking, and many other serious problems.. It was repealed in 1933. In 1984 MADD (Mothers Against Drinking and Driving) have succefully changed public opinion and raised the drinking age to 21. That is how we got here today. There are a lot of different opinions on what the drinking age should be however there are 2 radical opinions that push the legislators. The first is that there shouldnt be a drinking age. The other one is that alcohol as a whole should be outlawed. Those represent the radical left and right of the spectrum. The more common views are that drinking age should be lowered to 18 or it should stay at 21 and possibly raised. The conflict is the same old believe that remains rampant ever since prohibition. Alcohol is the cause of all the social problems. Which can be traced to ignorance, it is alcohol abuse not alcohol itself that cause a lot of social problems. Also another theme is added, young people are not mature, and therefore they cant be trusted with a substance such as alcohol. This brings in light another issue, as old as humans themselves. An aging population doesnt understand they young generation. To illustrate just how ancient is this problem let me quote a inscription found at grave of pharaoh that died in 3500 B.C. : You...

Battle of Nashville - Civil War

Battle of Nashville - Civil War Battle of Nashville - Conflict Dates: The Battle of Nashville was fought December 15-16, 1864, during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Armies Commanders: Union Major General George H. Thomas55,000 men Confederates General John Bell Hood31,000 men Battle of Nashville - Background: Though badly defeated at the Battle of Franklin, Confederate General John Bell Hood continued pressing north through Tennessee in early December 1864 with the goal of attacking Nashville. Arriving outside the city on December 2 with his Army of Tennessee, Hood assumed a defensive position to the south as he lacked the manpower to assault Nashville directly. It was his hope that Major General George H. Thomas, commanding Union forces in the city, would attack him and be repulsed. In the wake of this fighting, Hood intended to launch a counterattack and take the city. Within the fortifications of Nashville, Thomas possessed a large force which had been pulled from several different areas and had not fought together previously as an army. Among these were Major General John Schofields men who had been dispatched to reinforce Thomas by Major General William T. Sherman and Major General A.J. Smiths XVI Corps which had been transferred from Missouri. Meticulously planning his attack on Hood, Thomas plans were further delayed by severe winter weather which descended on Middle Tennessee. Due to Thomas cautious planning and the weather, it was two weeks before his offensive moved forward. During this time, he was constantly beset by messages from President Abraham Lincoln and Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant imploring him to take decisive action. Lincoln commented that he feared that Thomas had become a do nothing type along the lines of Major General George B. McClellan. Angered, Grant dispatched Major General John Logan on December 13 with orders to relieve Thomas if the attack had not commenced by the time he arrived in Nashville. The Battle of Nashville - Crushing an Army: While Thomas planned, Hood elected to dispatch Major General Nathan Bedford Forrests cavalry to attack the Union garrison at Murfreesboro. Leaving on December 5, Forrests departure further weakened Hoods smaller force and deprived him much of his scouting force. With the weather clearing on December 14, Thomas announced to his commanders that the offensive would commence the next day. His plan called for Major General James B. Steedmans division to attack the Confederate right. The goal of Steedmans advance was to pin Hood in place while the main assault came against the Confederate left. Here Thomas had massed Smiths XVI Corps, Brigadier General Thomas Woods IV Corps, and a dismounted cavalry brigade under Brigadier General Edward Hatch. Supported by Schofields XXIII Corps and screened by Major General James H. Wilsons cavalry, this force was to envelop and crush Lieutenant General Alexander Stewarts corps on Hoods left. Advancing around 6:00 AM, Steedmans men succeeded in holding Major General Benjamin Cheathams corps in place. While Steedmans attack was going forward, the main assault force advanced out of the city. Around noon, Woods men began striking the Confederate line along the Hillsboro Pike. Realizing that his left was under threat, Hood began shifting troops from Lieutenant General Stephen Lees corps in this center to reinforce Stewart. Pushing forward, Woods men captured Montgomery Hill and a salient emerged in Stewarts line. Observing this, Thomas ordered his men to assault the salient. Overwhelming the Confederate defenders around 1:30 PM, they shattered Stewarts line, forcing his men to start retreating back towards the Granny White Pike (Map). His position collapsing, Hood had no choice but to withdraw along his entire front. Falling back his men established a new position further south anchored on Shys and Overtons Hills and covering his lines of retreat. To reinforce his battered left, he shifted Cheathams men to that area, and placed Lee on the right and Stewart in the center. Digging in through the night, the Confederates prepared for the coming Union attack. Moving methodically, Thomas took most of the morning of December 16 to form his men to assault Hoods new position. Placing Wood and Steedman on the Union left, they were to attack Overtons Hill, while Schofields men would assault Cheathams forces on the right at Shys Hill. Moving forward, Wood and Steedmans men were initially repulsed by heavy enemy fire. At the opposite end of the line, Union forces faired better as Schofields men attacked and Wilsons cavalry worked around behind the Confederate defenses. Under attack from three sides, Cheathams men began to break around 4:00 PM. As the Confederate left began fleeing the field, Wood resumed attacks on Overtons Hill and succeeded in taking the position. Battle of Nashville - Aftermath: His line crumbling, Hood ordered a general retreat south towards Franklin. Pursued by Wilsons cavalry, the Confederates re-crossed the Tennessee River on December 25 and continued south until reaching Tupelo, MS. Union losses in the fighting at Nashville numbered 387 killed, 2,558 wounded, and 112 captured/missing, while Hood lost around 1,500 killed and wounded as well as around 4,500 captured/missing. The defeat at Nashville effectively destroyed the Army of Tennessee as a fighting force and Hood resigned his command on January 13, 1865. The victory secured Tennessee for the Union and ended the threat to Shermans rear as he advanced across Georgia. Selected Sources Battle of NashvilleBattle of Nashville Preservation SocietyHistory of War: Battle of Nashville

Equity theory 2 videos Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Equity theory 2 videos - Assignment Example Adams theory acknowledges that variable factors affect employees’ assessment and perception of their relationship with their employer and their work. Employees may be demotivated with their employer or job if they feel that their inputs are greater than the output. Therefore, the resultant effects of this will be reduced efforts, disgruntled and disruptive. In the application of this theory in a work place, it is important to consider the imbalance and the balance that exist between employees input and output in order to have satisfaction in a work place. This theory believes that a good leader will recognize the needs and well-being of the team members in order to build a highly and successful teams (Maslow, 2012, 00:03:44). Maslow believes that that there should be an emotional contact between leaders and their team for enhancement of equity and motivation at work place. In this theory, the followers usually give in their best return when they realize their leaders are looking upon their welfares. However, the theory contends that, as people strive to achieve basic needs, they also seek to satisfy their higher sets of

Jane is a Department Head in a Library of a College or University Essay - 1

Jane is a Department Head in a Library of a College or University - Essay Example This paper declares that ponsibilities might include managing all activities to ensure that materials acquired by the library are accurately and consistently described and classified for effective and efficient retrieval and utilization, managing authority control for use in bibliographic records, develop and maintain policies and guidelines for all bibliographic, cataloguing, indexing and classification work, managing membership, subscription and keeping up to date with bibliographic utilities for purpose of acquisition of bibliographic records, and managing physical processing and binding of all library materials. It is evident from the information provided that when her staff is not at a full contingency problems arise, but from the concerns brought up at the meeting of department heads, it is also apparent that this is an ongoing problem, with some other issues involved. Two questions arise which much be answered. What are the specific problems, and what can be done to improve th e situation? Another very serious issue must be resolved for the long term. Is the underlying problem Jane’s supervision? What can she do to change her management skills that will affect the performance of her entire staff? An additional issue brought up at the Department Head meeting is the backlog of cataloguing and how to resolve this problem. This is not of lesser importance than the other issues, but its resolution is dependent on the solutions Jane devises. Jane should feel frustrated by now. Not only have the problems in her department raised her stress level for the day, they have been noticed by the other Departments. Now it’s time to look at the real issues. Apparently the chain of command in the Department is not clearly set. There should be someone beneath Jane, either an office manager or administrative assistant to organize the day-to-day functions of the department and answer questions.

Fundametals of pedagogy assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Fundametals of pedagogy assignment - Essay Example A significant factor concerned in meeting these objectives is motivation. If learners are not motivated in one way or another, then it is most expected that little or no learning will occur, or, if, by any chance, some learning occurs, then it is likely that it will not be retained for future use. Educational theories have great influence on educational structure. In order to capitalise on the success of individual and school-wide, classroom teaching programs, teachers and school administrators should consider students needs, as well as their hierarchical order (Mead, 2009). This should be a top priority in the creation of such programs so that learners can have the ability to reach their most prime level of potential. For instance, if a learner/student does not feel comfortable with the class-room environment, his/her classmates, feels hungry, then the student/learner will not be in a capacity to concentrate well on learning. The student will be preoccupied with these agitations. A number of learning theories (social learning, Behaviorism and Jean Piaget among others) can rectify this as they can help a student understand the best way they can learn in order to make education effective to them (Tough, 2003). Learning is one of the most significant actions in which humans partake. It is the central goal of the educational procedure, even though most of what individuals learn happens outside of school. Comprehending any theory needs a clear thought of what the theory is trying to clarify. When a certain word is applied, individuals normally think everyone has a similar understanding of what the word signifies. Sadly, this is not the case always. In trying to comprehend the numerous theories of learning and their effects to education, it is useful to understand that the phrase â€Å"learning† means diverse things to diverse people and is applied fairly differently in diverse theories (Tough, 2003). As theories of learning developed over the past half-centu ry, descriptions of learning modified from transformations, which happen in the brain or actions of a person to changes in participation in enduring activities with other people to transform in an individual’s identity in a group (for instance, a change to being a leader from being a follower). Even though, a majority of definitions of learning entail a change in a person’s knowledge, capacity to carry out a skill, or take part in an event with other people, there are significant differences among the theories concerning the nature of this amend (Tough, 2003). This paper will apply two educational theories – social learning and behaviorism – to an educational experience that I have associated with and critically examine how well these two theories account for that experience. Social Learning Mary, a 37 year old Nigerian woman living with HIV/AIDs, was acknowledged by From the Ground Up – a group that is involved in building HIV/AIDs programs to hel p both those who are affected, as well as infected with the virus – for her outstanding service who elevate people from the illness. Her story mainly reflects the social learning theory (peer education), which I find extremely significant to associate with as HIV/AIDs is a disease that has affected many in our world today. Mary states that her personal

Literature Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Literature - Research Paper Example Barn Burning and Silence of the Lambs develop on the theme of good and evil and individual conscience through interactions between a powerful paternal figure and a younger pupil figure. Barn Burning is commonly considered a coming-of-age story, but the way that Sarty comes of age is precisely through the development of his own conscience and the hardest lesson that someone might learn: That their father is far from a good person. Meanwhile, in its own sense, Silence of the Lambs  is a coming-of-age story: A very young FBI agent is thrown into a very dangerous case and has to learn how to deal with serial killers, both investigating them and interacting with them. In both of these stories, the main characters are struggling to understand the true nature of their mentor: Sarty's father, Snopes, and Clarice's guide through the Buffalo Bill case, Hannibal Lecter. At the end of the story, Sarty sees that his father is going on an increasingly self-destructive path. His last attempt to b urn down a barn had succeeded and he had gotten away with it, but Snopes cannot help himself from responding to what he viewed as disrespect by again turning to the torch. Sarty knows he has to stop this imminent act of arson and escapes from his own family to do so, but as he runs, he tries to reconcile the monster he knows with the stories he's been told. â€Å"My father, he thought. "He was brave!" he cried suddenly, aloud but not loud, no more than a whisper: "He was! He was in the war! He was in Colonel Sartoris' cav'ry!" not knowing that his father had gone to that war a private in the fine old European sense, wearing no uniform, admitting the authority of and giving fidelity to no man or army or flag, going to war as Malbrouck himself did: for booty - it meant nothing and less than nothing to him if it were enemy booty or his own†. Sarty can't know Faulkner's omniscient narrator's aside here, but the information is important to confirm that Sarty's judgments about his father are right, that his instincts are correct: There is little redeeming in the character of Snopes. Similarly, Clarice goes into her discussions with Lecter knowing that he is a monster, but struggling to come to terms with his intellect and his strength of character. She never expected someone as refined, elegant and ultimately usually quite polite. Lecter respects strength, and repeatedly rewards her insistence with information; however, he despises weakness and a lack of independence, so he sometimes refuses to aid her more. In this respect, their relationship is truly that of parent and child: The child seeking more aid, the parent being careful with how much to dole out. The truly interesting element, however, is that Lecter is offering her moral advice. He gets at the core of her psychology: Like Sarty, Clarice once saw something in her childhood that she thought was unimaginably cruel, the bleating in panic and pain of lambs (a symbol of purity and sacrifice). Clarice's m otivations are to make sure she does not idly sit by again while something is butchered. The problem, though, is that Lecter's moral advice is not free and it comes from a truly questionable source. At every point, Clarice has to ask herself if Lecter is trying to get into her head to satisfy his own cravings or to advance a circuitous escape plot, or out of something resembling empathy or friendship. The last call at the end of the movie,

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT - Essay Example thanks to the right policies set up by government leaders while in office to promote and safeguard sports as an equal and able employer in the country. The leadership of the country, under various prime ministers, opted to adopt and promote various sports policies that would promote and enhance sports development in the country over the years (Houlihan & White 2003, p.192). Tony Blair and David Cameron are the two bigwig leaders of the country, who during their time at the helm of office as the Prime ministers of the United Kingdom came up with different sports policies to develop the sporting sector of the country. The effective implementation of these polices ensured growth and development of sports, especially with government support, from the grassroots all the way t the national level. As such, the United Kingdom continues to shine owing to the sound policies adopted by its leaders to promote and safeguard sporting activities within the country (Blovce & Smith 2009, p.189). Some of the common sports polices designed by these leaders include the school sport and P.E policy, and the policy that interlinks sporting activities and elite performance. Tony Blair is one of the elite leaders of the United Kingdom, and was in government for over 24 years, where he started as a representative and ended as a prime minister from 1983 to 2007. However, his most influential years were when he was in power as the British Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007, before his candid resignation and passing on the mantle of leadership to Gordon Brown (Coe 2012, p.55). As a Labour Party Leader, Tony Blair developed several sports policies in order to promote sporting activities throughout the country. Blair’s government had a firm stand on sports and wanted to expand and improve the nature of sporting activities in the country. As such, he and his government came up with a new policy known as the P.E and School Sports Policy, as well as, the elite performance and sports linkage

Literature Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Literature - Research Paper Example Barn Burning and Silence of the Lambs develop on the theme of good and evil and individual conscience through interactions between a powerful paternal figure and a younger pupil figure. Barn Burning is commonly considered a coming-of-age story, but the way that Sarty comes of age is precisely through the development of his own conscience and the hardest lesson that someone might learn: That their father is far from a good person. Meanwhile, in its own sense, Silence of the Lambs  is a coming-of-age story: A very young FBI agent is thrown into a very dangerous case and has to learn how to deal with serial killers, both investigating them and interacting with them. In both of these stories, the main characters are struggling to understand the true nature of their mentor: Sarty's father, Snopes, and Clarice's guide through the Buffalo Bill case, Hannibal Lecter. At the end of the story, Sarty sees that his father is going on an increasingly self-destructive path. His last attempt to b urn down a barn had succeeded and he had gotten away with it, but Snopes cannot help himself from responding to what he viewed as disrespect by again turning to the torch. Sarty knows he has to stop this imminent act of arson and escapes from his own family to do so, but as he runs, he tries to reconcile the monster he knows with the stories he's been told. â€Å"My father, he thought. "He was brave!" he cried suddenly, aloud but not loud, no more than a whisper: "He was! He was in the war! He was in Colonel Sartoris' cav'ry!" not knowing that his father had gone to that war a private in the fine old European sense, wearing no uniform, admitting the authority of and giving fidelity to no man or army or flag, going to war as Malbrouck himself did: for booty - it meant nothing and less than nothing to him if it were enemy booty or his own†. Sarty can't know Faulkner's omniscient narrator's aside here, but the information is important to confirm that Sarty's judgments about his father are right, that his instincts are correct: There is little redeeming in the character of Snopes. Similarly, Clarice goes into her discussions with Lecter knowing that he is a monster, but struggling to come to terms with his intellect and his strength of character. She never expected someone as refined, elegant and ultimately usually quite polite. Lecter respects strength, and repeatedly rewards her insistence with information; however, he despises weakness and a lack of independence, so he sometimes refuses to aid her more. In this respect, their relationship is truly that of parent and child: The child seeking more aid, the parent being careful with how much to dole out. The truly interesting element, however, is that Lecter is offering her moral advice. He gets at the core of her psychology: Like Sarty, Clarice once saw something in her childhood that she thought was unimaginably cruel, the bleating in panic and pain of lambs (a symbol of purity and sacrifice). Clarice's m otivations are to make sure she does not idly sit by again while something is butchered. The problem, though, is that Lecter's moral advice is not free and it comes from a truly questionable source. At every point, Clarice has to ask herself if Lecter is trying to get into her head to satisfy his own cravings or to advance a circuitous escape plot, or out of something resembling empathy or friendship. The last call at the end of the movie,

Employment Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Employment Relations - Essay Example Therefore, this present study seeks to critically evaluate this premise in order to establish whether it is a valid truth or not. While evaluating this statement, relevant theories and evidence with respect to the different formats of employee involvement and participation will be looked analysed, and additionally, some quote examples will be presented in order to illustrate the arguments presented within the paper. To begin with, it is critical to define the three key terms that appear on the title of this essay and this include employee involvement, which has been described by Blyton and Turnbull (2004), as the creation of an environment within the workplace whereby employees have an impact on the actions and decisions that relate with their roles and responsibilities. Bach (2005) on his part described employee involvement as the equal participation of workers in the decision making of how work is to be done, improvement of work performance, setting of objectives, planning and moni toring of their work performance. Secondly, Blyton and Turnbull (2004) described employee participation as a part of employee involvement that is intended to provide workers with the opportunity to influence and in certain circumstances play an active role in the decision making process of issues that affects them. As for employee empowerment, Ezzamel and Willmott (1998) simply defined it as a manipulation tool or management control that is critical in the attainment of full organisational potential. Alternatively, Bach (2005) described employee empowerment as management strategies for sharing decision-making power between the management and the employees. Employee involvement and participation does not empower employees It is noted that in the writings by Bach (2005) the term ‘empower’ means giving power to another party and hence giving the same party some form of independency. The statement suggests that employee do not gain power through involvement and participatio n in the work processes that includes the decision making process. Edwards and Wajcman (2005) lamented that the acts of involvement and participation do not transfer power to the employees. This is because it is still the powerful managers who get to decided and even design how employees will be involved in the actions and decision that relate to their job and to what extent they can participate in the decision making process within an organisation. Therefore, from the simple fact that powerful managers are the ones who get to set the extent or design of employee involvement and participation it definitely means that employees do not even have an actual power in their involvement and participation since it is the managers who set these on their own terms. From the definition of the term employee involvement and participation, it is evidently clear that in the strategies, employees are only meant to contribute or state their opinions or views regarding matters that affect their jobs. Therefore, it is not as if they are taking full charge of matters affecting their jobs, which could have meant that they are fully empowered through involvement and participation. Hyman and Mason (1995) further added that by contributing to a process it means that one does not have full control over the process. With reference to the writings by Lashley (2001), he argued that in the current

Cable TV Vs Network TV Essay Example for Free

Cable TV Vs Network TV Essay In addition, consumer trend have changed from dish network, to cable network and direct network. First, consumer had access to only dish networks which provided a limited variety of channels through a satellite receiver and dish antenna. The antenna had to revolve at specific angle in order to capture different channels, nut then, cable television came into play which entirely changed the concept of watching television. With hundreds of channels through a single wire, people had access to more information then ever before. Concept of couch potatoes also came onto stage according to which there were viewers who actually switched between channels the entire day as they had a large variety of channels . The largest impact of such advancement was seen in the developing countries which actually came to know what was happening in the world outside at a larger scale. Due to a variety of channels covering all sectors of daily life, many cultures started to adopt the western culture because of the fact that most of the channels on cable at that time belonged to the west. This was the time when new TV channels came on air even more rapidly then the news. Globalization and the concept of westernization in different cultures was seen as the west projected its media all over there world. However, today, the concept of direct TV and network TV are on their boom rather then cable TV because of the fact that consumer preferences have an addition of high quality resolutions rather then just the variety which only the direct TV networks provide. Customer satisfaction and high resolutions were met through which customers paid for only those channels which they wanted to watch rather then subscribing to all of the channels and then switching between them. Viewers want quality entertainment more then they want bulk entertainment. Almost all news channels tell the same story with different perspectives, but, viewers what to see what is right, what is in accordance to their perspective and stance on specific issues, what is in line with their tastes, what attracts them the most, what tells the truth and what is more attractive. Thus, as direct network TV offers high quality resolution, high quality services and broadcasting along with selection of the channels, the viewers are moving towards this type of media rather than the booming cable network industry.

Relationship Marketing And Traditional Transactional Marketing Marketing Essay

Relationship Marketing And Traditional Transactional Marketing Marketing Essay The approach of a business towards the marketing discipline can generally be categorised as either being traditional or relationship based. Whilst the traditional approach has held sway for the last fifty years there are signs that relationship marketing may assume the dominant position in marketing thinking and application in the near future. This does not mean that traditional marketing will no longer have a role to play. The evidence from a study of the supermarket chain Asda is that its position as the UK number two supermarket brand has been largely achieved by following a traditional marketing approach. Equally, however, market leader Tesco has embraced relationship marketing using its Clubcard to help it build mutually beneficial relationships with its customers. This approach to its marketing has seen Tescos market share and profits continue to grow whilst Asdas have started to decline. On the face of it this would appear to demonstrate that, when it comes to supermarket marketing, the relationship approach is best. However, it is not that simple. The classic four Ps of the marketing mix, Product, Price Place and Promotion, are the cornerstone of traditional marketing with Price and Promotion having been Asdas primary focus. Also, there is an argument that says in the difficult economic times that consumers are currently experiencing then the price and value for money proposition advocated by Asda has more resonance with consumers than ever before. So, which is the most appropriate marketing path for Tesco and Asda to follow or should elements form both disciplines be adopted for optimum effect? This paper analyses the various points of view of both academics and marketing practioners and draws heavily on case study material to draw some conclusions for a possible way forward. Introduction and Background Relationship marketing, which involves the development, growth, and maintenance of long-term, cost-effective, and mutually beneficial relationships between a business and its customers, may be perceived as being a relatively new phenomenon (Grà ¶nroos, 1995). However, this is not the case as its origins actually pre-date the industrial revolution, a time when products were manufactured on a small scale and consumers had direct contact with the manufacturers and merchants from whom they purchased their goods. As industrialisation gathered pace the mass production of goods meant that direct contact between manufacturers and their end customers was no longer practical and middlemen evolved to bridge the gap. This, in turn, resulted in manufacturers becoming distant from their customers and adopting a transactional rather than customer relationship focus to their marketing and selling activities (Sheth and Parvatiyar, 1995). This transactional approach became increasingly sophisticated as marketing developed into a specialist and separate discipline within organisations, alongside the customer services and product quality control functions. The four Ps of marketing mix i.e. Product, Price, Place and Promotion, first muted by Borden (1964), have been a familiar and successful planning and execution framework for traditional marketing practioners since the 1960s. However, this traditional marketing philosophy has been facing an increasingly serious challenge to its dominant position from advocates of relationship-based marketing (Grà ¶nroos, 1995). The introduction of new technologies, such as the internet, has changed the way in which businesses are able to interact with their customers. This, together with the large scale removal of global trading barriers and the increasing homogenisation of consumer attitudes and purchasing behaviour, have all served to fuel what has become known as the globalisation of world markets (Doole, and Lowe, 2008). This new global marketplace for products has necessitated the adoption of new and more effective marketing techniques and concepts by rival businesses striving to compete for the same customers. So rather than rely on traditional marketing techniques, which are based on identifying new prospects, converting them to customers, and completing sales transactions, businesses have increasingly focussed on developing meaningful relationships with their customers in order to both retain their custom and encourage them to spend more. The management of relationship marketing has been greatly facilitated by a change in attitude to the structure of the marketing, customer service and product quality control functions. Rather than these functions being distinct and disintegrated, as is the case in businesses with a traditional marketing focus, relationship marketing integrates these functions to enable the business to get closer to its customers and thus helping it to benefit from increased customer retention, and the nirvana that all businesses strive for, customer loyalty (Fill and Hughes, 2003). Customer loyalty can be defined as a form of repeat purchasing behaviour reflecting a conscious decision to continue buying the same brand. (Solomon et al. 2001, p. 259). Additionally, the financial efficacy of customer retention versus new customer acquisition is well established. Indeed most academic studies on the subject propound the view that the costs of acquiring new customers can be up to five times higher than tho se costs associated with retaining existing customers (Heskett et al., 1994; Webster, 1994; Cespedes, 1995). In the current global marketplace, Jones (1992) believes that businesses have no choice but to build and retain the loyalty of existing customers if they are to survive and grow. Supermarket chains, such as Tesco and Asda, act as a reference point for attitudes to loyalty, with 72% of consumers feeling loyal to at least one organisation operating in the highly competitive supermarket sector, according to a study by the Logic Group, a specialist in loyalty programmes management, and researcher Ipsos MORI (Fernandez, 2009). Tesco Clubcard a key relationship tool Tesco has been the dominant force in supermarket retailing for the last ten years (Seth and Randall, 2001). It remains the market leading supermarket chain in the UK with a 30.4% market share and has, in the early part of 2010, further widened the gap between itself and its arch rival ASDA, a position which has largely been attributed to the success of its recent Clubcard double points promotion (MacDonald, 2010). To succeed, relationship marketing requires the development and maintenance of strong personal relationships with customers. These relationships should include a high degree of mutual interaction and social exchange (Zineldin and Philipson, 2007). Tescos Clubcard is the cornerstone of its customer relationship marketing strategy. Launched in February 1995, Tescos Clubcard gained five million users within its first month of operation and, significantly and somewhat ironically for a loyalty card, 200,000 new customers also joined the scheme (Seth and Randall, 2001). Clubcard works by enabling its users to collect points when shopping at Tesco stores and online at Tesco.com and also at Tescos catalogue store, Tesco Direct. In addition, points can be collected at Tesco petrol stations and by paying for any goods or services using a Tesco credit card. Tesco Clubcard holders can also collect points when making non Tesco purchases, such as paying for gas or electricity through utilities supplier e.on (Tesco website, 2010). These points are then converted into money-off vouch ers for customers to use in store. However, Clubcard is much more than simply a vehicle to reward customer loyalty. By collecting customer data at registration, Clubcard is also a powerful marketing planning tool for Tesco. It enables the retailer to track customer shopping habits, including the products bought and their purchase frequency, thus enabling Tesco to target specific product and service promotions to specific customers, either at the point of sale or at the customers home via direct marketing. Tesco has attracted some criticism for using its loyalty scheme in this way but it argues that it works in the interests of its customers by aiding the business and product development process. Indeed, Tesco Chief Executive, Sir Terry Leahy, states that: We could not have created the dot-com business without the data from the loyalty card (Humby et al, 2007, page 4). As well developing relationships by creating highly targeted and personalised communications for its customers, Tesco has fulfilled another one of the key objectives of relationship marketing with its Clubcard, namely getting its existing customers to purchase more products. For example, using its Clubcard customer data, Tesco can identify possible target customers for its non-food products. It then mails these customers about such products via the medium of its quarterly Clubcard newsletter. This strategy has resulted in half of all Tescos traditional grocery customers also purchasing non food items from the chain (Humby et al, 2007). Data collected from Clubcard users has also been credited with helping to fuel Tescos recent dramatic international expansion with one third of its entire staff now working outside the UK (Humby et al, 2007). Tesco has extended its Clubcard brand into specific customer market segments in order to enhance its relationships with certain groups with a view to increasing sales to those specific customer segments. Clubcard data revealed that families with babies and toddlers who shopped regularly at Tesco did not believe that they could trust the Tesco brand as the best place to buy baby and toddler related products. These customers tended to place their trust in Boots for such products (Humby et al, 2007). A key identified element of successful relationship marketing is trust: The resources of the seller personnel, technology and systems have to be used in such a manner that the customers trust in the resources involved and, thus, in the firm itself is maintained and strengthened (Grà ¶nroos, 1990, p.5) Tesco decided that it needed to specifically address the issue of trust for these customers and created the Tesco baby and toddler club. Membership of the club enables families with babies and toddlers to get double Clubcard points on certain products as well as giving them free parking spaces close to store entrances, a free magazine and access to specialist parenting advice (Tesco baby and toddler club website, 2010). This relationship marketing initiative directly led to an increase of trust in the Tesco brand for baby and toddler products from this market segment and a consequent transfer of market share from Boots. Now Tescos sales volume of baby and toddler products is more than that of Boots and Mothercare combined (Stone et al, 2010). Effective relationship marketing that truly enhances customer relationships and leads to business improvement also requires that the marketing discipline in an organisation transcends all functions and embeds itself in the ethos of the business (Zineldin and Philipson, 2007). Tesco is totally focussed on its customers and information about customer needs and purchasing trends are disseminated to all parts of the organisation not just marketing. Indeed, Tesco claims that everything its does is rooted in customer knowledge (Tesco Careers Website, 2010). So it can be seen that Tescos Clubcard has certainly played a major role in securing and enhancing its market leading position and, as far as contributing to the bottom line is concerned, then there is evidence that it has also generated incremental sales and profits (Humby et al, 2007). Equally it has not caused an increase in overall marketing spend for Tesco as much of the funding for Clubcard has come from the reallocation of resources from other areas of marketing spend, such as TV advertising (Humby et al, 2007). However, it should also be remembered, of course, that Tesco has not completely disowned the traditional marketing concept as its ongoing aggressive price promotions demonstrate. Asda a traditional price-led approach Some academics suggest that here has been a paradigm shift from traditional to relationship marketing (Grà ¶nroos, 1995) and that traditional marketing does not fulfil the requirements demanded by the modern-day marketing concept (Gummesson, 1995, 2000). Kotler (1997), however, argues that the decision whether to use relationship marketing or transactional marketing depends on the industry type and, more importantly, on the needs and wants of the particular consumer. Some consumers will always adopt a short-term attitude in their relationships with suppliers (Zineldin and Philipson, 2007). In these cases traditional marketing based on the transactional approach will always have an important role to play. Asda is the second largest supermarket chain in the UK with around 17% market share (Macdonald, 2010). Its market ambitions are summed up in it mission statement which is to be Britains best value retailer exceeding customer needs always and in its stated purpose which is to make goods and services more affordable for everyone (Times 100, Asda Case Study, 2010, p.34). Asda has recognised the fickle nature of some consumers relationships with their supermarkets and acknowledges that the purchasing motivation of those consumers will always be based on obtaining best value (Zineldin and Philipson, 2007). Asda has, therefore, consistently adopted a transactional approach to its marketing by focussing heavily on two of the four Ps of the marketing mix advocated by traditionalists namely, Price and Promotion. Asda has built its market position around price and value for money, supporting these propositions through heavyweight TV advertising with its TV commercials having now propounded the virtues of Asda price for well over thirty years. Asdas strategic communications director, Nick Agarwal, defends Asdas traditional marketing approach, which focuses on attracting new customers and increasing transactions through its price and value led proposition, by stating that the current economic times dictate this type of offer in the supermarket sector. He says : Our internal data suggests that people are still very nervous about what will happen on the economic front this year. We need to make sure we serve new customers as well as those who are still feeling financially challenged, especially with the increase in VAT and public sector cuts that are to come. We are very conscious that value is still going to be at the heart of what people want in the coming 18 months.'(Costa, 2010). However, whilst Asda has enjoyed considerable success with its traditional marketing strategy, there are now indications that its approach has failed to reverse a slow decline in sales. According to research from Kantar Worldpanel, Asdas sales have fallen by 0.4% in the second quarter of 2010 and its market share has dropped by 1.7% to 16.9% in the same period (Baker, 2010). Asda seems determined to continue to pursue its traditional approach but independent observers are urging the chain to change to reflect new consumer attitudes. Ed Garner, retail analyst at Kantar Worldpanel says. The market has changed considerably and now consumers feel there is more to life than low prices (Baker, 2010). There are even dissenting voices within Asdas own ranks with Asdas new marketing director Jon Owen believing that the supermarket chain must cease its blinkered focus on traditional price-led marketing in order to compete more effectively (Baker, 2010). Asda has, however, made some concessions to relationship marketing through its corporate social responsibility initiatives. These include community involvement projects through its Asda Foundation (Your Asda website, 2010) and the provision of credit to those customers who have been refused credit by other lenders (Hemingway, 2002). However, it would seem that there are still strong forces inside and outside the business questioning whether or not a predominantly traditional marketing approach remains a viable strategy for future success. Summary and Conclusions From the evidence of two contrasting case studies it is apparent that both traditional and relationship marketing have proven to be appropriate for business success within the supermarket retail sector. However, there are indications that consumers are now beginning to expect more than just low prices and value for money from their shopping experience, they have also demonstrated a desire to engage in a meaningful relationship with their supermarket of choice. This relationship, if managed effectively by the supermarket chain, can increase customer loyalty and can encourage customers to their purchasing behaviour for specific product segments, as well as generating incremental sales from new and existing customers. Tesco, has also shown that a customer relationship strategy based on the development of mutually beneficial relationships can, and indeed does, positively impact the bottom line. Asda, for its part appears to be the subject of a struggle between the opposing forces of traditional and relationship marketing. However, this need not be the case. There is no reason why both disciplines should be in opposition. Even if there is a shift towards relationship marketing, many academics believe that traditional marketing, in terms of the four Ps of the marketing mix, remains valid in all types of businesses including supermarket retailing. The argument being that if a business does not have the right price, product promotion or place (distribution) for its products then it will be impossible for it to enter into a mutually beneficial relationship with its customers (Zineldin, and Philipson, 2007). There is, therefore, strong evidence to suggest that a mix of both the traditional and relationship approach is the most appropriate for the Supermarket sector in the UK. Tesco has achieved this balance but Asda has yet to fully embrace the value of relationship marketing acting alongside a more traditional approach. The view that it needs to do this and quickly in order to grow its business appears to be gathering momentum.

Death of a Salesman :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is late evening and the sun is about to set on old highway 53 heading south from Yonkers to home. Willy driving in is car, continuously thinking to himself, what he his going to do about all his problems. You see Willy is down on himself about his success in life. He thinks to himself that he could be better known and make more money to pay off his bills. As Willy is driving down the road it becomes hard for him to concentrate on the road as he thinks more and more about the good things that had not happened to him. Willy is going home to a wife that loves him very much and two sons who care about him like two sons should even though they have caused a lot of stress on Willy. Once young adults grow up and you get through to them they usually will come around and be a productive considerate member of society. Willy thought long and hard the rest of the twenty minuet drive about nothing but negative things. Willy has a lot of positive things going for him, and at the moment he can’t grasp them. He pulls up to his home and gathers his briefcase with files of sales and heads to the front door. (Scene 1 begins)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Linda in the morning of her husband’s death whom she still loves very much is finding it hard for herself to go on with her life. She knows she has her boys who love her very much and are going to be there for her. She sits and thinks how hard Willy worked for them to own that house and know she sees no reason to go on with here life. The community came together to encourage Linda to carry on and with this she meet a lot of people. She is know seeing someone a little younger than her, but he his in the house to comfort her. She thinks what it would have been like with Willy still there or if he his watching right know. The two sons are doing well know, they are both out west working hard in the construction business and make a point to visit mom and the grave of Willy Loman, there hard working stressed father. They all think to themselves if he where here know he could have been able to enjoy himself hopefully.

Identify the Different Reasons People Communicate

I am of the opinion that as a child practitioner an essential part of our work role will involve actively seeking to evolve and where apt build relationships. Consequently having a significant impact on children and young people’s lives. As quoted, (Children and young peoples workforce, early and child care book 2010) there are a number of reasons why people communicate which are to:Build relationshipsThe ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of people is a vital factor in working towards building relationships that may flourish and enable the gaining of confidence and trust. For example in working with some young children who may have difficulty expressing themselves, an array of emotions could be displayed, i. e. Frustration, aggression, anxiety and withdrawal. As a practitioner, it would therefore be important to be patient, approachable, non judgmental and a good listener. It is also good to be creative in terms of engagement recognising the different needs of young people.Maintaining relationshipsI am of a view that open communication and a positive attitude can support the maintenance of relationships. I feel it is therefore important to assess your own attitudes and values to ensure this doesn’t impact on others, hence have a willingness to challenge any arising issues in a professional manner. Conflict may arise in a working relationship. It would be important to be sensitive and allow feelings to be aired, but actively seek where apt to resolve a situation instead of dwelling on the issue.Gain and share informationWorking in partnership with young people, families, work colleagues and professional bodies is the foundation for enabling effective service delivery. The gaining and sharing of information where appropriate enables the identification of need and appropriate support. I. e. Child protection issue, discussed on a need to know basis, the aim being to protect the safety and well being of the child.Gain reassurance and acknowledgementIt is important to have an awareness of others and the different ways you can provide support. I. e. praising a child or your colleague , being a listening ear, giving constructive feedback and being approachable. This stance can elevate confidence and vision. Express needs and feelings It is important for young people and colleagues feel that they can express their needs and feelings without being judged or discriminated against. Consequently I feel it is important for a practitioner where appropriate to put aside their personal judgements to facilitate others and provide them with an opportunity to be heard and supported. For example this stance can allow others to find their voice and raise self esteem.Share ideas and thoughtsI am of an opinion that sharing ideas and thoughts is an essential part of communication. It can foster a better understanding of each other and issues promoting respect, confidence and new approaches. In working in a team or with young people it can enable the forming of new relationships creating better working practices and pro change and more productive outcomes. 1. 2 Explain how communication affects relationships in the work setting In order for communication to be effective within a work setting it is essential to establish and sustain good relationships with a diverse range of people and agencies. Within a work setting, poor communication can lead to a number of factors, i. . low moral, mistrust, anger, anxiety and isolation. If communication issues are not resolved outcomes can be absences, high staff turnover, and ineffective service delivery, which impacts on the service users. It is imperative to keep the lines of communication open to build strong relations. Awareness of your body language, tone of voice, proximity, cultural differences, individual needs and being non judgmental can foster good relationships. Accordingly in working with colleagues regular supervision/team meetings and training can promote understanding and better work ethics. In working with children and young people it is important to be able to engage with them (as outlined in unit 1. 2). During the settling in and transitioning period great consideration needs to be given to identify any barriers to communication and plan appropriate support for themselves and parents. I. e. key working, ESOL identifying any internal or external resources that may be applicable. I am of the belief that taking such steps to improve working practices can make children, young people and their parents feel that they have been heard and supported.

Aztec and City

Jarrett Barber Mr. Slaughter 11/16/12 Tenochtitlan Tenochtitlan was the main city and capital of the Aztec empire. The city was founded in 1325 when the Aztec emperor told some of his tribes to look for a spot for their new capital city. He told them that the spot for the city would be found when they saw an eagle eating a snake on top of a cactus. This symbol is now on the Mexican coat of arms and on the Mexican flag (King). The tribes wondered around in what is now present day Mexico City, looking for this strange site. They finally came to the spot where they saw the scene.It happened on a small island in the middle of Lake Texacco. All of the surrounding area of the lake was all swamp land, but because they saw the eagle there, that’s where the city was to be built. The construction of Tenochtitlan took place under the rule of four different Aztec kings. They laid out the construction plans for the city on a grid, making the building of the city much easier and run smoothe r. The city was linked to the mainland by three raised causeways; the three different causeways pointed north, west, and south.The raised causeways had bridges in the middle of them to allow canoes and other traffic underneath; the bridges could also be raised up in case of an attack. The city had two aqueducts that were 2. 5 miles long to supply fresh water from the springs of Chapultepec, though most of this water was used for bathing, washing dishes, and other various reasons (Stearns). Most of the Tenochtitlan population bathed twice every day, but ruler Montezuma was rumored to bathe as many as 4 times a day.The people preferred their drinking water from the nearby mountain springs, as it was much cleaner. When it was at its biggest point, Tenochtitlan covered a little more than five square miles. And at the height of its existence, Tenochtitlan’s population was approximately 150,000 people (closely comparable to the size of the population of the city of Cordoba). Tenoch titlan was the largest city in Mesoamerica, but also one of the largest in the world (Tenochtitlan). The only two cities larger than this at the time were Paris and Constantinople which had populations of 300,000.The language of the city was Nahuatl, it was spoken throughout the Aztec empire. The people also practiced Aztec religion, the religion consisted of human sacrifice and religious festivals. Gods of different elements were worshiped and given sacrifices. Human sacrifices were given to the sun god in fear that the sun might not rise the next morning (Stearns). Templo Mayor was the largest temple in Tenochtitlan, it was rebuilt 6 different times (King). The temple first went under construction in 1325, in succession with the rest of the city.Each time it was rebuilt, it grew slightly larger. The temple was dedicated to 2 different gods,  Tlaloc, god of rain and agriculture, and Huitzilopochtli, god of war. Each god had its own separate temple at the top. In 1427 Aztec empero r Ahuitzotl sacrificed tens of thousands of people in the span of 4 days in honor of the temple.. The organization of the city was that of a city-state, with an organized central region. Agriculture was a thriving practice in Tenochtitlan. Because there was no room for it in the city, chinampas were developed.Chinampas were fields created on floating platforms on the lake’s surface. Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes visited the city in 1519 and was amazed. Cortes and his men were in awe at the sight of the city. They were greeted by the Aztecs with gifts and food. Despite the hospitality, Cortes challenged the Aztecs and took emperor Montezuma hostage. The Aztecs declared war and drove the Spaniards out in 1520. Cortes led later attacks on the city but most of the population was wiped by diseases that the Spaniards had brought.The city finally fell to the Spaniards in 1521. The city was demolished and rebuilt to what is now Mexico City. There are still ruins of Tenochtitlan that can still be seen today in central Mexico City. Works Cited Stearns, Peter et al. World Civilizations. 3rd ed. New York. Pearson Longman, 2000. â€Å"Tenochtitlan. † Retrieved from https://www. courses. psu. edu/anth/anth008_cmg149/aten. html King, Heidi. â€Å"Tenochtitlan†. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (October 2004) Retrieved from http://www. metmuseum. org/toah/hd/teno_1/hd_teno_1. htm (October 2004)

Sources of Power in Leadership

The chairman of Shell Australia, Russell Caplan, has had many careers since graduating from Melbourne University in 1968—but all in one company. Most recently, Caplan led the restructuring of the company’s oil and chemical distribution and marketing into a global business from late 2004. Shell Australia’s profit before interest and tax increased almost 70 per cent, to $1. 23 billion, in 2005 after reforms at Victoria’s Geelong and Sydney’s Clyde refineries added to oil and gas production profits. But Caplan is facing a considerable test in helping Shell’s Gorgon gas joint-venture partners gain final approval from the WestAustralian Government for the project, after concerns were raised by the WA Environmental Protection Agency. Here is what he says: ‘In all of my time with Shell, the one constant is change. I say to my people, â€Å"You had better get used to it because that’s the way we work. † The contribution I can make is to express things as simply and clearly as I can. People react positively if they are shown a clear way forward—it doesn’t have to be a new or profoundly brilliant way; it just has to be clear. I find people have difficulty with priority setting, so giving them some guidance makes it legitimate to focus on ome things more than others. ‘When it comes to the challenges of depletion of natural resources and reducing emissions facing the oil industry, the first thing is to recognise sustainable development as a fundamental part of our philosophy. Triple-bottom-line reporting is real for us, not just talk. We would not be involved with the Gorgon project unless we could meet the social and environmental consequences too. I have personal targets associated with my remuneration. Triple-bottom-line reporting is embedded in our company, and that sometimes makes me a little sharp with some people who wish to take he view that we are big industry and therefore we couldn ’t recognise those issues. ‘I have been continually surprised and pleased by the opportunities that I have had at Shell, and many were not of my choosing. If I said, when I joined in 1968, â€Å"I could have planned this,† that would be fatuous. I think that you should have two principles. The first is do the best you can. It annoys me when people focus on what they are going to do next rather than what they are doing now. I am very attracted to someone who delivers a little more than they say they are going to deliver, a little faster and is very etermined to succeed at what they are currently doing. That is the greatest indicator of what they can do. You also need a sense of good and bad. If you want to be in a legitimate business, Shell is a good place to be. There is a lot of good in Shell †¦ it’s not perfect, but there’s a lot of good and it gives you opportunities. ‘In terms of my leadership style, I can think of a number of influen ces. I learned the importance of pushing yourself and doing the best you can do. I learnt from former Shell executive and Rio Tinto chairman Paul Skinner the benefit of clarity, consistency and moderation.I have also learnt something remarkable from my wife; that is, the ability to stick to core values and express them simply. ‘Finally, I am conscious of the fact that I have come back to Australia after ten years away, and it is critically important to my effectiveness as a leader to reconnect with the Australian community, because my role as a leader is to bridge outside and inside. You get very remote if you are living away and following Australia by Internet, as opposed to smelling the dust—and seeing the pain of St Kilda losing. ’ Russell Caplan Position: Chairman Organisation: Shell AustraliaStaff: 3200 Direct reports: Four Time in position: Four months Time in company: 39 years Activities for discussion, analysis and further discussion 1 Would you consider Russell Caplan to be an effective leader? Why? What characteristics of effective leadership do you identify in him from the case material above? 2 What characteristics does he appear to value in subordinates who he believes will be promotable? 3 Would you be prepared to work for this manager? Why? Source: Adapted from Tandukar, A. 2006, The good oil, Business Review Weekly, John Fairfax Holdings Limited, 22 June, p. 44.