Frank O’Conner: My Oedipus Complex

Everyone shows traces of the little green monster, known as jealousy, but some more than others. This specific trait has had a huge effect on the world over time, sometimes destroying, sometimes rebuilding trust, friendships, and even business opportunities. Jealousy is an extremely prominent element in most of Frank O'Connor's writings and is often shown through different literary concepts such as conflict, characterization, and obsessive love.In writing â€Å"My Oedipus Complex†, O'Connor investigates the issue of jealousy through the various actions of his characters and the conflicts they get themselves tangled in, more importantly the ones involving their childlike obsessive love. To fully understand O'Connor's stories, you first have to delve deep into his background. Frank O'Connor was born in Cork, Ireland, on September 17, 1903 to Michael and Minnie O'Donovan. He was born under the name of Michael O’Donovan, but later created the pseudonym â€Å"Frank Oâ€℠¢Connor† that he would use for all of his writings (Gale).It was there in Cork that he experienced the horrors and distress of living in poverty. Even when the family had a small amount of money, O'Connor's father would regularly go out on drinking sprees and return home violent and cruel (Gale). O'Connor, being the only son, learned to help provide for his mother when his father's priorities fell short. O'Connor's education was minimal as he only attended formal school for a short period of time. Although, even after he couldn't afford it any longer, he continued to further his education by reading widely and often (Contemporary).Under the guidance and instruction of Daniel Corkey, O'Connor's biggest influence, he joined the Irish Republican Army. He fought against the British even after a treaty was signed ending the war in 1921 (Gale). O'Connor was then arrested and imprisoned for his involvement in abiding the fight (Gale). During his time in prison, O'Connor continued to educate himself until his release in 1923 and formed many of the ideas that he would use in his future short stories. After he was released from prison in 1923, O’Connor held various teaching posts at American Universities. He then went back to Ireland and worked as a librarian.Being a librarian and educator suited O'Connor well because he could never put down a book and he was eager to share his knowledge with the rest of the world, especially the day's youth. O’Connor continued to write and teach upon his return to Ireland and until his death, caused by a heart attack, on March 10, 1966 in Dublin. Although there were many worldly issues happening at the time â€Å"My Oedipus Complex† was written, O'Connor often chooses personal reminiscences over focusing on bigger, withstanding issues. â€Å"†¦ nothing that can be identified as social or political about ‘My Oedipus Complex'†¦ † (Literature Resource Center).Many of O'Connor's other stori es, however, were saturated with the conundrums of his time. In â€Å"My Oedipus Complex†, Larry is forced to face the fact that now that his father has returned from the war, Larry is no longer his mother's first priority. This goes on to include the Irish Republican Army in O'Connor's past. Also, World War I was touched on lightly. The first conflict in â€Å"My Oedipus Complex† is an extremely obvious one. The main conflict occurs between a young boy, Larry, and his father. For as long as Larry can remember, he has been living with only his mother because his father was a soldier in World War I (O'Connor 337).While Larry was living with solely his mother, he was treated almost as an adult (O'Connor 343). Mother would often have long talks with her son in the mornings about the events that would occur later that day and what was running through her young child’s head. When father returns home, it is pure chaos between him and his only son as the morning ritual is interrupted and soon becomes forgotten. It is all that Mother can do to settle the constant bickering between her only son and her husband. It is impossible for her to choose a side because they both have such significant roles in her life.Father often treats Larry as if he were merely the child that he really is, while Larry, used to being treated fairly in his own home, believes that he is much more mature than his father (O'Connor 343). Larry was fully convinced that Father didn't deserve Mother's love and affection nearly as much as him, so naturally Larry did all that he could to prevent him from getting it. Larry felt that Father was too conceited for his own good and every time he spoke, Father’s words agitated Larry beyond belief (O'Connor 346). In other words, he saw Father as a self-absorbed, immature fool (O'Connor 340).These observations made Larry realize how much he hated Father at the time, but his attitude towards his father would soon change for the bette r. For the time being, Larry, as he was only five and not getting his own way, was full of spite as soon as Father got home. He even kicked Father a couple times the next morning so that he could lie in the bed next to Mother instead of Father (O'Connor 344-345). This angered Father and flared up his reclusive anger towards his son. Father didn't want to let his son or his wife know that he was getting impatient, but Larry was starting to see that all his little annoyances were starting to add up.It was becoming more and more obvious to both Larry and his mother that Father was not at all pleased with Larry's actions. Larry would often catch Father glaring at him from the corner of his eye and referred to him as â€Å"a mountain out for murder† (O'Connor 346). All the tension within the family was starting to affect everyone in the household. â€Å"That settled it. Either Father or I would have to leave the house† (O’Connor 343). When the new baby (Sonny) is bor n, Father is thrown into the same position as Larry. Mother is suddenly ignoring not only Larry, but Father, too (O'Connor 349).Father seeks solace in Larry, climbing into bed with him and complaining about Sonny, and the two of them bond this way. Finally, an understanding is reached. Father is sympathetic towards Larry now that he knows what his son has been through because he has been going through the exact same thing ever since Sonny was born. Father even ends up buying Larry an expensive train set for Christmas because now he understands how it feels to be forgotten in the midst of other people. The unique way that O'Connor develops his characters has a prominent effect on the way he tells his story.Since Larry is the main character, he has the most divergent traits. He often expresses an astounding level of maturity, but after Father returns from the war, he often thinks about how there is a lot that he doesn't understand (O'Connor 342). Larry's lack of understanding is most noticable when he thinks about how things were when it was just him and Mother at home and compares it to how they are now that Father is back. Larry, being just a young boy, did not have very much patience or understanding for what was going on and he didn't like that Father was seemingly stealing Mother away from him (O'Connor 342).Growing up, O'Connor did not have a good relationship with his father, so he used that to supplement this story in particular. In addition to growing up without a positive father figure O'Connor had to take on a role of responsibility because of his father's alcoholism. In â€Å"My Oedipus Complex†, Larry makes it clear that he feels that he is the more mature figure in his mother's life. â€Å"I had been through it all myself, and even at that age I was magnanimous† (O'Connor 349). Because of this, Larry also thinks that he is more deserving of his mother's attention, care, and love.The young boy viewed himself as responsible for his moth er's health and did not like it when Father came home and Mother was worried and concerned all the time (O'Connor 339). Although Larry saw himself as older and wiser than he really was, he had a very rich imagination. In the mornings, before he went upstairs to his mother's room, Larry would let Mrs. Left and Mrs. Right, his feet, have various discussions regarding the day's events (O'Connor 338). When Father returned home, Mother became instantly anxious and no longer had time for their morning talks (Website).Her concern for Father was overpowering her love for her only son, which again, fits in well with O'Connor's background and childhood. Larry becomes extremely upset when he starts to think that his father has seemingly taken his place in his mother's life. When he notices that Mother is becoming overwhelmingly concerned for Father, Larry quickly realizes that he despises seeing Mother this way (Website). When Father had finally returned from the war, instead of celebrating li ke they should have, Mother became extremely worried about Father's physical health (O'Connor 339).She was also concerned about his mental health because of the trauma he had endured. Larry was upset about this for two reasons, the first being that he didn't like seeing his mother anxious and worried. When she was upset, so was he (Gale). The second reason was that Larry didn't like that thought that his father was seemingly replacing him as his mother's first priority. Because of all these tensions, Larry felt that he had to make sure that Father knew he wasn't just going to give up the fight. Larry was openly willing to fight against his father for Mother's affection (O'Connor 347).He thought that Mother was with Father only because he was forcing her to be. With this in mind, Larry knew that he had to get Mother out of Father's grasp. By doing this, Larry felt that he was â€Å"rescuing† his mother in a way (O'Connor 347). â€Å"'I'm going to marry you. ‘ I said qui etly [to Mother]† (O'Connor 347). In his many short stories, specifically My Oedipus Complex, O'Connor creates conflict, a lugubrious family, and distinct character traits to interpret the theme of jealousy into the plot of his story.He also uses those three concepts as an insight to his background and childhood. Even though O'Connor doesn't have very many cultural influences over his writings, he makes sure that there are some working forces behind them. The only thing that differentiates O'Connor's writings from any other author's writings is that instead of have cultural influences, O'Connor has personal influences. He often uses his own life as a supplement to his fictional stories. O'Connor does a wonderful job of piecing together the small parts of his mind and connecting them into his writings.

Monopoly †economics Essay

A monopoly exists when it has total control over a particular market and controls the supply and demand for that particular good or service. An oligopoly is a structure of a market in which only a few companies own or control the industry There are natural monopolies in the economy as well which are necessary to keep the economy progressing. Oligopolies exist because of the control over the supply of a good or service is in the hands of only a select few. They can influence the prices as well as the competition. The first monopolies began over discrepancies over natural resources. Before there was government regulation the resources that were once widely available to the population were controlled by the likes of elite, rich men. These conflicts over natural resources caused the government to regulate the resources by gathering and distributing them to the public. This regulation was put into place to reduce aggression between the company and the customers while balancing the supply and demand through different companies. Natural monopolies, on the other hand, do exist. These natural monopolies are those that have been in place for a long time and cannot be easily replaced. An example of these monopolies is a public utility such as water or electric service. It is much more costly to use multiple companies for a utility is much more costly as a whole than allowing the monopoly to continue. Waterlines and electrical towers that have been built and maintained for years would be difficult to destroy or remove from the land. In an oligopoly market, the companies set the prices and work together to control the markets to block new competitors from entering the market. The way these companies compete is through advertising and campaigns to get the most loyalty from the public. By using one another they can create supply and demand for their product or service. With government regulation these few powers can also be controlled like a monopoly would be. From a laissez faire view, monopolies and oligopolies will self-correct and be naturally eliminated. For instance, Microsoft Corporation controlled the operating system market since releasing in 1985. Microsoft’s operating systems, which once solely dominated the market, now compete with Apple’s MacOS. These two companies competing have now formed an oligopolistic market. In conclusion, it is in the best interest in the government to prevent monopolies from existing. When monopolies exist they decrease the incentive to for other companies to be successful in the market. Keeping the market competitive will drive companies to create new technology and use their inventiveness to improve the economy. Only under certain circumstances should a monopoly exist and that is of a natural monopoly, and when they do they ought to be regulated by the government. Even though the government can set laws and regulations for oligopolies, it still leaves plenty of room for monopolistic activities and uneven market share.

Analysis Of Todays Consumerism Anthropology Essay

Everlasting consumerism has shaped the manner twenty-first century landscape looks like. It creates limitless demand of merchandises and shops in any possible infinite. Retail design is responsible to change over this possible infinite into a ‘consumerism infinite ‘ . It is where people encounter strong force to see and purchase merchandises. A perfect illustration to demo grounds exists in manner universe. There is strong indicant of tense competition happens between dressing industry to win the market. In relation to that, the shop has become one cardinal facet or instead a strong statement to make trade name consciousness among public. The inquiry arise is how, in a comparatively over-saturated market, a shop can be perchance designed to convey strong message to pull the ‘crowd of consumerism ‘ into the infinite.1.1. Consumerism TodayThe thought of consuming has changed over the past decennaries. Back to the early human civilisation period, most of the acti vities were needs-driven actions. Earlier, as huntsman gatherer, human hunted animate beings to be able to eat. Followed by agricultural period, agriculture and works cultivation were done to bring forth their nutrient. Consuming was a mere activity that must be done in order to last. In Industrial and technological age, the manner people consume things has changed. As more diverse merchandise being produced and diverse ways of distribution being invented, there are pleasure factors of devouring in signifier of picks. Peoples find excitement in taking what they want to devour. This leads to modern consumerism where the construct of consuming goes beyond the demands of endurance.1.2.Shopping as Modern ConsumerismShopping is the twenty-first century ‘s representation of human consumerism. Peoples find delectations surrounded by scope of different stores and trade names. To be able to take and compares is the high spot of modern life consumerism. In signifiers of choosing, purcha sing, and utilizing, shopping has catered these demands. Shopping can be seen as in a positive manner of carry throughing people ‘s demands and wants. But seemingly, it has developed so fast, in footings of activity, infinite, and merchandises. And over the past decennaries, it becomes major facet in human life. Museums, libraries, airdromes, infirmaries, and schools are going progressively identical from shopping. Their acceptance of retail for endurance has unleashed an tremendous moving ridge of commercial entrapment that has transformed museumgoers, research workers, travellers, patients, and pupils into clients ( Koolhaas cited in Luna, 2005, p.26 ) Shopping is arguably the most cosmopolitan activity today. The manner interior decorator design infinite has to follow this thought every bit good. Space has to be designed in such a manner to suit this, to enable people to shop anyplace, anytime.1.3.The Being of Fashion RetailFashion retail possibly is the best illustration to portray the modern consumerism. It shows how people thirstily choose what they wear under the limelight of diverse manner trade names. If the instance is taken to a higher degree, it demonstrates evidently how people determinations are led by pick alternatively of demands. High category manner trade names such as LMVH, Gucci, and Prada exist to function beyond people ‘s demand of vesture. They meet people ‘s desire for picks for scope of luxury merchandises.1.4.Fashion of SingaporeSingapore cityscape pictures clearly the being of international manner trade names. They, so, has become one strong attractive force point of Singapore for both local cos tumiers and tourers. Singapore is one of the chief competition spheres for these elephantine manner trade names in Asia. To be able to run into clients ‘ demand, every trade name has to come up with high-end design for its retail. Design and engineerings are optimized in its usage to hike the shopping experience that lead to trade name consciousness. All these things have to be done so that people will take certain trade name and non others. Orchard Road is a good illustration picturing the competition among these trade names. Interior design, facade intervention, show engineerings are being optimized to pull walkers along the route.2.Retail MetempsychosisPeoples find pleasances in taking what they want. Retail has two different attacks in response to the demand. First, they must be able to supply a scope of merchandises for clients to take. Second, the retail itself capable to competition. That means it is besides considered one of so many picks in the market. In this affair, the retail has to turn out to the market that it is deserving chosen. The trade name, the merchandises, and the shop has to work together to stand out and creates strong consciousness in the market place. Retail has to rebirth, go forthing old conservative manner of advancing trade names, and making fresh interaction between merchandises and clients.2.1.Brand ManifestationWith a strong competition in the manner market, a strong typical image of a trade name is required to make public consciousness. The instance is non lone competition among merchandises but besides continues to the environment where the merchandises being promoted. At this phase, a shop has become cardinal tool for the trade name to make its images. A flagship shop is designed to represents the individuality of the trade name so. For new clients, the shop become the first things that attracts them before they go farther down to the merchandises being offered or even before they see the window shows.2.1.1.Design for the Trade namesArchitecture and interior design are responsible to make environment to present merchandises to clients. Fashion retail, irrespective of manner, tendencies, or trade name individuality, should be able to make client consciousness and excite them to come and take it alternatively of other stores. This is the cardinal map of retail design before it goes down into a deeper and more specific case-based map. On higher degree, the designer or interior interior decorator must understand the nature of cloth and how single manner interior decorator, that is being represented, has their personal technique to handle it. This alone quality is the 1 that gives character to a trade name. The character, so, must be translated into the infinite in order to make strong statement of the trade name.2.1.2.Emphasizing Fictional characterIn order to be typical in an over-crowded market, a strong character of the trade name is required. This character is projected from the manner the trade name transport itself to the market. It consists of scope of merchandises and service being offered, and the environment of where the commercial activities take topographic point. Retail design has to be able to make the ambiance that span clients and merchandises. The shop acts as a bundle and shelter, literally and metaphorically, to the trade name. The character will merely be emphasized if there is integrity between the trade name, the merchandise, and the shop.2.1.3.Characterizing StructureA shop as a physical shelter might be more than plenty to envelope the commercial activity go oning under it. But in manner universe, it goes farther than functionality. More than merely a topographic point to expose the merchandise and supplying circulation for people to walk and shop the merchandise, the retail has to associate itself to the merchandise and the company doctrine. In other words, the shop has to set up relation, in signifier and intent, with the apparels. The physical constr uction, that provide commercial environment, has to intermix in with the apparels and make overall integrity. Merely by this manner, the client will see the bigger image of the trade name, and non loose pieces of the trade names. One ideal illustration of harmoniousness between trade name and shop is shown in Calvin Klein shop located in Avenue Montaigne, Paris. Its shop, designed by John Pawson in 2002, made a good illustration of how the character of the apparels -especially the early Calvin Klein ‘s work- has been translated into the retail infinite. ( Klein ) has said â€Å" It ‘s of import non to confound simpleness with uninteresting, † and executes his simplified, refined, sportswear-based forms in epicurean natural fibres, †¦( Stegemeyer, 2004, p.130 ) It is the thought of simpleness that is systematically conveyed through the trade name, merchandises, and shop. Straight lines and clear infinite sequences brings out the lucidity of the apparels, making a clean and elusive atmosphere of the shop. The coveted simpleness atmosphere is reinforced through impersonal coloring material that is achieved by stuffs and illuming installing.2.2.Design DifferentiationA character manifestation to a infinite is inevitability necessities to make strong trade name consciousness. However, irrespective of the trade name that is being represented, manner shop can be typical by itself. It is a 2nd measure after set uping strong representation of the trade name. This is about different attack from the experience side, researching the interaction between merchandises and clients in a conducive controlled environment. In other word, it redefines the manner people shop inside a shop, making a fresh shopping experience.2.2.1.New Fashion Stores FundamentalWi th Singapore landscape that has been over-crowded with shopping promenades and retail shops, the creative activity of retail shop should be more carefully considered. When the market is driven by consumerism, the rate of retail formation will go on to lift up. However, any retail creative activity should see avoiding similar add-on to the bing scene that might make impregnation to market. It is a scheme to hedge the similarity and, at the same clip, open up a opportunity to stand out in the market place. To turn to the issues, the shop must provide certain factors in its design attack in malice of the trade name it conveys.2.2.2.Flexible Frequent SpaceRetails should be able to update themselves often. It has to be able to accommodate to new merchandises, seasonality, and client tendencies. There is a high degree of experimentation in retail design. It relates to manner, and manner alterations invariably, is surprising and wants to make experiences ( de Wild, 2009, p.14 ) In progress degree, apart from the impermanent things, it has to alter in order to make different interaction between clients and merchandise in each brush. In other word it needs to switch, non merely in footings of layout, but in a bigger shop strategy. By using this construct, it is non merely the window shows that change every clip new merchandises are launched, but the whole shop represent the show that able to alter wholly. The thought can be achieved by using modular system for the furniture, puting digital multimedia interface, utilizing less heavy fixed show furniture, and put ining replaceable illuming systems.2.2.3.Centre of Social ActivitiesThe new construct of retail shop is non simply about providing commercial activities -selling, advertisement, and purchasing. It is to integrate retail infinite and communal infinite to be a societal meeting point. With the planetary tendency of denationalization, I think we are most interested in the thought of shopping as a new sort of public infinite. How can we enrich these experiences? Can we convey new content, information, thoughts and ocular experiences to shopping in a thoughtful and dynamic manner? ( Seller, 2009, p. 23 ) The thought is to ease people do many other animating activities in their shopping clip. This thought can be done by open-space construct shop, creative activity of different communal infinites inside the shop, and even distribution between merchandise show and cosmetic points -plants, resting furniture, etc. The ideal integrating of societal infinite and commercial infinite is when people are able to rest and relief without any force per unit area to purchase while they are unconsciously take pleasance in the merchandises and tempted to purchase.2.2.4.Cultural RelevanceLocal relevance is of import to do a shop appears hospitable. Establishing relation with the local civilization is important to associate the planetary trade name to smaller local market. Selling merchandises is non about pelting possible clients with the planetary merchandises. Alternatively, it has to be relevant to the context and understand local clients. This can be manifested through adaptative re-use of local l andmark as retail infinite, redevelopment of historical aged edifice, and design merger between trade name character and local civilization. The new construct shop is about being able to unite the attraction of the trade name with local gustatory sensation to make strong invitation and besides sense of belonging to clients. The design attack mentioned above can be applied into a shop regardless of trade names and merchandises. The intent is to make new manner of shopping. Back to the statement before where people find satisfaction to be able to take, it is how the choosing activity can be more valuable and rich in experience. When this attack merged with the trade name character, it becomes a holistic bundle that convey strongly to the market place. The mission is accomplished when people find delight in choosing and be able to trustingly take the trade name.3. DecisionThe consumerism-driven market will do people enthusiastically choose the merchandises they want. With an over-saturated market in Singapore, an unconventional design is required to for a manner retail to be typical and therefore, win the market. First, the shop has to attest the trade name that it represents. The shop design must convey the trade name and merchandises philosophy to make holistic image and strong trade name consciousness. Second, in footings experience, it must make refreshing and enriching manner of shopping. In effort to accomplish the experience, shop demands to be designed with consideration of three attacks ( flexible frequent infinite, centre of societal activities, and cultural relevancy ) . The new retail shop requires changeless altering in order to supply up to day of the month shopping experience for clients. A shop has to be a societal assembly more than a commercial topographic point, supplying a placid customer-oriented ambiance. Additionally, it is necessary for a shop to hold a connexion with local context and make a sense of belonging in clients mind.BibliographyAntonini, Alessandra. 2008.Design Boutiques. Barcelona: LinkssDesign Council, 2009.Retail Design. [ Online ] ( Updated 26 Oct 2008 )Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.designcouncil.org.uk/About-Design/Design-Disciplines/Retail-Design/ [ Accessed 17 January 2010 ]de Wild, Femke. 2009. Retail Future.FRAME. Issue 69, Jul/Aug, p.14.EnterpriseOne, 2009.Recent Retail Trends & A ; Future Developments. [ Online ] ( Updated 01 Jan 2010 )Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.business.gov.sg/EN/Industries/Retail/StatisticsNTrends/FactsFiguresNTrends/retail_overview_trends.htm [ Accessed 12 January 2010 ]Harvard Design School. 2001.The Harvard Design School Guide to Shoping. Cambridge: TaschenPawson, John.Calvin Klein Store Paris[ Photographs ] [ Online ]Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.johnpawson.com/architecture/stores/calvinklein/paris [ Accessed 5 April 2010 ]Luna, Ian. 2005.Retail. Architecture + Shoping. New York: RizzoliManuelli, Sara. 2006.Design for Shoping. London: Laurence KingMostaedi, Arian. 2004.Cool Shops. Singapore: Page OnePawley, Martin. 2000. Fashion + Architecture. London: Wiley-AcademyRiewoldt, Otto. 2000.Retail Design.London: Page One2002. Brandscaping. Berlin: BirkhauserSellers, Susan. 2009. 2Ãâ€"4, Inc on interview with Idn.Idn vol 15 figure 6,pp.22-23.Singapore Department of Statistic. 2009. Yearbook of Statistics Singapore.Statisticss Singapore[ Internet ] ( Updated 13 Aug 2009 )Available at:www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/reference/yos09/yos2009.pdf [ Accessed 10 January 2010 ] .Stegemeyer, Anne. 2004.Who ‘s Who in Fashion. New York: Fairchild Publication.

Workplace Diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Workplace Diversity - Essay Example Therefore, it has developed a need to ensure that individuals understand and accept each other since it is diversity, which has been determined as a necessary factor for the success of a business (Cox, 1991). Thus, diversity in the workplace is essential for the creation of working relationships that are not only productive but also mirror the changing aspect of business where it is the need to develop an understanding of the needs and references of clients. Religious diversity does not often lead to discrimination at the work place (Tanenbaum, 2011). Most of the organizations looks into expertise that will enable the organization to earn profits. However, there are some instances where religious diversity is used as a tool of discrimination. A significant problem in most workplaces in the world is that they often employ those individuals who are from the same religious background, for example, if a Christian owns a business, people from this religion will be given preference over others. Therefore, this should not be the case because, despite the differences in religion, it should be recognized that people are still human beings who can interact with one another to ensure that the business achieves its goals (Harvey 2012, p.51). Moreover, because of religious diversity in the workplace, there is an increase in the possibility that an organization will be able to provide services for individuals across diverse religious background becaus e the organization will have a better understanding of how to handle these individuals.

Topic below Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Topic below - Essay Example In the words of Joyce Carol Oates as quoted by Ronald Sharp:† Everyone knows about love. Romantic love, married love, adulterous love: happy love affairs, unhappy ones. Everyone knows about love, no one knows about friendship†. (1) It is interesting to note that loneliness being one of the hallmarks of modern living, many modern great writers and photospheres have not given serious thought to friendship in their writings. Why is friendship such unimportant subject in modern fiction, poetry and essay? Recent writing has largely ignored friendship. In contrast classical writers engaged in open discussion on the subject of friendship and made subtle distinctions on the varieties available and treated also the opposite of friendship, namely enmity, in their writings. Montaigne makes a clear distinction between friendships. In his thinking there are levels of friendships. He uses the technique of contrast to present sharply his idea of true friendship. There are imperfect friendships, which he calls â€Å"fellowships†. Borrowing an image from painting Montaigne labors at length to project the true beauty of friendship, which stands clearly demarked among images of the â€Å"grotesque†. Montaignes famous essay "On Friendship" (1580) is a true source book on the idea of friendship. The essay cites Aristotle, Cicero, Horace, Catullus, and Plutarch. Though the essay concerns about his friendship with a young Huguenot, Estienne de la Boetie, the essay is surprising in its modernity, especially its relevance to contemporary moral issues. Is the argument of Montaigne on friendship in essential accord with Aristotle, or is there something new? According to Aristotle the highest act of friendship is not just the friends themselves, but in their direct relation to truth. We are quick to notice the similarity between the thinking of Aristotle and that of Montaigne.But this similarity we feel is somewhat deceptive. While Montaigne gives the name of

Marketing strategy of adidas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Marketing strategy of adidas - Essay Example Adidas is guided by the three principles which were laid down by the founder, Adi Dassler – to aim for the production of the best possible foot wear to serve the requirement of sports, to aim for the protection of the athlete from any possible injury and produce a durable product (Step back in time, n.d.). They company operates out of Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America through a network comprising of more than 170 subsidiaries. The organisation is headquartered at Herzogenaurach, Germany, employing over 31,344 people worldwide (Adidas AG - Financial and Strategic Analysis Review, 2009). The journey for the company began in 1920, when Adi Dassler, with the aid of two shoemakers, produced homemade leather training shoes. A major milestone was achieved, resulting in superb promotion for the company, in 1932, when Arthur Jonath, a German athlete, won a bronze medal in the 1932 Olympics using shoes produced by the company. The company was on its upward spiral and soon the revenues of the company crossed 400,000 Reich mark in 1935. Sportsperson from 120nations used Adidas products in the Seoul Olympics in 1988. The company has seen many highs and undergone major structural changes in the way it has approached the market place. It has been quick to realize that marketing and customer orientation have become vital on the part of a modern company. The company has changed its entire outlook – which resulted in the creation of the three divisions - adidas Sport Performance, adidas Sport Heritage and adidas Sport Style from the existing Footwear and Clothing/Accessories . The company also decided to give its customers to option of customising the products they wanted to buy according to their own specifications – a business model which is now replicated all over the market space. The company went ahead with its aggressive marketing campaign and adopted a new tagline in 2003 -

Business Presentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Presentation - Essay Example I have set a meeting with the m next week in order for us to discuss my business plan. I believe that the use of meeting as a mode of communication emphasizes my deep respect for the organization. However, recognizing that the CEO and high ranking officials are always preoccupied with important issues in the business organization, I have only limited the meeting to 30 minutes. This way, I will not be taking them too long from their other tasks. My plan is to borrow an amount of $50,000 payable in ten years. I believe that the utmost concern of the investors will be my capability of paying them the quarterly interests and the principal. Secondly, they would also want to be informed where their fund will be utilized. With this, my presentation will focus on the profitability and the operation of my distance learning institution. Since my audience is comprised of individuals who have gained expertise in managing companies, I am compelled to illustrate my business plan through the use of important business concepts. With these crucial considerations, my presentation will be composed of three parts. ... Knowing that they are already familiar with other distance learning start-ups, I will only be focusing on the institutions offering information technology courses. I have already researched information on this and found out that the market for this service is relatively unsaturated with only ten distance learning institutions worldwide. In contrast, individuals seeking IT courses are mounting due to the perceived importance of technology in business organizations. I would want to emphasize that there is a huge opportunity in distance learning industry specifically in information technology courses. I will be presenting the industry growth and the significant trends. In the second part, I will be presenting my business plan to inform them how the business will operate. In order to maximize the time, I will only be presenting the highlights as derived from the executive summary. Special emphasis will be put on the marketing strategy, value chain, customer support, and strategies. I will also stress the difference of my distance learning institution with the other competitors in the industry. As you know, I have looked at the weaknesses of the operation of the current players and based the operation of my institution in them. I believe that this information is very crucial to the audience as I know that they are also contemplating in investing in other distance learning start-ups. Lastly, I will show the financial aspects of the business organization. First, I will determine the resources needed to start the operation including the workforce, equipments, and marketing materials. This is to give them an idea where their investment will be spent. Next, I will be showing my sales and

China Global Trade Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

China Global Trade Report - Essay Example In terms of the Chinese market there are a number of overarching indicators. Currently the Chinese’ gross domestic product (GDP) is a reported $6.09 trillion making it the world’s second largest gross domestic product. In terms of growth rate, China demonstrated a 2.3% growth rate throughout 2011. China has a strong amount of exports, particularly to the United States where a strong number of production plants have implemented Chinese low-cost labor and manufacturing for item production ("Starmass"). Chinese exports include most prominently electrical machinery and equipment, followed by power generation equipment, apparel, toys, games, and sports equipment, furniture, and footwear ("Starmass"). In terms of goods imported into China, the major import items are machinery and transport equipment, these and then followed by non-edible raw materials, mineral and fuel materials, and finally chemical products ("Starmass"). There are a number of Chinese regulatory bodies that have control over internal and external economic elements. In these regards, the most prominent Chinese regulatory bodies include the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) and the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC).   In addition to these aspects, there are a number of more specific trade indicators. One of the most prominent among these concerns are Chinese workforce numbers. The staggering Chinese population, currently over a billion citizens, contains equally staggering workforce figures. In these regards, the total number of the population that is economically active has been placed at 760,800,000. In terms of a specific workforce figure, the percentage has been placed at 58.9%; this number jumps to 77.7% when only individuals over age 15 are considered. With the expansive size of Chinese society virtually all forms of services and goods are produced within this country (Yifu). Chinese pillar industries continue to remain energy and heavy industries; these elem ents are aided by China’s relatively lax environmental regulations relative to Western industrialized countries. Notably, China continues to lag behind many Western countries in production of high technology innovative goods. Still, it’s notable that China has and continues to experience staggering economic growth. In terms of continued growth, the Chinese economy is estimated to grow at a 9.5% rate between 2011 and 2015 (Yifu). In terms of specific indexical growth indicators, it was recently demonstrated that China has a very high 3G growth rating (Yifu). There are still other prominent global trade measures that must be considered in terms of macroeconomic and cultural concerns. Some of the most notable of these concerns are the shifting nature of Chinese trade relations. Within this context of understanding it’s noted that recent years have witnessed an increasingly liberalization in trade matters, with regulatory bodies increasingly calling for free trade a reas. Recent years have seen the increasing establishment of trade pacts, for instance the 2005 East Asian Summit established relations with India, Australia, and New Zealand (Yifu). Recently the United States has eased trade restrictions with the country, allowing Chinese exports in at the same rate as other countries. China’s joining of the World Trade Organization (WTO) also points towards positive future global trade measures. Still, Chinese is noted to rank 29th in the Global Competitiveness Index and 135th among 179

Summarization for 7 chapter of the weather makers Essay - 1

Summarization for 7 chapter of the weather makers - Essay Example The effects of clouds on global warming are still being investigated (Flannery 153-165). The Commitment and Approaching Extreme Danger (Seventeen) Although most of the greenhouse gases that was emitted during the WWI as our great-grand mothers stoked their fuel stoves is still warming the earth, It is not until about 2050 that we will be able to begin feeling the full effect of those greenhouse gases that happen to still be in circulation. The Earth’s current average temperature stands at around 59 degrees F and a slight increase could potentially wipe out most of the world’s species and billions of people (Flannery 166-170). Leveling the Mountains (Eighteen) The temperature drops by about 1 degree F for every distance of about one hundred yards travelled up a mountain. Without this effect, mountains would not be any different from the lowlands that surround them. In the past, when the world warmed at a rapid pace, most of the mountain-dwelling species used to inexorabl y and swiftly retreat to the cooler higher regions. It is possible to accurately calculate when some of these mountain dwelling species will become extinct given the current rate of global warming. The only species that stands to gain from the effects of global warming as animals retreat to the cooler temperatures are the four strains of malaria causing parasites (Flannery 171-177). How Can They Keep On Moving? (Nineteen) This is a brief chapter of the book in which Flannery seeks to explain just how climate change might potentially impact the world’s various habitats in the coming decades. Previously, Most of the world’s species had been able to escape the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change by moving up the mountains to the cooler parts where they could be able to find favorable temperatures necessary for their survival. However, as a result of global warming, there has been the formation of large water bodies being formed from the melting ice that ser ve in inhibiting the movement of these animals up the mountains. Various human activities such as buildings and fences are also playing a huge role in blocking the routes that these species normally use for migration. The effects of climate change are not limited to affecting only the animal species as various plant species are also being negatively impacted as well. Flannery explains how they fynbos which is one of the six floral kingdoms in the world and is found in the Cape Fold Mountains stands to lose nearly half of all its present species by the year 2050 if migration is restricted. Flannery is keen to point out that if immediate action were to be taken, we could potentially be able to save at least two species for every species that is killed failure to this, three out of every five of these species will not survive to see the turn of the century (Flannery 178-183). Boiling the Abyss (Twenty) In the past, scientist thought that the dying of most deep-sea dwelling fish immedia tely they happened to be brought up to the surface by the trawling nets used by marine biologists was attributed to the change in pressure. Modern scientists have proven this to be wrong and have attributed the deaths to temperature change. These fish are used to surviving in water temperatures that are close to zero and the surface temperatures are too high for them. The ocean is separated into different layers based on temperature. If perchance the ocean happens to absorb too much CO2, it

Influence of Corruption in Italian. Italian Soccer League Research Paper

Influence of Corruption in Italian. Italian Soccer League - Research Paper Example According to FIFA; which is the World Football regulation body, match fixing is an offense. In Seriea A, match fixing alongside other cases such as bribing of referees so as to influence a match in a way that benefits some other team have been common. This paper investigates how such actions are likely or have been able to influence the Italian Soccer league. Corruption and the Italian Soccer League In the recent past, Italy has had to deal with a series of match fixing scandals. Several people have been arrested, several club teams both at upper and lower levels have been held for impropriety with several other team officials and coaches being put under serious investigations. In 2006, Juventus suffered a heavy blow after it was temporarily demoted to Serie B and stripped of two Serie A titles, due to a match fixing scandal. It is important to understand how match-fixing scandal often takes place. One, it involves a pre-determined way of playing in a way that benefits some team (Hum phreys and Howard, 2008). ... However, one fact needs to be established that corruption has often affected the performance of not only selected clubs but also the Soccer League in general (Deloitte, and Touche, 2003). It has been established that corruption in the Italian soccer league in the Italian Soccer league is not just a current affair. There is a long history of corruption associated problems that has faced the league since its inception. For instance, in 1925 there was a national strike of referees following the suspicion that there was a ploy to mistreat and blacklist some members of the referees’ association (AIA)? It is believed that certain clubs were behind this supposed blacklisting, in order to eliminate some referees had remained reluctant to bow for the pressure and manipulation that these clubs had some times resorted to, in what has been referred to as winning at all cost (Deloitte, and Touche , 2003). To illustrate how this scandal had affected the credibility of the league, a match ha d to be declared null and Void in 1926 between Torion and Casale following the allegations that the referee had failed to officiate the match with â€Å"the correct serenity of spirit†. It was believed that the referee was completely biased awarding one of the teams most of the advantages. The reputation of referees then was put into question following a number of same incidences. The referees went on strike refusing to take any officiating responsibility due to the fact that most of them were victimized for no apparent reasons. In order to respond to these issues the Italian football had to set-up a commission that would identify and recommend reforms so that the once credible

The Heart of Darkness Essay Example for Free

The Heart of Darkness Essay The Heart of Darkness is a novella written by Joseph Conrad. In this book the main character, Marlow, ventures up the Nile River to find a man named Kurtz. As he continues his journey up river he experiences a vast range of emotions and situations that are putting him to the test to see if he can keep his sanity. One of the situations he encounters are the natives of the Congo. At first they are seen as the primitive savage-like people that live in the darkness of Congo. Their way of life seems so out of the norm that there is no way that Marlow could ever understand or feel equal with them. As his journey continues to find Kurtz, he starts to understand their way of life and figure out the meanings of darkness. In the heart of darkness, Joseph Conrad uses the narrator, Marlow, to portray the evolution of mind on how the idea of darkness is a misconception, and by the end of the novella, the once â€Å"primitive savages† are in reality Marlow’s equals. In the beginning of the voyage up the river Marlow’s mindset on the natives is more of, they live an uncivilized life, killing their own people. Marlow thinks his way of life is more civilized. Eating with forks, wearing shoes. But what Marlow doesn’t see is the point of view of the natives. He doesn’t take into consideration of their definition of norm, their definition of civilized. Marlow thinks that his way is the only right way. The natives are civilized in their own way. The way they were brought up and the way they live. Later on in the journey Marlow’s traditional views of imperialists starts to fade, the people that don’t see the conquered natives as humans. â€Å"It was unearthly, and the men were-No, they were not inhuman. Well, you know, that was the worst of it-this suspicion of their not being inhuman. It would come slowly to one. They howled, and leaped, and spun, and made horrid faces; but what thrilled you was just the thought of their humanity-like yours- the  thought of your remote kinship with this wild and passionate uproar. Ugly. Yes, it was ugly enough; but if you were man enough you would admit to yourself that there was in you just the faintest trace of a response to the terrible frankness of that noise, a dim suspicion of there being a meaning in it which you-you so remote from the night of fist ages-could comprehend† He starts to develop a tiny kinship with the natives. He starts to understand their screams. Marlow develops a place in his mind that understan ds where they are coming from and that everyone has some barbarian inside them. Its natural and it is normal. At the end of the journey Marlow doesn’t consider the natives his equal. He views them more as animals or pets. That you can teach them but and they can learn the meaning but not the significance. Essentially it’s like a parent trying to get their kid to stay in bed by telling them there is a monster under it. They will learn commands but they will not reach the full level of sophistication that he has.

All About Me Letter Essay Example for Free

All About Me Letter Essay My favorite sports are football and basketball. I play the recorder. I participated in football for three years and basket ball for one year. I played the recorder for one year in the fourth grade and earned all the belts for each skill level. On the other hand I don’t like to read what so ever, but I’m going to improve my reading this year. I don’t like to read because I fall asleep as soon as I begin to read books. The books that I like are adventurous and action-packed books because they interest me so I won’t fall asleep. These kinds of books stimulate my imagination and help me visualize the story. In order to keep me interested in reading I would like to have audio or graphics books. I did great academically last year as I made A’s and B’s. My academic goals this year are to make straight A’s and to receive scores above 900 on the CRCT. Considering that I do not like to read, it’s hard for me to brainstorm ideas and write an essay. Therefore, I do not think of myself as a good writer, as I prefer digital images to awaken my creativity. The few times that I must write, I like to write narratives about my family vacations in new places. Narratives allow me to express my emotions. Unfortunately, brainstorming ideas causes me to have headaches that turn me off from writing. I hope to learn how to overcome this obstacle and improve my writing skills. In conclusion, you can help me achieve my academic goals by suggesting some action-packed or adventurous book titles for me to enjoy reading. I learn best by following examples and listening to instructions. The activities you can help me with are reading and sentence-structure in writing assignments. I welcome the opportunity to learn from your expertise. Sincerely, Phillip Harrington Phillip Harrington

Production of PR-protein 1 in Mangroves Leaves | Experiment

Production of PR-protein 1 in Mangroves Leaves | Experiment 1. Abstract One important trait of a plant is its ability to form natural barriers that keep harmful microorganisms away. For instance, mangrove leaves may produce a hormone called salicylic acid to inhibit the growth of fungal pathogens. Such a hormone may induce an antimicrobial substance known as Pathogenesis Related (PR) proteins. A lot of Pathogenesis related protein researches have been done with tobacco and tomatoes leaves. In this study, the aim of the experiment is to determine whether mangroves leaves induce the PR-protein 1. The mangrove leaves are treated with salicylic acid and are left for 7 days in order for leaves to induce proteins. The leaves extraction procedure is carried out by the reference procedure Verlag Paul Parey (1980) and Thierry Niderman (1995). The PR-protein 1 in the leaf extraction solution can be identified by using the SDS-PAGE technique, which the SDS detergent is sticking to the protein during denaturing of the protein and electrophoresis gel can separate the different PR protein family based on their molecular size. The molecular weight of protein bands can be categorized by using reference protein and the molecular weight of PR-protein is known as 14-17 kilo daltons. Acknowledgement Initially the gratitude I would like to extend to my supervisor and foremost, Mark Duxbury is of highest praise for his accomplishments in helping me to succeed in our field of study. Through-out my research project there has been a lot of work that i have strived to excel into a project worthy of my subject teachings, the questions that I have asked of him, he has never neglected to reply to in good time. Collectively with all the staff in the AUT laboratory, I would like to thank for providing all the equipment and chemical supplies and gear that have been used through-out the year in my research project. 2. Introduction There are approximately 70 different types of mangrove species in the world. Some countries have a variety of mangrove species, however New Zealand has only one species which is called Avicennia marina or Mana, it belongs to the Verbenaceae family that is a cosmopolitan species which is widely distributed along tropical and subtropical coastlines. Mangroves have been growing in New Zealand for more than 19 million years. Most mangroves tend to grow in warmer climates, which influences the diversity and size of growth in the tropics. Therefore, mangroves do not tend to survive in colder climates, and this is why all the mangroves in New Zealand are likely to grow in Northland because it is warmer there. They grow larger in warmer temperatures,so the optimum growth of mangroves in New Zealand is experienced within 60 centimetres of the tide line, and flourish mostly around placid waters with shelving along the shoreline, in and around harbours and estuaries. Otherwise alternative condi tions, harsh and rough water waves, can dislodge their roots as well as upset the silt that settles, which they require to grow. They can tolerate salt water even if submerged completely. This tolerance is not permanent, they need to be uncovered for half of either tide. 2-1. Importance of mangroves It is important to know about mangroves in New Zealand, what their role is in erosion control and what they support. Mangroves have wide a diversity in their roles of food webs and the support they have for animals and plants in their environment. There are four different reasons why the mangroves are important in New Zealand. Productivity of mangroves The productivity of Mangroves is measurable with close analysis of their reproductive parts, twigs and leaves, this measurement determines the organic matter of the plant, its energy and its ability to contribute environment. Food source The distribution of fresh organic matter is localised, the most important attribute of mangroves in New Zealand, is the dependence the environment has on them. They supports the greater habitat around the nearby harbours and estuaries. Reference to this process is called the food web, when the distribution feeds a range of animals like crabs that digest nutrients from mangrove and return these nutrients into the food web. Support for other plants Different varieties grow in different environments, in tropical environments, this supports low density growth on sandy shores and seagrass beds in between trees, and can form new beds with the upper edges of these mangroves from the edge of the forests. It is clear that these enviroments do not support the same growth as in New Zealand. Support for animals Mangrove beds are located in harsh conditions so the range of dependency on this plant life is limited, reasons being; decomposition of sediment, oxygen starvation, muddy flats and tidal exposure. The variety of animals that feed off mangroves are somewhat small but they include worms, mud crabs, shellfish, mud snails and whelks although terrestrial animals (spiders and insects) are also at home around mangroves. The range of inhabitants also varies with the location and nature of the sediment. 2-2 Defence mechanisms of plant Explanation of the first and second defence mechanisms of plant will follow, in the first defence mechanism the invasion of pathogens is protected by a physical barrier, in the plants developed cell wall, and is composed of cellulose, pectin and lignin etc. The second defence mechanism is different by the use of the plants chemical defence, by alkaloids, saponins and phenols. This process is a constitutive expression of the plants secondary metabolite. The reaction of the defence mechanism involves turning a cascade of genes to produce a plant-pathogen interaction. Production of reactive oxygen species, through cell wall defence and through other group proteins such as PR (pathogenesis-related). 3. Literature review Many of the PR proteins are diverse in their families, so that they are found in a lot of types of plants such as, 33 in Tobacco, 20 in sugar beets also in spinach. Classification of PR proteins that induce pathological and related states (Van Loon 1985), are a classification of family, through relationships of cellular form, amino acid sequences and biological activity, further families are identified as tobacco and tomatoes with classifying PR proteins. Sequence Homology is the term for the families of PR proteins, but are not defined only by this but also by migration, the specific reaction with antisera, biological activity also determines PR and resistance to interactions. Characters of cDNAs that reveal PR genes are seen in the systematic resistance in plants against pathogens, and incompatible hosts house bacteria, fungi and viruses, elicitors of PR genes derive molecules from pathogens. These proteins are found in different plant types, although healthy plants suffocate the c haracteristics of PR, multi gene families have the most PR proteins and are proven to inhibit the growth of fungi. Interestingly the use of large groups of PR genes can be characterised and used to sustain healthier responses to biotic and abiotic stress, to the betterment of transduction mechanisms and the measure of stress signals to return greater defence for enhanced engineering of crop plants. Necrotic lesions in plants, can be a result of the resistance produced by the PR. 3-1. Variation of infectious PR has been identified in the infected tissue of unhealthy plants, as well as in healthy plants, e.g Tomato plants are known to display seven PR's when they are in good health. Varieties of the plants also support PR proteins, in fact PR proteins are usually only present after stress, unlike flowers, pollens, stigma and seeds. Associated stress induced by pathogens is the dominant group PR-1 and is used as a signal for SAR. The research that has produced our current knowledge of PR-1 was undertaken in 1970, limited antifungal activity suggests it is a defence mechanism but the action it takes, and the relationship with other proteins is a new subject. 4. Pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins PR proteins induced in a pathological environment allow the role of the proteins defence in the plant, that is the result of a reaction to infection to produce the PR. Antimicrobial proteins attack molecules in the cell wall that are bacterial or fungal. Host plants see the interaction of pathogens that are labelled as hypersensitive reactions, that are the proteins produced in the event of a pathogen attack there are 17 types discovered (Van Loon,2001) 4-1. PR-1 protein family. PR protein typically has 160 amino acids in length, although it is not clearly studied in biochemical properties, the most abundant group in the PR-protein family is PR-1 because of its high sensitivity to infection, it induces a very high level, between 1 and 2 percent of the protein in the leaf. There is a molecular marker of the expression of PR-1 that indicates the plants defence response, this particular protein is most studied in tobacco. Picture 1. Families of PR proteins The picture 1 showed different types of the PR-protein family and different PR-families that have different molecular sizes. The first family is the PR protein 1 and it has a molecular size of 15 to 17 kDa. The biochemical properties of the PR-1 family is not clearly established, so those stated are unknown. However, it is known that the PR-1 family is the most abundant group of proteins, which induce very high levels of PR Protein when infected (approximately 1 to 2 % of the total leaf protein). They are typically 160 amino acids in length and exist as an acid or base dependent on their functional grouping (Punja, Z. 2004). 4-2. Acidic Pathogenesis Related -1 Proteins Tomatoes, barley, maize, parsley, as well as other plants of the Graminae, Solanaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthiceae families have detected acidic pathogenesis related -1 proteins. The high resistance to proteolysis is adapted to the extracellular environment, and the protein in the plant is soluble in acidic buffers with low molecular weights. The protein P14 isoforms have been found in barley, and tomatoes which have a similar protein to tobacco, that respond to different polyclonal antibodies, unlike acidic PR-1 genes that do not target vacuolar peptide sequences form PR-1 has 138 amino acids that synthesize a higher molecular weight that contains N-terminal amino acids that produce K15da mature protein. 4-3. Basic Pathogenesis Related -1 Proteins Basic Pathogenesis Related -1 protein contains 30 amino acids in the hydrophobic N-terminal region of 30 amino acids, this is a signal peptide that is the translocation of endoplasmic reticulum the C-terminal peptide also contains the vacuolar targeting signals, for example in tobacco leaf PR-1 proteins are localised in extracellular space responding to TMV infection. The 17KDA are two basic isoforms, and PR-1 has an isoelectric point of 10.5 and 11.0, the exception between the similarities of PR-1 basic and PR-1 acidic is one amino acid sequence and are identified in maize, celery and other cereals. 5. Salicylic acid The benzoic acid derivative is Salicylic acid (SA), an important phytohormone is involved in the regulation of the plants defense mechanism. The important role that Salicylic acid fills in plant defence for the protection from pathogen attack, recently was proven to be necessary for SAR. Salicylic acid has a role that is observed in the plants defence mechanism was similar to the medication of aspirin in observation, the acid induced resistance to the mosaic virus in tobacco. The accumulation of PR proteins increased in resistance, and assumed as markers of the defence response. Biosynthesis has elucidated in the pathway of salicylic acid and has synthesized from benzoic acid into cinnamic acid, and this reaction catalyzes a function of cytochrome P450 monoxygenase. Salicylic acid is an essential compound in the signal pathways accompanied by an induced excess of acidic pathogens- related protein genes. The production of pathogenesis-related proteins is the role Salicylic acid holds in the resistance to pathogens. 6. SDS PAGE(Sodium dodecyl sulfate Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). SDS is anionic detergent consisting of 12 carbon tail attached to sulphate group, which has a negative charge. It also disrupts the non-covalent bond particularly protein and denatures the molecule. The protein can be denatured at certain temperature and lose their shape. At that stage, SDS can stick to the denatured protein due to similar shape and charge ratio as protein. PAGE separates the macromolecule based on their electrophoresis mobility. Smaller polypeptides travel faster and quickly through pores, while large polypeptides travel slower. The polypeptides have similar charge to mass ratio which is dependent only on molecular weight. Factors in Business Cash Budgeting: With Examples Factors in Business Cash Budgeting: With Examples Contents (Jump to) Task One (p3d) XYZ Traders Cash Budget Task Two (p3abc) Alpha Manufacturing Budgets Task Three (p4abc) Beales Manufacturing – Variances Task Four (p2ab) Beales Manufacturing – Standard Cost Bibliography XYZ Traders Cash Budget Introduction In this report Part A presents a cash budget for XYZ Traders for the six month period from December 2008 to May 2009. Part B comments on the cash flow forecast and outlines the benefits of improved cash flow for the Company and recommends management consider a cash flow improvement program. Part A – Cash Flow Budget December 2008 – May 2009 Table 1 Table 1 shows the cash flow budget based on the following criteria: Cash balance as at 1 December 2008 totals  £2,600 Furniture units sold at  £100 each Furniture units purchased for  £60 each Customer collections on the basis of 50% in month of sale and the balance the following month Purchases paid for in the month following delivery Fixed expenses are  £4,000 per month Loan repayment of  £10,000 due in April 2009 Stock units carried over from October into November 2008 unknown Part B – Budget Cash Flow Commentary The cash flow budget/forecast for the next six months: is cash positive for each of the six months under review will generate sufficient cash for the  £10,000 loan repayment on schedule in April 2009 will allow supplier payment on time one month after receipt of goods has a lowest cash balance of  £1,200 at the end of April following the loan repayment in the same month Recommendation – Cash Flow Improvement Program The cash flow budget indicates that XYZ can continue trading for the next six months without recourse to additional funding. However improving cash-flow can have a number of benefits including: reducing the equity required to finance the business reducing loans and interest payments required for working capital releasing funds for expansion and/or new business activities providing funds for profit distribution to the owners/shareholders We recommend management plan and implement a coordinated program to improve cash-flow. Specific areas for consideration are: minimise inventory by introducing a â€Å"just-in-time† (JIT) arrangement where suppliers orders are placed at the time of customer purchase for receipt a day or two before delivery to the customer eliminate inventory (except for show-room stock) by arranging for suppliers to deliver direct to customers under XYZ Traders instructions and identity negotiate extended payment terms with the suppliers, say, three months credit encourage customers to pay the full purchase price on order placement offer sales on credit with a reputable finance company increase sales volumes with well designed and executed advertising and customer incentive programs reduce overheads and expenses with a cost-reduction program Alfa Manufacturing – Budget Report Introduction This report recommends Alfa Manufacturing introduce a budgetary control system. Section A outlines the purpose and benefits of budgets and Section B describes two possible budget formats, incremental and zero based budgeting and examines the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Section A – Budgets, Purposes and Benefits The primary purpose for introducing a budgeting system is to provide the Company with a powerful tool for planning and monitoring business performance. It improves productive effectiveness and enhances coordination between the various arms of management to achieve the overall Company aims. Budgets represent the primary means of communicating agreed-upon objectives throughout the organization. A budget is a formal written statement of the Companies plans for a specified time period. The principle element of a budget is to plan and predict future income and expenditure against a time-scale, usually on a monthly basis covering a calendar or accounting year. Actual income and expenditure is recorded as it occurs and monitored on a regular basis against the plan or budget. The differences between planned and actual results are monitored, reported and the variances analysed and explained. In summary, the benefits of a budget are that: Management must develop a comprehensive plan for the future. Key objectives are agreed for monitoring and performance evaluation. Potential problems are identified well in advance. Coordination of activities within the business is facilitated. Management is more aware of the Companies overall operations. Each level of management participates in the planning, preparation and monitoring of financial activity. The budget must have the complete support of top management and is an important tool for measuring and evaluating managerial performance. Contemporary budgeting has been defined as a system wherein managers are provided with the flexibility to utilize resources as required, in return for their commitment to achieve certain performance results (Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, 2008). Section B – Budgeting Systems This section contrasts and compares two basic budgeting methodologies currently in use in industry today, Incremental Budgeting and Zero Based Budgeting. Incremental Budgeting (IB) is the traditional approach to budgeting which relies on historical information and the previous years budget as a basis for the preparing the input and data for the following year’s budget. For example, let’s say last year’s sales budget was for 1000 units at  £500, giving sales revenue of  £500,000. For next year’s budget the market for the product is anticipated to improve by 10% giving unit sales at 1100 thus giving budget sales revenue of  £550,000. Similarly costs would be based on last years budget, modified by projected inflationary factors. Anticipated raw material price increases and labour rates are used in the cost of production and increases in say, rent and utilities would reflect in overheads. Managers will prepare their individual budgets based on a series of pre-determined criteria and assumptions which are normally provided by top management, finance and accounts. The advantages of IB are that it is: relatively easy to implement easy to understand and appreciate less time-consuming to prepare than ZBB a â€Å"top down† approach with the same basic assumptions for all The disadvantages of IB are that it: assumes that the budget methodology and cost structure is correct encourages expectations of inflationary increases predicts sales will reflect the market without competitive analysis encourages departments to spend all of their allocated budget Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB) is an approach to budgeting that starts from the premise that no costs or activities should be factored into the plans for the coming budget period, just because they figured in the costs or activities for the current or previous periods. Rather, everything that is to be included in the budget must be considered and justified. (Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accounting, 2006). Another definition is the use of budgets which start from a present base of zero and regard all future expenditure as being on new items rather than a continuation of existing ones. In practice this means that a budget has to be justified in full for each year of operation (Steven A. Finkler, 2003). In implementing this process each manager must critically examine his own activities and operations and build his budget from scratch. The advantages of ZBB are that it: questions accepted beliefs focuses on value for money links budgets and objectives involves managers leading to better communication and consensus can lead to better resource allocation is an adaptive approach in changing circumstances The disadvantages of ZBB are that it: is time-consuming and adds to the effort involved in budgeting can be difficult to identify suitable performance measures can be seen as threatening–careful people management is required is about costs and resources of options ignoring current practice can be difficult to comprehend and execute by managers with little financial knowledge and skills Recommendation Since Alpha Manufacturing has no previous experience of budgetary control it is recommended that an Incremental Budgeting program is introduced initially. The budget can be prepared using historical data with guidelines and assumptions provided to each manager by the Finance Department. Beales Manufacturing plc:  Flexible Budgeting Introduction This report examines the budget and actual results for October. It flexes the budget to actual output, provides a variance analysis and identifies possible causes for each negative variance. Managerial accountability for each variance is suggested and possible remedial actions for the unfavourable variances identified. The benefits of using flexible budgets are explained and it is recommended that this technique be introduced as a feature of Beales’ regular budget reviews. Variance Analysis and Explanations Table1 shows the results of the budget and actual output for October, flexed to actual output with each variance examined for possible causes, accountabilities and suggested remedial actions. Benefits of Flexible Budgeting Static budgets have the disadvantage of providing a single specific predicted volume of output. In reality, it very unlikely that the actual output exactly matches the budget. Thus any comparison of actual output to budget suffers from the problem that some of the variances, particularly for variable costs such as labour and materials, will be as a direct result of the differences in the volume of output. Flexible budgets provide an after the facts device to tell what it should have cost for the volume level actually attained (Steven A. Finkler 2003) They are a useful tool for analysing the effects of variations in volume of output against the original budget. Dennis Caplan (2006) suggests that â€Å"the motivation for the flexible budget is to compare apples to apples. If the factory actually produced 10,000 units, then management should compare actual factory costs for 10,000 units to what the factory should have spent to make 10,000 units, not to what the factory should have spent to make 9,000 units or 11,000 units or any other production level.† Recommendation For Beales Manufacturing to make the best use of the budgeting process it is recommended that flexible budgets are prepared each month. Variance analysis as demonstrated above will assist management to implement contingency plans to correct any unfavorable trends and enhance profitability. Beales Manufacturing plc:  Standard Costing Introduction This section defines and describes the principles of Standard Costing. It is an accounting technique which provides a powerful tool for management to analyze business performance and plan improvements. An example of a standard cost is derived from the October budget and the use of variance analysis to identify problem areas and possible remedial actions. Definition Standard costing involves the development of a product or service cost using estimates of both the resources consumed and the prices of those resources. The standard cost may then be increased by an estimated profit margin to produce a standard selling price. These estimates of cost and revenue then provide a foundation for further planning and control (Barrie Mitchinson 2000) Illustration The best way to illustrate the benefits of standard costing is to use the October budget data to arrive at an example of a Standard Cost. This cost can then be compared with the actual unit cost for October and the variances analysed as shown in Table 3 below. Standard Unit Cost vs. Actual (October) From this analysis specific product cost information can be derived. For example, although raw material costs per meter were below standard cost, more material than standard was required to complete the production schedule. Why was that? The manager responsible for production will be able to use the information to investigate the unfavourable variance. Possibly scrap rates were excessive so improved quality control could help reduce or eliminate the problem. Raw material costs were also above standard which will alert the purchasing manager to an overrun of purchasing costs which may require action. Recommendation We recommend that Beales consider the introduction of Standard Costing to provide management with a powerful tool to improve efficiency, productivity and product profitability. Bibliography Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, 2008, Budgeting Budget Controls  http://www.deloitte.com Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accounting, 2006, Zero Based Budgeting Briefing Paper, http://www.cipfa.org.uk Steven A. Finkler, 2003, p158, Finance Accounting for Nonfinancial Managers, CCH Tax and Accounting Steven A. Finkler, 2003, p162, Finance Accounting for Nonfinancial Managers, CCH Tax and Accounting Dennis Caplan, 2006, Management Accounting: Concepts and Techniques, OSU College of Business, http://classes.bus.oregonstate.edu Barrie Mitchinson, 2000, Standard Costing and Fixed and Flexed Budgets, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, http://www.accaglobal.com

Alcohol Abuse and Native Americans Essay -- Substance Abuse

The impact of various kinds of substances to cultural groups has historically been precipitated by the significance of particular substances on different cultural groups (Moore, 2010).This is mainly because the long term usage of these substances leads to the integration of the consumption of the substance into the cultural patterns of the given group. One such group that has been affected by the extensive usage of a particular substance is the Native American community. According to the Associated Press (2014, August 28), as noted on the MSNBC website, out of ten deaths among the Native American population, one is Alcohol related. Additionally, the prevalence of Alcohol consumption among the Native American population relates to the fact that it’s associated with the various cultural events that define the way of life of Native Americans. Therefore, the focus of this paper shall be on the cultural aspects, effects and prevalence of Alcohol among Native Americans. Par ticularly, the paper shall outline a brief introduction of the Native American culture and the prevalence of Alcohol in this culture; compare the aspects of alcohol abuse between the Native Americans and the African Americans; analyze the particular effects of alcohol in the body; and demonstrate the cultural impact of Alcohol abuse among the Native Americans. The Native American Culture and Alcohol Prevalence Native Americans refer to a Nation of related tribes that form the indigenous peoples of the North American Continent. They form one percent of the United States population where 500 tribes are now recognized by the government (Substance Abuse Policy Research Program, n.d.) The history of the Native Americans stretches beyond the European settleme... ...vation of normal livelihoods. Works Cited Moore Gay (2010, July 25) Native American Alcoholism -- Myths, Reality & Solutions. American Diversity Report. Substance Abuse Policy Research Program (n.d.) Key Results: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Substance Abuse Treatment. Web 2 Feb 2015. http://saprp.org/knowledgeassets/knowledge_results.cfm?KAID=11 The Associated Press (2014, August 28) 1 In 10 Native American Deaths Alcohol Related. Web 2 Feb 2015. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26439767/ns/health-addictions/t/native-american-deaths-alcohol-related/ U.S. National Library of Medicine (2011, November 7) More Than A Third Of Teens Turning To Alcohol, Drugs: Study. Healthday: U.S. National Library of Medicine. Web. 2 Feb 2015. "http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_118411.html" http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_118411.html

Essay --

Kaylee Miller ENG 2413, 3 period C. Windham 10 December 2013 Helping Hand Mary Shelley was not an ordinary nineteen-year-old. She was the daughter of major novelist William Godwin and woman activist Mary Wollstonecraft, and the wife of one of the primary second-generation poet. In life, Mary had to face many situations without her mother, because she was only eleven days old when she passed away. Throughout Mary’s life, she lost three of her four children prematurely. Her only surviving child was named Percy Florence, and she was born in 1819. Frankenstein was released when Mary was twenty-one years old. The central idea came to Shelley in a dream where she saw a student placing parts together of a male’s body and working through an engine to animate it. In Mary’s Shelley’s novel, the Creature goes from being innocent, to a harmful individual, and results in being a kind hearted helping hand. The Creature had a tough life to begin with, and he was an innocent creature. He was forced to provide for himself with knowing nothing and without a leading hand. He describes his first expe...

Democracy in Iraq :: essays research papers

Democracy in Iraq The date is March 20, 2003; American forces enter Iraq in the form of air strikes over the capital city of Baghdad. The night sky lights up from anti-aircraft fire from Iraqi sites. The echoing sound of bombs and heavy explosions tremble in the night sky that knew of silence just decades ago. Now eighteen months have pasted, the regime is overthrown, and over one thousand American soldiers have lost their lives in the battle for Democracy in the Middle East. Everyday the numbers of American deaths spent to create Democracy increase. And everyday the number of dollars spent to create Democracy increase. Is it really a possible goal? Can the Americans establish Democracy in Iraq? The five fundamental ideals of Democracy support the common man, but in Iraq is this really what the common man wants? "It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious. You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose." ~ Judge William Young in trial against Richard Reid (charged for intent to blow up jumbo jet on January 30, 2003. Reid used to be Iraqi citizen. This quote is said by an American judge who shares the passion that is needed for a democracy to work. ) Democracy requires freedom for all that is the foundation that a Democratic government is based on. This individual freedom can be restrained, but it can never be taken away. In Iraq the government that once controlled all people was a dictatorship led by Saddam Hussein. This government exists when those who rule do so without regard for the will of their constituents. This type of government does not take responsibility for its policies or the ways that the policies are carried out. The dictatorship form of ruling started with the famous Julius Caesar, dictatorships were common because of simplicity. The ideal of individual freedom was and is not present in dictatorships because the men in charge did not believe it to be a significant value to try to preserve. Throughout America's history, our democratic government, one where you can go where you will, leave when you will, and do as you will, has been looked up to by others. Iraq is a country marked by killing and bloodshed, a part of life which the citizens know and understand; there democracy is not yet the solution.

Paradoxical Thinking of Google

Paradoxical Thinking of Google Abstract Paradoxical thinking is looking at a problem from opposite perspectives. We live in a complex world which is full of paradoxes. Paradoxical thinking has contributed to many companies success. It is important for us to know about paradoxical thinking. This article analyzed that how Google applies paradoxical thinking in their interface, products and '20 percent program'. Then the article indicated that the key to learn paradoxical thinking is open in mind. Paradoxical Thinking Introduction Before we get started, we need to know what is paradoxical thinking.A paradox is a group of statements that are contradictory. And paradoxical thinking is looking at a problem or a situation from different or even opposite perspectives, and finding the same thing which is deep down in two opposite perspectives. (Westenholz, 1993) For example, in the 1830's, Faraday had observed that a current of electricity passing through a wire could cause the magnetized nee dle, which was located close to the wire, to move in a rotational direction. This was the basis of his electric motor. But he didn't stop with this.He twist his mind and found that moving magnets can cause electricity to flow. This is one of the most brilliant application of paradoxical thinking. Paradoxical thinking has helped plenty of companies to be successful. The following research on Google is trying to find out how they practice paradoxical thinking. Research on Google Company History Google Inc. is an American corporation which provides internet-related products and services. It has the dominant position in this field. Google Inc. was founded in 1998 and set up the workspace in a garage.At the end of 1998, Google was recognized as the search engine of choice by â€Å"PC Magazine†. In 1999, Google received 25 million dollars investment and started its rapid growth. In 2000, Google started to release multiple language versions of Google. com and became the world's larg est search engine by acquiring the first billion-URL index. (Schonfeld, 2008)Google's initial public offering of 19,605,052 shares stock took place on Wall Street on August 18, 2004. Opening price: $ 85 per share. And the price is around $700 per share. Recently, Google. om is listed as the internet's first most visited website, and numerous international Google sites are in the top hundred, as well as several other Google-owned sites such as YouTube and Blogger. (â€Å"Our History in Depth† . Google Inc, 2012) Interface At the end of 20th century, countless search engines were published. What makes Google. com outstanding? I think the interface is a very important factor. As we can see in the pictures, many search engines, such as HotBot, Excite, DogPile, used very complex and colorful homepage in order to attract visitors and indicate their websites' powerful functions.While Google. com used a very simple homepage. It only got a logo, a textbox and two buttons on the websit e. At first, the complex homepages maybe more attractive because of their colors and structures. But visitors more concern about the result pages than the search engine page. Then the convenient Google. com became popular. This is a good example of paradoxical thinking. Complexity cannot always be good. Simplicity can be a better choice. Besides the simple homepage, the â€Å"Google doodles† is also a determine difference. The doodles are not just comics, they also include mini games and short animations.Visitors will have fun and learn some knowledge through these doodles. The doodles are great mixed with Google's logo. It will connect visitors good feelings with Google. com and make them more willing to re-visit it again. Sometimes people come back not because the functions, but for the little funny tricks. (Gube, 2009) Products and Services Google provide a variety of services for people and businesses, not just search for the word you typed. The CEO, Larry Page, described the â€Å"perfect search engine† is something that â€Å"understands exactly what you mean and gives you back exactly what you want. This means making search smarter and faster. You can save time when searching information and have more time on the stuff you are good at. Advertising covers more than 90% of Google's revenue. Google has implemented various innovations in this market. Traditional way of advertising is that showing a product or a service and then trying to raise your interests about it or persuading you to pay it. While Google uses a different way. It takes full advantage of its search engine. The ads show up in the result you found and are related to what you are looking at. Helft, 2009) Ads are presented to you, according your interests. Only a few sentences can be more effectively than traditional ads. And people are more willing to see the ads that are related to what they are looking at. Google search is Google's core product. Now it is far more than a web search engine. You can get access to all the Google's products and services through it. Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. They want to build a worldwide information centre. For example, the Google map.You can see almost everywhere all over the world. And you can get various information, such as traffic information, geography information, even the street view. Google also developed Chrome and Android to make it simpler and faster for people to do what they want to online. All the Google products and services are trying to make the complex web and information simpler and easier to access or use. 20 percent time Theories of workplace control don't talk much about freedom. The workplace is often understood as a totalizing environment, saturated with obvious and subtle forms of coercion.It is kind of like a prison camp. While, companies like Google have created environment that resembles a playground more than a prison camp. They use a innovative time off program called â€Å"20 percent time†. This program allows the staff devote 20% of the working time to independent projects of their own choosing. (Walker, 2011) Although, not all the independent projects can be applied, Google have got many innovative products, such as Gmail, Chrome, Google Earth and so on. This program is contra to the theories of workplace control, but it keeps Google's creativity.Culture Google is known for having an informal corporate culture. Unlike other big company, Google has a casual culture. Google has some philosophy like â€Å"you can be serious without a suit†, â€Å"work should be challenging and the challenge should be fun. † (Stross, 2008)They believe that great, creative thing are more likely to happen with the right company culture. It does not just mean lava lamps and rubber balls. The culture put an emphasis on team achievements and pride in individual accomplishments has contribute to t heir success.They have built wonderful offices to make employees feel comfortable and fun, and made the company attractive and creative. Learn Paradoxical Thinking Paradoxical thinking is not a talent. It is a skill that you can learn and practice. Paradoxical thinking is looking at a problem or a situation from different or even opposite perspectives. The core is â€Å"outside the box†, which means be open in the mind. We need openness, courage and curiosity to think paradoxically. Openness means that we need to pay attention on our ideas that seem to be ridiculous and be open to learning new subjects.Be brave to try a totally different approach to what you are doing. Be curious about everything, especially that you have been ignoring for granted. Always ask yourself â€Å"Can I change this into the exact opposite? † Being a paradox thinker need to be skeptical. The more skeptical you are the better a paradox thinker you will be. Do not take for granted what others ac cept as a routine (K. R. Ravi). The eight skills related to intelligence are memory, logic, judgment, perception, intuition, reason, imagination and paradoxical thinking.Paradoxical thinking is often regarded as the least used of these skills. This is because that companies that survive hold rational views. While paradoxical thinking involves the ability to reverse, manipulate, combine, synthesize opposites (K. R. Ravi). It is hard to accept paradox for people that cannot live with two seemingly contradictory forces at the same time. Summary We live in a complex world which is full of paradox. It is very important for us to learn paradoxical thinking. (T. Belasen) By thinking paradoxically, we can find new opportunities, improve our performance.For management and leadership, paradoxical thinking means try opposite ways, and find the expectation in these ways. For example, the Greyhound bus line have gone through a very tough time because of the Green Tortoise. The Green Tortoise lin e's price is half of that of Greyhound. It is hard for Greyhound to compete with Green Tortoise on price. Instead of reducing the journey time and cost, the owner of Greyhound increased the journey time from four days to six days. This is trying a opposite way. Since he is more familiar about this place than the Green Tortoise does, he added more ‘fun' into the six days trip.His fun trip strategy gave him a new opportunity and changed travel into a pleasure industry. References â€Å"Our History in Depth† . Google Inc. (2012, October 21). Retrieved from http://www. google. com/about/company/history Gube, J. (2009, September 12). Popular Search Engines in the 90's:Then and Now. Retrieved from http://sixrevisions. com/web_design/popular-search-engines-in-the-90s-then-and-now/ Helft, M. (2009, March 11). Google to Offer Ads Based on Interests. The New York Times. K. R. Ravi. (n. d. ). Paradoxical Thinking. Retrieved from http://www. krravi. com/PARADOXICALTHINKING. df Scho nfeld, E. (2008, January 9). â€Å"Google Processing 20,000 Terabytes a day, and Growing†. Retrieved from TechCrunch. Stross, R. (2008). Planet Google: One Company's Audacious Plan to Organize Everything We Know. New York: Free Press. T. Belasen, A. (n. d. ). Paradoxes and Leadership Roles. Walker, A. (2011, November). ‘Creativity loves constraints': The paradox of Googles twenty percent time. Ephemera: Theory & Politics in Organization, pp. 369-386. Westenholz, A. (1993). Paradoxical Thinking and Change in the Frames of Reference. Organization Studies, pp. 37-58.

Blue Cross

When several Blue Cross Blue Shield programs in upstate New York merged, each organization brought its own business processes and IT systems to the new entity. Because they were so different, yet had to be consolidated, the new entity, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, wanted to first implement a strong business analysis process to clearly identify company functions and processes. They wanted to be able to inventory and visualize their current state architecture in support of system modernization and SOA efforts. Problem Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield is part of a $4 billion family of companies that finances and delivers health care services across upstate New York, including the major cities of Syracuse, Elmira, Rochester, Utica, and Buffalo. As New York State’s largest nonprofit health plan, the organization provides health insurance to more than 2 million people, and employs more than 6,000 New Yorkers. It is the result of a merger of several health organizations serving upstate New York. Following the merger, Excellus found that there were few enterprise architecture (EA) standards embraced by all of the previously independent entities. The company formed a group within the IT department to focus on EA as it consolidated business and IT systems and reduced the amount of technical diversity within the organization. With multiple platforms and environments, it was extremely challenging to create smoothly running, cohesive business procedures, without a clear understanding of what processes and systems were serving each organization. Many of these legacy systems, some in place for 30+ years, didn’t have adequate documentation, so there were parts of the systems that were completely unknown. â€Å"Before making sweeping policy or platform decisions, we recognized the importance of identifying all company functions and the processes used to implement them,† explained Eric Stephens, enterprise architect, Enterprise Architecture and Integration Team at Excellus. â€Å"This was the first step in our effort to reduce duplicate processes that were a normal result of the merger. We had to develop single systems for claims processing, provider contracting, member registration, and more, but could not do that until we fully understood and mapped the existing processes. † Excellus recognized that a key success factor would be a service-oriented architecture (SOA) approach, offering the ability to devise flexible architectures that rely on smaller parts (services), rather than larger monolithic solutions. Being able to implement the architecture in parts gives the company more choices (buy vs. uild) and allows for variation in particular components to adapt to a shifting market demand for products. It was clear that going forward with big systems implementations would drive both risks and financial resources to unacceptable levels. In addition, the organization established a goal of standardizing practices so that customers and others outside the organization would feel like they were dealing with a single company, rather than multiple entities in a loose federation.