Organizational Structure Paper - 1253 Words

MANAGEMENT THEORY AND PRACTICE 1 Management Theory and Practice MGMT/230 MANAGEMENT THEORY AND PRACTICE 2 Looking at the organizational function of management within the Bank of America Corporation. The Bank of America structure specifically relates to the physical assets and the monetary resources of the company and how financial realities can have a major impact on the management organization of any company. A matrix structure sets up teams from different departments, thereby creating two or more intersecting lines of authority. Also, matrix addresses issues that arise with the growth, diversification, productivity, and competitiveness in its structure. Matrix structures provide flexibility, enhanced†¦show more content†¦The organizational structures and functions of any company, specified by management decisions will have an important effect upon the way that companies relate to their physical assets and monetary resources. Understanding the nature of the relationship between management structures and the two aforementioned business elements can reveal much about the way tha t the company is organized, its goals, and its expected market performance. Bank of America seems possessed of two, very nearly contradictory, management styles. On some level, this represents a transition for the corporation as it becomes larger and larger and must increasingly face the kind of problems only associated with corporations of its size. On the one hand, management at Bank of America seems to want to solve many of its problems; both legal and regulatory by simply throwing money at them. The chairperson and chief executive officer, Kenneth D. Lewis, has decided to resolve many of the company’s legal entanglements in this fashion to have them dealt with out of the public eye as quickly as possible (Boraks amp; Moyer, 2004). However, at the same time the Bank of America has spent considerable effort in expanding its physical assets through a series of mergers and acquisitions of other banking institutions, all the while cutting personnel to improve profit margins. Taken together these efforts (atShow MoreRelatedOrganizational Structure Paper 1161 Words   |  5 PagesOrganizational Structure Paper MGT 230 Organizational Structure Paper The selected organization for the topic is AAA Remodeling AAA Remodeling is a construction company that focuses on remodeling of residential homes along with weatherization on commercial and residential buildings. Description of organizational structure of AAA remodeling will be given. Two other organizational structures will be selected for the use of contrast and comparison. The organizational functionsRead MoreIndividual Organizational Structure Paper1091 Words   |  5 PagesIndividual Organizational Structure Paper MGT/230 July 23, 2012 Todd Lambertson Individual Organizational Structure Paper Facebook is a social-networking site that has a strong organization structure that is appropriate for their particular product; social media. Facebook seems like a simple site that does not require a structure to operate. Twitter works in the same way but is only set up for chatting through posts, or as it is called tweets. Tweets are text-based quotes of up to 140 charactersRead MoreProject Management Organizational Structures Paper1144 Words   |  5 PagesA project organization is a structure that facilitates the coordination and implementation of project activities. Its main incentive is to create an environment that encourages interactions among the project personnel with a minimum amount of distractions, overlaps and conflicts. At the start of every project, it is important to first select the organization structure. On the basis of unique characteristics of the project, each project structure various forms its own advantages and disadvantagesRead MoreMgt/230 Organizational St ructure Paper1298 Words   |  6 PagesOrganizational Structure Paper Jody Denton MGT/230 November 6, 2011 Dr. Matasha Murrell Jones Organizational Structure Paper The temperature outside is 30 degrees and the predicted weather for the next week will continue to drop below freezing. When Jane wakes up in the morning without any heat, she weighs her options and sets out to call the gas company to get her service reconnected. Jane is advised by the customer service representative that in order to get her service turned on she wouldRead MoreOrganizational Structure Paper1191 Words   |  5 PagesOrganizational Structure Paper MGT/230 02/18/2013 University of Phoenix Organizational Structure Paper When it comes to business as any organizations it requires a structure, based on the resources and demands organization can changed or modify their structure. The most common two structures are vertical and horizontal structure which we see every business organization in global market (Bateman Snell, 2011). In today’s any business organization theirs and important trait is not only theRead MoreOrganizational Structure Paper1230 Words   |  5 PagesOrganizational Structure Paper For the past 3 years, I have worked for a company called 2020 communications. This company has many different contracts with other companies like Verizon, T-Mobile, and other wireless providers. As a Territorial Manager I do not work for these global wireless companies, we manage the territories and make sure that the actual stores are selling the company’s products and services. 2020 Communications has a simple structure that consists of a single individual that runsRead MoreOrganizational Structure Paper1182 Words   |  5 Pagescompetition. Advertisement will come into play when organizing. What types of advertisements to use will have to be decided upon. Billboards, TV commercials, newspaper inserts, English/Spanish, or even flyers may be considered. There are also sales papers in every entrance of every store for customers to look through as they shop. The set-up of the store also falls under organizing, figuring out the layout of items and additional services like ur gent care centers or nail spas. Directing and ControllingRead MoreWeek 4-Individual Organizational Structure Paper1108 Words   |  5 PagesWeek 4-Individual Organizational Structure Paper Sabrina Hoffmann 12/3/2012 Course: MGT/230 - MANAGEMENT THEORY AND PRACTICE Instructor: CAROL CONNELL Management Organizational Functions An important trait to any organization in the business world of today is the functions within the organization. Overall, an organizing function of management outlines the practice in which individuals within the organization interact and work with each other. CellCom Inc. is small cell phone company locatedRead MoreOrganizational Structures and Systems1453 Words   |  6 PagesOrganizational Structures and Systems Jeffrey Ha MBA501 – Human Interfaces Instructor: Dr. Eli Sopow Submission date: October 2, 2010 Organizational Structures and Systems Introduction This paper will examine organizational structures, organizational systems and how organizational culture influences both structure and systems. Throughout this paper, there will an analogy to the human body to help further the understanding of the concepts of structure and systems in an organization. ThisRead MoreOrganizational Structure and Culture661 Words   |  3 PagesOrganizational Structure and Culture Introduction In this week’s assignment we will be looking at organizational structure and organizational culture. We will first look at how organizational culture impacts organizational structure and vice versa. Then look at how organizational structure interacts and impacts the organization’s decision process. Organizational Cultures Impact on Organizational Structure The first part of this week’s assignment was to look at how organizational structure impacts

Strategic Action Disney s International Business Essay

MKT 220 Buyer Behavior (Assessment 1) Part A HONG KONG DISNEYLAND: WHEN BIG BUSINESS MEETS FENG SHUI, SUPERSTITION AND NUMEROLOGY Question 1: Which strategic action Disney took in terms of consumer focused initiative? Give Example Disney has launched its theme parks in three international markets (Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong). In the Disney’s globalization strategies, they have got one lucky success in Japan, one fail in France and additional success in Hong Kong after failure in France. In which country Disney’s international business is success? In which country is failure? Let’s find out and consider, what are the causes of success and failure? Tokyo Disney was launched in 1983 and it was a huge success even if Tokyo Disney was a copy-cat of its American theme park. I believe that behind success, there were Japanese characteristics. For example, Japanese are usually keen to adopt western cultures which mean that Disney characters and management style were not significant problem in Japan. Japan tends to easily accept that a foreign culture. Accept without any criticism, without the traditional interpretation of foreign cultures. Japan s isolation in the geopolitical side is always a strong interest in and curiosity about foreign cultures. Disney also could be a successful business in Japan because of the generosity of the Japanese people for foreign cultures. With a great success, Disney launched Euro Disneyland but they faced many problems. The huge mistake theyShow MoreRelatedWalt Disney s Objectives Of The World s Leading Producers And Providers Of Entertainment Essay1397 Words   |  6 PagesMission â€Å"The purpose of the company Walt Disney is to be one of the world s leading producers and providers of entertainment and information using its portfolio of brands to differentiate its content, services and consumer goods. The primary financial objectives of the company are to maximize profits and cash flow, and allocate capital to initiatives the development of long-term shareholder value.† Organizational Structure Disney operates using a strategic business organizational structure of the unitRead MoreDisney Strategic Initiative Paper1214 Words   |  5 PagesDisney Strategic Initiative Paper Tammy Adams, Kecia Darnell, Chelsea Hensley, Elizabeth Munns, and Zameika Williams University of Phoenix FIN 370 Professor Stephen Beadnell October 18, 2010 Strategic Initiative Paper Introduction This paper will address the strategic and financial planning associated with the operations of Disney. In addition, the paper will show the correlation between strategic and financial planning. The impact of the organization’s initiative costs, sales, and associatedRead MoreControl Mechanisms: The Walt Disney Company: Team project1358 Words   |  6 PagesControl Mechanisms: The Walt Disney Company Introduction Organizations use control mechanisms to help regulate guidelines and procedures which contribute toward effectively achieving organizational goals. The Walt Disney Company is a well known entertainment organization that has become tremendously successful both nationally and internationally over the past 70 years or so partly through successful implementation of control mechanisms throughout every aspect of the organization. The purpose of thisRead MoreConsumer Focused Initiative : Strategic Action Disney Essay1739 Words   |  7 Pagesinitiative: Which strategic action Disney took in terms of consumer focused initiative? Examples. Hong Kong Disneyland, The fifth theme park globally, was created to service the Hong Kong market, but more strategically to reach rapidly growing Chinese market Economists predicts a 25.2% rise in Chinese market. To get more initiative from public it strategically implemented following: 1. Hong Kong Disney land is located on lantua which is just 10 minutes from Hong Kong international airport and 30minRead MoreThe Walt Disney Company1633 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Content Abstract (summary) Business Ethics is about appropriate or right and wrong behavior to be carried in business. In this paper, the general principle of ethic will be applied on the analysis of the ethical issue of the Walt Disney Company. The recommendations we believed that can help to address the ethical problems are also included in this paper. Background of The Walt Disney Company The Walt Disney Company is a international entertainment and media enterprise. It has establishedRead MoreWalt Disney s Merger With Capital Cities1620 Words   |  7 Pagesanywhere these days without seeing an advertisment, or something relating to The Walt Disney Company (Disney). Perhaps you are seeing this advertised using a cable network like ABC or ESPN, or possibly on one of the newspaper companies that used to belong to Capital Cities/ ABC Inc. (ABC). In 1995, it was time for Disney to improve on their media outlook. In 1996 at its New York Shareholder meeting, The Walt Disney Company s merger with Capital Cities Inc. created one of the biggest and most prominent mediaRead MoreAnalysis Of Disney s Disney 1748 Words   |  7 Pages Portfolio Project: Disney Gregory John Pico AMU Disney in other Countries Each country has differences with how their culture plays a factor on how they do business. Rather it is by certain topics being discussed or a certain way people greet one another. When examining the cultural charts of both France and China on http://geert-hofstede.com , a U.S. manager can get an idea on how their behavior may need to be modified when communicating with associates from France or China. For exampleRead MoreInternational Strategic Management7595 Words   |  31 PagesCHAPTER 11 International Strategic Management After studying this chapter, students should be able to: Characterize the challenges of international strategic management. Assess the basic strategic alternatives available to firms. Distinguish and analyze the components of international strategy. Describe the international strategic management process. Identify and characterize the levels of international strategiesRead MoreWalt Disney s The Disney Company2012 Words   |  9 PagesTyler Knight The Walt Disney Company Introduction History/background. The Walt Disney Company is a very large company with a very rich history. The company began as a cartoon studio in 1923, started by Walt Disney, and it was called the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. In 1928, the first animated film to star Mickey Mouse, Steamboat Willie, debuted in New York City. The following year, the partnership between the two Disney brothers was replaced by four renamed Disney companies. In 1932, the firstRead MoreSwot Analysis Of Mcdonalds International Market1326 Words   |  6 Pagesthe late 194o’s, and went international in late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Since then, McDonald’s has grown to operate in almost 120 counties and is a well-recognized brand internationally. This paper will cover McDonald’s future in the international market through their strategic approach, innovation and entrepreneurship, talent management, logistics, finance, and a brief SWOT analysis. Strategic approach There are always issues when taking a company to an international market and every company

Positive Thinking Free Essays

Positive thinking leads a man to success. One who thinks that he can achieve the things, will put his best to achieve, will not fetter by the problems in the path of success and one day he will win positively. Self confidence, determination, perseverance, and hard work are the key factors of success. We will write a custom essay sample on Positive Thinking or any similar topic only for you Order Now Every small or big, easy or complex problem have its solution. There is a way out of every labyrinth, there is an answer to every enigma. The only requirements are the confidence, hard work and determination and you get the answer. Where there is a will, there is a way. If you find any problem, a typical one, don’t lose heart, go ahead and devote yourself fully, analyze each aspect, and get the problem solved. Every invention taken place so far, were riddled with many unfound answers, but the inventor’s zeal and perseverance found the solution and a new invention took place. For a confident person, the word ‘impossible’ is no where in his dictionary. A determined and dedicated person finds way in all complexities undaunted by the initial problems and failures he keeps on finding solution to every teaser and one day he achieves his cherished goal. Dedication, devotion to the task and positive thinking with determination have been the important factors of success of every successful celebrity. Take the recent example Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, the widow of Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi, participated and campaigned in the Lok Sabha election 2004, undaunted by the criticism, personal attacks and all kinds of perversities she went alone campaigning alone without having any other ‘Star’ campaigner, covered almost the whole of the country against the BJP and showed the world that congress got the majority. She has shown her unflinching determination, unfettered self confidence, dedication and devotion to the cause without worrying for the results and she is the winner. Every Tom and dick had questioned her nationality, her foreign origin, but she cared a fig for all criticism and showed her caliber. Life is a battle, one has to fight it fearlessly. Fight with confidence, positive attitude, right aptitude, with determined and concentrated efforts, leads to the surest path of success. Fortune is said to favor the brave. God also help those who help themselves. A coward, a pessimist dare not even to fight in the race, it is an optimist and determined soul, who dares to fight, has the chance of success. A winner never quits and a quitter never wins shows that one who constantly tries to achieve something, one who endeavors hard incessantly to achieve something, he is the winner, later or sooner, but a quitter could never be a winner. When Vallabhbhai Patel told that’ Swaraj is my birth right’ so many people find it mere a slogan, but the incessant struggle put by all the freedom fighters supported the claim of Patel and we could win the freedom. Organizing the efforts properly, in right direction, striking at the opportune time, are essential for achieving a target. Optimism, determination, undaunted will power makes every impossible task possible. Confidence is the most important key to success. It boosts the morale and creates determination to attain a goal. The loss of confidence makes a man pessimist, coward or a dead man. The importance of ‘right deeds’ is well emphasized in Bhagwat Geeta: Lord Krishna tells Arjun to follow the path of righteousness, the path of dedication, Do Karma, don’t think about the result, the God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, the results as per your deeds will follow. It should also be remembered that the positive and constructive thoughts which aims for the betterment of mankind are met with success. It should not be riddled with self aggrandizement evil thoughts never bear good results. Your biggest assets are your enthusiasm that enriches with your positive thinking. Never lose hope, keep cheerful put the best possible efforts with your total involvement, have confidence in you and you are the winner. Through positive thinking one can overcome the mountains. One who always think positively even in adverse circumstances wins. Positive thinking always pays. Life belongs to the ambitions. How to cite Positive Thinking, Essay examples Positive Thinking Free Essays Why do so many people readily shuck their responsibilities at the first sign of trouble? After all, are we not all born winners? Why are so many born winners willing to be counted out just when others desperately need to count on them? We already know the answer. Just when we need it the least, that old bugaboo of past negative conditioning has a nasty habit of showing up. Winners, learn to overcome their prior negative conditioning by reconditioning themselves to win. We will write a custom essay sample on Positive Thinking or any similar topic only for you Order Now They never back down from the toughest situations.Winners, like anyone else, are not especially enamored with prospect of having to face up to their problems either. But herein lies the biggest difference between the winners and the pretenders. Winners always Think Positive   to deal with their problems head on and readily accept the challenge of finding a way to make things better, while the pretenders run and hide. The Power of Positive Thinking Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success.It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds. Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not many know how to use it effectively to get results.Yet, it seems that many are becoming attracted to this subject, as evidenced by the many books, lectures and courses about it. This is a subject that is gaining popularity. It is quite common to hear people say: â€Å"Think positive! † to someone who feels down and worried. Most people do not take these words seriously, as they do not know what they really mean, or do not consider them as useful and effective. How many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means? How to cite Positive Thinking, Papers Positive Thinking Free Essays A Report on Positive Thinking â€Å"How to cultivate it† Positive Thinking Introduction: Positive thinking is a mental attitude. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. A negative mind on the other hand, suffers grief, depression, discomfort and failure. We will write a custom essay sample on Positive Thinking or any similar topic only for you Order Now Positive thinking actually means approaching life’s challenges with a positive outlook. It does not necessarily mean avoiding or ignoring the bad things; instead, it involves making the most of potentially bad situations, trying to see the best in other people, and viewing yourself and your abilities in a positive light. Some researchers often frame positive thinking in terms of explanatory style. Your explanatory style is how you explain why events happened. People with an optimistic explanatory style tend to give themselves credit when good things happen, but typically blame outside forces for bad outcomes. They also tend to see negative events as temporary and atypical. On the other hand, individuals with a pessimistic explanatory style often blame themselves when bad things happen, but fail to give themselves adequate credit for successful outcomes. They also have a tendency to view negative events as expected and lasting. As you can imagine, blaming yourself for events outside of your control or viewing these unfortunate events as a persistent part of your life can have a detrimental impact on your state of mind. Positive thinkers are more apt to use an optimistic explanatory style, but the way in which people attribute events can also vary depending upon the exact situation. For example, a person who is generally a positive thinker might use a more pessimistic explanatory style in particularly challenging situations, such as at work or at school. How to cultivate positive thinking: ) Persistence: Once a negative thought enters our mind we have to be aware of it and endeavour to replace it with a constructive one. The negative thought will try again to enter our mind, and again we have to hammer it out. It is as if there are two pictures before us, and we have to look at one of them and disregard the negative one. Persistence will eventually teach our mind to think positively and ignore negative thoug hts. b) Affirmations: Affirmation is a process through which we assure ourselves that out thoughts and actions are on the right path. When we try to review our actions as per the right principles of proper growth of our personalities, we feel assured. Our faith in right thinking and action is an affirmation. c) Concentration: With a view to create an ambience conducive to our growth individually and collectively, we have to stay focused on right goals and proper objectives. Every thought must be logically connected with pointed action. To achieve this we must develop the power of concentration. d) Will power: Will power is the strength of our infinite mind. Human mind has great potential. We need to awaken our mind to lead us towards our decided goals. Hard work and firm faith in our endeavours will enhance our will power. e) Self-discipline: With a view to keep our will power unwavering we must set certain rules of our behavior and follow these rules without compromise. This is called self-discipline. To keep ourselves positive in thoughts and consequent actions, self-discipline is a must. f) Equilibrium of mind: Human mind is like a wind. It wavers when it gets a chance to waver. Sometimes it is overblown with joy and sometimes it is down with depression. Sometimes it is victimized with love positive mind balances all the extremes and stays equiposed. Benefits of Positive Thinking There are several benefits of positive thinking like 1. Formation of constructive attitude: Positive thinking helps us ascertain the plus side of good actions. It helps us find out the merits in others by virtue of which we became acceptable in every society. 2. Confidence-building: Positive thinking builds our self-esteem and self-worth. It helps the process of self-actualization which boosts our confidence level. 3. Success-orientation: Positive thinker is success-oriented. He/she never doubts his/her actions. A positive thinker faces adverse situation with courage and confidence which leads him to ultimate success 4. Logical thinking: A positive thinker never thinks at random. He analyses every thought minutely, thinks about the pitfalls of putting it into action and chalks out an action plan accordingly. 5. Ability to face failure: A positive thinker is never pessimistic. Even if he suffers a setback he doesn’t become nervous. On the other hand he analyses the failure factors and tries to improve them. 6. Ability to rectify mistakes: A positive thinker is like a lion who always looks back his track. If he deviates, he immediately corrects his wrongs. 7. Attainment of mento-physical soundness: A positive thinker gives equal weightage to the fitness of his body and mind. 8. Development of the sense of equality: A positive thinker treats everyone with equality which gives him the required peace of mind. How to cite Positive Thinking, Papers

Conflict Management for Interactive Conflict - myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theConflict Management for Interactive Conflict Resolution. Answer: Introduction The participants in the interview could have been more professional in the session and behaved in a proper manner to avoid the conflict. Whenever any questions were asked they took it personally and started to react in an inappropriate way. Conflict resolution should be done by the moderator of the session but in the given scenario the individual failed to maintain the decorum (Autesserre 2014). That is why; the interview session was more of a chaos and confusion than resolution of the actual problem. The session could have been conducted in a more effective way if the participants were a bit more careful about their behavior. Conflict resolution skills were absolute necessity for the persons who participated in the discussion session. There can be disagreements between two individuals but that does not mean it will result in a conflict. But it should be taken into consideration that the conflict should be managed before it takes a rough shape. Skills of conflict resolution if posses sed by an individual, it can help in building healthy interpersonal relationships and efficiency in team work (Avruch and Black 2014). Conflict resolution skills and disagreeing voluntarily are the practices that help in building better communication. Causes of conflict Disagreeing on certain points is essential to keep up the spirit of conversation. It is very unnatural that disagreement and conflict resolution will take place in an interview setting. But that notion was changed by the given scenario where none of the members maintained professionalism. They should have listened to one another, respected others opinion and then shared their own. The aim of the interview was to make a good debatable session but instead it became a hurdle to identify the resolving factor in between the chaos and disagreement (Fisher 2016). The moderator of the session should have been sterner in leading the session and stopped the speaker in between when required. If he had done so, then there would have been no scope of conflict arising within the interview. The drawback of the moderator was that he did not speak in those areas where he should have. This is because in an interview setting, it is the leader who talks more than all other members in the group. He shoul d be smart, invite participation of the members, but at the same time it is also important to encourage professional courage which is required to make the event successful this is one thing which lacked in the given situation (Fisher, Kelman and Nan 2013). Strategies to manage conflict Conflict is not something unnatural in a workplace and especially when the topic was about religion. But the participants involved in the program should be careful about the place and the necessary mannerism. It was absolutely unprofessional on the part of the participants to misbehave with each other and hurt their sentiments. They could have made the session effective by using certain conflict management strategies. The conflict of the given situation led to trust breakdown with no effective outcome and ill manners at the end. The strategies that the participants could have used are- accommodating, avoiding, collaborating, compromising and competing (Fry and Bjorkqvist 2013). The accommodating strategy essentially encourages respecting the opinion of other side. Using the strategy of accommodation takes place when the participant on one side wants the issue to dissolve and seek peace. None of the participants in the session was in a mood to resolve the issue or accommodate so they kept on adding oil in the fire. The next step is avoiding. This strategy helps to reduce the conflict in an indefinite way. The strategy helps in resolving the conflict without confrontation by delaying or avoiding the situation. But this seemed to be impossible in the given case because the situation itself promoted the rise of the conflict (Gounaris et al. 2016). There is no way the conflict could have been avoided because it took place as a result of the debate. If there were no debate then there would have been no conflict. Avoiding conflict is taken as a negative symbol on the part of the management or the moderator or the supervisor. If the moderator wanted to avoid the co nflict it reflects that he has low esteem and low power. The third strategy, collaboration works by combining the ideas that are set out by several people. The intention of this strategy is to find out a solution that can be accepted by everyone. But there lies a drawback as this strategy is time consuming (Moore 2014). This cannot be suitable for the conflict of the given situation because time was extremely precious there. The interview session was bound by certain time limit and it is not feasible to extend that time for resolving conflict. The fourth strategy in the process of resolving conflict is compromising. The strategy of compromising wants the participants to surrender on their place or position and settle for something else. It represents the fact that the participants have to give up or sacrifice some elements of their own to mitigate the conflict that has taken place. It can be considered as a useful strategy for the given scenario. But the participants were not at all ready to stand back from their opinion. They had some clear ideas set in their mind and they kept on arguing on those notions over and over again. They were not ready to listen to each other, how will they compromise? The last part of the process of resolving conflict is competing. Competition is regarded as something with no effective solution, but winning on one side and losing on the other (Wallensteen 2015). Many high dignitaries often fail to cope up with this strategy and fails in the end. This is the best option in a limited number of co nflicts or in any kind of emergency situations. This is not feasible for the given case scenario because nobody wanted to lose. This strategy is best suited for businessmen who benefit from holding competitive strategy at the crisis situation. Reference Autesserre, S., 2014.Peaceland: conflict resolution and the everyday politics of international intervention. Cambridge University Press. Avruch, K. and Black, P., 2014. Conflict resolution in intercultural settings: Problems and prospects. Fisher, R.J., 2016. Third party consultation: A method for the study and resolution of conflict. InRonald J. Fisher: A North American Pioneer in Interactive Conflict Resolution(pp. 37-71). Springer International Publishing. Fisher, R.J., Kelman, H.C. and Nan, S.A., 2013. Conflict analysis and resolution. Fry, D.P. and Bjorkqvist, K. eds., 2013.Cultural variation in conflict resolution: Alternatives to violence. Psychology Press. Gounaris, S., Chatzipanagiotou, K., Boukis, A. and Perks, H., 2016. Unfolding the recipes for conflict resolution during the new service development effort.Journal of Business Research,69(10), pp.4042-4055. Moore, C.W., 2014.The mediation process: Practical strategies for resolving conflict. John Wiley Sons. Wallensteen, P., 2015.Understanding conflict resolution. Sage.

Childhood Development and Sexual Behavior

In as much as every infant is naturally endowed with physical, cognitive, linguistic and social faculties at and even before birth, even so is it endowed with inherent sexual dispositions which of necessity are bound to develop as the infant grows to adulthood.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Childhood Development and Sexual Behavior specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is crucial; therefore, that parents and caregivers should not turn a blind eye towards childhood sexuality, rather they need to ensure a supportive and thriving environment in which these innate sexual endowments would be nurtured for the child’s healthy sexual development. Irrespective of individual differences in children, some common sexual behaviors are exhibited in each of the distinct childhood stages of development. The infantile sexual stage of a child is marked by tender curiosity and inquisitiveness about the uniqueness of their bo dily physique, the wonder of noticing the sexual difference between males and females in the social world around the infant. Generally, after birth, the infant explores its body parts through touch and fondle, best observed when baby is being nursed (McHenry, 2009). Such genital reactions as erections as it is case with a boy child and vaginal lubrication as evident for a girl child are the key features in this stage- it is arguable that the inception of these responses occurs even before birth. At the early childhood stage, the baby’s curiosity is heightened; he/she is sensitized about sexual stimulation and thus establishes his/her gender identity (Rich, 2002). This phase is marked by an increased awareness of gender differences as evident in varied spontaneous childhood games as playing mother-daddy, doctor-patient and teacher-pupil games. The child at this stage begins asking objective sexually oriented and self-searching queries as ‘Where did I come from?’ r esulting to a greater appreciation of his/her sexual endowments. The preadolescence stage is characterized by active sex play with a progressive awareness about sexually related issues as pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and the like. It is also evident in this stage that same-sex social group associations are developed and children assume respective gender roles. At the very threshold of puberty, children maintain a reserved but objective personal privacy coupled with heightened autonomy poses the delicate challenge of steering the child’s sexual life to its desired haven.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The child at this stage is exposed to the reality of the sexual world through the use of media and interaction with both the community and peers, thus his/her sexual inclination takes the form of identifying and courteously dating a opposite sex child of the same age (Guy, 2006). Although, parent involvement should be maintained throughout the child’s sexual life, it should take the center stage at this delicate and fragile phase of the child’s sexual development by engaging the child in open discussions on healthy sexual matters. At the adolescence stage, the child’s sexual faculties are fully developed and there is an increased desire to date and fall in love. This is primarily triggered by increased peer pressure, inherent sexual drive with a fully fledged sexual system and the reserved societal controversies of the ideal sexual expectation/outlook (McHenry, 2009). Physical and emotional maturity, coupled with a deepened intimacy usher the adolescent child to the characteristic sexual romance of dating, kissing and in some situations sexual intercourse as evident in this stage. Of necessity, therefore, parents would need to accord social support and accommodation in honoring adolescent privacy and nurture the development of the child’s assertive and decision-making proficiency. Reference List Guy, J. (2006). What is normal childhood sexual development? Web. McHenry, D. (2009). Sexual Development and Behavior in Children. Web. Rich, P. (2002). Child Sexual Behaviours: What is Considered â€Å"Normal† Sexual Development and Behavior? Web. This essay on Childhood Development and Sexual Behavior was written and submitted by user Maxwell M. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

How Sentence Combining Works

How Sentence Combining Works An alternative to traditional forms of grammar instruction, sentence combining gives students practice in manipulating a variety of basic sentence structures. Despite appearances, the goal of sentence combining is not to produce longer sentences but rather to develop more effective sentences  - and to help students become more versatile writers. How Sentence Combining Works Heres a simple example of how sentence combining works. Consider these three short sentences: The dancer was not tall.The dancer was not slender.The dancer was extremely elegant. By cutting out the needless repetition and adding a few conjunctions, we can combine these three short sentences into a single, more coherent sentence. We might write this, for instance: The dancer was not tall or slender, but she was extremely elegant. Or this: The dancer was neither tall nor slender but extremely elegant. Or even this: Neither tall nor slender, the dancer was extremely elegant nonetheless. Which version is grammatically correct? All three of them. Then which version is most effective? Now thats the right question. And the answer depends on several factors, beginning with the context in which the sentence appears. The Rise, Fall, and Return of Sentence Combining As a method of teaching writing, sentence combining grew out of studies in transformational-generative grammar and was popularized in the 1970s by researchers and teachers such as Frank OHare  and William Strong. Around the same time, interest in sentence combining was heightened by other emerging sentence-level pedagogies, especially the generative rhetoric of the sentence advocated by Francis and Bonniejean Christensen. In recent years, after a period of neglect (a period when researchers, as Robert J. Connors has noted, did not like or trust exercises of any kind), sentence combining has made a comeback in many composition classrooms. Whereas in the 1980s, as Connors says, it was no longer enough to report that sentence-combining worked if no one could specify why it worked, research has now caught up with practice: [T]he preponderance of writing instruction research shows that systematic practice in combining and expanding sentences may increase students repertoire of syntactic structures and may also improve the quality of their sentences, when stylistic effects are discussed as well. Thus, sentence combining and expansion are viewed as a primary (and accepted) writing instructional approach, one that has emerged from research findings holding that a sentence combining approach is far superior to traditional grammar instruction.(Carolyn Carter, The Absolute Minimum Any Educator Should Know Teach Students About the Sentence, iUniverse, 2003)

Professional and Academic Skills Development Assignment

Professional and Academic Skills Development - Assignment Example I normally set time to reflect on whatever I have learnt during the day (in the evenings) and at the end of the week. Depending on what I have experienced, I ask myself if i liked the experience or not and how the experience or theory applies in real life. After reading an article on the hierarchy of needs, I reflected on the author’s arguments and realised why people consider security as a matter of priority in life as opposed to gaining wealth. You were asked to work in groups of 3 or 4, to pick a topic and to find relevant references from four different sources (e.g. newspaper, journal, internet and book). Please list the references below, using the correct form of Harvard reference for each. I have learnt that teamwork is important when undertaking major tasks especially. Through teamwork, people get to learn from one another. It is important to appreciate other people and be a keen listener for teamwork to be a positive and enjoyable experience. In order to be effective when a member of a team, i need to learn how to appreciate people’s cultures. This way I will be able to understand their world views and appreciate why they act or speak the way they do. Giving a presentation before a multitude of people first normally hits me with tension. In order to overcome my tension, apprehension and fear, I did my research on the subject I had to present thoroughly. That way, my confidence grew as I knew that I had great ideas to present. I also encouraged myself that my group members and audience wished to see me succeed. I will take time to write and rehearse mock speeches so as to be more comfortable in public speaking. I learnt a lot from the library tutorial. I learnt how to search sources using various criteria for example with the author name or title. I also learnt the various sources that I may use for my research including books and journals. I am currently confident that my library skills are sufficient. What did you learn from

Video games are the latest expression of the 'control society' Essay

Video games are the latest expression of the 'control society' (Deleuze 1992) Discuss this claim in relation to ideas of con - Essay Example The children who learn a sort of behaviour from these video games usually affect their own health, their social life and start lacking in physical activity games (Anderson & Bushman, 2001). This essay has explained the Deleuze’s concept of controlled society and how the video games can be, or, are being used in control and improvising of the control society. Evolution of Video Games Video Games have evolved over the past two decades. There was once a time when 16-bit and 32-bit gaming consoles were extremely popular around the world. These games were usually two-dimensional in nature and were relatively clean in terms of violence, nudity, expletives and sexual content (Gottfried, 2005). However, gaming has evolved rapidly with the passage of time and today, three- dimensional games are widely available. These games boast the most detailed and crisp high definition graphics and an addictive game play. Unfortunately, with advances in gaming technology, the level of inappropriate and unsuitable content in games has also increased to an alarming level (Gottfried, 2005). Advancements in Technology and the modern emergence of video games With the rapid growth and development of the society, the modernization of the technology is an important aspect that cannot be neglected. While the advancements continue to pave their path through the society, the concept of a control society, in terms of expressions, is an important phenomenon that has been introduced by Deleuze. The world’s leading producers of electronic games do their best to ensure that they stamp their game CDs with a prominent ESRB rating that gives the potential purchaser of the CD a general idea of the type of content that they might stumble across in the game. The ESRB rating is ideally meant to discourage younger audiences from purchasing games that have an 18+ or similar rating (Vorderer& Bryant, 2012). But is this enough to stop ardent gaming enthusiasts from playing their favourite games? No, it isn’t. Younger addicts of games are regularly exposed to inappropriate content as they are unable to control the strong urge to play the latest games and this usually means that they shun ESRB ratings. The games being developed these days are rich in graphical content and it is common for gamers to control a gung-ho protagonist and go on a killing spree as they match around the city shooting enemies in the head and spilling their blood all over the place (Vorderer& Bryant, 2012). Apart from this, there are also games where blade-swinging heroes swing their swords to cut off limbs and chop off heads. Such content is hardly considered to be appropriate for children under the age of 18. An example taken here is of â€Å"Hercules† and â€Å"mortal combat†. Unfortunately these games are the most common among younger children who have been addicted to them. Concept of Improvisation In testing and complex circumstances performing authorities improvise with a pa rticular deciding objective to pass on request from the holds of turmoil. Highsmith (2002) recommends this as a "choric" practice. Undoubtedly, in a gathering condition, there may be battling depictions for encounters, occasions and issues, however legitimately, translations help accord, that is, equifinality. This has been noted to happen all around crises where gifted people and conglomerations improvise life-sparing happens out of disarray. Deleuze’

Computational Phylogenetic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Computational Phylogenetic - Essay Example Using the resulting â€Å"neighbor.outtree† generated as your answer in Question 2, generate the corresponding dendrogram using the â€Å"drawgram† program found at the MOBYLE Portal under phylogeny/display. Keep all program parameters set to default except for the â€Å"Drawgram options† parameter; you will need to change this parameter to a file type you can visualize on your computer (e.g., Windows – BitMap). Copy/Paste the resulting image as your answer. Using the resulting â€Å"dnapars.outtree† generated as your answer in Question 4, generate the corresponding dendrogram using the â€Å"drawtree† program found at the MOBYLE Portal under phylogeny/display. Keep all program parameters set to default except for the â€Å"Drawtree Options† parameter; you will need to change this parameter to a file type you can visualize on your computer (e.g., Windows – BitMap). Copy/Paste the resulting image as your answer. Run the â€Å"fitch† program found at the MOBYLE Portal under phylogeny/distance. Keep all program parameters set to default except for the parameter you will need to change to run â€Å"Minimum Evolution† instead of â€Å"Fitch-Margoliash†. Copy/Paste the resulting â€Å"fitch.outtree† as your answer. Using the resulting â€Å"fitch.outtree† generated as your answer in Question 6, generate the corresponding dendrogram using the â€Å"drawtree† program found at the MOBYLE Portal under phylogeny/display. Keep all program parameters set to default except for the â€Å"Drawtree Options† parameter; you will need to change this parameter to a file type you can visualize on your computer (e.g., Windows – BitMap). Copy/Paste the resulting image as your

Case Study of Valentine Shortis

Case Study of Valentine Shortis Introduction Francis Valentine Cuthburt Shortis came from a wealthy Irish family that had established a successful business in cattle dealing. As an only child, Shortis was spoiled by his mother, however, his father thought that his son needed to learn how to be independent. On September 1893, eighteen years old Shortis was sailed to Canada alone on the S.S Laurentian to learn those values (Friedland, 1986, p. 3). After almost year Shortis had arrived in Montreal, his mother visited for a month to help her son establish a life in Canada. Shortis was hired to be a private secretary to Louis Simpson, the general manager of the Montreal Cotton Company for a trial of two months (Friedland, 1986, p. 4). However, Simpson did not renew Shortis contract as he did inadequate work and associated with a family of a rival company. While working at the company, Shortis associated himself with Millie Anderson and her younger brother Jack. The Anderson family had conflicts with Simpson and the cotton company as they had their own company the Anderson Foundry (Friedland,1986, p. 4). After being terminated from the company Shortis continued to see the Anderson family. In 1895 March 1st, Shortis had left the Anderson home around ten oclock in the evening and went to the Montreal Cotton Company to visit his old co-workers (Friedland, 1986, p. 4-5). Particularly on this night, four workmen were unloading and packing $12,000 into pay packets in an office that was to be distributed to the workers the next pay day (Friedland, 1986, p. 5). As the workmen went to put the money in the vault, Shortis grabbed the company revolver he knew about from the office drawer shooting one of the workers, Hugh Wilson (Friedland, 1986, p. 5). As the other workmen stood in shock, another worker, John Loy, tried to call for a doctor but Shortis immediately shot and killed him (Friedland, 1986, p. 5). The other two workmen, John Lowe and Arthur Leboeuf, sheltered themselves within the vault closing the door behind them. Wilson tried to escape into the factory, but had been found by Shortis and was shot in the head (Friedland, 1986, p. 6). Shortis made his way back to the o ther workmen who were trapped in the vault, but before executing his plan to start a fire and smoking them out, Shortis encountered the night watchman and immediately shot and killed him (Friedland, 1986, p. 6). However, unknown to Shortis, Wilson had miraculously survived the gunshot in the head and went on to sound the alarm in the engine room alerting the authorities (Friedland, 1986, p. 6). As authorities arrived at the scene of the crime, Shortis had immediately surrendered and was charged with two accounts of murder. Speculation of the crime was difficult to detect as Shortis motivations were unclear. Many believed the motive of the crime was robbery, but others had other theories that involved Millie Anderson and her younger brother Jack. Specifically, theorizing the crime as a revenge plot against Louis Simpson and as speculated robbery, but the money would have been used by Shortis to escape town with Millie as they had formed a romantic relationship at the time (Friedland, 1986, p.7). Although the motives of why Shortis committed the crime are unknown, two judges in different districts were assigned to the case as the venue of the trial was held an issue. The defence had made a petition to have the trial set in Montreal to as they believed that Shortis would not have a fair trial within the same district he had committed the crime (Friedland, 1986, p. 18). However, the petition was denied and the trial venue was not changed, Judge Michel Mathieu of the Quebec Superior Court assigned to the tr ial (Friedland, 1986, p. 31). Summary of the Prosecution As the trial began, Donald Macmaster and Charles Laurendeau, a Beauharnois lawyer, would represent the Crown (Friedland, 1986, p.32). Throughout the duration of the trial, the Crown was determined to eliminate the defences insanity plea, however, Judge Mathieu allowed the plea to be presented in court (Friedland, 1986, p. 35). In the opening address, Macmaster argues that determining whether a person is insane is solely based on an individuals perception of their moral certainty that the accused was on wrongful mind when committing the crime (Friedland, 1986, p. 37-38). Concluding his opening argument, Macmaster notes that if the jury does excuse Shortis of being insane, determining the duration of his sentence is uncertain as Macmaster states that there is no law that he will be confined for life (Friedland, 1986, p.38). Introducing the Crowns first witness, Macmaster brings John Lowe as he recounts the events that happened the night of the crime. The next witness brought in was Hug h Wilson. It was the first time Wilson had given a statement about the crime as he was recovering from his injuries during the inquest and preliminary hearing (Friedland, 1986, p.44). Wilson recounted the nights of the event from his perspective as Shortis shot at him several times before escaping and alerting the authorities. Other witnesses were called such as Dr. Sutherland, who had initially tended to Wilsons injuries and first confronted Shortis with another workman, and Ernst McVicar, an employee of the mill who had evidence of premeditation as Shortis discussed topics of robbing the company and the train that contained the money that was to be delivered to the mill company (Friedland, 1986, p. 45). Summary of the Defence Representing the defence was Henri St. Pierre, J.N Greenshields, and George Foster, a solicitor (Friedland, 1986, p.14). The evidence presented by the defence was made within two days; no opening statements were made and the defence presented their first evidence which was of the Irish commission that consisted of 575 handwritten pages of statements made by forty-eight witnesses, however, only two of the forty-eight witnesses were heard (Friedland, 1986, p.47). Robert Dobbin, the first witness, was the defendants fathers solicitor. Knowing Shortis as a child for eight or nine years, Dobbin had seen a few incidents involving Shortis where he had the young boy putting out a large fire that he had suspected that he started it himself (Friedland, 1986, p.47). The second witness, John Ryan, a classmate of Shortis had considered him a hot-tempered fool, recalling the time he had seen Shortis acting like a madman hitting a worker with a heavy stick when he did not get out of the way, often having headaches, and a fascination for guns (Friedland, 1986, p.47). Other witnesses enhanced the defenses insanity plea, as Richard Malone, a worker of the defendants father, told of how Shortis mistreated some of the cattle and found enjoyment in torturing the animals as he stuck pitchforks in the cattle (Friedland, 1986, p.48). The most important piece of evidence the defence presented were the testimonies of the defences psychiatrists. Each of the four psychiatrists supported the defences insanity plea as they had similar conclusions that Valentine Shortis was not of sound mind. One of the psychiatrists, James V. Anglin, concluded that Shortis was mentally ill from evidence such as incoherent speech, interests in subjects such as fatalism and reincarnation, delusions, and auditory and visual hallucinations (Friedland, 1986, p.60). Verdict With the jury about to decide the verdict of the trial, both the defence and the Crown gave their closing arguments, where the defence primarily focused on putting pressure on the jurors making them feel responsible for their decisions as Gre9enshields opening words were Thou shalt not kill (Friedland, 1986, p.90). Whereas the Crown concentrated on disproving the defences insanity plea, finding a contradiction in one of the defences psychiatrists, Dr. Clarkes testimony, as Macmaster found Dr. Clarke had used his description of a criminal to describe the term moral imbecile, used to describe Shortis (Friedland, 1986, p.105). On 3 November 1895, the jury found Valentine Shortis guilty of the murders and was sentenced to death by hanging on 3 January 1896 (Friedland, 1986, p.115-117). Although the sentence was to be carried out, Greenshields made a statement stating, (T)he only thing we now intend doing is to petition the Minister if Justice for commutation of sentence from the death pe nalty to imprisonment for life (Friedland, 1986, p.119). Before the sentence was carried out, George Foster, the defences solicitor, went to present the petition in Ottawa to the minister of justice, Sir Charles Hibbert Tupper (Friedland, 1986, p.122). A cabinet meeting was held to discuss the petition of Valentine Shortis, a vote was to be made from ten cabinet members on whether to sentence was to be execution or life in prison (Friedland, 1986, p. 148). The vote was undecided as each side had five votes, therefore another vote was to be held with other cabinet members voting (Friedland, 1986, p. 149). Speculation of influencing cabinet members to have the petition be approved were thought as each cabinet member was associated with those who were affiliated with wanting Shortis to be given a life sentence. People such as Shortis parents as they may have bribed cabinet members in election funding, and Judge Mathieu, the trial judge, whose brother-in-law was one of the cabinet membe rs may have influenced his vote as Mathieu was in favour of the petition (Friedland, 1986, p.150-151). On 31st December 1895, the petition was approved and was announced that Valentine Shortis was to serve a life sentence in St Vincent de Paul Penitentiary (Friedland, 1986, p.173). Conclusion In reviewing the case of Valentine Shortis, I believe that justice was served. In todays society, if a case were to be brought up under an insanity the jurors and those in court would be more understanding of the circumstances of the case. However, in the case of Shortis, the plea of insanity was questioned throughout the trial even though evidence of mental illness was presented by witnesses and psychiatrists. Perhaps because of the historical time period, the use of psychology in court was not acknowledged as if it is to be presented in court today as they may have believed that if a crime were committed the individual was sane and knew of their actions. Bibliography Friedland, M. L. (1986). The case of Valentine Shortis: a true story of crime and politics in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

George Washington :: essays research papers

George Washington was commander in chief of the Continental army during the American Revolution and first president of the United States (1789-97). Early Life and Career. Born in Westmoreland County, Va., on Feb. 22, 1732, George Washington was the eldest son of Augustine Washington and his second wife, Mary Ball Washington, who were prosperous Virginia gentry of English descent. George spent his early years on the family estate on Pope's Creek along the Potomac River. His early education included the study of such subjects as mathematics, surveying, the classics, and "rules of civility." His father died in 1743, and soon thereafter George went to live with his half brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon, Lawrence's plantation on the Potomac. Lawrence, who became something of a substitute father for his brother, had married into the Fairfax family, prominent and influential Virginians who helped launch George's career. An early ambition to go to sea had been effectively discouraged by George's mother; instead, he turned to surveying, securing (1748) an appointment to survey Lord Fairfax's lands in the Shenandoah Valley. He helped lay out the Virgi nia town of Belhaven (now Alexandria) in 1749 and was appointed surveyor for Culpeper County. George accompanied his brother to Barbados in an effort to cure Lawrence of tuberculosis, but Lawrence died in 1752, soon after the brothers returned. George ultimately inherited the Mount Vernon estate. By 1753 the growing rivalry between the British and French over control of the Ohio Valley, soon to erupt into the French and Indian War (1754-63), created new opportunities for the ambitious young Washington. He first gained public notice when, as adjutant of one of Virginia's four military districts, he was dispatched (October 1753) by Gov. Robert Dinwiddie on a fruitless mission to warn the French commander at Fort Le Boeuf against further encroachment on territory claimed by Britain. Washington's diary account of the dangers and difficulties of his journey, published at Williamsburg on his return, may have helped win him his ensuing promotion to lieutenant colonel. Although only 22 years of age and lacking experience, he learned quickly, meeting the problems of recruitment, supply, and desertions with a combination of brashness and native ability that earned him the respect of his superiors. French and Indian War. In April 1754, on his way to establish a post at the Forks of the Ohio (the current site of Pittsburgh), Washington learned that the French had already erected a fort there.

Federal and State Sentencing Essay

In 1998 the District of Columbia Sentencing and Criminal Code Revision Commission was charged with developing a comprehensive structured sentencing system for the District. The Commission concluded that the District could benefit from a comprehensive structured sentencing system. Next, the Commission embarks the difficult task of creating workable sentencing guidelines for felonies. As Washington, DC follows the lead of other jurisdictions as well as an earlier effort in the District, the Commission developed two grids: one for drug cases and one for all other cases in the direction of the dominant factors in sentencing: the offense of conviction and the criminal history of the offender. The Commission also established standards for departing from the recommended prison ranges in extraordinary cases, rules for imposing concurrent or consecutive sentences, along with adjustments and exceptions to sentencing. Together, the grids, standards, rules, adjustments and exceptions form the Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines for the District of Columbia. (ACS, 2012-pg.9) Sentencing for a felony conviction is usually heard by the judge/court in a separate hearing which is held several days or weeks after the verdict. There is so many types of offenders with varied backgrounds and criminal histories that the act of sentencing them is one of the most stressful and complex decisions made by judges. (Champion, D., Hartley, R. & Rabe, Gary. 2008, 2002). At the felony sentencing hearing, the prosecution makes a recommendation of punishment, and the defendant usually argues for leniency. The Supreme Court’s decisions that struck down state and federal criminal sentencing guidelines have caused a cascade of prediction of disaster. Shephard shows  in his study how sentencing guidelines have actually increased crime and not decreased crime. It has also been shown that in a landmark Blakely and Booker decisions, the Supreme Court had found that Washington State and federal sentencing system violated the Sixth Amendment and has identified nine other states whose regimes may also be unconstitutional (ACS, 2012-pg.9). Some guidelines were deemed invalid because they allowed the judge to determine factual issues during the sentencing that should have been decided by a jury. References ACS, (2012). Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines Manual. Retrieved, Feb. 22, 2015, from DC Sentencing and Criminal Code Revision Commission (Formerly Office of Advisory Commission on Sentencing): http://acs.dc.gov/acs/frames.asp?doc=/acs/lib/acs/pdf/2012_Voluntary_Sentencing_Guidelines_Manual.pdf Champion, D., Hartley, R. & Rabe, Gary, (2008, 2002). Sentencing and Appeals: Chapter Ten p.405, Criminal Courts: Structure, Process, and Issues -Second Edition, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

New Technology and How It Has Impacted Front Office Operations Essay

According to Bunduhn (2010), the hotel industry, in a worldwide scale, should meet the needs of their clients by adopting technology. In this fast paced world we currently live in. Technology is convenient, fast, and more economically wise to integrate into a system whose formula for success and their criteria for evaluation of good service is the comfort and convenience that the clients experienced bringing in more people, and ultimately more profit; a big plus to other important aspects of the hotel industry. Adopting technology is a big decision, especially when you are about to integrate it into a system that has been proven and tested from the humble beginning of the hotel industry to its current state infact, in spite of the time consuming, manual work that includes paper and pen, it has proven its worth all throughout its existence, some may even consider it safe, but there are ways to inject technology which provides convenience and comfort for the customers, while providing safety. This kind of decision is made by the front office because they are the ones who sort these things out. Front office functions may include room reservations of the guests, telephone ser-vices, and accounting, to name a few and we will be going into them one by one later in this pa-per as well as the benefits that each part can get out of technology. According to Sribd.com, hotels have what they call a guest cycle which includes the fol-lowing: (1) Pre-arrival Stage; (2) Arrival Stage; (3) Occupancy Stage and; (4) Departure stage. All of these stages can benefit from the integration of technology into the system of the hotel front office. During the first stage of the guests cycle, which is the stage where they go through all the possible hotels they are going to, selling a first impression and information, referrals, and various testaments are key to attracting potential clients to your service. One helpful tool in attracting potential guests into considering to stay at a hotel are the social networking sites. Social networking sites pop up today like weeds and it has many users all around the world. It is wise to utilize this kind of software into the system as part of the ad-vertising and sales department. This will be especially helpful in spreading information like wild-fire, and in social networking sites like Facebook, where everyone has access, it can be done, so it is vital to first create a page. Moreover, it also makes the manager’s job easier because if the information provided in the page is complete, or at least nearly complete, then there will be fewer questions asked by the guests upon inquiring for special requests; no more basic information needed. In addition, these types of social networking sites leave space for its users to leave com-ments that can be used to make testaments and comments about the place, and if provided good services, positive feedback will flood the page leaving a good impression on the people viewing your page. Good feedback resulting to more clients; more clients mean more income for your company. When the user has already decided, an application in the internet can immediately help in their reservation- convenience for both the customer and the management of the hotel. The sys-tem that handles these kinds of services such as plane seat and hotel room reservations is called the Global Distribution System or also known by its acronym the GDS. With the help of the GDS, the client can get easy access to reservation sheets allowing them to personally type in the information required in order to get a reservation. Customers can also call in to the front desk for any inquiries that are not clearly stipulated in their social networking site page, or on their web-site, and also for questions whether they can accommodate your special preferences and requests. After all is said and done, the client can already submit their reservation sheet, and then an elec-tronically generated email print of the confirmation letter will be shown on the monitor and can be printed by the guests, for reference purposes. Other means of reserving a room in a hotel that uses the advancement of technology is with the use of telephones or cell phones. With its aid, the customer is not required to visit the hotel, which may be miles away from them and be made at the comforts of their own homes. Basically these varied means in making reservations aim at making it easier for the client to get a room for a vacation, a business trip, making sure they have somewhere to stay in ad-vance. A good way to plan ahead and these advancements makes it easier, both for the client and the hotel’s manager and staff. During the stage when the client is already staying at the hotel, communication is vital in this stage between the staff, the manager, and the guests. Innovations in the communication sys-tem such as the use of the intercom system which is much like the Private Branch Exchange also known with its acronym of PBX, makes it easier for the client to contact front desk for any re-quest that he sees as necessary for him and also from one department to another, no need of marching your way to different areas of the hotel. Using one line for multiple telephones, you only need to dial a phone number that only requires three-digits or four which is assigned to eve-ry department of the hotel. The use of the desktop is very common in the current generation of hotel services. In con-trast to the previous hotels, they used manual handwriting, and that also entails a lot of papers that could possible eat up your work space. With the use of the computer hardware system, which includes, the keyboard, the monitor, the mouse, and certain pre-installed application into the computer, paperwork and writing may not necessary. These kinds of hardware also help in the strict monitoring of the charges of the guests. With pen and paper there is a higher chance of error, for the human mind can sometimes forget and might also be missed out when computing, so with the use of the automatic calculation pro-gram installed by a programmer into the system, the charges can be enumerated and totaled easi-ly, which Is apart of the whole reservation software. Simple small equipment had been very useful in the hotel front office system such as cal-culators, may not be in use in the current system of the hotel industry, but in the past, they were certainly helpful. Lastly, accounting has never been easier with the use of computers and specialized soft-ware provided by companies such as Microsoft and Intact. These accounting software allows management to monitor cash ledgers, the different accounts that goes in and out of the hotel, and payroll, to name a few. It will help with the monitoring of the many accounts of each guests in your hotel, not leaving out anything that they spent during their stay, because no matter what they say about convenience of their guests is their priority, income is still important. In many ways but one, the hotel industry should be thankful to technology because even though managers aide in the growth of the industry, it is the technology that makes their the in-dustry develop. References: Books and Printed Document: Brewer, P. et al. (2008). Current and Future Use in the Hospitality Industry. Bunduhn, R. (2010). Hotel Industry Urged to get Technology Up to Speed. The National Gretzel, U. et al. (2010). Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2010. SpringerWienNewYork. Ferdinand Berger & Sohne Gesellschaft m.b.H., 3580 Horn, Austria Internet: Retrieved from: http://www.scribd.com/doc/38875395/Guest-Cycle. Retrieved: October 17, 2012 Retrieved from: http://www.tourism.bilkent.edu.tr/~jamel/RDM/Guest%20Cycle.doc. Retrieved: October 17, 2012

Free Essays on Mars

Mars The planet Mars is nicknamed the god of war. The Planet probably got its name from its red color, Mars is sometimes called the red planet. Mars’ orbit is significant because it is elliptical. Mars average temperature is about -55C and at the winter poles it is almost about 27 C. There are four major land forms on Mars. Olympus Mons is the largest mountain in the solar system rising 24 km above the surrounding plain. Its plain is more than 500 km in diameter and is rimmed by a cliff 6 km high. Tharsis is a huge bulge on the Martian surface that is about 4000 km across and 10 km high. Valles Marineris is a system of canyons 4000 km long and from 2 to 7 km deep. Hellas Planita is an impact crater in the southern hemisphere over 6 km deep and 2000 km in diameter. Most of the Martian surface is very old and scattered, but there are many other valleys, ridges, hills and plains. The most likely contrast of the sun is that its dense core is about 1700km in radius, a molten rocky mantle a little denser than the earth’s and a thin crust. With Mars relatively low density compared to the other planets its appears that its core probably contains a relatively large fraction of sulfur in addition to iron. Mars also appears to lack active plate tectonics . Having no lateral plate motion, hot spots under the crust stay in a fixed position relative to the surface. There is no evidence of volcanic activity on the planet Mars. There lots of erosion and small floods that happen on Mars. There is other possibilities of other fluids besides water on planet Mars . The age of erosion channels is estimated to be about nearly 4 billion years. Doing to Mar’s plate tectonics it is not able to recycle any of this carbon dioxide back into its atmosphere and so cannot sustain a significant green house effect. The surface of Mars is colder than the earth would be at that distance of the sun. It has a thin atmosphere composed of tiny amount of Ca... Free Essays on Mars Free Essays on Mars Mars The planet Mars is nicknamed the god of war. The Planet probably got its name from its red color, Mars is sometimes called the red planet. Mars’ orbit is significant because it is elliptical. Mars average temperature is about -55C and at the winter poles it is almost about 27 C. There are four major land forms on Mars. Olympus Mons is the largest mountain in the solar system rising 24 km above the surrounding plain. Its plain is more than 500 km in diameter and is rimmed by a cliff 6 km high. Tharsis is a huge bulge on the Martian surface that is about 4000 km across and 10 km high. Valles Marineris is a system of canyons 4000 km long and from 2 to 7 km deep. Hellas Planita is an impact crater in the southern hemisphere over 6 km deep and 2000 km in diameter. Most of the Martian surface is very old and scattered, but there are many other valleys, ridges, hills and plains. The most likely contrast of the sun is that its dense core is about 1700km in radius, a molten rocky mantle a little denser than the earth’s and a thin crust. With Mars relatively low density compared to the other planets its appears that its core probably contains a relatively large fraction of sulfur in addition to iron. Mars also appears to lack active plate tectonics . Having no lateral plate motion, hot spots under the crust stay in a fixed position relative to the surface. There is no evidence of volcanic activity on the planet Mars. There lots of erosion and small floods that happen on Mars. There is other possibilities of other fluids besides water on planet Mars . The age of erosion channels is estimated to be about nearly 4 billion years. Doing to Mar’s plate tectonics it is not able to recycle any of this carbon dioxide back into its atmosphere and so cannot sustain a significant green house effect. The surface of Mars is colder than the earth would be at that distance of the sun. It has a thin atmosphere composed of tiny amount of Ca...

Are We Too Dependent on the Computer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Are We Too Dependent on the Computer - Essay Example One of the major advantages of computers can be identified as its assistance to perform the data entry process quicker and accurate at the same time. Storing a document in a computer does not take much space being organized in a systematic manner and, thus, the user can store a large number of files avoiding chaos while searching for a particular one. It further helps the user to automate a variety of tasks that the user cannot perform manually at a rapid pace along with accuracy (Hefner 21-39). Importance of computers has also increased astonishingly in the present phenomenon owing to the usage of internet to convey information through a systematic way of computer networks irrespective of the geographical distance, as well as engaging minimal costs. Internet is further identified to be used by various professionals ranging from healthcare service providers to defense forces around the world operating in terms of an information hub which, in turn, encourages the usage of computers in various economic sectors. Social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace, have emerged as an inevitable trend in the modern phenomenon which again explores the significance or rather the inclusion of computers in the modern day human society. Along with accumulating the required information, one can even shop online, thereby increasing the role of computers in the day to day lifestyle (Hefner 21-39). Even robots are often regarded to have emerged as an inseparable part of the modern human society. It is in this context that robots can be identified to play a major role in contributing to the overall efficiency of medical sciences and even defense oriented sectors. Other than these sectors, the robots have further emerged as a vital player in the field of astronomy as well. From a generalized point of view, almost in every technology based sectors, such as household appliance manufacturers, automobile manufacturers, agricultural sectors, construction business proces ses, as well as communication segments, the inclusion of computers and robotics are evident. During the process or innovation, measurement or evaluation and even during the execution of developmental process, computer technology plays a vital role (Chen, Minodora and Gligorescu 49-52). This particular phenomenon often tends to exhibit a situation where critiques perceive that human society is increasingly becoming dependent on computers to execute its daily functions. Nowadays, the world is increasingly getting indulged with the use of computers; however, from an in-depth point of view, it can be examined that mankind is yet not completely dependent upon computers. In favor of this argument, it can be noted that there is a number of works that computers lack in performing as efficiently as human beings such as understanding the psychological framework of the human behavior in a particular individual through observation. As computers are currently indulged in most of the sectors, inc luding medical sciences, hospitality and educational departments among others, it can indeed be regarded as a very essential tool to encourage the progress of human society at large. However, for example, in the educational sector, where information and knowledge are required in abundance, studies are to be conducted by the

Colonialism and African Culture in 19-20th Centuries Essay

Colonialism and African Culture in 19-20th Centuries - Essay Example Conrad outlines a European perspective on African colonialism in the story Heart of Darkness contained in the book Bedford Anthology of World Literature. The story of Heart of Darkness is based on Charles Marlowe, who spends his life as an ivory transporter in along the Congo River. He is a captain and is saddened when he passes the land areas and from afar, he could see black men working hard while under watch by armed men. He comes to hear of Kutz and thinks he is an icon. Later he realizes that Mr Kutz is a hoax; he is engaged in human treaties as opposed to Marlow’s ivory transporter job. Contrary to Marlow’s expectation, he obtains one of Kutz letters written: â€Å"exterminate the brutes.† Kutz was an agent who was gathering information for Europe. Every time Marlow would come near the shore, the pilgrim would open fire, but with the sound of his steamer and this would make them stop opening fire. (Davis et al, 18). Marlow finds Kutz letters when he dies. H e takes it upon himself to deliver them while still hiding some of the information back to his family and friends. To his fiancà ©e, there was a note written â€Å"to my intended† but he tells her that Kutz last words were her name. The company that employed both Kutz and Marlow had its interest focused on the whereabouts of ivory (Davis et al, 14). On the other hand, African culture and responses are evident in Africa through the story of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe in the book Bedford Anthology of World Literature. The story stars a leader known as Okwonko. He was the well-bodied leader who was the local wrestling champion in the village. The book concentrates on the influence of British colonialism and comparison against the African culture. The text also covers Christianity and the effects it brought to the people of Igbo community.  Okwonko is a leader who tries to cover his weaknesses and at all cost tries to avoid succumbing to his father’s fate.     

CRS-y Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

CRS-y - Assignment Example 58)Managers in every success-oriented organization are faced with three key decisions to make; First, the decision on the company’s value proposition. Second, the decision on company’s value-driven operational model, and thirdly, the decision on the company’s value disciplines. The company’s value proposition entails the implicit promise to the customers outlining all values combination (Iacobucci 2011, p. 89). The company’s value-driven operational model involves integration of operation processes with the systems of management and culture, required to deliver effective value proposition (Cooper 1999, p. 56). The company’s value disciplines entail the integration of operational models and value proposition to achieve leadership in the market through competitive advantage. The Treacy and Wiersema value disciplines have impacted greatly on CRM as reviewed in the following discussion of the value disciplines. The first value discipline is opera tional excellence which involves provision of reliable products to the customers and pricing services competitively, with less or no difficulties and inconveniences to the customers. A good example of a company that has embraced this discipline is Dell (Egan 2008, p. 83). Operational excellence stresses on a specified strategic approach on production and delivery of products and services. The companies following this discipline strive for leadership in the industry through price and convenience. The companies seek ways on; overhead minimization, elimination of unnecessary production cost and business processes optimization across all organization frontiers (Mukerjee 2011, p. 167). The companies in pursuance of Operational Excellence concentrate on direct sale to customers, sale based on order rather than inventory and low-cost. Dell, General Electricals, Wal-Mart, America Airlines and Federal Express are some of the companies that have had a significant adoption of the operational e xcellence. This has helped them to be leaders in their industries by undercutting their competitors through the discipline. The companies witnessed an increase in their customer base and their sales (Kincaid 2003, p. 48). However, Operational excellence possess key challenges in maintaining a consistency customer loyalty. This is because the discipline does not focus on product innovation and a long-lasting customer relationship. Instead it concentrates largely on price and convenience in products and services. This results to high switching in buyers as they seek more innovative products, hence leading to a low customer loyalty (Kincaid 2003, p. 43). The other discipline indicated by Treacy and Wiersema is product leadership. This discipline entails product excellence through differentiation. The companies that choose to embrace the discipline shift their focus on making the product different from those of the competitors (Rafinejad 2007, p. 58). Customers may be required to pay a price premium on the products which are differentiated from the competitors’ products. Companies on this discipline strive for the ‘’state-of-art products† characterized by high creativity. Product leadership requires increased product innovation, commercialization of ideas, and pursuance of new solutions and risk taking management structure (Rafinejad 2007,

Gold Rush Effects on Gender Essay Example for Free

Gold Rush Effects on Gender Essay l These are the famous last words of men who had ventured into California to partake in the Gold Rush, only to realize a yearning to see their family. Many men underwent the hardships and the sacrifices in order to strike rich in this gamble, many men succeeded while many more failed. Often forgotten are the families that remained back home while the husband, father, or brother went west to strike gold. The families that endured sacrificed Just as much and ached for their safe return home. Commandments were created in order eassure both the miner and his wife while he undertook the expedition west. These commandments laid down a set of rules that should be followed in order to live a functioning and overall moral life while separated and in unknown environments. The Miners Ten Commandments focuses heavily on how miners should treat each other, how duties should be performed, and how to deal with the anxiety of being separated from ones family. However, The Wifes Commandments focuses primarily on how the husband should act and lists a strict set of rules he should follow in order to remain in good standing with the wife. It is extremely interesting to see how the commandments compare depending on the gender. The Wifes Commandments was first published on March 27th, 1849, in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, a newspaper. The article is filled with rules that strictly dictate the miners life. Some of them are so strict that they seem silly by demanding a grown man to abide by them. The twelfth commandment is Thou shalt not stay out later than nine oclock at night. 2 The author or authors of this work are almost being satirical by listing bed times for these men. The intended audience of this work is lmost certainly women back in the east who have husbands who were contemplating Journeying west in search of gold. The article is also worded very plain and is straight to the point. These commandments would be very reassuring, giving comfort that their husband would remain well and faithful. The Miners Ten Commandments is structured differently; having the focus of the piece on how to conduct work and not listing demands for the wife back at home. James M. Hutchings published The Miners Ten Commandments in 1853 in the Placerville Herald newspaper. Hutchings was actually born in England but moved to United States in 1848. He partook in the Gold Rush of 1849 and succeeded, becoming a wealthy miner. His commandments were so popular that he was able to publish his own magazine, Hutchings California Magazine, with the profits. However, Hutchings commandments that paint a picture of the gold rush and the community created as very principled, goal focused, and problem free. Hutchings was a chief promoter at Yosemite National Park so his work could be bias, trying to persuade travelers to go to California in order to partake in the gold rush. Nevertheless, his commandments erve to keep the work being performed by the miners fair and honest and to act as a guide for new miners. The wording of his article is very formal and reminds the reader of the Ten Holy Commandments, perhaps as a way to paint a picture of a Calitornia tree ot sin. It also addresses their tamilies and now to comtort themselves when they miss home. If we can ignore the apparent biases of the times and take the reading for what is presented, we see a very peculiar way both set of commandments are created. The Miners Ten Commandments is heavily focused on the actual daily life associated ith mining, such as preparing rations for the week and possible conflicts among miners. 3 While The Wifes Commandments is almost entirely focused on the husbands actions in California related to cheating, gambling, and drinking. There is no mention of how the wife should conduct her life, a direct opposite to the Miners Commandments. It is obvious that there were different standards for men and women at the time of the Gold Rush. By comparing specific commandments, we can see the different intentions that were perceived by each group. In The Wifes Commandments, it states hat Though shalt not take into thy house and beautiful brazen image of a servant girl, to bow down to her, to serve her, for I am a Jealous wife. 5 This entry shows that the wife is extremely concerned about her husband being unfaithful during their time separated. This is understandable for the time; the temptation of prostitutes and brothels in the mining towns were a reality. However, when reading The Miners Ten Commandments it is apparent that the author did not feel the necessity to include a commandment on avoiding lustful temptations. The commandment that onfronts staying faithful is more optimistic than presented in The Wifes Commandments. But thou shalt consider how faithfully and patiently she awaiteth thy return; yea and covereth each epistle that thou sendest with kisses of kindly welcome-until she hath thyself. 6 This entry reveals that the miner did consciously think about the sanctity of their marriage, did it addresses the problem not by listing rules, but by showing morality. The towns and camps that the miners lived in during the Gold Rush were questionable at best. Many men did not have permanent shelters and slept in tents, ome skilled craftsman such as the French were able to construct cozy little cabins to reside in, but t he majority of the housing was not as quant. None of the men had real skills with cooking, growing a garden, or mending clothing. They could hunt, but that was not sustainable. The Miners Ten Commandments acted as a guide for which men could turn to when in need. Six days thou mayst dig or pick; but the other day is Sunday; yet thou washest all thy dirty shirts, darnest all thy stockings, tap thy boots, mend thy clothing, chop the whole weeks firewood, make up and bake they bread, and boil thy pork and beans. 7 Without any knowledge on the domestic skills needed to survive, one can see how a miner thrust into California would be at a loss; the commandments aid in organizing a miners life and providing him with a solid foundation for survival. After seeing The Miners Ten Commandments, it is strange to see how The Wifes Commandments do not discuss how to keep the home going without the man around to provide. It only discusses rules for the man, and does not even reassure the woman of the love that her husband has for her. The commandments by the wife are not truly applicable to life back home or in California. The miners rules include: Though shall not steal a pick, or a shovel, or a pan from thy fellow-miner; nor take away his tools without his leave. 8 This a realistic problem that must be addresses, but a major concern in The Wifes Commandments include, Thou shalt not chew tobacco. 9 It is pretty shocking to see the difference in content and what each gender views as important. The miners tended to show more trust towards their wives by not listing a set of rules that must be obeyed by them. The list created by the wives could be renamed The Miners Commandments as seen by the Wife and it would be more itting. The Miners Ten Commandments and The Wifes Commandments reveal the expectations of the time for miners who ventured west in search of gold. Both set of commandments were primarily concerned with the actions of the miner, and not as much on the actions of the wife back home. One would think that wives being thrust into new circumstances would need Just as much guidance to survive and exceed as their husbands do. But there is an intentional focus on the miners. Perhaps it is the exposure to new opportunities and dangers that must be confronted that demands a et of commandments created by a veteran miner as well as a set created by worrisome wives with the best intentions of the family as the driving force. Whatever the case may be, there is an obvious concern for the well being of the family. All of these commandments act in order to preserve their well-being. Historian H. W. Brands said, California presented to people a new model for the American dream† one where the emphasis was on the ability to take risks, the willingness to gamble on the future. These risks however could be minimized by a careful adherence to the rules presented in both of these sets of commandments.

Things Fall Apart Masculinity English Literature Essay

Things Fall Apart Masculinity English Literature Essay Our lives are influenced by our peers and there believes. For instances, Ibo tribes in Africa believe in male masculinity and dominance, such that all individuals are conditioned from a young age to understand the concept of male superiority. Anyone who strays away from this believe is shunned by the community or considered weak. In Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart the main character Okonkwos life is based upon the believe of male masculinity and hard work. He prides himself on his masculinity and does not accept failure or weakness of any kind including any from his family members. An example of an individual that Okonkwo despised and does not accept was Okwonkos father Unoka. To the community he was weak and considered to not be a true man. He was a failure in the eyes of society and constantly burrowed money. Unoka had only taken one wife and was unable to support his family. This inability to support his family stemmed from his bad work ethic and laziness. When Unoka died he had taken no title at all and he was heavily in debt (pg. 5). Due to his failure Unoka was frequently called an Agbala, which is a word that means a woman or an insult that describes a man that has taken no titles. Seeing his father inability to provide for the family Okwonko devoted his life to hard work and to hate everything his father loved. Unokas failures sculpted Okwonko to the man he was in the novel he became hard working and despised laziness. He was the complete opposite of Unoka, earning many titles, having many wives and being a successful man. All aspects of Okonkwos life were devoted to masculinity. Even when farming he was conditioned by his clansmen that yams their staple crop is the king of crops. This is further the male dominance in the Ibo culture because males will be the only people able to provide for the family. When his family was working hard to provide food he thought it would not help because they could not grow yams. He thought that His mother and sisters worked hard enough, but they grew womens crops, like coco-yams, beans and cassava.(pg. 19) and that Yam, the king of crops, was a mans crop (pg. 19). These believe caused him to seek yams seeds at a young age to try to help grow crops for his family. Masculinity is so important to Okonkwo that he would have done everything he could to prevent anyone from questioning his masculinity. This is due to his father failure and position in the Ibo community. Every time he felt weak Okonkwo was reminded of his father failure and how he was not able to provide for his family. Which lead Okonkwo to even participated in the killing of his adoptive son Ikemefuna because he was afraid of being thought weak (pg. 53). Afterward he slumped into a period of depression because of his actions. Okonkwo did not taste any food for two days after the death of Ikemefuna (pg.55). His view of masculinity is so high that he was even willing to kill his loved ones. One of the main traits of masculinity that Okonkwo believed in was the ability to control everyone in his household. He believed that all people must obey what he says in house and do what they were told. Whenever any of his wives talked back or tried to argue with him he would beat them. Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives, especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper (pg. 10). Â  In addition he believed that no matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and his children (and especially his women) he was not really a man (pg.46). This is why he would always talk down to his children and wives to show that he is the authority figure in the house and if anyone one would question this he would beat them. Overall Okonkwo refused to accept any signs of someone challenging his authority as the leader of his house hold. During The New Yam Festival, a holiday that is celebrated by feasting an argument arises between Okonkwo and his second wife Ekwefi. The New Yam Festival was a time of relaxation but in the eyes of Okonkwo it is a sign of laziness which he hates so very much. This causes him to become angry and in a fit he complains about a banana tree which Ekwefi cut some leaves form. Without further argument Okwonkwo gave her a sound beating and left her and her only daughter weeping (pg. 33). Okwonko became even more enraged when he heard her murmured something about guns that never shot (pg. 33), an insult on his poor hunting skills and shot at her with his gun. Luckily for Ekwefi he missed, but this proved how any sign of defiance or challenge to his masculinity is unacceptable to him in anyway. Throughout the novel Okonkwo does not show any signs of compassion for his children. In his perspective it is effeminate and a sign of weakness. This is also the reason why he never shows any love for his daughter Enzima. He even stated that he will not have a son who cannot hold up his head in the gathering of the clan (pg. 28) and that he would rather strangle him with his own hands. (pg.28). At one point he scolded Nyowe his eldest son and Ikemefuna his adoptive son about how to grow yams properly. Inwardly Okonkwo knew that the boys were still too young to understand fully the difficult art of preparing seed-yams. But he thought that one could not begin too early. Yam stood for manliness, and he who could feed his family on yams from one gravest to another was a very great man indeed (pg. 28). This shows how important being a man is and how being effeminate will not be tolerated in his household while he is alive. Okwonko even put his favorite child in danger because of his masculinity. When Ezinma fell sick Ekwefi wanted to take action, but the Oracle would not let her. Okwonko did not try to stop the Oracle even thought he loved Ezinma. He was afraid that if he showed any compassion he would be thought of as less of a man. Ekwefi could not even take any action for her own daughters sake for it was against the tradition and culture of their village Umofia. Ekwefi already lost five other children at young ages but now that Ezinma had come to ten years of age she refuse to let anything hurt her. She did everything she could to protect her. Even before Ezinma was born Okonkwo hired a medicine man to help get rid of the bad spirit that was haunting her. The doctor ordered that there should be no more mourning for the dead child. Then he took it away to bury in the Evil Forest, holding it by the ankle and dragging it on the ground behind him. (pg. 69). Yet Okwonko let the Oracle take Enzima away a nd only went looking for her after a while because it was the manly thing to do. Okwonkos belief in the Ibo masculine lifestyle eventually leads him to his death. He wanted to take action and kill everyone who was trying to change his way of life that he grew up with. When the messengers came to stop the gathering Okonkwo drew his machete(pg. 176) and cut the lead messenger down. The messenger crouched to avoid the blow. It was useless. Okonkwos machete descended twice and the mans head lay beside his uniformed body. (pg. 176). Then everyone started to panic and question why he killed the messengers. That was when he realized his way of life was over because they let the other messengers escape. Later on he committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree. This shows that he was so ingrained in his cultures lifestyle that when it was taken away he had nothing left to live for. Okonkwos believe of masculinity lead him to beat his own children and wife. In addition it also lead him to kill one of his loved ones. Even thought he loved Ikemfuna like a son he hated weakness so much because of his father laziness and inability to support his family. Okonkwos also believes that yams are the king of all crops like all his clansmen does because it is the staple crop of the Ibo people of Africa. He is so ingrained in the belief of masculinity that he commits suicide when he discovered his way of life that he lived his entire life had been taken away from him. We live our lives based on the ideas of people around us and when it is gone we are gone with it such in the case of Okonkwo. Words 1502