Zara Marketing Plan

New collection Launch | Marketing Plan 22. 10. 2009 1 SITUATION ANALYSIS Zara Brand Wheel Fashionable clothes Varied assortment Trendy colors Feminine cuts Fashionable product lines for moderate costs Customer- ­? centered business Runway trends adapted for the streets Brand Essence Fashion- ­? oriented woman Trendy in every situaFon Feeling good about looking good Fashion - ­? friendly Feminine Hot and trendy High-Street Fashion The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research 5 Keys of the Zara Business Model Store Teams Customer Logis4csDesign/ Produc4on The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research 5 Keys of the Zara Business Model Customer â€Å"Main driving force behind the Zara brand. † Star%ng point for all Zara ac%vi%es Customer Lead role in: †¢? Store design †¢? Produc%on †¢? Logis%cs †¢? Team The Zara Brand In dustry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research s The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research 5 Keys of the Zara Business Model Store Store â€Å"Mee4ng oint between the customer and the Zara fashion o? er. † 1,520 stores collect informa%on regarding customer demands. New products introduced twice a week. Top loca%ons – 17 visits / year / customer Me%culously designed shop windows Maximum aJen%on to interior & exterior architechtual design Appropriate coordina%on of garments Excellent customer care The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research 5 Keys of the Zara Business Model Design & ProducFon â€Å"Inspira4on comes from the street, music, art †¦ but above all, the store. † Proximity of roduc%on facili%es Immediate reac%on to trends. Con%nuous work for all teams. Managers – teams – customer demand – forms, designs, fabrics, compliments Design/ Produc4on 1,186 suppliers, 200 desginers The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research 5 Keys of the Zara Business Model LogisFcs â€Å"Highly frequent and constant distribu4on permiKng the o? er to be constantly renewed. † 697 million garments distributed 5,000 employees at logis%cs centers Logis4cs Designed with maximum ?exibility. Customer oriented. 24h – receiving order to store elivery (Europe) Designed to absorb growth for next years. 18% annual discount rates. The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research 5 Keys of the Zara Business Model Teams â€Å"Teams with vast sales knowledge geared to towards the customer. † 8 9,112 professionals Customer oriented. Make the stores a pleasant environment. Apply corporate, social & environmental responsibility in day- ­? to- ­? day work. Teams The Zara Brand IndustryAnalysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Zara’s Performance 159 store openings in 2008 Brand Value: $ 8,609 M 1,530 stores 4 new countries in 2008 Sales â‚ ¬ 6,824 Million ZARA 73 countries The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research 14 The Industry High street fashion brand Industry trends Democra%za%on of luxury Inclusiveness Street trends Designer houses Key success factors Di? eren%a%on & individualism New fashion consumer The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development ConsumerAnalysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Customer Focused Product Development Saturated industry Need to increase brand value Responding to current industry trends Iden%f ying the need for the product in the market A full- ­? shaped body is a beau4ful body The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Customer Focused Product Development Market entry barriers Design challenges Saturated industry Need to increase brand value Responding to current industry trends Iden%fying the need for the product in the market Exis%ng customer eac%ons â€Å"Fat is not fashionable† Challenges Opportuni>es The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Consumer Analysis Today’s fashion consumer: More choice, more educated, more savvy & demanding â€Å"New breed of shoppers† Loyalty, variety, freshness The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Fashion Consumer Behavior Analysis Interest Gives pleasure & enjoyment Means of self- ­? expression Involvement Emo%ons Behavior The Zara Brand Industry Analysis ProductDevelopment Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Fashion Consumer Behavior Analysis Interest Hedonics Involvement Purchasing experience Fun, fantasy, social or emo%onal gra%? ca%on Emo%ons Behavior Impulse buying The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Fashion Consumer Behavior Analysis Interest Hedonics Involvement Importance: †¢? Consumers aJach meaning to their clothes †¢? Role of fashion in society Drivers: †¢? Individual mo%ves †¢? Projec%ng a desired self- ­? image Linked to personal values & needs: †¢?Express and communicate value †¢? Values guide consumer behavior †¢? Types of values: personal, economic, aesthe%c Emo%ons Behavior The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Fashion Consumer Behavior Analysi s Interest Hedonics Involvement Posi%ve vs. nega%ve †¢? Shorter decision %mes †¢? More impulse buying †¢? A feeling of being unconstrained †¢? Desire to reward oneself How to generate posi%ve emo%ons? †¢? Use the retail environment to posi%vely in? uence moods: †¢? suitable layouts, †¢? colors, †¢? e? ec%ve sales personnel, †¢? emo%onally pliking atmosphere Impulse buying Emo%ons Behavior The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Fashion Consumer Behavior Analysis Interest Hedonics Involvement Impulse buying †¢? Fashion oriented: strongly oriented to fashion involvement: providing sensory or experien%al cues of fashion products. †¢? Created by the symbolic interac4ons of the product & the consumer emo4onal experiences Emo%ons †¢? Need to understand impulse buying behavior for fashion products from an experien4al perspec4ve = guidance in developing strat egies BehaviorThe Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Plus Size Consumer Analysis 1 in 3 women are unhappy with the way clothes ?t them 14 happy 12 8 16 10 18 6 22 20 24 unhappy The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Plus Size Consumer Behavior AJribute Plus size product Psychosocial consequence Feel more a acFve Func%onal consequence Cut ?[ng the body shape Values Self- ­? esteem Self esteem: important moFvaFon driver for consumpFon Consumers tend to assign their own eanings to clothes. Clothing: over consumer behavior The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Market Analysis 120 Market Share 15% PeFte 60% 25% Plus Size Normal 100 80 60 40 20 0 76 100 Size 2006 2012 Segment growth: 40% increase by 2014. Only 5% of retail space is dedicated to the +size products T he Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Types of CompeFtors 1 2 3 4 Dedicated Ranges Extension of Size Ranges Designer Bou%ques E- ­? commerce The Zara Brand IndustryAnalysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research New Line PosiFoning High Fashion Zara Torrid H&M BouFques Low Price High Price M&S Charming Shoppers 1 2 Dedicated Ranges Extension of Size Ranges Designer Bou%ques E- ­? commerce Market & Consumer Research Junonia 3 4 Low Fashion The Zara Brand Industry Analysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Di? erenFaFon Brand awareness Brand loyalty New in this segments More experienced compe%tors Lack of e- ­? commerce Size & growth High fashion for modest prices Strengths Weaknesses The Zara Brand IndustryAnalysis Product Development Consumer Analysis Market Analysis Market & Consumer Research Zara vs. CompeFtors Zara 1,000 new styles / month 200 designers Higher cost of product development is more than adequately compensated by higher realized margins Strategy: reacFve, not predicFve CompeFtors 3- ­? 5 months: develop the ideas into physical samples Sales budgets & stock plans developed one year ahead of the targeted styles Few weeks / months to procure fabrics, have them approved by the retailer – produce a number of samples – put samples in producFon The Zara Brand Product development Industry Analysis

Electromagnetic Pulse Generator – EMP

IntroductionFor partial fulfilment op the demands for the award op the grade op Bachelor op Technology in Electronics and Communications Engineering child undertaking is done in 7Thursdaysemester and followed in 8Thursdaysemester as major undertaking. Minor undertaking is titled â€Å"Electromagnetic Pulse Generator† , abbreviated as E.M.P.. generator.It was observed during a atomic bomb trial detonation that electronic and electrical equipment got exploded/ fried.During 19Thursdaycentury, solar storm caused E.M.P.. detonations which fried telegraph machines all over Europe and USA, though a few worked.E.M.P.. is op two types Nuclear and Non-Nuclear E.M.P†¦E.M.P.. iz non used as op now but has some future application under DEW ( directed energy arm ) where E-Bomb will be used to destruct enemy’s communicating system including RADARs and might be utile in taking down their economic system and take them back to rock age. We, as a minor undertaking, arr non traveling to do an Microwave bomb or anything destructive but will show at a illumination degree how it works. Purpose op PlanThe intent of thiz undertaking is merely to do an E.M.P.. generator and demo that how modern warfarr would alter ip E.M.P.. iz used and without usage op much adult male power, we could destruct our enemy.It iz ascertain that our enemies arrn’t sitting quiet and they would besides develop such a arm.Looking at our budget, we can non do a large generator but at a little degree we can show its hereafter applications.Undertaking Goals and AimsGoal op the undertaking iz to put emphasis on how we can develop a better category op arms utilizing E.M.P.. generator.Goal will be achieved by developing an easier manner op execution op E.M.P.. rule.ScopeScope DefinitionThe intent op the E.M.P.. iz to destruct electronic equipment.Thiz has military applications written all over it.With extra research in the E.M.P.. , we will cognize better how to protect ourselves from foreign enemies e.m.p..loying such onslaughts against us. While at the same clip, develop better arms op thi z sort to keep high quality.Projected BudgetThiz project’s budget iz less than 1000 rupees as we arr traveling to implement E.M.P.. at illumination degree by utilizing a bear downing circuit to bear down up a capacitance and usage that charged capacitance to supply electromotive force to a Cu spiral to bring forth an EM pulsation.ConstraintsUndertaking ConstraintsOur undertaking iz practically a arm op mass devastation and can do lasting harm to every electronic /electrical device that comes in its scope.Since the beginning op thiz study, we have laid emphasis on the point that we arr implementing thiz undertaking on a miniaturized degree. But still E.M.P.. is unsafe and can do harm to expensive points in propinquity.Hence we arr restricted to a really low degree op execution. Higher degree op E.M.P.. generator might be manner excessively expensive for us to do and plus there arr restraints sing security op electronic points in propinquity.Project Management ApproachUndertaki ng TimelineCalendar monthProgress op the Undertaking23rdAugust, 2014Collection op Information on E.M.P..30ThursdayAugust, 2014Making the Data base6ThursdaySeptember- 25ThursdayOctober, 2014Planing the circuit1stNovember-6ThursdayDecember, 2014Making circuit on bread board and proving2neodymiumJanuary-3rdFebruary, 2015Bettering and brainstorming the defects4ThursdayMarch, 2015Manufacturing the circuit on PCB31stMarch, 2015Consequences and ConclusionHazard AppraisalUndertaking Rizk AssessmentThe intent op the E.M.P.. iz to destruct electronic equipment.Our undertaking iz practically a arm op mass devastation and can do lasting harm to every electronic /electrical device that comes in its scope.Rizk degree iz high but since the beginning op thiz study, we have laid emphasis on the point that we arr implementing thiz undertaking on a miniaturized degree.Thiz undertaking iz rizky as E.M.P.. iz potentially a unsafe arm and could likely destruct expensive material like Mobiles and laptops. Though we arr concerned with the rule behind E.M.P.. and for sake op screening we will develop merely a little E.M.P.. generator therefore rizk involved would be lesser as comparrd to suggested methods, theoretical and hiztorical illustrations op such an event op E.M.P.. explosion.Literature ReviewUndertaking Analysiz and FeasibilityAn electromagnetic pulsation ( E.M.P.. ) , besides sometimes called a transient electromagnetic dizturbance, iz a short explosion op electromagnetic energy. Such a pulsation may happen in the signifier op a radiated electric or magnetic field or conducted electrical current depending on the beginning, and may be natural or man-made.It was observed during a atomic bomb trial detonation that electronic and electrical equipment got exploded/ fried.During 19Thursdaycentury, solar storm caused E.M.P.. detonations which fried telegraph machines all over Europe and USA, though a few worked.Equally early as 1962, USA detonated a atomic Bomb in US and Soviet Cold War atmospheric trial plans. Thiz explosion wasn’t intended for an E.M.P.. trial but accidently it was observed that many op the telegraph services, Street lamps got fried.The US and Soviet atmospheric trial plans used E-bomb engineering to E.M.P.. explosions. The E-Bomb plants on a rule that current fluxing through a Cu spiral induces Magnetic Field and magnetic field induces current in spiral, ensuing in a pulse op EM energy that iz capable op damaging any electrical, electronic equipment.E.M.P.. intervention iz by and large damaging to electronic equipment, and at higher energy degrees a powerful E.M.P.. event such as a lightning work stoppage can damage physical objects such as edifices and aircraft constructions.An E.M.P.. typically contains energy at many frequences from DC ( zero Hz ) to some upper bound depending on the beginning. The whole scope op concern iz sometimes referred to as â€Å" DC to daylight † , with optical ( infrarrd, vizible, UV ) and ionisin g ( X and gamma beams ) ranges normally being excluded.The highest frequences arr present in Nuclear E.M.P.. ( NE.M.P.. ) bursts. These continue up into the optical and ionizing scopes.E.M.P.. events normally induce a corresponding signal in the victim equipment, due to matching between the beginning and victim. Coupling normally occurs most strongly over a comparatively narrow frequence set, taking to a characteriztic damped sine wave signal in the victim.Vizually it iz shown as a high frequence sine wave turning and disintegrating within the longer-lived envelope op the double-exponential curve.A damped sine moving ridge typically has much lower energy and a narrower frequence spread than the original pulsation, due to the transportation characteriztic op the yoke manner.In pattern, E.M.P.. trial equipment opten injects these damped sine moving ridges straight instead than atte.m.p..ting to animate the high-energy menace pulsations.The development op conventional E – bomb d evices allows their usage in non-nuclear confrontations. It can be used by particular forces squads who infiltrate the enemy ‘s and explode a device near their electronic devices.It destroys the electronics op all computing machine and communicating systems in a rather big arra.The E.M.P.. bomb can be smaller than a HERF gun to do a similar sum op harm and iz typically used to damage non a individual mark ( non taking in one way ) but to damage all equipment near the bomb.The efficient executing op an Information Warfarr run against a modern industrial or post-industrial opposition will necessitate the usage op specialised tools designed to destruct information systems. High Power Electro-magnetic Pulse coevals techniques and High Power Microwave engineering have matured to the point where practical electro-magnetic bombs arr going technically executable, with new applications in both Strategic and Tactical IW ( Information Warfarr ) .Modern VLSI french friess arr highly sensi tive to voltage rushs, and would be burned out by even little escape currents. Military equipment iz by and large designed to be resiztant to E.M.P.. , but realiztic trials arr really dipficult to execute and E.M.P.. protection remainders on attending to item.Thiz iz where the consequence op E.M.P.. starts to acquire complex. All electricity travels, op class, at the velocity op visible radiation.The circuit surfs that arr built into our electrical system or the 1s you buy to stop up your ain computing machine in to, arr designed to â€Å"read’ the flow op current.Information science it all of a sudden exceeds a certain degree, the ledgeman catchs and takes you opf line, therefore protecting everything beyond it.More than a few op us have found out that when you buy a inexpensive rush defender for 10 or 20 vaulting horses sure it will snarl opf, but the rush has already passed through and fried your expensive plasma televizion or new computing machine.Unlike a lightning work stoppage, or other power rush, an E.M.P.. rush iz â€Å"front loaded.† Meaning it doesn’t make a construct up for a twosome op micrometer seconds, leting adequate clip for the circuit ledgeman to â€Å"read† that problem iz on the manner and close down.It comes alternatively like a wall op energy, without any progress moving ridge constructing up as a warning. It therefore sweeps through about all commercial and even military rush defenders already in topographic point, and iz past the â€Å"safety barrier† and into the delicate electronics before the system has clip to respond.In 1962 both USA and the Soviets detonated atomic arms in infinite ( saber rattle during the Cuban Mizsile Criziz ) and it iz reported that a figure op autos, their ignition systems a 1000 stat mis off from the explosion were fried because op E.M.P†¦Great modern comfortss from airbag detectors to fuel injectors and all op it arr more and more dependent on computing machines. At the blink of an eye the â€Å"Pulse† work stoppages, the organic structure op your auto and the wireless aerial will feed the overload into your vehicle’s computing machine and short it out.Thiz is a terrorizing facet op an onslaught that no authorities study has publically dizcussed along with the possible casualty rate in the first seconds after an onslaught. Commercial airliners today arr all computing machine driven.E.M.P.. protection can be done by utilizing A Faraday coop or Faraday shield iz an enclosure formed by conductive stuff or by a mesh op such stuff.Such an enclosure blocks external inactive and non-static electric Fieldss by imparting electricity through the mesh, supplying changeless electromotive force on all sides op the enclosure.Since the difference in electromotive force iz the step op electrical potency, no current flows through the infinite.Faraday cages arr named after the Englizh scientizt Michael Faraday, who invented them in 1836. A Farad ay coop operates because an external inactive electrical field causes the electric charges within the coop ‘s carry oning stuff to be diztributed such that they cancel the field ‘s consequence in the coop ‘s inside.Thiz phenomenon iz used, for illustration, to protect electronic equipment from lightning work stoppages and electrostatic dizcharges.Appendix Undertaking Summary: An electromagnetic pulsation ( E.M.P.. ) , besides sometimes called a transient electromagnetic dizturbance, iz a short explosion op electromagnetic energy. Such a pulsation may happen in the signifier op a radiated electric or magnetic field or conducted electrical current depending on the beginning, and may be natural or man-made. The term â€Å" electromagnetic pulsation † iz normally abbreviated to the acronym E.M.P†¦ E.M.P.. intervention iz by and large damaging to electronic equipment, and at higher energy degrees a powerful E.M.P.. event such as a lightning work stoppage can damage physical objects such as edifices and aircraft constructions. An electromagnetic pulsation iz a short explosion op electromagnetic energy. Its shortness means that it will ever be spread over a scope op frequences. Pulsations arr typically characterized by:The type op energy ( radiated, electric, magnetic or conducted ) .The scope or spectrum op frequences present.Pulse wave form: form, continuance and amplitude.An E.M.P.. arizes where the beginning emits a short-duration pulsation op energy. The energy iz normally broadband by nature, although it opten excites a comparatively narrow-band damped sine wave response in the victim. Some types arr generated as insistent and regular pulsation trains. Types op E.M.P.. divide loosely into natural, semisynthetic and arms effects. Methodology to be adopted:E.M.P.. generator iz foremost constructed on a bread board and so it will be fabricated on a PCB. Its strength will be tested on the basiz op current flow and electromotive force across the spiral. Resource Requirement:Low induction Capacitor, Transformer, electromotive force supply, PCB, Bread Board, Copper spiral. Justipication op the Undertaking: E.M.P.. can be used in Defense systems like anti-mizsile system. High Power Electro-magnetic Pulse coevals techniques and High Power Microwave engineering have matured to the point where practical E-bombs ( Electro-magnetic bombs ) arr going technically executable, with new applications in both Strategic and Tactical Information Warfarr. The development op conventional E-bomb devices allows their usage in non-nuclear confrontations. It can be used by particular forces squads who infiltrate the enemy ‘s and explode a device near their electronic devices. It destroys the electronics op all computing machine and communicating systems in a rather big arra. The E.M.P.. bomb can be smaller than a HERF gun to do a similar sum op harm and iz typically used to damage non a individual mark ( non taking in one way ) but to damage all equipment near the bomb. PERT chart/ Schedule op undertaking completion:Calendar monthSubjects to be covered23rdAugust, 2014Collection op Information on E.M.P..30ThursdayAugust, 2014Making the Data base6ThursdaySeptember- 25ThursdayOctober, 2014Planing the circuit1stNovember-6ThursdayDecember, 2014Making circuit on bread board and proving2neodymiumJanuary-3rdFebruary, 2015Bettering and brainstorming the defects4ThursdayMarch, 2015Manufacturing the circuit on PCB31stMarch, 2015Consequences and ConclusionMentions: 1.hypertext transfer protocol: //www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/www/effects/eonw_11.pdf 2.hypertext transfer protocol: //www.tfd.chalmers.se/~valeri/E.M.P†¦ hypertext markup language 3.hypertext transfer protocol: //www.eckelusa.com/products/modular-enclosures/-e.m.p..-applications.html

Black Boy Essay Research Paper 3 Black

Black Boy Essay, Research Paper 3. Black Boy, Richard Wright Black Boy, is both an indictment of American racism and a narration of the creative person # 8217 ; s development. As a kid turning up in the Jim Crow South, Richard faced changeless force per unit area to subject to white authorization. However, even from an early age, Richard had a ferocious spirit of rebellion. Had he lacked the resiliency to be different despite the force per unit area to conform to societal outlooks, he would likely neer have become an internationally celebrated author. The full system of institutional racism was designed to forestall the American black # 8217 ; s development of aspirations beyond humble labour. Racist Whites were highly hostile to black literacy and even more so to black Americans who wanted to do composing a calling. However, Richard did non merely face resistance to his dreams from racialist Whites. In many ways, his ain household and the black community ferociously opposed his aspirations. His grandma, a rigorous, illiterate Seventh Day Adventist, considered reading and composing about anything other than God iniquitous. Richard # 8217 ; s equals considered him silly and unrealistic and possibly unsafe. Throughout his childhood, Richard suffered force at the custodies of his household for make bolding to arise against his assigned function of low silence. In Black Boy, he frequently charges the black community with perpetuating the docket of white racism. Throughout his childhood and maturity, Richard reacted with acrimonious disdain toward what he saw as the entry of other black people to white authorization. Wright has frequently been criticized for neglecting to admit or appreciate the profusion of the American black community. However, his personal experiences clearly affected his relationship with it. Merely as he suffered maltreatment and ill will from his ain household, so did he have small comfort from the larger black community. Wright invariably clashed with what he saw as Black American entry, and, for personal grounds, clashed with all spiritual bigotry. The black community reacted to his rebellion in sort, and Richard suffered intense isolation and solitariness during the formative old ages of his life. He did non understand until subsequently that his household and the black community discouraged his rebellion because matter-of-fact entry to the outlooks of racialist Whites was a agency to guarantee the corporate endurance of the community. A rebellious act of one person non merely represented a menace to his or her life but besides to the lives of his or her household and the black community as a whole. This tenseness, between the demand to conform for endurance and the demand to arise in order to accomplish single and community dreams, is one that animated Wright’s life and his autobiography. In the book, Richard lays bare the paranoia and trouble of being a black adult male in America, even the purportedly non-racist America of the North. When he fled from the South to Chicago, Wright all of a sudden entered a new environment: The civilization was more tolerant, but lingering beneath was a latent racism. Richard found that the fright of uncertainness engendered by this racism, by the changeless subconscious cognition that blacks in America were 2nd category citizens, could drive many American inkinesss to subject to white authorization merely because it offered the security of cognizing what to anticipate. In the North, Richard could sit following to white adult male on public transit, and he could even impeach a white colleague of ptyalizing in the nutrient at a eating house where he worked. However, for a long piece, Richard did non cognize how to move. He, like many inkinesss, feared perpetrating an discourtesy that might take to the annulment of the meager rights the y had eventually achieved. Richard # 8217 ; s hunt for belonging finally brought him to Communism. But merely as Wright found deficient the dictates of the black community and of faith, he shortly came to happen the paranoia, fright, pettiness, and bigotry of the Communist party to be excessively much. He agreed with Communist political doctrine but non with its pattern. Wright # 8217 ; s hunt for ego, a subject that runs throughout his life of rebellion

Structural Fires and Structural Failures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Structural Fires and Structural Failures - Essay Example Efforts started in 1980 to keep track of fires and take measures to reduce structural failures and after three decades, the damages in casualties as well as property reduced by almost fifty percent. Structures were classified into different types to better access the parameters and predict the time the fire takes to consume the structure. This classification also gives firefighters better assessment to fight or counter fires. The speed by which fires spread throughout the structure depends on three major factors; oxygen source, fuel and the heat source. Oxygen is necessary for burning and air is the primary source, the interior of the structure provides fuel source for burning and different components burn with different speeds, and finally; some elements of the structure contribute towards the heat source which raises the air temperature to a point where everything bursts into flame and it is known as flashover. Structural fires reaching flash point are almost impossible to control and often lead to structural failure. Structure Types Structural fires are classified as per type of structures, depending on their external and internal composition of construction materials. Since every material burns with a different rate and in turn produces heat as well as smoke. Heat released contributes towards raising temperature of local air, which results in flash over. Every structure has different set of materials and that is why each structure takes different time to reach flash over. The structures are classified into five types with ascending rates of burning. Type I consists of structures with steel and concrete used to provide structural strength, making it the most resistant to fires. Type II uses steel to reinforce the structure of the roof, which provides additional support for the structure and in particular delays roof collapse. Type III is ordinary structures with exterior and interior made of brick and mortar, which are non-combustible. The interior may also have laminated or fire retardant wooden floors. Type IV is heavy timber structures which rely on timber to reinforce the structure, however, the exterior walls are made from bricks. Type V are wooden structures with wood used to form the basic frame of the structure, as well as, exterior and interior (Dunn, 2013). In simple, structures with steel and concrete, that is Type I and II, are the most resistant to fire as they are capable of handling heat generated for longer durations, whereas, structures with wood, either interior or exterior are destroyed at a faster rate, which includes Type IV and V. Occupancy Types Occupancy type involves type of activity the structure is designed for and therefore, classified accordingly for fire hazards. Structural fires are a result of human actions and the type of occupancy dictate regulations for a specific structure. Some of the groups among this classification include Assembly, Business, Education and Factories. These groups are subdivided de pending on type of activities carried out within the structure. In general, fire hazard increase with increase in the number of occupants within the structure as well as the scope of activity. Factories are more susceptible to fires than any other group, because, they involve manufacturing and storage. The materials involved are much more hazardous and chances of fires are much

Land law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Land law - Essay Example In the case of William and Catherine, both of them hold a separate license agreements to the property, otherwise known as a â€Å"License to Occupy†, which was for an unspecified short term. Since the agreement does not stipulate a fixed duration, it can be terminated at the will of the landowner, provided that the notice requirement under Article 4 (1) (2) of the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1954 has been satisfied. There is no exclusive possession in this kind of agreement as the licensee does not enjoy exclusive occupation over the property. In fact, based on the agreement, there was a provision which allows Judith, the licensor, to enter the flat and share the couple’s bedroom any time she wishes.  This is merely a temporary arrangement and cannot ripen to a full lease agreement. In the case of In  EC Commission v United Kingdom  (Case C-359/97) [2000] STC 777,804, the European Court held that: â€Å"The term ‘letting of immovable property’ must be construed strictly. The  Court concluded, that the term ‘letting of immovable property’ cannot be considered to cover contracts where, the parties have not agreed on any duration for the right of enjoyment of the immovable property, which is an essential element of a contract to let." While in the case of Timmons v. Cropper (40 Del. Ch. 29, 172 A.2d. 757, 759) ‘License with respect to real property is a privilege to go on premises for a certain purpose, but does not operate to confer on, or vest in, licensee any title, interest, or estate in such property. In addition, â€Å"Licenses to occupy are somewhat less than leases and do not grant ‘possession’ or a legal interest in the land, which is the usual right of exclusive occupation. One example of a license is that of a lodger in a landlord's home. The lodger has no exclusive possession of any part, and shares facilities. The landlord has total control though there is a small element of protectio n in that even residential licensees can appeal to the courts against summary eviction† (Landlord Zone). Hence, Elizabeth has the right to enter the property at anytime she wishes and claim the portion of the property being used by William and Catherine and revoke the license, provided the notice requirement has been sent to the licensors. In the case of the first floor of the property, since Philip was an employee of Judith who served as the handyman in the house, Philip’s stay in the property served as part of his fringe benefits as an employee. As an employee, his stay in the house did not create exclusive use of that portion of the house where he is presently occupying, as evidenced by the key to the flat to do housekeeping. However, since the property was sold to a third party, the ownership and possession of the property has now been automatically transferred to the new owner, Elizabeth. Although there was no mention as to the term of the lease agreement, it is pr esumed that the owner can claim the property at anytime she wishes as she remains to be the owner of the property. The same treatment shall be applied to Beatrice, Judith’s niece who was granted a gratuitous license to use the top flat for free since was unemployed. â€Å"A gratuitous license is revocable by notice at any time† (Duhaime). Lord Mackay Clashfern,  Halsbury's Laws of England has stated that:   "A license is normally created where a person is granted the right to use premises without becoming entitled to exclusive possession of them. If the agreement is merely for the use of the property in a certain way and on certain terms while the property remains in the owner's possession and control, the agreement operates as a license. It does not create any

Environmental Health and Safety Scholarship Essay

Environmental Health and Safety - Scholarship Essay Example The purpose of this research is to investigate the reasons why companies perform environmental audits in their business operations. One of which was the increasing regulatory pressures. Of course, in order to stay in the competitive market, the company must ensure that they comply with all the applicable environmental regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and other national, local and federal agencies. Another notable reason was to make sure that they meet all the necessary requirements of safety standards designed to promote their continuous development. The auditing requires systematic and comprehensive review of all the aspects within the business which include the properties, facilities, processes and operations. The investigation results will then serve as the guideline and baseline information in order to evaluate and assess the performance of the company. Because of the available updates on EH&S, the problems and deficiencies can be easily identified and can be corrected immediately before it becomes severe and can create more damages. To simplify, environmental auditing is about reducing or mitigating possible risk that may arise in the workplace. This makes sure that the businesses activities have no negative impact instead safeguard the environment as well as promote human health and safety for a total satisfaction. It can also identify possible cost saving, such as waste minimization, avoid fines and penalties and also avoid hospitalization costs due to accidents in the worksite. The growing public awareness can also be attributed for the sudden need of companies to conduct environmental audits. Since, several reports highlighted workplace hazards and accidents more and more became conscious and demand higher standard of EH&S.   Aside from these reasons, environmental auditing was also conducted by many companies in order enhance their image and reputation. Usua lly, this was used to promote their own companies by just stating that they adhere to the highest standards in work site safety. Question 4:   List, and briefly explain, the elements which should be planned in a successful audit program. In order to have a successful environmental audit, several elements should be properly and well planned which include the following: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Goals and Objectives Basically, before any undertakings, the company should state and establish their clear outline of goals and objectives they wanted to achieve after the audit program. This will help and guide them to easily formulate

Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Analysis - Research Paper Example Further, the VPD may fall short of establishing an effective interagency agreement – which is supposed to play the role of directing the guidelines of the investigations. VPD may also fall short of the needs for computerized information tracking and intelligence systems – which may address the investigative needs of the investigations to be administered at the at the different areas of crime, which reach beyond its jurisdiction. Other areas that may limit the success of the VPD in administering the investigations in an effective manner include, effective communication among the task forces involved across the different areas of crime, experienced leadership, the coordination of efforts and realizing effective forfeiture activities and effective asset seizure. Other areas of limitation include the obligation of long-term funding, formulating clear performance measures, goals and the objectives of for the different locations of crime. The collection of data, evaluation an d monitoring as well as offering technical backing and training programs towards realizing the best results from the crime scene investigations may form another area of difficulty for VPD. Following these areas of investigation or investigation preparation, which may challenge the ability of the VPD, there is need to present the investigation exercise to a multijurisdictional task force, which holds more potential to meet the needs of the current investigation (Cardenas, 2002). 2 In the case the investigations are started by the VPD, the investigation by this agent may be limited to the three crimes that took place within its jurisdiction. Further, even during the course of the investigations by the VPD, certain areas may require the input of an investigative task force. These areas include the formulation of interagency agreements – which offer guidelines to the investigation process; and in the area of running intelligence systems and computerized information models, as the se may require the input of highly experienced investigative technicians, who may only be available from the wider investigative task force. Other tasks that may require the input of an investigative task force include overseeing the communication across the different areas of crime, where there is need for higher level coordination of efforts and where there is need for investigative inquiries beyond the power of VPD. Further, at the time when the investigation extends beyond the areas of crime, under the jurisdiction of VPD will require the establishment of an investigative task force, as such a team will oversee the formulation of clear goals, performance evaluation and objectives for the different regions, as well as offer technical support and assistance across the multi-boundary areas of crime (Cardenas, 2002). 3 One advantage of an investigative task force is that, despite their origins on the roles of the military and the jurisdiction of the areas in question, the role of th e task force reaches beyond the boundaries of the military, thus offer information which is not affected by the prejudices likely to affect a one player team of investigation. For example, their mandate extends to areas of law enforcement and the business world. The task force also enjoys a sense of autonomy when executing their investigative roles, as the decision making process is commanded by highly ranking authorities who do not need the supervision of superiors, like the case may be for an agent like the VPD. As a result,

Sustainability and ethics course Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Sustainability and ethics course - Essay Example It has maintained a steady growth with respect to net margin and other financial indicators. Nissan requires acquiring a detailed idea about the threats and weaknesses that it might face and possess while operating efficiently in the global automotive industry. In terms of findings, it can be noted that the management team of Nissan is efficiently working towards collecting feedbacks from its stakeholders by arranging conferences, making direct dialogues and interviewing among others. It can be affirmed that by adopting and executing effective strategies, the company can overcome its weaknesses and mitigate the threats that arise during the conduct of various operations. It is projected that such strategies will contribute into enabling the company to reap several significant benefits and derive positive outcomes. Nissan is regarded as a multinational business organisation operating in the worldwide automobile industry. Its cars are sold globally under the trade name of â€Å"Nissan†. In 2013, Nissan unveiled its logo under the steel-blue frame, which differentiates itself with its brand (Nissan Motor Corporation, 2014). Nissan has left its mark by creating wide assortment of cars and trucks. It has traded these in the brand name of â€Å"Nissan†, â€Å"Datsun†, â€Å"Infiniti† and â€Å"Nismo.† Presently, it is expanding its operations by conducting an alliance with Renault; a France based automotive company with holding 43.4% share (Nissan Motor Corporation, 2014). Nissan aims to offer innovative products, services and excitement to the customers across the globe wherein it operates. Currently, the company possesses manufacturing outlets in twenty countries and provides service in excess of 160 countries throughout the globe. In offering services worldwide, Nissan has utilized the strategy of embracing diversity to meet the demands of diverse customers and also to accomplish the sustainable growth of its

Multinationaltransnational Corporations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Multinationaltransnational Corporations - Essay Example Globalization leads to a situation in which national borders are becoming increasingly irrelevant for a number of reasons. For example, the outsourcing of many different manufacturing and service industries to Asia has led to the growth of a middle class in some regions of the world that had not previously seen them. Just as archaic globalization started with ease of transport provided by domesticated animals, so ease of communication through computer networks has enabled the remarkable system in which an American calling a service line in America may well be linked to a service center in India for a computer problem. Indeed, if silk was the original driving force of the original, archaic globalization, it is computerization that is the fuel and engine for current globalization. The labor and economic laws of one country may be essentially bypassed by the multinational company that locates different sectors of its activities within different countries. The "Asian Tigers" such as Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore, have used this flow of money and services into their country to develop their own indigenous industries. Car manufacturers in Japan have used their superior design and production techniques to come to a point where they may soon occupy the dominant position within the American automobile market, a fact that would have been virtually unthinkable forty years ago. Again, it is automation and computerization of design and manufacture that has enabled companies such as Toyota and Honda to expand almost exponentially. The process of globalization have enabled these companies, founded and based within the Asian country of Japan, to prove their undoubted superiority over products manufactured in the West. The same can be argued for a whole host of products from cameras to computer games. This computerization is not only an engine through the outsourcing of various business functions to countries with much lower labor costs by advanced countries, but has also enabled more sophisticated supply chains that can react of market changes with much greater sensitivity. The development of massive multinational corporations for whom national borders are less important than their business models have led to a "shrinking" of the world. Wal-Mart, the largest and most successful retailer in the world, imports much of its merchandise from Asia, and is also seeking to open new stores within that region. Wal-Mart, an ostensibly "American" company, is in many ways actually an Asian (specifically Chinese) company is the source of labor and production is regarded as the defining factor. Another manner in which multinational companies are threatening national sovereignty is through the development of large, international or even regional trade areas that are specifically designed to ignore national borders. For example, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) makes a huge region, ranging from Canada to Mexico and into Central America that multinational cor

There are many qualities that are needed to be a good leader or Essay

There are many qualities that are needed to be a good leader or manager. To what extent can these be learnt through study and tr - Essay Example While most management instructors now concur that headship is a behaviour and a skill, which displays that skilfulness, this dual explanation has bred additional incongruity over the extent to which leadership can be trained or taught. That query is the prime focus of this paper. Perceptions on Teaching (And Studying) Leadership Leadership has now occupied a conspicuous place within management education and research. Leadership has similarly become an inescapable subject of managerial research, practice and education. Leadership magazines have increased and leadership curriculums are nowadays a fragment of almost every key business school course in the country. Furthermore, there is a wide range of leadership investigation programs, institutes, and centres outside and within business institutes (Cunningham & Gephart 2008). Can Leadership Be Learned Some individuals have a predisposition to acquire some skills faster or efficiently than others, and evidently, some persons reflect more likable or charismatic features than others do.   However, many distinguished managers are not those that are featured on Fortune and Time covers.   Great leaders learn to attain outstanding results during their own environments.   Just like effective parenting has to be learned and enhanced so can effectual leadership. Work experiences, special projects, bosses, role models, and education all contribute in headship development (Hencley 2000). For instance, utilizing an analogy with sporting, not everybody can turn into an exceptional player regardless of coaching, however, most will gain and enhance their ‘game’. Few will continue to become leads or exceptional leaders through coaching, wide-ranging experiences, as well as personal drive.† Can Leadership Be Taught Assenting that some features of leadership may be acquired is not similar to stating that they may be taught, at best in the proper sense. A good number of the management instructors agree that c ertain leadership aspects can be taught; though there are variances on how efficaciously leadership abilities can be fostered through formal coaching and courses. Rendering to the many experts, the capacity to teach leadership is contingent upon the student and the teacher (Hencley 2000). Leadership can be trained, though only certain facets. Leadership is conjured of three dissimilar scopes: skills, dispositions, and perspectives. Much leadership expertise can be imparted, and slightly perspectives can be enhanced and developed via education. For instance, one can be taught how to communicate more brilliantly and present concepts more convincingly. People can be taught about facets of strategic thinking to broaden an individual perspective. Simultaneously, there is an acute contextual aspect to strategic reasoning that is an invention of involvement in one’s discipline and a mental aptitude to reason more theoretically (Stogdill 2010). These are hard to impart. In respect to dispositions, these are an outcome of family, life, and perhaps genes (Cunningham & Gephart 2008). Therefore, the last cannot be trained. For instance, a person cannot be taught to be determined or to remain more exposed to taking risks–  those are dispositional traits. The knowledge needed to perform strategic leadership contains both tacit and explicit elements. The

CEO compensation Essay Example for Free

CEO compensation Essay Recently CEO compensation packages have high rocketed making many people question the validity of their compensation. Many questions have been risen to find out if CEO compensation if excessive. Through this paper we will discuss why we feel CEOs in America are grossly overpaid. We will start off by talking about the ethics on the matter and then the pay-performance connection within organizations. We will also touch on the real wages of employees and how America compares to international companies. We will finish our argument with some recommendations that we feel will help make organizations as a whole better. High Pay, Low Performance Financial Crisis It is shown in several studies that high CEO pay is linked to low company performance. In the article, â€Å"Chief Executive Compensation: An Empirical Study of Fat Cat CEOs,† by Kuo and Wang they describe the connection between CEO compensation and the financial crisis in 2008. As stated in the article, â€Å"the incentives built into the compensation plans of many financial firms are one of the fundamental causes of the financial crisis and surprisingly receives little public attention†. They go on to say, â€Å"Top executives of large banks or investment banks have encouraged the excessive risk-taking by top managers, leading to the financial crisis. † Kuo and Wang also explain how the incentives of executives are link to the short-term performance of securities that are traded. This sort of behavior is not in the stakeholders’ best interest. The CEOs in this case are clearly not interested in what is best for the company, but merely looking out for themselves. Instead of focusing on long-term competitive advantages and achievements, the CEOs are looking to make a quick buck for themselves. Another resource we used was that of Lucian Bebchuk and Jesse Fried. They have a very similar take on the topic, by also stating that trading securities was the beginning to the financial breakdown in American in the late 2000s. â€Å"During the extended bull market of the 1990s, executives’ compensation at public companiescompanies whose shares are traded on stock exchangesoared to unexpected levels† (Bebchuk and Fried, 2004, pg. 1). As you can see there is a strong connection between firms that trade securities and the breakdown of the market. Growing Trends The overcompensation of CEOs in America is nothing new, according to our research this trend dates back to the 1970s. â€Å"The review on CEO compensation by Frydman and Jenter (2010) shows that there was a dramatic increase in the compensation levels from the mid-1970s to the early 2000s in the U. S. Especially in the 1990s, the annual growth rates were more than 10% by the end of the decade† After researching the topic, we were surprised to find out just how much CEO pay has increased in a very little time-span, â€Å"Between 1992 and 2000, the average real pay of chief executive officers of SP 500 firms more than quadrupled, climbing from $3. million to $14. 7 million† (Bebchuk and Fried, 2004, pg. 1).   Star Athletes It has been said that CEOs are comparable to star athletes; therefore, they deserve the substantial increase in their pay. However, the majority of the CEOs that are contributing to this big picture problem are not working for their â€Å"team†. If CEOs were taking these risky investments to better the company, that is one thing, however, the link directly pointing to incentives tells a different story. Defenders of CEO compensation are also forgetting that along with the large compensation packages there is a great deal of retirement funds, 401ks, and stock retained within the company. The large payment of athletes could be contributed to the fact that they are not getting post-retirement benefits, like those of large corporation CEOs (Bebchuk, Fried, 2004 pg. 20-21). Employee’s Living Wages One of the biggest concerns with the increase of CEO compensation is the steadily decreasing real wages of employees. Compensation of CEOs far outweighs that of employee pay. In 1991, the average large-company CEO received approximately 140 times the pay of an average worker; in 2003, the ration was about 500:1† (Bebchuk and Fried, 2004, pg. 1). CEO Compensation and Virtue Ethics Another way to look at CEO compensation is to see if it agrees with virtue ethics. There is Aristotelian virtue oriented approach to ethics and was applied to business by Robert Solomon. In this, Solomon a rgues that business is primarily a practice, in which a community of individuals engages in a cooperative endeavor to deliver goods and services for the good of society. In this practice certain virtues such as integrity, moral courage, and justice are essential to the practice of business. Also, in virtue ethics justice implies that executive pay should be more modest across the board, regardless of company profitability. (Kolb, 2006, pg. 101-115) CEO compensation is not â€Å"fair† top 25 CEOs had an average annual pay of $32. 7 million, which is more than 900 times the annual salary of the typical US worker. In an era which many companies are cutting costs by laying off employees, such compensation seems to be unjust. Solomon argues that workers may not be loyal to someone they perceive as being unfair. At some level, trust and loyalty are needed for a company to prosper. Without these, this company will be left with a group of resentful, unhappy employees. Even if the CEO’s employees are â€Å"satisfied† with their minimum wage salary this satisfaction does not make the CEO’s actions any less just since he or she could afford to pay their employees more. At this point the CEO is taking advantage of his or her workers and being selfish. Companies give bonuses to CEOs even as employees and managers are being laid off. An example is one CEO and chairman of the board made $8. 9 million in 2003, which was the same year his company lost $463 million and he slashed the workforce by 20 percent, or 6,000 workers. Doing things like this can poison a corporation and completely divide a company. Instead of CEO’s comparing compensation packages to to other employees of their companies, CEO’s are comparing their compensation packages to the other CEO’s, which is not a standard for just compensation, since the issue of inequality often arises within a particular corporation. The success of a company is a team effort and not just all done by the CEO. Without the lower level employees a company will not be able to be successful. CEOs do have greater responsibility, but corporations are too large and unwieldy to be governed by just one individual. By spreading the CEO’s compensation package it could allow for employee raises and benefits which could help motivate employees and make them happier. Executives can be paid well without being paid excessively. A CEO is not some isolated individual seeking his or her own ends independently of other members of the corporate community; he or she is part of a whole. Therefore CEOs should not be paid like they are an individual who does everything on their own. A CEO’s role is defined by the corporation and the corporation has an overall purpose to benefit society. CEOs taking less in their compensation packages and spreading them throughout employees can actually help society. Our economy is down and needs to be improved. In order to improve it we need people to start spending money. However, in order to spend more money people need to make more money. If CEOs distributed some of their compensation packages to their fellow employees they could have more money to spend and help increase the level of our economy. International Compensation When comparing CEO compensation in the United States to other major countries the statistics are quite glaring. A study done by consulting firm Towers Perrin estimated pay as of April 1, 1999, in industrial companies with approximately $500 million in sales. CEOs in the United States earn over $1,350,000 compared to Japanese, $485,000, German $530,000, French, $570,000, and UK, $665,000 (Balsam, 2002, pg 277). Rules for governing executive compensation vary from across the globe. In companies such as Germany and Finland it is illegal to to use stock option to compensate executives until 1998, unlike the United States, which stock options are a major part of their compensation package (Balsam, 2002, pg 277). It was noted that in 1997, Disney’s Michael Eisner single handedly out earned the aggregate paychecks of the top 500 CEO’s in the UK. CEOs in the United States earn 45 percent higher cash compensation and 190 percent higher total compensation. Also median base salary is 30 percent higher in the United States while United States median bonuses are more than triple of that in the UK as well (Balsam, 2002, pg. 288). When comparing corporations in Canada with the United States there is a marked difference between the two countries in both the level and structure of CEO compensation. During the 1993-1995 period Canadian CEOs earn lower pay, with the median CEO earning $560,000 in US dollars compared to $2. 5 million for corporations in the SP 500. Salary made up a higher proportion and bonuses and options a lower proportion of the compensation package for Canadian corporations. Overall, the relationship of pay to performance is weaker in Canada than in the United States. Despite the drastic differences in CEO compensation between the United States and other countries there are several reasons for these differences which stem from being cultural, some regulatory, and others due to taxation. In many countries it is taboo to earn the amount of money that American executives make. Some countries have their own laws and regulations that make stock options less valuable and limit the overall compensation of CEOs. Lastly, restraints and taxes can affect compensation. An example is that few Japanese and German corporations were able to issue stock options. Japan is limited to owning only 10 percent of their stock, which is a large amount but much less than companies in the United States (Balsam, 2002, pg 280). Overall, the United States drastically pays CEOs higher compensation than the rest of the world, on average. It is easy to see how wide the gap actually is when seeing the statistics. Several reasons contribute to the difference in CEO compensation. However, with the success of international companies and paying CEOs less compensation, we in the United States can infer that CEO compensation in the United States is too high. Recommendations After taking a closer look into the argument and debate of CEO compensation we believe there are several ways to lessen the gap between CEOs and employees. One idea we had was to link bonuses to the company stock prices. This way, CEO pay will be more based on yearly performance of their company. Another suggestion we had was to offer more modest compensation packages, and to spread the wealth CEOs no longer make throughout employees to add to their salaries, benefits, and improving employee working conditions. Out last recommendation was for board of directors to make more restrictions on CEO pay, such as limiting stock options. Conclusion After all of our research we strongly believe that salaries of CEOs are incredibly excessive. CEOs whose performance did not match up, to the steadily decreasing real wages of employees

To Kill a Mocking Bird Comparison Essay Example for Free

To Kill a Mocking Bird Comparison Essay It is interesting how two family members can share many differences and many similarities. In the novel To kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus and Aunt Alexandra demonstrate their care and love for Jem and Scout, yet differ when it comes to parenting and views on society. Atticus and Aunt Alexandra both express their love and care for Jem and Scout. Firstly Atticus has more of a relaxed and compassionate love for Jem and Scout. For instance, after the attack of Jem and Scout, Jem was frightened and Atticus was there for him, Scout said â€Å"He guided me to the bed and sat me down. He lifted my legs and put me under the cover†¦ he turned out the light and went into Jems room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem woked up in the morning† (Lee, 387)Although Atticus Is a busy and tired man, he shows that he cares by tucking Scout in and watching over Jem after an eventful night. Similarly, Aunt Alexandra moves into Atticus’ house due to her concern for Scouts lack of proper etiquette. For instance, Aunt Alexandra was in the kitchen, explaining her presence to Scout â€Å"We decided that it would be best for you if you had some feminine influence. It won’t be many years, Jean Louise, before you become interested in cloths and boys.† (Lee, 170) Although Aunt Alexandra moved in with Atticus, she expresses to scout her worries and motivation to correct them. It is evident that, both Atticus and Aunt Alexandra demonstrate their love for their family in many ways throughout the book. Atticus and Aunt Alexandra show many different parenting methods throughout the novel. Firstly, Atticus treats Jem and Scout as equals. He allows them to make their own decisions. For example, Jem and Scout wanted to hear the verdict on Tom Robinson’s case: â€Å"Tell you what, you can all come back when you’ve eaten supper†¦ and if the jury is still out you can wait with us†¦ Atticus opened his mouth to answer but shut it and left us.† (Lee, 277) As a result Atticus lets Jem and Scout make their own decisions by allowing them to stay later. On the other hand, Aunt Alexandra makes decisions for Jem and Scout; she treats them like children. For example, when Jem asks Atticus if he can go to church with Calpurnia Aunt Alexandra tells him that he cannot. â€Å"Atticus, I’ll go next Sunday if it’s alright, can i? Cal said she’d come get me if you were off in the car† Jem asked. â€Å"You may not† Aunt Alexandra answered. (Lee, 181) Therefore, Aunt Alexandra makes decisions for Jem. Clearly one can see Atticus and Aunt Alexandra’s parenting methods greatly differ. In addition, Aunt Alexandra and Atticus’ views on society greatly differ. For instance, Aunt Alexandra believes that certain people should be treated differently. For example Aunt Alexandra tells Atticus that she feel that Calpurnia is not doing her job efficiently, and should let her go. â€Å"And don’t try and get around it you’ve got to face it sooner or later and it might as well be tonight. We don’t need her now† (Lee, 182) for this reason, Aunt Alexandra demonstrates the she is prejudice and racist, she wants Calpurnia fired only because of the colour of her skin. On the other hand Atticus believes that people should be treated fairly and as equals. For instance, Alexandra complains to Atticus that she feels that Calpurnia being a person of colour should be fired because she is not doing her job correctly. Atticus disagrees and says â€Å"Alexandra, Calpurnia’s not leaving this house until she wants t. you may think otherwise, but I couldn’t have got along without her all these years† (Lee,182) Thus, Atticus expresses that Calpurnia is part of the family, and deserves to be treated fairly. As a result, Alexandra and Atticus’ views on society contrast because of the way they treat people. In the novel, To kill a mockingbird written by Harper Lee, Atticus and Aunt Alexandra show strong love for their family and yet they differ when it comes to their parenting methods and views on society. In conclusion although Alexandra and Atticus are family they are more different then the same.

A Critical Appraisal Of Emirates Airlines Public Relations Marketing Essay

A Critical Appraisal Of Emirates Airlines Public Relations Marketing Essay Virtual public relations may be defined as the utilization of news or print media to publicize the positive image of our company and its product and services along with its business operations methodology; it also includes creating and developing good relationships with local media representatives, customers and community. History: Emirates Airlines commenced its business operations in the year 1985, with the financial resources of $10 million and machinery resources of 2 rented aircraft. The formation of a company was the response of Gulf Air towards its cut back business operations. Its maiden flight commenced towards Karachi on 25th October 1985. Emirates Airlines created a remarkable record by earning maximum profit within 9 months of its business operations. New destinations have been supplemented by Emirates which includes Bombay, Cairo, Colombo, and Dhaka. After the end of two years it enhanced its destination to Europe commencing with London. Apart from them enormous destinations have been added by Emirates in rapid progression. Mission and Vision: Emirates Mission includes sustaining and maintaining the consistent growth of its business with a growth rate of 20% in the upcoming years. The Vision of Emirates is to create and sustain the market leadership which seems ahead of conservative track. Brief Description of Emirates Airlines: Emirates Airlines is the part of the Emirates Group, a leading group of UAE having its global presence in worldwide markets with an impressive brand image in the field of travel and tourism and aviation. The hub of Emirates Airlines is situated at the International Airport in Dubai and its group is possessed by the Government of Dubai. It is operated as the national airlines of Dubai and UAE. It has 2400 passenger flights per week providing services to the worldwide passenger to reach their destination. It is the top most airlines of the Middle East, winning maximum awards for its augmented business operations and services. Figure : Organizational Structure of Emirates Airlines: Media Relations of Emirates Airlines: Media relations helped a lot to keep the Emirates Airlines in the worlds media headlines. During the last year, the company has invested more than US$ 187.7 million for over 40600 media articles which is equivalent to the value invested for the advertisements. With the help of such investment, the company approached a great customer reach and media analysis shows that customer coverage gives an overwhelming and positive response. Emirates Airlines first A380 aircraft have grabbed the great media attention globally even though the Emirates airline is not the first airline to launch such aircraft. The renounce ceremony in Hamburg witnessed more than 800 journalists and celebrities. Through this ceremony, the media relations of the Emirates Airlines have received the global reach through interviews with the higher authorities of the company and the key aviation writers who have experienced the product and services of such new and innovative aircraft. During the six month campaign of such launch and renouncement, the company has received more than 1000 media requests to provide the information and images of the newly innovative product. Due to these strong media relations of the company, more than 1000 aviation and lifestyle writers have experienced the services of the newly launched product and provide their positive feedback by awarding it as a next generation aviation technology and travel comforts through such media only which ultimately affect the global customer reach and helps to attract more and more potential customers. The opening of new Emirates terminal 3 at the Dubai International Airport was spread among the advisories and travelers through these strong media relations of the company. Media relations emphasized various aspects of the new terminal in order to enhance the features to the customers which attracted a vast potential customer range towards the products and services of the company. In order to strengthen the Media Relations, the company organizes media tours, video recording and photography opportunities for various journalists in every six months. Besides the main news of the company, the global media relations also provides the media coverage to the launch of various other destinations of the company in all over the global market which attracts the potential customers towards the five star best airlines of the world. Media relations also support various other differentiated products of the company such as luxury hotels through public relations strategy and they also provide media support for facilitating its portfolio to other hotels. The internal awareness team of the company has launched a new interactive group world which keeps watch over the internal campaigns through integrating all the channels of communication including media relations which provides strength to the company to enhance the customer reach. Community Relations of Emirates Airlines: Community relations include the social responsibility of the company towards the stakeholders which affects the success of the company a lot. With the advent of liberalization of traffic rights, the Emirates Airlines have developed a new department of public affairs and government engagements. The department of public affairs launches a campaign in order to help the company in lowering down the air passenger duty by the UK government. It had launched a new publication which shares the airline industry news and related international policy news. This feature is also added to the website of the company. Industry affairs are trying its level best to represent the Emirates airlines at the IATA agency and services conference in relation to both the passengers and the cargo operations. The Company also has joined the Billing and Settlement Plans with 99 other countries. The industry affairs initiate the web sales through the industrial banks facilitated by the travel agents and thus adopt the IATA resolution changes. The environmental affairs launch various environmental policies which tend to make the Emirates Airlines as the most Eco friendly airlines of the world. The ever largest single recycling program is the part of such projects which tends to collect thousands tones of paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminum from the various buildings concerned with the company. Consumer Relations of Emirates Airlines: Consumer relations are very essential for any company in order to satisfy them with the product and services through resolution of their problems and complaints and make them the loyal customer for the future course of time. For enhancing the consumer relations, Emirates Airlines have separate Customer Affairs and Service Audit (CASA) centers at various locations of each destination which understand and resolves customer problems and complaints. Last year, CASA continued to be decentralized by opening a new office in Johannesburg, Osaka, Hong Kong, and Tehran which adds the strong network to the existing CASA centers at UK/Europe, America, Australia, New Zealand and India. The development of such network helped the company in handling the complaints of the customers as it has shown 50 percent improvement in solving out such problems. This center helps the customers to be dealt with concern at the local level itself and their problems get solved more effectively than earlier. Due to this service improvement in handling problems, 66 % reduction in Baggage Claim Processing has been observed. The company is planning to develop the training and development plan for the CASA employees so as to improve their skills in handling the customer problems more efficiently and effectively. The Knowledge Portal will support such plan in order to share the related data and information. CASA shows an empathetic, caring and personalized behavior towards solving the customer problems and complaints and providing full support to the customers to satisfy their expected standards and quality to make them loyal customer for the products and services of the company. In order to sustain the growth, quality standards and reputation of the company, the Service Audit Team continuously controls and monitors the standards of products and services. The Mystery Shopper team of the company monitors and evaluates the contribution of the staff towards maintaining the expectations of the customers. Service Audit evaluates all the customer services regularly in order to deal with the customers more effectively. These services involve service delivery, airport services, skywards, and the call centers operated worldwide to solve the customer problems. Discussion: Though the public relations of Emirates Airlines impact a lot on the international media and the potential customers yet the company PR need to adopt various changes as per the requirement of competitive environment in order to take the full competitive advantage of the global international market. Though the company has the strong media relations which provide a great exposure to every event held in the company and the company also provides great opportunities of news and events to the media yet there are various changes which are yet to be implemented. These changes involve the use of social media for strengthening the media relations of the company. Now a day most of the companies are using social media such as Facebook, twitter, MySpace and various other social networking sites in order to have great exposure from the customers and the media. The same development is applied to the customer handling departments, to provide ease to the customers for communicating their problems and complaints, most of the companies are now taking help of social networking sites and the internet which is the quick and easy means of communication nowadays. The community relationships such as social events and other environmental initiatives are now being spread and run through the social networking sites by various companies. In this relation the Emirates Airlines are lacking as it is not using the easiest and the renowned means of public relations and communication. Though the company is developing various kiosks to handle the customer requests, problems and complaints, though it is taking various environmental and industry affairs initiatives, though it is providing various opportunities of media exposure, yet it needs to use the social networking sites as the strongest and prominent means of public relations in order to strengthen the orga nization efficiently and effectively. In relation to customer problem and complaints handling, the initiative of the company to run CASA ad providing training to the employees to solve the problems and complaints of customer effectively is really appreciable as compared to the other companies of the same industry. The media opportunities and other community development initiatives of the company are remarkable and appreciable in relation to fulfilling the corporate social responsibility. Conclusion: Â  Public Relations play a very prominent role in maintaining good rapport with the customers, media and community. Public relation helps in spreading information regarding the company to the target group of customers. It serves as the most cost effective tools of promotion which helps with the publicity of the companys products and services. The information publicizes through public relation are comparatively effective on a long term basis and on the large geographical areas in comparison to other promotional tools and techniques. Emirates Mission includes sustaining and maintaining the consistent growth of its business with a growth rate of 20% in the upcoming years. The Vision of Emirates is to create and sustain the market leadership which seems ahead of conservative track. The Public Relation of Emirates Airlines with the customers, media and community prove to be very helpful in the accomplishment of its aforementioned mission and vision and it is also the secret behind its success and market dominance in UAE. In relation to Public relations department, the company is doing well and most of its initiative is appreciable yet there are various changes and updating as per the competitive environment which are needed to be adopted and applied in order to have pace with the changing business environment.

E.E. Cummings :: essays papers

E.E. Cummings is characteristically American. He is a famous, well known American author. I found that his writing style is of a stereotypical American. What is it to be stereotypically American? Well I found that one of the main things is that you can say or write whatever you want and not feel threatened about if what your saying is the right thing or not. Also a lot of Americans will use sarcasm. Also you don’t have to come right out and say whatever you mean. Some will talk about something completely different then what they are really trying to say. Cummings used a good amount of sarcasm in his writing. He sort of made fun of things in his poems without coming out and saying it. He also doesn’t just come right out and say what he means. I haven’t been able to figure out many of his poems at all. The things he says just makes no sense at all. Even after analyzing his work I haven’t been able to understand what he means. I think that is one thing that most Americans do in one way or another. Cummings also wrote a large amount of poems that probably would have offended people in one way or another. But freedom of speech is one thing that all Americans have. We can say whatever we want and not have to answer to anyone about it. If we were in another country that freedom of speech isn’t allowed he possibly could have been thrown in jail for some of his writings. He was known for his lack of correct punctuation and capitalization in his writings. Very often he would write his name as "e.e. cummings", not even capitalizing his own name. He basically had his own style of writing things even though they were not written correctly. He never followed any of the rules which might have been one of the reasons he was so remembered. He was born in Cambridge Massachusetts. He grew up there and worked at a mail-order publishing company for a short time. He decided to volunteer for the Norton-Harjes Ambulance group in France. He was imprisoned for three months in a French Detention camp. While being there

Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller Essay -- Death of a Salesman Ess

Death of A Salesman, written by Arthur Miller, is a play based on the turmoil within an average American family. Miller wrote Death of A Salesman easily showcasing the elements of drama. I was easily able to follow the plot, identify with his characters, and picture the setting. The main theme of the plot seemed to be Willy reaching for the "American Dream". Financial success, business success, outwardly perfect family, revered by your peers, and in general respected by all. Early on in the play two things are evident to the reader; Willy's questionable mental status, and his tumultuous relationship with his sons. Willy is apparently suffering from some sort of mental or emotional issues. These issues are causing him to conversations with his brother Ben, who has already passed away, and re-play past events in his mind. At times, Willy speaks aloud to his brother and even when re-living moments with Biff. Biff and Willy are obviously harboring ill feelings towards one another, but neither are willing to bring the reason into light. In Act II we discover Biff had discovered his father was having an extra-marital affair. Biff, already distraught over not graduating, was crushed. He idolized his father and could not believe he would do this to his mother. To spite his father, Biff did not finish school and Willy took this as spitting on him. Through the years the resentment grew to the point they had a non-existent relationship. Willy's relationship with his sons is a contributing point to both the plot and characterization. It seems neither one has lived up to the dreams he has for them. I believe he wanted to live through them and actually have them fulfill his dreams for himself. Since his ... ... Miller managed to create a play where his audience could truly feel emotion for the characters. Miller had wanted Willy's life to be held within a dream of possibility and for Willy to embrace his world of illusion (Bigsby 319). I feel he was able to do this with his wonderful ability to help the reader become emerged in the plot. His characterization made his characters seem tangible. The music and lighting descriptions helped to make the scene come alive. Works Cited Bigsby, C. W. E. â€Å"Death of a Salesman.† Arthur Miller: A Critical Study. New York: Cambridge UP, 2005. 100-123. Foll, Scott. "Conflict and Meaning" 2000 Web. http://aliscot.com/ensenanza/1302/conflict.htm Miller, Arthur. "Death of a Salesman." 1949. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Vol. E. New York: W.W. Norton &ump;, 2012. 238-303. Print.

Illegal Immigrants in The United States Essay -- Mexican immigrants, i

For many years, people from all over the world have come to the United States seeking a better life for themselves, their spouse, their children and even their children's children. However, not every immigrant comes into this country legally and many of these illegal immigrants are poor, uneducated and may be carrying contagious diseases. They may arrive here via human trafficking, smuggling or other methods. There is one thing we know for sure that many of them choose to remain silence when they become victims. The three main reasons they become invisible victims are they are not aware they are victimized, they don't know the right way to ask for help and they are afraid to be fired or even deported. Illegal immigrants in the United States usually come from less developed countries or at least poorly developed regions of these countries. These illegal immigrants carry a totally different knowledge of culture, legal system and human rights when they came into this country. The most these people are victimized is when they are working, sometimes, these people can't even realized when they have become victims. Because of their status, illegal immigrants, it is very rare that they can find good positions in considerably big companies to start with. Usually, small businesses will take the risk to hire illegal immigrants, sometimes it may be because of these small businesses are trying to help those illegal immigrants who share same nationality with them, but, for most of the time, these undocumented migrant workers are much cheaper and easier to manipulate. Most illegal immigrants consider working for people who share the same nationality with them, because of language issues. When this happens, highly li... ...to provide their children a better future; some of them end up here because of human trafficking or smuggling, so they need to work hard to pay their debt. No matter what the reason is, they can't afford to lose their job or be deported back to their own country. Most of these illegal immigrants are carrying too much weight on their shoulders. Most problems are not big deals comparing to lose a job, because they believe that as long as they can keep their jobs for living in this country, there is a hope to become legal one day. Illegal immigrants victims are invisible, because they are not aware of their situation, they don't know to get help or they are afraid to be fired and deported. No matter what reasons are causing them invisible, one thing we know for sure is that these reasons are giving other people opportunities to hurt illegal immigrants.

Air conditioner

Tout Air-condition and ventilation Based on the new facilities of meeting room and exhibition hall, we would need to design air-condition and ventilation system too. Firstly, great air quality and circulation is the most important part of the venue ventilation system. In contrast, poor air quality and circulation will easily let people sleepy. Also, indoor temperature should be maintained between 24-ICC according the government standard. So, should have independent, adjustable temperature system to controls for the ambient temperature of the number of people.For meeting rooms, an optimum condition of 50+5% is generally used for design purpose. And the exhibition hall should need strict control of relative humidity is critical because it will be works of art and delicate objects. In view of this, we would choice unitary equipment of meeting room. The system is a central air conditioning system in the form of air conditioning load. It is lower cost packaged, simplicity of installation and individual control unitary equipment.Because it uses a concentrated form of air conditioning dad, so relative to the air conditioning load distributed processing distributed air-conditioning system, which has energy-efficient, comfortable, convenient adjustment capacity, low noise, vibration and other prominent advantages. Suitable for meeting room's about room temperature ICC and 60% to 80% humidity standard of requires fresh air. Also, if the interior noise, such as noise of the air conditioner is too large, it will greatly affect the performance of the audio system, difficult to hear speech of chairman.As the same time, we would choice central station systems of exhibition hall. The system is host by the microcomputer to control central air conditioner each interval, its can automation to load operation according to the actual and to simplify air conditioning facilities management. Also without taking the device layer, can reducing utilities and construction investment to eas ily with the house renovation. And, it is running by water source heat pump, no combustion process to avoid the sewage, effectively saving energy and operating costs and it general service life more than over system, about of 15-25 years.Acoustic and sound control In addition to, design the air condition and ventilation also need to design acoustic and sound control equipment too. When designing this equipment, will need considerations influence various aspects of the venues such as the layout, volume, ceiling construction and other equipment requirements. According to the technical requirements of acoustics of meeting rooms have some reverberation time requirements. In general, the reverberation time is too short will let the sound boring; mixing time is too long will let sounds confusing.Therefore, different meeting rooms has its best reverberation mime, right reverberation time can beautify spokesman's voice and to cover the noise, increase the effectiveness of the session. Also, to ensure sound insulation and sound absorption, the room should with carpeted floors, ceilings and insulation blankets are equipped within four walls, double glazed windows should be used and set the double door for sound system. These sound control method also suitable of exhibition hall. But exhibition hall's area lager than meeting room and often held different event, so it will be need installed control rooms of the hall to control sound.In control room, the temperature must be maintained at around 1 8-ICC and keep cool and dry environment to protect the equipment would not be affect by humidity. Because of this, it also need sufficient space to separate ventilation and for maintenance. And the room's space should be usually mm wide x 2. Mm deep (10 x 8 Ft) suitable to accommodate a sound-mixer console with VA equipment. In concussion, the room should locate at the rear of the venue to provide sound control. So need adequate space to operate the master control, equipment and w ork table also.

The journey to my grave

It was a b veracious atomic number 90 afternoon and it was fin every(prenominal)(prenominal)y time for recess. I hade plainly survived double English and solely my energy had been drained from trying to remain awake, wholeow al whizz paying every attention to what was dismissal on in lesson. I do my manner verboten of the class room and walked d avouch the long corridors of the disciplineing building towards my locker- al wiz. It had tot on the wholey been a calendar week and a half since I had started blue school and I hadnt yet managed to f whole in any(prenominal) virtuosos alone I had expect it, since I had started a month ulterior than all the other first historic period. Everyone run acrossmed to already book been divided into his or her large-minded radicals.I liked keeping to my egotism, as it was watch glass clear I wasnt essential. After placing my books in my locker I do my representation to the school mobile mobile bay windowteen. As al exp ressive styles in that location was vigour appealing in the pious platitudeeen that tempted me so I just helped myself to a chocolate muffin. Having paid for my eat I made my way to the table in the corner of the hall w here(predicate) I depend upon every twenty-four hours- alone. I spotd my muffin on the table and sit down to eat. The canteen was filling up and I find that every table in the canteen had different types of people seated at it the cheerleader table was at the front where all the cheerleaders sat.Beside them, was the Ashley table where Ashleys classify sat, which beside herself included her 2 surmount friends. The sixteen tables behind them were where the ordinary people sat and ate their lunch. concluding provided not least on that point were the geeks who sat behind everyone else. Finally on that point was me and I sat alone, behind everyone else. Since the day I had started spicy school enjoy one had spoken to me in a friendly manner but only tease d me and called me names, so it was a vast surprise when Ashley and her assembly came up to my lunch table wanting to ask me some amour.Hey uh Megan. How argon you? Oh my god I couldnt cerebrate it. Ashley was truly talking to me. I had to reply, I destine it wasnt everyday Ashley came up to talk to me. Uh yes Im Im fine. thank for asking. I could feel my face getting hot, I couldnt believe I was so tongue tied but I wasnt to blame anyone who went to my high school would dupe been in the state I was in. Helen can you meet us in the misss bum and make convinced(predicate) no one inhabits you are coming to name us. Its best if get it on one k outrights. It was the happiest days in my tone.Having finished my muffin I travel down to the girls lavatory beaming with joy. in one case reaching the girls lavatory I pushed blossom the door and searched for Ashley and her group. at that place was hit the hay one there so I unconquerable to look. A superficial while after they came in and checked if all the cubicles were desert once they were satisfied Ashley asked me the most tabu of the blue(predicate) question ever. Listen Helen me and the girls were thinking of making our group a foursome and who else would be better to bewilder than you. So do you want to join us? Of railway line I did. Who wouldnt? Yeh sureI specify I would love to be subtr portrayal of your group. This was the happiest day of my life, apart from the fact that she didnt know my name properly. I was qualifying to be part of her group and not any d ludicrousery group but Ashley Roberts group. Kool, but as you know this isnt any old group. This is my group, she really emphasized on the word of honor my, and it is the best in the whole school. So you fuck off to go through a simple institution analyze, dont worry we all went through it. If you pass, it means you are quotable of joining our group and if not you go seat to what you were. I should mystify cog nise there would be a catch.I guess it was worth the try, if I passed I wouldve officially been part of the best group in the whole school. totally you have to do is have intercourse to my manse tomorrow and occlusive the night. Katie and Serena Her two best friends, go forth also be there. We volition reassure you what entrust consist in your rise tomorrow when you come on round. You can go now and oh yeh I provide lend oneself you my address tomorrow but think just dont state anyone, and I mean anyone almost our little discussion. The final tam-tam of the day rang and it was in the end time to go home. I placed my books into my travelling bag and made my way for home.After ten proceeding I reached home and let myself in. I could hear my mum rattling the dishes in the kitchen and also talking to my little tike brother. Hi mum, Im home. Guess what happened instantly. You wont believe it. I was dying to tell her that I had made a new friend and that I might have a chance to join her group. Go on tell me what happened today. Well this girl, Ashley Roberts who is the popular girl in school asked me to join her group but she said I have to pass a little test to see if I am resourceful of macrocosm in their group so she invited me to her contribute tomorrow for a sleepoer. preferably a little I go? I could see the smack on her face she wasnt sure about the whole idea. Im not quite sure about this test thing. she replied with a worried look on her face. Im execrable to say this to you but I cant let you go this time I mean you hardly even know her. Im sure she will understand. Understand. She melodic theme she would understand. My become had absolutely no idea about this whole thing. If I didnt get into this group my life would have been over. I would have had to stay a loner all throughout my high school life. that mum I couldnt let her win this betrothal not this time my whole high school life was at po amazeion here. You cant do this. You dont understand. You have to let me go, please. my eye were burning as tears sunless my vision. I couldnt let her see that she had won so I stormed out of the room slamming the door shut on my way out. I was enraged by my mothers finis of not letting me go to Ashleys house. She just didnt understand that I had to go. It was about my future. I had made up my mind I was going to go to Ashleys house no matter what. There was too oftentimes at s moderate here. I undeniable to make mum realise that I could take care of my self and postcode would have happened if she had let m go.The adjacent day I came back from school and went straight to my room to pack my change state for the sleepover. I was going to go to the sleepover no matter what. After packing my things I went downstairs to eat dinner and accordingly told mum I was going to bed early because I was not tactile property well. I went to my room and picked up my bag and plucked up the courage to drop outside o ut of the window. I did it I was out I pull in that if I stood approximately I would get caught so I quickly took out Ashleys address and made my way to her house. It was about 6 blocks away from where I lived and took me about twenty proceeding to get there.Once I reached her house it was seven thirty. Before I could actually knock on the door Ashley came and undefendable the door. Without saying a word she took me to her room as if she didnt want anyone to know I had arrived. There I met both Katie and Serena too. I was told by Ashley that I had to keep my piece down as her parents werent aware that I was present in the house. For some odd reason I began to affliction that I had come to Ashleys house. I was here now and I had to go through with whatever the girls had in plan as my initiation test. Ok listen Helen.We have all resolute what your test should be found upon. Let me warn you though it is going to be quite hard. The girls dont think you will be up to the challeng e. It was Ashley talking. Oh no the thing I had been dreading most. Well at least I wont have to do anything in school which could embarrass me. So I guess the girls had spared me the humiliation. Just tell me what you want me to do. Dont worry Im up to it. By the way my name is Megan. I had come this far I wasnt going to let myself down now. Thats the spirit.Well we have decided to test how brave you are so we have decided that tonight being a Friday the thirteenth your test will be that you have to go to the close together(p) by terrible yard and sit close to a grave for a whole hour, and before leaving place a flag, which we will give to you, on the surface of the grave so that we know that you actually stayed there. As proof that you did stay there for a whole hour we will give you a hold the line watch which you will start as soon as you sit contiguous to the grave and bring back to us when your time is up. I got the shock of my life when I heard what I had to do.I shou ld have stayed home and done as I was told, I guess I now realised that my mum was right. By coming here I have only landed my self into much trouble. I couldnt let myself down. I cherished to be in the group so desperately now. Ashley told me that we were going to leave at exactly eleven thirty so that we would be there a little before twelve. While I would be inside the grave yard Katie, Serena and Ashley would go back home and then come back to collect me. They also told me I had to sit next to a detail grave, it was Jack Hunters.Rumours have it that on every Friday the thirteenth anyone who sits next to Jacks grave, and is palliate there by midnight, has his or hers understanding pulled out from their body and into jacks grave. numerous people have time-tested to sit next to jacks grave but have never returned. Come on its time to go. Called out Katie in a silent whisper. It was time for my test and no matter what I wasnt going to back out from it. The four of us crept d ownstairs and made our way out of the house without making a single noise. The bridle- bridle-path was dark with only a a couple of(prenominal) light lamps in the far outgo which shone some light on the path we were taking.We finally reached the main gates to the main course of the grave yard. I was told to climb over the gates. When I had climbed over I realised that I was on my own from here on. Serena told me that the grave I was meant to sit next to was at the far end and will fall on my right extend side. I saw the girls making their way back and I knew I couldnt come out them. I had to lead in the pivotal direction. There were still five legal proceeding to twelve as I sat down and made my self comfortable. every(prenominal) this jack and the whole intellect twist thing was all made up, I knew it.How can a dead somebody who mind you doesnt even have a soul of his, own possibly take another persons. It was insane, it was a story which had cover its limits. None of i t was true. It couldnt be. Could it? At this stage I was talking to myself. I began questioning my own beliefs. I looked at my watch to see how much time had gone by. I couldnt believe it, only two proceeding had passed since I had started the stopwatch which was given to me. All of a sudden I tangle something behind me, as if it were breathing hard onto my neck. I was too afraid to look back. I wanted to run. Run free from this place-I was being held down.Something had paralysed me, I couldnt move. I tried harder- nothing happened. In my struggle to jade free from the web of danger I was in I caught a glance of the time and it was exactly twelve. It was happening to me. My soul was being sucked into Jacks grave. My ribs were hurting me so badly. My whole body felt as if it were being forced into a minute hole. My whole body was overlapping it self and I could do nothing. I needed air. I was running out of air. When I tried breathing in enlarged gashes of air to maybe prolong my death, nothing happened. All I could do was wait for my life to end.I remembered mum, I wondered what she was going to go through. I should have listened to her. She was right but I was so dictatorial and selfish that I had to have my way. I hope she could forgive me as all she had in the world were me and my little brother. There it happened. Exactly on that thought. I aphonic in my ounce of air. Jack finally got what he had wanted-his soul, my soul. I Megan Taylor till today regret entering the gates of the grave yard I entered three years ago, and till this day I regret it. Little did I know at the time that the friend I thought I had gained, planned this malicious act of indecency.