Phenomenology and Hermeneutics Research Methodologies

Thesis Statement Phenomenology and Hermeneutics are concepts that are as ancient and central to Islamic perception of interpretation as they are handy in their explanation of what constitutes understanding of interpretation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Phenomenology and Hermeneutics Research Methodologies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In delineating their central meanings therefore it is imperative to have methodologies that are extensive in their content acquisition and thorough in their clarity since phenomenology and hermeneutics are theories that are deeply seated in the concept of understanding and interpretation; concepts that are central to the previous and current philosophical perception of understanding. These are the discussions that inform the contents of this paper as the two theories are delved into, their explanation through the eyes of different authorities discussed and differences between them analyzed as well as discussing different hermeneutics methods used in Islam. Research Methodologies Academic work often requires the undertaking of research either scientific research or Historical research depending on the nature of research under consideration. The scientific research depends on experimentation to determine the answers to questions being researched. On the other hand the historical research depends on the past documented results in the quest to answer the research questions. The historical research may involve discussing originators of your ideas, the time frames, location and context of the idea and the new evidence you have gathered in a view to answer the research questions (Kà ¶chler 1997). According to Laverty (2003) many fields of academic research have used empirical or quantitative methods which heavily rely on accessible observable aspects. However the limitation of logical-empirical based research methods has contributed to the growth of qualitati ve research methodologies (Laverty 2003). The emphasis on empirical based research was on ‘discovery, description and meaning’ (Stanford University 2003). This was sharply contrasting to the emerging research needs such as ‘prediction, control and measurement’ (Laverty 2003). It is this context that has seen use of several methodologies such as phenomenology and hermeneutic phenomenology among others.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In addition to this, research methodologies for papers that are involved with collection of data from which conclusions are drawn usually divides them into primary data and secondary data. Each research objective therefore utilizes varying proportions of each form of data (Mantzavinos 2001). Kà ¶chler (1997) states that a descriptive survey approach is used to study, describe, explore and analyze relationships among geographicall y gathered subjects. Thus a survey was the most appropriate method to capture and compare the characteristics of small businesses in Dubai. In the selfsame way, a research paper may adopt a quantitative approach, as economic parameters can be assessed using empirical data (Kà ¶chler 1997). Therefore a quantitative approach is best suited to meeting the research objectives, as it aims at gathering, analyzing and measuring data from a large sample to test the relation between different variables. Stratified and simple random sampling procedures can be used in selecting the study sample. Stratified random sampling also ensures subgroups in the population were proportionally represented while simple random sampling was used to select respondents within the subgroups entirely on the basis of chance. Primary and secondary data are usually also collected and primary data can be collected by questionnaires, which may include structured and unstructured questions, and interviews, which are used to collect data immediately. Secondary data can be collected through a review of published and unpublished materials, such as articles, seminar papers, government policy papers, conference proceedings, business journals, textbooks, statistical abstracts, newspapers and periodicals. Secondary sources are useful as the suggestions of different authors on the research topic could be adopted and/or modified to recommend the way forward for the topic of interest. Upon completion of collection of data using the above methodologies, the main data obtained is coded into some analyzing software such as SPSS statistical software which is used for analyzing the data so as to present it more clearly and make conclusions and inferences (Mantzavinos 2001).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Phenomenology and Hermeneutics Research Methodologies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Phenomenology and Hermeneutics Hermeneutics can also be defined simply as the theory of understanding or interpretation. As will be indicated later on in the paper, according to Stanford University (2003) phenomenology has been defined as the study of structure of conscious experiences from a subjective first person perspective within relevant enabling conditions. There were several factors that contributed to the general understanding of the theories some which are captured below: Identification of tradition – it was the Aristotelian rhetorical tradition that set the foundation of the understanding of these theories and in modern times, Clavis Scripturae Sacrae of Flacius Matthias’ (1657) has been credited with laying the foundational understanding of the concept of interpretation. In his book, Matthias argued for instance that when the understanding of scripture was hard, teaching was the approach that was taken to resolve the standoff and not merely ecclesial pronouncement (Mantzavinos 2001). Classical Philology – renaissance was a concept that drew a lot of attention to discovery of classical texts. With these discoveries, it was imperative to read whatever fragments that had been obtained and try to make meaning of them which heavily depended on proper understanding of the tenets of interpretation (Mantzavinos 2001). Jurisprudence – this was mostly overt during the 533 BC attempt to harmonize judicial systems of the early world mainly the Roman’s Code of Justinian. This attempt let to the need of there being proper understanding of what interpretation really constituted (Mantzavinos 2001). Philosophy – the concept of hermeneutics specifically was greatly introduced into human philosophical understanding and argument when philosophy had a glimpse into human experience. It was created at a time when there was a bloom in the search of knowledge and understanding and many scholars derived and invented theories to explain different human phenomena.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This spree to understanding brought a lot of jostling and argument which then necessitated the need to have a generalized way of interpretation of the many theories and philosophies that were being surmised (Mantzavinos 2001). According to Stanford University (2003) phenomenology has been defined as the study of structure of conscious experiences from a subjective first person perspective within relevant enabling conditions. A conscious experience is thought to be two pronged consisting of an object and a subject (Mantzavinos 2001). The object acts on a subject. It emphasizes on the appearance of things in our conscious or experiences. Conscious experiences are determined by the ability to be aware of the experiences. They can either be passive experiences or active experiences. Critical to these subjective experiences is the aspect of intentionality of the experiences in their direction towards an object (Stanford University 2003). The key elements of phenomenology include the subj ective first-person perspective of the experiences, the consciousness of those experiences and the intentionality of the experiences (Stanford 2003). Franz Brentano one of the most prominent phenomenologist conceptualized phenomenology in distinguishing mental awareness from non-mental awareness. In this context intentionality of the conscious experiences is the hallmark of mental awareness. The intentionality of the conscious experiences contextualized in reflective analysis may involve temporal awareness, spatial awareness, self-awareness, awareness of self in different roles among other reflective analysis awareness (Stanford University, 2003). There are conditions that nurture the intentionality of the conscious experiences such as social cultural background, language, among others (Stanford University 2003). In the context of human sciences research phenomenology distinguishes appearances from essence (Phenomenology online 2010). It attaches importance to the nature and meaning of something thus deviating from empirical observations (Phenomenology online 2010). It replaces the theoretical empirical observations with the conscious experiences from the subjective first person perspective. Hermeneutics can be defined as the theory, art and practice of interpretation of texts with a view of understanding them (Phenomenology online 2010). Hermeneutics is widely used in the study of religious and classical texts where there maybe misunderstanding. The interpretation of text was considered in three ways. â€Å"The hermeneutic of the letter involved the grammatical interpretation of the text while the interpretation of the subject matter of the text is referred to as the hermeneutic of the sense† (Phenomenology online 2010, p.1). The hermeneutic of the spirit considers the context in which the author wrote the text. On the other hand Hermeneutic phenomenology encompasses both the hermeneutic methodology and the phenomenology methodology. This methodology i nterprets the experiences. Examination prominent phenomenology viewpoints Wilhelm Dilthey Wilhelm Dilthey considered the understanding of a text as an understanding of the expression of lived experience (Phenomenology online 2010). He reject the linguisticality hypothesis that separated the linguistic aspects of humanity from its understanding and interpretation. He held the notions that the expression of linguistic aspects of humanity that is speaking and hearing or writing and reading is a continuous process with the understanding and interpretation of the subject of the linguistic expressions. The expression and the understanding takes place simultaneously. Hans-Georg Gadamer Hans-Georg Gadamer views the interpretation and the meaning of a text as inseparable. He further argues that understanding of a text is achieved from a specific interpretation of a text. The language is considered as a medium in which understanding occurs and as such they are intertwined. Gadamer attached gr eat importance to the conditions that may affect the interpretation of a given text such as social cultural background (Laverty 2003). Interpretation is seen as bridging the gap between the meaning of the text and the expectation of the interpreter in relation to the text. He advocates for the questioning of the meaning of the text in coming with different interpretation in a process that one may be detached from the author’s intended message. He views understanding a text to be more than reconstructing the author’s thoughts but a process that one must relate with his own experiences (Laverty 2003). The interpretation of the text is done from three dimensions; historical, philological –literary and dogmatic dimensions. The philological dimension may involve the provisions of language structure while the dogmatic dimensions may involve coming up with a new interpretation of the text. Paul Ricoeur Paul Ricoeur is widely credited with linking of the Hermeneutics an d phenomenology methodologies. Paul Ricoeur’s thoughts are captured in some of his works such as ‘The conflicts of interpretation’, ‘Interpretation theory’ and ‘Interpretation and ideologies’. The similarities and differences between Hermeneutics and Phenomenology Both the phenomenology and hermeneutic phenomenology are derivatives of Germany philosophy intended to overcome the limitations of empirical scientific research (Laverty 2003). The two methodologies question the scientific view of the world from a Cartesian dualism perspective which split the body from the mind. Both view the body and mind as one whole. Differences between the phenomenology and hermeneutics occur in epistemological, methodological and ontological perspectives. Phenomenology examines the correlation of the knower and study object (Masson 2008). The hermeneutics on the other hand focuses on the nature of reality of the subject matter. While the phenomenology prov ides for bracketing that is the separation of an individual from the experiences he undergoes hermeneutics doesn’t make this distinction (Peirce 1958). The differences in the phenomenological and hermeneutics as research methodologies are several. Phenomenological research describes the meaning of the experiences while hermeneutics traces the development of the effects of the experiences on human from a historical perspective (Laverty 2003).It interprets the historical meaning of the experiences while the phenomenological research describes it. The phenomenology research is foundationalist in nature as it seeks interpretation of text independent of the interpreter’s social cultural position while the hermeneutic research takes this position into play (Laverty 2003). Hermeneutics methods in Islamic studies Al-Ghazali developed rules of reading the Quran that would enhance the interpretation of text and hence its understanding (Kamal 2004). The study of Islamic hermeneut ics is contextualized in two forms. The first school of thought holds that Quran can be independently read without the aid of previous interpretations by different scholars while the second school of though holds the contra (Kamal 2004). The author of a revealed sacred book such as Quran is devoid of historical, space and time conditions which contrast’s to the reader who is bound by these conditions (Kamal 2004). The holy Quran gives conditions of which it must read by specifying that the believer must be clean. In warning against contravention of this rule it may induce fear (Kamal 2004). Other conditions imposed in the reading of the Quran is the Prophet Muhammad’s traditions, conditions in the Quran itself and the opinions of the early generations of Muslims (Kamal 2004). Kamal (2004) examines on whether these conditions do affect the hermeneutics of which the Quran is considered as opposed to any other ordinary text. Several factors influenced Al-Ghazali in his de velopment of the standard rules of reading Quran including the scholar’s of his time, Islam dogmatic doctrines and rational (Masson 2008). He examined every doctrine available rejecting those he found inadequate forming a ground new ways of treating the subject matter. He faced epistemological challenges in his treatment of empirical aspects of his work. He rejected rationalism and considered reason insufficient in the understanding of the meaning of Quran (Kamal 2004). It is in this context that he considered God as ‘primarily will rather than logos (Knowledge)’ (Kamal 2004). According to Kamal (2004) Al-Ghazali’s hermeneutic position can be perceived in the following ways. In the understanding of the Quran the hermeneutic is devoid of any preconceptions and rules and gives provision for both explicit and implicit meaning of the text. â€Å"It also allows for emotional adjustments to the reading of the Quran as well as mystical aspect in the interpretati on of the Quran† (Kamal 2004, p. 41). Al-Ghazali set several conditions for the proper understanding of the Quran. He advocates the reading of the Quran free from the external influences such as religious commentaries, and religious school’s dogmas and commonly held interpretation of the verses. He also advocates the freeing of the mind and body from sin and worldly possession desires (Kamal 2004). According to Kamal (2004) the interpretation of the Quran is tied to five different levels of awareness or existence. These include sensory, analogical, essential, mental and imaginative. These five dimensions are critical in the textual interpretation and consequently understanding of the Quran according to Al-Ghazali (Kamal 2004). The essential existence refers to the existence that is beyond humanly understanding of which he can only relate to in form of images. These may include concepts that may not be understood or reasoned out but must be accepted as they are presented in the Quran (Kamal 2004). The sensory existence on the other hand is the existence in the dreamland. According to Kamal (2004) the imaginative existence involves the mental imagery of an object which is not in the vicinity of the sensory jurisdiction. The mental existence functionalizes the object (Mantzavinos 2001). Relationship between humanities and sciences The philosophy discipline is one of the humanities that try to bridge the gap between humanities and sciences (Priel 2010). Philosophers has used scientific methods in the arguments. In the context of the relationships between the humanities and sciences there have been two commonly held perceptions. There is the Naturalism viewpoint which holds that both the natural sciences and social sciences are similar in their methodological use. On the other hand the Anti Naturalism holds the view that the social sciences have distinguishing properties from the natural sciences. There have been several debates on whether the scientif ic methods in natural sciences may be used in social sciences. While some scholars argue that scientific methods can be used in social sciences other argue that it is necessary to use the scientific methods for social sciences (Priel 2010). The challenges of using scientific methods for social sciences are many. It has been observed that various natural sciences employ different methodologies for the treatment of empirical observations. It therefore follows that for the use of scientific methodologies for social sciences there must be some level of generality in the methods free from the specifics of individual natural sciences disciplines (Priel 2010). The minimum but not sufficient conditions of a scientific inquiry include a criterion for empirical testing, the logical steps for the empirical testing and the open door policy to criticism and evaluation. However there are other aspects of scientific studies that vary between disciplines. This may include explanations of observed e mpirical results, the qualitative methods, the use of predictions and the logical reasoning in arriving at a decision. These kinds of differences in natural sciences methodologies have given rise to two school of thoughts; positivists and antipositivist philosophers. Positivists hold the view that the scientific method that is the various techniques of observing phenomena with a view of obtaining knowledge is the best way of obtaining knowledge in both social and natural sciences. In this context the scientific method is seen to replace the metaphysical way of obtaining knowledge. According to Priel (2010) there are four critical elements in the conceptualization of positivists view. These include Anti-historicism, scientism, materialism, and a minimal language analysis in the understanding of text. Scientism occupies itself with the observance of scientific methods in the attainment of knowledge. While the scientific methods may vary from one scientific disciplines the common denom inator is the detachment of the researcher from the phenomenon under consideration. On the other hand materialism holds the belief the world is composed of physical elements. The positivists reject the notion of understanding of things from a historical perspective. They also downplay the role of language analysis in the understanding of things. Positivist always advocate for the breaking of the phenomena into different components in order to enhance their understanding (Jones 2000). In summary on the other hand, the antipositivists are seen to reject at least one of the following four notions (Priel 2010). Holism; this view holds that the human actions are understood from cultural context. Internal understanding; this understanding is not dependent of the external observations of an objects but it depends on the meaning attached to it. Historicism; this attempt to understand phenomena from its historical development. The role of language analysis in the understanding of the phenom ena is seen to be very critical (Jones 2000). References Jones, L., 2000. Hermeneutical Calisthenics: A Morphology of Ritual-Architectural Priorities. Cambridge Mass: Harvard University Press. Kamal, M., 2004. Al-Ghazali’s Hermeneutics and Phenomenology. Web. Kà ¶chler, H., 1997. Philosophical Foundations of Civilizational Dialogue: The Hermeneutics of Cultural Self-comprehension versus the Paradigm of Civilizational Conflict. International Seminar on Civilizational Dialogue, 2(1), pp.12-33. Laverty, S., 2003. Hermeneutic Phenomenology and Phenomenology: A comparison of historical and methodological considerations. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 2(3), pp.12-34. Mantzavinos, C., 2001. Naturalistic Hermeneutics. Cambridge: University Press. Masson, S., 2008. The Hermeneutic Circle. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Peirce, C., 1958. Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce, vols. 1–6: Charles Hartshorne and Paul Weiss (eds.). Cambridge, MA: Harv ard University Press. Phenomenology Online, 2010. Web. Priel, D., 2010. Jurisprudence between science and the humanities. Web. Stanford University, 2003, Phenomenology. Web. This essay on Phenomenology and Hermeneutics Research Methodologies was written and submitted by user Dark Wasp to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Homemade Dippin Dots Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream

Homemade Dippin' Dots Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Dippin Dots consist of ice cream that has been flash frozen in liquid nitrogen. The process is actually really simple and makes a terrific project for kids. Heres how to make your own Dippin Dots ice cream. Dippin' Dots Ice Cream Materials Ice cream dots are produced by pouring ice cream into liquid nitrogen. The warmer ice cream mixture splatters upon contact with the nitrogen and freezes in shape. Liquid nitrogenIce cream (any flavor, but dont use an ice cream with mix-ins)Plastic, metal or wooden bowlWooden spoon Dippin dots is a popular ice cream frozen using liquid nitrogen. George Rose / Getty Images Make the Dippin' Dots! The Dippin Dots that you can buy come in lots of colors, which are made by adding multiple flavors of ice cream mix or melted ice cream to liquid nitrogen. If you want multicolored dots you will need to add more than one flavor of ice cream. Add the flavors one at a time. Dont melt them together or youll just get one color! Prepare ice cream mix or melt ice cream. If you are melting ice cream, allow it to sit for a while before continuing because you want the air bubbles in the ice cream to escape. If there is too much air in your ice cream it will float on the surface of the nitrogen and freeze in clumps rather than balls. If you are making your own ice cream, you can use whatever recipe you like. An easy version is to mix:4 cups heavy cream (whipping cream)1-1/2 cups half and half1 teaspoon vanilla extract1-1/2 cups sugar1/4 cup chocolate syrupDrizzle the melted ice cream or ice cream recipe onto the liquid nitrogen. If you are having trouble pouring the liquid, you can squirt the ice cream in using a baster or plastic ketchup bottle.Stir the nitrogen while adding the ice cream. You want to keep the ice cream from floating or clumping together. You can keep adding ice cream until there isnt room for any more.Scoop up the ice cream to eat it. Let it warm up to at least regular freezer temperature befor e putting any in your mouth or else it will stick to your tongue or the roof of your mouth! You can keep uneaten ice cream dots frozen by storing them in the freezer.

Core and Periphery, Two Types That Make the World

Core and Periphery, Two Types That Make the World The countries of the world can be divided into two major world regions: the core and the periphery. The core includes major world powers and the countries that contain much of the wealth of the planet. The periphery has those countries that are not reaping the benefits of global wealth and globalization. The Theory of Core and Periphery Many reasons exist as to why this global structure has formed, but generally speaking, there are many barriers, physical and political, that prevent the poorer citizens of the world from participating in global relations. The disparity of wealth between core and periphery countries is staggering. Oxfam noted that 82 percent of the worlds 2017 income went to the richest one percent of people. The Core The top 20 countries ranked by the United Nations Human Development Index are all in the core. However, of note is the slowing, stagnant, and occasionally declining population growth of these countries. The opportunities created by these advantages perpetuate a world driven by individuals in the core. People in positions of power and influence around the world are often brought up or educated in the core (nearly 90 percent of world leaders have a degree from a Western university). The Periphery The population is skyrocketing in the periphery because of a number of contributing factors, including a limited ability to move and the use of children as a means to support a family, among others. Many people living in rural areas perceive opportunities in cities and take action to migrate there, even though there are not enough jobs or housing to support them. About one billion people now live in slum conditions, the UN estimates, and the majority of population growth around the world is occurring in the periphery. The rural-to-urban migration and high birth rates of the periphery are creating both megacities, urban areas with more than eight million people, and hyper cities, urban areas with more than 20 million people. These cities, such as Mexico City or Manila, have slum areas that can contain up to two million people with little infrastructure, rampant crime, no health care, and massive unemployment. Core-Periphery Roots in Colonialism Industrialized nations played a key role in establishing political regimes during postwar reconstruction. English and the Romance languages remain the state languages for many non-European countries long after their foreign colonists have packed up and gone home. This makes it difficult for anyone brought up speaking a local language to assert him or herself in a Eurocentric world. Also, public policy formed by Western ideas may not provide the best solutions for non-Western countries and their problems. Core-Periphery in Conflict Here are some examples of border clashes between nations of the core and the periphery: The growing fence between the U.S. (core) and Mexico (periphery) to prevent the entrance of unauthorized immigrants.The Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.Air and naval patrols on the waters between Australia and Southeast Asia and between the EU and North Africa to keep out unwanted immigrants.The UN-enforced border separating the Turkish north and Greek south of Cyprus, known as the Green Line. The core-periphery model is not limited to a global scale, either. Stark contrasts in wages, opportunities, access to health care, and so on among a local or national population are commonplace. The United States, the quintessential beacon for equality, exhibits some of the most obvious examples. U.S. Census Bureau data estimated that the top 20 percent of wage earners made up roughly 51 percent of all U.S. income in 2016, and the top five percent of earners made 22 percent of all U.S. income. For a local perspective, witness the slums of Anacostia, whose impoverished citizens live a stones throw from the grand marble monuments that represent the power and affluence of Washington, D.C.s central downtown. Although the world may be metaphorically shrinking for the minority in the core, the world maintains a rough and limiting geography for the majority in the periphery.

Black Stork Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Black Stork - Essay Example It was the belief of those that ascribed to this type of world view that such a human was possible and the only thing that was stopping the further evolution of mankind was societal constructs of mercy and value towards all life equally. The proponents of the eugenics movement, Dr. Harry J. Haiselden himself a member, advocated for a more direct approach towards achieving this particular interpretation of Darwin’s theories (Pernick, 1996). The rational for this particular worldview was not formed from a state of mind that espoused hatred, malice, or contempt for human life; instead, the proponents of eugenics sought to create an idealistic world in which society would no longer be plagued by disease, and genetic disorders – a world in which a superhuman would eventually emerge. As such, opponents to the eugenics movement quickly crystallized around the belief and notion that all human life was sacred and it was not for the doctor/attending physician or anyone else for t hat matter to deem what life was not worthy of being saved through his own inaction allow an infant to die (Voluntary Euthanasia, 1932). As such, in 1919 a silent movie entitled Black Stork began to be shown in the then rare theaters. The movie was concentric around the actions/inactions of Dr. Harry J. Haiselden which led to the deaths of many infants the doctor deemed unworthy of life. Although this name is not likely to ring any bells currently, this was a medical doctor whose exploits were the thing of tabloid newspapers at the time. Due to the fact that Dr. Haiselden was a strong proponent of eugenics he was known to withhold treatment from certain infants that when born required immediate surgical procedures to ensure their continued longevity. As such, Dr. Haiselden was known to withhold theses procedures deeming it as a mercy to the child and to society to prevent them from being a drain on their parents and the society at large. As such, the movie displayed in detail the pr ocess through which the doctor would make these determinations as well as the graphic display of the corpses of the dead and dying infant with its own mother. This practice alone caused the film to have to be edited on a number of occasions in order to tone down the graphic displays of death and dying that were presented to the audience (CITE). The idea of eugenics, coupled with the fact that many in society were willing to carry to an ultimate end the theory of natural selection (aided by human hands) and survival of the fittest, meant that a term was brought into the lexicon of the medical community and society at large in a new and revamped way. The term itself, â€Å"Euthanasia† had previously had a much different meaning; however, due to the exploits of individuals such as Doctor Haiselden, the meaning grew from â€Å"efforts to ease the sufferings of the dying without hastening their death" to â€Å"actively or inactively ending life in an effort to end suffering† (Capron, 1974). As such, the term greatly progressed from what was its original meaning. Furthermore, the movement was presented to society in ways that they could no longer ignore the implications that such practices brought along with them. It is interesting to theorize what would have happened with eugenics and euthanasia had Hitler not risen to power in Germany during the early 1930’s (Benzenho?fer, 2010). Due to the Third Reich’s belief that racial superiority was the best model

Financial Statement Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Financial Statement Analysis - Essay Example Burberry on the other hand experienced fluctuating growth in sales. In 2011 it has a growth rate of 17.30%, which increased to 23.71 in 2012. However, it reduced to 7.62% in 2013. In 2014, it increased to 16.57%. Generally, Burberry had a positive growth in sales even though it fluctuates. During each year, it had a higher growth in sales than the industry average, implying that it has a higher performance than other firms in the industry. Burberry had a relatively stable growth in sales. Mulberry had a sharp reduction in sales. For instance from 68.84% in 2011 to 38.47% in 2012 and to -1.97% in 2013. In 2014, Mulberry experienced a slight increase in growth in sales while Burberry had a higher increase in sales growth. Mulberry had a higher growth in sales in 2011 and 2012 than both the industry and Burberry. In the last two years it had the lowest growth. Burberry had the highest growth in sales in 2013 and 2014 than industry average and Mulberry. Operating activities are the main activities of an entity because they reflect the underlying health of the company. Operating assets helps the ordinary activities of the company. Net operating assets are the difference between operating current assets and operating current liabilities. Burberry’s growth in NOA increased in 2012 from 19.12% in 2011 to 54.94%. In 2013 it decreased to 34.14%. It further decreased to 28.12% in 2014. In general, growth in NOA showed a downward trend for the company. In the case of Mulberry, it increased tremendously from 25.84% in 2011 to 151.68% in 2012. In 2013 it decreased to 101.51% while in 2014 it reduced to 44.53%. Although it had a reduction in growth in NOA, Mulberry had a higher growth in NOA than both industry average and Burberry. This implies that the company’s operating activities are more efficient than Burberry’s and other firms in the industry. Burberry, on the other hand, had a higher growth in NOA than

Gilgamesh and Odyssey Essay Example for Free

Gilgamesh and Odyssey Essay Gilgamesh is an ancient poem that significantly marked its name as somehow being the first major heroic narrative in the world literature. Fractions of this literature were discovered uniquely carved in tablets even before the Roman, Hebrew and Greek civilization appeared. Gilgamesh depicts a unique and propinquity story of Gilgamesh and his companion Enkidu that transcribed a complex and moving gist of bonds of friendship, of the pursuit for prominence and of the enduring and timeless attempt to escape death, of which considered to be the common fate of humankind. On the other hand, Odyssey, an epic story by Homer, is concerned on the idyllic events proceeded after a war and mainly on the significant return of the heroes who survived the war. The main subject of this written epic work somehow focus on the enduring, drawn-out return of one of the heroes named Odysseus of Ithaca, whose fate is to amble in unknown seas for ten years before he returned to his rocky kingdom. This paper will provide detailed and comprehensive comparison between the two main characters from both epics Gilgamesh and Odyssey. Motivation, goals, self-control, pride, outside influences, behaviors and personal and social relationships will serve as points of comparison being grasped in this paper. Motivation and Goals Gilgamesh, as described in the transcription, was provided with bizarre and astonishing strength, courage, and beauty by his divine and great creator. He is portrayed to be more of a god than a man. These characteristics of him profoundly surpass all circumstances all throughout his journey, a journey that significantly paved the greatest aspiration that probably mankind would have wanted – how to escape the universal fate of the human race. Simply, Gilgamesh wanted to run away from death and have eternal life. One of the tablets inscribed the mere dialogue between Gilgamesh and Utanapishtim (The Distant One). Utanapishtim is descriptively the wisest man who ever lived. Gilgamesh’s search for eternal life led him to ask Utanapishtim the greatest question, how to escape the universal fate of mankind? On a tablet transcribing such meeting, Gilgamesh apparently questions Utanapishtim of how did the latter join the ranks of the gods and find eternal life, though Gilgamesh described him not different; physically indifferent and yet his eart drained of battle spirit. And as response to the wondering question of Gilgamesh, Utanapishtim told him the â€Å"story of the flood†. Utanapishtim profoundly stated that he was commanded to build a boat to save everyone from the wrath of a devastating flood made by a god named Enlil, the chief god living on earth to wipe out human race. This story somehow illustrates events similar to the biblical script â€Å"Noah’s Ark†. The punishment to human race by Enlil gave Utanapishtim the opportunity to have eternal life. Gilgamesh’s greatest achievement though was bringing back to the human race this untold and unknown story. Gilgamesh, by some means, got hold of a plant that can likely grant rebirth to those who eats it, but unfortunately, a serpent stole it from him. With greater wisdom, Gilgamesh returned to Uruk knowing that only the gods are immortal. The goal of seeking immortality is what made both Gilgamesh and Odysseus, from Homer’s epic Odyssey, distinct and divergent with each other. Unlike Gilgamesh, whose goal is to seek and find answers on how to become immortal, Odysseus’s goal, on the hand, is merely the fact that he wants to find his way back home after a long and bloody war. During his voyage towards home, several temptations tested his mental qualities and physical endurance. Circe offered him the Lotus flower that endows forgetfulness of home and family. The greatest temptation however is offered by the goddess Calypso, whom he spent his seven years with – immortality. Instead of accepting such promising offer of immortality, he somehow denied such and still chooses the human conditions in spite of struggles, difficulties, disappointments and even its foreseeable death. Odysseus’s motivational force that drives his willingness to go back home is his wife, Penelope. Self-control Gilgamesh was first described as a king without self-control, rash and violent. People of Uruk, his kingdom, often complained about his absence of self-control towards oppressiveness to the Sumerian gods. Due to this aggressiveness, the gods created Enkidu as counterweight to Gilgamesh. But surprisingly, both Gilgamesh and Enkidu became best of friends; they fought together in every battles and wars, and found in each other the true companion they both sought. In an event where both took an adventure to seek universal fame and immortality pictures out the harsh and uncontrollable oppression to the gods overwhelmingly end the curtain to Enkidu. Enkidu’s death and his continuous and sole journey to seek immortality cause personal transformation. This change and transformation broaden his perception towards greater acceptance and recognition of reality and man’s mortality. On the other hand, Odysseus has extreme sense of self-control. Within the epic story, his remarkable self-control was described and admired. Again, during his adventures on the voyage home, his mental abilities and his physical endurance were tested. Instances occurred that tempted him to descend from his struggle towards home. A Lotus flower is said to suggest forgetfulness of home and family. Circe, goddess of magic, offered a pleasant life in the island of Lotus eaters. In the Phaeacia, he once offered the love and marriage of a young princess. Calypso is an immortal goddess whom Odysseus spent his life with for seven years offered the most significant and most tempting proposal, which probably all of mankind cannot resist. Calypso offered eternal life for Odysseus that will make him immortal. But all of these temptations were single-handedly denied by Odysseus as he preferred more to be mortal and be human amidst varied struggles, disappointments and the predictable end called death. Self-control might be a struggle for every man, but if every man has the drive to hold on to their will and embrace limitation, it will never be too late or too impossible to resist and deny any temptations. Pride The story of Gilgamesh started out as depiction of his arrogance of power. Because of his extraordinary capabilities endowed to him by his divine creator, his egotism of power endangered the relationship between mankind and the Summerian gods. To end Gilgamesh’s arrogance and injustices, gods then created Enkidu. His arrogance and pride concerning his power and unusual capabilities were continuously tested all throughout their journey in quest of rejuvenation of life and immortality. But then again, as mentioned earlier the previous section, after Enkidu’s death changed his perception not only towards man’s mortality but also the perception of one-self. One of the most significant limitations that Odysseus possesses is his pride which Odysseus had much. Part of the story somehow depicted Odysseus’s pride, particularly on the Cyclops’ island. When Odysseus and his men escaped safely from the island, Odysseus surprisingly brags and boasts about his exploit. Cyclops heard him and tossed huge rocks into the ship and some almost sing the ship. Effect of circumstances surrounding the character There are several external influences that bounds and affects the transformation of the once-known arrogant and violent king of Uruk. Due to the egoistic personality of Gilgamesh, it resulted to the discontentment and complaints from his people in which Summerian God interfered. The effect of these external events somehow paved a new path towards the overall impacts of Gilgamesh’s journey that led to his transformation from an arrogant king to a more unselfish and wisdom-filled individual. Another circumstance that greatly affected the character is the death of his supposed and destined enemy, Enkidu. Enkidu was a god-like mortal created by the gods intended to end Gilgamesh’s injustices and arrogance. Both somehow became friends and found a true and deep bond of friendship with each other. Death of his friend allowed him to solely seek answers for mankind’s immortality, which led him to his astonishment that there should no more battle to be fought and needs answers not surpassing violent circumstances. His continuous journey to seek answer guided him to Unatapishtim, the Divine One who could answer Gilgamesh’s wonderings, and which that this Divine One is blessed with immortality and abundance from the gods. Their conversation drew in new and significant events of the Divine One that gave him unending mortality. This occurrence surprisingly influenced and changed Gilgamesh’s perception on man’s mortality and broadens his acceptance to reality. Odysseus’s journey back home from the Trojan War somehow had endowed circumstances that might affect his own beliefs and characteristics. For example, when tempted by different immortal goddesses, most especially on the offering by Calypso to have everlasting and unending existence, he still grasps tightly to his humanity and instead chose to be human than immortal. His faith and dedication somehow proved that every obstacles and disappointments can be surpassed if he is optimistic enough to exceed and outdo every ounce of it. Behaviors In the beginning of the story, Gilgamesh’s subservient behavior is steered by his own self-contentment and self-sufficiency. Arrogant, violent, harsh, and no self-control are self-seeking behaviors and characteristics being affixed to the king, in which all these opened doors to discontentment and dissatisfaction from people. Gilgamesh’s behavior guided him to destruction. This ego-centric manner blinded Gilgamesh from reality that his conscious tried to make him see. For an instance, Gilgamesh tried to strike down on Ishtar during their second adventure to Cedar Forest with Enkidu. Ishtar cannot handle Gilgamesh’s harsh rejection and provoked to send the Bull of Heaven against the people of Uruk. Although they succeeded, it brought terrible damage to his kingdom and brought about the painful death of Enkidu. Unlike Gilgamesh, who is depicted as ego-centric individual, Odysseus has the contrast of this characteristic. Odysseus is optimistic and altruistic as he struggles not only for his own survival during the war, but also for his shipmate’s personal survival. Odysseus is described having versatility which either way compliments his physical strength and courage in battle, skills he showed during the war at Troy. These behaviors somehow resulted from his eagerness to return home to his wife and from his perseverance to preserve and finish the heroic reputation and dignity that he won in war at Troy. The same scene that illustrated Odysseus pride also depicts his care and being concerned to his fellow shipmates. After Cyclops threw boulders to the ship, Odysseus hastily gave his identity to Cyclops and the latter called Poseidon, his father, to punish Odysseus who brought harm to him. That incident hurt Odysseus more than losing his fellow men. This showed Odysseus’s heed towards his fellow shipmen. Personal and Social Relationships The Gilgamesh poem depicted not only ancient Mesopotamian myths and legends, but also endowed diverse and complex relationships and dealings between people involved in the epic story, particularly the main character, Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh’s relationship towards his people as a king is somehow in deep and shaky condition. There have been misunderstandings and lack of sense of unity between the king and its people that hindering a kingdom to flourish due to Gilgamesh’s disturbing and arrogant means of ruling Uruk. Another unstable relationship is with Gilgamesh and the Summerian gods. Gilgamesh tends to oppress the gods which led to the creation of Enkidu. Although Enkidu was created as a counterweight of Gilgamesh, unpredictably, both became friends. Relationship between the king and the supposed enemy is probably the most light and happy relationship made by Gilgamesh. They think of each other as brothers and a true companion in which their common journey indeed deepened their brotherly bond and friendship. There are also different relationship built all throughout the story between Odysseus and other characters in the epic. Again, he built a strong and deep bond and camaraderie with his fellow men. He even risked himself just to keep other from falling in the hands of Cyclops. Odysseus somehow has heart of gold for those who treasure him and appreciate him from his doings. His relationship with his wife, Penelope, also is as strong and sturdy as a diamond which no one can break even through rough and long times of being away from each other. To show his commitment and love to his wife, he even tricks his wife’s suitors and disguised himself as beggar.

Objectivism in The Fountainhead Essays -- Fountainhead

Objectivism in The Fountainhead Philosophy demands literature that can abet the understanding of social views. Without reflective literature, man cannot begin to comprehend the essential messages behind philosophy. One such philosophy, objectivism, is represented exceptionally by the novel, The Fountainhead. Through the use of compelling dialogue, Ayn Rand reveals her own feelings towards objectivism, and her thoughts towards conformity and independence. The interpretations and the implications of several of the quotes within The Fountainhead accurately depict the essence of objectivism and encourages the opposition of conventional standards through the embodiment of the uncompromising innovator "standing against the world." Society dictates that there will be those that follow and those that will lead the followers. Peter Keating is one that adheres to conformity; a man of little independent thought, a follower. Howard Roark, on the other hand, is a man aspiring to achieve a level of complete and utter independence from traditional principles. One telling passage occurs in a scene where Keating and Roark are discussing architecture. Keating: "How do you always manage to decide?" Roark: "How can you let others decide for you?" As two men on the extreme sides of conformity and independence, it is hard for Keating to understand how someone could be so sure of himself, whereas it is incomprehensible for Roark to believe that Keating could have so little self-assurance and such a lack of resolve regarding the decisions he chooses to make. In this r... ... is most definately correct in saying that independence is the only gauge of human virtue and value. A conformist has low value because of his refusal to jump the bounds of submission; the conformist would never experiment for the sake of self- improvement. This would not be looked upon well by other. Conformity is governed by the laws of compromise, egotism, productivity, and value. A conformist must be willing to sacrifice his philosophies simply because it does not correspond with the attitude of the clique. Independence, on the other hand relies on only one thing: the performance of the individual. A conformist must be satisfied with the performance of the group. The independent individual has himself to blame when events turn for the worse, and he solely reeps the benifit of his own performance.

Demonstrating communication skills Essay

Communication with employees will guarantee alignment with the organization’s overall strategy (mission- vision- goals). Supervisors could use internal communication to provide a supportive working environment with a clear set of expectations for all staff. As a result employees will have a better understanding of the decisions made by the organizations, so supervisors could avoid miss expectations by developing and maintaining communication channels with employees. Figure (1) shows some channels to communicate strategic information 1. 1 Efficient Intranet â€Å"The intranet is one of the best and most valuable tools available for employee communication. A company intranet can help employees and HR save time by giving employees instant access to contact lists, company policies, announcements, training opportunities, and benefits information. † (Business & Legal Reports, 2007a1, p. 1). However, â€Å"the company should take some steps to achieve this communication channel such as: update frequently, make it simple and easy, provide a search feature, track the usage, organize locally according to departments ad teams, provide a starting page for each department, include files, documents, policies, and procedures, list phone extensions and contact lists, allow for feedback forms, use a content management. † (Business & Legal Reports, 2007a1, p. 1-2). 1. 2 Open Book Management Style or Dissemination of strategic information Rubin, L. and Merripen, C.(2003) presented this practice which includes sharing information with employees for better understanding of management decisions. Employees became better informed about the business and feel more inclusive and entrepreneurial about their contribution and impact. Then employees moved their focus from just their job to looking at the company as a whole. † (p. 4) Collins, R. and Druten, K. V. (2003) â€Å"found a strong link between organizational performance over the past three years and the emphasis placed on communicating information to all members about the organization’s purpose, aspirations, strategy and performance. † Figure (1) shows some communication channels that managers and supervisors could use to communicate strategic information with employees. Figure (1): Channels to communicate strategic information Source: Collins, R. and Druten, K. V. (2003). Human Resources Management Practices 1. Determining Effective Orientation and Training Methods 2. 1 Best practices for effective orientation New employees orientation is important to facilitate the integration of new employees in the organization with understanding the organization’s culture, mission, vision and values. Orsini, B. (2000) presented some best practices for new employees orientation such as: â€Å"sessions for new employees to introduce them to the organization and provide them with an overview of the organizational mandate and structure, mentoring new employees by a staff member, profile of employee new to group by within a local newsletter or e-mail, and office tours as an opportunity to meet staff face-to-face and get a sense of what they do†. 2. 2 Best practices for effective training methods. Training nowadays is not a luxury anymore. Due to the competitive marketplace and the complexity of jobs, training became a necessity for surviving and competing for both organizations and employees. Recently. There is â€Å"much greater emphasis on training as a means to cultivate, motivate, and retain quality workers†. (Hays, S. W. , 2004, p. 261) â€Å"Operationally, supervisors and managers are responsible for ensuring their employees get the training they need and/or the opportunity to attend the training classes. † (Bjomberg, L. , 2002) 2. 2. 1 Learning for life Program To show how could such practice help the organization, it’s useful to mention a real case study. For example, â€Å"Honeywell Limited’s Scarborough factory developed a learning for life program to improve productivity and quality and reduce costs in an effort to remain competitive in the global economy. Eighty percent of the factory participated in this program and Honeywell has increased its factory throughput by 180% and improved the quality of its products by 92%†. (The Conference Board of Canada, 1998, p. 5) This innovative program â€Å"developed more productive employees, increased productivity, improved quality, effective collaborative decision-making, improved communication skills. † (The Conference Board of Canada, 1998, p. 5) 2. 2. 2 Other best practices The Conference Board of Canada (1998) presented many other best practices in training or workplace literacy such as: ? Empowering adult learners ? Excellence in workplace literacy? Skills for a stable workplace ? Literacy through e-learning ? Establishing a baseline for training ? Peer tutoring: employee helping employees Such practices has resulted in increased productivity, reduced staff turnover, enhanced performance, improved quality, effective collaborative decision-making, improved communication skills, in another word, it helped in creating a positive environment for both the employer and employees because benefits was achieved for both of them. 2. Improving Productivity for Teams Improving productivity for teams and for employees in general is the ultimate goal for all organizations to maximize the overall performance. And because we are talking about humans or employees, improving productivity should include creating a convenient environment that could help them to work productively.

Global Warming: Fact or Fantasy? Essay

While there is a growing concern over the doomsday and gloom events that the earth will likely suffer if people will continue harassing the environment, a big inquiry within the issue on global warming bomdards people everyday: is global warming fact of fantasy? Environmentalists, politicians and concerned citizens are getting involved in the so-called great divide over how real the threat of global warming is or how scary will it be for the people who are caught believing in politicking through science. The scarcity on the supply of potable water and the warming of the oceans, seas and the earth’s surface are all well documented inciting a compelling evidence indicating that global warming may not be the impending doomsday that many scientists forecast. The divided arguments over the reality of global warming is said to be heightened by by commercial and political interests infiltrating the global initiative to curb the devastating effect of global warming. On the other hand, several concerned scientists believe on the promise of the precautionary measures mobilized by governments across the globe in the pursuit of delayinng or even getting rid of the future threats of damage caused by global warming. While there is still no consensus on the vital controversy, this paper takes a stand by suggesting that there is a clear over-manipulation on the issue and instead of exposing to people the real scenario and the real solution to the problem of global warming, there is a great deal of populist pressure overshadowing the advocacy. The aim of this paper is to explore the controversies behind global warming that confuse people across the globe. The Earth is Indeed Getting Warmer According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the earth is really getting warmer and that globally averaged surfac temperatures have increased by 1. 1? over the 20th century (Tennesen 4). Under the jurisdiction of the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environmental Program, the institution has estimated that by year 2100, the earth will be 2. 5 to 10. 4? warmer than the present (Tennesen 4). It is said that the human civilization has been causing disturbances to nature by way of abusive of carbon and hydrogen which are considered as the building blocks of nature (J. Tickell and K. Tickell 16). Many scientists and environmentalists believe that greenhouse effect initiates global warming. Greenhouse effect is the ability to of the gases circulating around the Earth’s artmosphere to keep the planet warm (J. Tickell and K. Tickell 17). In this sense, man has brought imbalance to nature and amplified the greenhouse effect by producing billions of tons of greenhouse gases (J. Tickell and K. Tickell 17). This is why man becomes a The Environmental Fantasies With all the scientific evidence cementing the idea that the earth’s rising temperature is alarming, uncertainties and confusion still envelops the global struggle against global warming. Why is is this so? According to Greg Easterbrook, â€Å" Environmentalists, who are surely on the right side of history, are increasingly on the wrong side of the present, risking their credibility by proclaiming emergencies that do not exist. † (qtd. in Percival and Alevizatos 401). He adds that scientists and concerned people known as doomsayers are giving uncautious answers as to whether how alarming global warming could be in the near future when in fact, the main answer should be â€Å"We still don’t know† (qtd. in Percival and Alevizatos 407). The unpredictable state of nature is what instigates several fantasies on the reality of global warming. The populist mechanisms of environmental advocates are making it vague for humans to comprehend and understand all contingencies pointing to global warming. The fantasies which the populists continuously argue include the weather anomalies and those ideologies imposed by the cold earth theorists (Ross 205). Those who support cold earth are still holding their ground againts the media frenzy over global warming saying that the warming theory is just a fabricated government cover-up strongly impacted by the short-term interests of the energy industry (Ross 206). The theorists seem to laugh off the apocalyptic projection of concerned individuals over the impact of global warming because they recognize the need for accurate and realistic estimation of the damage. The cold earth theorists argue that carbon dioxide, the known factor in all reports of global warming, accounted for only three percent of temperature variation and that the documented increase in the earth’s temperature is actually an aspect in hastening the end of the interglacial period (Ross 204). Due to the strange and unpredictable character of the weather, it is quite easy to overrate or even underrate what it will soon bring to the earth. The theorists attest to the idea of scientific frailty by bringing in uncertainties in the issue that seem to attract political and economic interest. Factors such as career prestige, government funding, lobby, formulate and administer policy and the advancement of the discipline of climatology are what fuel political interests in the issue creating such a thing as fantasies (Ross 211). All of the factors given are generally associated with precautionary measures being undertaken by governments and organizations worldwide to combat the problem on the earth’s warming and the . Some critics say that the worldwide initiatives against global warming become a form of constructive power that transforms the world into a different image, detaching it from its real meaning and value and delivering it up to the realization of technical description and control (Ross 212). This realization brings up the idea of fantasies overshadowing the reality of global warming. The vigorous publicity rendered towards global warming is leading towards a more mature idea of ecology as a resource management. Conclusion The only thing factual about global warming is that people are starting to feel its wrath. Nature’s wrath is an inevitable circumstance resulting from man’s continued use of carbon dioxide and other harmful substances that cause nature’s rift. Though there are skeptics who believe that the precautionary measures of governments are just mere fantasises based on selfish and populist ideals, scientific uncertainties should not an excuse to to delay governmental actions where there are clear threarts of danger that could be grave and irreversible (Berry 216). The fantasies which this paper have explored given an insight on how ill-prepared and ill-informed the people are when it comes to the real situation and threat of nature. It is said that the pursuit for better and liveable environment is not a mediocre and a cheap course to take and the skeptics who are not ready to accept the cost that comes with the pursuit. It is a classic thought that the public is not ready to accept the unlimited extra costs for the maintenance of good environment (Berry 216). The consumers are not willing to pay more to have a better environment to live in and they begin to doubt the real costs of confronting the problem of global warming. The fantasies explored in this paper are all associated to economic and political ideals and the skeptics of global warming belong in the consumer group who contribute greatly to the global pursuit by paying taxes and buying goods. This scenario is largely attributable to the skepticism against the initiatives conducted by the government to lessen or even alleviate the future effects of global warming. Even with the skepticism, it is a reality that people could not compromise the earth they are living in. Works Cited Berry, Robert, J. , ed. Environmental Dilemmas: Ethics and Decisions. London: Chapman and Hall, 1993. Print. Percival, Robert, V. , and Dorothy Alevizatos, eds. Law and the Environment: A Multidisciplinary Reader. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1997. Print. Ross, Andrew. Strange Weather: Culture, Science and Technology in the Age of Limits. London: Verso, 1991. Print. Tennesen, Michael. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Global Warming. New York: Alpha Books, 2004. Print. Tickell, Joshua, and Kaia Tickell, From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank: The Complete Guide to Using Vegetable Oil as an Alternative Fuel. California: Tickell Energy, 2003. Print.

The Tide Experience Essay Example

The Tide Experience Essay Example The Tide Experience Essay The Tide Experience Essay However, Tide started to dealing with one problem in 2006, across several Balkan Mounties (principally Romania and Serbia), when the company initiated to drastically lose market share to competitive offerings. This means that Tide was dealing with a significant decline of volume shipments and a share loss of 2,5% between the fiscal years of 2004/05 and 2005/06. This loss of market share was assigned to the aggressive increase of the economy detergent segment. This imply that Tide was facing strong competition and losing share to low priced brands in the economy detergent segment. In this moment, Tide was interested in satisfying two crucial and ajar goals: Reversing Tides loss of market share and declining volumes sales, thereby reinforcing Tides strong market position in Serbia and Romania. Increasing unaided brand awareness and therefore increasing Tides brand recognition within Serbia and Romania. Therefore, Tide was dealing a challenge, convincing consumers to spend more and charge Tide instead of the other lower-priced detergents. To solve the problem, Tide decided to use a strong emotional appeal to win back the consumers heart, in an attempt to build brand affinity, Justify the high price and invoice consumers to choose Tide instead of the competitors product. First, the company needs to know and learn about Tides broad market segment, which largely consisted of mothers (with middle incomes and children under the age of 18 years). Then Tide discovered an emotional gap to exist between mother and child, which was, while mothers go to great lengths to fulfill their creating duties for their families, they feel lack of appreciation from their children more specifically, the children rarely expressed thankfulness and almost certainly took their mothers for ranted. In other words, the mothers want to do everything for the children, realize their desires, but they also want to be recognized for their work and seen as Supermen for their children. So, Tide launched the Supermen campaign, in which the major focus was on My mum is super advertising, destined to let the mothers know that children recognize and appreciate their hard work when they wash with Tide. Tide launched the Supermen campaign for 5 consecutive months in Serbia and Romania and they spent between Ð ²?10 million and Ð ²? 20 million. The medium used n the Supermen campaign was mainly focus on TV , 99%, and the print media and public relations were used as secondary media because was estimated that the average Balkan consumer watched TV for four to five hours on a daily basis. These commercial were broadcast between family viewing times and family programs, always being aired during the same program break. Tide created two advertisements that featured the same story, aired from two different perspectives, which are, the babys point of view followed by the mothers stance. To create a strongly emotional appeal, the company focused on targeting the consumers motherly side, using a cute pre-verbal baby with innocent expressions in its advertising. First, 30 ad copy has been created focusing on the babys perspective principally to create an emotional bond with the viewer and a 15 ad copy has been attributed to the mothers view and destined to reassure the viewer of Tides cleanliness from an expert Super Mums point of view. Tide made also special events consisted of childrens contests, which a drawing contest has been organized under the theme My Mum is super. The raring contest influenced and created a larger awareness of further public relations and outdoor media. The results of the campaign were successful, Tides volume index enjoying an increase of over 60% and Tide was able to regain lost consumers and once again dominate the Balkan market. Therefore, responding to changes in the external environment is crucial for brand survival as Tide successfully proved. The company implemented one marketing strategy that provided them a unique connection with their target audience and they aimed for a strong emotional connection in a seemingly functional segment, as opposed to competitors. Questions about the case study Why did the use of an emotional appeal in advertising win back Tides consumers? What does this say about consumer rationality in decision-making? The use of an emotional appeal in advertising win back Tides consumers because Tides broad market segment are the mothers and all they would like their efforts were recognized, would like their children think they are super mothers. Therefore, as this was a need for them, they identified themselves with the product and purchase. This need of them was self-realization with the children. Women are usually more emotionally in the decisions they made than the men are and the decision of buy Tads product was also based one the emotional. Probably this commercial would not be so effective for the consumer rationality in decision making because they will probably think also about the functionality of the product and the price. If Tides target consumer was male, how do you think Tides campaign would have been executed? Would it be directed by an emotional or functional appeal? Why? The campaign should be directed by functional appeal, because men are more rational Han women are and their decisions are usually made based on the rational side.

Brainstorming Techniques for Students

Brainstorming Techniques for Students Brainstorming is a method students can use to generate ideas for writing a paper. In the process of brainstorming, you should suspend any concerns about staying organized. The goal is to pour your thoughts onto paper without worrying about whether they make sense or how they fit together. Because students have different learning styles, some students will be uncomfortable with the disorganized frenzy of spilling thoughts onto paper. For instance, left brain  dominant  students and sequential thinking students may not benefit from the process if it becomes too cluttered. There are more organized ways to brainstorm, however. For this reason, we’ll explore a few ways to get the same results. Find the one that feels most comfortable to you. Brainstorming for Right Brains Right-brained thinkers are typically comfortable with a variety of shapes, ideas, and patterns. Right brains dont run from chaos. The artistic side of the right brain enjoys the process of creatingand it doesnt really matter whether they start with cluttered ideas or clumps of clay. The right brain may be most comfortable with clustering or mind mapping as a brainstorming method. To get started, you will need a few clean pieces of paper, some tape, and a few colored pens or highlighters. Write your main idea or topic in the middle of the paper.Start writing down thoughts in no particular pattern. Write words or passages that pertain to your main idea in some way.Once youve exhausted the random thoughts that come into your head, start using prompters like who, what, where, when, and why. Do any of these prompters generate more words and ideas?Consider whether prompters like opposites or comparisons would be relevant to your topic.Dont worry about repeating yourself. Just keep writing!If your paper gets full, use the second sheet. Tape it to the edge of your original paper.Keep attaching pages as necessary.Once you have emptied your brain, take a short break from your work.When you return with a fresh and rested the mind, glance over your work to see what kinds of patterns emerge.Youll notice that some thoughts are related to others and some thoughts are repeated. Draw yellow circles around the thoughts that are related. The yellow ideas will become a subtopic.Draw blu e circles around other related ideas for another subtopic. Continue this pattern. Dont worry if one subtopic has ten circles and another has two. When it comes to writing your paper, this simply means you may write several paragraphs about one idea and one paragraph about another. Thats OK.Once you finish drawing circles, you may want to number your individual colored circles in some sequence. You now have a basis for a paper! You can turn your wonderful, messy, chaotic creation into a well-organized paper. Brainstorming for Left Brains If the process above makes you break out into a cold sweat, you may be a left brain. If you arent comfortable with chaos and you need to find a more orderly way to brainstorm, the bullet method might work better for you. Put the title or topic of your paper at the head of your paper.Think of three or four categories that would serve as subtopics. You can start by thinking about how you could break best down your topic into smaller sections. What sort of features could you use to divide it? You could consider time periods, ingredients, or sections of your subject matter.Write down each of your subtopics, leaving a few inches of space between each item.Make bullets under each subtopic. If you find you need more space than youve provided under each category, you can transfer your subtopic to a new sheet of paper.Dont worry about the order of your subjects as you write; you will put them into order once you have exhausted all your ideas.Once you have emptied your brain, take a short break from your work.When you return with a fresh and rested the mind, glance over your work to see what kinds of patterns emerge.Number your main ideas so they create a flow of information.You have a rough outline for your p aper! Brainstorming for Anybody Some students would prefer to make a Venn diagram to organize their thoughts. This process involves drawing two intersecting circles. Title each circle with the name of the object youre comparing. Fill the circle with traits that each object possesses, while filling the intersecting space with traits the two objects share.

Small Business Literature review Research Paper

Small Business Literature review - Research Paper Example Government defines small business according to the employees, total capital and market expansion etc. â€Å"The concept of small scale business has been changing time to time† and â€Å"definition of scale business is rather ambiguous (Basu, 1998, p.104). The complexities in large scale business are greater than in small scale. However, managing a small business is as challenging as maintaining a large scale business as there are many limitations in small business. This paper will attempt to present literature review of small business management. The entire explanation and analyses will be divided into several sections and each section will focus on particular area of small business. The first two sections will analyse major pitfall and drawbacks in small business and general mistakes of small business owners. The section three will discuss effective methods and steps in starting a small business. Next section will focus on effectiveness and profitability of small business for used appliances and sales store. The last section will point out the importance of Hispanic community for small business. Finally, the conclusion will point out the major findings of the entire discussions and analyses. Many a time the entrepreneurs start a new business with great enthusiasm but overlook some minor issues that results in major pitfalls. With time these pitfalls adversely affect the business and the newly started fails to achieve its goal. Therefore, the time and the labour put in developing the business goes in vain. If the entrepreneurs can identify the common pitfalls before hand, he or she can be more attentive and the possibility of committing common mistakes can be minimised. Some of the common pitfalls related to the SMEs are discussed below. Understanding the amount of money and time it will take to start the business: While developing the business plan, the entrepreneur often makes some assumptions which may