Parking management system Essay

Globalization of the world’s industrial economies greatly enhances the value information to the ï ¬ rm and offers new opportunities to businesses. Today,information systems provide the communication and analytic power that ï ¬ rms need for conducting trade and managing businesses on a global scale. According to Kenneth and Jane (1998) [11], new kinds of knowledge and information-intense organizations have emerged that are devoted entirely to the production,processing,and distribution of information. In knowledge-and information-based economy,information technology and systems take on great importance. Knowledge-based products and services of great economic value such as credit cards,overnight package delivery,worldwide package delivery and worldwide reservation systems are based on new information technologies. Information technology constitutes more than 70 percent of the invested capital in service industries such as ï ¬ nance,insurance,and real estate. Across all industries,information and the technology that delivers it have become critical and strategic assets for the business ï ¬ rms and their managers. Information systems are needed to optimize the ï ¬â€šow of information and knowledge within the organization and to help management maximize the ï ¬ rm’s knowledge resources.Because the productivity of employees will depend on the quality of the systems serving them,management decisions about information technology are critically important to the prosperity and survival of a ï ¬ rm. Public utilities need a parking infrastructure that can function efï ¬ ciently and be integrated with the other urban city utilities. Economic development sees parking as a tool to support current economic activity and as incentive to attract new businesses. Safety and security departments see parking and its prerequisite enforcement as, just that, a requirement, albeit it is a low priority requirement that can divert that department from its higher priority function. Many parking facilities in Uganda are not effectively managed,take an example of the parking at Mulago Hospital were parking spaces are sufï ¬ cient to cater for the motorists that visit the hospital at a given time,but because of haphazard method of parking adopted by motorists that park according to convenience rather than utilizing bays systematically. This has caused jams at busy spots of the hospital leaving other parking spaces free.This calls for a Parking Management System that can be used assign bays to the motorists in a systematic and consistent manner so as to avoid trafï ¬ c jams at busy spots. The inability of motorists to identify parking bays at a speciï ¬ c facility in the shortest time possible would, signiï ¬ cantly, contribute to fatigue in operating the vehicle. Moreover, some motorists that fail to ï ¬ nd parking space tend to park vehicles illegally on shoulders or pavements which would likely result in unsafe conditions to highway trafï ¬ c, such as: †¢ Limiting the ability of parked vehicles to accelerate safely into trafï ¬ c steam. †¢ Conï ¬â€šicts between exiting and parked vehicles. †¢ Restriction of sign distance. †¢ Obstacles in clear recovery zone for errant vehicles. According to Trombly, (2003) [12], there is an existing phenomenon that truck drivers tend to use speciï ¬ c truck stops or rest areas along a speciï ¬ c route. It was found in Maryland that some drivers would give up seeking parking availability further and park on ramps and shoulders even when there are parking spaces available nearby . Thus,sometimes full occupancy exists at some locations, while parking spaces at other locations may not be fully utilized due to the unawareness of parking availabilities. Information technologies have been introduced into vehicles parking management system for decades. Providing real-time or near real-time parking guidance information to drivers is one important aspect and has emerged for more than twenty years. The general concept of this kind of system consists of mainly these components. Firstly, parking management centers collect parking arrival data by using sensors or detectors. Secondly, parking data collected is processed into parking availability information, and thirdly, this information is disseminated via all kinds of information media, such as radio, message signs, telephone and so on. Under the guidance of this information, drivers are supposed to reduce on-road searching time for parking spaces, which can consequently release the trafï ¬ c congestion during peak hours. Nowadays, parking information and guidance systems have been put into practice in tens of cities or airports in Europe, America, and Japan. However, very limited practice on parking information systems speciï ¬ cally for trucks on interstate highways have been put so far. In some states in US, advisory parking information 3 has been provided to truck drivers on signs along interstate highways, but currently there are few systematic descriptions on the implementation of this system. Garden City is one of the biggest shopping malls in Kampala City,located along Yusuf Lule Road. It has become a popular shopping anchor in Uganda with numerous number of shops dealing in a variety of goods. These range from home-use products to recreation facilities available at the mall. The Shopping complex was designed in such a way that it can accommodate parking for the clientele’s motor-vehicles.There are two levels of parking. Level I parking is on ï ¬â€šoor one of the shopping mall with a capacity of 110 motor vehicles whereas Level II parking is at the basement stretching to the complex’s yard has a capacity 240 motor-vehicles. The parking bays are clearly marked and can accommodate up to 350 motor-vehicles on a busy working day. The entire complex is secured with a wall fence and access to the shopping mall is through one entrance for motor-vehicles coming in and at the same time acts as an exit for motorists that are leaving the premises. At the moment,no charges are levied to the motorists that occupy the parking zones,this was identiï ¬ ed by the writer as good source of revenue for the owners of the shopping mall by charging a fee for all the motorists that utilize the parking bays. The kinds of systems built today are very important for the overall performance of the organization,especially in today’s highly globalized economy.Information systems are driving both daily operations and organizational strategy. Powerful computers,software,and networks have helped organizations become more ï ¬â€šexible,eliminate layers of management,separate work from location,and restructure work ï ¬â€šows,giving new powers both to line workers and management. The Internet and other networks have redeï ¬ ned organization boundaries,opening new opportunities for electronic markets and electronic commerce. To maximize the advantages of information technology,there is a much greater need to plan for the overall information architecture of the organization. 1.2 Statement of the problem There is no systematic method for the allocation of parking bays and management lacks coordinated and centralized information for the effective management and control of the parking facility. 1.3 Objectives 1.3.1 General Objective The goal of this research is to develop a Parking Management System for Garden City Complex which will manage the parking facility more efï ¬ ciently.The management system will involve the development and application of a variety of advanced technology and automated control strategies to achieve signiï ¬ cant parking improvements resulting in maximum utilization of the available parking areas. 1.3.2 The speciï ¬ c objectives include: 1. Optimizing use of limited parking spaces to ensure that the motorists are assigned bays in the shortest time possible. 2. Revenue generation and accountability, management will be in position to determine revenue realized from motorists utilizing the parking bays by querying the system. 3. Customer satisfaction: Motorists will be alloted parking bays systematically by the parking management system, this will ease on the congestion brought about by motorists scrambling for speciï ¬ c parking bays for convenience. 1.4 Scope The project will realize its achievements based on the parking management of garden city complex. The scope of this study is a short term project level,therefore it weights towards getting a system fully implemented. 1.5 Justiï ¬ cation Findings of the study will be useful in the efï ¬ cient utilization of limited available Parking space supply at Garden City Complex and other institutions within the city . The ï ¬ ndings will also help Kampala City Council (KCC)in formulating policies with regard to parking control and management for shopping malls,for example making it obligatory for all those intending to put up structures in the city to make provisions for parking in the basements. This proposal suggests a parking information system that will serve the customer and the management of parking at the Shopping mall. Parking services will enable the customer to locate available parking,get directions,and make payment. CHAPTER TWO 2 LITERATURE REVIEW An extensive review of the literature related to parking systems was conducted by the researcher. The review seeks to survey available parking management systems and to understand their potential. The types of technologies included in th review are Parking Guidance Information (PGI), transit based information,smart payment systems, and e-parking. This section documents the major ï ¬ nding of the literature review. 2.1 The need for a Parking Management System According to Caroline,Rodier and Amanda (2004)[5],Early examples of smart parking management were Parking Guidance Information (PGI) systems that attempt to minimize parking search trafï ¬ c in large parking facilities and central cities by dynamically monitoring available parking,and directing motorists with Changeable Message Signs (CMS). The ï ¬ rst Parking Guidance Information (PGI) systems were installed in Achen,Germany,in the early 1970s. It is now estimated that more than 100 parking guidance information systems have been installed in cities throughout the world with the greatest concentration in Europe and Japan. In the United States,city center Parking Guidance Information (PGI) systems exist in St. Paul,Minnesota,and Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania. Large airport parking garage PGI systems have been installed in: Baltimore,Maryland; Houston,Texas; Orlando,Florida; and Minneapolis/St. Paul,Minnesota. Empirical and simulation studies of selected systems indicate that awareness and understanding of PGI signs can be relatively high,but in order to be effective,messages must display accurate information that meets travelers needs . Interestingly,visitors are more likely than resident commuters to use city center Parking Guidance Information (PGI) systems. Parking Guidance Information (PGI) systems were found to reduce parking facility queue lengths; however,system-wide reductions in travel time and vehicle travel,and economic beneï ¬ ts may be relatively small. Uganda as a developing country has not yet embraced such systems in its capital’s Central Business District (CBD),however the need for such systems is increasingly becoming inevitable because the demand for parking bays has tremendously shot up surpassing the supply especially at busy shopping malls. The only way the limited parking bays can be put to effective use is by employing a parking management system. According to Chopper (2005) [6],Parking in the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is a very stressful activity for visitors. Visitors must circulate through the Gaslamp Quarter searching for parking on the street curb,in ï ¬â€šat lots and parking structures. The circulating trafï ¬ c is a signiï ¬ cant nuisance to foot trafï ¬ c,contributes air and noise pollution and adds to already congested trafï ¬ c ï ¬â€šow. Fundamentally,studies have shown that there is a sufï ¬ cient number of parking spaces,but the drivers spend a considerable amount of time searching for an empty spot. Existing parking control is serving the enforcement function,but provides little service to the customer. According to Axhausen and Polak (1995)[2],Building upon the objectives of Parking Guidance Information (PGI) systems,transit-based smart parking systems seek to increase transit use and revenues,reduce vehicle travel,lower fuel use,and reduce air pollution. These systems provide motorists with information via Changeable Message Signs (CMS) about spaces in park and ride lots,transit schedules and downstream trafï ¬ c conditions. The literature suggests that parking shortages at suburban rail stations may signiï ¬ cantly constrain transit ridership,thus more effective use of station parking may increase transit use and revenues . In addition, motorists may respond to pre-trip and en-route information on parking availability at transit stations by increasing their use of transit . Finally,regular commuters are more responsive to information about parking in conjunction with transit than more basic Parking Guidance Information (PGI) systems,because this information may be essential to catching a train during peak hours . Transit-based systems are concentrated in Europe and Japan however,at least two have been initiated in the United States in conjunction with Chicagos Metra System and San Joses Valley Transit Authority. Trafï ¬ c congestion is a problem that appears to be increasing in a worldwide context. In recent years considerable effort has been paid to the investigation of methods to reduce such congestion and the accidents and hazards that are usually associated with it. Collectively these efforts come under the aegis of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). A critical part of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are the Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS). Essentially these consist of in-vehicle information and guidance systems which help the driver to select routes which will reduce congestion,to ï ¬ nd parking in areas where it is sparse,and to facilitate rescheduling of activities when congestion makes this a feasible alternative. It is argued that such assistive information will beneï ¬ t individual drivers in terms of helping to achieve their scheduled behaviors and activities as well as beneï ¬ ting the system by improving trafï ¬ c ï ¬â€šow. Axhausen (1994) [2] carried out three waves of surveys (one before wave and two after waves) to compare the reduction in parking search time after implementation of the parking information system in Frankfurt am Main,Germany. A non-linear model was developed to relate the parking 10 search time to the estimated occupancy of off-street parking facilities before and after installation of parking guidance and information system. Smart parking systems can also take advantage of innovative technologies to improve the ease and convenience of paying for parking. Smart cards can minimize transaction time by allowing a user to simply wave their card in front of a reader,and contact less cards with wireless communication capabilities can further reduce delays. Mobile communication devices can also be used in smart payment transactions. Smart parking payment systems are now being developed and implemented worldwide by cell phone developers,credit card companies,and other technology and service providers. Smart payment systems were found to reduce operation,maintenance and enforcement costs as well as improve collection rates . When transit agencies attempt to induce drivers off of highways to take transit into a city center,time saving. Hester(2002) [9] designed two experiments in a visualized driving simulator to test alternative models of drivers parking decision with the parking availability and guidance information displayed on Variable Message Signs (VMS). In Experiment 1,three different versions of the expected utility theory were tested. In these three hypotheses,one might assume that drivers attempt to:- †¢ minimize the expected travel time, †¢ minimize the walking distance,and †¢ minimize the time spent on waiting for a lot for a parking space or, †¢ equivalently,maximize the parking availability. The results in Experiment 1 showed that participants responses were more often consistent with the decision to minimize the expected travel time than they were either with the decision to minimize the walking distance or to maximize the parking availability. However,a further study in Experiment 2 suggested that the strategies that most test drivers used is a lexicographic decision strategy,in which drivers decided to park in a lot if the number of open spaces was greater than or equal to some criteria number. Such a strategy is more simple cognitively than the previous one,and thereby greatly reduces the cognitive load on the drivers. Asakura (1994) [3] developed a computer simulation model to evaluate the effects of parking information. The simulation model consists of three sub-models: a demand model based on multinomial logic model,a performance model to describe the car parking status,and an information service model. The messages shown on signs in the simulation were in three types of legends: waiting time,FULL/SPACES,and number of vacancies. Simulation results were for different scenarios with regard to different ratios of system users among all drivers and different congestion levels. It was found that the average waiting time decreases with the increasing proportion of informed drivers, especially when the proportion changes from 0 to 10 percent. The FULL/SPACES type is the most effective in reducing average waiting time at higher congestion levels; the waiting time information is the most effective at low congestion level,and the number of vacancies information is the least one in both cases. Polak (1995)[3] stresses that in recent years,however,there has been an increasing effort to focus on the driver as a recipient of advanced traveler information by developing a series of simulators,which allow manipulation of environments and observation of different driver behaviors . The use of such simulators is most helpful when attempting to decide the likelihood that drivers will accept information dispensed through their in vehicle guidance system. The development 12 of driver simulators and the consequent modeling of driver behavior has been an attempt to enrich the potential of Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) methodology. Of signiï ¬ cant importance,however,is the increased acknowledgment that these simulations work best if the environment is designed to have as many important real-world features as possible (e.g.,trafï ¬ c lanes instead of undifferentiated network arcs; signalized or otherwise controlled intersections instead of unconstrained nodes in a graph theoretic representation of a system; indicators of trafï ¬ c speed and driving headway; etc.). According to Havinoviski,(2000) [8]In Chicago,real-time parking management systems for parkingand-ride facilities along transit corridors were proposed . The systems will display or broadcast overall and speciï ¬ c parking lot information,next train arrival information,expressway or tollway incident and travel time information. Infrared detection,inductive loop detection,video image processing were considered the most practical techniques for measurement of parking availability. Four technologies,namely Internet,telephone,Variable message signs,highway advisory radio,were considered for information dissemination. Allen (1993) [1] studied the impacts of a parking guidance and information system on drivers behaviors at a disaggregated level in Kingston-up-Thames,London,United Kingdom. An attitude questionnaire and a Stated Preference (SP) experiment were employed in the study. The results of the attitude questionnaire showed a low level of system usage. 4 percent of all respondents were totally unaware of the system; 47 percent were aware of,but had never used it; 49 percent had used the system. In the Stated Preference experiment,parking price,walking time,and content of Variable Message Signs (VMS) were included. As the results suggested,the occupancy information of parking lots shown on Variable Message Signs (VMS) has a signiï ¬ cant effect on car-park choice 13 probability. When contents of Variable Message Signs (VMS) change from SPACE to FULL,a dramatic instantaneous impact on driver behavior resulted. Polak (1990) [2] summarized the basic technologies of Parking Guidance and Information (PGI) systems in the European and Japanese cities and the approaches adopted to system design and operation before 1990s. In reviewing the effectiveness of these systems,it was noted that Variable Message Signs (VMS) was a relatively mature technology for PGI systems,and two main technologies: rotating prisms and ï ¬ ber-optics were of proven reliability Basically,all those studies were based on the naive comparisons of before-and-after car parks usage patterns,arrival proï ¬ les at the facilities,and trafï ¬ c volumes,where before-and-after drivers surveys were mostly conducted. Those studies showed that parking guidance systems could have an impact on trafï ¬ c and parking patterns by redistributing parking demand between car parks,and by alleviating queues at the most popular car parks. Little evidence showed that those systems had given rise to any substantial changes in trafï ¬ c vol umes,arrival patterns and congestion. Edwards and Kelcey,(1997) [7] assert that,Variable Message Signs (VMS) and static signs were used in the operation to present parking availability information to drivers in the urban area. Loop detectors were used as the counting equipment at off-street parking facilities. Controller interface units then automatically calculates the number of available spaces in real time using pulse from the detectors each time a vehicle arrived or left the parking facility. The data were transmitted to central computers via dedicated phone line and T1 line,and were processed by parking management software. The central computers then sent the parking information to Variable message signs via Radio Frequency (RF) cellular communications. An Advanced Parking Information (API) system was designed and put into test operations in Saint Paul,Minnesota in late 1995 and early 1996 (Edwards and Kelcey Inc.,1997; HNTB,(1997). Variable Message Signs (VMS) and static signs were used in the operation to present parking availability information to drivers in the urban area. Loop detectors were used as the counting equipment at off-street parking facilities. Controller interface units then automatically calculates the number of available spaces in real time using pulse from the detectors each time a vehicle arrived or left the parking facility. The data were transmitted to central computers via dedicated phone line and T1 line,and were processed by parking management software. The central computers then sent the parking information to Variable message signs via radio frequency (RF) cellular communications. According to Road Bureau Ministry of Land,(2002) [9],parking guidance systems already had been implemented in 40 cities by the year of 1995in Japan (Toyama,1995). Most of them were based on Variable Message Signs (VMS) and static signs for display parking information at that time. The effects of these systems include: leveled utilization factor,less parking search time,and reduced on-road parking and smoother trafï ¬ c. In recent years,new technologies were introduced to parking systems. Since 1999,Internet web sites have been served for providing parking information in many Japanese cities. Other services such as cellular phone,Community Antenna Television (CATV),information service terminals at airports and bus terminals have also been included as parts of parking guidance systems in Japan to make more efï ¬ cient use of parking facilities and making parking facilities more convenient. Burdette (1999; 2001) [4] investigated advanced parking information systems at airports. In the research,a variety of Intelligent Traveler Systems (ITS) technologies applicable to Advanced Parking Information (API) at airports were investigated. A nine-step guideline was developed for imple menting an advanced parking information system at airports. According to a small sample survey conducted in the study,Variable Message Signs (VMS),static signs,radio,in-vehicle navigation system,and Internet are the most users preferred Intelligence Traveler Systems (ITS) technologies for this system. Parking information systems have been in practice for nearly 30 years,mainly serving for urban off-street,airport,and transit/bus parking facilities. In this information age,a number of new technologies are used in this kind of system. Variable Message Signs (VMS),static signs, Internet web site,telephone,and Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) are the most commonly used and acceptable technologies for disseminating parking information. The most commonly used data collection technologies include: loop detector,infrared detector, radar or sonic detector,video image processing,and so on. 2.2 Chapter Summary In an increasingly digital and wireless age,parking managers can take advantage of available technology to reduce operation,maintenance,and enforcement costs as well as to improve ease and convenience for motorists. Smart parking can make efï ¬ cient use of existing parking spaces and to make reserving and paying for parking,fast, convenient,and reliable. CHAPTER THREE 3 METHODOLOGY 3.1 Data Collection This chapter presents the data collection methods that were used by the researcher in exercising the study,tools that were used in the analysis and design of the system and also the tools used to develop and implement the system.The various data or requirements gathering techniques that were used included the following: 1. Interviews: An interview is a conversation in which the researcher tries to get information from the interviewer. The method assumes that the respondents to be interviewed have the information required; they can understand questions,which are put to them and will be willing to give answers while they are face-to-face. The researcher was able to interview some of the Garden City complex staff members and parking users who were utilizing the parking facility at that particular time and this helped the researcher to get ï ¬ rst-hand information on the operations of the parking facility. . 2. Questionnaires: Questionnaires were used by the researcher to gather facts about the parking behaviour of motorists and payment methods,questionnaires were aimed at getting information about the time spent in parking , and the mode of payment motorists would prefer for the utilization of parking bays.(Questionnaires appear in the appendix part of this report. It was established from the questionnaires and interviews conducted that some motorists prefered to pay in advance for use the parking facility for a given period to on-spot payment. The argument raised was that they at times run out of cash after shopping. On the other hand, it was also established that other motorists do rarely visit the shopping mall and as such they were willing to pay on spot for use of the parking facility. From the two arguments raised,it was concluded that the system to be built would accommodate both parties by making provisions for advance payments and on-spot payments. 3. Observation: The purpose of observation was to determine the measurements, types, numbers,objectives and so on. The process of observation is not conï ¬ ned to seeing only. We can observe by hearing,smelling,teaching,and tasting. The method was mainly used in viewing the set up of available parking bays,viewing for example the security cards given to the entrance as evidence that they are utilizing parking bays. It was observed that each saloon car is slated to occupy one parking bay at a given time. This method was also used to get information about the structure of the organization and any relevant background information about the organization that proved relevant to the study. I went further to look through some of transactions and this later helped in determining the data stored per entity involved in the designed system.

Tree Rosales Saga

The Different Customs and Moral Principles of the Filipino Nation Reading books has many benefits both mentally and morally. Firstly, your mind will be active and engaged into old age, and reading can help you forget the problems in your life, and get you captivated by the adventures of someone else or by the author itself. Reading is a fun and great way to leave the stresses of your life and Just unwind.Through reading it can also improve one's skill and strategy use, builds fluency, enlarges scapulars, and builds knowledge of the world. And so we are given a task to read Filipino fiction books. There is a range of choice of books that were given to us and I choose the book of F. Session Jose, entitled Tree. Francisco Session Jose or simply known as F. Session Jose, he is one of the most prominent authors of literary books in the Philippines; he created a lot of books that tackled the different issues such as domination, deliverance, compassion, social prejudice and so on.F. Session Jose has been called a Philippine national treasure too. He was born on December 3, 1924 in Resale, Philippines. He was introduced to literature in public school and later at the University of Santos Atoms. While working as a Journalist in Manila, he began his interest in writing short stories and eventually novels. One of the books that he created which is known as the Resale novels that earned several awards like the 1980 Ramona Massage's Award, 2001 National Artist Award for Literature and the 2004 Pablo Neared Centennial Award is the book entitled Tree.According to Session Jose, as stated at the back of his book, â€Å"Tree is a story of a boy growing up in a small Looking town, surrounded by friends below his social class, by relatives and doting servants who have served his family all their lives. It is also a story of oppression and compassion†see, F. S. , 1978). Tree is one of his few masterpieces' in which I have the chance to read and I assume that this book was wr itten based from the author's experience since it is written in the first person point of view.I decided to use the social and the moral-philosophical approach in discussing the story. Tree is a story that tackles about the different customs that are practiced by the Filipinos and it is also a narrative that teaches moral values. The story happened in a small town of Resale in the province of Panamanian, during the year sass's, the period of the American and Japanese colonization in the Philippines. The story revolves about a young boy who is growing up where in he is surrounded by his friends, family, servants who are all lower than his social status.The boy is growing up together with his father who is very prominent in their town because his father is working for a big person who is Don Vaccine, a well-known land owner in Resale. His father is known o be as an assistant of Don Vaccine and he also has the authority to possess lands and persuade people as he pleases. The young boy grew up in a kind of life that everybody dreamed of. There is no need for him to work to have something to eat, to live; everything is well provided for him by his father.Even the young boy grew up together with his father with a life that is very comfortable; his relationship with his father is distant and remote. He only sees his father very often and they even talk giving birth (pig. 9). And all that is left for him were the memories how people would scribe how beautiful her mother is and stories from people about how his father had loved her mother so much. And so the young boy still thirsts for her mother's presence and loving care. He even foolishly wishes to see her mother even she would be a pallid spirit.In some way, he feels proud whenever people would praise her mother however he still feels the sense of loss and futility (pig. 9). But even though he doesn't have a mother beside him, still he grew up with proper manners and a submissive child. He is a young boy who never Judges those people who are around IM despite the differences between social standing. He never chooses people to mingle. He makes friends to all and treasures them as a part of his life since he has this belief that those people he meet along the way teaches him different lessons in life that would make him a better person.Like his friend Angel, who strives to make a difference for himself by Joining what his heart truly desires to be a soldier because he believes that is where he would really belong, he does not want to be a servant for all his life and serve their family Just to pay the debts of his dead parent's. Angel imply wants freedom for himself and so he told his preparation to escape and Join those soldiers in the mountain to fight against what should be for them to the young boy. Hilled is another friend of the main character in the story (pig. 14).Hilled is a girl somewhat about his age who is a member of the circus team that performs walking in a tightrope up in the he ights. As his friend, Hilled taught him a lot of things in life, even at a young age Hilled work already Just to earn money and have something to eat. She uses her skills in entertaining. She almost disregarded her studies and Just soused on performing in the circus team to be able to help her parent's and those who are expecting from them. Cousin Marcelo, a relative of the main character in the story also made an impact in his life. Cousin Marcelo was a very educated man and a good role model for the main character.Despite the knowledge that he gained from studying, he never used it for immorality, to take advantage to his fellowmen. Since he is educated, he knows how to use his knowledge properly and at the right instances. Another character in the story is Old David and Seep. They are the loyal Emily servants who were devoted and willing to serve until the end for the main character's family. They already spent their whole life in serving the family because they owe a lot to the family for giving them a good life and a steady Job. Tree is also a literary work that exhibits different cultures and beliefs.Since the setting of the story happened during the period of sass's it expected that cultures and traditions during that time is still practiced. Like one in the chapters in the story that narrates about the happenings during their town fiesta that happened in the month of June. The month of June is a month that is full of festivities for Resale(pig. 14). Everybody is expecting for big undertakings during their town fiesta since there are many people who would come and celebrate with them and what's most exciting is that the circus would also arrive and be a highlight for the event.During their time, town festivities won't be a success without the fiesta of their patron San Antonio De Pads, the competition for the fiesta queen and the presentation from the circus team which is usually held in their plaza. Another tradition that is present in the story when t heir orientated passed away. They practiced this tradition of mourning that is still day of the burial of the dead and it is celebrated with dining and drinking depending on the finances of the bereaved family.The relatives of the deceased are also required to be dressed in black mourning clothes and black bands for a year until the period of mourning would end. But those relatives who are not directly related to the deceased may stop wearing the black clothing for mourning. In the story during the special occasions like the holidays particularly during Christmas, they prepare a big feast. It's their custom to celebrate Christmas with all the family, the servants, friends and relatives that even they are far from Resale they still give effort to attend the Christmas celebration held every year.In the story of Tree, it also narrated the different social injustices, compassion and oppression that take part in the story. One of which is a property-owner versus a peasant. If you are a p easant you don't have the power to persuade the landowner to stop from possessing your land. If you disobey and refuse to agree with what they want, certainly those peasants would be rut and they would make sure that those people who challenged them would be destroyed (pig. 1 1). There is no equality for the marginalia people during their time.Justice can only be served to those who are wealthy, to those who have strong influence and with the ability to manipulate things or even people through the use of money. Through their money and their high social status, everything for them is achievable. The book also showed portrayal about compassion. It is during the time that the father of the young boy presented him to her mother's grave and he was introduced to his mother grave. The theme of the story tells us that life is can be painted by those people who are around us.They can help us grow, mature and go out with our comfort zones and mold us into better persons through the way they i nfluence us in different ways. Since those people around you shared their learning through experiences in their existence. Those characters mentioned in this paper made an impact to the main character on how he should face the trials in life and how to be a good person. He learned that being a good listener, responsible, humility and being tough is essential in life. Another thing is that money is not the answer to everything, morals are more important to most people.How much values you have for yourself the more people would learn to value, respect and look up to you. The tree or the title of the book itself is the symbol in the story. The ablate tree in particular. The ablate tree as described in the book is meant to give shade from the sun and also from the rain (pig. 2). The tree seemed like ageless it's so huge and taller than the church (pig. 2). The tree is the witness to all happenings in the town. It seems to be unyielding. Even when an American soldier with an excavator ru ns into it, the ere survives and the excavator was destroyed.It is also important to note that underneath the ablate tree nothing grows. In Tree, the author uses this representation to suggest that, left to its own device; maybe the Philippines might have prospered but it is never achieved. After all, the tree was indigenous. Tree is a novel supplied with cultural experience that is mixed moral reference. It also showed the importance of having social standing in a society. It also portrayed the way of living during the early period in the Philippines and the struggles of those people who have low social status.

Air Power Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Air Power - Essay Example Realists of all varieties heed Machiavelli's caution that "security for gentleman is impossible if not it be conjoined with power." (18) Leaders wishing to defend their condition from assault must learn to master the planned application of power and act therefore in all situation and against all competitors. Clausewitz's dictum that war is a continuance of strategy by additional means (the sword in its place of the pen) suggests its reverse that "statecraft" is at its spirit war by political means: Why use a sword when a ballpoint will be sufficient But stay your sword sharp in the occasion negotiated agreements in the end fail. Hans Morgenthau and Henry Kissinger, refugees from Nazi Germany who become key information in the American realist tradition, witness in the barbarity of European totalitarianism a warped moral fervor adversative to the fundamental person security upon which self-governing following systems depend. Failing to be familiar with the reality of Hitler's increasing armed power, deplete their arsenals, relying on treaties and declarations to remain the calm, open-minded democracies shaped the conditions under which the worldwide murder of World War II might no longer be banned. For Morgenthau and Kissinger, the ignominious breakdown of the West's following "idealism" from Versailles to Hitler's attack of Poland is summed up in a solitary image of humiliation: Neville Chamberlain, winning his return as of Munich to London on September 30, 1938 following handing the Sudetenland to Hitler, wave a text before soothing crowds: "[H]ere is the document which bears his person's name upon it as we ll as pit." Instead of achieve "peace in our time" as Chamberlain proclaim, the Munich treaty fatally shifted the European equilibrium of power in Hitler's favor, igniting the global disaster Churchill called "the Unnecessary War." Morgenthau's Politics Among Nations remains the determining American employment of realism in the "traditional" tradition. Morgenthau's understanding of "the move violently for power and calm"--shaped by his own knowledge of the victory of totalitarianism and antisemitism in his inhabitant Germany--carries over pessimistic assumptions about person psychology, and the force for power, reflected in the worldview communal by Thucydides, Machiavelli, and Hobbes. (22) Morgenthau follows Spinoza's attack winning philosophers who "imagine man not as they are but as they would like them to be." So Morgenthau's

Case study discussion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Case study discussion - Essay Example Thus, the school district must give Brian another opportunity of being in school, through the specialized and individualized education programs (Geary, 2008). The individualized and special education program for Brian must also involve counseling elements. It is clear that Brian had a difficult childhood; therefore, the counselor must aim at providing psychosocial support to the student. This support will enable Brian improve has attitudes towards education and related social life. To minimize frustration, the individualized and specialized program should aim at improving the academic competencies of Brian. The special education teacher should provide appropriate learning environment and resources, so that Brian gets adequate motivation to improve academic grades. The violent and threatening actions of Brian are a direct result of emotional instability, frustration and a difficult childhood. Thus he does not qualify for suspension (Geary, 2008). The School district and the school administrators must work towards adopting a special and individualized program, for the benefit of disturbed or disabled students like

Development of a new product Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Development of a new product - Essay Example From this research it is clear that the modern world has witnessed tremendous developments in all fields of life in the wake of fastest technological advancements, which have modified the very scenario of lifestyle in general. The advanced countries are considered to be the beneficiaries of globalisation, though every nation has taken advantage from this process. Although these advancements have brought marvellous comforts in human life, yet work hours have observed a constant increase, and leisure hours are shrinking swiftly. Since the rise of the Information Age, the concept of the office has not been confined to the four walls of the building of work place any more. Rather, people remain busy at work on computer on holidays too at home. As a result, the maintenance of equilibrium between work and life is becoming a dream only, and holidays are also being spent in the completion of professional tasks and assignments. â€Å"If workers of the modern times were overworked, those of the post modern times are not only overworked but also over managed, employers appearing eager to try the â€Å"flavour of the day† in order to increase the financial performance of their companies†. Imbalance in lifestyle can be witnessed in the unevenness of diet, which adversely affects the health of the workers. At this precarious state of affairs, there is an urgent need for developing and presenting a perfect and hygienic liquid diet that could immediately restore the energy level, which is lost while spending time in different professional, personal and domestic activities at offices, fields, residences and playgrounds. Keeping in mind these challenging factors, Ailasia Inc. has launched a new drink that would be helpful in restoring the energy level of the individuals particularly during their work hours, and would not let them feel tired or exhausted. Hence, the drink, Energy-R, will increase the work proficiency of the industrialists, consultants, workers and managers alike, and will lead them make progress in their business or career. Statement of the Problem The management only hires the services of intelligent, brilliant, healthy and fit personnel and workers, which can pay extra heed to their organisation. If the work force appears to be exhausted and inefficient, it would become almost impossible to meet with the targets and achieve the goals determined by the management of the organisation. Since an overwhelming majority of a population is involved into economic activities in one way or the other, there is an immediate need of an energy boosting supplement for improving their work efficien cy. Hence, Energy-R will serve as a wonderful drink for the people working at any place for the recovery of their energy level, and the product will suddenly capture the attention of millions of people even outside the UK. This drink may be an excellent antidote to the problems and changes caused by the Information Age. Research Aims and Objectives It is a fact that is beyond dispute that economic prosperity is always dependent of the diligence and commitment to one’s work, which is only possible provided people are efficient and are able to spend more time at work than others for their individual and collective progress. With the increase of the use of computers at the office and lengthening of the work day, people have less energy to be productive. It follows that one way to increase the amount of economic success stories is through the use of a powerful energy drink. The next section focuses on the objectives of the study followed by a section on literature review. Based o n the literature reviewed, the fourth section would analyse the data collected for the present study. The fifth and the final section would consist of a conclusion and suggestions and would point out the appropriate marketing

Moon Melding Made Titan a Chimera Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Moon Melding Made Titan a Chimera - Essay Example It is clear from the paper that Titan does not have a magnetic field and at times it orbits around the magnetosphere of Saturn. This makes the Titan not to be exposed to the Solar winds. Solar winds are known to remove and ionize the atmosphere’s particles. Since Titan has a dense atmosphere that has hydrocarbons, scientists predicted that Titan has lakes of ethane and liquid methane on the surface. Voyager encountered the moon in 1980 and in 1981. The scientist was not in a position to see beneath the thick layer of the cloud. 25 years, spacecraft of Cassini was able to see the clouds and mapped the surface of the moon. The Radar images proved that Titan has a liquid lake. In summary, Titan was discovered by Christian Huygens in 1655. The diameter of the moon is 5151 km with 1,221,850 km from the Saturn. The rotational and orbital period of the moon is 15.9 days, with an orbital eccentricity and inclination of 0.0292 and 0.33 degrees respectively. Additionally, the moon has m ean surface temperature of -178 degree Celsius with a main atmospheric component of Nitrogen.

Consumer Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Consumer Behaviour - Essay Example a. Consumer activities enable the marketer to determine how people spend their time as well as what activities they prefer to engage in. In regard to mobile phones, marketers can determine from a sample of mobile phone users about what activities/sports/habits they engage into, how they spend leisure time, what features of a mobile phone are utilized during busy schedule. The information obtained can be used to determine a link between the categories. For instance, all busy professional people use organizer, WAP services, and mobile banking features; hang out or shop when they are free; do swimming, read morning newspaper and play chess. b. Interest category determines what things and images are of importance to consumers. It enables marketers to identify the areas of interest of their consumers. For e.g. one fourth of the individuals show interest in networking. c. Opinions category enable the marketer to determine how consumers view themselves and what opinions they hold about othe rs in their surroundings. It is more a self/social concept. This helps marketers identify how consumers view and evaluate objects, other people and themselves in a social setting (Aggarwal, 2004). For e.g. most of the people shares the idea that mobile usage amongst students must be monitored and rules must be established for limiting the use in educational premises. By soliciting consumer responses over the above mentioned categories, marketers can develop consumer profiles that possess similar activities, interest and opinions towards mobile phone usage. Marketers can also determine consumer mobile phone usage by evaluating situational use of a mobile phone. Thereby, marketers can highlight different situations in which multifaceted features mobile phone can be used; or they can identify different features that offer effective mobile usage in odd/urgent situations. For instance, if a consumer is lost somewhere, a mobile phone can be used as a tracker. In any urgency, such as baby birth, the father (consumer) may use mobile-ticketing for quick reservation of his flight. In turmoil or instable unsafe situations, consumers may relay on conducting mobile banking for payments rather than physically performing transactions. Motivation & involvement and attitude are other individual extrinsic factors that could potentially explain mobile phone usage. Motivation and involvement of a consumer in a product depends upon his motives for using a product. Motives are those internal factors that derive energy and active engagement of a consumer in product usage. Consequently, it also determines its usage of that product. For instance the motivation of a business man to use blackberry is high than that of a teenager. Attitude refers to evaluative judgments that a consumer holds towards anything under consideration. Attitude is a combination of and based on, a consumer’s experience, knowledge, perception and cognitive skills. It changes the way different consumers see and evaluate a situation (Edell, & Burke, 1987). Different people evaluate products differently in different situations (Hawkins, & Mothersbaugh, 2009). It can sustain marketers’ knowledge of mobile phone usage; provided it is used with other variables.

The Role of a Nurse and Best Practice Preventing Pressure Ulcer In an Essay

The Role of a Nurse and Best Practice Preventing Pressure Ulcer In an Acute Medical Receiving Environment - Essay Example This report stresses that nurses are required to act at the best of their interests in order to save the lives of people. However, the poor working conditions in many hospitals nowadays and healthcare policies impact the performance level of nurses. For instance, the healthcare policy reform is seen as a hindrance to the effective healthcare delivery services by registered nurses. Nurses offer real life issues especially on the needs of patients in order to reduce mortality and morbidity issues. The healthcare policy can create issues especially where patients are required to pay and where those who are insured are not supposed to pay. This is one of the issues that had been noticed with the healthcare insurance; thus creating conflicting issue between insured patients and the caregivers. The healthcare costs and other aspects are all issues of political agendas; thus, they tend to impact the role played by nurses in the hospital settings. This essay makes a conlcusion that nurses are aware that the current healthcare system has varied problems; thus, a need for creating changes in acute medical receiving environment. Abood argues that the current healthcare environment face varied problems because of numerous healthcare policies, laws and regulations imposed upon the healthcare sector by the government agencies. These create challenges to both nurses and patients who are always stuck amidst of cost constraints and access to effective quality care

The London Toile Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The London Toile - Essay Example The urban landscape in many UK cities seems to be changing all the time, modern buildings have become icons that give us a strong sense of identity, and there fore the London Toile seemed a perfect expression of where we were coming from.I could go on and on, but to sum things up we do love some of the traditional designs from the past, but its great fun to give them a new angle, to make them speak to us in the present.   This fabric speaks so much about the lifestyle of the romantic, peaceful and carefree London. Printed in the fabric, were green different images of the romantic and carefree lifestyles in contrast to a cream linen which made it more beautiful and attractive.  There are 8 images injected to a bright cream fabric, showered with flying and feeding doves were a images of lovers overlooking the Great London Bridge across the lake under the tree infront of bench. It is such a very romantic site which made this fabric perfectly ideal for lovers, designed to fit on sofa sets, love rests or even   curtains in a lovers bedroom.  Next to this image is the city itself, overlooked across the ocean with a lone man walking away from it. This peaceful and solemn serenity of the scene depicts the mood of the sunset, being ready for a relaxing dinner and sleep on your way to your home. Having this fabric hanged in your living room makes you feel that you are glad to be home with your family, celebrating the union before the end of the day.Timorous Beasties have not actually changed much in the Toile concept.

The Minds of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle Essay Example for Free

The Minds of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle Essay SOCRATES, one of those who sought to develop a more consistent and purer concept of god, but he paid the price of a pioneer in that the masses misunderstood him. He was considered as the destroyer of the gods of the Greeks. He maintained that the centrality of the real essence of man and individual is not only its acceptance of the different gods but the real understanding of one’s relationship with others in a rational manner. This implies a rational knowledge with all its capabilities within the realm of knowledge – the highest god, thus, the nature and conceptualization of god, for him, is the actual understanding of knowledge which one god. For Socrates, is something that can be reached through knowing and knowledge that the individual can possess? PLATO, the pupil of Socrates, uses the word God, but in a very confused way. Most of the time, he used the word god just a ordinary masses think of them, as beings governing different realms of the universe. In many of his works, we cannot actually distinguish how-in the process he thinks of gods in the same manner as the ordinary citizen of Greece and with his noble background (Drake, 1958), for in it, the mind of the masses, most of the time prevailed. Indeed, the popular conceptions of the gods are strewn all over these thoughts and works, but there were times that. He thought of the existence of one supreme god who is the master and ruler of the entire universe. In his book, the Timaeus, he accounts for the creation of the universe by using a demiurge, or sort of architect, who takes already-created ideas and matter and moulds the universe. In another place, we find him speaking of the creators as the source of souls. ARISTOTLE on this point is clear. He noted that there are two causes in the universe – form and matter. That, â€Å"forms are forces which realize themselves in the world of matter, just as the idea of the artist realizes itself in marble,† was central to the belief of Aristotle. The cause of motion, for him, is for him, is form; and matter moves as it is being caused by form. Thus, for Aristotle, the traces of the early Greek thinking, â€Å"that matter is a living form† was revived. Not only does form, which is within matter, move matter, but matter seeks to become or realize the form. For example, the mango tree is the form and the mango seed is the matter. When the seed grows into a mango tree, it realizes the form â€Å"mango tree† which is in it a mango seed, but unrealized. As it is growing according to Aristotle, it is striving to become a mango tree. This is its motion. Aristotle maintained that, before the mango seed, there was matter, and an idea or form â€Å"mango†. This form was in matter, and matter was striving to become a mango tree because of the presence of the form in it. We might move on tracing these series of events from the crudest matter, each step through the mango tree and beyond, and realizing that at each point there is matter striving to become form, being moved by form. Thus he asks, â€Å"Is this series continuous and forever? † his answer was â€Å"NO†. At the end. He called this an eternal â€Å"UNMOVED MOVER,† the ultimate cause of ll motion, of all becoming and being in the universe. He called the unmoved mover,† â€Å"GOD,† (Saddi, 1997). Aristotle’s god is â€Å"PURE INTELLIGENCE,† the ideal motif of all philosophers.

The Appreciation Of Film Art Film Studies Essay

The Appreciation Of Film Art Film Studies Essay The analysis of film enables viewers to truly appreciate the work as a form of art. It explains all of the working parts, thusly encouraging a more complete understanding of the whole. This in turn deepens the characters, conflicts, and theme of film making it more real or significant to the viewer. While initially developing and implementing skills of analytical viewing are difficult. With practice one will be able to analyze an entire move and describe how viewers find meaning in a film. Also, one can develop their own personal criteria for analyzing film. After reaching these goals the viewer will not only be able to enjoy the film emotionally but also intellectually. Effectively analyzing a film is complex in that film is not static. In literature and screenplays one is able to read and re-read the information because it remains motionless on the page. In film, however the viewer must be able to process the non-verbal, and other visual ques. During critical analysis of a film the critic must be able to view all of the elements separately but also understand their relationship to the whole. The viewer must ask several questions prior to the analysis of the film. Does the film have a unified plot? Is the story and characters credible? Is the film interesting? Does the director create a simplistic yet complex film? Does the film handle emotion with restraint (Boggs, 1996, pg. 6)? A film with a unified plot enables the viewers to follow a stream of consciousness when viewing the movie. Â  It has a beginning, middle, and an end. In literary terms, a unified plot includes an exposition, a rising action, a climax, and a denouement. The characters, theme, and plot are developed as the film progresses. A logical sequence of events maintains a constant theme and the conflict are resolved by elements or characters that have been introduced in the film. The events bear a resemblance to cause and effect; this forces the actions to move the story along (Boggs, 2008, pg. 41). During analysis one must decide if the film is credible. To accomplish this, the plot and the characters will fall into one of three categories. What is understood to be true, what could be true, or what is convincingly created as a reality. Harsh realities often fall into what is understood to be true. The audience knows that the protagonist will not always win and couples do not always stay together. On the other hand, human emotions dictate a desire to experience happy endings. In these films, Romeo would have received his letter from Juliet. Lastly, a production team will create a world of science fiction or fantasy. The objective viewer must decide whether this is done skillfully. The audiences response to the film is directly correlated to the credibility of the fantasy characters and the world of which they live. While all of these aspects can be found in a majority of film, the critical viewer will understand that one follows closest to the theme (Boggs, 2008, pg. 42). The most evident aspect to a reviewer and the audience is the movies ability to captivate. How do the filmmakers make the movie interesting? While to the audience this can be dependent on personal preference, the reviewer must remain objective to make this conclusion. Directors and writers will create suspense throughout the movie to create the desire to keep watching. They will usually provide the audience with clues hinting to possible outcomes. Another aspect of how interesting the movie is the action. Whether it be external, or physical action or it is internal or psychological action. As easily as the reviewer can see a duel or crash landing, they will be able to see external action. Now, when the action takes place in the mind or emotionally for the characters it is internal. They both however create movement that is essential to maintain the audiences interest in the film (Boggs, 2008, pg. 46). The complexity of the film should be taken into consideration during analysis. While it is possible to over-simplify the theme, characters, or the plot of a film it is also possible to make it too complex. Movies are essential created for consumption and as with all things consumed, consumers have different opinions on what pleases them. So, it is possible for many people who enjoy the complexity of a serious, thought-provoking film. On the other hand, it is just as simple to find those who would rather be entertained and do not desire to be challenged during a film. Either way as a critical reviewer, one should be able to recognize how well the film-maker combines these to ideas. How well they are able to present complex ideas in a simple manner without taking away from the meaning, and vice-versa (Boggs, 2008, pg. 48). A final aspect in critical review of film to consider is its ability to present emotional material with restraint. Normally the director will intend for the film to be reciprocated with a certain emotional response from the audience. However, if the audience feels as though it is being forced or coaxed to feeling a certain way it may have the opposite effect. As the objective viewer, one will notice that emotional content can be presented in plot structure, characters dialogue, musical score, and even visual cues. When analyzing the film, it is important to look at all of these aspects to understand the effect that they have on the whole. To understand how the emotional content is presented to add value to the film (Boggs, 2008, pg. 51). People from across every economic, social, gender, cultural, and all other stratifications that can be thought of watch movies. Knowing that people are innately different from one another leads one to the conclusion, that there exist hundreds of different ways that individuals use to find meaning in film. Meaning in cinema can be found and interpreted exclusively at face value. This method of course does not fully value the vision of the filmmakers and does not allow for the viewer to receive the complete experience that critical receptiveness would attain. When a critical viewer attempts to find meaning in a film there are several different areas in which they can search. The meaning of film can be found in its allegories, symbolism, metaphors, and ironies (Boggs, 2008, pg. 55). In cinema and literature, allegories create an additional meaning for what is being portrayed on the screen. The characters normally cannot adopt distinctive personalities because their primary role is to accurately portray something already in existence. In the film, Animal Farm, the audience understands the different roles that each animal plays and their association to the actual events that occurred in the early 1900s (Boggs, 2008, pg. 70). Films often use symbolism to help the audience discover meaning beyond what is being shown. Filmmakers will introduce a symbol that will arouse certain emotions, feelings, thoughts, and connotations within the viewer. This skillful application of symbols can be done with the use of natural or universally accepted signs or through by the director placing emphasis on the symbols throughout the film. Because different natural or universally accepted symbols have different meanings to different people there is some ambiguity in their meanings. For example, a common association of bats in Western society is to demons or spirits, association of the night. While in the East bats are a symbol of good fortune. When filmmakers want to apply meaning to symbols that occur in the film they utilize methods, such as, repetition, value added by characters, and context. When the director places emphasis on an object that otherwise would seem insignificant by showing it to the audience. When the chara cters place emphasis on objects or identify themselves through something, the audience understands that by considering the objects meaning and its associations they will be able to better understand the character. In context, the director will use a symbol to suggest a meaning to the audience through combining scenes, juxtaposition, or relating the object to other images in the scene. In Batman, when Bruce Waynes mother was shot the audience is shown her pearl necklace being broken and falling to the ground an example of juxtaposition (Boggs, 2008, pg. 71). Often in cinema different metaphors are used to represent actions. Normally metaphors are figures of speech that denote an object or idea to suggest likeness or analogies between them. There exist two methods in creating metaphors in film, extrinsic and intrinsic metaphors. Extrinsic metaphors a normally very similar to symbolism in film in that they are achieved by juxtaposition or showing scenes simultaneously. In a romance the director could show a man and woman making love and then show a bee pollinating a flower to show the miracle of life. The intrinsic metaphors occur more naturally, the metaphor can now replace action. The director can simply show the two people entering a room and then show the bees and the audience will understand what is happening. Of course, the metaphor for the actions depicted is the birds and the bees and many people grow up knowing and understanding its connotation (Boggs, 2008, pg. 80). Quite the opposite of metaphors and similes is irony. Irony creates association through differences; through the differences the audiences can draw similarities. There are many different types of irony: dramatic, situational, characters, setting, tone, and cosmic. Audiences draw meaning through irony by understanding the contradictions that exist in the film. In an example of irony of character in Sling Blade, the audience sees that the formally institutionalized for murder, Karl Childers, as a positive role model and even a father figure for Frank Wheatley. This portrays to the audience a caring, loving side of Karl but also shows the hopelessness of Franks situation (Boggs, 2008, pg. 88). Although viewers can find meaning through these devices, the most common methods are through analyzing the plot and characters of a film. The audience is able to automatically identify with these aspects and parallel personal experiences to find a meaning in a film. The conflict which is central to the plot a film is what moves the movie along. Conflict centers on man versus self, nature, society, or man. The characters portrayed in a film can be identified by the conflicts that they will face and the audience will be able to deepen their understanding of characters through the conflicts that they face. Firstly, the audience will see what actions lead to the conflict. Secondly, the audience will see how the character copes with the situation, whether he will rise to meet the challenge, remain static, or fail to act. Finally, the audience will be shown how the character reaches a resolution adding depth to the character. The type of conflict and the personality character who is facing it often develops the theme of a film. Once the nature of the characters is establishes the viewers can find meaning in them. Is the protagonist a strong minded, witty character who always is quick to act, like James Bond? The directors intention in films like these is to glorify traits of heroism and fearlessness. Similarly, Jason Bourne portrays many of the same traits but with distinct differences. Bourne is a neurotic and is on the run seeking vengeance from the government who betrayed him while lacking the suave style normally associated with Bond. While Bond classically a misogynist, Bourne is in love only with one woman. Audiences find interpret these characters differently and value them in different ways whether they like the values that the characters portray or not (Boggs, 2008, pg. 133). Criteria for effectively analyzing a film will vary from person to person. The most important objective is to establish a pattern, a system, or to evaluate films in way to ensure one covers every aspect. Personally I have developed a system that allows me to enjoy a film on an emotional level and then take a critical look at the different elements work together to create the whole. I do this by: locating a film, ensuring I have a clear open mind, watching the film first to determine interest and initial impressions. Then I will watch the film again to carefully analyze literary elements, such as, setting, plot, characters, and symbols. After the film is completed it is important to reflect on several questions. What is the theme of the movie? I consider if the movie effectively communicates a theme to viewers. How did the storyline move? Does the plot flow easily but remains complex drawing the audience in. Does the dialogue work? Will viewers of the film find the dialogue credible and natural? Do the set, lighting, score, and special effects add to the movie? If not properly utilized these effects can overwhelm the senses and detract from the film. How does the film represent its topic? How well is the film edited? If there are unnecessary scenes that do not add to the movie they should be cut out. Also, do scenes effectively transition or has too much been re moved making the film hard to follow. How effectively does the director use symbolism or metaphors? Does the director add depth to the characters or objects through association (Boggs, 2008, pg. 8)? After deliberate review of all of these questions I am able to fully appreciate the value of the effort put into, or lack thereof, filmmakers have put into their work. While at the same time it allows me to enjoy the film on a platonic level prior to analysis. Film is unique because it is an art form but it also an industry. Audiences are willing to sacrifice money and time to take part in the magic of the silver screen. Their love for this art form has created the need to better understand the films, to create a deeper meaning than what is first visible. With practice audiences can analyze an entire move and describe how they find meaning in a film. Also, they can develop their own personal criteria for analyzing film. Techniques employed by filmmakers at first may be difficult to comprehend, but once understood they will add significant value to the film.

Journeys End by RC Sheriff :: Letters War Essays

Journey's End by RC Sheriff Dearest Victoria, These last two months without you have been awful. We found out yesterday that the final attack is to be tomorrow, but I don’t wish for you to worry, the stress is no good for you or the baby and you must stay strong for the children and reassure them I will be fine. All of the men are starting to get nervous now, except for a few of the newer men who are slightly too enthusiastic, but I’m sure that will all soon change. Most of the men know what is likely to happen to us when we go out onto the front line tomorrow; only a few days ago four soldiers and an officer were killed whilst making a raid. It was a huge shock to all of us; especially Captain Stanhope, when we found out it was Officer Osborne. He was a fantastic officer and a great man. His death seemed to have a huge impact on Raleigh too; he was one of the enthusiastic ones I was saying about earlier. Raleigh’s welcome seemed to be slightly awkward at first. Although nobody said about it there was a strange atmosphere between him and Captain Stanhope. Even though things went back to normal after a while, Osborne’s death seemed to change things again. It was like he had been the peacemaker. I think, in a way, Raleigh may have felt guilty about Osborne’s death. You see Raleigh and Osborne had to make a raid in one of the Boche trenches to capture a German for questioning and whilst Osborne was waiting he was hit by a hand grenade. It was a terribly awful way to die and for all we know he could still be out there and probably is. I’m so afraid it is going to happen to me. It just shows you how anything can happen out here. Of course the Colonel and Sergeant Major didn’t give a damn about any of the men that died; all they cared about was getting information about that poor German boy. He was only about 17 and he looked scared to death. I’m sorry to go on but I’m just thinking of all the things I still want to say to you in these final moments of my life. I want so much to tell the children I love them. I want to see the birth of our new baby and I want to be around to help you look after the children. But most of all I want this letter to reach you in time so that I can tell

Jesus Christ and The Misfit in Flannery O’Connor’s A Good Man Is Hard t

Jesus Christ and The Misfit in Flannery O’Connor’s A Good Man Is Hard to Find In Flannery O’Connor’s â€Å"A Good Man Is Hard to Find,† there are many Christian motifs found throughout the story, but the one that I found most interesting is the fact that O’Connor is apparently drawing parallels between The Misfit and Jesus Christ. Initially it seems like there is no way that this could actually be true- what could the Son of God who sacrificed Himself for the good of humanity have in common with a thief and a robber who escapes from jail and kills a family of six in cold blood? Upon closer examination, we can see that they are more similar than one might initially think. The first insight we may be able to draw is on the subject of names. The Misfit is a term that could easily be applied to Christ. In His time, Christ was an outcast, a rebel, and a man who did not fit the norms of the society in which He lived. He worked on the day of rest, He befriended tax collectors and prostitutes, and He drove the moneychangers out of the Temple in Jerusalem. (Mark 3, Matthew 9, Matthew 21). T...

How Geometry is used in Construction :: essays research papers

I have conducted my research through interview with someone familiar with construction and development as how geometry is used in these fields.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first step to development is to survey the property in order to document and draw the bounds and land surface shapes. The property will be represented by various geometry elements such as points, lines, arcs, circles, and other defined geometry shapes. Surveyors use scope on tripods witch use projection of line Referenced point on a stick in order to measure the variations of the heights on the ground. This tool uses various angel theorems and postulates to find location of property boundaries, property corners, utilities and building layouts on the property. The surveyor uses the data collected to draw the property layout on a 36†x 24†sheet of paper.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After completion of this step the architects use the surveying drawing to develop a working drawing for the building. In these drawing you will see triangles, rectangles, squares, arches and other geometry shapes and forms to create their design. The architects through our history have used these shapes to create famous structures all over the world. If you go back to Roman historical sites you will see such examples like the great Coliseum. A great example can be seen is the famous Egyptian pyramid. Some other famous structures are the Eiffel Tower which is in Italy, and Chrysler building in New York. If you look around your neighborhood houses, you will see these shapes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The structural engineers use geometry in their design in order to calculate the spacing of their columns and beams for proper strength for the building.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The construction phase would not be possible without the knowledge of basic geometry. Points, lines, measurements and angles are often used to lay out the building in accordance to the architect drawings.

Htc Business Model Essay

Executive summary Using Google’s Andriod platform has given HTC a boost, but now the Taiwanese handset maker are vulnerable to underwhelming sales in America and Europe. Their hope? China. HTC only entered China in early 2010, much later than its established peers. It is playing catching up with international premium brands, such as Apple, Samsung and LG, where HTC is currently aiming to get a slice of the pie. However, the company is also facing stiff competition from local brands who operate at the lower price market. In this Global Marketing proposal, we propose several initiatives for HTC to grow its current 1% marketshare in the China mobile phone market, including new products for HTC to tap into the lower price market as well as localized promotion campaigns to sell phones in rural areas. It is time for HTC to sway away from satisfied with being ‘quietly brilliant’. Context analysis Company Background HTC Corporate, founded in 1997, was a relatively obscure Taiwanese original design manufacturer (ODM). Incorporated as High Technology Computer, HTC focused on manufacturing of computer notebooks. The company created the world’s first pocket size PC in collaboration with Microsoft in 1998[1]; it later developed the iPAQ, one of the earliest PDA for Compaq in 2000. HTC’s close tie with Microsoft led them to develop XDA[2] in 2002, first ever smartphone operated on Windows. The company remained true to ODM principles when it produced smartphones by efficiently catering for carriers’ specifications and requests. HTC’s ODM smartphones continued to generate profit margin as high as 20% compared to industry average of 5%[3]. According to Harvard Business Review, HTC shipped more than 70% of the world’s Windows smartphones in 2006 at its peak. HTC won a reputation for excellent smartphones. But it wanted more, and began to invest more in innovation before eventually creating its own brand in 2007. HTC set up a unit called Magic Labs[4], where engineers from various disciplines come up with lots of ideas, even if most were quickly discarded. From this unit bred several ground breaking ideas, including HTC touch, a touch screen device that appeared few weeks before Apple’s first iPhone; and first ever Android phone in collaboration with Google. Reaping from the Android’s high penetration rate, the company experienced unprecedented growth from 2008 onwards and became the top seller of smartphones in America in 3Q of 2011, according to Canalys Research. HTC has recently eclipsed Nokia in market capacity and has climbed up to the no.3 spot for smartphones sold worldwide, behind Apple and Samsung. In terms of brand equity, the company has invested heavily in developing its own brand and broke into Interbrand’s top 100 Brands 2011[5] (no. 98) . China: Macro-environmental Factors Politics China remained a single party directed country since the founding of People’s Republic of China in October 1949. Putting political ideologies differences aside, efficient decision-making is widely seen as a characteristic of China’s political system. The profound changes that have taken place in various fields of this nation: from Deng Xiaping’s Special Economic Zone in the 80s to the economic leaps in the turn of the century. Inefficiencies in the political system such as corruption still exist today, but China’s communist party has taken bold steps for reform. The party has embraced market socialist economy to lead China out of poverty and soar to one of the most powerful nations in the world. Economic Despite China has mounted new heights in her economy, outshining Japan as the second largest economy in the world, the slowdown in economic growth has not abated. The housing boom in the past decade is now over, implying that growth now weigh on heavy industry and local consumption. In the past, China has offered massive infrastructure stimulus, as it did to prop up growth following SARS and the global financial crisis. However, local governments have learned not to overheat the economy, as evidenced by the late 2011 credit crunch in Wenzhou[6]. Central government is expecting a moderate GDP growth of 6%, but China is due for correction in its property and possibly stock market. Social China’s Communist Party maintained its strong foothold in the nation, as the country enjoyed a period of unprecedented prosperity in the past decade. As China’s economy take flight, the number of local billionaires and millionaires grew by leaps and bounds. The wealth gap, at the same time, widened drastically. As a consequence, there have been several localized pro-democracy campaigns since 2011. Termed ‘Jasmine revolution’, citizens used social network site such as microblogs to organize public protests demanding fairness, housing and food – social issues that are often overlooked during economic boom. Such unrests were quickly put to rest as Beijing aims to mitigate any form of dissidents since learning the hard lessons from Tiananmen protests in 1989. Other than localized protests and occasional controversy in human rights, China’s social order have been maintained. Technology China has sparked its technological boom since it gained accession to the world trade organization in 2001. Internally, China has developed a matured internet market which now boost one of the largest internet users in the world. In mobile phones, the market evidenced a dynamic growth due to the rapid development of mobile subscriptions and growing third-generation (3G) networks. China: Smartphone Market Industry analysis After China’s telecommunications operators acquired 3G licenses, they formed several strategic alliances with mobile phone brands. For example, China Unicom has established alliances with Apple’s iPhone and Lenovo’s LePhone, whilst Motorola and HTC and strategic partners with China Telecom. Customer analysis According to government statistics in 2012, China has become to first country to top 1 billionThe cell phone users, a soar from 2010’s 787 million users. The number of users is equivalent to 74% of China’s population. That being said, only 14% of users are 3G users. Mobile phones are seen as a necessity, as customers regularly use phones for texting and micro-blogging. Competitor analysis Mobile phones are relatively consolidated in China, with the top five brands deriving nearly 72% of total retail volume stales in 2010[7]. Top five brands are Nokia (34.2%) , Samsung (18.1%), LG (6.8%), ZTE (6.3%) and Huawei (6.3%). Apple (1.4%) and HTC (0.7%) are late boomers in the market, with both companies having entered China in 2009 and 2010 respectively. According to market research by Canalys[8], international brands such as Samsung, Apple and HTC should continue to dominate in the space above RMB2,500 (US$400). Leading local tier-one brands, such as Huawei and ZTE, are diversifying beyond the entry level by launching a number of high-profile, flagship smart phones. As of late, Lenovo has made efforts to penetrate the low cost, rural market by introducing models starting from RMB700 (US$158). Company Analysis HTC in China HTC only entered China in 2009 and occupied a market share below 1% as of figures in 2010. Its strategy is to challenge Samsung and Apple as the biggest smartphone players in Mainland, but it also faces stiff competition from local brands such as Tianyu and ZTE Despite its geographic proximity in Taiwan, HTC started off late in China than in richer parts of the world largely because the country’s 3G structure was not as matured in 2009 as today. Targeting & Positioning HTC’s mission statement is â€Å"to become the leading innovative supplier of mobile information and communication devices by providing value-added design, world class manufacturing and logistic and service capabilities.† Whilst this may have been a successful formula over the past 10 years in geographic location, HTC is in danger of falling behind competitors in China. HTC currently has 10% of the market for smartphones costing more than RMB2,000 (US$320). Its strategy is to target those high-end customers who utilizes 3G network and appreciates international brand. As if HTC’s Magic Lab works tirelessly to come up with numerous innovative products, HTC currently adopts a similar volume approach in its phones. HTC regularly pushes forward phones in the market. In 2011, when Apple had launched one new iPhone, HTC introduced fifteen new models. HTC’s Challenge After a meteoric rise which placed it briefly atop the U.S. smartphone sales charts, HTC revenue as a whole in the first two months of 2012 was a staggering 45% down on last year. HTC has run afoul of punitive legal juggernaut Apple, which delayed the availability of HTC’s handsets. Determined to avoid the fate looming over troubled rivals like Research in Motion, HTC saw a big revitalization push in China, championed by several flagship phones such as HTC One X and Evo 4G Lite. Sales in Europe have been dropping but HTC saw better than expected revenue in China. The rise of HTC in China despite its late entry could be partially attributed to their advanced operating systems with Android and excellent hardware, such as dual core processing units and friendly features where the phone rings louder when in a bag. But with competitors catching up hardware specifications overnight these days, can HTC sustain its China growth? The challenge of HTC faces is not neither simply in hardware nor software. HTC needs to formulate a marketing and branding strategy for China, as to fend off the fierce challenge by international brands (Apple, Samsung) and local players. Proposed Marketing Campaign For the proposed marketing campaign, we propose a bi-polar approach to target existing high-end customers of HTC’s and also tap into the basic customers specturum, an area HTC has not entered so far. High-end customers HTC is currently focusing on high-end customers who are tech savvy, able and willing to pay for premium mobile phones. These high-end customers are currently up and coming professionals, live a fast moving lifestyle and mostly reside or work in first or second tier cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Xi Chuan. All of these customers have subscribed or are going to subscribe 3G network, in order to make the most of out HTC’s smartphones. In addition to product quality and operating system, high-end customers nowadays also care about brand reputation and image. The proposed marketing campaign for HTC’s high-end customers is therefore to enrich the brand experience and differentiate HTC’s personality. Basic customers As mentioned earlier, 3G users accounts to less than 20% of China’s mobile phones market. According to market analysis, local players, best represented by ZTE and Huawei, are more popular amongst price sensitive mass and lower-end customers. These basic customers reside in third tier cities or rural areas, demand basic functions for their phones and also aspires to own a smartphone one day. Product Designers collaborations are nothing new. Indeed, they are now a well-established marketing tool – as well as source of income. Standard Hotel Group in America has joined forces with the likes of surfwear brand Quiksilver to provide exclusive trunks and bikinis that guests can purchase in the group’s resorts. H&M, the Swedish fashion behemoth, took rise after asking Karl Lagerfeld, designer for Chanel and owner of Fendi, to come up with a special collection back in 2004. For mobile phones,it is no different story. RIM collaborated with Porsche design and launched a high-end luxurious blackberry in 2011. LG and Prada started working together in 2006[9] and continued to attract fashionistas for their crossover phones. For high-end customers, HTC should leverage connection with a renowned brand within the Chinese community and produce collaborate products. Nike would deem to be an appropriate choice, given the brand is held in high regards among Chinese and its innovative brand image aligns with that of HTC’s. Nevertheless, Nike has strong connection with Apple as Nike currently produces Nike+ – a tracking device that connects an athletes’ performance data with iPhones, iPods etc. If there is a brand for up-and-coming professionals which matches HTC’s pricing and targeting strategy, Adidas would be a great fit. Rather than choosing a luxury brand such as LVMH or Gucci, a partnership with Adidas could not only appeal to the sports lovers, but also be perceived as socially acceptable. Partnering with luxurious goods might risk further alienation as the wealth gap widens in China. Adidas is actively investing on its mi adidas platform that rivals Nike+. The sports company enjoys a good reputation in China after sponsoring Team China in Beijing Olympics, and its innovative roots in products and designs could enrich the HTC brand experience. For basic customers, HTC could build 2G or even very basic 3G phones to attract the mass. With much reduced functionality and a lower price point, HTC could attract the 80% users who have not yet subscribe to 3G network. While the simpler handsets should have less fancy functions, embodying the HTC names mean that that the phones should still be innovative. HTC could be more localize with these phones by having local functions such as Chinese keyboard and improved durability that adapts to environment in rural areas. Perhaps basic phones could have a brighter screen for users to view the screen easily in open rural areas, or made in anti-sand materials as desertification is common in northwest China. Aside from hardware reengineering, HTC needs to redesign its software capabilities. HTC is relatively weak in content when compared to rivals such as Apple. It has no plans to launch its own app store, preferring instead to reply on Android marketplace and its apps. HTC acquired French content provider Abaxia in June 2010[10] to develop innovative apps for its devices. Recently, it has installed digital map apps in HTC Sense interface. Currently, there is a market gap in smartphone manufacturer originated apps in China. Almost all of the apps available on Android/iPhone system are developed by individual software company. HTC could potentially develop operating system with apps linked to popular Chinese social media sites, such as QQ and Sina’s Microblog. Price HTC should continue to target upper tier price points for its high end customers. Its currently price point closely resembles Apple’s and Samsung’s, averaging around RMB2,500 (US$400). The high price setting strategy further illustrates HTC’s ambition to compete with the international brands but the company could consider undercutting its price by a fraction, say less than 10%, than the leaders so as to gain stronger market share. Price reduction should not be advertised aggressively, as it might signal a loss in quality. For products in the lower end market, HTC should try to be a price leader in the arena. Lenovo markets its cheaper line of phones around RMB700, and HTC should try to undercut Lenovo. It is important to capture the basic customers first, with the hope that HTC could persuade basic users to switch to more expensive phones over time. Place According to Economists, HTC now as 2,300 authorized retailers in China. Apple has 3,500 – not withstanding its flagship Apple store and website – while Nokia and Samsung have 9,000 each. HTC could open more shops by granting authorized retailers license, but it is easier said than done as brands jostle retailers for shelf spaces. Rather than investing heavily in opening its own shop, HTC could form a strategic partnership with popular online shop Taobao or Alibaba to reach customers in the second or third tier cities to compliment its e-shop. Further place promotion could been referred in ‘HTC ambassador’ campaign in People section. In first tier cities, HTC could theoretically leverage on Adidas’s store presence and distribution network. Nonetheless, HTC should adopt a selective approach by opening flagship store that can illustrates its customer experience. Promotion In HTC’s incumbent global marketing campaign, the company slogan is ‘quietly brilliant’. HTC commercials do not focus on the precise functionality of their handsets but the way people use them. The concept itself is intuitive, but the campaign is not as much advertised in China as other places – the slogan does not even has a Chinese translation. As a result, HTC’s promotion in China is product focused. HTC One X advertisements were filmed where a photographer takes pictures with HTC phone while skydiving – stressing the superior camera quality of the handset. To revamp the promotion campaign, HTC should first come up with a better slogan for China or even for its global campaign. Stressing on the way people interact with HTC cell phones is a good idea, but conceptually the slogan could be more straight forward – Nokia’s ‘connecting people’ or LG’s ‘life is good’ are good examples. For China specifically, HTC needs to build on build on enriching users experience. Yan Siqing, chief operating officer of China Telecom said HTC grew rapidly despite its late start because it provided a â€Å"good user experience†. Nationwide promotion campaign should focuses on how HTC helps people to capture their moments in life. Whether is at work, in sporting moments or vacation, a user-friendly HTC handset is always there to make things happen. People Simliar to Unilever’s â€Å"Shakti Revolution† to help women in rural India to become entrepreneurs[11], HTC could foster partnership with non governmental organisations, banks and local counties, to promote handsets at rural areas through employing ‘HTC ambassadors’. Ambassadors are underpriviledged residents in country sides and they are invited to become direct-to-consumer sales distributors for HTC’s basic handsets for second or third tier cities. Contrary to normal mom-and-pop shops, HTC should provide training in selling, commercial knowledge and bookkeeping to help ambassadors become micro-entrepreneurs. This proposal could not only expand HTC’s reach in the lower tier markets, but also been seen as a socially responsible act of goodwill. ———————– [1]Kim R. & Yoffie D., HTC Corp. in 1999, 8th Dec 2009, Harvard Business Review [2]Sourced online: http://xda.o2.co.uk/ [3]Kim R. & Yoffie D., HTC Corp. in 1999, 8th Dec 2009, Harvard Business Review [4]HTC: The brand from no where; The Economist, 7th Apr 2012, sourced online from [5]http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/best-global-brands-2008/best-global-brands-2011.aspx [6]Wolfe A, Gurushina N & Gassambe I, China Outlook: The Tao of Hard Landing, 28 May 2012, Roubini Global Economics Report [7]Mobile Phones in China, Category Briefing, 19 Sep 2011; Passport GMID [8]http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20120619PR203.html [9]http://www.gizmag.com/lg-prada-collaborative-phone/20862/ [10]http://www.ubergizmo.com/2010/06/htc-acquires-abaxia-to-strengthen-its-software-capabilities/ [11]http://www.unilever.com.au/sustainability/casestudies/economic-development/creating-rural-entrepreneurs.aspx

Chartered Accountancy Essay

Chartered Accountancy as a profession is attracting a lot of young and witnessing a rapid growth, thanks to the growing corporate sector globally. Chartered Accountants usually occupy high and respectable posts in an organization. They are the ones responsible for handling accounts and finance related matters, deal with money management. Chartered Accountancy is also a dynamic, challenging and rewarding profession. Chartered Accountancy Course is a professional course in Accounting introduced in our country in 1949, with the enactment of the Chartered Accountants Act. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) was formed the same year. This Institute is both an examining and a licensing body. It is the responsibility of the institute to conduct the Chartered Accountancy (CA) Course. Chartered accountants are the one who are specialized in accounting, auditing and taxation. They also serve as a management and corporate caretaker. In recent times, accountancy has become popular as a profession. The services of a Chartered accountant are required in money matters even in a small business. Moreover according to the Company Act only CA’s in professional practice are allowed to be appointed as auditors of companies in India. Chartered Accountants are the one who are accepted as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) after having passed the Final examination of the Chartered accountancy course conducted by the institute. CA Program currently has three sections, Common Proficiency Test (CPT) that was earlier known as Professional Education exam (PE1), Professional Competence Course (PCC or PCE) and Final examination.

Target Case Study

Case Study: Target Adriana Gonzalez Principles of Marketing Statement of the Problem(s) In this particular case, there is one major dilemma and all other problems seemed to have risen from this one. For the past few years there has been a recession globally. In the year 2008, the recession was at its peak and all industries suffer tremendously. For many years Target grew at a much faster pace than Wal-Mart, but the economy made a radical turn affecting everyone. Target rapidly started to experience low sales as the time pass.As a result, the most important shareholder, William Ackman, demanded a rapid and effective strategy to bring Target’s sales up once again (Armstrong & Kotler, 2012). Summary of the Facts * Target is known for its products in style and fashion. * Numerous designer product lines. * Customers view Target as a retail store with higher prices * Target’s customers went for the lower prices at its competitors retail store * Wal-Mart changed is mission sta tement to â€Å"Save money. Live better. † it mimics Target’s mission statement (Armstrong & Kotler, 2012). While Target’s image of higher quality products remained, Wal-Mart use â€Å"rollbacks† to attract customers. * Target started to greet customers with value messages and big signs promoting sale products (Armstrong & Kotler, 2012). Target’s mission statement has been, â€Å"Expect More. Pay Less. † After the recession the company focused on the â€Å"Pay Less† part of their slogan. At the middle of the year 2008, Target had experienced three quarters of same-store sales growth (Armstrong & Kotler, 2012). Customers did not respond as rapidly as the company hoped.They seemed to be more interested in low prices than quality. Wal-Mart took over Target’s customers during the recession. Analysis The CEO, Gregg Steinhafel, came up with a strategy to help the business. Using the same mission statement, they focused on the â€Å" Pay Less† part of it. On the other hand, Wal-Mart’s new mission statement seemed to fit perfectly with customers during this difficult economy crisis. Target’s competitor closed its quarterly sale-store sales with an increase of five percent during 2008, while Target had no increases (Armstrong & Kotler, 2012).After months of urging the new strategy the company finally got results. New advertising help the company move forward in the industry. Target launched a new brand named â€Å"up & up,† which was a thirty percent lower than comparable brand names. The company also decided to introduce fresh foods that were not as expensive as its competitors. Target’s stock went up twenty-seven percent since 2010, when they introduced fresh foods (Young, 2012). Now customers could to all their shopping at Target without hesitating to make another stop at the grocery store.For the past five years Target and Wal-Mart have been the strongest competitors in the re tail industry. Target suffered the first couple of years, but has climbed up to its competitor’s level. The company was in critical condition when the most important shareholder, William Ackman, demanded effective results. Ackman stated, â€Å"It should be a business that does well, even in tough economic times† (Armstrong & Kotler, 2012). After Ackman’s statement the CEO, Steinhafel, sharpened its strategy by advertising new television commercials with catchy music.Promoting new ads and adding a Target brand helped Target to raise its sales to five percent with profits of fifty-four percent increase (Armstrong & Kotler, 2012). Meanwhile, Wal-Mart focused on low price strategy to save people money. Target on the other hand commits to a higher marketing expenditure and considers its customers guests (Wal-Mart and Target, 2011). After all, many customers continue to shop at Target because of its higher quality products. Recommendations Target is not the only busin ess that was harmed due to the recession. On the contrary, it was one of the businesses that survived those tough years.There were losses in the company, not just financially, it also lost many customers. There were obviously changes that needed to be made quickly and intelligently. The CEO, Steinhafel, made a wise decision when it came to emphasizing differently the current slogan. Customers might have had a different perspective of the store and its products. They may not recognize Target as a high quality and fashionable retail store, but as a retail store that lost its faith in its mission statement. â€Å"Expect More,† is the most important part of the mission statement because customers expect more when they shop at Target.Target’s customers still had that image of better quality but now at lower prices. When it comes to promotion and advertising, the company could have done more on this portion. As the company started to advertise more television commercials and weekly newspaper circulars, the customers soon responded to them. Customers liked the idea of ads showing ordinary people consuming Target’s products (Armstrong & Kotler, 2012). After eighteen long months of pushing forward the strategy Target finally got results. Customers would have responded positively if these promotions were at their reach months earlier.The company’s number one priority needs to be our customers’ demands, wants, and needs. Target’s strategies need to focus around our customers in order to maintain sales and profits. The shortages of concentration on promotion lead to a longer crisis for Target. By researching our customers wants and needs the company can accomplish greater profits. The company cannot set aside the importance of marketing process and marketing mix. Managers have to motivate everyone in the organization to help built customer relationships. Target’s success lies on strong customer-focused and heavily committed to marketing.References Armstrong, G. , & Kotler, P. (2012). Principles of Marketing (pp. 94-95). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Wal-Mart and Target: Strategic Differences. (2011). Retrieved February 19, 2013, from http://www. ftsmodules. com/public/texts/valuationtutor/VTehn3/tonic8/tonic8htm. Young, A. (2012 August, 23). Target Vs. Wal-Mart: Target Wins on Pricing, Barely, And Probably Not for Long. Retrieved February 19, 2013, from http://ibtimes. com/target_vs_wal-mart_target_wins_prining_barely_and_probably_not_long_htm.