Music Business Merchandising and Law

Discuss how the Music Business is a system comprised of principle subsystems. There are several key components to the success of an artist in the music business. These components support one another, and enable each to complete tasks that are designed to further the marketability of an artist or group. One such component, or subsystem, is the agent. The agent acts as the legal representative of an artist. This person, or company, manages all of the legal issues associated with an artist’s image and career. Agents, typically, are the face of the artist to the business world. These agents meet with promoters, and venue owners to secure the performance rights, and facilitate touring. They also ask as mediators between the artist and publishing companies to ensure that all legal issues are addressed, and that the transfer of the artist’s created materials are handled in the proper manner. Another aspect of the agent’s responsibility is to maintain and negotiate contracts for the artist, with their respective parent companies. This is to ensure that the artist receives all the proper representation that is required to ensure that the contracts that the artists are bound by are fair, and ethical. The next subsystem is the parent company itself. Often referred to simply as the â€Å"label†, record companies are the binding source of power within the music business. The label is the enterprise which holds the contracts, oversees promotion, ensures distribution, and holds the records on taxes, royalties, and payments to the artist and all his/her employees. Record companies range in size, depending on the scope of their enterprise. Small or independent companies typically handle and short list of clients, and are able reach a limited area for the release. The larger companies are multinational conglomerations that hold interests in hundreds of artist. These companies are able to reach markets the world over. They also, typically, oversee a wide range of music business genres. The next part of the equation is the distributor. It is the job and obligation of the record distributor to procure the reproduction rights of an artist, produce large quantities of the product, and ensure that the product is available for the public demand. Just as the record company, record distributors range in size and scope. With the small companies reaching a localized market, and the larger, international companies, reaching every market available, the distributors serve the record companies directly. Though they are dealing in the product of an artist, they rarely deal directly with them. It has only been in recent years that the Music Business has had the ability to find and foster increasing numbers of qualified leaders. The music business, though in existence for centuries, has only in the past few decades created an environment that fosters a profitable medium. The earliest professional musicians were limited to audiences of royalty, and noble elites – for they alone possessed the wealth enough to pay for such extravagances. This early form of the music business was also limited by the desire of the leading nobles or royalty in the scope of content and style. The musicians, such as Mozart, in his day, were allowed to create only what was pleasing to the royal court – and profited very little from it. However, in the 20th century, artists began to see a freedom that had eluded them in the past. With the increasingly large audience base in the United States, artists from multiple genres were able to procure livable wages in town halls and theaters. Following World War I, there was a large outcry for artistic expression in the arts in the United States – and a boom of employment followed. The era of the Big Band, saw music leaders, such as Duke Ellington, tour the entire country – playing their own music and earning their own wages. This boom in musical freedom peaked in the 1950’s with the rise of â€Å"Rock and Roll† – and such artists as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison. The late fifties, though socially repressed, saw the first millionaires rise from the music industry – and along with them, the rise of the industry itself. The era of Sun Records, in Memphis Tennessee, showed the music world that vast amounts of income that could be generated with a properly maintained and well organized corporate entity. The number of record companies increased drastically, and by the early 1960’s there were dozens of large scale companies operating the in United States. The next big step came in the form of British artists. The arrival of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and other English groups into the United States, opened the door for the first multinational company holdings. The rights of these groups to perform and sell their records within the United States meant that American companies had to hold part of their ownership. Soon this would lead to the expansion of American companies to other countries, to acquire the artists directly, and increase the profitability – by eliminating the shared contracts. Today, we see companies such as Sony, Viacom and Time Warner, as companies that are reaching every part of the globe, and dealing with not only music, but all ranges of entertainment arenas. These world wide conglomerations hold interest in hundreds and thousands of entertainers each, and command vast amounts of yearly income from the music business alone. Discuss the emphasis placed on the fact that Performing Arts Professionals rely heavily on a full staffed support system to gain and sustain success. The amount of legal issues that govern an artist today is nearly as expansive as the United States tax code – which is also one of the many things that must be dealt with. The time that is necessary to maintain accurate records, deal with all of the promoters, distributors, lawyers, and agents would be impossible for a single person, or even a small group of people, to undertake. Nationally marketed artists have dealings with thousands of people that are related to the marketing and distribution of their product. This is why the music industry has created several specific positions that are intended to deal directly with each facet of an artist’s career. There are tour managers who deal directly with local promoters and venue owners to schedule events and solidify contractual necessities. There are also public relations agents who deal with the entertainment press and ensure that all the necessary information about an artist is available for public knowledge – or in some cases, unavailable. There are also entertainment lawyers whose job it is to ensure that all of the issues that involve the artist are dealt with accordingly. These issues may include copyrights, ownership of the material, and/or the transfer of these from one party to another. Another very important part of an artist’s career management team would be the accountant. As we have seen with artists such as Willie Nelson and others, improperly managed income can result in terrible personal and economic costs to the artist. The amount of time that is necessary for this task to be maintained successfully, in the cases of especially large acts, is hundreds of hours per week – of course impossible for the artist to worry about and still maintain a career in music. Finally, there are the people whose job it is to ensure that every recorded track is perfect, and marketable – the producer. Today’s recording technology is vastly more complex and sensitive than was seen even twenty years ago. The expertise that is necessary to operate and adjust the sound boards for a recording artist takes years of training within itself. Some of these producers, such as Bob Rock and Jermaine Dupri, have as much recognition as the artists that they support. They are also some of the highest paid professionals within the music business – as they often hold a large percentage of the finished product’s copyright and therefore, profits. What are the FOUR FACTORS which represent the essential core foundation contributing to the success of those who â€Å"win† in the Music Business? The first factor is marketability. This is the ability of an artist to create a body of work that is acceptable to the largest possible audience. The more people who would listen to an artist’s chosen style, the easier it is to sell and profit from that style. The term â€Å"Pop Music† is the very definition of this. With artists today such as Jessica Simpson and Kelly Clarkson, who produce mainstream music that pushes few boundaries, the ability for the record companies to market these artists is greatly increased. Next would be the playability of an artist. This is the ability for an artist to be broadcasted on radio stations and television networks. It is important that an artist be able to be broadcasted on national radio stations to ensure that the artist is heard by the largest possible number of people – thereby increasing the possible number of record buyers. There are acceptations to this rule, however. Groups such as Korn and Pantera have each had number one records in the United States – with little or no airplay. This leads to the next factor – touring. Touring is the best tool that an artist can utilize to see that their work is seen by the public. Tours are usually very profitable ventures, the most often the source of greatest amounts of income for the artist or group. Tours also enable the buying public to see, first hand, the musical ability and entertainment value of an artist. Some artists, such as the Grateful Dead and Phish, never had large numbers of record sales, however their non-stop touring schedules ensured them a strong fan following and large profitability. Both bands also used a tactic that brought them much success as artists, but not as enterprises, the use of bootlegged recordings. They allowed audience members to record their performances and sell them on their own, without fear of reprisal. This created a strong fan solidarity, but most certainly contributed to their low actual album sales. Finally, there is the factor of performance, itself. No artist or group could maintain a career without an enjoyable and entertaining performance. The necessity for performance is at the root of an artist’s success. Combining talent, creation and execution in the proper construct will make for a successful artist. As seen with groups such as The Door, who were arguably the most intellectual group of the 1960’s, saw their popularity plummet as the drug and alcohol induced antics of front man, Jim Morrison, became belligerent and sometimes, combative to the audience. The Business of Music: This encapsulates the sum total of all issues that are involved in the recording, marketing, and obtaining of profit from music. The enterprise of music involves thousands of titles and positions that work to ensure the profit of an artist or group. Though, sometimes seen as the driving force behind musical trends, the business of music is intended to see that all possible musical endeavors are profitable and lucrative. The New Professionals: This is a description of groups of people who have left their original positions – such as lawyers, doctors, or CEOs etc. – to become involved with the music business. These people are shown an opportunity to capitalize on an artist or venture relating to the industry and have the resources to embrace it. Though not always long term, these professionals see the allure of the music business in much the same way as the artist. The desire for fame and fortune inspire these professionals to endeavor to make their fortunes in this business. Often taking to the production chair, or the marketing position, these people attempt to create a sustainable income promoting, producing, or investing an artist or group. Versatility: This is the ability of company to encompass multiple genres within their network. This ability allows for a single company to reach a diverse audience and increase the sales numbers of the company itself. Also, this enables a company to reach an audience with a diverse selection of musical tastes. For example, should a prospective record buyer feel that the standards of a company are high; they may pursue an artist from the same company, but outside of their normal listening area. This also allows for a single company to manage markets in multiple countries. Sony, for example, is a company bases in Japan, with holdings in many countries, in including the United States. Their diverse distribution enables Sony to sell to countries with different languages, genres, and preferred media. Job Floating: This is a term used to describe an artist who has yet to sign to a set contract, but has a marketable body of work. Much like â€Å"Free Agency† in professional sports, Job Floating is the passing of an artist from one agent or producer to another, in hopes that this artist would either sign to the company, or record their project with a reputable producer. This allows a record company to obtain distribution rights to an artist’s work without that artist signing a committing contract with that company. This option increases the ability for a company to reach the independent markets, as well as the mainstream. Education: Education in the music business is the acquisition of knowledge that better prepares the individual for all of the possible eventualities that arise within the industry. Just as with any other business venture, preparedness is essential to success. An individual receives this education from any one of dozens of colleges or technical schools that offer such courses. These schools, such as Art Instruction Schools, International, offer in-depth courses that revolve around the information needed to succeed. â€Å"Commercial† side of Music Industry: This is the area of the music business that is solely interested in the profit of a musical venture. These projects are often called â€Å"jingles† and used in advertisements and television commercials. The artists that are employed in these ventures often differ from the mainstream artists, in that they do not attempt to create an artistic expression, but rather a short, and very memorable tune that can be easily identified with a certain product. These ventures are also not intended for wide consumption. They are intended for short lived, commercial endeavors that seek to increase the sales of a product or service, outside of the music industry. Bibliography Ream, Rundi. â€Å"The Songwriter’s Guild of America†. SGA.COM. 2004.    Online access: 29  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   March 2008. URL:    http://www.songwritersguild.com/index.html â€Å"International Alliance for Women in Music†. IAWM.COM. 2006.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Online Access: 29  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   March 2008. URL: http://www.iawm.org/ Whitsett, Tim. â€Å"The Dictionary of Music Business Terms†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mixbooks. New York. 1998.   

Iphone vs android Essay

Over the years technology has been improving in terms of entertainment, social media, and communication. Today, smart phones are a verification of this improving technology, but how do we decide which one is the better device? IPhone and Android are the latest most powerful operating systems out on the market. There are advantages and disadvantages to both cellular devices, and the ongoing competition will improve the smartphones for years to come. Affordability and durability are the two key factors when it comes to purchasing a smart phone. Apple and Google have gone head to head on competing for the best products. Most people assume that the expensive device has better durability and can be used longer. Price wise the Android phones ranges anywhere from one hundred to three hundred dollars. In contrast, the iPhone price range is between two hundred to six hundred dollars. Most Android users report that they have dropped their phone multiple times and have not had major damage to their phone. On the other hand, iPhone users state that the front screen display can be shattered easily because of the front screen glass like display, and replacing the screen can often cost more than the phone itself. There is a wider range of android phones as they are made by a variety of manufactures. Android gives you the flexibility to choose from many different colors, sizes or distinct features. The iPhone is restricted and limited to one model each year, but recently Apple has now developed two phones with different colors to match your personal preference. Nonetheless, Apple phones have the same features. While these phones are more powerful and fun than any other smartphone, that fun comes with a price. Any smartphone user will recharge their phone almost  every couple of hours. The cellular data network on each phone drains the battery the most, because we use it daily either for social networks or important information for homework. A smartphone without applications is nothing but an ordinary dull phone. The applications are the hub of the operating system. Both the iPhone and Android have app stores which are the Apple App store for iPhone and the Google Play Store for Android. According to recent news, each store now has about 700,000 apps. Many of the apps are free for both stores, but Apple on the other hand has a reputation for being pricey. It’s also worth noting that Android is still the second option for big companies developing applications. Many applications exist for both devices. It’s logical that the main focus is on releasing and updating the paid applications before the free ones. Each operating system has voice activated assistants which is an app on the android called S-Voice app and the well-known Siri for the iPhone. Siri is admired and amazingly beneficial to all the iPhone users. The voice activated assistants on each device, is an automated assistant that responds when one speaks to it, as if you were speaking to a person. There is also a free Android app called Robin, which pursues to rival Siri. Both of these devices contain a guided navigation system which help in getting around the local area. Apple Maps which is an app for the iPhone and Google Maps for Android. Google Maps allows the use of Google’s Street View; Apple Maps does not. When using the GPS on the iPhone there have been complaints on how the GPS guides them to an unusual location rather than the original destination. The GPS for Android users is accurate and more reliable to use especially when going on road trips. Web Browser on Apple Safari for the iPhone and Google Chrome are both fine choices which work well on a mobile screen and offer touch screen capabilities, zooming in for instance is an example. In comparison the two phones have incredibly fast internet and it is basically like having a computer in your pocket at all times. Adobe Flash is available on the Android, and it aids in website where a user interface is needed and here is where Android has the advantage. A function that many people can’t seem to live without is the ability to text message. Both of these phones contain the ability to text, not just with one’s fingers but by just by talking to the phone’s speaker. This function is beneficial, because instead of a phone call that might take up your time, you can just send a message within  seconds. IPhone and Android phones are currently the latest, in demand phones. Some people wonder what the difference between the two is, or if they are just the same. Technology changes every day and there’s always new and different phones on the market. Ultimately it’s the user’s preference on which device they would like to purchase.

Health Care Spending Essay

Healthcare is a very important sector in the countries around the world. The countries and the government always keep some money in their budget in relation to the health care activities in their countries. In the United States of America also, there are certain provisions in relation to the health care. The paper shall discuss about the health care spending in relation to United States of America. It shall discuss about the current level of health care expenditure in United States of America. There are shall be a lot of discussion in relation to the fact that whether the expenditure on health care in United States of America is appropriate or not. It shall also discuss about the manner in which the health care needs of the people in United States of America are paid by the government. In the end of the paper, there shall be a forecast in relation to the health care spending in United States of America. All the above said things shall be discussed in detail in the current paper. The government of United States of America has made a lot of provisions in relation to the expenditure of health care facilities in United States of America. In the United States of America, the health care spending has been increasing continuously (Hawe, 2008). There have been a lot of funds kept by the government of United States of America in its budget in relation to the health care services. In the year 1990, the expenditure made by the government of United States of America in relation to the health care spending was $714 million. Since then, the amount of expenditure on health care has increase to $2. 3 trillion. This is around 3 times of what it was in the year 1990. The government of United States of America is spending around 16% of its total gross domestic production on providing the health care facilities to the people. It is estimated that around $7600 are spent by the government of United States of America for each and every resident in the country. In this way, it can be said that the expenditure in relation to health care in United States of America is quite good and the country is taking adequate steps for making sure that adequate health care facilities are provided to the people in a proper and appropriate manner. The health care spending of the United States of America is the highest all around the world. There is no problem with the extent of money spend by the country towards the health care. Other countries around the world are also spending some money towards the health care but the expenditure made by the government of United States of America is the highest. Currently the expenditure incurred in United States of America towards is adequate and appropriate. It has to increase only with the increase in population. According to the per capita expenditure, the current expenditure in the country towards the healthcare is appropriate. When the country makes the budget in relation to the health care expenditure, then it has to take care that adequate expenditure is incurred on each and every activity related to health care. The government of United States of America should make sure that it spends appropriate expenditure on each and every area of the health care. The expenditure should be more on the critical areas and it should be reduced on the areas which are not very difficult to handle for the government. The government of United States of America should make sure that it increases the expenditure of the health insurance of those people which are not in a position to afford the costs for themselves (U. S. Health Care Costs, n. d. ). The government should also increase the expenditure in relation to the funds provided to the health care organizations for providing the benefits to the poor people in the United States of America. The government of United States of America should also increase the expenditure in relation to some specific and high risk diseases such as Cancer, Aids etc. If the expenditure shall be reduced in relation to the above said activities then, there is a possibility that the people in United States of America shall be benefitted to a very high extent. Other than the above areas, there are certain areas in which the government of United States of America should look to reduce the expenditure. The cost on some of the areas in the health care should not be reduced to the extent it hampers the health care services. If there is a requirement to reduce the health care costs then, these should be reduced only till the services are not affected in a negative manner. The areas in which unnecessary costs are incurred by the government should be recognized and the costs should be reduced in those areas. In the United States of America, there are adequate sources used for the purpose of financing the health care services in the country. In the country, the funding for the health care services is done together by the government and the non government agencies in the country. While preparing the budget, the government of United States of America keeps a percentage of funds in relation to providing the health care services to the people who are in need and also the people which are not able to have the health care insurance for themselves. Other than the government of United States of America, there are various other forms of associations which work for the purpose of providing the health care services to the people. They not only provide the health care services but also provide the financial for the insurance of the patients. There are few programs also in relation to the same. The programs include Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, Community Health Accreditation Program and various other programs. The health care finance in the United States of America are funded by the above said facilities and things. In the United States of America, the government and the non government associations share 50% of the expenditure each. In this way, there is a proper sharing the expenditure. For the last few years, the healthcare expenditure in United States of America has been increased considerably at an increasing rate. It is expected that the healthcare expenditure in United States of America shall increase in the same rate as it was increasing earlier (Scambler, 2008). In the year 2007, the health care expenditure in United States of America was $2. 2 trillion. This amount increased to $2. 3 trillion in the financial year 2008. In this way, there was a definite increase in the health care expenditure in the two years. It is expected that the health care expenditure will grow even more. In the year 2013, the healthcare expenditure is expected to reach the figure of $3 trillion and in the year 2017, it is expected that the health care expenditure shall reach the figure of $4. 3 trillion. In this way, it can be said that there is a forecast of increased expenditure on health care in the years to come. The chart below provides the forecast for health care in a proper manner. This chart is showing the healthcare expenditure in United States of America. The government of United States of America is spending a lot of money on the healthcare services in the country. With the kind of expenditure, the government of United States of America is spending on the health care facilities in the country, it can be said that the government is spending sufficient amount of money on the health care facilities.

IT - Security Plan Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

IT - Security Plan - Case Study Example A computer system must be protected to access it from unauthorized persons. In addition, different methods and techniques are used to protect a computer system from unauthorized access. In this scenario, a security plan consists of rules and measures that will be followed by an organization to ensure the information security (Whitman & Mattord, 2011; Smith & Spafford, 2004; Williams, 2007). This paper is outlines the process of developing a security plan to addresses the security requirements identified by ACME IT Manager and control gaps (security requirements) identified previously by Well-Health Inc. ISSO. This security plan is aimed at identifying the basic security needs for Well-Health Inc. along with other security issues and dangers. This research will also suggest mitigation procedures and measures that can be incorporated to handle and manage the corporate security management. Plan Scope and Purpose Purpose Basically, the information security plans contain a wide variety of guidelines and rules that promote standardized response to some information security issue that can be encountered, as a result facilitating a team of IT experts to instantly recognize what action should be taken in some situation. However, the information security plan should be placed into situation by an enterprise that has a computer and communication network. Though, these procedures and policies are tremendously complicated to plan as well as implement, however sound information security policies facilitate an operation to care-for its data with relative ease (Elemental Cyber Security, Inc., 2012; Whitman & Mattord, 2011). In the previous stages, we have assessed a number of aspects regarding new security controls arrangements, applications, requirements which need to be updated before application of new health care insurance system. This section outlines scope and purpose of the information security plan. The purpose of this security plan is to offer some guidelines and poli cies that could be adopted by ACME IT in case of a disaster. Scope The implementation of an information security plan for ACME IT would be extremely helpful and profitable and beneficial while launching any new information technology project by the Well-Health Inc. The scope of this plan includes offering following capabilities to the ACME IT: Effective data protection Disaster management and handling Application of suitable controls and authentication Enhanced data security Better data quality No breach of copyright Assessment of daily tasks Quality authentication Easy way of working Easy management of the data Less conflicts among data formats Easy data sharing among all division of the corporate Target Application Identification and Description The purpose of applying this security plan is to deal with security issues assessed by ACME IT: Security Issues: Main security issues are: Lack of suitable security policies No enhanced cryptographic modules No record of staff i.e. their c urrent and past employment history No proper mechanism for employees to sign a statement confirming that they have

Failed IT project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Failed IT project - Essay Example The Affordable Care Act – MNsure project in Minnesota cost more than $150M USD. The project failed due to the following: Strong sponsorship, as well as solid requirements, is particularly tricky to come by in a political setting. It is because many individuals along with group stakeholders argue with one another then alter the project (Keegan, Huemann, and Turner 2). Applying the political course of lengthy arguments, consensus-building along with numerous agendas to defining project requirements brings disaster. To avoid this failure, the contractors doing the government work should have discouraged changes. The contractors saw a chance to grow the project scope with work of a much higher-margin because change orders are usually much more profitable compared to the original bid. Another way to avoid the failure was to have adequate sponsorship and strong requirements. Insufficient sponsorship and weak requirements were merged with a waterfall development methodology together with the overall big bang technique used by the government procurement methods. Keegan, Anne, Martina Huemann, and J.  R. Turner. "Beyond the Line: Exploring the HRM Responsibilities of Line Managers, Project Managers and the HRM Department in Four Project-oriented Companies in the Netherlands, Austria, the UK and the USA." International Journal of Human Resource Management  (2012): n. pag.

Working in groups Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Working in groups - Essay Example Successful group work requires tolerance, inclusivity and assertiveness to achieve the desired goal. Group communication is known as the interaction of three or more interdependent people who work towards a certain goal. Successful groups learn how to balance the contradictory and competing forces that operate in that group. The entire group should be able to work should know their roles and be able to establish professional rapport with other members of the group (Ephross 56). The merit of working in a group is the group members learn a great deal from each other thereby performing better than individual working alone. The demerit is conflicts may be difficult to solve. When I was in high school, I had difficulties in understanding Chemistry but good in Mathematics. My friends and I decided to form a study group. In this group I found out that there were people who were good in Chemistry but poor in Mathematics. We helped each other and by the time the final exam reached, we were well prepared and the entire group member excelled. Steinberg’s book, The mutual-aid approach to working with groups offer imperative information on how effective a group can be. The key message that is passed across is forming a group that works for you and establishing clear goals. The group member should know each other so as to avoid misunderstandings (Steinberg 78). In conclusion, group work requires tolerance, inclusivity and assertiveness to achieve the desired goal. For any group to work effectively, all members should understand their roles within the group. Each member should actively contribute towards the set goals. The group members should be able to solve any issue that comes up amicable. To be able to do this, there should be effective communication amongst all group members. Without communication there is nothing constructive that that can take place in a

An implementation of an E - COMMERCE Mathematical tutorial website Essay

An implementation of an E - COMMERCE Mathematical tutorial website - Essay Example The paper tells that technology changes us in the same way as it changes the world. It changes our perception towards others and it influences and plays a critical role in every minute aspect of our lives so much so that one may understand the impact of the famous quote made by Howard Sparks at once. The rapid increase of the use of technology has changed the way one looks at things. Our learning and teaching methods have changed dramatically over the past few decades. Today, the physical barriers of geographical location, race, or age do not bind us from aspiring to learn or achieve anything. The impact has rather been explosive over the last decade with the introduction of new methods as far as teaching is concerned. The main reason for such a significant change has been the enormous use of the Internet & the World Wide Web. The extensive use of the World Wide Web has enabled us to create new teaching methods that have proven to be a major hit over conventional teaching methods. Th is is the new age of the concept of e-learning. One of the significant changes that e-learning has brought about has been that it has moved away from traditional teaching methods, where the learner used to be passive all along the while. The approach used by e-learning is in contrast to this idea and adopts an interactive methodology towards learning by transforming the learning medium and the teaching session into an appealing and an interactive one. Therefore, this is one of the major areas that the present project has had to concentrate on.

Wealth and Poverty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Wealth and Poverty - Essay Example From this study it is clear that  underdeveloped nations are those that have poor systems of governance, economic as well as welfare of the people. These countries have poorly developed infrastructure that is essential for economic development, in addition, their education system does not play a major role in empowering its people to be innovative and creative, for this reason, its people live in poverty.According to the report  wealth can be defined as the plentiful or abundance of valuable resources and possessions that can be exploited by an individual or a country. An individual, community, region or country having these resources is said to be wealthy, however, the lack of awareness about the availability of these resources and means to exploit them can leave an individual or that party being dependant. Poverty, in contrast to wealth, means a general scarcity, in this case, it may refer to an individual or state as well. Poverty, just as wealth can also be defined according to the context in which it is being derived, however; there are two main approaches to this issue, it can be absolute or relative poverty. Absolute poverty can be described as a situation where people in a certain place have minimal or no access to the basic requirements of life, which are; food, shelter and clothing. On the other hand, relative poverty refers to the situation where people are completely barred from taking part in what is considered as a normal and acceptable standard of life in a community or society in general.

Marketing case analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Marketing case analysis - Essay Example wanted to compete directly with Southwest Airlines and was devastated; United Airlines might want to avoid such a situation too by withdrawing its operations in some major routes. Answering to the second consideration requires some strategies to be implemented. There are two ways for doing so: continue target advertising to the California market, and try to match the United Airlines’ price increase. Target advertising involves the elements of behavioural marketing, which seeks to examine how consumers’ minds work. The main purpose of such targeting is to reach as many customers as possible. So, Southwest Airlines can continue doing so for the California customers, for which the United Airlines is planning to withdraw their operations. This would allow Southwest to maintain their competitive share of the market prominently in California. This can be done by making print or commercial ads that are pertinent and useful for the customers and those ads must be reflective of their preferences and habits in regards to airlines. This would allow Southwest to value their customers that are totally loyal to these airlines and give them the best for which their customers have strong preference. The best way of doing it is to eliminate t he irrelevant attributes of the product from their advertisements because this would save a lot of advertising money and would definitely reap higher profits. But there can be limitations such as to reach as many customers as possible means a large customer base to be targeted which can prove expensive, getting to know about their behavioural patterns means that the research can be time consuming, and targeting a specific segment for the company means omission of other market segments. The second possible solution is matching with the United’s increased fare of $10. Although Southwest has established its brand positioning as low price and high service airlines but the company has to change their strategies with the changing competitive

Conceptualization of Culture and Language in Post Colonial Literature Essay Example for Free

Conceptualization of Culture and Language in Post Colonial Literature Essay Culture and Language are the major issues in the post colonial theory. My assignment will deal with these three factors in terms of colonial perspectives. The post colonialism mainly explores the ideas such as cultural diversity, geographical dimensions, Diasporas, race, ethnicity, marginality, hybridity, national identities, cultural transformation, changes and politics in language etc†¦ Considerations of hybridity run the range from existential to material, political to economic, yet this discussion will not be able to tease out the extensive implications of each consideration. Rather, this discussion aims to explore the notion of hybridity theoretically, synthesizing the vast body of literature to critique essentialist notions of identity as fixed and constant. According to my understanding of Hybridity, there are three ways in which hybridity might serve as a tool for deconstructing the rigid labels that maintain social inequities through exclusion in race, language and nation. By exploring how the hybrid rejects claims of bonds within race, language, and nation, I understood that cultural studies like these are imperative in considering the politics of representation. For the purposes of this discussion, the cultural hybridity refers to the integration of cultural bodies, signs, and practices from the colonizing and the colonized cultures. The contemporary cultural landscape is an amalgam of cross-cultural influences, blended, patch-worked, and layered upon one another. Unbound and fluid, culture is hybrid and interstitial, moving between spaces of meaning. The notion of cultural hybridity has existed far before it was popularized in postcolonial theory as culture arising out of interactions between â€Å"colonizers† and â€Å"the colonized†. However, in this time after imperialism, globalization has both expanded the reach of Western culture, as well as allowed a process by which the West constantly interacts with the East, appropriating cultures for its own means and continually shifting its own signifiers of dominant culture. This hybridity is woven into every corner of society, from trendy fusion cuisine to Caribbean rhythms in pop music to the hyphenated identities that signify ethnic Americans, illuminating the lived experience of ties to a dominant culture blending with the cultural codes of a Third World culture. Framing Cultural Hybridity in post colonial context; Among postcolonial theorists, there is a wide consensus that hybridity arose out of the culturally internalized interactions between â€Å"colonizers† and â€Å"the colonized† and the dichotomous formation of these identities. Considered by some the father of hybrid theory, Homi Bhabha argued that colonizers and the colonized are mutually dependent in constructing a shared culture. His text The Location of Culture (1994) suggested that there is a â€Å"Third Space of Enunciation† in which cultural systems are constructed. In this claim, he aimed to create a new language and mode of describing the identity of Selves and Others. Bhabha says: It becomes crucial to distinguish between the semblance and similitude of the symbols across diverse cultural experiences such as literature, art, music, Ritual, life, death and the social specificity of each of these productions of meaning as they circulate as signs within specific contextual locations and social systems of value. The transnational dimension of cultural transformation migration, diaspora, displacement, relocation makes the process of cultural translation a complex form of signification. The naturalized, unifying discourse of nation, peoples, or authentic folk tradition, those embedded myths of cultures particularity, cannot be readily referenced. The great, though unsettling, advantage of this position is that it makes you increasingly aware of the construction of culture and the invention of tradition. In using words like â€Å"diaspora, displacement, relocation,† Bhabha illustrates the dynamic nature of culture, and the flimsy consistency of the historical narratives that cultures rely upon to draw boundaries and define themselves. As a result, culture cannot be defined in and of it, but rather must be seen within the context of its construction. More significantly, Bhabha draws attention to the reliance of cultural narratives upon the other. In illuminating this mutual construction of culture, studies of hybridity can offer the opportunity for a counter-narrative, a means by which the dominated can reclaim shared ownership of a culture that relies upon them for meaning. This theoretical erspective will serve as the foundation for the considerations explored in this paper, employing hybridity as a powerful tool for liberation from the domination imposed by bounded definitions of race, language, and nation. RACE: Racial hybridity, or the integration of two races which are assumed to be distinct and separate entities, can be considered first in terms of the physical body. Historically, the corporeal hybrid was birthed from two symbolic poles, a bodily representation of colonizer and colonized. These mixed births, mestizo, mulatto, muwallad, were stigmatized as a physical representation of impure blood, and this racism long served as a tool of power that maintained that even in this blending of two bodies, just â€Å"one drop† of black blood would deem the body impure and alien, an abomination. Institutionalized racism created a perpetual state of ambiguity and placelessness for the hybrid body and prevented cultural inclusion via race. However, the expanse of immigration since colonialism and the spectrum of shades of visible difference point to an increasingly hybrid populace in which these classifications of black and white no longer carry the same power of representation, yet the old labels persist. This labeling is significant as it elucidates the continuing power of racial labels in a society set on fixing bodies in racial space by binding them to labels, which are understood to contain fixed truths. I argue that utilizing the conceptual tool of hybridity to deconstruct these labels allows a means by which hybrid individuals can come together in powerful solidarity, rather than allowing their ambiguous place in racial space to render them invisible. Harnessing racial hybridity to project the simultaneously unique but common experience of hybridity can be a means by which the individual subject can join to a marginal community through stories and partial memories. Furthermore, racial hybridity must harness the dualistic experience of passing, or being mistaken for a race other than one’s own. All identities involve passing to some extent, in that a subject’s self can never truly match its image, but racial passing implicitly deconstructs the boundaries of Black and White. In passing, hybridity might function not as a conflict or struggle between two racial identities, but instead as constant movement between spaces, passing through and between identity itself without origin or arrival. The freedom to move between identities carries its own power in defying the claims of essentialized racial identity. Furthermore, the bounded labels of race do not account for the historical and geographic narratives that lie behind each body and inform their identity. In â€Å"Black Africans and Native Americans†, Jack Forbes explores the disconnect between racial labels and the consciousness of the bodies behind them using Native Americans and Africans as examples by which â€Å"groups are forced into arbitrary categories render their ethnic heritage simple rather than complex†. As a result, hybridity calls into question the boundaries of racial consciousness as a hybrid consciousness defies the imposed limits of race. The management of these identities becomes its own sort of performance, as the body negotiates each consciousness in different spaces. Again, the ability to play multiple roles, to â€Å"pass† in different arenas, carries significant power. In embodying the inability to bind identities to race, racial hybridity both in the physical body and in consciousness offers a means of deconstructing the boundaries of dichotomous racial identities. In addition to race, language has long been bound in definitions as a symbol of nation and a mode of exclusion. As a means to connect with other social beings, communicating with language is a meaningful performance in that speaking requires two parties, one to perform language and an audience to observe and absorb language. During colonialism, as the colonizer’s language dominated national institutions, the sense of being outside and â€Å"othered† was instilled in the colonized as their language and means of communication was stripped away. Now in a time after colonialism, can the colonized ever reclaim a language long lost, or has the colonizer’s language become their own? Has ownership of the colonizer’s language expanded over time? Fanon’s theorizing addresses the power of language in the formation of identity as he says, â€Å"To speak . . . means above all to assume a culture, to support the weight of a civilization,†. He suggests that speaking the language of the colonizer stands in as acceptance or coercion into accepting a role in culture. Yet in accepting a role, whether by choice or force, the meaning of the culture shifts and evolves. No longer does it â€Å"belong† to the colonizer, as it relies upon the colonized to give it shape. Similarly, with the introduction of a new set of users performing a language, the language no longer exists as it was; it has shifted in meaning. Beyond the thematic implications of language, hybridity has inspired an immense movement in literary discourse and understandings of the very way language is managed and owned. Herskovits developed the notion of syncretism, a theory attempting to explain why certain cultural forms are carried and others lost. Similarly, Claude Levi-Strauss developed the term bricolage to describe mixed forms within narratives. Creolization describes the linguistic blending of dominant and subdominant cultures. These examples illustrate the broad realm of studies that have developed simply around the use of hybridized language. In an analysis of the rise of the â€Å"hybrid genre† in postmodern literature, Kapchan and Strong say, â€Å"Hybridization has become one such analytic allegory, defining lines of interest and affiliation among scholars of popular and literary culture, perhaps quite unintentionally. The extent to which these authors use the metaphor of hybridity consciously and concisely differs. That they use it, however, qualifies hybridity as one of several tropes, or forms of metaphoric predication, that most epitomize the scholarship of the last decade,† . Not only does this observation imply that the body of hybridized literature is growing, harkening to the rising voices and representations of the hybrid, but that hybridity is becoming normalized as an accepted form of literature and the purist notion of genre is diminishing. Furthermore, the use of a colonizer’s language by the colonized to speak of the crimes of colonialism is its own transgression and act of resistance. In taking ownership of the language, changing the way that it is used, the boundaries of language as belonging to a specific place or race are dissolved. Jahan Ramazani’s Hybrid Muse is an analytical review of the poetry that has arisen from the hybridization of the English muse with the long-resident muses of Africa, India, the Caribbean, and other decolonizing territories of the British Empire (2001). A hybrid himself, Ramazani suggests that the use of indigenous metaphors, rhythms, creoles, and genres has allowed a new form of poetry that not only speaks of the violence and displacement of colonialism, but embodies it in its very form. These hybrid poetries can be viewed as a gateway to understanding those once deemed unfamiliar, and hybridity of language becomes a way by which to deconstruct borders and relate to collectives across cultural boundaries. Further, hybridity must interrogate the notion that nationality is essential zed in a distinct culture that geographic borders somehow embody inherent knowledge or truth about the people they contain. Mamdani asks, â€Å"How do you tell who is indigenous to the country and who is not? Given a history of migration, what is the dividing line between the indigenous and the nonindigenous? . He addresses the nationalist concern over entitlement to nation, and the indigenous wish to lay claim to culture. I understood that theories of hybridity, in clarifying the shifting and indefinite nature of culture, can serve as a tool that complicate the nationalist exclusionary practice of determining who does and does not have claim to a nation. From health care to immigration, h is arguments resonate loudly with current events. Similarly, we must consider the ways in which the â€Å"things† that give culture meaning are unfixed and variable, negating essentialist arguments about inherent meanings of culture. In The Predicament of Culture, James Clifford (1988) analyzes sites including anthropology, museums, and travel writing to take a critical ethnography of the West and its shifting relationships with other societies. He demonstrates how â€Å"other† national cultures are in fact fictions and mythical narratives, and we must ask the question of representation and who has the authority to speak for a group’s identity. In his article â€Å"Diasporas†, he suggests that â€Å"The old localizing strategies by bounded community, by organic culture, by region, by center and periphery may obscure as much as they reveal†. Diaspora is defined as a history of dispersal, myths/memories of the homeland, alienation in the host country, desire for eventual return, ongoing support of the homeland, and a collective identity importantly defined by this relationship. In this consideration of culture, we understand the vast connotations of displacement, from asking which history the diasporic should identify with to asking if it is even possible to return to a homeland one never knew or left long ago. Second, in the representation of culture, be it by petrifying culture in a museum or nailing it to an anthropological account, the risk lies in taking these subjective moments as truths or knowledge. Furthermore, the far-reaching diasporic symbols and narratives that snowball into this thing we call national culture suggest that culture is itself a traveler collecting artifacts from various locations along the way, and its walls are too insubstantial to be used as a means of exclusion. Third and perhaps most significant, hybridity in a postcolonial world muddles the very definitions of culture by which nations define themselves. Given that nationalism is founded upon a collective consciousness from shared loyalty to a culture, one would assume this culture is well-defined. Yet the â€Å"solid† roots of historical and cultural narratives that nations rely upon are diasporic, with mottled points of entry at various points in time. An investigation of the roots of cultural symbols like folk stories, religion, and music would reveal sources varied and wide-ranging. Furthermore, culture is defined in relationship to other cultures. Edward Said’s Orientalism (1979) offers a strong description of the system by which nations appropriate from others to define themselves. He suggests Orientalism â€Å"has helped to define Europe as its contrasting image, idea, personality, experience†. Using a theoretical framework influenced by Gramsci’s notion of hegemonic culture and Foucault’s notion of discourse, Said draws significant attention to the intricate and complex process by which the West must use the East to construct itself, its culture, its meaning. In an illuminating excerpt describing the process of Orientalism, he writes: To formulate the Orient, to give it shape, identity, definition with full recognition of its place in memory, its importance to imperial strategy, and its ‘natural’ role as an appendage to Europe; to dignify all the knowledge collected during colonial occupation with the title ‘contribution to modern learning; when the natives had neither been consulted nor treated as anything except as pretexts for a text whose usefulness was not to the natives; to feel oneself as a European in command, almost at will, of Oriental history, time, and geography to make out of every observable detail a generalization and out of every generalization an immutable law about the Oriental nature, temperament, mentality, custom, or type; and, above all, to transmute living reality into the stuff of texts, to possess actuality mainly because nothing in the Orient seems to resist one’s powers. † In a st ream of fragments, Said shows the diverse processes by which dominant cultures are formed at the service of Others. Using words like â€Å"shape,† â€Å"definition,† and â€Å"transmute,† he describes the act of defining nation and the artificial nature of these boundaries. Said offers a theoretical means by which to reject nationalist divisions between an us and Them, a West and Other. This conceptualization of the ways in which nations determine not only their own national identities, but the identities of Other is powerful in revealing the inherently hybrid roots of national culture. Studies of national identity are thus essential in deconstructing xenophobic nationalist claims to nation and the resulting miscegenation of immigrant Others. CONCLUSION This discussion draws from the body of postcolonial literature to suggest that studies of cultural hybridity are powerful in probing the bounded labels of race, language, and nation that maintain social inequalities. By examining how the hybrid can deconstruct boundaries within race, language, and nation, I understood that hybridity has the ability to empower marginalized collectives and deconstruct bounded labels, which are used in the service of subordination. In essence, hybridity has the potential to allow once subjugated collectivities to reclaim a part of the cultural space in which they move. Hybridity can be seen not as a means of division or sorting out the various histories and diverse narratives to individualize identities, but rather a means of reimagining an interconnected collective. Like the skin on a living body, the collective body has a surface that also feels and â€Å"Borders materialize as an effect on intensifications of feeling and individual and collective bodies surface through the very orientations we take to objects and others,† In the description that Formations our orientations can be shifted, our feelings towards Others transformed, there is a possibility of redefining our exclusionary systems of labeling. Furthermore, breaking down immaterial borders through explorations of hybridity offers the possibility of more effective public policy, one that refers to the broad expanse of its diverse population. Frenkel and Shenhav did an illuminating study on the ways in which studies of hybridity have allowed management and organization studies to manage their longstanding western hegemonic practices and to incorporate postcolonial insights into the organizational literature revolving around the relationships between Orientalism and organizations. The willingness of institutions to reform their long held ideologies in light of a changing world, as well as to consider their work through alternative lenses, is an essential practice in deconstructing the bindings of narratives-as-knowledge. In the boundary-shifting process, there is power in the notion of deconstruction in the service of reconstruction, breaking down boundaries in order to form a more inclusive sense of the collectivity. Furthermore, hybridity asserts the notion that representations of collective identity must be analyzed contextually. When we examine a representation of culture, be it in a film, poem, or speech, we should ask: Who is doing the representing? What are the implications of the representation? Why are they engaging in the process of representation? What is the historical moment that informs the representation? How are they being represented? In addition to the questions explored in this paper, I would recommend applying theories of hybridity to a realm beyond race and nation, in order to consider alternative boundaries such as gender and sexuality. The work of hybrid theorists from Bhabha to Said suggests that there is a vast intellectual landscape for cultural inquiries like these. Our mission must be to continue this work and to delve deeper. Cultural studies have great potential to liberate us from the socially-given boundaries that so stubbornly limit our capacity for thought and discussion, but we must take time to join in a collective critique of the knowledge we ingest and disperse. After all, the greatest power lies in the heart of the collective.

L. Chinense Growth Conditions and Artificial Pollination

L. Chinense Growth Conditions and Artificial Pollination INTRODUCTION The genus Liriodendron is a distinctive and valuable hardwood that has great ecological and economic values. It grows fast and the wood is light and soft, so it is cultivated in many temperate mountains of the world for wood production [1-4] and it’s recommended for waste landfill remediation [5]. Its a flowering plant with beautiful leaves and hence used for urban landscaping as it provides shading as well. Besides, the tree genus Liriodendron is valued as materials source for honey production, chemical extracts [6-8], biomass and biofuels [9, 10]. The genus Liriodendron survived from the last Ice Age and was distributed in large geographical ranges of North American and East Asian respectively. Currently it comprises only two morphologically similar species, Liriodendron tulipifera L. and Liriodendron chinense (Hemsl.) Sarg. [11]. However L. chinense (Liriodendron chinense (Hemsl.) Sarg.) has been regarded as a rare and endangered plant because it occurs in small, isolated and thinly scattered populations [12]. L. chinense was listed in the IUCN Red List of Endangered Plants in China [13], and has currently been classified as a lower risk or near-threatened species (http://www.iucnredlist.org/). In the process of L. chinense sexual reproduction, the low seed setting percentage is a marked trait. After years of statistics, the setting percentage of L. chinense is not more than 10% in natural state, and it is hard to find the seedling in natural environment [14]. In the last two decades, many researchers have conducted studies, such as examining the relative contribution of the pollen fertility and transfer, availability of resources, flower or seed predation and genetics, to find out why L. chinense only produce few seeds [15-18]. Unfortunately, there has been no consistent conclusion. Pollination, as a key event in reproductive process of plants, especially in rare or endangered plant species like L. chinense that have low seed production, is probably one of the weak links in the reproductive cycle. Any barrier occurring between pollen and stigma interaction will lead to low seed production, however, few studies have focused on the pollination in L. chinense. Zhou and Fan ex amined the pollen quality, pollen germination and growth on stigma using fluorochroma method. The results indicated that in vivo the pollen grains can load on about 64% pistils of the gynoecium, but the rate of pollen tube passing the style is low, only 24% [19]. In addition to few pollen tubes passing the style, the pollen tubes may grow twined or in no direction, suggesting that only a smaller percent of the pollen tubes penetrates the micropyle and enter into ovule [20, 21]. These results show that the interaction between pollen and stigma occurs in different phases after pollen grains loading on stigma, and there are different barriers distributed in stigma surface, style and ovule during pollen tube growth. In self-compatible plants, the pollen-stigma interaction comprises six stages between pollen and pistil: pollen capture and adhesion, pollen hydration, pollen germination, penetration, growth of pollen tube through the stigma and style, pollen tube enter into the ovule and discharge the sperm cells [22]. After the pollen-stigma interaction, the nuclei of two gametes fuse to form the zygote. However, in self-incompatible plants, no matter the barriers occurs in which stage of interaction, there is no formation of a viable zygote. Previous studies in L. chinense showed that many pollen grains germinated on pistils of the gynoecium but few pollen tubes could penetrate the pistil style, and most of the pollen tube couldn’t pass through micropyle and enter into ovule. This phenomenon suggests that there might be other factors affecting pollen-stigma interaction in L. chinense. To verify this hypothesis, we conducted a systematic morphological and proteomic analysis on the pistil of L. chinense during pollination. The result provides new insights in the mechanism underlying sexual reproduction in L. chinense. MATERIALS AND METHODS L. chinense growth conditions and artificial pollination The L. chinense plants was grown in Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. During the flowering season, which extends from late April to May, the branches with flower buds which were about to open were cut from the tree and cultivated with half-strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution in greenhouse under 14 h light (400-800ÃŽ ¼molm-2s-1) at 26 ±2oC and 10 h darkness at 20 ±2 oC [23]. The relative humidity was maintained at 60-70% [19]. The flower buds with an opening on top and a probability of opening the following day were chosen and the androecium was emasculated at night before pollination. Artificial pollination was done the next afternoon as follow: Mature pollen grains were harvested from open flowers and then were smeared on the pistils without androecium using a soft brush. This artificially pollinated pistil was cut from the flower 30 minutes after pollination and stored in liquid nitrogen. Similarly, the pistil after 1 h pollination was harvested, sto red in liquid nitrogen. The harvested un-pollinated pistil was stored in liquid nitrogen. All three of these samples were named as S2, S3, and S1 respectively and stored in -80 oC freezer. All three treatments (S1, S2, and S3) were repeated five times respectively. Paraffin section Anthers and pistils were fixed in FAA solution containing 5% glacial acetic acid, 5% formaldehyde, 70% ethanol at room temperature for 24 h. After dehydration and infiltration, the samples were embedded in paraffin and cut into 10- µm-thick sections by Rotary Microtome Leica RM2265 (Germany). Then the sections were sealed by neutral balsam and photographed by Olympus-BX51 (Japan). Gel-based proteomics in L. chinense Protein extraction and 2-DE Proteins of pistils were extracted as previously described [24]. Briefly, 0.25-0.3 g of pistils were ground in 2 ml pre-cooled homogenization buffer which contains 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH7.5), 250 mM sucrose, 10mM EGTA, 1% Triton X-100, 1 mM PMSF, and 1 mM DTT. The homogenate was shifted into a centrifugal tube and centrifuged at 12000Ãâ€"g for 30 min at 4 oC. The supernatant was collected in new centrifugal tube and mixed with 3 volumes cold acetone. The tube was kept at -20 oC at least 2 h, and then centrifuged at 12000Ãâ€"g for 30 min at 4 oC, and the precipitate was collected and washed with cold acetone three times. After centrifugation, the pellet was vacuum-dried. The immobilized pH gradient strips (17 cm, pH 4-7 linear, Bio-Rad, USA) were loaded with 350 ÃŽ ¼l sample buffer containing 800 ÃŽ ¼g sample proteins at room temperature in tray for 16 h. Isoelectric focusing was performed with the PROTEAN IEF system (Bio-Rad, USA) for a total 80000 V-hr. Then the strips were equilibrat ed in equilibration buffer I (6 M urea, 2% SDS, 0.375 M Tris-HCl pH 8.8, 20% glycerol, and 130 mM dithiothreitol) for 15 min and equilibration buffer II (6 M urea, 2% SDS, 0.375 M Tris-HCl pH 8.8, 20% glycerol, and 135 mM iodoacetamide) for 15 min sequentially. After equilibration, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was carried out with 12% acrylamide gels. The 2-DE gels were stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) R-250. Image analysis of 2-DE gels The 2-DE gels were scanned at 600 DPI resolutions with an EPSON PERFECTIONTM V700 PHOTO scanner (Epson (china) Co., Ltd.). The images were analyzed with PDQuestTM 2-DE Analysis Software (Version 8.0, Bio-Rad, USA). Spot volumes were normalized by total spot volumes per gel to avoid experimental variations among 2-DE gels. Comparisons and statistical analysis were performed using the calculated average values of each biological replicate among the three different treatments. The protein spots with more than a two fold change among treatments and that passed a Student’s t-test (P Protein identification by MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS The significant differentially expressed spots were excised from the gel manually, and washed with double distilled water twice for 20 min, then distained with 100 ÃŽ ¼l of 50 mM NH4HCO3 in 50% v/v acetonitrile (ACN) for 1 h until the gel is mostly colorless at room temperature. The liquid was removed and 50 ÃŽ ¼l ACN was added to dehydrate the gel. After drying the gel, 25 mM NH4HCO3 containing 10 pmol trypsin (Promega, Madison, WI, USA) was added to the tube and kept at 4 oC for 1 h, and then it was kept at 37 oC overnight. The proteins were then digested according to the method described before [25]. The peptides were extracted and collected using three kinds of solution (0.1% TFA/99.9% acetonitrile, 0.1% TFA/99.9% H2O, 0.1% TFA/50% acetonitrile/49.9% H2O) from gel spot. The peptide solution was concentrated to 10 ÃŽ ¼l, and then desalted by ZipTip C18â„ ¢ pipette tips (Millipore, Bedford, MA, USA). After trypsin digestion, the protein peptides were dried by SpeedVac. Then pept ides were dissolved in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid, and then 1 ÃŽ ¼l of the sample solution was loaded on Anchor Chip Standard (Bruker Daltonics Inc, Germany). After the Anchor Chip drying, the matrix solution (20 g/L HCCA, TA 95%) was loaded on point corresponding to the location of the sample to a target spot. Through ultrafleXtreme (Bruker Daltonics Inc, Germany) Operation, the PMF data was obtained. The instrument parameters for MS acquisition were list as follows: laser intensity was 20%-26%, reflector detector voltage was 2438 V. Protein identification using MS/MS raw data was performed with flexAnalysis software (Bruker Daltonics Inc, Germany) coupled with Mascot Server software (version 2.4.01) based on the NCBI protein database and SwissPort database of green plants. The searching parameters were set as follows: peptide masses were assumed to be monoisotopic, 100 ppm was used as mass accuracy, a maximum of one missing cleavage site, and modifications which included Carbamidom ethy and Oxidation were considered. (The timestamp of NCBI protein database is 2011/11/09, there were 949,856 sequences of Green Plants and 5,512,397,590 redundant total sequences in NCBI database; the timestamp of SwissPort 57.15, there were 28,783 sequences of Green Plants and 515,203 sequences non-redundant total sequences in SwissPort). The proteins which scores greater than 42 (NCBI) or 26 (SwissPort) (P Gel-free proteomics in L. chinense Protein extraction The protein samples for iTRAQ were recovered in lysis buffer (30 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.5, 7 M urea, 2 M thiourea, and 4% [w/v] CHAPS) by phenol extraction and methanol/ammonium acetate precipitation as described previously [26]. The protein pellets were resuspended in buffer (7 M urea, 2 M thiourea, 4 % CHAPS and 10 mM DTT) in a minimal volume and protein was quantified using BCA protein assay kit (Pierce, USA). Digestion and iTRAQ labeling About 100 ÃŽ ¼g proteins of each sample per tube were prepared. Then it was reduced by adding DTT to a final concentration of 12 mM and incubated for 1 h at 37 oC. Subsequently, iodoacetamide was added to a final concentration of 50 mM, and the mixture was incubated for 1 h at room temperature in the dark. Then the mixture was transferred to centrifugal units (VN01H02, Sartorius, Germany) and centrifuged at 12,000Ãâ€"g for 20 min, and then the filtrate was discarded. Subsequently, 8 mM urea solution was added into the centrifugal units and centrifuged, repeated this step twice. After that, 100 ÃŽ ¼l dilute buffer (50 mM triethylammonium bicarbonate) was added into the centrifugal units and centrifuged. Then 50 ÃŽ ¼l dilute buffer containing 2 ÃŽ ¼g modified trypsin (Promega) was added into the centrifugal units at 37 oC overnight. The resulting peptides were then labeled with iTRAQ reagents (AB Sciex, USA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For each time point (i.e ., S1, S2, and S3), each sample was iTRAQ labeled 3 times except S3. (i.e., 113-, 116-, 119-iTRAQ tags for S1 3 replicates. 114-, 117-, 121-iTRAQ tags for S2 3 replicates. 115-, 118- iTRAQ tags for S3 2 replicates.) MS/MS Analysis Then the mixture of labeled peptides was concentrated and acidified to a total volume of 2 mL. Labeled peptides were desalted with C18-solid phase extraction and dissolved in strong cation exchange (SCX) solvent A (25% (v/v) acetonitrile, 10 mM ammonium formate, and 0.1% (v/v) formic acid (pH 2.8). The peptides were fractionated using an Agilent HPLC system 1260 with a polysulfoethylA column (2.1 Ãâ€" 100 mm, 5  µm, 300 Ã…; PolyLC, Columbia, MD, USA). Peptides were eluted with a linear gradient of 0–20% solvent B (25% (v/v) acetonitrile and 500 mM ammonium formate (pH 6.8) over 50 min followed by ramping up to 100% solvent B in 5 min. The absorbance at 280 nm was monitored, and a total of 37 fractions were collected. The fractions were combined into 12 final fractions and lyophilized. A quadrupole time-of-flight (LTQ Orbitrap XL) MS system (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bremen, Germany) was applied as described previously [27]. It interfaced with an Eksigentnano-LC AS2 syste m (Eksigent Technologies, LLC, Dublin, CA) using high energy collision dissociation (HCD). Each fraction was loaded onto an Agilent Zorbax 300SB-C18 trap column (0.3 mm id Ãâ€" 5 mm length, 5  µm particle size) with a flow rate of 5  µl/min for 10 min. Reversed-phase C18chromatographic separation of peptides was carried out on a pre-packed BetaBasic C18PicoFrit column (75  µm id Ãâ€" 10 cm length, New Objective, Woburn, MA) at 300 nl/min using the following gradient: 5% B for 1 min as an equilibration status; 60% B for 99 min as a gradient; 90% B for 5 min as a washing status; 5% B for 10 min as an equilibration status (solvent A: 0.1% formic acid in 97% water, 3% ACN; solvent B: 0.1% formic acid in 97% ACN, 3% water). Database Search and Quantification The MS/MS data were processed by a thorough search considering biological modification and amino acid substitution against non-redundant NCBI green plants 20131014.fasta (1,544,439 contigs) under the Sequest ®algorithm of Proteome Discoverer.1.4 software (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.). Protein function analysis by blast2go software (http://www.blast2go.com/b2ghome) was conducted according to the early literature [28-31]. The search results were passed through additional filters before exporting the data. For protein identification, the filters were set as follows: significance threshold Phttp://mascot-pc/mascot/help/quant_config_help.html); S2/S1 or S3/S1 ratios >2 and

Diamond Foam Business: Marketing Strategies Analysis

Diamond Foam Business: Marketing Strategies Analysis Executive Summary This study falls into three parts. The first part gives operations/transformation process in Diamond Foam and Pak Electron LTD.In this part the different strategies like marketine,competitive priorities and corporate strategies has been discussed for each organization.In second part the different concepts or frameworks like inventory management, performance measurement, total quality management, capacity planning and supply chain design has been taken. I have taken different case studies to explain the different methodologies. In the third part the impact of the different concepts and frameworks has been shown on each of the organization. a) Marketing Strategies of Diamond Foam Positioning Strategy Customer perceives Diamond Foam is high quality foam. Foam is high involvement product and people see price and quality before purchase it. Target Market Diamond Foam has broad target market in Pakistan because any product requires foam is their target market and person used that foam is their target customer. Customers in south region are furniture showrooms and in north region are dealers and they not sell their products to end-users. Diamond Foam used product development strategy with different product in current market. Marketing Mix Strategy Product Products that are sold by Diamond Foam are Spring mattress Bed sheets/comforter Foam mattress Foam products Quality Quality aspects of Diamond Foams products are given below. Complete peace of mind for their customers Diamond Foam never foregoes their responsibility in complete quality control. A good mattress isnt just dependent on its high quality standard but also the quality of after-sale service that gives you lasting comfort and security. Diamond Foam has a quality control department who manufactured products and processes according to SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for efficient and hazard-free operations. Diamond Foam offer high quality sleep products that are outstanding values with all the healthful benefits of a good night. Features Features of products that are manufactured by Diamond Foams are given below. Offer high quality sleep products that are outstanding values with all the healthful benefits of a good night. Medically it is proven that not everybody is comfortable sleeping on a plain surface, and Diamond Foam brand, Dolce Vita Adjustable bed, gives you that option to raise your head or feet to a position where you are most comfortable. Brand Name Foam mattress Europedic Memory Foam Spring mattress Dolce Vita Pocket Spring Mattresses Dolce Vita Bonnell Spring Mattress Diamond Jumbolon Jumbolon Board Jumbolon Spray Jumbolon Rolls Life style products Dolce Vita Recliner Dolce Vita Adjustable bed Packaging Diamond Foam provides good cover and polythene bag for their products. Returns In warrantee period, Diamond Foam replace foam mattress with foam mattress when it is damaged. Service Services of Diamond Foam are given below. Going beyond traditional service, to provide state of the art customer care experience, and want to earn customers loyalty by delivering services that anticipate their needs. Diamond Foam is constantly looking for ways to improve their service by listening to customers, monitoring performance and adopting the best practice. Guarantee: Guarantee that is given to customers are given below. Customer relaxation is intensified by the fact that every product is sold with reliable guarantee and superior class after-sales services. Diamond Foam take pride to be the finest mattresses company, who also adheres to its philosophy to provide superior after-sale service by giving the reliable guarantee that looks after your comfort year after year. They repair or replace your mattress, this guarantee continues from the original date of purchase. Diamond Foam also gives guarantee on stitches pulled out of the handle where sewn to the mattress. Customers guarantee is valid for original purchaser only and it protects you from the day you purchase your mattress or complete sleep system, and continues according to the Guarantee Period specified. Discounts All brands of Dolce Vita (Pocket Spring), Duet and Dolce Vita (Bonnell Spring), except Supreme Jacquard Fabric and Supreme, are discounted 23% for dealers and distributors. Supreme Jacquard Fabric and Supreme are discounted by 15%. Warranties Diamond Foam gives warranties to their customers from 10 years to 12 years. Payment Periods Diamond Foam gives a payment period to their customers up to 3 months. Credit Items Diamond Foam sells their item normally on cash basis but sometimes gives on credit to particular customers. Place Coverage Diamond Foam has coverage to Pakistan, Dubai, Afghanistan and Egypt. Locations Diamond Foam has different distribution center in and outside Pakistan, which provide foam to end-users. Inventory Diamond Foam never faces a problem of stock out because one day plant work in a day generate inventory for 2 weeks. Transport Diamond Foam has 150 trucks, which provide foam to dealers and distributors. Promotion Advertising Diamond Foam spends 10% of sales annually on advertisement and uses all means for communication (e.g. billboards, TV, radio, etc) for advertise their foam. Sales Promotion Diamond Foam gives different rates of discount to distributors on different brands. Operational Strategies of Diamond Foam Diamond Foam provides standardized foam in large quantity (mass production), continuously improves their operations and processes. Sometimes they do mass customization (in terms of size and smoothness, which is described by customers). Diamond Foam has no computer-integrated design for design of foam. Diamond Foam has skilled labor (job shop) and all plants are automated (dedicated transfer lines) and parts are not group together before the operation because one man can operate plant. Operations department is responsible for making highly economical, efficient and customer oriented operations from receipt of products to safe storage and onward dispatches to customers (dealers) timely and efficiently. How Diamond Foam make foam First of all they gather raw materials (PPG, TDI and catalysts). Three of them add in one tube and after this heat is given to their mixture and after this solution is spread by air and foam will be generated. Core Functions Following are core functions of Diamond Foams operations department: Product Receipts Handling Storage Dispatches Hospitality Operation Department Purchasing Strategies of Diamond Foam Diamond Foam purchases raw materials from many suppliers (multiple sourcing) of Korea, Taiwan and China. The basic raw material used in the process is Polypropylene Glycol (PPG), Toluene Di Isocynate (TDI) and many catalysts. Price of raw materials (PPG and TDI) is based on price of crude oil ($100/barrel). TDI prices have increased up to 35% since last 10 months. The primary function of the Diamond Foams purchasing department is to purchase the supplies, materials, equipment and services required to insure that maximum value is obtained for each rupees spent. Specific responsibilities, duties and functions of Diamond Foams purchasing department are as under: Policies and Procedures Develop purchasing objectives, policies, programs and procedures for the purchase and contracting for all materials, supplies, equipment and services. Specifications Prepare and assemble specifications and technical requirements. Consolidation Bulk Purchasing Explore the possibilities of buying in bulk to take full advantage of quantity discounts. According to the situation, Diamond Foam can purchase twice the raw material than demanded due to fluctuations in the prices of petroleum products. Standardization Work with other departments to establish standardization of materials, supplies and equipment where practicable within a competitive environment. Compliance with laws Insure that all purchases are made in compliance with applicable statutes, rules, regulations and policies. Unlawful for employees Unlawful for employees to purchase any materials, supplies, equipment, or make any contract with anyone without the consent/permission of purchasing department. PAK ELECTRON LTD PEL was established in 1956. with the technical collaboration of M/S AEG, West Germany. It is the oldest composite electrical equipment-manufacturing unit of Pakistan with the object of initially producing transformers, switchgears and electric motors. In 1962 after conclusion of joint venture agreement with AEG, total shareholding was purchased than by sponsors M/S Malik Brothers Limited. COMPETITIVE PRIORITIES: COST: Low cost QUALITY: Consistent quality with high class appliance performance. FLEXIBILITY: A lot of volume, equipment and workforce flexibility is present. OPERATIONAL/ FUNCTIONAL TESTING Here a refrigerator is operationally/ functionally tested. It is operated for a whole day. QUALITY CONTROL CHECKING Here the quality assurance is checked. The refrigerator is checked technically and physically by quality control. PACKING SECTION:- Now the refrigerator is ready for packing after quality control checking. So the refrigerators are packed according to their models and colors, and delivered to the Storeroom. INVENTORY MANAGEMENT: Pel is in a seasonal business since the demand season for their product is from April to September. PEL management estimates the demand very carefully and tries to avoid the pilling of the inventory. Production of PEL jump in Feb. to April and they need more Inventories in this season. To keep the overhead charges low PEL has a small no of permanent workers which -work through out the year. However to meet the demand of the peak season the management hire the workers at the temporary basis just before the start of the season. REORDER POINT: Optimal replenish inventory system is used by PEL. In more technical terms the minimum level serves as reorder point. For managing the Inventory of different types, The Company divides the inventory into two broad categories. Raw material Inventory Finished goods Inventory CAPACITY MEASURE In every department PEL has got several machines which are used in the production of various appliances and electrical equipment whose capacity is measured in term of the output measures. BOTTLE NECK In the whole production process there are certain stages which are more time consuming than the others. So this limits the out put rate to a minimum level to that which was expected. In the process of the refrigerator manufacturing the bottleneck is created at the thermo foaming machine. In the process; from base making to the packing at the stage of the foaming this bottleneck is created. CAPACITY STRATEGIES CAPACITY CUSHION On the average each department has the capacity cushion which varies from 5% to 15% ECONOMIES OF SCALE PEL is trying to reduce its cost through enjoying the economies of scales in his processes. Because of the purchasing in the bulk and using the activities as the measure of the overhead charges PEL has been successful in reducing The cost of materials The cost struck in the processes The cost in the overhead. b) Warburtons managing the supply chain to meet customer needs: Warburtons is a family firm founded in 1870s. It is the 2nd largest grocery brand in UK. Its main focus is on quality not quantity. It holds a market share of 25% of wrapped bread which makes it a market leader. It produces about two million of bakery products daily due to which there is an everyday fresh supply of baked products in the market. Warburtons have divided their economy into three sectors; primary, secondary and tertiary. The primary sector involves, the growing and extraction of raw materials, like grains. Warburtons work with the farmers of UK and Canada to get a very good quality of grain/wheat. Secondary sector deals with converting the collecting raw material, that is, wheat into flour and then finally flour into bread. From fifty years, Warburtons are working with millers which convert their wheat into quality flour. Then this flour is used to bake quality breads. Many modern techniques are used to perfectly bake bread and ensure quality. Tertiary sectors bridges other firms and clients with Warburtons. Tertiary sector is largest in UK as compared with primary and secondary. Warburtons have more than 900 delivery vehicles, which ensure a fresh supply of bread in market every day. It uses software to ensure efficiency of this fleet.(thetime100:Warburtons) Total Quality Management: Any company in the world can get 100% customer satisfaction and the default can be minimized to zero by using total quality management. Nissan:(thetime100:Nissan) Introduction Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK is the UKs largest car manufacturing plant. It is also the most productive plant in Europe. This success is due to careful planning and design. Total Quality Management (TQM) TQM is a key feature of Nissans way of working. It means that everyones focus is on quality at all times. It is a way of operating that requires people to take on an improvement culture where everyone is looking for ways to improve. Just in time This means that production happens just as it is needed. Cars are produced as customers need them; components arrive as assembly lines need them, and so on. In this way, production is more efficient and there is no cash tied up in stocks either of raw materials or finished goods. Every vehicle is electronically monitored at all stages of production so that its progress can be checked. Training In such a high technology environment it is important that people are trained. NMUKs training department concentrates on both technical and people development, providing opportunities for all employees. Kaizen Kaizen means continuous improvement. It means that Nissan believes that even the smallest change can make a difference. Improvements are usually suggested by small teams, who meet to share ideas for improvements. Unison:(thetime100:Unison) Every human has a right to be healthy and work in an environment where he/she is safe. Trade unions, like UNISON provides workers with their rights, health and safety. UNISON (the public service trade union) was formed in 1993, and nowadays it is UKs largest trade union. Its main focus is on providing workers with their rights, health and safety. It is a merger of three public sector unions in which two-third workforce consists of women. It has been observed that in presence of UNISONs safety representatives, ratio of accidents and death is decreased by half. UNISON plays an important role in workplace, like providing higher benefits (pays, compensations etc.) to the workers with extra holidays. It cares for the cleaning staff (as they are dealing with higher rate of accidents), looks after the catering (by improving food levels in schools and hospitals etc.) UNISONs legislation consists of two types of laws/clause; one is the HASAWA act 1974 (which bounds the employer to care and calculate risk for employees safety) and other law/clause binds the employee to look after itself and workers around him/her for their safety. UNISONs viewpoint is to provide long lasting health and safety for the workers. It focuses on women health and safety, reducing violence, bullying, passive smoking and minimizing the stress of the workers. Capacity Planning: Nissan:(thetime100:Nissan) Production Car assembly is a complex operation with many components requiring skilled assembly. Thats a crude indication of what is involved. Management are particularly keen to monitor total machine-hours and total labour-hours that each vehicle requires. So far, Nissan has invested over  £2.1 billion in the Sunderland site, taking its production capacity to 500,000 vehicles per year. Production methods must be able to produce what customers want, in the quantities customers require, at a price consumers are willing to pay, and at a cost that yields a profit to the business. That means that being efficient is vital to success. In some industries it is possible to carry out individual job production to meet a particular customers request e.g. a wedding dress, a birthday cake, a fitted kitchen. However, very nearly all of the worlds car manufacturers mass produce standard models, with individual consumer choice being accommodated by offering various colours, interior designs, and optional extras within a limited flexible production process. People can still personalise their cars further e.g. by choosing a particular car registration or accessories. In pursuit of high output at low average cost, car manufacturing typically uses a continuous flow production method, where sub-assemblies are brought together in a final assembly area. This is the most cost effective and efficient method of production and the speed of the final assembly line can be adjusted to match consumer demand. If demand picks up, the production line can be accelerated, within predefined limits. At NMUK, the production flow draws on three main production shops, as well as support areas. The three main shops are: body assembly painting final assembly. Supporting manufacturing areas are: press shop produces panels for the vehicles plastics shop makes bumpers (fenders) on site castings shop makes engine parts e.g. cylinder heads engine shop assembles engines, installs oil, coolant fuel axle plant produces axles that are joined to engines in final assembly. Widely different processes generate different jobs across three main broad areas. The machinery is scheduled to work at a given level although when demand requires it; there is flexibility in regard to both the machinery and the workforce of 4,300. At the moment, with a two-shift pattern, NMUK has a total production capacity of around 360,000 units/year a third shift can be introduced which would take production up to 500,000 units/year if and when required. Performance Measurement:(thetime100:cocacola) In any business activity it is important to be able to measure the success of strategies and operational activities. Measuring performance is the best way of assessing how effective strategies and initiatives have been, with a view to making appropriate adjustments. Organisations need to measure and report performance against stated aims contained in a business plan, eg daily output, employee turnover. The business will tend to measure and evaluate only those aspects of its business over which it has control. Ideally these measurements should also be benchmarked so that everyone can see how performance compares with others. Coca-Cola uses detailed sets of performance indicators for many areas of its activities, including its work to promote social responsibility. Community performance indicators include: Impact evaluations of community programmes. These include indicators of educational attainment as well as of environmental enhancement and conservation. Perception measures of the Company as a good neighbour. Inventory Management:( inventorymanagement.com) Inventory management is primarily about specifying the size and placement of stocked goods. Inventory management is required at different locations within a facility or within multiple locations of a supply network to protect the regular and planned course of production against the random disturbance of running out of materials or goods. The scope of inventory management also concerns the fine lines between replenishment lead time, carrying costs of inventory, asset management, inventory forecasting, inventory valuation, inventory visibility, future inventory price forecasting, physical inventory, available physical space for inventory, quality management, replenishment, returns and defective goods and demand forecasting. c) Pel does not have proper inventory planning by the management due to which heavy amount of the money is being put by the company in the inventory.PEL has the strength also that it has a good repute for the company as being the quality conscious company. It has own experts for the purpose of the control of the quality of products. Due to the good sight selection for the purpose of the power division the company has more access to the whole of the markets of the country. The company also has well established system of the distribution of the company although it is not the integrated one but it is working smoothly. The company should also make some of the methods for the purpose of the keeping the inventory at the optimal level. Proper planning of the material can decrease the amount of the investment in the inventories by the company. The management of this company does not use the sophisticated technique while making or performing the function of the demand forecasting by the company. They rely more on the judgmental methods for the purpose of the projection by the company about their sales. In Diamond Foam the training is given to workers for developing their skills for future. The promotion based on consistent with job. Training is given on following basis. Identify the gap in performance of the employees Compile detail of employee require training Identify the areas of training Identify the skills of trainees. Train the employee Management assesses the training programs success or failure. Benefits for employees Benefits for employees provided by Diamond Foam are as under. Medical allowances given by the company to the candidate Lunch and dinner facility for employees Apron, gloves and other requirements related to production of foam mattress will be provided by the company Uniforms provided by the company to helpers/guard Health and Safety policies Health and safety policies are described by Diamond Foam are given below. Production area should be clean First aid should be provided in case of any emergency Proper ventilation system/ exhaust fans to maintain the temperature In case of any fire there should be fire extinguisher and an exit door in factory and different offices Electric wires should be placed as no wires come under feet. Wire should be correctly placed Conclusion: I have researched both companies and I have gained much knowledge about different aspects,operations,frameworks in both organization Diamond Foam and PEL.Both are using different types of inventory management, Total Quality managemeny,supply chain design, performance measures,capacity planning. Buddhism: What Is Nirvana? Buddhism: What Is Nirvana? Buddhism represents one of the greatest religions in the world. Its roots are traced back in India, and today it forms the major religion of countries such as Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. Buddhists have also been found to occupy some areas in Europe including Asia, Australia and America. The major distinguishing feature of Buddhism is that, Buddhists never believe in God as with the other religions. Buddha is the figure from which they obtain and follow their religious teachings. Buddha is not recognized as a name. It stands for a title which carries the meaning of the enlightened one. All Buddhists have one main goal, to become enlightened just like Buddha and live free from all manner of desire. Buddhism came from the transformative experience of nirvana followed by his compassionate feeling of helping others realize nirvana by themselves (Ganeri, p. 3; Trainor, p. 66). The teachings of Buddhism come from the experiences Buddha has while searching the truth about suffering and how it can be ended. Buddha had several lessons. The first lesson was known as the Four Noble truths. These teachings explained that the experiences of suffering is everyone`s in life. This suffering is as a result of people not being contended with what they have. According to the Second Noble truth, suffering is caused by desire. A term trishna is usually used and implies that all human beings yearn for a number of things. These include; food, power, sex and possessions. Buddha explains that all these are world troubles and are rooted deeply in desire. Desire is known to wrap the human mind distorting our understanding and leading us to desire-driven ways. Such ways tend to ensure human continued suffering and inevitable samara. Samara is likened to a flooding river in the early texts of Buddha. This river sweeps away humanity to misery, death and rebirth. This flooding is a s a result of submitting to desire. Buddha`s teachings are likened to a raft that can be used to take refuge, overcoming the water currents and reaching the other end. This is the offshore end which is safer and is likened to nirvana. It is argued in pali texts that desire is integral in the world and because of this its power managed to shape life on earth (Trainor, p. 66). The Third Noble Truth highlights a terse reference to the Buddhists central focus on the spiritual causation. The cyclical cause pattern and the effect through which desire leads to intense suffering can be reversed. This will eventually be controlled leading to the possibilities of enlightenment and nirvana. First humans were non-material beings and enjoyed blissful and long lives. One of them happened to taste the sweetest thing on earth, and the same thing today is being consumed by crave and desire. The other humans tasted the sweet thing and the radiance disappeared. Peoples` bodies became solid as plants and other edible materials appeared. Desire became so powerful such that creatures divided themselves into gender, initiated sex along with theft, lying, and harmful actions. All these characterize the world as we know it today. Buddhism gives careful analysis in the early texts which explained that the existence of desire will prevent one from reaching nirvana (Trainor, p. 66). Philosophers in Buddhism divide desire into three kinds; for sensual pleasure, for rebirth and future rebirth. Early Buddhists found difficulties following the idea of ending desire. For Buddhists, the body is to be respected and should maintain life. It should be cared for but not loved. Desire must also be eliminated without mutilating the body. Focus on desire makes plain Buddhists` emphasis on renunciation and detachment. Buddhists everyday life involves renunciation of the everyday world of desire in favor of the monastic community. Sangha settled for a refuge just for this (Harvey, p. 69). This would offer individuals a chance to lead a simple life and thus lose their desires. At the same time, the name of Buddha would be administered as good medicine of his Dharma to sick humanity. Advanced stages in refuge lead to the desire to learn more of Buddha`s teachings. The desire to be enlightened was to be renounced so as to reach nirvana, the ultimate goal of all Buddhists (Trainor , p. 66). There is also another way of bringing the aspects of desire to an end. This is through following the lessons of the Noble Eightfold path. Buddha, from his experiences had realized that there is no happiness in great hardship or great luxury. Thus, he taught the Noble Eightfold path that is divided into eight parts (Ganeri, p. 6). Right understanding is the first part and involves gaining as understanding of Buddha`s teachings. The second part is that of right intention. This part says that people should have compassion about others and always think about them in a very kind and generous way. Rights speech is the third part and teaches people not to tell lies, speak unkindly or swear. The fourth part is right action. People are taught not to steal, kill or perform actions that might upset or harm other people. The fifth part is right livelihood and teaches people to earn their living in ways that do not cause harm to others. Right effort represents the sixth part and teaches people to make the effort of being compassionate and kind. The seventh part is that of right mindfulness, which involves being aware of your own thoughts and actions. Lastly, there is right concentration where people are taught to train their minds to be clear and calm always (Ganeri, p. 6). Life`s purpose for most people, for example, in Thailand, is to get enough merit through acting and thinking in a better way. It is also understood that it takes several lives to reach the goal of nirvana. Buddhism as discussed already, arose from the transformation of Buddha`s experience of nirvana and his compassion to help other people realize nirvana by themselves. Buddhists` wise statements compare nirvana with fire extinction. Ancients Indians understand that extinguishing a flame releases the flame so that it returns to an agitated, diffuse and eternal state. Nirvana bears these associations, although it is most often believed to be ahead of all known states of existence (Trainor, p. 69). Men and women realize nirvana through cultivation of wisdom (prajna). Prajna is the active capacity for discernment of the spiritual world, realizing the true nature of reality, which is described as something marked by suffering, impermanence, non-self and the three characteristics of existence. Complete development of prajna is vital to enlightenment. This is a view that has been shared by all Buddhists schools. Enlightenment, as a term, expresses how the fullness of prajna eliminates all aspects of ignorance and at the same time enabling the mind the see clearly, what reality is all about (Trainor, p. 70). Enlightened individuals at their death enter parinirvana which means complete nirvana. This is an after death state and is beyond description as many texts put it. Nirvana has been discussed covering both its positive and negative sides; a realm where there exists no sun or moon, going or coming; an impersonal state transcending individuality. Basing on positive terms, nirvana is at times described as eternal, pure, tranquil and deathless. Philosophers in Buddhism are known to recognize nirvana as the only reality that is permanent in the cosmos. Nirvana is famously considered as indescribable. It is not as depicted erroneously by the early Western interpreters as annihilation meaning an extreme position rejected by the Buddha. An influential definition of nirvana used by the Mahayana tradition presents the famous dictum of the philosopher Nagarjuna. Practitioners in many of the existing traditions have endeavored with beauty and eloquence in expression of their experience and enligh tenment (Trainor, p. 68). According to Buddha`s Noble eightfold path, the fourth noble truth offers the formula for getting rid of desire. The eight ideals described in the concept provide a cure for the continued cycle of rebirth, suffering and death. These eight ideals are divided traditionally into three categories, which all mark the progressive path to nirvana. The three categories include; morality under right speech, right action and right livelihood; meditation under right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration; and lastly, the cultivation of prajna under right view and right thought. Buddha`s definition of the Eightfold path rejected two ideas that are known to be central to the religions of the other world. The first idea is that there is no relationship or belief in the transcendent creator God. This God is the one who is known to sustain the world and also people depend on him for salvation and security. The second idea is that of believing in an immortal soul. This idea is rejected as false consolation that is similarly unsupported by critical analysis. Soul, just like God, is described as a projection of the human mind that is desire-driven in the search for immortality and security (Trainor, p. 68). Eightfold Path is emphasized by the Buddha as a practical guide that is goal-directed. He told his disciples to avoid engaging in mere intellectualism or idle speculations. There is one famous parable of, The Poison Arrow which Buddha uses to describe a problem facing a man who has been hit by a poison-tipped arrow. The Buddha suggests about three questions which the man should possibly ask. The first question is if the man should inquire about the person who shot arrow and the second one about the wood type the arrow is made of. The third question is whether the shot was aimed low or higher. After analyzing a series of other similar scenarios, Buddha explains that only if the man practically addresses the mortal danger that is before him, through getting rid of the poison that would kill him, can he survive. Buddha cautioned his disciples about wasting their time on pointless philosophical inquiries; they will end up squandering their spiritual opportunities (Trainor, p. 71). The path to nirvana has several classing stages. The first stage is that of steam-enterers who realize the illusion of the self and no longer doubt Buddha`s path. They thus expect more than seven rebirths before attaining nirvana. At an advanced stage, the devotee becomes a once returner. He or she has a highly developed prajna, and this means that the person will experience further human life once. Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism both consider Buddha as the highest form of being. Theravada traditions consider both the Buddha and arbat (the enlightened one) to have fully developed prajna (Trainor, p. 88). They also share the same realization of nirvana and pass into the parinirvana state (cessation of birth) (Harvey, p. 223). Buddha taught his followers to be teachers and also to realize that they are different persons, each of whom bearing different status determined by their karma. Depending on whether they are ordinary people, learners or adopts, each of them has to be instructed in a different way and led as required by Buddha`s path. Tradition puts emphasis on the opportunity of human birth that it should not be wasted regardless of the individual`s level. Life should thus not be wasted and instead, should be lived with a purpose. Buddhists have a hope of attaining nirvana in the current life they lead and if not, in their future rebirth (Trainor, p. 71). Regarding the Four Noble truths, Buddha explains that if his vision of true knowledge failed to be fully and clearly understood, he stands not to have reached perfect enlightenment. To experience Nirvana, Buddhists should progress towards being more enlightened and gain a better understanding of the Four Noble Truth. This was to happen through meditation and critical reflection of what Buddhism is all about. Knowledge on the elements of the path, however, much sophisticated it appeared, was not sufficient. Following the path and polishing one`s understanding of each of the known elements will lead one to nirvana (Trainor, p. 71). The Noble Eightfold Truth path presents the most vital summary of the Buddhist`s practice. It is known to outline the necessary and progressive ways of realizing nirvana. The path is understood as the means of cultivating morality (shila) insight (prajna) and meditation (Samadhi) as has been stated. It stresses that progress in morality forms the foundation for the successful meditation. Successful meditation, on the other hand, serves the best platform for the development and perfection of wisdom or insight (Trainor, p. 72). The stages of the Eightfold Path towards Nirvana underscore the practical emphasis of Buddhism as whether, in the goal of raising moral standards, good conduct, the society`s material welfare or eliminating desire-driven behavior, cognition restructuring and in the end realizing enlightenment. Moral practices or shila which fall under right speech, right action and right livelihood represent the starting point Buddhist`s path. A person cannot progress towards nirvana while lacking ethical integrity (Trainor, p. 72). Regarding karma, a person cannot bear the balance of karma that warrants reaching the advanced stages of the path to nirvana while behaving in an immoral way. Morality of Buddhists, when stated positively, dictates the wisdom of cultivating compassion, discernment and detachment. The morality of Buddhists hinges on three areas of human behaviors. These include; speech, actions and livelihood. Right action as per a negative description means not to steal, kill or doing harm to others. These aspects of human behavior lead to negative karmic consequences poisoning the mind and thus predisposing a person to future immorality (Trainor, p. 72). Meditation according to the Eightfold path refers to the right effort, right concentration and right mindfulness. The term meditation encompasses various techniques and traditions that work hand in hand with the mind. It is necessary for the development of the mind in terms of clarity of the mind, freedom from states of negativity, insights of conditioned reality that finally lead to nirvana. Meditation has its stem rooted in the experiences Buddha went through. Buddha`s meditation was directed by the itinerant teachers, the holy men he stayed with while he was in the forest. A practitioner of meditation following Buddha`s example may require a number of years of effort to master. He or she should also be guided by a mentor who is experienced so as to reach the advanced stages of meditation (Trainor, p. 72). Meditation develops on mindfulness together with the two elements of concentration and insight. Right concentration according to the Eightfold Path, is also known as trance meditation (Samadhi), and it involves intense focus on one object of meditation. This leads one to a state of one-pointedness through which the duality of other and self id dissolved. Standing in the conditioned or the unconditioned is a notion in nirvana taken up by the Mahayana Buddhism. It is referred to as apratisthita-nirvana or the non-abiding nirvana. It is usually seen as different from the elements of nirvana discussed in the pali texts. This nirvana as discussed by gadjin Nagao is the nirvana attained by the Bodhisattvas. The basic idea here is that Bodhisattvas attain nirvana because of wisdom and with through compassion, and also a Buddhist has no intention of reaching nirvana after death (Harvey, p. 221). Right view and right action are traditionally known as wisdom in Buddhism. They too culminate the means to nirvana. Right view is described as the thorough understanding of the Four Noble Truths while right thought is seen as a detachment from cruelty and hatred. These two aspects of human behavior are known to lead to enlightenment. Buddha`s teachings provide unique teachings of achieving this. The success of a person that is moving from morality to meditation is measured by the development of prajna (Trainor, p. 74). Buddhism as a religion provides opportunities for other comparative studies with a diversified range of studies. Its emphasis on Middle way provides different guidelines for ethics and at the same time has allowed Buddhism as a religion to coexist with other differing beliefs, institutions and countries where it is practiced and customs. Its spirituals and moral teachings go parallel with other religions. The tenets of Christianity, as has been found by many scholars around the world have represented the subjects of close studies (Weeraperuma, p. 77). Reactive Change Management: Overview and Case Study Reactive Change Management: Overview and Case Study Introduction Life and changes were born together and they will live together, till the last sunset. The concept of changes was born with the organizations, however its evolution, development and connotations have frequently changed and its horizontal, as well as, vertical expansions and applications are extending day be day, with a fast speed. Manifold and multidimensional revolutions from era has enhance the speed of changes and given it many new shapes. It is very interesting phenomenon that inventions, discoveries, concepts, hypothesis and terminologies etc are coined or designed for one specific field, but then they outgrow and enter into many other fields and areas, carrying different meaning, perceptions and interpretations. In the present era of globalization and information technology, the organizations have to face various changes on a very rapid pace. Thus, demanding an increased and active participation of management towards identifying and reacting to the changes. The different ways t o manage changes in organizations are being practice at various levels. Effective Change Management The process of effective change management enables the organizations to successfully implement changes in the strategies and plans in order to enhance their effectiveness. The strategies can be implemented to deal various changes like changes in consumer behavior, technological developments etc. This concept appears to be helpful in responding to a change in the lifecycle of goods or services produced by the company and changes in the financial stability of the company. Organizations may consider the effective change management strategies from a proactive or reactive situation. Proactive situation demands manager to vigorously assess the current economic market and business atmospheric circumstances to highlight the changes occur in the near long-term future. By assessing these information, the managers adopt to develop business strategies to improve or enhance business operation. The Concept of Reactive Change Management In order to cater the major shifts or changes occurs in the corporate world and economic market the organizations consider various strategies. Although, the approach of reactive change management normally appears to be imperceptible but the implementation of effective strategies can not only reduces its negative impacts but enable the companies to increase their market share. Factors to be Considered when Managing a Change The change agent Determining what should be changed The kind of change to make Individuals affected by the modifications Evaluation of the modification The Change Agent The identification and analysis of change agent comes out to be the most important factor while managing a reactive change in the corporate world. The change agent may requires some broad nature decisions like altering the culture of whole organization, or some narrow ones like designing and implementing a new safety program or a new quality program. Determining what should be changed Secondly the finalization of the factors which are required to be reviewed for managing changes in an organization is highly important. In common, managers should make only those changes that will increase organizational effectiveness. The organizational effectiveness primarily depends upon activities revolving around the three factors. a. People b. Structure c. Technology People factors are attitudes, leadership skills, communication skills and all other characteristics of the human resources within the organization. Structural factors are organizational controls, such as policies and procedures. And technological factors are any types of equipment or processes that assist organization members in the performance of their jobs. For the management of organization, while managing changes the theme Appropriate people must be matched with appropriate technology and appropriate structure proves to be necessary. The Kind of Changes to Make When the management has to review their current strategies for managing changes the factor of selecting appropriate areas is critical. For example in order to manage technological change the level of current technologies requires to be modified. Individuals Affected by the Change A fourth major factor to be considered by the organization while managing changes is the identification of its influences on the individuals both inside and outside of the organization. A good assessment of what to change and how to make the change will be wasted if organization members do not support the change. Evaluation of the Modifications In connection with the other factors the evaluation of the modifications being made for managing changes is very necessary. It will enable the management to evaluate the effectiveness of the modifications made to manage change. Resistance to Change Resistance to change is as common as the need of change. After managers decide to make some organizational changes, they typically meet with employee resistance aimed at preventing that change from occurring. Behind this resistance by organization members lies the fear of some personal loss, such as a reduction in personal prestige, a disturbance of established social and working relationships, and personal failure because of inability to carry out new job requirements. Reducing Resistance to Change To ensure the success of needed modifications, management should be able to reduce the effects of the resistance that typically accompanies proposed change. Resistance can usually be lowered by following these guidelines: 1. Avoid Surprises: People need time to evaluate a proposed change before management implements it. Unless they are given time to evaluate and absorb how the change will affect them. Whenever, possible individuals who will be affected by a change should be informed of the kind of change being considered and the probability that it will be adopted. 2. Promote Real Understanding: When fear of personal loss related to a proposed change is reduce, opposition to change is also reduced. Most managers find that ensuring that organization members thoroughly understand a proposed change is a major step in reducing this fear. 3. Set the Stage for Change: Perhaps the most powerful tool for reducing resistance to change is managements positive attitude toward the change. This attitude should be displayed openly by top and middle management as well as by lower management. In essence, management should convey that change is one of the basic prerequisites for a successful organization. Management should also strive to be seen as encouraging change to increase organizational effectiveness, rather than for sake of trying something new. Case Study of Strategic change at Samsung Group Case study is a research strategy which involves investigation of a particular contemporary phenomenon in the real life situation using multiple sources of evidence. More elaborate explanation on the nature of the case study as a research strategy was given by Frenkel, Hommel, Dufey Markus, (2005). in whose view case study represents a specific way of collecting, organizing, and analyzing data. Grounded theory represents a strategy which posits that the data is collected through observations and compared to various theoretical frameworks in order to discover which of the data is the most appropriate. This leads the researcher into making predictions about the studied phenomena prior to putting the findings into test. However, the aim of grounded theory is to make studied data records well-developed and understood and to verify relationships between the findings and the case study in question (Frenkel, Hommel, Dufey Markus, 2005). Samsung Group, a company based in the Republic of Korea that produces electronic products like televisions and radios, was able to compete favorable in the world market on the basis of low product cost resulting primarily from cheap labor and a cheap Korean currency. But when both the competitive advantages vanished the company had to adopt some different strategies. The management of Samsung Group evaluated the circumstances and adopted a change in their strategy. They decided to utilize the factor of innovation by exploring new ideas and products instead of depending on low product cost. This change management of the Samsung Group, enabled them to grab big dividends. The top management of Samsung also enabled to guide their employees towards the new strategies of bringing innovative products. Advantage of Reactive Change Management The effective utilization of reactive change management enables the management of organizations to increase their market share and to bring success for their organization. Some of the main advantages are discussed below: -. In-depth Assessment of Changes The reactive change management provides some additional time to access the impacts of changes being faced by the corporate world. It is obvious that the results of changes at any level can be determined after its implementation and a reasonable time span. Therefore, by adopting reactive change management the organization gets the opportunity to analyze the impact of changes and then finalizing the plans and strategies to cater those changes. Evaluation of Competitors Strategies and their Outcome Reactive change management also enables the management to evaluate the changes adopted by their competitors to mange the change. Moreover, the outcome of those strategies could also be judged and considered while finalizing the change management strategies. Consultation for Change Management Strategies Reactive change management lets the management to embrace consultations within the organizational setup to evaluate the changes being encountered. Moreover, various suggestions regarding the strategies and policies can be discussed and their implications can be evaluated. This process will enable them to enhance the participating of various organizational members and results in enhancing the effectiveness of strategies and policies. Enhances the Stability of Organization Stability of organization is as important as the need of growth. If an organization adopts change management strategies on frequent basis it will questions the factor of its stability. Reactive change management enables organizations to evaluate the factor of stability before adopting any change in their strategies. Conclusion Most of the managers agree that if an organization is to thrive, it must change in response to significant developments in the corporate environment, such as changing customer needs, technological breakthroughs, and new government regulations. The study of organizational changes is extremely important because all managers at all organizational levels are faced throughout their careers with the task of changing their organization. Managers who determine appropriate changes to make in their organizations and them implement such changes successfully enable their organizations to be more flexible and innovative. Change is such a fundamental part of organizational existence and growth. In additional to organizational change, degree of stability is a prerequisite for long-term organizational success. The organizational survival and growth are most probable when both stability and adaptation are high within the organization. The organization without enough stability to compliment changes is at a definite disadvantage. When stability is low the probability of organizational survival and success decline.