Discrimination in the Workplace Essay - 1523 Words

Discrimination in the work place towards women is extremely common and occurs in everyday life. You can prove this by explaining how women in the workplace get paid, get promoted and get treated based on their sex. Sex discrimination in the workplace comes with many different faces. In its most basic form, it involves outright exclusion of women, solely by reason of their gender. Even where women have gained access to the workplace, sex discrimination may persist in other ways. Examples include identification of particular jobs as â€Å"man only† or â€Å"woman only† or through the existence of a â€Å"glass ceiling† that ensures women will only go so far on the corporate ladder (Brayton). Discrimination of women in today’s society is often†¦show more content†¦The airline argued that under Title VII, saying that Southwest wanted to project a â€Å"sexy image and fulfill its public promise to take passengers skyward with love.† However, the federal district court rejected Southwest’s defense. Not only are women being discriminated against men but degraded among their own gender in a woman-only job (Brayton Law). Decades ago, women used to hear that it was because women weren’t as well-educated as men, hadn’t worked as long as men, didn’t work as hard as men, or really didn’t need the money because they were just working until they got married. In todays society that’s no longer true. For decades, women have been graduating from college at the same rate as men and have even surpassed men in recent years. Women work as hard as men. Women are often supporting children, and need the money just as much as men do. Often, married couples rely on both paychecks. So for discrimination to still be existent in a time period where women have accomplished much more than back then is not only wrong, but absurd. Women on average earn less money than men. But the women that do decide to get a high paying job, go to school and work as hard if not harder than a man, there are some statistics that compile to make this task difficult. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics shows that women who work 40-44 hours a week earn 84.65% less than men working the sameShow MoreRelatedWorkplace Discrimination : Discrimination And Discrimination1588 Words   |  7 Pagesothers with prejudice because of particular features they possess. Unfortunately, prejudice and discrimination occur even in places which, by definition, should be free of all personal prejudices – specifically, in offices and other business surroundings. This tragedy is called workplace discrimination; not every unfair behavior at work, however, can be assessed as discrimination. Discrimination in the workplace happens when an employee experiences unfair treatment due to their race, gender, age, religionRead MoreWorkplace Discrimination : Discrimination And Discrimination1205 Words   |  5 Pages Workplace Discrimination Employment discrimination manifests in a variety of forms. The most common scenario is when the employer unfairly treats job applicants and employees because of their gender, race, age, disability, nationality or familial status. Often, employment discrimination that emanates from familial status occurs because of events such as pregnancy. The employers usually take adverse and cruel actions against these employees or rather potential employees. Contextually, adverse actionRead MoreDiscrimination in the Workplace1265 Words   |  6 Pages Why does discrimination occur at workplace? There are multiple explanation for the issue. It can be ranged from generational differences, lack of diversity training, absence of good behavior modeling, and many other reasons. In every workplace, it is consists of different cultural, religious, and social backgrounds. There are different perspectives and conversations that take place at the workplace. An individual’s aspect on race, culture, sexual orientations, gender, and political views is disparateRead MoreDiscrimination at Workplace873 Words   |  4 PagesDiscrimination at workplace In the USA there has been the problem of discrimination at places of work against people with disability, based on race, sex, religion in almost all quarters and this has prompted quite a number of legislations and acts to be passed in a bid to guarantee the people the access and right to use and utilize all the public amenities as well as get the right and equal treatment as an American. Vivian Pearson (2012) notes that the federal law prohibits the employer fromRead MoreDiscrimination In The Workplace1211 Words   |  5 Pages While the world has unanimously advanced and is more accepting of change, the workplace continues to be a place of discrimination, prejudice and inequality. Discrimination is broadly defined to ‘distinguish unfavourably’, isolate; and is context based (Pagura, 2012). Abrahams (1991) described the workplace as an ‘inhospitable place’ where gender disparity and wage gaps persist (Stamarski Son Hing, 2015). Among other states and countries, the Australian government actively implements and passesRead MoreDiscrimination In The Workplace1423 Words   |  6 Pagesa challenge to the government and employers to find solutions in diversity and discrimination issues. Discrimination may be appeared to be prevalent, this may cause unemployment. Anti-discrimination policies have been employed to combat discrimination in the workplace, however nothing has been done to analyse the policy. This paper will examine whether the anti-discrimination legislation is effective in the workplace to provide a fair working environment. In Australia, it is considered unlawfulRead MoreDiscrimination in the Workplace2033 Words   |  8 Pages Despite popular belief, discrimination occurs every day worldwide. It occurs for different reasons, but is detrimental to any company or individual. The judgments that occur based on physical appearance, height, weight, gender, and race are affecting the potential professional careers of many. Many companies are limiting their full potential due to the fact that they are discriminating interviewees and employees based upon physical traits. It lessens the chances of developing a strong staffRead MoreDiscrimination in the Workplace1276 Words   |  6 PagesEnglish 112 51-A September 27, 2010 Discrimination in the Workplace In today’s society, people claim to be so open minded and tolerant in regards to other people’s beliefs, lifestyles, and appearance. However, in reality people with tattoos are often discriminated against for the way they look. Visible tattoos have a negative effect on finding employment, as well as commission based occupations, and also jobs in the childcare field. PhysicalRead MoreDiscrimination And Discrimination Within The Workplace1633 Words   |  7 Pagestaken to assure that employees and applicants enjoy equal employment opportunity. Discrimination or harassment by any supervisory or non-supervisory employee based upon the protected conditions or characteristics listed above or any other legally-protected condition or characteristic is a violation of the Code of Conduct. An employee or applicant, who believes that he or she has been the subject of such discrimination or harassment, should promptly report the alleged incident to the Owner or CFO. ARead MoreDiscrimination And Discrimination Within The Workplace919 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Discrimination is defined as making a distinction in favor of or against a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs to rather than on individual merit (definition 2). Discrimination does not just relate to just one meaning but several, and it can be described in many ways. This action is not only offensive but hurtful as well. Denying any individual a job because of their race, sexual orientation, religion, or gender is an example of

Essay on Exploring Solutions to the Housing Crisis in America

Americans were willing to live beyond their means, and bankers were willing to finance the dream. The biggest problem with this easy money was the obvious lack of responsible financial regulation. â€Å"Stated income† allowed anyone to easily commit fraud for a home loan, and banks weren’t worried about the money they lent since the loan was ultimately backed by the government. Sub-prime borrowers were given the opportunity to get mortgages, and no money down allowed people to get a home loan without really having â€Å"skin in the game.† Second mortgages were only icing on the cake and people figured that as long as house prices kept rising, home equity could be used as an instant cash machine to live even further beyond their means. As long as†¦show more content†¦Foreign investors, local economies that rely upon housing tax revenue, and all other invested interests have suffered and are begging for a clear solution in sight. Solutions to alleviate the impacts of the foreclosure crisis are absolutely central to the health of our financial systems and the country’s economic stability. The foreclosure crisis is nowhere near an end as mortgages with â€Å"teaser rates† are expected to default in catastrophic numbers. The goal of foreclosure solutions must be to keep people in their homes with affordable monthly payments, while still leaving cash in their pockets to contribute to our heavily relied upon consumer based economy. Solutions do not lie in forgiving mortgage loans and billion dollar bank handouts, as this only sets a bad precedent for contract law and regulation standards by condoning financially reckless behavior. We must work with people directly and mortgage modifications must be dealt with on an individual basis. My solution is a multi-pronged approach that also includes regulations to ensure that this kind of situation never happens again. Firstly, we must establish 50-100 year mortgages making monthly payments affordable, thereby halting foreclosures. These 50-100 year mortgages would make monthly mortgage payments less expensive than rent for a comparable living situation. Obama’s refinancing strategy should include the conversion of existing troubled mortgages into 50-100Show MoreRelatedWashington Mutual Case Study4322 Words   |  18 Pagesthe courage to complete this report. We would like to express our special thanks to gratitude to our teacher, Sir Mohsin Adhi, who gave us the golden opportunity to work on this project of Financial Risk Management. This project has helped us in exploring and knowing several practical facts of Financial Risk Management. We are thankful to our parents and friends who helped us with their knowledge in completing our project within the limited time period. The purpose of this project is not only toRead MoreForeclosure: Mortgage and Real Estate Market3445 Words   |  14 PagesForeclosure – Individual Crisis That Depresses the Whole Economy Foreclosure – Individual Crisis That Depresses the Whole Economy Introduction 1. Foreclosure: past, reality or future. 2. Awareness can help. 3. Impact of foreclosure and lack of knowledge. Body 1. Process and statistic of Foreclosure A. Understanding what foreclosure is. B. Process of foreclosure. C. Different statistics between the states. D. Foreclosure case. 2. Reasons behindsRead MoreImpact Of The Neoliberal Era And The Structure Of The Modern Financial System3397 Words   |  14 Pages1982 Latin America, 1997 East Asia and 2008 subprime financial crisis had a profound impact on the regional and world real economy. two sentences about how big of an impact each of them had on the real economy. These crisis have also triggered off a very fierce debate about the impact of the neoliberal era and the structure of the modern financial system. From the neoclassical perspective each of these crisis required a new model to explain past events but it always viewed the crisis to be causeRead MoreThe American Travesty : The History And Evidence Behind The Veil Of Racism3348 Words   |  14 PagesDuring the 1700’s, America was one of several countries to embrace chattel slavery. Though slavery is no longer legal in the US, its effects have still rippled the waters of history. Today America stands on trial. It is guilty of failing to fulf ill its role as a government by promoting flourishing. Slavery and segregation in the United States have impeded the economic flourishing amongst Black American communities. History and literature will serve as evidence of this crime in exploring the impact ofRead MoreThe Kyoto Protocol and The Green Movement2768 Words   |  12 Pageseconomic. Global nations fiscal reforms, expenditure cuts and deregulation including elimination of rules led to worse environmental states. This led to The Green Movement. The Green Movement centers on concentrated questioning, critical analysis, and exploring fundamental root causes of problems (Foundation for Deep Ecology, 2012). This initiative looks to build a green economy where public and private investments are the engines that drive jobs and wealth while reducing the carbon footprint, diminishingRead MoreDiscourse on Aboriginal Health Care7025 Words   |  29 PagesRunning head: THE INFLUENCE OF DISCOURSE ON HEALTH CARE The Discourse of On Reserve Housing Mary Ratensperger Athabasca University Centre of Nursing Science MNS 620 Culture and Health Margo deJong Berg The Discourse of On Reserve Housing The substance of this paper will be to discuss the discourse regarding the inequalities facing aboriginal peoples living on reserves in the northwestern corner of Ontario. Inequality is not naturally occurring; poverty is not an innate culturalRead MoreEthics in Business Essay3147 Words   |  13 Pagesexchanging the traditional banking atmosphere for that of a department store in which patrons could browse among financial service areas. WA-MU primary focus was the home mortgage, and became one of the top in this service. The decline in the housing market created shocking losses for the bank. Accordingly, Mr. Killinger had to give up his â€Å"job as chairman in June 2008 and on September 8, 2008, the bank’s board forced him to retire as chief executive† (The New York Times, 2010). Alan FishmanRead MoreThe Effects Of Radicalization On A Hurting Earth3835 Words   |  16 PagesHomeland Security, whatever that means, and President Bush is talking about mo re corporate tax breaks, while poor children and increasing numbers in the middle class don’t have health insurance. How misguided are our spending priorities? Life in America has become about fear and fighting terrorism; rules and more rules; more wars; more defense; Constitutional violations; fighting corruption, greed and perjury at the highest levels of government; having to sue our own federal government to protectRead MoreCase Study148348 Words   |  594 PagesInstructor’s Manual Exploring Strategy Ninth edition Gerry Johnson Richard Whittington Kevan Scholes Steve Pyle For further instructor material please visit: www.pearsoned.co.uk/mystrategylab ISBN: 978-0-273-73557-1 (printed) ISBN: 978-0-273-73552-6 (web) ï £ © Pearson Education Limited 2011 Lecturers adopting the main text are permitted to download and photocopy the manual as required. Pearson Education Limited Edinburgh Gate Harlow Essex CM20 2JE England and Associated CompaniesRead MoreIkea Strategic Position3791 Words   |  16 Pagesis the worlds largest furniture retailer originated in Smà ¥land, Sweden and distributes its products through its retail outlets.( IKEA, 2007; Sloan, 2007) As of October 2010, the chain has 313 stores in 38 countries, most of them in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. The IKEA Group itself owns 276 stores in 25 countries and the other 37 stores are owned and run by franchisees outside the IKEA Group in 16 countries/territories. 2006 saw the opening of 16 new stores. A total of at least 15 openings

To what extent is Congress the broken branch of American politics Free Essays

Introduction In recent years Americans’ opinion of Congress has reached historic lows (BBC News Online: 22.11.2011). We will write a custom essay sample on To what extent is Congress the broken branch of American politics? or any similar topic only for you Order Now It is this worrying indictment which has led Thomas Mann to assert that Congress is the broken branch of the US tripartite political system (Mann: 2006). Aside from this lack of confidence in the collective body of their elected representatives, which some Americans have condemned as wasteful and self-serving, there is also uncertainty as to whether it is fulfilling its constitutional role (Storey: 2007: 271). It was intended that it should operate alongside the other political branches – the executive and the judiciary – to enact legislation and keep in check the other component parts of government. Today its legislative role has largely been passed to the executive, though it maintains responsibility for revenue raising measures. This essay will argue that whilst some aspects of Congress might indeed by condemned as broken, it is still performing, with success, a variety of tasks that it has been charged with. In order to demonstrate this, the two reasons for Congres s’ supposed failure outlined above will be examined one by one and balanced against counter-arguments. This approach will suggest that in many ways it is functioning competently and in accordance with the role it has been assigned. When devising the Constitution the Founding Fathers bestowed upon Congress the task of ‘keeping the other branches of government within their constitutional boundaries’. Integral to this was the forging of new policies. As time has progressed it has become apparent that the executive branch of government is capable of performing this role far more effectively (Storey: 271). In contrast Congress has the reputation of inhibiting legislative progress because it has a complicated and time consuming method of processing bills (Mckay: 2009: 194). This issue stems from its practice of referring proposed legislation to its system of standing and select committees. These committees, consisting of a small number of Members of Congress who debate and investigate various specialist matters passed to them, are party-controlled and effectively set the policy agenda by having the power to bury bills. Less than 10% of bills submitted for their consideration make it to the next stage of the approval process (McKay: 194) In addition each bill has to be handed over to both the Senate and the House of Representatives with their own individual committees and votes for it to pass through before becoming law. The difficulties presented by this extensive process are compounded by the ascendancy of partisan politics which dominates contemporary Congresses and the committee system. Cross-party negotiation and deal breaking has become increasingly difficult and protracted because both the political ideology of the Democrats and the Republicans has polarized. (Mckay: 196,209) The impact of this on the legislative process was keenly seen during the Autumn of 2011 when the US Federal deficit threatened to exceed its $14t ceiling. Quick and decisive action was required to introduce cost-cutting measures but the stark policy differences between the Democrats and the Republicans meant that the joint-committee who had been assigned the task of recommending a solution to this pending problem failed to come to any agreement, placing their country on the brink of financial disaster (BBC News Online: 22.11.2011). Conversely, Congress’ limited influence the legislative agenda and the fact it makes lawmaking difficult is, Storey argues, constitutionally appropriate. This is because the Founding Fathers would approve of legislative barriers, as part of Congress’ constitutional role is to ‘limit the overall scope of the national government, including the influence of Congress itself’ (Storey: 271). It follows that the more laws there are, the more responsibilities the government acquires (if only to administer them). The fundamental purpose of the division of political power between the federal and state governments, and between the presidency, Congress and the judiciary, is designed to keep in check the authority of each one of these governmental components. Yet, it has been the trend for the federal government to expand in scope and this undermines the carefully designed, constitutional balance of the political system (Storey: 272) To label Congress ‘broken’ on the grounds of constitutional failings is, however, to overlook the role it plays in overseeing the activities of the executive. Storey champions this aspect of Congress which he believes has been effective (Storey: 277). There is certainly evidence to suggest that in recent years this is indeed the case. Following the 2006 elections and the new Democratic majority in Congress there was an upsurge in the number of investigations held into potential presidential abuses of power (Mann: 2010: 123). It is important though when putting this argument forward in defence of Congress’ ‘broken’ nature to recognize that oversight is task which has its own limitations. Congress still have difficulty obtaining from the Whitehouse the various documentation and witnesses they need to carry out their investigations thoroughly, and the number of hearings conducted is minimal (McKay: 200). Crucial in conditioning the low opinion poll results received by Congress is the view that it serves interest groups, lobbyists and members’ self-interest before the needs of the nation (Burnstein: 2009: 164). Additionally, earmarks, the allocation of funding for constituency-based projects, have soared. This is illustrated by the 2005 peak of 13,492 schemes which amounted to almost $16b worth of federal money (Mann: 125). Whilst the success most Senators have in directing funds towards their own districts indicates there is mutual interest in letting this practice continue, the perception held by many Americans is that this preoccupation with winning lucrative contracts is promotes wasteful spending (Storey: 272). This is because earmarks have a reputation for encouraging pointless expenditure, an example of which is the Alaskan â€Å"bridge to nowhere† (Mann: 125). However, this characterisation of Congress as a â€Å"market for legislation† and the notion that Members of Congress work on behalf of lobbyist is, Burnstein argues, fundamentally wrong. Whilst not denying that they do listen to the wealthy members of their districts, or that they hold talks with interest groups, they themselves are running Congress, not the people who attempt to sway them (Burnstein: 164-172). To support this assertion Burnstein cites the research of political science and economic academics which have repeatedly reached the same conclusion – that campaign contributions or lobbying has little influence on policy (Burnstein: 165). There are several likely reasons why this is the case including the fact that lobbyists have limited access to members of Congress who in fact generally vote in accordance with their own political ideology. Furthermore, even if lobbyists succeeded in bringing Congress men and women round to their cause, the number of swayed me mbers is usually too small to radically reshape the outcome of important votes (Burnstein: 66). Given these hurdles to buying policy decisions why do Americans believe Congress is so willing to be bribedFor Burnstein the answer is simple; ‘people tend to remember the egregious but atypical cases of apparent influence’ (Burnstein: 166). This certainly seems to be a viable assessment of the situation because Congress, in actuality, accurately reflects the mood and desires of the nation – a result of a close congressperson-constituency relationship (McKay: 208). Furthermore, Congress has taken marked steps to rid itself of the influence of lobbyists. After the Democrats won the Congress majority in 2006 they prioritized ethics, lobbying and earmark reform. The Democratic Party rule packages which ensued restricted use of corporate jets and privately financed travel, placed a ban on gifts and meals paid for by lobbyists, forced disclosure of the campaign finance activities of lobbyists and promoted earmark transparency. Two weeks later the Senate passed its own version of this rule package which was soon followed by a Bill in the House of Representatives. Therefore, to levy a charge of corruption against Congress is somewhat unjustified, though that is not to deny financial enticements are accepted on occasions and, as the pervasiveness of earmarks suggests, the self-interest of constituencies worked towards. Having outlined the dominant criticisms which surround Congress’ characterization as ‘the broken branch of American politics’, it is evident that it is neither as corrupt nor as inept as this statement first implies. Undoubtedly Congress does have its limitations. It is open to the influence of lobbyists and there is strong evidence that its members are keen to secure investment in their own districts at the expense of the federal budget. Its partisan politics inhibits the legislative process as policy agreement is hard to negotiate. On the other hand Congress has taken steps to rectify some of these issues, especially regarding its own ethical operation. Its role as overseer is one it takes seriously and this aspect of its constitutional assignment, though limited, is far from being broken. In general Americans have a very positive attitude towards their own members which implies that as representatives, individual Congresspersons are performing well (Mckay: 209 ). Where the real problem lies is in its deep and deepening political divisions. This renders Congress inept at functioning as a unified body and acting in the national interest, something which has a critical impact on its ability to respond to pressing situations. Bibliography BBC News Online, ‘US ‘super-committee’ fails to reach deficit deal’, 22.11.2011 accessed [26.03.2012] Burnstein, P., ‘Is Congress really for sale?’, in R. M. Valelly (ed.), Princeton readings in American politics, Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford, 2009 Mann, T., The broken branch: How congress is failing America and how to get it back on track, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2006 Mann, T., ‘Congress’, in G. Pelle, C. Bailey and B. Cain (eds.), Developments in American Politics 6, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2010 McKay, D., American society and politics, 7th ed., Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, 2009 Storey, W., US Government and politics, Edinburgh University Press, 2007 How to cite To what extent is Congress the broken branch of American politics?, Essay examples

Organizations Royal Bank of Canada

Question: Discuss about the Organizations Royal Bank of Canada. Answer: Introduction: Oral communication is one of the fundamental approaches, required to narrow the miscommunication and increase the efficiency of the integrated system of any organization. Organizations like Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) have thousands of employees and deal with millions of customers; thus obtaining an uninterrupted oral communication is mandatory to maintain the continuous flow of the service (Hamilton 709). Moreover, if the employees of an organization get a verbal declaration of a particular activity it helps them to understand the procedures and requirement of the activity more clearly prior to the operation of that task. It is not necessary that oral communication should be maintained with between the supervisor and the staff of an organization. This is a pivotal approach that should be firmly adopted by the employees to hold a successful relation with their co-workers and clients. As the managers are required to communicate verbally with the employees to eradicate any confusion, the colleagues are also required to communicate with that particular co-worker to help him out from the crisis (Argenti 589). Apart from that, oral communication is the first approach towards a customer that reflects the quality of the service for an organization. If the employees fail to communicate with the clients then it can consequence to a non-functional and unsuccessful relation between the organization and the consumers. Hence, from these aspects, it can be said that oral communication is one of the pillars of an organization that makes its structure stable. Reference list: Argenti, Paul A.Corporate communication. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2015. Hamilton, Cheryl.Communicating for results: A guide for business and the professions. Cengage Learning, 2013.

Spring Awakening free essay sample

Spring Awakening Review The last Broadway show I saw was Spring Awakening, and, to be completely mundanely boring, I found it just as intoxicating and exhilarating as those mythic Tony voters of lore did. I have to admit that my experience was deeply affected, though far from marred, by an enormous crush on Jonathan Groff that, like an old war wound, still twinges a bit whenever I think of German teenagers. (After re-reading that sentence, my analogy actually makes a lot more sense than I had originally intended.) I showed up knowing every single song in the show, having obsessively listened to the soundtrack beforehand, and it didnt spoil any plot twists, because the songs act more as a commentary on the show than they advance the plot. I was pleasantly surprised at how many jokes and funny moments came out of the wood work through good performances and clever direction; many more, indeed, than I heard just listening. We will write a custom essay sample on Spring Awakening or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As I am hard-wired to be sarcastic and jaded, I had to work hard not to snicker when I first saw Leah Michele ‘dancing like she was taking a bubble bath, but soon bought into the interpretive choreography. And also, I was shocked, even then, at how I completely accepted the ‘dry ice, back from the dead sequence. Spring Awakening was a beautiful fusion of then and now. Spring Awakening free essay sample I must admit it: I am an avid musical theatre fan. So it was a shock to me when I stumbled upon a show Id never heard of: Spring Awakening. Out of blatant curiosity, I listened to one of the tracks. From the start I knew this show was unlike any Id ever heard: the music sounded more acoustic rock than Broadway musical. Critics of the show have hailed it as the new RENT and, while I must remain loyal to my favorite show, I must admit that Spring Awakening quickly took top place on my Broadway pedestal and my iPod. I eagerly got my hands on the soundtrack the first chance I got, and havent stopped listening to it since. Lea Michele, starring as one of the leads, Wendla, starts off the cast recording (and the show) with a beautiful ballad called Mama Who Bore Me. The song gives way to its much fiercer reprise, enlisting harmonies from all five principle girls. We will write a custom essay sample on Spring Awakening or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page From there it segues into All Thats Known a song that shows off Jonathan Groff as Melchiors vocals.The B**** of Living and My Junk are two songs that showcase the ensemble quite nicely; and The Word of Your Body gives Michele and Groff a chance to really shine. However, one of the beautiful (and often overlooked) tracks is the haunting The Dark I Know Well performed by Lilli Cooper and Lauren Pritchard. Perhaps one of the best tracks on the album is Dont Do Sadness/Blue Wind, performed by John Gallagher, Jr. as Moritz and Lauren Pritchard as Ilse. Totally F***** is a driving rock anthem, one of those songs that makes you want to jump up and shout blah, blah, blah, blah, blah with the rest of the cast. Those Youve Known, the song between the three principle characters Moritz, Melchior, and Wendla will bring any musical fan to tears. The recording wraps up nicely with The Song of Purple Summer, the finale song of hope and longing. Overall, Spring Awakening is a Broadway gem to deli ght any fan of musical theater-and those who still dont appreciate the genre.

Free Essays on Prisons In Th US

Many prisons throughout the United States have been experiencing the problem of over crowdedness. This is not a new issue though; in April of 1978 New York State was already feeling the affect of crowded prisons. In an attempt to alleviate the problem the state tried to buy Richers Island from New York City. Since then a rise in population and in poverty have increased the problem. The main problem was coming up with programs that kept criminals off the streets without overpopulating the prisons. One example of how the government tried to make the streets safer was by imposing mandatory minimum sentences. They were designed to put people behind bars that until then were being released with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. The problem began when they realized that although fewer criminals were on the streets there were also more in prison, which took up space for new prisoners, who in some cases should be there before the ones that already inhabited the jail. There have been man y new experimental programs in which the government is trying to keep the prison population down. Some of these have proved to be very successful while others have failed. Although not everybody agrees on what the solution they do agree that something has to be changed. Although many agree that mandatory minimum sentences are out dated and should not be imposed any longer, there are those who approve and support them. Those in favor of them have two strong reasons for their beliefs. First, they believe that the sentences act as a deterrent to possible criminals. The sentences are especially aimed at drug related crimes. The idea was to deter people, especially teens; from looking to make some money in the drug business by weighing it against the jail time they would receive if the were caught. This also directly makes the streets safer by scaring people away from a life of crime. Another argument people have in favor of the sentencing is it speeds up t... Free Essays on Prisons In Th US Free Essays on Prisons In Th US Many prisons throughout the United States have been experiencing the problem of over crowdedness. This is not a new issue though; in April of 1978 New York State was already feeling the affect of crowded prisons. In an attempt to alleviate the problem the state tried to buy Richers Island from New York City. Since then a rise in population and in poverty have increased the problem. The main problem was coming up with programs that kept criminals off the streets without overpopulating the prisons. One example of how the government tried to make the streets safer was by imposing mandatory minimum sentences. They were designed to put people behind bars that until then were being released with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. The problem began when they realized that although fewer criminals were on the streets there were also more in prison, which took up space for new prisoners, who in some cases should be there before the ones that already inhabited the jail. There have been man y new experimental programs in which the government is trying to keep the prison population down. Some of these have proved to be very successful while others have failed. Although not everybody agrees on what the solution they do agree that something has to be changed. Although many agree that mandatory minimum sentences are out dated and should not be imposed any longer, there are those who approve and support them. Those in favor of them have two strong reasons for their beliefs. First, they believe that the sentences act as a deterrent to possible criminals. The sentences are especially aimed at drug related crimes. The idea was to deter people, especially teens; from looking to make some money in the drug business by weighing it against the jail time they would receive if the were caught. This also directly makes the streets safer by scaring people away from a life of crime. Another argument people have in favor of the sentencing is it speeds up t...

Human Behavior and Attitude in the Field of Sociology with Criminal Personal Statement

Human Behavior and Attitude in the Field of Sociology with Criminal Justice - Personal Statement Example My nature of helping people has been largely influenced by my parents. Right from a young age, I have learnt to help others. I am the middle child in my family among six children which made me more responsible. While growing up, I helped my younger sibling with their studies, schooling and personal issues. Being the middle child also helped me easily connect with my elder siblings. I help my parents and my elder siblings in all their work. Taking responsibility and helping everyone at my home gave me immense satisfaction. My parents have always been a huge source of inspiration for me. When I was young, my parents brought children of other families home. They used to treat other children in times of crisis. Their selfless nature was an inspiration in itself to everyone around. My mother was a very generous person. Every Saturday she used to visit the church to meet the homeless people. She ensured that all the homeless people in the church were fed. She fed the lesser privileged peop le for a long number of years. I have a daughter who is 16 years old. I wish that she also serves society well when she grows up. With a strong commitment to social development, I hope that she learns from me. I believe that I am doing the right thing to society and this will set a good example to my child. I am searching for the best university to deepen my knowledge of sociology. An internship in one of the best universities will only give me more knowledge and strengthen my goals. Your faculty and research standards are the most impressive among the leading universities.

Marketing Analysis of HSBC Premier Services Case Study

Marketing Analysis of HSBC Premier Services - Case Study Example This is accompanied by an international debit card to help customers access their fund internationally. The customers have an unlimited access to a relationship manager to take care of all their concerns. On request, all customers are provided with an independent financial advisor (IFA) to advise on further accounts management, opening, borrowing and savings. Specific account holders have access to family travel insurance as they travel all over the world. (HSBC Bank UK, 2008, Online) The banking communication is also accessible through out the day with customer being able to call or use internet to make enquiries. Any overdrafts below 500 do not attract any interest. Any overdrafts above 500 and below 5000 will attract interests with the latter being the upper limit for overdrafts allowed. Customers are not required to pay for the set up of the account. However there is a 9.9% EAR surcharged. The overdrafts ceiling is subject to review on a case by case basis. (HSBC Bank UK, 2008, Online) The HSBC have acknowledged that the internet transaction technology came with its challenges. Thus they have put up robust measure to protect the customers against the vice of identity and transaction theft. Customer will therefore not be subjected to any charges of overdrafts occasioned by online theft. Finally customer's have the privilage of cashing a check of upto 2000 for a paid in cheque over the counter. (HSBC Bank UK, 2008, Online) How the product/company is performing (brand share, sales etc) In the UK, the HSBC has felt the impact of the bottom of the cycle. The HSBC Premier has been targeting the commercial properties segment which in the last quarter of 2007 was impacted by the pricing problem. This period saw the capital values go down 11.8% as an extension drop from the Q2 of 2007. (Investment Property Data Bank, 2007, Online)(HSBC Premier, 2008. p.1-7) But since the momentum of capital value reduction is going down, it can be justifiably noted that the HSBC Premier Property Market is moving to the bottom of the cycle. The share capital value declined by about 2% in January 2008 in comparison to the 4.2% in December 2007. Thus the capital share value is picking up positively towards a fair value. (HSBC Premier, 2008. p.7) This correction has had an impact on the market sales even with the prices declining further. The customers have therefore been overreacting to the sale buy buying more capital through HSBC Premier Services. These increased sale could be risky to the economy of UK as the retailers could be working on false values of property. If this outlook is exploited by the impending development plan at the central London, there could be a bleaker and more suppressed rental value for houses. Overall the market is suffering from weakened currency, slowed equity market, mixed performance of the mortgage loans, unstable interest rates and harsh economic conditions (HSBC Premier, 2008. p.7) The brands targets, segment appeals and available marketing competition in that banking sector HSBC Premier is targeting a range of middle to upper income class customer. This is evident in their setting of minimum overdrafts and maximum overdrafts. The second evidence is in the way the respective overdrafts will be subjected to interest rates and

Retail grocery industry in Australia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Retail grocery industry in Australia - Essay Example There are a few publicly listed supermarket based chains, global operators and wholesaler managed chains that operate in the industry and offer grocery foods in varied retail formats. These assorted retailers contend with more than 30,000 specialty food offering businesses including shopfronts and multiple franchise based operators (Australian Government Department of Agriculture, 2013). The prime objective of this study is to analyse the retail grocery industry in Australia in keeping with micro and macro-economic factors. Market Structure–Production Sector Nature of Production Nature of production in any industry bears a major impact on the overall cost of the produced offerings owing to the fact that it entails crucial constituents such as value addition components, stock control and production operations. In terms of stages of production, it is determined that a number of goods pass through diverse stages of production. Mainly, there are three production stages categorised under primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary: This stage entails the extraction of different raw materials from the soil. In relation to grocery retail industry, the primary offerings include food as well as non-food items that are prepared from the scratch with the aid of procuring different raw materials (Bized, 2012). Secondary: This stage entails converting raw materials into other related offerings. With regard to grocery retail industry in Australia, the organisations focus on providing high quality processed products through the use of required materials (Bized, 2012). Tertiary: This particular stage involves services provided to the business and consumers. This phase is mainly identified as a part of service industry. The Australian grocery retail industry emphasizes efficient handling of variable costs arising from providing quality services by generating greater footfall in the stores by enhanced consumer footfall. It also focuses on ensuring economies of scale along wi th rendering in-store services (Bized, 2012; Australian Government Department of Agriculture, 2013). Factors Differentiating the Market Australian grocery retail market can be differentiated through three major factors that include price differentiation, product differentiation and market segmentation. The marketers operating in the grocery retail market in Australia aim to differentiate their offering by targeting high quality assorted products for their identified target markets. Price Differentiation: Price discrimination or differentiation is referred as the quality of an exporter to fix the price in terms of market scenario. This behaviour notifies the exporter to exchange the rate by changing the price of its products. In certain terms, it can be said that price discrimination is the theory of changing prices for different consumers. In Australian grocery retail market perspective, price discrimination plays a vital role. Price differentiation is essentially divided into three parts that include first-degree price discrimination, second-degree price discrimination and third-degree price discrimination. In Australian grocery retail market, the price discrimination is very much important for the strategies adopted by the suppliers

Nestle: Indias success story

Nestle: Indias success story With an employee-strength of over 3000 and turnover of US$ 497 million in 2003, Nestle India is one of the leading companies in the FMCG space in India. The company is acknowledged amongst Indias Most Respected Companies and amongst the Top Wealth Creators of India. During the first half 2004, the company registered a total income of US$ 257.8 million and net profit of US$ 23.73 million. Nestle India is a 61.85 per cent subsidiary of Nestle S.A. Switzerland and was incorporated as a limited company in 1959. It produces a wide range of products including beverages, prepared dishes and cooking aids, milk products and nutrition, chocolate and confectionery. Milk products and nutrition account for around 45 per cent of Nestle Indias total revenues. The companys beverage products generate 22 per cent of the companys total revenues, while prepared dishes and cooking aids generate 18 per cent, and chocolate and confectionery 15 per cent. Major Player in processed foods: Nestle India has over the years built strong brands like MAGGI, NESCAFE, CERELAC, LACTOGEN, KITKAT and POLO. Nestle is major player in many segments of the FMCG sector such as noodles and sauces [MAGGI], instant coffee [NESCAFE] and weaning foods. Nestle products are sold throughout India and are also exported to Russia, Hungary, Japan, USA and several other countries. These include certain international products like Nescafe and Lactogen, as well as select culinary products to meet the demand of the ethnic Indian population living abroad. For three years in succession [from 1999-2000 to 2001- 2002], Nestle India was recognized with the top Exporter Award for export of Instant Coffee, and for export of all coffees to Russia and CIS Countries. Factors for success The culture of innovation and renovation, continuous improvement and the thrust on value-for-money and affordability have helped the company to focus on adding value for the consumer. The company has continuously focused on operational efficiency; improving product availability and visibility and initiated efforts to make its products more relevant to the consumers. This has been supported by the distribution of smaller stock-keeping units (SKUs). There has been continuous focus on the seven value drivers, namely: Sales growth Profit margin Working capital intensity Fixed capital intensity Income tax rate Cost of capital Value growth duration Promotion strategy for market expansion: The following are some of the strategies used by Nestle for market expansion: Availability of NESCAFE enhanced through an expansion of the vending machine network. New consumption opportunities for chocolates and confectionery were identified and developed in areas like railway platforms, college canteens and major events. Nestle set up Cafe Nescafe and Coffee Corners across metros and mini-metros. Thrust on supply chain: During the past few years, Nestle India has continuously focused on improving the supply chain to reduce wastage, improve efficiencies and provide consumers with fresh stocks all the time. Reduction in the finished goods inventory pipeline to improve freshness of stocks and reduce working capital Control on distribution costs through innovative measures Sustained improvement in customer service levels to improve product availability across all geographies and channels Reduction in obsolescence of materials Competence in research and development: The company has access to the Nestle Groups proprietary technology/brands, expertise and the extensive centralized research and development facilities. The culture of innovation and renovation and benchmarking of consumers tastes and products is facilitated in the company by the unique Experimental Kitchen and 2Sensory Laboratory at the Head Office. Leveraging the India Advantage: Outsourcing manufacturing Nestle India has six factories and a large number of co-packers who manufacture products to Nestle specifications. Outsourcing IT advantage The Nestle Group is in the process of implementing the GLOBE project across its operations worldwide. GLOBE is a unique project and the largest of its kind and will enable the Nestle Group to maintain its competitive advantage in the increasingly complex environments of the future. Leveraging the vast consumer base in India Nestle has an optimistic outlook on the Indian economy as the income of people is increasing and the lifestyles are changing. Nestle is keen on leveraging the vast consumer market of India. Future plans: Nestle Indias objective is to manufacture and market the companys products in such a way so as to create value that can be sustained over the long term for consumers, shareholders, employees and business partners. Nestle aims to create value for consumers that can be sustained over the long term by offering a wide variety of high quality, safe food products at affordable prices. The company continuously focuses its efforts to better understand the changing lifestyles of modern India and anticipate consumer needs in order to provide convenience, taste, nutrition and wellness through its product offerings.

Franklin Essay -- essays research papers

A Prominent Individual Benjamin Franklin was a very prominent figure in shaping our nation. Many people look at him as a role model or just as an amazing individual. He had his faults just like every human being had, and he shouldn’t be discredited because of a few minor glitches to his character. As being the only person that had signed The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Treaty of Paris, this immediately separates him from all others. One of the things that he wrote about in Benjamin Franklin: The Autobiography and Other Writings, was trying to be the ideal person, and even made a list of virtues to live by. His virtues were very important to his lifestyle, and he followed them to a great extent.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of his important virtues was humility. It was simply stated: â€Å"Imitate Jesus and Socrates.† From the beginning of Franklin’s life, when he went to grammar school he was always interested in learning. His father took him from grammar school and his next move was to be an apprentice to his brother as a printer. With undying love for knowledge he continued to learn how to read and write well. â€Å"From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books† (Franklin 13). He continually got books from other print shops and stores to read on the side of working. One of the writings that touched him the most was the Socratic dialogue that he read in the back of a grammar book that he borrowed. He continued his research on Socrates, and therefore the Socratic method became a driving force in his beliefs. That is why he states that we should ‘Imitate Jesus and Socrates’. Their views must have some basis in common in order for him to look up to them that much.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"My intentions were to acquire the Habitude of all these virtues, I judg’d it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix it one of them at a time, and when I should be master of that, then proceed to another, and so on till I should have gone thro’ the thirteen† (Franklin 93). He believes that if he masters all of these virtues that he will become the perfect individual. If humility is the thirteenth one, than it must be the most important one in his life, or at least a closure to a perfect lifestyle. He made a book in which he allotte... ...t. Franklin learned very much in his life, maybe even more than he taught to others. Franklin has a method of teaching that I believe is a proper way of getting ideas across. â€Å"Do as I say, not as I do.† I feel that this statement alone totally defeats the characterization of Franklin being a hypocrite. The flaws in Franklin’s character should not be analyzed as closely as some look at them. It is all part of a learning process, which he has passed on to us as readers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many of the setbacks that Ben Franklin has had in his life are looked at by some people to be considered flaws that contribute to hypocrisy. He was a great individual, maybe not perfect, but he did many things for the well being of our nation. He is one of the frontrunners of modern society with his inventions and discoveries. His experiments go beyond the major things such as electricity, every thing that he has done in his life was an experiment. He tried to be the perfect individual and a teacher of perfection. I think he did a very good job of accomplishing his goals and we should look up to him as being not only a down to earth person, but also a person that has risen to supremacy.

Basic Sentence Structures And Samples

Using the four basic sentence structures in a written work is very important, first as a means of clarity of expression, and second as a means of adding dimension and variety to a written work. For instance, using only simple sentences such as â€Å"The woman eats everything she sees. † will not give continuity to a written work, and will make the work sound and look like an enumeration of things, just a list of everything with nothing to link each of these together.On the outset, it will make the written work ambiguous or difficult to understand. There should be a variety of sentences in a written work, so noticeably, if for instance, the above sentence is followed by a compound sentence like, â€Å"She eats everything but she also chooses what to eat based on her mood. † the above simple sentence acquires another dimension and thus, more clarity.Now if to these two sentences another sentence is added, a complex sentence, like, â€Å"She opens her mouth every time som ething edible is in sight until the item is too big for her mouth. † the idea expressed in the first two sentences becomes even clearer, hence, the function of clarity; and with the introduction of new ideas in the third sentence, more variety is achieved. Finally, with the addition of a compound-complex sentence, such as, â€Å"When she is full, the woman’s stomach distends immensely, and she stops eating.† the ideas come full circle and maximum clarity is achieved. The above sentences may therefore be written as follows. â€Å"The woman eats everything she sees. She eats everything but she also chooses what to eat based on her mood. She opens her mouth every time something edible is in sight until the item is too big for her mouth. When she is full, the woman’s stomach distends immensely, and she stops eating. †

Africa’s growing concern Essay

Whoever ignites the flames of hate has succeeded considerably. Hatred has become a way of life for many people around the world. People envy other people and create hatred to those of better lives. But no human being is prepared for what the African continent actually reveals. The persecution of unwanted individuals is prevalent in this part of the earth. Poverty hounds Africa no end. The life there is very hard and disturbing. The place is filled with chaos and turmoil. No stability is in sight. The entire world is currently alarmed over the high incidence of death within its population. Countries over the years have pledged support to the stagnant economy of the African nation. All means of contribution have been given to the poor continent. But in spite of the continued aid, there seems to be no hope of rising within the nation. Africa has shoved itself into a hole so deep that the possibility of becoming buried is never a remote idea in the future. Men, women and children agonize over their situations. Food and resources are hard to come by. Thousands die of starvation annually. But more than that, countless people become victims of unnecessary violence. World leaders and governments around the globe have, time and again, met and discuss the events in Africa numerous times. Like a disease, the social demise of its population has been a primary concern for many nationalities worldwide. People are dying every minute. The media has played a vital role in revealing the abuses and brutalities of people. All eyes are focused on this place where individuals have disregarded the value of human life. The carnage continues, and will continue unless a swift and effective solution will be unveiled. There is a sense of urgency for the world’s leading governments to address the destruction of human dignity in Africa. However, in spite of the launching of countless humanitarian missions to solve the nation’s woes, death and suffering lingers on. Billions have been spent on relief operations but the social problem remains undefeated. The casualty toll piles up. The killing spree goes unsuppressed. And the rest of the world watches dumbfounded. It only shows that governments and its people are not doing enough to find answers to the African problem. Although food and the lack of basic needs is the primary concern among the African people, it is violence that must be silenced. Several decades of gun running and smuggling within the continent have only brought death to many citizens. As long as the armaments keep on coming, peace will remain to be an elusive and distant dream. The social instability in the African nation is about power. Individuals and their clans grapple for control. Gaining that momentum to hold every move in the tumultuous society means having the arms and weapons to subject everyone to their every word. The world is stretching its influence into every corner of the continent. But sadly, the troubled nation drives off the chance and rare opportunity to rebuild its communities. It is ironic that a very poor place can summon the strength to annihilate all intervening parties out of their motherland. Events are bleak. The panic button has been set. But with all the dangers and the deaths, Africans have little regard for the needs of their nation. Women and children go elsewhere to find peace. War escalates and the streets are stained with blood. If the world is keen on finding the answers to the growing social menace in Africa, analysts should dig deeper to gain a full and total understanding of the situation among its people. The United Nations must be aware to the motives and intentions of the African people. All along, the entire globe has only addressed the needs of the poor continent. The real reason for the chaos remains undetermined, and therefore, unsolved. Turmoil will continue to rob the African nation of its dream of peace and stability. With a disorganized crowd and a selfish government, senseless killings and looting will be around for a long time.

Italian Proverbs Starting With the Letter A

Italian Proverbs Starting With the Letter A A A buon intenditor poche parole.English translation:  Few words to the good listener.Idiomatic meaning:  A word to the wise is sufficient. A caval donato non si guarda in bocca.English translation:  Dont look a gift horse in the mouth. A chi dai il dito si prende anche il braccio.English translation:  Give them a finger and theyll take the arm.Idiomatic meaning:  Give them an inch and theyll take a mile. A ciascuno il suo.English translation:  To each his own. A confessore, medico e avvocato non tener il ver celato.English translation:  To confessor, doctor, and lawyer do not hide the truth. A mali estremi, estremi rimedi.English translation:  Desperate times call for desperate measures. A nemico che fugge, ponti doro.English translation:  For the enemy who escapes, golden bridges. A ogni uccello il suo nido à ¨ bello.English translation:  To every bird, his own nest is beautiful.Idiomatic meaning:  Theres no place like home. A rubar poco si va in galera, a rubar tanto si fa cariera.English translation:  Steal a little, go to jail; steal a lot, make a career of it. A tutto cà ¨ rimedio, fuorchà ¨ alla morte.English translation:  There is a cure for everything except death. Acqua cheta rovina i ponti.English translation:  Silent waters run deep. Acqua passata non macina pià ¹.English translation:  Thats water under the bridge. Aiutati che Dio taiuta.English translation:  Help youself and God will help you.Idiomatic meaning:  God helps those who help themselves. Al bisogno si conosce lamico.English translation:  A friend in need is a friend indeed. Al contadino non far sapere quanto à ¨ buono il formaggio con le pere.English translation:  Dont let the farmer know how good cheese is with pears. Ama il prossimo tuo come te stesso.English translation:  Love thy neighbor as thyself. Ambasciator non porta pena.English translation:  Dont shoot the messenger. Amico di tutti e di nessuno à ¨ tuttuno.English translation:  A friend to all and a friend to none is one and the same. Avere le mani in pasta.English translation:  To have a finger in the pie. Introduction to Italian Proverbs

Discussion# 1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion# 1 - Assignment Example ce entails integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research (Sackett et al, 2010). Essentially, the evidence based medicine requires that each clinician upholds their duty to stay in touch with the research literature and to implement best practice as a part of all clinical decision making (Sackett et al, 2010). The critiques of sackett defination of evidence based practice argue that Systematic research is the best quality research but it is not always available. For instance, the Nursing care, particularly in mental health, remains under researched. In addition, they argue that Patients should be involved in decisions about their care. Therefore, they say that Muir Gray definition on evidence based health care is the based. He defined it as an approach to decision making in which the clinician uses the best evidence available, in consultation with the patient, to decide upon the option which suits the patient (Muir, 2009). In my opinion, these definitions stress on facilitating decisions about assessment and intervention that are deemed effective and efficient for a given direct stakeholder On the other hand, the American Psychological Association defines EBP as the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture and preferences (Gambrills, 2011).  Finally, another definition advanced by Schlosser and Raghavendra suggest that EBP is the integration of best and current research evidence with clinical expertise and relevant stakeholder perspectives (Schlosser, & Raghavendra, 2010). Notably, all the definitions stress three bases, which are the research evidence, educational expertise, and relevant stakeholder perspectives that are relevant and need to be integrated through the EBP process. Gambrills, E.   (2010).  Evidence-based practice: Implications for knowledge development and use in social work.   In A. Rosen & E.

Social Mobility Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social Mobility - Essay Example Social Mobility Intergenerational mobility depends on a variety of factors. These that play a role in individual economic success and includes inheritable traits and factors related to the family and social context in which individuals develop (OECD 184). Some of the environmental factors are related to public plans while others are largely influenced by policies. For example, there are policies that control access to human capital formation. These may include public support for early childhood as well as policies that may increase or reduce economic and other barriers to accessing higher education (OECD 184). Therefore, in economic terms, intergenerational social mobility can be defined in terms of the potential to move up (or down) the income or wage scale relative to one's parents (OECD 184). In United States, different factors influence social mobility. Some of these factors have acted as a barrier to social mobility amongst many people in the society. A description of barriers to social mobilit y in American society helps in predicting future of children, point challenges, and effort that need to be undertaken to improve social mobility. One of the existing barriers to social mobility is racial differences. Racial differences in family background may result to racial differences in the accumulation of human capital (Kearney 46). Such kind of human capital is thought to relate to education attainment. This may arise in terms of parental wealth and emphasis on learning. (Kearney 46). Traditionally, different models assume that an personal achievement is based on ability. If this is the case, there should be a correspondence between black and white children. However, there appears to be cheaper labor market expectations for black children. Therefore, the black children’s choose a lower level of human capital investment (Kearney 46). Moreover, due to the constraints of getting credits, they are most likely not to associate with massive forms of investments. Therefore, i f minorities families tend to have less access to credit and wealth than other families, they are also less likely to get quality education than the white children’ of the same ability (Kearney 46). A report indicates that children from low-income families have less than one percent chance of reaching the top 5% of income distribution as compared to children of the rich with over 10% chance (Hertz 4). The other factor is labor market discrimination. This occurs as workers who are of equal productive measures are treated unequally in the economic sense (Kearney 46). This may arise in relation to gender, race, or ethnicity. In America, such type of racial discrimination still exists. This occurs through the prejudice of some members of the majority group’s against members of the minority group. Consequently, some of the group may gain promotion and thus earn more in comparison to the other group. Kearney notes, â€Å"The transmission of income level from parents to chil dren among blacks differs distinctly from among the whites† (37). He also notes that the average income is lower among blacks than whites are (Kearney 37). Consequently, the upward mobility is lower among blacks as compared to whites due to lower average income. In addition, the minority groups are also less likely to be hired based on the negative perception. This leads to such member of the minority g

Computed Tomography Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Computed Tomography - Assignment Example lues based on dispersed dose quantities while on the other side, the NCRP technique demonstrated an overestimation of the least vital obstacle of depth. Breast shielding method is another shielding method. It helps in reducing radiation dose. The main side effect of breast shielding is that it produces low quality images during the study. Bismuth shielding method on the other side has also contributed to reduce doses effects to patients of CT such as breast, thyroid and eye lens. (Jankowski et al., 2004). Bismuth shielding method is also easy to use compared to other methods. Radiation protection shielding helps in reducing exposed body parts which are sensitive such as thyroid and gonads and the breast from radiation. Having gone through several findings about computed tomography radiation protection shield, it is our concern to consider different body parts that experiences radiation effects. The reviews specify a favorite shields for computed tomography angiography versus ventilat ion perfusion scanning in the diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolus to the patients with lung disease (Jankowski et al., 2004). The nature of likeness is geared with a number of factors that varies between the institutions and the selection of the patient. Shielding calculations for computed tomography system is based on British Institute of Radiology and institute of physics in Engineering in Medicine (BIR-IPEM). Studies reveal that people are much affected by computed tomography (Jankowski et al., 2004).

Executive summary Essay Example for Free

Executive summary Essay Donald, you provided a thorough discussion of what an executive summary really is. Your method of presentation of examples that are equivalent to an executive summary such as a business report or a one-verse summary from the Bible serves as a superb way for the reader to totally appreciate what you are talking about (Marydee, 2004). You also provide the technical features of an executive summary, such as the general length and the scope of such documents (Penrose et al. , 2004). However, I would also want to comment on the tone of your discussion. In your fourth and sixth paragraphs, I noticed that there were a couple of sentences that project a negative attitude among the readers of executive summaries. You mentioned in the fourth paragraph that â€Å"†¦executive summaries are designed for audiences that lack time or motivation to read the full report (Bovee et al. , 2003). † I suggest that you modify this sentence because this connotation of this phrase is not very pleasant for the reader. In the sixth paragraph, you stated, â€Å"†¦most executives habitually make quick decisions, well written executive summaries are arguably the most important information in the business report. † This phrase of yours provides an impression that executives either are not interested in reading the full report, making these individuals not as energetic as they are perceived, or that executives are very gullible because their major decisions are all based on the executive summary. The problem here with your description is that if there is a substandard executive summary that has been generated by a fresh writer, any decisions that will be made by the executive will be significantly influenced by the work produced by this immature writer. I suggest that you incorporate my comments and suggestions so that you will have an improved version of your discussion.

Loreals New Product Development Strategy Marketing Essay

Loreals New Product Development Strategy Marketing Essay This report is based on LOreals new product development strategy and the way they have successfully managed to achieve considerable market shares through consistent RD efforts. The case continues with an insight into LOreals innovations that have been a success among the diverse segments of the global market. LOreal has not only followed a comprehensive, long term RD strategy that has resulted in creating innovative break through products like Fructis, but it has also tried to maintain its balance between RD and marketing interface. Company overview LOreal UK is the Groups fourth largest subsidiary in Europe and fifth in the world and has been present in the UK for 75 years. Also A significant player in the UK cosmetics market, turnover in 2006 reached  £626 million and 67% of women in the UK use one or more LOreal product. Approximately 170 million units were produced at the Llantrisant factory in 2006 and nearly 70% of the factory output is exported. overseas Recent investments have included a biological waste water treatment plant and more efficient heating, ventilation and lighting systems.The new distribution centre adjacent to the factory covers an area of over 18,000m2 and can house up to 10 million products and 300 people are employed at the factory. 25% of the permanent staff has worked for LOreal for over 20 years. (www.loreal.co.uk) Introduction Innovation is the most crucial stage for a company and it carries significant risk in the context of product failures that might occur right after their launch in the market. The product failure rate can be as low as 30% and as high as 90% in this regard. (Antil, J.1988). The global market is characterised by different taste patterns of consumers. Therefore in the face of rapidly changing consumer tastes, technology and competition, companies should continuously provide the global market with new products that satisfy all segments of the market. This requires systematic Research Development and innovation by companies in order to create successful products that have a considerable market demand. In the case of LOreal, the company has always tried to be innovating through their RD efforts. The case sites the example of LOreals Feria range that was exclusively innovated for Asian people. Product innovation is a complex task and it requires careful planning by the company based on the above mentioned factors. Today the global market is a fiercely competitive environment in which the important target for companies is to capture increasing returns to scale while minimizing / lowering costs of production with great speed and flexibility (Kotabe, 1990). LOreal as an international chain tries to achieve these targets through its consistent RD innovations in order to create products that are marketable throughout all international market. LOreals RD innovation expends about 20% more for new product development as compared to its competitors such as Procter Gamble and Unilever, occupying number one position in the market. Why is new innovation so important for a company like LOreal LOreal is a well established company in fashion business and in order to maintain its superior standing in the global market, it has to concentrate on the strategies it employs for innovation. The speed at which fashion markets change is very high, with very short product life cycles. Many fashion items have product cycles as short as half a year, or even a few weeks. Consumers preferences depend on the season, on the social and cultural environment and on the effects of previous marketing communication for fashion items or substitute products (Mintel, 2005). Responding in a timely way to these changing demands is vital for success. Moreover, without new products, firms will certainly be at a stand still And Research also highlights that early entry of new products can result in competitive advantage and long term market dominance. The characteristics of the fashion industry require companies to make strategic choices about factors such as quality, speed, technology, price and flexibility: these factors define the positioning of a company (Abell, 1993). Drawing upon the information provided in the case study, it can be suggested that LOreal operates in the top end of the fashion market with clear market positioning. LOreals targeted market segments can be characterised as fashion trend-setters, and these are the customers in the high and medium segments. They demand products with innovative styles, with top-level quality by scientists and designers that have built the reputation of powerful brands. It should be noticed that firms that operate in the mass segment which targets fashion followers tend to imitate the high performing products of top brands like LOreal and therefore the competitive advantage of top brands recedes over time, making product lifecycle short. Given the high quality expected of its products and the short product life cycle prevailing in fashion, LOreal has adopted a vertical integration, which afforded it a full control of quality and operations (Erica Stefania, 2004). Therefore, innovation is a critical and complex process that has a direct impact on the companys prestige, which justifies the importance of such developments. Therefore LOreal has to come up with such innovations that not only appeal to the various segments of the global market, but also enhance the companys position once they penetrate the market. hence LOreal would have to invest heavily in the launch of new products and be confident about the effectiveness, marketability and practicality of these products.. Moreover, successful innovation is likely to earn LOreal a superior market share and turnover, increasing the value of the company. Also, LOreal has been a front line of fashion and in order to keep up with the expectations of its consumers, the company has to lay in line new formulas that are carefully researched and tested for their effectiveness. For e.g. when the Japanese people were tired of having black hair and required an alternative to western hair colours due to their poor results, LOreal came up with an effective new hair formula that first bleached their hair and then dyed them according to their desirable colour. Therefore it is clear that in order for a company like LOreal, operating in a volatile and turbulent fashion industry, to create a sustainable competitive advantage should have a fast innovative product development cycle. Because LOreal tries to grab the maximum market share through the introduction of innovative products that are not only different but also cater to the different segments of the international market. Problems of managing Innovation and has LOreal solved these problems In order to launch new products successfully, companies like LOreal have to spend a great deal of time and energy in research and development. Thinking profitable/effective new ideas and implementing them are the core issues to be addressed and in this regard LOreals RD performs the task of coming up with successful innovations while the implementation lies in the hands of how these innovations are marketed. If LOreal launches a new product that cannot be marketed effectively, the RD efforts would be marked as inefficient and useless. Before launching or marketing any new product locally or internationally, a company has to be sure that its innovation would be differentiated from other products and is based on consumers preferences. Such ideas are most likely initiated by marketing and then RD takes over the task. Once the RD process is complete, the launch of new product requires the companys scientists/engineers to observe the market reality and employ different ways of marketing their product. Any negligence in this context would not only result in product failures once they are launched, but would also harm the companys image. For companies like LOreal which continue to thrive on innovation because good ties between marketing and RD to perform their activities during the process of launching innovative products in the global market. However, reality appears a bit complex because studies have shown that RD and marketing tend to have different perceptions and interpretations of the characteristics of a new product, particularly in terms of its technical innovation and the extent to which it affects the established consumption patterns. In reality, marketing perceives a more critical role of a new product for positioning in a market segment than RD. Also marketing perceives a higher degree of customization of individual products than RD. Wang and von Tunzelmann (1997) However, the need for long-term innovation always exists and the scientists need to be given some independence to design new formulas that are not unveiled unless desired. The different views of innovation-marketing are influenced by their different personality, cultural background, time orientation, ambiguity, tolerance and level of detail of language used (Griffin and Hauser, 1996). Therefore for companies like LOreal the innovation-marketing interface needs to be managed in such a way that it satisfies both the needs of innovation as well as marketing. According to a study conducted by Wang in 1997 the innovation and marketing functions were found to have collaborated in accomplishing tasks in three areas. * Conceptual development, identifying and evaluating relevant information * Strategic development, market positioning and product differentiation * Implementation, Internal and external communication. For LOreal these three functions are an important consideration in the process of innovation without which innovations might involve a high degree of risk, resulting in product failures. Once the concept for new product is developed through thorough research, LOreal focuses on identifying its target market segments for effective market positioning followed by laying a much greater emphasis on differentiating its products from its competitors like Procter Gamble and Unilever. Therefore it has to maintain a careful balance between creative innovation-marketing. An important link also exists between the innovation-marketing management. For instance, a strong mismatch between what is desired by customers and what is developed by LOreal would reduce the companys ability to predict market response to its new product. This would result in a reduced level of confidence on the effectiveness of marketing (Shankar, 1999). Therefore, in this context, a clear understanding of customer needs would be helpful in determining a companys innovation timing. This means that by effective management of innovation and marketing interfaces, firms can come up with better strategies both in terms of resource allocation and entry timing. It has been seen that most companies that spend great deal of time and effort on innovation to come up with new ideas, have created such products that resulted in a technological break-through, captivating a huge market share. In case of LOreal, the company has been spending a lot on its innovation department, (spending about 20% greater than its competitors). LOreal employs 2500 chemists, biologists, pharmacists and the companys RD aims to deliver 2000 new ideas to its marketers in order to launch 2000 new products annually. It not only has to develop successful ideas, but also find a perfect marketing strategy that addresses the target markets for the new products, their positioning, sales, market share and profit goals at initial stages. It therefore tries to maintain the balance between creative innovation marketing. The company not only analyzes the marketability of its new products but also tests its effectiveness through its careful innovation process. For e.g. when the marketers desired a fruit based shampoo for the European market, LOreals RD took over the task and it took the company 10 years to come up with Fructis, which captured LOreal a 28% share in the European market alone. This was, in fact, a result of the long term RD efforts of the company and LOreal tries to follow a three-level strategy for efficient management of innovation to marketing interface. Also the company launched a sun lotion exclusively for children, the Ambre Solaire Childrens Sun Lotion, which took three years for its launch and development. Therefore LOreal has tried to solve most of the problems resulting from an imbalanced innovation-marketing interface and needs to lay a greater emphasis on satisfying the individual needs of innovation and marketing respectively. It needs to continue by having a clear focus of the technological innovations and fashion trends. LOreal takes on the new product development screening task during its innovation phase when the company evaluates ideas generated from its own advanced research and whatever is being done externally (outside the company). LOreal makes sure that in order to boost the excitement of its products among consumers it needs to evaluate the effectiveness of its new formulas and offer a clear benefit to the consumers in order to get it accepted by the masses. It was this new product development screening process that resulted in the launch of Ambre Solaire childrens sun lotion by LOreal after three years of full research, thus, coming up with a formula that offered maximum protection to childrens delicate skin that instilled the confidence of their parents in the new product. LOreal has tried to launch its products which are characterized by these thorough screening processes, and it has succeeded to a considerable extent. However, during the screening process LOreal also needs to make sure that its new product developments are consistent with the companys objectives, that they are feasible in terms of product design and are suitable for the identified target markets. CONCLUSION After analysing this case in great detail, both in terms of marketing literature and practical application, it can be undersood that global companies like LOreal have to keep in line with the technological changes as they bring about marked product or process design transformations. Innovation plays a significant role in this regard, without which any new formula/idea is unable to be processed into a tangible new product. This requires professional scientists/engineers to be hired by companies and LOreal expends a great deal on hiring such professionals who can come up with effective, innovative and marketable ideas. The need to respond quickly to the dynamic global market forces requires companies to integrate rapidly to the perceptions and needs of both product developers and potential consumers Therefore, in todays fierce global competition, it is tough to differentiate. products and companies are required to have sufficient knowledge about their target markets/segments locally as well as internationally. Therefore product screening is another important process that needs to be carried out by companies in order to have a closer look at competitive products and evaluate their own product demand and LOreal seems to stand out in this regard as it employs professionals who carefully monitor competitors products in great detail. All this needs to be synchronized with an effective marketing strategy that is in balance with innovation functions of the company, which eventually builds up new products image in the various targeted segments, hence, boosting the companys prestige. It is not easy to gain customer satisfaction without long term effort.

Wealth and Democracy :: essays research papers

Wealth and Democracy. By Kevin Phillips. (New York: Broadway Books, c. 2002. Pp. vii, 422. ISBN 0-7679-0533-4.)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wealth and Democracy clearly illustrates and emphasizes the importance of Democracy being endangered. The author Kevin Phillips, America’s leading political analyst since 1968 and a graduate of Harvard Law School appears very informed and credible. Wealth and Democracy outlines and explains the politics of the second half of the 20th century. In this book Phillips primarily explores how the rich and politically powerful often work together to create and continue to take advantages at the expense of the national interest, the middle class, and the lower class. The book contains several interesting chapters on history and an analysis of present-day America that reveals the dangerous politics that go with the concentration of wealth. Finally, Phillips gives warnings of new radicalism and argues that the corruptions of wealth and power are destructing the United States. Wealth and Democracy examines the history of Britain and other leading world economic powers to point out the symptoms that signaled their declines such as speculative finance, increasing international debt, record wealth, income and unsatisfying politics. Many of the signs that led to the decline of Britain were noticeable signs in America as it entered the twenty-first century. One might be surprised at the way Phillips emphasizes the despiteful practices of the rich considering his republican background. However, due to Phillips increased knowledge of the GOP (Grand Old Party; the first Republicans) He has concluded Republicans economic polices and biases of the 1990s and early 2000s betray the legacy of who He considers the two greatest Republican presidents, Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wealth and Democracy performs a splendid job of convincing one that democracy is endangered and that the practices of the rich and those in power can be deceitful. For the most part the book is easy to follow, fairly organized and has an exceptionally good index. However Phillips could have done better when making references to his previous works because they are confusing and unclear. Wealth and Democracy :: essays research papers Wealth and Democracy. By Kevin Phillips. (New York: Broadway Books, c. 2002. Pp. vii, 422. ISBN 0-7679-0533-4.)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wealth and Democracy clearly illustrates and emphasizes the importance of Democracy being endangered. The author Kevin Phillips, America’s leading political analyst since 1968 and a graduate of Harvard Law School appears very informed and credible. Wealth and Democracy outlines and explains the politics of the second half of the 20th century. In this book Phillips primarily explores how the rich and politically powerful often work together to create and continue to take advantages at the expense of the national interest, the middle class, and the lower class. The book contains several interesting chapters on history and an analysis of present-day America that reveals the dangerous politics that go with the concentration of wealth. Finally, Phillips gives warnings of new radicalism and argues that the corruptions of wealth and power are destructing the United States. Wealth and Democracy examines the history of Britain and other leading world economic powers to point out the symptoms that signaled their declines such as speculative finance, increasing international debt, record wealth, income and unsatisfying politics. Many of the signs that led to the decline of Britain were noticeable signs in America as it entered the twenty-first century. One might be surprised at the way Phillips emphasizes the despiteful practices of the rich considering his republican background. However, due to Phillips increased knowledge of the GOP (Grand Old Party; the first Republicans) He has concluded Republicans economic polices and biases of the 1990s and early 2000s betray the legacy of who He considers the two greatest Republican presidents, Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wealth and Democracy performs a splendid job of convincing one that democracy is endangered and that the practices of the rich and those in power can be deceitful. For the most part the book is easy to follow, fairly organized and has an exceptionally good index. However Phillips could have done better when making references to his previous works because they are confusing and unclear.

Leadership Within the 12 Angry Men Essay

Throughout the film, there is seemingly more than one â€Å"leader† throughout the jury as according to Nick’s definition of a leader being that there were multiple influences and instances that persuaded the decisions of others. Initially the situation is composed of a biased and opinionated jury that is almost unanimously convinced the defendant is guilty. Throughout the scene, there is a slow but sure change of mind throughout the jury as the protagonist, Juror #8, successfully persuades the other jurors who initially voted the boy guilty of murder to further investigate and examine the fact which eventually leads to the confirmation and agreement of reasonable doubt among the jury. Juror 8’s effective followership was best represented by his consistent approach and solution to the conflict that initially had nobody even listening. Juror 8 knew what he was standing up for, proper justice, even in the face of adversity as he was challenged by everyone in the room and his willingness and courage to assume the responsibility and challenge the assumed (198). He is also seen as a leader of the group through the honesty and integrity he displayed by â€Å"acting in accordance with solid moral principles† (41) as well as a drive to reach an honest verdict by convincing the group to look at all the possibilities despite the obvious and assumed. Juror 3 would best be classified as an alienated follower as his prejudice against the defendant clouds his judgment, placing a bias on why he thinks the boy is guilty. As it turns out, his own son that he hasn’t seen for 2 years had grown up challenging his authority and rejecting his morals providing the basis for the anger that is displayed so stubbornly until the very bitter end. As alienated followers â€Å"are capable, they focus exclusively on the shortcomings and have experienced setbacks and obstacles† (195) as did Juror 3 when initially, he had convincingly and mindlessly persuaded the others of the defendant’s guiltiness as a result of the anger he felt from the bitter relationship he had with his son. Juror 10 could most definitely be classified as conformist follower as his stubborn belief in the defendant’s guiltiness was supported by a mindless and intolerant argument supported by his racist, bigoted comments. Initially Juror 10 willingly participated in the heated yet convinced discussion as there was little doubt about the defendant’s guilt and conflict was at a minimum. As the tables turned and tension rose, Juror 10 found himself â€Å"concerned with avoiding conflict† (195) and became less of a contributor to the conversation. As with Juror 8, in any situation in which there is an uncertainty or doubt present, especially regarding a decision with such major implications such as the one presented to the â€Å"Twelve Angry Men†, I find it highly necessary to further investigate and take all things into consideration before coming to a decision. The suspicion of shady, questionable behavior of the CEO is to be examined and reviewed in the same manner that Juror 8 went about questioning the assumed â€Å"facts† and looked at all the possibilities.

The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter Nineteen

The drive to Butlersbridge was everything Jack remembered. The trees, the birds, the precise shade of green as the wind ruffled the grass†¦These were the sights and sounds of his childhood. Nothing had changed. It ought to have been comforting. It wasn't. When he opened his eyes that morning, Grace had already slipped from the bed and made her way back to her own room. He was disappointed, of course; he'd been awakened by his own love and desire for her, and wanted nothing more than to gather her back into his arms. But he had understood. Life was not as free for a woman as for a man, even a woman of independent means. Grace had her reputation to consider. Thomas and Amelia would never say a word against her, but Jack did not know Lord Crowland well enough to guess what he might do if Grace were caught in his bed. And as for the dowager†¦ Well, it went without saying that she'd happily destroy Grace now, if given the chance. The traveling party – minus the dowager, to everyone's relief – met up in the inn's dining room for breakfast. Jack knew he'd been unable to keep his heart from his eyes when he saw Grace enter the room. Would it always be this way, he wondered. Would he see her and feel this indescribable, overwhelming rush of feeling? It wasn't even desire. It was far more than that. It was love. Love. With a capital L and swirly script and hearts and flowers and whatever else the angels – and yes, all those annoying little cupids – wished to use for embellishment. Love. It could be nothing else. He saw Grace and he felt joy. Not just his joy, but everyone's. The stranger seated behind him. The acquaintance across the room. He saw it all. He felt it all. It was amazing. Humbling. Grace looked at him, and he was a better man. And she thought he would allow anyone to keep them apart. It would not happen. He would not let it happen. Throughout breakfast she did not precisely avoid him – there were far too many shared glances and secret smiles for that. But she had been careful not to seek him out, and indeed, he'd not had an opportunity to speak with her even once. He probably wouldn't have been able to do so even if Grace was not so inclined to be circumspect; Amelia slipped her hand in Grace's right after breakfast and did not let go. Safety in numbers, Jack decided. The two ladies were stuck in the coach all day with the dowager. He would have been blindly reaching for a hand if forced to endure the same. The three gentlemen rode on horseback, taking advantage of the fine weather. Lord Crowland decided to take a seat in the carriage after their first stop to water the horses, but thirty minutes later he was staggering back out, declaring the ride far less exhausting than the dowager. â€Å"You would abandon your daughter to the dowager's venom?† Jack asked mildly. Crowland did not even try to make excuses. â€Å"I did not say I was proud of myself.† â€Å"The Outer Hebrides,† Thomas said, trotting by. â€Å"I'm telling you, Audley, it's the key to your happiness. The Outer Hebrides.† â€Å"The Outer Hebrides?† Crowland echoed, looking from man to man for explanation. â€Å"Almost as far as the Orkneys,† Thomas said cheerfully. â€Å"And much more fun to say.† â€Å"Have you holdings there?† Crowland asked. â€Å"Not yet,† Thomas replied. He looked over at Jack. â€Å"Perhaps you can restore a nunnery. Something with insurmountable walls.† Jack found himself enjoying the mental picture. â€Å"How have you lived with her for so long?† he asked. Thomas shook his head. â€Å"I have no idea.† They were talking as if it were already decided, Jack realized. They were talking as if he had already been named the duke. And Thomas did not seem to mind. If anything, he appeared to be looking forward to his imminent dispossession. Jack looked back at the carriage. Grace had insisted that she could not marry him if he was the duke. And yet, he could not imagine doing it without her. He was unprepared for the duties that came with the title. Astoundingly so. But she knew what to do, didn't she? She'd lived at Belgrave for five years. She had to know how the place was run. She knew the name of every last servant, and as far as he could tell, their birthdays, too. She was kind. She was gracious. She was innately fair, of impeccable judgment, and far more intelligent than he. He could not imagine a more perfect duchess. But he did not want to be the duke. He truly didn't. He'd gone over it in his mind countless times, reminding himself of all of the reasons why he'd make a very bad Duke of Wyndham, but had he ever actually come out and said it plainly? He did not want to be the duke. He looked over at Thomas, who was looking up at the sun, shading his eyes with his hand. â€Å"It must be past noon,† Lord Crowland said. â€Å"Shall we stop for lunch?† Jack shrugged. It did not matter to him. â€Å"For the sake of the ladies,† Crowland said. As one, they turned and looked over their shoulders toward the carriage. Jack thought he saw Crowland cringe. â€Å"It's not pretty in there,† he said in a low voice. Jack quirked a brow. â€Å"The dowager,† Crowland said, shuddering. â€Å"Amelia begged me to let her ride after we watered the horses.† â€Å"That would be too cruel to Grace,† Jack said. â€Å"That's what I told Amelia.† â€Å"As you were fleeing the carriage,† Thomas murmured, smiling just a little. Crowland cocked his head. â€Å"I would never claim otherwise.† â€Å"And I would never chastise you for it.† Jack listened to the exchange with little interest. By his estimation, they were about halfway to Butlersbridge, and it was growing increasingly difficult to find humor in the inane. â€Å"There is a clearing a mile or so ahead,† he said. â€Å"I've stopped there before. It's suitable for a picnic.† The two other men nodded their agreement, and about five minutes later they'd found the spot. Jack dismounted and went immediately to the carriage. A groom was helping the ladies down, but as Grace would be the last to alight, it was easy enough for him to position himself so he might take her hand when she emerged. â€Å"Mr. Audley,† Grace said. She was nothing but polite, but her eyes shone with a secret warmth. â€Å"Miss Eversleigh.† He looked down at her mouth. The corners were moving slightly†¦very slightly. She wanted to smile. He could see it. He could feel it. â€Å"I will eat in the carriage,† the dowager announced sharply. â€Å"Only heathens eat on the ground.† Jack tapped his chest and grinned. â€Å"Proud to be a heathen.† He quirked his head toward Grace. â€Å"And you?† â€Å"Very proud.† The dowager marched once around the perimeter of the field – to stretch her legs, she said – and then disappeared back inside the carriage. â€Å"That must have been very difficult for her,† Jack commented, watching her go. Grace had been examining the contents of a picnic basket, but at that she looked up. â€Å"Difficult?† â€Å"There is no one to harass in the carriage,† he explained. â€Å"I think she feels that we have all ganged up upon her.† â€Å"We have.† Grace looked conflicted. â€Å"Yes, but – â€Å" Oh†¦ no. He was not going to listen to her make excuses for the dowager. â€Å"Don't tell me that you harbor any sympathy toward her.† â€Å"No.† Grace shook her head. â€Å"I wouldn't say that, but – â€Å" â€Å"You are far too softhearted.† At that she smiled. Sheepishly. â€Å"Perhaps.† Once the blankets were laid out, Jack maneuvered them so they were seated a bit apart from the others. It was not very difficult – or very obvious – to do so; Amelia had sat down next to her father, who appeared to be delivering some sort of lecture, and Thomas had wandered off, probably in search of a tree that needed watering. â€Å"Is this the road you traveled when you went to school in Dublin?† Grace asked, reaching for a slice of bread and cheese. â€Å"Yes.† He'd tried to keep the tightness out of his voice, but he must not have succeeded, because when he looked at her, she was regarding him in that unsettling way of hers. â€Å"Why don't you want to go home?† she asked. It was on the tip of his tongue to say that her imagination was too active, or, since he really ought to be reverting to form, something clever and grandiose, involving sunshine, twittering birds, and milk of human kindness. Statements like that had got him out of far more delicate situations than this. But he hadn't the energy just now, nor the will. And, anyway, Grace knew better. She knew him better. He could be his usual flip and funny self, and most of the time – he hoped – she would love him for it. But not when he was trying to hide the truth. Or hide from the truth. â€Å"It's complicated,† he said, because at least that wasn't a lie. She nodded and turned to her lunch. He waited for another question, but none were forthcoming. So he picked up an apple. He looked over. She was cutting into a slice of roast chicken, her eyes on her utensils. He opened his mouth to speak, then decided not to, then brought the apple to his mouth. Then didn't bite into it. â€Å"It's been over five years,† he blurted out. She looked up. â€Å"Since you've been home?† He nodded. â€Å"That's a long time.† â€Å"Very long.† â€Å"Too long?† His fingers tightened around the apple. â€Å"No.† She took a few bites of her meal, then looked up. â€Å"Would you like me to slice that apple for you?† He handed it over, mostly because he'd forgotten he was holding it. â€Å"I had a cousin, you know.† Bloody hell, where had that come from? He hadn't meant to say anything about Arthur. He'd spent the last five years trying not to think about him, trying to make sure that Arthur's was not the last face he saw before he fell asleep at night. â€Å"I thought you'd said you had three cousins,† Grace said. She wasn't looking at him; she gave every sign of giving her complete focus to the apple and knife in her hands. â€Å"Only two now.† She looked up, her eyes large with sympathy. â€Å"I am sorry.† â€Å"Arthur died in France.† The words sounded rusty. He realized it had been a long time since he'd said Arthur's name aloud. Five years, probably. â€Å"With you?† Grace asked softly. He nodded. She looked down at the apple slices, now neatly arranged on a plate. She didn't seem to know what to do with them. â€Å"You're not going to say that it wasn't my fault?† he said, and he hated the sound of his voice. It was hollow, and pained, and sarcastic, and desperate, and he couldn't believe what he'd just said. â€Å"I wasn't there,† she said. His eyes flew to her face. â€Å"I can't imagine how it would have been your fault, but I wasn't there.† She reached across the food and laid her hand briefly atop his. â€Å"I'm sorry. Were you close?† He nodded, turning away and pretending to look at the trees. â€Å"Not so much when we were young. But after we left for school†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He pinched the bridge of his nose, wondering how to explain just what Arthur had done for him. â€Å"†¦we found much more in common.† Her fingers tightened around his, and then she let go. â€Å"It is difficult to lose someone you love.† He looked back at her once he was satisfied that his eyes would remain dry. â€Å"When you lost your parents†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It was horrible,† she answered. Her lips moved at the corners, but not into a smile. It was one of those flashes of movement – a tiny, little rush of emotion, escaping almost without notice. â€Å"I didn't think I should die,† Grace said softly, â€Å"but I did not know how I would live.† â€Å"I wish†¦Ã¢â‚¬  But he didn't know what he wished. That he could have been there for her? What good would he have been? Five years ago he'd been broken, too. â€Å"The dowager saved me,† she said. She smiled wryly. â€Å"Isn't that funny?† His brows rose. â€Å"Oh, come now. The dowager does nothing out of the goodness of her heart.† â€Å"I did not say why she did it, just that she did. I should have been forced to marry my cousin if she had not taken me in.† He took her hand and brought it to his lips. â€Å"I am glad you did not.† â€Å"So am I,† she said, without any trace of tenderness. â€Å"He is awful.† Jack chuckled. â€Å"And here I'd hoped you were relieved to have waited for me.† She gave him an arch look and withdrew her hand. â€Å"You have not met my cousin.† He finally took one of the apple pieces and bit into it. â€Å"We have an overabundance of odious relations, you and I.† Her lips twisted in thought, and then her body twisted so that she could look back toward the carriage. â€Å"I should go to her,† she said. â€Å"No, you shouldn't,† Jack said firmly. Grace sighed. She did not want to feel sorry for the dowager, not after what the dowager had said to her the night before. But her conversation with Jack had brought back memories†¦and reminded her just how very much she was indebted to her. She turned back to Jack. â€Å"She is all alone.† â€Å"She deserves to be alone.† He said this with great conviction, and more than a touch of surprise, as if he could not believe the matter might be under discussion. â€Å"No one deserves to be alone.† â€Å"Do you really believe that?† She didn't, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬ I want to believe it.† He looked at her dubiously. Grace started to rise. She looked this way and that, making sure no one could hear, and said, â€Å"You should not have been kissing my hand where people can see, anyway.† She stood then, stepping quickly away, before he had a chance to make a reply. â€Å"Have you finished your lunch?† Amelia called out as she passed. Grace nodded. â€Å"Yes. I am going to the carriage to see if the dowager needs anything.† Amelia looked at her as if she'd gone mad. Grace gave a little shrug. â€Å"Everybody deserves a second chance.† She thought about that, then added, mostly to herself, â€Å"That, I really do believe.† She marched over to the carriage. It was too high for her to climb up herself, and the grooms were nowhere in sight, so she called out, â€Å"Your grace! Your grace!† There was no reply, so she said, a little louder, â€Å"Ma'am!† The dowager's irate visage appeared in the open doorway. â€Å"What do you want?† Grace reminded herself that she had not spent a lifetime of Sunday mornings in church for nothing. â€Å"I wished to inquire if you needed anything, your grace.† â€Å"Why?† Good heavens, she was suspicious. â€Å"Because I am a nice person,† Grace said, somewhat impatiently. And then she crossed her arms, waiting to see what the dowager said to that. The dowager stared down at her for several moments, then said, â€Å"It is my experience that nice people don't need to advertise themselves as such.† Grace wanted to inquire what sort of experience the dowager had with nice people, since it was her own experience that most nice people fled the dowager's presence. But that seemed catty. She took a breath. She did not have to do this. She did not have to help the dowager in any way. She was her own woman now, and she did not need to worry over her security. But she was, as she had noted, a nice person. And she was determined to remain a nice person, regardless of her improved circumstances. She had waited upon the dowager for the last five years because she'd had to, not because she wanted to. And now†¦ Well, she still didn't want to. But she'd do it. Whatever the dowager's motives five years ago, she had saved Grace from a lifetime of unhappiness. And for that, she could spend an hour attending to the dowager. But more than that, she could choose to spend an hour attending to her. It was amazing what a difference that made. â€Å"Ma'am?† Grace said. That was all. Just ma'am. She'd said enough. It was up to the dowager now. â€Å"Oh, very well,† she said irritably. â€Å"If you feel you must.† Grace kept her face utterly serene as she allowed Lord Crowland (who had caught the latter half of the conversation and told Grace she was mad) to help her up. She took her prescribed seat – facing backward, as far from the dowager as possible – and folded her hands neatly in her lap. She did not know how long they would be sitting here; the others had not seemed quite ready to quit their lunch. The dowager was looking out the window; Grace kept her eyes on her hands. Every now and then she'd steal a glance up, and every time, the dowager was still turned away, her posture hard and stiff, her lips pinched tight. And then – perhaps the fifth time Grace looked up – the dowager was staring straight at her. â€Å"You disappoint me,† she said, her voice low – not quite hiss, but something close to it. Grace held her silence. She held everything, it seemed – her posture, her breath. She did not know what to say, except that she would not apologize. Not for having the audacity to reach out for happiness. â€Å"You were not supposed to leave.† â€Å"I was but a servant, ma'am.† â€Å"You were not supposed to leave,† the dowager said again, but this time something within her seemed to shake. Not quite her body, and not quite her voice. Her heart, Grace realized with a shock. Her heart was shaking. â€Å"He is not what I expected,† the dowager said. Grace blinked, trying to follow. â€Å"Mr. Audley?† â€Å"Cavendish,† the dowager said sharply. â€Å"You did not know that he existed,† Grace said, as gently as she was able. â€Å"How could you have expected anything?† The dowager did not answer. Not that question, anyway. â€Å"Do you know why I took you into my home?† she asked instead. â€Å"No,† Grace said softly. The dowager's lips pressed together for a moment before she said, â€Å"It was not right. A person should not be alone in this world.† â€Å"No,† Grace said again. And she believed it, with her whole heart. â€Å"It was for the both of us. I took a terrible thing and turned it into good. For both of us.† Her eyes narrowed, boring into Grace's. â€Å"You were not supposed to leave.† And then – good heavens, Grace could not believe she was saying it, but: â€Å"I will come visit you, should you wish.† The dowager swallowed, and she looked straight ahead when she said, â€Å"That would be acceptable.† Grace was saved from further reply by the arrival of Amelia, who informed them that they would depart momentarily. And indeed, she'd had barely enough time to settle into her seat when the carriage wheels creaked into motion, and they began to roll forward. No one spoke. It was better that way. Several hours later, Grace opened her eyes. Amelia was staring at her. â€Å"You fell asleep,† she said quietly, then put her finger to her lips as she motioned to the dowager, who had also dozed off. Grace covered a yawn, then asked, â€Å"How much longer do you think we have until we get there?† â€Å"I don't know.† Amelia gave a little shrug. â€Å"Perhaps an hour? Two?† She sighed then, and leaned back. She looked tired, Grace thought. They were all tired. And scared. â€Å"What will you do?† Grace asked, before she had the chance to think better of it. Amelia did not open her eyes. â€Å"I don't know.† It was not much of an answer, but then again, it hadn't been a fair question. â€Å"Do you know what the funniest part of it is?† Amelia asked quite suddenly. Grace shook her head, then remembered that Amelia's eyes were still closed and said, â€Å"No.† â€Å"I keep thinking to myself, ‘This isn't fair. I should have a choice. I should not have to be traded and bartered like some sort of commodity.' But then I think, ‘How is this any different? I was given to Wyndham years ago. I never made a complaint.'† â€Å"You were just a baby,† Grace said. Still, Amelia did not open her eyes, and when she spoke, her voice was quiet and full of recrimination. â€Å"I have had many years to lodge a complaint.† â€Å"Amelia – â€Å" â€Å"I have no one to blame but myself.† â€Å"That's not true.† Amelia finally opened her eyes. One of them, at least. â€Å"You're just saying that.† â€Å"No, I'm not. I would,† Grace admitted, because it was true. â€Å"But as it happens, I am telling the truth. It isn't your fault. It's not anyone's fault, really.† She took a breath. Let it out. â€Å"I wish it were. It would be so much easier that way.† â€Å"To have someone to blame?† â€Å"Yes.† And then Amelia whispered, â€Å"I don't want to marry him.† â€Å"Thomas?† Grace asked. Amelia had spent so long as his fiancee, and they did not seem to have any great affection for one another. Amelia looked at her curiously. â€Å"No. Mr. Audley.† â€Å"Really?† â€Å"You sound so shocked.† â€Å"No, of course not,† Grace said hurriedly. What was she to say to Amelia – that she was so desperately in love with him herself that she could not imagine anyone not wanting him? â€Å"It's just that he's so handsome,† she improvised. Amelia gave a little shrug. â€Å"I suppose.† She supposed? Hadn't she ever seen him smile? But then Amelia said, â€Å"Don't you find him a little too charming?† â€Å"No.† Grace immediately looked down at her hands, because her no had come out in not at all the tone of voice she'd intended. And indeed, Amelia must have heard it, too, because her next words were – â€Å"Grace Eversleigh, do you fancy Mr. Audley?† Grace stammered and stumbled, and managed a rather croaky, â€Å"I – † before Amelia cut in with – â€Å"You do.† â€Å"It does not signify,† Grace said, because what was she supposed to say? To Amelia, who might or might not be engaged to marry him. â€Å"Of course it signifies. Does he fancy you?† Grace wanted to melt into the seat. â€Å"No,† Amelia said, sounding highly amused. â€Å"Don't answer. I can see from your face that he does. Well. I certainly shall not marry him now.† Grace swallowed. Her throat tasted bitter. â€Å"You should not refuse him on my account.† â€Å"What did you just say?† â€Å"I can't marry him if he's the duke.† â€Å"Why not?† Grace tried to smile, because really, it was sweet of Amelia to ignore the difference in their positions. But she could not quite manage it. â€Å"If he is the duke, he will need to marry someone suitable. Of your rank.† â€Å"Oh, don't be silly,† Amelia scoffed. â€Å"It's not as if you grew up in an orphanage.† â€Å"There will be scandal enough. He must not add to it with a sensational marriage.† â€Å"An actress would be sensational. You will merely be a week's worth of gossip.† It would be more than that, but Grace saw no point in arguing further. But then Amelia said – â€Å"I do not know Mr. Audley's mind, or his intentions, but if he is prepared to dare everything for love, then you should be, too.† Grace looked at her. How was it that Amelia suddenly looked so very wise? When had that happened? When had she stopped being Elizabeth's little sister and become†¦herself? Amelia reached out and squeezed her hand. â€Å"Be a woman of courage, Grace.† She smiled then, murmuring something to herself as she turned and looked out the window. Grace stared straight ahead, thinking†¦wondering†¦was Amelia right? Or was it just that she had never faced hardship? It was easy to talk about being courageous when one had never come face-to-face with desperation. What would happen if a woman of her background married a duke? Thomas's mother had not been an aristocrat, but when she married his father, he was only third in line to inherit, and no one had expected her to become a duchess. By all accounts, she had been dreadfully unhappy. Miserable, even. But Thomas's parents had not loved each other. They had not even liked each other, from what Grace had heard. But she loved Jack. And he loved her. Still, it would all be so much simpler if he turned out not to be the legitimate son of John Cavendish. And then, out of nowhere, Amelia whispered, â€Å"We could blame the dowager.† As Grace turned to her in confusion, Amelia clarified, â€Å"For this. You said it would be easier if we had someone to blame.† Grace looked over at the dowager, who was seated across from Amelia. She was snoring softly, and her head was perched at what had to be an uncomfortable angle. It was remarkable, but even in repose her mouth was pinched and unpleasant. â€Å"It's certainly more her fault than anyone else's,† Amelia added, but Grace noted that she tossed a nervous glance at the dowager as she spoke. Grace nodded, murmuring, â€Å"I cannot disagree with that.† Amelia stared off into space for several seconds, and then, just when Grace was convinced that she did not plan to respond, she said, â€Å"It didn't make me feel any better.† â€Å"Blaming the dowager?† â€Å"Yes.† Amelia's shoulders slumped a bit. â€Å"It's still horrible. The whole thing.† â€Å"Dreadful,† Grace agreed. Amelia turned and looked at her directly. â€Å"Sodding bad.† Grace gasped. â€Å"Amelia!† Amelia's face wrinkled in thought. â€Å"Did I use that correctly?† â€Å"I wouldn't know.† â€Å"Oh, come now, don't tell me you haven't thought something just as unladylike.† â€Å"I wouldn't say it.† The look Amelia gave her was as clear as a dare. â€Å"But you thought it.† Grace felt her lips twitch. â€Å"It's a damned shame.† â€Å"A bloody inconvenience, if you ask me,† Amelia responded, fast enough so Grace knew she'd been saving that one. â€Å"I have an advantage, you know,† Grace said archly. â€Å"Oh, really?† â€Å"Indeed. I am privy to the servants' talk.† â€Å"Oh, come now, you won't be convincing me that the housemaids at Belgrave talk like the fishmonger.† â€Å"No, but sometimes the footmen do.† â€Å"In front of you?† â€Å"Not on purpose,† Grace admitted, â€Å"but it happens.† â€Å"Very well.† Amelia turned to her with quirked lips and humor in her eyes. â€Å"Do your worst.† Grace thought for a moment and then, after darting a quick glance across the carriage to make sure that the dowager was still asleep, she leaned forward and whispered in Amelia's ear. When she was through, Amelia drew back and stared at her, blinking three times before saying, â€Å"I'm not sure I know what that means.† Grace frowned. â€Å"I don't think I do, either.† â€Å"It sounds bad, though.† â€Å"Sodding bad,† Grace said with a smile, and she patted Amelia's hand. Amelia sighed. â€Å"A damned shame.† â€Å"We're repeating ourselves,† Grace pointed out. â€Å"I know,† Amelia said, with a fair bit of feeling. â€Å"But whose fault is it? Not ours. We've been far too sheltered.† â€Å"Now that,† Grace announced with flair, â€Å"really is a damned shame.† â€Å"A bloody inconvenience, if you ask me.† â€Å"What the devil are the two of you talking about?† Grace gulped, and she stole a glance at Amelia, who was staring at the now quite awake dowager with a similar look of horror. â€Å"Well?† the dowager demanded. â€Å"Nothing,† Grace chirped. The dowager regarded her with a most unpleasant expression, then turned her icy attentions to Amelia. â€Å"And you, Lady Amelia. Where is your breeding?† And then Amelia – oh, dear heavens – she shrugged her shoulders and said, â€Å"Damned if I know.† Grace tried to hold still, but her shock positively burst out of her, and she rather feared she spat upon the dowager. Which did seem ironic, that the first time she did such a thing, it should be accidental. â€Å"You are disgusting,† the dowager hissed. â€Å"I cannot believe I considered forgiving you.† â€Å"Stop picking on Grace,† Amelia said. With surprising force. Grace turned to Amelia in surprise. The dowager, however, was furious. â€Å"I beg your pardon.† â€Å"I said, stop picking on Grace.† â€Å"And who do you think you are, to order me about?† As Grace watched Amelia, she would have sworn she changed right before her very eyes. Gone was the unsure girl, in her place was: â€Å"The future Duchess of Wyndham, or so I'm told.† Grace's lips parted in shock. And admiration. â€Å"Because really,† Amelia added disdainfully, â€Å"if I'm not, what the devil am I doing here, halfway across Ireland?† Grace's eyes darted from Amelia to the dowager and back. And then back again. And then – Well, suffice it to say, it was a monstrously long moment of silence. â€Å"Do not speak again,† the dowager finally said. â€Å"I cannot tolerate the sound of your voices.† And indeed, they all remained silent for the rest of the journey. Even the dowager.