Should the Government Protect American Jobs by Imposing...

BA 390 Notes 04-01-13 (Lecture 1) * Integrated marketing program is a comprehensive plan that communicates and delivers the intended value to chosen customers. 04-03-13 (Lecture 2) * Downsizing: Reduction of the business portfolio by eliminating products and businesses units that aren’t profitable. * Market segment: Group of consumers who respond in a similar way to a given set of marketing efforts. 04-08-13 (Lecture 3) * Publics: Group that has an actual or potential interest in or impact on an organization’s ability to achiever its objectives (Financial publics, media publics, Government publics) 04-10-13 (Lecture 4) * Marketing intelligence: Systematic collection and analysis of publicly available information†¦show more content†¦* This store is now a little too big. * Angels is 80% of people who purchase products from best buy. * Demons are the 20% of people who only buy stuff from best buy that are on sale. * What is your experience with a black heater? * I’ve used a block heater * I’ve heard of a block heater but have never had occasion to use one * What’s a block heater? * Gor-tex : Rain coat * United States Census data by states and city website. * Lake Oswego’s cost of a home is $507,000. * Corvallis has a high percentage of Asian population 7%. * Over 50% graduated 4 years degree. Half of the population graduated college 4 years degree. * Knowing this about my daughter is going to give you the most information about her actual shopping behavior: * Her age * Her education * Her marital status * She thinks she is Emo * In terms of bo th exports and imports which country is the number one trading partner with the U.S? * China * Japan * Mexico * Canada * The U.K. * Most of the class is right handed. * Left-handed people are different from right-handed people. They tend to like different thing. * Quiz answers: * 1. 5 * 2. 1 * 3. 4 * 4. 2 * 5. 1 04-29-13 (lecture 8) * HispanicShow MoreRelatedFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 Pageswritten permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, website www.copyright.com. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, (201)748-6011, fax (201)748-6008, website http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions. To order books or for customer service please, call 1-800-CALLRead MoreProject Mgmt296381 Words   |  1186 PagesDefining the Project 4.1 Project charter 5.1 Gather requirements 5.2 Defining scope 5.3 Creating a WBS 5.4 Tools and techniques 6.1 Define activities 9.1.2. Responsibility matrixes 10.1 Communication planning (.2.3.4) [App. G-4] Chapter 12 Outsourcing 12.1.1 Procurement requirements [G.8] 12.1.2.3 Contract types 9.4.2.3 Conflict management 12.2.7 The art of negotiating 12.2.3.5 Change requests Chapter 13 Monitoring Progress Chapter 5 Estimating Times and Costs 6.4 Activity duration

Plastic Surgery Essay - 1925 Words

How Plastic Surgery Helped Reshape the World As we see throughout the years, plastic surgery also known as cosmetic surgery has become more and more popular every year. Plastic surgery has increased to nine percent from 2000 to 2001. There are many various types of procedures that could make the body the way the person prefers it to be. The most popular surgeries that are performed include facial reconstruction, liposuction, breast implant, arm, thigh, and many more. The word plastic in plastic surgery does not mean artificial, but it comes from the Greek word plastikos, which means to give shape or to form. Though the revolution of plastic surgery is very well known in todays society, the invention of plastic surgery can not†¦show more content†¦No other dressing but this cement is used for four days. It is then removed, and cloths dipped in ghee are applied. The connecting slip of skin is divided about the twentieth day, when a little more dissection is necessary to improve the appearance of the new nose. For five o r six days after the operation, the patient is made to lie on his back, and on the tenth day, bits of soft cloth are put into the nostrils to keep them sufficiently open. This operation is always successful. The artificial nose is secured and looks nearly as well as the natural nose, nor is the scar on the forehead very observable after a length of time. (Prasar 2) Without the invention of plastic surgery, the punished individuals in India would not be able to have their bodies reconstructed after they served their punishment. The beginning of plastic surgery helped create the first technique of skin grafting, which helped change the appearance of individuals with disfigurations. Therefore plastic surgerys primary purpose was to help repair awful and quite serious injuries and as time progressed plastic surgery found its way to help war victims during World War I and World War II. During the late 1800s and the early 1900s the World War begun. The war left behind many injured soldiers with shattered jaws, blown-off noses and lips and skull wounds caused by the weaponsShow MoreRelatedPlastic Surgery And Cosmetic Surgery1496 Words   |  6 PagesPlastic surgery has become an extremely popular trend throughout the past years of the American culture. There are many reasons why people get plastic surgery, however, our society is the first to judge an individual for getting a procedure done. The controversy regarding plastic surgery is extremely relevant and has received major attention through celebrities, television, and social media. However, many individuals are unaware that there is a difference between both plastic surgery and cosmeticRead MoreCosmetic Surgery : Plastic Surgery1836 Words   |  8 PagesNorfolk, Va.† (Goleman, 1991). I know many of you have heard of cosmetic surgery, also known as â€Å"plastic surgery†. Many people have considere d cosmetic surgery in order to feel better about their self. This topic really interested me because I know there are many different viewpoints on it. What I wanted to focus on most is how the media portrays cosmetic surgery, how they portray women, the pros and cons of cosmetic surgery, the cost, and ways that we can get more people to be comfortable in theirRead MoreCosmetic Surgery : Plastic Surgery2001 Words   |  9 Pages In most sources about cosmetic surgery, they explain the good or bad about it and also give examples of people that have gone through cosmetic surgery. For most people that go through cosmetic surgery, it takes around 6 months for the swelling to go down and for most of the scars to heal and begin to go away. The majority of people that have an opinion of cosmetic surgery, think that it’s the worst part of the new society and feels like the people that get the procedure done are weak and are easilyRead MorePlastic Surgery Essay1296 Words   |  6 PagesWhen you hear the phrase â€Å"Plastic Surgery† what comes to mind? Maybe dangerous, and risky, or do you think about the scalpel and all the cutting and all the blood? I myself think about how it’s only for rich celebrities who have a couple extra hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend. We have a bad habit of overlooking all the good things that plastic surgery can achieve. From life altering surgeries and saving lives, by highly qualified surgeons, to giving people more confidence and getting ridRead MoreIs Plastic Surgery Worth It?638 Words   |  3 Pagesour children that Hey! Its ok to not love who you are, You should change to meet everyone elses standards.† Plastic Surgery gives Children a false sense of self image in society. When you think of plastic surgery, what do you think of first? Im sure it isnt the risk involved with the procedure that will undergo to become a â€Å"new you† No one ever thinks of the true risk of plastic surgery, or even the cost of undergoing the procedures. For Breast implants, Face lifts, Mastopexy, Breast reductionRead MoreThe Image Of Plastic Surgery Essay1396 Words   |  6 Pageshave lasting effects on millions of Americans who are unhappy with their body image. Plastic surgery has become common amongst middle class women, and a rapid increase in male plastic surgery has been noted in recent years. Constant exposure to the â€Å"perfect† body image in the media puts harm in the very idea that the human body comes in all shapes and sizes. Despite the temptations of a perfect body and plastic surgery to fix imperfections, it is completely possible to maintain a positive sense of selfRead MorePlastic Surgery : Cosmetic And Cosmetic Surgery879 Words   |  4 PagesI) Definition Cosmetic and plastic surgery According to the merriam-Webster website, plastic surgery is another common word for Cosmetic Surgery which means, in general, a type of operation to improve parts of the body. The medical term of Plastic Surgery comes from Greek in 1638. Cosmetic is a type of ornamental surgery which helps patients to reform and rebuild part or demonstrative of their body in order to embellish their appearance and be beautiful. The defect for that could be congenitalRead MorePlastic Surgery Essay1788 Words   |  8 Pagesare paying thousands of dollars to have plastic surgery done to enhance this unreal beauty. Sadly, reality is that beauty is now seen as having the bigger breast, the perfect smile, zero body fat, and the perfectly chiseled nose. More and more people are turning to plastic surgery as a way to make them happy about their appearances and boost their self-esteem in a quick and easy process. But reality is, plastic surgery has major side effects. Plastic surgery causes more physical an d emotional damageRead MoreTeen Plastic Surgery2711 Words   |  11 PagesTeen Plastic Surgery Cosmetic plastic surgery has been increasing rapidly in the medical field, and making its way to the top of the beauty spectrum when it comes to what is important. Teenagers, especially adolescent girls, have been exploring the new ways to enhance their external appearance, and not with just lipstick and eye shadow. In the past three decades, surgeons, magazine editors, and book authors have been investigating the consequences, good and bad, of having cosmetic surgery at suchRead MoreCosmetic Surgery : Plastic Surgery And Teenagers2046 Words   |  9 PagesAccording to â€Å"Plastic Surgery Teenagers†, â€Å"teenagers who want to have plastic surgery usually have different motivations and goals than adults† (â€Å"Plastic Surgery For Teenagers Briefing Paper†). Thus, meaning that most young adults get cosmetic surgery, which is the reshaping of body parts to improve their physical characteristics. However, changing your physical appearance just because you wan t to or do not feel pretty enough should not be the case of spending all that money and time on a non-matured

Sun Path Chart for Orbital Mechanics- myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Write about theSun Path Chart for Orbital Mechanics. Answer: The maximum angle of the sun above the horizon in my hometown (Ottawa) is 68 degrees. The minimum angle of the sun above the horizon at noon in my hometown is 21 degrees. The number of hours of daylight is 12hours and 9 hours on March 20th and December 21st respectively. The sun is at the maximum height angle (68 degrees) on one day only. That is, on 21st June. According to orbital mechanics, the earth rotates on its orbit while revolving around the sun. The earths ecliptic plane is tilted by 23.5 degrees relative to the earths celestial equator during the summer solstice and 23.5 degrees during the winter solstice. Evidently, the difference between the maximum and minimum angles of the sun above the horizon is 68-21=47 degrees. Meaning the difference is twice the earths tilt (Physical Geography, 2014). However, along with the equator, the difference between the maximum and the minimum angles is equal to the earths tilt. That is 23.5 degrees. Moreover, the equator receives daylight of 12hours from December through June. References Physical Geography. (2014). 6(h). Earth-Sun Geometry. Retrieved from https://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/6h.html

Lao Zi - The Founder Of Taoism Essays - Taoism, Chinese Philosophy

Lao Zi - The Founder of Taoism Lao Zi, was born in the Chinese state of Chu, but his date of birth is unknown. He was the founder of Taoism, but very little is actually known about him. According to some historical works, his original name was LiEr. He was the keeper of archives in the Zhou court. Zhou was the name of the dynasty that ruled the states during the time period between the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period that followed. When he saw the decline of the Zhou dynasty, he left his post to live the life of a hermit. On his way out he had to pass a gate. It was here that the gatekeeper, who had heard of his teachings, begged him to write a book before he left. He agreed to do so, and he wrote a book of about 5,000 words that is called the Dao De Jing, or generally called the Lao Zi. After he finished the book, he went away, and nobody knows exactly where he went or when he died. There is only a record of him having a discussion with Confucius after he left. The small book that he wrote, the Dao De Jing or Lao Zi, is written verse, it is said to contain great wisdom. It has been studied by Chinese scholars of all ages after him, and many notes and commentaries have been written to attempt to explain the meaning of every line in the book. It goes over many different philosophical and practical questions, such as the origin and working of the universe, the correct way to live and behave, the laws that govern the change and movement of things, and the way to govern a state. This book is split up into two main sections, the Dao and the De. Out of the total 81 chapters the Dao part is 37 chapters long while the De contains 44 chapters. Dao translated means the way or path. It is the source of all, it is the eternal, invisible, and indescribable energy that gave birth to the universe. In other words it is the way everything in the universe is. This shows that Lao Zi, did not believe that the universe was created by a God. Instead it was created by a mysterious force which he called Dao, but he said that the name itself was inadequate. De translated means virtue or power. It is the power of something to be whatever it is and to do whatever it does. For example, the De of a cup lets you hold liquid without it spilling on yourself and staining your clothes. Or De can also be seen as the virtue of something that makes it uniquely whatever it is and to do whatever it does. This means that the De of an uncarved block of wood is not to just be a block of wood, but it is it's inherent ability to be shaped or formed into anything, maybe even a cup. Lao Zi held that all things and concepts are relative. The long and the short, the high and the low, what is in front and what is behind, what is beautiful and what is ugly, must exist in pairs. In each pair one side produces the other. The two sides are opposite to but dependent on each other. It is from this that he drew his conclusion: "turning back is how the Way (Dao) moves". In other words, things always go from one extreme to the other. What is strong may become weak, and what is weak may become strong. It is not difficult for one to name facts that show this theory is true. There have been innumerable stories of the collapse of conquerors. Lao Zi praised weakness and softness, which, he said, will eventually overcome the strong and hard. Another concept that Lao Zi stresses over and over again in the Dao De Jing, is Wu Wei. Wu Wei means action non-action. This is when someone does something, and it is an authentic part of that person. As to feel, to seem, and indeed to really be effortless. It must come from deep within.

How to Keep a Halloween Jack-o-Lantern from Rotting

How to Keep a Halloween Jack-o'-Lantern from Rotting Here is a fun, seasonal science fair project that examines various ways of keeping a carved pumpkin fresh. Can you determine the best way to keep a Halloween jack o lantern from rotting? Purpose The purpose of this project is to see whether or not treating a Halloween jack-o- lantern, or any carved pumpkin, will help keep it from rotting. Hypothesis The hypothesis (because its the easiest to disprove) is that treating a Halloween jack-o-lantern will not keep it from rotting any better than doing nothing at all (the control). Experiment Summary This is a great fall science fair project  since pumpkins are readily available from late summer through winter. You could conduct a similar project during the spring using another variety of produce. Since nothing lasts forever, a good timeframe for collecting data is 2 weeks. If all of your pumpkins rot before then, you may choose to end the data collection phase of this project sooner. Since temperature plays a part in the shelf life of a jack-o-lantern, its possible your pumpkins may last several weeks if kept in cool conditions. If this is the case, your project may run for a month. Keep the time and temperature in mind when planning your science project. Materials The main materials for this project are freshly carved jack-o-lanterns and various pumpkin preservatives. The most commonly applied preservatives are bleach solution, borax solution, petroleum jelly, hairspray, white glue, and commercial pumpkin preservative (if available). You can test any or all of these, plus more  if you can think of other preservatives. You will need pumpkins for every method you test, plus a control pumpkin, which will be carved, but untreated. Experimental Procedure Carve your jack-o-lanterns. It helps if you give them different faces so they are easy to tell apart. Try to scrape as much pumpkin goo as possible from the inside of the jack-o-lanterns so they will be easier to treat with chemicals.Leave your control pumpkin alone. Apply the treatments to the other pumpkins. Either photograph the pumpkins or write down your observations about the appearance of each jack-o-lantern. Pumpkin Treatments Bleach Solution - Mix up enough bleach in water (2 teaspoons bleach per gallon of water) to fill a bucket or tub big enough to submerge your pumpkin. Immediately after carving the pumpkin, soak it in the bleach solution for 8 hours or overnight. Drain the pumpkin and allow it to dry. Each day, spritz the outside and inside of the pumpkin with bleach solution.Borax Solution - Mix up a solution of borax in water (probably 1 teaspoon per gallon) and apply it the same way as you would use the bleach solution.Petroleum Jelly - Smear petroleum jelly (e.g., Vaseline) all over the cut surface of the pumpkin. Reapply once a day if necessary.White Glue - Smear non-toxic white school glue all over the carved pumpkin and allow it to dry.Hairspray - Spray the carved pumpkin, inside and outside, with hairspray. You can reapply the hairspray daily, or not, as you prefer.Commercial Pumpkin Preservative - Follow the instructions on the container.    You can use these methods of applying pumpkin treatments or else you can come up with your own ideas.Each day, take a photo of the pumpkin and describe its appearance. Is mold present or absent? Is there any shriveling? Is the pumpkin getting soft or smelly or showing any other indications of rotting?Continue collecting data until the pumpkins have rotted. Discard the rotten pumpkins. Data The data for this project will be your photographs and observations regarding the appearance of each pumpkin. Results Make a table that shows time in days and whether each pumpkin showed mold, shriveling, or rot. You can indicate the degree of each condition by assigning a numerical value to it, if you like (e.g., 0 no mold, 1 slight mold, 2 moderate mold, 3 totally moldy). Conclusions Was the hypothesis supported? Did the control pumpkin rot at the same time as all of the other pumpkins? Things to Think About If you want a more complex experiment, add temperature as a factor. This will require additional pumpkins. Leave one of each type of pumpkin at room temperature. Refrigerate one of each type of pumpkin or (since that would take a lot of space) leave one of each type of pumpkin in a hot environment.

Descriptive Writing on Walt Disney World Essay Example

Descriptive Writing on Walt Disney World Essay Example Descriptive Writing on Walt Disney World Essay Descriptive Writing on Walt Disney World Essay Ashley StewartEnglish 110 Descriptive Writing â€Å"A Place That Had a Deep Impact Effect On You†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is America’s best-known, busiest, and most profitable tourist attraction. Of all Disney Worlds wonders, the Magic Kingdom draws the most visitors. Tourists can step into the past, ride a sleek spaceship into the future, or dance with a mouse. The Magic Kingdom certainly delivers the fantasy it promises. However for me, its most fantastic aspect is that everything seems so perfect: the buildings, the characters, and parades. Every building, object, and decoration is sparkling clean. Take Main Street, for example, Disneys re-creation of small-town America in 1900. Visitors walking from Town Square toward Cinderellas Castle cannot help but notice the gleaming paint on every well-kept building. Right down to their gold signs and gingerbread moldings, such shops as the Emporium and the House of Magic are freshly painted several times a year. Every window, street lamp, and display is free of smudges. In fact, white-suited maintenance workers rush to pick up any litter; including droppings left by the horses that pull the shiny trolley cars along Main Street. Each night, all of Main Street is hosed down and scrubbed. The people and of the Magic Kingdom are equally flawless. As a marching band drums in the distance, cartoon characters like Goofy and Snow White stop mingling with the tourists and begin to usher them to the sides of Main Street for a parade. This parade differs from any other you have seen, however. Dressed in spotless uniforms, the fit, attractive band members hold their instruments at the perfect angle. The shapely twirlers always catch their batons. All strut in unison, only to reappear like clockwork in an hour. At nighttime parades, spectacular fireworks are so beautiful Walt Disney World is the place that had a deep impact on me.

Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) and Customer Satisfaction Essay

Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) and Customer Satisfaction Strategy - Essay Example However, with the incorporation of IMC, the marketers have perceived that an effective strategy relies on the integration of messages into various media. Nowadays, online marketing has been widely used by marketing teams due to the consumers’ demand for technology. Traditional media such as newspaper and magazine have low market share and audience reach when compared to interactive media. Thus, the advertisers rely mostly in online advertisements to reach diversified users as part of the company’s marketing goals. This paper analyzes the advertising strategy of Nike Incorporated in the IMC perspective. It examines the alignment of marketing goals to the marketing strategies of the company that aim to satisfy the consumers with their products and services. Furthermore, this will entail the method of measuring the effectiveness of advertising and the level of customer’s satisfaction. Organizational Background Nike is a Greek goddess that signifies victory. Indeed, the brand name is known for its high quality products in the area of sports. Before Nike originated, the business name was Blue Ribbon Sports which was established by American manufacturers in January 25, 1964. Nike is focused on marketing the sports categories including apparel, equipment, footwear, and accessory products. It has been associated with different trademarks such as Nike Golf, Nike Pro, Nike+, Air Jordan, and Nike Skateboarding, plus the brand extensions like Converse and Cole Haan. Moreover, Nike is known for the swoosh sign or the wing of Greek goddess where its name derived. The â€Å"Just do it† advertising slogan adds to the popularity of Nike in the sports section (Deng, 2009, p. 102). Media Plan Advertising Strategy Nike is known globally due to its marketing strategies in broadcast and print, and the recent innovation that enables to reach wide audience is the internet. Nike aims to â€Å"sell a global brand through marketing that appeals to local taste (Goldman & Papson, 1998, p. 4). That’s why, they have unified slogan, themes, and advertising message. Furthermore, to become the leading manufacturer of sports products, Nike envisions itself to carry the legacy of innovative thinking through creative modification of the message and services (Nike, 2011). For an instance, Nike has recognized of the male superiority imposed by the brand image of Nike; hence, they reach women’s athletes to erase the negative identification by creating fashionable footwear and using advertising to convey their message. Due to the successful assimilation of Nike’s slogan, it aims to continue the â€Å"Just Do It† principle into â€Å"Just Done It† which signifies the purpose of this company to persuade consumers. To sustain its brand image as the leading sportswear manufacturer, Nike advertises its products through partnership with the sports icons such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, and Lebron Jame s that represent strength and determination. Nike communicates their message in TV commercials by using humor that appeals to consumers. In addition, sports magazines are ideal tools for Nike, since they have a specific target audience. Few examples are Runners World, Backpacker, and Midwest living. The low cost advertising strategy is outdoor advertising where Nike utilizes billboards located in a traffic area and bus stops. Moreover, the most innovative approach to consumers is interactive marketing wherein Nike

Describe the major components of a rsum and cover letter Assignment

Describe the major components of a rsum and cover letter - Assignment Example The most important highlight would be emphasizing skills that enhance one’s strengths and core competencies above the rest of the applicants vying for the same position (Ferrett, 2002). The skills set should perfectly match the professional skill requirements stipulated for the position. For me, dedication and the mental strength to never give up on education after several years of inactivity is a characteristic that employers want to see. Likewise, I am also partially blind; but this would not preclude me from pursuing desired positions that exhibit my competitive advantage. One or two accomplishments that can be added to one’s cover letter could include: (1) proficiency in foreign languages; and (2) cultural awareness through travels abroad. These accomplishments would be most useful in positions requiring cultural awareness needed for diverse clientele and for specified international assignments. Likewise, these accomplishments would be considered plus factors for positions that require competencies in other languages due to the need to communicate effectively to diverse clients from other racial or ethnic

Immigration Reform Paper Essay Example for Free

Immigration Reform Paper Essay Illegal immigration into the United States has drastically increased throughout the twentieth century. There are millions of immigrants in our country who are currently living under the threat of deportation because of their undocumented status. The most considerable challenge for policymakers is distinguishing apparent immigration problems from authentic problems. Congressional members have taken an approach that focuses exclusively on border security, which has not been successful thus far. If Congress continues to pass laws without taking into consideration the fundamental contradictions of existing state affairs, then the state affairs will not undergo any change. In order to achieve results, an immigration reform must be comprehensive. The United States of America needs an immigration system that recognizes the hardships and contributions of the people migrating to the U.S., keeps families together here in this country, and creates a rational process of citizenship for new Americans. How we treat immigrants should reflect the values of fairness and equality that define the United States as a country. People come here for the promise of freedom and opportunity. However, immigrant workers are exploited and discriminated against. These so called â€Å"illegal aliens† happen to contribute to the development of our nation in many ways, such as paying taxes, creating new jobs by opening businesses, and making scientific discoveries that transform entire industries. For example, as of 2010, nearly five hundred companies had at least one founder who was an immigrant. These companies include ATT, Verizon, Kraft, Comcast, Intel, Google, Sun Microsystems, United States Steel, Qualcomm, eBay, Nordstrom, and Yahoo (â€Å"Immigration Reform† 1). Although it is true that immigrants do more contributing than anything else, many Americans refuse to believe in this fact. Usually, those seeking to reside in the United States are part of racial or ethnic groups that are minorities in this country. Therefore, anti-immigration views and behaviors are often affiliated with racism. This  effect is partially due to the fact that previous attempts to regulate immigration were based on racism or nativism. Procuring the participation of previously excluded groups is the key ending discrimination. Any policy that keeps family members apart for decades at a time should not be an American resolution. Due to our current immigration system, family members can sometimes wait ten to twenty years to be reunited with loved ones (Bruno 5). Our American values teach us that families are sacred and serve as the building block of our communities. Separating husbands from wives, sisters from brothers, and children from parents creates worthless suffering that negatively affects the prosperity of our communities. Immigrants who are waiting for the approval to come to the United States are not allowed to visit in the mean time, which means they cannot legally visit their family members who reside in the U.S. for many years. Lili Farhang, the co-director of Human Impact Partners, explains the importance of keeping families united with this statement: â€Å"The lives of children with undocumented immigrant parents or guardians in the United States are saturated with fear, fear that the people they love and depend on will be arrested and taken away from them at any moment without warning. Many of these children were born here and are U.S. citizens. But under current immigration policy, their families can be torn apart with an arrest and deportation with little regard for their wellbeing or futures† (Farhang 1). With that being said, it is clear that our country needs an immigration reform that maintains and protects family unity to reverse the damage caused by the current American policies. The United States immigration authorities often receive more visa applications than they can process within a reasonable amount of time. For the most part, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reviews each application on a first come, first- served basis. If an immigrant is an applicant for a visa or green card that does not allow unlimited amounts to be given out each year, then a certain amount of waiting will be incorporated into the process. For example, if an individual is applying for a green card as the married child of an American citizen, then he or she is placed in the third preference category of  family-sponsored visas, and can expect to wait at least ten years before receiving a visa. There is nothing anyone can do about this except to carefully monitor the progress and notify the National Visa Center (NVC) of an address change. The possibility of an immigrant’s file being misplaced is also another important reason to track the changes in progress. This happens all too often, and many times the individual is not notified of the misplacement (Bray n.p.). Many Americans do not understand the immigration process and expect all immigrants to wait their turn in line for a green card or visa. However, what they also don’t understand is that for many people who have no college degree or close relatives who are U.S. citizens, there is absolutely no way for them to migrate into the U.S. legally without reform to the legal system. For individuals living in poverty and desperate to support their families, illegal immigration is the most appealing option. Therefore, enforcement policies should focus on establishing a safe and orderly system of entry into the United States once immigrants have met reasonable requirements, such as background checks or tax payments. Immigration policies affect all aspects of American society. In one way or another, regardless of their status, immigrants have always played an essential role in the growth and development of our nation. Immigrants have contributed an estimated ten billion dollars a year to America’s economic growth (Bray n.p.). The hard-working individuals who contribute to this country should be encouraged to standardize their status. Unfortunately, the immigrants in the United States are increasingly becoming targets of discrimination. Families are being torn apart and children are being forcibly separated from their parents. In consequence, our nation’s immigration policies must be consistent with the ideals of equality and freedom that defines the American people. â€Å"Works Cited† Bray, Iona. â€Å"Why Immigration Cases Take So Long.† AllLaw. Law Topics. Online posting. Bruno, Andorra. â€Å"Unauthorized Aliens In The United States: Policy Discussion.† Congressional Research Service, 8 May 2014. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. Farhang, Lili. â€Å" Family Unity, Family Health: How Family-Focused Immigration Reform Will Mean Better Health for Children and Families.† Human Impact Partners 22 June 2013. PFD file. Haugen, David. Illegal Immigration. MI: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Print. â€Å"Tackling the Toughest Questions on Immigration Reform.† Immigration Policy Center 29 Jul. 2013. PDF file.

Is Jay Gatsby Tragic? :: essays research papers

The Tragic Jay Gatsby   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many characters in novels may be considered to be tragic. These characters are considered tragic because of one character trait they possess that leads to their eventual demise. Jay Gatsby is a tragic character in a unique way. That is, he has many negative traits, but only one of these traits leads to his eventual downfall. Of all the character traits that Jay Gatsby possessed, his excessiveness in everything he did was what led him to his ultimate downfall.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jay Gatsby was excessive in every spectrum of his life. One example of his excessive lifestyle is his view of the â€Å"good life†. Gatsby’s parties were frequent, humongous, and extravagant. â€Å" Every Friday five crates of oranges and lemons arrived from a fruiter in New York†¦ every Monday these same oranges and lemons left his back door in a pyramid of pulp less halves†¦ By seven o’clock the orchestra has arrived. No thin five piece affair, but a whole pit full of oboes and trombones and saxophones and violas and†¦Ã¢â‚¬  These examples are only a little slice of the essentials for a â€Å"Gatsby† party. All of this excessiveness is way beyond rational, and reason. Another example of his excessive parties is the fact that people would be so trashed that in one event, a couple guests are in a car accident and do not even realize it. After it happens, they just walk away looking for another drink. The simple fact is that if any serious injuries or accidents occurred during his parties, Gatsby would not have to worry about liability. His extreme wealth permitted him the option of purchasing a â€Å"get out of jail free† card. Gatsby’s biggest concerns were about his guests having a good time. Gatsby is so rich that the penalties or fines that could be imposed for this behavior would not affect him in any way. This kind of wealth allows for the imagination to run wild and excessively spend time, and money in unimportant ways.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gatsby did not only excessively spend his money on parties. He also spent a myriad of money on clothing, cars, and a plethora of other toys. â€Å"†¦He opened for us two hulking patent cabinets which held his massed suits and dressing gowns and ties, and shirts piled like bricks in stacks a dozen high. ‘I’ve got a man in England who buys me clothes. Is Jay Gatsby Tragic? :: essays research papers The Tragic Jay Gatsby   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many characters in novels may be considered to be tragic. These characters are considered tragic because of one character trait they possess that leads to their eventual demise. Jay Gatsby is a tragic character in a unique way. That is, he has many negative traits, but only one of these traits leads to his eventual downfall. Of all the character traits that Jay Gatsby possessed, his excessiveness in everything he did was what led him to his ultimate downfall.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jay Gatsby was excessive in every spectrum of his life. One example of his excessive lifestyle is his view of the â€Å"good life†. Gatsby’s parties were frequent, humongous, and extravagant. â€Å" Every Friday five crates of oranges and lemons arrived from a fruiter in New York†¦ every Monday these same oranges and lemons left his back door in a pyramid of pulp less halves†¦ By seven o’clock the orchestra has arrived. No thin five piece affair, but a whole pit full of oboes and trombones and saxophones and violas and†¦Ã¢â‚¬  These examples are only a little slice of the essentials for a â€Å"Gatsby† party. All of this excessiveness is way beyond rational, and reason. Another example of his excessive parties is the fact that people would be so trashed that in one event, a couple guests are in a car accident and do not even realize it. After it happens, they just walk away looking for another drink. The simple fact is that if any serious injuries or accidents occurred during his parties, Gatsby would not have to worry about liability. His extreme wealth permitted him the option of purchasing a â€Å"get out of jail free† card. Gatsby’s biggest concerns were about his guests having a good time. Gatsby is so rich that the penalties or fines that could be imposed for this behavior would not affect him in any way. This kind of wealth allows for the imagination to run wild and excessively spend time, and money in unimportant ways.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gatsby did not only excessively spend his money on parties. He also spent a myriad of money on clothing, cars, and a plethora of other toys. â€Å"†¦He opened for us two hulking patent cabinets which held his massed suits and dressing gowns and ties, and shirts piled like bricks in stacks a dozen high. ‘I’ve got a man in England who buys me clothes.

Conditions of the Vietnam War Essay

When fighting in a war, the brave soldiers are not only up against their enemy, but also against the chaotic obstacles born on the battlefield. The constant noise of slaughter, the gut-wrenching weather and the omnipresent fear of death were all elements of war that the soldiers had to coexist with. The odds of walking home after a war are extremely rare and those who were lucky enough to survive were unlucky enough to have had witnessed indescribable scenes of blood and murder. Those who have confronted the wrath of war are left psychologically traumatised and mentally unstable. The fighting conditions during the Vietnam War were excruciatingly tough. The Australian and American troops were forced to fight in a variety of weathers, including the tropical rains and blazing heat. Fighting in environments and conditions they were not yet accustomed to, they were drained of their energy and were demanded high levels of endurance. For some soldiers, the dry season was particularly difficult to fight in. they were required to fight through a haze of dust that penetrated their clothing, filled their pores and worked its way through their eyes and ears, resulting in conjunctivitis and ear infections. One soldier stated, â€Å"It can be a test of human endeavour inside a noisy metal box all day in forty degree heat, with eighty per cent relative humidity and no one has showered for a week.† Soldiers fought with damages to their bodies such as blisters, sunburn and dehydration, making it very difficult to move around and fight to the best of their ability. Other difficulties they faced were the threat of diseases such as malaria and dysentery which is caused by lack of sanitation and dehydration. Spiders, poisonous centipedes, snakes and leeches were some of the deadly creatures the soldiers tried their hardest to avoid. Proper food and clean water was very difficult to obtain as well. Soldiers ate from used cans and drank from dirt covered drink bottles. In a land where the ground explodes and it rains bullets, death is inevitable. Soldiers would be knee-deep in massacre and the vicinity would be infested with the body parts of comrade soldiers. War does not give time for soldiers to grieve and is constantly tainting the earth in the colour of red. Witnessing the death of a comrade is one thing, but to have to crawl, walk and run knowing that you may die a gruesome death at any moment is just as painfully terrifying. Soldiers who survived the Vietnam war were diagnosed with permanent paranoia and insanity. Whilst fighting an enemy on the battlefield, soldiers must simultaneously fight fear in their minds. Guerrilla Warfare During the Vietnam War, Guerrilla tactics were being put into action. Guerrilla Warfare consisted of small surprise attacks and ambushes instead of operating in major gunfire battles. Setting up booby-traps and tripwires were the preferred option as well as digging up complicated systems of underground tunnels in and around small villages. The Vietcong had the home field advantage, they used the rough terrain, thick forests and uneven landscape to their advantage against the American soldiers as they were unfamiliar to such difficult landforms. The Vietcong used their intelligence and stealth to outsmart the Americans and win the war. They did not wear any uniform so the Americans only saw them as ‘villagers with guns’. The Vietcong would also hide behind innocent civilians and use them as a shield against their enemy. They would also dig up American land mines and use the explosives as bombs of their own. Hit-and-run attacks were common and very effective in the fight against the Americans. With dangerous deft, the Vietcong would stealthy attack the Americans and leave before risking capture- incorporating the element of surprise. The Vietcong would escape through a complex network of underground tunnels, oblivious to the Americans. At the start of the war, the American soldiers had no idea of the tunnels’ existence and their unawareness produced great advantage to the Vietcong. The most extensive of the tunnel system laid in the ‘Iron Triangle’ in the Cu Chi distract, which covered approximately 400 kilometres. The Americans highly relied on their helicopters to combat the Vietcong’s skilfully hidden death traps. However, the Vietcong turned to heavy machinery as a form of retaliation against the American’s aerial attacks. The Vietcong would set up multiple booby-traps, hidden among the jungle floor of the forests. Majority of the booby-traps were covered in poison and venom which will increase the risk of infection. Some booby traps that were crafted and handmade by the Vietnamese villagers included: * The Bear Trap- when stepped on would fiercely clutch one’s foot by impaling it with sharp claws * Grenade Traps- a grenade strapped to a tripwire which will instantly explode, leaving no time to escape when triggered * ‘Bouncing Betty’- designed to cut someone in half, when stepped on would result in either paralysis or the complete amputation of a limb * Foot Trap- a hole that was dug knee deep and planted with stakes coated in poison pointing downwards, making it unescapable * Tiger Pit/ Punji Spike Pit- a hole approximately 5-6 feet deep, with the bottom covered in piercing, venomous stakes. It also has a grenade lying in await to ambush those who try to escape The fighting conditions in the Vietnam war were inhumane for both parties. Soldiers put their bodies through irritatingly uncomfortable situations and fought in fearsome scenarios, all whilst trying to keep their limbs intact. Battles arose within battles, whether it be the vicious weather or the unshakable fear of death, soldiers endured an admirable amount of physical and mental struggle. The rage of the Vietnam War claimed many courageous lives and defiled the minds of those who were able to walk away with the luxury of breath. Bibliography * http://vietnamawbb.weebly.com/guerrilla-warfare-and-war-of-attrition.html * http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamwar.htm * http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/guerrilla/index.html * http://www.vietnam-war.0catch.com/vietnam_war_nature.htm * http://vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au/combat/viet-cong-tunnels.php * http://www.securenet.net/3rdbn5th/mike35/booby.htm * http://www.echo23marines6569.org/BoobyTraps.html * http://vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au/armour/conditions.php * https://session.wikispaces.com/1/auth/auth?authToken=03a2e4971076358d2188756c8108eb2b5

College is Worth it in the End Essay

Right now in our century, a college education is no longer an option, but a necessity. Many college students at universities around the world all have one big question when entering into their next step of education. A college student’s biggest problem when entering school is whether or not their college degree is worth going into debt and how they will afford tuition, books, activity fees, etc. There are different opinions from both sides that contain a valid argument. I believe college is definitely worth possibly going into debt. Here are some statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS announced in 2011 that the unemployment rate for people with college credits but no degree was eight point seven percent. That number plummeted to four point nine percent for people who earned a bachelor’s degree and three point six percent for those with a master’s degree. There are salary benefits as well. In that same year, those who did not finish college earned seven hundred nineteen dollars per week, while college graduates earned approximately one thousand fifty-three dollars per week and those with graduate degrees earned one thousand two hundred and sixty-three dollars per week. A growing number of students suffer soaring college debt, many questions are being raised about the value of higher education and the job offerings in a struggling economy (BLS.) The main reason why people go to college is not because they want to but because they have to. Nowadays it is hard to get a decent paying job without a college degree. Going to college and getting a degree does not necessarily guarantee that a student is going to get a job right after graduation. A student needs to get a job as soon as possible after graduating to pay back all student loans and debts. The main question asked today is, â€Å"Is College really worth going into debt?† Kaycie Sonnier a freshman says, â€Å"It really depends on if you are going to college for a high paying career choice.† It is not that some majors are worthless, but that students have to face the reality of how they are going to pay back the money they have borrowed for their education. Many students enter college without knowing what degree they want to major in. Sonnier believes college is worth the debt you may possibly fall under. She believes there are rewards for going to college and finishing with a degree. Being able to get a high paying job right out of college will help pay off any loans taken out (Sonnier.) Student loans have helped many students be able to experience the college life without having to pay up front for tuition. To a large extent, debt is unavoidable, and some students graduate with some amount of it. Students like Joshua Sonnier who only completed two semesters of college says, â€Å"Hell no college is not worth going into debt.† Sonnier had the opportunity to get on at a job that did not require a college degree. â€Å"I work as a train conductor making more money than most people who do go to college. I got hired on and immediately started taking classes that my company paid for, passed my entire test and became a certified conductor. This did not cost me any money out of my pocket, and I do not have to worry about paying back any type of student loans† (Sonnier.) Some individuals feel like college is just a waste of money and time. There are definitely pros and cons when it comes to college. I think college can either be some of the best years of one’s life or it can be an absolute nightmare. College is all about how you make it. In the end having a diploma will absolutely be worth the debt that may come along throughout your journey through college. Works Cited Home page. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012. Web. 14 February 2013. Sonnier, Joshua. Personal Interview. 6 February 2013. Sonnier, Kaycie. Personal Interview. 6 February 2013.

the gulf of tonkin Essays

the gulf of tonkin Essays the gulf of tonkin Essay the gulf of tonkin Essay In Robert McNamaras memoir, In Retrospect, McNamara provides intimate details on the events surrounding both the Kennedy, and Johnson administration. Moreover, he reflects on the some of the most controversial issues surrounding the cold war era, specifically, the the Tonkin Golf Incident, and the resolution it gave way to. McNamara examines what he believes to be the key questions surrounding these events that have sparked debate for decades. Did attacks occur on two US naval warships in the Gulf of Tonkin? Were these attacks provoked by the Johnson administration, in order to Justify a declaration of war? Was the subsequent U. S. retaliation Justified? McNamara attempts to answers these questions, based on his recollection of the events leading up to and after the Gulf of Tonkin resolution was passed. However, upon close examination of the facts and cross-referencing from other sources, it appears much of McNamaras account proves largely inaccurate, and lacks important detail. Essentially, McNamaras memoir can be seen as an attempt to admonish himself of the controversy. He removes himself from many of the important events, and gives the illusion that he was a mere observer of the nfortunate incidents that would lead to a declaration of war by President Johnson. Primarily his account is lacking in its accuracy of the intelligence gathered after the two Naval war ships Turner Joy and Maddox were attacked on August 2nd and 4th of 1964. Moreover, he fails to present an accurate picture of the case for the Tonkin Resolution that took place two days after the attack on August 6th. McNamara does recognize the importance of the alleged attacks surrounding the Gulf of Tonkin, as they would be the main motivation behind President Johnson resolution. The subsequent resolution would increase US military personnel in Vietnam, from 16,000 to 550,000 men. Thus, he appears to present in depth detail as to the probability these attacks actually occurred. He states In Retrospect, The evidence of the first attack is indisputable. The second attack seems probable but not certain. l While this may not seem like a statement that a man attempting to clear his name would make, the evidence he uses to Justify his thoughts would prove inaccurate. Many historians today do acknowledge that the August 2nd attack did occur, with McNamara obtaining an enemy shell fragment from the ship as proof. However, numerous studies and research as recent as 2005, have proven that the second attack on August 4th did not take place. In the events leading up to the second alleged attack, McNamara d iscusses CIA covert guerilla operations that took place in conjunction with South Vietnamese forces, know as the 34A operations. In addition, the US naw was conducting a system of global electronic reconnaissance, that collected radio and radar signals, emanating from the shore-based stations on the periphery of Communist countries such as the Soviet Union, China, North Korea, and, North Vietnam. 2 These operations were known as DESOTO missions. McNamara states that Although some individuals knew of both 34A operations and DESOTO patrols, few senior officials planned or followed in detail the operational schedules of both. 3 This statement concerning the overall cooperation between the two operations does prove accurate in other accounts. However, McNamaras statement tnat Desoto patrols OITTerea suostantlally in purpose and procedure from 34A operations4 can actually be seen as incorrect. A top secret document declassified in 2005, in one instance gave orders to a DESOTO atrol to Locate and identify all coastal radar transmitters, note all navigation aids along the DVRs [Democratic Republic of Vietnams] coastline, and monitor the Vietnamese Junk fleet for a possible connection to DRVNiet Cong maritime supply and infiltration routes. 5 This mission was essentially planned to gather information that would be useful to 34A raid operations in the vicinity of DESOTO patrols. In addition, McNamara writes that while some believed 34A operations had played a part in the initiating North Vietnamese actions against the Maddox and Turner Joy, nd others(including McNamara), pointing to 34As ineffectiveness found the explanation hard to accept. 6 At the congressional hearing that took place on August 6th 1964, McNamara again downp lays the role of the 34A missions, saying they were a worthless pinprick to the North Vietnamese. Yet, McNamara ignores that tension had in fact been increasing between the DRV and the South Vietnamese 34A operations. In one example on July 28th, after a 34A attack on the Island of Hon Grio, DRV patrol boats chased the South Vietnamese operatives over 45 nautical miles before giving up the chase. Nonetheless, declassified audiotapes from the Johnson library in 2005 contain a very intriguing statement made by McNamara. In the morning after the August 2nd attack, McNamara admits to the president that attack and the 34A operation were in fact connected. He states, We probably shot up a radar station and a few other miscellaneous buildings. And following 24 hours after that with this destroyer in the same area undoubtedly led them to connect the two events. 9 Not only does McNamara use misleading information regarding the 34A and DESOTO operations, but he also leaves out crucial detail from the intelligence that as gathered that day. McNamara does show that there was a great sense of doubt as to whether the August 4th attack occurred, using testimony from the officers on board the two ships that day, as well as from pilots that flew over the ships. McNamara describes how unusual weather conditions, and overeager sonar men, may have played a significant role in the accuracy of the alleged attacks. Yet, he doesnt disclose that there was in fact, faulty equipment on both ships. In an article written by an NSA analyst entitled Skunks, Bogues, and Flying Fish: The Gulf of Tonkin Mystery, Captain John J. Herrick of the Maddox, had reported that the Maddoxs long range, air search radar was inoperative, and fire control radar belonging to the U. S. S. Turner Joy was out of malfunctioning as well. 0 Even in Herricks initial account of the August 4th attack, he reported two skunks(surface contacts) and three bogies(air contacts). Moments later, he would disregard these findings as terrain returns, proving further the faulty equipment both ship had. 11 Moreover, McNamara leaves out the clear difference in the sonar reports from the August 2nd and August 4th attacks. As reports show, the radar from both the Maddox and Turner Joy on August 4th were not continuous trackings, but mostly unexpected flash returns that appeared for a few seconds on radar and disappeared12. On the August 2nd attack Vietnamese PT boats would take several hits but remain afloat and visible on the radar while on the night of August 4th, A target would apparently be nlt ana tnen Olsappear, as IT It naa completely ana Instantaneously Inclneratea In an explosion. 13 The reader may ask, Out of all the faulty evidence why did Robert McNamara still confirm that the August 4th attack? In Retrospect, McNamara amously stated in response to a report of the August 4th attack, We obviously dont want to do it (launch the retaliatory strike) until we are damn sure what happened. 14Basically, McNamara tries to persuade the reader that he had actually looked at all the intelligence gathered from that day and found substantial evidence that would make it appear the August 4th attack occurred. McNamara provides what he believes to be the five main factors that had persuaded him. Out of all these factors the most important was his claim that the U. S. had intercepted and translated a North V ietnamese message indicating two of its boats had been sunk. This piece of alleged evidence was so important that at the congressional hearing that took place on August 6th McNamara stated that he had unimpeachable proof of four North Vietnamese radio messages that showed clear intention to attack U. S. destroyers on the night of August 4th. 15. Surprisingly, McNamara leaves this statement out of Retrospect, and only states that the messages would later prove to be from the August 2nd attacks. Alarming evidence released by NSA historians would prove that not only was Robert McNamara wrong in his previous statement he knew he was, and overed up crucial information in order to protect himself. Out of all the intercepted messages from the North Vietnamese only 15 of the 122 were used. It is believed that over 90% of these messages were kept out of reports because of the conflicting accounts of the August 4th events they told. 16 Additionally, most of messages that were sent contained severe analytic errors, unexplained translation changes, and the conjunction of two messages in one. 17 In one example analytic error, an intercepted message contained the Vietnamese phrase Hanh Quan which can mean military operation. The phrase has an alternative meaning however of forced or long march or movement. In a nautical context, this could simply refer to a long voyage. This second context would make more sense when it was learned in another message, that the North Vietnamese had actually been preoccupied with a salvage mission, in which they were searching for the two sunken boats from August 2nds battle. 18 The congressional hearing that would follow on August 6th 1964, would create even more confusion. McNamara emphasizes that at the time of the hearing, he truly believed all of his statements were accurate. But the information Just presented holds a strong case for the lack of merit in his writing. Its as if McNamara held no control over the events that took place and is an innocent observer. In the non-fiction book Why the Senate Slept, author Ezra Siff presents a different picture of the events. The hearing that took place on August 6th, was a Joint executive session of Senate Foreign Relations and Armed services forces committees to testify to on both the events that took place on August 2nd and August 2nd and 4 and in support of the resolution presented before both houses. Siff makes the point that it was completely irresponsible to hold a hearing of only three hours on a complex series of events that took place over two days; Most of the senators werent even remotely familiar with what was going on at the time19 McNamara asserts that the key issue was the ambiguous language of the Constitution, which established the president as commander in chief but gave Congress the power to declare war. 20 Senator HulDrlgnt wno pres10ea over tne nearing ana oversaw tne resolutlon on tne senate floor, would later absolve McNamara of the charge of intentionally misleading Congress. As a result, I believe that because of Senator Fulbrights gracious actions towards McNamara, he doesnt mention the contradicting responses Fulbright gives to those senators that asked questions about the power of the resolution. In one instance Senator Daniel Brewster (D-Md) asked is there anything in the resolution which would authorize or recommend or approve the landing of large Americ an armies in Vietnam? Fulbright gives a contradictory response in which he states There is nothing in the resolution, as I read it, that contemplates it. However, the language of the resolution doesnt prevent it. In another instance, Senator Jack Miller (R-lw) attempted to understand the phrase in the resolution that stated Congress approves and supports the determination of the President to prevent further aggression. He then inquired as to who they would be preventing aggression from; Aggression against the U. S.? Or Aggression against the South Vietnamese. Senator Fulbright simply replied with l believe that both are included in that phrase. 23 It is evident from these responses that all Fulbright really did was cloud issue with his response to the senators questions. Even though the many in Congress were apprehensive of the resolution, it still passed almost unanimously, with only two senators voting against the resolution. The question still remains however, why did it pass? McNamara in some sense does give an accurate answer when referring to the ambiguous language of both the constitution and the resolution itself. But, he still doesnt analyze some of the other key factors such as the role of Senator Fulbright in the hearings. It was his assurance that This resolution doesnt mean a thing. Lyndon wants this to show he can be decisive and firm with the ommunists, too, that would help persuade congress. Congress understood the breadth of the resolutions power but they didnt for see that it would be an authorization for the escalation of war. 24 Likewise, McNamara doesnt take into account the reaction the general public would have if the committee voted the no on the resolution. McNamara doesnt include in his memoir President Johnsons radio and television appearance shortly after the second attack, in which he informed the public of two unprovoked attacks on US naval vessels in the Tonkin Gulf. Its obvious hat any member of congress that wanted to continue their career in politics could not vote no to a resolution in response to two unprovoked attacks. They would be viewed as completely unpatriotic during a time of national crisis. To put it plainly, congress didnt really have a choice in the matter. Unfortunately, the Tonkin resolution would commit over half a million US military forces to Vietnam with a death toll that would reach over 58,000 Americans. Subsequently, many Americans immediately put the blame on Robert McNamara and the Johnson Administration. Whether they are deserving of it, the question still remains. Robert McNamara attempts to bring clarity to the events surrounding the Golf of Tonkin in his memoir In Retrospect, but it unfortunately is an inadvertent attempt to clear his name. Because of this attempt to admonish himself, McNamara leaves out important detail specifically involving intelligence gathered after the second attack that took place on August 4th, as well as important dialogue that occurred during the congressional hearings on August 6th. In Retrospect, is a primary account, but unfortunately it uses evidence tnat present a very lopslaea picture 0T a man wno tries to excuse s policy that spun out of control. 25 Bibliography tne events Hanyok, Robert J. Skunks, Bogies, Silent Hounds, and Flying Fish: The Gulf of Tonkin Mystery, 2-4 August 1964, Cryptologic Quarterly, (2005): 10 -Presented key facts about intelligence and encrypted messages from August 2nd and 4th McNamara, Robert S. In Retrospect, New York: Times Books, (1995), 128 -My primary source account, as told by Robert McNamara Nathan, James A. Robert McNamaras Vietnam deception. USA Today Magazine 124, no. 2604 (September 1995): 32. MasterFlLE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed April 8, 2013). Provided me with key dialogue from McNamara that was not in the book, specifically information pertaining to the 34A missions Paterson, Pat. The Truth About Tonkin. Naval History 22, no. 1 (February 2008): 52. MasterFlLE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed April 8, 2013). -Similar to McNamaras deception, provides key info about the actual attacks of August 2nd and 4th Karen, Schwindt. The Obligation for Patriotism: Why Congress Passed the Tonkin Gulf Resolution. (n. d. ): OAlster, EBSCOhost (accessed April 8, 2013). -Looked closely at events surrounding the congressional hearing, gave important dialogue on senator Fulbright -The Foreword, was written by the most decorated officer from Vietnam, wno severely crltlclz ea McNamara SiffY. Ezra. Why the senate slept : the Gulf of Tonkin resolution and the beginning of Americas Vietnam war / Ezra Y. Siff ; foreword by Lt. Col. Anthony B. Herbert. n. p. : Westport, Conn. : Praeger, 1999. , 1999. ShaRC MIC Consortium Shared Catalog, EBSCOhost (accessed April 8, 2013). 20. -Also looked at events leading up to and after the August 6th congressional hearing -Looked at different theories of why congress passed the resolution

How Artificial Selection Works With Animals

How Artificial Selection Works With Animals Artificial selection involves mating two individuals within a species that have the traits desired for the offspring. Unlike natural selection, artificial selection isnt random and is controlled by the desires of humans. Animals, both domesticated and wild animals now in captivity, are often subjected to artificial selection by humans to get the ideal animal in looks, demeanor, or other desired characteristics. Darwin and Artificial Selection Artificial selection isnt a new practice. Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, used artificial selection to help bolster his work as he came up with the idea of natural selection and the Theory of Evolution. After traveling on the HMS Beagle to South America and, perhaps most notably, the Galapagos Islands, where he observed finches with differently shaped beaks, Darwin wanted to see if he could reproduce this type of change in captivity. Upon his return to England, Darwin bred birds. Through artificial selection over several generations, Darwin was able to create offspring with desired traits by mating parents that possessed those traits. Artificial selection in birds could include color, beak shape and length, size, and more. Benefits of Artificial Selection Artificial selection in animals can be a profitable endeavor. For instance, many owners and trainers will pay top dollar for racehorses with particular pedigrees. Champion racehorses, after they retire, are often used to breed the next generation of winners. Musculature, size, and even bone structure can be passed down from parent to offspring. If two parents can be found with the desired racehorse characteristics, theres an even greater chance that the offspring will also have the championship traits that owners and trainers desire. A common example of artificial selection in animals is dog breeding. As with racehorses, particular traits are desirable in different breeds of dogs that compete in dog shows. The judges look at coat coloring and patterns, behavior, and even teeth. While behaviors can be trained, there is also evidence that some behavioral traits are passed down genetically. Even among dogs not entered in shows, certain breeds have become more popular. Newer hybrids such as the Labradoodle, a mix between a Labrador retriever and a poodle, and the puggle, which comes from breeding a pug and a beagle, are in high demand. Most people who like these hybrids enjoy the uniqueness and the look of the new breeds. Breeders choose the parents based on traits they feel will be favorable in the offspring. Artificial Selection in Research Artificial selection in animals also can be used for research. Many labs use rodents such as mice and rats to perform tests that arent ready for human trials. Sometimes the research involves breeding mice to get the trait or gene to be studied in the offspring. Conversely, some labs research the lack of certain genes. In that case, mice without those genes are bred to produce offspring lacking that gene so they can be studied. Any domesticated animal or animal in captivity can undergo artificial selection. From cats to pandas to tropical fish, artificial selection in animals can mean the continuation of an endangered species, a new type of companion animal, or a lovely new animal to look at. While these traits may never come about through natural selection, they are achievable through breeding programs. As long as humans have preferences, there will be an artificial selection in animals to make sure those preferences are met.

The importance of marketing in travel and tourism Essay

The importance of marketing in travel and tourism - Essay Example There are several factors that impact the image of a company: advertising (any paid form of performancing the ideas, production and services); personal selling (the advertising for one or several potential clients which takes place while negotiations and aimed to have long-term realtionship between the companies); sales poromotion (stimulating arrangements selling the pruducts and services); public relationship (development of the relatiuonship between the companies with the help of creating a good reputation). (Peter D. Bennet) As for air companies, it should be mentioned the the way of creating an image is the quality of the services they produce. Product is the indicator of the organization. So a great attention should be paid to the quality of products and services. According to the marketing concepts, the companies achieve the competative advantages by working out the proposals which meet the needs of the comsumers more that the competative companies do. The companies can gain the competative advantage by reducing the price, and better quality of the production. The companies should consider not only the consumers’ needs but the strategies of the competitive companies. The first step in this direction is competitor analysis – the process of defining and evaluating the competative companies. The next step is working out the competitive strategies, that would help to have a good position at the market and gain the competitive advantage. (Leslie de Chertony). In order to achieve success and just to survive companies should change their philosophy. To win a good position at the contemporary market the companies should be consumer oriented. It is impoartant to know everything not only about production but about the creating the customer value orientation. It is very important to satisfy the customer’s expectations and to define the level of satisfaction. Usually the

The use of Biometrics and Bio-information to Support New Systems Research Paper

The use of Biometrics and Bio-information to Support New Systems Integration - Research Paper Example metric traits (for example face, fingerprint and iris) are not able to be stolen, lost or simply forged; they are as well recognized as to be more and more constant and distinctive. Utilize of biometrics is not latest; fingerprints based reorganization have been effectively employed intended for over one hundred years in law and forensics enforcement agencies to recognize and arrest criminals. However, as biometrics infuses our society, this detection technology featuring novel challenges. Biometric is the mainly secure as well as suitable authentication system. It is not able to be stolen, borrowed or elapsed as well as falsify that is mainly impossible. Biometrics based detection and calculations are based on individuals exceptional behavioral or physical features to identify or validate their characteristics. General physical biometrics comprise hand, fingerprints or retina, palm geometry iris, plus facial features. Behavioral characters features comprise voice, signature, gait an d keystroke. Biometrics taken as an automatic detection of people foundational on their physiological or behavioral features. Uni-modal new technologies based biometric systems carry out person identification foundational on a single source of biometric data and are influenced through issues similar to non-universality, noisy sensor data plus lack of independence of the selection of the biometric attribute, lack of an invariant illustration for the biometric feature as well as vulnerability to circumvention. A number of these issues are able to be improved through making use of the state-of-the-art integrated biometric systems that combines confirmation as of numerous biometric sources. Combination of proofs acquired from numerous indication is a challenging aspect plus combining at the identical score level is the majority widespread method for the reason that it presents the most excellent trade-off among the information content as well as the easiness in integration. In this

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

Consumer Behavior - Essay Example . A lot of say is also from the word of mouth approach which suggests that the friends and family circles play a very positive and vibrant role in the whole equation. When we talk about the consumers’ needs of understanding their own self in a better manner, we must make note of the self concept which discusses a person’s understanding of his own personality and what does or does not echo his personal statements. This could include issues like his mood shifts that can happen with the changing seasons, the attachment of peculiar feelings with certain colors and going out of the way to buy a certain piece of cloth which is usually not considered a viable option when it comes to buying by the masses. Thus the self concept is quintessential since it underpins his own notions related with the fashion needs and in what manner he can best fulfill the very same. As stated earlier, the people who are considered amongst the aspired groups by the relevant sets of consumers, who ar e about to make a potential purchase, are the right people to which these consumers can actually focus their symbolic wishes and aspirations. This aspired group could be consisting of those people who are looked upon at by the consumers with a sense of desire and yearning and the consumers always make sure that they buy this just to remain attached with the aspired group.

Progression of Morality Essay Example for Free

Progression of Morality Essay Throughout the centuries, morality has guided the beliefs and actions of families as well as societies. It has brought them together but it has also torn them apart. These beliefs continue to be a dominant force throughout many societies, affecting everything from what people wear to how they behave. The progression of morality has been a powerful basis for societies. The spectrum of greater access to the ideas and customs of different cultures, because of technology mass media and entertainment, especially television, has resulted in a diverse cultural blending. As cultural ideas move with people among cultures, some beliefs seem to have a greater effect than others. Blending of Morality In the 21st century, ideas from the West have been one of the dominant forces in shaping cultures in many parts of the world. The United States domination of the worldwide mass media has influenced different cultures significantly, leaving behind a legacy of western customs and ideas. The English language is also spoken globally, mainly because of Europe’s history of colonization in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. It has emerged as one of the premier international languages. English is the most common language used on the Internet and is responsible, in part, for the emergence of a dynamic global culture. Western business suits are standard uniforms among many people. McDonald’s hamburgers and Coca-Cola soft drinks can be purchased in many countries around the world. Many Disney characters are now commonly recognized because of Human World Views: HUM 360 Walt Disney theme park locations in Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. These examples of common dress, food, and entertainment all originate from America and are incorporated into other cultures. Western influence has also affected ways of thinking as well in many cultures with the expansion of materialism. This American mindset of placing high value on acquiring material possessions seems to have been adopted by many people of different cultures. Conflicts of Morality There have also been many historical conflicts among people of different racial, national, linguistic, or cultural groups. Some ethnic or religious groups have had moral issues that reach back for decades and, in some, for centuries. Examples of such conflicts would be â€Å"the troubles† between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland (McKittrick McVea, 2002) and the hostilities between Palestinians and Jews in the Middle East. People caught in these conflicts, that have been characterized by terrible violence, sometimes suffered torture or massacres of their whole towns or villages. An exemplification of such extreme immoral behavior is the violence imposed on the Kurds, a nomadic group in southwest Asia. For decades, Kurds have wanted their own separate country. But because their traditional lands cross the borders of three nations, it’s been an unsettling issue (McDowall, 2004). The Turks have responded to the Kurdish nationalism by forbidding Kurds to speak their native language. The Iranians have also persecuted the Kurds, attacking them over religious issues. In the late 1980’s, the Iraqis used chemical weapons on the Kurds, known as the Halabja Massacre or Bloody Friday , killing around 5,000 people (Esteri, 2012). Throughout history and present day, morality has played an important role in bringing people together. It has also, at times, driven them apart. Morality guides the beliefs and behaviors of its members. Whatever emotions it prompts, morality remains one of the most powerful influential forces on mankind in the world. ?

Banning Cell Phones while Driving :: Law Legal Cellular Telephone

Cell phones have become a huge part of modern life.. Cell phones play a large role in our society from keeping track of the kids to calling for help in emergencies. As the popularity of cell phones increase, concerns over hazards and car accidents they cause has increased also. A law should be passed stating that all cell phone use be illegal while driving. Talking on a cell phone while trying to drive a car puts the driver, other drivers, and pedestrians in danger. The risk of a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian being killed by a driver using a cell phone is 1.5 in a million per year. There are three dangers associated with driving and cell phone use. First, drivers must take their eyes off the road while dialing. Second, people can become so wrapped up in their conversations that their ability to concentrate on driving decreases. Lastly, people are constantly reaching for their cell phones to make or answer calls, making it impossible to keep both hands on the wheel. Adding to research that suggests that cell phone use while driving is hazardous, Progressive Insurance found that 46 percent of 837 drivers who used cell phones while driving swerved into another lane, 23 percent tailgated another vehicle, 18 percent almost hit another car, and 10 percent ran a red light. Of those surveyed, 90 percent admitted to using their phone while driving alone. Cell phone use while driving is basically the same as driving after drinking alcohol, both cause the driver to have poor speed maintenance, poor lane control, slow starts at signaled intersections, abrupt lane changes, sudden stops and cutting off other drivers. Driving while talking on a cell phone increases your risk of an accident from 34-300 percent same as driving drunk. Several states have attempted to pass laws to ban cell phone use while driving. Cab drivers in New York are not allowed to use cell phones while driving. On the other hand, those who appose banning cell phones while driving argue that when states issue drivers licenses, an individual motorist has been given the chance to be both responsible and capable of making decisions behind the wheel. Also, holding a conversation on a cell phone while driving is no more distracting than talking to a passenger. Lastly arguing that a driver should be able to chose whether or not to use a cell phone while driving and any attempts to legally prohibit this is taking away the personal rights of motorists.

“Of Mice and Men” during the 1930’s Essay

John Steinbeck wrote â€Å"Of Mice and Men† during the 1930’s when the Great Depression would’ve started. The dustbowl was wiping off all the good soil so all the farmers lost there jobs and they lost all their money. Also loads of people lost money in the Wall Street Crash when the stock market crashed. Many men had the dream like George and Lennie and work like them so they can get their fifty bucks or work up a stake to buy some land of their own. Many people were racist so Crooks had a very hard life even though he had nothing different about him but his skin colour. Also he is a cripple so he can’t do too much work except tend the horses. Candy is a bit the same because he has a busted hand and got a bit of compensation but nobody else would employ him so he has to stay there. Lennie is really dumb and even though he is strong no one would employ him because of his intelligence. He is lucky that he has George because it was George that would have probably got him the job. George is a very intelligent person who is a hard worker but can never live the life he wants to because Lennie keeps ruining it. Slim is a very good worker and is very efficient and is essential to the ranch. He is the only one who can speak to Curley’s wife and get away with it. â€Å"This is just a nigger talking’, and a busted back nigger. So it don’t mean nothing, see?† this shows how disrespectful Curley’s wife and other people can be to Crooks. Crooks are portrayed in the book as a black, enabled person who is beaten and tortured for fun. He has only a few human rights like being able to live and do what he wants to a certain extent but is beaten by the boss when it’s not even his fought and he is used for games. Just like when they set dogs on a bear even though the bear is chained up, one of the workers will have his hands or legs tied together so that poor old Crooks has a chance. Crooks is always mentioned by the Boss and the workers as the nigger, a bit like an animal, like you call a dog, dog when talking about it, they do the same to Crooks. They treat him like an animal. Smitty was the guy that had the fight with Crooks but lost. He said â€Å"If he coulda used his feet, Smitty says he woulda got the nigger† which proves the point that he was treated like a game. Crooks will never fit in the 1930’s because of all the racism with the KKK. He is also enabled so he has got two main problems with him that is why he is pushed around and beaten. Crooks is placed in the novel by Steinbeck to show another aspect of how not being strong, young, male and intelligent can cause loneliness and discrepancy about whether they can really enjoy themselves without a little bit of help. Crooks don’t like white folk as we see when Lennie goes into his room. He says â€Å"You got no right coming into my room† Crooks tries to get back at Lennie for him not being able to go into the Bunkhouse. He wants to make Lennie feel left out by saying things like â€Å"Sometimes he talks, and you don’t know what the hell he’s talkin’ about?† shows this in a way that Lennie doesn’t understand. Lennie is probably cautious of that because it’s true, he then tries to scare Lennie by saying â€Å"What would you do if George don’t come back tonight?† and Lennie gets all worried and scared. In the end Crooks stops doing it because he wants someone to talk to. He tries to act normal but his anger is let out he complains how â€Å"Books don’t keep a man company. They gotta have a person to talk to or they will go mad† shows this, he can’t control himself. He portrays a lonely man with no friends or anyone to talk to and it isn’t his thought. He is like an untouchable. The other characters in the book which are marginalized are people like Lennie, Curley’s wife and Candy. Lennie is marginalized because even though he is young and strong he is so dumb. People realize he’s so dumb they even play tricks on him, like when George is talking to Slim he says â€Å"He was so dumb one time I told him to jump into the water, he jus’ jumped and when we pulled him out he was so God damn grateful he was being all kind again† proves this, Lennie being so dumb must make it hard for George or anybody to have a real conversation with. Candy is left aside because he is unable to work properly because of an accident when he got his hand caught in a machine. Even though his $250 compensation he can’t move on with his life or move away so he has to stay at the ranch. You can tell that he’s lonely because when he over hears Lennie and George talking about their special little place their getting he jumps at the opportunity and says â€Å"How much do they want for that place?† shows that Candy is very interested in the farm. He even offers them every last cent he has to go with them and his will, will be left to them. He says he can’t wait and is thoroughly excited. He is just a useless old man, just like his dog a waste of space but seems very wise because he tells George and Lennie how he can cook, clean and wash and even tend chickens so he advertises himself as a slave just to get out of the ranch. Curley’s wife doesn’t fit in with everybody else because of her sex. There are no other women on the ranch so she has no one to talk to when all the men go out to work. This is why she always tarts herself. She just wants to be noticed a lot of the men say â€Å"You have Curley to talk to† but she just replies â€Å"all Curley talks about is how he’s gonna get some guy and lead with his left† so she shows that marrying Curley was a big mistake. She must have been drunk or just been let down and grabbed whatever she could. You can tell she is lonely because of the way she always asks â€Å"Have you seen Curley?† and trying to get noticed. She is a perfect example of Steinbeck using her character to show loneliness when she says â€Å"Standing here with a bunch of Bindle stiffs† and then says â€Å"and likin† shows that she shouldn’t really have to stay there and talk to them because she is young and beautiful but because she is a woman she can’t go out with the men. Curley’s wife is very different from many other people and the opposite to Curley because she wants to be Lennie’s friend. None of the other men implied that they don’t want to be friends with Lennie but you don’t hear in the book many other people talking to him except for George. This is because Curley’s wife knows that Lennie is interested in her because when they first met he â€Å"wouldn’t move his eyes away from her† and unbeknown to Curley’s wife Lennie says â€Å"She’s Purdy† and Curley’s wife tries to exploit this feeling by saying hello to him every time she sees him and lets Lennie stroke her hair not realising that it would cause her death. In the book Steinbeck makes most of the characters that do have the characteristics of being young, white, male and strong to succeed in the world like George and Slim. This because Steinbeck wanted to show the World that anyone not in that category would not survive like Lennie and Curley’s wife. He believed that this was realistic and that his book could have been a true story. George and Slim, these type of people would have survived because of the fact that they would have become so vital to the ranch, Slim already has. George will definitely become like slim because he is a good worker; he is strong, white and male but is also very intelligent so he knows where to be careful. You can tell that Slim is vital because Candy says â€Å"She’s been giving him the eye† and then says â€Å"if anyone can mess with Curley’s wife its Slim because he’s so damn good at his job† which shows that any other person messing with Curley’s wife, Curl ey would try to pick a fight with but he knows that the boss wont like that because of how essential he is to the ranch. George will become this way unless he moves because he has already shown a lot of his intelligence by saying to Lennie â€Å"don’t say anything† and how he explains to the boss when they first meet â€Å"He isn’t the smartest guy but he can sure back a packet of Barley quick† showing that he tells the boss about Lennie’s bad points but then over emphasized about his good points. He is also very smart right at the start when he says â€Å"Were gonna sleep here because I got a reason† and the reason is because he knows that if he goes tonight he’ll have to get up tomorrow and go to work when he can just stay here. Lennie doesn’t realise this and asks why. George knows better than to tell him the truth because he knows that Lennie might let it slip to the boss and he doesn’t want that so he says â€Å"I just like this spot† and Lennie doesn’t seem to care and just carries on getting fire work. To conclude this essay Crooks was placed in the book to show how bad racism is and to show how he was treated. Lennie, Candy and Curley’s wife are put in to show that if you’re not white, male, intelligent and strong you won’t be able to survive. Lennie got killed by George, Candy will die shortly because of his age but Crooks he will survive but with a wretched life of racism and it probably will not get any better in his life. The people that do survive are characters like Slim and George and they survive because they are fit into the elite category of being string, intelligent, white and male. Soon George will become indispensable to the Ranch just like Slim who â€Å"Is so God damn good at his job† unless of course they want to move, but where ever those two go, they will become very good at what they do. George’s whole life awaits him now because he hasn’t got Lennie to mess up things and can do what he wants like he says â€Å"I could go into town and buy a gallon of whisky and sit and play pool or visit a whore house. But I’m stuck with you† so really he should do a lot better without Lennie.

Developing Supply Chain to Deliver WOW Essay

Zappos.com is a privately held online retailer with an extensive product category mainly including apparel, footwear, handbags, and watches. Headquartered in Nevada, it primarily operates in the US with about 1,300 employees and revenues mounting to $635M in 2008. Thanks to its strength in offering an outstanding customer shopping experience and strong corporate cultures and values related to customer service, it was the largest online shoe retailer in 2008, with a positive growth outlook. However, in the face of possible economic downturn, its underlying insufficiencies in supply chain management and operations may pose a threat to the company’s long term profitability. Nevertheless, the opportunity of possible international expansion may well be exploited to improve sales and expand the business, but such decision still needs critical evaluation and feasibility assessment in whether Zappos can sustain its focus on outstanding customer service levels in such scenario. The online-retail industry in which Zappos operates is one in which the rivalry among existing competitors is high, as it is competing with both click-n-brick stores like Amazon, as well as traditional retail stores such as Footwear Inc which also have a strong focus on the shoe segment. However, the threat of new entrants is very low as a result of the high initial capitalization required for the start of business. There are a large number of buyers in the market. However, high price sensitivity and low switching cost strengthen the buyer`s position; continuing to attract such customers becomes one of the main challenges for Zappos during a likely scenario of economic downturn. Zappos will need to adopt strategies such as importing directly from foreign suppliers, committing to 5 day delivery through ground shipping as opposed to next-day air shipping, offering its own private label, and expanding its Powered by Zappos initiative. Company Value Chain: Problem Analysis External Analysis Porter’s 5 Forces The following is an evaluation of the external forces acting upon Zappos’ operations and their possible impact in the immediate and future performance of the company: Degree of Rivalry – HIGH: While Zappos is a pioneer player in the online retail segment, in practice it is not only competing with other online retailers, but with brick-and-mortar stores in the traditional retail sector which have substantial experience in the market. Many other players offer similar products to those carried by Zappos’. Bargaining Power of Buyers – MODERATE to HIGH: Given the many alternatives in the market, the switching cost for a customer to other retailers is very low. Consumers are becoming increasingly price-conscious, and with the small potential for differentiation in the non-fashion elite segment, the customer can easily find other similar product options, forcing retailers to offer lower pricing to remain competitive. Threat of New Entrants – MODERATE TO LOW: The barriers to entry in the industry are extremely high, based on the large capital investment required. However the online retail business is still on its growth stages, which may attract new players and investors looking to capture potential markets. Bargaining Power of Suppliers – LOW: Competition for both wholesaler / importer suppliers and direct manufacturers is intense and well established; therefore, the market itself drives the power of the many suppliers down. As discussed, there are many alternatives in the market such that no single supplier is dominant. Threat of Substitutes – LOW: There are no substitute products available for most of the products which Zappos may offer to the public, so such threat is unlikely. SWOT Analysis Strengths – Customer-Oriented Culture and Services – Zappos has strong company culture and values, which have a large influence on all aspects of the business, including the supply chain. Zappos is always looking for new ways to WOW every customer and always treat every employee like family. The employees consider Zappos a fun place to work. In addition, Zappos` commitment to customer service satisfaction is clearly demonstrated by their value propositions and represents their core differentiation strategy. These are free shipping, guaranteed 5 day delivery (WOWing the customer, where 49% of customers will receive their product within 2 days), a 365 day return policy and 24/7 customer service. Unique Products and Innovation – The core products that Zappos offers are designed to be distinctly different from the traditional shoes available in brick-and mortar stores. Zappos provides customizable product models and extensive product information to customers. For example, Zappos` site has a detailed discussion of gait that helps customers to determine which type of shoe is appropriate for them. Weaknesses – Presence Limited to Online Market – Although there are many online shoppers today and the number is still growing, Zappos is unable to reach the majority of retail shoppers by only having the online outlet channel. Relatively Low Profit Margin – The revenue of Zappos in 2008 is $635 million, but the company policy on product returns makes up 35% of gross sales. This is definitely crippling Zappos profits. High Dependency on UPS – Until 2008, Zappos has only one call center in Las Vegas and one distribution center in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The distribution center is less than 30 minutes from the UPS hub in Louisville. This will make Zappos delivery highly dependent on UPS. Opportunities – Rapid Growth of Online Shopping – Online purchasing has grown consistently year after year; the opportunity lies in capturing new online customers and retaining them. Technology Innovation – In 2008, Zappos added more automation to its warehouse operations by installing a robotic system in which robots picked up shelves that contained the items to be picked, and brought the shelves to the workers. These new robots allow Zappos to ship a pair of shoes in as little as eight minutes. Technology advances will allow Zappos to increase the capacity and efficiency of its distribution centers, without having to build new centers. Build Strategic Alliances with Complementary Retailers – Zappos could build synergies with similar-size online retailers which offer complementary products in an effort to broaden its customer base and target audience. Threats – Economic Downturn – Customers will become more price-conscious in difficult economic times, which will ultimately drive Zappos strategy in order to remain competitive in such scenario. Competitive Rivalry – While Zappos is one of the pioneer players specialized in shoe-retailing, the trend is for established brick-and-mortar companies to start offering their products online, which may generate additional competitive pressures. Possible Security Breach for Online Retailer – Zappos must address possible security breaches to its servers. Problem Statement Based upon the previous analysis, Zappos faces two major problems which may be detrimental to the company’s long-term success. Our aim here is to synthesize them in order to formulate a series of recommendations that the company could implement to solve the mentioned problems. Problem 1: Supply Chain Management The first problem that the company faces within its organization is related to supply chain management. We have identified three different sub-issues within this topic in which Zappos has room for improvement: Imports from wholesalers as an intermediary between Zappos and the manufacturers – Due to the highly uncertain demand in the sector, having a wholesaler between Zappos and the brands that manufactures the product is a strategic problem for the company. When Zappos places an order, it is relying on the inventory that the wholesaler keeps in order to fulfill its need of supply. Furthermore, Zappos may find it difficult to secure its supply as the company grows, having no control over wholesaler import decisions. This is especially critical in a sector with unstable demand faced with global economic uncertainty. Zappos must devise supply chain-related strategies which provide the company with more flexibility in terms of profit margins in order to deal with more price-conscious customers in the future. Delivery to Zappos’ distribution centers from suppliers – The company faces a problem in relation to inefficiency of partially loaded trucks arriving to unload to Zappos’ inventory facilities. As the case highlights, significant numbers of partially loaded trucks (LTL) arrive to unload products generating unnecessary traffic in the distribution center, subsequently slowing down the unloading process. There’s a need for Zappos to address this issue, ultimately affecting its whole operation’s efficiency. Inventory Management – At this point, the company uses manual scanners to register incoming and outgoing stock from its distribution center. This may lead to inventory inaccuracies due to the high probability of human error to occur in the handling of the incoming and outgoing merchandise. It is of the utmost importance for Zappos to have accurate inventory information, not only in terms of its supply chain management, but also in maintaining customer service levels because of the potential of having inaccurate information on the website such that a customer may order a product which is actually out of stock. Problem 2: Growing the business Throughout the case it is been said that the company plans to expand. It is possible to grow the business in a national scale as well as internationally. The following issues need to be addressed by Zappos when evaluating company expansion: determining strategic locations for new facilities to store its inventory and achieve a good balance between supplier lead times and delivery times to the final customer. In addition, the company faces the decision of whether to continue having its distribution centralized in Kentucky. Moreover, Zappos needs to evaluate whether or not it is still feasible to use UPS ground shipping in the long-term. The company would also face a problem not only when trying to maintain its customer service levels and an efficient delivery, but also when trying to get new employees to share its corporate culture. Recommendations: Start Importing Directly from Foreign Manufacturers: Zappos should begin developing direct relationships with foreign manufacturers, especially with Chinese suppliers, starting by importing some products directly, instead of buying from North American wholesalers. This strategy has the following benefits: * Cost savings from purchasing the same products at lower prices, providing the company with more pricing flexibility at dealing with cost-conscious consumers in a difficult economy. * Distribution channel efficiency is increased by eliminating middlemen in the supply chain. In this sense, there is no need for products to be shipped from foreign suppliers to a wholesale distributor and from there to Zappos; Zappos can receive the product directly at their distribution center, reducing freight costs across the value chain as well as lead times. * A closer relationship with manufacturers might enable Zappos to obtain information regarding inventory levels, product availability, and or der status and timing. It is worth noting that even in cases where Zappos is still purchasing from a wholesaler (who in-turn imports from the manufacturer), the wholesaler can request the manufacturer to deliver directly to the Zappos distribution center, earning the lead time and cost benefits. Opt for Ground Shipping as Opposed to Next Day Air Shipping: Given the risk of failing to meet the next day delivery standards because of external factors, Zappos should only guarantee 5-day delivery. In this manner, the company will consistently overdeliver, with 99% of customers receiving their orders within 4 days. This strategy not only makes sense from a cost perspective, but it also goes hand-in-hand with Zappos’ culture of outstanding customer service. However, the option of next day air delivery should be made available to the customer for a premium rate. Sign a Contract with a Selected Trucking Company Specialized in Consolidation: In order to minimize LTL shipments to its distribution centers and mitigate the economic inefficiencies that LTL implies, Zappos should sign a contract with a major transportation and logistics company specialized in consolidation in order to handle Zappos order pick-ups from some of its remaining local suppliers, optimizing cargo capacity and delivering such products to the distribution center. This contract strategy would only be possible to implement in areas with high supplier concentration such as Southern California and Ontario. It is granted that such a strategy would require a long and difficult negotiation process between suppliers, the logistics company and Zappos; however, economies of scale benefits could be obtained from the large volumes to be handled and the cost savings distributed across the industry value chain. Search for Additional Partners and Expand â€Å"Powered by Zappos†: Powered by Zappos partners act as distributors of the products carried by Zappos. In this sense, finding new partners will generate additional revenues from both the fees of developing and running distributor websites and operations and from an expanded market base deriving from multiple websites offering Zappos products. Offer its own Zappos Private Label: Zappos could expand the business by offering its own private label; private labels offer the advantage of not purchasing from a third-party wholesaler which in itself is making a profit from the merchandise, allowing for more flexibility in terms of pricing and profit margins. Overall, by commercializing its own brand, Zappos can offer its private label merchandise at lower prices than the industry standards, while maintaining its profit margin. This strategy would be effective at dealing with price elastic customers in uncertain economic times. It must be noted that to achieve this, however, the company would need to develop internal design capabilities and source its private label through selected manufactures which meet their needs. In order to achieve the lowest supplier prices, supplier relationships would need to be developed through established contracts which may include exclusivity agreements. Based on the large volumes that Zappos handles through its established customer base, the strategy could also earn benefits from economies of scale and increased brand awareness. Do not Expand Internationally in the Short-Term: The huge capital investment required and the risk of affecting customer service levels makes international expansion undesirable in the short run. The company’s financial base must be strengthened further before pursuing such expansion, maintaining the focus on customer service that the company has been known for. Customer service is core to company values and culture and therefore cannot be compromised by any strategic decision. International expansion must be accompanied by the same training standards, staffing levels and passion for customer service at company call centers and order delivery must meet Zappos promise. This last factor could pose a special challenge, given that Zappos would be relying on couriers operating in different countries which may introduce a factor of uncertainty beyond Zappos control as to what levels of delivery performance can be met. Invest in an Automatic Scanning System for Inventory Control: In an environment where such accurate inventory information is required, the current manual scanning of goods entering and leaving the distribution center is inadequate. Errors in inventory control will inevitably have a negative effect on customer satisfaction in that the system may allow a customer to purchase a product that is in fact out of stock. A system which automatically scans incoming and exiting products (magnetic doorways or similar) guarantees inventory accuracy and goes hand-in hand with the core values of the company, making it a worthwhile and even necessary investment. Limitations * The capacity of the existing distribution center in Kentucky is unknown; therefore we are assuming that the current infrastructure will be enough to sustain the operations of the company to meet an increasing demand and market share in the short-term. * Suppliers which have their own fleet might be reluctant to agree to let Zappos do order pick-ups and deliver their products; however, our recommendation assumes that the suppliers are flexible in this sense. * A break-up of the company`s operational costs would be required in order to make better-informed strategy recommendations. The performed analysis is based on purely qualitative information. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. MGSC 602 Strategic Management of Operations Coursepack, Zappos.com: Developing a supply chain to deliver WOW, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Case GS-65, 02/13/09, page 276 [ 2 ]. MGSC 602 Strategic Management of Operations Coursepack, Zappos.com: Developing a supply chain to deliver WOW, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Case GS-65, 02/13/09, page 296 [ 3 ]. MGSC 602 Strategic Management of Operations Coursepack, Zappos.com: Developing a supply chain to deliver WOW, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Case GS-65, 02/13/09, page 273 [ 4 ]. MGSC 602 Strategic Management of Operations Coursepack, Zappos.com: Developing a supply chain to deliver WOW, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Case GS-65, 02/13/09, page 280 [ 5 ]. MGSC 602 Strategic Management of Operations Coursepack, Zappos.com: Developing a supply chain to deliver WOW, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Case GS-65, 02/13/09, page 276