Friday, November 29, 2019

Work teams in Organization an Example by

Work teams in Organization The principle aim and set goals of any organization is competency in production of goods and services to meet the consumer standard. The set target should be met with the use of the available resources at the disposal of the organization. The supply of resources poses some limitations towards the achievement of the goals. However human resource is the only production resource that can be manipulated for the purpose of flexibility and action against the other rigid resources to expand the capacity of an organization. Need essay sample on "Work teams in Organization" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The human resource therefore qualifies to be the most important valuable and yet the most expensive to compensate. Therefore skillful and appropriate use of the human resource is a major contributing factor to the success of an organization. Organizational requirements for successful Team Works For an organization to set the stage for a successful work teams, the organizational policies should have high profile projects. Projects are organized in phases, which are interrelated. The success of one phase depends to a greatest degree on the success of the previous phase. Each phase has its own key processes that require specialized skills and experiences of available work force. Each phase of the project requires a teamwork with functional responsibilities all geared towards the success of the entire project for the benefit of the organization. The requirement of teamwork in this perspective is to minimize the managerial burden since the teamwork is in collaboration with an overall objective. In such a situation, the organizational formal management would be expensive and teamwork renders the role as unwarranted. (Putz 2002) The different phases of the project facilitate for the development of individual particular expertise and a wide range of production areas shares the benefits of individual skill sand experiences. The players in the teamwork should be subjected to the advantage of work at a position where the level of skills and expertise best warrant for action with comfort and ease. (Katzenbach & Smith, 1993) The products and services of different organization are unique. It usually costs the organization, in terms of time and money, to build up the unique product and service. To prevail in the market, the exact replica of the organizations production output should persist. For the success of this, teamwork becomes further important. Quality standards should be maintained unless in a case where the organization aims at product development and/or improvement. A team of qualified personnel should handle each level of production chain. (Kotter 1996 & Fisher 1999) Another requirement for a successful work teams is the availability of an established human capital investment. The degree of competency and discipline will depend upon the success in remuneration of the work team and the fulfillment of the requirement for training if need arises. The fact that technology is advancing should not be ignored and it is the duty of the organization to cope with the changes through internships and regular training. Training should be accompanied by evaluation of the changes in the skill needs in the organization (Hogan 2003). The organizational requirement for precisely defined skills also calls of work teams. The degree of specialization to a specific production activity is best enhanced by the application of work teams. Some situations require problem solving teams and self-directed work groups to achieve a high quality management of production practices. If in case rotation of roles has to occur the organization should be capable to involve the work teams in a formal training to update the skills and expertise to cope up with production requirements. (Cooper, Lock 2000) The requirement of workforce diversity also calls for work teams. Work place diversity in terms of skills and experiences, demographics such as race, ethnicity, age, race and gender are positively productive to the organization. The work team as a whole would require the contribution of talents skills and experiences inherent in the diverse range of employees for the overall success of the organization. (Hackman 1990) The organizational requirement for work schedules also calls for work teams. Work schedule promotes the health and well being of the organization workers, and serves as a solution to psychological violence in the organization. (Streibel, Joiner, Scholtes 2003) The organizational requirements for new policies, which are original to the tradition of the organization, are also necessary for incorporation of work teams in the workplace. The policing becomes an achievable goal when individual potentials are tapped for a collective gain in the organization. The management role is further simplified since the teams are ideally self-managed and serves as employee investment groups. (Katzenbach & Willard 1995) Work schedules also help the organization to maximize the employees, the human resources, output by making efficient use of the other available resources. Time and other specific resources are utilized to their maximum potential for profitable production in an organization. (Chris 1998) Conclusion Work teams in any organization uplift the production standards and consolidate the managerial functions, of the organization. The organization policy goals are established with a little requirement for supervision. The role of the management is reduced to visionary policy making and the strategic planning for the benefit of the future operations of the organization. This is one of the best approaches to make the maximum use of human resources for the efficient use of the organization static resources. References Barbara J. Streibel, Brian L. Joiner, Peter R. Scholtes (2003) The Team Handbook, Joiner /Oriel Inc; 3rd Spiral Ed.ISBN-13: 978-1884731266, 295-360 Cary L. Cooper, Edwin A. Lock (2000) Industrial and organizational Psychology, Black well Publishing Limited ISBN-13: 978-0631209928,165-230 Christine Hogan (2003) Practical Facilitation, Kogar Page ISBN-13978-0749438272, 412-450 Gregory B. Putz (2002) Facilitation Skills, Deep Space Technology; 2nd Ed. ISBN-13: 978-0966445619,123-146 Hackman, R (1990) Groups that Work, San Francisco, C.A.: Jossy-Bass, 58-73 Hall, Chris (1998) Team Support Systems, Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of North Texas, 16-35 Katzenbach J. and Willard, M. 1995 Why Teams Can Fail And What To Do About It, Chicago II Irwin Professional Publishing, 35-48 Katzenbach, J. & Smith, D. (1993) The Wisdom of Teams,: Harvard Business School Press Boston, M. A, 61-77 Kimball Fisher (1999) leading self Directed Work teams, Mc Graw-Hill; 2nd Ed. ISBN-13: 978-0071349246, 301-340 Kotter, J. Ps (1996) Leading Change. Harvard Business School Press. Boston, 34 - 80

Monday, November 25, 2019

Biography of Dolley Madison, Bipartisan First Lady

Biography of Dolley Madison, Bipartisan First Lady Born Dolley Payne, Dolley Madison (May 20, 1768 – July 12, 1849) was first lady of the United States as the wife of James Madison, the country’s fourth president. Over the course of her tenure as first lady, she was instrumental in forging friendly and social relationships between members of different political parties. Fast Facts: Dolley Madison Full Name:  Dolley Payne Todd MadisonOccupation: First lady of the United StatesBorn: May 20, 1768 in New Garden, North CarolinaDied: July 12, 1849 in Washington, D.C.Known For: As first lady, Dolley Madison influenced bipartisan efforts and was known for her grace and charm as a hostess.Spouses: John Todd (m. 1790-1793), James Madison (m. 1794-1836)Children: John Payne Todd (1792-1852), William Temple Todd (1793-1793) Quaker Childhood Dolley was the first daughter of Mary Coles Payne and John Payne Jr., Virginian transplants to North Carolina. Her mother was a lifelong Quaker, and her father joined the faith upon marrying Mary in 1761. In 1769, the Paynes returned to Virginia, where they raised their children on the family plantation. As a child, Dolley was very close to her mother’s family. The Paynes had four daughters (including Dolley) and four sons. As Quakers, the family was somewhat anti-slavery, and in 1783, they emancipated all their slaves. That same year, when Dolley was fifteen, the family moved again, this time to Philadelphia, where John Payne started a business as a starch merchant. Unfortunately, his business failed by 1791, resulting in his expulsion from the Quaker community. He died in 1792. First Marriage In 1790, when she was 22 years old, Dolley married John Todd, a Quaker lawyer whom she met in Philadelphia. They soon had two sons: John Payne Todd (named for Dolley’s father) and William Temple Todd (born in 1793). Her sister, Anna Payne, also moved in to help with the children.   Gilbert Stuart (American, 1755-1828). Dolley Dandridge Payne Todd Madison, 1804. Oil on canvas. White House Historical Association (White House Collection) Tragedy struck in 1793, when a yellow fever epidemic tore through Philadelphia, killing more than five thousand people over the course of four months. Dolley lost her husband, her son William, and her in-laws to the epidemic. In the aftermath, she was stuck dealing not only with her grief and raising her surviving son, but with the legal limitations placed on women inheriting. Because her brother-in-law was the executor of her husband’s will, he was able to withhold her inheritance from her until forced to retract after a lawsuit. At the time, laws around women’s financial rights left many women in positions like Dolley’s. Because women were severely limited in their ability to earn money or own any property, they were almost entirely financially dependent on male relatives, under a system known as coverture- the doctrine that essentially subsumed all of a woman’s rights into her husband’s upon marriage. Mrs. Madison Dolley was a young widow, only 25 years old, and was considered a very beautiful woman. Living in Philadelphia, the temporary capital of the new United States, resulted in Dolley encountering many of the elite figures of the time. Dolley was staying at a boarding house, where the lawyer Aaron Burr was also living. Burr had attended college with James Madison, who was then representing Virginia as a congressman in the House of Representatives. Reportedly, it was Burr’s idea to introduce his old friend and his neighbor. In early 1794, Burr introduced the two, and they apparently hit it off quickly. Although Dolley would have been aware of the necessity of remarriage in order to support herself and her son, she and Madison did apparently care deeply for each other- despite an age gap of seventeen years. They married that September, resulting in Dolley’s expulsion from the Quaker community for marrying outside her faith; she adopted James’ Episcopal faith instead. Drawings of the coin honoring Dolley Madison from the U.S. Mints First Spouse Gold Coin Program are displayed in the East Room of the White House November 19, 2007 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images Madison served eight years in the House of Representatives before retiring from politics in 1797. Their family returned to Virginia, where Dolley helped her husband expand their house on his estate of Montpelier. However, the retirement didn’t last long. In 1800, Thomas Jefferson won the presidency, and he asked Madison to take the post of Secretary of State. Madison accepted, and he and his family moved to Washington. Because Jefferson was a widower, Dolley stepped in to fulfill some of the traditional functions of the first lady, as set out by Martha Washington. She assisted in furnishing the White House and served as hostess on several state occasions, while also befriending the wives of many international diplomats. During this era, she gained a reputation for her charm and graciousness. First Lady and Later Legacy Madison was the nominee of the Democratic-Republican Party in the 1808 election and won the presidency; he was reelected four years later as well. She functioned as the official hostess of the administration, smoothing over political tensions with her grace and social finesse. It was her social events, in fact, that helped bring together politicians of different parties. During her tenure as first lady, Dolley also participated in the advances of the ages: she was the only first lady given an honorary seat on the floor of Congress, and the first American to receive and reply to a telegraph message. Illustration shows American First Lady Dolley Madison (1768 - 1849) as she holds aloft the Declaration of Independence, as British soldiers approach the White House, Washington DC, August 24, 1814. Though Madison did save a number of documents from the White House, Gilbert Stuarts portrait of George Washington was the most historically important item she saved, and this image, which even includes a cracked display case in the background, is a fictional representation of the events. Stock Montage / Getty Images Dolley’s most famous action came in 1814- and, technically, it wasn’t even hers. During the War of 1812, British forces attacked Washington and burned much of the relatively new city. As the presidential staff hurried to depart, Dolley ordered that a painting of George Washington, a copy of the famous Lansdowne portrait, be taken down and saved. In popular culture, Dolley was depicted as the one who saved the painting, in reality, it was the house’s servants (or, more accurately, slaves) who did the saving. After Madison’s tenure as president ended in 1817, the family returned to Montpelier, where they enjoyed retirement. James Madison died on June 28, 1836, and Dolley spent the next year organizing and copying his papers for their records and for publication. She then returned to Washington, along with her sister Anna, in 1837. The Montpelier plantation was left in the care of her son, Payne Todd, but he suffered from alcoholism and other illnesses and was unable to carry out his duties properly. Instead, Dolley sold off Montpelier and the plantation’s remaining slaves to pay off her family’s debts. In her later years, Dolley Madison remained a fixture in Washington, as one of the last remaining members of the prominent Revolutionary War families. Over the years, her finances were intermittently shaky, and she sold the rest of her husband’s papers to help support herself. She passed away at the age of 81 at her home in Washington in 1849, and was first buried in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, then reinterred alongside James at Montpelier. Along with other early presidential wives such as Martha Washington and Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison defined the role of the first lady and used social gatherings to work towards bipartisan cooperation in a chaotic era. Sources Allgor, Catherine. A Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation. New York: Henry Holy Co., 2006.â€Å"First Lady Biography: Dolley Madison.† National First Ladies Library, firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography4.Howat, Kenna, ed. â€Å"Dolley Madison.† National Women’s History Museum, https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/dolley-madison.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Incorporating Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Incorporating Theory - Essay Example Furthermore, it would minimize risks of associated legal liability. Besides, it would ensure economic valuation of care to the patient, the family and the care facility. In view of this, the Change Theory Fall Model would offer a theoretical framework for the implementation of the proposed change. Despite the fact that there has been conflicting evidence in fall prevention programs strategies in long-term care facilities, there are; however, practical evidence-based programs that can be used in the prevention of patient falls (Simmons, 2012). Nevertheless, in order for these implementation strategies to be effectively employed, there has to be a significant behavioral change at the organizational level. This trickles down from key stakeholders such as the facility administration, the patient, and the patient’s family and health care staff. Herdman, Schubert and Tusa (2011), posit that the Change Theory Fall Model would ensure behavioral changes in the key stakeholders of healt hcare delivery that would ultimately result into a reduction in the prevalence and incidence of patient falls. The Change Theory Fall Model is a conceptual framework that was developed by Advanced Practice Nurse as a modification of Kotter and Cohen’s Change Theory (Frieson, Gargis , Frith, & Wagner, 2013). Herdman, Schubert and Tusa (2011), opine that in order for an organization to achieve an effective outcome, synergy is essential through a combination of interventions. In lieu of this, the proposed change is a multivariate of strategies with the aim of reducing the prevalence and incidence of patient falls. The Change Theory Fall Model is a type of Lewin’s Change Management Model. Its major components entail: preparing the facility to accept the changes required, ensuring stakeholders begin to act in a manner showing support to the proposed solution and ensuring the changes are institutionalized and individualized. In retrospect, the proposed change

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Thief of the identity Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Thief of the identity - Article Example (Atkins). With effects such as long term loss of memory, one’s identity deteriorates since one cannot remember what surrounds their lives. (Sabbagh). Not being in cognizant with what is going on around is tantamount to loss of identity. In addition to this, the impacts of the disease on the physical appearance are outstandingly disturbing when one thinks about it. The disease eats up the radiance in one, by working up on the face, the skin and the whole body structure. (Atkins). One looks totally different from the way they used to before the disease comes in. It is by virtue of the loss of the original physical appearance that one is considered as having lost his or her identity to the disease. The disease is therefore tantamount to the thief that steals away one’s identity. To conclude, this disease is quite scary given its impacts and the fact that it cannot be treated. (Atkins). The fact that its cause is yet to be established is also much alarming. In this paper, the fact that the disease is a thief of identity has been looked at. This is through the impact of the disease to the brain and physical appearance. There are many other impacts of the disease that can be traced to loss of identity such as emotional swings. However, not all these could be covered given the scope of this

Monday, November 18, 2019

Dissertation Assignment Power Point Additions Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Dissertation Power Point Additions - Assignment Example (In many cases, inadequate knowledge on the biomedical factors related to obesity in childhood, the possible factors were not revealed, and as a result, the phenomenon of childhood obesity and its holistic medicine implications were less understood and hence remained unknown) (Mainstream biomedical model of healthcare can access this population, but that field is totally unaware of the holistic dimension of the requisite interventions, hence fails to implement them leading to failure to control childhood obesity) (This author's knowledge and expertise in holistic medicine and ability to apply appropriate research methodology may lead to delineation of guidelines based on clinical holistic medicine that may indeed fruitfully lead to successful interventions culminating into behavioral changes in children) (Biomedical solutions have been ineffective in controlling these problems, although these have been able to deliver the factors that cause childhood obesity. Behavioral theories pertinent to holistic medicine indicate that lifestyle change is a matter of behavioral modification, which may be initiated by awareness about the factors related to the problem, but sustenance of these changed behaviors must have an element of self-effort on the part of individuals at risk or already affected) Holistic family interventions to modify

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Terror management theory

Terror management theory The effects of terror management theory on political decisions Summary The terror management theory suggests that feelings of anxiety and fear are caused by thoughts of death (mortality salience) which may affect our thoughts, decisions and actions. The fear/anxiety caused triggers off defence mechanisms which cause individuals to feel closer to their beliefs and what they regard as a good and valued way of living (cultural worldview). The study will be looking at how the manipulation of mortality salience affects the ratings of two world leaders, predicting that they will rate highest the world leader which identifies the most with their cultural worldview. The participants will be British University students and the design of the study is an independent measures design. The participants will be asked to fill in an identification scale on being British, a word search where the experimental condition will contain mortality salience and the control condition will not, they will also be asked to fill in small maths calculations and they will be finally as ked to rate two world leaders (Englands prime minister Gordon Brown and Russias president Dmitry Medvedev) on a scale indicating how strongly they feel about the statements about each world leader. The ethical issues in the experiment are confidentiality, informed consent, anonymity, mortality salience and the use of findings. These issues will be dealt with by gaining presumed consent, the right to withdraw from the experiment at any time and debriefing each participant at the end to make sure they are comfortable and satisfied with the information they provided. Mortality salience will be kept as minimal as possible via using a word search and a distracter task which will be used afterwards to ensure that as little harm or no harm at all is caused to the participants. Introduction Terror management theory was developed by Jeff Greenberg, Sheldon Solomon and Tom Pyszczynski and is based on death. Humans are unique as they are the only living species that are aware of their inevitable death and this causes fear (terror) which would make carrying on with daily tasks impossible. Therefore, it is suggested that when an individual is reminded of death (mortality salience) they instantly use two defence mechanisms to protect themselves and get rid of these thoughts of death. The first defence mechanism is when an individual has their own personal views and standards on how they should live their life and therefore, individuals strive to meet those standards to feel as valued members of society (cultural worldview). Culture also provides individuals with symbolic immortality such as, being part of families and ethnic groups, because even after their mortality these groups will still exist and individuals will still be remembered as parts of them. The second defence me chanism is self-esteem which reduces anxiety when self-esteem is high and this is achieved by individuals believing and maintaining that they live up to the standards that are parts of their cultural worldview. When individuals are successful this causes high self-esteem which reduces the anxiety caused by threats. Furthermore, when others have the same cultural worldview as ours (in groupers) it suggests that our view is right and we need this confirmation from others to keep believing in our cultural worldviews. However, defence mechanisms are triggered off when there are threats against ones world view and beliefs. The thought of death and other individuals with different cultural worldviews (out groupers) could challenge our beliefs leaving us with feelings of anxiety which makes individuals want to live up to their cultural worldviews even more. Many studies have tested the mortality salience hypothesis such as Rosenblatt, Greenberg, Solomon, Pyszczynski and Lyon (1989) who used twenty two judges in a study where half of the judges were reminded of their own death (mortality salience), before setting bail to a prostitute and the other half were not. The judges who were reminded of their death set bail at $450 and judges who were not reminded of their death set bail at $50. This shows that the knowledge of death causes individuals to maintain their cultural worldviews which is reflected onto the amount of bail set as generally prostitution would be seen as wrong in many individuals cultural worldview. The terror management theory also assumes that when people are reminded of death this affects their decisions towards certain important issues such as politics. Studies show that when mortality is salient many individuals support people with the same political views as their selves and act hostile and negatively towards people with different political views. For example, Landau et al. (2004) found that when individuals were reminded of the 9/11 attacks they seemed to be more supportive of President Bush whereas, in control conditions less than half supported his decisions. This shows us that the thought of death can have effects on our political decisions and views and this knowledge of fear seems to be used by politicians to receive more support from the public. Other studies have also showed that death increases nationalism. In one study on American participants, when they were reminded of death they were more positive towards people who thought positively of America and were more negative towards people who thought negatively of America (Greenberg et al.,1990). Different countries also found similar results such as in Germany when Germans were reminded of death they sat closer to other Germans and sat further away from Turks (Ochsman and Mathay, 1994). These studies show us that when individuals are afraid of their mortality they feel closer to their cultural worldviews than ever before as a way of protecting themselves. This causes attitudes and beliefs to strengthen which in turn causes individuals to view any other belief as wrong and negative. This may cause extreme behaviour such as terrorist attacks, hate crimes and violence. As a result of all of these, individuals would feel closer to a president who knows exactly what they are doing, are devoted and sending out a strong message. Rationale (purpose) and aims of study: The aim of the study is to show that thoughts of death affect our lives and the decisions we make, including decisions about politics. The study will be testing to see how British participants will react towards their very own world leader prime minister Gordon Brown and another world leader, Dmitry Medvedev Russias president. Participants should prefer Gordon Brown rather than the other world leader when reminded of death as he is closer to their cultural worldview. Research questions: When mortality threat is salient will individuals have a stronger attitude towards their beliefs and their cultural worldview? Hypotheses: Individuals political orientation will be closer to their cultural worldview when mortality threat is salient. Method: How hypotheses addresses aims of study: The aim of the study is to show that thoughts of death affect our political decisions as well as general decisions and the hypotheses relates to this as it is suggesting that individuals will feel closer to the world leader which identifies with their cultural worldview the most. Operationalised variables: 1) Mortality salience is manipulated by the word searches, ones neutral; one has death related words and 2) asked to rate world leaders on a scale about whether they are good/satisfying world leaders. Design: The participants will be randomly assigned and the design used will be an independent sample design, as different participants will be used for the two different conditions. The independent variables are the manipulation of the mortality salience (control condition and experimental condition) and the two different world leaders. The dependent variable is the results from the rating scales of the two different world leaders. Participants: British university students, male and female. Around 50 participants will be used. Materials: Identification scale, two word searches, small maths calculations and profiles of the two world leaders including the rating scale. Procedure: First of all participants will be seated and the first thing they will fill out is their gender, age and an identification scale on how British and close to their culture they feel. Then they will do a word search, however, there will be two conditions in the experiment one will be the controlled condition where participants will receive a normal word search and will not involve mortality salience, whereas, the experimental condition will involve mortality salience. After the word searches participants will work out small maths calculations, then they will receive profiles of two world leaders one is Gordon Brown Englands prime minister and the other is Dmitry Medvedev Russias president. In order to eliminate the effect of order effects I will have some profiles with Gordon Brown presented first than Dmitry Medvedev and vice versa. Participants will have to rate the statements of the world leaders on a scale indicating how strongly they feel about each one. Ethical issues: The ethical issues in the experiment are confidentiality, informed consent, anonymity, mortality salience and the use of findings. These issues will be dealt with by gaining presumed consent, the right to withdraw from the experiment at any time and debriefing each participant at the end to make sure they are comfortable and satisfied with the information they provided. Mortality salience will be kept as minimal as possible via using a word search and a distracter task will be used afterwards to ensure that as little harm or no harm at all is caused to the participants. Analysis of results: The results will be analysed by a 2 by 2 mixed factor Anova. The IVs are mortality salience (experimental condition and controlled condition) and the world leaders (Gordon Brown and Dmitry Medvedev). Schedule for completion of project: Collect all data by December Analysis of data in the Christmas break Write up of results and report January/Febuary till March

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Marketing Plan for a Cosmetics Company Essay -- Business Marketing Fin

Marketing Plan for a Cosmetics Company EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  CosmoCosmetics.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1389 Sunshine Ave.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Fort Lauderdale , Fl 34587   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  CosmoCosmetics has decided to create a new foundation make up line for African American women exclusively. We believe there is a niche for this type of business since no make up brands specialise in this target.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  CosmoCOsmetics would be the exclusive manufacturer that sells to cosmetic retailers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Not only would emphasise on the variety of colours but also the packaging of the product. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The colours would be adjusted to this type of skin( a wide variety of darker colours ) 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The make up would be offered as a spray, a completely new format in the make up industry. A Compact size that doesn?t occupy any space in the hand bag, extremely easy to use and achieves the best natural and professional results any woman would dream of.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After studying the cosmetic market we can identify a series of needs in this market: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EASE OF USE 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  AVAILABILITY 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  PORTABILITY 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  VARIETY OF COLORS 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  DURABLE Our Spray Foundation would meet these needs by offering: 1)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Spray packaging with a diffuser. 2)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Big cosmetic retailers across South Florida, near business areas and suburbs (Miami Downtown, North Miami Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach. 3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Compact size: 30 ml.(doesn?t occupy much space in the lady?s purse). 4)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Variety of colours adjusted to their type of skin tone. 5)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Long Durability: Just needs to be applied once a day, for long lasting results. The combination of powder + minerals will make the makeup last longer leaving a moisturized and natural look. Market. Household and personal care product companies are making efforts to stimulate sales in a variety of ways, such as entering new markets, creating new product categories, adding new distribution channels, and acquiring (and divesting) businesses to be able to compete in this highly competitive industry. Over the last decade, sales at general merchandise stores, pharmacies and drugstores, have grown at average annual rates of 6.0% and 7.5%, respectively, according to US Census Bureau retail trade data. The US and Western European markets are reaching saturation- therefore cosmetic companies see the future markets for their products in Central and Eastern Europe, Chi... ...lenge for us. Break-even (units)= ($116.400 + $32.000)/ $23= 6.453 units /quarter Break-even sales ($)= 6.453*28.5= $183.911 Total Revenue from sales   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   $183.911 Cost of goods sold  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   $43.500   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ------------- Gross profit  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   $140.411 Calculating the ratio of variable expenses to net sales The percentage is $43.500/ $183.911 = 23.65% Cosmo-cosmetics Co. uses $0.246 out of every sale dollar to cover variable expenses, leaving $0.753 as a contribution margin to cover fixed costs and make a profit. (Note: 75.3% is the contribution margin as a percentage of sales) Break-even sales = $116.400/ 0.753 = $154.582 Thus, Cosmo-cosmetics will break even with sales of $154.582 Break-even Chart We would expect a sales level of $183.911 (Point A= Income) Income & Expenses Sales Volume The break-even point is located in the intersection between the total expense line and the revenue line. As it is shows, Cosmo-cosmetics operates at a sales Volume to the right of the break-even point (point A), this means that it would earn a profit because the revenue line lies above the expense line over this range ?Profit area?

Monday, November 11, 2019

Corrido and Conjunto

Relate each of the three music genres that developed on the Texas-Mexican border to its cultural background and the group associated with its widespread acceptance and dissemination. How did it change over time? Corrido The corrido has roots back to Spanish descendents in the 12th century. By the 15th century, the style was more developed; but the corrido really emerged after the Mexican-American War in 1846. This style became very popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Mexico, and eventually Texas.The corrido showcased the change in the role of Mexicans in relation to Americans. Songs often spoke of events, tragedies, or conflicts. The songs were very racially focused and would often act as protest to the social prejudices that they faced. After World War II, the theme changed to cover the necessary changes in social structure. The reading â€Å"The New Chicano Heroic Corrido† by Jose Villarino discusses studies by Vicente Mendoza, the leading scholar in studies of the corrido. Mendoza finds that the subject of the corrido has constantly changed over time.He lists many topics that have been the focus of corrido music over the years: historical, revolutionaries, bravery, killings, political, robbers, jailing, rapes, persecutions, murders, evil, tragedies, horses, and a number of other categories. The reading also states, â€Å"Another category of corridos is that of focusingon women heroines instead of the traditional male heroes. One singer who made corridos popular was Lydia Mendoza. She is given credit for over 200 songs. She sang and accompanied herself by playing a 12-string guitar. Corrido used to just be sung a cappella, but she helped change this part of the culture of the corrido. Basis was founded by Spanish descendents in 1100-1200 AD * Well developed by 15th century * Emerged after Mex-Am War (1846-1848) * Became very popular in late 19th, early 20th century in Mexico * Documented change in role of Mexicans in relation to Ameri cans * Very racially focused (social protest agains prejudice) * After WWII, new theme, changes in social structure Conjunto The conjunto style of music began in the late 19th century along the Mexican-American border. It was a style of music for the working class that was made up of the accordion and the bajo sexto.The bajo sexto was originally used as a bass, but then became more commonly used as a regular guitar. In the 1930s, it spread through the southwestern United States with the help of the father of conjunto music, Narciso Martinez. He focused his music around a fast-paced accordion. Valerio Longoria added onto what Martinez began. Often referred to as the genius of conjunto, he tweaked his accordion to make it sound a bit different, and people have been trying to replicate it ever since. He also added drums and vocals to the music, which it didn’t have when the genre began.His music thrived after the Second World War. He helped raise the music to a higher level, but not to the upper class. The reading â€Å"Musica Fronteriza/Border Music† by Manuel Pena hinted at the causes of conjunto music. It states, â€Å"It is critical to an understanding of the conjunto’s significance that its complex social context be taken into account. Its emergence was a response to interethnic conflict of course, but it was, above all, a response to intra-ethnic class friction. † This was why it did not want to be seen as a song for those of the upper class.The working class took pride in their conjunto. Eventually, a man named Flacco Jimenez, advanced the genre more, by combining tejano music with country/western music from American popularity. * Emerged in the late 19th century along the border * Bajo Sexto, first used as bass, then as guitar * Humble, rural origins * Working class dance music * In 1930s, spread through Southwest US (Arizona, Cali, etc) * Narciso Martinez, father of conjunto music, focused on fast-paced accordion * Valerio Lon goria, tweaked his accordion, people have been trying to replicate it ever since.Added drums. * Genius of conjunto music, added vocals, thrived in post WWII. Raised to a higher value, but not upper class. Orquesta Speaking of upper class, this was where the orquesta thrived. It was developed in the 1930s, to give the upper class Mexicans a version of American ballroom dances, such as the swing and waltz. Many orquesta bands played the popular American songs, but new songs were also made, and were a good bit more popular. Noted by Pena in an interview with a member of an orquesta band, â€Å"The first hour we play nothing but American music and nobody’s dancing.Then we take off with Los Laureles, El Abandonado Ranchera, everybody starts dancing. † These songs are examples of orquesta dances such as Danzon, Bolero, Rumba, and Guaracha. In the 60s and 70s, orquesta is said to have fused with American jazz and rock. Pena again notes, â€Å"The old fashioned orquestas disa ppeared soon after the advent of the Mexican-American Generation. They were replaced by the surging, modern-style orquestas, which were capable not only of keeping alive the Mexican-Americans’ musical roots, but also of catering to the new generation’s more modern and Americanized outlook. In the 1940s and 50s, a man named Beto Villa (the father of the Mexican-American orquesta) mixed the Tex-Mex Polka style with American swing and foxtrot, creating a very new version of orquesta music. In the 60s and 70s, Little Joe Hernandez and his family became a very popular orquesta band. Compare and contrast the three styles in terms of form, lyrics, instrumentation and performance practice. Corrido (Ballad) The term Corrido described a type of song that was often very racially focused, telling a story about the prejudice that the Mexican-Americans were facing (this was especially true after World War II).The song El Corrido de Joaquin Murrieta told a story about a thief that th ey often referred to as the â€Å"Mexican Robin Hood. † Another song, El Corrido de Kiansis detailed a cattle drive by Americans that was going very poorly. Thirty American cattle drivers were failing to control the 500 cattle, but then five Mexicans showed up and had the cattle rounded up in 15 minutes. There were also Jarchas that told a story about the composer’s feelings or thoughts. They were often written in Strophic form based on copla, which had 4 lines, 8 syllables per line, and rhymed every 2nd and 4th line.They used to be sung a cappella, but are now often accompanied by a guitar. One artist that made this very popular was Lydia Mendoza who sang and played a 12-string guitar. She had over 200 songs to her name. Corridos were usually sung in any manner that befit the passing of a story, like while traveling, around a campfire, or just at home. Lyrics were passed orally and this often lead to words being changed over the years. * Very racially focused (social protest agains prejudice) * Strophic Form * Jarchas (songs about the composer’s feeling, thoughts, and ideas) * Told a story Based on copla (4 lines, 8 syllables, 2&4 rhyme) * Sung A Capella, now some include guitar * El Corrido de Kiansis (Cattle Drivers failed, mexicans succeed) * El Corrido de Joaquin Murrieta (Mexican Robin Hood) * Lydia Mendoza, singer and 12 string guitar (200+ songs) * Performance Practice: Passed orally, often changing words, sang while traveling, at home, etc. Telling story. Conjunto The conjunto was considered the soul of tejano music. It was a type of dance music meant for the cantina, bar, or party (eventually, it would make its way to concerts).These songs originated without lyrics, as words would cause it to become more upper-class. However, eventually the songs would develop lyrics about common life, working, and women, which kept it from becoming upper-class. The reading â€Å"Musica Fronteriza/Border Music† by Manuel Pena hinted at the causes of conjunto music. It states, â€Å"It is critical to an understanding of the conjunto’s significance that its complex social context be taken into account. Its emergence was a response to interethnic conflict of course, but it was, above all, a response to intra-ethnic class friction. They were written in strophic form. Instruments for the conjunto included the accordion and bajo sexto (which was originally used as a bass, but was eventually used as a guitar). A famous accordion was that of Valerio Longoria, the genius of conjunto music. He tweaked his accordion to sound different, and people have been trying to replicate it ever since. He also added drums to the conjunto scene. Flacco Jimenez was also very important to the advancement of conjunto music, as he combined it with Country Western music from America (most notably Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire). The soul of Tejano music * Dance music * Cantina music * Songs about women and life * For the working class * Valerio Longoria, tweaked his accordion, people have been trying to replicate it ever since. Added drums. * Genius of conjunto music, added vocals, thrived in post WWII. * Flacco Jimenez (Ring of Fire), combined tejano with country music, big time performer * Little Joe Hernandez, kinda orquesta, but also referenced in conjunto * Strophic form * Didn’t have lyrics at first, thought lyrics were for the wealthy * Added lyrics about life, women, troubles, etc. Used to be bajo sexto and accordion, then added drums and guitar and many other simple intruments * Shows, cantinas, parties, bars * Orquesta The orquesta walks the thin line between Mexican and American culture. It combines the tejano music with the style of American ballroom varieties. The orquesta was centered around the upper-class Mexicans as their version of an American ballroom dance. It began with violin, but eventually added brass, percussion, and other big band instruments. It incorporated the likes of waltz a nd swing music.When learning about the orquesta in class, Leah had said that there was no form. Orquesta music was used in upper-class parties or balls. Unlike other tejano music, it was not passed down by ear. Since this was the upper class, sheet music was used to pass down the songs. * Upper class dance music * Started with violin * Added brass, percussion, big band instruments * Incorporated waltz, swing, etc * Leah said there was no â€Å"form Compare and contrast the religious traditions of Afro Cuban Santaria and African American Christian slaves on southern plantationsThe Santaria is the largest Afro-Cuban religion, and is the Cuban mix of Yoruba spirituality with Roman Catholicism. The first thing I noticed was different between the Afro Cuban Santaria and African American slaves was the role of race. This undoubtably played a big role in their religion as well. In Cuba, it is said that race was not an issue as it was in America. Since religion was so often used by slaves as a way to stay optimistic about their situation, this was a clear difference. Another difference was the worship of Orishas, which the Cubans believed to be a spirit or deity that reflects one of the manifestations of God.In a way, this can be compared to a Saint in the Catholic Church. The Godess of Love and Fertility in Afro-Cuban worship was called Oshun. It was said that this was one of the first Orishas that an outsider would discover. As African American slaves were not allowed to use drums with their songs, the Afro-Cubans would use Bata drums that are said to hold an indwelling deity named Ana. These were drums sacred to their religion, and used for funerals, initiations, and other important ceremonies.Contrasting from regular sacraments of the Christian faith, the Afro-Cubans had an event called the Toque de Santo. It is an anniversary of initiation to honor the spirits. There is singing and dancing accompanied by the Bata drums. This ceremony would create an altered stat e of consciousness that they believed to be involved with spirit possession. This altered state of spirit possession was also present with African American Christian slaves. Trace the evolution and development of the Steel Band. Trace the evolution and development of the Calypso.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

The image of the ideal wife in early modern Venice in art and text

1. The image of the ideal wife in early modern Venice in art and text. The Republic of Venice otherwise known as La Serenissima had a reputation for its security and political unity. It had a reputation for its ‘unsullied liberty, unwavering religiousity, social harmony and unfailingly peaceful intentions. ‘1 Art was used throughout the city to show and teach social and political virtues and expectations, according to Muir ‘artistic patronage became an arm of government. In consideration of this it was also a way of social propaganda, as high ranking members of the scuolas including the Dukes and Doges could depict them selves performing virtuous acts, thus promoting their reputation in the eyes of the republic. Venetian art depicting women at home gave a portrayal of what was expected from women in a domestic environment, and by their husbands. There was a strong family ethic within Venice promoting civic unity and strength, which was paramount in the running of the state. The images were all made how society expected the wife to be and what stereotypes were imposed upon women. All images of women were depicted through the eyes of men, and how they wished for others to perceive their household. Women were expected to provide their husbands with an heir to the household, their only other material contribution being a dowry which would add to the prestige and worth of the family name. Virtues such as faith, chastity and fecundity were required of a woman to contribute to the success of a household. A good wife would add to the familial reputation and allow for a higher social status for the man. If one originated from a good household he was a more stable member of the Venetian community which prided itself on unity and regulation. As the women were an essential component to the running of the household and domesticity there were often confined to running of a successful household. Wider more worldly concerns of the running of the republic were left to the patriarchal ruling of the state, as the women had absolutely no political power. Within the household women were separated from the men within the living space. Venetian writers advised that the mistress of the household should have their room separate from their husbands, but linked, and placed furthest away from the entrance of the household. 2 The domestic spaces of women and men were extremely separate. ‘The male servants never go into the women's apartments when they do not know for certain if there are daughters or marriageable damsels in the house, and likewise the young female servants do not appear, or do so rarely, in the apartments of their masters but they serve in the apartments of their mistresses†¦ and they go there through very secret staircases. Two ladies on a Terrace by Vittore Carpaccio (ca. 1500) is a demonstration of the literal differences in the spaces between men and women. The painting is divided into two halves, both gendered by traditional symbology. It is an allegorical representation of women and virtue as they are surrounded by symbols that support that. Two dogs represent fidelity; a peacock wanders through the painting showing the virtues of redemption, vanity and purity. The women represented are of a high social status as they are shown in the fashions of the time of women of a high social ranking. A Venetian bride is identifiable by her pearl necklace, and could possible be seen as the mother of the young boy in the picture. The allegorical symbols that surround her show what would be expected of her in marriage. The metaphorical representation of the separation of the two highly gendered worlds of the men and women lies in the inclusion of the balcony in the scene. Various symbols are placed on this division connecting the two worlds. Two turtle doves perched on the balcony show how the relationships between the men and women are linked by love and a union of two halves. The vases containing lilies and myrtle also act as symbols of purity and marriage. A little boy climbing between the gaps in the balcony shows a transition and connection between the two halves of the painting. Children up to a certain age were placed in the care of their mothers and the female servants, as the woman were expected to fulfil the role of nurturing the child. However, the little boy is growing up and obviously on the path to adulthood as he moves across to the world of men. In contrast to the domestic scene of the two women on the balcony, the men are out doors, in the background hunting a juxtaposition of the two worlds. This supports what Scamozzi was saying about the expectation of the women to stay in doors within the domestic space maintaining the household, and being in charge of the upbringing of the children. Piero della Francesca painted portraits of his patron Federigo da Montefeltro Duke of Urbino and his wife Battista Sforza (c. 1470). The subjects of the paintings are placed in such a way that they are facing each other, showing their faces in profile allowing us to see their costume. The couple are in traditional Venetian dress, showing their prestige and social status. His wife is shown in the fashion with her string of pearls and elaborate headdress, and he in the expensive clothes of a duke. The portrait of Sfora Battista demonstrates how a wife who had fulfilled her duties, with all of the virtues of ‘Two Ladies on a Terrace,' is honoured. Sfora Battista was married to the Duke of Urbino in 1460 at the young age of thirteen. After bearing him six daughters she died shortly after the birth of their first son and heir in 1472 at the age of 25. The portrait is therefore a posthumous portrait, allegedly based on her death masks or perhaps a previous portrait. 4 She was a good wife and fulfilled all of her duties sometimes acting as regent when the Duke was away. She was a pious woman and the portrait was painted in her honour. There are various aspects of the works that support this. She is placed on the dexter side5, however there is a claim that Federigo de Montefeltro had a facial deformity on the right hand side of his face, and was therefore always painted showing his best side. Apart from this, there are other aspects of the portrait that are Sfora Battista's favour. According to what was considered fashionable at the time her skin was very pale with hardly any shadowing. The pale sky is tonally very similar and brings out the pale colouring of her skin, emphasising its purity and clarity. In contrast to smooth texture of her skin the folds of the white cloth at the back of her head and the pearls hanging from her neck and the rest of her accessories are very detailed. The fact that our attention is drawn to her jewellery and clothing make us focus on her high ranking and social status. The two paintings come as a pair, however are linked and made whole by the contiguous background, and the matching triumphs painted on the other side. The backgrounds are subtly gendered in their content. Behind the woman there are small images of households. Behind her husband images of boats, similar to the background of Carpaccio's painting, showing more male activities. The honouring of his wife continues on into the thematic content of the Trionfi, which was painted in order to celebrate the virtues of a couple. Allegorical representations show Sfora Battista as a chaste woman, as her chariot is pulled by unicorns,6 and she is accompanied by the virtuous figures of Charity, Hope and Faith, who sit at the front of the carriage. Chastity and modesty stand behind Sfora at the back. She is surrounded by all of the virtues required in a perfect wife. Federigo is also shown wearing armour, surrounded by virtues that would show his status as a great ruler. However, as much as he is shown as a great ruler it is obviously the importance of his wife that adds to his success, as the two portraits are equal in content and importance of the subjects. Veronese's depiction of the mistress Guistinia Guistiniani Lady of the Barbaro Villa is a further celebration of a good Venetian wife. With a dowry of ten thousand duckets she brought fortune and a good name, and bore her husband four sons. Marcantonio Barbaro worked in conjunction with the architect Palladio, and the artist Veronese in creating the villa in Maser, with an ‘interdependance of themes that refer metaphorically to family, State and Church. These themes were mainly expressed through the artistry of Veronese's frescoes that are featured through out the villa. Symbols of eternity and the elements which are featured in other frescoes of the household contribute to an allegory of Love throughout the household. A collegue of Marcantonio Barbaro, Bendetto Varchi, speaks of the importance of love in a household: ‘Love still binds with firm friendships the villas and cities; it governs the marital knot and deticates its laws to faithful friends where all good resides. ‘ The goddess of Love herself surrounded by the other Olympian gods looks down on the mistress of the household Guistiniana and her son, who looks out to greet visitors into the house, reiterating her power in the household. An allegorical symbol of fecundity is above her reminding us of her fulfilled duty as a wife by providing a son and heir to her husband. Her status as a mother as well as mistress of the household is repeated and emphasised by the fact that one of her children is standing on one side of her and one of her servants on the other. An empty space in the group suggests the absence of Marcantonio Barbaro as the master of the household. The boy is separated from the two women in the image indicating a social gender difference, similar to that of Carpaccio's ‘Two Ladies on a Balcony'. Although he is tied to his mother at the moment in time, due to his young age, in time he will have to separate and become an absent influence, moving from the domestic world of his mother in the villa, to the outside world of men. In the interior world of the Villa Barbaro Guistiniana is clearly in control as she is placed high, like the gods depicted in the fresco, giving her a divine authority over the household, and the realm of her visitors below her. The iconography that surrounds the mistress of the household from her divine positioning ‘alludes†¦ to terrestrial love and concord, expressed in the nuptial rites of men and more particularly in Marcantonio's marriage to Giustiniana. ‘9 According to Reist a depiction of Juno, Hymenaeus, and Venus could be seen as a representation of a matrimonial scene along with the father of the bride. Other scenes also refer to the success of the household, with allegorical representations referring to the Villas wine production. The symbolism all refers to the gods and cosmos placing their blessings upon the villa Barbaro its wealth, and the fruitful union of Guistiniana and Marcantonio. The Miracle of the Speaking Infant by Titian shows a wife depicted in a negative attitude. The image depicts a Venetian noble woman unfairly accused by her husband of adultery – a unforgivable sin to be committed by a woman, as they were expected to be pious and loyal. During the time women who committed adultery could be deprived of their dowries,10 and the disapproval of her community, thus depriving her of her means to survive socially and financially. According to Venetian law the offence could be punishable by death, the woman's honour only being salvageable by her family, or kin, as it was their reputation that was effectively being tarnished by their association with the woman. Finally the child born of this situation was considered the lowest of all society, a mere bastard ‘contaminating the lineage. ‘ According to the myth, St Anthony asks the child who his father is. By a miracle the child responds by pointingg out his father in the crowd thus saving his mother from a terrible fate. The scene could be seen as an attempt to put women in a better light, as she has been wrongly accused, supported by no one apart from her child. In reality she is a good and faithful wife, and should be loved and honoured by her husband accordingly. Visually we are made to sympathise with the woman, as her side of the story as a victim is portrayed to us first, as the painting is read from right to left. The woman is depicted with two other women, one holding her own child so that she can directly be compared to the woman who is having her child taken away from her, making us more sympathetic to her case. Titian is effectively campaigning for the necessity of the mother in the family life, as the painting is ultimately in support of the accused wife. Women in Venice were an essential part in the running of the household and family life. Good wives were celebrated for their virtues, which were specifically expressed in portraits and representations of domestic scenes. Veronese shows a wife being honoured for her contribution to the family name, whereas Titian shows a wife disgraced for not performing her familial duties. However in both cases the importance of the women in the nurture and domestic environment is demonstrated in both images. Masters of the household who had wives that would effectively add to the prestige of their family ranking and lineage honoured their wives through their portraiture, thus making eternal the contribution and importance they had to the family.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Abortion10 essays

Abortion10 essays Abortion has always been (and I reckon it will continue to be for quite some time) a very controversial issue not only due to the difficult comparison of rights (does the mother's rights outweigh the child's or vice-versa?) but also because of the many different instances in which the issue of abortion might come up. For instance, one couple who simply wants to plan their family, and be ready for it, is obviously different and less shocking a case as a raped fifteen-year old. Regarding abortion, pro-life and pro-choice are the two sides trying to impose their own points of view, but while one is extremely strict and makes a completely solid statement without taking each case in particular (pro-life), the other (pro-choice) acknowledges the implications of abortion and while not encouraging it in any way, it implies a certain flexibility depending on each case. I, personally, am a pro-choice person, but not taking it to the extreme. I believe a woman should have the right to choose when to have a baby but I agree with creating limitations to this right. The reasons are simple and numerous, health being the most important one, for if abortion would be deemed illegal and immoral, not only would women turn to unsanitary secretive abortions (or even desperate self-induced ones) but the psychological pain and scars would also be considerably more unbearable (I say more because they are already quite unbearable and extremely stressful). Another reason is a biological one it is the woman who carries the baby for nine months, and until the baby is out in the open, being a separate person, until the moment of birth, the baby is simply a part of the womans body. I choose to view childbirth as the moment when the child becomes the human, because it is the most valid turning point in its life -when it starts to live on its own. I consider the pro-choice point of view as being the most rational. However, I also a...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Pd 100 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Pd 100 - Essay Example It could be angst, anxiety or anguish; it could be melancholia or ennui, a feeling of boredom or extreme lack of interest in anything. Most people associate the word or feelings of stress with anything that is negative, it connotes something bad. But a fact is that stress can be either positive or negative; when it is positive, it is called as eustress. This should be what people strive for, to have eustress, such as feelings of hope, vitality, vigor and a zest for life, instead of being always negative. Eustress literally means â€Å"good stress† and it is a cognitive response to stress that is desirable and healthy. It leads to feelings of satisfaction or a sense of well-being, which enhances the feelings of fulfillment and being in control. However, for purposes of this discussion on stress, I am a bit more inclined to delve on the topic in the negative side of stress. One type of stress that has a very bad effect on both the physical and mental well-being of a person is wo rry. It has a severe debilitating effect on a person, some to such an extent that it can induce paralysis in its very serious manifestations. A person who worries too much ends up accomplishing nothing but only ends up worsening his or her own situation. I always worry a lot about many things, sometimes to the point of being paranoid, hallucinatory or plainly idiotic. Worrying is a basic emotion; it can help a person to some extent because it keeps a person alert, it is instinctive in the â€Å"fight or flight† response. Worry becomes destructive only when it is carried to extremes, because by then, that person worries about something that is relatively harmless, by ascribing something bad might happen, or worry about an event or occurrence that has a very little chance of ever happening. Worry is a very diffused feeling of anxiety, and as such, it is hard to find a solution for it and a remedy that prevents it from recurring. An example of this kind of worry is a hypochondri ac, a person who worries about his health, on almost anything and everything, from the food he eats to the lack of exercise, the air he breathes if it contains germs or not, in the place he stays, whether it is clean of bedbugs, roaches, or fleas. It is an exaggerated sense of worrying that is not commensurate with the facts, or with the state of reality that is obtaining at present. It is a negative response to a perceived threat or impending event, instead of seeing it positively as a challenge, which is positive, the very essence of the eustress discussed a bit earlier. I worry a lot about money, my finances, my state of health, about the future, almost on anything that it is causing havoc on my health, causing me endless sleepless nights at times because worry keeps me awake and prevents me from relaxing my mind, and hence also my body functions that are supposedly needed to induce me to sleep. I know that worrying is not very productive, and it is even counter-productive, in th e sense it prevents me from finding solutions to my problems and hence, resolve and put to rest my endless worries. But it seems I cannot do something to prevent myself from worrying; I am helpless against it. It is imperative that I find ways to lessen worrying too much as it is causing me stress

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Term paper on Capital market efficiency Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6250 words

Term paper on Capital market efficiency - Essay Example In addition, reference is made to market ethics, at the level that ethics can secure, at least up to a level, market efficiency, being related to all three aspects of market efficiency, i.e. information, institutions and transactions. The literature developed in this field proves that existing research in regard to market risks and potentials focuses on the potentials of markets to become efficient but also on the ability of certain financial systems to promote market efficiency. This is the case of the Islamic finance system which is highly differentiated from the conventional finance system at the following point: in Islamic finance emphasis is given on the intervention of ethics in economic transactions. Because of this reason the reference to the Islamic finance system has been considered as quite necessary for evaluating the issues explored in this paper. It has been proved that it is not quite difficult for a market to be efficient, especially since efficient markets are not co nsidered as perfect markets. Still, it can be rather difficult for those managing financial products to promote ethics in all financial transactions. Indeed, certain aspects of each market are not aligned with the rules of market efficiency, as analyzed below. ... veloped in each market can be an indicative example of market efficiency, as described by theorists who have studied the particular subject (Palan 2007). It should be noted that market efficiency is also described as capital market efficiency (Kevin 2006). The two terms reflect almost the same phenomenon: the development of a high range of economic activities with no delays or other failures within an environment that it is highly influenced by ethics (Kevin 2006). The only difference between the above two terms is the following one: capital market efficiency refers to the potential of specific financial products to respond to the expectations of their investors while market efficiency refers to the expectations of all people living locally, i.e. within the territory in which the market involved is based, to take a return from their deposits or other investments (Palan 2007). The characteristics and the role of market efficiency have been highly explored in the literature. Different approaches have been used though for describing the particular concept (Mama 2010). In any case, it seems that the content of market efficiency is not standardized, depending on the market conditions and economic activities that the particular term has to reflect (Mama 2010). Reference can be made, in particular to the following forms of efficiency, as appeared in the modern market: a) transactional efficiency; this term is used in order to show the ‘costs and speed of reliably transferring funds between market participants’ (Mama 2010, p.10); b) from a different perspective, informational efficiency is a term used in order to show the efficiency in regard to information (Mama 2010, p.11), meaning not only the information gathered in regard to the performance of a particular market but