Porters Model of National Competitive Advantage Essay

Porters Model of National Competitive Advantage - Essay Example This paper illustrates that in the book ‘The Competitive Advantage of Nations’ Michael Porter discussed the reasons why some nations, social groups and economic institutions advances than others. His work focused on the collective competitive advantages of the firms in the nation rather than the performance of the individual firms. The orientation of his work is positive rather normative focusing on the international patterns of competitive advantage. He developed this model by combining theories in the fields of strategies to compete and international economics and performed an inductive and deductive analysis. Porter’s model was a result of the analysis and the study of 100 industries in 10 countries which included counties from Europe, Asia, and America, regarding their competitive performance. His work showed how industrial competiveness with a different insight can be incorporated into company’s strategy. Porter used strategic management theories and a nalyzed them with international trade and economy. The book emphasizes the fact that the national competitiveness is determined by the firms rather than the nations. The theory suggests that the influence the nation has on the competitiveness of the firms depends on the firm’s competitive success that the environment built over time. The nation acts as a ‘home base’ for the firms, this home base helps in developing the firm’s strategy, culture, character of its management, the availability and quality of resources, technology and helps it in establishing prior to its expansion internationally as the firms grow domestically before they plan their expansion internationally. The theory basically analyses the characteristics, rather four variables of the national environment which are the basis of competitive advantage and determines firm’s ability to compete and sustain itself in international markets. The Porter referred these variables as ‘Nati onal Diamond’. These four variables are firm’s strategy structure and rivalry, factor conditions, demand conditions and related and supporting industries.

Support for Abortion Essay Example for Free

Support for Abortion Essay Abortion involves the termination of a pregnancy or ending the life of an unwanted and unborn fetus. According to most pro-choice people, abortion means getting rid or terminating a pregnancy and not necessarily killing a fetus. They believe that the unborn child is only an embryo or fetus, not an actual living baby. According to the pro-choice people, a mother has an option of terminating or ending a pregnancy because the fetus is only in the early stages of developing. This possibly means it does not contain a life. Those factions that support abortion believe that a woman should have the right to make a decision concerning pregnancy termination in case there is no desire to bear a child. Thus, according to the pro-choice faction bearing a child should be imposed or forced on women. It should be a decision made by an individual at her own accord, and abortion is a solution, which offers them options of avoiding a parental life, which they may not be ready to embrace. However, the pro-life people insist and believe that an unborn fetus is a living child and terminating a pregnancy is equal to murder. They claim that an embryo is a living being that is in its initial and premature stages of development. Thus, according to the pro-life groups the fact that an embryo is perceived as a living being, abortion clears amounts to murder of a living person. According to the American constitution, all people are provided an inalienable right that is assured by the constitution. The American constitution guarantees that people have a right to seek and pursue their happiness in life. It is the fundamental right of women to seek this happiness without being forced to carry responsibilities that they are not willing or ready pursue. For that reason, based on this notion a baby can sometimes become a hindrance on the happiness pursuance of women (Manninen 34). This is because even if women contain an option of giving up their unwanted child up for adoption she still endure carrying the baby for months before giving birth. For that reason, abortion is a sure option of aiding women in averting this burden and solves their predicament of carrying an unwanted fetus. For that reason, the traditional values of forcing women to bear children that they are not ready to raise demonstrate prejudice because they deny women their guaranteed privilege and invades into their constitutional liberty (Thomson 70). Furthermore, abortion is a medical option, which ensures that the health of women is safeguarded. Many women are exposed to various dangerous medical conditions that put their health at a risk. This involves disease such as kidney illnesses, hypertension, heart sickness and anemia, as well as many other medical conditions (Thomson 72). In several circumstances, these diseases pose a life threatening risk to women. Thus, with such consideration abortion gives women an option to avert serious medical complications that can occur because of childbirth. The Unites States must recognize distinct historical experiences that are discriminatory to uphold the right of women as free individuals that are liberated and not prisoners of subjection laws (Zastrow 18). Furthermore, the traditional society of America was highly chauvinistic. The society was massively patriarchal perceiving women as childbearing instruments and homemakers while undervaluing their societal contributions and values. This resulted in the society prejudicing women and regarding them as minorities with little say in society. For that reason, under such circumstances abortion offers women an opportunity to enjoy a right that society had denied them for long. The right to abortion gives women a sense of individuality and recognition because she has the right to decide the fate of her future and that of the fetus she is carrying (Rossi 32). Conclusion Abortion is a notion that raised several questions in the American society. This has resulted in intense arguments by those who support and those who support abortion. The two factions remain highly divided in their opinions concerning the issuer of abortion. This is because they believe in varied egalitarianism and faith concerning the issue. In consequence, I believe that abortion should be supported based on the benefits it has in society which includes saving the life of women and offering women their right to express and make decisions concerning their bodies as individuals.

United Nations Human Development Report and the Need for International

United Nations Human Development Report and the Need for International Democratization The 2002 United Nations Human Development Report (UNHDR) is the result of many years’ study of international human progress and development. As declared in the first page of the report, "[This report] is about how political power and institutions, formal and informal, national and international, shape human progress". This statement outlines the principal theme of power dynamics and fragmentation (politics) on varying levels, public and private, rich and poor, male and female, etc. - that runs consistently throughout the work, analyzing global trends of political participation and democracy. According to the UNHDR, human development is politically determined, not only socially and economically so as represented in many studies. The Report operates under the basic assumption that the current world is more free and more just than ever before, but that democracy (including structures of political participation, economic justice, health and education, and peace and personal security) is necessary to improve human development and to protect the freedom and dignity of all people. Although the Report is outwardly concerned with all democratic countries, industrialized or not, it is most significant to developing democracies where necessary reforms in human development have not yet been realized. As expressed by lead author, Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, this year’s Report emphasizes the growing divisions between "those who prosper... and those who do not... between the powerful and the powerless, between those who welcome the new global economy and those who demand a different course." At times it seems as though both sufficient coherence and evide... ... whole the UNHDR does an thorough job at citing the important role of democratic governance with regard to human development, it also was blind to one major issue: the difference between theoretical and practical democracy. The successful theoretical democracy primarily discussed in this Report is undoubtedly not the same democracy practiced by 82 "fully democratic" countries in the world.Although the Report does make note of the susceptibility of many democratic institutions to corruption and inequality, the point was not made clear enough that these are two very separate and distinct forms of democracy. No matter the stylistic flaws, though, this Report truly creates a clear perspective on the state of current international human development, and rightfully emphasizes the immediate need for foreign aid, improved living standards, and international democratization.

Advertising in Sport Everywhere You Look Essay

Advertising in sport everywhere you look Pure and simple. My brother loves the game of hockey. He doesn’t care about all the media and advertising surrounding the game, he just simply loves the sport. Tonight he’s going to a New Jersey Devils hockey game purely for the love of the game. He’s going to wear his Reebok, New Jersey Devils jersey and go to the Prudential Center to see the game. The Prudential Center is located near the new Red Bull Park and not far from the Izod Center, which until recently, was known as Continental Airlines Arena. As usual, he’ll park his car in the Ford Lincoln Mercury Parking Lot and proceed past the Verizon Tower to get to the PNC Bank Tower. He’ll proceed up the elevator past Lincoln Mercury Level 1 and give his Ticketmaster ticket to the attendant. He will then meet his friends near the Bud Light Goal Bar. Because he’s not 21 years old yet, he won’t be able to take advantage of the bar experience, but he’s sure to be thinking about the enticement at the entrance which reads â€Å"The red light is on! Time to hit the Bud Light Goal Bar. Occupying an expansive area on the north end of Prudential Center on Lincoln Mercury Suite Level One, the Bud Light Goal Bar offers fans a hip, modern bar atmosphere overlooking the ice. The Bud Light Goal Bar features dozens of flat screen televisions, so while you and your guests enjoy a cold one, you are guaranteed to see all the action. † Next, he will take the elevator up one flight to the Ford Level 2 seating area and buy a program before he gets settled into his seat. If he’s thirsty, he can buy a drink that comes in a Coca Cola cup, even if it’s not Coca Cola. The game will begin soon after the TV advertising time is done. As he waits, he will probably remove his NHL hat and peruse the Devils program to check the team’s statistics and information. Or, he can read about the best investment bank to use, or where to trade stocks for a bargain price. He’ll find out where his favorite team’s apparel can be purchased or what the official mouthwash of the New Jersey Devils is. There are many other events that are coming to the Prudential Arena so maybe he will think about attending one of them. So much to think about before game time arrives. As the game begins, all focus will be on the game itself, if he can manage to not be distracted by the lighted advertisements that continuously change to hock a variety of goods and services. After all, he is only there to watch the game. As to not be confused about who is winning the game, he can look up at the PSE&G scoreboard to know who just scored a goal and what the game score is. I’m sure it will be an exciting night for him, because, purely and simply, he just loves hockey. Relationship between Sports and Media â€Å"Sport and mass media share a very symbolic relationship in American society. On one hand, the staggering popularity of sport is due, to no small extent, to the enormous amount of attention provided it by the mass media. On the other hand, the media are able to generate enormous sales in both circulation and advertising based upon their extensive treatment of sport. † The amount of advertising in sport has become very extreme. In almost every aspect of a sport you can find some form of advertising or media being exposed. The players, the coaches, the memorabilia stores, the stadiums, the teams and especially the commercials during televised games, all include media or advertising in some way. Athletes and Advertising As the saying goes, â€Å"If the shoe fits, wear it†, especially if you’re being paid to wear it. Many all star athletes are given opportunities for endorsements. Popular athletes in advertisements can make a product more attractive to sports fans. Although it is effective to use athletes to promote products, sometimes it becomes a little excessive. Instead of advertising for a couple of products, athletes today are spokespeople for numerous companies. Peyton Manning, the star quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts is said to be the NFL’s, â€Å"Most Marketable Player. † He is currently associated with over seven different products including Gatorade, Reebok, Sprint, and DirecTV. By participating in all these advertisements, it makes it visible that he is doing these ads just for the money. In cases like this, an athlete can be involved with too much advertising and become overexposed. Another case of athletes being overly concerned with dollars is that of Michael Jordan. In 1992, Jordan participated in the Olympics as part of the United States Basketball â€Å"Dream Team† and won an Olympic gold medal. When he learned that on the gold-medal stand he would be expected to wear the official red, white and blue United States warm-up suits with the Reebok logo, he threatened not to appear at the ceremony. â€Å"I don’t believe in endorsing my competition,† Jordan said. â€Å"I feel very strongly about loyalty to my own company. In saying this, it seemed as if his loyalty to his country didn’t matter to him as much as his loyalty to his brand. In the end, the United States Olympic Committee came up with a compromise that said basically anyone who has a personal corporate sponsor who objects to the team sponsor’s name showing on the United States Olympic uniform has the right to obscure what he does not want to show. In this case it wa s the Reebok logo. Television Advertising The Superbowl is known as one of the biggest and most watched events in all of sports. The crowning of the World Champions of football has an enormous audience. In addition to the game, we get to be entertained by the half time show and wait for the cleverly scripted television commercials. The Superbowl is known for its elaborate advertising. Every year, people look forward to seeing the creative new commercials being broadcasted during the football game. For companies to broadcast in a thirty second time block during the event, they must pay nearly two million dollars. In the past, television commercials were a time to leave the room for a quick break from watching the game but now they have evolved into an advertising extravaganza. In the case of the Superbowl, the NFL almost makes more money from advertising then they do for simply broadcasting the game. Advertising on Uniforms The sport with sponsor advertising being the most prevalent on team jerseys is soccer. If you turn on the Fox Soccer Channel to watch the English Premier league you might notice that a large majority of the teams uniforms have a sponsor’s name posted across the front of the jerseys. For example, the 2008 Barclay Premier champions, Manchester United, wore red Nike jerseys with their sponsor’s name (AIG) written across the chest. When soccer fans buy replica jerseys such as Manchester United’s they become part of the advertising scheme. Sponsors believe that the more jerseys sold, the more their name is out for the public to see. Therefore, the sponsor’s goal is to place their logo everywhere possible to expand the popularity of their company. Conclusion In conclusion, to answer the question posed, â€Å"Is sports based media and advertising excessive? †, the answer would have to be â€Å"yes. † Advertising isn’t as simple as the old song, â€Å"Take me out to the ballgame† suggests. When we heard the lyrics, â€Å"Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks† we thought about the experience of being at a ballgame and enjoying the day while munching on some ballpark staples. In today’s advertising environment, we would have to sing the song with some updated lyrics. It won’t be easy to sing â€Å"Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks.

Individual Privacy vs. National Security

National Security has taken a new shape after the events of September 11, 2001, that is why I have selected the topic of Individual Privacy vs. National Security. I have selected this topic because of the amount of attention that has brought to this topic over the last ten years. There are many issues that the American people have with the government pushing what people believe cross privacy bounds thus causing court cases forcing policy changes. The ruling in the courts will affect how our government is able to gather information on possible terrorist threats while trying to keep the people’s rights protected. I plan on limiting the research by looking at key events that really have sparked the American people to uproar at the U. S. government. In looking at they more key events it will help to cut down the amount of hits that I will get in a search engine. The idea is that if certain issues really fire up the people then how will future bills or laws passed by the government be affected by pass rulings in the courts. In my paper I plan on looking into the Patroit Act and how this really affects what the government is allowed to do when they think someone is involved in terrorist acts. Also the other hot topic is that right now the government really does not need a warrant to track your cell phone using the different GPS signals. These are two of the biggest issues that could really help to shape current policy that the government uses to track people of interest. I am taking the side that there are times that the people of America need to give up some of their rights so that the government can protect them. It is a give and take relationship so there are times that both sides must find a common ground. Yet, there are times that the governments needs to have the ability to protect our national security at all cost.

What Just Happened 4 Strange Job Interviews Explained

What Just Happened 4 Strange Job Interviews Explained Just had an interview that didn’t feel how you thought an interview should feel? Are you left feeling like you’re trying to decode mixed messages? Or just so weirded out you’re not even sure what transpired? Sometimes the interview process isn’t as structured as common sense or past experience might lead us to believe. Some companies, quite frankly, don’t have their act together. Or are just looking for something a little less traditional. Here are four strange  job interviews and their scenarios that may help unravel your confusion.The Fire AlarmWhoever heard of an interview as a call for help? But sometimes companies are in such trouble, or such a state of flux, that they’re not even sure exactly what they need the most, or how best to organize their priorities. If you find yourself in an interview like this and notice that you’re getting less clear on the responsibilities of the role you’re applying for, rather than more cl ear, you might be in this disaster territory.Try and figure out exactly what they seem to need, then whether or not you fill that need, then whether or not this situation is a good fit for you. If you feel up for intervening and saving the day, go forward! If not, politely bow out of the process if it stops feeling workable to you. Particularly if this isn’t your only nibble.The AutomatonYour interviewer is so professional and so clinical, that you’re not entirely sure they’re not a robot. You start to wonder whether you have a chance. Relax. You do. They wouldn’t have called you in unless you were qualified for the position. Realize that you’ll probably not have a buddy-buddy relationship with this particular supervisor. Are you a good self-starter? Comfortable not receiving a lot of encouragement? Then proceed without concern.The SaboteurYour interviewer seems to be trying to throw everything they can at you to get you to see all the negatives of the organization. Is this some sort of test? Are they trying to get you to rise to the occasion and criticize the company? Or are they trying to make sure you’re not faint of heart and can take the impending heat? If you sense the interviewer is trying to see if you can weather what they’ve obviously had to weather, then keep that smile on your face and go for it.The â€Å"Not-Erview†You’ve been called in to interview, but it’s becoming clear this is not a full-time position. Before your heart sinks, consider whether taking on a project-based or short-term position would make sense for you in this stage of your career. Maybe it wouldn’t, but maybe that’s just the right balance for where you are right now. Either way, an interview situation is an interview situation. And great practice for the next time around!

Using Accessors and Mutators in Java

Using Accessors and Mutators in Java One of the ways we can enforce data encapsulation is through the use of accessors and mutators. The role of accessors and mutators are to return and set the values of an objects state. Lets learn how to program accessors and mutators in Java. As an example, well use a Person class with the state and constructor already defined: Accessor Methods An accessor method is used to return the value of a private field. It follows a naming scheme prefixing the word get to the start of the method name. For example lets add accessor methods for firstname, middleNames and lastname: These methods always return the same data type as their corresponding private field (e.g., String) and then simply return the value of that private field. We can now access their values through the methods of a Person object: Mutator Methods A mutator method is used to set a value of a private field. It follows a naming scheme prefixing the word set to the start of the method name. For example, lets add mutator fields for address and username: These methods do not have a return type and accept a parameter that is the same data type as their corresponding private field. The parameter is then used to set the value of that private field. Its now possible to modify the values for the address and username inside the Person object: Why Use Accessors and Mutators? Its easy to come to the conclusion that we could just change the private fields of the class definition to be public and achieve the same results. Its important to remember that we want to hide the data of the object as much as possible. The extra buffer provided by these methods allows us to: Change how the data is handled behind the scenes.Impose validation on the values that the fields are being set to. Lets say we decide to modify how we store middle names. Instead of just one String we can now use an array of Strings: The implementation inside the object has changed but the outside world is not affected. The way the methods are called remains exactly the same: Or, lets say the application that is using the Person object can only accept usernames that have a maximum of ten characters. We can add validation in the setUsername mutator to make sure the username conforms to this requirement: Now if the username passed to the setUsername mutator is longer than ten characters it is automatically truncated.

5 Tips on How to Improve Your APA English Essays

5 Tips on How to Improve Your APA English Essays 5 Tips on How to Improve Your APA English Essays The American Psychological Association has developed a formatting style that is used in several fields of study. It can be rather complex and if you have ever been given or seen the guide, you have probably had to pick yourself off of the ground. It is a very particular format; however, the majority of it deals with the citation process. Most instructors will level down your grade for improper formatting and there is no point in losing points for that. Here is how you can improve and get a good grade for your writing with these five easy tips. Utilize a Downloadable Format One of the easiest ways to make sure that your paper is formatted correctly is to download an APA formatted document. You can find them right on the internet and then you just download them to your computer. Once you open the document, you will see that it is already formatted perfectly for you. It may include sections that you don’t need, like a section for an abstract. If this is the case, then just delete what your paper doesn’t require. Input your information for the data in the document in the right places and you have a completely formatted document ready to turn in. Check out the Guide When you see the extensive APA format guide, you are going to think that it is crazy to use it. However, you have to realize that the majority of that guide is about the citations. Apart from rules and exceptions, it includes samples that can be helpful as well. So, before you count the guide out, give it a read. Make Use of the Writing Lab Take advantage of the free resource that you can find right at your school. You will be able to get one-on-one help with your paper right in your writing lab. And, for those of you who are taking classes online, you should know that online schools have writing labs too. It may not be the same because you won’t be sitting right next to someone. However, it has proven to be a helpful method for many students throughout the years and it can help you as well. Check out Examples This method may not be used by itself if you don’t find an example with notes that tell you about margin sizes, font sizes, and other characteristics. But, it is a vital way to ensure that you are correctly formatting your paper. Get a well written and properly formatted example and you will 100% benefit from it. You can actually see what all of the technical directions even mean. However, you want to make sure that you get it from a credible source. The best way to ensure that is to get the sample from a professional service and that brings us to the final place to find help with APA formatting. 5. Hire a Professional Helper Professional writers have mastered the various formats because they need to know how to do them properly and have had a lot of practice. Over the years, they have learned what the format should look like and what exactly needs to be done. And they know the most important parts of formatting so that they can help you make the necessary corrections. It is the ideal solution for students. When it comes to determining how to master the formatting process, these tips can be used together or by themselves. You can learn what you need to do, so that you can complete it every time and gradually make the process a lot quicker. All in all, you can buy APA essays written from scratch by experts from our certified custom writing service.

Strategic Management Case Study of Disney Paris Essay

Strategic Management Case Study of Disney Paris - Essay Example On the contrary, when the Euro Disney went on line, it was welcomed with both fanfare and protests by the French. France wanted to have Disneyland in their country competing with Spain. After satisfactory negotiations with French Government, Disneyland decided on setting up the theme park near Paris. In 1989 when the contract was formalised, the mood was upbeat and the country was contemplating on making large tourist money by drawing crowds to Paris. But once the construction work started and the employees of nearly 10,000 were called for interviews, it was found that the Euro Disney will continue to be more American than Europe or even French. The company started making record losses for the next five years before turning green. This case study is about the circumstances that led to this failure and the steps that were taken at that time. We will also discuss the steps that need to be taken in the future to ensure smoother and substantial progress in the working of the Paris Disney . Companies work as large distinct social systems adapting to the cultural background they develop in and thrive. National cultures are the major sources from which the corporate cultures evolve and develop (Frost et al, 1991). 1. Euro Disney's Plan and Actual The company had the following plans and targets in place with respect to the flow of funds and patronage for the company: 1. Tapping the large 16 million populations who lived with in a radius of 160 kms from the site was a major attraction for the management of Euro Disney. The Europeans received longer vacations and summer vacations compared to the Americans which should be resulting in better results. 2. The company targeted to get 11 million visitors in the first year of operation. 3. The company had an ambitious plan for capital investment. During the first phase of the construction the Magic Kingdom Theme park was done. Following this, Disneyland was to have its second theme park adjacent to the first one, the Disney-MGM studios. 4. The company targeted to have an average spending of USD 33 would be done by every guest. 5. Labour costs were expected to be maintained at around 13% of the sales figures. During the roll out of Euro Disney, the average daily inflow of visitors to the park was at around 30,000 visitors in the summer months of the inauguration. However, over the entire year the flow of people dipped down during the winter months and the company had only about 9.8 million visitors for the entire full year in contrast to their planned target of 11 million visitors. In most of the other Disneyland in Florida or in Tokyo there were a number of people who stayed back in Disneyland hotels. These were not the day visitors but 'period-visitors'; whereas in the case of Euro Disney there were more number of day-visitors than period visitors. This meant in addition to the number of people who are visiting Disney land being less, the amount of money each one of the visitors will be spending is also going to be less. It was found that it was almost 10% less than what was expected out of them. In addition, the labour costs that were estimated to be around 13% rose to over 24% of the sales figures. This also meant that the company was facing an acute financial crisis in less than one year of its operations. Most of the companies are expected

Communication in Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Communication in Business - Essay Example Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Table of Contents 3 Terms of Reference 4 Overview of the situation 4 Analysis of situation 7 Solution &Recommendation 9 Forecasts and outcomes 11 Conclusion 12 Reference 13 Bibliography 15 Terms of Reference This assignment relates to the outsourcing operations performed by a Chinese company A Ltd for a US based multinational company. The US Company outsources its back-office operations and CRM (Customer relationship management) services to A Ltd. The American company finds the labour costs to be exceedingly high in US and hence gets its work done through the Chinese company A Ltd. This enables the former to save on the exorbitant costs arising from getting the work through indigenous sources. It works to the advantage of the Chinese company in the sense that new employment opportunities are created. China is the fastest growing country in the Asian region. However the country faces stiff competition from the companies involved in the outsourcing operations in India. In fact presently India is the favourite destination of the American and UK companies with regard to outsourcing of operations. There are various reasons that explain the preference of India over China. What attracts the western countries to this region is its talent pool. Moreover the cheap quality of labour that is available in these places makes it a win-win situation for the outsourcing companies (United States Agency for International Development, 2009). Overview of the situation China is fast emerging as an important outsourcing destination and is soon expected to give stiff competition to India in a matter of few years. The cost advantage that the clients can generate from outsourcing their work to the country is estimated at 70 percent of the salaries that the company has to shell out in US. However, there are things that a company has to consider other than the labour costs. This includes efficiency, reliability, work quality, communication skills, fle xibility and issues relating to culture which are equally important in framing an outsourcing strategy. With this the macro factors like geopolitical risks are also considered at the time of formulating an outsourcing strategy. China is often hailed as an important outsourcing destination on account of its low cost. In fact China is considered to be cheaper than India. In the words of Bryan Huang, Bearing Point Great China’s President, the service of an engineer costs approximately $4000 per month in US whereas this amounts to merely $500 per month in China. In fact in some places like Dalian or Xian the salary is close to $250 per month. In other words the cost is merely one-sixth or one- eighth in China. China is still in the nascent stage when it comes to its position in the outsourcing industry. The availability of talent pool is also a risk factor in the country. Even though there is abundant supply of cheap labour in the country the quality of the labour force is a seri ous issue. This is mainly due to emerging nature of the industry in China. In fact the companies face difficulties in hiring people having an experience in the sector. In terms of Individualism ranking the country is placed at 20, which is the lowest among all the other Asian countries. This implies that the people of the country prefer to live in ‘groups’ which indicates their preference for commitment and closeness. This has a

Fashion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Fashion - Essay Example One, there was an atmosphere of freedom. Two, the industrial era was growing. And three, there were people whose ideas were catching up with the youth of those times. What was happening was a new generation shaken by the war and psychologically drained was left without mooring. It was left to this generation to lead or to be lead. The economic scenario was grim. In this environment, a new culture emerged that was to give the haute couture in Paris a run for its money! Fashion was no more to be treated as the private domain of a few individuals. It became mass based. It became an industry that rolled out quality, ready-to-wear stuff in mass productions. There was awareness to move away from the elitist class to more bourgeois order and reap the benefits of a freer and more powerful society (Mid Twentieth Century). The 1950s emerged with the market targeting teenagers for music and fashion. The trends were becoming bolder. Women were wearing shorter skirts. Popular movies set trends in what to wear and more than eager teenagers in huge droves styled themselves after their divas. Christian Dior introduced a New Look silhouette that bespoke the freer atmosphere after the war restrictions. The New Look silhouettes included longer skirts with emphasis on waist and shoulder lines (1950s fashion). In the 1960s, a class of fashion designers emerg... In the 1960s, a class of fashion designers emerged of the likes of Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent, and Emanuel Ungaro. They brought about radical changes in the way people wore clothes. This was also the time when the skirt had metamorphosed to mini-skirts. The hippie culture towards the latter part of the decade added its own imprint on dresses and the bell-bottom trousers was one of them. Since then, the world has not looked back. The pattern of wearing clothes continued from the 1960s to the 1970s. The jeans also made their presence felt and people began wearing them in large numbers everywhere. Jeans were increasingly tattered to give the wearer the look of randomness. However, this was also the time when the shift was taking place away from the mini-skirt and the skirts began dropping to below the knee levels. Shoes were more flat and pointed or rounded in leather or canvass. From the 1970s the trend for changes continued albeit more sporadically until the closing of the millennium in 2000. In the mid-1990s the insistence on more formal clothes became a necessity and young people were told to be formally attired. These were the days of recruitments. Technology advanced. Management got more powers in decisions of recruitments and lay off. They could tell their recruits what to wear. In many firms they wore uniforms. This trend has continued to this day. Fashion and the Arts In arts, fashion covers a wide array of interests from handicrafts and photography to knitting and shoe making. Each stream is a field by itself and nurtures its own discipline. From time to time, one or more disciplines come together to exhibit their wares for a few days to weeks. Fashion is in essence

Ann Radcliffe and the Gothic movement behing her literature Research Paper

Ann Radcliffe and the Gothic movement behing her literature - Research Paper Example Ann Radcliffe due to her reclusive nature was made the brunt of her contemporaries’ imagination and was accused of being a mad genius, a sorceress and a madwoman haunted by ghosts etc. Considered the most significant writer of the English Gothic genre, Ann Radcliffe changed the Gothic novel from a mere medium for the depiction of terror into a tool for exploring the psychology of terror and suspense. Her stress on emotion, insight, and the connection between atmosphere and sensibility helped make the way for the Romantic Movement in England. Radcliffes most famous novel, The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794), is one of the principal examples of Gothic literature. (Onorato& Cengage, 1997)1 Ann Radcliffe was extremely popular in her day. Her application of Gothic techniques, her talent to rouse terror and curiosity in her readers by setting up events which were seemingly supernatural, but which were afterwards logically explained by ordinary means, was widely imitated by other writers but never surpassed. Her construction of tastefully imaginary horrors (taste was equal to quality) and her stress on the supernatural was modern and Romantic, whereas her logical explanations belonged to the ordered world of eighteenth century England. Thus her novels offered contemporary readers a chance to indulge their penchant for the bizarre, the outrà © and the unusual by generally hinting at the immoral, decadent and the supernatural while in due course rectifying matters ,from a societal viewpoint , by vindicating the old world virtues of a submissive woman. The nature of Ann Radcliffe’s novels was startling to her readers and she was reviled by some critics as a misleader of youth and women. But her admirers called her the mighty enchantress. Ann Radcliffe was born in a lower-middle class family in Holborn, London. Her father was William Ward, a haberdasher and her mother was Ann Oates.troubled with asthma from youth, she was reserved by nature and read widely. In 1787,

Nano tecnolgy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Nano tecnolgy - Research Paper Example Theoretically, the ability to construct multiple devices that maintain components of nano-scale would make it feasible to install, literally, billions of different minute-size transistors onto only a single chip that are able to operate at gigahertz frequencies (Drexler). Such chips represent the physical technology of nano-tech that have the capability of producing valuable information machinery. It was in the early 2000s that the functionality and opportunities of nanotechnology came into the forefront of the scientific community consciousness. In the year 2000, American President Bill Clinton enacted the National Nanotechnology Initiative which provided federal funding for nanotechnology research and development. This funding represented a $422 million budget allocated toward this research, illustrating a massive 56 percent funding increase from 1999 (Roukes 2002). This prompted the launch of 30 different nanotechnology research centres in the United States and prompted the development of inter-disciplinary teams to teach and develop nanotechnologies in universities (Roukes). Today, this nano-mania has spread beyond the United States with the European Union committing to a â‚ ¬100 billion investment through the year 2020 (Nanowerk 2012) and Japan investing 750 million USD to facilitate advancement in nanotechnology (The Daily Star 2012). Nanotechnology, theoretically, maintains many different opportunities in multiple domains of knowledge and science. Research is being conducted to utilise nanotechnology in the production of solar cells (for solar energy), to construct what are referred to as nano-pillars designed to contest the rising costs of Silicon commonly utilised in solar energy research. Nano-pillars consist of various nanostructures that are combined together in a lattice formation that is much more efficient in capturing solar light as compared to silicon (Heng 2011). Nanotechnology is also emerging in the medical field for more efficient drug

Ann Radcliffe and the Gothic movement behing her literature Research Paper

Ann Radcliffe and the Gothic movement behing her literature - Research Paper Example Ann Radcliffe due to her reclusive nature was made the brunt of her contemporaries’ imagination and was accused of being a mad genius, a sorceress and a madwoman haunted by ghosts etc. Considered the most significant writer of the English Gothic genre, Ann Radcliffe changed the Gothic novel from a mere medium for the depiction of terror into a tool for exploring the psychology of terror and suspense. Her stress on emotion, insight, and the connection between atmosphere and sensibility helped make the way for the Romantic Movement in England. Radcliffes most famous novel, The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794), is one of the principal examples of Gothic literature. (Onorato& Cengage, 1997)1 Ann Radcliffe was extremely popular in her day. Her application of Gothic techniques, her talent to rouse terror and curiosity in her readers by setting up events which were seemingly supernatural, but which were afterwards logically explained by ordinary means, was widely imitated by other writers but never surpassed. Her construction of tastefully imaginary horrors (taste was equal to quality) and her stress on the supernatural was modern and Romantic, whereas her logical explanations belonged to the ordered world of eighteenth century England. Thus her novels offered contemporary readers a chance to indulge their penchant for the bizarre, the outrà © and the unusual by generally hinting at the immoral, decadent and the supernatural while in due course rectifying matters ,from a societal viewpoint , by vindicating the old world virtues of a submissive woman. The nature of Ann Radcliffe’s novels was startling to her readers and she was reviled by some critics as a misleader of youth and women. But her admirers called her the mighty enchantress. Ann Radcliffe was born in a lower-middle class family in Holborn, London. Her father was William Ward, a haberdasher and her mother was Ann Oates.troubled with asthma from youth, she was reserved by nature and read widely. In 1787,

An issue or problem at work from the perspective of an emplyee Essay - 1

An issue or problem at work from the perspective of an emplyee - Essay Example As employees of the company we work hard and we expect to get paid accordingly. The second problem that I want to bring to the table is the fact that during the past few weeks the workers have been receiving their weekly paychecks late. This situation puts a great burden on the employees because often by not receiving their checks on time they dont have enough money to put gas in the car to come to work and in their personal life they cant put food and other items they need to survive due to the irresponsibility of the firm. These two problems have put a great burden on the relationship between the company and its employees. The company must have notice by now that the overall production at the firm has gone down as a consequence of the actions of the company. The company obviously cannot expect the workers to keep producing at a high level when all these problems are going on. I have personally talked to dozens of employees who have told me that they are seriously considering quitting their job because they feel the company does not care about their well being. The motivation of the workers is extremely low as a consequence of the actions of the company. These problems must be attended immediately otherwise a lot of employees are going to leave the company. It is in the best interest of the company to attend these issues in order raise employee morale and motivation. To resolve the situation I have some recommendations for the managerial staff of the company. If I was the manager in charge of the company I would have done things a lot differently. Once I realized that bonuses could not be paid I would have communicated openly with the workers the root of the problem. Instead of using avoidance I would cooperate with the workers to find a reasonable resolution. For instance if the firm did not pay the bonuses because it could not afford it a solution was to offer the workers a new system that pays half the bonuses or up to $3 extra an hour. This

Salem Witch Trials Essay Example for Free

Salem Witch Trials Essay Other people say it started on the night of the devouring. The repercussions of this event can still be felt globally. The suspicion of witch craft in Salem Village, Massachusetts began in January 1692 when a group of girls began to act strangely (The Salem Witch Trials, eyewitness to history). The town could not explain the seizures, random screaming, and trance states that affected the girls. The doctors were summoned in to examine the girls but could not find cause of the behaviour. The community reasoned that it must be the work of Satan. Witches had invaded Salem. The girls were given a trial then later were put to death. After this many of the people of Salem were accused of witch craft,some were burned while others were hung (First Salem witch hanging). They were not given fair trial. Nobody was sure where the witch craft started or how it came about but some of the older towns people said that the magic was always there it just had not been activated by the right person yet (Blumburg). They thought that the right person must of came along and that it had to be a new person in town and somebody who had the power of getting other people to help in witchcraft. The only logical person who they could think of that fit this description was Martha Corey. (First Salem witch hanging) The Trial of Martha Corey was on Friday March 11, 1692 it was a day of fasting and prayer in Salem. The accusation shocked those who heard it because Martha Corey (Good wife Corey) was a new but upstanding member of the community. Immediately a somebody was sent to the Corey farm to question Martha hoping to clear her name. Martha Coreys sarcastic response to her being accused caused her immediate arrest. In the courtroom Maratha’s accusers writhed in agony as they were forced by an unseen power to mimic the witchs every movement. When Martha shifted her feet they did too,when Martha bit her lip they were compelled to. On, Monday, the 21st of March,the magistrates of Salem appointed to come to examination of Good wife Corey. And about twelve of the clock they went into the meeting house,which was thronged with spectators. Mr. Noyes began with a very pertinent and pathetic prayer, and Good wife Corey being called to answer to what was alleged against her, she desired to go to prayer, which was much wondered at, in the presence of so many hundred people. The magistrates told her they would not admit it; they came not there to hear her pray, but to examine her in what was alleged against her. The worshipful Mr. Hawthorne asked her why she afflicted those children. She said she did not afflict them. He asked her, Who did then? She said, I do not know; how should I know? † (Lawson) Martha was portraying that she had no clue as to what was going on and that she was being accused of something that she did not do. But if Martha truly was innocent then why would she not pray and why would she not fight and show more passion that she was not a witch. Some of the people in the town started to come forward and telling things about Martha, because they believed she was a witch crop failures or infant deaths -local villagers were quick to accuse each other of witchcraft (Milton). They would say that she has a book of spells and that she tried to convince young girls into doing magic with her, the younger the girls were the easier it would be to harvest their magic. Others would say that she had a little yellow bird that she would put in her hand and kill then she would bring it back to life to show how much power she actually had. Nobody actually had proof that Martha was a witch and that she was in fact practising witch craft. (Salem witch trials) From the late 15th century to the late 18th century a wave of persecution washed across parts of Europe. Tens of thousands of people were executed for witchcraft. But what happened? Belief in magic was almost universal in the past. Almost all cultures believed that you could use supernatural means to help hunting or to make your crops grow better or to make humans or animals more fertile (Lambert). But you could not use magic to heal humans and animals (Lambert). For most people who lived before the 18th century magic was an ordinary part of everyday life. To them the world was a mysterious and frightening place. They did not know what caused diseases and sickness so they would sometimes assume it was something supernatural. The people of the 16th century would use what they thought magic in their everyday lives to try to make things better for themselves , but when people started thinking that humans were using magic on other living things that’s when magic started being considered evil and a bad thing (Lambert). People who believed in magic the thought that your enemies could use magic to harm you was terrifying. Most people in the 16th century believed that God had an enemy called the Devil, who was very powerful. They believed that witches made a pact or agreement with the Devil and agreed to worship and serve him. When people were being accused of witch craft they were not given a fair trial. They did not use evidence they did not give you a voice,if somebody said you were a witch then you must be a witch (Lambert). The history of witch craft is so great that nobody is really sure what actually happened. There are many theories as to what actually happened , some say that witches started coming to earth and taking over human bodies when the devouring night started. On the night of the devouring or otherwise called sorry night, otherwise know as Halloween, is when witches come down from their world and inhabit the people who are scared(Holt). They take over the scared humans because they are alone and have no way of defending themselves , their minds are essentially open and easy to take over(Holt). They take over their bodies and then the witches have a vessel which they can perform their magic from. The witches who take over the human body make it so the human that was already in the body feel like they are asleep. The witch will inhabit your thoughts and your past and they will act like the person they took over as much as they could(Holt). A witch would sometimes slip up and their magic would start to show or they would be caught,in some cases they would get caught without even realizing it. The longer a witch is in a body the harder it would be for their magic if it was evil to start showing. When a witch would get caught performing magic back in the 16th century they had no way to escape the human because the only day they can enter or leave body is on October thirty first or if the human is illed. When human was hung the witch could stay around and inhabit another body but when the body was burned the witch died with it. It took a long time for people to realize what was happening. It was one of the most logical reasons to how witches could come about. (Holt) In some cases female witches were treated a lot worse than male witches were. Female witches were usually beaten and their houses wo uld be raided then burned down they then would be hung or burned and sometimes even both depending on how strong they thought the witch was (Lyons). In rare cases men witches were kept alive because priests would try to save them and get extract their magic so they could use it for their own purposes(Lyons). Once the priests were done with the male witches if they still believed they were witches they would be killed and their belongings would be burned(Lyons). Because of the Salem witch trials , thousands globally lost friends and family members over the suspicion of being witches and doing harm. People would be killed if they were a good witch or a bad witch,innocent or guilty, proof or no proof. If somebody was thought to be a witch then you were going to be killed. A group of people the descendants of people who were killed in the trials , otherwise known as the Salem five started a petition for their ancestors names to be cleared and know that they were not witches and that they were killed when they were innocent (American Heritage). It was a long fight for there names to be cleared but in the end they eventually got their names cleared and they got their names in the paper and their names on the list of people who were believed to be innocent during the trials but they were killed without real proof. American Heritage) When the witch trials were going on witches were thought to have looked like ordinary people who have the power to kill people, make potions, and control people . Witches were thought to be evil and only capable of doing harm, yet they would walk among humans and act like humans in most cases. The witches in the 16th century were though to look like normal everyday humans ,so they they would not have to hide(Salem Witch museum). Now in the 20th century witches are thought to have long stringy uncombed black hair and facial warts with a green face ,and a big nose. They are thought to wear all black and long stocking ,they ride around on broom sticks and have loud cackling laughs. The transition from what people thought use to be witches and what people now think a witch would look like is so different from what they use to be like. The change in what witches look like started when all witches started to be thought of as evil and corrupting. The change happened when parents would tell their children about evil creatures that would take them in the night and make them do things that they would not want to do . People changed the look of witches so that their stories would scare young children. Years of stories being passed down generation after generation people started to forget that witches actually look like normal humans and that they blend in with everyday society. (Salem witch museum) The repercussions of the Salem witch trials effected thousands of innocent people. People were murdered without given a fair trial , many family lines were massacred , and now most people think that all witches are evil and that all the stories about witches are true. Thousands of innocent people , including women and children , were slaughtered globally during the Salem witch trials(Salem witch trials). Many family lines were cut out and killed altogether during the trials. When witch craft was happening in some cases whole families were convicted and then slaughtered , they were not given fair trials because there was no real proof that they were actually witches. After the witch trials were finished all over the world everybody started assuming that all witches were evil and that magic good or bad should not be allowed. Many folklore tales were made up and legends were started to be told all over the globe about evil witch craft ,and how witches take over your body and kill your soul . Some people would say that when witch craft was used for killing humans and animals and manipulating them that is when you would lose your soul. Because of The Salem witch trials thousands of innocent people were killed with little proof , real witches were not killed ,and people were taken over during the devouring. Since the witch trials happened globally many stories and legends were started and there is no real proof as to what happened. Some families tried to get their ancestors names cleared but not everybody who was faultily killed got their names cleared. The repercussions of the trials are still felt today globally. Work Cited (Holt Simon,The Devouring, September 1 , 2008) January Lyons , Diane Witchcraft, gender, power and intimate relations in Mura compounds in Dela, northern Cameroon. EBSCO HOST. May 2 ,2013. Salem witch Museum. http://www. salemwitchmuseum. om/. May 2,2013 Lambert , Tim. The Salem witch trials . Localhistories. com April 26,2013 http://www. localhistories. org/salem. html The Salem Witch Trials, 1692, EyeWitness to History, www. eyewitnesstohistory. com (2000). April 30th , 2013 Salem witch trials. Welcome to Salem Massachusetts. April 24th 2013 http://www. salemweb. com/guide/witches. shtml Blumburg, Jess. A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials. Smithsonian. com Published October 27th,2007 May 1st 2013 http://www. smithsonianmag. com/history-archaeology/brief-salem. html April 30th 2013 Lawson , Deodat. The Salem Witch Trials,1692. Eyewitness to History. Published in 2000. http://www. eyewitnesstohistory. com/salem. htm April 29th 2013 Milton, Gilies. SALEM WITCH TRIAL: THE CASE OF GILES AND MARTHA COREY published December 12 2012. Surviving-History. blogspot. ca April 30th , 2013 First Salem Witch hanging. Www. history. comhttp[-gt;1]://www. history. com/this-day-in-history/first-salem-witch-hanging April 30th , 2013 [-gt;0] http://ec. tynt. com/b/rw? id=cd5NqsI_0r3Qffab7jrHtBu=SmithsonianMag [-gt;1] http://Www. history. comhttp/

BP Commerce Analysis

BP Commerce Analysis I believe strongly that we need a work environment where everyone can bring all of themselves to work every day and not feel like they have to be someone else in order to succeed. -Tony Hayward, BP CEO /BP is one of the largest organizations in oil, gas, and alternative energy industry in the world. It employs more than 100 000 people across the world and provides essential oil, gas, and energy products for nearly 13 million customers every day in more than 100 countries. The company has a wide range of businesses including exploration and production, refining and marketing, gas power, and alternative energy (BP, 2010). Despite the success in the market or economic downturns, organization always must care about their employees who bring this success through skills, competencies, and hard work. Therefore, company must have a diversity and inclusion policy in place in order to create perfect working environment for these employees, to motivate them, remunerate, and retain the best. We might ask ourselves why diversity and inclusion is so important to any large or small company. The answer is that employees, shareholders, customers, suppliers, and community partners place a high value on organization for being fair and meritocratic (BP, 2010). Furthermore, we need to recognize the availability of skilled employees is getting smaller in nowadays market and economic situation. Every organization tries to attract new skilled labor and to retain talented employees in the company. In order to achieve that, organizations must have reputation, operational processes and imbedded policies, working climate that not only respects differences, but expose them for competitive advantage. BP is a multinational organization and it is essential to have an up-to-date policies and procedures in place for evaluation and monitoring purposes in order to comply with equality and inclusion policies, avoid any kind of discrimination, and ensure equal opportunities for everyone. Different organizations have different policies and practices and in order to compare BP to others, this organizational audit will review BPs other main competitors such as Exxon and Shell for a comparison on diversity and inclusion issues, provide investigation summary of BPs equal opportunity and equal pay practices, and provide action plans and cost and benefit analysis in order to enhance equality and diversity practice in the organization. A Summary of Analysis The purpose of this project is to produce diversity and inclusion analysis for BPs North Africa Strategic Performance Unit (further NA SPU) based on pay review recommendations in 2009 for employees to be effective on 1st of April 2010. I will be looking at Level E (senior level leaders) to Level K (administration) concentrating on equal pay issues and gender inequality (gaps) among UK employees only. The reason for this is that NA SPU has fairly big population and it is down to UK employees based locally in UK and in the businesses across the world. More to mention, this SPU is a perfect representation sample for other similar strategic performance units across the organization. 270 employees in North Africa Strategic Performance Unit (NA SPU) 139 UK nationals in NA SPU 31 Female employees 108 Male employees Level E (senior level leaders) 7 Males; 0 Females Level F(team leaders/professionals) 26 Males; 2 Females Level G (team leaders/professionals 30 Males; 4 Females Level H (team leaders/professionals 19 Males; 6 Females Level I (specialists/advisors) 17 Males; 8 Females Level J (specialists/advisors) 8 Males; 5 Females Level K (administration) Male 1; 6 Females All analysis is done only for the UK nationals population across all Levels, and Disciplines in NA SPU In order to get a better picture about pay equality and find out if there is any gaps in gender equality it is essential to analyse consistency of Salary Review process across the NA SPU and identify potential inequality in monetary reward between genders in different departments, levels, and across different disciplines. It is important to concentrate on the data which is robust- gender, income, length of service, and grouped by levels and disciplines. The sample group of employees does consist of different levels from E (senior level leaders) to K (administrative employees). It is a healthy business population that depicts statistical average of different employees in SPUs and other businesses within the company. Even though we have split the data down to segments any equal opportunity data is best analysed by working of groups so similar in roles and at similar level can be looked at. In order to understand the data better, I am providing few tables with graphic representation and statistical summary of the proposed data, following the brief comments to bring the main points or anomalies that could be potential gaps in reward and gender equality in the workplace. E F G H I J K Level Average SalaryGraph 1 Average New Salary comparison between Males and Females All Levels Higher level male and female employees positioned on the higher range of average salary scale and lower level male and female employees positioned on the lower range of average salary- it is consistent across every level. As the graph shows all the proposed employee salaries does not have any significant and female and male employees up to level G are similarly positioned on the salary grid. However, I would like to mention that circled in red on the graph data shows that level F female employees are on the lower range of the salary comparing to level F male employees. Picking the fact that there is significantly low number of female workers in higher levels- it raises the question of the possible glass ceiling that prevents female workers to get higher levels and be paid equally. Graph 2 Average New Salary by Job Discipline All Levels This data is very interesting, because it compares proposed new average salary between male and female employees in all levels but grouped by job discipline. The lowest paid group is administration, and the highest paid group of employees are drilling, geosciences disciplines where employees considered as professional and highly skilled workforce. Unfortunately, we notice that in geosciences and petroleum engineering disciplines we a have a significant difference in average salary between male and female employees. This is due to the fact that we have few women who works in these disciplines and the pay equality is very doubtful. On the other hand women earn more in average in the administration and commercial disciplines and we do not have any women working so called male oriented jobs in drilling and maintenance disciplines. This needs more investigation of companys recruitment policies and procedures why company does not attract more women into these jobs. Graph 3 Average New Salary by Years of Service All Levels This graph shows different set of data how the salary progresses depending on length of service despite the level of the employee but across level groups and disciplines. We can notice the gradual increase in salary for women and men, however we have only few women with a lengthy history of employment with company, but the good fact is that more and more women are hired into the business comparing with 20 years ago. It is worth to mention that circled in red- employees appear in the bottom of the range due to lower levels and the job discipline itself (administration). A Discussion of the Meaning of the Data Collected To summarise the findings it is clear that males and females are equally paid and well aligned to each other in every level, but there are few gaps in certain disciplines. Even though the national UK statistics is showing that the pay gap between gender is very high (see appendix 1) BP is trying their best to operate according to Equal Pay Act (release 1970), and Equal Pay between sexes (Article 141, EC Treaty). However the lack of female employees in main leadership positions and levels in our sample population- by all means might be understood as glass ceiling effect in the company (Podro, 2006). Therefore, it is interesting to look deeper into BP diversity and inclusion policy and compare the information to main rival companies policies and think of further improvements and recommendations in order the DI policy in BP policy to be attractive and by no means discriminatory. Table 1 Diversity Policy Comparison between Competitors Recruiting Developing Diversity Inclusive Leadership BP The number of graduates recruited through global recruitment program has increased by 58% since 2005 and 63% of these are engineers or scientists. 35% of all graduate hires were women, while 34% of all graduate hires came from racial or ethnic minorities. Diversity and inclusion policy aims to create a truly inclusive meritocracy at organization, in which the diversity of workforce reflects global reach and maximizes available talent while respecting individual differences. By valuing the differences between employees company establishes a platform for creativity, innovation and problem solving. There is a commitment to the development of a culture of diversity is therefore a true business imperative. Managing Inclusion program is now mandatory for all senior level leaders and by the end of year 2006, around 1000 employees at this level had completed the program. The program is still continues to exist in the organization. Exxon Women comprise about 25 percent of companys worldwide workforce, excluding company-operated retail stores. Approximately 12 percent of executive employees are women, compared to 9 percent in 2000. Organizations strength is the quality and diversity of employees. Organization operates Global Workforce Diversity Framework to attract, develop, and retain a premier workforce, actively foster a work environment where individual and cultural differences are respected and valued; and identify and develop leadership capabilities of employees to perform effectively in a variety of environments. Organization is committed to promoting leadership opportunities for women globally and improving the gender balance in the company. Shell By the end of 2009, 14.0% of the most senior leadership positions were filled by women, up from 13.6% in 2008. As well, 26.4% of supervisory positions (up from 24.7% in 2008) and 16.1% of management positions (up from 15.3% in 2008) were held by women. With a core strategic team in Central HR as well as representatives in organizations businesses worldwide, diversity and inclusiveness is an integral part of the organization. It has a vital part to play in underpinning its continuing success by ensuring attraction, recruitment, and retaining the best people- regardless of their gender, nationality or background. Local people fill senior management positions in every country we operate in. In 37% of countries, local nationals filled more than half the senior leadership positions, compared to 32% in 2008 Sources: BP (2010); Shell (2010); ExxonMobil (2010) 3. An Equality Plan BP has made a significant investment over a short period of time to raise awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the organization. The diversity and inclusion team was reorganized in 2007 in order to shift ownership of diversity and inclusion to the line and embedded in the business to ensure alignment with organizational strategic plans (BP, 2010). This reorganization of the team paid dividends in the sense that the companys diversity and inclusion policy was a driving force in creating engagement in the workplace, changing leadership attitudes, improving performance representation statistics against competitors, and building pride and ownership among employees in different strategic performance units in the organization. To be more specific, in order to achieve desired results there should be a support for leaders and line managers with implementation of a framework that defines the strategy and priorities. The need of advancements or improvements on existing policies and the frameworks are imminent to achieve business goals and improve on diversity issues: Table 2 Diversity Inclusion Development and Maitenance Population Actions Leadership team Governance of diversity and inclusion strategy and periodical reviews of the progress. Ensure objectives embedded within operating business in every strategic performance unit. DI team Developing and proposing strategy, policy, and framework that advocates and supports diversity and inclusion. Cooperating with HR teams and external sources in order to be up to date with the policy and practices. HR team Serving as consultants and advising everyone involved to identify the critical DI areas in the organization that needs improvement. Leading various activities across the business to promote the equal opportunities. BP employees Everyone must take a part in helping the organization to tackle the diversity issues by taking responsibility for diverse behaviour and attitudes. It is essential to participate in creating inclusive working environment using all available tools and support. Having said that, I would like to concentrate on North Africa SPU populations gender equality and equal pay issues and provide recommendations on what can be done to improve situation and to be compliant with BP diversity model and policies: Table 3 Recommendation Costs Issue Target Recommendation Cost Equality in gender workforce Significantly increase the percentage of female employees in senior level jobs Aggressive external recruitment and local talent search via internal recruitment High costs external recruitment and headhunting can be very expensive since there is scarce pool of highly skilled women to fill in senior level positions Minimal costs local talent search via intranet, local recruitment database, and companies internal publications in every form and shape Equal pay across the levels and disciplines Ensure the pay reviews are according to equal pay act and not discriminatory among male and female workers To review the policy of Salary Review procedure and implement a equal pay process that would allow team leaders to have market data during the annual pay conversations Minimal costs internal policy review procedure, and up to line managers responsibility to be up-to-date of legalities Medium costs a market research, investigation new trends, time costs as well implementing, and communicating the new procedures (if any) Equal opportunities for career progression Increase the percentage of female workers in male dominated disciplines (for example geosciences and drilling) Professional development workshops and attractive internship schemes for university graduates Medium costs third party provided courses and development sessions Medium costs graduate recruitment campaigns, including task group time costs, competitive graduate packages to retain the best talents Culture change DI learning sessions / conferences To make aware BP population about internal issues and introduce to internal statistics Reiterate on importance of diverse workforce and how it could be change to achieve diverse working environment Minimal cost lunch and learn sessions, DI team monthly bulletins, presentations Medium costs external investigation or third party conferences and sessions about the different issues of DI On the other hand, some policies might not become a good practice and therefore organization could face a biggest obstacle- its own culture (Kirton and Greene, 2005). Having said that, it is important that organizations do not force the decisions and make the policy unnatural thing. Diversity and inclusion comes along with the culture and one changes another. So, in order to change the rules of the game in nowadays fast changing environment, organizations should come up with diversity audit to highlight the potential gaps. A Cost and Benefit Analysis It is important that leadership of the organization understands that companies that implement workforce diversity policies acquire an important benefits that strengthen not only long-term competitiveness in the market but also produce short and medium-term performance results (CSES, 2003). Therefore, a cost and benefit analysis is widely used to establish how well a planned action or new policy might turn out. The analysis always brings a results into monetary values, so the very important that a cost benefit analysis include all the costs and all the benefits in order to count the true value and establish if the new policy or new action plan is worth the money. On the other hand, companies in most cases gain positive non-monetary benefits. As Hubbard (2004) clearly explained the value of non-monetary benefits- loyalty of the staff, reputation of the organization, employer of the choice status, and etc. can not be transferred or measured into value of money. Also, the major benefit is that making employees and leadership to think critically and be explicit about the issues within the company that along with diversity and inclusion it brings new strategic choices like culture change. Would like to stress on the few diversity and inclusion initiative that BP already is working on, which is with no doubt puts organization in very positive place among the competitors and promotes business success by trying to minimize obstacles to inclusion: Affinity groups- typically form around ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disabilities, but groups that wish to focus on other important or relevant issues may be considered on a case by case basis, and BP as organization encourages and supports affinity groups working for business benefit (BP, 2010). To name a few, these include the African American Network, Asian American Network, Womens Network, Beyond Pride, BP Latino Network, Gray Matters!, and Working Parents and Parents-to-Be. Flexible working- organization always recognizes that flexible working arrangement is almost a part of the modern working environment and can enable it to retain and attract skilled staff and increase employee commitment and morale. And the most important- the flex-working scheme is an integral part of BPs diversity and inclusion agenda. There are more of these initiatives and groups that work towards developing diverse and inclusive workforce around the world, but of course, there are costs as well associated with the implementation of diversity policies in the organization. Let not forget the cash costs of compliance with laws on discrimination, as well as the investment into programmes that serves as implementation to change internal cultures in the way that the diverse workforce is recruited, retained, and developed (CSES, 2003). To reiterate more on proposed changes for North Africa SPU and diversity and inclusion strategies for BP company as a whole, over recent years, BP has implemented and managed a wide range of global and local diversity and inclusion training programs and initiatives to support employees in understanding diversity and building inclusive behaviors. As we could see that organization is treats the DI very importantly in order to stay in the leading position in the market, however there is plenty to do and enough work in progress.

Shakespeares Othello - The Triangle Between Othello, Iago, and Cassio :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

The Triangle Between Othello, Iago, and Cassio  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I chose to look at the triangle between Othello , Iago, and Cassio because these three men are very important in the play. They are important to each other and the people around them. The relationship between the three of them is very strange because someone is always trying to get back at the other one and they don’t care about each others feelings or anyone else’s. In the end this leads to a blood shed fight. Othello is the main character, heÕs the head of the Vinician army and he has just made Cassio his Lieutenant. Iago is very upset by this because he wanted to become Lieutenant but what he doesnÕt realize is that in some ways heÕs more important to Othello just without the title. Iago is OthelloÕs right hand man but Iago canÕt take that he wants more. The main problem that IÕve noticed in this play is a lack of communication and trust between the characters. Even though Iago must figure out a way to get get this position as Lieutenant I donÕt think he hateÕs Cassio or Othello. Iago is a very power hungry character and he will do anything and hurt anyone to get what he wants. Iago just canÕt understand how he could be chosen over someone who is very naive, but he never even asked Othello why he wasnÕt chosen as Lieutenant. Maybe Othello had a good reason for not giving him that position and he may have had another position waiting for Iago. Being in this situation leaves Iago to be jealous of Cassio and very angry with Othello, and the question WHY? ( But Iago never asks this question) Othello is a very strong will and minded character but also very naive in believing everything that Iago tells him. His other weakness is the love he has for his wife Desdemona. Othello being head of an army, I would assume would not be so gullible to believe everything he hears. But then you also have to look at who its coming from his Ã’right hand manÓ , but even so wouldnÕt you search around and try to find out for yourself whether or not all these accusations are true. Othello trusts Iago to much and doesnÕt really think for himself, he automatically believes in Iago which gives Iago even more power and control over his mind.

Ecological Threats Essay

A cycle is a series of change which comes back to the starting point and which can be repeated.[1][2] The term â€Å"biogeochemical† tells us that biological, geological and chemical factors are all involved. The circulation of chemical nutrients like carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and water etc. through the biological and physical world are known as biogeochemical cycles. In effect, the element is recycled, although in some cycles there may be places (called reservoirs) where the element is accumulated or held for a long period of time (such as an ocean or lake for water).[1][2] Water, for example, is always recycled through the water cycle, as shown in the diagram. The water undergoes evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, falling back to Earth clean and fresh. Elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another through the biogeochemical cycles. Systems Chloroplasts conduct photosynthesis and are found in plant cells and other eukaryotic organisms. These are Chloroplasts visible in the cells of Plagiomnium affine — Many-fruited Thyme-moss. Ecological systems also known as ecosystems have many biogeochemical cycles operating as a part of the system, for example the water cycle, the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, etc. All chemical elements occurring in organisms are part of biogeochemical cycles. In addition to being a part of living organisms, these chemical elements also cycle through abiotic factors of ecosystems such as water (hydrosphere), land (lithosphere), and/or the air (atmosphere).[3] The living factors of the planet can be referred to collectively as the biosphere. All the nutrients—such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur—used in ecosystems by living organisms are a part of a closed system; therefore, these chemicals are recycled instead of being lost and replenished constantly such as in an open system.[3] The flow of energy in an ecosystem is an open system; the sun constantly gives the planet energy in the form of light while it is eventually used and lost in the form of heat throughout the trophic levels of a food web. Carbon is used to make carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, the major sources of food energy. These compounds are oxidized to release carbon dioxide, which can be captured by plants to make organic compounds. The chemical reaction is powered by the light energy of the sun. It is possible for an ecosystem to obtain energy without sunlight. Carbon must be combined with hydrogen and oxygen in order to be utilized as an energy source, and this process depends on sunlight. Ecosystems in the deep sea, where no sunlight can penetrate, use sulfur. Hydrogen sulfide near hydrothermal vents can be utilized by organisms such as the giant tube worm. In the sulfur cycle, sulfur can be forever recycled as a source of energy. Energy can be released through the oxidation and reduction of sulfur compounds (e.g., oxidizing elemental sulfur to sulfite and then to sulfate). Although the Earth constantly receives energy from the sun, its chemical composition is essentially fixed, as additional matter is only occasionally added by meteorites. Because this chemical composition is not replenished like energy, all processes that depend on these chemicals must be recycled.

Ways to better your presentation

Technology has changed people's life in many different ways but not always for the best or even to improve their life but to do badly in the world. Like they say that a person can change behind closed doors so can peoples ethics. As for example the No Electronic Theft (NET) Act in 1997, how many of us sometimes are will wait for a CD or movie to come out and when we think about going to buy it or even see it the movie n theater, especially if we have a normal size family of people.There easy could be a hundred dollars for a trip to the movie but when there might be a place where you know they sell black market or even a website online. That where the No Electronic Theft (NET) Act in 1997 comes in place for people make or even reproduce or share copies of copyrighted work. Before this law people would sell and copied software programs, movies, games and even songs for profit gain. It carries a maximum anally of three years and a huge fine of 250,000.But if it shows that person was doi ng it for nonprofit gain they could face no chargers or minimum penalties but still if we sit down and realize where the ethics are. The other law that caught my eye during the homework assignment was Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCP), 1991 since right after working in a call center for two years after my high school day with all honestly I didn't seem to know what was important that our personal honestly ND ethics is more important than the companies and if that company doesn't have the honest ethics maybe isn't the right place for someone.I know that sometimes be get call by telemarketer all day and sometimes we tell them we want to be on the Do Not Call Registry. Because of the problem with telemarketing that they call to early or two late they have rules and it's where the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCP), 1991 comes in two place where if you telemarketer you want on the Do Not Call List and from there on it take 31 days from the date you asked to be on the list for it in order to be removed and it have a 5 year register .

The Return: Nightfall Chapter 20

â€Å"Ohhhh.† Bonnie melted back into the bucket seat. â€Å"It was like†¦kapow! Zap! Zowie! Like†¦fireworks.† â€Å"You're smirking.† â€Å"I am not smirking,† Bonnie said with dignity. â€Å"I am smiling in fond remembrance. Besides – â€Å" â€Å"Besides, if you hadn't Called him, we'd still be stuck in that horror of a room. Thank you, Bonnie. You saved us.† Abruptly Meredith was at her most serious and sincere. â€Å"I guess Elena was maybe right when she said he didn't hate all humans,† Bonnie said slowly. â€Å"But, you know, I just realized. I couldn't see his aura at all. All I could see was black: smooth hard black, like a shell around him.† â€Å"Maybe that's how he protects himself. He makes a shell so no one can see inside.† â€Å"Maybe,† Bonnie said, but there was worried note in her voice. â€Å"And what about that message from Elena?† â€Å"It says that Tami Bryce is definitely acting strangely and that she and Matt are going out to check out the Old Wood.† â€Å"Maybe that's who they're going to meet – Damon, I mean. At 4:44, like he said. Too bad we can't call her.† â€Å"I know,† Meredith said grimly. Everyone in Fell's Church knew that there was no reception in the Old Wood or the cemetery area. â€Å"But go ahead and try anyway.† Bonnie did, and as usual got a no-service message. She shook her head. â€Å"No good. They must already be in the woods.† â€Å"Well, what she wants is for us to go ahead and get a look at Isobel Saitou – you know, because she's Jim Bryce's girlfriend.† Meredith made a turn. â€Å"That reminds me, Bonnie: did you get a look atCaroline's aura? Do you think she has one of those things – inside her?† â€Å"I guess so. I saw her aura, and yuck, I never want to see it again. She used to be a kind of deep bronzy-green, but now she's muddy brown with black lightning zigzagging all through. I don't know if that means one of those things was inside her, but she sure didn't mind cuddling up to them!† Bonnie shuddered. â€Å"Okay,† Meredith said soothingly. â€Å"I know what I would say if I had to make a guess – and if you're going to be sick, I'll stop.† Bonnie gulped. â€Å"I'm all right. But we're seriously going to Isobel Saitou's house?† â€Å"We're very seriously going there. As a matter of fact, we're almost there. Let's just brush our hair, take a few deep breaths, and get it over with. How well do you know her?† â€Å"Well, she's smart. We didn't have any classes together. But we both got out of athletics at the same time – she had a jumpy heart or something, and I used to get that terrible asthma†¦.† â€Å"From any exertion except dancing, which you could keep up all night,† Meredith said dryly. â€Å"I don't know her very well at all. What's she like?† â€Å"Well, nice. Looks a bit like you, except Asian. Shorter than you – Elena's height, but skinnier. Sort of pretty. A little shy – the quiet type, you know. Sort of hard to get to know. And†¦nice.† â€Å"Shy and quiet and nice sounds good to me.† â€Å"Me, too,† Bonnie said, pressing her sweaty hands together between her knees. What sounded even better, she thought, was for Isobel to be not at home. However, there were several cars parked in front of the Saitou house. Bonnie and Meredith knocked on the door hesitantly, mindful of what had happened the last time they had done this. It was Jim Bryce who answered, a tall, lanky boy who hadn't filled out yet and stooped a bit. What Bonnie found amazing was the change in his face as he recognized Meredith. When he'd answered he'd looked awful; his face white under a medium tan, his body somehow crumpled. When he saw Meredith, some of the color came to his cheeks and he seemed to†¦well, to smooth out like a piece of paper. He stood taller. Meredith didn't say a word. She just stepped forward and put her arms around him. He clutched at her as if he was afraid she'd run away, and buried his face in her dark hair. â€Å"Meredith.† â€Å"Just breathe, Jim. Breathe.† â€Å"You don't know what it's been like. My parents left because my great-grandpa's really sick – I think he's dying. And then Tami – Tami – â€Å" â€Å"Tell me slowly. And keep breathing.† â€Å"She threw knives, Meredith. Butcher knives. She got me in the leg here.† Jim plucked at his jeans to show a small slit of a hole in the fabric over the lower part of one thigh. â€Å"Have you had a tetanus shot recently?† Meredith was at her most efficient. â€Å"No, but it's not really a big cut. It's a puncture wound, mainly.† â€Å"Those are exactly the kind that are most dangerous. You need to call Dr. Alpert right away.† Old Dr. Alpert was an institution in Fell's Church: a doctor who even made house calls, in a country where carrying around a little black bag and stethoscope was pretty much unheard-of behavior. â€Å"Ican't . I can't leave†¦.† Jim jerked his head backward toward the interior of the house as if he couldn't bring himself to say a name. Bonnie tugged at Meredith's sleeve. â€Å"I have a very bad feeling about this,† she hissed. Meredith turned back to Jim. â€Å"You mean Isobel? Where areher parents?† â€Å"Isa-chan, I mean Isobel, I just call her Isa-chan, you know†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It's all right,† said Meredith. â€Å"Just say what comes naturally. Go on.† â€Å"Well, Isa-chan only has her grandma, and Grandma Saitou doesn't even come downstairs much. I made her lunch a while ago and she thought I was – Isobel's father. She gets†¦confused.† Meredith glanced at Bonnie, and said, â€Å"And Isobel? Is she confused, too?† Jim shut his eyes, looking utterly miserable. â€Å"I wish you'd go in and, well, just talk to her.† Bonnie's bad feeling was only getting worse. She really couldn't stand another scare like the one at Caroline's house – and she certainly didn't have the strength to Call again, even if Damon weren't in a hurry to get somewhere. But Meredith knew all this, and Meredith was giving her the sort of look that couldn't be denied. It also promised that Meredith would protect Bonnie, no matter what. â€Å"Is she hurting anybody? Isobel?† Bonnie heard herself ask as they crossed through the kitchen and toward a bedroom at the end of the hallway. She could hardly hear Jim's whispered, â€Å"Yeah.† And then, as Bonnie groaned internally, he added, â€Å"Herself.† Isobel's room was just what you'd expect from a quiet and studious girl. At least one side was. The other side looked as if a tidal wave had picked everything up and thrown it down again randomly. Isobel was sitting in the middle of this mess like a spider on a web. But that wasn't what made Bonnie's gut churn. It was what Isobel was doing. She had laid out beside her what looked a lot like Mrs. Flowers' kit for cleaning out wounds, but she wasn't healing anything. She was piercing herself. She had already done her lip, her nose, one eyebrow, and her ears, many times. Blood was dripping from all these places, dripping and falling onto the unmade sheets of her bed. Bonnie saw all that as Isobel looked up at them with a frown, except that the frown was only half there. On the pierced side, the eyebrow didn't move at all. Her aura was shattered orange with black lashings through it. Bonnie knew, all at once, that she was going to be sick. She knew it with the deep knowledge that overcame all embarrassment and which sent her flying to a wastebasket she didn't even remember seeing. Thank God, it had a white plastic bag lining it, she thought, and then she was completely occupied for a few minutes. Her ears recorded a voice, even as she was thinking she was glad she hadn't had lunch. â€Å"My God,are you crazy ? Isobel, what have you done to yourself? Don't you know the kind of infections you can get†¦the veins you can hit†¦the muscles you can paralyze†¦? I think you've already pierced the muscle in your eyebrow – and you shouldn't still be bleeding unless you've hit veins or arteries.† Bonnie retched dryly into the wastebasket, and spat. And just then she heard a meaty thud. She looked up, half knowing what she would see. But it still was a shock. Meredith was doubled over from what must have been a punch in the stomach. The next thing Bonnie knew, she was beside Meredith. â€Å"Oh, my God, did shestab you?† A stab wound†¦deep enough into the abdomen†¦ Meredith clearly couldn't get her breath. From somewhere a bit of advice from her sister Mary, the nurse, floated into Bonnie's mind. Bonnie pounded with both fists on Meredith's back, and suddenly Meredith took a huge gulp of air. â€Å"Thanks,† she was saying weakly, but Bonnie was already dragging her away, away from the laughing Isobel and a collection of the world's longest nails and the rubbing alcohol and other things that she had on a breakfast tray beside her. Bonnie got to the door and almost collided with Jim, who had a wet washcloth in his hand. For her, she supposed. Or maybe for Isobel. All Bonnie was interested in was making Meredith pull up her top to make absolutely, positively sure that there were no holes in her. â€Å"I got it – out of her hand – before she punched me,† Meredith said, still breathing painfully as Bonnie anxiously scanned the area above her low-rise jeans. â€Å"I'll have a bruise, that's all.† â€Å"She hit you, too?† Jim said in dismay. Except that he didn't say it. He whispered it. You poor guy, Bonnie thought, finally satisfied that Meredith wasn't perforated. What with Caroline and your sister Tami and your girlfriend, you don't have the first idea of what's going on. How could you? And if we told you, you'd just think we were two more crazy girls. â€Å"Jimmy, youhave to call Dr. Alpert right away, and then I think they're going to have to go to the hospital in Ridgemont. Isobel's already done permanent damage to herself – God knows how much.All those piercings are almost certainly going to be infected. When did she start this?† â€Å"Um, well†¦she first started acting weird after Caroline came to see her.† â€Å"Caroline!† Bonnie blurted, confused. â€Å"Was she crawling?† Jim gave her a look. â€Å"Huh?† â€Å"Never mind Bonnie; she was joking,† Meredith said easily. â€Å"Jimmy, you don't have to tell us about Caroline if you don't want to. We – well, we know she was over at your house.† â€Å"Doeseverybody know?† Jim asked miserably. â€Å"No. Just Matt, and he only told us so that somebody could go check on your little sister.† Jim looked guilty and stricken at once. The words poured out of him as if they'd been bottled up and now the cork was out of the bottle. â€Å"I don't know what's going on anymore. All I can tell you is what happened. It was a couple days ago – late evening,† Jim said. â€Å"Caroline came over, and – I mean, I never even had a crush on her. It's like, sure, she's good-looking, and my parents were away and all, but I never thought I was the kind of guy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Never mind that now. Just tell us about Caroline and Isobel.† â€Å"Well, Caroline came over wearing this outfit that was – well, the top was practically transparent. And she just – she said, did I want to dance and it was, like, slow dancing and she – she, like,seduced me. That's the truth. And the next morning she left – just about the time Matt came. That was the day before yesterday. And then I noticed Tami acting – crazy. Nothing I could do would stop her. And then I got a phone call from Isa-chan and – I've never heard her so hysterical. Caroline must have gone straight from my house to her house. Isa-chan said she was going to kill herself. And so I ran over here. I had to get away from Tami anyway because me being there at home just seemed to make it worse.† Bonnie looked at Meredith and knew that they were both thinking the same thing:and somewhere in there, both Caroline and Tami propositioned Matt, too. â€Å"Caroline must have told her everything.† Jim gulped. â€Å"Isa-chan and I haven't – we were waiting, you know? But all Isa-chan would say to me was that I was going to be sorry. ;;You'll be sorry; just wait and see,' over and over and over. And, God, Iam sorry.† â€Å"Well, now you can stop being sorry and start calling the doctor. Rightnow , Jimmy.† Meredith gave him a swat on the behind. â€Å"And then you need to call your parents. Don't give me those big brown puppy-dog eyes. You're over eighteen; I don't know what they can do to you for leaving Tami alone all this time.† â€Å"But – â€Å" â€Å"But me no buts. Imean it, Jimmy.† Then she did what Bonnie knew she would, but was dreading. She approached Isobel again. Isobel's head was down; she was pinching her navel with one hand. In the other, she held a long, shining nail. Before Meredith could even speak, Isobel said, â€Å"So you're in on it, too. I heard the way you called him  ¡Ã‚ ®Jimmy.' You're all trying to take him away from me. All you bitches are trying to hurt me.Yurusenai! Zettai yurusenai! â€Å" â€Å"Isobel! Don't! Can't you see that you're hurtingyourself ?† â€Å"I'm only hurting myself to take away the pain. You're the one who's really doing it, you know. You're pricking me with needles inside.† Bonnie jumped inside her own skin, but not just because Isobel suddenly gave a vicious thrust of the nail. She felt heat sweep up into her cheeks. Her heart began to pound even faster than it was already going. Trying to keep one eye on Meredith, she pulled her mobile phone out of her back pocket where she'd stashed it after the visit to Caroline's house. Still with half her attention on Meredith, she went on the Internet and rapidly entered just two search words. Then, as she made a couple of selections from her hits, she realized that she could never absorb all the information in a week, much less a few minutes. But at least she had a start. Just now, Meredith was backing away from Isobel. She put her mouth close to Bonnie's ear and whispered, â€Å"I think we're just antagonizing her. Did you get a good look at her aura?† Bonnie nodded. â€Å"Then we probably should leave the room, at least.† Bonnie nodded again. â€Å"Were you trying to call Matt and Elena?† Meredith was eyeing the mobile phone. Bonnie shook her head and turned the phone so Meredith could see her two search words. Meredith stared, then lifted dark eyes to Bonnie's in a kind of horrified recognition. Salem witches.