Rumble Fish By Francis Ford Coppola - 1140 Words

Rumble Fish The novel-based American drama movie Rumble Fish was directed by Francis Ford Coppola in 1983-the author of the novel S.E. Hinton also co-wrote the screen play. The cinematographer is Stephen Burum, the music is by Stewart Copeland, and the editor is Barry Malkin and the. Zoetrope Studios produced the movie with a 10-million-dollar budget (Clarke). The plot is primarily about the struggles of the main two characters, Rusty James (Matt Dillon) and his older brother the Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke). The film shows their journey of self-discovery fueled by the desire to break away from the toxic environment, and end the constant internal-conflict they experience. I think Coppola’s unique approach to film was able to deliver certain themes in the audience in a way the novel alone couldn’t. However, the no movie is completely free from external inspirations and I was able to draw parallels between some of the movie’s major themes to earlier movies and detect traces of the French new wave. Another movie influence is the Cabinet of Calgary -German expressionist and film noir are the main significant inspirations on the cinematographic style of Rumble Fish. Traces of those genres can be detected in the film’s storyline, mise-en-scene, cinematography, and sound. Like in any well produced film, Coppola began the creative process by first studying the novel and script, then discussing it with the author to determine which key elements must be transferred visually inShow MoreRelatedRumble Fish1413 Words   |  6 PagesIn thinking of films that are able to exemplify many film elements that are put together in an interesting and organized manner the movie Rumble Fish comes to mind. The director Francis Ford Coppola demonstrates how metaphors are able to help decipher a deeper meaning of the film. Rumble Fish is a film that is about growing up and seeing new things that have never been seen before. The two main characters who are brothers Rusty James and the Motorcycle Boy, experience internal conflicts. RustyRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie The Godfather 1463 Words   |  6 PagesFrancis Ford Coppola works within a lot of different genres, but still manages to capture the essence of one genre. I’m unsure whether to call it a genre or not, but it certainly is one of the basic stories told throughout time, rebirth. Each tale deals with a man discovering and being incorporated into the darkness surrounding him. He’s reborn into that darkness. Either with a renewal of light or death. Each movie works within its genre and also twists it to tell his own, more dramatic tale. One

History of Public Health Essay - 1061 Words

Public health strategies and interventions have changed drastically over time. Bloodletting is one of the most ancient forms of medical interventions. It originated in the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Greece, persisting through the Medieval, Renaissance, and Enlightenment periods (PBS). Doctors used the bloodletting method for every ailment imaginable; from pneumonia, bone fractures, and even wounds, bloodletting was as trusted and popular as aspirin is today. Public health can be dated back to the Romans whom understood even during this time frame that proper division of human waste was a necessary tenant of public health in urban areas. Even dating as early as 1000 BC, the Chinese developed the practice of variolations†¦show more content†¦Progression through these eras resulted in the improvement of health strategies and interventions, allowing for the United States to be proactive in their preparation efforts of disease, rather than reactive to the imminent threat to human health and safety. The 20th century was the single most advancing era of public health in history, changing not only the world of medicine as we know it, but changing public perception of the world they live in . Throughout history until the 19th century, infectious diseases, epidemics, and pandemics were thought to be the manifestation of supernatural forces and little to nothing was truly effective in preventing or treating these devastating threats to society. It was only during the Age of Reason and the Enlightenment that the long-accepted realities of society were questioned and research was conducted based on science and reason that would forever change the world we live in (Kumar, 2007). The science of epidemiology was founded by John Snow’s identification of polluted public water well as the source of an 1854 cholera outbreak in London. Shortly thereafter germ theory began to emerge and science took off. A Cholera pandemic devastated Europe between 1829 and 1851, and was first fought by the use of what Foucault called social medicine, which focused on flux, circulation of air,Show MoreRelatedPublic Health Nursing History1148 Words   |  5 PagesVisiting home health nurses are a well-known profession and becoming more popular as time grows. The service of public health nursing was carried out on the frontier by nurses under the name of â€Å"Visiting nurse services† which were part of the late 19th century health reform out of ‘The Henry Street House’ in 1893, as discussed in the film â€Å"Nursing in America – A History of Social Reform†. They held many roles outside of nursing, those roles and missions and struggles will be discussed. The HenryRead MoreHistory Of American Public Health1694 Words   |  7 PagesMaliha Sultana History of American Public Health TA: Micah David McElroy December 15, 2015 The Mad Gone Mad†¦or Just Gone The late nineteenth century saw a tide of immigrants entering the American borders who were no longer considered an effective work force. Rather, these newcomers were perceived as threats to the American population as they were considered responsible depleting jobs, housing, and other resources. With the simultaneous rise of insane asylums, professionals increasingly targetedRead MoreHistory of Public Health Essay938 Words   |  4 PagesThe History of Public Health and the Role of the Community/Public Health Nurse Walden University NURS 4010 Section 04, Family, Community, and Population-Based Care 10 / 21 / 2012 The History of Public Health and the Role of the Community/Public Health Nurse Overview Public health, a population-centered nursing had been in existence since the late 1880s under the guise of different names. The focus of public health nursing was on sanitation, communicable diseaseRead MoreHistory Of Public Health Nursing880 Words   |  4 Pages The public health nurse has been called the leader in making improvements in the quality of health care for individuals, families, populations and communities (Stanhope Lancaster, 2014). As it has been stated nurses from around the world collaborate with one another and found that their population centered nursing share more similarities than differences (Stanhope Lancaster, 2014). Nurses who work outside of an institutional setting has been referred to as public health nurses, visiting nursesRead MoreThe History And Progression Of Public Health1994 Words   |  8 Pagesinto Public Health by defining its meaning, describing its history and evolution, looking into a key result by way of vaccines, and wrapping it all tog ether with what the future might hold. The paper will describe the relationship between individuals and groups and how Public Health is more focused on the group even though each individual is affected by Public Health. With the use of examples taken from specific moments in time, the paper will go through the history and progression of Public HealthRead MoreThe History of Public Health and the Role of the Community/Public Health Nurse1136 Words   |  5 PagesRunning head: PUBLIC HEALTH AND ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE 1 PUBLIC HEALTH AND ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE 2 The History of Public Health and the Role of the Community/Public Health Nurse When considering the evolution of healthcare and the role of the nurse in the United States, many people might first consider this in the context of the hospital setting. While the history of acute care is an important area to consider, it is imperative that equal attention be givenRead MoreHistory Of Medicine And Public Health Essay1548 Words   |  7 Pagesbachelor degrees in sociology and anthropology at the Australian National University, as well as a Masters in Public Health and a doctorate from the University of Sydney. She has written 14 books and 130 academic journals on the topics of medicine and public health from a sociological perspective. She is currently researching topics such as sociology in a digital culture and digital health analysis (Lupton, 2012). II. Research Questions †¢ â€Å"What does it feel like to be a fat person in a cultural contextRead MoreA Research On The Family History Public Health Initiative1643 Words   |  7 PagesCurrent research activities related to concepts 1. Health History In 2002 the CDC launched the Family History Public Health Initiative, based on the notion that family history although a simple and inexpensive form of genetic assessment is an under used but effective tool for identifying patients risks. It has long been taught as one of the core foundations of the medical interview, yet over the years these skills have been lost or overwhelmed by the pressures and time constraints of day to day practiceRead MoreHistory Of New Zealand Public Health Sector Essay1614 Words   |  7 PagesSince 1983 the New Zealand public health sector has undergone four structural transformations. With each change there was a new set of organisations to fund and deliver health services: 1983-1993 Area Health Boards (AHBs); 1993-1997 Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) and Crown Health Enterprises (CHEs); 1998-2001 Health Funding Authority (HFA) and Hospital and Health Services (HHSs); and 2001 District Health Boards (DHBs). These changes were designed to improve healt h outcomes, increase accountabilityRead MoreA Report on Medical History, Law, Prostitution, and Public Health2063 Words   |  8 Pagesï » ¿Medical History Law, Prostitution and Public Health John Scott, in his paper, Prostitution and public health in New South Wales accurately describes the way that prostitutes are seen in this particular region and in the rest of the world. Prostitutes working in public spaces have been presented as sexual agents willfully engaged in criminal conduct and the spread of contagion (2003). This is clearly a more or less universal opinion of prostitutes and prostitution. However, as Scott points

Learning English Opinion Essary Free Essays

———-Task———- The following statement was recently printed in a local newspaper: â€Å"English is the only foreign language worth learning. † Your teacher has now asked you to write a composition giving your opinion on this subject. ———-Compositions———- Nowadays there is an opinion that English is the most popular language and it is the only foreign language worth learning and I want to express the reasons for it. We will write a custom essay sample on Learning English Opinion Essary or any similar topic only for you Order Now To begin with, English is an international language, which is known almost in every country, consequently it is used in different international negotiations, competitions, events as well as in airports and businesses. Furthermore, if you have a desire to be a successful and educated person it is better to learn English, due to the fact that when you are on a work, there are many international partners with whom you have to communicate and solve different problems. In addition to this, if you know this language, you obviously have a perfect opportunity to occupy a position in a foreign company. Alternatively, it goes without saying that there are other languages worth learning. I believe that the importance of language depends on the economic development of the country, therefore nowadays the popularity of some other languages has grown, for instance Chinese. However, English continues being the most demanded. All things considered, if you know English you can not only easily cope with any difficulties in getting a job as you have an advantage over your counterparts, but also travel abroad everywhere you like. How to cite Learning English Opinion Essary, Essay examples

Socio-Economic Changes in the Atlantic World from 1492-1750 free essay sample

The Atlantic, what had previously been a predominately dormant ocean, erupted with a flurry of activity during the latter portion of the 15th century C.E. with the first voyages of Christopher Columbus. With these came an onslaught of intercontinental trade, beginning, obviously, with the Columbian exchange in the early 1500’s C.E. The expanse of time between 1492-1750 C.E. brought to all Atlantic shores, what is debatably the greatest transformation ever undergone by these constituencies. In addition to the original bout of explosive growth felt by Africa, Western Europe, and the Americas, the socio-economic ramifications of such were soon mutually experienced on all sides, if not in different ways. As the practice of cash-cropping on a large scale took root, the need for slave labor increased significantly all around the board, this seamlessly segueing into a mix of cultures, never before seen in the Americas. With this particular period of time, the enumerable cultures of t he African, European, and American peoples desperately clung to their own cultural ideals and practices, even in the instance of African enslavement. We will write a custom essay sample on Socio-Economic Changes in the Atlantic World from 1492-1750 or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This, to me, brings up one of the most interesting ways in which multiple social continuities have transpired throughout a period of history, while all the while being morphed and shaped by the customs of the society into which they went forth (or were brought into by force, presumably as the case would have been for coerced laborers from Africa after being shipped to the Americas to work as slaves). Without the Columbian Exchange, it is very doubtful that much change at all would have occurred in the regions bordering the Atlantic during this time period, given that it allowed for, and was originally, the sole source of transoceanic collateral dispersal. This economized redistribution of goods and wealth throughout the West gave rise to copious alterations throughout Europe, Africa, and the budding Americas. Many of these changes (especially those pertaining to the financial modifications that took place on both sides of the Atlantic) are made quite evident by their superficiality. For example, the Americas were involuntarily ushered into the tradeoff between staggering population losses and equally exponential gains in new crops, commodities, etc. After the initial biological shock of European conquest, the Native American peoples watched as the dust settled over a very different economic landscape than the one they had previously navigated as an entirely self-sufficient tribal nations. The relatively rapid influx of new goods, crops, and animals to the Americas caused the two continents to explode economically. Equitably, the large number of American goods flowing back into Europe (and eventually western Africa) caused a major shift in the European mindset as well as an even larger bulge than was already present in the pocketbooks of numerous European royals. With the effects of silver bullion mining in Spain spidering outward through Europe, Africa, and soon, across the Atlantic to the Americas somewhat, the West received yet another hit of economic amphet amines in its veins. The monetary channels that had previously been restricted by a shortage of resources, lack of new and/or mysterious (foreign) products, and the ever present greed of autocrats, were enormously dilated by new contacts and trades amongst Europe, the Americas, and Africa. However, as always, somebody generally ends up with the butt end of the deal. In this particular case, this â€Å"somebody† was the impoverished African masses. In an effort to preserve/expand the economies of their constituencies, many African rulers evilly took advantage of the rapidly growing new demand for slave laborers in the New World. The previously discussed J-curve of transcontinental/oceanic financial influx generated a â€Å"need† for coerced, inexpensive labor not only in the Americas, but in Europe as well, where the introduction of new cash crops like corn were being produced on a massive scale. This increased demand for blatantly immoral slave labor in conjunction wit h the sickening willingness of many African leaders to literally sell out their people for personal gain, to me was one of the major contributors to the overall European attitude of apathy towards the sickening atrocities occurring within the slave trade not only within the triangular trade itself, but additionally in the sugar plantations in the West Indies and other areas where African slaves were being violently mistreated. On top of the transoceanic economic/agricultural boom and the subsequent rise in the volume of human cargo in triangular trade, other changes were occurring during this time due to the reasons discussed in the thesis. Due to the steady flow of newfound luxuries to Europe, many Europeans found themselves â€Å"addicted† to these newfangled â€Å"vessels of hedonism†, thus sculpting an entirely new European mindset in respect to the natural moral desert of luxury items by non-royalty. Across the Atlantic in the Americas, the large-scale introductio n of slave labor began to seed a melting pot (albeit not anything close to our modern, feel-good, definition of such) of cultures, races, languages, and more. While the changes that occurred in the expanse of time between the latter portion of the 15th century C.E. and the mid 18th century C.E. were great in quantity, it is important to realize that even throughout these hemispherical shifts, some specific elements of the Atlantic culture(s), social structure(s), and economy(ies) remained unaltered. The cultural and ethnic mixing referenced at the end of the previous paragraph brings up the interesting way in which certain parts of each Atlantic culture managed to remain preserved. Renowned evolutionary biologist Dr. Richard Dawkins refers to these as â€Å"memes†. Dawkins theorizes that memes (defined by Dawkins as: â€Å"any cultural entity that an observer might consider a replicator.†) present themselves at one point of time in history and, if accepted widely enoug h, press on through a process of natural selection by society. It is these cultural memes that I believe constitute the backbone of the continuities of this time period in the Atlantic. The mix of cultures caused by the Columbian Exchange as well as slavery in the Americas (and, yes, Europe also) is just that – a mix. Even though so many changes couldn’t help but transpire due to the reasons above listed, the memes of each distinct social group shone through, persevering through hardship and crossing, quite literally, the stormy seas of economic shift. It is these memes that ever-so-subtly made their presence known (and continue to do so to this day) in the meshed peoples of the Americas, Africa, and western Europe. In summary, the Atlantic played host to enormous change during the latter half of the 1st millennia C.E., while also (quite involuntarily, and most likely, unknowingly) providing an ideal environment for the memes of multiple societies and cultures to mesh beautifully.

The Old Man And The Sea Essays (898 words) - Ichthyology, Fisheries

The Old Man and the Sea The Old Man and the Sea The Nobelprize winning book: The old man and the sea, has been written by Ernest Hemingway and was published in 1982, though the original American print had been published in 1952. The title is exactly what the book is about. It is a short story. The story is written in one continuous whole and is written from the view of the writer, it is very realistic. The description of the setting are the dominating factor in this book. The author spends a lot of time, for describing the sea, and what takes place. There are a lot of dialogues in the book. Example: "Who gave this to you" "Martin. The owner" "I must thank him" "I thanked him already," the boy said. "You don't need to thank him." "I'll give him the belly meat of a big fish," the old man said. "Has he done this for us more than once?" "I think so" "I must give him something more than the belly meat then. He is very thoughtful for us." The next fragment I find really representative for the whole book, because it is a fragment in which the old man is talking to himself, like he does all the time, and he is saying how great the fish is, which he does quite a few times too. "He is a great fish and I must convince him, he thought. I must never let him learn his strength nor what he could do if he made his run. If I were him I would put in everything now and go until something broke. But, thank God, they are not as intelligent as who kill them; although they are more noble and more able." The book is about an old man, who goes out fishing (his profession, not as a sport) one day. He decides to go really far out, before the sun comes up. Then one of his lines goes under, and he hooks the fish. But the fish is so strong, that he can't pull him up. The old man thinks that if he lets the fish pull his boat, a sailing-boat the size of a rowing-boat, the fish will go out of strength and die soon. But it's a very very strong fish and he keeps pulling for a day and a half. Then the fish gets out of strength and starts circling around the boat, a sign of tiredness. But when the fish is close to the boat the old man sees how big he really is, he thinks he is about 1500 pounds. But the old man stays cool and kills the fish with his harpoon. He ties the fish to his boat and puts out his sail, for his journey back home. As he travells back, many sharks eat from the dead fish, but the old man kills them as soon as possible. The old man kills the first sharks with his harpoon, but after he killed three sharks, the fourth shark takes his harpoon. Then he attaches his knife to an oar. He kills a couple of sharks with that construction, but after that, it doesn't last. The knife disappears in the sea. Then he only has one single oar to defend the big dead fish against the sharks. He managed to scare a few off by hitting them with the oar. But then it is too much for the old man. The sharks eat the whole fish, and when the old man came back in the harbor after two days at sea, he only has a carcas at his side. Almost the whole story takes place at the sea near Cuba. Just the beginning and the end the story takes place in a small poor fishermentown at the cost of Cuba. The people are very simple, there is a small caf near the harbor, but that's about it. The main character in the book is the old man. His name is really Santiago, but he is called "The old man". He spends his days with fishing and daydreaming about what he did in his life. He fished for all his life, and has seen many things. When he dreams, he always dreams about the lions he has seen on the African beaches. He is still strong for his age, and is very resistend. He has respect for the sea and the fish which live in it. Though he is simple, he is a wise man. He is a nice man, and I like him, because he respects the sea and the

Top SAT Test Day Tips

Top SAT Test Day Tips SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips For many students, the SAT represents the most nerve-racking day of their young lives. Fortunately, this short list of tips covers everything you’ll need to do to get in and out and score your highest. Some readers may be excited to know, however, that once test day is over, you pretty much never think about it again. So the goal is to get in and out with as little stress as possible, in order to give your brain the chance to work its magic on those little bubbles. Bring These Things...Or Else! In order to get into your seat, you’ll need your Admission Ticket (printable from the College Board website once you register and pay) and a photo ID. In order to take the test, you’ll need to bring your own #2 pencils and an SAT-approved calculator. Be on Time or a Little Early (But Only a Little) The test starts at 8 a.m., so be there at 8 a.m. or a bit earlier. If the test center is your high school and you go there every day, you know exactly how long it’s going to take to get there and when to set your alarm. If you’ve never been to the test center, you might want to give yourself a 15-minute cushion on top of your estimate of the travel time. Here in Boston and other high-traffic places, depending on how far you have to go, you might want an even larger cushion. You don’t want to be late, of course, but if you get there at 8:05, they’ll probably let you take the test. Being an hour early, on the other hand, cuts into your extremely valuable sleep time- and can result in you sitting in the car for 45 minutes working yourself into a nervous frenzy. Keep Yourself Comfortable Each person has his or her own little things that create individual comfort. Some students can’t think straight if they’re hungry, while others might not be able to concentrate if their underwear doesn’t fit right or their socks are itchy. You know what makes you comfortable (and uncomfortable), so plan ahead! Some things that typically affect students’ test-taking comfort are: Height and size of desk: you may have no choice in the matter, but if there are more than one kind of desk in the room, try to grab one that looks the most comfortable for you. Keep in mind that some desk-and-chair combinations are for left-handed people, with support for your writing arm only on the left. Righties, beware! Clothes: you probably already know to dress in layers to be able to adjust to the temperature in the room. But you might not be thinking about other things: how those boots you like so much hurt your feet when you’re sitting down for too long, for instance, or how your jeans fit when you’re hunched over a desk. It’s not fun for anyone to sit in one place for four hours, much less in the wrong clothes. Don’t bother trying to look cute if it compromises your comfort. In five years, when you’re graduating from college on the Dean’s List with a great job waiting for you, nobody’s going to know or care what you wore to the SAT. Time: Some of us really, really like to know what time it is during tests. There will most likely be a working clock in the room where you’re testing, but it never hurts to have a backup. If you like to keep an eye on the time, bring a watch (phones aren’t allowed to be turned on). Food Water: You get two breaks during the test, and most people use this to get a snack. Your brain uses about 20% of the energy your body creates, so it’s important to make sure that energy keeps flowing through the whole test. Especially if you’ve been drinking coffee, make sure to get a little water during the break. The only thing not to do, besides starve, is bring a snack made entirely of sugar and refined carbohydrates (say, a doughnut or a chocolate chip muffin) because the energy those provide is short-term, followed by a crash. If you eat some protein or complex carbohydrates in your snack, you’re much more likely to get sustained, consistent energy for the whole test. Most Importantly: Trust Yourself The nature of a huge test like the SAT is that it makes you nervous, unsure of yourself, and inevitably worried about failure. But excessive worrying is counterproductive- it makes your reasoning shaky and messes with the calm that is crucial to acing the SAT. The best way to avoid excessive worry on test day? Prepare thoroughly and trust yourself. If you’re interested, check out our article on Mindfulness and the SAT. The human mind is an amazing, powerful tool, and you’ve got your very own brain with only 16 or 17 years on it. Train it to jump through the SAT hoops with solid SAT prep (PrepScholar, for example), and on test day just relax and let it do its thing. If you’re interested, below are some resources that elaborate on this post, and to keep up with our blog, hit us with your email address at right- we’d love to have you.

Difference between Data and Information as It Applies to Freeway Ford Essay - 4

Difference between Data and Information as It Applies to Freeway Ford - Essay Example The success of a managerial decision depends on the correct interpretation of data collected. Data has no value at all if it is not transformed to meaningful information. In this case Freeway Ford knows the purchase date and owner of every car it sells. In other words Freeway Ford has the data about the exact date and the actual purchaser of every car it sells. But they never tried to convert these data in to useful information. Normally people will go for new cars within a period of 3 to 4 years. Freeway Ford could have easily prepared a database with respect to the cars they sold based on the date. From this database they can contact their customers regularly at least once in 3 months or 6 months period to know about the functioning of their car and also about their future purchasing plans. Service is one of the core elements of every purchasing decision. Regular follow ups always attract customers and they will consider Freeway Ford once again when they think about purchasing a ne w car or exchanging their used car, if they receive proper service from Freeway Ford. A used car buyer will always be interested in knowing the previous history of the car for known problems and also any accidents it suffered previously. Freeway Ford has all these data, but they fail to convert them into information. Each vehicle has an identification number (VIN) and the insurance companies sending the repair and claim details every month and Freeway Ford could have easily created a database for each car based on the repair and claim details which will be useful to the customers. Freeway Ford can create a website which explains everything to the customers with respect to their used car selling activities. Each vehicle details must be provided in the website so that a buyer can access all the relevant information regarding the vehicle he was interested in, even if he is not at the Freeway Ford location using internet technologies. Even a laptop is enough for Freeway Ford to convince the purchasers regarding the previous history of their cars.  

Magic of Reckless Policies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Magic of Reckless Policies - Essay Example In the last quarter of 2011, the GDP growth rate stood at 3 percent (BEA). In 2011, the GDP at current prices amounted to $15.094 billion or $13.315,1 at the 2005 prices (BEA). In 2010, the GDP at 2005 prices amounted to $13.088 billion. In 2011, it was the durable goods manufacturing that led the growth (BEA). Manufacturing value increased by 11.2 percent in 2010, and then again by 7.9 percent in 2011 (BEA). In comparison to durable goods, the services producing sector grew by 3 percent in 2010, and only 1.6 percent in 2011 (BEA). However, consumers suffered in 2012 from increased inflation and in turn decreased consumption of durables. An average person in the US benefitted from the positive GDP growth. In March of 2012, the real disposable personal income increased by 0.4 percent (BEA). The growth rate in the last quarter of 2011 was 1.7 percent (BEA). The cause of this decrease has been attributed to a rise in consumer prices in 2012 from 1.2 percent increase in 2011, to an addit ional 2.4 percent increase in 2012 (BEA). Real consumer spending, i.e. consumer spending adjusted for an increase in prices, increased 0.5 percent in February and then 0.1 percent in March (BEA). BEA attributes this decrease in the growth rate to a decrease in durable goods spending such as motor vehicles and parts (BEA). Since manufacturing of durables drove the GDP growth rates in 2010 and 2011, a decrease in demand led to a decrease in supply and thus GDP in March 2012. On the other hand, the US current account deficit increased by 2011. The current account deficit stood at $470.9 billion in 2010 and $473.4 billion in 2011 (BEA). The current account deficit in BEA National Economic Accounts is defined as: â€Å"the combined balances on trade in goods and services, income, and net unilateral current transfers.† The deficit amounted to 3.2 percent of GDP in 2010 and 3.1 percent in 2011. When dissected, the deficit on international trade in goods increased in 2011 to $738.3 b illion from $645.9 billion in 2010. However, there was a surplus on international trade in services, which increased to $178.3 billion in 2011, from $145.8 billion in 2010 (BEA). Income payments too were in surplus in 2011. Net financial inflows increased in 2011 from 2010. Whereas they amounted to $254.3 billion in 2010, they increased to $394.1 billion in 2011 (BEA). Unilateral transfers decreased in 2011. In February 2012, the deficit on international trade in goods and services amounted to $46 billion, which is a decrease from $52.5 billion in January 2012 (BEA). It is expected that the current deficit will decrease in 2012 if the trade deficit keeps on decreasing and other variables remain moving as in 2011. Unemployment rate decreased in 2012. In March 2012, the unemployment rate stood at 8.2 percent in comparison to 8.9 percent in 2011 (Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS]). When comparing to the start of the financial crisis in 2007, it can be seen that by 2010, unemployment rea ched it peek. In 2007, the unemployment rate stood at 4.6 percent. By 2010, the unemployment rate increased to 9.6 percent and has been decreasing since then (BLS). Unemployment has been decreasing in Ohio as well. In February 2012, the unemployment rate stood at 7.6 percent and then decreased by one percentage point by March 2012 (Johnson). In March of 2011, the unemployment rate stood at 8.8 percent (Johnson). Daily Treasury interest rates have decreased since 2011. The interest rate on a one month

Scope of branding and current trends Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Scope of branding and current trends - Essay Example Interestingly brands in the field of marketing originated in the 19th century with the advent of packaged goods. Industrialization moved the production of many household items, such as soap, from local communities to centralized factories. These factories, generating mass-produced goods, needed to sell their products to a wider market, to a customer base familiar only with local goods. So the packaged goods manufacturers needed to convince the market that the public could place just as much trust in the non-local product. Around 1900, James Walter Thompson published a house ad explaining trademark advertising. This was an early commercial explanation of what we now know as branding. Since their origin, brands have come a long way in technique, sophistication and reach. Many traditional â€Å"rules† of branding have been tossed aside over the years with the advent of the internet, cutting edge branding techniques and complex ventures. Branding has also conquered new terrains su ch as law firms, countries or even local produce. In this paper, we will attempt to identify and expand on some of the latest trends in branding and their scope. We will also attempt to demonstrate how these changes in branding concepts are a reflection of our times and a natural progressive reaction to external factors that has driven its rapid and powerful evolution. But, before we delve into that, we first take a look at the various issues that influence responsible branding to really comprehend the magnitude of a strong brand influence and also its constraints.

Fortune 500 Companies And Communication Systems And Strategies Business Essay

Fortune 500 Companies And Communication Systems And Strategies Business Essay This paper will compare six Fortune 500 companies in their ability to communicate and their current strategies: Nike, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, Walgreens and Home Depot. Nike has been successful with the new communication system known as Polycom ® SpectraLink 8000 Wireless Telephones. Microsoft has just launched their new communication system known as Lync 2013 and has not had the opportunity to evaluate the performance analysis yet. Wal-Mart has been praised for their successful communication systems as well as their ability to enhance continuously to benefit both the business and employees. Coca-Cola is attempting to align their business goals with their supply chain goals to enhance productivity and also diminish current communication barriers. Walgreens has been successful in maintaining traditional communication systems of regular newsletters and other printed communications. Home Depot uses different types of communication systems to communicate with their employees and their customers such as a business satellite network by reaching out to their customers using social media. Communication systems and strategies are essential to the success of a business and the economy. Knowing how important communication systems and strategies are, we have decided to evaluate a few companies in regards to their ethical systems. This evaluation will focus on six Fortune 500 companies, Walgreens, Home Depot, Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart, Nike, and Microsoft. This process will include general information about each company focusing primarily on their communication systems and strategies, and how it is put into practice within the company. This paper will also compare and contrast these companies and assess a conclusion on how effective or ineffective each company operates using their communication systems and strategies. The first company that we will discuss is Walgreens. Walgreens is a company that understands than typical illogical organization can and will face challenges within a company. Thus, they have chosen to continue to push the envelope of traditional drugstore retailing that seems to be working so well for them. According to an article on Walgreens website, this traditional growth strategy focuses on three areas of opportunity that puts them in a position for achieving long-term growth. Those areas are as follows: Delivering a complete Well Experience by transforming the customer experience across all of the companys touch points, channels and formats; Transforming the role community pharmacy plays in health care by offering unparalleled access to innovative, high quality and affordable health-and-wellness services; and Creating an unprecedented and efficient global platform through its strategic partnership with Alliance Boots GmbH. However, Walgreens is also focusing on their environmental sustainability. They are doing this by working on implementing a few other strategies in the future. These strategies differ depending on the location. They include geothermal energy systems, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, using electrical vehicle charging stations, and running on solar power. In terms of communication, Walgreens uses technology to enhance their communication systems. They do not have a specific name for their system but its incorporation plays a major role in the company. Therefore, they created a variety of corporate communications. These communications includes press releases, white papers, marketing materials, web site content, company correspondence, and sales presentations. And even though these forms of communication are the usual forms that companies use, they are consistent with Walgreens traditional stance. Most importantly, these various means of communications work for Walgreens and enables the company to communicate effectively and directly to their customers and employees. Overall, the communication system and strategies that Walgreens use are what allows the company to continue to grow and forge ahead. They are a successful company because of their traditional stance but willingness to adapt their strategies when needed in order to maintain customer satisfaction. Walgreens strives to be a company that lives up to their mission: To be the most trusted, convenient multichannel provider and advisor of innovative pharmacy, health and wellness solutions, and consumer goods and services in communities across America. A destination where health and happiness come together to help people get well, stay well and live well. Keeping that in mind, Walgreens communications and strategies have led them to become a successful company amongst other top fortune 500 companies in their industries. Home Depot has a dynamic way of how they use their communication system to communicate information to their employees and to the homeowners and the small business owners the server. Founded in 1978, the Home Depot since then has morphed from an up and coming business into a dominant do it yourself fortune 500 company. Debuting on the NASDAQ in1981, Home Depot crossed over to the New York Stock Exchange in 1984. The owners Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank developed a business satellite network in 1990 in an experiment to see if they were able to broadcast live meetings to all of their stores. This idea became a huge success. The satellite network helped for management to connect to the Home Depot employees and boost morale within their stores. Home Depot also invests heavily into their work force. They allow their employees to get the necessary training they need, which helps the employee feel more comfortable with their knowledge of the store and its items. Training increases employees morale which leads to communication lines being open from the employee to his manager because the employees feel that the company wants them to succeed. Just a couple of years ago in 2011, Home Depots Vice President of corporate communications Brad Shaw, launched Home Depots first social media page. With a lot of competitors reaching out to customers using social media, Home Depot uses social media to talk about current sales they may be having, and also to sale their products. Using Facebook for an example, customers who are friends with the Home Depot Facebook page can share certain items they have used that they feel was a great buy from the Home Depot. After the customer has shared the item, everyone who is friends with the customer will see that post on his time line exposing people to Home Depot products. This is why social media targeting and communication is so critical. If only one customer can share a product they like with their friends, out of all of their friends one is bound to also like it which would start the cycle illustrated above all over again. Coca Cola is more complex in their communication systems. The beverage retail giant operates more mechanically but keeps direct communication with the distribution supply chain to maintain quality products. The top brand in consumer beverages is the Coca-Cola Company in the current marketplace. Cokes global supply chain is a vastly complex network of plants, bottlers, warehouses and customers, along with multiple product lines following multiple supply chains with differing objectives. The Coca Cola Company is the worlds largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. The company operates a franchised distribution system dating from 1889 where the Coca-Cola Company only produces syrup concentrate which is then sold to various bottlers throughout the world who hold an exclusive territory (Valluri, 2010). Coca-Cola is the manufacturer and distributor of its own products. Most of the supply chain is automated to create quick and efficient products. The product is not final until the distribution process, where they add the carbonated water and other required ingredients to make the final product. All production is done in-house and final products are distributed all across the globe. A major setback Coca-Cola is currently working on resolving is the aligning the company objectives with the supply chain strategies. In fact, the Coca Cola Company does not actually produce soda. The company produces the concentrate or syrup, and then sends it to the distributors. The distributors add the carbonated water and all other ingredients to make the final product. The process to create each beverage is extremely mechanized in order to achieve quick and efficient production (Valluri, 2010). Therefore, communications regarding quality standards are directly communicated throughout the supply chain. In November, 2010, Coca-Cola rolled out a new supply chain strategy by combining SAP Business Objects with ITCs Supply Chain Performance Management. The implementation completed in cooperation with SAP Consulting has been rolled out across the North American region and is a key milestone for Coca-Cola, allowing it to effectively align supply chain goals with business goals, providing visibility into end-to-end supply chain processes to help drive process consistency (Hochfelder, 2011). Coke established a set of supply chain guiding principles it wanted implemented: Focus on metrics needing no manual intervention Focus on metrics to drive profit consistency and metric consistency across the supply chain Focus on industry standards that are not Coke specific Develop a robust system for reporting hierarchies that change when business changes Aligning the company goals with the supply chain goals will ultimately make the business more successful by providing the accurate information throughout the company. Coca-Cola remains the top beverage retailer concluding the success of the new communication strategy. Unlike Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart is less complex in their communication systems. Wal-Mart is one of the largest public corporations and retailers in the world. What could make a corporation so successful? First, there has to be a business plan in which an effective strategy is applied to. This creates a basis on which everyone understands what direction the company is going towards. Communication systems are used to disperse the information through different channels. Whether its from a manager to an employee or the company to the consumer, communication is a very important factor of success. One variable for Wal-Marts successful communication strategy was the implementation of their satellite communication system. The 24-million dollar satellite was established in 1987, which at the time, was the worlds largest private satellite communication system. This network allowed multiple communications between all levels of the company: distributors, headquarters, stores, and suppliers. The main idea for implementing the satellite is to provide a quick ordering with their key suppliers. Also, it was used within the company to help communication from managers from different stores and to get direct feedback. The satellite has also been implemented for customer satisfaction. On November 17, 1999, Wal-Mart broadcasted an exclusive concert by Garth Brooks via satellite to all of the locations. While being a major communication resource for the company, the satellite system cut costs by saving time and effort, resulting with consumers morale is boosted, card transactions are processe d quicker, and the overall shopping experience is more efficient. Next, Wal-Mart works with over 200 companies worldwide. They are determined to make sure that communication between each and every company is amazing. Wal-Mart has asked multiple companies to move or place a main office in the Northwest Arkansas area. This creates an easy communication from the Wal-Mart Home Office and the other companies employees. It also creates a face to face environment for communication. Forcing companies to move their offices to Arkansas has opened the field for residents in Arkansas to obtain jobs there. Just imagine each company that Wal-Mart has brought into Arkansas has about fifty or more employees. That could be thousands jobs offering for residents. The key thing is to make sure that companies working with them are on the same path as them. Wal-Mart has become a company that is looking more into being environmentally friendly and work force. They have gone so far to ask companies to make sure that everything from the labels are environmentally friendly and that the people making them are in good working environment. For example, Bud Light is a beer company and Wal-Mart would examine their product by the beer, bottle, bottle cap, box, and the label. Having explained the importance of a successful company is to make sure that if you are working with other companies that they are on the same pathway as you are. Last, it is very critical that Wal-Mart develops a good communication system within the headquarters and stores. Inside the headquarters, there are televisions located all around the building. The televisions are constantly on and the management team goes over key points and the current goals for each department. Every Saturday, there is an open executive board meeting. They are open for every associate to bring their suggestions in and bring in famous people. In each department, they are required to do a weekly meeting, produce a goal list and suggestion list on something that they can improve on. The main communication goal is to make sure that each store is doing their part. The Northwest Arkansass stores are inspected monthly and changing the layouts to see what would work best. Worldwide, members of the management team are travelling to inspect stores unexpectedly to make sure that each stores are doing their duties twenty-four seven. The latest advancement to Wal-Mart in their communication system is to help the associates more. They have implemented on hiring more than 300 human resources managers to work world-wide to make sure that the training needed is done correctly and policies are implemented correctly. They have created an ethic hotline to help employees anonymously discuss any issues and to make sure each issues are dealt with correctly. Due to high critics, they have implemented that the senior management are connected to issues on the spot and have a section on their daily updates about anything about Wal-Mart coming out. The senior management team will deal with each issue and will now speak out more, so that the world will understand the issue and how the company is dealing with it. This new communication is issued to help increase the employees satisfaction and the overall recruiting process. The Nike Distribution center in Memphis, Tennessee had a dilemma: they had to figure out a way to improve communications within the one million square foot facility. The center was relying on an overhead PA system to contact employees. The center restricted their phones to only inbound calls. There was no reliable communication and it was delayed at best. The company needed a way to eliminate the seven minute walk from administration to the warehoused each time a call was received. In 2002, a solution to the problem was reached. Nike implemented a system using Polycoms SpectraLink 8000 Wireless Telephones. This system not only eliminated the constant running around or PA system intercom, it also worked off of the warehouses existing Wi-Fi, eradicating the need for an outside service. Where the old system of cat and mouse was very expensive, Polycoms SpectraLink 8000 was very cost effective. It allowed for the communication between management and employees quickly, efficiently, and easily, and increased their productivity tremendously. Senior Telecommunication Technician Carol McSparrin quoted, Employees are able to communicate with one another so much more quickly. Thats the benefit we were looking for all along. Now, employees dont need to have cell phones and pagers, so we do see a cost benefit. Plus, we are using the same Wi-Fi network we have in place for our handheld scanners and other mobile data applications. But most importantly, we have our employees working more efficiently. Nike successfully launched a new system within their folds with the use of the Polycom SpectraLink 8000 Wireless phone system that practically remade the way they communicated with each other. The new system allows employees to directly communicate with the right person every time without having to stop production, allowing the business to be more efficient. Microsoft, however, is just now launching a new communication system known as Lync 2013 which is said to be more successful than the previous system. Microsofts communication system is Lync 2013. The system was introduced less than a month ago, so it is too soon to tell how Lync 2013 will perform. Lync 2013 users can connect to anyone anywhere using Skype which enables hundreds of millions of people to interact across international borders making expenses less. The basic name of the system is the unified communications system. Microsoft developed this system. Apparently they were not happy with the other systems that were out there so they wrote their own. Lync can be integrated with other systems without large outlays of capital. This allows other companies to compare Lync to other communication systems and weigh the pros and cons of Lync to see if it would be beneficial to them. Microsofts communication strategy is to provide rich, presence-based, person-centric tools that make communications easier and productive; next is to integrate IP-based communications modalities including e-mail, instant messaging (IM), VoIP-telephony, SMS, and audio/video/web conferencing into a seamless and intuitive experience next is to make communications available on PCs, phones and innovative mobile devices, at work/home/on-the-road, on federated enterprise-consumer networks, and as on-premise and hosted service solutions. To enable communications from within everyday applications Microsoft Office, portals, line of business (LOB) applications, etc. To make available information, agent software,, and services, to improve connectivity with relevant parties despite the overload of incoming communications. To lower TCO for communications solutions by leveraging existing IT infrastructure to enhance manageability and security; and to provide interfaces and APIs that enable partner s to extend Microsoft core offerings. Microsofts UC strategy is primarily targeted at its enterprise customer base. Similarities All of the companies implemented their new systems to try and alleviate communication problems within each company. All of the companies had issues that weighed heavily on the production side of the company, and all of them implemented solid plans to improve their communications, and all of them implemented the systems to expand both their data bases and consumer contacts. The improvements that the companies made will have a great impact on Differences All of the companies were different types of companies. We researched a retail store, a software giant, a mega hardware store, a legendary soft drink company, a megawatt shoe company, and a pharmaceutical mogul. Obviously, the needs for all of the companies were different. Each used a system unique to their business needs. For example, Nike needed better communication in order to contact employees, so wireless phones were their solution; however, Microsoft needed a system to connect all different types of communications, so it developed Lync. The consumer base or the data base would not be the same as it would be had these all been the same type of company. Each company has different standards, and each company managed a successful communications strategy launch for their companies. Companies ability to communicate can have a direct impact on the quantity and quality of service. Without communication, nothing can move forward, only backward. Implementing systems of communication allows each company to both move forward and allow rapid adaptation to any changes it encounters. Each company lives up to their mission statements, and tries to stick to their traditions. The hopes to keep their companies strong, and promote fairness and excellence have become a part of each and every company. They have developed strategies that allow for the growth and prosperity of their respective companies. Each company may have applied their system differently, but each and every one of them has worked extremely hard toward a common goal: You, the consumer.

The Henry Wiggen Novels of Mark Harris Essay -- Southpaw Drum Seamstit

The Henry Wiggen Novels of Mark Harris  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚   There can be no question that sport and athletes seem to be considered less than worthy subjects for writers of serious fiction, an odd fact considering how deeply ingrained in North American culture sport is, and how obviously and passionately North Americans care about it as participants and spectators. In this society of diverse peoples of greatly varying interests, tastes, and beliefs, no experience is as universal as playing or watching sports, and so it is simply perplexing how little adult fiction is written on the subject, not to mention how lightly regarded that little which is written seems to be. It should all be quite to the contrary; that our fascination and familiarity with sport makes it a most advantageous subject for the skilled writer of fiction is amply demonstrated by Mark Harris. In his novels The Southpaw (1953), Bang The Drum Slowly (1956), A Ticket For A Seamstitch (1957), and It Looked Like For Ever (1979), Harris chronicles the life of Henry "Author" Wiggen, a great major-league baseball star. Featuring memorable characters and deft storytelling, these books explore the experience of aging, learning, and living in time, with baseball as their backdrop. Henry's first-person narrative is the most important element of these stories. Through it he recounts the events of his life, his experiences with others, his accomplishments and troubles. The great achievement of this narrative voice is how effortlessly it reveals Henry's limited education while simultaneously demonstrating his quick intelligence, all in an entertaining and convincing fashion. Henry introduces himself by introducing his home-town of Perkinsville, New York, whereupon his woeful g... ...ause they are so well written. The expertly devised narrative voice, easy humour, compelling characterization, and thoughtful, even philosophical storytelling combine to create a series of books which compare favourably to many included on the Modern Library's recent list of the 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century, which seems not to contain a single novel set in the world of sport. It is a curious prejudice, this apparent lack of respect for literature concerned with sport, to which these novels represent a pointed and hearty rebuke. Works Cited Harris, Mark. A Ticket For A Seamstitch. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1984. ---. Bang The Drum Slowly. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1984. ---. It Looked Like Forever. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1989. ---. The Southpaw. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1984.