Audit of Automobile industry Essay

AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY IN UK United Kingdom has been a colossal manufacturer of automobiles in last 10 years. Producing more that 8 million vehicles and engines and exporting more than 80% of these, UK automobile industry stands as a driving force of its economy. The automobile industry generates a yearly turnover of around 55 Billion Pounds and largest value from exports. Nevertheless, the country that has automobile players like, Alexander Davis, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, etc., is still said to be under a vast influence of dwindling supply chain and its dependence on foreign market. Let us scrutinize the situation of UK automobile industry by doing an internal and external environmental audit. INTERNAL AUDIT Internal environmental audit is performed to understand the position of industry with respect to its own environment. SWOT is one of the tools used to perform internal audit which is employed for studying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the subject. STRENGTHS The strengths of UK’s automobile industry: 1. Largest Revenue generating sector UK’s auto industry yearly contributes around 12 Billion Pounds to the economy of UK by generating revenue of more than 55 Billion Pounds, annually. 2. Diversity in products Products manufactured by UK automobile industry range from various premium and sports cars to commercial vehicles and engines. Around 80% of this is exported, yearly. 3. Chief employment generator The automobile industry in UK is a major employment generating sector, offering wide range of employment opportunities in manufacturing and R&D. WEAKNESSES 1. Disparity between manufacturers UK’s automobile industry is known for having an austere disparity between its manufacturers, which stands out to be a major weakness of this industry. 2. Depleted Supply Chain Supply chain of UK automobile industry is going through an appalling phase. A potent supply chain and its capacity is an important factor in determining market expansion and foreign investment. Extensive improvement, in the supply chain of UK automobile industry, is essential. 3. Dependence on foreign markets As the UK car industry exports around 80% of its produce to foreign markets, it is under the risk of getting directly dependent on economic crisis of other markets. UK motor industry should focus on reaching as many markets as possible to ease risk. OPPORTUNITIES 1. Providing eco-friendly vehicles UK’s automotive industry has been constantly active in innovating new products to provide a safe and eco-friendly environment, hence opening up string of opportunities. 2. Investments by Global OEMs In the year 2013 many global equipment manufacturers have announced investments in United Kingdom. Through these strategic alliance UK auto industry is believed to benefit significantly. THREATS 1. Soaring cost of Raw Material The cost of raw material has been ever rising; hence, the manufacturers pay more for procuring raw material every year. This eventually raises the price of automobiles. 2. Increasing competition With new companies coming in UK along with foreign direct investment the competition is bound to soar, ultimately increasing threat for existing companies. Bottom-line is that in spite of challenges faced by automobile industry in last decade, it is resurging from its downfall and looking forward to producing more number of vehicles this year. EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The automobile industry in UK has been tactically working towards creating new opportunities and enhancing technology. It has extensively slogged to make UK more attractive for foreign investors. Through automotive industry’s external analysis, we shall study influence of external factors on the industry. The two major models discussed here are PESTLE Analysis and Porter’s Five Forces’ Model. PESTEL ANALYSIS Political To ensure there is no monopoly created in the industry, certain policies restricting firms from forming cartels and fixing price have been implemented. They also control the size of automobile companies. Economic With the advent of increasing inflation across the world, it is predicted that the purchase of automobiles shall increase in coming years. Also, globalisation has opened doors for foreign investors in UK. Social Recent researches show that young population in UK is declining and older population is rising. Hence, it is advisable that companies focus on creating more products catering to smaller families and older population. Technology Increased focus on providing eco-friendly vehicles has encouraged industry to continually invest in research and development. With popularity of new designing softwares, Global Positioning Systems for navigation, etc, technology has advanced two folds. Environmental As people are getting more aware and concerned about a healthy environment, it is imperative to create products that are eco-friendly. Hence, it has created a pressure on the industry to focus on environmental issues as well. Legal A few legal policies have been imposed by UK government like compulsory fitment of Electronic Stability Control and Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems in all the cars produced. PORTER’S FIVE FORCES’ MODEL 1. Threat from new entrants Automobile industry being capital extensive demands a lot of money to venture and uphold. In order to sustain, present automobile companies have augmented their production, enforcing new entrants to enter only on large scale. 2. Bargaining Power of Suppliers Due to increase in globalisation the industry has suppliers not only from UK but also from across the world. Hence, the bargaining power of suppliers is limited. As some manufacturers have joined hands with OEMs from China and India others source materials from UK itself. 3. Bargaining Power of Buyers This model brings forth the fact that purchasers have a power to regulate the market and increase competition. As consumers have access to extensive information and choice of numerous brands across the globe they definitely stand to have a better bargaining power. 4. Competition from Substitutes Substitute products are those that can be consumed in place of any product. For instance, people of UK can as well use public transport instead of private cars. They may also consider the option of using rented cars. 5. Existing Competition As UK is home to around 50 car manufacturers selling 200 models, the internal competition among the companies is inevitable. Apart from the local car manufacturers like GM, Ford, etc, the foreign manufacturers are also giving a lot of competition. The external influences play a major role in casting future of automobile industry in UK. Analysing the internal as well as the external environment of UK’s car industry helps identifying how it has been performing and what is the scope for improvement. United Kingdom offers an array of car models in a highly competitive market. Nonetheless, it is still facing a lot of issues in recovering from the past downfall. Market experts predict that the industry shall still be able to cater to the new more demanding market.

A Comparative Study of Human Resource Practices and Job Satisfaction in Public Healthcare Organisations in United Kingdom and Pakistan

Identification of important issues that determine job satisfaction of nurse may allow managers to develop strategies to increase job satisfaction nursing staff. The problem of the current quantitative research was to examine and compare the nurses’ job satisfaction at public healthcare organisations in U.K. and Pakistan.The purpose of the current study was to determine whether there were differences between factors and level of job satisfaction among nurses at two hospitals. The current quantitative research data were collected by using the Index Work Satisfaction (IWS) questionnaires (Stamps 1997). The sample for the current research was nurses who were employed in NHS and PIMS hospitals.For this study, a survey will be utilised as the primary method of acquiring the research data. The questionnaire will be comprised of closed-ended questions to get an accurate and complete data.The sample will consist of 53 employees from public healthcare service providers in United Kingdom and Pakistan. The sample of employees will be chosen randomly, however, the research will attempt to get a wide range of individuals.The findings revealed that nurses are dissatisfied with the amount of paper work required, lack of time to deliver quality care, administration who are perceived to be out of touch with daily problems, and lack of involvement in policy decision making. Different components that influence job satisfaction between NHS and PIMS nurses were also reported.NHS nurses reported twice as many dissatisfiers than PIMS nurses. The overall job satisfaction indicated that work satisfaction on both the NHS and PIMS hospitals is fairly low, according to Index of Work Satisfaction. However, PIMS has a higher level of job satisfaction than NHS.There is no better time than the present to analyse job satisfaction among professional nurses, especially those working in specialised units in hospitals, because of the changes and chaos occurring in the current environment.Num erous factors have affected the profession of nursing over the last five years. The driving force behind these factors is the economics of health care. The rising cost of health care has caused hospitals and other healthcare agencies to restructure their nursing care delivery systems.Simultaneously, technological advances have necessitated more sophisticated and complex care, acuity of patients has risen, and the length of stay in acute care facilities has dramatically been reduced (Murphy, Roch, Pepicello, & Murphy 1997).Past studies of job satisfaction among professional nurses have demonstrated relationships among satisfaction and positive and negative behaviours. High satisfaction is associated with positive behaviours such as high productivity, teamwork, and high morale, while low satisfaction is associated with negative behaviours such as absenteeism, high turnover rates, and conflict among employees (Boumans & Landerweerd 1994).Job satisfaction encompasses not only the worker s' adaptation to the organisation, but also what their work means to them and ways in which they and the organisation might adapt to their needs. Nurse managers need to assess the satisfaction of their employees, not to gain a sense of work satisfaction, but to gain knowledge that can be used to assist them and the organisation to create more meaningful and more satisfying jobs (Stamps 1997).The issue of job satisfaction has become more important to both employers of nurses and nurse employees since the beginning of health care reform and changes in the delivery of nursing care that have caused frustration and chaos among the staff nurses who are delivering the care to the patients.Managed care has changed the health care environment by putting economic constraints on hospitals. This has affected the nursing profession because the third party payers are dictating how nurses deliver care (Moore 1997).With the restructuring of nursing care delivery systems, nurses are working with dif ferent staff mixes and different staffing levels. With the increased use of unlicensed personnel, nurses have greater supervisory requirements to ensure quality care (Moore 1997).Many professional nurses have not been well prepared to manage their increasing supervisory responsibilities in the current healthcare environment. When employees are ill equipped for their jobs, dissatisfaction and ultimately negative behaviours result (Murphy et al. 1997).A study conducted by Shindul-Rothschild and Duffy, (1996) looked at nurses' views on health care reform and the practice of nursing. She found that nurses who experienced restructuring, downsizing, and the increased use of unlicensed personnel express concerns with decreased quality of nursing care. These nurses are required to do more with fewer resources so they cannot accomplish all the tasks and supervision that they are required to do.The nurses report they are taking care of more complex patients due to the seriousness of their ill nesses, but they have less time to practice nursing due the increased supervisory responsibilities. Thus, they report it has become difficult to provide high quality care to patients with the resources available and this is decreasing their job satisfaction (Corey-Lisle, Tarzian, Cohen, & Trinkoff 1999).The supply and demand of professional nurses has frequently been out of balance. According to Brewer (1997) when there is a nursing shortage, nurses are required to work long hours with an insufficient number of staff, ultimately leading to burnout and job dissatisfaction.She predicted that with the turmoil of the health care environment, another nursing shortage would occur in the near future (Brewer 1997). Critical care units have a particularly difficult time recruiting and retaining nurses in such times to fill their positions.Job satisfaction may vary depending on work settings. There has been no research comparing job satisfaction between developed and undeveloped countries pub lic healthcare providers.UK nurses have lower patient to staff ratios, fewer unlicensed personnel, no licensed practical nurses, and rely on modern technology like hemodynamic monitoring to help monitor patients. Pakistani nurses must supervise more licensed practical nurses and unlicensed personnel, lack hemodynamic monitoring assistance, and have a larger number of patients per staff member.Job satisfaction has incredible significance to the health care system. When employees are satisfied, productivity and morale increase. When employees are dissatisfied, employers encounter negative behaviours. Employees may decide to leave, morale and productivity decrease, absenteeism and tardiness increase, and conflict is more prevalent (Williams 1990).All of these factors have considerable implication for organisations. Low quality, absenteeism and the need to retrain and orient new employees add significant issues to organisations. Even more important are the effects these behaviours can h ave on patient outcomes. If the morale and productivity levels are low and stress levels are high, an increase in patient and staff injuries is likely (Wunderlich et al., 1996).Nurse administrators and managers need to be aware of job satisfaction because of its impact on morale, budget, productivity, and staff and patient injuries. Nurse administrators and managers can be proactive and develop strategies to assist in increasing job satisfaction among nurses. Nurse managers on specialty units need to assess job satisfaction closely because of the added difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified professional nurses for these units.Public Healthcare Organisations within UK and Pakistan The government organisations namely as National Health Service in UK and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Pakistan, are the subjects of this dissertation. The part of study was based in the PIMS, which is one of the largest health public organisations in Pakistan. There were three main reaso ns for selecting this organisation for the study:1) Like several other large health public organisations (in Pakistan), PIMS has a well defined organisational structure comprised of a voluntary advisory board, paid employees and community based volunteers. Also, its general vision about the health care delivery, staffing pattern and range of salary, benefits and employee development activities are similar to other health public organisations. Hence, the lessons learnt from this organisation could be applied to other health public organisations.2) PIMS started providing community based primary health care services from mid 1980s. In a short period, it showed a significant improvement in health indicators in northern areas and its strategy of community participation in program planning and implementation became a model for other public organisations as well as private.Several public organisations adapted PIMS' strategy either fully or in part. Based on the lessons learnt from PIMS, th e government decided to include its philosophy of community involvement in health care delivery in its national health policy and also invited PIMS to help the government health department in replicating its strategy in the government setting (PIMS, 2007).PIMS' strategic direction and operational approaches have become a model for many other organisations working in the health sector in Pakistan. Thus, it was expected that the lessons learnt from this study in the PIMS would receive due attention by other public organisations as well as the government sector, resulting in wider acceptability and benefit.3) PIMS' keen interest in improving its performance further by conducting organisational research was also one of the reasons for selecting it as a study site. In this regard, a research agenda developed in consultation with the PIMS senior staff members was shared with the investigator before conceptualisation of this study.Based on the mutual need and the interest of PIMS and the i nvestigator, the research topic was finalised. Considering PIMS' serious interest in the topic it was expected that the research findings will be utilised by the organisation to develop better human resource management policies resulting in more efficient use of their resources and effective health care delivery to the communities in its program areas.Health Sector in PakistanPakistan a low-income country (http://www.worldbank.org.pk). The rural-urban division is sharp, as are the disparities between the rich and poor. According to the National Human Development Report (http://www.un.org.pk), almost one third of the people of Pakistan, mainly in rural areas, live below the official poverty line (income of less than US dollar a day per household).Inadequate social services and the high rate of population growth perpetuate poverty and the unequal distribution of wealth (http://www.oxfam.org.uk). The socio-economic indicators are worse than most of the countries in South Asia. United N ation's Human Development Index (http://www.unfpa.org) puts Pakistan at number 142 (out of 177).Each year the Pakistani government (federal and provincial combined) spends around GBP 5.0 per capita on education and GBP 2,5 per capita on health (2001 figures based on average exchange rate for GBP).Compared to this, the national expenditure on health per capita is around GBP 9.0, indicating a huge role of private and other health care providers (mainly NGOs), which cover around 76% of the total per capita health care expenditure (http://www.emro.who.int).There are not enough schools, health facilities or houses. The average number of people living in a house is seven; and half the population live in one-room housing units, with inadequate basic utilities, such as water, sanitation and electricity. Access to education and health services is limited, especially in the rural areas, and women and girls are at a particular disadvantage (http://www.oxfam.org.uk). Â  

Child Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Child Development - Essay Example The human life cycle is governed by natural laws. A pioneer in the field of child development, Gesell’s set of milestones for children is still widely used pediatricians, psychologists and other professionals who work with children (Wikipedia). He believed that the child’s personality is the product of slow gradual growth. The nervous system natures in stages and is a natural process. For example, the child sits before he stands and babbles before he stands. A child is initially dependent and only later attains independence. He learns to draw a circle before he draws a square. The development pattern follows the law of growth. Gesell suggested that child should not be forced into doing something but instead his growth should be guided. It is unwise to teach children ahead of their maturational schedule. This implies that the child is not ready and if he is not ready the education process must be delayed. Gesell further believed that during the preschool age there are many suggestions that physically and psychologically the child is reaching a stage of maturity. During the school period child’s vocabulary expands, learns facts and figures. During the early adolescence independence comes to the forefront. In later adolescence physiological changes take place including behavioral patterns and emotional attitudes. All the traits at every stage in human life have been associated with the history of human race (Packer). He strongly links democracy to development and advocates freedom at all stages of maturation. According to Gesell, democracy is a way of life. To inculcate the attitudes of tolerance and fair play in children, the adults need to be educated first. This implies the adults have to play role models for the children. This linear model of human development generated by Gesell’s maturational perspective was used by clinicians to predict long-term outcomes based on the developmental milestones in the early years of the child but

The Life and Work of Mahatma Gandhi Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Life and Work of Mahatma Gandhi - Essay Example These three aspects are his contribution to the social justice against apartheid in South Africa, the leadership of the non-violent freedom struggle in India and his principled life that finally led to his assassination in 1948. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was to go on and become Mahatma Gandhi, was born in at Porbandar, in the state of Gujarat in India on October 2, 1869. He reached the shores of Africa in 1893 after completing his education to become a lawyer. South Africa in those days was steeped in racial discrimination of the Europeans consisting of the white population. The discriminated population consisted of the native Africans, the coloured people of mixed race and the Asians, which were mostly Indians. Any non-white person in South Africa faced prejudice in every aspect of social activity because of the colour of his skin and it was into this environment that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi stepped into. Gandhiji was to spend nearly twenty-one years of his life in South Africa as an attorney and a public worker. He considered himself as much as a South African as he did that he was an Indian. It was in this foster motherland that Gandhiji realized his vocation in life, in the service of his countrymen and mankind. It was during his stay and work in South Africa that his philosophy of life was to take shape and so too with his attitude to the social problems being witnessed in India. South Africa was where he introduced the unique and non-violent protest form of Satyagraha. Gandhiji was to bring about unity in the Indian community in South Africa and then use this united strength to oppose the policy of racial segregation in all spheres of social activity that was practised in those times in South Africa. The road to unity was not easy, but Gandhi persisted with his efforts and his perseverance bore fruit. His attempts to win concessions from the ruling white community met with very limited success.  

Final Strategic Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Final Strategic Plan - Research Paper Example Selection of Locations – a Great Strategic Importance The company has already taken a strategic decision to begin these outlets in the high-income Silicon Valley (Santa Clara County) region. The company will open at least two shops in San Jose, the epicenter of Silicon Valley that currently leads other towns in the US with the median household income in excess of $83,000. Moreover, the area has a strong population of over 1.5 million highly educated rich class Asians mainly from India, Pakistan, China, Korea, Malaysia who are most likely to patronage the products of the company without much inhibitions for they do not need any elaborate introduction to these tropical fruits as they have already consumed them in their life sometime in the past. Brand Strengthening – An Important Marketing Strategy The company has already planned to establish the brand mangoamla firmly across the region. High-profile publicity campaign will be organized through local newspaper advertiseme nts, distributing small booklets describing health benefits of these fruits – especially antioxidant richness, their applications and uses in ancient health system (Aurved) explaining how they tone up the body’s immune system. ... The company has decided to advertise on FM radio in San Jose targeting Asian population to make the brand a household name. Promotional Strategy through Discounts/Incentives Vending machines will provide a unique code on each bill generated by it. On citing this code, the customer can avail 15 percent discount on the next buy. This will also help record the repeat customers who visit the shops. Customer Satisfaction Enhancement Strategy Before launching the products officially, the company has decided to involve professional tasters. They will not only do taste-fixing but fine tune the flavors of the products so that they get prompt acceptance. It is very essential to satisfy the customers on taste. After deciding on the flavors, the products will be offered to the select class of people for their final feedbacks. The exercise is necessary and extremely important for immediate acceptance of the products after the launch to ensure that the market does not develop any bad reflection on the company’s products in the beginning itself. Customer Servicing with Minimal Wait Time Currently, time taken to service the customer is an important and critical criterion where satisfaction of the customer can be either won or lost. Products will be dispensed through vending machines in 300 and 400 ml measurements with automatic billing system and recording. The servicing time including billing and recording will not take more than 90 seconds. It is also in the interest of the company to serve as many customers as possible to enhance the revenue of the company and that is how selection of the vending machines has been done to ensure that products are dispensed in the minimal possible time. Environmental Protection – a

FINANCIAL REPORTING & ANALYSIS of IASB Conceptual Framework for Essay

FINANCIAL REPORTING & ANALYSIS of IASB Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting - Essay Example The framework can help the users of the conceptual framework in interpreting and analyzing the information existing within the financial statement as it provides an in-depth understanding of the principles on the basis of which the framework is produced. In theoretical concept the conceptual framework will provide development in the accounting standard. But in practical the economic, social and political factors play a vital role in influencing the assistance that is provided by the standards. The various requirements of the regulators of capital market and the reaction or response of the public towards the accounting issues and the situation of credit crunch which began in the year 2007 will generally influence the process of standard setting (Kabalski, 2009). The framework that is developed for the preparation of financial statements includes the recognition, definition and measurement of the various elements on the basis of which the financial statements are developed, the objective for preparation of financial statements and the concept of capital maintenance (Horngren, 1985). The Financial Accounting Standard Board and the International Accounting standard board have developed a conceptual framework for the purpose of financial reporting. The main objective of introducing this framework understands the concept, the scope and characteristics that the entity is required to apply or adopt. Before the convergence of the accounting standards the accountants had to face many difficulties due to the differences in the standard provided by the FASB and IASB. The criticism for conceptual framework is based on the epistemological and ontological hypothesis. Accounting is mainly based on the notion that is subjective in nature Example is the accountants generally play an important role in selecting proper accounting method and then applying them. Therefore

Corporate Fundraising Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 4

Corporate Fundraising - Essay Example It is worth mentioning in this context that corporate fundraising options available to a particular business depends on various factors including the size of the company which further signifies its certification as a public or a proprietary company as per the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (â€Å"A Practitioner’s Guide to Corporate Law†, 2007). To be noted, as per the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Section 45A, a proprietary company can be limited or unlimited with share capital. Another type of company identifies as per the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) is the public company wherein the Section 195 of the Act specifies that â€Å"public company means a company other than a proprietary company† (â€Å"Corporations Act 2001† 2005). Also, the corporate name of a proprietary company is distinct to that of a public company, i.e. a limited proprietary company is denoted with the abbreviation â€Å"Pty. Ltd.† while an unlimited proprietary company is abbreviated as â€Å"Pty.† Contextually, the public limited companies are denoted as â€Å"Ltd.† at the end of the registered name of the entity (â€Å"Corporations Act 2001† 2005). With reference to this context, The Green Coffee Company Ltd can be identified as a public limited company which shall further determine its fundraising obligations when attempting to invest in an international expansion venture to Vietnam. One of the major differences and opportunities for The Green Coffee Company Ltd in fundraising, being a public limited company, is that it can issue equities or sell its debentures or shares to â€Å"more than 50 non-employee shareholders† through the obligatory issuing of prospectus where proprietary companies (either limited or unlimited) are exempted from such permits (â€Å"Corporate Law† 2011). From a managerial concern, fundraising activities performed by organizations such as The Green Coffee Company Ltd will quite essentially give rise to company liabilities and thus seize the risk of affecting shareholders’ or investors’ interests.  

A Culture of Safety Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

A Culture of Safety - Essay Example However, as management models have continued to evolve, people have recognized that an error can only be prevented if it is known. This is the basis of the just culture in nursing, which acts as a bridge between the traditional approach and a situation in which no one bears the responsibility of errors. The just culture enables an organization as well as its employees to learn from mistakes and create a system that minimizes chances of error. This paper explores the just culture in a nursing setting and its impact on the safety of the patients. The Role of the Nurse in identifying Potential and Real Threats Patient safety is the core mission of every healthcare institution. Nurses have a role in ensuring that the patients in a hospital setting are catered to adequately to ensure their safety. They are obligated to identify, whenever possible, the risks that patients face while in the health institution. One way of identifying threats against the health of a patient would be to open t he communication channels in the hospital. This would enable a nurse to report to the administration about a threat to the safety of the patients. Previously, the punitive system in such a setting inhibited such reporting and nurses only identified threats which they would not be able to hide. The just culture enables a nurse to identify a risk which may have occurred due to an error and report the threat in the appropriate manner. This increases patient safety as adequate measures can be taken to remedy the situation. This role of the nurse is, therefore, in line with the just culture as proposed by Reason (American Nurses Association, 2010). Steps in Minimizing or Eliminating Threats Rules and Regulations Following instructions that are set by the organization should be a priority for all nurses. Managers, according to Lazarus (2011), must put systems in place that will enable the nurses to carry out their roles in the institution effectively. These systems are part of the rules t hat are set by the nursing leadership to provide maximum efficacy at the work place. Nurses should therefore adhere to these set rules and regulations, in order to minimize the chances of errors happening at the work place. Most of the systems in place are tested and tried, meaning they have been found to reduce the number of errors that people can make at the work place. Although human errors do occur, a continuous improvement of the system, as proposed in the just culture will lead to the system achieving maximum efficiency. Acting with regard to these rules will minimize or even eliminate the chances of error. Nurses should only act contrary to these rules when there is evidence that acting according to them presents a threat to the patient (Lazarus, 2011). Attending Seminars Seminars and other meetings organized by the institution to sensitize employees in patient safety are a valuable resource to nurses. Policies that are proposed and passed during these meeting have an effect on the performance of the nurses, and it is therefore important that nurses attend these meetings. This way, they will be conversant with the rules and regulations, as well as contribute to the development of these policies such that the rules will also be in favor of the nurses. Patient safety can be maximized through such meetings since the stakeholders agree on the most effective means of achieving that goal. Nurses mostly deal with patients directly and are obligated to ensure the safety of the patient. By attending these seminars, they increase their knowledge and learn how to incorporate the new policies with their expertise. This is an important aspect for the safety of the patient and nurses should take this measure to minimize threats to

Two Financial Giants Merge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Two Financial Giants Merge - Essay Example This is followed by the maturity stage, in which systems form new links between the control and business layers of the systems. Future expansion of the company formed after the merger will lead to cross-links between the various departments of the new company (Frankel 34). The merger between Wells Fargo and Wachovia necessitated integration of their information systems, reduction of redundant communication links, and management of communication chaos. A merger like that between Wells Fargo and Wachovia posed challenges and benefits for their IT infrastructure. The integration of information systems was made easier by the fact that the two companies were of similar size. However, the two companies had disparate websites, protocols, hardware, images, and systems. To achieve the benefits they expected from the merger, the new company has to rationalize their information technology architecture, application systems, and standardizing systems (Frankel 36). One challenge faced by merging c ompanies in realizing their expectations is insufficient integration of data and information. Synchronization throughout the information systems infrastructure can cause hold ups in daily operations like quote to cash, lead management, sales and marketing, and on boarding of new employees. This leads to complications and a slow down in overall company operation. In addition, the benefits to operational and supporting process applications like marketing, sales, ERP, CRM, finance, and HR makes integration inevitable. Failure to integrate these processes will complicate issues and move the companies away from their core competencies, in this case banking products and services (Frankel 36). Establishing a standard is fundamental for the two companies who merge with different partners, suppliers, and financial systems. It is also important to integrate the two companies’ information systems in order for them to share data. Integration of data within the two organizations will make sure that both organizations can access information that is updated (Frankel 37). This will be possible across the whole new organization regardless of the form in which it was stored by the respective companies, i.e. in the cloud or on premise. If they do create solutions to integrate effectively their data systems, complications will arise when it comes to retrieving information that is scattered across many services, applications, and systems. Finally, integrating the information systems will be important in order to increase their visibility. Because the two companies have similar landscapes in technology, they could possess duplicate information on their clients. In addition, if the two organizations create one data and information integration system for the clients, they will be able to get better-updated client information (Frankel 37). For example, if the two banks have two disparate sales and marketing databases and departments, they may contact one client with the same in formation, which will give them a disjointed image in the clients’ eyes. There are, however, various challenges that face two merging companies with respect to integrating their information systems. One of this is involves achieving success with the integration progress that makes the investment worth it (Frankel 43). For instance, the companies need to have the ability to take advantage of the opportunities that come from

Contract law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Contract law - Essay Example However, the restaurant is concerned about the underlying liabilities in the event that clients collide with the skating waiters and waitresses. Another point of concern regards loss of client property whilst at the restaurant’s premises. Following these two concerns, two exclusion clauses could be drafted for the purpose of limiting or excluding altogether the restaurant’s liability under the two aforementioned circumstances. It is fundamental to ensure that the restaurant’s business aspect is not adversely affected by the move. The Caddy Shack restaurant enters into business-client contracts with its clients. It is in the best interest of the restaurant to maintain functional relations with its clientele, even as it strives to reduce potential liabilities under the two circumstances of concern. The exclusion clauses that Caddy Shack restaurant needs will ultimately impose restrictions to its clients. It is also important to highlight that the move is likely to be seen as one that favours Caddy Shack’s business welfare, while reducing its potential liability obligations to the clients. In this respect, these two issues must be provided for and balanced in the drafted exclusion clauses. First exclusion clause: Caddy Shack will not be held liable for any losses or injuries that arise as a result of violation of the rules and regulations within the Caddy Shack restaurant’s premises. Clients are urged and reminded to strictly use the designated client sidewalks to avoid collision with the roller skating waiters and waitresses. The system is clearly marked to ensure that both clients and staff strictly remain in their respective right areas. Eventualities emerging from failure to abide to the set rules and regulations, and the skating system requirements shall not hold Caddy Shack responsible. Moreover, Caddy Shack shall not take responsibility for ignorance and/or negligence arising from

Catholic Church and Ultima’s mystical folklore Essay Example for Free

Catholic Church and Ultima’s mystical folklore Essay The novel â€Å"Bless Me, Ultima† by Rudolfo Anaya is pastoral, apocalyptic and, at the same time, tragic story revealing the complex nature of human relations and ambiguity of the world. The novel teaches readers not to interfere with the destiny of any person not to change the cosmic order. However, Ultima dares to influence the destiny and her death at the end of the novel is symbolical representation that every person should be responsible for his own actions. The author describes relations between an old healer Ultima and a young boy Antonio who is seeking for truth. The novel can be defined as apocalyptic as the author illustrates that biculturalism leads to inevitable conflict between cultures and religions. I think that the novel belongs to Chicano literature being rather popular in 1965-1975s. However, it can be seen as cultural novel which tends to explore self-development, personality and ethnic identity in the world filled with race and ethnic discrimination. The novel is rich narrative weaving many themes and sub-themes together allowing readers for different interpretations. Therefore, the objectives of the paper are to analyze author’s writing style, relations between Antonio and Ultima, to identify main themes and symbols, and to discuss the question of autobiography. â€Å"Bless Me, Ultima†: Analysis I think that the novel â€Å"Bless Me, Ultima† can be analyzed from different perspectives and from many angles. The novel is a rich literary work dealing with social changes, cognitive and psychological development of main heroes, religious issues, etc. Moreover, the novel weaves cultural conflicts and formation of ethnic identity into believable and coherent story illustrating the smoothes and roughs of Antonio’s life – the main hero. On the one hand, the novel can be seen as romance novel as it discusses societal period through myth creation. On the other hand, the novel can be seen as cultural novel as it describes historical conflict between villages and opposes race discrimination in the United States. Furthermore, the novel can be defined as Chicano literature as it promotes apocalyptic ideas and moods. The novel presents fertile background for analysis as the author uses rich themes and symbols to show the life pass of a young extraordinary boy. Writing Style The author incorporates powerful and vivid images to present the multiplicity and ambiguity of responses. In other words, Anaya uses prophetic dreams, episodes of horseplay among children, idyllic scenes presenting harmony and natural balance, mystical dynamism, scenes of violence and death as imagery to create strong impression and to make people think whether the world we see is real one and what the destiny of the person is. However, the novel tends to reveal whether it is permissible to change human destiny. Anaya uses strong imagery to show that characters and nature are strongly tied together creating so-called natural continuum. Anaya refers to technique of oppression when writing the novel in order to create multi-level conflict. For example, Antonio’s parents have opposing backgrounds, views and aspirations. Further, religious are opposed in their beliefs, values and demands on the individual. Cosmic forced are apposed as they symbolize eternal struggle between the good and the evil. Finally, the author juxtaposes forms of nature saying they can choose whether to make soil dry or fertile. The novel is based on conflicts – social, psychological, physical and cultural. Antonio’s life is also a conflict. The novel is also based on tripartites. It means that all evens and things are occurring in so-called ‘threes’. For example, there are three cultures in the novel, three Trementina sisters, three brothers, three Comanche spirits, three prophetic dreams, three Ultima’s efforts to identify her ethnicity, and three Ultima’s interference in the life of other people. Numerology is central in structure of the plot. Issue of Autobiography I think that â€Å"bless Me, Ultima† can be defined as quasi-autobiographical novel as the narrator refers to ‘I’ style showing that the novel is generated from personal experience or experience of the younger ‘I’. The novel is told by mature Antonio who shares experiences of being a young boy. Moreover, the experiences are transmitted in childish manner and it may seem that the story is told by a six-year-old boy. One more interesting fact is that the author says that he had to refer to his personal experiences and experiences of other children to construct the story. Despite the fact that the novel is quasi-biographical, the readers aren’t allowed to distinguish the real and imagined events as the author represents everything as fiction. I think that the author does base the story on rich expository of personal experiences, but he skillfully hides this fact. Relations between Antonio and Ultima Antonio is the main hero in the novel who decided to reconcile his conflicting religious and cultural identity. Antonio is only six years old, but he is extraordinary child with questioning mind, appreciation of life, and moral curiosity. Antonio is more serious than other children of his age, he is more sensitive to ambiguity of the world and conflicting cultural traditions. Anaya shows that Antonio is troubled about his uncertain destiny and he is willing to understand the world. After the death of one of the town’s residents Antonio seems to plunge into crisis of the faith and for the first time he doubts validity of the Catholic faith. Therefore, desire to reveal the truth can be defined as one of the strongest components of his character as his desire leads to interest in sin, death, innocence, and the nature of God. Antonio is developing to maturity throughout the novel progression and it is Ultima who teaches how to remain morally independent, to receive knowledge from all available traditions and to refrain from prejudices and limitations. Ultima leads Antonio to his physical and psychological maturity. Ultima helps him to resolve many conflicts and to determine his future. Old healer Ultima represents the moral system which Anaya supports. Relationships between Antonio and Ultima are the most important bond in the novel. Ultima is Antonio’s mentor helping him to overcome difficulties and to cope with anxieties and uncertainties. Relations between main characters can be defined even as spiritual. Ultima presents herself as the keeper of Antonio’s destiny and starts playing central role in his life and psyche. She uses her power of influencing to make Antonio think of himself and create his own sense of morality. Ultima incorporates knowledge of both Catholic and indigenous traditions. She thinks that spirituality and life are tied. Nevertheless, we see that Catholic Church rejects her mystical power, and Ultima respects its wisdom attending mass regularly. Ultima teaches to appreciate equally multiple faith and perspectives as each person is entailed with rights to make independent moral decisions. Ultima instills tolerance, open-mindedness and independence in Antonio’s faith. Ultima treats Antonio with respect and understanding, despite he is a small child. At the end of the novel Antonio is treated as spiritual partner and Ultima asks to bury the owl which symbolizes her own death. Ultima dies, but her spirit continues to guide Antonio throughout his life. Main Themes Firstly, the author stresses the importance of moral independence as no one has the rights to interfere with the destiny of others. Anaya emphasizes rights to think independently and to make up moral decisions. In the novel Antonio’s progress is the sign of maturity and self-development. Antonio constantly struggles to make his own decisions and he realizes that complex experience of religion has forced to change his minds. Antonio is really frustrated when he realizes that the church has failed and pressing questions about human morality emerge in his head. We see that Ultima becomes his guide and teaches about morality and independence. Moreover, Ultima explains ambiguity of life stressing that life can be viewed simply in terms of culture and religion. Cultural and religious traditions are important, but they constrain human abilities to be morally independent. Antonio realizes that he should find answers about evil, good, soul, forgiveness and truth himself. Once Antonio has committed fatal mistake, when he believed that the Communion ritual was able to answer all questions. Instead, Ultima teaches Antonio to make decisions and choices himself. Secondly, the author identifies the influence of culture on identity. In the novel Anaya explores the conflict between cultural traditions which fail to co-exist as one culture tends to dominate others and vice verse. However, in the end we see that the author offers new solution – he argues that several cultural traditions are able to create more adaptable identity. For example, Antonio manages to find answers as his life has been influenced by several constantly conflicting cultures. The first conflict was with his parents as Antonio’s mother wanted him to become a priest, whereas his fathers wanted Antonio to ride the llano. The problem was that parents had different cultural convictions. The next conflict is observed within Antonio’s native town where Spanish culture is struggling with other culture. The conflict is presented in tensions between the Catholic Church and Ultima’s mystical folklore. I think that through such conflicts the author explores the influence of culture on identity formation. Anaya shows that many characters in the story are limited by cultural prejudices and they have failed to look beyond their horizon. For example, when people define Narciso as drunkard they didn’t consider his traumatic experiences in the war, although it is known that war may serious distort human psyche. Ultima teaches Antonio to become free from cultural and religious limitations. Instead, she tends to encourage Antonio to think of all cultural influences as it is the only way to become a descent person. Symbolism â€Å"Bless Me, Ultima† is highly symbolical novel. The author uses different colors, figures, numbers and objects to represent abstract ideas and concepts. In the novel the golden carp, Ultima’s owl and the virgin of Guadalupe are provided with symbolic meanings. As for mea, the golden carp is symbolical representation of magical religious order which is hardly associated with Catholicism. The legend about golden carp offers main characters and readers moral guidance, brand of wisdom and comfort. Golden carp supports author’s idea that cultural traditions are different, but they are equally valid. Antonio firstly rejects the golden carp as he thinks that in such a way he abandons God. However, later he realizes that golden carp can help to weave cultural and religious sources together in creating his won identity. Then, Ultima’s Owl represents religious mysticism and life force. One night the owl sings outside Antonio’s windows symbolizing Ultima’s presence in boy’s life. Moreover, owl is the symbol of protective power of magic. In the end of the novel killing of the bird symbolically represents that Ultima’s life force is destroyed and she will die soon. When Antonio buries the bird, he buries Ultima. Finally, the Virgin of Guadalupe represents symbolically understanding, forgiveness and solution of cultural conflict. The story of the Virgin is definitely reconciliation of Antonio’s indigenous culture and European Catholic Church. When Antonio is frustrated, he often turns to Virgin to find a forgiving god. Conclusion â€Å"Bless Me, Ultima† reveals the ambiguous nature of the world and human relations. The author shows that every person has to make independent choices and to appreciate different religious and cultural traditions as it is the only way to become a better person. Ultima teaches Antonio to create his own sense of morality and to remain independent person. Moreover, she teaches him to avoid prejudices and limitation. But the author shows that no one is allowed to interfere with the destiny of other people. Works Cited Anaya, Rudolfo. Bless Me, Ultima. New York: Grand Central Publishing, 1994.

What do you find most effective in Hardys technique Essay Example for Free

What do you find most effective in Hardys technique Essay What do you find most effective in Hardys technique as a writer of short stories featuring the supernatural? Give consideration to his portrayal of character and his use of narrative development. By: Zahrah Macci Throughout literature history writers have made use of peoples fascination with the macabre. Hardy like many other Victorian writers enjoyed writing short stories which have a lot to do with his fascination with the supernatural. He was an eminent writer who wrote in different types of genres. Two of the famous novels written by Hardy are The Return of the Native and Jude the Obscure. The word supernatural is defined as things that cannot be explained according to natural laws the Withered Arm is full of inexplicable events such as Rhodas vision and Conjurer Trendles way of intuiting that Gertrudes ailment was the work of an enemy. The withered arm like many of Hardys stories has an unexpected ending mainly due to complex relationships between the main characters. Hardy tries to convey the idea of Wessex as a historical landscape by using personification and thereby comparing things to the human anatomy. For example Rhodas cottage which has channels of depressions which are reminiscent of the skin of an aged person. The simile the thatch above a rafter showed like a bone protruding through the skin gives the impression the rafter is rather like a human being. Egdon Heath is a brooding and mysterious place; it has an un-hospitable landscape, very few people choose to live there. The dark countenence of Egdon heath seems to look down on the main characters. Although many would describe Casterbridge as an enlightened city it is the exact antithesis of what we would expect from a so-called civilised place, where hanging is a form of entertainment. It is every bit as barbaric as the old fashioned and superstitious country side. In a good short story there is usually one narrative thread and a focus on 2 or 3 main characters and themes. The three main characters in The Withered Arm are Farmer Lodge, Rhoda Brook and Gertrude Lodge. There are complicated love affairs which lead to retribution. Hardy introduces protagonists through the conversations of pirifial characters. He also tries to raise some questions in the readers mind as to what will happen next. Hardy presents Rhoda Brook as a woman who was once beautiful but has aged prematurely. The milkmaids with whom she worked with made her feel ostracised. She was a social pariah due to her illicit liaison with Farmer Lodge twelve years previously which caused her to become pregnant and have an illegitimate son. Her home was apart from the other milkmaids, it was above the water meads. Rhodas incipient jealousy manifests itself when she asks her son to spy on his step-mother so she can compare herself to her; she wanted him to report back to her about his step-mothers deminior. Gertrude Lodge is a complex character with facets to her personality which transpire as the story progresses. Hardy uses a number of techniques to convey her character. He uses the gossip and rumours spread by the minor characters. From the conversations of the milkmaids we find that Gertrude Lodge is a rosy cheeked, girl with a tisty tosty little body. Gertrude is years younger than farmer Lodge. There are passages of conventional character description of her external appearance, her face too was fresh in colour, soft and evanescent. Hardy employs the narrative device of Rhodas son as a spy to convey more information about her; he reports to his mother about his impression of Gertrude, his description of her suggests she is a lady complete with lightish hair and a face which is as comely as a live dolls. Hardy emphasizes the way Gertrude has a personal impact on other major characters, she has a deep impact on Rhoda when they first meet, she made a favourable impression and Rhoda reproached herself for ever being malevolently jealous in the first place. Gertrudes own actions imply much about her personality at the beginning of the story. She is philanthropic in her attitude towards the poor. She gives things away; she even gave Rhodas son better boots. There are also direct authorial comments which leave us in no doubt as to Gertrudes virtues. Hardy describes her as an innocent young thing who, was so indescribably sweet. Therefore, the initial impression we have as a combination of all these techniques is of an innocent, virtuous young women who is the victim of Rhodas jealousy. However Gertrudes character changes significantly as the affliction on her arm deteriorates. Consequently she becomes involved with the world of superstition and witchcraft. The condition of her had bought up question marks on her marriage to farmer lodge especially when she suggests her husband could have struck her there which demonstrates an element of physical abuse Gertrude receives from farmer Lodge. After visiting Conjuror Trendle with Rhoda she had began using wizardry hoping it would cure her arm after having visited the conjurer for a second time he told her a remedy which was infallible he said she must touch with the limb the neck of a man whos been hanged, as it will turn the blood and change the constitution because of this Gertrudes character changes incredibly as she begins to pray for no reprieve which shows how evil she has become. Conjurer Trendle, another interesting character created by Hardy, lives alone, well away from society in general. His house is five miles away from Holmstoke and it is in the heart of Egdon heath he is reputed to be able to cure illnesses that are the work of the devil. He is described as an exorcist who has infallible powers. The atmosphere in the location where he lives is sinister. Egdon Heath is reminiscent to the heath in king Lear with its associations with insanity thick clouds made the atmosphere dark though it was as yet only early afternoon. The conjurer does not like his business to be well known or given any kind of publicity. He did not profess his remedial practices openly after he had cured something he would always say perhaps its just chance. He makes a living by selling local products his direct interests being those of a dealer in furze, turf, sharp sand he can deal with ailments that are beyond the reach of ordinary medicine, he has the power to make watts miraculously disappear he does not accept any financial remuneration. He has a distinctive appearance, he is a grey bearded man, with a reddish face as soon as he examines Gertrude there is a suggestion of his paranormal powers, and he is able to tell immediately it was the work of an enemy. The intensification of Rhodas jealousy of her rival in love culminates into a night-marish vision. Rhodas dream occurred a fortnight after Gertrudes return with farmer lodge. She went to bed with a picture of Gertrude in her head. She had a vision of her enemy, it was so vivid she was unsure weather it was real or a dream. She saw Gertrude holding her left hand out mockingly to show Rhoda her wedding ring to make her feel jealous. Gertrudes face changed dramatically. Her features were shocking, distorted and wrinkled by age she was sitting upon Rhodas chest as if she was trying to suffocate her. Rhoda then swung out her right hand and threw the figure of her by grasping the left arm and whirled it backward to the floor Gertrude also had a night marish vision at the same time as Rhodas. As a result of this vision the discolouration on Gertrudes arm had appeared it corresponded exactly to what Rhodas hand would look like. At this point hardy creates a sense of ambiguity in that the reader is not sure as to whether or not Rhodas vision was real or a dream. At the end of the story hardy brings together the three main characters in a tragic denouement. Attentive readers would realise Gertrude turns into a vicious person. As anticipated there is a twist in the tale, the victim of the execution is Rhodas son, which creates a tragedy for the three main characters. Rhoda cursed Gertrude after seeing her near the corps of Rhodas son she said this is the meaning of what Satan showed me in the vision! You are like her at last! Gertrude did not know the identity of the victim this was partly because she had not attended the execution, the shock of touching the corps turned her blood but it affected her so profoundly, it was too much for her constitution to take, Gertrude unfortunately passed away 3 days later due to the previous events. All the lives of the main characters were blighted because of their belief of superstition. After the hanging farmer Lodge becomes a benefactor to young boys such as his son by giving up the farms in Holmstoke and selling it. The money gained he left for young boys and Rhoda however Rhoda did not accept the money. According to some people Hardy is the master of short stories. Most of these short stories have a focus on one main narrative thread. The Withered Arm is mainly about Gertrude Lodge and when she became involved with the supernatural. The three main characters in the Withered Arm are, Farmer Lodge, Gertrude Lodge and Rhoda Brooks. Short stories have limited amounts of characters as this builds up to the unexpected endings. Hardy uses various techniques to arouse the readers sense of intrigue and thereby compel the reader to its natural conclusion. At the time the Withered Arm was written, women in this rural society were either tied to the land like Rhoda or to their husbands like Gertrude. Furthermore, women had relatively few rights of property and movement and therefore enjoyed rather little freedom. The story reveals the life, beliefs and values of a countryside community. In Hardys time there was no access to the modern media which resulted to oral tradition which was the art of story telling. Stories which include supernatural tales, such as this one were popular with the reading public in late Victorian Britain. Personally I enjoyed reading the Withered Arm mainly because of the situation of Rhoda Brooks which grabs attention due to her illegitimate son. I particularly found it interesting because of Gertrudes beliefs in the supernatural. I thought it was worth reading to the end of the story.

The Gestalt theory and insight

The Gestalt theory and insight The Gestalt theory and â€Å"Insight† Professor Wolfgang Kà ¶hler was one of the founders of the Gestalt psychology. The term â€Å"Gestalt psychology† was first used by Christian von Ehrenfels, the Austrian philosopher, as early as 1890 in his paper â€Å"On Gestalt Qualities†. The Gestaltism was a reaction to some contemporary psychologists. The Gestalt psychology emphasized that behavior cannot be studied by analyzing its components but, rather, it must be studied as a whole, in all its complexity. Kà ¶hler carried out a series of famous experiments during the First World War, studying the behavior of chimpanzees in solving problems. The results of the experiments led him to introduce the notion of â€Å"insight† (Einsicht), which is one of the central terms of the Gestalt psychology. Insight, according to Kà ¶hler, manifests itself in the behavior as a break in the process of learning, i.e. as a real emergence of a solution: the correct adaptive response appears suddenly without being visibly dependent direct on the tests and errors that preceded it. Once it appears, this response is stable, i.e. the subject (hominid or human) is able to reproduce it in an appropriate manner. Theoretically, a Gestalt-adepts â€Å"intuition† is described as a restructuring of the perceptive field: the subject perceives suddenly in his environment new possibilities to action that lead him almost immediately to the solution. The phenomena of conditioning and learning cannot explain this capacity of intuitive restructuring. On the one hand their sequential character actually is directly opposed to the suddenness of insight; on the other hand their associationist and analytical character does not allow the inclusion of global and structural properties of the perception-cognitive field. This conception thus confers on the brain a global capacity to process the environments perceived. To the explicative construction in terms of combination of elements, it substitutes the notion of aptitude to immediate changes of structure. The concept of insight led Duncker (1945) to proposing the general theory of problem solving. Dunckers theory (see a separate section above) is based on the concepts of insight and field. For Duncker, a problem situation comes about when an organism has a goal but does not know how to reach it. The solution, which eliminates this situation by enabling the realization of the goal, generally consists of several successive stages, each marking a progress relative to the foregoing stage. The basic question then is how to advance from the one stage to the other. To answer it, Duncker reuses certain concepts developed by Selz (Mayer, 1992). Selz proposed some of the major ideas in cognitive psychology and formulated the firs non-associationist theory of thinking. Among his seven theses on thinking processes the most remarkable ones are the following: Directed association generates the unit of thought; Forming a structure leads to understanding a problem; Testing for conditions results in solving a problem. Selz gave the following general description to the solution of any problem: Let ?Rb be the structure of a situation in which the task is to find what ‘? covers. Perhaps an individual keeps in his memory the complex aRb, which partially correspond to ‘?Rb. From this, the element a is disclosed. Reaching the solution thus takes place according to a phenomenon of â€Å"resonance† between some generalized objects. In general, â€Å"resonance† can be described as an original combination of known elements. The origin of the combination may be internal (it is the result of imagination), or external (induced verbally). In fact, not every correspondence of a signal to an object implies necessarily a resonance between the object and the signal. It is necessary that the signal be adequate to the object, which means that it should satisfy several conditions: it must be, among others, complete, concise, conformist, etc. The process of problem solution depends closely on the structure of the situation and above all on the â€Å"availability† of the elements of which the solution consists. The elements, in fact, are not distributed randomly, but according to a characteristic organization, whereby some of them stand out. Duncker illustrates this notion by the problem of rays: how can a tumor be destroyed by means of radiation without damaging neighboring tissue? Two test subjects were used to answer the question. To the first group of test subjects the problem was described in the active voice: â€Å"The radiation might destroy also the healthy tissue. How can this be avoided?† The second group of test subjects got the same task, but this time expressed in the passive voice: â€Å"The healthy tissue might also be destroyed. How could it be protected from being damaged by radiation?† The results show that in the first group, 43 % of test subjects link their solution to the intensity of the radiation used. In the second group only 14 % focus on the intensity of radiation. The simple verbal structure of the problem description is sufficient for making the component â€Å"intensity of radiation† less prominent in the latter case than in the former. Last but not least, what is essential in the process of problem solving is the change manifesting itself in that the subject operates in a psychological structure of the situation perceived. This sudden restructuring is nothing else than the insight, the role of which is decisive. How then can the thought handle a given data field to extract from it pertinent information? One could say that the relation between two sets of data A and B is â€Å"totally distinguishable† if it is possible to grasp directly that the affirmation of A implies that of B. A connection will be â€Å"partially distinguishable if only certain traits of B can be grasped or understood parting from A. To explain the existence of such relationships there are, according to Duncker, two traditional responses: either the set B already is contained in A and can be analytically separated from it, or the functioning of the thought is such that that it always must reconnect A and B (a synthetic explication). If different events that compose the universe were not mutually related according to some law, the thought would evidently have no practical efficacy. In reality, these relations must be described not as fixed couplings of defined elements, but rather as a constant structure of variabl es. The principal cause of an effect â€Å"b† may be grasped by abstraction of factors that all possible situations â€Å"b† have in common, as well as those factors that all possible situations â€Å"non-b† do not have in common. It is a process of â€Å"precipitation† of a common aspect of coverage, parting from the inspection of a set of situations belonging to the same class. The result of the precipitation is a change in the configuration the situations envisaged. These situations thus acquire intelligibility that resides in the fact that they are reducible to a general law. This phenomenon can be called, writes Duncker, â€Å"insight of the second degree†. The various elements of a situation, as has been seen, can present very variable degrees of â€Å"availability†. The availability of an object is actually an inverse function of what the author calls its â€Å"fixedness†. For instance, a chimpanzee looking for a stick from which to make a tool, like in Kà ¶hlers experiment, does not recognize it in a branch if the latter still is attached to the tree. In this context the branch constitutes a part of the perceptive unit called â€Å"tree† and, because of this fixedness that anchors it in a definite situation, it is less available for entry into another situation than when it is detached and lies on the ground. Beside this perceptive dependence, the fixedness can also be conditioned functionally. Several of Dunckers well-known experiments reveal that. For instance, two groups of test subjects must discover in a heterogeneous set of objects one that can serve as a counterweight: in this case a book of logarithms. But, before that, one of the groups had first to resolve a mathematical problem requiring the use of the logarithmic tables. It was found that the members of this group less often identify the book in point as a counterweight than do the others. Because of its foregoing usage, which has â€Å"fixed† it as part of a certain function, it is no longer available for a new re-structuring. Another question emerges as a consequence of these results: how can one explain that the perceptive restructurings necessary for a discovery are, according to the individuals, more or less easy? Taking mathematical reasoning as an example, Duncker distinguishes two possible applications: Subjects weak in mathematics are not capable of restructuring easily, because their thinking matter is too rigid, strongly fixed. With individuals gifted in mathematics, there is an abstract level on which the perceptive functions do not interfere, but where only specific mathematical properties are considered. The former hypothesis has a degree of plausibility but it cannot be upheld: in fact, it can be stated that with subjects who are strictly mathematically oriented the perceptive restructuring plays a considerably greater part than with â€Å"ordinary† subjects. Duncker supports, however, the second explanation: it is the different role of perceptive structuring, where the difference refers to the degree with which the material of the thought is organized in depth. This causes the variations in individual performance. It is known that there are subjects of the visual type, with whom the intellectual activities always repose on visual images. By the same token, according to Duncker, many people are unable to explore and treat the problem material if it is not totally permeated with perceptive structures. It has been shown that the Gestalt theoretical notion of insight makes it undeniably possible to describe a plurality of phenomena that are allowed in the problem solving behavior. The notion has fulfilled a certain scientific function in the psychology of the last 100+ years. This advantage is, nevertheless, negatively compensated by a major explicative inability: the concept of intuition rests, almost by definition, out of reach for analysis, and therefore it cannot be included in the causal chain. It thus generates many questions that cannot be answered. Pavlov had noted it immediately and reproached Kà ¶hler for having introduced the â€Å"dualism† and the â€Å"mentalism† in the study of higher processes. If the notion of intuition largely appears as a theoretical instance, is it possible at least to give it precise objective content? Westcott tried to find the answer to this question (see further down). Westcott In his 1968 work, Westcott studied intuition by resorting exclusively to the experimental method. He conceived it initially as a form of inferential behavior and defined it operationally as the fact that an individual solver has attained a solution using less information than is usually necessary. If then for solving a particular problem P, the majority of the population p needs the quantity of information I, any individual who attains the solution using a quantity of information that is less than I displays intuitive behavior vis-à  -vis P. This definition, which is perfectly satisfactory from the scientific point of view, introduces the adoption of differential perspective: the human subjects are more or less intuitive in the same manner as they are more or less intelligent or creative. In his first experimental research Westcott used four kinds of tasks defined by the increasing variety of the type of material (verbal or numerical) and of the type of response (completing series or establishing analogies). These four categories of problems did not require any specialized knowledge, which assured that the test subjects (in Westcotts case students) could be viewed as equals. In solving tasks involving completion of series, the test subjects had at their disposal a set of examples the use of which improved the chances of attaining a solution. The same goes for the problems involving analogies, where the subject was allowed to use as many examples of relations as he pleased. Westcott called every example or additional stage that led to the goal the clue. Each test subject was required to use both the least possible number of clues, and rank, on a four-point scale, the certainty he attaches to each of his responses. Under these experimental conditions, Westcott defined four measures of performance: The quantity of the information used. Instead of the coarse number of clues used by an individual before proposing a solution, it is preferable to ponder the value of the clues used as a function of the mean and the typical spread in the population. The number of correctly solved problems of those twenty that constitute a complete series. The ratio of success (foregoing score) to information demand (first score). This ratio is called efficacy. The mean value of ratings assigned by the subjects to their responses in the twenty problems. The eleven samples studied did not differ with respect to these four measures. In particular, no significant differences are visible between girls and boys. On the other hand, each sample displays a large variability with respect to the scores of the individuals comprising the group, which gives credibility to the idea that individual capabilities differ vastly from person to person. The principal results can be summarized as follows: No correlation exists between successful solving of the tasks and the quantity of information demanded, which a priori could look like a little paradox. But, rather, this result shows that intuition constitutes a differentiating feature: the use of information collected varies greatly from person to person and is independent of the quantity alone. What is important is not the volume of what is received, but rather the specific treatment that the input data receive. Westcott was interested in subjects whose scores were extreme with respect to the two dimensions specified previously. He thus put together four groups corresponding to as many groups of individuals: those who require little information, yet often are successful. Such persons are by definition intuitive subjects, representing no more than 6 % of the total population. those who require little information, but are seldom successful. They are the â€Å"guessers†, free from a real intuitive process. those who need a great deal of information and are often successful. Their performance is prudent, as they never attempt anything if they are under informed. finally, there are those who require a great deal of information and fail most often. They are unable to use information correctly even if the information available is abundant. In all samples studied, a positive correlation exists between success and the degree of confidence in the solutions proposed, which indicates that the test subjects are sufficiently aware of their performance. By contrast, the correlations between confidence and the quantity or information demanded are all negative. It means that the more information a subject demands, the less confidence he has in the responses he gives. Finally, the correlations between confidence and the efficacy score are all positive. Westcott then tried to establish relations that might exist between the four scores mentioned and various aptitudes or personality traits measured by means of various tests. He found a negative correlation between the information demand and the verbal and numerical factors of intelligence, while success, too, seems to be positively related. This confirms the results showing that using intuitive thought seems to go hand in hand with high intelligence. As for personality traits, success is negatively correlated with anxiety. The same goes for the efficacy score, which is also positively related to flexibility. In other words, the subjects who need little information seem to be less stable and more engaged in what they are doing than are subjects who demand much information. The former are also less conformist and less sociable. Finally, the subjects who often succeed tend to be more confident in themselves, while those who often fail are more anxious. The capacity to resolve problems i ntuitively thus belongs to a specific set of personality traits. In the second part of his research, Westcott was interested in the behavior of perceptive inference, conceived a different field of manifestation of the intuitive thought that does not differ fundamentally from problem solving. How do individuals categorize their universe of perceptions? Here, too, the quantity of the information demanded will be considered on the one hand, and the ability to formulate valid conclusions in a perception related task on the other hand. The experimental material used consisted of several images borrowed from childrens books. Each image was cut into a series of seven or eight blocks arranged in the increasing order of completeness. The elements of information occurring in a specific block reappeared evidently in the neighboring block, whereupon the original design gradually re-emerged in its totality. The pictures were presented individually to each subject, beginning by the least complete block, such as a simple sketch of some features. The subjects got the instruction to identify the design as soon as they could, i.e. using the least possible number of blocks. There were thus two different passing conditions: first, the images were presented in the increasing degree of completeness and for as long a time as the subject desired. He could give as many responses as he pleased until he succeeded. Evidently, two measures can be applied here: the mean of the number of responses at which the first attempt to identification is made, and the mean of the number of responses at which the correct answer is given. In the second procedure the subjects could only give one response. The sequence was, however, broken as soon as response, good or wrong, was given. Three scores can be defined here: the mean of the responses corresponding to the demand of information in attempts to resolve the problems; the total number of correct identifications corresponding to the measure of success; and the ratio of the second to the first measure of efficacy. The experiments were carried out on 17 samples, where the age of the test subjects ranged from tender childhood to adulthood. It was thus possible to study individual differences at a given age on the one hand, and the differences between groups as a function of age and the level of education. Westcott has, for instance, established a correlation between the success at examinations and the IQ. This relation seems positive, which confirms the results of the foregoing experiment. Yet, this coarse piece of data for aptitude in mathematics is differentiated according to age. With the youngest ones this aptitude accompanies the higher scores of success and efficiency, while the students results show that this aptitude depends to a lesser degree on efficiency and on a higher demand of information, which does not necessarily accompany success. In other words, Westcott studied the relations between intuitive performance and creativity. The method used consisted of requiring that the teachers teaching the test subjects explain explicitly their own definition of creativity and then rank their students in accordance with this definition. In one of the samples, for instance, the teacher defined creativity by contrasting it to simple imagination and supposed that it requires aggressiveness, initiative, and a minimum of intelligence. Of the 26 test subjects, four most creative and four least creative subjects were selected using this concept. As for the mean number of correct responses obtained, it was found that the most creative students appeared among the top seven individuals, and the least creative ones occupied the bottom five posts. In another sample, the teacher defined creativity by distinguishing it from intelligence, and associating it with flexibility and original expression of oneself. In view of this definition five very creative students along with four very little creative students could be identified. The results obtained confirm those of the foregoing sample: the less creative ones occupy the four lowest tiers as for the number of correct responses provided in the test of perceptive inference. Thus, in the ensemble there is a strong correlation between intuitive behavior and the estimated individual creativity. According to Westcott, the opacity that characterizes the phenomenon of intuition may be due to three causes: it can follow from the fact that certain elements included in the process are inconscient; it can follow from the fact that the relationships between these elements are inconscient; or it can follow from the fact that these elements are comprised in the multiple and complex contexts obtained subliminally, peripherally or accidentally. It is also necessary to note that the intuitive behavior is useful and necessary only in certain situations. In general, our environment is very redundant, it is well informed. It could be said that the same thing is true about creative behavior the emergence of which mostly remains an exceptional phenomenon. Westcotts results make it possible to give a real content to the notion of intuition: the definition of explicit experimental operations permits, at least partially, to eliminate myths about intuition and treat it as a behavior. Of course, these initial results must be largely completed, but they already sketch the path of additional approach to the creative process.

The Role of Technology in Management Leadership Essay -- Business Mana

The Role of Technology in Management Leadership Over the last sixty years of business activity, there has been new ways and means of conducting business through something we call technology. Technology is the advancement and use of electronic devices and other high-tech equipment to produce and progress knowledge into the future. Advancements in technology have affected management leadership in many ways over the last sixty years. New technology has altered leaders’ consciousness, language, and the way they view their organization. Technological advancements have made things easier for those in management leadership roles. But as with anything, there are positive and negative aspects of technology on leadership. Some of the positive aspects of technology are: the availability and use of wireless networking, collaboration tools, digital video, handheld devices, and videoconferencing. On the other hand, the negative aspects of technology are: it offers less privacy, it allows for less interaction with others, and it runs a h igh risk of contact with viruses. On the more positive side, wireless networking allows leaders to share resources with their team operating by means of wireless media, such as microwaves, cellular technology, and radio frequencies. Wireless networking is paving the way for technology integration around the world. The use of collaboration tools allows ongoing conversations among leaders, their subordinates, board members, and community members. Professional development is one area where collaboration can have an enormous impact on management leadership. When leaders can casually share new approaches and practices with each other through a technology connection to their workplace, both leaders and their team will benefit. One way of doing this is to create an Internet mailing list where they can share questions, problems, solutions, successful techniques, and less successful techniques. The Internet is enabling digital video to achieve professional-quality and two-way interaction. This will be one of the rare cases wh ere management leadership will be leading a technological shift in society as a whole. Hand-held devices are high-tech gadgets, now more powerful than early Windows or Macintosh machines. Handheld devices offer more versatility than full-size computers and are much more portable than the alternative personal device, the ... ... to remember that the Internet is a public place, and you should never assume that something is secure. Leaders should be the moral compass for groups, but... Technology has blurred some distinctions between what's right and wrong. Many institutions have been caught in the discourse about websites such as Napster. Some people seem to want to have two sets of rules, one for the cold reality of the analog world and another for the magical digital world. It may take many years to establish equilibrium. In the meantime, be clear and consistent about expectations, after you've given full consideration to the implications. Choose your battles, but be prepared to say "let's wait and see". Leaders appreciate differences, but technology threatens to marginalize others. As for any program goal, a leader should always ask "who gets excluded by this approach?" There is a misperception among many leaders that technology is naturally bias-free: The research suggests otherwise. Furthermore, ind ividuals from some backgrounds do not "buy into" or choose to participate in the emerging technology culture, as should be their choice. Be careful when a technological solution becomes the only solution.

iraq :: essays research papers

iraq Background: Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen ruled the country, the latest was SADDAM Hussein. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years resulted in the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Hussein regime. Coalition forces remain in Iraq, helping to restore degraded infrastructure and facilitating the establishment of a freely elected government, while simultaneously dealing with a robust insurgency. The Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government (IG) in June 2004 and the election of its president, Ghazi al-Ujayl al-YAWR, was held in January 2005,it’s capital is Baghdad. Climate: Iraq is located in the Middle East ,bordering the Persian Gulf between Iran and Kuwait ,it is mostly desert. Mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers, the northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing floods. It’s national disasters consists of dust storms, sandstorms, and most likely in spring, floods.

John Donne: A Poet Out of His Time Essay -- Biography Biographies Essa

John Donne: A Poet Out of His Time      Ã‚   "The first poet in the world in some things," applauded Ben Jonson of his friend, John Donne (Donne, John Donne: A Selection of His Poetry 11). In the midst of the stylized and often frivolous verses of the Elizabethan and cavalier poets, John Donne's work emerges as startling, intellectual, and honest to human nature and emotion- classifying him as the first of the modern poets. Through an exploration of Donne's "The Sun Rising" and "The Flea", we shall reveal Donne's innovative style and technique, and how this repels him from the poetic orthodoxy of the seventeenth century and towards the style of the modern age.    0 "Busy old fool, unruly sun,/ Why dost thou thus?" Donne audaciously denounces the sun itself, a heavenly body worshipped through the ages, in his poem, "The Sun Rising". Moreover, Donne employs an interesting conceit: he uses the routine, everyday phenomena of the rising sun as the basis for a love poem, love being extraordinary, new, and often once-in-a-lifetime. Donne goes on dramatically and arrogantly to thre... John Donne: A Poet Out of His Time Essay -- Biography Biographies Essa John Donne: A Poet Out of His Time      Ã‚   "The first poet in the world in some things," applauded Ben Jonson of his friend, John Donne (Donne, John Donne: A Selection of His Poetry 11). In the midst of the stylized and often frivolous verses of the Elizabethan and cavalier poets, John Donne's work emerges as startling, intellectual, and honest to human nature and emotion- classifying him as the first of the modern poets. Through an exploration of Donne's "The Sun Rising" and "The Flea", we shall reveal Donne's innovative style and technique, and how this repels him from the poetic orthodoxy of the seventeenth century and towards the style of the modern age.    0 "Busy old fool, unruly sun,/ Why dost thou thus?" Donne audaciously denounces the sun itself, a heavenly body worshipped through the ages, in his poem, "The Sun Rising". Moreover, Donne employs an interesting conceit: he uses the routine, everyday phenomena of the rising sun as the basis for a love poem, love being extraordinary, new, and often once-in-a-lifetime. Donne goes on dramatically and arrogantly to thre...

Compare ‘The Soldier’ written by Rupert Brooke and ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’ written by Wilfred Owen

Lately we have studied two poems that were written during the time of World War One. They were ‘The Soldier' written by Rupert Brooke and ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth' written by Wilfred Owen. Both of these poets were soldiers involved in fighting during World War One. ‘The Soldier' is an uplifting and optimistic poem looking at the positive side of dying for your country when going to war. I think the poet Rupert Brooke wrote the poem to send home to his family to reassure them if he died it would be peacefully and not in pain. In the first stanza Brooke is saying that if he dies while away in this foreign country, that he'll leave a part of England there. The following quotation is an example that he is English through-and-through: â€Å"A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam.† He was born and brought up with a certain kind of English lifestyle and culture. He then goes on to describe the flowers and winding paths making us think of England as idyllic and peaceful. He uses personification in the first line of the quote. It compares England to a woman giving birth to a child and bringing it up. In the second stanza Brooke describes England as a country of no evil and that he will remember it forever, he'll always have happy memories from the past when he lived in England. Some of the best memories being times he's spent with the people he loved. The final line in stanza two is: â€Å"In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.† This conveys that England has shaped him into who he is and he is proud of it. ‘The Soldier' is a sonnet. A sonnet is a 14-line poem used to express personal feelings. His choice of words describe his personal feelings as well. These words all add reassurance to the poet's relatives that if he dies, it will be peaceful. Examples of the words used to describe the peacefulness are: â€Å"blest, dream, gentleness, peace and heaven†. One of the main features that the poet uses in this in this poem is repetition. The most widely used word that the poet uses repeatedly is ‘England' and ‘English' adding to the patriotism and significance that England has to him it isn't just a place it represents a culture and a set of values as well. The structure of the poem is that it has two verses and 14 lines in total. The rhyming scheme is- A B A B C D C D – E F G E F G Each letter represents a line, two lines with the same letter means that it rhymes. Brooke uses alliteration, the consonant that is being repeated is an ‘f', it is a soft sound yet again showing calmness and peacefulness: â€Å"That there's some corner of a foreign field That is forever England.† Other alliteration such as: â€Å"Her sights and sounds†, â€Å"Dream happy as day†, And, laughter, learnt of friends†. All these show how the poet feels about the possibility of his death. He is optimistic and knows he is prepared to die fighting for his country. The other poem ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth' written by Wilfred Owen is also a sonnet. ‘Doomed youth' mean all those young men to be sent to war and on the front are destined to die. In the poem the poet expresses his views on what should happen to these people when they die. They all should be given a funeral and a proper send off, even those on the battlefield. You can tell this because throughout the poem he mentions funerals and church services. The first stanza suggests the horror of death and how they compare these men to animals † For those who die as cattle.† There deaths have been brutal and violent. The first stanza demonstrate this, it is full of noise and violence to show the pandemonium of the battle compared to the funeral they would have had at home and how it differs: â€Å"No prayers, bells, nor any voice of mourning save the choirs† The second stanza is more peaceful and shows the grief of the relatives when they find out what's happened and in the second stanza it looks at the kind of send off they would have had if they had been at home. It uses words such as ‘candles', ‘hands of boys', ‘their pall', ‘holy glimmers of goodbyes' and ‘flowers' all things that are related to a church service. The final line of this poem depicts the morning of the soldier's relatives: â€Å"And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.† When a death occurred during this period the families who had lost people they loved, closed the blinds to show their sadness and to keep the rest of the world out. In this case the consonant being repeated is ‘D'. D is a harsh sound stressing the relatives coping with losing a loved one. This poem is also a sonnet it shows personal feeling of what the poet though about not getting a proper send off. The rhyming scheme is- A B A B C D C D – E F F E G G The poem ends with a rhyming couplet that means the last two lines rhyme. In the first stanza the poet uses onomatopoeia to demonstrate the sound on the battlefield: â€Å"Only the stuttering rifles rapid rattle† It is also an example of alliteration. This poem is against war and the inappropriate way these men have lost their lives. The general mood of he poem is anger and sadness. Anger because the young men died unnecessarily without having much of a life and sadness because all these people are dying needlessly and others are mourning because of this. ‘The Soldier' and ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth' are both sonnets with two stanza and 14 lines but both poem are completely different in their take of the same situation.

Night World : Witchlight Chapter 18

The mobilize to Charlotte passed in a blur. All Keller could int give up was hanging on while Nissa did n spikely of the wildest driving shed ever experienced. They went offroad for a considerably deal of the way.It was unrivalled minute to midnight when they squealed into a parking lot in battle depend of a long, low building. Go in, go in Nissa give tongue to, slamming to a stop in front of a set of picture doors.Keller and Galen and Winnie and Iliana ran.They burst into a large populate that showmed very brightly lit. A sea of chairs with bodies academic session in them swam in front of Kellers eye. Then she focused on a platform at the front.Come on, she verbalize tersely.There were a number of concourse sitting at a send back on the platform, facing the auditory sense unsloped equivalent any ordinary instrument panel, with glass of water and microphonesin front of them. b arly Keller recognized about of the passel as she got closer, and they were anything however ordinary.That little dumpling-shaped woman with the turn of events smell was commence Cybele. contract of both the beldamees, hardly as grannie Harman had been Crone. With Grandma Harman dead, she was the witches leader.The tall girl with the lovely f tuckerures and the cafe au lait skin who sat beside her was Aradia. The ruse Maiden of the beguilees mentioned in the prophecies.And that regal-looking man with the flamboyant hair and beard, sitting by the queenlike woman with flashing green eyesThey could only be the leaders of the early abode of the shapeshifters.Galens baffle and father.There were others, excessively, all-important(a) people from Circle Daybreak, tho Keller didnt charter season to focus on them. arrest Cybele was on her feet and speaking. She must have been a little short-sighted, because she didnt appear to see Keller and the others glide path up on the side. Her voice was decelerate and c formerlyrned.Im fearful that since its now past midnight-Keller glanced at her watch. Its only midnight now stick Cybele looked up, startled, over her glasses. Every head on the panel dark. And every compositors case in the consultation was suddenly fixed on Kellers group.A low murmur like the humming of bees began, besides it swelled very readily to something like a muted roar. slew were pointing openly as Keller ran up the travel to the stage.She glanced back at the others and realize why. They were a handsome sad-looking bunch. Every one of them was waterlogged and ragged. Winnies strawberry-blond hair was dark red with family on one side. Galens sweater was in shreds. And she herself was filthy from the tunnel and all the crap shed encountered in the illumination.Only Diana looked reasonably clean, and that was plausibly because the glow unbroken you from focusing too closely.Mother Cybele gave a little yell of joy that sounded quite young, and she dropped the index separate shed been safekeeping. A radia stood up, her beautiful blank eyes sullen toward them, her entire face shining with joy. Galens pargonnts looked modification startled and relieved. unless some guy c open in a dark character grabbed Kellers arm as she reached the top of the steps.Who argon you supposed to be? he tell.Keller agitate him off and stood with her hair swirling around her. Were the people whore bringing you the hazardous Power, she give tongue to. She spotted Nissa just coming in the door and beckoned to her. And were in like manner the ones who killed the dragon.The big room fell so silent that you could have perceive a stem clip drop.Well, actually, she killed the dragon, Keller say, pointing to Diana.Aradia said in a hushed voice, The Witch Child. Shes have sex to us.Iliana walked slowly up onto the stage and stood straight. I didnt kill it alone(predicate), she said. Everybody helped, and especially Keller and Galen.Galens fathers golden eyebrows went up, and Galens mother grippe d her husbands arm. Keller glanced sideways at Galen and saw that he was blushing.They fought it and fought it until they were both almost dead. yet accordingly, when I used the blue fire, they got split up again.She said it so simply, speaking to Mother Cybele alone, or so it seemed. She didnt look in the to the lowest degree self-conscious, or in the least arrogant.I suppose shes used to having everybody looking at her, Keller purpose.Mother Cybele actually clasped her little loopy hands together and shut her eyes. When she loose them again, they were shining with rupture.But all she said was, Welcome, my child. Grandma Harmans last words were for you. She hoped you would adventure your power.She did, Keller said. Winnie helped her.I didnt help her do that, Winnie said candidly. What she did back there and what she said. I just tried to show her how to use the orangeness fire. But when she started talking- She shook her curly head. I dont spot where she got all that stu ff round Hecate.It just came to me, Iliana said. I dont know. It was as if somebody was face it to me, and I was just ingeminate it.But who could have said it? Keller aspect. Who else but somebody who was there the first time, when the dragons were project to sleep? Who else but Hecate Witch-Queen herself?Even though shed been dead thirty thousand years.Its time for everything thats sleeping to wake back up again.Keller realized that she was regarding a stochasticity from the herd. At first, she thought that they were muttering in disbelief again, or maybe in annoyance at these people who were stand on the stage and chattering.Then it got louder and louder, and she realized it was applause.People were clapping and cheering and whistling. It was utter off the ceiling and walls. And just when Keller thought it couldnt possibly get any louder, a new beat would come and judge her wrong.It took a long time for Mother Cybele to get them all quieted d consume. Then she turned t o Keller and said formally, So youve comp permited your missionary station?Keller realized that it was a cue. And in the thick of the dizzy happiness shed been feeling, something twisted in her heart.She kept it from showing on her face. She kept herself standing erect.Yes, she said to Mother Cybele. Ive brought the Witch Child. She swallowed hard.And here is the son of the First House of the shapeshifters, Galens father said. He stepped over to Galen and took his hand. His face was stern but glowing with pride.Galens face was pale but set. He looked at Keller-for just one moment. And whence he looked straight egress at the audience with unseeing eyes.Mother Cybele looked toward Iliana. To take her hand, Keller supposed, and roast it with Galens. But Iliana was holding some verbalise conversation with Aradia.When she finally turned around, Iliana said, 1 want Keller to do it. Shes the one obligated for all this.Keller blinked. Her throat was so swollen, it was insufferable to swallow again. But she wouldnt have thought it of Iliana. Really, it seemed so pointlessly cruel to win her do it.But maybe she doesnt understand. Thats it, she doesnt realize, Keller thought. She let out a careful, shaky trace and said, Okay.She reached for Dianas hand-And felt a stab in her palm.She looked humble, astonished. Iliana had a knife in that hand, a perfectly serviceable little knife. She had diagonal Keller with it, and Keller was bleeding. In fact, Iliana seemed to be bleeding, too.Sorry, Iliana hissed. Ick, I nauseate railway line.Then, grabbing Kellers hand again, she faced the audience and increase it up high.There she said. Now were blood babes. And shes already been like a sister to me, because she saved my life over and over. And if thats non correct comme il faut for an alliance in the midst of the witches and the shapeshifters, I dont know what is.The entire audience gaped at her. Mother Cybele blinked rapidly.Are you saying Galens father looked i ncredulous. Are you saying that you wont bind my son?Im saying that she ought to marry your son- or promise to him, or whatever they want. Shes the one hes in love with. And I dont see why you should make him miserable for his self-colored life just because you want the shapeshifters bind to the witches. Keller and I are tied together, and we endlessly allow for be. And Galen, too. wherefore cant that be enough?A sound was starting from the concourse again. Kellers heart seemed to soar on it. But she was still staring at Iliana, afraid to believe.But what if the witches dont agree to it? Galens father said feebly.Iliana stamped her foot She actually did.Tm the Witch Child. Theyd better listen to me. I didnt go through all of this for nothing.Then the crowd was thundering applause even louder than before, and the wave seemed to sweep Keller right into Galens arms.Sometime later, in the middle of a lot of clasp and kissing, Keller whispered to Iliana, Are you sure?Td better be sure, dont you return? Or Galens loss to be pretty upset.Iliana-Tm sure, Iliana whispered. She squeezed Keller. I unfeignedly do care about him. I guess Im sort of in love with him, too. But I saw. I saw his face in the clearing when he thought you were dead. And I heard the way he said your name. And and so I knew, you know? The cardinal of you were meant to be. So Im sure.A leopard? Galens mother said, shaking out her topaz-colored hair. Why, near, thats wonderful. Your great-great-grandmother was a leopard.You gave up being a bird for me, Keller whispered in his ear.I think I could set to like running, he murmured, and took the materialize to touch his lips to her cheek.No, maam, Im really sorry I woke you up, Keller said. Yes, maam, I do know how late it is. She strained to hear the voice on the other end of the phone. She had a finger in her ear to render and block out the echo of the wild celebration around her, but it wasnt doing much good.Because I honestly dont t hink its funny, Dianas mother said. The baby is just exquisite hes been in his bed all night. Why would you think he wasnt?Well, maam, its hard to formulateAnd now hes awake, and hes liberation to start crying-well, hes not crying. But now he wants to eat the phone AlexA voice on the other end squealed and said distinctly, Kee-keeYeah, its Kee-kee, Keller said, startled. Um, Im buoyant youre okay, kid. And, see, I didnt go bye-bye aft(prenominal) all. So you may think youre pretty smart,but you still have something to learn about precognition, hotshot. Right? Keller added, You know I thought for a minute once that you might be the Wild Power. But I guess youre just a good old-fashioned witch baby.Diana, who was passing by, gave her a very strange look. Keller, are you having a conversation with my baby brother?What comminutedly did the dragon say? Mother Cybele asked anxiously. Although she looked like a big descend and her eyes were forever kind, there was a firmness about her plump chin up that Keller liked.I asked who woke him up. And he said-Keller reached for the exact words-he said, Someone youll never know. A witch who isnt a witch. We made our own alliance.A witch who isnt a witch, Mother Cybele repeated.Aradias face was sober. I wonder who that could be. And where they are now.Mother Cybele said quietly, Time will tell.The police are already inside, Nissa said, holding the cell phone to her ear as she talked to Keller. I guess the kids at the party called them when they saw a panther. Theyve found the family Mr. and Ms. Ashton-Hughes and Jaime and Brett. Theyre taking them to the hospital.She snapped the phone shut. Wed better send some witches to the hospital. But as long as theyre alive, they have a pretty good chance, dont you think? After all, weve got a Wild Power with healing fire. Now, cant you relax and try to enjoy yourself?It was two days later. Keller was sitting in a sunny alcove in the safe house where Hiana and Galen and the others had been brought to treasure them from the Night World. And to give them a chance to recover.It was nice to be still for a while. To sit and read and think. And it was even nicer to be able to do it with Galen around.He came in the door quietly-he always moved cat-quietly now. She smiled at him. He looked so wonderfully dear with his golden hair and fairytale looks and leopard-green eyes.I wrote you a poem, he said, sitting down beside her. Well, no, thats not true. I kind of take what your mother wrote and made it into something. I dont know what. But I think maybe its what she really meant to say, after all.Keller blinked at him, then looked down at the piece of paper he gave her.People die so love them every day. Beauty fades so look before its gone. Love changes but not the love you give. And if you love, youll never be alone.Actually, I was going to say, And you will always be alone so dont trust on others for your happiness, but dont stop loving, either, because the n youll end up empty and alone instead of alone and strong and able to give without worrying aboutwhat youre going to get back. But that was kind of long, and it didnt scan, he said.Keller stared down at the paper blindly.Im sorry, he said. If you dont like it-Keller threw her arms around him, and her tears spilled over. Im going to burn the other one, she said.And I love you. Kiss me.He grinned. Yes, Boss.And he did. ane from the land of kings long forget One from the hearth which still holds the prompt One from the Day World where two eyes are watching One from the twilight to be one with the dark..