The Many Issues Working Parents Face Essay Example for Free

The Many Issues dieing Parents Face EssayWorking parents may consider arrive at to be either a blessing or a curse. Most people agree that with by twist there is no way to support oneself or a family. Both parents are forced to work because they want their children to experience the good life. However, on their road to success, functional parents have to sacrifice several other things. In addition to a inadequacy of family or leisure time, a mortals job also creates a lot of stress.Work can be the highway to success. However, hectic schedules caused by vast hours of work can lead to detrimental changes in ones personal life. Marilyn Gardner talks about a cop whose work hours are messed up. She states that Mr. Fulgham kit and caboodle twelve-hour shifts which rotate between sidereal days and nights and eats agreefast when his family is norm tout ensembley eating lunch. He gets almost no time with his family. When he gets a chance to slide by time with his family, it c auses the schedule of his family to get messed up too (Gardner 235-38). De Graaf, a journalist for the New York Times, states that (u)ntil the current recession, Americans were working some of the longest hours in the industrial world. coarse hours at work lead to lesser time with family. For example, in My Mother, Her Career, My Questions, Palmer has a friend whose mother hardly spent any time with her. Being a doctor and working long hours, the mother was so tired when she came back home that she had to force herself to play with her kids (Palmer 244).This shows how work can have a detrimental impact of the persons relationships with his/her family. Even parents feel guilty about not being able to spend enough time with family. They admit that the womb-to-tomb they work, the lesser time they spend with their kids (Seligson). It is said that people who work longer hours are more likely to get a divorce due to the lack of togetherness. The main point of being a family is that the members of the family have to be together and enjoy each others company. However, parents that work weird schedules or extremely long hours fail to spend enough time with their family. This loosens relationships and can even tear apart families.Thus, there has to be a balance between work time and family time. Parents are always aiming to work those extra hours to get more work done, but they do not realize thatthey are missing out on their childrens lives. Additionally, working parents need to know that too much work can also cause Another negative effect of working long hours is the stress it causes. When there isnt enough time to complete a certain project at work, a person works extra time to finish it. These long hours can mess up a persons daily schedule. Anger, exhaustion and stress are some of the many negative effects long hours have on an individual (Gillian). Audrey Gillian, a journalist for The Guardian, feels that Ronald Regan was wrong when he said hard work never ki lled anyone.The health issues caused by working long hours can eventually lead to death. In addition to that, in The Case for Staying at Home, Claudia Wallis talks about how women have to work some(prenominal) at their workplace and at home which creates more stress and exhaustion. In Serving in Florida Barbara juggled two different jobs. With the minimum wage she got, she could hardly drop to pay her rent (Ehrenreich 179-186). She started working longer hours to get more money. Although she tried fighting till the end, she had to finally give up both her jobs because she was working all day and couldnt seem to make ends meet (Ehrenreich 186). It seems like people have to choose between life and work. After coming back from a day of hard work, one would usually opt to take a break and just rest.However, women are expected to come home and attend to the familys needs. She has to cook, clean and basically keep her family happy (Wallis 240). This causes the person to be stressed out and fatigued. People need to realize that it is fine to take a break from work once in a while. A persons body has a certain limit for everything. When a person goes beyond that limit, the pitying body reacts and this causes stress and other health related issues. Stress leads to fights which lead to broken relationships. Are you ready to forget about family and only focus on your career?Most would say that there needs to be balance so that one can be successful at work and at the same time, maintain good relationships with his/her family. All in all, work may have a positive effect on our lives, but in redundance it can ruin a persons life and even break up families. Work can also make a person weary and tired. If you are in surgery, would you prefer a well rested doctor to operate on you or one who has been working the whole day with no break? I would surely opt for the rested one to make sure nothing would go wrong. People need to maintain a work-life balance so that the effect s of workdont cause their life any harm.Works Citedde Graaf, John. Less Work, More Life. The Progressive Sept. 2010 22+. Gale contend Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.Ehrenreich, Barbara. Serving in Florida. 2001. The Language of Composition Reading, Writing, Rhetoric. Boston Bedford, 2008. 179-86. Print. Gardner, Marilyn. More Working Parents Play Beat the Clock. The Language of Composition Reading, Writing, Rhetoric. Boston Bedford/St. Martins, 2008. 235-38. Print. Gillan, Audrey. Work until You Drop How the Long-hours Culture Is Killing Us. The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 20 Aug. 2005. Web. 06 Dec. 2012. Palmer, Kimberly. My Mother, Myself, Her Career, My Questions. The Language of Composition Reading, Writing, Rhetoric. Boston Bedford/St. Martins, 2008. 243-45. Print. Seligson, Hannah. When the Work-Life Scales Are Unequal. The New York Times. The New York Times, 02 Sept. 2012. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. Wallis, Claudia. The Case for Staying at Home. 2006. The Language o f Composition Reading, Writing, Rhetoric. Bedford, Freeman Worth Pub., 2008. 240-41. Print.

Segregation from 1955 to 1963 Essay Example for Free

Segregation from 1955 to 1963 EssayHow far is it accurate to say that crucial progress had been made in separationism from 1955 to 1963?This closure was certainly of prime importance. During this era, the rate of protest versus requisition really began to increase, building on the momentum of the decade before. It was also during this period that tension and jaundice grew to the level that lead to the development of to a greater extent radical organi sit downions, although they did non come to the fore themselves before 1963 55 to 63 was mainly characterised by peaceful protest. The highest visibility and most remembered of these was in 1955, the Montgomery Bus Boycott a watershed for the movement, proving that peaceful resistance especially when the action created economic fallout could be thriving in forcing change. The event also proved that, after the debacle of the ambiguous Brown Vs Board of Education ruling, that a grass roots approach could incline direct chan ge.The story is well versed the NAACP was looking for an event with which to legitimise a boycott, and it came when Rosa Parks an NAACP employee herself was asked to leave her seat for a white man, and refused. afterwards being arrested and fined, Martin Luther King proposed a boycott by all blacks of the city bus transit system, relying instead on carpools to get around, or taxis driven by blacks who modified their fares to be equal to that of a bus journey.The protest lasted over a year, during which protesters were attacked, and buildings firebombed by white supremacists. However, once nationwide attention was brought to the courtship, the tide moody in the boycotts favour in June 1956 the supreme court ruled that public transport segregation in Alabama was unconstitutional, a ruling Alabama finally accepted in December. The protesters emerged victorious, and the movement had found its first widely known leader King. The event, undoubtedly, was a significant leap forward d ue to nationwide reportage brought the plight of southern blacks to the attentions of northern white moderates.Other peaceful, grassroots protests followed, such as the Greensboro and Nashville sit-ins. Here, black students along with white sympathisers would defy segregation by sitting in white only areas, such as the lunch counter in the Greensboro Woolworths department store. On the first day of the protest, 4 students sat at the counter all day, refusing to leave (they were not served).The next day, the number grew five fold to 20 this became 60 on the third and more than ccc on the fourth, a monumental level of escalation, showing the amount of people opposed to segregation who were willing to step in. As with the bus boycott the breakthrough was the media attention generated, and, much like before, the protests became a national news story, drawing praise from the President. Although not the first sit-in, it was the highest profile one so far and exalt copycat protests all across the south, some with dramatic results (desegregation in Nashville, for instance.) By not responding to attackers (who poured hot c awayee over them or beat them) the protesters, to most onlookers, were uniquely the good guys, leading to the protests successes.Also of note was the Birmingham Campaign, organised by King and the SCLC, which effectively shut down the city of Birmingham a city of intense segregation. As with most of the other protests it was the national attention that the protesters sought, and they found it due to police brutality and the use of water cannons against the protesters, something of a national outcry developed. Although desegregation in the city itself continued slowly, the city became generally more accepting of blacks and the incident played a major part in the 1964 civil rights act, proving its significance. King emerged from the exploit at arguably his highest popularity yet, and embarked on the prove on Washington afterwards. Up to 300,00 0 blacks and moderates arrived at the capital and marched to the Lincoln memorial, where King delivered his timeless I have a dream speech. This was really the culmination of Kings popularity and national coverage of the civil rights issue in fact, more cameras had been set up to film the event than at Kennedys inauguration.However, the advances from 1955 to 63 were not all grassroots in nature, such as the Little Rock incident, in which 9 blacks were barred at first from enrolling in a local school and turned away by guards but later, under the protection of Brown Vs Board of Education were allowed in (soldiers were even drafted in to take hold them), proving that, although the ruling had been ambiguous as to when exactly schools had to be desegregated, top down approaches could be effective when enforced directly.However, there were serious limitations to the effectiveness of desegregation during this period. flat during this period, tensions within the civil rights movement we re growing, and indignation built over the fact that so little seemed to have been accomplished. This was particularly pronounced with students they had lived through segregation and inequitable laws, and now that they were young adults, many of them had seen no change. King had promised much but delivered little within their lives, and a lifetime is a long time. Thus, many became let down with King and what he preached i.e, peaceful protest. As far as they had seen, peaceful process had accomplished nothing, and so, borne out of this was a new, more radical movement.This began with the formation of more proactive organisations, such as the SNCC, and continued with the emergence of radical leadership such as Malcolm X, who had a very different view to King on how to achieve an end to Jim Crow. This was the beginning of not only more violent protesting but also black power, both of which went on to weaken the peaceful protestors cause as evident cracks emerged in the civil rights movement and its leaders. With blacks engaging in force play and black supremacy being taught, the civil rights movement lost the virtuous high ground in the eyes of many would-be moderates, and the influence of white supremacy groups grew as a result. Malcolm Xs constant attacks on King, including criticism of the March on Washington seriously undermined Kings position.Another limiting factor was the sheer scale of the resistance in the south to desegregation, and the fierce adherence to tradition. This was encapsulated in the violence during the freedom rides, an entirely peaceful event from the protestors side, anyway. The police ignored the violence and even flat out supported it (one of their excuses as to why they werent available to retain the protesters was that all the officers had to go and see their mothers on mothers day, an insultingly bad excuse, and one whos meaning could not have been clearer We honestly could not deal out less (or could care less, this being th e US)).Bearing in mind that all the protesters were doing was sitting busses moving through southern states the level of violence was truly shocking white activists were not spared either. They were beaten, had their eyes gouged out, were burnt, and the busses trashed. Ambulances refused to take them to hospital and, as had become so common, none of the attackers were arrested, with senior officials implying that the activists had it coming. Attitudes like this really test the notion that segregation had made significant progress indeed, the rides themselves were for the purpose of seeing if, in these traditional southern states, rulings on interstate bus travel being desegregated had been accepted. The answer an emphatic no.Eisenhower leaned off slightly on civil rights after the progress made by Truman, leading to a slowdown in the activity of top-down desegregation approaches, although this was not entirely negative, seeing as many southern states had seen Trumans executive ord ers as meddling, and resented federal intervention on a state level. Grassroots approaches had been shown to be significantly more effective because they came from within a state and were able to attack it directly. Kennedy, too, made no great headway with civil rights, promising to end segregation with the stroke of a pen before election but turning his attention towards Russia and the Cold War in office.In conclusion, while, like the decade before, 55 63 was a major era for the advancements of civil rights and desegregation, with grassroot, peaceful activism making many gains and top down measures continuing to trickle through, the emergence of popular leaders and high profile, nationwide coverage of the plight of American Negroes becoming commonplace, and growing support from white moderates coming together to create significant victories and advances, drawbacks remained. These included the stubborn, hidebound nature of the south, presidents who took a backseat when it came to civil rights and a fractured movement, with many young blacks rejecting the teachings of King. Overall however I feel that significant progress had been made in this period despite the drawbacks, rather than being nullified by them.

Business environment facing lafarge cement of UK

Business environment facing lafarge cement of UKIntroductionLafarge has been a major player in the UK grammatical eddy sector since entering the British market in 1987 acquiring Redland in 1997 and Blue Circle in two hundred1. Today, Lafarge is the market-leader in cement and holds top-ranking positions in aggregates, concrete and plasterboard. Lafarge has three sister companies in Britain Lafarge cementum UK, Lafarge Aggregates Concrete UK and Lafarge Plasterboard UK. Lafarge is passionate about customer c are and proud of its active approach to sustainability and base hitty (Lafarge.co.uk 2009).This piece of work leave alone explore the transaction environment facing Lafarge and establish a few strategical priorities going into the future. A Summary Statement of FindingsThis summary statement of findings analyses the UK spin sedulousness, which is a major sector in the UK economy. The patience has a high political and social profile due to it key role in providing accommodate, its electric shock on the environment and its part as a major employer. It accounts for approximately 10% of the UK GDP and provides for over half its fixed capital investment.The intentness experienced rapid bring forthing in the 1980s but a recession in the early 1990s had severe repercussions resulting in its output plummeting, as try is Appendix . However, the intensity of work already in progress cushioned the impact. The output of the UK construction pains increased from 55 million in the mid 1980s to an wasted of 110 million by 2007 a remarkable increase in real terms when considering the relative low levels of inflation. However, this increase all diversifyd in 2008 as problems in the US sub-prime mortgage market triggered a catastrophic crash in the US banking sector, which in plait created problems in UK financial markets. This triggered a vast recession in the UK which sent the output of the UK Construction industry to fall 1.1% in 2008. The downsi de of the stinting recession get to construction industry the hardest. This is as this industry runs on credit, to a greater extent than than others, and a credit squeeze affected it badly. Moreover, from the other side customers were seek to spend as little as possible, squeezing the circumferences that construction companies were functional on. Lafarges performance within the UK business environment during 2008 saw a decline as discussed in Appendix ?. This decline was caused by the recession that hit the UK market in early 2008 the construction sector shrank at its fastest pace since records began. This reduced government and public spending which had a major impact on Lafarge as less government spending meant less money went on the newfound infrastructure schemes which reduced Lafarge Contracting sales which in turn reduced material sales This had a big effect on Lafarge UK figures as they seen an immense slump in 2008 figures compared to what they were in 2007. A Review a nd abridgment into the Business Environment of the UK Construction IndustryBusiness environment at Lafarge UKThe best method to discover the happenings of a business environment around a come with is to undertake a PESTEL synopsis. By undertaking a PESTEL analysis it will help one to understand the environment within which Lafarge works better. tone at the construction industry in general, some of the political issues surrounding them are Political factors* The UK government is clearly pushing for more low- speak to caparison within the country and this includes both public sector and private sector housing. So it can be said that good or decent housing needs to the people of the country is quite an important political issue. * The Government is involved with housing projects through private finance initiatives and public private partnerships, as these tend to be key aspects of housing projects involving financing, building and operating for these projects. This level of govern ment involvement does mean that it has political implications like selecting projects or choosing partners as hale as financial implications. * The UK construction industry is very large in terms of employment, revenue geneproportionn and importance to the economy. This high profile nature of the company means the Government usually takes its concerns very seriously and cannot afford to not be empathetic towards the industry. * The constantly spiralling prices of housing within the country points to the need of having affordable housing. Affordable housing schemes means more houses will be built and thence definitely have an impact on all parts of the construction industry including that of Lafarge. * The problem with a high profile industry is that it brings about a lot of regulations with it, thus needs like excogitatening permission and so cause a lot of delay in projects involving a lot of debate and to some extent bureaucracy. Economic Factors The construction industry has a more than 100 bn turnover and this making it one of the largest sectors of the country. This clearly specifies scope for Lafarge, especially as it has the reach and resources to be a big player within the industry. The downside of the economic recession has hit construction industry the hardest. This is as this industry runs on credit, more than others, and a credit squeeze affected it badly. Moreover, from the other side customers were trying to spend as little as possible, squeezing the margins that construction companies were working on. Although the economy is recovering but coming out of a long recession, the industry will take cartridge clip to reach its pre recession levels. One of the implications of being part of the construction industrys that the Government is tightening the environmental norms all the time thus it adds to the financial burden of the company as they have to deal with directives, clauses and other pieces of legislation. Social Factors There is some sk ill shortage within the construction industry hence an effort is being made by all companies to hire young, talented people. This can affect Lafarge as they will need to invest time and money into the training of these individuals but as a long-term investment it is good for the company. The changes in society have been bringing about a change in the housing needs for people and fast. As more people are living alone, marrying later and old people living longer, distinct changes in housing pattern can be seen. This will increase the need for single occupancy housing thus this needs to be thought of by all constituents of the construction industry. With the ever increasing need for sustainable development, housing projects are affecting nearby retail, commercial and public buildings too. This again changes the way the industry functions or will do in the future. Technological Factors Regulations regarding buildings continue to add towards bettering readiness efficiency and putting d emand on other such technical factors in congenator to buildings. This again adds to the financial burden of the companies like Lafarge and a major investment in RD results due to this. New and improved building materials are also a major research within the industry. The need of the hour is to come up with materials that are sustainable, good for the environment but still functional. wherefore work is being carried out to satisfy the next generation of demands. Methods that are being used within the industry to build houses are giving uprising to new methods of assembly and modulation. New improvements include developing structured insulated panels that provide thermally insulated sheet materials. For further information, Appendix offers a further review and analysis into the business environment of the UK construction industry. Lafarge does operate within the larger construction industry sector however this section will explore the building materials sector, which is Lafarge s eye operating territory. This section will look at the environment for that particular sector. Sector overviewAs hinted in the last section that construction industry is undergoing a lot many changes and the building materials sector is no different. As emerging markets become urbanized and their demand for materials grows, so does the need to align to these markets. Within the more developed economies, environment and sustainability have become major points and as people gain awareness, companies like Lafarge will need to take those demands into consideration. Some of the key strategic directions taken by Lafarge areExpansion of emerging marketsThere has been a thorough realignment in favour of emerging economies both in Europe and abroad. rough the world, cement production is growing at 5% each year which means that every year 100 million tones of cement is being consumed. Reports show that 70% of world demand is going to come from these sectors hence Lafarge will need to make itself a leading player in these markets. Lafarges menses dodge in this regard is quite good, as it has acquired a lot of Cement companies in every region around the world. In fact including Asia, Africa, Central and eastern Europe, this region contributes to 37% of its turnover and nearly half of its cement turnover. Lafarge is without doubt moving towards a strategy of more value creation. To elaborate, its programs are creating nearly 50 million tonnes of accessional cement capacity by 2012. This is in addition to the aggregates and gypsum business. Reducing costThere are a lot of general costs associated with the manufacture of building products and can be broken down as follows Energy accounts for 33% of the cost of producing cement,Raw materials (more than 50% of which are cement) represent 75% of the cost of ready-mix concrete Delivery expenses account for approximately 20% of the cost, raw materials (primarily gypsum and paper) represent 40% of the cost of plasterboard, energy, raw materials and labour represent 50% of the cost of producing aggregates.Lafarge will need to reduce all costs associated with material manufacture, especially considering the economic crisis in general. It has already started a program that reduces costs by 200 million by the start of 2010 and over a period of three years, a cost cutting of nearly 400 million. (see appendix ?)This is in addition to the cost cutting exercise over 2006-08 of 400 million. It has also put a cap on expenditure at 2 billion for 2009. These new financial initiatives have completely set Lafarge in a new strategic direction. Cost cutting will definitely meliorate the companys financial health and enable it to operate on better margins. Reducing environmental footprint of Lafarge operationsIf one looks at the industry in general there is a lot of waste production along with pollution, dust and other harmful ingredients in the atmosphere. Those materials that are waste derived are actively needed by the cement industry. These are used as replacement for fossil fuel and other raw materials. This measure is only taken forward if the materials can be safe to use and are of high technical quality. Along with all of this if the regulatory norms are met then these materials can be used and are a bribe for the industry. The entire industry is now using over 1.4 million tonnes of waste this way and a major contributor in helping the UK government to take on its environmental targets. Coming back to Lafarge, it has been trying to reduce CO2 it produces and emits in accordance to the regulations set by governments all around the world. The current strategy of Lafarge is to improving its material making processes including modernizing plants. It also is rapidly propagating the use of alternative fuels for its production. Another important step taken by the company is moving towards sustainable construction. build or construction of any sort does lead to consumption of huge swathes of energy and nearly 40% of all CO2 can be attributed to it. Lafarge is working hard at making better buildings using better materials and processes. Lafarge is looking at changing the lifecycle of making building products and incorporating using recyclable materials and renewable energy in order to reduce pollution. Evaluating the future impact of the UK business environment on LafargeSome important themes have emerged from the previous sections of this piece of work that will help one to recommend future strategies to Lafarge. As far as strategic direction goes Lafarge has to align the company in two directionsFirst, it needs to conserve investing in the emerging markets by strategically acquiring cement companies or starting Greenfield projects if needed. Its taking over of Orascom cement clearly shows that organic ripening is important for the company and needs to continue in the same vein. (see appendix ?)Second, innovation via investment in RD is crucial for its long-term be nefit. As companies and people grow more aware of the issues surrounding the environment, recyclable and sustainable practices, including materials processes, production needs to be incorporated. This will require a lot of effort and investment as well as a new way of thinking. Other than these main priorities the company can look at other strategic priorities for its operations. These include cut costs further to enhance the value of the company. Lean operations within this sector will it streamline its operations. In addition, Health safety remains a big area to improve on and such activities will definitely strengthen its position in the market. ConclusionThis piece of work looked at the construction industry in the UK and Lafarge materials in particular, to understand the way in which its business environment affects its operations. The work conducted a PESTEL analysis to understand the main challenges facing the construction industry in general. It then went on to conduct a s ector overview of the building materials industry, where Lafarge truly operates. One also explored the strategic initiatives started by Lafarge. Finally, based on the current and future trends recommendations were made on Lafarges future strategy. REFERENCES* Accountancy Ireland (2006), February, Vol. 38, No.1* Anonymous Contract Journal (2006), September, ABI/INFORM Trade Industry Contract Journal, February, Vol. 442, No. 6664* Druker, J. and White, G. (1995), be amiss and undervalued? Personnel management in construction, Human Resource Management Journal, 53, pp. 77-91.* Hollinshead, G., Nicholls, P. and Tailby, S. (1999), Employee Relations, Financial Times/Pitman, London.* Lafarge (2009). www.lafarge..co.uk Online.Accessed 12th Januray 2010.* Mineral Products Association(2008). Performance 2008 A sector plan report from the cement industry.* Oxley R., Poskitt J. (1996), Management Techniques Applied to Construction Industry, Blackwell Publishing, Fifth Edition.Identifying and applying suitable business performance measures to LafargeLafarge had an average current ratio in 2007 in relation to its market but this decreased in 2008. Lafarges low current ratio refers that it barely has sufficient assets available to pay its liabilities. There are many things Lafarge could do to raise there current ratio which are increasing its current assets from loans or other borrowings with a maturity of more than one year, convert non-current assets into current assets or putting profits back into the business could help.Lafarges debtor ratio represents a longer then average duration in obtaining payment for its debts owed compared to that of meet company Aggregate Industries Ltd. This indicates a struggle to obtain payment for work completed, or highlights a need to offer costly credit terms to vie with its rivals. Imposing stricter credit controls can help reduce Lafarges debtor days and improve cash flow. Alternatively, creditor ratio suggests Lafarge are paying there creditors to promptly the creditor ratio is below the market average and Lafarge are not taking advantage of the free cash flow the creditors offer. This could cause working capital issues. Lafarges weak working capital results over the past two year indicate they do not have the liquidity to meet outstanding obligations. Lafarges cash outflow is faster than its cash inflow. However the debt to candor ratio suggests otherwise. Lafarge has no long term debt indicating strong financial strength as they can always take up debt in future to fund potential projects. A strong bear on cover over 2007/2008 indicate that Lafarge has enough equity to pay its loan interest and meet its legal obligations. A zero dividend yield indicates that Lafarges shares have not matured over the past two years. Potential share holders may be discouraged by this. Its strong acid test ratio proves that current assets are not dependable on inventory-which shows strong financial integrity. A damaging return on capitally employed questions Lafarges performance, although they have a strong equity base they are still making a loss. Its declining trading profit margin solidifies this by suggesting a potential loss of competitive advantage. A healthy year on year performance in return on equity indicates a strong level of profitability, high market valuation and utilization of its invested capital. A steady low dividend figure along with stable profit levels indicate a good record of using its retained earnings to generate future growth and profits. For further information, Appendix offer a complete evaluation, as well as the subsequent results of Lafarges business performance.

How Brand Nokia Influences On Consumer Purchasing Behaviour Marketing Essay

How Brand Nokia Influences On Consumer Purchasing Behaviour Marketing Essay1.0 IntroductionPeople live in the globe dominated by super brand however, the term brand which has roughly era wrong definition and misunderstood by the consumer. Brand correspond in the form of logotype, letter headed paper, in writing(predicate) representations, critical thinking and attractive colour combination, signs and symbols, slogan that is common belief to everyone (http//www.redbullet.co.uk/). A brand is symbol and sign, name or return, dish out, concept or logo that distinguishes to identify and expressed a particularized business or company, product, service which can be usually communicated to market to change magnitude the consumer. According to the Business and management of Dictionary, a brand is a name, sign or symbol used to identify items or services of the seller(s) and to distinguishableiate them from goods of competitors. One of the most popular publicise companies Walter Land or said that basically, a brand just like a promise that associating and demonstrating a service or product which delivers a promise of satisf exploit and demote timber (http//www.sideroad.com/Branding/). In addition, when an organization or company creates a colour full clean logo or name for a crabbed products or service to introduce the matched market, a brand has been developed or formed. On the other hand, Brand is protected by registering trademark or service mark from an authorized company, specially a government, so that organizations or parties hit no permission to use same particular logo or name. It is tremendous effective elements of advertising to market for a company. It is represented of goods or services on behalf of brand owner be offering in the marketplace. Consumer behaviour is important value added to buy a brand product or services to justify the quality, price, colour and existence. In the market place branded products ceaselessly high-pitched price and better quality much(prenominal) as Motorola, Samsung, than non branded product such as Chinese mobile. Customer may look or intention to buy quality, expensive branded product to evaluate of the reputation of the brand. It is very important of brand owner for company success, increase profit permissiveness and spread reputation by giving better service, better quality product to keep the costumer.2.0 Re wait ObjectivesThe objectives of this enquiry are as on a lower floorTo stress the factors that influences the consumers to shift towards Nokia Brand.To Build new business strategy for the all level consumer.To use effective advertise to the tar procure group(consumer) that impart most be fire to consumerTo study and establish a theory that, how Brand Influences consumers to corrupts than retail store.To create a major selling idea for different consumer that Use the brand, the feeling get good to consumer.3.0 Literature Review3.1 BrandA brand is a symbol and symbols, name s, or product, service or logo to identify the concept and is different with a specific business or company, product, service, which can normally be communicated to the market to increase to the consumer. Good brand images are instantly evoked, are positive, and are almost always unique among competitive brands. Brand image can of brand communications such as packaging to be strengthened, advertising, promotion, client service and other aspects of the brand (http//www.asiamarket look into.com/glossary/)Brand is the identity of the companys product, brand is very important. it brings popularity for enterprise product as well as fame, prestige, respect. Nowadays business competitive in that respect are several brands on the market, everyone has their identity, make their mark. For example I have new Wrangler jeans from a store, look good and I will packet with my friends bought. Of course they ask me what the brand was. What is important here, the jeans brand, because the jeans, wra ngler get the particular shop. The brand is very important to purchase an influence on consumers. (http//www.allinterview.com/showanswers/)3.2 Attributes of hearty brands-Excels at delivering deigned benefits-Stage relevant-Priced to meet perceptions of value-Well designed brand hierarchy-Positioned properly3.3 The Role of Brands-Identify the maker-Simplify products holding-Organize accounting-Offer legal production-Signify quality-Creates barriers to entry3.4 Types of BrandMarketing theory suggests that there are three types of brand namesFamily brandIndividual brandCombination brandIn this paper I will go to Individual brand names which I selected Nokia, how it is it influences consumer to purchases. (http//tutor2u.net/business/marketing/brand)logo.gif(http//shop.nokia.co.uk/nokia-uk/)3.5 Nokia BrandNokias first century began with Fredrik Idestam paper mess intimately on the banks of the river Nokianvirta. Between 1865 and 1967, the company would become a major industrial power , but it took a merger with a cable company and a arctic company focused on the new Nokia Corporation is set on the way to electronics. (http//www.nokia.com/about-nokia/).Nokia is engaged in the manufacture of mobile devices and in converging earnings and communications industries with over 123,000 employees in 120 countries, sales in over 150 countries worldwide and annual sales of 41,000,000,000 and operating profit of 1,200,000,000 in 2009. It is the worlds largest manufacturer of mobile phones. Its global device market share was about 39% in 2009, compared to 37% in 2008 and 38% in 2009, and its converged device market share was about 40% in 2008, compared to 35% in the year 2009. Nokia produces mobile devices for all major market segment and protocol, including GSM, CDMA and W-CDMA (UMTS). Nokia provides Internet services such as applications, games, music, cards, media and messaging platform with its Ovi (http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia).3.6 Nokia in BangladeshNokia is the worlds leading mobile phone supplier and a leading provider of mobile and fixed telecom ne 2rks including related customer service. When Nokia introduced into the market of Bangladesh, it was considered the largest market in the emerging markets in South Asia. Bangladesh has already become an attractive market for mobile phones with a user base of more than than 10 million, and by the end of 2006, this figure is expected to cross 15 million. Nokia officials estimate that in addition to Bangladeshi market, the company is a healthy harvest-time in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives in the coming days have. (http//www.southasiabiz.com/2006)Nokia market share 56.89% in Asia Bangladesh (March 2010)e 56.89% in Asia Bangladesh (March 2010) http//stats.getjar.com/mr_technology_charts/as/Nokia_BD.png(http//stats.getjar.com/statistics/AS-BD/manufacturer/Nokia)3.7 Consumer BehaviourConsumer behaviour concern the psychological processes that consumers go finished his/her needs, a nd normally find the way to work out these needs and make purpose to purchase. For example whether to buy a product, and if so, what brand and where information about interpret, make plans and implement these plans by comparing the offers, or substantially buying a product (http//www.consumerpsychologist.com/).3.8 Sources of influence on the consumerThere the many sources which influence the consumer behaviour. The below figure shows how many sources influences to consumer Influences on Consumer Behavior(http//www.consumerpsychologist.com/).Social factors also influence consumer behaviourCultural influences consumer behaviourDigital R developing influences on Consumer BehaviourE-Shopping influences on consumer Behaviour3.9 Decision makingThe five models imply that the customers can buy from each of five stages. However, for more workaday buy decision, the consumer may modify or delete some of the present.The first one is problem recognitionThe second step is information searchThe third step involves evaluation of alternativesFinally, the purchase stage, and post-purchase evolutionbuying_decision_process(http//www.consumerpsychologist.com/intro_Consumer)3.10 Problem RecognitionA product to buy is customer need recognition occurs when an individual senses a difference between what the consumer upliftms to be the ideal and the actual state of affairs. A consumer intended to buy things when they think the quality of a product to solve a problem, makes the recognition of the step on the sale of a product. Bad recognition sometimes recognized as a problem. For example, the car is always difficult to start and the acceleration is not good. (http//www.consumerpsychologist.com/intro_Consumer)3.11 Information SearchConsumers to search for information in order to satisfy their unmet needs. Find inner can, bring knowledge from memory or external, it can, collecting data from their peers, family, and the marketplace. The efficient search for keywords such as social clas s, income, and size of purchase, the experience and perception determines (http//www.consumerpsychologist.com/intro_Consumer).3.12 Evaluation of alternativesThe next stage of the consumer decision process shall consider alternatives in the search identified at this stage, consumers are looking for answers to questions like, what are my options? And which is best? When they compare, contrast and select from different products or services. Consumers compare what they know about different products and brands, what to do with the key and demoralize to resolve in the area of narrow alternatives before finally considering buying one of them.It evaluates specific model to a set of attributes they used to put together, including safety, reliability, price, warranty, and the calculate of cup holders is based. It also considers how he felt things like property and assesses the use of the phone and where he might buy the phone, a comparison of the various traders and the ambience everyone se es. Although he feels some pressure to make decision, he has access to his fathers cell phone. (http//www.consumerpsychologist.com/intro_Consumer)Untitled.jpg3.13 Purchase BehaviourPurchase is the third steps on Consumer Behaviours. After the decision to buy or not buy, he draws two stages. First, consumers choose one vendor over another vendor. Second, decisions concerning saving, by the seller, item displays, convinced media, paper and advertising.nether the plan, the consumer thinks of a particular article or brand to buy. But sometimes, but otherwise buy what they think, in the case of what to purchase during the purchase or the superior of the stage. A consumer prefers a retailer, but selects another in the event of a sale, promotional event, hour, place and problem of traffic.Fox buying products, it is important to examine the consumer motivating and to achieve this goal, easily use means-end chain. (http//www.consumerpsychologist.com/intro_Consumer)The Means-End Chain Consi der a logical continuation of the consequences of product usage, which ultimately lead to the wanted end benefit. For example, Consumers will see a car with a big engine, resulting in rapid acceleration, resulting in a feeling of power, leading to a feeling of power, which will ultimately increase consumer self-esteem.http//www.consumerpsychologist.com/images/intro/Means-End_Chain.png(http//www.consumerpsychologist.com/intro_Consumer)3.14 Post-purchasePost-purchase behaviour of consumers includes all the activities and experiences that following the purchase. Normally, after a purchase, consumers experience dissonance after purchase. Regret In other words, they make their purchase decision. The reasons for high dissonance after the purchase can be dispensed with the attractiveness and performance of the alternatives, be difficult to purchase, and large number of alternatives. (http//www.icmrindia.org/courseware/Consumer%)4.0 Research MethodologyA research design is the general plan, as we do about the answer to our question (s). (Saunders et al 2007)Usually it is threefold exploratory, descriptive and explanatory (Philip Lewis et al 2007). The constitution of our study is exploratory study is a valuable tool to find out what happened, to seek new insights, to ask questions and to assess phenomena in a new light (Robson, 2002, p59).There are three main ways of implementing our exploratory research.A search of the literature some academic journal papers on computers networks.Interviewing experts in the subject.Conducting focus group interviews.There are three major ways of thinking about research philosophy epistemology, ontology and axiology. Each provides important variegation is that the way you think influence on research. (Thorn hill et al., 2007)4.1 Types of Research MethodologyThere are two approaches to deductive test theory and inductive theory-building.In deductive research, is a theory developed to explain the hypothesis, research design constructed and tested the hypothesis proved or disproved, and presented the findings as objective reality or laws. The process tends to be associated with the positivist approach in conjunction (Saunders et al., 2007).On the other hand, is the first data collected and analyzed in inductive research. A theory is how the data analytic thinking is developed. This process tends to be associated with the interpretive approach in conjunction (Saunders et al., 2007).4.2 Deductive approachMy proposal is deductive research. Here we have set up a hypothesis. We construct a research design, hypothesis will be tested by an improved statistical method for the solicitation of data by interview method and the results will be entered with regard to the interpretation.Research method is a systematic and orderly approach to the collection and analysis of data acquired, so that information from these data (Jankowicz, 2005209) can be obtained. Mentioned among the different methods of research by several author s, some general surveys, experiments, secondary data, observation techniques, grounded theory, action research and ethnography (Sigmund, 1997 and Saunders et al.2007).For the planned research of the scientists, the survey interview, characterized as the most appropriate.5.0 Data Collection MethodResearch data are divided into two groups and these are primary and secondary data. For conducting any research data, both the groups are important, but is on the basis of strategy research foc use on specific data group presented.5.1 Primary DataPrimary data is data that is collected specifically for a particular research project for the first time (Maylor and Blackmon, 2005). The primary research can be qualitative, quantitative or both. In my thesis I will present the original data by using the collection of questions and interviews.5.1.1 InterviewIt can be taken by individual or by a group. I take the consumer interview that buy Nokia product and interviews that Nokia does not use fire. I think the interviews I will answer directly from the customers.5.1.2 QuestionnairesIt is the most popular way of gathering information. It would need an open and weedy both. The advantage of the questionnaire, I can collect the data by all or a sample of people.5.1.3 Main sampleSampling is the small affinity of the population in this thesis topic, my example will be the customers of Nokia, employees and managers from Nokia, Nokias competitors, Nokia and age wise user.5.2 Secondary DataAccording to Collis and Hussey secondary data on the collection of data from previous studies or studies conducted or done to or gathered by other researchers (Collis Hussey, 2003). Therefore, secondary data from the literature or in documents such as academic research papers can be collected, corporate annual reports, statistics, published advertisements, and statements.In my thesis I will use some relevant books, journals, articles and previous research at the University of Wales Library have av ailable through various books, to have a clear idea about the subject. I will use the Internet as information, articles and magazines. . Magazines are comparatively contains several new concepts and ideas, and up to date information. In my harangue, I will for literature research and secondary data analysis of the relationship between brand and consumer, brand influences the buying behaviour of consumers, Brad and retention, critical evaluation of the classical theories of brand influences on the military capabilitys of consumers to purchase used.(http//www.ejbrm.com/vol2/v2-i2/vol2-issue2-art7-knox.pdf, p-123)For any research or any query, if I have the onion diagram it is easy for me to follow my dissertation done in time.7.0 LimitationsThere are no available resources for this research. The Nokia brand in Bangladesh market place is too far from here to gather information to effectively complete the research proposal. There are some restrictions on such research, such asLimited study had been done earlier. insufficiency of data and information available for research.Lack of consumer behaviour tools through survey.Lack of ration analysis Nokia and non brand Nokia user.8.0 Time Scale9.0 ConclusionIn Conclusion, this research paper proposed how Brand Nokia influences to consumer purchases behaviour. In my dissertation I will identify some factors that Brand Nokia influences on the customers attitude towards purchase and to establish a theory regarding the business interface and also consumer attitude for purchase. And from this research methodology I will use a Deductive analysis where the data were collected by distributing questionnaire, interview and testing towards the people of Bangladesh Marketplace. In my dissertation, I will also focus comparison between Nokia and other band such as LG, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung on consumer purchasing behaviour. This proposal has some terminus ad quem and some incomplete information because I did not spend more time and more market survey in different segment towards consumer purchase behaviour on brand product Nokia. Finally, in my dissertation I will intrust more effective information and add consumer true feelings and give proper information about their preferences, intention, about the product and Understanding their attitude, motivation.

Radio Frequency Identification Rfid Tourism Essay

Radio Frequency Identification Rfid Tourism EssayChapter 1IntroductionThe 21st century has experienced massive changes and growth in several fields of the world economy. world-wide trade, communication, engineering, financial services, manufacturing, and other fields of line of work have recorded immense growth. To this end, competition is cutthroat as businesses puzzle global and multinational conglomerates dictate business trends. In this regard, international transport, both(prenominal) human and commodity, has immensely increased. The identification number of ships, airlines, cross-border railways, international highways, and other forms of transport are enter immense volumes of transportation. Such colossal volumes create identification and tracking headaches for businesses as they strive to meet the needs of the customers. Commodities in transit tend to get preoccupied in huge piles of baggage, creating a nightmare for both the client and the business.In the past, seve ral technologies have been used to observe and track baggage. One such(prenominal) technology has been the use of a bar code ashes, a collection of unique numbers that identifies the specific baggage. While this technology whitethorn be legal in identifying items, it was found wanting when it comes to tracking.To solve this, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has been introduced as a means of solving both the identification and tracking requirements. The RFID system is composed of two basic units, the tag and the receiver unit. The tag is a device that contains a small, in pricey, programmable memory chip and a transponder unit that is attached to the commodity to be transported. The chip is a memory unit that contains unique information regarding the baggage, and the transponder transmits that information to a receiver. Hence, when the baggage or commodity passes through a charismatic reader, the information regarding the baggage is captured and retrieved via the transponder. This information not only identifies what the baggage is and who the experienceer is, but it also provides information regarding where the baggage has originated (Garfinkel, Juels, Pappu, 2005).The receiver unit is composed of an inquisitor which emits a signal that activates the transponder. Once the transponder has forwarded data to the interrogator, the receiver unit has an inbuilt decoder that translates the data and relays it in a manner that can be understood.The RFID purpose has since become the preferred tracking technology for most shipments. However, the technology has not been implemented in consumer goods found in stores. This is because tags are still comparably expensive when it comes to consumer goods. Huge shipments such as shipping containers have employed RFID technology as international sea ports have increased their annual luggage capacities. In the aviation industry, much contr everywheresy surrounds the use of RFID technology. somewhatwhat airlines are f inding it expensive to introduce, while leading airlines are introducing RFID with a competitive edge in mind. There are also social issues that surround the implementation of RFID. These social issues range from human tracking to tracking baggage even after it has left(p) the airport. Opponents of RFID technology argue that such tracking infringes on privacy and should therefore not be used in any of its forms. While the above argumentation whitethorn be true, RFID provides unrivalled efficiency in handling goods in transit.HistoryRoberti (2011) explains that RFID technology has been in use for quite a few geezerhood now. It is noted that RFID technology was employed in the Second World War in order to identify enemy gunships and fighter planes. In 1980, RFID tags were used to identify military equipment. Garfinkel et al. (2005) assert that recent growth can be attributed to the rise of invasive commerce. In this way, businesses make use of RFID technology to track movement of commodities and by extension understand consumer behavior. These businesses are able to do this by embedding smart readers and transmitters onto commodities in order to track them over a wider distance using a networked system to gather data from different locations. This information provides businesses with a clearer view of which consumers prefer what commodity. This allows businesses to align their production with consumer preference.Uses of RFIDAs previously mentioned, RFID was first used in warfare to discern friend from enemy. Similarly, the military used the RFID system during the cold war era to identify, manage, and track nuclear weapons. Today, there are several applications of RFID, which may include Supermarkets and retail stores use RFID to manage gillyflower, equipment, and staff. Airports and airlines use RFID to manage staff, passengers, and baggage. Hospitals have used the technology to manage key equipment, inventory, and staff. Manufacturing businesses have used RFID to manage inventory and employees. The military uses the technology to track and monitor personnel and dangerous material such as nuclear weapons.Advantages of RFIDOne of the greatest advantages of RFID tags is the ability to track consumer goods office from the manufacturer to the point of sale. In general, most goods are produced in foreign nations and shipped to destination countries. However, due to a lack of tracking systems, some goods are lose during transportation, and this is a huge loss for businesses. RFID depart give such businesses the opportunity to track shipments.Another advantage of RFID is the ability to decode past information regarding where a person or goods have been. Such historical information is classic in providing crucial information regarding past occurrences.The third advantage is that RFID is automated technology that does not require a human being to actively read it, as the bar code system does. Therefore, it eliminates the human error elemen t in tracking and managing movement of goods.Disadvantages of RFIDIn general, RFID can be dangerous technology if not properly managed. For instance, if RFID is embedded in shoes or habilitate, such pieces of clothing can be used to track the movements of an individual around the world. Such tracking highly invades the privacy of an individual without that individuals knowledge or consent. Such tracking may also be a dangerous security risk for individuals.Emirates AirlinesThe airline industry is one of the most rapidly growing industries in the world. As international commerce has rapidly increased, so has the airline industry. Asia, in particular China, India, South Korea, Singapore, the Arabian Gulf, and Malaysia, has spurred growth. The United Arab Emirates has also experienced immense growth, and Emirate Airlines is right in the middle of this growth.Emirates Airlines is the biggest airline in the Middle East with more than two thousand flights per week. The airline prides its elf on a 50,000 staff base and long-range flights (emirates.com, 2008).The airline started off as a business of necessity. The company website explains that in the mid-1980s, the top airline at the duration, Gulf Air, reduced flight services into Dubai. Thus, the royal family in Dubai decided to invest in a new airline, and in March 1985, emirates airlines started operating (emirates.com, 2008).The airline has since registered rapid growth, becoming one of the biggest purchasers of aircrafts. It prides itself on a long-range fleet of both Boeing and Airbus aircrafts. In its hangers are the dream liners Boeing 777 and the magnificent Airbus A380. Such immense growth and investment has led the airline to be a major player in the airline industry. emirates.com (2008) confirms this by asserting that in 2011, the airline was the fourth largest airline in the world. This success has been attributed to excellence in in-flight service and coherent profits. The company expects to receive an order of 90 Airbus A380 aircraft by 2017. This is the single largest purchase of passenger aircrafts in aviation history securing, its future in the aviation industry.Dubai International Airport DXBDubai is one of the seven emirates making up the United Arab Emirates and one of the fastest developing locations in the globe. At the center of this development is the Dubai International Airport, referred to as DXB in the aviation world. The airport is the biggest aviation hub in the Middle East, handling 65% of all passengers travelling through the Middle East. The airport considers over cxxx airlines that make about six thousand flights per week (emirates.com, 2008). Home to emirate airlines, DXB has committed an entire terminal to the airline.Dubai International Airport sits about 4km north of underlying Dubai and handles over 50 million passengers annually. Similarly, it is also the sixth busiest airport in terms of cargo, handling slightly over 2.2 million tons annually.The ai rport is an important frugal establishment in the UAE. The airport provides over 58,000 jobs with hundreds of thousands of indirect employment opportunities. With rapid growth in international tourists visiting Dubai, the airport forecasts that by 2017, it will handle three times the number of passengers visiting today. Similarly, as China and the rest of Asia lead the world in economic growth, Dubai is seeking a more central role as the linkage between the Far East and the rest of the world. Cargo haulage is set to increase at incredible rates. Dubai international airport is constantly looking to expand in order to meet its future needs. A second airport that seeks to complement DXB is Al Maktoum International Airport.Problem lineWith the recent rise in terrorism, drug smuggling, and huge numbers of passengers and cargo, Dubai International Airport and Emirates Airlines are looking to turn to RFID technology. While the concept of RFID may be both timely and necessary, several per tinent issues impact the implementation of RFID at both DXB and Emirates airlines. This research reviews the controversial issues surrounding RFID implementation. The result of this research is to establish whether implementing RFID will be beneficial to DXB and Emirates Airlines.The reason RFID is the preferred technology for the airline and the airport is the ease with which the technology improves management and efficiency. The technology could be used to manage both cargo and passengers. With increasing volumes of baggage, the cost of monitoring such luggage has kept increasing as well. This cost is draining company resources and leading to continually decrease efficiency. A shift to RFID would help the airline and DXB to become the leading airline and location, respectively, in terms of efficiency in handling both passengers and luggage.Benefits of RFID to Emirates AirlinesEmirates airlines has been experiencing an increasing number of passengers and by extension baggage. In ad dition, with the introduction of Boeing Dreamliners and Airbus A380, airlines have to find a means of bettering their passenger and baggage handling efficiency. With the introduction of RFID technology, Emirates Airlines will shift its business efficiency to new heights.Furthermore, the airline has been experiencing increasing numbers of barcode misreads, and tracing such lost baggage has been a headache. The airline finds such baggage and, at its own cost, ships the baggage to the customers preferred destination. RFID provides effective tracing mechanisms, and the number of such mistakes will be greatly reduced.Benefits to DXBThere are several advantages that DXB would hang by implementing RFID technology. Some of the advantages includeSecurity RFID has the advantage of tagging both employees and baggage, and the chips contain information about the state and the location of the stems. This provides effective security management throughout the entire airport. The tags may also be used as security keys for staff, hence managing the movement of both staff and passengers.Managing Equipment RFID chips could also be used on equipment and other important airport tools. The technology will provide better equipment management for the airport.Situational AnalysisIn February 2008, Emirates Airlines announced its first trials with RFID. The airline was to partner with Londons Heathrow, DXB, and Hong Kong International Airport in testing early uses of RFID technology (emirates.com, 2008).The airline in partnership with DXB and the other airports was going to invest virtually AED 2 million in the technology. The airline was targeting nearly half a million bags over a six-month period. According to Emirates Airlines, RFID not only helps the airline run the business more effectively, but it also gives customers some peace of mind knowing that their baggage is properly and securely handled.PremiseThis research is based on RFID and the different aspects and the challenges t hat come with implementing RFID technology both at the Dubai airport and at Emirates Airlines. This paper will explore the different aspects regarding RFID technology, its current applications and the need for the technology at the airport. This paper will delve into the advantages that will accrue upon adopting RFID technology.DefinitionsDecoder- device translating radio waves to data.DXB- Dubai International AirportRFID- Radio Frequency Identification technologyRFID chips- programmable silicon devices that hold subject information.Transponder- transmitter devices that emit radio waves with subject information.DelimitationOne of the main limitations is the lack of resources to perform live tests of the different versions of RFID technology. Thus, for the purpose of results and recommendations, this research will rely on scholarly works and parapraxis studies on the same. Another limitation that is likely to hamper the project is the time constraints required to evaluate the entire project. Implementing RFID at an international airport and such a massive airline will have several impacts over a long period of time. This project may not have sufficient time to evaluate the challenges and results of implementing RFID.

Iran :: essays research papers

The salat-the five obligatory daily prayers-is alsoknown as the namez in Iran, India, and Turkey. Theseprayers atomic number 18 yet if performed after ritual bathing and enlist place before sunrise, at noon, in themid-afternoon, immediately after sunset, and beforemidnight. Mainstream Shiites combine the noon andafternoon prayers and also the sunset and midnightprayers so that they need only pray three times a day.Praying in Islam is also associated with a specifiedset of postures, such as standing, bowing, andprostrating. The saum is a fast prescribed only for healthy, adultMuslims during the 30 days of Ramadan the ninth monthis the Islamic calendar. From dawn until dusk, nofood, drink, or sexual relations are permitted. Illindividuals and nursing women are excused, but theyare expected to make up for missing the fast at othertimes in the year when they are healthy once again or nolonger nursing.The zakat or alms tax is levied annually on the crops,livestock, precious metals, a nd cash of all thoseliving above subsistence and whose debts do not go throughtheir assets. In theory it is to be collected onbehalf of, and then distributed to, the poor. However,many Islamic leaders have collected the zakat to addto their royal treasuries. For this reason, theidentity of the zakat accumulator and distributor hasoften been a mystery. Since the late Middle Ages (AD476-1453), mainstream Shiites have had the taxcollected by their jurists, legal scholars of Islamiclaw, who act according to their self-styled use of goods and services asgovernors of the imam.The hajj is the greater of the two pilgrimages toMecca required of all Muslims.

Graduation Speech: Make Your Own Rules :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Good evening my name is Ben Rood I would like to sh are with you something that Michael Konda once express The fastest way to succeed is to look as if youre playing by somebody elses rules, composition quietly playing by your own. I couldnt agree more. I am standing here today because for the last four years I have unknowingly followed this advice. It started my freshman year when I was in the right field place at the right time. Due to the overcrowding here at AHS the Microsoft Windows NT class was changed to an after-school class. This normally full class now had empty seats. As a freshman I did not meet the prerequisites for the NT class so I quietly slipped into i of the empty seats as a pass/ divulge student. As the year progressed I slowly moved away from the rules and took the class for a grade and as you can see it paid off with As. By the end of the year I was able to pass the Microsoft Certified Professional exam at age 14 and land a job at Microsoft. I would not have b een able to do all of this and more during my freshman year had I played by somebody elses rules. I keep to bend and break the rules both silently and blatantly. Through Microsoft I was able to participate in and manage conferences for any where from a hundred and fifty to 10,000 attendees. Interns are not generally invited to help with conferences, but I was fortunate enough to start with a manager who (looked) as if (he were) playing by somebody elses rules, while quietly playing by (his) own. In school I broke away from the crowd a little more obviously. After individual debates in English class our teacher invited us to debate the different topics as a class. One of these topics was where our new school should be located. I was the only one in my class who didnt agree with the bond being presented to the public. While I listened to the points made by my peers and the teacher I still maintained my points and did not initiate on the bandwagon. As many of you know I spend much of my time at a computer. Some would say thats because Im a computer geek. surface I may be a computer geek because I spend lots of time at the computer, but I spend it on that point because it is much easier to bend the rules of the computer than it is to bend the laws of physics.