Establishing Unity Roundtable With An Updated Version Of...

We started our semester with the main goal of establishing UNITY Roundtable with an updated version of constitutions and bylaws. After a couple of weeks of receiving feedback from the UNITY Roundtable reps we settled and voted on the latest version of them. After that was completed, Deshauna and I with the help of the reps we worked to recruit a SFAC Liaison and after several weeks we elected Vincent Wan. He will oversee the allocation of next year budgets and make sure the process and decisions is equitable and inclusive of multicultural organizations. Through the semester, we came up with different long term goals such as creating a proposal for the renovation of the three multicultural houses. To complete the research and plan we formed a workgroup that will be chaired by Senator Carter. This working group is formed by three UNITY Roundtable members and three Student Senators. They will research best practices from other institutions and create a proposal that UNITY will vote on and present to the board of Trustees during their spring gathering. This semester was hard for students from marginalized communities, hence, most of UNITY’s organizations. Starting with the hate crime targeting two Latina students on campus. We reacted to this by organizing a meeting for student to color. During this meeting we address the hate crime, self-care, and action steps. We invited Scott Law, Tony Tyler, and Provost Sue Madison to speak with us about how the incident was going toShow MoreRelatedContemporary Issues in Management Accounting211377 Words   |  846 Pagescan distil a technical logic from observed practice—design represents the essence of activity. The ‘I thought about it in my armchair’ tale pretends that a logically argued case can change what organizational members do—design orders activity. Both versions identify design with activity. They fail to acknowledge that the ways in which designs are used is essentially practical, so much so that the links between performance management practices in diVerent locations is mainly provided by the practitioners

The Ethical Research of Animal Testing Free Essays

Argumentative Topics The Ethical Research of Animal Testing Name Animal testing has been a hot topic of discussion in society for many years. The debate is whether or not animal testing should be allowed. Some people believe that animal testing is wrong and that it causes undue harm to animals. We will write a custom essay sample on The Ethical Research of Animal Testing or any similar topic only for you Order Now Throughout the last 150 years, the practice of using animals for research has been under intense scrutiny between animal activists and researchers. Scientists insist that the experimental research they do is essential for producing effective drugs, and the animal rights activists believe that testing animals for advancements in medicine is not necessary. I believe that research using animals should continue as long as there is a reason for it to continue. Thanks to animal based research, to date millions of human lives have been saved. Animal testing is the only way to find out if vaccinations work for different diseases. We cannot just ask people off the streets to volunteer, as that would be morally and ethically wrong. At this time, scientific researchers have no alternatives for testing new drugs, as scientific computer modules can only do so much for testing. Also, the government has strong laws in place to ensure the health and welfare of test animals. As long as there is disease and sickness in the world, scientists will always be looking for the next cure and treatment options, so we will always need to have animal research. As long as the animals are treated humanely, I believe that it would be inhumane to the human race to stop animal research. Thanks to animal research, the advancements in disease control have been beneficial and should be able to continue in the future. Although animal research has saved thousands of human lives, it has remained a major controversy for several years even though scientific researchers have tried to ensure the well being of animals. Animal rights activists still deem it inhumane, even though there are strict laws forbidding the inhumane treatment toward animals. Inhumane or not, thanks to the research of animals, scientists have been able to cure many diseases throughout the world, saving millions of human lives. Thanks to the advances of medical technology due to animal research, the research of animals should be able to continue. Stopping animal research would be inhumane to the human race. At this time, scientists have not come up with an alternative to testing drugs on animals. They do have computer simulators, but this technology can only do so much. It is not an advanced enough system to determine if the new medical breakthroughs will work. In the 1960’s, it was discovered that animal research had taken a dark turn, and that scientists were mistreating animals and causing unnecessary harm. Congress later passed a bill called The Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966, which states that it is essential that the welfare of animals being test is the main priority. It is required that animals being tested are to be treated with respect and given the best treatment possible, however; realizing that they are not human. At this time, there are roughly 50 million animals in case studies in the United States, and there are protesting lobbyists that are trying to eliminate animal case studies all together. The problem today is the difference between the medical treatment of humans and the wellbeing of animals. Nowadays, people worry about the welfare of animals until they need the benefits of the medicine that is developed because of animal research. Most people only worry about animals being tested when it is convenient for them. People like to think of themselves as better than that, and animal testing being an unkind and unfavorable act of cruelty. When medical science is needed, it is then that the benefits are welcomed and testing of animals is forgotten. Most people realize that they would rather see an animal be tested on than a child or loved one. Being as it is, if an epidemic did come to be, humans are more likely to side with humans than animals, always putting their own interests above anyone else’s. Thanks to animal research, there has been much medical advancement, such as the discoveries of treatment for polio, emboli, and insulin for diabetes. In the 1950’s, polio ravaged the American public, with its debilitating illness, but thanks to animal research a cure was found. American scientists did extensive research on animals, giving the animals that were tested the polio virus and then curing it. No harm came to the animals involved. Thanks to this research, today there is not a case of polio in the United States. Furthermore, thanks to the scientific study of animals, a treatment for diabetes was discovered by finding a way to get insulin into the cells of humans. These discoveries would not have happened if animal research did not exist, and millions of people would have died as a consequence of it. Researchers continue to find cures for illnesses, and further the advancement of medical technology because of animal testing. People and animals share a similar anatomy so it is easy to see why we share similar diseases, and why treatment should be tested on animals first. By testing animals first, scientists can determine if the new drug is safe for human ingestion. If animal testing were to be banned, how would we be able to find out if new medical technology works? Would we just test on willing participates and see what happens? This would never be accepted by the public or government. No one ever said eating a piece of chicken was wrong even though everyone knows the living conditions chickens endure. They live their whole lives in a little cage in a factory or on a farm until they are all dried up. Then they are killed and served up at McDonalds or Burger King, but there’s no conservancy there. The reason people eat meat is because of the many benefits of meat, with all the nutrients and vitamins to grow healthy and strong. We have used animals in this nature since the beginning of time to eat, keep warm, to build, and to wear. Through all these things we use animals and it is ok. We can go into the forest and shoot and kill animals for sport, but it is wrong to use them for medical purposes. In conclusion, we should show animals the respect they deserve. They have been one of the main sources of human survival since the beginning of time. We need to ensure they are treated with admiration and value. No person should ever treat an animal with disrespect or cruelty, for they are one of the reasons people are on this earth today. Animals are not things for people just to play with and disregard when they are done with them. They are creatures that deserve to be cared for, but not at the expense of the human race. Animals should have the right to thrive, grow, and live a painless life. This should be our tribute to animals for all they do for people. This does not mean that they should have the rights that people have. Regarding animal testing, it is clear that there are two sides of the story, but what side is the right side? This is a personal decision that needs to be seriously considered. The human benefits of animal research discoveries have saved the lives of millions of people, and these treatments would have never been possible without the testing of animals. References Holley, K. (Aug 2009). Animal research practices and doctoral student identity development in a scientific community. In Education Research Complete. Retrieved 26 Sept, 2012, from. http://web. ebscohost. com/ehost/detail. United States Department of Agriculture. Last Retrieved (Sept 21, 2012). United States Department of Agiculture, National Agriculture Library. In undefined, Retrieved Sept 26, 2012, from http: //awic. nal. usda. gov/research-animals. Burnett, C. (March 2009). Should animals continue to be used in research Education Research Complete? In Humane Education Representative, Animals Australia Inc. Retrieved Sept 26, 2012, from. http://web. ebscohost. com/ehost/details. How to cite The Ethical Research of Animal Testing, Essays

Emily Dickinson, A Creative Poet During The Mid

Emily Dickinson, A Creative Poet During The Mid-nineteenth Century, Wr Essay ote what manyconsider to be truly American poetry. To understand why Dickinson is considered abrilliant writer of American poetry, one must know about the time period in which shewrote her poetry. Dickinson wrote during the era of American literature known as the Ageof Expansion (Perkins 869). This was during the first half-century after the Civil War tothe First World War which was approximately 1865-1915 (Perkins 869). During this timeperiod, American literature went through many drastic changes. American writersprogressively moved from romanticism to realism (Perkins 870). Realism was a muchmore realistic interpretation of humanity and its destiny (Perkins 870). This new approachaddressed a larger and more general audience than the writings of the Romantic era(Perkins 870). Although Dickinson is considered a writer from the Age of Expansion, herstyle of writing combined elements from the Romantic and Realism eras (Perkins 872). Emily Dickinson was from the Amherst village which possessed a deeply rooted identityfrom Puritanical America (Perkins 872). Dickinson wrote with such a style andcompassion that her poems are still among the most popular of all American poetry today. All but a few of her poems were published after her death. This is a great symbol ofAmerican Patriotism for the fact that she wrote from the heart and not for a paycheck. Allof the elements combined were poured into everyone of her works and because of this,Dickinson is a symbol of American poetry. Throughout Emily Dickinsons poetry there are three main themes that sheaddresses: death, love, and nature. Another aspect of Emily Dickinsons work thatfascinates many critics is the importance and the impact of the word in her poetry. InDonald E. Thackreys essay The Communication of the Word, he talks about how thepower of the individual word, in particular, seems to have inspired her with nothing lessthan reverence (Thackrey 51). Dickinson approached her poetry inductively, that is, shecombined words to arrive at whatever conclusion the patterns of the words suggested,rather than starting out with a specific theme or message. Instead of purposefully workingtoward a final philosophical point, Dickinson preferred to use series of staccatoinspirations (Thackrey 51). Dickinson frequently used words with weight in her work,and as a result her works usually cannot be grasped fully in one reading withoutdissecting each word individually. Often Dickinson would compile large, alternativeword lists for a poetry before she would come to a decision on which word was justright for the impact she wished to achieve (Thackrey 52). For example, this poemdisplays Dickinsons use of alternative, thesaurus-like lists:Had but the tale a thrilling, typic,hearty, bonnie, breathless, spacious,tropic, warbling, ardent, friendly,magic, pungent, winning, mellowtellerAll the boys would come?Orpheuss sermon captivated,It did not condemn. Eventually, Dickinson came to rest on the word warbling, but one can see themeticulous care that she put into the decision on which word to use. Another poem ofDickinsons that shows her compositional method is Shall I Take Thee? the Poet Said. In this poem, Dickinson discusses from where the power of the world comes. Shall I take thee? the poet saidTo the propounded word. Be stationed with the candidatesTill I have further tried. The poet probed philologyAnd when about to ringFor the suspended candidate,There came unsummoned inThat portion of the visionThe word applied to fill. Not unto nominationThe cherubim reveal. In the preceding poem, one can see the artistic style come through her composition. Thebest representation of that particular idea comes from the author Donald Thackrey whenhe says, It is significant that the revealed word comes unsummoned in a flash ofintuition.and yet the implication of the poem is that the revealing of the word must bepreceded by the preparatory, conscious, rational effort of probing philologyShe herself was well aware that inspiration, while all-sufficient when present,seldom came even to a great poet(Thackrey 53).Emily regarded the words she used asliving entities that could have being, growth, and immortality (Thackrey 54). Thisattitude toward language comes through clearly in the following six-line poem about thenature of the word. Child development EssayDickinson artistically shows the sunset in terms of house cleaning (McNaughton36). The themes of domestic life and housewifery are displayed in the preceding poem. Only somebody with the observational powers and original creativity like EmilyDickinson could see something so unique and refreshing in a sunset. Dickinson also sawnature as a true friend most likely because of her time spent alone with it. She describesnature as a show to which she has gained admission. Dickinson saw friendship andentertainment in the world of trees, bees, and anthills. The Bee is not Afraid of Me is anexcellent example of Dickinsons communion with nature. The bee is not afraid of me,I know the butterfly;The pretty people in the woodsReceive me cordially. The brooks laugh louder when I come,The breezes madder play. Wherefore, mine eyes, thy silver mists?Wherefore, O summers day?Also, consider the minute detail that Dickinson pays the world of bugs and insects. Convicted could we beOf our Minutiae,The smallest citizen that fliesHas more integrity. And part of another poem:And then he drank a dewFrom a convenient grass,And then hopped sidewise to the wallAnd let a beetle pass. Each of the previous four lines creates images and scenes from a kind of miniaturepainting that Dickinson works to create (McNaughton 39). More is achieved through theuse of precise description than could be done by examining the philosophical aspectsbehind a nature. Dickinson always felt as if she were one of them, the creatures of nature,and she felt more at ease with her world of crickets, dew, and butterflies. Even thoughspending life as a recluse seems like undesirable to most people, our world owes a debt ofgratitude to Emily Dickinson for the way she introduced us to her world of nature in sucha different and special way. It is quite obvious that if anyone portrays American poetry, Emily Dickinsondoes. Not only did she blend as an American poet in the Age of Expansion, but she stoodout with her own originality. She was able to stand out as a brilliant woman in a unsteadyand chauvinist time in American History. Emily Dickinsons works have been a modelfor perfection and originality of American poetry for many years and are showing nosigns of ever fading away. Works CitedMcNaughton, Ruth E. The Imagery of Emily Dickinson. University ofLincoln, Nebraska, 1949. Morris, Adalaide. The Love of Thee?a Prism Be. Feminist Critics ReadEmily Dickinson. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1983. 98-113. Perkins, George and Barbara Perkins. The American Tradition inLiterature.Boston: McGraw Hill College, 1999. Thackrey, Donald E. The Communication of the Word. Emily Dickinson:A Collection of Critical Essays. Sewall. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall,1963. 51-69. BibliographyWorks CitedMcNaughton, Ruth E. The Imagery of Emily Dickinson. University ofLincoln, Nebraska, 1949. Morris, Adalaide. The Love of Thee?a Prism Be. Feminist Critics ReadEmily Dickinson. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1983. 98-113. Perkins, George and Barbara Perkins. The American Tradition inLiterature.Boston: McGraw Hill College, 1999. Thackrey, Donald E. The Communication of the Word. Emily Dickinson:A Collection of Critical Essays. Sewall. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall,1963. 51-69.

Oedipus

â€Å"Oedipus is punished not for any fault in himself, but for his ignorance. Not knowing his family history, unable to recognize his parents on sight, he is blameless; and in slaying his father and marrying his mother, he behaves as any sensible person might behave in the same circumstances.† I agree with the above interpretation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Oedipus specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is because were it not been for his ignorance about his family history, Oedipus would have known his family. As such, he is blameless on account of his ignorance. I would therefore not be so quick as to blame Oedipus because if I were in his shoes, I would probably have acted in the same way. Although the death of his father signifies his own downfall, nonetheless, one could argue that Oedipus acted in self-defense, in that he was attacked unexpectedly while travelling alone and out of fear of losing his life, he kills them all but one. These were violent times and as such, a man was expected to defend himself in case of an attack, and more so while travelling alone in far off lands. Any sensible man would have done the same, under the circumstances. The punishment that Oedipus receives largely stems from his ignorance. Oedipus should have been wiser enough to heed the warnings of Teiresias. We can therefore say that Oedipus somehow pursued his own death. For example, he had been warned a couple of times to desist from attacking people who were ready to surrender but he could hear none of it, for his desire to be a man. Although Oedipus was a brave, wise man who sought the truth relentlessly, of sound judgement and had the capacity to â€Å"see beyond the obvious† (Regal 19), nonetheless, all these assets proved worthless as he fell victim to a heinous fate-he killed his own father without his knowledge and later on married his mother. Despite the many dimensions taken by the play, it has a central moral dilemma in which we are called to question whether we are in a position to shrug off the responsibility bestowed upon us when short-sightedness and avoidable ignorance forces us to do great harm. For someone who little knowledge about the play, there is the possibility of presuming that Oedipus had improper lust. However, he did not kill his father out of lust for his mother. He was brought up by foster parents, the queen and king of Corinth. He never knew that he was an adopted child, or that his true biological parents were Jocasat and Laius.Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A lot of stigma was attached to patricide and incest in the culture where Oedipus lived and when the truth dawned on him, he was extremely distraught. All this time, however, Oedipus was innocent. One might argue that he portrayed unacceptable motives but on the basis of the Judeo-Christian moral standards, he was morally innocent because he was not aware that the men on the road were the king (his biological father) and his aides. To him, they were nothing more than a band of rude, ordinary men, and he had to defend himself. Even if we assume that Oedipus’ actions were morally innocent, can we also assume that he was also blameless for our practical purposes? One might argue that Oedipus could and should have done better. This is because he had received warning on several occasions. It had been prophesied that Oedipus would kill his own father and that he would later on marry his mother. Oedipus chose to ignore the prophecy. Instead, he fled to Corinth as a way of escaping the predicted misdeeds. Even while escaping, Corinth thought that the King and queen of Corinth were his birth parents. In a way, he was uprooting his life from the culture he was used to, to that of Corinth. On his way to Corinth, he encountered with and killed his ow n father, against his knowledge. If Oedipus had taken the prophecy seriously, he could also have wished to question his own view of reality and this might have prompted him to further interpret the unfolding events. He even ignored the prophecy of Teiresias, the esteemed blind prophet whose revelation had indicated that Oedipus would indeed kill Laius, his real father, and then marry his mother. Although he acted violently by killing his own father, among the Greeks, the most admired heroes were expected to put on a brave face even when facing death in the eye. According to the description provided regarding the killing, neither party could be accused of being strictly guilty of the brawl that ensured, in which Oedipus murdered his father. Oedipus is not a damned, stupid, cursed, or afflicted man, and neither did he have a complex. He was nothing more than an ordinary man blessed with an extraordinary passion to know the truth. He was also caught in an inherently deceptive and intri cate situation in which an exceptional ability and good intentions to see through riddles were not enough to overcome an increase in misdeeds. Works Cited Regal, Philip. The anatomy of judgment. Minnesota, Canada: University of Minnesota Press, 1990, Print.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Oedipus specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This essay on Oedipus was written and submitted by user Lilly Cunningham to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Data analysis on Apple Inc

Data analysis on Apple Inc Abstract Apple Inc. is a company that deals with mobile electronic devices. It was founded by Steve Jobs. The company uses the Apple brand to market its products and compete in the highly competitive global business environment. Some of the areas that this company deals with include: the manufacture of personal computers, notably the Macintosh line of computers and other consumer electronics such as the iPod and iPhone.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Data analysis on Apple Inc specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company has a heavy presence in the consumer electronics products industry and has done its best to remain the top brand in this industry. Over the years, one of the branding strategies that this company has used has been the creation of innovative products. This has kept the company ahead of its competitors and has helped it cut a niche for itself in the competitive global business environment. Wh en a company wants to do a brand promotion, a multi-product strategy is usually adopted. This means that the name of the company is used as the common name under which all the products of that particular company are being marketed. Apple Inc. is one of the companies that have chosen to direct its energies towards branding its corporate name instead of focusing on individual products that it manufactures. Introduction Apple Inc. is a renowned electronics company based in the US. The company is involved in the designing and selling of electronics, computers and computer software. Finding a niche in the competitive business environment globally is not a cheap and easy venture (Alan, 2000). Companies globally are increasingly becoming aware of the importance of corporate branding to any business enterprise. Branding basically involves distinguishing a company’s goods and services from the rest in the market through the creation of exceptional identity and position of these produc ts in the competitive business environment. Apple Inc. is one of the corporations that have identified the value of branding of its products and uses it to create a distinction between its products and those of its competitors in the market. This paper shall look into the branding strategies of Apple Inc. as well as the advantages and disadvantages of these strategies. An analysis of this company using secondary data shall then be provided and recommendations given. Methodology The information in this paper has been gathered from secondary sources. These include books and articles by other writers based on prior research. Only information about branding strategies of Apple Inc. and the advantages and disadvantages of these strategies has been used. A SWOT analysis of this company has been done using these secondary sources.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Branding strategies of Apple Inc A Store Just for Apple As a strategy for branding, Apple Inc. opened stores that only deal with its products only (Apple’s Competitive Strategy, 2011). This has helped this company to set its unique products apart from the rest that are in the same business environment. The stores are customer friendly and customers have the opportunity to explore some of the technology that Apple Inc. offers. This move has helped the company create loyal customers. Offering complete solutions Apple Inc. products come in packages that complement one another. Moreover, the products complete one another (Kahney, 2002). This means that most of the programs that Apple Inc. products need are also produced by the same company. The customer does not have to struggle looking for these programs elsewhere. Solutions for most of their needs when dealing with Apple Inc. products are also provided by the same company. Advertising strategies While promoting its products, Ap ple Inc. tries as much as possible to identify with everything that is young, smart and trendy (Dairymple, 2008). For example, the company ran a campaign dabbed ‘I’m a mac’, which depicted ‘a mac guy’ as one who is young and bold. This attracts many people because everyone would like to identify with whatever is young, smart and trendy. Manufacture of varied products Due to the high cost of buying some Apple Inc. products, such as Apple computers, the company has diversified its products to come up with products that are not as costly as the computers. Customers who are not able to buy high cost products such as the computers are able to buy products such as iPod, which they can afford (Seeking Alpha, 2011). This provides the customers with an opportunity to sample some of the Apple Inc. products. This also makes it easier for the customers to consider buying the high cost products such as the computers when they are in need because they have confide nce in the Apple brands. Selling of products used in the education sector Apple Inc. sells most of its products to education institutions. Young people in schools and universities are introduced to Apple Inc. products at a tender age. When these students desire to buy their own electronics in future, chances of buying apple products are very high. This is because the students feel more comfortable using the products that they have used all along while in school than buying new brands that they are not familiar with (Inside CRM Editors, 2008.). Apple Inc. is therefore able to capture customers, who are very young. The company retains most of its customers after their first purchase.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Data analysis on Apple Inc specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Manufacture of products that always deliver Before Apple Inc. manufactures any of its products, an extensive research is done to identify the needs of the customers (Rosenthal, 2011). This helps in ensuring that the company manufactures products that meet the needs of the customers, resulting to high customer satisfaction. This also makes the customers happy and willing to buy products from this company in future, because they are assured that their needs are going to be met. Consistency in manufacture of the products Apple Inc. is very consistent in the way it manufactures its products. This means that all the new products that are developed follow the same basic architectural structure. person who is conversant with any of the Apple Inc. products has some basic knowledge of what to expect whenever they are buying a product from this company. A person who has prior knowledge of Apple products adapts to new hardware from this company more easily than one who has never interacted with the company’s products. Consequently, such people are likely to make repeat purchase. New innovations Apple Inc. products are in novative and diverse (Jeffrey William, 2005). This gives the customers an opportunity enjoy the services of Apple Inc. products in various locations and at their convenience. It is possible for consumers to have variety of products, ranging from those that can be used in the office, at home of even while one is away from these places. Manufacture of attractive products Apple Inc. manufactures products that are colorful and generally attractive to the users. The use of smiling icons, as well as bright colors, makes the products look attractive and appealing to the customers. Advantages of branding of Apple There are immense benefits experienced by Apple Inc. as a result of their branding strategy. One of the advantages that Apple Inc. has as a result of branding is having a platform where new products can be launched in future. Due to superior branding that this company has created, consumers are likely to buy products because they are viewed by many as an epitome of technological s uperiority and modernity (OGrady, 2009). Through branding, Apple Inc. has been able to differentiate its products from the rest in the market, in terms of the quality and value of the products. These products are usually identified with positive factors, such as being of high quality, trendy and reliable, among other qualities.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This positive brand image has helped the company to sell the existing products to the customers easily and introduce and sell new products without struggle. Apple Inc. relies mostly on the corporate name that it has created and the unique products brands it offers to market its products. Disadvantages High costs One of the major disadvantages of branding is the high costs involved in advertising. In order for a company to set up a local or an international brand, a lot of time and resources are needed. There are high costs incurred in issues related to public relations, advertising and in offering exceptional customer care service. This is because; it takes a lot of time to create a brand name both locally and internationally. During this time, a lot of advertisement is required, since a brand name cannot be created within a short period or by running a few advertisements (Miller, Vandome McBrewster, 2009). The adverts should continue being aired, even during economic turndowns, in order to avoid giving competitors a loophole that they can use to outdo Apple Inc. Brand image The brand image can also be a disadvantage to a company. If a brand becomes associated with a particular person, their departure, either due to natural causes such as death, or if they willingly walk out of the company, can affect the brand image. For example, when there were rumors that Steve Jobs, the founder and chairman of Apple Inc, was on the verge of death due to cancer, most of the people sought to withdraw their shares from the company. This was a big blow to the brand image of Apple Inc. Poor customer service The issue of poor customer service by retailers is also a disadvantage to branding of Apple Inc. This arises when the retailers fail to treat customers well. Even though the company has done its best to create a good brand image both locally and internationally, such ill treatment can cause customer dissatisfaction, which may be detrimental to the brand image (Morgan, 2011) . Recall of products Issues with the manufactured products that may lead to the recall of the products may also be dangerous to the brand image. This may cause customers to lose their trust in Apple products, regardless of the long time that the company has taken to create a positive brand image. Moreover, recall of the already manufactured products would mean that the company has to incur more costs, which may lead to the company registering losses for that period. SWOT analysis of Apple Inc Strengths This is a very successful company that has high sales of electronics such as iPod, iPhone and the Macintosh computers. It is also one of the established brands in the manufacture of electronics (A2Z Everything, 2010). Most of its customers are loyal. Apple Inc. is also able to attract new customers and retain them. This means that the company is able to sell the existing products to these customers easily, as well as introduced new products to them without much struggle. Weaknesses So me of the products were reported to be faulty (Linzmayer, 1999). For example, the Apple iPod Nano was reported to have faulty screen, something which couldcause customer dissatisfaction. In addition, some of the iPod produced previously had faulty batteries and the company had to give its customers other batteries. Opportunities There is an opportunity for Apple Inc. to develop the iTunes that they currently offer into another more convenient format such as the mobile phone. This would increase its sales, as well as meeting the needs of many users of the Apple products. Threats The greatest threat to leading IT producers such as Apple Inc is the stiff competition that exists in this industry. Being a leader in this industry, Apple Inc has attracted a lot of competitors. This means that the company has to remain vigilant always and be innovative in order to stay ahead of its competitors. The high product substitution that is on the rise with new inventions is also a threat to this co mpany. In the recent past, the CDs and Vinyl were some of the leaders in the music industry. However, the MP3 and iPods are the ones reigning currently. With these changing trends, one is never sure what to expect in the IT industry. Recommendations Apple Inc. should consider co-branding, as a way of reducing on the costs incurred in branding. Co-branding involves a joint venture of branding that is done by several companies. In addition to reducing the costs for branding, co-branding allows easier market penetration. However, if Apple Inc. is to adopt this method, it should be ready to share the credit with the rest of the companies because co-branding usually has a dilutive effect. Moreover, a negative brand image of one of the companies involved in co-branding is likely to affect the brand image of the other companies involved in the joint venture. Apple Inc. should try as much as possible not to have a single person who is associated with the brand. This would help minimize any negative brand image that may arise if any person leaves that company. This is also important in protecting the brand image, in case one of the people in the company is surrounded by negative events, which may ruin the reputation of the brand when the brand is associated with such a person (King, 2011). Extensive monitoring should also be done to ensure that the brand image is not tarnished by outsiders, who may try to use the brand name for their own selfish gains. Conclusion Apple Inc. is one of the leading producers of IT products. It has managed to create a niche for itself in the global business environment through branding. However, this has come with advantages and disadvantages that the company has to cope with. A SWOT analysis of the company reveals some of the major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that the company faces. Reference List Alan, D., 2000. The Second Coming of Steve Jobs. Chicago: Broadway. Apple’s Competitive Strategy., 2011. Apple†™s Competitive Strategy. [Online] Available at: mannmuseum.com/apple-s-competitive-strategy/ A2Z Everything. 2010. SWOT Analysis- Apple. [Online] Available at: http://mgmt280.blogspot.com/2010/01/swot-analysis-apple.html Dairymple, J., 2008. Analysts: Apple brand benefits from Idol deal. [Online] Available at: macworld.com/article/132225/2008/02/idol_analysis.html Inside CRM Editors. 2008. 11 Effective Strategies Apple Uses to Create Loyal  Customers. [Online] Available at: insidecrm.com/features/strategies-apple-loyal-customers/ Jeffrey, S. Y., William, L. S., 2005. iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the  History of Business. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons. Kahney, L., 2002. Apple: Its All About the Brand. [Online] Available at: wired.com/gadgets/mac/commentary/cultofmac/2002/12/56677 King, R., 2011. Jobs departure wont diminish Apples brand. [Online] Available at: zdnet.com/blog/btl/jobs-departure-wont-diminish-apples-brand/56082 Linzmayer, O., 1999. Apple confid ential: the real story of Apple Computer, Inc. California: No Starch Press. Miller, F., Vandome, A., McBrewster, J., 2009. Apple Inc.: Apple Inc.. History of  Apple, Apple Inc. Saarbrà ¼cken: Alphascript Publishing. Morgan, R., 2011. Disadvantages in Branding  [Online] Available at: ehow.com/info_8278424_disadvantages-branding.html OGrady, J., 2009. How Apple Inc. Changed the World. India: Jaico Publishing House. Rosenthal, M., 2011. Advantages Disadvantages of Apple Computers. [Online] Available at: ehow.com/about_5439348_advantages-disadvantages-apple-computers.html Seeking Alpha., 2011. Apples Branding Strategy Delivers Superior Results. [Online] Available at: http://seekingalpha.com/article/74064-apple-s-branding-strategy-delivers-superior-results

Centrosaurus - Facts and Figures

Centrosaurus - Facts and Figures Name: Centrosaurus (Greek for pointed lizard); pronounced SEN-tro-SORE-us Habitat: Woodlands of western North America Historical Period: Late Cretaceous (75 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 20 feet long and three tons Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Single, long horn on end of snout; moderate size; large frill over head About Centrosaurus It was probably too dumb to notice the difference, but Centrosaurus was definitely lacking when it came to defensive armament: this ceratopsian possessed only a single long horn on the end of its snout, compared to three for Triceratops (one on its snout and two over its eyes) and five (more or less, depending on how youre counting) for Pentaceratops. Like others of its breed, Centrosaurus horn and large frill probably served dual purposes: the frill as a sexual display and (possibly) a way to dissipate heat, and the horn to head-butt other Centrosaurus adults during mating season and intimidate hungry raptors and tyrannosaurs. Centrosaurus is known by literally thousands of fossil remains, making it one of the worlds best-attested ceratopsians. The first, isolated remains were discovered by Lawrence Lambe in Canadas Alberta province; later, nearby, researchers discovered two vast Centrosaurus bonebeds, containing thousands of individuals of all growth stages (newborns, juveniles, and adults) and extending for hundreds of feet. The most likely explanation is that these herds of migrating Centrosaurus were drowned by flash floods, not an unusual fate for dinosaurs during the late Cretaceous period, or that they simply perished of thirst while gathered around a dry water hole. (Some of these Centrosaurus bonebeds are interlaced with Styracosaurus fossils, a possible hint that this even more ornately decorated ceratopsian was in the process of displacing Centrosaurus 75 million years ago.) Recently, paleontologists announced a pair of new North American ceratopsians that seem to have been closely related to Centrosaurus, Diabloceratops and Medusaceratopsboth of which sported their own unique horn/frill combinations reminiscent of their more famous cousin (hence their classification as centrosaurine rather than chasmosaurine ceratopsians, albeit ones with very Triceratops-like characteristics as well). Given the profusion of ceratopsians discovered in North America over the last few years, it may be the case that the evolutionary relationships of Centrosaurus and its nearly indistinguishable cousins have yet to be fully sorted out.

Leadership themes in World and American Hist Essay

Leadership themes in World and American Hist - Essay Example Subsequently, Deng implemented a development plan for the foundation of the Chinese economy known as the ‘Four Modernization policy’ (Benson, 2013). The approach focused on key development sectors such as agriculture, defense, industrialization, science, and technology. According to Benson (2013), Deng paid more attention to agriculture since it was the main economic and social activity in China (80%). Investing in agriculture would reduce poverty and hunger levels; hence, increasing the national economic growth. The modernization of the industry had more setbacks compared to other policies leading to a slow growth (Benson, 2013). However, agriculture provided a foundation for science and technology that would be used in mechanization of agriculture and production of ammunition for the military. Additionally, it also attracted urban and rural workers due to the high pays leading to higher rates of economic development. In the long-run, the economic growth under Deng’s reign attracted foreign investors that also contributed positively to the development. China also signed international treaties that linked its market to the global markets. The foundation of the CPP was a major political revolution in China under Deng (Benson, 2013). However, he had to change the political ideologies of most of the leaders. Consequently, he initiated a plan to eliminate some of the higher-ranking leaders in the party to ensure that the new members would follow his rule. He slowly dismantled China’s socialist ideas by adopting the Marxist-Leninist thought. The proposal had both political and economic benefits since his network of leaders made sure that it infiltrated the Chinese villages (Benson, 2013). China was under an imperial leadership structure that did not allow for any uprising from the public. Deng presented a political ideology that was recognized internationally mostly due to the previous notion of the enemy and