Right to Own an Architecture

Right to own an architecture (by Wolfgang Koehler, Meaning, Germany 10/2008) The social issue I would like to discuss here is: â€Å"Suppose a computer manufacturer develops a new machine architecture. To what extent should the company be allowed to own that architecture? What policy would be best for society? † To develop a new machine architecture would require many recourses. Manpower, research laboratories, manufacturing equipment and last but not least a lot of money.Since companies are in business to make money for themselves as well as heir shareholders the answer to the first question to me is clear: 100%. Now we'll take a look at the pros and cons of such a policy on different levels of society. Any policy of course will have a direct impact on the people that are directly involved with this company. They are the shareholders on one side and the employees on the other. If the company has the right to own this architecture the value of the company's shares will go up.A lso it will secure the employees workplaces or even add additional Jobs. This leads us to the next level of society to be taken in consideration, the city where this company is located. Not only will it receive more tax revenue as the company becomes more profitable it also might be able to attract more qualified people. The growing demand for components also might lead to additional companies opening businesses in town. All of this will create a better economy for the city and the people living there.One might argue that owning a certain technology will lead to a monopoly. The past forever showed that most companies are not able to supply the growing demand for their product and therefore they will license out the technology to others to capture a bigger portion of the market. At this point the prices for the product will also go down and the architecture will become affordable for more and more people The right of companies to own their developments actually leads to further devel opment, because nobody wants to be outdone by the competition.A good example is the Apple pod as well as the phone. At the beginning Apple was the only company with such products on sale. Today Just about every major electronics manufacturer has similar or even better products in their portfolio. Since not everybody will have an immediate need for the product right at the point of its introduction to the market it can be summarized that a policy of 100% owner ship of the architecture has mostly positive impact on the society as such. The few perceived disadvantages are mostly based on wants rather then needs.

Drama Performance

Elements belonging to personal stories enable audiences to gain wider insights and respective into stories. Ann Frank is a character who is quite lovable; Frank is a typical teenage girl the responder perceives Frank as a positive persona for the situation she is in. Although Frank is growing up in a corrupting society she is still talking about stereotypical teenage conversation such as boys and fighting with siblings. Despite her situation Frank gets on with her life â€Å"l live in a crazy time†, Ann Frank shows naivety and needs to be protected this manipulates the audience to empathic her suffering.Her Diary entries are typical of a thirteen year old such as gossip about school friends and Jokes. Frank is in a terrible situation during WI and the holocaust, Franks positive view intrigues the audience into loving her character. The responder gets an insight into the frightening atmosphere the Frank family endured through Anne Franks use of first person and detail. Ann Fran ks story is a voice for those who were harmed because of their ethnicity, race or color. The Diary of a Young Girl by Ann Frank reveals the racial segregation Jewish people faced during the Holocaust in the sass's and sass's.HOC Online Recommendations tort Critical Important questions to ask yourself: Do I enjoy research? Analysis: Ђ Do I have access to enough resources? Do I have areas I wish to explore that are within the perimeters or the research criteria? Do I have a clear area of focus within my set topic? Will I be able to make solid conclusions from the materials I research and the topic I have chosen? Do I have the time to do this task adequately? Do I have a solid knowledge of language and clarity in my ideas and expression? Ђ Do I have access to a computer where I can edit, type and amass my ideas and eventually present them in the correct format? Unique: The Applied Research Project gives you the opportunity to frame your own specific rear of study within a topic of interest to you. It gives you the further opportunity to approach it using any sources or resources at your disposal and to conduct research t your pace. Furthermore, because it is a constant work in progress you do not nave the pressure of performing and being assessed on the ‘day but being able to present your months of work in submitted form and thus all your process can be evidenced.Skills: The ability to synthesis information The ability to communicate ideas The ability to make assumptions and assertions from well-rounded sources and evidence An ability to use language concisely and appropriately Good analytical skills HOC Online Recommendations for Performance Individual Project Christmas holidays plus Year 12 term one: Begin performance practice, before an audience, with a short dramatic work. This may be the piece you are presenting for the HOC or something else. Year 12 term two: decide on your piece and perform it within the set time, remembering you will be stop ped if you go overtime.Year 12 Term 3: Polish your piece and make it performance ready. Checkpoints: Do I understand the requirements of the project? Ђ Do I know the type of performance I want to present? Have I looked through a large number of scripts? Is the text I'm studying being studied by me in any other part of the HOC? (You cannot perform a play you are studying anywhere else in the HOC) Have I performed for an audience? Have I checked the timing of my performance? Have I organized my costume and props? Does my performance display strong characterization? Coherent? Do I know my lines?Tips (10): see plenty of performances get some performance practice read past exam reports don't forget it is a performance and not Just a speech Ђ use minimal props don't rush your performance Is my performance know how to use your ensure you have an appropriate relationship with the audience heavily on recorded sound know your lines don't rely know your performance space and use it wel l A list of pitfalls: Students fall into these traps: thinking they have plenty of time and failing to complete the performance project not knowing the lines not working with an audience during the development of the performance. Leaving all your performance until the last moment relying too heavily on props, costume or sound during the performance. Ђ going overtime going undermine Generating ideas Brainstorm Possible themes, situations, characters, settings, performance styles and other material that interests the student. Select Students should select material which interests them and has possibilities. Research Collect newspaper and magazine articles, samples of scripts, extracts from plays, poems, monologues, short stories, pictures, song lyrics, letters, scenarios or advertisements.Trial Trial some of the material by reading, dramatist's and improvising dialogue, movement and theatrical styles. (This could be done with partners). Shape and analyses your material Select, wri te, redraft, adapt and edit while focusing on the idea of a one-person performance. At this point a concept should begin to emerge from the material. The performance at this stage may be a work in progress which will eventually evolve into a full performance. Staging the material Consider the material in terms tot a whole integrated theatrical performance. T n ere needs to be a sense of a beginning, middle and end within the performance. It is not simply an audition piece.The following questions need to be considered: What is engaging about the performance? How can the engaging elements be emphasized? Is it clear what the performance is about? What are the key moments? How do the staging anticlerical techniques heighten these moments? How are setting, mood, situation and character established? Is there enough variety, I. E light and shade ? Does the blocking keep the audience interested? Are there any transitional moments? How do these add to the performance rather than detract from it? How does the character develop within the piece? Is the stage space used effectively, maintaining a clear actor audience relationship?Creating the character Students should have developed reasonable skills and resources for creating and developing a character in the preliminary course. These skills should be used as the basis for character development. The following strategies will help students create a character; Develop a character profile. Analyses the character's motivation and subtext. Exercises in physicality's the character: stance, movement, gestures and facial Develop the character's voice, focusing on key words, expression, expression. Create a sense of the character's development from start to finish. Timing, etc. Incorporate business (attributes and actions) that reflects the character and his or her emotional state. Include essential props and costumes. Ђ Hottest and use other belief building exercises that involve the rest of the class. Adding production elem ents Students need to approach this area with caution. An over reliance on production effects can detract from an effective performance. The rule of thumb is that the focus should always remain on the performer and production effects should be minimal and limited to those essential to the work's meaning (Creative Arts KOLA Handbook. Page 69). Production guidelines Ђ Setting: use only what is required on stage to suggest the setting, or what is actually used by the performer. Costumes: costumes should complement and enhance the character. Remember that performers in dark colors can be lost against a dark background. Ђ Sound: often provides an effective introduction to the mood and location. It may also give a performance a sense of completion or provide a heightened effect to a dramatic moment. Ensure you obtain a good quality recording. Lighting: should be kept simple and not used to solve staging problems. It is usually best to use the lights up at the start and leg lockout during an individual performance. Rehearsing the performance ants down at the end approach . Avoid a The following steps can be used by students to bring the performance to its final stage: Book the performance space early and organize for the technician, partner or teacher to sit in with a stopwatch.

Human Trafficking is Modern Day Slavery Essay

Through the years, terrible battles have been fought and many lives lost to eliminate slavery in this country, yet it still exists in the form of human trafficking. Globalization, competing economic markets and the population boom have created an environment that is ripe for modern day slavery. It was reported in a recent article in the European Journal of Criminology, all countries in the modernized world, whether it is the United States, Canada, New Zealand or the United Kingdom, can be shown to be active participators in the global market of human flesh, either as a country of origin – that is, countries people are trafficked out of; a country of destination – that is, countries where trafficked persons end up; or a country of transit – that is, countries through which trafficked per ­sons are moved en route to their final destination. (Winterdyk, Reichel). Trafficking in human flesh is a 32 billion dollar industry worldwide with an inventory of approximately 1 million victims in the United States alone and the number of victims is steadily on the rise (Feingold). Forced labor, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation are the most prevalent forms of human trafficking in this country, adding nearly 80 thousand victims annually, with children making up 50% of these statistics. Local and federal officials need to do more to bring traffickers to justice and eliminate human trafficking in this country. When asked to consider what human trafficking or slavery means, most people might think back to the era of slave trading. They might picture ships, full of passengers forcibly taken from their villages, sailing across the Atlantic Ocean to America, only to become slaves working on plantations, in the cotton fields, under a grueling sun. Today, those slave ships have become different types of transportation that can contain and move human cargo without easy detection and the people inside the containers have not been forcibly taken. These people are looking forward to a better way of life and believe that they are being helped to reach it. What they don’t know is that they are headed from bad to worse. George Palermo, M. D at University of Nevada School of Medicine and Medical College of Wisconsin, believes that victims are drawn into the tentacles of human trafficking because of their desire for a better future, to escape social discrimination, or they are searching for honest work to better themselves. â€Å"The dream of a better future pulls them from their home. However, they too often find themselves disillusioned and entrapped in a very debasing situation, and their dreams are shattered† (Palermo 671). With their hopes of that new life dashed to pieces, the passengers begin that new life as modern day slaves, in a strange place, without knowing the language. These individuals will become the newest victims of forced labor, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation. They will be forced into laboring in places such as sweatshops, farms, and construction sites. They will also be forced into working very long hours, in terrible conditions. These modern day slaves will be forced to reside in places known as hot bunks, with single sleeping quarters, which will be used by rotating shift workers. Victims will face constant verbal abuse and threats of physical violence. They will be compelled to hand over most, if not all, of their earnings to the traffickers. Although most victims may wish to flee, but their fear of physical violence, lack of energy, feelings of guilt, and an overall sense of hopelessness will keep them invisibly shackled to their traffickers. Often times, female victims will find themselves forced into domestic servitude, acting as maids, cooks, or nannies. These victims will lead lives of isolation, having little or no unsupervised freedom, completely cut off from the rest of the world. There will be no privacy provided. Personal comfort will be nonexistent, and they will be forced to sleep on nothing more than a rug or bare mattress in an open area or hallway (Diaz et al. ). Such is the case of a Filipina woman recently rescued from a Maryland couple who forced her into domestic servitude. The couple has been arrested and charged with human trafficking and other immigration violations. According to the indictment, the couple from Maryland enticed the victim to come to the United States to work as their domestic servant. The defendants lured the victim, an impoverished, uneducated, mother of eight children, using false promises of a salary that would support her children in the Philippines. The defendants procured a fraudulent visa to allow the victim to enter the United States; confiscated the victim’s documents after she arrived; and compelled her labor for 18 hours a day over a period of 10 years, using a scheme of threats, assaults, withholding of documents, withholding of pay and a peonage contract to coerce the victim’s continued service (â€Å"Maryland Couple Charged†). Although the numbers of victims of forced labor and domestic servitude are on the rise, sexual exploitation remains the most prevalent form of human trafficking. Sexual exploitation is considered to be non-consensual or abusive sexual acts performed without a victim’s permission. This includes but is not limited to prostitution, escort work and pornography. Women, men and children of both sexes can be victims. Most disturbing is the number of children that are victims of sexual exploitation. In one report, it is estimated that at least seventy percent of the women involved in prostitution are victims of human trafficking and were introduced to the commercial sex trade before they were eighteen years of age. (Kotrla). Quite often children are abducted and forced into prostitution or pornography and never heard from again. Shauna Newell was one of the lucky ones. At the time of her abduction, she was a typical 16 year old who loved to hang out with friends, so when a new friend invited her to spend the night she was very excited and convinced her mother to allow her to do so. After she did not return home, Shauna’s mother called police who took the approach that the girl had run away and took no immediate action. Shauna’s family initiated their own search and just by chance on the third day she was spotted in the back seat of a car by her brother at a convenience store. Shauna was rescued but her abductors escaped. As it turns out, the girl’s â€Å"father† was really a convicted felon, and the girl, who had a record of prostitution in Texas, was an accomplice in the abduction. For three days Shauna was beaten and raped. She also contracted an STD. Her abductor told her he had sold her over the internet for $300,000. Fortunately, Shauna was rescued before the deal could take place. Many times the victims of human trafficking come in contact with local law enforcement, but because of a lack of training, the modern day slaves are not recognized as victims but viewed as perpetrators instead. The fear of reprisal against themselves or their family members keeps the victims from speaking out against traffickers. Consequently, they are willing to face arrest and jail time rather than the trafficker’s anger. Health care providers also come in contact with modern day slaves seeking treatment for injuries inflicted by the trafficker, labor induced injuries, or possibly an STD’s, yet will not recognize the patient as a victim of human trafficking because they are not trained to look for the appropriate signals. If more local law enforcement and health care providers receive proper training in identifying victims of human trafficking it would be easier to provide the right care and assistance as was the case for one 16 year old girl trafficked from Mexico. In one recently reported incident, a sixteen year old Mexican girl was found to have been trafficked across the US border. Doctors noticed the heavily pregnant girl showed clear signs of physical abuse when she was brought into a hospital in Dayton to give birth. The police were called but the couple who had brought her had already fled. When the girl’s story emerged, it became clear she had been kept against her will in the nearby city of Springfield and used for labor and sex. â€Å"I thought slavery ended a few centuries ago. But here it is alive and well,† said Springfield’s sheriff, Gene Kelly (Harris). During the late 1990’s the public’s interest in human trafficking issues grew and demands for stricter laws against it followed. In response to public demand, the United States government enacted the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act in the year 2000. This legislation was introduced to prevent trafficking, identify and protect victims, and prosecute offenders. Since 2000, forty two states have enacted their own anti-trafficking laws, yet the expected numbers of arrests and prosecutions not been met whether locally or on a federal level. Miriam Potocki, Director of the National Social Workers Association wrote an article in which she claims that since the date of enactment VTVPA, there has been little transparency or accountability in policy implementation; only a small number of immigrant victims have been identified, and there is almost no evidence regarding effectiveness of victim services, and prosecution is highly problematic. Fundamentally, because there is no rational approach to the policy implementation, public funds are wasted (Potocky). In conclusion, human trafficking violates a person’s inalienable right to freedom yet there are more victims today than 150 years ago and the United States is not doing enough to eliminate it. Stronger penalties are needed to deter individuals or groups from continuing to exploit victims and force them into slavery, either through forced labor, domestic servitude or sexual exploitation. Local law enforcement agencies as well as health care providers need to be better informed regarding human trafficking issues so they can readily spot victims as well as the traffickers. By providing better rescue and assistance programs for human trafficking victim the Unites States can set the standard for eliminating modern day slavery. President Barack Obama said it best, during his speech at the Clinton Global Initiative in September 2012 when he said, â€Å"Nations must speak with one voice– that our people and our children are not for sale† (â€Å"Obama†). (1645) Works Cited Diaz, Muriel et. al. â€Å"Globalization and Human Trafficking†. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare. 34. 2 (June 2007): p107. Academic OneFile. Web. 12 April, 2013 Feingold, David A. , â€Å"Human Trafficking†. Foreign Policy. No. 150. Newsweek Interactive (Sept. -Oct. , 2005), 26-30, 32. Web. Apr. 12, 2013 Harris, Paul. â€Å"Forced Labour and Rape, The New Face Of Slavery In America†. The Observer. 21 Nov. 2009. Academic OneFile Web. 12 April, 2013 Kotrla, K. â€Å"Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking In the United States† Social Work 55. 2 (2010): 181-187. Academic OneFile. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. â€Å"Maryland Couple Charged With Domestic Servitude Of Filipina Woman† States News Service 8 June 2011. Academic OneFile. Web. 20 Apr. 2013 Megumi, Makisaka, â€Å"Human Trafficking: A Brief Overview†. WorldBank. org. No. 122/. December 2009. Academic OneFile. Web. Apr. 12, 2013. â€Å"Obama Calls Human Trafficking ‘Slavery,’ Announces New Measure†. StatesNewsService. 25 Sept. 2012. Academic OneFile. Web. 21 Apr. 2013. Palermo, George B. , â€Å"From Bad To Worse, A Note On Human Trafficking†, International Journal of Offender Therapy & Comparative Criminology, August, 2012, Vol. 56(5), p. 671-672, Web, Apr. 12, 2013. http://ijo. sagepub. com/ Potocki, Miriam. â€Å"The Travesty of Human Trafficking: A Decade Of Failed U. S. Policy†. Oxford University Press. Social Work. 55. 4 (Oct. 2010): p373. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. Winterdyk, John, Philip, Reichel. â€Å"Introduction to Special Issue – Human Trafficking: Issues and Perspectives†. European Journal of Criminology. January 2010 vol. 7 no. 1 5-10. Web. April 12, 2013.

MGMT Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 8

MGMT - Assignment Example It must be kept in mind that I am in a more inferior position to negotiate and I cannot use pressure nor coercion. Besides, rational persuasion manifests civility as well as thinking skills. The right way to do it is to approach the professor and present all my arguments why I should be given an extension for the paper. Personal source would be the most effective base because the influence over others, the source of which resides in the person instead of being vested by the position he or she holds. As mentioned, I have no authority or position so such power is required in effective persuasion. Perhaps, I can refer to my commitment as a student to finish the projects in this class. Showing my sincere interest to the professor may be able to influence his decision for an extension. At the same time, I can use exchange as tactic by promising that I would deliver a better quality of work if given enough time to accomplish this paper. n short, negotiating using softer tactics as well as positive influence would result to a better chance of being granted an

Global Health Access Project and the Mae Tao Clinic in Burma Essay

Global Health Access Project and the Mae Tao Clinic in Burma - Essay Example She realized the healthcare requirements of the refugees and established makeshift healthcare facility in Mae Sot so that the injuries and other healthcare problems of the Burmese refugees could be adequately cured (Clarke, p4). The clinic is equipped with adequate medical instruments and machinery and provides wide range of services to the patients. Along with the healthcare services, the clinic also offered social services, training programs, outreach programs, child protection awareness program and health education. (Sullivan et al, p255). Burma is the largest country of mainland South Asia by its geographical area. The official name of Burma is Union of Myanmar. The country is bordered with China, Thailand, India, Bangladesh and Bay of Bengal. The government has been dominantly controlled by the military after the General Ne Win’s coup in 1962. Since then the Burma is under the strict control of the State Peace and Development Council that is led by the military Junta. The country is blessed by the nature with rich and fertile land and resources. Under the military rule, the country has experienced economic downfall and also became the source of refugee crisis that is among the most extended refugee catastrophe of the world (Fink, p87). The cubing policies of the military Junta compelled thousands of inhabitants to cross the border of Burma. These people found rescue in the neighboring countries like Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and Thailand and the number of the Burmese refugees has exceeded the limit of half million. It is also found that almost 150,000 Burmese migrated to Thailand that are living in the designated camps. Global Health Access Program (GHAP) is a nonprofit organization that works for the improvement of the communities facing certain crisis either locally or internationally. GHAP uses to support the healthcare initiatives taken by the Mae Tao clinic for the Burmese refugees in

Capital Investment Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Capital Investment Process - Essay Example Therefore, it was always implied that despite techniques used to make the future more clear, capital investment decision requires a manager to use intuition. This study of a Boston Mayflower - a residential social landlord with about 5,000 houses - indicates that more accent must be put on qualitative appraisal techniques. The essay begins with building a theoretical base to get the reader familiar with some basic concepts of capital investment appraisal theory. The second part of the essay is devoted to a step-by-step analysis of the investment project of Boston Mayflower. This part of the essay is devoted to the description of methods used in the analysis of capital investment. Developed theoretical frameworks include several different techniques of analysis varying mainly in measures of investments. In other words, it is clear that the ultimate goal of every investment is maximisation of owner's wealth; however specific characteristics of every project oblige management to choose carefully and with correspondence to the most vital needs of the business. The most typical example is the choice between long-term investment project with high return value and short-term project but with lesser return. Although the first development plan will lead to better profits in the end, sometimes a company chooses the second one. That means the time factor is more important for owners than greater profits in the illustrated case. Generally, capital investment decisions are always connected to the following list of specific features: a significant outlay of cash; long-term involvement with greater risks and uncertainty because forecasts of the future are less reliable; irreversibility of some projects due to their specialised nature, for example, plant which having been bought with a specific project in mind may have little or no scrap value; a significant time lag between commitment of resources and the receipt of benefits; management's ability is often stretched with some projects demanding an awareness of all relevant diverse factors; limited resources require priorities on capital expenditure; project completion time requires adequate continuous control information as costs can be exceeded by a significant amount. (McGrath, 1998) These characteristics make the managerial decision even more important, as it must be connected with the strategy of a company. Simply, a manager should choose not the most profit-making project, but the most suitable one for the business strategy of his/her company. This statement leads to a careful choice of the evaluation technique used to determine, which investment plan complements best the chosen strategy. There several factors, which should be taken into consideration during evaluation of investment opportunities: initial cost of the project; phasing of the expenditure; estimated life of the investment; amount and timing of the

Case study (multiple myeloma) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Case study (multiple myeloma) - Essay Example The substantial weight loss should also alert someone about a possible malignant process, as it is commonly associated. The possibility of inflammatory lower back disease also should not be ruled out, as diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis can be rarely localized to the spine as well. Weight loss can also be a non-specific finding. Thus inflammatory arthritis should be another group of disorders to be kept as part of the diagnosis. The addition of several recent infections and being short of breath despite being a non-smoker adds another layer of possibilities. Recurrent recent infections (not mentioned if they were chest infections or not) can be associated with immune suppression, which is seen in hematological illnesses. Shortness of breath can be due to a variety of causes including lung diseases, severe anemia and even heart failure, which should be investigated further. The substantial weight loss is seen in many chronic conditions and malignant conditions, which can be confirmed after making the diagnosis. The history is not classically suggestive of any illness in particular, and based on the differential diagnoses outlined in the history, clinical tests should be interpreted for accurately diagnosing the condition. In view of the bone pain, the clinical chemistry can be helpful if there is bone destruction. Calcium levels (3.48 mmol/L) are elevated, which is indicative of a possible bone destructive process, which can be seen in a variety of conditions. In addition, alkaline phosphatase is raised when there is new bone formation, as typically seen in classical hypercalcaemia seen with solid tumours invading bone. Moreover, phosphate levels are normal, which rules out hyperparathyroidism as a cause. Liver damage can also raise alkaline phosopahatase levels, but in light of the above history, is not one of our differential diagnoses. However, in this case, alkaline phosphatase is normal (94 IU/L) too , which raises the possibility that myeloma is the underlying cause. Few other causes of hypercalcaemia have normal phosphates and alkaline phosphate levels. The cause of hypercalcaemia in myeloma is however complex, and thought to be related to cytokine-driven increase in osteoclast activity.In this case we should also have done full serum creatinine and electrolytes, as renal insufficiency is common in myeloma as well as itself a cause of hypercalcaemia itself. The urea levels are increased ( 14.0 mmol/L) which is some cause for concern, as it could be associated with renal insufficiency. Infact hypercalcaemia itself can cause renal insufficiency, and up to this point that could be considered as the working hypothesis. Bone pain is seen in up to 70 % of cases of myeloma, and is an important consideration even at this stage. There are no clinical chemistry tests that can confirm the diagnosis of multiple myeloma, which can only be diagnosed with any certainty with the use of immunological markers as discussed below. Blood counts and film analysis The Hb level of 10.7 g/dL shows that there is mild anaemia, although Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) is normal (82 fl) (normochromic anaemia) and so is the White cell count (11.7 x 109/L). Mild anaemia rarely

Why were American politicians unable to fashion a compromise, as they Essay

Why were American politicians unable to fashion a compromise, as they had done in the past, to avoid a civil war in 1860 and 186 - Essay Example Most authors have tried to give an explanation as to why American politicians were unable to avoid the occurrence of the war in the year 1860 and 1861. This leads to a number of questions. Why and how did the status of middle class women change between the years1776 and 1876? What militaries or ideas inspired and influenced antebellum reform remake and change of American society during the antebellum years? What made Southern nations to secede from the unification in the year1860 and 1861? This essay answers these three questions, hence outlining the reasons why American politicians were unable to avoid civil war in 1860 and 1861. Northern Middle-Class Women The change of lives and status of Northern middle class women between 1776 and 1876 really influenced the occurrence of the civil war. Women with delegate credentials such Lucretia Mott were denied access to the national assembly of the World Antislavery Convention (WAC) in London (Blackstone 5). This highly resulted in protests due to rejection of gender equality. Some of the angered delegates such as Mott stormed from this gender dissatisfaction to support the protests, which contributed to the civil war (DBQ #11, Doc. #3). During this era, women were unable to occupy the ethnically fashionable â€Å"separate sphere† hence this led to gender equality violence. ... #6). Antebellum Reforms The efforts and notions, which enthused and aggravated the antebellum reforms highly influenced the occurrence of the 1860 civil war. There is not period in the history of America that had superior efforts to change society than the preceding four years before the Civil War (DBQ #9, Doc. #1). During these four decades, there was a diversity of social problems, which came under attack (Blackstone 7). The most prominent reformer of the antebellum reform was Horace Mann. Throughout the years 1837 to 1848, this reformer (Mann) was the leader of the Massachusetts Board of Education. During his leadership, Mann was a tireless supporter of education and stated that, if the civic failed to prepare the children to be effective citizens, then the republic was to undergo destruction like other nations (DBQ #11, Doc. #4). During these years, many Americans worked tirelessly to construct public schools, improve healthcare facilities, promote women’s rights, and chan ge criminal integrity system, and battle drunkenness and poverty. By the 1850’s, abolitionism, which was an attempt to end slavery in American became the greatest issue of the antebellum reform movement (DBQ #9, Doc. #1). According to President Jackson’s statement, â€Å"I deem man can be prominent†¦Ã¢â‚¬  quoted from (Alice 22), people are more godlike, and they were capable of eliminating any challenge and governing themselves through perfecting the institutions in order to perfect the American democracy (DBQ #11, Doc. #1). In the American history, antebellum reform comprised of frantic efforts to eradicate evils and right wrongs, which soon resulted to wars (McCutchen 33). William started publishing The Liberator in the year 1831whose aim was to motivate people to lift up the

Marketing Communications - marketing strategies of C&C's Bulmers & Essay

Marketing Communications - marketing strategies of C&C's Bulmers & Magners Brand Cider - Essay Example Figure 1 below illustrates the Blumer/Magner market in relation to the larger business domain of beverages. Having identified the operating space for the product, some companies choose to target and serve a single segment out of the market by practicing niche marketing strategies while others choose several segments out of the market and offer differentiated offers. Some companies on the other hand do not segment the market but target the whole market with a single offering. Figure 2 below illustrates the different targeting strategies available for a company. Segmentation, which is the first step of targeting, divides the market in to distinct groups of buyers with different needs, characteristics or behavior. Next step of targeting involves evaluation of each market segment’s attractiveness and selecting one or more of the market segments to enter (Wisner 1996). In the case of Magners & Bulmers a niche marketing strategy is being adopted. Although segmenting can be based on factors such as demographics or geographic segregation or on economic classifications, the more sophisticated segmenting tools combine above factors with â€Å"Key Benefits Sought† (KBS) Analysis. These KBS are dependent on the alcohol content, taste and texture of the cider as well as the image factors. Table 1 below provides the segmentation of the cider market, which can be targeted by Magners/Blumer, based on â€Å"Key Benefits Sought† and further qualified by demographic, and Psychographics factors. From the above three target markets, the Magner is focusing on the Social Drink segment. In this category the product can effectively compete with mild and mid strength beers as well as wines provided the product image is developed to high standards. The Magner image has to change further to appeal to the sophisticated UK premium drinker category. The packaging still falls behind

Cigarette Taxes - Where Does the Money Really Go Essay

Cigarette Taxes - Where Does the Money Really Go - Essay Example (Chaloupka, 45-57) Yet suggestion to more increase cigarette taxes are prepared each year typically to fund new or delayed government programs not linked to tobacco control. Raising cigarette taxes are responsible for the insincerity of "politically correct" tax outline of adult smokers. The projected weighted average state excise tax on cigarettes as of December 2004 was 76 cents per packet, and the federal government toll an additional 39 cents per packet. Federal, state and public excise taxes on cigarettes for the financial year ending June 2003 was calculated to be more than $19 billion. (Jonathan, 2005) This is not a reasonable way to tax cigarettes or the adults who smoke them. It's time to end the insincerity of tobacco excise taxes and broaden the tax burden more moderately. During the period 1998-2005, federal, state and local governments received approximately $218 BILLION in excise tax and (MSA)/state expenses. Since 2001, 41 states have raised tobacco taxes, and suggestion to increase the federal excise tax on cigarettes, at present 39 cents per packet, are regularly being considered by Congress. Cigarette tax increase suggestion is made repeatedly, generally to fund new or prolonged government programs unrelated to tobacco control. ... Despite these description, further increasing excise taxes on cigarettes totals to "politically acceptable" tax profiling of adult smokers. Generous funding for tobacco control and youth smoking deterrence is by now being presented by the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). The MSA affords industry funding particularly allocated for youth anti-smoking education programs and a national health research foundation. But is the MSA money being used sensibly By the end of fiscal year 2005, only three states had congregate or go beyond minimum strategy, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), for expenditure on tobacco control. According to 2005 U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) facts, the 46 states that are gathering to the MSA spent less than five% of MSA taxes on tobacco control. Thirty-three of the 46 states depleted anywhere between zero and 10% of MSA duty on tobacco control. Slightly than the youth-smoking prevention and future Medicaid settlement for which it was proposed, MSA money is being spent on all from golf carts to bridges, roads and parks to state shortage decline, and, of course, on more administration.(Robert & Stephen, 78-84) Cigarette Excise Taxes and Funding Through Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) funds and levies from other related settlements, state governments have extraordinary funds on hand to them to reduce youth smoking. Future annual payments, stand upon inflation and cigarette sales, will persist in infinity. Although the MSA frequently state that "performance of tobacco-related public health measures," each state chooses how its MSA funds are spent. Tobacco companies do not have any

Arizona v. Hicks, 480 U.S. 321, 1987 U.S. Lexis 1056 (1987) Assignment

Arizona v. Hicks, 480 U.S. 321, 1987 U.S. Lexis 1056 (1987) - Assignment Example He was informed that one of the equipment, a turntable, had been stolen in an armed robbery, so he seized it and got a search warrant to search the rest of the apartment. It was then discovered that some of the other stereo equipment had also been stolen in an armed robbery, for which the respondent was subsequently indicted. The main issue in this case is whether the initial entry into the respondent’s apartment, and the subsequent recording of the serial numbers on the stereo equipment constituted a violation of Fourth Amendment rights. This issue is a decision on whether the evidence had been seized illegally, and so should be suppressed. The issue is also, whether the exigent circumstances of the initial entry into the apartment allowed for the seizing of evidence related to a non-exigent matter; the stolen stereo equipment. Originally, the state trial court held that the evidence used in the case had been seized; therefore, they granted the respondent’s motion to suppress the said evidence. This decision was also upheld by the Court of Appeals of Arizona, who conceded that the initial entry to the respondent’s living quarters was justified by the exigent circumstances of the case. However, the subsequent obtaining of the serial numbers from the stereo equipment qualified as an additional search not covered by the initial exigent circumstances. The Arizona Supreme Court subsequently affirmed the decision. Going by a statement in Mincey v. Arizona, 437 U.S. 385 (1978) that a search not supported by a warrant must be strictly supported by the exigent circumstances following the search, the court decided to uphold the suppression of evidence. The Supreme Court reasoned that the police violated the respondent’s Fourth Amendment rights when they embarked on a search not justified by the first facts. The court also reasoned that the police’s actions were not justified by the plain view doctrine, since the officer who recorded the serial

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde Essay Example for Free

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde Essay Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is about a young man who leads a double life, in whenever he wants to escape the reality, along with his obligations and real-life dealings. The story is not just about the life of the young man, Jack, also known as Ernest, but it is also about taking life in a more serious way. In order to do so, Oscar Wilde has reformed or improved the parts of life that he has satirized in the story. One aspect which Wilde has reformed in the story was in the life of Jack/Ernest. He is described as a seemingly responsible and respectable young man. He is also well-off, as he owns a country estate. But at some time in the story, it was found out that Jack was an adopted child, and that he was found in a handbag by the train station. Jack’s past and his present life is so ironic that it effectively builds up his character. It is both amusing and surprising that for a baby who was supposedly left alone in a train station would be able to survive and be successful when he grows up. Jack have almost everything that he desires, wealth, fame among those who know him, love in the person of Gwendolen; so who would ever think that a person like him was adopted as he was abandoned in the train station as a child? Oscar Wilde reformed Jack/Ernest character in order to make the story much more interesting. Despite his somewhat unlikely past, he is now a wealthy man, leading a happy life. If his character wouldn’t be reformed or improved, he wouldn’t be rich or attractive, following the fact that he was an abandoned child. The interesting part of the story though is not his rags-to-riches life; instead it was his double life that he leads, in the form of Ernest. Another one Wilde’s reform to the character he was satirizing was when the issue of marriage was introduced in the story. Jack Worthing is in love with Gwendolen Fairfax, and so is Gwendolen to Jack. But the problem is that Gwendolen fell in love with Jack because of her fixation to the name Ernest. Jack introduced himself to Gwendolen as Ernest for her to love him, but he still has to face his problem, as Gwendolen intends to marry only the man whose name is Ernest. Oscar Wilde reformed Jack’s character by actually trying to become Ernest: his alter ego that he uses as a scapegoat to preserve his morality as Jack Worthing. For Jack, the name Ernest is his way to keep an honorable image in place. By using Ernest, Jack is able to escape his real life, as he is bound by duties and obligations, as well as a reputation he must protect. Ernest actually provides Jack with an excuse he conveniently uses whenever he wants to do things that he can do when he is under his real identity. It is also his disguise, as Jack wants to remain being seen as upright and moral, and with Ernest as his mask, he is able to misbehave. His character is reformed when it was the time for him to make the choice: to be Ernest or be Jack. It was love that drove him to that deciding corner, as Gwendolen was evidently in love with him being Ernest, and he is not sure if she would still love him if he is Jack. In the end, Jack apologized to Gwendolen, which she returns with forgiveness, saying that she did so because she is sure that Jack would change to make up for his mistakes. The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wilde’s way of satirizing the general tolerance for hypocrisy in the Victorian concept of morality, and this is shown by the character Jack Worthing. He wants to adhere with notions of duty, honor, and respectability, yet he lives a double life, Ernest, hypocritically flouting those notions.

Small And Medium Enterprises In Bangladesh

Small And Medium Enterprises In Bangladesh There is great interest in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as major tool of poverty reduction in Bangladesh. Government of Bangladesh formulated a comprehensive Industrial Policy-2005 by putting special emphasis for developing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as a thrust sector for balanced and sustainable industrial development in the country to help deal with the challenges of free market economy and globalization. With multilateral trade negotiations is often leading to improving market access and with developing countries also being a lot more willing than before to participate in globalization, rich country government and the aid agencies have apparently decided to focus on the SMEs as one important ingredient of private-sector development. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have been playing a pivotal role in terms of economic growth, employment generation, poverty reduction and industrialization (e.g. through entrepreneurship development) in Bangladesh. Industria lizations link to poverty reduction is through charging-up the growth rate of the country, enhancement of the productivity of the worker(s) in employment, providing employment to the unemployed, expanding consumer spending and thus the confidence level by sharing lower costs from scale economies via lower prices. As a result SME in Bangladesh takes several strategies to grow itself economy of this country. Such as Market development strategy, product development strategy, diversification strategy etc. The Government of Bangladesh constituted the taskforce to monitor and operate Small Medium Scale Industries late in 2003. Present era is totally technology based; there is no any scope to operate business vigorously without technology. So each and every business sector in developed countries is using modern technology whereas our business mainly SME is using ancient methods which are not consistent with present up rising competition. Most of the small businesses in Bangladesh are no t able to export goods to other countries after meeting the demand of own country. But it is also true that our SME sectors are developing day by day and it is contributing more in economics in Bangladesh than previous time. Chapter -1: Introduction 1.1 Background of the report There is no chance to deny the fact that Bangladesh needs a sustained level of growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in order to reduce poverty. Having predominance of agro-based economic activities, low level of technological development, lack of availability of highly skilled laborers, small scale businesses have been suitably developed in the country. Considering the countrys level of economic growth, composition of resources or natural resources, level of international integration, and growing urbanization, industrialization there is huge scope for developing diversified and new SMEs in agriculture, manufacturing, service sectors etc. Scope of employment can be enlarged or widened both in rural and urban areas, which will help to reduce income inequality between urban and rural areas by SMEs. SMEs contribution to the economy is well-known. According to BSCIC (2009), small and cottage industries accounted for 90.91 per cent of total industrial establishments in 20082009. About 90 per cent of total employment and more than 55 per cent of total manufacturing value added originated from SMEs. In another estimate, there are around 66000 small industry units and 611,612 cottage industry units, which provide employment of nearly 3.5 million people. When handlooms are added, the number of cottage industry units alone shoots up above 700,000 (BSCIC, 2009). SMEs achieved considerable growth in different sub-sectors like, paper, printing and publishing; non-metallic mineral products; metal products; chemical; food, beverage tobacco etc. SMEs growth in Bangladesh is comparable with the growth achieved in different large scale industries in Bangladesh. However, a number of challenges have slowed down the development or growth of SMEs. In spite of its extensive coverage in manufacturing and service related activities, productivity of SMEs is not good in our country. In a number of sectors, there is no well-structured value chain developed between upper stream and lower stream. It is true that growing urbanization in the country and rising per capita income at urban level have been creating demand for relatively better quality products at a higher price, instead of low quality products at lower price. Currently, a larger part of this demand has been met up by low-priced, low quality imported products, because local SMEs are not able enough to provide satisfactory amount of better quality products. Though SME is becoming gradually a rising industrial sector in our country and contributing more and more in export, this sector faces several problems like- lake of technical know-how, shortage of long term financial support, lack of skilled workers, marketing link, research and development. Naturally, development of competitiveness of local SMEs is the major challenge that has to be met in order to sustain and enlarge the growth of this sector. The major objective of this report is to show the growth of SME, present status of SME, problems faced by SME and government policies to operate SME in our country. 1.2 Objectives The major objective of this report is to explore the: Current development status of SME in Bangladesh Problems faced by SME Government policies to operate SME in our country 1.3 Limitation Although it has been tried on the level best to make this report based on facts and complete information available, there are some limitations that are inevitable. They are following: This study is limited to only the development of SME in Bangladesh; There was a time limitation as three months internship period is not enough to study the growth of SME; Primary data is collected from different SMEs owners by questionnaires. So without trust on owners answers there is no any way to justify these answers. Chapter -2: Methodology To explore the growth of SMEs in Bangladesh others terms such as current status of SME, problems faced by SME, Government policies etc are described in this report. This report basically focuses on growth of SME in Bangladesh. 2.1 sampling design Sampling size is 20 2.2 Methods of collecting data For completing this report data is collected from two sourcesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ primary Secondary Primary data Sources: Primary data is collected by questionnaires from direct respondents (small business owners). Questionnaires are also adjusted with this report. Secondary data sources: Secondary data is collected from different News paper, Web sites, Different articles, Report, etc. 2.3 Analytical tools Simple equation is used to analyses this questionnaires. Chapter -3 Literature review In the business world, small and micro-businesses form an absolute majority worldwide. Bangladesh as a developing country has started refocusing its attention on SME to enhance its economic stability. Though there is no any standard definition of SME in the world, we can say that small business is a business which starts its activities with small amount of capital, small amount of land, few numbers of employees to serve small numbers of customers it is known as small business. This paper sets out to analysis the small business growth in Bangladesh. The terms growth, success are often very closely linked and are sometimes even used as synonyms. Traditionally they are all measured by hard financial measures, such as turnover, or by increased numbers of Employees. This report tries to show the roles of SMEs for overall development of Bangladesh. Such as economic growth, poverty alleviation, employment generation, and the growth dimensions in three major sectors agriculture, industry, and service. The study also shows the bottlenecks of SMEs and the effect of globalization on its development in Bangladesh to the success of SMEs in exploiting, surviving, rapid globalization of markets. In this paper the final pursuit is to develop a framework to illustrate a sustainable business solution that simultaneously fight poverty and accelerate economic growth through SMEs. SME takes several strategies to grow itself as well as economic development of Bangladesh. Such as Market development strategy, product development strategy, diversification strategy etc. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are playing a pivotal role in terms of economic growth, employment generation, and industrialization (e.g. through entrepreneurship development). Many authors expressed their opinion about SME growth in developing country like Bangladesh. These are given belowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Beck, Kunt, and Levine (2005) in SMEs, Growth, and Poverty states that Cross-Country Evidence have found a strong association between SMEs development and Gross Domestic Product in per Capita. Harvie (2004) in East Asian SME capacity Building, competitiveness and Market Opportunities in a Global Economy postulates that developing economies are especially seeing small business as potential instruments for the alleviation of poverty. Carl Liedholm, Michael, McPherson and Anyinna Chuta et al show that The percentage of job growth coming from enterprise expansion in rural areas is significantly higher than that of urban areas in developing country. Above mentioned opinions of different authors show the growth trend of SME in developing country like Bangladesh. Actually SME helps poor people to develop their position. This report tries to shows that the SMEs activities its impact on our economic growth. For developing the sense about SME its impact this report is based on field survey. Though SME is an important component of economic growth so it has to keep relation with others factors such as knowledge, capital mobilization, creativity, ability to take initiatives, record keeping, financial control, industry management experience, etc which are very important to enhance economic growth of this country. This report also focuses on these factors. In our country majority percent of entrepreneurs take decisions by their own sense. Small business brings great opportunity for small capital owners. They can easily use this small capital can remove poverty. Though small business owners are poor, they need support from external and internal sources. Here relatives different financial institutions play important roles in this case. Considering all these, the governments of many developing and less-developed countries are adopting separate SME policies. Bangladesh government has developed rules regulations to run the SME in Bangladesh. Tax rebate, interest of loan, location of this business etc are main factors have great impact on economic growth which taken by the government to run SME. After the independence of Bangladesh governments of different tenures took a long time to realize the need of entrepreneurship development. We may get the scenario if we analyze the development by deferent government tenure. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. 1972-1975 Period: During this period trade policy of the country was mainly project-oriented. As the country was just free from an autocratic reign of Pakistani juntas and the industrial infrastructure was damaged by the war of liberation, so, government of the then period had no alternative but to initiate by itself. Private participation over the industrial sector was totally stopped. Government initiated to establish large number of nationalized industries. As a result entrepreneurship development concept was totally lost. 1975-1982 Period: From this time government realized the need of entrepreneurship development for economic growth. Government started to privatize its seek industries and introduced deregulation policies in industrial sector. New private entrepreneurs were created with new enthusiasm. These governments introduced mixed economic system. 1982-1990 Period: Privatization and deregulation policies started in some specific sectors. Selling the seek industries to private sector got momentous. Entrepreneurship was encouraged by formulating appropriate fiscal policies. 1991-2004 Period: Governments of these periods introduced market economy to a significant extent. Initiated policies to liberalize the trade policies. Privatization board was constituted to explore the environmental opportunities. Export-oriented privatization policy was introduced. GATT, WTO established took up some issues in this country by the international policies and to provide some ways and strategies. It is another factor that, how many numbers of SME in our country it is not easy to say. So, no one knows for sure how many SMEs are in Bangladesh today. In 1975 BSCIC (Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation) surveyed to find out the actual numbers of SME in our country, but until today actual numbers of SME are not found out. SME growth is also affected by the environment -external internal. External environment is very important to internationalize SME. Environment is major component of development without it development cannot move away. So SME has to maintain the rules and regulation of environment. To grow SME financial non-financial indicators are very important. The combination of these two factors brings the economic success of a country. To develop small business there are many institutional arrangements, which vary degrees of effectiveness in the following areasà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Financial support: Long-term financing are generally provided by Bangladesh Bank, other specialized bank and financial institutions. Commercial bank provide short term loan to business enterprise regardless of the size in the form of general credit, industrial credit, rural credit program, micro credit, special credit, etc at varying interest rate of 11-16% depending on the purpose of development. Human resource development: Small business needs skilled manpower for production, management and accounts. A number of organizations are engaged in these activities such as BUET, BIT, Polytechnic and Vocational Training Institutes, etc for making skilled manpower. Policy Instruments: Government has been supporting small business through various policy formulations and their implementation. Ministries of industry, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Ministry of Commerce and Bangladesh Bank have developed necessary policy to develop SME. Business Development Services: Business Development Services are designed to help micro, small and medium enterprises overcome these barriers to increased productivity, profitability and access high value markets so that they can realize their potential help to poor people work their way out of poverty, grow local economies and creates jobs. In Bangladesh SME faces many problems. As a developing country these problem should be overcome. Otherwise our SME sectors will not be able to see the success. To overcome these problems to develop small business in our country in future below mentioned factors should be accepted: Training Motivation Loan facility Proper application of rules Appropriate place Opportunity to capital utilization Chapter-4 SME in Bangladesh 4.1 Definition of SME Small business is any business that independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its own field and does not engage in any new or innovative practices. It is an integral part of the total business scene in any country. It means the size of which is not big the size again depends on the yardstick one uses to measure. 4.1.1 According to industrial policy For manufacturing industries, the Taskforce recommends that: an enterprise should be treated as small if, in todays market prices, the replacement cost of plant, machinery and other parts/components, fixtures, support utility, and associated technical services by way of capitalized costs (of turn-key consultancy services, for example), etc, were to up to Tk. 15 million; an enterprise would be treated as medium if, in todays market prices, the replacement cost of plant, machinery, and other parts/components, fixtures, support utility, and associated technical services (such as turn-key consultancy), etc, were to up to Tk. 100 million; from both definitions above, land is excluded. For non-manufacturing activities (such as trading or other services), the Taskforce defines: An enterprise should be treated as small if it has less than 25 workers, in full-time equivalents; An enterprise would be treated as medium if it has between 25 and 100 employees; From both definitions above, land and structures, once again, are excluded. 4.2 Government policies of SME in Bangladesh As a developing country to develop its economic status and to reduce the poverty rate, SME is very important sector in Bangladesh. But unfortunately, until today Bangladesh could not make separate SME policy to operate this sector significantly. Some very simple polices are included in the industrial policy in 2005. These areà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The Industrial Policy-2005 states: the SME sector has been given priority as a privileged sector. The PRSP states: The Government will pursue an employment intensive industrialization with emphasis on SMEs and export-oriented industries. . The Small and Medium Enterprise Cell (SMEC) was created in the Ministry of Industries (MOI) in 2003, and was tasked to take specialist interest in SMEs development. October 2003 saw the constitution of the SME Taskforce (SMETF), with the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister as the convener. The SMETF blended the Government, the private sector, academia and the civil society as participants. The Taskforces report was approved by the Government early in 2005. On the basis of the report of the SME Taskforce, the Government of Bangladesh issued Small Medium Enterprise Policy Strategies, 2005 to provide a framework for interventions and policy strategies for the development of SMEs. The Government constituted a Small Medium Enterprise Advisory Panel (SMEAP) as an independent and meritocratic brains-trust for the MOI for all developmental, technical and structural advisories in the name of SME development. According to Industrial Policy 2005, there are special fiscal incentives for SMEs. Since Industries will enjoy tax holiday facility for a period of 5 to 8 years depending on the locations; Agro-processing and computer software industries will receive income tax relief for a fixed period; Industrial enterprises engaged in the production of RMG will receive taxation facility at a reduced rate of 10 per cent on their export income; Special revenue facilities will be provided to industries marked as thrust sectors, SMEs and cottage industries; Industrial enterprises registered with the Board of Investment need not pay any transfer fee; The Government is committed to develop industrialization led by the private sector amid a business environment that can bring out the best among all SME stakeholders It is also pointed out in the industrial policy that Bangladesh government has taken initiatives to make separate SME policy. But when this policy will be made and implemented it is a big question today. 4.3 Strategy for Small Business development in Bangladesh Four strategies we can follow to grow the Small Business in our country. These are given belowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Penetration strategy Product Development Strategy Market development Strategy Diversification Strategy Penetration strategy A Penetration strategy focuses on the firms existing product in its existing market, and entrepreneurs try to develop the product and market by encouraging existing customer to buy the more of the firms current product. Market development Strategy It is a strategy which grows small business by selling the firms existing product to the new customers There are several strategies under the market development strategyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Market Development Strategy Geographical Market Demographic Market Product use B.1) Geographical Market: This simply suggests selling the existing product in new location. B.2) Demographic market: demographics are used to characterize customers based upon their income, where they live, their education, age, and sex; and so on. B.3) Product use: An entrepreneur might find out that people use its product in a way that was not expected. This new knowledge of product use provides insight into how product may be valuable to the new group o buyers. C) Product development strategy Product development strategy for growth involve developing and selling new product to people who are already purchasing the firms existing product. Diversification strategy This strategy involves selling a new product to a new market. 4.3 Opportunity and challenges for SME of Bangladesh Opportunities: Bangladesh is an agricultural country. 85% populations of Bangladesh are Farmer. So agricultural gets the priority all times. But today people are becoming aware of industry. In this circumstance small business has huge opportunity to develop itself in our country. Some important opportunities of SME are described in below- Education Rate: The education rate of Bangladesh is increasing day by day. Educated people are always tried to do something new, and they are not afraid of taking risk. So, new businesses are being launched day by day. Industrial Policy: Industrial policy help people to do business correctly and it provides many facilities to new business owners. So, small business is seeing new sun of success. Availability of Resources: In our country there are many resources to develop and operate small business significantly. Foreign Market Potentiality: Small business of Bangladesh produces many goods which have demands in foreign market, and can earn huge foreign currency. So, small business is developed day by day. Honorable Profession: Many people imagine that Small Business is very prestigious profession. So, young people are developing small business day by day. Environment: Environment of Bangladesh is appropriate for business. Those businesses are not appropriate in ice-land area these are appropriate in our country. Growth of domestic product GDP of a country is very important to measure the growth of SMEs. In our growth rate is becoming good day by day. Current GDP growth of our country is 6%. Without above mentioned opportunities there are many other reasons for which Small Business is developing successfully. Problems of SME in Bangladesh: There is a great prospect of SME in Bangladesh. It plays a pivotal role in the economic development of this country but SME of Bangladesh faces many challenges in different areaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Government policy Until today Bangladesh could not make a standard SME policy to operate this sector significantly. Moreover the government policy emphasizes on production factors rather than human factor. Human factor is getting the least attention for the promotion of small business in the country. There is another problem for making the policy. Government is not making a clear cut policy of developing small business in the country. Awareness of facilities Sometimes government offers a few facilities to the small business but owners of small business are not aware of the available facilities in the country for establishing small business. There is no any proper media to aware small business owner about facilities. Training facilities To develop entrepreneurship and small business in the country availability of training and education facilities is must. But in Bangladesh there are hardly any training facilities for the small businessman. Incentive measure To develop the small and medium enterprise government of country has to provide the incentive measure. But here the small entrepreneurs are deprived of such incentives. Loan facilities Different financial institutions are offering loan facilities to small business owner. But it is a problem that small business owner who has no any power doesnt get loan facilities very easily. Security Many small business owners operate their business in open place like field, road, bus, and in other transportation. They are not secured because they face many dangerous situations. Women entrepreneurship Women are controlled by man means husband or father or elder brother. So women small business cant be operated very smoothly. In our country there is no suitable social environment to operate small business by women. Small capital Small business owners have no huge capital to operate the business. So they cant achieve the apex of goal. Modern technology they cant use and standard product they cant produce. Above mentioned points are considered as strong barriers of SME development in Bangladesh. So it can be said that to increase the contribution of SMEs on Bangladesh economy government, NGOs, commercial banks, others financial institutions have to put great emphasize on SMEs sector in Bangladesh 4.4 Government budgetary measures for the development of SME in 2010 Table Sectors Taka(cr) % Fiscal year Economy industry 1219 1.07% 2010-2011 Business 185 0.16% 2010-2011 Bangladesh is agriculture based country. So main priority is given to this sector always, but comparatively business sector always gets little priority, though it has great contribution on our economy. To develop the SME sector Bangladesh government has to give great priority to this sector. 4.5 Role of SME on economic development of Bangladesh The role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to economic development of a country is well organized. Across the globe it is strongly perceived that SMEs do play vital role in the industrial development, economic development of a country. Bangladesh is not lagging far behind in this respect. SME has great opportunity in this country. Environment, cheap labor, business strategy etc are the key features of SME. In view all the favorable factors; there is an urgent need in development of SME in Bangladesh as a developing country. SMEs are characterized on the basis of size, investment and employees in most countries across the world. Here are small business are those which have employees less than 50 person and have an investment of less than tk. 250 million. On the other hand, medium enterprises are those which have investment between tk.250 million and tk. 500 million with the number of employed workers ranging to 50 and 99. Generally, hand loom, food processing, lather and tannery, ceramic, light engineering, electric and electronic, handicraft, specialized textile and garments etc are fall in the category of small and medium enterprise. Information from MIDAS suggested that, around 88% of countys total industrial workforce is employed in the SMEs and the sector manufactures over 33% of industrial value added goods. Although there is no concrete information about number and types of SME in Bangladesh, an estimate of the Bangladesh small and cottage industries corporation (BSCIC) says that, there are over 42000 cottage industries in Bangladesh. There are also tens of thousands of small industries and a large number of hand loom and power loom industries in this country. Despite having huge potential to flourish, the growth of SME sector in Bangladesh is being impeded by multifarious problem, both at micro and macro levels. Inadequate knowledge of many entrepreneurs about the existing lending system and absence of necessary training facilities for small enterprise, widespread corruption and extortion and high rate of value added tax and unnecessary harassment from taxvat officials, law enforcer etc are also seen as impediments for the growth of SME. On the other hand absence of modern technology transfer policy, lack of infrastructure and support like port, power, gas, poor law and order, inadequate legal frame work, policy have been identified as the key macro level problem. Bangladesh SMEs have no enough exposure to international market. Considering the above all situation, Bangladesh government along with donors support took some measures over the year to support the development of SMEs. Various institutions including the BSCIC, BOI (Board of investment) Commercial banks, other financial institutions are working to promote the MSE sector, but their services and support are still inadequate. Experts argue that all the institutions have to build up capacity and upgrade their attitudes to provide appropriate and quick service to entrepreneurs. The government has already given special attention to the promotion of SMEs sectors. Though government and others financial institutions have given special attention to the promotion of SMEs sector, the contribution of non-government organization in this sector is still poor. So it can be said that to increase the contribution of SMEs on Bangladesh economy government, NGOs, commercial banks, others financial institutions have to put great emphasize on SMEs sector in Bangladesh. Chapter 05: Present status of SME in Bangladesh questionnaire This part is based on survey through questionnaires. Calculation: Number of respondent: frequency ÃÆ'-100 Question 01: Age of entrepreneurs Table -01 Responses 20-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-more Total Number of respondent 02 04 08 04 02 20 Percentage 10% 20% 40% 20% 10% 100% From the above table we can state that, 31-35 years people are more interested to do own business like SME. Question02: Owners of SME are male or female Table-02 Responses Female Male Total Number of respondent 7 13 20 Percentage 35% 56% 100% From above data we can conclude that male is more interested than female. Ques

External and Internal Factors Essay -- External Internal Factors Manag

External and Internal Factors There are many external and internal factors that impact the planning functions of management. We must all be mindful of these factors because they could have an enormous impact on organizations productivity. The process of assessing the external and internal factors that an organization will face can be vital to the planning function of management. One must determine a set of issues and constraints and then list the assumptions that will impact the implementation of the plan. The environmental assessment develops understanding of external and internal processes that influence the organizations success rate. The purpose of the environmental assessment is to identify and analyze the key trends, forces, and phenomena having a potential impact on the formulation and implementation of strategies. In effect, the environmental assessment attempts to prepare the organization to acclimatize to environmental changes to take advantage of opportunities and to minimize the adverse effects o f threats. Once the environmental assessment is complete, it is analyzed to prioritize issues, constraints and assumptions that could influence the planning function of management. The assessment of external factors analyze outside the physical confines of the enterprise. These factors are beyond the control of the enterprise, and could have significant impact on the planning function of management. The external assessment is performed at a worldwide level and at a metropolitan area level. At the worldwide level, the assessment includes economic trends of national and local economies, social trends, government policies of national and local influence, and technological advancements of the world at large. This includes the impact of our global market, technology advancements throughout the world, and e-business that is rapidly growing. Macro elements are analyzed to uncover issues, constraints and assumptions that could influence the integrated planning function of management. At the metropolitan area level, the assessment includes industry trends, market trends, customer expectations, competitor performance, competitive alternatives, and supplier capabilities. The internal environmental evaluation closely parallels the external evaluation of the environment. The internal evaluation requires gathering and assimilating information about the fi... ...g environment's ethics and culture, with management as its champion. When managers are champions of projects, some things get done. Also, when managers are champions of improvement programs, some more things get done. But when managers champion the culture, a much bigger thing happens. The projects, the programs, the quality journey over time, and the organization, all flourish, and the organization truly transforms itself into a higher quality organization. Because organizations operate as open systems, a relationship between external and internal forces will always exist. Managers must recognize that external and internal forces can be highly interrelated. When managers are able to identify change as well as the external and internal settings in which the change is taking place, the organization will be able to appropriately respond and adopt strategies that will enable the organization to be effective. One should always think critically, and have a mission for your company as a manager. A company without a clear understanding of our global market is a company destined to fail. Set goals for your company. Establish teams to do research and carry forth organizations visions.

Japan and Its Customs Essay -- Japan Japanese Customs Essays

Japan and Its Customs General Information on Japan Japan has a population of approximately 125 million people packed tightly into a rather small geographic area. The official language in Japan is Japanese. Japanese is spoken only in Japan. The literacy rate in Japan is very close to 100 percent and 95 percent of the Japanese population has a high school education. Japan’s form of government is parliamentarian democracy under the rule of a constitutional monarch. The dominant religion is Shinto, which is exclusive to Japan. However, the Japanese have no official religion. Appearance 1) Make appointments before you arrive in the country Japanese don’t like newcomers. Make appointments before you arrive in the country. The best way is to be introduced personally by a Japanese agent, or better, by a Japanese business partner. Before you make an appointment send detailed information about your company. Your Japanese partners expect you to ask for the same. 2) Be on time As a general rule, the Japanese are always on time. There are no such things as being "fashionably late" or making a "grand entrance". If an event is to begin at 09:00, then it is best to arrive a few minutes early to get yourself organized and be prepared to begin right at 09:00 (not 09:05). 3) Dress conservatively In general, the Japanese are much more conscious of their appearance in public than we are in the West. Some Japanese would rather spend money on clothing than on food. In the large cities your clothing is a sign of your background, social status, or wealth. In general, women do not wear sleeveless tops, shorts, or revealing styles. To conform to the typical businessman's style, men wear dark two piece suits with plain white shirts and conservative ties. The Japanese do not wear excessive amounts of jewellery that are obvious signs of wealth. Although a piece of jewellery might be expensive, it is worn with a sense of quality, not quantity. Behavior 1) Greet with a long and low bow Bowing represents humility. You elevate, honor, and respect the other person by humbling yourself or lowering yourself. The lower you bow, the more you are honoring or respecting the other party. As a Westerner, you are not expected to initiate a bow, but a bow should always be returned (except from personnel at department stores and restaurants who bow to welcome... ... or letter openers; -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  items totaling an even number, such as four flower stems (the number four symbolizes death); items totaling nine (the number symbolizes suffering) -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  flowers are generally used at times of illness, death, or courting only -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  white and yellow chrysanthemums are for funerals Conclusion The Geert Hofstede analysis for Japan is dramatically different from other Asian Countries such as Hong Kong, Korea or China. In Japan Masculinity is the highest characteristic. The lowest ranking factor is Individualism, which coincides with their high ranking in Uncertainty Avoidance. Japan is a more collectivist culture that avoids risks and shows little value for personal freedom. Power Distance  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Individualism  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Uncertainty Avoidance  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Masculinity  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Long term orientation Japan  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  54  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  46  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  92  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  95  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  80 Romania  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  90  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  32  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  90  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  42  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   PDI – Power Distance IDV – Individualism MAS – Masculinity UAI – Uncertainly Avoidance LTO – Long term Orientation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Anyone going to Japan will find it illuminating. Anyone going to do business in Japan will find it a must.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ronald Dore

The Post-Industrialism Era Essay -- Globalization

The era of post-industrialism refers to a period of change where a society advances from a manufacturing base, to a society reliant on knowledge, services, and research. What emerges from the remains of the industrial society is a society based around services, contracts, precariousness, segmentation, and insecurity, etc. Divided are the prospects for this globalized, post-industrial society. People question who will benefit from this new era of globalization. Some view the post-industrial era as one that offers opportunities for the well-educated, creative, and young professional while others view it as an era involving less security, job deskilling and high levels of inequality (Krahn, Lowe, Hughes, 2008). If one of the main consequences of post-industrialism is a widening gap between the â€Å"haves† and the â€Å"have not’s† then who are those who make up these two distinct groups? The re-organization of work in the 21st century marks a shift from manufacturing to services. By 2004, 74 percent of employed Canadians held service-sector jobs, 21 percent in the secondary sector, and 5 percent in the primary industries (Krahn, Lowe, Hughes, 2008; Bowlby 2000). We can divide these service jobs into two distinct groups, upper-tier jobs and lower-tier jobs. The upper-tier jobs are referred to as the â€Å"good† jobs while the lower-tier jobs can be considered the â€Å"bad† jobs. Dominating the lower-tier are women, youth, immigrants, and those with less than a high-school diploma. Jobs in this tier include retail, hospitality, customer service jobs such as call centres and help desks, janitorial work, etc. Many of these jobs are part-time, temporary or contractual, therefore preventing workers from obtaining the same benefits that many o... ...e potential for a highly fragmented and highly unequal job market or one that embraces the changes listed above and works towards better unity amongst workers, unions, and government. Works Cited Krahn, Lowe, Hughes (2008) Work, Industry, & Canadian Society. (5th ed.) Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd. Athabasca University (2010) Sociology 321 Reading File. Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University Critoph, U (2010) Sociology 321 Study Guide. (Revised edition). Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University Krahn, H (1991) Non-Standard Work Arrangements. (Vol.3,No. 4) Statistics Canada, Catalogue 75-001E) Lowe, G. (1998) The future of Work: Implications for Unions. (Vol. 53, No.2) Montreal, Quebec. Retrieved May 2012 from http://id.erudit.org/iderudit/005291ar Betcherman, G.; Lowe, G.(1997) The future of work in Canada: A Synthesis Report. Ottawa ON: CPRN Inc. The Post-Industrialism Era Essay -- Globalization The era of post-industrialism refers to a period of change where a society advances from a manufacturing base, to a society reliant on knowledge, services, and research. What emerges from the remains of the industrial society is a society based around services, contracts, precariousness, segmentation, and insecurity, etc. Divided are the prospects for this globalized, post-industrial society. People question who will benefit from this new era of globalization. Some view the post-industrial era as one that offers opportunities for the well-educated, creative, and young professional while others view it as an era involving less security, job deskilling and high levels of inequality (Krahn, Lowe, Hughes, 2008). If one of the main consequences of post-industrialism is a widening gap between the â€Å"haves† and the â€Å"have not’s† then who are those who make up these two distinct groups? The re-organization of work in the 21st century marks a shift from manufacturing to services. By 2004, 74 percent of employed Canadians held service-sector jobs, 21 percent in the secondary sector, and 5 percent in the primary industries (Krahn, Lowe, Hughes, 2008; Bowlby 2000). We can divide these service jobs into two distinct groups, upper-tier jobs and lower-tier jobs. The upper-tier jobs are referred to as the â€Å"good† jobs while the lower-tier jobs can be considered the â€Å"bad† jobs. Dominating the lower-tier are women, youth, immigrants, and those with less than a high-school diploma. Jobs in this tier include retail, hospitality, customer service jobs such as call centres and help desks, janitorial work, etc. Many of these jobs are part-time, temporary or contractual, therefore preventing workers from obtaining the same benefits that many o... ...e potential for a highly fragmented and highly unequal job market or one that embraces the changes listed above and works towards better unity amongst workers, unions, and government. Works Cited Krahn, Lowe, Hughes (2008) Work, Industry, & Canadian Society. (5th ed.) Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd. Athabasca University (2010) Sociology 321 Reading File. Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University Critoph, U (2010) Sociology 321 Study Guide. (Revised edition). Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University Krahn, H (1991) Non-Standard Work Arrangements. (Vol.3,No. 4) Statistics Canada, Catalogue 75-001E) Lowe, G. (1998) The future of Work: Implications for Unions. (Vol. 53, No.2) Montreal, Quebec. Retrieved May 2012 from http://id.erudit.org/iderudit/005291ar Betcherman, G.; Lowe, G.(1997) The future of work in Canada: A Synthesis Report. Ottawa ON: CPRN Inc.

Night World : Dark Angel Chapter 12

Yes,† Gillian said simply. Her heart rate had picked up a little, but with anticipation rather than fear. Angel was looking very mysterious. He struck a looking-into-the-distance pose, then said, â€Å"Have you ever had the feeling that you don't really know reality?† â€Å"Frequently,† Gillian said dryly. â€Å"Ever since I met you.† He grinned. â€Å"I mean even before that. Someone wrote about the ‘inconsolable secret' that's in each of us. The desire for our own far-off country, for something we've never actually experienced. About how we all long ‘to bridge some chasm that yawns between us and reality †¦ to be reunited with something in the universe from which we now feel cut off†¦' â€Å" Gillian sat bolt upright. â€Å"Yes. I never heard anybody say it that well before. About the chasm- you always feel that there's something else, somewhere, and that you're being left out. I thought it was something the popular people would be in on-but it hasn't got anything to do with them at all.† â€Å"As if the world has some secret, if you could only get on the inside.† â€Å"Yes. Yes.† She looked at him in fascination. â€Å"This is about being a witch, isn't it? You're saying that I've always felt that way because it's true. Because for me there is a different reality†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Nah.† Angel grimaced. â€Å"Actually everybody feels exactly the same. Doesn't mean a thing.† Gillian collapsed. â€Å"What?† â€Å"For them. For them, there is no secret place. As for you†¦ well, it's not what you're thinking; it's not some higher reality of astral planes or anything. It's as real as those socks. As real as that girl, Melusine, in the store in Woodbridge. And it's where you were meant to be. A place where you'll be welcomed into the heart of things.† Gillian's heart was racing wildly. â€Å"Where is it?† â€Å"It's called the Night World.† Gray-blue shadows were gliding up the hills. Gillian drove in the twilight, heading toward the darkness in the east. â€Å"Explain again,† she said, and she said it out loud, even though she couldn't see Angel. There was a slight disturbance of air above the seat to her right, a hint of mist, but that was all. â€Å"You're saying it's not just witches.† â€Å"Not by a long shot. Witches are just one race; there are all sorts of other creatures of the night. All the sorts that you've been taught to think are legends.† â€Å"And they're real. And they're just living alongside normal humans. And they always have been.† â€Å"Yes. But it's easy, you see. They look like humans, at least at first glance. As much as you look like a human.† â€Å"But I am a human. I mean, mostly, right? My great-grandma was a witch, but she married a human and so did my grandma and my mom. So I'm all †¦ diluted.† â€Å"It doesn't matter to them. You can claim witch blood. And your powers are beyond dispute. Trust me, they'll welcome you.† â€Å"Besides, I've got you,† Gillian said cheerfully. â€Å"I mean, ordinary humans don't have their own invisible guardians, do they?† â€Å"Well.† Angel seemed to coalesce dimly beside her. From what she could see of his face, he was frowning. â€Å"You can't actually tell them about me. Don't ask why; I'm not allowed to explain. But I'll be with you, the way I always am. I'll help you out with what to say. Don't worry; you'll do fine.† Gillian wasn't worried. She felt steeped in mystery and a sort of forbidden excitement. The whole world seemed magical and unfamiliar. Even the snow looked different, blue and almost phosphorescent. As Gillian drove through rolling farmlands, a glow appeared above the eastern hills, and then the full moon rose, huge and throbbing with light. Deeper and deeper, she thought. She seemed to have left everything ordinary behind and to be sliding more and more quickly into an enchanted place where anything-anything at all-could happen. She wouldn't have been surprised if Angel had directed her to pull off into some snowy clearing and look for a fairy ring. But when he said, â€Å"Turn here,† it was at a main road that led to the straggling outskirts of a town. â€Å"Where are we?† â€Å"Sterback. Little hole-in-the-wall place-except for where we're going. Stop here.† â€Å"Here† was a nondescript building, which looked as if it had originally been Victorian. It wasn't in very good repair. Gillian got out and looked at the moon shining on the windows. The building might have been a lodge. It was set apart from the rest of the dark and silent town. A wind had started up and she shivered. (Uh, it doesn't look like anybody's in there.) (Go to the door.) Angel's voice in her mind was comforting, as always. There was no sign at the door, nothing to indicate that this was a public building. But the stained glass window above the door was faintly illuminated from the inside. The pattern seemed to be a flower. A black iris. (The Black Iris is the name of this place. It's a dub-) Angel was interrupted by a sudden explosion. That was Gillian's impression. For the first instant she had no idea what it was-just a dark shape flying at her and a violent noise-and she almost fell off the porch. Then she realized that the noise was barking. A chained dog was yammering and foaming, trying to get at her. (I'll take care of it.) Angel sounded grim, and an instant later Gillian felt something like a wave in the air. The dog dropped flat as if it had been shot. It rolled its eyes. The porch was dead silent again. Everything was silent. Gillian stood and breathed, feeling adrenaline run through her. But before she could say anything, the door opened behind her. A face looked out of the dimness inside the house. Gillian couldn't make out the features, but she could see the gleam of eyes. â€Å"Who're you?† The voice was slow and flat, not friendly. â€Å"What do you want?† Gillian followed Angel's whispered words. â€Å"I'm Gillian of the Harman clan, and I want in. It's cold out here.† â€Å"A Harman?† â€Å"I'm a Hearth-Woman, a daughter of Hellewise, and if you don't let me in, you stupid werewolf, I'm going to do to you what I did to your cousin there.† She stuck out a gloved finger toward the cringing dog. (Werewolf? Angel, there are real werewolves?) (I told you. All the legendary creatures.) Gillian felt an odd sinking. She had no idea why, and she continued to do just as Angel said. But somehow her stomach was knotting tighter and tighter. The door opened slowly. Gillian stepped into a dim hall and the door slammed shut again with a curiously final sound. â€Å"Didn't recognize you,† the figure beside her said. â€Å"Thought you might be vermin.† â€Å"I forgive you,† Gillian said, and pulled off her gloves at Angel's direction. â€Å"Downstairs?† He nodded and she followed him to a door which led to a stairway. As soon as the door opened, Gillian heard music. She descended, feeling extremely†¦ subterranean. The basement was deeper than most basements. And bigger. It was like a whole new world down there. It wasn't much brighter than upstairs, and there were no windows. It seemed like an old place; there was a shuffleboard pattern on the cold tile floor and a faint smell of mildew and moisture. But it was alive with people. There were figures sitting on chairs dumped around the borders of the room and more gathered around a pool table at one end. There were figures in front of a couple of ancient looking pinball machines and figures clustered at what looked like a home bar. Gillian headed for the bar. She could feel eyes on her every step of the way. She felt too small and too young as she perched precariously on one of the bar stools. She rested her elbows on the counter and tried to slow her heart down. The figure behind the bar turned toward her. It was a guy, maybe in his twenties. He stepped forward and Gillian saw his face. Shock rippled through her. There was something†¦ wrong with him. Not that he was hideously ugly or that he would have caused a commotion if he got on a bus. Maybe it was something Gillian sensed through her new powers and not through her eyes at all. But the impression she got was that his face looked wrong. Tainted by cold dark thoughts that made Tanya's scheming mind look like a sunlit garden. Gillian couldn't help her recoil. And the bar guy saw it. â€Å"You're new,† he said. The dark and cold seemed to grow in him and she realized he was enjoying her fear. â€Å"Where are you from?† Angel was shouting instructions at her. â€Å"I'm a Harman,† Gillian said as steadily as she could. â€Å"And-you're right. I'm new.† (Good, kid. Don't let him bully you! Now you're going to explain to them just exactly who you are-) (In a minute, Angel. Just let me get-settled.) The truth was that Gillian was completely unsettled. The sense of dread that had been growing ever since she walked in was reaching an unbearable pitch. This place was†¦ she groped for adjectives. Unwholesome. Corrupt. Scary. And then she realized something else. Up until now she hadn't been able to make out the faces of the other figures properly. Only eyes and the occasional flash of teeth. But now-they were moving in around her. It reminded her of sharks, swimming almost aimlessly but ending up in a purposeful gathering. There were people directly behind her-she could feel that with the back of her neck-and there were people on either side of her. When she looked, she could see their faces. Cold-dark-wrong. Not just wrong, but almost diabolic. These were people who might do anything and enjoy it. Their eyes glittered at her. More than glittered. Some of the eyes were shining†¦ like an animal's at night†¦ and now they were smiling and she could see teeth. Long delicate canine teeth that came to a point. Fangs†¦ All the legendary creatures†¦ Sheer panic surged through her. And at the same instant, she felt strong hands on her elbows. â€Å"Why don't you come outside with me?† a voice behind her said. Then things were confused. Angel was yelling again, but Gillian couldn't really hear him over the pounding of her own heart. The hands were exerting pressure, forcing her away from the bar. And the figures with their diabolical faces were settling back, most of them wearing conspiratorial grins. â€Å"Have fun,† somebody called. Gillian was being hurried up the stairs, whisked through the dim building. A blast of cold air hit her as the door opened and she suddenly felt dearer. She tried to break out of the iron grip that was holding her. It didn't do any good. She was out in the snow, leaving the house behind. The street was completely deserted. â€Å"Is that your car?† The hands on her arms eased their pressure. Gillian gave one desperate wrench and turned around. Moonlight was shining on the snow around her, giving it the texture of white satin. Every shadow was like an indigo stain on the sparkling coverlet. The person who'd been holding her was a boy a few years older than Gillian. He was lanky and elegant, with ash-blond hair and slightly tilted eyes. Something about the way he held himself made her think of lazy predatory animals. But his face wasn't wrong, the way the other faces had been. It was set and grim, maybe even a little scary, but it wasn't evil. â€Å"Now, look,† he said, and his voice wasn't evil, either, just rapid and short. â€Å"I don't know who you are, or how you managed to get in there, but you'd better turn around and go home right now. Because whatever you are, you're not a Harman.† â€Å"How do you know?† Gillian blurted before Angel could tell her what to say. â€Å"Because I'm related to the Harmans. I'm Ash Redfern. You don't even know what that means, do you? If you were a Harman you'd know that our families are kin.† (You are a Harman, and you are a witch!) Angel was actually raging. (Tell him! Tell him!) But the ash-blond boy was going on. â€Å"They'll eat you alive in there if they find out for sure. They're not as-tolerant-of humans as I am. So my advice is, get in your car, drive away, and never come back. And never mention this place to anybody else.† (You're a lost witch! You're not a human. Tell him!) â€Å"How come you're so tolerant?† Gillian was staring at the boy. His eyes†¦ she'd thought they were amber colored originally, like Steffi's, but now they were emerald green. He gave her an odd look. Then he smiled. It was a lazy smile, but with something heart-wrenching behind it. â€Å"I met a human girl last summer,† he said quietly, and that seemed to explain everything. Then he nodded at her car. â€Å"Get out of here. Never come back. I'm just passing through; I won't be around to save you again.† (Don't get in the car. Don't go. Tell him. You're a witch; you belong to Circle Midnight. Don't go!) For the first time, Gillian deliberately disobeyed an order of Angel's. She unlocked the car with shaky hands. As she got in, she looked back at the boy. Ash. â€Å"Thank you,† she said. â€Å"Bye.† He wiggled his fingers. He watched as she drove away. (Go back there right now! You belong there, just as much as any of them. You're one of them. They can't keep you out. Turn around and go back!) â€Å"Angel, stop it!† She said it out loud. â€Å"I can't! Don't you see that? I can't. They were horrible. They were-evil.† Now that she was alone, reaction was setting in. Her whole body began to shake. She was suddenly blind with tears, her breath catching in her throat. â€Å"Not evil!† Angel shimmered into the seat beside her. He had never sounded so agitated. â€Å"Just powerful-â€Å" â€Å"They were evil. They wanted to hurt me. I saw their eyes!† She was lapsing into hysteria. â€Å"Why did you take me there? When you wouldn't even let me talk to Melusine? Melusine wasn't like them.† A violent shiver overtook her. The car veered and she struggled with it, barely getting control. All at once everything seemed alien and terrifying; she was out on a long and lonely road, and it was night, and there was an uncanny being in the seat beside her. She didn't know who he was anymore. All she knew was that he wasn't any kind of an angel. The logical alternative sprang immediately to her mind. She was alone in the middle of nowhere with a demon†¦ â€Å"Gillian, stop it!† â€Å"Who are you? What are you, really? Who are you?† â€Å"What do you mean? You know who I am.† â€Å"No, I don't!† She was screaming it. â€Å"I don't know anything about you! Why did you take me there? Why did you want them to hurt me? Why?† â€Å"Gillian, stop the car. Stop. The. Car.† His voice was so commanding, so urgent and imperative, that she actually obeyed. She was sobbing anyway. She couldn't drive or see. She felt, literally and honestly, that she was losing her mind at that exact moment. â€Å"Now look at me. Wipe your face off and look at me.† After a moment she managed. He was shining. Light seemed to radiate from every inch, of him, from the gold filaments of his hair, to his classic features, to the lines of his perfect body. And he'd calmed down. His expression was rapt and uplifted, the serenity only marred by what looked like concern for her. â€Å"Now,† he said. â€Å"I'm sorry if all this scared you. New things are like that sometimes-they seem repulsive just because they're different. But we won't talk about that now,† he added, as Gillian caught a shuddering breath. â€Å"The important thing is that I wasn't trying to hurt you.† His eyes seemed to grow even more intense, pure violet flame. Gillian hiccupped. â€Å"But-you-â€Å" â€Å"I could never hurt you, Gillian. Because, you see, we're soulmates.† He said it with the weight of a monumental revelation. And although Gillian had no idea what it meant, she felt an odd quiver inside, almost of recognition. â€Å"What's that?† â€Å"It's something that happens with people who belong to the Night World. It means that there's only one love for everyone who exists. And when you meet that love, you know them. You know you were meant to be together, and nothing can keep you apart.† It was true. Every word seemed to resonate inside Gillian, touching off ancient, hidden memories. This was something her ancestors had known. Her cheeks had dried. Her hysteria was gone. But she felt very tired and very bewildered. â€Å"But †¦ if that's true†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She couldn't put the thought together. â€Å"Don't worry about it right now.† Angel's voice was soothing. â€Å"We'll talk about it later. I'll explain what it all means. I just wanted you to know that I would never hurt you. I love you, Gillian. Don't you realize that?† â€Å"Yes,† Gillian whispered. Everything was very foggy. She didn't want to think, didn't want to consider the implications of what Angel was saying. She just wanted to get home. â€Å"Relax and I'll help you drive,† Angel said. â€Å"Don't worry about anything. It's all going to be all right.†