Learning and Favorite Academic Subject

Speaking section Many iBT speaking questions ask you to talk about things that you enjoy, things that you value, or things that you are good at. Practice with the following topics. Be sure to support your response with specific reasons and details. You have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to speak. 1. What is your favorite hobby? 2. Describe a talent you have 3. What is a good book that you would recommend? 4. What is your favorite season of the year? 5. Explain about an object that is very special in your life. 6. Describe a holiday you enjoy celebrating 7.What is a possession you value highly? 8. What is your favorite method of transportation? 9. Where is your favorite park or public space? 10. What famous person would you most like to meet1. Describe an interesting trip you’ve taken. 2. What is a difficult problem you’ve had to overcome? 3. What is your favorite memory of childhood? 4. Explain an important lesson you’ve learned in life. 5. Describe a spec ial opportunity that was given to you. 6. Describe a place that you liked to go when you were young. 7. What is something you regret? 8. Explain about a time when you felt very happy. . What was the most enjoyable day of your life? 10. Describe an event that has changed you in some way. TALKING ABOUT THE PLACE YOU LIVE 1. Describe your hometown. 2. What is something about your country that makes you proud? 3. If a visitor came to your country, where would you take them? 4. If you could give a gift to your friend that is symbolic of your country, what would you give them? 5. Introduce a game from your country, and explain why you like to play it. 6. Where is a place in your hometown that you go to relax? 7. If you could visit any country, where would you go? 8.What is the most important room in your house? 9. Explain why your hometown is or isn’t a good place to live. 10. If a friend came to your country to visit, what meal would you prepare1. Describe an interesting class you ’ve taken. 2. Describe some qualities of a good teacher. 3. What are some good ways to learn English? 4. What is your favorite academic subject? 5. Should cell phones be banned from classrooms? 6. Should non-academic classes like art and music they be removed from the curriculum? 7. Besides teaching the basic subjects, what are some ways that school shapes children? 8.Explain about the best teacher you ever had. 9. What is something useful that you learned in school? 10. If you take any class on any subject, what would you study and why What is your idea of the perfect job? 2. Describe a skill you want to learn. 3. How will your life be different in 5 years? 4. Describe your ideal marriage partner. 5. What is a job you admire, but don’t necessarily want to do? 6. What is a skill needed for future success? 7. Describe a trip you are planning to take. 8. Explain what you want to accomplish in the future. 9. In what type of climate would you like to live, and why? 0. What are some things people can do to stay healthy? 1. Explain about a person who has influenced you in some way 2. Describe some qualities of a good friend. 3. What is the best way for parents to discipline their children? 4. What kind of people do you like to meet? 5. Describe a person you admire, and explain why you admire this person. 6. What are some characteristics of a good neighbor? 7. Should children help with the housework? 8. Which parent do you take after the most? 9. Describe someone you enjoy talking with. 10. What is something important that your parents taught you1.If you could solve any problem in the world, what would it be? 2. What are some ways that you can help reduce pollution? 3. Should cars be banned from city centers? 4. How should people who send spam (computer junk mail) be punished? 5. Should people be allowed to clone their pets? 6. Describe how transportation will be different in the future. 7. Describe some ways in which homelessness could be fought. 8. Wh at do you feel is one of mankind’s greatest inventions? 9. Should genetically modified food be sold in supermarkets? 10. What is the most serious problem in the world these days

Health and safety in social care setting Essay

Outcome 1 understand the different responsibilities relating to health and safety in social settings 1.1 List legislation relating to general health and safety in social care setting. There are a small number of legal acts relating to the general health and safety in social care. The most important one it seems to me would the health and safety at work act of 1974, it ensures that the employer, the employee have responsibilities to ensure that a good level of safety is attained in the workplace, and there should be a copy of this act on the works premises for use of any employee or service user. The legislations key goals are: To ensure the health, safety and welfare of people at work To protect others from risks arising from the activities of people at work To control the use and storage of dangerous substances  To control the emission into the atmosphere of noxious or offensive substances Other legislation relating to health and safety in social care are as follows The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992, which supports the health and safety act. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (known as COSHH) which ensures safe storage and usage of any substances that could harm other workers or service users. The Manual Handling Regulations of 1992, which sets out methods and requirements to be met when manually handling objects, as well as people. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 (known as RIDDOR) outlines what is required to be recorded and reported. Read more: Describe practices that prevent fires from spreading essay Food safety act 1990 Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (PPE) 1992 Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 1.2 Describe the main points of health and safety policies and procedures. The main points of health and safety policies and procedures largely centre on standards that must be upheld in order to create a safe place of work, and also to ensure that somewhere meets all legislation requirements when it comes to things like COSHH, where all substances must be locked away while not in use, and not left around when being used if the worker leaves the room, even for a moment, that is if the level of work is to keep up with the standard  required to maintain itself within the COSHH legislation. Or even simpler things that do not include any harmful substances, such as keeping entrances clear and ensuring that any fire exits are able to be opened in an emergency by undertaking health and safety checks on the release, as well as ensuring all nurse call buzzers work properly. The policies and procedures ensure that all risk assessments are up to date and in place for all service users, and that all members of staff are trained in necessary areas, such as manual handling and data protection, along with general things such as reporting faulty appliances or any needed maintenance and showing where it should be recorded and who it should be reported to. As well as having regular supervisions and staff meetings to inform them of any changes to the way the business operates in regards to health and safety. 1.3 Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of: a) The social care worker: Health and safety responsibilities that pertain to me as the social care worker are to maintain any important care procedures, which refer to the policies and procedures once again, but most things do as they outline the ways in which things must be done, this includes attending any training. Health and safety responsibilities include other things such as making sure any activities are done safely, as well as the use of any equipment or materials to be handled with care, minimizing the risk of injury or harm to myself and others, including other staff and service users. If on occasion someone is hurt then I am to record and report it appropriately, even if it just a concern. b) The employer or manager The employer and manager have the responsibility to ensure that every member of staff understands their obligations towards health and safety, and that there are methods in place to allow the employee’s to operate under it. Including keeping enough stock of necessary equipment required to avoid injury, damage or wastage, and not to charge for any PPE or first aid facilities. It is also the manager’s role to assess any existing risks and create ways to minimize them, and to provide training on health and safety. c) Individuals All other staff, such as domestic and maintenance must follow all policies and procedures similar to that of the social care worker, and any visitors, including doctors, relatives, nurses and contractors must follow all health and safety protocols, as well as recording and reporting health and safety related concerns or incidents. Take reasonable care for own and others health and safety and understand and follow health and safety instructions and procedures also Work with the carer to use equipment safely. 1.4 Identify tasks relating to health and safety that should only be carried out with special training. Employers have legal duties to give health and safety information and training to all employees. Training should include all the risks that employees are exposed to and the precautions needed. It is usual for all new staff to be given induction training on joining the home care service. The training should make clear the areas of activity home careers should and should not under take and should also give guidance on appropriate footwear and clothing. Where the risk assessment identifies that such clothing is required to protect staff from hazards they should be provided and maintained at no cost to members. Induction programs must also include health and safety training and should cover: †¢ Manual handling †¢ Infection control †¢ Fire procedures †¢ First aid †¢ Basic hygiene †¢ Food preparation, storage and hygiene †¢ Dealing with emergency situations †¢ the use of protective clothing and/or equipment. UNISON safety representatives have the right to be Consulted on the type and level of health and safety Training and information developed or offered to members. In addition to the induction, training should be given to employees when: †¢ There is a transfer of job, a change in clients or changes in responsibility †¢ New equipment is used, or existing use changed †¢ There are changes in work methods. Employers must also provide information for employees, that is easy to underst and and which is relevant. Information for employees who have difficulty in understanding or reading English should also be considered. 1.5 Describe how to access additional support and information relating to health and safety. I could ask my colleagues, my manager, the health and safety executive. My office has a health and safety poster outlining both the employer’s responsibilities and the employee’s responsibilities with the name of the health and safety contact. All job descriptions and contracts must have health and safety issues relating to the individual and home within their  wording NVQ/QCF Training have health and safety, manual handling, fire, food and first aid issues in the training programs There are statutory requirements for health and safety, manual handling, fire, food and first aid to be trained in for general knowledge, i.e. what people should know and specific training, i.e. Manual Handling Trainer. Trade magazines have articles/adverts regarding health and safety and training programmers for this Registration and Inspection Officers enquire into these issues and often ask careers about their training Fire officers and Environmental Health officers can enquire regarding training and highlight inefficiencies.

Language and Sources of Mini Arguments Assignment

Language and Sources of Mini Arguments - Assignment Example Examples of the use of questions marks within the mini arguments are; mini-argument #2, which has begun its argument with the question â€Å"Why do certain people think lying is ok?† and also used â€Å"So what is the whole point behind lying?†. Susie, in her mini-argument #4, on the other hand, uses, â€Å"Want to know why people love playing the lottery?† and. â€Å"This candid reality of things necessitates some questions to be asked, is it in actuality that hard to be successful? How does one end up on the road to success?† Mini argument #1 made use of â€Å"What else is the government keeping from us?† and â€Å"I have the right to choose whether I want to read a paper if it does not bother you to read a newspaper and can afford it go for it by all means. The use of such question marks within the argument forces the reader to get involved and absorbed into the argument and to have his or her own opinion before delving deeper into the writerâ⠂¬â„¢s opinions.  Moreover, the arguments have gone ahead and listed these internet sources as references so as to give the source credit for providing the information. Mini argument #4 has exclusively made use of books as source materials, additionally, it has even gone ahead and used a line from John Lenon's song, ‘imagine’ this depicts creativity and the use of a song appeals to a wider audience. All the four mini arguments have carefully chosen their language of use as well as the structure of the essay in terms of paragraphs. The careful selection of particular word choice helps mainly for effect and to connect the reader with the writer. Most of the mini arguments have used simple language, which is easily understandable, as well as a language, which is conversational, it can be referred to as somehow colloquial. The use of such words helps also in passing the argument to the writer. For example, Susie in mini argument #4 writes, â€Å"Anyone can be a success, any Tom, Dick, and Harry has the potential to become prosperous and successful.† and â€Å"Some people have it on a silver platter and some have it rough† On the other hand, mini argument #2 uses the statement, â€Å"Let’s just all be honest with one another.   It makes life so much easier!† This careful choice of words, especially conversational words is effective in passing the message across more effectively.

Answer some questions to some short stories Essay

Answer some questions to some short stories - Essay Example 3. Yes, John is the villain in the story. She is against the empowerment and wellbeing of his wife. There other people falling in this category, but he emerges the epitome and fits the description of villain in the story. This is because, the narrator is his own wife and any reader would expect him to treat her in the right and humane manner contrary to what he does. 4. The color of the wallpaper is yellow. Yellow is next brightest and most visible color after white. On the paper are sub-patterns of desperate women. The patterns are clear to the narrator. The paper is a representation of medicine, family, as well as tradition which the narrator has found herself entangled in. The color shows that the oppressive practices of men are clear to the eyes of the victims, women. 5. (Q9). The roles of women in the story are facilitation and enhancement of themes such as love, death, and enabler. The author, O’Brien, uses the existing love between Lt. Jimmy Cross and Martha to show the trend between the separation created during the war and the soldiers. The relationship between the two was not that hopped for in the first place. Cross is obsessed with Martha and this leads to the death of Ted Lavender. Similarly soldier’s love and patriotism for their country makes them kill opponents. Kathleen, O’ Brien’s daughter acts as the enabler for untrue stories he writes. Linda acts as a symbol that the dead can be immortalized (O’Brien 18). 6. (Q11) War is a representation or metaphor of human life. People like Perish because of love. The soldiers fight and some of them die because of their love for their people. There are also loneliness and isolation in the story. O’Brien affirms that loneliness in Vietnam is destructive forces like any other type of ammunition. 7. (Q12) If the US instituted the law today, I will definitely go and serve my country in Vietnam. There are challenges as revealed in the book by Tim challenges

Why South African Constitution is better than the United State's Essay

Why South African Constitution is better than the United State's constitution - Essay Example The constitution also provides for the bills of right, how it enshrines bills of right is one of the most important issues that are being looked for in the constitution to demonstrate its efficacy. One can make a conclusion whether the constitution is meant to suppress its citizen or for their prosperity. How it recognizes the freedom and the rights of the citizen for economic growth is also a factor to consider in assessing the accommodative nature of the constitution.1 Difference in the US and SA Constitution Mark Kende in his writing has compared the constitution of the US and that of South Africa with assertion that the South African constitution in this regard remains detailed and inclusive than that of the US. Kende posits that the US constitution provides more for the negative values as compared with the South African constitution, this he summarizes in his theory that liberty should presume subsistence.2 Kende also urges that the human right experts have caste the fundamental human rights in to three generations; the political and civil rights, socio-economic rights, and green right. In this reference of human rights classification, Cass Sustein also resonates with Kende that in the consideration of the three classifications, the South African constitution remains admirable compared with that of the US.3

Managing integrated global supply chain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Managing integrated global supply chain - Essay Example Rolland's organization is bed-ridden with chaos as evinced by the unending stack of problems engulfing it.It is quite natural a reaction if a global retailing giant like Wal-Mart revises its opinion on including them in their preferred list of suppliersIt is a leading company after all, being consistently awarded Best Practices recognition comes from a rigorous adherence to the highest standards in the industry, and all suppliers must conform to their minimum expectations, if they wish to thrive in business. Just selling a final good product isn't enough; professional customers tend to visualize their deals as a permanent establishment of sustainable partnerships, and viable networks which, if not fulfilled, can cause tremendous loss in value and image acquired from years of consistent value delivery to 100% satisfied customers.A look into Wal-Mart's existing supplier chain can help clarify the fundamentals of their clear-cut expectations from the supplier base; from the lowest margi n of error to the highest significance attached to quality,it relentlessly pursues a zero-tolerance policy towards non-compliance, and swiftly punishes unaccountable suppliers with heavy fines, indemnities or even termination of contract.It brooks no controversies related to violation of its basic ethical policies, as specified in its supplier standard code which specifies norms on issues like child labour, medical hazards in the workplace, discrimination on any grounds, and lack of concern for the environment. Rolland's will have to walk the talk when it comes to developing as it ambitiously likes to call itself, a "world-class manufacturer." Clearly, the entire house has to be set in order for justifying the use of such a behemoth expression to qualify its present shortcomings. The key themes that must grab the management's attention are discussed here under: Lean manufacturing Lean manufacturing is an established philosophy developed originally in Japan, that seeks to eliminate the production of 7 wastes: overproduction, waiting time, transportation time, processing time, inventory, motion and scrap (wikipedia). This invariably leads to improvement in quality and reduction of manufacturing cost. How is this approach going to benefit Rolland's The case study mentions several instances which clearly project that chaos reigns supreme in the day-to-day operations over there. Huge amounts of Work-in-progress (W.I.P.) and unsold inventory forever keep the employees on their toes, always being chased as last-minute orders; the turnout of events spiraling into a big mess on the shop floor ultimately, all this leads to an undesirable rate of rejection, even at the cost of employee overtime. Rolland's can adopt the methodology of lean production in a phased-manner. It might want to do away with existing orders first before taking up fresh work. But, this time in between the intervals, it must undergo a process overhaul through extensive discussions and brainstorming sessions between the factory manager, the line and supervisory staff, and the workers. Defect areas must be clearly identified and holes be plugged in proper through innovative solutions. For example, there's a reference in case study regarding the manner in which material is handled; the finished goods' section also doubles as incoming-materials department. Clearly, such malpractices must not be allowed to continue at any cost.

Essay on The Reconstruction Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

On The Reconstruction - Essay Example According to Foner (2012), the main aim of reconstruction after the civil war was to unite the people of American as one so that they could view themselves as a nation united together to bring about change and development in the American state. In this regard, there was the adoption of the 13 amendment in America which brought an end to slavery and all the people of America were protected under the law. The blacks were given the right to participate in the voting process and they could also be elected in the governments’ seats. This was as a result of the enactment of the civil rights act. The blacks in the southern states were also represented in drafting of the new constitution that gave them access to governmental institutions. Racial equality was one of the ways proposed by the congress to bring about democracy in the south. For the first time in the history of America, there was racial integration of both races in the congress. For instance, the blacks from the city of Al bama got the opportunity of occupying seats in the congress this was an attempt to bring about the interracial democracy. However Lincoln idea was criticized by majority of the whites from the beginning of reconstruction whose main agenda was to rule out the domination of the blacks in government. In this case, the whites formed their own organizations as a way of ruling out the blacks’ representation and participation in congress. Slavery in America meant that the African-Americans were cut off from their family ties but with the emergence of reconstruction they had the opportunity to interact freely with their families and they were also given the right to access educational institutions and churches which were majorly dominated by the whites. The introduction of reconstruction was in this case to ensure that the blacks enjoyed their rights the same way as the whites (Foner, 2012). In attempt to reconstruct the southern states, the whites posed a big challenge to the federa l government. Among the challenges experienced during the process of reconstruction involved lack of cooperation from the whites in the south. It was observed that some of the officials elected in the governmental positions were not competent and so they could not deliver their services effectively. However the whites tried to intimidate the blacks and influenced them to continue working for them. With the Lincoln success in reconstruction, his successor Johnson did not embrace his idea. In this case, the federal land was returned back to the owners forcing the blacks to surrender the land they had previously obtained. Johnson view on reconstruction was that the blacks had no role to play in government. He took keen interest on the whites and this made him to appoint them to governmental positions (Foner, 2012). A period of 1886 saw the introduction of laws and implementation of policies to moderate Andrew policies. Among the bills that were introduced in the house was the civil bil l which gave the right of all American citizens to take part in elections this was regardless of race. This bill did not specify whether the blacks were given the mandate to vote. This created a lot of debates between the congress and president Johnson as he was seen abusing the office and so a called for his removal through a vote of no confidence

Law Problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Law Problem - Essay Example Jean-Guy Tremblay as the respondent. The judges present at the hearing were Brian Dickson C.J. and Lamer, Wilson, Gerard La Forest, Claire, L'Heureux-Dube, Sopinka, Gonthier, Cory and McLachlin The Facts The parties in this case were in a relationship which ended after five months of cohabitation. This was because of the beating which Tremblay used to hand Daigle, despite knowing of her pregnancy. At the time of separation, the appellant was 18 weeks pregnant. She, however, decided to undertake an abortion following the separation. The respondent sought an injunction from the court seeking to prevent the mother from having the abortion. The father of the unborn child wanted the court to grant his unborn child right to life. The trial judge in this court found that a foetus is a "human being" under the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. He therefore concluded that the foetus should be accorded a "right to life" under s. 1 (Tremblay, para. 2). Through considering this, the ju dge ruled that the respondent had the necessary â€Å"interest† to make the request for an injunction. The Quebec charter of human rights and freedoms provides for the protection of a foetus before birth (Art. 945). In this article, mechanisms for the protection of a foetus are provided. The article does not, however, accord any additional rights and freedoms to the foetus. The Supreme Court considered these facts before rendering a decision on the appeal. The Anglo- Canadian law does recognize a foetus to be a â€Å"human being† with the aim of protecting its future. It however, goes ahead to define that the rights and freedoms enjoyed by humans can only be accorded to a foetus when it is born alive. This meant that the foetus had to be born first for it to enjoy the privileges enjoyed by other â€Å"humans†. The father at this point was seeking to protect the unborn baby. The foetus is not in a position to defend itself in a court of law. The protection of a f oetus can only be done by a third party who has an interest in the future of the baby. The lower court based its ruling on the fact that the father had interest on the baby and was acting as a third party to protect the foetus. The ruling by a lower court awarding the respondent in this Supreme Court case injunction is what led to the appeal. The court of appeal, however, dismissed the appellant’s case and upheld the injunction that had been earlier awarded. Ms. Daigle, the appellant, then went on and appealed in the Supreme Court. Before the Supreme Court made its decision, she left the province of Quebec and went to the United States of America to terminate the pregnancy. Prior proceedings In the Quebec superior court, the father was the plaintiff while the mother was defendant. The father sought injunction to bar the mother from having an abortion. The court concluded that a foetus is a â€Å"human being† under the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. It the refore should enjoy a â€Å"right to life† and a â€Å"right to assistance† under ss. 1 and 2 respectively. While recognizing the inconvenience that would be caused by the injunction, the court decided the foetus’ rights should prevail in the situation (Tremblay, para. 3 & 4). The defendant appealed to the Quebec court of appeal and the case was dismissed for two reasons. First,

Let's Be Lefties For a Day Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Let's Be Lefties For a Day - Assignment Example ch ensures that employees maximize their contribution to the organization while enabling them to reach their own potential; creating a win-win situation for all. Diversity in the workplace refers to the variety of employees in a given work environment. Every organization today is made up of employees from a variety of ethnic, cultural, and racial backgrounds, add to this diverse group a mix of genders. Managers and professionals in such settings are responsible for molding this diverse group into a cohesive unit that benefits the organization, while ensuring that every employee is enabled to reach his/her potential. The idea of diversity is acceptance of differences and respect for them. In essence this means accepting that each individual is unique and is different from another in certain respects. These differences can be in a wide variety of spheres ranging from cultural and racial to religious and gender. Exploring these dimensions and understanding them can lead to an enriching experience – the ability to not just make allowances for but to appreciate them and celebrate the unique qualities they contribute. Diversity does not mean just physical diversity in outward appearance or speech. People who grow up in differing environments or come from different educational backgrounds also think and respond differently. The difference lies not only in how they are perceived but also how they perceive others and themselves. This also affects the way they interact with others especially those they perceive to be different from themselves. The result can be discrimination where those who ‘belong’ are at an advantage while those who do not are at a disadvantage. The challenge for the manager or professional in a business setting is to build bridges across differences and strengthen bonds to enable a work environment sans discrimination. The simple experiment of using the left hand instead of the right for ordinary activities like turning the pages of a book or

Nervous System Research Paper Essay Example for Free

Nervous System Research Paper Essay As a result of the differences in charges, an electro-chemical difference of about -70 millivolts occurs. The sodium-potassium pump, a system which removes sodium ions from inside the cell and draws potassium ions back in, maintains the electrical balance of the resting cell. Since the cell has to do work to maintain the ion concentration, ATP molecules are used to provide the necessary energy. Once a nerve impulse is generated, the permeability of the cell membrane changes, sodium ions flow into, and potassium ions flow out of, the cell. The flow of ions causes a reversal in charges, with a positive charge now occurring on the interior of the cell and a negative charge on the exterior. The cell is said to be depolarized, resulting in an action potential causing the nerve impulse to move along the axon. As depolarization of the membrane proceeds along the nerve, a series of reactions start with the opening and closing of ion gates, which allow the potassium ions to flow back into the cell and sodium ions to move out of the cell. The nerve becomes polarized again since the charges are restored. Until a nerve becomes repolarized it cannot respond to a new stimulus; the time for recovery is called the refractory period and takes about 0. 0004 of a second. The more intense the stimulus, the more frequent the firing of the neuron. When the impulse reaches the end of the axon, it causes the release of chemicals from small vesicles called neurotransmitters which diffuse across the synaptic gap, the small space between the axon and receptors in the dendrites. There is no physical contact between axons and dendrites (except in electrical transmission, usually found in invertebrates) which takes place through gap junctions. The type of response by the receiving cell may be excitatory or inhibitory depending upon a number of factors including the type of neurotransmitters involved. All nerve impulses are the same whether they originate from the ear, heart, or stomach. How the impulse is interpreted is the job of the central nervous system. A blow to the head near the optic center of the brain produces the same results as though the impulse had originated in the eyes. The neurons are the functional units of the nervous system through which coordination and control in organisms is executed. Resources Books BSCS Revision Team. Biological Science: A Molecular Approach. Lexington, MA: D. C. Heath Co. , 1990. Campbell, Neil A. Biology. Menlo Park, CA: Benjamin/Cummings, Publishing Company, 1987. Carey, Joseph, ed. Brain Facts: A Primer on the Brain and the Nervous System. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 1993. Curtis, Helena, and N. Sue Barnes. Biology. 5th ed. New York: Worth Publishers, 1989. Holtzman, Eric, and Alex B. Novikoff. Cells and Organelles. Philadelphia: Saunders College Publishing, 1984. Kuffler, Stephen W. , and John G. Nicholls. From Neuron to Brain. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates, 1976. Pine, Maya, ed. Seeing, Hearing and Smelling The World. Chevy Chase: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 1995. Purves, Dale. Body and Brain: A Trophic Theory of Neural Connections. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1988. Raven, Peter H. , and George B. Johnson. Biology. 3rd ed. St. Louis: Mosby Year Book, 1992. Towle, Albert. Modern Biology. Austin, TX: Holt, Reinhart, and Winston, 1991. KEY TERMS Action potential —A transient change in the electrical potential across a membrane which results in the generation of a nerve impulse. Axon —The threadlike projection of a neuron that carries an impulse away from the cell body of the neuron. Dendrites —Branched structures of nerve cell bodies which receive impulses from axons and carry them to the nerve cell body. Depolarization —A tendency of a cell membrane when stimulated to allow charged (ionic) chemical particles to enter or leave the cell. This favors the neutralization of excess positive or negative particles within the cell. Ganglion —Cluster of nerve cell bodies. In vertebrates, found outside of the central nervous system and act as relay stations for impulses. In invertebrates, act as a central control. Homeostasis —The internal stability of an organism. Myelin —A multilayered membrane system of a Schwann cell that wraps around an axon. Made up of lipoproteins that act as insulators in speeding up the transmission of nerve impulses. Nerve Bundles of axons in a connective tissue sheath which follow a specific path. Nerve impulse —A transient change in the electro-chemical nature of a neuron. Neuron —Cell specialized to receive and transmit impulses; functional unit of the nervous system. Neurotransmitter —A chemical released at the end of an axon which is picked up by receptors such as dendrites, muscles, or secretory cells. Polarized —Two different charges on either side of a membrane caused by a difference in the distribution of charges; in resting nerve cells maintained by the sodiumpotassium pump. Reflex —A rapid response to a stimulus that involves a sensory and motor neuron and may involve an interneuron. Refractory period —Recovery period for the neuron in which no new impulse can be generated; it cannot respond to a stimulus until it is repolarized. Sodium-potassium pump —A special transport protein in the membrane of cells that moves sodium ions out and potassium ions into the cell against their concentration gradients. Synapse —Junction between cells where the exchange of electrical or chemical information takes place.

International business cross cultural skills

International business cross cultural skills International Business Skills Our aim is to provide a critical assessment, reflecting on the materials which we learned and covered during the module of â€Å"International Business Skills†. This module is based on two basics skills which are essential and very useful in business operations namely, numerical and soft skills. Numerical skills referred to exchange rate calculation while Soft skills are related to cross-cultural teamwork, networking, cross-cultural leadership, win-win negotiating, cultural exchanges and resolving conflicts. Through these different topics, which easily you can assume that are different levels in a scale, you can develop and obtain individual knowledge and understanding. Therefore joined the knowledge that you get from each level, you acquire an integrated sense of what skills required for an international manager. In order to be more specific, we intent to discuss with more details each topic separately and have a deep analysis of what we have learn and how these may be related to any previous knowledge. Also we will examine in what extend are relevant to international business and ways which we can apply our learning. There are eight topics which are: Numerical Skills Generally the organizations and companies are come and face up a range of mathematical functions in order to calculate vital information for the organization. In this topic we mention on the issues of financial mathematics which encounter by a company/organization in a daily routine. Refereeing to the financial mathematics we mean the Interest Rate and Compound Interest, the Present Value, Net Present Value (NPV) and Future Value, Annuities, Guilds and Corporate Bonds and finally the Exchange Rate. Consequently during this lecture we learnt and understand the meaning of these notions and I link them with my previous experience and knowledge, which some of them I acquire from daily life and transaction with banks, in order to have an integrated view. Having done the theory behind the Interest Rate and Compound Interest, we learned how to calculate these, how banks think and operate each of these in different circumstances i.e. for people, for business and organizations and finally how organizations treat each interest in order to find which is more profitable for the company. Another basic theory in this part is the Net Present Value (NPV), in which we learned how to appraise long-terms projects using the time value of money. The NPV is related with the Annuities (for instance how the insurance companies work) and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) Discount Rate. The calculation of NPV is very important in financial calculations because can help you to decide whether you should accept a cash rebate. Generally speaking NPV and IRR help us decide whether to accept or reject investment proposals. It is major to mention that as the discount rate increases the NPV falls down. Bonds have the same ideas based on the same ideas with PV and FV and therefore have the same results. A part of this topic was the Exchange Rate which we learnt how to calculate and understand the background behind them. This is very crucial and relevant with international business because all the companies/organization interchange money Cross-Cultural Teamwork Nowadays team working is given and very popular, so many companies tend to adopt this trend. It comprises one of the major factors in business organisation. Teamwork is crucial for the success in the business as when you utilize a team effectively, it helps to cultivate/foster a percept/sense of belonging for team members, assists in the completion of duties and tasks and therefore these contributes positively to the overall success of the company. Consequently managers, administrators and general people who work in companies they need to learn and acquire the relevant outfits/accoutrements for a good teamwork. So, one of the things that we covered through this course was the Cross-Cultural Teamwork. During this section we realized vital points for team building, like how to gain dynamic rapport among team members, how to stimulate creativity and discover new ways of strategizing and solving challenges. Also we have learned to trust, appreciate individual differences and strengths and how to strengthen teamwork and motivation. Is incredible the fact that by carried out some activities in this session, but also in previous group assignments, we went through the four basic stages that Tuckmans refer in his theory, without to notice it. First the group come together and tries to know each other but they keep a position of guardedness. Then members discussed and tell their opinion about the solution approach. In this stage they begin to argue but at the end they come up with the best solution for the problem and therefore they have got a clear view for the rules, norms and roles that each individual will has. Finally the team starts to work on the project to attain their target. In other words, these are the four stages of Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing according to Tuckmans theory. Have in mind all the stuff that we learned and combine them with Belbins Team Roles we can find the people who fit best with us, in order to built a good team and get the best performance and results. Team work has many advantages as it increases the performance of the organization, reduces the cost and gives many avails to the employees. Thus is relevant to business and particularly to International Business, where the organisation expects to expand abroad and therefore is necessary to collaborate and coordinate to achieve the â€Å"successful† team. Networking Networking is very important for people and business in order to develop relationships. Through the networking you get the ability to seek, identify, create effective contacts with others and maintain those contacts for mutual benefit. Networking simply builds when you meet people, you start to get the know them and build trust when there is honesty in the relationship. In this topic we have learned significant tips which can help you get started and build your confidence to know more easily other people. All these tips are interrelated with the way you talk, body posture and a positive body language. This lecture improves and develops skills that already have and actuate me to realize that eye contact, active listening and a small talk, in order to find background details about the person in front of you are substantial points to build a network. Networking is always easier when you feel relax and comfortable and be yourself. Network with confidence helps you create more connections. In business, networking skills is meaningful to success and growth of the company. By honing your ability to network effectively, you create a pool of contacts such customers, suppliers, peers and mentors that you can call upon you make your business run more smoothly. Networking is the key for accomplishment. Sum all up networking is high of importance and can be applied in the daily life routine to help you with the communication with other people, find new contacts and use them not only for future job opportunities but also to help each other. That is the very heart of networking. Presenting with Presence Presenting with presence concern with the challenges and enjoyable methods adapted for presentation and focus on each persons unique presenting style. Main purpose of a presentation is to transfer a set of ideas by the presenter to the audience. In order to be successful the transfer of the message requires good knowledge of the subject and to take into account the characteristics of the audience. This topic has a lot of interesting things to give you. The most important is that we detect the secret of effective presentation, is the good preparation, which gives additional confidence and helps in the elimination of stress in front of the audience. Also we discover how to command and be able to keep the attention of the audience, to overcome any fear of public speaking, use our unique individual style appropriately and inspire and influence the audience. Once again this topic is relevant to International Business because everybody who works in a company at any time is†¦kaloumai.. to present to shareholder on behalf of the organisation, the board of management or fellow staff members. Therefore we are responsible for the way we communicate and the impression we leave with our personal targets audiences. Having presence means how to utilize your personal presence and power. Finally the materials we have learned can be useful and applied everywhere, as everyone presents important information to others. For this is required basic knowledge of the presenting presence skills. Cross-Cultural Leadership Emotional Intelligence Win-Win Negotiations Art and Business

The Spanish Inquisition Essay -- European History

The Spanish Inquisition The word â€Å"inquisition† means to examine. Inquisitors would â€Å"examine† suspected Heretics, people whose ideas do not match those of the Roman Catholic Church, and punish them accordingly. This included torture and burning. The great inquisition movement that took place in Spain, or Hispania as it was called before Spain united. It was called The Spanish Inquisition. It took place for approximately five hundred years, from the late 15th century to mid 19th century. Many ironic elements were involved in the history of the Inquisition. The Spanish Inquisition lasted longer than any other preceding it, and was the most cruel, bloodthirsty, and festive of all. The objective of the inquisition, in its early state, was to convert all Jews into Christians, but later it mutated into an ugly machine who’s new objective was to rid the country of the newly converted Christians. In an age where there was such a close bond between church and state, opposition to the church was intolerable. The Inquisition caused Spain to become intellectually backward, and economically and industrially damaged. The powerful influence of the Inquisition forbade social influences, such as books from other parts of Europe, to enter Spain. Consequently, the universities remained stagnant, unable to produce graduates understanding the world around them. from the lack of information on the other civilizations in the rest of Europe. As a result of this, they came into the 20th century intellectually inferior and bankrupt. With the banished, tortured, and persecuted heretics in mind, it is possible that the Spanish Inquisition is perhaps one of the most cruel acts performed on innocent people in the name of religion. Before the Spanish Inquisition took place, several other inquisition movements appeared, but none quite so barbaric and brutal as the Spaniard’s did. Waves of opposition towards the church swept Europe in the Middle Ages. In the 12th century, it was a modern belief that a peaceful, utopian government could be obtained if all of the population of the society were â€Å"pure† and Catholic The Medieval Inquisition started in France and Italy. During this time a group of people called the Albigensies lived in northern Italy and southern France. They had established a religion called Manichaeanism, which was the belief in two gods, one for good and one for evil. Pop... ...r of the bigotry and the persecution that took place. It is only one of many persecuting acts that are piled on top of Jewish history. Many Christians look back onto the Inquisition with shame and humidity. The Spanish Inquisition has inflicted untold amounts of damage onto the Spanish society and everyone else’s. It was one of the worst religious acts of ignorance and bigotry ever orchestrated by a group of people. Bibliography Lea, Henry Charles. [1966] A history of the Inquisition of Spain. AMD Press, New York, NY Llorente, Juan Antonio [1967] A critical history of the Inquisition of Spain, from the period of its establishment by Ferdinand V to the reign of Ferdinand VII, composed from the original documents of the Archives of the Supreme Council of the Inquisition and from those of subordinate tribunals of the Holy Office. J. Lilburne Co. Williamstown, MA. Roth, Cecil. [1964] The Spanish Inquisition. Norton Press, New York, NY. Sabatini, Rafael. [1924] Torquemada and the Spanish inquisition; a history by Rafael Sabatini. Houghton Mifflin Compan, Boston, MA/New York, NY. Turberville, Arthur Stanley. [1968] The Spanish Inquisition. Archon Books, Hamden, Conn.

Thomas Jefferson Essay -- Biography biographies bio

It all began when Peter Jefferson, an ambitious surveyor, farmer, and mapmaker met Jane Rudolph during his trip to England. They married and moved to the British colony of Virginia. Years later, Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in Albermarle County. He was the third child out of eight. By the age of five, Jefferson began to be schooled, along with his cousins, by a tutor. When he was nine, Thomas Jefferson was sent to a boarding school where he studied French, Latin, and Greek. He spent his vacations at home with his siblings, and first took interest in learning the violin given to him by his father. Tom and his father were quite close, and every time Thomas visited, he and his father would spend hours riding, canoeing, and enjoying the many pleasures nature had to offer. Thomas Jefferson mentioned in his autobiography, which he wrote many years later, how much he admired his father. Peter Jefferson died when his son was only fourteen years old, and he left behind a large estate of 5000 acres for Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson left for college when he was seventeen years old. He attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. Though he spent the majority of his first year fox hunting and horse racing rather than concentrating on his studies, he promised himself he would work harder his second year. He became studious and realized the importance of a good education. He began to balance excessive studying with his social life. He graduated with highest honors. While in college, Jefferson was a member of a secret organization known then as the Flat Hat Club, now evolved into the William and Mary College newspaper, Thomas Jefferson had a propensity for joining secret associations. Soon he faced a majo... ...ist, architect, archaeologist, paleontologist, author, inventor, and the founder of the University of Virginia, among other roles. People still believe him to be the most multi-faceted president in history. President John F. Kennedy welcomed forty-nine Nobel Prize winners to the White House in 1962, saying, "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent and of human knowledge that has ever been gathered together at the White House?with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." Thomas Jefferson left behind a great legacy. He gave us the true meaning of freedom and America?s destiny would be very different if it was not for him. One of the Founding Fathers of America, Jefferson?s great debating and compromising talent helped the Unites States through many obstacles. Also, the next time you eat French fries, make sure you thank him.

Rubin Hurricane Carter: Guilty Until Proven Innocent Essay -- Court Mo

Rubin Hurricane Carter: Guilty Until Proven Innocent '"I don't belong here and I am not going to play their game.' 'If I were to cooperate in all these things, it would be as if I were saying, 'I'm a guilty man, and I am not a guilty man"' (New Jersey). The case of Rubin (Hurricane) Carter has been a heated issue for the last 34 years. In the last year a new movie, The Hurricane, starring Denzel Washington has once again brought this case to the foreground of discussion. The question argued has been is Rubin Carter innocent or guilty of the murders he allegedly committed on June 17, 1966 in the Lafayette Grill in Paterson, New Jersey. The proof is undeniable that Carter is innocent. He had an unfair trial where the police played a negative part, the prosecution suppressed information, and the court also worked against Carter. Although Rubin Carter is innocent of the crimes committed that fateful night in Paterson does not mean he was an angel. The biggest threat to Rubin's defense in this case was himself. Rubin Carter was born May 6, 1937 in Delawana, New Jersey. He grew up in the nearby town of Paterson (J.K.B. 7). Rubin was a strong-willed boy who learned to stand up to everyone as a child. James S. Hirsch, the author of Hurricane: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter wrote, "the men in his family are not intimidated by threats" (60). In chapter 5 of his book, Hirsch explains how Rubin Carter learned to stand up against authority. Born with a stutter, he would fight anyone who dared to make fun of his speech-impediment. Carter once beat up his younger sister Rosalie's teacher when he saw him chasing her. He was expelled from school and beaten by his father. It was displays like this that caused Carter's father fear... ...'Deal' for Freedom in Murder Case." New York Times [New York] 4, Dec. 1975: 45:2. "Carter Lawyers Focus of Dispute." New York Times [New York] 29, Jan. 1975: 39:1. Hirsch, James S. Hurricane: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2000. J.K.B. "Carter, Rubin." Current Biography May 2000: 6-14. "Lawyers for Carter Say Judge Erred on Appeal." New York Times [New York] 28, Jan. 1975: 54:7. Massaquoi, Hans J. "Hurricane Carter: I Was Framed For Murder!" Ebony Dec. 1974: 30: 174-6+. "New Jersey Journal." New York Times [New York] 5, Feb. 1984: XI 3:1. "Police Record Backs Carter's Story." New York Times [New York] 23, Oct. 1975: 83:4. "Reversal is Won By Rubin Carter In Murder Case." New York Times [New York] 8, Nov. 1985: "Same Judge Gets Carter's Appeal." New York Times [New York] 31, Jan. 1975: 37:8.

Catcher in the Rye Extended Response

Catcher in the Rye Extended Response To describe about Holden a little, he was a very weird guy. He has different perspective to other people, even though he has a normal appearance. He drinks, smokes and swears a lot but he is only a teenager. The way Holden talked was very funny; he used swearing words a lot. Maybe author tried to express Holden’s negative perspective against the world by using this way of speaking. Anyway, he was a typical student who had problems in schools. He failed every subject except English, and got kicked out of every school he went to.Also, he really hated â€Å"phony things†. What he meant in the word phony was like the basic manner people do every day. He also hated Hollywood movies and the actors just because he thought they were phony. I think he just hates it when people talk in a positive manner. It’s really weird because he would also hate people swearing and without manners. He hates phony things and he criticizes every people he meets and met when he should be criticizing himself. It shows how negative he really is. I wondered at first, why he thought the world as very, gloomy place without any truth.He didn’t like anything. I think after his brother Allie died, he changed point of view to the society and environment around him. And also, his family (his especially his father) affected his personality. There’s a part where he says about his brother Allie. I could see how much Holden loved his brother but after he died, he turned his back to the world. I can think of like, His father is a lawyer and his family is rich. Maybe he saw many phony things since he was little. But Allie and Phoebe could have there for him. Then his brother died, and he has no one to rely on, only Phoebe.The one who Holden really likes was Phoebe. So, he doesn’t want to study and go to university and mix with people who say phony things every day. He doesn’t take the life serious as other people aroun d him. He really thinks that life is a â€Å"phony thing†, and then he drinks, smokes and swears a lot, just to protect himself from the world. There was a part where Holden said he want to be the catcher in rye, with just the children around him. I could see that he was bored with the world where adults saying phony things every time.Maybe the author might have been tried to criticize the modern world by Holden. I don’t know, but I think Holden really hates to be socializing in the society. He just wanted to be surrounded by the children’s innocence. He also tried to go to West and live in the cabin with a very few contact with other people and be deaf-mute. I think he tries to get away from the world and to be part away from the phony people. He was actually a pitiful teenager who doesn’t have parents that take care of him warmly. All Holden was looking for was the good in his life that he couldn’t find.

Good vs. Evil †Lord of the Flies Essay

Star Wars, Superman, James Bond—all of these are stories which chronicle the ever-present warfare between good and evil. What exactly is good? How does one describe evil? The answers to these questions are highly subjective, and could be debated for years on end without ever reaching a final conclusion. However, it is widely agreed that each person is inherently born with two sides; one of which is good, the other evil. It is this sense of inherent good and evil in all of us that William Golding tried to warn and protect society against in his classic, The Lord of the Flies. It is clear to anyone who reads this book that Golding is trying to exaggerate the inherent good and evil in the boys on the island. The boys are all well-raised, British prep school boys. They have grown up in a dignified and sophisticated society, and are by no means savage before they crash on the island. However, in a very short period of time, the boys lose the intelligence and sophistication they had been raised with, and become wild and crazy and almost completely devoid of any signs of civilization. The boys come to the island controlled by their inherent good, but the longer they stay, the more the inherent evil begins to take over. Inherent good and evil are also represented in the book through different characters. For example, Simon seems to be the most sensitive and civilized boy on the island. He is also the only one who recognizes that the true beast on the island is inside the boys themselves. Simon represents the inherent good in human beings. However, Roger is clearly bloodthirsty with little or no concern for those he hurts when while he is trying to accomplish a task. In fact, Roger enjoys deliberately hurting other boys on the island. Roger is representative of the inherent evil in man-kind. Through these examples and many more, Golding clearly warns us against the good and evil inside all of us. One may wonder, however, what society can do in order to help prevent catastrophe. After all, if good and evil are truly inherent—what can be done to fix the problem? Golding shows us the answer to this problem through certain events in his book. One of the most obvious examples of this is in the chapter â€Å"Huts on the Beach. † This chapter describes the process which the boys go through to build their shelters on the beach. When they begin the first hut, all of the boys are working together. The final result it strong and of high quality. However, as work continues on the second and third huts, the boys begin to leave for an assortment of reasons—and discontinue their work on the huts. The second hut, with only a few boys working on it, does not end up as strong as the first one. Predictably, the third hut, with even less boys working on it, is of the worst quality out of the three huts. The building of the huts shows that when the boys work together, the end product is much higher quality than when only a few boys are working to create the shelter. Symbolically, Golding is trying to tell society that if we work together, we can ultimately saves society from ourselves, and the inherent evil in all of us. Another example of this message is in an example of what will happen if society instead, continues on the path it is currently on, and people continue to right against each other rather than working together. Toward the end of the story, Jack creates his own group on the island. This divides the island in two—Jacks’ group on Castle rock, and Ralph’s group which remains on the beach. At the time of this separation, the already lacking democracy on the island weakens drastically, and everything falls apart. Simon is killed, Piggy’s glasses are stolen, SamnEric are tortured and manipulated, Piggy is murdered, and Ralph’s life almost comes to a dramatic end. These events represent the obvious truth that when the people fight against each other, the result is extremely counter-productive, and will eventually corrupt society. Inherent good and evil, and the qualification of each, is a topic that has been debated for centuries, and is sure to be debated in the future. We may never all agree on one true definition for good and evil. We may never even agree on whether good and evil both truly exist. However, the important thing is to realize that what Golding was trying to warn us against is a real problem. Society is heading in a negative direction, and if we don’t do something soon, it may be too late to turn back.

Skepticism †the Foundation of Epistemology

How can we know anything for sure? What’s out there? How can we know that what we   know is â€Å"knowledge† and not just â€Å"belief†? Many mystics and metaphysicians have reported experiencing the world directly – utterly bypassing the senses. But barring such drastic transcendental experiences, the truth of which cannot be objectively ascertained, we are totally bound to experience the world via the medium of our senses and the mind. As a consequence of which, the great epistemological question arises — what is really out there, what is there all around us in reality? Can we know the objective ‘world around us’ at all? The simple definition of the ‘world around us’ is the world that may exist independent of our senses, perception, mind, and our very existence. If human beings did not exist, and no living creatures with sensory perception existed, would the world be still the same? How can we ever know? From whose perspective would we ‘see’ such a world? The ‘world around us’ is an intractably complex concept.   But the approach to it is simple enough. Not to automatically believe whatever we see around is at the heart of the quintessential epistemological enquiry of â€Å"Skepticism.† †Since at least the time of Descartes (First Meditation) in the seventeenth century there has been a philosophical problem about our knowledge of the world around us. Put most simply, the problem is to show how we can have any knowledge of the world at all. The conclusion that we cannot, that no one knows anything about the world around us, is what I call â€Å"scepticism about the external world.† (Stroud 1984 : 1) In a way it was Francis Bacon who started modern philosophical thinking, in a way it was Rene Descartes, and yet in another way it was Immanuel Kant. The three of them marked the beginning of modern skepticism, modern epistemological thinking and modern philosophy as well. Their thought signified a profound break with the dogmatic religious, theological and metaphysical thinking that dominated Western approach to the understanding of the world for numerous dark centuries before them. Truth is not a given thing, which should be accepted on the basis of faith, anymore. It has to be searched. Human enquiry is paramount. Nothing can be taken for granted. Bacon, Descartes, Kant, the three of them were into systematic demolition of traditional beliefs, paving the way to a new kind of thinking that would characterize the modern way of understanding the world. Perhaps Socrates can be regarded as the first skeptical philosopher, since he began from the premise that he knew nothing. Though at one period there was a special school of skeptical philosophers called â€Å"skeptikoi† (among whom Pyrrho of Elis, Arcesilaus, Carneades), skepticism influenced in a pervasive way all Greek and Roman philosophies. With the advent of Christianity however, skepticism and openness of enquiry gave way to fundamentalism and dogmatism (Hooker 1996). But during the ages of Renaissance and Enlightenment (16 – 18 centuries), skepticism was once again in full force. It had to be. Without it, there cannot be any true philosophy or even science, not to mention epistemology. Our beliefs about the external world can possess the certainty of knowledge only when they can be justified by irrefutable evidence. As it is, our knowledge of the external world is purely â€Å"inferential,† derived through our senses and mind. All supposed evidence we have about the external world is provided by our perceptual experience: that is to say, by how things look, sounds, smell, taste and feel to us. Our experiential beliefs, however, can never logically entail anything about the external world, because no intrinsic logical necessity exists for there to be an exact correspondence between our perceptions of the external world and the real world around us. There seems to be no feasible logical inference possible, which can bridge the gap between the world around us and ourselves either. As a result, there is no logical way to justify our core beliefs about the external world. We are not even in a position to assert the existence of an external world, as separate from our own minds. Hence skepticism. The crux of skepticism, which is in fact not just some school of thought but a fundamental reflection about human existence in the universe, is well presented by Descartes in his First Meditation.   Descartes starts with exploring the various grounds of skepticism, in order to arrive at some point of certainty, if possible. Descartes says what if we were all living in a dream? We all must have dreamed dreams that we thought were so absolutely real that not even the faintest suspicion of doubt arose in us as to the reality of our dream experiences until we awoke.   This single argument in itself is enough to cast a heavy shadow of doubt on the reality of our existence. Yet Descartes attacks from various angles the seemingly unshakeable certainty we have in our own existence and the existence of the world around us. Dream, hallucination, illusion, delusion – the very possibility of these things undermines the certainty of our individual existence, and the existence of our world as we perceive it. Descartes goes on even further to refute the certainty of mathematical equations such as two plus two equals four. What if, Descartes asks, the whole world is run by an omnipotent evil Deity who could be having fun deliberately misleading our logic? (Descartes) Thus ultimately even mathematical certainty is ruled out. Dreams are everyday experience to us, as are simple mathematical facts. To Descartes, one could be as illusory, a mere product of mind, as other. Nothing is left. Is there anything at all we can be indubitably certain about? Is any thing that the human mind can know reliable in the ultimate sense of the word? A large part of Kant's work too moves around the question â€Å"What can human mind know?† The answer, according to Kant, is that our knowledge is inherently restricted to mathematics and the science of the natural, empirical world. It is not logically possible to extend the scope of our thinking to comprehend supersensible realm, as it used to be done in speculative metaphysics. There are limits to human knowledge, human perception, and the reach of human mind. Yet it is with this mind we have to unrelentingly seek, to know and comprehend about our world. Kant lived in an age when the scientific spirit of man was freshly abloom. It is impossible to understand modern philosophy without considering the scientific revolution. Kant had to evolve a philosophical framework for newly emerging scientific attitudes. He focused attention on the way scientific theories are shaped by man’s creative investigations into nature. The rational reorientation in Western thinking was introduced by Copernicus (the so-called Copernican revolution), and was developed by Galileo, Bacon, Descartes, Kant, and Hume into a systematic and comprehensive framework to the new, scientific, rational and empirical way of thinking. Though skepticism may be most commonly associated with Cartesian Skepticism, or to the thought of this philosopher or that, just like in the ancient Greece the influence of philosophical and scientific skepticism permeates wide and deep into much of modern thought. The skepticism about the external world is an inevitable consequence of human experience, and perhaps is by its very nature insurmountable. Further, it is not only a question of what is out there – it is also a question of what is in here. We cannot be sure of the outside world, but equally, we cannot be sure of who we are ourselves; the nature of our own existence remains in dark. Rene Descartes asserts â€Å"I think therefore I am,† but on second thoughts he may be only thinking he is. References: Descartes, Rene. Meditations on First Philosophy. Retrieved May 3, 2007 from http://www.classicallibrary.org/descartes/meditations/4.htm Hooker, R. (1996). Skepticism. Retrieved May 3, 2007 Stewart, D. ; Blocker, H. G. (2005). Fundamentals of Philosophy (6th Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ : Prentice Hall. Stroud, B. (1984). The Significance of Philosophical Scepticism. New York : Oxford Univesity Press ;

Volcanic Landforms

Volcanic Landforms Volcano is essentially a fissure or vent (opening) which serves as an outlet for hot magma from beneath the Earth’s crust. The hot liquid magma coming out in the form of lava (most commonly molten basalt) is potential of shaping different landforms on earth crust. The most common landforms that are results of volcanic activity include cones, craters, calderas, domes etc. This article gives a description of these volcanic landforms. SHIELD VOLCANOES- These are characterised by gentle upper slopes. The slope varies from only 5 degrees to 10 degrees.The shield volcanoes are made up of mainly thin lava flows around central vent. The low viscosity lava (low silica content) travels down gently and as it cools down it creates less steeper lower slope. These are also found at the flanks of bigger volcanoes like Kilauea is situated on the Hawaiian shield volcano. STRATOVOLCANOES- These are characterised somewhat steeper slopes (30 degrees to 40degees) near the vent a nd the summit due to highly viscous lava flows are not able to travel long distances before they cool down.The less steeper slopes at the base is due to erosional activity. The show inter layering of pyroclastic material and thus sometimes also called composite volcanoes. Pyroclastic material make upto 50% of a stratovolcano. They show a long time of repose which makes them quite dangerous. CINDER CONES- They are small volume cones build up by fall deposites around the eruptive vent. There slope is around 25-30 degrees. During later stages of eruptions the lava may come out from the flanks. Cinder and tephra cones usually occur around summit vents and flank vents of stratovolcanoes.MAARS- The magma heats up the groundwater and converts it into vapours which builds up pressure and results in eruptions containing water and pre-existing rocks. Walls of crater fall back into crater and fills it with loose material. If the crater depth reaches below the water table of the region, the maa rs often fill up with water. LAVA DOMES- The viscous lava or rhyolitic lava is not able to flow far away from the vent, it rather accumulates over the vent. The forecoming lava from the vent pushes and the upper solidified outer surface rolls down to the flank.The slope is very rough due to spines pushed up by the magma below. CRATERS AND CALDERAS- Craters are the depressions which are the results of explosions emitting gases and tephras. They can range upto 1km in diameter. Calderas are large depressions, circular or elliptical in shape with diameters ranging from 1 km to 50 km. Calderas form as a result of collapse of a volcanic structure. The collapse results from evacuation of the underlying magma chamber. The evacuation process of lava chambers in stratovolcanoes in rapid and as the lava goes out the walls collapse and form a large crater.They are enclosed depressions which often collect rain water and snow melt and may form lakes. Like Crater Lake in southern Oregon is about 8 km in diameter and dated to be formed around 6800years ago. FUMAROLES- A fumarole is vent where gases, either from a magma body at depth, or steam from heated groundwater, emerges at the surface of the Earth. Since most magmatic gas is H2O vapor, and since heated groundwater will produce H2O vapor, fumaroles will only be visible if the water condenses. H2O vapor is invisible, unless droplets of liquid water have condensed). HOT SPRINGS- Hot springs or thermal springs are areas where hot water comes to the surface of the Earth. Cool groundwater moves downward and is heated by a body of magma or hot rock. A hot spring results if this hot water can find its way back to the surface, usually along fault zonesGYESERS- A geyser results if the hot spring has a plumbing system that allows for the accumulation of steam from the boiling water.When the steam pressure builds so that it is higher than the pressure of the overlying water in the system, the steam will move rapidly toward the surfac e, causing the eruption of the overlying water. Some geysers, like Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park, erupt at regular intervals. The time between eruptions is controlled by the time it takes for the steam pressure to build in the underlying plumbing system. |

Nike Fuel Band Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Nike Fuel Band - Essay Example Buyers of the product want to understand their habits more effectively, so that they can improve. Shame is one of the factors that propel buyers to make use of the device once they purchase it. If no activity is registered, the band will have a dull red dot with no other signal. Therefore, users will feel guilty about not doing enough to activate the sensors in the machine. On the other hand, one may also assume that these consumers are driven by attainment of short term goals. They want to feel good about themselves and the efforts that they have put into self improvement. It is for this reason that the band sends congratulatory messages to those persons who have attained their daily goals. Buyers of the product are also believers of scientific techniques. This device will collect data on the consumer’s fitness activities throughout the day through a combination of their movements and plyometrics. Essentially, one would not buy such a band if one did not believe in the power of science to find information about something and then build it to become a more informative insight. These are also people who are well-informed about fitness processes. Many of them know the intricacies of calorie counting as well as the implications of exercise intensity (Dent, 2012). ... Usually, the rewards come in the form of a dancing alien. While the latter may seems like an insignificant and intangible item, it is the meaning of that reward that counts. These types of consumers also long for approval from other people. Perhaps another revolutionary thing about the product is its ability to link consumers with other users though social networks. It allows persons with similar goals to share their accomplishments and thus boost each other’s morale. Such buyers relish complements from their peers. They also care about what people think regarding them. Conversely, one may look at this behavior from a different angle. Persons who purchase the band in order to connect with friends may be perceived as friendly and sociable creatures. The device could simply be a new way of spending time with their counterparts and sharing with them. They may be looking for different points of contact with each other. Buyers of the product are tech-savvy, which explains why a per son will need to use a range of other technology platforms to reap its full benefits. For instance, it depends on Bluetooth technology in order to use an application which will calculate the person’s activity rate. Additionally, consumers with ipads and ipods may also use the device in order to enjoy tracking via their applications (Nike, 2013). The product is sold for substantially more than other similar devices in the market. It goes for $150 yet a competing product is sold at $60. Regardless, of these differences, the bands were sold out during the launch. Clearly, these consumers do not focus much on price. They are more interested in the value that they can derive from the product. Purchasers have

Living at the Crossroads Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Living at the Crossroads - Article Example Subsequently, the authors have demonstrated their remarkable historical perspective by helping us to trace the deep roots of our modern Western worldview which they believed was shaped by the â€Å"Reformed intellectual tradition†. In this perspective, the authors have tried to help us apprehend where we have come from and where we want to go. This made them believe that the gospel is always contextualized. However, according to Nietzsche in his book ‘ON the Genealogy of Morality,’ he objects Christianity as he saw Christianity as dogma set forth by institutes like churches and this ideology has failed to represent the life of â€Å"Living at the Crossroads†. The reason that made Nietzsche perceive Christianity as untrue is the contrast he made between the Christians life to that of Jesus, and this made him view Jesus as a distinctive individual who initiated his own ethical evaluations compared to Christians who lack it. Therefore, Nietzsche contends that if Christians lack their moral value then they are misguided and lack focus with the way the world certainly functions. Above all, Goheen and Bartholomew have clearly used biblical overview and historical perspective to teach us that Jesus is in every domain of human society. Therefore, living at the Crossroads is basic for Christian. This is supported by the sheer fact that Christianity has been recording its most dynamic growth in Latin America as they have tried to justify political authority deprived of continually invoking religion and God.

Writing evaluation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Writing evaluation - Research Paper Example Overall, this article was clear and well-written, and laid out in a way that made sense, but it could have been a little more in-depth than it was in its research of previous articles. Generally speaking, the article was written at a level that made it fairly easy to understand, but which did not try to dumb things down. The authors use scholarly language, but try to be clear and most of the time they succeed. The article is also laid out well, and a lot of its data is presented in tables which make it easier to understand. The authors also use lists sometimes to make their case, as in their introduction. In this case, they set up the outline of the entire article by describing exactly what they will cover and in what order. The article does cover a lot of ground, with almost thirty articles used in the references section as expected of a literature review. While all of these articles did come from established journals so far as I could tell, I think the study might have been improved by looking at articles written over a slightly longer period of time. All of the articles were written between 1990 and 2007 (Taylor, Gibson, & Franck 3084). While that might usually be a good thing for nursing articles, in the case of a literature review it seems like the article will provide a narrow view of the literature as a result. More articles from earlier periods could have shown changes in how people are treated that might help nurses in treating young people with chronic illnesses. Despite the possible problem with the method the authors use, their article is quite good. They use language in a clear and convincing way, and organize their points well. Also, the review of existing literature is thorough, at least in terms of describing the articles used. However, I do still think the authors could have changed their work for the better if they had used a wider range of articles. Overall, though, the authors present a convincing,

Non Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Non - Essay Example 3). This follows a finding that showed that most elephant tusks from African countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe find their way into China, where the market for elephant tusks is booming. The increase in poaching for elephant tusks threatens the existence of this important species. In fact, environmentalists have warned that elephants could soon become extinct if something is not done to arrest the situation. Kahumbu reports that Africa had about 1,000,000 elephants in 1980 (par. 4). However, this number has since reduced to less than 400,000 elephants. Africa reportedly loses about 100 wild elephants every day to poachers seeking tusks. Zimbabwe and Kenya are among the African are among the worst hit countries that faces a serious reduction in the number of wild elephants due to increased poaching. Zimbabwe recently lost more than 300 elephants due to increased poaching in the country (Thornycroft and Laing 9). Zimbabwe ha the largest number of elephant population in the world today. This is after its elephants from its neighboring countries in East and Central Africa have been killed by poachers. However, this number is reducing at an alarming rate and the Zimbabwean authorities are concerned by the rate of increased poaching in the country. Kenya is another African country that has one of the highest elephant populations in the world (Kemei 6). ... Most of these elephants were found killed and their tusks chopped off and sold in the black market. Thorneycroft and Laing observed that Africa lost at least 17,000 elephants in 2011 (9). These elephants were killed and their tusks chopped off and sold in the international market. They noted that ivory is prized as a ’white gold’ in Asian countries such as China, where the growing middle class is seeking safe investments. The report also found that the trade in illegal ivory has more than doubles since 2007. The problem of poaching of elephants for tusks is real and something needs to be done to arrest the poaching menace. A variety of proposals has arisen as being the best strategy of dealing with the elephant poaching menace. In this regard, some people have proposed that all wild elephants should have their tusks cut off to prevent poaching. This proposal has generated a lot of controversy and dilemma among environmentalists and wildlife conservationists. Those in su pport of this view argue that by cutting off all the tusks of elephants, poachers will not be motivated to kill elephants, as there would be no tusks to sell in the black market (Thornycroft and Laing 9). Some also argue that cutting off all elephant tusks will force people trading in ivory in Asia to close down their businesses and venture into other activities. However, as much as the world, especially the affected countries are in dire need of preventing poaching, I totally disagree with the suggestion of cutting off the tusks of all wild elephants. Ethically, this is not right before God. I believe that God created the tasks for a reason. Therefore, as man, it is not ethical for us to cut off the tusks of elephants since tasks help elephants in performing a number of duties.

The economics of Exhaustible Resources Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

The economics of Exhaustible Resources - Essay Example This essay discusses that without a doubt, economists’ description of exhaustible resources is based on the prediction of production and price trajectories and the likelihood of resources exhaustion. This is because; exhaustible resources have limited life span considering the optimal exploitation of resources at the both individual and industrial level. As a result, focus on Harold Hotelling explanation on maintenance of exhaustible resources is based on the importance of sustainability of a production–consumption system as a way of controlling extinction of exhaustible natural resource without getting comparative advantage from it as compared to its future demand. More significantly, it is imperative for exploitation of non-renewable resource to be undertaken for the benefit of the people and a country’s economy considering the level of extinction and financial value derived. Considerably, it is essential to make decisions considering the economic models that f ocus on sustainable economic growth taking into account resource constraints. As a result, it is decisive to evaluate on whether or not it is viable to carry out exploration on the extent in which resource constraints can be overcome by substitution and technological change. Nonetheless, the influence of the extinction of natural non-renewable resources is focused on the current initial stock of the resource considering the amount of the resource to be extracted within different periods with the main aim being on the maximization of profits. (Hotelling 139). However, it is difficult for a country to avoid exploiting its exhaustible resources especially when there is a high demand for the commodity. More so, it is essential to consider that non-renewable resources provide a comparative advantage because countries could be the sole producers of valuable non-renewable resources. As a result, such country’s take advantage of their monopolistic position in the resource market, as it lacks competition in the production of the exhaustible resources thus, positioning itself strategically in the world market (Martinet 17). In addition, a country makes a decision on price that the exhaustible resource would be sold as it gains competitive advantage, when negotiating for the prices being the sole producers of such extinct natural resources like oil. Thus, the duty of a government is to create ways in which the non-renewable resources can be sold in the world market resulting in a country getting a chance to exploit the non-renewable resources it has by using the best-suited strategies of price maximization. Although, exhaustible resources bring international trading to a country it also creates issues in terms of international development in the world. More so, exhaustible resources are predicted by production and price trajectories thus it becomes difficult for countries to make viable decisions considering the fact that the resources become scarce leading to inc rease in prices of non-renewable resources. However, such decisions of taking advantage of the prevailing high prices does not take into consideration the international development issues including effects resulting from the extinction of most of the natural resources that are in the risk of extinction because they are non-renewable (Solow & Wan 360). More significantly, the dominance in the monopolistic market of different natural resources have seen organizations that are establish by countries join to create a common stand in the provision of higher prices of the exhaustible resource they produce. For example, oil producing and exporting countries (OPEC) that deals with the oil

Distribution Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Distribution Systems - Essay Example The success of an organization is highly correlated with the management expertise and ability to streamline and integrate all other parts and players of the organization into a comprehensive enterprise supply chain system in order to create a true corporate enterprise. The main goal of the Supply Chain Management is actually to maximize the synergies and add the highest possible value to the core operation of the businesses. This is achieved by the integration of all parts of the chain so as to provide efficient service to the final customer and/or consumer more effectively. Supply chain not only involves reduction in costs but also creates a value chain where at each level; certain value is added to the product without over-lapping the operations of other phases of production. The cost reduction may be achieved via less frequent transactions, reduced unpredictability of demand and lesser transportation costs and/or inventory holding. Value may be added in the course of customized services, by developing distinctive competencies throughout the whole chain and by helping both the consumers and suppli ­ers, to make save/earn more in terms of economic benefits and revenue by better understanding the business. Usually, the supply chain, despite being highly critical is not the core function of the organizations. Many organizations understand and likewise either outsource or separate the supply chain functions from the corporate head quarters. This gives birth to the concept of second tier and third tier supply chain management. Many companies are actively investing to secure acres of land for the purpose of building their logistics and supply chain network to serve the different regions of the country. The second tier relocation is targeted mainly in the less developed, cheaper areas but with a reliable road network (Sowinski,2007). Companies are making strategies to

Basic Elements in Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Basic Elements in Behavior - Essay Example The main parts of human body include heart, the nervous system and the most important is the brain. The nervous system is the main route which helps to carry all the information to other parts of the body. It has always been a mystery that how a human brain works although many scientists have conducted many theories about it. Moreover it has now become evident that the first five years of a person’s life are the most important in the physical brain development. The human body contains a huge number of neurons. It is said that approximately one trillion neurons are required to control the human behavior. Neurons are considered as the basic elements of human behavior because they not only help in achieving our day to day physical activities but they help us to think, move, remember and feel all the emotions. They are just like chip in a computer which is used to transfer information from one part to the other. As it is believed that there is something inside our body which contr ols all the actions. This thing which controls our actions is called Neuron. (Feldman, 2009, p. 114). Neurons are just like other cells of the body. Their body consists of a nucleus which tells that how the cell will perform its functions. Moreover the neurons have the ability of transmitting information to other neurons having long distances.

Program Budgeting Essay Example for Free

Program Budgeting Essay In the general aspect of organizational management, the leaders and concerned authorities of each organization develop effective means of maximizing and properly allocating the important resources and elements existing in an organization for the benefit of the group. In this aspect, leaders aim to critically analyze and understand the processes involved in the organizational structure, the aims and pursuits of the group, the required costs and the available resources, and the issues in the organizations pursuit of achieving their common interest. In particular to this concern is the development of an effective and efficient budget allocation in terms of the production process of the organization. In this aspect, managers aim to develop an organized and realistic budget to govern the processes of the group for the aim of maximizing their capital and resources towards the achievement of their common goal. In the actual application of budget management, different approaches and strategies are used based specifically on the concern and characteristic of the organization and the process on which it will be applied on. Indeed, each budget target specific issues and concern on the organization on particular perspective such as on the micro, mezzo, or macro level. However, considering the actual application of these budget system, certain organization issues and concepts often hinder this pursuit namely on the political concern. One of which is the actual impact of constrain and limitations in the expenditure and use of resources in the budget to incorporate actual figures. In relation to this issue is the accuracy of the budget projection on the organization on which, certain aspects and field tend to be inconsistent on the concern of the budget. Another large factor also in the application of budget is the impact of the political framework already existing inside the organization. In actual view, the framework of the organization is largely based on political concepts on which, budget adjustments and changes will result significant reaction from this ground. Often, political parties inside the organization tend to react against the proposal as they view this concern to be unjustified and unequal to the general concern. In particular also to this is the impact of the budget allotment to the higher management in which they must also similarly comply with as part of the organization. Another is that other group in terms of political segregation can postulate underlying reasons for the budget application, which are significantly detrimental to the ideal concern of the budget management. Indeed, among also the important concern in the actual application of budget management are the factors of the views, interpretation, and understanding of the organization towards its concern, which are influential to the practice and adherence to the budget, implemented.

My Future Goals Essay Example for Free

My Future Goals Essay The purpose of this assignment is to look into my future and come up with achievable goals to be successful in my career, personal and academic endeavors. Napoleon Hill states, â€Å"The starting point of all achievement is desire. (Think and Grow Rich, 2005). So, your first step in goal setting and achieving your dreams is that youve got to really want to achieve the goal. My personal goal is to use my time management skills to keep organized in my class assignments. As a matter of fact, keeping organized will make my leisure time much more enjoyable. To achieve this goal I will use time management to make a schedule of all my classes. I have a very busy life and setting this goal will work in all areas of my life. Read more: My future plan essay In addition, my academic goals are to finish college with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Information Technology. My future career depends on the completion of this degree. In as little as 2 years I will complete my online degree and be able to confront my ultimate challenges and have a successful career. Equally as important writing down the goal, the plan and a timeline sets events in motion that may not have happened otherwise. Furthermore, my career goal goes hand in hand with my academic goal. I have to finish my degree in order for my professional and career goal to be achievable. I want to work in the IT field. I would like to find a company that offers internship programs for students while attending college. This will be a long road but will be worth it in the end. I do have the support of my family, friends, and academic advisors. With all this support I can achieve my future goals.

Passport Program In The Success Of Hero Honda

Passport Program In The Success Of Hero Honda Hero Honda Motors Limited, based in Delhi, India is a joint venture between the Hero Group of India and Honda of Japan. Verification. It has been referred to as the worlds biggest manufacturer of 2-wheeled motorized vehicles since 2001, when it produced 1.3 million motorbikes in a single year. During the fiscal year 2008-09, the company has sold 3.28 million bikes and the net profit of the company stood at Rs. 1281.7 crore, up 32% from the previous fiscal year. The companys most popular model is the Hero Hondas Splendor, which is the worlds largest-selling motorcycle, selling more than one million units per year. The company introduced new generation motorcycles that set industry benchmarks for fuel thrift and low emission. A legendary Fill it Shut it Forget it campaign captured the imagination of commuters across India, and Hero Honda sold millions of bikes purely on the commitment of increased mileage. Over 20 million Hero Honda two wheelers tread Indian roads today. These are almost as many as the number of people in Finland, Ireland and Sweden put together! Hero Honda has consistently grown at double digits since inception; and today, every second motorcycle sold in the country is a Hero Honda. Every 30 seconds, someone in India buys Hero Hondas top -selling motorcycle Splendor. This festive season, the company sold half a million two wheelers in a single month-a feat unparalleled in global automotive history. Hero Honda bikes currently roll out from its three globally benchmarked manufacturing facilities. Two of these are based at Dharuhera and Gurgaon in Haryana and the third state o f the art manufacturing facility was inaugurated at Haridwar, Uttrakhand in April this year. These plants together are capable of producing out 4.4 million units per year. Hero Hondas extensive sales and service network now spans over 3000 customer touch points. These comprise a mix of dealerships, service and spare points, spare parts stockiest and authorized representatives of dealers located across different geographies. Hero Honda values its relationship with customers. Its unique CRM initiative Hero Honda Passport Program, one of the largest programs of this kind in the world, has over 3 million members on its roster. The program has not only helped Hero Honda understand its customers and deliver value at different price points, but has also created a loyal community of brand ambassadors. Having reached an unassailable pole position in the Indian two wheeler market, Hero Honda is constantly working towards consolidating its position in the market place. The company believes th at changing demographic profile of India, increasing urbanization and the empowerment of rural India will add millions of new families to the economic mainstream. This would provide the growth ballast that would sustain Hero Honda in the years to come. As Brijmohan Lall Munjal, the Chairman, Hero Honda Motors succinctly points out, We pioneered Indias motorcycle industry, and its our responsibility now to take the industry to the next level. Well do all it takes to reach there. Company profile Hero is the brand name used by the Munjal brothers for their flagship company Hero Cycles Ltd. A joint venture between the Hero Group and Honda Motor Company was established in 1984 as the Hero Honda company, India. During the 1980s, the company introduced motorcycles that were popular in India for their fuel economy and low cost. A popular advertising campaign based on the slogan Fill it Shut it Forget it that emphasized the motorcycles fuel efficiency helped the company grow at a double-digit pace since inception. Hero Honda has three manufacturing facilities based at Dharuhera and Gurgaon in Haryana and at Hardware in Uttarakhand. These plants together are capable of churning out 3.9 million bikes per year.[citation needed] Hero Hondas has a large sales and service network with over 3,000 dealerships and service points across India. Hero Hondas customer loyalty program,[clarification needed] the Hero Honda Passport Program, claims to be one of the largest programs of its kind in the world with over 3 million members. The 2006 Forbes 200 Most Respected companies list has Hero Honda Motors ranked at 108. History India became the second largest two wheeler manufacturer in the world and starting in the 1950s with the Automobile Products of India (API) that manufactured the Lambrettas and Bajaj Auto Ltd. with its association with Piaggio of Italy (manufacturer of Vespa scooters) as the largest manufacturers within the country citation needed. The license raj that existed between the 1940s to 1980s in India did not allow foreign companies to enter the market and imports were tightly controlled. This regulatory maze, before the economic liberalization, made business easier for local players to have a sellers market.[neutrality is disputed] Customers in India were forced to wait up to 12 years to buy a scooter from Bajaj. The CEO of Bajaj commented that he did not need a marketing department, only a dispatch department. By the year 1990, Bajaj had a waiting list that was twenty-six times its annual output for scooters. The motorcycle segment had the same long wait times with three manufacturers: Royal Enfield, Ideal Jawa, and Escorts. Royal Enfield made a 350cc Bullet with the only four-stroke engine at that time and took the higher end of the market but there was little competition for their customers. Ideal Jawa and Escorts took the middle and lower end of the market respectively. In the mid-1980s, the Indian government regulations changed and permitted foreign companies to enter the Indian market through minority joint ventures. The two-wheeler market changed with four Indo-Japanese joint ventures: Hero Honda, TVS SUZUKI , Bajaj Kawasaki and Kinetic Motor Company (Kinetic Honda). The entry of these foreign companies changed the Indian market dynamics from the supply side to the demand side. With a larger selection of two-wheelers on the Indian market, consumers started to gain influence over the products they bought and raised higher customer expectations. The industry produced more models, styling options, prices, and different fuel efficiencies. The foreign companies new technologies helped make the products more reliable and with better quality. Indian companies had to change to keep up with their global counterparts. List of models Achiever Ambition 133, Ambition 135 CBZ, CBZ Star, CBZ Xtreme CD 100, CD 100 SS, CD Dawn, CD Deluxe, CD Deluxe (Self Start) Hunk ,Joy ,Karizma, Karizma R, Karizma ZMR FI ,Passion, Passion+, Passion Pro Pleasure .Street ,Splendor, Splendor+, Splendor+ (Limited Edition), Super Splendor, Splendor NXG The joint venture between Indias Hero Group and Honda Motor Company, Japan has not only created the worlds single largest two wheeler company but also one of the most successful joint ventures worldwide. During the 80s, Hero Honda became the first company in India to prove that it was possible to drive a vehicle without polluting the roads. Hero Honda Passport programme. The passport provides you with yet another opportunity to experience the companys continued commitment to you, our valued customer. You will soon see that it opens the door to a host of special offerings that Hero Honda Motors Limited has in store for you. How to use your Hero Honda Passport? Each time we visit an authorised Hero Honda dealership or service center, make sure that we carry your Hero Honda passport with us. We can accumulate points against purchase of spares, accessories and service at Hero Honda authorised dealerships / service centers. The Hero Honda passport will serve as a record book for keeping an account of the points accumulate by you. Each rupee you spend, at the dealership / service center, entitles you to one point. We also earn bonus point when you come for a free service you visit the dealership ( at least thrice a year ), and make purchases worth Rs. 50 per visit. We refer your relatives and friends to purchase a hero Honda motorcycle. At the time of setting our bills, ensure that your Hero Honda passport is endorsed with the earned points. The more we earn your points, the more benefits you receive. What are the benefits of owning a hero Honda passport ? The accumulated points can be used to enjoy a host of special privileges and benefits from time to time. The moment we receive you hero Honda passport, you are automatically covered for one year Accident Insurance RS 1 lakh. We become entitled for special rewards and discounts, the moment you accumulate the specified points, at any of the authorised hero Honda dealerships / service centers. We also receive invitations to exclusive local events, such as movie shows, musical nights and carnivals. Periodic updates will be sent to you, from the hero Honda programmed center, with your point status. Special information and tips regarding your motorcycle, hero Honda Passport Program happenings and exclusive offers from other brands will also be sent to you along with the updates For how long is the Hero Honda Passport valid ? Your hero Honda passport is valid for a period of 3 years from the date of issue. In case of its loss or theft, please contact your dealership or the following address for a replacement. How to use passport Always remember to carry your Hero Honda Passport with you when you visit a Hero Honda authorized dealership/service centre. Every time you do a transaction at a Hero Honda showroom/workshop, the dealer would reward points into your Passport. You are eligible to accumulate points, against purchase of spares, accessories, service and by referring friends to purchase a Hero Honda motorcycle. Do not forget to get your points endorsed on the Programme Points Sheet given in the Passport. Also ensure that these points are entered in duplicate in the Programme Centre copy by the dealer. Every time a Programme Points Sheet gets completed, the dealer would remove the copy from your Passport and send it to Hero Honda. These would increase your chances for event invitation and special offers. Do collect your rewards as soon as you reach the specified milestones. (For more information see the Reward Chart on last page). Please note that points do not become zero after a gift collection in the Passport Programme and you can keep collecting gifts as you reach a particular milestone. Every time you get your bike serviced, get the Free/Regular Service Record Sheet (as given in Section 2 of the Passport) stamped by the dealer. The Service Record Sheet would help you get a Bike Service Certificate, which can be very useful at the time of your bike resale. The Hero Honda Passport Programme is open only to Hero Honda motorcycle owners/customers who are resident Indian nationals. It is not open to non-resident Indians, employees of Hero Honda Motors Limited, and its advertising agencies (Result: McCann and its respective subsidiary companies). The Hero Honda Passport will be issued in the name of an individual only, and not in the name of a company, corporate body or association of persons. The Hero Honda Passport will be issued only to individuals who are 18 years of age, or older. There is a non-refundable registration fee for the programme. two passport-sized photographs must be attached to the application form. the Hero Honda passport is non-transferable. in case, an applicant is the second or subsequent user of the Hero Honda motorcycle, he/ she is required to submit a copy of the registration booklet, duly transferred, along with the Hero Honda Passport Application form. If any Hero Honda Passport holder loses his/her Hero Honda Passport, a new copy of the same will be issued to the member, on payment of the requisite fee The Hero Honda Passport is valid only for three years from the date of issue. It will take minimum of 4 weeks, from the date of enrolling for the Hero Honda Passport Programme, to deliver the Hero Honda Passport. On becoming a Hero Honda Passport Programme member, the applicant authorises all the organisations, with which Hero Honda Motors Limited may finalise arrangements (including Hero Honda Motors Limited), to use data submitted by him/her for marketing and communication purposes, to enhance performance of the Hero Honda Passport Programme. n case of any disputes of differences in connection with the Hero Honda Passport Programme, the same shall be decided by arbitration. The arbitrator shall be the Managing Director, Hero Honda Motors Limited, or any person nominated by him. The arbitration shall be conducted as per the prevailing arbitration laws rules in New Delhi. Hero Honda Motors Limited shall not, in any way, be liable, or be under any obligation to the participant, if the Hero Honda Passport Programme is withdrawn or modified due to statutory enactments, and judicial/ quasi judicial orders. All these amazing rewards and benefits come to you as you earn points in the Hero Honda Passport Programme. Once you become a member, you will earn points for a host of regular transactions that you conduct even now at your local Hero Honda authorized Dealership or Service Center. These include: So all you have to do to earn points rewards is just keep maintaining your Hero Honda motorcycle, buy genuine Hero Honda Spare Parts and accessories and well give you one point for every rupee you spend! Star Club and Treasured Rewards This unique club has been introduced for those members who get their bikes serviced regularly from authorized Hero Honda Service Centers. The Star Club membership not only identifies the member as special for the HHPP family, but also brings in some added benefits like: 30% discount on labour 7.5% discount on spares, till the validity of the Passport Introducing Treasured RewardGood news for all Passport Programme members who have crossed the 1 lakh point mark in the Hero Honda Passport Programme. A new rewards structure has been introduced for all such members The HHPP Treasured Rewards. The HHPP Treasured Rewards will be available at 8 prescribed milestones beginning from 1.25 lakh points and ending at 3 lakh points, with each milestone at a gap of 25,000 points. In other words, the new milestones are placed at 1.25 lakhs, 1.5 lakhs and so on till 3 lakhs Each time a member reaches a milestone a Motorcycle Privilege Voucher of Rs. 1250/- will be given to him. This voucher may be used to avail a discount on the purchase of a new Hero Honda motorcycle. This voucher is transferable and can be given to friends or relatives who may be planning to buy a new Hero Honda motorcycle Under the new Rewards Programme, the mode of recording points will change. The points will now be recorded in 2 books one would be the old Passport with Additional Treasured Rewards sheets for entering points earned through service, spares and accessories and the other would be a Referral Book which will be used for entering referral points. The Referral Book will begin from 1 lakh points. On cro ssing 1 lakh points the members need to retain a photocopy of their old Passport with them and send the passport to the HHPP Programme Centre immediately. On receipt, the old Passport with Additional treasured rewards sheets and the new Referral Book will be sent across to the members enabling them to start redeeming rewards beyond 1 lakh points. conclusion Hero Honda, the World No. 1 two-wheeler company, today announced that it has recently achieved a landmark member base of more than 2 million customers for its Passport Programme. Extending across 1000 authorized Hero Honda dealerships and SSPs, the program has now become India s largest Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Program. The unprecedented success of the CRM program is a testimony of the faith that the customers repose in the company and its products. It was born out of a need to maximize commitment and strengthen the emotional value that binds our diverse set of customers to the Hero Honda brand. With its apt tagline Rishta Dil Ka, the Passport Programme is a strong platform for the company to build long-term relationships with its customers, beyond the point of sale, and communicate its brand image of trust and reliability. The Hero Honda Passport Programme membership is a unique initiative open to the owners of Hero Honda motorcycles. The program offers many tangible a nd intangible benefits to both the customers as well as to the dealers. Members earn points for incurring expenditure at the Hero Honda dealership/workshop, which can later be redeemed against benefits. On the occasion of the commemoration of the 2 million-passport program milestone, Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director, Hero Honda Motors Ltd. said, At Hero Honda our endeavor is to offer the best in product quality to our customers resulting in highest levels of customer satisfaction. The Passport programme not only builds enduring relationships with our customers but also offer them some extra value, beyond just the tangible benefits of our products. This milestone only reaffirms our customers faith in us, which has been pivotal in the companys growth. The Hero Honda Passport programme was rolled out nationally in the year 2001, after a successful pilot in four states in the year 2000. A unique feature of the programme is its reward model, according to which every rupee spent by the member translates into a reward point. These reward points can then be redeemed for exciting gifts. One of the most significant benefits of this program is a free personal accident policy worth Rs. 1 lakh. Insurance claim of over Rs. 6 crore has already been disbursed to dependent families, exemplifying Hero Hondas concern not just for the safety of its customers, but also their family members. With the help of this program, the company has already received over 900,000 referrals thus also giving a fillip to sales through favourable word of mouth. Review of literature With a member base of more than 20 lakh customers extending across 1000 authorized dealers and SSPs, Hero Honda Passport Program is today the countrys largest Customer Retention Management (CRM) program. Under the apt tagline Rishta Dil Ka, the program has become a strong platform for us to build long-term relationship with our customers beyond the point of sale, and take forward our brand image of trust and reliability. It was born out of a need to maximize commitment and strengthen the emotional value that binds our diverse set of customers to the Hero Honda brand. The program represents a fundamental change in looking at the customer as a long-term asset rather than a mere target for sales transaction. Marketing program designed to enhance brand loyalty by cultivating an ongoing relationship between a marketer and his customer. Successful loyalty programs encourage the consumer to buy frequently, to increase the amount spent each time, and to concentrate all or most of their related purchases on that brand. Most loyalty programs offer perks for membership in a club or program and reward purchases. Rewards may be based on the dollar value of purchases made or on the frequency of purchases. The most well-known loyalty programs are airline frequent-flyer programs that offer discounts against future travel called award miles. Most large supermarket chains now have frequent-buyer clubs that offer no-coupon discounts as well as newsletters and affiliate discounts. Loyalty program tactics also include regular communication with customers such as reminder mailings, private credit cards, cross-sell and up-sell offers, satisfaction and opinion surveys, and collection of information for membe r databases. See also frequency discount.