The Bhagavad Gita The Role of Religion in Relation to the Hindu Culture

The Bhagavad Gita The Role of Religion in Relation to the Hindu Culture The Bhagavad Gita is the most influential and discussed religious text related to the Hindu culture and religion. The Bhagavad Gita is the part of the most important religious epic text Mahabharata which is traditionally followed by the representatives of the Hindu culture.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Bhagavad Gita: The Role of Religion in Relation to the Hindu Culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More From this point, it is important to focus on the Bhagavad Gita and its role for the Hindu culture in the context of the role of religion in the Hindu society because the scripture contains the most important religious concepts and ethical principles which should be followed in the Hindu tradition. Different religious concepts and ethical issues are discussed in the scripture depending on conversations between the prince Arjuna who avoids violence and killing as the methods of impact and Krishna as God w ho provides wisdom and necessary guidance for the Hindu people. In spite of the fact that the Bhagavad Gita was written many centuries ago, its role for the Hindu religion and its impact on the accentuation of the role of religion in the society and Hindu culture are significant because the scripture provides the main religious principles which became the fundamentals of the people’s everyday life and actions. The epic situations and significant conversations between Arjuna and Krishna are discussed in the context of the battles for territories and struggles for the local superiority, but the main idea of the Bhagavad Gita is to represent the religious aspects important for the Hindu people as well as to discuss the controversial ethical and philosophical questions (â€Å"The Bhagavad Gita† 11-20). The representatives of the Hindu culture and religion can discuss the Bhagavad Gita as the main source of the ethical and religious norms and beliefs which should be followe d to achieve the religious enlightenment while becoming closer to God or even while making the union with the divine forces. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna states that a person can achieve the union with God and to avoid the karmic debt while completing the main ethical and religious principles which are the focus on self-renunciation, selfless action in relation to people and God, and meditation as the way to become closer to Krishna in order to learn the divine wisdom (â€Å"The Bhagavad Gita† 18-22).Advertising Looking for research paper on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More From this perspective, the role of religion and ethical principles are closely connected in the Bhagavad Gita, and this text becomes the source of the primary religious and ethical knowledge for the Hindu people. The discussion of the role of religion in the Hindu culture is observed while presenting Krishna’s ide as on the cycle of birth and death which a human should experience in order to receive the opportunity to avoid the karmic debt and to act according to the divine ideals. Thus, following the descriptions and discussions presented in the scripture, it is possible to state that the Bhagavad Gita is important for persons to win while making this or that moral choice. It is stated in the Bhagavad Gita that selfless actions can lead persons to the enlightenment that is why this scripture is important for the Hindu religion and culture regarding the focus on the selfless devotion to moral ideals and to God (Minor 344). In this case, the text is helpful for many people in their searches of the truth in relation to the religion and ethics during the centuries. That is why, it is important to refer to the dual role of the Bhagavad Gita for the Hindu religion and the role of religion in relation to the Hindu culture from the perspective of the scripture’s role for developing the human ethics. Thus, it is possible to discuss the religious ideals of selfless actions and devotion to divine forces from the point of their ethical value regarding the concepts of virtue and duty. Gupta states that the Bhagavad Gita â€Å"instructs an individual person to do his duty as a social being, and to do so by cultivating certain excellences so that his duties become part of his nature, an expression of his abiding character† (Gupta 395). As a result, the scripture provides a range of instructions and directions for people to act religiously and morally. It is emphasized in the scripture that a person can rely on God’s love while preventing the expression of anger, ignorance, and ego instead of demonstrating selfless behaviours (Timpe 349). Thus, the role of the Bhagavad Gita in relation to the Hindu religion and culture should be emphasized with references to the text as the religious guide.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Bha gavad Gita: The Role of Religion in Relation to the Hindu Culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To discuss the role of religion in the Hindu culture, it is important to pay attention to the fact that all the aspects of the persons’ life are regulated according to the definite religious principles and associated ethical norms. That is why, the Bhagavad Gita should be analyzed as the source of the most stable visions and ideas which are followed by the Hindu people during many centuries. The Bhagavad Gita is one of the first texts in which the importance of religion is discussed with references to the people’s everyday life, thus, the role of religion and faith is accentuated with the help of demonstrating the connection with the real-life situations and possible moral choices. Krishna helps Arjuna to act morally while describing the basic religious principles valued according to the Hindu tradition. Krishna focuses on the imp ortance of improving the person’s karma with the help of selfless actions and meditation (â€Å"The Bhagavad Gita† 15-20). These religious rituals are actively practiced by the representatives of the Hindu culture and tradition because they are the part of their everyday life and vision of the person’s progress. From this point, the religious fundamentals described in the Bhagavad Gita are extremely important for the Hindu people, and this fact emphasizes the role of religion within the Hindu society. Thus, the Bhagavad Gita is one of the main sources of the religious and ethical knowledge in the Hindu culture that is why this scripture is often discussed by researchers in the context of the text’s role for stating the principles of the Hindu religion and the main ethical norms and ideals connected with the religious visions and in the context of the role of religion in the society because the representatives of the Hindu culture regulate their everyday l ife with references to the religious norms. As a result, the ideas of the selfless action, devotion to the divine forces, meditation, virtuous actions to avoid the karmic debt, and importance of duties are not only described and explained in the Bhagavad Gita along with a lot of other religious issues but also followed in the Hindu culture during many centuries. Gupta, Bina. â€Å"Bhagavad Gita† as Duty and Virtue Ethics†. Journal of Religious Ethics 34.3 (2006): 373-395. Print.Advertising Looking for research paper on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Minor, Robert. â€Å"The â€Å"GÄ «tÄ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s† Way as the Only Way†. Philosophy East and West 30.3 (1980): 339-354. Print. The Bhagavad Gita. USA: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print. Timpe, Eugene. â€Å"Hesses Siddhartha and the Bhagavad Gita†. Comparative Literature 22.4 (1970): 346-357. Print.

EUROPEAN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT-Competition Essay

EUROPEAN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT-Competition - Essay Example Such markets have been seen to offer new competition law challenges especially when there are new emergences for business platforms. Also attached to the same is the fact that there have been identification of the extent to which freedom for private law right has to rights and contracts of property (Egli 2005: 235). The main consideration in this aspect is on how these can be reconciled especially following demise of states offering important services to their citizenries alongside replacement of the same services on the basis of communal requirements accruing from either state or private initiatives. The European Union competition law’s background is pinned on aims and goals which were looked forward into by the European Union of establishing a single market for European Union Member States. So as to achieve this, a transparent, compatible and fairly homogenized framework of regulation of competition law was created. An act of Council Regulation was brought into existence thr ough constitutive legislation process. This was developed during evolution of European Commission’s supremacy law which was not yet established. ... ontrol of Dominance The European Union competition law came into being following the need to ascertain that government efforts were not altered with by corporations which mostly abuse market power. Following this, treaties reached on through European Union are a provision intended for ensuring that there is a liberalized competition prevailing within the union (Collignon 2007: 172). This is further meant to discourage monopolies and cartels who engage in fixing of prices and sharing out of markets. The European Union competition law operates through four major policy segments which according to Akman (2009) include: Mergers, control of proposed mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures involving companies that have a certain, defined amount of turnover in the European Union/European Economic Area. This is governed by the Council Regulation 139/2004 European Commission (the Merger Regulation); Monopolies or preventing the abuse of firms' dominant market positions. This is governed by A rticle 102 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). This article also gives rise to the Commission’s authority under the next area; State aid, control of direct and indirect aid given by European Union’s Member States to companies. Covered under Article 107 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; and Cartels or control of  collusion  and other practices on anti-competition  that affect the European Union (or, since 1994, the European Economic Area). This is covered under Articles 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The European Union competition law was developed with goals which mainly number into two schools of thought yet not clear. Main opinion and view pertaining to these is that the only relevance is in consideration of

Strategic management Final EXAM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Strategic management Final EXAM - Essay Example Strategic management can operate at corporate level or business level. A definition of strategic management at corporate level is: "the pattern of major objectives, purposes or goals and essential policies or plans for achieving those goals, stated in such a ways as to define what business the company is in or is to be in and the kind of company it is or is to be."1 One must also take into account the culture and leadership of the organisation, both of which influence corporate strategic management. For example, after the return of Steve Jobs to Apple Computers Inc a top-level decision was taken to making a major shift away from heavy investment in Research and Development (R&D) of innovative and premium-priced computers, and have invested more heavily in the highly competitive consumer electronics sector. At the business or unit level of operation, strategic management is more concerned with competition, adding value and recruiting and retaining clients. Returning to the example of Apple Computers Inc, since 2001 it has been developing products such as the iPod believing that it could add high-value, user-friendly software in a way that a pure electronics business could not. Business level strategic management has been defined as: "the match between [the organisation's] internal capabilities and its external relationships. It describes how it responds to its suppliers, its customers, its competitors and the social and economic environment within which it operates."2 This view argues that strategic management boils down to having a clear sense of the organisation's objectives and identifying how these will be achieved. However there is no universal agreement on which level the subject should be studied at: corporate or business. Therefore it is important to bear in mind that such gurus as Michael Porter tend to focus on business level strategic management. There is also another school of thought which argues against this prescriptive viewpoint. This alternative and less well-documented emergent view points out that given the impossibility of planning for an uncertain future, identifying a single strategy is a waste of time. Instead organisations should focus on finding market opportunities, experimenting and developing their competitive advantage over-time.3 The three key elements of strategic management are resources, the external environment and the organisation's capacity to add-value to its core activity. An organisation's resources include its personnel and their respective skillsets, its investment and capital. These items are important for the organisation to create and sustain competitive advantage. It could be argued that Apple Computer Inc's recent success in setting the latest standard in MP3 players was built upon the fact that it had a major brand and R&D capabilities from its niche computer business and an excellent own-brand distribution network already in place. In short Apple Computer Inc optimized existing resources. The environment refers to economic and political situation the organization finds itself in, its competitors, customers and suppliers, and increasingly to 'green' issues as concerns regarding global warming and exploitation of low-wage workers become more wide-spread. For example, IBM lost much of its initial dominance of the personal computer market when it failed

Operations Management Analysis of Asda

Operations Management Analysis of Asda Introduction: Every function of the business has its significance, importance and place in the business organizations. Not a single department, function or activity can be declared as sole vital for the life of a company. It is the combined effort of all the departments and joint work of function involved, which brings success, revenues and business development. However, the key factor of the business, are divided in some shapes; to get a clear and visible picture of the overall business activities, being carried out by the organization. Operations management, financial management, marketing, sales, customer service, quality assurance, information technology and research and development are largely the main functions of a business entity in 21st century. No one can declare any of these functions as the sole guaranteer for the corporate success of the company, every function has its competitive and comparative advantages and also everyone has some unique characteristics which help in making that particular function more important. However, there is a function which is quite visible in all of these functions, or we can say that it is a facilitator of all the departments and functions in any organization. That particular function is called operations. Whatever may be the department or function, there will be a process and procedure involved in the work flow of that particular unit. Operations are everywhere, whichever department we select; we will see a line of operations and standard operating procedure. This indicates how important and integral it is, to have a transparent and effective operations management system. Operations management not only gives insight about the efficient and effective workflow of a particular department but also helps in getting a smooth workflow all over the organization. The process and strategic planning is quite imperative for the success of the business, but the effective execution of that particular plan is far more important than that. Effective operations management can help in achieving the group, departmental and organizational goals achievement in an effective, efficient and less costly way. So we can declare that, operations management ensures the life of the company. This report is a case study of ASDAs operations management mechanism and is purely dedicated to find out the rights and wrongs in the operations of ASDA. Operations Management: Operations management is a management function and subject, which is largely concerned with supervision, design, and redesigning of the business operations in the making of goods and services.  [1]  It has two dimensions, one is company dimension and the other one is customers dimension. The company dimension of the operation management is dealing with the operations in a cost effective, efficient and less costly ways, while the customer requires the greater quality of the product and service. So in business operations, an organization has to ensure, not only its own circumstances and financial position but also the customers demand. In simple words, the operations management is an organizational function, aimed a smooth flow of the processes to convert the input into the required output, in an efficient and cost effective way. So the quality assurance of the product offerings and their cost, are the key points of studying the operations management. Operations management usually refers to the production of goods and services independently, even though the difference between these two central types of operations is ever more difficult to make as producer convinced to combine product and service offerings. More commonly, operations management targets to increase the satisfaction level of value-added actions in any of the given processes.  [2]   The fundamental objective of the operations management departments attempt to create the desired balance between the costs and revenue to  get the maximum net operational profit, but at the same time to ensure the quality of the product and service. Operations management includes the activities that are involved in the process of production and distribution of the goods and services. Normally, the small companies do not involve in the operations management processes but major businesses stress upon properly keeping up with the operations management processes and normally they do not change the processes rapidly. Company Overview: ASDA is a British superstore chain which retails food, clothing, toys and general commodities. It also has a mobile telephone network, ASDA Mobile. It has its head office in the ASDA House in Leeds, West Yorkshire.  [3]  ASDA became a subsidiary of the American retail giant Wal-Mart, the worlds largest retailer, in 1999. And today, it is the third largest chain in the UK after Tesco and Sainsburys. In December 2010, 16.5% of UK grocery stores used ASDA for their major shop, with special offers the most bragged motive for its reputation.  [4]   Asda Stores Limited was established with the name of Associated Dairies Farm Stores Limited in year 1949. However, the approval of the Asda name occurred in 1965 with the merger of the Asquith chain of three supermarkets and Associated Dairies; Asda is an abbreviation of Asquith and Dairies, often capitalised. As Asda is subsidiary of Wall-Mart, so the focus of its marketing promotions have frequently been centred only on price, with Asda kept on promoting itself under the slogan of Britains Lowest Priced Supermarket, 13 Years Running. Because it is a wholly owned division of Wal-Mart, so, is not necessary for Asda to announce quarterly or half-yearly earnings. ASDA employs more than 150000, working on its more than 375 locations. The operating income of the company has been declared around  £638 millions last year. Andy Clarke is the chief executive officer of ASDA and Andy Bond is chairman. Asda helped wall-mart getting success and market share in British market.  [5]   Under the leadership of strong people, ASDA has been pretty successful in competing with its rivals in the last many years. Today, although it is ranked on 3rd in terms of market share after Tesco and Sainsbury, still its reputation and public relations have been out standing. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyse the central operational functions of Asda and their associated factors, problems and deficiencies. In this regard, we will discuss the fundamental operations management theories and their application at Asda. We will also try to focus on the operational problems being faced by Asda currently because of increasing competition and financial crisis as well. In this regard, the key operational and functional matter of the company will also come under discussion. Problems and Issues: We have been observing a very sharp decline in the sales of the grocery store and shrinking growth for the last 3years or so, due to the financial crisis. In this scenario, the major problem for the companies is to sustain. For surviving and sustaining in this environment, there are two ways to be adopted. The first one is of increasing the revenues and the other one is of cutting the cost of doing business. In both of matters, the operational management capacity of the organization is challenged and the team is under strict pressure. Competition has also increased and the competitors are trying very hard to gain the market share, in order to retain Asdas market share, so here the company needs to have implemented effective operation management system and tools so that the production of goods and services will be maintained smoothly and customers demand is fulfilled quickly So the focus of this report will not only be on the operations management of the company but also be on the dealing with the aftermaths of financial crisis with the help of operations management theories and practices. Operations Management and Value Chain: The concept of value chain is very important from the perspective of operations management. It is the fundamental concept on the basis of which all the operations building, is erected. Michael Porter is considered as the father of the value chain philosophy. He coined the idea of value chain in his book Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance (1985). This idea brought about a very positive change in modern day strategic management and marketing. Nowadays all successful companies give due importance to the concept of value in service delivery. Value means a mental perception of a product/service by the customer for which he is paying the price. A person estimates the value by a simple equation; Value = Benefit/cost.  [6]  The concept of value is understood to be a core idea in marketing and strategic management. Many theories revolve around this concept of value; like value chain analysis and profit value chain etc. The concept of service value chain is pretty similar to the Porters value chain idea. There is just a slight difference between them in terms of their practical implementation. For getting the true insight about these two models; fist we should understand the Porters value chain model. Porter argued that the customer; when he pays the price for the product or service, he is not basically paying for the product or services. He is paying the price of the perceived value which is delivered to him by the provider. If his benefits estimation exceeds the cost of the product or service, he will be satisfied and vice versa. So the core area of concentration in marketing must be to enhance the value so that the customer may be satisfied and come back again for the same value.  [7]   Value is not added on the corporate level. It is added from the operational level and with the efficient interlinks of the various functions. An organization is involved in two sorts of functions; the primary and core functions and the support functions. With the proper integration of the functions it can achieve the superior value. This diagram will further elaborate the Porters value chain model. The primary functions include inbound logistics (Warehousing raw material), operations (Process of converting raw material into finished goods), outbound logistics (finished goods inventory packaging), marketing and service (selecting a target market and fulfilling its demand and after sales service provision etc.) While the support functions include the firm infrastructure, (its design, polices and procedures) HRM (hiring people, firing and training them etc.) Technology (technology enabled management to deliver quality and value), and procurement (purchase and warehousing). Now we look at these main operations management functions separately, along with their complete reference to the organization of our concern. The Value Chain of ASDA: Inbound Logistics: The Inbound logistics operations of Asda are presented in its totally inclined and agile form and also show the commitment of the overall low price strategic management o. As the company is among the major market players so it has the place and economies of scope which are considered as the key bargaining powers, it helps to achieve low costs through the suppliers of the company. The up-gradation of the IT and other functions of the company is a routine matter and with the improved order-taking system, the company has made it among leaders. Out bound Logistics: Asda is also working with all retail segments, physical ones, online and offline ones. As it is a subsidiary of Wall-mart, so it has to operate directly with all of the operations included in outbound logistics. The companies is always keen to of develop processes and tools to produce and distribute the goods and services effectively and efficiently. Asda has designed a variety of formats and types related to the stores, it will be implemented strategically with the aim of maximum exposure of the customer. The formats include the Express, Superstores, Metro, Extra and Homeplus, these ranges are divided and segmented according to the target customers  [8]  . Marketing and Sales Programs: Asda has also introduced incentives and various schemes for the benefit of the customers. Issues related to the environment, climate changes, public awareness, reduction of waste and the carbon footprint involved in the preparation of the meals. The company is always striving to satisfy the customers and makes them happy. This indeed has helped it gain greater respect in the eyes of the customers. Services: Asda is following what wall-mart is doing; the price leadership. The famous slogan of always low price depicts the philosophy of wall-mart. It is also implementing the strategies related to cost leadership and differentiation, the aim is to improve the customer service. The focal point of the value chain here is, is to create a valuable service which may result in a high degree of value as compared to the other service providers. Asda has some very efficient strategies that are streamlined to apply the useful services in order to keep the customers. The main focus here is to reduce the cost of production and operations and hence gain a leadership position. There are some problems in the system, but can be resolved with the proper research and development. Technological Factors: In todays globalized world, the leadership in the business can only be achieved through leadership in technology. Technology is an effective way to make the business more efficient, effective. It may happen that sometimes extra efficient use of technology may produce negativity, however this can be minimized. Asda has to take into consideration lots of matters related to technology, but as the technology is among major macro-environmental variable and it has influenced development of the Asdas products and services. Few years back when Wall-mart invested around $6 billion in its IT function to introduce RFID, they also introduce the same in Asda as well. This has increased service orientation of the business and customers are delighted. So we can say that technology is very important ingredient in gaining advantage over competitor in the operations management. Information Technology and Integration: Innovative technology has helped companies and the customers, in various functions and ultimately the rate of customer satisfaction has increased. Now the desired products and goods are available easily. Companies have individualized their services to make the customer happy, and hence the grocery shopping has become pretty suitable with easy access. Asda works on the Customer is Always Right policy to improve its service orientation and has installed various IT gadgets to make the system more efficient. Here is a list of those technology gadgets, which are being used by Asda in its business operations to make the customer more satisfied. Self Check-out machines. Wireless Devices. Electronic Shelf and Labeling Electronic Tracker Electronic Fund Transfer System Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). These technologies have increased the value of these activities being performed in stores and making it more efficient. Now you have all kinds of solutions available under one roof of Asda. I.T. Integration: In this challenging time, the corporations are facing a rapidly increasing rivalry with changing environment and business tendencies. For long term survival in the business, the companies have to predict the change and adopt it as well. To endure and compete in this modern world it is compulsory to innovate in the technology, operational processes and improvement in the products and services. When you are in the business of retailing, you have to keep these things in your mind. You have to ensure; Proper Implementation of the systems to control and record all the stock. Arranged record of all the previously delivered products. Analysis of every business transactions properly. The above mentioned are some factors that should be analyzed properly, as IT has many solutions that are beyond the traditional support role. Asda should also have adequate execution of extranet service it will be beneficial for the company. Here the internet will help to create customers circle and flow of customized information among the business partners and the company. Asda has taken an initiative to introduce the extranet system. The system can provide connection with the business partners online and provides the opportunity to build relationships with the partners and delivering the easiest way of accessing the retailing services of Asda. There are many technological advances and systems that can support business operations. Asda has implemented some which includes like wireless devices, intelligent scale, electronic shelf labeling, self checkout machine and radio frequency identification systems. These systems can help the company in achieving its long term and short term goals and also the target to control the cost of operational processes and provide proper control upon the volume of the products and services. Store and Inventory Management: The inside store inventory management system of Asda is very effective because of the RFID technology used to store the information of the inventory and dealers information is also available with them which helps in making the process much reliable. Channels management system: The way it deals with its suppliers and other business partners that is really recommendable. As we discussed early that, value chain means to take care of not only your own value but he value chain of your network partner. Asda is working with a vast variety of suppliers across the world, being a major retailer with a diverse range of products and employed employees from very different ethnic groups and cultures. It is included in the policy of the company that it should maintain very healthy relationships with the suppliers and work with mutual concerns. The addition of technology in controlling the work pattern with the suppliers can improve the communication of the company with the suppliers. Asda has a good network of communication with the suppliers because of Wall-mart but still it need to improve and add a technology that will be easily accessible by the suppliers and understandable also at the same time. The communication network should be very clear and effective between the supplier and the company. The record of all the required products should be clearly mentioned by the company to the supplier it will help in building a long term business. The contractors in the loop will be able to promote the orders and it will improve the conditions and steps included in the supply chain. However, we see some loop holes in trade union relationship. In August 2005, the manager of a depot in Wakefield spoke out what were called foreign-sounding names over the communal address system ordering them to report instantaneously to the managers office. At least one was threatened with the sack unless he produced his passport the next day. The highly public initiative by management, which came within weeks of the 7 July bombings in London was followed by a flurry contempt for Muslims and their religion.  [9]   Loop Holes in the System: In December 2007 Asda, Sainsburys and other retailers admitted to price fixing dairy products between 2002 and 2003. Asda commented, Everyone at Asda regrets what happened, particularly as we are passionate about lowering prices. Our intention was to provide more money for dairy farmers, who were under severe financial pressure at the time. So far in total these retailers have been fined  £116  million. Apart from this, we can see some of these problems Asda is leader brand and has massive business around the world. The strategies to control the business and increase the customer satisfaction and maximize the revenues are the ultimate goal of the company. There are some issues that are found within the company that are follows: Lack of expertise. No record maintenance of the stock. Slow delivery to the customers Logistics deficiency No proper control of distribution channels. Recommendations: On the basis of the secondary data it has been proved that Flexibility in the work place is required because than the change will be adopted easily. The cost structure is varied at multiple places. In order to implement some efficient functions following steps should be taken: Customer Service Strategic Procurement Supplier Connectivity and Order Fulfilment Manufacturing Flow Portfolio Management Sales Cycle Efficiency Reduction in unproductive time Long term plans should be made related to technology The above mentioned factors are at the initial level in the Asda company and can be handled very easily as Asda has many excellent and efficient ways to solve major problems. Asda also always takes care of its systems and processes but the only problem is the adoption of change which is very slow. Asda is a very large company which includes a large number of technological systems that are developed for the benefit of the company. Company also believes in fast transactions but the delivery process is still very slow in many areas, the customer order is sometimes ignored also due to lack of a communication tool. Approach to Operations Improvement Effective operations and processes allow a business to maximize its efficiency as well as revenues. It is necessary to understand the optimizing and streamlining the business activities and processes so that the output can be maximized. The processes should be built purely for the purpose of maximizing the customer satisfaction, profitability and increase effectiveness in the output. To deliver the right good at the right place on the right time is the ultimate goal of the company but deeply requires the integration of the supply chain management and business processes and the contribution of buyers and suppliers, also joint product development, common systems within the company franchises and frequently shared information with the customers, suppliers and vendors.

Othello, the Image Machine Essay -- Othello essays

Othello, the Image Machine  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeare’s drama Othello presents a full panoply of diverse imagery that cannot be described briefly. Let’s spend some attention on this subject which has so many examples in the play.    Alvin Kernan’s â€Å"Othello: an Introduction† explains how the â€Å"symbolic geography† imagery of the play create a particular image of space and time:    We can begin to see this pattern in the â€Å"symbolic geography† of the play. Every play, or work of art, creates its own particular image of space and time, its own symbolic world. The outer limits of the world of Othello are defined by the Turks – the infidels,   the unbelievers, the â€Å"general enemy† as the play calls them – who, just over the horizon, sail back and forth trying to confuse and trick the Christians in order to invade their dominions and destroy them. Out beyond the horizon, reported but unseen, are also those â€Å"anters vast and deserts idle† of which Othello speaks. Out there is a land of â€Å"rough quarries, rocks and hills whose heads touch heaven† inhabited by â€Å"cannibals that each other eat† and monstrous forms of men â€Å"whose heads grow beneath their shoulders.† (76-77)    There is no shortage of imagery in the play; this is for certain. Critic Caroline Spurgeon in â€Å"Shakespeare’s Imagery and What it Tells Us† sorts through the plethora of imagery in the play:    The main image in Othello is that of animals in action, preying upon one another, mischievous, lascivious, cruel or suffering, and through these, the general sense of pain and unpleasantness is much increased and kept constantly before us. More than half the animal images in the play are Iago’s, and all these are contemptuous or repellent: a plague of flies, a qua... ...ore Evans. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1974.    Kernan, Alvin. â€Å"Othello: and Introduction.† Shakespeare: The Tragedies. Ed. Alfred Harbage. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc., 1964.    Mack, Maynard. Everybody’s Shakespeare: Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies. Lincoln, NB: University of Nebraska Press, 1993.    Muir, Kenneth. Introduction. William Shakespeare: Othello. New York: Penguin Books, 1968.    Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.    Spurgeon, Caroline. â€Å"Shakespeare’s Imagery and What it Tells Us.† Shakespearean Tragedy. Ed. D. F. Bratchell. New York: Routledge, 1990.    Wilson, H. S. On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy. Canada: University of Toronto Press, 1957.      

A Detailed Speech Outline

This page explains how to make a detailed outline of a speech. It should be remembered that depending on the type of speech, the outline may vary. However, if you base your speeches on this outline you should be able to make a successful speech. In order to make a detailed and useful outline you must understand the structure of a speech. The basic structure of a speech and how to make a simple outline has been explained on another page. On that page it was shown that there are three main parts to a speech; The Introduction, The Body, and The Conclusion. These three parts can be further broken down.The structure of these three main parts can be seen in the outline below. A presentation outline is a way to organize your material logically and clearly. You should make an outline before you start to write a speech. In fact the writing of a speech comes towards the end of the speech creation process (see '11 Steps to Creating a Speech'). By using a presentation outline, you can â€Å"see † your speech and determine where you need to add or revise information. It provides the structure for the introduction, body, and conclusion of your speech. In addition, it can serve as your speaking script.This outline consists of Four parts; The Header, The Introduction, The Body, and The Conclusion. Before you start writing your speech you should make an outline using these 4 headings and their sub headings. 1. Header Topic Decide on your topic. Audience Analyze your audience. What do they already know about your topic? Are they interested in the topic? Refine and limit topic Based on your analysis of the audience you may need to slightly change you topic, by either changing the focus, or the scale of the topic. Purpose Statement Write down a clear statement of what it is you intend to achieve.What is the purpose of your speech. For example; The purpose of this speech is to inform the audience how to travel in Japan without spending to much money. Organizational Method or Pattern There is no single way to organize a speech. The pattern you will select will be determined by the information you have and the specific purpose you want to achieve. There are six basic patterns for organizing a speech: Logical or topical Chronological Spatial Classification Problem-Solution Cause-effect Once you have completed these five parts of the ‘Header', you are then ready to start planning the speech itself. . Introduction Greeting and Attention getter How will you greet the audience? How will you get the audience's attention? Think of a sentence that will make the audience sit up and listen. Thesis Statement The ‘purpose statement' is where you simply state what your goal is. However, it is not possible to use this in the speech. You need to convert it to a ‘thesis statement'. A thesis statement is one sentence in the introduction in which you declare your purpose and topic. For example, a thesis statement of the above purpose statement would be; à ¢â‚¬ËœTraveling in Japan need not be an extravagance. Credibility If the audience do not know who you are, you will not only need to introduce yourself, but you will also need to ‘establish your credibility'. This means you will have to explain to the audience why you are ‘qualified' to speak about the subject. Outline of main the points – overview What are your main points? Why? Tell your audience why you think your presentation will be useful to them. 3. The body Transition Think of a sentence that will make it clear to the audience that you have finished the introduction, and are now about to start the body of the speech.Main points and ideas Main ideas Supporting ideas Details & Examples Visuals Write your main points and ideas hereWhat ideas will you tell the audience to support your main points? What details or examples do you have? Will you have any visuals to help explain your points? main ideas = sub-topics supporting ideas = sub-sub topics evidence = det ails and examples 4. The conclusion Transition Think of a sentence that will make it clear to the audience that you have finished the body and are now coming to the end of the speech. Restatement of main pointsSummarize your main ideas and think of which piece of information you really want the audience to remember. Closer Think of a final sentence to help the audience remember your speech. Note that the presentation outline is not a word-for-word script for the speech but an outline of ideas to serve as an organizational and presentation tool for the speaker. Once you have finished the outline you are then ready to start writing. Copy this into a word processor document, and use the headings to make your own outline for your demonstration speech.

Descartes s Theory Of Skepticism, The Evil Demon, And God

Explain and evaluate Rene Descartes argument for knowledge including the role of skepticism, the evil demon, and god in resolving his doubts. Rene Descartes argues that a rational method is required to have knowledge. Descartes wants to determine which, if any beliefs, he has that are certain must be true! He employs a method of doubt whereby he hopes to find at least one foundational belief. The Evil Demon suggests that all of one’s experiences might be the result of a powerful outside force, a â€Å"Malicious demon†. Descartes had 3 types of beliefs: Beliefs about the world- Optical illusions, Beliefs about self- Dreaming and Beliefs about Math/Science- Evil Demon. He employs a method of doubt whereby he arrives at his one foundational belief. The evil demon can trick you into belief. According to Descartes a being cannot have knowledge of a being higher of the scale, unless the higher being imparts that knowledge to him. His limited intellect could never hope to comp rehend God unless God imparted the Knowledge. Since Descartes has a clear and distinct notion of God, God must exist. Since God exists and all is good, all of Descartes previous doubts were washed away. God would not allow an evil being to deceive us. 2. Explain and evaluate Thomas Hobbes view that all objects are material, including thoughts, feelings and ideas. The only thing that exists are â€Å"bodies in motion†. According to Hobbes, thoughts, ideas and feelings are physical entities explained by motions in theShow MoreRelatedDescartes s Theory Of Knowledge1834 Words   |  8 PagesDescartes theorized that in order to acquire knowledge, there essentially is some rational technique for attaining it, and that the expenditure of the senses, or any other individual capability was not a dependable basis. In his third meditation he says, â€Å"I know that even bodies are not perceived by the senses, or by the faculty of imagination, but by the intellect alone (69). As a rationalist Descartes supposed that this withstood identically for everyone, that all people have rational learned conceptsRead MorePhilosophy C100 Quiz 121572 Words   |  7 Pagesphilosophical question:    | Is there a God? |    | Does the end justify the means? |    | What form of government is best? |    | What is Time? |   X | All of the above. | 3.   An argument is a reason for accepting a position.    X | True |    | False | 4.    The area of philosophy concerned with values includes    | Ethics |    | Aesthetics |    | Social/political philosophy |   X | All of the above |    | None of the above | 5.    Trying to argue that God exists because it says so in theRead MoreAn Explanation Of An Argument Against The Absurdity Of Thinking Essay2369 Words   |  10 Pagesholds no weight as to the validity of said premise, showing that we must provide some type of justification, whether proven or otherwise to defend our opinions and conclude value for arguments. To accept this rationale would equate to accepting skepticism across all epistemic philosophical questioning, thus questioning any and all previous, current and future shared information. The reliability of sources in the context of Comment [JB1]: You need a title Comment [JB2]: Each of these sentencesRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pagesindicator words. You cannot rely on if to indicate a premise. Here is why. In argument A below, the word if is followed by a premise, but in argument B it is part of the conclusion. A. If, as we know, all men are mortal and Jeremiah is a man, not a god, then he is mortal, too. B. If a mercury thermometer is given prolonged heating, it will break. This is because prolonged heating will cause the mercury to expand a great deal. But the thermometer will break apart whenever the mercury expands this