Author: chris

Intro to Art

Introduction

In the past, not everything was viewed to be art but currently art is realized after the artist has completed the art. In the introduction to art, very many methods are learnt on how to describe analyze and criticize the work of art. Especially when it come to pictures there are several techniques and strategies are learned. These techniques can be shown clearly by the use of several pictures to identify the work of art.

Discussion

Question 1

            The human figures of the two artworks are those of the body of a woman. In first picture of the two, contains four women in a room preferably a bedroom due to the bed, which is in the picture. The second picture contains three women who are entangled in their emotions. The two arts of work might have draw to mean how the people view the women in general or how the women feel about their bodies.

The two pictures have been drawn by the use of several techniques, which are very similar, but also they have differences. One of the similarities is that the artist has used expressionism because they have used the concentrated very much on the different emotions rather than perfecting the picture. The difference between the two pictures is that the first picture shows women who are happy with their bodies and the second picture shows women who are sad or entangled by emotions. The artist of the two pictures come from a social point of view by showing because he is trying to show some immoralities which are their in the community.

Question 2

Impressionism can be defined the use of its characteristics where the art is thin small but it is visible. Mostly the piece of art uses light to show the different effects that it can cause in a picture. To show its movement the art usually contains some rather unusual angles and the human experience and experience. Expressionism can be defined as the work of where the emotions and the feelings of the artist are expressed rather than the perfection of the physical object.

In the art above the artist has expressionism to express his or her feelings because he has not concentrated much on perfecting the objects in the picture but he, she has expressed what he, or she feels. If the picture is critically looked, there are some articles, which are in the back, and the picture might be a box containing reading materials. This shows that the artist is interested in reading especially those books, which are technological. Therefore, the artist has been played an important role used this artwork to communicate to the viewers that he or she has been consumed and fascinated by the modern technology. This kind of communication is a form of consumerism where the artist has shown how technology has consumed him or her.

The artist has very modern strategies to shown his or her expression by the use of more visible objects but they cannot be clearly understood since they are very complicated. He has used this to a great extend because the objects in the picture cannot be clearly identified but the idea or the feeling has been communicated to the viewer. Therefore, the artist has employed the modern methods of art very much.

Question 3

The artwork urinal by Duchamp is another peace of art where it shows pictures, which are ready made. This means that the artist drew a picture of a urinal the way it was without even changing anything or showing any emotions in the picture. Therefore, the artwork was presumed ready made (Jones, 2008). A good example of the ready-made picture is the Dadaism. It involves the visual arts and art theory to show some movement yet it is ready made. Another example of the readymade art is the digital art like the picture “proposal” (Sargent, 2011). These two forms are ready made pictures because they concentrate on the perfection of the picture rather than the emotions of the feeling. They usually show a real event that has occurred.

Conclusion

            Art is very diverse but the ways the viewers view the art depends on the different understanding of the viewer. However, it is important to note that art is critically analyzed by the use description, analysis, objectives and what the viewer thinks about the art. Lastly, art is realized when the artist has finished his or her work.

 

References

Sargent, M., (2011). Comments and commentary on digital art. Museum of Computer Art. Retrieved From: http://moca.virtual.museum/mary/archive/marypage49.htm

Jones, J., (2008). Reinventing the wheel. Guardian. Retrieved From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/feb/09/art

 

Good Will Hunting: Ramanujan Reincarnated

Movies are meant to entertain a person and make him or her wish to watch them every now and then without any boredom. Good Will Hunting is a movie that demonstrates the life of a young man’s hustles to improve his status as he tries to find a place in the world and to succeed in intimacy with others. This movie tries to expose the numerical realm that is extending throughout the minds of a brilliant mathematical prodigy. Will is the main character who is generally tough and a naturally gifted orphan from Boston’s Southside. The movie tries to reveal the gaps and psychological issues that a mind struggles to overcome because the community is full of people that are difficult to trust and love.

Good Will Hunting managed to reflect the life of a tough genius who comes between two lands. These include the land of genius and the land of mediocrity with a nightmare that is permanently unwilling to leave him alone. However, with Robin William playing the role of therapist who has a sorrowful past, the bright and shy minds get an opportunity to become beacons. Good Will Hunting, which is directed by Gus Van Saint, succeeded in reflecting the powers that a human mind is capable of possessing and the ability of several minds to communicate across the distances that separate them. “Some shine, others stand in awe and contemplate the glass; others feel the pain that lies underneath the glass and understand” (Damon, 1997). The whole process is followed by the silent and feminine movement that succeeds at extending the heart in the chest of a man suffering from agony and love. Matt Damon and Minnie driver failed to develop a cute amalgamation in the movie, but they were able to show how broken wounds are healed.

Different movies are inspirational and tend to remind us of people who used to live on this planet. Will Hunting is not only a mathematics prodigy who experienced physical abuse during his childhood but also a shadow that reminds the people of the Indian mathematical genius. Ramanujan was discovered by another mathematical mastermind, G.H. Hardy who brought him from India to Cambridge for his magnificent mind that talks numbers. As an aggressive genius, working at MIT, Will finds himself finally without a shroud but the pains do still sizzle on his skin, in his head and in his eyes.

Mathematics and its music were available in the movies although at a very low tone. A good number of people have developed fear for mathematics because it reminds them of low grades at high school. However, movies and especially art should act as a means of making things right for people with mathematics phobia. Good Will Hunting could have reflected the essence of mathematics in an improved way instead of briefing only on small and minor questions scattered on papers and chalkboard. Some individuals would complain that the movie is serious and dull.

However, the movie was full of light, by which I mean that there were scenes, which the director was able to design in very creative and sometimes surrealistic ways. During the start of this movie, it succeeded in holding the attention of the viewers by allowing a book opening on  the floor and closed books piled in that space. For instance, a bed placed in the center of the room with a young man resting on a chair, a book in his hand while flipping the pages and pondering alone with a bright bulb dangling freely from the ceiling although it was morning. The music played by Danny Elfman was suitable for this scene. “Music and a mind thinking in silence ….before a hand raps on the door” (Damon, 1997). Will leaves with his closest friend Chucky, played by Ben Affleck, and the music slowly fades away leaving the viewer wondering what will come next. One of the beautiful scenes in the movie is when Will is studying his therapist’s painting at the office: “a boat struggling amidst the unmerciful waves… dreaming of the harbor… but not one seemed to appear in the distance” (Damon, 1997). The music in this scene was mesmerizing, as it was also able to translate the agony with which the painting was imbued.

In the beginning, the movie succeeded in holding the attention of the viewer; opened books on the floor and closed books piled in that space. Therefore, the movie contributes to the self-knowledge of mathematics. It also educates us about the importance of social class. For instance, we learn that Will’s background made him not improve in his talents and not just the way he used to suffer. However, social reality is not everything, and the personal struggle of Will is seen to be the centre of the movie. Therefore, it is good to develop a good heart. It will be to our advantage to examine our treatment as a community of these gifted persons. Talent in mathematics is from within and although it remains lodged in us as useless, there is a purpose reward for developing it.

 

  

References

Damon, M. (1997). Good Will Hunting: a screenplay. New York, NY: Miramax Books.

Qatar Economy

The most notable weaknesses with regard to the Qatar trade environment regards to the issue of globalization. The liberalization approach has accorded significant growth within the nation’s economy as the export and import factors have been enhanced. Last year, the economic expansion was accorded to the oil industry whose exports accorded a near twofold and thereby according a proportionate increase within the nation’s monetary inflows. However, the purchasing power hinged to the additional inflows has considerably been reduced by the heightened levels of price increases due to deflation activities attributable to global trade. Currency fluctuations have amplified this issue, especially with the fact that the nation employs the dollar as its standard measure. Consequently, this has inhibited the capacity of the state authorities to control the level of prices through monetary policies like the amplification of interest rates. Additionally, the prices cannot be checked through exchange revaluation towards a downward review of import overheads due to bloc trading regulations instituted by the Gulf Monetary Union.

Adjacent to the economic challenges infused by the liberalization approach, increased cultural divergences also bear a significant weakness within the Qatar trading needs. The nation is primarily an Islamic state with the main language being the Arabic dialect. Subsequently, the same is accorded as an official language within the work environment and this has created severe communication problems with overseas investors. The intricate nature of Islamic ideals with regard to trading practices in the business world has led to various constraints. For instance, the Islamic religion prohibits interest charges with loaning practices and this has hindered the expansion of banking and other financial institutions within the region. As the money supply is reduced or constantly held to the consumers, the economic expansion need is affected. Additionally, cultural perspectives have adverse affect on business dealings as it has led to segregation instances within the preference to business and trading partners. Qatar natives accord positive impressions concerning foreigners with the ability of one to accord proficiency with regard to the Arabic language. This approach is quite unhealthy to the economic progression of the regions as beneficial investments are inhibited by the function.

 

 

Next-Generation Brain Controller

Speech for the Business Plan

Trade-off

In line with Porter’s set of laws pertaining to strategic management, a company should concentrate a large portion of its resources on the promotion of new commodities into the market. The company by the name of Six Sense has a similar goal in mind directed at promoting its new creation, Next-Generation Brain Controller (NGB), so that it can cross the threshold into the market. Even though our market has inadequate resources to promote all the other commodities, we have the plan to utilize the restricted resources to facilitate the product to find its place into the market. Because of some factors beyond our control such as the external factors, we are unable to market multiple products at once. Next-Generation Brain Controller being a new product in the market, demands a lot of our time as a company so that we can manage to fulfill the several objectives and goals set by the product.

Our company’s major objective is to develop a competitive advantage so that we can manage to meet the high market competition. This will be achieved through putting extra energy into the new product and participating a lot in marketing activities. Competitive advantage in the market is very important; therefore, through this our product will be in a better position to attract the necessary market share. By means of competitive advantage, the company gets an assurance that NGB gets adequate promotion in the market through innovative and potentially efficient modes of marketing. These include participating in awareness campaigns such as public exhibitions and market fairs that are aimed at providing potential customers with the necessary information about the advantages of using NGB.

According to trade-off strategy, our company will find out both the external and internal situations that may influence our product distribution. In dealing with external factors that are beyond our control, several measures will be strategized to find the best means of achieving the objective and market share. NGB will utilize the contemporary and sophisticated modes of marketing to endorse its performance. More information concerning the product will be received after the product has been used by consumers where they will provide us with feedback concerning the product. This will enable us to improve on weak areas and make the strong areas stronger.

Fit

We will ensure that all the methods and elements used fit together just as proposed by porter’s strategic management. All aspects of production have been put together since our new product is developed by the use of new technology. Due to this, our product has won the trust from the consumers meaning that various demands of our customers will be met. In order for our new product to attract many customers, we plan to keep on upgrading the product by the use of the new technology. Therefore, to achieve this, a market survey will be performed so that we can identify the weak areas of the product through the feedbacks received from the customers.

Continuity of direction

In order for a company to prosper, it needs to have a vision and mission. This is vital as these formulate a clear strategy that is applicable in accordance to Porter’s sixth policy of management. Next-Generation Brain Controller needs to have continuity in order to improve its products to higher levels (Young 56). We intend to have diverse vision, mission and objective and avoid focusing too much on financial matters. This is because an organization will be strained in meeting the demands of the clientele if it bases the continuity of direction on fiscal conditions. A diverse strategy will therefore form a good foundation for an organization to meet such demands to the benefit of the consumers as well as its own.

 

Works Cited

Young, Paul. Business plan. New York, NY:  Global Media, 2007. Print.

Partnership Law and Securities

Partnership Law

Brown is not entitled to a higher level of profits than her partner Stratum is. Both individuals accorded varying capital shares, with Brown offering the lesser contribution of $10,000 while Stratum accords $120,000. Additionally, the parties agree to the fact that Brown would compensate her capital deficit by according management services to the company. Generally, LLC laws view management and capital contributions as equal processes since they both work towards the acquisition of the business’ revenues (Alberty, 2005). Therefore, as both are treated as equal contributors within the company, profits should also be spilt within the same basis.

Brown and Stratum’s LLC has employed the management approach that accords supervision responsibilities to them as the only company members (Crane, 2006). Note that, the approach accords equal privileges to both individuals with regard to the management requirement and therefore, had Stratum proposed to award his son a management position paralleling that of Brown, then she bore legal ability to protest against the strategy. Stratum’s son can only be accorded a management position as a third party and this does not accord any powers over Brown, who is a member of the company.

Brown will be entitled to both profit share and capital reimbursement (Ugarkovic, 2007). With the company having a current value of $500, 000, then it translates to a combined profit of $300,000, each member bearing an own share of $150,000, as the capital contributions are termed as equal. The capital should be reimbursed within a period of not less than six months whereas the profits have to be accorded at the stipulated period of twenty-five years upon the clearance of the company’s outstanding expenditures and liabilities.

Upon the withdrawal from the company, Brown is not under any trade obligation from Stratum and she is therefore free to venture into any organization, inclusive of the initial company’s rivals.

Securities

The sales of securities can take two major forms with the initial one marked by currency exchange. The general set period for the actual end of the transaction is accorded as three days, the expiry of which leads to the breach of a sale agreement and consequently the absolution of the arrangement. A sale is only achieved once the purchaser is accorded the securities while the seller is accorded the financial dues within the specified trading association (Curley, 2008). Alternatively, the purchaser may opt to accord to the seller other forms of securities. In case of the latter option, the same duration rules are also employed within the association with the actual sale being sealed with the transfer of the assets from both the seller and the purchaser. A notable trend is therefore notable in both approaches, as evidenced by the title exchanges regarding the transmission of ownership from one individual to another.

In context of the accorded situation, Capital General Corporation (CGC) acted as a broker between Amenity Inc. (AI) and Utah Securities Division (USD). Within the 90,000 allocated shares accorded to CGC customers, trading acquaintances and other business links, none of the associations can be termed as a sale since no monetary exchange was accorded within the process. Additionally, there were no title or assets transfers within the dealings, thereby maintaining the allocated shares as AI’s property. With the acquisition bit however, it meant that USD absorbed the securities into their legal ownership, and this is inclusive of the 90,000 component. USD may therefore decide to recall back the allotted amount of shares, or accord an actual sale to the temporal holders. Therefore, the $25,000 dollars accorded to CGC by USD is the broker fee for the sales arrangement.

 

 

 

 

References

Alberty, S. C. (2005). Limited Liability Companies: A Planning and Drafting Guide, 2005 Supplement. Philadelphia, PA: ALI-ABA.

Crane, F. (2006). Limited Liability Company for Group Investments. Florence, AL: Zyrus Press.

Curley, M. T. (2008). Margin Trading from A to Z: A Complete Guide to Borrowing, Investing and Regulation. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.

Ugarkovic, M. (2007). Profit Sharing and Company Performance. Stamford, CT: DUV.

 

Social Responsibility at McDonalds

Introduction

Social responsibility has grown from being a public relation tool or a philanthropic cause to making a pillar of the strategic decision-making process. It is seen as an ideology that a company has a responsibility to benefit the society. This responsibility can be either passive or active. In this manner, companies behave ethically and with sensitivity towards social, economic and cultural matters. Striving for social responsibility helps this companies have a positive impact on development, business and humanity with a positive involvement to bottom line results (Korgen 39). These businesses should contribute morally to the welfare of the community.

The McDonald Company

The McDonald Corporate was started in 1954 by the pioneer who revolutionized the American food industry, Raymond Kroc. It is one of the most valuable brands in the world. McDonalds Corporation is the world’s largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants. McDonalds serves over 58 million customers world wide on a daily basis. In spite of the company having its roots in the US, McDonalds today has become an acknowledged citizen of the world. The restaurant is operated by a franchise, a partner or the corporation itself. The corporation‘s revenues come from rent, fees by franchises or royalties. McDonalds primarily sells cheeseburgers, French fries, breakfast items, hamburgers, chicken products, shakes, desserts and soft drinks.

The company’s social responsibility record

The customer’s opinion is a prime factor that influences the products’ success. The quality of the product is fundamental to the customer. It may be presented as the physical product and customer service. At McDonalds, the packaging of the product is guaranteed and the customer service efficient. Since McDonalds sells globally, it has accustomed to the way of living of the people. In India, a very different menu is presented to the customer. McDonalds has gone to the extent of observing the social habits of the Indians and has made an international offering on their menu. Among many other countries with different specialties accustomed to their way of living, India is the only country that McDonalds serves a vegetarian menu including sauces and cheese. The pricing strategy at McDonalds revolves around a number of things that include the price listings, the reduction functions available, and the financing alternatives available. This is important to note because this is how the revenue is made at McDonalds. The price has to take into deliberation for a suitable demand supply equation.

The company has qualified management, high quality food, advanced operational systems and unique global infrastructure. The company’s worldwide strategy is to be the best employer for people in each community. It delivers optional excellence to customers in each community around the world. The corporate has business practices that meet the needs of the ever-changing world. According to the McDonalds Company, social responsibility is not a program that starts and ends. It is an ongoing commitment. The company has accomplished a lot and gives back to the community, a principle by the founder of the corporate. In the very same way McDonalds continues to give, the corporate and its franchisee are known to support various local schools, youth polytechnic teams, senior citizen groups, safety awareness campaigns, literacy programs and other projects.

The McDonalds has a registered charity, Ronald McDonald Children’s Charity (RMCC) that helps children in need. It helps improve the physical and emotional value in children with life threatening diseases or disabilities and their families. This charity homes are spread in 24 countries with 240 house programs. The house programs accommodate 25,000 family members of children who must undergo treatment at associated hospitals. McDonalds works with suppliers to promote socially responsible practices in its supply chain strategy. This is part of its wider framework for corporate social responsibility. McDonalds has a code of conduct for its suppliers on how they should treat their employees. The company has gone to the extent of having social accountability throughout the supply chain as part of its supply chain strategy.

How a company’s social responsibility record influences the consumer behavior

It is a common trend today for the use of corporate social responsibility as an initiative to influence consumer and differentiate product offerings. Research shows that it builds on the growing market, through analysis that manipulates the consumers’ insight to fit. Motivation and timing in the corporate world, is a social initiative embedded with promotions. Business ethics in the corporate world is about prioritizing moral values and ensuring that behavior is aligned to those values. Social responsibility in marketing covers a wide array of issues (Massey 172). Examples are political and social marketing, consumerism, environmentalism and regulation. Most companies are playing part in the social responsibility act. McDonalds is ranked as the number one most admired food services company. It is one of the most recognizable logos and spokes character. Research shows that at the Packard children’s hospital center for healthy wealth, children between the age of three and five were given food in the McDonalds packaging. The same children were offered food without the packaging; they refused to eat the food without the packaging even after being offered the food more than once. This is a sign of the brand selling its product.

The McDonalds is a social responsible company. The fact that the corporate has a very strong name and recognizable characters make it very efficient reaching out to the large target group. The company is trying to face out its number one threat, the growing number of obesity cases in America. It now offers fruit wraps and salads in the menu across the world. McDonalds ensures that food and beverages served to the customers are safe. This includes working with suppliers who test and track their supplies. McDonalds implemented a host of family-friendly policies that fit workers. It has made a work schedule for mothers that live in America and work for the company, allowing them time to be with their children and take care of the domestic chores (Miller 93).

The McDonalds corporate has a number of animal welfare guiding principles. The Company being in the food industry ensures that it provides the customer with safe food products. The corporate believes in treating animals with care and respect. This is a quality in their welfare-guiding principal. It does not support cruel treatment to animals and addresses animal welfare issues. Experts have helped McDonalds to establish criteria in which it can measure the efficiency to the welfare practices. McDonalds encourages suppliers to conduct self-audits of how they treat the animals and should involve third parties.

Conclusion

Looking at the McDonalds SWOT analysis shows that its strengths include its strong global presence with its nearest competitor being only half its size. McDonalds is the domestic leader in both the local and international markets. It shows a prospective of taking up the food industry. Though it has its strengths, the corporate feels the impact of food saturation and as a result affected the market saturation. The company has opportunities of focusing on leading outlets in the world. It has slowed down in the expansion of other outlets but concentrated in the existing ones. It is however threatened by the changes in the global economy. The fluctuation of the foreign currency is a drawback for a global company of its kind. Despite the corporate being a fast food chain of restaurants it has sought to include healthy meals in its menu. McDonalds has reached the minority in the world through its house programs in the world. In Thailand where the wages range from 50-75 cents an hour, McDonalds has reduced its prices to less than a dollar for persons whose wage is approximately 250 dollars a month. This initiative shows its need to reach the minority. From the start McDonalds has been committed on doing right. It has policies in place that allow it to size and scope to help make a difference.                    Works Cited

Korgen, Kathleen. Contemporary Readings in Sociology. Los Angeles: Pine Forge Press, 2008. Print.

Massey, Garth. Readings for Sociology. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Co, 2009. Print.

Miller, Barbara. “Community Stakeholders and Marketplace Advocacy: a Model of Advocacy, Agenda Building, and Industry Approval.” Journal of Public Relations Research. 22.1 (2010): 85-112. Print.

 

The Financial Perspective

Introduction

Saatchi & Saatchi is a leading creative organization in the industry of communication services that range from advertising, marketing strategy, and production of media channels. In the 1970s and 80s, the company grew fast through mergers and acquisitions, but was to later to face a tough financial situation in the 1990s. In this decade, the company was affected by recession; in 1995, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, and new management was put in place as the Saatchi brothers left. There was no common vision among the 45 agencies, each with its own goals that did not match the corporate vision, and communication among the agencies was poor and needed restructuring. The company was merged to others, and acting independently was not possible.

At this time, the new management adopted a two-pronged strategy that was the customer perspective and the financial perspective. For the financial perspective, the company set new goals that were aimed at improving the financial stability of the company, and reducing costs. The first goal was growing the revenue base better than the market. The second goal was converting 30% of the increased revenue into operating profit, and the third goal was doubling the earnings per share. The management aimed to do this through de-merging from the other companies, so that they could rule their own destiny creatively and independently. The goals were embraced by the shareholders since their desire was to realize value for their wealth (Robin, n.d.).

Analysis

In order to achieve the goals, the management team had to restructure the internal processes, and find out the best way to invest and where. To achieve this, the company did a financial check and recognized the agencies that brought in more revenue, and they categorized them into three types of agencies, each with specific strategies and obligations. These agencies were ‘prosper’ agency, ‘drive’ and ‘lead’, which were categorized in terms of size and ability to make growth. With the categories, the company knew better which to invest heavily on and which not to, each category was given a specific strategy and role to achieve (Greenhalgh, 2004)

Prosper’ agency, under which most agencies fall was to be comprised of less than 50 employees and they were not meant to grow into big agencies. The strategy in these agencies was to maintain or grow their revenues slightly, but also had to grow their margins, and they received the least investment. Drive agencies were the second category that had between 50 – 150 employees, and its responsibilities included maintaining their revenue and growing though not rapidly, and growing its margins. These agencies received little share of investment. Lead agencies were the big ones, such as those located in the major places as New York, and had the responsibility of growing rapidly and increasing their revenues and revenue margins highly, since most of the investment went to this category. With strategies for each category, it was easier to monitor the success or failure of each agency easily.

Saatchi & Saatchi also adopted customer-oriented strategies aimed at retaining customers through creative service provision. Since 70%-80% of their revenue came from their clients, all the agencies were presented with the responsibility of focusing their attention on core client base, where the management coined the phrase, “ Permanent Infatuated Clients, PICs,” (Greenhalgh, 2004). All the agencies were supposed to focus on the large revenue-earning clients, irrespective of how much percentage revenue a client would bring to a particular agency. For instance, if a client is global, and an agency in Vietnam may not benefit as much from the client as an agency in New York, it was supposed to continue giving services that satisfy the client as long as it brought more revenue to the whole company. In order to make PICs, all agencies were charged with creating big ideas, which were referred to as BFIs, ‘big fabulous ideas’ that would transform business and create better brands and reputation of businesses of the clients. Creating an environment conducive for creativity among all the agencies as well as using people who added to the company’s tradition of creativity was imposed in all the agencies as a strategy to enhance big fabulous ideas. These strategies answer how Saatchi & Saatchi will deliver the service to the customers, and creating what they want as well as satisfying them, which is the aim of customer perspective (Niven, n.d.).

Conclusion

            The new strategies in Saatchi and Saatchi designed for each agency were quite sensible to ensure that all the agencies worked towards one goal, of achieving a bigger financial base, as well as growing its margin. Giving a strategy for each agency helped the company to handle its customers well, and utilize its resources to achieve optimum output. The first strategy of categorization that determined how much investment would be drilled into each strategy served to ensure investments were in the right place for the right purpose. For instance, prosper agencies received the least investments and were not expected to grow, but rather, to maintain revenue and increase margin. Expanding such an agency would have been harder since more investments would be required and only little revenue would be generated in the near future, as opposed to the big agencies; hence, investing in the bigger agencies ensured that the investments realized the optimum results faster, in both long term and short term periods..

After the acquisition, the balanced score card would have to change a little to incorporate the mission of the parent company. Since the financial perspective in the company was to increase the revenue, this would still be expected after acquisition. However, creating a value for the parent company would have to be looked into, hence the balanced score card would undergo a little change to match the parent company, but will still remain with its contents. The two prongs adopted by the new management in Saatchi & Saatchi worked in synthesis to achieve the company’s goal of creating value for shareholders. In order to achieve the financial goals, the company had to focus on the customer-oriented strategy that ensured customer loyalty, and reduced the costs of airing new customers. If the service was not customer focused, very few clients would have been converted into PICs, and the revenue could have gone down. Both prongs served to complement each other since none could be gotten without the other in a service industry.

Evaluation

Meshing up customer perspectives with customer perspectives can either reinforce or conflict. In Saatchi & Saatchi, to increase the revenue meant increasing customers and customer loyalty. “…there are a number of interrelated factors that must be in place to succeed. Possibly customer satisfaction must be enhanced to increase the number of customers or increase the loyalty of existing customers’” (My Strategic Plan, n.d.). In the case of Saatchi & Saatchi, the strategy of creating PICs meant retaining customers and BFIs aimed at creating new customers and turning them into BFIs, which increased customers. Hence, more revenue was achieved, which was a financial goal. Meshing the customer perspective strategy was a complement to the financial perspective.

In my opinion, the strategy was implemented excellently since it achieved the targeted goals six months earlier than expected. This is an illustration of successful implementation of the strategy. In Saatchi & Saatchi, the management was able to tell everybody the task designed for them, state where they were and where they wanted to be, and when. Implementing a balanced score card entails translating the strategy into action, lining up the organization to fit into the strategy, involving every body, making it a continuous process and maintaining it through good corporate leadership (My Strategic Plan, n.d.). From the Saatchi & Saatchi case, this is evidenced by the devotion of the top management in communicating the strategy to all agencies, and involving the employees in becoming creative, and shaping the organization in a way that fits the strategy, such as creating an environment for creativity. The results illustrate a well-implemented strategy.           

References

Greenhalgh, C. (2004). Building a Strategic Balanced Scorecard: Saatchi & Saatchi Complementary Case Study. Business Intelligence Company. Retrieved from  http://www.business-intelligence.co.uk/PDFdownloads/strat_bsc/Saatchisr.pdf

MyStrategicPlan (n.d.). Balanced Scorecard: Performance Measurements for Success. Retrieved from http://www.mystrategicplan.com/strategic-planning-topics/balanced-scorecard.shtml

Niven, P. (n.d.). Financial perspective. EPM Review. Retrieved from http://www.epmreview.com/Resources/Articles/Delivering-shareholder-value-growing-revenue-and-enhancing-productivity.html

Robin, D. (n.d.). Vision, Mission and Values: Management Tools for Building a Better Workplace. Daniel Robin & Associates. Retrieved from http://www.abetterworkplace.com/027.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethics and Government

Question One (i)

Richard DeGeorge criteria validates the practice of whistle blowing from a moral perspective if the accorded action imparts significant damage to third parties, if the direct manager is alerted on the given issue and if other individuals within the management chain have been utilized without any form of action to deal with the problem (Arszulowicz, & Wojciech, 2010). Whitacre’s actions pass the first criteria as he accorded the given decision in a bid to accord protection to consumers from oppressive pricing instances. However, it failed its validation with regard to the second and third criteria since he did not report the matter to his immediate superior, Michael Andreas as the vice chairperson. Additionally, in case the vice chairperson refused to accord the needed actions to solve the situation, Whitacre would be forced to move to a higher authority, in this case Dwayne Andreas as the chairperson; he ignored this factor too.

DeGeorge further asserts that moral responsibility for whistle blowing is hinged on the fact that credible evidence is to be accorded for the justification of the allegations and that the inclusion of the public within the decision process would accord justice within the situation (Arszulowicz, & Wojciech, 2010). This being the fourth and fifth criteria, Whitacre did not have ample proof to justify his accusations, as the audio tape was inadequate. The fifth criteria relates to the public and from his actions, Whitacre seems to have accorded the actions to save himself from the repercussions incase the corruption was revealed.

Question One (ii)

            Whitacre exhibits integrity in a dominant manner over loyalty as he chooses to aid the consumers from the pricing scandal. Integrity is superior to loyalty that in most instances is accorded to a smaller group of individuals unlike integrity that involves a wider populace (Knowles, & Martha, 2006). Loyalty in this case would have been accorded to the Archer Daniels Midland Company bearing the employee function. By choosing the integrity option, Whitacre bears a larger risk that also involves his life with the arrest aspect for the sake of the unknown consumers.

Question One (iii)

            The integrity virtue as seen in this instance is connected to the corruption and injustice vices with the inclusion of the possible repercussions. In Whitacre’s case, he accorded aid to the law enforcers due to the accorded assurance concerning the acquitting factor as this compels him to collude with the FBI within the investigations. It is highly likely that if Whitacre had known that he would be charged with the price issue, he would have resorted into the concealment of integrity and thereby leading to an injustice instance (Knowles, & Martha, 2006). Therefore, he may have consequently resorted to corruption to the law enforcers in bribery instances to overcome the misdemeanor. With injustice being a stronger of the two vices, we accord it a positive value while corruption is accorded the negative value.

Question Two (i)

The pre-conventional phase involves the appraisal of the chastisement and egotistical tendencies within a decision. This would be applicable to the government since, although the authorities tend to portray the final authority within a nation, the inclusion of democratic practices has led to social power that would accord punishment for the immoral practice (Harding, 2010). The egotistical practice is related to the fact that the authorities are bent on winning approval from the citizens towards creating a good imagery. Both measures are inadequate perspectives in dealing with ethical dilemmas. The conventional phase evidences the application of a given decision with regard to the rewards from the community level and the personal obligations towards the upholding of legal requirements in a bid to enhance a cohesive society.

The communal rewards and law breach should avert the government’s actions from the immoral decision with regard to the consequences of that would emanate from the practice. The post-conventional phase accords the analysis of various standpoints in accordance to regional settings with regard to a given issue while the universal rules accord decision making as founded on globally satisfactory guidelines (Harding, 2010). This acts as the best perspective towards overcoming the moral dilemma with the inclusion of the global standards within the identified issue as such would not be acceptable in other regions.

References

Arszulowicz, M. & Wojciech, G. (2010). Whistleblowing: In Defense of Proper Action. Piscataway Township, NJ: Transaction Publishers.

Harding, C. (2010). Moral Dilemmas and Ethical Reasoning. Piscataway Township, NJ: Transaction Publishers.

Knowles, E. & Martha, S. (2006). Character builders: books and activities for character education. New York, NY: Libraries Unlimited.

 

Contemporary Pavlovian Learning Theory

Pavlovian theory also called the classical conditioning was first introduced by Professor Ivan Pavlov. The theory can be defined as the process of learning about the relationship between the conditionals stimulus to an unconditional stimulus. Conditional stimulus can be defined as a kind of stimulus after it has been associated with an unconditional stimulus; it later provides a response known as the conditional response. Unconditional stimulus can be defined as that stimulus when introduced it results into a conditional response (Weiner, Healy, Freedheim & Schinka, 2003). There are several adaptive purposes of the Pavlovian Theory, which could be used in learning the behavior of people.

These adaptive purposes are because of the different responses that are produced by the different people or animals. Usually, they are what makes people respond to what they are responding to. One of the adaptive purposes is the perception or the aim that leads to a perception. The Pavlovian Theory states that the dogs were responding to food whenever it was brought to them. Later the dogs started to respond to the bell, which was being rung before the food was brought. This showed that the adaptive purposes of the dog were to eat the food. Therefore, the dog responded to the bells because its main purpose was to eat the food.

Another adaptive purpose that was brought about by the Pavlovian Theory was behaviorism. The different responses that were exhibited in the pavlovian experiment led to a certain behavior in the different animals. For example, the first time the food was brought to the dogs, only responded to the food. When the bells were introduced routinely, every time the food was being brought to the dogs, they started to attract a response from the dogs. This made the dogs to respond every time they heard a bell ring even without being brought food. This led to the dogs developing a behavior towards the bells that were being rung. Therefore, the adaptive purpose behaviorism was served in the Pavlovian Theory very much.

The Pavlovian Theory had become an insight to the world of psychology and it led to the several adaptations, which were later used even to treating patients with some mental disorders. This meant that the different patients who had mental disorders could be treated by the use of the Pavlovian Theory. For instance, if a patient had been having a phobia of animals, he or she could be treated using the Pavlovian Theory. This phobia was because of adaptive behavior, which showed that the patient was afraid of animals. Due to this, a new stimulus has to be introduced so that the patient will have to learn how to adapt with the animals. Therefore, the adaptive purposes were served well by the Pavlovian Theory.

The cognitive theories of learning can be defined as the process whereby different human beings are able to think by themselves and make logical decisions that make sense to them (Saklofske & Zeidner, 2010). In the theory, the human beings are thought to make the decisions that they find are suitable and usually they are not affected by behavior. Reflex models in the Pavlovian Theory are those responses that are produced in it. These reflex models are very different depending on the kind of stimulus in which human beings respond to (Weiner, Healy, Freedheim & Schinka, 2003). However, the cause of this reflexes can be said to be more of cognitive than reflex because of how the human beings react to the stimulus.

One of the reasons as to why the cognitive theory suggests a richer dimension than the reflex models on the Pavlovian Theory is because of the environmental factors. Since the Pavlovian Theory is about responses due to the different stimulus, there is a thought process, which is involved before the respond is made. As Cognitive Theory states that people must think before the respond to something so that they can come up with the best possible answer, the results only matter after the people have thought what they are going to do. This decision process however is affected by the environmental factors as to what will happen if a certain response was to taken. On the other hand, the reflex model only states that the human beings generally do not have to think critically but go with the flow of the different things. Therefore, the Cognitive Theory of learning is richer than the reflex models since people have to think first before they respond.

In addition to the above, it is the cognitive theories of learning, which help the people, understand the different responses that are exhibited by different people due to certain different stimulus (Glanz, Rimer & Lewis, 2002). For example, when different teachers see that there is a lot of anxiety in their different students usually in their thought process they know that the stimulus has been caused by something. These students could have an anxiety because the exams are very near. On the other hand, the reflexive models only show that the students are anxious but they do not show as to why the students are anxious. Therefore, it is through Cognitive Theory that the teachers have been to think carefully and understand why the responses are happening. For this reason, the cognitive theory is richer than the reflex models.

Another reason as to why the cognitive theory is richer than the reflective model, are the social factors. The social factors are those factors that if they are good people will try to emulate them but if they are bad people will try to refrain from them (University of Twente, 2011). For example, if the teachers punish their students every time they have done something it will be most likely that the other students will not commit nay mistakes. This is because the other students have critically thought of the different responses that would happen if they make mistakes. In contrast, if the reflex models were used, the students will always be misbehaving all the times. Therefore, the cognitive theory is richer that the reflexive method in the Pavlovian Theory.

Another reason as to why the cognitive theory is richer than the reflexive model in the Pavlovian Theory is that the people think by observation and there is no behavior change. In the reflexive models, there is usually behavior change. This is because of the different responses that the people keep on exhibiting (Fristcher, 2011). For example, when students observe what a prominent person like the president did to be where he or she is most likely they will try to emulate them. However, if they observed what a criminal did most likely they will not try to emulate that resulting to lack of behavioral change or responses. This means that the cognitive theory is more in the Pavlovian Theory that the reflex models are.

Another reason as to why the Pavlovian Theory is cognitive than the reflex model is due to the different behaviors that are exhibited by the human beings. When people react from the different stimulus they are being presented with, they tend to adapt these responses. When they adapt these responses, they form a behavior towards them. In contrast to this, the reflex models tend to be flat since there is no thought process with them. They will be of a routine than a behavior. For example, when teachers start to show respect in the kind of work their students are doing, the students will be motivated and they will have a positive behavior towards this notion. If the reflex models were to be followed, the students will not notice and they will follow their usual daily routine. Therefore, the cognitive theory is richer than the reflex models are, in the Pavlovian Theory of learning.

In conclusion, it can be noted that the Pavlovian Theory is about the different responses that are exhibited after a conditional stimulus have been introduced. Additionally, it is the Pavlovian Theory that has also brought into light about how certain cognitive behaviors occur in different situations. Moreover, it is the cognitive theory that describes the Pavlovian Theory better than the reflex models, which are exhibited in the different stimulus. Therefore, the cognitive theory is richer in the Pavlovian Theory than the reflex models are.

 

References

Fristcher, L., (2011). Cognitive Theory. About.com. Retrieved from http://phobias.about.com/od/glossary/g/cognitivethedef.htm

Glanz, K., Rimer, B.K. & Lewis, F.M. (2002). Health Behavior and Health Education. Theory, Research and Practice. San Fransisco, CA: Wiley & Sons.

Saklofske, D. H., & Zeidner, M., (2010). Handbook of Individual Differences in Cognition. Columbus, GA: Springer

University of Twente, (2011). Social Cognitive Theory. University of Twente. Retrieved From: http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20clusters/Health%20Communication/Social_cognitive_theory.doc/

Weiner, I. B., Healy, A. F., Freedheim, D. K., & Schinka, J. A., (2003). Handbook of Psychology: Experimental psychology. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons

 

The Virginian by Owen Wister

Introduction

The Virginian, a novel by Owen Wister is dated back to 1902. The book dedicated to the then president Theodore Roosevelt made a turning point in American literature. The Virginian quenched the thirst of most Americans who thought that after the frontier, they would be overwhelmed by the tidal wave of urbanism and industrialization. This novel shared misgivings and reflected on predominant feelings of the progressive era. In The Virginian, the Cowboy hero reflects both Theodore Roosevelt and Andrew Jackson, portraying the age character. The setting of this romantic novel is set in the vast Wyoming territory. It dates between to 1870 and 1880 and is about Wister’s epic tale of a man’s journey into the wild region of Wyoming (Wister 127). The courageous but mysterious cowboy who is known as the Virginian is caught up at a crossroad between the woman he loves and his quest for justice. In this book, romance takes centre stage. However, this theme is both idealized and too reserved. The author uses an unhappily awkward dialect to portray the Virginian speech. The author is equally sensitive to the rough justice that has meted out. In the story, there is true love between the narrator and the Virginian.

The Idealistic features of the Virginian and Molly

The young Virginian charms us as he does the narrator in his own special way, courage, modesty and thoughtful effort to understand a world, in which men, the fine ones included, act disgracefully and made cowardly choices. This man is very sentimental and is ready in all humility to self analyze and improve himself. The book brings out different themes including humor, poetic description, sentiment, introspection and tragedy. Owen is seen to have portrayed notable, firm themes in all American history. The Virginian is an idealized figure in the book, his breath taking charm takes the reader aback, and he is cultured. The Virginian is a cowboy who is a natural aristocrat. In his novel, Owen Wister, presents the Virginian as plain and unattached, but gradually as you read the novel he becomes complex. He is first seen as a cowpuncher, with no ideal personality. He is lame in his endeavors (Wister 131). As the story unravels his wit and bravery is portrayed.

At the end of the novel, the hero shoots and kills a fugitive named Trampas. Before Trampas is shot dead, Molly the hero’s sweetheart states that she will not marry him if he put his life on jeopardy against Trampas. The charming hero goes ahead with his mission and despite all this, Molly takes him back. Miss Molly Wood is an eastern schoolteacher from Vermont. In the plot of the story, she shows the unraveling of the romance between the Virginian and the schoolteacher. However, their marriage is threatened by Trampas, who works at the farm too. Trampas is later shot dead by the Virginian in self-defense. In this classic, Molly is horrified when Steve the Virginian’s friend is sentenced to hanging after being accused and convicted of cattle rustling; this shows that she is not cultured in this manner. Her accepting the Virginian is out of character according to the image she had earlier portrayed. The story ends when Molly is carried to the mountains by the Virginian after he has proved that he is capable of taking his rightful place in the community. She is portrayed as intimidating because she is learned unlike her boyfriend, the Virginian. When the Virginian first writes her a letter, he is worried about how she would respond to the letter and if she would she judge his writing skills. She is also conventional

How America is democratic according to the novel

The novel depicts the closing frontier justice meted by the protagonist. This theme is elaborated by Wister in his book. Wister establishes the conventions of the western literary genre. The evolution of the Virginian is accustomed to America, revitalized by the hardships of the rural life. This keeps a turner of the frontier thesis. The frontier was a necessary source for the democratic source of America. The Virginian depicted how the society was supposed to act in the state of nature. It is through literature that America could re-awaken a man’s dream outside his civilized boundaries. Wister has discussed American equality and the actual iniquities between men and their result. The Virginian recognizes the centrality of equality to the understanding of politics in the book. As the cowpuncher charms her girl, the fundamental preposition of the declaration of independence is portrayed. The hero talks about equality in different settings in the book. Through examining man in his natural state, main ideas are developed; examples are inequalities amongst men and women. This explains the origin of inequalities amongst the two genders. It is through his life portrayed by Owen Wister that we are able to see the thoughts on inequality clearly (Wister 136). It is in this view that the reader learns of the social hierarchies, the nature and the law that it builds, interpreted by how men are equal in spite of the actual inequality.

Quality and equality

This makes quality and equality an answer to the closing of the frontier. In a proper state of nature, complete freedom is a necessity. Nature does not require a formalized state of law taking dominion over men. In the Virginian, one can note that the centrality of equality is emphasized. One is able to understand the American politics through out the book. A fine definition of equality is drawn by the Virginian when he speaks of equality by setting up a faulty inequality between the men and the women. The Virginian further explains the source of inequality. This seems a very odd way to look at it basing on the fact that the characters in the book are not equal in any manner. There is a great struggle of intelligence between the Virginian and Trampas. In the American justice, they form their basis on the usual equality of man and his intrinsic freedom. The allowance and conservation of equal opportunity in America is as Wister puts it. Trampas is more of tricky than brave (Wister 142). We all admit that men come in different packages. In an American mind, it is hard to consider that equality is an act of justice. The Virginian is an American story about the Frontier. Most of the America’s belief is on equality. The Virginian romanticizes the making of good of each element.

Conclusion

The act of being equal demands that one respects the freedom of the other to implement their equality. It is proper for a man to be right for the sake of another. This right nature is seen in the body, power, and even in a man’s wealth. It is a common assumption that one may use his or her resources unequally, as much as people might be gifted with more than they require but for a different use from others. In The Virginian, one is able to note the forms of government towards the end of the novel. The author introduces this forms of government that include an acting mayor, juries, and counties. Despite this government positions being mentioned in the book, no form of action is taking place. This theme is relevant to the twentieth century but unlike during these times, the jury serves in the justice system in the modern age. In the book, the inactive nature of the law is seen in the Virginian, the hero’s employer who is a judge, asks the Virginian to preside over the hanging of the thieves. Among the thieves is the Virginian’s friend Steve; this saddens the Virginian but he has to adhere to the command given to him. This is not as an act of passion but rather of justice. In this book, the Virginian is exemplified as a natural man uncorrupted by the society.

Religion as seen in the Virginian is covered in several chapters. God is seen as both a conformist and natural. Wister relates both religion and equality. He shows that in his nature, God has certain qualities that anyone who believes in him has to accept. In the end of the book, there are other notions that continue to gain success. In comparison to both the twentieth and the twenty first century, the Virginian is seen as an equal. He is civil enough to get accustomed to the clothes and manners of the poor aristocrats. There is law, order, politics and technology. As the Virginian ropes the range with his body, strength .This is seen as him being a man of greatness in business and in his enterprises seen in the way he reasons and in his mind. The cowboy shows sympathy and reasons relentlessly preserving his freedom as he protected the interests of others. In the very same way, the inclusion of a character like Trampas enables us to look at the imperfect nature of others in the society.

In the present day, everyone is aware of his or her status regarding imbalanced consequences of each man’s equal use of liberty. The Virginian explains to us how we are to frame the society to prevent certain problems. He shows this when he expresses to Molly how he felt when the young come-outer was dying in the book Father and Sons. In this book, lessons drawn from it include creating a society with its imperfect nature wasting away men like the Virginian. It is fundamental that people learn and consent the equality of all men to prosper, basing on the foundation of reason and pity. The onslaught on modernization that changed the United States is in the beginning of the 20^th Century together with the need of a new hero in character, wit, bravery giving birth to urbanization.

Works Cited

Wister, Owen. The Virginian. UK: Gardners Books, 2007. Print.