Free Glass Menagerie Essays: The Characters :: Glass Menagerie essays

The Characters of The Glass Menagerie Generally when some one writes a play they try to elude some deeper meaning or insight in it. Meaning about one's self or about life as a whole. Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" is no exception the insight Williams portrays is about himself. Being that this play establishes itself as a memory play Williams is giving the audience a look at his own life, but being that the play is memory some things are exaggerated and these exaggerations describe the extremity of how Williams felt during these moments (Kirszner and Mandell 1807). The play centers itself on three characters. These three characters are: Amanda Wingfield, the mother and a women of a great confusing nature; Laura Wingfield, one who is slightly crippled and lets that make her extremely self conscious; and Tom Wingfield, one who feels trapped and is looking for a way out (Kirszner and Mandell 1805-06). Williams' characters are all lost in a dreamy state of illusion or escape wishing for something that they don't ha ve. As the play goes from start to finish, as the events take place and the play progresses each of the characters undergoes a process, a change, or better yet a transition. At the beginning of each characters role they are all in a state of mind which causes them to slightly confuse what is real with what is not, by failing to realize or refusing to see what is illusioned truth and what is whole truth. By the end of the play each character moves out of this state of dreamy not quite factual reality, and is better able to see and face facts as to the way things are, however not all the characters have completely emerged from illusion, but all have moved from the world of dreams to truth by a whole or lesser degree. Tom Wingfield makes a most interesting transition. He changes twice during the course of the entire play. One change occurs at the end of the memory part of the play, then he is changed again sometime between when the actual play took place and the time that he returns after serving in the merchant marines. In the beginning Tom Wingfield, the main character and the narrator of the play, feels trapped like a caged animal who needs to be set free which some times causes him to seem to be without pity or remorse (Kirszner and Mandell 1806).

My Personal Journey Essay -- Personal Narrative Writing

Journeys are moments in life that define and reconstruct the myths we create about ourselves and others. All too often the ideals of a biased community or select group are viewed as the model by which all individuals must follow. To escape the pressures of a collective standard a person must travel outside the constraints of a community and discover his or her own true identity. On such a journey one can expect moments of planned reflection or unexpected instances of revelation. A journey is every minute of my existence, as I travel through life and try to ascertain my own presence in its cycle. An essential journey occurred three years ago when I set out on a personal pilgrimage. I wanted to re-travel the time line of the past few years and locate the point where I had allowed the influence of others to determine my own concept of self. "Self" is not necessarily complex or intricate, but it does define the character of a person and how he or she wants to be viewed. In my own rush to "fit in" at college I had disregarded what I needed and complacently accepted the definitions of others. I expended my energy trying to model myself according to the contemplation of my peers, all the while ignoring principles which I felt were inherent to my survival. Once the missing feeling of singularity is discovered, an individual must set out upon a journey and reconstruct the notions of self and identity. Understanding my own needs, I decided to embark on a solo expedition into the woods of Maine. The solo was an opportunity to disassociate myself from everything that I considered comfortable and safe. For two nights the only person I encountered was myself. After several days of paddling, my guide and I neared the island where... ...d in an unknown surrounding and somehow I had become part of it. I welcomed the crash of an animal over my tent or the presence of the sand fleas. I journeyed into their environment a foreigner, and even in my most vulnerable stages of sleep, I had become an accepted presence. While on my solo I wrote a letter to myself. In the letter I revealed what I had learned and what it meant to realize my own strength and will in those few days of solitude. I gave the letter to my guide and asked him to send it to me in a year. I remember the day the letter came. At first I did not recognize the faded words on the envelope, but as soon as I glanced at the return address I knew that they were my own. I once again sought solitude. In a small corner of my family's flower garden I opened the letter and began reading. The first words I read were "remember the Medicine Wheel."

Student Calculator Use The Need For Limitations Education Essay

Math is an built-in portion of life. Worlds can non travel through life without utilizing math in some form or signifier, whether it is numbering money to pay the dinner measure, adding up the sum of money collected in a fundraiser or ciphering beforehand equations as a atomic applied scientist. Calculators have besides become an built-in portion of life. Calculator usage in schools has been a footing for argument for about 40 old ages. Calculators can profit or function as crutches for society. They prove good in rushing up computations when paying measures and taking trials. However, they can besides be a hinderance. Peoples frequently become so dependent on reckoners that they begin to lose the ability to execute simple mathematical equations such as 15 times three peers 45. Students are affected by reckoner usage to a higher grade than anyone else because they are in categories where they are required to cipher, job solve, and analyze every twenty-four hours. Calculators can be h elpful ; nevertheless, the usage of reckoners, by pupils in all classs, should be limited. Overexploitation of reckoners frequently leads to student loss of assurance in mathematical accomplishments and abilities, a misinterpretation of the function and map of the reckoner, and overdependence on reckoners as tools merely. Many pupils and grownups, including instructors, believe extended usage of reckoners should be a demand in mathematics categories. Several provinces, including North Carolina, now require the usage of charting reckoners in the course of study and on province trials while others allow, but do non necessitate reckoner usage. Dion et Al. showed that over â€Å" aˆÂ ¦95 % of schools surveyed allowed or needed reckoners in their Algebra I classes, 98 % allowed or needed reckoners in their Geometry categories, 99 % allowed or needed reckoners in Algebra II and 99.9 % allowed or needed reckoners in their Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry categories † ( 429 ) . Many instructors allow pupils to hold unlimited usage of reckoners in their schoolrooms and believe that pupil reckoner usage makes larning mathematics more interesting to pupils ( Brown et al. 106 ) . These facts reflect the positions of many sing the demand for consistent reckoner usage in the schoolroom, nevertheless, the argum ent furies on. Even though many pupils, instructors and parents argue that there should be reckoner usage in the schoolroom, they agree that usage should be limited to some extent. What they do non cognize, is where to pull the line. The changeless usage of reckoners present many possible jobs in larning experiences, including but non limited to dependence, overexploitation, and the procedure of forcing buttons instead than executing mathematical calculations. Most pedagogues concede that reckoner usage should be accompanied by direction, mold and pattern. As a hereafter mathematics instructor, I consider reckoners to be effectual when introduced and implemented decently in the schoolroom. A combination of direction with reckoner usage promotes more effectual and efficient applications of mathematical schemes and processs by pupils. Ineke Imbo et Al. researched different math jobs and persons to see how elements like job size, operations, gender, pattern, accomplishment, and reckoner usage influence simple arithmetic public presentation. It was found that â€Å" procedural schemes were performed faster when job size was smaller, arithmetic accomplishment was higher, and reckoner usage was less frequent ( Imbo et al. 458 ) . This substantiates the demand for restricting the usage of reckoners by pupils. Subjects in the research of Imbo et Al. were studied in footings of choosing and put to deathing retrieval ( what is known ) and procedural ( the procedure of working jobs out ) schemes on an arithmetic accomplishments undertaking, trial, and questionnaire. â€Å" Students who used reckoners often showed low retrieval and procedural efficiency degree but did non differ in scheme choices ( Imbo et al. 459 ) . The consequences showed that pupils frequently selected good schemes for job resolution but the pick of s cheme did non ever produce effectual or efficient processs or procedures for work outing jobs, and the figure of processs identified in making math is limited by reckoner usage. Imbo et Al. related frequent reckoner usage to hapless arithmetic public presentation for both immature kids and grownups in this research ( 460 ) . This hapless arithmetic public presentation, enhanced by frequent reckoner usage, frequently prefaces mathematically related assurance issues in pupils. Many pupils struggle with math and develop a disfavor for it because they lack assurance in their mathematical accomplishments. Unlimited usage of reckoners often helps construct a feeling of insufficiency or give pupils a false sense of assurance ( Porchea 118 ) . Calculators are non meant to, and can non, work out all math jobs in schoolrooms despite the fact that many people think so. Dion et Al. reported in her surveies that â€Å" few points on the instructors ‘ tests really required reckoners to work out † the jobs ( 433 ) . Since trials do non reflect the demand for reckoner usage, it is degrading to presume pupils need reckoners in order to execute mathematical operations. This degradation of ability lessens the assurance degrees of pupils in mathematical operations. Lack of assurance mathematically is compounded by assurance issues in executing computations with reckoners. Research besides shows that pupils are frequently uncomfortable utilizing reckoners. Berry and Graham analyzed pupils ‘ key strokes on reckoners as they took trials ( 143 ) . They found that pupils did non â€Å" create strategies or ways of working that incorporated the reckoner † ( Berry and Graham 143 ) . Even though there were jobs on the trials that required certain types of computations within the ability of the reckoner, cardinal shot analysis showed â€Å" virtually no grounds of these being done on the artworks reckoners † ( Berry and Graham 143 ) . When pupils were interviewed and asked about this they replied that â€Å" while they knew how to utilize the reckoner to transport out statistical trials, they did non experience wholly confident in making this † ( Berry and Graham 143 ) . Berry and Graham ‘s research discloses that pupils who lack reckoner cognition, abilities and assurance lack the same in respects to math. This has many deduct ions for instructors. Porchea ‘s survey indicated that instructors spent an copiousness of clip reassuring pupils on their usage of reckoners and supplying elaborate account refering pupils ‘ completed undertakings on the reckoner ( 50 ) . Quesada studied seven hundred and 70 pupils in college pre-calculus categories ( 206 ) . The control group survey required the usage of scientific reckoners and a regular math book. The experimental group used one type of charting reckoner and a text edition designed for charting reckoners. The experimental group scored higher on the concluding test than the control group. Consequences of the survey argued that the usage of the graphing reckoner and designed text edition facilitated apprehension, provided ability to look into replies, and saved clip. However, the pupils that used charting reckoners performed somewhat worse in the category than in old math categories ( Quesada 212 ) . Students voiced that they were concerned that while there were advantages t o graphic reckoner usage, they did non experience prepared for the following degree math class and sensed they were excessively dependent on the usage of reckoners in category. This demonstrates pupils ‘ deficiency of assurance in reckoner applications and their abilities to calculate mathematical jobs, even when having direction on reckoner usage and integrating of reckoner accomplishments in categories. Students must larn to utilize reckoners to the fullest extent to profit from the engineering. The Theory of Instrumentation, introduced by Berry and Graham, discusses reckoners as tools or instruments ( 141 ) . If, when utilizing a reckoner, pupils incorporate techniques to work out jobs the reckoner becomes a tool utilised to finish a undertaking. When a â€Å" strategy † or program is constructed by pupils while utilizing the reckoner, it evolves into an instrument ( Berry and Graham 1044 ) . The difference between pupils utilizing a reckoner as an instrument or tool shows whether they understand the capablenesss of the reckoner. They use this cognition to program and strategize a solution to a job ( instrument usage ) or they may be calculator smart and know all of the right buttons to force to acquire an reply ( usage as a tool ) . When pupils are utilizing the reckoner as an instrument they are making a solution to a job. Students frequently view calculator actions to be wholly separate from mathematical calculation and job resolution. Most pupils use reckoners as tools. Teachers should anticipate and demand reckoner usage as an instrument in their schoolrooms. When reckoners are used as instruments, pupils demonstrate cognition of how the reckoner works and what it can make. Berry and Graham studied 12 pupils as they worked on a set of two undertakings and found, through their key strokes, â€Å" that the pupils were excessively reliant on the reckoner without cognizing many of the anomalousnesss it may bring on † ( 146 ) . No strategy or program was evidenced by their key strokes, because the pupils did non make ways of working that incorporated the usage of the reckoner as an instrument ( Berry and Graham 142 ) . Students utilized the reckoner as a tool to happen an reply, non as an instrument to invent a program to work out a job. In Berry and Graham ‘s surveies, usage of the reckoners as tools impacted the pupils, but unluckily pupil cognition and understanding ne'er impacted how the reckoners were used ( 142 ) . Datas from McCulloch provides grounds that many pupils perceive the graphing reckoner to be a â€Å" tool that is of import because of its ability to decrease the thought involved in work outing a job † ( 43 ) , and they besides consider reckoners to be efficient tools in work outing jobs rapidly ( McCulloch 87 ) . The usage of a reckoner offers pupils a assortment of powerful new acquisition and job resolution schemes, but as a tool, it diminishes the demand for the pupil to get a high grade of accomplishment in symbol use ( Katsberg and Leatham 29 ) . Students must be knowing about reckoners to utilize them as instruments to happen ways to work out mathematical jobs. Whether reckoners are used by pupils as tools or instruments, they are merely every bit smart as their users and can merely execute operations when manipulated to make so. Therefore, pupils must understand the function and maps of the reckoners to utilize them efficaciously and expeditiously. The deficiency of cognition about the maps and problem-solving techniques of reckoners frequently consequences in pupil abuse and mistakes. While pupils know the basic procedures of reckoners, they are non cognizant of the particular maps, keys, and characteristics reckoners have, or the function of these in the usage of the reckoner to work out jobs. Students rarely go beyond the functionality of the reckoner to research the potency or restraints of the engineering. Berry and Graham revealed that pupils in their instance surveies were incognizant of many of the characteristics of the reckoners even though they had entree to and used reckoners every twenty-four hours in category. The pupils besi des made errors that would non hold been made without the usage of a reckoner. The advanced operations of reckoners, such as screen size and trigonometric maps, were ne'er explored by the topics in the surveies of Katsberg and Leathman ( 27 ) . For illustration, the pupils were required to chart a map and because they did non cognize to alter the screen size of the reckoner they graphed the incorrect map as their reply. They knew what the map should look like but because the reckoner showed them otherwise, they assumed the reckoner was right. If they had a on the job cognition of the maps of the reckoner, the pupils would hold known to alter the screen size. If they would hold graphed the map by manus, they would hold realized their error. In Katsberg and Leathman ‘s research, charting reckoners were found to be used predominately to look into algebraic solutions, find solutions diagrammatically, and to chart maps. When pupils understand the function and maps of reckoners, the y are comfy utilizing scheme and applications to work out mathematical jobs. Katsberg and Leatham ‘s research besides indicates that pupils become baffled and overwhelmed as they attempt to incorporate their cognition of mathematics with their developing apprehension and usage of a reckoner ( 28 ) . Brown et al. indicated through their research that instructors of high mathematics classs worry that reckoner usage by pupils may be a manner of acquiring replies without understanding mathematical procedures ( 102 ) . The bulk of the clip pupils do non utilize old cognition to work out jobs utilizing the reckoner. â€Å" When utilizing a in writing reckoner the pupils seemed to hold forgotten what they learned when they foremost started out plotting graphs † ( Berry and Graham 146 ) . There is a broad graduated table difference in the ability to work out a job utilizing a reckoner and the application of cognition and accomplishment to work out mathematical jobs through critical thought and reckoner applications. Berry and Graham found, through the keystroke research, that pupils frequently adopted a button pressing experimental scheme to work out jobs alternatively of understanding the procedure ( 147 ) . Dion et Al. reinforced this by reasoning that â€Å" The debut of reckoners into the course of study needfully invites pupils to larn keystroke instead than constructs † ( 433 ) . It is of import to separate between reckoner proficiency and the mathematical ability of pupils. The demand for pupils to regularly write down their work and reflect, instead than merely acquire the reply to a job, stems from this deficiency of pupil understanding in what a reckoner can make and how it is used. Quesada et Al. observed that pupils tend to automatically get down to seek to diagrammatically work out jobs alternatively of work outing them algebraically when reckoner usage is allowed in categories ( 213 ) . Students who were interviewed in McCulloch ‘s instance surveies indicated that â₠¬Å" reckoner usage is a security cyberspace sort of thing † supplying a opportunity to plug- in Numberss to happen replies when needed ( 2 ) . What follows is a false sense of security sing mathematical abilities and accomplishments. Calculator usage does non guarantee that a pupil is mathematically adept merely like the ability to make math does non bespeak strength in reckoner accomplishments My experience traveling through school supports my statement that reckoner usage in schools should be limited. Throughout my in-between school old ages we were allowed to utilize a TI-15 trade name reckoner. Slightly more advanced than a scientific reckoner, it allows for calculating and simplifying fractions and utilizing per centum marks. We seldom used them in category or on prep assignments. Due to the limited usage of the reckoners in in-between school, my Algebra I category during my first-year twelvemonth of high school was a zephyr. However, as a ten percent class high school pupil, TI-83 reckoners were required. TI-83 ‘s, available in every schoolroom, were used every twenty-four hours from that point frontward in my high school calling. Access to a reckoner at all times, fostered a dependance on utilizing it for a good sum of the work I did. When I arrived at North Carolina State University I was shocked that I was non allowed to utilize a reckoner in my math categori es. During my Calculus I category last semester, reckoner usage was non allowed in category at all, for any ground. Limited reckoner usage has continued this semester in my Calculus II category. I frequently find myself holding to re-study certain facets of mathematics because I became so dependent on my reckoner in high school. It was, and is non, an easy thing to make. College math professors move through stuff rapidly and supply small review clip in category. More research should be done to accurately show how reckoner usage in schools is impacting pupils, separately and as a whole, from the clip of passage from in-between school to high school and through graduation from high school. Calculator usage should be limited due to the many jobs pupils face when utilizing them. Even with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction ‘s authorization of reckoner usage in the schoolrooms, limited usage could be easy implemented. Teachers could delegate reckoner inactive prep and force pupils to demo all of their work. Another option would be to do assigned trials calculator inactive but allow clip for pupils to utilize the reckoner to look into their work one time they have finished the trial. Students might besides be required to demo all of their work on trials and quizzes with the reckoner available to them for usage. Restrictions could be set on reckoner usage by non leting the reckoners when pupils are larning new stuff. Checking work with the reckoner after quizzes, where reckoner usage is prohibited, might supply a great teaching minute as pupils begin to larn how they can look into their work or execute these undertakings accurately on the reckoner whi le reflecting on the completed work. The usage of a reckoner can do negative effects, but is non normally harmful until pupils become dependent and think they can non carry through mathematical undertakings and trials without them. If instructors do non necessitate pupils to demo their work on a regular basis, so they can non claim command of accomplishments in mathematics. Besides, instructors can non anticipate their pupils to claim command of mathematical accomplishments. With the restrictions above, or if instructors design their ain originative restrictions, the pupils ‘ mathematical ability will be even greater than what it is presently. It can non ache to restrict the usage of reckoners ; it will merely assist better college-bound pupils ‘ accomplishments as they enter college. It will besides increase the cognition and mathematical accomplishments and abilities of those who are graduating and traveling into the military or work force. This would break advance the ends of high schools, to fix and educ ate skilled, globally cognizant, and â€Å" future ready † pupils for tomorrow. Calculator usage in schools should be limited to better guarantee that pupils possess command of accomplishments without dependance on beginnings other than themselves in readying for the present and future.

Analysis on Gender Discrimination

Do you ever wonder why your parents never make your sister cut the lawn or maybe if you are a female, your parents automatically make you wash dishes? Moms get their girl†s ears pierced at age two yet will not let their sons get their ears pierced until they are out of the house. What gives? These are examples of how decisions are based on whether you are male or female, otherwise known as gender bias. Because of their sex, people do not get jobs they are well qualified for, are paid lower wages, and are overlooked for job promotions and many other opportunities. Gender discrimination is all around us; you can find it everywhere. Gender discrimination is an ongoing problem in the Fox Valley, the state of Wisconsin, and the United States. Samantha Miller and Mark Dagostino report an example of this discrimination at Boston College. They explain that for the past twenty-five years, Mary Daly, 70, has barred men from her classes, insisting that her female students learn better without male distractions. â€Å"The point of my class is that there be a space where women can create our thoughts and our own philosophy, unencumbered by patriarchal invasions,† Daly stated. â€Å"It†s not about discrimination at all.† Boston College recently fired Daly when she rejected the school†s ultimatum to admit men after a male student threatened to sue the school claiming Daly was violating federal law. Boston College officials maintain Daly†s stance violated the landmark 1972 Title IX legislation that bars gender discrimination at schools receiving federal funds (1). She may have good reasons for wanting an all-female class, but the law states everybody is entitled to an equal opportunity for education. Gender discrimination dates back as far as Adam and Eve. Can you imagine the world starting out with a woman in control? As gender discrimination continued to invade all aspects of life, the government began to step in. Laws were passed so women could vote and become public officials. President Richard M. Nixon signed Title IX of the Federal Education Law in 1972 that banned gender discrimination in classes. Barbara Bitters reports there are schools in Wisconsin that are not complying with the law because they still have separate boys† and girls† choirs. Little Chute High School, a small community located in northeastern Wisconsin, has a women†s† choir. Are they in compliance? Jean Beschta, an Appleton high school guidance counselor, remembers when the law was passed in the seventies. â€Å"There were a lot of nervous fathers who were worried what would happen to their boys if someone introduced them to cookbooks, recipes, and dish towels.† Some of Wisconsin†s well-known colleges are also battling with gender bias. Julie Sneider from the Business Journal Serving Greater Milwaukee reported a study done in 1998 that shows only twenty-five percent of Marquette†s full-time tenure track faculty are women, and only six of the school†s one hundred and fourteen faculty members with full professor status are women. The federal government has criticized UW-Madison for not bringing the number of female faculty closer to the number of female students who constitute more than half of the student body. Gwen Carleton from the Capital Times reports part of the problem is that many of the deans and administrators making hiring decisions continue to believe women are unqualified or uninterested in faculty positions. How are we doing as a nation? The Capital Times, cites a study released by the AFL-CIO, indicating that Wisconsin is among the worst states for a gender pay gap among full-time workers. â€Å"Across the nation, women earn 74 cents for every dollar earned by men. A typical woman in Wisconsin earns 69 cents for every man†s dollar, or $193 less per week,† (1). The U.S. President Bill Clinton said, â€Å"Equal pay is not a political issue. It is not even a gender issue. It is, at heart, a national issue, a family issue, and a matter of principal – a question of what kind of country we want America to be today, and in the twenty-first century,† (Zadrozmy). If our own president thinks equal pay among both sexes isn†t a political problem, whose problem is it? Gender bias is seen at all levels but without the support of laws to enforce equality between the sexes, what can be done? Each of us as individuals needs to do our part. Vote to keep politicians in office that favor equality for men and women in all aspects of their lives – equal employment opportunity, equal rights to a good education, equal pay for the same job, and so on. Support schools that offer equal opportunities for their teachers and students regardless of their gender. Teach your children to keep open minds and not judge people and their capabilities by whether they are male or female. Most importantly, base your decisions without letting bias interfere with your outcome.

Han Fei Tzu and The Art of Hotel Management

Around 280 B. C. the royal family of Han gave birth to one of the greatest philosophers of China, Han Fei Tzu. He studied under Sun Tzu, and in addition, from other philosophers such as the Taoist Legalist philosopher, Shen Tao, and a Legalist philosopher, Shen Pu-hai. Though Han Fei Tzu did not invent Legalism, he furnished the ideas to its perfection. His theories went against those of Confucius’s and other philosophers, focusing more on the practical level. Though ill fated to die in the hand of his own student, Li Ssu, Han Fei Tzu’s theories prove successful in uniting China and establishing the first emperor of China. Han Fei Tzu is a Legalist. His ideas of government establishment and function strove for those of extremes, of utmost reward and punishment. Han Fei Tzu focused on the art of distrust. His ideas parallel those of the modern world business, where the society is filled with darkness. Moreover, his establishment of the hierarchy of government equals those of modern corporations. The Chief Executive Officer oversees each and every order carried out, with specialists occupying different offices. Speaking of corporations, there is one industry that would draw Han Fei Tzu’s close attention. Not only does Han Fei Tzu’s theories apply in this particular business; furthermore, it actually functions in identical ways. In the hotel industry, the vital component not only lies in skills, capitals, or services. Hotel management, for the General Manager, focuses on the tactics of administration. The society within the hotel stands upon tied complications between individuals. Each and every member and staff deal not only with their duties. They face the challenge of cooperation and service. Thus, almost everyone in the hotel industry faces the challenge of socialization, on the materialistic level. People do not approach without purpose. ‘Deals’ and ‘transactions’ lie beneath every interaction. These deals and transactions may be job promotion, favors, etc. When there is no use for any additional help, people depart in their own ways. As one general manager describes, â€Å"I’d rather have a true enemy then all these false friends†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Putting Han Fei Tzu and the art of hotel management together provides the perfect combo. Han Fei Tzu’s â€Å"The Way of the Ruler† should work in harmony with the way of a General Manager. On the level of executive administration, Han Fei Tzu said, â€Å"The ruler [GM] must not reveal his desires; for if he reveals his desires his ministers will put on the mask that pleases him. He must not reveal his will; for if he does so his ministers will show a different face. † (P16) A GM, like the ruler, must not reveal his true self to his employees. By revealing the GM’s true self, he is also showing his weakness. Thus, his employees will be acknowledged of where to get at the GM. By this, the GM loses his control and power over his staff members, disabling the superiority over them. The skill to perfect the coverage of identity is trust. â€Å"It is hazardous,† Han Fei Tzu warns, â€Å"for the ruler of men to trust others, for he who trust others will be controlled by others. † (P84) When trusting others, one reveals his secrets to them. In turn, one day these secrets may backfire and injure the position of the GM. Thus, making sure to ignore trusting others is a fundamental for GMs to stay in control. In connection to trust is the way of assignment. How can the GM appoint positions if he ceases to trust anyone? This is done through the means of observation. Han Fei Tzu recommended, â€Å"if one were only to observe a man’s features and dress and listen to his speech, then even Confucius could not be certain what kind of person he is. But if one tries him out in government office and examines his achievements, then even a man of mediocre judgement can tell whether he is stupid or wise. † (P124) The result of the work is observed to judge a person. Intuitions and visuals are discarded. Rather, results are used to judge an individual and used to place him or her in the right office. Due to the fact that the world of hotel management lies in deep connection with socialization, the line between the manager and managed must be drawn. Henceforth, if the managed lacks the fear against the manager, the order of the hotel will be disrupted. Employees will act lazily and try to reduce their workload. Thus, to avoid laziness and enhance work efficiency, extreme measures of punishment must be carried out. â€Å"The enlightened ruler,† Han Fei Tzu describes, â€Å"controls his ministers by means of two handles alone. The two handles are punishment and favor. (P30) With extreme punishment, the GM sets an example of how misconduct will be treated, while encouraging hard work by means of reward. The usage of punishment and reward also allows greater control by the GM. Han Fei Tzu explains, â€Å"†¦the officials will turn their backs on law, seeking only to establish weighty personal connections and making light of public duty. † (P23) Through punishment and award, managers will be pulled away from attendance of establishing connections with higher executives, while focusing more on their duty. As mentioned above, the skill of socializing is so abused that hotel staffs solely rely upon connections to escape responsibility. Thus, they will learn that, though with connections, punishments will be carried out when duties are not fulfilled. Similarly, rewards will be given even there exists no connections, as long as the job is done right. Speaking of duties, the difference between executive officers and specialized staff must also be specified. â€Å"Appoint one man to each office. Let no one,† Han Fei Tzu suggests, â€Å"do as he pleases, and never permit men to change office or to hold two offices at the same time. (P39) A waiter is a waiter, and his duty is to serve the customer. Topping the waiters is the chief-waiter, who oversees the functioning of the restaurant. F/B (Food & Beverage) division manager sees to it that all the restaurants are providing the best service possible, keeping their customers content and jubilant. This is the distribution of responsibilities. To succeed in management, the GM must remember the words of Han Fei Tzu, where â€Å"the ministers name their proposals, the ruler holds fast to the name, and the ministers come forward with results. When names and results match, then superior and inferior will achieve harmony. † (P37) One’s own duty must be recognized, and regardless of the importance of the task, only by the fulfillment of every detail can a hotel function in its proper way. Moreover, â€Å"things have their proper place, talents their proper use. When all are in their proper place, then superior and inferior may be free from action. (P35)† Each member of the hotel secures their own position, making sure they have good ethics in their duties. One must not cross the lines of their responsibility, for it brings disorder and confusion to the hotel as a whole. Everyone minds their own task, and when appointed a certain position, they focus their energy to fulfill the requirements. Relating the bondage of duties and socialization of hotel members enter the competition for position. Every staff working in a hotel looks up to a higher level. They want to upgrade their status to increase their salary, to gain a better reputation, or other unspecific reasons. As a result, while everyone is socializing, treating each other in friendly matters, each one is in fact selfish. In reality, they fight over positions beneath the surface. Thus, a GM must â€Å"guard against danger, fear peril, make haste to designate your heir, and misfortune will have no means to arise. † As long as the GM announces the entitlement of certain positions, individuals will be aware of the occupied office, thus ceasing to plot for competitions. Even as the head of a hotel, the GM has to work in order to gain the ‘favor’ of his colleagues. Unlike the times of Han Fei Tzu, where the emperor ruled a province, GMs ruled only a hotel. Thus, punishments such as beheading and property confiscation could not be utilized. An alternative would be persuasion, to successfully convince his employees to follow his orders. This would be the usage of rewards, or wages. Han Fei Tzu suggests, â€Å"praise other men whose deeds are like those of the person you are talking to; commend other actions which are based upon the same policies as his. † Though this strategy is for ministers, the employers nowadays should also consider this tactic. Through persuasion, the GM may be able to command his people with greater efficiency. The hotel is like a province, and similar to ancient China, there exist more than one province. Competing hotels stand everywhere, and they are the ones that the GM battles. Thus, the GM must know how to maximize the usage of public resource and private capital to triumph in sales over other hotel competitors. Han Fei Tzu has already seen the significance in resource allocation, as he describes, â€Å"When the sage rules, he takes into consideration the quantity of things and deliberates on scarcity and plenty. † (P99) Though by this Han Fei Tzu means in terms of punishment and reward, this rule would be applied towards the usage of capital and investment, for the time is situated for such measures. The change of technology and uprising of new competing hotels also forces the GM to decide on major upgrades for the hotel. Which component of the hotel should the GM upgrade? Should technology be weighed heavier, or should the GM renovate the outlook? Han Fei Tzu recommends, â€Å"Those who have no understanding of government always tell you, â€Å"Never change old ways, never depart from established custom! † But the sage cares nothing about change or no change; his only concerns is to rule properly. † (P93) By this, the GM’s responsibility is to make the best decisions for the hotel, and because circumstances change according to the age, and ways of dealing with them change with the circumstances,† (P99) the GM’s decisions would be in reaction to the functions of competing hotels. If Hyatt renovated their lobby, Sheratons would check to see if this did create a higher room sales rate. If so, the Sheratons should also upgrade their lobby facility to compete against Hyatt. One particularly important writing of Han Fei Tzu is ‘The Eight Villainies’. This not only applies as a warning against the ruler and advice for the minister, it can also be manipulated to be used by the GM. Han Fei Tzu would certainly enjoy seeing his tactics used to its full extent. Here is a briefing for how this ‘Eight Villainies’ can be deployed and modernized for the best use by the GM: Making use of his bedfellows => Immediately upon distribution of reward, the GM may hope to ask for greater job performances, prior to the former one. Making use of his attendants => The GM, as the head of the hotel, can force lower employees such as waiters to agree with the GM, thus convincing the waiter-head to be held responsible for certain events. This applies to other offices as well. Making use of his elder and kin => By visiting the families of his employee, the GM may be more persuasive and successful at convincing his employee at undertaking certain task, for the family, in consideration of promotions, will try to convince particular individuals to gain favor of the GM. Encouraging baleful pursuits => The GM may appoint certain managers or staffs a better office, with fully equipped furniture and luxuries, thus impose heavier duty and greater responsibility unto the manager. Making use of the people => Considering one question, would the employees be in greater pursuit to gain favor from their GM or their manager? Given the fact that the GM is the head of the hotel, employees are certain to strive in contenting their wage-payer. Thus, the GM can impose a greater influence upon his employees to order managers indirectly to do so as the GM pleases. (This is very similar to ‘Making use of his attendants) Making use of fluent speakers => In one way, the GM may assign speakers from popular hotel management schools such as Cornell to speak in agreement with the GM. This increases credibility and enhances the strength of persuasion. Making use of authority and might => The GM is the head of the hotel, thus he possesses the greatest authority and might in the hotel. Using this power, the GM should exploit it to its full extent, by terminating unwanted managers or lazy employees. Making use of the surrounding => The fact that there are competing hotels can too, be used to the GM’s advantage. His position enables special ‘connections’ with other executives, thus when the GM’s own managers are not following orders, the GM can make certain that he would not be able to gain a similar job at a different hotel. Only the GM’s hotel is willing to accept this particular individual. Though these ‘Eight Villainies’ may too, be used against the ruler -Han Fei Tzu wrote it as a warning to rulers- GM should also consider these tactics to employ them himself. A final warning Han Fei Tzu suggests is the trade of authority and power. In this case, Han Fei Tzu warns, â€Å"no ministers should be allowed to borrow the power and authority of the ruler. † (P89) The GM is indeed the most powerful man in the hotel. If he was to lend his authority to managers, this power may be exploited in terms of corruption. Money might be drained, employees might be lost, and worse, the GM himself may be used as a scapegoat. Overall, the vital mentality that should be considered is not only the GM’s. The hotel functions as a whole, thus each and every member work together to benefit the hotel. In hotel management, the ways of the GM stands not alone, but with the support of his managers and employees. Thus, the mentality of these managers and employees should also be considered. Han Fei Tzu summarizes the essence of this whole construct. â€Å"The interests of the state and the individual are,† Han Fei Tzu analyzes, â€Å"mutually at odds, and both cannot prevail at the same time. Managers and employees must not act selfishly to gain their own benefits, but rather, everyone must work with good ethics to strengthen the hotel as a whole. The question, â€Å"what would Han Fei Tzu say about hotel management,† is asked. In response, Han Fei Tzu would comment, â€Å"Hence it is said that the art of hotel management affiliates itself to the rules of a king, they work in the same mechanism. Han Fei Tzu would promote a copy of his philosophies to the GM of the hotel. The ways of the ancient government and modern hotel construct are identical. The only difference lies in the lack of military. Yet, without military and arms, the essence of Han Fei Tzu’s philosophies remains. Without the conduct of arms, persuasion is the new modern weapon. To manipulate the thinking of others is the new rule. Han Fei Tzu’s theories are in reality a cookbook for dealing with people. This works perfectly for hotel management because GMs deal more with socialization than actual hotel functioning. Indeed, there involve skill and talent to administer the hotel, yet in order for jobs to be done, the GM must learn how to control his managers and employees. Han Fei Tzu would have been the perfect GM if he lived. He would not comment on everything, but only minor details, for his theories apply in great affiliation with hotel management. Even on a greater level, Han Fei Tzu’s theories are in bondage to corporate functions. The weapon in the modern days though, is wealth. Han Fei Tzu’s thinking not only applies to hotel management, but it also works for corporate executives. Han Fei Tzu would have said the same things to each officer working in a firm, for his teachings hold true for everyone. Han Fei Tzu’s work is actually a perfect guideline for modern day society, where people work to their own benefits and lack the altruistic characteristic that existed in ancient times. Han Fei Tzu focuses specifically on the level of trust and socialization. This skill is vital in the survival of society, because in the world of infinite talents, it is only luck and connection that surfaces a person’s identity and ability. Han Fei Tzu, though dislike the fact that this is true, admits to the flaw of the system. Human nature is ultimately bad and lazy. Each individual strives for their benefits, discarding benevolent practice. Thus, Han Fei Tzu discredits and criticizes the theories of benevolence, particularly promoted by Confucius and Mencius. In the modern world, everyone tries to survive under the tide of wealth and capitalism. They work in companies and firms to accomplish this goal. Yet, it is the interaction of individuals that make up societies, communities, and corporations. Han Fei Tzu, if living in today’s world, would indeed thrift in his philosophies, and make millions if he wrote the book, Han Fei Tzu and the Art of Humanistic Behavior. His ideas target not only rulers and ministers, they too, function well in today’s world.

Sedimentary Rocks

Plate tectonics are responsible for many of Earth’s natural occurrences. From volcanoes to earthquakes plate tectonics play are large role. Another natural occurrence that is not is discussed as much as volcanoes and earthquakes is the formation of sedimentary rock. Plate tectonics also plays a major role in the formation of this type of rock. Plate tectonics is a term that is used to describe how the different plates that make up the Earth move and the reactions that occur as they are moving. Before explaining how plate tectonics are related the concept of sediments must be understood. Sediments are pieces of solid material are deposited on Earth’s surface by way of wind, water, ice, gravity or chemical precipitation. This occurs through weather and erosion (McClearly, 2005). As convergent plates move towards each other, one plate is subducted under the other plate and as this is occurring the plates are moving accumulated sediment and rocks with them. Divergent boundaries also have an effect on sedimentary rock. In divergent movement the plates are moving away from each other and the young sedimentary rock is pushed to the open boundary (Ryan, 2008). Sedimentary rock actually originates from the disposition of the sediments after they are moved by the movement of plates. The climate controls how sediments are moved and how the rock weather. After weathering and erosion has occurred the sediments stop moving and settle. Where they settle is known as their disposition. The origination of sedimentary work is a combination of natural processes that result in the disposition of sediment. The way the sediment is actually formed is a process known as Lithification. Lithification is physical and chemical processes which loose sediment is transformed into sedimentary rock. Lithification begins with compaction. The weight of sediments on top of other sediments forces the sediment grains closer together, which results in physical changes. The next process that occurs is through a chemical process known as cementation. Cementation occurs when mineral growth, in combination with high temperatures, cement sediment grains together into solid rock (McClearly, 2008). After sedimentary rock is formed then it is organized on the Earth’s surface. The pattern of organization is known as bedding. Bedding is the layered arrangement of strata in a group of sediment or sedimentary rock. Over time strata’s that are adjacent to each other may look different because the mineral composition of the sediments in a specific location may changes or the way the sediments are transported or deposited may be different. The bedding surface, which is the boundary between adjacent strata, is the indication that rock was once sediment. Once sediments have been formed they are classified into three different categories. The first is clastic sedimentary rock. These rocks are formed from the sediment and debris from weathering and erosion. There are four different types of clastic, conglomerate (gravel), sandstone (sand),siltstone (silt), and mudstone (mud) or shale. These four categories are characterized by the size of their particles. The next category of sedimentary rock is chemical sedimentary rock. These rocks are formed by precipitation of minerals dissolved in lakes, rivers or sea water. This precipitation can occur is two ways. The first is plants and animals living in water can alter the chemical balance of the water which has an effect on the sediments. The second way is the evaporation of fresh water because of warm dry climates, which leads to increased salinity, the salts become solid because they are not dissolving. The last category of sedimentary rock is biogenic sedimentary rock. These rocks are formed from sediments that are primarily composed of plant and animal remains. This can include the hard shells of animals as well as the bones and teeth. From plants this can include fragments of plant matter such as roots, wood and leaves (Murck, Skinner, Mackenzie, 2008). Since there are three categories of sedimentary rock differentiating in the three is important. One way to tell the difference in the rock is the physical characteristics or physical location. Clastic rock is in the form of gravel, sand, slit or mud, which are all easily recognizable. Chemical sedimentary rock will be located in areas with water such as seas and lakes, since the chemical process which creates these rocks are done inside of water. Biogenic sedimentary rock is easily recognizable because these rocks will have pieces of animal or plant matter in them. Fossils can be carved out of these types of sedimentary rock (McClearly, 2005). Sedimentary rock is one type of rock that is located all over the world. From mountains to oceans sedimentary rocks can be found. With the combination of plate tectonics, weather and erosion sedimentary rocks are formed. Clastic, chemical and biogenic rocks are all very different but together they make up the category of sedimentary rocks.

Fords social media marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Fords social media marketing - Essay Example Contemporary business strategies evolve along with the introduction of social media as a marketing tool. In their attempt to attain a distinct business edge, companies leverage social media to increase productivity and market appeal.Mangold and Faulds mention that social media marketing is a hybrid mix of various promotional methods, which includes personal selling, word-of-mouth advertising strategy, and consumer relations (358). For instance, social media allows customers to contribute insights for product development, comment on existing products, and recommend their preferred brands to their friends. Consequently, this benefits manufacturers in a way that they will understand the needs of the market, and have direct, virtual interaction with customers. To attain a comprehensive understanding about the use and impact of social media, this paper discusses Ford’s social media marketing strategies through Facebook and Twitter. Throughout this research, this paper hopes to disc uss the risks of Ford’s social media marketing method and identify specific points of development. Advertising Tools Facebook Dale Buss reports that Ford continues to partner with Facebook in advertising its products although the company will change its advertising strategy to address more profitable market trends such as customer support and interaction (paras. 1-3). For instance, Scott Monty, one of Ford’s senior executives, highlights the productivity of its Facebook ads such as paid advertising and integrated content while emphasising the profitability of extending Ford’s ads to allow more customer interaction (Buss paras. 9-10). Specifically, Ford uses Facebook’s advertising tools such as Logout Ads, Instagram, and Social Plugins. Using those Facebook tools allows Ford to increase its interaction with customers. For instance, with those tools, Ford will be able to share company updates with its customers, particularly those about the company’s latest promos, products, and events. Consequently, raising the brand awareness of customers advances the corporate image of Ford, which is also likely to increase sales. Twitter Aside from Facebook, Ford also advertises with Twitter through Promoted Tweets and User-Generated tweets that link to content articles about Ford’s products. In the report by Morrissey, he discovered the profitability of User-Generated tweets through linking one of Ford’s content articles with a third party blogger, Collier. Morrissey reports that Farley had linked one of his tweets to Collier’s article about saving funds through social media marketing; this results to the continued use of content integration between Ford-related contents with third-party bloggers. The profitability of this tool lies in its capacity to reach out to internet-savvy millennials, which comprise 55% of Twitter users (Slutsky paras. 1-2). It is also noteworthy to consider that the said number of Twitter users does not have cars, which makes the strategy a viable option in increasing Ford’s market reach. Consequently, using those tools helps Ford establish interaction with millennials and ensures favorable relations with customers through expanding the market’s avenues for expression. This may result to Ford’s accessibility to different market groups. Advertising Methods Halliday reports that Ford uses social media to strengthen its customer service, particularly in establishing active and profitable interactions with its customers (paras. 1-3). This advertising strategy also allows Ford to reach out to wider demographics, which will help determine and design specific brands that will attract various market groups. Specifically, Halliday reports that Ford maximises the profitability of social media through creating message boards and forums, as well as providing virtual troubleshooting assistance to cater customer queries and suggestions. In the marketing perspective , using social media to generate customer-related information is beneficial for the company,