Beat Generation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Beat Generation - Essay Example The concluding edition was not published till six years after Kerouac wrote it in one extended paragraph in 1951. In 1957, the Beat poem â€Å"Howl† (by Kerouac’s friend Allen Ginsberg) had gained unsavory reputation; the newly published â€Å"On the Road â€Å"was proficient to ride the wave of attention in the Beats as well as make Kerouac an immediate celebrity â€Å"On the Road’s† cross-continental journeys are about Kerouac’s trips, mostly by car and bus and often accompanied by his friend Neal Cassady, the frenetic, charismatic, independent scholar from the West. Cassady’s name in the novel is Dean Moriarty. The novel begins with Dean and Sal Paradise (Kerouac) meeting in New York City and progresses through four mostly fast-paced trips, back and forth amid New York and California, up and down the Eastern Seaboard, along the Gulf Coast, and downs into Mexico, with notable stopovers in Denver and New Orleans, the latter to visit Old Bull Lee (William 3). The open road, poverty, drugs, alcohol, jazz, hunger, sex, speed, and characters met along the way create intense situations that allow the travelers to observe, react, and consider while becoming more familiar with their own identities. The novel’s two principal characters are the narrator, Sal, and his companion and hero, Dean Moriarty thinly veiled versions of Kerouac and his friend Neal Cassady. The book unfolds as a loosely connected series of episodes that document the pair’s adventures during a drunken and drug-ridden odyssey through the United States. Along the way, they meet and befriend an unforgettable gallery of American types: jazz singers, drug addicts, hitchhikers, and drifters. Their journey culminates in a revealing and darkly humorous stay in Mexico (Challi p 10). Much of â€Å"On the Road† is barely disguised autobiography, a document attesting to the

Hofstede analysis Essay Example for Free

Hofstede analysis Essay 1. Power distance: the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organisations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. 2. Individualism- the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members. 3. Masculinity / Femininity-The fundamental issue here is what motivates people, wanting to be the best (masculine) or liking what you do (feminine).†¨ 4. Uncertainty avoidance The extent to which the members of a culture feel threatened by ambiguous or unknown situations and have created beliefs and institutions that try to avoid these †¨ 5. Long term orientation- the extent to which a society shows a pragmatic future-oriented perspective rather than a conventional historical short-term point of view. Power distance Thailand scores 64 on PDI index, slightly lower than the average Asian countries (71). It is a society in which inequalities are accepted; a strict chain of command and protocol are observed. Each rank has its privileges and employees show loyalty, respect and deference for their superiors in return for protection and guidance. This may lead to paternalistic management.†¨Thus, the attitude towards managers are more formal, the information flow is hierarchical and controlled. †¨Ã¢â‚¬ ¨Individualism With a score of 20 Thailand is a highly collectivist country. This is manifest in a close long-term commitment to the member group (a family, extended family, or extended relationships). Loyalty to the in-group in a collectivist culture is paramount, and over-rides most other societal rules and regulations. The society fosters strong relationships where everyone takes responsibility for fellow members of their group.†¨In order to preserve the in-group, Thai are not confrontational and in there communication a â€Å"Yes† may not mean an acceptance or agreement. An offence leads to loss of face and Thai are very sensitive not to feel shamed in front of their group. Personal relationship is key to conducting business and it takes time to build such relations thus patience is necessary as well as not openly discuss business on first occasions. †¨Ã¢â‚¬ ¨Masculinity / Femininity Thailand scores 34 on this dimension and is thus considered a feminine society. Thailand has the lowest Masculinity ranking among the average Asian countries of 53 and the World average of 50. This lower level is indicative of a society with less assertiveness and competitiveness, as compared to one where these values are considered more important and significant. This situation also reinforces more traditional male and female roles within the population.†¨Ã¢â‚¬ ¨ Uncertainty avoidance Thailand scores 64 on this dimension indicating a preference for avoiding uncertainty. †¨In order to minimize or reduce this level of uncertainty, strict rules, laws, policies, and regulations are adopted and implemented. The ultimate goal of this population is to control everything in order to eliminate or avoid the unexpected. As a result of this high Uncertainty Avoidance characteristic, the society does not readily accept change and is very risk adverse. Change has to be seen for the greater good of the in-group. †¨Ã¢â‚¬ ¨Long term orientation With a score of 56 Thailand is a Long Term Oriented culture though not as much as for most Asian countries. †¨LTO is manifest on their respect for tradition and inequality between people. †¨Amongst the values that are praised, working hard and having a sense of moderation are dominant. The investment in personal relationships and network is paramount. Protecting one’s face is key and a protocol in their non confrontational behavior.†¨Their concern is not to look for one truth which helps them be flexible and pragmatic in negotiations.†¨Thai favor long term oriented perspective and thus Thailand deadlines and timescales are fluid.

Biological and Psychoanalytic Perspectives in Psychology Essay

The psychoanalytic perspective grew out of subsequent psychoanalytic theories (1901, 1924, and 1940) following decades of interactions with clients with the use of an innovative procedure developed by Sigmund Freud that required lengthy verbal interactions with patients during which Freud probed deep into their lives. In a nutshell, the psychoanalytic perspective looked to explain personality, motivation, and psychological disorders by focussing on the influence of early childhood experiences, on unconscious motives and conflicts, and on the methods people use to cope with their sexual and aggressive urges. The Biological perspective on the other hand looks at the physiological bases of behaviour in humans and animals. It proposes that an organism’s functioning can be described in terms of the bodily structures and biochemical processes that cause behaviour. This paper attempts to examine the similarities and differences between the psychoanalytic perspective and the biologica l perspective with the key focus on the core assumptions and features of these perspectives as well as their individual strengths and weaknesses. The biological perspective examines how brain processes and other bodily functions regulate behaviour. It emphasizes that the brain and nervous system are central to understanding behaviour, thought, and emotion. It is believed that thoughts and emotions have a physical basis in the brain. Electrical impulses zoom throughout the brain’s cells, releasing chemical substances that enable us to think, feel, and behave. Renà © Descartes (1596–1650) wrote an influential book (De Homine [On Man]) in which he tried to explain how the behaviour of animals, and to some extent the behaviour of humans, could be like t... ...m and Irving B. Weiner Freud, S. (1957b). Some character types met with in psychoanalytic work. In J. Strachey (Ed. & Trans.), The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 14, pp. 309–333). London: Hogarth Press. (Original work published 1916) McKinley, J. and Fryer, D. (2004), Higher Psychology: Approaches and Method. KEEGAN, G. (2002) Hodder and Stoughton, London, 298 pp Introduction to psychology 5t ed - Morgan and king Psychology science and understanding Barry d. smith (1998) McGraw-Hill Psyhology making sense david A. STATT - NEW YORK- HARPER AND ROW 1977 HANDBOOK of PSYCHOLOGY VOLUME 5 PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY Theodore Millon, Melvin J. Lerner/ Irving B. Weiner: Editor-in-Chief Waiten,W., (2007) Seventh Edition Psychology Themes and Variations. University of Nevada, Las Vegas: Thomson Wadsworth.

Fool Chapter 12

TWELVE A KING'S ROAD Having set the course of events in motion, I wonder now if my training to be a nun, and my polished skills at telling jokes, juggling, and singing songs fully qualify me to start a war. I have so often been the instrument of the whims of others, not even a pawn at court, merely an accoutrement to the king or his daughters. An amusing ornament. A tiny reminder of conscience and humanity, tempered with enough humor so it can be dismissed, laughed off, ignored. Perhaps there is a reason that there is no fool piece on the chessboard. What action, a fool? What strategy, a fool? What use, a fool? Ah, but a fool resides in a deck of cards, a joker, sometimes two. Of no worth, of course. No real purpose. The appearance of a trump, but none of the power. Simply an instrument of chance. Only a dealer may give value to the joker. Make him wild, make him trump. Is the dealer Fate? God? The king? A ghost? Witches? The anchoress spoke of the cards in the tarot, forbidden and pagan as they were. We had no cards, but she would describe them for me, and I drew their images on the stones of the antechamber in charcoal. â€Å"The fool's number is zero,† she said, â€Å"but that's because he represents the infinite possibility of all things. He may become anything. See, he carries all of his possessions in a bundle on his back. He is ready for anything, to go anywhere, to become whatever he needs to be. Don't count out the fool, Pocket, simply because his number is zero.† Did she know where I was heading, or do her words only have meaning to me now, as I, the zero, the nothing, seek to move nations? War? I couldn't see the appeal. Drunk, and dire of mood one night, Lear mused of war when I suggested that what he needed to cast off his dark aspect was a good wenching. â€Å"Oh, Pocket, I am too old, and the joy of a fuck withers with my limbs. Only a good killing can still boil lust in my blood. And one will not do, either. Kill me a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand on my command – rivers of blood running through the fields – that's what pumps fire into a man's lance.† â€Å"Oh,† said I. â€Å"I was going to fetch Shanker Mary for you from the laundry, but ten thousand dead and rivers of blood might be a bit beyond her talents, majesty.† â€Å"No, thank you, good Pocket, I shall sit and slide slowly and sadly into oblivion.† â€Å"Or,† said I, â€Å"I could put a bucket on Drool's head and beat him with a sack of beets until the floor is splattered crimson while Shanker Mary gives you a proper tug to accentuate the gore.† â€Å"No, fool, there is no pretending to war.† â€Å"What's Wales doing, majesty? We could invade the Welsh, perpetrate enough slaughter to raise your spirits, and have you back for tea and toast.† â€Å"Wales is ours now, lad.† â€Å"Oh bugger. What's your feeling on attacking North Kensington, then?† â€Å"Kensington's not a mile away. Practically in our own bailey.† â€Å"Aye, nuncle, that's the beauty of it, they'd never see it coming. Like a hot blade through butter, we'd be. We could hear the widows and orphans wailing from the castle walls – like a horny lullaby for you.† â€Å"I should think not. I'm not attacking neighborhoods of London to amuse myself, Pocket. What kind of tyrant do you think me?† â€Å"Oh, above average, sire. Well above bloody average.† â€Å"I'll have you speak no more of war, fool. You've too sweet a nature for such dastardly pursuits.† Too sweet? Moi? Methinks the art of war was made for fools, and fools for war. Kensington trembled that night. On the road to Gloucester I let my anger wane and tried to comfort the old king as best I could by lending him a sympathetic ear and a gentle word when he needed it. â€Å"You simple, sniveling old toss-beast! What did you expect to happen when you put the care of your half-rotted carcass in the talons of that carrion bird of a daughter?† (I may have had some residual anger.) â€Å"But I gave her half my kingdom.† â€Å"And she gave you half the truth in return, when she told you she loved you all.† The old man hung his head and his white hair fell in his face. We sat on stones by the fire. A tent was set in the wood nearby for the king's comfort, as there was no manor house in this northern county for him to take refuge. The rest of us would sleep outside in the cold. â€Å"Wait, fool, until we are under the roof of my second daughter,† said Lear. â€Å"Regan was always the sweet one, she will not be so shabby in her gratitude.† I had no heart to chide the old man any more. Expecting kindness from Regan was hope sung in the key of madness. Always the sweet one? Regan? I think not. My second week in the castle I found young Regan and Goneril in one of the king's solars, teasing little Cordelia, passing a kitten the little one had taken a fancy to over her head, taunting her. â€Å"Oh, come get the kitty,† said Regan. â€Å"Be careful, lest it fly out the window.† Regan pretended she might throw the terrified little cat out the window, and as Cordelia ran, arms stretched out to grab the kitten, Regan reeled and tossed the kitten to Goneril, who swung the kitten toward another window. â€Å"Oh, look, Cordy, she'll be drowned in the moat, just like your traitor mother,† said Goneril. â€Å"Nooooooo!† wailed Cordelia. She was nearly breathless from running sister to sister after the kitten. I stood in the doorway, stunned at their cruelty. The chamberlain had told me that Cordelia's mother, Lear's third queen, had been accused of treason and banished three years before. No one knew exactly the circumstances of the crime, but there were rumors that she had been practicing the old religion, others that she had committed adultery. All the chamberlain knew for sure was that the queen had been taken from the tower in the dead of night, and from that time until my arrival at the castle, Cordelia had not uttered a coherent syllable. â€Å"Drowned as a witch, she was,† said Regan, snatching the kitten out of the air. But this time the little kitten's claws found royal flesh. â€Å"Ow! You little shit!† Regan tossed the kitten out the window. Cordelia loosed an ear-shattering scream. Without thinking I dived through the window after the cat and caught the braided cord with my feet as I flew through. I caught the kitten about five feet below the window as the cord burned between my ankles. Not having thought the move completely through, I hadn't counted on how to catch myself, kitten in hand, when the cord slammed me into the tower wall. The cord tightened around my right ankle. I took the impact on that shoulder and bounced while I watched my coxcomb flutter like a wounded bird to the moat below. I tucked the kitten into my doublet, then climbed back up the cord and in through the window. â€Å"Lovely day for a constitutional, don't you think, ladies?† The three of them all stood with their mouths hanging open, the older sisters had backed against the walls of the solar. â€Å"You lot look like you could use some air,† said I. I took the kitten from my doublet and held it out to Cordelia. â€Å"Kitty's had quite an adventure. Perhaps you should take her to her mum for a nap.† Cordelia took the kitten from me and ran out of the room. â€Å"We can have you beheaded, fool,† said Regan, shaking off her shock. â€Å"Anytime we want,† said Goneril, with less conviction than her sister. â€Å"Shall I send in a maid to tie back the tapestry, mum?† I asked, with a grand wave to the tapestry I'd loosed from the wall when I leapt. â€Å"Uh, yes, do that,† commanded Regan. â€Å"This instant!† â€Å"This instant,† barked Goneril. â€Å"Right away, mum.† And with a grin and a bow, I was gone from the room. I made my way down the spiral stairs clinging to the wall, lest my heart give out and send me tumbling. Cordelia stood at the bottom of the stairs, cradling the kitten, looking up at me as if I were Jesus, Zeus, and St. George all back from a smashing day of dragon slaying. Her eyes were unnaturally wide and she appeared to have stopped breathing. Bloody awe, I suppose. â€Å"Stop staring like that, lamb, it's disturbing. People will think you've a chicken bone caught in your throat.† â€Å"Thank you,† she said, with a great, shoulder-shaking sob. I patted her head. â€Å"You're welcome, love. Now run along, Pocket has to fish his hat from the moat and then go to the kitchen and drink until his hands stop shaking or he drowns in his own sick, whichever comes first.† She backed away to let me pass, never taking her eyes from mine. It had been thus since the night I arrived at the tower – when her mind first crept out from whatever dark place it had been living before my arrival – those wide, crystal-blue eyes looking at me with unblinking wonder. The child could be right creepy. â€Å"Do not make yourself a maid to surprise, nuncle,† said I. I held the reins of my and the king's horse as they drank from an ice-laced stream some hundred miles north of Gloucester. â€Å"Regan is a treasure to be sure, but she may have the same mind as her sister. Although they will deny it, it's often been the case.† â€Å"I cannot think it so,† said the king. â€Å"Regan will receive us with open arms.† There was a racket behind us and the king turned. â€Å"Ah, what is this?† A gaily painted wagon was coming out of the wood toward us. Several of the knights reached for swords or lances. Captain Curan waved for them to stand at ease. â€Å"Mummers, sire,† said the Captain. â€Å"Aye,† said Lear, â€Å"I forgot, the Yule is nearly on us. They'll be going to Gloucester as well, I'll wager, to play for the Yule feast. Pocket, go tell them that we grant them safe passage and they may follow our train under our protection.† The wagon creaked to a stop. Happening upon a train of fifty knights and attendants in the countryside would put any performer on guard. The man driving the wagon stood at the reins and waved. He wore a grand purple hat with a white plume in it. I leapt the narrow stream, and made my way up the road. When the driver saw my motley he smiled. I, too, smiled, in relief – this was not the cruel master from my own days as a mummer. â€Å"Hail, fool, what finds you so far from court and castle?† â€Å"I carry my court with me and my castle lies ahead, sirrah.† â€Å"Carry your court? Then that white-haired old man is – â€Å" â€Å"Aye, King Lear himself.† â€Å"Then you are the famous Black Fool.† â€Å"At your bloody service,† said I, with a bow. â€Å"You're smaller than in the stories,† said the big-hatted weasel. â€Å"Aye, and your hat is an ocean in which your wit wanders like a lost plague ship.† The mummer laughed. â€Å"You give me more than my due, sirrah. We trade not in wit like you, wily fool. We are thespians!† With that, three young men and a girl stepped out from behind the wagon and bowed gracefully and with far too much flourish than was called for. â€Å"Thesbians,† said they, in chorus. I tipped my coxcomb. â€Å"Well, I enjoy a lick of the lily from time to time myself,† said I, â€Å"but it's hardly something you want to paint on the side of a wagon.† â€Å"Not lesbians,† said the girl, â€Å"thesbians. We are actors.† â€Å"Oh,† said I. â€Å"That's different.† â€Å"Aye,† said big hat. â€Å"We've no need of wit – the play's the thing, you see. Not a word passes our lips that hasn't been chewed thrice and spat out by a scribe.† â€Å"Unburdened by originality are we,† said an actor in a red waistcoat. The girl said, â€Å"Although we do bear the cross of fabulously shiny hair – â€Å" â€Å"Blank slates, we are,† said another of the actors. â€Å"We are mere appendages of the pen, so to speak,† said big hat. â€Å"Yeah, you're a bloody appendage, all right,† I said under my breath. â€Å"Well, actors then. Smashing. The king has bade me tell you that he grants you safe passage to Gloucester and offers his protection.† â€Å"Oh my,† said big hat. â€Å"We are only going as far as Birmingham, but I suppose we could double back from Gloucester if his majesty wishes us to perform.† â€Å"No,† said I. â€Å"Please, do pass through and on to Birmingham. The king would never impede the progress of artists.† â€Å"You're certain?† said big hat. â€Å"We've been rehearsing a classic from antiquity, Green Eggs and Hamlet, the story of a young prince of Denmark who goes mad, drowns his girlfriend, and in his remorse, forces spoiled breakfast on all whom he meets. It was pieced together from fragments of an ancient Merican manuscript.† â€Å"No,† said I. â€Å"I think it will be too esoteric for the king. He is old and nods off during long performances.† â€Å"Shame,† said big hat. â€Å"A moving piece. Let me do a selection for you. ‘Green eggs, or not green eggs? That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to eat them in a box, with a fox – ‘† â€Å"Stop!† said I. â€Å"Go now, and quickly. War has come to the land and rumor has it that as soon as they've finished with the lawyers, they're going to kill all the actors.† â€Å"Really?† â€Å"Aye,† I nodded most sincerely. â€Å"Quick, on to Birmingham, before you are slaughtered.† â€Å"Everyone jump on,† said big hat, and the actors did as directed. â€Å"Fare thee well, fool!† Then he snapped the reins and drove off, the wagon's wheels bouncing in the ruts of the road. Lear's train parted and watched as the team pulled the wagon by at a gallop. â€Å"What was that?† asked Lear when I returned. â€Å"Wagonload of knobs,† said I. â€Å"Why do they hurry, so?† â€Å"We commanded it so, nuncle. Half their troupe is ill with fever. We want them nowhere near your men.† â€Å"Oh, good show, then, lad. I thought you might be missing the life and were going to join their troupe.† I shuddered at the thought. It had been a cold December day like this when I'd first come to the White Tower with my mummer troupe. We were decidedly not thespians, but singers, jugglers, and acrobats, and I a special asset because I could do all three. Our master was a crooked Belgian named Belette, who bought me from Mother Basil for ten shillings and the promise to feed me. He spoke Dutch, French, and a very broken English, so I don't know how he managed to secure the White Tower for a performance that Christmas, but I was told later that the troupe that was supposed to have performed had suddenly taken ill with stomach cramps and I suspect that Belette poisoned them. I had been with Belette for months, and except for the beatings and cold nights sleeping under a wagon, I had received little but my daily bread, the occasional cup of wine, and the skills of knife-throwing and sleight of hand as it could be applied to purse cutting. We were led into the great hall at the tower, which was filled with nobles reveling and feasting on platters of food such as I had never seen. King Lear sat at the center of the main table, flanked by two beautiful girls about my age, who I would later find out were Regan and Goneril. Beside Regan sat Gloucester, his wife, and their son Edgar. The intrepid Kent sat on the other side next to Goneril. Under that table, at Lear's feet, a little girl was curled up, watching the celebration – wide-eyed, like a frightened animal, clinging to a rag doll. I must confess, I thought the child might be deaf or even simpleminded. We performed for perhaps two hours, singing songs of the saints during dinner, then moving on to bawdier fare as the wine flowed and the guests loosened their hold on propriety. By late in the evening everyone was laughing, the guests were dancing with the performers, and even the commoners who lived in the castle had joined the party, but the little girl remained under the table, making not a sound. Not a smile, not an eyebrow raised in delight. There was light there behind those crystal-blue eyes – this was not a simpleton – but she seemed to be staring out of them from afar. I crawled under the table and sat next to her. She barely acknowledged my presence. I leaned in close and nodded toward Belette, who stood by a column near the center of the hall, leering lecherously at the young girls who frolicked about him. I could see the little girl spied the scoundrel, too. Ever so softly, I sang a little song the anchoress had taught me, with the lyrics changed a bit to adapt to the situation. â€Å"Belette was a rat, was a rat, was a rat, was a rat, Belette was a rat, was a rat, was a rat, was a rat, Belette was a rat who ate his tail.† And the little girl pulled back and looked at me, as if to see if I had really sung such a thing. And I sang on: â€Å"Belette was a rat, was a rat, was a rat, Belette was a rat, was a rat, was a rat, Belette was a rat, who drowned in a pail.† And the little girl cackled – a broken, little-girl yodel of a laugh that rang of innocence and joy and delight. I sang on, and ever so softly, she sang with me, â€Å"Belette was a rat, was a rat, was a rat, Belette was a rat – â€Å" And we were no longer alone under the table. There was another pair of crystal-blue eyes, and behind them a white-haired king. The old king smiled and squeezed my biceps. And before the other guests noticed that the king was under the table, he sat back up on his throne, but he reached down and lay a hand across the little girl's shoulder and the other upon mine. It was a hand reached across a vast chasm of reality – from the highest position of ruler of the realm, to a lowborn orphan boy who slept in the mud under a wagon. I thought it must have been how a knight felt when the king's sword touched his shoulder, elevating him to nobility. â€Å"Was a rat, was a rat, was a rat,† we sang. When the party died down and noble guests hung drunk over the tables, the servants piled onto the floor before the fire, Belette began to move among the revelers and tap each of his performers, calling them to gather by the door. I had fallen asleep under the table, and the little girl against my arm. He pulled me up by my hair. â€Å"You did nothing all night. I watched.† I knew there was a beating in store for when we got back to the wagon, and I was prepared for it. At least I had eaten some supper at the feast. But as Belette turned to drag me away he stopped, abruptly. I looked up to see the master frozen in space, a sword-point pressed into his cheek just below his eye. He let go of my hair. â€Å"Good thought,† said Kent, the old bull, pulling his sword back, but holding it steadily aimed, a hand's breadth from Belette's eye. There was a sound of coin on the table and Belette couldn't help but look down, even at the peril of his life. A doeskin purse as big as a man's fist lay before him. The chamberlain, a tall, severe chap who looked perpetually down his nose, stood beside Kent. He said, â€Å"Your payment, plus ten pounds, which you shall accept as payment for this boy.† â€Å"But – † said Belette. â€Å"You are a word from your mortality, sirrah,† said Lear. â€Å"Do go on.† He sat straight and regal on his throne, one hand pressed to the cheek of the little girl, who had awakened and was clinging to his leg. Belette took the purse, bowed deeply, and backed across the hall. The other mummers of my troupe bowed and followed him out. â€Å"What is your name, boy?† asked Lear. â€Å"Pocket, your majesty.† â€Å"Well, then, Pocket, do you see this child?† â€Å"Yes, majesty.† â€Å"Her name is Cordelia. She is our youngest daughter, and henceforth shall be your mistress. You have one duty above all, Pocket. That is to make her happy.† â€Å"Yes, majesty.† â€Å"Take him to Bubble,† said the king. â€Å"Have her feed and bathe him, then find him new clothes.† Back on the road to Gloucester, Lear said, â€Å"So, what is your will, Pocket? Would you be a traveling mummer again – trade the comfort of the castle for the adventure of the road?† â€Å"Apparently, I have, nuncle,† said I. We camped at the stream, which froze over during the night. The old man sat shivering by the fire with his rich fur cloak wrapped around him; the garment so full and the man so slight that it appeared he was being consumed by a slow but well-groomed beast. Only his white beard and the hawk nose were visible outside the cloak – two stars of fire shone back in the cape creature, his eyes. Snow fell around us in great wet orgies of flakes, and my own woolen cloak, which I'd pulled over my head, was sodden. â€Å"Have I been so unfit as a father that my daughters would turn on me so?† asked Lear. Why, now, did he choose to stare into the dark barrel of his soul, when he'd been content all these years to simply scoop out his desires and let the consequences wash over whomever they may? Bloody inopportune time for introspection, after you've given away the roof over your head. But I did not say so. â€Å"What would I know of proper fathering, sire? I had no father nor mother. I was reared by the Church, and I'd not give a hot squirt of piss for the lot of them.† â€Å"Poor boy,† said the king. â€Å"As long as I live, you shall have father and family.† I would have pointed out that he had himself declared his crawl to the grave commenced, and that given his performance with his daughters, I might do better to go forth an orphan, but the old man had rescued me from the life of a slave and wanderer, and given me a home in the palace, with friends and, I suppose, family of a sort. So I said, â€Å"Thank you, majesty.† The old man sighed heavily and said, â€Å"None of my three queens ever loved me.† â€Å"Oh, for fuck's sake, Lear, I'm a jester, not a bloody wizard. If you're going to keep diving into the muck of your regrets then I'll just hold your sword for you and you can see if you can get your ancient ass moving enough to fall on the pointy part so we can both get some bloody peace.† Lear laughed then – twisted old oak that he was – and patted my shoulder. â€Å"I could ask nothing more of a son than he give me laughter in my despair. I'm off to bed. Sleep in my tent, tonight, Pocket, out of the cold.† â€Å"Aye, sire.† I was touched by the old man's kindness, I cannot deny it. The old man tottered over to his tent. One of the pages had been carrying hot stones into the tent for an hour and I felt the heat rush out as the king ducked inside. â€Å"I'll be in after I've had a wee,† said I. I walked to the edge of the fire's light and beside a great bare elm was relieving myself when a blue light shimmered in the forest before me. â€Å"Well, that's a woolly tuft of lamb wank,† said a woman's voice, just as the girl ghost stepped out from behind the tree upon which I was weeing. â€Å"God's balls, wisp, I've almost peed on you!† â€Å"Careful, fool,† said the ghost, looking frighteningly solid now – just a tad translucent – snowflakes were passing through her. But I was not frightened. â€Å"Warm thy grateful heart, In the king's family, But for his royal crimes, You'd not an orphan be.† â€Å"That's it?† I asked. â€Å"Rhymes and riddles? Still?† â€Å"All you need for now,† said the ghost. â€Å"I saw the witches,† said I. â€Å"They seemed to know you.† â€Å"Aye,† said the ghost. â€Å"There's dark deeds afoot at Gloucester, fool. Don't lose sight.† â€Å"Sight of what?† But she was gone, and I was standing in the woods, my willie in my hand, talking to a tree. On to Gloucester in the morning, and I'd see what I was not to lose sight of. Or some such nonsense. Cornwall's and Regan's flags flew over the battlements alongside Gloucester's, showing they had already arrived. Castle Gloucester was a bundle of towers surrounded by a lake on three sides and by a wide moat at the front – no outer curtain wall like the White Tower or Albany, no bailey, just a small front courtyard and a gatehouse that protected the entrance. The city wall, on the land side of the castle, provided the outer defenses for stables and barracks. As we approached, a trumpet sounded from the wall announcing us. Drool came running across the drawbridge, his arms held high. â€Å"Pocket, Pocket, where have you been? My friend! My friend!† I was greatly relieved to see him alive, but the great, simple bear pulled me from my horse and hugged me until I could barely breathe, dancing me in a circle, my feet flying in the air as if I was a doll. â€Å"Stop licking, Drool, you lout, you'll wear my hair off.† I clouted the oaf on the back with Jones and he yowled. â€Å"Ouch. Don't hit, Pocket.† He dropped me and crouched, hugging himself as if he were his own comforting mother, which he may have been, for all I know. I saw red-brown stains on his shirt back, and so lifted it to see the cause. â€Å"Oh, lad, what has happened to you?† My voice broke, tears tried to push out of my eyes, and I gasped. The muscular slab of Drool's back was nearly devoid of skin – his hide had been torn and scabbed over and torn again by a vicious lash. â€Å"I've missed you most awful,† said Drool. â€Å"Aye, me too, but how happened these stripes?† â€Å"Lord Edmund says I am an insult to nature and must be punished.† Edmund. Bastard.

Information Security and Management Syllabus Essay

Confidentiality and Security, Security Policy and Operations Life Cycle, Security System Development and Operations Secure Networking Threats The Attack Process. Attacker Types. Vulnerability Types. Attack Results. Attack Taxonomy. Threats to Security: Physical security, Biometric systems, monitoring controls, and Data security and intrusion and detection systems. Encryption Techniques Conventional techniques, Modern techniques, DES, DES chaining, Triple DES, RSA algorithm, Key management. Message Authentication and Hash Algorithm, Authentication requirements and functions secure Hash Algorithm, Message digest algorithm, digital signatures. AES Algorithms. Designing Secure Networks Components of a Hardening Strategy. Network Devices. Host Operating Systems. Applications. Appliance-Based Network Services. Rogue Device Detection, Network Security Technologies The Difficulties of Secure Networking. Security Technologies. Emerging Security Technologies General Design Considerations, Layer 2 Security Considerations. IP Addressing Design Considerations. ICMP Design Considerations. Routing Considerations. Transport Protocol Design Considerations. Network Security Platform Options Network Security Platform Options. Network Security Device Best Practices, Common Application Design Considerations. E-Mail. DNS. HTTP/HTTPS. FTP. Instant Messaging. IPsec VPN Design Considerations VPN Basics. Types of IPsec VPNs. IPsec Modes of Operation and Security Options. Topology Considerations. Design Considerations. Site-to-Site Deployment Examples. Secure Network Management and Network Security Management Organizational Realities. Protocol Capabilities. Tool Capabilities. Secure Management Design Options. Network Security Management, Firewalls, Trusted systems, IT act and cyber laws. Text Books: 1. Sean Convery, â€Å" Network Security Architectures, Published by Cisco Press, First Ed. 2004 2. William Stalling â€Å"Cryptography and Network Security† Fourth Ed. , Prentice Hall, 2006 Reference Books: 1. Charles P. Pfleeger, Shari Lawrence Pfleeger, â€Å"Security in Computing† 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall, 2003 2. Jeff Crume â€Å"Inside Internet Security† Addison Wesley, 2003 ISM 184 INFORMATION SECURITY POLICIES IN INDUSTRY L T/P C 3 1 4 Introduction to Information Security Policies About Policies – why Policies are Important – When policies should be developed – How Policy should be developed – Policy needs – Identify what and from whom it is being protected – Data security consideration – Backups, Archival storage and disposal of data – Intellectual Property rights and Policies – Incident Response and Forensics – Management Responsibilities – Role of Information Security Department – Security Management and Law Enforcement – Security awareness training and support . The student will have to present the progress of the work through seminars and progress report. A report must be submitted to the University for evaluation purpose at the end of the semester in a specified format. ISM481 THESISL T/P C 0 0 16 The student will submit a synopsis at the beginning of the semester for the approval from the project committee in a specified format. Synopsis must be submitted within two weeks. The first defense, for the dissertation work, should be held with in two months time. Dissertation Report must be submitted in a specified format to the project committee for evaluation purpose at the end of semester.

Disagreements between the management and workers

Disagreements between the management and workers This report is aimed at discussing the options that the management of a company can take provided that the negotiations with the labor union reach a deadlock. In particular, one should focus on the involvement of strikebreakers, lockouts, mediation, and arbitration.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Disagreements between the management and workers specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These are the main strategies that can be identified. In this case, the main goal is to find ways of resolving the conflict between employees and business administration. Therefore, one should seek a decision that can benefit various stakeholders. First of all, the management can involve strikebreakers who can maintain the functioning of the organization. In most cases, companies do not have a right to substitute the union employees in this way. Furthermore, they cannot dismiss workers because they are the members of a trade union. Neverthele ss, an organization is allowed to replace striking employees in order to maintain or re-start the operations of a company. This strategy is plausible in those cases when the disruptions of the operations can put the sustainability of an organization at risk. This is one of the aspects that can be identified. Another strategy that can be taken is lockouts. This means that a company does not enable the employees to enter the workplace during the negotiations. For instance, a business can hire the guards who will prevent the workers from entering the premises. This option can be legal only if the requirements of the labor unions can endanger the financial sustainability of a company. The main similarity of the first two options is that they can be legitimate only in several circumstances. Additionally, the involvement of strikebreakers and the use of lockouts are not likely to resolve the conflict between the management and workers. More likely, these strategies can assist business to avoid costly disruptions. These are some of the main limitations that should be considered.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There are two other options that can be selected. In particular, one can speak about mediation which means that employers and trade unions involve a third party. This organization can recommend a decision that can meet the needs of businesses and trade unions. On the whole, mediators should be impartial, and they should consider the interests of various stakeholders. This is one of the most requirements that can be singled out. However, one should keep in mind that this recommendation cannot be imposed on the parties. Trade unions and employees are not legally required to accept the decision of a mediator. This is one of the points that can be made. Finally, it is necessary to speak about arbitration. This option is also based on the premise that employers and trade unions attract an impartial third-party. The most important difference is that the decision of the arbiter has a binding power for the management and labor unions. Therefore, both parties should make sure that the third party is objective in its evaluation of the conflict. This is one of the main distinctions that should be taken into account. Overall, these examples suggest that the most suitable options are mediation and arbitration because in this way, both sides can place themselves in the position of one another. Lockouts and the use of strikebreakers can help a business to maintain operations. Nevertheless, they are suitable for settling disagreements between the management and workers. These are the main options that should be considered.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Disagreements between the management and workers specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

Turn Your Teacher Weaknesses Into Assets to Get the Job

Turn Your Teacher Weaknesses Into Assets to Get the Job One interview question that can stump even seasoned job-seeking educators is What is your greatest weakness as a teacher? This question may come at you disguised as What would you most like to change/improve about yourself? or What frustrations did you encounter in your last position? This weakness question really tags as an opportunity to Describe your strengths. Your response can tip the interview in your favor or send your resume to the bottom of the pile. Forget Conventional Wisdom In the past conventional wisdom recommended putting a spin on this question by describing an actual strength camouflaged  as a weakness. For example, you might have tried to be clever and offered perfectionism as your weakness, explaining that you refuse to quit until the job gets done right. But in responding to your weaknesses, you should should stay away from any personal qualities. Save your personal qualities such as perfectionism, enthusiasm, creativity, or patience for describing strengths. In responding to a question about a weakness, you should offer more professional traits. For example, you may recall how you noticed your attention to detail, organization, or problem-solving may have needed improvement. Once you have provided the trait, you should provide details on how you purposefully worked to address this weakness. Include any of the steps you have taken or are currently taking to mitigate this weakness. Here are two examples of how you might respond to a question about your greatest weakness. Corrected Weakness: Organization For example, you can state that you have been less excited about the amount of paperwork that comes along with a classroom of students. You may admit that in the past you tended to procrastinate on assessing classwork or homework. You can also admit to having found yourself on more than one occasion scrambling to catch up right before the grading period ended. You might feel like your honesty leaves you vulnerable. But, if you go on to explain that in order to combat this tendency, you set a schedule for yourself this past school year that dedicated time every day to paperwork, you will be viewed as a problem solver. You might include other strategies you used such as self-grading assignments whenever practical, which allowed students to assess their own work as you discussed the answers together in class. As a result, you can acknowledge that you learned to stay on top of your grading and needed a short time at the end of each period to compile the information. For new teachers, examples like this could come from student teaching experiences. Now an interviewer will see you as self-aware and reflective, both highly desirable attributes in a teacher. Corrected Weakness: Seeking advice Teachers are independent, but that can lead to isolation in problem solving, and some problems may necessitate advice from others.This is particularly true in dealing with confrontational situations such as dealing with an irate parent or a teachers aide who arrives late to your class every day. You might admit that you may have tried to solve some problems on your own, but upon reflection, felt it was necessary to seek the advice of others. You can explain how you found the teacher next door to you or an administrator was important in helping you address different kinds of uncomfortable confrontations. If you are an educator looking for first job, you may not have classroom experiences to use as examples. But dealing with confrontations is a life skill and not limited to the school building. In this case, you can provide examples of problem-solving confrontations you may have had at college or at another job. Seeking the advice of others shows that you can identify people or groups that can be resources instead of trying to tackle confrontational problems on your own. Self analysis Employers know job candidates have weaknesses, says Kent McAnally, director of career services at Washburn University. They want to know that we are doing the self-analysis to identify what ours are, he writes for the American Association for Employment in Education. Showing that you are taking steps to improve is essential to making a positive impression, but more importantly, it is essential for developing your personal and professional goals and development plans. And THAT is the real reason for the question. Tips to Master the Interview Be truthful.Do not try to guess what the interviewer wants to hear. Answer questions candidly and present your authentic self.Prepare for the question but do not let your answers sound coached.Remain positive as you explain how your weakness could be seen as a positive in the job.Avoid using negative words like â€Å"weak† and â€Å"failure.†Smile!

The Dos and Donts of Writing a Dissertation Conclusion

The Dos and Donts of Writing a Dissertation Conclusion The Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Dissertation Conclusion After years of hard work, dedicated research and sleepless nights, you’re finally close to finishing your dissertation. You’ve reviewed the literature, gathered and analyzed data, and reflected on the results. Well done. But what does it all mean? This is where the conclusion becomes crucial, as it allows you to summarize your work and its significance. Its therefore important that the conclusion to your dissertation is clear, concise and compelling. Here are a few â€Å"dos† and â€Å"don’ts† to keep in mind when writing your conclusion! DO†¦ 1. Summarize Your Argument A good conclusion will briefly restate your hypothesis, key findings and the implications of your research. This will help the reader to follow your argument as a whole, bringing together various elements raised during the discussion. 2. Put Your Work in Context The conclusion of your dissertation is a good place to restate the significance of your work. This might include how it contributes to existing knowledge in your field or its importance outside of academia. 3. Assess Limitations No study is perfect, not even yours! Sorry to break the bad news! On the plus side, you can discuss the limitations of your work at the end of your dissertation. Doing this will demonstrate your understanding of the research process. Issues you may want to consider include sample size and time constraints. 4. Identify Implications for Future Research Most dissertation conclusions include suggestions for how your work could inform future research. This could be a refinement of your own investigation, though it might also be a radical new idea suggested by your results! DON’T†¦ 1. Introduce New Material Although it’s fine to offer an opinion or reflection at the end of your dissertation, introducing new arguments or evidence at this point is forbidden. If something is important enough to include in the conclusion, it should be part of the main body of your paper. 2. Write Too Much Your conclusion should include a summary of what precedes it, but it isn’t necessary to go back over everything in depth. Try to make this chapter fairly snappy, relating what you have already read in an easily digestible way. 3. Keep Your Reader in Suspense Unlike an episode of Game of Thrones, you can’t finish your dissertation on a cliffhanger! In your research, you will have set out to answer certain questions. Make sure that you address these explicitly in your conclusion so that nothing is overlooked. If you follow these tips you should hopefully find writing that allimportant concluding chapter a much simpler process. But if you need any more support, the experts at Proofed will be happy to look over your work!

Theory practice gap Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Theory practice gap - Essay Example The theory-practice gap can only be terminated rather than being resolved by starting a new nursing theory concept and a new connection between practice and theory where both communicate and respond to each other. For example, a transformative and collaborative model is used to identify that health care needs of patients are not met in the health care system dominated by medicine. The transformative model is used to promote visible and active nursing presence, describe and foster medical-nursing collaboration in health care system (Hamric, Hanson, Tracy & OGrady, 2014). I agree with discussion two about theory-practice gap because it has limited the nursing professions from full utilisation of their knowledge in practice. This is because theory based nursing practice relies on the extent of the nurses’ understanding and knowledge of theories and model; and how to implement them in their profession. Nursing theories and models give a systematic approach and structure to identify important data, interpret information for nursing diagnosis, plan effective nursing care and examine patients through objective analysis, decision making and analysis. In advanced nursing profession, the advanced nurse practitioner handles a variety of patients ranging from community, special population, families and individual. The health care revolution demands that a nurse should show cost effective, high quality and efficient care in health care systems; pushing nurses to advance their studies (Cody & Kenney, 2006). This has led to hospitals attracting educated nu rses who are grounded on graduate level education and clinical training. These advanced nurse practitioners are certified and have direct clinical practice centred on patients and families. Therefore, the role of the advanced nurse practitioner is to give care using evidence-based practice; to improve the health of the patient. To sum

Regional Corruption Report (Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, and Essay

Regional Corruption Report (Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, and Ukraine) - Essay Example /noferrous metals, oil, machines, grain, wool, mean, chemicals, coal GNI per capita: US $6, 740 Ratings Corruption Perceptions Index 20102 Rank 105, Score 2.9 Index of Economic Freedom 20113 Rank 78, Score 62.1 Global Competitiveness Index 20104 Rank 72, Score 4.13 Freedom House 20105 Political Rights Score: 6; Civil Liberties Score: 5; Status: Not Free. Human Development Index 20106 Rank 66 World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index 20107 Rank 59. Map of Kazakhstan taken from http://www.bjchinesetranslation.com/maps_of_the_world/map_of_kazakhstan.htm (Retrieved 2 May 2011). Flag of Kazakhstan Taken From: http://www.mapsofworld.com/flags/kazakhstan-flag.html (Retrieved 2 May 2011). Country Profile: Russian Federation8 Geography Capital: Moscow Location: North Asia, on the borders with Artic Ocean and Europe and the North Pacific Ocean. Size: 17 Million sq. km Government Federation, Presidential head of state President: Dmitriy Medvedev (Elected 2 March 2008 with 70. 28% vote). Prime Min ister: Vladimir Putin (Appointed since 8 May 2008). People Population: 140.3 million as at 2010. Main Language: Russian Main religions: Christianity, Islam Live Expectancy: Men, 62 years; women, 74 years. Death Rate: 16.04/1,000 population Birth Rate: 11.05/1000 population Economy Monetary currency: 1 rouble = 100 kopecks Major exports: oil, gas, wood, metals, chemicals, weapons and military equipment. GNE per capita: US$9,370 Ratings Corruption Perceptions Index 20109 Rank 154, Score 2.1 Index of Economic Freedom Rank 143, Score 50.5 Global Competitiveness Index 201010 Rank 63, Score 4.24 Freedom House 201011 Political Rights Score: 6; Civil Liberties Score: 5; Status: Not Free. Human Development Index 201012 Rank, 65. World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index 201013 Rank 123 Map of Russia... Therefore, as low as Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine scored on the 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index, this was an improvement over previous years. The problem for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) dates back to the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was at this time that these countries have been transitioning from socialist and centrally oriented states to â€Å"multiparty democracies and market-based economic system†. Many of these countries did not have and continue to struggle with maintaining legal and political frameworks necessary for supporting open market economies. Thus, these transitioning states became breeding groups for corruption. The World Bank reports that the decline in corruption corresponds with the strengthening of legal and political regimes in the CIS. All indications are that corruption appears to continue to be problematic in Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. As of 2011, reports reveal trends that require purposeful action. Nichol informs that as states in transition, the increasing influx of foreign funds relative to foreign investment in oil and gas, together with lower wages among government officials and weak legal and political institutions are favourable to corruption. In fact, the increases in gas and oil exports in Kazakhstan have only increased the corruption trends. TORO, the contact for Transparency International in Ukraine wrote to the President of the European Council expressing concern on behalf of Transparency International for the â€Å"high level of corruption in Ukraine†.

Contract Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Contract Law - Essay Example In a contract law, there are two types of terms that are the express terms and the implied terms. Express terms generally mean the terms that in specific have been mentioned orally or in writing and agreed upon by both parties involved in the contract during the time when the contract is being made. On the other hand, implied terms are different from expressed terms. Both parties may have not mentioned these implied terms in the contract. However, sometimes they are included because the contract would not make any sense commercially without them. The verbal agreement When buying the van, you stated that you wanted a van that could carry around four to five large items of furniture. You also stated that the previous van that you used to carry could handle loads of ton up to one tone and a cubic capacity of 200 feet. However, the seller did not meet the conditions that you stated. He stated that he had a van like this but it is clear evident that he did not meet your expectations. Acco rding to section 14(3) of the sales act of goods, it clearly states that if the buyer expresses his purpose of the goods understood to the seller, then it is the duty of the seller to make sure that the goods, which will be given, fit the purpose that is intended. It should be noted that if it is reasonable for the buyer to rely on the expertise of the seller then would the terms apply (Sales of Acts goods 1979). Therefore, the seller, who is Alan Daly, needs to compensate you for that. Additionally, in the verbal agreement, when you telephoned Mr. Alan Daly, he ascertained that he would look at the complications of the vehicle if it were delivered to him before the end of the week. This means that you had to deliver the vehicle before the week ended. However, you failed to do so. Instead, you did not telephone Mr. Alan Daly to notify him that you could not take the van to his garage and that you should both fix a suitable day for the vehicle to be examined. The written terms In the contract, it is evident that the seller, which in this case was Mr. Alan Daly, wanted to evade himself from problems, which he knew were to emerge eventually in the contract. In addition, he gave you the wrong capacity of the car. In clause 4(b), he stated, â€Å"any warranty or condition as to the condition, description, quality or fitness for particular purpose is hereby excluded from this contract for sale†. This is clearly evident that both parties, that is you, Mr. Winston and Mr. Alan agreed that there were no warranties of the car to be returned regardless of any major issue occurring. However, the verbal agreement that you had with Mr. Alan clearly out do the written terms (Atiyah et al. 2010). The oil leak It is obvious that Mr. Alan sold you a car that did not meet the requirements of the vehicle that you wanted. Concerning the oil leakage, upon you, Mr. Winston inspecting the vehicle, you noticed a small patch of oil on the forecourt where the van was standing. Ho wever, when Alan was asked, he said that the oil spill had occurred probably when they had topped up the oil and water levels when servicing the car. According to the report of the mechanic, it was reported that the oil leak might have caused this entire problem. However, a problem might occur here because Mr. Alan advised you to take the van to his garage to be serviced but you did not. However, this can be out ruled since when buying the vehicle, you explained to Mr. Alan that the vehicle would be used for delivering and collecting furniture’s and this was very crucial in the smooth running of your business. Mr. Alan should be in a position to repair for your vehicle that was all because of the oil spill since according to part v, it is clearly stated that the seller should be able to repair or replace the good in a reasonable time. Defective Clutch and brakes Mr. Alan sold the van knowing that it had these problems. Mr. Alan can be charged of murder because he sold you

Air Pollution Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Air Pollution - Research Paper Example The issue of Air Pollution has is not new and was part of the environmental crisis that started with the industrial revolution however the situation today is far more complicated and critical as compared to 50 years back with environmental pollutants causing problems like ozone depletion, global warming and acid rain (Wark, Warner, Davis). Air pollution is almost impossible to contain because of its ability to spread rapidly over a large area. Air pollutants are of various kinds with different physical characteristics and chemical properties and have varying effects on the environment and human health. The various environmental issues are inter-related for example the issue of global warming is aggravated by the increased ozone depletion due to various environmental pollutants. The various environment protection bodies including the United Nations Environmental Program is taking various steps to prevent air pollution and reduce the use of several different chemicals and process which result in air pollution. The UNEP issues regular recommendations to the governments for passing legislation for eradicating the use of harmful chemicals and industrial processes which contribute to environmental pollution. The various other initiatives taken by international environmental protection bodies and agencies include the Kyoto Protocol, the Montreal Protocol and carbon footprint reduction programs but these efforts have not achieved the desired objectives till date. The situation of air pollution is worsening every other day primarily because of the lack of awareness among common people about the adverse effects of various daily life products they use and their activities which pollute the environment. People are concerned about an issue when they have to face the consequences but in case of air pollution, there are cases in which the pollution is caused by the activities of one region while people of other regions have to face the consequences, for instance the Scandinav ian regions are affected when the European countries of the south pollute air, similar is the case with the harmful chemicals issued by the industries in China which pollute the Japanese regions (White, Beal). The sand storms in North Africa are responsible for red rains in Europe across the Mediterranean. So the issue of air pollution is a global issue and must be dealt by all the nations of the world collectively but the overall scenario of the world regarding the environmental protection is not very encouraging because the countries only think about their own interests and do not act to solve the problems globally because most of the countries are not willing to sacrifice their economical benefits for the environmental protection cause. Pollutants in the air a serious environmental issue because the society today is highly industrialized and the various harmful chemicals like radon, lead, asbestos, ozone, carbon monoxide etc. which have been classified as environmental pollutants are issuing from various industries. The various air pollutants are discussed in the following paragraphs. Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which is fatal for humans if

Financing a Small Business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financing a Small Business - Research Paper Example Luckily, there are still many ways which a smart and proactive person can use to make his living. Something which is better than his previous job infact. This is to start his own business. One might ask why anyone would want to start his own business and go through such a huge risk of investing so much and finding out in the end that it was all a bad idea and loses all his money. Well the answer is already given above. But apart from not having any other choice, it is wrong by many people to consider a business as a "risky investment" because a business is as secure as you want it to be. If you start out with a stupid idea which only you believe is going to sell, well then you will lose your money. On the other hand, if you value your investment a lot and do not want to take big risks, you can start something simple like a general or medical store. This type of business will give you lesser profit but it will be stable and will involve routine supply chain techniques which will there fore lowering the risk to a minimum. Now comes the most crucial part, one which actually makes a person decide on his destiny. It's how to finance his business. The first thing a person needs to answer is how much investment is he going to need. If his business plan is well defined and thoroughly covers the default five year plan technique, he will know exactly how much he will need in order to get it started. He will also know in how much time he will be able to reach break-even for his investment therefore answering his second query of repayment of his installments. There are several ways a person can finance his business, for the purpose of simplicity, we will discuss three of the most common ways which are used by small businessmen and even by big multinational giants (James E. Burk, Richard P. Lehman, 2006). Personal Credit This technique is primarily designed for small businessmen deciding on opening a low risk and stable earning platform. This is because as the name suggests, the businessman will borrow money from his personal contacts either by formal or informal agreements. These personal contacts are usually family members who come in the businessman's trust circle like his parents and siblings. This is the safest way of acquiring money for investment because there is a lot of flexibility involved in the process. Also, the business man will be more careful of investing it wisely as his share is the highest in the whole investment and he cannot gamble with it too much. Upon interview of selected people on whether they would lend money to a close relative, the answers received were highly unexpected. 80% of people interviewed said they were not comfortable in lending their hard earned money as they were not sure if they would be able to get it back once they lend it. On the other hand, people also said that they would not like to ask their family members for help as they do not want to parade about the fact that they are starting a business as they might become prey to extreme jealousy. Bank Loan This technique is the most common used in the business world today. Even banks offer special packages to customers seeking money for investing in their own small business which are good because they have lower markups and they are granted more easily thanks to governmental

Central Asian Politics - The US and the EU in Central Asia Essay

Central Asian Politics - The US and the EU in Central Asia - Essay Example The most fundamental of these concern the issues of security, geopolitics and the energy potential of the region. Security In the area of security, Central Asia was catapulted to international prominence after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in America. The incident has underscored how political and economic difficulties of distant states could have repercussions in the very U.S. soil. The conflict and the authoritarian regimes the dominate Central Asia is also becoming an increasing concern for the European Union. In a white paper, for instance, it has been expressly stated that the conflicts and despotic regimes in the region could harm European interests, first in terms of security (as with the case of the US) and, secondly, in its interest in Central Asian energy resources. (Melvin 2007, p2) Failed states like Afghanistan became breeding ground of terrorists that could attack America and Europe and their interests all over the world. Central Asia is significant in this r egard. First, it is predominantly Muslim and many policymakers fear that states undergoing political and economic underdevelopment could be a fertile area for religious extremism. John Negroponte, the former director of National Intelligence, underscored this when he testified before the US Congress that, â€Å"Central Asia remains plagued by political stagnation and repression, rampant corruption, widespread poverty, and widening socio-economic inequalities, and other problems that nurture radical sentiment and terrorism.† (Blank 2007) The case of uprising in the Uzbek city of Andijon demonstrated the actual expression of the grim projections by analysts. The crisis began when a band of armed men stormed a jail and freed several prisoners. Soon, however, people started to join the fray, apparently seizing the opportunity to air grievances against the government. Wary of a full-scale uprising, the government ordered its soldiers to shoot the protesters. Hill and Jones stresse d that â€Å"there is legitimate disagreement over the number of citizens that were in the square and even the number injured and killed, but it is clear†¦ that government forces fired indiscriminately.† (p112) Fearing international reprisal, Uzbekistan closed itself up by rounding up and jailing oppositionists, expelling international media and human rights watchdog from the country and closing a U.S. military base. This experience could prove to be a dangerous precedent for the other Central Asian states, which are also facing similar socio-political difficulties. There is also the perennial challenge of the tribal/clan conflict in Central Asia. Ethnic differences and fragmented nationalist aspirations have consistently destabilized the country since their independence. The proximity of Central Asia to Afghanistan aggravates the situation further in the American perspective. What this means is that the region is highly at risk of being influenced, infiltrated or co-opt ed by the Taliban. This is in addition to the fact that foreign policy orientation could shift towards China and Russia, as in the case of Uzbekistan. Geopolitics Another important aspect in the Central Asian importance to America and Europe is its strategic location. It is bounded from all sides by global players that are significant in the respective foreign policy orientations of both. For instance, there is Russia to the north, China to the east,

Financing a Small Business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financing a Small Business - Research Paper Example Luckily, there are still many ways which a smart and proactive person can use to make his living. Something which is better than his previous job infact. This is to start his own business. One might ask why anyone would want to start his own business and go through such a huge risk of investing so much and finding out in the end that it was all a bad idea and loses all his money. Well the answer is already given above. But apart from not having any other choice, it is wrong by many people to consider a business as a "risky investment" because a business is as secure as you want it to be. If you start out with a stupid idea which only you believe is going to sell, well then you will lose your money. On the other hand, if you value your investment a lot and do not want to take big risks, you can start something simple like a general or medical store. This type of business will give you lesser profit but it will be stable and will involve routine supply chain techniques which will there fore lowering the risk to a minimum. Now comes the most crucial part, one which actually makes a person decide on his destiny. It's how to finance his business. The first thing a person needs to answer is how much investment is he going to need. If his business plan is well defined and thoroughly covers the default five year plan technique, he will know exactly how much he will need in order to get it started. He will also know in how much time he will be able to reach break-even for his investment therefore answering his second query of repayment of his installments. There are several ways a person can finance his business, for the purpose of simplicity, we will discuss three of the most common ways which are used by small businessmen and even by big multinational giants (James E. Burk, Richard P. Lehman, 2006). Personal Credit This technique is primarily designed for small businessmen deciding on opening a low risk and stable earning platform. This is because as the name suggests, the businessman will borrow money from his personal contacts either by formal or informal agreements. These personal contacts are usually family members who come in the businessman's trust circle like his parents and siblings. This is the safest way of acquiring money for investment because there is a lot of flexibility involved in the process. Also, the business man will be more careful of investing it wisely as his share is the highest in the whole investment and he cannot gamble with it too much. Upon interview of selected people on whether they would lend money to a close relative, the answers received were highly unexpected. 80% of people interviewed said they were not comfortable in lending their hard earned money as they were not sure if they would be able to get it back once they lend it. On the other hand, people also said that they would not like to ask their family members for help as they do not want to parade about the fact that they are starting a business as they might become prey to extreme jealousy. Bank Loan This technique is the most common used in the business world today. Even banks offer special packages to customers seeking money for investing in their own small business which are good because they have lower markups and they are granted more easily thanks to governmental

Innovation Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Innovation Policy - Essay Example Such countries have increased their focus on developing and enhancing technologies and this has helped in improving their profits. On the other side, there are countries that have developed export economies by utilising the technology that devised by importing countries. Policies of both these types of countries related to technological adaption have played a significant role in determining the international trade pattern. Role of technology in developing a pattern of trade had been formed with various other dimensions as well. In addition, the technological advancement has also received criticism for its role. Hence, the role of technology in trade policy is of immense importance not only for academic purpose but also from the perspective of an economist as well. Role of technology in trade is increasingly being considered as a game changing variable in international trade and economic scenario. Europe has enjoyed the benefits of technological development and it has dominated over t he years because of technological advancement. Europe at the moment is considering the other side of opportunities towards technological advancement as it is focusing on southern countries with import dependencies. Hence, the essay develops a review of literature on the role of technology in the international trade and economic environment. ... Krugman (1979a) has developed an equilibrium model that determines trade pattern as a result of technology adaption or improvement of countries. Krugman’s equilibrium model has two types of countries; north and south. Northern countries have been focussing on developing technological expertise that increases earnings per technological development and labour efficiency by not increasing the non-human input. Northern countries have also been focussing on developing new products and then export these products to southern countries with charging additional rentals or prices for innovation being offered. Referred countries with dominance on new product development also benefit with transportation-inn of movable capital that includes both increased foreign direct investment as well as skilled labour. Increased efficiency with technological advancement results in labour receiving higher wage rate despite of similar productivity rate as of southern side countries. On the other side ar e southern side countries, these countries focus on receiving technological advancement from developed (northern) countries. Southern countries focus on manufacturing old products and export them to north for meeting their demand. Hence, according to Krugman (1979a) technological developments determine the pattern of international trade. Apart from this north south model that determines the position of importer and exporter in international trade theory, Krugman (1979b) has also documented reason of trade between countries with similar technological position. Krugman (1979b) cites the reason for such trade i.e. trade between countries in north or south category as to be the economies of scale. Hence, adopting Chamberlinian approach for defining trade being

Perils of Texting Essay Example for Free

Perils of Texting Essay Cell phones have become a staple of modern society. Nearly everyone has them, and people carry and use them at all hours of the day. For the most part, this is a good thing: the benefits of staying connected at any time and at any location are considerable. But if you’re like most Americans, you may regularly talk on the phone or even text while at the wheel of a car. This dangerous behavior has resulted in increasing numbers of accidents and fatalities caused by cell phone usage. The trend shows no sign of slowing down. In 2003, a federal study of 10,000 drivers by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) set out to determine the effects of using cell phones behind the wheel. The results were conclusive: talking on the phone is equivalent to a 10- point reduction in IQ and a .08 blood alcohol level, which law enforcement considers intoxicated. Handsfree sets were ineffective in eliminating risk, the study found, because the conversation itself is what distracts drivers, not holding the phone. Cell phone use caused 955 fatalities and 240,000 accidents in 2002. Related studies indicated that drivers that talked on the phone while driving increased their crash risk fourfold, and drivers that texted while driving increased their crash risk by a whopping 23 times. Since that study, mobile device usage has grown by an order of magnitude, worsening this already dangerous situation. The number of wireless subscribers in America has increased by around 1,000 percent since 1995 to nearly 300 million overall in 2010, and Americans’ usage of wireless minutes increased by approximately 6,000 percent. This increase in cell phone usage has been accompanied by an upsurge in phone-related fatalities and accidents: In 2010, it’s estimated that texting caused 5,870 fatalities and 515,000 accidents, up considerably from prior years. These figures are roughly half of equivalent statistics for drunk driving. Studies show that drivers know that using the phone while driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do on the road, but refuse to admit that it’s dangerous when they themselves do it. Of users that text while driving, the more youthful demographic groups, such as the 18–29 age group, are by far the most frequent texters. About three quarters of Americans in this age group regularly text, compared to just 22 percent of the 35–44 age group. Correspondingly, the majority of accidents involving mobile device use behind the wheel involve young adults. Among this age group, texting behind  the wheel is just one of a litany of problems raised by frequent texting: anxiety, distraction, failing grades, repetitive stress injuries, and sleep deprivation are just some of the other problems brought about by excessive use of mobile devices. Teenagers are particularly prone to using cell phones to text because they want to know what’s happening to their friends and are anxious about being socially isolated. Analysts predict that over 800 billion text messages will be sent in 2010. Texting is clearly here to stay, and in fact has supplanted phone calls as the most commonly used method of mobile communication. People are unwilling to give up their mobile devices because of the pressures of staying con nected. Neurologists have found that the neural response to multitasking by texting while driving suggests that people develop addictions to the digital devices they use most, getting quick bursts of adrenaline, without which driving becomes boring. There are interests opposed to legislation prohibiting cell phone use in cars. A number of legislators believe that it’s not state or federal government’s role to prohibit poor decision making. Auto makers, and some safety researchers, are arguing that with the proper technology and under appropriate conditions, communicating from a moving vehicle is a manageable risk. Louis Tijerina, a veteran of the NHTSA and Ford Motor Co. researcher, notes that even as mobile phone subscriptions have surged to over 250 million during the past decade, the death rate from accidents on the highways has fallen. Nevertheless, lawmakers are increasingly recognizing the need for more powerful legislation barring drivers from texting behind the wheel. Many states have made inroads with laws prohibiting texting while operating vehicles. In Utah, drivers crashing while texting can receive 15 years in prison, by far the toughest sentence for texting while driving in the nation when the legislation was enacted. Utah’s law assumes that drivers understand the risks of texting while driving, whereas in other states, prosecutors must prove that the driver knew about the risks of texting while driving before doing so. Utah’s tough law was the result of a horrifying accident in which a speeding college student, texting at the wheel, rear-ended a car in front. The c ar lost control, entered the opposite side of the road, and was hit head-on by a pickup truck hauling a trailer, killing the driver instantly. In September 2008, a train engineer in California was texting within a minute prior to the most fatal train  accident in almost two decades. Californian authorities responded by banning the use of cell phones by train workers while on duty. In total, 31 states have banned texting while driving in some form, and most of those states have a full ban for phone users of all ages. The remaining states are likely to follow suit in coming years as well. President Obama also banned texting while driving for all federal government employees in October 2009. Still, there’s more work to be done to combat this dangerous and life-threatening practice. Sources: Paulo Salazar, â€Å"Banning Texting While Driving,† WCBI.com, August 7, 2010; Jerry Hirsch, â€Å"Teen Drivers Dangerously Divide Their Attention,† Los Angeles Times, August 3, 2010; www.drivinglaws. org, accessed July 2010; www.drivinglaws.org, accessed July 7, 2010; Matt Richtel, â€Å"Driver Texting Now an Issue in the Back Seat,† The New York Times, September 9, 2009; Matt Richtel, â€Å"Utah Gets Tough With Texting Drivers,† The New York Times, August 29, 2009; Matt Richtel, â€Å"In Study, Texting Lifts Crash Risk by Large Margin,† The New York Times, July 28, 2009; Matt Richtel, â€Å"D rivers and Legislators Dismiss Cellphone Risks,† The New York Times, July 19, 2009; Tom Regan, â€Å"Some Sobering Stats on Texting While Driving,† The Christian Science Monitor, May 28, 2009; Katie Hafner, â€Å"Texting May be Taking a Toll on Teenagers,† The New York Times, May 26, 2009; and Tara Parker-Pope, â€Å"Texting Until Their Thumbs Hurt,† The New York Times, May 26, 2009. Questions to be answered: 1. Which of the five moral dimensions of information systems identified is involved in this case? 2. What are the ethical, social, and political issues raised by this case? 3. Which of the ethical principles described are useful for decision making about texting while driving?

Management Control, Employment Equity and Skills Development

Management Control, Employment Equity and Skills Development Gabriella Greyling Management Control, Employment Equity, Skills Development Table of Contents (Jump to) Introduction Background Understanding the Scorecard Compliance of the Advertising Industry in Cape Town Conclusion Bibliography Introduction In the case study, Duffett, van der Heever Bell argue that transformation within the advertising industry is vital due to the influence this sector has over social norms and trends (Duffett, van der Heever Bell, 2009). They further argue that the advertising industry in Cape Town has implemented BEE and is making progress in complying with the targets set out in the Codes, although admit that there are some challenges that may impact on success of the Codes to achieve transformation goals. Compliance with three of the seven elements of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Codes of Good Practice of 2007 (â€Å"Codes†) (namely Management Control, Employment Equity and Skills Development) of the advertising industry in Cape Town, has been critically analysed using the 2009 study by Duffet, van der Heever and Bell. The study looks at factors that hinder or promote transformation in this industry, in relation to the B-BBEE Codes and applicable transformation charters. The advertising industry falls within the scope of the Marketing, Advertising and Communication (â€Å"MAC†) Transformation Charter, gazetted in terms of Section 12 of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (â€Å"B-BBEE†) Act (Act No. 53 of 2003). Under Section 12, a transformation charter is not binding on the industry, unlike the Codes, which were gazetted in terms of Section 9(1) of the B-BBEE Act (B-BBEE Codes, 2007, p15). This is mentioned as one of the factors impeding success of transformation in the advertising industry, as it has created some confusion for scorecard preparation. Furthermore, at the time of conducting the study, SANAS had delayed the process of accrediting Verification Agencies to July 2008. This meant that many companies were performing self-assessments to determine their compliance in terms of the B-BBEE Codes in order to save money on costly verifications. Consequently, the results from the study may not be entirely reliable, but they ne vertheless form a useful basis to understand B-BBEE compliance in the advertising industry in Cape Town. Background The B-BBEE Act of 2003 was introduced as a model for growth for the South African economy. Encapsulated in this model is the notion that â€Å"no economy can grow while the majority of its population are excluded†. (Okharedia, 2014) The Codes, which were subsequently gazetted in 2007, provided a tool for measuring empowerment (and by implication, transformation) within a company, known as the ‘Scorecard’. Seven elements to this scorecard cover various forms of empowerment, known as direct empowerment (Equity Ownership and Management Control), human resource development (Employment Equity and Skills Development) and indirect empowerment (Preferential Procurement, Enterprise Development and Socio-Economic Development). Specific targets are set for all entities, and these targets are weighted out of 100. Once the scores for each element are added up, they will result in a total number of points out of 100, which indicates the B-BBEE Status (Level 1 to 8) and Procurement Recognition Level (135% 0%). If a sector-specific code is issued in terms of Section 9(1) of the B-BBEE Act, it may have different targets and weightings to that of the Codes of Good Practice, which are applicable to that industry/sect or only). (B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice, 2007, p15). Due to the focus on the Management Control, Employment Equity and Skills Development elements, the table that follows presents only these three (3) elements, rather than all seven (7). Understanding the Scorecard Table 1: the Management Control, Employment Equity and Skills Development scorecards B-BBEE Element Total Weighting Measurement Criteria (Indicator) Indicator Weighting Target (0-5) Target (6-10) Management Control 10 Exercisable Voting Rights of black Board members using the Adjusted Recognition for Gender 3 50.0% 50.0% Black Executive Directors using the Adjusted Recognition for Gender 2 50.0% 50.0% Black Senior Top Management using the Adjusted Recognition for Gender 3 40.0% 40.0% Black Other Top Management using the Adjusted Recognition for Gender 2 40.0% 40.0% Bonus points: Black Independent Non-Executive Board Members 1 40.0% 40.0% Employment Equity 15 Black disabled employees as a percentage of all employees using the Adjusted Recognition for Gender 2 3.0% 3.0% Black employees in Senior Management as a percentage of all such employees using the Adjusted Recognition for Gender 5 43.0% 60.0% Black employees in Middle Management as a percentage of all such employees using the Adjusted Recognition for Gender 4 63.0% 75.0% Black employees in Junior Management as a percentage of all such employees using the Adjusted Recognition for Gender 4 68.0% 80.0% Bonus points for meeting or exceeding the EAP targets in each category. 3 Exceed EAP targets Exceed EAP targets Skills Development 15 Skills Development expenditure on black employees as a percentage of Leviable Amount using the Adjusted recognition for Gender. 6 3.0% 3.0% Skills Development expenditure on black employees with disabilities as a percentage of Leviable Amount using the Adjusted Recognition for Gender. 3 0.3% 0.3% Number of black employees participating in In-service Training Programs as a percentage of total employees using the Adjusted Recognition for Gender 6 5.0% 5.0% As one can see from Table 1, each element is further split into sub-elements or indicators. Each indicator has a point weighting, and a target. We will be focusing on the target for years 0 to 5 (since the Codes came into effect in 2007, and the applicable case study was published in 2009, which is within the first 5 years of the Codes). The Management Control score card measures board participation of black people in general, and black females specifically. Additionally, participation by black people at Senior Top Management level and â€Å"Other Top Management† level is encouraged in this element of the Codes. Emphasis is also placed on participation of black Executive Directors. Participation of black women at board and top management level is further encouraged through the Adjusted Recognition for Gender (â€Å"ARG†) provisions of the Codes. This provision places a greater weighting on black women, by dividing the percentage of black people by 2, and then adding the percentage of black females. The enhancement does have a limitation, in that when adding back the black female percentage, this figure cannot exceed 50% of the target for that indicator (in other words, if the target is 40%, then one can add back a maximum of 20% to the total black percentage representation which had been divided by 2. Similarly, the Employment Equity and Skills Development score cards also utilise the ARG in order to encourage equality between men and women (black females should make up half the target of black people, which is also statistically feasible, as females constitute half of the population in South Africa (Commission for Employment Equity, 2013). The Employment Equity scorecard measures four areas of employment; Senior Management, Middle Management and Junior Management, as well as disabled employees, while Skills Development measures expenditure on skills training for black employees in general and black employees with disabilities specifically. It also measures the number of employees engaged in Learnerships (or Category B, C or D Learning Programs, as per the Learning Program matrix contained in Annexe 400A of Code 400) as a percentage of the company’s total staff compliment. Comparison of the Codes and MAC Transformation Charter Upon closer inspection of the targets contained in the Management Control, Employment Equity and Skills Development Scorecards of the MAC Transformation Charter and the Codes of Good Practice, the weightings are different, and the targets are phased in from 2006 to 2014 such that the 2014 targets match that of the Codes (or are higher than targets contained in the Codes); Points available under Board participation for the MAC Charter are 5, and targets will be phased in from 25% in 2006, to 50% in 2014 (whereas the Codes offer 3 points for 50% black board participation) The same target applies to Executive directors, Senior Top Management and Other Top Management under the MAC Charter set the target to 25% at first, increasing to 30% in 2009 and finally 50% in 2014 (which is higher than the Codes for Senior Top and Other Top Management targets of 40%, un-staggered) while the available points under the MAC charter are higher in all three categories (4 and 3 points available, instead of 3 and 2 respectively). The target for Independent Non-executives is lower under MAC at 30% (and is phased in from 10% in 2006), as opposed to 40%. Under Employment Equity, the MAC Charter imposes one target for Senior, Middle and Junior Management of 25% in 2006 gradually increasing to 60% in 2014, unlike the Codes, which indicate 2 phases of targets, for each level of management separately. The Skills Development element is more similar between the Codes and the MAC Charter, unlike the previous 2 elements, however, the total skills expenditure on black employees as a percentage of the Leviable Amount target phased in from 1% in 2006 to the full 3% (as per the Codes) by 2014. These different targets make MAC Charter slightly easier to comply with, in terms of absolute targets. Compliance of the Advertising Industry in Cape Town According to Duffet, van der Heever and Bell, the advertising industry in Cape Town reported an increase in black employees from 35.2% in 2004 to 40.2% in 2006. They further reported that black female employees increased from 21% in 2004 to 23.9% in 2006. With regard to management positions, there was a reported increase in black female managers, from 13.8% in 2004 to 17.7% in 2006. One of the challenges noted from the study, was that there was a shortage of skilled black Previously Disadvantaged People (â€Å"PDI†) leading up to 2008, particularly in the advertising industry. Further, the 2007 B-BBEE baseline study referred to in the study also reported a high turnover of black staff, further confirming the desire for black employees in the advertising industry to â€Å"job-hop†. This becomes costly, as companies try to offer comparative salaries to retain talent, not only in their company, but in Cape Town, since salaries are known to be higher in Johannesburg than in the Cape. Training programmes would need to be used to improve job satisfaction with the view that they may result in improved staff retention rates. It was reported that the advertising industry has come up with some innovative training and mentorship programs in order to address both skills and staff (Employment Equity/Management Control) requirements. A further challenge in relation to B-BBEE spoke to attitudes that companies had toward compliance. In one instance, it was noted that some larger companies were more focused on compliance with BEE regulations, than acting in the true spirit of BEE, and that in some instances dishonesty and deceptive practices were used to achieve better scores, as this can result in increased business. Despite concerns by white males who took part in the study, that they were effectively working themselves out of jobs by embracing B-BBEE, many viewed B-BBEE as an opportunity to engage with their target market. Rather than stifling out diversity, encouraging it could create further business opportunities, especially in terms of growing the target market (through job creation, but also through understanding the new emerging target market of empowered black South Africans, and being able to create purchasing desires that would stimulate the economy during a difficult global financial period). The risk faced by the advertising industry was losing their white employees if these employees felt prejudiced by the opportunities being afforded to black South Africans only. The only possible way for this to succeed would be through growth of the industry, in order to generate more revenues to pay all employees equitable and comparable salaries, regardless of race. These challenges can heavily impact the compliance of companies for the Management Control, Employment Equity and Skills Development elements; when B-BBEE is seen as a cost, the true potential envisioned in the objectives of B-BBEE is easily lost. It was however reported that over 80% of advertising agencies had utilised the services of B-BBEE verification agencies, despite the industry being in its infancy, and that a majority of these agencies had positive attitudes towards B-BBEE. This resulted in the advertising industry being ahead of the national B-BBEE status, in terms of their level of compliance achieved. However, compliance within the MAC Charter targets, which as previously discussed is not binding, and has lower, phased-in targets than the Codes, may have led to these higher status levels. Conclusion Due to the uncertainties existing in the B-BBEE verification and compliance sphere at the time of the study, it is difficult to assess whether or not meaningful transformation had taken place. Despite this, there are indications of compliance by the advertising industry in Cape Town. While the industry was mostly self-regulated, around 80% of agencies confirmed they had engaged with Verification Agencies to confirm their B-BBEE credentials. Standardising and formalising the verification process may result in greater compliance, along with the imposition of penalties for misrepresenting information in order to achieve a favourable score. As stated by the authors of the study, â€Å"The ratio of success to failure in BEE is determined on a daily basis† (Duffett, van der Heever Bell, 2009; 109). Regular monitoring is required to continuously assess compliance with the Codes, and to evaluate transformation achievements as a result of B-BBEE. Even with the wrong intentions, B-BBEE can promote changes and improvements in the lives of previously disadvantaged individuals. However, true success for B-BBEE would be to bring about meaningful improvements in the lives of all South Africans, rather than a select few. Bibliography R.G. Duffett, I.C. Van der Heever D. Bell. 2009. ‘Black economic empowerment progress in the advertising industry in Cape Town: Challenges and benefits’, Southern African Business Review, 13(3): 86-118. South Africa, Department of Trade and Industry. 2003. Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, No. 53 of 2003, No. 25899, Government Gazette Volume 463. Pretoria: Government Printers. South Africa, Department of Trade and Industry. 2007.Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Codes of Good Practice,No.29617, Government Gazette Volume500,Section 9(1) of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Codes of Good Practice Act 53 of 2003.Pretoria: Government Printers. South Africa, Department of Trade and Industry. 2008. Marketing, Advertising and Communication Sector Transformation Charter, No. 31371, Government Gazette Volume 518, Section 12 of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, No. 53 of 2003. Pretoria: Government Printers. Okharedia, A.A.. 2014. ‘B-BBEE Legislative and Strategic Framework’ [PowerPoint Presentation] 10 March. UNISA Graduate School of Business Leadership. Midrand, Gauteng. South Africa, Department of Labour. 2013. Commission for Employment Equity; Annual Report 2012-2013, Pretoria: Government Printers. Available at http://www.labour.gov.za/DOL/documents/annual-reports/Commission%20for%20Employment%20Equity%20Report/2012-2013/annual-report-comission-for-employment-equity-report-2012-2013> [Accessed 25 March 2014]