Innovative Approaches to Corporate Management

Innovative Approaches to Corporate Management Free Online Research Papers Year after year the same companies find themselves on the Fortune 500 list. One common denominator has been their approach to corporate management. In order for a company to be successful in today’s market, companies have to have a clear cut vision in the form of a mission statement and create a corporate culture which moves that vision into a reality. Companies cannot fear change, but rather embrace it and view it as a way to take their companies to the next level and become a model for other companies to emulate. Innovative Approaches to Corporate Management In 2001, Enron, based in Houston, Texas, was one of the world’s leading electricity, natural gas, and communications companies. Fortune Magazine named Enron as one of America’s most innovative company for six consecutive years from 1996-2001(Enron, 2006). Enron was well positioned in the market, and there seemed to be no stopping this powerhouse corporation. By the end of 2001, Enron had declared bankruptcy and became, arguably, the biggest corporate failure in American history due to poor corporate management (Epstein, 2006). While Enron’s Chief Executive Officer, executives, and managers let corruption, dishonesty, and greed be their mantra for corporate management, successful companies such as Microsoft were flourishing by taking innovative approaches to their corporate management policies. Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico and incorporates in 1981 (Microsoft, 2007). Over 30 years later Microsoft has become the leading software company in the world today thanks to the development of a software package called Windows (Microsoft, 2007). Windows is found on virtually every home and office computer in use today. In fiscal year 2006, Microsoft generated over $44 billion dollars and returned $26 billion to its shareholders (Microsoft, 2007). Currently, Microsoft employs over 76,000 people in over 100 countries and continues to expand to new markets (Microsoft, 2007). Microsoft’s overall success can be attributed to their corporate management and corporate governance. In the 1970’s and early 1980’s companies typically held board meetings, and the executives sat in the conference room to decide the company’s fate in their morning meetings. By the end of the 1980’s and the early 1990’s, companies employed new tactics by hiring so called visionaries to help take their company into the new millennium, but had trouble implementing the vision into a working plan, or they faced resistance from the common worker who could not quite see the â€Å"big picture† because they were not privy to all the pieces of the puzzle. Companies like Microsoft were able to surpass their competition by moving that vision from the board room to the quarterly shareholder’s meeting and then to the break room so that they were able to move their vision into execution. A prime example of Microsoft moving vision into execution is the gaming system X-Box. When Bill Gates first announced the X-Box at the turn of the century, everyone thought he was mad or just plain crazy. Sony was the front runner with the Playstation, and Nintendo was running a close second with the Game Cube, while Sega was bringing up the rear in third place with the Saturn (Chang Kakuchi, 2000). The gaming market seemed impossible to penetrate given the competition producing such quality gaming systems, but Microsoft was determined to announce their presence with authority in an industry noted for its opposition to outsiders. Gates marketed his vision to produce a gaming console to over 150 developers including the likes of Activision, Konami, Capcom, Eidos, Epic, and eventually Entertainment Arts (Microsoft, 2007). Seven years later, Microsoft has claimed the number two spot, only slightly behind Sony (Ars Technia, 2007). Having a vision is one thing, however being able to effectively communicate that vision to the lowest level within the company is another approach corporate managers are taking. Corporate communication is essential in determining the success of a business. For a business to run efficiently, good lines of communication must be established between management and staff. Many companies refer to this approach as the â€Å"open door† or the â€Å"top down† policy. Innovative thinkers realized that senior leadership did not always have the answers or present the best ideas and that sometimes the best ideas came from the hourly employee out in the trenches doing the daily mundane labor. Being open and receptive to such ideas allowed employees to create their own vision and promoted a sense of collaboration. Achieving that â€Å"buy-in† from employees and allowing them to feel as if they can affect change is essential to company survival and longevity. Not only com municating vision to employees, but shareholders and customers as well, is also another innovative approach found within many successful companies. Microsoft conducts quarterly shareholder meetings to communicate the current status of the company by giving their investors and customers accurate and honest information concerning financial reports, technologies, employees, and growth plans, just to name a few (Microsoft, 2007). In addition to quarterly meetings, Microsoft also posts the information on their website for the public to view as well. The team concept is yet another approach prevalent in many of the top companies listed on the Fortune 500. Instead of a senior to subordinate relationship, successful companies are adapting to a teammate to teammate business model. The benefits of team building activities increase team motivation in a fun and relaxed environment: they boost team morale, increase communication, get teams working together, help teams to get to know each other, enhance leadership skills, help teams learn new strength and build trust within companies (Accolade, 2007). Another benefit of team building is the breakdown of traditional barriers that were often the status quo in corporate America. By moving the managers out of their private offices and allowing employees to interact with them on a more personal level, it created an environment much more conducive to collaboration. Corporate managers must be the first to step outside of their comfort zones and lead. Today, the role of corporate management is to facilitate change. One approach that Microsoft promotes is the implementation of newer technologies. A research department within Microsoft is â€Å"dedicated to conducting both basic and applied research in computer science and software engineering†(Microsoft, 2007). They openly collaborate with many colleges and universities all over the globe. With the abundance of change occurring in the corporate world, and the implementation of newer technologies, the road ahead can be unclear. It is important to create a corporate culture which allows for employees to overcome their fears: fear of the unknown and fear of being wrong. A lot can be said about a company just by taking a look at the corporate culture and the way employees are treated. According to Wong (2002), there are four healthy styles of corporate cultures: Progressive-adaptive culture, Purpose-driven culture, Community-oriented culture, and People-centered culture. Businesses are not multi-million dollar corpor ations overnight and technologies are not invented in a day. More often than not, a great deal of trial and error goes into the discovery of newer and improved ways to do business and streamlining processes. Eventually the wrongs will turn into rights, the unknown will become clearer, and the vision will become a reality. Enron, Tyco, Adelphia, and Worldcom are all examples of recent corporate failures (The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, 2007). Their failures all boil down to one common mistake, poor corporate management. Meanwhile, the same companies consistently continue to make the Fortune 500 list year after year. Looking over the course of history and the growth for each of these companies, their success can be defined by the innovations to their each and own corporate management policies. References Accolade. (2007). Team building. Retrieved June 16, 2007, from accolade-corporate- events.com/team-building.htm Ars Technia, LLC. (2007). From the news desk. Retrieved June 17, 2007, from http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060611-7030.html Chang, M., Kakuchi, S. (2000). Business: Game, set and match. Asia Week, 29, 26 Enron Creditors Recovery Corp. (2006). Press Releases 2001. Retrieved June 15, 2007, from enron.com/corp/pressroom/releases/2001 Epstein, A. (2006, July 7). The Unlearned Lesson of Ken Lay and Enron. Capitalism Magazine. Retrieved June 15, 2007, from http://capmag.com/index.asp Microsoft Corporation. (2007). Annual reportst. Retrieved June 16, 2007, from microsoft.com Microsoft Corporation. (2007). Fast facts about Microsoft. Retrieved June 16, 2007, from microsoft.com Microsoft Corporation. (2007). News archive. Retrieved June 16, 2007, from microsoft.com The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. (2007). Capital ideas. Retrieved June 17, 2007, from chicagogsb.edu/capideas/fall03/corporategovernance.html Wong, P. T. P. (2002). Creating a positive, meaningful work climate: A new challenge for management and leadership. In B. Pattanayak and V. Gupta (Eds.) Creating performing organizations: International perspectives for Indian management. New Delhi, India: Sage. Research Papers on Innovative Approaches to Corporate ManagementThe Project Managment Office SystemAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductTwilight of the UAWNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceDefinition of Export QuotasPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyOpen Architechture a white paperBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfPETSTEL analysis of India

Explaining the French Expression À tes Souhaits

Explaining the French Expression tes Souhaits The French expression tes souhaits  (pronounced [a  tay  sweh])  is a social nicety and literally  translates to to your wishes. It has an informal  register  and is the equivalent of the English phrase bless you. Explanation  and Example You can and should use the French expression tes souhaits any time a friend sneezes (as long as youre not interrupting a speech or something). Unlike its English equivalent bless you, tes souhaits has no religious connotation whatsoever, instead offering the sneezer your hopes that his or her wishes will come true. If the person sneezes more than once, theres a more elaborate saying: After the first sneeze: A tes souhaits Second sneeze: tes amours Third sneeze: One of the following: avec un grand A et beaucoup de set tes enfantset ton argentet quelles durent toujoursque les tiennes durent toujoursNote: Elles and tiennes in the last two variations refer to amours. The formal equivalent vos souhaits can be addressed to a complete stranger with no risk of offense, but again, consider the context. On the bus: yes. During a business meeting: probably not. Souhaits is the plural of un souhait (wish), from the verb souhaiter (to wish).

Ludwig Van Beethovens life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ludwig Van Beethovens life - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that various figures will influence our lives in different ways and dimensions. A renowned figure in the creative arts can influence a scientist’s life, as well as a fictional character, can influence the life of a scientist. In this case, the people influenced achieve the success that was unfathomed since they create a purpose and meaning in their lives using their influencer’s life, views, ideas, and philosophies. Importantly, figures whose stories are full of triumph over tragedies influence people due to the achievements that these figures accomplished despite the hindrances that may have prevented their success. Ludwig Van Beethoven exemplified brilliancy and intellect, which exerted immense influence that remains to date. In effect, his determination and achievements, regardless of the factors that inhibited his accomplishments, signify the important role he played in influencing my life as a student who is an aspiring e ngineer. Beethoven’s compositions are played in concerts, operas, and other entertainment venues although a few people know the challenges that Beethoven underwent in order to make these compositions. First, he was born in a family of seven children with only three of the children surviving to adulthood. The children succumbed from hereditary diseases that affected the family, which means that the probability of Beethoven suffering from a similar fate was high.

Finance and risk management,Shipping finance Essay - 1

Finance and risk management,Shipping finance - Essay Example Financing the ship industry has always evolved with the prevailing market conditions. More investment has always been required in the industry above the owner’s potential to finance hence the need for banks. The industry has its strengths and weaknesses, there have been opportunities, and it has also seen threats. This paper examines the relationship between shipping financing and shipping markets, the major sources of capital available in the shipping industry, the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) in the industry. The shipping industry represents a substantial percentage of the world trade. The industry is one of the most effective forms of transport and the costs are relatively low. It costs 11 percent and 20 percent of the transportation cost on roads and rails respectively. If the business is doing well it can have a high capital return of about 25 percent per annum ( Nizam and Ghanem 15). Shipping industry is also a dynamic industry; there is continual investment in research and development of new technology. This contributes to the global technological growth. This industry is cyclical and relies on the changes of the global market. This makes the industry to be uncertain. The industry also experiences a shortage of skilled labour and management because there are few people who are professionals in this field. The image of this industry is poor; people tend to perceive the industry to be archaic and therefore outdated. Vessels also cause pollution of the environment through emission of CO2 and noise. There are initiatives to make ships more environmentally friendly. This will make ships more acceptable. There is also a long term plan to recruit, educate, and train skilled seafarers. This will close the gap pertaining to lack of skilled labour. There is an initiative to improve propulsion technology of ships through building bigger ships, nuclear powered ships,

Human Resource Management in Canada Essay Example for Free

Human Resource Management in Canada Essay The human resource department of any company plays a significant role to the advancement of its employees as well as the increase of the company’s profits and improvement of the manner of production. Although the process of hiring employees may appear to be a simple task, the execution thereof as well as the complications and intricacies involved in the process is not that easy to counter. The job of the human resource department, according to Dessler and Cole is two-fold. First the human resource is responsible for the handling of the hiring of employees. They assess the qualifications of the employees and determine if their skills and capabilities are suited for the job that they are applying for. It is essential that the human resource adequately match the capabilities and educational attainment of the applicant as this will benefit the company in the long run. Hiring employees who cannot deliver the expectations of the company from them will not only be problematic, it will also unjustly drain the resources of the company. Another role of the human resource is to employ individuals who will meet the strategic goals of the company. Going over the qualifications of an applicant is not enough in order to complete the task of hiring. There must be a suitable position for him and the placement of this individual to such position should be made not just because of pure discretion but also in order to meet the goals of the company. There should be human resource planning in order to anticipate the future needs and demands of the company. Without this process, it will be more difficult for companies to combat the different challenges that may hamper their path to success. Having strategic goals mean evaluating the available resources of the company and the needs thereof. This is important so as to avoid the creation of redundant positions and it will also allow the employees and the management to maximize their skills and resources respectively. There are several ways and means in order to plan for the human resource needs of a company. Among these ways are the quantitative techniques for forecasting and the two qualitative techniques which are utilized for forecasting demand. Aside from setting the strategic goals of the company, there is also a need for the human resource department to go through job analysis. Through the job analysis, the people from the human resources department of a company will investigate and collect data regarding the needs of the company. Dessler and Cole have indicated six steps in order to complete the process of job analysis and they are as follows: determining the information that will be assessed, collecting background information, selecting the positions as well as the jobs that will be analyzed, collecting the available data, reviewing the information which are collected with the superiors, and developing the specifications of the job as well as the job descriptions. After the creation of a plan, recruitment and the assessment of the qualifications of the applicant, the human resource department goes through reference checking. This is very essential as the process will spill relevant information about the applicant. Once the human resource is satisfied with the qualification and the information gathered about the applicant, the latter will go through a training period. This process will show whether or not the applicant is capable of meeting the expectations from him. Orientation follows after the hiring. Through the orientation process, the newly-hired employee become knowledgeable with the do’s and dont’s in the company and for them to be fully aware of the systems and procedures. The job however of the human resource does not end in the hiring of the employee. Just like a guardian, the human resource continuously oversees the performance of the employee. Such performance will be used as the basis of the employee is entitled to a promotion or to the assignment of different tasks. Overseeing the performance of the employee is not limited to his work productivity. Other factors such as work ethics and the way the employee deals with his superiors, subordinates and other co-employees will also be assessed. The information gathered in this process may be instrumental in deciding issues which may concern the employee in the future. In addition to the task of overseeing the employees, it is also the job of the human resource to determine the ways and means to motivate employees and improve their performance. Among these methods are the appraisal and giving of additional pay or benefits to those who have exhibited excellent performance. Coming up with effective incentive plans may increase the productivity of the employees and yield to the increase in profits that employers are looking for. In the creation of such plans, the interests and needs of the employees should be taken into consideration in order to attain the greater success rate. In order to determine what the employees desire, it is important that the human resource make an effort to establish good communication relations with them. Good communication as well as the imposition of proper and fair treatment may help the company in avoiding labor cases. The human resource should take an extra effort to make sure that the employees are short changed by the company or the other way around. The human resource should make sure that the employees’ rights are not being violated. The role that the human resource undertakes is very important to the advancement of the company since they handle all matters which concern the employeesthe life blood of every company. Without the human resource, the company may face great difficulties in attaining the progress that it desires.

The Personification of Death in Jean Cocteau’s Orpheus Essay -- Movie

The Personification of Death in Jean Cocteau’s Orpheus The personification of Death is done by means of a princess of the Underworld in Jean Cocteau’s Orpheus. This Princess is very powerful, yet surprisingly vulnerable. For no one is allowed to love in the Underworld, the Princess falls in love with a famous poet named Orpheus and goes to drastic measures to be with him. But in the end she cannot be with her love, and she realizes this and does what is forbidden in the Underworld and defies time and sends back her love to whom he loved before her. Death in Cocteau’s Orpheus is not only powerful and vulnerable, but she also changes throughout the course of the movie. Three elements support that the Princess changes throughout the course of the film and what brings about this change. These elements are dialogue, clothing and appearance, and actions. One way that Cocteau creates the Princess’ character by the usage of dialogue. The powerful Princess Death is a very harsh, and controlling character at the beginning of the movie. She is seen as very authoritarian and demanding. The first scene in which the viewer encounters the princess, she orders Cegeste, Heurtebise, and Orpheus. This is the first time that the princess is ever seen by Orpheus and the first words that she speaks to him are very harsh and demanding. The Princess is accompanied by a young poet named Cegeste, and when Cegeste is killed by the motorcyclists she orders Orpheus to help her and to come as a witness. She then continues her orders by ordering the chauffer, Heurtebise, to not go to the hospital, but to go â€Å"the usual route†. She continues in her harsh tone of voice by ordering the motorcyclists. Every person that the Princess converses with in the begin... ...s also seen when she can kill people with a single glance and then raise them to be her servant in the Underworld. She chooses to raise Cegeste to be her personal slave. Her vulnerability is displayed when she watches Orpheus sleep. Despite the Princess’ power, she becomes vulnerable and defies the rules of the Underworld and return’s Orpheus back to life. This action proves that the Princess has a true love for Orpheus and does not worry about the consequences of doing what her heart feels right. Cocteau suggests that there is a higher power than even Death itself. The Princess personifies Death, but she is controlled by the Committee of the Underworld. If she were the most powerful facet of Death, then she would not be controlled by anyone or anything. Therefore, the Princess in Jean Cocteau’s Orpheus represents not Death, but one of the many faces of Death.

Roles of Gladiators in Roman Society

Gladiators were mostly unfree individuals either condemned criminals, prisoners of wars who had lost their citizenship rights, although, some of them were volunteers who were mostly freedmen or very low classes of freeborn men who chose to be a slave for monetary rewards or for the fame. Gladiators were brought for the purpose of gladiatorial combat and would endure branding, chains, flogging or death by the sword and subjected to a rigorous training, fed on a high-energy diet, and given expert medical attention.Gladiators were famously popular in ancient from for seven centuries, from the 3rd century BC to the 4th century AD fairly late in the Public occupied a prominent position in roman society, they would fight in massive amphitheatres, the most famous being the Colosseum in Rome. The games slowly transformed into spectator, a form of public execution and was seen by the public as entertainment in simpler, rougher times. It escalated as the Romans valued the art of killing and ac ted as a distraction for its citizens, allowed them to release their violent impulses and aggression within a completely separate social realm.We can assume that there were gladiatorial fights before this in Rome but were not recorded and the tradition of gladiatorial combats did not evolve in Rome but considered to have come from the Etruscans. The first recorded gladiatorial fight was in Rome during 264 BC at the funeral of Decimus Iunius Brutus Pera and was organised by his sons to pay honour to their deceased father. Three pairs of gladiators fought against each other to the death at his funeral pyre. It was believed that the ritually shed blood reconciled the dead with the living.We can assume that there were gladiatorial fights before this in Rome, but were not recorded and the tradition of gladiatorial combats did not evolve in Rome but considered to have come from the Etruscans. In Tomb 7 of the necropolis Gaudo near Paestum shows fighting between two men wearing attic helme ts of South-Italian type, armour and shields attacking each other with spears. This painting could depict the early types of gladiators and provides evidence that suggest Campania may be the origins of gladiators since the first amphitheatre was built there.Also, the historians Livius, Strabo and Silius Italicus state that at Campanian banquets gladiators fought to entertain the evening party. Gladiators were formed into troupes called â€Å"Familia gladiatorium† and owned by a person called Ianista who recruited, arranged for training and made decisions of where and when the gladiators fought. The gladiators were first asses by a Lanista, a doctor and gladiator trainers when entering gladiator school to commence training. Gladiator trainers who worked in schools were often retired gladiators who specialised in specific combat styles and weapons.There were different types of gladiators who focussed on different fighting styles and weapons that suited them. For example, those who fought in heavy armour weighed them down and were slower which made them require different techniques, while gladiators in light armour were fast and light. The gladiators did not wear Roman military amour since it would send the wrong political signal to the people. Instead they used the weaponry of non-Roman people, to play the role of the enemies. A wooden pole called a palus was used to practice moves with a sword, it allowed a gladiator o practise various strokes such as thrusting, cutting, and slicing.Trained gladiators had the possibility of surviving and even thriving. Some gladiators did not fight more than two or three times a year, and the best of them became popular heroes. After each fight they were paid, plus donations from the crowd and if he was able to outlive his opponents in the arena for 5 years, he would be free and granted citizenship which he could then become a gladiator trainer or a freelance bodyguard. Gladiators were distinguished by the kind of armour they wore, the weapon they use and they style of fighting.Usually gladiators stayed in one category, and matches were played so that they were 2 different categories of gladiators. Some classes are the Eques began their matches on horseback, but ended in hand-to-hand combat. They wore tunics, bronze helmets, round shields and a long sword. Another class was the Hoplomachus who fought with a long spear as well as a short sword or dagger; he wore a visored helmet with crest and long greaves over both legs to protect them since he carried only a small shield, usually round.The attacking class was the Provocator was the most heavily armed and the only one who wore a pectoral covering; the extent of the armour hindered the gladiator’s ability to dodge making it slower and agile. However, he was pair with another gladiator to assist him. Battles generally took place on the Roman Forum, until the mid 1st-century BC since there was no permanent amphitheatre. In the imperial period, gladiatorial games were traditionally held twice a year in December and March to mark the end of the year and beginning of spring.Gladiatorial combat involved beast hunting where the Romans had passion for hunting. For fighting beast, Romans preferred big and dangerous animals – bears, bulls, elephants and lions from the far reaches of the Roman Empire. Rarely did the animals survive these hunts though occasionally very few animals survived these hunts and defeat the hunter. Many of wild animals would be slaughter in a day. Usually criminals would battle the animals without weapons or armour and were considered the lowest class of participants in the games.Entry to the games was free. It was seen as a citizen’s right to see the games, not a luxury. However, there was frequently not enough room, leading to angry scuffles outside. Gladiatorial combat can be seen as an education of Roman values, notably, strength, courage, training/discipline, endurance and the contempt o f death. In other words, it demonstrated soldierly values by illustrating military ideas by punishing cowardly gladiators and praising the victors.The games served as a distraction to the general public of Roman society, by entertaining them was shows that kept them in good humour. The spectacles symbolised the emperor’s power, behaved contrary to their nature, such as the lions which allowed the hares to play in their mouths, and could be interpreted as a clear sign that they had been overwhelmed by a force greater than nature, the emperor. During spectacles, execution of criminals were displayed to make it clear that law and order were upheld, and served as a warning to the consequences to any law breakers.The pain inflicted was partnered with the criminal’s suffering served as a social order by degrading the criminal for the public to witness and regarded as someone who arrogates to himself certain rights to which he is not entitled. Additionally, provided excitemen t that the Romans enjoyed – indulging violence, bloodlust and cruelty, this was significant since the citizens of Rome was uneventful the military pursuits and civil war which had kept them entertained were by then over. Whatever happened in the arena, the spectators were on the winning side. They found comfort for death' wrote Tertullian with typical insight, ‘in murder'. Various well know Romans had different attitudes towards the games. Writers like Seneca may have expressed disapproval, but they attended the arena where the games were in process. He described the display as boring and therefore unworthy of the attention of a well-reasoned man. In a letter to a friend, he describes what he saw in the arena during the reign of Emperor Caligula: â€Å"There is nothing so ruinous to good character as to idle away one's time at some spectacle. Vices have a way of creeping in because of the feeling of pleasure that it brings.Why do you think that I say that I personally return from shows greedier, more ambitious and more given to luxury, and I might add, with thoughts of greater cruelty and less humanity, simply because I have been among humans? † Seneca was not alone in his view, Cicero, is widely opposed to gladiatorial games, wrote, â€Å"A gladiatorial show is apt to seem cruel and brutal to some eyes, and I incline to think that it is, as now conducted, but in the days when it was criminals who crossed swords in the death struggled there could be no better schooling against pain and death†.Ultimately, Cicero was not totally opposed to the idea of gladiatorial games but the concept of using free men as gladiators was cruel. The attitudes of high culture Romans, Cicero and Seneca differed to those of the general public. Their opinion on gladiatorial games was that they were flawed and inhumane and disapproved of it. A century and a half later, Pliny the younger too had no taste for the brutalities and viciousness of the gladiatorial shows.In his letter to Sempronius Rufus, he states that he wished that they would be abolished in Tome, as they degrade the character and morals of the whole world. Recommendations were given to soldiers to watch gladiatorial displays to take note of how gladiators fought without fear, because they represented the moral qualities which were required for a good soldier. Victorious gladiators conquered death by displaying his superior over his opponent. Even if the gladiator had to die he died the death of a Roman citizen through the sword.Besides, their lives were seen as models of courage and military discipline. One can conclude that, gladiators were criminals, having lost their citizen rights, who had no choice to become a gladiator, although, some citizens freely accepted being a gladiator for the rewards. The public admired and worshiped gladiators even though they were criminals; they displayed great courage and strength in their battles. It took the public’s minds of t hings providing them with a great spectacle entertained them and taking their minds of other issues.This was extremely popular to the Romans since they enjoyed violence and cruelty. Executions, made upheld Roman law for the public to witness serving as the possible consequences if an individual breached it. Soldiers took note of the valiance and heroism fighting with no fear displaying qualities essentially for any Roman soldier. Thus, gladiatorial combat was a display of nerve and skill which held a lot of importance in the culture and history of Ancient Rome.

Diet treatment for diabetes

People who are suffering the disease diabetes mellitus are not properly informed on the effects of their food intake, how their body works, and provided their best course of action. This means reading labels and sometimes creating personal diet plan without understanding the required quantity and portions of their choices. Planning the meal is a very tedious process especially if one has to memorize nutrients, food groups, and calculate percentages of fat against total consumption. Patients are just getting weary to all these fuss that they gradually revert back to old eating habits again.Information on how the body works when one has the disease is very important. The focus is to educate people on shifting to healthy lifestyles in the most convenient form. The main reason people do not practice good eating habits is simply because they lack the information and the means to achieve it. Diet treatment for diabetes Definition of Diabetes Diabetes mellitus often simply called diabetes i s a common condition that occurs when the body does not produce or use insulin correctly (ADA n. y. ). Understanding diabetes Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body (NDIC 2006).Blood sugar comes from carbohydrate and starchy foods. When we eat, the body breaks down carbohydrates except fiber into glucose which is absorbed by the intestine into the blood. Glucose is then carried to all the cells by the bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone release from the pancreas and released into the blood when glucose level rises. It functions to convert sugar into energy thus lowering the blood sugar level, promotes cellular uptake of amino acids and stimulates the conversion of these amino acids into proteins. Glucose which are not transported to the cells are being stored in the liver and muscles called as glycogen.The liver releases it into the blood when needed. Any change in blood flow also affects the adrenal gland. Symptoms of diabetes The symptoms of diabetes are usually extreme thi rst, extreme fatigue, blurred vision, weight loss, feeling irritable, urinating more than normal, and feeling hungry. One also experiences abdominal pain, pain in the chest or stomach, heavy or difficulty breathing, drowsiness or coma and vomitting. Complications and other illnesses brought by diabetes Patients suffer blindness, kidney failure, stroke, atherosclerosis, gum diseases and heart attacks.To some patients it could be worse like, nerve damage, limb amputation, and in severe cases, death. Patients are at high risk for skin inflammation, rashes, localized itching to even slow healing of the most minor abrasion. Diabetic neuropathy also happens when blood sugar levels damage nerves that carries signal to the brain, spinal cord, muscle, skin and internal organs. Damage is experienced by stabbing, tingling, and burning sensation in the legs, hands and feet especially at night. Fundamental problem of diabetes The fundamental problem of diabetes is the body’s inability to metabolize glucose fully and continually. Types of diabetesType 1 diabetes is noted when the body’s immune system turn against its own cells destroying them including the pancreas like foreign invaders known as autoimmunity. Type 2 diabetes still has the ability to produce insulin but the body becomes increasingly resistant to insulin. Another type is diabetes insipidus which is characterized by people getting thirsty all the time and urinate (polyuria) often waking up 2-3 times at night to urinate and most likely go through the night always drinking water. Another type is gestational diabetes characterized by high blood sugar that develops anytime during 24-28 weeks of pregnancy.Intervention and treatment for diabetes Goal /mission of diet treatment Diet treatment for diabetes aims to reduce the need for insulin and other medication and in the process serve to limit potential damage to the patient’s internal organs as well as boost their immune system. Role and import ance of proper food selection Glycaemic index and insulin index is used as an indicator when constructing therapeutic diets. It aims to control and taper down carbohydrate intake for the purpose of controlling one’s blood sugar tailored according to patient’s state of health.Nothing can be considered as a fully balanced diet unless it contains all the essential nutrients necessary for good health, knowing how much shall be taken and in what forms shall it be consumed. Diabetes cannot be cured but patients may achieve a normal and useful life. Processed food removes fibers and causes the pancreas to produce more insulin. The best way to control the sugar is eating a diet high in complex carbohydrates and low in refined carbohydrates in small but frequent meals. Methods of food and dietary analysisA better strategy is the recommendation of the AOAC method for dietary supplements and nutrition labeling as basis for quality control. Right food combination diets The Zone di et The zone diet centers on a 40:30:30 ratios of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats respectively where one experienced weight lost while simultaneously gaining muscle mass. The key factor in the Zone diet is achieving hormonal balance with a diet plan that actually controls insulin production. Zone diet suggests one eats breakfast within an hour of waking, a snack 30 minutes before exercise, and eat a small snack before bed.The Zone diet encourages one to take lots of fibers and whole grain restricting taking processed food which contains too much salt. This does not prompt the body to convert carbohydrates into fat that is normally stored into one’s gut, thighs, buttocks, or other areas. It is recommended that dieters should drink minimum of eight glasses of water everyday. Zone diet gives patients a hand Eyeball Method in determining the amount of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins they are going to eat (Zone diet info n. y. ). Measure the amount of protein to be consumed at each meal as equal to the size and thickness of the dieter’s palm.Measure favorable carbohydrates portion size as equal to two loosely clenched fists. Allow only one loose clenched fist for low favorable carbohydrates. Measure fats as equal to the size of the tip of your thumb. Dietary Fiber Diets high in dietary fiber are beneficial to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients. Dietary fiber refers to plant foods which the body can’t digest or absorb. Consumption of fibers leads to improved glycaemic control and increased insulin sensitivity. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel like material and helps lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.Dietary fibers has the effect of filling you up, slowing down eating, and satisfying the appetite by sending satiety signals to the brain. Conclusion Diabetes mellitus epidemic cornerstone of treatment is plainly diet and exercise. Zone diet best meet the complexities of diabetes balanced sugar requirements by promot ing complex carbohydrates that are high in soluble fiber, a portion of protein and a portion of fats. This insulin control diet returns the body to normal endocrine control by using both insulin and glucagons produced by the body more effectively.Furthermore the body begins to break down fat deposits and use that fat for energy. People are getting the disease and mostly are overweight because they are eating the wrong kinds of food combination and portion or wrong meal patterns. The Zone diet plan is the only plan that concerns itself with the ingenious works of the body’s insulin, proteins, and energy. The Zone diet provides easy ways to measure food intake by the hand Eyeball Method. A lot of diet plans failed because of the complexity of memorizing nutrients and their requirements in food labels.Although the Zone diet could be seen as very effective in treating diabetics, exercise still is a matter of priority. Diet combined with exercise reduces the loss of precious prote in and increases the burning of fat in the process. Other factors like reduction of stress, having adequate sleep contributes to development of insulin resistance. The change of lifestyle should be in addition to the pharmacological intervention of insulin or oral glucose lowering drugs. This is just a matter of understanding the illness, how the body works when one has the disease, and knowing the effects of food intakes with recommended portions.

Definition and Discussion of Style in Prose

Definition and Discussion of Style in Prose Style is the way in which something is spoken, written, or performed. In rhetoric and composition, style is narrowly interpreted as those figures that ornament discourse; it is broadly interpreted as representing a manifestation of the person speaking or writing. All figures of speech fall within the domain of style. Known as lexis in Greek and elocutio in Latin, style was one of the five traditional canons or subdivisions of classical rhetorical training. Classic Essays on English Prose Style Essays on StyleThe Colours of Style, by James BurnettThe English Manner of Discourse, by Thomas SpratThe False Refinements in Our Style, by Jonathan SwiftF.L. Lucas on StyleJohn Henry Newman on the Inseparability of Style and SubstanceOf Eloquence, by Oliver GoldsmithMurder Your Darlings: Quiller-Couch on StyleOn Familiar Style, by HazlittSamuel Johnson on the Bugbear StyleSwift on StyleSynonyms and Variety of Expression, by Walter Alexander RaleighA Vigorous Prose Style, by Henry David Thoreau EtymologyFrom the Latin, pointed instrument used for writing   Definitions and Observations Style is character. It is the quality of a mans emotion made apparent; then by inevitable extension, style is ethics, style is government.(Spinoza)If any man wish to write in a clear style, let him be first clear in his thoughts; and if any would write in a noble style, let him first possess a noble soul.(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)Style is the dress of thoughts.(Lord Chesterfield)The style of an author should be the image of his mind, but the choice and command of language is the fruit of exercise.(Edward Gibbon)Style  is not the gold setting of the diamond, thought; it is the glitter of the diamond itself.(Austin OMalley,  Thoughts of a Recluse, 1898)Style is not mere decoration, nor is it an end to itself; it is rather a way of finding and explaining what is true. Its purpose is not to impress but to express.(Richard Graves, A Primer for Teaching Style. College Composition and Communication, 1974)A good style should show no sign of effort. What is written should seem a happy a ccident.(W. Somerset Maugham, The Summing Up, 1938) Style is that which indicates how the writer takes himself and what he is saying. It is the mind skating circles around itself as it moves forward.(Robert Frost)Style is the perfection of a point of view.(Richard Eberhart)To do a dull thing with stylenow THATS what I call art.(Charles Bukowski)[I]t may well be that style is always to some extent the invention of the writer, a fiction, that conceals the man as surely as it reveals him.(Carl H. Klaus, Reflections on Prose Style. Style in English Prose, 1968)Cyril Connolly on the Relation Between Form and ContentStyle is the relation between form and content. Where the content is less than the form, where the author pretends to emotion he does not feel, the language will seem flamboyant.   The more ignorant a writer feels, the more artificial becomes his style. A writer who thinks himself cleverer than his   readers writes simply (often too simply), while one who fears they may be cleverer than he will make use of mystification: an author arrives at a good style when his language performs what is required of it without shyness.(Cyril Connolly, Enemies of Promise, rev. ed., 1948) Types of StylesA very large number of loosely descriptive terms have been used to characterize kinds of styles, such as pure, ornate, florid, gay, sober, simple, elaborate, and so on. Styles are also classified according to a literary period or tradition (the metaphysical style, Restoration prose style); according to an influential text (biblical style, euphuism); according to an institutional use (a scientific style, journalese); or according to the distinctive practice of an individual author (the Shakespearean or Miltonic style; Johnsonese). Historians of English prose style, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries, have distinguished between the vogue of the Ciceronian style (named after the characteristic practice of the Roman writer Cicero), which is elaborately constructed, highly periodic, and typically builds to a climax, and the opposing vogue of the clipped, concise, pointed, and uniformly stressed sentences in the Attic or Senecan styles (named after the practice of the Roman Seneca). . . .Francis-Noel Thomas and Mark Turner, in Clear and Simple as the Truth (1994), claim that standard treatments of style such as those described above deal only with the surface features of writing. They propose instead a basic analysis of style in terms of a set of fundamental decisions or assumptions by an author concerning a series of relationships: What can be known? What can be put into words? What is the relationship between thought and language? Who is the writer addressing and why? What is the implied relationship between writer and reader? What are the implied conditions of discourse? An analysis based on these elements yields an indefinite number of types, or families, of styles, each with its own criteria of excellence.(M.H. Abrams and Geoffrey Galt Harpham, A Glossary of Literary Terms, 10th ed. Wadsworth, 2012) Aristotle and Cicero on the Qualities of Good StyleWithin classical rhetoric, style is analyzed predominately from the viewpoint of the composing orator, not from the point of view of the critic. Quintilians four qualities (purity, clarity, ornament, and propriety) are not intended to distinguish types of styles but to define the qualities of good style: all oratory should be correct, clear, and appropriately ornamented. The basis for the four qualities and the three styles are implicit in Book III of Aristotles Rhetoric where Aristotle assumes a dichotomy between prose and poetry. The base line for prose is colloquial speech. Clarity and correctness are the sine qua non of good speech. Furthermore, Aristotle maintains that the very best prose is also urbane or, as he says in the Poetics, has an uncommon air, that gives the listener or reader pleasure.(Arthur E. Walzer, George Campbell: Rhetoric in the Age of Enlightenment. State University of New York Press, 2003)Thomas De Quincey o n StyleStyle has two separate functions: first, to brighten the intelligibility of a subject which is obscure to the understanding; secondly, to regenerate the normal power and impressiveness of a subject which has become dormant to the sensibilities. . . . The vice of that appreciation which we English apply to style lies in representing it as a mere ornamental accident of written compositiona trivial embellishment, like the mouldings of furniture, the cornices of ceilings, or the arabesques of tea-urns. On the contrary, it is a product of art the rarest, subtlest, and most intellectual; and, like other products of the fine arts, it is then finest when it is most eminently disinterestedthat is, most conspicuously detached from gross palpable uses. Yet, in very many cases, it really has the obvious uses of that gross palpable order; as in the cases just noticed, when it gives light to the understanding, or power to the will, removing obscurities from one set of truths, and into anot her circulating the life-blood of sensibility.(Thomas De Quincey, Language. The Collected Writings of Thomas De Quincy, ed. by David Masson, 1897) The Lighter Side of Style: TarantinoingForgive me. What Im doing is called Tarantinoing, where you talk about something that has nothing to do with the rest of the story, but is kind of funny and a little quirky. It was kind of avant-garde in its day and it used to develop some strong character traits, but now its just used as a cheap gimmick for pretentious film writers to draw a ton of attention to their writing style as opposed to serving the plot.(Doug Walker, Signs. Nostalgia Critic, 2012)

Orality (Communication) - Definition and Examples

Orality (Communication) s Orality is the use of speech  rather than writing  as a means of communication, especially in communities where the tools of literacy are unfamiliar to the majority of the population. Modern interdisciplinary studies in the history and nature of orality were initiated by theorists in the Toronto school, among them Harold Innis, Marshall McLuhan, Eric Havelock, and Walter J. Ong.  Ã‚   In Orality and Literacy (Methuen, 1982), Walter J. Ong identified some of the distinctive ways in which people in a primary oral culture [see the definition below] think and express themselves through narrative discourse: Expression is coordinate and polysyndetic ( . . . and . . . and . . . and . . .) rather than subordinate and hypotactic.Expression is aggregative (that is, speakers rely on epithets and on parallel and antithetical phrases) rather than analytic.Expression tends to be redundant and copious.Out of necessity, thought is conceptualized and then expressed with relatively close reference to the human world; that is, with a preference for the concrete rather than the abstract.Expression is agonistically toned (that is, competitive rather than cooperative).Finally, in predominantly oral cultures, proverbs (also known as maxims) are convenient vehicles for conveying simple beliefs and cultural attitudes. Etymology From the Latin oralis, mouth Examples and Observations James A. MaxeyWhat is the relationship of orality to literacy? Though disputed, all sides agree that  orality is  the predominant mode of communication in the world and that literacy is a relatively recent technological development in human history.Pieter J.J. BothaOrality as a condition exists by virtue of communication that is not dependent on modern media processes and techniques. It is negatively formed by the lack of technology and positively created by specific forms of education and cultural activities. . . . Orality refers to the experience of words (and speech) in the habitat of sound. Ong on Primary Orality and Secondary Orality Walter J. OngI style the orality of a culture totally untouched by any knowledge or writing or print, primary orality. It is primary by contrast with the secondary orality of present-day high-technology culture, in which a new orality is sustained by telephone, radio, television, and other electronic devices that depend for their existence and functioning on writing and print. Today primary oral culture in the strict sense hardly exists, since every culture knows of writing and has some experience of its effects. Still, to varying degrees many cultures and subcultures, even in a high-technology ambiance, preserve much of the mind-set of primary orality. Ong on Oral Cultures Walter J. OngOral cultures indeed produce powerful and beautiful verbal performances of high artistic and human worth, which are no longer even possible once writing has taken possession of the psyche. Nevertheless, without writing, human consciousness cannot achieve its fuller potentials, cannot produce other beautiful and powerful creations. In this sense, orality needs to produce and is destined to produce writing. Literacy . . . is absolutely necessary for the development not only of science but also of history, philosophy, explicative understanding of literature and of any art, and indeed for the explanation of language (including oral speech) itself. There is hardly an oral culture or a predominantly oral culture left in the world today that is not somehow aware of the vast complex of powers forever inaccessible without literacy. This awareness is agony for persons rooted in primary orality, who want literacy passionately but who also know very well that moving into the excitin g world of literacy means leaving behind much that is exciting and deeply loved in the earlier oral world. We have to die to continue living. Orality and Writing Rosalind ThomasWriting is not necessarily the mirror-image and destroyer of orality, but reacts or interacts with oral communication in a variety of ways. Sometimes the line between written and oral even in a single activity cannot actually be drawn very clearly, as in the characteristic Athenian contract which involved witnesses and an often rather slight written document, or the relation between the performance of a play and the written and published text. Clarifications Joyce Irene MiddletonMany misreadings, misinterpretations, and misconceptions about orality theory are due, in part, to [Walter J.] Ongs rather slippery use of seemingly interchangeable terms that very diverse audiences of readers interpret in various ways. For example, orality is not the opposite of literacy, and yet many debates about orality are rooted in oppositional values . . .. In addition, orality was not replaced by literacy: Orality is permanentwe have always and will continue to always use human speech arts in our various forms of communication, even as we now witness changes in our personal and professional uses of alphabetic forms of literacy in a number of ways. Pronunciation: o-RAH-li-tee

Bi-species Culturalisation Experiments Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Bi-species Culturalisation Experiments - Essay Example It not only helped the Bonobos to construct sentences but also helped them to develop a skill in grammar. Verbs Adverbs and Adjectives helped the Bonobos to use the forms of grammars just like the human beings can. As in the video, Pambanisha declared the caretakers as "bad", for playing a trick with Liz. It clearly illustrated that even chimpanzees can use grammar like the human beings. If given proper guidance the chimpanzees can work as they are asked to and can understand the language of the human beings. This experiment was a remarkable effort by Dr Sue Savage Rumbaugh in finding the effect of lexigram boards on the chimpanzees and clearly illustrated the intellectual power of the monkeys. The English grammar used by the monkeys showed that they can understand what they were being taught. At times the monkeys even reacted to whatever they were asked to do. This was an example of the intellect in the monkeys. The experiment clearly showed that Bonobos not only comprehend the huma n language but also act according to the instructions given. Pambenisha didn't go out for several days and thus was exhausted and sick of the environment. This forced her to do things which were quite unusual and unexpected but were of a great importance. To express her feelings, Pambenisha took a piece of chalk and started writing with the chalk on the floor. Firstly in the video it is shown that Pambenisha is writing quite far from Dr Sue but after a while when she realizes that Dr Sue is not paying attention to her writing she moves a bit closer to Dr Sue. And Pambenisha starts writing again near Dr Sue. This shows that Pambenisha is trying to express her feelings and inner emotions to Dr Sue. And when Dr Sue realized that Pambenisha was writing something on the floor she took a great notice. Upon findings it is known that Pambenisha drew an A-frame. This A-frame is meaningless if the lexigram board is not reviewed. The lexigram describes the A-frame drawing as 'a hut in the woods'. This shows that Pambenisha was interested in going out so mewhere to another place. Pambenisha does not stop writing over here and she again draws 'a flat rock' which according to the lexigram board is a place in the woods. And she writes further on the floor to express her feelings. This time she draws a 'collar' which she usually wears when she goes out. This clearly illustrated that Pambenisha was interested in going out to the hut in the woods. The drawings were not drawn as perfectly as in the lexigram board. But it can be clearly understood what Pambenisha means if the drawing is analyzed carefully and compared to the lexigram board. This writing of Pambenisha taught her a new way through which she could express her inner feelings and communicate with others. According to Dr. Sew the best possible way to make someone learn is not to teach them, instead of using the language around them. The curiosity to do the same what your beloved is doing, leads to the learning of new things. 3. What is the significance of the Bonobo's use of tools to our investigation of language origins Dr Sue's analysis has been of great significance and has brought revolution in the communication between a man and a chimpanzee. It has given a new birth to the language origins. It has derived many

History of Mexican music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

History of Mexican music - Essay Example Ranchera is considered to be an outgrowth of a son. That has been â€Å"A type of song that was literally sung on a Mexican ranch, ranchera originated in the mid-19th century, just before the Mexican revolution†. Love, patriotism and nature are remained to be the most popular themes for this type of songs. Mariachi is considered to be highly popular style of music in Mexico. It consists of â€Å"at least two violins, two trumpets, a Spanish guitar, and two other types of guitars - the vihuela and guitarron†. Norteà ±o is considered to be a more modern variant of folk music in Mexico. The matter is that â€Å"in the late 19th century European migrants brought the accordion, waltz and polka, from their homeland to Northern Mexico and the U.S. Southwest†. Local bands have adopted these instruments and establish a new genre of music.As for the popular Mexican music, there are also a huge number of variations with interesting implications and influence of modern glob al culture. It is possible to distinguish Latin alternative, Mexican Ska, Rock and Pop music as the basic directions of modern music.Latin alternative is considered to be a â€Å"music created by young players who have been raised not only on their parents' music but also on rock, hip-hop and electronica†. The wave of Mexican Ska has started in the 1960s when young bands and big orchestras intend to recorded ska tunes and covers of Jamaican hits. The most popular groups are Dilemma, The Chasm, Xiuhtecuhtli, Disgorge, Brujeria, Transmetal, Hacavitz, Sargatanas, Mictlayotl and others.