Difficulties Interracial Couples Experience

I see interracial couples all the time facing unique struggles and lacking support from family, friends and multiple others. Having knowledge of the reasoning behind this lack of acceptance will help one form a greater understanding that may enable an individual to adjust the judgmental difficulties that they are faced with in an interracial union. The interactions with people that mixed couples experience can be viewed as symbolic interactions because the gestures and words that are interpreted often in negative ways can contribute to the difficulties faced.People deal with racial struggles all over the world. Different countries experience a greater degree of struggles than others. Since Canada is a multicultural country, one might assume that interracial couples would be more accepted and faced with less racial struggles. Unfortunately, that is not the case; couples are still ridiculed. In present day, it's true that interracial couples are more accepted now than years previous bu t support of exogamy is still low. A mere fifty years earlier, the thought of a mixed union was a taboo. During the era of segregation, a mixed union between an AfricanCanadian and a Caucasian person was unthinkable. The federal government in Canada has a history of polices that have attempted to separate races from joining in relationships. A vivid example of Canada's attempt to control and prevent interracial intimacies is the Indian Act. â€Å"The Indian Act, with all its variations, clearly restricted and provided penalties for interracial sex and marriages. † (Real Canadian History, 2012) Some of the discrimination that mixed couples receive today, from individuals has been passed through the previous generations.Though, as generations become more educated they re likely to be more opened minded. The history of views on interracial relationships has contributed to the lacking acceptance experienced in present day. There is no one definitive answer as to why there is hatr ed toward mixed unions, what does exist in the scholar world are a few general statements that provide some understanding. Most Of the problems that interracial couples face relate to racism, discrimination and prejudice. Today's â€Å"young people, who have went to college are educated and more commonly opened-minded. (Bridge News, 2007) This generation is commonly the population participating in interracial unions and they are often more accepting. â€Å"Their parents however, are not as educated and are still strong believers of sticking to your own race. † (Bridge News, 2007) This is a reason why some parents disapprove of mixed relationships. Parent's opinions are often very important to their children. Stereotypes about different races can also influence the views that a parent could have regarding an interracial union that their child is apart of. Prejudice often results from the mismatch between beliefs about the attributes typically possessed by members of a social group (that is, their stereotype) and beliefs about the attributes that facilitate success in valued social roles† (On the Nature of Prejudice, p. 19). Similarly, â€Å"[On the Nature of Nature of Prejudice] argue[s] that the potential for prejudice exists when social perceivers hold a stereotype about a social group that is inconsistent with the attributes that are believed to be required for success in certain classes of social roles† (p. 3). Parents are non-accepting when such perceived stereotypes are negative. Jon K. Mills at Vanderbilt University did an investigation Of a group with 142 undergraduates on the receptions of family acceptance concerning interracial relationships. Mills concluded, â€Å"both Black and White students indicated that family perception of these interracial relationships would be negative† (Family Acceptance Involving Interracial Friendships, p. 349). The most common question that is asked of mixed couples is â€Å"what do your par ents think of your relationship?This is more evidence that parental disapproval is a common difficulty that mixed couples endure. â€Å"Hate still looms as aforementioned because of the inherent survival mechanism that many racial groups want. It is a form of protection almost. † (Lotus, 201 3) Parents have a hard time accepting or even considering the idea of having a grandchild that is mixed with another race different from their own. â€Å"Ezekiel (1995) argues that racists often fear their own survival as a group and hate gives them comfort and assurance that their survival will be met or achieved. Another common issue in mixed unions is the joining of different religions and different cultures. Couples are usually supportive of each other's beliefs but often run into problems. Some religions pacifically disagree with marrying outside of the said religion. More generally couples run into issues such as dietary restrictions. As an example, practicing Muslims do not eat po rk and all of their meat must be hall. Different religions lead to different holidays, which can keep couples wondering which traditions they Will pass onto their kids.Interracial couples are ridiculed often because of the difficulties they will pass onto their children. â€Å"In October 2009, a Louisiana Justice of Peace refused to perform a marriage for a mixed-race couple because he was concerned with the rejection and confusion their hillier would experience growing up† (Curry, 2010). Some mixed couples decide not to have children because they do not want their children to go through the things they have experienced and to avoid the difficult decisions of which traditions to pass forward.This is another contributor to why individuals do not accept interracial couples and it is also a difficulty regarding important decisions that mixed couples must make. A lot of research regarding interracial couples reveals that such couples face difficulties that are often due to family opinions. There are multiple reasons why families, specifically parents, do not accept mixed unions. Such reasons have been elaborated on and it has been expressed that parental opinions are often a large influence in one's life.When parents have negative views on mixed relationships, it places a burden upon children participating in such relationships. It is true that other factors such as religious and culture differences, give difficult problems to mixed couples as well; such factors are not always as detrimental because they are outweighed by the benefits they receive in the relationship. Research on mixed relationships also revealed any unknown benefits of these relationships.

Food is culture Essay

According to the Executive Director of the Washington International Center, Robert Kohls (1984), â€Å"the different behaviors of a people or a culture make sense only when seen through the basic beliefs, assumptions, and values of that particular group. † This legendary statement that was uttered more than two decades ago was intended to explain American values and to compare these values with those that belong to other cultures. But, as time went by, Khols insightful perception about culture has taken on international meaning and it was one of the fundamental concepts espoused by Montanari in his book entitled â€Å"Food is Culture. † Using historical reference to Hoppocrates, Montanari insisted that food has never been associated with nature and this contradicts the general idea advertised by people who campaign for organic foods. Montanari explains that food is the result of the efforts of a society to tame, transform, and interpret nature. This view can be supported by two related observations. First, societies all over the world encounter different environments. That is, societies in the Pacific region may find tropical climates whereas societies in the Mediterranean region have temperate climates. The differences in weather, together with the differences in geography, lead to the different ways that the members of the society learned to deal with their varied environments. Thus, the second observation is that the different societies have produced their own unique food and food culture. For example, Italian food reminds people of spaghetti, tiramisu, and other pasta dishes. Asian food, on the other hand, brings to mind bowls of rice. Kohls’ perception, when combined with Montanari’s view about the relationship of food and culture, evolves into something different then. That the different values of a people or a culture are revealed and understood when seen through the food culture of that particular group. Feedback from a reader: At first, it would take some stretch of imagination to associate food with culture. There are two major reasons for this difficulty. First, people eat food in order to survive and perhaps live a relatively healthy life. The desire to live and survive is so fundamental that all peoples possess this particular desire. And if all peoples and culture uphold this desire to live, then eating food is very common that it cannot be directly related to the uniqueness of culture. And second, food is almost always taken from nature. This means that food is obtained from farms and from forests. â€Å"Farm† and â€Å"forest† are two concepts that are associated with things natural. Food, therefore, is a natural resource. And despite the fact that most people in America consume processed food, food is definitely associated with nature. However, using a more critical thinking and a wider observation of the world, the statement that food is culture begins to make some sense. The values of a culture can be reflected in the kinds of food that people eat and the ways that people eat their food. For example, the Japanese culture carries out a tea ceremony, specializes in sushi, and usually serves food in small bite sizes. All these reflect the fact that the Japanese culture gives great importance to tradition. Thus, when Japanese encounters a problem, he turns to the knowledge of his ancestors for guidance. The typical American, on the other hand, rarely imitates the actions of his ancestors. When he encounters a problem, he tends to find help by himself and establishes some measure of control on his problem. The way that Americans value individuality and personal control over their environment can be seen in the way they wanted their food to be served individually. The Americans also wanted their foods to be served fast and this preference echoes the values of practicality and efficiency. Therefore, as a reader of Montanari’s ideas about the relationship of food and culture, I am convinced that food culture does reflect the values upheld by a society. Bibliography Kohls, R. (1984). The values Americans live by. Retrieved September 18, 2007 at http://omni. cc. purdue. edu/~corax/kohlsamericanvalues. html Montanari, M. (2006). â€Å"Introduction. † Food is Culture. A. Sonnenfeld (trans. ). New York: Columbia University Press.

Creating the Critical Path Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Creating the Critical Path - Assignment Example As per the planned activities of the project, there exist relationships between the activities include: start to start and end to start. Keeping in view these facts, the above given diagram shows activities having two colors including the blue and red. The activities in the blue color are non critical activities; however, the activities in red are critical. The combination of red activities which flow till end of the project develop the critical path meaning delaying one of the critical activities (red) can delay the completion of the project. From the above, the activities on the critical path include: six (6) to eleven (11), sixteen (16), seventeen (17) and twenty one (21) to twenty six (26). Therefore, the project manager along with the project team are required to concentrate on the critical activities, so that these activities complete as per the planned time and ultimately complete the project within time. However, on the other hand, the blue / non critical activities can be de layed to a certain point and this concept is known as the slack or float. And if the activity delays more than the slack or float, then this non critical activity becomes critical as well. For instance, the activity number eighteen (18) titled â€Å"Meetings’ can be delayed for eight (8) days, however, if the same activity delays for nine (9) or more days, then this activity becomes critical. ... And there are various factors which can result into the deviation from the critical path of the project. These factors include but are not limited to the following (Gardiner, 2005): i. Unrealistic schedule of the project activities (poor schedule planning), ii. The negative impact of the inter / external project risks, iii. Lacking Project Management skills iv. Allocation of inappropriate human and technical resources on the activities v. The communication gap between team members as well as the stakeholders (customer / client / vendor, etc.) vi. Unskilled team members Results of deviating from the critical path Precisely, a project can said to be a failure, if the project objectives are not achieved within the agreed deadline. It is pertinent to mention here that a delay in single critical activity leads to delay the whole project from the prescribed deadline. Therefore, one of the major results of deviating from the critical path is the delay in project completion date. However, th ere are certain other results include: an increase in the agreed cost / budget of the project, and the project would not to be said as a quality project. Simply, it can be stated that the following critical path is significant. And if by any means, the project team deviates from the critical path, the project management techniques should be utilized to bring the project again to the critical path (Meredith, and Mantel, 2008). Triple Constraint of a Project The triple constraint of a project includes: the time (deadline), cost (budget) and scope (user / client requirements). A project can be a failure if one of the triple constraints (schedule, cost and scope) is not met by the project. The quality of a project is based on the completion of the project within the triple constraints i-e

Answering the questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Answering the questions - Essay Example t even though the tree is dead from the inside and it will only be a matter of time before the leaves fall out and reveal the real nature of the tree (Brown 234). While Christian doctrine offers pardon from sins through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as our savior, secular humanists believe that humans are basically noble and have no need to ask for forgiveness from anyone for their â€Å"sins†. Thus secular humanists cannot discard their guilt and once a human compiles too much guilt, then overtime he becomes accustomed to these feelings of guilt and the signals from the conscience and has no trouble behaving sinfully and immorally (Brown 233-238). Almost all the aspects of the Christian doctrine comply with humanist world views, the doctrine teaches about respect for fellow human beings, sanctity through the unity of a man & woman, staying truthful, and not doing anything that is sinful in nature according to the Bible. More and Erasmus were some of the greatest preachers of Christian Humanism and were considered exceedingly moral and intelligent. Being close friends, More and Erasmus had high respect for one another, Erasmus even talked about More’s sole being â€Å"purer than snow†. While their outlook and views about Christian humanism were analogous, their methods were different in the sense that More was much more radical than Erasmus. (Hauerwas and Wells 142) The Pope was and is a prominent figure all over the world, and believed to be the foremost religious authority and the most righteous man. So when Martin Luther advertised several gross allegations against the Pope and the Church’s officials in his 95 Theses; this immediately gained popularity, as do many scandals in the present day. (Graham 118-119) In less than 2 weeks, the popularity 95 theses had covered all of Germany and within 60 days the publicity reached all over Europe; mostly through word-of-mouth publicity and the scandalous nature of the texts. (Graham 119) The main reason why

Rehabilitation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Rehabilitation - Essay Example e can have various effects.   I note that during the earlier stages of my disease that I had mild and uncontrollable muscular movements, stumbling, clumsiness, decreased concentration, decreased short-term memory, depression, and changes in mood (NHS, 2012).   During this time, I often felt confused and could not understand what was happening to me and why.   The diagnosis of my disease later helped me understand what I was going through (NHS, 2012).   As the disease advanced, I found it more difficult to walk, and sometimes had trouble sitting and standing on my own.   I also manifested involuntary movements at times.   I had trouble speaking clearly, and sometimes had difficulties in swallowing (NHS, 2012).   I also lost weight.   I also manifested emotional changes including mood changes, depression, and frustration.   My mood changes also caused a loss of motivation and drive, often causing me to withdraw from normal activities (NHS, 2012).   This disease has caused strain with my family members.   For my family, my disease caused much strain and stress.   Financial burden was one of these issues caused by my disease on my family.   It also made them embarrassed to have a family member suffering from the disease (Knowles, 2006).   My children felt misunderstood and did not socialize well with other children because of the embarrassment they felt.   My children also felt that they were constantly in a stressed household and often had to deal with arguments with my wife and with each other (Knowles, 2006).   My children’s studies were also affected due to the stress they had to deal with.   At times, they also had to deal with abuse, mostly emotional abuse from me (Knowles, 2006).   I would sometimes lash out at them and utter angry and hurting words which caused them much pain and frustration. My family also has a history of this disease, with my father and grandfather having died both in the early 40s due to the ravages of this disease. The fact that they

Usability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Usability - Essay Example Therefore, for the Web, usability is a necessary condition for survival.† (Nielsen, 2010). Five basic criteria were selected from a number of criteria provided by other comparable websites for this purpose. Each criterion was compared or correlated with other criteria used by other websites. If parameters of a criterion were found encompassing with the other sites’ criteria on a more broad range, then this was taken as a major criterion. Each criterion was applied while doing actual access and navigation of the given sites. The five chosen and listed criteria for this purpose were: a) aesthetic page design; b) organization and functionality; c) content coverage and accuracy; d) effectiveness and relevance and finally, e) client satisfaction. Given these criteria, the three cited websites were assessed accordingly indicating their areas with low or high usability and the corresponding recommendations how to improve their usability, if found low. The succeeding process of evaluation was also based on first hand experience on actual navigation, exploration and access of the given sites. It is expected that with this exercise, this study can provide an initial assessment whether these sites have high or low usability and if low, what are the best recommendations to improve their usability. (Benbunan-Fich, 2001) defined the concept of usability as â€Å"how well and how easily a user, without formal training, can interact with an information system of a website† (Wang, J. and Senecal, S. 2007). Succeeding discussion delves on brief descriptions of each selected criterion and how each was related to the evaluation. As the user opens the website, his visuals land first with its homepage and the first that are stimulated is his aesthetic senses. The first criterion relates to the impact of the aesthetic page design. The strength of the visual design usually adds value to the users’ aesthetic

Technology and International Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Technology and International Development - Essay Example Charles T. Hyte was an elementary school teacher at Lost Creek School before he became the head of Booker T. Washington Junior High School up to his demise in 1941 (Hyte Center para.2). Hyte was an exemplary educator to the youth during his time and managed to become a mentor to many youth in Vigo County, thus, this organization evolved from helping and empowering the youth to its current status of assisting the entire society. Based on works of Hyte, the organization strives to encourage the youth to focus on academic excellence with athletic participation as a supplement or an addition. In order to achieve this mission, the Center offers the following programs for youth and the families: Youth Leadership Academy that is open to all youth between 10 and 14 years. Its aim is to improve lives of youth by helping them in achieving academic excellence, creativity, prevention of substance abuse, time management, fitness, and conflict resolution (Hyte Center para.4). Secondly, Hyte Center after School Program offers tutorial assistance, test preparation, and time management skills. Additionally, other programs include African Festival, Open Gym, Fall Festival, and Lunch on Us. Lastly, it also acts as a host to some community programs including WIC, which is nutritional program for children between 0-5 years and their mothers, Well Child Clinic, Mentor Mothers Program, and NAACP. Initially the Center was established to cater for need of youth but over the time it changed its purpose to encompass nurturing and promoting educational, cultural, and recreational well-being of people of Terre Haute, Indiana by 1965 (Weinbaum, 1981). Following these changes, apart from youth programs, the Center is currently involved in more than twenty services including tutoring services, meal programs, legal aid services, and medical and referral services. Initially, the Center relied on grants from City of Terre Haute authority and well-wishers. For instance, Hyte Center Boosters Club that was formed in 1950s by Center’s teenagers has been raising funds for the Center. This was followed by Mother Booster Club in 1960s. United Fund charitable organization has been among the contributors to the center’s initiative. More so, the Coalition Board, which is composed of organizations that benefit or support Hyte Center, contributes generously to Center’s initiatives. They achieve these mainly through joint fund raising events. Additionally, the Good Neighbor Housing Improvement Association and the Young Adults for a Better Black Community are also among the major contributors to the Center’s programs. The center also receives many grants from the federal government (Taft Group, 1998). For example, the $500000 grant towards construction of the new Hyte Center it was granted by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1970. During the volunteer period, we worked with the Hyte Center after School Program where were mainly focus ing on offering students tutorial assistance in areas of mathematics, science and English. This role also involved coaching pupils on ways of preparing for exams and time management skills. Moreover, we gave the students a counseling session to assist them in decision-making, self-advocacy, self-awareness, and stress management. Additionally, we coached students on how to

Analyzing stories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Analyzing stories - Essay Example Another reason was it was important for young Tengo to know the kind of work he did. Tengo often wondered why his father amongst all people treated him with so much cruelty and if he had the power, he could change a lot of things his life, starting with his father’s cruelty. However, this was only a wish. The story is symbolic to a town of cats, which is a strange place that everyone including Tengo wanders into and is unable to escape. Tengo would have wished to grow up like a normal child, having to help his father only a little and using the rest of his time playing with other children. However, he found himself in a world where despite being a child, he had to work and most of the time, could only watch other children play as he worked. Murakami points out that for Tengo, â€Å"Sunday was like a misshapen moon that showed only its dark side† (newyorker.com). While other children had stories to give on Mondays regarding how they spent their weekends, Tengo used to have none. Just like the town of cats, this kind of life was very hard to escape. He once tried to change the situation, a moment that he remembers after reading the story about the town of cats, but he only succeeded in getting free time on Sundays. The other aspects in his life, such as having to experience a lot of cruelty from a man he knew as his father did not change. Another instance where Tengo seems to wish things were different is when he wished his father could be different. He grew up an unhappy boy and often wondered why he was so different from his father. He did not resemble him in any way and had a high intellectual ability compared to him. While Tengo was a very curious boy, â€Å"his father showed no sign at all of what might be called intellectual curiosity† (Murakami, newyorker.com). The reason behind this was the lack of a biological tie between the two, and if things had been different, there would be a biological tie that would bring in

Effects of Sugar Revolution - Economic Essay Example for Free

Effects of Sugar Revolution Economic Essay During the seventeenth century the pattern of the Landownership changed from small planters to wealthy individuals and the price of land became extremely high as sugar became more profitable in the Caribbean. Previously tobacco and the other cash crops such as corn were produced by small planters on relatively small plots of land between five and thirty acres. In the year 1645 there were approximately 5000 smallholdings in Barbados that mainly cultivated tobacco, but as the months went by the price of tobacco was gradually falling and ten acres was just not enough. The smallholders either moved to another island for a fresh start or returned to England. Consequently the availability of the land increased for larger sugar plantations in Barbados and other Caribbean Islands. Sugar could only be grown on economically large estates so the landholdings increased in size and small landholding were grouped together to make a large estate. They were owned by rich planters, a partnership between two planters or a planter who had a significant amount of money for capital. In Barbados the average holding was 150 acres after the change to sugar. If it was below this amount, then the estate tended not to be profitable. About half of the area was under sugar; a sixth would be for the cattle, another sixth for growing crops such as vegetables and fruits and the remainder for woodland which would be used for timber and firewood. When the sugar revolution was undergo it caused the price of the land to become exceeding high and in some parts of Barbados by as m uch as thirty times. For instance in 1630 the average price of an acre was three pound (Â £3). By 1648 when the sugar revolution was almost complete in Barbados, an acre was sold for over thirty pounds (Â £30).

The Sutras, Samkhya Philosophy

The Sutras, Samkhya Philosophy The Sutras are built on a foundation of Samkhya philosophy. The division into the Eight Limbs (Sanskrit Ashtanga) of Yoga is reminiscent of Buddhas Noble Eightfold Path; inclusion of Brahmaviharas (Yoga Sutra 1:33) also shows Buddhisms influence on parts of the Sutras. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali prescribes adherence to eight limbs or steps (the sum of which constitute Ashtanga Yoga, the title of the second chapter) to quiet ones mind and achieve kaivalya. The Yoga Sutras form the theoretical and philosophical basis of Raja Yoga, and are considered to be the most organized and complete definition of that discipline. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a book of 195/6 separate phrases that are designed to be easy to memorize. Because it is a work that is every bit as much a part of modern yoga as it was a part of the birth of yoga, this particular book is held in very high esteem in the yoga world. Philosophical Background There are several philosophical concepts, which were pondered over by various schools of thought around 600 B.C. to 400 A.D. in eastern region of the world. The school of Samkhya is one of those philosophical systems. Samkhya, marks the shifting of idea from Vedic monism to the concept of dualism as the primary cause of the universe. In Samkhya philosophy it distinguishing between Self (Spirit/Consciousness Purusha) and Matter/Nature (Prakrti) is of central importance to Samkhya Philosophy. Samkhya Philosophy elaborates a fundamental dualism between such aware Selves and all the phenomena that is presented to such Selves by Matter/Nature. Such phenomena of Matter/Nature includes reflections of the intellect, the faculty that makes things personal (the I-Maker/Ahamkara), the instinctual mind (manas), the capacities to perceive sense data, the capacities to act, the principles of the elements of sense perception, and the gross elements. These arise when Prakriti is in the presence of a Purusha, and they become enmeshed and entangled when there is mis-identification between Prakriti and Purusha. False confusion between the Self and what is not the Self is considered the fundamental ignorance that perpetuates bondage in this world. Liberation is sought by becoming aware of such distinctions on a very deep level of pe rsonal knowledge, so that one may eventually use the great faculty of the mind intellectual reflection (Buddhi/Mahat) without mistakenly identifying it with the Purusha, and then the effects of such entanglement will unravel and one will no longer be bound by incarnations or confused by Prakriti In Samkhya philosophy a guna is one of Prakritis three tendencies: tamas, sattva, and rajas. Guna is the tendency of the mind and not the state. For instance, sattva guna is that force which tends to bring the mind to purity but is not purity itself. Similarly rajas guna is that force which tends to bring the mind to perform some action but is not action itself. Sattva (originally being, existence, entity) has been translated to mean balance, order, or purity. This typically implies that a person with more of Sattva has a positive or even orderly state of mind. Such a person is psychologically kind, calm, alert and thoughtful. Rajas leads one to activity. This type of activity is explained by the term Yogakshem. Yogakshem is composed of two words: Yoga and Kshem. Yoga in the present context is acquiring something that one does not have. Kshem means losing something that one already has. Rajas is the force that creates desires for acquiring new things and fears for losing something that one has. These desires and fears lead one to activity. Tamas has been translated to mean too inactive, negative, lethargic, dull, or slow. It is the quality of inertia which provides coherence for all things. Mentally, it is associated with darkness, delusion, or ignorance. A tamas quality also can imply that a person has a self-destructive or entropic state of mind. That person is constantly pursuing destructive activities. Vedanta maintains that Brahman is the only Immaterial Sentient Existence; and being non-material and simple, It has to be all pervading and the only One Reality. Before everything there exists Reality as Absolute Consciousness. The Will to become many is the beginning of manifest universe. The Will evolves as Illusion: the Maya. Absolute Consciousness, Brahman, willed to become many, this is Maya. Maya is the cosmic illusion that creates ignorance and veils the vision of the Only Reality. Due to the power of Maya, the Same Oneness is perceived as manifold universe. Absolute Consciousness was never modified, is not modified, and will not be modified. This is the basis of Advaita Vedanta. Based on their experiences the seers or rishis of ancient ages came to the conclusion that the entire manifest universe is the illusory expression of One Substance -the Absolute Universal Consciousness. Samkhya with its dual philosophy is said to be the foundation of The Yogasutras and Purusa and Prakriti are a fundamental part of the text. The origin of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is the topic of some debate among both historians and practitioners. For instance, there are some people who credit the writing of this set of sutras to a grammarian named Patanjali. Later, though, a timeline was constructed that showed that to be unlikely. Within the yoga community, though, many say that Patanjali was actually just a compiler and that before the work was written, the Sutras were simply memorized and passed down between teacher and student. Timelines do, though, suggest this text was constructed in about the second century B.C. An objective study might well suggest that Patanjali lived within even a more tight range of 200 BC to 200 AD (or around the time of Jesus), than some common suppositions (as if he were the 2nd century BCE grammarian by the same name) or even the second or third centuries CE based on the dates of the first extant commentary (by Vyasa). ATHA YOGANUSASANAM Atha = now, Yoga = Of Yoga, Anusasanam = exposition or instruction. Now the exposition of Yoga is being made. (Patanjali Ch-1, Vs-1) The name of this text is named using Sanskrit words: yoga, is a mindset wherein you are able to gain mastery of feelings and thoughts alike. Sutra literally means thread. This thread is basically the connection between the sutras in the work. These Sutras are just combinations of words threaded together sometimes not even well formed sentences with subjects, predicates and so on. Within the space of these 196 short Sutras, the entire science of Yoga is clearly delineated: its aim, the necessary practices, the obstacles one may meet along the path, their removal, and precise descriptions of the results that will be obtained from such practices. (Sri Swami Satchidananda The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Ch-1, Pg-1). (b) Give a brief summary of the four chapters The sutras in the text are divided into four books (chapters). Fifty one of the sutras are contained in the book called Samadhi Pada, fifty five of them are in Sadhana Pada, fifty six are also in Vibhuti Pada, and thirty four of the sutras can be found in Kaivalya Pada. Yoga Sutras Chapter 1 Concentration Samadhi Pada The book Samadhi Pada contains sutras that are most considered fundamental to yoga. It emphasizes that yoga is about discipline and that it is the ability to master your feelings and thoughts. Many of the most famous yoga sutras come from this particular book Concentration: Chapter 1 of the Yoga Sutras is entitled Samadhi Pada, which means the chapter on concentration. Chapter 1 describes yoga, witnessing five kinds of thoughts, uncoloring thoughts, the twin principles of practice and non-attachment, the stages of concentration, efforts and commitments, obstacles and solutions, and means and results of stabilizing the mind. . Yoga Sutras Chapter 2 Practice Sadhana Pada In the Sadhana Pada, there is much about practice since the Sanskrit word sadhana actually does mean practice. This chapter is where Kriya Yoga and the eight limbs of yoga first appear. These aspects reflect the idea that yoga is both selfless and spiritual. Practices: Chapter 2 of the Yoga Sutras is entitled Sadhana Pada, which means the chapter on practices. Chapter 2 outlines specific tools of attention that are used to systematically carve out, or cut away the obstacles of the inner mental shield that is blocking the light of the Self within. This includes the first 5 of the 8 rungs of yoga, known as ashtanga yoga. Yoga in the form of action (kriya yoga) has three parts: 1) Training and purifying the senses (tapas), 2) Self-study in the context of teachings (svadhyaya), 3) Devotion and letting go into the creative source from which we emerged (iswara pranidhana). (tapah svadhyaya ishvara-pranidhana kriya-yogah) Tapah = literally heat accepting the purifying aspects of painful experience, purifying action, training the senses Svadhyaya = lit ones own or self-study in the context of teachings, remembrance of sacred word or mantra Iswara = creative source, causal field, supreme Guru or teacher. Omniscient But not Omnipotent pranidhana = practicing the presence, dedication, devotion, surrender of fruits of practice, or contemplation. Kriya-yogah = yoga of practice, action, mental purification Kriya Yoga: When thinking about life and spiritual practices, it is easy then to remind yourself of this foundation by internally saying such words as, I need to train my senses, explore within, and let go of these attachments and aversions. Contained in a simple sentence like this is the outline of Kriya Yoga (that simple sentence contains tapas, svadhyaya, and ishvara pranidhana). Iswara pranidhana: The emphasis of iswara pranidhana practice is the release or surrender that is done in a sincere, dedicated, or devotional attitude. It is easy to get caught up in debates over the nature of God, Guru, creative source, and teacher. Yoga is very broad and non-sectarian, leaving it open to each individual how to perceive these realities. The more important part is that of letting go rather than holding on to the images and desires of the senses (tapas) and the personal characteristics and makeup uncovered through introspection (svadhyaya). Iswara: In the Upanishads, the word Ä ªÃƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬ ºwara is used to denote a state of collective consciousness. Thus, The Lord is not a being that sits on a high pedestal beyond the sun, moon, and stars; Iswara is actually the state of Ultimate Reality. But due to the lack of direct experience, The God has been personified and given various names and forms by religions throughout the ages. When one expands ones individual consciousness to the Universal Consciousness, it is called Self-realization, for the individual self has realized the unity of diversity, the very underlying principle, or Universal Self, beneath all forms and names. This is the fundamental difference between monism and dualism, one is essentially theistic and the other is not. Yoga Sutras Chapter 3 Progressing Vibhuti Pada The Vibhuti Pada can be translated power. The roles of the sutras in this particular book are to describe and help the yogi to achieve full awareness through yoga. It is essentially about attaining higher levels of awareness of ones self. Progressing: Chapter 3 of the Yoga Sutras is entitled Vibhuti Pada, which means the chapter on progressing. Chapter 3 starts by presenting the last 3 of the 8 rungs of yoga, which are concentration, meditation, and samadhi, collectively known as samyama. The rest of the chapter explains how samyama is used as the finer tool to remove the subtler veils of ignorance. The last three rungs of Yoga: Dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi are the final three rungs of Yoga. Dharana: Concentration is the process of holding or fixing the attention of mind onto one object or place. Dhyana: Meditation is sustained concentration, whereby the attention continues to hold or repeat the same object or place. Samadhi: Samadhi is the deep absorption, wherein only the essence of that object, place, or point shines forth in the mind, as if the mind were devoid even of its own form. Stages of attention: It is attention itself, which is progressively moving inward through these few stages: Attention leads to concentration (dharana). Concentration leads to meditation (dhyana). Meditation leads to absorption (samadhi). Yoga Sutras Chapter 4 Liberation Kaivalya Pada Meaning of Kaivalya: The fourth chapter of the Yoga Sutras is entitled Kaivalya Pada. The word Kaivalya literally translates as isolation. It is usually taken to mean liberation or enlightenment. However, the way in which isolation is a quite effective term is that pure consciousness or purusha is now standing alone, separate from all of the manifestations of prakriti, including literally all of the manifestations or swirlings of all levels of the mind field. In Sutra 1.16 supreme non-attachment is mentioned as a stage beyond the many other levels of attachment. Sutra 4.32 explains how the primary elements called gunas have finished their purpose and recede in perfect equilibrium into that from which they arose. These are aspects or byproducts of the process of the isolation (kaivalya) of pure consciousness (purusha). Purusa is literally liberated from its attachment to Prakriti. The purpose of the whole of creation is to give us a context for understanding what we are and what we are not. When we understand that, then there is kaivalya, and prakrti has fulfilled its purpose. A person who experiences kaivalya sees prakrti, the material world, simply as it is, with no meaning beyond that. Kaivalya describes the effect on the personality of being in a continuous state of samadhi. This is the state of inner freedom that yoga strives for. A person in the state of kaivalya understands the world so well that he stands apart from it in the sense that he is not influenced by it, although he may well be in a position to influence the world. People in kaivalya behave like normal people, but they do not carry the burden of the world on their shoulders. They live in the world, but they are not subject to it. They are not free from sensual perception or free of the body, they have a foot in both worlds. Wherever they happen to be, they are sure of themselves. That is kaivalya. External forces have no power over a person like this, though he knows the external world very well. (c) Choose two of the following topics: Yogic concept of the mind The Kleshas Kriya Yoga Significance of Iswara The Siddhis The Yogic concept of the mind YOGAS CITTA VRTTI NIRODHAH Yogas = Yoga, Chitta = of the mind stuff, Vritti = modifications, Nirodhah = restraint. The restraint of the modifications of the mind stuff is Yoga (Patanjali Ch-1, Vs-2) In this Sutra Patanjali gives the goal of Yoga. For a keen student this one Sutra would be enough because the rest of them only explain this one. If the restraint of the mental modifications is achieved one has reached the goal of Yoga. The entire science of Yoga is based on this. Patanjali has given the definition of Yoga and at the same time the practice. If you can control the rising of the mind into ripples, you will experience Yoga (Sri Swami Satchidananda The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Ch-1, Pg-3,4). Normally, the word Yoga is translated as union, but for a union there should be two things to unite. In this case, what is to unite with what? So here we take Yoga to mean the Yogic experience. The extraordinary experience gained by controlling the modifications of the mind itself is called Yoga (Sri Swami Satchidananda The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Ch-1, Pg-4). There is a Sanskrit saying; Mana eva manushyanam karanam bandha mokshayoho. As the mind, so the man; bondage; or liberation are in your mind. If you feel bound, you are bound. If you feel liberated you are liberated. Things outside neither bind nor liberate you; only your attitude toward them does that. These vrittis, or mental activities/modifications, are said to be either painful, or not painful. They are five-fold :- PRAMANA VIPARYAYA VIKALPA NIDRA SMRTAYAH Pramana = right knowledge; Viparyaya = misconception, Vikalpa = verbal delusions, Nidra = sleep, Smritayah = memory The are right knowledge, misconception, verbal delusion, sleep and memory (Patanjali Ch-I, Vs-6 ) Patanjali explains that right-knowledge can be acquired by direct perception, inference, or testimony. In other words, one can sail the ocean personally and bring back direct knowledge, or one can hear of the travels undertaken by another sailor explorer, or one can read the book written by the sailor on his return. Even right-knowledge is however limited as the original sailor still cannot know everything there is to know about the ocean he is exploring. Wrong-knowledge is likened to the delusion we experience when we see something and believe it to be something else, such as a snake in the dark which proves to be nothing but a rope when seen in daylight. Imagination is perception which is coloured by fanciful thoughts or dreams. The dreaming phase of sleep known as the REM phase is littered with random thought patterns, but even the deep-sleep stage, which leaves no conscious trace in the mind, is actually a stage of thought. The sleeper knows nothing, but knows that he knew nothing on waking. All extraneous thought is temporarily suspended and only the thought of emptiness remains to leave an impression on waking. Memory is the process of remembering past experience. Each memory is first processed to make it palatable, and then filed for future reference, leaving an impression in the mind. These impressions can either remain on the surface of the mind and be recalled at will, or sink to the bottom where they take root. Patanjali describes the restless mind as outgoing (paranga cetana) and the quiet inward-turned mind as (pratyak cetana) I.29. When the mind focuses on external influences the Self appears to assume the forms and images projected by the mind. When the vritti activities are quietened through sensory withdrawal, concentration, and meditation, man is said to rest in his true nature. Patanjali gives us two tools which will help us control the mind abhyasa or regular, sustained practice, and vairagya, a process of detachment from objects of desire, which is attained as a direct result of abhyasa. Patanjali likens both states of mind to a mirror. When the mirror is dusty or smeared, it reflects a distorted image of whatever it reflects. When the mirror is cleaned the image is reflected without distortion, shining in its own essence samadhi. Patanjali concludes by saying that success in Yoga depends on the strength of our desire for enlightenment, and the amount of effort we are prepared to put into our practice. The Siddhis KAYEDRIYA SIDDHIR ASUDDHI KSAYAT TAPASAH Kaya = body, Indriya = senses, Siddhi = occult powers, Asuddhi = impurities, kshayat = due to destruction, Tapasah = austerities. By austerity, impurities of the body and senses are destroyed and occult powers gained. (Patanjali Ch-2, Vs-43) Siddhi is a Sanskrit word that literally means accomplishment, attainment, or success. It is also used as a term for spiritual power (or psychic ability). The term is used in that sense in Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism. These spiritual powers supposedly vary from relatively simple forms of clairvoyance to being able to levitate, to be present at various places at once, to become as small as an atom, to materialize objects, to have access to memories from past lives, and more. There are many perspectives of attaining Siddhis. One school of thought states that they are a normal set of occurrences that should not be focused upon because they will pull one from the path. Other perspectives hold that each siddhi should be pursued because it will allow one to understand the power of the Godhead. Siddhis may occur in many ways: naturally though the agency of karma, as a result of extended practice (sadhana), through rigorous austerities (tapasya) or by grace. They are often mentioned in conjunction with Riddhi (pl Riddhis), which means material or worldly wealth, power, luxurious lifestyles, etc. TRAYAM EKATRA SAMYAMAH Trayam = the three; Ekatra = upon one object; samyama = the practice of dharana, dhyana and samadhi. The practice of these three (dharana, dhyana and samadhi)upon one object is called samyama. (Patanjali Ch-3, Vs-4) From the practice of samyama, come the siddhis. You dive deeply into an object or idea, and it releases its secrets. In a way, scientists have done samyama on the atomic particles. The particles released their energy, and the scientists got the knowledge of them. They accomplished the truth behind the particles. Samyama is usually done on objects or ideas connected with results. When the results come, you call them siddhis or vibhuti. (Patanjali Ch-3, Pg-177). TAD VAIRAGYAD API DOSA BIJA KSAYE KAIVALYAM Tad = that; Vairagyat = by non attachment; Api = even; Dosha bija = seed of bondage; Kshaye = destroyed; Kaivalyam = independence. By non attachment even to that (all these siddhis), the seed of bondage is destroyed and thus follows Kaivalya (Independence) (Patanjali Ch-3, Vs-51) This means that all those siddhis are beautiful, but they will bind us, because siddhis are the outcome of the mind. The mind wants something. It wants to achieve this or that. What for? To be proud of itself, It develops ego, It makes your I and mine bigger, Selfish desires are still there. So are the siddhis bad? If so why are they there? I say they are not bad. They are beautiful; they are good. When? They come to you. When you run after them they are bad. Thats all the difference. Let the siddhis come and beg. Dont become a slave or attached to siddhis let them come to you and be used as tools (Sri Swami Satchidananda The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Ch-3, Pg-199,200). Nine main Siddhis Parkaya Pravesha: Parkaya Pravesh means ones soul entering into the body of some other person. Through this knowledge even a dead body can be brought to life. Haadi Vidya: This Vidya or knowledge has been mentioned in several ancient texts. On acquiring this Vidya, a person feels neither hunger nor thirst, and can remain without eating food or drinking water for several days at a stretch. Kaadi Vidya: Just as one does not feel hungry or thirsty in Haadi Vidya, similarly in Kaadi Vidya a person is not affected by change of seasons, i.e. by summer, winter, rain, etc. After accomplishing this Vidya, a person shall not feel cold even if he sits in the snow-laden mountains, and shall not feel hot even if he sits in the fire. Vayu Gaman Siddhi: Through this Siddhi a person can become capable of flying in the skies and traveling from one place to another in just a few seconds. Madalasa Vidya: On accomplishing this Vidya, a person becomes capable of increasing or decreasing the size of his body according to his wish. Lord Hanuman had miniaturized his body through this Vidya while entering the city of Lanka. Kanakdhara Siddhi: One can acquire immense and unlimited wealth through this Siddhi. Prakya Sadhana: Through this Sadhana a Yogi can direct his disciple to take birth from the womb of a woman who is childless or cannot bear children. Surya Vigyan: This solar science is one of the most significant sciences of ancient India. This science has been known only to the Indian Yogis; using it, one substance can be transformed into another through the medium of sun rays. Mrit Sanjeevani Vidya: This Vidya was created by Guru Shukracharya. Through it, even a dead person can be brought back to life. I recognise some of these Siddhis from the Shaman rituals that are carried out, for example the native americans used rituals/dances and trances to empthise and take on the characteristics and power of wolves and eagles, wearing feathers and or wolf hide etc. to help invoke the powers. (d) List the yamas and niyamas and give a brief translation of their names. Do you feel they are rules to be observed? Or are they the result of sustained practice of yoga? Yamas: There are many interpretations of and opinions about the yamas and niyamas. While the ancient Indian text, the Bhagavata Purana assigns 12 yogic restraints the Parashar Smriti, another text, puts forward ten. But the yamas as described in Patanjalis Yoga Sutras there are only five, which are also known as the great universal vows or the sarvabhauma maha vratas, because they are not limited by either class, creed, time or circumstances. They are the guidelines for how we interact with the outer world, the social disciplines to guide us in our relationships with others. These five are: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Ahimsa (non-violence), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Satya (truthfulness), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Asteya (non-stealing), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Brahmacharya (celibacy) and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Aparigraha (non-covetousness) Niyamas: The niyamas are the second constituents of Ashtanga Yoga. How we interact with ourselves, our internal world. The niyamas are about self-regulation-helping us maintain a positive environment in which to grow. Their practice harnesses the energy generated from the cultivation of the earlier yamas. According to sage Yajnavalkya, there are ten niyamas and the Bhagavad Gita lists 11 constituents. But Patanjali names only five: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Shaucha or purity, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Santosha or contentment, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Tapa or austerity, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Swadhyaya or self-education and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Ishwar-Pranidhan or meditation on the Divine The Benefits of Practicing Yamas and Niyamas: The yamas and niyamas help in managing our energy in an integrative manner, complementing our outer life to our inner development. They help us view ourselves with compassion and awareness. They help in respecting the values of this life, in balancing our inner growth with outer restraint. In short they help us to lead a conscious-life. Yamas and niyamas are not about right and wrong. They are about being honest with the true Self. Living according to these principles are about living our lives in a better way, about moving towards an understanding, about making it possible to connect with the Divine. (e) Define the terms dharana, dhyana and samadhi. Briefly summarise the differences between them. The last three rungs of Yoga: Dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi are the final three rungs of Yoga. Dharana: Concentration is the process of holding or fixing the attention of mind onto one object or place. DESABANDHAS CITTASYA DHARANA Desabandhah = binding to one place; chittasya = of the mind ; dharana = concentration. Dharana is the binding of the mind to one place, object or idea. (Patanjali Ch-3, Vs-1). Dhyana: Meditation is sustained concentration, whereby the attention continues to hold or repeat the same object or place. TATRA PRATYAYAIKATANATA DHYANAM Tatra = therein; Pratyaya = flow of cognition; Ekatanata = continued; Dhyanam = meditation. Dhyana is the continuous flow of cognition toward that object. (Patanjali Ch-3, Vs-2). Samadhi: Samadhi is the deep absorption, wherein only the essence of that object, place, or point shines forth in the mind, as if the mind were devoid even of its own form. TAD EVARTHMATRA NIRBHASAM SVARUPA SUNYAM IVA SAMADHIH Tad eva = that (meditation) itself; Arthamatra = the object alone; Nirbhasam = shining; Svarupa = of its own form; Sunyam = devoid of; Iva = as if samadhih = contemplation. Samadhih is the same meditation when there is the shinig of the object alone, as if devoid of form. (Patanjali Ch-3, Vs-3). The differences between Dharana, Meditation and Samadhi are subtle but profound, in my view they are more complimentary than different, they are like a two dimensional jigsaw, when joined up becomes three-dimensional. In Dharana you are training the mind. It is the beginning of meditation. Concentration is the beginning of meditation. Normally, we see our mind running here and there. When we try to fix it on one thing, within a fraction of a second we see it somewhere else, keeping it fixed on one thing is concentration. Meditation is the culmination of concentration, continuous flow; it is like pouring oil from one pot into another. The mind is fixed; communication between meditator and object is steady. Time and space has no meaning in meditation; when you feel five minutes as an hour, you are not meditating; you are still concentrating, whereas when an hour feels like five minutes that is meditation. Meditation culminates in the state of Samadhih. One cant consciously practice Samadhih. In Samadhih there is neither the object nor the meditator. There is no feeling of I am meditating on that.

Performance Management and the Law

Performance Management and the Law Carlos M Garcia   Introduction: Within an organization there are many different ways to follow and obeyed employees regulations laws. These laws are governed by federal, state and judicial legislation, made to avoid lawsuits, discrimination, and to equalize bargaining power between employers and employees. According to (Smither, J. W., London, M., 2009), information would be required based on employees performance management to take further action either against or in favor of the individual. It is legally allowed to support supervisors/ managers and the organization in case of legal action from an employee. To approach these situations, the organization should follow certain steps to be fair to its employees and meet the U.S. federal regulations laws for employee personnel actions. To minimize the risk of employee-initiated litigation, employers must develop a checklist with the points necessary to ensure compliance with fair, consistent and legally sound performance evaluation systems. Such as, Inform employees in advance of performance evaluation standards. When hiring a new employee or adopting new standards, supervisors must update job descriptions and performance assessment forms, and copies should be given to all affected employees. Document all performance problems on a regular basis and on appropriate evaluation or gradual disciplinary action forms it should be very important for the records. An accurate format for conducting the evaluations allows the most complete and accurate recording of the information. Informality, on the other hand, can lead to discrimination claims. Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination in the workplace under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Miller, F., n.d.). Also, give employees meaningful feedback because a vague, generalized or subjective assessments can lead to litigation. For example, when bosses tolerate an employee with performance problems for months and then suddenly give him a negative assessment and dismiss him, the employee can claim that the action was arbitrary or discriminatory and may be able to show that he was not given an opportunity to improve. Therefore, it should be essential to train supervisors in evaluating employee performance and how to manage the companys assessment system. Every organizations policies and procedures must comply based on federal and state laws related to employees, which allows equal employment opportunity, sexual harassment, safety, and much more. It is the organizations responsibility to provide every employee the policies and procedures related to federal laws such as the standards of conduct, nondiscrimination, benefits, etc. At Comcast, every employee must have a policy pocket book with them at all the time, and every year they need to review the handbook and acknowledge it. The organization must maintain new and old employees informed about U.S. federal regulation equally to all employees. A performance evaluation based on invalid outcomes can lead to adverse impacts, such as, discrimination, involve personal issues, and other situations that can lead to legal actions. For the same reason, legally defensible performance evaluation system must be implemented. Therefore, evaluators must personally know employees performance. The system adverse impact it will always exist some way or another, but it could minimize by continuous system reviews to keep a positive performance appraisal and fairly to all employees equally. Based on (Smither, J. W., London, M., 2009), by including contextual performance as part of the job performance criteria will actually reduce adverse impact in selection since the predictors of contextual performance have little adverse impact (Smither, J. W., London, M., 2009), There are different methods to evaluate performance management within an organization. Since it is not an easy task to assess the performance management to all individuals using criteria of fairness and justice, and at the same time stimulating them (Gilliland, S. Langdon, J., 1998). Therefore, to ensure fairness in the performance process: The organization should develop a system where all employees meets the needs as customers, this way the evaluation will reflect how customers would rate them, if employees do not accept the performance appraisal outcomes the system will not meet the needs and it will result in a conflict (Gilliland, S. Langdon, J., 1998). The opportunity to evaluate managers and supervisors will give employee a sense of fairness. It will help to impove the organization on various different aspect, it will help to identify any issues within the workplace related to sexual harassment, discrimination, favoritism, etc. Value employees opinions and let them participate in situations where the individual can be valued for his/ her performance. Conclusion Therefore, in order to achieve the objectives proposed by the organizations, they must have a suitable staff to compete in the demanding business environment. Therefore, it is important to express that the performance evaluation plays a fundamental role in the companies since through it is possible to determine which is more competent personnel to carry out the activities inherent to the positions. It can be concluded that when considering the human resource as a decisive factor and an important asset, well-defined performance evaluation policies must be implemented to detect failures within organizations, in order to achieve favorable changes in their structure and performance, and maintain a relationship of justice and fairness with all workers. References Gilliland, S.S., Langdon, J.C. (1998). Creating performance management systems that  promote systems of fairness. Josey Bass, 209-243 Miller, F. (n.d.). Ethical discrimination in the workplace. Retrieved on March 22, 2017,  from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/ethical-discrimination-workplace-1408.html (Links to an external site.) Smither, J. W., London, M. (Eds.). (2009). Performance management: Putting research into  action (Vol. 21). John Wiley Sons.

The Impact of Television on American Society Essay -- essays research

The Impact of Television on American Society   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What role does television play in society? For decades we have seen many parts of our world rapidly going through changes in technology. Today’s society has been transformed by means of communication and the available information through mass media. Most Americans rely on television for news, sports, and entertainment. Television is just one of the many examples of how technology has changed our lives. Since the invention of the television in the early 1900’s, it has played a very important role in our lives. Having a television set in the home has become very essential in today’s society. We depend on it to entertain us with its sitcoms and to inform us about current world issues. The problem is that sometimes what we hear or see on television is not always accurate or correct. Sometimes news stories give us the wrong information and we believe that it is true because it is being said on television. They may give you a story, but they may lea ve out some details to prove their point or to make the story more interesting. Americans are among the most ill-informed people in the world. Television, in other words, is not the great information machine. It is the great disinformation machine. TV tends to mislead us with its stories and in many ways we allow ourselves to be fall behind in the world as we tend to want to watch the entertainment shows and not the news broadcasts. Thus, we are not informed about what is going on in o...

Janes Psychological Problems in Charlotte Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpape

Jane's Psychological Problems in Charlotte Gilman’s "The Yellow Wallpaper" In Charlotte Gilman’s short story "The Yellow Wallpaper," Jane, the main character, is a good example of Sigmund Freud’s Studies In Hysteria. Jane suffers from symptoms such as story making and daydreaming. Jane has a nervous weakness throughout the story. Jane is a victim of a nervous disorder of the brain called hysteria. She is aware that she suffers from a series of mental and physical disturbances. She says that she has a " temporary nervous depression: -- a slight hysterical tendency- what is one to do?"(2). According to Freud hysteria is a nervous disorder that causes violent fits of laughter, crying, and imagination. It is a lack of self-control. Jane experiences some of these symptoms. Her imagination takes over her personality a number of times. There are three instances where her creative imagination literally takes over her personality. The first is when she is describing to the reader the so-called nursery. The second instance is her way of talking about "The Yellow Wallpaper." The third is the remarkable ending, where she seems to lose herself in her rebellion against her husband John. Jane’s "nervous weakness" comes over her several times throughout the story, and in the context of Freud’s analysis of hysteria I will distinguish her problems (10). One problem is that Jane describes to the reader the so-called nursery, but she is actually talking about her bedroom with the barred windows. Jane states, "The windows are barred for little children, and there are rings and things in the walls"(4). I think that she imagined that the rings were a game of some sort for the children that would play in the nursery. In reality, the pu... ...kept on creeping just the same, but I looked him over my shoulder"(20). This goes to show that "the woman that creeps" was Jane all along. At the end of the story, she completely releases herself in her rebellion against John. She says, "I’ve got out at last," said I, "in spite of you and Jane. And I’ve pulled off most of the paper, so you can’t put me back"(20). Jane talks in the third person because of the result of her nervous weakness. From her imagination of the so-called nursery, "the woman," the yellow wallpaper and talking in the third person it is clear that she has serious psychological problems. Works Cited Breuer, Joseph and Sigmund Freud. Studies In Hysteria. Boston: Nervous and Mental Disease Publishing, 1950. Gilman, Charlotte. "The Yellow Wallpaper" and Selected Stories. "The Yellow Wallpaper." 1892. New York: Doubleday Dell, 1989. 1-20.

Manhunt: American Civil War and James L. Swanson Essay

a) In Manhunt, by James L. Swanson, John Wilkes Booth assassinates Abraham Lincoln because he has very strong beliefs that African Americans should have rights. In the success of Lincoln’s attempt to preserve the Union and free the slaves, Booth took matters into his own hands by killing Lincoln. Although this was a very extreme way to deal with things, I can connect Booth’s passion to myself. His cause was not good, but he set out to do what is right in his eyes and did it. I can connect his motivation in doing things to myself. My passion is to live my life as environmentally friendly as I possibly can. Some things I do are take caps off water bottles, and bring them to centers where they collect them. I always try to get my mom to only buy products that were made from recycled materials this way there is less garbage in landfills. This is something I am very passionate about as Booth was in rights of African Americans. b) I can relate Manhunt to ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare. There is a similarity between John Wilkes Booth and Romeo in the way that they are very rash characters/people. They both don’t use their heads, and this ends them both up in bad positions. Booth thinks by shooting Lincoln this will benefit the cause of the South, but it ends up making a big mess for the whole country. Romeo thinks by killing Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, this will avenge the death of his friend Mercutio, but he ends up being banished ruining his relationship with Juliet. Both their plans end up in turmoil because of their impulsive behavior. If they would have thought things through more they could have seen that their actions were nonsensical, and would not result in any type of benefit to either of their causes. c) Martin Luther King Jr. was another great leader like President Abraham Lincoln who believed in equal rights for African Americans. Both courageous people tried their hardest to accomplish it, and really did change America for the better. President Lincoln ended slavery as this was the result of the civil war, and King fought against segregation and discrimination. In the end both fell victim to assassination because of their brave actions and beliefs. For both Lincoln and king there were people who thought that what  they were doing was wrong and decide to stop them. For Lincoln it was John Wilkes Booth who assassinated the President in Ford’s theater to avenge the South. James Earl Grey assassinated King because he was a racist, and did not want segregation to end. Although they died fighting for equality their ideas, and words did not. Personal Reaction: All over the world there are people who live under corrupt governments, and there is always a person who starts the catalyst for change. In Tunisia a revolution started, but many people do not realize how. Al Bouazizi was a poor 26-year-old right out of college and struggled to get a job to support his family. When no work was to be found he got himself a cart and sold fruit on the street. A police officer said he did not have the paperwork to have the cart so Bouazizi took a stand. He burned himself in front of a government building to protest the unjust government. This is what Tunisia needed to get their selves to stop the corrupt government, and thus the revolution started. Al Bouazizi did not live to see how his heroic actions will change the history of Tunisia, but he was the hair on the camel’s back that made the citizens of Tunisia say this is enough. To take such a valiant stand is remarkable as was when John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Booth’s beliefs contradicted Lincoln’s and Booth was determined to stop him. Bouazizi and Booth both believed that their leaders were corrupt, and risked their lives to stop them and make a stand. Booth killed President Lincoln to avenge the South after their loss in the civil war. Bouazizi made his stand to show the government no matter how hard you try to do what is right there is no way to make it under Tunisia’s corrupt government. They were both very hardworking people, and not ready to give up all that they worked for, and I do not blame them. Some people might call their actions rash, but for them to have that much courage is remarkable. After Bouazizi’s stand started the revolution started, and set the country into mayhem; this was much like the United Sates was during the Civil War. The South disagreed with the North and thus a war started. They had  different views on rights of African Americans, and social differences. The South was based on the plantation system while the North was focused on city life. This change in the North meant that society evolved as people of different cultures and classes had to work together. On the other hand, the South continued to hold onto an old-fashioned social order. This could be related to how the citizens of Tunisia revolted against the government. Tunisia is much like the South they thought they were being short-handed so they decided enough was enough. The South seceded, and Tunisia revolted. They did not like what the government was telling them, and said enough was enough. The South needed slavery for their cotton farms, and was not giving it up without a fight. Tunisia’s employment was almost nonexistent; there were no opportunities to be had, and it just was not fair anymore. Different people, time period, and place, same problem.

Marketing strategy in the tourism industry Essay

The word â€Å"strategy† occurred from the Greek strategos, â€Å"art of the general†. The military origin of this term shouldn’t be surprising. strategos allowed Alexander of Macedon to win the world. Value of the strategic behavior allowing firm to survive in competitive fight in long-term prospect, sharply increased in the last decades. All companies in the conditions of the rigid competition, quickly changing situation have to not only concentrate attention on internal state of affairs in the company, but also develop strategy of a long-term survival which would allow them to be in time behind the changes happening in their environment. Strategy represents the detailed comprehensive comprehensive plan, intended to provide implementation of mission of the organization and achievement it is more whole. Formation of strategy is one of management functions which represents process of a choice of the purposes of the organization and ways of their achievement. Marketing strategy is a strategy of the enterprises focused on market values. Marketing strategy has two main reference points – the market and a product. The subject of a term paper is actual since for many enterprises marketing strategy is the major strategy as it provides validity of a market orientation of the enterprise. The purpose of a term paper consists in a choice of such marketing strategy for the studied organization as a result  of which the company will achieve the objects, and will be in time behind the changes happening in its environment. Practice of business showed that there is no strategy, uniform for all companies, as well as there is no uniform universal strategic management. Each firm is unique in own way, and process of elaboration of strategy for each firm is unique as it depends on a firm position in the market, dynamics of its development, its potential, behavior of competitors, characteristics of goods made by it or services rendered by it, state of the economy, the cultural environment and still many other. Certainly, always it is necessary to remember that strategic management — it first of all a product of creativity of the top management, but at the same time it is possible to tell and about a certain theory of the strategic management which knowledge allows to exercise control of the organization more effectively. 1. Kinds of marketing strategy and process of their choice. 1.1 . Definition of strategy and their version. Company strategy, as a rule, consists of the thought-over purposeful actions and reaction to unforeseen succession of events. The firm defines the long-term actions in relation to the markets, the commodity range, pricing, merchandising and goods advance on the market, develops marketing strategy according to various conditions of demand, forms the global directions of the development. Firms have a big degree of a freedom of choice of strategy. They can diversify the activity in connected or not the connected grew by means of creation of joint ventures, strategic alliances, acquisition of other companies or opening of new activities. Some companies follow strategy of leadership in expenses, others focus attention on various combinations of numerous properties of goods more attractive to clients, and the third choose discussion of special inquiries of a narrow circle of buyers. Further the main marketing strategy which are more often used for organization development will be given. Marketing strategy — process of planning and realization of various marketing actions, which are subordinated to achievement put before the company (firm,  the organization, business structure) is more whole. All variety of strategy which commercial and non-profit organizations show in real life, are various modifications of several basic strategy. Each of these strategy is effective in the certain situation determined by factors of internal environment therefore it is important to consider the reasons of a choice of a certain option. The organization is faced by four main strategic alternatives: 1 . Limited growth. The majority of the organizations adheres to this alternative, for it establishment of the objectives from achieved, inflation-adjusted is characteristic. It is the easiest, convenient and least risky way of action. Apply in the mature stable industries having stable profit in the past. At strategy of limited growth of the purpose of development are established â€Å"from reached† and are corrected at situation change. If the management, is generally satisfied with position of firm, it is obvious that in the long term it will adhere to the same strategy as it is the most simple and least risky way of actions. 2 . Growth. This strategy is most often applied in dynamically developing branches with quickly changing technology. The strategic alternative of growth is carried out by annual substantial increase of level of short-term and long-term goals over level of indicators of previous year. This strategy is the chosen alternative second most often. It is applied in dynamically developing branches with quickly changing technologies. Growth can be internal or external. Internal growth can happen by expansion of the range of goods. External growth can be in allied industries in the form of the vertical or horizontal growth by a way of acquisition of other firm, their association or merge. 3 . Reduction – strategy of a last resort. Options of realization of strategic alternative of reduction: elimination, cutting off superfluous, reduction, reorientation. This strategy gets out the organization most less often. For it establishment of the objectives below the level achieved in the past is characteristic. To strategy of reduction resort when indicators of activity of the organization get a steady tendency to deterioration, and no measures can change this situation. 4 . Combination – strategy of a combination of all alternatives which the major companies which are actively operating in several branches adhere. This strategy represents a combination of the considered alternatives – the limited growth, growth and reduction. The large organizations which actively function in several branches adhere  to this strategy, as a rule. For example, the firm can sell or liquidate one of the productions and in exchange get one or several others. Marketing strategy (F. Kotler). According to F. Kotler, the firm in competitive fight can play one of 4 roles. The marketing strategy is defined by position of the company in the market, whether is she the leader, the applicant, the follower or occupies a certain niche: 1 . The leader (a share in the market about 40%) feels surely. The leader of the market possesses the greatest share of the market of a certain product. To strengthen a dominant position, the leader needs to seek for market expansion as a whole, attracting new consumers, finding new ways of consumption and use of production. For protection of the share of the market the leader uses strategy of position, flank and mobile defense, preemptive strikes and reflection of the attack, the compelled reduction. The majority of leaders of the market seek to deprive of competitors of the possibility of transition to approach. 2 . The applicant for leadership (a share in the market about 30%).  Such company aggressively attacks the leader and other competitors. Within special strategy the applicant can use the following options of attacks: â€Å"frontal attack† – is conducted in many directions (to new goods and the prices, advertising and sale), this attack demands considerable resources. â€Å"environment† – attempt to attack all or the considerable market territory of the market. â€Å"round† – transition to production of essentially new goods, development of the new markets. â€Å"attack of a gorilla† – small gusty attacks not absolutely correct methods. 3 . The follower – (a share of 20%) the company which to seek to keep the share of the market and to bypass all banks. However even followers have to adhere to the strategy directed on maintenance and increases in a share of the market. The follower can play roles of an imitator or the double 4 . Dug round in a market niche – (a share of 10%) serves a small segment of the market to which there is no business to major companies. Traditionally this role I played small business, today strategy of niches use also the large companies. Key to niches – specialization. The companies focusing in niches, choose one or several areas of specialization: on end users, down, depending on the sizes of clients, on special clients, by the geographical principle, on a product, on individual service of buyers, on a certain ratio of  quality/price, on service, on distribution channels. Some niches are more preferable than one. Main competitive strategy (M. Porter). Malt liquor allocates five main competitive strategy: 1 . Strategy of leadership in the expenses, providing decrease in full costs of production of goods or services. 2 . The strategy of broad differentiation directed on giving to goods of peculiar features, distinguishing them from goods of rival firms that promotes attraction of a large number of buyers 3 . The strategy of optimum expenses which is giving the chance to buyers to receive for the money a great value at the expense of a combination of low expenses and broad differentiation of production. The task consists in providing optimum expenses and the prices concerning producers of production with similar lines and quality. 4 . The focused strategy, or the strategy of a market niche based on low expenses, is focused on a narrow segment of buyers where the firm advances the competitors at the expense of lower costs of production 5 . The focused strategy, or the strategy of a market niche based on differentiation of production, sets the purpose providing representatives of the chosen segment with goods or the services most fully answering to their tastes and requirements. The analysis of a competitive situation and definition of position of the organization in it assume determination of complexity and dynamism of the competitive environment. Universal methods of such analysis are the model of five forces of M. Porter and the analysis of expenses of competitors. The model of five forces assumes carrying out the structural analysis on the basis of determination of intensity of the competition and research of threat of penetration on the market of potential competitors, the authorities of buyers, the authorities of suppliers, threats from goods or service substitutes. The analysis of expenses of competitors is consolidated to clarification of the strategic factors operating expenses, actually the analysis of expenses and modeling of expenses of competitors. For obtaining competitive advantage the firm can use three the general competitive to strategy: 1. leadership in expenses (a task — to achieve leadership in expenses in the concrete sphere at the expense of a set of measures for control of them), 2. individualization (achievement of difference of a product or organization service from products or services of  competitors in this sphere is supposed), 3. focusing (a task — concentration on concrete group, a segment of the market or the geographical region). Types of strategy of behavior of firms according to A.A. Thompson and A.DZh. Striklendu. They allocate the following strategy: offensive, defensive and strategy of vertical integration. 1. Offensive strategy for preservation of competitive advantage. Competitive advantage is usually reached due to use of creative offensive strategy it isn’t so simple to them to resist to competitors. Six main types of offensive strategy are allocated: the actions directed on resisting to strengths of the competitor or to surpass them; the actions directed on, use of weaknesses of the competitor; at the same time approach on several fronts; capture of unoccupied spaces; guerrilla war; pre-emptive strikes. 2 . Defensive strategy for protection of competitive advantage aim to hold the market position, to reduce risk to be attacked, to transfer attack of the competitor with smaller losses, to put pressure on throwing down a challenge to reorient them on fight against other competitors. 3 . Strategy of vertical integration. The essence of this strategy is that firms can expand the activities for the direction to suppliers (back) or in the direction to the consumer (forward). The firm building the new enterprise for production of entrance components which were bought earlier from suppliers, undoubtedly, remains in the same branch, as earlier. Similarly, if the producer chooses integration â€Å"forward†, opening a network of the retail shops to sell production to directly end user, he remains in business on production of this production, even on condition of expansion of its field of activity in a branch chain of values. Strategy of vertical integration can pursue the aim of full integration in grew or partial  integration (creating positions at the most important stages of a branch chain of values). The company can carry out vertical integration, beginning own actions in other links of a branch chain or getting the firms which are already working in this sp here that they were closer to the company. 1.2 Specifics of marketing in tourism. Tourism according to the main characteristics has no fundamental differences from other forms of economic activity. Therefore all essential provisions of modern marketing can be fully applied and in tourism. At the same time in tourism there are the specifics distinguishing it not only from trade in goods, but also from other forms of trade in services. Here trade, both services, and goods (by estimates of experts, the share of services in tourism makes 75%, goods – 25%), and also special nature of consumption of tourist services and goods in a place of their production, moreover, in a certain situation takes place. In the traditional production having concrete result of work (goods in a material and material form), the concept of marketing has more concrete contents. In tourism the result of activity is reduced to a tourist product. In fact, the tourist product is the any service which is satisfying these or those needs of tourists and subject to payment of the hardware of th eir party. Tourist services treat hotel, transport, excursion, translation, household, municipal, intermediary, etc. The main tourist product is complex service, i.e. the standard set of services sold to tourists in one â€Å"package†, abroad they are called often package-tour. Tourist marketing – concept difficult and capacious in view of what it yet didn’t receive the accurate and final wording. There is a set of definitions, including: – methods and the receptions directed on identification and satisfaction of needs of people, caused with motives of rest – informative aspect, rest, entertainment, treatment, etc., – and the organization of tourist bureaus or the associations, capable it is rational to satisfy these requirements; – the state and private activity of the tourist enterprises which is carried out on the international, national and regional plans for the purpose of satisfaction of requirements of certain groups of tourists; – the system of a trade production activity aiming at satisfaction of individual needs of each consumer on t he basis of  identification and studying of a consumer demand for receiving the maximum profit; – the market focused management, directed is achievement of the objectives enterprises more whole than the enterprise by more effective, than at competitors, satisfaction of needs of tourists; marketing can be used as at the level of separate travel company, and separately tourist concerns, holdings, including at the international level. The world tourist organization allocates three main functions of marketing in tourism: 1) establishment of contacts with clients sets as the purpose to convince them that the offered vacation spot and services of service existing there, sights and expected benefits completely correspond to that clients wish to receive; 2) development assumes design of innovations which will be able to provide new opportunities for the sale, in turn similar innovations have to correspond to requirements and preferences of potential clients; 3) control provides the analysis of results of activity on advance of services in the market and check of, as far as these results reflect really full and successful use available in the sphere of tourism of opportunities. The tourist product has to be good acquisition. In this regard marketing represents the consecutive actions of the tourist enterprises directed on achievement of such purpose. Therefore and reasonable the following definition of marketing is rath er logical. Marketing in tourism is a system of continuous coordination of offered services with services which are in demand in the market and which the tourist enterprise is capable to offer with profit for itself and is more effective, than it is done by competitors. In relation to tourism allocate some components of a complex of marketing: – personnel, its qualification and training; – process of providing service; – environment. Tourist business is unique in the sense that the personnel of the enterprises is a part of a tourist product. Hospitality, goodwill – the main condition for all comers, and not just specialists in direct service of consumers. Marketing has to be an integral part of philosophy of all organization, and functions of marketing to be carried out by all employees. Key factor of competitiveness of the tourist enterprise are a measure (action) for mobilization of creative activity of collective. Important factor of  high-quality service of the client is the environment – appearance of the building, office registration, furniture, the equipment, office equipment, etc. the atmosphere of the offer of a product (the physical environment) is perceived by means of sense organs (sight, hearing, sense of smell, touch) and has impact on consumer behavior in four ways: 1) can serve as a data carrier for potential consumers; 2) can serve as means of drawing attention of clients; 3) can be the carrier of a certain effect (colors, sounds and properties of surfaces of subjects surrounding the client influence his consciousness and induce to purchase); 4) can create a certain mood. [19, page 58] Ensuring management efficiency with marketing requires development of its auxiliary systems: marketing information; marketing organizations; marketing control. The system of marketing information provides, systematization, an assessment and use of the data characterizing a condition of environment and the internal environment of the tourist enterprise. Without objective, actual, rather full marketing information adoption of operational and strategic decisions is impossible. The system of the organization of marketing is directed on creation of the relevant organizational structure of the tourist enterprise providing realization of marketing actions. For continuous tracking performance of marketing strategy and programs the system of marketing control is created. In practice the technology of implementation of the concept of marketing is very elastic. It can change both the structure, and a place of separate stages depending on features of the enterprise, degree of familiarity of the market, goals, tasks and market conditions. However all these elements are closely interconnected. It is impossible any of them to exclude from system, without having broken its integrity. 2. Marketing strategy in the tourism and hospitality industry. 2.1 Strategic marketing at the tourist enterprises. 1. Corporate marketing strategy in tourism. Hierarchy of marketing strategic decisions. The most important purposes of any company are: receiving profit, ensuring continuous growth of a turn and occupation of the best competitive position in the market. In marketing is the growth of sales, increase in a share of the market, increase of loyalty of consumers. Exactly at the top level company management the foundation of the correct marketing policy as each concrete marketing decision has to be considered as specification of strategic decisions of the company directed on achievement of the all-corporate purposes are laid: definition of development of the main strategic zones of managing. choice of the directions of further growth  formation of competitive advantages. These and other marketing decisions made by the top management of the company, define development of concrete products and the markets, all system of marketing actions, their expense and efficiency at the subsequent stages. Strategic marketing decisions represent a way of action on achievement of the marketing purposes which, in turn, follow from the purposes all-corporate. Distinguish the marketing decisions made by the enterprise at three levels: the corporate; the functional; the tool. Corporate marketing decisions define interaction strategy with the market and coordination of capacity of the enterprise with its requirements. Marketing decisions at corporate level define ways as it is better to use enterprise resources for satisfaction of needs of the market. It is possible to allocate three groups of strategic marketing decisions at corporate level. Portfolio strategy — allow to resolve rather effectively issues of management of various fields of activity of the enterprise from the point of view of their place and a role in satisfaction of needs of the market and implementation of capital investments in each of spheres. Growth strategy — give the chance to answer questions: in what direction to develop to the enterprise better to conform to market requirements? whether enough own resources for this purpose or is required to go for external acquisitions of  the activity? Competitive strategy — define how it is possible to provide to the ente rprise competitive advantages in the market from the point of view of bigger involvement of potential consumers and what policy to choose in relation to competitors. 2 . Marketing strategy on tourist industry development. Marketing practice considers â€Å"portfolio† in the form of set, as a rule, not economic divisions dependent from each other, strategic units of one company. â€Å"The portfolio analysis† allows to present in a matrix look results of research of activities of the enterprise for the purpose of determination of their subsequent growth and increase in profitability of strategic units which were its part. Thus increase in production is defined by development of demand and sales that leads to decrease in expenses of resources on a unit of production. â€Å"Portfolio strategy† — ways of distribution of limited resources between economic divisions of the enterprise with use of criteria of appeal of market segments and potential opportunities of each economic unit. Enterprise resource management on the basis of a choice of the economic directions of market activity is carried out with use of a matrix of BKG and a matrix Mac-Kinzi. 3 . The marketing strategy focused on growth of the tourist company. Enterprise growth — manifestation of types of its business activity which can be based on three opportunities of growth: organic growth, intensive development at the expense of own resources acquisition of other enterprises or the integrated development; diversification — leaving in other fields of activity. Strategy of growth represent business management models by a choice of types of its business activity taking into account internal and external opportunities. Control of growth is exercised with the help: Ansoff’s matrixes matrixes of external acquisitions; new matrix of BKG. Ansoff’s matrix. This matrix represents the tool for classification of production and the markets depending on degree of uncertainty of prospects of sale of production or opportunities of penetration of this production on this market. It is known that gorazno it is more difficult to sell absolutely new production, than production known, also to sell the existing range of goods to categories of the consumers close to what already got them, it is easier, than to master the new markets. Each strategic quadrant defines the directions of marketing efforts of the enterprise: 1 . Penetration strategy on the market: stimulation of purchases by traditional buyers (product replacement, use frequency); increase in a share of the market; involvement of buyers from competitors; involvement of new consumers; search of new opportunities of using. 2 . Strategy of development of the market: exit to new consumer segments; entry into the new territorial markets; exit to new marketing networks. 3 . Strategy of development of a product: innovations; new brand; modification by the range 4 . The marketing strategy focused on ensuring competitive advantages of travel agency. Competitiveness of goods and firm. The competition — rivalry of the enterprises in the market, directed on a gain attention of potential consumers. The competitive analysis represents the analysis of a competitive situation and an assessment of degree of  competitive advantages, both the enterprise, and his rivals in the market. Competitive advantage – those characteristics of market activity of the enterprise which create a certain superiority over competitors. Competitive strategy at corporate level pursue the aim to provide competitive advantage of the enterprise in the market concerning rival firms. For management of competitive position of the enterprise are used: general competitive matrix; model of competitive forces; matrix of competitive advantages; model of reaction of competitors. General competitive matrix. According to Porter’s general competitive matrix competitive advantage of the enterprise in the market can be provided with three main ways. Grocery leadership is based on policy of differentiation of goods (value for buyers is created). The main attention is paid to improvement of goods, giving of bigger consumer usefulness to them, development of branded production, design, service and guarantee maintenance, formation of attractive image. The combination of high usefulness and the high price forms â€Å"the market force† goods. It protects the enterprise from competitors, provides stability of position in the market. Price leadership is provided on the basis of possibility of the enterprise to reduce costs of production (value for the producer is created). The special attention is paid to stability of the investments, the standardized goods, strict management of expenses, control of expenses. Decrease in expenses is based on use of â€Å"an experience curve†. L eadership in a niche is connected with focusing of grocery or price advantage on a narrow segment of the market, without covering all market. Such leadership is most often used by small business enterprises. Dangers of this strategy are connected with the next moments: essential strengthening of distinctions in expenses can reduce considerably advantages of service narrow the target groups;  gap reduction in differentiated production for narrow target group and a common market is possible; competitors can find unoccupied niches even in a narrow target segment. 2.2 Process of a choice of strategy. Process of a choice of strategy includes the following main steps: explanation of the current strategy; carrying out analysis of a portfolio of businesses; choice of strategy of firm and assessment of the chosen strategy. Explanation of the current strategy is very important because it is impossible to make decisions on a future occasion, without having a clear idea concerning in what state there is an organization and what strategy it realizes. Various schemes of explanation of the current strategy can be used. One of possible approaches is offered by Thompson and Strikland. They consider that exists on five external and internal factors which need to be estimated to deal with realized strategy. External factors: scope of activity of firm and degree of a variety of made production, diversification of firm; general character and nature of recent acquisitions of firm and sales of part of the property by it; structure and orientation of activity of firm for the last period; opportunities on which the firm was focused recently; relation to external threats. Internal factors: firm purposes; criteria of distribution of resources and the developed structure of capital investments on made production; the relation to financial risk both from the management, and according to real practice and carried-out financial policy; level and degree of concentration of efforts in the field of research and development; strategy of certain functional spheres (marketing, production, shots, finance, scientific researches and development). The analysis of a portfolio of businesses represents one of the most important instruments of strategic management. It gives an evident idea that separate parts of business are very interconnected and that a portfolio as  whole significantly differs from the simple sum of its parts and the condition of its separate parts is much more important for firm, than. By means of the analysis of a portfolio of businesses such major factors of business, as risk, receipt of money, updating and dying off can be balanced. It is possible to tell with full confidence that the analysis of a portfolio of businesses is a basis of strategic planning. At the same time it is necessary to remember that the analysis of a portfolio of businesses is only one of instruments of strategic management, and it in any way doesn’t replace strategic planning as a component of strategic management, certainly, strategic management as a whole. After the management will consider available strategic alternatives, it then addresses to concrete strategy. The simplified technique of definition of position of firm and its goods in relation to opportunities grew was developed by the Boston consultative group. In the analysis of a portfolio comparison of a share of firm or its goods in the market with growth rates of all economic activity is carried out. Each of these quadrants in the BCG model is given figurative names: Stars. The new business areas occupying rather big share of roughly growing market operations on which make high profit concern to them, as a rule. It is possible to call these business areas leaders of the branches. They bring in to the organizations very high income. However the main problem is connected with definition of the correct balance between the income and investments into this area in the future to guarantee recoverability of the last. Milk cows. These are business areas which in the past received rather big share of the market. However over time growth of the relevant branch was considerably slowed down. As usual, â€Å"milk cows† are â€Å"stars† in the past which provide now to the organization sufficient profit to hold the competitive positions in the market. The stream of monetary cash in these positions is well balanced as investments into such business area require the most necessary minimum. Such business area can bring in very big incomes of the organization. Difficult children. These business areas compete in  growing branches, but occupy rather small share of the market. This combination of circumstances results in need of increase in investments for the purpose of protection of the share of the market and guaranteeing a survival on it. High growth rates of the market demand considerable monetary cash to correspond to this growth. However these business areas with great difficulty generate the organization income because of the small share in the market. These areas most often are pure consumers of monetary cash, instead of its generators, and remain them until their market share will change. Dogs. These are business areas with rather small share in the market in slowly developing branches. The stream of monetary cash in these areas of business usually very insignificant, and is more often even the negative. Any step of the organization in the direction to receive a big share of the market unambiguously immediately it is counterattacked by competitors dominating in this branch. Only skill of the manager can help the organization to hold such positions of business area. The positions taken by separate areas of business in strategic space, defined by the BCG model, dictate a choice of quite certain directions of actions: For Stars: To try to keep or increase a share of the business in the market. For Difficult children: Or to go on increase in a share of business in the market, or to be content with that is reached, or to reduce this business. For Milk cows: To try to keep or increase a share of the business in the market. For Dogs: To be content with the of provisions, either to reduce it, or to liquidate this type of business in the organization. The choice of strategy of firm is carried out by the management on the basis of the analysis of the key factors characterizing a condition of firm, taking into account results of the analysis of a portfolio of businesses,  and also character and essence of realized strategy. The major key factors which have to be considered first of all at a strategy choice, the following is. The condition of branch and firm position in branch often can play a crucial role at a choice of strategy of growth of firm. Leading, strong firms have to seek for the maximum use of the opportunities generated by their leading situation, and for strengthening of this situation. Leading firms depending on a condition of branch have to choose various strategy of growth. So, for example, if the branch goes to decline, it is necessary to stake on diversification strategy if the branch roughly develops, the choice has to fall on strategy of the concentrated growth or strategy of the integrated growth. Weak firms have to behave in a different way. They have to choose those strategy which can lead to increase in their force. If such strategy aren’t present, they have to leave this branch. The purposes of firm give uniqueness and originality to a strategy choice in relation to each concrete firm. For to what the firm aspires is reflected. If, for example, the purposes don’t assume the intensive growth of firm, can’t be chosen believe the corresponding strategy of growth, even in spite of the fact that for this purpose there are all prerequisites both in the market and in branch, and in the potential of firm. 3. Marketing strategy on an example â€Å"Eurasia Tour†. 3.1 Summary of the enterprise. The Eurasia Tour travel company was founded on February 29, 1996. The firm cooperates with the leading Russian tourist organizations in various regions of Russia and the neighboring countries. In 1998 the firm for the first time acted in quality round of the operator in the summer program â€Å"To Spain Directly from Omsk†. Same year the firm is awarded by the diploma International the exhibition center â€Å"InterSib† for professional work. In 1999 own tourist programs for the Omsk region, gained recognition of Omsk, nonresident and foreign tourists – adventure automobile round on the North of the Omsk region â€Å"Taiga rally† and an alloy on kayaks under the name â€Å"Secrets of the Taiga River† were for the first time offered.† Eurasia Tour† is an official travel agent of a traditional Siberian international marathon  which in August, 2001 passed already for the twelfth time. In 2002 â€Å"Eurasia Tour† was included in the interstate agreement between Russia and China, having acquired the right for opening of visas to citizens of the Russian Federation. Today the staff of firm makes 15 people. Contacts with all leading hotels of the city, and also the largest boarding house of the Omsk region are come into. At office of firm sale of air tickets in all directions on flights of the Russian and foreign airlines is organized. Employees â€Å"Eurasia Tour† determine a target segment by the following characteristics: Age – 40-45let Income level – average and above an average Education – usually the highest, but doesn’t play a role Relationship status – usually a family from two-four people Work, profession – most often – business owners Geography Vital style – the vigorous, active person occupied with trade or administrative activity, working often on days off and holidays, watches the image, feels a lack of time on rest and the family, susceptible to the novelties, skeptical about advertising. Motive of travel – desire to have a rest with a family, – desire to have a rest abroad, – desire to receive treatment abroad – desire to visit the exotic country (entertainments + novelty) 3.2 Marketing strategy on an example â€Å"Eurasia Tour† The firm exists 14 years, and even crisis of 1998 didn’t become a hindrance for its development and functioning. In advertising appeals it is specified that â€Å"Eurasia Tour† is the member of various tourist associations that as inspires trust to firm. As here goes formations of image of a product, namely cruise across Irtysh which has no analogs in the Omsk region. Tourists can receive not only information on rounds which offer practically all tour agencies of the city (rest in Spain through â€Å"Natali-turs†,  treatment in the Czech Republic through â€Å"Travelland†, excursion Europe tours and so on), but also information on rounds which â€Å"Eurasia Tour† (â€Å"the Okunevsky Ark† will organize, â€Å"Taiga Rally†, â€Å"Secrets of the Taiga River†, â€Å"Linevo’s Lake†, â€Å"Omsk excursion† and so on), being that tour-operetor. It should be noted that â€Å"Eurasia Tour† issues the booklets connected with their own projects, for bigger involvement of tourists to these services. All booklets are printed in printing house on good, qualitative paper that shows respect for clients. In addition all booklets are colorfully issued. The booklet â€Å"Taiga Rally† is executed in green color which associates with trees, with a taiga. Booklets â€Å"Linevo’s Lake† and â€Å"Secrets of the Taiga River† contain various shades of blue color which associates with water, the lake, the small river. â€Å"The Okunevsky Ark† is executed in brown, yellow and white tones which give to the booklet some mystery. In these advertising leaflets the visual effect is provided at the expense of photos of these projects. Photos recreate the atmosphere of these rounds. They give to the potential client the main idea that expects it. For example, fishing, a crossing through the river, a river raft ing, monastery visit and so on. In booklets â€Å"Secret of the Taiga River†, â€Å"Linevo’s Lake†, â€Å"Omsk excursion†, â€Å"Taiga Rally† is given objective information on offered services with allocation of specifics and potential opportunities which clients wait. For example, you will be able to make horse walk, to fish on the lake †¦ Automobile round †¦ River rafting †¦ In the Achairsky Monastery to visit the Sacred source and so on. In the booklet â€Å"Okunevsky Ark† the fantasy situation is created. For example, †¦ to visit the most mysterious region of Western Siberia †¦ Visit of the power center of the earth †¦ Practically all advertising leaflets contain information in two languages: Russian, for the Russian-speaking population, and English, for foreign tourists. Besides advertising leaflets, the world Internet system the tourist firm â€Å"Eurasia Tour† places the advertising on television and in printing editions. The tele vision has ample opportunities to make purposeful influences and to cause desirable response of spectator audience. The television provides broad coverage. So for promotion of the festive program â€Å"on March 8 in sanatorium â€Å"Mercury† advertising on television, for the weekend, during display of interesting programs and feature films on the local channel when the maximum number of potential clients were at the TVs was given. 3% of  estimated profit therefore the program was advertized on television and in the â€Å"Mozhet Byt† newspaper which has the special section devoted to tourism â€Å"Wind of Wanderings† were allocated for advertising of this project. The advertising appeal which was placed in the newspaper, was simple, short, drawing attention of readers. Owing to the efficiency, repeatability, broad coverage of the market of a press is one of the most effective remedies of distribution of advertising therefore â€Å"Eurasia Tour† most often uses press services for advertising of the services. Important factor in advertising is firm styles of the organi zation. The corporate style is a set color, graphic, verbal, the typographical of the design constant elements providing visual and semantic unity of goods (services), all information proceeding from firm, its internal and external registration. The tourist firm â€Å"Eurasia Tour† developed an own corporate style which allows the consumer quickly and unmistakably to find a firm product, allows firm to bring with smaller expenses to the market the new products and which increases advertising efficiency. Elements of a corporate style are: Trademark; Firm font inscription (logo); Firm block; Firm slogan (slogan); Firm color; â€Å"Eurasia tour† logo which possesses advertising functions and quality assurance function is given below. This logo is put on firm forms, envelopes, prospectuses, booklets, folders, exhibition stands and as are used at outdoor advertising and TV commercial. The Eurasia round logo has a certain coloring: or red with white, or red with blue, or red with the black. Color depends on on what color surface will be the logo is put. Color does a logo more attractive, better memorable. Near a logo it isn’t seldom possible to meet and the firm slogan â€Å"Eurasia – tour†: OPEN UP THE WORLD WITH US!† The firm slogan is always written in the Russian and English languages that gives the chance to use services of firm not only to Russian-speaking  tourists, but also tourists from different corners of the world. So, from the aforesaid it is visible that the tourist firm â€Å"Eurasia tour† actively advances the services by means of different types of marketing strategy. However we considered only separate types of advertising. But, it should be noted that â€Å"Eurasia tour† uses also other types of advertising, such as: audiovisual advertising, handbills, outdoor advertising, post advertising and so on. Conclusion. So, marketing strategy provide not only effective satisfaction of requirements of the market, but also success of the enterprise in competitive fight. Having arisen in the production sphere, marketing rather long time didn’t find the corresponding application in the tourism sphere. However increase of the competition, commercialization of tourist activity resulted in need of the fastest introduction of basic elements of marketing in practice of work of the tourist enterprise. At the same time tourism has the certain features connected with nature of rendered services, forms of sales and so on. Really to use marketing as the reliable instrument of achievement of success in the market, specialists of the tourist enterprises need to seize its methodology and ability to apply it depending on a concrete situation.