Individual Reflective Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

Individual Reflective Report - Essay Example The company will also create an online meeting place for the players to play against each other or just participate in different tournaments depending on their ranking. A Fair Play policy will be enacted and implemented in order to ensure all customers are satisfied with the gaming experience and receive the games in a fair manner (Minniti, 2007). Some of the benefits of the game prepaid card include the convenience for the Chinese customers who do not have bank accounts or credit cards such as VISA. The card will also allow the redeem gifts such as energy packs, air travel tickets and household equipments thus enhancing the customer experience. The game prepaid card will ensure customer privacy and reduce the chances of online fraud since customers will not necessarily need a credit card in order to subscribe to the games (Minniti, 2007). The players will have the opportunity to select their own gaming mode. For instance, there will be an option of tutorials, custom games, ranked ga mes and normal games. The ranking will be done according to individual player’s performance whereby highly ranked players will have an opportunity to play for a $ 1,000,000 global final. Idea generation Business idea generation entails the process of generation, developing and communicating new business ideasThe business idea generation process was the most challenging for the team. However, we maintained a clear focus and creativity through reviewing different ideas. Accordingly, our idea generation approach followed a entrepreneurial approach since we were interested in coming up with new and innovative ideas that could meet the needs of Chinese game players with no access to domestic online gaming products. As a group, each individual was tasked with doing a market research on the gaps in consumer needs in the online gaming industry (Minniti, 2007). We held several brainstorming sessions whereby each member was supposed to provide numerous suggestions on business opportuni ties that could be viable within our budget. For instance, several methods recommended establishment of online ticketing business while other preferred the establishment of food chain restaurants. However, our criteria in reviewing the several ideas was aimed at ensuring the viability of the business, minimal capital infrastructure and innovative idea that is exciting to the customers in order to ensure quick market penetration. The team considered the several strengths and weaknesses of each business idea including the consumer market trends and demand. The idea generation process also considered the competitors products and human capital requirements for the prospective business. The second phase of idea generation was screening the benefits that the targeted market would receive from the business and the growth prospect of the business idea. Other issues that were considered include the technology requirements and legal framework surrounding the business idea (Minniti, 2007). The next step involved product development and testing in the market. This involves understanding the consumer purchasing behaviour for the game prepaid card and costs of marketing the prepaid game card. In this stage, we outlined several perceived benefits that could be used in the

Airbus A3XX Production Essay Example for Free

Airbus A3XX Production Essay Should Airbus proceed with the new model?Yes. The A3XX will constitute a new family of bigger and better aircraft with a high degree of common operational characteristics, particularly in the cockpit design, in accordance with Airbuss philosophy. For the first time, the airline companies will be able to provide much more room than has ever been available. Passengers will be more comfortable and the operating costs will be between 12 and 20% lower than those of the current B-747. The A3XX is the solution to the problem of growing demand for air travel, which is expected to triple over the next twenty years. At the same time, it is the most efficient solution since a greater number of passengers can be carried without there being the need to build new airports. Moreover, it is quieter than any current passenger plane so that it will be perceived as a good neighbor. As it is mentioned on the case, the first version of the A3XX will have 555 seats in three classes and a range of between 14,200 and 16,200 km. This plane will be the first passenger aircraft with four aisles, two on the main deck and two on the upper deck and there will be two stairways to ensure easy passenger flow during boarding and disembarkation. These factors would definitely differentiate the new A3XX from the current B-747. Likewise, great efforts have been made to ensure that the A3XX can be used on existing airport runways, taxi strips and parking areas, with minimal modifications that can be rapidly introduced into the normal evolution of the airport. Furthermore, with a wing span of 79 m and a maximum length of 77 m, the A3XX will be able to taxi within the 80 m x 80 m box that has been adopted as standard for the worlds major airports. The A3XX will also have the potential for increasing its capacity and range. Freight and combo versions are planned, as are short range smaller versions. The A3XXs wider and more spacious cabin mean a versatile fuselage section that will allow airline companies to incorporate any configuration within the three decks. With the A3XX, Airbus Industry is ensuring its position as a key market player and will provide airline companies with an alternative to the  monopoly that has existed for so long. How should they price it relative to Boeings offerings?Taking into account the many advantages that the new A3XX is expected to have compared to Boeing 474, Airbus should price it higher. Airbus (A3XX)1.If every works as planned Airbus would become the worlds largest passenger plane producer. 2.After produced the new superjumbo would have capacity for 500 to 840 passenger, and 555 in 3-class configuration compare to Boeing 747. 3.It promises a maximum speed of 0.89 (652mph)-New York to Hong Kong in 12h 21m-New York to London in 5h 18m4.The new model expects to lower the fuel burn by 13% compare to 747 and is expected to be the first long-haul plane to consume less than 3 litres of fuel per passenger over 100 km as efficient as an average family car. 5.Cabin promises to be configured to include cocktail bars, double debs and mini-casinos. 6.It promises a 35% increase in passenger capacity over the 747 in standard 3-class configuration, alogn with a neraly 50% larger cabin volume. Boeing (747)1.After the launch of the new A3XX, Boeing would not longer be the worlds top passenger jet maker and its 30 years domination in the sales of the large passenger jetliner market would be lost to Airbuss new superjumbo. 2.The Boeing 747 has capacity for 400 to 500, and 450 in 3-class configuration compare to the new A3XX. 3.Current maximum speed of 0.86 (630mph)-New York to Hong Kong in 12h 47m-New York to London in 5h 29m4.Fuel efficent and has low operating costs. It provides a marginal costs of 19%. 5.It can use existing airport infrastructure and ground support equipment. 6.It produces lower emissions, and achive better fuel economy than any competing jetliner References http://www.superjumboa380.com/html/airbus_vs_boeing/index.shtml

tragoed Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex) as Ideal Tragic Hero Essay

Oedipus Rex as the Ideal Tragic Hero If we give ourselves up to a full sympathy with the hero, there is no question that the Oedipus Rex fulfills the function of a tragedy, and arouses fear and pity in the highest degree. But the modern reader, coming to the classic drama not entirely for the purpose of enjoyment, will not always surrender himself to the emotional effect. He is apt to worry about Greek fatalism and the justice of the downfall of Oedipus, and, finding no satisfactory solution for these intellectual difficulties, loses half the pleasure that the drama was intended to produce. Perhaps we trouble ourselves too much concerning the Greek notions of fate in human life. We are inclined to regard them with a lively antiquarian interest, as if they were something remote and peculiar; yet in reality the essential difference between these notions and the more familiar ideas of a later time is so slight that it need not concern the naive and sympathetic reader. After all, the fundamental aim of the poet is not to te ach us about these matters. but to construct a tragedy which shall completely fulfill its proper function. Nevertheless, for the student of literature who feels bound to solve the twofold problem, How is the tragedy of Oedipus to be reconciled with a rational conception of life? and How does Oedipus himself comply with the Aristotelian requirements for a tragic hero? there is a simple answer in the ethical teaching of the great philosopher in whose eyes the Oedipus Rex appears to have been well-nigh a perfect tragedy. In other words, let us compare the ideal of the Ethics with the ideal of the Poetics. Aristotle finds the end of human endeavor to be happiness, that is, an unhampered activity of the soul i... ... in accordance with reason. In the Oedipus Rex Sophocles had already shown the reverse. The man who sees but one side of a matter, and straightway, driven on by his uncontrolled emotions, acts in accordance with that imperfect vision, meets a fate most pitiful and terrible, in accordance with the great laws which the gods have made. This philosophy of Aristotle and Sophocles is clearly expressed in the drama itself. "May destiny still find me," sings the Chorus, "winning the praise of reverent purity in all words and deeds sanctioned by those laws of range sublime, called into life throughout the high, clear heaven, whose father is Olympus alone; their parent was no race of mortal men, no, nor shall oblivion ever lay them to sleep: the god is might in them and grows not old." Works Cited: Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1991.

Looming Economic Crisis in United States

On January 21st and 22nd 2008, world financial markets crashed amidst the fears of American economy slowly are gradually moving toward recession. The emerging markets world over corrected almost 20 to 30 percent while the developed financial markets of Europe and American corrected over 10-15 percent. At present the DOW is 20 percent below its July top a signal that financial markets are entering a bear phase. (Landler & Timmons 2008) The paper will try to shed light on what is looming large on American economy, what are the policy or market failures which are taking the economy into recession, How the present Bush plan of stimulus will impact the scenario in future and will it be good enough to bring the economy back on track. Main contributors to the slowdown of the economy American economy is hit by numerous factors at the same time – growth slowdown, increasing unemployment numbers, falling retail sales, increasing trade deficit, weakness of dollars, emergence of Euro, housing crisis and failure of financial markets. (Landler & Timmons 2008) Housing Market – The housing market has been slowing down for an year now and most presidential candidates are suggesting ways on how American economy can come out this mess. The slowdown in the housing market is due to high default rate on mortgages especially sub-prime mortgages. During the credit expansion time post first Bush tax cuts banks and financial institutions lowered their vigilance on credit rating and in quest to expand market end up giving housing mortgages to shady borrowers. Another reason why this happened was – money was easy to come and housing market was on uptrend so in case of failure of installment and foreclosure the banks and financial institutes were able to get the money back through increased price of the houses. But after the slowing down of housing markets real estate rates have fallen 5-10 percent in last year only and according to UBS it is expected go down by 15-20 percent more in coming year. Increasing National Debt – the present national debt is around 9 trillion dollars which accounts for almost 65 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. Such high level of national debt increases the interests on payments significantly and reduces the elbow space of the government in tinkering with the fiscal policy. In the past America able to finance its debt by weakening the dollar but now with emergence of Euro it has become increasing difficult to export the national debt to foreign institutions and countries which in past are happy to maintain huge dollar reserves. (Kjeldsen, 2002) Increasing Trade Deficit – The profitability of American companies have grown over the past half a decade but the trade deficit hasn’t come down. The main reason for it is off-shoring and outsourcing. American companies are making the most of low cost manufacturing and services in countries like China and India to boost their bottomline. Low level of saving rates – In response to the main reason for credit card default rate one women respondent on CNBC summed up the saving rate of Americans – â€Å"we all like to buy things, we all love to travel and we don’t want to wait for it†. This culture of plastic money spending today paying later has brought down saving rates to alarming levels and it can significantly hamper the investment in the economy. Increasing inequality among Americans – the last tax cuts provided immense benefits to the rich Americans and increased the income gap between the rich nation and poor nation. Hurricane Katrina exposed the underbelly of this growing inequality in the country and it will take years of corrective actions. Financial Markets crash – America is financial market sensitive country by that it means that the wealth effect among American can be reflected by the state of the financial markets as more than 80 percent of the population invest in the financial markets. This has let the consumer sentiments down which is resulting in lowering retail sales and subsequently lowering employment generation. (Landler & Timmons 2008) President Bush Stimulus Plan President Bush has passed the stimulus plan of 168 billion into law, the stimulus plan will ensure money in the hand of real consumers in short time which will help in keeping the economy afloat by not letting the demand go drastically down. In the long run along with the tax cuts and stimulus plan the economy will able to get new investments which can bolster production and employment opportunities. The stimulus package will start providing tax cuts after May and before that it provide a one time rebate of 600 dollars for the individual and 1200 for couple and an additional 300 dollar each for a child in the family.   (MSNBC, 2008) The stimulus plan may be a step in right direction but the challenges the economy is facing are fundamental one. With high oil prices and fears of inflation the tax cuts may end up fuelling the inflation in the economy resulting in more import of cheap products from countries like China which is maintaining fixed exchange rates. Conclusion At present the economy is looking down the barrel and there is a very slim chance that it will escape recession and more importantly a growth slowing down in next 2-3 years. America is fast graying and productivity going down with increasing health costs, the times seems to be certainly tough in future. The one ray of hope is creating of jobs by investing in new technologies which America is historically good at. References Kjeldsen-Kragh, Soeren. (2002)   International Economics. Copenhagen, , DNK: Copenhagen Business School Press, 2002. Mark Landler and Heather Timmons (2008) Stocks Plunge Worldwide on Fears of a U.S. Recession. Retrieved on 17th Feb from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/business/22stox-web.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin MSNBC (2008) Bush signs stimulus package into law. Retrieved on 17th Feb from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23143814 http://www.trb.org/publications/millennium/00138.pdf   

Tqm of Jakel Silk House Company

Part A 1. 0 Introduction of the organization: Jakel Silk House Jakel Silk House was established with the belief that are the catalysts to bring fashion in Malaysia from a medium to higher level with the support of the distinguished partners and clients. The firms are working together with the fashion industry to user in a new era of fashion, from a company of Malaysians for Malaysians. The focus of Jakel Silk House is to put one of Bumiputra on the Malaysian stage of fashion fabrics. The company realizes that it is a daunting task. However, the company believes that in this endeavor comes opportunity. Mission or objective is very important to each business firm and the firm must have clear mission so that they can make good planning to achieve their objective. Jakel Silk House mission is to innovate, recreate and to rediscover the area of fashion fabrics. Other than that, Jakel Silk House has something for every woman, every home and every occasion. Choose from a spectrum of sub line creations ranging from high-end prices for limited edition pieces to the very affordable. Fabrics from Jakel Silk House display an elegance aura of grandeur with the most saleable fabrics in expression of chiffon, crepe, satin and jacquard silk. Some of this rich range of silk are immaculately finished in embroidery of embellished with fine beads, sequins, machine-sewn of meticulously hand sewn. In addition, to a contemporary collection of crepe, georgette, tissue and silk in various colors, patterns and designs, Jakel Silk House also has wide range of fabrics for curtains and upholstery complete with matching trimmings. Other than that, Jakel Silk House also provides a made-to-measure service where customers select the fabrics of their choice and Jakel Silk House will complete the task right up to installation. As a leading supplier of fabrics, Jakel Trading has been in the forefront bringing in the finest fabrics, silk and textiles products from all over the world including exclusive fabrics from Korea, France, Spain and Italy. The interesting thing about Jakel is their focus solely on high-end fabrics. Jakel are also extending their product line to cater to the mid-range market. Because of their expertise in this industry, they are able to bring in more affordable products. Some of the more renowned brand names found at Jakel's stores are Valentino, Pierre Cardin, Zegna, Armani, Lorenzo Riva, Ungaro and Solstiss. Part B 2. 0 Introduction to TQM (Total Quality Management) TQM is a set of management practices throughout the organization, functioning as to ensure the organization consistently meets or exceeds customer requirements. TQM places strong focus on process measurement and controls as means of continuous improvement. TQM is a description of the culture, attitude and organization of a company that aims to provide, and continue to provide, its customers with products and services that satisfy their needs and demand. The culture requires quality in all aspects of the company's operations, with things being done right first time, and defects and waste eradicated from operations. Important aspects of TQM include, customer-driven quality, top management leadership and commitment, continuous improvement, fast response, actions based on facts, employee participation etc. Customer-driven quality is all about customer satisfaction and it is seen as the company's highest priority. The company will only be successful if customers are satisfied. The TQM is sensitive to customer requirements and responds rapidly to them. In the TQM context, `being sensitive to customer requirements' goes beyond defect and error reduction, and merely meeting specifications or reducing customer complaints. The concept of requirements is expanded to take in not only product and service attributes that meet basic requirements, but also those that enhance and differentiate them for competitive advantage. Top management leadership need the TQM method to success and have the best commitment. It has to be introduced and led by top management. Attempts to implement TQM often fail because top management doesn't lead and get committed. Instead it delegates and pays lip service. Commitment and personal involvement is required from top management in creating and deploying clear quality values and goals consistent with the objectives of the company, and in creating and deploying well defined systems, methods and performance measures for achieving those goals. These systems and methods guide all quality activities and encourage participation by all employees. The development and use of performance indicators is linked, directly or indirectly, to customer requirements and satisfaction, and to management and employee remuneration. Base on our interview, Jakel Silk House had applied TQM on its marketing department as well and had achieve many sucess in the business. Table 1. Hierarchy of TQM principles by Deming No. TQM Principles 1Decision of management to attain the highest quality of work. 2Decision to satisfy requirements of the consumer Rendering of some functions and responsibility from the top level down 4Group influence on the individual in team work 5Regulation of system and processes inside the organization 6Definition of quality and the creation of the quality standards 7Quality measurement in chemistry laboratories 8Sustainable quality improvement in chemistry laboratories 9Comparison of experiences at other chemistry laboratories 10Perception of the whole process 11Improvement of employees qualifications and training 12Definition of problems in one's organization 13Solution of problems in one's organization 14Quality assurance in one's organization 5Active management in chemistry laboratories-actions for avoiding problems 16Ensuring quality of material suppliers 17Communication inside the organization 18Recognition and inducement of employees, i. e. a reward system Part C 3. 0 Why/where (division/department/location) and how the issue topic/ method/ practice is implemented/applied in the organization 3. 1 Marketing Department Jakel Silk House implementing the Total Quality Management especially in their Marketing Department. This is because that marketing department is the one who were concerned or deal with defining the needs of the effectiveness and customers the most. Therefore every aspect of marketing function needs to be completed with quality. Quality control at the production stages is as much the common concern of all divisions as it is the individual responsibility of the technology, production technology, purchasing, manufacturing, inspection, ditribution, customer service and the other divisions. The discussion here is focused on process analysis, process control, quality assurance, process improvement and quality control in purchasing, all of which are essential to mantaining and improving quality. Jakel Silk House apply TQM to create constancy of purpose toward improvement of the product and service so as to become competitive, stay in business and provide jobs. Jakel also adopt the new philosophy. Because Jakel Silk House are in a new economic age. It’s no longer need live with commonly accepted levels of delay, mistake, defective material and defective workmanship. In cease dependence on mass inspection; require, instead, statistical evidence that quality is built in. Jakel need improve the quality of incoming barriers. End the practice of awarding business on the basis of a price alone. Instead, depend on meaningful measures of quality, along with price. On the other hand to find the problems: constantly improve the system of production and service. There should be continual reduction of waste and continual improvement of quality in every activity so as to yield a continual rise in productivity and a decrease in costs. Institute modern methods of training and education for all. Modern methods of on-the-job training use control charts to determine whether a worker has been properly trained and is able to perform the job correctly. Jakel used the modern methods of supervision. The emphasis of production supervisors to help people to do a better job. The Improvement of quality will automatically improve productivity. The Jakel Silk House management must prepare to take immediate action on response from supervisors concerning problems such as inherited defects, lack of maintenance of sales, poor tools or fuzzy operational definitions. Fear is a barrier to improvement so drive out fear by encouraging effective two-way communication and other mechanisms that will enable everybody to be part of change, and to belong to it. Fear can often be found at all levels in an organization: fear of change, fear of the fact that it may be necessary to learn a better way of working and fear that their positions might be usurped frequently affect middle and higher management, whilst on the shop-floor, workers can also fear the effects of change on their jobs. There was a break down barriers between departments and staff areas. People in different areas such as research, design, sales, administration and production must work in teams to tackle problems that may be encountered with products or service. They should eliminate the use of slogans, posters and exhortations for the workforce, demanding zero defects and new levels of productivity without providing methods. Such exhortations only create adversarial relationships. Eliminate work standards that prescribe numerical quotas for the workforce and numerical goals for people in management, substitute aids and helpful leadership also can be applied. Remove the barriers that rob hourly workers, and people in management, of their right to pride of workmanship. This implies, abolition of the annual merit rating (appraisal of performance) and of management by objectives. Institute a vigorous program of education, and encourage self-improvement for everyone. What an organization needs is not just good people; it needs people that are improving with education. Top management's in Jakel Silk House compay must permanent commitment to ever-improving quality and productivity must be clearly defined and a management structure created that will continuously take action to follow the points. Part D 4. 0 Issues/problems faced by the organization in implementing the topic/method (TQM) 4. 1 Commitment Commitment shown at the canopy of the tree shows the importance of this management team in the quality process. Only a strong commitment towards the implementation of the standard can guarantee its successful completion and continuous improvement. Sometimes it is assumed that to appoint a quality consultant or to fill the quality representative position is the sole responsibility of the supreme authority. This assumption is totally wrong, only a strong and committed boss will drive its company on the way to TQM. The management representative is the head of an organization pursuing quality, and infects every member of that organization who is the least concerned with quality procedures. The management representative is himself responsible for the smooth running of the system. Management is like a brain and all members act as the parts of body, if even a single part does not work properly it will affect the procedure of the whole system. The personnel at the conversion stage are the real factors of success of the system. So the commitment to quality should be enrooted deeply in the quality system organization. Motivation in this regard will help a lot to achieve the ultimate target (quality motivation). Jakel Silk House company should have the high commitment to apply TQM on the business not only from the top management but also the workers. 4. 2 Strategies The next issues in pursuing the quality objective is to develop strategies. The most common procedure is to develop quality policies and quality plans. Well that’s exactly the right way to do the things, but remember only creating the quality policy and making quality plans is not enough. It will be effective only when this quality policy is communicated at every level of the organization. The quality policy should be stated in the most simple way so that every individual can understand it. In case of organizations having employees from different linguistic levels, its suggested to translate the quality policy into their languages, this will help to communicate the concept deep in the organization. Quality plans are also of core value in a quality system, but it has been observed that for some individuals the term is confusing. Most often it is thought that separate planning should be done in order to carry out the process. The fact is that this assumption is wrong. Planning can be categorized in many ways; there may be long-term planning, medium term planning, and short-term planning. Every level of planning should be considered separately in the quality system. The short term planning should always be in the view of long term planning, short-term plans may be daily plans or weekly plans or even monthly plans, but they do affect the long-term strategies of the organization. Jakel Silk House company must plan its strategies for the short term and long term to avoid the problem when implementing the TQM on the business. 4. 3 Teamwork The most significant part of the quality system is the teamwork. The single individual cannot achieve the goal in its real sense. Quality teams and quality circles are two basic techniques used most often in quality management. Quality circle is synonymous to management by objectives (MBO) in management’s terminology. For example quality circles were first of all evolved in Japan as a productivity improvement technique, but now this term is used in a much more elaborate scope. People are grouped from the same organizational area and a leader is appointed in order to monitor the objectives, these teams are self motivated and thoroughly trained to achieve the specific objective. In this way participation of every member is assured by assigning specific tasks. For example, one thing that might be important in teamwork is the rotation of the job, in order to ensure the smooth running of the process even in the absence of any member in the company. This is also the dilemma of many organizations that responsibilities are not rotated among coworkers, which might be the major cause of slow progress of organizations. So, all member in Jakel Silk House must trust each other so that they can create good teamwork and doing well in their business. . 4 Customer-driven quality TQM has a customer-first orientation. The customer, not internal activities and constraints, comes first. Customer satisfaction is seen as the company's highest priority. The Jakel Silk House company believes it will only be successful if customers are satisfied. The TQM company is sensitive to customer requirements and responds rapidly to them. In the TQM context, `being sensitive to customer requ irements' goes beyond defect and error reduction, and merely meeting specifications or reducing customer complaints. The concept of requirements is expanded to take in not only product and service attributes that meet basic requirements, but also those that enhance and differentiate them for competitive advantage. Each part of the Jakel Silk House company is involved in Total Quality, operating as a customer to some functions and as a supplier to others. The Marketing Department is a supplier to downstream functions such as Manufacturing and Field Service, and has to treat these internal customers with the same sensitivity and responsiveness as it would external customers. . 5 TQM leadership from top management TQM is a way of life for Jakel Silk House company. It has to be introduced and led by top management. Attempts to implement TQM often fail because top management doesn't lead and get committed instead it delegates and pays lip service. Commitment and personal involvement is required from top management in creating and deploying clear quality values and goals consistent with the objectives of the company, and in creating and deploying well defined systems, methods and performance measures for achieving those goals. These systems and methods guide all quality activities and encourage participation by all employees. The development and use of performance indicators is linked, directly or indirectly, to customer requirements and satisfaction, and to management and employee remuneration. 4. 6 Continuous improvement Continuous improvement of all operations and activities is at the heart of TQM. Once it is recognized that customer satisfaction can only be obtained by providing a high-quality product, continuous improvement of the quality of the product is seen as the only way to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction. As well as recognizing the link between product quality and customer satisfaction, TQM also recognizes that product quality is the result of process quality. As a result, there is a focus on continuous improvement of the Jakel Silk House company's processes. This will lead to an improvement in process quality. In turn this will lead to an improvement in product quality, and to an increase in customer satisfaction. Improvement cycles are encouraged for all the company's activities such as product development, use of EDM/PDM, and the way customer relationships are managed. This implies that all Jakel Silk House activities include measurement and monitoring of cycle time and reponsiveness as a basis for. Seeking responsiveness as a basis for seeking opportunities for improvement. Elimination of waste is a major component of the continuous improvement approach in this company. There is also a strong emphasis on prevention rather than detection, and an emphasis on quality at the design stage. The customer driven approach helps to prevent errors and achieve defect-free production. When problems do occur within the product development process, they are generally discovered and resolved before they can get to the next internal customer. 4. 7 Fast response To achieve customer satisfaction, the Jakel Silk House company has to respond rapidly to customer needs. This implies short product and service introduction cycles. These can be achieved with customer-driven and process-oriented product development because the resulting simplicity and efficiency greatly reduce the time involved. Simplicity is gained through concurrent product and process development. Efficiencies are realized from the elimination of non value adding effort such as redesign. The result is a dramatic improvement in the elapsed time from product concept to first shipment. 4. 8 Actions based on facts The statistical analysis of marketing and manufacturing facts is an important part of TQM. Facts and analysis provide the basis for planning, review and performance tracking, improvement of operations, and comparison of performance with competitors. The TQM approach is based on the use of objective data, and provides a rational rather than an emotional basis for decision making. The statistical approach to process management in both marketing and manufacturing recognizes that most problems are system-related, and are not caused by particular employees. In practice, data is collected by Jakel company and put in the hands of the people who are in the best position to analyze it and then take the appropriate action to reduce costs and prevent non-conformance. Usually these people are not managers but workers in the process. If the right information is not available, then the analysis, whether it be of shop floor data, or marketing test results, can't take place, errors can't be identified, and so errors can't be corrected. 4. 9 Employee participation A successful TQM environment requires a committed and well trained work force that participates fully in quality improvement activities. Such participation is reinforced by reward and recognition systems which emphasize the achievement of quality objectives. On going education and training of all employees supports the drive for quality. Employees in Jakel Silk House Company are encouraged to take more responsibility, communicate more effectively, act creatively, and innovate. As people behave the way they are measured and remunerated, TQM links remuneration to customer satisfaction metrics. 4. 10 A TQM culture It's not easy to introduce TQM. An open, cooperative culture has to be created by Jakel Silk House management. Employees have to be made to feel that they are responsible for customer satisfaction. They are not going to feel this if they are excluded from the development of visions, strategies, and plans. It's important they participate in these activities. They are unlikely to behave in a responsible way if they see management behaving irresponsibly saying one thing and doing the opposite. 4. 11 Product development in a TQM environment Product development in a TQM environment is very different to product development in a non TQM environment. Without a TQM approach, product development is usually carried on in a conflictual atmosphere where each department acts independently. Short term results drive behavior so scrap, changes, work-arounds, waste, and rework are normal practice. Management in Jakel Silk House should focuses on supervising individuals, and fire fighting is necessary and rewarded. Product development in a TQM environment is customer driven and focused on quality. Teams are process oriented, and interact with their internal customers to deliver the required results. Jakel Silk House management's also must focus on controlling the overall process, and rewarding teamwork. Part E 5. 0 Conclusion Focusing on quality, combined with increasing costs of materials, equipment, labor and advertising are driving the implementation of TQM as a competitive strategy in all types of organizations. These forces for change also provide an opportunity for an expanded role of marketing department management in making TQM succeed. Quality can no longer be viewed as the responsibility for one department. It is a companywide activity that permeates all departments, at all levels. The key element of any quality and productivity improvement program is the employee. Consequently, employee commitment to a TQM program is essential. Because of its fundamental employee orientation, Jakel Silk House should seek the responsibility for implementing TQM programs rather than risk losing their influence over the key element of TQM that the employee. Organizations with a solid reputation for providing high customer satisfaction have a common viewpoint: consistently taking care of the smaller duties is just as important as the larger concerns. Just as they attempt to instill an overall quality philosophy across the company, Jakel can emphasize consistent quality in its own operations. The day-to-day delivery can be just as important as developing strategic programs that may have higher visibility and supposedly greater long term consequences. As a manufacturing company Jakel Silk House is best able to take charge of these important functions as they relate to a TQM strategy. The full potential of the entire work force must be realized by encouraging commitment, participation, teamwork, and learning. Jakel Silk House is best suited to accomplishing this by modeling these qualities. Leading by example, the marketing department in Jakel Silk House Company could then sustain the long term TQM process company wide. A byproduct of setting a TQM example can be the improved standing of the marketing department in the eyes of other, traditionally more influential departments. But, the primary end result can be total quality management as a successful competitive strategy for organizational survival. 6. 0 Reference 1. David L. Goetsch, Stanly Davis: Quality Management: Introduction to Total Quality Management for production, Processing, and Services, Prentice Hall Inc, New Jersey, 2000. . Robert W. Ingram,Thomas L. Albright, John W. Hill: Managerial Accounting, Information for Decision 3rd edition, South Western, Canada, 2003. 3. Gopal K. Kanji: Total quality management, Proceedngs of the first World Congress, First edition 1995, Printed in Great Britain by Hartnolls Ltd,Bodmin,Cornwall. 4. Garrison, Noreen, Brewer, Managerial accounting, Twelfth Edition, Printed in Sin gapore. 5. http://www. johnstark. com/fwtqm. html. 6. Interview with Jakel Silk House Company. 7. 0 Appendices 2 Jakel Silk House (Alamesra branch)

Ethical issues in organ transplant essays

Ethical issues in organ transplant essays As time progresses and civilization gets more advanced humans continue to develop new ways to increase the quality of life. Unfortunately, the progress of technology magnifies existing ethical problems in medicine. Among the most troubling types of problems for medicine, patients, and society are those concerning the transplantation of human organs. The number of organs available for transplantation are extremely scarce so there are many people who, need an organ transplant, but will never receive one. It is simply not possible to supply a transplant organ to all the people that have a medical need for a transplant. As a result, some propose radically new ideas to meet the demands of organs, some of which include the selling of human organs, and the cloning of humans to cultivate organs. If the justification for donating an organ is charity, then it seems ethically contradictory that one could sell his/her organs. The anatomical integrity of a human body is nearly perfect and should be sacrificed only for the highest of motives, which dose not include financial gains. Moreover, imagine the moral chaos that will ensue if organs were sold to the highest bidder. A person in dire poverty may need the money that would come from an organ donation to support his family. Sadly, society's inability to help him find better ways to support his family may actually force him to sell something that cannot be replaced. While, some argue that since people are paid for their blood, they should be paid for their organs as well, there is a difference between donating blood, which the body replaces, and donating an organ which is not replaced. There is less risk in giving blood and hence their compensation could be justified with a less monetary motive. Even in this regard, I do believe that the nation would be better served if people were not paid for blood donations. Rather than offer an incentive of money, the motivation of helping oth ...

Qu saber de controles migratorios en interior USA

Qu saber de controles migratorios en interior USA Pocos programas son ms controversiales que el de los controles migratorios que realiza la Patrulla Fronteriza (CBP, por sus siglas en inglà ©s) en el interior de los Estados Unidos. Su finalidad es determinar el estatus migratorio de las personas que son paradas e interrogadas. Pero aunque ese es su fin principal, tambià ©n llevan a cabo labores de bà ºsqueda de drogas. De hecho, en los controles de carretera es frecuente encontrar perros entrenados para esa funcià ³n (lo que causa problemas en Nuevo Mà ©xico para las personas que utilizan marihuana con fines mà ©dicos). Dnde pueden encontrarse estos controles migratorios y fronterizos de la CBP en el interior En cualquier punto dentro de 100 millas (160 km) a contar desde la frontera, tanto la de Mà ©xico como la norteà ±a con Canad. En el caso de los estados de California, Arizona, Nuevo Mà ©xico y Texas, donde son ms frecuentes, suelen estar a una distancia mxima de 75 millas (121 km) a contar desde la là ­nea fronteriza que separa Estados Unidos de Mà ©xico. Qu tipo de controles hay en el interior del pas Por carretera Fijos, que pueden operar casi las 24 horas del dà ­a. Se encuentran ubicados principalmente en carreteras interestatales y autopistas principales (highways). Mà ³viles, tambià ©n llamados tcticos, que van cambiando de ubicacià ³n. Autobuses, trenes, estaciones de transporte La CBP puede efectuar controles tambià ©n siempre y cuando tenga lugar a menos de 100 millas de la frontera. En la actualidad este tipo de control est casi limitado a los estados del suroeste (frontera con Mà ©xico). Es decir, busca en las estaciones de tren y autobà ºs y tambià ©n se puede subir a bordo. Antes de 2011 tambià ©n era frecuente en los estados del Norte, como Washington, Michigan, Maine o Nueva York, pero en la actualidad est limitados a casos muy concretos. Qu pregunta la CBP Realizan preguntas tipo:  ¿es usted ciudadano americano? ¿hacia dà ³nde va? ¿quà © est haciendo? ¿este auto es suyo? Respuestas que se le dan Un buen nà ºmero de ciudadanos americanos se niegan a contestar ya que consideran que es un ataque a su libertad e incluso a la Cuarta Enmienda de la Constitucià ³n. Pero conviene resaltar los siguientes puntos: La Patrulla Fronteriza puede parar y, en su caso, detener Ninguna persona est obligada a hablar sobre su estatus migratorio (7 derechos del inmigrante indocumentado si es arrestado o detenido).Lo cierto es que, por ley, los residentes permanentes legales estn obligados a llevar consigo la tarjeta de residencia (green card).Los extranjeros que estn legalmente en el paà ­s deberà ­a llevar consigo un documento que lo pruebe, como el I-20 (estudiantes), pasaporte con visa reglamentaria, etc.Los que està ©n ajustando su estatus, pueden llevar una prueba de ellos. Qu sucede si un indocumentado es agarrado en un control migratorio en el interior Puede ser expulsado inmediatamente de los Estados Unidos o iniciarse u proceso de deportacià ³n. Otras formas de viajar domsticamente dentro del pas Estos son los documentos que se admiten para poder embarcar en un avià ³n para un vuelo dentro de los Estados Unidos o de salida a otro paà ­s. A tener en cuenta La CBP cuenta en la actualidad con aproximadamente 20,000 agentes en todo el paà ­s. Este programa de control fronterizo interno es muy criticado por amplios sectores de la sociedad, desde ciudadanos que sufren retrasos por estar sujetos a ellos, a defensores de las libertades civiles o de los derechos de los inmigrantes. La presidencia de Donald Trump est ocasionando  un gran impacto en asuntos migratorios, por lo que es conveniente estar informado y evitar ser và ­ctima de fraudes por parte de personas sin escrà ºpulos que se aprovechan del miedo y prometen cosas que, simplemente, no son posibles. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

The Spinning Mule Invention by Samuel Crompton

The Spinning Mule Invention by Samuel Crompton A spinning mule is a device that is an essential part of the textile industry. Invented in the 18th century  by Samual Crompton, the innovative machine spun textile fibers into yarn using an intermittent process that transformed the way yarn was manufactured, making the process much faster, easier- and more profitable. The History of Spinning Fiber into Yarn In early civilizations, yarn was spun using simple handheld tools: the distaff, which held the raw fiber material (such as wool, hemp, or cotton) and the spindle, onto which the twisted fibers were wound. The spinning wheel, a Middle-Eastern invention whose origins can be traced back as far as the 11th century, was the first step toward the mechanization of the textile spinning industry. The technology is thought to have traveled from Iran to India and was eventually introduced to Europe. The first illustration of the device dates from about 1270. The addition of a foot pedal has been credited to a workman from the town of Brunswick, located in the Saxony region of Germany in the year 1533. This allowed a spinner to power the wheel with one foot, leaving the hands free for spinning. Another 16th-century improvement was the flyer, which twisted the yarn as it was being spun, speeding up the process considerably. Europeans, however, were not the only ones to come up with innovations for spinning textiles. Water-powered spinning wheels were common in China as early as the 14th century. Samuel Crompton Puts a New Spin on Spinning Samuel Crompton was born in 1753 in Lancashire, England. After his father passed away, he helped support his family by spinning yarn. Soon enough, Crompton became all too familiar with the limitations of the industrial textile technology currently in use. He began to think of ways he could improve the process to make it faster and more efficient.  Crompton supported his research and development working as a violinist at the Bolton Theatre for pennies a show, plowing all of his wages into his realizing his invention. In 1779, Crompton was rewarded with an invention he called the spinning mule. The machine combined the moving carriage of the spinning jenny with the rollers of a water frame. The name mule was derived from the fact that like a mule- which is a cross between a horse and a donkey- his invention was also a hybrid. In the operation of a spinning mule, during the draw stroke, the roving (a long, narrow bunch of carded fibers) is pulled through and twisted; on the return, it is wrapped onto the spindle. Once perfected, the spinning mule gave the spinner great control over the weaving process, and many different types of yarn could be produced. In 1813, the mule was upgraded with the addition of a variable speed control invented by William Horrocks. The mule was a game changer for the textile industry: It could spin thread of much finer gauge, better quality, and at a higher volume than thread spun by hand- and the better the  thread, the higher the profit in the marketplace. The fine threads spun on the mule sold for at least three times the price of coarser threads. In addition, the mule could hold multiple spindles, which greatly increased output. Patent Troubles Many 18th-century inventors encountered difficulty over their patents and Crompton was no exception. In the more than five years it took Compton to invent and perfect his spinning mule, he failed to obtain a patent.  Seizing on the opportunity, famed industrialist Richard Arkwright  took out his own patent on the spinning mule, even though he hadnt had anything to do with its creation.   Crompton filed a complaint regarding his patent claim with the British Commons Committee in 1812. The committee concluded that the method of reward to an inventor, as generally accepted in the eighteenth century, was that the machine, etc., should be made public and that a subscription should be raised by those interested, as a reward to the inventor. Such a philosophy may have been practical in the days when inventions required little  capital  to develop, however, it was decidedly inadequate once the industrial  revolution got underway and investment capital became crucial to the development and production of any substantial technical improvement. Unfortunately for Crompton, British law lagged far behind the new paradigm of industrial progress.   Crompton was eventually able to prove the financial harm hed suffered by gathering evidence of all the factories that relied on his invention- more than four million spinning mules were in use at the time- for which hed received no compensation. Parliament agreed to a settlement of  £5,000 pounds. Crompton attempted to go into business with the funds he was finally awarded but his efforts were unsuccessful. He died in 1827.

The role of operational management in the construction industry Essay

The role of operational management in the construction industry project - Essay Example The study provides an analysis of actions to be taken by strategic project management which can enable planning and completing construction process in time and within set cost targets. A brief conclusion is provided touching on key lessons that project management can learn from experiences in the project. Szkieletor also known as Skeletor is an incomplete building in Poland. It is located in the sides of Krakow near Rondo Mogilskie. The building stays incomplete in its construction since 1975. It is one of the tallest structures around and it was intended to be headquarters of the main Technical Organisation. The reasons for the incomplete building construction are a result of deterioration of the economy and high costs of construction materials. Szkieletor construction was intended to be made into an international four star luxury hotel, A-class offices, several commercial facilities and luxury apartments. Construction of Szkieletor was based on location of apartments in relation to targeted market. Luxurious apartments constructed were targeting individuals who were well off in terms of income and thus payment. The offices and commercial facilities were to be constructed for those in a position to acquire them since the city was growing up fast enough to demand the offices. The costs of the apartments were to be set as per the market price. The adjustments of the project were flexible enough to incorporate the ever adjusting activities during the construction process.... The offices and commercial facilities were to be constructed for those in a position to acquire them since the city was growing up fast enough to demand the offices. The costs of the apartments were to be set as per the market price. The adjustments of the project were flexible enough to incorporate the ever adjusting activities during the construction process. The cost budget was well set by qualified management team and construction process commenced. Several adjustments were made during the construction process so as objectives in the proposals would be met. The project management team selected to head and run the project was not qualified enough to address factors that would affect the project before commencing construction process. Lack of proper qualification may result into several inconveniences due to poor construction process and even failure of the project. The selected project management team should be made aware of the requirements of the project and the necessary resour ces availed to them. Duration that the construction process expected should also be conveyed out so that when construction strategies are being made time factor is kept in mind. Since the project management is the one supposed to control the project, it should be fit to undertake the given work. Where investment is involved there is an aspect of risk. If the risk is passed to a staff that cannot handle apartment construction then great losses are anticipated. It is required that the selection panel be careful to award the tender to the right team which will not cause defaults of the programs jeopardizing the whole project. Assessment of the extent of risk involved should be carefully done so that no mistakes are left out before the start

Sales Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sales Management - Assignment Example There were also reports of overstating his performance for assigned products. In this regard, as the Sales Director, the following concerns are hereby addressed: a. Explanation on How Paul can Create an Ethical Work Climate in his Department Upon review of the scenario, it was apparent that the top performing salesperson evidently violates codes of conduct by exhibiting unethical behavior, such as use of company resources and time for personal goals and interests; overstating reported individual performance to supposedly comply with the department’s quota, and coercing customers to purchase products with ill-intent. Therefore, to respond to Paul on the ways to create an ethical work climate, the following areas need to be appropriately addressed: i. Policies and rules There is a need to evaluate the policies and rules of the organization in terms of provision and clear dissemination of policies on strict adherence to ethical, moral and legal standards. Likewise, there must be a system of rewards and punishments to impose sanctions for violating these rules and to provide incentives for exemplary performance. There should also be a system of reporting (even through confidential means) of noted violations and appropriate committee to investigate the allegations. If proven that an employee indeed violates policies, sanctions ranging from reprimand, warning, suspension without pay, and dismissal must be enforced. ii. Trust and responsibility The organization must encourage corporate values of trust, responsibility, professionalism and social responsibility. These values must be clearly communicated to all personnel, together with the mission and vision statement; as well as the code of discipline and ethical behavior. Any violations noted on policies, rules, and code of discipline should be subject to sanctions, as recommended. iii. Peer behavior It is the responsibility of colleagues within the organization, irrespective of rank or position, to ensure that ethical behavior is manifested at all times. Any manifestation of unethical behavior contrary to the values indicated and in violation of the policies and rules should immediately be reported to higher authorities for proper review, evaluation, and imposition of sanctions. iv. Bottom line sales emphasis The actions, roles, responsibilities of salespeople and other members of the organization should be noted as contributory to the increase in sales and bottom line (net profit). These financial figures are needed in order for the organization to sustain and support continued operations in the future. In no way should employee behavior be exemplifying conflict of interests by focusing on personal gains and the use of company time and resources. v. Book and Hold Recording future sales transactions in current periods are contrary to the rules in accounting. Any transactions made to comply with sales quota for the current period could not be subject to reversals or refund. In cases that c ustomers refund products purchased, any recorded credits to salespersons’ quotas would be reverted to new levels (after the return) and any rewards or bonus rendered would be deducted in current sales performance. b. Description of the â€Å"Perceived Seriousness† of the Salesperson’s Behavior The behavior manifested and exemplified by the supposedly top performing salesperson is unethical and clearly violates policies, rules, codes of conduct and ethical behav

Speech on anorexia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Speech on anorexia - Essay Example Whatever the influence, it is clear that Anorexia can be influenced by external forces and these forces must be addressed immediately in order to create a healthier citizen population. Contemporary marketing theory generally describes the utilisation of celebrity endorsements as a means to build consumer loyalty towards a particular product. Advertisements often display well-known celebrity women, fitting the generic female stereotype for beauty and fitness, as a means to create connection between the company’s brand and the end consumer. However, women in today’s society maintain a wide variety of different body types with only a handful of these consumers fitting the body profile of the proverbial Size Zero celebrity or model endorsement. In this situation, marketing efforts create a disconnect between healthy body image and personal self-esteem. The citizen (or the consumer) witnesses advertisements which illustrate the corporate viewpoint of body perfection, making the everyday woman feel both inferior to the celebrity being illustrated and that they are somehow abnormal. Oftentimes, this feeling of inferiority leads to radical changes in eating habits to avoid simply getting fat (or to try to mimic the body type of the celebrity). Over time, this methodology becomes an everyday part of life, becoming an obsession, leading to chronic health problems caused from malnutrition. From a marketing and media perspective, clearly if advertising and promotional literature maintains the ability to impact citizens negatively and develop Anorexia where none previously existed, there needs to be changes to the current marketing philosophy utilised by a wide variety of companies today. Without the necessary social programmes in place to combat negative media influence on eating disorders, the only viable option is to change the method by which advertisers try to create connection with its consumers. Additionally, outside of media influence, peer pressure often

Benefits and Disadvantages of Standards to an Organization Essay - 1

Benefits and Disadvantages of Standards to an Organization - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that organizations use thousands of standards in their daily operations to increase the quality, enhance environmental management, for health protection and safety, and in risk assessment. Standards refer to the published documents that detail procedures and specifications designed for ensuring safety, reliability, and consistency in services, products, and systems. They establish a conventional language, which defines safety criteria and quality. A standard comprises of codes, handbooks, specifications and guidelines defining possible goals in an organization. Standards also refer to documents that provide the requirements, rules, and guidelines regarding a service, product, or process. Requirements are complemented by the description of the services, products, and the process. Standards depend on the consensus approved by the recognized body. They enhance achievement of the optimum degree in a given context. They enable formulation, impleme ntation, and issuing of the requirements. The process of standardization in any organization enhances the fitness of purpose by defining the ability for the fulfillment of purpose based on specified conditions. Standards enhance the identification of optimum operating parameters in performance processes. Standards lay the conditions in use of the process and provide for the evaluation of the product conformity. The suitability of a process used towards the fulfillment of the requirement is outlined by the standards. This is achieved through a deliberate process of standardization for goods and services, irrespective of the region of manufacture or location of the organization. Standards enhance variety reduction where the consumer knows exactly what they want, and this is critical in organizations to enhance balancing the varieties. Compatibility enhancement is achieved through the standards. The parallel incompatible processes are detrimental in any organization, but standards enha nce compatibility by enhancing recognition of codes at all times in all the processes. Safety is enhanced using the health and safety standards that outline the safety parameters and identification processes.

European Law - law essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

European Law - law - Essay Example This exemption is also available to agreements, which engender technical or economic progress that proves beneficial to consumers. However, these agreements should not destroy the competitive market for similar products1. The Commission had published the Guidelines with regard to the applicability of Article 81 EC to horizontal cooperation agreements. By virtue of these Guidelines, the Commission has expanded its erstwhile perspective and relies on the market power of companies as the most suitable test in this context. In this manner, the Commission is aiming to render the prerequisites for applying Article 81(1) EC, proximate to the merger control norms. This approach seems to be unjustified from the perspective of policy decision, because it relaxes the standards set out for the relevant markets. In addition, it is also inadequate from a legal point of view, for the implementation of the provisions of Article 81(1) EC; because, the market power of companies constitutes an inappropriate test in this regard2. In order to adopt an economics – based application of Article 81(1) EC, the Commission would be hard placed to acquire the necessary human resources, which could prove to be quite burdensome. Furthermore, Article 81 EC does not cover all agreements. It only covers agreements that restrict competition. The Commission had extended its application purview to new thresholds such as free market shares through the Notice on agreements of minor importance of 2001. This Notice deals with agreements that impose non – appreciable horizontal and vertical restrictions on competition. However, it excludes hard core restrictions. The new parameters could possibly exclude agreements between small and medium sized companies3. Agreements, that attempt to prevent, distort or restrict competition in the common market, are in violation of Article 81(1) EC. If an agreement violates Article 81(1) EC, then it is not necessary to

Benefits and Disadvantages of Standards to an Organization Essay - 1

Benefits and Disadvantages of Standards to an Organization - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that organizations use thousands of standards in their daily operations to increase the quality, enhance environmental management, for health protection and safety, and in risk assessment. Standards refer to the published documents that detail procedures and specifications designed for ensuring safety, reliability, and consistency in services, products, and systems. They establish a conventional language, which defines safety criteria and quality. A standard comprises of codes, handbooks, specifications and guidelines defining possible goals in an organization. Standards also refer to documents that provide the requirements, rules, and guidelines regarding a service, product, or process. Requirements are complemented by the description of the services, products, and the process. Standards depend on the consensus approved by the recognized body. They enhance achievement of the optimum degree in a given context. They enable formulation, impleme ntation, and issuing of the requirements. The process of standardization in any organization enhances the fitness of purpose by defining the ability for the fulfillment of purpose based on specified conditions. Standards enhance the identification of optimum operating parameters in performance processes. Standards lay the conditions in use of the process and provide for the evaluation of the product conformity. The suitability of a process used towards the fulfillment of the requirement is outlined by the standards. This is achieved through a deliberate process of standardization for goods and services, irrespective of the region of manufacture or location of the organization. Standards enhance variety reduction where the consumer knows exactly what they want, and this is critical in organizations to enhance balancing the varieties. Compatibility enhancement is achieved through the standards. The parallel incompatible processes are detrimental in any organization, but standards enha nce compatibility by enhancing recognition of codes at all times in all the processes. Safety is enhanced using the health and safety standards that outline the safety parameters and identification processes.

Presented Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Presented - Essay Example These territories are considered â€Å"black hole† of finance because of its notoriety of hiding money to escape from taxes. UK Prime Minister David Cameron acknowledged that tax evasion cost governments billions if not trillion of tax revenues. These revenues which could have been used to finance a lot of things from human development to stimulating the economy had been foregone due to tax evasion. For example, the trillions of dollars being channeled in UKs offshore territories could have netted hundreds of millions of dollars had they been legally taxed. They could have been used to finance education in poor countries to break the cycle of poverty, or to inject funds in social services in countries where malnutrition is acute to save lives. It could also be used to finance a budding business to create value, jobs and further revenue for the government. If tax evasion becomes very pervasive, government will lost its source of revenue to fund the performance its many roles and in effect, will become ineffective. Thus, human development will stagnate because positive interventions will not materialize due to the lack of funds. The poor will remain poor or even become poorer and the rich will remain rich and even richer. Tax evasion can be done legally by several means. One of the legal tax avoidance that is often resorted to through the shifting of profits to jurisdictions that do not levy corporate tax which UKs offshore territories are notorious. Taxation serves as an equalizer to take money from those who have it to fund human development. UKs offshore territories defeat this purpose by serving as tax haven for the mega rich which would have been taxed had they been more transparent in their transactions. These explain why it is such an issue when UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced that they will be tackling tax evasion and transparency in the next G8 summit because his country is guilty of providing tax havens both to corporations

Driving Essay Example for Free

Driving Essay Realistically as you start your day it is safe to assume that you have no intentions of being in a head on collision and your vehicle being bashed nor did the person who was nonchalantly steering the car with their knee while texting as they were driving. Ultimately I think everyone will come across at least one irresponsible driver in their lifetime. Most of us are fortunate enough to survive these encounters, however not everyone is that lucky. Reckless drivers endanger and destroy people’s lives and possessions on a daily basis. Various conducts while driving are considered hazardous. Speeding is a very common practice that can lead to a catastrophe. Drivers that speed are engaging in irresponsible and impetuous conduct. It is especially dangerous to speed in residential neighborhoods where children and pets may be playing. Speeding drivers can also be dangerous in neighborhoods where homeowners in their vehicles are entering and exiting their driveways. Driving at an excessive rate of speed is quite common. This practice is especially dangerous when driving through a residential neighborhood or a school zone. Posted speed limits are not meant to be suggestions; ignore them and you run the risk of being stopped and ticketed by police. Driving Too Slow Some drivers fail to take into account the location where they are driving and drive at the same speed on the highway as they do in a residential area. A better strategy is to look at the posted speed limits and adjust your speed accordingly. Many dangerous driving habits are a result of over confidence. Drivers with years of experience sometimes become dangerous drivers because they are over confident with driving their particular vehicle or a particular route between home and work. They are not prepared when something out of the ordinary occurs.

The cholinergic drug

The cholinergic drug A cholinergic drug is a drug that acts on the peripheral nervous system, the central nervous system, or both and enhances the effects that are mediated by acetylcholine. It is also known as cholinergic agent, parasympathomimetic drug or cholinergic agonist. [1][2] It can work in two ways; either acting directly by mimicking the effects of acetylcholine at one or more acetylcholine receptors present in the body, or acting indirectly by blocking/inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholine that is responsible for the degradation/ hydrolysis of acetylcholine. [1][2] Depending on the type of receptor to act on, cholinergic drugs are either classified as muscarinic agonists or nicotinic agonists. [6] Anticholinergic drugs: An anticholinergic drug is a drug or an agent that competes with the neurotransmitter acetylcholine for its binding sites at synaptic junctions thereby suppressing or inhibiting its activity and thus preventing the transmission of parasympathetic nerve impulses. [3][4] Depending on the type of receptor to act on, anticholinergic drugs are either classified as muscarinic antagonists or nicotinic antagonists. [6] Pilocarpine: (Chemical formula=C11H16N2O2) Introduction: Pilocarpine is a naturally occurring alkaloid which is extracted from the South American shrub named Pilocarpus jaborandi. It is a non-selective cholinergic parasympathomimetic agonist that binds to muscarinic-M3 receptors and results in contraction of smooth muscles and stimulation of various exocrine glands. [5] The drug is available in the form of eye drops, tablets, suspensions and gel. It has a slow onset of action which is about 10 to 15 minutes but has a longer duration of action of about 6 to 8 hours, and therefore can be given thrice a day. It is inactivated at neuronal synapses and in plasma and is excreted in urine. Pilocarpine can be used in combination with other sympathomimetics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, miotics, beta-blockers, or hyperosmotic agents. [8] History: In 1875, Mr. Gerrard discovered pilocarpine from the leaves of Pilocarpus jaborandi. At that time, he believed that there were at least two alkaloids present in this plant. At the same time, M. Hardy isolated pilocarpine. In 1876, the isolated pilocarpine alkaloid was introduced to conventional ophthalmology for the treatment of glaucoma. 1879, Straws, while doing an active research concerning the sudoriferous secretion in cases of facial paralysis, was the first to employ local medication with pilocarpine and published relevant results. Chemical synthesis of pilocarpine: Although pilocarpine looks like a simple molecule but it has a complex chemical synthesis. This is because of the stereospecific construction of the imidazole moiety that is cis to the ethyl group on the butyrolactone ring which makes its synthesis difficult and challenging. The starting reagent for its synthesis is 2-acetylbutyrolactone which undergoes selenenylation by reacting with phenylaelenenyl chloride to produce a seleno lactone 2-acetyl-2-(phenylselenyl) butyrolactone with a yield of 94%. This is then subjected to oxidative elimination of selenoxide in the presence of cyclo-pentadiene and hydrogen peroxide to produce a mixture of endo and exo bicycle ketones in a ratio of 2.3:1. Pyrolysis (flash vacuum thermolysis) of these ketones produces a white solid 3-acetyl-2(5H)-furanone with a yield of 95%. This ketone is then reduced under mild conditions by treating it with an asymmetric reducing agent (+)-?-chlorodiisopinocamphenylborane, which is used particularly for chiral redu ctions, to produce (3R)-3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2(5H)-furanone in 60% chemical yield and an optical purity of >92% that was determined by NMR analysis. Next, a stereocentre is introduced at C4 of the (3R)-3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2(5H)-furanone by the Claisen rearrangement at its vinyl ether which produces an exocyclic double bond and the (4R)-acetaldehyde side chain. Both of them are necessary for the formation of the imidazole ring. This will result in a 2:1 mixture of (4R)-(Z)-dehydrohomopilopic aldehyde and (4S)-E-diastereomer in 71% yield. Hydrogenation of (4R)-(Z)-dehydrohomopilopic aldehyde in the presence of pyridine/benzene (1:1) solution at 25?C at 1atm for 1 hour produces (3s,cis)-Homopilopic aldehyde. Finally, when (3s,cis)-Homopilopic aldehyde is reacted with 1,5-disubstituted imidazole under aprotic conditions, it results in the formation of pilocarpine in 61% yield. [9] Structure-activity relationship (SAR): The nitrogen on the imidazole ring is protonated before interacting with the muscarinic receptor. There is a strong ionic interaction between the charged nitrogen atom and an anionic side group of an aspartate residue in the receptor. The methyl substitute on the nitrogen is positioned in an open region of the binding site. Hydrogen bonding interactions exist between the ester group of pilocarpine and an asparagines residue of the cholinergic receptor. A small hydrophobic pocket exists in the receptor site which can accommodate the methyl group of pilocarpine. The drug has a correct pharmacophore for the muscarinic receptor with a separation between nitrogen and oxygen being 4.4?A. [6] Mechanism of action: Pilocarpine is a direct acting cholinergic agent that resembles acetylcholine and therefore binds to the same muscarinic neuroreceptor and results in its stimulation. In eye, it causes contraction of the iris sphincter muscle and therefore results in miosis (pupil constriction). Clinical uses: Pilocarpine has been used in the treatment of both acute closed-angle and chronic open-angle glaucoma. [8] Glaucoma is a condition when the aqueous contents of the eye cannot be drained. This result in increased intraocular pressure which causes optic nerve damage and can lead to side vision damage (peripheral vision damage) and if not treated, can result in central vision damage and leads to irreversible blindness. [6] Pilocarpine is also used to treat xerostomia which is a condition characterised by dryness of the oral mucosa. The drug acts on cholinergic receptors in the glandular parenchyma thereby increasing the salivary secretion. [7] Pilocarpine hydrochloride (Salagen) tablets are prescribed to the patients suffering from Sjà ¶gren syndrome (SS) in order to treat their symptoms of xerostomia (dry mouth) and xerophthalmia (dry eyes). Sjà ¶gren syndrome (SS) is a chronic, autoimmune, rheumatic disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the exocrine glands that produce tears and saliva. This in turn makes the individual susceptible to various infections and if untreated may also lead to other complications like bacterial sialadenitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, stomatopyrosis (burning mouth), oral candidiasis, oral ulcers, periodontal disease, accelerated dental caries, corneal ulceration or perforation, malnutrition, weight loss and sleep disruption. [5] Pilocarpine is also used to diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF). [8] Cystic fibrosis is a common hereditary disease which is characterised by scarring (fibrosis) and formation of cyst within the pancreas. The disease is characterised by shortness of breath, frequent chest infections, sinus infections, salty tasting skin, normal appetite but poor growth and poor weight gain, excess mucus production, diarrhea and infertility in males. [14] Sweat test method is used to diagnose of disease in which the drug stimulates sweat glands in order to measure the concentration of chloride and sodium that is excreted in the sweat. Pilocarpine is often used as an antidote for Atropine, Hyoscyamine and Scopolamine poisoning. [8] Adverse effects: Since pilocarpine is a non-selective muscarinic receptor anonist, its use can result in a wide variety of side-effects which can include lacrimation, excessive perspiration, excessive salivation, bronchospasm, increased bronchial mucus secretion, muscle tremors, tachycardia, hypertension, diarrhea, blurred vision and eye pain, browache and miosis when used chronically as an eye drop. When pilocarpine is used in the form systemic injection, it can cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain where it can lead to chronic epilepsy. [13] Suggestions for design of new drugs: Pilocarpine has significant delivery problems associated with its low lipophilicity. Its bioavailability in the eye is low, duration of action is fast due to its rapid elimination from the eye and above all, it has serious side effects like miosis and myopia. Based on the knowledge of dependence of drug delivery with physicochemical properties of the drug, a prodrug approach can be used to improve the delivery characteristics of pilocarpine. A prodrug should be designed such that it has a higher lipophilicity than pilocarpine which would enable it to cross the corneal membrane with ease, should have sufficient aqueous solubility so that it could be formulated as eyedrops, should be able to convert back to the active parent drug within the cornea, should have a controlled release and a prolonged duration of action. [10] Curare: Introduction: Curare is a nicotinic antagonist. It is a crude, dried extract from a plant called Chondrodendron tomentosum. [6] It is a mixture of 70 alkaloids. [11] The active principle in curare is tubocurarine (C37H41N2O6). [6]The antidote for curare poisoning is an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor (anti-cholinesterase), such as physostigmine or neostigmine. [15] The drug is available in the form of solutions and intravenous injections. It has an onset of action of about 4 to 6 minutes and duration of action of about 80 to 120 minutes. It is eliminated through kidney and liver. History of curare: During the sixteenth century, the South American indigenous people used curare as a paralyzing poison where they killed the prey by dipping the arrows or blowgun darts in curare. [16]The prey is killed due to asphyxia in which the respiratory muscles fail to contract. [16] In 1780, Abbe Felix Fontana studied the effects of curare on heart, voluntary muscles and nerves and found that it affects the voluntary muscles of the body as compared to the other two. [15] In 1800, Alexander von Humboldt reported the method used by the Orinoco River natives to prepare the curare toxin from its plant source.[16] During 1811-1812 Benjamin Collins Brodie (1783-1862), a leading English surgeon, experimented with curare. [16]He found that curare paralysed the respiratory muscles but the heart continued to beat for a while. [16]He was the first to show that if the animals respiration is maintained artificially, recovery is complete. [16] In 1850, George Harley found that tetanus or strychnine poisoning can be cured by using curare. [15] From 1887 the Burroughs Wellcome catalogue listed under its Tabloids brand name, tablets of curare at 1/12 grain (price 8 shillings) for use in preparing a solution for hypodermic injection. [15] In 1939, Henry Hallett Dale reported the antagonistic effect of curare on acetylcholine. [15] Mechanism of action: Curare is a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant that blocks the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The main toxin of curare, d-tubocurarine, is a competitive antagonist of acetylcholine and so occupies the same position on the receptor as the neurotransmitter but does not switch it on. The overall effect on the body is the same as it would be in the absence of acetylcholine. [15] History of tubocurarine: In 1935, Harold King of London was experimenting on a sample of curare in Sir Henry Dales laboratory and was not only able to isolate tubocurarine in its pure form from the crude drug but also discovered its chemical structure. [16] In 1912, tubocurarine was used for the first time in medicine. [15] In 1942, tubocurarine was used along with anaesthetics in surgical procedures to relax muscles. [15] Structure-activity relationship: The structure of tubocurarine is shown in fig. Although the molecule does not have an ester group to bind to the nicotinic receptor, but it has two positively charged nitrogen atoms, one of which is a tertiary nitrogen atom while the other is a quaternary nitrogen. One of them binds to the anionic binding region of the nicotinic receptor while the other binds to a nearby cysteine residue that is 0.9-1.2nm away. Such an intreraction is so strong that it makes up for the lack of the ester binding interaction. Also, the distance between the two positive centres is 1.15nm which is also important for the activity of the drug. [6] Indication Curare is used in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, [17]which is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies are produced against acetylcholine nicotinic post synaptic receptors at the neuro-muscular junction. [18] Curare is also used in surgical procedures in association with general anesthesia in order to facilitate in the relaxation of abdominal muscles when it is not possible with inhalation anesthesia. [12] Adverse effects: Curare has undesirable side-effects, the most common of which include hypotension (by ganglion-block and histamine release), bronchoconstriction (by histamine release), skeletal muscles paralysis and asphyxia (impaired breathing). [15] Suggestions for design of new drugs: Tubocurarine has undesirable side effects because it also acts as an antagonist at the nicotinic receptors of the autonomic nervous system. Also, its deactivation depends on metabolic mechanisms involving enzymatic deactivation and/or excretion, the efficiency of which varies from patient to patient and is particularly poor for patients with low levels of plasma esterases or kidney failure. Therefore, a self-destruct mechanism can be introduced into the design of a new drug for its sufficiently rapid breakdown. If a good electron withdrawing group is introduced on to a carbon that is beta to the quaternary nitrogen centre, Hofmann elimination is possible under the slightly alkaline pH of blood (pH = 7.4) and body temperature. The electron-withdrawing groups will function to increase the acidity of the hydrogen on the beta-carbon such that it is easily lost. Thus by introducing such a group, the drug is inactivated and is unable to bind to its receptor due to the loss of the positive charge on the quaternary centre and is split into two molecules. Thus deactivation occurs at a constant rate between patients. [6]

Global Warming Essay -- Environmental Global Climate Change

Global Warming   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Two issues that worry many scientists are global warming and the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps the earth at temperatures that are livable. What does the greenhouse effect have to do with global warming? When humans release gases into the air, the greenhouse effect will alter the temperature of the earth. More gases in the atmosphere means the earth will start to get warmer, and the result is global warming. On the other hand, if there was no greenhouse effect, the earth would be too cold for humans to comfortably exist.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In order to talk about global warming, we must first learn what causes the greenhouse effect. The three most common greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane. Many of the sun’s rays are absorbed by water vapor. Water vapor is a natural atmospheric gas and it accounts for â€Å"80 percent of natural greenhouse warming; the remaining 20 percent is due to other gasses that are present in very small amounts† (Murck, Skinner, and Porter 488). A greenhouse gas known as carbon dioxide is the second biggest absorber of the sun’s heat rays. Humans affect the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in many ways. Every time fossil fuels are burned, more carbon dioxide is released into the air. Car exhaust emissions also increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, and more carbon dioxide means more heat rays being absorbed. This will cause the earth’s temperature to warm. Another greenhouse gas is methane. â€Å"Methane absorbs infrared radiation 25 times more effectively than carbon dioxide, making it an important greenhouse gas despite its relatively low concentration† (Murck, Skinner, and Porter 490). Many studies have been performed on how methane is released into the atmosphere. Results have shown that methane is â€Å"generated by biological activity related to rice cultivation, leaks in domestic and industrial gas lines, and the digestive process of domestic livestock, especially cattle† (Murck, Skinner, and Porter 490). The Environmental Media Services Organization has found that the greenhouse effect â€Å"could drive temperatures up as much as 6 degrees by the year 2100 – an increase in heat comparable to the 10 degree warming that ended the last ice age† (Fast Facts). If a 10-degree warming was the factor that ended the last ice age, imagine what a... ...bal warming process has started, it is very hard to reverse it. Global warming temperatures grow exponentially and we will have to create an answer for global warming sooner than people think. I don’t know how to start the process of burning less fossil fuels. All I know is global warming has to be stopped if we want to keep living the way we do now. If it isn’t stopped, the problems discussed in this paper will only get bigger and bigger and the ending result will ultimately be death. Works Cited â€Å"Campaign to Stop Global Warming.† State PIRGs (public interest research groups) Working Together. Mar. 2006. 4 Oct. 2007 http://www.pirg.org/enviro/global_w/fact.html. â€Å"Fast Facts.† Environmental Media Services. 10 July 2006. 23 Oct. 2007   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.ems.org/climate/sub2_climate.html. Murck, Barbara W., Brian J. Skinner, and Stephen C. Porter. Environmental Geology. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2004. 488-490. â€Å"The Planet Speaks.† The Wilson Quarterly 25.4 (Autumn 2006): 124. â€Å"To Save Lives, Give Global Warming the Same Priority As Biological Weapons, Says WWF.† WWF Global Network. 5 Nov. 1998. 27 Nov. 2006 http://www.panda.org/news/press/news.cfm?id=158.

Edvard Munch The Scream and The Sick Child Essay

Edvard Munch was born in Norway in 1863 and became a troubled artist after he was influenced by many older impressionists. Most of his work is a reflection of impressionism and tells a story that is mostly dark or consist of death, illness, anxiety, pain, or fear. His paintings also are influenced by the heartache he endured as a child watching close family members die from sickness that he survived, such as, his sister and his mother who both became ill and died of tuberculosis. The darkness continued to haunt him throughout his life and influenced his paintings as well which in turn, created a very famous artist of impressionism and symbolism. Most of his work symbolized troubles, anxiety, and a loss in someway shape or form to include death, or psychological problems such as anxiety.(Wolf,2009) Munch used paintings that signify demons and bad times rather than the happy times in peoples lives which was different and accepted. One of Edvard Munch’s first and earliest paintings, sick child, is an early example of a painting that shows sadness, sickness, and possible death. The painting is of a young girl, munch’s sister, laying in a bed straight up and hovered over by another grienving womanly figure who’s head is bowed as to only show us the top of her head. The girl looks vaguely pale with bright red long uncombed hair and a blank stare on her face. The girl is staring at a dark wall that could signify death. The women hovered over her signifies grievance and pain seeing how she is not directly looking at the girl but rather sad and depressed. Hands are not drawn in the painting but an interlocking of shapes used to signify that joining of hands is greatly illustrated, perhaps, to indicate the woman at the bedside as being her mother who dies 11 years earlier. The painting of his sister who died at the age of 15 and his mother who died of the same disease a decade earlier is an obsess ive painting that took Munch 6 different tries to master exactly the way he wanted it to be. Each version was different in different ways and told the similar story. His first version of the painting was a black and white lithograph with similar thick vertical and horizontal brushstrokes as see in the paintings he did after the first. However, each new version of The sick child, adds more story and elements in order to further depict such a dark and haunting time. Munch used dark colors and rough brushstrokes of impasto paint in his painting depicting a sadness and hard time in his life.(Esaak,2012) Happiness is not in any part of this painting and melancholic tones are also used and presented throughout, as well as, scratched surfaces made to look weathered and torn. The lithograph painting was first painting in white and black and later was changed and painted with dark and more intense colors and with more impressionism which was popular in that time and therefore was a blend of both lithograph and impressionism. (Esaak,2012) Another famous work of art done by Edvard Munc h is, The Scream. Again Munch used free,loose, and vertical brushstrokes and paints with dark intense colors. The use of semi-abstraction is also present throughout this painting. Munch used fauvism, expressionism, and surrealism in this painting. The painting definitely depicts a distoration of reality throughout. The girl in the pictures face is distorted as well as the bridge and sky around her which leaves the work to personal vision when analyzing it. Munch was influenced to paint The Scream after walking with his friends at sundown and was frightened by a terrible scream and therefore, the picture is a symbol of his fear deep inside himself. The figure with an odd shaped cartoon head, comparable to an alien, has their hands to their agonizing face as if screaming themselves in fear and the world around them seems to stop as the sky in the background looks horrifying and portrays violence.(Welford,2002) The sky is shown in red and yellow colors and the sea below is shown with the use of dark blue, greens, and black. Nature represents the swirling of the sky and the sea and the swirling represents the irony of horror. As his friends walk on not feeling the same fear as the artist, shows that the fear inside peoples heads do not affect everyone. Therefore, the irony of this painting proves that fact that only certain people will relate to what the artist is trying to portray which is fear and anxiety within ones self. The scream itself is portraying the release of tension and fear that one feels from living with the anxiety and fears.(Welford,2002) The painting also depicts the sudden onset of anxiety and fear that can come on at any given time which affects some people in crowded places or just walking along on the bridge as in this painting. The noises and screams that the artist fears is not feared or heard by others around him and therefore, not everyone can understand the fear. Edvard Munch was an excellent antinaturalist impressionist artist who used realistic views in order to capture the views of his audience. His paintings incorporate the sorrow and heartache that most humans feel as some part in their lives, others more than some. Other paintings depict the anguish of facing the demons inside when it comes to psychological problems, as well as fear and anxiety and some viewers can relate to the artists work and how he used detailed paintings to show his point of view on the subject. He used subjective content and realism to show disparity, and darkness, as well as surrealism. People were also a large part of his paintings as well as nature when trying to convey his message like he did in The sick child, and The scream. Reference Page Welford, John. â€Å"The Scream by Edvard Munch.† Artwork analysis. (2002): 1-12. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. . Wolf, Justin. â€Å"The Art Story.† Edward Munch. (2009): n. page. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. . . Zsaak, Shelley. â€Å"The Sick Child 1896.† Edvard Munch. (2012): n. page. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. .

Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology Essay

The book Mythology by Edith Hamilton is a novel devoted to the legends of Greek Mythology. Such legends tell stories of mighty heroes, ghastly creatures, and Gods and Goddesses with amazing powers. In order to fully understand these myths, a reader must examine each of these Gods or Goddesses individually and identify the unique Characteristics they have. The first humanoid Gods that appeared in Greek Mythology were the Titans, or the Elder Gods. They were the children of Mother Earth and Father Heaven, and due to their enormous size and strength, they ruled over the universe for eons. Some of the most famous Titans were: Atlas, who carried the world on his shoulders; Prometheus, who brought fire to mankind and then was famously chained to a mountain; and Cronus, the king of the Titans. The Titans were in complete control of the heavens and earth, and it would have stayed that way if it weren’t for their own children. The children of the Titans were the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus, or also known as the twelve great Olympians. The king of the Gods, and the God who overthrew Cronus to take his power, was Zeus. Zeus was the supreme ruler after the fall of Cronus, as well as the Lord of the Sky, the Rain-god, the Cloud-gatherer, and the wielder of the awful thunderbolt. His power was greater than all of the other Gods combined. Zeus was also a lover of many mortal women, and had many demigod (half-god half-mortal) children. Zeus’s bird was the Eagle, his symbols of power the thunderbolt and his breastplate Aegis. Hera was Zeus’s wife and sister. She was the Goddess of Marriage. She was always venerated in the home, and it was she married women turned to with their problems. Ironically enough, Hera was also well known for her hatred of the women who Zeus had affairs with, punishing them for mercilessly in blind anger. Poseidon was the God of the Sea, and was the most powerful God besides Zeus. He could calm the waters with his golden chariot, or create mighty storms. He carried beside him a three pronged trident that could cause earthquakes. Besides being honored for the lord of the water, he also created the first horse and gave it to man. Hades was the God of the Dead. Not to be confused with the God of Death itself, who was Thanatos; Hades ruled the underworld. His kingdom was under the surface of the earth, so all the precious metals under the ground belonged to him; therefore, he was also the God of Wealth. He did not often leave his dark realm, and he was not a welcome visitor when he did. Athena was often recognized as a ruthless war Goddess. She was born from Zeus’s head fully grown and clothed in battle gear. She has been called gray-eyed and the protector of civilized life. She was a symbol of wisdom, purity, and reason. The city of Athens was her special city, honorably named after her; the olive invented by her was her tree. Apollo has been known as the Archer and God of Truth. He was also the Healer, who first taught men the healing art. He was the master musician at Olympus, and delighted the Gods with his beautiful golden lyre. The Laurel was his sacred tree, and the Dolphin and Crow his most sacred animals. Artemis was a Lady of Wild Things, huntsman in chief to the Gods. She was known as the Moon Goddesses, and carried silver arrows that could pierce an animal as harmlessly and quickly as moonlight. Notably, all animals were sacred to her, especially the deer. Aphrodite was the Goddess of Love and Beauty. She was said to be born of the foam of the sea near the islands of Cythera and Cyprus. Where ever she goes, beauty follows and men succumb to her love. Her husband was the disfigured God Hephaestus; however she was often portrayed as in a love affair with Ares. Hephaestus was the God of Fire; also known as the Master of the Forge. He was the only ugly and lame Olympian. He built furnishings and weapons for the Gods, and it was said his forge was under a volcano. He was a kindly, peace-loving, and popular on earth and on Mount Olympus. Hestia was the God of the home and hearth. Though she had no distinct personality, when a baby was born it was always carried around her shrine, and every meal started and ended with an offering to her. Every city had a hearth dedicated to her that was never allowed to go out. Hermes was a messenger, trickster, trader, and thief. Before he was even a day old, he stole Apollo’s herds; then, as recompense, he invented Apollo’s lyre for him out of a tortoise shell. He was a God to all traders and merchants, and was Zeus’s personal messenger. He was the most cunning and shrewd out of all the Gods. The God of War was Ares. He was a fierce cruel son of Zeus and Hera, both who detested him. He delighted in bloodstained battles and the fury of fighting, yet was also described as a coward, who ran away moaning when he was wounded. His bird was naturally the vulture. The twelve great Olympians listed above were not the only Gods in Greek Mythology. In addition to these Olympians, the Greeks also had many minor Gods that they worshiped as well. They lived on the Earth rather than on Mount Olympus. The two most important minor Gods were Demeter and Dionysus. Demeter was originally the Goddess of Corn, though she grew to represent the Goddess of all harvests. She was the one who brought summer and spring to the earth, and who brought every fall and winter when sorrowed for her daughter. She was very important to Greek culture had many mortal like qualities, such as grief and sadness. Dionysus was the God of Wine and drunken revelry. He had a strong dual personality, where he could make men ecstatic and oblivious to their troubles, but then also make them hostile and insane. He traveled the world, hardly staying on Mount Olympus, discovering the secrets to winemaking. He was a welcome visitor at any party, and Greek Culture loved him. Another minor God that was well known was Pan. He was the shepherd and goat herder’s God. He was not divine, glorious, or radiant, but rather ugly because of his goat hooves and horns. He was an excellent musician and famous for the sweet nature melodies he played on his reed pipes. In addition to Gods and Goddesses, the magical creatures of Greek Mythology are also important to know. Satyrs were half-goat half-man dwellers of the forest. Centaurs were a half-horse half-man creature; The Gorgons were three dragon-like creatures who turned men to stone; The Sirens lured seamen to their deaths with enchanting songs. The Gods, Goddesses, and creatures of Greek Mythology were fascinating. The unique characteristics of each god and goddess are what supported entire cultures, as well as made the timeless tales of so remarkable. With help from Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, a person really can understand who the Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology were, and gain knowledge about how each of them was different but important individually.