Saturday, August 31, 2019
On Adamââ¬â¢s Curse Essay
William Butler Yeats is an Irish dramatist, author, and poet whose works are mostly classified as lyric and almost belonging to the age of the English romantics. He was a Nobel Prize awardee and one of the founders of the Irish Literary Revival. His works are the utmost expressions of his emotions and opinions and for such they are renowned. They have made Yeats the most influential English-writing poet of the twentieth century (ââ¬Å"William Butler Yeatsâ⬠). In his work, ââ¬Å"Adamââ¬â¢s Curseâ⬠, which was published in 1902, Yeats exposed to his audience the depths of his mind. He spoke of his beliefs in beauty, how it may truly be seen, and achieved. More importantly it explained how beauty is truly understood and appreciated. Typical with Yeatsââ¬â¢ other works, the poem has a consistent rhyme and meter. For every stanza, there is a definitive sound that ties all the lines together and makes the lyric piece progress smoothly to its meaning. The rhymes are external mostly by the end of each line and the point of view utilized is first person. This means that the speaker of the poem is present as the story of the piece unfolds. The speaker is the one who experienced a disturbing occurrence. Also the speaker is the one opining on the given occurrence, the one conveying the writerââ¬â¢s message. The initial clue as given by the speaker of the poem is in the first stanza, where the speaker was seemingly disappointed by peopleââ¬â¢s perception of true beauty. He said that he, together with the object of his affection is talking about poetry, and how beauty is created in difficulty. The disappointment set in when he stated that there are people who believe that they know beauty and yet they find artists and poets as lazy people. They do not see the labor that is poured into by creators in their works, yet they claim to know how to appreciate real beauty (Yeats). In the second stanza, the object of the speakerââ¬â¢s affection agreed with the speaker in saying that beauty needs to be labored upon. Merely admiration is not the basis for knowing true beauty, nor is merely reciting a beautiful poem. This is supported by the succeeding lines where the speaker further pointed that after Adamââ¬â¢s fall, there had not been anything beautiful that was not a result of hard labor. In the example which was given in the poem, the beautiful feeling of love. The speaker indicated that love is beautiful and it is not easily earned. A man needs to work to achieve the love of a woman. Merely knowing the feeling of love and not taking action upon it is not the true way of appreciating love. Lovers who work for their feelings are the good laborers, while those who keep their emotions are idlers. In the case of artists and poets, which seems to be the trade of the speaker, he who creates beauty by combining words to create an image that can convey a message are the true laborers. The businessmen and merchants who claim that they are lazy have no right to claim that they know the beauty in poetry or in paintings and many other forms of art. They have no right to attest that a work is of beauty because they do not accept the labor that is behind it. They fail to accept that the secret of beauty is that it never looks like it has been labored upon. Its power is to trap lifeââ¬â¢s wonders and make it appear at an armââ¬â¢s reach. This is why it is relaxing and comforting. This is the message that the poem tries to convey. The writer is telling that artists and poets are not idlers. In fact, they have what may be considered as the biggest burden of all. They are to contemplate, imagine, and create a work that can console a sorrowing heart, or bring excitement to a bored soul. Their task is difficult as they are to hide hardships in their works. It is even worse than computing for the dayââ¬â¢s sale. There is nothing routine in it, for routine can destroy its essence. Adamââ¬â¢s curse that made laboring necessary is a curse that is heaviest on an artistââ¬â¢s shoulder and this is what Yeats conveyed in his poetry. Works Cited ââ¬Å"William Butler Yeatsâ⬠. 2009. Nobelprize. org. 27 April 2009 < http://nobelprize. org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1923/yeats-bio. html >. Yeats, William Butler. 1902. ââ¬Å"Adamââ¬â¢s Curseâ⬠the beckoning. com. 27 April 2009 < http://www. thebeckoning. com/poetry/yeats/yeats4. html >.
Impact of Motivation on employees Essay
Motivation is the word derived from the word ââ¬Ëmotiveââ¬â¢ which means needs, desires, wants or drives within the persons. It is the process of inspiring people to actions to achieve the goals The sole reason for me in order to choose this topic is that in todayââ¬â¢s world doing Business all over the world is a very challenging aspect. The performance that is given or delivered by the corporate is highly influenced by the Internal and the external operating environmental factors. To survive in the market in a profitable way in the highly challenging and competitive global market economy, all the factors of Employee Retention and Production like machine, materials & men should be managed in an efficient and a productive way. Among the factors of production the human resource constitutes the biggest challenge because unlike the other inputs, employee management is a very complicated process which includes the burdened task concerned with the handling of thoughts, feelings & emotions to project the highest productivity. High productivity is a long-term benefit of Employee motivation. Motivated employee is a valuable asset which delivers huge value to the Organization in maintaining and strengthening its business and revenue growth. This highlights as to why employee motivation is nessacary and also the need for learning about the impact that it bears on the employees. The importance with regard to motivation was realised as early as 1943 when Abraham Maslow wrote the theory with regards to human motivation on the basis of need hierarchy. Various theories were formulated since then due to the rising need in understanding employees and how or what are the factors that motivated them in order to increase their productivity and efficiency. Some of the theories are stated below:- 1. Abraham Maslowââ¬â¢s need hierarchy theory-According to this theory, individual strives to seek a higher need when lower needs are fulfilled. Once a lower-level need is satisfied, it no longer serves as a source of motivation. Needs are motivators only when they are unsatisfied. The various levels of need were classified as psychological needs, safety needs, belonging needs/social needs, self-esteem needs and self-actualisation 2. Frederick Herzbergââ¬â¢s two-factor theory ââ¬â According to Herzberg, individuals are not content with the satisfaction ofà lower-order needs at work rather, individuals look for the gratification of higher-level psychological needs having to do with achievement, recognition, responsibility, advancement, and the nature of the work itself. This appears to parallel Maslowââ¬â¢s theory of a need hierarchy. However, Herzberg added a new dimension to this theory by proposing a two-factor model of motivation, based on the notion that the presence of one set of job characteristics or incentives leads to worker satisfaction at work, while another and separate set of job characteristics leads to dissatisfaction at work. Thus, satisfaction and dissatisfaction are not on a continuum with one increasing as the other diminishes, but are independent phenomena. 3. Adamsââ¬â¢ Equity Theory ââ¬â Developed by John Stacey Adams in 1963, Equity Theory suggests that if the individual perceives that the rewards received are equitable, that is, fair or just in comparison with those received by others in similar positions in or outside the organization, then the individual feels satisfied. Adams asserted that employees seek to maintain equity between the inputs that they bring to a job and the outcomes that they receive from it against the perceived inputs and outcomes of others. Some of the other theories are theory X and Y by Douglas McGregor, ERG Theory by Clayton Alderfer, Goal-Setting Theory by Edwin Locke, expectancy theory, etcâ⬠¦ Some of techniques that can be adopted in a work place in order to motivate employees are:- 1. Know and care about the concerns of your employees 2. Develop and communicate a compelling organizational vision. 3. Address ineffective teamwork 4. Be a role model for your organization 5. Communicate with everyone respectfully 6. Provide employees with the opportunity to be creative. 7. Invest in developing employees 8. Regularly recognize and reward effort and results 9. Ensure compensation and other rewards and benefits are fair 10. Ensure that the right person is doing the right task and fully understands their role 11. Help your employees findà work/life balance The performance of employees will make or break a company; this is why it is important to find a variety of methods of motivating employees. ââ¬Å"Motivation is the willingness to do something,â⬠wrote Stephen Robbins and David A. DeCenzo in their book ââ¬Å"Supervision Today.â⬠ââ¬Å"It is conditioned by this actionââ¬â¢s ability to satisfy some need for the individual.â⬠The most obvious form of motivation for an employee is money; however, there are other motivating factors that must be considered. Every employee within a company is different and, therefore, is motivated to perform well for different reasons. Due to the differences within an organization, it is important for a manager to get to know her employees and understand what motivates their performance. ââ¬Å"If youââ¬â¢re going to be successful in motivating people, you have to begin by accepting and trying to understand individual differences,â⬠Robbins and DeCenzo report in their book ââ¬Å"Supervision Today.â⬠Money is the most important motivator for employee performance but it is important for companies to find other ways to motivate. This involves getting to know their employees and what drives them, then making sure managers utilize appropriate motivational techniques with each employee. When appropriate motivation techniques are used, employee performance will improve. By this time we understood the various theories of motivation and the way in which employees can be motivated now lets come to the part where we learn about why it is important to motivate an employee, what kind of changes that it brings about or results in an organisation. The various changes that are bought about (i.e. impact) or seen in an individual/employee due to motivation and the benefits that the organisation derive out of such motivation are mentioned below:- 1. Puts human resources into action :- Every organisation has its own goals and objectives and in order for any organisation to be successful it needs to achive the goals and the objectives and the main means towards achieving these goals and objectives are financial and human resources there by in order for a company to be successful it needs to boost the so called human resource to produce efficiently and this efficiency is achieved through the means of motivation 2. Improves level of efficiency of employees The level of a subordinate or a employee does not only depend upon his qualifications and abilities. For getting best of his work performance, the gap between ability and willingness has to be filled which helps in improving the level of performance of subordinates. The employees in the organisation when they are less motivated and they feel bleak and dull at this particular point of time they are at the least level of productivity this is caused due to lack of excitement and satisfaction or even repeated jobs thus in order to avoid all these and in order to build on to the efficiency of the employees many motivational techniques can be used this will lead to a great level of improvement in the performance of the employees, reduces the cost of operation and improves overall efficiency and productivity of the firm. 3. Leads to achievement of organizational goals Goals of an organisation are the drivers with regard to success of an organisation and it has a direct impact on the performance of the organisation and also the employees working within. When employees are demotivated they will not care about the organisation and they will start having a negative impact toward the organisation thereby when they are motivated by various incentives and other such techniques and made to understand the goals they tend to work toward the development, i.e. they work toward goal development rather than going haywire. Goals can only be achieved only when coordination and cooperation takes place simultaneously occurs and this can be achieved with the help of motivation 4. Leads to employee satisfaction The satisfaction of the employee is nothing but how happy an individual is in working within an organisation without feeling the need to quit or discontinue. Only when the employees are satisfied will they be able to work properly and in turn be able to satisfy the end customer. In case the employee is not satisfied this will lead to a huge downturn in the organisation as it will start losing its customer base and clients start shifting to a more friendly and cooperative organisation. Thus some ofà motivational techniques lead to satisfaction of employeeââ¬â¢s which in turn leads to customer satisfaction. 5. Builds friendly relationship The employees when they are reinforced with some kind of reward system there tends to be a friendlier atmosphere all around which leads to better co-operation between the employees which leads to steady and stable environment, all the industrial disputes will come to a rest, employees will no more show any resistance toward change all this directly leads to a smooth and sound concern where the individual interests will coincide with the interests of the organisation 6. Builds stability in the workforce The employees will gain more benefits if they are working for longer periods of time they get bonuses they get more incentives this will help in building a stable workforce where the rate of turnover of the organisation will reduce which in turn will reduce the training cost and recruitment cost of fresh employees. The skills efficiency and the experience of the employees will be a great advantage to the organisation which will lead to a great public image and building the brand reputation of the organisation. 7. Leads to an optimistic and challenging work place In an organisation the employees are motivated to think creatively only when they get something in return and when any such kind of reward is kept then the people in the organisation will start thinking creatively and will start taking interest in the work that they do they will start competing against each other which will help the organisation to get more number of creative ideas which ultimately lead to profit making by the firm, 8. Boosts employee confidence When the people who work in the organisation are given a reward in terms of money or in terms of appreciation or any other kind they will get a confidence boost and they will think of it as the right path and it kind of becomes a positive reinforcement to them in order for them to work in a better manner and more efficiently 9. Employees tend to go the extra mile Whenever people know that there is something waiting for them at the end of the day they will tend to work hard and they will want to go that extra distance and put in that extra effort in order to achieve the reward. These rewards are different for different kinds of people it cannot be generalised it is the duty of the manager to make sure the rewards are appealing and also interesting in order to extract more work out of the employees. The more the desire to have the reward the more harder the person will work on order to attain the same. 10. Less number of mistakes caused by employees When there is some kind of a punishment that is kept for people who make mistakes and have lower productivity like cutting of salary, delay of promotions, taking away the perk and benefits given to them will all help in motivating a person in order to work more efficiently and also effectively without any mistakes and causing losses to the organisation 11. Increases the contribution/productivity The main outcome of any kind of motivation ultimately leads to this. The productivity of the employees and motivation are having a direct relationship and go hand in hand. When the employee is motivated using various kinds of techniques the outcome or the impact that such motivation holds is increase in the productivity or the contribution that is given by an employee. RESEARCH DATA University of Colorado boulder ââ¬â guide to motivating employees In 2006, and again in 2012, classified and exempt professional staff on the Boulder campus participated in an Employee Engagement Survey. Through this process, the campus has been able to identify what it is doing well and where it can improve. Results and key trends from the surveys are highlighted below. In 2012, 90% of employees saw their job as vital to the overall purpose of the University, an increase from 88% in 2006. In 2006, 80% of employees were willing to go above and beyond their normal work duties. In 2012, this number increased to nearly 89%. From 2006 to 2012, the percentage of employees who believe they are utilizing their talents increased by 9% (75%à overall). Currently, 72% of employees would recommend a friend to work here (an increase from 60% in 2006). In todayââ¬â¢s world motivation has gained a lot of importance in all fields and across organisations. Organisations cannot achieve their goals or attain maximum efficiency without the motivational aspect. By looking at the impact that motivation has caused on the employees as well as the organisation every organisation should understand its importance of motivation and start implying and do more of research in order to keep employees motivated, keep up with the pace of the world and in turn reap all the benefits that are associated with it. My learningââ¬â¢s with regards to this topic is knowing what motivation is, what are the theories behind motivation, the different techniques of motivation and finally the importance of motivation where both the employee and the employer are benefited by the application of this powerful tool. REFERENCES 1. Patel sandeep g. (n.d).information of employee motivation and research methodology. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/ravi2907/employee-motivation-17006508 2. Silverstien Barry. (2007). BEST PRACTICES: MOTIVATING EMPLOYEES. New York, U.S.A: hydra publishing. 3. (n.d). Guide to motivating employees. Retrieved from http://hr.colorado.edu/search/Results.aspx?k=guide%20to%20motivating%20employees
Friday, August 30, 2019
Mad Men Sociological / Semiotic Analysis
Every so often there is a television program that attracts a large audience because it is brilliantly written and entertaining. One of the most recent television shows to do this has been Mad Men. The show revolves around an advertising agency in the 1960ââ¬â¢s and itââ¬â¢s key players in the company, more specifically Don Draper. Being set in the 1960ââ¬â¢s, it is important to do both a sociological and semiotic analysis of the show. Society and human interactions have changed dramatically over the past fifty years and while it is a scripted television show and not a documentary, the drama prides itself on paying close attention to details and keeping everything true to the time period. It would be interesting and informative to do an analysis comparing the 1960ââ¬â¢s shown in Mad Men to todayââ¬â¢s society. Likewise, with the characters and their clothing, subtle symbols give away clues about who they are and what theyââ¬â¢re going through as the show goes on. Semiotics are important to take note of in every context in order to truly understand whatever youââ¬â¢re trying to critically understand or analyze. In the 1960ââ¬â¢s society was vastly different that it is today. It was a turning point in American history and dealt with a lot of sensitive issues that are still linger around today although they arenââ¬â¢t as prominent as they once were. This is reflected in the society that is built in the show Mad Men, namely the Sterling Cooper society. Sterling Cooper is the advertising agency that the show revolves around; in Sterling Cooper there is anything you would find in a larger society, such as social norms and bureaucracy. Furthermore, critics realize that ââ¬Å"Mad Men deliberately shocks its audience by presenting as reasonable and commonplace behavior we now find appalling,â⬠(ââ¬Å"The Devil's in the Details,â⬠The Atlantic) which gives us a direct juxtaposition of the Mad Men society and todayââ¬â¢s society. In multiple aspects of a sociological analysis, there is always a prime example in the show Mad Men which is only highlighted when trying to look at Mad Men through the lens of todayââ¬â¢s societal norms. Durkheimââ¬â¢s theory said that there is a social dimension to how people construct themselves based on their surroundings. That can be seen primarily in the character Peggy Olson. At first, Peggy suffers from alienation. Peggy being from Brooklyn feels disconnected with her co workers. She feels estranged since she's so homely and lives a simple, plain lifestyle compared to the lashy, metropolitan girls around her. She isn't skinny, she wears more modest clothing and isn't throwing herself at her bosses. ââ¬Å"The audience sees Peggy alienate herself from the rest of the girls in the office, often eating lunch alone in the office, ignoring the fashions that the other women wear and refusing the participate in the constant office gossip. As a woman, in the 1960s however, she cannot exactly be one of the boys and therefore she cannot relate to the man eitherâ⬠(Analyzing Mad Men: Critical Essays on the Series, pg 159-160). It takes her a while to figure out where she fits in, and over time she too becomes a flashier version of herself, clearly influenced by the women around her and tries to step out of her comfort zone and into a different kind of lifestyle. Lifestyles are also a very important part of society. Lifestyle covers a person's taste in fashion, cars , entertainment, and other leisure activities which often reflect our socioeconomic class. Peggy was a lowly girl from Brooklyn, which was very much looked down upon by the men and women of Manhattan. She was considered poor, especially when she would bring her own lunch to work instead of buying her food off of the lunch cart like the other secretaries. Her clothing also gave her away in the beginning, her skirts were longer than the other girls, she was always covering up, which won't help attract the bosses in the ways the other secretaries were trying so desperately to do. Peggy would go home and read, or stay at work late if she wanted while other girls were running around on dates or going out trying to find something at a bar. Peggyââ¬â¢s chosen lifestyle is opposite the other women in the show outside of Sterling Cooper, mainly Don Draperââ¬â¢s wife Betty. Don Draper is a very successful, so his wife gets to spend her days looking at art, or riding horses. Their socioeconomic stance allows her to spend her entire day doing leisure activities and not be worried about such trivial things as work. Betty even had a nanny, so as not to over exert herself with cooking dinner and taking care of their children after all that horseback riding. Being a housewife to a successful man, Betty lived a very different lifestyle than the young girls who worked as secretaries. The secretaries in Sterling Cooper created their own small hierarchy which can be viewed as a bureaucracy. Joan is the ââ¬Å"head secretary,â⬠giving her a significant value to both the men and the secretaries. For the most part she decide who gets which secretary, and if changes should be made. She orders the other secretaries to do things and they listen knowing the power she holds behind the scenes (whether or not they know its because she's sleeping with one of the partners is another story). Joan was held in such high regard, even the men of Sterling Cooper would listen to her; mainly because she demanded respect and they were always hoping to impress Joan to hopefully catch her attention. This is also why it becomes so hard for Peggy when Joan begins to resent her for catching the attention of the men in the office not with her body, but with her ideas. Joan was no longer the woman in the office to brag about, but Peggy with her fantastic ideas and later on when she eventually becomes more than just a secretary in the company. While Joan is head of secretaries, Peggy now has her own secretary. Peggy becoming a junior copy-writer went against the anomies or social norms of Sterling Cooper, as well as the rest of society in the 1960ââ¬â¢s. Women had just entered the workforce and there wasnââ¬â¢t a huge place for women to do more than secretarial work for the men who were doing the ââ¬Å"real work. â⬠Women were faced with trials and tribulations every day they went to work, ranging from sexual harassment from the men to the glass ceiling they were constantly suffering from. A common social norm found in Mad Men is the unspoken yet well known practice of men sleeping with the secretaries in the office. Don Draper, the main character does it many time throughout this show, with Peggy actually being the exception since he saw there was something more to her. Sterling, Campbell, Draper, all known for their trysts with secretaries around the office. This wouldn't be as readily accepted in today's day and age, and is the reason for a lot of the sexual harrassment laws today; however in the 1950s, and at the fictional Sterling Cooper ad agency, it was the norm. Joan and Peggy are both constantly in this sexist environment but react to is in very different ways. ââ¬Å"Their behavior and comments highlight alternative ways that women behave. Joan rises to the occasion, showing off her femininity in poses, smiles, and comments. Peggy, on the other hand, is a woman who enjoys looking pretty, but she is also a thinker who seems to understand the objectification that is taking placeâ⬠(Mad Men: Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Sexuality, and Class; William M. Oââ¬â¢Barr). Joan was a powerful and intelligent woman, but would ever be seen as more than that. Peggy, however, masked her sexuality well enough to have the men see past the fact she was a woman and actually give her a chance to become something more than a secretary. However, the fact that a woman had to virtually deny the fact she was a woman in order to get to a more prominent position in her workplace highlights the sexist attitude of corporate America in the 1960s. Among sexist attit udes in the workplace, there were plenty of other social norms that are highlighted in Mad Men. The constant drinking and smoking are seen as shocking in a society that has banned smoking from virtually everywhere including certain outdoor areas and have constant reminders to drink responsibly. Mad Men, paying close attention to detail, constantly has the men walk into their offices and pour a drink almost religiously on the show. Even if the drink is a minute detail of the scene, they make sure it happens, because thatââ¬â¢s how it wouldââ¬â¢ve been in the 1960s. There is also smoking everywhere, in the elevators, in restaurants, in the offices, everywhere. Ironically, one of the biggest issues of the time period is skirted around in Mad Men. In the 1960's race was a very prominent subject that carried a lot of tension with it. There was no equality in the workplace and African American's were primarily kept to service jobs like waiters, door men, etc. In one episode it was a big deal that a client was Jewish. It was such a big deal they searched the whole company to find another Jewish man to sit in on the meeting and make their client feel more welcome. They found only one young Jewish man working in the depths of the art department. In another episode, Pete Campbell, a junior account manager makes a point that a certain television brand was being bought by mostly African Americans in the south and suggested placing ads in magazines that were directed towards them. This was aggressively dismissed since the agency felt their client wouldnââ¬â¢t want to be so closely associated with being the brand African Americansââ¬â¢ choose. One of the more important characters in later seasons, Lane, who is originally from England, is having an affair with a black woman and refuses to return to England. His father promptly punches him in the gut and informs him that it was not a request and they are leaving back to England immediately. The idea of his son being with a black woman was simply intolerable to the British man, he wouldnââ¬â¢t even object, he simply pretended it didnââ¬â¢t exist. Just like that, in one episode an interracial relationship was created and destroyed. Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols and how they create meaning in society, this plays a large part in Mad Men. The showââ¬â¢s creator, Matthew Weiner has made sure that attention to detail is not only meticulous, but the details help tell the story much like they would in actual society. ââ¬Å"The pattern of a necktie, the club frequented, the restaurant patronized, the shopping bag carried, the prep school attended, together with a thousand other details, signify minute social distinctions, and reveal and even define characterâ⬠(ââ¬Å"The Devil's in the Details. â⬠The Atlantic). If the viewer is paying close attention, they will notice that as the week goes on the characters wardrobe and hair styles become more worn. The easiest example of semiotics is to compare the three main women in the show: Betty Draper, Don Draperââ¬â¢s wife; Joan Holloway, the head secretary; and Peggy Olson, ambitious secretary turn copy-writer. Betty Draper is the definition of trophy wife and is coded as thus. She is a blonde hair, blue eyed woman who used to be a model and gave it all up to be a housewife once she was swept away by main character Don Draper. She is always looking neat and proper, with her hair in fancy hair-dos and her flowery dresses she is littered in signs that depict her as a stereotypical 50ââ¬â¢s housewife. Betty is undoubtedly a loving mother and wife, she is also innocent, timid and submissive when it comes to her husband, whatever he says, goes. However, as her marriage begins to crumble, she begins to change in all aspects. Her hobbies begin to change from redecorating her house to finding things to do outside of the house like horseback riding. When Betty has a moment of aggressiveness, whether itââ¬â¢s towards her neighbor or while lashing out at her husband, she is usually seen wearing pants. Itââ¬â¢s almost as if her wardrobe is letting viewers see her changes as its happening, not only in her actions, but in her choice of clothing. Joan Holloway, later known as Joan Harris is almost the complete opposite of Betty Draper in every way imaginable. Joan is the head secretary, and she is purposely coded with fiercely sexual signs such as being a red-head and very curvaceous. She fulfills her signsââ¬â¢ connotations by coquettishly and sometimes aggressively flaunting her confidence and dominance in everything she does. She dresses very provocatively and is always wearing a very long necklace. She is supposed to be viewed as the office vixen and her clothing doesnââ¬â¢t let you forget her role in Sterling Cooper. Once Joan is married and becomes Mrs. Harris, she quits her job as most women did in the 1960ââ¬â¢s. She trades in her tight dresses for a more modest wardrobe of jeans and t-shirts and plainer dresses as she tries to enter the role as housewife. Joan becomes much less glamorous and more homely as time goes on; you can begin to see this new lifestyles wearing on the once fierce and flawless woman. The third distinctive woman on Mad Men is Peggy Olson. Peggy is coded as having a lower socioeconomic status than the rest which is signified by her clothing early on in the series; her clothes are plain and homely. She covers herself in sweaters and long dresses and skirts that arenââ¬â¢t form fitting like the other secretaries in the office. She doesnââ¬â¢t wear much make-up, her brunette plain hair is usually in a childish pony tail; signifying both her innocence and lack of time spent on the superficial since she feels her thoughts should be geared towards more important things. However, once she begins finding her place her attire begins to conform to the metropolitan atmosphere. Her confidence is exuding from her character, and the audience can see it in her new found sense of style. Her skirts get shorter (but never too short), her choice in clothing gets more sophisticated and bold. Her childish ponytail is gone; Peggyââ¬â¢s new hair is shorter with bangs off to the side. Peggy has gone through a major transition and is now coded as being a confident, intelligent woman that can hold her own in a manââ¬â¢s world without using her body by simply changing her clothing and hair style. Mad Men is an exceptional show that pays very close attention to historical accuracies and character details with a meticulous manner. While most audiences wonââ¬â¢t pick up on the fact that the womenââ¬â¢s hair colors are signifiers of who they are, critically analyzing Mad Men makes the audience aware of the volumes the womenââ¬â¢s hair colors say about them. The amount of thought that goes into each character and their individual signs and signifiers, coded and recoding them to reflect their current state is obvious to anyone who takes the time to critically watch the show and appreciate all that goes into it. The writerââ¬â¢s also have a captivating way of taking societal issues of the times and conveying them to the audience with the same gravity they had back then, despite the audience watching it through the lens of todayââ¬â¢s society. All the sensitive subjects of race, class, sexes are shown with the same directness as any other societal norm that was found in the 1960s that might not be as welcomed today. An artifact that is dedicated to reflecting on the past in the present while using every possibly detail available to convey messages and stories deserves to be recognized for all the hard work that is put into it. Bibliography O'Barr, William M. ââ¬Å"Mad Men: Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Sexuality, and Class. â⬠Advertising ; Society Review 2011th ser. 11. 4 (2011). Project MUSE. Web. 12 Dec. 2011. ;http://muse. jhu. edu/journals/advertising_and_society_review/v011/11. 4. o-barr. html;. Rogers, Sara. ââ¬Å"The Women of Mad Men. â⬠Analyzing Mad Men: Critical Essays on the Series. By Scott Frederick. Stoddart. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2011. Print. Schwartz, Benjamin. ââ¬Å"The Devil's in the Detailsâ⬠The Atlantic November (2009): 91-98. Print. Berger, Arthur Asa. Media Analysis Techniques. London: SAGE, 2011. Print.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Strategic Management (Shouldice Hospital) Case Study
Strategic Management (Shouldice Hospital) - Case Study Example They were supported to move around the halls and conduct conversation with the other patients as well as the surgeons. With the view of motivating the patients to walk, the steps were made with smooth inclination connecting the floors. The rooms were designed at the comfort of the home. The carpets were placed so that the patients didnââ¬â¢t feel that they are at hospitals. It can be worthwhile mentioning that the case study of Shouldice has been the perfect example of the well-built as well as service delivery procedures that have been quite focused. Over and above providing the quick, cheap and quality surgery, the hospital was also successful at conveying comfortable as well as exceptional experience to the entire set of patients coming for their treatment. There are multitudinous reasons behind the success of the hospital ranging from the surgery techniques to pleasant environment. The patients at the hospital were able to enjoy their meals in the general cafeteria to get the chance of interacting with the patients as well as the doctors. The treatment that is post-operative was sought to be the most significant factor of treatment that the patients receive. For the mental and physical recovery, no television or telephone were kept in the rooms and the patients were further motivated to walk. It is worthwhile to mention that the target segment of the hospital has been the healthy patients who were detected to recuperate fast. These patients had primary inguinal, one of the forms of hernia. Those patients possessing health problems other than hernia were not treated in the hospital. The logic behind admitting the patients those who were at a controllable stage was that they would get back to the normal stage quite fast... It can be worthwhile mentioning that the case study of Shouldice has been the perfect example of the well-built as well as service delivery procedures that have been quite focused. Over and above providing the quick, cheap and quality surgery, the hospital was also successful at conveying comfortable as well as exceptional experience to the entire set of patients coming for their treatment. There are multitudinous reasons behind the success of the hospital ranging from the surgery techniques to pleasant environment. The patients at the hospital were able to enjoy their meals in the general cafeteria to get the chance of interacting with the patients as well as the doctors. The treatment that is post-operative was sought to be the most significant factor of treatment that the patients receive. For the mental and physical recovery, no television or telephone were kept in the rooms and the patients were further motivated to walk. It is worthwhile to mention that the target segment of th e hospital has been the healthy patients who were detected to recuperate fast. These patients had primary inguinal, one of the forms of hernia. Those patients possessing health problems other than hernia were not treated in the hospital. The logic behind admitting the patients those who were at a controllable stage was that they would get back to the normal stage quite fast and thus other patients of hernia could have been treated at a greater frequency. Other numerous benefits have been associated with the admission of the healthy patients in the hospital.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Report on Sustainability Practice Research Paper
Report on Sustainability Practice - Research Paper Example The report analyses the development of the term sustainable tourism. It highlights on the failures and success of sustainable tourism and in the midst identifying the most significant sustainability issue that the whole operation has to deal with. It also views on the criteria from the industry certification standard of sustainable tourism discussing the operations that stick to the set principles. Various ways of improving sustainability issues are discussed including the interrelationship that exists in social, economic and environmental sustainability aspects. The term sustainable tourism also referred to as responsible tourism can be defined as an act of making a gesture that brings about a positive difference to individuals and the surroundings of the destinations various people travel to. This can be achieved by following some fair and simple rules which include, giving respect to the local cultures as well as the natural surroundings, helping in protection of endangered wildlife, giving fair and sound economic returns to the families living within the localities by buying locally. Water and energy are extremely valuable resources that need care when using the therefore one should recognize this and practice too (Middleto & Hawkins, 2006). Putting efforts in conserving and enhancing various favorite destinations bearing in mind of the future enjoyment of visitors and the people living within those localities is something commendable. Lastly, it should be the duty of every individual to take responsibility of our own actions while enjoy ing ourselves. The projected layout should be in the heart of sustainable development. Three issues thus social, economic and environmental matters are inseparable according to studies. Depending on how well the people balance these three issues in the decisions they make today, the future will heavily rely on it. The tourism sector
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Financial Markets and Risk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1
Financial Markets and Risk - Essay Example It will also mobilize and pool savings. Financial market also helps in diversification of trade and reduction of risk. (Campion 2010, pp.67-209) It is vivid to note that this market facilitates development of financial institutions and instruments that can manage risks. (Baumol 2011, pp.122-130) The system also provides financial regulation to ensure stability of financial institution in any given economy. It is also worth noting that financial system ensures that funds are channeled from households, firms, and governments that have surplus funds to those with deficits (The economist 2011, p.39) . Various products are always provided by retail banks and non-banking institutions, these products promote movement of funds in the market to create a balance. The depository institutions always take deposits and lend out funds in terms of loans. This aspect always creates financial assets and enhances liquidity in a given market. In spite of considerable innovation in the financial sector, the popularity of depository services always persists. In Europe, bank deposits remain to be the best-known long-term savings. About 74% of European households have bank deposits. Various types of bank deposits are always offered. First, the time deposits which are not always disposable immediately because they are always fixed. Another type of bank deposits is the savings deposits whose negotiability is always restricted to a given level. (Campion 2010, pp.67-209) There are always deposits resulting from savings scheme that always require the depositor to make regular payments. Securities Varieties of securities always exist in the financial market. The investment by households in securities has tended to increase in the developing countries in the past two decades. A good example of security is bonds. A bond is a debt instrument, which is the obligation of the borrower of funds to make specified interest and principal payments to lender of funds. The bond obligates the issuer to m ake specified interest and principal payments to the holder on specified dates. (BME 2008, PP.200-223) Giving long term loans The banks always offer long-term loans to the people with fund deficit and those who need to deposit. The banks always require the borrowers to have collateral to reduce default risk. The banks always require the borrowers to pay the principal amount and the interest accrued. This is the most common method of advancing credit to the borrowers. It is also vivid to note that the amount borrowed is always returned after a specified period. (Campion 2010, pp.67-209) Implication of general increase in interest rate The general increase in interest rates always has an impact on the individual savers and investors. It is vivid to note that both savers and investors always receive this increase differently. (The economist 2011, p.39) Impact on savors Increase in the interest rates charged by banks and other financial institutions have a positive impact on the savors. The main aim of saving is always to gain interest. It is therefore fundamental to note that savors would be highly motivated to save when the interest rate is higher to gain more interest on their principal amount. (Campion 2010, pp.67-209) It is salient to comment categorically that in the periods of low interest rates savors would opt to investing in other securities like bond, notes payable and even equity as long as the return is higher. (BME 2008, PP.56-89) Impact on investors
Monday, August 26, 2019
Legalization of marijuana Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words
Legalization of marijuana - Research Paper Example However, there is very little evidence to prove the claims of negative effects of Marijuana on a person. The purpose of this paper is to discuss both sides of the issue while championing the side of legalized Marijuana sale and use based upon factual evidence from highly reputable newspaper and similar sources. Let me start off this discussion with the beliefs of the naysayers. Marijuana has always been listed as an illegal drug. This classification means that Marijuana, even when used for medical purposes will cause an addiction among its users. More so if people are allowed open access to the drug from an early age. Those who are opposed to the legalization of Marijuana continue to do so even if there are claims of medical benefits from its use. According to these people, there have not been any significant clinical studies to prove that the plant actually has any medical benefits that will aid a patient during his healing process (ââ¬Å"In Our Opinion: Marijuana Should Not Be Mad e Legalâ⬠). So their argument is that the claims of medicinal use for the plant are baseless and are merely debate points that the supporters of the legalization of Marijuana use in a futile attempt to get Marijuana declared legal, at least for medicinal purposes. The opinion of the naysayers is that even as a medicinal drug, Marijuana has the ability to have debilitating effects upon the user. In the Netherlands, a study showed that 50 % of the patients with psychosis are Marijuana users. While there is a 4.5 chance that heavy users will develop psychosis. Even as the medical content of Marijuana, known as CBD or Cannibol shows some promise of being an effective medicinal tool to some extent, it is important to remember that Marijuana is still considered a criminal drug and as such may cause serious side effects (ââ¬Å"Marijuana Shouldn't be Legalizedâ⬠). Due to the ease that accompanies the cultivation of Marijuana, it is readily available, which is the major factor in the drug being the most highly abused in the United States. It is this sort of addiction that produced a great cost that resulted in the prohibition of Marijuana. Readily available information dictates that: Marijuana is currently the leading cause of substance dependence other than alcohol in the U.S. In 2008, marijuana use accounted for 4.2 million of the 7 million people aged 12 or older classified with dependence on or abuse of an illicit drug. This means that about two thirds of Americans suffering from any substance use disorder are suffering from marijuana abuse or marijuana dependence (ââ¬Å"Why We Should Not Legalize Marijuanaâ⬠). . Contrary to the opinion of those who support the medical legalization of Marijuana, the drug can actually be more dangerous than the cure. Since Marijuana actually contains a higher level of toxins than regular cigarettes due to the pure form that it is smoked in, a single joint can have the same harmful effect as smoking five cigarette st icks. It also activates cancer causing agents within the body of the user in the case of non-cancerous users. Aside from the fact that Marijuana is a carrier for the Kaposis Sarcoma disease, regular pot users also find themselves with a higher rate of lung destruction that a regular cigarette smoker (Enyart, Bob ââ¬Å"Why Marijuana Should Be Illegalâ⬠). The prohibition of
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