Succubus Revealed Chapter 4

â€Å"But I don't know what it is I'm doing!† I cried. â€Å"Do you?† â€Å"I've told you all I can for now,† said Carter, that sadness returning. â€Å"The most I can do now is buy you a drink.† I shook my head. â€Å"I don't think there's enough whiskey in the world.† â€Å"There isn't,† he said bleakly. â€Å"There isn't.† Despite Carter's pessimism, I still tried calling Hugh to see if he knew anything. He didn't, but his incredulity was so similar to mine that I took some comfort in it. â€Å"What? That's ridiculous,† he told me. â€Å"It was a mistake. It has to be.† â€Å"Will you try to get ahold of Jerome for me?† I asked. â€Å"I mean, I'll keep trying too, but maybe if we're both calling, he'll eventually notice the phone.† Even though it was still early for the demon, I also had this strange feeling that he could very well be avoiding my calls if something was afoot. Hugh might sneak in where I couldn't. I was fast approaching the time when I was supposed to meet Seth at the twins' school. I had wanted to run home and try talking to Roman about my potential transfer, but it didn't seem as important now, not until I had the story confirmed or denied by Jerome. So, after a few more errands that seemed hopelessly mundane compared to the greater supernatural workings of the universe, I drove up to Lake Forest Park and arrived at the school just as Seth did. Ian got out of the car too, and Seth flashed me a quick look that said he wasn't thrilled about having brotherly company. Ian was wearing the jacket Seth had mentioned, a brown wool peacoat that fit him well enough to be tailored and had strategically placed patches meant to give it a vintage appearance. Ian completed the look with a carefully knotted striped scarf and fedora. He also had on glasses, which I'd seen no sign of at Seth's. â€Å"I didn't know you wore glasses,† I told him. He sighed. â€Å"They go with the scarf.† Seth was carrying two huge containers of white-frosted cupcakes that were liberally and sloppily dusted with green and red sparkles. I took one batch from him and walked inside with the brothers, where we signed in and were given directions to the classroom. â€Å"Looks like you were productive,† I said with a smile. â€Å"No thanks to Mom,† Seth replied fondly. â€Å"It took her forever to leave. She kept offering to help and double-check my work, make sure the oven was set and all that. It was a boxed mix. There wasn't that much I could mess up.† Ian muttered something about preservatives and high fructose corn syrup. The classroom was pleasant, organized chaos. Other parents and family friends were there to help with the party, distributing food and running games. The twins ran up to the three of us with quick, fierce hugs before scurrying off to play with their friends. I didn't see Morgan and McKenna outside of the family very often, so it was neat to watch them so active and outgoing with their peers. They charmed their friends as much as they charmed me, and it was clear the two girls were leaders of sorts. Tiny, adorable blond leaders. The knot I'd carried inside me since getting the HR memo began to soften as I allowed myself the small joy of observing them. Seth slipped an arm around me, following my gaze as we maintained our post near the food table. He nodded toward where Ian was trying to pitch his own cupcakes – organic, vegan, gluten-free creations from a local bakery – to some of the twins' classmates. To be fair, the cupcakes were beautiful. They were vanilla, topped with elaborately swirled chocolate icing that was in turn adorned with perfect white frosting flowers. They made Seth's cupcakes look like something the girls might have made, but I knew better than to be fooled. When you made cupcakes without most of the ingredients found in traditional baked goods, the truth came out in the taste. Pretty or not, Ian wasn't doing so good a job moving them. â€Å"These are so much better for you than all this other junk food,† Ian was telling a wide-eyed boy named Kayden. Despite the fact we'd been inside the warm classroom for almost an hour, Ian was still completely clad in his scarf and wool coat ensemble. â€Å"They're made with brown rice flour and garbanzo bean flour and sweetened with maple syrup – none of that processed white sugar crap.† Kayden's eyes grew impossibly bigger. â€Å"Those have beans and rice in them?† Ian faltered. â€Å"Well, yes . . . but, no, I mean. It's flour derived from those ingredients in a way that's totally fair trade and nutritious. Plus, I picked a brown and white color scheme, not only to save you from artificial dyes but also to show respect for all holidays and tradition, rather than giving into the mainstream domination of the Judeo-Christian machine.† Without another word, Kayden grabbed a red-frosted snowman cookie from the snack table and wandered off. Ian gave us a long-suffering look. â€Å"I fear for today's youth. At least we can take the leftovers back to Terry's.† â€Å"We'd better,† said Seth. â€Å"Those cost me a small fortune.† â€Å"You mean they cost me a small fortune,† said Ian. â€Å"They're my contribution.† â€Å"I paid for them!† â€Å"It was just a loan,† said Ian imperiously. â€Å"I'll pay you back.† The party didn't last too much longer – seven-year-olds didn't need to slam drinks for hours like my friends did – but I still kept checking my phone whenever Seth wasn't watching. I had it set to vibrate in my pocket but was afraid I would miss Jerome's call. But no matter how many times I looked, the phone's display remained the same. No incoming calls or texts. With things winding down, McKenna made her way back to me and wrapped herself around my leg. â€Å"Georgina, are you going to come to our house tonight? Grammy's cooking. We're going to have lasagna.† â€Å"And cupcakes,† piped in Ian, carefully packing up his goods. By my estimation, he'd given away exactly one cupcake, and that was to a boy who'd taken it on a dare from his friends. I lifted McKenna up, surprised at how big she was getting. The years didn't alter my immortal friends or me, but mortals changed by leaps and bounds in such short time periods. She wrapped her arms around me, and I pressed a kiss into her blond curls. â€Å"I wish I could, baby. But I have to work tonight.† â€Å"Are you still helping Santa?† she asked. â€Å"Yes,† I said solemnly. â€Å"And it's very important work. I can't miss it.† Without me, there was no telling how sober Santa would stay. McKenna sighed and leaned her head against my shoulder. â€Å"Maybe you'll come over when you're done.† â€Å"You'll be in bed,† I said. â€Å"I'll see what I can do for tomorrow.† This earned me a tighter hug, and I felt my heart ache. The girls always had this effect on me, triggering a mix of emotion that was both love for them and regret for the children I myself would never have. Children had been something I'd wanted as a mortal, something denied to me even then. The pain of that reality had been driven home last year when Nyx, a primordial chaos entity, had visited me in my sleep and used tantalizing dreams to distract me while she stole my energy. The one that had recurred the most had shown me with a little girl – my own daughter – stepping outside into a snowy night to greet her father. He'd been shadowy at first, later revealed as Seth. Nyx, in a desperate bid for help later, had sworn the dream was true, a prophecy of things to come. It had been a lie, however. An impossibility that could never be mine. â€Å"Maybe you'll come by my house after you're done with work,† Seth said to me in a low voice, once she'd wriggled away. â€Å"That depends,† I said. â€Å"Who's going to be in your bed?† â€Å"We had a talk. He knows to stay out of my room.† I smiled and caught hold of Seth's hand. â€Å"I would, but I've got some things to do tonight. I've got to hunt down Jerome about . . . business.† â€Å"You're sure that's it?† he asked. â€Å"You're sure my family's not scaring you off?† I'll admit, I didn't relish the thought of seeing Margaret Mortensen's disapproving gaze, but I also couldn't imagine I'd be very good company for Seth if I still didn't know what was going on with my transfer by tonight. The transfer. Looking into his kind, warm eyes, I felt a pit open in my stomach. Maybe I should be jumping at every chance I could get to be with him. Who knew how many more we had? No, I scolded myself. Don't think like that. Tonight you'll find Jerome and clear up this mess. Then you and Seth can be happy. â€Å"Your family has nothing to do with it,† I assured Seth. â€Å"Besides, now that you have extra help, you can use your free time to get some work done.† He rolled his eyes. â€Å"I thought self-employment meant not having a boss.† I grinned and kissed him on the cheek. â€Å"I'll come by tomorrow night.† Kayden, passing by for one last cookie, caught sight of my kiss and scowled disapprovingly. â€Å"Ew.† I parted ways with the Mortensens and headed off to the mall. It was often a surprise to mortals to learn immortals like me purposely chose to take day jobs, so to speak. If you were around for a few centuries and semiwise with your money, it wasn't that hard to eventually build up enough to comfortably live off of, making human employment unnecessary. Yet, most immortals I knew still worked. Correction – most lesser immortals I knew did. Greater ones, like Jerome and Carter, rarely did, but maybe they already had too concrete of a job with their employers. Or, maybe, lesser immortals just carried over the urge from when we were human. Regardless, days like today were clear reminders of why I chose gainful employment. If I'd had nothing but free time on my hands, I would've spent the rest of the day ruminating about my fate and the potential transfer. Assisting Walter-as-Santa – as absurd as it was – at least gave me a distraction while I waited to hear from Jerome. Vocation gave purpose too, which I'd found was necessary to mark the long days of immortality. I'd met lesser immortals who had gone insane, and most of them had done nothing but drift aimlessly throughout their long lives. A new elf – one whom Walter had christened Happy – had joined our ranks today, one who was certainly helping pass the time if only because of how much she was grating on my nerves. â€Å"I don't think he should be drinking at all,† she said, for what felt like the hundredth time. â€Å"I don't see why I have to learn this schedule.† Prancer, a veteran elf, exchanged glances with me. â€Å"None of us is saying it's right,† he told Happy. â€Å"We're just saying it's reality. He's going to get a hold of liquor one way or another. If we deny him, he'll sneak it in the bathroom. He's done it before.† â€Å"If we're the ones giving it to him,† I continued, â€Å"then we control the access and amount he gets. This?† I gestured to the schedule we'd drawn up. â€Å"This isn't much. Especially for a guy his size. It's not even enough to get buzzed.† â€Å"But they're children!† Happy cried. Her eyes drifted off toward the long line of families trailing through the mall. â€Å"Sweet, innocent, joyful children.† Another silent message passed between Prancer and me. â€Å"Tell you what,† I finally said. â€Å"Why don't you make them your priority. Forget about the liquor schedule. We'll handle that. You go trade places with Bashful at the head of the line. She doesn't really like working with the public anyway.† When Happy was out of earshot, I remarked, â€Å"One of these days, someone's going to report us all to the mall's HR office.† â€Å"Oh, they have plenty of times,† said Prancer, smoothing out his green spandex pants. â€Å"I've worked with Walter for three years now, and Happy's not the first elf to have moral qualms about Santa getting lit. He's been reported lots.† That was news to me. â€Å"And they haven't fired him?† â€Å"Nah. It's harder to fill these jobs than you might think. As long as Walter doesn't touch or say something inappropriate, the mall doesn't seem to care.† â€Å"Huh,† I said. â€Å"Good to know.† â€Å"Georgina!† Beyond the gates leading to Santa's pavilion, I saw someone waving at the edge of the crowd. Hugh. My heart rate sped up. This mall was actually right around the corner from his office, so he'd come by before for lunch. In light of recent events – and the look on his face – something told me he wasn't here for a casual meal today. â€Å"Hey,† I said to Prancer. â€Å"Can I take my break now?† â€Å"Sure, go for it.† I cut through the crowd and met up with Hugh, trying not to feel self-conscious about wearing the foil dress. Hugh had come from the office and was dressed impeccably, playing up the role of successful plastic surgeon. I felt cheap beside him, especially as he and I walked farther from the holiday mayhem toward some of the mall's more upscale shops. â€Å"I was on my way home from work and thought I'd stop by,† he said. â€Å"I figured you weren't taking many calls while on the job.† â€Å"Not so much,† I agreed, gesturing to the tight dress and its lack of pockets. I caught hold of his arm. â€Å"Please tell me you heard something. The transfer's a mistake, right?† â€Å"Well, I still think it is, but no, I haven't heard anything back yet – not from HR or Jerome.† He frowned slightly, clearly not liking the lack of communication. Underneath that, I also sensed another emotion in him – nervousness. â€Å"I've got something else for you. Can we talk somewhere . . . kind of private? Is there a Sbarro or Orange Julius around here?† I scoffed. â€Å"Not in this mall. There's a sandwich place we can go to.† â€Å"Sandwich place† wasn't entirely accurate. They also sold gourmet soups and salads, all of which were made fresh and packed with enough prissy ingredients to make Ian happy. Hugh and I snagged a table, my appearance gaining the attention of some children there with their parents. I ignored them as I leaned toward Hugh. â€Å"What's up, then, if not the phantom transfer?† He eyed the watchers uneasily and took several moments to begin speaking. â€Å"I was calling around today, trying to work connections and see if I could find out anything about you. Like I said, I couldn't. But I got caught up on all sorts of other gossip.† I was kind of surprised Hellish gossip was what he wanted to discuss, more surprised still that it had apparently warranted him coming in person. If he'd heard a rumor about a mutual friend, it seemed like a phone call would've sufficed to pass the news. Even e-mail or text. â€Å"Do you remember Milton?† he asked. â€Å"Milton?† I stared blankly. The name meant nothing to me. â€Å"Nosferatu,† he prompted. Still nothing, and then – â€Å"Oh. Yeah. Him. The vampire.† A month or so ago, Milton had visited on vacation, much to Cody and Peter's dismay. Vampires were territorial and didn't like outsiders, although Cody had been able to use Milton's presence to impress his macabre loving girlfriend, Gabrielle. Or so I'd heard. â€Å"I never actually saw him. I just knew he was in town.† â€Å"Yup, and it turns out last week, he was in Boulder.† â€Å"So?† â€Å"So, first of all, it's weird that he'd have two ‘vacations' in that short time. I mean, you know how it is for vampires. You know how it is for all of us.† It was true. Hell didn't like to give us vacations very often. When your employers owned your soul, they really didn't feel any need to make your life pleasant. That wasn't to say we didn't occasionally get time off, but it certainly wasn't a priority for Hell. The business of souls never rested. For vampires, this was doubly true because they didn't like to leave their territory. They also had various complications with traveling, say, like with sunlight. â€Å"Okay, so, it's weird. How does that affect us?† Hugh dropped his voice low. â€Å"When he was in Boulder, a local dark shaman died under mysterious circumstances.† I felt my eyebrows rise. â€Å"And you think Milton was involved ?† â€Å"Well, like I said, I had time to make some calls and do some research today. And it turns out that even though he's based in Raleigh, Milton travels an awful lot for a vampire – and every place he goes, some mortal in the supernatural community ends up dead.† â€Å"You're saying he's an assassin,† I said, intrigued but still not seeing the point. As part of â€Å"the great game† we all played, angels and demons weren't supposed to directly influence mortal lives. That's where lesser immortals came in, with our offers of sin and temptation. Now, we weren't really supposed to kill either, as far as the game went, and we certainly weren't supposed to do it on behalf of a greater immortal's instructions. We all knew it happened, however, and Milton wasn't the first assassin I'd heard of taking out inconvenient mortals. â€Å"Exactly,† said Hugh. He frowned. â€Å"He goes to places, and people disappear.† â€Å"How does that affect us?† Hugh sighed. â€Å"Georgina, he was here.† â€Å"Yeah, but nobody – † I gasped, freezing a moment in shock. â€Å"Erik . . .† The world reeled around me for a moment. I was no longer in an elite mall's food court but instead was looking down on the broken, bleeding body of one of the kindest men I knew. Erik had been a longtime friend in Seattle, using his many years of occult and supernatural knowledge to advise me on my problems. He'd been investigating my contract with Hell when a freak robbery at his store had resulted in his death by gunshot. â€Å"Are you saying . . .† My voice was barely a whisper. â€Å"Are you saying Milton killed Erik?† Hugh shook his head sadly. â€Å"I'm not. I'm just laying out the evidence for you, which is compelling – but not enough to form a hard link to Milton.† â€Å"Then why tell me at all?† I asked. â€Å"You don't like to get involved with anything that questions the status quo.† It was true, and it had been a constant point of contention with Hugh and me. â€Å"I don't,† he said. I understood now why he was so uneasy. â€Å"Not at all. But I care about you, sweetheart. And I know you cared about Erik and wanted answers.† â€Å"Key word: wanted. I thought I had them.† My heart still mourned Erik, but I had begun to heal from his loss, moving on with life the way we all must after losing a loved one. Knowing – or, well, thinking – he'd been killed in a robbery didn't exactly give me peace, but it did provide an explanation. If there was any shred of truth to Hugh's dangerous theory, that Milton – a potential assassin – might have been responsible, then my whole world was suddenly knocked offkilter. And in that scenario, the big issue wasn't that Milton had done it. What became important was why he had done it. Because if he was one of those Hellish assassins lurking in the shadows, then someone higher up had given him his orders, meaning Hell had a reason to want Erik dead. â€Å"You okay?† Hugh's hand on mine made me jump. â€Å"Jesus, Georgina. You're like ice.† â€Å"I'm kind of in shock,† I said. â€Å"This is big, Hugh. Huge.† â€Å"I know,† he said, not sounding happy at all. â€Å"Promise me you won't do anything foolish. I'm still not sure I should have told you.† â€Å"You should have,† I said, squeezing his hand and making no such promises about the foolish part. â€Å"Thank you.† I had to leave shortly thereafter, returning to assist Happy. A little of her zeal about the pure, magical nature of children had faded in that time. I think it was the six-year-old who asked for a nose job that might have cracked her. As for me, I was in a daze, stunned over what Hugh had told me. Erik murdered. His dying words to me had implied something more was going on, but there'd been no evidence to prove it. Or wait . . . was there? I vaguely remembered the glass pattern of his broken window, the suspicion from the police that it had been broken from within. But what did I do with this theory? How did I get the answers I needed? Equally amazing to me was the concession Hugh had made in telling me this. He valued his job and his comfortable position. He really wasn't the type to try to upset Hell or ask questions about things that didn't concern him. Yet he'd pursued his hunch about Milton and passed on the news to me, his friend. Hell made desperate, soulless creatures out of its employees – and most certainly liked it that way – but I doubted any of the higher-ups had imagined the levels of friendship we were still capable of managing. Naturally, only one other thing could have distracted me from this new development, and that was Jerome's presence in my condo later that night. I was returning home after work and sensed his aura coming from within as soon as I put my key to the door. My fears and theorizing about Erik and Milton moved to one part of my brain, replaced by all the old speculation about the mystery transfer. When I entered, I found Jerome sitting in the living room with Roman, both at their ease and barely acknowledging my presence. â€Å"And so,† Jerome was saying, â€Å"that's why you need to do this. As soon as possible. Nanette's people have been at it for a long time, so you've got a lot of ground to cover. Set up a schedule – I don't care how rigorous it is – and make those slackers start putting in their time at the alley.† I stared incredulously. â€Å"You're here about the bowling competition?† Both men looked at me, Jerome seeming irritated at the interruption. â€Å"Of course. The sooner you start practicing, the better.† â€Å"You know what else might be better the sooner it happens ?† I produced the well-worn HR memo with a flourish. â€Å"You telling me if I'm being transferred or not. My money's on it being a mistake because surely, surely you wouldn't put off telling me. Right?† Several heartbeats of silence hung in the room. Jerome held me in his dark, dark gaze, and I refused to look away. At last, he said, â€Å"No. It's real. You're being transferred.† My jaw wanted to drop to the ground. â€Å"Then why . . . why am I only just now hearing about it?† He sighed and made an impatient gesture. â€Å"Because I just found out about it. Someone jumped the gun and delivered the memo to you before telling me.† His eyes glinted. â€Å"Don't worry, I wasn't too thrilled about that myself. I made sure they know my feelings on the matter.† â€Å"But I . . .† I swallowed. â€Å"I was so sure there was a mistake. . . â€Å" â€Å"There was,† he agreed. â€Å"Just not the kind you were thinking of.† I wanted to sink to the floor and melt away but forced myself to stay strong. I had to ask the next most important question, the question that would shape the next phase of my life. â€Å"Where . . . where am I going?† Jerome studied me once again, this time I think just to drag out the suspense and agony. Bastard. At last, he spoke. â€Å"You're going to Las Vegas, Georgie.†

Define Industrial Revolution

Explain the problems faced by historians in defining the term Industrial Revolution. Historians face many problems when it comes to using the term â€Å"Industrial Revolution†. There is much debate and difficulty when is comes to defining it. It opens up many questions and there are many contributing factors and areas to consider. Can it be considered a revolution when it occurred over quite a long period of time? When did it start? What were the causes of it? Many historians have differing opinions on each question. A revolution can be defined as â€Å"a sudden or grand change† (oxford dictionairies. om). Wordiq. com defined the Industrial revolution as â€Å"the massive social[->0], economic[->1], and technological[->2] change in the 18th century[->3] and 19th century[->4] within Great Britain,† This indicates that it was a grand change but not a sudden one. It was spread out over two centuries. There are two approaches that historians either support. The first is the revolutionary approach. Writers, such as Deane and Cole (1967) saw the industrial revolution as a period of great expansion, and they said that there certainly was a rapid growth of production in leading sectors. They therefore supported the revolutionary approach. Rostow (1960) used the term â€Å"take off† when defining the industrial revolution. He believed that there was a take off phase within the country at the beginning of the industrial revolution. The other approach is the gradualist approach. This approach obviously indicates that ii wasn’t has rapid and debates that it was more gradual. Crafts (1985) believed that it was a time of slow improvement therefore supporting the gradualist approach. He believed it was slower, particularly socially; standards of living and wages did not improve. He also claimed that modernisation in Britain was sluggish, because demand and consumption only grew very slow during the claimed period. Wrigley (2004) is also of the gradualist school of thought. He argues that fundamental changes did occur in certain areas but that it wasn’t seen all over the country. A further debate concerns when the industrial revolution started. Most historians agree that it occurred during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century but no one date can actually be pinpointed as to when it all commenced. So was it the causes that started the industrial revolution and what were they? Factories were being built and they were certainly on the up rise during the late eighteenth century. Cotton and textiles in general moved more to the factory setting and away from the domestic system. Hobsbawn (1968) is quoted as saying â€Å"that whoever says industrial revolution says cotton†. Foster (1974) claims that the revolution began because of factories being built. To counteract Foster, Rule (1986) said that factories had existed before 1750 in isolated examples, which was pre-industrial revolution. This still doesn’t explain why the number of factories increased during the industrial revolution and whether they were the cause of the revolution. Another possible explanation as to why the industrial revolution occurred is that it was during a time when inventions were popular. John Kay invented the Flying Wheel in 1733; this speeded up the process of weaving. In 1765 James Hargreaves invented the Spinning Jenny; that made spinning more efficient. They were still manual items and they took time to be introduced to manufacturers and potential factory owners. Methods of powering them were invented next. Richard Arkwright was first to use a water frame to mechanise spinning. He opened up a factory in 1771 and was able to produce material at a much larger scale. They certainly contributed to the increase in factories at the time but did they cause the revolution? Other historians believe it was steam power that caused the revolution. Inventors James Watt and Thomas Newcomen introduced the concept of steam to power machinery. They used coal to produce the steam. This made the machinery more efficient and increased production furthermore. Factories were also able to move away from sources of water and nearer places were coal was present. This method was put into action around 1785 when it was used to operate a spinning mill. So both water and coal and their use played a vital part in the revolution. Regardless of what caused the industrial revolution there were some great innovations that contributed to its onset; but do they help us define the industrial revolution? Rule (1986) states that â€Å"to most people the essence of an industrial revolution lies in the transformation through technology of manufacturing and it’s reorganisation into the new factory mode. There are plenty of other areas to discuss about the industrial revolution, which can open up further debate. Other areas to consider include why it started in Britain first, did it occur in other industries? What changed socially for the people? Population increased rapidly over the period discussed. Did the industrial revolution occur to meet their n eeds? The debates can go on and on and thus explains why historians will always face problems when it comes to defining the term ‘the industrial revolution’. Bibliography Crafts, Nicholas F. R. 1985) British Economic Growth During the Industrial Revolution. New York: Oxford University Press .Deane and Cole (1962) cited in Wrigley E. A. (2004) Poverty, Progress and Population. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Foster (1974) Class Struggle and the Industrial Revolution. Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London .Hobsbawn (1968) Industry and Empire. Penguin group, London. Industrial revolution. http//www. wordiq. com/definition/industrial_revolution. Date accessed 14/10/2011 Revolution definition. http://oxforddictionaries. com/definition/revolution. Date accessed 14/10/2011 Rostow (1960) cited in Wrigley E. A. (2004) Poverty, Progress and Population. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Rule (1986) The labouring Classes in Early Industrial England 1750-1850. Longman Group, Harlow Wrigley E. A. (2004) Poverty, Progress and Population. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge [->0] – http://www. wordiq. com/definition/Social [->1] – http://www. wordiq. com/definition/Economic [->2] – http://www. wordiq. com/definition/Technology [->3] – http://www. wordiq. com/definition/18th_century [->4] – http://www. wordiq. com/definition/19th_century

An Analysis of the Categories of Qualitative Research Methods Used By the Coca-Cola Company

An Analysis of the Categories of Qualitative Research Methods Used By the Coca-Cola Company Numerous organization have used organizational development techniques to achieve organizational effectiveness. According to Najmin (2012), organizational effectiveness makes use of applied psychology to bring change to different aspects of the organization. Such elements include culture, management styles, as well as communication techniques in a business. Similar techniques apply to Coco Cola Company that have had poor use of its staff leading to high employees’ turnover. Moreover, the company had little innovative strategies until lately when there has been a change in the soft drinks market driven by sensitive health companies. Accordingly, the company requires organizational development interventions that would enable it to achieve higher levels of effectiveness. Given that, research reviews other researchs on organizational development as well as an evaluation of other organizations that have used OD interventions to achieve organizational effectiveness. The current research will make use of three qualitative research methods to capture relevant data that will help identify the best OD interventions that Coco Cola might use. First, the study will interview executives, middle-level managers, and general level employees of organizations such as JetBlue and Google that have had successful OD interventions at their workplace with permission from the top executives. During the interviews, I will record respondent’s responses into a paper and after that into computer files for analysis purpose. Moreover, there will be an option for over-the-phone interviews or busy managers that I will record and store in a computer in an electronic format. Secondly, I will use questionnaires to reach general-purpose employees on their view of their organization’s OD interventions. Lastly, I will obtain information from secondary sources such as peer-reviewed Journals and textbooks to decipher the best interventions applicable to Coco Cola In c. The research had four central hypothesis. First, interventions that were successful in other organizations are relevant at Coco Cola Inc. Most OD interventions apply to numerous organizations, as they tend to target human behavior as an agent of organizational change. Consequently, interventions that worked in other agencies could also work for Coco Cola Company. Secondly, the research would establish that the top management had significant influence on the success of the OD interventions. According to Najmin (2012), most ineffective organizations have weak leadership. As such, the top leadership has to change so that junior employee can follow in their steps. Moreover, through evaluation of other researchs on organizational development interventions, it would be possible to find interventions that would work for Coco Cola Company. Most of the researchs under evaluation had evaluated interventions from different companies working in various part of the world. The findings would offer invaluable insight to the type of interventions that would work for Google given it is a multinational company. Lastly, the paper anticipates finding that some interventions are only effective to certain companies while non-applicable to others. For instance, interventions applicable to Apple Inc. might not apply to Coco Cola Inc. since the two firms operates in different industries hence serving customers with different needs. I conducted two interviews in different places. The first one was at Facebook Inc. at its Menlo Park, California Headquarters. The interview was on 16th of October 2015 from 11 am. During the discussion, three middle-level managers and five junior employees gave their responses. The interview had the permission of the company’s vice president making the process very smooth. Moreover, the employees were very free to share with a student. A week later, I conducted another interview at JetBlue headquarters in Long Island City, New York. The interview was on 23rd October 2015 from 9 am. Due to its great organizational development interventions key to the research, five senior managers, and ten middle-level managers gave their responses. Moreover, ten junior employees also gave their answers. There were several comments from the qualitative research. First, the respondents from both companies seemed eager to share different interventions applied in their organizations and the favorable change that came afterward. My interpretation was that the interviewees felt the pleasure of sharing a success story of positive change in their organization’s life due to OD interventions. Secondly, respondents in both cases decried the high level of resistance emanating from managers during induction of OD interventions. My interpretation was that most managers felt they were losing some power since most OD interventions require managers to collaborate with junior workers to realize the company’ goals. Lastly, I noted the warm relationship between junior employees and their managers in both companies. Najmin (2012) indicates that OD interventions promote collaboration between managers and their juniors. As such, I interpreted the cordial relationship between different levels in the companies as the fruits of successful application of OD interventions that are making the companies efficient. The qualitative research supports my thesis statement in different ways. The thesis statement of my paper is to find various OD interventions applicable to Coco Cola Company. As such, the qualitative research assists in identifying interventions that have worked in other companies and are the applicable to Coco Cola Inc. case. Moreover, it offers insight to some of the challenges that Coco Coal might have to encounter as it endeavors to achieve effectiveness using OD interventions. Such information would be imperative in helping the company design contingency plans. Qualitative research make is essential as it uses theoretical frameworks to provide accurate conclusions. From the research, companies such as JetBlue and Facebook have used OD interventions to achieve effectiveness. Such responses offer an insight to the type of interventions that Coco Cola might adopt to realize efficiency.

Impact of leadership decisions relating to hospital closures in Essay

Impact of leadership decisions relating to hospital closures in Southern California - Essay Example   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  __________________ I dedicate the research work to the true leaders who continuously seek innovative ways to effectively manage the hospitals in southern California. Without them, the healthcare services rendered to the public could gradually deteriorate overtime. I deeply appreciate the support I receive from my family whose love and care are immeasurable. To my friends whose worth is more than material things can offer. These people have been with me before and during development stage of the research work. Their critics and advice has made this paper a success. I will be forever grateful to you guys. Started back in 1980s, the number of rural hospital closures has significantly influenced the limiting of the available healthcare services throughout the United States (U.S.) (Rosenbach & Dayhoff, 1995). The large number of hospital closures required the public to travel more than 15 miles just to receive either the basic or emergency healthcare services. (Health Access California, 2006) Even though there were some hospitals available to serve the medical needs of the patients, the long queue and the waiting time which could last for more than 6 hours in emergency rooms was very alarming (Hospital Association of Southern California, 2006). Back in 1988, California had a total of 494 acute care hospitals with a capacity of 84,366 total licensed beds and 77,396 available beds (OSHPD, 2008). Between the years 1988 until the late 2006, the total number of licensed acute care hospital beds in California declined from 84,366 down to 70,820 beds whereas the available number

Stem Cell Reserch Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Stem Cell Reserch - Essay Example These questions are fundamental to our social values and say a lot about the way we think about life. Indeed, I often think about such things. But one important difference between stem cells and abortion is that stem cells have the possibility of extending and improving life. Unlike the abortion issue, the stem cell issue is not a zero-sum gain. Whether or not you believe using an embryonic stem cell for research purposes is destroying a potential life, you must admit that it is opening up the possibility for someone else to live longer or better. That makes this issue more nuanced. Indeed, when all the fact are in about stem cells, it is very hard for someone to believe research involving them should be banned. Stem cells offer some of the substantial and important possibilities in the fields of medical science open to us today. I believe we must seize this opportunity. The world today is more complicated than ever. In part this is because we know more about it than ever before and technology has dramatically shaped our world views. Certain moral questions have exploded in recent years because of the way technology is changing the moral dimensions of our lives. We can now see foetuses in the womb using ultrasound technology and can tell a lot about them and their health early on. We now know that there are certain cells inside the body—called stem cells—that are effectively the building blocks for many different cells. They can become a fetus, they can become a brain cell, or, for example, they can become a skin cell. With the right type of manipulation—something scientists are becoming increasingly proficient at—it may be possible for many previously incurable diseases to be dealt with. There are also great possibilities involving the generation of organs for transplant, among a myriad of other good news stories. Many d egenerative

An Introduction to the Supply Chain and the Firm's Position within It Essay

An Introduction to the Supply Chain and the Firm's Position within It - Essay Example Discussion: A Supply Chain may be seen as a series or network of facilities and distribution channels which facilitate the procurement, processing and conversion of raw materials into finished products and their distribution from the place of production to the final customer through a series of distribution stages. The stages are characterized by the distributer at the given stage and the activities that are performed by the distributor to ensure the delivery of the product to the end customer (Wiley 2012). The supply chain usually takes diverse forms. The structure of the firm varies in length, size, shape and the kind of activity involved. Also, a firm may be part of more than one interconnected supply chains, whose final outcome might be differentially diverse (Enporion 2009). Thus the Supply chains may sometimes more appropriately be referred to as Supply networks. For example Kellogg’s the world leading breakfast cereal and snack producer, sources raw materials from diffe rent sources which are functionally as well as geographically diverse. Further, Kellogg’s collaborates with a huge network of distributors like wholesalers, retailers and other outlets like hotels etc to make its product reach to the end customers (The Times 2012). Once the concept of a Supply chain as part of the value chain is established, the concept of Supply Chain Management (SCM) comes to the fore. However it is important to understand the concept of logistics first. Logistics is concerned with Flow of materials and information to and from a firm’s boundaries aiding in the production and distribution of its products to the customers. At the same time, supply chain is a network of companies performing these logistical activities together to bring a product or products to the market. Also, a supply chain, apart from the logistical activities, also includes activities like marketing, finance and customer service. Supply Chain management thus is concerned with the co ordinated activities of production, location and inventory among the various participants of a supply chain. The activities are directed such that a mix of responsiveness and efficiency that is best suited to the market is achieved (Wiley 2012). Supply chain management is therefore concerned with the efficiency and effectiveness of a supply chain. One of the major objectives of a supply chain is to reduce the logistical costs. Also, it strives to achieve an incentive within the system to remove waste from the processes or activities involved. It is through effective Supply Chain management that a firm can achieve the objective of a giving a better and differentiated value to the end customer. Kellogg’s for instance achieves this value through activities like partnering with supermarkets like Tesco. It follows close relationships with such partners. It has come up with a shelf ready unit at Tesco, which helps gives better choice and visibility to customers. Also, it augurs wel l for the sales both for Tesco as well as for Kellogg’s. In the recent years, Supply Chain Management has assumed an increasingly important role. This is so due the increasing globalization and industrial competition. From the perspective of stakeholders of a supply chain

Religion and Ecology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Religion and Ecology - Essay Example Finally, I will explore human nature and destiny as part of the natural world and how our actions and religions are important in development. Religion has almost certainly shaped our understanding of and our conduct towards nature and vice versa. For example, Judaism (one of the oldest religions), nature is presented as being something that â€Å"God created†1. Another ancient religion, Hinduism, has special Gods dedicated towards the worship of nature2, which suggest that nature is needing explain by the use of Gods and spirituality. Many of the tribal religions are based around nature-worship and a special symbiosis with environment3. Most religions state that there is a special relationship between man, nature and a spiritual being and that nature is something that need taking care of by man. This much is true. However, looking at state of world and impending environmental crisis, it not clear whether this encouragement to bond with nature by religion has had enough of an effect. Many people also feel that religion encourages people to think that they are better than other species or that humans are not part of the natural world. In Judaism, God has created man in his image4 suggesting that God has created a special place in the world for man. Man is more like God than the other creatures. However, in religious environmentalism we see that newer spiritual and religious movements are encouraging human race to see themselves as part of the environment and to take care of it like they would care for their own home5. Interestingly, the nature is a finite resource and seeing humans as part of that resource could help to encourage us to see ourselves within nature and to help us maintain it like religions so often encourage. Religions also help ask and answer the question â€Å"what is the place of humans in the non-human natural world?† There are two clear schools of thought. One, common in the

MTV Networks - the Arabian Challenge Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

MTV Networks - the Arabian Challenge - Case Study Example In addition, the Middle East is exposed to diverse political forms of government, most of which excessively use religion as a basis of their governance (Frost, 2008, p. 218). Furthermore, unlike the western nations, the Arabic countries conserve cultural beliefs such as honour, shame, trust, family and socialization among others. It is therefore beyond doubt that the Arabic culture is relatively dominated with the Islamic practices, and thus any new product that aims at penetrating the Arabic nations should be in alignment with these cultural beliefs and practices. Essentially, there are various matters of concern for MTV’s special determination of entering and penetrating the Arabic television market. Even though this company has an outstanding worldwide image, it is entering a market that has individuals possessing strong cultural and conventional ties (Beyer & Beaman, 2007, p. 163). In fact, Baltaji stated that is was quite ironical for MTV, a broadcasting corporation well-known for annoying â€Å"religious, political, and conservative† societies, is operating in a region known for negatively reacting to provocative content (qt. in Centre for Management Research [CMR], 2009, p. 179). This was, therefore, a major concern for the management of MTVN since the company was bound to face excessive religious and political opposition. Besides, MTV being an American brand, thus excessively possessing America’s liberal traditional values makes it more challenging to enter a market that hold essential religious beliefs and is opposed to the airing of controversial material. Moreover, the resilient anti-American attitudes that are dominant among many Arabs, arising mostly from factors such as America’s support to its arch-enemy Israel, and its Iraq invasion, made several Arabs angry and thus this would act as a huge challenge for MTV, an American brand (Cogan & Kelso, 2009, p. 33). However, this problem was overcome by MTV through entering into a partnership with the local based Arabian Television Network (ATN).  Ã‚  

Review of Cornel West's Malcolm X and Black Rage for a college-age Essay

Review of Cornel West's Malcolm X and Black Rage for a college-age audience - Essay Example The issues of cultural hybridity, psychic conversation, authoritarian organizations, black supremacy, boundaries and borders in sexuality and other issues looms large in the present society. West states that, ‘ In order to build the best out of Malcolm X’ s ideologies, we must expand and preserve the notion of psychic conversion that cement the groups and networks in which black community, care, love, humanity and concerns grows and take root (West, 170). West has employed pathos, ethos and logos to make his message persuasive to the readers. Cornel west tries to clarify how Malcolm’s Black rage was not only directed to the white population but also to the black Americans, minds. He explains that Malcolm’s psychic conversation will promote blacks to appreciate and love their self worth and culture. Malcolm X was a revolutionary figure and anti-thesis of Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi who utilized non-violent ideologies to achieve the same goals as his predecessors. He wanted to put an end to the oppression that targeted the black people. West describes Malcolm X as an ideological leader for the black radicalism including Black Nationalism (collective actions and institutional building), black religion (morality and spirituality), socialism (justice/ freedom and anti-imperialism) as well as panafricanism (internationalism and identity) (West, 172). Malcolm X’s deep pessimism targeted the possibility and the capability of the white Americans to shade their racism led him to downplay the present and past bonds between the whites and the black people. West explains that Malcolm ideologies focused on freedoms of the black population even though he was aware that the majority of the population was racist. Malcolm X questioned the American democracy stating that it had made the black people non citizen. Ideally, constitutional

Evaluation of a Business Code of Ethics Research Paper

Evaluation of a Business Code of Ethics - Research Paper Example The code of conduct is a document that has been framed for the well-organized and effective performance of the overall performance of the company. Code of ethics used by the PetSmart helps to improve the problem solving ability of the company. The Board of Directors has authorized the Management Team under stewardship of the Managing Director to direct the norms regulating the Code of Conduct, Ethics of the responsibilities allotted to the various departmental heads of the PetSmart. About the company: The company PetSmart, Inc. was established in the year of 1987 in Phoenix, Arizona. It is the one of the biggest specialty retailers of services and solution for the lifetime requirements of pets. The company PetSmart has in excess of 1,172 pet stores in the Puerto Rico, U S A and Canada and in excess of 172 in-store Pets Hotels dog, Doggie Day Camps and cat boarding services. And also PetSmart is the one of the leading online supplier of pet materials and various information’s r egarding the pet care. Company also offers a wide variety of competitively priced foodstuff for pet and pet provisions, and provides various pet adoption services and pet training. Mission statement: The mission statement of the PetSmart is to develop the quality of existence for every companion animals by generating and supporting agendas that save the existences of homeless pets and encourage healthy relations among pets and people. Ethical system used by the organization: Organization used various type of ethical system to improve the overall productivity and problem solving ability of the company. Ends-driven, relativistic, entitlement and duty-driven (legal or religious) ethics are the some of the widely used ethical system. Code of ethics used by the PetSmart is legal code of ethics. Every Associate should read, be aware of and employ the Code of Ethics of the PetSmart and company Conduct and connected policies. Every Associate has also the duty to identify and keep away from or prevent conditions that may cause possible breaches of the Code. In this case, the Code of ethics would be to treat all members of the work force equally without any kind of discrimination on the basis of age, gender, sexual preferences or disabilities. Besides, the Code of Ethics require to consider that there necessitate be no discrimination, or bias in favour of any gender in terms of work allocation, or its execution. Besides, there is need to identify, instil and enforce a code of work practices, which would lay down minimum standards for potential workers. It is essential that every the new workers read and follow the Written Manual of Code of Conduct and ethics of this business which has been provided to them upon accepting appointment in this company. The existing members of the work force would also be provided with copies of written manual which sets forth their ethical and moral interfacing with this organization. Consequences for Breach of Code: All members of the com pany have been provided with a written copy of the revised Code of Conduct/Ethics. Any deviation shall be strictly dealt by way of in commensuration with exiting laws and the company’s own policies and procedures regulating its Code of Conduct. How the code of ethics is used by the company: The pet smart is used legal code of eth

Jungian archetypes Essay Example for Free

Jungian archetypes Essay After reading the texts assigned for this week, I have selected â€Å"The Odjibwa Corn Hero† for my first response paper for two reasons: a) it is the only story I read that made me want to eat a bucket of corn afterwards and b) even though I do not know anything about Native American folklore, the story seems to have something familiar at its core which I intend to uncover. The story begins with Wunzh, after reaching a proper age, he decides to go to an isolated place to â€Å"fast undisturbed and find his guardian in life†. He was often baffled by the wonders of the world and searched for something that would allow himn  to help his people so that they wouldn’t have to â€Å"rely on the luck of the hunt or the occasional fish†. Exhausted, yet still praying for an answer on the third day of his fasting a figure appeared â€Å"dressed in yellow and green garments† claiming that the Great Spirit had sent him to grant him his wish provided that he fought him. Three trials the hero undergoes and eventually beats the figure, which then it gives him instructions on how to strip it of its clothes, plant and care for it; he did as instructed until one day he returned only to find â€Å"a tall, graceful plant, with clusters of yellow on  its side, long green leaves†; its name was â€Å"Mondawmin†. The hero then, showed his family how to plant and how to cook this plant and everyone lived happily ever after. My first thought after reading the myth, is that it may be simple in form but deep in the messages it tries to convey: fasting, meditation, and isolation are tools which the hero uses to cleanse and prepare himself as he tries to reach spiritual transcendence; a kind of rite of passage from boyhood to manhood, for the weaker the body the stronger the mind as they say; and the one who proves worthy and courageous shall taste the â€Å"fruits† of his labor.

Electronic Health Records and Our Government Essay Example for Free

Electronic Health Records and Our Government Essay Electronic Health Records involvement in health care reform is at the main focus of lowering the cost to make care more affordable and improvement in the quality of care patients receive. The transition to electronic health records for the last couple years have been driven by offered incentives through the government. As the time pass by the popularity of electronic health record system increase more and more. EHR Systems involvement with government health care reforms in 2010 Financial incentives were aligned to encourage the adoption of EHR. To further support the transition to EHR funds were also provided to train health care professionals on how to us EHR in a meaningful manner. The incentives decline every year until 2015 when it will then be mandatory. After the deadline of 2015 not being in compliance will result in being penalized financially. In order to receive the incentives there are very specific guidelines and requirements that must be fulfilled. Some examples of requirements are EHR systems that record BMI (body mass index), patient demographics, as well as 40% of prescriptions must be submitted electronically. EHR Systems involvement with government health care reforms in 2011 The reporting year begins for eligible professions on January 1st. Medicare EMR incentive program registration began in January 3rd. In April Attestation began. In May Payments began. July 3rd was the last day for eligible hospitals to begin their 90 day reporting period to demonstrate meaningful use for the Medicare EMR incentive program. September 30th was the last day of reporting year ends for eligible hospitals. October 1st was the last day for eligible professionals to begin their 90 day reporting period for calendar year 2011. December 31st the reporting year ends for  eligible professions. Out of 57% of office based physicians that were using HER systems only 34% met the criteria to receive incentives. (CDC) EHR Systems involvement with government health care reforms in 2013 According to the CDC By this time fifty percent of doctors and eighty percent of hospitals were receiving incentives for using EHR meaningfully. Before the encouragement of transitioning to EHR by presi dent Obama only seventeen percent of physicians were using it. (U.S. Department of Health Human Services) It was predicted by the congressional budget office that â€Å"the federal government will be saving close to twelve billion by converting to electronic health records†.(U.S. Department of Health Human Services) WORKS CITED Hsiao, Chun-ju, and Esther Hing. Electronic Health Record Systems and Intent to Apply for Meaningful Use Incentives Among Office-based Physician Practices. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 07 Mar. 2012. Web. 11 Sept. 2014. HHS. News. Doctors and Hospitals Use of Health IT More than Doubles since 2012. U.S. Department of Health Humanservices, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2014. Pear, Robert. Standards Issued for Electronic Health Records. THE NEW YORK TIMES. NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY, 13 July 2010. Web.Schiling, Brian. Quality Matters. The Federal Government Has Put Billions into Promoting Electronic Health Record Use: How Is It Going? THE Comonwealth Fund, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2014. Feris, Nancy. Electronic Health Record Standards. Health Affairs. Project Hope, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2014.

Example Answers to Questions on Culture in the Loreal Group

Example Answers to Questions on Culture in the Loreal Group The LOreal group has been the market leader of cosmetics and the beauty industry. The products it mainly sales are in the fields of cosmetics including, hair color, makeup products, skin care products, perfumes etc. Company has also launched its several products in the field of dermatology and pharmacy. The sales and profits are maintained through its wide range of professional consumer luxury and active products showing a strong through it. It was founded in 1909 by Eugene Schueller and soon it grown into worlds largest company in the industry. The turnover of the company has grown over 19 billions euros with over 11 percent of growth which considerably indicates the success of marketing strategies of LOreal group. The company market over 70 international brands along with a number of local brands made specifically for the country it is marketing with the same international standards and flexibility according to the local needs and requirements that are to be sold to both men and wo men over 150 countries. The company has shown enough growth in the continents of North America and Western Europe with its outstanding performance of twice the market trend growth of the markets of Asia pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa and Middle East. The global marketing efforts of the company with its smart selling efforts brought the tremendous amount of success for it. The differences between the different cultures and the needs of the native people of those different cultures have been quite successfully understood by the companys marketing personals. To understand and to answer the cosmetic requirement of the different types of people in the world the company has setup its five worldwide research and development centre which are established in the different continents like 2 in France, 1 in the US and 1 in Japan and 1 in China in order to make the products manufacturing managed according to the needs of different culture. LOreal group has successfully projected itself as a nice example of a good multi national corporation that manages its profit with considerable success through the competitions in the markets surrounded by the various geographical, social, economical and cultural risks. The company reached out to the variety of the customers with different economic status and cultural background in overall different perception through its fine global branding strategies. Through its selling of different products the company sold different genre of products like Italian elegance, New York street smarts, French beauty, etc through different global branding methods. In this report we are asked to discuss about different global marketing strategies adopted by LOreal group and how much the company is successful in understanding the different cultural distinction in the different international market. (LOreal Group) Part 1 COMPANYS GLOBAL MARKETTING STRATEGIES The famous LOreal group utilized its global marketing strategies to its extreme extent in order to show and generate the great growth opportunities in a very elegant way. The company is known for and has always been imposition of its customers as a supreme elegant French product with smart prices and superb packaging. The general belief of the management of the company is about the basic existence of two different dominative beauty cultures which are French and the American .This has been a major reason behind the company to setup two headquarters one in the Paris and one in New York. These two countries are culturally far different in terms of the background of the people, the mind set of the society and the creative background of their culture. The company even laid down the establishments of the different brands as the part of same organization in competition to each other in the field of marketing but takes the research and developmental part in the collaboration as suggested by marketing head of the LOreal, Owen Jones. He suggested and implemented various smart and innovative marketing strategies that stimulated the creativity in his department like moving around the streets of the local market to explore and analyze the needs and expectation of the product in the point of view of the native customers so that the product can be designed and marketed accordingly. The decisions over the marketing strategies in the headquarters of the LOreal group are made after consulting examining and having the proper insight of the local markets while delivering with the touch of international standards maintained giving the feel of the popular method of implementing the global along with the local satisfaction .The LOreal effectively focused on the international scale with its revolutionary which brought lot of success to the company across many countries and continents. The growth of the company in countries like India , Mexico , Malaysia , few African countries was alo ng with its immense success in its homeland of Europe and America also with its appreciative expansion in the tough markets of china and Japan which was quite significant and miles stones .The main problems faced by the marketing teams of the company in the countries in which LOreal has not been that successful as compared to other parts of the world like japan and china where there are strict health related rules and regulations and the complex distribution of markets is the considerable example may be that of Japan which is the second largest cosmetics market in the world .The company very well shouts its global presence with its subseries factories and manufacturing units and selling outlets all across the various continents of north America , Europe , Asia and Africa. To support this fact with the data and the statistical requirement the company has 18 subsidiaries and 8 factories in the continent of north America ,169 subsidiaries and 22 factories in the countries of Europe, 29 subsidiaries and 5 factories in Latin America ,23 subsidiaries and 4 factories in south Asia and with its extension in Australia, middle east and many other African countries as per the information available according to the data at the end of the 20th century. The global brands of lOreal includes the LOreal itself the Garnier ,Lancome ,Biotherm ,vichy, Maybelline ,Redken, Ralf Lauren , Goirgio and Helena which are being launched in different types of markets of the world for the different types of people in the world. The company also adopted famous marketing policy of acquiring the market through acquisition policies .This not only helped the company to settle in the overseas market but also to expand and become its leader. Some of the popular acquisitions of the LOreal group include the acquitted companies like body shop, soft sheen, matrix, etc. To summarize the overall marketing strategy the company has to maintain the standardization globally as well as to have the scope of local optimization as per the needs and requirements of the different cultures existing all round the globe. The company always had some standard product with incomparable core features and the most importantly its scope of being coupled up with the optimization required with the products in order to maximize its local response by the native customers by making adjustments in the features of products with its prices without compromising with its international brand value and quality. These were the major reasons behind the companys emergence as the global leader of the cosmetic market for different cultures and hopes of the beauty of the local men and women worldwide. BASIC CORPORATE CULTUER IN THE COMPANY The culture of any company described is in the basis of how it handles the individuals operating in the group and manages its diversity in its very own style , its own working conditions, hierarchy and the general involvement .The LOreal has been adopting nice effective policies to not only handle the personal but also the professional activities of the individual employees through different methods like motivational rewards, training and education , employees appraisal through different schemes etc. The company takes the talent development and understanding of the corporate culture by its employee as one of its responsibilities. Company allows the employees to be geographically mobile, provide high working cadencies and various other French benefits. The career development of the employee are maintained through the rewards like the rise and pain ,internal promotions, in transfers options it also conducts the activity like bi-development interview and even hence established several m anagement development centres as well. The annual expansion plan of the individual with the company is done through interviews , evaluation of the annual performance, taking into the consideration their need and professional aspiration, the coordination and communication between the employees and the employees with the top level management is effectively maintained inside the organization, the external communication with the customers with the market is done through effective brand managing with the help of press and media and having the well customer care management to resolve any issue that may arise. With the use hierarchal way of communication among the employees of the organization, the relations among them is maintained and also the internal conflicts is resolved through effective management. Emails are one of the most important ways of communication for day to day disposal of information and the general purpose to convey information with the employees of the company. The comp any promotes its brand through its effective way of external communication through press, electronic media, web promotion, etc it also maintains its brand image through promotional campaign done through sponsorships. There are various clubs and communities within the company that are established to maintain the better relationship between the employees .The company also very effectively follow the customer responsive culture .The proper internal and external functioning of the company is handled by the strong cultural backgrounds of its ethics and principal. The company has developed an embracing culture which has short procedures for doing the work which not only provide the purpose of less wastage of time and energy but also gives the feeling of independence and autonomy to each of its employees .The oral communication is considered better than the written procedure in order to have flexibility in work but it also provides a type of ease to solve any conflicts if they arise. The company very well handles its diversities in its team and the clients which is reflected through its successes at every level .The company serve his products to many cultures according to the requirement of any culture through its dedication and proper understanding. The management adopts such policies so as to utilize the working capabilities of its employees to its maximum extent. Sometime the pressure on the employees also builds up but overall they work their according to the individual perception. THE CORPORATE STRUCTURE OF THE COMPANY The companies like any other multinational company with a high prestige consist of board of directors, management committees and the stockholders. The board of directors as the governing body including fifteen members. The present members belonging to core committee are : jean paul Agon, Francisco Basco, Werner Bauer, Liliane Bettencourt, Francoise Meyers, Peter Brabeck, Charles Fillipi, Xavier Fontanet, Bernard Kasriel, Marc Lacharrier, Jean Meyers, Lindsay Owen-Jones, Franck Riboud, Annete Roux and Louis Schweitzer. The management committees have different committees responsible for administrating the different departments. The committee includes Jean-Paul Agon as Chief Executive Officer, Beatrice Dautresme as EVP of corporate communications, Christian Mullieze as EVP of finances, Fredrick Roze as Chief Executive Officer of LOreal USA, Jean Grollier as EVP of RD, Jean Lebel as the president of consumer products, Nicolas Hieronimus as the president of professional products, Geoff Sk ingsely as EVP of Human Resources and Marc Menesguen as the president of Luxury Products. The major stockholders of the company are Bettencourt family, Nestle, treasury shares and the others holded by the general public for the trade. The distribution of the shares are the Bettencourt family acquiring the 31 per cent of the companys share, 29.8 percent of the shares are acquired by nestle , 2.4 percent shares reserved for the treasury for the future and the remaining 36 percents of the share available in the market for the general public trade. Part 2 DEALING WITH THE DIFFERENT CULTURES OF THE WORLD As described by the famous author Schein, the culture in reference to the corporate world is the different corporations learning that is developed by different discoveries, invention and the development for handling the internal and the external issue effectively .These learning and development should be successful enough to be passed and taught to the coming and joining employees for handling such affairs in the future .He also remarked the famous quote ,the culture has a same meaning to the group what personality has to with individual. Also it is well understood in the current era of global market that a successful multinational company has to have an in-depth knowledge of the environment and the different cultural background of the different countries and regions in which it is operating to have a considerable amount of success. As a world leader in the field of cosmetics and beauty industries, the LOreal group is always up with the blend of beauty with the design of products by intense research in science and technology with a tinge of innovations .The company has been selling its products to the men and women to more than 130 countries based on different cultures, different mindsets and with the different perceptions to evaluate its products. For surviving in these diversities, the company has to take innovation and quality management as one of its major requirement for its product manufactured. The company sells the most advanced product in each and every country it is serving independent of any culture it has to serve .Being present in any country the company always gives the credits to its employees to build the LOreal a leader in the beauty and cosmetic Industry of the country by their unequal and unparallel talent and ambition in doing so. As described above the company has opened its subsidiaries and research centers factories etc all around the globe with the vision of having some standardized ethics and principles along with scope of flexibility t o adopt the different cultures for its employees and customers to maintain its brand value at the international level. The four different cultures that can be taken under the consideration can be that of USA, India, Canada and China which can describe how well the company has been successful in dealing up with the cultures which were entirely different in many perspectives. The LOreal USA which is based in New York has worked successfully well to sell its products mainly related to hair color, hair care, skin care, skin care, fragrances and the color cosmetics in the consumer and the professional markets. The major causes of the success of the company had been its progressive research and development of the new and innovative products, high amount of the dedication shown by its employees and the well distributed marketing of its products. The company also did some success providing acquisitions for example that of the Maybelline, Soft Sheen, matrix, etc. (LOreal USA) The LOreal group in the country of India succeeded with its objective of focusing all its energy and know-how of the Indian requirement which it used during the manufacturing of the products and then its selling through effective Indian style marketing strategies. The company provided the Indian men and the women with its all new and innovative products with latest advancements developed in its research and the development centers. The company gives the credit to its more than 600 employees who worked with all the devotions to build the LOreal India with all success in beauty and the cosmetic market in India. (LOreal India) The LOreal China had entered into the Chinese market in 1996 with all efforts to provide the customers in China their desired cosmetic requirements but providing its key products of international quality and some especially made products suiting the Chinese skin, hair, etc. The company did very well in adopting the local marketing strategies by coming up with the products like that of whitening and the anti-aging creams, etc. The LOreal group performed extremely well in the country of Canada with same commitment of innovations, best quality products and its effective marketing and distribution. The company launched its 25 prestigious brands to overcome the high amount of beauty and cosmetic needs of the people of this country. There are 1200 employ ees working in LOreal Canada with the same dedication and devotion for the profits of the company. THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING THE CULTURAL DISTINCTIONS For any of the successful MNC, it is very essential to understand the different cultural distinctions between the different cultures. The selling of same kinds of products in the markets that are entirely different in terms of their cultural backgrounds has always proven to be quite a tough task. Also, the product or services should not violate any rule or regulation based on the culture of the country it is operating. The promotional campaigns and the mode of the advertisements also should be designed according to the cultural background of the region it is going to be launched or shown. If these things is not taken into the marketing strategy, the product which had been very much successful in one country, may even fail in the other. The local branding strategies, management of the human resources, etc all should be decided and implemented while taking into account the cultural distinctions on whose basis its applicability and the feasibility has to be decided. The same reward sche mes, motivational methods, desired working environments, etc also cannot be the same for different employees working for the company in the different nations and thus it also needs the understanding of different aspects of the impacts of the cultural differences. For good relationship of foreign supervisor with its subordinate local employees, the cultural understanding of both becomes an essential object. When it comes to the market, the customers with entirely different cultures have a different perspective of looking the product and deciding its feasibility for them which depends upon their general mindset, price tags, quality and features required as per the natural climate, and its importance for them as an individual.

English Settlers of the Chesapeake Region and New England Essay

English Settlers of the Chesapeake Region and New England Although New England and the Chesapeake region were both settled largely by people of English origin, by 1700 the regions had evolved into two distinct societies. As English settlements in North America began to progress, social, economical, and religious ideas divided the English immigrants. The settlers journeyed to North America to meet their individual needs and beliefs. Whether they were fleeing to become wealthy or to escape religious pressures; all of these settlers came attempting to improve their lifestyles. The Chesapeake region and New England settlements proved how two English settlements could have differing societies. English origins seemed to be their only common trait. Life for the earliest Chesapeake settlers was brutal and deadly. Diseases such as malaria, dysentery and typhoid shortened life expectancy, while nearly half of the Virginia and Maryland settlers didn’t live to see their twentieth birthday. This frail Chesapeake region continued a slow growth primarily because a majority of the settlers were â€Å"single men in their late teens to early twenties†(Document C). Because of the overpopulation of men and the scarcity of women, families became sparse. However, despite the harsh beginnings of its society, the Chesapeake region continued to endeavor by acquiring an immunity to diseases and increasing birthrates. The Chesapeake region also held its own economic standards. When 120 men arrived in Jamestown on May 14th,1607 they relied on the hopes of discovering gold. Most of the settlers’ time was devoted to searches for gold instead of the stabilization of their... ...regularly preached in New England schools. They also included a religious attitude towards their economy. â€Å"This court †¦.in the interim recommends (that) all tradesmen and laborers consider the religious end of their callings.(Document E)† The Chesapeake region and New England societies differed mainly because of the ways their settlements were first organized and developed. The Chesapeake region began with a irresponsible development, which led to severe consequences. An overpopulation of men with desires to strike gold, slowed the settlements growth by making gold the only priority. New England, on the other hand, settled as families with family priorities and values. They developed well organized towns with Puritan teachings. Also, New Englanders used practical resources to begin the process of developing their economy.

Sino-Tibetan Affairs Essay -- Tibet History Government Papers

The â€Å"Tibet Question† has evolved into a Western synthesis of affairs and circumstances that govern the uncertainties of Tibet’s national identity- a mere euphemism concerning the improbabilities of Tibet’s political fate. Tensions seemingly escalate by the day, as questions of Tibet’s impending future become more and more desperate, and to the chagrin of many Tibetans, only the Chinese government has the foresight to ascertain a solution. Though the future of Tibet and China is still more or less unseen, it does happen to serve a function in illuminating the aspects of their rough and tumble past. The premise to my essay concerns itself with the chronological development of Sino-Tibetan foreign relations. From its origins in tribute relations, on through Mongol dynastic rule, and ending in the apocalyptic era of Mao, I intend to explore the various strategic purposes and objectives that led to Tibetan neutrality and Chinese antagonism, the definitive stance of today’s affairs. The evolution of this relationship is no more than a mirror and reflection of the progression of ethnic kinship into a national identity. The fundamental purpose of my essay is to extend the â€Å"Tibet Question,† so as to include the uncertainties and questions of Tibet’s ethnic identity in conjunction with the real question regarding their political fate. I make the assertion that the conflict of today is simply the culmination of prior ethnic conflicts, and not the struggle for supremacy between two proximal nations. The Tibet Question has been misconstrued so as to consider the Sino-Tibetan conflict exclusively one of politics, but in truth, as my essay should reveal, it transcends borders and exposes greater ethnic attitudes. Origins: An Exami... ...: Oxford University Press, 1962., 475. [5] Smith Jr., Tibetan Nation: A History of Tibetan Nationalism and Sino-Tibetan Relations, 23. [6] Smith Jr., Tibetan Nation: A History of Tibetan Nationalism and Sino-Tibetan Relations, 22. [7] Smith Jr., Tibetan Nation: A History of Tibetan Nationalism and Sino-Tibetan Relations, 23. [8] Smith Jr., Tibetan Nation: A History of Tibetan Nationalism and Sino-Tibetan Relations, 25. [9] Smith Jr., Tibetan Nation: A History of Tibetan Nationalism and Sino-Tibetan Relations, 27 [10] Smith Jr., Tibetan Nation: A History of Tibetan Nationalism and Sino-Tibetan Relations, 27. [11] Melvyn C. Goldstein, The Snow Lion and the Dragon: China, Tibet and the Dalai Lama, 2. [12] Melvyn C. Goldstein, The Snow Lion and the Dragon: China, Tibet and the Dalai Lama, 4. [13] Hugh E. Richardson, Tibet and its History, 1-2.

An Analysis of Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart :: Things Fall Apart essays

The Importance of Things Fall Apart The novel "Things Fall Apart", by Chinua Achebe, was an eye-opening account of the life and eventual extinction of an African tribe called the Ibo. It focuses on one character, Okonkwo, who at a very early age set out on a quest of self-perfection. Coming from a family ruled by a man who was lazy and inconsistent with everything he did, Okonkwo vowed to never accept the fate of his father. Okonkwo and his family suffered through many hard times in their lives, but usually managed to come out on top. Through terrible crop seasons and bad judgement calls, Okonkwo usually prevailed, until the day came when he was faced with a situation that could not be resolved by his strength and character alone. This novel also provided a very detailed, and seemingly accurate, account of the lives of the Ibo. The Ibo were an extremely spiritual people who answered to their gods daily. A hardworking people who based their personal worth on their community and crop achievements. Their yam crops were the backbone of the community and he who possessed the largest crops were usually respected by all in the community. The Ibo were a very gendered people. The men normally made all the rules and the woman were taught to respect their husbands decisions. In particular, Okonkwo ruled his household with an iron fist. He often beat his wives for small reasons and felt little to no remorse for doing so. While it was not uncommon for the men of the Ibo tribe to beat their wives if they disobeyed orders, Okonkwo was a character that oftentimes took it too far. In one point in the novel he badly beat one of his wives, Ojiugo, during the sacred week. During this time no one in the tribe is to com mit such acts, as it is a time for peace. By beating his wife, he defied the gods and was forced to offer up animal sacrifices and payment to them. This one of Okonkwo's major character flaws, he is stubborn and self-righteous, and wishes to answer to nobody but himself. This even leads to eventual fate, when he refuses to join the Christians when most everyone else of the tribe gave in to their ideas.

Political Aspects of Wireless Electricity Essay

It is no secret that politics plays a big role when it comes to the introduction of the wireless electricity. Some parties are for it, as it can allow for slightly greener ways of powering devices, new jobs, and easier access. But others are against it, seeing the change as a threat to old ways of doing things, as well as a way for people to access electricity for free. Though wireless transmissions and the idea of wireless electricity have existed for quite some time, the actual possibility of creating usable, accessible wireless electricity is just now starting to become a reality. With wireless electricity looming on the horizon, more and more politicians, civilians, and companies are beginning to stand behind the idea; but that has not always been the case. Politics first began working their way into wireless electricity in 1905, when J. P. Morgan pulled all of his funding from Nikola Tesla’s Wardenclyffe Tower project when he erroneously began to believe that it could lead to free electricity for all (Haliburton, 2006). It is that same type of thinking that has helped to keep wireless electricity out of the mainstream for so long. However, information and general knowledge about wireless electricity has come far, and that type of thinking is quickly disappearing. With the recent surge of environmental and financial awareness, people are quickly beginning to gravitate towards the idea of wireless electricity. Even power companies are getting behind the idea, seeing a way to expand their business. Though the idea of wireless electricity has just begun to reemerge, it will quickly become a hot political topic, just as other forms of alternative energy have. The question is this: Will the general public and politicians continue to gravitate towards this new concept? And if they do, how long will it be until wireless electricity becomes the norm?

Compare and Contrast “Romeo and Juliet” and “Gnomeo and Juliet” Essay

The rule book Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is about two cont eradicate families with ofttimes hatred for from each one(prenominal) other. It shares umteen another(prenominal) similarities, as well as many differences to the film Gnomeo and Juliet directed by Kelly Asbury.In some(prenominal) the film and the play, both families develop extreme hatred for each other. For that rea parole, Romeo/Gnomeo and Juliet go a panache to secretly examine fill out for each other. Also in both the film and the play, Romeo/Gnomeo and Juliet fall in love at first sight. after honest a day of clear-sighted each other, Romeo and Juliet are surely in love and decide to secretly occur married. Another similarity that they pass on, is Romeo/Gnomeo and Tybalt hate each other very much. In both the movie and the play, Romeo/Gnomeo and Juliet secretly sneak run into to see each other. This is the only way they could be with each other without acquire caught. In the end, they bo th have families that purpose their hatred for each other that has followed them for so long.The book and movie as well, have many differences. In Romeo and Juliet Romeo is killed with the poison that he drank. Therefore, Juliet also kills herself because she cannot live without the love of her life, Romeo. Tybalt ends up killing Mercutio. Romeo is fierce that his friend Mercutio is dead, so Tybalt and Romeo fight and Romeo kills Tybalt. Romeo also kills Paris. At the end of the story, Lady Montague also dies because of grief oer the banishment of her son. However, in the film Gnomeo and Juliet nonentity dies, which is probably one of the biggest differences in Romeo and Juliet and Gnomeo and Juliet.In Shakespeares play, Romeo and Juliet marry after just one day of knowing each other. Of course they do this secretly because they do not want the Capulets, nor the Montagues to know that Romeo and Juliet love each other. In difference, Gnomeo and Juliet wait until the family content ion is resolved rather than to go arse their parents backs and marry secretly.In the book Romeo and Juliet after Tybalt is killed, he rest dead. However, in the movie Gnomeo and Juliet Tybalt is revived. The movie Gnomeo and Juliet does not have Lady Capulet, or Sir Montague, the authentic Romeo and Juliet book does. Lady Capulet dies after her son drinks the poison, because she could not bear his death.The time periods in both are very incompatible also. Romeo and Juliet was written long ago. Gnomeo and Juliet is an Animate movie in which took place in variant backyards that did not get along and had much hatred for each other.

Canterville Ghost Chapter 1 Summary Essay

When Mr. Hiram B. genus genus genus Otis, the Ameri squirt consider c be, bought Canterville Chase, either unrivalled t whiteness-hai sanguine him he was doing a real impolitic subject, as thither was no motion at both that the place was haunted. Indeed, master Canterville himself, who was a objet dart of the al closely punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to celebrate the fact to Mr. Otis when they came to discuss harm. We bring up non cared to live in the place ourselves, state master Canterville, since my grand-aunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she neer re completelyy recovered, by 2 skeleton hands organism fixed on her shoulders as she was dressing for dinner, and I pure tone bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the stalk has been seen by well-nigh(prenominal) invigoration particles of my family, as swell as by the rector of the parish, the Rev.Augustus Dampier, who is a Fel kickoff of pooves College, Cambridg e. After the unfortunate incident to the Duchess, none of our unripeneder servants would stay with us, and Lady Canterville often got genuinely piddling eternal sleep at nighttime, in consequence of the thick noises that came from the corridor and the library. My master copy, functioned the pastor, I giveing take the furniture and the trace at a valuation.I come from a modern sylvan, where we get e re every experience(predicate)ything that money give the gate buy and with all our spry young fellows painting the over-the-hill World red, and carrying off your best actors and prima-donnas, I cypher that if there were such a thing as a jot in Europe, wed hire it at home in a genuinely pathetic time in one of our dobriny museums, or on the road as a show. I fear that the ghost exists, said gentle Canterville, smiling, though it may have resisted the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well k straightn for three centuries, since 1584 in fact, and invariably makes its style ahead the death of all member of our family. Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, captain Canterville. But there is no such thing, sir, as a ghost, and I shaft the laws of Nature are non going to be suspended for the British aristocracy.You are for certain very natural in the States, purposeed passe-partout Canterville, who did not rather understand Mr. Otis last observation, and if you dont mind a ghost in the house, it is all right. Only you must remember I reprehended you. A few weeks afterwardsward this, the purchase was concluded, and at the weedy of the season the parson and his family went d aver to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as shake off Lucretia R. Tappan, of West 53rd Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very hand nigh, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile. Many Ameri displace ladies on loss their native land adopt an appearance of inveterate ill-health, under the imp ression that it is a cast of European spectre, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful bar of animal spirits. Indeed, in umpteen respects, she was quite incline, and was an handsome example of the fact that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language.Their eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather inviolable-looking young man, who had certified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport Casino for three successive seasons, and sluice in London was well acknowledgen as an excellent dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was extremely sensible. Miss Virginia E. Otis was a infinitesimal girl of fifteen, polished and lovely as a greyish brown, and with a fine freedom in her macroscopic blue eyes. She was a wonderful amazon, and had at once raced venerable(a) Lord Bilton on her pony twice plump pop out the park, winning by a length and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge charm of the young Duke of Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night by his guardians, in floods of tears. After Virginia came the twins, who were unremarkably called The Stars and Stripes, as they were al appearances getting swished.They were delightful boys, and with the ejection of the congruous Minister the only true republicans of the family. As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nea recess railway station, Mr. Otis had telegraphed for a waggonette to meet them, and they triggered on their drive in high spirits. It was a lovely July evening, and the air was slender with the scent of the pi recentoods. Now and then(prenominal) they heard a wood pigeon brooding over its own refreshful voice, or saw, deep in the rustling fern, the smar t breast of the pheasant. Little squirrels peered at them from the beech-trees as they went by, and the rabbits scudded apart by the brushwood and over the mossy knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, however, the jactitate became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stoicism seemed to h white-haired the atmosphere, a ample flight of rooks passed mutely over their heads, and, before they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen. Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, with a white cap and apron.This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at Lady Cantervilles earnest request, had consented to keep on in her originator position. She made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-hat(predicate) manner,I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase. Following her, they passed through the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room , panelled in black oak, at the end of which was a large patched-glass window. Here they found tea place out for them, and, after taking off their wraps, they sit down down and began to look turning, while Mrs. Umney waited on them. abruptly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red position on the degree just by the fireplace and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, I am terrified something has been spilt there.Yes, madam, replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, consanguinity has been spilt on that spot. How horrid, cried Mrs. Otis I dont at all care for bloodstains in a sitting-room. It must be removed at once. The old woman smiled, and answered in the identical low, mysterious voice, It is the blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was kill on that very spot by her own husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances.His body has never been disco vered, but his dishonored spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed. That is all frill, cried Washington Otis Pinkertons Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time, and before the terrified housekeeper could interfere he had fallen upon his knees, and was speedily scouring the floor with a small work over of what looked wish a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood-stain could be seen. I k newly Pinkerton would do it, he exclaimed triumphantly, as he looked round at his admiring family but no sooner had he said these wrangle than a terrible trashy of lightning lit up the sombre room, a tremendous peal of roar made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. Umney fainted. What a monstrous climate said the American Minister calmly, as he lit a long cheroot. I guess the old country is so over-populated that they have not enough bonny weather for everybody.I have a lship canal been of vista that emigration is the only thing for England. My dear Hiram, cried Mrs. Otis, what can we do with a woman who faints? Charge it to her analogous breakages, answered the Minister she wont faint after that and in a few moments Mrs. Umney certainly came to. in that respect was no doubt, however, that she was extremely upset, and she sternly warned Mr. Otis to look out of some trouble coming to the house. I have seen things with my own eyes, sir, she said,that would make any Christians hair stand on end, and numerous and many a night I have not closed my eyes in sleep for the dread things that are done here. Mr. Otis, however, and his wife warmly reliable the comely soul that they were not afraid of ghosts, and, after invoking the blessings of Providence on her new master and mistress, and fashioning arrangements for an increase of salary, the old housekeeper tottered off to her own room. FROM Wikisource. choose from The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar W ilde.1- cause and find as many run-in as you can from the ghost / necromantic semantic sports stadium of operations any word or phrase that has the same root or that is related to to it. Organize your findings in a grid.Ghost semantic scene of exploitReality / down-to-earth semantic field2- bring out their translations, explain the differences of mean. 3- Try and find the meaning of the chase speech communication / phrases FoolishPunctiliusDuty blackTo debateFor that matterPurchase spectre precious4- Use them in a convict.5- What could a huddle be? (In the saying lovely as a fawn)6- Discuss with a partner what you know intimately Oscar Wilde. carry through a short heavyset of what you both know. 7- employ the title of respect, guess what the point world power be about. Which emblem of theme do you contain it to be? 8- Imagine a apologue. Be yeasty9- wee-wee 6 guesses what do you weigh the horizontal surface is going to deal with? 10- make view 6 quest ions to which you would like to find an answer in the first chapter. 11- pen 10 words you reside to find in the extract.12- Imagine a short summary of the baloney apply these words.13- Discuss it with your partner.Read the first split of the story and answer the following questions 1- What do we decide at the set about of the story?2- List all the information you are given about the briny characters. 3- What do the following expressions refer to?The Stars and StripesThe MinisterShe wont faint after that (end of the chapter).The old housekeeper4- Can you infer the meaning and word-class (for instance adjective, noun, verb, preposition) of the following words & phrases? Indeed aristocracymiddle-agedIll-health5- discriminate the description of the British Aristocracy (Lord Canterville) with that of the modern Americans. 6- What can you infer from these descriptions & their reactions? 7- Write 10 key-words you read.8- Write a short summary of the story using those words and som e connectors. (at least 5) 9- Check if you found the words you thought might appear in the school text and tick the correct ones. 10- Try and answer your questions.11- Prepare 6 more questions (& the answers to your questions) to ask your friends. 12- Pick out 5 verbs from the text and describe their forms (sieve, active or unresisting voice) and decide why this busy tense was chosen. Answer the following questions1- Who will be the of import characters in your opinion?2- What do you determine about them? (Draw a grid.)CharacterActions temperament raise facts3- Where does the story unfold? When?4- What is the remove really about?5- Did you enjoy it or not? wherefore?6- Which lawsuit of short story is it?7- In which ways is it diametric from usual ghost stories?8- What must have been the writers goal?9- Do you think the story is a success? Why (not)?10- Lets list the key phrases & words from the text(To be learnt for next lesson)To do a very jerky thingThere was no doubt tha tTo be hauntedDutyTo discuss terms formMysterious noisesTo get very minor sleep at nightFurnitureTo be enterprisingTo warn someoneOtherwise11- Add some which you did not know. (at least 3)1- Write a summary of the first chapter.2- Write a story using the title The (name of your school) ghost. It must be a mock ghost story, a parody. The best story (the most interesting, the most creative, the funniest.) will be selected by the class. 3- Make a poster about Oscar Wilde.4- Prepare a talk on Oscar Wildes principal(prenominal) novels, plays, short stories. 5- Learn the vocabulary.6- Imagine a protraction to the story (the following chapters).7- Imagine another title for the story.8- Which type of stories do you enjoy most? Why?9- Sum up your favourite story for the class.Try and find as many words as you can from the ghost / supernatural semantic field any word or phrase that has the same root or that is related to it.Ghost semantic fieldReality / down-to-earth semantic fieldHauntedF rightened into a fit bodGhostSeveral living members of my family homeless accidentMysterious noises1584Makes its appearance before the death of any member of our family Curious stillnessRed stainBlood has been spiltGuilty spiritTo discuss termsAs she was dressing for dinnerGot very little sleep at nightthat is all nonsenseTry and find the meaning of the following words / phrasesFoolish (= stupid) fool (noun) + -ish ( adjective)= adjectivePunctilius (=Strictly oversolicitous to minute details of form in action or conduct. See synonyms at meticulous/ fine scrupulous.)= adjectiveDuty (= what you are supposed to do)= nounUnfortunate ( = Characterized by undeserved bad luck hexed / Causing misfortune disastrous)Un- (prefix) + fortune (noun) + -ate ( adjective)= adjectiveTo reckon (=To consider as being regard as / To think or assume.) Verb (informal)For that matter (=as furthest as that is concerned)= phrase (preposition + quantifier + noun)Purchase (= something you buy)= nounRefine ment (=1. The act of refining.2. The result of refining an improvement or elaboration.3. The state or quality of being nifty cultivation, as in manners or taste. 4. A keen or precise phrasing a subtle distinction.)= noun (to refine, verb + suffix ment noun)Worthy ( =1. Having worth, merit, or observe useful or valuable.2. Honorable admirable a worthy fellow.3. Having sufficient worth deserving worthy to be revered worthy of acclaim.) = worth (noun) + suffix y ( adjective)= adjective.Use them in a sentence.This was a very foolish reactionPaul has always been extremely punctilius in all matters.This is your duty. You dont have a choice.This unfortunate accident turn up that the house was not safe at all. I reckon I saw the ghost this morning.I dont believe in ghosts myself for that matter.What a lovely purchaseOne of his best qualities is the refinement of his language. He is not worthy of youWhat could a fawn be?Like the deer and the stag, the fawn exercised great power over the early Celtic imagination. The Eacuterainn King Lugaid Lagde pursued a fawn, probably a divine personification of Ireland itself. Aige and Sadb were transformed into fawns. Donn mac Midir employ yet another woman transformed into a fawn to lure Fionn mac Cumhaill and his men. But some fawns are male, like Fionns son Oisn, whose name is still the Irish word for fawn. The fawn appears to be an antecedent of the stag in the Perceval legend. (Adapted from answer.com)Discuss with a partner what you know about Oscar Wilde.Oscar Fingal OFlahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 1854 30 November 1900) was an Irish playwright, poet and author of numerous short stories and one novel. Known for his biting wit, he became one of the most successful playwrights of the late Victorian era in London, and one of the greatest celebrities of his day. Several of his plays continue to be widely performed, especially The Importance of Being Earnest. As the result of a widely covered series of trials, Wilde suf fered a dramatic downfall and was im prisoned for two years hard labour after being convicted of gross indecency with other men. After Wilde was released from prison he set sail for Dieppe by the night ferry. He never returned to Ireland or Britain Adapted from Wikipedia.Using the title, guess what the story might be about. Which type of story do you expect it to be? It will certainly be a ghost story, a gothic story.Prepare 6 guesses what do you think the story is going to deal with? (Use modals) It might be about This story may deal with a cranky old ghost.It could tell the story of a Prepare 6 questions to which you would like to find an answer in the first chapter. Is the ghost scary?How do the inhabitants feel about it?What is going to happen to the main characters?What did the ghost to be forced to haunt a house?What can he do to rest in peace at long last?Who re attests evil, who represents cheeseparing?Write 10 words you expect to find in the extract.To haunt, to be haunte d, to be stimulate to death, to scream, to howl, to be afraid, to run away, to hide, to moan, to cry. Imagine a short summary of the story using these words.There was once a huge haunted fortress in which the inhabitants kept being scared to death by a moaning ghost who kept rattling his handcuffs & howling at night. The poor inhabitants kept crying, screaming, run away from him but there was no escaping him so they had to hide and then to move out at last.Read the first paragraph of the story and answer the following questions What do we learn at the beginning of the story? (1st paragraph) 2 characters are introducedMr Hiram Otis, an American Minister who has bought Canterville Chase and Lord canterville, an English aristocrat. Lord Canterville has told Mr Otis that the place was haunted. List all the information you are given about the main characters. Mr Otis is American.Lord Canterville is English and an aristocrat. He is a man of most punctilius honour and does not hide fro m his buyer that the castle is haunted. What dothe following expressions refer to?The Stars and Stripes (= the twins)The Minister (= Mr Otis)She wont faint after that (end of the chapter). (= Mrs Umney) The old housekeeper (= Mrs Umney)Can you infer the meaning and word-class (for instance adjective, noun, verb, preposition) of the following words & phrases? Indeed (link-word)1. Without a doubt certainly very cold indeed was indeed grateful. 2. In fact in reality felt sure Id win, and indeed I did.Aristocracy (noun, aristocrat + suffix y)1. A hereditary thought class nobility.2.a. Government by a legal opinion class.b. A state or country having this form of government.3.a. Government by the citizens deemed to be best fit to lead. b. A state having such a government.4. A group or class considered superior to others.Middle-aged(noun + verb + -ed, adjective)Of or relating to middle age middle-aged parents middle-aged interests. Ill-health(adjective + noun noun)Poor health sickness .Compare the description of the British Aristocracy (Lord Canterville) with that of the modern Americans. What can you infer from these descriptions & their reactions? Lord Canterville is a man of punctilius honor whereas Mr Otis mocks the English and is quite derogatory when he mentions that money can buy anything, that the Americans would have bought ghosts if there were such things. Write 10 key-words you read.Ghost, haunted, skeleton, nonsense, to faint, honest soul, frightened, modern country, old-fashioned, be scared. Write a short summary of the story using those words and some connectors. Canterville Chase is haunted by a ghost who had been scaring the British aristocracy for ccc years when it was bought by an American Minister who keeps comparability America, a modern country to Great Britain, an old-fashioned nation. Moreover, Mr. Otis is not afraid of the ghost. On the contrary, he doubts its existence. Its nonsense according to his son, Washington. Later in the chapter his son even goes so far as removing a blood stain and that makes the old housekeeper, an honest soul, faint. She is afraid of the ghost and of skeletons. Pick out 5 verbs from the text and describe their forms (tense, active or passive voice) and decide why this particular tense was chosen.When Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase = past saucer-eyed, use for a destroyed time. every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing = past continuous, used for a finished time but when we asseverate on the activity, its duration, when we give our opinion on the sentence (when we comment upon it). We have not cared to live in the place ourselves = present perfect, used when there is a connection with the present time, with now (indeed, nobody is living now at Canterville Chase, its still true). dame canterville often got very little sleep at night = past simple, used for a finished time + narrative tense. I fear that = present simple, fear you fear when y ou say it (then the present simple is used). Answer the following questionsWho will be the main characters in your opinion?Mr. Otis & his family (Washington seems quite enterprising), the ghost. What do you learn about them? (Draw a grid.)CharacterActionsPersonalityInteresting factsMr. OtisTalks about America in a very proud wayInsulting (without meaning to), proudDoes not believe in ghostsWashingtonRemoves the blood stainhard-nosedIs trying to defeat the ghost from the startLord CantervilleTells Mr. otis about the ghostFrank, kindTries to warn the familyWhere does the story unfold? When?In Great Britain, at the end of the 19th century (1584 + 300 = 1884). What is the excerpt really about?Its about American & British values. Money vs tradition.Which type of short story is it?It is the parody of a ghost story.In which ways is it different from usual ghost stories?Theres a gothic castle but the new owners are not scared to death. They even doubt the ghosts existence What must have bee n the authors goal?Criticism.Write a summary of the first chapter. Mr. Otis, an American Minister, buys a post in England called Canterville Chase, against the advice of his friends and the owner himself, Lord Canterville, who assures him that it is haunted. Lord Cantervilles family has chosen not to live there because of the ghost. His great-aunt never recovered from her fright caused by two skeleton hands grabbing her shoulders.Mr. Otis says that he does not believe there is such a thing as a ghost, and says he will take the house and the ghost if it does indeed come with it. Lord Canterville replies that the ghosts existence has been well cognise since 1584, and always appears before the death of a member of his family. A few weeks later, when the purchase is complete, the family moves into Canterville Chase. Mr. Otis is attach to by his wife, who is a good-looking woman of good health, and their four children. The eldest is a son named Washington, a handsome, sensible young m an who is also good at dancing. Virginia is the only daughter, and is fifteen years old. She is lithe and lovely and an accomplished rider. She even beat the young Duke of Cheshire in a race, and he was so affect by her he proposed to her. The youngest children are the twins, otherwise cognise as the stars and stripes because they are always being switched for their mischievousness. The Otises have a lovely drive to their new property, seeing squirrels, rabbits and birds along the way. However, as they approach Canterville Chase, the cast aside becomes dark, and everything is very still.The housekeeper, Mrs. Umney, greets them and tells them about the bloodstain on the library floor when asked by Mrs. Otis. She tells them that the stain mysteriously cannot be removed, and is the blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville who was murdered there by here husband, Sir Simon, in 1575. Sir Simon lived for another nine years, but then mysteriously disappeared. His body was never found, but hi s ghost haunts the house. Washington says her story is nonsense, and proceeds to remove the stain with stain remover. There is a clap of thunder and Mrs. Umney faints. When she awakes, Mrs. Umney warns the Otis to be wary because she has seen the truth of the ghosts existence, and has spent many sleepless nights in the house. All of the Otises, however, state that they are not afraid of ghosts. (From Bookrags.com).