George and Lennie Essay

The title of the book comes from a poem by the eighteenth century Scottish poet Robert Burns. Of Mice and Men is a novel written by John Steinbeck. It is set in California in 1930s during the quantify of the depression. During this time of depression, great deal lived in poverty, finding it difficult to gain trading and often had to search ranch to ranch for employment. At this time people were inspired and motivated by the American intake a dream of a land in which life should be better and richer. This, even was nothing but a lost dream.They went on to search for a job, which would fullfill, their dreams. In Of Mice and Men we know that on that point are characters that have a dream. A dream that they are really working hard for and there are characters whose dreams are already taken away from them. I call in John Steinbeck wrote this so he can provide the reader with a historical and social viewpoint and background of life in the 1930s. An noncitizen is someone who does not fit in to the mainstream of Society. In this essay I will write about Candy, the oldest person on thefarm. Crooks, the crippled black and Cuerlys wife, the only women in the book, who did not even get a name. I have chosen them because they dont fit in with the opposite characters. In the 1930s Curleys married woman represents people who were ignored and suffered from loneliness. send-off of all John Steinbeck does not reveal the name of Curleys married woman as he thinks she is not important which makes me think that she has no other part to play other than being Curleys Wife. Curlys Wife is stuck on a farm when she thinks she should be in Hollywood.

Adventure Stories in Children?S Literature

embark is an strategic part of childrens psyche. Children often dream of strange fortunes, great feats, excite thus farts, great trips, and everything they can be drawn to from the monotony of everyday tone. Heroes of happening stories be mostly sailors, pirates, cow male childs and Indians, convicts, researchers, bumprs and solitaires of all types. The concept of adventure apologue is instead naive brave, strong and resourceful hero must(prenominal) make a difficult task, and overcome a lot of danger, but in the end, he wins.The most important features of adventure stories are a romantic setting, an unaccustomed situation, and the special vitality of characters. The beginnings of adventure genre are found in Homer? s Odyssey, Cervantes? s Don Quijote, biblical motifs and medieval novels. Europeans and northeasterly Americans were having galore(postnominal) true-life adventures in the nineteenth vitamin C explorers were assistking the North Pole, Florence nighting ale was pioneering for female independence as a director of nursing in the Crimean War, and a railroad was being constructed across the United States.If a mortal could not go to a remote region and overcome the perils lurking there, the scoop next adventure was the vicarious one offered through with(predicate) checks. (Norton, Donna 59). The most customary keep openrs of childrens adventure novels are Daniel Defoe, Jonathan Swift, Robert Louis Steven discussion, Mark orthodontic braces, J. F. Cooper, Zane Grey, Karl May, Howard Pyle, Jules Verne etc. I will inform you to the most famous writers of adventure stories in children? s literature. Daniel Defoe Daniel Defoe was born in 1660 in London, to James and Alice Foe.His father worked as a butcher and the youthfulness Daniel regretted the fact that he could not attend a prestigious school, such(prenominal) as Oxford or Cambridge. Defoe tried his trounce to be a gentleman, even changing his denote from Foe to Defoe. As a r esult of his contentious writings, Defoe was arrested, imprisoned for a period of time, tried, and sentenced to pay a fine and to support three times in the pillory. His novel Robinson Crusoe was published in 1719. The romance is round a new man who strongly desires to set out a sailor.In spite of his familys opposition, he runs away(p) to go to sea. His adventures lead him all over the world, but his most important journey is a sacred one. The novel is basically virtually the life and adventures of Crusoe on the island, where he arrived afterwards a shipwreck. A series of disasters happen to him as punishment for his ungovernable nature. For example he was forced to spend twenty-eight years of his life on that decrepit island. On the island, Crusoe is transformed. As he searches for peace, he must come to grips with his relationship to God.When he finally acknowledges his own Christianity, all the insubordination is driven out of him and he begins to live a peaceful f ounding on the island. This book was inspired by the true story of horse parsley Selkirk, a Scottish sailor. Robert Louis Stevenson admired it, saying that the footprint scene in Crusoe was one of the greatest in English literature, and most unforgettable unrivalled day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a mans naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen on the sand. This scene was a prelude to his meeting with Friday, one of the savages, whom Crusoe rescues from his captors. Crusoe civilizes Friday and converts him to Christianity. Friday re chief(prenominal)s confining to Crusoe until the end. It is not known how Defoe, living in London, came to know enough to write a story about ships, sailing, pirates, and savages. No matter the sources for Robinson Crusoe, it is definitely an socialize and true(a)istic adventure tale. Although not written for children, this book was extremely familiar with them. It has inspired a new genre, the Robinsonade as works like The Swiss Family Robinson (1812) by Johann David Wyss.Jonathan Swift Jonathan Swift was born in 1667 in Dublin, Ireland. not only he had been involved in some of the most important and heated political events of the time, but he was also a long-familiar political journalist and satirist whose style was, to say the least, distinctive. He wrote a master keypiece named Gulliver? s Travels (1726). It is a tale of a surgeon Lemuel Gulliver as he voyages to the strange lands. As you follow Gulliver through four traumatic voyages, you are exposed to a host of creatures and situations and systems of their devising.The book consists of four part where the stories of Gullivers acknowledges among dwarfs and giants are best known. It was written as a satire, but it was sympathize by children for its humor and adventure. Allegory is one of Swifts most important sarcastic tools which means that characters, situations, and places have a significance t hat goes beyond just what they are in themselves. It shows Jonathans desire to encourage people to read deeper and not give birth things for granted. Since in this book he wrote about certain political figures, he published the book anonymously.He could never have actually named real names in his novel. It didnt take long for people to catch on to the fact that the author was writing about England. And it also didnt take long for the public to discover that the author was Jonathan Swift. Swifts satire is designed to keep you an independent reader, the characters are meant to stimulate you, not to lead you. Swifts aim in this book is for you to come to terms with your ideas on some important questions regarding humanity and to be aware of the factors that influence your beliefs.The novel is written in the form of a travel book. Swift chose this device beca lend oneself travel tends to change our perspective on the world around us. As Gulliver voyages, and we voyage with him, his ( and our) viewpoint changes according to the place(s) in which he finds himself and the things that happen to him there. Robert Louis Stevenson Stevenson was born in 1850 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He suffered from terbium and often travelled abroad in search for a rosy climate. His childish mind was greatly developed by his nurse and her stories of ghosts and fairies.Christened as Robert Lewis Balfour, at the age of 18 he dropped the name Balfour and changed his middle name from Lewis to Louis. His first major sucess was Treasure Island (1883). The story is set in the mid-18 century and owes a little in style to Robinson Crusoe. This story had an interesting beginning. duration trying to entertain his stepson, Stevenson drew a watercolor map of an island, and so followed his drawing with the now famous story of pirates, buried treasure, and a young boy? s adventures. (Norton, Donna 60). by and by the mysterious death of the old sailor, the main character Jim Hawkins finds a map of the island with hidden treasure. He fatalityinessed to see if it was a true treasure map so he got a crew and they set sail. On their way to the island, Hawkins and his friends will be confronted with the pirates who want the treasure for themselves. Treasure Island is an exciting adventure story, fill up with morals that need to be incubated into a growing child. The author narrates these through the booster rocket, Jim Hawkins, who is an immature, naturally unmated and adventurous young boy.Stevenson? s other famous work is Kidnapped (1886). David Balfour is the protagonist of the book. At the age of sixteen, he is an orphan with youthful dreams that are discontinue by his wicked uncle. He has David kidnapped, hoping to have him sent to America and change as a slave so he can be the sole inheritor of his nephew? s fortune. The main theme of Kidnapped is good conquers evil. It is some(prenominal) an adventure story and a historical novel. David Balfours adventures created en ough thrill, excitement, and suspense to become a childrens classic almost immediately.It is also valued as a novel that relates the history of Scotland in the 18th century. Stevenson never intended to be a writer of adventure stories, but with Treasure Island and Kidnapped he brought that genre to the peak of its achievement in the 19th century and inspired many later writers. His influence can be seen in such versatile works as James Matthew Barrie? s Peter Pan. Mark Twain Mark Twain was born as Samuel Clemens in 1835 in Florida, Missouri. After the beginning of the Civil War he became a reporter, starting to use the pseudonym Mark Twain.He was the greatest American writer of realistic adventure. Twain grew up in the river town of Hannibal, Missouri, where he lived many of the adventures about which he later wrote. His humorous tales of human nature, especially The Adventures of turkey cock sawyer beetle (1876) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), remain standard texts in high school and college literature classes. The Adventures of tom turkey Sawyer is a fun-filled adventure story, where the author looks at life through the eyes of boys approaching their teenage years.Through them, Twain reveals that life is an adventure filled with fun, romance, surprises, humor, sorrow, and fear. Growing up along the Mississippi River, tom and his best friend Huck play hooky, pull pranks, and even run away to become pirates. The boys are not presented in a romantic sort instead, they reflect the realities of life. Twain once said that he began writing Tom Sawyer as the recollections of his boyhood memories, and the characters in the book are based upon real people from the authors childhood.This is much more than a childrens book it is truly a timeless, classic about childhood that is simply set in an earlier, more peaceful and idyllic time. In the resembling year (1876) when The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was published, Twain began its sequel, The Adventure s of Huckleberry Finn, which he called another boys book. Huck Finn, a boy of about 12 years, is the son of the town drunk. Widow Douglas adopts him so that she can civilize him and raise him to be a gentleman. Although she is kind and attentive, he is uncomfortable and feels stifled at her house.He does not like going to school, attending church, or wearing seemly clothes. Huck must make a difficult decision about whether or not to turn in Jim, a runaway slave, who becomes a friend to him. The novel has a more serious tone than The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, for it deals with social issues like racial prejudice and slavery. This book has been repeatedly qualified in American high scools for its frequent use of the word common racoon, which was a common term when the book was written.Twain was a master in using colloquial speech and helped to create distinctive American literature built on American themes and language. The Prince and the Pauper (1882) is a story of two boys born on the same day who are physically identical. The story is set in the 16th century, England, under the reign of the autocratic ruler, hydrogen VIII. During this period, the rich lived in the lap of luxury, while the poor struggled to survive. Edward Tudor, Prince of Wales and son of total heat VIII, lives in the palace, while Tom Canty, a beggar and the son of the drunkard, antic Canty, lives in poverty.Through a chance encounter, the two boys exchange roles and experience life as the other. The Prince and the Pauper is a childrens adventure tale, since it is narrated in a simple style. but it also contains the elements of social criticism. Conclusion Adventure is something that comes out of the swan of everyday life. Adventure stories in children? s literature are filled with strange journeys, shipwrecks, pirates, looking for the hidden treasure, life on a deserted island etc.Frequency of travel corresponds to childrens wishes and their psychology, because children love to trav el. All the above-mentioned writers were a little bit strange they changed their names and were extremely introverted. Society did not understand them. On the basis of their uniqueness, they wrote their most famous pieces. References 1. Norton, Donna. Through the eye of a Child An Introduction to Children? s Literature. 2. Carpenter, Humphrey and Prichard, Mari. The Oxford Companion to Children? s Literature.

True Purpose of Art in Podg

The True Purpose of Art Oscar Wilde was a very sagacious intellectual who through the teachings of Walter Pater and John Ruskin became a strong swaner of the aesthetics movement. This movement was one which wanted to shy society a appearance from the position that fraud had a get. They wanted simply to arrest maneuver for prowessistrys sake. In essence what this means is that arts however true theatrical role is steady and on that point are no be symbols, meanings, or derivations of art it is simply art.Oscar Wilde attempts to promote his beliefs about aestheticism in the volume Picture of Dorian Gray through his use the character common basil Hallward, the go out of Dorian Gray, and the family between schoolmaster total heat and Dorian Gray. Oscar Wilde uses common basil Hallward , specifically his perception of a perfect artist to support his argument that the plan of art is to be beautiful. From the beginning of the book we sens see that Basil has a strong tie to his artwork.In the first chapter when he goes to visit shaper total heat and ordering of battles him the portrait of Dorian he tells Lord Henry that he will non exhibit his work because there is too much of the artist in the painting. This scenario leads Dorian to explain to Lord Henry what the an artists role truly is An artist should ready beautiful things, but should put nonhing of his cause life into them. We animated in an age when men treat art as if it were meant to be a form of autobiography. We have lost the abstract sense of beauty. someday I will appearance the world what it is and for that reason the world shall neer see my portrait of Dorian Gray. (30) What basil is saying in this quotation mark is that society has lost the true essence of art and that the true invention of an artist is to create something of beauty. That is why he will not show his portrait of Dorian to the world because he feels as if the portrait is not just beautiful it has a dee per meaning which relays not only beauty but some deeper emotion. Also the simple sentence structure in this quote also helps relay the fact that an artists cable is to do the most basic job create something beautiful without it be complex. Wilde also explicitly uses the preface to help support promote the vagary that arts true goal is beauty.He does so by victimisation a very bold quote All art is quite an useless. What Oscar Wilde meant by this quote was that art is useless because it attempts to portray an emotion. It does not instruct or command but instead it just sits there waiting to illicit a temporary response from the viewer. In doing so art be recognises a sort of temporary tattoo. In that it is short lived and steady though it may be beautiful it will chargetually be lost in the haze. Now by using the fork out of Dorian Gray, Wilde attempts to show us what happens when art is given a train.In Chapter 7 Dorian first comes to realize that the portrait is aging wh ile he does not and his response is He had uttered a mad wish that he himself might remain young and the portrait grow old that his own beauty might be untarnished, and the face on the canvas break the burden of his passions and his sins that the painted image might be seared with the lines of scurvy and thought process, and that he might keep all the delicate bloom and candour of his then just conscious boyhood. Surely his wish had not been carry through? Such things were impossible. It seemed monstrous even to think of them.And yet there was the picture before him, with the touch of cruelty in the mouth(144). This quote proves that in fact the painting did have a purpose. That purpose being to show the dark change in Dorian as he ages. and why would Wilde go against his own beliefs? He did so to prove a point and that point being that only wrong can come from giving art purpose. The portrait ends up causing the death of Dorian and Basil , the original artist. As Dorian commit s more and more sins the picture becomes more and more grotesque until finally it is so hideous that even Dorian cannot stand the sight of the picture.In the beginning of the book however Dorian adored the portrait. This goes to show that when art is given a purpose the art becomes fearful. This is Oscar Wildes view means that it is no longer art because the master(a) function of art is to be beautiful. So if an art is considered ugly than It is no longer art. So therefore whenever art is given a purpose that piece of art is then no longer considered art. Another way Wilde attempts to establish his views on the role of art and the artist is through the relationship between Lord Henry and Dorian Gray.In their relationship Lord Henry is the sculptor and Dorian is his piece of art. After his discussion with his uncle Lord Henry makes it his goal to influence Dorian in his own manner. But as well as with Basil and his portrait this piece of art also has a purpose and the purpose was to change the identity of the art work in order to satisfy Lord Henrys pleasure of tainting another into his thought process. As you can well imagine this led the art to pull ugly. Ugly in the sense that Dorian became corrupted and evil.He committed the worst of sins and in the beginning what started off as the purest form of art became the most vile piece of art. So again when the purpose shifted from being beautiful to having a different purpose the art , or Dorian, becomes ugly and it is no longer in fact art. This is just another congresswoman which supports the fact that art can only be art if its purpose it to be beautiful. A recurring theme in this novel was the purpose of art and Oscar Wilde gives his opinion on this matter through the character Basil Hallward, the picture of Dorian Gray, and the relationship between Lord Henry and Dorian.Oscar Wilde understands the regard as of art and he believes that art is in fact only art when it has no other purpose but to be beaut iful. He believes that when a piece of art is given purpose it corrupts the art and it can maneuver the artwork into some disfigured picture of reality. Oscar Wilde believes that today peck have attempted to expand the boundaries of art and he believes that in doing so people lost the beauty in art. He says that art is only meant to urge on and if any other emotions or thoughts arise then that art is in the end useless.

Bashing on TV by Michael Abernethy and Wonder Woman by Gloria Steinem Essay

At first glance, the articles Male -Bashing on TV by Michael Abernethy and inquire charr by Gloria Steinem would non seem mistakable at all. However, if you take a much closer look at these two articles you will see that they be similar in many another(prenominal) ways as well as different in some(prenominal) others. Comparing and secernate is import because it illustrates ideas about the article that we may not have noticed before. In the article Male-Bashing on TV, it discusses the use of media and the actuate that it has on our society. This articles purpose is to bust the way the media portrays manpower.The media describes custody as sluggish, dumb, and no good. These views have an extreme way of impacting society today. Abernethys article reveals various tv set shows that have male characters in them suggesting that men are useless without women. According to Gender Issues in Advertising Language, idiot box portrayals that support create or reinforce negative ster eotypes can feed to problems with self- image, self- concept, and personal aspirations. In the article Wonder Woman we see how the merry super- hero Wonder Woman was a revelation for women around the world, and a new way to represent women.Although, the question seems to remain whether or not her character was symbolizing was something that negatively upholded our society or helped women to bring up themselves. This article excessively stresses the importance media and entertainment has on people and how these images help mold and shape the characters of people today. Wonder Woman was seen as an nonsuch autarkic and strong woman who never needed a man. Steinem exposes Wonder Woman as a character that was used to sway women into pass judgment womens liberation.Steinem notes that, women get a rare message of independence, of depending on themselves, not even on Wonder Woman. You saved yourselves, as she says in peerless of her inevitable morals at storys end. I whole showed you that you could. These two articles have many similarities. For example, they both bring to attention the affect that media has on our society. People all around the world are feeling to these shows/ characters and idolizing them. They are using exactly what the media feeds them to build their own beliefs and morals.Also, both of these articles expose important issues in the world many people seem to switch off or not notice. Male-Bashing on TV and Wonder Woman are both articles that expose the truth and the media for how it has an importance on how we, as humans, behave, believe, and act with others. As well as the similarities, these two articles differ in many ways. Male- Bashing on TV discusses how men are portrayed on television and Wonder Woman talks about how women are identified as strong and independent. They almost are complete opposites . The article Male-Bashing on TV notes that men are described as nothing without women.They are looked at by society as pathetic and silly. In Wonder Woman it talks about how women do not need men, and how women are independent without them. It is almost amusing how these two articles use each others extreme stereotypes to make their points. In closing, I would say that comparing and contrasting really reveals how the author might have looked at the issue and also shows us, as readers, the differences and similarities between two articles. Despite the differences among these two articles, they are more than similar than people may confer.

China and Japan’s Responses to Western Influence Essay

During the 19th and twentieth centuries, much of the western world had at the real least, begun to modernize. Countries on this expression of the globe were becoming booming metropolises. Trade with many other nations brought scores of new things to these western countries and also resulted in the Europeans observing a corking deal of places that were not yet modernized. These observations later lead to the western nations scatty to make changes. They began trying to do this by setting up spheres of influence, displace missionaries, proposing treaties and other agreements, and in some cases, completely taking over. Some countries fought back, and resisted modernization, and others submitted to the essential changes that were coming their way.China and japan are great examples of this, two(prenominal) countries were potently opposed to Western influence but in the end, the dickens countries reacted to the changes very differently. Prior to western contact, China and japan held the belief that they were superior civilizations. some(prenominal) countries felt that any contact with westerners would corrupt their perfect societies. Also, because they felt they already were perfect, they didnt think modernization was necessary. The people of both countries were comfortable with their traditional, more(prenominal) old fashioned ways of life and saw no moderateness to change.The westerners however, would not take no for an answer, they were determined to make China vindicated ports to them so they could trade and work to modernize the country. The westerners were very interested in obtaining silk and tea from China but the problem was, the westerners didnt have anything the Chinese wanted in exchange besides gold and silver. This resulted in an uncomplimentary balance of trade. To fix this, the westerners really needed something the Chinese wanted so they began growing opium in India and outlawedly smuggling it into China. The habit of opium smoking c aught on quickly and as a result, the western people were making a great deal of money.Overtime, more than 12 million people highly-developed addictions to the drug. Seeing how this substance was harming Chinas people, the government made opium illegal and wanted it out of their country for good. Thewesterners opposed this decision and not dour after, took China to war and conquered them. Following the war, the Treaty of Nanjiing was signed and the Chinese were hale to open up more ports and allow westerners into their country. This eventually lead to the modernization of China.Next on the western nations list was japan. It all started with commodore Matthew Perry, he sailed to Japan and requested that the Japanese aid people of the US and Europe if they came to the shores of the country. scarce a year after Perry first made his request to the Japanese, the considerable White Fleet made a voyage back to Japan to reiterate the request. The Japanese, unlike the Chinese did not fig ht back, but agree and the Treaty of Kanagawa was signed which opened ports for trade and ensured fair treatment and extraterritoriality for sailors. at once that Japan had opened up its shores to the westerners, the next thing they wanted to do was get Japan to modernize. Again, unlike China, Japan did not put up a fight, but decided to accept the inevitable changes that were soon to come. So, the Japanese began studying and adopting the western way of life and ended up modernizing in a period of three short years.In conclusion, although in the beginning, both China and Japan were firm believers in isolationism and did not want anything to do with western countries, once faced with the issue of western contact and modernization, the two countries responded very differently. China fought back and had to overcome many hardships and fight in terrible wars that cost many people their lives which left a perpetual and devastating impact on the country. Japan on the other hand, true the change and avoided a great deal of violence and struggle. Although China and Japan had very different responses, it is clear that western contact and modernization changed both countries forever.

Ethnography on People Who Do Hot Yoga

Yogis For many muckle with hectic, dialectful lives, heartsease means govern push through in front of the TV at the kibosh of the daylight or acquire some extra sleep at the end of the weekend, b arely for a certain group of deal relaxing does non include this. These people argon c totallyed yogis those who achieve relaxation through the contrivance of meditation, apace, stretching, and go offing inner peace. In todays fast paced confederation it is hard to find a way to full relax be excite people are constantly being forced to push their chiefs and bodies to the limit, which give notice entrust in game levels of stress.Rather than fighting against lifes hardships, people who employ yoga take to be deep relaxation in collection to be relax of stress and live each day in peace and harmony without being thrown out of balance by the ups and fine-tunes life may give. As a college student living in todays fast-paced shadowspot lifes obstacles frequently challenge me, which ordinarily leads to striking amounts of stress. Watching TV, sleeping, and working out are all slipway to help me cope, but these activities never seem to to the full get the c commensurate strikee. I never theory that this horrible sequence of stress would find and ending, until I devourd my first thermal yoga single out.I decided to do my descriptive anthropology on the subculture of yogis to find out how these people step out of societys craziness and enter into a world of relaxation by plug intoing their bodies and minds. Lucky for me, mavin of my close friends, Jamie Mack, is some unitary who takes immense pride in yoga. I was able to talk to her close to how yoga helps her free her stress and too get a first hand experience of a yoga posing myself. It was manage any other Sunday here in Lawrence I woke up around 1230 PM exhausted from the night forwards, and automatically thought of all the homework I had to complete.One of the assignment s I required to get done by the end of the day was going to prise my subculture for my ethnography essay. In the interview I conducted with my friend Jamie, she explained to me, Yoga I s the best remedy for stress. A part of the practice in yoga is change your mind, and it is a great stress relief. (Jamie Mack, interview) Like other yogis, Jamie practices yoga in coiffure to be free from stress, and that was exactly what I needed. What could be a best(p) day to relieve my stress than a Sunday? So, I picked up my phone to call Jamie and find out the name and directions to the roam where she practices her yoga.She told me that the yoga place was named Bikram Yoga, which is a nonher name for hot yoga. She also told me that I should arrive to the class almost fifteen proceeding before the academic session started in order to stretch and relax my mind. Yogis know that it is line to relax their minds before a session begins because it helps them later when they are testing to achieve their inner peace. At 230 PM, my friend Caroline and I left our ante populate to go see what this whole yoga thing was about. We arrived at Bikram Yoga fifteen minutes before three dependable deal Jamie told us, and saw that it was a baseborn little place pushed into the corner of the shopping strip.Caroline and I ran out of the car, and into the studio. We got in there and were automatically wel stimulated with big smiles and greetings from the both women standing coffin nail a desk in the little room. One of the women asked us if we had ever been there before or if we had ever done a hot yoga class, but it was quite an obvious that it was our first prison term since we both showed up with no mats or towels and e actuallyone else who walked in seemed to prevail both of these items with them. When we explained to her that it was our first time, she introduced herself as Kimbo and handed us two forms to read and fill out.One of the forms was ask who recommended us to Bikram Yoga, and the other was intercommunicate us to initial statements that proved we would be treasureful throughout the session by not talking and not bringing in our cadre phones, which are both actions that would interrupt the peace. The solid ground that we werent allowed to talk and bring our cell phones in is because yogis believe that one must forget about what is going on in the world foreign of the room they are practicing and relaxing in. Also, the use of cell phones is a big contributor to high levels of stress in people. In an article, sift of Cell Phone aim Disturbs Sleep, Mood, Dr.Z writes about the effects of cell phone usage and how it increases peoples stress. He explains, A major prospective study over a period of one year of young adults who used their cell phones frequently reveals significant disturbances to sleep patterns, increased stress symptoms, and an increased incidence of clinical depression. (Dr. Z) A cell phone is something that pushes people to use their minds and can cause a volume of puzzles. People who do yoga dont penury this fast-paced society to get to their heads, so they choose to exclude anything that impart stop them from achieving peace and relaxation.We sat smoothen on a vibrant little bench to fill out our forms, and we both agreed to be respectful during the session. While Caroline was still filling out her forms I took a look around the entrance room. There were a lot of peace signs, Buddhas, and liquifyers, which make the scenery calm and peaceful. These types of decorations are all a part of achieving inner peace. Peace signs stand for peace, Buddhas are liven to achieve peace, and flowers are always peaceful and welcoming.Yogis value peace because they are people who are always striving for harmony and balance to annoy inner peace. When we were finished paying her for the session, we were given a mat and a towel so that we could properly participate. People who do hot yoga value their mats and their towels because these are two things that serve as artifacts that the value as a subculture. Without the mats their feet would slip al over the place since the heat makes their feet sweat and it would make it a lot harder for one to reach a level of relaxation that will help relieve stress.The towel is necessary to break by their sides at all quantify in case they need to hitch their faces off when their sweat gets out of control. As we walked down the narrow hallway to the room Kimbo had directed us to go to we heard he shout, dont forget to leave your shoes, coats, and any other belongings outside of the room. Oh and go in with as little clothing as you feel allayerable in. I looked at Caroline and we both didnt render what she meant by that. As little clothing as possible? alone why?We knew it was going be hot in the room since it was called hot yoga, but I guess we just didnt catch exactly how hot this room was about to get. We opened the door to the room, and right apart I thought I was going to pass out from the relish of dirty gym socks and sweat that circulated around it. The room was bright orange. not the kind of orange that would make me sick looking at it for the ninety minutes I was going to be in there for, but the kind of orange that made me feel like I should be lying out in a tropical island.A very relaxing room besides the smell, but no one else seemed to bursting charge about it so I just chose to ignore it. The people didnt care about the smell because they were there for one reason and one reason only to relax their minds and become free from any stress they were having. It didnt matter to them that this building was small and ugly, or that the room was hot and revolting because when they go there they are doing something that most people dont, and that is not permit societys fast-pace get to their heads. There were so many people in his small room. There were both men and women, tall, short, skinny, fat, 18 or sixty with just one thing in roughhewn besides the fact that they all love yoga they were all article of clothing very minimal clothing. Caroline and I were the two with the most clothing on and all we were wearing was spandex shorts and tank tops. This was a place where no one was judged on what their consistency looked like and every single individual was respected for why they were there, not what they looked like. Everyone was talking to each other as if they had known each other for a while.Caroline and I placed our mats down close to the door we had walked through and the looks we received were nothing but nice. This made us feel welcome in a place where we knew no one. I loved it there al induce, and couldnt wait for the teacher to come in, and for the session to start. After about ten minutes of waiting for the instructor she had finally arrived. It turned out that Kimbo, the nice lady from the front desk, was the instructor for that days hot yoga session. She opened up the door to the room and shouted, hello my lovely people I was amazed by the spirit this woman had running through her because it gave off a positive vibe. It is cardinal to stay positive throughout a yoga session because people who do yoga feel that the positive energy is another way to relieve stress and bring harmony. Everyone in the room turned towards the front and smiled arse to her as she walked up there to lead the class. Caroline and I just followed everyone elses lead by also turning to the front. Kimbo started off by asking Caroline and I to move to different spots of the room so that we would be surrounded by people knew what they were doing.We moved our things and ended up on opposite sides of the room. My new neighbors all introduced themselves and smiled to me. Their positive attitudes towards me made it ingest that they wanted me to succeed in my first session. These people are all very caring and would be happy for anyone who gives yoga a chance. They are a rath er inclusive group of people as the want everyone to experience the goodness of letting not letting stress get to the head. Kimbo elevated her arms high up in the first position, and everyone knew to stand up the session had started.We began by reaching up for the sky, exhaling and inhaling deep breathes. These are the breathing routines that start off each session to get the body relaxed and ready to start. It is crucial in yoga that one keeps breathing and knows how to control their breathe because it is key to connecting the body to the mind, which results in high relaxation. I was now ready to go, and so was everyone else in the room. There were many positions that we covered, and for each one there were two sets which helped because I was able to watch the experienced yogis do the first one and then join in on the second set.From the book scripted by the creator of Bikram Yoga, Bikram Choudhury write, Through the practice of yoga, you integrate your body and mind in a perfect union. (Bikram, 32) He created these specific positions so that people who practice yoga will use their bodies as a way to connect to their inner self. These positions we were doing required a lot of flexibility. In my interview with Jamie, I asked if this yoga class required flexibility, and she responded by telling me, You dont have to be anything to do yoga, you just have to be willing to try it. I didnt quite agree with her statement because I thought that the positions would be very hard to do if one isnt pliant enough. What I came to find out was that even though these positions required flexibility, it was something that one would have to work on. In yoga you arent pushed to the limit like you are in our fast-paced society, rather you are told to preform everything to your own comfort zone, and that helps people who do yoga free their stress.As we would reach our arms up high, Kimbo would peacefully repeat, You are a flower blossoming in the midst of a beautiful summer, whi ch unplowed everyone happy and in the mind state of peace. As I mentioned before, positivity is key in yoga. These words that Kimbo kept retell kept the positive energy flowing throughout the room. This kind of row is what gives yogis the strength to balance out their down sides in life. The heat in the room was getting higher and higher, and I wasnt sure if my body could handle it.I plopped down on my mat to take a quick breather, ripped off my tank top, and joined the rest of the women in the class who were wearing only a sports bra and spandex shorts. The scorching heat made it resolve to me why people werent wearing a lot of fit out in the beginning of the session, and it seemed to me as if sweating was the main goal of this class. I looked around the room and noticed that everyone else was also dripping sweat. There were times where I would look around the room and see people aggrandizement their arms for a position, and sweat would drip down from them just like a shower h ead drips water after you turn it off.Every time I would sit down on my mat to take a break and wipe off my sweat, Kimbo would look at me, smile, and say, Youre doing great She was one of the greatest motivators I had ever met because she did it in such a peaceful manner. Though my face was beat red, my eye were basically furious from the heat, and I thought I was going to faint, her positive attitude is what kept me going and even though I wanted to bee-line straight out that of that door, she gave me the strength to stay and finish the session.It was finally 445 and though it had mat up like I had been in that room for hours, it had only been for ninety minutes. Kimbo turned off the lights and told us to lay straight on our backs with our eyes closed. Two minutes later she left the room and said, Namaste, and everyone replied back in unison, Namaste. Unaware of what this word meant, I just decided to go on with it, but didnt say anything. In an article titled The gist of Nam aste Aadil Palkhivala writes about and explains the deeper meaning of the gesture Namaste.He let his readers know that, Usually, it is done at the end of class because the mind is less active and the energy in the room is more peaceful. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flowthe truth that we are all one when we live from the heart. (Palkhivala) Basically, this gesture ends the session and creates the final connection of peace to the mind while the mind is fully relaxed.While everyone was still lying there, I immediately sprinted out of the room to nail a breathe of any kind of line besides the air in that room. Never in my life has room temperature air matt-up so good, and I was able to breathe normally again. As I waited for Caroline to come out of the room many people who had just left the session approached me , telling me that I did a great agate line for my first time and that I should definitely consider coming back because yoga is one of the best things that has ever happened to them.These people enjoy yoga because they are able to step away from their hectic lives, and go into a place where they can fully relax their minds and not think about anything that would be getting was one of the most challenging, yet relaxing and peaceful activities I have ever experienced. In my interview with Jamie I asked her what one could expect in a typical yoga class. She told me, Expect to sweat, but mostly expect to precariousness yourself during the session and to feel absolutely incredible once your done. (Jamie Mack, interview) It turned out that she was exactly correct. In a short period of time I was able to achieve inner peace and full relaxation by doing yoga and trying to connect my mind and body. All of the stress that I had when I woke up earlier that morning had quickly vanished as I fe lt like I was on top of the world. Homework usually brings me down and puts me under a great amount of stress, but the yoga class took that negativism away. At that point I was living stress free, just like a yogi.People who practice yoga live life to the fullest while not letting their negative stress get to their heads. Most people in this fast-paced modern world we live in would appreciate time to fully relax their minds and bodies that are constantly being pushed to exceed their limits, the only problem is they dont know what the real meaning of relaxation is. Yogis understand the concept of relaxation and value it as they strive everyday to be free of stress to live life in harmony. Works Cited Choudhury, Bikram.Bikram Yoga The Guru behind Hot Yoga Shows the Way to Radiant Health and Personal Fulfillment. New York Collins, 2007. Print. Stress of Cell Phone Use Disturbs Sleep, Mood. Stresshacker. Web. 09 may 2012. . The Meaning of Namaste The Meaning of Namaste. Web. 09 May 2 012. . Why Practice Yoga? Why Practice Yoga? Web. 09 May 2012. .

Main functions of GO4IT Sports Essay

* The caller-up has a w arho physical exercise which supplies goods to spys as well as to sports squads by beat back by grade* The smart set sells a wide play of sports goods in it spys this includes garb, footwear and equipment for sports.* The discovers also sell exercise equipment however these galactic items argon not kept in expect but argon entrap uped from the supplier as need.* The company supplies match strips, to monastic order, in team colours for contrasting sports* The company supplies other team merchandise with team logotypetype these are supplied by a charge order service.* denounce sports trophies which commode be engraved if required.* The company also supplies sports clothing in bulk to schoolsDifferent lineaments of customers for GO4IT SportsThe companys customers include* Schools* Sports teams for all sports much(prenominal) as football, rugby, tennis, athletics and golf* General customers* The shops which are supplied by the companys wa reho substance abuseDescribe the functions of each section within the shops and bearing stead, paying particular attention to governing in shops and Human Resources in Head OfficeFunctions of each section within the shopsAdministration* each shop has a Branch Manager who has overall responsibility for the trial of the shop.* The answerant conductor and head of administration section shroud outright the branch double-decker.* The ply keeps account of the money taken through the epic terminals by comparing money set outd with EPOS records.* The administration staff state and send correspondence from the shop as well as receiving correspondence.* Organise for a trophy to be engraved by linkuping the topical anesthetic engraver.* Emailing weekly orders for goods to the warehouse* Producing confirmation purchase orders for goods and services* Checking invoices against goods received and play done and passing these to Head Office for allowanceClothing gross revenue* The clothing gross revenue section has a clothing sales film director who the clothing sales staff and footwear sales staff key to.* Clothing sales staff assist customers in choosing appropriate clothing and provide advice for those who wish to purchase clothing* The footwear sales staffs assist customers and provide advice for those who wish to purchase footwear.Equipment sales* The Equipment sales section has an Equipment sales passenger car. The general sales staff and specializer sales staff report to the Equipment sales animal trainer.* The General sales staff operate the EPOS terminals, they glance the demotecodes of ein truth items during purchase and handing of pass alongs.* The Specialist sales staffs provide assistance and specialist advice and in gradationation for customers purchasing more advanced equipment.Functions within the Head Office* The Managing Director of GO4IT sports is responsible for all aspects of the day to day running of the patronage. The twa in managing music directors which are sales marketing director and the finance and administration director report to the managing directorSales and Marketing* The sales and marketing director is responsible for the mail order operation as well as publicize and promoting the business* A buying manager is responsible for bulge outment the goods to be sold and negotiating contracts for their tote up.* The buying manager ensures the right volume and type of goods are supplied at the right time to maximise profit.finance and Administration* The finance and Administration director is responsible for all other functions within the Head Office. This includes administration, Human Resources(HR) and finance* The Administration assistant, HR executive, chief controller and ICT support executive report to the Finance and Administration directorFinance* Keep records of all financial performances on the head division server, including the income from sales for each shop and mail order, p ayments for goods purchased, payments for engraving contractors and staff wages.* Records are employ to produce monthly and annual accounts for shareholders and Inland Revenue.* Generate bathtub (value added tax) returns once a quarter for customs and excise.* Arrange for the amount payable(p) to be paid.Human Resource (HR)The functions of the HR Department are* round recruitment and training* Place airments for staff* Send out and receive application forms* Organise interviews and provide contracts for successful applicants* Keeping standard strength records on a database along with records of training courses attended by ingredients of staff and any qualifications they obtain.* Determine what further training each staff element requires and how outdo to provide it* Book the member of staff on an immaterial training course/ if many members require training organise for a trainer to deliver the course in house. childbed1Identify varied types of supplier to the shops and warehouse and describe relationships between these suppliers and the departments/individuals within the company storage warehouseSupplierWhat is suppliedWho orders itHow and when it is orderedWholesalerClothing and footwearwarehouse managerOrder is made by fax once a month but can place special order by resound if stocks of a particular item falls faster past evaluateSpecialist manufacturersSports equipmentBuying ManagerThe buying manager negotiates contracts at the stolon of each season either by predict or visit, for the supply of a certain sum of money. snoopsSupplierWhat is suppliedWho orders itHow and when it is orderedLocal Engraver(external Contractor)Engraved lootAdministration AssistantAdministration Assistant telephones local engraver. The engraver collects the trophy from the shop with a confirmation purchase order detailing work the required.WarehouseClothing and footwearAdministration staffBranch manager hold an annotated stock list to Administration staff who e -mails warehouseTask 2An analysis of the processes for recording sales in a shop and for mail order sales in Head Office.Shop entropy take* Product bar code or numerical code if bar code unreadable* Quantity bought* If sale is to be paid by credit authority horse* If paying by cash the Amount to be tenderedFrom where this is obtained and how it is captured* harvest-tide code by barcode gazener* numerical code distinguish in victimisation a keypad* quantity describe in by till hustler* credit card yes/no keyed inThe bear on and calculations required* look up item in ready reckoner* debunk item name and hurt on inter* engender price by quantity* if on sale, reduce list price by 50%* showing make out on masking* if credit card = yes, generate credit card receipt for spotThe form and content of any out impersonate* on- veil / display message* musical composition till receipt* paper credit card receipt* Contains prices. items, sales items highlighted with words ON SAL E, store address, time of sale, till operator nameMail Order in Head OfficeInformation Required* Team details e.g. team name, name and address of contact person, the sport, the colour(s) and design of shirt/vest, position of logo e.g. VTL(vest top left), picture of team logo and team number* Product colour* Product quantity required* Product code* comment code/ X is entered If a non standard colour* Size and number of colours in logo* Amount of deposit paidFrom where this is obtained and how it is captured* Team details from completed order form from a mail order folder entered onto data penetrate on ready reckoner using input devices much(prenominal) as keyboard and cower* Product colour from completed order form from a mail order brochure entered onto data try on computer using input devices such as keyboard and fawn* Product quantity required from completed order form from a mail order brochure entered onto data screen on computer using input devices such as keyboard and sneak* Product code from completed order form from a mail order brochure entered onto data screen on computer using input devices such as keyboard and mouse* Colour code/ X is entered If a non standard colour from completed order form from a mail order brochure entered onto data screen on computer using input devices such as keyboard and mouse* Size and number of colours in logo from completed order form from a mail order brochure entered onto data screen on computer using input devices such as keyboard and mouse* Amount of deposit paid from completed order form from a mail order brochure entered onto data screen on computer using input devices such as keyboard and mouse* Team logo captured using a scanner and stand alone computerThe processing and calculations required* look up item in computer* display item name and price on screen* Calculate price of embroidery by multiplying number of logos by price* multiply price by quantity* Calculate sub total if little than 100, 5 is adde d for postage and packaging* Calculate and add VAT to apply total priceThe form and content of any output* on-screen / display message* Invoice* Contains prices. items, store address, store phone and fax number, reckon of sale, invoice number, team contact person details, sub total, VAT, total, Less deposit, total due.Task 3Outlining the current ICT forms employ by GO4IT Sports, in particular, Finance within Head Office and Administration within a ShopAdministration within a shop* Each shop has a number of Electronic Point of Sales (EPOS) terminals with barcode readers and card readers.* Telephone nexus to banking system* Small Local Area Network (LAN) of three computers* laser Printer* Branch managers computer acts as a server* operate up modemSoftware used includes* password processing* Spreadsheet applicationsFinance within Head Office* Number of workstations* Local are network (LAN)* angiotensin converting enzyme Server* Fast laser printing machine* Slower laser printer * Bar code reader* ISND lineSoftware used includes* Word processing* Spreadsheet applications* Database management software* stock list control softwareTask 3Analysing the purpose and operation of the main ICT systems used for sales in each shop and the ICT systems using within the warehouseShops* Each shop has an EPOS terminal with barcode readers and card readers. Stock data is held on use server connected to the EPOS terminals.* There is also a telephone fellowship to the banking system for authorisation of the card payments.* The barcode reader is used to scan the barcode of each item and the product code it contains is used to look the product description and price from stock database* When items are scanned total price is calculated. This includes the VAT, the system calculates the net value of the items, and all of this is printed on the receipt.* If customer pays by cash, member of staff enters the amount tendered the EPOS terminal calculates the change due. This is print ed on receipt and given to customer* If customer wishes to pay by credit or debit card the member of staff swipes the card through the card reader. The card details are checked by the banking system and if the achievement is approved an authorisation code is transmitted to the EPOS terminal.* The authorisation ordinance and card details and amount debited are printed on receipt which is pass to customer to sign with card and items purchased.Warehouse* Stand alone computer* Scanner* Computer controlled embroidery machine* Workstation* Laser printer* Stock control software has separate screens for incoming and outgoing goods.* All goods prepare a product code which is contained in a barcode. When goods arrive in the warehouse the barcode of each product is read and the quantity entered via the keyboard.* This data is used to update stock database.* For every order picked up the staff use the barcode reader to input the product code and the keyboard to enter the quantity removed(p) from stock. These items are deducted from stock database.Task 3Recommending and explaining improvements/ extensions to shop systemsMethods for improving stock control and the re-ordering of stock, as well as integration of systems within GO4IT sports.* A dedicated server could be used instead of the branch managers computer acting as a server, if the branch managers computer crashes then that would leave the other computers stranded without a printer and no access to the internet.* ISDN connection would improve communication bighearted workers a faster connection to send e-mails internally. Dial up connections are not as reliable and are slower so training being sent give be limited due to connection speed of dial up.* There should be a centralised database put into place. This is where all the companys data is held in one place and the computers in the company are networked. This central database can be used by anyone within the company provided they have been given access thro ugh a password. This will be a very resourceful authority of storing company data, as it will prevent the problem of data duplication.* Sales based ordering where automatic re-ordering takes place of goods from the warehouse using the sales information from the checkouts.* To increase the efficiency of communication between the supplier and GO4IT sports I would recommend the introduction of EDI (electronic data interchange) the system is similar to email and allows users to re-sentencing invoices, delivery notes, orders and receipts over the telephone network.Security* Log in pages requiring a specific unique user name requiring a snobbish password to track who logs on and off to restrict usersPossible problems for suggested improvements* 1 of the problems that may arise is the finance to cover the costs for the installation of the systems in place.* Also addition of new feature will mean that staff are not familiar with it and training for staff will be required.Benefits of usi ng new technologyEDIAdvantages* It is much faster, as work does not have to be printed, it is on the screen* The EDI system is easy to use and work can be sent off very well* Information can be sent to other companies, in little then a few minutes instead of days.* The company can be linked up with their bank, suppliers and customers.* Will minimize the amount of paperwork and business can be transacted much faster and more efficiently then is possible through the normal post.Disadvantages* For EDI, computers are relied on, therefore if the systems go tidy sum it will have a huge of affect on the company.* It is very costly for the installation of EDI* The organization has to research into which system would be best for the companyEcommerceAdvantages* Majority of the work of GO4IT sports can be done bonny through the internet, making it much easier.* This would means a lot slight people will have to be employed this will consequence in huge savings for the company as most tran saction will be electronic.* Currently GO4IT sports uses a lot of time to get into contact with suppliers by using the telephone, which can be tedious due to the telephone being engaged by using e-commerce orders could be automatically electronically sent straight to the suppliers.* Team contacts currently have to post the payment to the company, which is very time consuming and not very serious and with using ecommerce an electronic funds transfer could be made.* Promotion of the company can be improved as it is all online presentation of online advertising can be enhanced.* This will also enable the company to advertise their products online and also allow customers to purchase the products directly from the site using their debit/credit card. They can place the desired items in the virtual shop trolley. The company can be fully based on the internet, making it easier for the company and also for customers.Disadvantages* A close relationship between the retail merchant and supp lier is required in order for the system to work* reversive products online will prove to be difficult. The customer may be put off when these areas are taken into account. As the customer will doubtfulness how to send the goods back to their source? Who pays for the return postage? Will the riposte be paid? Will I be left with postcode? How long will it take? Compared to offline experience of returning goods to a shop and it is frustrating for the customer.* Privacy, security, payment, identity, contract. Many issues arise privacy of information, security of that information and payment details, whether or not payment details (eg credit card details) will be misused, identity theft, contract, and, whether we have one or not, what laws and legal jurisdiction apply.MIS(management information systems)For the Buying Manager I would recommend the following improvements* MIS could produce an analysis of patterns of sales in the company* MIS would be able to put peak production need s* What if type questions could be applied to different patterns of salesThe features of the MIS system that could be used by the branch manager are* Production costs can be based on raw material costs* MIS could be used to carry out analysis automatically* Results could be displayed in graphs which are easy to generalize* Monthly graphs could be produced of price comparison with competitors goods or services resulting from regular market research.* Planning, directing, controlling and forecasting decisions.Both managers would expediency from the following points of the MIS system* Warnings could be set if production costs pass along budget.* Warnings could be set if stocks fall below fixed level.

King Philip’s War Essay

King Philips War lasted from 1675 to 1676. It was the bloodiest conflict betwixt American colonists and Indians in the 17th century new-sprung(prenominal) England. By 1600, compound settlers no longer depended on the Indians for survival therefore they pushed into Indian district in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. To protect their lands, the Wampanoag chief, King Philip, also known as Metacom organized a federation of tribes, which in 1675 destroyed some(prenominal) boundary settlements.King Philips War was the beginning of the development of a greater American identity the conflicts suffered by the colonists gave them a distinct identity than that of the subjects of the slope crown. The first Thanksgiving feast took place in 1621. This celebration marked the partnership of the Native Americans and the colonists. That year, Massasoit signed a treaty with the Pilgrim governor promise to give aid against enemies they maintained 40 years of peace. However later Mass asoit died in 1661, this peace began to deteriorate.The population of the colonial settlers grew rapidly and soon they outnumbered the Indians. Therefore, Europeans and the Indians frequently fought overland. When Metacom became sachem he was amid Plymouth Colonys demands for land. He was humiliated several times, and hugd to admit guilt and surrender. He then soon became angered at the colonists because they forced him not to sell Wampanoag without seeking their council first. Benjamin church service is considered the father ofAmerican ranging.He was the captain of the firstRanger force in America. Church was commissioned by the Governor of thePlymouth ColonyJosiah Winslowto orchestrate the first ranger company forKing Philips War. He vie a unique and crucial role in King Philips War because he developed friendship with Native Americans and worked to understand and try from those who lived near his frontier home. Church designed his force primarily to simulate Indian patter ns of war. Toward this end, he endeavored to learn to fight like Indians from Indians.Philip and his followers went to stark naked York hoping to find recruit and supplies. However Edward Andros, the governor of New York feared that the war powerfulness spread to his colony, therefore, he formed allies with the Mohawks who were enemies of Wampanoag. The Mohawks attacked Philips forces, and he returned to the New England colonies. On Aug. 12, 1676, a Wampanoag informer named Alderman killed King Philip. Philip was beheaded and quartered, and his head was displayed on a pole in Plymouth for more than 20 years.

Employee Involvement Essay

Why is a greater degree of participation in employees personal lives inevitable in many international HRM activities? excuse using relevant illustrations. When an international assignment is not completed, necessitating a backup man of the expatriate, the cost of the hardship to the organization be both account and indirect. The direct cost include salary, training costs, travel and motility expenses. The indirect costs could be loss of market sh atomic number 18, poor relationship with the hosts.This is quite pricey for an organization and therefore careful survival of the fittest would be determined by the expatriate success rate in completing their assignments. Expatriate failure is primarily caused by error in woof. Historically, the alternative of expatriates has been base on interpersonal factors of expatriates. For instance, Clarke and Hammer, (1995), found that interpersonal skills assist in the heathen alteration of the expatriate and his or her family In the do mestic setting the Human alternative incisions occasion with the employees family is limited.Most expatriate selection decisions are made informally because expatriate jobs require much much than the right skills. When an organization sends its employees to some other country, it takes over the responsibilities besides the staple functions of human vision management. They do not deal merely with the selection of the best employees for work in foreign countries but also concur to be aware of the needs of the family that leave ac bon ton the employee to the new cultural purlieu.A lot of people taking on international assignments are unsuccessful since their spouses or families cannot adjust to their new surroundings. Hence it is necessary to work training in the foreign lyric for the employee and his/her family. Also important is to fix everything necessary for the journey including visas. It is also important to prepare the residence in the new surrounding as well as to assure wellness services and enrolment into schools for the children of the employees.It is also important to find out if the spouse is running(a) and whether they leave behind be able to come up a work permit in the new environment Particularly, as to a greater extent and more spouses are working and children whitethorn not wish to leave their friends and other family behind, Aanne Harzing explains there are some companies that include spouses in the selection process, although this whitethorn be seen as a barrier to personal freedoms, to have the company so involved in the personal affairs of a addicted family. It may prove that preparing the family as well as the expartriate employee willing thin out expatriate failure.Expatriate failure is the early recall of an expartriate from an assignment. In selection therefore, firstly is to learn technical ability which is, does the candidate possess the required skills and managerial capabilities required to fill this positio n. For example, Hixon found that the expatriate selection was based on technical ability and willingness to reside abroad. Another factor is scrape cultural suitability, will the candidate be able to function in the new environment, how adaptable is a person, does he have the requisite language ability, a positive attitude and randy stability.There also may be family considerations, such as does the spouse and children see this assignment as positive experience. Another family experience is whether or not the spouse is working the chances are quite high that the spouse will not be able to obtain a work permit in the depute country. Owing to the higher up observations, the human resource department needs to ensure that the selection process is faultless by not concentrating only on the skills competencies but in the understanding that most failures on the expatriate assignments are actually related to the employees inability to adjust in the new environment and family factors.So when selecting, over and above the skills competencies requirement, it will be necessary to get involved in the personal life of the potential expatriate. This involvement will help the human resource department to access instruction including emotional stability, willingness to relocate, stability of the expatriates marriage, whether the spouse is willing to relocate, whether the spouse is working or perusal and whether the children see relocation as good experience. If the children are school going..The above information will be useful in planning the relocation process of the expatriate which will involve organizing appropriate travelling array and getting adequate residence for post departure training and discuss when and if needed. It will also be important to get personal information on the spouse, on whether shes working and if she would be willing to relocate even when at times it is not easy to get a working permit in the new country. Also whether the spouse may want t o code for further studies.In the event of the spouse compliments to work then it will be the responsibility of the human resource department to get them a working permit and or enroll them in college. If the spouse has children, this information is important to the human resource department as they will need to enroll the children to schools albeit carefully since some tuition institutions accreditation may not be recognized in the home country. If this is not carefully addressed it can have devastating effect on repatriation since the children will have to repeat classes and therefore loosing valuable time.This personal involvement goes as far as need to know the size of the employees family. This will assist in getting the right size of residence for the family. over again the human resource department will need to organize for health care and all aspects and all aspects of the organization package provided for the assignment. Expatriates and their families need time to becom e familiar with the new environment and to become comfortable liveliness there. When they arrive, the newness of the experience is exciting.A few months later, when they have had more experience with the culture, expatriates office begin to feel frustrated and confudsed as they try to make nose out of their new living situation. This olfaction is culture shock. At this bill counseling services are necessary and the same should be availed by the human resource department. As expatriates get comfortable and understand more about the culture, usually six months after arrival, the culture shock will wear off, and they will experience a more normal feeling (Adler, 1997).

Pygmalion and Pretty Woman Essay

I feel sightly like Julia Roberts in lovely fair sex except for that whole hooker thing.Its no surprise that Laney, the vocalizer of these words and heroine of 1999s Shes in all That should feel that way. She could carry bonnie as easily said that she felt like Audrey Hepburn in My good Lady because Shes in all That is the la leaven example of a serial of photographic films based on the Pygmalion falsehood, an come to passrence that illustrates Hollywoods long bewitchment with this write up. The original Pygmalion story is found in Ovid. Pygmalion is the story of a empower young sculpter who is a adult female hater. Ironic every(prenominal)y, the sculpture that approximately fascinates him and that he puts all of his genius into is a statue of a wo universe. The statue is exquisite, but Pygmalion wasnt content. He unplowed twea top executive the statue, working on it until it was so well-made that it looked genuine, and no other fair sexreal or sculptedcould com p are. Pygmalion reached a point, however, where he could improve nought else on the statue, and he fell in love with his hu opus race.The poor sculpter tested to pretend that the statue was real he caressed it, tried to dress it up, brought it the gifts he vox populi a real wo piece would enjoy. Ultimately, his pitiful situation of his passion came to genus Venus attention. On the goddess of loves feast day, Pygmalion asked the goddess to let him find a maiden like his statue. Venus knew what Pygmalion really indirect requested, however, and the flames on her altar leaped up three times, signalling that Pygmalion would get his wish. When Pygmalion arrived home, he discovered that his statue was a lie in. He named her Galatea, and the two of them were married. What the Pygmalion fable boils d testify to is a man who creates a woman exactly as he would like her to be. Hollywood remains faithful to the basic counterbalancets of the myth in each fool chance variable it creates. In each film, a man takes a flesh and blood woman and recreates herusually by means of a fleshly makeover but ab starttimes the makeover goes deeper into thoughts and manners each man besides has the man falling in love with his creation instantaneously that she is the way he wants her to look, dress, and act. magic spell Hollywoods films try to stand the male creator realize somewhat during the course of the makeover that the woman is a person in her own right, the actual perception of the mans noble awakening is weak. Each film adaptation ultimately conveys the conception that the woman is not a worthy individual in her own right until she is molded by the man. Hislove, now that she is worthy of it, brings her to life.My Fair Lady, the film musical starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, is actually based on the earlier move Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. The Galatea in this film is Eliza Doolittle (Hepburn), a poor, dirty f reduce vender in turn of the century Engl and. The Pygmalion in this film is Henry Higgins (Harrison), a cocky, sexist linguist and ph angiotensin-converting enzymeticist who believes that diction is what really sets the curriculumes apart. He flirts with Colonel Pickering that through with(predicate) a change in dress and diction, he dissolve turn the frown class Eliza into a lady that will fool high society. The precisely thing in the wager for Eliza is that she might be able to control rally her own acme shop and somewhat escape her lower class roots. He bullies Eliza and treats her as an object. To him, she is only an experiment, and it tot ups as a shock to him that she has feelings and opinions of her own.Higgins succeeds in turning her into a proper lady, but the irony is that as a proper lady, Eliza has almost become a statue, an object. She was a real woman in her natural state. Higgins experiment has robbed her of her identity and her natural feelings and has left her with in addition much class to ever be able to come upon her conceive of of being able to open a flower shop. She is no yearlong functional with her higher(prenominal) class diction and appearance, Eliza is now decorative. While the celluloid ends with a sense of a love match between Higgins and Eliza, it is unconvincing. In Shaws play, Higgins and Eliza neer get together, and the film never quite convinces the consultation that Higgins Pygmalion falls in love with his Galatea. clean cleaning woman is the early 90s take on the Pygmalion myth. The time is modern and the setting has changed to California. The Galatea fictional acknowledgment has been similarly updated. Instead of being a lower class flower girl, the Galatea is Vivian (Roberts), a prostitute with little education. Vivians Pygmalion is Edward (Gere), a wealthy man of affairs who first appears to down little heart or little have for another person. The two meet over a car and impact their acquaintance because Edward needs a date for his social functions while in California. What is arouse closely this film is its reversal of intentions. Vivian and Edward fulfill twain the Galatea and Pygmalion roles. Vivian chthonicgoes a physical renderation through the designerclothes necessary to her role as Edwards date, and her new appearance seems to trans exercise her life as she decides to leave prostitution and endows her with a new sensibility and nobility.Edwards physical alteration of Vivian through clothes and the exposure to a more courteous society seemingly transforms her from a pretty doll into a real person, making her now worthy of him, and allowing a real affinity to ramp up between them. Interestingly, though, Vivian isnt the only one who changes in the film. While Edwards physical appearance and outer reality need no work, his facial expression does. He is the real statue, wooden and without feeling. As Vivians noble genius begins to emerge because of her outer transformation, she begins to work transform ing magic on him. He becomes a real person capable of feeling and capable of being the prince that Vivian desires. As a result, Pretty muliebrity might retell the Pygmalion myth the most faithfully. Just as Pygmalion became able to love a woman because of how his creation affected him, Edward is changed and improved through Vivian, his own creation.Shes All That, 1999s version of the Pygmalion myth and starring Rachel Leigh Cook and Freddie Prinze, Jr., is probably the weakest adaptaton of the myth. Unlike the characters in the previous films, the characters is this film are high school students, and the setting has been move to a high school. Like the other two films, Shes All That tries to make a social commentary by pitting the higher class, wealthier man against the lower class, poorer woman. The movie begins with rich, bountiful Zack (Prinze Jr.) returning from Spring chequer to find that his rich, beautiful, and vain girlfriend Taylor has dumped him for a former cast sect ion of MTVs The Real World. This rejection doesnt sit well with Zack, who is practically king of the school. Attempting to raise Zacks spirits, his best friend Dean makes a wager for Zack to prove his superior charms by turning any girl into a prom queen in six weeks. The guttersnip they select is Laney (Cook), a lower class Bohemian artist and outcast who unconvincingly hides her beauty under heavy glasses, paint-spattered clothes, and low self-esteem. Unlike the other films, the makeover in Shes All That isnt a key element. In this film the makeover takes about v minutes and requires only a skimpy red dress, contact lenses, makeup, draw eyebrows, and a hair cut to turn ugly duckling Laney into the swan.There also appears to be no othertransformation in Laney and Zack other than the louver minute makeover. Unlike the other two films and the original myth itself, their characters do not grow. Zack is already a pretty good roast who never struggles with Laneys eccentricities or h as any emotional problems he must overcome. As for Laney, she may look better, but her character is exactly the same. Hollywood loves the Pygmalion myth as illustrated by the number of films that retell the myth. The problem with Hollywoods film adaptations, though, is that they are often shallow and anachronistic. Is it really necessary on the cusp of the 21st century to still be making films that have the male trying to transform the heroine into something beautifl and better than what she was before he came on?Why does Hollywood always require the Pygmalion to be wealthy and handsome while the Galatea is poor and uglyat least surfacely? If filmmakers are outlet to continue to retell this myth, why dont they breathe some ingenuity and fresh life into it? Perhaps they cannot because to some extent, all of the films shed the point of the myth. The myth isnt hardly about a man who created his ideal woman it is also about how two people transform each other into something better t han they were before. Perhaps the best and most interesting example of the Pygmalion myth is Overboard, starring Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. In this film, Hawn is the rich, vain, and selfish one, while Russell is the decent, serious working, yet flawed Pygmalion. When the two are thrown together, their lives change. Hawn becomes caring and unselfish, playacting as cheerleader to Russells reinvigorated Pygmalion. The two have locomote in love and changed each other for the better.Pretty WomanBy Jim EmersonEdward Lewis (Richard Gere) is a whore. So is Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts). Only she works on Hollywood avenue and he stays at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. You and I are some(prenominal) such similar people, says the Wall Street corporate raider to the streetwalker. We both screw people for funds. Pretty Woman sells itself as a coeval Hollywood queen mole rat tale Pygmalion Meets Cinderella in Beverly Hills about two floozies, a corporation man and an indieprod hook er (she keeps her rates low in the unembellished marketplace by choosing to work without a pimp), who (supposedly) find redemption, or at least financial security, in each others lovin arms. The fairy tale aspect of the picture almost works like a charm, thanks to some adroit and appealing comic performances (including Laura San Giacomo as Vivians hussy roommate and Hector Elizondo as the prim hotel manager) a some snappy one-liners, and Garry Marshalls sitcom-bright direction, which tries but finally fails to bleach out the movies darker, scuzzier implications about what money can and cannot buy in Americas culture of greed.Edward has bought and paid for virtually every relationship in his adult life he treats everyone around him like an employee. While in LA for a week, he hires Vivian (originally in blonde wig, expression like a skinny, slatternly Angie Dickinson) to be his date for a serial publication of occupation functions, including a fancy dinner and a polo match. Out of the bargain, she gets $3000 cash, a makeover, new clothes and a crash course in what split up to use. Unavoidably, they both get more than they bargained for because surprise they fall in love. And that changes everything. Of course, Cyndi Lauper render that Money Changes Everything. And in its original, darkly cynical incarnation, the script for Pretty Woman (which couldve been called Working Girl ) was called 3000, because it was about the money that makes men and women unequal. But even in this heavily processed and polished Disney product, its not progress to what has actually made the (unconvincing) difference in these characters lives the love or the money? Finally, all the movie says is that you can be a harlot in executive offices or on the streets but if you look like you live in Beverly Hills, then people will suck up to you and it wont matter who you are or what you do to acquire your money, just as long as you spend lots of it.Of course, it is beyond the compas s (or intention) Pretty Woman to sharpen this into an humourous or satirical point. The marginal notion is just there on the screen, acknowledged and reinforced, but never questioned. Vivian (the designated moralistic superior) compares what Edward does buying companies, dismantling them, and then selling the pieces for profit to larceny cars and selling the parts. Edward (the designated economic superior) argues that what he does is perfectly legal. It just doesnt occur to him (yet) that its also parasitical and ethically deplorable. This same lesson appears to have been illogical on the makers of Pretty Woman. The movie itself is like a stolen carthats been given a spotty paint job in an get down to conceal the true nature of the vehicle underneath. Scratch this movies polished coat ever so slightly and youll see that Pretty Woman is a conflicted tale about prostitution and dreams how we prostitute ourselves to achieve our dreams, and how those dreams are defiled and compr omised by our prostitution. For commercial reasons, the picture desperately tries to outfox or downplay its own underlying themes.Significantly, the crucial, ambivalent lines from Roy Orbisons denomination song are buried somewhere in the middle of the movies upbeat music mix I dont believe you/Youre not the truth/No one can look as good as you. Orbison, at least, knew that enticing appearances could be deceiving. Pretty Woman (the motion picture) does not. In this movie, the clothes make the man (or woman) and if you cry at the opera, it proves youve got a cultured soul. Pretty Woman brackets its urban fable with appearances by a black street hustler/panhandler/chorus, who strides through the picture hollering stuff like This is Hollywood where people come to fulfill their dreams Some dreams come true and some dont Believe in your dreams The first time this chipper fellow shows up, his comments are juxtaposed with sleazy slices of life on Hollywood Boulevard (crack dealers, pimps , a murdered whore stuffed in a dumpster).His exclamations serve as an ironic (and chilling) comment on what tourists find when they actually travel to the heart of Hollywood The mythologized home of Americas movie dream factory has fallen into decay and corruption. And yet, when the chorus figure reappears at the films euphoric Ending, his spiel is suddenly meant to be taken at face protect which, I guess, demonstrates just how corrupted the dream factory has become. So, what are this guys dreams? To prowl the streets of Hollywood day and night shouting at people? Pretty Woman doesnt wanna know It would have taken the mordant wit and satirical sharpness of a Billy wild or a Preston Sturges to get you to appreciate both the emotional surface lie and the deeper moral truth inherent in a story like this and to fully explore the ironic contrasts between the two. But Pretty Woman isnt black comedy or satire. Its tepid, force-fed pabulum, with a few cold and bitter lumps that have s lipped through the studio strainer which make it very hard for all but the most inattentive viewing audience to swallow. Pretty Woman cant handle the contradictions it raises. Its simply schizoid probably because theaforementioned screenplay has been subjected to major Disnification in the development process, tarted up with an imperative feel-good ending that negates every valid observation that has preceded it.At one point, Vivian speaks for Disney (and audiences) when tells Edward, flat-out I want the fairy tale. Inevitably, she gets it thus violating all narrative and character logic. She knows its not true, and so do we, but well take the Disney version so we dont have to think about it. Apparently, test audiences wanted to buy into the fantasy, too integrity and verisimilitude be damned. And so, a form of moral nausea creeps up on you as you enamour Pretty Woman, growing from the realization that the unequal economic/power instauration of this relationship isnt going to change, Happy Ending or not. Vivian herself recognizes as much. Nevertheless, all your (and, it seems, Vivians) movie-conditioned reflexes make you hope-against-hope that these two will stay together. You want the operator with the Heart of Gold to make Edward see how degenerate his social and business practices are. You want him to play White Knight and rescue Vivian from the streets, carrying her off to his penthouse castle.You want those Pavlovian wedding bells to ring so that you can salivate. Then you take away the real world, and people like Ivan Boesky or Michael Milken, and you want to puke in disgust. Edward becomes the movies hero when he prevents an associate from raping Vivian and decides not to sacrifice a comparably despicable business transaction at work. During the Reagan 80s, moral decisions we used to regard as minimum requirements for anyone with a conscience have somehow become grounds for sainthood in the movies. Maybe Pretty Woman isnt really a tainted roman tic comedy afterward all, but a sort of latent horror film about the ethical/economic decay of America. Sounds like a hit

Exporting Toys from Belgium to the People’s Republic of China

pic ________________ KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN Faculty of trade and economics Inter interior(a) selling Toys Exporting toys from Belgium to the tidy sums commonwealth of chinaw be pic Julie Mertens 1 Master TEW Prof. Pierre FrancoisAcademic year 2008-2009 1. T adequate to(p) of contents2 2. Introduction3 3. consumption civilisation in the hoi pollois Republic of chinaw atomic number 18 4 1. china and its economic evolution 1. Export5 2. Open economy 3. Middle eliminate peoples consumption nicety 2. Culture 1. One pincer policy 2. Filiarchy6 3. Six pocket syndrome 4. P arntal direction 5. Childrens face-to-face expenditures . Mian zi7 7. Mien-tsu & Lien 8. Guanxi 9. Fake products 10. Cheaper earlier better8 11. religious belief 12. Astrology & superstition 13. wording 14. Emotions9 15. Business finish 16. Research studies 17. Hofstede10 4. Proposed Marketing renderings 11 1. Segmentation 2. Targeting 3. fix 4. Price adaptations 12 5. proceeds adaptations 1. Product specialations 2. Assortment transpose13 3. scratch compose 4. Im progress 5. Packaging 6. Service level 6. Distri saveion Strategy14 7. parley15 1. Media and the message 2. ad and promotion 5. General conclusion16 6. References17 7. Apendices18 . Introduction Nowadays, in this time of economic depression, round people count the era of globalization is over. Others desire globalization as a necessity in these times of integ dimensionn into one world purification. In this paper, I leave try to indicate if and to which finish the marting- integrate should be vary when exporting Belgian toys to the Peoples Republic of china. First, a brusk c to each one(prenominal)er-up introduction is foundern. Secondly, any(prenominal) relevant concomitants and numbers about the Peoples Republic of china ar discussed. Then, around cultural variances amidst Belgium and PRC argon conside cherry.Fin every last(predicate)y, the proposed foodstuffing adaptations get out be under consideration. Lilli defineiens a participation introduction Lilliputiens is a Belgian alliance that peculiar(prenominal)ises in the achievement of fabric-based toys. What come outs them a trip is the extremely spicy product smell. Their aim is to ensure that all of their toys combine their three core determine provide quality toys at level-headed hurts, which argon fun to play with, great to tonicity at and incur an studyal value. picpic In order to properly stimulate their olive-sized customers, namely boys and girls in the zero to five age range, they have created blueish toys do of flocculent fabric.Their senses be stimulated thanks to the use up of a diverse range of textures, sounds, shapes and colours. The toys be designed with the knowledge that toys enable boorren to imagine, touch, create and look. Those provide a key role in electric razorrens development. some other special feature of the toys is that they evolve in a way that accom panies the baby throughout his or her passage into early infancy. As the child grows, the unsanded play elements argon revealed, do new activities and games possible. As a consequence, these toys no longer need to be put back in the boxful after just three monthsNot however dolls save akin(predicate)ly a play mat, a food pyramid, a table set and a ruler are amongst the Lilliputiens product credit line. pic pic pic 3. Consumption culture in the Peoples Republic of china china and its economic growth china is the greatest and most challenging new frontier that supranational foodstuffers are facing today. china is the most populated country in the world. With one fifth of the world population and the largest population of children in the world, it is an marvelous effectiveness market. Chinas economic growth has risen 11% during 2007 and keeps developing.There is new cash to omit by the 200 zillion acquisitive people in the warmness class. entirely numbers are no n every social function you have to win peoples hearths to be and stupefy in business. Let that be the materialisation of this paper. pic Figure 1 Chinas estimated per capita income per province in 2003 As sh proclaim in figure 2 and 3, Chinas economic growth passes unequally. Eastern regions have cognize a faster growth that has wedded rise to an enormous hatchway amongst Eastern and horse opera China. Eastern China has become oft(prenominal) occidental with diametric ask as a result.In this paper, besides Chinas Eastern, urban regions pass on be discussed since Chinas ten largest cities, which contain only four per centum of Chinas population, account for approximately 22 percent of its earning power and 19 percent of its expireing power. The urban childrens market contains around 100 gazillion children. Figure 2Figure 3 Export The Chinese market is a nirvana for both intragroup and foreign investors. In 2006, Belgium has exported for almost 3 one thousand mill ion euro to China. This crystallises China Belgiums thirteenth trading partner with 1. 1% of our GDP. frankincense far compared to India, Belgiums eighth business partner, the export ratio is press down.To further break export, great connections will be needed. Open economy cease to Eugene Wang, China is relatively open to foreign investments. China has the largest supply of foreign deal investments. Compared to India, Chinas tariff protection is frequently modest and keeps declining. This has resulted in a rapid increase in the volume of imports. In 2003, Chinas imports rated 30% of its gross domestic product, which is twice the import ratio of the U. S. Foreign firms with facilities within China account for 25% of all fabricate goods. These goods buns be exported or could serve Chinas internal market.Middle class peoples consumption culture The surrender middle class or new copious have make money and acquired standing in only one generation. China has an equivocal relationship towards foreign culture Chinese both worship and quash it. Imported goods represent purchasing power, status and good taste. Chinese snuff it to adore occidental culture and life direction. Although the Western consumption culture conflicts with their traditionalistic consumption culture of thrift and lapseing in correspondence to income, the middle class have become a part of the consumerism culture, especially in the fashion consumption.Albeit their norms and values tend to incline towards the Western culture, imitation is smaller by little transferring into their own consumption culture. I consume so I last is the new attitude. The new rich surpass actual needs and as a result become more than(prenominal) than qualified for merchandising and advertizing. They spend a lot of money on consumer goods, desire toys. A latent market is definitely there Culture Cultures are learned by parenting as tumefy as social interactions and therefore they bathroom change. scorn the impact of current globalization, cultural differences will stay. One-child policyThe biggest cultural difference mingled with the rest of the world and China is the one-child policy. Since 1979, due to Chinas history and more specifically the population interpret, law states a maximum of one child per household. Observational data shows that there are 18% more boys than girls. Compared to the world average, this percentage lays 15% high In China, men stand for responsibility for the family and are raised to become the qualifying of the household. Therefore, people prefer to have a baby boy sort of than a baby girl. However, in the urban regions this is gradually changing.More and more parents cherish the equivalent ambitions for their girl. In item, in the big cities girls are favored because parents will non have to worry about being able to provide plentiful hope chest. pic Figure 4 ad to stir the one child policy carry out family planning mechanis m the basis national policy Filiarchy Whether a child is born as a boy or a girl, it is born with much more responsibility on his shoulders than in the rest of the world. When it comes to education, health or money, parents will do whatever it deliberates to contribute to the success of live of their children.For that reason, the one child desexualises the household. According to Mc Neal and Yeh, Chinese children make for the consumption pattern in such a signifi fecest way, namely by 68%, that outsiders look upon him or her as a spoiled brat or little emperor. In the case of toys, the influence on the parents procures mounts up to 93% for children in the zero to five age range. On an annual basis, Chinese children exert a direct influence on play token purchases of three billion dollar per year. It bunghole be said that China has shifted from a patriarchy to a filiarchy kids have become the centre of the creationSix pocket syndrome Chinese parents spend much more time, money and effort on their only childs development. Chinese children are not only raised by their parents but by the satisfying family. This endorse source of money, the grandparents, lives in the same household due to other standards of sustentation. This results in six adults indulging one child. This effect is better know as the 4-2-1 indulgence or the six pocket syndrome. Parental education In China, society is much more collective than in Belgium. This is reflected in the Chinese family and kinship system.It is not unusual that grandparents live under the same roof. Not surprisingly, family has a tremendous impact on a child education. From birth, Chinese children are learned to respect and obey their elders. Un standardized in Belgium, Chinese adults keep seeking for parental approval. Childrens personal expenditures In the number 1 place, children learn about new products from other children, followed by advertisement and store visits. Research has shown that there is a differe nce in requests between boys and girls. Beyond expectations, girls ask signifi basistly more for toys than boys merely who pays for their expenditures?For children under the age of four, it are the parents and other relatives who taint and pay for the toys. Unexpected but true, correspond to Chan children start to spend their own money on their own wants and needs from the age of four, mostly toys and food Mian zi Chinese children do not spend all of their money. A four year old saves around 75% of his pocket money. Their regular income fire be spent but special incomes given on birthdays or Chinese New Year are expected to be saved. Learn how to manage money is a second but just as important reason why Chinese parents give their children money.China derives from a socialist economy and has a culture that emphasizes on saving money because they believe this contributes to the development of ones prestige, which is called mian zi. Mien-tsu & Lien Mien-tsu stands for a reputation through drive, ostentation and success practically expressed by personal wealth-. The more mien-tsu a person has, the higher his social status is and the more influence a person has on others and important decisions. A persons mien-tsu is dynamic it can change over time by someones success or failure. Lien represents the confidence of society in a persons sincerity and can only be lost by misconduct.Together, they determine the importance of a person in his interpersonal relations among Chinese. In China, this is extremely important when doing business, because contracts are defined by trust and connections. Guanxi If a Chinese wants to be successful in business, he needs more than just brains. Guanxi is a personal network of influence and social relationships that is utilize to obtain a advantage or favor for reasonable purposes. Guanxi can be compared to social capital and so it is not an act of bribery. The line between guanxi and corruption is preferably thin.Chinese have a varied view on corruption and crime. Corruption is very big issue in China, counterbalance within the Chinese political sympathies, which censors certain culture. As a result, statistics should always be used with cautiousness. Fake products In China, counterfeiting is a national sport. 40% of all counterfeit toys have China as its country of origin. Although China has signed international agreements on patents and production rights, there are two reasons why they do not hold on to them. First, it is a result of historical factors. Most Chinese do not consider copying someone elses work as a crime.Secondly, Chinese believe the Western companies are al occupyy rich enough, so counterfeiting does not harm the genuine producers. This way, China stays the epicentre of the fudge industry. pic pic Cheaper in the lead better The interrogative mood ar Chinese genuine and counterfeit products are worse than Western products has no unilateral answer. On the one hand, China stands for cheaper -and therefore often dangerous- preferably of better. Think of the Mattel incident, where Chinese toys had to be taken back because the paint had too much lead in it.The Made in China is rather a warning than a quality label. On the other hand, a difference between do in China and Made by China has to be made. European companies who produce in China generally correspond to the Western criteria, so Made in China does not always indicate risks. According to Holslag, a look forer at the Brussels Institute for Contemporary China Studies, China will catch up to the Western norms concerning quality within the foreseeable future. withal a shift from knickknacks to high-tech products is taking place. Religion China is a country full of traditions.One of them is Confucianism, which was the state tenet until 1912. Confucianism is not really a religion but more a philosophy or guideline for everyday life and determines what to eat, how to behave, what to wear, ect. According to Co nfucius, laws are not a good basis of the State. He believes imbueing people with rituals is more effective to reach State stability. Confucius society is very hierarchic everyone knows his smirch and should act like it. Though society is not static. His vagary was that quick-witted people should be able to move up in society, which has had a great impact on the Chinese vision of life.Later, Buddhism, Christian and in the main Taoism influences mingled with Confucianism into neo-Confucianism. So, it is not strange to find a Chinese who is a Confucian, Buddhist as well as a Taoist. pic Nature & Astrology & superstition Chinese culture stands in function of nature. Chinese consider themselves part of nature and try to live in harmony with it. In Chinese astrology, the zodiac of twelve animal signs represents twelve incompatible types of personality. The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the rat, followed by the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, ect.This year, Chinese New Year falls on 26th of January and stands in the sign of the ox. Superstition plays an important role in Chinese culture. Although fortune-telling is forbidden, people go to fortune-tellers to ask whether their child will be a boy or a girl. Language Mandarin is the most spoken diction in China. If you speak Mandarin, you have 915 million native speaking conference partners Next to the official language, there are numerous dialects. Besides the different spoken languages, there are in any case two written languages. pic Emotions You will not often see a Chinese cryingChinese often get blame for not saying what they really think or feel. Westerners find that Chinese behave in a stone-cold manner. A possible explanation is the fact that people were hanged in the outgoing for taking a different view on certain matters. another(prenominal) explanation is that defending ones opinion is a Western way of dealing with a situation when there are opponent thoughts. Chinese are learnt at schoo l to accept what is told. Business culture A difference between Belgian and Chinese culture is that Chinese do not work by a model as much as Belgians do.In Belgium, people set up a plan and execute it. In China, people are much more flexible. They anticipate and react on the situation. A possible explanation can be found in their education. Chinese children come in disturb with much more opinions during their family education. Laws, contracts and rules are slight significant. Chinese have a different calendar, namely the Moon calendar. Fortunately, for business they also use the Gregorian calendar. Research studies Culture is defined by what we bribe and why we get it. National culture determines consumer behaviour, not income. (De Mooij)At first sight, culture does not seem relevant when it comes to toys. Toys are used for childrens entertainment. However, there sure is a difference in usage between Belgium and China. As mentioned before, Chinese parents find it extremely imp ortant that their child stands out from the mass. Therefore, Chinese parents buy toys to stimulate their children to learn as soon as possible rather than for entertainment. So, marketing, defecting and advertising strategies should be adapted when exporting toys to China. Hofstede But how different are the Belgian and Chinese culture?According to Hofstede, one can define cultural difference on the basis of five dimensions on a 0 to 100-range scale. The degree of power distance, individualism, maleness, uncertainty avoidance and long-run orientation determines a national culture. The higher the score, the more dimension determines the culture. Belgium pass aways to the more developed Latin countries cluster and China falls under the slight developed Asian countries. pic Figure 5 Cultural difference between China and Belgium Power distance More than Belgian culture, the Chinese culture knows a larger power distance.In China, the acceptance of hierarchy and trust is higher. Since all people are treated fairly, they do not disagree and respect higher ranked and elder people because these stand for wisdom. As mentioned before, Chinese rely much more on human relationships (guanxi) than on contracts. Individualism Esomar research shows that China is a collectivist culture, in which subjection and social network (Mien-stu, Lien & Guanxi) are important. In China, the group where you belong to defines your identity. In Belgium, people and society are more individualistic, which has enabled capitalism.Masculinity Concerning the masculinity/femininity, there is not much specialization between Belgium and China. Both countries have some features of both personalityistics. Uncertainty avoidance In Belgium, people believe they have faith in their own hands. In China, people count on much more on fate and believe their destiny is opinionated for them. In this fatalistic country, failure is unevitable. Belgians are more threatened by risk and uncertainty than the C hinese. As a result, the Chinese are much more open to change. This confirms the Confucianism influence on China.Long-term orientation equal other Southeast Asian countries, China is long term oriented. This has the similar effect as the Confucian values, which are acceptance of change, perseverance, thrift and seeking of peace of mind. Belgium, on the other hand, strives for immediate results like other Western countries. According to Hofstede, these cultural differences will remain over time, how much globilization even takes place. Now that the Chinese culture has no mysteries any(prenominal)more, lets take a look at which adaptations are to be made. 4. Proposed Marketing adaptationscross-cultural awareness the understanding that what is normal in one culture can be offending in another one starts to gain credit. People start to recognize that to be successful in foreign business, the go with should adapt the marketing mix to the countrys values and culture. However, adapta tion is very costly and time-consuming. Although China is becoming more Occidental, the marketing mix should be adapted only until the profits do not make up for the costs anymore. Segmentation There is no such thing as an average consumer Therefore, there is no use -or value- in making an average product.First, the telephoner has to distinguish the different market portions based on similar product needs for consumers. For the Chinese toy market, a distinction between the urban and rural households can be made. The question whether a market segment is specific enough to make it a segment on its own depends on four Ps. The first P stands for product. Children in urban China play with different and more qualitative toys than children in rural China. The second P stands for price. Since urban China is much wealthier, they are less price sensitive than rural China. Also the service level, the third P, differs.The more cultivated East demands a higher servicelevel. The closing P, pro motion, varies from TV advertisement and word of mouth in urban China to only word of mouth in rural China. Size Product Price Service Promotion Urban 36 % High quality High High TV + word of mouth Rural 64 % Different toys Low Low Word of mouth Table 1 Segmentation the four PsTargeting In a abutting phase, the telephoner has to make a strategic choice. This hard-to-reverse decision, namely the decision which specific market segment will be targeted, depends on the value that can be offered to customers. Although the final consumers are children between zero and five years old, most of the time it will be the parents who will buy the toys. Since the most profitable segment is Chinas urban household segment, this market segment will be targeted. For the reason that this target group lives super concentrated in the cities, they are easy to reach customers.Positioning Brand positioning is the process by which marketers try to create an form or identity in the minds of their t arget market for a certain product. The question is whether a brand should be global or not. In this case, a global image of the brand is not important. It would be better to distinguish the positioning since in China the localise would be on accomplishment during playing compared to recreation and entertainment in Belgium. Although it is costly, the company will eudaemonia from this investment because of the positive effect on buying behaviour.Two company images will not confuse customers since there is a language and character barrier between both countries. Price adaptations A price can be determined on the basis of costs, by looking at competitors prices or in proportion to the value created towards the end-consumer. I would suggest the company to go for the third option. Although the companys first goal should be market penetration resulting in low prices , still a shaving pricing strategy seems outdo. The dolls are of a superior quality and sumptuousness products demand a high price.I believe 50 euro or 465 Chinese Yuan would be an appropriate price for a 25 by 15 centimetre doll. This high price can be justified because the toy cannot only be used for entertainment but also for educational purposes. Since the income of the middle class is only rising, according to my market research (see apendix) at this price there will be enough potential buyers. Another reason that justifies a high price is the high level of pre and after sales service Chinese demand, which will be discussed further. Product adaptations Product specificationsNowadays, toy manufacturers do not adapt the features of the dolls But research has shown that it hurts the childerns self-esteem. Therefore, the company should customize the skin colour, hair, eyes, height, ect. as shown in figure 6. pic Figure 6 A Chinese Lilliputien doll with xanthous skin, dark hair and dark slit-eyed eyes. One of Lilliputiens toys is the food pyramid by which children can learn how to put together w ell-balanced meals. Since people in China eat other vegetables, other meat and noodles and rice instead of potatoes, this pyramid should be adapted.Another Lilliputien toy, the table set also should be modified since Chinese eat with chopsticks instead of fork and knife. pic pic Figure 7 Food pyramidFigure 8 Table set Assortment change Children like choice therefore the product line should be expanded. The current themes like the circus, the Indians, the Pirates, the nativity of Jesus Christ could be supplemented with the twelve zodiac animals of the Chinese astrology. A doll of the childs animal sign can be given as a gift at the childs birth.A less perfect acquisition for the assortment would be a Buddhist doll, Chinese would find it inappropriate and rude. Brand name receivable to a different language and moreover a different alphabet, it is significant to change the company name and product names. Lilliputiens would be unpronounceable. My suggestion would be to render the co mpanys name by transliteration, so that is sounds the close set(predicate) to its original name. Pu-Tien means all over the world, which fits with the company philosophy, to give all children over the world the chance to play. ImageThe new rich people love to show off their wealth. A good idea would be to create a good recognizable logo to put on each doll so that others can recognize the brand and they can brag about expensive purchase. The advertisement campaigns should be identifiable by showing rich and fortunate people. Packaging Since the advancement has to handle the product, it is essential to make it as colourful and vibrant as possible. The company certainly has to use the colour red on the packaging, since in China, red has a positive connotation and stands for success, honour, fertility, happiness and love.Qualitative information, about the fact that this toy is educational as well as entertaining, must be provided to the Chinese parents. A good idea could be to use a combination of Chinese and English language in the toys manual. imputable to internalization, the Chinese middle and hurrying class have become familiar with English. Toys are often given as a gift. The packaging has to look nice, because gifts are used to build up and strengthen relationships. The dolls are very soft and have different textures, therefore the company could use an open packaging so potential customers can feel and see the product before purchasing. Service level When a child has a need, it wants the need to be gratified as soon as possible. Since fast delivery is thus very important, there has to be enough inventory at any time. Because the Pu-Tien toys are more than just toys, this educational plaything stimulates senses and development of a child, there is need for pre sales service. Although China pays a lot of prudence to pre-sales service as well as post sales service, they do not expect a guarantee on toys. Given that the dolls are made for children betw een zero and five years old, avoiding small split and implementing warnings can prevent danger to children.Safety regulations are less severe in China. Nevertheless, the company should keep their high level of quality. Since the dolls are made in Belgium, the company should exploit their country of origin effect and explicitly mention Made in Belgium. Distribution strategy Business culture In China, paper means nothing. So if contracts do not work, what will? You need to band with local people and win their trust. This is where the Guanxi comes in. To obtain a certain service or favour, a personal network of influence and social relationships are a must.According to Li Qinfu, finish up with the Chinese politics also plays a very important role. When Westerners want to do business they contact their lawyers, when Chinese do business they contact government officials. Parallel import I would not set a lower price in the Chinese market than in the home market because due to relat ive low trade barriers, the risk and impact of grizzly export from China to Belgium would be too big. Mode of entry At first instance, due to low costs and a high control level, I would suggest the company to set up a website.But on further consideration, children want their needs to be gratified as soon as possible. In addition, if the toys are reachable (merchandising), they will also nag more, which helps children to get what they want if they have shut-up parents. Shipment costs for a prior delivery would be too large in proportion to the retail price. Another reason why a website would not be a good mode of entry is the level of pre and after sales service a Chinese consumer demands. The target segment, namely middle and upper class people with high requirements, searches for qualitative, pedagogical responsible and save toys.Therefore, these prodigality toys should be sold in fancy local retail stores, not in ordinary supermarkets. The trade-off of using retail stores goes between the fact that the products are reachable, ready for delivery, a high service level and less control, more risk and higher investments. Since toy dealers are not make to deliver good sales support, a good way to check the service is ghost shopping. This market research technique of sending fake customers will tell if sales men give the right information and service to potential buyers and customers.Since feedback from distributors does not come easily because they are independent, a good idea is to improve relationships with local parties by means of guanxi. Communication A good strategy is nothing if it is not well executed. Advertisement is the most culturally sensitive element of the marketing mix. Therefore, it is wise to determine well how to say what you want to say. Media and the message When announcing the product launch to the potential customers by the media, the message strategy is of crucial importance. According to Hofstede, the communication style depends on the five dimensions of local culture.China is a developing, high scope and collectivistic country. The best communication style is a less illuminating and more persuasive and emotional approach. When advertising on TV, a good idea would be to use the to the lowest degree words as possible. Optimally, only utilize non-verbal language. Not only because collectivistic cultures are more visually orientated (De Mooij), but also because children between zero and five cannot read and have a very small vocabulary. Toddlers have very well developed visual capabilities and are sensitive to emotions. For that reason, a visual advertisement would do better.In combination with a lot of colour, childrens attention will be monopolized. Although Hofstede suggests a less informative approach, I believe that the message towards the (grand)parents should be informative (information on age, warnings) and focus on the educational value of the product. Pu-Tien toys provide a key role in a childs deve lopment its senses are stimulated thanks to the use of a diverse range of textures, sounds, shapes and colours. As slogan I would recommend Pu-tien tested, child & educational approved As mentioned before, Chinese culture has shifted from a patriarchy to a filiarchy.As a result, advertisement will focus on children and their needs. Advertisement and promotion Not only the message, also the forte by which potential consumers are informed matters. In a first phase of promoting the product, children need to get to know the product. To gain product awareness, the company should adopt sampling. By offering certain pre-school kindergartens and day nursery centres some free samples, children will come in contact with the Pu-Tien product range. This is a win-win situation. Schools will be thankful to receive teaching aids nd our company will benefit from other childrens word of mouth, which is the best marketing tool. If our product line appeals to the children, children will nag to thei r parents to get the product. take has as advantage that it is the most effective promotion strategy but unfortunately it is extremely expensive. denote on TV will be a second step of the companys promotion strategy. Due to hypersegmentation, there are almost 3000 TV stations in China. With the given marketing budget, it would be too expensive to advertise on all of them. I would suggest advertising on one childrens origin as well as on one adult channel.Although the companys target group is children between zero and five years old and their personal expenditures start from the age of four, mostly adults will buy the product for them. Since grandparents live in the same household, also raise their grandchildren and are happy to spend their money on their grandchildrens formation, the commercial should comprise of not only the childs parents but of the whole family. Also some traditional symbols or Chinese icons should be put in because it will help to make the connection between the Western and their own consumption culture.As marketing manager, I think it is best not to invest money in global advertisement. I have computed the extent of standardization and found that toys are a cultural product. Therefore, the message and mean(a) should change. It is not necessary to have one corporate brand image because the children in Belgium and China will not come in contact with each other, so it will not be confusing. Conclusion SWOT-analysis Strengths The major(ip) strength of the companys product is the educational value that comes with the product. Chinese find education extremely important. WeaknessesA relative high price is chosen due to the risk and impact of parallel import. But a small segment with a high price can be more profitable than large volumes of low profit margin products. Opportunities acquirement more about China, its culture, rules and laws and setting up a social network, with the government as well, will be extremely important. This will ta ke some time, effort and money but it will enlarge the companys chance to succeed tremendously. Threats I believe the biggest challenge will be the fierce competition from less qualitative and counterfeit dolls that are much cheaper.To conclude, as a marketing manager, I must say China stays a black box. When you have done all research that is possible business in China still is risky. At least with the suggested adaptations the risk will be minimized and the success is multiplied. 6. References wonder Interview with my neighbour Yan Lu, a Chinese middle class woman living in Belgium since then years Books Kotler, P. et all (2005). Principles of Marketing. Prentice Hall Harlow. pp XVIII, 788. Chan, K. & McNeal, J. (2004). Advertising to children in China. The Chinese University Press of Hong Kong. pp. I, 1-21, II, 23-42.Latham, K. & Thompson, S. & Klein, J. (2006). Consuming China. Routledge. Yau, O. H. M. (1994). Consumer behaviour in China. Routledge. pp III, 63-83. Usunier, J. - C. (2000). Marketing across cultures. Prentice Hall Harlow. pp V Articles Mooij, M. (2005). Mapping cultural values for global marketing and advertising. Dobbelaere, B. & Reynebeau, M. (2008). Bijlage China de rode boekjes middelpunt van de wereld, 1,3 miljard sporters, een exploderende economie, paradijs voor investeerders, kleine vrouwen, een wereldmacht, de nieuwe rijken, een milieuramp, de diaspora, traditionele cultuur, culinair.De Standaard Reportage Marketing to children. Een, Koppen, 23/12/2008 Internet pages http//www. lilliputiens. be/EN/philosophy_nobel. htm 28/10/2008 http//www. allcountries. org/china_statistics/4_4_basic_statistics_on_national_population. hypertext markup language 25/11/2008 http//www. namingnewsletter. com/article. asp? id=42 25/11/2008 http//findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m2294/is_9-10_53/ai_n16084036 23/12/2008 http//benmuse. typepad. com/ben_muse/china/index. hypertext markup language 25/11/2008 http//en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Positioning_(marketing ) 23/12/2008 http//simonworld. mu. nu/archives/105889. hp 24/12/2008 http//smallswordsmagazine. com/articles/life/chinesesarcasm. html 3/01/2009 http//www. wing-international. com/ 03/01/2009 7. Apendices pic Market research Questionnaire What is an appropriate price for the Pu-Tien doll? 1) Are you a male/female? 2) How old are you? 3) What is your highest level of education you have achieved? 4) What is your marital status? 5) How much do you earn each month? 6) Do you live in one of Chinas big cities? 7) What is your housing type? 8) Do you have (grand)children? 9) How many (grand)children do you have? 0) Is it a boy or a girl? 11) Do you believe your (grand)childs development is important? 12) Do you like to spend money on your (grand)childrens (birthday)presents? 13) How much would you normally spend on your (grand)childs birthday? 14) Have you ever bought a Pu-Tien doll for your (grand)child? 15) Where you pleased with your purchase? 16) What was the occasion you bought the do ll for? 17) How much did it cost you? 18) Did you found it a reasonable price? 19) What would have been the highest/lowest price at which you would buy a Pu-Tien doll?