Saturday, December 28, 2019

Progressivism Defined Roots and Goals

Progressivism in American politics refers to a reform movement advocating progress – change and improvement – over conservatism, preserving the status quo. The term has been used in several ways, but primarily has referred to the Progressive Movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Out of the Enlightenment in Europe came the idea that both knowledge and economic growth would advance civilization and the human condition. The philosopher Kant talked about progress from barbarism towards civilization, and to those who espoused progressivism, the movement was clearly one of ethical response to practices and conditions seen as barbarous, and towards practices and conditions seen as fostering human flourishing. Public Housekeeping Earlier in the 19th century, a separate spheres ideology envisioned a strict division of public and private spheres – with women in charge of the home or domestic or private sphere, and men of the public sphere, including government and business.  (Of course those enslaved and often those of the poorest classes had little experience of such separation.) Some envisioned the entry of women into reform movements as an extension of their private sphere responsibilities: public housekeeping. What Was Progressivism a Response to? Progressivism was a reaction to the increasing economic inequality that was a product of the Industrial Revolution and virtually unregulated capitalism, including exploitation of labor.  An influx of immigrants into the United States and a massive movement of people from farms to urban areas, often employed in the new industries at low wages and poor working conditions, created slums, poverty, child labor, class conflict, and significant potential for unrest. The end of the Civil War had two major influences on progressivism. One was that many reformers believed that the ending of slavery, after the agitation of the abolitionists, proved that reform movements were capable of making much change.   Another was that, with the freeing of those who had been enslaved but the residual effects of a story of â€Å"natural† inferiority of those of African descent, racism and the rise of Jim Crow laws in the South began to drive many of the formerly enslaved to seek refuge in Norther n cities and the growing industries, creating racial tensions that were in some ways nurtured by the powerful to â€Å"divide and conquer.† Religion and Progressivism: the Social Gospel Protestant theology, already evolving in the face of the growth of liberal religions like Universalism and of increasing questioning of traditional authority and ideas because of Enlightenment-rooted ideas of textual criticism, responded to the growing economic and social exploitation of many with a doctrine of the Social Gospel.  This movement applied Biblical principles to social problems (see Matthew 25), and also taught that solving social problems in this life was a necessary precursor to the Second Coming. Progress and Poverty In 1879, economist Henry George published Progress and Poverty: An Inquiry into the Cause of Industrial Depressions and of Increase of Want with Increase of Wealth: The Remedy. The book was highly popular, and has sometimes been used as a marker for the beginning of the Progressive Era. In this volume, Henry George explained how economic poverty could grow at the same time as economic and technological expansion and growth. The book also explained how economic boom and bust cycles were generated from social policy. Twelve Key Areas of Progressive Social Reform There were other areas as well, but these were key areas of social reform addressed by progressivism. The â€Å"single tax† movement, rooted in Henry George’s economic writing, promoted the idea that public financing should rely primarily on a land value tax, rather than on taxing labor and investment.Conservationism: the promotion of nature and wildness had roots in Transcendentalism and the Romanticism of the earlier 19th century, but Henry George’s writings gave an economic justification as well for ideas about the â€Å"commons† and its protection.Quality of life in the slums: progressivism saw that human flourishing was less possible in the poverty conditions of the slums – from hunger to unsafe housing to lack of light in apartments to lack of sanitation to access to heat in cold weather.Labor rights and conditions: the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was the most dramatic of many industrial accidents in which workers perished or were injured because of poor working conditions.   Labor organizing was generally supported by the Progressive m ovement, and so were creation of safety codes for factories and other buildings.Shorter working days: the eight-hour day enforced by overtime requirements was a long fight on the part of the Progressive movement and the labor movement, at first with active opposition from courts which found that changes in labor laws interfered with the individual rights of corporate owners.Child labor: the progressives came to oppose permitting children at young ages could be employed in dangerous occupations, from four year olds selling newspapers in the street to children in the mines to children operating dangerous machinery in textile mills and factories.   The anti-child-labor activism continued into the 20th century, and the highest courts at first made it difficult to pass such laws.Women’s rights: though the women’s rights movement began organizing before the Progressive Era, and arguably helped begin it, the Progressive Era saw the expansion of women’s rights from ch ild custody to more liberal divorce laws to information about contraceptives and family planning to â€Å"protective labor laws† to make it possible for women to be both mothers and workers.  Women finally were able to get a constitutional amendment in 1920 removing sex as a barrier to voting.Temperance and prohibition: because, with few social programs and few women’s rights, excessive drinking could threaten the livelihood and even life of the members of the drinker’s family, many women and men fought to make it more difficult to buy and consume alcohol.Settlement houses: more educated women and men moved into poor neighborhoods and â€Å"settled† there to experiment with what was needed by the people in the neighborhood to improve their lives.  Many who worked in settlement houses went on to work for other social reforms.Better government: in the face not only of increased concentrations of money into corporate hands, but also the rise of big city machine politics, reforming government to put more power into the hands of ordinary Americans was a major part of progressivism. This included establishing a primary system where voters, not party leaders, selected candidates for their party, and it included direct election of Senators, rather than having them elected by state legislatures.Limits on corporate power: busting and regulating monopolies and establishing antitrust laws were policies seen as not only benefiting more people and preventing unconscionable wealth disparities, but also as a way for capitalism to function more effectively through a more competitive market.  Muckraking journalism helped expose corruption in politics and business, and motivate limits on both government and business power.Race: Some reformers worked for racial inclusion and racial justice.  African Americans founded reform organizations of their own, such as the NACW, working for such issues as education, women’s rights, child labor ref orm. The NAACP brought together white and black reformers in response to destructive riots. Ida B. Wells-Barnett worked to end lynching.   Other progressives (like Woodrow Wilson) enforced and promoted racial segregation. Other reforms included the Federal Reserve system, scientific approaches (i.e. evidence-based approaches) to education and other fields, efficiency methods applied to government and business, improvements in medicine, immigration reform, food standards and purity, censorship in motion pictures and books (defended as promoting healthy families and good citizenship), and much more.

Friday, December 20, 2019

How Does a Marxist Reading of Dracula Open Up Meaning

Unremarkable though it may seem, to affirm the obvious truism that Bram Stoker’s Dracula originates from a century that historians often describe as the most significant in terms of revolutionary ideology, whilst wishing to avoid the clichà ©d view held, it is undeniable that the more one delves into the depths of this novel the greater wealth of meaning demonstrates significant correlation with Marxist ideology. The 19th Century saw the emergence of revolutionary socialist Karl Marx, who himself used the vampire metaphor to describe the capitalist system as ‘dead labour which, vampire like, lives only by sucking living labour’. Through Stoker’s opulent use of narrative structure, use of setting and imagery, this novel presents a multiple†¦show more content†¦Dracula, representing the feudal aristocracy and Harker working for him implies this scene symbolises how the aristocracy suck the life out of their workers and retain the vast majority of production for themselves. Hence Dracula’s comment ‘This man belongs to me’ furthermore supported by Dracula continuing ‘Now go! I must awaken him, for there is work to be done’ Thus, accentuating the demand and exploitative characteristics as it is only after he no longer has any use for Harkers blood himself does he allow them to have their turn, this scene is symbolic of treatment of the exploited working class in a feudal system. The concept of exploitation is further accentuated by the fact the crew of light is endowed with the ability to take full advantage a system in which ‘bribery can do anything, and we are well supplied with money’ Currency is the weapon that separates the higher classes from the proletariat. Stoker additionally explores aspects of the feudal system through the idea of free will. Upon arriving at Castle Dracula, Harker is greeted with ‘Welcome to my house, enter freely and of your own will’. It seems Harker is free to do as he wishes, however Harker is now at the mercy of his new surroundings and the Count. Harker recognizes similarities between the Count and the driver, who transports him to the castle: ‘the strength of the hand shake was so much akin to that which I noticed in the driver’, subsequently, for Harker to leave he would need theShow MoreRelatedThe Vampire: What Boundaries Does the Vampire Threaten? Discuss with R9200 Words   |  37 PagesThe Vampire What boundaries does the Vampire threaten? Written by Amanda Turner Discuss possible answers to this question with reference to at least two critical or theoretical essays and at least two tellings of the Dracula story._______________________________________________ The Vampire in Dracula threatens the very existence of Victorian England. Stoker constructs the vampire as an embodiment of threat by surpassing his Gothic novelist predecessors to bring

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Case Study Analysis of Costco Architecture Evolution

Question: Describe about the Case Study Report for Architecture Evolution at Costco? Answer: Introduction This study focus on the company named as Costco who deals in the retail sector. It mainly targets the high level customers because they are not price conscious as they are ready to pay any amount to gain the best quality possible. Membership coupons are available to the customers who visit regularly and get the additional benefits while shopping of various goods and services (Mari, 2014). The segmented market that is focused by this company is the entire high customers who are generally working households, they do not possess much of time too. Online shopping is the best option for the individuals who are busy in their professional life. Overview of the company Costco Wholesale Corporation is a public company in the retail sector headquartered at United States. The main competitors of Costco Wholesale Corporation are Sams club and also BJs wholesale club. This company has 174000 employees and gets into various policies that help the customers to visit the store once again (Xing, 2013). The services that are rendered by this company are online shopping, Costco travel, connection with Costco, food service as well as business members with Costco. The company mission is to recognize its business activities globally and compete in the global market providing the customer base the products as per their needs and requirements. Primary and secondary target markets The primary target market can be noticed between the age group of 16-35 years. In this primary market, 40 % are studying in colleges so their buying pattern will be different from other age group. This group will be more interested in the purchase of commodities that has the current trends and fashion. So, the company focuses on this customer by providing them vast range of options so that they can select as per their requirements. The secondary target of Costco Wholesale Corporation ranges between the age group of 36 to 50 years that are aged in the sense they have become parents at this time. So this group not only is interested in quality but also they are price sensitive. These customers are mostly not brand loyal as because they gets attracted to any product which are best at low prices. College students can be easily targeted by Costco because they have an edge towards technology and to remain updated with the products and services. Advertisements and promotional activities conducted by Costco can make these college goers interested in the offerings and discounting pattern. With the increase in the E commerce business, anyone who has internet access go for online shopping as because wide range of products are available and it is time saver. We do not have to visit all the offline stores in order to get any product, rather with the help of payment mode; we can either pay by debit card or cash on delivery. By ordering online, the products will be brought to us in our hands without us doing any extra efforts. Costco provides online services to its customer base where they can check on prices and can easily compare with all the other alternatives available. The target customer of Costco is generally different from other discounters that mean small businesses and high income households. The steps in the target market are as follows: Figure: Shopping as per category Target group Costco mainly targets the high income customer because of the unique discount factor that is offered to its customer base. This company makes ways to target the college educated households that is different than any of the other business models. In any case, it has been noticed that low income group fails to shop at Costco because of expensive items present in the shop (Courtemanche Carden, 2014). The company analyzed that high end customers are willing to pay any amount of money looking at the quality as well as that matches up with their status. Basically, this people purchases items that is related to status symbol items (Barnes, 2013). It aims at satisfying the needs and requirements of the high class customers and provide them with positive environment on all the stuff that are required keeping in mind the changing trends and fashion. Several research have found that feedback mostly come from East and west cost of the investment bankers that directly means they are more likely consuming the products and services (Ross, 2015). More emphasis is given to the membership customers who spent a lot of money in getting the membership card that help Costco to know their needs as well as easy to follow up the customers as all the details will be mentioned for future reference (Bauner Wang, 2014). Market position Costcos share has shown an increase of 1.4 percent due to its special dividend policy given to its high customer base (Hutt, Speh, 2012). Another strategy that this company is launching so as to check on the market share, by keeping the price low so that the products can be affordable by all classes of people. The supermarket tries to keep variety of items related to households, fashion, footwear so that large range of customers can avail the services as per their requirements. Membership customers get additional benefits with Costco because they get discounted offers and variety of products that are start from hot dog to diamond rings. So, the customers can visit the store to avail the best of the services at affordable price (Lyon, 2014). The net income of Costco has increased to $547 million from the last year, a benefit on tax is provided in way of special cash dividend up to $1.10 that helped in overall growth of the business enterprise. As far as gasoline is concerned, Costco proves to be the best dealer as compared to its competitors because it offers at low at price. Customers have the facility to get discount coupons for their purchase in the value chain, later they can even redeem the coupons for future purpose that serves as an added advantage (Darroch, 2014). Figure: Market share of Costco and its competitors (Source: Hollensen, 2015). From the above pie chart, it is easier to understand that the market share is dominated by Wal-Mart; the next position is taken by Costco Wholesale Corporation whose share is 17.50%. In the recent past, Costco has increased in the customer base and has make ways to become one of the best in the retail industry. It aims at providing wide range of products so that customers can get all their requirements under one roof. The various membership coupons are beneficial for the customers to shop for their weekly requirements because deduction in the main amount can help them to save a lot of money. Conclusion At the end of the study, it is noticed that Costco mainly targets the high level customers for the sale of its products and services. These customers believe in quality of the products as well as the product that can match up with their status. After Wal-Mart, Costco is the leader in the market share in the supermarket as it provides a range of products to its customer base starting from a stationary to high expensive items like, gold, diamond, platinum, etc. Costco Wholesale Corporation should start targeting even low level customers so as to meet the demands of all class of people. Reference List Barnes, J. M. (2013).Case Study Report: Architecture Evolution at Costco. Tech. Rep. Bauner, C., Wang, E. (2014). Strategic Retailer Reactions to Wholesale Club Market Presence. Courtemanche, C., Carden, A. (2014). Competing with Costco and Sam's Club: warehouse club entry and grocery prices.Southern Economic Journal,80(3), 565-585. Darroch, J. (2014).Why Marketing to Women Doesn't Work: Using Market Segmentation to Understand Consumer Needs. Palgrave Macmillan. Hollensen, S. (2015).Marketing management: A relationship approach. Pearson Education. Hutt, M., Speh, T. (2012).Business marketing management: B2B. Cengage Learning. Lyon, S. (2014). Fair Trade Towns USA: growing the market within a diverse economy.Journal of Political Ecology,21, 145-160. Mari, A. (2014). THE INFLUENCE OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOR ON THE SEGMENTATION OF RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER GOODS.Zbornik radova Ekonomskog fakulteta u Isto nom Sarajevu, (9), 71-82. Ross, D. F. (2015). Crafting Business and Supply Chain Strategies. InDistribution Planning and Control(pp. 83-140). Springer US. Xing, J. (2013). Market Research about customer segmentation.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

The Scarlet Letter Analysis Essay Example For Students

The Scarlet Letter Analysis Essay Nathaniel Hawthornes background influenced him to write the bold novel The Scarlet Letter. One important influence on the story is money. Hawthorne had never made much money as an author and the birth of his first daughter added to the financial burden (Biographical Note VII). He received a job at the Salem Custom House only to lose it three years later and be forced to write again to support his family (IX). Consequently, The Scarlet Letter was published a year later (IX). It was only intended to be a long short story, but the extra money a novel would bring in was needed (Introduction XVI). Hawthorne then wrote an introduction section titled The Custom House to extend the length of the book and The Scarlet Letter became a full novel (XVI). In addition to financial worries, another influence on the story is Hawthornes rejection of his ancestors. His forefathers were strict Puritans, and John Hathorne, his great-great-grandfather, was a judge presiding during the S! alem witch trials (Biographical Note VII). Hawthorne did not condone their acts and actually spent a great deal of his life renouncing the Puritans in general (VII). Similarly, The Scarlet Letter was a literal soapbox for Hawthorne to convey to the world that the majority of Puritans were strict and unfeeling. For example, before Hester emerges from the prison she is being scorned by a group of women who feel that she deserves a larger punishment than she actually receives. Instead of only being made to stand on the scaffold and wear the scarlet letter on her chest, they suggest that she have it branded on her forehead or even be put to death (Hawthorne 51). Perhaps the most important influence on the story is the authors interest in the dark side (Introduction VIII). Unlike the transcendentalists of the era, Hawthorne confronted reality, rather than evading it (VII). Likewise, The Scarlet Letter deals with adultery, a subject that caused much scandal when it w! as first published (XV). The book rev olves around sin and punishment, a far outcry from writers of the time, such as Emerson and Thoreau, who dwelt on optimistic themes (VII). This background, together with a believable plot, convincing characterization, and important literary devices enables Nathaniel Hawthorne in The Scarlet Letter to the develop the theme of the heart as a prison. The scaffold scenes are the most substantial situations in the story because they unify The Scarlet Letter in two influential ways. First of all, every scaffold scene reunites the main characters of the novel. In the first scene, everyone in the town is gathered in the market place because Hester is being questioned about the identity of the father of her child ( Hawthorne 52). In her arms is the product of her sin, Pearl, a three month old baby who is experiencing life outside the prison for the first time (53). Dimmesdale is standing beside the scaffold because he is Hesters pastor and it is his job to convince her to repent and reveal t he fathers name (65). A short time later, Chillingworth unexpectedly shows up within the crowd of people who are watching Hester after he is released from his two year captivity by the Indians (61). In the second scene, Dimmesdale is standing on top of the scaffold alone in the middle of the night (152). He sees Hester and Pearl walk through the market place on their way back from Governor Winthrops bedside (157). When Dimmesdale recognizes them and tells them to join him, they walk up the steps to stand by his side (158). Chillingworth appears later standing beside the scaffold, staring at Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl. In the final scaffold scene, Dimmesdale walks to the steps of the scaffold in front of the whole town after his Election day sermon (263). He tells Hester and Pearl to join him yet again on the scaffold (264). Chillingworth then runs through the crowd and tries to stop Dimmesdale from reaching the top of the scaffold, the one place where he cant reach him (265). Ano ther way in which the scenes are united is how each illustrates the immediate, delayed, and prolonged effects that the sin of adultery has on the main characters. The first scene shows Hester being publicly punished on the scaffold (52). She is being forced to stand on it for three hours straight and listen to peop! le talk about her as a disgrace and a shame to the community (55). Dimmesdales instantaneous response to the sin is to lie. He stands before Hester and the rest of the town and proceeds to give a moving speech about how it would be in her and the fathers best interest for her to reveal the fathers name (67). Though he never actually says that he is not the other parent, he implies it by talking of the father in third person (67). Such as, If thou feelest it to be for thy souls peace, and that thy earthly punishment will thereby be made more effectual to salvation, I charge thee to speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner and fellow-sufferer (67). Chillingworths first reaction is one of shock, but he quickly suppresses it (61). Since his first sight of his wife in two years is of her being punished for being unfaithful to him, he is naturally surprised. It does not last for long though, because it is his nature to control his emotions (61). Pearls very existence in this scene is the largest immediate effect of her parents crime (52). She obviously wou ld never had been there had her parents resisted their love for each other. The second scene occurs several years later and shows the effects after time has had a chance to play its part. It begins with Dimmesdale climbing the stairs of the scaffold in the middle of the night because it is the closest that he can come to confessing his sin (152). This scene is especially important because it shows how pitiful he has become. Dimmesdale shows just how irrational he is when he screams aloud because he fears that the universe is staring at a scarlet token on his breast (153). It also shows how much guilt he is carrying by the way he perceives the light from a meteor as the letter A. He believes it stands for adulteress while other people think it stands for angel since the governor just passed away (161). This scene also shows how Hester is managing her new situation. When Dimmesdale tells her to come up the scaffold and asks her where she has b! een, she replies that she has been measu ring the robe that the governor is to be buried in (158). This statement implies that Hesters reputation as a talented seamstress has spread. Ironically, her first well known piece of work was the scarlet letter that she wore on her chest. As a result, she owes her own success to her infamy. Besides growing older, Pearls most significant change is in her perceptibility (158). In this scene, she constantly asks Dimmesdale if he will be joining Hester and herself on the scaffold tomorrow at noon and accuses him of not being true (162). Neither Hester nor Dimmesdale ever told Pearl who her father was, but she figures it out by the way he always holds his hand over his heart (159). Chillingworths derangement is evident in this scene also. His contempt for Dimmesdale is so acute that he risks his cover when he gives him a look so vivid as to remain painted on the darkness after the bright meteor that just passed, vanishes (161). The third scene is very critical because it is the last gli mpse into every characters mind and the last time that everyone is alive. At this point in time, Dimmesdales fixation on his sin has utterly corroded him to the point of death. After he gives his election day sermon, he goes to the scaffold and asks Hester and Pearl to join him because he is so weak that he can hardly support himself (265). He finally exposes the truth and tells his followers of how he deceived them (267). The only good that comes out of conceding his guilt is that he passed away without any secrets, for he was already too far gone to be able to be saved (269). This scene is important to the characterization of Hester because it is the first time thatshe is not in complete control of her emotions (264). Her dream of escaping to England with Dimmesdale is lost when he decides to confess (264). The unanticipated arrival of Chillingworth and Dimmesdales feeble appearance distresses her, and for the first time, she can not control the outcome (264). The greatest transfo rmation in Pearls life occurs in this scene. While she used to be perceived as elfish, she now shows the first signs of normal human emotion. After Dimmesdale confesses his sin, she kisses his lips voluntarily (268). The great scene of griefhad developed all her sympathies; and as her tears fell upon her fathers cheek, they were the pledge that she would grow up amid human joy and sorrow, nor forever do battle with the world, but be a woman in it (268). Ultimately, Chillingworth takes a severe turn for the worse when Dimmesdale reveals his sin. Since Chillingworth based the rest of his life on playing games on Dimmesdales mind, he was left without any goals, and his life became meaningless (268). On that account, it is clear that Hawthorne uses the scaffold scenes, not only as a unifying device, but as a means to keep the reader interested in the novel by providing plenty of action. The main characters sharply contrast each other in the way they react to Hester and Dimmesdales sin. To begin, Hester becomes stronger, more enduring, and even more sympathetic. She becomes stronger because of all the weight she has to carry. She is a single mother who suffers all of the burdens of parenthood by herself. They live on the edge of town, and Pearl has no one to give her food, shelter and emotional support besides Hester. Pearl is especially difficult to raise because she is anything but normal. Hawthorne gives a pretty accurate description of Pearl when he writes: The child could not be made amenable to rules. In giving her existence, a great law had been broken; and the result was a being whose elements were perhaps beautiful and bril- liant, but all in disorder; or with an order peculiar to themselves, amidst which the point of variety and arrangement was difficult or impossible to be discovered (91). Hesters endurance is proven when the people of the colony completely change their opinion of her. While a lesser person would run from the hostile colonists, Hester wi thstands their insolence and pursues a normal life. After years of proving her worth with her uncommon sewing skills and providing community service, the colonists come to think of the scarlet letter as the cross on a nuns bosom, which is no small accomplishment (169). Hester also becomes more sensitive to the feelings and needs of other people. She feels that her own sin gives her sympathetic knowledge of the hidden sin in other hearts (87). So even though the people she tried to help often reviled the hand that was stretched forth to succor them, she continues her services because she actually cares (85). While Hester tries to make the best out of her situation, Dimmesdale becomes weaker by letting guilt and grief eat away at his conscience. Dimmesdale punishes himself by believing that he can never be redeemed. He feels that he will never be seen the same in the eyes of God, and that no amount of penitence can ever return him to Gods good graces. He is so touchy on this subject t hat when Hester says his good deeds will count for something in Gods view, he exclaims, There is no substance in it! It is cold and dead and can do nothing for me! (202). Dimmesdale also believes that his sin has taken the meaning out of his life. His lifes work has been dedicated to God, and now his sin has tainted it (202). He feels that he is a fraud and is not fit to lead the people of the town to salvation. The feeling is so oppressive that the chance of escaping his work and leaving with Hester and Pearl makes him emotionally (and probably mentally) unstable. He walks through the town with twice as much energy as normal, and he barely stops himself from swearing to a fellow deacon (229). When an old lady approaches him he can not remember any scriptures whatsoever to tell her, and the urge to use his power of persuasion over a young maiden is so strong that he covers his face with his cloak and runs off (230). The largest cause of Dimmesdales breakdown is the fact that he keep s his sin a secret. As Gods servant, it is his nature to tell the truth, so the years of pretending are especially hard on him. His secret guilt is such a burden that instead of going with Hester to England and perhaps having a chance to live longer, he chose to stand, confess and perish on the scaffold (268). Ultimately, Chillingworth responds to his wifes betrayal by sacrificing everything in order to seek revenge. After he discovers that his wife bore another mans child, Chillingworth gives up his independence. He used to be a scholar who dedicated his best years to feed the hungry dream of knowledge, but his new allegiance becomes finding and slowly punishing the man who seduced his wife (74). He soon becomes obsessed with his new mission in life, and when he targeted Reverend Dimmesdale as the possible parent, he dedic! ates all of his time to becoming his confidant in order to get his retribution (127). Vengeance was also one of the reasons that Chillingworth gives up his iden tity. The only way he can truly corrupt Dimmesdale is to live with him and be by his side all day, every day. The only possible way to do that is to give up his true identity as Roger Prynne, Hesters husband, and become Roger Chillingworth. Since the only person who knew his true identity is sworn to silence, he succeeds for a long time in tricking Dimmesdale until Hester sees that he was going mad and finally revealed Chillingworths true identity (204). His largest sacrifice is by far, his own life. After spending so much time dwelling on his revenge, Chillingworth forgets that he still has a chance to lead a life of his own. So accordingly, after Dimmesdale reveals his secret to the world, Chillingworth dies less than a year later because he has nothing left to live for (272). In conclusion, Hawthornes use of characterization gives the book a classic feeling by showing Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworths feelings indirectly through acts. The novel revolves around two major symb ols: light and darkness and the scarlet letter. The book is filled with light and darkness symbols because it represents the most common battle of all time, good versus evil. When Hester and her daughter are walking in the forest, Pearl exclaims: Mother, the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom. Now see! There it is, playing, a good way off. Stand you here, and let me run and catch it. I am but a child. It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet (192). Hester tries to stretch her hand into the circle of light, but the sunshine vanishes (192). She then suggests that they go into the forest and rest (193). This short scene actually represents Hesters daily struggle in life. The light represents what Hester wants to be, which is pure. The movement of the light represents Hesters constant denial of acceptance. Hesters lack of surprise and quick suggestion to go into the forest, where it is dark, show s that she never expected to be admitted and is resigned to her station in life. Another way light and darkness is used in symbolism is by the way Hester and Dimmesdales plan to escape is doomed. Hester and Dimmesdale meet in the shadows of the forest with a gloomy sky and a threatening storm overhead when they discuss their plans for the future (200). The gloomy weather and shadows exemplify the fact that they cant get away from the repressive force of their sins. It is later proven when Dimmesdale dies on the scaffold! instead of leaving with Hester and going to England (269). A final example occurs by the way Hester and Dimmesdale can not acknowledge their love in front of others. When they meet in the woods, they feel that, No golden light had ever been so precious as the gloom of this dark forest (206). This emotion foretells that they will never last together openly because their sin has separated them too much from normal life. The scarlet letter also takes many different for ms in the novel. The first and clearest form that the letter A takes is Adulteress. It is apparent that Hester is guilty of cheating on her husband when she surfaces from the prison with a three-month-old-child in her arms, and her husband has been away for two years (53). Hence, the people look at the letter elaborately embroidered with gold thread and see a hussy who is proud of her sin (54). The second form that it takes is Angel. When Governor Winthrop passes away, a giant A appears in the sky. ! People from the church feel that, For as our good Governor Winthrop was made an angel this past night, it was doubtless held fit that there should be some notice thereof! (16). The final form that the scarlet letter take is Able. Hester helped the people of the town so unselfishly that Hawthorne wrote: Such helpfulness was found in her,so much power to do, and power to sympathize,that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by it s original significance. They said that it meant A ble; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a womans strength (167). Baby Growth and Development EssayIn closing, one of the most important reasons that The Scarlet Letter is so well known is the way Hawthorne leaves the novel open to be interpreted several different ways by his abundant use of symbolism. This background, together with a believable plot, convincing characterization, and important literary devices enables Nathaniel Hawthorne in The Scarlet Letter to the develop the theme of the heart as a prison. Hawthorne describes the purpose of the novel when he says, Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worse, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred! (272). The theme is beneficial because it can be put into terms in todays world. The Scarlet Letter is one of the few books that will be timeless, because it deals with alienation, sin, punishment, and guilt, emotions that will continue to be felt by every generation to come.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Concepts of Sales Management

Introduction Sales management involves the ability of sales managers and the sales force to attain set goals for the sales team. The goals are achieved through an effective sales plan, employee recruitment, and training and controlled resource utilization.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Concepts of Sales Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Sales management differs from marketing since it is a section within the marketing mix falling directly under personal selling. The goals of sales managers include improving the revenue realized by the firm from sales, the profits of the firm and market dominance. To achieve these objectives, sales managers must be involved in the formulation of sales strategies, their implementation and monitoring. This paper examines sales management goals and process applied by different firms in different industries. Sales Management According to Calvin, sales management is th e attainment of sales force goals in an effective and efficient manner through planning, staffing, training, leading and controlling organizational resources (61). The responsibility of selling company products falls directly under the sales manager of an organization. Many people perform personal selling. Personal selling is the process in which individuals are employed to sell company products directly to the clients. Personal selling is critical to quantity selling of an organization’s products and services. It is commonly applied in the sale of major industrial products and durables. Through personal selling, the sales representative communicates directly to the customers of the company convincing them to purchase the company products and services. In addition, he/she enters into contracts with the customers on behalf of the organization. Selling is one of the elements of the marketing mix. It can be related to the other elements of the marketing mix as indicated in the d iagram below. According to Calvin, programs for marketing are usually designed behind the 4Ps of the marketing mix that include the company product, promotions, price and the channels that are used to distribute the product to the different market segments (76).Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Sales people communicate directly to the clients while advertising and sales promotions from non-personal communication between the firm and its customers. Personal selling helps an organization increase its customers since sales representative get orders signed. However, other forms of marketing promotions such as public relations only make customers perceive the message to be coming from the media rather than from the organization. A sale representative of an organization is in a good position to meet individual needs of customers. It is the responsibility of the sales person to uncover the specific customer needs. The sales representative should remove any doubts on the part of the customers. Through effective establishment of a rapport with the customer, the sales person would determine the needs of the customer (Calvin 93). The field manager usually conducts the management of the market segment of an organization. The line manager is responsible for daily management of sales representatives of an organization. Calvin argues that sales management has its focus on administration of personal selling in a given marketing mix of an organization (155). Sales management is responsible for various functions in an organization such as the planning of sales programs, their management and control. In addition, the sales management section of the marketing mix is responsible for the recruitment of sales personnel, their training, compensation, motivation and evaluation. The main goals of all managers in the sales management section are to surpass the company goals and the development of sales people that report to them directly. Due to various forces in the business environment, the marketing environment keeps changing. This has led to a need to the variation of the sales management strategies and objectives.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Concepts of Sales Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Goals of Sales Managers Sales management is a major element in the marketing mix that helps an organization to achieve its set objectives. Most common objectives of an organization include maximization of the sales revenue while minimizing costs. In order to achieve the maximum profit, an organization needs to set specific goals for its sales managers. The managers are responsible for monitoring and supervising sales activities of an organization. They are involved in setting various sales goals as described: Sales: the sales representatives of an organization usually sell the products of an organization. The sales representatives report directly to the sales managers. It is the responsibility of the sales manager to allocate the sales persons different strategic market segments in order to maximize the sales made by the firm. In addition to sales management, the managers give the representatives targets that should be met for revenue maximization. Revenues: this money flows into the organization from the sale of the products and services of an organization. According to Honeycutt Ford and Simintiras, the revenue realized from sales varies due to various factors (87). Some of the factors include the size of an organization in an industry, environmental factors, products quality among other factors. In spite of these factors, it is the responsibility of the sales manager to ensure that the revenue realized by the firm is large compared to the competitors. The sales personnel report directly to the sales manager. Through communication with the cust omers, the manager will be in a position to determine the specific customer needs hence influencing production of products that fit into the needs hence increased revenue. Profits: an increase in the revenue realized from the sale of the products and services of an organization is related to the profit of the firm. The gross profit is obtained through the deduction of the cost of sales from the sales revenue.Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A high level of revenue compared to the costs incurred in the sale could result in high gross profit. Similarly, a high level of revenue could also led to high level of net profit although there are other determinant expenses. It is the duty of the sales manager to ensure that the sales revenue is high enough to offset the cost of sales and other expenses in order to increase the profit of the firm. Failure to this duty, the organization is likely to report a loss. Market share: according to Calvin, a sales representative is in direct contact with the customers of an organization (121). Through them, the organization is able to know specific customer needs that need to be fulfilled. Effective fulfillment of customer needs can lead to customer loyalty. It is therefore the duty of the sales manager to ensure that the company products meet the consumer needs. This can be established through feedback from the customers obtained through sales personnel. Internal cost control: sales manag ement is part of the marketing mix that receives funding from the firm for its operations. The activities of the sale personnel in the field are financed by the organization. The sales manager manages these activities and therefore can directly control them. Through effective control of the activities of the sales representative, the sales manager can reduce operating costs of the firm. Thus, it is the goal of the sales manager to control the costs incurred in the selling process. Activities of Sales Management Sales management involves the monitoring of the selling process. In order to execute the above objectives of the section, sales management is involved in various activities such as: Strategy formulation: the sales managers are responsible for developing the strategy that can be utilized by the firm to increase the sales revenue while reducing operating costs. The set strategy also aims at ensuring that eh firm maximizes the profit. The execution of the set strategies is achie ved through the establishment of a sales plan (Honeycutt Ford and Simintiras 132). Implementation: it is the duty of the sales managers to implement the formulated sales strategies. The implementation process begins early with the sales manager recruiting qualified sales representatives. The recruited sales personnel are then trained on the specific selling skills in order to be able to sell company products, services and policies. The sale management team is also responsible for motivating the sales team through well-established compensation system. They set targets for the sales team in the field while supporting the teams to meet the set targets. Lastly, the sales management team is responsible for developing and implementing sales performance. As the team operates, the sales management monitors and evaluates the progress. The evaluation ensures that the targets are met and any deviations are explained with efforts being made to overcome the challenges. Sales Management Process S ales management process involves various steps such as: Planning: it is the initial step in every action undertaken by the sales management team. The planning process involves the determination of the goals of the sales team, the objectives and the strategies. For instance, the goal of an organization could be to maximize sales through increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. The goals set by the firm should be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable and relevant). For instance, the targets set by the sales managers to the sales representatives should be attainable within a given period (Honeycutt Ford and Simintiras 143). Staffing: employees are a vital resource to any organization since they help the firm attain its given objectives. Similarly, sales representatives are an important resource to sales management. Staffing process involves the attraction, recruitment and development of sales personnel in the organization. The recruitment process should be through with individual s with academic qualifications and skills in sales being selected. Training: this step aims at maintaining the sales personnel of an organization through increased knowledge and skills. Employee training enables employees develop job related culture, skills and attitudes that can lead to increased sales performance for the firm (Schwartz 56). Leading: this is an important step in sales management since the management team provides the necessary leadership skills for the entire sales team. Leadership in sales management aims at attaining the set goals. Sales managers are expected to lead by example hence acting as role models to their field teams that would eventually develop professionalism. Controlling: this step involves monitoring the activities sales personnel are involved in. the sales managers are directly in charge of selling activities and should therefore determine whether the firm is in the right direction towards the achievement of its set goals. In cases where the sales management team, realizes mistakes, corrective measures should be taken in time. Sales Department Relationships Relationship is an important aspect in sales management and in the entire organization. The relationship established in the sales management department is based on teamwork. Sales personnel in the department should be grouped into different groups that are assigned different tasks. Individuals in the groups should work in harmony through cooperation. Schwartz notes that teamwork enhances learning through increased sharing of information and experiences. In addition, working as a team could enable sales personnel develops various skills that could help them improve their productivity (65). For instance, conflict management skills could be developed hence helping the employees to cooperate further in their sales activities in the field. In spite of the importance of teamwork, communication is a necessary tool for the development of binding, productive and lasting relationshi ps in the department. Thus, sales management should establish relationships with various other departments in t eh organization such as the financial department, the human resource department and the marketing department. The finance department relationship is vital since the sales managers need funds to operate their daily activities and motivate sales personnel. The HR relationship is important for improved communication, recruitment, and training of sales force. Sales Manager Skills Various sales management competencies are vital for sales managers. Different people in different everyday life situations utilize the competencies as indicated in the figure below. Strategic action skills: it is important that sales manager understand the required strategies and goals of an organization in order to ensure that the actions of the manager and subordinate sales staff are consistent with the set goals. A sales manager endowed with strategic action competency understands the industry and the organization and therefore undertakes necessary strategies that can help the firm fit and excel in the industry. Coaching Skills: according to Tanner, Honeycutt and Erffmeyer, a sales manager of any organization has an important role to play in the competitive industry the firm operates (91). Coaching involves a sequence of activities and communication ongoing between the sales person and the sales manager. Other activities involved include encouragement of the sales person and helping him/her attain set goals. Through coaching, a sales manager provides verbal feedback, acts as a role model and builds trust within the sales team he/she heads. Team Building: this skill is necessary for the accomplishment of tasks through small groups of people that perform given duties collectively and interdependently. The sales manager could be of greater help to the firm if he/she is able to design teams properly, creates a supporting environment to the sales team and is able to manage the dy namics of the team appropriately (Tanner, Honeycutt and Erffmeyer 102). Self-management skills: this skill requires that the sales manager is able to take responsibility of his/her own actions. Whenever issues arise, the manager should not blame others. This skill requires that the sales manager has integrity and ethical conduct, is able to manage personal drive and has self-awareness and development. Technological skills: technology has advanced and has contributed greatly to globalization. A sales manager should understand the potential in technology that can be used to improve the efficiency of the sales force in the firm. The manager should know the implementation and integration of technology into the sales force hence competency. Other leadership skills for a sales manager include continuous learning, listening and communication (Tanner, Honeycutt and Erffmeyer 112). Conclusion A sales plan is an important step in the sales management process. Through planning, the sales manag ers set SMART goals for the section that must coincide with organizational goals. Set goals can be achieved through the implementation of various strategies. Sales personnel are the resources that are used to implement the strategies. It is the responsibility of the sales managers to motivate the sales force through better compensation, education and training. For this to be realized, the sales management team must establish good relationships with other departments in the organization such as the department of finance and human resource. The success of sales management is based on many factors some of which include teamwork, leadership planning among others. Works Cited Calvin, Robert. Sales Management. 2 Ed. New Jersey, NJ: McGraw-Hill Professional. 2004. Honeycutt, Earl, Ford John and Simintiras Antonis. Sales Management: A Global Perspective. London: Routledge. 2003. Schwartz, Mathew. Fundamentals of sales management for the newly appointed sales manager. New York, NY: AMACOM Di v American Mgmt Assn. 2006. Tanner, John, Honeycutt, Earl and Erffmeyer Robert. Sales Management: Shaping Future Sales Leaders. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. 2008. This term paper on Concepts of Sales Management was written and submitted by user Tenley Armstrong to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Sting of the Tale

Sting of the Tale Devyani Borade is the creator, and real-life version, of Debora. Her fiction, nonfiction and art have been accepted/published NOTE FROM HOPE: I fell in love with Devora, so dont be surprised to see her appear in her writing escapades every once in a while. Thought youd appreciate relating to her writing issues.  Visit her website Verbolatry at http://devyaniborade.blogspot.com to contact her, and enjoy more of Deboras adventures.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Dementia training for carer and family Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Dementia training for carer and family - Essay Example The second category comprises of evident challenges in the performance of personal activities that define an individual’s life. The third category is an evident mood change or alterations in one’s personality a factor that adversely affects interpersonal functioning. Many cases of dementia have been described as irreversible hence, patients suffering from dementia need proper management of the condition. One of the leading causes of dementia is the debilitating effect of the Alzheimer disease which triggers the deterioration of different body systems. Other causes of dementia include Down’s syndrome, vascular dementia and Lewy body diseases. The chances of developing dementia are remarkably higher in old age although aging is not a contributor to its development. Research has revealed that people of over 65 years are more vulnerable to developing dementia. This paper will discuss certain critical aspects of dementia training for carer and family. The current service provision to patients suffering from dementia depends on the stage of the condition. Dementia progresses in three stages with the initial stage being characterized by anxiety, confusion, agitation and stress. The middle stage of dementia has features such as increased distress, aggressiveness, frustration, and forgetfulness. The final stage denotes the completely debilitated state which is defined by memory loss in continence, uncontrolled weight loss, cognitive in deficiency, and finally the loss of speech. There is evidence that, the prevalence of dementia has sold in the recent years, but there is a lack of evidence of adequate intervention strategies. The health care system and the social service unit have failed to give dementia the expected priority. There are an estimated 560,000 people likely to develop dementia in the United Kingdom. Research reveals that the numbers of people developing dementia are likely to increase in the future. There is a