Leaders Make a Real Difference in an Organisation’s Performance Essay

Within these qualities over history great leaders have developed detailed theories that are constantly being utilized within successful corporations today. Amongst these are Trait theory, Behavioural theories and also the Situational contingency theories that were used to represent successful leadership qualities. Great leaders become highlighted in times of oppression, utilizing their talents to move forward and have solid control of their organisations, in turn developing positive organisational performance. Through past generations leadership had developed to the ultimate success it is today. Through multiple theories, leadership has moved to the point where it now has a factual impact on organisations performance. The contemporary management theories are used in numerous ways of motivating, creating opportunity providing inspiration and resulting in a definite increase in organisational performance. This is evident in today’s society, through a minimal view of coaching sporting teams to the operations of large corporate groups such as Wesfarmers. Creating opportunity, Throughout history, it has been clearly evident that a great leader’s input shall reflect with a great performance output, thus developing opportunities for individuals to accomplish their maximum potential. â€Å"Leaders create opportunity for individuals within their sphere of influence† (urbanfoot. ca, 2009), opportunity being a set of circumstances that makes it potentially possible to achieve anything from extrinsic to intrinsic rewards. This creation of opportunity manifests itself across the globe in large and small organisations. In contemporary society it is shown by leaders within sporting clubs, the success of the best AFL clubs are built on a hierarchy of leaders, club captains, coaches, and trainers. They are all striving to create opportunity for young potential players. Essendon football club’s great success over the past numerous decades have been because of the major influential leadership role James Hird has played within the club. James Hird leading his club by being captain through two premierships and is now today still leading the club by coaching. His career of captain assisted with the creation the opportunity for the club leaders today and now he is continuing his leadership role by coaching the team, it is evident with his club involvement there is a definite outcome of organisational performance. As well as leading through creating opportunity, great leaders strive to inspire others within their environment. Inspiration, Leaders aim to inspire individuals within their vicinity to pursue the outcome of organisational performance. This constant attempt to provide inspiration is strongly shown by our world’s best leaders that are driving the powerhouse of our world’s economy. Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, Phil Knight, founder of Nike and Richard Branson founder of Virgin Group, these individuals are amongst many others that are part of the world’s most inspirational leaders. These people have founded some of the world’s biggest corporations by their profound ability inspire. Richard Branson went from developing a school newspaper called Student to operating one of the world’s most complex conglomerates know as Virgin Group. Branson’s life motto is to ‘have fun’ this is reason to his positive eccentric personality that reflects to inspire others around him. Lead by example† this phrase is used throughout human life to portray inspiration on others, through creating an inspiration on others leaders are assisting to motivate. Motivation, Motivation is a key part of a great leader’s success in achieving organisational performance. Motivation is referred to as â€Å"the forces within an individual that account for the level, direction and persistence of effort expended at work† (Wood, J. et al, 2010). Motivation on individuals is reflected by successful leaders, through multiple different theories. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory identifies high order needs and low order needs† (Wood, J. et al, 2010) this details a pyramid that highlights the work motivational needs of individuals, including psychological, safety, social, esteem and self-actualisation. This research has contributed to the success of leaders in motivating and achieving ultimate organisational performance across large contemporary organisations. In many of today’s organisations leaders commonly motivate employees through the use of offering extrinsic rewards, â€Å"positively valued work outcomes† (Wood, J. t al, 2010), this may range from Christmas bonuses to simply allowing the use of a company car. Through the use of extrinsic rewards individuals are motivated to produc e their maximum performance. It is evident in KPMG, one of the world’s largest consulting firms; the use of leaders providing employees with extrinsic rewards motivates employees to achieve their full potential. KPMG provides employees with an annual bonus fluctuating on the employees yearly work effort. In doing so employees are determined to work to achieve a high constant overall organisational performance. Individuals that utilize the use of their leadership talents; creating opportunity, inspiring and motivating individuals will evidently result in reaching an optimum level of organisational performance productivity. Throughout history within these abilities leaders have developed several theories to manage the way it is put into practice. Through the past centuries leaders have always played a pivotal role in the triumph of groups, from the times of Genghis Khan, Napoleon and even Hitler, their efforts have exemplified how great leaders can make a major difference to organisations. All leaders tend to have different styles when it comes to commanding their subordinates and as time has progressed they have been categorized into different approaches and theories. The first theory to be thought up was known as the trait theory, and as the years moved on different studies and research was conducted to the point where different types of leadership are studied. Trait Theory, The trait theory which identifies different traits between leaders and followers, and assumes that leaders are born not developed. The trait theory takes into account physical and mental attributes of people that appeared to be more successful leaders. This theory took into account things such as height, weight and personality, and rather than study each of those in detail, these characteristics were recognised in effective and ineffective leaders. Therefore people could be able to predict if a person was a worthy or unworthy leader, although due to the studies being conducted as early as 1900 there was never any real recording s of evidence. Also there were never any real set of traits that defined a good leader, in other words there was no benchmark, which made it difficult for people to understand the theory as there were great leaders that had different characteristics. For example Hitler had different traits and characteristics to Nelson Mandela, Hitler was considered hard and persistent whereas Mandela was a visionary. Although it is certain that the trait theory set the trend for years to come. Behavioural Theories, The trait theory laid the foundations for what was later known as the behavioural theories; this included the Michigan and Ohio State studies. The behavioural theories compliments the flaws of the trait theory as it is more action based rather than only taking natural aspects into consideration. The Michigan studies showed that there are two types of leaders, employee-centred supervisors and production-centred supervisors. Employee-centred supervisors are leaders who look out for their workers and try to keep them emotionally happy by showing genuine interest in the wellbeing. Whereas production-centred employees are mostly concerned about getting the work done and meeting figures, rather than looking out for the welfare of their workers. Research has shown that employee-centred managers were found to have more efficient and effective groups than production-centred supervisors. The Ohio State studies which are very similar to the Michigan studies showed that leaders had two main dimensions, consideration and initiating structure, which can be related to employee-centres supervisors and production-centred supervisors respectively. Although the results from this study showed different results as the supervisors who received the best output from their employees showed a high amount of consideration and initiating structure. Situational contingency theories, The next sets of theories to be developed were the situational contingency theories, which came about in the 1960’s. These theories involve leaders that can adapt to the situation they are place in, for example Fiedler’s theory predicts work group effectiveness and how it depends on a match between the leader’s technique and the difficulties of the situation. Fiedler also considered the amount of situational control a leader has, which is how well a leader can determine the result of a groups actions and the course the will take on the way. Of course Fiedler was not the only person to come up with situational theories, there was also; Robert House, Paul Hersey, Kenneth Blanchard, Steve Kerr and Jonathon Jermier, but for the purpose of not repeating similar information they will not be discussed. It is fair to say that over the years leadership theories have changed with the times. The trait theory was effective for organisational performance as it helped identify leaders before they even took on a leading role, and although today that might seem politically incorrect, it’s what was suitable for the times. The behavioural theories in the late 1940’s had a great effect on organisational performance because people started to take into account the actions of their leaders and the different effect that certain actions would obtain. The Situational theories took another step into understanding the effect that good leaders can have on organisational behaviour by interpreting the how leaders manage the situation and whether or not they can mould to new and different challenges. As leadership theories have evolved, only the strong have survived, and the recent global financial crisis has provided great challenges for leaders to portray their successful qualities. Leadership is a quality that has grown in human culture over thousands of years and within the past century economies have taken significant falls highlighting the choices great leaders have made to sustain organisational performance through this time. Two significant downturns in history shook the world economy, the great depression of the 1930’s, Franklin D Roosevelt’s leadership qualities particularly exceled through this period and the global financial crisis saw absurd leadership talents ChemChina. These flairs in leadership talent depicted the difference it can asset on organisational performance. Global Financial Crisis – ChemChina In 2007 the world economy fell into the deepest trough in decades, this is known as the global financial crisis, it was considered the worst financial crisis since the great depression in the 1930’s. The global financial crisis saw the collapse of multiple investment banks across the United States of America and developed a ripple effect that was felt by economies across the globe. Great leaders stood out through this period powering their companies without feeling the effect of the economic down turn. One company in particular that continued a sustainable growth in organisational performance is ChemChina. While millions of companies were collapsing and on the verge of insolvency ChemChina’s prime operating income multiplied seven times, total assets increased by 133. 4 billion Yuan and total profits escalated an increased 12 times over, Ren Jianxin the president of ChemChina’s outstanding leadership qualities were the main motive behind the relentless accomplishment. The massive operational increases in production were due to major â€Å"innovations in organisation, institutions and technologies involving changes in their way of thinking, philosophies and producti on technologies and processes†. (Ren Jianxin, 2009) All this required an overall development in their way of leadership, in turn a successful corporate transformation thus organisational performance. 930’s Great Depression – Franklin D Roosevelt The great depression which hit the world through the 1930’s affected the world on a scale that had never been seen before. The depression started in America when stock prices started to fall, and on October 29, 1929 the stock market crashed and the effect spread globally. The effect this had on the world was far worse than anyone could have ever imagined causing people to commit suicide, die of starvation and start their lives over in a new world. Out of this came one of the world’s greatest ever leaders, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who dragged America and the rest of the world out of the depression. Roosevelt took over as president in March of 1933 and re instilled hope back into the American people by promising action and in his first address to the people he said one of today most famous quotes, â€Å"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself†. Roosevelt decided that to get the country out of the position they were in he had to adopt policies that were frowned upon, such as creating deficit budgets, which for the times were unheard of. When Roosevelt pulled the American economy back to its feet he was rewarded by being elected for four successive terms. Roosevelt proved how one great leader can have a major effect on a group of people and that it is not impossible to come back from the dead. Financial crisis’s at any time cause a great amount of angst in the around the world, and it takes very special people to lead corporations, governments or even countries out of these fatal situations. ChemChina and Roosevelt were both innovative in their styles and led their respective organisations either to new great heights or just simply out of a great depression. Throughout the times Leaders have always come under scrutiny from their critics, although one does not attain criticism without achieving. Without Leaders providing their qualities to inspire, create opportunity and motivate, organisations would have a lack of soul and would be forever falling in a negative style.

Blue Parker Original Writing: The Blitz

It started out as a normal day; birds were singing and the autumn leaves were falling, each golden, crisply leaf floating to the golden carpet of the woodland. Everyone in the village smiled and said, â€Å"Hello† as you passed them by, the sun was shining like a shimmering coin. Trees were dancing in the mid-day breeze which lightly blew through the perfect air†¦ That was until a growing cloud started to shroud my village and eclipsed the sun. That was until the rain shot down like bullets. That was until my home was blitzed by the German army. The quiet and tranquil morning was suddenly replaced with chaos and fear. No longer did the citizens not stop to say hello, instead they dashed into their homes. No longer did bird song echo on the breeze. Now only the sound of chaos and fear remained. The black mist closed upon my village; it was in complete darkness. Then I saw them; the fighter planes which elegantly swooped down like a graceful yet vicious swarm. The planes dived and ducked to violently attack my home land. In the air I could smell fear mixed with a smoky blitz of burning buildings; the odour of engine oil, gunpowder, smoke; the unforgettable stench of dust which ate through the smoky polluted air. The silent clouds above sneaked through the frozen sky. The scent of tense anticipation hung in the air, until †¦.. Crash†¦. Boom! The bullets and blaze covered my village in a thunderous crackling wave of panic and despair. The inferno took hold and the flames flared like grotesque dancers approaching the finale of their show. The cold morning was replaced with an orange glow as the flames began to devour the village. The buildings burned one by one leading up to the church, where the priests stayed vainly believing that they would be safe in the 400 year old masterpiece. The cathedral was as white as snow and stood at a staggering height, apposing the fire until the moment of reckoning finally came: the church was defeated by the orange, glowing demon which got stronger and stronger as it ate through my village. My usually quiet village was in ruins the perfect landscape ruined. Roads became blackened dirt tracks, houses became shacks and people†¦ became corpses. Flashes of red and orange ate the buildings throughout the village, buildings were falling, crashing and burning. Was it a horrible dream? I didn’t care; I had to run. I kept running towards the safest place which ironically was the tallest building in the whole of the village. As I stumbled over the hill, which blocked the telephone tower‘s view, I was astonished to find it their, sizzling in the soaring heat that beamed down. It was just lying there like a sleighed knight. My plan was a failure. What now? Everyone around me raced towards the next town (Greenford) it was every man for himself people frantically clawed passed each other. Desperate people fled the village, there were no attempts to calm or put out the blazing monster which tore the village apart, nobody helped the trapped helpless people that were taken captive by the evil red monster. As for me, I followed the desperate horde of people to safety. But would the next village get bombed then the next then where do we go? The next day came. All around me I could see nothing but death and destruction. The village was ruined. Buildings, once standing proud and beautiful were nothing more that blackened shells. Lone people, hysterically crying, wandered from building to building in the hope that they might salvage something. The German planes had left hours ago, flying away safely and smugly satisfied with the havoc and devastation they had reeked. The enemy had gone but the consequences of war remained.

Critical Reading and Interpretation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Critical Reading and Interpretation - Essay Example While both the play wrights have their individualistic attitude towards implementing the social structure of their respective times Christopher Marlowe lived during the Renaissance periods in the 16th century England. However, the society could be seen with fixed Elizabethan moral values. The feeling toward the social necessity to increase one’s living status, which is the initial mark of the Renaissance spirit, can be identified in Dr.Faustus; however, Marlowe was able to mingle a religious base on the social structure of the plot. It seems that Marlowe might have chosen a Christian theological character in order to emphasise the message of the play. The play carries many references to the emergence of individuality from the less individualistic and less independent medieval thinking as an effect of Renaissance, and thus reflecting all these features the character of Dr.Faustus. The theme of morality, which plays a very important role in the Victorian society has been taken into account as the main subject of satire however, Wilde seemed to have displayed his viewpoint with a ridiculous attitude added to the characterisations. The Importance of Being Earnest is a manifestation of the moral clutches of Victorian society. Some of the social norms taken into consideration by Oscar Wilde such as class-consciousness, upper class gentlemanliness, the differences in choosing what type of books an upper and a lower class man can read, etc. When Jack says, â€Å"You have seen me with it a hundred times, and you have no right whatsoever to read what is written inside. It is a very ungentlemanly thing to read a private cigarette case† [I, 68-72]. Jack feels that reading somebody’s cigarette case is not an upper class behaviour, and in the same way Jack’s notions towards other’s behaviour which are reflected in the form of comments again pro ve the Victorian class-consciousness. Wilde has taken these

Developing Positive Assertiveness Research Paper

Developing Positive Assertiveness - Research Paper Example It has been seen that usually the behavior of the people fits within one of the four models that are considered the very basic. These comprise of the passive, the aggressive, the indirectly aggressive and the assertive behaviors. This paper will take a deep look at the explanations and proper examples of both assertive and aggressive behaviors. Since assertive behavior is one of the clearest forms of communication, anger is usually portrayed within it. It communicates the interaction in very clear cut terms. Strong feelings are usually represented through this form of behavior. It takes into perspective the feelings and emotions of others undoubtedly (Wild, 2011). It has been known that acting in an assertive manner indeed builds upon the premise of one’s self esteem as well as the self esteem of other individuals. What it does best is to allow people to take charge of their own lives and be more responsible about what they do and what they say. It is like making life work for one’s own self, which indeed is an essential ideology that comes attached with assertive behavior. It does not dig deep into being a victim of one’s circumstances and situations that is always the case rather it focuses more on taking charge of one’s own entirety. ... It just comes naturally with the advent of time, however much training is indeed required. Merely being assertive does not really manifest in essence. What is needed is how well one overcomes the blocks that are present within the realms of the assertive behavior. This is apparent through the numerous blocks that are there within the lives of the people and which are learned through practice (Lloyd, 2002). An example could be quoted here of the nuances which create problems in the wake of learning how to demonstrate assertive behavior. One such block which hinders the smooth flow of assertive behavior is lack of self confidence, which can create serious problems for the people at large. At times, it is usually very difficult to change such patterns which have existed with an individual for so long, and hence it becomes a norm that is difficult to get rid of. If such blocks are removed, learning is all the same and hence success would be achieved within the ranks of showing assertive behavior. Moving on to aggressive behavior, it is indeed one of the most violent behaviors that mankind has ever known. It can often lead to physical behavior which is the most heinous form of aggressive behavior. Aggressive behavior takes into perspective yelling, abuses, physical violence and extreme levels of anger (Emmett, 2011). It could mean to hurt the other person as well as the one who commits to such a behavior in the first place. People usually see aggressive behavior as the one that restrains contact with the individual who is getting into its act for a certain period of time. In other words, the aggressive individual who is showing such a streak would be left high and dry for some time so that

Beliefs In The Existence Of Ghosts And Poltergeists Term Paper

Beliefs In The Existence Of Ghosts And Poltergeists - Term Paper Example Saul was inclined to fits and visions, and perhaps in this instance, all that happened was that his imagination took over at a time when he was desperate. The prediction wasn’t even totally correct, although Saul would die at the hand of the Philistines – but that is likely to have happened anyway he was so disheartened. Webster’s Dictionary defines a ghost as being ‘a spirit or a demon, a disembodied soul.’ believed to be an inhabitant of an unseen world. Kipling, whose son died in the Ist World War and who might well have wanted contact with him, is warning people to leave well alone. The ghost of Samuel is not, of course, the only well known literary ghost. In the Odyssey, Homer describes how Circe advises Odysseus to consult the spirits of the dead. ( Odyssey 11 v 23-28.) There is also Hamlet’s father in Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Banquo in his Macbeth., the ghosts being devices to explain a character’s inner feelings or move the story on. ‘Whethering Heights’ by Emily Brontà © ( 1847) has its Kathy clawing at the windows. Dickens, of course, had Marley appearing to Scrooge ( A Christmas Carol, 1843), one of the few instances in literature where some good resulted. In modern-day films, we have the Ghostbusters and of course the Harry Potter films, both of which show ghosts as being evil things, although J.K. Rowling also portrays more gentle beings such as Harry’s parents. In C.S. Lewis’s ‘The Great Divorce’ (1945) the author describes ghosts who have to choose whether to give up their sins and go to he aven or whether they prefer to retain them and go to hell. Stevie Smith in her 1953 poem ‘ Not waving but drowning’ has the dead man explaining his predicament.

FINANCE (RATIO ANALYSIS) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

FINANCE (RATIO ANALYSIS) - Essay Example The threats of terrorism have significantly boost defense systems spending especially for countries like United States. After the September 11 tragedy which shocked the global business environment becomes a grim reminder for nations to improve their defense systems. BAE Systems Plc (BAE) traces its origin to the  £7.7 billion merger of Marconi Electronic Systems which is the defense electronics and naval shipbuilding subsidiary of the General Electric Company Plc and British Aerospace which specializes in the manufacture of aircraft, ammunition, and naval systems. Out of these prestigious business organizations, its establishment in 1999 equipped with a unique competitive advantage which enables it to position itself as the third largest global defence company and sixth largest US defense company employing 97, 500 highly skilled people. Financial ratio analysis is a very essential tool in assessing the financial health of a business entity. It enables a financial analyst to spot trends in a business and to compare it with the performance of similar business enterprises within the same industry. This tool is currently utilized by business managers, investors, creditors, suppliers, and other decision makers in order to determine the financial performance and well being of a business organisation. Financial ratios are grouped into four broad categories, each showing a different aspect of a company’s financial performance. These are profitability ratios, financial leverage ratios, liquidity/solvency ratios, and efficiency ratios. In order to get a deeper insight of BAE’s financial performance, its computed financial ratios will be benchmarked with its competitor’s Cobham Plc. The rationale of choosing these two business organizations is simple. It should be noted that both of them are regarded as important players in the global pharmaceutical industry. Being in the same line of business

Child abuse and maltreatment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Child abuse and maltreatment - Assignment Example Shouting at a chid may cause emotional distress. Abuse of toddlers has greater impacts more than one can see. Neglect and other forms of abuse have both long term and short term consequences including developmental delays, physical injuries, emotional trauma, and aggressive behaviour. As a nurse it is important to recognize the tell tale signs of abuse in toddlers since the toddlers can not express themselves. These include shaken baby syndrome, evidence of poor hygiene, sleep disturbances for the young one, unaccounted for bruises and physical injuries, a child being abandoned or left unsupervised, aggressive behaviour towards other children. While neglect and abuse has been documented, some cultural practices can always be misidentified as abuse. For example, disciplinary practices in various communities; physical punishment is accepted in the low socio economic classes. This means that such cultural differences in rearing children place parents at greater risks of being reported. In Florida over 40 professionals have been mandated to report child abuse cases one of them being the nurses (Cruise & Gorton, 2001). If nurses suspect any child abuse, they can report through fax or phone. The phone number is toll free and open all the time. The fax number is also open for twenty four hours a day. The nurses are required to give the reactions of the child ad

Design Driven Innovation in B & O company Essay

Design Driven Innovation in B & O company - Essay Example This paper illustrates that many of the B & O’s products are said to have held a place of honors in the permanent collection of globe’s greatest art museums. The company had delivered the most and largest consistent design portfolio among the world’s industrial companies according to a citation at the museum of modern arts in New York.   The level of the accomplishment translated into profit margins and high price points and was realized through an increased number of dealers from discerning and devoted customers. The good reputation provided the company with a competitive advantage. The company is said to have evolved development processes and unique designs that enabled them to develop products with functionality and appearances that improved their recognition. The company offered the designer a chance to develop new products that would confuse engineers to find news of manufacturing them. Creating a business that is profitable entails offering services and p roducts that consumers will be able to buy at a better price, The Company was good at this. New ideas technologies and materials made their way into the company’s products by utilizing the best designers. The products designed were appealing to the customers. Customers too were willing to pay for the products designed. Despite the company’s product design prowess, what happened in 2006 was getting more complicated after the product was turned on. The Apple iPod closely integrated and acclaimed by designers with online iTunes music services had shown that design in the company market space was to encompass more than function and physical forms. The company should be prepared to adapt to the changing environment since the company’s products will be extended more deeply into virtual space, where great design meant network-based interaction and great software. Excellence and performance in such areas required ideas and skills that were different from the companyâ₠¬â„¢s traditional expertise.

Catholic Teachings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Catholic Teachings - Essay Example Catholic teaching teaches its followers that they should not be better off than the followers of other religions. However, the world is still filled with many poor and underprivileged people while very rich religious people and institutions continue to bask in their wealth. Catholics believe that they should work towards eradicating poverty and assist others in improving their living standards. Catholics basically follow the First Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which says: freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people. the peoples of the United Nations havedetermined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:35-36 Every individual is both sacred and social. A person appreciates his or her dignity and rights in relationship with others in the community. The community must allow all individuals to grow and achieve fulfilment. The organization of society - in economics and politics, in law and policy - directly influences human dignity and the ability for individuals to develop in community. The compulsion to "love our neighbour" not only has an individual aspect, but it also involves a broader social obligation. Each person is responsible in contributing to the good of the whole society. This behaviour spread throughout all communities in every nation will lead to moral world development and encourages individuals to strive to attain better world economic development. Society is judged morally by the way it treats its poorest citizens as the plight of the poor demands a moral claim from the conscience of the community. Powerlessness and deprivation of the poor hurts the whole community.A community can be strengthened if its members give greater attention to the needy and those at society's fringes. The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Workers have a right to productive work, to fair wages, and to safe working conditions. They also have a right to

Comparative Study of Personal Financial Planning Essay Example for Free

Comparative Study of Personal Financial Planning Essay It is generally seen that people have a misconception that financial planning is about saving more and spending less but that is not the case, it is more about saving the right amount so that future goals can be met. The objective of financial planning is * To ensure that the right amount of money is available in right hands at right point of time in the future to achieve the desired goals and objectives. It * Provides direction and meaning to your financial decisions. * It allows you to understand how each financial decision you make affects other areas of your finances. Financial planning and investments can be undertaken by anyone with a clear assessment of ones inflow of funds and the goals that need to be achieved from time to time. Keywords: Financial planning, wealth management, investment instruments, real estate Introduction Financial planning is achieving your financial goals in the most efficient manner. The broad areas of financial planning include Investment planning  -Your wealth will only grow over time if you have invested it in assets. Investment planning  deals with the kind of investments an individual should invest in to get the best out of his wealth. In this the risk and return profiling of an individual is done based on his life stage, spending requirements with respect to his income and wealth, time horizon and liquidity requirements and various individual specific constraints. Investment Planning is important because it helps you to derive the maximum benefit from your investments. | Cash flow planning   In simple terms, cash flow refers to the inflow and outflow of money. It is a record of your income and expenses. Though this sounds simple, very few people actually take time out to find out what comes in and what goes out of their hands each month. Cash flow planning refers to the process of identifying the major expenditures in future (both short-term and long-term) and making planned investments so that the required amount is accumulated within the required time frame. Cash flow planning is the first thing that should be done prior to starting an investment exercise, because only then will you be in a position to know how your finances look like, and what is it that you can invest without causing a strain on yourself. It will also enable you to understand if a particular investment matches with your flow requirement| | | 3. Retirement planning   Retirement planning means making sure you will have enough money to live on after retiring from work. Retirement should be the best period of your life, when you can literally sit back and relax or enjoy your life by reaping benefits of what you earn in so many years of hard work. But it is easier said than done. To achieve a hassle-free retired life, you need to make prudent invest ment decisions during your working life, thus putting your hard-earned money to work for you in future. Planning for retirement is as important as planning your career and marriage. Life takes its own course and from the poorest to the wealthiest, no one gets spared. We get older every day, without realizing. However, we assume that old age is never going to touch us. The future depends to a great extent on the choices you make today. Right decisions with the help of proper financial planning, taken at the right time will assure smile and success at the time of retirement. Retirement Planning acquires added importance because of the fact that though longevity has increased, the number of working years havent.Tax planning   Tax evasion is illegal but tax minimization is legal. Thus you can reduce your tax liability by planning effectively. With proper tax planning you can increase your after tax income. |   | 5. | Children future planning- It is essential to plan for the future of your children. The purpose of Childrens Future Planning is to create a corpus for foreseeable expenditures such as those on higher education and wedding and to provide for an adequa te security cover during their growing years. Savings alone is no longer enough.

Is Shopping Political?

Is Shopping Political? Is shopping political? This reports primary aim is to answer the question whether or not ‘is shopping political?’ In order to delve into this statement, this report will be split into sub-headings creating a commentary around the various political trends amongst the area of consumerism. These sub-headings will range from theories on false needs, to backlashes against the system such as Anti-branding, and ethical consumerism. This discussion will allow for the examination of how these actions transpire the arena of consumerism into a political environment. Whilst examining these political statements, the second aim is to apply the wide array of differing ideological paradigms that are amongst the ‘politics of the everyday’. Then using them in-conjunction with the previously mentioned areas, it will then conclude by answering the question at hand. Firstly, the statement is ‘shopping political?’ is in itself a hard question to define, as shoppers make their decisions based upon a wide category of ideas, which goes further than the confines of price or convenience (Petrocelli 2013). These next paragraphs will explore the wider dimensions of shopping. Temples of Consumerism – (False needs) (Apple 2012) This image depicts an Apple shop releasing a new upgrade of the iPhone, where hundreds of people are waiting to purchase it. This event to some is a seemingly normal occurrence in everyday life. However some theorists have looked deeper into these events with a more critical eye. Herbert Marcuse’s ‘one dimensional man’ argues that society today is distorted; and this so called ‘consumer society’ and the politics of corporate capitalism has created a second nature of man which ties him libidinally and aggressively to the commodity form (Marcuse 1964 p.11). This quote and picture generates an extremely valuable point for today’s society, as if we examine the constructs of our culture; every advisement, every commodity, generates an image that without these materials we will not achieve any form of freedom or happiness. Marcuse also points out that these false needs are nothing to do with our basic needs like; clothing, or shelter. They are posed upon us by elites to alienate and re-press society, making us blind to the true imperatives of this world. For example one does not need a million pound mansion. Yet, one will work 70hours a week putting them under constant stress or even to die prematurely for this so called ‘need’ (Chernus N.d p.7) instead of focusing issues such as poverty. Neo-Marxists are also sceptical of this dependency of commodity fetishism arguing it organises our lives in an exploitative way. Evidently, we don’t feel like victims in this controlled society, in fact we feel very much liberated. But, this system outlines that that possessing, consuming, handling and constantly renewing these gadgets (Marcuse 1964 p.11) is the true form of freedom. Bauman’s theory ‘Liquid life’ can also be used to comment on the oppressive nature of consumerism. To back up Marcuse’s argument, Bauman stressed that the very nature of liquid life creates a dependency on these gadgets. But he also acknowledges that those hot-headed or desperate enough to try and defy the odds stacked against them risk becoming outlaws and outcasts (Bauman 2005 p.6). Creating an assumption that liquid life not only controls an individual, but those who attempt to defy it risk being alienated, for example the phenomenon ‘keeping up with the Jones’s’, could be an example of liquid life as we feel compelled to better ourselves over others, otherwise we feel materially deprived. Marcuse’s thesis on false needs is an exceptionally good doctrine into the examination of how politics is embedded within the purchase of commodities. However, this kind of alienation and repressive nature of shopping, does not sit well with post-modernist theorist Roland Inglehart. Whom would argue that the idea of purchasing goods does not necessarily mean oppression. As Inglehart’s theory is very much embedded with Maslow’s ‘Theory of Human Motivation’, he argues that because we ‘no longer have a direct relationship to the imperatives of economic security’ (Inglehart, 1977p.991). Citizens will then ‘desire worldly goods as symbols of affluence’ (Inglehart 1971 p.991). This standpoint suggests that the idea of purchasing luxuries should be celebrated, due to the fact that we are now in a society that can afford to do so without fear of economic restraints. To conclude on this section the capitalist system has certainly created a high dependency on false needs. We are programmed to achieve personal needs not because we truly need them, but for pure gratification, driving many into debt. Anti-Branding: (Sony 2011) With the last sub-heading examining the oppressive nature of shopping, this section will examine a particular backlash that has emerged out of this critical thought. ‘Anti-branding’ is a growing resistance to transnational brands and corporate globalisation (Hollenbeck 2006 p.479). What seems important to note is that historically these kinds of backlashes are intertwined with Lefebvre’s social space theory, on the grounds that it tended to use an occupation of a physical space such as 1968 student protests. Yet, in this globalising age with the ease to obtain technology, protests are transpiring into virtual spaces. The internet is altering the balance of power between customers and companies, customers are using this as a tool to achieve louder voices (Pitta and Fowler, 2005 cited in Farshid et al p.1) without the constraints of time or location. The ideas of Bauman’s, and Marcuse’s arguments that capitalism corrupts, is being slowly eroded by Inglehart’s postmodern analysis that we are rationally informed political actors. As this new technology like the smart phones has paved way for the consumer to communicate, discuss and digest large amounts of information, which isn’t necessary from ruling elites or corporations. With theorists such as Naomi Klein in her book ‘No logo’ she commented upon the culture jamming phenomenon regarding it as ‘identity politics goes interactive’ (Klein 2000 P.289). With these points in mind it does suggest that politics is within these protests. Nonetheless, a counterargument that can be raised; is that it has become increasingly difficult to define a brand name, due to the fact it is now applied in all manner of products and even politics itself. Take Tony Blair’s ‘Cool Britannia’ campaign in ’97 this was a brand name linked to a political party, but was branded in such a way to represent a ‘cool’ rhetoric; that stood for Britain’s film and music scene etc. A large majority of individuals got behind this movement. However, using a Marcusian standpoint it could be used to suggest that this kind of branding is actually just a window dressing and the political undercurrent for oppression remains the same; it is just more sophisticated in its implementation. Ethical Consumerism: (Hempout 2013) Highlighting the various backlashes against consumerism in the previous heading, this subheading will explore how ‘new politics’ has emerged from these protests. Campaigns such as the ‘Nike Anti-Sweatshop campaign, aimed at raising awareness about the labour conditions in company owned factories in developing worlds, can be associated with the certain anti-branding campaigns. But these new movements could be argued to have laid the foundations to larger movements such as ‘consumer ethics’. The incorporation of ethics into consumerism has created a case for is ‘shopping political’, on the grounds that this ethical nature has led to changes in practises of companies and law itself. For example; ‘Canned tuna companies were pressured through consumer boycotts to end fishing practices that endangered dolphins before governmental legislation mandated such’ (Marzocca 2012). This kind of rationality can be connected again with Inglehart’s post-materialism thesis as certainly movements have relied upon communications between political actors like environmental, fair trade and Human right groups. The barriers in which we gathered information has ceased to exist creating an informed citizen. Continuing, the emergence of ethics it can be used as a critique to the so called ‘manipulated consumer’ standpoint of Marxists. As, evidently personal attitudes and purchases are now informed by ethical or political assessments of business’ and government practices, so when consumers deface or scrutinise their practises it is essentially a globalisation of individualism. This argument can be very much linked to the Feminist ideology who saw that the ‘person is political’. With that being said the consumer is therefore acting ‘politically’ and is less ‘brainwashed’ than we thought. The standpoints from the Chicago school of economics that protests are due to individuals being unable to conform to society are therefore misguided. On, the grounds that in today’s society there are agents who monitor public opinions (UKPOM) and trends, suggesting that it is no longer enough for corporations to focus on shareholders’ goals but, they are evaluated on their ethical and moral values (Takala 1991 cited in Uusitalo 2004 p.214). Thus, implying citizens do not possess cognitive inadequacies as proclaimed by this school. Conclusion: Concluding, on this report with a reà ¯Ã‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡ection on the whole debate of consumerism, just because this act of shopping does not necessarily follow the traditional rhetoric set by politics with a capital ‘P’, this does not mean the impact isn’t just as significant. Examining theorists of the everyday such as Inglehart, Marcuse and Lefebvre they clearly suggest that politics is among shopping on many different levels. In order to answer the question of this report, the most convincing form of politics in shopping is situated within the area of ethical consumerism. The idea of this phenomenon is not situated at one particular company or government; it is an extension of the larger political movements such as new social movements whom are also striving to achieve the same ends through more contemporary measures like lobbying or protests. These new social movements are the foundation to new political subjects, the creation of new political spaces (Lefebvre), a nd ultimately changing the perception on what we mean by society (Marcuse/Inglehart) (Carrol 1997 cited in Harter 2011 p.15). There is a sizeable power the shopper holds in relation to the purchasing of goods as if shoppers change the way they shop or perceives a business, it means that these institutions have to adapt to the new paradigms set, emphasising that shopping is political in both nature and in action. References: Apple. 2012.Queue for the Iphone5. [image online] Available at: http://cdn.recombu.com/mobile/images/news/M18273/1348218725.jpg [Accessed: 5 Mar 2014]. Bauman, Z. 2005.Liquid life. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press. Chernus, I. n.d. Herbert Marcuse: A Critique of Consumer Society. [e-book] Available through: colorado.edu http://www.colorado.edu/ReligiousStudies/chernus/sixties/Herbert Marcuse.pdf [Accessed: 3 Mar 2014]. Harter, J. 2011.New social movements, class, and the environment: a case study of Greenpeace Canada. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Pub. Hempout. 2013.Ethical Consumerism. [image online] Available at: http://hempcanadabulk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bilde.jpg [Accessed: 5 Mar 2014]. Hollenbeck, C. R. and Zinkhan, G. M. 2006.Consumer Activism on the Internet: The Role of Anti-brand Communities. [e-book] Available through: Acrwebsite.org http://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/v33/v33_10337.pdf [Accessed: 25 Feb 2014]. Inglehart, R. 1971. The silent revolution in Europe: Intergenerational change in post-industrial societies.American political science review, 65 (04), pp. 9911017. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1953494 [Accessed: 28th November 2013]. Inglehart, R. 1997.Modernization and postmodernization. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. Klein, N. 2000.No logo. London: Flamingo. Marcuse, H. 1973.An essay on liberation. Harmondsworth: Penguin books. Marzocca, K. 2012.Sustainable Speak: Voting and Shopping are Separate But Equal: A Response to Sami Grover. [online] Available at: http://sustainablespeak.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/voting-and-shopping-are-separate-but.html [Accessed: 25 Feb 2014]. Petrocelli, W. 2014. Shopping Is Political: A Lesson From 70s Feminists. [online] Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-petrocelli/shopping-is-political_b_3308222.html [Accessed: 25 Feb 2014]. Sony. 2011.Culture Jammed Sony Advertisement. [image online] Available at: http://jaberando.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/culture-jamming-adbusters/#jp-carousel-48 [Accessed: 5 Mar 2014]. Uusitalo, O. and Oksanen, R. 2014.Ethical consumerism: a view from Finland. [e-book] Available through: Wikispaces.com http://ycri.wikispaces.com/file/view/Ethical+Consumerism+-+A+view+from+Finland.pdf [Accessed: 25 Feb 2014]. 1 | Page N0365069

The Great Gatsby - Narrators Role in Establishing Theme Essay

The evolving character of an interactive narrator can help discern key themes in a novel. F. Scott Fitzgerald's social examination of life in America's Jazz Age relies heavily on Nick Carraway, the narrator, acting as a 'Trojan horse' for Fitzgerald to smuggle his own ideologies into The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald endorses realist class relations as power relations over the romantic and archaic 'Jeffersonian dream of simple agrarian value'. He also favours the view that the American upper class's 'carpe diem' approach to life placed capitalist society in a moral downwards spiral, instead of conforming to mainstream ideas of the Age such as 'money can buy happiness'. Nick?s statement that people are only ?pursued? (generally the upper classes, being chased due to their lifestyle) or ?pursuing? (chasing the lifestyle of the pursued). These mutually exclusive states mean that Nick believes all the characters with which he interacts can be stratified into one of these two groups, seemingly based on class. The narrator also claims that people can also be ?busy and?tired?. Again, these two vaguer classes cannot exist together. At first examination it may seem that this ?black and white? observation of the members of Gatsby?s America is shortsighted. However at that stage on the novel Nick is entitled to make such a judgement. Immediately after Nick?s thought entered his ?heady? mind, he had just learnt the purpose of ?purposeless splendour? from Jordan: that Gatsby had moved to West Egg to be close to Daisy. This ?pursuing? of Daisy, the ?five years? of busy waiting, is certainly a revelation to the reader, and to Nick. Nick also says that he had forgotten about ?Daisy and Gatsby?, though it still must have played on his subcons... ...towards her old family (?Do they miss me), these all serve to promote Fitzgerald?s endorsed theme of the corruption of the traditional values of the West, and how the ?Money can buy happiness? myth sends society into a downwards spiral. The way that Nick Carraway, as an interactive narrator, relates to different characters (and what they stand for) in the novel conveys the extent to which Fitzgerald endorses or challenges that character?s ideologies. Nick tarnishes all characters with a cynical, stratifying brush in order to smuggle in the main ideologies of the text by creating a pastiche of these themes. Nick?s black-and-white thought of the ?pursuing, the pursued, the busy and the tired? serves to reinforce the contrast of what is endorsed and challenged through the book, via the medium of the narrator?s interaction with different creations of the author.

Edna Pontellier and Social Limitations in Kate Chopins Awakening Essay

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In discussing Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, critic Susan Rosowski categorizes the novel under the heading of "the novel of awakening" and differentiates it from the bildungsroman, the apprentice novel, in which the usually male protagonist "learn the nature of the world, discover its meaning and pattern, and acquire a philosophy of life and ‘the art of living'" (Bloom 43). In the novel of awakening, the female protagonist similarly learns about the world, but for the heroine, the world is defined in terms of love and marriage, and "the art of living" comes with a realization that such art is difficult or impossible; the price for the art is often tragic endings. Rosowski calls this female awakening "an awakening to limitations" (Bloom 43). Rosowski's reading of the novel emphasizes the role gender plays in shaping a male narrative versus a female narrative. If read as a suicide, then Edna Pontellier's last swim is a consequence of her awak ening to the limitations of her femaleness in a male-dominant society. But on a metaphysical level, especially from the Buddhist perspective, The Awakening's final scene can be seen as Edna's ultimate gesture in trying to grasp the essence of her being.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In my research, I found no material that connects Buddhism with The Awakening. There are, however, some things written about the book based on Christian theology. The criticism is that Kate Chopin's novel glorifies extramarital sexual relationships, relegates humans to the level of amoral animals, and generally denies the supreme importance of Christian doctrines' role in one's life. While I shook my head at the idea that religion can be taken so seriously that literature is seen only under the narrow light that a god casts ... ..., and first reincarnation. It is as if Edna is retracing her reincarnations to go back to the empty space from which her first attachments came and created her self. And thus we come to the end of Edna's spiritual journey. Works Cited Bercholz, Samuel, and Shearb Chà ¶dzin Kohn, eds. Entering the Stream: An Introduction to the Buddha and His Teachings. Boston: Shambhala Publications, Inc., 1993. Bloom, Harold, ed. Kate Chopin. Modern Critical Views. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987. Chopin, Kate. The Awakening and Selected Stories. New York: Penguin Books, 1986. "Nature." The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. 1993 ed. Saddhatissa, Hammalawa. Buddhist Ethics: The Path to Nirvana. London: Wisdom Publications, 1987. Schuhmacher, Stephan, et al., eds. The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion. Boston: Shambhala Publications, Inc., 1989.

Urban Legend of Bloody Mary at Camp Tonikanee :: Urban Legends Ghost Stories

Bloody Mary Version 4--Bloody Mary at Camp Tonikanee One night, around 1:00 a.m., my roommates and I were sitting in the common room, and I asked the group if they knew of a compelling ghost story. My one roommate, a 20 year old from Pennsylvania, said she had heard a ghost story at the summer sleep-away camp she had attended when she was younger. She heard the story around a campfire in the woods of Camp Tonikanee, which is in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. She described her story as one that the counselors would tell the campers to convince them the camp was haunted. The camp was really, really old and many of the buildings had once burned down because of a big fire. Supposedly the camp was haunted by this woman named Mary, who was a witch. But, no one ever saw her, just weird things would happen. Little girls would disappear at night if they were out wandering around by themselves. It scared everyone because parents want their daughters to come home. So every time someone would disappear, people would go out looking for her but would never find her. But after a girl would disappear, it would get especially strange for a while. People thought Mary haunted other buildings, like the barn. Well, [lowers voice] one night one of the camp directors heard strange sounds coming from a little cabin in the woods where Mary supposedly lives and went to investigate. He found Mary with one of the campers, giving her an herbal potion. But the girl was already in a trance and hypnotized and they couldn’t bring her back. They took Mary and they tied her u p and put her on trial. As she was standing there, she put a spell on everyone and killed herself with the spell. It was said that anyone else who said her name three times in the mirror would die. My roommate told the story in a low, solemn tone, except raising her voice once or twice in the beginning to give the sense of her being unsure of her story. The story was told effectively with hand gestures and vocal inflections. There were a few occasions where she had to stop and think out what happened next, which is understandable because she hadn’t heard the story since she attended summer camp over ten years ago. Besides these instances, she used dramatic pausing to emphasize important events, and the dim lighting of the apartment helped to set the mood.

Why Tobacco Advertising Should Be Made Illigal

Tobacco advertising should be made illegal. First of all it is correspondent with growing death rate. In average, over 400  000 people die from tobacco usage every year. We should not support tobacco advertising when it is harmful to everyone. The only kind of advertising that has to deal with tobacco should be associated with stop smoking.Such advertising should help people to bring up smoking or should inform people about risks of smoking and about consequences that are involved. Comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising and promoting can result in a considerable reduction of tobacco consumption on a national level. Tobacco advertising should be banned from television, billboards, magazines, the internet and other places where one might find the advertising.Tobacco advertising is one of the worst kinds of advertising because it is pretty much telling everyone that it is okay to smoke because others are doing it also. Furthermore, tobacco advertising must be forbidden because it w ould be the most effective among teenagers, the easiest to be influenced by bad examples, fashions and emulation because of their psychological immaturity that lead them to adopt smoking as a mask to appear and feel themselves more adult.Tobacco advertising must be banned forever only thinking to how much the cures against cancer, too frequently useless, are expensive for the sanitary systems of all the world; these very high costs have surely never been paid by tobacco multinationals, except for the damages paid, after recent long trials, to a minimum part of the victims of this â€Å"trendy† and â€Å"safe† vice.

Business Research Ethics Essay

The accounting world is changing constantly and so are the rules that are being set up to protect companies and their assets. There are codes of conduct that accounting offices and their personnel must adhere to and when they are not followed, there can be an ethical challenges that you have to deal with. Users of accounting information perform different types of creative accounting. Some of these practices are ethical and legal and other are not. It is important for a company to set up procedures that check and double check everyone in the accounting department from the clerks to the Controller. There is never a time in any business that someone is allowed to do things without having someone else check on their work. When there is no follow up or checks set in place is when the company finds themselves in trouble. As accountants, we are required to make sure that the work that we produce is accurate, credible and true information. This information is used to help investors and banks to make a good business decision in regard to their credit and investment opportunities. Many times, an accountant will get â€Å"creative† with the numbers to assure just that outcome. The numbers are inflated to show a better financial picture and this will help the company get more money and have the bank invest more in their future. Sometimes, this can go on for a long time without anyone knowing it is all false. Other times, companies get caught. May I remind you of Enron? Over the years stockholders and investors have lost large amounts of money due to false reporting or â€Å"creative† accounting. It is for this reason that the need for restrictions on those practices and find a solution to this problem became necessary. A company that I worked for in the past had to eventually file for bankruptcy because the Executive Board was unaware of what the Controller was doing. Many of us were aware of the incorrect numbers and were not sure how to handle it because we could not really prove that the numbers that he was  reporting were actually wrong. There are procedures in effect that prevent accountants from doing this, but not all companies follow them. This is why auditors are used with many companies. Auditors are there to make sure that all numbers and documents are proven to be correct and that there is no creative accounting or inflated numbers when looking at financial statements. Auditors can also be a deterrent for theft. If there is never a check and balance with an accountant in a company, there can be a greater chance of theft. I know of a company that I worked for suffered a loss of over $50,000 because the Controller was not required to get a second signature on checks under $5,000, so he issued himself eleven checks in the amount of $4,000. He would take the check and record that the check went to a vendor or supplier. When the bank statement was sent to our office, he would do the bank reconciliation, so no one saw the actual cancelled check because he destroyed it. Had there been an auditor that would be checking his work, this never would have continued to happen, they would have found it after the first check. It is important accountants to maintain integrity and avoid questionable situations. There are many things that can be seen as inappropriate. Many times over the years, I have been offered tickets to baseball games, dinners, gift baskets, etc. to use a particular company as a major supplier or to use a certain bank. I never thought much of accepting a gift basket, but I was told by an auditor for our firm that can be misunderstood and never to do that. This is a small scale, many companies have been known to get government contracts or big jobs because of making certain promises. Research has proven to our executives and investors that the only way to make sure that there is no inappropriate behavior by having internal and external auditors to examine the books on a regular basis. Knowing that there are audits completed on a random basis and knowing that those audits are being audited by external companies prevents mishaps, theft and misappropriation of funds. Having a clear set of policies and procedures in place and also having a clear plan of action for employees that do not follow these procedures is a sure way to insure that your company is protected. GAAP (generally accepted accounting practices) defines what is and is not permissible, but it is not infallible. GAAP can be manipulated and subject to interpretation and accountants can commit fraud any time. Eventually, we have to count on good accounting  procedures, our auditors and most importantly, employee ethics and morals to keep everything and everyone in line. REFERENCES Al Momani, M. A., & Obeidat, M. I. (2013). The effect of auditors’ ethics on their detection of creative accounting practices: A field study. International Journal of Business and Management, 8(13), 118-136. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1418426106?accountid=458 Leung, E. C. (2004). Accounting ethics. Business and Society, 43(2), 226-226+. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/199387513?accountid=458

Competency Goals Essay

In order for children to feel safe away from home they need a safe environment where they can learn and play comfortably. I am always alert and continuously observe the children at all times. Children must never be left unsupervised. In the class, safety precautions such as checking all tables and chairs for damage and sharp edges is done weekly. All electrical outlets that are not being used are covered with safety caps. I guarantee that the children’s work and play areas are free of clutter. When the children are using scissors, pencils or other instruments, I make sure they carry them in an appropriate manner to prevent injury. We have on file written permission from the parent’s to take their child for any emergency medical care if the nurse isn’t on campus. Outdoor play areas are checked daily for harmful objects such as bottles, cans, or other litter items before the children go out to play. In the center, a fire drill is conducted Once a month. A Healthy Environment A healthy environment is essential for effective learning. A visual daily health check is done each day upon each child’s arrival. I respond immediately to accidents, health concerns and emergency conditions calmly. The classroom is maintained in a clean and hygienic environment. While working with parents, together we assist the children in building good grooming habits b maintaining consistent routines at school and encourage them to do so at home. Hand washing following toileting, washing hands before meals and brushing teeth is done in the center to encourage healthy needs. Children are able to flourish in an environment that influences their growth and development. A Learning Environment Children learn by doing and by imitating each other, their parents and their teachers. I respect and acknowledge each child’s ideas, concern and feelings. We provide a variety of materials in the class from the books we  use to the toys with which the children play. Participation is encouraged without any of the children feeling frustrated. An environment is provided where each child has fun during activities that are allowed and encouraged to participate in various activities to appreciate each other’s cultural differences. Each child display their work around the classroom they enjoy seeing their accomplishments. Open communication is provided for each child. I try to make sure the children’s daily schedule is followed, but sometimes we get a little behind. Transition from one activity to another is smooth. COMPETENCY GOAL II TO ADVANCE PHYSICAL AND INTELLECTUALCOMPETENCE Physical Physcial development is important for healthy development. Physical activities are designed to be fun for the children. Children like a lot of physical movement. In the class we schedule time to use both gross and fine motor skills. We plan physical activities during outside time, such as relay races, jumping rope, hula hoops, throwing a ball and just plain exercising. Play enhances learning both inside and outside. My enthusiasm is shown when I actively play with the children. In the class, we exercise to music, combining music and movement. Parents are encouraged to get involved in physical activities with their children. We plan, develop and coordinate fine and small motor skill activities such as stringing large and small beads, cutting with scissors, turning single pages in books, drawing and putting puzzles together. Sleep is also important for growth. Children need rest during the day. Quiet time with music is played in order to help the child relax. Intellectual Children want answers to their questions. Most of their questions start with â€Å"Why†. As their teacher, I know that it is important to their questions answered. It is their way of learning. They need to learn how to perceive different things. In the class we use symbols as part of comprehending.  Books are used to ask questions and think about what is being read to them. As part of our schedule, I let the children plan their own activities. They tell me what center they want to go in and what they plan to do in their centers. Children are given the opportunity to talk about their parents, friends and things happening around home and community. On some Fridays we do show and tell or idol Friday. The children bring items from home and tell the class something about the item. We also bring something to share; this way the children in turn ask us questions. In the class, we sing our Alphabet and sounds song. This helps them to learn letters of the alphabet. We play number gam es for rote counting and shape searching in the class for shapes recognition. COMPETENCY GOAL III TO SUPPORT SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TO PROVIDE POSITIVE GUIDANCE Social Development Teachers are very important role models for a child. Promoting social skills includes helping children begin to understand the feelings and needs of others. In the class, I always model good social skills around the children. Observation is an important tool while learning how a child feels and behaves. When a child tells me no one will play with him/her, through observation, the child is monitored around his/her peers to see if there is a lack of social developing skills. Helping, sharing, showing concern and cooperation with each other is always encouraged. Children are rewarded with praise for kindness, being helpful and cooperative to each other. Each child is made to feel special. Addressing social skills, knowing the children’s cultural background and environment is very important to me. Social interactions are provided through play. Play socially helps children to cooperate and appreciate each other. Children have to be able to get along with each other in order for the day run smoothly. Emotional Development As a teacher, I try to make a great difference in developing emotional skills in the children. Children are encouraged to express love, fear, and anger. It is important for me to help the children control both negative and  positive emotions. Emotional development through play is encouraged. It helps children relieve feelings in a safe environment and promotes self-confidence. I respect each child as an individual and the natural differences in how children express their feelings. In the class, puppets and role-play are used in exhibiting emotions whether positive or negative.in the class, I plan and provide a place for the children to have some down time when they are experiencing negative emotions. Positive Guidance The way a teacher acts influences the children. I always maintain a positive attitude around the children. The climate of the class is always relaxed. My tone of voice is calm, when speaking with the children. As the teacher in the class, I use guidance techniques such as modeling appropriate behavior and allowing the children to act their age. Directions are given in a positive way. The schedule is provided and followed daily so the children will know the routine and can make transitions easier. A helper chart is put up this way, all the children share responsibility of keeping the classroom clean and orderly. As a group, we together come up with a set of class rules, which are agreeable with the students and me. Children are encouraged to feed and dress themselves. Children are praised when they cooperated and help each other, especially during clean up Time. COMPETENCY GOAL IV TO ESTABLISH POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILIES It is very important to me to let parents and families of the children I work with know and feel they are a big part of our program. The parents as well as their children are important to me and the overall success of the program. I encourage a cooperative atmosphere among each child’s relationships within the family structure. Parents are always welcome in the classroom. Regular communication with the parents is important. It is important to present a united effort to the family of the children with whom I teach. Newsletters are sent home on a weekly basis t parents to inform them of upcoming events. A parent news board is set up to provide daily  updates to parents on meals, activities and important dates. In order to maintain an open, friendly and cooperative relationship with each child’s family we provide parents with opportunities to become involved in the programs. We encourage parents to volunteer in the classroom, attend workshops, serve on policy and advisory committees, attend field trips and attend parent meetings. During parent meetings suggestions are made for improving the daily program. Information about their child’s experiences and achievements in the center is provided to the parents. Reports are distributed periodically to help parents understand the progress of his or her child. Home visits are made twice throughout the school term to share activities and materials that parents can use at home with their child. Each family’s cultural background, religious and parenting beliefs are respected. Parent-Teacher conferences are another means of communication with parents they are also held twice in a school term. Parents need to know and feel they are a part of the teaching team in the classroom. Together, our common goal is always, the children. COMPETENCY GOAL V TO ENSURE A WELL-RUN PURPOSEFUL PROGRAM RESPONSIVE TO PARTICIPANT NEEDS To ensure a well-run program, I maintain an open communication with my Lead Teacher and other staff members. We work as a team to provide quality, developmentally appropriate activities and materials for the children each day. I’m always willing to work with bus monitors, parents and volunteers. It is important to me that the children can flourish well in an environment that influences their growth and development. Each child’s nutritional needs are met. Up-to-date records is maintained on each child. Each child’s record is kept confidential. Confidentiality secures the privacy of the children and their families. The parents, staff members Lead Teacher and myself work to identify the strengths and needs of each child. Records and reports concerning growth, behavior, health, and progress of each child is maintained. This information is shared with each child’s parent. Schedules are posted and followed daily they are where the parents can read them. This way, they know what their child is working on daily. By using appropriated  guidelines, I observe the children for signs of abuse or neglect and follow through if needed. Center brochures are distributed to each child’s family. Each child’s progress is discussed with his/her respective parents. Planning is essential. A great deal of time is sent on planning, so that children will have their needs met. I ensure that the classroom is clean and safe. The classroom is always prepared before the children arrive. Reference materials, are utilized as needed each day. To stimulate and motivate the children, I consistently look for new and innovative methods. I read various books and education websites to acquire acknowledge. It is important to maintain appreciation for each child’s cultural background. COMPETENCY GOAL VI TO MAINTAIN A COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONALISM As a teacher, I enjoy teaching Pre-K. I demonstrate a positive attitude toward the children and their parents. It is important to promote quality services. I take advantage of all opportunities to improve my personal and professional growth. This growth is beneficial for the children I teach, as well as their parents. I take advantage for personal development by attending conferences, in-service trainings, staff meetings and study groups. I read books, stay in contact with other pre-k teachers and resource coordinators to help keep me informed of changes in the teaching field. Information about the children, their families and staff is kept confidential. Effective communications and working well with my co-workers is very important. I perform my duties professionally no matter where I work. While dressing in a professional manner, my hair, nails and attire are maintained clean and attractive. A positive, professional attitude is projected at all times. Cultural differences in the chi ldren are respected at all times. Parents are informed about field trips, home visits and conferences. I ask parents to volunteer in the class, each week I send home a family activity this keeps them involved in learning about their child’s experiences at school. I am committed to keeping the children safe, providing good communication, positive guidance and working with the families of the children. It is important for the children’s family and me  to work together. The key is teamwork. The common goal is that the parents and myself will do what is best for the child.

Noojh

Sure, he liked eating food, and he liked trying new experiences but this experience had not been on his to-do list. Castle had heard about this facet of human life, he knew about sex, he knew about procreation, but pleasuring one's self had never seemed very practical. There were a lot of human things that Castle found he didn't like, even though he thought he would Like†¦ So he was pleasantly surprised when he realized he had been wrong about masturbation all along.The way his body felt as he slid his hand up and down his hardened coco, the way his heart beat quickened with each pump of his wrist, and how he could not keep the soft moans and whimpers from escaping his throat. The closer he came to orgasm, the more his body tightened and coiled; he would dig divots into the mattress with his toes as they curled, and a bead of sweat would trickle down his ribcage as he pumped his wrist faster. His breath would come in quick, short gasps, and his eyes would flutter desperately as he brought himself closer to climax.Sometimes, he liked to power through the experience, making himself come quickly†¦ And then there were other times when he would rub his hands all over his body, pretending they were Dean's, moaning and begging please for release, teasing the sensitive head until a bead of pearly white would appear on his palm. Heat would pool in his stomach and then the overwhelming desire to pump his hips would drive him close to the edge of the bed, as finally release came, and he made a sticky mess on his hands and stomach. He tried to be quiet, but he was never good at silencing himself.He had no idea that Dean was listening on the other side of the door. Mouse-+ steps can you write saturation? 😀 *fans self*: Being human came with Its†¦ Deliquesces. Castle had heard about this facet of human life, he knew about sex, he knew about lot of human things that Castle found he didn't like, even though he thought he would like†¦ So he was pleas antly surprised when he realized he had been wrong He had no idea that Dean was listening on the other side of the door. Mouse ?+ steps can you write saturation? 😀 *fans self*: He had no idea that Dean was listening on the other side of the door.

Managerial and Cost Accounting Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Managerial and Cost Accounting - Assignment Example This is because managerial accounting provides information and reports that may be used by organizations to identify areas within the organization that needs additional investigation and examination. Managers use information provided by managerial accounting such as budgets to make decisions and plans. The information provided by managerial accounting can be used by managers to solve problems. Therefore, managers can use such information to develop alternatives to issues arising from budgets and production changes. Managerial accounting information is used by managers to make estimations of product and service costs and profitability. In addition, managers understand customer orientation through managerial accounting. Managers are able to evaluate the business from the cross-functional perspective by use of managerial accounting information. Managerial accounting also provides information that is useful in improving total quality by an organization (Rich and Jones 667). Through manag erial accounting, managers can formulate and implement an organization’s strategic activities. It also enables managers to do their work efficiently and effectively, adding value to the organization. This is because managerial accounting creates organizational alignment throughout the organization and facilitates continuous learning and improvement (Davis and Davis 4). This paper investigates the application of management accounting practices in one of the Saudi organizations, SABIC. In the analysis, the use of both financial and managerial information in decision making are evaluated. This analysis is done in comparison with the application of MAPS by UK companies that produce foods and drinks. The study also analyses the financial and nonfinancial benefits of using MAPs to an organization. This study fills the gap that exists between literature and practice. The information of this study can also be used in the educational sector. Literature Review In 1993, Altamira and Maj bour carried out a research on management accounting in Saudi Arabia. This study was a comparative analysis of Saudi and Western approaches, which investigated the differences and similarities in management accounting practices between companies owned and managed by Saudis and joint venture companies in Saudi (Altamira and Majbour). In the investigation, the managerial use of accounting, a sophistication of management accounting systems and the role of accountants in decision making and control were investigated. Similarities and differences between the researched companies in terms of accounting system sophistication and managerial use of accounting and the accountants’ role of in decision making and control were also studied (Altamira and Majbour). The study was only descriptive. It was established from the study that Western joint venture companies based in Saudi Arabia have sophisticated accounting systems, compared to Saudi owned and managed companies (Altamira and Majbo ur). Also, accountants of Western joint venture companies based in Saudi Arabia play a greater role in decision making and control, compared to Saudi owned and managed companies. In addition to the aforementioned findings, it was found out, in the study, that managers of Western joint venture companies based in Saudi Arabia fully depend on accounting information in decision making and control (Altamira and Majbour).

Sexual Dysfunctions Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Sexual Dysfunctions - Research Paper Example Some of the very common sexual dysfunctions or disorders are: sexual desire disorders, sexual arousal disorders, orgasmic disorders, sexual pain disorders, paraphilias (in which the person experiences intense sexual urges toward non-human things, children, etc.), gender identity disorder (in which the person wishes to be of the opposite sex due to dissatisfaction of the gender roles assigned to his/her sex), and many more. Also, sexual dysfunctions may be classified as primary or secondary in nature. A primary sexual dysfunction is one which a person has always been experiencing. A secondary sexual dysfunction is one which a person has started experiencing after being normal all his life. A woman who has always experienced pain during intercourse has a primary sexual dysfunction; while, a woman who has started feeling pain with a current partner and did not experience it with any of the previous partners has a secondary sexual dysfunction. This paper intends to elaborate upon one spe cific kind of sexual arousal dysfunction in men: erectile dysfunction. Erectile Dysfunction Videbeck (2010) defines erectile dysfunction (ED) as â€Å"a persistent or recurrent inability to attain or maintain, until completion of the sexual activity, an adequate erection, which causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty† (p.156). ... The blood flow sustains in the penis for such a brief time period that is not enough for the man to achieve and maintain a firm erection. This also results in an inability to ejaculate. For a perfect erection, the nervous system must be healthy enough to conduct sexual impulses from the brain through the spinal cord to the penis. Also, the arteries located in the neighborhood of corpora cavernosa must also be functioning properly. A malfunctioning nervous system or imperfect arteries near corpora cavernosa may cause ED. Moreover, ED can also occur if the muscles and tissues that are located inside the corpora cavernosa are not smooth, or if there is an insufficient supply of nitric oxide inside the penis. Some of the most important risk factors that are likely to cause ED are: advanced age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, recreational drug use, depression, psychiatric disorders, and stress (MedicineNet Inc., 2011). Symptoms The symptom of ED is not being able to achieve and maintain an erection. Since, it has been described above, let’s jump onto the diagnosis section. Diagnosis Diagnosis requires that the patient and the physician share a good communicative relationship so that the cause of ED is identified and its severity is taken into account. During diagnosis, the physician brings into consideration questions like: is it really ED or the patient is confusing it with loss of libido or premature ejaculation? Are there any psychological factors involved? Is the patient being able to maintain involuntary erections in the morning or during sleep (which are usually maintained by men having psychogenic ED)? Are there any physical factors causing atherosclerosis resulting in ED? Is ED a result of any

Marxist Interpretation of Hairstyles of the Damned Essay

Marxist Interpretation of Hairstyles of the Damned - Essay Example Gretchen is an overweight tom-boy, rude, ballsy and punk rocker who â€Å"wasn't the most feminine girl in the world, sincerely,† always involved in fights and is in love with a 26-year old (Meno 4). Brian tries to make her a mix-tape which results in their separation for some time. This struggle for identification recurs in the whole novel as Brian tries to define himself among his peers who have distinct traits that places them is particular classes. The Marxist literary theory attributes such traits to historical forces which shape the environment, character traits of the inhabitants and the language and writing style of the author. Therefore, there are forces that guide the traits and values of the teenagers in the setting which also lead to conflicts among various classes. Siegel defines the Marxist literary theory as a sociological approach in literature that considers the works in question as a result of historical forces whose analysis could be achieved by considering the material conditions that led to its formation. The general focus is on the conflict between the repressed and dominant classes at any age, encouraging art to imitate the objective reality. ‘Hairstyles of the Damned’ provides a perfect example of conflict in different classes due to what the society has upheld over time, particularly among the teenagers. The novel supports the fact that the environment plays an important role in shaping what one would uphold with high esteem and probably consider trendy and fashionable. In the novel, Brian’s lifestyle is shaped differently by the friends he meets and bonds with. As an outsider, it becomes hard for him to make friends and only befriends outsiders like him including Rod, Mike, Dorie and Nick who shape his path towards finding himself and the values in life. Encountering different friends, it would be noted that in every section of the novel, Brian would have his favorite music from different genres in line with what the peers upheld with high regard. The environment further classified them into blacks and whites, cheerleaders and jocks, outcasts and rich kids, burnouts and punks, which shaped her mind and what he would perceive as the desired lifestyle. Gretchen for instance had all she wanted and that is why Brian noted that â€Å"she did the things I wish I could do but didn't have the guts to† (Meno 15). The characters in the narration are young with and the adults therein immature. Their major interest is in sex, music, bands, clothing and less on schoolwork. Brian secured a job but co-worker issues stumbled his way. In his racial neighborhood, the parents are less caring and uninvolved in his proper upbringing. This causes teenage aimlessness and indulgence into pop culture without regard for how this causes loss of individuality. The neon colored hair was adored among the young and every other teenager would try to fit into this cultural definition of being in a high social cl ass. Brian seemed to adore characters like Bobby B., a kid from his neighborhood, a year older than him and a senior who â€Å"always had about five pairs of girls’ underwear from girls he had made with† (Meno 10). The author glorifies some material aspects of the characters that would appeal to teens like Bobby’

Revised proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Revised proposal - Essay Example For that reason, an ecosystem method that incorporates both processes of bivalve aquaculture and carbon dioxide recycling is desirable to give an accurate assessment of the functions of bivalve mariculture in the carbon dioxide. In relation to the most current estimations, the present worlds populace of approximately 7.5 billion is expected to reach 10 billion by the year 2055. Limitations on the accessibility of fresh water and flora and fauna to successfully give food to the approximated increase in population can be conquered by strengthening the involvement of the ocean to the manufacture of food. Successful involvement and contribution of the oceans can be achieved in a number of ways, key among them the rehabilitation of undomesticated fisheries and regulating the worlds fishing practices to maintainable levels. Additionally, successful oceanic involvement is achievable through cultivating the ocean at the same time preserving atmospheric health and continuance. The requirement for alternative feeds to develop cultivated species is one of the principal impediments to the growth and expansion of aquaculture. It is also a major impeding factor to the sustainability and improvement of aquaculture. Nevertheless, a third of the global cultivated seafood obtained from aqua animals in the year 2010 was obtained devoid of the utilization of feed, by use of animal production techniques from the second trophic echelons. There were over 14 million tons of bivalves, which represented a 23.5% of the global aquaculture production. Specifically, over 89% of the worlds marine bivalve production originated from aquaculture in the year 2012 (FAO, 2012, cited in Filguera et al., 2015). Consequently, the argument concerning the incorporation of cultured bivalve shells into the system of carbon trade should be contextualized within the ecosystem of goods and services framework. Individuals nurture

Nike Just Do it advertising campaign analysis Essay

Nike Just Do it advertising campaign analysis - Essay Example Major trends in marketing Global marketing has witnessed several trends that have revolutionized the ways companies inform and persuade customers to start using their products and services. One of the trends is the shift from mass media advertising to specialized media that caters for personalized consumption patterns and segmentation of the market in terms of income levels, tastes and preferences (Batra, Myers and Aaker, 2009). In this case, Just Do it campaign initially focused on the mass market through appealing to target audience regardless of income, age, and sporting activities. However, Nike shifted the campaign to niche markets such as athletics sports, football and young generation who prefer fitness through seeking celebrity endorsements (Batra, Myers and Aaker, 2009). Another trend is the use of data-based marketing as opposed to focus marketing thus Nike has shifted its efforts to market research activities that aim at identifying the consumer incomes changes, changes in tastes and preferences (Shah, K & D’Souza, 2009). Accordingly, the internet and new media channels like YouTube, direct marketing through e-mails and digital platforms like twitter and online discussion forums have enabled Nike to cut its advertising costs on traditional media and focus on new media channels that elicit high feedback and interest among consumers. Web-based marketing has enabled companies to reach the global market due to instance response and its ability to elicit responses. Another major trend in marketing is the event marketing that entails face-to-face conversations via trade shows, live events and corporate meetings (Carbasho, 2010). Nike uses several sporting events to... This essay " Nike ‘Just Do it† advertising campaign" analyze Nike's commercial and why it become so successful. Nike aimed at attaining several objectives with the ad campaign. First, the company wanted to gain brand awareness and recognition during the fitness craze in order to gain market share in the American market. Accordingly, the company aspired to create good relations with potential consumers through providing inspiring messages and encouraging consumers to pursue their dreams. At the same time, Nike was geared at informing the consumers of the benefits of fitness, sports and benefits that could be derived from purchasing Nike’s athletic shoes and sporting apparel. Accordingly, the use of the slogan in merchandise such as school bags and jumpers was geared at creating primary demand for the non-sport and Nike-related commodity market through demonstrating the value of Nike products. Advertising aims at positioning the product in order to create a distincti ve impression on the minds of the consumers and assign an intangible value to the brand. Accordingly, Just Do It ad aimed at linking the social lifestyle in America with the brand’s image through making consumers understand Nike cares for their health and wellbeing. In addition, Nike aimed at winning back the previous customers who had shifted to competitors like Adidas and minimise the existing negative attitudes towards Nike products). Nike sought to build brand loyalty in a friendly manner and increase sales among the existing consumers.

Multinational Corporation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Multinational Corporation - Assignment Example In reality, many international investors are seemingly small and weak. For instance, multinational firms originating from developing countries have become a visible force in the world of FDI (Wells, 1983) Small and medium-sized firms also play significant roles in outward investment (Buckley et al, 1988), which have benefited many countries, thereby ending up in predicting future threats. "FDI is a cross-border production activity that takes place for a number of reasons. Investment decisions are affected by market size and cost differentials, with firms investing in locations with relatively low production costs". (Barrell, 1997) After grappling with the question of why MNCs engages in International production, four theories are identified that attempts to explain four motivations for FDI, named Monopolistic Advantage Theory, Oligopolistic Reaction Theory, Internationalisation Theory and the Eclectic Paradigm. Hymer suggests that FDI occurs in imperfectly competitive markets and adopted an industrial organisation approach to explain the process of international production. Kindleberger details the nature of the monopolistic advantages that the foreign investor may possess over its domestic competitors. Thus, he indicates that these advantages may arise in the goods market to achieve vertical or horizontal integration. Kindleberger also states that monopolistic advantages may arise through the actions of government in the host country. In restricting imports, the government may inadvertently stimulate FDI. However, Caves argues that the vertically extended foreign investor does not rely on the possession of these unique assets. Its motivations for international production are to avoid oligopolistic uncertainty concerning the long-term supply and pricing of its inputs as well as to erect barriers to entry against new rivals. Hood and Young (1979) postulate that the monopolistic advantage theory fully explains the FDI made by US multinational enterprises during the post-World War II period. However, they question whether the MNC needs to possess any advantage when investing in developing countries, since it is confronted with little domestic competition. They cite the example of Japanese ventures in developing countries that are faced with few, if any, effective local competitors. (Hood and Young, 1979) Oligopolistic Reaction Theory Knickerbocker argues that a rival firm's moves into a foreign market not only could threaten the corporate earnings of the other oligopolists, but also could result in it acquiring competitive assets far in excess of those it already possesses. Thus, he posits, the defensive investment undertaken by the other oligopolists serves to maintain the balance of competition within the industry. (Barclay, 2000, p. 23) Knickerbocker postulates that it is the firms

Touching The Heart of Buddhas Teachings Term Paper

Touching The Heart of Buddhas Teachings - Term Paper Example Perhaps the best way to approach the core of Buddhism is to ask, first of all, what the word Buddhism means. Buddhism comes from the word Buddha, whose root word, budh simply means awake. The Buddha, whose root word, budh simply means awake. The Buddha, therefore, is simply one who is awake. In the Anguttara Nikaya, one of the major collections of Buddhist texts, we are told that a Brahmin (a Hindu priest) once encountered the Buddha and asked him a series of questions: â€Å"The Brahmin Dona saw the Buddha sitting under a tree and was impressed by his peaceful air of alertness and his good looks. He asked the Buddha: Are you a God? No, Brahmin, I am not a God. Then an angel? No, indeed, Brahmin. A spirit, then? No, I am not a spirit. Then what are you? I am awake.† (Bancroft 8). When the Buddha said that he was awake, what he implied was that he was once, like most of us, asleep. To be asleep is to be ignorant of our true nature. It means that there is so much about ourselves and the world that we do not understand. If we could only open our eyes and be awake, then we, too, can be Buddhas. This, in fact, is one of the central teachings of Buddhism: that each of us is a potential Buddha, that each of us has the seed of enlightenment. All we need to do is to work at it. All we need to do is to nurture the seed of enlightenment. This brings us to the life story of Buddha. What are the key elements of Buddha’s life story? Why are they so important? What do these teachings tell us? These are among the questions that I shall address in this paper. The Buddha was born around 560 B.C. in what is now Southern Nepal (Zukeran 1). He was Indian, and was born a prince. His name was Siddhartha. The story of his life starts right after he was born, when an astrologer came to the kingdom and predicted that Siddhartha would either become a great king or a great spiritual leader. When Siddhartha’s father heard this, the king made sure that Siddhartha would not be exposed to the difficulties of life. So the king surrounded Prince Siddhartha with all the possible pleasures one could possibly imagine, and he was not exposed to any difficulties or suffering whatsoever. However, the prince developed a great curiosity about the world outside the palace walls. When Siddhartha left the palace walls with this charioteer named Chandaka, he first noticed a bent, wrinkled old man. This was something he had never seen before. On another trip outside the palace walls, Siddhartha saw a man suffering from some kind of disease. On a third occasion , Siddhartha encountered a funeral procession and saw a dead body inside a box followed by crying relatives. He was horrified. On a fourth occasion, Siddhartha encountered a wandering mock who seemed very happy, serene, and contented. When he asked Chandaka who this person was, Chandaka said: â€Å"this is a holy man who has renounced worldly life and entered upon a life of homelessness† (Kohn 11). These key events are what led Siddhartha to a deep realization: that everything is ravaged by time; that we don’t live forever; and that life, at its very root, is filled with suffering. These facts motivated Siddhartha to look for a cure for suffering. In doing so, he vowed to continue sitting in meditation until he found the solution to the problem of suffering. One day, Siddhartha attained enlightenment. During this enlightenment, he was finally able to discover the cure that he was seeking. At first, he thought that he could not teach what he had discovered, since what h e had discovered seemed so profound. But he got up from under the tree, and met a few friends who had deserted him. It is to these friends that he gave his first sermon – the four noble truths. This is where Buddha’s life story becomes significant. The four noble truths are the foundational teachings of Buddhism. These teachings tell us that first, human existence is characterized by suffering. Second, that there