A Case Study of Akzo Nobel Coatings and Paint Company Essay Example

A Case Study of Akzo Nobel Coatings and Paint Company Essay In the contemporary business world, the level of competition is ever increasing; it requires that an organization strategize in a way that would give it competitive advantage over its rivals. Apparently, strategic management is a relevant tool an organization could use in withstanding the complex and dynamic business world. Armitage (1992) defines strategic management as a continuous process that works to fit an organization into its changing environment. Thus, in this context, strategic management is seen to embrace both strategic and long term planning of an organization and its operational or short term planning. According to Brown Eisenhardt (1998:3), â€Å"strategy is about two things: deciding where you want your business to go and figuring out how to get there†. In this view Peter (2005:5), argues that â€Å"strategic competitiveness is achieved when a firm successfully formulates and implements a value-creating strategy. When a firm implements such a strategy that ot her companies are unable to duplicate or find too costly to imitate, this firm gas a sustained, or sustainable, competitive advantage†. The environment in  which today business operates in is very dynamic; with the consistent changes in ways of  conducting business and improvement in technologies and communication. The challenges facing business is how to strategize to curtail these changes. â€Å"Given the pervasiveness of change, the key strategic challenge is managing that change. The dilemma is how the organization goes about managing these changes. Segmentation is a strategy adopted by organization to make it compete adequately, by giving satisfaction to clients through the provision of different products; to which satisfaction to clients are given according to their classification in   choice, taste and buying behavior. In this instance, there is a strategic grouping and classification of customers according to the similarity in their taste and buying behavior, and each of them are reached with a specific programmed. Segmentation in an organization is a tool, which an organization applies in its marketing and other organizational activities, in order to find way of satisfying the individual taste of its customers. To satisfy the desires of customer in a dynamic industry, there is the need to create and develop product and services that would meet the individual taste of customers and clients. We will write a custom essay sample on A Case Study of Akzo Nobel Coatings and Paint Company specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on A Case Study of Akzo Nobel Coatings and Paint Company specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on A Case Study of Akzo Nobel Coatings and Paint Company specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This write up would first embark on a literature review on segmentation implementation within an organization. The second portion of the write up uses Akzo Nobel to analyze segmentation implementation in its Coating and Painting organization. LITERATURE REVIEW ON SEGMENTATION AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION WITHIN AN ORGANIZATION In enforcing segmentation strategy for an organization, the basis why this is done is to satisfy customer, and enable them to have choice in meeting their taste and satisfaction within the varieties of product or tailored services the organization exhibits. Segmentation is not specifically used in marketing strategy; it embraces the whole aspect of the organization’s activities. In this view, Clarke Freytag (2002), argue, â€Å"Segmentation in an organization should be perceived as a whole process, not just for marketing process, but should be linked to every aspect of the organization’s task that should be performed†. Segmentation is a tool that is utilized in influencing the development of an organization’s product base. In an organization’s bid to satisfy its customer’s taste the organization embraces segmentation strategy that tends to be in constant creation of   innovations in its product through the expansion in the areas its operates. Thus, the selection of customer and the good to produce in order to satisfy their needs is a core concept for engaging in segmentation. â€Å"In this regard segmentation should be seen as a distinct concept whose aim is to give guidance on how to select customers and what solutions to develop that meets the selected customers need† (ibid) The need to initiate segmentation in an organization operation or marketing activities is for the organization to meet the satisfaction of customers with regards to difference in customers cultures, product taste. In this view, Bolton Myers (2003) have it that â€Å"transaction that concerns global business to business marketing requires that managers develop effective global strategies concerning its pricing, products for customers characterized with different cultures and different utilities for product attributes†. Pricing mechanism has a strong contributory influence on the implementation of marketing segmentation, both at the local and global level. The difference in price for buyers and sellers in the different market segments resulting from perception stakeholders holds have a great influence on how segmentation is implemented on the global market level. â€Å"a focus on horizontal segmentation implies that particular attention should be devoted to price-based market segmentation for services† (ibid). Invariably, there is different segmentation for services, whether in domestic market or international, from the strategies on goods. According to Bolton Myers (2003), â€Å"two reasons are adduced for these differences, firstly, services to clients are highly perishable in nature, and thus require human resource constraints to limit short-run capacity which makes demand-management issues and pricing strategies enable a smooth demand. Secondly, the intangible nature of services when compared to the tangibility in goods would lead to an more emphasis on extrinsic cues rather than on the intrinsic attributes or quality of the service itself†. Market segmentation has the goal to south out consumers who have similar desires and behavior, and thus forming heterogeneous segments to satisfy the different customers’ needs. Thus, customers’ response to price is a significant factor that results in the implementation of market segmentation by an organization. This also affects the marketing mix (product, price, distribution, and promotion) of the organization. In this view, Constantinides (2006) stated, â€Å"Marketing mix pertains to the implementation of market segmentation problem. This involves the ability to enforce marketing positioning analysis, and being able to differentiate the Mix from those the competitors offers through the targeted customers’ preferences as criteria from the different segment†. The choice of an organization to adopt a segmentation pattern goes a long way to determine what it produces, and what benefit that are given to consumers or clients of such services. According to Dibb (2001), The choice of communication channel and customers’ interaction patterns and modes an organization or a marketer tries to provide his customers are those problem associated with segmentation; i.e. solving of segmentation where allowing segments of one when profitable, differentiation, the positioning of sub problems†. Segmentation leads to improving an organization’s competition in an industry whereby it leads to customer’s satisfaction. According to Meadows Dibb (1998), â€Å"segmentation enables   organization to allocate market opportunities, the improvement of resource utilization, helps in the development of sustainable competitive position and leads to customers’ satisfaction†. Certain barriers may impede segmentation implementation in an organization. This may include the lack of complete or adequate data of customers to analyze and plan for the strategy to adopt. There is also the targeting barrier, where an organization may find itself not necessarily fit and equipped to embark on segmentation strategy. Positioning barriers in segmentation arise from uncoordinated efforts or the incompatibility that exist between the adopted method of the organization and its distributive channels (ibid). SEGMENTATION PROCESS IN AKZO NOBEL COATINGS AND PAINTS ORGANIZATION The Coatings division of Akzo Nobel organizations remains the biggest coatings company in the world. It operates in five businesses: Decorative Coatings, Industrial Activities, Car Refinishes, Marine and Protective Coatings, and Nobilas Claims and Fleet Solutions. Each of these five business areas operate separately with a General Manager attach to each and headquarter. The Coatings Group of Akzo Nobel organization commands leading market positions in almost all its businesses and has earned a global reputation for its high quality and reliable products. The Akzo Nobel has coating businesses operational bases in 60 countries, with an employee force of 30,000 people. For the organization effectively satisfy its customer, segmentation of its vast operational base is implemented, whereby different business units within the organization is set up to handle the production of varieties of products according to the taste of customers, in each of the location and distributive network of the organization. The Nobilas Company was set up in 2003, with its headquarters in Hoofddrorp, The Netherlands. This company is an international solution for vehicle accident management and feet identity solutions. The Nobilas Claims and Fleet Solutions operate as a business-to-business service provider. It mainly operates in Europe and North America, providing offering leading accident management skills with a full package services such as Incident services, Repair management, Fleet identity solutions, and Claims management. Among the company’s clients include motor insurers, leasing companies, car rental companies and corporate car fleet owners. The company has achieved an enviable corporate profile as the world’s first accident management provider to be present in more than ten countries, with customers benefiting from economies of scale and the opportunity to standardize accident management processes across the globe (Akzo Nobel, 2006). The decorative Coatings Company has its international headquarters n Stockholm, Sweden. It also has a Decorative Coatings for Europe headquarters in Sassenheim, The Netherlands. The Decorative Coatings Company is a major force in the field of home decoration, improvement, the supplying of a host of leading decorative and protective products for the architectural and interior design sector. Among its extensive and highly respected products that are well-known brands, selected to satisfy customers’ needs as regard to painting and coats, include Sikkens, Astral, Sadolin, Crown and Levis. In addition, regional favorites manufacture products such as Herbol, Flexa, Trimetal, Nordsjo, and Marshall. The Decorative Coatings is also a supplier of construction adhesives and floor leveling compounds under the trade names Schonox, Cegegol and Casco. The company has engaged itself in reputable excellent decoration projects. Examples of these include the decorative coatings used at La Scala Opera House in Milan, Italy, and the State Historical Museum in Moscow’s Red Square. The Akzo Nobel Coatings and Paint company have a well structured organization units segmented to give customer what they want and mechanism put in place to sup[ply them the way they choice to receive their purchase. The Industrial Activities operates under two businesses segments: Industrial Finishes and Powder Coatings. The Powder Coatings has its headquarters in Felling, UK, while the Industrial Finishes has its operational base at Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The Powder Coatings business has not only acquired the status as the largest global manufacturer of powder coatings, but it is also a world leader in powder coatings technology. The Powder Coatings business supplies it products to eight key market sectors, which include appliance, architectural, automotive, functional, general industry, general trade coaters and IT. Two major global brand of the powder coating business include Interpon and Resicoat. Its products also include Non-stick coatings; which are used supplied to custom er in office and household furniture; coil coatings or domestic appliances and metal building products. Its specialty plastic coatings are utilized in cosmetic packaging, sporting goods, computers and audio equipment. The Industrial Activities Company has handled prestigious contracts, including the supplying of products for Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia. The car Refinishes Company has its headquarters in Sassenheim, The Netherlands. The Akzo Nobel’s Car Refinishes business is one of the world leading suppliers of paints and services for the car repair, commercial vehicles and automotive plastics markets. Sikkens, one of its top-of-the-range product brands is known famously for car repair. This product is synonymous with quality, innovation and the highest level of services to organization requiring the products for their operational functions. Other products supply by this segment business of Akzo Nobel Coatings business are Lesond and Dynacoat. The car Refinishes Company operates in more than 60 countries and has wide and reliable supplies worldwide due to its strategic partnership it forms with strong a reliable organization in the same industry. The Marine and Protective Coatings business of Akzo Nobel Coatings businesses has its headquarters in London, UK. The company is not only the world lading marketers in marine paints and high performance coatings, but also is a major force in the aerospace coatings industry. Its marine, protective and yacht coatings are widely used for ship building, ship maintenance and repairs to yacht and other crafts. The marine and protective coatings business also produces fire retardant products for large plants and off-shore installations as well as providing protective coatings to structures, such as bridges, stadiums and famous landmarks. Examples of work done with this company’s product include supplies to familiar sights such as the London Eye in the UK, Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia and the Olympic Stadium in Greece. The Aerospace Coatings activities are also part of the Marine and Protective Coatings business in Akzo Nobel. The company is recognized as one of the world’ s major suppliers in this industry. It produces well-known brands such as Aviox, Aerodur, and Metaflex. From the foregoing, it is seen that the Akzo Nobel Coatings businesses embrace a vast area of coverage when it comes to coatings and paints business. The organization is a world leader and a force to reckon with in this industry. It has leading positions in almost all its businesses. The Akzo Nobel Coatings organization has operational bases in 60 countries, and has a 30,000 employee’s workforce. Its slogan is â€Å"we deliver to our customers more than just paint† (ibid). Akzo Nobel is regarded as the biggest paint organization in the world having developed and supplied innovative coatings products for more than 200 years (ibid). The organization is one of four Dutch Multinational organizations dominating the world operation. â€Å"The international activities of Dutch manufacturing MNEs are very much dominated by four large firms—Unilever, Royal Dutch Shell, Philips and Akzo-Nobel.† (Narula Hoesel, 1999:20). Thus, in the implementation of its segmentati on strategy, the organization has utilize the breaking down of its business operations into segments and units to adequately produce varieties of products that would serve the different taste and buying behavior of its numerous clients. The distribution channels of the organization is very wide , therefore meeting the buying need of customers through different medium- be it through transshipment of product, internet sales options, wholesale sales etc. STREAMLINING STRATEGY As a way to effectively control, the diverse spread of the organization’s business in its Coatings unit, and enforcing an effective grouping and servicing of customers need through segmentation strategy, Akzo Nobel has adopted the strategy of streamlining its business into a more manageable size. Streamlining the organization’s portfolio; i.e. its diverse business dealings, becomes expedient to align it to a manageable size that will expedite rapid growth. According to Akzo Nobel Report (2005), the Akzo Nobel successful implementation of a strategy to streamline its portfolio is to make the organization to realign competitively the business for sustainable growth, profitability, and leadership positions in selected markets. Currently, the Akzo Nobel organization is engaging on a general restructuring of its business. This is directed towards separating the organization into two independent entities; where Chemical and Coatings units of the organization would be collapse together as an independent organization from the pharmaceutical business that would comprise the Organon and Intervet business units, which would be renamed Organon Biosciences N. V. (OBS). The modus operandi of separating the organization is through a minority divestment of OBS through listing it in the Euronext stock market, Amsterdam. This is expected to take off early 2007, and would be followed by further divestment at a later stage (Akzo Nobel shareholders’ circular, 2005). The separation of the organization is aimed at making the Akzo Nobel organization achieve its long-term objectives in the most effective way and to best enhance shareholders value in the organization. Adopting a strategy to streamline an organization’s portfolio would make the organization to be prudent in its investment bids and only invest in that business that would be more lucrative in line with the organization’s vision, stated objectives and long term-goals. SEGMENTATION STRATEGY OPTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AKZO NOBEL COATINGS BUSINESS The strategies adopted by the Akzo Nobel Coatings business have greatly contributed to the organization’s successful operation. The segmentation strategy of the organization has assisted it to curve a niche and obtain competitive advantage through cost reduction and through TQM, these strategies tend to operate in the opposite direction. Porter (1985), argues that the use of both lower cost strategy and product differentiation would lead to the organization being caught in the middle and thus, loosing to its rivals that specializes in one. However, many scholars have criticized this view stating that it is possible for an organization to gain competitive advantage through the two strategies. But it is advisable that for Akzo Nobel Coatings , since it seek for total quality products as a way of gaining competitive advantage, it should put less emphasis on its cost reduction strategy that is aimed at   low cost of its raw materials. Thus, the organization should specialize on getting the best materials. This invariably means that getting the best raw materials would not provide the organization with getting the lowest cost. Customer satisfaction should be paramount, once they have being identified to a segment or type of product. Another strategy option available to the organization, other than cost reduction, is the Switching Cost Strategy. Here, the Coatings business can enter into contracts with suppliers of its raw materials, in which they are restricted from changing and diverting their supplies to other competitors. This will enable the organization to get quality raw material and adequate supplies at regular bases. According to Stallman (2006), this switching cost strategy is a way to earn excess returns and lengthens a company’s life. The streamlining portfolio policy adopted in the Akzo Nobel Coatings business should be directed towards giving the various units businesses the independence to operate in the most efficient manner. However, this should not constitute a hindrance to the seizing up of viable business opportunities and coming up with innovative business ideas and products. The adopted move to separate the Akzo Nobel into two independent organizations, this should a welcome idea for effective organization operation. However, this separation would hamper the financial flexibility strategy adopted by the organization. However, this segmentation of operational level would bring about adequate customer’s satisfaction. Thus, a total financial separation should not be instituted in this separation. Here, a provision should be put in place where financial flexibility should be made to cut across the two independent organizations. For projects that are very viable for the furtherance of the organization growth and enhancement of its effective operation. CONCLUSION Segmentation is seen as a strategy adopted by organization to properly satisfy customers, by classifying and grouping them according to what they want and how they behave towards getting what they want. This is a strategy useful for curving a niche to enable an organization compete favouarably through adequate customer satisfaction. For Akzo Nobel Coating and Painting organization for the company to implement adequately its segmentation strategy, it takes into consideration the vast population of customers that patronizes its product and their different needs. Thus, the organization engages in the broking down of its business operation into units and segments. Furthermore, each segment put in place varieties of products that will be adequate with the quality and pricing need of customers. Distribution channels exist to further satisfy the pattern in which customer desires to receive their purchased product. Segmentation in Akzo Nobel Coating and Painting organization has enable the o rganization adequately meet the need of its vast customers, and positioning the organization to stand out and compete favorably in the industry it operates. REFERENCES Akzo Nobel (2006), â€Å"Report for the Year 2005† Akzo Nobel (2006, â€Å"Akzo Organization Strategy† http://www.2.akzonobel.com/com/out+company/strategy.htm (28/08/06) Akzo Nobel shareholders Circular (2006), â€Å"Background to Rationale for and Recommendation on the Separation† http://www.akzonobel.com/NR/rdonlyres/68AD524D-3DAC-4C8B-83AC-D8F7A0B1645D/0/EGM_circular.pdf   (28/08/06) Armitage, Jack L. (1992), â€Å"Strategic management for Public Accounting (The   CPA Manager)†Ã‚  Ã‚   The CPA Journal http://www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/old/12543369.htm (10/05//06) Bolton, R. N. Myers, M. B. (2003), â€Å"Price-Based Global Market segmentation for Services† Journal of Marketing Vol. 67, July Pp. 108-128 http://www.chapmanrg.com/RNB/Publications/PriceBasedGlobalMarketSegmentationforServices.pdf. (23/10/07) Brown, S.L. Eisenhardt, K.M. (1998), Competing on the Edge: Strategy as Structured Chaos. Boston, Mass: Harvard Business School Press. Clarke, Ann H. Freytag, Per V. (2002), â€Å"The Relationship of Product development and Marketing in Industrial Segmentation† in http://impgroup.org/uploads/papers/4675.pdf. (24/10/07) Constantinides, E. (2006), â€Å"The Marketing Mix revisited: Towards the 21st Century Marketing?† Journal of Marketing Management   Vol.   22 http://www.utwente.nl/nikos/research/publications/ecpapers/constantinidescommentmarketingmix.pdf. (23/10/07) Dibb, S. (2001), â€Å"New Millenium, New Segments: Moving towards the Homeanddefensestocks.com (2006), â€Å"Akzo Nobel N.V.† http://www.homeanddefensestocks.com/Research/Biotech.pharmaStocks.asp (28/08/06) Journal, Vol. 18, No. 2 pp. 45-63 Meadows, M., and Dibb, S., (1998) â€Å"Implementing market segmentation strategies in UK personal financial services: progress and problems† The Service Industries Segment of One? † Journal of Strategic Marketing, Vol. 9, pp. 193–213 Meadows, M., and Dibb, S., (1998) â€Å"Implementing market segmentation strategies in UK personal financial services: progress and problems† The Service Industries Narula, Rajneesh Hoesel, Roger Van (1999), Multinational Enterprises from the Netherlands. London: Routledge. Peter, J. Dowling, et al (2005), Strategic Management: Competition and Globalization (2nd Pacific Rim Edition) Porter, E. Michael (1985), Competitive Advantage: creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. New York Stallman, Chris (2006), â€Å"Competitive Advantage† http://.www.ieenanalyst.com/general/compadvantages.html (10/04/06)

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Bits and Bytes Bits and Bytes Bits and Bytes By Simon Kewin In its election manifesto, one of the major political parties in the UK recently promised to provide virtually every household in the country a broadband service of at least 2 megabytes per second by 2012. The â€Å"2 megabytes per second† was actually a mistake. A speed of two megabytes per second is the same way as saying 16 megabits per second, a speed which is technically feasible, but unlikely to be universally available in the UK any time soon. The sentence was altered in later versions of the manifesto to the much more realistic â€Å"2 megabits per second†. The typo, however, highlights how easy it is to make mistakes using technical language where words often have very specific meanings. If you’re using terminology from medicine, computers, statistics etc., it pays to check that you have each term correct. In this case, the original authors confused the words bit and byte. Both are units of computer memory/storage. A bit is the smallest amount of storage, a 0 or a 1, the word formed from a blend of â€Å"binary† and â€Å"digit†. A byte, on the other hand, is a collection of bits – almost always eight of them. So, a kilobyte is eight times larger than a kilobit. While computer memory is generally expressed as a number of bytes (kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes etc.), network speeds are generally expressed as a number of bits per second (kilobits, megabits, gigabits etc.) The terms are very easy to confuse especially when they are abbreviated to just â€Å"meg†, â€Å"gig† etc. as both sets sometimes are. But, a broadband speed of â€Å"2 meg† would always mean â€Å"2 megabits per second† and never â€Å"2 megabytes per second†. Abbreviations are often used for these terms, and the same care needs to be taken. For example, the abbreviation for megabyte is MB whereas the abbreviation for megabit is Mb. The case of the â€Å"b† makes all the difference. The same is true for kilobytes/kilobits (KB/Kb), gigabytes/gigabits (GB/Gb) and so forth. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Words for Facial ExpressionsSelect vs. SelectedThe Difference Between "Shade" and "Shadow"

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The Great Gatsby Review Film Studies Essay Fitzgerald does not use a straightforward tone in the Great Gatsby, which leaves unanswered questions throughout the book. Especially at the end where Gatsby is killed by George because of the death to his wife in a car accident. It have been said that it was a yellow royal royce which ran over Myrtle. For that reason, George thinks it is Gatsby who caused the accident, although it was Daisy who drove the car. In spite of the fact that it is only Nick, Gatsby, Daisy and apparently Tom, who knows that it was Daisy behind the wheel, Tom takes the advantage and blame the accident on Gatsby to a frustrated and distressed George. In the whole, this leaves us suspicious and curious with the question, who is the most responsible for Gatsbys death? To begin with, George contributes a major role to Gatsbys death and is morally responsible since he ultimately pulled the trigger. It is a pity that George was victimized by the immorality of the rich, however murder is an immoral act and George did not have a right to put a bullet through Gatsbys head, no matter what the circumstances. In my opinion, George should have let justice and take its course by letting the police handle the situation. Nevertheless, he did pull the trigger and for that reason George is in part and morally responsible for Gatsbys death. In spite of Toms affair with Myrtle and his tattling on Gatsby, he can be morally blamed for the murder. Tom was the one who gossiped to George and told it was Gatsbys car that hit Myrtle, however he did not mention that it was Daisy driving. Although it was never directly shown that Tom knew that Daisy was behind the wheel, we get an insight of Toms knowledge because they leave town the day after the accident. However, the car accident was not the only provocation that gave George intention to kill Gatsby, but also his impression of Gatsby being the one having the affair with his wife. Tom seized his opportunity and took the advantage to get off the hook for his sin and directed it to Gatsby. On the whole, this made himself even more morally incorrect and hence, is Tom clearly justifiable taking the blame by contributing to Gatsbys death. There is no denying that Daisy is also an addition to the contribute to Gatsbys death. She on the other hand, plays a relatively major role and can be put morally responsible for it because of her bad behavior. She is playing immaturely with Gatsby and enjoy their secret affair as long as she can. However, when the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy became complicated, Daisy obviously traps back to Tom which was secure, leaving Gatsby heartbroken. After all, it was the car accident which led more directly to the death of Gatsby, when Daisy killed Myrtle behind the wheel and neglected to stop. Due to the deep love that Gatsby has for Daisy and his desire to protect her, he accepted to take the blame for the accident. Furthermore, Daisy accepts these circumstances with no doubts and regrets, and for that reason, she conceals her guilt and allowed Gatsby to be murdered. In spite of Daisy and her carelessly advantage of Gatsbys deep love for her, she is morally responsible because thi s led directly to the death of Gatsby, George, in his grieving haze, makes a connection between Gatsbys car and his wifes infidelity and begins to pursue his suspicions and hears, mistakenly, that Gatsby was driving the car when in fact it was Daisy who was behind the wheel and responsible for the death of Myrtle. Gatsby himself told no one that it was not he who was driving, in order to keep Daisy safe from the repercussions. The lies and half-truths told by most of the characters leading up to this point explode in a terrible and ultimately pointless catastrophe. All of the characters contribute to Gatsbys death, escpecially Daisy because he loved her and she didnt want to leave Tom for him. The fact that Tom is having an affair with Myrtle contributes to Gatsbys death because if it werent for the affair, Gatsby would have never been involved with Myrtles death. Everyones greedy grabs for the American Dream was the cause of Gatsbys death. Many characters were responsible, in part, for the death of Jay Gatsby, the main character of The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, but each to his or her own degree. Tom Buchanan, a wealthy member of a socially solid old family, played a minor and relatively indirect role in the death of Gatsby. Daisy Buchanan, a beautiful socialite married to Tom, very selfishly used Gatsby to better herself at all costs, one of those being Gatsbys death, but, although she was directly responsible, she was not most responsible for the death of Gatsby. Gatsby himself was most responsible for his own death by blindly doing anything he had to win the love of and protect Daisy. Tom Buchanan played a relatively minor role in Gatsbys death. Tom is a man whom Gatsby views as very insignificant, a minor obstacle in his way to Daisy. When Gatsby was off at war, leaving Daisy alone and vulnerable, Tom à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦came down with a hundred people, in four private cars,(82) and he blinded her with money and social status, something that Gatsby didnt have at the time. Daisy married Tom soon after and they had a child together. Gatsby does not see Tom as a threat because he does not believe that Daisy had ever loved Tom. But Daisy did love Tom, and she continues to love the money and social status that goes with the marriage. Tom and the child are what keeps Daisy from permanently being with Gatsby. If Tom were not around, Gatsby would have Daisy, and there would be no conflict leading to Gatsbys death. Tom, just by being married to Daisy, plays a role in the death of Gatsby, but that role is minor and indirect. Daisy plays a more important and direct role in Gatsbys death than Tom. Daisy is very self-centered and needy. She always wants to feel loved and important, and she will do anything to feel that way, even if it hurts others. Daisy was very much in love with Gatsby prior to his departure for the war, and she continued to love him up to her wedding day, where she was found à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦drunk as a monkeyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦with a letter in the other [hand],(81). It was a letter from Gatsby. She did not think she could go through with the marriage because she still loved Gatsby. She did marry Tom, unable to commit to Gatsby, claming that, Rich girls dont marry poor boys, (139). Daisy was always out to better herself at the cost of anyone else. Due to Toms affair with Myrtle, Daisy was feeling very unwanted and unloved, so it was almost natural for her to accept the deep love of Gatsby. She was simply out to have fun with Gatsby, with no real commitment. She did not realize, or failed to ack nowledge, how deep Gatsbys love was for her. She playing around with it very immaturely, enjoying it for as long as she could. But just when it became complicated, she fell back to what was secure, leaving Gatsby and returning to Tom. More directly leading to the death of Gatsby was the car accident. Daisy killed Myrtle Wilson while driving Gatsbys car and neglected to stop. Gatsby, due to his deep love for Daisy and his desire to protect her, accepted to blame for the accident. Daisy, with no regret, accepted these circumstances, and she allowed for Gatsby to be murdered rather than admit her guilt. Daisy, by carelessly taking advantage of Gatsbys deep love for her, directly led to the death of Gatsby. Jay Gatsby himself was the most responsible for his own death. Daisy was the only woman whom Gatsby had ever loved, and he devoted his entire life to getting her back after the war. Gatsby was hopelessly romantic and deeply in love with Daisy. He bought his extremely ostentatious house simply to be across from Daisy. He threw lavish, incredibly expense parties, with the very romantic notion that Daisy would wonder in to find him with all his money and power. He hoped that he would sweep her off her feet, and it would be just like it was before he went off. He based his entire life around his love for this one girl, who, unfortunately, did not return that love. Gatsby gave Daisy all he possibly could, but Daisy used it only to better herself. Gatsby failed to realize that Daisy was a lost cause. He failed to realize that she was not what he had envisioned her to be. Basing his life around something that was so volatile was very romantic, but also very irresponsible. He would do anythi ng for Daisy, putting her before himself at all costs, which was eventually his life. Specifically, Gatsby took the blame for the car accident, hoping to protect Daisy, even though obviously endangering himself. Gatsbys lifestyle was very irresponsible; he committed himself to things that were unpredictable, eventually leading to his death. Gatsby could have easily avoided death by avoiding a married woman, and, if he could not live without Daisy, he could have avoided death by having some control when it came to Daisy. For Gatsby, it was all or nothing, and it was that lifestyle that killed him. Many characters in the novel The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, played roles in the death of Gatsby, but none greater than the role Gatsby played himself. Gatsbys hopelessly romantic lifestyle was most responsible for his death, far more responsible than Daisys self-centered actions or Toms presence.

Poverty and Child Development Essay -- essays research papers fc

From the very second I was born, until this very day, I had understood life to be a certain way. Life had taken its course and my family, as well as myself, have suffered ups and downs. We’ve been through times which were good and which were the worst of the worst – all families do. What I didn’t know is that regardless of the good and the bad, that the life I lived was sheltered to the point where I couldn’t fathom the idea that all people had not lived a life similar to ours. Sure, I understand that some were more fortunate and some were less fortunate, but to which extent? Within my circle of influence, our friends and family, there was a certain level at which we enjoyed our lives in a comfortable sense. We’d occasionally see a homeless person on the subway or in the city, but I never knew that there was a whole class of people in between. I’ve always heard of poverty and didn’t know much more about it except for the fact that peo ple existed that were less fortunate, those who lived in this supposed poverty.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jonathan Kozol’s book â€Å"Amazing Grace† depicts the issues that face families who are living in a world of poverty, homelessness and in a world where less fortunate is an understatement. Kozol writes about his experience in the South Bronx where he comes across some of the most disturbing facts about our fellow human beings. He speaks of families who live in an undernourished, impoverished society where a great majority of the inhabitants have been faced with disease. He visited a building in which one particular family has contracted the HIV virus. A woman contracted AIDS from her husband who she thought was faithful. Her daughter later contracted the deadly virus when she was raped by the father. In fact, in his conversation with a nurse who takes care of Alice Washington, a woman that Kozol interviews, in this building there are â€Å"Including the children, maybe 27 people† (Kozol p. 13, in Amazing Grace) She continues to say â€Å"The re’s lots of other people have it but don’t know.† People are so under-educated and under-privileged in the society where they live, that they are afraid to even find out if they have contracted the disease. This brings us to another problem that the families here are faced with, deprivation of help from the government.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although Jonathan Kozol implies that there may... ... problems with women who have children out-of-wedlock. Although she defends the fact that they shouldn’t be judged as a whole because of that fact, it seems to me that she feels strongly about traditional family settings including a two parent, heterosexual household. Sidel also comes across as someone who has a hint of religion in her values. Personally, I agree more with the liberal standpoint. I feel that all people should be equal, especially since we’re all citizens of the same city, nation, and world. I believe we should have the same opportunities, almost as much as I believe that those who want to achieve something in live – will take the initiative and shape their destiny to reach their goals. Bibliography Kozol, Jonathan. Amazing Grace. NewYork: Crown, 1995. 1-24. Kozol, Jonathan. Amazing Grace. NewYork: Crown, 1995. 27-54. Sidel, Ruth. â€Å"The Enemy Within† Keeping Women And Children Last. NewYork:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Penguin, 1998. 1-32. Surgrue, J. Thomas. â€Å"Poor Families in an Era of Urban Transformation.† American   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Families. Stephanie Coontz, Maya Parson, Gabrielle Railey, Routledge, 1999.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  243-257.

What Is The Difference Between Fruits And Vegetables

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Fruit) Several culinary fruits Culinary fruits In botany, a fruit is a part of a flowering plant that derives from specific tissues of the flower, one or more ovaries, and in some cases accessory tissues. Fruits are the means by which these plants disseminate seeds. Many of them that bear edible fruits, in particular, have propagated with the movements of humans and animals in a symbiotic relationship as a means for seed dispersal and nutrition, respectively; in fact, humans and many animals have become dependent on fruits as a source of food. 1] Fruits account for a substantial fraction of the world's agricultural output, and some (such as the apple and the pomegranate) have acquired extensive cultural and symbolic meanings.The section of a fungus that produces spores is also called a fruiting body. [2] In common language usage, â€Å"fruit† normally means the fleshy seed-associated structures of a plant th at are sweet and edible in the raw state, such as apples, oranges, grapes, strawberries, and bananas. [3] On the other hand, the botanical sense of â€Å"fruit† includes many structures that are not commonly called â€Å"fruits†, such as bean pods, corn kernels, wheat grains, and tomatoes. 4] Vegetable From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Vegetables in a supermarket in the United States. A vegetable is an edible plant or part of a plant, but usually excludes seeds and most sweet fruit.This typically means the leaf, stem, or root of a plant. The non-biological definition of a vegetable is largely based on culinary and cultural tradition. Therefore, the application of the word is somewhat arbitrary, based on cultural and/or personal views. For example, some people consider mushrooms to be vegetables even though they are not biologically plants,[1][2] while others consider them a separate food ategory;[3] Some cultures group potatoes with cereal products such as noodles or rice[4], while most English speakers would consider them vegetables. Some vegetables can be consumed raw, some may be eaten cooked, and some must be cooked in order to be edible. Vegetables are most often cooked in savory or salty dishes. However, a few vegetables can be used in desserts and other sweet dishes, such as pumpkin pie and carrot cake. A number of processed food items available on the market contain vegetable ingredients and can be referred to as â€Å"vegetable derived† products.These products may or may not maintain the nutritional integrity of the vegetable used to produce them. Differences Botanic fruit and culinary fruit In the culinary sense of these words, a fruit is usually any sweet-tasting plant product, especially those associated with seeds; a vegetable is any savoury or less sweet plant product; and a nut is any hard, oily, and shelled plant product. [5] These culinary vegetables that are botanically fruit include cucurbits (e. g. , squash, pumpkin , and cucumber), tomatoes, peas, beans, corn, eggplant, and sweet pepper.In addition, some spices, such as allspice and chilies, are fruits, botanically speaking. [6] In contrast, rhubarb is often referred to as a fruit, because it is used to make sweet desserts such as pies, though only the petiole of the rhubarb plant is edible. [7] Edible gymnosperm seeds are often given fruit names, e. g. , pine nuts, ginkgo nuts. Botanically, a cereal grain, such as corn, wheat or rice, is also a kind of fruit, termed a caryopsis. However, the fruit wall is very thin, and is fused to the seed coat, so almost all of the edible grain is actually a seed. 8] Many common terms for seeds and fruit do not correspond to the botanical classifications. In botany, seeds are ripened ovules; fruits are the ripened ovaries or carpels that contain the seeds and a nut is a type of fruit and not a seed. [6] Fruits in the botanical sense, but used as vegetables tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchinis, pumpkins, p eppers, eggplant, tomatillos, chayote, okra, breadfruit, avocado, green beans, and snow peas SPOILER: A crop like Sugarcane though happens to be none of the above but rather a ‘grass' under botanical classification.

How to Ask for Directions in Italian

How to Ask for Directions in Italian Michelangelos Sistine Chapel is around the corner. Or so you thought the sign said until you ended up lost and without any idea how to get where you wanted to be. Avoid missing the highlights of Italy with these simple phrases and keywords for asking for directions in Italian. Vocabulary Let’s start with some must know vocabulary words. Some of the most common words you’ll encounter are: Andare - To goCamminare - To walkGirare - To turnFermare - To stopDiritto (dritto) - StraightA destra - RightA sinistra - LeftNord - NorthSud - SouthOvest - WestEst - EastVicino - CloseLontano - Far When giving directions in Italian, the Imperative mood is used. For the most common verbs listed above, the Imperative mood  is as follows: Andare – (tu) VAI/va’, (lui, lei, Lei) vada, (voi) andateCamminare – (tu) cammina, (lui, lei, Lei) cammini, (voi) camminateGirare – (tu) gira, (lui, lei, Lei) giri, (voi) girateFermare – (tu) ferma, (lui, lei, Lei) fermi, (voi) fermate Besides this keyword vocabulary, it is also important to know how to describe where something can be found. In English these types of directions would translate to, â€Å"The bar is around the corner† or â€Å"It is in front of the market.† Phrases In Italian instead, you want to use these descriptive directional phrases: Vicino a - Close to / near / nearbyDietro a - BehindAll’angolo con - At the corner ofDavanti a (di fronte a) - In front of / across fromAll’incrocio con - At the intersection ofAccanto a - Next to Additionally, the following sentences are worth memorizing and will ensure you get the right directions every time. Mi sono perso/a, Lei puà ² aiutarmi? - I am lost, can you help me?Cerco†¦ - I am looking for†¦   Ã‚     - Il teatro - The theater   Ã‚     - La stazione - The train station   Ã‚     - Il supermercato - The supermarket   Ã‚     - Un ristorante - A restaraunt   Ã‚     - Un bagno - A bathroom   Ã‚     - L’aeroporto - The airport Quantà ¨ lontano a...? - How far is it to...Dove sono i gabinetti? - Where is the bathroom? (polite way to ask in a public place)Dovà ¨ il bagno? - Where is the bathroom?Posso usare il bagno, per favore? - Can I use the bathroom, please?Me lo puà ² indicare sulla mappa/cartina, per favore? - Can you show me on the map, please? Typical responses to requests for directions include: A destra - RightA sinistra - LeftVicino - NearLontano - FarGira a - Turn toIl primo/la prima a destra - First on the rightIl secondo/la seconda a sinistra - Second on the left Some more handy tips: Often times, when asked where something is, Italians will answer â€Å"Vada sempre diritto!†   It means Straight ahead!One kilometer (or un chilometro in Italian) 0.62 miles.If you cant find what youre looking for, enjoy what youve found. Sometimes when traveling, the best experiences happen serendipitously.

Osmosis and Diffusion Lab Report Introduction Essays

Osmosis and Diffusion Lab Report Introduction Essays Osmosis and Diffusion Lab Report Introduction Paper Osmosis and Diffusion Lab Report Introduction Paper While molecules in diffusion move down a concentration gradient, molecules during osmosis both move down a concentration gradient as well as across it. Both diffusion, and osmosis are types of passive transport, which do not require help. When the concentration of the environment outside of the cell is lower than the inside of the cell, this is called a hypotonic solution. In hypotonic solutions, when water moves into the cell they burst, which is known as lists. A hypersonic solution is when the concentration of outside the cell is higher than the inside of the cell. In hypersonic solutions, water moves out of the cell, making the cell lose water and shrink; this is called creation. An isotonic solution is when the concentration of dissolved molecules is the same both inside and outside of the cell. Thus there is no net movement. The purpose of this experiment is to investigate whether osmosis occurs across the membrane of potato cells. Hypothesis The potato that will be more hypersonic to the sucrose solution will gain weight, whereas the potato when hypotonic to the solution will lose weight. When the potato is most isotonic the similarity of the potato will be 0. . Materials 1 potato 7 250-ml Beakers Sucrose Solutions: 0. 1 (M) Razor Blade Denizen Water (0 molar) Balance that weighs to the nearest 0. 01 Cork Borer Paper Towels Calculator Metric Ruler Methods To perform this experiment seven 250-ml beakers were obtained, rinsed thoroughly and dried with a paper towel. Next a small amount of tape was applied on the beakers and labeled accordingl y to the sucrose solution molarities. Each beaker received 100-ml of the various solutions. However one beaker received 100 ml of Denizen water with a molarities of 0. . Afterwards a cork borer was pushed through the potato and was twisted back and forth. Once the borer was filled it was removed from the potato. Pushing the potato cylinder out of the borer, this this step was repeated six more times in order to get seven undamaged potato cylinders. Using a sharp razor blade, the potato cylinders were both cut to a uniform length of about CM, and were removed of their potato skins. The potato pieces were also cut in half to give the cells a greater reface area in which it was easier to absorb the solution. After the cylinders were weighed on a balance and the data was recorded in Table 4 Using the razor blade each potato was cut lengthwise into two long halves. Then the potato pieces were transferred to the water beaker and the time they were submerged was recorded. This step was repeated for all potato cylinders in which the pieces were placed in solutions O. 1 to 0. 6 M. The potatoes were incubated for ninety minutes. At the end of the incubation period the time was recorded. Then the potato piece was removed form the first sample. Next potato pieces were weighed the and the final weight was recorded in Table 4. This procedure was repeated until all samples had been weighed and recorded in the chronological order they were initially placed in the test solution. Afterwards the table was completed by recording the weight change and percentage change. In order to calculate the final percentage change of weight the formula that would be needed is (weight change)/(initial change) X 100. The data received at the end was not normal; therefore each potato cylinder was weighed again, and recorded on two different scales.

Checklist for the purchase of legal software Essay

Checklist for the purchase of legal software - Essay Example Managing calendaring and accounting practices are the main purposes of the required software. The software purchased for these purposes should exhibit characteristics reflects the interests of law firm purchasing it. This is because different software that serve the same purpose are developed, suitable for various management practices. The law firm intending to purchase the legal software should be well aware of the costs to be incurred. In other words, cost allocations made for management software should match the potential and affordability of the firm acquiring the software (Roper, 2007). Cost is evaluated alongside purpose and features exhibited by the software. Technological advancements are ever leading to software and hardware sophistication. In this regard, it is important to evaluate the technical knowhow of the parties involved, so that the software purchased is fully utilized as it should be. In other words, software that favors end usability should be purchased (Roper, 2006). Acquiring the software should be expected to change the practice efficiency for the better. In other words, calendaring and accounting practices in the management of a law office should not remain the same with or without the software. The software’s degree of enhancing the management of calendaring and accounting should be predetermined (Cornick, 2011). Fundamentally, the software should depict a scenario of operational cost reduction upon its purchase in relation to software licensing and law office management. Data capturing is essential, and purchasing the software at an early stage is essential. The software should be purchased and installed when the workload and data volumes are low, so that its integration into the management system is easier. This also means that the software to be purchased should have a long life span to minimize cases of changing software every now and then on a mid-practice

MIH514 - Cross-Cultural Perspectives - Mod 2 SLP Essay

MIH514 - Cross-Cultural Perspectives - Mod 2 SLP - Essay Example There may still be some extended family in the home but not as often since arriving in the US. If there are extended family living with a family unit, it is most often temporary as a family obligation until the others can get on their feet. (Shapiro, 2009). Many of the Indian people come to the US highly educated and become professionals while there are some who are not. They are unusual in the sense that they do not concentrate in singular neighborhoods so they seem less visible and most of them speak English. Their goals and priorities are much related to family. Assuring safe and well cared for families and homes , good health, an happiness is at the top of their list. Like previously mentioned, they are often well educated and are embarrassed if not able to hold a job. Disability is not spoken about and may actually be hidden away in the family system. Their children are of top priority and much of the developmental tasks that occur for them are childhood oriented. All children have some problems with enculturalization but the Asian Indian people are most concerned about it. They make a huge effort to retain cultural identity and still parent within a dissimilar culture (Inman, Howard & Beaumont, 2007). As previously noted, the elders in the family are treated with a great deal of respect. For example, they are never called by their first name. They serve as a resource to the parents of the family and to the children. There has been some change here as the nuclear family forms in the US and the extended family is more likely to disappear. In fact many of the elders are still in their home country though they are likely supported in some way by the family here in the US. (Merrill & Palmer, 2007) Though many of the Indian people who have immigrated to this country have left the cast system behind them, there remains much influence from it, including what kind of profession you will have and where you will be on the social latter. The