Abner Snopes Cold Authority - 917 Words

In Barn Burning, Abner is described as stiff, wolf-like, and without heat because of his coldness and bitterness toward society in which he was part of during the time of the War Between the States. The main character is Abner Snopes who sharecrops to make a living for his family; in his story, Faulkner describes a typical relationship between wealthy people and poor people during that particular time. When described as stiff, we see Abners abruptness and coldness towards his family as well as others in his community. Abners authoritative figure makes his coldness more threatening and his patriarchal figure puts more force into his coldness. Faulkner portrays him as wolf-like and without heat as well; this description shows us†¦show more content†¦As a result, he set out that night to burn the DeSpains barn. To Abner, breaking the law means having his dignity restored. By restoring his dignity, Abner can be part of society without having to feel humiliated by his sharecropper lifeÂâ€"and also to keep his pride intact. Violence also plays a role on Abners character. Throughout the story, Abner showed violence toward his family. He slaps Sarty when Abner found out that Sarty was about to tell the truth about Mr. Harris barn in the beginning of the story and also knocked his wife backwards toward their wall on the night when he decided to burn the DeSpains barn. The violence continues when Abner forced his way into the DeSpains mansion--he enters the house, flinging the door back and the Negro also and entering, his hat still on his head (500). This showed that Abner held no remorse for anyone--without heat. As the story progresses further, Abners character stays the sameÂâ€"cold, threatening, and dispassionate. The main meaning behind the story involves how a poor man feels when the law is based on the wealthy; it portrays Abner as a cold-hearted father and husband, as a cold authoritative figure, and as a lawless and violent man, which at the end of the story, leads him to the death ofShow MoreRelated Abner Snopes: Cold Authority Essay886 Words   |  4 Pages In â€Å"Barn Burning,† Abner is described as stiff, wolf-like, and without heat because of his coldness and bitterness toward society in which he was part of during the time of the War Between the States. The main character is Abner Snopes who sharecrops to make a living for his family; in his story, Faulkner describes a typical relationship between wealthy people and poor people during that particular time. When described as stiff, we see Abner’s abruptness and coldness towards his family as wellRead More The Creation of Abner Snopes in William Faulkners Barn Burning1258 Words   |  6 PagesThe Creation of Abner Snopes in William Faulkners Barn Burning    William Faulkners Barn Burning is an intriguing story about a young boy named Colonel Sartoriss (Sarty) love and hatred for his father, Abner Snopes. Ab is a brutal and frightening man who instills fear into whom ever he seems to be close to. What is the cause of Abner Snopess cruel-heartedness? Maybe its his alienation from the higher class in society that causes him to act in this manner. When such a separation occurs

Video Games And Its Effects On Society - 2285 Words

From the inception of Pong to the latest chapter of the video game series Assassin’s Creed, virtual gaming has been scorned and shunned as a detriment to society. Older generations speculate that incessant gaming in young children insinuates violence, antipathy, lack of creative initiative, and develops an unhealthy isolation from the real world. However, in recent years, these postulates have been put to the test; a number of scientists have conducted experimentation in order to discover whether not virtual gaming affects children in negative ways, and the results could not be farther from their original hypotheses. These studies have shown that videogames can be used for educational purposes, as well as for conducting psychological and medical research and advancements, and that speculations regarding their destructive nature and violence-inspiring tendencies result in no conclusive evidence. In fact, video games may even be developing into the newest art form, as many prov ide insights into political and philosophical discussion using gameplay and graphics. In other words, the development of virtual gaming over the past twenty years is not detrimental to the upbringing of adolescents in our society, and can actually be beneficial in a multitude of areas. One of the primary benefits of utilising video games is their effectiveness in improving mental abilities and in the classroom. A multitude of lessons can be taught using a variety of video games, ranging from concreteShow MoreRelatedVideo Games And Its Effects On Society1463 Words   |  6 Pages Movies, video games, music and television shows come in different genres. However, depending on age in regards to youth not just anyone is allowed to: watch certain movies, buy just any video game, listen to any music or watch any tv show. Sometimes they can see certain movies with a parent or guardian. Seeing violence in excess causes violent acts to take place in society because it gives ideas to viewers or listeners especially those who are young. This the reason there are ratings for mediaRead MoreThe Effects Of Video Games On Society1274 Words   |  6 PagesViolence in video games can affect ones mindset in so many different ways, where we don’t even realize it. For example playing â€Å"Grand Theft Auto† for a few hours will change your mindset. Even though it wouldn’t be in a tremendous way, but for a few minutes your mindset will think, â€Å"This game is so much fun, I want to steal cars, have police chase me, shoot at people, even steal helicopters †. According to Social scientists in the New York Times, Many studies have shown that this is becoming a majorRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effect On Society Essay1380 Words   |  6 Pagesthe 1970’s, video games in America have been controversial. Currently around 97% of America s children play video games in some form; from home consoles such as Xbox, to personal computers and mobile games on smartphones, even in an educational form, video games are nearly everywhere and bringing in big money. Around $21 billion is being funneled into a domestic video game industry. But what are these kids viewing when playing video games and how does that affect their role in society? A commonRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effect On Society1525 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"The reason why people find it so enjoyable is that games are usually the right degree of challenging and the player takes an active role (unlike watching television) so there is an incentive to achieve† (Gee) . Ever since video games were invented there was an immediate attachment and an unwillingness to release them. They present chances to accomplish things one may not be able to do in their life, and provides an escape from reality. Video games also imprint and teach new skills to the gamers whoRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effect On Society980 Words   |  4 PagesAs a growing medium, video games are often associated with various negative connotations that have obfuscated its positive contributions made to society. As a result, the general public is unaware of how video games have shaped modern-day, some even consider it a meaningless teenager pastime, but this is distant from reality. Video games are important to society at large because they do not serve for entertainment purposes only, they are a major force in the economy, scientific research, and militaryRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effects On Society1588 Words   |  7 PagesSince the creation of Spacewar in spring of 1962, vi deo games have dramatically improved along with technology. It has become the most popular way of entertainment in modern civilization, but it also has become a subject of public concern regarding to its negative effects on peoples psychological and physical problems, especially in children and teens. Video games are now recognized by a study as an addiction according to the journal Psychological Science: â€Å"Researchers used data on 1,200 childrenRead MoreThe Effects Of Video Game On Society1466 Words   |  6 PagesFor generations games have been an important part of our culture. Many of these games center on war and strategic tactics. Boys and girls have played soldier, Cowboys and Indians, Monopoly, or Chess . Through games such as these the future men and women of society learned strategy and the consequences of controlling and restraining themselves because their actions had consequences. However with the invention of the computer high definition graphics, these games, and many others have been createdRead MoreThe Effects Of Video Games On The Society859 Words   |  4 PagesAccording to a U.S Study by Rideout Et Al (As Cited in Anderson Bushman 2001.a), the popularity of video games is rapidly increasing. In a U.S study by Butchman Funk (As Cited in Anderson Bushman 2001.b), Around 60 percent of 4th grade girls prefer violent games and about 3 out of every 4 boys with a similar age also prefer ferocious ones. This essay will argue that violence in video games should be censored. For the purpose of this essay, violence can be defined as the physical force intendedRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effect On Society1298 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction During the advent of video games, the world was taken by storm, as this new type of entertainment caught the attention and imagination of the populace; but as this attention grew, concern and scrutiny weren’t far behind. Controversy finally got its chance in the 1990s, when games finally upgraded to 16-bit, giving them the ability to depict realistic blood and gore in games like Moral Kombat; which was criticized for excessive violence, a reason Congress used to create the EntertainmentRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effects On Society1632 Words   |  7 PagesTechnology is a large part of modern society, especially in industrial society. Depending on who you ask, people are either in favour of the advancement in technology or some are against its progression arguing that people have become too reliant. Cellphones are one of the main forms of technology that people talk about most, questioning whether they are a good thing or bad. Many people are also concerned with the advancem ent in video games, worrying that video games are the cause of crime and violence

Komninos Zervos and Ahn Do’s Experience of Identity free essay sample

What do we learn from Komninos Zervos and Ahn Do’s experience of identity in multi-cultural Australia and how are their ideas effectively expressed? Both the poem and the interview emphasise the importance of treating people equally whatever their background. To stay positive and treat people with respect no matter what. Slang and personal anecdotes/family anecdotes are being used in Adam Hills interview with Ahn do and in the poem ‘Nobody calls me a wog anymore’ by Komninos Zervos. Nobody calls me a wog anymore’ by Komninos Zervos explores the importance of being proud of who you are no matter what background is. The poem emphasises the challenges faced moving to Australia with a different background and how to overcome those challenges throughout every day life aswell as Adam Hill’s interview with Ahn Do emphasises the proudness and gratefulness he has for moving being who he is and for having people around him that made his life so much better. We will write a custom essay sample on Komninos Zervos and Ahn Do’s Experience of Identity or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This is explored in the quote â€Å"Mum and dad use to teach us to be grateful for everything, infact they used the boat trip as an example and told us you could have been dead, now that were alive, make it worth something kids†. Both texts also demonstrate self-belief and confidence in facing those who may be biased or racist and that people from other backgrounds aren’t any different to anyone else , an example of how this is shown in Komninos Zervos’ poem is â€Å"I’m an ozzie too, just like you, fair dinkum ridgy didge a dinky die true blue† . This quote has the use of slang to outline the poet’s sense of humour throughout the poem also. Being proud of who you are is important to both Ahn Do and Komninos Zervos as they express their feelings in personal and family anecdotes. Ahn Do uses a sense of humour in the interview with the clothes that people from Vinnies had given their family as a gift to welcome them into Australia and given them girls clothing to wear and the photograph that was shown of his brother and himself dressed as girls. He uses things such as mentioning his uncle was a sapper in the Vietnam war to express how proud he was of his family and where he comes from. The poem explains how proud he is to be who he is and weather anyone likes it or not, he’s not going anywhere. This is explored in the quote ‘Whether you like it or not I am one of you. ’ I give as much as I take, And I’ve given and taken a lot, and I’ll take as much as I can, and I’ll give as much as I’ve got†. Australian slang is used humorously in both poems such as â€Å" Fair dinkum ridgy didge a dinky die true blue† in the poem to highlight that he was now a part of the Australian society and that he would be treated fairly. Ahn do uses Australian slang humorously in the lines when he says â€Å"all these years Barnsey’s been singing about my uncle in the war when I can’t even understand Barnsey â€Å". â€Å"Both texts turn potentially racist commentary into humour for example ‘Nobody calls me a wog anymore and ‘he’s pretty funny for a slope’†1. Both the poem and the interview outline the importance of being proud of who you are and being accepted of who you are through slang, personal and family anecdotes and humour. â€Å"Both texts adopt a personalized colloquial register†2 and explore the importance of being true to yourself. Sources- 1- Class work sheet 2- Class worksheet â€Å"Mum and dad use to teach us to be grateful for everything, infact they used the boat trip as an example and told us you could have been dead, now that were alive, make it worth something kids†

International Human Resource for Leadership-myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theInternational Human Resource Management for Leadership. Answer: HR practices may not produce the same results in different cultural contexts As defined by Kooij et al. (2013), human resource practice is the strategic activities that enables that human resource personnel in developing their leadership plan. Employee skill development plan is also considered under HR practice. The success of a business organization is highly dependent on the performance level of every individual employee associated within the business organization. Based on the performance level of every individual employee the business organizations tend to earn sufficient revenue. As per the human resource practices employees are needed to be motivated towards performing well. It is undeniable that a particular business organization is constituted with the employees of different cultural backgrounds and attitudes. While managing the performance or career level of an individual employee the organizational human resource management team has to face innumerable barriers in communicating with the employees of different geographical boundaries or cultural atti tudes. While making a career progression plan both the organizational managers as well as executives have to face difficulties. As per the opinion of Pichler (2012), Career managementis the continuous planning of activities that engages one towards better fulfillment of job satisfaction, growth as well as financial stability. While appointing within a business organization the business managers intend to develop various career management and career progression plan for rending a financial stability within the organization. At the same time, it is also undeniable that career management plan makes an individual professional more confident towards the business services. As per the point of view of Alfes et al. (2013) career management plan varies from one culture to another. Employees belonging to other cultural backgrounds have to face innumerable barriers in communicating with the human resource managers at the workplace. They have to face psychological hindrances as well while interacting with HR professionals regarding their career management plan. In this kind of situation those kinds of employees having an issue with cultural and religious backgrounds have to face difficulties for being the active part of career management plan. Peretz and Fried (2012) opined that in order to develop the career progression plan human resource managers have to provide an effective training and development session for enhancing the skills and competency level of the employees. In this kind of situation, people belonging to other cultural backgrounds and attitudes have to face innumerable difficulties for being the part of this training and development session. T hose employees have to face challenges in interacting with the professional trainers due to the lack of language flexibility. Automatically, those employees having different cultural backgrounds get deprived of receiving an effective training session. Tang and Tang (2012) has however, differed the point of view of previous research scholar fervently. As per the opinion of this particular eminent scholar every business organization aims to provide an effective training on communication skill to those employees who are having lack of language flexibility. In this kind of situation, people belonging to different cultural backgrounds and attitudes get the opportunity to develop their communication skill first. As per human resource management practice career management plan is one of the most integral parts of motivating employees towards performing well. In this kind of situation, employees having different geographical and cultural backgrounds do not have to face barriers in attending the career progression session. Ceylan (2013) opined that they can gain the flexibility of interacting with the trainers after developing their communication skill. However, this particular study after developing the career management plan has evaluate d that business organizations should recruit employees belonging to from different cultural backgrounds. After appointing the employees human resource managers can provide an effective training session for developing the communication skill of an individual. Whenever the employees would have to join within the training and development session for the purpose of career management plan this particular employee would not have to face difficulties in interacting with the trainers. As emphasized by Marescaux, De Winne and Sels (2012) a career management plan is constituted with five major steps including building relationship with the organizational professionals, career development conversation with the human resource managers, career development plan, setting a new goal and receiving an effective training session for career development. It has been observed that employees belonging to other cultural backgrounds failed to make an effective interaction with the organizational manager due to linguistic barrier. Consequently, the human resource managers fail to identify the flaws of those employees that need to be developed with the help of effective training and developed session. However, after evaluating the opinion of different scholars it can be evaluated that the result of HR practices differ as per the cultural as well as psychological backgrounds of the employees. As per the opinion of Jiang, Wang and Zhao (2012), performance appraisalprovides the basis of selecting, promoting and evaluating the performance level of an employee in order to increase the salary status along with the promotion of career. Before giving the promotion of an individual the human resource managers tend to make an effective appraisal planning in order to review the performance level of an individual. Before getting appraised every individual employee has to make an interpersonal communication with the human resource manager. This specific study has provided an in-depth overview on how HR managers have to face challenges in dealing with the employees of different cultural attitudes at the workplace. Juhdi, Pa'wan Hansaram (2013) stated that employees who are from different geographical boundaries have to face linguistic barriers in interacting with the human resource managers. At the time of performance appraisal process those employees fail to express their thoughts a nd ideas with the HR managers due to communication gap. Automatically, HR managers intend to show their negative approach towards giving them a good feedback on appraisal. Consequently, the people belonging to different cultural attitudes get fewer opportunities in promoting their career from one level to another. Daley (2012) has strongly differed the point of view of previous research scholar. As per the opinion of this specific individual performance appraisal system is not dependent on the culture and religious attitude of an individual. Performance appraisal is judged as per the performance level of the employees throughout the year. This specific research scholar has stated that employees performance level is judged as per the competency level of an individual. Jiang et al. (2012) stated that human resource managers of an organization are flexible enough in recruiting an individual employee as per the skill and level of competency. If any employee faces linguistic or psycholog ical barriers while providing services human resource managers can provide an effective training and development session for developing the communication skill. Automatically, the entire process of performance appraisal procedure would be effective for both the employees as well as the human resource managers. Hofstedes cultural dimension model policy power distance ensures that employees having strength and power inside the organization get more priority than the employee of low power. Power of an individual is primarily is judged as per the cultural dimension as well as seniority level. Gupta and Kumar (2012) stated that senior employees who are having a good rapport with the human resource managers are saving a positive impact on the overall performance appraisal procedure. On the other hand, people who do not have to face any kind of linguistic barrier with the organizational managers can have a possibility of getting good appraisal process. Therefore, it is clear and evident that way of interaction matter immensely in getting a good appraisal from the human resource managers. Daley (2012) has strictly differed this specific conception. As per the point of view of this specific scholar power distance can never be one of the most effective components of performance appraisal process. As per the opinion of this specific scholar, large number of organizations is there where junior employees have received a good appraisal than the senior one. On the other hand, people who are having different cultural backgrounds and attitudes have also got a good appraisal due to their excellent performance progress throughout the years. Therefore, cultural barrier, communication barrier can never be the most significant components for getting a good appraisal for the employees. After evaluating the point of view of some of the most eminent scholars it can be concluded that cultural dimension has major impact in implementing human resource management practices properly. Numerous eminent scholars have stated that HR practices may produce different results in different cultural contexts. Due to the communication barrier those employees are not flexible enough in sharing their views or difficulties facing wt the workplace. Ceylan (2013) opined that consequently human resource managers cannot communicate with those individuals properly. In this kind of situation, the business organization should implement some of the major strategies and policies based on which people belonging to different geographical markets get the scope of expressing their point of view to human resource managers. As a result, the HR managers would be effective in implementing organizational practices. Reference List: Alfes, K., Truss, C., Soane, E. C., Rees, C., Gatenby, M. (2013). The relationship between line manager behavior, perceived HRM practices, and individual performance: Examining the mediating role of engagement.Human resource management,52(6), 839-859. Ceylan, C. (2013). Commitment-based HR practices, different types of innovation activities and firm innovation performance.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,24(1), 208-226. Daley, D. M. (2012). Strategic human resources management.Public Personnel Management, 120-125. Gupta, V., Kumar, S. (2012). Impact of performance appraisal justice on employee engagement: a study of Indian professionals.Employee Relations,35(1), 61-78. Jiang, J., Wang, S., Zhao, S. (2012). Does HRM facilitate employee creativity and organizational innovation? A study of Chinese firms.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,23(19), 4025-4047. Jiang, K., Lepak, D. P., Han, K., Hong, Y., Kim, A., Winkler, A. L. (2012). Clarifying the construct of human resource systems: Relating human resource management to employee performance.Human Resource Management Review,22(2), 73-85. Juhdi, N., Pa'wan, F., Hansaram, R. M. K. (2013). HR practices and turnover intention: the mediating roles of organizational commitment and organizational engagement in a selected region in Malaysia.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,24(15), 3002-3019. Kooij, D. T., Guest, D. E., Clinton, M., Knight, T., Jansen, P. G., Dikkers, J. S. (2013). How the impact of HR practices on employee well?being and performance changes with age.Human Resource Management Journal,23(1), 18-35. Marescaux, E., De Winne, S., Sels, L. (2012). HR practices and HRM outcomes: The role of basic need satisfaction.Personnel Review,42(1), 4-27. Peretz, H., Fried, Y. (2012). National cultures, performance appraisal practices, and organizational absenteeism and turnover: a study across 21 countries.Journal of Applied Psychology,97(2), 448 Pichler, S. (2012). The social context of performance appraisal and appraisal reactions: A meta?analysis.Human Resource Management,51(5), 709-732. Tang, T. W., Tang, Y. Y. (2012). Promoting service-oriented organizational citizenship behaviors in hotels: The role of high-performance human resource practices and organizational social climates.International Journal of Hospitality Management,31(3), 885-895.

Privatization Essays (565 words) - Market Structure, Monopoly

Privatization As a result of privatization in Russia, tens of thousands of state-owned enterprises - from small retail shops to major industrial enterprises - have been transformed into privately owned companies. Millions of Russian citizens became owners. The privatization is guided by the special government program which operates on different administrative levels: federal, regional and municipal. The authorities on any given level are authorized to privatize only those assets transferred to their ownership. Large-scale privatization By July 1994, 15,052 medium and large enterprises, employing more than 80% of the industrial workforce, had been privatized in a voucher-based privatization scheme. The second (post-voucher), cash-based phase of privatization is under way now. Government blocks of shares will be sold primarily to strategic investors in special investment tenders. The list of ?strategic enterprises?, including energy, defence and utilities, majority state ownership is to be retained for at least two to three years. In the second stage of privatization, enterprises will be able to buy the land and buildings they are associated with. Farm privatization has made limited progress so far. More than 80% of agricultural land is owned by large farms with some form of collective ownership and 10% remains state property. Only 6% is in the hands of private farmers and urban dwellers with small household plots own 4%. Property rights over agricultural land remain subject to heavy restrictions. Small-scale privatization By the end of 1995 more than 100,000 state-owned small-scale businesses (with less than 200 employees) had been transferred to private hands. The overwhelming majority of these were in the retail trade, public catering and consumer services sector, where private entities account for 80% of activity. The size of the private sector The non-state sector, including all corporatized enterprises irrespective of the share of state ownership, accounted for 70% of GDP and 60% of employment by the end of 1995. Forecast for 1996 Financial assets will be the main instrument of privatization in 1996. The share of facilities sold at auctions and commercial and investment tenders and privatized by the redemption of leased property and sale of immovables and land will grow. The development of the stock market will be based lagerly on demand from ?strategic investors? interested in high profitability for their investments and the gaining of control over enterprises. The sale of land and immovables to enterprises will be a new feature of privatization. According to estimates, the number of enterprises which will have changed their form of ownership will be 124,600 in 1996. Their aggregate output is estimated at 844 trillion rubles (accounted for 31% of GDP) and their combined personnel at 21 million (31.6% of employment). The creation of an effective bankruptcy mechanism and work with insolvent enterprises will be a major factor in enhancing economic efficiency. The legal base of bankruptcy is to be improved and effective bankruptcy procedures to be elaborated in 1996. This presumably is to facilitate the reduction of inter-enterprise debts. Adoption of international bookkeeping principles and audit standards can help solve many problems related to enterprise insolvency, restructuring, improvement and support. Next year's privatization process will be determined, to a considerable degree, by the state of the market. In 1996 it should acquire all the basic characteristics of the capital market, and its main task will be an effective inter-industry and inter-regional re-distribution of investment resources. Economics

How To Use Instagram For Business The Best Guide - CoSchedule

How To Use Instagram For Business The Best Guide Theres a lot of hype around Instagram, and how important it is for businesses of all sizes? But, should you actually believe it? The answer is a resounding yes. With 800 million active users per month, its impossible to ignore if you want to get your brand in front of your target audience. The next question you probably have is, How exactly do I use Instagram to build my business? Theres a lot to know, and your success will rely on a mix of smart strategy and creative execution. Fortunately, youre in the right place. In this post, well cover everything you need to know to start growing your brand on this important social network. Youre about to learn: All the basics, from setting up a business account to setting ambitious yet achievable goals. How to shoot awesome photos and create great visual content thats perfect for the platform. The best ways to analyze your content and measure your results to prove your work makes a difference. Plus, youll know everything you need about different post formats, how to leverage Instagram Stories, and more. + Instagram = Success: Did you know you can schedule Instagram posts on one integrated marketing calendar platform with ? See how it works. Then, start your free trial or schedule a demo. How to Use Instagram for Business: The Most Complete Guide via @ Table Of Contents: Building the Business Case for Using Instagram Setting Up Your Business Profile Optimizing Your Instagram Business Profile Find Influencers In Your Niche to Follow Set Instagram Marketing Goals Plan a Basic Instagram Content Strategy Building Your Visual Style And Brand Aesthetic On Instagram Growing Your Audience and Engagement Instagram Best Practices Schedule Instagram Posts With Make Creating Instagram Posts Easy with these 100+ free stock images. Use these as the basis for your own creative content to help you get started fast. Then, follow the tips in this post to take your Instagram marketing to the next level. Building the Business Case for Using Instagram You might be here because you're curious if Instagram has any actual business value. To make that decision, it's helpful to have hard data. Check out these stats: How to Get Started: Setting Up a Business Account The very first thing to do in order to start marketing on Instagram is to set up a business account. This video from Alex Fleck will help show you the steps: Take some time and use Instagram yourself before using it too heavily for your business (if you're not someone who uses it personally). Optimizing Your Instagram Business Profile Next, make sure your profile is completely optimized. This means: Writing a compelling bio. You have 150 characters to summarize what your business is about. Use a recognizable profile image. Your logo is typically a sound choice. Choose a good profile link. On Instagram, links are only allowed on profiles (and not on posts). Two options are your brand's website homepage  or a link to a new page or piece of content you're promoting.Find Influencers In Your Niche to Follow When you're first starting out, you'll need to choose accounts to follow. Here are some types of accounts to think about starting with: Your partner brands. Companies you work with are a great place to start. Influencers in your niche. These are people and brands that your audience follows. Start by searching a few keywords for accounts related to your brand or product. Brands you're inspired by. This will help you get ideas for your own posts and campaigns. Your competitors. Nothing wrong with keeping tabs on what they're up to. While doing so, note what type of  content  works for them, and find out what your competitors  are doing. Ask yourself these questions: What draws you to their Instagram posts? How often are they posting? What do you dislike about their posts? What type of information do they include in their profile? Is there a consistent theme? Keep what you learn in mind for later. Set Your Instagram Marketing Business Goals Once you have some research and inspiration stored away, it's time to think about your business! What are your goals as a company? Here are some Instagram goals you might want to focus on: Increasing  your follower count Growing your brand awareness Greater engagement Whatever your goal might be, make sure it's clear and concise so that you can always refer to it throughout your Instagram process. When it comes to your goals, you’ll also want to make sure to use SMART goals. Is your goal specific,  measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based? Use the SMART goals to purify your goal to its most  simple, effective form. For example, a great goal would be: "We want to increase our following by 20% over the course of the next month." This goal is specific in what metric to track, states the desired outcome, and has a clear deadline for that outcome. Recommended Reading:  How To Use Social Media Analytics To Create The Best Content Aligning Instagram Metrics With Business Objectives Growing an Instagram following and getting tons of engagement on your posts is great. But, if your goals are connected to actual business outcomes, then they don't matter much. So, when you're setting goals, know how you're aiming to improve your brand each time you post. To do this, select metrics to track that help drive certain business objectives. Follow this chart to help you select business goals and pair them up with the best Instagram metrics: Know How You'll Measure Your Instagram Marketing Efforts It can't be stressed enough how important this one is. Whether you're starting out or revamping your current Instagram, it's time to start recording your data! Remember that one aspect of SMART goals? Measurable. If you can't track your efforts, you'll never be able to see if your strategy is working. Use Google Sheets or Excel to track the analytics behind your posts. Make sure to record these 5 elements of every Instagram post from here on out: Date Total Followers Type of Post (i.e. Culture, Product, Inspiration, etc.) Time Engagement after x amount of time Once you have this data from all of your posts, you'll be able to make smart, strategic decisions every time you post. Find what works, take out what doesn't, and watch it grow your Instagram account. Create a simple spreadsheet like this (click File Make a Copy, or recreate something similar for yourself): Then, track your performance for each post over time. Do This With : Want even more analytics? Try out 's social sharing and analytics functionality for Instagram (and all your other social networks). It's the easiest way to schedule and measure every post alongside all your marketing projects and campaigns, all in one marketing management platform. Plan a Basic Instagram Content Strategy Now, before you go posting just anything on Instagram, understand why you're creating that content in the first place. Everything you post should have a purpose, support your goals, and strengthen your brand. Outlining a simple content strategy can help achieve these aims. Start With Your Story The final step  in defining your strategy is to brainstorm how you can connect the story of your product to your audience.  What was the original idea that made your business idea come to life? Take that and run with it. For example, Lululemon was founded on the  idea that working out together could also cultivate  community. According to their website, "Our vision for our store was to create more than a place where people could get gear to sweat in, we wanted to create a community hub where people could learn and discuss the physical aspects of healthy living, mindfulness and living a life of possibility." The idea was simple: Health and community to live a fuller life. That is their story. On their Instagram account, that same narrative continues to tells the story among all of their posts: It's almost instantly evident what they're about, and it's consistent across their entire page. In order to find your own narrative, ask yourself these three questions: What is the core idea behind your product? What do people love about your product? What would your audience miss about your business if you stopped tomorrow? These three questions will help shape your story. Combine your narrative with your goal, and now you have a strategy. To find success on Instagram, you need to find your narrative. Understand Which Post Types Work Best Now that you have an awesome strategy in place, it's time to decide what types of posts you want to share with your audience. Every audience is different, so trying out different types of posts to see what works will be very beneficial for both audience building and increased engagement. Inspiration: Inspirational posts are really great for motivating your audience. Who doesn't need a good morning pick-me-up? Inspirational posts often come in the form of quotes, so find some key people who believe in your narrative and/or goal, and use that as a starting point. Company Culture: Culture posts are ones that truly align with the heart and core values of your business. It could be for fun and play, or something you personally support. Either or, culture posts are great for being transparent and honest with your audience. Show them who you really are! Let them share in your funny, office shenanigans behind the scenes. Product Posts:   While maybe the most obvious, product posts are one of the most essential Instagram types to use.  After all,  the ever-present goal is always to grow your business, right? Instagram is a great platform to show off how your products work, promote new stuff, and get people interested in what you have to offer. Event Photos: Attending a conference? Hosting an event? Snap some shots for Instagram. Interesting Stats: Everyone loves a fact or figure that sounds almost impossible to believe, but is totally accurate. Stats that help businesses make decisions are great, too. Designed Images: Event flyers, ads, and other such items would fall under this category. See Some Instagram Post Examples It'll be helpful to see some examples of what good Instagram posts look like. Here's a handful to check out: Inspiration from Gary Vaynerchuk: . Winners love the hate - #garyvee - Tag a winner A post shared by Gary Vay-Ner-Chuk (@garyvee) on Apr 18, 2018 at 2:30pm PDT Culture from : 2017 might have been our best year yet. We opened a brand new office, hired a bunch of great people and added a boatload of new features to help marketers get even more organized. Thank you for a great year, rs! #thankyou #marketingteams #getorganized #nye2017 #marketing #marketingprojects #contentmarketing #contenthacking #projectmanagement A post shared by (@) on Dec 31, 2017 at 8:33am PST Product from Nike: Live from London, the next chapter of @nikefootball has arrived. Introducing the #Mercurial Superfly 360, built for the fastest players in the game. â  â‚¬Ã¢  â‚¬ â  â‚¬ Check out our Mercurial Instagram Story to see more from the launch event. #BornMercurial A post shared by nike (@nike) on Feb 7, 2018 at 11:40am PST Event Video Post from Red Bull: No perfect performance, no problem.   #redbull1976games #oldschool #skiing #winter #snow #fun A post shared by Red Bull (@redbull) on Mar 20, 2018 at 2:11am PDT Interesting Stat from ESPN: Jaylen Brown is doing things in the playoffs that haven't been done in 8 years 💠ª A post shared by NBA on ESPN (@nbaonespn) on Apr 22, 2018 at 2:15pm PDT Designed Image from Mod Cloth: It’s World Art Day! Who’s your fave female artist? #WorldArtDay A post shared by ModCloth (@modcloth) on Apr 15, 2018 at 9:02am PDT Recommended Reading:The 6 Types Of Social Media Content That Will Give You The Greatest Value Building Your Visual Style And Brand Aesthetic On Instagram One of the  unique qualities about Instagram among all the other social platforms is that it's primarily visual with its ongoing feed of imagery. This allows business to visually show off their product, rather than just  tell; however, this also presents a challenge. How can you make your  business narrative seen through a consistent, visually appealing brand? Here are five key factors that will ensure your Instagram feed looks great and tells your story well. Build your brand on #Instagram the right way.The Bare Essentials While top-notch, expensive camera gear surely  has its benefits, it's definitely not required to have a great visual presence on Instagram. What you do need is a smartphone with a camera, and some good natural  light. Whether you're taking photos of people experiencing the benefits of your product outside, or you're taking photos of physical  products indoors, these two are essential  to get going. To watch how to post to Instagram on your iPhone check this video from Jana Williams. Natural Lighting Quality lighting for your photos can take them to the next level! The best lighting source is found outside, but there are also ways to capture this gorgeous light indoors. If you want to take your photo outside, the best time of day for lighting is called golden hour. This is the hour after sunrise or before sunset when the skies turn golden and make everything seem magical. Depending on where you live, taking photos at those times of day may not be ideal, so if you need to take photos in the middle of the day here are a couple of tips: 1.  Avoid direct, high-noon sun outside. In the middle of the day, the sun is directly above which can cast harsh shadows on your subject. Instead, we want evenly lit light to highlight your subject so to avoid the bright sun, find some shade. In the shade, your image will have even light, making for a wonderful photo. 2. Avoid dark, indoor spaces. While its common to have offices and buildings with  tiled, white fluorescent lighting in the ceiling, this is not ideal for your images because it will make them appear yellow. Instead, try finding a nearby window that has some room for your photo. This way, you'll capture the great natural lighting while still being inside. 3.   Use a reflector. If you can't go outside and you don't have any windows nearby, you can purchase a $20 reflector to help you bounce the available light. I personally use this for my photography, and it always comes in handy. Simply choose to either add more light with the silver or gold sides or take away light with the white, diffuser side. Tilt the reflector side-to-side as well as up-and-down until you see the desired light, and you're all set! Rule of Thirds When it comes to visuals, the layout of your subjects can also be optimized to create visual interest. Using the rule of thirds, you can ensure your image is balanced, natural, and professional.  The rule of thirds creates a 9-part grid providing four lines where your subject can  be placed. Recommended Reading: How To Create A Marketing Strategy That Will Skyrocket Your Results By 9,360% Choosing Your Filter One you've taken your image with great lighting, positioned with the rule of thirds, and have taken your image, its time to edit it! The first thing you'll want to do,is choose your filter. Filters are several different styles and editing presets that are ready to use. There are an extremely high number of filter options out there today from a variety of apps, including Instagram's 21 default filter options so be careful when you choose your filter. Ask yourself this: Does this filter reflect the mood of my business narrative? Does this filter draw attention to itself or does it enhance my subject in the photo? Is this filter consistent with my other imagery? Once you've chosen a filter or two that works best for your business, make sure to stick with that filter. While it's okay to experiment right away, too many different filters at once can disrupt the mood and emotion of your Instagram feed as a whole. When your audience goes to your account and sees nine images together, consistency needs to be evident in telling your story well. Find a couple of filters and stick to it. Brands on Instagram: use consistent filters to create a consistent look.Some Popular Instagram Tools From start to finish, there are apps and tools out there to help you get the best photo possible. Here's a grand list of some of my favorite photo tools from creation to hitting publish: VSCO: Use their camera grid to apply the rule of thirds, and utilize their hand-crafted filters for great color. Snapseed: Once you've taken your image, open it in Snapseed for several advanced editing tools and filters. Filterstorm Neue: While only available for iPhone,  the app has a diverse collection of customizable editing options. TouchRetouch: Need to edit out something? This app is perfect for detailed retouching! ProCamera: If you'd like more control of your iPhone camera, this app allows you the full functionality. While there are several more tools out there, these are the ones that have worked best for me and . Explore the different options, and see what works best for you. Every workflow is unique, so choose an app that matches your photo process best. Growing Your Audience And Engagement First of all, congrats! You've thoroughly developed your Instagram strategy, created some awesome Instagram posts, recorded your data, and now its time to optimize everything for the next level of audience engagement! At this point, you know what works well and you're ready to fine-tune everything to achieve your goals faster and better. There are eight  easy steps to optimizing your entire Instagram account from the descriptions and imagery, to tagging others and building a community. Here's how to grow your following on #Instagram: Write Perfect Post Captions Instagram is all about striking visuals. But, having the perfect caption can help give your images better context and make them more engaging. Follow these guidelines every time you write post copy: Using Hashtags Hashtags are really important to your Instagram posts because they allow others to find you that may not have heard of your product before. They let you reach a broader audience, and who doesn't want that? An easy way to find what hashtags are currently trending is to use Top-Hashtags.com.  They provide a nice, clear list with the highest rated hashtags and how many posts currently have that hashtag. It also lets you click on the hashtag to see examples of how others are using it! How many hashtags should you use? That's a great question. Instagram allows you to use up to 30 hashtags for each post, but its best practice to use 5-10 hashtags. While more hashtags often is better, is always important to remember to avoid being  spammy. You can find the perfect amount of hashtags to use by doing two things: Look at what other hashtags the influencers in your industry are using and how many. Test your own Instagram posts with a variety of hashtag amounts, and see what works best. Tag Industry Influencers In order to grow your community, look to the big influencers and see how you can involve them in your Instagram strategy. Not only can you learn from them, but you can easily share their quotes, products, and other resources within your own posts that align with your business' narrative. For example, we're big fans of Seth Godin and his mantras so we've  read a bunch  of his content. He has so many great takeaways, and we want to share that with our own audience, too.What's that one thing constantly on your mind that you've always wanted to do but just haven't taken the leap? Maybe it's time to just go for it! #vscocam #vsco #bismarck #photography #content #contentmarketing #socialmedia #team #culture #calendar #quote #inspiration #office #mantra #motivation #justdoit #sethgodin A photo posted by (@) on Sep 15, 2016 at 8:12am PDTWhen you share content  from others, make sure your posts are still original. Take your own images, design your own quote graphics, and still create something that matches your own business, but remember to give them credit. Tag them in your posts so that they see it, their audience might see it, and then watch your audience grow. Recommended Reading:How To Get Insanely Loyal Followers On Social Media Adding A Location Every Instagram post has the option to add a location to it. This is yet another way Instagram users can search to find people to follow. If your business is known especially in a specific region, this is even more valuable! You can either search for your location and find it using maps, or you can create your own custom location.  Custom locations can be especially helpful for business events as you can add a personal touch. Using Instagram locations are a simple extra way to allow your potential audience  to find you. Add a location to your Instagram posts to target local audiences.Optimize Your Link In Your Profile Instagram has a very minimal profile space to personalize the information to your business and its goals, so businesses must take advantage of what they're given. One of the best ways to do so, is by updating and modifying your link  for each Instagram post. While a best practice is to have your business or product website link there  on a long-term basis, feel free to customize that link with posts that direct your  audience to something more specific. Do you have a feature launch coming up? Was your business just featured on a reputable news source? Use those opportunities to post about it on Instagram, and directly link to it in your profile. Don't forget you can drive Instagram traffic with profile links.This allows your audience to avoid mis-typinganything, and gives instant access to precisely what you want them to see. Just remember to add "link in profile" to your Instagram post description, and then they'll know to hit the link in your profile. For example, recently announced our new podcast series, Actionable Content Marketing, and used Instagram to direct our audience to that specific page for easy accessibility: Create An  Instagram Engagement Pod InstaRevealed  recently launched the new idea of comment or pods so that users could connect more with their industry niche, while also growing each other's engagement. Once you sign up, you're placed into a 5-10 person direct message where you can send the heart icon every time you post. The heart alerts the group to check it out, like and comment, and boost your engagement. If you'd like to do this for your business, you can sign up on their website. Maybe you'd like an engagement comment pod, but with people and brands you know! Well, that's possible too. Make a list of the 5-10 key people you'd like to include in your group. Contact them, tell them what it's about, and let them accept your invitation. Then, simply create a direct message, and add your biggest fans, industry influencers, or  anyone else on your list. The next time you share an Instagram post, go to that direct message and choose the heart icon. Your engagement group will know exactly what to do, and suddenly you'll have great engagement and interaction on all of your posts. Of course, this engagement group is for their posts as well. Make sure to reciprocate the Instagram love by commenting and engaging with their content. By simply choosing to work as a supportive community, you'll also interact with all of their audience's. It's a win-win for everyone involved. Have you tried building an Instagram engagement pod?Post at the Best Times for Instagram Instagram is a mobile-focused app. And, since users are frequently on their phones, this means almost any time is a great time to share on the platform. But, are some times shown to be better than others? This graphic shows our findings: Now, your best times may vary from what research shows. Remember that data that you started collecting? This is where it comes into play. Analyze all of the times recorded in your note, as well as the engagement levels for that post to find the best time to post for your business. To do this, follow these three steps: First, in order to simplify your times, categorize them by hour. (i.e. All posts published within 9am, 10am, etc.) Then, tally how many posts you had within each hour. Now let's take a look at your engagement. Under the same hour categories, write down all of the engagement scores associated with that hour. Once that's complete,  add up the total engagement score for that hour. Next, divide it by amount of posts in that hour. You've now found your average engagement for posts published during that hour. You'll want to repeat this process for each of your hours, and then it will be loud and clear what time(s) work best for you! Recommended Reading:The Best Times to Post on Social Media (According to 23 Studies) Know How Often To Post Along with the best time, frequency is a major factor when publishing to Instagram. On one hand, you don't want to post so often that it looks spammy and turns away your followers, but on the other you want enough posts that continually build up for your Instagram community. According to Buffer, the top brands post about 1.5 times per day. So what does that mean for you? Let's test it. For each week that you recorded, count how many Instagram posts you've published. Then,  take your first day of the week's follower count and your last day of the week's follower count, and find the difference. Do this same process for every week that you've published content. What do you notice? Are there some weeks that have a lot of posts, but lower follower growth? Or did posting a lot triple your follower count? did this same process, and we found that posting 3 times a week compared to 5 times increased our follower count by 64%! For us, less is more. But what's most important is that you use your own data to find your best frequency. Your business is unique, and so will your data. Take the time to analyze and reflect, and you'll be amazed at the results. Recommended Reading:  This Is The Social Media Posting Schedule That Will Boost Your Traffic By 192% Advertise With Instagram Instagram ads are 2.8x higher than other forms of online advertising. Once you know what type of Instagram post works, its time to make it an ad and let it work for you! Instagram ads are integrated with Facebook ads and can be in the form of image, video, or carousel  style, where multiple  images are in a scroll for your audience to tap through. Using what you already know, you can simply promote your posts to go just a bit further, making a big difference. Instagram advertising is great for businesses because it's yet another thing you can measure to reach your goals. Not only that, but it adds a direct call to action in your ads that you can lead  your audience directly to your product. When  over a third  of Instagram users have used their mobile to purchase a product online, your Instagram is an easy way to reach into that moment of purchase. Using Facebook's Ads Manager to create an ad for Instagram, you can choose a custom audience, define the region you'd like to reach, age, gender, language, as well as demographic interests or behaviors. There you have it! Eight  ways to optimize your Instagram account from head to toe. Start with one or two, and perfect them before going into the next. Slowly but surely, you'll notice not only great engagement but an increased ROI on your product. Instagram Best Practices: Brand. Craft. Community. That might seem to be a lot to remember, so let's go over the best practices. If you must take away one thing, or maybe three, these would be it.

How to make a choice in marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

How to make a choice in marketing - Essay Example Although the purpose of technology is to simplify and improve our lives, it actually complicates our lives; we end up spending more money and enjoying less of life. Every single day a new phone or a laptop is introduced in the market by different companies making it impossible for the consumer to choose any one model. Earlier, there was a scarcity of choice, now consumers are feeling a pull on their pockets in order to not make unnecessary purchases and falter with their bank accounts. Keeping a track on money has become hard because newer technology helps to simplify a person’s life however, how much does a person purchase? Earlier, when GPS systems did not help man to find directions or iPods did not assist him during his long journeys, the distances were still covered. The use of technology has brought about an ease of access with respect to life itself - but at a heavy price. (Montgomery, Joseph) Therefore, one way by which technology is complicating a man’s life is by making it more and more expensive as well as creating excess competition among individuals as well as companies with regard to who produces or who buys the better technology. Soon enough, a man becomes caught up with his expenses and the amount that he has been setting aside in order to purchase newer and better forms of technology. It is true, no man has ever been at peace since scientists have begun research on technology that will make life simpler. If today a phone helps a person to call and send text messages appeals to a man and he goes ahead and purchases it at a high price, tomorrow he will shun that phone away for another, albeit more expensive one, that can send e-mails and video call as well. People get so caught up keeping a track on what is new and what will launch in the future that they forget about enjoying the simpler things in life. Most older people these days complain that life was very different when they were younger and it was not as fast paced and hurried as it has become with the use of technology today. Earlier, it was only businessmen who were caught up in the daily hustle and bustle of putting through calls and sending messages to each other and their clients, back and forth. However, today, people have become so hooked on to social networks that their phones and laptops never stop beeping. These websites were created in order to make life easier for people so that they could find their friends from all around the world and connect with them, however, now it seems like this technology has bridged entire distances among people living in different parts of the world. Nonetheless, it has led students and adults alike to get distracted and lose their concentration because they are constantly attached to a virtual world which helps them believe that all that they need is available right there. Moreover, technology helped to bring about e-banking; a process that would help to make transactions and money withdrawal and deposition much easier for people. With the help of e-banking people are also able to shop online and get things delivered for their loved ones all over the world. Flight tickets, dinner reservations, gifting flowers and chocolates can all be done with the help of entering the digits of one’s credit or debit card. However, such interesting technology also has demerits attached to it. E-Banking was created to help people and simplify their work by making it faster and

Study case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Study case - Essay Example The defendant had flouted the civil rights of the employees enshrined in the Civil Rights Act of 1991. The defendant had flouted Civil Rights Act of 1991 which prohibits employers from discriminating their employees. The company resolved this by setting up a prayer special room at the plant (Robert & John 103). Tyson Foods also had a conflict that arose when they attempted to replace Labor Day with Eid al-Fitr. The non Muslim employees complained about this move. The company addressed the issue by allowing all their employees (Muslim and Non-Muslim) eight paid holidays (Robert & John 103). The holidays included; Memorial day, Martin Luther King Day, New Years Day, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day and a personal holiday. Subject to the approval of their supervisors, the employees had the option of spending their personal holidays either for their birthday or Eid  al-Fitr. The company thus incurred more operational expenses by increasing the number of paid holidays to eight. Comparing the solutions adopted by the two companies, unlike Tyson foods, JBS-SWIFT’s solution will yield the company the greatest positive yield because, it will not incur additional operational cost (Robert & John

How Was Alexander The Great as a Leader Research Paper

How Was Alexander The Great as a Leader - Research Paper Example Having achieved this much with such a relative short life, we cannot help but wonder, â€Å"how was Alexander the Great as a leader?† To better understand how was Alexander the Great as leader, it would be necessary to know the man. Alexander the Great in brief Alexander the Great was born in royalty. He was born of a Macedonian King Philip II and Queen Olympias. He was educated by the best teachers and was taught how to read, ride, play the lyre, fight and hunt. His best education came from Aristotle, one of the greatest philosopher of all time. The training that Alexander the Great received from Aristotle had a tremendous influence in his later conquests and it has been said that it contributed much in the success of his military conquests1 (Foster 2001, 44). Alexander the Great was also exposed early on how to lead troops in combat. At age of 17, Alexander the Great already led troops towards victory against the combined forces of Athens and Thebes. At 20, he was already ki ng when his father Philip II was assasinated by his own men. He began his conquest in 334 B.C. when he commenced a 12 year journey during which he traveled 22,000 miles and conquered modern day Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India to the Indus River2 (Team Trek Series). During this campaign, he defeated armies four to five times his size as he cross deserts and 15,000 foot peaks in freezing weather, facing incredible hardships to unite the known world under one common vision3. During these conquests, he also managed to have himself named the pharaoh of Egypt and conquered all of Asia, calling himself the â€Å"Lord of Asia†4. II. The Leadership of Alexander the Great Alexander was able to achieve this feat as a result of a combination of several characteristics that distinguished him from other leaders. In addition to being trained early to become a leader and a king, Alexander had inherent personal qualities that made him conquer all kn own world during his time. As a leader, Alexander the Great was; a. Self-confident. Perhaps even extremely but it served him well. Alexander the Great truly believed that he was a descendant of the gods (i.e. Hercules) that he thought he was invincible and this was displayed in the battlefield when he led his troops. This confidence was contagious that inspired his men to have faith in themselves which was instrumental in winning battles. This was manifested in Alexander the Great’s second confrontation with the army of Darius at the mountain pass of Issus where Darius outnumbered Alexander’s army. Out of sheer faith of Alexander’s army in him, his soldiers were able to defeat Darius army in a fierce hand to hand combat5 (Cohen 1983, 50). Alexander the Great also did not accept perceptions of his environment as limitations to be accommodated. Perceived problems were reframed into alternative problems, which were then to be solved6 (Kurke 2004, 4). As a concrete example, â€Å"any special defiance, or any reputedly impossible problem, he took as a personal challenge, and fell upon it with especial ardour. The Gordian Knot yielded when he slid the yoke sideways out of it-and revealed many rope-ends, not only two7† (Burns 1965, 140). b. Visionary. According to Kurke, â€Å"truly great leaders change the world around them. They instill in their followers a cohesive identity and clear purpose8† (2004: IX). Alexander the G

Marketing Strategies for SMEs Based on Product Life Cycle

Marketing Strategies for SMEs Based on Product Life Cycle Introduction: The journal article I have selected for my assignment is the MARKETING STRATEGIES OF SMEs BASED ON PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE A STUDY AMONG SMEs IN KOSOVO by Professor Bekim Marmullaku taken from the International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management published in the United Kingdom on 9th September 2015 (http://ijecm.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/3937.pdf) . The article has given me a unique insight into the practical aspects of marketing strategy implementation in a real world context. It has helped illustrate various instances of convergence as well as divergence from the marketing theory studied in class from the practical circumstances surrounding strategy implementation. It deals systematically from our understanding of the Product Life Cycle Model (PLC), which as stated in the paper is widely adopted by the Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of Kosovo, and analyses its stage by stage execution and management in this real-life setting. Â   Â   Key Points of the Article The paper builds upon theory and goes into the application of marketing models in general and the PLC model in specific, in marketing strategies adopted by SMEs in Kosovo. As per theory, we study the PLC almost as an industry standard as one of the prominent frameworks in marketing that influences strategy. The model in principal dwells down to the various stages a product goes through (figure 1) following product development and commercialisation. As traditional PLC theory specifies the stages as introduction, growth, maturity and decline; Professor Marmullaku studies these specific stages in the context of their practical implications for SMEs in Kosovo. The introduction stage is unique in that it is the stage subject to the most difficulties in strategy implementation. Marmullaku analyses that SMEs at this stage are most vulnerable as it is the point where the product has been investment intensive and not as yet churning over as much returns. Therefore for SMEs that do not have as deep pockets, the smallest toe out of line can deem to be critically damaging for the business. He argues the lack of innovation is unable to win the distributors and the general environment is not conducive enough in Kosovo to propagate great chances of success at this stage of marketing. This is courtesy of a number of socio-political and economic conditions including the lack of financial capital, malpractices, market specific circumstances and other external factors. Professor Marmullaku explains the market specific dynamics of a copy-cat culture amongst Kosovo SMEs has particularly impacted marketing strategy implementation. The premature reduction of the prices charged by the SME products in the growth phase of the PLC is a direct result of this as well as other competition from larger firms operating at greater economies of scale. This is usually coupled with premature product expansion response by SMEs in a desperate bid to differentiate and retain profits because imitators are quick to launch substitutes. Also, the difficulty in practice in accurately identifying the very phase of the PLC the product is going through further exasperates the problem. Furthermore, adhering to theoretical expectations of strategy when products are at maturity, Marmullaku explains that SMEs in Kosovo that are serious about the product and the business continue to bear advertising costs even at this stage in a bid to maintain market share to hold on to customer base whilst the others present in this market are inclined to leave with the falling profits. The author argues that by the time the decline phase arrives, most firms in Kosovo dont have much appetite for prolonging the products. Only a few SMEs that are prominent and have the financial might may indulge in tampering with the marketing mix further but not to a large extent due to the specific socio-economic and political obstacles in Kosovo including factors such as the availability of technology; the absorption po tential of the general market; as well as other critical external factors. The Rationale for Selecting this Paper and its Contribution to Marketing Theory and Practise The rationale for selecting this paper is in principle that it systematically puts a context to the PLC theory we studied in class and analyses it. It illustrates the application of the PLC model in a real-life setting, its successes as well as its failures, how it is relevant and to what extent it is not. Ones understanding of marketing and the PLC model matures a great deal after reading this paper as one learns to appreciate that there are a host of impediments in the real world setting as every scenario is different. Textbook models and theory do tend to be idealistic but nonetheless give a general sense of the way to go about. In practise, Professor Marmullakus work implies how marketing strategies are not homogenous in how they are implemented by firms across different geographical markets. For instance, he states how it is not uncommon for firms in Kosovo to latch onto one marketing strategy model such as the Product Life Cycle Model and not pay sway to other theoretical tools used in more advanced markets. This is principle can ignite ones appreciation of market to market dynamics on a case to case basis. Yoon wrote a great piece in the Harvard Business Review (HBR) in which he whilst appreciating the deferring nature of different markets stated more emphasis in strategy be placed on demand as opposed to the demographics when specifically catering to the culture of these different markets (Eddie Yoon, 2015). Marmullaku implies the pivotal role of innovation in PLC management and its lack thereof in the setting of Kosovo inhibits marketing policy. The importance of innovation in managing the PLC is also shared by the works of other research in marketing. It stresses that the changing taste of consumers in the various product offer levels across the cycle can be held into check by innovation (Gecevska, et al., 2010). The availability and access to technology is argued to be pivotal in managing the PLC as it assists innovation. The absence of this as seen in Kosvo can also perverse the very course of a product takes through the PLC. Technology therefore as a facilitator of product development and hence also PLC management is vital. Research in marketing has gone some way to appreciate how technological advances have simplified and sped up the process in the product development model (Morrel, 2015). Marmullakus emphasis on the importance of firms being financially sound in successfully executing a marketing strategy across the different stages is also enlightening. This is stressed as a key component of success particularly in the initial vulnerable introduction stages where the firm would have invested in the new product development stages. It is also implied how the general law and order as well as property rights as external factors are instrumental in marketing policy implementation. The me too.. culture in Kosovo is a prime example of this where the absence of patent protection forms a market that is not conducive to marketing strategy implementation. As stated by Professor Marmullaku, it harms the marketing strategy adopted by firms to the extent of forcing premature policy that is not in theoretical accordance to the stage the product is at in the PLC. The writ of the law and patents therefore in developed markets are used of a means of credible deterrence and go hand in hand with facilitating marketing goal ends (Russ Krajec , n.d.). Furthermore Professor Marmullakus appreciation of the scope of marketing strategy being limited to the nature of the specific market including but not limited to its absorption potential and the degree of international trade is particularly insightful. This is not to say that the specifics of the particular business such as its size and its location do not too play a crucial role. Professor Marmullaku sheds light on the difficulty in practically assessing the effects of different marketing strategies in the long-term. However it is interesting to note as Dhalla stated decades ago in the HBR of the then upcoming development of new econometric techniques for use in marketing to assess the secluded impacts of advertising and its payoffs over time (Dhalla, 1978). These techniques in this day and age are now widely deployed in many facets of strategy building such as using marketing mix modelling (Market Science Consulting, 2013) though naturally one would not expect such tools to be used due to the limitations in less developed markets as is the case in Kosovo. Finally, Professor Marmullakus recommendation of adopting a marketing strategy of focussing on specific products as well as differentiating strategies to differ from copy-cat competitors is innovative. This strategy in principle can be replicated in any relatively undisciplined market environment of the sort found in Kosovo as a means of circumventing the obstacles the PLC faces. Conclusion Professor Marmullakus work provided an invaluable insight in putting theory into context. It illustrates the application of the PLC in Kosovo that diverges away from idealistic textbook scenarios. His work particularly increases ones appreciation of the critical impact of external market characteristics stemming from the socio-political and economic context on the success of marketing strategy. One can take away that the application of marketing strategy should be tailored to the requirements of a market on a case to case basis and as discussed he has come up with an array of viable recommendations to this effect in his study of SMEs in Kosovo. References Anon., 2011. Product Life Cycle Stages. [Online] Available at: http://productlifecyclestages.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/product-life-cycle-stages.jpg Dhalla, N. K., 1978. Assessing the Long-Term Value of Advertising. Harvard Business Review. Eddie Yoon, 2015. The Mistake Companies Make When Marketing to Different Cultures. Harvard Business Review . Gecevska, V. et al., 2010. Product lifecycle management through innovative and competitive business environment. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management. Market Science Consulting, 2013. Econometrics in marketing mix modelling. [Online] Available at: http://www.marketscienceconsulting.com/econometrics-in-marketing-mix-modelling/ Morrel, L., 2015. Technology could speed up new product development. marketingtechnew, 1 December. Russ Krajec , n.d. Advertising and Marketing Uses for Patents and the Deterrent Factor. [Online] Available at: http://krajec.com/advertising-and-marketing-uses-for-patents-and-the-deterrent-factor/

Moms Creamy Potato Soup :: essays research papers

Mom’s Creamy Potato Soup One reason I like fall is because of the crisp, cool mornings. Football is very big at my house. That is very apparent in the fall. When Thanksgiving comes, all my family and I do is eat turkey and watch football games. Mom’s rich and creamy potato soup is served during the cold, winter months. People usually think of soup as being tomato or chicken noodle, but not potato. The color of her soup is that of an off-white or yellow. The texture of the soup is very thick. It looks like creamy potatoes in a bowl when it is done. The aroma of the soup is very strong and earth-smelling. My entire house smells like potatoes while my mom prepares the potato soup. When I eat her creamy potato soup, I always have seconds and my stomach always thinks, â€Å"What good soup this is!† In a five quart Dutch oven over medium heat in hot margarine, she cooks potatoes and onions in hot margarine until they are golden brown. The smell of the onions is tantalizing. She does this for ten minutes, stirring frequently. She then adds water, salt, pepper, and a chicken bouillon cube over high heat. These ingredients are added to the Dutch oven and then heated to a boil. The heat is then reduced. These ingredients are covered and the potatoes are simmered until they are fork tender. This process takes fifteen minutes. The potatoes are removed from the heat. With a potato masher, she mashes the potatoes until the desired consistency is achieved. She stirs in milk and heats it through. When my mom serves the soup, my family and I salivate as we look at the delicious potato soup about to be served to us by my mother. My mom asks us if we would like, and we always say, â€Å"Yes, mother, I would like more of your scrumptious potato soup. †My mom serves the soup on a cold winter’s night. When I devour her soup, I usually can eat another bowl. It fills my stomach making me unable to do anything for at least four hours after I get done consuming her soup. I can never wait until she makes her potato soup because that just happens to be my favorite food. Her soup reminds me of a teddy bear, warm and soft inside. It also gives me the feeling of togetherness with my family sitting around the dinner table telling each other of our days and how life is going.

Benefits of Affirmative Action in Higher Education

For twenty-five years, positive efforts have been made to qualified women and color of people to equal educational opportunities. As a result, the participation of the underrepresented groups of our society has increased significantly. The past and the present history of discrimination against women and people of color in education have extremely limited the current generation's educational opportunities. Until we can eliminate these inequities, positive measures would remain critical for women and color of people. Affirmative action programs have made a significant difference to a number of qualified individuals whose talents would not have watched over without such programs. It has improved the heterogeneity and the quality of education in our schools. In education, affirmative action provides the following to make educational opportunities accessible to all Americans: – Review of other merit factors besides grades and test scores by admission committees – Recruit for undergraduate, graduate admissions, and special educational programs – Provide mentoring, counseling, and other support programs. Affirmative Action In Education Has Expanded Opportunities For Women And People Of Color But The Need Remains If we take a closer look, many of the nations finest educational institutions had the doors firmly closed to women and people of color. Although the Civil Right Act and the Education Amendments prohibited racial and ethnic discriminations, educational opportunities for women and people of color are still limited by discrimination and stereotyping. As a result, women and people of color continue to fell behind by many educational measures. For example: Eliminating Educational Barriers For Women And People Of Color Through Affirmative Action Has Produced Broader Benefits To Society As A Whole Affirmative action programs have helped to increase the number of women completing law and medical school. The presence of women in justice and health care systems has given consumers more choices. The greater availability of female doctors and lawyers are the direct results of affirmative action programs at medical and law schools. â€Å"Affirmative action programs in medical schools have increased the number of physicians of color. Data suggests these physicians fill an important role in caring for poor people and members of minority groups. Black and Hispanic physicians locate their practices in areas with higher proportions of residents from underserved minority groups. In addition, they care for higher proportions of patients of their own race or ethnic groups and patients who are uninsured or are covered by Medicaid†. Source: Komaromy et al., â€Å"The Role of Black and Hispanic Physicians in Providing Health Care for Undeserved Populations,† The New England Journal of Medicine, May 16, 1996, Vol. 332, No. 20, p. 1305. What Would Happen If Affirmative Action Were Eliminated? The elimination of affirmative action will have devastating effects and it has already being felt in two of the nation's largest public universities. In 1995, the University of California system's Board of Regents voted to drop affirmative action in admissions beginning with next year's entering class. In Texas, a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit barred public colleges in that state from considering the race of prospective students. The Washington Post (5-19-97) noted that 21 black students have been selected for next fall's class at UCLA's law school-an 80 percent drop from last year and the lowest number of African Americans offered admission since about 1970. In Texas, nearly 400 fewer black and Hispanic students have been offered admission as undergraduates-a 20 percent decline. The Fall '97 entering class at the University of Texas Law School will include no African American students. Based on this data each and every civic in the nation should be alarmed. Not only that but also everyone should oppose to the policies denying entire segments of our society the full range of opportunities that our country has to offer. Why Admissions Policies Consider More Than Grades and Test Scores Antagonist of affirmative action is in favor to rank all applicants on the basis of quantitative measures alone. College admissions counselors and committees do understands that merit consists of just more than grades and test scores. Family income and parental academic attainment can also correlate to a student's ability to succeed. So the college counselors and committees understands if they limit the qualifications selection by only grades and test scores that might lead to the exclusion of talented musicians, artists, athletes, and other able individuals. Schools have a legitimate reason to strive for a mixed learning environment for students that will enable them to live in a pluralistic nation and compete in a global marketplace. A practical education encourages students to interact and work with people of diverse backgrounds. What the Courts Have Said About Affirmative Action in the Education Context â€Å"In Hopwood V. University of Texas School of Law (1996), the U.S. COURT of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that the University of Texas's Law School's affirmative action program violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. At issue was an admission's policy that compared ‘minority' and ‘non-minority' applicants separately. In its decision, the Fifth Circuit said the Supreme Court's ruling in Bakke (that race could be used as one of several factors in admission) was no longer valid. While the Supreme Court allowed the Hopwood ruling to stand, it did not affirm the decisive language of the ruling†. Education is a fundamental virtue in every aspect of social and economic opportunity in the United States of America. More than ever before, educational achievement is connected to the economic security and the advancement for individuals as well as the nation as a whole. Schools carry a strong responsibility of preparing the future leaders of our country to effectively live and lead in a diverse society. America's competitiveness lies in its ability to support the innovative talents of its people. In an era where educated nation is a stronger nation economically and otherwise. As we approach the 21st Century, our commitment as a moral citizen to these programs is more vital than ever.

Wired to do the Right and Wrong Things Essays

Wired to do the Right and Wrong Things Essays Wired to do the Right and Wrong Things Essay Wired to do the Right and Wrong Things Essay People from across different cultures and ethnicity vary in their interpretation of morality. In most instances the line that separates right and wrong is blurred when it comes to making judgments and decisions regarding special ethical and moral dilemmas. A person may pick one side of the problem and justify the decision with rigorous logic while another may pick the other with equal discursive weight. Thus it is easy to say that the concept of right and wrong seems to depend more on circumstances, context and race- or upbringing than it is a universal feature of the human species. Rebecca Saxe highlights this observation by saying that Americans would prefer to uphold notions of justice and fair play while a native from Papua New Guinea on the other side of the world would lean more towards collective responsibility when respondents were faced with the question whether it is justified to steal another man’s train ticket (47). But is this apparent disparity in ideas descripti ve of how are mind really works with respect to the idea doing the right and wrong things? Is there such a thing as a universal rubric of human morality that transcends ethnic differences?The ongoing debates on nurture and nature in its simplest function involve multiple perspectives and fields of study. Most people are of the belief that a person decides which is right or wrong based on how and where he was raised. Indeed, it won’t be hard to find someone who thinks that an individual acts in a certain way precisely because of his biographical profile and context. The clichà © is that a criminal becomes one because he came from a broken home, suffered an abusive father, mixed with the wrong group during childhood and so on. Even worse, people perfunctorily judge other people because of their culture, religion, gender and race as the basis for explaining and justifying why the Middle Eastern Muslim must be avoided at all costs or that Asians are to be dealt with at double th e arm’s length so to speak (Dawkins 34). In other words, the idea of nurture affecting our morality has gained popular stasis that it becomes almost natural to think in terms of closely knit cultural groups and not universally as a species.However, such assertions on the power of nurture that trumps any other form of natural physiological and neural schematics of the human mind cannot be more wide of the mark. Marc Hauser, in his seminal and ground breaking study on morality in his book Moral Minds, believes that we have evolved a universal moral intuition- that we are wired to think in a particular way (12). Our sense of morality may differ in the way it is enunciated and pronounced in various languages but its essence remains largely uniform for peoples around the world.   No matter what your mom says about your Korean neighbour being selfish, isolated and mean, the moral rubric between the two are the same in the neurological and biological level.It is fair say that it d oes not seem to explain why societies practice and adhere to varying formulas and codes of behaviour. Likewise, the idea proposed by Hauser, much as it is revolutionary, is quite counter-intuitive for the simple fact that individuals are quite able in coming up with a range of explanations for their decisions usually deliberative and rational. Thus an educated man with a doctorate degree on Philosophy and Ethics could come up with certain complex ideas while the uninitiated undergraduate could only slur out a few incoherent sentences (21).   Yet despite the level of complexity of one’s explanations and discourse inevitably the answers tend to be similar. The only key feature is the way individuals are able to express their ideas which is more or a less a function of language than anything else.Hauser posits that humans are endowed with the same moral instinct. The worldwide survey of the answers to the Trolley problem spread and collected from across samples of different co untries in the internet indicates an unmistakeable shared idea of morality. The statistics demonstrate that the answers tend towards saving the life of many at the price of another’s life. Such results underscore an existing fixed parameter imbedded in our minds that have developed through the process of evolution. It also suggests that our actions are merely the consequence of an inescapable, almost deterministic form of human nature. However, precisely because of the element of ‘nurture’, these universal precepts of morality are fine tuned â€Å"with nurture entering the picture to set the parameters and guide us toward the acquisition of particular moral systems† (21), In other words, we learn the rules of the society we belong to in time using our moral instincts. In such a way we can still determine what is right and wrong independent of the social dogma inasmuch as we are still able reject the tenets of a dogma if it assails our moral instincts as pa lpably wrong.Besides Hauser’s study on cognitive science, other psychological and neurological experiments show that our minds were built with an existing complete set of moral codes that can actually be even physically located in our brain (Bloom 6-7). Studies done on infants and toddlers, and on the brain activities of healthy young and adult men and women, buttress the claim that when the human being is stripped off of its socio-cultural, political and educational underpinnings, what is left is a primordial moral mind that knows how to pick what is good and bad, nice or mean and ultimately right and wrong. There are special triggers in our brain that activate in a predictable manner when stimulated with preset scenarios, situations or problems. Stated differently, there is a tangible part of the brain which does all the moral calculations even without the extraneous elements of society and culture. This belies any claim that nurture is the main reason behind our decisions simply because there are just parts of our mind that were built to decide moral issues the way it has been decided throughout the entire evolutionary time.The significance of the studies done by Hauser and other cognitive scientists about our moral minds is not confined alone in areas where the answers to such questions merely satisfy our craving for intelligent debates but it goes straight at the heart of humanity’s greatest failing and that is bias and prejudgment based on culture, religion, ethnicity, gender and the like. The news we receive in media and in print are festooned with a lot of instances where the existence of a universal moral rubric- the shared idea of right and wrong, is beset with serious doubts and skepticism. Take for instance the labels we put on people with a different religion, most specifically that with fanatics who resort to terrorism. If it were true that we all share the same moral mind then how come some people are wont to all the wrong things w hile the rest keep on doing the right actions.Richard Dawkins, a famous evolutionary biologist, in his book The God Delusion implies that we give too much credit towards religion and culture for our sense of morality when in truth such moral instincts preceded any form of religion a thousand of years prior (36). It would be harmful if not utterly dangerous to say that our ideas of right and wrong based on our social upbringing and especially religion is the proper benchmark from where everything else should be measured. The fact is, we all share the same biological makeup including that part of our brain which determines and acts on moral issues. The nurture factor only shapes this in minute details as it manifests clearly in present societies from different parts of the world; but our sense of right and wrong remains fixed and are to a large degree inescapable and determinable the way Mother Nature intends it to be.

Pericles Funeral Oratory essays

Pericles' Funeral Oratory essays Pericless funeral oration reveals a great deal of information about the Athens, one of the greatest Ancient Greek city-states/empire. It reflects upon the values, culture and traditions that were typical of its social structure as one of the most advanced communities of its times. The speech touches on several important issues and principles governing the life of people in the ancient empire, respect and gratitude for ancestors, men in public service, responsibilities for others, loyalty, equality and fairness in treating of its citizens and neighbors as well as position of women in the society. But most of all, the speech reflects upon great respect, appreciation and honor with which the whole community perceived the role of men protecting the values and heritage of their own city, that is Athens. In the very beginning of the oration, Pericless talks about the tradition and appropriateness of such tradition in honoring the acts of brave men who died in the battle, defending their ground against adversaries. In his eyes and believes, such an honor is especially appropriate whenever men go boldly into the battle with the notion of danger of losing the most valuable thing they have, that is their live; and fight not just for the sake saving themselves but for the sake of their whole community. Then he went on honoring the ancestors who set the foundations of the great empire and then their fathers, who all contributed to its further growth and advancement into a superior community with respect to its wealth as well as its social principles, thus making it stand above its contemporaries whether in peace or war; because it is not only the wealth that shows the greatness of a community but equally the acts and general conduct of its citizens. Later on, he elaborates on the democratic system of Athens based on the principles of equality and just treatment of its citizens which at the same time does not fail to recognize indivi ...

APN Leader Interview Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

APN Leader Interview - Research Paper Example Morris A. Magnan. Dr. Morris is an advanced practice nurse in the field of clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and the recipient of the clinical nurse specialist research award of the year 2009. The purpose of the interview would stimulate the interest of the student nurses as well as nurse practitioners on the significance of advanced nurse practitioner. The interview is equally purposed to pinpoint the influence nursing has on health sector delivery coupled with the necessity of research in nursing as a means of improvement in the standards of nursing care delivery. Through an interview with an advanced specialist in nursing, other upcoming nurses can learn through the experience and accumulation in knowledge of other fellow nurses (Varkey, Reller, & Resar, 2007). An interview held with Dr. Morris A. Magnan in his office at the college of nursing research center at Wayne state university revealed a composition of nine core competencies in advanced nurse practice that are important in his specialty as a clinical nurse specialty. Below is part of the documented interview that highlighted the significance of the core competencies in his specialty. (At 9:00am in Dr. Morris A. Magnan’s office in Wayne state university department of nursing sciences. The office is visibly organized with a couple of paperwork sorted in different trays on the table. On the wall hang three charts with the one behind Dr. Morris demonstrating mechanisms with which pressure sores can be prevented especially in the geriatric patients. Dr. Morris formally invites me to his office signifying the need to begin the interview.) Dr. Morris: Nursing is undeniably a significant profession in health care delivery. With the improvement in technology and changing in lifestyle, there is continuous diagnosis of new infections and conditions. The future of nursing will thus depend on the

Discuss the view that there were marked changes in the nature of Essay

Discuss the view that there were marked changes in the nature of British and American expansion in the late Nineteenth Century - Essay Example In the USA, interest in expansion came essentially from a number of practical and ideological changes. First, by virtue of its massive economic growth after the Civil War:- spurred by an abundance of natural resources and rapid industrialization - the United States had become a "great power". Numerous publicists started to suggest that as the United States was now a great power, it should start to act like one. Practical changes also led to America turning its eye towards other countries. The American "frontier" had essentially disappeared by the last decade of the Nineteenth century; many started to state that the country would need new land and opportunities to serve a growing population. Militarist minds suggested that the US would need to become a great naval nation in order to protect its borders, and Social Darwinists suggested that "manifest destiny" could be extended to other countries. Thus, stated simply, they stated that the world was a jungle and that only the strong in a raw, physical sense could survive. Added to these arguments were those of idealists and religious leaders who argued that Americans should "take up the white man's burden" and carry their supposedly self-evidently superior culture (cultural, economic, political, religious) to the native peoples of the world. Thus a whole series of factors ... In 1895 a violent revolution against Spanish rule in Cuba had occurred, set off by an economic depression that had resulted from a decline in American purchases of sugar form the island. Rebel violence was put down violently by the Spanish, and Cuban refugees in the USA started to spread exaggerated and eventually outright fabricated tales of Spanish atrocities. The power of the print press was partly responsible for the road to war that America now started on. William Randolph Hearst, the great American media baron, whose New York paper The American was in fierce competition with a rival, started to print these stories and to stoke up a jingoistic atmosphere of war. President Cleveland avoided the pressure for war, but his successor, President McKinley was essentially overtaken by events, namely the rather suspicious sinking of the USS Maine on February 15, 1898. The naval board of inquiry claimed that it had been sunk by a Spanish submarine mine, and the resultant loss of life led to war with Spain. Spain offered to make large concessions, but refused to admit what would essentially be defeat - complete withdrawal from Cuba, without a shot fired. In mid April Congress authorized the President to use force to expel the Spanish from Cuba. Thus started what Secretary of State John Hay expressed in a letter to Theodore Roosevelt was a "splendid little war" for America in which there would be little loss of life, but a massive transformation in international presence (Endicott, 2004). The American expeditionary force quickly routed the Spanish on Cuba and then turned against the last Spanish outpost in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico. In early May the Spanish fleet in Manila, the