When Armpit Hair Grows :: essays research papers

What happened to wanting to grow up? Where did all my sports and hobbies go? Why is it I have to take showers daily now? I woke up this morning and I was eighteen. I absolutely hate being eighteen. I am expected to be an adult now and forget about having fun. If this is the path of what growing up is going to be like, then I QUIT! Bring me back to twelve I want to be young again.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The irony, when I was twelve I could not wait to be eighteen. The thought of being able to do what ever you want seemed so appealing to me. Little did I realize that being eighteen has plenty of downfalls. I remember thinking eighteen year olds were so cool. They were able to buy the coolest things, cigarettes, scratch tickets, and porn. Now eighteen I don’t buy any of these items because; A) I don’t smoke; B) I never win on scratch tickets, and C) I now know I can get porn free on my computer. My idea of eighteen seemed much more glorious than what it is. Being eighteen went far past the ability to buy the coolest things. Someone must have forgot to tell me that I now need to work to live, that I need college to work, and that I need to grow up to go to college. Someone forgot to tell me it sucks being eighteen. I use to be an active kid. I was outside everyday, rain or shine. Nothing would stop me from doing what I loved to do. Everyday after school I would go out dirt biking, skateboarding, or bicycling. Some times you might have found me thirty feet up in a tree building a fort. I was always far from being board. My imagination was incredible. I would be able to play Ninjas with my buddies, holding paper towel rolls as swords. Now my imagination is consumed with ways to make money so I can pay bills on time. Now everyday after school you’ll find me working at a local package store in Leicester. Sometimes you might find me sleeping in bed, making up for the lack of sleep I don’t get throughout the week. The only time you’ll see me out side now is when I’m on my way to the car or walking to the mailbox.

The Olive Branch :: essays research papers

The Olive Branch   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å" Like dragonflies their [dead bodies] have filled the river. Like a raft they have moved to the edge [of the boat]. Like a raft they have moved to a river bank † (flood-myth.com, 3/15/00).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Whether the above is fact, fiction, myth, or legend it appears that all civilizations have a strong fascination with The Deluge. Bible believers feel that it was an act of God, who intern wanted to cleanse the earth of immoral people and evildoers. Chosen survivors, for example Noah, as well as present day Christians believe that the Flood was a marking point for a new covenant between God and themselves. However, the myths that have accumulated from each culture provide great colorful characters and death defying heros against the angst of the gods.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Often times the bible is compared to the â€Å"Gilgamesh Epic†, which is the oldest fictional novel known to man. The Babylonian epic tells a similar story of the flood. The gods within the story are very angered by humankind’s behavior. So they decided to punish them a flood. Ea, a Babylonian God, disagrees with extremely harsh treatment. He then instructs Utnapishtim to flee with his family and all the animals on a boat. This basic myth emerges from the â€Å"Gilgamesh Epic† but neighboring civilization, such as Sumeria, retell the same with different protagonist gods.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Traveling east into China the flood legend seems to take on a new meaning. The myth is recorded around 1000 b.c. by the Chou Dynasty. â€Å"The main difference between the Chinese flood myth and that of Western cultures seems to be the emphasis on why there was a flood. In the Western Myths the floods are brought about because of the anger of the gods, or at a whim of the gods, while in the Chinese myth the emphasis is on a very practical matter, the channeling of unruly waters in such a way to make the cultivation of land possible.†( cybercomm.com ,15 March) In other words, the purpose of the flood was to create better farm land. There was no sense of divine intervention.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Continuing east, the story picks up in the Mayan ruins. The â€Å"Popol-Vuh† , the Mayans sacred book, relates the tale of the destruction from flood. They felt that the purpose of the flood was to remedy the faulty creation of man, not to punish to mankind. The Feathered Serpent, who is the Mayan creator, first created man from mud, but they were without sight or substance.

Business Strategic Management on McDonald’s in India Essay

1.1 McDonald Corporation worldwide McDonald‟s Corporation, headquartered in Oak, Brook, US, is a fast food chain established by Maurice and Richard McDonalds. Since its establishment in 1940 when the company operates as a barbecue with customers queuing up for a limited service, the company has grown to become the world‟s largest hamburger food chain serving 68 million customers daily in over 119 countries. The company attains its international recognition following the purchase of a franchise right by Ray Kroc in 1955 who establish the presence of the company in other regions (Gilbert, 2009; Business Education, 2011). 1.2 McDonald’s India McDonalds entered India in 1996 through a joint venture with local firms such as Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited and Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Limited. However, contrary to the company‟s expectation, McDonalds faced some tough time been accepted by the consumers due to perhaps cultural mismatch between the locals culture and what McDonalds represent – the American culture (Habib, et al., 2011). Through its localization strategy (Times Magazines, 2011; The Start Newspaper 2011), McDonalds changed its product menu from beef burger to lamb and vegetable burger given the large vegetable consuming population, altered its store design, reduce the product price by 10-15% so as to suit the customer‟s taste and preference. This localization strategy has paid off because McDonalds has over 300 restaurants in various parts of India serving over 500,000 customers on daily basis. 2. Macro environment analysis in India After years of economic dwindling, the Indian economy is fast growing in recent years, thus impacting positively on the fast food industry. For example, Subramanian, (2013) notes that Indian economy grows at 6.4% annual rate from 2002 to 2011 with an average rate of 7.7%. This has enhanced the rise of the middle class group after years of wide gap between the rich and poor. This rising middle social class opens more investment potential for companies especially fast food companies because the more income people  earn, the more likely they would spend such on food. Also, another prevalent concept in India is the tendency to eat outside which has increased from 2-4 times a week to 4-8 times. Goyal and Singh, (2007) assert that food diversity in India is characterized by India‟s diversified culture comprising diverse states. Although Indians like to have homecooked meals – a concept supported religiously as well as individually, recent years has witnessed a slight shift i n food consumption patterns among urban Indian families toward eating outside owing to increasing awareness and influence of western culture. The rising middle class group and consumer‟s tendency to eat outside has affected the fast food industry positively in that Nayak, (2013) notes that the India fast-food industry grows at 40% rate and the market value is expected to reach 70 billion rupees ($1.1 billion) by 2016. 3. Micro business environment in India using PESTLE The political, economic, sociocultural, technological, legal and the environment factors influencing the India fast food market is discussed here. 3.1 Political factor McDonald‟s and other fast food chain are expected to obey labeling and packaging regulations and health and safety guidelines as stipulated by the Indian government and its food regulatory bodies. This is because of the growing concerns of the health effect of consuming fast food (Ali, et al. 2011). For example, the fast food consumption has been shown to increase calorie intake, weight gain which exposes consumers to the risk of facing diabetes. Given this, fast food is been criticized by health practitioners and consumers activists for high calorie content and Trans fat. 3.2 Economic factor India‟s increasing income level per month which was Rs5130 in 2011 and Rs5,729 in 2012-2013 (The Economic Times, 2013) gives McDonalds and other fast food chains a good economic prospect for profitability and better market performance. However, the low setup cost of fast food outlets and franchising create rapid expansion in that operators keep prices low so as to attract customers (Gilbert, 2009). For example, McDonalds offers  financing and training assistance for new franchisees so as to help better manage their cash flow and keep business profitable. 3.3 Social factor Consumers changing lifestyle offers both opportunities and challenges to the fast food operators. While outlets who provide healthier and more natural food menu would benefit from consumers‟ changing eating habit to organic food, operators who do not provide healthier food options would loss customers. For example, when McDonalds entered India, it did not realize the desired results because while over 70% Indians are vegetarians, the company‟s burgers were made with beef as other markets. Thus, the company localized its products and outlets so as to suit the consumer‟s tastes and preferences by offering vegetarian burger and revamping the outlets‟ design (Srikant, 2013). 3.4. Technological factor Technological advancement helps fast food companies to streamline value creation process so as to enhance efficiency (Srikant, 2013). For example, through advanced food processing technology, Help Desk Service, network and application consolidation, the operations of McDonalds in India is greatly improved. Also, just-in-time order and delivery is done over the internet and TV, social media and radio are used to advertise the products and maintain customer relationship management. 3.5 Environmental factor There is a growing concern about environmental issues associated with fast food consumption in India (Times Magazines, 2011). For example, fast food is said to be one of the largest consumers of paper products leading to millions of pounds of food packaging waste littering roadways, clogging landfills and spoiling quality of human life. 3.6 Legal factor Given the increasing environmental concerns of fast food consumption, the  operators are required by law to use environmentally friendly materials such as recyclable materials in packaging products so as to avoid wastes littering roadways and landfills (Times Magazines, 2011). Also, McDonald‟s in India and other firms are required to maintain fair advertisement programs so as not to make false advertising promises. 4. Industry analysis India‟s fast food industry is a fast growing market characterized with many players and challenges. Michael Porter‟s five forces model is used to analyze the competition level and profitability (see Figure 1). 4.1 Entry barrier India‟s fast food industry is a fast growing market due to increasing middle class population, changing lifestyle towards eating outside and low setup costs although major existing players such as McDonalds enjoys economics of scale and strong brand recognition. This increasing market potential encourages many potential firms to enter the market. Business Wire, (2011) reports that the India fast food market grows at an annual rate of 30-35% because of increasing social class grow and consumers‟ changing lifestyle. 4.2 Existing rivalry Since the entry rate of India fast food market is high, there are quite a number of current fast food firms competing for the same customers. Given this, McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and other competitors compete over customers through price reduction, product localization to suit tastes and preferences and revamping the outlets to be more convenient and smart. While the price war attracts more customers, it tends to reduce the profitability rate of the companies since the reduced product prices would increase production costs. Rapoza, (2012) reports that McDonald‟s India cuts 6-15% products prices in order to increase its customer base. 4.3 Substitutes products Although the threat of substitute products in the fast food market is moderate, food available in foodservice, retail outlets and homemade serve as substitute products (Haberberg and Rieple, 2008). However, the convenience and family dining experience associated with eating outside on fast food outlets reduce the threat of substitute. For example, while consumers can cook at home cheaply, the lack of convenience element in homemade food increases consumers‟ chances of eating on fast food outlets. 4.4 Suppliers power The suppliers‟ bargaining power is moderate in the India fast food market. This is because with the growing competitive supply chain alliances, supplier bargaining power appear to be limited (Srikant, 2013). However, the firm to enjoy higher bargaining power depends on who has a more technology control and strategy. 4.5 Buyers power The buyer‟s bargaining power seems moderate to high in the India fast food market. For example, the industry‟s competitiveness enhances consumer‟s bargaining power and consumers are highly price-sensitive (Muhlbacker et al., 1999) with little/no switching cost among fast food chains. But, major companies like McDonald reduce buyer‟s power through providing product range that cater for the whole demographic, rather than focusing on a single segment. For instance, McDonalds targets children with its „Happy Meals‟ products offerings while professionals with breakfast options and take – away coffee. 5. Success factors McDonald‟s in India targets children, youth and the young urban family who are either vegetarians or non-vegetarians. To survive and succeed in the India market, McDonalds understand consumer‟s needs and satisfy such needs profitability. Table 1 shows consumers‟ needs and the determinants of the industry survival and success. Table 1 indicates that consumer‟s needs are changing from benefits such as tastes and quantity to a more healthy food menu deliver in a clean and conducive environment at an affordable precise. The survival spectrum of the table is the survival factors. According to the table, fast food firms can survival the intense market competition through price cutting since  consumers are price sensitive and efficiency. However, the other end of the spectrum is the determinants of the industry‟s success story. According to the table, firms can succeed if they differentiate base on product uniqueness and costs and designing products to satisfy local tastes and preference. 6. McDonalds India and value chain McDonald‟s India internal environment is characterized by purchasing raw materials from suppliers, preparing food and serving customers. Table 2 shows the value creation process of McDonalds in India. It shows the various stages and activities involved in the value creation processes. For example, McDonalds purchases raw materials from its fixed, pre-defined suppliers which are subsequently prepared and served to customers in a clean and comfortable environment. Although India‟s supply chain network was underdeveloped during the early stage when McDonalds penetrated the country, McDonald‟s has taken steps to improve the situation. The company works with local suppliers and farmers to source all its requirements. This indicates that McDonalds has over the years streamlined its business through its strategic and threshold resources to become a key player in the India market. 7. Business-level strategy In the company‟s level strategy, the issues considered are resources and capabilities, positioning approach, differentiation and costs strategies. 7.1 Resources and capabilities While McDonald‟s resources are the useful assets which help the company create a cost or differentiation advantage which rivals cannot acquire easily, capabilities entail McDonald‟s ability to use its resources effectively and efficiently (Gilbert, 2009; Business Education, 2011). Examples of McDonald‟s resources include: corporate brand identity such as brand image, brand reputation and brand equity. Other resources include strong technical know-how, installed customer base and patents and trademarks. An example of McDonald‟s capability is its skill in bringing a product to the Indian market faster than rivals who help the firm enjoys first-mover benefit. McDonald‟s resources and capabilities form distinctive competencies which facilitates innovation, efficiency, quality and customer responsiveness. A resource-based view is used to explain McDonald‟s resources and capabilities (see Figure 2). According to the resource-based view theory, McDonald‟s uses its resources and capabilities to produce a competitive advantage which subsequently yields an excellent value creation. The model indicates that McDonald‟s must develop a competitive advantage through resources and capabilities which are superior to competing products. 7.2 Positioning approach McDonald‟s India positions the brand through utilizing its resources and capabilities which ultimately develops into costs and differentiation strategies. This is aimed at delivering product benefits exceeding competing brands at lower costs. This indicates that McDonald‟s India positions itself in the fast food industry through its low-cost and differentiation strategies. 7.3 Differentiation and costs strategies While differentiation strategy entails delivering superior product benefits that exceed competing products, costs strategy entails delivering product that benefits at lower costs. This is directed at achieving a competitive advantage that would help McDonald‟s deliver superior value for customers and superior return for the firm. 8. McDonald’s India analysis The company‟s strengths and weaknesses as well as opportunities and threats are discussed here. Table 3 balances the internal and external environment of McDonald‟s in India Table 3: McDonald‟s in India‟s SWOT analysis STRENGTHS While there seems to be a fair balance of the strengths and weaknesses, the former outweighs the latter. This indicates that the firm stands a chance of utilizing its market position to become a strong force to recognize if it will convert its weaknesses into strengths. For example, McDonald‟s could invest in public relations to change the negative perception consumers have towards fast food so as to increase consumers brand association and preference. On the external environment, while the growing middle class population indicates more disposable income on fast food, the intense competition may not allow McDonald‟s to capture on the trend but through aggressive campaign. 9. Corporate-level strategy McDonalds India‟s mission is to become consumer‟s most favorite place to eat. The mission is designed to be achieved through its global strategy of „plan to win‟ approach by offering superior consumer experience. The company is guided by its operational strategic goals of lower costs, quality products delivered at quick speed in a flexible environment (Business Wire, 2011; Rapoza, 2012). For example, it serves as the costs leader in the fast food market through its economies of scale and cost control mechanisms. On the quality, it provides tasty and healthy options without compromising the standard. McDonalds entered India through a joint venture with Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd and Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Limited who spearhead the promotion of McDonald’s operations in West, South and North regions (Srikant, 2013). The relationship between foreign partner and the locals is a mutual one in that human capability, marketing expertise and operational know-how are shared among the associating firms so as to achieve a mutual benefit. For example, while McDonalds uses its strong global market expertise and presence in promoting the brand in India, the two partners use their knowledge on the local complete latter efforts. McDonalds involves both in forward and background so as to have a better control over the supply chain and logistic function of the fast. For example, McDonalds India 12 diversifies into related products on the area of healthier product offering, franchising, upstream and local product sourcing. This indicates that the firm expands tap into growth potentials in the market by introducing more products-line and increase market share. This fulfills consumers‟ unmet needs because it becomes more attractive and better competitor. Diversification gives the firm more control over market by capturing profitable opportunities and gaining access to crucial resources. However, diversification has the risk of not selling the new products or generating enough revenue to cover the investment costs. 10. McDonald’s India structure and control pattern McDonald‟s India adopts decentralized management structure in its task allocation, coordination and supervision towards goal achievement. This indicates that each of McDonald‟s outlets in India has a restaurant manager who allocates, coordinates and supervises the operations so as to ensure that the sales quotas and performance is achieved (Business Education, 2011). However, middle-line managers and training managers assist the restaurant manager to achieve the organizational goals. While the manager and assistant managers oversea the daily running of the outlet, the delivery crew members perform basic operations such as procuring materials and preparing and packaging food menu and ensuring customers satisfaction. While the decentralized structure helps each restaurant to implement policies and strategies according to their peculiar needs and tastes, it could cause inconsistent service quality and standards among the restaurants in different regions. 11. Recommendation McDonalds in India should take note of the needs and expectations of the local consumers. Thus, the following points must be considered in order to attract and increase the customer base in India. McDonald‟s India should offer superior value through unique product benefits at affordable price and ensure consistent service quality. The company should offer food menus comprising many options so as to suit consumers‟ varying tastes and preference McDonalds India should offer healthier menu options and enhance its brand image through investing in public relations The company should provide convenient and quick services to meet consumers changing lifestyles 12. Conclusion McDonalds penetrated the India market in the 1996 due to growing middle class population, changing lifestyles, and the tendency for dual partners to hold full time job. However, the company did perform well at the initial years due to cultural mismatch between McDonalds who represents the American culture and the locals who epitomizes the India culture. To achieve greater results, McDonalds revamped its store outlets, reduced price by 6-15% and product location. If the company wishes to maintain its market position in the emerging market, it must streamline its product benefits to include health concerns of the consumers. References Ali, I. et al. (2011). â€Å"An exploratory study on the web-based customer relationship management in the fast-food industry in Malaysia†. 2011 2nd International Conference on  Economics,  Business  and  Management  [online]  Vol.  22(14).  Available:  Fast foodwww.ipedr.com [Accessed: 13 October, 2013] Business Education, (2011) McDonald’s Company Facts Home Page [online]. Available: http://www.bized.co.uk. [Accessed: 13 October, 2013] Business Wire, (2011) Research and Markets: The fast food market in India: Indian fast food market is growing at the rate of 30-35% Per Annum, 04 August [online]. Available: http://www.businesswire.com [Accessed: 7 October, 2013] Gilbert, S. (2009) The Story of McDonald 1st ed. Minnesota: Creative Education Grant, R.M. and Jordan, J. (2012) Foundations of strategy, 1st edn. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd Goyal, A. and Singh, N.P. (2007) â€Å"Consumer perception about fast food in India: an exploratory study†, British Food Journal [online], Vol. 109(2), pp. 182-195. Available: www.emeraldinsight.com [Accessed: 22 October 2013] Haberberg, A. and Rieple, A. (2008) Strategic Management: Theory and Application, Oxford University Press Habib, F.Q. et al., (2011) â€Å"Consumers‟ preference and consumption towards fast food: evidences from Malaysia†. Business Management Quarterly Review [online], Vol.2 (1), pp. 2180-2777. Available: www. eprints.uitm.edu.my [Accessed: 13 September, 2013] Porter, M.E. (2008) Competitive strategy: techniques for analyzing industries and competitors US: Simon and Schuster 15 Rapoza, K. (2012) Some McDonald‟s struggling in India†, Forbes Magazine, 22 July [online]. Available: www.forbes.com [Accessed: 13 October, 2013] Srikant, P. (2013) McDonald‟s goes vegetarian in India†, Amity Research Centers [online]. Available: www.ecch.com [Accessed: 13 October, 2013] Subramanian, A. (2013) â€Å"Why India‟s economy is stumbling†, The New York Times, August 30 [online]. Available: http://www.nytimes.com [Accessed: 20 October, 2013] The Start Newspaper (2011) McDonald’s: â€Å"Think Global, Act Local the Marketing Mix [Online] Available from: http://biz.thestar.com.my [Accessed: 13 October, 2013] Times Magazines, (2011) McDonald’s: â€Å"Think Global, Act Local, and the Marketing Mix [Online] Available: http://www.time.com/time [Retrieved: 13 October, 2013] The Economic Times, (2013) India’s per capita income rises to Rs 5,729 per month, 7 February, [online]. Available: http://www.articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com [Accessed: 13 October, 2013] 16

Cultural Metaphor Essay

Cultural metaphors is a cultural system wherein people with the same beliefs, traditions, ideologies, morals or values associate with each other. People belonging to the same culture, share or participate in a particular interest activity, event, or organization, and any other means, that represents their culture is an example of a cultural metaphor. (Gannon, 2008) Moreover, these interest activities, events, organizations, etc. are specifically identified to one particular culture, influencing the way of life of its people. Cultural metaphors create a more discernible way of exhibiting a unique feature of a particular culture to other people. Since these unique features of a particular culture differ from other cultures, most people would probably have different opinions about them. Examples of cultural metaphors that most people know of include the Italian Opera or the American Football. These cultural metaphors associate certain activities or events, in this case the opera and football as distinct to a particular culture. Furthermore, basing it on the examples given, cultural metaphors, although distinctive to a particular culture, is also well known or popular to other cultures. (Gannon, 2002) Rules, ideologies, knowledge and rituals are several cultural concepts that make up the cultural metaphor. The rules that make up the cultural metaphor are either written or unwritten rules that people of a particular culture follow. For instance, rules that govern American football may differ from its European counterpart. Ideologies are certain beliefs or values that are accepted and practiced by a particular culture. For example, the Chinese believes in placing their idols in an altar for health and good luck. The concept of knowledge in cultural metaphors involves information that only a specific culture knows, as Americans are knowledgeable about football, while Europeans are more adept in soccer. Rituals are rites or customs practiced by a particular culture. For example, Muslims all over the world pray at the same times of the day for five times. References Gannon, M.  J. (2008). Cultural Metaphors: Applications and Exercises. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from Sage Publications. Website: www. csusm. edu/mgannon/Documents/CULTURAL METAPHORS. doc Gannon, M. J. (2002). Cultural metaphors: Their use in management practice and as a method for understanding cultures. In W. J. Lonner, D. L. Dinnel, S. A. Hayes, & D. N. Sattler (Eds. ), Online Readings in Psychology and Culture (Unit 16, Chapter 4), (http://www. wwu. edu/~culture), Center for Cross-Cultural Research, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington USA.

A Study On Child Abuse English Language Essay

A Study On Child Abuse English Language Essay The issue of child abuse is an increasing concern worldwide. Whether the country is developed or poor, child abuse still exists in every region in some form. The common forms of child abuse include physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The definition of child abuse, according to Professor Vincent Iannelli, is â€Å"harm to, or neglect of, a child by another person, whether adult or child† (Iannelli 1). Even though this common definition is applicable in most cases of child abuse all over the world, there are some forms of child abuse that exist in a specific region which are different from those found in another area. Sexual and physical child abuse both exist in countries like Pakistan and America, however the type of emotional abuse seen in Pakistan is very different from the type seen in America. While factors such as tumultuous economic and political conditions, child labor, and kidnapping scar Pakistani children emotionally, beatings, rape, molestation, and neglect due to recurrent stress are the common forms of abuse in America. Child abuse in Pakistan over the years has grown because it reflects upon the weak economic and political state of the country. Poverty and austere living conditions are some of the factors that account for this existence of child abuse. The fact that poverty encompasses nearly 60 percent of the nation leads to events which result in abuses. Most of Pakistan’s population lives in squalid slums where the children are forced to help in the survival of their families (Galpin, 1). However, dire measures are taken for this survival. Typically one sees children on the streets begging with arms mutilated and scars across their face. The common theory goes that these children have had a harsh life; rather its just that these children have been purposely abused to gain them pity so that they can be given money. This desperate need for survival also leads to child labor. The problem with this is that this means a child will have to work in various environments, which are usually dilapidated. Thus the child is exposed to numerous threats and he/ she becomes a victim of abuse. In America, however, this type of abusive mentality does not commonly exist. The abuse existing in America is mostly due to stressful lives or frustration. â€Å"Almost half of Americans say that they are increasingly stressed about their ability to provide for their family’s basic needs† (â€Å"APA† 2). Unlike Pakistan, the solution to this type of financial stress, however, is not child labor. Child abuse is a major concern these days and a lot is being done in America to prevent this. In Pakistan, however, a poor political administration causes child abuse to be more likely. Statistically, there are more reported cases of child abuse in the Unites states than Pakistan. In the year 2007, 3.2 million child abuse cases were reported in America (â€Å"Childhelp† 1). In Pakistan, there were nearly 1,600 r eported cases of child abuse in the year 2007 (Khan, 1). However, the difference in the size and population of the United States and Pakistan, along with the fact that nearly 80% of child abuse cases in Pakistan are unreported, shows that a statistical comparison of the two countries cannot be accurate (Khan, 1). Pakistan’s statistics show that there is a lack of consideration being given to child abuse by the political administration in Pakistan. Laws against child abuse, in fact, exist, but there is not a strong, central government to enforce these laws. Thus, the perpetrators of these crimes are encouraged. In comparison, there are strict laws in America that are enforced strongly to prevent child abuse.

Nestle Corporate Strategy Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Nestle Corporate Strategy - Case Study Example (Porter, 1985:15) Nestle's growth strategy is what porter called as focused differentiation variant. Nestle's strategic business units concentrate on market entry in emerging markets to achieve sustainable growth. They analyze potential host countries; anticipate the shift in the competitive forces and exploits change by creating appropriate strategies. In this way, the company establishes itself and defends its position by capitalizing on its strengths and capabilities. The product based SBUs The regional organization of Nestle, on the other hand, aims to penetrate the market and establish its presence by promoting several products. They achieve this by maintaining manufacturing facilities in the host country as well as importing other goods produced from another country. Differentiation provides Nestle insulation against competition through brand loyalty by customers. Through this local strategy, the company earns remarkable returns on capital employed and creates a defensible market position. A strong coordination between the R&D, product development and marketing departments helps local Nestle firms achieve sustainable profitability and increase market share. Hill mentions in his book that brand management is one of the most important aspects of companies doing international business. Product recognition while entering a new market is considered to be one of the most important strategic strengths of a company. Many researchers have tried to extrapolate this view resulting in the one-brand one-world school of marketing. According to this view the best strategy for a company is to go in to a new product segment or market with an already established brand name. This is considered to be one of the most fundamental principles of international brand management. However, the success of Nestle and its branding strategy are a contrast to this popular belief. Nestle prefers its brands to be local and people regional, with only the technology being a common global factor. The company has pored billions of dollars into local acquisitions like Ralston Purina pet products in US. Nestle complete portfolio consists of a staggering 8,500 brands that are organized by geographical status and role. Together these brands create a hierarchy of brands in which each product is associated with at least two bands at different levels in the hierarchy (Kapfere, 2008:413). The geographical criterion allowed three groups of brands to be distinguished - international, regional and local brands. These brands fulfill different functions and roles depending on the customers and represent the principal families of brand architecture (Mhlbacher, Leihs and Dahringer, 2006:482). Nestl's brand strategy is organized into two categories: The corporate brand - Nestle has formulated a basket of corporate brands under the umbrella of Nestle itself and others often acquired like Blackwell, Friskies and Buitono. The corporate brands are there to give the image of a company that is a reliable specialist in some area. The product ranges like Nescafe and individual product brands like Kitkat and Crunch (Mazur and Hogg, 1998, 133-134) To control the branding of the products, Nestle maintains a tight control from the centre on the policy towards the strategic

What Is So Important About Jerusalem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

What Is So Important About Jerusalem - Essay Example At the beginning of the twentieth century, British forces captured Jerusalem from the Turks. Following this capture, the British troops pledged that they would conserve all religious sites and places of worship in the holy city. In the same era, Chaim Weizmann, a Zionist purchased the area surrounding the wall in order to make it accessible to other Jews. This event shows that the Jews were willing and able to sacrifice their wealth in order to gain access to the western wall. Christianity: Church of the Holy Sepulchre is an ancient church in Old City of Jerusalem. The church is believed to be the site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. The church has an extensive history that stretches all the way from the 4 century AD. Currently, the church serves as the control center for Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. The control of the church and adjacent land is under the control of several Christian churches around the world. The church is believed to be the center of key phenom enon and sites in the Christian faith that include Golgotha, the hill of Calvary, and the original cross of Jesus. The church is of immense significance to Christian of all ages. Being the main Christian establishment in the holy land, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is of interest to many world leaders. Moreover, the church was the target of crusaders who travelled from Europe to the holy land6. The church was an important symbol in ancient early civilization and it was destroyed and reconstructed many times. For example, the churchy was demolished by the Persians in 614 AD under the command Khosrau II. The church underwent numerous demolitions and reconstructions under various authorities. In the 7th century, the Persians invaded Jerusalem and removed the Cross-from Church of the Holy...Recent archeological evidence has revealed that the wall was not completed during Herod’s reign. The studies have revealed that constructions may have been completed at the end of the seven the century. The wall and the temple courtyard that it encloses have been a pilgrimage site for the Jews over the centuries. Since the establishment of the Zionist movement, the wall has been a major cause of conflict between Jews and Muslims3. Both the Muslims and the Jews claim right of ownership including the right to worship and pilgrimage to the wall and the temple. Indeed the wall is a fundamental aspect of the Jewish religion. According to the Jews, King Solomon constructed the western wall and it serves as the only remnant of the first temple. The Jews regard the wall as the only accessible spot of the holy land. The site is the closest to even ha-shetiya (the foundation stone) located in the temple mountain4. The foundation stone is regarded ans the holy of holies and no one is allowed to set foot upon it. The Jews used to pray by the walls during the time of tribulation and it is believed that God heard their prayers. Through the ages, Jews of all age gathered and prayed beside the western wall.Certainly, there are many unknown facts about the holy lands and their significance to the future of humanity. Therefore, modern religions cannot be based on these holy lands.