Visual Analysis of Marilyn, by Audrey Flack essays

Visual Analysis of Marilyn, by Audrey Flack essays The piece that I have chosen to analyze is a painting called Marilyn, by Audrey Flack. The painting was made of oil over acrylic on canvas in the year 1977. The dimensions of this piece make me feel as if it is huge. Considering the fact that it is 8 x 8 I first relate the piece to my height which is a few feet smaller than 8 feet. When looking at the photograph of the painting in the text book I assumed it was a fairly small painting. The actual size of the piece makes me much more involved and engaged in the piece rather than if it were the size I automatically assumed it was. The proportions of the piece are 1:1; this makes the painting a perfect square, but because of how large the painting is I would not have noticed the proportions, like I did when looking at a small picture of it. When I look at this image and imagine being face to face with the original I feel as if I am at the same level as the work. I am very close to the figures, which makes me feel I am in the piece. The viewpoint almost makes me feel as though the painting is about myself even though I know it isnt and that it is actually about Marilyn Monroe and her life. I relate to each figure because they are all familiar objects that I can almost touch. The fact that this is a still life tells us the framing is intentional and the setting is very specific. There are many personal objects arranged around a book with Marilyns portrait, on elegant and rich colored fabric. Its difficult trying to imagine myself walking around in the piece because it isnt landscape, or a piece showing a plane that someone can stand on. The only way I feel I can move in the piece is with my eyes and not my feet. If I were to move I would move completely out of the paintings setting. I feel that I am not in a place at a specific time but that I am in a memory or someones thought. This thought being a very strong sens...

Indefinite Article With Initialisms

Indefinite Article With Initialisms Indefinite Article With Initialisms Indefinite Article With Initialisms By Maeve Maddox Note: An initialism is a group of initial letters, each pronounced separately, used as an abbreviation of a name. Many English speakers who probably use the indefinite article an in front of a vowel when speaking seem to encounter a mental disconnect when it comes to writing. The following examples were found on major news sites or on sites offering professional services or advice: Pieces of the bag recovered have been sent to  a FBI  lab for forensic testing.   The 404 or Not Found error message is  a HTTP  standard response code. Step-by-step tutorial on how to add  a LED  to a USB thumb drive. Applying to a MBA program can help you advance in your career or switch careers entirely. A NBC executive indicated that the independent formatted Nonstop channels were doing well but needed separate 24/7 programming.   There are several benefits to being  a RSVP  Volunteer. Did you setup and assign  a STMP server  for this account? The problem lies in an incomplete understanding of the rule for the use of a and an. Many speakers retain the rule as â€Å"Use an before words that begin with a vowel and a before words that begin with a consonant.† The complete rule is â€Å"Use an before words that begin with a vowel sound and a before words that begin with a consonant sound.† The 26 letters of the alphabet are sound symbols, but the symbols have names. And several of the consonant letters have names that begin with vowel sounds: F [ef] H [aitch] L [el] M [em] N [en] S [es] R [ar] Here’s the correct way to write the words and initialisms given in boldface above: Pieces of the bag recovered have been sent to  an FBI  lab for forensic testing.   The 404 or Not Found error message is  an HTTP  standard response code. Step-by-step tutorial on how to add  an LED  to a USB thumb drive. Applying to an MBA program can help you advance in your career or switch careers entirely. An NBC executive indicated that the independent formatted Nonstop channels were doing well but needed separate 24/7 programming.   There are several benefits to being  an RSVP  Volunteer. Did you setup and assign  an STMP server  for this account? In deciding whether to write a or an in front of an initialism, say the name of the first letter. If the letter name begins with a vowel sound, use an. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Precedent vs. PrecedenceA "Diploma" is not a "Degree"

What is politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What is politics - Essay Example The initial philosophy is easy for many people to agree that anguish and death have nothing to do with great things. The second philosophy can be illustrated with the example that Singer provides that if we were in a situation where we take a rail switch and divert a train thus saving a child’s life or act like Bob who decides to throw away the train switch to save his Bugatti. In a nut shell, Singer is trying to say that stopping something bad from taking place will at all times lead to destroying something material or spending cash on something meaningless.Depending on these two philosophies enables Singer come up with his conclusion at the end of his line of reasoning. Singer initially indicates that there are individuals in East Bengal who suffer and die from food deficiency and shelter which is trailed by his philosophy. When Singer mentions his 2 philosophies at first makes it easy to understand and in fact agree with his line of reasoning. However, his conclusion is act ually not convincing enough. Singer claims that it is undisputable that when money is sent to charity, life will be saved and people will be elevated from poverty. However, it is also evident that no matter how much we try to help the needy by donating some money, the global poverty will not end. This is, even if we send a lot of cash to poor countries, we will end up doing this for the rest of our lives. In due course, with never ending donations and charity work, it is evident that this will lead to immense depression and untold suffering.

Military Salary Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Military Salary - Research Paper Example One of their duties is to respond positively to orders whenever they are called upon. Members take oath of protecting the country from both internal and external attacks. Many are times when militants travel outside the country to help in peace keeping in such countries. During their encounter with their enemies who are also armed, some may be injured or killed (Salkind, 2009). According to Sorenson and Wood (2005), militants should be ready for work always. Sometimes they are called upon during late hours of the night or on weekends when they should be resting. Patrolling late at night puts them at risk of attacks by enemies or gangsters. Sometimes they are forced by the nature of their job to spent long periods away from their family members. Militants may be sent to work in areas where climatic conditions are not favorable for their health. For instance, tsetse fly and mosquito infested areas or areas were getting the necessities, as water is a problem. They are likely to contract diseases from such areas. Based on the risks that military officers are prone to, the salary they are paid cannot cater for the risks and commitments involved during their work. The proposal aims at identifying the reasons as to why the salary received by military officers however large they may be cannot adequately cover the risks and commitments involved in serving their countries (Nasu, 2009). ... Some like weapons like bombasts and grenades cause deaths of large numbers of people depending on their weight. Militants are of no exception during such periods. Making use of the above weapons causes death of many militants. Injuries that may lead to disabilities may also occur. This study aims at understanding why the amount paid to military officers is not enough to cater for the risks and commitments involved during their service because they are at risk of death. The study is important because the salary of the military officer will never benefit them if they happen to be victims of death during wars. Why get huge salaries and put your life at risk is a question of major concern. Research Rationale The purpose of carrying out the study is to determine why salaries that military officers earn are not sufficient to cater for the risks involved and commitments during their service to their countries. In order to determine the role of study, qualitative methods of data collection w ill be used. These include focus group discussion in which military officers will be selected randomly then discussion about the topic is conducted. The other method is interviewing individual military officers to get their views. Finally, the research can gather information through direct observation of military officers as they carry out their operations. The above methods of data collection will help the researcher gather adequate information. This study is related to demographic issues and work force in the country as deaths among military officers reduces workers and population in the country. The payment given to militants is not enough to cater for their risks and commitments because the chances of

Sample Statement of Purpose for Recreation and Leisure Studies Essay Example for Free

Sample Statement of Purpose for Recreation and Leisure Studies Essay Sample Statement of Purpose for Recreation and Leisure Studies The Martial Art (wushu) and the Technique of Deep Breathing (qigong) constitute an integral part of Chinese traditional culture and one of the essential cultural legacies of the world civilization. Even now, those two ancient health-building techniques are still indispensable in facilitating people’s health. Yet, it is regretful to notice that they seem to have stopped developing in the modern era. I believe that the best way out of this dilemma is to integrate those two traditional health-building techniques with the latest research achievements of western recreational and leisure studies. I believe that by undertaking a Ph. D. program in recreation and leisure studies at your esteemed university, I will be well positioned to make contributions to this integration. I completed my undergraduate and postgraduate programs respectively at xxxxx Institute of Physical Education and xxxxxx University, arguably two first-rate sports universities in China. I first majored in the Chinese martial arts then in Chinese traditional Taiji and health Qigong. This systematic and rigorous educational background has given me a necessary academic foundation for your program. My 7-year education allowed me to not only learn the theories and the skills in my specialties but also gain insights into the essence of the wushu and qigong—the perfect union between the physical and the mental. In two programs, I was particularly fascinated by a number of courses such as Martial Arts Serial Exercise Training, Taiji Boxing, Health Cultivation Qigong, Yoga, Exercise Physiology, Sport Medicine, and Sport Anatomy. I benefited from the martial arts training, taiji boxing and qigong exercises by deriving the spirit of perseverance and the pursuit of an active and balanced life characterized by a tactful aggressive attitude. In this way, I maintained a tranquil state of benign physiological-psychological cycle. Energetic and aggressive, I made efforts to win academic successes one after another. Entering the xxxxx Institute of Physical Education as the third top student in my province in that year’s national university entrance examination, I maintained a leading position in my academic performance, not only winning scholarships (available only to the top 5%) every year but also receiving the honor of Outstanding Student, Outstanding Graduate and Excellent Intern. With top scores in the qualifying examinations for the postgraduate program, I was enrolled into Beijing Sport University. As a postgraduate, I had ample teaching assistant experience. First, I taught taiji boxing and health cultivation qigong to undergraduates. Then, because of my sound English proficiency and interpersonal skills, I worked as a teacher of taiji boxing and health cultivation qigong, on behalf of our university’s Foreign Affairs Section, to foreign students and taiji-qigong fans from France, Canada, the United States, Japan and African countries. In addition, I was a voluntary teacher offering free taiji-qigong trainings to the elderly people at Martial Arts Association of China Academy of Sciences and Beijing Ever-Green Geracomium. All those activities helped me accumulate important teaching experience and raise my service awareness. The research I have done in writing my undergraduate thesis and postgraduate dissertation is closely aligned with the program I am currently applying for. Entitled The National Characteristics of Chinese Martial Arts, my undergraduate thesis demonstrates the underlying cultural features and the healthcare medical effect of the martial arts—their ability to temper one’s psychology and cultivate one’s temperament in addition to their direct health cultivation through physical exercises. My Master’s dissertation focuses on the Philosophical Characteristics of Chinese Traditional Sport Health Cultivation Practices. By an in-depth analysis of the theoretical premises of Chinese traditional sport practices, such as â€Å"the supremacy of prevention†, â€Å"parallel development of internal and external mechanisms,† and â€Å"equal emphasis on mental and physical cultivation†, the dissertation offers an interpretation of the philosophical basis of those practices. I also examined how those philosophical principles are embodied in the actual practices. I applied an interdisciplinary approach in writing this dissertation, soliciting constructive comments from senior professors in Chinese medicine, arts, social sciences, and, of course, sports. My work experience since the completion of my Master’s program is related to sports administration as I have been working at the Center of Health Qigong Administration, State Administration of Sport. Our center is a governmental organization devoted to providing consultations to elderly citizens concerning sports activities and exercises. Apart from drafting major government policies, I have taken part in important academic activities over the past two years. I have been a member of a research team on two research projects sponsored by the State Administration of Sport and other relevant departments—Creating and Standardizing Certain Health Qigong Practices from Chinese Traditional Health Cultivation Forms and Evaluating their Physical Effect and Research into the Current State of Public Health Qigong Activities. For the first project, I have received the National Award for Sports Science and Technology Advances. In addition, I have co-authored four books published by the People Sports Publishing House, including Tendon Changing Classic of Health Qigong Practices (please refer to my Resume for detail). I have also attended important academic conferences, acted as research assistant and trainer. In this way, I have developed valuable practical experiences, enhancing my teaching, training and research abilities. In my proposed program, I am deeply interested in studying recreation and leisure. My work experience shows that Chinese traditional health cultivation practices like qigong and martial arts, themselves recreational and leisure events, have sound preventive and therapeutic effects. It is a pity that, without scientific guidelines, we have not made full advantage of those important resources. The underlying reason is that we have not been able to perform systematic and comprehensive research. Another reason is that, even though people now enjoy much more spare time than ever before, they have little idea how to spend their leisure and undertake recreation in an intelligent manner. I hope that I can help people understand the importance of the principle of â€Å"live well through healthy lifestyle. † I also hope that, through your program, I can continue to broaden my administrative knowledge so that I can ultimately facilitate recreation and leisure activities through government and community channels. I would like to apply for admission into the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation of xxxx University. Your program of Recreation and Leisure Studies offers an interdisciplinary study that encompasses a rich variety of subjects ranging from Recreation Management to Leisure Behavior. You have advanced facilities, mature curriculum and effective research methodologies, thereby providing a sound condition for me to carry out my studies and research. I would like to concentrate on Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Administration, Recreational Sport Management, and Leisure Studies, Leisure and Health, Leisure and Healthy Lifestyles, Leisure and Aging, Sports for Seniors. I am particularly interested in Therapeutic Recreation because I hope to focus on exposing the socially underprivileged people, that is, the weak and the elderly, the patients of chronic and deeline diseases, the handicapped and the mentally retarded, to a satisfying leisure lifestyle by practicing yoga, taiji boxing, qigong, and martial arts. I wish that your program will develop me into a researcher, administrator, teacher and/or counselor in recreation and leisure who can treat and rehabilitate people in need by using recreational sports and therapeutic recreational services. My undergraduate and postgraduate specializations and my work experiences all point to my qualifications as a worthy candidate for your Ph. D. program. I believe that my Oriental background, especially my understanding of traditional Chinese philosophy and my skills in Yoga, Taiji boxing, Qigong and Martial Arts will be a unique contribution to the diversity of your program.

Personal Narrative- Photo :: Personal Narrative Photograph Picture

Personal Narrative- Photo Remember back to the times of your youth, when a family member or friend would grace you with a gift? Remember that butterfly feeling you would get in the pit of your stomach and work itself outward and make you tingle with anticipation? Remember waking up early on Christmas morning way ahead of your parents only to attempt to wait patiently until they arose? Remember the moans of despair when they finally did clamber out of their bed to tell you that breakfast must be eaten first before gifts are opened? And remember the giggles that escaped one's lips when they grin mischievously and say "just kidding?" There was always one wrapped gift that stood apart from the rest. For weeks you gazed and pondered what on earth it could contain. At night as the sandman sang his sweet song in your ear you could swear that the gaily wrapped parcel was singing in unison, murmuring "open me first" over and over again. On my mantel sits a photo that captures this feeling. The likeness was not taken at Christmastime, but on an ordinary day which makes that day even more special to those involved. This photo rests within a white ceramic frame illuminated with two tiny, pink flowers with delicate green runners emanating outward on opposing sides of the frame. Another flower rests within, a flower in bloom. Daffodil eyes squinting in merriment, rosebud lips stretched to their outermost reaches, grasping for the sun, and cherry blossom cheeks glistening as with the morning dew: This is my daughter Daisy. She sits atop the very first bike she has ever had. (A gift from Easter Seals, made especially for her.) She knows she is special and her heart is full of gladness. She beams at those surrounding her running circles about them with her laughter following in her wake. What a magnificent steed she has! She learns quickly how to control this beast and have it obey her slightest wishes. Right now, at this exact moment in time, all is right with the world.

Real Estate Intern Report Essay

The company analyzed and discussed in this analysis is one of many health insurance companies registered under the Security Exchange Commission. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated or commonly referred as, â€Å"United Health Group,† or the â€Å"Company is the central tenant which this paper will focus on.† The Company, which was formally known as Charter Med Incorporated, was founded by a group of physicians and health care professionals in 1974. Their main objective was to give consumers a broad variety of options on health care coverage. A decade later, UnitedHealth Group becomes publicly traded, concentrating heavily on modern day technology. As a public traded company, UnitedHealth Group can be denoted as their ticker symbol, UNH. UnitedHealth Group’s core structure posits the goal of helping people live healthier lives by innovating thinking. The foundation of the Company is derived from the best practices in the medical care business. By achieving this goal, UNH uses incorporates an innovative and progressive clientele for their business management team to advance the health of patients. In order to reach out to potential patients, the Company operates under two platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which offers health benefits, and Optum which provides health services. UnitedHealthcare segments include Employer & Individuals, Medicare & Retirement, Community & State and International. In contrast, Optum’s sections consist of OptumHealth, OptumInsight, and OptumRx. To fully understand the Company’s strategy, we must first understand its mission. UnitedHealth Group mission is â€Å"helping people live healthier lives and making health care work better (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p. 1).†After we have establish a sense of understanding, we can further conduct a series of analysis by using tools such as PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, and SWOT analysis. As a result, we will be able to interpret UnitedHealth Group’s strategy and its competitive advantage. PESTEL 1). Political A). â€Å"The laws and rules governing our business and interpretations of those laws and rules are subject to frequent change, and the integration into our businesses of entities that we acquire may affect the way in which existing laws and rules apply to us†¦agencies administering, interpreting and enforcing current and future regulations governing our business could force us to change how we do business, restrict revenue and enrollment growth, increase our health care and administrative costs and capital requirements, or expose us to increased liability in courts for coverage determinations, contract interpretation and other actions (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.17).† B). In general, health care industry is and will continue to be heavily regulated in order to protect consumers. Insurance companies and other identities must be licensed in order to operate and hold jurisdiction where business are practiced. The complexity of regulations impedes companies such as UnitedHealth Group from generating revenue. As a result, the regulations force the Company to change how they do business. For example, UnitedHealth Group signed a contract with the Department of Defense to provide coverage to those in the military who are active or retired. The service known as TRICARE Managed Care Support will serve more than 2.7 million beneficiaries in 21 states (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.4). Thus, the losses leveraged from other services or products did not satisfy proper regulation. 2). Economic A). â€Å"Unfavorable economic conditions may impact demand for certain of our products and services. For example, high unemployment rates have caused and could continue to cause lower enrollment or lower rates of renewal in our employer group plans and our non-employer individual plans (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.25).† B). Because the economy changes daily, it is impossible to predict the certainty of unemployment rates. Unemployment rates are inversely related to the success of company operations. Simply, if rates increase, then membership levels decrease. To manage the inconsistency of unemployment rates, UnitedHealth Group offers a spectrum of products and services. When the economy is strong, traditional plans that typically â€Å"include a full range of medical benefits and network options from managed plans such as Choice and Options PPO† (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.3), tend to thrive. Conversely, when unemployment is high and the economy is weaker, essential benefits product which offer less than traditional plans but still provide basic services such as guides to physicians, become copious. 3). Sociocultural A). â€Å"As we continue to expand our business outside the United States, acquired foreign businesses, such as Amil, will present challenges that are different from those presented by acquisitions of domestic businesses, including adapting to new markets, business, labor and cultural practices and regulatory environments that are materially different from what we have experienced in our U.S. operations (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.24).† B).Although the Company’s main operations are in the United States, it has expanded its operations to other nations. Conducting business internationally faces many factors such as â€Å"political, economic, legal compliance, regulations, and operational risks and exposures that are unique and vary by jurisdiction (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.17)†. But having already been exposed to these elements in parts of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia the recent acquisition of Amil, whose services are dispersed throughout Brazil, will face minimal encumbrances. Additionally, Amil’s products and services are much similar to those offered by UnitedHealth Group and thus effortlessly adapting to the new markets. The new market, which consist of over five million people, have been exposed to Amil’s health and dental benefits and have access to 45,000 contracted physicians (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.5). 4). Technology A). â€Å"Our ability to adequately price our products and services, to provide effective service to our customers in an efficient and uninterrupted fashion, and to accurately report our results of operations depends on the integrity of the data in our information systems †¦technology initiatives and recently enacted regulations, changes in our system platforms and integration of new business acquisitions, we periodically consolidate, integrate, upgrade and expand our information systems capabilities (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.26).† B). Technology is fundamental to UnitedHealth Group. In their earlier years, the Company provided physicians with office software that managed and controlled cost. Investing in technology can be costly, but for UnitedHealth Group it serves as a competitive advantage. One way UnitedHealth Group stays above average is by utilizing its information system’s user-friendly resources that help consumers control their decision on health care. These resources â€Å"provide greater transparency around quality and cost, such as the Premium Designation ® program and Health4Me for Apple ® and Android ® phones, myHealthcareCost Estimator, Health Care Lane and myuhc.com (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.2).† 5). Environmental A). â€Å"Relatively low interest rates on investments, such as those experienced during recent years, have adversely impacted our investment income, and a prolonged low interest rate environment could further adversely affect our investment income†¦delay in payment of principal and/or interest by issuers, or defaults by issuers, could reduce our net investment income and we may be required to write down the value of our investments, which could materially and adversely affect our profitability and shareholders’ equity (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.25).† B). As mentioned previously, UnitedHealth Group has an impact in the national and global economy. Due to its operations conducted on the international scale, UnitedHealth Group has significant exposure to environmental factors that directly affect shareholders’ equity. These factors include currency exchange, government intervention, and political instability. Because of the nature of the global economy, the Company must take preventative actions to protect their investments. This is exemplified when one takes note that the Company may choose to allocate its investments into smaller portfolios to help reduce exposure to the market. Additionally, the acquisition of Amil puts pressure on the company’s profitability. Fluctuating currency rates have an adverse effect on the Company’s cash flows. Thus, currency exchange may benefit UnitedHealth Group if not hindered by local government making transfer of funds difficult. 6). Legal A). â€Å"The Health Reform Legislation and the related federal and state regulations will impact how we do business and could restrict revenue and enrollment growth in certain products and market segments, restrict premium growth rates for certain products and market segments, increase our medical and administrative costs, expose us to an increased risk of liability†¦or put us at risk for loss of business†¦may also create new or expand existing opportunities for business growth, but due to its complexity, the impact of the Health Reform Legislation remains difficult to predict and is not yet fully known (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.11).† B). Health care regulations affects the whole industry who range from consumers to providers. Because insurance companies are so controlled, it obstructs the way businesses are run. Regulations that apply to health care companies, such as UnitedHealth Group, increases loss of business. For example, legislation will â€Å"includes an annual, non-deductible insurance industry tax to be levied proportionally across the insurance industry for risk-based products (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.35).† As a result, the Company is force to pay an upwards of $8 billion and gradually increasing every year. Porter’s Five Forces 7). Current Competitors (High) A). â€Å"†¦competitors include Aetna Inc., Cigna Corporation, Coventry Health Care, Inc., Health Net, Inc., Humana Inc., Kaiser Permanente, WellPoint, Inc., numerous for-profit and not-for-profit organizations operating under licenses from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and, with respect to our Brazilian operations, several established competitors in Brazil, and other enterprises that serve more limited geographic areas (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.14).† B). The companies stated above are a select few who construct the health care insurance industry. The thin selection of insurance companies causes companies to compete highly with each other to gain market shares. Health care insurance companies are much alike offering similar coverage to their clients. In order to have the upper hand, UnitedHealth Group spends an ordeal amount of money on technology to differentiate their products. Thus created plans for members to be â€Å"provided access to clinical products with the goal of helping them make better health care decisions, and thus better use of their medical benefits, with the ultimate goal of improving health and decreasing medical expenses (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.14).† 8). Threat of New Entrants (High) A). â€Å"In particular markets, competitors may have greater capabilities, resources or market share; a more established reputation; superior supplier or health care professional arrangements; better existing business relationships; or other factors that give such competitors a competitive advantage†¦merger and acquisition activity has occurred in the industries in which we operate, both among our competitors and suppliers†¦Consolidation may make it more difficult for us to retain or increase our customer base, improve the terms on which we do business with our suppliers, or maintain or increase profitability (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.22).† B). Due to the limited amount of insurance companies, other companies compete for market shares. Top companies like UnitedHealth Group hold sizable portions in segmented markets. Moreover, mid-size companies merge together in order to increase their shares in the market. Similarly, bigger companies acquire smaller companies to broaden their consumer base such as UnitedHealth Group with Amil. 9). Power of Suppliers (Medium) A). â€Å"We contract with physicians, hospitals, pharmaceutical benefit service providers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and other health care providers for services†¦Failure to develop and maintain satisfactory relationships with health care providers, whether in-network or out-of-network, could materially and adversely affect our business†¦ (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.22).† B). A strong connection with suppliers is crucial to the company’s business because it has a strong positive correlation between prospective clients. UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest amongst other insurers and attracts an abundance of health care providers. As a result, an increase in suppliers dilutes their bargaining power. 10). Power of Buyers (High) A). Under our risk-based benefit product arrangements, we assume the risk of both medical and administrative costs for our customers in return for monthly premiums†¦The profitability of these products depends in large part on our ability to predict, price for, and effectively manage medical costs (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.16).† B). It is human nature to desire a variety of choices. Although health care insurance companies are scarce, their products and services are not. In the case of UnitedHealth Group, a full range of services are offered to employers and individuals. As a result, consumers have the choice and power to select a plan that suits them well. â€Å"As the commercial market becomes more consumer-oriented, individuals are assuming more personal and financial responsibility for their care, and they are demanding more affordable products, greater transparency and choice and personalized help navigating the complex system (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.2).† Acknowledging this helps UnitedHealth Group to stay competitive. 11). Threat of Substitutes (Low) A). â€Å"Our information systems require an ongoing commitment of significant resources to maintain, protect and enhance existing systems and develop new systems to keep pace with continuing changes in information processing technology, evolving systems and regulatory standards, emerging cyber security risks and threats, and changing customer patterns (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.26).† B). Technology serves as a great substitute compared to basic products sold by insurance companies. Technology consists of software programs that track your health, new medical treatment devices, and the ever changing Internet. The issue with technology is that it can get very expensive for both the company and the consumer. Therefore, only those who can afford it are amongst a few. Conversely, companies who are not developing new information technology will lose their competitive advantage and ultimately give up their market shares. Consumers are likely to find a cheaper and better alternative otherwise. SWOT 12). Strengths A). â€Å"UnitedHealthcare provides network-based health care benefits for a full spectrum of customers in the health benefits market. UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual serves employers ranging from sole proprietorships to large, multi-site and national employers, as well as students and other individuals†¦ (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.1).† B). UnitedHealth Group sustains a competitive advantage through its diversified products and services. Coverage is offered to large scale employers, military personal, the elderly, and those who cannot afford health care through government sponsorship. The Company reaches to consumers throughout the nation and even internationally. 13). Weaknesses A). â€Å"†¦legal actions we face or may face in the future could further increase our cost of doing business and materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows†¦certain legal actions could result in adverse publicity, which could damage our reputation and materially and adversely affect our ability to retain our current business or grow our market share in select markets and businesses (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.23).† B). The health care industry has have a negative connotation. The public views insurance companies as scammers that rob society. Companies gain a bad reputation when they get investigated by the Government. UnitedHealth Group’s goal is to provide people with healthier lives, not rob them financially. Consequently, â€Å"negative publicity may adversely affect our stock price, damage our reputation in various markets or foster an increasingly active regulatory environment, which, in turn, could further increase the regulatory burdens under which we operate and our costs of doing business (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.18).† 14). Opportunities A). â€Å"UnitedHealthcare International acquired Amil, which provides health and dental benefits to over five million people and also operates 22 acute hospitals, as well as specialty clinics, primary care, and emergency services across Brazil, principally for the benefit of its members (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.5).† B). The acquisition of Amil will provide UnitedHealth Group with newer market segments, more consumers, and increase the company’s revenue. Amil will also offer diversified product portfolio that contain a range of products offerings, benefit designs, and indemnity products. Furthermore, Amil will include various administrative services which include network access, care management and personal services (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.5). 15). Threats A). â€Å"Several of the provisions in the Health Reform Legislation will likely increase our medical cost trends. Examples of these provisions are the excise tax on medical devices, annual fees on prescription drug manufacturers, enhanced coverage requirements†¦the prohibition of pre-existing condition exclusions and the implementation of adjusted community rating requirements (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.19).† B).As mentioned in the PESTEL breakdown, under the analysis of the legal realm, Health Reform Legislation causes a serious threat to the well-being of UnitedHealth Group’s business. Excess taxes take away from the company’s profits thus rendering them unable to reinvest into their company. Lastly, prohibition of excluding pre-existing conditions may increase the risk and medical cost in the future. Competitive Strategy 16a. â€Å"We believe the principal competitive factors that can impact our businesses relate to the sales, marketing and pricing of our products and services; product innovation; consumer engagement and satisfaction; the level and quality of products and services; care delivery; network and clinical management capabilities; market share; product distribution systems; efficiency of administration operations; financial strength and marketplace reputation (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.14).† In order for a company to have sustainable competitive advantage, they must abide their company’s vital principals. UnitedHealth Group does not only accomplish their objective, but they surpass other companies’ strategy. First they exceed in sales by offering premium services such as UnitedHealthcare and Optum products. The company also provides a variety of these products and services ranging from value-oriented plans to essential-oriented plans. Secondly, UnitedHealth Group has an exclusive network system that only clients have access to. Clients have access to physicians and hospital that meet their unique needs. Moreover, the Company serves to large national employers, public sectors employers, and midsize employers to individuals. As a result, UnitedHealth Group is â€Å"providing nearly 27 million Americans access to health care (UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2012, p.2).† Lastly, UnitedHealth Group is a massive health insurance company which has enabled them to control ample market shares. Their recent acquisition with Amil shows how strong UnitedHealth Group is financially. Overall, UnitedHealth Group is a leading company in health care insurance proven by their business factors. The Company uses a differentiation strategy to maintain its competitive advantage. Article 16b. UnitedHealth to buy most of Brazil’s Amil for $4.9 billion The company is making a bold move taking on the fast growing markets of Brazil. UnitedHealth Group has made record on being the first to acquire manage Care Company across seas. The acquisition will bring UnitedHealth Group more leverage and revenue to its operations. â€Å"Amil has more than 5 million clients in Brazil and owns 22 hospitals and 50 clinics. It forecast revenues of $5 billion for 2012, up 15 percent from 2011. UnitedHealth had revenues of nearly $102 billion in 2011 and expects the deal to slightly increase its 2013 earnings per share (reuters.com). Ultimately Amil’s operations will be similar to UnitedHealth Group in that it will provide its products and services to new market segments. In addition, â€Å"Brazil’s healthcare system consists of public and private plans, similar to the U.S. model. The number of Brazilians covered under private plans has grown more than 50 percent over the past 10 years to nearly 48 million people, roughly a quarter of t he country’s population (reuters.com).† Work Cited Humer, Caroline. â€Å"UnitedHealth to Buy Most of Brazil’s Amil for $4.9 Billion.† Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 08 Oct. 2012. Web. 25 Sept. 2013. UnitedHealth Group, Inc. (2012). Form 10-K 2012. Retrieved from SEC EDGAR website http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml View as multi-pages

Lord of the Flies: William Golding

William Golding once said that, â€Å"the shape of a society must depend on the ethical nature of the individual and not on any political system however apparently logical or respectable† (186). He believes that problems with society can be traced â€Å"back to the defects of human nature† (186). In Lord of the Flies, Golding uses two boys from the traditionally socially rigid country of England to illustrate the idea that, if left unchecked, the animalistic nature that resides deep within the hearts of human beings will overcome society’s rules and mores.The characters in the novel are left to their own devices on an uninhabited island and must form their own political system. The true ethical nature of the boys, representative of humans in general, becomes more noticeable as time passes. Ralph is the example of civilization and democracy while Jack is the epitome of savagery and animal behavior. The novel opens with a scene of two young boys on an island after a plane crash in the sea. These boys, Ralph and Piggy, make their way across the isolated island and find a small pool of warm water near a large, pink granite rock.After they find a conch, Ralph blows into it; the noise draws boys from all over the island who are also victims of the plane crash. The major characters include Jack, the leader of the choir, as well as Sam, Eric, Simon and Roger. After an initial meeting, the boys decide that their group should have a leader, although this is more of a game than a means of organization: â€Å"This toy of voting was almost as pleasing as the conch† (22). The conch and the system of voting are both remnants of the English society the boys inhabited.Ralph defeats Jack after a vote, but Ralph places the choir, under the supervision of Jack, in charge of hunting. It is obvious throughout the novel, however, that this token position does not satisfy Jack and that he wants to become chief. Initially, however, Jack says that â€Å"[he] agree[s] with Ralph. Almost immediately, the leadership is beset by a small boy who claims to have seen a nightmarish Beast. Ralph begins by assuring him that such a Beast does not exist, but the young boy insists that the Beast is real and demands o know when it will return. Jack interrupts Ralph to tell the boy, â€Å"There isn’t a snake thing . . . but if there was a snake we’d hunt and kill it. We’re going to hunt . . . and we’ll look for the snake too – â€Å"(36). Ralph is â€Å"annoyed and . . . defeated† (37) by Jack’s usurpation of his authority and is at a loss as to how to deal with it. For the moment, the group of boys waits for the pendulum of authority to swing one way or another. It happens to swing in Ralph’s favor as he assures the boys that they will be rescued.They believe his claim, â€Å"unbacked by any proof but the weight of Ralph’s new authority† (37), and he finds that the assembly â₠¬Å"liked and now respected him† (37). Jack, however, merely smirks and claps half-heartedly. One of the most poignant examples of the remnants of civilization occurs when a boy named Roger begins to throw rocks at a small child named Henry building sand castles. He throws stones, but purposely misses, because, â€Å"there was a space round Henry, perhaps 6 yards in diameter, in which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life† (56).Even after his long time away from adults, he is still socially conditioned to avoid harming others. However, this civilization was declining rapidly: â€Å"Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilization that†¦ was in ruins† (56). The decline of civilization's hold is unnoticed by Ralph; he becomes fixated on the fire that is built to attract the attention of any nearby ships or planes. Encouraged by Piggy, Ralph feels that â€Å"the fire is the main thing† (102) and insists that a si gnal fire be kept up at all times. Ralph focuses on a return to civilization and normality.Jack, however, focuses on living by instinct – hunting pigs becomes his obsession. He has a bloodlust: â€Å"He tried to convey the compulsion to track down and kill that was swallowing him up† (51). He is more than content to live on the island, without civilization; he is happy to do so. The two boys differ on the issue of government, as well. Ralph insists on a democracy and allows the group to vote on certain issues. All boys are allowed to speak at meetings if they have a mind to do so; a conch found at the beginning of the novel is held by a boy when he wishes to address the group.This is perhaps one of the strongest remnants of his time in civilized England: the belief that all people deserve representation, regardless of their abilities. Jack, however, adopts more of a dictator like attitude, as illustrated when he says to Ralph, â€Å"It’s time some people knew t hey’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us† (102). He symbolizes the idea that the strong survive, so the strongest must govern. Ralph and Jack have a sort of mutual respect for each other, but they are very different and do not know exactly what to do with one another. They walked along, two continents of experience and feeling, unable to communicate†¦ They looked at each other, baffled, in love and hate† (55). Jack is jealous of Ralph’s position as chief, however, and after a long meeting during which Ralph set forth new rules for the group, Jack leaves and starts his own tribe. Because Jack and his elite circle of friends have the ability to hunt and get meat, many of the boys join his tribe. Only Sam, Eric, Simon, Piggy and Ralph remain in the civilized group on the beach. After most of the boys join Jack’s â€Å"tribe,† hunting becomes the primary focus for that group.They spend much of their time hunting an d this provides excitement and entertainment for the boys: â€Å"[T]he sow staggered her way ahead of the, bleeding and mad, and the hunters followed, wedded to her in lust, excited by the long chase and the dropped blood† (135). After this killing, Jack orders Roger to â€Å"[s]harpen a stick on both ends† (136), then proceeds to thrust one end of the stick into the ground. On the other end, he shoves the head of the pig and says, â€Å"This head is for the beast. It’s a gift† (137). This grotesque act provides the explanation for the Beast when a boy named Simon finds a pig’s head on a stick in the forest.Simon has a sort of psychotic episode where the pig’s head – who is referred to as â€Å"the Lord of the Flies† (138) – speaks to him. The Lord of the Flies says, I’m the Beast. Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, clo se! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are the way they are? We are going to have fun on this island! (143-144) The Beast is not some animal that disappeared in the morning, turning â€Å"into them things like ropes in the trees† (36). Rather, the Beast is the animal nature within all humans, simply waiting for a chance to escape.This animalistic behavior is not limited to the gratuitously bloody and almost ritualistic killings of the pigs. After Simon â€Å"listens† to the Lord of the Flies, he places the head of the slaughtered sow onto his head. The demented child knows that he is doing something abnormal: â€Å"He knew that one of his times was coming on† (143). Simon continues to hear the voice of the Lord of the Flies as he covers his head with that of the dead pig. The voice gives a foreshadowing to the events that will soon follow when he tries to frighten the boy by saying, â€Å"We are going to have fun on this island. Understand? We are going to have fun on this island!So don’t try [the head] on, my poor misguided boy, or else†¦ Or else we shall do you? Do you. See? † (144) The boy collapses and wakes up after he gets a nosebleed: â€Å"With the running of the blood Simon’s fit passed into the weariness of sleep† (145). His fit, however, does not leave him without advice, because now he knows that the â€Å"beast was harmless and horrible; and the news must reach the others as soon as possible. † This last shred of hope for the humanity of the island, brought about by the psychotic episode of a young boy, never reaches the boys. By this time, Ralph and Piggy venture to Jack’s tribe to enjoy some meat.A small argument between Ralph and Jack ensues and Jack decides to have the tribe do their â€Å"dance† as a way to show his power and the fun that the boys in the tribe have. Roger plays a pig and other boys pretend to attack him. A chant rises: â€Å"Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood! † (152) Suddenly a voice cries out, â€Å"Him! Him! † (152) and Simon stumbles out of the forest, covered in pig’s blood as well as his own. He desperately tries to convey the meaning of the Beast to the boys assembled, â€Å"crying out something about a dead man on a hill,† but the boys descend upon him in murderous rapture.To those children, Simon is the beast: â€Å"The beast was on its knees in the center, its arms folded over its face. It was crying out against the abominable noise something about a body on the hill. † Delighted by the prospect of destroying the Beast, â€Å"the crowd surged after it, poured down the rock, leapt on to the beast, screamed, struck, bit, tore. There were no words and no movement but the tearing of teeth and claws† (153). The boys on the island believe that they are killing the beast, when in reality, they are setting it free as they descend from the civilized heig hts of humans to the frightening, murderous behaviour of animals.Even this episode of violence is merely a glance into the darkness in the hearts of the boys. Simon's death could be looked upon as a momentary lapse in judgment, brought about by the fear of the boys. When Ralph suggests murder, Piggy insists that, â€Å"It was dark. There was that – that bloody dance. There was lightning and thunder and rain. We was scared! † (157) He later puts the blame on Simon by saying, â€Å"It was an accident†¦ Coming in the dark – he hadn’t no business crawling like that out of the dark. He was batty. He asked for it. It was an accident† (157).Later, however, the frightening truth about the complete loss of society’s restraints becomes apparent. Jack’s tribe decides that in order to cook their meat, they must have Piggy’s glasses so that they can start fires. A group raids Ralph’s tribe and the glasses are stolen. Piggy is hu rt and confused. He insists on going to Jack and telling him, [Y]ou’re stronger than I am and you haven’t got asthma†¦ You can see, I’m goin’ to say, and with both eyes. But I don’t ask for my glasses back, not as a favor†¦ Give me my glasses, I’m going to say – you got to! (171) Ralph replies with, â€Å"All right. I mean – you can try if you like. We’ll go with you. Ralph, Sam, Eric and Piggy, the remaining members of that particular tribe, then go to see Jack. When they get to Jack’s fort, they demand Piggy’s glasses back and insist that the much larger group of boys keep up a signal fire: â€Å"Your only hope is keeping a signal fire going as long as there’s light to see† (178).This comment is met with derision and laughter from the tribe and Jack commands his group of boys to grab Sam and Eric and tie them up. They do so, nervously at first, then with excitement and a sense of power. Ralph can no longer remain a diplomat; he yells at Jack, â€Å"You’re a beast and a swine and a bloody, bloody thief! (179) They begin to fight, but are interrupted by Piggy, who tries to sway the crowd towards civility. Roger, â€Å"with a sense of delirious abandonment† (180), pushes on a lever, releasing a large rock that the tribe had set up as a weapon. What follows is horrific: The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist. Piggy, saying nothing, with no time for even a grunt, traveled through the air sideways from the rock, turning as he went†¦ Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea.His head opened and stuff came out and turned red. Piggy’s arms and legs twitched a bit†¦ [t]hen the sea breathed again in a long, slow sigh†¦ and†¦ the body of Piggy was gone (181). Ralph is in shock and his â€Å"lips form ed a word but no sound came† (181). Jack takes this opportunity to cry â€Å"I’m chief! † and attack Ralph while he is off guard. He does this â€Å"[v]iciously, with full intent† (181) and Ralph flees for his life. Jack then allows to Roger to use force to convince Sam and Eric to join his tribe. Ralph hides for a while, but later that night, he goes back to the fort when he knows that Sam and Eric are on duty.Those boys are terrified of Jack and Roger and they insist that Ralph leave. First, however, they warn him that the tribe is â€Å"going to hunt† him tomorrow and that they would â€Å"throw [their] spears like at a pig† (188-189). As a last warning, he is told that â€Å"Roger sharpened a stick at both ends† (190). This indicates that Jack’s plans are no idle threat; he and Roger plan to kill Ralph, then put his head onto a stick and drive the stick into the ground as a sacrifice to the Beast. Horrific as this may seem, perhaps this is the best sacrifice possible, because the Beast is the inhumanity in all people and the loss of civilization.The murder of Ralph would serve as the ultimate concession to murderous desires and blood lust, for such an event would indicate a total abandonment of society’s mores. The hunt begins and soon Ralph’s hiding place in a nearly impenetrable thicket. Even Ralph is shown to have descended into animalism as he considers what he would do in the event that a boy finds him: â€Å"He felt the point of his spear with his thumb and grinned without amusement. Whoever tried that would be stuck, squealing like a pig† (193). His safe area is destroyed, however, when the tribe sets fire to the thicket and Ralph is forced to flee.A chase ensues and Ralph runs onto the beach, falls, and staggers to his feet. Standing before him is a British naval officer, who seems to think that the boys have been playing a game. In an amused fashion, he asks Ralph how many boys have died and the child responds with, â€Å"Only two. And they’ve gone. † The naval officer is astonished and turns away for a moment. The group of boys begins to sob and Ralph is the loudest of these: And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of a man’s heart, and the fall through the air of a true, wise friend called Piggy. 202) In the end, a rescue by an English adult is all the saves that boys from the ultimate fall from society’s grace: the planned murder of an innocent. The idea is clear throughout the novel, however, that the social conditioning impressed upon the boys decreases in influence as time passes with no reminder from a true figure of authority. William Golding proves through his novel that the animalistic nature in all humans is reigned in only by the rigid constraint of civilization.

Free Essays on Metropolitan Musuem

The â€Å"Vermeer and the Delft School† exhibition in The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, is being displayed from March 8th till May 27th, 2001. The exhibit includes various paintings, â€Å"About 85 paintings by 30 artists- including 15 by Vermeer and 10 by Pieter de Hooch- and selected groups of drawings, tapestries, silver, and ceramics reveal for the first time Delft’s artistic stature in the 17th century.† (Catalog) Some works of art that I will talk about are some of the most famous in the exhibit such as The Courtyard of a House in Delft painted by Hooch, Girl with the Red Hat, The Art of Painting, and Allegory of faith both painted by Vermeer. Vermeer is credited for only twenty- nine paintings in his lifetime, sometimes thirty. So how could he be so famous I thought? That could be answered with just one walk around the gallery. His â€Å"approach to space, light, and composition, reflects his awareness of current artistic conventions and trends in taste as well as his exceptional powers of observation.† (Catalog) Vermeer is one of the best at representing a composition that is based around space and light. In the work of art The Art of Painting Vermeer shows the source of light coming from behind the curtain on the right. Vermeer uses the shadows of the curtain and the darkness coming from behind the artist to contrast the light source and make the painting seem like the viewer is seeing this scene from behind a glass pane window. Vermeer always tried capturing the viewer within the painting, but without them knowing it. Vermeer also used tonality and exquisite detail to produce some of the works he created. Most of the Delft school branched off of Vermeer’s style, as in Hooch’s The Courtyard of a House in Delft.... Free Essays on Metropolitan Musuem Free Essays on Metropolitan Musuem The â€Å"Vermeer and the Delft School† exhibition in The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, is being displayed from March 8th till May 27th, 2001. The exhibit includes various paintings, â€Å"About 85 paintings by 30 artists- including 15 by Vermeer and 10 by Pieter de Hooch- and selected groups of drawings, tapestries, silver, and ceramics reveal for the first time Delft’s artistic stature in the 17th century.† (Catalog) Some works of art that I will talk about are some of the most famous in the exhibit such as The Courtyard of a House in Delft painted by Hooch, Girl with the Red Hat, The Art of Painting, and Allegory of faith both painted by Vermeer. Vermeer is credited for only twenty- nine paintings in his lifetime, sometimes thirty. So how could he be so famous I thought? That could be answered with just one walk around the gallery. His â€Å"approach to space, light, and composition, reflects his awareness of current artistic conventions and trends in taste as well as his exceptional powers of observation.† (Catalog) Vermeer is one of the best at representing a composition that is based around space and light. In the work of art The Art of Painting Vermeer shows the source of light coming from behind the curtain on the right. Vermeer uses the shadows of the curtain and the darkness coming from behind the artist to contrast the light source and make the painting seem like the viewer is seeing this scene from behind a glass pane window. Vermeer always tried capturing the viewer within the painting, but without them knowing it. Vermeer also used tonality and exquisite detail to produce some of the works he created. Most of the Delft school branched off of Vermeer’s style, as in Hooch’s The Courtyard of a House in Delft....

How to Become a Professional Speech Writer and Use Such a Skill in Adult Life

How to Become a Professional Speech Writer and Use Such a Skill in Adult Life How to Become a Professional Speech Writer and Use Such a Skill in Adult Life A professional speech writer creates powerful and memorable speeches that captivate the audience and inspire others to take action. Public speaking is a great tool and can be used to effectively communicate new ideas, provide with some crucial information, and connect emotionally with the audience. Because of this, professional speech writing is a service that many public speakers rely on. Over the course of this article, youll learn how to write a speech at a professional level. Structure Your Presentation While writing a speech, you should try to structure it to be as concise and understandable as possible. The main goal of public speaking is not to show off or impress others with large vocabulary, but to convey the information in the way that people can understand it. Using simple language as well as sentences will help you communicate the main point easily. Moreover, being precise while speaking is quite useful skill not only while speaking in front of the audience, but also in your daily life. Being able to simplify a complex idea and explain it clearly is the key aspect of effective communication. It provides people with all the key information, without bogging them down in unnecessary details. Hook the Audience Simple language doesnt have to be boring or feel mundane. In fact, the best speeches captivate the audience by using memorable words and phrases. Good speech writers will often repeat key words or phrases throughout their speeches to highlight how important these issues are. Repetition is a good way to hook the audience as well as make it to remember the message. Quotable words and phrases are also good speech devices, since they can often sum up your entire speech in one or two memorable sentences. You can use these tactics in your regular life as well. Using memorable phrases during the daily communication, or while the job interview makes you stick to the listeners mind. Inject Emotion and Be Vivid In good speeches, words are used to paint a vivid picture of what the speaker is talking about. They mentally transport the listeners to the exact situation, and let them visualize the message. By injecting emotions and descriptive phrases into your speech, you turn the mere information into the vivid one, so, you make it almost impossible for the audience to get bored. They will be engrossed in your message for sure. Being able to speak emotionally is a great skill to use in your daily life. It will help you make new friends easily as well as apply for a job without making any efforts. Remember that great speech writers craft informative messages that keep the audiences attention from the very beginning till the very end. And now you know how to force people listen to you with open mouths. Doing so will make your speeches more persuasive and effective once theyre delivered.

What are the major differences between discount stores and off-price Essay

What are the major differences between discount stores and off-price retailers - Essay Example The retail industry comprises a significant share of the country’s commerce. Yet, there is wide variety in the types of retail stores. There are supermarkets, discount stores, convenience stores, hypermarkets, department stores, etc. New types of retail stores are constantly evolving to fit the needs and changing lifestyles of consumers. This essay will focus on the major differences between discount stores and off-price retailers. The way a discount store works is by offering standard merchandise to consumers at low prices. Though margins tend to be quite low, high volume makes up for it and fetch profits. Previously, discount stores used to cut costs by limiting the range of services that they offered and by operating out of cheap storage facilities in heavily travelled districts. But these days, discount stores sport an improved ambience and have widened the range of services and products. But their success still depends on â€Å"keeping prices low through lean, efficient operations†. (Chapter 13, p. 370) Wal-Mart, which is a leader in this domain, follows this business philosophy. Off-price retailers, on the other hand, came in to replace markets left open by discount stores. As big discount store chains started catered to an up-scale customer base, a market for low-price stores once again cropped up.