MBA Sample Essay - What Matters Most to You

What matters most to you and why?I must confess that, until I read this application question, I had never given much thought to determining exactly what I consider most important in my life. I believe I am one of many applicants who confront this question without a ready-made answer, and I am astonished by the realization that so many of us lead our lives without reflecting on our roles. That is all the more perplexing when we consider that many of these individuals are businesspeople, that is, individuals entrusted with disseminating their companies visions and missions.So I took some time over the past few weeks to reflect on my personal history, present context, and future plans. By carefully analyzing my actions, attitudes, and behaviors, I have finally come up with a solid answer to this complex question. My priority, to put it rather succinctly, is a lifelong pursuit to improve myself as a human being.Greek philosophers divided the human essence into a trilogy of mind, spirit, and body, and I find this a useful framework to break my life down into its three major dimensions: professional, spiritual, and personal. In my quest for self-improvement, I seek to make progress in each of those areas.THE PROFESSIONAL DIMENSIONFor me, work itself is not a goal unto itself; rather, it is a mean to achieve my objectives. Nevertheless, it is a very important aspect of my life; on average, after all, 40% of our time is spent on duty. Besides financial rewards, work gives me the opportunity to refine and share knowledge, build relationships, help people, overcome personal challenges, grow as a professional, and participate in a social environment.For example, I feel proud of my ability to work with different people, even if they are difficult to deal with. When I was an Executive Trainee in HSBC, I supervised the work of a younger trainee, Aline, in the Credit Scoring Team. After her first weeks at work, everybody considered Aline a person with good performance but wit h a difficult personality. Although I agreed that she exhibited an overly aggressive behavior, I managed to conquer her respect. Even though I consider myself an usually impatient individual, I learned the importance of tolerance—two months after I left HSBC, I heard that she had been fired for her attitude.My flexibility is related to my eagerness to contribute to the learning environment of my workplace. While working in the Commercial Department of Samarco, for instance, I was part of a team that developed an Intranet site to inform our colleagues about the market, customers, and competitors. At HSBC, I co-founded a study group to learn about the financial market.Although those initiatives were valuable, another important accomplishment taught me how professional determination and adaptability can result in rewards of a more personal nature. In 1997, I started working as a teacher at a new computer school. In order to attract new students, the school set low fees and grant ed scholarships. Thus, students were usually poor, not very well educated, and responsible for supporting their families. They placed their hopes for a better life on learning computer skills.At first, I was intimidated. I had no previous work experience, and teaching a class of 24 would be a challenge unto itself. As classes went by, I developed a great relationship with the students. I often spent extra time with them and became a sort of counselor. Seeing them progress from hardly using a mouse to creating complex worksheets just four months later was enormously rewarding. Many found better jobs or were promoted. In the last class, they gave me the most precious thank-you card I have ever received: it was simple, yet heart-felt. Besides improving my communication skills and sharing my knowledge, I learned to work with people from different backgrounds and to establish nurturing relationships. Most importantly, I proved to myself that I can be useful to my community, and I realize d that helping others brings the greatest rewards imaginable.This ability to adapt has allowed me to create a valuable network that crosses many industry boundaries, from mining and metallurgical companies to banking and telecommunications. A few months ago, for example, a Bain colleague was having a hard time developing a credit policy for a client, and I was able to contact a friend at HSBC who could help my colleague with his project. That episode reminded me that friendship, besides being a source of pleasure, can be a great resource in difficult situations.These achievements, combined with my other professional successes, have helped to shape me not only on a business level, but also on a personal level. As I plan out my next career steps, I seek a diverse environment that will allow me to continue this multi-track development. I believe that Stanfords MBA program is a perfect match for this expectation, since it would go far beyond presenting me with intellectual challenges: i t would further develop my interpersonal skills, enhance my network, and balance my strong analytical background.THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONI come from a religious family, which taught me early on the importance of contemplation. Since my teenage years, I have developed a keen interest in authors who seek to present overarching theories about life. Writers like Neale Donald Walsch, Brian Weiss, Deepak Chopra, and James Van Praagh have introduced me to some unconventional theories about the meaning of life. Walsch, for instance, believes that all living beings together comprise the figure of God. His theories have opened my mind to different concepts, and through them I have realized that we should not limit our vision of life to a single, pre-conceived notion.This open-mindedness, coupled with my interest in spiritual matters, has led me to develop a keen interest in other religions. As a high school exchange student in Tennessee, I spent six months with a family that played an active r ole in the local Methodist church; later on, in Europe, I attended a Baptist church in order to better understand the liturgical differences between the different sects of Protestantism. All along, I have managed to maintain the principles of ethics and integrity which my Jesuit-run school in Brazil instilled in me.At Stanford, I will share these spiritual perspectives with fellows and professors. The schools diverse pool of students, featuring different religions and personal beliefs, will in turn enrich my own experiences; through them, I hope to acquire new points of view about the most complex and divergent dimension of life.THE PERSONAL DIMENSIONI come from a typical well-structured Brazilian family. My father runs his own business, and my mother gave up her job when I was born in order to raise me and my younger sister, Flà ¡via, in the best way she could. I am privileged to belong to a family that could afford to send me to private elementary and high schools, since in Brazi l public schools are tragically inadequate (although public universities are generally excellent). Given this good fortune, I feel a moral obligation to assist those less fortunate than myself. To date, I have tried to fulfill this obligation through volunteer work such as helping the homeless during an unusual cold weather in southern Brazil. In the future, I plan to create jobs for people and, together with my future wife, to run a charity house for children in Northeastern Brazil, the countrys poorest region.This willingness to travel far and wide in pursuit of my goals has given me a geographical mobility which has helped to broaden my social awareness. I have already lived in three different Brazilian cities—Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, and Sà £o Paulo—each of which plays a major role in the Brazilian economy. Each possesses a distinct economy, culture, and history, but the three share the scarcities and community needs typical of urban areas in developing countries .I grew up keenly aware of such needs. When I was a child, my parents often took me to visit the small towns where my grandparents lived. Campos Gerais, the one I know best, is a very poor rural town where as a child I experienced the total absence of electricity. By interacting with these communities, I learned to value the most basic commodities. Elsewhere, I constantly sought to enrich my experience and improve my understanding of my country and its complexities. This social insight has shaped the way I think about business, and I am determined to share it with my business school peers.My solid relationship with my fiancà ©e, Renata, whom I will marry next year, is surely the most important aspect of my entire life. Renata is a young doctor, and her background balances my perspectives. We have been together for over 6 years, and during this period has shown me the value of the true love. Moreover, Renata is the type of person who sticks to details that usually escape me. Through her influence, I have learned to appreciate each moment of life with the highest intensity. A few weeks ago, I woke her up in the middle of the night just to show her how bright and beautiful the full moon was—something I would never have paid attention to before I met her. Furthermore, I deeply admire her efforts in the hospitals where she works, and I am immensely proud of the determination with which she approaches the difficult obligations of the medical profession.Renata and I share a love of sports, which I have always been passionate about. I placed second in a state-wide judo championship in Minas Gerais, and I regularly practice skydiving, scuba diving, rock climbing, spelunking, and sailplane flying. By challenging myself, I acquire a more clear perception of my own limits, both physical and psychological. As a typical Brazilian, I am passionate about soccer, playing it at least twice a week. I have found that sports are a great way to make friends, and at Stanford , I look forward to joining The Outdoors Club and teaching peers how to play Peteca (a sport using shuttlecocks, very popular in my home state of Minas Gerais).This interest in sports is closely connected with my passion for nature, and specifically for fauna. Through my membership in Ambiente-MG, an entity that seeks to study and disseminate practices of how to use natural resources wisely, I have become very concerned about the criminal destruction of nature. I believe that mankind must progress consciously, taking good care of the environment. In Brazil, by visiting the Tamar project, which aims to protect marine turtles from extinction, I learned that individual action is the building block of change; with every turtle that is saved, the Tamar project makes significant progress in its ambitious quest.Given this multitude of interests and concerns, this is my ultimate aspiration: to look back seven decades from now and feel proud about my achievements. I feel that so far I have b een able to successfully balance the professional, spiritual, and personal dimensions of my life, but I am aware that I must work hard to make myself the very best person I can be to my family and to the world.At Stanford, I will pursue not only the top-notch graduate business education crucial for my future career goals, but also the even more important challenge of life experience. The Stanford MBA program fulfills my expectations in every sphere, and I am confident that its stimulating curriculum and dynamic environment will make an invaluable contribution to my pursuit of self-improvement.

The Filmmaker essays

The Filmmaker essays The art of storytelling has evolved since the dawn of man. It has been mastered by many and taken in all sorts of directions. Stanley Kubrick uses film to tell his stories, and he is arguably one of the best in his field. Kubrick was born in 1928 in New York, but he soon moved to England where he began making films. The process he took to make these three films: The Shining, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange will be examined. Stanley Kubrick released 2001: A Space Odyssey on April 6, 1968 (Hamilton 161). When Kubrick took the project he was quoted as saying, This film is an awakening, this is our future (Lloyd 17). Stanley Kubrick released A Clockwork Orange on December 20, 1971 to mixed public emotions (Hamilton 141). When Kubrick was asked about the violence in the film, he said, I am just reflecting what is in society today (Lloyd 18). Stanley Kubrick released The Shining in May of 1988 (Hamilton 101). Originally written by Stephen King, it was adapted to screenplay by Kubrick, as well as produced and directed. Kubrick believed in having complete control over his films. Kubrick also pulled the film from theatres just days after it was released to the public. He made changes, then put it out again (Sheperd 107). The Shining was shot at a hotel in Oregon for exterior shots, then Kubrick had the crew move to England where they spent almost a year filming the interior shots at Elsetree Studios (Kardish 96). The film is now looked upon as one of the best horror movies made, but if you were to ask Stephen King, he would tell you different. King was asked by Kubrick to help write the screenplay but was soon fired. Kubrick reported that he just wasnt up for the job (Larkin n.p.). King now says it is the worst adaptation to film of any of his books (Sheperd 112). Nevertheless, the film went dow ...

Places and Spaces in Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Places and Spaces in Art - Essay Example However, using several media effects, the images at times appear to be a bit artificial in form. The forms and figures becomes a little brighter than the works based upon pure manual work of art. Although this is the case, it is still obvious that even though media effects are incorporated within the art pieces, the message is still clearly sent to the viewers of the painted art. Meanwhile, the explosion of creative genius ideas on art characterizes High Renaissance Style. This style has been used through the stretch of years from 1450-1520. Now, the same style is being redeveloped along with the mixture of painting style with the latest media effects available through technology and computer application. The High Renaissance Style is known for its technical competence and its rich artistic presentation of imaginative design. The heroic composition of the images presented through this style is indeed shown through the use of harmony and balance of the figures featured through the produced artistic pieces. To have a better understanding of the artistic styles and presentations mentioned above, two of the most widely known art pieces, which have been revised and repainted by many painters on their own version, shall be examined. For the International Gothic Style, The Coronation of The Virgin painted by Gentile de Fabriano shall be observed as to how the figur es of its presentation where shown in connection with the message of the art work. For the High Renaissance Style, the version of Madonna ad Child by Lorenzo Di Credi shall be examined as well. The Elements of Creative Art Both paintings created by the painters mentioned above have their own characteristics that depicts the message each painter wants to send the viewing public. The following re the elements of art and painting that contributes to the said matter of concern. Hence, both paintings shall be analyzed as to how they are able to convey their message to their audiences. Space Analysis The 'Coronation of the Virgin' is more of a wide spaced painting wherein the point of attention is focused upon the arising 'Mary' towards the direction of heaven. This spacious factor in the said painting thus contributes to the sense of centralized visionary element that the painter would want to imply to the viewers. On the other hand, the painting of 'Madonna and Child' has a more intact space. This is mainly to denote the close connection of the characters portrayed by the images found in the painting. The closeness shows the relationship that exists between the mother and the child which is common to the actual events in the world. This factor helps portray the painting's touching message of the caring thoughts of a mother towards her child. Form "Coronation of the Virgin" has a form that shows femininity and the fragile aspect of a woman's character. The characteristics of being free and constantly changing is being depicted by the ascending picturesque of"Mary". On the other hand, Madonna and Child depicts the other side of the woman on being a mother. A caring woman who is able to support her young amidst all the challenges in life, whether easy or not. Design and Figures Both the design and figures of the paintings are used to show the elements of the images that are used to show

The Pay Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Pay Model - Essay Example Compare your ideas with someone with more experience, someone from another country, someone from another field of study. The Compensation is something that is paid to cover the opportunity cost. For example, if an employee makes commitment to work for the organization for the next five years it means he is ready to sacrifice his five years for one organization. These five years could be spent somewhere else in less time consuming and less hectic job. Therefore, the company must pay him the reasonable amount that can cover his cost of losing other jobs. The Most convincing definition from an employee’s perspective is the return. The return to employee covers both the entitlement, as well as, reward. The person who is more experienced has different perceptions regarding the definition of compensation. The compensation may be defined as risk of loss, whereas for a fresh employee the appetite for risk is high (Coppleman, 2004). Most of the developed countries may not need to think about the basic needs to cover in the compensation package but in developing countries, employee’s perception for the compensation may be totally different; the fulfillment of the basic needs may also be incorporated in the compensation package (Coppleman, 2004). Different fields require different level of compensation packages from the companies. For example, if the job requires frequent travelling, so the compensation may cover traveling, as well as, accommodation expenses, whereas if the job is totally desk based the compensation may be salary along with other perks (Coppleman, 2004). 3. What is the "network of returns" that your school offers your instructor? What returns do you believe make a difference in teaching effectiveness? What "returns" would you change or add to increase the teaching effectiveness? Network of returns refers to the fact that all bonuses, allowances and salary

Violation Early Childhood Code of Ethics Research Paper

Violation Early Childhood Code of Ethics - Research Paper Example Secondly, it also discusses some of the appropriate ways that could be taken to avoid such a violation. One of the most challenging ethical issues while dealing with children is food. Ms. Devan, an early childhood development teacher was implicated in an ethical case whereby the parents argued that she went beyond her ethical boundaries by allowing children to used food as playing tools. Precisely, Ms. Devan was using pudding as finger paint while teaching children how to paint. According to her, they preferred using edible pudding as finger paint since they discovered that the children were putting it on their mouth. Although there are ethical codes demanding that the health of the children should be given the first priority, she preferred using food pudding since it was safer than finger paint (Swim & Freeman, 2008). Although her actions were well intentioned, so many ethical questions are raised from such an action. For instance, the children developed a habit of licking the puddi ng paint directly from the table. This is certainly not hygienic. However, it is better compared to swallowing the regular finger paint that is sold commercially. The ethical case came into the limelight when one of the child’s mothers scolded her child for licking sandwich jelly that had spilled on the table at home. When she asked the child, the child affirmed that their teacher let them do it at school. Certainly, the child had learned a different thing from what was initially intended. The parent was worried that the teacher was not exercising the children code of ethics. The teacher also failed to realize that children could have learned that playing materials are good for consumption. This is certainly a violation of early childhood code of ethics, which demands that children be taught the right code of behavior especially during this important stage of cognitive development. Actually, the parent was even more worried that the teacher was wasting food while there were t housands of other children all over the world dying of hunger. Some of the ethical concerns raised from the situation demand a critical thought and consideration. Was the teacher acting safe by allowing children to play with food? Was it safe for the children after all? Did the teacher think about other lessons learned in the process? So many questions of ethical concern can be raised from this case. Undeniably, there is no clear cut difference between what should be done or what should not be done. This is even made more complicated because of the differences in ethical values between different stakeholders. Early childhood codes of ethics may not suffice enough to handle such ethically complicated issues. According to National Association for the Education of Young Children, it is necessary â€Å"To create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children’s social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development and that respect their dignity and their contribu tions† (2012). It is evident from the ethical principle that the teacher failed to maintain healthy settings, failed to consider the overall social development of the children’s behavior, as well as intellectual development. Needless to say, there are several measures that can be taken to avoid similar ethical violations. Firstly, the teachers need to expand their knowledge on childhood cognitive development. This would enable the teacher to make better decisions when choosing

Importance Of Audience Research Media Essay

Importance Of Audience Research Media Essay Market Research has become one of the most lucrative career option and is among the highest growing fields in todays scenario. The high growth of the sector is a testimonial to the growing demand of research across all industries, then be it FMCG, Automobiles, Finance or Media. With the new breed of young MBAs coming through, the focus now is on Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning. Thus most businesses want to reach only their Target Audiences and filter out the excesses as they consider it as a wastage of resources, both in terms of money and time. This is particularly true for the media industry, where we have a variety of products like IMRBS TAM, IRS, . This is because a major chunk of media revenues come from advertisements which again depend on audience measurement in reaching to their decision as to which channel to give their ads on. Thus a high TRP in a TAM would ensure that you land up with the best of the sponsors and command highest of the prices. The need of Audience research can be traced in the Psychology studies done by Kellner in 2007. Different people purchase the same items but for a variety of reasons referred to as necessity, social pressures , family pressures , convenience , inadvertence and economic reasons . The field of Psychology has provided ample explanations through theories made from researches and studies to make the understanding of consumer behavior , and its applications in a variety of ways , what it is today (Kellner , 2007) . Media research is done primarily to observe study and analyze the pre-behaviours of the viewing population as well as the specific human behaviours that are evident as a result of the influence of media post the media exposure. The study may be carried out by researchers which may include organizations and individuals who may benefit out of the study either through government mandated projects or private agencies or companies whose interests may have their greater impact by how their businesses Ideas or products may have their impact on certain populations targeted or reached by media. Reasons/Advantages of Audience Research There are several advantage for doing audience research. Depending on which reason applies in a particular situation, a different type of research should be chosen. To help in making a decision The research may involve a few very specific questions or a main area covered, through a small survey, or a set of 3 or 4 focus groups. To understand the audience Research may involve either a set of focus groups, or a detailed survey. In general, a survey will provide precise results, but will be less informative. Also, a survey will cost a lot more, and take more time. To demonstrate facts to outsiders Commercial media owners want to attract advertisers to advertise on their medium. Thus it helps to have data showing the size, demographics, and interests of their audience. A related purpose is a special-interest organization, seeking support from a funding body, and providing survey data to show the extent of public support for that organization. This type of information should come from a research, conducted by an impartial third party. To provide material for programs The research data about the audiences can be used by media organizations, to generate content for the programming. For this purpose, all research methods are suitable, including surveys, consensus groups, and informal interviews. To design your communication You need to know your listeners, if you wish to persuade them, as it helps to shape your message in a way that may be acceptable to them. You may also need to know about their specific interests or the relationship among the audience members. This is particularly important when the communication goal is to persuade, and not just to create awareness. Also you need to identify the issues that may trigger strong emotions in your audience. Media Strategy: Media Planning, Media Buying and Media Selling Thus audience research and analysis is essential in determining how you will build your strategy so as to reflect their specific interests and concerns. And the more likely is the strategy to succeed. Components of Audience Research What you should know A major component involves the social situation of your present and potential audience. These can include their experience, education, job or professional background, age, gender, ethnic background, cultural differences, and more. Here are some of the key questions that are to be covered as a part of the research. What is the coverage area of your media vehicle? What other media, and activities are competing for your audiences time? How are these people distributed across the coverage area? What proportion of the area population use your media? How often do they use it? At what times, on what days? What is your stations share of their available time? What types of people use your media most? In what circumstances do people use your media? Do your listeners share common interests? Whats their relationship to one another? What recent experiences, if any, have they had that could affect their readiness to accept your argument? What will your listeners expect from you? Are you prepared in any case to address those expectations? What do they already know? Acknowledge audience attitudes and concerns. If the audience hold a positive view about your topic and your messages, the focus of the research will be on reinforcing the views and the benefits your audience may get. If they hold negative views, youll have to anticipate their objection in preparation of your research. You may have to limit what you ask of your audience. Determining what can trigger strong emotions in your listeners-whether positive or negative-is an essential step, you need to take those concerns into account and through that, thus showing your own awareness and sensitivity. How much to spend on audience research Audience research can cost a little or a lot. The cost is largely proportional to the sample size and the amount of labour involved: there are few economics of scale with audience research. Some research programs specially permanent panels with TV meters can cost millions of dollars. As a guide, many large broadcasters spend around 1% to 2% of their total revenue on audience research each year. For an individual project, which needs more detailed research than usual, its common to spend around 5% to 10% of the projects cost on research. Exposure: The basic measurement of the Media Audiences Ways that Media Audiences can be measured Technically exposure means open eyes or listening ears facing the medium. Practically it is the measurement of people who say they are sure they have looked into or read a vehicle within a given period of time. Exposure measurements are different for different mediums. Media Measurement What it measures What it means Vehicle Exposure Exposure to TV or print media Open eyes facing a vehicle(or opportunities to see ads) Print Media circulation No. of copies distributed People or families receiving newspaper vehicles(no exposure counted) Advertising exposure Number of ads exposed per issue or per TV program. A gross counting of the total number of ads exposed in a vehicle. Advertising Perception Number of ads that consumer remembered having seen in a vehicle The smallest amount of communication remembered of ads in a vehicle. Advertising Communication The total amount of recalled material from ads in a vehicle Feedback from ad messages in a vehicle. Response function: media effectiveness The number of responses to specific advertising in a vehicle The effect of advertising on consumers (responses such as sales, brand awareness, attitude change, and recall of messages) * The Relationship among Media, Advertising, and Consumers, Principles of Media Planning, Basant Rathore. Three methods of measurement Diaries: The diary was one of the first methods of recording information. However, this is prone to mistakes and forgetfulness, as well as subjectivity. Data is also collected down to the level of listener opinion of individual songs, cross referenced against their age, race, and economic status in listening sessions sponsored by oldies and mix formatted stations. Electronic: More recently, technology has been used to track listening and viewing habits. Arbitrons Portable People Meter uses a microphone to pick up and record subaudible tones embedded in broadcasts by an encoder at each station or network. It has even been used to track in-store radio. Software: There are certain software applications being developed to monitor cable TV operators with full passive and permissive viewer measurement functionality to monitor television channel ratings. The system tracks every time the channel is changed and records it accordingly. It allows what was being viewed at the time and which channel the viewer changed to. This information allows operators, broadcasters and advertising media to monitor audience TV usage habits. Media Planners use Cost per thousand as a comparative tool, to compare one medium or media vehicle with another to find those that are most efficient. It can be used for intermedia or intramedia comparisons. For print media (when audience data are not available): CPM= (Cost of 1 page * 1000)/ Circulation For print media (when audience data are available): CPM= (Cost of 1 page * 1000)/ No. of prospects readers reached For broadcast media (based on homes or audiences reached by a given program or time): CPM= (Cost of 1 page * 1000)/ No. of homes or persons reached by a given program or time For newspapers: CPM= (Cost of ad * 1,000)/ Circulation Advance Measurements and Calculations in Audience Research Reach- is a measurement of audience accumulation. It tells planners how many different prospects or households will see the ad once over any period of time the planner finds relevant. It differs from GRPs in the sense that each person is counted once, thus it is an unduplicated number. Frequency- It tells the planner the average number of times or the extent that audience members were exposed to same vehicle or a group of vehicles. It is a measure of repetition. Effective frequency- can be defined as the amount of frequency, the planner judges to be necessary for advertisements to be effective for communication. Sources of Market Data Size and share of market for a brand and its competitors, and other information contained in a situation analysis, can be obtained by a number of syndicated research services. Other data can be obtained from periodicals, association reports, govt, and media. The most widely used syndicated research services are those of A.C. Nielsen, Information Resources Inc. , Audits and Surveys Inc., Mediamark Research Inc., Simmons Market Research Bureau., IMRB, TAM, TNS etc. Some of the audience measurement tools are as follows: aMap, aDex, TAM, RAM, WAM, IRS etc. Methods of doing Research Audience Measurement for each medium National TV: TAM peoples meter (w/ 8,000 homes) TAM and aMap Nielsen Media Research/IMRB TNS Radio: Diary in radio markets RAM(Nielsen Media Research/IMRB) Magazines Recent-reading techniques w/ in-person interview and a long questionnaire about their product use Indian Readership Survey Newspapers Yesterday reading (Which NP did you read yesterday? typically use circulation figures) Indian Readership Survey Audits and reports the circulation of various publications Internet Use national sample of respondents Measure the number of visitors, how long people stay in each page, how far they go, how many times they return Nielsen/NetRatings or IMRBs WAM Out-of-Home the number of cars passing each billboard on the average day (daily circulation) Case Studies Case Study 1: Kheda Communication Project *Source: http://www.indianetzone.com/42/kheda_communication_project.htm The Kheda Communications Project or KCP is a field laboratory that aimed at the development and local communication in Kheda district of Gujarat. This project began in 1975 and continued till 1990. The site chosen for the experiment was Kheda district, which is an area near the SAC headquarters in Ahmedabad. Thus Kheda Communication Project could broadcast either local television programmes or national satellite television programmes. Around 650 community television sets were provided to 400 villages and also installed in public places like schools, where village audiences gathered in the evenings to view the broadcasts. The research team involved Prof. Arbind Sinha and his team from ISRO living in the village for around 18 months, and doing an ethnographic study so and studied their media consumption habits. The stay was important so as to understand the reasons for their media behaviour. The project was a first of its kind experiment by the Indians in the field of audience research. Kheda Communications Project is believed to be a milestone in the history of Indian television. The Development and Education Communication Unit managed this project and produced the development and educational programmes that involved the local audience. Case Study 2: CNN America *Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500486_162-929913-500486.html In the early days of television, news directors had little use for audience research it was far more the province of entertainment programming. The network news was only 15 minutes, and with so little time, the focus was almost exclusively on which stories had the most journalistic merit. But by the 1970s and 1980s the news was changing: Local stations were expanding their broadcasts to an hour or longer, and the compelling stories of the day no longer filled the time. Producers needed to know what kinds of stories would keep the audience. And so they embraced research. Viewers, researchers concluded, wanted useful information stories that were relevant to the way they live their lives in addition to the traditional news. Suddenly, stories about health, finance, and consumer concerns began popping up on the local news. Soon the network morning shows turned to research as well. They had plenty of reasons to do so. Like local newscasts, the morning shows had longer running times, and research helped producers figure out which lifestyle-type stories best held an audience. The morning shows also relied on a team of correspondents instead of a lone anchor, and audience research allowed producers to see the audiences response to various on-air personalities, who in some cases played a larger role in the broadcast than the content itself. (Examples of this type of personality abound, though perhaps there is no better than NBC weatherman Al Roker.) And the research helped producers better understand the audience, which, in the morning, is divided into two distinct segments with very different needs: People who are in transit and watch briefly before beginning their day, and people who stay home and are more likely to be there for the whole two hours. The television advertising industry in India is a complex and dynamic one with media choices increasing everyday. New channels are launched; new genres are established; brands are targeting niche audiences. In this scenario there is a need to find a perfect channel fit for the brand. The financial risks are too high and one needs to take action immediately to make the best of every rupee spent, therefore, the need for an overnight measurement system. The heterogeneity amongst consumers and their diverse spending patterns call for a more robust system for audience measurement on a much larger sample size. Case Study 3: All India Radio *Source: http://india.gov.in/knowindia/radio.php?pg=2 AIRs Audience Research Unit(Largest Feedback and Research Support Network)- In the era of market driven broad casting, it may not be possible for any media organization to survive without feeling the pulse of their audience and knowing the market. This compelled the media organisation, particularly electronic media, to get the syndicated media research done to know the viewership/listenership of their programmes market potential for them. No broadcasting agency can afford to move faster without the viewership/listenership data in hand. The case of radio broadcasting is not different, the competition is intensifying day by day due to opening of more and more private radio stations but none of the upcoming radio broadcasting agencies across the country, other than All India Radio, has such a large in house audience feedback and research support network. The Audience Research Units of All India Radio provide instant feedback and research support not only to the in house programme planners producers but also to the sponsors, advertisers marketers. With the changing mass communication scenario particularly market oriented broadcasting, Audience Research Unit of AIR has also reoriented itself. Efforts are on to create the ripple of changes to curve a niche for itself among the sponsors, advertiser marketers. This is evident from the studies assigned to the Audience Research Units in the recent past by the various agencies. Besides the sponsored studies, the network of audience research continuously conducts radio listenership survey (RPL) in order to provide updated data to the programmers as well as the advertisers interested in mounting advertisements on AIR.

A good man is hard to find :: essays research papers

â€Å"I just know you’re a good man! You’re not at all common!†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Just some of the last pleading words of the grandmother in the story, â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† by Flannery O’Connor. In the story, the author uses colloquialism, point-of-view, foreshadowing, and irony, as well as other rhetorical devices, to portray the satire of southern beliefs and religion throughout the entire piece.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Flannery O’Connor lived most of her life in the southern state of Georgia. When once asked what the most influential things in her life were, she responded â€Å"Being a Catholic and a Southerner and a writer.† (1) She uses her knowledge of southern religion and popular beliefs to her advantage throughout the story. Not only does she thoroughly depict the southern dialect, she uses it more convincingly than other authors have previously attempted such as Charles Dickens and Zora Neale Hurston. In other works, the authors frequently use colloquialism so â€Å"local† that a reader not familiar with those slang terms, as well as accents, may have difficulty understanding or grasping the meaning of the particular passage. O’Connor not only depicts a genuine southern accent, she allows the characters to maintain some aspect of intelligence, which allows the audience to focus on the meaning of the passage, rather than the overbearing burden o f interpreting a rather â€Å"foreign language.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another device not frequently used before O’Connor is the transition between third-person to first-person point-of-view, the first-person being through the grandmother. In the beginning of the story, she describes how the each of the characters feel towards taking a trip to Florida, as well as hint at the relationships they hold for one another. Then the narrator goes on to describe the grandmother’s personal thoughts and feelings throughout the trip, as well as how she thinks towards the end of the story. We first see the first-person point-of-view when the narrator tells how the grandmother did not want to leave the cat at home alone because he would miss her too much and she feared he would accidentally asphyxiate himself with the burners on the stove. The reason this particular part of the story is considered first-person narration is because it goes directly into the mind of the grandmother, telling why she brought the cat along with her. We als o see this first-person narration when Baily’s wife is consistently referred to as the children’s mother, rather than by her name or as Baily’s wife.

Marketing Essay – FedEx Corporation

Fed acquired Kink in 2004 for $2. 4 billion, ‘expand[inning] its presence among small and midsized businesses that have long been Kink's main customer base'. Fed Chairman stated â€Å"it [was] supremely logical for [them] to offer arrives to the whitewall's and office segment that are analogous to what [they] offer [their] corporate customer base† (Deutsche, 2003). Fed has a more defined white-collar customer base, mainly consisting of â€Å"fast-cycle logistics shippers seeking time-definite morning deliveries† (Richer, 2009).Their services will meet demands for time-definite morning deliveries to wholesalers,' (ibid. ) manufacturing businesses, retail stores, and high-value goods. 10 Recommendations Although Fed has been successful in moving into the international arena, it still does not have a competitive advantage in the shipping industry. Its chief competitor, UPS, controls the ground shipping market (see Appendix A), guaranteeing them a large portion of the domestic market share.Fed should maintain a controlling stake in the express delivery market while increasing their market share in domestic ground delivery, by further differentiating itself from UPS through innovation and service offerings. Securing more business partnerships, even at slightly lower margins, will help develop brand loyalty. This is especially true of long-term contracts with large firms. Studies predict the international package market will grow by 5-6% in the coming ears, nearly double the expected annual growth in world GAP (Waistlines, 2014).Fed should continuously invest capital in Asia, whilst penetrating into foreign markets by partnering with local carriers. This will give them valuable insight into a relatively foreign and unknown market. Acquiring smaller shipping companies, such as Excel (I-J) or Suppose (France) also increases their international reach. Fed could seek alternative energy sources to reduce their operating costs. Investing in solar power or bio-fuels could help counter additional costs due to increased fuel prices.Fed should utilize economic aircrafts to increase their carrying capacity, thereby reducing the number of operating planes. Lastly, by forging strategic alliances with oil and gas suppliers, they could bargain for discounts, whilst curtailing the negative effects associated with volatile oil supplies. Looking forward, Fed has positioned itself for growth opportunities in the domestic and international arena. It has exhibited an exceptional track record of international expansion and good financial restraints during times of easy credit, proving it can operate successfully even in a tough economic climate.

These 6 part-time jobs come with benefits

These 6 part-time jobs come with benefits People want part-time jobs for a number of reasons- schedule flexibility, side hustle, and the chance to gain experience in a new field are just a few. But while part-time work is increasingly common, these jobs don’t always have the same features as their full-time counterparts, like benefits in addition to your salary or hourly wage. However don’t despair: if you’re seeking a part-time job with benefits (like health insurance, dental insurance, paid time off, etc.), it’s not necessarily like searching for a unicorn. Here are six part-time gigs (30 hours or fewer per week) that come with some of the perks normally reserved for full-timers.1. Registered NurseThis one may not seem like a part-time job on first glance, but it’s a career path that can be made flexible by taking reduced shifts or overnight hours. Nurses typically receive benefits through their employer, whether on a part-time or full-time basis. Becoming a nurse requires a minimum degre e in nursing (typically a bachelor’s), plus certification, so it’s important to make sure you have those credentials before you consider it for your part-time career.2. Bank TellerIf you have strong math skills and availability during traditional daytime â€Å"banker’s hours,† then you might want to consider becoming a bank teller. Some banks offer a full range of benefits to part-time employees including health insurance, retirement programs, and tuition reimbursement.3. Retail AssociateYou might have heard that retail companies are notorious for not having employee benefits, right? Not so fast. While unfortunately many retail companies do not provide benefits for their employees, there are large companies that famously offer benefits to part-time employees who work a certain number of hours per week, including the following:CostcoLand’s EndBarnes NobleLowe’sStaplesNikeWhole FoodsIt pays to do a little extra research on companies before yo u apply so you can see if these kinds of benefits that are available to non-full-time workers.4. BaristaSimilarly, some food service companies go out of their way to provide benefits to part-time employees, like Starbucks. Starbucks prides itself on offering healthcare coverage, a 401(k) retirement program, and educational reimbursement programs even to its part-time employees.5. Pharmacy TechnicianLike nursing, pharmacy technicians are health professionals who can set hours to turn a full-time job into a part-time one. These professionals work with pharmacists to dispense medication according to prescriptions and strict standards and work with customers to understand their prescriptions. Because many pharmacies are part of retail stores, the hours can be flexible.6. Logistics and Shipping AssociateCompanies like U-Haul and UPS offer a range of benefits to their part-time employees including insurance, a 401(k) retirement program, stock ownership, and educational reimbursement progr ams.So if you’re looking for part-time work, you don’t necessarily need to give up on the idea of having (at least some of) the benefits you’d enjoy as a full-time employee. You can have your flexibility and your perks at the same time. It may take some extra searching, but the research you do now will definitely pay off later.

Q in English Words

Q in English Words Q in English Words Q in English Words By Maeve Maddox A convention of English spelling is that the letter q is followed by the letter u. Very few English words omit the u after q. The most common that come to mind are foreign place names like Iraq and Qatar, and made-up words like qwerty, Nasdaq, Compaq and Qantas. In borrowings from languages in which the native q represents a sound unlike the sounds represented by English q, the q is usually anglicized to a k or a c: Qaballah>Cabbala Quran>Koran faqir>fakir Cabbala/Kabbalah: The name given in post-biblical Hebrew to the oral tradition handed down from Moses to the Rabbis of the Mishnah and the Talmud. Koran: The sacred book of the Muslims, consisting of revelations orally delivered at intervals by Muhammad and collected in writing after his death. fakir: Properly an indigent person, but specially applied to a Mahommedan religious mendicant, and then loosely, and inaccurately, to Hindu devotees and naked ascetics’ (Yule). Note: The AP Stylebook, founded 1953, changed its previously recommended spelling Koran to Quran in 2000. At the same time it changed the recommended spelling from Mohammed to Muhammad. Another earlier spelling was Mahommed, as in the OED definition for fakir given above. The most frequent pronunciation of qu is [kw], as in queen: acquire acquit aquatic aqueous aquifer banquet bequest enquire equal equine equinox esquire inquest inquire jonquil liquefy liquid obloquy obsequy prequel quack quaff quadrant quail Quaker qualify quality quantum quarrel quarter quartet quell quibble quiet quilt quinine quintet quip quirk request requiem require requite sequel sequin sequoia squab squalid squall squalor square squash squat squawk vanquish The second most frequent pronunciation of qu is [k], is found (mostly) in French borrowings: antique barque bisque bouquet briquet clique conquer croquet lacquer liqueur liquor marquee masque mosque oblique opaque parquet picque queue quiche The Spanish borrowing quinoa appeared in English as early as 1598, spelled quinua. The earliest example in the OED of the spelling quinoa is dated 1758. Quinoa is a plant related to spinach. It enjoys popularity among the health-conscious because of its high protein content and lack of gluten. The OED lists four pronunciations, two British and two American. I’ve heard it pronounced KEEN-wah, KIN-wah, and Kwi-NO-ah. Those in the know call it KEEN-wah. 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 Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Social vs. SocietalBail Out vs. Bale Out

Film report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Film report - Essay Example The discussion will do this by providing in-depth evidence as appears in Akira Kurosawa’s film, The Seven Samurai. The story mostly circles around a small village that is striving to protect itself from bandit attacks, a condition that forces them to form a coalition with their samurai, who in this case appear rather impoverished. Though the relationship between them is a strained one, they maintain a mutual bond that sees them through a tough wartime in which the community’s needs and individual selfishness dominate and succeed in portraying the theme [importance] of communism and unselfishness over individualism (Wallace n.p.). To start with, Akira introduces the theme of community spirit early in the film through the character Kimbei, who is one of the Samurais. To do this, his film highlights the importance of hair in the culture as we see different hair styles appearing on the heads of many characters. Then contrast cuts in when Kimbei decides to shave his hair so that he can trick some bandits into releasing a small boy who falls into their hands. He shaves his head clean so as to f eign the image of a village priest, and at the end of it all, he succeeds in saving the boy. The act of a Samurai shaving his head is sacrificed because the culture views shaving hair as a breach of the culture’s norms. Kimbei’s life does not go back to normal, but he takes up the role of serving and leading his community because he open up to realities that his community has needs that need addressing, such as protection from the bandits, and dedicates his life to serving them. Further evidence appears when he is seen opening up to his servant telling him that they would rather die serving. The perspective of â€Å"we† shows his call for oneness, thus communism. To further in this, Akira tactfully applies a direct quote through Kimbei at the scene where he forces a group of villagers to return to their posts during

Procurement Policy Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Procurement Policy - Case Study Example rights to a startup company's new drugs which was later turned into a new corporation worth $500 million a year. The end result of this engagement was that Merck sold 50 percent of its shares in the new corporation to Astra (Ghauri, 2001, p. 40). In so doing, consumers are able to acquire life-saving and life-altering pharmaceuticals in a timely manner. At the heart of this alliance is the notion that in order to effectively and efficiently manage a business such as Merck, there is a need for strategic supply management. In recent years Merck has embodied a strong shift from a predominantly domestic supply management strategy to one which has entailed global management strategies. This strategy operates under the assumption that procurement policy is central to the success of the company. This strategy can be characterized by two main elements: Arnold (1989) illustrated one of the most concise conceptualizations of the global supply management strategies utilized by Merck by delineating four very distinct procurement policy development stages. These stages are as follows: 1. The Traditional Procurement Policy. In this phase, the scope of the procurement policy is narrowly define and limited to domestic sources. ... One important characteristic of this phase is the understanding that there is no attempt to link the procurement strategy with the other components of the business process. Essentially, the traditional procurement process is somewhat haphazard and does not represent any long-term business strategy (Rai & Eisenberg, 2003). 2. International Purchasing. The second phase of the procurement policy is one which expands the supply sources to non-domestic sources. The underlying intent of this phase is to reduce the production cost by acquiring the necessary materials at a lower cost. During this phase, there is a systematic exploration of foreign sources with the aim of realizing a price advantage over its competitors by purchasing the raw materials at a lower cost without adversely affecting the quality of goods, the level of service provided to consumers and the delivery as well as the availability of goods. An example of this can be seen in the very presence of Merck in Japan. This can be both positive and negative with the positive implications very evident and a negative implication whereby there is limited American investment within the Japanese economy. Essentially, Merck's presence in Japan is solely for the purposes of acquiring materials at a low cost and exporting those materials for economic gain within the United States (Chen & Drysdale, 1995, pp. 141-142). 3. Strategic Procurement Policy. During this phase, the procurement policy of the organization becomes an integral part of its overall business strategy. It is utilized as a means of gaining a significant advantage over its competitors. One important component can be seen in the fact that global sourcing is exploited in such a manner as to improve the