Project Manager – Main Responsibilities

i) Project Manager – main responsibilities and desired traits Project manager has primary responsibilities for providing leadership in planning, organizing and controlling to the project team to accomplish the project objective in quality manner, within budget and on time as a cohesive group. [pic] Desired Traits Skills Effective project managers must posses a variety of skills in addition to general management skills.While certain necessary skills may be dependent upon the project, there are some skills that all project managers should possess. Leadership ability -create a vision an direction, inspiring the team, give empowerment, give motivations, appreciate and values the contribution by recognition, praise encouragement, establishing an environment of trust, high expectations and enjoyment.Ability to develop people – has a commitment to the training and development of people working on the project. Give the team an opportunity to add value from experience by gaining knowledge and more competent. Communication skills – the ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and regularly for the purpose of to have a good working relationship with the project team, customers and other stakeholders.Interpersonal skills- the ability to develop a relationship with each team member in order to know â€Å"what motivates them, how they think things are going, what concerns they have, and how they feel about things† Problem-Solving – the ability to anticipate problems, recognize them when they arise, and solve them quickly and efficiently Time Management – the ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage time effectively Ability to handle stress – the ability to handle stress that can arise from work situation.Negotiating Skills – able to interact with customers, sponsor, the project organization’s management, subcontractors, vendors and end user to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement on an issue. Conclusi on The project manager responsibilities of planning, organizing, and controlling are general management responsibilities. In addition to these responsibilities, the effective project manager must possess a specific set of skills that can be used to manage projects successfully. ———————– PROJECT MANAGER

Answers Pressure Ulcer

There are two main layers which make up the anatomy of the skin, the epidermis and the dermis. When pressure is applied to the skin the blood supply is cut off and the tissue becomes damaged. 2. There are three main types of force that cause damage to the skin through pressure. These are: . Direct Pressure 2. Shear or shearing force Friction or friction force 3. 3. How long does it take for pressure ulcers to start forming? It is different for each person, some are more susceptible than others.Previously people thought that pressure ulcers started forming after two hours, but this is now known to be inaccurate. 4. What risk factors make service users more susceptible to pressure ulcers? Give 4 examples. 1 . Age 2. Being under or overweight Moisture on the skin 4. Reduced mobility 5. Circulatory problems Lack of sensation 6. 7. Previous history of pressure damage 5. What areas on the body are common sites for pressure ulcer development? Give 5 examples. 1. Scalp 2. Shoulder blades 3. Elbows 4. Sacrum 5. Heels 6. Ears 7. Hips 8. An keels Answers (6-10) 6.Describe the method you would use to check skin for pressure damage. First look at all the areas which are common sites for pressure ulcer development for redness. If you find redness on the skin, feel the area with your hands to check for heat and press the area with your fingers to check for damage of the blood vessels. 7. How would you tell the difference between simple reddening of the skin and actual pressure damage? When you press the reddened areas, healthy skin will go white under your fingers and then return to its normal color, but damaged skin will stay red, which shows that the blood vessels are damaged. . In some cases people have had to have amputations and even died as a consequence of their pressure ulcer. True or false? True 9. What can you do to help prevent pressure ulcer development in service users? Give 3 examples.

Novel Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Novel - Coursework Example who compares human beings to androids and argues that they too can be controlled (4-11). Philip Dick also supports Shelley’s viewpoint noting that while androids may be capable of empathy, humans may be devoid of it (Dick 14). He believes that humans as individuals are not empathetic, but they can be when in a group. Octavia Butler perspective is different from the others’ because in her text, Doro who breeds people takes their humanity away (28-33). Therefore, the people bred lack humanity because their creator denies it to them. However, he seems to support the fact that human beings by nature are barbaric and self-centered. All the three texts show that human nature is difficult to understand and impossible to control. This manifests in the character of the society bred by Doro. In his comparison between humans and androids, Philip Dick also demonstrates the fact that androids can be controlled but humans cannot. This character in human beings also manifests in Frankenstein where the people are cruel towards Frankenstein apart from Victor, his creator, who at least showed some understanding to the monster. The most interesting book among the three is â€Å"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep in which the concept of androids is well understood by humans. Unlike in Frankenstein where people do not identify the kind of creature he is, no one is afraid of androids. They are seen as a humanoid race intended to challenge the supremacy of man. In this text, I learn that androids have existed for a longer time than monsters, something only a few people know. Androids have a more mature and established relationship with humans than monsters. For instance, unlike Frankenstein, who was one man’s work, androids were constructed by the entire society as â€Å"Synthetic Freedom Fighters’. Philip Dick’s â€Å"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?† changed my way of thinking. Like most people, I believe that androids are meant

World Slavery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

World Slavery - Essay Example Today, the most potent instrument of slavery is economic power as opposed to physical power. With most countries in the world joining the neo-liberal bandwagon, the power of money has established itself as the most potent instrument of perpetrating slavery. Previously, slaves would obey their masters for fear of the whip. But today, they do so for fear of starvation. Financial glottalization, euphemistically called neo-liberal reforms by most right-wing politicians, has contributed greatly to economic disparities across the world. In the thirty odd years since the initiation of the globalisation process, the income gap between the rich and the poor has only widened. It might be true that the Gross Domestic Products of several countries (especially those in Asia) might have improved during this period. But internally, the standard living for a majority of the population has stagnated or worsened. This kind of imbalance serves the interests of the rich perfectly, as they now have access to a desperate labour market that is ripe for further exploitation. It should be remembered that poverty is at its most severe in regions with high concentrations of wealth. This is why, prostitution has burst like an epidemic in Eastern European and South East Asian countries that have embraced neo-liberalism in recent decades. Since conventional notions of bonded slavery are not applicable in contemporary times, the parameters for evaluating its existence have to be modified as well. In this new understanding, slavery is closely associated with poverty. So if an individual is not able to eat two full meals everyday, or is unable to get access to basic healthcare, or does not have protection against natural elements, he/she can be said to be a slave. In this condition of acute deprivation, the individual will have no option but to take any work he/she is given at rock-bottom wages. In other words, the

Cyber Bulling and Its Discontent Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cyber Bulling and Its Discontent - Essay Example lack of legislative policies, several methods, such as prevention and endurance, concealing personal information and being positive, can help teenagers to avoid this online bullying trend. According to Andrew Solomon, prevention and endurance are among the ways of avoiding online bullying or real life challenges. He says that people should be cautious when interacting with others online, especially strangers and friends (Solomon, n. p). This is because it helps in avoiding negative reactions from others and making them positive stories. This implies that social media sites where users interact freely increases the chances of being a bullying victim since it attracts strangers and bullies to access one’s profile (Solomon, n. p). The viable way to preventing such interactive connections is by avoiding the sites and being tolerate not to be an addict. Solomon offers examples of interviews he conducted, suggesting that people will always fall victims to things that they accept (Solomon, n. p). Online harassment among the teenagers is widespread because they have allowed interacting and accommodating the bullies instead of avoiding their advances. I strongly believe that avoidance is suitable since it distances the bullies from the victims. Non-accessibility of personal details is another way of avoiding the online bullying. This implies that a person should employ security measures that prohibit access to unauthorized users. The stigmatized identities use information derived from the profiles that target a specific group of individuals. For instance, the race, faith, category or sexuality aspects are always the ones used by bullies to haunt their prey. Tyler Clementi’s death arose because of the sexuality aspect in which his roommates and friends victimized him online for being gay, which was untrue (Parker, n. p). Ravi and Wei had placed on Twitter that Clementi was seen under a blanket with another man. Clementi felt sad and embarrassed, which he could not

AI Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

AI - Essay Example Incase the machine fails to imitate such unintelligent behaviors, it fails the test altogether. The second reason is that some of the intelligent behavior exhibited is inhuman. The test is not testing for highly intelligent behaviors such as the ability to solve problems. It requires the machine to lie. In this case the machine is much intelligent than a human being thus it must avoid exhibiting more intelligence. Incase the test required solving a practical problem that prove difficult for a human being, the interrogator would definitely distinguish between a human being and a machine. But in this case, it cannot build intelligence beyond the ability of human beings. The machine is a good test of human intelligence. This is because it requires the two players A and B to deceive the interrogator and find out if they can detect. In the two players, there is a man and a woman. They can both deceive the interrogator into believing that they are either of

Database Design & Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Database Design & Development - Essay Example The data which is found in the table columns cannot be repeated. RDBMS are considered to be simple and flexible systems because data in tables is easier to understand. It can be considered flexible because users are not required to use predefined keys to enter data in the system. Users can easily add, create and access data whenever needed (Chaterjee 2005). Enterprise system can be defined as application software package that integrates the data in the organization to support processes, information access and reporting etc. RDBMS can be considered as an enterprise system since they also integrate organization information at one base which is then used for later access or modification. Enterprise systems are usually based on relational database. Both of these packages provide the user with a medium to automate their organizational process and reduce man-hours. RDBMS enables multi-user access to the data just like it is enabled in enterprise system. Main features of RDBMS; It can be defined as a relational model database server, which organizes data at in one centralized point for multi-user access. It ensures consistency and integrity at every instance in its execution. It is equipped with reliable reporting and security mechanisms. SQL is inherently transactional; therefore a transaction will start by an automated mechanism when another transaction completes (Woody 2009). This feature promotes isolation among the execution of transactions so that the execution of each of them is independent of each other. Some of its main features are; The basic type of data storage in SQL Server is a database, which can be considered as a collection of tables. SQL Server provides support for many data types like Integer, Float, and Decimal etc. It also offers the feature of user-defined composite types. There are several other things that are supported in SQL server other than tables; they are views, stored procedures etc (Delaney 2005). The

Death Penalty and the Adolescents Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Death Penalty and the Adolescents - Essay Example They argued that the death penalty was needlessly cruel, overrated as a deterrent, and occasionally imposed in fatal error. Along with Quaker leaders and other social reformers, they defended life imprisonment as a more rational alternative. Countries such as Venezuela and Portugal were the first nations to abolish the death penalty altogether (http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/thoughts.html, 2004).1.) Incapacitation of the criminal - Capital punishment permanently removes the worst criminals from society and should prove much cheaper and safer for the rest of us than long term or permanent incarceration. It is self evident that dead criminals cannot commit any further crimes, either within prison or after escaping or being released from it 2.) Cost - Money is not an inexhaustible commodity and the state may very well better spend our (limited) resources on the old, the young and the sick rather than the long term imprisonment of murderers, rapists etc.3.) Vengeance or retribution - Execution is a very real punishment rather than some form of "rehabilitative" treatment, the criminal is made to suffer in proportion to the offence. Although whether there is a place in a modern society for the old fashioned principal of "lex talens" (an eye for an eye) is a matter of personal opinion 4.) Deterrence - There are numerous and great examples that in those countries (e.g. Singapore), which almost always carry out death sentences there is generally far less serious crime. This tends to indicate that the death penalty is a deterrent, but only where execution is an absolute certainty Death penalty has been banned in many countries. In the United States, an earlier move to eliminate capital punishment has now been reversed and more and more states are resorting to capital punishment for serious offenses such as murder (http://www.duhaime.org/dictionary/dict-c.htm, 2004). The arguments for and against death penalty started with the legal issues concerning the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Furman vs. Georgia case. During this trial it has been argued that capital punishment is a law that is evidently "arbitrary and capricious." Racial bias is one of the strongest arguments for the 'arbitrariness' of death penalty (http://justice.uaa.alaska.edu/death/history.html, 2006).

Trade Balances Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Trade Balances - Essay Example The treasury notes has also grown the economy of China through keeping the currency weaker, hence the products from China becomes cheaper. Also, selling debts to China have allowed the economy of U.S. to grow through funding the programs of the federal government. Other factors that have led to this increase in debt level include the China’s strategy of keeping its yaun lower in value so as to ensure its export prices are competitive. In case the dollar falls in value, the government of China buys Treasuries thus increases the dollar demands. These leads to more supply of dollars, hence increasing the debt. This debt level is significant to the United States economy in terms of its credit worthiness with other trading nations such as Canada and the European Union. It indicates the possibility of U.S trading with others comfortably showing that it pay its debt well as dictated by it financial rations such as current ratio, debt ratios among other profitability ratios. This debt level has an impact on the value of US dollar. The government takes advantage of the falling dollar value and buys more Treasuries which leads to more supply of dollars to the U.S. (Cavanaugh, 1996). A debt level significantly reduces the value of the dollar against the owed nation in the world

Business website design Essay Example for Free

Business website design Essay Here are the sections which are included in this proposal Introduction A brief statement about the company and what is required from the client Client requirements Here is what the client would require from the website in detail User needs A description of the target audience and what they require and expect Objectives The purpose of the website and what it hopes to achieve Explanations for Here is why specific options were chosen as opposed to others reason of treatment Proposed contents What the website compromises of Human resources The professionals which are required to produce the website Breakdown of Breakdown of the tasks within the project project Introduction Zak Autospare is a medium sized business based in Huddersfield. The main line of business is a wide range of car products from car parts to car audio. The business has a large amount of clients varying from mechanics to people with need of car parts. There are five workers at Zak Autospare, one of these being a manager and another the owner. The new website will advertise the business nationally as opposed to being only local at the moment, it will allow clients to purchase via the web, the main emphasis here will be upon car audio and car accessories such as alloy wheels, seats, steering wheels, etc. The website will be an advantage to Zak Autospare because as well as trading over the counter they can make extra sales via the website, most buyers would be people requiring parts they need for their car and then ordering them through the website and within a matter of days the will receive those particular products. Overall the website will bring forward new clients as well as new business ideas and possible expansion of the business to other towns and cities. Client Requirements The clients would require a website, which projects their dedication to providing and efficient service which delivers quality products. The website will reflect the businesses image of being a reliable service and having an excellent after sales service. It will also state the low prices and competitively priced products, which customers can enjoy for a cheap price. The client will require the following from the website: * The site will be created in HTML as opposed to Flash since everyone does not have Flash and maybe be reluctant to download it * The site will be linked to a searchable database (linked to current database using Microsoft ASP) to allow its users (customers) to use the website easily and efficiently * The database will also include a search facility starting with the user being able to input the type of car they have and from there being given a range of options leading to the relevant car part or product * The company logo will be used throughout the website to achieve recognition and a unique brand and name. This will be the same logo which is out on the shop itself * The site will have to incorporate many images, that are quickly downloaded therefore large web space * An effective shopping cart allowing the users (customers) to purchase products confidently and securely over the internet. * Personal email address to allow sufficient contact between the business and its electronic customers while also allowing the ability for customers to query desirable products. * Separate pages for each category, i. e. page for wheels, page for engine parts, page for car audio, etc User needs. The main users of the website will be people who own cars (Class C1, C2, D and possibly A and B, these would probably buy car audio since it does not require as much work as fitting in a car part) and possibly mechanics from car garages, here they will order when they require particular parts and are not available from elsewhere. The user needs have been investigated and researched by asking questions to existing customers and people who have used the internet to purchase parts and accessories for their car, the following are profiles of possible users and what they will require from this website. User 1: Name: Harpreet Singh Age: 21. Occupation: Student Car: Ford Fiesta XR2i Internet shopper: Yes From this user what was found was, this type of user required the website to have images for as many car parts and products possible. They would like for the car audio section to have an image of the product alongside a full specification list, this will allow the user to view the product as well as reading up on the features and options of the particular product. They would also like the option of having an image of a car and then being able to change the wheels to different types of alloys which in return would give them an idea of how the particular alloys would look on a car. One of this type of user category would have liked the option of being able to test the sound quality of CD players, this obviously would not be possible but what was found from this was that most buyers buy CD players and general car audio because of its brand and alongside this they would also rely on the features the system carries to ensure they are happy with the product they are about to purchase. The user would expect the prices of car audio and alloy wheels to be reasonable and possibly given the opportunity of being able to do price comparisons with other similar websites. User 2: Name: Robert Mason. Age: 28 Occupation: Auto Mechanic Car: Renault Laguna Internet shopper: Yes This type of user would expect a large range of parts for a majority of cars. He would also expect many electrical accessories such as speakers, stereos and all forms of wiring and fuses. Both of these users have excellent knowledge of the internet and they use it for information and shopping and would both expect transactions to be made securely and deliveries within reasonable times. Objectives The primary objective of the site is to introduce ZAK Autospare to a wider range of customers and to increase their customer base. The rest of the objectives are listed below: Allow regular customers and new customers to purchase through the internet, which in return will provide more sales   Show full description of products available with clear images, which are quickly downloaded with prices alongside   Since the business already has a logo, a new logo will not have to be created, this logo will be used through out the website to remind the user whose site they are on and reinforce this name, so that when they think of car parts and audio they think of Zak Autospare. An email facility to provide thorough contact between customers and business   Show the latest range of products, which will be updated regularly to ensure customers have a wide and latest range of products to choose from * Ensure customer satisfaction with product guarantees and the option of returning products with in 14 days with a receipt and the product being unused, this is all currently available from Zak Autospare Explanation of reasons for treatment The initial idea was to create the website in Flash but after discussion, the decision was made to crate it using HTML. Even though the website would probably look better produced in Flash, many people do not have Flash and these people may not wish to download Flash in order to view this website, so it would be a better idea to produce the website in HTML instead. The owner and manager are familiar with HTML, which gives them a greater understanding as to how the website operates. Alongside this, the cost of the producing the website in Flash would be higher than a normal HTML site. The website will be linked to Zak Autospares current database which is produced in Microsoft Access 97, the two shall be linked using Microsoft Asps, the scripts will be of searching (searching the website through the database) as well as adding (when an order is placed) and subtracting (when an order is removed or cancelled). The reason for using Asp is because this is used by many websites and is also known by the manager of Zak Autospare. The Asp creation is cheaper when linked to a HTML site opposed to a Flash site, so this will help keep costs low. This option is ideal since most sites are connected to Access databases with the use of Asps, rather than business owners linking sites to databases produced in SQL, etc. At first it was decided that the site would be named www. zakautospare. co. uk but after discussion it was decided that this name was slightly long winded and not very snappy, so it was decided that the site would be named www. zaks. co. uk, which was an excellent name, snappy and punchy whilst being short and easy to remember but unfortunately this name was already in use so as an alternative the name www.zaksshop. co. uk was decided to be suitable, this name is still snappy and seems more friendly and warm. However the logos used on the site would still be named Zak, since this is the sign outside the shop itself. Images will be order from product suppliers and companies, such as Pioneer will give images of all their products. On the site itself there will be images of the shop itself, since it is very attractive with various lights, etc. This will give the user a feel of the business they are dealing with.

The Esl Website Evaluation English Language Essay

The Esl Website Evaluation English Language Essay The ESL website address that I am evaluating is http://a4esl.org/. This website is attempted to teach English Language and to help learner learn English as a Second Language (ESL). It is an approach to language teaching and learning and computer technology is used as a study aid. This ESL website is known as the Computer-assisted language learning (CALL). In the recent years, we could perceive the development of computer technology thus CALL is widely used as the supplemental instruction method to the teachers and the students. CALL supplements teachers and learners with the comprehensive exercises and those exercises are as stimulation to the teaching and learning process. It contains activities for ESL Students such are quizzes, tests, exercises and puzzles. As I browsed to the home page it listed the specific area that learner needs to work on. For examples, the grammar quizzes, vocabulary quizzes and crossword puzzles. In the main topic contains the level of instruction such as e asy, medium and difficult. In regards to learning the content, the application user shall determine which types of quizzes he or she interested to learn, for example if the learner likes to work on grammar, he or she will click at the grammar quizzes activities and choose the activities depends on the learner level of proficiency either you are in the beginner, intermediate or advanced level. The ESL website http://a4esl.org/ provides the users with varieties types of exercises such as multiple choice questions, close passage, fill in the blank and many more. In order to operate the computer, users should have the basic knowledge of terms related to a computer. How to operate a computer; switch on, using the keyboards and know how the functions of the keyboard. Users have to be familiar with the software in which using in the computer, for example Microsoft office. By getting an access to the website, the users should know how to connect to the internet and what sort of gadget used for connectivity. The users need to know how to browse to the internet explorer and search for the ESL website. For example, http://a4esl.org. and other website which is available and appropriate for learning English as a second language. I, sometimes did access with the ESL website but different from http://a4esl.org. However, the concept is laying the same objectives. Bear in mind, that learners have obtained the multisensory in learning therefore this application is able to evoke learners attention by stimulating their multisensory perceptions. No doubt, I would say that similarity concept for application for teaching and learning ESL is accumulating comprehension to English language and they are using style of drilling in their exercises. In addition, the exercises created in this website are more comprehensive compared to our textbooks that are used in schools. The exercises that have been created in the program are designed as in the form of parts of speech. Parts of speech are the basic types of words of English grammar. It has eight categories and the words in the eight categories are used to form patterns of English grammar and syntax. I have come across the Classical Method in teaching the language. The method is use in the application to be understood as the theoretical finding and positions and it is thought of as theories in practice. As mentioned by Brown (2000), Classical Method is focused on grammatical rules, memorization of vocabulary and of various declensions and conjugations, translation of texts, doing written exercise (Pg 15). For example, the grammar quizzes exercises in this application are letting learner apply their basic knowledge in grammatical rules; to apply appropriate tenses to the answers. Learner is not being taught for fluency but more emphasize on accuracy. Furthermore, Krashens theory of the language acquisi tion hypothesis focused on two fundamental theories of how individuals learn languages. According to Krashen, the acquiring of language divided into two systems that are independent but related. It is called the acquired systems and the learned system. Krashen privileges the acquired system when speakers are less concerned with the structure of grammatical rules and speak naturally. Contrary to the learned system, when learners engage in formal instruction likes studying the rules of syntax. Therefore, this website http://a4esl.org/ is precisely concentrates on the rules of learning the English language or so called emphasizing on the accuracy. Learners are taught by drilling and practicing from the activities. This website is seen as practical activity to English learners as it is easy access, varieties of activities and exercises and contain of listening, writing and reading skills. The overall principle of constructivist theory of learning is defined as an active process by accepting learner autonomy and focuses on learners. Learners need to be motivated in their learning process hence to variety their learning is by teaching different activities in classroom. Learner autonomy is the learner responsibility for his owns learning by having curiosity, initiative and persistent especially in using technology. In the constructivist theory, teacher is the facilitator and guidance for counseling and show direction. Hence, software is as alternative tool to reach learning goals besides the traditional way of learning English using textbook. This website encourages learners to explore what is internet access and the ESL website plays it part as simulation and modeling to learners learning process . As a result, learners are not bound to the same activities in the classroom such as learning is only based on the textbooks. I am not denying of the vital use of the technology in learning process. However, I am concerning more on the proper guidance by the teacher if it to be used in schools. Teachers have to take into account on students attention span. What if say they are bored with the application. I suggested the ESL website is used once a week to test the students understanding in a usual lesson in the classroom. Alternatively, students have the freedom to browse the ESL website when they are at home as drilling and practice. Teachers are still needed to clarify items that are not understandable. Also, teachers are needed to the situation of encouraging the authentic conversation as sometimes software application is rigid. The users do receive the answer instantly but in the form of explanation rarely not provided. This ESL website is useful to me as for now and the future work. I have no problem in operating the software and other application. Second, I like the external links in the website: http://a4esl.org.when it provided learners with numerous topics of an audio listening and speaking exercises. Third, this website is applicable and appropriate to all levels of proficiency that both school learners and adult learners can use these activities. This ESL website http://a4esl.org covered almost everything in English learning and teaching process. However, in the main topic grammar easy quizzes, there is no box to tick or click the answer that we want to answer but it supplied learners with answer straight away. Therefore, learners might peep to the answer immediately without an effort to solve it first. Hence, I suggested that all questions should supply with boxes for the users to tick their answers, and after finished answering than they can check for the correct answers. As for the sub topic error correction, the activity is to correct the mistake in the sentences given. However, if the users give the wrong answer it does not explain why the users did wrong in terms of grammar usage. It is recommended to supply the users with grammar explanation if users get the wrong answer so at least users are aware of the mistakes and understand the correct grammar rules to form the sentences.

A Study of Product Quality, Pricing, and Labeling & Packaging Essays

Businesses are responsible for the product they manufacture and distribute. This perspective will examine the ethical implications of product manufacturing concerning Product Quality, Pricing, and Labeling & Packaging. In this paper, we will discuss each of these topics and show how each aspect of manufacturing has it’s own set of factors. One of the first major aspects of product manufacturing is Product Quality. The responsibilities of a business are simple. Develop a low cost, high quality product that withstands the normal limitations of its use. Quality can be defined as doing the right thing, the right way, the first time, and every time. It is important this is understood from both the consumer and the business perspective. In short, the product will meet customer expectations, priced appropriately, and delivered as advertised. Within the business, producing a product the right way is the most effective, efficient, lowest cost, and most valuable way to produce quality results, the first, and every time. Product quality implies all standards are met, with minimal repercussions of poor quality, reducing the amount of rework and waste. Businesses developing products of poor quality are failing to do the right thing, or doing the right thing, the wrong way. In the case study I researched, H.B. Fullers, a St. Paul, Minnesota corporation, produces a shoemaker’s glue, called Resistol, which contains the neurotoxin called toluene . In South America, Fuller’s company makes a huge profit off this product, in large part due to the millions of street kids, called resitoleros , who sniff this glue daily. This poses a huge ethical dilemma. Does one continue to develop a product that is being used the incorrect and potentially unsa... ...roduct development to product placement, ethics plays an important role in the decision making process of a company. Ethics plays a large role in such a small aspect of a company’s product. Safety and Security, beginning with the packaging itself, is a moral obligation of any company. References Bauerlein, M. (n.d.). HB Fuller's Social Responsibility. Pangaea Publishing and Design for Nature & Peoples of the Earth. Retrieved from http://pangaea.org/street_children/latin/citypg1.htm DeColle, S. (2008). Why Wine is not Glue? The Unresolved Problem of Negative Screening in Socially Responsible Investing. Journal of Business Ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 5(1), 121. Shaw, W. H. (2005). Business ethics (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth. Velasquez, M. G. (2002). Business ethics: concepts and cases (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentiss Hall

Conflicting Visions :: Politics Political Essays

Conflicting Visions Generally, people share common goals. Most of us want: poor people to enjoy higher standards of living, greater traffic safety, fewer wars and more world peace, greater racial harmony, cleaner air and water, and less crime. Despite the fact that people have common goals, more often than not, we see them grouped into contentious factions, fighting tooth and nail to promote differing government policies in the name of achieving those commonly held goals. Often the policies may be unproductive and often have the unintended consequence of sabotaging the goal. Almost always the conflict is centered around the means to achieve goals rather than the goals themselves. A good example of conflict surrounding means is found in the periodic debates over minimum wage and tariffs. Many people profess concern for the welfare of low-skilled workers. To achieve their goal, one group adamantly demands that Congress legislate higher minimum wages. Another group professing the identical concern, are just as adamant in demanding that Congress not legislate higher minimum wages. Similarly, one group of advocates for greater employment opportunities might lobby Congress for higher tariffs and stricter quotas on foreign imports. Another group of people sharing the identical goal will fight against tariffs and quotas and lobby for fewer trade restrictions. How is it that people who share identical goals come to advocate polar opposite policies? One possible explanation is that they are dishonest and simply promoting their personal interests. Their political strategy is to express concern for the unskilled and greater employment opportunities simply as a ruse to conceal their true agenda: higher wages, profits and monopoly wealth. The more interesting question is why do people, who are assumed to be honest, intelligent, selfless and not motivated by a hidden agenda, arrive at polar opposite policy proposals as a means to achieve commonly shared goals, that may indeed produce polar opposite results? Part of the answer is that they share different visions of how the world works. Consider the effects of different visions by going back to a time prior to Pythagoras' and Ptolemy's proofs that the earth was round. Imagine two honest and intelligent people in 1000 B.C. One person's initial premise is that the earth is flat. Based upon that premise, he would argue strenuously it is not possible to sail west from Greece and reach the Orient. The other person, whose initial premise is that the world is round, would argue just as strenuously that it is possible to reach the Orient by sailing west from Greece.

Junk Food Research Papaer

It too can be tied in with so many children eating junk food and fast food. There are many reasons that American children suffer from obesity, like not eating healthy meals at home or school, no one to prepare healthy meals for them or simply, love to eat fast food and junk food. Despite limited evidence, there is a growing concern that junk food in schools has contributed to the childhood obesity epidemic. The IBM (body mass index) is a collected weight and height measurements of children who are overweight by eating fast food and junk food.They can run down to the local corner tore and grab chips and a coke for a meal which can lead to unhealthy results later. Studies have shown, that junk foods can lead to certain illness and diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, fatigue and even different types of cancers. Can relate to the serious disease, type II diabetes too well. My father and my late husband was diagnosed with the disease. Watched both my father and my husband gorg e on junk foods and unhealthy foods, then go give themselves insulin shots. I never understood the irony of that concept.Overtime, high levels of sugar and carbohydrates in junk food can lead to type II diabetes. Type II diabetes occurs when your pancreas makes little or no insulin, which help keeps your blood sugar level in the right range for your body. Having type II diabetes can potentially lead to other health risks if the blood sugar level gets too high and too often. High blood sugar levels can also have serious effects on your blood vessels by thinning the lining of them. Believe it or not, thinning blood vessels can lead to heart attacks and stoke in people.One of the main reasons that some men have erectile dysfunction is because the thin lining that the blood vessels and could be an early sign of something more to come. Because junk food doesn't contain the protein or complex carbohydrates that your body needs to maintain consistent blood sugar levels, your blood sugar le vels will drop suddenly soon after eating. You'll crave sugar and likely end up eating more junk food. Over time, this stress damages your body's ability to use the insulin secreted by your pancreas.A healthy diet can help maintain your body's insulin sensitivity. You may wonder if you have to give up all fast food once you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Common sense says that fast food is not likely to be on the preferred foods list for people with diabetes. A typical fast food breakfast can put you at or over your daily limit for fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. There are, better choices you can make to get the nutrition you need and take advantage of fast food's convenience. First of all, fast food doesn't have to mean eating the fatty offerings.Planning ahead is the key. Many fast food chains now feature healthier choices to eat and these are the restaurants you want to go to grab a quick and fast healthy meal. Doesn't seem like high blood pressure and diabetes go h and and hand. High blood pressure is also one of the leading cause and major risks of heart attacks and strokes. Fast food contains unhealthy amounts of sodium and fat, which can negatively affect blood pressure. About 90 percent of Americans eat too much sodium, according to the Centers for Disease Control.It's estimated that Americans eat on average 3,300 milliards of sodium each day, which is more than the recommended intake of 2,300 milliards, according to the CDC. Roughly a quarter of the sodium you eat comes from restaurant foods, estimates the CDC. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels) which carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means the pressure in your arteries is above the normal range. In most cases, no one knows what causes high blood pressure.What you eat can affect your blood pressure. Controlling your sodium intake is particularly c ritical as you get older, since blood pressure increases naturally with age. The risk of high blood pressure more than doubles once you reach age 35 and over. A single high fat, fast food could meal have a negative effect on blood pressure, according to a study published in â€Å"The Journal of Nutrition† in April 2007. In the study, healthy participants et two fast food meals containing 42 grams of fat on separate occasions, or two low-fat, non-fast food meals.The high fat, fast food meals caused blood pressure to rise and the heart to beat faster, compared the group who ate a low-fat meal. This data supports evidence that excess fat, particular saturated fat, contributes to sustained high blood pressure, according to the study. As you can see, national studies show how junk food can really be a negative substance to the body, no matter how good the taste.. Have you ever notice that you tired and fatigue, but you're getting plenty of est. every night, could junk food make yo u lazy or does being lazy make you eat junk food.Let's find out which one is more than other. A new study finds eating too much junk food doesn't only make you fat, it may also make you mentally slower or less motivated. At least that seems to be true in lab rats. New research from UCLA points found that eating sugary, processed, and high-fat foods can actually cause tiredness, a lack of motivation and decreased performance, according to a study published in the April 10 issue of Physiology & Behavior. In a study, thirty-two female rats were placed on one of two diets for six months.The first was a standard rat's diet of unprocessed foods like ground corn and fish meal. The second was made up of highly processed foods that included substantially more sugar, similar to a human junk food diet. After three months, the 16 rats on the junk food diet became much fatter than the others and they got lazier too. As part of the study, the rats were given a task in which they were required to press a lever to receive a food or water reward. The rats on the junk food diet demonstrated impaired performance, taking longer breaks than the lean rats before returning to the task.In a 30-minute session, the overweight rats took areas that were nearly twice as long as the lean ones. After six months, the rats' diets were switched, and the overweight rats were given the more nutritious diet for nine days. This change, however, didn't help reduce their weight or improve their responses. The reverse was also true: Placing the lean rats on the junk food diet for nine days didn't increase their weight noticeably or result in any reduction in their motivation on the lever task.These findings suggest that a pattern of consuming junk food, not just the occasional binge, is responsible for obesity and cognitive impairments. Have you heard of the term: you are what you eat? Well a person that eats fast food and foods that are high in fat and sugar tends to have a higher risk of contractin g bowel cancer. Although those high levels fast foods. Even though cancer us usually caused by genetic damage that happens inside an individual cell. There are so many different types of cancer that one can have like, skin cancer, blood cancers, colon cancer and even infectious cancer diseases such as AIDS.Some cancer can be contributed to high levels of fat in diets and unhealthy meals. Cancer is caused by a number factors, some of which we can control, and mom we cannot. One of the uncontrollable factors is the presence of gene mutations. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (APPC) recently filed suit against seven major restaurants and fast-food chains in the State Of California. McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fill-A, Chili's, Applause's, Outback Steakhouse and T. G. I. Friday's. The reason for the suit?These companies are knowingly serving food containing carcinogens without a health warning to the consumer. The APPC commissioned an independent laboratory to test gr illed chicken products from California outlets of all seven chains. Pulp (one of a group of carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines) was found in every grilled chicken sample provided for testing. Heterocyclic amines were added to the list of known carcinogens in 2005 and Pulp specifically has been on the California governor's list of chemicals known to cause cancer for more than a decade. Grilled chicken can cause cancer and consumers deserve to know that this supposedly healthy product is actually just as bad for them as high-fat fried chicken,† says APPC President Neal Bernard, MD. â€Å"Even a grilled chicken salad increases the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer and other forms of his lethal disease. McDonald's, Burger King and Wend's were accused in a lawsuit of selling chicken they know contains a chemical that can cause cancer even in small amounts. McDonald's, the world's biggest restaurant company, and the other dining chains were sued in a state court in Hartford, Connecticut.The complaint, filed by Washington based Cancer Project on behalf of two Connecticut residents, seeking a class action lawsuit on the behalf of people who bought or ate the grilled chicken from October 2006. It's time to consider that the only way fast-food restaurants will start sharing our growing concern for healthier eating choices is if we stop going. It's time to seriously consider the risk to ourselves and our children, and weigh those risks against the â€Å"convenience† being offered by fast food. We have other options.Fast food is not the only choice for busy parents. If you have a busy life and can't believe there are other option Fast food is relatively cheap, comparing with traditional food. It may cost as low as a few dollars with no service charges or tips at all. It is highly accessible, which many of those fast food restaurants open 24 hours a day 7 says a week with no prior reservation required, and is ready to serve as soon as when people have just finished their orders. People have the choice of to dine in, take away or even drive through for their meals.These advantages, which fit and match the city life style seamlessly, make fast food so attractive and irreplaceable. However, as the raising awareness of people's health in recent days, fast food has been accused as one of the major harms to a healthy life. Fast food, usually serves with oversized hamburgers and fries, contains excessive fat, both trans-fat and non-trans fat, causing serious illnesses such as obesity and earth diseases, and beverages, like cream soda and coke, contains overdosed sweetener, is one of the major reasons causing diabetic.Moreover, preservatives and flavor enhancers mixed into those frozen ingredients would significantly decrease the nutrition value of the meals. In conclusion, fast food is definitely quick, cheap and highly accessible. It is always ready on the fly, and seems to be a very good and simple option when people hope to squeeze their packed schedules for some time. However, people might mistakenly overlook the quality of food, in particular ingredients and nutrition facts, and jeopardize and risk their health.

Planning to Work Efficiently Essay

This activity is concerned with the way that you plan work for your team. You should: * Identify the targets set for your team, including the indicators that will be used to measure these targets * Identify which, if any, of these targets is related to efficiency and/or effectiveness * Use one planning technique to plan a job activity in your workplace and explain how you would monitor the planned job activity. * Explain why the supply chain is so important in delivering results and meeting your customer requirements. Mike Pevitt Bolton College mission statement Bolton College works with a wide range of public and private sector organisations, including the ‘Bolton Family’ of public sector organisations, to meet the education and training needs of Bolton, its geographical, cultural and business communities. The College seeks to contribute to the education and training needs of the region and sub-region and, in relation to some niche markets, it will play a national and international role. We will support social and economic regeneration and contribute to measurable business success and community cohesion through the provision of flexible, innovative and responsive high quality training opportunities, working in partnerships with employers, local communities, key agencies and training providers. We will create a high quality learning organisation which captures outstanding practice including a culture of continuous improvement, by providing inspirational, cutting edge teaching and learning which is responsive to the needs, interests and experience of all learners and leads to success. We will widen participation and increase access to lifelong learning opportunities in education and training at a variety of locations and assist all our learners to reach and maximise their full potential and progress in their learning and employment. Key performance indicators for the college and department are retention, achievement and success of the students, Functional skills feeds into all of these targets for the college as a whole and now also individual department who use the services of the  functional skills area. The current targets are set out below: – Ret Ach Success Under19 Long 1 89% 93% 83% Long 2 89% 93% 83% Long 3 87% 93% 81% The above targets are set for all teams within the college, this year the Functional Skills team have similar targets with the added support from other college departments to encourage qualifying students to attend, enrol and work towards passing their Functional Skills exam in Maths and English at the appropriate level for that student ranging from Entry Level 1 to Level 2. The aim of the Scheme of work is to enable the subject to be taught in a logical planned manner, to make the lessons interesting for both the student and the lecturer and to ensure that the correct resources in place to aid teaching and learning. The scheme of work will also assist in the retention of students on the programme by also allowing them access to their planned year of study and regular assessment to measure attainment and learning. So it is essential that as a team we can plan the scheme of work and lesson plans together and allocate various duties to members to gather resources or research new resour ces and report back to the rest of the team at regular monthly meetings. Planning At the start of the college year the Functional Skills team will met before the start of the first term to plan the forthcoming year’s scheme of work and effective lesson plans that all members can follow and be able to deliver the same programme to all learners whatever department they are in or their ability. The process involves the gathering of resources and planning a logical scheme of work which follows a dedicated learning process to enable the team and most importantly its students to achieve at their given ability level. This process can be perfectively demonstrated in the following Gantt chart. Development of Functional Skills maths staff scheme of work and lesson plans. The scheme of work is developed with regards the college targets and the Ofsted new inspection Framework standards so that we can deliver a well-balanced logical course to the college students to enable them to progress to their ability level and obtain the qualification. All targets set are SMART :- S – specific, significant, stretching M – measurable, meaningful, motivational A – agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented R – realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented T – time-based, timely, tangible, track able A goal would be to hold a weekly project meeting with the key members of the functional skills team or to organise and run a continuous test programme throughout the completion of the general scheme of work. Weekly meetings are monitored and progress is measured against each member of the teams own target areas. The team leader will also monitor on a daily basis using email to ensure that the members are on track and are not falling behind on what they have to do, The scheme of work has to be completed to enable the college supply chain to be maintained for other departments who use the functional skills team to deliver at least two hours a week of functional skills maths to those departments’ learners at the appropriate level. The general scheme of work and lesson plans will enable the other staff members to step in if a colleague is off for any reason they will know exactly what lesson should be delivered that week because they will be delivering the  same one to their usual classes. This means that the learner does not miss out on their lessons and will also enable them to achieve, this will also impact on that department as functional skills now forms part of their own performance criteria so a seamless delivery can only assist in the attainment of the department success.

Edm Influence

In the last decade Electronic Dance Music, or EDM, has made a complete 180 in the United States. It has shifted from a genre that was mostly underground with few listeners into popular music. Not only has it begun to top billboards, but it has influenced artists of many other genres to â€Å"hop on the bandwagon† and begin using it in their songs as well. From commercials to theme songs of popular television programs, the influx of EDM can be seen throughout American society.One of the biggest changes EDM has brought to the music industry is that due to most of the artists’ knowledge of computers, not to mention the day and age we live in where we are all connected over the internet, they are able to take advantage of communicating and promoting over the internet to reach out to their fans. This allows these artists to listen to their fans and give them what they are asking for.Contrary to the EDM artists, many rock and pop artists have â€Å"used and abused them [fans ], sold them overpriced CDs, tried to sell them music they didn't like by using stupid gimmicks† (Doherty) causing them to lose their foothold on the charts and allow EDM to step right in. The influences of EDM can also be seen by looking at pop artist and the way their songs have begun using more electric beats and styles. â€Å"Katy Perry's ‘Fireworks' and Rihanna's ‘Only Girl' [were] both co-produced† (Doherty) by electro-house artists and one of Britney Spears’ newer songs, ‘Hold It Against Me,’ also included signs of dubstep.On Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaborative album ‘Watch the Throne’ the song ‘Who Gon Stop Me’ has a sample from a very popular EDM song by Flux Pavilion called ‘I Can’t Stop. ’ The most surprising influence of EDM on an artist, however, can be placed on Taylor Swift. In her new album ‘Red’ she has a song called ‘22’ which features many e lectronic and upbeat rhythms in it. These are only a few of the many artists that have incorporated electronic music into their songs and in doing so helped to render EDM even more widespread and dominant in today’s music industry.EDM also has begun showing up in music festivals, on television, and in movies. â€Å"It’s artists headline huge festivals†¦ its hooks soundtrack commercials; its textures bolster movie scenes† (Doherty). The EDM music festivals have grown very popular in the last decade, Deadmau5, a famous EDM Dj, compares one of these festivals in the 90’s to one a few years ago and recalls â€Å"[there were] only about 4-5000 people, but it was huge at the time. You go out to L. A. now, to Gary Richards' Hard parties — he gets 20-40,000. The Dj’s are bringing a visual and physical experience for the audience during these festivals by having laser shows and visual graphics appear while their music plays. Television commerci als have also started to embrace this trend. Microsoft included and promoted Alex Clare’s ‘Too Close’ in their commercial for the new Internet Explorer. This commercial boosted Alex Clare’s career, before the commercial he was only known in the U. K. In a final form of media the movies have also assimilated EDM into their soundtracks. ‘Tron: Legacy’ had a soundtrack that was almost entirely devoted to EDM.Because of all this assimilations into mass media of all forms, EDM’s influence in the United States has only grown more rapidly and stronger. It seems that one cannot go a day without hearing a song under this genre; it surrounds and influences pop culture every day. Similar to rock and roll in the 1950’s, EDM has experienced demonization from parents and threats of legislation over the concern â€Å"fueled by concern over the ecstasy-related deaths. † These laws see â€Å"electronic music itself as a gateway to social degradation† (Doherty) and seek to disassemble EDM.According to Josh Glazer, editor of URB magazine, â€Å"It may cause a cooling down period, but in the end, electronic music, festivals, etc. , are simply not something that will ever be halted. There is both too much demand and too much economic incentive. † If the law were to shut down EDM then many business and individuals would be left bankrupt or jobless. Although this may seem dismal and unfair in the present, rock and roll received the same kind of â€Å"critique which now seems quaint and ridiculous. †In conclusion EDM has brought about many social and cultural effects due to the changes it created to the industry. Through its artists’ computer knowledge they have brought about a greater fan/artist connection along with allowing any aspiring artist the ability to create his/her own music just by downloading different software. Finally EDM has influenced mainstream pop artists, directors, and market ing agencies to incorporate a more electrical and up beat sound to their music, ads, or movies because it appeals to the young audiences.

My Blooms Taxonomy

Jake Hunter Instructor Peters Student Success 0200 31 October 2012 Bloom’s Taxonomy Essay I learned a lot of new ways in order to make myself a better student in student success. The 4 main skills I found most useful to me were note taking, time management, critical thinking, and reading. These 4 skills used together will make all the difference in school and grades. This class has showed many others useful tools but these are my most interested skills that I have learned and become interested in.Well with critical thinking Ill asked myself questions such as what did I just read and what if I had a test right now could I apply what I just learned. Applying what you’ve read is very important and studying and reviewing over what you’ve read is the most important thing. Why did I read this? Why am I taking notes? Applying the why to note taking and time management and the other 4 skills I find helpful helps me clarify what I’m doing. I’ve had encounter s when I ask myself why didn’t I read that information sooner or why didn’t I study and review over my notes I had taken?Why couldn’t I of managed my time better? Asking me these questions every day and trying to make solutions for them help me and will help anyone else. The important facts I learned about each of these skills in that they are not only helpful in school but at home and the workplace to. Note taking can be used anywhere even at home or work. All of these skills will help you become a better individual and allow you to create a better sense of who you are and how you learn.In time management you have ask yourself questions so that you can fit everything in your schedule. I plan to use my note taking skills in all my classes and outside of class so that I can review all of the information I need to every day right after I have a lecture or after work so I don’t forget my job duties. There is no such thing as too much studying and reviewing a nd reviewing makes things less cloudy so you have fewer questions to ask yourself.I’ll use my time management skills to better schedule due dates and test schedules so they bite my from behind and so I won’t forget about planning time for work and studying so I can make a decent grade on my final exams or important tests. Reading my information over and over will help my comprehend it better and leave less room for cloudiness and allow myself to have less and less questions about the information I need to learn so I can make a better grade on my tests and other assignments.I plan to do everything differently such as taking notes and studying a lot more physically. I plan to apply as much energy into my reviewing as much as I do in sports or in other activities. Reviewing and reviewing will help me understand things better and allow myself to be a better person and student. I plan to manage my time better and allow myself to create better schedules to get important thin gs done without sacrificing time for unimportant things. These skills will affect my life tremendously. Not only will it make me a better student but make things a lot easier.These skills I’ve learned through this class have opened new doors and have showed me what I am actually capable of. I will learn these skills throughout my entire life and they will allow things to be much easier for me. The strategy’s I learned in note taking such as applying much more energy into reviewing information and reviewing it over and over so it won’t seem cloudy will help me increase my knowledge while disciplining me in becoming a better student. Managing my time will not only help me with school task but for family and work also.

Assess the Contribution of Marxism to Our Understanding of the Role of Education Essay

Using material from Item A and elsewhere assess the contribution of Marxism to our understanding of the role of education. As mentioned in Item A, Marxists take a critical view of the role of education. They see society as based on class divisions and capitalist exploitations. The capitalist society is a two class system as mentioned in Item A and it consists of a ruling class, the bourgeoisie and the working class, the proletariat. The bourgeoisie exploits the proletariat according to Marxists and they believe that the education system only serves the needs and interests of the ruling class, as mentioned in Item A.  Marxists also education as functioning to prevent revolution and maintain capitalism. According to Louis Althusser, the state consists of two elements or apparatuses, both which work to keep the bourgeoisie in power. Firstly, the repressive state apparatuses (RSAs), which maintain the rules of the bourgeoisie by force or the threat of it. The RSAs include the police, courts and army. When necessary they use physical force to repress the working class. Secondly, the ideological state apparatuses (ISAs), as mentioned in Item A, maintains the rule of the bourgeoisie by controlling people’s ideas and beliefs. The ISAs include religion, the mass media and the education system. In Althusser’s view, the education system is an important ISA and it performs two important functions. Firstly, it reproduces class inequality by transmitting it from generation to generation, by failing each successive generation of working class pupils in turn, as mentioned in Item A. secondly; it legitimates class inequality by producing ideologies that disguise its true cause. The function of ideology is to persuade workers to accept that inequality is inevitable and that they deserve their subordinate position in society. If they accept these ideas, they are less likely to challenge or threaten capitalism, as mentioned in Item A. Other Marxists such as Bowles and Gintis develop these ideas further. They argue that capitalism requires a workforce with the kind of attitudes, behaviour and personality type suited to their role as alternated and exploited workers willing to accept hard work, low pay and orders from above. In this view, the role of the education system in capitalist society is to reproduce an obedient workforce that will accept inequality as inevitable. From their own studies of 237 New York high school students and their findings of other studies, Bowles and Gintis concluded that schools reward precisely the kind of personality traits that make for a submissive, complaint worker. For instance, they found that students who showed independence and creativity tended to gain low grades, while those who showed characteristics linked to obedience and discipline such as punctuality, tended to gain high grades. From this evidence they concluded that schooling helps to produce the obedient workers that capitalism needs. They do not believe that education fosters personal development. Rather, it stunts and distorts students’ developments. Bowles and Gintis argue that schooling takes place in ‘the long shadow of work’ i. e. work influences education, resulting in close parallels between schooling and work in capitalist society. Relationships and structures found in education mirror or correspond to those of work, hence known as the correspondence principle. For example, in school in a capitalist society reflects work in a capitalist society by distinguishing between the authority and where people fit in the hierarchy; the hierarchy in the school is with the head teacher at the top and then teacher and students and similarly in a workplace there is the head of company followed by department managers and workers. The correspondence principle is seen to operate through the hidden curriculum, which refers to all the things that students learn at school without being formally taught those things. For example, punctuality, conformity and obedience are taught through the hidden curriculum. This is different from the formal curriculum, which refers to the knowledge and skills pupils are taught explicitly in lessons such as math and science. The hidden curriculum therefore consists of ideas, beliefs, norms and values which are often taken for granted and transmitted as part of the normal routines and procedures of school life. Bowles and Gintis argue that it is through the hidden curriculum that the education system prepares us for our future as workers in capitalist society. Bowles and Gintis also argue that in order to prevent rebellion from those disadvantaged by the inequalities of capitalism, it is necessary to produce ideologies that explain and justify inequality as fair, natural and inevitable. If people think inequality is justified then they are less likely to challenge the capitalist system. According to Bowles and Gintis, the education system plays a key role in producing such ideologies. They describe the education system as a giant ‘myth making machine’ and focus on how education promotes the ‘myth of meritocracy’. Meritocracy refers to a system where everyone has an equal opportunity to achieve, where rewards are based on ability and effort. This means that those who gain the highest rewards and status deserve it because they are the most able and hardworking. Bowles and Gintis argue that meritocracy does not actually exist. Evidence showed that the main factor determining whether or not someone has a high income is their family and class background, not their ability or educational achievement. By distinguishing this fact, the myth of meritocracy serves to justify the privileges of the higher classes, making it seem that they gained them through open and fair competition at school. This helps persuade the working class to accept inequality as legitimate, and makes it less likely that they will seek to overthrow capitalism. The education system also justifies poverty, through what Bowles and Gintis describe as the ‘poor-and-dumb’ theory of failure. It does so by blaming poverty on the individual rather than blaming capitalism. It therefore plays an important part in reconciling workers to their exploited position, making them less likely to rebel against the system. All Marxists agree that capitalism cannot function without a workforce that is willing to accept exploitation. Likewise, all Marxists see education as reproducing and legitimating class inequality. That is, it ensures that working class pupils are slotted into and learn to accept jobs that are poorly paid and alienating. However, whereas Bowles and Gintis see education as a fairly straightforward process of indoctrination into the myth of meritocracy, Paul Willis’ study shows that working class pupils can resist such attempts to indoctrinate them. As a Marxist, Willis is interested in the way schooling serves capitalism. However, he combines this with an interactionist approach that focuses on the meanings pupils give to their situation and how these enable them to resist indoctrination. Through his study, Willis found that the lads (12 working class boys), form a distinct counter-culture opposed to the school. They are scornful of the conformist boys who they call the ear’oles. The lads find school boring and meaningless and they flout its rules and values, for example by smoking and drinking, disrupting classes and playing truant. These acts are a way of resisting school. They reject a ‘con’ the school’s meritocratic ideology that working class pupils can achieve middle class jobs through hard work. Willis notes the similarity between this anti school counter-culture and the shop floor culture of male manual workers. Both cultures see manual work as superior and intellectual ork as inferior and effeminate and this explains why they see themselves as superior both to girls and effeminate ear’oles to aspire to non manual jobs. Their resistance explains why they end up in these very jobs themselves- inferior in terms of pay and conditions- that capitalism needs someone to perform. For example, having been accustomed to boredom and to finding ways of amusing themselves in school, they don’t expect satisfaction from work and are good at finding diversions to cope with the tedium of unskilled labour. Marxist approaches are useful in exposing the myth of meritocracy. They show the role that education plays as an ideological state apparatus, serving the interests of capitalism by reproducing and legitimating class inequality. However, postmodernists criticise Bowles and Gintis’ correspondence principle on the grounds that today’s post-Fordist economy requires schools to produce a very different kind of labour force from the one described by Marxists. Postmodernists argue that education now reproduces diversity, not inequality. Marxists disagree with one another as to how reproduction and legitimation take place. Bowles and Gintis take a deterministic view. That is, they assume that pupils have no free will and passively accept indoctrination. This approach fails to explain why pupils ever reject the school’s values. By contrast, Willis rejects the view that school simply ‘brainwashes’ pupils into passively accepting their fate. By combining Marxists and interactionist approaches he shows how pupils may resist the school and yet how this still leads them into working class jobs. However, critics argue that Willis’ account of the lads romanticizes them, portraying them as working class heroes despite their anti social behaviour and sexist attitudes. His small scale study of only 12 boys in one school is also unlikely to be representative of other pupils’ experience and it would e risky to generalize his findings. Critical modernists such as Raymond Morrow and Carlos Torres criticise Marxists for taking a class first approach that sees class as the key inequality and ignores other all other kinds. Instead, like postmodernists, Morrow and Torres argue that society is now more diverse. They see non-class inequalities, such as ethnicity, gender and sexuality, as equally important. They argue that sociologists must explain how education reproduces and legitimates all forms of inequality, not just class, and how the different forms of inequality are inter-related. Feminists make a similar point. For example, as Madeleine Macdonald argues, Bowles and Gintis ignore the fact that schools reproduce not only capitalism, but patriarchy too as females are largely absent from Willis’ study. However, Willis’ work has stimulated a great deal of research into how education reproduces and legitimates other inequalities.

Database Configurations Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Database Configurations - Assignment Example Most organizations do not rely on a single database configuration to be followed across the board. The purpose of having multiple database configurations and settings is similar to the principle of hedging or diversifying risk – the multiple configuration serve as barriers to employees who wish to internally cause damage, collect data about the company or use the information for unauthorized purposes (like selling to a third party). Multiple database configurations can come in various forms: having dedicated database servers, multiple platforms like SQL, Oracle and MySQL and a mix of the above. The idea is that organizations and their IT managers feel safer when information and their data sources are scattered across various configurations. This allows them to reduce the risks of data losses and hacking. The former is avoided because if there is a data failure, then it is likely to be restricted to the particular configuration only due to the fact that multiple configurations are often needed to be enforced across different physical data sources. As for hacking it is important to have different configurations because it restricts the success of hackers, viruses and other automated attempts to gain unauthorized access to data.

John Stuart Mill's principle of liberty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

John Stuart Mill's principle of liberty - Essay Example I prefer this definition of public policy because it establishes a direct connection between expectations of a society and the effectiveness of their embodiment by governments. With such observations in mind, let us try to find out to what extent, if at all, John Stuart Mill's principle of liberty is a workable and attractive basis for public policy in light of real-life challenges. ... ills principle to public policy, because in the latter case we may fail to exactly identify aspects of the principle that cause difficulties in its practical implementation as a basis for public policy. Besides, the fact Mill himself differentiated between the spheres of application of the principle of liberty in positive (freedom for personal development) and negative (knowledge that our freedom from harmful interference of others is protected) ways suggests that for him, as a utilitarian, this differentiation was needed in order to provide a practically applicable frame for his moral philosophy. Indeed, while for Mill the maximisation of happiness serves as the moral end, he realises that the task of distribution of limited amount of goods that can promote happiness requires the establishment of strict social norms violation of which should be punished for the common benefit. The first part of the Millian principle of liberty, which declares that a person has the right to do whatever he or she wants and be free from the interference from other people, stems from Mills principle of utility "grounded on the permanent interest of man as a progressive being".1 By this Mill implies that the choice of forms of governance should be based on their capacity to promote development of faculties of each individual, which would generally increase moral freedom, responsibility, and rationality among people, thus leading to more happiness. This aim is justified by the fact that free personal development is an end for each individual, and at the same time is a proper way for the whole society to thrive.1 So, it is after all the utility that dictates the best forms of social life.2 Therefore, with the personal development being the basic value, Mill states that liberty, insofar as it

Bacterial biofilms and disease PowerPoint Presentation

Bacterial biofilms and disease - PowerPoint Presentation Example Different bacterial species specifically attach to different surfaces and could aggregate with other species or a combination of species. The organization and structure of biofilms are elaborate. Channels are present for the circulation of nutrients. The different regions show different expression of genes, pointing to functional heterogeneity. Sessile or attached biofilm communities can give rise to nonsessile microbes that can rapidly multiply and disperse. Thus, bacterial biofilms are not easily eradicated by conventional antibiotic therapy, which can lead to chronic bacterial infections. Some biofilms have beneficial effects, i.e. the prevention of colonisation of tissues by exogenous pathogens ("colonisation resistance"). Biofilms prevent pathogen colonisation is due to the production of acids, hydrogen peroxide, biosurfactants. In some cases, the disappearance of protective biofilm indicates the presence exogenous pathogens. Dental plaque, found on teeth surface also protects by the same mechanism. The proliferation of biofilms in certain cases can result in biofilm that can cause medical diseases such as caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Aside from oral infections, use of implantable medical devices and impairment in the individual’s host defence mechanism results in biofilm diseases. Acute infections can be treated effectively with antibiotics except those that are caused by antibiotic resistant strains. However, many infectious diseases are caused by bacterial species by bacteria that are common in the environment or are living in the human bodies. However, more than half of the infectious diseases that affect mildly compromised individuals involve bacterial species that are commensal with the human body or are common in our environments. Surfaces of medical devices that are used in diagnosing or treating bacterial infections can harbour the presence of slime-encased bacteria (Table 1 and Figure 2). Chronic bacterial infections that are

Why Do Firms Become Multinational Enterprises Essay

Why Do Firms Become Multinational Enterprises - Essay Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that the characteristic of MNE is that the company links together its affiliates with a common strategic vision and draws on a common pool of assets, information, human resources, trademarks, and patents. Before making a decision to establish a subsidiary abroad the firm should have the proper reasoning for this strategic decision. There are many different motivating factors or reasons for why firms become multinational enterprises. While some firms might pursue only one reason as priority based on its strategic direction, other firms might be influenced by a multitude of reasons. These reasons are classified into four broad categories. Each of these categories has a subset of reasons and factors, which also should be discussed in greater detail. Below is provided a more detailed overview of these groupings. Very often firms need resources, which are not available or accessible in their home countries. In order to solve t his problem, MNEs are often pursuing a strategy of investing abroad and thus to acquire or gain access to the resources that are either more costly in the home country than in foreign country or are not accessible/available at home country. In order to solve this problem, MNEs are often pursuing a strategy of investing abroad and thus to acquire or gain access to the resources that are either more costly in the home country than in foreign country or are not accessible/available at home country.

Mustafa Kemal Atatrk Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Mustafa Kemal Atatrk - Research Paper Example Due to this decision, Turkey, under leadership from Mustafa, fought with three different enemies- The French, Greek and Armenian forces. He was able to defeat the Armenian forces and the Greeks due to heavy influx of arms and gold from the Russian Bolshevik government. The Greeks were able to extend their occupation of Ottoman land by a considerable extent up until Mustafa Kemal pushed the forces back and eventually launched an all-out attack, made effective due to the complacency on the part of the Allies towards his growing hold over their captured territories. Unfortunately, the Armenian genocide is one blotch on Mustafa’s military record. Under the Treaty of Sevres, the Armenian population was given certain safeguards to lands claimed by them. However the Allies, knowing fully well that the Armenians would need support until they could rebuild and develop, left the people to their own devices. Kemal then breached the frontier, forced the Armenians to renounce their claims for Turkish-Armenia, break the treaty of Sevres and even cede Russian Armenian districts (Hovannisian). The atrocities conducting by Mustafa Kemal’s ruling party, through the trio of Enver, Cemal and Talat Pasha (Freedman) will forever stain his record. On the fateful day of the 29th of October 1923, the Republic of Turkey was presented to the world and with it, Mustafa Kemal Attaturk the first president of the newly born state. He then set about the task of modernizing the state of Turkey, with economic, social and political reforms that were loosely based on the successful Western states. The most noticeable, and first reform he issued, was that of the ideology of the state. Mustafa Kemal believed in the... This research paper talks about Mustafa Kemal Ataturk as great person who make a huge mark on history of Turkey. His surname, Atatà ¼rk (meaning "Father of the Turks"), was granted to him in 1934 and forbidden to any other person by the Turkish parliament. Mustafa Kemal was a military officer during the Italo-Turkish War and have won in a famous battle at Libya against the massive forces of the Italians. He later fought in the Balkan Wars and was promoted to colonel for his service to the Ottoman Empire. His second finest success on the battlefield was in World War I when he was commander of the 19th division and managed to hold off the British army. But for most Turks nowadays, Mustafa Kemal’s finest moment on the field was his leadership role in the War of Independence. On the historic day of the 29th of October 1923, the Republic of Turkey was presented to the world and with it, Mustafa Kemal Attaturk the first president of the newly born state. He set about the task of modernizing the state of Turkey, with economic, social and political reforms. The most noticeable, and first reform he issued, was that of the ideology of the state. Mustafa Kemal believed in the right of total independence and sovereignty. Thus he rejected the ideals of fascism and totalitarianism, and went forward with the removal of the interference by religion, on the state’s affairs- secularism. In fact theories propose that Turkey’s current standing among other Muslim Majority states is due to its split from the Sharia form of law (Kuran).

Westminster Model and the Government System in the UK Essay

Westminster Model and the Government System in the UK - Essay Example This development has seriously undermined the notion of a strong nation-state. Another challenge to the Westminster model is the New Public Management standard, and this has wrought basic changes to the relationship between civil servants and Ministers. Perhaps the greatest influence has been that of the European Union, which has seriously weakened the notion of Parliamentary Sovereignty (Lapsley, 2008, p. 10). This situation has been worsened by the devolution of responsibilities to elected assemblies in Wales and Northern Ireland, and the Parliament in Scotland. These latter devolutionary changes have posed a serious challenge to the supremacy of the Westminster executive. In addition, these have shown the Westminster model as being inappropriate in a polity that enjoys greater decentralization (Lapsley, 2008, p. 10). The Westminster model is distinguished by unhindered executive superiority. This makes certain that parliamentary majority enjoys undisputed control over the central institutions of the government. Consequently, authority and political power are central to the state. In this system, governance is restricted to the elite who are seized with the public good. Such governance functions in a self – adjusting and balanced constitutional system (Diamond, 2010). The Glorious Revolution of 1688 destroyed an attempt to perpetuate a Catholic Monarchy. This was achieved by William of Orange and his wife Mary II, and it firmly established the supremacy of the Executive. Such dominance of the Executive has remained the hallmark of the political tradition of the UK. This excellent system is characterized by an unbiased civil service and shared ministerial accountability (Diamond, 2010). This perspective regarding the UK government is not unanimous and has been subjected to considerable doubt. It is believed by a significant number of authorities that the longstanding authority of the government has been gradually eroded. In fact, there has been a shift in power, both horizontally and vertically. Thus, the vertical shift has seen the transfer of power to the European Union and international institutions. Furthermore, the horizontal shift has witnessed the transfer of power to civil society and private corporations (Diamond, 2010). There has been an undeniable establishment of new territorial power centers. These are located outside the UK and have resulted from constitutional reform and decentralization. Due to these momentous developments, it is difficult to view the Westminster model as a true reflection of empirical reality. There has been a transformation from the government to governance, and this has drawn in a vast array of networks and individuals (Diamond, 2010). To a major extent, the government of the UK has retained considerable consistency in its structure and function. This has prevailed, despite the advent of collectivism and the monumental changes that its society has been subjected to. The government is decisive an d accountable, with a scant change in the institutions of Westminster and Whitehall. It has been the established practice for politicians of the various political hues to consider themselves as responsible and influential arbiters of national interest (Diamond, 2010).

Persuasive speech on NCAA should allow financial compensation to Essay

Persuasive speech on NCAA should allow financial compensation to collegiate athletes - Essay Example In some cases these athletes are also given special treatment by their colleges in regards to their academic issues like excused absences, extra tutorial classes and their schedules are also very lenient. One of the major concerns is that these money payments would change their status from amateur athletes to professional ones and this could generate unsportsman like behavior form these players. Hence, their part of the argument is that when everything is given to them through scholarship then why they need more financial compensations. On the other hand sport fans who believe that these athletes should be paid for their share in bringing huge profits to their respective colleges. This would give them incentive to work even harder and stay in college to complete their study instead of joining professional teams. This can also lessen the illegal dealings and payments which sometimes these athletes indulge in to pay for their everyday expenses. There are a lot of misconceptions regarding the fact that college scholarships should be enough for the student athletes. Sometimes these young athletes are demoralized by their schools because where their schools are making huge profits through them they cannot come up with the money for their food, entertainment or sometimes even educational costs. The author says that the NCAA places limits on how much money a student can earn and how many hours student athlete can work (Delaney, Madigan 124). Giving financial compensations to student athletes can actually motivate them to work hard and side by side would also help them get proper education. Getting proper education along with sports will broaden their career opportunities. This thing is very crucial in every person’s life because education is as much important as sports. According to Wladimir and Szymanski paying these players can make the competitive advantage to the institutes to disappear (380). NCAA

Performance Review Meeting Essay Example for Free

Performance Review Meeting Essay What you have learnt from preparing for and carrying out the review I learnt how to set the meeting out, use the correct body language and how you should handle sensitive issues. It also helped me to understand motivation and focusing on strengths and weaknesses of employees and how to communicate effectively and stay in control of a situation. Overall I felt that the preparation leading up to the meeting helped in all of these areas. Studying the theories of Herzberg and Maslow helped me to understand that key areas of motivation and how to incorporate key management skills in order to get the best performance from an employee. Through watching performance management films also during the preparation process, this helped me to focus on my body language throughout the meeting and ensure that I am being perceived in a positive manner and agreeing targets on equal ground not by being too controlling of the situation and forcing decisions upon the individual. What you have learnt from the feedback you have received from your tutor and the individual whom you reviewed I have learnt that I need to ensure to take notes during the meeting. This is especially important when discussing performance plans and setting agreements. This would help me to remember after the meeting what was said so that I could write up a formal development plan for the employee but ensure that all information taken is accurate and that no details are missed. I need to also ensure that I talk slowly and clearly. It was fed back that I talked fairly quickly throughout the meeting, this may have been down to nerves because of the situation, however I need to ensure I remain focused on the task in hand and not what is going on around me to calm my nerves and ensure the employee understands fully the feedback that I am given. Overall I felt the meeting went well. I had good feedback and my body language was portrayed well. I felt I had prepared well and knew what to ask and how to approach the subject of the individual underperforming. I managed to negotiate clear targets for the individual of which we agreed by both parties and motivate the employee by also focusing on past high points as opposed to just focusing on the fact they have not met their targets. How this activity can help you at work I will take the knowledge which I have gained through completing this section into my workplace. I will be able to influence my capabilities through conducting meetings and speaking with employees on a daily basis.

History of Marco Polo

History of Marco Polo The Travels of Marco Polo MarcoPolo was born in 1254 when Italy was split into fighting city states. Thirteenth century Europe saw a huge increase in geographical knowledge and anincrease in trade with the Far East and Western Europe. One country that had the Europeans fascinated was China and they all wanted to establish trade andtravel there. Contact with the Far East was established by such men as Giovanni da Pian del Carpini and William of Rubrouck who were sent by Louis IX of France, which happened before the Tartar conquest of Asia Minor and the beginning of Tartar embassies in the West by the late thirteenth century. Routes of trade and opportunities that existed during Roman rule were reopened. Niccolo Polo and Maffeo Polo, the father and uncle of young Marco Polo, left him behind and set off for an epic journey eastward towards the court of the khan of the Pipchak Tartars at Serai. The brothers Niccolo and Maffeo stayed there for over a year while collecting asignificant profit. The brothers decided to return to Venice, but they found that their path was cut off by local wars. So the brothers made the decision to go to the great khan of China. They arrived in Beijing and were received very graciously by the great khan. After doing business there, the khan wanted toknow about the Christian life and told them to go b ack to Venice to see the Pope and return with Christian missionaries for the education of the royal court. The great khan also wanted them to return through Jerusalem with Holy Oil from the lamp which was kept burning over the Sepulchre of our Lord Jesus Christ. To help their journey, the brothers were given the service of a Tartar guide and anything they needed in Tartar territory. Aftera long and treacherous journey on land to Venice, Niccolo and Maffeo made it in1268 and found that Pope Clement IV had recently died and no successor had been elected. Gregory X was elected the new Pope, and in 1271, Maffeo and Niccolo managed to secure the services of two inept Dominicans who would soon decide to desert the mission. The Polos went back to Beijing anyway, this time taking with them Marco, the teenage son of Niccolo Polo, who would become one of the most traveled people in the world. Marco, his father Niccolo, and his uncle Maffeo began their journey by sea to Acre in 1271. They arrived at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and decided to not travel by sea but to turn north and follow the ancient caravan routes through Iraq and Persia. The Polos went through Turkmenistan and Persia until they hit the Oxus River (now called the Amu Darya). They traveled across the plain of Pamir and crossed the desolate Gobi Desert where they then made it to the mercantile cities of Samarqand, Yarkant (Shache), and Kashgar (Kashi). Located in the northwest partof China, they reached Tangut. After a very long journey, the three Polos were made welcome at Shangdu the summer capital of the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan in 1275. Marco, the youngest Polo, soon became a favorite in the Chinese court ofthe Great Kublai Khan. After studying and becoming fluent in the native languages, Marco Polo became a commissioner in the Mongol government in 1277. Kublai Khan trusted the Venetian Marco Polo so much that he relied on his advice in many important affairs. The descriptions Marco Polo gave of the emperors palace fired the imaginations of generations of explorers andtravelers, all of whom wished to view for themselves the eight square miles of enclosed barracks, parade grounds, vast arsenals, storerooms, living quarters, library, and especially the treasury. As a trusted agent of Kublai Khan for seventeen years, Marco Polo had a very unique opportunity to see a developed and sophisticated way of life not seen by Western culture. Kublai Khan trusted Marco Polo so much that he made him governor of Yangzhou. Marco Polo visited nearly every part of both northern and southern China in his long and loyal service to the great khan, using the imperial horse andpacket-boat system that was kept in readiness for the comfort of governmentofficials. Marco Polo was kept in constant service of the khan by cataloging and describing in detail many huge cities, provinces, and major commercial towns. He was interested in everything, including the manufacturing arts, commerce, architecture, the residents in each area, and many other things. Marco Polo was very impressed and intrigued by the silk industry and the book contains an excellent early picture of silk culture, weaving, dying, and finishing. The treasures of the Chinese cities must have seemed unreal to thirteenth century Europe. Marco Polos description of Hangzhou included the fabled twelve thousand bridges of the city, its many huge markets and bazaars, its cavernous warehouses for its trade with India, and even its consumption of six tons of p epper a day. Marco Polo also visited India on business and in the same great detail recorded its commercial life. He also may have visited the steppes of Asia, or the original land of the Moguls, where Kublai Khans ancestors may have grazed their herds. Even though it is very doubtful that he traveled so far north, it may have been possible that the Venetian made it to Siberia. His accounts of his many journeys also indicate great interest towards the islands south of China, including the Philippines. Around 1292, the three Polos desired to return to their home, but they were so favored that Kublai Khan would not let them leave. It was very hard for him to let them leave, but in reluctance he permitted them to go withan official commission to take the Mogul princes daughter to her wedding in Persia. It took them three years to return home even though they primarily traveled by ship. On the way Marco Polo recorded his impressions of Java also know as the great island, and many other places like Madagascar, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, Dragoian. They crossed the Red Sea and the adventurers finally reached Venice in 1295. Their extraordinary odyssey that lasted nearly twenty years finally came to an end.   Whent he Polos arrived to their old home their family that was staying there had presumed them dead and didnt believe it was they and would not let them in the house. After some arguing, the Polos convinced them that they really were who they said and their relatives allowed them in. Then Marco Polo was captured by the warring Genoese and imprisoned. While he was in prison, he dictated his experiences to prisoner and writer Rustichello of Pisa. The book was called Divisamentdou monde, later turned into The Travels of Marco Polo, 1579. Marco Polos uncle and father fell into the background and the young Marco Polo became the main figure. The great and in detail story was very readable and made a huge impression on Europe. The book was received in awe and it was not fully believed until other travelers to China verified parts of the tale. Christopher Columbus may have been stimulated to travel by this book and maybe many other famous explorers. Marco Polos account of his travels in Asia was one of the primary sources for the European image of Far East until the late nineteenth century.