Circulatory System Essay

His first point criticised Paley’s analogy of the watch. The first part of the analogy claimed that if you found a rock while walking through a heath, you would not think anything of it. However, if you had seen a watch you would examine it and find that it had moving parts that demonstrate that the watch has a purpose, the parts work together for a purpose and they are ordered to make the watch function because if they weren’t, the watch won’t perform its function. He concluded the first part of his analogy by saying that the watch had a maker who must have existed at some time and place. The second part of the analogy claimed that if we suppose the watch had another imaginary function, and this function was the producing of other watches, then our admiration for the watchmaker would be increased. He concluded this part of his argument by saying that anyone who finds such a watch would conclude that the design of the watch implies ‘the presence of intelligence and mind’. Paley said that just like the watch being designed necessitates a designer as an explanation of its existence, all of nature requires a much greater designer. The complexity of nature is far greater than any machine human beings can make and therefore a grand designer is needed, this designer is God. Hume criticised this point by saying that the analogy is limited. For example, you could conclude from a study of the human blood circulatory system that animals had the same system. This would be a weak and mistaken analogy however to compare a human’s and an animal’s circulato ry system to the way sap circulates in a plant. Hume maintained his criticism of Paley’s analogy of the watch by an analogy of his own. This analogy said that we can conclude that a house had a builder and an architect but we cannot, however, deduce a builder or architect of the universe in the same way because there is no similarity between the two. He mentioned that if the house is faulty, what does this suggest about the designer? And so, if God did design the world, is he directly responsible for the evil within it? Paley, however, rejected this point because the issue was whether the universe exhibited signs of design. He was not concerned with questions relating to issues of quality concerning the design. Paley’s response was criticised to be unsatisfactory. Hume argued that there are other possible explanations than God for apparent design in the universe. Hume claimed that one of these possible explanations might be that as well as the possibility that there is a grand designer of the universe, it is equally possible that ‘matter may contain the spring of order originally within itself, as well as mind does’ and that unless there is perfect similarity between the object of comparison and what is being compared, you cannot draw a conclusion with any certainty. Another possible explanation for apparent design in the universe might be that any effects that we observe in nature may be caused by a variety of causes. This view supports the discovery of natural selection and the DNA and its role of shaping the growth of all living organisms. Hume claimed that there might not be just one single designer for the world. For example, we may look at a great ship and think about the great design of it, but the ship may be the result of years, even generations of trial and error. The ship may be the product of many hands and not just one great designer. From this, Hume concludes that there is no evidence to suggest the ‘unity of the deity’. Hume suggested three more theories as explanations for the design of the universe; aptness of analogy, the epicurean thesis and the argument from effect to cause. The aptness of analogy said that a watch is not a suitable analogy for the world. For example, just because a cabbage is fitted together/designed perfectly, does not mean that it has a maker/designer. By using a machine as an analogy, you would have already determined the outcome you want; you want there to be a designer and you’re already assuming that something natural, i.e. the cabbage, has a designer. The epicurean thesis was explained using an example. This example spoke about particles and said that if they were freely moving around over infinite time, by chance, one of the combinations they make would just happen to represent a stable order and this stable order is what we now live in. This example represented the view that the universe might have happened by chance. The argument from effect to cause claimed that we cannot go from an effect to a greater cause than that needed to produce the cause. We cannot say whether he made the watch alone or had some little helpers. This would mean that we do not and cannot know whether he is still active or even still alive, we can only say if the universe does/doesn’t have a designer and can’t list its traits by saying that he is benevolent, omnipotent, omniscient and infinite as many would portray him. Overall, Hume criticises the teleological argument in a number of ways. He very explicitly criticises Paley’s views on the teleological argument, using them to explain why he believes that the argument is deeply flawed.

Leadership practices Essay

The same situation applies to Technical know-how, I generally understand the technical know-how of my Job and maybe not clear with Just a few policies and procedures because I haven’t had the chance to deal with them. The interpersonal competence need to be developed further as I have not developed anything in that area in the business sense and some of the skills have been acquired in social groups such as the church. The Social-emotional competence also scored quite high which is really a true reflection as I am a person who is really concerned about emotional and wellbeing of the people where work is involved. The anagerial and entrepreneurial competences had average scores which are actually true, maybe because I am not really in a managerial level at work and I do believe that more need to be developed in this area. The intellectual competence had the lowest percentage score of 40% and I also do believe that I need the chance to develop and show my intellectual skills. B. The Managerial competence scored 50% which is Just an average value. According to Daft (2008, p. 15) Management focuses on establishing detailed plans and schedules for achieving specific results. This has similar characteristics to quadrant C of the whole brain model. What is whole brain thinking) shows that a person who has quadrant B (green) dominance has the following characteristics: organised, sequential, planned and detailed. The managerial competence has similar characteristics with the quadrant B and these two score sheets gave similar results. They showed average competence as a manager and the need to improve in this area. The inter-personal competence gives an average percentage which also when compared to the whole brain, the quadrant C (Red) is also has moderate results. The whole brain quadrant A (blue) had the highest results which confirmed the Job competence and technical know-how. I am an engineer by professional and hence so mathematical by nature of my Job. C. The ways of improving leadership effectiveness include From the Managerial competence, the percentage was 50% which implies there is more to be done in the area hence need to improve as a leader by learning to be a leader who should move from stability to change and Crisis Management (Daft 2008, p. 8). The whole competence analysis had varying percentages, Leadership effectiveness can be improved by becoming a learning leader thus â€Å"a leader who is open to learning and change and encourages the growth and development of thers† (Daft 2008, p. 2). Need to improve on intellectual competences by getting the big picture, a leader who is up to date with what is happening in the core area of business.

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

Reflections - Essay Example It inculcates trust and confidence and helps patient recover faster. The concepts of ‘self’, ‘other’ and ‘holistic’ have increasingly evolved as critical paradigms of nursing. The concepts of ‘self’ and ‘other’ denote the need to understand oneself within the defined constraints of social fabric and promote a distinct identity able to contribute to the development process through designated skills and ideologies that are conferred to the identity. As a nurse, I would, therefore, be taking care of the healthcare needs of the others, namely patients. Holistic care has evolved from the fact that environmental factors widely contribute to the overall well-being of patients. I believe that nurses’ functions are not confined to medicine; nurses also have to support the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of the patients through cross cultural understanding and building fruitful relationships with them. The fears vis-Ã  -vis professional advancement, environmental changes, problems at the home-front, conflicts at workplace etc. are major deterring factors for personal and professional growth. They generate stress and tension that adversely impacts the emotional and physical well-being of individuals. They must be overcome through understanding of these life issues. Also, positive attitude should be developed, as it encourages resolution of such

How U.S. Government and regulatory bodies can manage business cycles Essay

How U.S. Government and regulatory bodies can manage business cycles - Essay Example Business cycles can be defined as larger fluctuations in the economic activities or in the production of goods and services over a long period of time. It is sometimes known as economic cycle and is often associated with periods of high economic growth. The business cycle therefore consists of periods of economic booms as well as periods of economic recession or decline. The measurement for the business cycle is often done by the government through the measure of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a particular nation. It is however important to note that even though it is termed as a business cycle; it does not follow ant pattern or any mechanically predictable pattern (Lynch, 85). In this context, it is therefore difficult to tell what pattern or direction the future cycle will take. This presents a challenge to the managements of the business cycles and call for better ways of forecasting. The explanation of the causes of the business cycles remains some of the controversial issue s in the analysis of economic growth in many economies (Hill, 320). One of the most common known causes of business cycles is the disequilibrium commonly known as the Keynesian theory. This theory is based on the argument that the fluctuation in the economy often begin because of lack of demand for the workers or labor. The argument here is that labor market or demand for labor do not adjust immediately but take very long time and hence it is difficult for the government to adjust appropriately and at the right time (Agnew, 197). The lack of demand for workers often adjust after very long period of time and the result of this is that it takes time. Moreover, the wages for labor and the prices are sticky as some are not easily adjustable and hence it takes very long time for the labor market to respond to the demand. â€Å"If output goes down it is due to that market fails to clear pushing the economy into recession† (Brentani, 109). This explains the downwards and the upward trends in the economy that forms the business cycles witnessed not only in the United States of America but also in the other nations across the world. The real business cycle theory on the other hand asserts that the changes or the fluctuations in business occur as a result of real factors. It is important to note that this theory believes that the government should not take part in controlling the market forces. The market forces of demand and supply should be left to adjust on their own (Treve, 72). The intervention of the government through the monetary as well as fiscal policies is not necessary, because the economy is capable of adjusting to the changes on its own. This theory also puts more emphasis on the substitution of labor and technological shocks as the major causes of business cycles. Failure of the economy to adjust to these changes would therefore lead to economy moving to recession. With regard to this theory, the rates of changes or the degree to which workers resp onds to incentives determines the supply of labor. Fluctuations in the level of technology also have serious impacts on the labor productivity because it affects the incentives (Knoop, 251). The high rise in technology would improve the productivity of labor and hence the real wages would rise as well. This would then result into the increase in the output and rates of employment and vice versa. This theory has also considered other factors like terrorism, disasters, political unrests, weather conditions among other factors that can affect output of an economy. In this way of argument, money does not impact on output neither does output impact on money and hence both move together in the same direction (Knoop, 253). Real business cycle theory is thus very important in the understanding of business cycle theory. However, just like any other theory, it is not perfect and has its own limitations. The

Critical Evaluation of Supply Chain Design at Kraft Foods Essay

Critical Evaluation of Supply Chain Design at Kraft Foods - Essay Example Kraft Foods basically produces various delicious foods according to the demand and the mood of the consumers and the company also promises a superior quality of the produced food. Kraft Foods has recently took over Cadbury and the company has an objective to spread its businesses all over the world. Kraft Foods is one of the most well known company which deals in branded beverages and foods. It is the largest food manufacturing organisation in the United States, and the second largest organisation in the world within the food manufacturing industry (Kraft Foods, 2011). In the study the major objective would be to highlight and to critically evaluate the various operational functions of Kraft Foods, and their importance in accruing a better competitive advantage. The study also involves the Enterprise Information System (EIS) and its critical evaluation to analyse the knowledge management system of the company. The paper would also include recommendations to support the argument along with conclusion (Kraft Foods, 2011). Kraft Foods ensures a good and effective operational segment within the organisation. The company has focused on the quality, the design, and the effectiveness of the products produced by the organisation. Alike every other company, Kraft Foods also has certain operational functions, which help the company to gain a growth in the market as well as help to achieve a competitive advantage. The company needs to initiate measures to enhance effectiveness and efficiency of the existing information system.

Critical analysis of Easter lilies, The Oxen and The Darkling Thrush Assignment

Critical analysis of Easter lilies, The Oxen and The Darkling Thrush - Assignment Example Jane Gardam’s Short story Easter lilies is one of her best short stories in her collection, The Pangs of Love. In this short story, a strange old lady known as Mrs. White decides to have flowers sent over to their church by buying them from Malta. Mrs. White had stayed in Malta for a certain period of time. The old lady decides to abandon custom regulations and using her common sense, she has some of the flowers sent over from Malta. A rich courier drops pearls in a flower bouquet and the old lady is fortunate to pick them. She tries the pearls. Mrs. White shows the human nature by trying to save the little money belonging to the church. She orders flowers from Malta which is cheaper. When the flowers get to their church, she starts to arrange them but falls at the alter and dies. Fortunately, Mrs. White had left all her estate to the church. Her death saves the cash strapped church. Easter lilies is a story of love and sacrifice. The story makes the reader to have a sense of deep sacrifice. The story is full of religious symbols. In its effective nature of communication the message, Gardam employs the use of narrative and recurrent religious symbolism. The language used is narrative in nature making the story to be easily told. Another important style employed by the author is the use of religious symbolism. The death of Mrs. White at the alter during the Easter period is greatly symbolic to Jesus death during the Easter period.... Mrs. White sacrifices her everything for the church just the same way like Jesus Christ did for humanity. Thomas Hardy’s poem, The Oxen is set in a childhood scenario during the Christmas holidays. The notion that cows knelt during every Christmas as postulated in the myth of the birth of Christ forms the basis by which Hardy sets his poem. Reading the poem captures the hope that children have during the Christmas period. The faith of the children is clearly portrayed by the poet when he states, â€Å"occur to one of us there / To doubt they were kneeling then† (The Oxen 7-8). This means that at that early age, the children’s faith in the miraculous kneeling of the oxen was undoubted. However, perhaps, with age, the voice in the poem has lost his faith in waiting and envisioning that Oxen kneel during the Christmas period. There is a sense of loss and exclusion in the poem. Hardy employs various literary styles in the poem, â€Å"The Oxen†. The most import ant style employed by hardy in â€Å"The Oxen† is symbolic imagery and use of direct speech. Symbolic imagery is found in the poem when hardy talks about the myth of the kneeling oxen. The belief in Kneeling oxen’s during Christmas and the deep belief in the myth is symbolic to the innocence that can be found in children. Direct speech is clear in the oxen where the poet quotes directly from other characters in the poem. For example, "Now they are all on their knees," is quoted to show the speech by the elderly. This helps to break the monotony in the poem. Direct speech also shows the authority of other characters in the poem by quoting directly. The darkling thrush is another of Thomas Hardy’s masterpiece. In the Darkling Thrush, the voice in the poem captures a person who wanders

Management Information and Communication System Essay - 2

Management Information and Communication System - Essay Example The accounting applications of the ES are the most significant merits of an ES in that there is integration of cost, profit, and revenue information of sales that are presentable through granular way (Shang and Seddon, n.y, p.1-3). The ES entails Enterprise Resource Planning that has significant impact on the manufacturing process. Additionally, the management is able to make better plans in the organization via the consolidated picture of inventory, sales, and receivables presented by the ES. The adoption of the ES results to a reduced inventory cost due to the incorporation of SCM, CRM and ERP concepts that aid in better planning, follow-up and forecasting of requirements. The ES considerably enhance improved interdepartmental communication and better employee performance because of proper sharing of information across all departments of an organization. The ES also serves as a barrier to the entry of redundant data and processes throughout the system as all systems are integrated in an organization. However, the Enterprise systems entail a lot of challenges and demerits. Disadvantages of Enterprise Systems There are problems associated with delivering flexibility that emanate from the ES manufacturing companies being forced to respond to fast changes in customer requirements and technology which subsequently leads to huge demands on the flexibility of supply chain systems. In addition, ES suffers software complexity issues. This is due to the increased configuration complexity where the hardware, operating system, database and storage, and applications are hard to operate. Another disadvantage attributes to the difficult in optimal servicing of the installed equipment base and the challenge... The researcher of the essay "Management Information and Communication System" description of enterprise systems. Also the researcher mentions their advantages and disadvantages. In the end the researcher describes supply chain management systems. Enterprise systems (ES) are large scale application-software packages that entail enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, customer relationship management (CRM) packages, and supply chain management (SCM) packages from vendors like Oracle, PeopleSoft, and SAP. Subject to their application, Enterprise Systems can significantly change the way an organization functions. Indeed, there are variant business advantages and disadvantages of the adoption of Enterprise systems in an organization setup. In conclusion, the author finds that enterprise systems have fundamental impact on the management of any organization. They are involved in organizational functions, processes, reporting, data analysis and information flows. Though they are more te chnical and costly, the benefits of enterprise systems supersede the demerits of enterprise systems upon adoption in an organization. On the other hand, supply-chain management systems draw a huge significance in the business environment. They relate to coordinate planning, production, and logistics with suppliers. Their application in the business generates numerous benefits to the reference business. However, Supply chain management systems do not apply universally in different businesses.

Answer 2 questions about language teaching and learning Essay

Answer 2 questions about language teaching and learning - Essay Example Explicit learning may be deductive, where the learner is taught rules directly by an instructor, or inductive where the learner draws own rules based on examples available in the language. The second method is more useful than the first because it enables the learner to explore the language beyond the lesson time. However, the deductive approach must be used to introduce the learner to the language itself in especially in L2 [second language] learning Dekeyser, 2003, 315). In order to acquire a second language effectively, it is important that the learner is taught through an explicit system. However, the process should be as inductive as possible for a better and more effective acquisition of the language. This is because, there is very little that can be learned through the implicit process alone according to research under the Artificial Grammar Learning (AGL) paradigm (Dekeyser, 2003, 315). Pienemann’s Processability Theory refers to the stages of mastering the nature of computational routines used in a new language that an individual is learning. In order to use the new language well as a means of communication, the learner needs to process in his mind these routines that include grammatical rules and acceptable syntactical sequences (Pienemann, 2001, 12). In L2 (second language) learning, this processability is impaired by the routines that the learner has already gotten used to in the L1 (first language). In English, for instance, the word order is important in determining the functions of different parts of the sentence. For example in the following two sentences: Such conventions make it very difficult translate for learners of L2 since they tend to rely on the rules of their L1. Such learners may give the second sentence above as the one signifying that John was the agent (Pienemann, 2001, 15). 20B can be classified as having reached

Nietzche watts lao-tzu Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Nietzche watts lao-tzu - Essay Example Plato viewed the role of education differently as compared with other philosopher who contributed on what education can give that distinguishes it distinctly from other experiences that can be acquired. Plato had a strong belief that education was peculiar in that it was able to prepare learners adequately for future life. This proposal by Plato has faced several rebellions by other philosophers such as Dewey and Rousseau who are considered the modern philosophers on education. Even though the modern philosophers have been opposed to the contribution of Plato, his arguments are still considered to be in context in the 21st century. Plato asserted that education has several concepts engraved in it that is essential in making an individual cope with the future given that the future is uncertain. Plato considered concepts such as reason, goodness, virtue, dialectics, ideas, sense of perception, metaphysics, motivation, art as considered to be a medium of instruction, and truth to be the guiding principles that one acquire through education and are of significant help in the future (Watts, 67). The fact that education according to Plato helps in preparing one for the future, Plato in this understanding came up with a philosophical statement that relates education, society and the individuals. In this case, Plato proposed that whereas the society is comprise of classes, the individuals in the society are comprises of faculties that are hinged on the kind of training they acquire through education. According to Plato, education is able to impact one or more of the above-mentioned concepts on the societal individuals and this reaches a critical level that they make the person fall in three of the following classes; rulers or the guardians, the warriors, and the workers and artisans (Watts, 77). He then related these classes to the three faculties that he proposed are in the society; the ruling class corresponded to the intellect faculty, the warriors occupy the facult y of feeling while the workers and the artisan are all camped in the faculty of desires and appetites. Nietzsche perspectives on Education Nietzsche on the other hand was a philosopher from German and was proficient in poetry, philology, composing, and analyzing culture through critique. Nietzsche in this regard wrote several materials that related to morality, contemporary culture, philosophy, religion and science. He also contributed on education and this is where we draw his perspectives on what his views were in relation to the achievement of education to an individual. Nietzsche just like Plato had a different view considering what education can achieve and in his opinion, he proposed the following. Nietzsche put it forth that education can achieve to make it possible to know the basic and original material of ones being. He said that through education one is able to realize the potentials that otherwise will remain completely unnoticed, through his literature on education Niet zsche asserted that without education, one is unable to know their worth and can be mistaken not to be worthy. He continued and said that education is a liberator in this context; it liberates one from ignorance, the ability to avoid vagueness, and irrationality. Through education explained Nietzsche, one is able to avoid equivocation of issues and will

Redemption and survival Essay Example for Free

Redemption and survival Essay The novel by Victor Hugo entitled Les Miserables is story that looks into the life of John Valjean and his exploits towards awakening, redemption and survival. It depicts his transformation from a galley prisoner towards a new man. It conveys the different decisions and actions committed by a man towards choosing his path in life. Likewise, there are other characters that intertwine and provide relevant impact in Jean Valjean’s life and growth as an individual. Moreover, the setting of the story outlines the significance of societal factors that has been influential in the creation of decisions and actions that transpired in the duration of the story. Analyzing the different themes presented by Hugo in this story, one significant element in present in the idea is the element of morals, values, and perceptions. Looking at it, John Valjean is convicted because of stealing bread and was sent to the galleys. Upon his escape, he became aware of the prejudice and bias that society has given him. In here, Hugo was able to showcase the transformation of Jean Valjean from a criminal into an honest man with the help of the Bishop Myriel. Hugo mentions this in the novel by saying that â€Å"Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil, but to good. It is your soul I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God! (p. 106). Another significant element that makes the book worth reading is its ability to showcase that amidst the presence of darkness and suffering, redemption do happens and it creates and avenues for change to occur. This was evident in the novel as different books presented these ideas in a different manner. For example, the suffering of Fantine and Cosette to survive was alleviated by Jean Valjean’s adoption of Cosette. Likewise, the suffering of Jean Valjean for acceptance and worth was compensated by becoming the Mayor M. Madeleine and serving the needs of people. The ability of the story to present the realities and harshness of life is also an interesting part to consider. Hugo was able to outline the significant areas that surround ones mind as he synthesizes them and provides the development for the characters. This was stated when Hugo said that â€Å"The generation now having its passing turn on earth is not compelled to abridge it for the generations, its equals after all, that will have their turn afterward . . . Hence, at certain periods, a deep chill on the magnanimous vanguard of the human race. (p. 1242). Exploring on the idea of change, I would have to agree with the idea of Hugo that it happens because of ones ability to decide for their own. Whatever the outcome may be, it is their relevant that individuals use it for their own growth. This is the process for one to cultivate the totality of humanity and what it’s supposed to be. As Hugo argues, â€Å"from one end to the other; in its whole and in its details, whatever the omissions, the exceptions, or the faults is the march from evil to good, from injustice to justice, from the false to the true, from night to day, from appetite to conscience, from rottenness to life, from brutality to duty, from Hell to Heaven, from nothingness to God† (p. 1242). Lastly, I would have to agree with the notion of Hugo that time and love can transcend betrayal and deception. This has been present and evident in various situations experienced by Jean Valjean. One significant example is the quote which says â€Å"by which the writing reversed on the blotter was corrected by the mirror and presented its original form; and Jean Valjean had beneath his eyes the letter Cosette had written Marius the evening before It was simple and devastating† (p. 1152). Though this situation did happen, Jean Valjean began to accept Marius as his own which came to a point of even rescuing him from the conflict and struggle. This is one manifestation of how the overall idea of love can help overcome and provide new avenues for change. By reading this book, I came to appreciate the situations happening around. It gave me the idea that our decisions can affect what our lives would be in the future. Likewise, it is through love, compassion and forgiveness that individuals, groups, and societies can overcome the hurdles and challenges brought about by pain, deception, deceit and violence. Overall, the book offers various areas that open up the mind of readers of the possibilities and realities that are happening. Hugo was able to convey a mixture of feelings that cultivate a total experience once reading the novel. In here, he combines the familiar facets of politics, religion, romance, and social situations that make the process of understanding significant and timeless in its own right. To conclude, the themes and issues presented in the book can be summarized by Hugo’s quote which says â€Å"The history of men is reflected in the history of cloacae† (p. 1462). In here, it just shows how one can grow and pursue life depending on what we take inside. It means that the actions, values, ideals, and perceptions that we accommodate and acquire dictate what we are and what we can become. This influences our actions and decisions in life as we find new ways to live according to the standards and changes happening.

Is Participation In Development Still A Tyranny

Is Participation In Development Still A Tyranny Over the past thirty years Participation has become development orthodoxy in both theory and practice (Cornwall 2003: 1325). The basic aim of participatory development (PD) is to increase the involvement of socially and economically marginalized peoples in decision-making over their own lives (Guijt, 1998: 1). PD approaches claim to empower local communities and recognizes rural poor themselves as the primary agents of change with the capacity to transform their lives (ESCAP, 2009). In recent years, however, there have been an increasing number of criticisms from policy makers, practitioners and academics regarding the widely applied participatory approaches to development. Many elements of this approach have been challenged on the basis that participatory approaches often failed to achieve meaningful social change, due to its inability to engage with problems of power relations and underlying politics (Hickey and Mohan, 2005: 237). Questions have been raised regarding the methods of participatory development and the impact of policies on various aspects of development, such as community relations, power structures, social conditions, rights of the poor, the role of grassroots civil society organisations in rural development, and the nature of knowledge (ESCAP, 2009). In this context, important publications have emerged representing different views and critiques of the participation approach, one against: Participation: The New Tyranny? (Cooke, and Kothari, 2001), and another more positive assessment: Participation: From Tyranny To Transformation? Exploring New Approaches to Participation in Development (Hickey, and Mohan, 2004), which scrutinizes the various arguments. These works have generated heated debates about the concept of participation which some argue carries within it an inherent tyrannical potential for marginalising those who are already less vocal, but whom it seeks to empower (Cooke and Kothari, 2001). Later, more optimistic publications discuss, what can be done around participatory development and social change (Chambers, 2005b: 718). In order to address the question at hand, this paper examines the current debates on participation in development. The essay will consider a case study that uses participatory approaches in their project. This intervention has been implemented with varying degrees of success. The case chosen focuses on a project entitled the Rural Water Supply Management Programme in Rajasthan, India, in order to illustrate some of the different effects of applying this approach. The paper is divided into four sections: The first section begins by discussing the emergence of participation in development from both the historical and conceptual perspectives. It then proceeds to the second section which analyses participatory development in practice. The length of the paper does not allow for a detailed discussion on the methods of participatory approaches, such as participatory poverty assessment, rapid rural appraisal and participatory rural appraisal (PPA/RRA/PRA). Therefore, this section will only provide a brief overview of these approaches and their use in development projects. In the third section follows a discussion on what is meant by the tyranny of participatory development. The fourth, concluding section seeks to draw some lessons from the discussion and analysis of the case study and provides a hint of what the literature suggests may be in store for participatory development in the future. 1. Emergence of Participation in Development: First let us consider how participation in development has emerged and what are some of the contentious interpretations of this concept. The emergence of the participatory development is tied into critiques of both theory and practice (Mohan, 2002: 50). In the late 1950s, the term participation or participatory was coined for the first time in the field of development (Rahnema, 1992: 117). The inception of participatory development is linked to colonial times and the mission to bring modernity from the west to the then developing countries. Thus, there was an increasing trend to equate development with modern western knowledge and practices by means of a top-down approach to countries in the south (Schuurman, 1993: 187-191). Critiquing this trend, social activists and field workers observed that non-inclusion of the people concerned in a development project from its inception to the implementation stage led to limited benefits of the development venture (Rahnema, 1992:117). This top-down approach carried Eurocentric and positivists ideas which disempowered beneficiaries (Escobar, 1995; Peet and Watts, 1996: 20-25; Chambers, 1997; cited in Mohan, 2002: 50). This concern was raised in the 1970s, by Paulo Freire, a Brazilian educator, who argued that development should not be the privilege of some few persons, but the right of everyone (Freire, 2003: 88). He promoted participatory development approaches, in contrast to top-down practices, by arguing I cannot think for others or without others, nor others can think for me (Freire, 2003: 108). In his Pedagogy of Oppressed Freire emphasized knowledge creation of the marginalized by increasing their awareness about their rights and establishing networks of soli darity to encourage dialogue which would enable people to express their needs and give them a sense of ownership of the projects. A similar view was echoed by Robert Chambers who challenged the various biases of development polices and interventions that make the poor invisible by distinguishing between uppers, i.e. the powerful practitioners and lowers, i.e. the powerless beneficiaries (Chambers, 1983; 1997: 2005a; Williams, 2004: 560). He argued that this [top-down approach] implies uppers empowering lowers between all levels. To do this, they must individually relinquish degrees of control themselves (Chambers, 2005a: 72). Thus, for Chambers, participatory development is a new paradigm, which will lead to empowerment of the beneficiaries, and a shift from hierarchical top-down development projects. He advocates open power structures which will bring personal and institutional change (Williams, 2004: 560). Hence, participation of local communities was stressed to end the top-down approach in development projects and participation became widely practiced. 1.1 Participatory Approaches: There are a myriad of methods for conducting participatory development in practice. However, the most extensively used methodology is Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). The other approaches include Participatory poverty assessments (PPA) and Rapid rural appraisal (RRA). The PRA approach is based on achieving change and a reversal of roles, behaviours and relationships. Though, this may be carried out by external development practitioners, their role is limited to facilitating the focus group, by listening to them and sharing methods with the local people to help them reflect on their on own knowledge. The outsiders do not transfer technology. The strength of the PRA method lies in understanding the local needs; providing local ideas; extracting, developing and investing local resources; and generating development ideas (Chambers, 1997: 103, 2005a:87, also cited in Mohan, 2003: 52). PRA collects and records data on local customs and practices for a predefined development issue, wher eas the RRA approach is used by outside practitioners to plan, and target the improvement of a given intervention. Finally, PPA, influences policies at the macro level in relation to poverty reduction development projects (cited in ESCAP, 2009: 13; for original see Norton et al., 2001). Thus, PRA is considered to be the more important approach to promote empowerment. The participatory development method involves all stakeholders who are affected, by the policies, decisions, and actions of the system. This may include individuals, groups, communities, local government institutions, local and international institutions, self-help groups (Chambers, 2005a:87). This approach is used by the World Bank, non-governmental organisations, aid agencies and academicians, which for instance have applied PRA for climate change adaptation projects. 2. Participatory Development in Practice: This section will examine (the) participatory development in practice through case study. The aim of this example is to illustrate different aspect of participation in development and how it can lead to potential tyranny. Case Study: Rural Water Supply Organisation in Rajasthan, India: This case study, which looks at the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation (JBF) situated in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, demonstrates how Gender is dynamic and gender norms can be altered when matters as significant as social participation are negotiated and water management is put into practice (Berry, 2010:48). Social participation is associated with gender in the conduct of this non-governmental organization in water supply management. India is the one of the largest consumer of water today. Water is considered to be a womens resource in large parts of rural India, as women have the responsibility to fetch water for domestic purposes 86 per cent of the time (Bhatia, 2004; cited in Berry, 2010:49). Women seeking water often have to travel long distances, and sometimes are confronted with reduced water supply availability. This means that women having to spend more time in storing and preventing contamination of water. This predicament applies to rural women in many regions. For example, women in Nepalese villages are house bound with domestic responsibilities in juxtaposition with men engaged in economic activity, which may put women in a situation where they are excluded from participating in water management decision making. Moreover, a lack of electricity hinders women from collecting water from the water pumps (Shah, 2006; Berry and Mollard, 2010: 49). The household shapes gender relations, as well as playing key role in the use of water. Domestic water use connects women with women of other households (Cleaver, 1998). These household dynamics and local customs reinforce gender inequities (Cleaver, 2001; cited in Berry, 2010: 50). Thus, because of their low social status, women are perceived as being uneducated and unable to take official decisions, which constrains their participation in water user associations. Barriers to institutions and political engagement make women dependent on informal forms of participation'(Mohan and Hickey, 2004; and Berry, 2010: 51). Thus, when women go to fetch water, they meet other women socially and engage in informal discussions about their lives and information sharing. In South Asia, and specifically in India and Nepal, caste, race, religion, age and family play a significant role in defining how gender affects and is reflected in water management practices. Thus high caste women are likely to be involved in decision making due to their interest in the quality of water, whereas, lower caste women may be more supportive of having easy access to the water supply. It is also important to note that since most of the rural women are poor and are likely to lead the kind of life mentioned above, they will be less interested in participating in water supply management due to their already busy schedules. Given these types of social scenarios, JBF a non-governmental, has taken initiatives to empower women in water management decision making and provide public space for their participation, as women are the real stake holders. In addressing the above issue, JBF is required to develop relations with governments, aid donors and work within the customary practices of the local communities. UNDP has been actively involved with JBF to promote womens participatory water initiatives and make governance more participatory. A UNDP sponsored evaluation in 2008 acknowledged the progress made by JBF by building wells and tanks closer to houses, resulted in a reduction of the four kilometer average walking distance in the targeted regions and decreased the time spent by women for collecting water (Berry, 2010: 54). JBF also helped these rural women by establishing self help groups and linking them with banks for small house loans. Even though the JBF project resulted in varying degrees of success, criticisms were raised, regarding the lack of convergence between water initiatives undertaken by mainstream village institutions dominated by men and womens self help group (ibid.). JBF recognizes that womens role is central to the community water management practices. Communities may also manifest themselves as sites of conflict and shifting alliances influenced by power and social structures, both exclusionary as well as inclusive (Berry, 2010: 58). JBF faced the following problems in the case of Rajasthani women, such as their having low autonomy even in their own households and often being unable to work out of the house, due to cultural norms. The women often did not attend meetings, as they were illiterate, and therefore it was difficult to get them involved in village water practices, as they also felt shy to talk in front of men. These rural women are facing two contradictory problems. Firstly, patriarchal society and traditional customs exert pressures geared to maintaining privileges associated with the prevailing social and gender hierarchy, and, secondly, they have been faced with the introduction of modernity which is transforming rural economies. H ence, traditional understandings of gender, and local power structures have come into conflict with the externally disseminated strategies. As a result of this conflict, JBF projects have provided little benefit to rural women although they were meant to promote gender equity and participation on one hand and reifying traditional cultural practices on the other (McCusker and Oberhauser, 2006; cited in Berry, 2010: 63). 3. Tyranny of Participation in Development: Much of the discourse on participation in development has been challenged over the past two decades. Criticisms have been raised about the participatory approaches and demand at best their rethinking, if not their abandonment (Cooke, and Kothari, 2001:2). The critiques mainly emerge from within the field of development itself (ibid. :5) after the failure of current forms of participatory development to engage with the issues of power and politics raised by its language of empowerment' (Hickey, and Mohan, 2005: 241). These criticisms are viewed by Cooke, and Kothari (2001) as tyranny in development practice. Tyranny here means, Illegitimate exercise of power in participation. The authors have identified three types of tyrannies; first, the Tyranny of decision making and control; second, tyranny of the group and third, tyranny of method. However, there are other points of criticism raised by academics and practitioners which will be referred to in relevant parts of the following discus sion. 3.1 The knowledge claims of Participatory Development: Participatory development is designed to uncover the local realities of the poor and ensure their involvement in decision making (Cleaver, 1999: 599-600). This claim to understanding the local knowledge and particularly PRA approach has been highly criticised by field practitioners. Chambers (1994) makes claims in support of the reliability and accuracy of the knowledge obtained through PRA approach. However, Campbell (2001) rejects these claims, and argues that whilst approaches, such as RRA and PRA, were aimed to generate more or less accurate information, practitioners have been using them as the only model for undertaking research. Hence, Campbell proposes an integration of PRA approach with qualitative and quantitative methods to generate in-depth understanding which would not be possible to achieve through techniques of observation (ESCAP, 2009: 22-23). 3.2 Tokenism Reference to participatory models have become an attractive slogan and strategy for governments to acquire political advantages and foreign aid. These slogans generate the impression that governments are sensitive to all the local needs (Rahnema, 1992:118). Participatory methods in development process are increasingly viewed as an important tool to effectively avoid the past mistakes by undertaking projects which require awareness of the local knowledge of the field; access to networks which help to succeed the ongoing project and provides avenues for future investments in rural areas; and cooperation of the local organisations to carry out development initiatives. In this view, grassroots organisations play significant role in providing technical and human resource assistance in the field, and by acquiring investments for the projects (Rahnema, 1992:119). The foreign assistance agreements with recipient countries show the willingness of the latter to participate in the global efforts of their developed associates. This collaboration has helped developing countries governments with sophisticated systems of control over their populations (Rahnema, 1992:117), as this approach allows governments to be present everywhere to manage democratic participation. Thus, this approach to participation results in exploitative practices contrary to the wishes of the majority of the population, whereas development polices have a tendency to influence the minds of the people to become dependent on modern services. In this manner, their participation in policymaking and decisions is sought to confirm the support for the same needs. Thus, development projects which benefit only a few obtain majority support due to misperception that these advantages will soon be accessible to them as well (Rahnema, 1992:118). 3.3 Tyranny of the Group and Tyranny of Method: The participatory development approach is critiqued for considering communities as socially homogeneous rather then distinguishing the heterogeneous groups of people in a society or community. This view does not take into account the embedded inequalities within the communities, and ends up reinforcing the existing marginalization and power conflicts between uppers and lowers (Cleaver, 2001: 44; Kothari, 2001: 140; Mohan, 2002: 53). Others, Mosse (1994, 2001) and Guijt (1998), have raised concerns about the nature of knowledge and reliability of the information. Although, this approach may have empowered a given local community to some extent, the literature suggests that support for community has meant that funding and authority is transferred to the already privileged whilst the oppressed are further excluded (Mohan, 2002: 53). However, in this context, gender differences and community need to be distinguished as separate groups in applying PRA and other approaches, as conflating t hese conceptually could be problematic. Mosse argues that local knowledge is generated in a social context which is influenced by power, authority and gender inequality (ESCAP, 2009: 23). Mosse further highlights that the problem of knowledge generation via PRA approach is likely to be influenced by the predefined agenda of the outsider and their interaction with insider community members. This space of interaction is where each group repeatedly tries to anticipate the others wishes and intentions (ESCAP, 2009: 23). This supposition is a matter of concern to Mosse and he discusses how the process of acquiring the local knowledge shapes the relationship between beneficiary communities and development institutions. Thus, this makes local knowledge, compatible with bureaucratic planning (Mosse, 1994; ESCAP, 2009: 23). The case study discussed on gender equity in this paper shows that local village men do not share the same, nor are they willing to cooperate. They are caught up in local politics. Often decentalisation and participation cause the more vocal in the already advantaged group to remain in their position, which defeats the very purpose of participatory development by preventing the flow of contextualized knowledge, and diminishing the effectiveness of interventions (Perret, and Wilson, 2010:196). Criticisms have also been levied against the methods of Participatory Development. Stirrat (1996) raised concerns about the idea of dual forms of knowledge local and scientific knowledge. He argues that in the age of globalization, knowledge cannot exist in isolation but is mutually dependent on interrelationships. 3.4 The Myth of Community: According to Cleaver (2001: 603) the community in participatory approaches to development is often viewed as natural social entity characterized by shared values. It is believed that these values can be manifested in simple organizational form. This view is refuted by many. The assumption that the community as a natural entity and is identifiable in any location with defined boundaries and rights to membership appears to be simplistic. This imaginary view of a community or myth can have wider implications and lead to generalizations about all communities as having similar characteristics. As Stirrat (1996) notes, communities are physical spaces where people interact socially. 3.5 The Tyranny of Decision Making And Control: This view of Participatory approaches which emphasizes consensus building -and shared values is rather illusiory. Stirrat (1996) argues that these approaches with their supposed cooperation and solidarity is a new form of Orientalism, which ties in with ideas of domination and power relations. It is evident that in practice the power of decision making ultimately lies with the development agencies (Mosse, 2001). Therefore the participatory approach is criticised for not recognizing the social diversity and conflicts which pave the way for social exclusion (Cleaver, 2001; ESCAP, 2009: 24-25). It is argued that the approach is used in the name of empowering people and represents external interests as local needs, [and] dominant interests as community concerns (Mosse, 2001:22). This perception of participation has the potential of oppressing the beneficiaries and leading them to challenge the social hierarchies in the society (Kothari, 2001: 143). 3.6 The Bureaucratic organizations: When the organizational interests clash with the ideals of empowerment this leads to bureaucratisation of participation (Richards, 1995: Mohan, 2002). This conflict can lead to withdrawal of the project (Mosse, 2001). The civil society organisations can create competition with local organizations, as large amounts of aid money are chanelled through such organisations. This competition can sideline the weaker organisations, which will further undermine their development projects. In order to seek better funding, these organisations develop alliances with the donor organisations in the North. This perspective shows how the local governments authority is by-passed and that these grass roots agencies focus on increasing their capacity. Many such partnerships between northern countries organisations and those of southern countries come with a price. The delivery of aid money comes with an agenda (Mohan, 2002: 53). Thus, in effect, the development project of such organisations subjugates t hose who are supposed to be empowered. As these civil society organisations are accountable to their donor originations, they are also time bound and have certain targets and objectives to achieve in order to continue the source of their funding, which may affect the development of the projects (Stirrat ,1996; ESCAP, 2009). 3.7 From tyranny to transformation: This section briefly examines the present state of participatory approaches from the works of Hickey and Mohan (2004) and other literature produced in the aftermath of criticisms about the shortcomings and tyranny of participatory approaches. They argue that participation has expanded its role in development, with new methods appearing in theory and practice, and note that, in recent times, developing countries are engaged in formulating creative strategies to express their needs and are better aware of their rights. They stress the transformative approach to development by means of gaining an understanding of the power structures and politics of participation in development. Hickey and Mohan propose the creation of synergies between local projects and political action and governance at the state level. They claim that this synergy will help to overcome the potential tyranny of localized projects and promote social justice and rights based approaches through radical political action. This view proposes changes at the institutional and hierarchal level in order to provide oppressed citizens with an opportunity to take charge of the decisions which affect their lives and advocates promoting the agency of active citizenship by relocating participation within the wider realm of sociopolitical practices. It is assumed that this model of participation in development discourse will provide increased opportunities to the poor to exercise their rights as active members of the society and give them better control over socioeconomic resources (ESCAP, 2009: 25). 4. Conclusion: Participation has become a popular approach in contemporary development discourse. To draw some tentative conclusions from the above analysis, it is evident that empowerment through development has not been fully achieved. Although participatory development has benefited some local communities, the literature suggests that the participatory approach has a patronizing relationship to development. It has been abused by different stakeholders for various ideological and self-serving purposes (Stokke, Mohan, 2000: 263), and provided little or no gain to those whom it seeks to empower. As the evidence from the case shows, in the struggle for power observed in the rural water management programme in Rajahstan India, the unequal status of women meant that they had little access to participation in the water management incentives. It seems reasonable to conclude that many theorists and practitioners may be justified in their claims that participation is disempowering those who are already oppressed because of its inherently tyrannical nature. It can undermine the role of state and powerful transnational development organisations. However, it is important to note that studies on the subject, such as Participation: The New Tyranny?, and similar work, does not discourage the use of participation in development per se. The debates on participation rather suggest that issues of inequality and social structure must be addressed to overcome current problems and improve the participatory process. Although the tensions discussed in this paper continue to hinder development, they also present opportunities for the effective use of participatory approaches. Continuing efforts to challenge and transform local power relations by participatory practitioners and agencies with similar interests can bring them on the same platform to work together for effective local participation to the benefit of development. In recent times, many development agencies have changed their focus to incorporate the broader questions of citizenship and sovereignty. Many of these organisations are now seeking avenues for building institutional and state capacity (Mohan, 2002:53-54). Thus, as Cornwell argues: participatory approaches have much to offer, but will only make a difference if they are used with sensitivity to issues of difference and diverse social realities (Cornwall, 2003: 1338). Bibliography Cited: Berry, K. (2010). Gender and social Participation in a Rural Water Supply Organisation in Rajashtan, India, In Berry, K. and Mollard, E. (eds). Social Participation in Water Governance and Management: Critical and Global Perspectives. Earthscan, London. Bhatia, R. (2004). NGOs in womens economic development in India: an evaluation, in S. Hassan and M. Lyons (eds) Social Capital in Asian Sustainable Development Management, Nova Science Pub, New York. Campbell, J.R. (2001) Participatory rural appraisal as qualitative research: Distinguishing methodological issues from participatory claims. Human Organization. Chambers, R. (1983). Rural Development: Putting the last first. Longman, Harlow. Chambers, R. (1997). Whose Reality Counts? Putting the first last, Intermediate Technology Publications, London. Chambers, R. (2005a). Ideas for Development. Earthsacn, London. Chambers, R. (2005b). Review: Participation: From Tyranny To Transformation? Exploring New Approaches to Participation in Development, Development in Practice, 15, (5): 717-718. Taylor Francis, Ltd. on behalf of Oxfam GB. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4030152, [Accessed March 1, 2011] Cornwall, A. (2003). Whose Voices? Whose Choices? Reflections on Gender and Participatory Development, World Development, 31(8): 1325-1342. Cooke, B. and Kothari, U. (eds). (2001). Participation: The New Tyranny? London: Zed books. Cleaver, F. (1999). Paradoxes of Participation: Questioning Participatory Approaches to Development, Journal of International Development, 11: 597-612. Cleaver, F. (2001). Institutions, Agency and the Limitations of Participatory Approaches to development in Cooke, B. and Kothari, U. (eds). Participation: The New Tyranny? London: Zed books. ESCAP. (2009). Regional trends, issues and practices in rural poverty reduction: Case Studies on Community Participation. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific Publications Office. ST/ESCAP/2571. Available at: http://www.unescap.org/pdd/publications/poverty_and_development/trends_rural.pdf [Accessed March 1, 2011] Escobar, A. (1995). Encountering Development: the making and unmaking of the Third World, Princeton University Press, Princeton. Freire, P. (2003). The Pedagogy of the Oppressed. 30th anniversary edition, New York. Guijt, I. and Shah, K. M. (eds). (1998). The myth of Community: Gender Issues in Participatory development. IT Publications, London. Hickey, S. and Mohan, G. (eds). (2004). Participation: From Tyranny to Transformation? Exploring New Approaches to Participation in Development. London: Zed Books. Hickey, S. and Mohan, G. (2005). Relocating Participation within a Radical Politics of Development. Development and Change, 36 (2): 237-262. Kothari, U. (2001). Power, Knowledge and Social Control in Participatory Development in Cooke, B. and Kothari, U. (eds). Participation: The New Tyranny? London: Zed books. Mayo, M. and Craig, G. (1995). Community Participation and Empowerment: The Human face of Structural Adjustment or Tools for Democratic Transformation?, in Craig, G. and Mayo, M. (eds) Community Empowerment: A Reader in Participation and Development, Zed Books, London. McCusker, B. and Oberhauser, A. M. (2006). An assessment of womens access to natural resources through communal projects in South Africa, GeoJournal, vol. 66, pp. 325-339. Mosse, D. (1994). Authority, Gender and Knowledge: Theoretical Reflections on the Practice of Participatory Rural Appraisal. Development and Change, Vol. 25, pp. 497- 526. Mohan, G. (2002). Participatory development. In: Desai, V and Potter, R (eds). The Companion to Development Studies. Arnold London, UK: Hodder. Mohan, G. and Hickey, S. (2004) Relocating participations within a radical politics of development: critical modernism and citizenship, in S. Hickey and G. Mohan (eds). Participation: From Tyranny to Transformation? Exploring New Approaches to Participation in Development. London: Zed Books. Norton, A. and B. Bird, K. Brock, M. Kakande, C. Turk (2001). A Rough Guide to PPAs. Participatory Poverty Assessment: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. London: Overseas Development Institute. Peet, R. and

A Work of Artifice - A Profound Poem for Many Cultures Essay -- Poetry

"A Work of Artifice"- A Profound Poem for Many Cultures Suppression of women has occurred in all societies. Damage created by societal repression ranges from psychological damage to physical damage. Â  The suppression of women is not only perpetrated by men, often other women support the cultural traditions which are damaging, as they themselves grew up within the confines of those social norms. Â  Marge Piercy, a feminist activist, writer and poet makes a statement against social norms damaging to women with her poem, "A Work of Artifice". After reading the poem, one can certainly appreciate the fact that many norms embraced as acceptable for a woman causes physical and psychological damage to their total health. Through "A Work of Artifice", Piercy delivers a poignant message to societies everywhere. A "Work of Artifice" contains images of female suppression from various cultures. Piercy uses the symbol of a bonsai tree to represent a woman that has been conformed to society. The gardener "whittles back the branches" (Piercy, 10) every day, as a society or group forms a woman into what they think is decent or acceptable. Much literature, as well as other forms of media is devoted to depicting women who find themselves trying to achieve their dreams, while simultaneously having to work against the wishes of the greater part of their societies. Sometimes the heroines have to struggle to overcome society created morals within themselves. An example of this can be found within David Graham Phillips' novel The Price She Paid. The heroine, Gertrude, must give up her notions (which have been impressed upon her since birth by her family, community, and the larger part of New York Society) of what a "lady's" occupations and actions sho... ... binding- lotus shoes". San Francisco Museum: 1999. 13 Mar 2003 <a href="http://www.sfmuseum.org/chin/foot.html">http://www.sfmuseum.org/chin/foot.html</a> Eliade, Mircea, The Sacred and the Profane. Trans. Willard R. Trask. Â  New York: Harcourt Inc, 1959 "Female Genital Mutilation, a course pack". Amnesty International Website. 14 Mar 2003 <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/femgen/fgm1.htm#ref1">http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/femgen/fgm1.htm#ref1</a> Phillips, David Graham, The Price She Paid. IndyPublish.com: 2002. 14 Mar 2003 <a href="http://jollyroger.com/library1/ThePriceShePaidbyPhillipsebook.html">http://jollyroger.com/library1/ThePriceShePaidbyPhillipsebook.html</a> Piercy, Marge, "A Work of Artifice". Literature: Thinking, Reading and Writing Critically. Ed. Sylvan et al. 2nd ed. New York: Longman, 1997: 882-83, 894

Smart Phones Essay -- Technology, iPhone

Abstract: Apple’s iPhone initiated the popularization of smart phones in 2007. Smart phones and similar mobile computing devices have led to an unprecedented surge in mobile data usage which is a double edged sword as it generates more revenue for carriers, however the rapidly increasing number of devices and the way they operate, most wireless networks today are heavily congested which reduces the Quality-of-Service and will have detrimental effects in the long run if not curbed swiftly. This paper examines the effects smart phones have had on wireless cellular networks, their cause and what strategies will mitigate these adverse effects. I. INTRODUCTION AND MOTIVATION In the past few years, the mobile communications industry has seen an explosive growth of mobile data [1]. This phenomenon can be attributed to the Apple iPhone which when released in 2007 ushered in the era of smart phones and other mobile computing devices. Even though smart phones did exist before the iPhone, it was the Apple iPhone which truly brought smart phones to the masses. This was followed closely by Google Android, tablet computers such as the iPad and other developments in the mobile communications industry which paved the way for smart phones to become a substantial share of worldwide mobile handset sales. One key development which also led to the rise of smart phones was the development of high data rates standards such as High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and Evolution Data-Optimized (EV-DO). Smart phones are able to provide users with a wide variety of features which usually require heavy data transfer such as video calls, high-quality video streaming, location- based data services and other content delivery services. These features led to the p... ...etwork to the maximum without causing network management issues. iv. The future network should be designed to support only data communication where the voice communication will be done over VoIP. An only data design would simplify the design of this network by significantly reducing the number of processes and eliminating circuit switching parameters. It should have an advanced air-interface coupled with a scalable backhaul network to deal with increasing mobile data. VI. CONCLUSION This paper analyzed the impact of smart phones on wireless cellular carriers. The cause and effects on carriers as well as possible mitigation strategies were explored. Network congestion is the immediate challenge facing cellular carrier, but the mobile industry as a whole faces numerous challenges ahead. The paper also discussed some of features that future networks might include.

Siberian Husky :: essays research papers

Siberian Huskies are thought to have come from Siberia when there was a land bridge between Alaska and Siberia. The Siberian Husky has some very unusual characteristics. Some of the characteristics are behavioral and some are physical. Overall the Siberian Husky is a beautiful, trustworthy and loyal companion to its master and family. Some of the Siberian Huskies unusual physical traits can be found in their eyes. The Siberian Husky can have blue eyes or brown eyes or one of eye of each color (to have one of each color is a physical flaw). It also has a strong compact body which help them trap and kill their pray; strong straight legs, which enable them to run with long hopping strides; a deep chest, which allows them to knock their pray off their feet; and a curved bushy tail, such as a fox. (Sled Dogs, 21-2). The Siberian Husky has two layers of fur; an under-coat and an outer-coat. The under-coat is designed to protect them from the rain and snow and keeps them warm in the winter, therefore, allowing them to be able to be sled dogs. The outer-coat is to protect them from stinging bugs, ticks, thorny bushes and ice. (Compton's). Some of the unusual behavioral traits that Huskies are known to have are their relationship with their masters is one that must be built over time. The Husky does not trust immediately, their trust must be earned. The Husky likes to explore new areas and are curious animals by nature. They wonder from their domain in order to conquer new territory. The Huskies are strong-willed and stubborn dogs. They are very territorial but also remain gentle and friendly with their master and family. If their master abuses them they will become very aggressive and are likely to turn and attack their owner. They are very good family dogs, they are especially good with children. (Animal Behavior 82-5). This particular dog is used for dog sledding because it is strong, can run long distances and their bodies can withstand the bitter cold weather. In addition, the Husky is used for hunting and as a watch dog. Huskies have keen senses, they can hunt well and can run fast. (Compton's) The Siberian Husky is a hunter by nature. They hunt for their meals, and eat a variety of different wild meets and weeds. Some of the most common foods of the Husky are snow rabbits, deer and raw meats, unless they are domesticated. A domesticated Husky will eat processed dog food and/or table scraps; which ever the master desires to feed them. Some accomplishments of the Siberian Husky are that in

Burundi’s Millenium Development Goals Essay

This paper aims to examine the millennium development goals for Burundi, a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa. Burundi has 8 different millennium development goals that it is attempting to achieve and this paper will examine five of those goals. The millennium development goals of Burundi that will be addressed are to: (1) eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, (2) achieve universal primary education, (3) promote gender equality and empower women, (4) reduce child mortality, and (5) improve maternal health. Burundi, as well as all other less developed countries, is aiming to meet its development goals by the year 2015. And in order for Burundi to achieve each of its millennium development goals on time, the country has created targets that directly affect each of the goals and give insight into whether or not Burundi is on track to accomplish its goals. The first millennium development goal of Burundi is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. In order to accomplish this, the first target that Burundi wants to meet is to cut in half, between 1990 and 2015, the number of people whose income is less than one dollar a day. The second target is to halve the proportion of people who suffer from hunger between 1990 and 2015. There are many factors that must be examined to determine if progress is being made to accomplish both of these targets and essentially the overall development goal. When looking at the first target, it is important to examine the percentage of population below $1 (PPP) of consumption per day, percentage of total population below national poverty line, and the percent of the poorest quintile’s share in national income or consumption. In doing so, we see that in 1990, 84.2% of Burundi’s population that was under $1 (PPP) of consumption per day and there has been little progress since then, as it reached 86.4% in 2000 and then decreased to 81.3% in 2010. We also see that there was a very significant decrease in the percentage of total population below national poverty, going from 91.3% in 1990 to 52.4% in 2010 – which represents significant progress toward eradicating extreme poverty. It is evident that the percent of the poorest quintile’s share in national income or consumption has made little progress over the years, as it went from 8.3% in 1990, down to 5.0% in 2000 and then back up to 9.0% in 2010. For the second target, we must look at the percentage of children under 5 that are moderately or severely underweight and the percentage of population that is undernourished. When doing so, it is evident that the percentages of children under 5 that are moderately or severely underweight have greatly decreased from 1990 to 2010, as it went from 51.6% to 30.4%. Although this represents some progress, the percentage of Burundi’s population that is undernourished has not improved. In fact, Burundi’s undernourished population rose dramatically over time as it went from 49.0% in 1990 to 73.1% in 2010. The second development goal of Burundi is to achieve universal primary education. In order to achieve this goal, the country is aiming for all children, boys and girls alike, to complete a full course of primary schooling by 2015. In order to determine if Burundi is on track to meet this goal, it is essential to look at the percentage of literacy rates of 15-24 year olds, net enrollment in primary education (both sexes), and the percentage of pupils starting grade 1 and reaching grade 5 (both sexes). When examining these three measures, the numbers show that there was only slight advancement over the years in the percentage of literacy rates of 15-24 year olds and the percentage of pupils who started 1st grade and reached 5th grade. Although that was the case, there was major advancement for net enrolment in primary education. The percent of literacy rates of 15-24 year olds was 65.3% in 1990, had a slight increase to 73.3% in 2000, and then slightly increased again to 77.6% in 2010. This was similar to trends for the children who started 1st grade and made it to 5th grade, which was 44.3% in 1990, rose to 53.8% in 2000 and then hit 56.10% in 2010. On the other hand, net enrollment in primary education has seen major progress as it jumped from 19.8% in 1990 to 44.9% in 2000 to 94.5% in 2010. The third development goal of Burundi is to promote gender equality and empower women. The target to reach this goal was to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and to all levels of education no later than 2015. The percentage of seats held by women in national parliament and the Gender Parity Index for primary and secondary education enrollment levels can both be used to see if Burundi is on track to meet this goal by 2015. When observing the percentage of seats held by women in national parliament over the years, it is evident that major progress has been made. This is evidenced by the fact that it went from 2.2% in 1990 and reached 94.5% in 2010. In addition, the Gender Parity Index in primary level enrollment has made pretty consistent progress over the years, but the major advancement has occurred in secondary level enrollment, as it went from .56 in 1990 to .72 in 2010. The fourth millennium development goal of Burundi is to reduce child mortality where the country set a target to reduce the under-five mortality rate by two thirds from 1990 to 2015. We can study the percentage of 1-year-old children that are immunized against measles and the mortality rate per 1,000 births for children under five years old to determine the progress that has been made to accomplish this goal. When viewing the percentage of 1-year-old children that are immunized against measles, it is apparent that this has been a key focus in Burundi over the years, as it has gone from 74% in 1990 to an astounding 94% in 2010. The mortality rate per 1,000 births for children under five years old has also shown advancement in Burundi. This can be seen by the fact that it fell from 182.6 in 1990, to 164.6 in 2000, and to 141.7 in 2010. A fifth development goal that Burundi hopes to accomplish by 2015 is to improve maternal health. They aim to reach this goal by reducing the maternal mortality rate by three quarters between 1990 and 2015. The percentage of births attended by skilled health personnel and the maternal mortality ratio per 100,000 live births are key indicators to show if Burundi is on the right path to achieve this goal. After examining the percentage of births that were attended by skilled health personnel in Burundi in 2000 compared to that of 2010, it is clear that a great amount of progress had been made. Skilled health personnel participated in only 25.2% of births in 2000 but significantly increased to 60.3% of births in 2010. And lastly, the maternal mortality ratio per 100,000 live births has slowly decreased over the last 20 years, as it went from 1100 to 1000 from 1990 to 2000 and from 1000 down to 800 from 2000 to 2010. After examining the millennium development goals for Burundi, it is evident that there has been a significant amount of progress made in many different areas. This can be seen when examining the percent of total population below national poverty line, percent of children under 5 moderately or severely underweight, percent of population that is undernourished, net enrollment in primary education (both sexes), percent of seats held by women in national parliament, Gender Parity Index in both primary and secondary level enrollment, percent of 1-year-old children that are immunized against measles, and the percent of births attended by skilled health personnel. This progress is essential because it is the only way a less developed country like Burundi has a chance to become a developed country in the future. Despite this progress, it is clear that there are also some targets that have shown minimal or no advancement and this will hinder Burundi from reaching its millennium development goals. These targets include the percent of population below $1 (PPP) consumption per day, percentage of the poorest quintile’s share in national income or consumption, percent of literacy rates of 15-24 year olds, and the percent of pupils (both sexes) starting grade 1 and reaching grade 5. If these specific targets are not achieved, it will be difficult for Burundi to reach all of its millennium development goals by 2015 despite its progress in the other targeted areas.

Evaluate the Foodservice Operation Essay

As time passes by, people were expecting also an improvement in the way cultural institutions would like to show what they got. If you have gone to a museum once, or other cultural institutions, you would probably go back some other time due to the liking in the place and its content. However, an expectation of seeking new experiences would probably be born onto you. Cultural institutions have been making many improvements and developments for the people visiting the place. Such improvements and developments are through exhibits, experiences, facilities, amenities, and many more. Together with the improvements is the food service. The fact that people are now becoming aware of the food trends which are probably seen in the television and the styles of serving and preparations of foods, the need for the improvement of the food service in this cultural institution is a must. Look at this; would anyone have much interest to go to the cafeteria in basement or in any place in the museum, having an old-fashioned theme, walking in a dark path? Someone might lose his/her appetite. Food service operations, such as having cafeterias, food courts and in any other form inside of the cultural institutions, enhance the satisfaction of the people who visits the place. In addition to that, it can also produce additional revenue for the institution and made the entire facility a place to go. Imagine, someone had to walk for a long time to see the cultural institutions have to show. Then the time he/she would be thinking of rest, he/she can then go to the cafeteria and have a rest while recharging his energy through eating. This is how Andy Zakrajsek explains how foodservice operations are important in such cultural institutions. He is the current director or retail businesses and the manager of the Brain Food Court together with the other operations regarding foodservice at the Museum of Science & Industry (Levin, 2006). Food Service Mission A place to rest and unwind The main mission of having a food service operation in a cultural institution is to give time for the people visiting their place a time to recharge, say after an 8-hour tiring strolling looking on what the place have to offer . A need for nourishment can be given by these food service facilities. Another thing is to give time for the visitors to sit beside their friends and families, while enjoying the beautiful scene of the place. Through this, visitors then have the opportunity to unwind and take some rest for the next hour/s going back to see more of the exhibits present on the place. To generate additional revenues Not only on the outside or special occasions are catering on the play. At the Museum of Science & Industry, there are also special events celebrated with which catering services held by the Brain Food Court under Andy Zakrajsek are on the roll. This catering on special events was considered to be one of the activities which generate a large amount of revenues. The museum and all other cultural institutions were designed to have a large area for special events and gathering such as large lobbies, atriums, amphitheaters, etc†¦ However, there is also a need for spacious places inside the cultural institutions; this is in addition to the accommodations needed for the gathering, but also the need for the foodservice preparations. Considering the costs of the foodservice preparations, having a place inside the cultural institution as the preparation area, will costs lesser than renting a place to takeover or a catering service outside, while earning greater profit. Must Adapt to Changes There are also called peak seasons and valley seasons on the museum. The number of visitors may vary from day-to-day or from season-to-season. For example, there can be thousands more of visitors which comes to visit the museum during summer, and by a hundred during winter (Johns, 2006). Due to this ‘seasons of change’, the foodservice must be adaptive to this kind of situation. The foodservice then must be flexible. Since there would be a large number to serve during warmer days, the foodservice operation must also consider the safety, but still must be in efficient manner. And in cold winter days, there must be an operation that shall consider the minimal staffing to lower the expenses. Andy Zakrajsek had thought of this problem and had also find solution to resolve this problem regarding the peaks and valleys. He said that having equipments and designs of the facilities which are flexible should be the best solution for a cafeteria and other foodservice facilities. The museum had undergone major renovations on their designs to adapt with the changes in numbers of guests that will arrive. Considering the case that occurs during cold winter days with which only a few numbers of guests arrives at the museum. The application of these flexible equipments and facilities can be seen; such as shutting down of some of the stations allocated for cooking. Doing this will lessen the costs for the amenities, and also to reduce some staffs. The need for an exceedingly flexible equipments and facilities is a must in order for the foodservice operations to handle the changes with regards to the numbers of crowds and the changing food trends. To Look Great while being Durable The food court and cafeterias are the one responsible for the foodservice operations. Together with other facilities and areas in the museum, the food court and cafeterias must also look really good as elaborated by Andy Zakrajsek. The museum’s food courts and cafeterias have been visited by a million and a half of visitors every year, many of them were kids. In addition to the foodservice operations, the manager of the foodservice operations had included in the food courts and cafeterias some carts, strollers and backpacks having buckles (Levin, 2006). This will make it easier for visitors to handle their kids, and for the place to be in control and in stillness. But these additional equipments must also be durable through time. There had been some changes together with the major renovations, on the floors and walls of the food courts and cafeterias. The food court and cafeteria’s floors were replaced by stain-proof and scratch-proof floorings while still having a nice design. As Andy Zakrajsek explained, they needed an industrial-level of surface materials while still giving an interesting look and designs. Educational Purpose One of the major purposes of the cultural institutions was to educate. Foodservice operations also included this purpose on their operations. There is a ledge purposely designed in front of the pizza and grill stations of the museum. This is made so that children can step onto it so that they can see and observe the cooks while working. The window protectors which divide the stations for cooking and the customer’s area were made of clear glasses which are in lower position relative to the customers view. This is an intended work so that the visitors can make a better look at the cooking and food preparation. Is it profitable? The manager of the Brain Food Court and the other foodservice operations of the Museum of Science & Industry, Andy Zakrajsek, had focused on two things. They made critical and complete evaluations on the foodservice operations. They had evaluated the department for the special events of the museum. The first thing they evaluated are the following; how it functions; how the food courts, cafeterias and foodservice operations connected to the museum and how will it serve the guests; and had also evaluated the quality of the management used and the staffs of the foodservice operation. The second thing they did is reviewing the catering program. The purpose of this is a way easy, the optimization of the income that the museum can earn. After the evaluations and reviews done, they made improvement and developments regarding the concerns stated above. The result is that the net income of the museum had increased up to 250% within five years (Greenbaum, 2004). What makes foodservice profitable is that it enhances the cultural institutions overall purpose, having cafeterias and food courts, catering and other special events and foodservices, make the increase in the number of visitors in the museum, this is the main supporting evidence how foodservice operations make the institution more profitable. As stated by the by Andy Zakrajsek, the catering on the special events held at the museum was considered one of the activities which generates a large amount of revenues. Conclusion The importance of the foodservice operations in cultural institution is extremely high. Thus, this implies that the planning about the foodservice operations must be included on the design process of every cultural institution. Summing it up, there is a critical role played by the foodservice operations in a cultural institution, and planning it up early and having it is one of the measures of success of the institution. Foodservice operations are responsible for the enhancements of the institution, which controls the increases the number of visitors, in which it brings huge revenues to the institution.

Allegory of the Cave Summary

Allegory of the Cave Summary Plato’s Allegory of the Cave presents an enthralling concept that holds strong to this day. In the allegory three main ideas are illustrated : that we have been conditioned to a definite reality since birth, we scorn being brought into the ‘light’ of knowledge, and that we (as a society) reject anything that contradicts the notions of our preconceived reality. Clever Plato took these ideas and weaved them into an intriguing story of prisoners trapped in an underground cave, and then what happens when one of them was enLIGHTened.Surprisingly it applies in many ways to our society in modern times, nowadays no one questions what is true and what is false. It’s exactly as Aldous Huxley feared, we’ve become lost in a sea of information which debilitates us to gain conscious understanding of information. We’ve been raised in a society of ‘don’t question it’ which leaves the people vulnerable to the pe ople carrying the statues across the fire, creating our sense of reality. When we are first brought into this cave at the beginning of the allegory, it contains prisoners bound by chains in such a way as to force their heads to stare at this wall.It continues to tell us that they’ve been this way since birth, and that a massive fire behind them that allows them to see shadows broadcast onto the wall, periodically people go be the fire with statues of people and creatures which cast shadows onto the wall and this ‘shadow world’ is what the prisoners consider their reality. They are all content with this knowledge and nothing changes until one of the prisoners is set free. The prisoner, once he’s set free, is blinded by the fire the moment he turns his head to face the fire.He looks back to the shadows which he identifies as reality, and looks back and forth between the fire and the wall until he finally accepts that the fire may be more ‘real’. His enlightenment is continued as he’s forced up the stairs and forced into the sunlight to view the real world. He begins slowly only identifying shadows at first and slowly progresses until he’s able to identify the sun, and contemplate the sun as an idea and not just as an object.He continues learning about this new reality until he is fully convinced. Remembering his former companions he grows full of pity for them, knowing that they don’t share his knowledge of what is ‘real’ and what is a mere shade of reality. With this thought in his head he heads back to the cave. Once he’s back in the cave his eyes are full of darkness and he’s unable to see things as clearly as his companions, for he had grown accustomed to the reality of light, because of this his former companions made fun of him.They knew he wasn’t as adept to their reality, which they perceived as being the right one. Seeing what happened to their former companio n when he was taken into the light, they decided that they’d never ascend because if they ascended they’d lose their sight of ‘reality’. With that the enlightened one left, knowing that his companions were lost in blissful ignorance, and he could do nothing to convince them for fear of death.

Feasibility Marketing Plan – Lumber Business

MARKETING PLAN OF MADERA SAN JOSE Marketing Tools Madera San Jose, from the name itself, will offer wood products specifically hardwoods or lumber that would be further used for production of different products such as wood furniture, residential or commercial structures, and etc. Madera is the Spanish word for â€Å"wood†. Madera San Jose’s hardwood products will be expounded on in the next part of the study – the marketing plan of the proposed business. This part of the feasibility study determines the different types marketing programs prevalent in the lumber industry that can help the Madera.Given that the proposed business is a medium-scale lumber business in the province of Pampanga, the province of Muebles San Jose and also the proposed province for the location of Madera San Jose, the group gathered few and simple but still effective marketing programs that are implemented by owners there to make their business known. They can also be considered as more of marketing tools. Firstly, the bu sinesses give free merchandise such as calendars, face towels and shirts. These materials bear the logo or name of the business as well as its location.Mostly the merchandise is given to both potential and loyal patrons for them to maintain and spread awareness of the business. This practice has been done not just in Pampanga but in other places, too, and not just by lumber business owners but by other business owners, too. Except for the calendars, that are given just once a year, other merchandises are given depending on the owners disposal or whenever the owners want to, and how frequently they want to. It is proven effective because most businesses that have done it are the long-running ones compared to others that have not.The costs associated with these merchandises are as follows: Merchandise| Price & Quantity| Calendars| Php 10. 00 per 1 pc. for 30 pcs. (in a bulk)| Face towel| Php 15. 00 per 1 pc. for pcs. (in a bulk)| Shirts| Php 80. 00 per 1 pc. for 100 pcs. (in a bulk)| Secondly, businesses in Pampanga sponsor basketball teams in town leagues. Lumber businesses there have done it, too. In exchange, their logos are seen on the basketball players’ jerseys. Basketball leagues are held more than once annually, sometimes at very frequent intervals. In these events, usually many people come to watch.Aside from basketball jerseys, there are also banners portraying the businesses’ logos and locations. These are seen by owners as opportunities for the business to be recognized so they sponsor. Lumber businesses in Pampanga have done so, too. In Pampanga, the total cost for sponsoring a team is Php 10,000. 00. Following is the breakdown of said amount that will be paid in case Madera sponsors a basketball team. Expenses| Price| Basketball jerseys| Php7,200. 00 (Php 600. 00 x 12 jersey sets)| Banners or Posters| Php 2,000. 00 | Miscellaneous| Php 800. 00|The third and the last marketing tool used by most business owners in the area as well as gi ving one peso discounts. This practice has long been used by business owners – from large department stores to local lumber business owners. The practice gives customers the mentality that they get to save more while at the same time, not affecting much the costs of incurred by the business for that certain item – considering that there were mark-ups added. Marketing Mix (4 Ps) The marketing plan mainly elaborates on the 4 Ps of a business: the Product, Place, Price, and Promotion.These 4 Ps are also considered the â€Å"marketing mix† of the business that determine what the business has to offer and what are the channels for this offer to reach the consumers. In this part of the study, the said principles are expounded on in the context of Madera San Jose. Product Usually, the first principle of the 4 Ps tackled in marketing plans is the Product. Madera San Jose will offer lumber – to be specific, hardwood products. In the simplest sense, lumber is †Å"wood in any stage from the time it is cut from a tree through its use in construction or paper,† (What is Lumber Homepage, 2013).Lumber is cut from a tree through a process called felling. After it is cut and shipped, it is supplied either â€Å"rough† or â€Å"finished†. Finished lumber is primarily used in the construction industry. Most finished lumber is cut from softwood trees such as pine, fir, or cedar. Some rough lumber includes hardwoods for use in high-grade wood floors (What is Lumber Homepage, 2013). Rough lumber is raw and uncut to standardized measurements. It is used for furniture or specialty manufacturing where custom cutting and shaping is required.Given that Muebles San Jose concentrates on furniture making – custom-made or otherwise – Madera San Jose will mainly sell rough lumber in the form of hardwoods. The hardwood lumber products to be offered by Madera are: Lauan, Yakal, Teak, Gmelina, Malabuaya, Narra, Mahogany, Apitong, and Antipolo. Like the competitors, Top Lumber and Angeles LCM Construction Supply, Madera San Jose will get most of its woods from the suppliers in Tarlac. Below are the illustrations of the different hardwood products to be sold by Madera San Jose. Lauan YakalTeak Gmelina MalabuayaNarraMahoganyApitongAntipolo These lumber products, as mentioned, are to be processed further for production of more products such as trimmings for structures and more especially, furniture. Place The second P stands for Place. Madera San Jose’s wood warehouse and store itself is to be established in Angeles City, Pampanga. Pampanga is the home of Muebles San Jose. However, be that as it is, Muebles is in Mabalacat, not Angeles City. Angeles City was chosen due to its close proximity to Mabalacat – Mabalacat borders Angeles City in the latter’s northern part.Secondly, it is considered as a first-class highly urbanized city in the country, with its numerous residential areas as well a s commercial ones such as restaturants, malls, universities and even tourist spots such as ancestral mansions and houses. These structures require a lot of wood – both for the building itself as well as the furniture. Since the site is a highly industrial part of Pampanga, it is accessible to its suppliers from both Tarlac and Manila; MARSSE Timber Suppliers, Tarlac and Mango and Timber Plantation, Manila – the latter’s office is located in Taguig.Each supplier supplies 3,000 board feet of wood monthly. The exact location of Madera San Jose in Angeles City will be in Brgy. Pandan. The proposed business will actually be located at Pandan Road, Brgy. Pandan, Angeles City, Pampanga. There are about nine puroks situated in Barangay Pandan. These are: Old Pandan, Land Tenure, San Ignacio Subdivision, Springside Subdivision, Citicenter A, Citicenter B, Magalang Avenue Extension, Jaovil Compound, and Saint Ignatius Subdivision.There are also several establishments â₠¬â€œ furniture shops, schools (public and private), barangay hall (of Pandan and of other nearby barangays) – that are relevant to the business. The exact location where the proposed business will be launched is noticeably located on a main road and is situated in a commercial-residential area. This is intended such that the business will be highly accessible to the chance buyers and to the greater market, specifically businesses within the vicinity and residents living in the area, who may have probably become the clients of Madera San Jose.The lot measures 300sq. m. and the lumber business is expected to occupy 280sq. m. Originally, the location was a bare land. It was acquired it years before by Mr. Manabat for the purpose of expanding his first business. Price The price for the lumber of Madera San Jose was also gathered from the standard prices of woods per board foot in Pampanga. Following are the prices: Hardwood| Price Per Board Foot| Lauan| Php30. 00| Yakal| Php40. 0 0| Teak| Php60. 00| Gmelina| Php26. 00| Malabuaya| Php30. 00| Narra| Php85. 00|Mahogany| Php30. 00| Apitong| Php30. 00| Antipolo| Php35. 00| One will notice that these prices are also the same as those of the competitors’. This is because of the fact that the owners want to use competition-based pricing. Competition-based pricing is the strategy used when a firm uses the competitor’s prices as benchmarks. In Madera’s case, since there are only two (2) competitors nearby that also offer hardwood lumber; Top Lumber and Angeles LCM Construction Supply, and both have the same prices, Madera used their prices.Same prices are used to get more people from the competitors’ pool of patrons, and no decreases are made either, so that Madera an establish stability since the business is new and so that there will be allowance for possible future discounts. Also, other lumber dealers sell at the same prices and the customers are used to the standard. Since Madera San J ose will be a new addition, the business will also use the same prices to establish its place in the market. Promotion Promotional tools used by lumber businesses in Pampanga have been mentioned already in the first part of this portion of the study.Going back, the three tools are: 1) giving of printed merchandise, 2) sponsorship of basketball leagues, and 3) one-peso discounts. `The group recommends Madera San Jose to use the first and second tools – printed merchandise and basketball league sponsorships. Giving printed merchandise such as calendars, face towel, and shirts is not something new in the small to medium industries but they are helpful in spreading knowledge of the business. For instance, buildings – whether private of public, large or small – that display the calendars will help in making the new business known.It is also an ideal way because calendars are displayed and looked at all year round. As for shirts and towels, people who wear or use them are mostly people from the manual labor sector. These people tend to move and work a lot in the local community. Without spreading information on the business verbally, these people â€Å"display† the business just by moving around. It will help that the printed information not just contains the business logo and name but the business address as well. The second tool is the team sponsorship in basketball leagues.As mentioned, basketball leagues are hugely-crowded events. Some people from other towns even visit to watch. In the basketball leagues, aside from banners that can be displayed around the court, Madera can gain exposure through basketball jerseys with the business logo printed on them. Aside from having huge crowds to whom Madera can be exposed to, basketball leagues are held more than once a year – even more frequently if the area has many playing teams. Madera will have more exposure time. One might wonder why the third tool was not applied.This tool is the one-peso discount strategy. It would be good for the business. However, it is also deemed ideal if this strategy will not be applied in at present – when the business is still new in the industry. Customers should be accustomed first with the actual prices before being given the discounts. Marketing Plan Conclusion In sum, unlike other industries, the lumber businesses in Pampanga do not highly focus on marketing. If one will notice in this study, this marketing part does not comprise much information compared to other aspects such as the operational plan and financials.This is so because first and foremost, the lumber industry in Pampanga mainly relies on word-of-mouth as the major marketing agenda. Owners, aside from giving free merchandise and some basketball leagues do not use famous media such as the television, radios and magazines. Some even do not have a marketing strategy at all, or if they do, they do not practice it for the long run. They just rely on word-of-mout h. In short, the most reliable and fool-proof way of gaining more customers for Madera San Jose is based on its products and how these will make the customers satisfied enough to spread information about them.